News

For the third consecutive year, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has been named among the Colleges of Distinction — a national honor that recognizes campuses for exceptional teaching and dedication to student success.

“At UW-Whitewater, the student experience is a rich and vibrant one, where Warhawks are encouraged to be inquisitive and actively learn inside and outside the classroom,” said Chancellor Dwight C. Watson. “Our caring and talented faculty go beyond the course material to engage students in research and connect them with invaluable internships and job opportunities.”

Colleges of Distinction’s selection process consists of a review of each institution’s freshman experience and retention efforts alongside its general education programs, alumni success, strategic plan, student satisfaction, and more. Schools are accepted on the basis that they adhere to the four distinctions:

• Engaged students
• Great teaching
• Successful outcomes
• Vibrant community

“Recognition as a College of Distinction highlights the many ways in which UW-Whitewater serves our students on both an academic and personal level,” said Lynsey Schwabrow, chief of institutional research and planning. “By focusing on the qualitative experiences that help students learn, grow, and succeed, Colleges of Distinction designation underlines how the university prepares our students to successfully engage within the global marketplace and to become responsible citizens and future leaders in our communities.”

In addition to receiving the campus-wide badge of distinction, UW-Whitewater earned additional badges to highlight the university’s excellence in business and education, career development and as a public institution in Wisconsin.

Colleges of Distinction website

UW-Whitewater recently received national recognition as the safest campus in Wisconsin, and is the best value to earn a degree in the University of Wisconsin System.

Article and Photos by Blake Scharine

Previous installments: The Journey Begins | Part II | Tail of the Dragon | Rain!

Well our time in Georgia has come to an end. What an incredible week, crazy yet awesome roads, beautiful lush mountain views, relaxing evenings with friends, great BBQ, camaraderie, and fellowship with old friends and new ones. 

On our way home we planned a day at The Ark Encounter in Kentucky. What can i say, this is biblical history come alive. You can see all the pictures out there and until you stand next to this life-size replica of Noah’s Ark. You can’t realize the enormity of the ship and the amazing engineering utilized within. Make it a family trip. Patty & Steve decided to try their hand at zip-lining at the ark, a perfect activity for Crazy Patty!

Leaving the ark, we skipped the interstate and took a fun 2 hour back roads ride to Greensburg, IN for our last night together. I know i speak for all the group when i say these trips are definitely about the journey not the destination. All total we rode more than 3000 miles, equating to about 80 – 90 hours of riding. Lots of laughs, sore muscles, sharing meals, card playing & looking out for one another. I encourage you to find us on facebook for more pics…@bannercitybikers

Until next year thanks for being a part of our Georgia excursion for 2019! God has blessed us with the opportunity to experience His creation on the back of our motorcycles, what has He done for you that you can share with others and bless them?

The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library, in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association, is hosting a monthly Memory Café for individuals who are living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), early-stage Alzheimer’s or other dementia, and their care partners. This free social event is held on the second Monday of every month in the Library Community Room at 431 W. Center St. in Whitewater, at 10:30 am. The next meeting will be August 12. The theme will be Neighbors Helping Neighbors. We will learn about the history of some community organizations that help our neighbors who are struggling.

The Memory Café offers participants a safe and fun way to share their stories and socialize with others who have similar experiences. Learn how staying physically, socially and mentally active is good for the brain.

If you are attending for the first time please call 800-272-3900.

On August 5, the City of Whitewater Streets Department began concrete pavement repair work at the intersection of W. Main Street and N. Franklin Street.

The project is anticipated to take 7-10 days for removal, replacement, and curing. During this time, eastbound and westbound traffic will be maintained on W. Main Street. However, during this time, turning movements at the intersection will be limited and therefore truck traffic will be detoured onto Whitewater Street.

Motorists are asked to use an alternative route and avoid the work area if possible.

Photos Courtesy of Tom Ganser

Article and Photos by Blake Scharine

Previous installments: The Journey Begins | Part II | Tail of the Dragon

The week of riding has been remarkable.. especially the rain! 

Well, the timing of it, that is. So we got some rain at least 6 different days & only one modest rain for 15 min just before our lunch stop. The rest were the very end of a full days ride.

In fact, one day we saw a strong storm right in front of us, obvious heavy downpours, dark clouds and red on the radar and decided to gather under an entrance to a dialysis center. Fortunately, they were closed… we waited out the storm for almost an hour and stayed dry on the 30 minute ride back to the lodge. 

On Wednesday, a bunch of us went on the “Dealer Loop” heading south into the northern burbs of Atlanta. We visited 2 Harley and 2 Indian dealers and picked up some tees. Our ride back to the lodge took us on the southern portion of Highway 129. This section of highway was “nameless” not like the dragon, gauntlet or moonshiner etc. but is worthy of a name like “twisted twenty” as it was an equally fun piece of pavement as the others.

About 20 minutes from the resort the rain cut loose but we found shelter on a big porch of a BBQ joint that was closed on Wednesdays. Hmm, you think this stuff is coincidence? I don’t think so. His provision time and again.

Our last day of riding before heading back north was the Hiawassee Lake loop. Tremendous ride with lake views and challenging rolling hills with twisties we wont forget. All this topped off with an impressive Hiawassee Dam park and viewing area. We enjoyed a dinner together at the flying trout restaurant at the copperhead lodge.

The days are flying by!!

The City of Whitewater proclaims the month of August as Children’s Vision and Learning Month.

Vision disorders are the number one handicapping condition of children. Research from the College of Optometrists in Vision Development has shown that one in four children have vision problems.

Common signs of vision related problems can be headaches, short attention span, excessive blinking, holding reading materials close to the face and covering or rubbing of eyes.

The Whitewater community wants to bring awareness to learning related vision problems in youth to ensure all children have the ability to receive the treatment they need to enhance their lives. All children deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential.

City Manager, Cameron Clapper and Whitewater staff encourage parents, educators, school nurses and all concerned adults to recognize the critical role good vision plays in the learning process. With the correct education, everyone can work together to help prevent or reduce the impact of untreated vision problems.

The City of Whitewater provides efficient and high quality services which support living, learning, playing and working in an exceptional community. Visit www.whitewater-wi.gov for community information and updates.

Article and Photos by Tom Ganser

The theatrical talents of Whitewater residents will be showcased, both onstage and behind the scenes, in the Janesville Performing Arts Center production of “Alice in Wonderland, Jr.” on Aug 8-10 at 7:00 p.m., and Aug. 11 at 2:00 p.m.

Taking to the stage from Whitewater is actress Althea Reichwald.  Whitewater residents adding their talents behind the scenes – and all familiar to the community thanks to their contributions to Whitewater Unified School District plays and musicals – are Jim McCulloch as director, Lori Heidenreich as musical director, Lynn Lema as choreographer and costume organizer, and Whitewater High School students Josie Hintz and Emma VanDaele as stage technicians.

As an added treat, a Tea Party with Alice will be held at 5:30 p.m. before the 7:00 p.m. performance on Saturday, Aug. 10.  Admission to the Tea Party is $5 and includes Tea, Cookies, and Photos with Alice.  Guests will get to pick out their own porcelain tea cup to enjoy at the event and then take it home as a souvenir.

There also will be a silent auction to bid on tea cups beautifully decorated by members of the community. All proceeds from this event will benefit JPAC’s Education and Outreach Department.

This is a face-paced stage adaptation of the Disney classic animated film that has been a favorite of generations, younger and older, since its premier in 1951.

It features updated dialogue and new arrangements of such classic Disney songs as “I’m Late,” “The Un-birthday Song,” and “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah.”

The ever-curious Alice’s journey begins innocently enough as she chases the White Rabbit. Her adventures become increasingly more strange as she races the Dodo Bird, gets tied up with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, raps with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar and beats the Queen of Hearts at her own game.

For more information on the Janesville Performing Arts Center located at 400 South Main Street in Janesville and tickets for “Alice in Wonderland, Jr.” visit janesvillepac.org or call 608-758-0297.

Author Richard Ratay will be at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library on Wednesday, August 7, at 6:00 pm, to discuss his book, “Don’t Make Me Pull Over! : an Informal History of the Family Road Trip” and to show a fun PowerPoint presentation about the history of family road trips. 

This program is free and open to everyone. Refreshments will be served.

Live music, sidewalk sales, mascots and more!

The Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its annual Maxwell Street Days and Brat Fry Fundraiser on Whitewater’s historic Main Street on Friday, August 9^th & Saturday, August 10^th!

On Friday, the Whitewater Chamber of Commerce and its new Executive Director, Jenny Quill, will be in front of the Chamber office grilling brats and hot dogs. Join us downtown for lunch, or, if you can’t make it, the Chamber will offer pre-orders and delivery on Friday only. Call the Chamber office at 262-473-4005 for an order form.

On Saturday, Maxwell Street Days kicks into high gear with live music by Rick and Rise from 10:30am-1:30pm as well as a free children’s activity zone with face painting, temporary tattoos, chalk art, games and a bouncy house courtesy of Winchester True Value Hardware. Everyone’s favorite local mascots, including Willie the Warhawk, Culver’s Scoopie, Ca$h from Premiere Bank, the Fort Community Credit Union Bee, and Monty the Ice Age Trail Mammoth, will mix and mingle with the crowd before going head-to-head in a 50-meter dash down Main Street. Who will win? You’ll have to head downtown to watch the action. Shave ice, guided walking tours of downtown, the Chamber’s brat sale, and tarot card readings round out Saturday’s event fun!

Here are some of the stores participating in the sidewalk sales*:

• Aranda – Store-wide sales; some items up to 50% off
• Aropa Designs – Sales on a huge selection of Warhawk and Whippet apparel & more
• The Book Teller – All hardcover books (except for sets and coffee table books) will be $1. All paperbacks will be $.50. 20% off the following: Select KMA Jewelry (in-store only), John Seizer stained glass, Katy Daixon Wimer photographs, John Dynkowski paintings, Richard Ehrenberg candle holders, Susanne Maroske clothing, and Alice Hall Fiber products
• Dale’s Bootery – 20% off all in-stock merchandise. Hundreds of shoes (men’s, women’s and kids’) will be on sale, starting at $10
• McCullough’s Prescriptions & Gifts– Inside summer sales with savings up to 50%
• Muebleria Leon Furniture– All furniture, mattresses, rugs & blankets 20-25% off
• Reflections of the Past– Inside sales 50% off, red-stamped tags are summer clearance
• Winchester True Value – In-store specials!
• Woodland Quilts – Big inventory reduction sale!

*Hours vary. Please check with your favorite stores to find out when they will be open during those times. 

Full Schedule of Events

Friday, August 9
Chamber’s Brat Fry Fundraiser – 11 am – 2 pm
150 W. Main St., Downtown Whitewater

Don’t miss this annual tradition! The Chamber director and board members will be out grilling brats and hot dogs. Head downtown for lunch—we’d love to see you–or we also offer delivery to local businesses on Friday only. Call 262-473-4005 for a sign-up sheet.

Saturday, August 10
Sidewalk sales & family-friendly fun—9 am- 4 pm
Main St., Whitewater

• Sidewalk sales & vendors along Main St.- 9:00am – 4:00pm
• Live music by Rick & Rise – 10:30am-1:30pm
• Children’s Fun Zone – 10:00am – 3:00pm FREE kids games and activities, including bags, giant Jenga, and a giant dinosaur bouncy house, along with face painting, temporary tattoos and chalk art courtesy of the University of Whitewater’s Roberta’s Art Gallery and the University Center.  
• Mascot Race – 1:30 pm Ready, set, go! Culver’s Scoopie, Willie the Warhawk, Ca$h from Premiere Bank, the Fort Community Credit Union Bee, and the Ice Age Trail Alliance’s Monty the Mammoth will compete in a head-to-head race down Main Street and will then mix and mingle with guests.
• Chamber Brat Sale – 11am – 2:00pm
• NEW THIS YEAR! Kona Ice Hawaiian-style shave ice truck will be selling shave ice from 11-2. Get here early, because the first 50 shave ice are FREE!
• NEW THIS YEAR! The Book Teller’s in-store tarot card readings on August 9, $5 – $10, and Guided walking tours of Whitewater on August 10th at 11:00am and 3:00pm for $15

Thank You to Our Sponsors & Supporters! The Book Teller, Culver’s, Dale’s Bootery, Generac, Ketterhagen Motors, Premiere Bank, Roberta’s Art Gallery, Walmart & Winchester True Value