News

Fort HealthCare Foundation Accepting 2021 Scholarship Applications

(For HealthCare submission) Fort HealthCare is offering scholarships totaling over $25,000 to students pursuing careers in healthcare. Scholarships are being offered by the Fort HealthCare Partners, Fort HealthCare Medical Staff and Fort Memorial Hospital Foundation.

Students interested in applying can complete an application online at www.FortHealthCare.com/scholarships. Applications need to be submitted by March 1, 2021 to be considered for that calendar year. Completing one application makes you eligible for each scholarship applicable to the degree you are pursuing. 

Applicants must be residents, high school graduates from Cambridge, Fort Atkinson, Helenville, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Lake Mills, Palmyra, Sullivan, or Whitewater, or employees at Fort HealthCare. While grade point average is important, it is not always the primary consideration. Information about your community involvement/volunteer work is also requested. Additional criteria specific to each scholarship are listed below.

Fort HealthCare Partners Scholarships

Health Career Advancing Scholarships

Health Careers Advancing Education Scholarships are awarded to candidates who currently hold a degree or certification in a healthcare field and are now enrolled in a course of study that leads to an advanced degree in a healthcare field.

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High School Student Applications

Scholarships are awarded to graduating high school students pursuing a career in the healthcare field.

Woody Finn Memorial Scholarship

In memory of Woody Finn, a long-time dedicated volunteer of Fort Memorial Hospital, a scholarship is awarded to a student pursuing a career in health care who serves regularly in a volunteer role.

For more information about the Partners scholarships call (920) 568-5276.

Fort Memorial Hospital Medical Staff Scholarship

The Fort Memorial Hospital Medical Staff sponsors several $1,000 to $3,000 scholarships totaling $10,000 in memory of Dr. Robert Handeyside. Graduating seniors, who reside or attend school in the Fort HealthCare service area (Cambridge, Fort Atkinson, Helenville, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Lake Mills, Palmyra, Sullivan, and Whitewater) and have chosen a career in the health field, are eligible for this scholarship.

For more information about Medical Staff Scholarships, call (920) 568-5194.

Fort Memorial Hospital Foundation Scholarships

Scott W. Hulstein Scholarship

The Scott W. Hulstein Scholarship was set up by his parents, Gerrit and Rebecca Hulstein, in his memory.  A scholarship is awarded to a high school senior or an undergraduate currently enrolled at a college or technical school pursuing a degree in the health care field.

Cynthia McKinley Kolasinski Scholarship

Cynthia McKinley Kolasinski Scholarships will be awarded to students studying medicine or nursing at an accredited institution of higher learning. Per the trust established by Ms. Kolasinski, preference will be given to medical students beyond their second year and nursing students beyond their first year.

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Estelle Stinson Chase & Peter A. Chase Scholarship

The Estelle Stinson Chase & Peter A. Chase Scholarship awards Fort HealthCare employees who are studying nursing (LPN, ADN, BSN Completion, MSN) at an accredited college or university. Consideration is given to the applicant’s service and involvement in the community and Fort HealthCare, excluding job related activities. 

Dr. Donald and Barbara Williams Scholarship

This Scholarship was established by Dr. Donald and Barbara Williams in recognition of the important role Fort HealthCare employees play in providing excellent care for the people we serve. Applicants must be an employee in good standing at Fort HealthCare and pursuing education in a health care field.

Wanda L. Draeger Nursing Scholarship

This scholarship was established in memory of Wanda L. Draeger, RN, who was an OB nurse at Fort HealthCare for 45 years.  Applicants must be currently enrolled and have completed at least one year in an accredited nursing school.

Arthur and Nancy Nesbitt Nursing Scholarship

This scholarship was established by Mr. and Mrs. Nesbitt in appreciation for the excellent care provided by Fort HealthCare’s nurses.  Applicants must be employees of Fort HealthCare in good standing and enrolled in an accredited nursing program during the 2019-2020 school year.

Fort Memorial Hospital Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established to provide philanthropic support for Fort HealthCare’s mission and strategic priorities. The Foundation’s focus areas are Living Healthier, Providing Exceptional Care, Providing Benevolent Care and Advancing Careers in Health Care. For more information about Fort Memorial Hospital Foundation visit www.forthealthcare.com/Foundation or contact us at foundation@forthc.com.

JONA “JO” Freeman, age 49 of Whitewater, passed away peacefully Thursday, December 10, 2020 at Agrace Hospice Care in Janesville

JONA “JO” Freeman age 49 of Whitewater passed away peacefully Thursday, December 10, 2020, at Agrace Hospice Care in Janesville.

She was born on September 20, 1971 in Fort Atkinson, the daughter of Thomas and Judy (Christenson) Schopen. She graduated from Whitewater High School in 1990 and Blackhawk Technical College in 1992. She was an instructor for Madison Area Technical College and Blackhawk Technical College in their Police Academy and EMT programs for over 20 years. Jona served as a Law Enforcement Officer for many years in Milton and Lake Geneva Police Departments. She also served in the Whitewater Fire Department as an Emergency Medical Technician for over 25 years.

Jona married Kelly “Jr.” Freeman on August 10, 2013 at Heart Prairie Church in Whitewater. Together they enjoyed motorcycle trips, “Sunday Fun Days,” and their vacations in Mexico. Even though she always wanted to be on a beach somewhere, she tolerated snowmobile trips with the family every winter. She was a member of First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater. Jona was also a part of Fire and Iron Station 17 Motorcycle Club and was known as the “Happy Hooker.”

She is survived by her husband Kelly “Jr.” Freeman of Whitewater, bonus children Brody and Kendyl Freeman. Sister Tomi (David) Schaitel of Janesville, Brother-in-law Tim Krueger of New London. Nieces: Abby (Ryan) Teuscher and Chelsea (Tim) Kuhnke. Nephews: Tyler (Ashlynn) Schaitel and Ryan (Caroline) Krueger. Two spoiled cats, Polly “pawpaw” and Taz. Along with many friends who became family over the years.

Jona is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Cindy Krueger, and nephew Terry Krueger.

A private family service will be held on Sunday, December 20, 2020.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the family for a scholarship to be established in Jona’s name.

Visit www.nitardyfuneralhome.com to leave condolences or light a candle in her memory.

“A good life is when you smile often, dream big, laugh a lot and realize how blessed you are for what you have.”

Over 100 contestants, 17 in Whitewater, including 159 N. Esterly, shown here, on the “Deck the House” Christmas Light Tour Map Online

Green with white lettering Deck the House Logo with lights border

Seventeen homes in Whitewater are featured in the “Deck the House” tour, with dozens of other homes in Fort, Jefferson, Cambridge, Watertown and Johnson Creek. Pictured on our homepage is 159 N. Esterly Ave. You have until Sunday, December 20 to vote for your favorite.

Enjoy the tour!

Here’s a link to the interactive map.   Take the family on a drive to see all of the homes all lit up for the holidays!  Then vote for your favorites.

Vote for your Top 3 Favorites in each area!

Voting is now open (until December 20th).  Vote for your top three homes here.   Keep up with the latest news at the Deck the House Facebook link.

Winners will be announced on December 21st!

Top vote getters in each community will be announced December 21st and receive prize packages from each of their respective communities.

The top vote getter from each community will advance to the next voting round to crown the countywide winner by year’s end. The countywide winner will receive a holiday prize package from the Jefferson County Tourism Council. Be sure to check back on our Jefferson County Tourism Facebook page for additional updates on how to vote for the countywide winner.

It has been quite a year.  We at the Jefferson County Area Tourism Council wish you and yours a peaceful, safe, and happy holiday season!


This Week’s Virtual City Meetings: Major Rewrite of Sign Ordinance on Plan & Council Agendas; Council Agenda Includes Extension of COVID-19 Emergency and Facial Coverings Ordinance

City of Whitewater Plan & Architectural Review Commission – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes recommendation of sign ordinance rewrite to Common Council
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/253660853
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (872) 240-3212
Access Code: 253-660-853

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes first reading of sign ordinance rewrite, extension of COVID-19 emergency and facial coverings requirement, purchase of jetter/vacuum truck for Wastewater Treatment Dept., agreement with Strand Associates for engineering services contract,
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/94568135470?pwd=dnRkZ1dyczl4RW4vTjl1S3lBVllRZz09
Passcode: 569904
Or Telephone:
US: +1 929 205 6099
Webinar ID: 945 6813 5470
Passcode: 569904

City of Whitewater Parks & Recreation Board – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/188005941
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (571) 317-3122
Access Code: 188-005-941

City of Whitewater Community Development Authority – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/635977541
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (224) 501-3412
Access Code: 635-977-541

“The response was overwhelming” with offers of assistance for family facing homelessness

By Al Stanek
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
December 12, 2020

A request for volunteers to assist a local woman facing homelessness has produced an overwhelming response according to the director of a local organization dedicated to providing transitional housing and case management to Whitewater families.

Kristy Weinberg, Executive Director of Bethel House, told the ‘Banner’ that she is not normally prone to tears but that the response to last week’s request changed that. “My day began with tears of joy just one day after an article appeared asking for volunteers,” said Weinberg. “The response was overwhelming.”

An area single mother of three reported purchasing a modest trailer home in spring and paying a workman to make improvements including wiring, plumbing and furnace repair. The workman abandoned the project and the family found themselves in an unheated trailer as winter weather approached. Her outreach to Bethel House resulted in responses that included a local remodeling contractor, a heating contractor, a local cabinet store, and a dozen or more offers of remodeling and/or financial assistance along with a contribution of insulation.

The working mother and her three children are being housed in one of Bethel House’s transitional housing units. The remodeling project is currently being evaluated to determine the best approach to assisting the family.

Bethel House is a Whitewater non-profit operating out of the First Congregational Church and overseen by a volunteer board representing eight area churches. It relies on financial assistance from churches as well as grants and individual and corporate contributions. As well as transitional housing, Social Worker Weinberg and interns from the UW-Whitewater Social Work program assist families with a wide range of counseling and support. The organization currently operates seven transitional housing units, all of which are currently occupied. They also provide emergency financial assistance for families at risk of homelessness.

Weinberg indicated that local transitional housing needs often exceed demand especially in the winter months. Cash and other contributions are always welcome according to Weinberg. Information is available at the Bethel House website (www.bethelhouseinc.org) or by calling 262-473-2715.

#FlashbackFriday: Checking out a beautiful new range at Burns Electrical in 1946

(Whitewater Historical Society press release)
It’s time for another round of #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society!

In November 1946, the Whitewater Register featured a promotion following the Uglow family of Heart Prairie on their Saturday Shopping Tour of Stores in the Business District.” Let’s check out some of the stores that Ellis and Dorothy, along with their children, Charlotte, Thane, and Bonnie, visited on their trip into town!

Here, Ellis and Dorothy stop to check out the now newly available electric ranges and listen to salesman Peterson’s pitch at the Burns Electrical Appliance & Supply Company. Located at 113 West Main Street, Burns Electrical opened in December 1945 and operated until 1954. Owners Thomas Burns and Ruth Burns went on to own and operate the Burns Industrial Supply Corporation until their retirement in 1971.

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

City Manager Cameron Clapper a Finalist for City Manager Position in Fort Atkinson

The City of Fort Atkinson announced on Friday, December 11 the names of the four finalists for their city manager position. One of the four is Cameron Clapper, who has served as Whitewater’s city manager since 2012. Prior to that he served as interim city manager for four months upon the resignation of city manager Kevin Brunner, with whom he had worked as assistant city manager for two years.

The other finalists are Richard Downey, Administrator of the Village of Kronenwetter, WI; Rebecca Houseman Lemire, Clerk/Treasurer of the Village of Darien; and Brian Wilson, Administrator of the Village of Belleville, WI.

Fort Atkinson’s prior city manager, Matt Trebatoski, resigned in November to become administrator of the City of Oconomowoc. Trebatoski joined Fort Atkinson in 2006 as clerk/treasurer and was named city manager in 2014.

Fort Atkinson’s population is 12,368, compared with Whitewater’s 15,035; however, since the latter’s population includes many university students, Fort’s longterm population is larger. Fort’s operating budget for 2021 is approximately $11,063,000; Whitewater’s is approximately $9,641,000.

Coincidentally, Fort Atkinson is being assisted in its search process by Public Administration Associates, LLC, a firm in which Kevin Brunner is a partner.

UW-W 2020 Commencement Set for Dec. 19

(UW-W press release) UW-Whitewater will celebrate the historic 150th class of Warhawks graduating in 2020 in a virtual ceremony at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19. The combined event will include May, August and December graduates and will feature university leaders, student speakers, the reading of the names of all participating graduates and the official conferring of degrees. A total of 2,942 graduates earned degrees at UW-Whitewater in 2020.

The pre-recorded ceremony will be presented according to college, each with an estimated run time of one hour, so viewers can pause the recording to be sure to capture their graduating student’s moment. An electronic program will also be available for downloading.

This year’s commencement speaker is Melvin Juette, director of the Deferred Prosecution Program at the Dane County District Attorney’s Office. Juette, who earned a B.A. in social work with a minor in criminal justice in 1992, is a former member of the UW-Whitewater wheelchair basketball program, assistant coach of the U.S. team in the Paralympics and a co-author of the book “Wheelchair Warrior.”

The 2020 combined commencement ceremony features three student speakers.

Brian Martinez, who came to UW-Whitewater from Mt. Pleasant, earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science with a legal studies emphasis and a paralegal certificate. On campus, Brian served as a peer mentor and as intergovernmental affairs director for Whitewater Student Government. Along the way, he served as a Kenosha County Circuit Court intern.

Alexander Ostermann, from Cedarburg, earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing major. Alex — who served as student body president, Warhawk Ambassador, Interfraternity Council president and Homecoming King — spent his collegiate years advocating for students, mentoring a new generation of young leaders and modeling public service and philanthropy. 

Jaclyn Wolf is a liberal arts major from Janesville who is earning her Associate of Arts degree from UW-Whitewater at Rock County and will be continuing her studies at the Whitewater campus. Passionate about people, Jaclyn hopes to work with troubled youth, either as a social worker or a police officer.

The ceremony will recognize 298 undergraduates from the College of Arts and Communication, 890 from the College of Business and Economics, 378 from the College of Education and Professional Studies, 140 from the College of Integrated Studies, and 717 from the College of Letters and Sciences. An additional 22 students are receiving an undergraduate degree not specific to any college. Of the 2,445 undergraduate degrees awarded, 81 were completed online.

The School of Graduate Studies will award 497 degrees, including 473 master’s degrees and 24 doctorates.

The graduating class of 2020 includes 43 international students and 148 military veterans or service members.

Students are also participating in the university’s Warhawks Rising campaign, which celebrates milestones students submitted by graduating students, including job offers and graduate school acceptances. The photos will be posted to the university’s Facebook page starting the week of commencement.

The commencement ceremonies were produced by UWW-TV, the university television station.  

For more information, visit uww.edu/commencement.

UW-W Football Team Donates to Holiday Auction for Brain Injury Survivor

(Life Beyond Brain Injury press release) – COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the NCAA Division III 2020 fall football season, but the generosity and community spirit of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team are alive and well in a holiday auction to benefit a former student and brain injury survivor. The auction, which is being organized by business students at UW-Whitewater and hosted on eBay, will officially begin on December 8.  

The Warhawks donated rare team collectables for the holiday benefit, including a game-worn helmet autographed by current head coach Kevin Bullis and retired head coach and Hall of Famer Bob Berezowitz. Coach Bullis also donated two limited-edition commemorative footballs from UW-Whitewater’s 2013 and 2014 national championships, and a Whitewater resident contributed a Warhawk football plaque. All four items will be sold as a group to raise funds for UW-Whitewater graduate and traumatic brain injury survivor Thomas Hapka.

Grace Jezuit, a junior Digital Marketing and Human Resource Management major at UW-Whitewater, is using her Facebook skills to help Hapka, and she hopes the school’s alumni will come together in this effort.

“Our alumni are an important part of the Whitewater family,” Jezuit said. “We need them to join us in helping out a fellow Warhawk in this time of need.”

Rob Davis, a junior Marketing and Film Studies major, is building an Instagram presence for Life Beyond Brain Injury.

“I hope to raise awareness about Tom’s incredible story and generate the support he needs,” Davis said. “Tom and his family have given many years to UW-Whitewater, and now they need their Warhawk family behind them.”

Salmai Valadez, a senior Marketing major, is lending her marketing expertise to the campaign for Hapka.

“I want to use my marketing and public relations skills to support Life Beyond Brain Injury and make the community aware of Tom’s story,” Valadez said.

Those wishing to participate in the auction are encouraged to visit https://www.lifebeyondbraininjury.org/ for details and to learn more about Tom’s story.