News

On Sunday, February 15, at the 10 a.m. service Whitewater First United Methodist Church will celebrate the incredible legacy of Jim Athas as organist for the past 50 years. The service will be preceded by a recital at 9:30 a.m. Jim began in this position while still a college student at UW-Whitewater and since that time has shared his remarkable talent through countless Sunday morning services, weddings, funerals, Christmas and Easter cantatas, and other special events. He also serves as the Director of Music for the church. 

Jim’s versatility is enviable as he is comfortable playing most any style of music – classical, jazz, country, baroque, gospel, and more. In addition, he has composed several pieces which the Chancel Choir has sung. A native of Fort Atkinson, Jim began playing organ in his home church in Watertown. He received a BA in Organ Performance, a BS in Elementary Education, and a Masters in Reading – all from UW-W. He has also done extensive accompanying for the Fort Atkinson School District. For many years he juggled his church responsibilities with teaching first grade full-time and raising four children with his wife, Barb. Now a grandfather of four, he has a little more time to relax but continues to be involved with the activities of his very musical family.

The Sunday celebration will begin with a 9:30 a.m. pre-service organ recital by Jim. The 10 a.m. service will include a special commemoration and musical numbers. Following the service there will be a potluck in Fellowship Hall with turkey sandwiches, egg bakes and side dishes provided. There will also be a special “kids only” table with mac-n-cheese, PBJ and finger-jello as well as children’s activities and games.

Congratulatory notes for Jim are welcomed and may be sent to Whitewater First UMC, 145 S. Prairie St., Whitewater 53190. All are invited to join in the celebration as we honor this truly remarkable man.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the First United Methodist Church.

Join students from the Whitewater Unified School District’s Robotics Program in grades 4-12 on Saturday, February 14, at Whitewater High School for the annual Robotics Open House. Doors will be open from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. Visitors should enter through the auditorium entrance, door #45.

The high school FIRST Robotics Competition team, Ferradermis, will be leading tours during a work day for them on their 2026 season robot. Members of the elementary FIRST Lego League and middle school FIRST Tech Challenge teams will also be on hand with their robots.

The WUSD Robotics Booster Club will be offering several raffle baskets for bid throughout the day. Winners will be drawn at the end of the event; you need not be present to win.

Retiring County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) Yvonne Duesterhoeft and incoming CVSO Brandie Hanson invite all Jefferson County residents to a Hail and Farewell Open House at the Jefferson County Courthouse on Friday, February 13 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

After arriving at the Courthouse building (311 S. Center Ave. in Jefferson) and passing through security, guests will have the opportunity to tour the renovated CVSO area, meet Yvonne and Brandie, learn more about the variety of resources available to local veterans through the County Veterans Service Office, and sample a dessert buffet of sweet treats.

Each of Wisconsin’s 72 counties maintains a County Veterans Service Office. Your local CVSO and other offices throughout the state stand ready to assist veterans and their families with many benefits and honors earned through military service, including healthcare, disability and other benefits, education and training resources, home loans, and research assistance for military medals and records.

Jefferson County Veterans Service Officer Yvonne Duesterhoeft, retiring later this month after 19 years of service in the CVSO role, reflected on her time at Jefferson County: “Nineteen years has gone by in the blink of an eye because serving in this position was never boring! I will miss the challenge of the work and all the people – but it’s easier to step away knowing that Brandie has hit the ground running and will be the passionate advocate Jefferson County veterans and their families need and deserve.”

Brandie Hanson joined Jefferson County in January with 15 years of experience in veteran advocacy, case management, and public service. She is a U.S. Army National Guard veteran, serving from 2000 to 2012, including two combat deployments to Iraq. “Over the past few weeks, it has become evident that Yvonne has changed so many lives – not just through her work, but through who she is. I am deeply grateful to her,” said Hanson. “Our office will continue to serve veterans with care and integrity. I am committed to making a meaningful impact in our community by improving access and outcomes while fostering trust and partnerships.”

For additional information about the Hail and Farewell Open House, please contact the Jefferson County Veterans Service Office at 920-674-7240.

For more about Jefferson County: https://cms4.revize.com/revize/jeffersoncountywi25/

Further information may be found by clicking the QR code above or at whitewaterforward.com

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Se proporcionará un intérprete de español.

Whitewater Unified School District Superintendent Samuel Karns will host a community listening session on Wednesday, February 11.

The “Conversation with Karns” event will take place from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the Cravath Lakefront Community Center. It will give community members an opportunity to learn more about the district’s future, ask questions, and share input on key initiatives shaping Whitewater schools.

Topics of discussion will include the district’s strategic plan launch and opportunities for community involvement, 4K enrollment, and the 7 Mindsets framework.

The event will also feature special guest Araceli Wence, community crisis liaison from Walworth County Health and Human Services serving in Whitewater, who will participate in the conversation and share information about mental health resources.

“We believe strong schools are built through meaningful relationships and open communication with our community,” Superintendent Karns said. “This event gives us a chance to listen, share where we are headed as a district, and work together to support a better future for all students.”

No registration is required to attend. Community members are encouraged to participate and engage in the discussion.

More information about the Whitewater Unified School District is available at www.wwusd.org.

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WUSD Invita a la Comunidad a una Conversación con el Superintendente Samuel Karns

El Superintendente del Distrito Escolar Unificado de Whitewater (WUSD), Samuel Karns, organizará una sesión comunitaria de escucha el miércoles 11 de febrero. Interpretación en español disponible.

El evento, titulado “Conversación con Karns”, se llevará a cabo de 12:00 p.m. a 2:00 p.m. en el Centro Comunitario Cravath Lakefront. Será una oportunidad para que los miembros de la comunidad conozcan más sobre el futuro del distrito, hagan preguntas y compartan sus opiniones sobre iniciativas clave que están dando forma a las escuelas de Whitewater.

Los temas de conversación incluirán el lanzamiento del plan estratégico del distrito, oportunidades de
participación comunitaria, inscripciones para 4K y el marco de trabajo 7 Mentalidades.

El evento contará también con la participación especial de Araceli Wence, enlace comunitaria de crisis del condado de Walworth Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos sirviendo en, quien compartirá recursos disponibles sobre salud mental.

“Creemos que las escuelas sólidas se construyen a través de relaciones significativas y una comunicación abierta con nuestra comunidad,” dijo el Superintendente Karns. “Este evento nos brinda la oportunidad de escuchar, compartir hacia dónde vamos como distrito y trabajar juntos por un mejor futuro para todos los estudiantes.”

No se requiere inscripción para asistir. Se alienta a los miembros de la comunidad a participar activamente en la conversación.

Más información sobre el Distrito Escolar Unificado de Whitewater está disponible en www.wwusd.org.

“The Umbrellas of Cherbourg”
Wednesday, February 11, 1 pm
(Classic Musical/Romance/Drama)
Rated G; 1 hour 31 minutes (1964).

Our early Valentine to you, is this French classic romance film. In this tale of reciprocated love, a young woman (Catherine Deneuvre) separated from her lover by war, faces a life-altering decision. This is a love story told entirely in song (no dialogue). It will be shown in its original French language with English subtitles. The musical score by Michel Legrand is most memorable. (Bring your Kleenex). 

We will have complimentary Valentine’s chocolates for the audience. 

Alexis Boston joins First Citizens State Bank

Nate Parrish, President of First Citizens State Bank, is pleased to announce that Alexis Boston has joined the Bank as a Loan Officer at the Whitewater Main Office, located at 207 W Main Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin.

Alexis is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness. She is committed to giving back to the community and being actively involved in clubs and organizations. She is the current Vice President of the Milton FFA Alumni as well as a previous Ambassador for the Milton Chamber of Commerce and served as Co-Chair for the Young Professionals Council for the South-Central Wisconsin Builders Association.

In making the announcement, Nate Parrish said, “We are excited to welcome Alexis to our lending team focusing on agriculture, mortgage, and small business. Her fresh perspective, paired with her dedication to personalized service, will be a great asset to all of our customers and the communities we serve.”

In her spare time, Alexis enjoys traveling, sports, hunting, and fishing. She also loves making memories with her family and friends.

Alexis commented, “Developing trustworthy and meaningful relationships with customers is essential in banking. I’m eager to continue my banking career and follow this philosophy in a locally rooted and people-focused institution while offering a range of loan solutions to support our customers’ goals.”

First Citizens State Bank, locally owned and operated since 1863, is committed to serving the communities in which we live, work, and do business. We are proud of the partnerships we have established with organizations, businesses and individuals in Southeastern Wisconsin. First Citizens State Bank has Full-service offices in Whitewater, East Troy and Palmyra. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

This year, WHS students attended MUNUC (Model United Nations of the University of Chicago), one of the largest and most prestigious Model UN conferences in the country.

Over the course of the conference, students represented countries and debated real-world global issues. Participants practiced public speaking, collaboration, research, and problem-solving while working with students from schools across the nation. We are so proud of our students and teachers who took the time to attend and participate in the conference.

Article and Photos Submitted by Liberty Cunningham
Whitewater High School Co-Model UN Advisor
cunli01@wwusd.org

Steve Watson writes, “I was watching a mink work the shoreline. It was jumping in and out of the creek, when it finally caught a fish. As it was swimming away, this bird started diving on the mink to steal its catch. The bird was unsuccessful. I think the bird is a red shouldered hawk.

From the skate park bridge.”

Our thanks to Steve Watson for a great photographic story.

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