News & Events

The National Weather Service also reports that gusty rain showers may be expected in our area from approximately 10 a.m. to noon.

Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional women’s educator organization, had a presentation from Jorge Islas Martinez at their October meeting.  Jorge together with Sandra Heyer founded The Whitewater Community ESL (English as a Second Language) Program 25 years ago and were recently honored at a gala with 300 people in attendance.  The ESL program began with lessons being held once a week outside at Starin Park. Today, it has grown to four different levels of instruction taught five days a week. Jorge currently teaches the first level and has 67 students in his class. In addition to learning English, students are taught practical skills such as shopping at local stores, opening a bank account, scheduling medical and dental appointments etc. and are helped in securing resources that will allow them to better integrate into the community. Jorge would like to expand the program to 5 or 6 levels of instruction and offer computer/technology classes as well as citizenship classes. Funding comes from the Whitewater Unified School District, the United Way, the Mexican Consulate and local churches. Since the need for ESL classes is HUGE, they are looking for more ways to raise funds.  Jorge also discussed the impact that negative comments have on immigrants.

In addition to this program, Jorge is a supporting director for the Community Space and Voces de la Frontera, member of the Board of Directors for the Waunakee County Hispanic Coalition, Founder of Immigration Support Coalition of Whitewater and many other organizations. He is also writing a book titled “Know Me First” that he is hoping to publish soon. Jorge is one of the hardest working people in Whitewater and very passionate about making the lives of ESL families better. He is truly an outstanding member of the Whitewater community who is passionate about his work and a blessing to know.

Editor’s note: This article was submitted by Lori Heidenreich.
 

Katy Daixon Wimer, Director of Content & Communications for Discover Whitewater, shared the following, “What an amazing Ghoul’s Night Out this year, from the weather to the fantastic turnout! We saw roughly 50 participating businesses and organizations having fun with around 350-400 kiddos with their families. The Discover Whitewater Team (Tourism, Chamber, and Downtown Whitewater, Inc) enjoyed hanging out at the Community Engagement Center with other wonderful non-brick and mortar businesses and organizations! It’s always incredible to see the community have so much fun together. Thank you to all who participated in any or all activities. We can’t wait to do it again next year!”

By the way, the city’s trick-or-treating is on Thursday from 4-7 p.m.

Photos are courtesy of Tom Ganser.

This old spinet piano might be the ticket for a family hesitant to invest in a new piano until more comfortable that the piano student will pursue lessons and “practice” that skill set to enjoy playing piano in the future.

The piano was last tuned in 1995 and may have a crack in the sound board and remains in a carpeted room.  Transfer would be from carpeted room to small garage and out …….all at ground level.

We obtained the piano under similar circumstances and our own kids did not continue to take advantage of lessons.

Call 262-949-5678   Connie

Reminder for the Whitewater community! Be sure to complete the community survey by Monday, November 4, 2024. 

This is your opportunity to share feedback on which projects, if any, from the recently developed facility plan should move forward.

Each survey requires a unique, one-time-use code. If you need a code or a paper copy of the survey, please call the WUSD District Office at 262-472-8700.

Our facility plan helps spread out facility investment costs over time, making them more affordable for taxpayers. Learn more at www.wwusd.org/page/facilities-planning-2. 

#TheWhippetWay #1Family #WhippetNation

Editor’s note: The above announcement was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Winter “no parking” hours go into effect at 2 a.m. on Friday, November 1. Beginning at that time and continuing through March 31, 2025, it is illegal to park vehicles on any city street between 2-6 a.m. The only exceptions are (a) Physicians on a house call (how often does that happen now?), (b) Parking is permitted in the downtown parking area after 5 a.m., and (c) By special advance arrangement with the public works director. Violations may subject the vehicle owner to a fine between $20-105, plus the possibility of the vehicle being towed, resulting in additional expenses.

By the way, on October 15 the Common Council discussed a suggestion to delay the start of the winter parking ban to December, based on the fact that the area hasn’t been experiencing much snow in November. Public Works Director Brad Marquardt provided a report showing that the average snowfall in the month in Madison and Milwaukee over the past fifteen years has only been 3.1″. In 2019, however, 15.9″ and 13.7″ fell respectively. Marquardt’s primary objections to changing the start date were “having to avoid and plow around cars, and the possibility of frozen snowbanks left behind. Also, there is no great way to communicate a “snow emergency” to the residents if we needed the cars off the street for a snowstorm.” The Council voted to maintain the November 1 start date.

Just over 1,300 students received doctoral, bachelor’s, master’s and professional degrees in August 2024 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

While there is no commencement ceremony in August, many of the graduates take part in the ceremonies the previous spring or in December.

For more information about UW-Madison, visit http://www.wisc.edu. 

Here are the degree recipients from the Whitewater area:

 Lynn Lindahl, School of Education, Educational Specialist, Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
 Meghan Tracy, College of Letters and Science, Master of Science-Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
 Andy Vo, College of Letters and Science, Bachelor of Science, Psychology

Editor’s note: The above announcement was received from UW-Madison.