Celebrate the Magic of Christmas at Cravath

The City of Whitewater is thrilled to celebrate the success of this year’s Christmas at Cravath lighting event, which brought holiday cheer to the community through an enchanting display of lights and decorations at Cravath Lakefront Park.

The Christmas at Cravath lighting ceremony took place around 7:00 p.m. on December 6th, immediately following the festive downtown Christmas parade. Attendees gathered at Cravath Lakefront Park to witness the stunning lights come to life, marking the start of a magical holiday season in Whitewater. [The lighting ceremony may be viewed here, and a video walk-through of the lights may be seen here.]

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors, whose generous contributions made this event possible.

Presented by sponsor: TDS Fiber

Santa’s Helpers level sponsors: Pro Landscape Supply, Burtness Chevrolet, Generac, UW Whitewater (SAI)

Candy Cane level sponsors: Tundra Tobacco, PremierBank, First Citizens State Bank, Kienbaum Iron & Metal, JLH Trucking

Gift Level Sponsors: Ketterhagen Ford, Fort HealthCare

Holiday Cheer level sponsors: Steve O’s Flip Flops and Tank Tops, Fort Community Credit Union

The lights and displays will remain available for public viewing nightly from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM through January 6, 2025. Families, children, and visitors are encouraged to visit Cravath Lakefront Park to experience the magic of the season and enjoy everything Whitewater has to offer during this special time of year.

Join us Saturday, December 14th for Family Fun Activities with Santa from 5-8 pm. Enjoy cookies and milk sponsored by Katzman Family Farms, cookie decorating and other family friendly activities.

Friday, December 20th from 6-8pm, we will be hosting a Chili Cook Off and viewing National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation out on the big screen in the park. Dress warm!

Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce that Christmas at Cravath will become an annual tradition in Whitewater, further solidifying our community’s commitment to bringing joy and togetherness to the holiday season.

Additionally, stay tuned for a special treat! Media Services is creating a video walking tour of the Christmas at Cravath display, which will soon be available on our social media platforms, YouTube channel, and Channel 990.

For more information, visit https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/1 or follow us on social media for updates and content from this year’s event.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the City of Whitewater.

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE HOLDS COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY IN DECEMBER

The following individual from our area is among the 1,340 prospective candidates for degree attending University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee commencement exercises Sunday, December 15, 2024 in Milwaukee.

UWM is the second largest university in the State of Wisconsin, with over 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Whitewater, WI

Dorothy Kent, School of Nursing, Doctor of Philosophy

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week’s image is one donated by the Leffingwell family. This donation was of photos from Halverson’s and Leffingwell’s men’s store. It shows a mid-20th century holiday float. Clearly it celebrates Santa and his reindeer, perhaps pulling a special hut where kids could visit Santa, but also wishes people a happy new year.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(4332P, Whitewater Historical Society)

Whitewater Arts Alliance and FACT Reader’s Theatre Present

A Hometown Christmas

Two classic radio plays:

Christmas on Pine Mountain

Meet Me in St. Louis

One performance only at Whitewater’s Cultural Arts Center

Saturday, December 14 at 2 pm

Presented by Fort Atkinson Community Theater

Directed by Benjamin Whitcomb

Suggested donation of $10 per person at the door would be greatly appreciated.

Light refreshments will be served.

The Landmarks Commission of Whitewater is taking a significant step
toward determining the future of the iconic Starin Park Water Tower. Following a non-binding referendum presented to voters, the results revealed 44% support for saving the tower and 56% opposing the use of taxpayer funds for restoration.

The question posed to voters on the November 5th ballot was: “The City of Whitewater Water Utility has decommissioned the Starin Park Water Tower, meaning it is no longer part of the water system. The Water Utility can spend up to $600,000 (the cost of demolition) to maintain it as a City-owned Historical Landmark. The remaining costs, approximately $1,000,000 for repairs and $250,000 every 10 years for maintenance, would need to come from City tax dollars or donations. Should the City of Whitewater use tax dollars to repair and maintain the Starin Park Water Tower?”

The City Manager recommended that the matter be referred to the Landmarks Commission. Recognizing the water tower’s historical, cultural, and economic significance, the Common Council chose to follow the
recommendation of the City Manager and refer the matter to the Landmarks Commission. The Common Council instructed the Landmarks Commission to report back to the Council with a plan on how best to proceed regarding the Water Tower by May of 2025.

The Landmarks Commission met on December 4th to discuss the non-binding referendum results and how best to proceed via the Common Council’s direction. The Commission has decided to establish a community
committee to gather feedback and explore the best course of action for the structure.

This landmark has significant historical, cultural and economic significance. Due to there being such a large impact on our community, the commission felt that it was best to have community feedback as they proceed. Katy Wimer, the director of content and communications for Discover Whitewater notes its significance: “Over the years, the Starin Park Water Tower has become one of a few central figures in Whitewater’s story,
drawing visitors and history enthusiasts looking to explore Wisconsin’s historical sites and intrigued by its spiritualism lore. The tower’s popularity has grown significantly in recent years due to Whitewater Chamber of
Commerce’s Annual Spirit Tour, making Whitewater a must-visit destination, especially for travelers who want a taste of history mixed with a bit of the supernatural. These visitors don’t just come for the day—they book overnight stays in our hotels and patronize our local restaurants, shops, and other businesses. The tower is a true economic asset to Whitewater and can be an even greater asset in supporting local tourism if maintained well and appreciated for what it represents beyond its original use.”

The Landmarks Commission will be developing a range of options, including preservation, fundraising, or alternative uses for the tower, while actively seeking community input through the newly formed committee.

The Commission is committed to reporting its recommendations to the Common Council by May 2025.

Community members interested in participating or sharing ideas are encouraged to contact the Landmarks Commission at 262-473-0149.

Together, we can ensure that the Starin Park Water Tower continues to inspire and contribute to the story of Whitewater for generations to come.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the City of Whitewater.

TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS®) is proud to support the Bethel House as part of the company’s third annual Week of Giving campaign.

One of the company’s core values is giving back to the communities it serves. Last week, themed TDS Cares giving events were held throughout the company’s service areas, including in Whitewater. Events included Cyber/STEM Monday, Giving Tuesday, Wellness Wednesday, Thankful Thursday, and Food Bank Friday.

On Wednesday, a dozen TDS associates presented a $2,500 donation and contributed a total of 36 volunteer hours to help the Bethel House continue its mission of preventing homelessness for local children and families.

“The TDS Week of Giving campaign is centered around supporting organizations that make our communities strong. We’re proud to donate more than $100,000 to local charities and organizations across the country, and we hope to inspire others to join us in giving back this holiday season,” said Drew Petersen, TDS Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs.

TDS Cares initiatives occur throughout the year and through the Be Good Citizens program, TDS provides associates with 16 hours of paid time off every year to volunteer at the 501c3 organization of their choice. 

The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office has issued a Cold Weather Advisory from 10 p.m. on Wednesday to 10 a.m. on Thursday. They indicate that “The combination of air temperatures in the low single digits to negative single digits and wind gusts between 35 to 40 mph will lead to wind chills as low as -25 degrees. Wind chills will be the worst between Midnight and 8AM Thursday.”

The former Wind Chill Advisories are now being called “Cold Weather Advisories.” Such an advisory is issued when the wind chill is anticipated to be at least -20 degrees F. It appears that much of Rock and Walworth Counties will barely miss falling to that level, and consequently the advisory is not being extended to them – but it will still be very cold.

In an announcement dated December 6, Kim McDarison, the editor and sole employee of WhitewaterWise indicated that the online publication, together with Fort Atkinson Online, will be placed on “indefinite pause with the close of 2024.” McDarison stated that, “The pause is a result of life-related changes which require a reallocation of time…” by herself. She thanked the many individuals who have contributed to the site, including freelancers as well as the readers and advertisers. It was indicated that archived articles will remain available for an undetermined period, although advertisements will be removed at the end of the year.

Raised in New England and a 1986 graduate of Western Connecticut State University, Kim McDarison indicated in an earlier release that she wanted to be a journalist from the time she was nine. While in college, she earned a bachelor of business administration (BBS) degree, with a concentration in MIS (management information systems), and a minor in journalism. In the early 2000’s she served as the editor of the Whitewater Register, and since that time her work has been published in many area newspapers, including the Daily Jefferson County Union.

McDarison founded Fort Atkinson Online four years ago, and having also had a longtime interest in Whitewater, that publication increasingly provided news from our city. She launched WhitewaterWise in the summer of 2023 and has devoted a great deal of time providing extensive coverage of Common Council and School Board meetings, together with other news and events.

We are certain that we join many in the community in thanking Kim for her contributions to keeping Whitewater informed. Her publications will be missed, and we wish her well on her future endeavors.

Written by Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Universities of Wisconsin honor achievements of LGBTQ+ advocates and their allies through 2024 awards

13 honorees of 2024 Dr. P.B. Poorman Award for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ+ People

The Universities of Wisconsin have announced the 13 honorees of the 2024 Dr. P.B. Poorman Award for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ+ People, an annual honor given to LGBTQ+ people or their allies who have helped to create a safer and more inclusive climate for LGBTQ+ people. The award celebrates the memory and legacy of Dr. Paula B. Poorman, a highly regarded faculty member at UW-Whitewater dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ people.

This year marks the 16^th anniversary of the founding of the Dr. P.B. Poorman Award. The recipients of the award were honored on December 4, 2024, in Madison during a ceremony hosted by the Universities of Wisconsin. The awards ceremony and reception was held in conjunction with the Universities of Wisconsin presentation of the Outstanding Women of Color in Education Awards.

“Honorees are helping build a better experience for our students, faculty, and staff,” said Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman. “This award recognizes their achievements in creating a safer and inclusive climate at our universities.”

The honorees of the 2024 Dr. P.B. Poorman Award for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ+ People are:

• Dr. Rae Langes (UW-Eau Claire) Assistant Professor of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
• Dr. William Dirienzo (UW-Green Bay) Chair of Physics, Associate Professor
• Dr. Víctor Macías-González (UW-La Crosse) Professor of History and Advocate, Author
• Dr. Scott Seyforth (UW-Madison) Assistant Director of Residence Life for University Housing
• Nathan Sheppard (UW-Milwaukee) Clinical Case Manager for Student Health and Wellness Center
• Carmen Hetzel (UW-Oshkosh) Program Advisor for Student Organization and Leadership Programs
• Ren Griffith (UW-Parkside) Undergraduate Student, Genders and Sexualities Advocacy Center Advocate
• Isabelle Emerson (UW-Platteville) Undergraduate Student, Vice President of The Alliance
• Dr. Michelle Parkinson (UW-River Falls) Professor of English Literature and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
• Trescha Kay (UW-Stevens Point) Speech Language Pathologist, Clinical Assistant Professor
• Fred Jomo Brown (UW-Stout) LGBTQIA+ Program Manager
• Melinda Yingling (UW-Superior) Housing Coordinator, Free Mom Hugs Area Coordinator
• Dr. Ellie Schemenauer (UW-Whitewater) Associate Professor and Chair of Women’s and Gender Studies Department

Each UW university was invited to select one individual to receive the award, which highlights each recipient’s contributions to advocacy, activism, or scholarship that enhances the experiences of, and improves the climate for, LGBTQ+ people.

Jeffrey is a Whitewater native, born in 1976, and an accomplished singer/songwriter. Per Wikipedia, Foucault lives in New England with his wife, fellow musician and songwriter Kris Delmhorst.^[2]He has upcoming shows in the Midwest, including a show at the Stoughton Opera House on Thursday, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m. Admission is $30; streaming is available for $20. The following night he appears at Cactus Club in Milwaukee. It is a standing room only, age 18+ venue. Advance tickets are $20, day of show $25. Doors open at 9:30 p.m. and the show begins at 10.

The following is from the Stoughton Opera House website:

NEW YORK TIMES:
“Immaculately tailored… Sometimes his songs run right up to the edge of the grandiose and hold still, and that’s when he’s best… Close to perfection”

DON HENLEY:
“Jeffrey Foucault… clocks modern culture about as good as I’ve ever heard anybody clock it”

THE NEW YORKER:
“Jeffrey Foucault sings stark, literate songs that are as wide open as the landscape of his native Midwest”

In two decades on the road Jeffrey Foucault has become one of the most distinctive voices in American music, refining a sound instantly recognizable for its simplicity and emotional power. With a string of critically acclaimed studio albums– “Stark, literate songs that are as wide open as the landscape of his native Midwest” (The New Yorker), “Beat-up troubadour folk whittled to dolorous perfection” (Uncut), “Songwriting Brilliance,” (Irish Times)– he’s built a brick-and-mortar international touring career and a devoted following, one that includes luminaries like Van Dyke Parks, Greil Marcus, and Don Henley. In September of 2024 Jeffrey Foucault will release The Universal Fire (Fluff & Gravy, 9/6/24), his first album of entirely new material since 2018.

A series of high-voltage performances cut live in one room, the album is both a working wake– Foucault lost his best friend and drummer Billy Conway, to cancer in 2021– and a meditation on the nature of beauty, artifact, and loss. Augmenting Foucault’s all-star band with members of Calexico and Bon Iver (drummer John Convertino and producer/saxophonist Mike Lewis) THE UNIVERSAL FIRE sets Conway’s death against the massive 2008 fire at the Universal Studios lot in California that destroyed the master recordings of some of our bedrock American music, to interrogate ideas about mortality, legacy, meaning, and calling.

jeffreyfoucault.com

TICKETS: $30 [Streaming access is also available for $20.]