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Superintendent of the School District Dr. Caroline-Pate-Hefty and School Board Member Lisa Huempfner, City Manager John Weidl, and Police Chief Dan Meyer are set to be speakers at the public civic event to discuss their respective referendums for the April Ballot

The Greater Whitewater Committee (GWC) will be hosting a public event for the community. The GWC has asked the Superintendent of the School District, Dr. Caroline-Pate-Hefty, school board member Lisa Huempfner, City Manager John Weidl, and Police Chief Dan Meyer to present their respective referendums for the April Ballot.

This event will take place on Thursday, February 13th at 5:00 p.m. at 841 Brewhouse: 841 E Milwaukee St., Whitewater, WI 53190, banquet hall in Whitewater, WI.

The city will be presenting their referendum on an increase in the City’s annual tax levy to fund five additional police officers, a dispatcher, two cross-trained firefighters/EMTs, and necessary equipment they may need to help meet the growing needs of Whitewater. The school district will be presenting their referendums on what improvements the school needs. This includes replacing outdated heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, repairing roofs, upgrading electrical and plumbing systems, replacing windows, increasing safety and security throughout the schools, updating the high school auditorium, and expanding the Career and Technical Education space. 

Both the city and the school have prepared informative presentations that are not only beneficial to understand the April ballot better, but to connect with the community through prominent issues.

“I am looking forward to hearing what the city and school district have to say about their respective referendums for the April ballot,” said GWC President Jeffery Knight.

 About the GWC

The GWC is an action-oriented group committed to collaborating with citizens, elected officials, and policy makers to identify, craft, and implement a pro-business agenda. The agenda advances the economic, education, and social policies needed to energize and secure the Whitewater area’s economic future, as well as protect Whitewater’s quality of life. 

Whitewater Lions Club 49th Annual Fish-A-Ree

Attention all ice fishing anglers: the Fish-A-Ree is back. 2025 marks the 49th year that the Whitewater Lion’s club has hosted this popular February fishing derby in their backyard. Mark your calendar for Sunday, February 9th. Back again is the Eat-In/Carry-Out Pancake Breakfast serving hot pancakes, eggs and sausages. The Lions are also hosting an Online Auction, Bucket Raffles and 50/50 Cash Raffle. Another innovation is a live streaming of the action on the ice on Facebook. “Whether sitting in an ice fishing tent or the comfort of their home, everyone could feel involved,” says the Lion’s press release.

Pancake Breakfast:6 am-11 am
Hourly Fish Prizes: 6 am-2 pm

Online Auction from February 9th Through February 16th  – Click here.

The following individuals from your area have been named to the Dean’s List at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for the Fall 2024 semester. UWM is the second largest university in the State of Wisconsin, with more than 24,000 associate, undergraduate and graduate students.

Whitewater, WI

 Ghati Binagi, Letters & Science Undergrad
 Myialynn Cobbs, Nursing Undergraduate
 Kymora Kimbrough, Letters & Science Undergrad
 Skylar Staebler, School of the Arts-Undergrad

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by UW-Milwaukee.

Area businesses, organizations, and friends have been stepping up to help raise money for a beloved friend and colleague who is battling cancer.

Kristina Heimsch, a Nurse Practitioner at Rainbow Community Care, was recently
diagnosed with an incurable form of esophageal cancer. She and her family now face an uncertain future. Kristina is no longer able to work and continue caring for patients and families and faces the rising cost of medical bills and lost wages. Rainbow Medical Director Dr. Thom McGorey partnered with several area venues to perform a special fundraising concert series in December to help support Kristina and her family.

Dr. McGorey and several of Kristina’s coworkers at Rainbow have arranged an upcoming 9-Pin Tap Bowling Tournament at Rock River Lanes (1010 Larsen Rd.) in Fort Atkinson next month that will unofficially wrap up the Concerts for Kristina fundraising series.

The bowling tournament fundraiser takes place on Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 12 to 4 p.m. Participants can choose between two sessions of bowling, each lasting two hours. Start times will be at 12 p.m. or 2 p.m. (with a ten-minute warm-up). Teams on adjacent lanes will alternate lanes for each frame, and each team will bowl two games in their two-hour session. 16 lanes will be used for bowling with up to teams of four people per lane. 9-pin tap means bowling a 9 on your first ball of any frame counts as a “strike” with regular scoring otherwise. No handicaps will be used. You can register as pair or a foursome (pairs will be joined to form a four-person team on each lane).

The cost is $50 for a pair or $100 per team and includes two games of 9-pin tap bowling, shoe rental, one free soda, and silent auction/door prize tickets. Free snacks and desserts will be available throughout the day. Dr. McGorey will be performing live music from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., featuring many popular songs from the 1950s-80s and taking requests from an extensive catalogue of songs (for a small donation). Additional food is also available for purchase from the kitchen.

You can pay through Venmo by entering “concertsforkristina” in the search bar or you can pay in person at the event by cash, check, or credit card.

You do not need to bowl to participate in the event. You can just come out to watch and cheer on the bowlers, enjoy the snacks, listen to the music, and join in on the fun. Tickets will also be sold for drawings on door prizes, and anyone could go home a winner.

For more information and to sign up online for the Concerts for Kristina- 9-Pin Tap Bowling Tournament, visit https://bit.ly/concertsforkristina.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by Rainbow Community Care. The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay.

Understanding the options available for compassionate end-of-life care can bring comfort and clarity to individuals and their loved ones. Join Dana, a nurse from Rainbow Community Care, for an insightful presentation on Tuesday, February 4, at 1:00 PM at Seniors in the Park, 504 W Starin Road, as she explores the essential aspects of palliative and hospice care and their impact on aging with dignity.

This comprehensive session will provide valuable information on how guided care can enhance quality of life, address pain management, and support individuals and families navigating life’s final stages.

Registration Deadline: Thursday, January 30 [Late registrations will almost certainly be welcome.]

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the resources available to ensure comfort and dignity in end-of-life care.

For more information and to register, please contact Seniors in the Park Monday through Thursday, 9 am—3 pm at the Senior Center or by phone at (262) 473-0535 or email Senior Coordinator Jennifer Jackson at jjackson@whitewater-wi.gov.

Submitted by Downtown Whitewater, Inc.
Image used with permission of City of Whitewater Parks and Recreation – Seniors in the Park Newsletter

Expressive Explorations Photography Exhibition

Exhibit: January 30 – February 23, 2025, Cultural Arts Center Gallery

Reception: Saturday, February 8, 1 pm-3 pm, Light refreshments will be served.

The Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) is excited to announce the upcoming exhibition, “Expressive Explorations,” showcasing the work of three photographic artists: Tim Holte, Katy Daixon Wimer, and Jeff McDonald. This exhibition will be on display from January 30 to February 23, 2025, at the Cultural Arts Center. A special reception will be held on Saturday, February 8, from 1 pm-3 pm, where attendees can meet the artists and enjoy light refreshments.

This exhibition is part of WAA’s 20th-year celebration, marking two decades of artistic enrichment in the Whitewater community.

Katy Daixon Wimer, Operations & Events Coordinator for the Whitewater Chamber of Commerce and a dedicated WAA board member, is a southern Wisconsin soul dweller, poet, and photographer. She is passionate about reconnecting people to themselves and the natural world through her art. Katy’s work captures the essence of her surroundings and aims to inspire a deeper connection to the natural world. More about Katy can be found at katydaixon.net.

With over 40 years of experience, Tim Holte captures the essence of light and shadow in his photography, each image serving as a reminder of the past. Tim’s work allows him to express feelings that seldom surface, offering a unique perspective on the world around us. His photography is a testament to his appreciation of light and its interplay with shadows. To explore his photographic journey, visit timholtephotos.com.

Jeff McDonald‘s photography has been awarded medals in international exhibitions in the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Serving as President of the WAA, McDonald is a seasoned business professional with degrees in Music and Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He has been a vital part of the Whitewater Arts Alliance since 2014, contributing as Treasurer and currently as President. Jeff has chaired the Fran Achen Juried Photography Exhibition for 11 years. His work reflects his deep commitment to the arts and his professional expertise. Discover more about Jeff’s work at jmacpix.com.

The Whitewater Arts Alliance invites you to experience the expressive works of these talented artists. Join us in celebrating 20 years of artistic excellence and community engagement.

DUBUQUE, Iowa – Loras College has announced the names of students who achieved Dean’s List status for the 2024 fall semester. A student must earn a 3.5 grade point average and carry a minimum of 12 credit hours to be recognized.

-Whitewater, WI

 Mayte Navejas

Drivers on Starin Road between Prairie and Prince Streets are encountering a plethora of new signs, reflecting changes that the Common Council approved on a trial basis in an effort to improve pedestrian safety. If these changes are not deemed to be effective, it’s likely that the road will be closed for most of the day, Monday through Friday, during university sessions. The speed limit for the entire section of Starin Road is now 15 mph versus the 25 mph limit that is in effect nearly everywhere in the city. Stop signs have been added for Starin Road traffic at Prince Street and at Warhawk Drive. Prominent signage is now posted at some of the crosswalks reminding drivers of the state law requiring vehicles to stop for pedestrians. Florescent flags call attention to all of the changes. Consideration had been made for temporary installation of speed bumps, but that measure has not been implemented.

As was previously reported in the Banner, at its December 17 meeting the City of Whitewater Common Council declined to adopt the part-time closure of Starin Road that was recommended by the university and the city’s Public Works Committee. Those recommendations came after a two-week trial when the street had been closed for most of the day on weekdays. University staff had requested approval to erect an electronic gate which would close on a part-time basis the portion of Starin Road from Warhawk Drive to the street to the east of the bookstore. After a considerable number of public comments and lengthy council discussion it was ultimately decided to implement a number of traffic calming measures on a trial basis through the spring semester. The council will review the outcome of the trial in its second meeting in June, with the expectation that if it is not successful in improving pedestrian safety, they would consider moving forward with plans for a part-time closure in time for the fall semester.

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

The Whitewater Arts Alliance show titled “Faces of Fairhaven” is open at the Cultural Arts Center, 402 W. Main Street, until January 26. The gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, 12-4 p.m. The opening reception on January 9 attracted approximately 70 people, including a large number of residents and staff from Fairhaven, a number of whom saw their own work on display.

This special exhibition celebrates the vibrant community spirit of Fairhaven through a unique collaboration between UW-Whitewater drawing students and Fairhaven residents. The exhibit features a diverse collection of illustrations and craft projects that capture the essence of Fairhaven’s residents and their stories. Visitors will have the chance to see the remarkable artistic talents of both students and seniors, highlighting the rich heritage and creativity that characterize the Fairhaven community. This meaningful collaboration showcases the unity and shared creativity between Fairhaven residents and UW-Whitewater students.

The “Faces of Fairhaven” exhibit is the result of a collaborative effort among the WAA, Brian Robinson from Fairhaven Senior Services, and Lilly Handley, a drawing instructor at UW Whitewater. Their dedication and vision have brought together the generations in a shared artistic endeavor.

Photos of the reception are courtesy of Tom Ganser.

The League of Women Voters of Whitewater is pleased to announce the continuation of our book discussions that explore issues regarding the League’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy.

The 2024 National Book Award winner and finalist for the Booker Prize, James: A Novel by Percival Everett, is a re-imaging of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of the enslaved Jim.  The powerful, thought-provoking novel is written in three parts, and we will be discussing each part separately. 

Part I:  Tuesday, February 18 @ 6:30 pm, at the home of Dr. Dwight Watson at 220 S. Church Street – Tara McKenzie-Peoteer, Whitewater High School teacher, will lead the discussion including such topics as comparing the text to Huckleberry Finn and the historical and contemporary use of the “n” word.

Part II:  Thursday, March 20 @ 6:30 pm – Greg Stewart, Whitewater High School teacher, will continue the book discussion with emphasis on the teaching of historical time frames and concepts such as cake walks, minstrels, slave narratives, and the Civil War.

Part III: Thursday, April 17 @ 6:30 pm – UW-Whitewater professor, Dr. Tamara Lindsey, will lead the final session with an emphasis on topics such as emancipation, liberation, freedom and social construction theory that suggests reality and knowledge are shaped by societal agreements and shared assumptions.

A limited supply of books is available at The Book Teller.  Call 262-269-9109 to hold a copy.  For questions or further information please call Deb Gamble at 262-953-1946. 

We invite all in the Whitewater community to join us in the discussions of the book of which The New York Times writes “below the packed dirt floor of Everett’s moral sensibility, James is an intensely imagined human being.”  Let’s delve into that world together.

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit our website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like us on Facebook!