News & Events

Editor’s Note:  The following interview was done by Dr. Lauren Smith on behalf of Whitewater Unites Lives.

A Whitewater resident for 29 years, Hassimi Traore was born in Burkina Faso in the town of Dedougou and graduated high school from Bobo Diolasso, a privilege reserved for only the top 5% of students from his home town. Because he was at the very top of his class, Hassimi was chosen to receive support offered by a generous Canadian family. When he graduated from high school, he received a government scholarship to attend Burkina Faso’s Math and Science Institute, where he earned a baccalaureate and then master’s degree in math and chemistry.

While earning his degrees, Hassimi also worked for the Peace Corps, where he made lasting friendships with African and American colleagues. These colleagues encouraged Hassimi to apply for graduate programs in the United States, and he was accepted to every program to which he applied. Because one African friend, a Peace Corps colleague, was attending graduate school in Iowa City, Iowa, Hassimi chose to attend the state university there. He used the money he’d earned working for the Peace Corps to buy his plane ticket. It was a long journey for a young man with limited resources. He arrived in New York City with only a couple of hundred dollars in his pocket. Part of that was spent on a gouging taxi cab ride, and most of the rest went to a bus ticket to Iowa City.

The challenges of life in Iowa City were multiple. It was cold, and his winter coat didn’t cover his forearms, so he cut off the tops of a pair of socks to keep his arms warm. His English was “really rough,” too, so he found two old televisions on the side of the road to help him learn. One had picture but no sound and the other had sound but no picture. He stacked the two televisions on top of each other. In Africa, he hadn’t experienced racism, either, and it was difficult for him when he realized that others couldn’t recognize his skills in math and science because of his race or when he was harassed by racists.

Mostly, he says, people in Iowa “were wonderful” to him, and despite challenges, Hassimi graduated with a Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1995. He got a job teaching Chemistry at UW-Whitewater after that, where he has been teaching for 29 years. During this time, he has helped many students who face their own challenges. He has helped African students who have had difficulty transitioning to Wisconsin as well as students who struggle with difficult academic subjects. He has also family back home who need help with tuition or medical care, and he frequently provides financial assistance to them.

He has raised the money to buy and send home four different ambulances with the help of many community members.  He said he felt “I am home” after all of the contributions from so many who care.

“People talk about ‘illegal’ or ‘legal’ immigrants but I don’t use those terms.  To blame everything on immigrants is not fair.  Immigrants contribute so much to the economy and culture in our cities, states and country,” said Hassimi.

Hassimi recently earned his Master’s Degree in Peace Building from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and his goal after retiring is to help nonprofits foster peace.  Even in retirement, he will continue to care for his homes, both in Whitewater and abroad.

The Whitewater Dementia Friendly Community Initiative would like to publicly thank Randy Cruse for his advocacy work in Washington (recently reported on whitewaterbanner.com) on behalf of persons with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.  Thank you, Randy, for your efforts to improve health care, financial support and community understanding for persons with dementia. 

Persons with cognitive decline report being misunderstood by friends, family and providers because of myths and misconceptions about their disease.  Often patients themselves misunderstand, especially when the only advice they get from their doctors is to get their affairs in order and come back in six months for a checkup.

But there is good news: the health care community is getting educated.  There is even a trend to recruit patients to serve on boards and committees to help bring their perspective for proper treatment and planning.

Stigma is the use of negative labels to identify a person with a disability or illness. It prevents patients and caregivers from taking the positive steps that can be helpful. Like any disease, cognitive decline benefits from good habits of nutrition, sleep, exercise and health care.  Make sure hearing or vision loss is properly treated.  Seek out and share accurate information. Maintain relationships with friends and family.  Have fun with music, games and laughter.  Developing these good habits early on can slow and ease this progressive disease.

An individual living with this disease has the most powerful voice to help raise awareness, end stigma, and advocate for more  support and research. We can learn a lot from them.   For more ideas visit https://www.alz.org/help-support/i-have-alz/overcoming-stigma

This article submitted by Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, a program of Whitewater Seniors in the Park to help inform the community about dementia and to support patients and caregivers.  New members are always welcome!  Contact jjackson@whitewater-wi.gov or call Jennifer at 262 473 0535.  

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Two Whitewater High School Choir students have won the prestigious Wisconsin School Music Association [WSMA] Exemplary Performance Recognition at two WSMA State Solo/Ensemble Festivals. Alex Clarksen earned the award for his Music Theater Solo event on April 27th at UW-Whitewater when he sang “She Cries” from Songs from the New World. A’lani Ross earned the award for her Alto Solo event on May 4th at Carroll University when she sang “Pastorale” by Georges Bizet.  Students performing at State Solo/Ensemble Festival can be nominated for this award by the adjudicators throughout the day. At the end of the day, the adjudicator can choose up to two events from each festival site to be awarded this honor. Seven other events from Whitewater High School were also nominated for this award. They are: Alex Clarksen-Tenor Solo, Charlotte Hajewski-Music Theater Solo, Brooke Mason -Alto Solo, Samuel Nickelsburg-Tenor Solo, Ava Van Daele-Alto Solo and Music Theater Solo, and Music Masters Ensemble-Mixed Vocal Jazz Ensemble.  Music Masters Ensemble members are Payton Bunger, Meridyth Cashion, Ayden Clark, Alex Clarksen, David Enns, Marina Linos, Brooke Mason, Samuel Nickelsburg, Lauren Rollette, A’lani Ross, and Alex Sullivan. 

Congratulations to A’lani and Alex and all students who were nominated to the WSMA Exemplary Performance Recognition!!

Tuesday, May 14^th from 4:00-7:00 pm here at the Whitewater Culver’s, 10% of sales will be donated to Hearthstone for their Garden Project.  Please help us share this flyer with as many as you can, and we hope that you will be able to stop by for some food and see some of the management staff running orders. 

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Whitewater Unites Lives.

Lincoln Elementary School was full of families and fun when Whitewater hosted its third, free International Children’s Day for all children on April 27.  Organizers estimate that more than 350 people attended. 

All families were welcome at the Lincoln School and grounds.  Events included face-painting, arts and crafts, Culver’s custard, balloon art, chalk art and more.  A variety of international food offerings were available for sale, and students performed music. 

“It was wonderful to see the smiles on all of the children’s faces and to celebrate our diverse student population,” said Miguel Aranda, chair of the International Children’s Day committee.

Sponsors of International Children’s Day Celebration include Whitewater Unified School District, Whitewater Unites Lives, and Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club.

An Oil Lamp Service will be held at the historic Heart Prairie Norwegian Methodist Episcopal Church on Sunday, May 19th at 7:30 p.m. The church is located at the East Richmond Cemetery, N7372 County Rd P, south of Whitewater, WI. Refreshments will be served prior to the service. Rev. Minyoung Han, minister at Bethel and Richmond United Methodist Churches, will officiate. Others participating are Rev. Larry Froemming, organist; Caitlyn Karbash, violinist; and Lisa Bauer, flutist. This will be the first oil lamp service at the church in more than 125 years. In March 2023, the recently restored church was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. There is limited parking and seating. For more information email gkestol@yahoo.com.

Editor’s note: This announcement was submitted by Georgia Kestol.

Whitewater Unified School District Employee Handbook Committee – Monday @ 3:45 p.m.
Whitewater Unified School District
William D. Kyle Board Room
419 South Elizabeth Street
Agenda (Click on “meetings” in upper right corner.)

City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 4:30 p.m.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St
Agenda includes Discussion and possible approval of the landscape plan for the Irvin L Young Library.
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82908100883?pwd=WWdyUjc0VFRqd096V1MwMit2cWVCUT09
Meeting ID: 829 0810 0883
Passcode: 123382
Dial 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 829 0810 0883
Passcode: 123382

City of Whitewater Plan & Architectural Review Commission – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Agenda includes Discussion about where the Plan Commission would like to see Dog Daycare & Boarding
Facilities be placed with a conditional use in our zoning districts, Discussion and possible approval of a Conditional Use Permit for sale of alcohol by the drink located at 210 W Whitewater St. for Daniel Rodriguez d/b/a as Lloyd’s formerly known as The Black Sheep, Discussion and possible approval of a Conditional Use Permit for a proposed Dog Daycare Facility located on vacant land on Bluff Road Tax Parcel # /A323600002 for Daniel and Jhienelle Kistle d/b/a The Royal Hounds of Whitewater, Discussion and possible approval of a Conditional Use Permit for a New Wireless Telecommunication Facility and Free Standing Tower to be located at 312 Elkhorn Road.
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or
telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/385524925
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 385-524-925
United States: +1 (408) 650-3123
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install

Whitewater Unified School Board – Special Meeting – Wednesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Whitewater High School Library 534 South Elizabeth Street
Agenda: to discuss and consider individual 2024-2025 salary contract adjustments and to discuss and consider the post-employment benefit for a specific support staff employee and discuss specific employees whose employment was previously interrupted by a District resignation.

CLOSED SESSION via Zoom Online

• URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84436871056?pwd=ZWVYU0tRU0RvelYvOVVUUEhqNkhLUT09

– Passcode: 168369

• Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
• Webinar ID: 844 3687 1056
• – Passcode: 168369

OPEN SESSION Zoom Online
Agenda (Click on “meetings” in upper right corner): Discuss any items from closed session, plus Health Insurance Renewal Approval and Ratification of the Whitewater Education Association (WEA) 2024-25 Collective Bargaining Agreement

• URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85405543594?pwd=cDREOUFLQTVjdEY4ZzRsRjU3ckh3QT09

– Passcode: 818870

• Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
• Webinar ID: 854 0554 3594
• – Passcode: 818870

City of Whitewater Parks & Recreation Board – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St
*In Person and Virtual
Agenda includes update on downtown flowers and Discussion and possible action regarding Facility Rental and Reservation Policy updates.
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82237035777?pwd=dUNLRUhRR3QvMXpHUmU5RFVreUhMUT09
Meeting ID: 822 3703 577
Passcode: 874133
Dial 1 312 626 6799

City of Whitewater Community Development Authority – Thursday @ 5:30 pm.
Agenda is not posted as of 5/11/24.

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