News

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by First Citizens State Bank.

Nate Parrish, President of First Citizens State Bank, is happy to announce staff promotions.

We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Jackie Frey to Human Resources Officer at the Main office location. Jackie has worked for First Citizens for 32 years. Jackie has served as a Bookkeeper, Bookkeeping Supervisor, Payroll Specialist, Employee Benefits Coordinator and most recently as Human Resources Manager. Jackie will continue her role in the Human Resources functions of the Bank.

First Citizens is also pleased to announce that Kim Brotz was promoted to Loan Officer and Branch Manager. Kim has worked for First Citizens for 36 years. She has worked over the years in the Teller Department, Real Estate Department, New Accounts Department and most recently as Branch Manager and Lender at the Whitewater West Office. She has now taken on the role of Branch Manager and Loan Officer for both the Palmyra and Whitewater West Offices.

In making the announcement, Nate Parrish said, “Jackie and Kim have shown great dedication to the bank’s customers, employees and to our organization. We are proud to have them take on more of a leadership role.”

First Citizens State Bank has full service offices in Whitewater, East Troy, and Palmyra. Member FDIC.

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the office of the governor.

Gov. Tony Evers on November 23 signed Executive Order #142 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Wed., Nov. 24, 2021, in honor of Officer Daniel J. “Dan” Daly of Beloit, who lost his life in the line of duty due to complications from contracting COVID-19.  “Dan dedicated more than two decades of his life to selflessly serving the people of this state, and Kathy and I extend our deepest sympathies to his family, the Beloit Police Department, and all those who knew and loved him,” said Gov. Evers. “Especially as we enter the holiday season, where his absence will surely be felt, we are thinking of Dan’s family, friends, and loved ones as they mourn his loss.” Daly passed away on Nov. 15, 2021, at the age of 48, after contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. He first joined the Beloit Police Department as an intern in 1994 and was sworn into service in 1997, rising to become a field training officer and Honor Guard member. Daly, remembered by his fellow officers for his laughter and mentorship, was awarded the City of Beloit Officer Spotlight last year. Daly also served with the Rockton Police Department in Illinois and worked for several private security companies.  Services for Officer Daniel J. Daly will be held on Wed., Nov. 24, 2021, in Beloit.

The Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Council along with Downtown Whitewater, Inc. are inviting area residents to drop off new or gently used coats, sweaters, hats, mittens, and other warm clothing items as part of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Big Bundle Up campaign. The WI Big Bundle Up is a statewide collection program running November 8, 2021 – January 7, 2022. This is the eleventh year of the WI Big Bundle Up. To date, the program has collected nearly 200,000 warm winter items to help families in need across all of Wisconsin.

Donating warm winter items is the perfect way to give to Wisconsin families in need as the holiday giving season approaches. The Discover Whitewater offices at 150 W. Main St. in downtown Whitewaterr will be a collection location for donors to drop off warm clothing items. Items can be dropped off Monday – Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. All items donated at this location will be given to local organizations that serve our local families in need.

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the City of Whitewater Parks & Recreation Department.

Show us your lights Whitewater!

We are excited for year number two for the Deck The House Event. Take pride in your decorations and share them with all those holiday light lovers. All registrations must be submitted by Dec 5th. Prizes will be given to the top three houses. Register at https://bit.ly/jcdeckthehouse21

Update: Kelly Freeman, Streets Superintendent, indicates that the city crew is kindly making an additional sweep through the city on Monday, November 22 to accommodate residents who missed the deadline. After this sweep is completed any remaining leaves will have to be taken to the dumpster (see below information.)

The following information was posted on the Banner on November 14, 2021.

The City of Whitewater – Department of Public Works will be making the final pickups of leaf and yard waste beginning on Wednesday, November 17. All bags must be brought to the curb by that date.

For residents who miss the deadline, a dumpster will be available at the City garage (150 E. Starin Rd.) between November 22 – December 3, between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. This dumpster is for “yard waste,” defined as leaves, weeds, grass clippings, and yard/garden debris. Bio (biodegradable) bags may be thrown in the dumpster; however, all other bags must be emptied. Please note our facility will be closed on Thursday, November 25, and Friday, November 26. Spring collection will be dependent on weather conditions.

For additional questions or concerns, contact the Streets Department at (262) 473-0560.

Editor’s note: The Following information was provided by First English Lutheran Church.

Our Christkindlmarket will be in the First English Lutheran Church parking lot on Sat., Dec. 4th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The community is invited.

A Christkindlmarkt is a German street market held during Advent with a history that goes back to medieval times. At these markets, farmers came to town to shop and offer their wares.  Villagers bought and sold homemade Christmas decorations and traditional European handicrafts, such as hand carved nutcrackers and straw ornaments.

From open-air stalls, food and drink were served. The early markets were usually held in front of churches and were looked at as part of a church visit.  The name, Christkindlmarket, can even be attributed to Martin Luther. He suggested that children exchange gifts because of das Christkind, the Christ Child.

Lincoln Elementary School, Whitewater, WI celebrated a very special 3^rd grader and her family in a very special way. With permission from her mom, I share her story.

Milena, one of our wonderful Lincoln 3rd grade students uses a wheelchair. At school, she has a wonderful piece of adaptive equipment that allows Milena to stand, dance, and do art with her class. It is called the Sara Stedy. Unfortunately, these pieces of equipment are so expensive, and many families cannot supply the same equipment at home that helps their children gain independence, joy and experiences outside of their wheelchairs. Here is the story of how the money was raised, and how we surprised Milena and her family on the day she was leading and we were broadcasting the announcements to the entire school!

Here are the words from Milena’s mom on what happened…

“Gratitude might be the greatest emotion of all time in my book. I am still trying to process all that has happened today. Lincoln has been the most pivotal institution in our lives as a family, and today was the exemplification of why.

The kindness, caring, empathy, and support from our second family brought us to tears. Earlier this year, Milena’s new Physical Therapist suggested a transfer device called the Sara Stedy, and it has been a game changer. Not only can Milena’s paraprofessionals transfer her more easily; she can use it for other activities throughout the day to build her leg strength.

We decided we wanted one for home, but like most assistive devices, they are pricey. One of Milena’s paraprofessionals, Lori Hintz, found one used for a reasonable price and asked her co-workers to contribute to the device. Not only was the money raised within 24 hours, it was nearly tripled, and we can now purchase more therapeutic equipment for Milena to increase her strength and mobility.

I really do not have enough words to tell you all what Lincoln has meant to us and our family over the years. Lincoln was the first place we made lifelong family friends, it is where my boys have learned the importance of helping others, that everyone is different and unique, and is truly Milena’s safe place to land. I feel like this is her protective bubble where she is not only accepted but also celebrated.

Your (Lincoln’s) dedication to our students is incredible and not recognized nearly enough! I just want you all to know that you have meant so much to us over the years, set our family up for success, and laid a foundation that will benefit our family for years to come. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!”

While I submit this story as a way of passing on kindness, gratitude and service to others, I also write this to bring awareness to the needs of many in accessing affordable, medically needed equipment for many of our friends and families who need them. I hope this story touches your heart, but also brings this awareness to increasing accessibility for our community members and our children.

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary Kilar, PROUD Principal of Lincoln!

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Dwight Foster Public Library.

The Dwight Foster Public Library will welcome Martha Bergland, author of the recently published “Birdman of Koshkonong” at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 11. The program will be held in the FCCU Community Room on the first floor of the library.

Thure Kumlien was one of Wisconsin’s earliest Swedish settlers and an accomplished ornithologist, botanist, and naturalist in the mid-1800s, though his name is not well known today. He settled on the shore of Lake Koshkonong in 1843 and soon began sending bird specimens to museums and collectors in Europe and the eastern United States, including the Smithsonian. Later, he prepared natural history exhibits for the newly established University of Wisconsin and became the first curator and third employee of the new Milwaukee Public Museum.

For all of his achievements, Kumlien never gained the widespread notoriety of Wisconsin naturalists John Muir, Increase Lapham, or Aldo Leopold. Kumlien did his work behind the scenes, content to spend his days in the marshes and swamps rather than in the public eye. He once wrote that he was not “cut out for pretensions and show in the world.” Yet, his detailed observations of the Midwest’s natural world—including the impact of early agriculture on the environment—were hugely important to the fields of ornithology and botany. As this carefully researched and lovingly rendered biography proves, Thure Kumlien deserves to be remembered as one of Wisconsin’s most influential naturalists.

Martha Bergland is the coauthor, with Paul Hayes, of Studying Wisconsin—a Society Press biography of famed Wisconsin naturalist Increase Lapham, which won the Milwaukee County Historical Society’s Gambrinus Prize. She taught for many years at Milwaukee Area Technical College. She lives in Glendale, Wisconsin.

Contact Amy Lutzke at (920) 563-7790 for additional information.