The Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) and Whitewater Chamber of Commerce are excited to announce the exhibition of the Public Art Project for 2023 – “Barn Quilts.” This community-driven project–which enhances the beauty and cultural richness of Whitewater–is on display downtown from now until late September. Plywood boards that have been turned into “quilts” are hanging from light poles along Main Street. Some are 2’ x 4’ while others are 2’ x 2’. These projects will hang throughout the summer.
Participants in this year’s project have been named below with brief images shown on the WAA website. Viewers can go to the WAA website to read up on the inspiration of some of the pieces. Participants included are:
Discover Whitewater Studio 84 Culvers Candace Jacobs Sandy MacDonald Lynn Weilbrenner Ellen Penwell Jill Gerber Riley Buckett Donn Lahaie Linda Saumer Carol Haas Tricia Borchardt Sherry Stanek And all other participants who wished to remain anonymous.
The WAA believes that the public art plays a significant role in transforming the cultural fabric of a town. It brings people together, fosters dialogue and reflection, and creates a sense of pride and ownership among community members.
Any questions can be sent to either the chair of the project, Mary Nevicosi, at marynevicosi@yahoo.com, or to the WAA Manager, Ashley McDarison, at wwartsalliance@gmail.com.
Please come check out the Storywalk at First United Methodist Church in Whitewater, to read our newest book. In honor of July 4th we are featuring “Blue Sky, White Stars” by Sarvinder Naberhaus. As quoted in the New York Times, this book is, “An inspiring and patriotic tribute to the beauty of the American flag, a symbol of America’s history, landscape, and people.” We hope you enjoy!
If you’re thinking the Fourth of July fireworks will be spectacular . . . you haven’t thought about taking in a performance of “Finding Nemo, Jr.” by the Unified School District’s Summer School Playhouse June 29 and 30 at 7 p.m. and July 1 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Whitewater High School Auditorium.
The play is perfect for all ages – and a wonderful treat for your relatives and neighborhood kids.
If you happen to be a senior adult, don’t worry. Any youngster attending a performance with you will be happy to clue you in on the plot.
General admission tickets for adults ($10) and students ($7) can be reserved by calling the Box Office at 262-472-8178 or purchased beginning one hour before the performance.
“Finding Nemo Jr.” is a lively 60-minute musical adaptation of the popular 2003 Pixar movie telling the story of Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, who lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid, Nemo.
“Finding Nemo Jr.” brings a vibrant underwater world to life on stage in a story full of family, friendship, and adventure.
The cast and technical crew for this amazing production includes more than 70 students ranging from incoming 6th graders to WHS Class of 2023 graduates.
Led by director Jim McCulloch, music director Liz Elliott, and choreographer Taytum Adkins, the talented cast of fish and birds includes Ian Agen, Deven Bawden, Chacha Binagi, Nels Brown, Anders Clarksen, Alex Clarksen, Ayden Clark, Belle Cohen, Grace Coleman, Peyton Comfort, Julianna Cortez, Sienna Dahl, Esteban Diaz-Gallegos, Franki DiFiore, Emery Duris, David Enns, Tyrelle Griswold, Charlotte Hajewski, Nina Heim, Raena Hicks, Toby Kapfer, Haley Keltesch, Evelyn Kjome, Josh Kirley, Amelia Lafaive, Ameera Lin, Brooke Mason, Eloise Morse, Virginia Nelson, Kai Peterson, Julian Rennells, Lauren Rollette, Zel Scherer, Josie Selby, Melody Smith, Serina Soto, Skylar Staebler, Evie Stine, Alex Sullivan, Ava Van Daele, Anderson Waelchli, Cosette Wildermuth-Breizman, Elora Wildermuth-Breitzman, Talon Wildermuth-Breitzman, Xavier Zei, Zoe Zei, and Matt Zingsheim.
Guided by amazing technical director Kat Dunham in creating a magical big blue world are Caitlin Alford, Henry Brockwell, Payton Bunger, Alexsandra Cansino-Pena, Lucy Davis, Laken DePorter, Alejandra Diaz-Gallegos, Emerson Dunham, Lu DiFiore, Ace Hudec, Gabbie Kirley, Rayne Levaspu, Marren McCulloch, Kara Long, Jacob McGlaughlin, Ava Nygren, Abigail Olson, Betzy Palomec, Lucy Troxel, Sami Van Daele, Miles Nicklesberg, Josh Nygren, Payton Peacock, Cora Shimming and Claire Tourdot.
According to Liz Elliott, “Finding Nemo Jr.” “is a fun and familiar story that the students have expressed their excitement to be a part of. This show allows for many small groups of students to shine with the variety of songs and scenes that they are in. Not all shows function this way, so it is a unique experience for many of our cast members. While all students contribute to the greater whole of the show, these individual small group numbers highlight the many different characters and creatures within “Finding Nemo Jr.”
Comments from the students show how much they enjoy being part of the action.
Anders Clarksen said, “This is the second time I have been a bird! I was a seagull in “The Little Mermaid” and I am a pelican in “Finding Nemo Jr.”
“I like being able to work with all ages and making an impact with performance and music,” stated Skylar Staebler.
Matt Zingsheim shared, “I enjoy the music in this show a lot,” adding, “I like the styles of the songs and some of the titles are funny to me.”
Asked to compare her character to an ice cream flavor, Charlotte Hajewski said, “I feel like my character, Peach, would be rainbow sherbet, because she lives in the colorful coral.”
“I am anxious just like my character,” Lauren Rollette noted. “However, I am not purple or yellow.”
Ayden Clark reflected, “”I love helping with the dances, and helping the younger students get around the show and on stage.
7th grader Melody Smith, cast in the role of Breeze, said, “Something I have enjoyed about being in theatrical productions is feeling like you’re part of a family and getting really close with all of your fellow performers.”
Raena Hicks, a 7th grader, who plays a turtle and a seagull in “Finding Nemo, Jr.,” admitted, “Something that I learned about being in the play is that it takes a lot of time and effort to learn your part.”
Put seeing “Finding Nemo Jr.” on your bucket list for June 29, 30 and July 1.
Class of 2023 WHS and Ferradermis Alum Daniel (Peter) Portwine spent three days in Washington DC for the National Advocacy Conference sponsored by SASA (Student Association for STEM Advocacy).
Daniel had the opportunity to meet Chris Moore, the CEO of FIRST Robotics on his first day in DC.
On Tuesday, Daniel was able to meet with staffers for Senator Tammy Baldwin, Senator Ron Johnson, and Representative Scott Fitzgerald to discuss the importance of STEM education.
Daniel has been passionate about the impact of the FIRST Robotics program on students for a long time, but a new fire was kindled when he was one of five Ferradermis members to participate in the Wisconsin Advocacy Day at the State Capitol in February.
Daniel represented Wisconsin along with alumni from FRC Team 8701 Graffiti from Greendale and FTC Team 4706 Supposable Thumbs from New Berlin.
Article Submitted by Laura Masbruch Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor and Banner Volunteer lmasbruch@wwusd.org Photos Courtesy of Daniel Portwine
Suzanne Mae (Latta, Fredricksen) Walker was called to her Lord and Savior at age 76 on June 18, 2023. Suzanne was born July 20, 1946 to Winifred and Orville Latta and grew up in Walworth County, Wis. She graduated from Elkhorn High School and attended classes at UW-Whitewater until she married her husband, Gordon Fredricksen, on January 21, 1967. They raised their two daughters, Kendrah and Jacqueline, in Palmyra, Wis. Over the years, Suzanne worked part-time while also being a nurturing mother and homemaker. She was an active member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Palmyra.
Suzanne expected her daughters to do well in school and was involved in their many activities, including Sunday School, Girl Scouts, 4-H, sports, band and more. She encouraged them to obtain college degrees and pursue their dreams.
After Suzanne and Gordon divorced, she and her eldest daughter bought a house together at Turtle Lake in Delavan, Wis. They enjoyed living in the country for over a decade with several dogs, cats and birds. They became active members of First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater, Wis. During that time, Suzanne worked full-time at Fairhaven Senior Services until her retirement.
Suzanne’s mental illness ultimately deemed it necessary for her to have more structured care and support. She was welcomed into Casa Mia Care Center in Pell Lake, Wis., where she lived happily for many years. As her physical health declined, she moved to a facility that could provide additional care, and most recently, she resided at Franciscan Villa in South Milwaukee, Wis.
Suzanne is survived by her two children, Jacqueline Gauger (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) and Rev. Kendrah Fredricksen (Quincy, Calif.); her sister, Carol Krauklis (Elkhorn, Wis.); and her brother, John Latta (Elkhorn, Wis).
A memorial service will be held at First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater on Saturday, July 15 at 11 a.m. A luncheon will follow the service. Suzanne’s cremains will be placed near her parents at Roselawn Memory Gardens in Elkhorn, Wis. Memorial funds are designated to Lutheran World Relief and can be sent through Our Savior Lutheran Church, PO Box 1396, Quincy, CA 95971.
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from Paul Kuenning, president and chief executive officer of Fairhaven Senior Services.
With the upcoming retirement on Friday, June 30th for current Marketing Director Tim Probst, I am happy to announce that the new director of marketing and community relations for Fairhaven is Brian Robinson. Brian is no stranger to Fairhaven as he is approaching his 9th year here and has created a solid leisure services program fostering many contacts throughout the surrounding communities and also at UW-Whitewater. His 18+ years working in senior living/healthcare and passion for what he does will be an asset that we look forward to tapping into with this new role. He will be overseeing the apartments, assisted living and Hearthstone levels.
Shannon Schoville will be the marketing manager for Prairie Village. Shannon has been with Fairhaven six months and shares her passion of adding to the culture of care throughout Fairhaven. She has experience with marketing and fundraising and we look forward to her adding that experience to Prairie Village. Each will also continue in their current roles, Brian as director of leisure services and Shannon as executive secretary.
Both Brian and Shannon will utilize the current Marketing Office together but can also be reached at their current office location. If needing to direct any calls related to marketing, we ask that they be sent to the Marketing Office phone at ext. 1143.
Brian Robinson may be reached at Director of Marketing and Community Relations robinsonb@fairhaven.org 262-473-2140 ext. 1143 Marketing Office
Shannon Schoville may be reached at: Marketing Manager Prairie Village schovilles@fairhaven.org 262-473-2140 ext. 1143 Marketing Office
We thank Tim for all he has done and added to the Fairhaven family and wish him the best in retirement.
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Walworth County Health & Human Services Department.
On June 20, 2023, the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) confirmed a positive rabies test for a bat from Walworth County. This is the first rabid bat identified in the county this year. Human rabies is now rare in the United States; the last case of human rabies in Wisconsin occurred in 2010, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Rabies is a viral disease affecting the central nervous system. It is transmitted from infected mammals to humans and is invariably fatal once symptoms appear. Human rabies is rare in the United States, averaging about two to three cases per year. Although people typically acquire rabies from the bite of an infected animal, the virus can also be transmitted by a claw scratch, or by saliva from a rabid animal that comes in contact with an open wound or with a mucous membrane.
For this reason, persons should be considered potentially exposed to rabies if they have had physical contact with a bat and a bite or scratch cannot be ruled out. A common example of this would be a cyclist who is struck by a bat while riding. Additionally, a bat that is found in the same room as a person who cannot rule out physical contact with the animal may also constitute a potential rabies exposure. This would include a sleeping person, an unattended child or someone who is intoxicated.
Persons who sustain any animal bite or experience the type of bat exposures described above should notify local law enforcement, humane society, family physician or health department as soon as possible for evaluation as a possible rabies exposure.
Pet owners can help prevent rabies transmission by getting their dogs, cats, or ferrets vaccinated for rabies, even those that do not go outside. Indoor pets can still be exposed to rabid bats that find their way into living areas. Additionally, if an unvaccinated dog, cat, or ferret bites a person, the animal will be ordered into an isolation facility for a 10-day observation period—at the owner’s expense. Parents should also warn children to never handle a bat (or any other wild animal).
Keeping bats out of living areas can significantly reduce the potential for rabies exposure to residents and their pets. Most bats enter homes and apartments through an open or loose fitting door or an attic, open unscreened window, unscreened chimney, or gaps in an outside wall, fascia, or soffit. Animal control professionals, pest control professionals and bat exclusion professionals can be consulted to address these problems. Bat exclusion professionals, according to Bat Conservation International, are insured and licensed in the states they serve and use approved bat exclusion methods. For more information, visit their website at www.batcon.org. Additional information about rabies can be obtained from the CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/ or from the Wisconsin Division of Public Health’s Rabies Fact Sheet, which can be viewed at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p4/p42081.pdf.
For more information about bats, rabies control, reporting and treatment, please contact Walworth County Public Health at (262) 741-3200.
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the photo on the homepage by Ishan @seefromthesky on Unsplash.
By Lynn Binnie Whitewater Banner volunteer staff whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
As is shown below, the “purple” level of air quality is the second worst level, with index values between 201-300. Whitewater’s level on Tuesday, June 27 at 8 p.m. was 253. This poor air quality, as a result of the forest fires in Canada, is described as being very unhealthy. Everyone is encouraged to limit outdoor physical activity, and it is recommended that members of “sensitive groups” avoid all outdoor physical activity.
The following announcement was made by Brenda Jones, UW-W Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs, on June 26.
“University community,
I am pleased to announce that Trisha Barber has been named assistant vice chancellor for financial services. Trisha has been serving as both interim controller since 2020 and interim budget director since 2022. During that time, she has been instrumental in developing and refining the budget process to better reflect the true activities of the university.
As assistant vice chancellor, Trisha will continue her role as primary budget officer and will provide oversight to the controller and financial services. By merging these two areas under her guidance, we will be able to provide a more comprehensive approach to developing and monitoring financial plans as we work toward eliminating our structural deficit. This new structure will result in a better management system for campus resources, allowing reinvestment back into the strategic priorities of the university.
Please join me in congratulating Trisha on her new position.”
By Lynn Binnie Whitewater Banner volunteer staff whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Upon hearing the news that the City of Whitewater did not have the resources to plant or water the several planter boxes in the downtown area, a group of local residents decided to help out by purchasing, donating some flower stock and doing the actual planting to make sure those flower boxes did not go empty this year.
With the approval of Public Works Director, Brad Marquardt and Streets Superintendent, Brian Neumeister and a generous donation of gift cards from Walmart, to date, four flats of annuals have been planted in the four large boxes at Cravath Lakefront Center as well as bulbs that will put on a beautiful show of color all summer. On Wednesday, May 10th, the “pop-up volunteer garden club” worked on the large planter boxes at the Lakefront park as well as adding some bulbs to the boxes across from the SweetSpot. The “crew” also began to clean up the area around the Birge Fountain on the Whitewater Cultural Arts Center grounds, planting the urns with flowers and pruning the rose bushes there.
The first members of this group are Sherry and Al Stanek and Rick and Jeanine Fassl. After a couple of phone calls by them, more help was found. The Living Word Fellowship on Main Street is sponsoring the two large flower boxes in front of their church. Fanatico’s and the SweetSpot are sponsoring the boxes in front of their restaurants. Common Council member Dave Stone offered to keep the four boxes planted at the Lakefront Park watered for the duration of the summer. And Tokyo Japanese Cuisine will keep the box in front of their restaurant watered this summer. Bonnie Miller planted and donated a big beautiful pot of flowers outside of the Municipal Building and a hanging basket has also been spotted hanging on the light pole outside of K-9 Haircare! The group was also contacted by Dawn Hunter who has planted the concrete planter located at the Prairie Tiller Mural!
Thank you to these residents and businesses who are volunteering to help beautify areas around Whitewater for residents as well as the many visitors who come to our city!
Update, 6/27/23 @ 4:20 p.m.: Jeanine Fassl shared that “there is an additional group helping to water the four urns by the Birge Fountain in Library Park. The Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity across from the fountain has three members: Owen Russell, Cole McIlroy, and Kendal Thomson who’ve agreed to keep those urns watered this summer. This has truly been a community wide effort.”
Identification of photos: First row of photos: Rick Fassl, Sherry Stanek, Al Stanek (L-R) Photo in second row: Jeanine Fassl
