Hearthstone Garden Project Culver’s Night Out Event


Tuesday, May 14th from 4:00-7:00 pm here at the Whitewater Culver’s, 10% of sales will be donated to Hearthstone for their Garden Project.  Please help us share this flyer with as many as you can, and we hope that you will be able to stop by for some food and see some of the management staff running orders. 

Third Annual International Children’s Day a Success

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Whitewater Unites Lives.

Lincoln Elementary School was full of families and fun when Whitewater hosted its third, free International Children’s Day for all children on April 27.  Organizers estimate that more than 350 people attended. 

Photo by Capturing Photography
Photo by Tom Ganser

All families were welcome at the Lincoln School and grounds.  Events included face-painting, arts and crafts, Culver’s custard, balloon art, chalk art and more.  A variety of international food offerings were available for sale, and students performed music. 

Photo by Tom Ganser

“It was wonderful to see the smiles on all of the children’s faces and to celebrate our diverse student population,” said Miguel Aranda, chair of the International Children’s Day committee.

Photo by Tom Ganser

Sponsors of International Children’s Day Celebration include Whitewater Unified School District, Whitewater Unites Lives, and Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club.

Photo by Capturing Photography.

Oil Lamp Service at Historic Church

An Oil Lamp Service will be held at the historic Heart Prairie Norwegian Methodist Episcopal Church on Sunday, May 19th at 7:30 p.m. The church is located at the East Richmond Cemetery, N7372 County Rd P, south of Whitewater, WI. Refreshments will be served prior to the service. Rev. Minyoung Han, minister at Bethel and Richmond United Methodist Churches, will officiate. Others participating are Rev. Larry Froemming, organist; Caitlyn Karbash, violinist; and Lisa Bauer, flutist. This will be the first oil lamp service at the church in more than 125 years. In March 2023, the recently restored church was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. There is limited parking and seating. For more information email gkestol@yahoo.com.

Editor’s note: This announcement was submitted by Georgia Kestol.

This Week’s City & School District Meetings (Update: School Board special meeting)

Whitewater Unified School District Employee Handbook Committee – Monday @ 3:45 p.m.
Whitewater Unified School District
William D. Kyle Board Room
419 South Elizabeth Street
Agenda (Click on “meetings” in upper right corner.)

City of Whitewater Urban Forestry CommissionMonday @ 4:30 p.m.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St
Agenda includes Discussion and possible approval of the landscape plan for the Irvin L Young Library.
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82908100883?pwd=WWdyUjc0VFRqd096V1MwMit2cWVCUT09
Meeting ID: 829 0810 0883
Passcode: 123382
Dial 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 829 0810 0883
Passcode: 123382

City of Whitewater Plan & Architectural Review Commission – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Agenda includes Discussion about where the Plan Commission would like to see Dog Daycare & Boarding
Facilities be placed with a conditional use in our zoning districts, Discussion and possible approval of a Conditional Use Permit for sale of alcohol by the drink located at 210 W Whitewater St. for Daniel Rodriguez d/b/a as Lloyd’s formerly known as The Black Sheep, Discussion and possible approval of a Conditional Use Permit for a proposed Dog Daycare Facility located on vacant land on Bluff Road Tax Parcel # /A323600002 for Daniel and Jhienelle Kistle d/b/a The Royal Hounds of Whitewater, Discussion and possible approval of a Conditional Use Permit for a New Wireless Telecommunication Facility and Free Standing Tower to be located at 312 Elkhorn Road.
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or
telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/385524925
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 385-524-925
United States: +1 (408) 650-3123
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install

Whitewater Unified School Board – Special Meeting – Wednesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Whitewater High School Library 534 South Elizabeth Street
Agenda: to discuss and consider individual 2024-2025 salary contract adjustments and to discuss and consider the post-employment benefit for a specific support staff employee and discuss specific employees whose employment was previously interrupted by a District resignation.

CLOSED SESSION via Zoom Online

– Passcode: 168369

  • Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
  • Webinar ID: 844 3687 1056
  • – Passcode: 168369

OPEN SESSION Zoom Online
Agenda (Click on “meetings” in upper right corner): Discuss any items from closed session, plus Health Insurance Renewal Approval and Ratification of the Whitewater Education Association (WEA) 2024-25 Collective Bargaining Agreement

– Passcode: 818870

  • Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
  • Webinar ID: 854 0554 3594
  • – Passcode: 818870

City of Whitewater Parks & Recreation Board – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St
*In Person and Virtual
Agenda includes update on downtown flowers and Discussion and possible action regarding Facility Rental and Reservation Policy updates.
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82237035777?pwd=dUNLRUhRR3QvMXpHUmU5RFVreUhMUT09
Meeting ID: 822 3703 577
Passcode: 874133
Dial 1 312 626 6799

City of Whitewater Community Development Authority – Thursday @ 5:30 pm.
Agenda is not posted as of 5/11/24.

Back to calendar

Local Student Honored for Media Work at UW-W

Brandye Carter, a Journalism major from Whitewater, WI, at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, is one of 17 Warhawks to claim a Wisconsin Community Media Best of the Midwest award for their work on UWW-TV during the 2023-24 academic year.

Carter earned the following awards: third place, UWW-TV News – “The Code of Conduct that Shocked the World”; third place, UWW-TV News – “Miss Black and Gold 2023”

Award winners will be recognized at the Best of the Midwest Media Fest banquet and show on May 16 at the Lismore Hotel in Eau Claire. Attendees will have the opportunity to network and celebrate during the exhibitors reception and banquet.

The 2024 Best of the Midwest Media Fest celebrates local Public, Education, and Government (PEG) Access programming and Low-Power Community Radio programming. The event recognizes local programming produced by both professionals and amateurs and provides producers with feedback on their work from a slate of four judges.

The nine-state Alliance for Community Media Midwest Region includes Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

UWW-TV is housed in UW-Whitewater’s College of Arts and Communication. The station provides students with hands-on experience in producing high-quality content both behind the scenes and on camera. To learn more about UWW-TV, visit uwwtv.org.

City Announces Request for Proposal for Property at 216 E Main


The City of Whitewater and the Community Development Authority (CDA) is announcing a Request For Proposal (RFP) regarding the property located at 216 E. Main Street. Specifically the City and the CDA is seeking proposals for the purchase and redevelopment of a prime property situated a few blocks from historic downtown. This initiative supports the City’s steadfast commitment to revitalizing its downtown core and enhancing the quality of life for its residents.

The selected proposal will be instrumental in driving the City’s redevelopment agenda, with a focus on elevating the vibrancy of the area and expanding the municipal property tax base. Positioned within the B-2 district, this property offers a unique opportunity to reimagine a space that seamlessly integrates retail, service, office spaces, table-service establishments, and residential units. Participation in this development presents an opportunity to indirectly contribute to the positive transformation of our community.

Prospective developers are invited to submit their proposals by June 28, 2024. Each proposal will undergo thorough evaluation based on its alignment with the City’s redevelopment goals, its capacity to enhance residents’ quality of life, and its contribution to the broader revitalization objectives. 

For inquiries or assistance regarding the proposal process, developers are encouraged to contact the Economic Development Director, Taylor Zeinert, at 262-473-0148.

Fort HealthCare Receives Three Top Workplace Awards

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Fort HealthCare.

Fort HealthCare is extremely honored to accept three Top Workplace Awards this Spring including the 2024 Top Workplaces Award and 2024 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for Purpose & Values by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the 2024 Top Workplaces USA Award by USA Today.

“This is the 10th year in a row that we are being honored by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel!  Receiving multiple Top Workplace Awards is a true testament to the culture we have developed over many years.  Fort HealthCare is an exemplary place to work.  We are very proud of our staff at Fort HealthCare.  They are responsible for creating such a sustained, supportive environment in the workplace,” states Michael Anderson, MD, Fort HealthCare President & CEO.

The Top Workplaces program has a 17-year history of surveying and celebrating people-first organizations nationally and across 60 regional markets. These awards are based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC. The confidential survey uniquely measures the employee experience and its component themes, including employees feeling respected and supported, enabled to grow, and empowered to execute, to name a few.

The 2024 Top Workplaces USA program celebrates organizations with 150 or more employees that have built great cultures. Over 42,000 organizations were invited to participate in the Top Workplaces USA survey.  Results are calculated by comparing the survey’s research-based statements, including 15 Culture Drivers that are proven to predict high performance against industry benchmarks.

“Earning a Top Workplaces Award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”

About Fort HealthCare

Fort HealthCare is committed to improving the health and well-being of our communities, with a vision to be the healthiest community in Wisconsin. As the leading healthcare provider in the region, it is our goal to reach as many members of the community as possible with health and wellness messages, providing tools and resources to help individuals improve their health and quality of life while collaborating with several partners to positively improve the population’s health overall on a long-term basis. Please visit FortHealthCare.com for more information.

About Energage

Making the world a better place to work together.TM

Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 18 years of culture research and the results from 27 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations,  Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.

Seniors in the Park Presents The Color Purple

“The Color Purple”

Tuesday, May 14, 1 pm

(Drama/Musical) 2 hours, 21 minutes 

Rated PG-13 (2023)

A young black woman in the South in 1909 faces much hardship and sadness, her only happiness being her family and a new suitor. Starring Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo, Jon Batiste, and  Lou Gossett, Jr.  Oscar Nomination for Best Supporting Actress, Danielle Brooks.

Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. Although there is no charge to attend, regular participants are encouraged to join Seniors in the Park. The annual fee for residents of the Whitewater Unified School District is $10 and non-residents is $15. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes our of our fundraising monies. If you cannot afford the fee, we have a fund that will cover it for you. Fees are accepted at the Starin Park Community Building or online at https://schedulesplus.com/wwtr/kiosk/

Why Whitewater: New Video Showcases the Community (Update: Link Corrected)

Update 5/10/24 @ 9:40 a.m. – An incorrect link was provided for the video. This is now corrected. Our apologies for this error.

The passion that our community has for the City of Whitewater is clear. To help showcase our community from all angles the Media Services department has joined forces with Karl James and Company to showcase why we all choose Whitewater. We all choose to be a part of the City of Whitewater. Whether you learn, live, work or play, Whitewater is in all of us. May we remember why we choose Whitewater.

Click here to view the video.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the city of Whitewater.

#FlashbackFriday with the Historical Society: Happy Mother’s Day

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

In honor of Mother’s Day on Sunday, we present this Scholl glass plate image from around 1900 only identified as “Mrs. Murphy and Lillian.” It is possible this is a mother and her daughter, but even if it is not, it suggests a mother and her daughter. We hope all mothers have a great day!

Join us next week for another c.1900 image.

(3829GP, Whitewater Historical Society)