News

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Peggy Race.

Join local Whitewater resident and author Peggy Race on Wednesday, August 25, at 7:00 p.m. for a virtual book launch.

Peggy’s first memoir, Desiree, The Music Of My Soul, has been released by Black Rose Writing!

The book launch event will be hosted by Kathie Giorgio, author and studio owner of the AllWriters’ Workplace and Workshop in Waukesha. Peggy started writing the book in the AllWriters’ Once-A-Month Write-A-Book Workshop, and she finished it in coaching with an AllWriters’ faculty member.

Peggy will read from the book and there will be a Q & A discussion.

Here is the description of the book:
Staunch and rooted to her childhood values, Peggy engages in a battle to overcome a failed marriage, the sudden, heartrending loss of her second husband and her own self-doubts. While sandwiched between each layer of uncertainty, Peggy fights her way forward through the love of her dogs.

Amid personal tragedy, Peggy’s life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Desiree, a rescued Hurricane Katrina dog. Fueled by the serendipitous connection, Peggy deploys an unending passion for answers as she searches for purpose. As Peggy unravels Desiree’s significance in her life, she looks beyond the confines of loss and discovers her true self.

Desiree: The Music of My Soul is a poetic and soul-stirring love story which captures one woman’s journey of strength and self-discovery that transcends grief and loss. Filled with hope and inspiration, Desiree: The Music of My Soul, symbolizes the resilience of the human spirit.

This is a Zoom event and registration is required. Register in advance for this meeting with the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZArc-yhrjIsHdEMVKhUot-D_whxI9GNhd9T?fbclid=IwAR2O9XtXtUKg1k0mze96JxRcvUmqjO-fUuRYkxuY5brscIou2jPD3Tsew8g

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Please come to help us celebrate Peggy’s success, and maybe you can start dreaming of your own success too!
The book is available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Desiree-Music-My-Soul-Memoir/dp/168433747X
Learn more about Peggy at www.peggyrace.com

City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission
Arboretum Sponsorship Subcommittee – Monday @ 4:30 p.m.
Agenda
Cravath Lakefront Room-2nd Floor
312 W. Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190
(This will be a hybrid meeting)
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/453738501
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (872) 240-3311
Access Code: 453-738-501

Whitewater Unified School Board – Monday @ 5:30 & 7:00 p.m.
Agenda – Click on “meetings” in upper right hand corner.
PUBLIC NOTICE: The health and safety of District employees, School Board, and the community is a
top priority. As such, some Board members may participate virtually. Members of the public may
attend in-person on a first come, first serve basis. A capacity of 20 individuals is set for in-person
attendance. Additionally the meeting will be live streamed via Zoom.
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Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin
School Board Workshop (5:30pm – 7:00pm) and Regular Meeting
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5:30 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89282642657?pwd=bkJsejBKYTVnRm80REx2anBQdnFCdz09
– Passcode: 459238
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– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 892 8264 2657
– Passcode: 459238
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Closed Session
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Open Session via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84202670444?pwd=N3pjMTVab1B1RnFobjcvbmdhV0N0UT09
– Passcode: 346850
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– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 842 0267 0444
– Passcode: 346850

Downtown Whitewater Board of Directors Meeting – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Update 8/23/21: Due to the air conditioning being down at the office, this meeting has changed to virtual only.
Agenda
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89888169484?pwd=QU9YaTZnOVNlOEtVU1hxTExaM
EpRZz09

City of Whitewater Finance Committee Meeting – Tuesday @ 4:30 p.m.
Agenda
City of Whitewater Municipal Building
City Manager’s Conference Room (2nd Floor)
Meeting will be held in BLENDED format (in-person and virtual). You may join meeting in person at
the City Manager’s Conference Room or from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/509678133
You can also dial in using your phone.
(For supported devices, tap a one-touch number below to join instantly.)
United States: 1 (872) 240-3311
Access Code: 509-678-133

City of Whitewater Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee – Wednesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda
Virtual Meeting
Wed, Aug 25, 2021 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (CDT)
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/561445365
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (312) 757-3121
Access Code: 561-445-365

City of Whitewater Whitewater Community Development Authority Board of Directors – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes closed session on Deliberating sale of Vacant Land (Lot 1, Certified Survey Map No. 4442) located
on East Main Court. and Consideration of Façade Loan Application for proposed remodel of premises
located at 136 W. Main Street (Ilmi Shabani, Owner). Update: Added to closed session: Deliberating sale of Vacant Land (Part of Lot 1, Certified Survey Map No. 3050) located on Universal Boulevard.

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 Zoom webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88156034170?pwd=VitrOHN4TCtmUUpHb2tZUXpyNUNodz09
Passcode: 538914
Or Telephone:1 312 626 6799 or 1 877 853 5257 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 881 5603 4170
Passcode: 538914

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Walworth County UW-Madison, Division of Extension

Walworth County UW-Madison, Division of Extension is pleased to once again offer the Aging Mastery Program®, a ten-session, five week, health and wellness package offered to residents age 55 and over. The program was developed by the National Council on Aging (NCOA).

The goal of the Aging Mastery Program® is to empower older adults to make and maintain small but impactful changes. The classes will explore 10 key topics: navigating longer lives, physical activity, sleep, healthy eating and hydration, financial fitness, medication management, advanced planning, healthy relationships, falls prevention, and community engagement. For each of these classes, we will provide basic educational materials developed from highly trusted sources, a checklist of potential next steps, and a system for tracking behaviors. Participants will earn points for positive actions and rewards.

This is a wonderful opportunity for older adults to participate in, and reap the benefits of this cutting-edge wellness program. The program is valued at $60 and currently being offered, at no cost, to class participants free until October of 2021.

Register today to reserve your space! Mondays & Wednesdays from September 27th – October 27th from 11:00 am to Noon

Important! Those wishing to participate must register prior to the class to receive the class materials as well as the virtual zoom link and/or phone number. The registration link: https://go.wisc.edu/wiamp

For more information about The Aging Mastery program, and other Extension programs, please contact Walworth County Extension Office at 262-741-4961 or email amanda.kostman@wisc.edu.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides affirmative action and equal opportunity in education, programming and employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, gender, creed, disability, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital or parental, arrest or conviction record or veteran status.

Welcome back to #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society!

Historically, a process known as threshing often occ​urred on many area farms in August. Before modern combines, crews would visit a farm, bringing with them steam-powered threshing machines. Depending on the size of the crop, it could take several days to complete the threshing process, which involved separating the grains from the stalks (usually feed oats).

This image from our glass plate negative collection shows the steam engine and the stacks of stalks left over on an unidentified local farm around the turn of the twentieth century.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society collections!

(2790GP, 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!​ 

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services

We have launched our 2021 Community Health Improvement Plan Cycle themed Connecting Communities. One of the steps in the process is collecting community feedback. Let your voice be heard and complete a Community Health Survey here: https://bit.ly/2VELNzc Survey responses will be accepted through September 30, 2021.

Hemos lanzado nuestro Plan de Mejorar la Salud Comunitaria 2021 con el tema Conectando Comunidades. Uno de los pasos del proceso es recolectar respuestas de la comunidad. Deje que su voz se escuche y complete una Encuesta de Salud Comunitaria aquí: https://bit.ly/2VELNzc

By Al Stanek
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

The City of Whitewater has entered into a tentative land sale that is likely to result in a new retail operation on the east side. Negotiations are underway between the Common Council and developer Midwest WI, LLC (“Midwest”) for the sale that would set in motion the planning process for a proposed Dollar General store.

Following a closed session on June 15 the Common Council voted unanimously to authorize the sale of a 1.92 acre parcel at the roundabout where East Milwaukee Street turns into Elkhorn Road to Midwest WI, LLC (“Midwest”) for $251,000. The potential use of the site was not indicated; however, it was indicated that “a Developer’s Agreement will be negotiated and will be forthcoming.”

On August 3 the area was included in a Tax Incremental Tax District (TID) which could allow for development incentives and public infrastructure improvements. A nearby parcel is currently under development for one of two Kwik Trip stores targeted for opening this winter.

The planned use of the Midwest parcel was disclosed as the Common Council returned from closed session on August 17, when it was indicated that the developer intends to construct a building that would be occupied by Dollar General (“DG.”) The agenda indicated that the closed session was for the purpose of discussion of the terms of a Development Agreement with Midwest, and Jim Allen, speaking on behalf of the Council, stated that negotiations were continuing with focus on an “upgraded design” for the DG building. Allen indicated that the agreed upon sale price was the appraised value. No further information was provided, but per national media reports, including this article in the Orlando Sentinel, for a number of years some municipalities have been expecting “dollar stores” to provide upgraded designs rather than what have often been seen as “unattractive buildings.”

The Dollar General homepage describes their operation as “offering products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, housewares and seasonal items at everyday low prices in convenient neighborhood locations.” The site reports that, “Dollar General operated 17,426 stores in 46 states as of April 30, 2021.” According to a March, 2021 article in Construction Dive, the Tennessee-based company “is in the midst of an expansion effort that calls for the addition of 1,050 stores this year, and sees room to double the size of its existing fleet of stores in the future.” Stores have recently opened in nearby Tibbets and Eagle. Palmyra Village Clerk-Treasurer Laurie Mueller told ‘the Banner’ that a developer other than Midwest has proposed to construct a DG in their community, but this week the Board of Zoning Appeals voted to deny a request to reduce the required parking by six spaces. Mueller indicated that she did not know whether DG would still be pursuing the project.

No timeline for construction has been specified.

Special People Needed for Special Education Help

The Whitewater Unified School District (WWUSD) is looking to hire several special education paraprofessionals for the coming year to work at Washington Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary School, and Whitewater Middle School. The part-time positions will be 5.5 hours per day Monday through Friday on days when school is in session.

Qualified candidates should have the ability to work effectively with small groups of children and be able to work collaboratively with teachers and other professional staff. They will be asked to prepare supplementary materials at the teacher’s direction and must be able to communicate with parents with respect and confidentiality.

Preference will be given to candidates that have a minimum of two years of education at an institution of higher education, an equivalent background, or training and experience. Experience with children in a special education environment and Spanish speaking skills are a plus. Applications will begin to be reviewed immediately upon submission.

Interested applicants should reply with a resume, cover letter and a response to some standard questions supplied at the positions listed under “Join Our Team” on the WWUSD website (www.wwusd.org). Positions will begin work on August 23 and pay will be $15.08 depending on qualifications.

Information on how to apply is available on the WWUSD website or by contacting lheim@wwusd.org.

Further information is available at https:// wecan.education.wisc.edu/#/Vacancy/114204

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.

Whitewater Unified School District has teamed up with the UWW Early Childhood Department and Premier Bank to create ‘Partners in Play.’ This program is free enrichment sessions for kids ranging from birth to five. These are open to any child 0-5 in any town. The curriculum for these sessions will be created and taught by WUSD and the Early Childhood Department at UWW. The sessions will run for eight weeks. Parents/guardians will stay with their child during the session. Sessions will be fun and interactive for all involved. All sessions will be in English and Spanish. We are extremely excited about this new opportunity!!