News

Nathan “McGee” & Evelyn Schneider 65th Anniversary Open House

65th Wedding Anniversary

On Saturday, Aug. 20, Nathan “McGee” and Evelyn Schneider will host an Open House in celebration of their 65th Wedding anniversary.  They were married on Aug. 17, 1957 at the 1st United Methodist Church in Whitewater.  They have 2 children, Janis (Tom) Murphy of Blythewood SC, and Jim (Kelley) Schneider of Minneapolis, MN.  They have 2 grandchildren Caitlin Murphy, a Junior at Presbyterian College, Clinton SC and Hayden Schneider a Sophomore at De LaSalle High School in Minneapolis.  Nate spent 34 years with the US postal service in Whitewater going from sub clerk-carrier to Postmaster. Evelyn worked as an office manager/medical secretary for Dr. L. F. Nelson – also for 34 years.  They retired in 1991 and have enjoyed winters in Texas and Florida.  

The Open House will be Saturday, August 20 at the Willow Brook Golf Course, N9035 Hwy 89 in Whitewater from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.  NO GIFTS PLEASE.

Our Readers Share: SOO Line 1003

The SOO Line 1003 steam engine rolled through town on Monday, August 8, with an assist from a diesel engine. She was on her way back to Hartford, WI after spending time in Chicago for a special event.

Article and Photos Submitted by Stacey Amos
1bradyshortofabunch@gmail.com

FREE Campus & Community Meals Continue/Comidas de Espaguetis GRATIS Continuan

The Congregational UCC, 133 S. Franklin Street, Whitewater, continues to host the free Monday night carry-out spaghetti meals through December 19th, 2022, excluding the Monday holidays—Labor Day – September 5th, and Christmas – December 26th. Carry-outs available from 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. For more information, contact Patty Harmon at the First English Lutheran Church office, (262) 473-5076 or Margie Hammerl at the Congregational UCC, (262) 473-4101.

La congregación UCC ubicada en 133 S. Calle Franklin, en Whitewater continuará ofreciendo cenas de espagueti para llevar todos los lunes hasta el 19 de Diciembre del 2022, con excepto el lunes feriado, (dia del Trabajo) Labor Day – 5 de Septiembre y (Navidad) Christmas – 26 de Diciembre. Comidas para llevar disponibles de 5:00 p. m. a 6:00 p. m.Para más información contacte a Patty Harmon en la oficina de la Iglesia Luterana (262) 473-5076 ó a Margie Hammerl en la Congregación UCC (262) 473-4101.

Article Submitted By Patty Harmon, Co-coordinator (FELC)
Campus & Community Meal
harmon000333@yahoo.com

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin & State Rep. Don Vruwink to Hold Listening Session on Agribusiness August 13

On Saturday, August 13, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin will join State Rep. Don Vruwink for a listening session with local farmers hosted at the Luke Goessling Farm in Whitewater.  

Goessling and his family grow corn and soybeans on 750 acres, a farm that has been in the family since 1938. Rep. Vruwink and Sen. Baldwin will give area growers, farmers, and food processors an update on issues that have come before Congress and the Wisconsin Legislature.

WHEN:      10:00 AM

WHERE:    Luke Goessling Farm, W9697 W. Walworth Ave, Whitewater, WI

DIRECTIONS TO GOESSLING FARM: The farm is located just south of Robin’s Trucking, W9699 W. Walworth Ave, Whitewater.

Wisconsin State Rep. Don Vruwink represents the 43rd Assembly District, which includes portions of Dane, Jefferson, Rock, and Walworth Counties. United States Senator Tammy Baldwin represents all of Wisconsin.

Article Submitted by Rep. Don Vruwink
Rep.Vruwink@legis.wisconsin.gov

A Maxwell Street Days Photo Gallery

Maxwell Street Days in Whitewater were held Friday and Saturday, August 5 and 6, 2022.

Photos Submitted by Tom Ganser
tganser33@gmail.com

Unofficial Election Results: Gerber Wins Tight Race for Sheriff; Local GOP Candidates for Assembly Dist. 31 Appear to Lose (Updated)

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

Updated 8/10 @ 11:43 a.m. primarily with information about contests in the November general election.

Poll workers reported steady traffic at the primary election on Tuesday. Unfortunately segregated City of Whitewater results are not available at this time; however, we are able to report below the unofficial results on races of particular local interest.

Whitewater resident Dave Gerber appears to the the victor in a hard fought race for Walworth County Sheriff. With 100% of the precincts reporting, he leads opponent Craig Konopski by 8149 to 7943. Since there was no Democrat in the race, presumably Gerber will be elected. Actually there were several write-in votes, that did not count, cast on the Democratic ballot for Gerber.

Republican race for Assembly District 31: Local area residents Jason Dean and Maryann Zimmerman appear to have been defeated by Clinton resident Ellen Schutt. Assuming that Schutt is declared the victor, she will face Democrat Brienne Brown in November.

Rock County Walworth CountyTotal
Ellen Schutt124719983245
Maryann Zimmerman 58218232405
Jason Dean 39615811977

The Jefferson County portion of the city is in Assembly District 33. There, Scott Johnson appears to have won a tight race over Dale W. Oppermann, although a number of media sources have not yet projected a winner. The victor will face Democrat Don Vruwink in November.

Rock County Jefferson CountyTotal
Scott Johnson 92223713293
Dale W. Oppermann 76223253087

Fort HealthCare Maintains Prestigious Baby-Friendly Designation

 Staff of Fort HealthCare’s lactation program. Pictured (left to right): Carla Bilgrien, Linda Hommen, Diane Markham, Deb Schumacher. Not pictured: Shayla Martin and Stephanie Pagenkopf.

FORT ATKINSON – Fort HealthCare is proud to announce that it has once again achieved the highly prestigious international Baby-Friendly designation after a rigorous review process conducted by Baby-Friendly USA, the organization responsible for bestowing this certification in the United States.

Fort HealthCare embarked on the journey to become a Baby-Friendly facility beginning in 2013. The goal was reached, and the accreditation awarded in September 2016. Designation is for a period of five years, and in order to maintain this status, Fort HealthCare participates in continuous monitoring and audit processes, as well as participating in surveyor led on-site assessments every 5 years.

This distinguished honor demonstrates that Fort HealthCare is adhering to the highest standards of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. These standards are built on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, a set of evidence-based practices recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for optimal infant feeding support in the precious first days of a newborn’s life.

“We are extremely proud to be recognized for the hard work of our team members throughout the Baby-Friendly process,” said Deborah Schumacher, Obstetrics Manager. Fort HealthCare is committed to providing the support, education and resources moms need to successfully initiate breastfeeding and continue breastfeeding when they leave our care.”

About Baby-Friendly USA

As the accrediting body and national authority for the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in the United States, Baby-Friendly USA is responsible for upholding the highest standards in infant feeding care by coordinating and conducting all activities necessary to confer the prestigious Baby-Friendly designation and ensure the widespread adoption of the BFHI in the US. Learn more about Baby-Friendly USA and the BFHI at www.babyfriendlyusa.org.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates the use of the image on the homepage by Kate from Pixabay.

Where can school supplies be donated? – Responses to our reader’s question

A reader wrote this to the Banner: “Would it be possible to post an article about how to donate school supplies?  I know many churches and civic organizations do collections this time of year and I’d like to know how I can help.”

The following responses have been received:

The Community Space indicates that although they are not scheduling a special school supply distribution day this year, they are happy to accept any donations of supplies, and will distribute them to anyone who visits. The Community Space is located at 834 E. Milwaukee Street, and they are open Tuesday 8:30-11 a.m., Wednesday 3:30-7 p.m., Thursday 8:30-11 a.m. and Saturday 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Donors may drive around to the back side of the building, where there is a doorbell to call for assistance.

St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1225 W. Main Street, is encouraging donations of the following items which may be placed in the baskets in the church vestibule or in Berry Hall: Pencils, pens, erasers, backpacks, notebooks, glue sticks, pencil bags, crayons, protractors, colored pencils, flash drives, boxes of Kleenex, hand sanitizer, calculator, markers, headphones, paper, highlighters, rulers, folders, glue, scissors, or any other school supply. Distribution for children will be on Sunday, August 28 at 12:30 p.m. upstairs in Berry Hall. All children are welcome, whether associated with the parish or not.

Por Favor Apoye a Nuestros Estudiantes de San Patricio.Como parroquia podemos ayudar a nuestras familias, ayudando a comprar los útiles escolares. Por favor, considere comprar algunos de los útiles de la lista de abajo y colóquelos en las canastas que se encuentran en el vestíbulo o en Berry Hall. La distribución de los útiles será el domingo, 28 de agosto a las 12:30 PM en el salón parroquial. Todos los niños son bienvenidos sean o no parte de la parroquia. Lápices, plumas, borradores, mochilas, cuadernos, pegamento en tubo, bolsitas para lápices, colores de cera, transportadores, lápices de colores, tarjetas de memoria, cajas de Kleenex, desinfectante de manos, calculadoras, marcadores, audífonos, papel, resaltador, reglas, carpetas, pegamento, tijeras o cualquier otra cosa para la escuela.

We’d encourage any other organizations that are collecting school supplies to send an email to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com, and we’ll add to this compilation. Please provide as much specificity as possible regarding what items are needed.

Editor’s note: We appreciate the use of the image on this page and the homepage by Vinicius Imbroisi from Pixabay.

Obituary: Joseph Ray Brown, 58, of Milton

Joseph Ray Brown, 58, of Milton, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Friday, August 5, 2022, after a 5-year battle with ALS.

Joe was born August 1, 1964, in Janesville, Wisconsin to Ronald and Janet Brown.  He grew up on the Milton family farm and attended Milton schools.  He graduated from Milton High School in 1982 and attended UW-Madison majoring in agricultural business.  After college he worked as an agronomist and sales representative for multiple seed companies, including Pioneer Hybrid for the last 20 years.

Joe had a wide range of interests including music, reading, 3D printing, home brewing, NASA/space, model rocketry, science fiction, cannons, computer science and travel.  Joe and Lisa (and often their children) travelled to more than 10 countries, including a trip to Cuba with the band Blondie.  Joe was a large supporter of youth through Milton 4H and Milton FFA Alumni. 

Joe’s kind heart was exceeded only by his sense of humor.  His customers were truly his friends, many of whom were people he knew his entire life.  Joe wanted everyone to be happy and kind to others.  Small everyday acts of kindness can improve the world.

Joe courageously battled ALS for 5 years, never giving up.  He was continuously inventing and utilizing his 3D printer to improve his ALS journey.  He had a wonderful team of caregivers who made every day a joy for both him and Lisa.

Joe is survived by his wife Lisa; daughters Teegan (Jim) Scofield and Mina Heinen-Brown; grandchildren Maddison and Reid Scofield; his parents Ron Brown and Janet Kettle; his brother Rodney Brown and sister Danelle Kenney; and many relatives too numerous to mention (Joe had a very large family).  Joe’s caregivers included Susan and Christine, his niece Naomi, sister-in-law Linda, uncle Jim, as well as his fabulous breathing technicians Kathy and Bob.

Joe has left us much too soon and he will be missed every single day.  Joe and Lisa fell asleep every night holding hands.  Joe had a huge personality that affected everyone he met, enriching everyone’s lives.  Joe made being happy look easy.  Please take a moment tonight, go outside, look up at the stars and think of Joe.

Funeral services for Joe will be 11:00 a.m. on August 15, 2022, at the Albrecht Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Milton.

Visitation times for Joe will be Sunday, August 14, 2022 from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the Albrecht Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Milton, and again on Monday, August 15, 2022 at 1000 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home.

Interment to follow at Milton Cemetery 131 N Janesville Street, Milton.  A luncheon repast will follow at Lisa and Joe’s farm, 2626 E County Rd M.  

The funeral will also be livestreamed online for those who are unable to attend, please contact the funeral home day of for information regarding the livestream.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to the Wisconsin chapter of the ALS Association at als.org/donate