News

On Saturday, March 12 the League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area sponsored a forum for the candidates who are running for City of Whitewater Common Council in the April 5 election. Participating were at-large candidates James “Jim” Allen (incumbent) and Chuck Mills, as well as Jill Gerber (AD4). Approximately twenty people were in the audience. The forum was moderated by League member and UW-Whitewater Professor of History Dr. Karl Brown.

[From the League of Women Voters’ website] Candidates were asked questions about economic development, electronic vehicle charging stations, the city’s response to the influx of immigrants from Nicaragua, the lakes drawdown project, progress on attracting a grocery store, the plans to transform Whitewater’s volunteer fire department into an official city department, the public library’s expansion and renovation project, the increase in the water utility bills, housing, and more!

The forum was filmed by Whitewater Community TV. The recording may be viewed on their Vimeo website. In addition, the recording will be rebroadcast on Channel 990 and in the weeks leading up to the April 5 Spring Election.

Editor’s Note: The following was received from the Walworth County Democrats.

The citizens of Walworth County acknowledge we are part of a global community.  We have been watching in anguish the horrific situation exploding in Ukraine and wish we could do something.  We are doing something!  Join the Democratic Party of Walworth County for a rally to demonstrate our support for Ukraine. Wear Ukrainian colors of blue and yellow and bring signs supportive of Ukraine – no other political themes.

Our featured speaker will be Russian-born Yuri Rashkin, founder of the Rashkin Report and Beloit City Council member.   Monetary donations will be collected for UNICEF to support relief efforts in Ukraine; thanks in advance for your support and generosity. Cash only please. This event is open to the public and is family-friendly.  For additional information, contact us at 262-427-1250 or walworthcodems@gmail.com.

What:         Rally to Support Ukraine

Where:       Walworth County Government Center (former County Courthouse), 100 W. Walworth St., Elkhorn

When:        Sunday, March 20, 2022 at 1 p.m.

Why:          We stand against wars of aggression.  We believe in peace. We believe in democracy.

Editor’s Note: The following information was provided by the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Walworth County.

More than 100 million adults in the U.S. are now living with diabetes or pre-diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While that statistic is startling, there is good news. People with diabetes or pre-diabetes can improve their health by joining a Healthy Living with Diabetes workshop sponsored by the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Walworth County and Aurora Health Care. A 2010 Diabetes Care study showed that the program improved the health of adults with diabetes or pre-diabetes.

In just six weekly sessions, Healthy Living with Diabetes gives participants strategies for managing diabetes, including techniques to deal with symptoms and information about healthy eating, appropriate use of medication, exercise and working effectively with health care providers. Participants learn to make realistic, achievable action plans, share their experiences, and help each other solve problems.

Healthy Living with Diabetes will be held in the Observatory room on Wednesdays (1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.) from April 6 to May 11, 2022, at the Walworth County Health and Human Services building at 1910 County Road NN, Elkhorn. The workshop has a suggested donation of $10. 

For questions or to register for the program, contact Chetney Dudzic RDN, CD at (262) 741-3309.

About the ADRC of Walworth County: The ADRC provides information and assistance to older and disables adults, their friends, family, caregivers, and the public. We can assist by evaluating your current needs and help provide options available to meet the needs of your personal situation.

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Ripon College.

Ripon College has announced its Dean’s List for the Fall 2021 semester, recognizing academic excellence. To qualify for the Dean’s List at Ripon College, students must achieve a 3.40 grade point average or higher on a 4.00 scale and complete at least 12 credits of regular letter-graded work.

Clarice Bergman of Whitewater

Heather Charter of Whitewater

Jacob Zuehlke of Whitewater

Ripon College, founded in 1851, prepares students of diverse interests for lives of productive, socially responsible citizenship. Ripon’s liberal arts and sciences curriculum and residential campus create an intimate learning community in which students experience a richly personalized education. In recognition of its academic excellence, the college was awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa in 1953, placing it among a select group of the nation’s top colleges. Visit ripon.edu.

Editor’s note: The following was received from Dwight Foster Public Library.

On Thursday, March 24 at 7 p.m. the US Veterans Project Library will welcome author Robin Hutton to a presentation at the Dwight Foster Public Library in Fort Atkinson. Hutton shared the story of Korean War hero, “Sgt. Reckless: America’s War Horse” with us last December. Now she returns to share the stories of the many other animals that assisted the US and our allies in World War II.

Millions rallied to the cause of freedom against Nazism and the menace of Imperial Japan. But did you know that some of those heroes had fur, or feathers? War animals guarded American coasts against submarine attack, dug out Londoners trapped in bomb wreckage, and carried vital messages under heavy fire on Pacific islands. They kept up morale, rushed machine gun nests, and even sacrificed themselves picking up live grenades.

This book tells the heart-warming stories of the dogs, horses, mules, pigeons—and even one cat—who did their bit for the war effort. American and British families volunteered beloved family pets and farm dogs when rationing made it difficult to feed them; President Roosevelt bought honorary commissions in the reserves for lapdogs and other pets not suitable for military duties to “exempt” them from war service and raise money to defeat Hitler and Tojo. Many of these gallant animals are recipients of the prestigious PDSA Dickin Medal, the “Animals’ Victoria Cross.”

This presentation will be in-person in the FCCU Community Room on the first floor of the Library. Robin Hutton will join us virtually through Zoom. It will also be possible to attend remotely on Zoom by clicking the link you find on this web page: fortlibrary.org/war-animals/ Contact Amy Lutzke at (920) 563-7790 for additional information or to inquire about accessibility to this program.

Steve Watson writes, “The last few days I’ve seen three migratory bird species layover on Trippe Lake.”

1. Goldeneye duck.
2. Hooded Merganser.
3. Greater white fronted goose,
   or speckle bellies.

Our thanks to Steve Watson for sharing these photos of, not to mention identifying, these harbingers of spring.

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Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area.

The League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area is hosting a program on Thursday, March 17, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. Our speaker, State Representative Don Vruwink, will provide an overview of the most recent activities in the Wisconsin State Legislature as well as provide an opportunity for questions. This program is free and open to the public.

This event will be virtual. To attend live, please join the webinar by using the URL: https://bit.ly/lwv-ww_march2022. Or, join us by telephone: Dial (312) 626-6799, Webinar ID: 9892 1289 9685, Passcode: 379366. This event will be live-streamed on Facebook and be made available to the public afterward.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit our website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like us on Facebook!

Editor’s note: The following was received from Whitewater High School.

Whitewater High School is proud to announce that Sophia Walton and Gwen Truesdale have each won a $9,000 Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarship this year!  The State of Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarship provides up to $2250 per year for tuition at a Wisconsin college or university for up to four years.  In order to be eligible for this award, students must have acquired senior status, completed at least three semesters at Whitewater High School, and have the highest cumulative grade point average in all subjects taken for credit at the end of the seventh semester.  In the event of a tie, students are chosen based on their highest composite score earned on the ACT.  Other tiebreakers include the highest subscores on the ACT, the number of Advanced Placement tests passed with a score of “3” or higher, and the number of AP tests passed.  Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarships are awarded to alternate winners if the top recipients choose to attend college in another state.  Congratulations Sophia and Gwen!!