News

Taking those FIRST STEPS towards owning a home can be overwhelming and confusion over where to start can slow the process. First Citizens State Bank will be holding a Homebuyers Workshop where experienced lenders will walk through the process of applying and qualifying for a home loan, provide tips on how to prepare, and share information about programs offering down payment assistance. Guest speaker, Jon Marshall from Tincher Realty, will discuss current market trends and there will be time to answer questions.

The Homebuyers Workshop will be held at First Citizens State Bank at 207 W Main Street in Whitewater on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm. Light snacks will also be provided.

Please send questions ahead of time and RSVP (appreciated, but not required) to Kimberly Myszkewicz at (262)473-1402 or kmyszkewicz@firstcitizensww.com.

Find more information at www.firstcitizensww.com/News-and-Events.aspx

Member FDIC
Equal Housing Lender

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Special Olympics Wisconsin continue preparations for the 2024 State Summer Games on June 6-8 in Whitewater.

More than 1,400 athletes are set to compete in athletics (track and field), cornhole, powerlifting, soccer, and tennis. Events will be held at UW-Whitewater’s athletic facilities – Perkins Stadium, Rex Foster Track, the Warhawk Outdoor Tennis Complex, the Williams Center, and the campus intramural fields.

With more than a dozen events and competitions scheduled over the course of the three days, more than 100 volunteer shift opportunities are available. All volunteers will receive a free t-shirt and the opportunity to engage with participants, fans, and event staff.

“UW-Whitewater prides itself on being an inclusive, welcoming place, especially for the thousands of visitors we welcome to campus each summer,” said Morgan Anderson, Director of Camps and Conferences at UW-Whitewater. “Volunteering for the Special Olympics State Summer Games is a great way to make these talented athletes and passionate fans feel like they’re home. We invite residents from Whitewater and in the surrounding communities to get involved in this great event.”

No prior experience is required to volunteer (unless otherwise designated). Volunteers aged 12 and under must be accompanied by a chaperone. Special Olympics Wisconsin will provide training before your shift start time.

“We welcome Whitewater community members and people from surrounding communities to come to our games and witness amazing sportsmanship and wonderful athletic experiences,” said Danny Kuklinski, senior director of sports for Special Olympics Wisconsin. “You will be forever changed through a volunteer experience, but we also would love as many fans in the stands as possible!”

The Parade of Athletes and Opening Ceremony kicks the event off on June 6 from 6-8 p.m. at Perkins Stadium. Check out the full schedule of events here.

For more information or group volunteer reservations, Kuklinski at dkuklunski@specialolympics.org.

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

As was previously announced on the Banner, the Common Council on May 1 appointed John William Nelson to serve as Municipal Judge on an interim basis as a result of the resignation of Judge Patrick Taylor effective June 1. At that meeting the two other candidates, Art Coleman and Jonathan McDonell, expressed possible interest in filing for the special election to be held on November 5 to fill on a “permanent” basis the unexpired term that will expire in May, 2027. However, with the filing deadline of June 3 having passed, City Clerk Heather Boehm told the Banner that only Nelson submitted nomination papers to appear on the ballot. Consequently only a write-in candidate would have the opportunity to compete with Nelson for the position.

Updated 6/3/24 @ 2:30 p.m. to address whether they will be offering food. Response from Albert’s: “We will occasionally have some small amounts of dog food, but our goal is to bridge the gap that our local food pantry can not provide.  From time to time, the food pantry will get some things donated they can dispense, but for all intents and purposes, our local food pantry can only give pet food.  We feel that things like new collars, shampoos, blankets, leashes, etc. are also equally important in a pet’s quality of life and the ability for families to help keep their pets in their homes when they are struggling financially. That will be our primary focus.”

Hope that helps! And thank you so much for sharing our story.  We look forward to being able to help many people! 

In honor of Clyde, a beloved dog whose journey touched the hearts of many, we are proud to announce the grand opening of Clyde’s Closet, a unique little free pet pantry dedicated to supporting pets and their devoted owners in our community. Clyde’s Closet will officially be available to the public on May 29, 2024, providing a wide range of essential pet supplies to those in need. Clyde’s Closet is located at N7285 Woodfield Lane, Whitewater, Wisconsin at the headquarters of Albert’s Dog Lounge Rescue.

Inspired by Clyde’s story, Clyde’s Closet aims to ensure that no pet or pet owner has to go without the necessary resources they need to thrive, and that no dog be surrendered to a rescue or shelter for lack of resources. Founded out of compassion and a deep understanding of the bond between humans and their animal companions, Clyde’s Closet goes beyond traditional food pantries by offering a variety of items that are often unavailable, but essential for the well-being of pets.

“At Clyde’s Closet, we believe that every pet deserves to be loved and cared for, regardless of their owner’s financial circumstances,” said Mandy Lewis, founder of Clyde’s Closet and Albert’s Dog Lounge Rescue. “Our mission is to provide a helping hand to those facing hardships, ensuring that both pets and their owners have access to the supplies they need to lead happy and healthy lives together.”

Clyde’s Closet will offer an array of items including diapers, shampoos, leashes, collars, dishes, dog waste bags, grooming supplies, and more. These items, generously donated by members of the community will be available free of charge to anyone in need.

The opening of Clyde’s Closet represents a beacon of hope and compassion in our community, reflecting the spirit of generosity and unity that defines us.

For more information about Clyde’s Closet, follow Clyde’s Closet on Facebook.

About Clyde’s Closet:

Clyde’s Closet is a little free pet pantry founded in honor of Clyde, a beloved dog whose journey inspired the creation of this initiative. Dedicated to supporting pets and their devoted owners in times of need, Clyde’s Closet offers a variety of essential pet supplies free of charge, ensuring that no pet or pet owner goes without the resources they need to thrive.

Editor’s note: The above press release was received from Albert’s Dog Lounge Rescue.

 Milwaukee School of Engineering congratulates the following students:

Grace Alderman of Whitewater was named to the Spring Semester 2024 Dean’s List . Alderman is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

Daniel Portwine of Whitewater was named to the Spring Semester 2024 Dean’s List . Portwine is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.

MSOE encourages excellence in academic achievement and, as a result, publishes the Dean’s List and Honors List each fall and spring semester. Students taking undergraduate courses who have earned at least 12 credits in residence at MSOE, are in good academic standing, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher are on the Dean’s List.

Milwaukee School of Engineering (www.msoe.edu) is the university of choice for those seeking an inclusive community of experiential learners driven to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. The independent, non-profit university has about 2,800 students and was founded in 1903. MSOE offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, business and nursing. Faculty are student-focused experts who bring real-world experience into the classroom. This approach to learning makes students ready now as well as prepared for the future. Longstanding partnerships with business and industry leaders enable students to learn alongside professional mentors, and challenge them to go beyond what’s possible. MSOE graduates are leaders of character, responsible professionals, passionate learners and value creators.

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

Rep. Ellen Schutt (R-Clinton), who has represented the Walworth County portion of the City of Whitewater in the Wisconsin State Assembly since 2022, announced on May 31 that she will not seek re-election. As the Banner indicated in an article posted on February 20 regarding the recent redistricting of the State Assembly and Senate, Schutt does not live in the new Assembly district #43, which will include the entire city. The filing deadline was June 1, and, assuming that they have submitted valid nomination papers, the candidates are expected to be Brienne Brown (D), Scott Johnson (R) and Dylan Kurtz (R). Johnson and Kurtz will face off in a primary on August 13. The general election will be held on November 5.

By the way, Sen. Steve Nass (R), who currently represents the city, does not live in our new district, but will continue to represent Whitewater until his term expires in 2026.

Rep. Schutt released the following statement:

“I have been honored and humbled by all of the support that I have received to run for reelection. And, although I know our campaign would have been successful, I have made the decision not to seek reelection this fall.

This was not an easy decision to make but one that was made with thoughtful consideration and conversations with my family, friends, and neighbors.

I want my constituents to know that I will continue to advocate for them and their needs. I know that I can, and will, still make a difference for our community in other ways. It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve my hometown and our community, and I will be forever grateful to everyone that put their faith in me.” 

Editor’s Note:  The following interview was done by Marjorie Stoneman on behalf of Whitewater Unites Lives.

Born in Darmstadt, Germany, Susanne Maroske and her husband Dirk were originally going to stay in Whitewater for three years and have now made Whitewater their home for 24 years. 

“Coming to a small city was a big change,” she said. Darmstadt was a city of 160,000 people. But over the years, Susanne has grown to love Whitewater.

“I really like the neighborhood and the people who live here and the friends we have met. It has a lot to offer. I like living in a university town,” she said.

In 2000, Dirk was transferred from Germany to Whitewater to work for Schenck Process, and Susanne, who did not have a work visa, was busy raising their two children, ages 2 years and 9 months. She enjoyed meeting people through playgroups and was able to send the children for a few hours to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Children’s Center, where the kids were able to learn English without an accent. She said that has really helped them as they pursue their education and work. The family continued to speak German at home, so they are all bi-lingual.

She recommends that all newcomers get involved in activities in the community so that they can meet people. She was very involved as a soccer mom and tennis mom with her children at school.

She says she “shops locally and thinks globally.”  She supports local businesses as much as possible.

Becoming a United States citizen was a lengthy process, but Susanne is grateful and proud to be an American. “I am glad I have citizenship now. You have more rights and feel like a full member of society,” she said.

At the same time, she says she is privileged to have dual citizenship with Germany.

Tears in her eyes, she said, “The day we became United States citizens was very moving.”  She said that people do not have to give up who they are to become a citizen. She said the judge was very welcoming.

She said one of the scariest moments in her life was when she received her citizenship certificate in the mail and then had to put it back in the mail to get a passport. She was really worried because she had to send the original and was not able to make copies.

Susanne earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Theatre and her Bachelor of Science in Education in German from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and her Master of Fine Arts Degree in Fashion online from the Academy of Art in San Francisco in California. She worked for more than 17 years in the fashion industry and as a costumer, including work at the Fireside Theatre in Fort Atkinson and the Skylight Music Theatre in Milwaukee (see below for photographs of some of her work). 

She taught at Mount Mary University and Albion College in Michigan before teaching German, Creative Sewing, and Housing and Interior Design at Fort Atkinson High School. 

In addition to German and English, she speaks French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. She says she wishes that children could learn multiple languages at a younger age, when it would be easier for them to become more fluent.

Below are examples of some of her work: