News

“Zone of Interest”

Wednesday, May 8, 1 pm

(Drama/History) Rated PG-13; 1 hour, 45 minutes (2024). Languages: German, Polish, Yiddish. Shown with English subtitles. 

Our annual Summer “art film” series returns with the Academy Award winner for Best International Film. Summer, 1943. The commandant of Auschwitz and his wife and children live a life of leisure next door to the death camp in Poland. As the War winds on, he is under Reich pressure to increase the numbers of The Final Solution…

Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. Although there is no charge to attend, regular participants are encouraged to join Seniors in the Park. The annual fee for residents of the Whitewater Unified School District is $10 and non-residents is $15. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes our of our fundraising monies. If you cannot afford the fee, we have a fund that will cover it for you. Fees are accepted at the Starin Park Community Building or online at https://schedulesplus.com/wwtr/kiosk/

Gov. Evers Orders the Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Firefighters of Wisconsin Who Have Given Their Lives in the Line of Duty

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #222 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sun., May 5, 2024, as a mark of respect for the firefighters of Wisconsin who have given their lives in the line of duty. “Our firefighters are brave and dedicated individuals who show up for us and our communities on some of our worst days and in dangerous situations to help keep us safe, sacrificing their health and safety when they do,” said Gov. Evers. “Today and throughout the year, it is important for us as Wisconsinites to pay our respects to firefighters who’ve lost their lives and made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, as well as to the loved ones who miss them and mourn their loss every day. During National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, Kathy and I join Wisconsinites in honoring the memories of all those we have lost and remember them for their lives of service and sacrifice.” Executive Order #222 orders the flags to be flown at half-staff on Sun., May 5, 2024, in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service during National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. Previously, National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend had been held in October, but in 2023, it was moved from October to May by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.  On Sat., Sept. 28, 2024, the Wisconsin Fire & EMS Memorial in Wisconsin Rapids will hold the Final Alarm Ceremony honoring the memory of members of Wisconsin’s fire services who have given their lives in the line of duty. Executive Order #222 also orders the flags to be flown at half-staff on Sat., Sept. 28, 2024, in honor of that occasion.  Finally, in Wisconsin, Wis. Stat. 995.225(1) designates each week annually during which October 9 falls as Fire Prevention Week and the Saturday at the end of Fire Prevention Week as Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day. To that end, Executive Order ### orders the flags be lowered on Sat., Oct. 12, 2024, in honor of Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day during Fire Prevention Week.   Executive Order #222 will be in effect from sunrise to sunset on Sun., May 5, 2024, Sat., Sept. 28, 2024, and Sat., Oct. 12, 2024, and is available here.

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

For the month of May, we are featuring photos from the Scholl collection of glass plate images, all taken between 1895-1910. To start, we are offering this “rooftop” image of the west end of Center Street in Whitewater’s downtown. The block with houses at the left of the photo is the block where the First Citizens State Bank is now located. But, note in1900the distance the Starin Park Water Tower.

Join us next week for another vintage Scholl image.

(2827GP, Whitewater Historical Society)

Well over 40 student and community volunteers beat the rain last Friday to join the Whitewater Creek Coalition at their Make a Difference Day clean up events! Spirits were high as we collected trash at Whitewater Creek Nature Area and Brewery Hill Park, kicking off our summer restoration efforts. Countless thanks to the UW Whitewater students, the Whitewater Rotary Club, Thompson Handyman Services, the Whitewater Whippets Cross-Country Team, and Emmanuel Anglican Church of Whitewater for their generous donations to make this event a success! If you’d like to hear more about the Whitewater Creek Coalition’s efforts to restore our local stream, visit us at the Tuesday Market, join us for our weekly Wednesday work days starting in May, or email us at wwcreekcoalition@gmail.com See you at the creek! 

UNIVERSITY GARDENS TRANSFORMS INTO KETTLE RIDGE

Wisconsin Housing Preservation Corp. (WHPC) and its partners have completed a significant rehabilitation of 108 apartments at 370 N Tratt St. in Whitewater. This property was formerly known as University Gardens and is now called Kettle Ridge. WHPC contracts with ACC Management Group to professionally manage the property. Friede & Associates served as the General Contractor for the project, and Dimension IV was the project architect.

The project provided nearly $7 million of improvements to make the apartments contemporary, sustainable, and accessible while both beautifying and adding amenities to the expansive grounds.

The redevelopment included new roofs, new windows, new mechanicals, new corridor lighting, and new corridor flooring. Interior improvements included new kitchen cabinets and countertops, stainless steel appliances, windows, bathroom vanities, flooring, and paint. A photovoltaic system, playground, bike racks, and outdoor gathering spaces for adults, kids, and pets were installed as part of the redevelopment, and upgrades to the security camera systems and site landscaping were made. Three apartments were reconfigured to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. The project is Wisconsin Green Built Home certified.

Kettle Ridge is proudly managed by ACC Management Group, Inc. ACC currently operates thousands of apartments throughout Wisconsin’s major markets and Illinois. Headquartered in Oshkosh, WI, ACC’s exceptional team of multi-family leaders has a proven track record of excellence in management of market-rate and affordable housing with various state and federal programs including, Section 42 Tax Credit, Section 8, RAD, and Section 515.

Only a few newly renovated apartments are still available. Kettle Ridge proudly participates in the affordable housing program, as rents are income based.
To apply at Kettle Ridge please contact the leasing office at:
370 N. Tratt St.
Whitewater, WI 53190
kettleridge@accmanagementgroup.com
262-473-7087

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by ACC Management Group, Inc.

This past Sunday a fun and charming “Ladies and Young Ladies Tea” was held at Whitewater’s beautiful Bassett house. Highlights included the elegant table settings and many colorful hats. Attendees played tea party games while enjoying delicious sandwiches and pastries served by women from the Delta Zeta Sorority.

The Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs puts on the annual event to raise funds for the preservation of the historic Bassett House. The next fundraiser for the group is a Spring Concert to be held at the end of May. For more information, please visit the website: www.bassetthousewww.org.

Photos courtesy Tom Ganser.

Five Whitewater High School Choir students performed at Prairie Village in Whitewater on Monday, April 22nd. The students sang art songs as well as musical theater selections. Singers included Meridyth Cashion, Charlotte Hajewski, Brooke Mason, Lauren Rollette, and Alex Sullivan. Congratulations on a fine performance! 

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

Every year in the United States, more than 300 children are saved by car seats when installed and used correctly. Walworth County Health and Human Services and the City of Whitewater Fire Department have joined forces to host a car seat check event that will help parents and guardians ensure the safety of their children.

During the event, parents and guardians can have their car seats inspected for proper installation and to ensure that it is appropriate for their child’s age and size. This free opportunity will give them access to a child passenger safety technician who will provide education and resources.

Don’t miss this event on Friday, May 10, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the City of Whitewater Fire Department, 312 W. Whitewater St. Appointments are encouraged, visit www.bit.ly/3SDX8Jn and click on “tickets,” or call (262) 741-3200 to schedule. Se habla español.

A free documentary screening Honor in the Air is scheduled for Saturday, May 4 @ 10:30 a.m., Hoard Historical Museum, 401 Whitewater Avenue, Fort Atkinson.

FILM SYNOPSIS

This documentary is a story of inspiration, dedication, valor and love, following the life of one soldier while recognizing an entire generation.

As the 50th anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Vietnam draws near and our nation is called to remember an incredibly unpopular war, we bring you the story of a humble man who became a decorated aviator and hero. Scott served five tours of duty during the Vietnam war as an Army helicopter pilot, first flying slicks and later, gunships.

Scott’s skills, daring, and decorations stand as a testament to his valor and include 136 documented Air Medals, Vietnam Republic Medals, Purple Hearts, Bronze Stars, Silver Stars, and Distinguished Flying Crosses, all with oak leaf clusters. He and a fellow Top Tiger pilot, Howard M. King, developed a low approach autorotation technique to counter tail rotor failure and taught it to other pilots in their unit. The army still teaches this technique to all helicopter pilots in their standard training today.​

It was while in Vietnam that Scott met, fell in love with, and married his wife, Du Duong “Tess”. Scott went to war because he loved his country, the United States of America. During his five tours of duty, he fell in love with Vietnam, too. Scott survived five tours of active duty in Vietnam only to be killed by a suicidal drunk driver while on his way from his home in Wisconsin to the U.S. Army War College in Pennsylvania. To those who knew him, his legacy lives on.

Further information about the project may be found below and here.

Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by Penny Alwin.

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 complimentary “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. 

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. A few photos may also be included if desired; we prefer jpg format if possible.