News

(Whitewater Arts Alliance submission) The Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) is hosting a virtual filmed theatre production of “Gruesome Playground Injuries” written by Rajiv Joseph, digitally available on April 24th-April 25th. “Gruesome Playground Injuries” tickets are offered “pay as you are able.” The play is a two-person show featuring actors Johnathon Krautkramer and Alyssa Hannam, who are from Appleton and the Fort Atkinson area.

Matt Denney, WAA Board Member and director of the play is also a Residential Learning Advisor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Following is a synopsis of the play: It’s not your typical love story: Doug and Kayleen meet at the nurse’s office in their elementary school; she’s got a painful stomach ache, and he’s all banged up from a running dive off the roof of the school. Over the next thirty years, these scar-crossed lovers meet again and again, brought together by injury, heartbreak, and their own self-destructive tendencies. With great compassion and humor, playwright Rajiv Joseph (Broadway’s Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo) crafts a compelling and unconventional love story about the intimacy between two people when they allow their defenses to drop and their wounds to show.

Tickets: Pay-What-You-Can at http://bit.ly/WAAGPI0421

The WAA has been ramping up their Virtual Theatre Productions and Readings in 2021, and they recently did a virtual reading which raised money for the Whitewater Dream Fund for undocumented students.

The mission of the Whitewater Arts Alliance is to promote the visual and performing arts through an alliance of artists, individuals, educational resources, and organizations to promote creativity and diversity that will serve to educate and enrich the lives of the residents of the Whitewater community and surrounding areas.

(UW-Extension submission) University of Wisconsin – Madison, Division of Extension Walworth County invites the community to attend these upcoming online learning opportunities about pollinator plantings and gardens. Join our specialists from UW-Madison as they share insight into how to plan for a successful pollinator planting, select and care for plants that attract and support diverse pollinators in the garden all season long. These are free events but registration is required. Please see the links below to register.

Weed Management When Establishing Pollinator Plantings, by Dr. Mark Renz

Wednesday, March 31

12:00-1:30 p.m.

Join Dr. Mark Renz to learn more about weed management for greater success of your pollinator plantings! He will share his research that evaluates the impact of cover crops, herbicides and mowing on establishing native plants for pollinators. Results from over 30 pollinator plantings in Wisconsin will provide insight as to what factors you should consider when planning a pollinator planting.

Please use the following link to register https://go.wisc.edu/aqelvq

and

Pollinator Gardens: Plant Selection and Garden Care, by Susan Carpenter

Tuesday, April 6

6:30-7:30 p.m.

Join Susan Carpenter to learn how to select and care for plants to attract and support diverse pollinators in your garden all season long. This presentation will emphasize native plants and pollinators and will include sustainable gardening practices.

Please use the following link to register https://go.wisc.edu/842s07

If you have questions about these events, please contact Julie Hill, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, julie.hill@wisc.edu

To find additional upcoming local and statewide events from Extension, see our calendar: https://extension.wisc.edu/events/ or visit our Extension Walworth County website: https://walworth.extension.wisc.edu/

(Whitewater Public Library submission) The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library is offering a new book subscription service for teens called YAAASSS (Young Adult Amazingly Awesome Super Subscription Service.) Students in grades six through twelve are invited to participate.

Teens – do you like surprises? Request a free YAAASSS Bag from the library to receive a handpicked library book and goodies galore! It’s easy:
• Visit whitewaterlibrary.org/teens.asp
• Fill out the form
• Wait (impatiently) for your goodies to arrive!
*A public library card is required
*Limit one bag per student per month
*Participants must fill out the form each month

(UW-Whitewater submission) The following Whitewater students are UW-Whitewater’s 2021 Greek chapter presidents: Anai Parker, who is studying psychology, is president of Alpha Kappa Alpha; Devin Lewis, who is studying human resource management, is president of Alpha Phi Alpha; and Joseph Senyah, who is studying psychology, is president of Phi Chi Epsilon.

UW-Whitewater currently has 23 active Greek chapters, which stem from national organizations. They offer leadership, personal fulfillment through philanthropy, and opportunities to forge lifelong relationships with peers and alumni. The Greek Community does its best to excel in all ways possible and at the same time, represents Warhawk spirit through academics, sports, social events, leadership, and much more.

While the individual goals of each chapter are different, the overall mission of the presidents of the chapters are largely centered around engagement and commitment to campus.

“As the president of either a fraternity or sorority, we are the face of our organizations,” said Neil McCants, president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council and Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. “The president’s role can be an overwhelming position to handle, but just like anything that gets difficult, you have to dig deep, use your resources and do what you need to do to be successful.”

For more information on the presidents of the Greek chapters or the Greek community at UW-Whitewater visit https://www.uww.edu/career-and-leadership-development/student-involvement/greek-community.

(WI Dept of Revenue press release, March 18) The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued news release yesterday indicating that the federal income tax filing and payment due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year will be automatically extended from April 15, 2021 to May 17, 2021. The IRS will provide formal guidance in the coming days. As a result, the Wisconsin individual income tax return filing and payment due dates are extended to May 17, 2021. Wisconsin law provides for an extension of time and waiver of interest and penalties when the IRS extends filing deadlines during a presidentially-declared disaster.

“This has been a hard year for everyone. People are still trying to catch up financially and emotionally. Extending the tax deadline to May 17 should help make things a bit easier for those who need the extra time,” said Department of Revenue Secretary Peter Barca.

• Individuals do not have to file any extension forms to be eligible for this new due date.
• No interest or penalties will accrue during the period of April 15, 2021 to May 17, 2021. Interest and late filing fees will apply beginning May 18, 2021.
• No underpayment interest will apply for failure to make quarterly estimated individual income tax payments for the 2020 tax year.
• This relief is solely for 2020 individual income tax returns and payments that are normally due on due April 15, 2021.

• This relief does not apply to:
o 2021 estimated tax payments for individuals, the first payment of which is due April 15, 2021, or
o to any other returns or tax payments due to the Department of Revenue.

“Roughly, half of all taxpayers in Wisconsin have already filed their tax returns, and most have received refunds, on
average over $800,” noted Department of Revenue Secretary Peter Barca. “We are still processing returns and issuing refunds and other credits that Wisconsinites rely on such as the Homestead Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit.”

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue notes that most services are found online at www.revenue.wi.gov
Customer service phone number:
• Individuals: (608) 266-2772

(UW-Whitewater submission, March 10) The Joint Committee on Finance announced today that the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will host the first of three locations chosen for in-person public hearings on the next state budget.

“First, I want to thank the Joint Committee on Finance for choosing UW-Whitewater for one of these important meetings. It is such an honor to host a meeting in which committee members will seek feedback from people across Wisconsin on the priorities for next state budget. This is a critical part of the budget process,” Chancellor Dwight C. Watson said. “This is also a great time for members of the legislature and the state to get to know more about our amazing university, and to see their financial support of UW-Whitewater at work. This is simply a wonderful opportunity for UW-Whitewater and our community.”

The format will be similar to past hearings and attendees will be asked to fill out a form upon arrival to be added to the queue to testify. Those attending in-person will be required to wear a facial covering and practice social distancing as part of campus COVID-19 protocols.

The event, on Friday, April 9, will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m. The location on campus will be announced in the coming days.

The other in-person hearings will take place in Rhinelander and Menomonie.

A virtual public hearing is also scheduled, and pre-registration will be required for the virtual hearing. The registration process and details are in development and will be released as soon as possible via the new JFC website, which is also a portal for constituents to provide input: www.legis.wisconsin.gov/topics/budgetcomments. The JFC has also developed a dedicated email address for input only: budget.comments@legis.wisconsin.gov.

(The Pauquette Center submission) The Pauquette Center for Psychological Services has named a new Executive Director. On January 1, 2021, Dr. Lesley Chapin succeeded Dr. Thomas Hayes, who had held that position for the past 25 years. Dr. Chapin took over the day-to-day operations at the same time the Pauquette center opened its 8^th clinic in Whitewater.

In 2020, the Portage based psychological services company began operations in Madison, and expanded consultation and training services throughout the state. Dr. Chapin was instrumental in those projects, and was the logical choice to succeed Dr. Hayes. Dr. Chapin continues active work as a psychologist, with her home office in the Madison clinic. Dr. Hayes will continue to work out of the Portage office, and continues in his role as President and Chief Executive Officer.

The Pauquette Centers for Psychological Services has operated continuously since 1965. It operates clinics in Portage, Columbus, Baraboo, Sauk Prairie, Reedsburg, Richland Center, Madison, and Whitewater at the Innovation Center. There are currently over 40 professional staff that provide an array of psychological, psychotherapy and counseling services, serving primarily rural Wisconsin.

Ginny Coburn submitted this photo, which was taken by her grandson Langdon. She writes, “This bald eagle has been a frequent visitor to Trippe Lake recently. Langdon Coburn took this photo about March 1 using his cell phone and a pair of binoculars.  In late February the eagle was seen flying southeast with a large branch in its talons, an indicator of nest building.”

Our thanks to Langdon and Ginny Coburn for sharing this great photo with us.

— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share.  Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com or click on “submit a story” near the top right of our homepage.  Thanks for thinking about this!

NEA Big Read Book Giveaway Day at Irvin L. Young Memorial Library – Monday, April 5th 12:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Monday, April 5th is our book giveaway day! Stop in and pick up a free copy of this year’s NEA Big Read selection The Latehomecomer. Available while supplies last.

(Studio 84 submission) Spring is traditionally a time of new growth and renewal and spring 2021 will be a welcome ‘ReLeaf ‘ from the troubles that 2020 brought us!

You are invited to join Studio 84 (virtually) for our Annual Gala Night with a bonus Cupcake Battle Fundraiser on April 17th  The virtual gala is free to attend as it always has been when we gathered in person. 

Since we won’t be meeting in person, we knew everyone would be missing the food and especially the cupcakes. So as a fundraiser we will have bakers competing for the honor of your vote as the best decorated and the best tasting cupcakes.  You can purchase your cupcake tickets on our website at www.studio84inc.org.   Only 48 cupcakes tickets will be available and they sell for $20. You will receive up to a dozen cupcakes and can pick them up curbside  on April 17  from 12-2 at Studio 84. Enjoy your cupcakes as you watch the gala event that night starting at 5 pm. Enjoy meeting some of our artists  as they talk about why they love  art and a few other things.  As always you can shop for all your favorite artist’s items during the event.   

Money raised from this event will go to help support our programming in the arts for people with disabilities.

Two entries into the Cupcake Battle are Katie Krueger and Susie Feurestein. Baker Katie says, “I’m a UW-Whitewater alum and current MBA student with an unstoppable addiction to baking boozy cupcakes. On top of that, I’m passionate about how the arts can impact our lives. So when I got the opportunity to support Studio 84 through baking cupcakes, it was a no-brainer! If you liked my chocolate boilermaker cupcakes from last fall, you’ll LOVE what I’m whipping up for the ReLeaf Cupcake Battle.” 

Cupcake Baker Susie states, “I work for the University of Whitewater and that is how I heard about this wonderful event.  I was curious what Studio 84 was, not being from Whitewater. I immediately looked up the website.  Wow!  I was very impressed with the art, the videos and the organization.  Since I love baking, I thought why not throw my baking hat into the ring.  It is a win win, I get to bake and contribute to the Gala.  I hope for a successful evening for Studio 84 and that many will enjoy the wonderful cupcakes made by all!”

For details on theSpring ReLeaf Gala Event and to order  your cupcakes  visit Studio 84 online at www.studio84inc.org.