News

WHS Choir Students present a “Circle Concert”

By Karen Tordera
Vocal Music Teacher
Whitewater High School
ktordera@wwusd.org

On Friday afternoon, the WHS Choirs sang in a “Circle Concert.” Bel Canto Choir, Cadenza Singers, and Music Masters Ensemble met in the cafeteria and performed the music they had been working on in class. Each of the choirs sang for the other choirs. Music letters, bars, and pins were awarded. Carter Waelchli won the Lyle award and Cora Linos won the Choral Director’s Award. It was a great way for our Choir students to perform and share some wonderful music! 

#FlashbackFriday with the Historical Society: Nunn-Bush Shoe Co.

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

Pictured here in this October 1946 snapshot is Vivian Henderson (1928-2016), a lifelong Whitewater area resident. She worked for the Whitewater Division of the Nunn-Bush Shoe Factory of Edgerton. The Whitewater factory was located in part of one of the Whitewater Manufacturing Company’s buildings on Whitewater Street between 1946-1958.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society collections!
(3048P, Whitewater Historical Society)

The Whitewater Historical Society collects, preserves, and interprets the history of Whitewater and the surrounding area. Be sure to join us next week for more from the Society’s collections. Please “like” us on Facebook, and check out our website at whitewaterhistoricalsociety.org!​ 

Ryan Callahan named UW-Whitewater director of intercollegiate athletics

Ryan Callahan waves.

Chancellor Dwight C. Watson announced the appointment of Ryan Callahan as the next director of intercollegiate athletics at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

“Ryan was selected because of his experiences as a former Warhawk athlete, coach and budget manager,” said Watson. “He was endorsed 100% percent by all of the coaches and athletic personnel. His commitment to UW-Whitewater was evident in his interviews as he focused on students’ academic and athletic excellence. He wants them to be champions in the classroom and in the various athletic venues.”

Callahan has served as interim director of athletics since May 2019, following the departure of former Athletic Director Todd Garzarelli, after serving as assistant director for two years. As interim director, he has managed a budget of approximately $5 million while guiding the department’s coaches and staff in the marketing, promotion and advancement of championship-caliber athletic programs. Projects that were planned or took place under his tenure include the building of the new tennis locker room and expansion project ($300,000), the Perkins Stadium turf replacement project, starting in May of 2021 ($979,000), and securing a $500,000 gift for women’s athletics and wrestling from an individual donor. Critically, Callahan also led the athletic department and recreational sports through the COVID-19 pandemic, working with each group and partners across campus to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and students as facilities were re-opened.

Callahan will assume the role of athletic director on July 1, 2021.

“I am humbled and honored to lead Warhawk Athletics,” said Callahan. “We have some of the best staff and student-athletes, and I am eager to continue our Powered By Tradition mantra.”

Callahan, who earned a BSE in elementary/middle school education and a minor in coaching in 2004 and an M.S. in curriculum and instruction in 2009, pitched for the Warhawk baseball team from 2001 and 2004 and went on to play for the San Francisco Giants and the Minnesota Twins. He was inducted into the Warhawk Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. He lives in Janesville with his family.

Watson thanked Greg Cook, interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, and Brenda Volk, head coach of the UW-Whitewater softball program, for their able leadership of the search and screen committee.

Electronics Recycling Event – This Saturday

City of Whitewater
Electronics Recycling Event
on Saturday, May 22, 2021
from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

LOT B (Across from Train Depot and Cravath Lakefront)

Items accepted: Computers, Laptops, Monitors, Printers, Circuit Boards, Servers, Modems, Scanners, Hard Drives, Cables, Keyboards, Mice, Power Cords/Wires, metal, and much more….

All Electronics, TV’s, Stereos, VCR’s, DVD’s, Power Tools, Gaming Systems, Cameras, Exercise Equipment, Telephones and much more…

All appliances (with or without freon)

Items the recycling company charges for:

All TV’s – $20
Old Tube CRT Computer Monitors – $10
Microwaves – $5
Exercise Equipment – $5

(Items we do not accept: Household Batteries, Light Bulbs)

Cash and Checks Only…NO Credit Cards will be Accepted!!

American Legion Post Announces Memorial Day Activities

William Graham Post 173 of the American Legion in Whitewater is planning Memorial Day activities. On Thursday, May 27th we are inviting community members to help us decorate veterans’ graves in Hillside Cemetery. We will gather near the center entrance of the cemetery at 4:30 p.m. The American Legion is providing the flags.

For those wondering if we are having a parade the City of Whitewater Events Planning Committee declined our parade request due to COVID-19 concerns. Instead the American Legion is planning to hold a short Memorial Day Observance in Hillside Cemetery on Memorial Day, 31 May, beginning at 11:00 a.m. The location will be in the vicinity of the flagpole in the southern section of the cemetery. Coincidentally this is the same area Memorial Day observances were held before the American Legion Building was constructed 51 years ago. Members of the Whitewater community who would like to observe a Memorial Day parade honoring our fallen veterans may do so in the communities of Palmyra, Fort Atkinson, Williams Bay, Elkhorn, and Beloit.

The image on the home page, “‘Flags-In’ at Arlington National Cemetery for Memorial Day 2008” by The U.S. Army, is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Thank you to all who donated to Tilla’s Next Ride!

Pam Brotzman and her family would like to take this opportunity to say “Thank You” to everyone who donated items for the rummage sale, or brought baked goods for the lemonade stand and food sale. They also would like to thank everyone for showing their support of Tilla’s Next Ride.

Pam said, “Thanks to all of you we raised $1,560.00 for Tilla’s Next Ride.”

Obituary of Mary J. Goeglein has been updated with arrangements

A Memorial Service will be held to honor the life of Mary J. Goeglein on May 22, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Evergreen Country Club in the Pavillion, N6246 US-12, Elkhorn, WI 53121 .  Visitation will start at 1:00 p.m. with a service at 2:00 p.m., with visitation afterwards until 5:00 p.m.  Please note masks will be required.

Mary J. Goeglein, 61, of Whitewater, Wisconsin passed away surrounded by her family on October 22nd, 2020.

Mary was born on November 29th, 1958 in Fort Atkinson to Robert A. and Jane E. (Graham) Kettwig. She spent all of her early life in Whitewater; graduating from Whitewater High School in 1977 and then UW-Whitewater in 1983 with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. On June 1st, 1979, she married the love of her life, Walter “Wally” Goeglein, at United Methodist Church in Whitewater. After graduating, she pursued a career at her alma mater as an administrative assistant. Here, she touched many lives and dearly enjoyed mentoring and building friendships with her student workers.  Many kept in contact with her after their graduation and she enjoyed following their further careers and adventures. 

Many described Mary as a caring, warm-hearted person that was always willing to help others. She was gentle yet bold, and always had so much love to give. Her smile was bright and contagious; she lit up any room she entered. Mary enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren; and enjoyed cooking wonderful meals for family and friends.  One of her favorite activities was riding her Can-Am Spyder “Cora” and she was a beloved member of the Indian Motorcycle Riders Group. She loved all things Disney and made many trips “home” to Walt Disney World which brought her so much joy.  She enjoyed watching Badger, Packer and Brewer games and loved the spirit of Wisconsin sports. One event you could always find her at was Irish Fest in Milwaukee; enjoying the music, the food and all things Celtic.

Mary is survived by her husband Wally; her son Graham (Autumn White) Goeglein of Madison; her daughter Jessica (Tom) Ackley of Raymond; her brothers Thomas (Toni) Kettwig of Poinciana, FL, and Dan (Kathy) Kettwig of Port Orchard, WA; and her grandchildren Abraham and Harrison Ackley; as well as many other nieces, nephews, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Estelle Villwock.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Agrace Hospice, Cedar Crest Assisted Living, and Visiting Angels for all of their compassion and kindness.

A memorial service for Mary will be held in the Spring of 2021 when we can all gather to share our beloved memories of her and honor her spirit.

Memorials in Mary’s name may be given to the ALS Association at their website donate.als.org to benefit ALS research.  You can also send a memorial in her name to Agrace Hospice by either going to their website or if you prefer to donate by check, please make the check payable to “Agrace Foundation” and mail it to: Agrace, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711

The Nitardy Funeral Home, Fort Atkinson is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Roscoe J. Harrison, 94, of Whitewater passed away on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at Fairhaven Senior Services

Roscoe J. Harrison, 94, of Whitewater passed away on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at Fairhaven Senior Services in Whitewater.

Roscoe was born on April 12, 1927 in Marion, Ohio to Roscoe and Rosetta (Gibbs) Harrison.
After graduating high school, Roscoe enlisted in the United States Navy as a seaman first class. On October 22, 1949, Roscoe married the love of his life, Josephine, in West Allis. He enjoyed a successful career working for AT&T as an instructor for commercial phone systems.

Roscoe was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson.

Roscoe is survived by his son, Martin (Eileen); grandsons, Kendall (Jessica) and Nathan (Stephanie) Harrison; great-grandchildren, Spencer, Cole, Kai, Nina and Julian Harrison.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roscoe and Rosetta; Wife, Josephine; daughter, Gale Ann.

Funeral Services will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at Nitardy Funeral Home, 1008 Madison Ave., Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. A visitation will take place from 10 a.m. until the time of service. The service can be attended virtually at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/7902565423. A burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Fort Atkinson.

The family would like to give special thanks to Fairhaven Senior Services and Rainbow Hospice of Jefferson County for their exceptional care for Roscoe. Memorials, if desired, can be made to Fairhaven Senior Services, or Rainbow Hospice.

Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com.

City Mask Mandate and Virtual Meeting Requirement Removed

By Al Stanek
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

The City of Whitewater’s COVID-19 Face Covering Ordinance and a policy requiring that all city meetings be held electronically have been eliminated by Common Council action.

The ordinance requiring that a mask covering both the nose and mouth be worn in all buildings open to the public within the city limits went into effect on August 1 of last year and lasted for nearly ten months. The mask mandate had recently been extended to June 30 of this year. The local repeal comes on the heels of similar actions by Milwaukee, Madison and other Wisconsin cities and counties. Whitewater was one of the first half dozen Wisconsin communities to enact a mask mandate according to a July 20, 2020 Associated Press (AP) article.

The City of Whitewater policy requiring that all public meetings be held without the physical attendance of participants and observers was also repealed, effective June 1, at the May 18 Common Council meeting. So-called “virtual meetings” were held with participants taking part either by phone or via computer technology in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Common Council was reviewing the virtual meeting policy monthly.

Several Council members offered the observation that virtual meetings appeared to have increased the “attendance” at many city meetings and advocated for a future policy of offering a hybrid model featuring both in-person and virtual attendance at city meetings.

City Manager Cameron Clapper recommended that initially the hybrid model be offered only for Common Council, Plan Commission and Community Development Authority (CDA) meetings. Clapper offered that, “The City, like other organizations, is facing staff shortages along with equipment challenges making the hybrid model difficult to offer for all city meetings.” Ironically, the May 18 meeting which would normally be broadcast live to local cable subscribers was missed due to an equipment failure. Meetings are video recorded and available to view on the city website.

Two citizens took advantage of the opportunity to make comments on the issues electronically. Karen Kachel advocated for the ordinance and policy change and Anne Hartwick, a Library Board member, urged the city to find a way to offer the hybrid option for all city meetings. She pointed out that the “virtual” attendance option not only makes it more convenient for citizens to take part but that it might allow residents to volunteer for committee assignments who might otherwise be hesitant about their ability to regularly attend in person.

Changes in city mask mandate policy are apparently in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) easing of indoor mask wearing as reported by the AP last week. The CDC is now recommending that fully COVID-19 vaccinated people can be allowed “… to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings” according to the AP article. The CDC decision was reportedly made after review of a study indicating reduced risk for fully vaccinated individuals.

The CDC revised guidance still calls for mask wearing in crowded indoor settings and several Whitewater Common Council members indicated that they would continue to wear masks when deemed appropriate. Both CDC Director Rochelle Walensky and President Joe Biden said that people who are not fully vaccinated should continue to wear masks indoors, according to the May 14 AP article. Walworth County reports that 37.7% of County residents have been at least partially vaccinated as of May 17. COVID-19 has been responsible for over 600,000 US deaths including nearly 8000 Wisconsin residents and over 150 Walworth and 130 Jefferson County residents according the National COVID-19 Database.

Whippets Claim #4 Spot on Packers Plays of the Month

Article Submitted by Jason Bleck
Whitewater High School Head Football Coach
jbleck@wwusd.org

Great throw, great catch, great blocking, great play to be a part of! Check it out! Play #4 of the Packers High School Plays of the Month for April belongs to the Whippets!

Huge shoutout to the best NFL team out there, the Green Bay Packers, for their $500 donation to our football team for making the Top 5 plays of the month!  

This was actually a pretty extensive selection process. Of all the plays that were submitted, they narrowed it down to 10, where then a panel of 20 Packers employees voted on their favorites, and the Top 5 plays that received the most votes made the cut! I’m very proud of our team for such an awesome play!