News

Joyce Mendoza completes the UW-W Business Professional Development Program

(UW-Whitewater submission) Joyce Mendoza from Whitewater, WI, who is majoring in accounting, completed the Professional Development Program offered by the College of Business and Economics at UW-Whitewater.

Mendoza completed a series of co-curricular activities that build communication, critical thinking, teamwork, leadership, digital technology, intercultural fluency and career management skills.

A total of 22 business majors completed the program, which has been designed to help ensure undergraduate business majors are equipped with career readiness competencies that employers value.

A Great “Sign” Greeted Audience Leaving Friday’s WHS Summer Shorts ; More Shows on Sat. & Sun. @ 2 p.m.

Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser, who writes, “Look what greeted audience, actors, and tech crew immediately when they went out the doors after the May 21 performance of ‘Summer Shorts.’ The south end of the rainbow went right into the high school, and per Jim McCulloch, people were saying it was a sign.” Tom said the show has about ten songs, ran a little over an hour, and “couldn’t have been better. It was a fun show; the perfect thing for the high school and the community.” See below for reservations.




(WHS Players submission) Due to the unpredictable weather, the Whitewater High School Players have moved their production of “Summer Shorts” from the Cravath Lakefront Amphitheater to the WHS auditorium this weekend.    Performances will still be Friday May 21, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 22 and Sunday, May 23, at 2 p.m.  The event is free, reservations are required and seating is limited. Tickets are still available as of noon on Saturday. The Whitewater Unified School District COVID-19 policies requiring masks and social distancing will still be in effect.  Call 262-472-8178 or email jmcculloch@wwusd.org for reservations.  Donations will be taken at the door for the Anne and Lane Kuske Drama scholarship fund.

Popular Downtown Tavern Likely to Close for Two Months

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

The owner of a popular downtown Whitewater student-oriented tavern reportedly has agreed to suspend operations for two months this Fall as part of a compromise to avoid potential nonrenewal of the bar’s liquor license.

Gregory Condos, the registered agent for GAC Enterprises, Inc., which conducts business as Pumpers & Mitchell’s at 158-162 West Whitewater Street, faces the potential action after the Whitewater Police Department recommended nonrenewal because of what was described as an excessive number of related police calls and a history of being nonresponsive to department requests to curb underage drinking and do a better job of monitoring patron behavior. The agreement was hammered out after two public hearings in front of the Whitewater Alcohol Licensing Review Commission.

City Licensing Commission Acting Chair and Common Council member James Allen offered this observation at the May 20th hearing: “It’s very difficult for Council members to hear something like this.  We don’t want to shut a business down for a couple of months; we want to bring businesses to the city.  But these actions flew in the face of those who follow the rules.” 

The agreement would renew Pumpers & Mitchell’s license for the period of July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022 but temporarily suspend the ability to operate from September 1 through November 2. It also includes a half dozen other conditions ranging from improved video recording and fake ID detection technology as well as enhanced staff training and cooperation with police to requiring background checks for employees along with more aggressive actions to refuse service to those who appear to be intoxicated.

At an initial hearing on May 3 Whitewater Police Chief Aaron Raap provided Alcohol Licensing Commission members with summaries of 70 police incidents referencing Pumpers & Mitchell’s that had occurred in the period between May 6, 2020 and April 22, 2021. Raap, who served for over 26 years as a Milwaukee police officer, told committee members that as a District Captain in Milwaukee he was responsible for an area that included “40 or 50” similar taverns and had not seen that type of related police activity tied to one licensee. He also pointed out that Whitewater PD senior officers requested better cooperation from the establishment in October of last year without success.

Raap said that evidence pointed to a “pattern and practice” of the establishment that indicated “an uncooperative management style and absenteeism on the part the licensee.”

Pumpers & Mitchell’s representatives argued that the establishment was being unfairly singled out because of their role as “a closing bar.” The manager offered the observation that because the facility had a dance floor many customers migrate there as closing-time approaches after drinking at other establishments or at parties. He also pointed out that he felt that the tavern had robust security on site and that identification of fake IDs is extremely difficult. In addition, the bar manager and licensee Condos pointed to the fact that they had recently taken delivery of a state-of-the-art technology for identifying fake IDs and linking IDs to images of the individuals presenting them to enter.

The three member commission voted unanimously to recommend the proposed settlement agreement to the Common Council, which is expected to be on the agenda at its next meeting on June 1, and as a consequence agreed to postpone what was anticipated to be a very lengthy nonrenewal hearing that was scheduled for May 24. Gregory Condos has reportedly signed off on the agreement.

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