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(From Wikipedia) Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EARTHDAY.ORG (formerly Earth Day Network)^[1] including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.^[2][1]

In 1969 at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco, peace activist John McConnell proposed a day to honor the Earth and the concept of peace, to first be observed on March 21, 1970, the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. This day of nature’s equipoise was later sanctioned in a proclamation written by McConnell and signed by Secretary General U Thant at the United Nations. A month later a United States Senator (Banner note: from Wisconsin) Gaylord Nelson proposed the idea to hold a nationwide environmental teach-in on April 22, 1970. He hired a young activist, Denis Hayes, to be the National Coordinator. Nelson and Hayes renamed the event “Earth Day”. Denis and his staff grew the event beyond the original idea for a teach-in to include the entire United States. More than 20 million people poured out on the streets, and the first Earth Day remains the largest single day protest in human history. Key non-environmentally focused partners played major roles. Under the leadership of labor leader Walter Reuther, for example, the United Auto Workers was the most instrumental outside financial and operational supporter of the first Earth Day.^[3][4][5] According to Hayes, “Without the UAW, the first Earth Day would have likely flopped!”^[6] Nelson was later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom award in recognition of his work.^[7]

The first Earth Day was focused on the United States. In 1990, Denis Hayes, the original national coordinator in 1970, took it international and organized events in 141 nations.^[8][9][10]

On Earth Day 2016, the landmark Paris Agreement was signed by the United States, China, and some 120 other countries. This signing satisfied a key requirement for the entry into force of the historic draft climate protection treaty adopted by consensus of the 195 nations present at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris.

Numerous communities engaged in Earth Day Week actions, an entire week of activities focused on the environmental issues that the world faces.^[11]

On Earth Day 2020, over 100 million people around the world observed the 50th anniversary in what is being referred to as the largest online mass mobilization in history.^[2]

Greetings Great City of Whitewater!
Please help the National Honor Society raise money for local scholarships by dining at Culver’s in Whitewater between 5 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27!  A percentage of their proceeds will be donated to the National Honor Society for local scholarships that evening!  A great time will be had by all! 

Pamela Sonmor-Wintz, School Counselor, Whitewater High School Scholarship Coordinator,
National Honor Society Advisor

Note that this is for the Moderna vaccine, which is only approved to be administered to persons age 18+.

(Whitewater Water Utility press release) The City of Whitewater – Water Utility will begin its semi-annual water main and hydrant flushing program on Monday, April 26, through Friday, April 30, 2021. Flushing of water mains is necessary in order to continue to deliver clean, safe water to our citizens. If we have more repairs than expected throughout the week, we may have to continue flushing into the following week.

Flushing of water mains and hydrants can cause some discoloration of water. Caution should be exercised in washing of white clothing. Discoloration of water due to flushing WILL stain white clothing. We notify the public in all local media outlets; therefore, we cannot be responsible for stained clothing. If discoloration is detected, run the cold-water faucet until the discoloration clears. While we are still flushing in your area, the water may take a while to clear up. You may want to wait until we have left the area and the water settles down before running your water tap. If reduced pressure is experienced after flushing, you may have to clean the aerators on your house faucets.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during water main and hydrant flushing. Questions may be directed to the Water Utility at 473-0560.

Jim Bergner
Water Superintendent

The image on the home page, “Arbutus fire hydrant flush” by lawrence’s lenses is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

(Jefferson County press release) The Jefferson County Highway Department will be resurfacing CTH “N” from Walton Drive to STH “106.”  The work is scheduled to take place beginning the week of April 19, 2021.  The existing deteriorated asphalt pavement will be pulverized, graded and compacted prior to paving the roadway.

During construction the roadway will be closed to through traffic, but access will be maintained to local residences and businesses, as well as emergency vehicles.  A detour will be posted utilizing Business “”12” (Main Street), STH “59”, CTH “D” and STH “106”.  The road will remain closed until approximately the middle of July, depending on the weather.    

Please use caution within the construction areas and please keep children away from the operations.  If you should have any questions, please feel free to contact the Highway Department at (920) 674-7265.

The image on the home page, “Road Closed Sign” by theglobalpanorama is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Our thanks to Jeff Bierman for sharing another striking photo with us.

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(School District of Fort Atkinson press release) – The School District of Fort Atkinson is pleased to announce that Justin Stewart has been named the new principal of Barrie Elementary School. 

Stewart is currently an elementary teacher in the Whitewater Unified School District. He will succeed Brent Torrenga who has accepted an administrative position with Oostburg Christian School beginning with the 2021-2022 school year. 

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Rob Abbott noted, “We are very excited to add Mr. Justin Stewart to our 1FORT Leadership Team and as the next Principal at Barrie Elementary School. After working through a very rigorous process that involved a screening interview, on demand scenario/performance task, in-basket exercise, a recorded school improvement plan presentation, an interview with Luther administrators, a Barrie building tour, an interview with elementary principals, and a final interview with representative Barrie staff members and families, Justin rose to the top of our 54 applicants.” 

Mr. Stewart holds 14 years of educational experience as an elementary teacher. During his time at Whitewater Unified School District, he also served as a Teachers Rights Representative, Personalized Learning Grant Coordinator, Building Technology Coordinator, member of the Building Leadership Team, Summer School Administrator (Intern), and District-Wide Leader in Me Lighthouse Coordinator. Stewart holds a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater (2006), and earned his Masters of Science in Educational Leadership from Cardinal Stritch University – Milwaukee in 2019. 

Abbott added, “Not only does Justin have many successful years as an elementary classroom teacher in Whitewater, he has served in many building and systems level leadership roles that will serve our District well as we continue to improve teaching and learning for all of our students. Justin is the right person to move Barrie Elementary School forward as we launch and embrace a new results driven strategic plan this summer. 

Upon acceptance of his new position, Mr. Stewart stated, “I am honored and humbled to be joining the School District of Fort Atkinson to serve as the next Barrie Elementary School principal. It is with much enthusiasm that I look forward to partnering and leading the Barrie school community to create amazing learning opportunities for our students each and every day. To that end, I am ready to join the 1Fort family in becoming a Barrie Bronco!” 

“It is a wonderful coincidence that our top candidate also happens to already live in Fort Atkinson where he will be able to continue building upon his already strong community relationships. Justin and his family are invested in Fort, and we are excited to invest in Justin as he takes over the reins at Barrie,” Abbott continued. 

Banner note: Per the Whitewater Unified School District directory, Justin Stewart is a 4th grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School.

Welcome back to another round of #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society!

This week, we’re featuring the Whitewater Consumers Cooperative Association, founded in 1934 by local farmers and other residents. They furnished petroleum products, auto accessories, and other supplies. By 1936, the Co-op had built the small gas station and bulk tank facility pictured here. The following year, the Co-op boasted over 900 members and constructed a new building. Stay tuned for a snapshot of it next week!

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society Collections!

(5891P, 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!​