Eid al-Fitr (/iːd əl ˈfɪtər/eed əl FIT-ər; Arabic: عيد الفطر ʻĪd al-Fiṭr, IPA: [ʕiːd al fitˤr]),[3] also called the “Festival of Breaking the Fast” or Lesser Eid, or simply Eid,[4] is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan.[5] The date for the start of any lunar Hijri month varies based on when the new moon is sighted by local religious authorities, so the day of celebration varies by locality. The holiday is known under various other names in different languages and countries around the world. (From Wikipedia)
News
More than 1,500 set to graduate at UW-Whitewater spring commencement this Saturday
(UW-W press release) The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will celebrate this week as a total of 1,552 undergraduate and graduate students will be earning degrees at commencement.
This year’s ceremony will be held in a hybrid format, allowing graduates an opportunity to cross the stage in cap and gown and receive their degrees in person, and providing the speeches, music and other traditional elements in a virtual format.
On Friday, May 14, students will be recorded crossing the stage at either Young Auditorium or Kachel Fieldhouse in cap and gown as their names are read. Then, on Saturday, May 15, the entire recorded ceremony — including students crossing the stage — will be shared online on the commencement website at 1 p.m., allowing graduates to watch it with their friends and family members. The video will also be available for viewing at a later time.
This year’s commencement speaker is Sarahí Monterrey, an English learner/Bilingual teacher at Waukesha South High School who earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees from UW-Whitewater, in 2002 and 2003, respectively. In 2018-19 she was named Wisconsin’s High School Teacher of the Year and selected as Wisconsin’s 2019 representative to the National Teacher of the Year Program, the first Latina in the state to earn this honor. In 2020, the UW-Whitewater Office of Alumni Relations selected Monterrey as the university’s Distinguished Alumna for Professional Achievement in recognition of her extensive career developing bilingual curricula and advocating for dual-language programs.
The student speaker is Annmarie Lavorata, a communication major from Crystal Lake, Illinois, whose passion for her major led to numerous hands-on opportunities at UW-Whitewater. Despite struggling with speech challenges and dyslexia, Lavorata excelled at broadcasting, among 12 Warhawks who took home honors at the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association 2020 Student Awards for Excellence. And when ESPN came to Perkins Stadium for the 2019 NCAA Division III semi-final championship football game, Lavorata and her UWW-TV peers worked alongside industry professionals for the live broadcast.
The ceremony will recognize 169 undergraduates from the College of Arts and Communication, 513 from the College of Business and Economics, 178 from the College of Education and Professional Studies, 94 from the College of Integrated Studies, 392 from the College of Letters and Sciences, and 200 from the School of Graduate Studies. An additional 6 students are receiving an undergraduate degree not specific to any college.
The graduating class of 2021 includes 12 international students, 99 military veterans or service members, and 122 nontraditional students, defined as adult students 25 years of age or older. In addition, 150 graduating students used the services of the university’s Center for Students with Disabilities.
An estimated 225 graduating students are participating in the university’s Warhawks Rising campaign, which celebrates milestones submitted by graduating students, including job offers, graduate school acceptances and shoutouts to faculty or staff members whose support was critical to their academic success.
The commencement video production is coordinated by UWW-TV, the university television station.
For more information: https://www.uww.edu/commencement
“Spring Splash” Returns With Fewer Incidents
By Al Stanek
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
”Spring Splash,” an unofficial event in anticipation of warmer weather and the coming conclusion of the current UW-Whitewater semester, took place without any major incidents according to Whitewater Police Chief Aaron Raap. “Overall, we think it went well,” Raap told ‘The Banner.’ The event involves house parties and bar hopping and because of the preponderance of alcohol has resulted in multiple Whitewater and other police agency interventions.
The Whitewater PD reports that a total of 79 people were cited or arrested over the first weekend of May. ‘Spring Splash” was technically scheduled for Saturday, May 1. The 79 individuals charged generated a total of 124 citations. Of the charges, 99 were city ordinance violations, 20 were traffic violations, four were misdemeanor offenses and one was a potential felony. The most serious allegation, currently charged as a misdemeanor by the Walworth County District Attorney, was filed against Raejion D. Rembert, 21, of Milwaukee. Whitewater police allege that while driving under the influence, Rembert crashed into and damaged Home Lumber’s property, hit and run, and resisted an officer while being apprehended.
Event participants are thought to be primarily UW-W students and friends. Spring Splash has no official connection with UW-W. An organization known as “Wisconsin Red” publicized the early versions of the event in 2013 through 2015 with relatively few problems. In 2016, however, as social media spread word of the event, crowds became large and unmanageable. Problems included public drunkenness, disorderly conduct and large-scale litter.
The high-level of arrests and damage done by participants in 2016 led to the city forming a committee to investigate how to handle future large-scale events. Due to the public concerns and media coverage, Wisconsin Red pulled its formal sponsorship of Spring Splash in 2017. Additional events took place in 2018 and 2019, with less out-of-town participants and generally less problems. The event was not held in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Relatively pleasant weather this year helped to draw thousands for house parties and bar hopping, with one gathering estimated by the police department to have around 600 people. Police Chief Raap told ‘The Banner’ that the turnout was somewhat smaller and more manageable this year than in 2019.
The Whitewater Police Department was supported by officers from the UW-W Police Department, the Wisconsin State Patrol, and the Walworth and Jefferson County sheriff’s departments. Whitewater PD does not disclose the total number of officers on duty through the weekend.
Responding to criticism on social media that his department generates revenue from citations issued over the weekend, Raap said the citations will not recoup what was spent on overtime to keep officers on duty throughout the weekend, which totaled about $14,000 in 2019. “If anyone out there thinks that citations are going to make up for overtime costs, or that that’s my goal, it isn’t,” he said.
One new approach that the department employed this year was the use of three U-Haul rental vans to transport officers around the city. Previously officers had to largely respond to calls on foot due to not having enough squad cars to transport all of the on-duty personnel. The vans were not used in any pursuits or for transporting anyone other than law enforcement.
Overall, Raap stated that he was well satisfied with his officers’ conduct, whom he said made significant efforts to engage with residents and participants in a positive way. The chief said he was pleased with the patience and understanding of his officers throughout the weekend.
“Every year we get a new influx of new young people who are just getting going in life, so they’re going to make mistakes and we have to be patient with them,” he said.
Ascension Service at St. John Lutheran Church on Thursday
St. John Ev. Lutheran Church of Whitewater welcomes the community to attend its special worship service observing the Ascension of the Lord Jesus. The service will be held on Thursday, May 13, at 6:30 p.m. at the church, which is located at 116 South Church Street in Whitewater. Rev. James Rath, who is serving as vacancy pastor at St. John since the retirement of Pastor Jon Rossman, will conduct the service. The service will consist of meditations on devotional texts and hymns relating to the Ascension. Forty days after Easter, Jesus returned to heaven to resume his glorious reign and rule of all things for the benefit of believers. The members of St. John invite you to join in praising the Savior. Masks and social distancing practices are followed.
The image on the home page, “The Ascension of the Lord” by Lawrence OP is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
This Week’s City & School District Meetings (UPDATED with Alcohol Licensing canceled on Thurs.)
Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda (click on “meetings” in upper right hand corner) includes employment of Director of Building & Grounds
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Whitewater School Board
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin
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6:00 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84825416644?pwd=SVJHRDIvOFVmNm5lWWgya3pVa2JWUT09
– Passcode: 675279
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– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 848 2541 6644
– Passcode: 675279
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Closed Session to consider nonrenewal for a specific teacher and to consider employment of an administrator. – Access information is not provided to the public.
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6:15 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86770735212?pwd=elNtMVlUSGVEWE5jOXNKQWdmK0RsUT09
– Passcode: 200717
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– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 867 7073 5212
– Passcode: 200717
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City of Whitewater Public Works Committee – Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes safety concerns at Elizabeth and Melrose Streets
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/968697349
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (786) 535-3211
Access Code: 968-697-349
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/968697349
CITY OF WHITEWATER ALCOHOL LICENSING COMMITTEE – Wednesday @ 4:45 p.m.
(VIRTUAL MEETING DUE TO COVID-19)
Agenda: Hearing of the matter of the Non-Renewal of the “Class B” (Beer and Liquor) Retail
License for the Sale of Fermented Malt Beverages and Intoxicating Liquor
Issued to GAC Enterprises, Inc., Gregory A. Condos, Agent – MITCHELL’S
/ PUMPERS, 158-162 W. Whitewater St.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/92972641155?pwd=em1ZVEY5akJzNnYva3NzNGpNU012Zz09
Passcode: 678781
Or Telephone:
Dial1 312 626 6799 or 1 833 548 0282 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 929 7264 1155
Passcode: 678781
CITY OF WHITEWATER ALCOHOL LICENSING COMMITTEE – Thursday @ 4:45 p.m. — Meeting is canceled
City of Whitewater Community Development Authority Board of Directors Special Meeting – Thurs. @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda: Deliberating Sale of Vacant Land Located on Bluff Road (Lot 2, Certified Survey Map #4054)
Due to Coronavirus concerns, this meeting will be a VIRTUAL MEETING (not in
person)
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/186408029
You can also dial in using your phone.
(872) 240-3212
Access Code: 186-408-029
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/186408029
Road Work Underway on WIS 20 Between WIS 67 and Townline Road
(Walworth County Public Works press release) Governor Evers signed a $1.5-million contract to improve WIS 20, between WIS 67 and Townline Road in Walworth County. Work is scheduled to begin the week of May 10, 2021.
“Walworth County is thrilled with increased state investment in local infrastructure,” says Walworth County Public Works Director Richard Hough. “With increased road work by the state and local authorities comes an increased chance for a tragic accident. Drivers are advised to please slow down and follow signs and signals in and around public works projects.”
During construction, WIS 20 will remain open to traffic with the use of flagging operations.
Construction is anticipated to be completed in late summer 2021. The schedule is dependent on favorable weather conditions and construction progress.
Payne and Dolan Inc., is the prime contractor for the project and will implement the following:
• Milling and base patching
• New asphalt pavement
• Pavement marking
• Signing
• High friction surface treatment
For more information, visit the project website at: https://projects.511wi.gov/20wal/ or visit the region’s 511 website: https://projects.511wi.gov/region/southeast.
The image on the home page, “Road work ahead” by coofdy is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Big Garage Sale Weekend Coming Up – Deadline for Free Ads is Wed. p.m.
May 14-16 promises to be a big garage sale weekend due to the Daily Jefferson County Union’s publicity. Anyone wishing to promote a sale on The Banner should submit their information by Wednesday at 8 p.m.
A New Banner Service – Garage Sale Ads
As a result of a reader’s comment that it’s hard to find garage sales in Whitewater now that we no longer have a weekly shopper, last year the Banner staff agreed to begin a “consolidated” garage sale posting that will be published each Thursday morning for the upcoming weekend’s sales. This announcement will only be for garage sales (a sale of miscellaneous household goods, often held in the garage or front yard of someone’s house) in the city and school district boundaries. We will not be accepting, for example, ads for cars or other items that are not part of a scheduled garage sale. There will be a limit of three times per year for a particular property. Although we may eventually make a small charge for this service, initially it will be complimentary.
Those wishing to place a notice must send the information to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com by Wednesday at 8 p.m. You may include a brief description of the items that are for sale, the hours and days of the sale, and of course your address.
Whitewater Teachers and Staff are Hometown Heroes
(WUL submission) Whitewater Unified School District Teachers and Staff are WUL Hometown Heroes, “For their dedication, caring and talents as they provide a safe and caring learning environment so that all students can learn and grow to their full potential.”
WUL (Whitewater Unites Lives) is a locally-focused civil and human rights group that works to connect the people in our community and to create opportunities for all people to learn and support each other in our common humanity.
Anyone who would like to nominate a local hero of any age should send their nomination, with a short description, to whitewaterunites@gmail.com
#FlashbackFriday from the Historical Society: Green Shutters Tea Room
Happy #FlashbackFriday and Mothers’ Day from the Whitewater Historical Society!
Pictured here is the Green Shutters tea room & restaurant, which would have been a perfect spot to celebrate a Mother’s Day of the past. While all were welcome, the establishment especially catered to women. Located on the corner of Main and Franklin Streets, it was one of the most popular local restaurants of the twentieth century and it first opened in May 1927, operating during the warmer months every year until about 1984. Mercy Clinic – Whitewater now occupies the building. This undated image depicts one of the interior dining areas.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society collections!
(2291P, 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!
Happy Mother’s Day from the Banner
(From timeanddate.com) The origins of Mother’s Day are attributed to different people. Many believe that two women, Julia Ward Howe and Anna Jarvis were important in establishing the tradition of Mother’s Day in the United States. Other sources say that Juliet Calhoun Blakely initiated Mother’s Day in Albion, Michigan, in the late 1800s. Her sons paid tribute to her each year and urged others to honor their mothers.
Around 1870, Julia Ward Howe called for Mother’s Day to be celebrated each year to encourage pacifism and disarmament amongst women. It continued to be held in Boston for about ten years under her sponsorship, but died out after that.
In 1907, Anna Jarvis held a private Mother’s Day celebration in memory of her mother, Ann Jarvis, in Grafton, West Virginia. Ann Jarvis had organized “Mother’s Day Work Clubs” to improve health and cleanliness in the area where she lived. Anna Jarvis launched a quest for Mother’s Day to be more widely recognized. Her campaign was later financially supported by John Wanamaker, a clothing merchant from Philadelphia.
In 1908, she was instrumental in arranging a service in the Andrew’s Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia, which was attended by 407 children and their mothers. The church has now become the International Mother’s Day Shrine. It is a tribute to all mothers and has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.
The image on the home page, “Happy Mothers Day ~ Fuzzy Flwrs” by Art4TheGlryOfGod by Sharon, is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0