(Above) Viviana Lechuga and Laura Flores Cortes, co-presidents of the Dream Scholars and Colleagues student organization at UW-Whitewater, proudly display a generous donation from the Whitewater Lions Club to the Whitewater Dream Fund. The Fund helps support DACA-eligible students attending UW-Whitewater. Thank you, Whitewater Lions for helping to make someone’s dream of a higher education come true.
Editor’s note: The above information was provided by the Whitewater Lions Club.
City of Whitewater Equal Opportunities Commission – Monday @ 5:00 p.m.
VIRTUAL MEETING AGENDA includes Discussion of police department policies, materials and training related to the
use of force. Also, include an update on current/recent legislation on the same topic.
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/295745349
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (224) 501-3412
Access Code: 295-745-349
Irvin L. Young Memorial Library Board of Trustees – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda
Community Room
431 W. Center Street
This meeting will be both in-person and virtual.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85706046034?pwd=dDM5MnVXazVpbklqZzZwK3creThVUT09
Meeting ID: 857 0604 6034
Passcode: miYQ1LgG
Or Dial 1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 857 0604 6034
Passcode: 55745451
City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes proposed residence restrictions for sex offenders and Landmarks Commission update on Effigy Mounds Preserve.
This will be an IN PERSON MEETING as well as a VIRTUAL MEETING
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join us in person, or via computer, smart phone,
or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81444271513?pwd=VG5mc0F4aGl5bnBZVHlEaWZZQmdTQT09
Passcode: 151790
Or Telephone:
Dial 1 312 626 6799 or 1 888 475 4499 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 814 4427 1513
Passcode: 151790
City of Whitewater Community Development Authority Board of Directors – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Sale of Vacant Land Located on Howard Road (Tax Parcel /A444200002) and
Sale of Vacant Land Located on Universal Blvd. (Part of Tax Parcel /A305000001)
Location: Municipal Building – Community Room (First Floor)
312 W. Whitewater Street
This will be an IN‐PERSON MEETING as well as a VIRTUAL MEETING.
Citizens are welcome and encouraged to join us in person, or via computer, smart
phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion
periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84370930146?pwd=WWN0VkVZKzVQVmwwT09uN0NDQW9qdz09
Or telephone: 1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 843 7093 0146
Passcode: 641837
BOOK BUDDIES, a fun literacy program designed for children in our community, begins on Monday September 20 and runs through Dec. 6. Book Buddies will meet after school from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at First English Lutheran Church, 401 W. Main Street.
Barb Penington and Karil Bilgen, co-directors of Book Buddies, have based the program on similar ones offered by the United Way and AARP. The purpose of Book Buddies is to give caring volunteers an opportunity to support parents and teachers in their efforts to foster a deeper love of reading in children and improve their reading skills. We know that good readers tend to have higher self esteem, fare better in school, and become knowledgeable citizens. As William Godwin more simply puts it, “Those who love reading have everything within their reach.”
There are two exciting options of Whitewater’s new Book Buddies program available:
“Preschool Pals” offers children ages 3 and 4 an opportunity to hear stories rooted in themes of inclusion, empathy, and kindness that are supported with movement and craft activities.
“Reading Buddies” pairs beginning readers (Kindergarten through Grade 3) with an adult or big buddy. The big buddies listen to their young partners read books the children have chosen from the Book Buddies collection. Big buddies help their partners sound out words, learn vocabulary, and have fun discussing the books, their characters, and themes.
These Book Buddies programs are FREE and open to any child in the community. ESL learners are especially invited to participate. Snacks are provided, and all participants receive a complimentary book bag filled with a new book and other “goodies!”
For more information or to register a child for the program, visit the First English Lutheran Church website (firstenglishlutheranchurch.360unite.com/home) or contact Barb Penington or Karil Bilgen at bookbuds1@gmail.com. A Spanish translation link is available on the website.
Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Southern New Hampshire University.
MANCHESTER, NH (09/13/2021)– Maria Kulick of Whitewater has been named to Southern New Hampshire University’s summer 2021 President’s List. Eligibility for the President’s List requires that a student accumulate an academic grade point average (GPA) of 3.7-4.0 and earn 12 credits for the term.
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private, nonprofit institution with an 89-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults. Now serving more than 150,000 learners worldwide, SNHU offers approximately 200 accredited undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs, available online and on its 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH. Recognized as the “Most Innovative” regional university by U.S. News & World Report and one of the fastest-growing universities in the country, SNHU is committed to expanding access to high quality, affordable pathways that meet the needs of each learner. Learn more at www.snhu.edu.
2021 Youth Hunter Program
Dorothy Carnes County Park
October 9 & 10 – Statewide Youth Hunt
November 20 – November 28
The Jefferson County Parks Department has an opportunity for first time youth hunters to participate in a limited gun deer hunt in portions of Dorothy Carnes County Park.
There will be one hunter selected for each time period:
Period 1: October 9-10
Period 2: November 20-23
Period 3: November 25-28
Applicants will have to specify a preference for the hunt period of their choice on the Jefferson County Youth Deer Hunt application. Each hunter selected will have a 120-acre section of the park to hunt, with 40 acres of lowland woods and marsh adjacent to 80 acres of cropland.
Selected participants and their chaperones will be required to participate in an online orientation with Jefferson County Park Staff to review the rules of the hunt, hunting boundaries and expectations for access to the property. Applicants will also be required to be first time hunters between the ages of 10 to 14, and have a chaperone with a minimum of 5 years of deer hunting experience present at all times. Eligible hunters will also be required to possess a valid Wisconsin Gun Deer Tag.
The Jefferson County Parks Department will accept completed applications from qualified hunters September 14-October 6 @ 4:00 PM. Applications will be available in person or on our website https://jeffersonco.seamlessdocs.com/f/t3gov3f9m6zh Applications will be processed and three hunters will be randomly drawn to participate in the October/November hunts.
For more information or questions, please contact the Jefferson County Parks Department at 920-674-7260 or jeffcoparks@jeffersoncountywi.gov
The image on the homepage, “Mentoring Youth” by USFWS Mountain Prairie is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Fort McCoy, 40 miles east of La Crosse and the Minnesota border, is one of eight military bases in the U.S. that is temporarily housing refugees who fled from Afghanistan after the Taliban toppled Afghanistan’s U.S.-backed government on Aug. 15. As of this week, 12,500 Afghans were staying at the Wisconsin base. The Wisconsin State Journal reported this week that many Afghan refugees staying at Fort McCoy still had not been able to get a new set of clothes.
First United Methodist Church is participating in an “Ingathering for Afghan Daily Needs,” and will be arranging for transportation to Ft. McCoy for items received by Friday, September 24.
INGATHERING FOR AFGHAN DAILY NEEDS
Below is an updated list of needs for the guests at Ft McCoy as of 9/14/2021. Please
consider donating new or gently used items for this Ingathering. They
may be dropped off at FUMC, 145 S. Prairie Street. and we will take them to the designated
collection site. Donations may be brought to the Prairie Street entrance and left in the church library during office hours, Tuesday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
An even easier option is to click on this link, which has the current
list. If you click on “Check out my list on Amazon” it will take you directly to
the Resettlement registry where you can purchase items directly. Amazon
will then deliver the items directly.
This is an updated list for the guests at Ft McCoy as of 9/14/2021:
Mens Size 7-9 Closed Toe Shoes
Womens Size 5-8 Closed Toe Shoes
Kids elementary age All Sizes Plain Long Sleeve Shirts (no logos, sayings, or cartoons)
Kids elementary age All Sizes Pants
Kids elementary age All Sizes Closed Toe Shoes
Kids elementary age All Sizes Coats/Jackets
The League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area has provided the following suggestions:
The League of Women Voters supports policies responsive to those facing political persecution or humanitarian crises and we applaud efforts being made by Wisconsin Emergency Management and the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families to offer ways for Wisconsin residents to help Afghan individuals and families recently relocated to Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, by Operation Allies Refuge.
The Afghan evacuees at Fort McCoy face the daunting task of adjusting to life in a new country and culture very unlike their own. They arrived with little or no luggage. In the spirit of universal kindness and belief in the value of diversity and inclusivity, the League of Women Voters of the Whitewater Area encourages all Wisconsinites to support our Afghan allies in their time of need. Your donation to any of the following reputable charitable organizations is greatly appreciated.
Catholic Charities of La Crosse has gift registries set up through Amazon Smile, Target, and Walmart where donors can purchase needed items and have them shipped to La Crosse for distribution at Fort McCoy. Call 888-212-4357 or 608-782-0710. https://cclse.org/
Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church, Committee on Immigrant & Refugee Ministries: Give through your local church or through the Immigration Assistance button on the homepage at www.wisconsinumc.org. Call (608) 837-7328 or (888) 240-7328.
Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin, Refugee and Resettlement Services: Visit https://www.lsswis.org/ for ways to give and get involved. Call 414-246-2300.
International Institute of Wisconsin: Assists immigrants and refugees in transitioning into the Milwaukee community by offering programming and support services. From immigration and social services to refugee resettlement, the Institute promotes international cooperation, understanding, and a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural perspective. Call 414-225-6220. http://iiwisconsin.org/
World Relief of Fox Valley: World Relief’s work in the United States, specifically, focuses on helping refugees and other immigrants in vulnerable situations rebuild their lives in a new country. Call (920) 231-3600. https://worldrelief.org/fox-valley/
Jewish Social Services of Madison: Hasn’t yet been called upon to resettle SIV (Special Immigrant Visa) recipients being processed at Fort McCoy. Call (608) 442-4081 or visit https://jssmadison.org/ for news updates.
American Red Cross: Supports Afghan resettlement efforts across the nation. https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/Red-Cross-Helps-as-Refugees-Flee-Homelands.html
Thank you for caring,
Mary Beth Byrne, Co-President, LWV Whitewater Area, WisconsinWoods@gmail.com
Ellen Penwell, Co-President, LWV Whitewater Area, ellen@lwvwhitewater.org
Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Knight Public Affairs LLC.
The Discover Whitewater Series (DWS): Half Marathon & 5K is set for this Sunday, September 19th, 2021. The W3 Fit Kid Shuffle is set for Saturday, September 18th, 2021.
The whole weekend is shaping up to be a fun-filled athletic event that involves the entire Whitewater community. On Saturday, volunteers will begin setting up everything at the high school and participants can start picking up their race packets. From noon to 3:00 p.m., children can participate in the W3 Fit Kid Shuffle, a free mile long run.
On Sunday, race festivities begin at 7:45 a.m. with Interim UW-W Chancellor Dr. Jim Henderson giving the welcoming remarks. At 8:00 a.m., the half marathon runners begin taking off. At 8:15, the 5K runners begin their race. Our awards ceremony will begin at 9:45 a.m.
Parking will be available at Whitewater High School and Whitewater Middle School. We will be following our flag warning system to notify runners of weather conditions; green for good conditions, yellow for less than ideal conditions, red for potentially dangerous conditions, and black for a cancelled event.
It’s not too late to register as a volunteer or participant! Sign up today at https://runwhitewater.com. If you don’t want to participate, we encourage community members to come out and cheer on our runners. See you on Sunday.
About the DWS
The goal of the DWS is to promote the City of Whitewater and highlight its greatest features, while keeping everyone in the community active. All the proceeds from the race are donated to five local non-profit partners: Bethel House (which provides interim housing for homeless families), Whitewater LEADS, Working for Whitewater’s Wellness (W3), Whitewater Unified School District and the J-Hawk Aquatic Club. The DWS partners with the city, business community, university and the school district to make this a tremendous event that benefits all who participate. For more information about the race visit www.runwhitewater.com.
Editor’s note: Our thanks to Marilyn Fuerstenberg for submitting these comments and photos.
The Whitewater High School Classes of 1960, 1961 and 1962 Celebrated 61,
60 and 59 Years. We celebrated Sept. 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, starting on
Thursday with a pizza party and pontoon boat rides at Lauderdale
Landing, A Friday Fish Fry at Willow Brook and a Saturday sit down
dinner at Evergreen Country Club, Sunday morning Pancake Breakfast at
the Fire House. Photos were taken by Jeff Bierman, son of Sharon Kehoe, a
member of the class of 1961.
Our thanks to Tom Ganser for sharing these photos of the Fire Department breakfast on September 11.
It’s time again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society!
Pictured here are the students in first through third grades at the Lima Center School in 1961. The school building on Lima Center Road was rebuilt in 1881 after a fire earlier that year. In the 1960s, around one hundred students in grades first through sixth attended the Lima Center and Utters Corners Schools in Lima Township, which had been by that point incorporated into the Whitewater Unified School District. In 1970, the school board elected to phase out use of the two rural school buildings in favor of adding additions to the existing elementary schools. The Lima Center School Bell, first rung at midnight on January 1, 1882, now sits in front of Whitewater Middle School.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society collections!
5195P, Whitewater Historical Society
The Whitewater Historical Society collects, preserves, and interprets the history of Whitewater and the surrounding area. Be sure to join us next week for more from the Society’s collections. Please “like” us on Facebook, and check out our website at whitewaterhistoricalsociety.org!