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Editor’s Note: The following was submitted by United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties
The United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties is launching their second annual Season of Caring, scheduled to run for seven weeks from October 2nd – November 12th.
“We are kicking off our 2022 campaign season focused on our theme “We are ALL the United Way” and the greatest way we believe our communities can be join us, is to generously spread kindness and caring power to as many people as they can,” states Elizabeth Ellis-Bols, United Way executive director. “Our communities have faced very difficult times these past several years, so we want our campaign efforts focused not only on fundraising, but on taking care of one another and showing our appreciation. We want to help people recognize the importance of community engagement and give them easy opportunities to become more involved.”
The Season of Caring will consist of six different small missions across six weeks, beginning on Monday, October 3rd. The missions will be as follows: Join our Mission (week one), Donate an Hour (week two), Show Appreciation (week 3), Give Your Support (week four), Connect With Others (week five), and Treat Yourself (week six). There are no set requirements for completing each mission, and there is no sign-up or registration fee for participating.
“We wanted to make participation in this six-week series as easy as possible,” Ellis-Bols states. “We will be offering a lot of suggestions and information that will help people determine what specific acts of caring will work best for them, but we also want community members to get creative and express themselves during these small missions. Mostly, we want people to remember that small, simple acts of kindness can have a huge ripple affect across communities. And I think we can all agree that our communities need as much caring power and support as possible right now.”
Some of the suggested acts from United Way include signing up for United Way newsletters (Join Our Mission), sending a thank you note to a healthcare worker, teacher, etc. (Show Appreciation), donate blood (Give Your Support), registering on United Way’s volunteer platform (Donate an Hour), join a book club (Connect With Others) and taking time to enjoy a favorite activity (Treat Yourself).
Any community member can participate in the Season of Caring, and United Way is encouraging workplaces to join in and use it as a team building exercise, or for parents to engage their children and make it a fun family activity. The acts can be as small or as big as an individual determines and can include acts that are completed very quickly or tasks that require a longer commitment. The one request from United Way, is that folks share their participation and encourage others to join.
“We want to see all of these amazing acts of caring and we want the participants to share their positive impact with others and encourage them to join in,” Ellis-Bols states. “We have created specific hashtags for the week that we ask people to use anytime they post their participation on social media. We’d also love for United Way to be tagged in any postings so we can help share the information. But mostly, we want participants to find any way to share – text your friends, post something up in your break room at work, or email your family members. We want to see this have a profound, positive impact on our communities.”
Full details for the Season of Caring, including instruction sheets for each individual day, hashtag details, Facebook images and more, can be found on the Season of Caring page on the United Way’s website – https://uwjnwc.com/events/week-of-caring/.
“We’ve put together lots of details and marketing information to make it very easy for people to participate and to promote each week’s task,” Ellis-Bols states. “I’ll be sharing my personal participation each week, as well as our board of directors’ involvement, because our United Way is fully committed to spreading caring power throughout our communities. At United Way, we see one of our main responsibilities as creating connections throughout our communities – connecting individuals to needed help and resources, connecting volunteers to organizations who could benefit from their time, connecting donors to causes and missions they care about, and now connecting the power of kindness and support to those who need it.”
To join in on the week’s events, people are encouraged to visit the United Way website and subscribe to their newsletter and to “like and follow” their Facebook page (@uwjnwc). Participants are encouraged to share their acts of caring by sharing to their social media pages and using the following hashtags: #uwjnwc #seasonofcaring #2022campaign #wearealltheunitedway.
“We’re so excited to launch this version of this caring series and we think it’s the perfect way to begin our campaign season,” Hartwick adds. “We look so forward to seeing community member participation, and to see witnessing the impact that simple acts of caring can make in our communities. Thank you to those who will join us.
Anyone who would like more information on United Way or who has any questions on the Season of Caring, can visit the United Way website at www.uwjnwc.com or contact Ellis-Bols at 920.563.8880 or unitedway@idcnet.com.
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.
In warm conditions with a soft course, the team laced their spikes up for the second time this week on Saturday, September 17. This meet has nearly forty teams in attendance with a good cross-section of each division represented. The day had an interesting twist as many athletes were getting stung by bees during the JV races so the meet management changed the course for the varsity athletes which provided a much safer competition venue for the athletes and allowed all races to be completed.
The varsity girls were led once again by freshmen Maddy Hefty who ran her best time of the season on a very difficult UW-Parkside course. Her time of 22:37 was good for 62nd overall. Maddy is beginning to see some major gains after a strong summer of training. Other varsity runners ran close to their best time on Tuesday which was raced on a much less difficult course. In particular, Lauren Buehler and Emma Weigel were closest to those times and finished near each other with times of 25:16 and 25:29. The varsity girls finished in 19th overall, but 5th out of the division 2 schools in attendance. The JV girls were led by freshman Silvia Harris in 79th place with a season-best time of 27:20. Sami Van Daele, Evie Troxel, Lucy Troxel, and Adalynn Frye all race their best times of the week. Italian exchange student Elisa Albertini ran in her first race as a Whippet and secured a time of 32:19 and said ‘it was hard but fun!’.
The boys’ varsity was led by the ever-steady Jack Hefty. He has strung together some consistently strong performances running near the front of all the races he competes in. Today he finished in 17th, two places from a medal, in the strongest field he has seen yet. His finish time was 17:25. Nate Holden is also enjoying the fruits of his labor and his summer running to place 45th with a time of 18:18. Also becoming a totally new runner this season is sophomore Xavier Zei. He is running lights out and PR’d today with a time of 20:40. He has so much pop in his stride and a strong thirst for improvement, it is a real joy to be a part of. The varsity boys placed 16th overall and 4th in the division 2 field. The JV boys were led by sophomore Andrew O’Toole who was only a few ticks off his personal best by stopping the clock in 23:33, good enough for 147th. His younger brother Quinton, a freshman, is also figuring out the sport quickly and ran his lifetime best in 24:58. Newcomer Gavin LaFlash ran his season best with a time of 25:46.
Next up for the team is the prestigious Janesville Midwest Invitational hosted by Janesville Craig at Blackhawk golf course. This event will take place on Saturday, September 24th. The first race begins at 9:00 a.m.
Full results: https://wisconsinrunner.com/results/2022/2022angelinvite/
Article Submitted by Chad Carstens
Whitewater High School Head Cross Country Coach
ccarstens@wwusd.org
The Whitewater Whippets traveled to Walworth to play against a top 10 state ranked Big Foot soccer program on Thursday, September 15.
Big Foot’s leading goal scorer managed to put two early goals past Whitewater’s defense due to some formational confusion. A third goal was scored shortly after albeit through a nearly impossible angle.
However, the second half was a totally different story. Whitewater dominated possession, created chances, and had Big Foot pinned in their own defensive third for almost the entire 40 minutes. Ethan Dugan was first to react and after some sustained pressure, managed to put a beautiful ball past Big Foot’s keeper. The Whippets continued to create chances but were unable to convert throughout the remainder of the game. It was a huge improvement and a very confidence building evening for Whitewater.
The Whippets play at home vs East Troy on Monday (9/19) and away at Jefferson on Thursday (9/22).
Article submitted by Sam Burns
Whitewater High School Assistant Varsity Soccer Coach
dburns@wwusd.org
File photo courtesy of Bob Mischka
Whitewater (2-1 conference, and 13-6 overall) battled an equally talented McFarland team and won the first set 25-23. The Whippets then lost the next three sets 15-25, 14-25, 22-25.
Head Coach Mary Kilar shared, “I think what tonight told us is we have what it takes to battle and beat good teams. We gave them too many points on mental mistakes of missed serves and miscommunication. We had 12 missed serves in the match. If we shore up those lapses in our mental game, the outcome may have been different.”
Kilar continued, “This team continues to play tough. I am proud of their efforts and determination game in and game out. This past week was a tough competition week; having Brodhead away and McFarland at home all in the same week is a tough schedule. But, that’s what makes good teams great. Next week we travel to Beloit Turner Tuesday and Edgerton on Thursday. Every match matters at this point in the season. We keep building and hope to peak at the right time.”
Statistical leaders for Whitewater included Kindyl Kilar with a double-double 20 kills and 11 digs, Calli Grosinske with 23 assists, Cali Kopecky with 5 aces, Campbell Alexander, Jenna Pope, Aidyn Amundson, and Calli Grosinske with a block apiece, and Caleigh Yang with 14 digs. McFarland statistical leaders include Gwen Crull with 21 kills, Ava Dean with 36 assists, Maggie Paulias with 26 digs, and Ainsley Pennekamp with 7 aces.
We hope to regroup for a strong week next week!
Article Submitted by Mary Kilar
Whitewater High School Head Volleyball Coach
mkilar@wwusd.org
Photo courtesy of Bob Mischka
The Whitewater Whippet Boys’ Soccer Team struggled to find their footing in a tough 4-1 loss to Cambridge on Tuesday night, September 13. Cambridge was able to score 4 first half goals against a struggling Whitewater midfield and defense. The second half was an improvement that saw our Whippets fight back for a goal and keep a second half clean sheet.
The families of our athletes were honored before the game during the annual “Parent Night” celebration. The team has an away game this coming Thursday at Big Foot Union High before returning home to play East Troy on the 19th.
Article Submitted by Sam Burns
Whitewater High School Assistant Varsity Soccer Coach
dburns@wwusd.org
File Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka
Whitewater (2-0 conference, and 13-5 overall) prepared heavily for a tough match up in Brodhead on Tuesday night, September 13. This preparation proved worthy of a 4-set victory, 25-21, 12-25, 25-12, 26-24. Whitewater came into the match with a shortened roster due to some illness, but persevered and came out firing on all cylinders!
Marina Linos and Cambell Alexander (CC) were asked to step up on the right side and middle respectively. Kilar stated, “They both responded with outstanding play. I was so impressed with Marina and CC. CC led us with 3 aces on the night and had 2 blocks. They responded to the game plan and led in their positions. In addition, every player contributed! Calli Grosinske set a great game, with another double-double on the night with 31 assists and 17 digs. Cali Kopecky played solidly, with 3 aces on the night. Ella Spear was a defensive force. Zoe Kohl came in to give us some passing relief in serve receive, and Aidyn Amundsen held her own in the middle, against a strong Brodhead offense!”
Kilar continued, “Caleigh Yang, our libero, led the back-row defense keying in on never letting a ball drop”. Kilar stated, “Caleigh is one of the top liberos in our conference. She is playing with intensity and owning the libero role.” Kilar added, “Kindyl Kilar took care of the game plan offensively. Kilar led all players with a double-double with 33 kills (8.25 kills per set), and 14 digs. The way she leads by example is so impressive. Our whole team is committed, and I am excited about what they are doing as a team!”
Statistical leaders for Brodhead included Abbie Dix with 13 kills and 2 blocks and Alexis Kammerer with 28 assists, 3 aces, and 13 digs.
Next up will be Parents’ Night on Thursday where we host McFarland at the Whitewater High School Gym.
Article and Photos Submitted by Mary Kilar
Whitewater High School Head Volleyball Coach
mkilar@wwusd.org
The Whippets had a great day in Cottage Grove racing at the Marshall Invitational on Tuesday, September 13. Numerous runners ran personal bests for the season showing a lot of grit out on the race course. Having breakthrough races this season included Nola Coburn, Caelyn Caputo, Isabella Aranda, and Silvia Harris. These four had significant time drops with Isabella earning a medal in the JV race which catapulted her into the varsity lineup for the next race. The girls’ varsity finished 8th out of 12 teams, and the JV girls finished 3rd.
The boys also had some medalists as Jack Hefty took 3rd overall. Having breakthrough races on the guy’s side include Nate Holden, Xavier Zei, Yovanni Rojas-Reyes, Onyx Thompson, Andrew O’Toole, Sterling Truesdale, Keith Cameron, Quinton O’Toole, Sam NIckleburg, and Alex Clarksen. These runners had significant time drops. Nate Holden medaled in the varsity event with an 11th place finish, and Yovanni debuted in his first event ever wearing the Whippet jersey and absolutely slaughtered it. He earned a medal in the JV race and also catapulted himself onto the varsity team for his next race. The varsity tied for 2nd but lost out on the 6th runner tiebreaker to ultimately finish 3rd, one spot out from a meet trophy. The JV team also finished 3rd.
The next event is the Race St. Catherine’s Invitational hosted at UW-Parkside on Saturday morning, September 17.
FULL RESULTS: https://my.raceresult.com/218757/
Article Submitted by Chad Carstens
Whitewater High School Head Cross Country Coach
ccarstens@wwusd.org
Pictures Courtesy of Jeff Hefty and Tammy Tomomitsu
The Whippet Swimmers competed against Burlington Co-Op Tuesday night, September 13, in Whippet territory.
Charlotte Hakewski sang her heart out in the National Anthem to start off our meet.
We started off tonight’s competition with a 1st place finish and a new best time in the 200 Medley Relay (Grace Foucault, Emerson Dunham, Brooke Bazeley, and Makayla Bazeley) with a time of 2:01.88!
In the 200 Freestyle, we had 3 new Whippet swimmers try out this event (Atreya Wilson, Lucy Davis, and Charlotte Hajewski). Karime Valaquez had a lifetime best going 2:49.36!
In the 200 IM, Makayla Bazeley and Emerson Dunham each had a lifetime best! Makayla also found herself a new spot in the Top 10 at #7.
In the 50 Freestyle, all our Whippet competitors swam a season best time (Sanibel Fox-Simes, Michelle Abarca, Grace Foucault, and Brooke Bazeley). Way to go Whippets!
One of the highlights from tonight includes Michelle Abarca swimming the 500 Freestyle. Michelle joined the team last year, where she competed mostly in 50 and 100 Freestyle events. However, this year, it was so fun to watch her conquer the 500 Freestyle!
Another swimmer took on the 500 Freestyle, Brooke Bazeley, where she started off the season strong with a time of 6:08.50.
Grace Foucault continues to be a powerhouse in the 100 Backstroke by going a time of 1:01.99.
In the 100 Breaststroke, Josie Treder (1:28.24) and Atreya Wilson (1:58.60) went a season best time!
The Whippets are home again next Tuesday at 5:30 pm against Platteville/Lancaster and PSC. Come show our Whippet swimmers some support!
Article and Photo Submitted by Sarah Reynolds
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Swim Coach
sreynolds@wwusd.org
Obituaries
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Angelica E. Vicente Santa Cruz passed away Sunday, June 30th in home beside family and friends in Milford, Delaware from a long battle with cancer. Angelica E. Vicente Santa Cruz was born on February 24, 1965. She was the daughter of Doña Carmen Santa Cruz Valdez and Don Luis Vicente León, who allowed her to share a life of family union with her four brothers: Braulio, Carmen Rosa, Edgar and Juan. She was born in Lima-Peru and grew up in the Ventanilla district of the constitutional province of Callao of Peru. She completed her primary studies at the La Merced … Read more
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Lowell V. Youngs, 87, of Whitewater passed away on Monday, June 24, 2024 in Madison. Lowell was born on September 4, 1936 in Wyoming to Isaac and Violet (Doble) Youngs. He grew up in the very small town of Veteran, Wyoming, where he was one of nine students in his graduating class. After graduating, Lowell attended the University of Colorado, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 1958. Lowell was drafted into the US Army in 1960 and selected to be in the Army Band, where he gladly carried a clarinet instead of a gun. He was … Read more
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