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FCCU Honored with 2023 Governor’s Financial Literacy Award

May 7, 2024
Pictured left to right: First Lady Kathy Evers, Fiona Wiese (Operations and Fraud Specialist at FCCU), Whitney Townsend
(Director of Business & Community Development at FCCU), Sue Johnson (President and CEO of FCCU), Dani Sherman
(Digital Content Strategist at FCCU), Governor Tony Evers.


Fort Community Credit Union (FCCU) was recognized in February as one of four Wisconsin credit unions to receive the Governor’s Financial Literacy Award. Governor Tony Evers honored the recipients in a ceremony at the Wisconsin State Capitol. This award is in recognition of FCCU’s efforts to serve the underserved and increase financial knowledge and capacity within the communities they serve.

“Financial education gives people the tools they need to achieve their goals, expand their opportunities, and attain financial security for themselves and their families,” said Gov. Evers. “These dedicated individuals and organizations are doing important work to help Wisconsinites become more financially secure and prepare for their futures, which is a critical part of strengthening the financial well-being of our entire state.”

FCCU has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to promoting financial knowledge, capability, and inclusion. In 2023, FCCU focused on fraud prevention in their senior community, financial education for youth and the homeless, financial inclusion for Hispanic members, and products that encourage saving. As a result, over 1,700 individuals now have access to an emergency savings account. FCCU invested over 55 hours of classroom time between grades 2-12 and created a financial summer camp for kids. One of the most popular new events in 2023 was the Fraud Prevention seminars held at area senior centers.

“Receiving this award is a tremendous honor,” said Sue Johnson, FCCU’s CEO and President. “A thriving community starts with financial well-being for all. FCCU is committed to providing the tools to make it possible for everyone to prosper.”

Visit fortcommunity.com/about/community/community-impact to learn more about FCCU’s community impact.

GWC Hosting CEO of Edgerton Hospital; Public Welcome

May 7, 2024

The Greater Whitewater Committee is Set to Host President Chief/ Executive Officer of the Edgerton Hospital and Health Services, Marc Augsburger, as Guest Speaker at the May GWC Meeting 

The Greater Whitewater Committee (GWC) is set to host President/Chief Executive Officer of the Edgerton Hospital and Health Services, Marc Augsburger, at the upcoming May meeting. Marc will be discussing increasing costs on emergency room and outpatient care as a result of change and the demographics of the region for Edgerton Hospital, Fort HealthCare, and the Rock River Clinic. 

The GWC’s upcoming monthly meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 9 at 7 a.m. at 841 Brewhouse: 841 E Milwaukee St, Whitewater, WI 53190. The public is welcome to attend this meeting to hear more about emergency room, and outpatient care. If interested in attending, RSVP is required. To reserve your spot, contact Jeff Knight at jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com or 920.728.0662 by Wednesday, April 9. 

Marc Augsburger is a member of the Greater Whitewater Committee and serves as the President/Chief Executive Officer of Edgerton Hospital and Health Services; he has 30 years of diverse experience in the healthcare industry. 

Marc holds an Associates Degree in Nursing from Lima Technical College, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Wright State University, and a Masters of Business Administration, Health Care Emphasis, from Baker College of Graduate Studies.  

 About the GWC 

The GWC is an action-oriented group committed to working 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 required to energize and secure the Whitewater area’s economic future, as well as protect Whitewater’s quality of life.

UW-W Costa Rica Travel-study Changes Students’ Lives

May 7, 2024
UW-Whitewater students and faculty on the road in January during a 12-day travel study class for aspiring health care professionals in Costa Rica. (Photo courtesy Jodie Parys.)

Danijela Gallo found the affirmation she was looking for. Montana Petersen found new perspectives on the pace of life. Billy Williams found an experience he describes as “home.”

The three University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students were part of a 12-day faculty-led travel study class for students interested in health and aging. The course, held in Atenas, Costa Rica, immerses students in Spanish while giving them an opportunity to visit one of the world’s “Blue Zones” — five regions of the planet known and studied for human longevity.

“I had the privilege of meeting a remarkable 90-year-old woman named Lourdes, who was still actively riding horses, dancing and cherishing moments with her family,” said Gallo, who is studying to become a speech language pathologist. Gallo, who comes from Greendale, said the experience affirmed her recent decision to take on Spanish as a second major.

“I recognize the potential to work with bilingual students in the future (as a speech language pathologist),” she said. “The warmth and kindness of the people in Costa Rica left a lasting impression especially because of their enthusiasm for my efforts to learn Spanish.”

A student hugs an eldery person who is sitting in a chair.
Pictured: UW-Whitewater’s Danijela Gallo, left, and her friend Lourdes, who gave her insights into food, family, exercise and happiness as keys to a long and happy life. (Photo courtesy Danijela Gallo)

A passion for hands-on experience

Jodie Parys, a professor of world languages and cultures and a certified medical interpreter and translator who teaches a course in medical Spanish for health professionals, began creating the course as a “passion project” about eight years ago.

The course is cross-listed for Spanish, social work and public health students at the university.

“I always wanted to have an experiential piece of the course where students could go to learn about health care systems elsewhere in the world,” said Parys.

During a sabbatical in 2020, Parys established a connection with ARCOS Learning Abroad and traveled to Costa Rica, where her vision became a reality. An ARCOS director onsite in Atenas works with Parys to arrange the activities she selects for her students.

Back in Whitewater, Parys also connected with colleague Jeannine Rowe, a gerontologist and professor of social work whom she knew from her work with the office of Community Based Learning. With Rowe, who was eager to join Parys, the picture became complete.

UW-Whitewater students in Costa Rica

In 2022, 18 students were ready to go for the first class when a surge in the Omicron variant of COVID-19 deferred the trip. Several of those students signed up again the following year, and the course was launched in January of 2023. Gallo, Petersen and Williams were part of another group of 15 who went to Nicoya in 2024.

Students boarded with host families and spoke only Spanish for the length of their visit. Their days were active as they learned about health as a broad concept encompassing the mental, physical and spiritual.

A highlight for the students was their visit to the Nicoya Peninsula Blue Zone. There, the students visited an organic coffee plantation, learned about other organic farming practices and cooked and ate an eight-course lunch alongside residents. They were told about native plants and efforts to preserve heirloom seeds.

Parys said many of the older Costa Ricans arrived on bicycles to meet the students. One man was a 98-year-old farmer who had a message Parys related as, “If I stop moving, I die. This (farming) brings me joy.”

Gallo asked her friend Lourdes for the recipe to longevity.

“She attributed her prolonged and joyful life to her large family of 16 children and 14 grandchildren,” said Gallo. “And her passion for horses, a diet rich in natural foods, and a deliberate avoidance of stress.”

Gallo’s classmate Montana Petersen has been president of Latinos Unidos, a Precollege Program intern, and the undergraduate coordinator in the King-Chávez Scholars Program. She is back on campus living the involved student lifestyle but with some coping skills from Costa Rica.

Montana Peterson, left, in a cooking exercise. Access to fresh, organic produce is cited by Costa Ricans as one ingredient to health and longevity. (Photo courtesy Jodie Parys)

“Something that stood out to me was the general health and longevity of the elders in Costa Rica,” Petersen said. “Prioritizing movement and community is proven to increase the length and quality of life.

“Brianda (Salinas) and I went out dancing with our host family,” she added, referring to social work major Brianda Salinas, who also participated in the travel-study. “We were the youngest people at the venue, and it was very cool to see how the entire room was moving.”

A measurable impact

During moments when students gathered for class discussions, Parys saw the impact on the students in the experiences they shared, sometimes with tears.

“We were blessed with an amazing group of students,” she said. “They were just open-hearted students. Everyone was in tears. They said there was more of a sense of belonging than they had ever felt.”

A student dances with a local woman.
Pictured: Billy Williams, right, learns to dance as some of his classmates look on during the Costa Rica travel-study. Williams would like to work as a physician serving in a Spanish-speaking community. (Photo courtesy Jodie Parys)

The students also were shown Costa Rica’s national health care system, which includes comprehensive care funded through payroll deductions, much like Social Security in the U.S., and a privatized system in place for specialized care.

“I was fascinated by this dual system and thought it would be a great case study,” said Parys.

Billy Williams, a psychology student working on a pre-medical certificate, knew Parys from taking her classes. A junior, Williams was feeling his opportunities were running out to be able to go on a travel-study. So he jumped at the chance to take the course.

“The medical aspect of the travel-study was very interesting to me,” Williams said. “There are so many different ways they approach health care. Not all communities there approach it in the same way. We saw an indigenous community who does more traditional medicine and spiritual practices, and that was very interesting. We learned a lot about how their health insurance works and how it differs from ours.

“We struggle to fully support a lot of communities,” he said. “It was really, really fascinating to see that almost everyone there has that kind of support and access. And figuring out how that’s made possible was really cool.”

Williams’ hosts were Flory, a homemaker and “sobadora” who knows therapeutic massage and Gilbert, a carpenter. Their son Andre lives in the home, and their grown daughter Noelia came by every morning on visits Williams will not forget.

“Noelia would stop by every morning on her way to work to see her mom, give her a kiss and wish her a great day,” said Williams. “Their sense of family is one of their cultural traits that I really love. You can feel it as well as see it.”

Williams one day hopes to serve a Spanish-speaking community as a physician.

“It really helped me connect with that side of me and feel that this is where I belong,” he said. “This was truly life-changing for me because it made me feel a way I had never felt before.”


Written by Craig Schreiner | Photos submitted

Whitewater Community Chooses Finalists for Local Business Competition

May 7, 2024


The votes have been tallied, and the Whitewater community has spoken! With nearly 1,000 votes cast, and after careful consideration of the votes, we are thrilled to announce the finalists who will be advancing to the finale on May 18th. These outstanding businesses have captured the hearts of our community with their innovation, dedication, and exceptional service:

  • Whitewater Grocery Cooperative
  • The Book Teller
  • Uptown Revive
  • Stellar Vintage
  • The Wellnest Shop
  • The Poppy Seed Company
  • BaristaCats Café’
  • BH Events LLC- Bowers House

To our esteemed finalists: Congratulations! In the coming days, the Media Services staff at City Hall will be in touch to
schedule a time to meet with you and film additional content highlighting your business. We encourage you to showcase
what makes your venture unique and share your journey with the wider community.

Sing, Dance, Thrive! Free Class for Young Children and Caregivers

May 7, 2024

Do you and your young kids love to sing, dance, and play musical instruments? Do you wish you had new parenting strategies to handle stress, meltdowns, and challenging behaviors?

Children ages zero to six and their caregivers are invited to “Sing, Dance, Thrive,” a free class at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library on Saturday, May 11 at 9:45-11:00 a.m. Participants will engage in imaginative music and movement adventures, playfully dance with colorful ribbons and parachutes, and nurture relationships by deepening emotional awareness and learning coping strategies for home and school.

The class is taught by Noelle Larson, a Board-Certified Music Therapist, graduate of Whitewater High School and Berklee College of Music, and the owner of Circle of Song Music Therapy, LLC. Noelle has a passion for helping clients and participants to “Connect, Thrive, and Come Alive Through Music,” strengthen family relationships, learn adaptive coping strategies, and experience wonder and joy through the delight of participating in live music making.

There is no cost or registration required to attend. Contact Sarah French with any questions at sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or 262-473-0530.

Wright House Concert: Subversive Librarian

May 7, 2024

The next Wright House Concert is scheduled for Saturday, May 11, featuring local storyteller, Sarah Beth Nelson.

Subversive Librarian: Stories Lived and Told by an American Librarian in Norwich England

In the fall of 2008, Sarah Beth married John Nelson and they immediately moved to Norwich, UK, where John had a scholarship to study abroad. In order to stay busy (and sane) Sarah Beth volunteered as a librarian and storyteller. Jack, Boudica, the Foolish Frog, and the many people she met along the way made her feel like a heroine, but her return to the US in the spring of 2009 was less than heroic…

Guest MC: Karen McCulloch

Karen owns Whitewater’s local book store, The Book Teller. She hosts events for writers and readers at The Book Teller and has hosted outdoor open mics on 1st Street.

Register on Eventbrite: https://subversivelibrarian.eventbrite.com

Blowing or Leaving Grass Clippings in Street is Prohibited

May 6, 2024


This public service announcement serves as a reminder that blowing or depositing grass clippings into any City street is
prohibited. Reasons this is not permitted include: 1) Grass clippings, leaves, and other lawn debris can clog storm drains,
resulting in street and private property flooding. 2) Storm drains flow directly to local lakes untreated. Grass clippings add
unnecessary nutrients, which help feed harmful algae blooms. 3) Clippings can make the street slippery and hazardous
for bicyclists and motorcyclists.

Using a mulching mower puts clippings back into the turf and keeps the nutrients where they belong. Should you choose
to use a discharging mower, please be sure to point the blower toward your property (away from the street) to prevent
clippings from leaving your lawn. Mowers may also choose to bag clippings, but they may not be disposed of in the
garbage totes. City residents are encouraged to compost clippings on their property or take them to the City’s compost
site.

When finished mowing, be sure to use a blower, broom, or rake to clean up any grass clippings or debris that have
inadvertently made their way into the street, sidewalk, or storm drain.

City Code – Chapter 12.08 – STREET OBSTRUCTIONS
Sections:
12.08.010 – Prohibited.
(a) No person, except as provided in Section 12.08.020, shall place, deposit, keep, or cause to be placed, deposited or
kept in or upon any street, alley, gutter, sidewalk or public ground within the limits of this city any stone, brick, timber,
lumber, iron, wood or other material for building, or any wood, snow, rubbish, earth, grass clippings or lawn debris, or
anything or substance whatever; nor shall any person burn or cause to be burned any such substance in any public street
or alley; nor shall any person leave any automobile, truck, trailer, equipment or other vehicle standing or parked in or upon
any street, alley, sidewalk, or public ground so as to encumber the same, or so as to obstruct, impede, or hinder travel
thereon; nor shall any person leave, or cause to suffer any box, barrel, crate, cask, bale, package, merchandise, or other
thing to stand, be or remain upon any street, alley, sidewalk, gutter, or public ground longer than may be actually
necessary for the act of delivering or receiving the same.
(b) Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall forfeit and pay a penalty of not less than twenty-five
dollars not more than two hundred fifty dollars, together with the costs of prosecution.
(Ord. 983 §51, 1982; prior code §6.01(1))
(Ord. No. 1759A, § 1, 2-16-2010)

Brad Marquardt
Director of Public Works
bmarquardt@whitewater-wi.gov

Track and Field Athletes Compete in RVC Divisional Meet

May 6, 2024

Whitewater Track & Field competed in a Rock Valley Divisional Meet at East Troy on April 30. There were five schools at this meet; the Whitewater Boys ended in 2nd place and the Whippet Girls placed 5th.

Ethan Dugan
  • Senior Jaylyn Ewing won the High Jump with a jump of 6-2. He was also 3rd in the Discus throw of 126′.
  • Junior Alani Ross was 3rd in the Triple Jump (31′) and the 100 Meter Dash.
  • Senior Ethan Dugan won the 400 Meter Dash in 49.47, which is the second fastest time in school history, and junior Traysen Thomason won the 100 Meter Dash with the fourth fastest time in school history at 11.00.
  • Akamion McHenry placed 2nd in the 200 and 2nd in the 400.
  • Nate Holden placed 2nd in the 800.
  • Jack Hefty won the 1600 in 4:22.86.
  • The Boys’ 4×1 placed 2nd in 45.63. This relay consisted of Nate Black, Ty Hagedorn, Keenan Sheffield, and Quincy Boudreau.
  • The Boys’ 4×2 placed 1st with a time of 1:32.86 and consisted of Nate Black, Curtis Rossmiller, Traysen Thomason, and Quincy Boudreau.
  • The Boys’ 4×4 also won with a time of 3:28.35 and consisted of Jack Hefty, Nate Holden, Curtis Rossmiller, and Ethan Dugan.
  • Quinton O’Toole won the pole vault with a new personal best of 10′ 6″.
  • Mady Hefty placed 3rd in the 3200 with a time of 13:19.
  • Carley Boudreau placed 3rd in the 300H with a time of 53.62.
  • The Girls’ 4×1 placed first in 53.91. This relay consisted of Giulia Ristagno, Calli Grosinske, A’lani Ross, and Emy Islas.

The Whippets will be hosting the eleven team Rock Valley Conference Meet on Friday, May 10th. Field events start at 4:00 and running events begin at 4:30.

Jaylyn Ewing

Article Submitted by Chad Carstens
Whitewater High School Track and Field Coach
ccarstens@wwusd.org
Photos Courtesy of Bob Mischka

Obituaries

Obituary: Kandi Lynn Kincaid (Cardinal)

In Loving Memory of Kandi Lynn Kincaid (Cardinal)Beloved Daughter, Sister, Mother, Grandmother, and Friend It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Kandi Lynn Kincaid, daughter of Eunice and Richard Kincaid, on December 28th at 7 PM. Kandi passed away peacefully in bed, enjoying one of her favorite pastimes—watching crime shows. Kandi was a woman of many passions. She was a devoted fan of the Chicago Bears, found joy in listening to 2Pac, and had an unwavering love for animals, always standing against cruelty of any kind. Her smile could light up a room, and her warmth … Read more

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Obituary: Dr. George Harold Seeburger, 89, of Lake Mills

Dr. George Harold Seeburger, 89, of Lake Mills passed away on Friday, January 3, 2025 at Lilac Springs Assisted Living in Lake Mills. George was born on July 20, 1935 in Phillips, Wisconsin to George and Nellie (Knight) Seeburger.  He graduated from Phillips High School and received an undergraduate degree from UW Stevens Point and went on to earn his PhD from the University of Georgia Athens. He was a biology professor at UW Whitewater up until his retirement. George married Nancy Carole Skalitzky on November 6, 1959 in Waukegan, Illinois. Nancy passed on November 13, 2021.  They enjoyed traveling … Read more

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Obituary: William J. “Bill” West, 75

William J. “Bill” West, 75, of Whitewater passed away on Tuesday, December 24, 2024 at Fort Memorial Hospital in Fort Atkinson. Bill was born on September 8, 1949 to John and Bessie (Sutherland) West in Fort Atkinson. He worked at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater for twelve years. Bill enjoyed watching the Packers and NASCAR. He is survived by his girlfriend, Sandy Hahn; and many friends and family. A memorial visitation will take place on Thursday, January 16, 2025 from 11 AM until 1 PM at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St., Whitewater, WI 53190. Inurnment will take … Read more

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Obituary: David Harold Baker Jr., 61, of Portland, OR

David Harold Baker Jr., beloved husband, father, stepfather, son, and brother, passed away on December 16, 2024, in Portland, Oregon, at the age of 61. Born on August 10, 1963, in Beaufort, South Carolina, David was the firstborn child of David Baker Sr. and the late Betty Jean Baker (née Wickham) while his father served in the United States Marine Corps. David spent his early years in Wyoming, where the family lived until his parents divorced. In 1976, David moved to Oregon with his father, and he graduated from high school in 1982. Shortly after, he moved to Wisconsin to … Read more

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Obituary: Allen C. Hicks, 85

Allen C. Hicks, 85 of Whitewater passed away on Saturday, January 4th, 2025 at Huntington Memory Care in Janesville. Al, the oldest of seven boys, was born on July 5th, 1939, in Belvidere, Illinois to Walt and Laura (Keller) Hicks. A few years later, the family bought a dairy farm in Whitewater and became very active in the Whitewater community. There was always work to be done or something to be repaired on the farm which led to Al’s lifelong love of tinkering. He was very active in high school sports which continued on into his adult years playing in … Read more

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Obituary: Jeanette Ila Hansen, 91

Jeanette Ila Hansen, 91, Whitewater passed away on December 24, 2024 at Rainbow Hospice Inpatient Center in Johnson Creek, WI, having lived independently almost all her later life. Jeanette was born on May 12, 1933 in Whitewater, WI to Alvin and Maybell (Maasz) Cox.  She married Norman Hansen on November 2, 1950 and they were married for 59 years.  Jeanette enjoyed fishing, reading, indoor gardening, collecting dolls, and cooking; and she made many beautiful items with crocheting, knitting, and sewing.  She was generous and seemed to have a good word to say about almost everyone she met. She especially loved … Read more

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Obituary: Isaac Richard Unger, 31

Isaac Richard Unger left the field on Christmas Day, and is now at peace. He was born in Whitewater, WI on April 1st, 1993 to Paul and Mary Jo (née Peiffer) Unger. Isaac was born ten days late on a silly holiday, and lived his life as such–never rushed, and with a lighthearted sense of humor. Isaac graduated from Madison East High School in 2011, and then attended UW-River Falls from 2011-2016, where he studied English and philosophy. Isaac was a sports lover, not only as a spectator, but as a participant. Isaac grew up playing soccer, basketball (Badger Sporting … Read more

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Obituary: John George Mack, 61

John George Mack passed away into eternal glory on December 24th, 2024. John was born December 1, 1963, in Fort Atkinson, WI to Ronald and Mary Alice (Hanson) Mack of Whitewater.   John was a 1982 Whitewater High School graduate. In 1983 just out of high school John started his first wood company selling wholesale through all the major gift markets including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and New York. At the time his clients included 8 out of the 10 retail chains and several thousand independent stores nationwide. John had so many wonderful customers and associates.   As the wholesale gift market shifted to cheaper overseas … Read more

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Obituary: Clifford Maynard Witte, 103

Clifford Maynard Witte, age 103, of Whitewater, WI completed his earthly journey on December 24, 2024 in his home surrounded by his loving family.  Clifford was born on September 13, 1921 on a farm in Mount Horeb, WI, and was the third child of Ella and Eli Witte.  Clifford served his country by joining the Navy in 1942 during WWII, and served alongside his two brothers. Later he used the GI bill to attend Palmer Chiropractic College in Davenport, IA. There he met the love of his life, Beulah (Billie) Ohrberg, and they married on Nov 7, 1946. Shortly after … Read more

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Obituary: Mary Ann Burkhardt, 79

Mary Ann Burkhardt, 79, passed away December 24, 2024, at Edgerton Hospital, surrounded by loved ones following a brief illness. Mary was born on September 14, 1945, in Chicago, IL, to Raymond and Helen (Pasternak) Burkhardt. She attended elementary school in Chicago and Good Counsel Catholic Girls High School, before her family moved to Whitewater where she graduated from WHS in 1963.  She worked at Gus’s Pizza Palace, Whitewater Products, and finally, Jones Dairy Farm until her retirement 33 years later.  She enjoyed bowling, snowmobiling, boating, golf, riding her motorcycle, and playing softball for the Long Branch Saloon.  She was … Read more

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