News & Events

There is no mail delivery on Wednesday, June 19 due to the celebration of Juneteenth.

Per Wikipedia, “Juneteenth (officially Juneteenth National Independence Day) is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Deriving its name from combining June and nineteenth, it is celebrated on the anniversary of the order by Major General Gordon Granger proclaiming freedom for enslaved people in Texas on June 19, 1865 (two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued).^[7] Originating in Galveston, Juneteenth has since been observed annually in various parts of the United States, often broadly celebrating African-American culture. The day was first recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law after the efforts of Lula Briggs Galloway, Opal Lee, and others.”

Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order Raising Flag at State Capitol in Celebration of Juneteenth

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today signed Executive Order #230, raising the Juneteenth Flag for the fifth year in a row over the Wisconsin State Capitol in celebration of Juneteenth.  Gov. Evers also proclaimed June 19, 2024, as “Juneteenth” throughout the state of Wisconsin. A copy of the governor’s 2024 Juneteenth proclamation is available here. “I will always be proud to raise the Juneteenth Flag and to help celebrate Juneteenth, the countless contributions of Black Wisconsinites both past and present, and the stronger, brighter future we are building together,” said Gov. Evers. “Raising the Juneteenth Flag sends a message that here in Wisconsin, we celebrate Black history, culture, and resilience, we believe our differences and our diversity make us stronger, and we are committed to building a state that is more just and more equitable.” On June 19, 1865, more than two and half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to declare the end of slavery. In the nearly 160 years since, June 19th has been known as Juneteenth and is one of the oldest and most popular annual commemorations of the end of slavery in the United States. The Juneteenth Flag features a star to represent Texas, the Lone Star State; a nova, or new star, representing a new beginning and the freedom of African Americans; the curve on the flag dividing the red and blue colors representing a “new horizon” and a future of “opportunities and promise” for Black Americans; and red, white, and blue colors, reminding us that people who were enslaved and their descendants shall be “forever free.” In 2020, Gov. Evers ordered the Juneteenth Flag to be flown at the State Capitol for the first time in state history. Juneteenth is formally recognized and celebrated in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with Wisconsin joining as the 32nd state to recognize this day in 2009. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, making Juneteenth a federal holiday.   The Juneteenth Flag will temporarily replace the Progress Pride Flag through Wednesday at sunset in celebration of Juneteenth but will otherwise not disrupt other flags that regularly fly over the State Capitol building. The U.S. flag and Wisconsin state flag will continue flying on the East Wing flagpole above the Juneteenth Flag. The POW-MIA flag will continue flying on the North Wing flagpole as it does every day.   Executive Order #230 is available here and is in effect beginning Tues., June 18, 2024, until sunset on Wed., June 19, 2024.

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

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

In the “good old days,” which ended just a few months ago, a person wanting to have a last minute birthday card delivered to a local resident on the next delivery day could stop at our postal counter and ask for a local postmark. That mail was sorted locally. It was one of those small town touches that was appreciated. Those days are gone now. A customer may still request a local postmark, but the mail leaves the city for processing.

According to Government Executive, USPS has in recent months been gradually rolling out an optimization plan which is part of “Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s 10-year Delivering for America plan that it says will make the agency more efficient and eliminate its annual deficits.” Among the changes is a delay in the transporting of outgoing mail from rural offices to the processing center.

The collection boxes at the city’s post office indicate a “collection time” of 5 p.m. on weekdays and 4 p.m. on Saturday. Previously the mail left the city within minutes after those times for the Oak Creek Distribution Center, south of Milwaukee. Per local postal employees, now the mail that’s deposited by the collection time, as well as mail that’s picked up during local deliveries, sits overnight in the local post office and is picked up when the incoming mail is delivered at approximately 6 a.m. A truck pays another visit to Whitewater at approximately 11 a.m. to pick up packages that have been mailed that morning. Strangely, this pickup does not include Express Mail, which sits in the post office until the next morning.

The Delivering for America plan has a goal of 95% on-time delivery. According to parcelandpostaltechnologyinternational.com, “The United States Postal Service (USPS) latest delivery performance metrics for the third week of the second quarter for fiscal year 2024 have revealed it did not meet its 95% on-time service performance target laid out in its Delivering For America initiative. The postal operator achieved 84% on-time delivery for first-class mail, 92.1% for marketing mail and 80.6% for periodicals for the period January 1-19. These figures were down compared to the first fiscal quarter of 2024; the average time for USPS to deliver a mailpiece or package across the nation was 2.8 days.”

The cost of mailing a one ounce first class letter with a postage stamp increased from 66 to 68 cents effective January 21, 2024. The same piece with metered postage goes for 64 cents. Effective July 14, 2024 the same first class letter will increase to 73 cents (69 cents for metered mail). Forever stamps may be purchased at the current 68 cent rate through July 13, and as the name implies, they may be used indefinitely in spite of future rate increases. Details on the cost of other services may be viewed here.

Copy by Elizabeth Bols
Photos by Tom Ganser at the practice session on June 12

In a heartwarming initiative, pageant practice has begun for the 27 registered contestants in the annual Miss Whitewater Pageant. The pageant nurtures talent, builds confidence, and rallies support for veterans in need. Hosted by Miss Whitewater Pageant, these practices serve a dual purpose of empowering participants while raising funds for veterans’ causes.

With a deep sense of gratitude for their service and sacrifice, the Miss Whitewater Pageant is channeling the enthusiasm of pageant enthusiasts towards a noble cause. All proceeds from the pageant will directly benefit veterans and their families, providing essential support for their well-being.

“The Miss Whitewater Pageant is honored to stand in solidarity with our veterans,” says Elizabeth Bols, Director of Miss Whitewater Pageant. “Through this practice, we are not only shaping the future of our community but also making a meaningful impact in the lives of those who have served our country.”

Participants, mentors, and supporters alike are joining hands to raise awareness and funds for veterans’ causes, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie that transcends the boundaries of the stage.

Miss Whitewater Pageant extends a warm invitation to individuals and businesses passionate about supporting veterans to join this heartfelt endeavor and make a difference in the lives of those who have bravely served our nation. All contestants are selling raffle tickets and ad space for the program.

The 2024 Miss Whitewater Pageant will be held Wednesday, July 3rd at 5:30 p.m. at the Frawley Lakefront Pavilion.

For more information on how to participate or contribute to this fundraising initiative, please get in touch with Elizabeth Bols at Misswhitewaterpageant@yahoo.com.

Join us to raise funds for the Warhawks Give Fund, supporting various programs and initiatives at UW-Whitewater. The Fund the Future Online Auction features a diverse range of items donated by generous Warhawk alumni, individuals and businesses, offering something for everyone to bid on and enjoy. Your participation will make a real difference and support the greatest needs across our campuses! Thank you for your support.

Link: https://live.classy.org/register/uwwonlineauction/0dabc671-e40f-456c-892f-c9320b20bbbe

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater Foundation.

This Thursday, June 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m,, the Savory Sounds Summer Concerts begin with Peggy Mueller & Friends.  Dressed in traditional German garb, Peggy Mueller & Friends offer German folk music accompanied by acoustic guitar, concertina, and assorted rhythm instruments.  They perform regularly at the Old German Beer Hall in Milwaukee.  Our vendor this week to help follow the German Folk Fest theme is Annie’s Burgertown, a popular food truck from Elkhorn, offering a selection of German and American food.

This week’s band is sponsored by Fairhaven. 

• Location: Flat Iron Park (next to the Birge Fountain), 402 W Main St, Whitewater.
• Rain or Shine: Normally held outdoors on the lawn; in the event of rain, the concerts are moved indoors to the Cultural Arts Center.
• Seating: Bring your lawn chairs and/or blankets but if the concert gets moved indoors you won’t need them.
• Food & Refreshments: Food and other refreshments will be available from the food vendor or bring your own lunch.
• Parking: CAC lot and city street parking is available with additional parking available at First English Lutheran Church.

Our sponsors for the summer series are:  

Dear WHS Band Alumni,

For the 26th year, we will be putting together an alumni band for the July 4 parade. If you’re going to be in this part of the country for the holiday, please consider joining us! I know that some of you have been playing professionally while others haven’t touched it since graduation – ALL are welcome!  Instrument loans are available as are fingering charts! No marching is involved, we’ll be sitting on a flatbed truck!

There will be no rehearsal, but if you want to see the music ahead of time I can email scans to you. Our “uniform” for the parade consists of ANY WHS Band T-shirt and AT LEAST one other article of clothing. (I just happen to have some pretty nifty WHS Band shirts still available at the low price of $5)  Or just wear something red.

The parade starts at 10 AM this year, the normal time. We’ll plan to meet at Lincoln Elementary School (Prince St. between Highland and Walworth) around that time although we will be near the end of the parade. Do not attempt to drive up Prince Street that morning; best bet for close parking is in the Middle School (old HS) lot off Elizabeth Street.  Drummers talk to me about the best way to get your equipment onto the truck.

For added incentive, there will be the traditional gathering at the beer tent after the parade.  (OK, soda for you recent alumni)

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU’RE COMING so I know how many chairs, stands & copies of music we need.  Also, please forward this to any other WHS Band Alumni you know from any decade – my list of email addresses is far from complete.

Hope to see you there!

Dr Don W Deal [WHS Band Director 1979-2012 and again in 2020]

drddeal@gmail.com