News & Events

Event brings awareness to Ice Age National Scenic Trail and drives visitation to its communities

Thousands of people will be hiking the Ice Age National Scenic Trail this October as part of the Mammoth Hike Challenge.

Now in its fifth year, the Mammoth Hike Challenge invites anyone and everyone to hike, run, walk, or backpack 44 miles along the stunning Ice Age National Scenic Trail and explore three official Ice Age Trail Communities. [Whitewater is an Ice Age Trail Community.] Participants have the entire month of October to complete the Challenge. Those that do, receive a limited-edition patch and certificate.

Hosted by the Ice Age Trail Alliance, the Mammoth Hike Challenge is the organization’s largest awareness-building event. Unlike other hiking challenges held along the Trail, the Mammoth Hike Challenge is free.  To register, visit IceAgeTrail.org/Mammoth-Hike-Challenge.

“The goal of the Mammoth Hike Challenge is to get people out on the Trail and visiting our unique Ice Age Trail Communities,” says Amy Lord, Outreach and Education Manager for the Ice Age Trail Alliance.

“Once someone experiences the Trail—the likelihood is great they’ll want to eventually hike the whole thing,” she says. “That’s the magic of the Trail. It pulls you in and leaves you wanting to discover the next segment, or the next turn.”

Earn Bonus Miles, No Hiking Required

Nearly 50 Trail-related hiking events are taking place throughout October. These events, which are listed on the Alliance event calendar, range from hiker meet ups at breweries, to group hikes, dog hikes, and geology hikes. The events are opportunities to meet other Challenge participants and “talk Trail” as well as a way to earn bonus miles.

“Hiking 44 miles can be daunting,” says Lord. “To make it fun and achievable, we offer the ability to accumulate miles without actually hiking.” 

Other ways to earn bonus miles: participating in a Trailbuilding or Trail Maintenance activity, becoming a member of the Ice Age Trail Alliance, or introducing someone to the Trail.

There’s Magic Along the Trail

This year, more than 100 businesses are offering Trail Magic*, an act of kindness or unexpected surprise a hiker encounters along the Trail. During the Challenge, Trail Magic comes in the form of special offers, discounts, or freebies from participating businesses, which are mainly located within the 24 official Trail Communities. *Participating businesses in Whitewater are Center St. Cafe, BicycleWise, Sweet Spot, Dale’s Bootery, The Book Teller, The Vinery Stained Glass Studio, Heather’s Fashion, BaristaCats Cafe & Wayward Sanctuary for Wayward Cats, ReVamp Nutrition, and Second Salem Brewing Co.

“Trail Communities are hiker destinations and are perfect for a pre-, mid-, or post-hike stop,” says Lord. “Many hikers plan their hiking adventures by which Trail Communities they want to visit,” says Lord.  “Trail Magic is an added incentive to visit specific businesses within the communities.”  

Mammoth Hike Challenge Fast Facts:

• More than 27,000 participants since 2020
• Generated visitation to 19 Trail Communities in 2023 (Hatley, Greater Wausau Area, Algoma, Rice Lake, and Weyerhaeuser are new Trail Communities in 2024)
• Generated more than $1.5 million spending in local economies since 2020

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About the Ice Age National Scenic Trail:
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a 1,200-mile footpath contained entirely within Wisconsin. It traverses the state from St. Croix Falls in the west, to Sturgeon Bay in the east, going as far south as Janesville. One of 11 National Scenic Trails, the Ice Age Trail highlights the landscapes that were carved out by ancient glaciers, which happen to be some of the most beautiful areas in the state. There are 24 designated as Ice Age Trail Communities along the Trail. Approximately 60% of Wisconsin residents live within 20 miles of the Ice Age Trail.

About the Ice Age Trail Alliance:
The Ice Age Trail Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating, supporting, and protecting the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. For more information, visit IceAgeTrail.org.

Working since 1958 to conserve, create, maintain, and promote the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

Please join or renew today at www.iceagetrail.org

As previously announced, on Sat., Sept. 28, 2024, and Sat., Oct. 12, 2024, the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin will be flown at half-staff coinciding with the Final Alarm Ceremony and Silent Procession at the Wisconsin Fire & EMS Memorial Park in Wisconsin Rapids, which is hosted by the Wisconsin Fire & EMS Memorial, and in honor of Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day. In May, Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #222 ordering the flags to be flown at half-staff on Sun., May 5, 2024, in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service during National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. Executive Order #222 also ordered the flags to be flown at half-staff on Sat., Sept. 28, 2024, in recognition of the Final Alarm Ceremony at the Wisconsin Fire & EMS Memorial, and again on Sat., Oct. 12, 2024, as required by state statute in observance of Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day during Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 6 through Oct. 12, 2024. “Day in and day out, Wisconsin’s firefighters and emergency service professionals risk their own health and safety to keep us safe and serve us and our communities during our worst days, often at great personal risk and sacrifice,” said Gov. Evers. “We will continue to honor the bravery and selflessness of those firefighters who have tragically fallen in the line of duty, on Firefighters Memorial Day and throughout the year, we remember their immense sacrifice.” Previously, National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend had been held in October, but beginning in 2023, was moved from October to May by the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation. However, in Wisconsin, Wis. Stat. 995.225(1) still designates each week annually during which October 9 falls as Fire Prevention Week and designates the Saturday at the end of Fire Prevention Week as Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day.   Executive Order #222 subsequently orders the flags to be flown at half-staff on Sat., Sept. 28, 2024, in recognition of the Final Alarm Ceremony at the Wisconsin Fire & EMS Memorial, and on Sat., Oct. 12, 2024, in honor of Fire Prevention Week, which features observances, ceremonies, exercises, and activities related to fire safety education, and culminates with the observance of Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day in recognition of the firefighters of this state who made the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of their duties over the course of the year. A copy of the governor’s forthcoming 2024 Fire Prevention Week proclamation is available here. A copy of the governor’s forthcoming Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day proclamation is available here.

UW-Whitewater’s Stephanie Hensel excels at international business competition

Stephanie Hensel, a Accounting major from Whitewater, at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, was one of two students from the university who participated in the X-Culture Global Business Week 2024, which was held July 7-13 at Mae Fah Luang University in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

Stephanie Hensel, an accounting and international business major from Oconto Falls, Wisconsin, and Itzuri Contreras, an international business major from Manzanillo, Mexico, represented UW-Whitewater at the competition, where participants are provided opportunities to complete and compete in a client consulting project challenge, attend professional development and academic sessions, and experience cultural visits and events, all while collaborating with other X-Culture students and faculty.

Hensel and Contreras each started their journey to the X-Culture competition as students in UW-Whitewater’s introduction to international business class with Andy Ciganek, professor of information technology and supply chain management in the university’s College of Business and Economics (CoBE).

They were among 150 students selected from around the world from a pool of thousands of students who participated in the competition throughout the year after earning high scores in peer reviews.

Contreras’s team included students from India, Morocco, Myanmar and the U.S. The group worked to complete a comprehensive business plan, which included a five-year marketing strategy, for Sooknirund Hotel in Chiang Rai.

“It was awesome to network with people around the world – you never know when you’ll do business with them in the future,” said Contreras, an international student who founded UW-Whitewater’s Omega Pi Lambda chapter. “It was cool for me to learn about other cultures and how people from other countries like to work. I would absolutely do it again.”

Hensel, a first-generation college student, worked with students from Myanmar, the Ivory Coast and the U.S. to win the competition after building a global expansion plan for Suwirun, an organic Thai tea company. She and her team suggested that the company enter the tourism sector.

“The best part was all of the people I met,” said Hensel, who works in UW-Whitewater’s Center for Global Education. “They were all great and so outgoing.”

UW-Whitewater’s College of Business and Economics is the largest AACSB-accredited business school in Wisconsin. To learn more about the college, visit uww.edu/cobe.

MALEVO, created by director, choreographer, and dancer Matías Jaime, this thrilling all-male group specializes in Malambo—a traditional Argentine folk  dance of great virility and dexterity—and seeks to take it beyond its limits with a modern, avant-garde, and transgressive approach, merging it with other dance styles like flamenco and urban percussion.

After being named an official “Cultural Ambassador to the National Identity of Argentina,” and on the tail of numerous successes including events and performances in Las Vegas, New York, Dubai, Paris, Cairo, St Petersburg and Montreal as well as special performances with Latin pop-star Ricky Martin, Cirque du Soleil, a year-long residency at Universal Studios Japan and making it to semi-finalists on the hit TV show – America’s Got Talent, MALEVO is excited to present a new touring performance created for proscenium theaters of performing arts centers and festivals.

Sunday, September 29 @ 7:00 p.m. – The Young is located on the UW-Whitewater campus at 930 W. Main Street. Parking is free. Tickets are available here for $62-88; at the door there is an additional $2 surcharge per ticket.

The Whitewater Unified School District (WUSD) invites students, families, and the greater Whitewater community to take part in its 2024 Homecoming festivities during the week of September 30.

A variety of events will be held throughout the week district-wide, culminating in the Homecoming varsity
football game against the Jefferson Eagles on Friday, October 4. Kick-off will take place at 7:00 p.m.

“Homecoming is a wonderful opportunity for our entire community to come together and celebrate the
pride, spirit, and tradition of Whitewater,” said Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, Superintendent of Whitewater
Unified School District. “We encourage everyone to support our students by participating in the events,
decorating their homes and businesses, and cheering on the Whippets at the big game. With the
community’s help, we look forward to making this Homecoming a memorable one.”

Community members are also invited to attend a spirited Lip-Syncing Competition and the long-standing
tradition of “Burning of the W” at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 2, at Whitewater High School. The
evening will include student performances, followed by the ceremonial bonfire.

The Whitewater High School Athletic Complex will open at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, October 4, for early access to seating. Tickets to the game can be purchased starting at 5:30 p.m. on Friday night. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the festive atmosphere and support the Whippets. There will also be a Booster Club tailgate running from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

For a full schedule of WUSD’s Homecoming 2024 events, please visit
sites.google.com/wwusd.org/whs-homecoming/home.

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

For our last image of the historic East Side School, we present this view of the old school with the new wing completed in 1955. The “baby boom” resulted in much school construction, including a new west side elementary school in 1953 and a new high school in 1959. Around 1961, the elementary schools were given new names and this building became the Washington School. Then, in 1966, the old section of the building was demolished and a new central core building was attached to the 1955 wing. Finally, around 2002, the 1955 wing was demolished in favor of a modern wing and the school, as it exists mostly today, resulted.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(3689P, Whitewater Historical Society)

MANCHESTER, NH – Jessica Ellifritz of Delavan (53190) has been named to Southern New Hampshire University‘s Summer 2024 Dean’s List. The summer terms run from May to August.

Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.500 to 3.699 for the reporting term are named to the Dean’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.

MANCHESTER, NH – Madelyn Fosen of Whitewater (53190) has been named to Southern New Hampshire University‘s (SNHU) Summer 2024 President’s List. The summer terms run from May to August.

Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with a 92-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults. Now serving more than 200,000 learners worldwide, SNHU offers approximately 200 accredited undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs, available online and on its 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH. Recognized as one of the “Most Innovative” regional universities by U.S. News & World Report and one of the fastest-growing universities in the country, SNHU is committed to expanding access to high quality, affordable pathways that meet the needs of each learner.

Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Staff Sgt. Ralph H. Bode Who Lost His Life in WWII

Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #241 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in honor of U.S. Army Air Force Staff Sgt. Ralph H. Bode, who lost his life in World War II and whose remains have been identified and returned to Wisconsin for burial. “Staff Sergeant Bode selflessly gave his life fighting for the freedoms of his fellow Americans and our allies abroad,” said Gov. Evers. “It is an honor to be able to help welcome him back to Wisconsin after 80 years, where he can finally be laid to rest in his hometown of Racine.” A native of Racine, Staff Sgt. Bode was a member of the 700th Bombardment Squadron, 445th Bombardment Group, 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force in the European Theater during World War II. On Sept. 27, 1944, Staff Sgt. Bode’s aircraft was shot down while on a bombing mission over Kassel, Germany, and a finding of death was issued by the U.S. War Department on Sept. 28, 1945. In 1951, the American Graves Registration Command recovered remains from the crash site and interred them at the Luxembourg American Cemetery in Luxembourg and the North African American Cemetery in Tunisia. Staff Sgt. Bode’s remains were positively identified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency on Dec. 26, 2023. Staff Sgt. Bode will be buried on Fri., Sept. 27, 2024, in Racine.