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Whitewater FFA Alumni Cookout 2023 – Friday, Sept. 22

September 17, 2023

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Whitewater FFA.

The Whitewater FFA Alumni and supporters are hosting our annual cookout on Friday, September 22, from 5-7 p.m. Customers can dine in or go through the convenient drive-through. The cookout will be located at the Whitewater High School greenhouse across from the football field. We will be serving pork loin sandwitches and hotdog plates- which include chips, cookies, and a drink.

Come for a good time with friends and family. Enjoy the amazing atmosphere and support the Whitewater FFA. Bring your friends. EVERYONE IS WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED!

Hefty Places Third at Whippets’ 45th Straight Angel Invite

September 17, 2023

In the 55th edition of the Angel Invitational on Saturday, September 16, the Whippets didn’t disappoint as they came to compete hard and leave it all out on the course. It was the second race of the week for them and the only time this season when the team will do this race combination. 

On the girls’ side, the varsity team finished 15th out of 33 teams. Mady Hefty cut over a minute off of her time at this race last year and placed 28th with a time of 21:22. The trio of Nola Coburn, Carley Boudreau, and Athena Soto packed it up well throughout the race with Carley emerging as the team’s second runner on this day to place 81st with a time 22:52, Nola in 82nd with a time of 22:54, and Athena ran a gutsy race as she rolled her ankle in the warm up and brought herself to the finish line in 86th with a time of 23:00. Silvia Harris emerged as the team’s fifth runner today by placing 146th with a time of 25:30, followed closely behind by at the line by Isabella Aranda who placed 147th with a time of 25:32. Lauren Buehler rounded out the top 7 varsity athletes by placing 152nd with a time of 26:16.

The JV girls placed 13th out of 33 teams. Freshman Ema Aranda competed in her 2nd race of the year and paced the team by crossing the line as the first Whippet in 50th with a time of 25:09. Sami Van Daele placed 77th with a time of 26:04. Lucy Troxel placed 95th in 26:59. Payton Brautigam ran faster today than she did on Tuesday on a much more difficult course at Parkside to place 117th with a time of 28:06. Hailey Keltesch ran her personal best time of 30:07 to take 163rd. Danielle DePorter placed 159th in 30:28. Mya Graves-Koran finished 163rd in 30:55. 

In the boys’ race, Jack Hefty raised some eyebrows by finishing 3rd overall in a very tough meet. His time of 16:35 is very strong on this course and at this point in the season. Nate Holden and Xavier Zei raced tightly together for much of the race before Nate was able to pull a bit ahead to place 32nd in a time of 17:49. Xavier ran a lifetime best to place 35th in 17:57 on this tough course that features a lot of hills. Miles Nickelsburg crossed the line in 61st in 18:32. Onyx Thompson, Quincy Boudreau, and Andrew O’Toole ran three-wide for much of the race before Onyx unleashed a strong surge near the end of the race to cross the line 121st with a time of 19:43. Quincy came next in 125th in 19:45 and Andrew in 146th with a time of 20:09. The varsity team placed 8th, which is the strongest finish the program has seen in years at this meet. 

The JV boys saw the return of Chad Hein who led the team with a 61st place finish with a time of 21:25. Wyatt Esch wasn’t too far behind in 68th with a time of 21:33. Sterling Truesdale kicked the snot out of his time from Tuesday by stopping the clock in 22:38 in 98th place. Parker Genskow was 107th in 22:37. Marcus Roselle gutted out of a tough day to place 113th in 22:50. Gavin LaFlash and Quinton O’Toole finished together placing 126th and 127th with times of 23:10 and 23:12. Isaiah Mendez placed 137th in 23:21. Sam Nickelsburg and Dante Baker duked it out and finished only .7 away from each other in 182nd and 183rd with a time of 25:07. Luc Pomazak stormed home in 25:24, good for 190th. Alex Clarksen took 204th in 26:19. Angel Kilar competed in his first race of the year with a nice sub-30 effort to place 237th with a time of 29:17. The JV team finished 13th out of 33 schools. 

Whitewater was recognized at the awards ceremony for having attended this invite for 45 years in a row. 

Next up for the Whippets will be the Midwest Invitational in Janesville on Saturday, September 23rd. The first race is scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM. 

Full results: https://wisconsinrunner.com/results/2023/2023angelinvite/

Article Submitted by Chad Carstens
Whitewater High School Head Cross Country Coach
ccarstens@wwusd.org

Explore 4-H Night

September 17, 2023

Please join the fun at the Walworth County Fairgrounds Activity Center on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. to Explore 4-H!  A variety of hands-on fun activities and the opportunity to meet with members and volunteers will help kids and their families learn about the 4-H programs available. Youth from kindergarten through grade 13 can participate.  Whatever you love to do, you can find it in 4-H!

Whitewater High School Class of ’51 Will Hold Their 72nd Class Reunion

September 17, 2023

The 1951 Class of Whitewater High School announces that we will hold our 72nd class reunion at the Real MacCoys, N1431 County Road N, Cold Spring, on Saturday, September 23 from 11-1. We hope to see you there. No reservations are necessary, but in case of questions please contact Mary Peiffer at 262-473-2139.

No. 4 Warhawk Football Tops No. 19 UMHB after Lengthy Weather Delay

September 16, 2023

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by UW-Whitewater.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team, ranked fourth in the latest D3football.com poll, capped their non-conference slate with a perfect 3-0 record after defeating Mary Hardin-Baylor 17-14 on the road Saturday. The Warhawks had to overcome a lengthy, three-hour delay for the kickoff due to weather. 

The Warhawks never trailed in the contest and sealed the win on Thomas Wojnowski’s late interception – his second game-sealing pick this season. 

UWW set the tone on their first drive of the game. Christian Crump returned the opening kick 17 yards and the Warhawks proceeded to march 73 yards in nine plays for the first score of the contest. Big plays in the drive included a 17-yard Jason Ceniti to Tommy Coates connection, a 20-yard Ceniti to Nolan Hawk completion and a 16-yard scamper from Tamir Thomas. Thomas hit paydirt to cap the drive punching it in from two yards out for the touchdown. Jeff Isotalo-McGuire made it 7-0 Warhawks with the kick. 

That score held until early in the second when the Cru capped an 11-play, 58-yard drive with a quarterback sneak up the middle to knot the game 7-7. 

UW-Whitewater responded in the ensuing drive. Tyler Vasey’s 41-yard kick return gave the Warhawks a short field to work with starting the drive near midfield. Alijah Maher-Parr was tapped for the majority of carries in the drive, rushing off the left side of the line for 12-yards and a first down on the second play. A few plays later, Ceniti found Steven Hein for 15-yards down the middle to the UMHB 27 for another new set of downs. Drake Martin hauled in a 10-yard catch to put UWW on the 17 and five plays later Thomas would cross the goal line again for his second touchdown of the day. The kick made it 14-7 UW-Whitewater and the teams would take that score into halftime. 

On the other side of the break, UMHB tied the game at 14 capping a drive with a 33-yard touchdown strike. 

Once again, UWW had the answer, this time using Isotalo-McGuire’s boot to add to their total as he hit from 46 yards out to give UWW a 17-14 lead. 

The rest of the half saw two UMHB drives ended on fumbles recovered by the Warhawks, a punt and finally Wojnowski’s interception with less than 30 seconds remaining. 

Ceniti was 11-18 for 98 yards in the game. His favorite target was Coates with three catches in the game. UWW stayed true to their tradition of “Pounding the Rock” registering the majority of yardage on the ground. Thomas posted 11 yards with the pair of touchdowns while Maher Parr added 44 yards rushing. 

Defensively, Joey Antonietti led the Warhawks with 13 tackles including two for a loss. Matt Burba registered eight including two for a loss and a sack that pushed the Cru back 13 yards. Roy Panthier forced one of the fumbles and registered the recovery. 

The Warhawks will enjoy a well-deserved week off before returning to the gridiron for Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play. The first league game is slated for September 30 at UW-Oshkosh. 

This Week’s Library Meeting

September 16, 2023

Library Board of Trustees Meeting
Library Community Room 431 West Center,
Whitewater, Wi, 53190 *In Person and Virtual
Monday, September 18, 2023 – 6:30 PM

Library Meeting
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:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83198282604?pwd=cDdLWjUvTTRqRUQ4UVcwQWcrcW1BUT09
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US (Chicago) (Houston)
Webinar ID: 831 9828 2604
Passcode: 137945
Please note that although every effort will be made to provide for virtual participation, unforeseen
technical difficulties may prevent this, in which case the meeting may still proceed as long as there is a
quorum. Should you wish to make a comment in this situation, you are welcome to call this number:
(262) 473-0108.

  1. Join Zoom Meeting
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    Meeting ID: 899 2965 6951
    Passcode: EzXQ7vJz
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    Meeting ID: 899 2965 6951
    Passcode: 50657151
    Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdOOtERhEl
    AGENDA
  1. Monday, September 18, 2023 6:30 p.m.
    Our Mission: We will have the space and the stuff to do the things that you want
    Our Values: Safe & welcoming; Trust; Diversity; Fun; Lifelong learning and creativity;
    Making connections; Service excellence
    CALL TO ORDER
    Library Board of Trustees Meeting Agenda September 18, 2023 Page 2
    ROLL CALL
    CONSENT AGENDA
    Items on the Consent Agenda will be approved together unless any committee member requests that an
    item be removed for individual consideration.
  2. Approval of Minutes of August 21, 2023
  3. Acknowledgment of Receipt of Financial Reports
  4. Approval of Payment of Invoices
  5. Acknowledgment of Receipt of Statistical Report
  6. Acknowledgment of Receipt of Treasurer’s Report
    HEARING OF CITIZEN COMMENTS
    No formal Committee action will be taken during this meeting although issues raised may become a part
    of a future agenda. Participants are allotted a three minute speaking period. Specific items listed on the
    agenda may not be discussed at this time; however, citizens are invited to speak to those specific issues
    at the time the Committee discusses that particular item.
    To make a comment during this period, or during any agenda item: On a computer or handheld device,
    locate the controls on your computer to raise your hand. You may need to move your mouse to see
    these controls. On a traditional telephone, dial *6 to unmute your phone and dial *9 to raise your
    hand.
    OLD BUSINESS
  7. 1. Review and Approval of the Second Draft revision of the Circulation Policy
    NEW BUSINESS
  8. 1. Discussion of Possible Change to Library Board Meeting Start Time
    CONSIDERATIONS / DISCUSSIONS / REPORTS
  9. The report includes: facility maintenance, budget updates, if any; staff updates, if any;
    collection maintenance updates; public and community relations activities; library board
    relations, if any; meetings/webinars/trainings attended; strategic plan activities updates,
    if any.
  10. The report includes upcoming programs, programs already presented, attendance at said
    programs, and what meetings/trainings/webinars were attended.
  11. The report includes upcoming programs, programs already presented, attendance at said
    programs, and what meetings/trainings/webinars were attended.
  12. The report includes upcoming programs, programs already presented, attendance at said
    programs, and what meetings/trainings/webinars were attended.
    FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
  13. EnterTextHere
    Library Board of Trustees Meeting Agenda September 18, 2023 Page 3
  14. October 16, 2023, ?:??
    ADJOURNMENT
    Anyone requiring special arrangements is asked to call the Library Director (262-473-0530) at least 72
    hours prior to the meeting.

United Way “Kicks off” its 80th Year with a $20,000 Shoe Donation

September 16, 2023

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth County.

Fort Atkinson, WI – September 13, 2023 –The United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth County is kicking off the 2023 campaign with a shoe donation valued at over $20,000. The shoe donation consists of 200 pairs of Nike Air shoes ranging in sizes from 5 toddlers up to size 7 youth. These shoes will be donated to local schools and organizations throughout the community. The goal of this program is to help break down barriers to learning, United Way Executive Director Elizabeth Ellis-Bols stated, “If a child is cold, hungry, or tired, they won’t be able to learn in the classroom, no matter how engaging the teacher is. So, if we can fulfill some of those basic needs, they will be ready to learn when they come to school.”

This year’s campaign theme is “United in Building a STRONGER Community TOGETHER”. The organization we know today as the United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties was organized on August 9, 1943, as the War and Community Chest of Fort Atkinson. In 1963, it became known as the United Fund of Fort Atkinson and became the “United Way” in the early 1970’s. In 1992, The United Way expanded into the surrounding communities of Jefferson and Whitewater. Ten years later, The United Way of Watertown merged to create the United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties. Today, the service area of our local United Way is comprised of the communities of Fort Atkinson, Johnson Creek, Helenville, Jefferson, Lake Mills, Palmyra, Sullivan, Waterloo, Watertown, and Whitewater where over 90,000 individuals reside. Furthermore, our United Way works with an average of thirty partner agencies which provide various health and human services to over 75,000 individuals in our community.

“We’re excited to be hosting several new events and outreach opportunities throughout our county,” states Ellis-Bols, “We are hoping to participate in signature events in each locale to spread awareness of the United Way’s mission and our continued dedication to serving the community.”

One such event will be the new BINGO nights offered at The Real MacCoys in Whitewater on the 3rd and 5th Tuesdays of the month, starting September 19th, 6-8pm. There will be a number of great prizes and cash jackpots available for bingo winners, including Stanley tumblers, coolers, portable wine glasses, gift certificates and much more. 

Ellis-Bols added “We know it has been a difficult year for many small businesses, so we are incredibly grateful that The Real MacCoys is generously offering this opportunity to our organization and donating some prizes beyond that. We feel fortunate to be involved and hope to have a great crowd join us on Tuesdays!”
More information can be found via the Facebook invite for “Bingo at The Real MacCoys” and anyone with any questions can contact Ellis (920.563.8880) or The Real MacCoys (920.568.8988) directly. 

The United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties’ mission is to fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our communities. We do that by providing support to community programs, projects and local agencies that provide critical health and human services to those in need.  This network of helping services can be described as a “safety net” for those in our midst in need.  Whether it is transitional housing, literacy education, after-school programs and education, health and dental care, end of life care, mentoring programs, job training or disaster relief, the United Way identifies the greatest needs in our community and helps to fund agencies that can meet those needs.

For more information about our local United Way, you may visit the website at www.uwjnwc.com  or “like” the Facebook page at “United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties.”  For details regarding the United Way’s online volunteer tool, please visit www.volunteermain.com

Seniors in the Park Presents The Empire of Light

September 16, 2023

“The Empire of Light”
Wednesday, September 20, 1 p.m.
(Drama/Romance) Rated R (sexual content, language); 1 hour, 55 minutes. (2022)

Our last Wednesday art film of the summer is a British homage to the movie palaces of a bygone era. Coastal England, 1980. A middle-aged, unmarried cinema manager (Olivia Coleman) struggles to save a dying, chain movie theatre. Her loneliness and depression, compounded by a lecherous boss (Colin Firth), takes a turn when an energetic trainee (Micheal Ward) brightens her perspective on the business and life. Nominations included Best Cinematography (Oscar), Best Actress & Film (BAFTA) and AARP Best Grownup Love Story. 

Obituaries

Obituary: Harry Oliver Dempsey, 80

Harry Oliver Dempsey passed away peacefully and among family in Elkhorn, WI on July 24, 2024 at the age of 80. Born on May 21, 1944 to William and Norma (Shober) Dempsey, Harry grew up on the family farm in Whitewater. In his younger years, Harry enjoyed hunting and fishing, a passion that he later passed on to his own children. All his life he could often be found in his shop, building or fixing something – from a child’s toy to lawn mowers, cars, and tractors. His passion for self-sufficiency extended to his large garden whose abundance he happily … Read more

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Obituary: Janet Irene Heckert, 87

Janet Irene Heckert, age 87, passed away peacefully on July 25, 2024 in Delavan, Wisconsin. Born on November 1, 1936, in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, she was the daughter of Gladys and Henry Jansen. Janet was preceded in death by her loving husband Kenneth Heckert and her brothers Sonny and Paul and sister Darlene. Janet was a graduate of Elkhorn High School in 1955. On October 24, 1957, she married the love of her life, Kenneth Heckert, at Elkhorn Baptist Church in their hometown of Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Janet worked for many years as a seamstress, but her true passion was as a … Read more

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Obituary: Shirley A. Knuteson, 85

SHIRLEY A. KNUTESON, age 85, of Whitewater, died Thursday, June 27, 2024 at Glenwood at Mulberry Campus in Whitewater. She was born to Hugo and Helen (Wilson) Ferge of Elkhorn, WI. She attended school in Walworth High School, graduating in 1956. Shirley worked at Sterlingworth in Elkhorn and then Fairhaven Nursing Home prior to retirement.  As a young woman, she loved roller skating, had a love for animals, especially her dogs and horses on the farm. She was a loyal Brewer and Packer fan. Her diverse family was her pride and joy.  Shirley is survived by her six children Jerry … Read more

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Celebration of Life: Dave Triebold

A celebration of life for Dave Triebold will be held July 27 at Triebold Farms, with festivities beginning around 11:30 am. A rememberance service will take place at 12:30 pm. A pig roast will follow, and the pool will be open. The family encourages you to stay through the evening for a bonfire as well. Contact Kris (262)949-5474 or Kath (414)412-4385 with questions.

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Celebration of Life: James Paul Fisher, 86

James Paul Fisher, 86, known by friends as JP or Jay, passed away on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at UW Hospital, Madison, with his immediate family by his side. His body finally surrendered to a heart attack after battling heart and kidney ailments for many years. Born in Fond du lac, Wisconsin, on October 25, 1937, to Lorraine and James Fisher, JP was a resident of Elkhorn and then Whitewater, Wisconsin. At age 2 JP was diagnosed with polio. Through daily therapy administered by his mother and grandmother, he overcame this life threatening virus, and with a prognosis of limited … Read more

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Obituary: Shirley M.  Messier, 86

Shirley M. Messier, 86, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, passed away on July 8, 2024. Shirley was born to Erwin and Leona Reese on May 20, 1938, in Farmington, Wisconsin. Shirley (“Shirttail”) attended the local country school, then set out on her own, taking a job doing factory work. On August 24, 1957, she married Blaine Messier in Jefferson, Wisconsin. They had three daughters, Michele (Shelly), Terry, and Karen. Shirley spent many years being a working wife and mother, finally retiring from Polymer Technologies / MacLean Fogg in Whitewater. Shirley loved country music and spent her retirement years going to George Jones … Read more

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Celebration of Life: Patricia Parr

Patricia Ann ParrBorn 7/20/42Departed to Heaven 5/10/23 About herself, Patricia often said “I love life, I love God, He always has taken care of me, and He always will”. Patricia died peacefully at Angels Grace Hospice in Oconomowoc, after a long and courageously fought season of declining health. Patricia was born in Beaver Dam, to a lovely family, which included her older brother Dennis and not too long after, her lifetime best friend and little sister Mary. They grew up on an idyllic “Gentlemen’s Farm” outside of Jefferson, with horses and many animals. Her parents, Floyd and Kathryn owned the … Read more

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Obituary: Margorie Alice “GG” Roloff, 89

Marjorie Alice “GG” Roloff, 89, passed away Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at Golden Years in Lake Geneva, WI. She was born July 31, 1934, to Fred and Martha (Arndt) Papcke, in Whitewater, WI, the fifth of eleven children. GG attended South Heart Prairie School, across the road from the family’s home farm. She is a Whitewater High School graduate. On April 19, 1953, she married her high school sweetheart, Eric. She worked a variety of jobs over the years. Her most memorable of those being the local canning factory and as a crossing guard. After retiring, she and Eric would … Read more

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Obituary: Marilyn Mae Fuerstenberg, 81 (UPDATED)

Marilyn Mae Fuerstenberg, 81 of Whitewater, WI., passed away on June 27, 2024, at Agrace Hospice in Janesville, WI. Marilyn was born May 27, 1943, in Geneva Township, to Raymond and Doris Kilpin. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, her two younger brothers, Mike and Donny Kilpin. Marilyn married William (Bill) Fuerstenberg on September 21, 1963. Bill and Marilyn lived in Whitewater. Together they raised three children, taking the family on yearly vacations and camping trips throughout the years. Marilyn worked for Walworth County Health and Social Services as a Child Protection Social Worker. She dedicated 25 years … Read more

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Obituary: Jerome Francis Burke, 76

Jerome Francis Burke, age 76, of Whitewater, WI, passed away unexpectedly following a brief illness on June 27, 2024. Jerry was born in Evanston, IL on May 13, 1948 to Stephen and Catherine Burke. He grew up in Glenview, IL, where he graduated from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Grade School and then Loyola Academy (Wilmette). Those early days spawned treasured, lifelong friendships. He went on to graduate from St. Joseph’s College (IN) with a BA in Economics, and it was there thathe met his beloved wife, Eileen. They married shortly after graduation and were blessed to share their lives … Read more

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