News

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UW-Whitewater) will be a title sponsor to the Discover Whitewater Series (DWS): Half Marathon & 5K for the ninth year in row. 

Scheduled for Sunday, September 19, 2021, DWS participants will run through UW-Whitewater’s campus as part of the half marathon course. 

The DWS has always committed to offering a fun and competitive event that showcases Whitewater’s beauty, and thanks to UW-Whitewater they can honor that commitment for the 2021 event. Participants will run the course that debuted in 2020, one that shows off UW-Whitewater’s campus to the fullest. The DWS also works closely with the campus’s Emergency Operations Center to ensure a safe and responsible race day. 

“Whitewater is an exceptional place to live, learn, work and play,” said UW-Whitewater Chancellor Dwight C. Watson. “Through the Discover Whitewater Series, people from all over the region can see firsthand all that makes our community special. The university is proud to be a title sponsor and I’d like to thank our students and staff who volunteer their time to help coordinate this marquee event and ensure that race participants have an outstanding experience in our community.”

This event is also an opportunity for UW-Whitewater students to support the Whitewater community and earn volunteer hours. Different campus organizations will manage water stations around the course to provide hydration to all participants. 

There are other areas to volunteer as well such as at setup and tear down of the course or manning the course as a marshal. The DWS team is so grateful that students come out and support the entire Whitewater community.  

“We wouldn’t be able to plan and execute an extraordinary athletic event for the community without the continuous support from UW-Whitewater,” said DWS Executive Director Jeffery Knight. “We’re thrilled the University is a title sponsor again this year, and to highlight the campus since it’s always gorgeous in early fall.”

Between providing volunteers, facilities and food service, UW-Whitewater is involved in almost every aspect of putting together the DWS.

UW-Whitewater’s sponsorship helps DWS grow and helps to create a fun event that the whole community of Whitewater can come together for. Proceeds from the race are donated to five local charities: Bethel House, Whitewater LEADS, Working for Whitewater’s Wellness (W3), Whitewater Unified School District and the J-Hawk Aquatic Club. 

The DWS has added events that were previously canceled in 2020, those events are: 

• W3 Fit Kid Shuffle, on Saturday, September 18, 2021
• Awards ceremony for the overall winners of the Half Marathon
• Awards ceremony for the overall winners of the 5K

The DWS team looks forward to another year working alongside UW-Whitewater and to seeing all the participants on race day, register at https://runwhitewater.com. Register before September 5 to ensure you will receive a DWS t-shirt. 

Source: Discover Whitewater press release

(Whitewater Arts Alliance press release) – On Tuesday, June 29^th, 2021, the Whitewater Arts Alliance, in collaboration with the City of Whitewater, will unveil the finished pieces from the 2021 Public Art Project- “Whitewater’s Heroes of the Covid-19 Pandemic.”

Each participating artist was encouraged to convey their “thank you” message in their own personal way and artistic style, dedicating their artwork to the medical personnel, emergency workers, and essential workers that helped us through the pandemic.

The decorated wooden hearts will hang on the lampposts in downtown Whitewater throughout the rest of the summer months, after which each will be returned at the artist’s request, or become a permanent part of the Whitewater Arts Alliance collection.

This public art project was made possible by an incredibly hardworking team of WAA staff, WAA board members, and Whitewater community members. Specifically, the Whitewater Arts Alliance would like to thank the following individuals.

Sherry Stanek – for her consistent enthusiasm and willingness to volunteer wherever we needed assistance along the way, including undertaking the major task of cutting out the wooden hearts for the artists.

Rick Fassl – for offering his home as a workspace and assisting in cutting out the wooden hearts for our participating artists.

Nicole Holder – our WAA Gallery Manager, who graciously offered her time and talents to ensure the success of this project.

Kelly Freeman and his team – for their assistance in hanging the wooden hearts from the light posts in the downtown area.

We are excited to share this art with the community of Whitewater and are grateful for the opportunity to thank those who gave so much to see us through the pandemic.

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

June 25, 2021- Effective immediately, the City of Whitewater is lifting the burn ban issued on
June 16. 2021. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources shows a low chance of fire danger in
Whitewater. Citizens need a permit if they plan to burn and can obtain a permit through the city’s
Neighborhood Services Department.

Banner note: A permit is not required for most “recreational fires.” Chapter 8.32 of the Municipal Code provides the ordinances regarding open burning. The rules for recreational fires include the following:

• All outdoor fires shall be no closer than fifteen feet from any structure or side lot line and ten feet from any rear lot line. There shall be no outdoor fires in front yards or street yards.
• Wood recreational fires are allowed only in compliance with the following schedule: (1) from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; (2) from 4:00 p.m. on Friday until Saturday at 1:00 a.m.; (3) from 4:00 p.m. on Saturday until 1:00 a.m. on Sunday.
• Recreational fires shall burn dry wood only and may not burn wet wood, brush or other substances or materials.
• Recreational fires shall be completely extinguished when unattended.
• Recreational fires with a base greater than five feet in diameter shall require a permit issued by the city manager or his designee.

The image on the homepage, “Campfire” by JelleS is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

“Minari”
Tuesday, June 29, 1 p.m.
Drama/Family; Rated PG-13; 1 hour, 55 minutes (2020)
A Korean American family attempts to start a farm in 1980’s Arkansas, in search of its own American Dream. Oscar winner for Best Supporting Actress (Yuh-Jung Youn).

Seniors in the Park is located in the Starin Park Community Building. There is no longer a capacity limit, so reservations are not required. Facial coverings are no longer required for those who are fully vaccinated.

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Jeff Angileri, who was recently promoted at UW-W to Executive Director of University Marketing & Communication, told the Banner that as of June 1 the university’s new freshman applications for fall 2021 stood at 8835, more than a 45% increase from the same time in 2020, when there were 6058 applications. As of the same date in 2019 there had been 5925 applications.

According to a press release from the UW System, by June 1 the 13 universities had received 133,484 applications from new freshmen, about 29% higher than at the same point in 2020 and 33% higher than 2019. It was reported that applications by Wisconsin residents, first-generation students, and underrepresented minorities were also up. “The increases are the result of several actions the UW System took over the last 15 months to simplify the application process, including waiving application fees, creating a new EApp (electronic application), allowing students to use a single application for multiple universities, and suspending the requirement that students take the ACT,” the release stated.

“I’m thrilled with these positive application numbers. Our strategies are working, and we are setting the stage for success,” said UW System President Tommy Thompson. “While the pandemic challenged us all, students are primed to get back to campus his fall, and we want them to know that we are ready as ever to help them achieve their education goals.”

Although the increase in applications is encouraging, not all applicants are accepted, and some of those who are accepted do not enroll. For example, according to collegetransitions.com, in 2020 at UW-Madison, 73% of in-state applicants were admitted, while non-residents gained admission about 54% of the time. However, only 32% of accepted students actually enrolled.

Fall ’20 enrollment at UW-W was 11842, a decline of approximately 4% from the previous year, versus a System decline of 1.7%. It was felt that the pandemic was the primary reason for the declines, which on the national level for public institutions was 4%. According to Forbes, there was “an unprecedented decline in high school graduates enrolling in college last fall….The percentage of 2020 high school graduates who immediately enrolled in college dropped by almost 7% last fall…”

Let’s get your RUN ON Saturday. July 10.

at Starin Park, in Whitewater!  Runs begin at 8 a.m. 

10k Run, 5K Run/Walk

This is an event for the entire family.

We have also created new award divisions for our high school, middle school, and elementary age racers.

Awards Divisions:

Award Divisions (Top 3, Men, Women – Virtual Racers will have separate awards):
5k and 10k Divisions: U12;  13-19; Post High School-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80-89

OVERALL WINNERS: We will be awarding gift cards to our IN PERSON overall winners!
10K: Overall Men, Overall Women
5K: Overall Men, Overall Women, 

Awards Ceremony will take place ½ hour after the final runner/walker crosses the finish line.  Awards will not be mailed.

BIG NEWS:  All participants will be entered to win 2 FREE registrations to the Discover Whitewater ½ marathon and 5K.  Drawing will take place at the awards ceremony.

This course is on a beautiful paved bike/walking path going through the park, along the Nature Preserve, into the Prairie Village senior living residential area, and along the Bark River.  Thus, we will be doing a staggered start.  Start times will be emailed Thursday night.

REGISTER HERE:  https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/Whitewater/JHawk5KRunWalk

(Whitewater Public Library) Nancy Dearborn, author of “Hugga Loula” will read to the children of Whitewater on the library lawn on Wednesday, June 30 at 10:30 a.m.

Workman Publishing posted: “If you’re grumpy or sad, frustrated or mad, just give a shout, and hug it out.” With the healing power of a hug and an act of kindness, little Hugga Loula diffuses all sorts of situations. Featuring colorful illustrations and charming refrain, Hugga Loula gives us an adorable hero offering care, comfort, and love to a world that desperately needs all three. 

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Last week, after a complete resurfacing, County Highway N (in Whitewater the street is known as Tratt Street) reopened to WIS 106. The Jefferson County Highway Department told the Banner that the second phase of the resurfacing of County N, from WIS 106 to the city of Jefferson, will result in closure of that section until late August or early September. Local traffic will be maintained.

Happy early Fathers’ Day and #FlashbackFriday from the Whitewater Historical Society!
Shown here is a postcard image looking across Whitewater Lake towards the Heart Prairie Lutheran Church and Chapel Hill area. Whitewater Lake has long been a popular family gathering spot for holidays such as Fathers’ Day. The Heart Prairie Church was founded by Norwegian immigrants in December 1844, though the current church building itself was most likely not actually completed and used until 1857. In the late 1800s, the church boasted over 100 members, but eventually merged with Whitewater’s First English Lutheran Church in 1948 due to rapidly declining membership.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society collections!
(5123PC, 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 belated Fathers’ Day and #FlashbackFriday from the Whitewater Historical Society!

Shown here is a postcard image looking across Whitewater Lake towards the Heart Prairie Lutheran Church and Chapel Hill area. Whitewater Lake has long been a popular family gathering spot for holidays such as Fathers’ Day. The Heart Prairie Church was founded by Norwegian immigrants in December 1844, though the current church building itself was most likely not actually completed and used until 1857. In the late 1800s, the church boasted over 100 members, but eventually merged with Whitewater’s First English Lutheran Church in 1948 due to rapidly declining membership.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society collections!
(5123PC, 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!​