News

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

The long awaited Fairfield by Marriott Whitewater opened its doors on June 29 at 1242 W. Main Street. The Marriott Corporation indicates it’s one of 35 properties they have opened this month. The franchise is owned by WWHP, LLC, while it is the 11th property managed by Golder Hospitality of Minnesota, which has inns in Platteville, WI; Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Ohio. The three-story inn has 71 rooms, each furnished with either a king bed or two queens. Sixteen of the rooms are suites, which include a sofa bed, and six rooms are ADA accessible, four of which have roll-in showers. The several rooms that are designed for guests with hearing impairments have a push button doorbell which also activates a strobe light in the room.

General Manager Kae Shisler told the Banner that she has been in the hospitality business for 43 years, having started behind the front desk right out of high school. She lives in Milton, and while managing the Holiday Inn Express in DeForest she heard about the construction of our new hotel and jumped at the chance to forgo her grueling daily commute.

The COVID-19 pandemic has required a temporary change from the hot breakfast buffet that will normally be served in the spacious dining room. For now, guests will be able to pre-order a “grab-‘n-go” breakfast. Many steps are being taken to minimize the risks of infection. Each guest is provided with hand sanitizer upon checkin. The housekeeping staff normally doesn’t service a room during a guest’s stay, and when they check out, if possible, the staff waits 24 hours before entering the room for cleaning. Guests are encouraged but not required to wear masks in the public areas, whereas the staff always have facial coverings.

Amenities include a fitness center, a pool, and free WIFI. Guests may access their Netflix and other streaming services on their TV. In-room amenities include a microwave, refrigerator, and Keurig coffeemaker. Rather than the traditional printed directory, guests may access information via their television, including a number of local restaurant listings that are being provided at no charge to the establishments.

Ms. Shisler acknowledged that business travel is still at a low ebb, so the opening has been expectedly quiet. Weekends for July, however, are booking fairly well. Rack rates will, of course, vary depending upon the season and the demand. Weekday stays this week are advertised on the Marriott website for rates beginning at $89 plus tax, with the holiday weekend jumping to $129 and up.

Shisler indicated that the General Manager of a new property is normally hired six months before opening, but with the COVID-19 related delay in finishing construction she has actually been employed for a year already, which has enabled her to do a good deal of training with the 11 person staff, which is about half what it will be at full occupancy. “It’s been a long time coming,” Shisler stated, “and we’re excited to serve the Whitewater community.” The Banner welcomes Kae, her staff, and Fairfield to Whitewater and wishes them increasing success as travel returns to more normal times.

EAU CLAIRE (June 30, 2020) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire extends congratulations to the 3,100 students named to the spring 2020 Dean’s List. Their academic performance has been outstanding, and we recognize these students with pride.
     
The Dean’s list eligibility criteria can be found online at https://www.uwec.edu/news/news/spring-2020-deans-list-4269/.
     
Students from this area who were named to the Dean’s List are:

Whitewater, WI

 Naomi Allen, Nursing and Health Sciences

Learn to create your own filters, memes and more using JavaScript. Create and share your own unique projects and learn from others. No previous coding experience is required. This program is recommended for ages 10 – 18. Register on the library’s website to receive an invitation to participate.
whitewaterlibrary.org

Mark. Your. Calendars. July 1-2. Flash Food Drive for the 4th!

COVID-19 has created a historic time to live. One in three Wisconsin adults is unemployed, and we are not able to engage safely in simple events that celebrate our community, such as 4th of July activities. But as historic cooperative efforts have proven, we rise together. Let’s celebrate Independence Day 2020 by helping each other.

Whitewater GroCo is excited to partner with the Whitewater Community Food Pantry, The Community Space, the Whitewater Community Foundation, and Whitewater Unites Lives to raise food and funds for our community. 

Big takeaways from the CARES Act:
If you don’t itemize, the CARES Act allows for a new deduction for charitable gifts made in 2020 in cash (not property, e.g. food) of up to $300.
If you do itemize, the CARES Act, allows for you to deduct up to 100 percent of your Adjusted Gross Income (increased from 60 percent) for charitable gifts made in 2020 in cash.
If you would like to donate by mail, please send a check to:
        Whitewater Community Foundation
Attn: Whitewater GroCo Food Drive
        PO Box 428
        Whitewater WI  53190
       

If you would prefer to donate online, you can go to https://www.whitewatergrocery.co/flashfooddrive.

If you would like to donate non-perishable food or food from your garden, please take your items to:
Whitewater Community Food Pantry, 146 North Street
July 1 and 2 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

The Community Space, 834 E Milwaukee
July 1 3:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
July 2 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.

As a thank you, we plan to have our GroCo yard signs available for FREE. If you aren’t able to pick up a sign, e-mail volunteerwwgroco@whitewatergrocery.co, and we will arrange to get one to you. 

Thank you so much for supporting our community.  #GoGroCo.

Banner comments:

• Originally it was indicated that a final system-wide decision about reopening campuses for the fall would be made on July 10. A favorable announcement was made already on June 14. UW-W was actually the first campus to announce its decision, on May 29. When Chancellor Dwight C. Watson was asked how the university was able to make this announcement so early, he indicated that he knows the school is in a unique position related to its importance to its host community. Since he knew that Whitewater’s economy would suffer disproportionately if the campus did not reopen, he pressed for the earliest possible decision.
• Classes will be held in a variety of face-to-face, online, and hybrid formats. They will begin as scheduled on September 2 but will go fully remote before Thanksgiving week for the remainder of the semester. In case of unusually high COVID-19 outbreaks, it could be necessary to move all classes to online at any time.
• Originally it was indicated that face coverings would be strongly recommended but not required. The new guidance states that face coverings will be required in most public/shared indoor spaces, except, for e.g., residence hall rooms, during athletic training, and while eating/drinking. Exceptions may be requested by those who are unable to wear a mask due to medical reasons.

(Whitewater – June 29 – UW-W Press Release) University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Chancellor Dwight C. Watson announced today detailed plans for both the Whitewater and Rock County campuses as students, faculty and staff return for the Fall 2020 semester.

“Our desire is to have our campuses as open as possible. We will not be the same university we were in the Fall of 2019. Yet, we are committed to providing students with excellent instruction, support and services,” Waston said. “Our first priority has always been, and remains, providing for the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff. We know that in bringing students, faculty and staff together there is inherent risk, but we are doing everything possible to mitigate that risk and to ensure the best learning environment possible.”

“Warhawks Return: Practices for Fall 2020” lays out the university’s key principles of operations, including expectations for face coverings, social distancing, personal hygiene, cleaning and disinfecting, and health screening/testing.

Classes will begin in the fall as planned on Wednesday, Sept. 2, and will be held in a variety of face-to-face, online, and hybrid formats. After Friday, Nov. 20, all courses will move to a fully remote modality for the remainder of the fall semester. Residence halls will be open and available during the entirety of the semester.

Everyone is encouraged to visit the recently launched Warhawks Return website. This website will be updated often with current information and has a user-friendly, frequently asked question format for various constituents.

The Warhawks Return plan is the result of months of research, planning and implementation, with collaboration among university leadership, faculty, staff, students and community members.

“We’ve come together in real and meaningful ways this entire year as we’ve faced other challenges,” Watson said. “Warhawks do not shy away from obstacles; instead they soar and find alternative ways to serve students and ensure their success.”

UW-Whitewater will host three Town Hall meetings on Thursday, July 9, regarding the return to campus. Questions can be sent in advance to cainen@uww.edu no later than noon Thursday, July 3.

The sessions are:

• 11 a.m. for faculty and staff at both campuses

Event address for attendees:
https://uww.webex.com/uww/onstage/g.php?MTID=eb6bdd19b108c4e43c16c01f2ba0736ff

Event number: 133 707 6554
Event password: YgTJwP3hG44

US TOLL FREE
+1-855-749-4750
Access Code: 133 707 6554

• 1 p.m. for members of the Whitewater and Rock County communities

Event address for attendees:
https://uww.webex.com/uww/onstage/g.php?MTID=e4da4e370782b0019effb1106ffedd972

Event number: 133 987 1219
Event password: TMgqJ7Zmk42

US TOLL FREE
+1-855-749-4750
Access Code: 133 987 1219

• 3 p.m. for incoming and returning students and their families

Event address for attendees:
https://uww.webex.com/uww/onstage/g.php?MTID=e83f204a2da133bd39b75c1f6edf19377

Event number: 133 125 3473
Event password: PXfd6h336Rc

US TOLL FREE
+1-855-749-4750
Access Code: 133 125 3473

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Bob Ardelt, who has owned and operated Majestic Cleaners for the past 44 years, has announced his retirement effective July 31, 2020. It appears that Majestic may have been operating at the same location, with the same name, rather close to a century, as Bob indicated to the Banner that his father started working for the original owner, Link Hause, in 1939 when he was in junior high. Bob’s parents bought the business in 1959, and he bought it from them in 1976. Admitting that revenues have fallen off considerably in recent years, Mr. Ardelt stated “no one dresses up any more.” He didn’t try to sell the business, but he owns the building, and he expects that his daughter may decide to renovate it and provide a different service. Here’s wishing Bob and his wife, Connie, a very happy, healthy, well-deserved retirement.

Fort Atkinson, WI – June 25, 2020 – The United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties has announced that it is merging with the Watertown Area United Way effective as of July 1, 2020.

“We are so excited to be moving forward with finalizing this merger, prior to kicking off our 2020 United Way Campaign,” states Megan Hartwick, United Way executive director. “There have been many discussions in the past year, among many groups throughout the county, about how to better increase collaboration among local organizations to more effectively support those in need. We wholeheartedly believe this merger of two local United Ways will put us in a position to do just that – to grow support for our mission to fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our communities.”

“Bringing the Watertown Area United Way under the umbrella of the United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties makes sense, in that it gives us the opportunity to leverage our donations in the best possible way in our combined service areas, in turn strengthening the support of our partner agencies,” states Chris VanGundy, Watertown Area United Way board president. “Our donors trust us to make sure their dollars go where they’re needed most and will have the greatest impact, and we believe this merger will allow us to more effectively do that.”

The United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties will continue to support its existing service area of Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Whitewater, Lake Mills, Palmyra, Sullivan and Helenville, but will now also support Watertown (zip code 53094), Waterloo, Ixonia and Johnson Creek. Hartwick will continue to serve as the executive director for the organization.

“I couldn’t be more honored to continue my work leading our United Way for our service area, but to also now be entrusted with the responsibility of supporting and growing United Way’s presence in the greater Watertown area is something I am inspired by committed to exceling at,” Hartwick adds.

“The board members of the Watertown United Way are excited for the opportunities this merger will bring to the Watertown community. Working with Megan over the last few years, it’s clear that she will bring a revitalized vision of the United Way to Watertown and be able to provide a solid presence for our agencies and donors,” VanGundy states.

The Watertown Area United Way has been a solely volunteer-led organization with a five-member board of directors. Two of those board members will be joining the board of directors for the newly expanded United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties.

“I’m looking forward to joining the board of the United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties as a voice for Watertown. I think having the experience of working in the Watertown community under the United Way for over 7 years, I can bring the knowledge I’ve gained about the specific needs of Watertown and how we can best address those needs to the merged organization,” VanGundy adds.

“Having Chris’s participation on our board, along with Helen Zuehlke, former president of the Watertown board, will be a tremendous asset,” Hartwick states. “They have established a trusted presence of United Way in the greater Watertown community, which will allow our organization to grow our support more quickly and effectively.”

That growth will begin starting with the fall 2020 United Way Campaign.

“With the hardships our communities have endured as a result of COVID-19, we know the 2020 campaign will bring a tremendous amount of changes and challenges,” Hartwick states. “However, we also feel very optimistic that the merger will further show our communities that United Way is committed to doing all we can to ensure support to those who need it most and to ensure the overall strength of our communities. Now more than ever, United Way’s support is needed and this merger will lend itself to our ability to increase that support.”

Anyone with any questions about the merger and the organizational changes can contact Hartwick at the United Way office at 920.563.8880 or unitedway@idcnet.com.

__________________________

The United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties’ mission is to fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our communities. We do that by providing support to community programs, projects and local agencies that provide critical health and human services to those in need. This network of helping services can be described as a “safety net” for those in our midst in need. Whether it is transitional housing, literacy education, after-school programs and education, health and dental care, end of life care, mentoring programs, job training or disaster relief, the United Way identifies the greatest needs in our community and helps to fund agencies that can meet those needs.

For more information about our local United Way, you may visit the website at www.uwjnwc.com or “like” the Facebook page. For details regarding the United Way’s online volunteer tool, please visit www.volunteermain.com.