News

Sheriff Fell is pleased to announce that the Rock County Sheriff’s Office will offer our first 2024 Hunter Safety Education Course on April 9, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., April 27, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., and April 28, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at the Edgerton Conservation Club, 900 Stoughton Road, Edgerton, WI 53534. Students will need to attend all sessions to graduate.

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1973, is required to complete a Hunter Safety Education Course to legally hunt in Wisconsin. Students must be at least 12 years of age or turn 12 shortly after the class.

Hunter Safety Education Course – Class #1
Session 1: April 9, from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. @ Edgerton Conservation Club
Session 2: April 27, from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. @ Edgerton Conservation Club
Session 3: April 28, from 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. @ Edgerton Conservation Club

Registration is now open. Complete the online enrollment form to reserve a seat.
https://www.co.rock.wi.us/departments/sheriff-s-office/recreational-patrol/hunter-education

Class size is limited to thirty (30) students. Upon submission of the registration form, the submitter will see an onscreen confirmation message with course information. The course fee of $10 per student will be collected at the first session. If the student is under 18 years old, a parent/guardian will need to attend the first session with the student. Students will receive course materials at the first session. Please direct any questions to Deputy Trevor Lund at trevor.lund@co.rock.wi.us.

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from The UW-Madison Division of Extension Horticulture Program.

The UW-Madison Division of Extension Horticulture Program has partnered with the UW Insect Diagnostic Lab to provide a free, online program for the public focused on Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Wisconsin. The program airs Monday, April 1, 1–2 p.m. on Zoom. 

There is no cost to attend, though registration is required. Register at go.wisc.edu/ExtEAB.

Learn how to identify ash trees, recognize the signs and symptoms of EAB, and understand the biology of this invasive insect. The program will also cover what to do when EAB affects trees on private property and the strengths and weaknesses of different management options.

Understanding the Emerald Ash Borer: From Identification to Action
Monday, April 1, 1–2 p.m. | Zoom Webinar
Register Now

Led by PJ Liesch, Extension Entomologist and director of the UW Insect Diagnostic Lab, this program will consist of an informative presentation followed by live Q&A to answer participants’ questions.

This program will also be recorded and sent to anyone who registers.

Visit go.wisc.edu/ExtEAB to learn more and register!

These webinars are hosted by the UW-Madison Extension Horticulture Program. For upcoming events and learning opportunities, visit hort.extension.wisc.edu/events. Contact horticulture.webinar@extension.wisc.edu if you have questions about the program. 

First United Methodist Church welcomes all to our services during this Holy Week.

The Holy Thursday service at 7:00 p.m. includes communion. You need not be a member of our church, or any church, to participate. Our communion liturgy often begins with words spoken on Jesus’ behalf inviting “all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin, and seek to live in peace with one another.”

The Good Friday service is ecumenical, starting at our church at noon, processing to the Congregational UCC at 12:45, and finally to First English Lutheran Church at 1:30, and concluding at 2:00. All are welcome to attend any or all of the services. A number of participants will walk from one church to another.

On Easter Sunday we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection with an 8:00 service in the Chapel and a 10:00 service in the sanctuary. The choir will be singing with brass accompaniment at the 10:00 service, which concludes with the Hallelujah Chorus. Everyone who knows the music is welcome to join in.

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

It’s rather common for a fast food restaurant to donate something like 10% of their sales for a few hours or even a day to a designated school or nonprofit organization. This is the 14th year, though, that Jersey Mike’s stores nationwide have scheduled a “Day of Giving” when 100% of their sales are donated to a cause that’s selected by the restaurant owners in each market. This year that date is Wednesday, March 27, and all 41 stores in the state will be donating their sales to Special Olympics WI.

According to Jersey Mike’s, “At the first nationwide fundraiser in 2011, all of Jersey Mike’s 454 locations raised $600,000 for 66 charities. Since then, Jersey Mike’s annual Month of Giving has raised more than $88 million for local charities. This March, Jersey Mike’s hopes to exceed last year’s record-breaking national fundraising total of $21 million and help local charities striving to fulfill their missions and make a difference.”

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Whitewater Unified School District.

Ferradermis earned the prestigious FIRST Impact Award at the Northern Lights Regional in Duluth, Minnesota, earlier this month. This achievement secured the team’s spot in the championship competition.

The FIRST Championship is a global competition for youth robotics teams, providing a platform for collaboration and creativity. Ferradermis will face off against 83 other Impact Award winners, vying for the opportunity to join the FIRST Hall of Fame.

The team’s trip to Houston was made possible by generous donations from several community members, organizations, and supporting businesses that covered the entire cost.

“I cannot express enough gratitude for the incredible support our program continues to receive from our community,” said Laura Masbruch, the team’s advisor. “I’m confident the team will represent WUSD well in Houston and do their best to bring home another title for our booming program!”

Special regard goes to an anonymous donor, Applied Material Solutions, the Weber family, anonymous WUSD staff, NAES, The Coburn Company, Streib Construction, and Keystone Real Estate Investments LLC for their considerable contributions of $1,000 or more to the Ferradermis program for this trip. The team also received donations from others across the community.

For more information about Ferradermis and the team’s journey to the FIRST Championship, visit www.ferradermis.org.

Katherine Staniszewski of Whitewater has been accepted for enrollment for the 2024 spring trimester in the Doctor of Chiropractic degree program at Palmer College of Chiropractic’s Main Campus in Davenport, Iowa.

Palmer College of Chiropractic, the first and largest college in the chiropractic profession, has campuses in Davenport, Iowa; San Jose, California; and Port Orange, Florida.

Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser, taken at the March 15 event.

Comment on the Police Department Facebook page: “Last week our staff had the opportunity to read to two classes at Lincoln Elementary through our Kiwanis Cops ‘N Kids book reading program. Each student was provided with a free book and as always, their questions did not disappoint!”

Fort HealthCare is pleased to announce the receipt of a generous donation of $12,050 from Trinity Lutheran Church of Fort Atkinson in memory and honor of Dr. Frank Beran, a beloved figure in our community whose legacy of compassion and service continues to inspire.

Dr. Beran, who served the Fort Atkinson community for over 50 years, left an unforgettable mark on those he cared for and worked alongside. His commitment to excellence in patient care, his dedication to his staff, and his boundless love for the community were evident throughout his career.

Stephanie Beran, his devoted wife of 48 years, fondly recalls Dr. Beran’s impact on the lives of countless individuals. “He impacted generations, and we’re hoping to keep that going,” she reflects.

In tribute to Dr. Beran’s legacy of service and generosity, Trinity Lutheran Church has directed this donation to assist patients in settling medical debts, exemplifying the spirit of generosity and compassion that defined Dr. Beran’s life. Inspired by Dr. Beran’s spirit of generosity, they matched the $6,025 in memorial gifts, doubling the impact of this honorary donation.

“Frank was known for his dedication to the well-being of his community. He always extended a helping hand to those in need, whether through providing medical advice or offering a listening ear. His patients were not just patients to him, they were friends,” noted Stephanie.

“We are deeply touched by Trinity Lutheran Church’s gracious donation in honor of Dr. Beran,” states Michael Anderson, MD, Fort HealthCare President & CEO. “This donation embodies the essence of community support and reflects Dr. Beran’s legacy of care and compassion.”

Stephanie expresses her hope that Trinity Lutheran Church’s donation would inspire others to lend a hand in supporting the community, saying, “You never know the impact one idea has to inspire someone else.”

Pastor Amy Waelchli expressed the church’s commitment to honoring Dr. Beran’s memory through acts of kindness and support for those in need. “Dr. Beran’s life of service inspired us to extend a helping hand to individuals facing medical debt within our community. This donation is a testament to his lasting impact on our community.”

Stephanie recalled a quote from former President Jimmy Carter, “The only things that we can truly give to each other are the only things that we truly need—an ear to listen, a heart to care, a word of encouragement and a hand to help.” She elaborated, “This is how Frank lived, and this is what he was to his community.”

The funds will be utilized to alleviate the medical debt burden of deserving patients, including individuals facing significant challenges such as terminal illness.

Fort HealthCare extends its heartfelt gratitude to Trinity Lutheran Church and all those who contributed to this initiative. Through their generosity, Dr. Beran’s legacy of compassion will continue to uplift and support those in need within our community.