News & Events

By Al Stanek
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Whitewater’s effort to develop an arboretum within the 35-acre campus area Starin Park took a major step forward in November with the erection of a new Welcome and Education Center building courtesy of Generac, one of the city’s largest employers.

The 320 square foot structure was donated by Generac and erected by Generac staff volunteers, Urban Forestry Commission members, and community volunteers.  The excavation and pouring of the stamped concrete pad were completed courtesy of Ross and Russell Walton with the roof installation contributed by Serenity Concepts. City crews laid out the site and delivered the materials. The project was initiated and overseen by the City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission and the Whitewater Parks & Recreation Department.

As a living outdoor classroom, the arboretum demonstrates the essential value to humans that trees and shrubs provide by beautifying natural areas, enhancing air quality and helping tamp down the effects of climate change.  Educational workshops held at the arboretum for students and adults provide insights into the essential interrelationships between humans, plants, birds, insects, and animals.

The Arboretum at Starin Park (AASP) hosted three adult workshops in late October and November along with hosting a hands-on learning session for 45 Whitewater Middle and High School students on November 2.  Kids were guided in identifying tree types by leaf shapes, were instructed in how to estimate the age of a tree by measuring its circumference and took part in planting shrubs that are a part of the nearly 200 trees and shrubs added to Starin Park in 2022.

Adult education workshops included an “Interactive Introduction to the Arboretum,” “Remarkable Trees: Tales From Wisconsin and Beyond” and “Back to the Ice Age, Dig Into the Geologic History of Starin Park.”

Development of The Arboretum at Starin Park is a multi-year project launched earlier this year and funded in part by a WI Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Urban Forestry Grant which will reimburse up to $25,000 worth of city and volunteer efforts. 

The Starin Park Arboretum also received funding from local individuals and businesses as well as the Whitewater Community Foundation and Starin Park Neighborhood Association. The success of the effort relies heavily on the active participation of City of Whitewater staff and equipment.  The proceeds of an annual April Arbor Day week citywide tree sale also help provide essential funding.

The Arboretum has established partnerships with UW-Whitewater, the Whitewater Unified School District, and the Starin Park Neighborhood Association as well as a growing number of interested businesses and individuals.  It has successfully obtained formal accreditation by ArbNet, the international arboretum accreditation agency.

Volunteers are always needed to maintain plantings, to clean up fallen branches and debris and other tasks.  Interested volunteers are asked to contact the City of Whitewater Parks and Recreation Dept.  at 262-473-0122, or go to the AASP webpage at http://www.arbatstarinorg.

City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 4:30 p.m.
Agenda
Cravath Lakefront Room – and Virtual
312 W. Whitewater St.
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/160182421
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: 1 (312) 757-3121
Access Code: 160-182-421

Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Monday @ 6:00 (Closed Session); 7:00 (Open Session)
Agenda
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin
6:00 p.m.
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6:00 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87434390726?pwd=bm9neTFRd0R2MjJ0eDBnTHhBVnV3UT09
– Passcode: 602503
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– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 874 3439 0726
– Passcode: 602503
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Closed Session
———————————————-
7:00 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84121009870?pwd=UnY1cVZPL1Avc0ZlbnZPR24zaG1DUT09
– Passcode: 647281
———————————————-
– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 841 2100 9870
– Passcode: 647281
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Editor’s Note: The following information was provided by Fort HealthCare.

Fort HealthCare is offering scholarships totaling over $25,000 for the 2023-24 academic year to students pursuing careers in healthcare. Scholarships are being offered by the Fort HealthCare Partners, Fort HealthCare Medical Staff and Fort Memorial Hospital Foundation.

Students interested in applying can complete an application online at www.FortHealthCare.com/scholarships. Applications can be submitted beginning December 5, 2022. Applications are due by March 1, 2023. Completing one application makes you eligible for each scholarship applicable to the degree you are pursuing.

Applicants must be residents, high school graduates from Cambridge, Fort Atkinson, Helenville, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Lake Mills, Palmyra, Sullivan, or Whitewater, or employees at Fort HealthCare. While grade point average is important, it is not always the primary consideration. Information about your community involvement/volunteer work is also requested. Additional criteria specific to each scholarship are listed below.

Fort HealthCare Partners Scholarships

Health Career Advancing Scholarships
Health Careers Advancing Education Scholarships are awarded to candidates who currently hold a degree or certification in a healthcare field and are now enrolled in a course of study that leads to an advanced degree in a healthcare field.

High School Student Applications
Scholarships are awarded to graduating high school students pursuing a career in the healthcare field.

Woody Finn Memorial Scholarship
In memory of Woody Finn, a long-time dedicated volunteer of Fort Memorial Hospital, a scholarship is awarded to a student pursuing a career in health care who serves regularly in a volunteer role.

For more information about the Partners scholarships call (920) 568-5276.

Fort Memorial Hospital Medical Staff Scholarship
The Fort Memorial Hospital Medical Staff sponsors several $1,000 to $3,000 scholarships totaling $10,000 in memory of Dr. Robert Handeyside. Graduating seniors, who reside or attend school in the Fort HealthCare service area (Cambridge, Fort Atkinson, Helenville, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Lake Mills, Palmyra, Sullivan, and Whitewater) and have chosen a career in the health field, are eligible for this scholarship.

For more information about Medical Staff Scholarships, call (920) 568-5194.

Fort Memorial Hospital Foundation Scholarships
Scott W. Hulstein Scholarship
The Scott W. Hulstein Scholarship was set up by his parents, Gerrit and Rebecca Hulstein, in his memory. A scholarship is awarded to a high school senior or an undergraduate currently enrolled at a college or technical school pursuing a degree in the health care field.

Cynthia McKinley Kolasinski Scholarship
Cynthia McKinley Kolasinski Scholarships will be awarded to students studying medicine or nursing at an accredited institution of higher learning. Per the trust established by Ms. Kolasinski, preference will be given to medical students beyond their second year and nursing students beyond their first year.

Estelle Stinson Chase & Peter A. Chase Scholarship
The Estelle Stinson Chase & Peter A. Chase Scholarship awards Fort HealthCare employees who are studying nursing (LPN, ADN, BSN Completion, MSN) at an accredited college or university. Consideration is given to the applicant’s service and involvement in the community and Fort HealthCare, excluding job related activities.

Dr. Donald and Barbara Williams Scholarship
This Scholarship was established by Dr. Donald and Barbara Williams in recognition of the important role Fort HealthCare employees play in providing excellent care for the people we serve. Applicants must be an employee in good standing at Fort HealthCare and pursuing education in a health care field.

Wanda L. Draeger Nursing Scholarship
This scholarship was established in memory of Wanda L. Draeger, RN, who was an OB nurse at Fort HealthCare for 45 years. Applicants must be currently enrolled and have completed at least one year in an accredited nursing school.

Arthur and Nancy Nesbitt Nursing Scholarship
This scholarship was established by Mr. and Mrs. Nesbitt in appreciation for the excellent care provided by Fort HealthCare’s nurses. Applicants must be employees of Fort HealthCare in good standing and enrolled in an accredited nursing program for the upcoming school year.

Florence Falk Nursing Scholarship
This scholarship was established in memory of Florence Falk, LPN, who was an OB nurse at Fort HealthCare for 50 years. Applicants must be an employee in good standing at Fort HealthCare or a graduate of a high school in Fort HealthCare’s primary service area (Cambridge, Fort Atkinson, Helenville, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Lake Mills, Palmyra, Sullivan, or Whitewater). Applicants must also be currently enrolled in an accredited nursing school and in their second year of nursing school or beyond.

For more information about Foundation scholarships email foundation@forthc.com.

Editor’s note: The following announcement was submitted by Karen Tordera.

For thirty years, Singing in Wisconsin has brought young musicians together across our state for a day of choral music and connection. Hosted at four regional sites and directed by fantastic clinicians, Singing in Wisconsin is a festival choir experience for all Wisconsin singers in grades 4-12. Four Whitewater High School choir students participated in this statewide event. Aliciana Lopez, Lucy DiFiore, Jazmin Falcon, and Meridyth Cashion attended the event on November 12th at Carroll University. 

On Monday, November 28th, 7:30 p.m., in Young Auditorium there will be a concert from the University/ Community Band. They will be performing a delightful evening of music performed by an all-inclusive ensemble!

Tickets are available in advance and can be purchased online at tickets.uww.edu or by calling (262) 472-2222. Admission for adults is $10, and for under age 18 or 65+, $8. There is a $2.00 surcharge if purchased at the door at the time of the event.

“The Daytrippers”

Tuesday, November 29, 1 p.m.

(Comedy/Drama) Rated R (sex, language); 

1 hour, 27 minutes (1996)

On the day after Thanksgiving, a wife discovers a hidden love letter written to her husband by an unknown paramour, setting off the entire family’s madcap day drive, from Long Island to New York City, in search of the letter’s writer. Starring Stanley Tucci, Liev Schreiber, Marcia Gay Harden, and Anne Meara.