News

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Fort HealthCare.

Each year, thousands of educators, caregivers, health and aging professionals, and older adults across the country focus their efforts on one goal: preventing falls. That is why Fort HealthCare is collaborating with the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and the Falls Free® Initiative to observe Falls Prevention Awareness Day on September 23, and throughout the entire month of September and October.

Falls are a leading cause of injury for people aged 65 and older, but they are not an inevitable part of aging. There are proven ways to prevent them. Fort HealthCare’s fall prevention screening community events will empower older adults to stay active, independent, and safe in their homes and communities.

Bringa Johnson, Physical Therapist at Fort HealthCare, has an interest in fall prevention, and is helping to coordinate the efforts this year with multiple locations, dates, and times for community members to participate. Bringa describes these screenings as “providing a brief assessment on a person’s risk to have a fall based on questions and physical tests. Based on the initial screenings, less or more further testing can be completed and should not take longer than 10 minutes. Recommendations for further fall prevention can be made based on the screenings.”

These free balance assessments appointments will be offered at various locations starting Wednesday September 13^th at Club 55 in Lake Mills and will be offered at four other locations in Fort HealthCare’s service area through October 27^th.  The schedule of events, addresses, and contact information to make an appointment is below:

• Club 55 (Lake Mills): Wednesday September 13^th from 9a-12p – 920-728-2176
• Jefferson Senior Center: Wednesday September 20^th from 9a-12p – 920-674-7728
• Cambridge Community Outreach: Wednesday October 11^th from 11a-1p – 608-423-8142
• Whitewater Senior Center: Thursday October 12^th from 12p-3p – 262-473-0535
• Fort Atkinson Senior Center: Friday October 27^th from 8:30a-10a – 920-397-9913

Wisconsin leads the country in the highest rate of deadly falls. Bringa notes, “Wisconsin has the deadliest rate from a fall in the country and I’ve seen the significant physical, emotional and financial effects from falls; all of these have played a role in why I’m passionate on falls screenings and prevention.”

To find out more about Falls Prevention Awareness Day, go to www.ncoa.org/FPAD. For questions about the fall prevention screenings at Fort HealthCare, please contact Bringa by calling 920-563-9357 or by emailing Bringa.Johnson@forthc.com.

About NCOA
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is the national voice for every person’s right to age well. NCOA empowers individuals with trusted solutions to improve their own health and economic security—and protects and strengthens federal programs that people depend on as they age. Working with a nationwide network of partners, NCOA’s goal is to improve the lives of 40 million older adults by 2030. Learn more at ncoa.org and @NCOAging.

About the Falls Free® Initiative
Led by the National Council on Aging, the Falls Free^® Initiative includes 43 states and 70 national organizations, professional associations, and federal agencies working collaboratively to bring education, awareness, and evidence-based solutions to local communities. Falls Free^® seeks to provide hundreds of thousands of older Americans with the resources and education needed to reduce their risk of injury. For more information, visit: www.ncoa.org/FallsFreeInitiative.

About Fort HealthCare
Fort HealthCare is committed to improving the health and well-being of our communities, with a vision to be the healthiest community in Wisconsin. As the leading healthcare provider in the region, it is our goal to reach as many members of the community as possible with health and wellness messages, providing tools and resources to help individuals improve their health and quality of life, while collaborating with several partners to positively improve the population’s health overall on a long-term basis. For more information, visit FortHealthCare.com.

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

In honor of Labor Day on Monday, this week’s image shows two men working in the Whitewater Condensery, later known as the Hawthorn Mellody Milk Plant, in Whitewater. This image is probably from the mid-20th century and is a rare look inside an industrial plant in Whitewater.

The historical society wishes everyone a great Labor Day holiday.

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

(#2514P Whitewater Historical Society)

Join us for an informational meeting and brainstorming session on Monday, September 11th at 6 PM in the Community Room of the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library. The event is open to anyone in the community who is interested in learning more about the Whitewater Effigy Mounds Preserve and would like to help conserve it for future generations.

NOTICE: Effective Wednesday, September 13, 2023 the hours of operation for the compost site will change from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. to 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. This will remain in effect until the site closes for the season on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. However, the site will still remain open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. through November 11, 2023.

For additional questions or concerns contact the Streets Department at (262) 473-0560.

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

After nearly six months of discussion and sometimes tense negotiation, the City of Whitewater Common Council (“Council”) and the Whitewater Unified School District School Board (“Board”) have agreed on the terms for a new six year agreement to operate the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center. At the conclusion of the most recent joint meeting of the two bodies on August 21 the Council voted unanimously to approve the terms that had been nailed out in that evening’s discussion. The Board’s agenda, however, did not call for action, choosing instead to discuss the matter in closed session at their regular meeting on August 28. Later in open session the Board voted unanimously to approve the same terms that the Council had approved a week previously.

The agreement, which will be effective on January 1, 2024, provides for the following:

The city will pay $258,000 towards operating expenses in 2024, and will be responsible for any shortfalls. This payment will escalate by 3% per year.

WUSD will contribute a fixed $178,000 towards operating expenses in 2024, with future annual payments increasing by 3%.

Both the city and the district will pay a $100,000 annual capital expense contribution. This payment will remain unchanged for the first three years, after which a determination will be made as to whether it needs to be increased.

An advisory board which is anticipated to include a representative from both bodies plus three community members with relevant experience will provide oversight of WAFC. Previously this has been the responsibility of the city Parks & Recreation Board.

The Council and Board will meet again in joint session on September 11 at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Building to discuss various remaining issues, including the disposition of the estimated nearly $222,000 in deficits that the city estimates that the district will owe for the period from July, 2021 through the end of 2023.

A proposed written agreement will be drafted by legal counsel, possibly necessitating one more meeting before it is ready to be signed.

Master Gardener, Ruth Flescher, will be at the Irvin L Young Memorial Library on Tuesday, September 5 at 6:00 p.m. to present “Seed Saving 101.” The public is invited to attend and learn why it’s important to have open-pollinated varieties to save from, ways to isolate the blooms to ensure you get the genetics you want, the difference between market maturity and seed maturity, both wet and dry seed processing, seed storage, and average seed life.   

The presentation will be held in the library’s Community Room located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. There is no cost or registration. For additional information, visit the library’s website at www.whitewaterlibrary.org or call 262-473-0530.  

Whitewater resident Tom Stanley has had such an interesting life that his next book is going to be a a biography. Tom and his wife, Sue, both taught for the Department of Defense in countries such as Japan, the Philippines, Germany, and on Okinawa, but his first book focused on a football coach from his hometown of Ashland, Wisconsin. The Mythmaker was co-authored by this coach’s son Tim McGuire.

Former Whitewater resident Marcia James hosted her book club – the Book Babes – at her Whitewater Lake rental this week. Tom joined nine ladies who have been meeting since 2002 and have often had authors join them. Tom not only discussed his book, but previewed the book that he is working on now about his and Sue‘s life. Then seven of the ladies and Tom got on a pontoon boat in triple digit heat and toured Whitewater Lake. Cold bottles of water and squirt guns were prolific!

Whitewater residents Jane Johns, Barb Pennington, and Dee Simon; Janesville residents Nancy Johnson, Donna Reinardy, and Jean Schollmeier; Pardeeville resident Lila Waldman; and Johnson Creek resident Ann Riall enjoyed lunch and custard before boarding the boat. The group has met in Baraboo, at a park in Janesville, and restaurants. The pandemic introduced Zoom as their frequent medium.

Linda Godfrey, Suzanne Popke, Marshall Cook, John Durand, and Richard Haney are other authors who have joined the group. Former Whitewater resident, Carrie Simon, who co-authored the Pudgie Pie cookbook, made pies for the group in Marcia’s backyard. The group meets once a month and have a teaching background in common.

Editor’s note: The above article and photos were provided by Marcia James.

Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by Sheryl Robinson.

Whitewater Student Teen Lacey Skime, Awarded $10,000 Girl Scout Gold Award Scholarship for Pioneering Mental Wellness Initiative

Lacey Skime, an enterprising and compassionate resident of Prairie Du Chien, has been honored with a $10,000 Girl Scout Gold Award Scholarship for her innovative project, the “Mental Wellness Fair and Kits.” This remarkable achievement showcases Lacey’s dedication to fostering mental wellness and building a more supportive community.

Nationally, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) recognized nearly 3,200 members of the 2023 Gold Award Girl Scout class who identified issues in their communities, took action, and found or created solutions to earn their Gold Awards. This year’s world-changer class raised $2.5 million in funding and invested over 300,000 hours to address real-life problems such as environmental sustainability, racial justice, mental and physical wellness, and gender inequality in STEM.  

This year GSUSA awarded 110 Gold Award Girl Scouts from across our Movement, one from each council, a scholarship, made possible in part by the Kappa Delta Foundation, in addition to funds from GSUSA and its National Board.

In line with this mission, Lacey Skime’s “Mental Wellness Fair and Kits” project epitomizes the values of the Gold Award. The project began with a mental wellness fair encouraging open conversations and learning. Thought-provoking posters were displayed throughout her school, sustaining the conversation. Lacey’s commitment extended to radio interviews and strategic social media posts, ensuring a broad reach.

Collaborating with her friends and fellow troop members, Lacey developed mental health bags that found their way to various community agencies, creating a supportive network for young individuals facing challenges. These carefully crafted bags contained resources, encouragement, and practical coping skills to navigate difficult times. Agencies such as Crossing Rivers Hospital Behavioral Health Department, local schools, behavioral health clinicians, police departments and more readily embraced these emergency kits.

Reflecting on her impactful project, Lacey shared, “You don’t know exactly what’s going on with your gold award project to start one.   A big part of this is learning about your issue while you go through this.   You are not expected to be an expert on the issue.   It’s building your understanding, reaching others, being willing to learn more, grow personally, and teach others with the help of your community.  It’s bringing it all together in the end from a curious start.”

Lacey’s leadership shone through as she coordinated every aspect of the fair, demonstrating exceptional organizational and collaboration skills. Collaborating with many agencies, she successfully united different resources, facilitating a comprehensive approach to mental wellness.

Lacey’s enthusiasm was infectious, inspiring her peers and the community to rally behind her cause. She realized that the resources are available through surveys and conversations, and the need for these conversations is apparent. Lacey’s dedication also attracted the attention of the Crawford County Mental Health Coalition, further extending her network and impact.

“Lacey Skime exemplifies the spirit of the Girl Scout Gold Award Scholarship through her unwavering commitment to mental wellness and community collaboration,” said Sheryl Robinson, Badgerland Council Gold Award Mentor. “Her project showcases her leadership, resourcefulness, and compassion, making her deserving of this scholarship.”

Lacey’s initiative addresses mental health concerns and empowers others to join the conversation. Her journey proves that one determined individual can create a lasting impact, leaving behind a more supportive and connected community.

Lacey is attending UW Whitewater this fall.   She’s interested in elementary education or early childhood suction.  However, she’s also open to learning more about herself and her interests during these years.   She plans to work on campus and spend time with her nephews, build friendships and experiences. 

Update 8/28 @ 10 a.m.: Local resident Wesley Therrian indicates that he and his son Joshua are in the movie, “way up in the stands in the top row under Bob Uecker. If you could slow it down, there is a spot in there that shows Josh just getting into his seat. We are unfortunately unaccredited for our role in the filming. It was really fun.”

Update 8/28 @ 10 a.m. – Projectionist Mark Dorn passed on that UW-Whitewater Baseball Coach John Vodenlich also appears in the film.

“Mr. 3000”
Tuesday, August 29, 1 p.m.
(Comedy/Drama/Romance/Sports) Rated PG-13;
1 hour, 44 minutes (2004)

Stan Ross, a retired Milwaukee Brewers baseball player perhaps bound for the Hall of Fame, must come out of retirement at age 47 when it is discovered  he is three hits shy of 3,000. Filmed at American Family Field (Miller Park) Milwaukee, and Waukesha! 

Starring Bernie Mac, Angela Bassett, Paul Sorvino, Chris Noth, Larry King and Jay Leno.