News & Events

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

The Whitewater Community Foundation is now accepting applications for Spring Community Action Grants.  Grants will be awarded to local non-profit organizations actively working to support the greater Whitewater community with educational, cultural, charitable and benevolent projects that will benefit and improve the community. 

Projects are expected to be accomplished within a specific period of time (generally not more than one year) and should be creative, innovative and address community needs.  Interested organizations can fill out an application at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gY51mjXwlRW3vKYr75UWyqL5By6Wgdb4/view Please download and complete the form in Acrobat.

The deadline for submitting applications is April 30, 2025.

Virginia Coburn, WCF Board Member who chairs the Community Action Grant Selection Committee, said, “I’m inspired by the number of local organizations sponsoring programs and projects to benefit the community.  The Foundation has given grants to The Community Space, Whitewater Food Pantry, Bethel House, First United Methodist Church, St. Patrick Catholic Church, Whitewater Rescue Squad and many more. I invite you to read the pages on our website to see if one of your projects is eligible for an action grant.”

Organizations interested in pursuing a Whitewater Community Foundation Action Grant should check out the Foundation web site at  https://whitewatercommunityfoundation.org/?s=Action+Grants  or contact Ginny Coburn at virginiacoburn@coburn.com for more information.

The Foundation continues to provide and host scholarships for Whitewater High School students and also offers fiscal sponsorship to organizations that are seeking 501(c) (3) status or require temporary pass-through funds for worthy community projects.

More information about the Whitewater Community Foundation can be found at https://whitewatercommunityfoundation.org/ and on Facebook. 

The Whitewater Community Foundation’s mission is to enhance quality of life in the Whitewater area via educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent expenditures.

We wish to thank our Whitewater Community! On Saturday, April 12th, several volunteers showed up at Treyton Kilar Field of Dreams to clean and prepare for the baseball/softball season ahead!

The Kilar family and the City of Whitewater wish to thank our volunteers, including several youth baseball teams, families, and coaches, for coming out to lend a hand!

Special “thank you” to Toppers Pizza in Whitewater for feeding the volunteers with pizzas and Topper sticks!

Thank you all for caring for our youth and community!

“There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.” – Margaret J. Wheatley

Young children and their caregivers are invited to “Music & Art Wonder Club,” a fun, free event sponsored by the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library on Saturday, April 19 at 3:30-4:30 p.m. Participants will explore a world instrument petting zoo, create an upcycled process art project, and engage in a whimsical music and movement program with instrument and movement props.

Due to library construction, this event will take place at the Cravath Lakefront Community Center located at 341 S. Fremont Street in Whitewater. It is best for ages 3-8, but all ages are welcome. There is no cost or registration.

The class is taught by Noelle Larson, a Board-Certified Music Therapist, graduate of Whitewater High School and Berklee College of Music, and the owner of Circle of Song Music Therapy, LLC. Noelle has a passion for helping clients and participants to “Connect, Thrive, and Come Alive Through Music,” strengthen family relationships, learn adaptive coping strategies, and experience wonder and joy through the delight of participating in live music making.

Contact Sarah French with questions or accommodation requests at sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or 262-473-0530.

Please join A’lani Ross for her Senior Voice Recital to be held Wednesday, April 30, at 7:00 pm, in the James M. Stewart Auditorium at Whitewater High School. A’lani will be accompanied by Lori Heidenreich.

Whitewater Middle School students recently took part in a day of exploration
as the school launched a new STEAM Lab, which opened at the beginning of the semester.

The lab, focused on science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math, will serve as a
collaborative space for innovative, hands-on learning. The space has already supported the
school’s FIRST Robotics and FIRST LEGO League teams and will now become a resource for all
WMS students.

On March 19, 6th graders had the opportunity to participate in a hands-on lab experience led by
District Technology Integrator Ashley Deininger and Teacher Natalie Germundson. Using LEGO
Essentials kits, students were challenged to design an accessible bus and program it to
stop at a designated location, allowing for wheelchair access.

“It was wonderful to see students engaged in a hands-on activity, working collaboratively and
excited about their learning,” said Deininger. “I am looking forward to watching this space continue
to grow and inspire students to explore and discover new skills using technology.”

Through the STEAM Lab, WMS will provide students with opportunities to learn new skills while
building their critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork abilities. It’s one way to prepare
students for the opportunities and challenges of the future, including in high school, college, and
careers.

Submission deadline is Wednesday, April 16

2025 Traffic Box Public Art Project CALL for ARTISTS!!! The City of Whitewater is calling on artists to help transform everyday infrastructure into vibrant works of public art through the 2025 Traffic Box Public Art Project, Artful Transformation. This exciting initiative will enhance the city’s Main Street from the Whitewater St. to Elizabeth St. intersections by turning eight traffic signal control boxes into unique, community-inspired pieces. The goal of Artful Transformation is to celebrate Whitewater’s identity, creativity, and community spirit while providing local and regional artists with a platform to showcase their talents. Through this project, the city aims to enrich public spaces with artwork that reflects Whitewater’s rich heritage, diverse culture, and bright vision for the future. Call for Artists: The City of Whitewater invites artists to submit proposals for original artwork to be displayed on traffic boxes throughout the downtown area. Selected artists will receive a stipend of up to $3,000 per box to cover materials and labor. Eligibility: The opportunity is open to individual artists or artist teams, with preference given to those with a strong connection to Whitewater. All selected artists must sign an artist agreement and a hold harmless release. Submission Requirements: Proposal Description: A concept statement outlining the vision, themes, and preferred traffic box locations. Visuals: Sketches or mock-ups of original artwork designed for all four sides and the top of the traffic box. Budget: An itemized breakdown of costs, including materials, labor, and contingency planning (up to $3,000 per traffic box). Resume or Bio: Information about the artist or team’s background and artistic experience. Portfolio: Up to three examples of past work. A Public Art Committee, composed of representatives from the Whitewater Arts Alliance, City Council, local artists, and other community leaders, will review all submissions. The selected designs will become part of the City of Whitewater’s public art collection, with credit given to the artists. Key Dates: Applications Open: February 12, 2025 Submission Deadline: April 16, 2025 Artist Selection Announced: May 7, 2025 (Notifications of winners will be announced on the City of Whitewater web site, via press release and sent to all local publications, and in an email to the selected artists.) Painting Period: June – August 2025 Celebration Ceremony: September 13, 2025, at 10 AM at the Bridge Fountain/Traffic Box area Please note that on September 13th the City will also be hosting Food Truck Festival at the Cravath Lakefront Park. Further, the Whitewater Arts Alliance will be hosting the Fabrics of our Community exhibit at the White Building at 11 AM. Artists interested in applying can find the application form online at www.whitewater-wi.gov/618/Public-Art-Projects or request a copy by contacting Taylor Zeinert, Economic Development Director, via email at tzeinert@whitewater-wi.gov or by phone at 262-473-0148. The City of Whitewater looks forward to seeing the community’s creative talents on display and invites artists to help turn the city’s traffic boxes into engaging, meaningful works of art.

Adult passengers 18 and older must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint in order to travel.

• Driver’s licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)
  • Beginning May 7, 2025, if you plan to use your state-issued ID or license to fly within the U.S., make sure it is REAL ID compliant. Wisconsin licenses that qualify have a star in the upper right corner. This requirement also applies to visits to certain federal facilities such as military bases.
• OTHER ACCEPTABLE ID’S:
• State-Issued Drivers License or State-Issued ID
• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs).
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation worker identification credential
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

A weapon permit is not an acceptable form of identification. A temporary driver’s license is not an acceptable form of identification.

Expired ID

TSA currently accepts expired ID up to a year after expiration, for the above listed forms of identification. DHS has extended the REAL ID enforcement deadline to May 7, 2025. Learn more about REAL ID on TSA’s REAL ID webpage.

Children

TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States. Contact the airline for questions regarding specific ID requirements for travelers under 18.

Don’t Have Your Acceptable ID?

In the event you arrive at the airport without acceptable identification (whether lost, stolen, or otherwise), you may still be allowed to fly.

The TSA officer may ask you to complete an identity verification process which includes collecting information such as your name and current address to confirm your identity. If your identity is confirmed, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint, where you may be subject to additional screening.

You will not be allowed to enter the security checkpoint if you choose to not provide acceptable identification, you decline to cooperate with the identity verification process, or your identity cannot be confirmed.

TSA recommends individuals without acceptable identification arrive at least three hours in advance of their flight time.

Names With Suffixes

TSA accepts variations on suffixes on boarding passes and ID. Suffixes are not required on boarding passes. If there is a suffix on the boarding pass, and there is not one on the ID or vice versa, that is considered an acceptable variation.

If your identity cannot be verified, you will not be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint.