In-Person Absentee Voting begins October 22nd thru November 1st.
City of Whitewater Municipal Building, 312 W. Whitewater St., 2nd Floor, Administration Window
Please see specific times for each day below:
Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024 – 8:00 am-4:30 pm Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024 – 8:00 am-4:30 pm Thursday, October 24th, 2024 – 8:00 am-4:30 pm Friday, October 25th, 2024 – 8:00 am-4:30 pm Saturday, October 26th, 2024 – 8:00 am-4:30 pm Monday, October 28th, 2024 – 8:00 am-4:30 pm Tuesday, October 29th, 2024 – 8:00 am-6:30 pm Wednesday, October 30th, 2024 – 8:00 am-4:30 pm Thursday, October 31st, 2024 – 8:00 am-4:30 pm Friday, November 1st, 2024 – 8:00 am-5:00 pm
DROP BOX INFORMATION Whitewater Municipal Building 312 W. Whitewater St. 9/19/24 – 11/5/24 Last pickup on election day is 8:00 p.m. Drop box is located in the entryway on the Whitewater St. entrance. Please use the box that is labeled “Absentee ballots only.”
NOVEMBER 5TH, 2024 – GENERAL ELECTION Voting Hours – 7 am-8 pm
Polling Locations:
The Armory, 146 W. North St. WARDS: 1-7 and 11-12
UW – Whitewater The University Center 190 Hamilton Green Way Hamilton Room WARDS: 8-10 and 13
Any Absentee Ballots being returned on Election Day MUST be returned to the Municipal Building, Council Chambers
Get ready for another spooktacular evening of family fun! Downtown Whitewater, Inc. and the Whitewater Chamber of Commerce are excited to announce their annual Ghoul’s Night Out on Thursday, October 24th, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. This community-wide event promises a night of Halloween festivities for all ages.
Citywide Trick-or-Treating Kids can put on their costumes and head out for citywide trick-or-treating! 30+ local businesses will be ready with candy and spooky surprises for all the little ghouls and goblins.
Halloween Symbols Scavenger Hunt Explore downtown with our Halloween Symbols Scavenger Hunt! Keep an eye out for hidden Halloween symbols scattered throughout 12 participating businesses for a chance to win some eerie-sistible prizes. You can grab instructions and forms at participating businesses or the Discover Whitewater office at 150 W Main St. starting Monday, October 21st.
Non Brick & Mortar Businesses at the Community Engagement Center (CEC) The fun doesn’t stop in town! Visit the Community Engagement Center (CEC), where non brick-and-mortar businesses will set up booths filled with games, treats, and activities. Make sure to check out the Booth Decorating Contest and vote for your favorite spooky setup.
Costume Contest Bring your costumed self to the CEC for a chance to win a prize in the Costume Contest! Dress to impress in your most creative, scary, or fun costume and compete against other local ghosts and ghouls.
Whether you’re trick-or-treating, hunting for Halloween symbols, or playing games throughout town, Ghoul’s Night Out is the perfect way to get into the Halloween spirit. Bring the whole family for a night of treats, fun, and festive frights!
Event Details: Date: Thursday, October 24, 2024 Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM Location: Citywide & Community Engagement Center (CEC)
Questions? Contact Director of Content & Communications, Katy Wimer, at dwwchamber@gmail.com. Visit the event on Facebook for a list of participating businesses, a map, and further details: www.facebook.com/share/v9AFRfUwCNKx3SWy/
The Discover Whitewater Team (Tourism, Chamber, & Downtown Whitewater, Inc) brings business owners and the community together through events and promotions. We are dedicated to keeping Whitewater as the perfect place to live, learn, work, play and dream through the support and encouragement of local community members.
[Trick or Treat in Whitewater is always on Halloween, so Thursday the 31st from 4-7 p.m.]
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Nawal Mouaouiya from Pixabay.
Christian Patzka (Left) and Gunner Schlender leading the pack at the Tom Hoffman Invitational – Photos by Olivia Zinanni, Craig Schreiner
Written by Lalaina Chandanais [UW-W sophomore majoring in English]
In his hometown of Brillion, Wisconsin, Gunner Schlender began running in early middle school when he decided to join the track team, and it soon became what he now refers to as his “first love.” His father was a track coach as well, so the passion for competitive running is deeply rooted in his family.
Schlender, now a fifth-year senior studying physical education at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, is a big part of the sudden bloom of immense talent and growth of the Warhawk men’s cross country team in recent years.
“To really encapsulate the growth, we have to go back to before I joined,” said Schlender, a 2024 recipient of the NCAA Elite 90 award.
In 2020, Schlender started his first year at UW-Whitewater. After a year away from competitive cross country due to the pandemic, he was itching to jump back into the sport he loved. He and his friend and fellow All-American student-athlete, Christian Patzka, helped the program to a new level.
“When I committed, we were ninth in the region, fifth in the conference,” Schlender said. He went on to explain how the team rose to fifth in the nation and second in the conference within his first year on the team, signifying only the beginning of what would be the team’s most immense growth period yet.
This season, the team is poised to compete for championships and individual awards at all levels.
Warhawk cross country head coach Jeff “Mills” Miller, left, was presented with a t-shirt bearing his own trademark image by assistant coach RJ Soderman. The annual Tom Hoffman Invitational cross country meet at UW-Whitewater was perfect for honoring Miller for his 40 seasons of coaching and mentoring Warhawks, on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (UW-Whitewater photos/Craig Schreiner)
Patzka, a fifth-year history education major, joined the team at the same time as Schlender, and his talent was already apparent to Jeff Miller, the head coach for more than 40 years.
Patzka credits one of his first defining experiences with running to be back in his hometown of Black Earth, Wisconsin, where he ran a community 5-kilometer race with his father when he was in middle school. It was from there that his love for running only grew.
After he committed to UW-Whitewater, Patzka went on to win back-to-back regional races in cross country and national titles in track and field. Both he and Schlender have qualified for every national cross country meet and have achieved All-America status each year since they arrived.
Schlender and Patzka have been crucial in getting the team to where it is today, contributing what is, according to Miller, a “once-in-a-lifetime sort of talent.”
“They were All-Americans as freshmen. That has never happened before, and they both have done it. They have qualified for every national meet since they have gotten here, so it’s the stuff of legends,” said Miller. “They have reached well beyond what I think they even thought they could do.”
When asked to name some highlight moments of the team’s success, there was a moment of deliberation shared by all — the team’s vast number of achievements surely made it difficult to only name a few.
“The Blugold Invite in Eau Claire in 2021 was our first real meet as a team, our first real test. We knew what we were capable of, but had yet to prove it,” said Schlender. “We went out there and raced incredibly well. It was our first time that our potential as a team was tapped into. After that, we knew we could beat teams that are nationally ranked, and that we wanted to be in the top 10.”
Patzka recalled the aftermath of some of the team’s first wins, stating how the shared feeling of pride and accomplishment amongst every teammate was a highlight in itself.
“Everyone’s got a big smile, a tear comes down. You know it was all worth it,” said Patzka.
Head cross country coach Jeff Miller, third from right, embraces Schlender and Patzka, on his immediate right and left, respectively, and the men’s team’s other seniors following the Tom Hoffman Invitational on Sept. 21, 2024, outside of the Williams Center. The Warhawk senior class was recognized at the meet. (UW-Whitewater athletics photo/Olivia Zinanni)
A resilient, close-knit program
For Miller, one of the largest achievements in his eyes was the resilience that shone through after a year of stagnancy and uncertainty.
“Our athletes got to train more with the extra time they had, and it just helped them get stronger,” Miller said. “We took a bad situation and made the most of it.”
Still, there is another layer of the cross country team’s success that cannot be defined by the digits of a new record time or a medal around a neck. Another factor that further emphasizes the strength of their unique bond with each other.
Patzka was made aware of his teammates’ unwavering support when he was suffering from Achilles tendonitis during the summer after his freshman year and into his sophomore year. Even when he could not compete, his teammates made it known that they unconditionally valued him.
“The guys would still check in on me,” said Patzka. “It was nice knowing that even though it was really painful, I still have those guys there for me. I felt supported.”
Schlender shared the same positive sentiment towards the support and long-lasting connections made within the team, stating how he met some of his closest friends through UW-Whitewater cross-country. Justin Krause, currently a graduate assistant for UW-Whitewater’s Campus Tutorial Services and a volunteer assistant coach for the cross country teams, was a sophomore on the team when Schlender joined. Krause served as a consistent role model for his new teammates each year.
“He has been my best friend since my first visit and is the best leader I’ve ever seen in my life. I’ve lived with him for three years now.” said Schlender. “He is the hardest worker, the nicest person, and when he does something, you just follow it. When you are around him, you work harder, and you care more.”
Gunner Schlender, at right, and Christian Patzka, are also decorated members of the Warhawk men’s track and field team — they’ve each earned multiple conference All-America honors. The duo is shown competing at the Karl Schlender Invitational at Kachel Fieldhouse on Jan. 20, 2024. The meet is named for Schlender’s grandfather, who coached the men’s and women’s programs for nine years. (UW-Whitewater athletics photo/Olivia Zinanni)
Warhawk family and tradition
The deep gratitude within the team extends in all directions, especially toward the faculty and staff that have had a positive impact on getting the team to where it is today. One faculty and team member connection that is particularly special is the one between Schlender and Miller — it’s rooted in the history of the UW-Whitewater athletic department and of a longtime friendship.
“I coached with Gunner’s grandfather, Karl Schlender. I shared an office with him. He was a great coach and person, and everyone who knew him knows that,” said Miller. “Gunner never met his grandfather, so it is kind of an interesting dynamic — I talk about what kind of person he was to him, and he learns more about him through that.”
It is acknowledged among the members of the team that they would not be where they are without the footsteps left by previous athletes to follow. Patzka even states that the university’s rich athletic history is a large reason why he was drawn to it.
“There are so many people who go through our athletics, so being associated with UW-Whitewater athletics and being associated with past athletes through the years is a great honor.”
A bright present and future
When considering the team’s future, there is an overall sense of high hopes for the continuation of this great era of achievement.
Junior business analytics major and teammate, Dan Anderson, has shown great growth and potential. Miller said the Eau Claire native has taken the positive influences of Schlender and Patzka and grown into his potential.
The Warhawks are currently ranked second in the North Region and fourth in the nation among NCAA Division III teams by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Association (USTFCCCA). Schlender and Patzka finished first and second, respectively, in a field of more than 400 runners to lead the team to a runner-up finish at the Pre-National Meet on Oct. 4 in Terre Haute, Indiana, the site of this year’s NCAA Division III Cross Country Championship.
The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Cross Country Championship is set for Nov. 2 in Stevens Point, with the NCAA regional and national meets to follow on Nov. 16 and Nov. 23, respectively.
With the sheer amount of talent displayed and learned from within recent years — and the promising outlook for the 2024 team — this great bloom in the men’s cross country team’s success is set to continue for years to come.
October is a month for the macabre, mysterious moans, mammoth monsters…and Halloween! Three movies to induce mayhem!
“The Vast of Night”
Tuesday, October 22, 1 pm
(Drama/Science Fiction/Thriller)
Rated PG-13; 1 hour, 31 minutes (2019)
Reminiscent of “The Twilight Zone” and “The Outer Limits”! One night in New Mexico in the late 1950s, a young switchboard operator and a radio DJ discover a mysterious audio frequency that could be extraterrestrial in origin… this independent film was a critical success at many film festivals.
Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. Although there is no charge to attend, regular participants are encouraged to join Seniors in the Park. The annual fee for residents of the Whitewater Unified School District is $10 and non-residents is $15. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes our of our fundraising monies. If you cannot afford the fee, we have a fund that will cover it for you. Fees are accepted at the Starin Park Community Building or online at https://schedulesplus.com/wwtr/kiosk/
Ted Kujanski shared a picture of a comet which he took on Tuesday evening, October 15. He writes, “We were outside for about 45 minutes. On our back deck, eyes on the sky, I had my cell phone in hand. I took a guess that what I saw was the comet. When we came in I viewed the comet pic. What a STREAK OF LUCK.”
It appears that what Ted saw is a comet called Tsunchinshan-ATLAS (Comet A3), which has traveled here from beyond the solar system. It was discovered in China in January, 2023, and independently found in South Africa the next month. It was determined that the comet would bring it close enough to both the Sun and the Earth in September/October 2024 to possibly be seen by the naked eye.
According to BBC Sky at Night magazine, sure enough, for the past several days and at least through Friday evening, October 18 and possibly through the weekend, “If you want to see Comet A3 all you have to do is go out half an hour or so after sunset, face the west, and there it is, right before your eyes – a misty streak of light low in the sky, to the upper right of the bright planet Venus…..It has a narrow dust tail more than a dozen degrees long, which is obvious to the naked eye from a dark sky site and fascinating to trace in binoculars. It is also sporting an ‘anti-tail’, a very sharp spike of material jutting out of its head like a celestial unicorn horn, pointing towards the horizon.” Astronomers say it won’t return to this point in its orbit for at least 80,000 years.
Our thanks to Ted Kujanski for sharing this “streak of luck” photo with us.
— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share. Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. Thanks for thinking about this!
This Saturday, October 19 is the 29th Annual Wally & Rod’s Raffle/Auction event. This event supports Warhawk football, men’s basketball, and baseball. Doors open at 5:00 with the live auction starting at 6:30. Tickets and tables are still available for purchase. Contact Jarod Wichser, WichserJJ08@uww.edu for more information.
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week’s post continues our look at buildings on the UW-Whitewater campus built in the mid-20th century that updated the old “Normal School” into a “university.” This is Upham Hall, the new science building constructed in 1962. The building was named for Arthur Upham, science professor at the old Whitewater Normal School from 1888-1922. Upham was a specialist in physics but taught many other science classes. Not deterred by the lack of laboratory facilities in Old Main (the only classroom building at the time), Upham helped his students create their own laboratories so they could have hands-on experiences with science.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
Have you ever been curious about the Women’s Clubs in Whitewater?
Come join us to find out more! Emerson Club invites you to a New Member Open Meeting on Monday, October 21 from 4:15- 5:30 pm at the Bassett House, 708 W. Main Street, Whitewater. We will have homemade snacks, a brief meeting and an interesting program. We are part of the Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs.
If you can’t make it that Monday, you are welcome any third Monday of the month. Same time, Same place! Any questions? Go to www.bassetthousewww.org or call 262-225-9296.
Editor’s note: This press release was received from Renae Prell-Mitchell.
Mark Hoffman, 64, Jefferson, passed away on Monday, October 14,2024 due to complications from cancer. He was born on June 7, 1960. He is survived by his wife Lori Roach, stepdaughter Michelle Roach (Tyler Wellnitz) and granddaughter Eva. He is also survived by his many siblings. Brothers Mike, Dan, Bill, Kenneth, Dave, Tom and John. Sisters Sharon, Mary, Anne (Roger Lindl), Susan (Mark Muehlhausen) and many nieces and nephews. Mark was predeceased by his parents Donald and Dorothy.
Mark enjoyed fishing with his friends and they tried to get together for an annual ice fishing trip. They may have never brought home many fish but they always had a good time. He also looked forward to a summer vacation to Chetek, Wisconsin every year. His whole family will miss him every day.
There will be no formal service but a celebration of his life will be held at Dig N Kats Bar, W1605 County Road F, Sullivan, WI 53178 on Sunday November 10th from 1 – 4 PM.
In lieu of flowers if you would like to donate to the American Cancer Society or your local humane society. Nitardy Funeral Home, Fort Atkinson is assisting the family.
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office has identified the victim of a fatal two vehicle crash on Saturday, October 12 in Dodge County. According to the Sheriff’s Office 45-year-old Jeremy Bock, of Palmyra, was killed when his car struck a parked vehicle followed by a tree on County Highway G near Canary Road. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the incident.
A previous article on The Whitewater Banner provided further details about this crash.
