News & Events

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire awarded 1,400 degrees in May. Of the degrees awarded, 1,387 were received by students attending the Eau Claire campus and 13 were received by students attending UW-Eau Claire – Barron County. Local students who received degrees and their fields of study are shown below.  Congratulations, class of 2022!      

Whitewater, WI

 Naomi Allen, Nursing and Health Sciences, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, nursing
 Alexis Long, Business, Bachelor of Business Administration, accounting and information systems

Editor’s note: The above announcement was provided by UW-Eau Claire.

Signing the agreement at the conclusion of the joint Common Council and Whitewater Fire Dept., Inc. meeting – 1st row: City Clerk Michele Smith, City Manager Cameron Clapper, WFD Board President and Captain Christ Christon 2nd row: Councilmember James D. Allen, Councilmember Carol McCormick, Lieutenant Andrew Rowland, EMS Chief Ashley Vickers, Asst. Chief Joe Uselding, Councilmember Brienne Brown 3rd row: Council President Lisa Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Lukas Schreiber, Asst. Chief Ryan Dion, Lieutenant Justin Sachse, EMS Captain Jason Dean

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

Capping off nearly a year of discussion and negotiation, the City of Whitewater Common Council on July 28 approved an agreement with Whitewater Fire Department, Inc. (WFD) which provides that fire and emergency medical services (EMS) will be furnished by a city department beginning on July 30. The department will also continue the contractual services that are provided to parts or all of the towns of Cold Spring, Johnstown, Koshkonong, Lima, Richmond, and Whitewater.

WFD has capably served the city since its founding in 1871, but, as has been the case with nearly all volunteer fire departments across the state, staffing challenges under the Paid-on-Call model made it increasingly difficult for the department to respond to increasing call volumes particularly for emergency medical services. As a result response times were sometimes extending, particularly when it was necessary to call on neighboring communities for mutual aid. Over the past year WFD migrated to a Paid-on-Premises (POP) model for EMS, where four positions are now staffed twenty-four hours a day, providing a two-ambulance response at all times. Recruitment is improved as reliable hours can be provided, and as a number of employees will become eligible for health and retirement benefits.

The part-time position of Department Chief has been established, with Kelly Freeman being appointed. A previous post lists the other individuals who have been appointed to the Command Staff. Current Chief Mike Higgins will remain with the department as a firefighter until he retires at the end of 2022. Nearly all WFD equipment and rolling stock will become property of the municipal department. The Transition Team will continue to serve in an advisory role until December 31, 2022, or until such time as it is deemed to no longer be necessary. WFD will continue to exist as a separate non-profit entity focusing primarily on fundraising and fellowship activities.

The substantial increase in fire and EMS staffing has resulted in nearly a doubling in projected expenses for 2022 compared with 2021. Consequently it will be necessary for the city to place a referendum on the November 8 ballot. Further information will be provided in a forthcoming post.

Ferradermis, Whitewater High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition Team #6574, wrapped up their summer off-season competitions with a championship at MROC, the Mukwonago Robotics Off-Season Competition, on Sunday, July 24, at Mukwonago High School. This was the second weekend in a row in which Ferradermis was part of the winning alliance after leading the championship alliance at the Lakeshore Invite in Manitowoc on July 16.

Sunday’s competition brought together 18 high school robotics teams with 20 robots from across Wisconsin and Illinois. Both Ferradermis and host the Mukwonago Bears fielded two robots, having done summer projects to experiment with a different type of drive base. Among the 18 teams were five teams that had won a regional championship during the regular season, so the competition was intense all day long.

Ferradermis’ main robot was ranked #2 after the qualification rounds and was invited to join the #1-seeded alliance led by the #1 ranked team, Team #2202 BEAST Robotics from Brookfield Central and Brookfield East. The two teams then invited Team #1792 Round Table Robotics from Oak Creek to round out the alliance. The alliance earned a bye in the quarterfinals, and then went 2-0 in each of the best of three semifinals and finals to claim the championship.

Ferradermis’ second robot (operating as #9574) was ranked in the low teens after qualifications and was the second pick of the #4-seeded alliance, joining alliance captain Team #2451 PWNAGE from St. Charles, Illinois, and Team #1732 Hilltopper Robotics from Marquette University High School. This alliance fell to the #1 alliance in the semi-finals as the two Ferradermis robots faced off.

Summer off-season competitions are a great way for younger members to get more hands on with the robots and gain some experience as part of a drive team. Ferradermis will welcome new members in September. Freshmen will be able to indicate their interest during the Freshman Activities Fair on the first day of school, and older students should watch for signs and announcements or reach out to a current member. Parents or students with questions can email Laura Masbruch at lmasbruch@wwusd.org.

Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor and Banner Volunteer
lmasbruch@wwusd.org

SUMMER 2022 13TH ANNUAL FRAN ACHEN COMPETITION WINNERS

Sponsored by Whitewater Arts Alliance

Information at: www.whitewaterarts.org/fran-achen-2022

We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2022 Fran Achen Photography Competition. These works can be viewed at the Cultural Arts Center, 402 West Main Street, Whitewater, WI both in-gallery and online (https://www.whitewaterarts.org/fran-achen-2022). The gallery is open Thursday through Sunday through July 31 from 1-5 p.m.; however, bear in mind that on the 31st the photographers may be picking up their work beginning at 3 p.m.

AWARDS

• First Place (Best of Show) – John Messley (Rockford, IL) : “Ice Fisherman”
• Second Place – Paulette Marzahl (Delavan, WI) : “Illusion of Fluidity”
• Third Place – David Bueschel (Menomonee Falls, WI) : “Mister Machine”
• Honorable Mention – Fletcher Crone (Whitewater, WI) : “Tranquility of Mind”
• Honorable Mention – Gary Galger (Madison, WI) : “Childhood Dreams”
• Honorable Mention – Paulette Marzahl (Delavan, WI) : “Time Travel”
• Honorable Mention – James Meldrum (Beloit, WI) : “Summer Afternoon”
• Honorable Mention – John Messley (Rockford, IL) : “Trestle”
• Honorable Mention – Karl Mohr (Machesney Park, IL) : “Baltic Mill”
• Honorable Mention – Karl Mohr (Machesney Park, IL) : “Horse Drawn Combine”
• Honorable Mention – Karl Mohr (Machesney Park, IL) : “Rock Cut Kestrel”
• Honorable Mention – Howard Rothstein (Whitewater, WI) : “Indigo Bunting”
• Honorable Mention – Howard Rothstein (Whitewater, WI) : “Trillium Studio Portrait”

The Viewers Choice award is still available for voting both in-gallery and online. When coming to the gallery, visitors fill out three ballots and vote for their top three pieces. Three pieces can also be voted for online: https://www.whitewaterarts.org/fran-achen-2022-vote Viewers’ Choice will be announced on Sunday, July 31.

For other questions please contact the event’s chairperson, Jeff McDonald, at waa.franachen@gmail.com

The United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties is pleased to announce the appointment of Elizabeth Ellis-Bols as its new Executive Director.

“I am beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to serve in this position,” said Ellis-Bols. “The United Way’s ability to bring out the best in a community and those it serves, is an inspiration. I am excited to share my passion for helping others as we prepare to kick off another campaign year.”

Ellis-Bols, a Whitewater resident, has a professional background in nonprofit work and donor relations. Most recently, Ellis-Bols worked in the office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She has served on the Whitewater 4^th of July Festival board for over a decade, and with numerous other nonprofits. She is currently working on her master’s degree in Nonprofit Management at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy: IUPUI.

United Way Board Chair, Chris VanGundy reports: “Elizabeth brings so many new ideas and such creativity. I could tell from the first time we met her, that she had a passion for the job and a drive to help the community come together with her fundraising ideas.”

United Way Board Vice-chair, Marissa Weidenfeller added: “I am confident that Elizabeth will continue the amazing work of Megan Hartwick, our previous Executive Director, to better the lives of those in our communities. The United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties is governed locally, and we are thankful to have another homegrown Executive Director that will continue to elevate the work of our hardworking partners in an effort to help as many people as possible.”

Elizabeth began her new role July 11,2022.
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The United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties’ mission is to fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our communities. We do that by providing support to community programs, projects and local agencies that provide critical health and human services to those in need. This network of helping services can be described as a “safety net” for those in our midst in need. Whether it is transitional housing, literacy education, after-school programs and education, health and dental care, end of life care, mentoring programs, job training or disaster relief, the United Way identifies the greatest needs in our community and helps to fund agencies that can meet those needs.

For more information about our local United Way, you may visit the website at www.uwjnwc.com or “like” the Facebook page at “United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties.” For details regarding the United Way’s online volunteer tool, please visit www.volunteermain.com.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties.

The Whitewater Arts Alliance presents Ken Lonnquist & Friends, as part of its Savory Sounds concert series, this Thursday, July 21 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. The concert is at the Cultural Arts Center, Birge Fountain, 402 W. Main Street. Attendees may bring their own lunch or purchase lunch from the day’s vendor, Rocky Rococo.

    Ken’s a prolific songwriter and enthusiastic performer.  Much like folk legends Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, he sings for adults and children, addresses wide-ranging topics and mixes humor, sensitivity and joy in every show.

    His ‘GREEN’ songs are widely known and loved.  He toured across North America as The Minstrel for the Environment.   His vast, varied repertoire and performance skills allow him to adapt to any audience or setting.

    “Ken Lonnquist is one hell of a good songwriter and singer.”

    ~ Pete Seeger

    ”You are a treasure in the realm of music for children. Kids love your songs – they are fresh, relevant, musically sound, imaginative. Your work runs circles around the likes of children’s music gurus such as Raffi.”

    ~ Twila Bergeron, Music Teacher, 

        Fox Point, WI

    “The highlight of Environment Week Canada!  Enough energy to jump-start all of Ontario!”

    ~ Pat Potter, Toronto Environment Festival​

    Celebrating nature,  delighting kids, touching hearts and spirits… you’ll love Ken Lonnquist.

​

Whitewater Arts Alliance Board Member and Chair of Savory Sounds, Christine Hayes, says:

“Welcome to a phenomenal free lunch concert series filled with music for all! Sit by the beautiful Birge Fountain as you listen. Buy or bag your lunch and bring a chair or blanket. Come rain or shine. These are musical opportunities you won’t want to miss, supported by our local financial institutions and businesses. There is parking available across the street at First Lutheran Church or on side streets.”

After enjoying the music and lunch, attendees are also invited to explore the exhibits inside the Cultural Arts Center. July features photography by the community to honor the late Fran Achen with the 13th Annual Fran Achen Photography Competition.

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

According to a July 19 article in Daily Dodge, Nathan Thiel, who was introduced as city of Whitewater interim Economic Development Director on June 8, was approved on July 18 by the Beaver Dam common council to be hired as its city administrator. Other finalists included Walworth County Director of Public Works Richard Hough. The council approved the creation of the City Administrator position in September, while expecting to phase out the Director of Administration position and reducing the mayor from full-time to part-time.

Thiel was hired for the interim Whitewater position following the departure of Economic Development Director Cathy Anderson. He had most recently served as village administrator in Pleasant Prairie.

In other city staff news, Neighborhood Services Director Chris Bennett was not selected for the Village Administrator position for which he had applied in Union Grove. According to a June 28 article in The Journal Times, the village selected Kerry Bennett, who has been serving as village treasurer for the past three years, as well as interim village administrator for the past few months. Kerry Bennett is not related to Chris Bennett.