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The Making of Our Planet with Dan Tapster – Sunday, April 27 @ 3:00 p.m.

From the Emmy® Award-winning team behind Netflix’s “Our Planet” series, comes a new natural history speaker series: Our Planet Live. Brought to you by Silverback Films and Producer esk [esk is an independent creative producer based in Edinburgh, Scotland] in association with Netflix, Our Planet Live is a new and immersive live show featuring behind-the-scenes stories from the explorers, filmmakers, scientists, and adventurers that created some of the most eye-catching footage of our planet.

Step into the breathtaking world of Life on Our Planet in this special big-screen talk, featuring highlights from the acclaimed Netflix documentary, with expert insights, and behind-the-scenes footage from eight-time Emmy-nominated series showrunner, Dan Tapster. 

With a background in natural history filmmaking at the BBC and a decade leading the TV sensation MythBusters, Dan brings a unique blend of scientific storytelling and cinematic innovation. During his time with Silverback, the renowned studio behind The Hunt and David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet, he has overseen the fusion of advanced visual effects with stunning wildlife cinematography, bringing Earth’s 4-billion-year evolutionary saga to life like never before. 

At The Making of Our Planet, join Dan for an exclusive look into this ambitious project – from the science behind Earth’s previous extinction events to the groundbreaking techniques used to recreate prehistoric creatures and landscapes – followed by a live Q&A. 

At a time when the natural world faces unprecedented challenges, this is a rare chance to explore Earth’s history of resilience and discuss the importance of conservation and a sustainable future. 

The Young Performing Arts Center is located at 930 W. Main St., Whitewater, on the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus. Free parking is available in lots 1 and 2 [frankly, lot 2 is more convenient.] Tickets may be purchased online here for $48 or at the Ticket Services office, 800 W. Main Street. They are open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Tickets purchased at the door are subject to a $2 per ticket surcharge.

The National Honor Society at Whitewater High School celebrated National Student Leadership Week by hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive on April 16! 49 units of blood were collected which have the potential of saving over 145 lives. They exceeded their goal of collecting 45 units and earned an $800 scholarship from the Red Cross.

NHS would like to thank all of the students, teachers and community members who participated and made this day a success! They would also like to thank the following businesses for donating pizza for the event: Dominos, Toppers, Rocky Rococo, and Rosa’s Pizza and Culver’s for donating coupons for a free pint of ice cream. A great time was had by all!

Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by Pamela Sonmor-Wintz.

After twenty years of dedicated service to the community, Cold Spring Township Clerk Lisa Griep has announced her retirement, marking the end of an era in local government. Griep has been a fixture for two decades and will step down from her position this April.

Lisa Griep began her career with the Town of Cold Spring in 2005, quickly establishing herself as a diligent and committed public servant. Over the years, she has played a crucial role in maintaining the town’s records, overseeing elections in a transparent and fair manner, and providing essential services to residents.

Lisa’s service has been appreciated by both colleagues and community members. Marisa Piper Township Supervisor said, “Lisa’s dedication to our township has been remarkable, it strengthens our community, and her expertise will be greatly missed. We appreciate Lisa’s ability to adapt to new technologies and changing guidelines, which has ensured Cold Spring Township to function efficiently and accurately.“

Additionally, Byron Freeman has retired after sixteen years of service to Cold Spring Township as a Board Supervisor. Byron’s historical knowledge of the community, processes, and local ordinances will be missed. Crystal Hoffmann used her expertise in accounting as Treasurer to balance the books of Cold Spring for the last six years. Crystal will continue to work privately and for the Township of LaGrange.

The township hosted a small retirement celebration for Lisa Griep, Byron Freeman, and Crystal Hoffmann at the annual Cold Spring Township meeting April 15th, where Lisa and Byron were presented with certificates for their dedication to local government in Jefferson County from The Wisconsin Township Association. The combined years of service of all three is a testament to the importance of dedicated local government officials in shaping and supporting their communities.

Current Cold Spring Board members include Steve Hoffmann, Chairman; Marisa Piper, Town Supervisor #1; Justin Thom, Town Supervisor #2; Town Clerk, Heather Reu; and Town Treasurer Dawn Millard

Submitted by: Cold Spring Township Board

Editor’s note: Technically Cold Spring’s unit of government is a town, though it’s not unusual for those governments to be referred to as townships. Per the Wisconsin Towns Association, “Town government has a long history in Wisconsin, brought to the state by New Englanders in the early 19th century. In most states, the unit of government is referred to as a township; however, in several states, including Wisconsin, the form of government is a “town.” In the badger state, a “township” is only the surveying unit that is typically a six-mile by six-mile square.”

There was a great turnout for an afternoon of family-centered activities on Saturday, April 12 with the annual International Children’s Day celebration at Lincoln Elementary School, Whitewater.

This free fun family event included live music, games, crafts, face-painting and other activities for children of all ages and ran from noon until 4 p.m. Information was available on local and regional services for families.  A variety of international food offerings from local organizations was also for cash sale.

Activities included:

1 p.m.: Meet the author Ruth Molina-Mota who read from her book Las Aventuras de Diego y Andy: Animales Unicos y Asombrosos. The book was read bilingually.

“Whitewater prides itself on being a community that is supportive of all children and their families. April 12 was an opportunity to celebrate International Children’s Day and those who care for, support, and encourage children here and around the world. We are so pleased that another child-focused organization, the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club, was one of our sponsors for this volunteer-based event,” said Miguel Aranda, planning committee member.

Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser

“JAMES: A NOVEL”

League of Women Voters Book Club Final Discussion, Part III

The League of Women Voters of Whitewater Area’s Book Club is pleased to announce
the last of three discussions of the book James: A Novel by Percival Everett, on
Tuesday, April 29, starting at 6:30 PM. The discussion will be held at The Book Teller,
171 W Main Street, in Whitewater.

Fifteen individuals joined the LWV Whitewater Area’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Book Club last month for the second discussion of James: A Novel. WUSD High School
History teacher Greg Stewart led us through a thought-provoking discussion of life in
pre-Civil War America, including how this era has been portrayed in US school books.
It’s not too late to join us for the final discussion, to be led by UW-Whitewater
professor Dr. Tamara Lindsey. She will help us discern topics such as emancipation,
liberation, freedom, and social construction theory that arise in Everett’s conclusion to
his novel.

Join us at The Book Teller, 171 W Main Street on April 29, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm for
another engrossing discussion. For questions or suggestions of books for future
discussion, please call Deb Gamble at 262-853-1946. The League invites all in the
Whitewater community to join us in our discussions.

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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.

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!

Paul Jhona writes, “Don’t miss your last chance to experience the magical Christmas lights at Cravath Lake. If you haven’t seen them yet now is the perfect time for a final visit. Thank you, city of Whitewater, for bringing joy to our community from a bird’s view drone.

Our thanks to Paul Jhona for this timely reminder about the beautiful light show. Monday, January 6 is the last night for this year. They come on as soon as it starts to get dark.

— 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!

Common Council

Update 1/7 @ 6:30 a.m.: Correction made to deadline day/date, addition of Michael Smith having submitted signatures.

Four City of Whitewater Common Council seats are up for election on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. If necessary, a primary will be held on February 18 to narrow down each race to two candidates. The two-year term for council member begins on Tuesday, April 18, 2025. The Council regularly meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Members are expected to review the agenda packet prior to the meetings. They also serve on one or more committees, many of which meet on a monthly basis. The salary is $300 per month.

Tuesday, January 7 at 5 p.m. is the deadline for submitting candidacy forms to the city clerk. Here is the status of candidate filings, per Heather Boehm, city clerk, as of January 6 at 2 p.m.

Council member AD 1
Michael E. Smith, 327 E. Clay Street, #29, has taken out nomination papers. – Signatures submitted
J. Christopher Wilt, 334 Parkside Drive – Signatures submitted
The incumbent, Patrick Singer, has filed a notice of noncandidacy.

Council member AD 3
Steven Sahyun, 250 N. Franklin Street – Signatures submitted
The incumbent, Brienne Brown, has filed a notice of noncandidacy.

Council member AD 5
The incumbent, Neil Hicks, 1254 Tower Hill Pass – Signatures submitted

Council member at Large
Patrick Singer, 263 Amber Drive – Signatures submitted
The incumbent, Lisa Dawsey Smith, has filed a notice of noncandidacy.

Information concerning aldermanic (council) district boundaries may be obtained from City Clerk Heather Boehm, 312 W. Whitewater St., 262-473-0102, hboehm@whitewater-wi.gov. There is also a map on the city website that shows the districts; however, it is a bit difficult to decipher. Choose “VotingWardsAldDist-Aldermanic Districts,” and the districts will be shown in the large numbers.

The first day to circulate nomination papers was December 1, 2024, and the deadline for filing nomination papers and required documents is 5:00 p.m., on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, in the office of the city clerk. Candidates for an at-large seat must collect a minimum of 50 signatures on nomination papers; a candidate wishing to represent a district must obtain a minimum of 20 signatures.

School Board

Two Whitewater Unified School District School Board seats are up for election. As with the city, the filing deadline for candidates is Tuesday, January 7 at 5:00 p.m. Different from the city, no nomination signatures are required. Candidacy may be established in a matter of minutes by filling out a few forms in the district office, 419 S. Elizabeth Street. Further information is provided on this previous Banner post.

The incumbents are Miguel Aranda and Jennifer Kienbaum. The last update that The Whitewater Banner received from Christine Dodge, school board secretary, was on December 13. At that time, she indicated that Aranda had filed for reelection. Soon thereafter Jennifer Kienbaum confirmed to the Banner that she is seeking reelection.

The Banner is not aware as to whether additional candidates have filed, as requests for an update from Christine Dodge have not been answered as of Tuesday, January 7 at 1 p.m.

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