News & Events

“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”

Adventure/Action) Rated PG-13

2 hours, 34 minutes (2023).

In this fifth installment, Indy (Harrison Ford) now a college professor approaching retirement,  is forced to re-enter the fray in the battle between good and evil: a dial that can change time and reverse the outcome of World War 2! Also starring Antonio Banderas, Karen Allen, and John Rhys-Davies. 

Tuesday, April 9, 1 p.m.

Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. Although there is no charge to attend, regular participants are encouraged to join Seniors in the Park. The annual fee for residents of the Whitewater Unified School District is $10 and non-residents is $15. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes our of our fundraising monies. If you cannot afford the fee, we have a fund that will cover it for you. Fees are accepted at the Starin Park Community Building or online at https://schedulesplus.com/wwtr/kiosk/

by Kenyon Kemnitz, Rainbow Community Care

Rainbow Community Care announces the retirement of Karen Carrig after 27 years as President/CEO. Even though Carrig says it is bittersweet to be retiring from her role as Rainbow Community Care’s President/CEO, she will continue to remain involved in the organization. Carrig will now serve as President of the Rainbow Hospice Foundation and will assist with all fundraising efforts and donor relations.

As Carrig’s leadership role comes to an end, she reflects on Rainbow’s humble beginnings. When she first started in the late 90s, Rainbow only served nine patients a day and since then has become a respected leader in end-of-life care in rural southern Wisconsin with an average daily census of over 300 patients in its hospice and palliative care programs.

“This has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve with such a dedicated staff, board, and volunteers,” said Carrig.

Rainbow did not have to look far for Carrig’s successor. The Rainbow Hospice Care Board of Directors has selected Carol Brown as the next President/CEO. With her experience spanning over two decades at Rainbow, Brown is poised to lead the organization into the future. Carol’s tenure at Rainbow began in 2002 as a Registered Nurse Case Manager and since that time she has held an extensive list of positions, including Admissions Nurse, Inpatient Center Manager, Director of Program Integrity, Patient Care Coordinator, Vice President of Quality and Clinical Operations, and most recently Chief Operating Officer.

Carrig cannot think of a better person than Brown to take over her role and knows the organization will be in great hands.

“I already know Carol has all the skills, knowledge, and qualities necessary to succeed in the job, plus an incredible amount of integrity that will serve her and our communities well,” Carrig said. “She is committed to delivering quality patient care, making our staff feel valued, and acknowledging our volunteers. She will do an excellent job because she is already so embedded in the culture and helped create the culture in the organization.”

“Each role has provided me with invaluable experience,” said Brown. “While working with our patients and their families, I found a real love for hospice. Having some of my own family members on hospice over the years is what really motivated me to be a leader who helps shape the type of care we provide. My leadership roles gave me foundational knowledge in strategic planning, leadership development, regulatory compliance, and fostering community partnerships, all of which have prepared me to lead this wonderful non-profit organization as President/CEO.”

Over the years, developing and nurturing relationships with care partners working in clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other community groups and organizations has helped Rainbow improve the way they serve patients and families. Both Carrig and Brown expect that to continue.

“We are all guided by a mutual vision to improve the lives of our neighbors and friends,” Carrig said. “People we live with, work with, go to church with, and see in the grocery store – these are the folks we care for. We built our inpatient center in Johnson Creek because we knew its presence would help us care for more and more vulnerable people in the communities we serve.”

“Over time, an understanding of what constitutes good end-of-life care in this rural part of the state has evolved by prioritizing personalized care plans, enhancing communication between healthcare providers and patients/families, and increasing access to supportive services,” Brown said. “Rainbow Community Care has played a pivotal role in driving these changes through community education initiatives and the development of innovative care programs.”

Adding new service line offerings and programs has helped Rainbow evolve and Brown thinks that mindset is key to long-term survival in the ever-changing landscape of American healthcare.

“What sets Rainbow apart is its unwavering commitment to providing compassionate and personalized care that is supported by a dedicated team of professionals and strong community partnerships,” Brown said. “To remain competitive and a leader in hospice, palliative, and guided care well into the future, we must continue to innovate and adapt to meet the changing needs of our patients while staying true to our core values of dignity, respect, and quality.”

Carrig’s leadership and guidance have been an inspiration and comfort to Brown, who took over the duties of Rainbow’s President in January.

“Karen has provided me with immeasurable and invaluable advice throughout my career,” Brown said. “She emphasizes the importance of strong leadership, community service, continuous learning, and prioritizing patient-centered care. Her guidance has been instrumental in navigating complex challenges and driving our success. She will be greatly missed.”

By Tom Ganser

On March 16 and 18 the Whitewater community experienced the magic of music, thanks to two concerts in the UWW Young Auditorium.

On March 16 the Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra and the Whitewater Symphony Orchestra (comprised of UWW students) combined talented musicians in a concert that began with the performance of strings only “Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis,” by Ralph Vaughan Williams and conducted by David Anderson, LGSO Music Director. This was followed by a performance of “The Planets, Suite for Large Orchestra” by Gustav Holst and conducted by Christopher Ramaekers, UWW Director of Orchestras, and that showcased over 120 musicians and a choir of UWW female voices led by Robert Gehrenbeck, Director of Choral Studies.

On March 18, Glenn C. Hayes conducted nearly 80 members of the University/Community Band in the performance of five selections, including excerpts from Symphony No. 1, “The Lord of the Rings” by Johan de Meij and “Country Band” March by Charles Ives.

The next concerts by these ensembles include the University/Community Band on April 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Young Auditorium, the Whitewater Symphony Orchestra on April 30 at 7:30 p.m. in Young Auditorium, and the Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra on May 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Big Foot High School Auditorium,

For more information about the LGSO concerts and Chamber Music concerts visit www.LakeGenevaOrchestra.org.

For more information on the University/Community Band and Whitewater Symphony Orchestra concerts visit www.uww.edu/coac/events.

Director of Children’s and Family Ministries
Whitewater Area Regional Ministries of the United Methodist Church is seeking a half-time Director of Children’s and Family Ministries who will provide leadership, coordination, resourcing and communication for its Christian education programs for children and youth. Our aim is to encourage faith development in an inclusive, caring and fun environment. Please submit a resume or letter of interest to dan@fumcwhitewater.org or Rev. Dan Fahs, First UMC, 145 S. Prairie Street. Whitewater, WI 53190.

Purchase a Yard Sign for Your Graduating Senior!

¡Compre un cartel de jardín para su graduado!

The cost is $20 if paying by cash/check; $20.66 if paying online. Orders may be submitted using the link at the top of this post. They must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, April 12th. Payment is not due now, but must be made before signs can be picked up or delivered.

For Questions, Contact Elizabeth Miller
emiller@wwusd.org

Frank P. Weinberg, formerly from Whitewater, received his 60 year recognition of being a member of the Masonic Lodge Oriental #20 Mesa, Arizona, where he resides with his wife and family. Frank started off on his Masonic journey at the Masonic Lodge in Whitewater, Wisconsin.

Editor’s note: The above submission was provided by Frank Weinberg.

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Whitewater Community Foundation.

The Whitewater Community Foundation is now accepting applications for Spring Community Action Grants.  Grants will be awarded to local nonprofit organizations actively working to support the greater Whitewater community. 

Qualified projects should be intended for educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent purposes that will benefit and improve the greater Whitewater community.  Consideration will also be made based on the results of the 2023 Civic Summit, when more than 30 community members, business leaders, educators, nonprofit organizers, and others determined key areas for improvement in Whitewater:

• Communicating to Whitewater’s diverse population in English and Spanish, making signage bilingual, coordinating communication to all groups, and providing opportunities for people of different backgrounds, age groups, etc. to integrate to help meet community needs;
• Housing assistance, affordability and accessibility for families and professionals seeking to purchase homes;  
• Marketing Whitewater by coordinating and cross-pollinating events, calendars and volunteer opportunities.

Projects are expected to be accomplished within a specific period of time (generally not more than one year) and should be creative, innovative and address community needs.  Interested organizations can find more information and fill out an application at: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bx6_oS4QSIAeR3BoVjNTeVJfQzg 

The deadline for submitting applications is April 30, 2024.

Kat Mawhinney, WCF Board Member who chairs the Community Action Grant Selection Committee, said, “We are pleased to be able to offer these grants to organizations helping to make the Whitewater community stronger.”

Organizations interested in pursuing a Whitewater Community Foundation Action Grant should check out the Whitewater Community Foundation web site https://whitewatercommunityfoundation.org/community-action-grants/ or contact Kat at 262-473-1403.

The Foundation continues to provide and host scholarships for Whitewater High School students and also offers fiscal sponsorship to organizations that are seeking 501(c) (3) status or require temporary pass-through funds for worthy community projects.

More information about the Whitewater Community Foundation can be found at whitewatercommunityfoundation.org and on Facebook. 

The Whitewater Community Foundation’s mission is to “enhance quality of life in the Whitewater area via educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent expenditures.”

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Margaret Wheeler.

Updated note: The snacks are provided through a private donation.