News & Events

Whitewater’s Coolest Event of the Year—IS BACK!

Special Olympics Wisconsin supporters from across southern Wisconsin will Go Polar in Whitewater on Saturday, March 9 for the 2024 Polar Plunge® for Special Olympics Wisconsin, presented by Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics and U.S. Venture.

The Whitewater Polar Plunge® kicks off at noon with an Opening Ceremony at Whitewater Aquatic Center (580 S Elizabeth St., Whitewater) followed by nonstop plunging. This plunge—the first ever Inclusive Plunge—will take place inside and feature an optional ramp-entry pool, allowing for people of all abilities to participate. The day will include live music, a chili cook-off, photo moments with Chilly Bear, food and beverage options, souvenirs, and plenty of fun memories while raising funds for Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes.

Polar Plunge® is Special Olympics Wisconsin’s largest annual fundraiser, this winter celebrating 25 years of the annual event. This year’s statewide goal is to raise $1 million.

More information, including registration and an updated schedule of events, can be found at PlungeWI.org. Pre-registrations are highly encouraged, but on-site day-of registration will also be available.

Whitewater is one of eight Polar Plunge® locations spanning six Saturdays across the state. Other events this winter include Wisconsin Rapids, Oshkosh, Madison, Green Bay, Milwaukee, Chippewa Falls, and La Crosse.

This year’s Polar Plunge® features three ways to participate:

1. Plunge: Individuals and their teams can take a traditional dip in-person at eight statewide locations. Those opting out of an in-person event can make their own adventure via Alternative Plunge.
2. Pledge: Less daring individuals can still fundraise for the cause by registering as a “Polar Pledger.”
3. Support: Finally, the “Support a Plunger” campaign allows fans to support other Polar Plunge® participants—all in the spirit of inclusion.

All can fundraise—however, participants must raise the minimum $100 to physically plunge. Those who do will receive the official Polar Plunge® long-sleeve shirt. Those raising more can earn additional incentives.

Event partners for the Whitewater Polar Plunge® are U.S. Venture, Kriete Truck Centers, City of Whitewater, Bob & Sharon McCullough, Ring Tunes, Event Essentials, Avid, Fort Community Credit Union and Hexpol.

All funds raised for this unique winter tradition go directly to Special Olympics Wisconsin, including helping thousands of statewide SOWI athletes train and compete at the state, national, and international level. The event also supports year-round health and wellness programs, leadership development, and Unified Champion School initiatives that enrich the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID).

For more information about the Special Olympics Wisconsin movement, visit SpecialOlympicsWisconsin.org.

Samuel Yamashita

Every August 6 without fail, articles and editorials appear in newspapers and magazines throughout the world that ask whether the war with Japan had to end with the dropping of atomic bombs. Dr. Samuel Yamashita (Henry E. Sheffield Professor of History, Pomona College) will describe Japan’s strategic position on the Asian mainland and in the Pacific at the war’s end, deteriorating home front conditions, the many missed opportunities to end the conflict and the military extremists’ final failed attempts to keep the surrender from taking place on August 15, 1945. Hamilton Room, University Center, March 5 @ 6:00 p.m. There is a charge for parking on campus during the week – see this link for information.

Editor’s note: The above event was posted to the UW-W Calendar.

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Madison Brass Band.

The Madison Brass Band is thrilled to present their Spring Concert – CELEBRATIONS! on March 10th, 2024, at 1:00 PM in the Whitewater High School Auditorium under the baton of new Musical Director, John Lynch.

Join us for a festive concert featuring uplifting music from diverse compositional voices including Chuck Mangione, Nicole Piunno, Giovanni Santos, & Neil Hefti. We will include a wonderful medley of Disney favorites and present our thrilling and challenging repertoire for the North American Brass Band Association Championships in April.

This will be the first opportunity for Dr. Don Deal, Solo Euphonist with the Madison Brass Band, to perform with the ensemble in his home town. Dr. Deal was the band director at Whitewater High School from 1979 to 2012. He annually leads an Alumni Band that is a highlight of the 4th of July Parade in Whitewater. Don has been playing with the Madison Brass Band since its inception in 2002, winning the “Best Soloist” Award at the U.S. Open Brass Band Championships in 2014 and 1st place in the NABBA Low Brass competition in 2016 and 2023. Don will be featured as a soloist several times throughout this concert! The ensemble will also include WHS alumni Darren Powers and Griffin James.

Founded in 2002, this group of talented amateur musicians has earned recognition for their outstanding performances, including appearances at prestigious events like the Wisconsin State Convention of the National Band Association and the Wisconsin State Music Conference.

In 2012, they ventured into competitive Brass Band events and achieved Champion of the Second Section in their first NABBA Competition. The band’s dedication is further exemplified by their collaborations with renowned clinicians like Joe Parisi, Scott Teeple, Colin Holman, Mark Taylor and Phillip Harper. Under the direction of new Musical Director John Lynch, the band continues to thrive with outstanding performances and a commitment to musical innovation.

Admission is free. Donations will be accepted at the door and will be shared equally with the WHS Band.

For more information, please visit madisonbrass.com or contact: David Woolpert, (608)-206-5573, dwoolpert@me.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madisonbrassband/

On the web: madisonbrass.com

City of Whitewater Election Inspector Training – Monday @ 2:30 & 4:30 p.m.
312 W Whitewater St -Common Council Chambers
This notice is given to inform the Public that the City of Whitewater is holding an Election Inspector
Training. There are several Common Council members signed up for the Training. A quorum of the Common Council may be present. This notice is given to inform the public that no formal action will be taken.

City of Whitewater Equal Opportunities Commission Meeting – Monday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda includes update on Walworth County transitional housing, discussion and possible actions regarding activities to promote a welcoming and educational environment for new immigrants, discussion and possible action regarding proactive approaches to address potential Neonazi activities in the city or on the campus.
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:
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/266997061
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 266-997-061
United States: +1 (872) 240-3412
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes closed session, to be followed by open session, regarding Negotiation of Aquatic and Fitness Center Agreement with School District, Presentation of staffing study proposals received by Police Dept for Request for Proposals, and first reading of Ordinance 2024-O01 an ordinance regarding Mobile Home Community Special Assessments.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St.
*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
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83198282604?pwd=cDdLWjUvTTRqRUQ4UVcwQWcrcW1BUT09
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799
Webinar ID:898 6591 0302
Passcode: 676404

The Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) awarded Fort HealthCare with the inaugural 2024 WHA Hospital Mentorship and Quality Champion Award.

The 2024 WHA Quality and Patient Safety Awards banquet recognizes hospitals that advance and improve patient outcomes in Wisconsin. The WHA has two award categories – Excellence in Health Care Quality and Patient Safety; and Hospital Mentorship and Quality Champion. The Hospital Mentorship and Quality Champion award recognizes a hospital for demonstrating mentoring relationships and engagement through active participation, collaboration and the sharing of tools and resources with other hospitals.

Recognition through this inaugural award underscores Fort HealthCare’s commitment to advancing healthcare quality and rural health equity. As an active participant in the WHA Hospital Quality Contract (HQIC), Fort HealthCare has demonstrated dedication to reducing all-cause harm in hospitals, including sepsis, adverse drug events, falls, readmissions, and C. difficile. Through quarterly meetings with WHA, we have spearheaded initiatives aimed at enhancing patient outcomes and safety measures.

“This award reflects our team’s commitment to high-quality care for our community. Fort HealthCare continuously advocates for rural health equity and quality. The WHA’s recognition acknowledges the challenges of rural medicine and our leadership among rural health systems. This award belongs to every member of Fort HealthCare. Your dedication to delivering exceptional care is deeply appreciated, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you,” states Michael Anderson, MD, Fort HealthCare President & CEO.

Central to Fort HealthCare’s success has been our collaborative spirit within the healthcare community. Serving as a voice for rural health equity, Fort HealthCare actively engages with WHA members and participates in various forums such as the Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality and Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative. Emphasizing the importance of shared learning and collective progress, Fort HealthCare continually shares its expertise, insights, tools, and programs to mentor other hospitals. Fort HealthCare develops strategies for advancing health equity, setting a benchmark for excellence in healthcare leadership.

Driven by our mission to improve community health and well-being, Fort HealthCare has championed statewide efforts to address health disparities in rural communities. Over the past 13 years, we have worked tirelessly to advance health equity by leading the initiative to consolidate safety net health and dental services into a sustainable entity. This has paved the way for the Rock River Community Clinic to become a Federally Qualified Health Center look alike.

Fort HealthCare is grateful to be recognized in the award’s inaugural year and looks forward to celebrating this accomplishment with other local organizations who are just as committed to excellence. Thank you to WHA for recognizing our dedication to both Hospital Mentorship and being Quality Champions, and for honoring us with this award.

March Madness is right around the corner! To kick off this exciting month the Whitewater FFA is hosting a Donkey Basketball “tournament” at the Whitewater High School Main gym, on Thursday, March 7th, 2024, at 7 p.m. There will be four teams: Whitewater FFA, Whitewater School Staff, East Troy FFA, and Milton FFA. During intermission, kids will be able to interact and ride the donkeys with assistance from one or more FFA members. Community members of all ages will also get the chance to interact and see the donkeys in an exciting, safe environment.

Tickets are $10 at the door or $7 if bought in advance; kids preschool age and younger get in free. Tickets can be purchased from Banco Insurance Company [located in First Citizens State Bank] in Whitewater, and by local FFA members.

Please come out for some thrilling action and excitement for the whole family. Root for your favorite teams and donkeys. Bring your family and friends. BE LOUD!!

Submitted by Katie Gillette
Whitewater FFA Reporter