News

Walworth County ADRC to Host a Memory Screening Event on Friday, August 19

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Walworth County.

The Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) will offer a free Memory Screening event on Friday, August 19th from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Memory Screens are not a diagnostic tool but can show if cognitive impairment is apparent or not.

“Tracking our cognition levels needs to be as normal as checking our blood pressure,” says Dementia Care Specialist Jake Sawyers. “It is recommended that once adults turn 60 they should have a memory screen conducted every four to six months. Not only does this give you a baseline, but helps you better understand if there are truly changes occurring.”

The Memory Screening Event will be held at the Walworth County Health and Human Services building, 1910 County Road NN, Elkhorn. RSVPs are required by calling (262) 741-3273.

About the Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center: The ADRC provides information and assistance to older and disabled adults, their friends, family, caregivers, and the public. We can assist by evaluating your current needs and providing options available to meet the needs of your situation.

This Week’s Yard Sales Include Johnson Creek Village Wide Sales

Garage Sale
Saturday August 20, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
140 N Esterly Ave
Items for sale: Antique roll-top desk, car ramps, 50’ extension ladder, antique tools, power tools, drain tubes, yard art, solid wood doors, other fun, eclectic items

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Rummage Sale this weekend Thursday and Friday 8-4 and 8-12 on Saturday.

N7678 Pine Knolls Drive, Whitewater

Women clothes sizes 4-24, Boys clothes from 8/10 to 12/14

2 Hoverboards and attachable carts. Air conditioner, books, Legos, games, sporting equipment (T-ball, Softball, Tennis) Children’s Pirate bedding set including lamp (full and twin sized)

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Village Wide Rummage Sales in Johnson Creek/ Friends of the Library Book Sale

The Johnson Creek Community Wide Rummage sales will be held August 19 and 20. Several
non-profits will be holding fundraisers during this event.

Friday and Saturday will feature brats, hamburgers, and hot dogs at the American Legion Post
309 at their club house on 223 Williams Street from 10:30 to 1:30. The bar will be open.

The Friends of the Johnson Creek Library will be hosting their semi-annual used book sale both
Friday and Saturday from 8-2 at the Village Community Center 417 Union Street. Proceeds of
the sale will support programming for children through adults.

On Friday and Saturday, from 9-1 , the Crossroads Church at 111 South Street will have a used
furniture sale. This sale supports the Church’s outreach programming. A wide variety of
furnishings will be for sale.

In addition, sales will be held around the Village. A complete list of sales is available by email.
Send an email to caroljo@tds.net to receive the final list of check Visit Johnson Creek on
Facebook. Listing will be available on August 15.

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A Banner Service: Garage Sale Ads

As a result of a reader’s comment that it’s hard to find garage sales in Whitewater now that we no longer have a weekly shopper, the Banner staff agreed to begin a “consolidated” garage sale posting that will be published by Thursday morning for the upcoming weekend’s sales. This announcement will only be for garage sales (a sale of miscellaneous household goods, often held in the garage or front yard of someone’s house) in the city and school district boundaries. We will not be accepting, for example, ads for cars or other items that are not part of a scheduled garage sale. There will be a limit of three times per year for a particular property. There is no charge for this service.

Those wishing to place a notice must send the information to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com by Wednesday at 6 p.m. You may include a brief description of the items that are for sale, the hours and days of the sale, and of course your address. Photos may also be included.

Obituary: Thomas “Tommy” F. Lange, 85

Thomas “Tommy” F. Lange, 85, of Whitewater passed away peacefully at his home on July 16, 2022.

Tommy is survived by his dear friends Jason Ondricka (Christine), John Vodenlich (Jennifer), Kevin Bullis (Kathy), Matt Zwaschka (April), Adam Latella (Jessica), Ryan Callahan (Danyelle), Bob Berezowitz (Jan), Lance Liepold (Kelly), Carol Miller, and countless other Warhawk students, athletes, coaches, faculty, and alumni. Tommy is preceded in death by his parents Karl F. Lange and Bernice E. Lange (Follensbee), as well as longtime friend and UW-Whitewater Head Baseball Coach Jim Miller.

Tommy was born on November 4, 1936, and raised in Watertown, WI. During his childhood, Tommy was captivated with trains. This fascination with trains continued throughout his entire life. Tommy attended St. Henry’s Grade School and graduated in 1950, followed by Watertown High School in 1954. He received his Undergraduate Degree in History & Economics from Ripon College in 1958, and ultimately received his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from University of Wisconsin – Whitewater in 1973.

Tommy was an active service member of the United States Army from 1959-1970. He was stationed in Korea for over a year during this time. Tommy achieved the Commissioned Officer rank of Captain by 1964, and he served in the Adjutant General’s Corps. Upon being relieved from active duty in 1970, he transferred into the National Guard. Tommy was honorably discharged from the military in 1976. During his service, Tommy received the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Army Commendation (1st OLC).

Tommy began his 30-year career with the United States Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service as a Tax Auditor in 1974. During his tenure he was appointed as the Representative of the District Director of the Janesville IRS office.

Beginning in 1977, Tommy dedicated 45 years of service to UW-Whitewater Warhawk athletics as a volunteer, supporter, contributor, and fan. For many years, he was the PA announcer for football games, baseball games, wrestling meets, and women’s basketball games. He also worked the table for men’s basketball games. Tommy additionally donated his time at football practices as the air horn man who had coaches switch segments of practice on schedule. Tommy was a member of almost every booster club, including the Quarterback Club, the Tip-Off Club, and the Dugout Club, serving as the treasurer of the QB Club for several years. He sponsored numerous trips and meals for the different athletic teams, and was always willing to assist any program with a donation. In 1997, Tommy became a Warhawk Athletics Hall of Fame inductee and recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, for his years of significant contribution to the success of UW-W athletics programs.

Over the years, Tommy made a point to know every player by name and position on each of the teams he supported. He touched countless lives working with Warhawk athletic staff and teams, pouring his time, energy, and resources into their programs while asking for nothing in return. His presence, laughter, Elvis impressions, and one-liners will be dearly missed.

Tommy “The Kid” was truly a legend. He lived and breathed Warhawk athletics, and will always be remembered as “Mr. Warhawk.”

Tommy was known by everyone for his countdown toward the upcoming season by telling you the exact hours, minutes, and seconds left before the first game. Tommy lived a service filled life, totaling 751,234 hours, 26 minutes, and 18 seconds. . . ”but who’s counting,” as he would have said. Tommy’s legacy lives in all of us that were truly blessed to call him our friend.

The Funeral Service for Tommy will be held on Monday, August 29th, from 5 p.m.-7 p.m., at Nitardy Funeral Home in Whitewater, WI. A private burial will take place at St. Henry’s Cemetery in Watertown. A Celebration of Life Memorial Ceremony will be held at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater University Center on Monday, September 19th, from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. In honor of Tommy, please wear your favorite Whitewater Warhawk apparel when attending the funeral service and/or memorial ceremony.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com.

Obituary: Thomas “Tom” Edward Ganfield, 60

THOMAS EDWARD GANFIELD

Thomas (“Tom”) Edward Ganfield, age 60, at rest August 13, 2022 when he was surrounded by his loving family. Thomas was born in Chicago March 23, 1962 to the late Muriel (Davis) and David Ganfield. He graduated Loyola Academy in 1980, attended the University of Michigan, and then graduated Knox College in 1984. He completed his graduate studies at Duke University, earning a master’s degree in environmental engineering in 1985.

He started his work career as an environmental scientist with the State of Missouri in Jefferson City, MO, then to Woodward-Clyde Consultants in Chicago, and lastly at Baxter & Woodman in their Burlington, WI office. It was then that he moved to his beloved lake home on Whitewater Lake in southeast Wisconsin, where he had happily lived for the past 22 years.

Earning an early retirement in 2019, Thomas served his clients with considerable expertise as a wetlands specialist engaging in environmental impact assessments, wetlands restoration, and water quality issues. He was deeply involved in volunteer efforts with myriad local environmental and community causes, as well as writing short stories and plays and researching family history. He was an inveterate Chicago Cub fan.

Thomas Ganfield was a true “man for others”; his brother and family meant everything to him. He was a man of strong principles and lived his life according to them: faith, family, and community service. To his family and friends, he was also a model of strength and will be most remembered for his gentle and kind spirit, love, passion, and acceptance. Indeed, he was loved by everybody who knew him and will be sorely missed.

He is the beloved brother of David (Jeanne) of Lake Bluff, IL; adoring nieces Jacquelyn Ganfield and Lindsay (Drew) Barrios both of Chicago, IL, and nephew Peter Ganfield of Denver, CO; cousins, and many friends.

Visitation Saturday, August 20, 2022 9:30 a.m. at Wenban Funeral Home, 320 Vine Avenue, Lake Forest, IL, with celebration of Thomas’ life to follow 11:00 a.m. at The Church of the Holy Spirit, 400 E. Westminster, Lake Forest, IL 60045. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Jefferson County, W6127 Kiesling Rd., Jefferson, WI 53459 https://hsjc-wis.com/donate/

Info: Wenban Funeral Home, www.wenbanfh.com or (847) 234-0022.

Meyer Finally Deletes “Interim” from Police Chief

Daniel “Dan” A. Meyer

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

The City of Whitewater has been without a “non-interim” police chief since December 3, 2021 when former chief Aaron Raap was placed on administrative leave following an arrest in which he was ultimately not charged. However, an investigation conducted for the city by an outside police officer took months to complete. Raap resigned and retired effective June 30, 2022. Deputy Chief Daniel “Dan” A. Meyer has served as interim chief since December. He certainly did not expect to wear that title for over eight months, but “interim” was officially removed from his title on the evening of August 16 when the Common Council unanimously approved an employment agreement with him. Meyer had been approved as chief by the Police and Fire Commission on July 25, with all that remained being for his salary and benefits to be approved by the council.

Meyer’s annualized salary will start at $102,800. It was indicated that the car that had been assigned to the previous chief is of greater benefit to the department if made available to all members of the command staff for use while on duty. Consequently a transportation stipend is included in the agreement. The agreement does not specify a term and provides that the chief may resign with 60 days notice. The Police and Fire Commission may terminate the chief for cause at any time.

Meyer graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2009 from UW-Platteville with a B.S. in Criminal Justice, with minors in psychology and Spanish. There he was a four year letter winner in track and field. The same year he graduated from the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Academy. Meyer joined the Whitewater Police Department as a patrol officer in January of 2010. He served as a detective from January 2013 to August, 2014. Meyer then rose through the ranks as follows: Detective Sergeant, August, 2014; Detective Lieutenant, September, 2015; Captain, November, 2015, and Deputy Chief, April, 2019. Meyer earned an M.S. in Public Administration, with a criminology and criminal justice specialization from University of Nebraska – Omaha in 2019. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve in 2020 after eight years of service.

ADRC of Walworth County Offers Self-Care Workshop for Caregivers

(ELKHORN, WI): Caring for someone with an injury or illness, such as dementia, cancer, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, or stroke, can be physically, emotionally, and financially demanding. It’s important for caregivers to take time for self-care, and the Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center’s (ADRC) Powerful Tools for Caregivers workshop will help them do just that. This educational series is designed to provide caregivers with the tools they need to take care of themselves while caring for a loved one. The program helps family caregivers meet other local caregivers and share their experiences while providing the tools to help them reduce stress, improve self-confidence, improve communication, balance their lives, increase their ability to make tough decisions, and locate helpful resources.

The class consists of six sessions held once a week. There will be onsite respite care, available at no cost, for the caregiver’s loved one during this workshop. The program is facilitated by experienced class leaders, many of whom are caregivers themselves and have successfully applied the techniques they teach. Interactive lessons, discussions, and brainstorming will help caregivers take the tools they learn and put them into action in their lives.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers will be held on Mondays, 1 to 3 p.m., September 12, 2022, to October 17, 2022, in the Observatory room at the Walworth County Health and Human Services Building, 1910 County Road NN, Elkhorn. The workshop has a suggested donation of $10.

For questions, or to register for the program, contact Chetney Blaszczyk RDN, CD at (262) 741-3309.

About the ADRC of Walworth County: The ADRC provides information and assistance to older and disabled adults, their friends, family, caregivers, and the public. We can assist by evaluating your current needs and providing options available to meet the needs of your situation. Learn more at www.co.walworth.wi.us/376/Aging-Disability-Resource-Center.

Walworth County ADRC to Host Informational Meeting for WI Educators Assoc. Insurance Members

(ELKHORN, WI): Wisconsin Educators Association (WEA) insurance members will be losing their health insurance as of December 31, 2022. To assist WEA members with this transition, the Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) will host a meeting on Thursday, September 15th from 1 to 2 p.m. to discuss available options and provide information.

WEA’s decision to exit the group health insurance program affects approximately 154 beneficiaries in Walworth County. WEA has sent letters to members notifying them of the loss of coverage and the need to choose a new plan to supplement their Medicare coverage for 2023. WEA members will be required to take action to find a new insurance company that will accept them into a supplemental plan. There is also the option of enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan.

“This change will affect most of the retired educators that taught in Wisconsin,” says Elder Benefit Specialist Julie Juranek. “Many of these individuals have not had to worry about the status of their Medicare supplement for decades.”

The ADRC of Walworth County will be hosting the meeting at the Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services, 1910 County Road NN, Elkhorn, WI. Attendees will be provided with non-biased options and contact information for other insurance companies and Medicare Advantage Plans available for Walworth County residents. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions of the Walworth County Elder Benefit Specialist. If you have questions about this program, contact Julie Juranek at the Aging and Disability Resource Center at (262) 741-3366.

Local Half Marathon and 5K Race Unveils New Changes to Race Course


WHITEWATER–August 11th, 2022– The Discover Whitewater Series (DWS): Half Marathon, 5K, and W3 Fit Kid Shuffle is excited to unveil a brand new race course for its 10th anniversary celebration, which showcases the beautiful scenery of Whitewater more than ever before.

The DWS 10th Anniversary race is set to be held on Sunday, September 18th, 2022. Its course highlights some of Whitewater’s greatest features, including local landmarks and picturesque landscape. Originally, the DWS team had planned to incorporate the same race course that was used previously. However, due to supply source disruptions on road construction, the original course route needed to be altered.

The new race features even more scenery than before, running along a local bike path near the Water’s Edge Apartment complex. Keeping runners’ safety and expectations in mind, the DWS team guarantees that the half marathon course will once again be certified by the USA Track and Field.

“Once we realized that the road construction would not be complete on time, we started working closely with the Police, Public Works, and the Recreation Departments to come up with an alternate plan,” said DWS Executive Director, Jeff Knight. “In the end, we all believe the new course will be more scenic and one that everyone will love.”

The DWS team is incredibly thrilled to be able to offer a new and unique perspective of the Whitewater community. With this new race course, it will be able to celebrate the 10th year anniversary in a safe and exciting way. To register for the DWS and find out more about the new course, visit https://RunWhitewater.com/.

About the DWS

The goal of the DWS is to promote the City of Whitewater and highlight its greatest features. The DWS partners with the city, business community, university, and the school district to make this a tremendous event that benefits all who participate. For more information about the race visit runwhitewater.com. For general race inquiries, email info@runwhitewater.com.

Fort HealthCare Orthopaedics Rated High-Performing

Fort HealthCare’s Orthopaedic Surgeons. Pictured (left to right): Matthew Bliss, MD,
Isidoro Zambrano, MD, Paul Schuppner, DO.

FORT ATKINSON – Fort HealthCare (FHC) Orthopaedics is honored to receive a High-
Performing rating from U.S. News & World Report. Over 6,000 hospitals were evaluated, and
only 694 received a High-Performing rating in this category.

The rating is compiled by various quality indicators, such as patient experience, survival, board
certified physicians, and more. Fort HealthCare received a 5/5, the highest possible rating,
performing significantly better than the national average.

Matthew Bliss, MD, Isidoro Zambrano, MD, and Paul Schuppner, DO, board-certified
orthopaedic surgeons, comprise the expert team at Orthopaedic Associates. They provide
prevention through education, therapy, surgical treatment, and rehabilitation services. The
Center for Joint Replacement, in collaboration with FHC’s Therapy & Sport Center, provides a
comprehensive care program customized to the patient.

To learn more, visit forthealthcare.com/clinic/fort-healthcare-orthopedic-associates/.