News & Events

Join Cristina Ballatori, UW-W Flute Faculty, and Friends to celebrate Women’s History Month in a program featuring the music of women composers. Thursday, March 14, 7:30 p.m., Light Recital Hall, Greenhill Center for the Arts, 950 W. Main Street

Music Mosaics programs support scholarships for music students.

Tickets may be purchased at this link. Adults are $10, age 65+ and under 16 are $6. Tickets purchased at the door are subject to a $2 each surcharge.

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Wild Ones Kettle Moraine Chapter.

While Wisconsin’s Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI) leads the way for evaluating climate change impacts on Wisconsin and identifying solutions, much of the research conducted on carbon sequestration has been in natural landscapes and agricultural lands. Intact, diverse ecosystems show the greatest resilience to climate change and can better absorb stress. Furthermore, interconnected ecosystems are critical to ecological health and the ability for flora and fauna to adapt to climate change. Residential ornamental landscapes have potential to sequester carbon, reduce flooding and erosion and enhance biodiversity. As gardeners, our practices are part of the whole landscape system and we can contribute to creating healthy and diverse ecosystems.

In this interactive discussion, we will briefly take a step back to understand the basics of climate and the carbon cycle so we have a common understanding of impacts in Wisconsin and the relationship of gardeners to the changing landscape. Together, we will explore science-guided gardening practices, actions and resources to reduce emissions, better sequester carbon in plant biomass and soil and retain ecological functional values across landscapes. You, as gardeners, no matter your experience or gardening expertise, no matter if you have a large, small or no yard, can help lead the way through sustainable gardening practices to adapt to the impacts of climate change. 

Julie Hill is the Horticulture Outreach Specialist for UW-Madison Division of Extension serving Walworth, Rock and Jefferson Counties. She works with local, regional and statewide partners to provide horticulture education to residents of Walworth, Rock and Jefferson counties and statewide audiences. As a free service to these counties, Julie also provides advice on a variety of lawn, landscape or gardening issues and concerns.

WHEN:  Saturday, March 16. 2024, at 10 a.m.

WHERE:  South Kettle Moraine State Forest Headquarters, Eagle

      S91W39091 Highway 59; One mile west of Eagle, on Highway 59

Open to the Public.  No admission fee.

Editor’s note:  Monica Los was interviewed by Marjorie Stoneman on behalf of Whitewater Unites Lives.

Every immigration story is unique, and Monica Los’ path to citizenship and living in Whitewater is no different.  Born in Peru, Monica traveled to the United States during the summer to visit family in Boston and as a working student in Lake Geneva during the summer of her law school studies.  After a variety of experiences both in the United States and across the world, Monica’s path has led her to Whitewater, where she and her husband are raising their 11-year-old daughter. 

She is so grateful to the people of Whitewater who have welcomed her and her family, are respectful, willing to help, and care about the community. 

“Whitewater has been very healing,” said Monica.

Monica’s journey began in Peru, where she attended an all-girls school run by German nuns. 

As a law student in Peru, Monica wanted to explore the world, and she ended up choosing Wisconsin, specifically Lake Geneva, for her summer work.

At a resort, she helped with housekeeping and then was promoted to the office because of her great dual-language skills.  As a student there she realized she was making more money than many of the immigrants who lived and worked there.  She learned how to make a bed for the first time and was taught by one of the local immigrant workers.  She later met that same woman through her work at Planned Parenthood. 

Both of Monica’s parents were chemical engineers in Peru and her father a professor, so education was important to them.  Monica met her husband while in Wisconsin, and eventually decided to finish her schooling at UW-Whitewater.  She came to the United States with a ‘fiancé’ visa, and as such they had to interview with an American woman who asked them to prove their relationship was real.  Her fiancé pulled out a stack of calling cards that he had purchased to make the long-distance calls to her and that sealed the deal. 

Monica has two undergraduate degrees, one in political science and one in international studies.  She then went on to earn her master’s degrees in public administration and nonprofit management at DePaul University. 

Because medical costs are so expensive in the United States, Monica would, each year, travel to Peru for checkups and medicine.  One year she had run out of birth control, and found out she could get help from Planned Parenthood.  She made a promise to herself that, “If I can ever do something for them I will totally do that.”  Years later, she ended up as the manager of Planned Parenthood.

“I am on the side of privilege and it is a duty and an honor to represent those who cannot represent themselves,” she said of her work as manager of the Planned Parenthood of Delavan.

She is also aware that the majority of immigrants are focused on work, work and more work.  In many countries, like Nicaragua, people are not allowed to stand up for themselves politically, so it does not come naturally.  She hopes that the people who have lived here for a long time will realize they have a voice and know that they can help make the community stronger.  And she hopes newcomers will realize that they have advocates and people who welcome them into the Whitewater community.

WUL (Whitewater Unites Lives) is a locally-focused civil and human rights group that works to connect the people in our community and to create opportunities for all people to learn and support each other in our common humanity.

Each year, millions of Muslims begin fasting from sunrise to sunset and engage in activities that challenge their self-restraint and bring them closer to God.

This year, Ramadan began on the night of Sunday, March 10, with fasting starting the next morning on Monday. [From USA Today]

Ramadan (Arabic: رَمَضَان, romanized: Ramaḍān [ra.ma.dˤaːn];^[a] also spelled Ramazan, Ramzan, Ramadhan, or Ramathan) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar,^[8] observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (sawm), prayer (salah), reflection, and community.^[9] A commemoration of Muhammad’s first revelation,^[10] the annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam^[11] and lasts twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.^[12][13]

Fasting from dawn to sunset is obligatory (fard) for all adult Muslims who are not acutely or chronically ill, travelling, elderly, breastfeeding, diabetic, pregnant, or menstruating.^[14] The predawn meal is referred to as suhur, and the nightly feast that breaks the fast is called iftar.^[15][16] Although rulings (fatawa) have been issued declaring that Muslims who live in regions with a midnight sun or polar night should follow the timetable of Mecca,^[17] it is common practice to follow the timetable of the closest country in which night can be distinguished from day.^[18][19][20]

The spiritual rewards (thawab) of fasting are believed to be multiplied during Ramadan.^[21] Accordingly, during the hours of fasting, Muslims refrain not only from food and drink, but also tobacco products, sexual relations, and sinful behavior,^[22][23] devoting themselves instead to prayer and study of the Quran.^[24][25] [From Wikipedia]

The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image above and on the homepage by Daniel Dan outsideclick from Pixabay.

Dr. Corey A. King was inaugurated as the 18th chancellor of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater in the Young Auditorium on February 23, 2024. He actually started in the position on March 1, 2023. Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser.

Whitewater High School Forensics competed at UW-Whitewater’s annual Speech Bowl on Saturday, led by outstanding performances from seniors Emerson Ellenwood (Expository Speaking) and Emmanuella Mbifi (Extemporaneous Speaking) and junior Carley Boudreau (Informative Speaking). Their combined efforts earned them 1st Place in the Small Teams Division. The award for this division is known as the Jeanine Fassl Award, named in honor of Jeanine Fassl, former Director of UW-Whitewater’s Forensics program and long-time Whitewater resident and advocate for the arts. Jeanine was there to present the award, making the occasion even more memorable.

The team’s next competition is the Wisconsin Interscholastic Speech and Dramatic Arts Association (WISDAA) State Series District Tournament at Stoughton High School on March 21st.

Article and Photo Submitted by Elizabeth Miller
Whitewater High School Forensics Coach
emiller@wwusd.org

Recent findings indicate the presence of spongy moths in the local vegetation surrounding Starin Park. While these moths pose no direct threat to humans or animals, it is important for citizens to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent potential damage to their own outdoor spaces.

Spongy moths, scientifically known as Lepidoptera Porifera, have been observed in increased numbers due to favorable weather conditions and abundant nearby vegetation. These unique moths possess a sponge-like abdomen and rely on plants as their primary food source.

To safeguard the health and vitality of vegetation in private outdoor spaces, citizens are urged to consider the
following recommendations:

1. Monitor your vegetation: Regularly inspect plants and trees in your garden or yard for any signs of spongy moths, such as larvae or cocoons.
2. Mitigate potential damage: Take appropriate measures, such as pruning infested branches or using environmentally friendly pest control methods, to minimize potential damage caused by spongy moths.
3. Educate yourself and others: Learn more about spongy moths, their lifecycle, and preventive measures to help spread awareness among neighbors, friends, and family.
   
   By staying informed and proactive, citizens can contribute to the conservation of local vegetation and prevent
   the further proliferation of spongy moths. Together, we can preserve the beauty and health of our outdoor
   spaces.

Editor’s note: This DNR link has photos of various spring defoliator caterpillars.

From this DNR site: Spongy moth populations may have a temporary, large increase (an “outbreak”) in an area about every 10 years. Defoliation of susceptible tree and shrub species may be widespread during outbreaks, although healthy trees and shrubs are likely to survive if they are defoliated. High caterpillar numbers can be a tremendous nuisance. In addition, the caterpillar hairs can cause skin rashes and other reactions in some people. Management options [exit DNR] for reducing high populations include: egg mass oils, barrier and collection bands, physically destroying life stages, drowning egg masses and caterpillars in a can of soapy water, insecticidal soaps and insecticide application to high-value trees or forest stands.

V

Photos, taken on March 9, courtesy of Tom Ganser.

Demolition of the Hawk Bowl & Apartments in preparation for the construction of the Aldi grocery store is proceeding, with the bowling alley being the primary remaining structure. The March 11 Plan & Architectural Review Commission agenda includes review of the proposed signage for the Aldi store. The site plan calls for two pads, with the proposed use of the second pad not yet announced.