News

Seniors in the Park Presents Knives Out – Tuesday, December 29

“Knives Out”(Crime/Drama/Mystery) – Tuesday, December 29, 1 p.m. only / Rated PG-13 / 2 hours, 10 minutes (2019) An unconventional detective investigates the death of the patriarch of an eccentric, dysfunctional, combative family. A real whodunnit with many plot twists, turns, and MacGuffins. Murder mystery fans will love this clever film! Stars Daniel Craig, Christopher Plummer, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Don Johnson.

There is a capacity limit, and COVID-19 precautions, including facial mask, are required. Please register in advance online, by email (dweberpal@whitewater-wi.gov), or phone (473-0535).

Brantmeier Continues Tennis Journey, Wins Doubles Championship at Orange Bowl

Article by Laura Masbruch
Banner Volunteer
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Reese Brantmeier and her doubles partner, Kimmi Hance from Los Angeles recently won the G18 doubles championship at the Orange Bowl. The Orange Bowl is a junior international tournament that is at the level of the junior US, French, and Australian Open. The tournament took place in Plantation, Florida, and brought the top juniors from all over the world, including many of the top 10 world ranked. The trophy was an engraved Tiffany bowl filled with oranges.  

Reese Brantmeier (L) and Kimmi Hance (R)

Reese’s mom, Becky Brantmeier, has been traveling with sixteen-year-old Reese this fall since the dorms in which the players would normally stay are closed due to the pandemic. During an interview earlier this week, Reese commented that it has just been her and mom in a one room hotel room for quite a while now. Becky stated, “Most of the junior and pro tournaments have been getting cancelled, so we were crossing our fingers that this tournament would actually happen. They required all players and their one guest to be COVID tested to compete, and there were very strict protocols in place each day. The players were only allowed to be unmasked during play, and they were constantly being reminded while playing doubles that even on court they were not to be within 6 feet of each other. This year the matches were played with only the chair judge, one guest per player, and a few other players in attendance for each match.”

When the shutdowns for COVID-19 began in March, Reese found herself at home in rural Whitewater doing fitness workouts and hitting balls against a cement wall at the Esker tennis courts on campus. The tennis world remained completely shut down for four or five months. As things began to open up in June, Reese was able to play one at a time outdoors with members of the UW-Whitewater Men’s Tennis Team who were in town hoping to have a season of their own. The facility where Reese trains in Orlando, Florida, finally reopened as June became July, and she was able to return to their outdoor courts, where she has been ever since. The tennis facility continues to operate at a limited capacity, allowing only two or three people in the gym at once, and with many amenities, such as the dorms and cafeteria, remaining completely closed. Only a few players Reese’s age are there now, along with the pros who live there.

Reese describes her typical day in Orlando as consisting of a two-hour workout (hitting) in the morning followed by an hour of fitness. After lunch, she returns to the courts for another two hours of tennis, and then finishes with an hour of off-court training which could include, among other things, work with a sports psychologist, visualization activities, work with a nutritionist, or media training.

No stranger to online schooling, Reese has been taking classes online at least part time since she was a student at Whitewater Middle School, and for the last three years has been a full-time JEDI student. JEDI is the virtual school run by a consortium of schools of which Whitewater Unified School District is a participant. Reese joked that some of her friends used to tell her that online school was easier, but not anymore, now that they have been experiencing it themselves. Reese typically does her school work in the hotel in the evening after a full day of tennis workouts and training sessions. She acknowledges that it’s not ideal, but she is happy with the opportunities it provides her; she knows she wouldn’t be able to travel as much as she does if she wasn’t doing school online. Reese lists giving up in-person school as one of the sacrifices she needed to make to pursue her tennis career.

Reese started playing tennis in elementary school when another family was looking for someone to carpool to Lake Geneva for tennis lessons. Up until that time, she said she had no exposure to tennis, opting for more typical Wisconsin park and rec sports offerings like volleyball and basketball. Her tennis experiences have now taken her to tournaments in China, the Czech Republic, Mexico, Canada, and Austria. She was scheduled to compete at the junior French Open and Wimbledon this year, but Wimbledon was cancelled and Reese chose not to travel to France due to the pandemic.

Injuries have been a big part of Reese’s life for the last two years. In January of 2019, the right-hander broke her right arm during a tennis workout, forcing her to take three months off. She commented that the time away from tennis made her appreciate it that much more. In November of 2019, Reese tore her tendon sheath in her left hand, forcing her to deal with additional wrist issues. The more recent injury didn’t sideline her totally; she could still play, but she couldn’t hit any backhands.

Reese considers herself more of a singles player, but she does enjoy playing doubles with her friends. She stated that she usually plays doubles to practice things for singles, and that playing doubles is less stressful than playing singles. Reese was knocked out fairly early in the singles portion of the Orange Bowl tournament; in her words, “winning doubles was a pleasant surprise.” When asked about choosing doubles partners, Reese said it is common for players to set that up on their own based on who they have met at tournaments. In the case of the Orange Bowl tournament, Reese said that she has played fairly consistently with her partner Kimmi Hance for the last two years, so they are very comfortable playing together. This was Kimmi’s last tournament before heading to college.

Making plans for the future is a big part of Reese’s current life as well. Her long term plans are to play professionally, but she is currently entertaining scholarship offers from a variety of universities. Reese is at the age where most players make the decision between pros and college, but COVID has made that difficult, not allowing her to play the pro tournaments that she had hoped to this year. A college major is also something that provides her with multitude of possibilities as she values a variety of academic pursuits as well as art and athletics. As one of the top tennis recruits nationally in her age group, Reese has a lot of major decisions to make in the next year and is looking forward to a time when she can visit campuses in person to meet the teams and the coaches.  

As for now, Reese will continue to enjoy traveling and meeting people, two of her favorite parts of her tennis experience.

Reese is the youngest of the three children of Scott and Becky Brantmeier of Whitewater. Her oldest brother Justin is a senior studying engineering at UW-Green Bay, and her brother Zach is in his second year studying computer science and philosophy at UW-Madison.

More info about the Orange Bowl tournament can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Bowl_(tennis)

Wishing you all a happy Christmas and a happy #FlashbackFriday from the Whitewater Historical Society!

Wishing you all a happy Christmas and a happy #FlashbackFriday from the Whitewater Historical Society!

In the early twentieth century, lithographed holiday postcards were enormously popular. Some people even collected them! Pictured here is a Christmas postcard postmarked 5PM, December 20th, 1909 in Milton, Wisconsin. It was sent to a Miss Edith Wheeler of Whitewater from her cousin in Milton.

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

(Burgett Family Postcards Collection, Whitewater Historical Society)

City Sign Ordinance Changes Proposed / City Planner Leaving

By Al Stanek
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
December 23, 2020

Competing City of Whitewater concerns for the impact of a newly revised sign ordinance on existing and incoming city businesses led to a two hour plus “first reading” of the document that had been under development since August by the City’s Plan and Architectural Review Commission. The Common Council, at its December 15 meeting, ultimately moved the proposal forward for final action in January to allow time for any existing businesses that might be contemplating signage changes to get familiar with any of the changes in the proposal.

City Planner Chris Munz-Pritchard explained that she had uncovered documents recommending signage regulation changes dating back to when Walmart came to town. The main issue was that outdated ordinances required a cumbersome Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for larger businesses. She pointed out that she has several businesses and developers with adopted or proposed plans to locate in Whitewater that are awaiting adoption of the new sign ordinance to avoid, what many consider, outdated sign dimension requirements.

Munz-Pritchard’s recommendation for quick action conflicted with Common Council member Jim Allen’s concern that local businesses should “have the opportunity for review and provide input” on any proposed changes before they are officially adopted.

City Attorney Wally McDonell pointed out that the impact of a complex and confusing U.S. Supreme Court ruling regarding private signing regulation was an additional impetus for getting Whitewater’s ordinance updated soon. Several surrounding communities have already done so or are in the process.

At the urging of Common Council member Brienne Brown, the Common Council ultimately agreed that the somewhat controversial nature of the noncommercial court ruling can be reviewed and adjusted at a later date while the revised signing requirements for commercial signs should be adopted at the January 16 meeting, which provides local business owners an opportunity to review the proposed changes. City businesses or interested citizens may view the current draft by clicking here and selecting “City of Whitewater Final Sign Ordinance Draft” or by requesting a copy by emailing CMunz-Pritchard@whitewater-wi.gov or calling the City’s Neighborhood Services Department at 262-473-0144.

Chris Munz Pritchard 3x3 2
Chris Munz-Pritchard

In an unrelated matter, Munz-Pritchard, who has served as the City’s Neighborhood Services Director and City Planner for over 6 years, announced that she is leaving her position to return to employment with Rock County where she has been offered a planning position with greater responsibilities. Her last day in Whitewater will be January 8. “I have really enjoyed my time here,” said Munz-Pritchard. “I have been blessed with a Plan and Architectural Review Commission with a wide range of skills and viewpoints. I will miss them but am looking forward to the challenges of my new position.”

Ride United : Free transportation to the Food Pantry, Rock River Community Clinic, and Winther Counseling Service

*Ride Restrictions: callers must call at least one day in advance to schedule their ride; all trips leaving town must be scheduled for the top of the hour and all riders must expect to share the ride with others. All trips leaving clinics must be scheduled for the bottom of the hour and all riders must expect to share the ride with others. On school days Brown Cab won’t schedule Ride United program rides that compete with the demands of the school-children, so rides will be scheduled from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

Walworth County Adopts CDC Approved Quarantine Guidelines

(Walworth County Div. of Public Health press release – Dec. 17) – Consistent with CDC and Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) guidance, the Walworth County Division of Public Health continues to recommend a 14-day quarantine as the safest option to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. However, they are also now supporting two options for a reduced quarantine period. “We recognize that there are many different circumstances that may make a 14-day quarantine difficult for individuals. As allowable by the CDC and DHS we will support a shortened quarantine period for close contacts, as long as they remain symptom free, are able to self-symptom monitor, and can immediately isolate if they become symptomatic,” said Public Health Officer Erica Bergstrom.

The CDC and DHS released late last week guidelines that allow for either a 10-day quarantine or a 7-day quarantine with a negative novel Coronavirus 2019 test result within 48 hours of the end of quarantine for asymptomatic individuals. The health department stresses that it is still possible for individuals to become symptomatic after day 10 and spread the virus. Anyone choosing to utilize the shortened quarantine should ensure that they continue to monitor for symptoms and immediately isolate if they develop any.

If individuals choose to end their quarantine at day 7 with a negative test, they will need to coordinate with their employer or school for early release. The Walworth County Division of Public Health is not able to provide proof of negative test results to end quarantine. Test results may be obtained via email when tested at a Wisconsin National Guard or community testing site, or should be requested from the medical facility that ordered testing.

“We still recognize the 14-day quarantine as the best way to slow the spread of the virus in our community and encourage everyone to utilize this recommendation whenever possible,” said Bergstrom.

Find out more about the quarantine guidelines on the CDC website.

Graphic provided by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services:

Winners Announced for “Deck the House Jefferson County” Contest – Shown here, Whitewater’s 1st place

Shown below are the winners in Whitewater. First place is 190 S. Locust Lane. You may vote until January 1 for your favorite of the six first-place homes in the county here. Unfortunately the addresses of second and third place Whitewater homes don’t seem to be posted (feel free to let us know at whitewaterbanner@gmail.com)

The map for all the homes that entered throughout Jefferson County (including all of Whitewater) is available here.

Image may contain: night, text that says 'Whitewater FirstPlace Place 戴蜜與双寶發 Second Place City of WHITEWATER & Recreation Parks Third Place'

Public Health Emergency COVID-19 Alert: Celebrate Upcoming Holidays Safely

Public Health Emergency COVID-19 Alert

Very High COVID-19 Activity Levels – Celebrate Upcoming Holidays Safely

(Press release – Dec. 17) Issued by the following Local Health Departments: Adams, Columbia, Crawford, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Juneau, Lafayette, Madison/Dane, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Vernon, Watertown

The impact of COVID-19 continues to affect our lives every day. As we head into the Holiday season, the Southern Region Public Health Officers are issuing a Public Health Emergency COVID-19 Alert to urge residents to follow good public health practices this holiday season. Public Health Officers stress that it is safest to celebrate upcoming holidays with the people in your immediate household and not risk gathering with others. Traveling, hosting guests indoors, and sharing food, utensils and plates all pose significant risks, they warn.

“Now is the time to be persistent with following public health recommendations. Every act of prevention matters and will continue to be important this Holiday season,” explained Debbie Siegenthaler, Chair of the Southern Region’s WI Association of Local Health Departments and Boards (WALHDAB).

“There’s still a large amount of community transmission in every area of the region and state. Keep gatherings small and wear a mask anytime you’re in an indoor environment with someone that you don’t live with. Our health care and public health workers continue to need the help of the community in slowing spread so that hospitals can continue to meet patient needs,” Siegenthaler urged.

All public health jurisdictions, except one, in the Southern Region of Wisconsin are in the “Very High” category for Activity Level, with case burdens between 350 and 1,000 cases per 100,000 people. One of the counties in the Southern Region is in the “critically high” category with a case burden over 1000. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) tracks disease burden and activity level through the Disease Activity Dashboard to give Wisconsinites a better idea of how COVID-19 is impacting the state.

Health Departments in southern Wisconsin issue this alert with hopes we can avoid having critically high levels of COVID-19 as experienced in mid-November which resulted in increased COVID-19 related hospitalizations and deaths.

An important focus is on individuals at a high risk whom we recommend remain home as much as possible. Factors that place you at higher risk include having an underlying health condition, including asthma, obesity, compromised immune system due to conditions like cancer, HIV or AIDS, and serious chronic illnesses like kidney, heart, lung or liver disease. In addition, older adults, over the age of 60, are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. If you are unsure if you are high risk, please reach out to your health care provider. See also https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/risks.htm

Further strategies from (DHS) for reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19 during the upcoming holiday season can be found here. Additionally, Governor Evers signed Executive Order #94, which advises Wisconsinites to stay home, urging them to take precautions to stay safe if they must leave their home, and encouraging businesses to take more steps to protect their customers, employees, and the community.

Everyday Practices to Stop the Spread

• Physically distance at least 6 feet from people with whom you do not live.

• Wear a cloth face mask, unless unable to wear one for medical reasons.

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

• Indoors: do not gather with people outside of your household.

• Outdoors: limit gatherings to 10 people or fewer, physically distance and wear face coverings.

• If symptomatic, call your health care provider, get a test, and stay home while awaiting results.

• Cooperate with public health officials if you have tested positive or are a close contact.

“It can be difficult suggesting changes to holiday traditions, which we understand,” said Siegenthaler. “Remember that safer celebrations offer protection for the most vulnerable members of your family so you can all gather for years to come.”

For more information on cases in your area and COVID-19 recommendations, visit your local health department’s website.

Gov. Evers, Dept. of Health Services Announce Wisconsin to Offer At-Home COVID-19 Testing Option

 
(Gov. Evers press release, Dec. 22) — Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), today announced a new contract with Vault Medical Services that will add an additional tool to the Wisconsin COVID-19 testing toolbox starting today. At-home COVID-19 saliva collection kits will be available to everyone who lives in Wisconsin, with or without symptoms, at no cost.

“We believe that anyone in Wisconsin who needs to be tested for COVID-19 should have access to a test, and I’m proud of our statewide testing efforts throughout this pandemic,” said Gov. Evers. “We also know that getting to a health care provider or a community testing site isn’t easy for everyone, and that’s why we are excited to offer this new option to make testing even more accessible for folks across our state.”

Wisconsinites can order a collection kit online and have it shipped to their home. The kit will include detailed instructions on how to collect the saliva, which includes a video call with a testing supervisor through Vault Medical Services, and ship it back via UPS dropbox to the lab for processing. Banner note: There is a UPS dropbox at Associated Bank, 219 W. Center Street. Last dropoff, Monday through Friday, is 5:00 p.m.

“This is an important tool to provide easy access to COVID-19 testing,” said DHS Secretary-designee Andrea Palm. “As we roll out the COVID-19 vaccine to more Wisconsinites, we need to continue testing, contact tracing, and public health measures such as wearing a mask and social distancing.”

A saliva test is similar to a nasal swab test you might receive from a provider or at a community testing site. Like a nasal swab test, a saliva test determines whether you have an active COVID-19 infection and can spread it to others.

More information can be found on the Wisconsin COVID-19 testing webpage.

For up-to-date information about Wisconsin’s COVID-19 response, visit the DHS COVID-19 webpage. We encourage you to follow @DHSWI on Facebook, Twitter, or dhs.wi on Instagram for more information on COVID-19.