News & Events

It’s movie awards season and Seniors in the Park is featuring many nominated and winning films!

“Nyad”

Tuesday, March 26, 1 p.m.

(Drama/Biography) Rated PG-13

2 hours, 1 minute (2023)

The remarkable, true story of athlete Diana Nyad (Annette Bening) who, at age 60, and with the help of her partner and coach (Jodie Foster), commits to achieving her lifelong dream of swimming the 110 miles from Havana to Key West, Florida. This film earned Oscar nominations for both actresses!

Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. Although there is no charge to attend, regular participants are encouraged to join Seniors in the Park. The annual fee for residents of the Whitewater Unified School District is $10 and non-residents is $15. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes our of our fundraising monies. If you cannot afford the fee, we have a fund that will cover it for you. Fees are accepted at the Starin Park Community Building or online at https://schedulesplus.com/wwtr/kiosk/

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the City of Whitewater.

The City of Whitewater is committed to providing adequate housing for all residents, including the “missing middle” population. This includes entry-level workers, professional workers, and public employees such as teachers, police officers, and public works staff.

In an effort to address this housing need, the City’s affordable housing assistance loan program has already helped its first new homeowner. At the March 5th Common Council meeting the council approved changes to the housing policy to make applying even more accessible. Additionally, re zoning efforts have allowed for projects such as Habitat for Humanity and the Meadowview Neighborhood to be approved and are currently in development.

The City has laid out strategic goals and milestones to facilitate the creation of 50+ new family-style homes within the next five years. These new additions to workforce housing in our community are expected to support public works, school systems, and general economic development in the area.

“We are excited to see the positive impact that these new housing developments will have on our community,” said Taylor Zeinert, Interim Economic Development Director. “By providing affordable and accessible housing options for our workforce, we are helping to create a more vibrant and thriving city for all residents.”

For more information about the Meadowview Neighborhood contact 262-473-0144. If you are a developer looking to build in Whitewater call 262-473-0101.

The City of Whitewater provides efficient and high quality services which support living, learning, playing and working in an exceptional community. Visit www.whitewater-wi.gov for community information and updates.

Fort HealthCare is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to the organization’s board of directors, Lesley Baird Chapin, PsyD, and Roberta Wedl, MD.

Lesley Baird Chapin, PsyD, serves as the Vice President and Executive Director of the Pauquette Center for Psychological Services, an outpatient mental health organization catering primarily to rural Wisconsin communities. [One of the Pauquette Center’s clinics is located in the Innovation Center in Whitewater.] She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and completed her doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of Denver. Dr. Chapin underwent pre-doctoral training at CMC Randolph Behavioral Health in Charlotte, NC, where she gained experience across various settings, including emergency department, inpatient, outpatient, and residential facilities. Dr. Chapin obtained her post-doctoral experience with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and has provided services and consultation for adults and juveniles in correctional and forensic spaces ever since. As a certified Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) practitioner, she provides direct services, offers nationwide consulting and training, and contributes to enhancing DBT access for underinsured and Medicaid recipients in Wisconsin. Additionally, she is part of a workgroup working to enhance access to mental health services for Deaf/Hard of Hearing/Deafblind communities across the State of Wisconsin. Her dedication to evidence-based practices underscores her belief in providing optimal treatment options to her clients. “Born and raised in Fort Atkinson, I have maintained a strong connection to my hometown, and I am deeply invested in ensuring quality healthcare for its residents,” stated Dr. Chapin.

Roberta Wedl, MD, is a board-certified family medicine physician. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and her medical degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health – Madison. Dr. Wedl completed her internship and residency at the University of Wisconsin – SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Madison. Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, she is an active member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians. [Dr. Wedl practices family and geriatric medicine at SSM Health Dean Medical Group in Whitewater.] Dr. Wedl also brings her expertise to Fort HealthCare’s board as Chief of Staff, where she oversees the coordination of medical services and ensures the highest standards of patient care. Dr. Wedl added, “Joining Fort HealthCare’s board as Chief of Staff, I’m honored to help lead our community towards exceptional healthcare delivery, emphasizing family-centered care and preventive medicine.”

Michael Anderson, MD, Fort HealthCare President & CEO, welcomes the new members to the board of directors. Board members are chosen based on their professional skills and ability to represent the healthcare needs of the various communities within the Fort HealthCare primary service area. “We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Chapin and Dr. Wedl to Fort HealthCare’s board of directors. Their expertise and dedication to advancing healthcare excellence will undoubtedly strengthen our mission to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing the highest quality in healthcare,” said Anderson.

In addition to Dr. Chapin and Dr. Wedl, other Fort HealthCare board members are community representatives James Fitzpatrick, Ph.D. – Chair, Tom Vinz – Secretary, Roy Budlong – Vice Chair and Treasurer, Christopher Martin – Attorney, Carla Haubenschild, Christi Ott, and providers Bill Kontny, MD, Paul Schuppner, DO, Stephanie Nottestad, MD, and Mary Beck Metzger, DNP.

About Fort HealthCare

Fort HealthCare is committed to improving the health and well-being of our communities, with a vision to be the healthiest community in Wisconsin. As the leading healthcare provider in the region, it is our goal to reach as many members of the community as possible with health and wellness messages, providing tools and resources to help individuals improve their health and quality of life while collaborating with several partners to positively improve the population’s health overall on a long-term basis. FortHealthCare.com.

Editor’s note: The above press release was submitted by Fort HealthCare.

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

For the last three weeks, we featured a mid-20th century band marching in a parade. This week, how about a c.1900 band marching in a parade down Main Street? The best part about this photo are the three young boys walking in front of the band. Who doesn’t love a band in a parade! Note the ornate storefront of the corner building. It was the old First National Bank (later First Citizens State Bank).

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

3833P, Whitewater Historical Society

The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office is currently predicting that the Whitewater area may receive 4-8″ of snow by early Friday afternoon. Snow may begin falling by about 1 a.m. on Friday, with the heaviest rate, greater than 1″ per hour, likely occurring between about 10 a.m. and noon on Friday. This is expected to be a wet/heavy snow, so anyone who will be shoveling is advised to move small amounts of snow at a time and take many breaks.

Living with Pain? Healthy Living with Chronic Pain Can Help!

ADRC of Rock County Offers Program to Help Alleviate and Cope with Ongoing Pain Symptoms

We all experience pain from time to time – from headaches to muscle strains. But many people live with ongoing, persistent pain – known as chronic pain – that comes from injuries or conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, nerve damage, and others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 11% – 40% of the U.S. adult population has chronic pain that impacts their physical and mental health and is one of the most common reasons that people seek medical care. That’s the bad news.

The good news is that help is available for people in Rock County. [The Banner has been assured that residents of Jefferson or Walworth County are also welcome to participate as long as space is available.] Healthy Living with Chronic Pain (HLCP) is an evidence-based program for people living with on-going, persistent pain. The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Rock County will be offering an online series on six Tuesday mornings, from April 2 – May 14, 2024 (no class April 23rd.) The time will be from 9:00-11:30 a.m. each week. People will need a computer or tablet with a camera, microphone and have reliable internet. Leaders are Chris Devine and Kay Searfoss.

Developed at Stanford University, the program provides information and strategies for reducing and managing pain and has been researched and proven to decrease pain, improve mental health, and increase confidence in one’s ability to manage pain down
the road. Each weekly session is 2-1/2 hours long and provides a venue for mutual support and sharing among participants.

To learn more or to register for Healthy Living with Chronic Pain, please contact the Health Promotion Coordinator at the ADRC of Rock County by calling: 608-757-5309 or email: Lisa.Messer@co.rock.wi.us. Space is limited, please register as soon as possible.
Suggested donation is $20 and includes a resource book and program materials. Best suited for those age 60+.

The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Rock County supports the independence of older adults, adults with disabilities, their families, and caregivers, by providing services and connecting individuals to available support, education, and programs.

Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the ADRC of Rock County. The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage from pexels by Engin Akyurt.

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

There will be at least one Easter egg hunt in the city this year, but the bunny will be delayed until the Sunday after Easter, April 7. Hunter Karnitz, who was recently appointed as manager of the Whitewater Aquatic & Fitness Center (WAFC), confirmed that the event will take place after Easter due to the schedule of an intern who is planning and leading it. The information provided below is from the Parks & Recreation site, where registrations may be made.

WAFC Egg Hunt 2024!! Come join us for a fun-filled egg hunt in and around the Aquatic Center Pool! There will be three different age groups for this event: 0-5 year olds, 6-10 year olds, 10-18 year olds that will take place right after one another. Kids will have 20 minutes to find as many eggs as they can, then turn them in for prizes! Eggs will be reset and then the next group will do their searching! Afterwards the pool will be open for swimming. There is a small cost to participate which will go back to improving the Aquatic Center! All who participate will receive a FREE Day Pass as well that they can use the next time they come for Open Swim!

Register at the WAFC desk or here: https://whitewater.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=4751

*Please have your child wear a swim suit and bring a towel and some sort of bag/basket to carry eggs!

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Joshua Choate from Pixabay.