News

Wisconsin Makers will host its fifth annual iron pour on Saturday, April 9. The public is invited to this family-friendly event at the regional makerspace, located at 200 E. Clay St. in Whitewater. The doors to the event, which is returning after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will open at 9 a.m.

Spectators are welcome to watch the “pour team” — Teresa “Tree” Lind, a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater lecturer of art and design, and her students — melt cast iron in an outdoor furnace and then fill sand scratch molds with the molten metal. Those wishing to make their own casting may buy a scratch mold square to personalize with their design that day. Each scratch mold must be completed no later than 11:15 a.m. At noon, Lind and her students will begin pouring the cast iron into the molds. They will present the completed castings to participants by mid-afternoon.

“Your unique design will be preserved in cast iron for ages to come,” said Wisconsin Makers member Ron Binning, adding that past years’ iron pours each have drawn more than 100 people. “Your iron mold sculpture will make a truly unique one-of-a-kind design of your own making.”

Scratch Mold Workshop Set

Persons wishing to get a head start on their squares may attend a scratch mold workshop at the makerspace Wednesday, April 6, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The per-person cost is $25 to participate in both the scratch mold workshop and the iron pour ($15 for Wisconsin Makers members) and $20 for the mold and pour without the workshop. Participation is on a first-come, first-served basis. During the iron pour, brats will be available for $3, and chips and soda, for $1 each.

Modern Woodmen of America Youth Service Club 5005-1 is co-sponsoring this fundraiser. All proceeds raised from the project will be matched by Modern Woodmen up to $500.

Wisconsin Makers is a nonprofit regional makerspace (community workshop) offering an affordable, collaborative and educational environment that inspires people of all ages to become innovators by unlocking their skills through continual experimentation and training. Work areas/equipment include: 3-D printing, laser engraving, machining, welding/fabrication, electronics, blacksmithing, woodworking, ceramics/pottery, jewelry making, arts/crafts, quilting/fabric arts, matting/framing and more. 

For more information on the iron pour or scratch mold workshop, or to learn about memberships, visit the makerspace’s Facebook page at @wisconsinmakers or call Binning at (262) 203-3247.

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

The Banner reached out to all of the candidates in the April 5 election for the two Walworth County and two Jefferson County supervisory districts that represent portions of the city of Whitewater, offering them the opportunity to share with our readers their background, what they feel they would bring (or already bring) to the board, reasons for running, what they believe should be primary goals for the county, etc.

For information on all of the candidates on your ballot, visit vote411.org

Jefferson County

District 24 represents wards 11 and 12 in the Jefferson County portion of the city. Roger Lind, 525 N. Fremont, is running unopposed. He did not provide a statement to the Banner.

District 25 represents ward 10 in the Jefferson County portion of the city, together with the town of Cold Spring; Wards 1 & 2 Town of Hebron; Ward 3 Town of Koshkonong, and Ward 2 Town of Palmyra. Matthew Foelker, W3467 Lower Hebron Road, Fort Atkinson, is running unopposed. He did not provide a statement to the Banner.

Walworth County

District 3 represents most of the eastern part of the city, together with the townships of Whitewater, LaGrange, and Sugar Creek. This map shows the boundaries after 2021 redistricting. Brian Holt, W6873 Sugar Creek Road, Elkhorn, is running unopposed.

Brian Holt, while writing that we should “save space for contested races,” indicated that he is “a 34 year old farmer from Sugar Creek who is looking forward to continuing my term on the board.” He offered for us to provide his email address, brian.e.holt@gmail.com, and his phone number, 414-520-2620.

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District 4: Jerry Grant, Vice Chair of the County Board, has chosen not to run for re-election. The district represents primarily the western portion of the city that is located in Walworth County. This map shows the boundaries after 2021 redistricting. Running for the seat are Curt Knull, 404 E. Cravath, Whitewater; and Al Stanek, 415 S. Douglas Court, Whitewater.

Curt Knull, Candidate for Walworth County Board of Supervisors, District 4

My name is Curt Knull. I am running for the Walworth County Board of Supervisors. I’m a disabled veteran and, other than my time in the US Air Force and a brief time in Oklahoma, for work, am a lifelong Walworth County resident.

I grew up on a farm in Millard and graduated from Elkhorn High School in 1990. I joined the Air Force immediately after graduation and I’ve seen a fair portion of the world and served in Desert Storm.

I’m blue collar, through and through and made a living as a sheet metal fabricator until the doctor advised me against it, due to the damage my back sustained while in service.

I’m running because I still believe in serving my country and community. I believe in accountability and our representative government. What that means is, while I refuse to betray my principles, my personal tastes or preferences take a back seat to the people who may elect me. Lowering taxes and a positive environment for entreprenurship are important to me.

I can be reached on Facebook at Curt Knull 4 County Supervisor and at statelinetoo@gmail.com with any questions or concerns. I look forward to the opportunity to serve and hope you will give me that opportunity April 5th. Thank you.

Al Stanek, Candidate for Walworth County Board of Supervisors, District 4

Thank-you for extending the opportunity to me and others to provide voters some background information regarding our qualifications for various local elected offices.

I have lived in Whitewater for over 26 years and am asking Whitewater Walworth County District 4 voters to consider me as their representative on the county board of supervisors.

I was a senior level transportation planner in the Tommy Thompson administration where I learned how a government by the people can overcome obstacles, make positive changes and responsibly manage our tax dollars. I also served two years developing and coordinating a cost-effective way of responding to the transportation needs of Walworth County’s elderly and disabled citizens while also providing a trip to work option for others that need one.

I represent Walworth County on the Wisconsin River Rail Transit Authority, a multicounty agency working to maintain safe and efficient rail service to area businesses which helps to keep our employers competitive. As a former member and Chair of the Whitewater Community Development Authority I know how important it is that we expand our tax base.

No one is born with the desire or the capacity to spend hours in long meetings considering complex and often contentious public issues. A commitment to be a County Board Supervisor includes long hours reviewing complex materials and regular attendance at a half dozen or more committee meetings along with regular County Board meetings and hours working with the people that you represent.

Educated and trained as a journalist, I understand the importance of listening and paying attention to the positions of all participants as critical decisions are made. I have years of experience making sense out of often conflicting viewpoints and finding a way to solve problems.

I consider myself a fiscal conservative but hold no allegiance to any political party.

For more information simply type www.stanekcountyboard.org into the address bar of your computer. PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO VOTE and THANK-YOU for your consideration.