News

Susan Bresser, Pastor of the First United Methodist Church, was awarded the WUL Hometown Hero Award on Friday “For leading with joy, clarity, good humor, compassion and love, and for empowering people to care for all in need.”

Amy Waelchli said, “Susan Bresser is a hometown hero of mine. Susan impacts our community with her joy, good humor, love, and compassion that cannot be contained. She empowers people to serve this community – her congregation is feeding so many people. She supports fellow clergy like me. She leads with clarity that does not falter in difficult times or when facing opposition. She speaks the truth that God loves ALL people and she lives it out. On top of it all, she is an excellent wife, mother, and grandmother, and friend. Susan is my hometown hero and, I believe, is one for all who know her.”

When asked why she does such good work, Susan said, “I love people! It is important especially now, we have to be here for one another and fortunately I can be here for people. Whitewater is amazing! This is awesome! Thank you.”

WUL (Whitewater Unites Lives) is a locally-focused civil and human rights group that works to connect the people in our community and to create opportunities for all people to learn and support each other in our common humanity.   

Anyone who would like to nominate a local hero of any age should send their nomination, with a short description, to whitewaterunites@gmail.com 

The U.S. Congress is not well prepared for continuing its work during a pandemic. The Constitution requires both houses to have a quorum — a majority of members — to conduct business. Any member can call for a quorum in her/his chamber, and if a majority is not present, the Senate/House cannot vote on any legislation until there is a quorum. Under House and Senate rules, only members who are present in the chamber count toward a quorum. If at least half of either chamber is quarantined or otherwise unable to attend a session, the legislative process could stall in the middle of a crisis. Of course, when the Constitution was adopted there was no conception of technology that would permit virtual attendance.

Wisconsin’s legislature does allow for meeting virtually. Rep. Don Vruwink participated in the Assembly floor session via computer on Tuesday, April 14. The Assembly met in “virtual session” rather than in person due to distancing requirements. Vruwink joined 97 of his colleagues in voting in favor of legislation addressing some of the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. The State Senate passed the bill the following day, and Gov. Tony Evers quickly signed it.

Whitewater’s city government also allows for virtual meetings. Three City of Whitewater bodies met virtually in the last two weeks: Plan & Architectural Review Commission, Common Council, and Board of Review. It appears that these are the first times ever that city meetings have occurred virtually. Though there were a few technological glitches, in general the meetings proceeded quite routinely and necessary business was conducted. There was virtually no active public participation. It is hoped that as virtual meetings continue to occur in the coming weeks citizens will feel comfortable expressing their opinions on the phone or online as they would have done in person.

As of Sunday morning, Mr. Majors reports that all plants have been sold.

Last year Wisconsin lost nearly 800 dairy farms, or nearly 10% of the farms. The COVID-19 pandemic is making matters worse, as evidenced by reports of farmers dumping milk. Per USA Today, Dennis Rodenbaugh, executive vice president at Dairy Farmers of America, the largest U.S. dairy cooperative, told the Wall Street Journal for an April 9 story that as much as 7% of the milk produced in the U.S. the prior week was dumped. This video explains some of the reasons why. Schools represent approximately 7% of milk consumption, and most of them have moved to online instruction. Early in the pandemic there were shortages of milk in retail stores, which were partly due to a lack of bottling lines set up to fill plastic jugs instead of the small cardboard containers used in schools. Restaurants in many parts of the nation are not currently able to serve dine-in customers, reducing the consumption of milk as well as non-liquid dairy products such as butter, sour cream, and cheese.

As was indicated in a previous Banner post, Whitewater Future Farmers of America (FFA) is selling yard signs supporting dairy farmers. The proceeds will be used to purchase Wisconsin cheese and other dairy products to be donated to the Whitewater Food Pantry and the Community Space.

The Whitewater Unified School District has been distributing bags containing five breakfast and five lunch meals every Monday to children in the district. Lisa Griep, Food Service Director for the Whitewater Unified School District, told the Banner 860 bags were distributed on April 20, each one containing a half gallon of milk. When asked how that quantity of milk compares with the regular school year’s consumption, Ms. Griep stated, “A rough estimate would be about half (60%) milk consumed compared to a regular school day/wk.  Reduced consumption is due to less meals being distributed than served daily (regular school day), and ala carte and snack milk sales/consumption are not realized.”

As for the milk that you purchase, here’s a little known fact: milk that is bottled in WI has a code 55 in the circled position on the jug. As Ron Binning pointed out on FaceBook, the only problem is that some WI dairy farmers’ milk is bottled in IL or MN, but is still WI milk.

In the gorgeous sunshine of Sunday afternoon, April 26, approximately 25 Whitewater High School staff members and some of their family members met in the high school parking lot to pick up yard signs to be delivered to each of the 150 seniors in the Class of 2020. 

Ms. Kate McNulty and Ms. Teri Hamilton, senior class advisors, had carefully divided the graduates into groups based on the proximity of their addresses, and staff members set off individually or in pairs to make as much noise as possible and celebrate the members of the senior class while maintaining social distancing guidelines. 

Seniors and their families received messages at 12:15 letting them know to put on their Whippet Wear and get ready for a surprise delivery between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. Although a few of the graduates were at work during that time, the vast majority of families were home and came out to take photos with their signs after being alerted to the delivery by the honking of car horns, the banging of pots and pans, and the ringing of bells. 

Whitewater High School is proud to celebrate the Class of 2020! Go, Whippets!

The Kiwanis Whitewater Breakfast Club Board of Directors met virtually in April to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the Whitewater community, and decided as a group that in addition to their regular $1,000 donation to the Whitewater Food Pantry and $1,000 to Bethel House, the club would also donate an additional $1,000 to The Community Space and $1,000 to the First United Methodist Church to assist them in their extraordinary efforts to feed those in need.

Lorrie Koppein, president of the Kiwanis Whitewater Breakfast Club, said, “The need in our community for meals is large, and we are so very happy and blessed to be able to assist some of the groups making a huge impact every day here in Whitewater.”

The Kiwanis Whitewater Breakfast Club is made up of dedicated volunteers who help children in the Whitewater community and the world, all with 100 percent of funds raised going directly to projects and zero to administrative costs.  Each year, the club distributes approximately $20,000, with over half going to the Whitewater Unified School District, including Ferradermis FIRST Robotics Team, ELL Summer School Transportation, shoes for students, Badger Boys State and Badger Girls State, and college scholarships.  Kiwanis helped to build and maintain the Flowing Well Shelter, the shelter and accessible playground at Starin Park and Treyton’s Field of Dreams, the WHS football field lights and press box, as well as adopting a highway to clean up.  In addition, the group donates to the Whitewater Youth Soccer Club, the Friends of the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center Family Partnership Fund, the Whitewater Food Pantry, Bethel House and more.

Funds are raised through annual Pancake Breakfasts that have been served continuously since the 1950s, the Discover Whitewater Series Half-Marathon Pancake Breakfast since it began, and yearly poinsettia and lily plant sales. More information can be found on the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club Facebook page.

14-year-old Wyatt Anderson, a Whitewater resident since 2016, has been active in scouting since he became a Tiger in 1st grade in Griffith, IN. He continues with BSA Troop 264 out of the Griffith Lutheran Church. As he began thinking about his Eagle project, Wyatt decided to focus his energy during the Safer at Home order on how he could best help his greater community. Having heard news about how there was a shortage of masks and other protective gear for health professionals and others, Wyatt decided to develop a project that would address the mask shortage.

As of late April, Wyatt and his team have made and delivered 393 masks to first responders and social service agencies. His deliveries have included the police departments of Whitewater and UW-W, Palmyra Police/Fire/EMS, as well as Fairhaven, Mercyhealth, Behavioral Health, Meals on Wheels of Lake County, IL, and many other organizations. Wyatt hopes to continue with the project into early May.

Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program of the Boy Scouts of America. Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of Scouts have earned this rank after a lengthy review process. The Eagle Scout rank has been earned by over 2.5 million youth. Requirements include earning at least 21 merit badges. The Eagle Scout must demonstrate Scout Spirit, an ideal attitude based upon the Scout Oath and Law, service, and leadership. This includes an extensive service project that the Scout plans, organizes, leads, and manages. Eagle Scouts are presented with a medal and a badge that visibly recognizes the accomplishments of the Scout.

Thanks to Wyatt for carrying out this worthy project, and best wishes for the completion of the Eagle Scout requirements.

The Whitewater Community Food Pantry (WCFP) wants to let the community know that individuals and families in need of help who live in the school district can now come every 3 weeks for all “monthly” groceries (cereal, soup, canned goods, meat, dairy, bakery, etc.,) and weekly for bread (from Panera and Walmart), pizza and milk.  The WCFP’s guidelines have changed due to the current COVID-19 situation. We are located at 146 W. North Street on the second floor of the “Old” Armory. We ask all patrons to wear masks and practice social distancing.  No more than five patrons are allowed on the pantry floor at a time.  Hours are still 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. on Wednesday & Thursday. We appreciate the generous donations from Festival Foods, the Hunger Task Force and the numerous private donations of pizza, milk, etc.