News & Events

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Irvin L. Young Library.

Garage Sale
365 W. Ann St., Whitewater
Four Family Sale
Fri. & Sat., Oct 8 -9 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
New to barely used items: household, kids clothes, gun cabinet, outdoors tools, seed spreader, something for everybody

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Versiti.

Versiti is the primary blood supplier for Southeastern Wisconsin, as well as Lakeland and Fort Hospitals. Please consider making an appointment by clicking here today.

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by CCS.

 CCS (The Community of Christ the Servant) Celebrated 50th Anniversary October 3, 2021

               At a farm picnic one sunny Sunday in June, 1971,  a group of 35 dedicated people agreed to commit their time and funds to the formation of a new congregation.  In the late 1960’s, and early 1970’s, the Civil Rights movement and Vietnam War created tension and conflicts that divided people in Whitewater churches, as it did elsewhere.  Similar views and the willingness to act drew these Christians together to form the Community Church.

               On Sunday, October 3, 1971, the Community Church, Whitewater’s new inter-denominational Christian fellowship, met for their first worship service in the American Baptist Church, West Main Street, Whitewater.  No set Christian doctrine was required to join the Community Church.  Members of the Community Church had previously been members of the UCC (Congregational), Quaker, Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, and Baptist denominations. 

               One of CCS’s purposes (was and) is to “bring the eternal truths of scripture to bear upon daily living” (CCS Constitution).  That is: “We believe in living in peace and harmony with our environment, with our fellow creatures, and with each other.  We believe in universal human rights and individual rights and choices.”

               Through the past 50 years seven pastors have served this group of committed Christians:

               1.  Darry Henneman, called in October, 1971, as the first pastor of this new Whitewater Community Church. 

               2.  Paul Kruger, July 23, 1972 – Summer 1974

At Paul’s urging the church name was changed to COMMUNITY OF CHRIST THE SERVANT (CCS) to  better reflect the character of this new Christian fellowship.                  

               3.   Olaf Lidums, Summer, 1974 – Summer, 1977. 

               4.   Paul Kruger, September, 1977 – April, 1987   

              5.  Nancy Breitsprecher served as co-pastor, starting October, 1980

,              6.  Michael Obinger, November, 1987 to present

              7.  Duane Goetsch, part-time pastor 1994 to present

               For several years, CCS continued to grow as members learned the deeper meaning of the word COMMUNITY–struggling to give expression to what it means to be the Church.   Although members are not pressured to give financially, they are encouraged to give in a spirit of thanksgiving a significant portion of their time, talents, and resources.  By being independent of a church hierarchy, by meeting in inexpensive facilities, and by keeping church needs simple, CCS faithfully fulfills its commitment to giving 25 percent of offerings to helping humanitarian causes as well as needy individuals in our community, our state, our nation, and our world.   Supporting one another is especially important.

               Convinced that the Church is not a building, CCS owns no building, but chooses to gather for worship where it can.  Through the years worship sites have included the American Baptist Church on West Main Street, the Episcopal Guild Hall, the Community Center in Starin Park, as well as Coopers’ Barn, and Pastor Mike’s barn, at RagApple.

               Although only seven of the 63 original charter members are currently active in CCS, the purpose and spirit of this Whitewater church community remain relevant and engaged:   Worshiping each Sunday morning, gathering during Lent for soup suppers and discussion, and providing hope to those in need–in body and spirit, wherever they may be.

Editor’s note: The following information has been provided by the Dwight Foster Public Library.

October Happenings at the Dwight Foster Public Library

Monthly Book Sales

The Friends have schedule book sales on the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon. The first hour is for Friends members only. Memberships are always sold at the sale. This month the sale will be on Saturday, October 9.

We Have Milkweed Seeds

The Library has Common Milkweed seeds for you. Fall is a great time to plant milkweed because the seeds like to lay in the soil over winter. Milkweed is the primary food source for Monarch butterflies and a host of other insects. Seeds will be available beginning Monday, Oct. 4 until they are gone. One package per family/individual. Pick them up at the Second Floor Service Desk.

Jack-O-Lantern Contest!

Time for some October spooky fun. We are hosting a Jack-O-Lantern contest for kids, teens and adults. Bring your design to the library any time on Monday, Oct. 25. Judging will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 26 and winners in each division will be notified on Wednesday, Oct. 27. Everyone will need to pick up their pumpkin by 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28. We are scaring up some fun prizes so don’t miss out!

The image on the homepage, “Monarch on a milkweed” by Shiva Shenoy is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

In recognition of the outstanding support that the community of Whitewater provides to the school, each year the WHS Student Council selects two community members to serve as Grandma and Grandpa Whippet. Grandma and Grandpa Whippet exhibit the kind of support for academics, athletics, and arts that Whitewater High School is known for. This year’s Grandma and Grandpa Whippet are Tanya Brown and Ron Sdano. 

Tanya has been a lifelong Whippet, graduating from WHS in 1989. She currently works as a social worker and as a side gig, you can find her DJ’ing weddings. Tanya also has four children (Dan, Katie, Emily, and Lucas) who have either graduated or will graduate from WHS. She is seen supporting students at many Whitewater High School events throughout the year. Tanya is appreciated throughout the Whitewater community and exemplifies the #TheWhippetWay.

Ron Sdano is also a lifelong Whippet. He graduated from WHS in 1977 and was a Whitewater Unified School District employee for 35 years, spending all of his years at Whitewater Middle School as a Physical Education Teacher. Ron has over 30 years of coaching experience in football, basketball, softball, and baseball. Ron’s children, Geoff and Justin, are also WHS grads. Ron is a huge supporter of the Academics, Arts, and Athletics of the Whitewater community. He is Triple-A Proud.

Congratulations, Tanya and Ron!

Article Submitted by Amy Houwers
Whitewater High School Student Council Advisor
ahouwers@wwusd.org

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Whitewater Community Food Pantry.

With the onset of Fall and the month of October the Whitewater Community Food Pantry will begin signing patrons up for the Thanksgiving meal beginning October 6th and ending October 28th.

The pantry wishes to acknowledge the loyal supporters of the food pantry with their generous donations.
Festival Foods donated an enormous amount of apple juice which has pleased our patrons very much as this is something they rarely receive from the food pantry. They have also provided laundry detergent, another rare commodity seldom donated and many other donations through their Food Share Program. Our volunteer gentlemen donate their time to pick up this donation.

Every Monday a faithful volunteer picks up the food donation from Walmart. We receive a variety of food products: meat, produce, bread and bakery and other canned goods. Walmart also donates plastic bags which we desperately need.

Another wonderful donation every Monday comes from the Bimbo Bakery in Janesville, a gentleman who works there bring this to the pantry.

Tuesday morning a Whitewater gentleman brings the food pantry a very large donation of bread from the Kenosha Panera Bread Store; yes, he gets up early and drives an hour away and back in all kinds of weather to bring the bread for our patrons.

Weekly the food pantry receives an order from Feeding America of over 1200 lbs. of food at a very low cost often at no cost to the pantry.

The Whitewater Farmers and Gardeners come in weekly providing fresh produce for our patrons. They have given the food pantry an assortment of corn, green beans, peppers, squash, potatoes, apples, cucumber, zucchini, an assortment of tomatoes and so much more to choose from. One of our patrons brought in rhubarb to share with his fellow patrons.

Many friends of the Whitewater Community Food Pantry regularly give monetary donations and often in memoriam of family and friends.

The W. C. F. P. also has a loyal lady supporter who knits hats and scarves for children and adults and donates dolls and books too.

Needless to say we are very grateful and appreciate everyone for their generous support to the Whitewater Community Food Pantry.