News & Events

Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26 to January 1 each year.

[From Wikipedia) American Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966 during the aftermath of the Watts riots^[2] as a specifically African-American holiday.^[3][4] Karenga said his goal was to “give blacks an alternative to the existing holiday of Christmas and give blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and their history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society.”^[5] For Karenga, a major figure in the Black Power movement of the 1960s and 1970s, the creation of such holidays also underscored the essential premise that “you must have a cultural revolution before the violent revolution. The cultural revolution gives identity, purpose, and direction.”^[6]

According to Karenga, the name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning “first fruits”.^[7] First fruits festivals exist in Southern Africa, celebrated in December/January with the southern solstice, and Karenga was partly inspired by an account he read of the Zulu festival Umkhosi Wokweshwama.^[8] It was decided to spell the holiday’s name with an additional “a” so that it would have a symbolic seven letters.^[9]

During the early years of Kwanzaa, Karenga said it was meant to be an alternative to Christmas. He believed Jesus was psychotic and Christianity was a “White” religion that Black people should shun.^[10] As Kwanzaa gained mainstream adherents, Karenga altered his position so practicing Christians would not be alienated, stating in the 1997 book Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community, and Culture that “Kwanzaa was not created to give people an alternative to their own religion or religious holiday.”^[11] Many African Americans who celebrate Kwanzaa do so in addition to observing Christmas.^[12]

After its initial creation in California, Kwanzaa spread outside the United States.^[13]

Kwanzaa celebrates what its founder called the seven principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba (originally Nguzu Saba – the seven principles of African Heritage). They were developed in 1965, a year before Kwanzaa itself. These seven principles comprise Kawaida, a Swahili word meaning “common.”

Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the principles, as follows:^[14]

1. Umoja (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
2. Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define and name ourselves, as well as to create and speak for ourselves.
3. Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems and to solve them together.
4. Ujamaa (Cooperative economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
5. Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
6. Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
7. Imani (Faith): To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

Joy to the world! Wishing you a peaceful and pleasant day. Thanks for reading the Banner.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the above image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and subsequent rededication of the Second Temple at the beginning of the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE.

Hanukkah begins this year on December 25. It is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, commonly called a menorah or hanukkiah. One branch is typically placed above or below the others and its candle is used to light the other eight candles. This unique candle is called the shamash (Hebrew: שַׁמָּשׁ‎, “attendant”). Each night, one additional candle is lit by the shamash until all eight candles are lit together on the final night of the festival. Other Hanukkah festivities include singing Hanukkah songs, playing the game of dreidel and eating oil-based foods, such as latkes and sufganiyot, and dairy foods. Since the 1970s, the worldwide Chabad Hasidic movement has initiated public menorah lightings in open public places in many countries.

Although a relatively minor holiday in strictly religious terms, Hanukkah has attained major cultural significance in North America and elsewhere, especially among secular Jews, due to its occurring around the same time as Christmas during the holiday season.

How to wish happy Hanukkah? The traditional greeting for observing Hanukkah is “Hanukkah sameach!” which means “Happy Hanukkah!” or “Chag urim sameach” which means “Happy Festival of Lights”.

Source: Wikipedia

The following students were named to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Dean’s List for the 2024 fall semester.

Editor’s note: A number of these students are probably not long-term Whitewater residents; UW-W simply compiles a list of students who identify this as their place of residence.

Whitewater, WI (53190): Michelle Abarca

Whitewater, WI (53190): John Adkins

Whitewater, WI (53190): Emma Allamian

Whitewater, WI (53190): Mariana Aranda

Whitewater, WI (53190): Lilith Ashmore

Whitewater, WI (53190): Grace Baker

Whitewater, WI (53190): Emma Bergeson

Whitewater, WI (53190): Jace Bezzo

Whitewater, WI (53190): Michaela Boose

Whitewater, WI (53190): Canyon Caputo

Whitewater, WI (53190): Kacie Carollo

Whitewater, WI (53190): Madeline Church

Whitewater, WI (53190): Joseph Ciesla

Whitewater, WI (53190): Bellemy Clark

Whitewater, WI (53190): Anders Clarksen

Whitewater, WI (53190): Adam Coleman

Whitewater, WI (53190): Christopher Cortes

Whitewater, WI (53190): Sebastian Cuellar Meza

Whitewater, WI (53190): Makenna D’Amico

Whitewater, WI (53190): Matt DeMichiel

Whitewater, WI (53190): Cypress Dempsey

Whitewater, WI (53190): Alejandra Diaz-Gallegos

Whitewater, WI (53190): Charlie Eckert

Whitewater, WI (53190): Holland Engele

Whitewater, WI (53190): Katy Farrey

Whitewater, WI (53190): Logan Faust

Whitewater, WI (53190): Adrianna Fico

Whitewater, WI (53190): Jaciel Flores

Whitewater, WI (53190): Reagan Godek

Whitewater, WI (53190): Elizabeth Gomez

Whitewater, WI (53190): Cooper Gosse

Whitewater, WI (53190): Kenzie Grabher

Whitewater, WI (53190): Jenna Greenheck

Whitewater, WI (53190): Joneek Griggs

Whitewater, WI (53190): Brock Grosinske

Whitewater, WI (53190): Blake Haggerty

Whitewater, WI (53190): Abi Hartwig

Whitewater, WI (53190): Gabby Hayes

Whitewater, WI (53190): Stephanie Hensel

Whitewater, WI (53190): Armando Hernandez

Whitewater, WI (53190): Madelyn Hillesheim

Whitewater, WI (53190): Jake Hintz

Whitewater, WI (53190): Morgan Hoffman

Whitewater, WI (53190): Bianca Housworth

Whitewater, WI (53190): Cameron Huntley

Whitewater, WI (53190): Sandra Javier Lopez

Whitewater, WI (53190): Ryan Jordan

Whitewater, WI (53190): Cj Keating

Whitewater, WI (53190): Cali Kopecky

Whitewater, WI (53190): Tristan Kreger-Simek

Whitewater, WI (53190): Andrea Kuhl

Whitewater, WI (53190): Michael Lange

Whitewater, WI (53190): Caden Leutner

Whitewater, WI (53190): Payton Lowe

Whitewater, WI (53190): Seth Lozano

Whitewater, WI (53190): Megan Manthey

Whitewater, WI (53190): Thomas McCulloch

Whitewater, WI (53190): Jacqueline Mehn

Whitewater, WI (53190): Samantha Meister

Whitewater, WI (53190): Jordan Miller

Whitewater, WI (53190): Morgan Miller

Whitewater, WI (53190): Youssef Mohamed

Whitewater, WI (53190): Anecia Moss

Whitewater, WI (53190): Aiden Murray

Whitewater, WI (53190): Ben Nelson

Whitewater, WI (53190): Lexi Nelson

Whitewater, WI (53190): Michaela Nitka

Whitewater, WI (53190): Brianna Ophime

Whitewater, WI (53190): Yasmin Palomec-Garcia

Whitewater, WI (53190): Johan Perez

Whitewater, WI (53190): Jenna Pergande

Whitewater, WI (53190): Charlotte Pham

Whitewater, WI (53190): Alex Phelan

Whitewater, WI (53190): Dane Pinzino

Whitewater, WI (53190): Jasmine Powell

Whitewater, WI (53190): Mel Prince

Whitewater, WI (53190): Gabrielle Quintero

Whitewater, WI (53190): Isabelle Quintero

Whitewater, WI (53190): Zoheb Rakhangi

Whitewater, WI (53190): Sawyer Reid

Whitewater, WI (53190): Yovanni Rojas-Reyes

Whitewater, WI (53190): Evelyn Rozenkvit

Whitewater, WI (53190): Cody Rupke

Whitewater, WI (53190): Connor Sharlow

Whitewater, WI (53190): Ross Skeen

Whitewater, WI (53190): Andrew Swartz

Whitewater, WI (53190): C.J. Tomomitsu

Whitewater, WI (53190): Dejaney Valles

Whitewater, WI (53190): Kaitlyn Van Wyhe

Whitewater, WI (53190): Jackson Veeder

Whitewater, WI (53190): Tania Verduzco

Whitewater, WI (53190): Emma Wade

Whitewater, WI (53190): Molly Wade

Whitewater, WI (53190): Ryan Westerman

Whitewater, WI (53190): Hayleigh Williams

Whitewater, WI (53190): Wenshou Wu

Whitewater, WI (53190): Hailey Zaal

Whitewater, WI (53190): Cameron ZehrGrimm

These students have demonstrated their academic abilities by receiving a grade point average of 3.4 or above in a single semester.

“Making the Dean’s List is a tremendous honor. It is a recognition of our students’ hard work and commitment to success,” said John Chenoweth, who serves as UW-Whitewater’s provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “We are proud of our students and hope to see their names on the list again. Congratulations to all who were recognized!”

The Registrar’s Office reports 3,775 students were selected for the Dean’s List for the fall semester. More than 11,700 students are currently enrolled at the university’s Whitewater and Rock County campuses.

The Chili Cook-Off and Outdoor Movie Night at Cravath Lakefront Park provided attendees with an evening of culinary competition and festive entertainment in a wintry setting. Despite temperatures around 20°F, the Friday evening event was well-attended.

photos courtesy of Whitewater Parks and Recreation

For $5, attendees received a disposable bowl or, for $10, a reusable mug, granting them access to taste-test nine diverse chilis, each offering a unique blend of flavors and ingredients. Milk was provided for free by a generous donation from Katzman Family Farm.  Judges conducted blind tastings to determine first—and second-place winners, while attendees voted for the People’s Choice award. An additional prize was awarded for the best-decorated table, with the winners listed below.

Chili Cook-Off Winners:

• 1st Place: Pepper Pops – Mom’s Hot Dish by the Buckingham family
• 2nd Place: The Chili Beaners – Spicy Chorizo Chili by the Ayon family
• People’s Choice: Cheer for the Deer Chili by the Aquatic Center Coffee Lovers
• Best Decorated: White Hot Chicken Chili by Sam and Madison Schulz, featuring a Winter Wonderland-themed table

Moviegoers had the opportunity to enjoy a holiday classic in a cool (literally) new venue. Whitewater Parks and Recreation displayed a new blow-up screen for the debut of what we hope will be the first of many movie nights in the park.

 

Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser

Downtown Whitewater thanks the entire Whitewater Parks and Recreation team for bringing another fun holiday event to the downtown area during this Christmas season. The festive lights and displays of Christmas at Cravath at Cravath Lakefront Park will continue to be on view nightly from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM through January 6, 2025. Community members and visitors are encouraged to experience the holiday magic throughout the season and stay tuned for volunteer and sponsorship opportunities for next year’s installation!

Article Submitted by Downtown Whitewater, Inc
Photos courtesy of Whitewater Parks and Recreation Department and Tom Ganser

Popularity of Ice Age Trail Confirmed: 4.65 Million Users Annually
Volunteerism reaches record-high: 103,439 hours in 2024

Cross Plains, Wis. (December 19, 2024) – 2024 will go down as an impactful year in the history of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and the Ice Age Trail Alliance. From Trail construction milestones to record-breaking volunteer efforts, and record-setting use, the Alliance continues to lead the way preserving and enhancing the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

“2024 has been a stellar year for the Ice Age Trail Alliance,” says Luke Kloberdanz, Executive Director and CEO of the Ice Age Trail Alliance. “We are deeply grateful to our volunteers, supporters, and partners for their commitment to the Trail. Together, we’ve made incredible strides in protecting, creating, and celebrating this natural wonder.”

Expanding and Enhancing the Trail

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail now boasts 702.6 miles of blazed, hike-ready trail, an increase from 698 miles in 2023. This growth includes two new segments:

• Montello: a 2.0-mile path through the town, which replaces the connecting route that followed the busy, less scenic Highway 23 through the community.
• Algoma: 2.6-mile path through downtown and along Lake Michigan. 

Beyond adding new segments, the Alliance focused on improving existing segments to enhance the hiker experience:

• Greenbush Segment (Sheboygan County): A reroute off a bike path to a winding footpath closer to glacial geology.
• Blue Hills Segments (Rusk County): Began a transformative multi-year, 19-mile reroute, shifting the Trail from logging roads and snowmobile paths to a primitive Trail through forested landscapes, offering views of the surrounding topography.
• Plover River Segment (Marathon County): Volunteers installed more than 300 steppingstones to eliminate muddy conditions, creating a magical hiking path.
• Hemlock Creek Segment (Barron, Rusk, Washburn Counties): Replaced aging boardwalks with five new structures, improving access and safety.

The final Trailbuilding project of the year focused on the Alliance-owned Muir Preserve in Marquette County, where volunteers constructed 800 feet of boardwalk. While currently a standalone loop, this segment holds the promise of connecting to the official Trail in the future.

Protecting the Trail for Future Generations

In 2024, the Alliance and its partners completed 14 land transactions, protecting critical properties that will enable future Trail development. These acquisitions lay the groundwork for nearly four miles of future Trail.

Record-Setting Volunteerism

Volunteers continue to be the backbone of the Alliance’s success. In Fiscal Year 2024, volunteers logged 103,439 service hours on Trail-related activities—a new record, surpassing last year’s high of 100,666 hours. These contributions, tracked by the National Park Service’s Volunteer-in-Parks program, position the Ice Age Trail among the nation’s top National Parks for volunteer engagement.

Growing Trail Use and Economic Impact

The Ice Age Trail’s popularity was confirmed. A study, released in 2024, from the Fiscal and Economic Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, revealed 4.65 million people use the Trail annually. This growing use generates $431 million in annual economic output, driving significant sales and services in communities across Wisconsin.

“The economic impact study confirmed what we anecdotally knew to be true,” says Kloberdanz. “More people than ever before are getting out on the Trail.”

“They’re attending group hikes. They’re becoming Thousand Milers (people who complete the entire Trail). They’re participating in the Mammoth Hike Challenge. And, they’re giving back by volunteering on the Trail,” he says. “The “Covid bump” in usership has not dwindled,” he says. “The Trail is now a part of people’s lives.”

“As we look to 2025, we’re excited to build on this year’s momentum. The Alliance will continue working to connect people to the glacial history and beauty of Wisconsin as well as its many unique communities,” Kloberdanz says.

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About the Ice Age Trail Alliance:
The Ice Age Trail Alliance is a nonprofit member- and volunteer-based organization that conserves, creates, maintains, and promotes the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. This thousand-mile footpath, entirely within Wisconsin, highlights the unique landscape and glacial heritage of the state while offering unparalleled opportunities for hiking, recreation, and connection to nature. To learn more, visit www.iceagetrail.org.

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 carved out by ancient glaciers, which happen to be some of the most beautiful areas in the state. Approximately 60% of Wisconsin residents live within 20 miles of the Ice Age Trail.

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

Please join or renew today at www.iceagetrail.org

A total of 47 students were recognized in the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s December 2024 Hired Before Graduation campaign.

The following UW-Whitewater students who identify Whitewater as their hometown graduated on Saturday, Dec. 14, were hired, promoted, accepted to graduate school, or started their own business before graduation:

Whitewater, WI 53190 – Sydney Christianson, who will graduate with a M.S. in Social Work.

Whitewater, WI 53190 – Haley Lindquist, who will graduate with a B.S. in Geography.

Whitewater, WI 53190 – Thomas McCulloch, who will graduate with a B.S. in Cybersecurity.

Whitewater, WI 53190 – Trevor Spragg, who will graduate with a BBA in Marketing.

View the entire album, which includes future plans for all recognized, on UW-Whitewater’s Facebook page.

Every year, UW-Whitewater showcases the many students who have landed a job, earned a job promotion, been accepted to graduate school or started a company before commencement. These students are invited to take a professional photo and be recognized on the university’s social media channels.

As a result of a UW-Whitewater education, students gain valuable and transferrable skills, secure coveted internships and are often hired by employers before graduation. At UW-Whitewater, our faculty and staff have connections with employers across Wisconsin and the country. Each year, more than 600 employers come to campus for job fairs, giving students a chance to network and even apply for jobs and internships on the spot.

More than 98 percent of recent graduates report they are employed or enrolled in continuing education within one year of commencement.

To learn more about UW-Whitewater’s Hired Before Graduation, visit uww.edu/hired.

The public is invited to a reception recognizing Dr. Mabel Schumacher as a National Daughters of the American Revolution [DAR] Medal of Honor recipient.

The open house will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, at the American Legion Post 166 Dugout in Fort Atkinson. A ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m.

The Medal of Honor is the most prestigious recognition given by the DAR. It is presented to a United States citizen by birth who has shown extraordinary qualities of leadership, trustworthiness, service and patriotism.

“The recipient must have made unusual and lasting contributions to our American heritage by truly giving of himself or herself to his or her community, state, country, and fellow man,” according to the Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce Chapter of DAR, which is sponsoring Schumacher’s award.

The 1962 Whitewater High School co-valedictorian and a Fort Atkinson resident since 1993, Schumacher worked as director of instruction for the School District of Fort Atkinson. She has been active in the Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson, Tuesday Club, the Wisconsin School Public Relations Association and many other organizations.

During the past three decades, Schumacher has initiated a variety of community and statewide projects, most recently the new World War II memorial, titled “Worth Fighting For,” located in McCoy Park. She also spearheaded creation of the nearby K-9 War Dog Memorial that salutes Marine Corps Lance Corporal Terry Beck and his German Shepherd scout dog, “Seato,” both of whom were killed in action in 1967 during the Vietnam War.

Schumacher helped establish the endowed Terry Beck Protective Services Scholarship Fund at the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation and, in 2015, was the driving force for March 13 being commemorated as Wisconsin K-9 Veterans Day.

Through Schumacher’s efforts, the Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson placed a dog drinking fountain and dog sculpture on the 2.2-mile Glacial River Trail in Fort Atkinson in 2011, as well as the “Puppy Serenade” sculpture in Rock River Park in 2021. In addition, Schumacher has been a generous supporter of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Fort Atkinson Police Department’s K-9 Units.

In 2023, the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation presented Schumacher with its Making Fort Special award. 

Organized in 1899, the Fort Atkinson Chapter of DAR was one of the earliest and largest chapters in Wisconsin for many years. In 1992, it merged with the Eli Pierce Chapter, which was founded in Whitewater in 1941.

Today, chapter members reside in Fort Atkinson, Watertown, Lake Mills, Jefferson, Whitewater, Milton, Janesville and surrounding communities, as well as in several other states.