News & Events

This week’s #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society follows up last’s week’s with another image from the 1881 snowstorm!

This past week marks the storm’s 140 year anniversary, as it hit in two waves between February 26 and March 4. A heavy rainstorm, followed by over four feet of snow, pounded the city that week. Record books in Madison indicate that approximately 114 inches of snow fell in total that winter. This stereoscope view, courtesy of local photographer J.P. Whipple, shows the snow drifts along the sidewalks on the north side of Main Street.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society collections!

(1575ST, Whitewater Historical Society)

The Whitewater Historical Society collects, preserves, and interprets the history of Whitewater and the surrounding area. Be sure to join us next week for more from the Society’s collections. Please “like” us on Facebook, and check out our website at whitewaterhistoricalsociety.org!​ 

(Walworth Co. Division of Public Health press release) ELKHORN, WI — On February 18, 2021, Walworth County moved to Phase 3 of its Phased Guidance for COVID-19. The Division of Public Health initiated the shift after observing sustained improvement in all key indicators highlighted on Walworth County’s Public Health Community Data Dashboard.

The most notable change from Phase 2 to Phase 3 is an increase in recommended capacity from 50% to 75% for certain industries and some larger permitted gathering sizes. While Phased Guidance recommendations become more relaxed, Walworth County Health Officer Erica Bergstrom encourages that collective actions to prevent COVID-19 remain steadfast. “Our community has worked diligently and made tremendous sacrifices to prevent the spread of COVID-19 over the last year,” she states. “At this pivotal point in our recovery, we must remain vigilant in protecting our community against COVID-19. When we use all available tools and strategies, we ensure that we stay on this encouraging path.”

Even as vaccines become more readily available, it remains important to use all preventative actions to protect against COVID-19. These include being vaccinated when and if able, maintaining physical distance from those outside of your household, wearing a face covering, washing your hands frequently, staying home when you’re sick, and getting tested if you have symptoms.

For more information on Walworth County Public Health’s data, Phased Guidance, and using all tools and strategies to slow the spread of COVID-19, please visit the county website at https://www.co.walworth.wi.us/856/COVID-19. Questions on the Phased Guidance may be sent to walcoph@co.walworth.wi.us.

(UW Extension press release) Upcoming Shoreline Education Events

Our lakes are vital to where we live, work and play. But they need our help!

Join these upcoming free webinars to find out how you can help our shorelines and lakes by learning about invasive species, healthy shoreline management and how to improve water quality and decrease erosion. Note there are two webinars listed here with different registrations. These free webinars are hosted by University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension in collaboration with local and regional organizations.

Take Action to Keep Our Lakes Healthy

Thurs., March 4th, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Lesser celandine, Phragmites, and knotweed are three invasive plants in southern Wisconsin that grow in wet areas and have significant impacts on our lakes. Learn how to identify them, their affects, and how you can take action by looking for and reporting infestations via email or with the Great Lakes Early Detection Network app. Presented by Jason Granberg, Conservation Biologist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Anne Pearce, Coordinator of the Wisconsin First Detector Network.

This is a free online event, but registration is required. Please use the following link to register: https://go.wisc.edu/ixpf32

* Once registered, a connection link to the webinar will be sent the day before the event.

Shoreline Gardening for Healthy Lakes

Thurs., March 18th, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

In this webinar, you will learn what rain gardens are and how this special type of low maintenance garden can filter pollutants, recharge the groundwater and reduce pollution of local waterways. You will also learn what services healthy shorelines provide, including habitat, improved water quality and decreased erosion. Presented by Paul Skawinski, Lakes Outreach Specialist and Statewide Coordinator of the Wisconsin Citizen Lake Monitoring Network and Patrick Goggin from the Extension lakes team.

This is a free online event, but registration is required. Please use the following link to register: https://go.wisc.edu/663c99

* Once registered, a connection link to the webinar will be sent the day before the event.

If you have questions about this event, please contact Julie Hill, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, julie.hill@wisc.edu

To find additional upcoming local and statewide events from Extension, see our calendar: https://extension.wisc.edu/events/ or visit our Extension Rock County website: https://rock.extension.wisc.edu/

The Banner is grateful that Ken Knuteson reached out with news that work has started at the roundabout on Elkhorn Road on the east side of town. He thought that it is Kwik Trip starting to move dirt.

Mr. Knuteson is correct that the work is related to the planned Kwik Trip store, though the actual start of construction is farther off than some had hoped. Brad Marquardt, City of Whitewater Director of Public Works, told the Banner that Kwik Trip is “prepping for blasting of bedrock in the near future. However, actual construction of the building is not slated until mid July. I do not have a completion date.”

When asked if he has concerns about the potential impact of blasting on nearby buildings, Mr. Marquardt replied that in Wausau, where he previously served as Director of Public Works, “We (the contractor) blasted all the time…to install new sanitary sewer and/or watermain in existing streets with houses on both sides.”

Kwik Trip also owns property at Janesville Street and Highway 59, and has indicated that construction of that store is anticipated to follow closely behind that of the other store.

Experience The Magic of Bill Blagg – Live at Young Auditorium
In-Person Tickets & Live Stream Access Available For This One-Of-A-Kind Family Event
Saturday, February 20 – 3:00 p.m. | Part of Young Auditorium’s Community Connections Series

Whitewater, Wis – One of the nation’s top touring illusionists will leave you spellbound as Bill Blagg brings his
one-of-a-kind, interactive magic show to Young Auditorium on Saturday, February 20 at 3:00 p.m. With limited in-
theater tickets available for purchase and ‘Donate What You Can’ live stream access, EVERYONE can enjoythis family friendly afternoon of grand illusions.

Critics and audiences alike rave about Bill’s interactive magic tricks that will have you rubbing your eyes in
disbelief. Blagg’s show combines his mind-blowing magical talents along with his trademark off-the-cuff
personality to take you on a magical journey you’ll never forget! Witness objects float in mid-air, vanish in the
blink of an eye and so much more! The MAGIC of BILL BLAGG LIVE! is more than a magic show, it’s an
interactive magic experience!

TO PURCHASE LIMITED, IN-PERSON SEATING
To account for social distancing and other safety protocols, only fifty (50) tickets will be made available to the
public. To purchase, please visit www.youngauditorium.com, or contact UW-Whitewater Ticket Services at
262-472-2222.

TO OBTAIN ‘DONATE WHAT YOU CAN’ LIVE STREAM ACCESS
To obtain ‘Donate What You Can’ live stream access for this performance, please register using the form found
on the ‘Magic of Bill Blagg’ event page at www.youngauditorium.com. All those who register will be sent a
performance link, via email, the morning of the show. Simply click the link, and you’ll be routed to a
performance page containing the exclusive live stream.

While access to the show link is free, Young Auditorium has designated this concert as a ‘Donate What You
Can’ performance. A minimum donation of $5 per household is advised and appreciated, with all proceeds
benefitting the Young Auditorium General Operations Fund. Place your donation today at: https://www.uww.edu/youngauditorium/2020-home.

Young Auditorium’s Community Connections Concert Series, combining live, in-theatre performances with
at-home access, is sponsored by Premier Bank. Live streaming services offered courtesy of DLK Enterprises.
The Magic of Bill Blagg is sponsored by Fort Health Care.