News

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services.

The Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services has an urgent need for volunteer guardians. Volunteer guardians are court-appointed decision makers for adults with mental incapacities. Guardians advocate for their wards’ best interests. 

“Guardians play a vital role in our communities in helping those who can no longer help themselves,” says Walworth County Volunteer Services Director Colleen Lesniak. “The individuals in need do not have family or friends that can be of assistance. Our volunteer guardians fill that critical role of making important health care and financial decisions to ensure these individuals’ needs are being met.”

While the hours are flexible and can vary, volunteers should expect to spend about five hours per month helping their clients. Typical responsibilities include working with professionals to make decisions for their wards, giving formal approval of care and services, advocating for and protecting their rights, visiting at least once per month, and making applications for services and financial benefits on their behalf. There is a monthly stipend available for volunteers. No formal experience is necessary; simply an interest in helping others. Volunteers must be at least 21-years-old and have a valid driver’s license. 

For more information on the program or to complete a volunteer application, please contact Colleen Lesniak at Walworth County Volunteer Services at 262-741-4223 or email clesniak@co.walworth.wi.us. Or find the application online at https://www.co.walworth.wi.us/609/How-to-Apply.  

Editor’s note: Our apologies that the deadline for the United Way position is this Friday. We received this announcement about a week ago and didn’t prioritize it as soon as we should have.

For more details about our United Way:

Board of Directors: https://uwjnwc.com/who-we-are/board-staff/
Annual report: https://uwjnwc.com/who-we-are/annual-report/
Partner agencies: https://uwjnwc.com/who-we-help/partner-agencies/
Pillar grant participants: https://uwjnwc.com/who-we-help/pillar-grant-projects/
Equity statements: https://uwjnwc.com/who-we-are/equity-statements/

Editor’s note: The following notice was received from Jefferson County Administration.

Recently residents of Jefferson County have been subject to a telephone scam claiming that a warrant has been issued for failure to appear for jury duty at the Jefferson County Circuit Court. The caller identifies himself as a Sergeant with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and indicates that the “juror” can either report to the Sheriff’s Department for a signature test; transfer funds or turn themselves in to serve between 14 to 21 days jail.

This scam is well developed in that the callers are using the names of actual Court Officials and Law Enforcement Staff with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department. In addition, the caller is provided with phone number to return the call indicating that it is the non-emergency number and that number goes into an involved voicemail system that indicates that it is the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.

Residents should be advised neither the Jefferson County Clerk of Circuit Courts Office nor the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department contacts residents by telephone or email in an effort to collect funds for allegations of missed jury service. A fine will never be imposed until after an individual has appeared in court and been given the opportunity to explain the failure to appear.

If you receive such a call or email, do not make any payment but rather contact the Clerk of Circuit Courts Office at (920) 674-7496 to provide information about the communication. 

Carol McCormick writes, “Snappers are alive and well and ready to lay eggs. This guy (gal) is about a foot across and head the size of small baseball and claws about 3-4 inches! Not to be messed with!”

Our thanks to Carol McCormick for sharing another interesting nature photo.

— 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!

Editor’s Note: The following press release was provided by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

The University of Wisconsin–Whitewater College of Business and Economics is proud to announce that Dr. Camelia L. Clarke has been elected to the Board of Directors of Federated Insurance Companies, one of the largest mutual insurance companies in the nation. Dr. Clarke was also appointed to the Executive Committee and the Investment Committee at Federated, where she will help manage the organization’s nearly $20+ billion in revenue, assets and premiums.

Dr. Clarke, a licensed funeral director and president of Paradise Memorial Funeral and Cremation Services in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a 2019 graduate of the Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) program at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College of Business and Economics (CoBE).

The DBA program at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is a practitioner-oriented degree with a curriculum focused on integrating business functions such as accounting, finance, management, marketing and information technology. The DBA degree can meet the needs of those who want to advance their careers or go into teaching or consulting. The doctorate program is ideal for working professionals. Unlike a Ph.D., which tends to focus on theory, the DBA is applied and will help graduates solve real-world business problems. Classes meet on the Whitewater campus one weekend a month for two years. During the third year, students work on a dissertation with the help of highly qualified faculty.

Dr. Clarke, in part, credits the DBA program with her success. In a letter to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Dr. Clarke stated, “my background in the death care industry, expertise in membership organizations and academic training from UW-Whitewater’s DBA program influenced the invitation (to Federated Insurance Companies) and my decision to serve on the board.” Dr. Clarke praises Federated’s exceptional leadership, which is woven throughout the organization’s rich 118-year history.

“When I started the DBA program, it was very important to me to be able to ‘bridge theory with practice,” said Clarke. Putting her philosophy into action, Dr. Clarke stated that she shared research projects from her time at CoBE “with leaders from various industries,” with the confidence that many “were able to take insights into their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.”

Dr. Clarke specifically named two CoBE DBA program professors as central to her time at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Clarke credited marketing professor Jimmy Peltier, Ph.D., for creating “a rich journey” of learning. She thanked management professor K. Praveen Parboteeah, Ph.D., “for spearheading a top-notch DBA program.”

“We have a great program with an incredible cadre of caring faculty, and they want students to succeed,” said Dr. Parboteeah. He continued that “it has definitely been rewarding” to learn of Dr. Clarke’s appointment.

Robin Fox, Ph.D., interim provost at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, added, “Congratulations to Dr. Clarke and accolades to the faculty for their high-quality program. This is really amazing work.”

Professors desiring to teach doctorate-level courses in the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College of Business and Economics must have extensive, current and ongoing research portfolios. To learn more about the Doctorate of Business Administration Program in the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College of Business and Economics, please visit https://www.uww.edu/cobe/doctorate.

More information about Dr. Camelia Clarke may be found at the Paradise Memorial Funeral & Cremation Services website: www.paradisememorialfuneralhome.com/about-us/staff.

Finally, you can learn about Federated Insurance Companies at federatedinsurance.com/about-federated.

About UW-Whitewater

At the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, we inspire, engage and transform lives. Our higher education mission began more than 150 years ago — and we now serve more than 11,000 students at our Whitewater and Rock County campuses, 90% of whom stay in the region after earning their degree. Offering more than 170 undergraduate and graduate majors and minors as well as an education specialist and a doctoral degree. The Warhawk family — led by caring faculty and staff — is devoted to student success within a broad range of academic programs. One of only four Public Colleges of Distinction in the state, the university boasts small class sizes (20:1 ratio), is ranked one of the top 10 public colleges by the U.S. New & World Report, and is the top-ranked college in the state for serving students with disabilities.

The College of Business and Economics is Wisconsin’s largest AACSB accredited program offering bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees along with graduate certificates. Many programs may be completed online at www.edu/online.

Q: Did the pandemic impact your Whitewater High School 40th class-year reunion?
A: You are invited to participate in our 1981-ish (…, ’80, ’81, ’82,… class years) WHS reunion experience! 

Q: Are you interested?
A: See more info and details below.

We’re gathering on Saturday, 7/23/22, 7 p.m. -? a.m., at the Willow Brook Golf Course (the old CC), which is just outside of Whitewater: https://willowbrookgolfwhitewater.com/banquet-facilities/

We booked the facility with full access to the bar area. ‘70s & ‘80s music will keep the reunion vibe going throughout the evening. Cash bar, but appetizers are included in reg fee. This is a casual, come-as-you-are event, a great opportunity to mingle with fellow Whippets! Speaking of mingling, other WHS 1981-era classes are welcome ​e.g., ’80 & ’82, etc. The $40 per attendee registration fee covers costs for the facility, appetizers, gratuities, and taxes.

Please help to spread the word about our event.
We hope to see you there!

p.s. Interested in a Saturday round of golf? Contact Cort Hartmann for those details (email: chartmann@badgerbasementsystems.com or text/call: 920-728-5396).

Registration & Payment Instructions:
DEADLINE to register and pay: May 25.
$40 per person

To register, email Whippets1981@gmail.com and provide:
Your full name (include your birth name too, if different), WHS Class Year, the number of attendees you are paying for along with their full names (and any connection they may also have with WHS) and indicate the method of payment you will be using.

To pay by check:
Make your check payable to “Martha Lundin” and send it to her at 2832 Woodridge Court, Waukesha, WI 53188.

To pay using the Venmo app:
@Martha-Lundin-2

If you have any questions about payment, text or call Martha at 262-527-5159.

Refund Deadline:
Martha must be notified by July 8th, to receive a refund, if you need to cancel.