News

Editor’s note: The following announcements were received from the UW-W Department of Music.

The first solo guest artist performance of February, Joseph Murphy, saxophone, will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m. Joseph Murphy, a professor from Mansfield University, will be performing an eclectic program of contemporary works. Adults $10, Age 65+ / Under 18 $8.

The second guest artist of this month will be the Biggs, Schmidt-Swarts Duo on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. The music of Ben Schmidt-Swartz, saxophone and accordion, and Christopher Biggs, electronics, is full of surprise and invention. Adults $10, Age 65+ / Under 18 $8.

One of our own professors at UW-Whitewater, Michael Hackett, will be teaming up with Tim Coffman on Thursday, February 9 at 7:30 p.m. to present the Michael Hackett/ Tim Coffman sextet featuring Sharel Cassity. This group will be performing the music of their recently released recording “Western Skies.” Adults $10, Age 65+ / Under 18 $8.

The chamber music repertoire for strings is full of so many grand masterpieces. On Sunday, February 12 at 7:30 p.m., it seems only appropriate to favor selections from the Romantic period for the Music Mosaics: Masterpieces of String Chamber Music concert. Join faculty performers Leanne Kelso, violin; Benjamin Whitcomb, cello; and Bradley Townsend, bass in celebration of their love for music. All proceeds from the Music Mosaics series go directly towards scholarships for Department of Music students.   Adults $14, Age 65+ $12, Under 18 $8

All music events are in the Light Recital Hall in the Greenhill Center of the Arts, located at 950 West Main Street, Whitewater, WI 53190, unless specified otherwise. Tickets are available in advance and can be purchased online at tickets.uww.edu or by calling (262) 472-2222. There is a $2.00 surcharge if purchased at the door at the time of the event.

Beyond the many ticketed events happening this month in the Department of Music, there are a multitude of free events including student recitals, ensembles, and studios. For a full lineup of events, please visit uww.edu/coac/events.   

Walworth County Register of Deeds Launches Land Notification Alerts Service

Advises Homeowners to Be Vigilant against Property Fraud

Walworth County Register of Deeds Michele Jacobs launched a new online Land Notification Alerts service on February 1, 2023. This free service is available to all Walworth County property owners.

“Property fraud is an all too common occurrence,” says Walworth County Register of Deeds Michele Jacobs. “We want to help consumers protect their most valuable asset. The notification alerts provide an early-warning system that will empower citizens to take prompt and appropriate action should they deem that fraudulent activity has occurred with their property.”

Property fraud occurs when someone illegally uses an owner’s name on records related to their property for financial gain or acquisition of their assets. With the Land Notification Alerts system, property owners sign up to be alerted when documents are recorded against their personal name or business. Each time an alert is triggered, an email is sent providing an update on any activity. Property owners are contacted only when a record with their name is recorded on an official document or suspicious recorded activity is suspected.

Unfortunately it is not possible to link a particular property to the system. Alerts are triggered only by the property owner’s name. Consequently Jacobs told the Banner that she recommends that users set up multiple alerts using different variations of their name. For example, if a woman’s name is Michele, it would be wise to register an extra alert using an additional L (Michelle). Also, for example, if a property is held in the name of the Richard & Mary Jones Family Trust, a user might wish to set up alerts for Richard & Mary Jones Family Trust, Richard Jones Family Trust, Richard Jones Trust, Mary Jones Trust, etc. The system is looking for the information that a user asks it to look for and it only takes a few minutes to create a variety of alerts. Do not be surprised, though, if you have a rather common name and you receive alerts that do not pertain to you.

The Land Notification Alert system can be accessed at https://www.co.walworth.wi.us/1117/Land-Notification. Property owners will need a Google or Yahoo account, which may be easily obtained at no cost, to sign up for the service. Alerts may be set up to be sent to any email account; Google and Yahoo are only used for verification purposes when a property owner accesses the system.

The Walworth County Register of Deeds files, records, and issues vital records, such as birth, marriage, and death certificates, and real estate documents. Each year, the office processes over 20,000 real estate documents and over 17,000 vital records in Walworth County. Learn more at https://www.co.walworth.wi.us/228/Register-of-Deeds.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay.

The Greater Whitewater Committee (GWC) will be hosting its annual meeting to celebrate its accomplishments from 2022 and upcoming goals for 2023. This year’s banquet will feature a keynote presentation from Senator and Co-Chair of the Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee, Howard Marklein. 

This event will take place on Thursday, February 9th at 5:30 p.m. at 841 Brewhouse banquet hall:  841 E Milwaukee St, Whitewater, WI 53190. GWC would like to cordially invite the community to attend this event. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m., and the keynote speaker will begin presenting at 6:00 p.m. There will be hors d’oeuvres and refreshments for guests to enjoy. 

Keynote speaker, Senator Marklein, has strong ties with Whitewater as he is an alum from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and lived in the area for several years. He is a former member of the Fort HealthCare Board of Directors and of the UW-W National Alumni Association. This past year Marklein received the Distinguished Alumni Award for his community and regional service through UW-Whitewater. 

Senator Marklein currently serves as a Co-Chair of the powerful Joint Finance Committee, which develops the state budget. In addition, he also is an active member of the following committees: Agriculture and Tourism, Employment Relations, Joint Audit Committee, and the Joint Legislative Council. To view Senator Marklein’s full biography including his extensive background in the Whitewater area, visit https://legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/17/marklein/biography/. 

“We’re thrilled to have Senator Marklein speak at this year’s meeting,” said GWC President Jeffery Knight. “He has a long relationship with the city of Whitewater, and has an intricate knowledge of the state budget and offers important information for the city.” 

For further details, please contact Jeffery Knight at 920.728.0662 or jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com. 

 About the GWC 

The GWC is an action-oriented group committed to working with citizens, elected officials, and policy makers to identify, craft, and implement a pro-business agenda. The agenda advances the economic, education, and social policies required to energize and secure the Whitewater area’s economic future, as well as protect Whitewater’s quality of life.

Editor’s note: The following news release was received from Fort HealthCare.

The Reaching Out Respite program offers a 1:1 ratio of supervision, meaning that every guest has a volunteer to assist them. The volunteers play games and music and offer their undivided attention that the guest may be missing. Maisie Allie, who has been the program coordinator since 2005, states, “I have learned so much from our guests. It has been a rewarding journey as they have so much to offer and teach us. It is truly a special program with special people.”

In 2020, like many businesses and services, the Reaching Out Respite program had to shut down due to the pandemic. Fortunately, the program is active again and growing. There is currently a list of guests waiting to join the program, specifically in Fort Atkinson. As a result, Reaching Out Respite is seeking volunteers to help keep up with the program’s demand. Maisie continues, “We are looking for individuals who are compassionate, caring, and understanding. Most of our volunteers have experience as retired nurses, teachers, or caregivers; however, experience is not necessary. Our volunteers are mainly here to offer companionship and support as I take care of any medical needs that the guest may have.” 

If you or someone you know would like to take the next steps and help bring moments of joy to a population that has given so much, call Maisie at (920) 723-7288 or visit the Reaching Out Respite page at facebook.com/ReachingOutRespiteCenter/

Per a press release from the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department, on February 3rd, 2023, at 4:47 a.m., the Walworth County Sheriff’s Communication Center received a 911 call reporting a crash involving a motor vehicle and a building at W9004 US Hwy 14 in the Town of Darien, Walworth County.

The first arriving Deputy advised of a large natural gas leak from a broken gas meter at the Whiskey Ranch Bar & Grill. The Deputy located a vehicle in the interior of the building. The driver of the car was on scene and identified as Abel Espinoza, 19 years of age, from Clinton, WI. Espinoza was uninjured and told the Deputy he had fallen asleep while traveling southbound on State Hwy 89 approaching the intersection of US Hwy 14 / State Hwy 11.

The business was empty at the time of the crash. However, there were residents in an apartment above the establishment. The residents were uninjured and evacuated without incident.

The crash remains under investigation, and Whiskey Ranch has potential structural damage. State Hwy 89 was closed for several hours until WE Energies rendered the gas leak safe.

The Sheriff’s Office received assistance from the Darien Fire Department, Shared Paramedics, City of Delavan Police, Walworth County Public Works, and WE Energies.

According to the Whiskey Ranch Bar & Grill website, the business is temporarily closed for repairs.

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

This week’s image is a cast photo of a local home talent show based on the “National Barn Dance” program broadcast on Chicago’s WLS radio station from 1924-1968. WLS had an enhanced signal after dark and their Saturday night program could be heard throughout the Midwest. This popular show featured mostly country music and humor not unlike the Grand Ole Opry out of Nashville. For a time, the barn dance program sponsored a hometown talent show in local communities, and Whitewater held theirs on February 4-5-6, 1937. It was co-sponsored by the Business and Professional Women’s Club, part of the Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs. The show was held in the auditorium of the old city high school (old Franklin Junior High School) with Bill Hall and Harry Bonnett as toastmasters. According to the Whitewater Register, it was a big success that featured many community members as this photograph shows.

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

(3503P Whitewater Historical Society)

The Arboretum at Starin Park

In our city we have an arboretum hiding in plain sight. Did you know that Starin Park is also an arboretum? Why did that happen? How did that happen? What does it mean?

At the park, the Burr Oak provides wonderful shade.

At the arboretum, the Burr Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) makes you wonder. What kind of tree is that? How old is that tree? How tall is that tree? What’s special about oaks?

The arboretum is a classroom—the curriculum is ecology.
The arboretum is a sanctuary—take a walk, take a deep breath.
The arboretum is a living museum—a home for Wisconsin’s native trees and shrubs.
The arboretum is a social environment—meet your friends, engage and maybe even become a volunteer.

So, what is the difference between the park and the arboretum? It takes more than a town or city to make an arboretum. It takes a community! There are new plantings to be made. There are programs to be planned and offered. There are plants sales. There are school visits that need direction and guidance. All this and more!

Visit the Arboretum at Starin Park. Take a walk. Find the trees with ID tags. Look for all the new plantings. Give Quercus alba a hug. Maybe, as a first step, visit online and find out more: The Arboretum at Starin Park

If you are interested in being a steward of the arboretum, or an ArbKeeper as we like to call it, then email the Arb and let us know. You can do that here: Starin Park Arbkeepers or EntAtStarinArb@gmail.com

Editor’s note: This writing is by Barry Rosenberg, a Friend of the Arboretum.

Witte Artistry Exhibit –  An exhibit of full body paint characters, body paint hand creations, paintings, and more by Kim Witte.

Opening reception and meet the artist on Friday, February 3, 2023 from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center (2nd floor gallery), 402 W. Main St. Refreshments offered.

Exhibit – Thursday, February 2 until Sunday, March 26, 2023, 12:00 – 4:00 PM (Thurs. – Sun). Exhibit is free to attend. 

Learn more about the show and see the virtual option on opening day via our website: https://www.whitewaterarts.org/witte-artistry-exhibit-2023