Two ex-lovers see each other for the first time in years when they are both snowed in at an airport overnight. Starring Meg Ryan and David Duchovny.
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/
ELKHORN, WI – Nearly half of the tickets have already sold for the second annual ‘Casino Night Benefit’ being held on Saturday, February 10th from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Geneva Tap House, located at 252 Broad Street in scenic downtown Lake Geneva. Funds raised will be used to support VIP Services and their ongoing community programs and essential services for adults with disabilities.
Tickets for this unforgettable event are only $50 each and include entrance, playing chips, snacks, and a wide selection of beverages including wines, seltzers, and many varieties of beer. Guests will have the opportunity to play blackjack, roulette, craps and Texas hold’em. The top three chip holders at the end of the night will get to pick from the prize table.
Craig Poshepny, Executive Director of VIP Services, sees the benefit as a chance to educate the public about VIP’s many services and create new connections in the community.
“This is such a unique event, and it is also a great forum for talking about those we support in their efforts to overcome challenges and barriers to find employment and other opportunities to become involved in the community,” Poshepny said during a promotional announcement at VIP. “Moving the benefit to Geneva Tap House creates an opportunity to reach a wider audience here in Walworth County, form new partnerships, and hold an even bigger event than we did last year.”
Poshepny said the additional space at Geneva Tap House will make it possible to have additional gaming tables and host more than 150 guests. Those interested in buying or reserving tickets are encouraged to call VIP Services at 262.723.4043 or visit the organization’s offices at 811 Geneva Street in Elkhorn.
Sheriff Fell is pleased to announce that the Rock County Sheriff’s Office will offer our second and final 2024 ATV Safety Education Course on February 6, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., and February 17, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., at the Rock County Fairgrounds – Craig Center, 1301 Craig Ave, Janesville, WI 53545. Students will need to attend both sessions to graduate.
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, is required to complete an ATV Safety Education Course in order to legally operate an ATV or UTV in areas open to the public within the State of Wisconsin. It is recommended that participants are at least 12 years of age or turn 12 shortly after the class.
ATV Safety Education Course
Session 1: Tues., February 6, from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. @ Rock Co. Fairgrounds – Craig Center Session 2: Sat., February 17, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. @ Rock Co. Fairgrounds – Craig Center
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 above press release was provided by the Rock County Sheriff’s Department.
The Special Olympics cauldron is lit at opening ceremonies. Special Olympics Wisconsin came to the UW-Whitewater campus for the first time with its 2023 games. Athletes enjoyed perfect weather and competed in and around the athletics facilities on the north end of campus. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)
By Chris Lindeke Marketing and Communications Manager University Marketing and Communications
For the second consecutive year, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will welcome Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes and coaches to campus for the State Summer Games. The event is scheduled to take place June 6-8, 2024, and will include competition in track and field, cornhole, powerlifting, tennis and soccer.
Athletes receive medals on a stage at Kachel Fieldhouse. Special Olympics Wisconsin came to the UW-Whitewater campus for the first time with its 2023 games. Athletes enjoyed perfect weather and competed in and around the athletics facilities on the north end of campus. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)
In 2023, thousands of athletes, coaches and spectators were on campus for the Summer Games as the university welcomed a record number of visitors for camps and other events.
“We warmly welcome Special Olympics Wisconsin back to campus for the State Summer Games this June,” said Corey A. King, UW-Whitewater chancellor. “Our staff will work tirelessly to ensure that all athletes, coaches and fans enjoy a uniquely satisfying experience while they are on campus. As Warhawks, we embrace high-quality, high-energy events like this and pride ourselves on providing a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment. We are excited to watch these athletes compete.”
“We are thrilled to return to UW-Whitewater for our 2024 Summer Games,” said Chad Hershner, president and CEO of Special Olympics Wisconsin. “UW-Whitewater and the entire Whitewater community are truly collaborative hosts, and we are looking forward to having all community members join us for the games and experience the games alongside our incredible athletes.”
All events for the 2024 State Summer Games will take place on the UW-Whitewater campus.
Healthy Athletes disciplines will also be featured throughout the Summer Games. Health Promotion, a discipline of Special Olympics Healthy Athletes that focuses on healthy living, healthy lifestyle choices and nation-specific health issues, will take place on Friday, June 7. The program offers screenings for bone density, blood pressure and body mass index (BMI).
The Opening Eyes program, which will also take place on June 7, provides Special Olympics athletes with high-quality vision and eye health screenings, prescription eyewear and sports goggles and improved education and training for eye care professionals and optometry students so they are better able to meet the unique needs of this marginalized group.
Special Smiles, which provides comprehensive oral health care information including free dental screenings and instructions on correct brushing and flossing techniques to Special Olympics athletes, will take place Saturday, June 8.
The Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation and Golisano Foundation, CDC, support the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes initiative.
Additional information about other events and programs taking place during the games is forthcoming. Volunteers for the 2024 State Summer Games are needed, and signup will be available on SpecialOlympicsWisconsin.org. Or, contact volunteer@specialolympicswisconsin.org if you are interested.
If you have a disability and require accommodations, please advise us as soon as possible. Requests are confidential. UW-Whitewater provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and ADA. Please contact Morgan Anderson at andersml@uww.edu or 262-472-1095 for further information.
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.
This is the last of our winter images of downtown Whitewater. It was taken in front of the Van Voorhees 1890 addition to the Armory block and the Julius Johnson Block (buildings with the bay windows). Henry Van Voorhees built the Armory Block (200-206 W. Whitewater St.) in 1887, then built the two-storefront addition in 1890. Johnson’s one-storefront building was also constructed in 1890. The bay windows were typical details of late 19th century commercial buildings and help make this building group one of the most elegant in Whitewater’s downtown.
Join us next week for more historic images from the Whitewater Historical Society.
The community is invited to join the Winter Reading Challenge at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library. All ages are welcome to participate. Stop by the library and pick up a bookmark anytime between January 22-March 1. Fill in a circle for every 30 minutes you read or listen to a book. When all of the circles are filled, return to the library and claim your goodie bag. All entries will go into a grand prize drawing for a snow tube.
The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. Contact the library at 262-473-0530 with questions.
Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Irvin L. Young Library.
Milwaukee School of Engineering congratulates students named to the Fall Semester 2023 Dean’s and Honors Lists.
Grace Alderman of Whitewater was named to the Dean’s List . Alderman is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
Daniel Portwine of Whitewater was named to the Dean’s List. Portwine is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
Gwynne Sahyun was named to the Honors List. Sahyun is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.
MSOE encourages excellence in academic achievement and, as a result, publishes the Dean’s List and Honors List each fall and spring semester. Students taking undergraduate courses who have earned at least 12 credits in residence at MSOE, are in good academic standing, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher are on the Dean’s List. Students on that list who have maintained a 3.70 or higher receive “high honors.” Students with a term GPA of 3.20 or higher, who are not on the Dean’s List, are on the Honors List.
Milwaukee School of Engineering (www.msoe.edu) is the university of choice for those seeking an inclusive community of experiential learners driven to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. The independent, non-profit university has about 2,800 students and was founded in 1903. MSOE offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, actuarial science, business, computer science, machine learning, nursing, perfusion and user experience. Faculty are student-focused experts who bring real-world experience into the classroom. This approach to learning makes students ready now as well as prepared for the future. Longstanding partnerships with business and industry leaders enable students to learn alongside professional mentors, and challenge them to go beyond what’s possible. MSOE graduates are leaders of character, responsible professionals, passionate learners and value creators.
“The Illinois Tollway is continuing to adopt new tolling technology as it evolves, and I-PASS Sticker Tags mark the latest development in toll collection,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Sticker tags are being adopted by toll agencies across the country and by the Illinois Tollway as they provide a convenient, reliable and less expensive travel experience for our customers.”
By the end of January, I-PASS Sticker Tags will be available at customer service centers at the Tollway’s headquarters and oases. Later on in February, customers will be able to pick up I-PASS Sticker Tags at Jewel-Osco stores and Road Rangers, in the Rockford area, as well as order online. The Tollway also plans to offer stickers at the Chicago Auto Show next month.
The introduction of I-PASS Sticker Tags is being done in coordination with other E-ZPass agencies and will ensure that beginning in 2024 our customers have continuity in service wherever they travel in the 19 states that are a part of the E-ZPass consortium.
There will be no deposit fee for the I-PASS Sticker Tags. For customers with current transponders, the $10 transponder deposit will be applied to the I-PASS customers account once a new I-PASS Sticker Tag is registered to the account.
When customers receive I-PASS Sticker Tags, they will be able to add the new Sticker Tag number immediately to their new or existing I-PASS account via the Official Tollway App, getipass.com website or phone. Once registered to the account, the I-PASS Sticker Tag will be ready for use on the Illinois Tollway and within 24 hours on the Chicago Skyway or other E-ZPass roadway.
Existing transponders will continue to work as designed on the Tollway and our E-ZPass partners’ facilities. Customers will not be required to switch an I-PASS Sticker Tag as long as they have a working transponder.
Toll rates, whether with the I-PASS Sticker Tag or traditional transponder, remain the same for cars.
The I-PASS Sticker Tags should not be moved between vehicles. Because I-PASS Sticker Tags will be available without a deposit, customers can obtain Sticker Tags for each vehicle tied to the same I-PASS account at no additional charge.
I-PASS Sticker Tags use radio frequency identification (RFID) to communicate with toll collection technology.
I-PASS customers should dispose of old transponders in an environmentally sound way, not discarded in the trash.
Editor’s note: The above information was provided to The Banner by the Illinois Tollway.
The Community Development Authority (CDA) for the City of Whitewater is excited to announce a unique business competition in partnership with the University of Wisconsin Whitewater (UWW) Enactus, a student-led organization that harnesses business strategies for social good.
This innovative competition, backed by a generous allocation of $160,000 from the CDA, aims to foster entrepreneurial spirit and economic growth within Whitewater. The competition will be a platform for budding entrepreneurs to receive essential support and training in business planning and other critical areas. Over several weeks, participants will be guided through a series of development stages, culminating in a public presentation where their business concepts will be evaluated.
City Manager, John Weidl, commented on the initiative, “This is exactly the type of bold initiative that will position Whitewater as a credible hub for innovation and public-private collaborations. It’s about bringing community-driven business ideas to life and catalyzing real change.”
A unique feature of this competition is the entire community’s direct involvement. Alongside a panel of expert judges, interested community members will have a say in the ranking and scoring of the business presentations via web-based application. This approach not only empowers local voices but also ensures that the selected businesses align with the community’s needs and aspirations.
Eligibility for the competition is focused on startups and new business ideas within key areas of the community, including the downtown sector and other economically significant locations in Whitewater. The competition is open to reimbursement for projects that lead to successful location in Whitewater and startup, encompassing a variety of activities, from interior and exterior improvements, equipment, and rent or down payment reimbursement. The aim is to bring innovative and impactful business ideas to fruition, boosting the local economy.
While detailed programmatic aspects will be finalized in an upcoming CDA meeting, this initiative marks a significant step towards cultivating a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Whitewater, in collaboration with the dynamic and forward-thinking students of UWW Enactus. If you have initial interest in this program please fill out our interest form here: https://forms.gle/ZoNtyXLTUbphkUtDA
Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the City of Whitewater. The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Paul Brennan from Pixabay.
