News

#FlashbackFriday with the Historical Society: Ice harvested and stored c.1900

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. Prior to electric refrigeration, ice was harvested in winter and stored in ice houses to sell to homes for warm weather ice box use. It was also stored in produce company buildings to keep farm produce cool in warm weather. Here, in this image from around 1900, we see ice being loaded into the warehouse of the Union Produce Company, a farmer’s warehouse that was located at the east end of Main Street.

Ice harvesting was done on Cravath Lake in February when the ice would have been the thickest. Men used large saws and tongs to cut and load the large ice blocks onto the horse-drawn carts. Then, as seen in the photo, the ice blocks were ramped into the warehouse using a pulley system. Men who worked primarily warm-weather jobs or in factories that had winter lay-offs could get much-needed employment during the winter by working for ice harvesting companies.

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

(4441PC Whitewater Historical Society)

Community Food Pantry Hours Changing

Greetings everyone from The Whitewater Community Food Pantry.

Beginning March 1st, 2023, The Whitewater Community Food Pantry will close at 11:30 a.m. rather than 12:00 noon. Therefore, the new hours for Wednesday and Thursday will be 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The pantry is located at 146 North Street, Whitewater, WI,  Second Floor of the Old Armory.

With the end of the year 2022 The Whitewater Community Food Pantry served 262 families. In the average week we provided food for about 72 adults and 41 children. Your generous donations and support from everyone, including the churches, schools, companies, organizations, clubs, our farmers and gardeners and the various food drives have made it possible for the pantry to take care and provide for these families.

The food pantry has 22 volunteers who have put in over 3070 hours of their time to serve and help the patrons.

With the new year well underway, as of the end of January, we have 90 families registered which amounts to 228 individuals.

Anyone in need of food is welcome to register with The Whitewater Community Food Pantry.

Should you need help you will need to provide us with:

1. Identification of yourself and all occupants of your household. For children: birth certificate, passport, school report card or library card.
2. Proof of your name and address (utility bill, rental agreement etc.) to show you live within the Whitewater Unified School District.
3. These documents must be provided as soon as possible but no later than the third visit.
4. You must show ID each time you pick up food.

Beginning March 1, the food pantry will be open every week Wednesday and Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Thank you all for your thoughtfulness to the Whitewater Community Food Pantry.

UW-W New Head Football Coach Rindahl’s Top 3 Reasons to Attend Football Summer Camp

Players populate the football field at Perkins Stadium for speed and agility tests during preseason camp on Aug. 11, 2022. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from UW-Whitewater.

UW-Whitewater was thrilled to recently announce the promotion of defensive coordinator/assistant head coach Jace Rindahl to head coach of the storied Warhawk football program. Following an impressive playing career at UW-W, Rindahl had been an assistant coach with the football program for the past eight seasons. He knows the greatness of UW-W Football better than anyone.

Coach Rindahl also has extensive knowledge of the outstanding UW-W football summer camps. With five camps catering to different ages and positions, there is a camp for everyone! From players entering 5th grade to those beginning their senior year of high school, UW-W’s top-notch football coaching staff is ready to ensure that every camper has an experience they’ll never forget.

“UW-Whitewater’s football summer camps provide young players with an unmatched opportunity,” Coach Rindahl says. “It is the perfect experience for a young player looking to learn more about the game and improve their performance.”

Here are Coach Rindahl’s top 3 reasons to attend a UW-Whitewater football summer camp:

1) Skill Development: Whatever their position, players receive focused skill development, expanding and enhancing their skill-set.
2) First-class Collegiate Experience: From the best-in-class facilities to the dorms and dining, campers are exposed to a taste of college life.
3) Direct Contact with Coaches: Campers are coached by the UW-W football staff, so they learn from the best.

Registration is open now! For more information and to see a full list of football summer camps, visit https://www.uww.edu/ce/camps/athletic/football.

Sheriff Offers Boater Safety Courses March 18 and May 13

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Rock County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Fell is pleased to announce that the Rock County Sheriff’s Office will offer two Boater Safety Education Courses this spring. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1989, is required to complete a Boater Safety Education Course to legally operate a motorized boat or personal watercraft (PWC) on Wisconsin waters. It is recommended that participants be at least 12 years of age or turn 12 shortly following completion of the class.

Boater Safety Education Courses:
Class #1
Mandatory Registration: February 28, at 6 p.m. @ Rock County Fairgrounds – Craig Center
Class: March 18, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. @ Rock County Fairgrounds – Craig Center
Rock County Fairgrounds – Craig Center, 1301 Craig Ave, Janesville, WI 53545

Class #2
Mandatory Registration: April 25, at 6 p.m. @ Edgerton Conservation Club
Class: May 13, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. @ Edgerton Conservation Club
Edgerton Conservation Club, 900 Stoughton Rd, Edgerton, WI 53534

Registration is now open for Class #1. Complete the online enrollment form to reserve a seat. Class size is limited to thirty (30) students. Upon submission of the online enrollment form, the submitter will see an onscreen confirmation message with information on the mandatory in-person registration meeting. Registration for Class #2 will open the week of April 10, 2023.

Enroll At:
https://www.co.rock.wi.us/departments/sheriff-s-office/recreational-patrol/boater-education

A class fee of $10 per student will be collected at the in-person registration meeting. The student and a parent or legal guardian if the student is underage must attend the mandatory registration meeting in order for the student to take the course. Students will receive course materials at the in-person registration meeting. Please direct any questions to Deputy Trevor Lund at trevor.lund@co.rock.wi.us.

Obituary: Delores “Dee” Marie Sheahan, 73

It is with great sadness that the family of Delores “Dee” Marie Sheahan, 73, Whitewater, announce her passing. She departed her loving family on February 11, 2023. She was born on March 27, 1949 to Roy and Ina (Larson) Sandvigen.  She spent her childhood in La Crosse, WI and would eventually make her home and raise her family in Wilton, WI. Shortly after her husband, David, passed on December 27, 2007, she relocated to Whitewater, WI to be closer to her family.

She dedicated her life to her family and her love was unconditional. Her family meant everything to her and she to them. She was caring, supportive, and loving. Her heart was compassionate, pure and forgiving. She loved unconditionally and was the best mother and grandmother anyone could wish for. The void she leaves behind is immense and she will be missed forever.

She is survived by her children, Molly (Nate) Parrish, Whitewater, and Bridget Sheahan, Elroy, WI; grandchildren, Stephanie, Kayla, Bryce, Hunter, Maci, and Kelseigh; great-grandchild, Ellie Mae; sister, Karen Ahmad, Henderson, NV; Son in law Don Sadewater, Belvidere, IL and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two brothers, LeRoy and Ronnie; step-daughter, Shelly Sadewater and nephew, Omar Ahmad.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Nitardy Funeral Home 550 N. Newcomb St. Whitewater, WI 53190.  Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service.  Online condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com.  

US 12 Construction Begins March 6; Road to Fort to Be Closed Until About Year End

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

According to the 511 Wisconsin Construction Projects website of the WI Department of Transportation (DOT), a major construction project that begins on March 6 will be closing the route to Fort Atkinson that is routinely taken by many area residents. The affected area, extending nearly four miles on US Hwy 12, begins at Buckingham Road (which is across Hwy 12 and just south of Twinkling Star Road, where Binggs Restaurant is located) and continues north to County (Cty) M (where Baker Glass is located). DOT states, “Reconstruction will include removing and replacing the existing pavement, base course layer, sub-base course layer, pavement marking, and permanent signing. Other improvements will include widening the shoulders and safety zone, modifying three substandard horizontal curves to meet current design standards, and replacing drainage structures.” Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

Although DOT indicates that the project starts “just north of the Whitewater bypass,” an approximate two mile segment from Business Highway 12 (Main Street) to Buckingham was reconstructed several years ago, and presumably is not included in this year’s project. Although an inconvenience, many drivers will likely be pleased to see the remainder of the rural section repaved, as it has been notoriously difficult to navigate during rain, with ruts that can contribute to hydroplaning.

DOT indicates that the detour will be Highways 59 and 26, which is a result of their policy that calls for detours to be routed over state highways. Most Whitewater area residents, however, will likely prefer taking Cty N (from Tratt Street) north to State Hwy 106 and west into Fort Atkinson. Alternatively one could reach Hwy 12 from Cty N by traveling west on Cty M.

A meeting with more information about construction impacts is scheduled for March 1 at 5 p.m. at the Town of Koshkonong Town Hall, W5609 Star School Road.

Online Retirement Planning Fundamentals Offered at UWW for Seniors

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

This 3 session workshop focuses on how you may prepare for a comfortable retirement. This course introduces you to concepts and strategies that may help you handle your day-to-day finances, potentially reduce your taxes and manage your investments. What’s more, it will discuss how you can assess your current financial situation and develop a personalized plan that may help you pursue your retirement goals.

Teaching format will be an entertaining and informative educational course developed by CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ , Certified Retirement Counselor® and Accredited Asset Management SpecialistSM professionals with many years of real-world experience. The presenters teach the material in a way that is easy to understand, using real-life examples that may be applied to your situation. The course is presented in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere where your participation and questions are encouraged! This class is designed for adults close to retirement.

Three Wednesday Sessions | 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. CST

  • Finance 101 | March 1, 2023
  • Social Security & Investments | March 8, 2023
  • Medicare, Insurance, & Estate Planning | March 15, 2023

Optional Lab: Complimentary one on one consultation with one of the instructors to apply class concepts to your own personal situation.

Limited to the first 40 registrants or couples sharing a workbook.

Online registration is available here: https://uw-whitewater.ungerboeck.com/prod/emc00/PublicSignIn.aspx?&aat=qMnmG7lRsoXW9nnoh0bFjiUZpbbFP9Em2TFJzMCGJds%3d

Fee – $119 per person or couple sharing a workbook

Included in the Fee:  The event fee includes workbook, one instructor consultation, and instruction.   

Your online registration and payment are always safe and secure. We accept MasterCard and Visa credit card payments in our online registration system. We will NOT accept credit card payments over the phone. We will accept checks made out to “UW-Whitewater” and mailed to UW-Whitewater Camps and Conferences, 800 West Main Street, Room 2005 Roseman Hall, Whitewater WI 53190.

Confirmation Emails
Once you register to attend an event (including waitlisted), a confirmation email will be sent to your email account. Contact cesevents@uww.edu if you do not receive this confirmation email. You must have a working email address on file with us to be able to receive important announcements and updates about this event.

Whitewater Schools Will Be Closed on Thursday

According to a press release, “Whitewater Unified School District will be closed on Thursday, February 16, 2023 due to predictions of snow and strong winds that will make travel for our students and staff dangerous, throughout the day Thursday.  All after-school activities for Thursday are also canceled.”

Historical Society Presents a Program on Local Native American Artifacts

The Whitewater Historical Society will present a program featuring Native American artifacts from the collection of Bernie Kleiber of rural Whitewater on Sunday, February 19, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the Cravath Lakefront Community Building. The Cravath Lakefront Community Building is on Whitewater Street behind Me and My Pets (147 Whitewater Street) with access off the street through the historic arch.

Bernie Kleiber has owned farmland for many years and has a large collection of Native American arrowheads, spear points, tools, etc. Kleiber has researched these artifacts and has dated them from various pre-historic periods in this area of Wisconsin. Kleiber will share some of his collection and his knowledge of these artifacts in this upcoming program.

The general public is welcome at this program. For more information, contact Carol Cartwright of the Whitewater Historical Society, 262-473-6820.

Editor’s note: The arrowheads shown on the homepage are not from Bernie Kleiber’s collection.