News & Events

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

Continuing our holiday “bird” theme, we wish everyone “A Happy New Year” via another penny postcard, this one from 1908. The greetings were sent to Miss Edith Wheeler of Whitewater from a “cousin” in Milton almost 116 years ago!

Best wishes for a healthy and happy 2024 and join the Whitewater Historical Society as we feature more historic images next week.

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Ice Age Trail Alliance. Whitewater is an Ice Age Trail Community.

Ice Age National Scenic Trail Ends Year with 698 Officially Completed Miles
Prolific Trailbuilding Year with Record Number of Volunteer Hours

Cross Plains, Wis. – After a robust Trailbuilding season, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail now boasts 698 officially complete miles. That’s nearly 15 miles more than last year at the same time.

The Ice Age Trail, which follows the terminal moraine of the last glaciation, is 1,200 miles long. It’s currently comprised of completed, blazed miles and connecting routes. Typically rural roads or highways, connecting routes link completed, blazed segments of Trail.

“So much was accomplished in seven months of Trailbuilding,” says Luke Kloberdanz, Executive Director and CEO of the Ice Age Trail Alliance. “And it’s all because of our large number of volunteers and their dedicated service.”

In fiscal year 2023, 1,990 Ice Age Trail Alliance volunteers contributed a record 100,666 hours to Trail-related activities.

“It was a pretty spectacular Trailbuilding year,” says Dave Caliebe, Trail Program Manager for the Ice Age Trail Alliance. He attributes the record number of volunteer hours to “a great group of new volunteers who find value giving back to the Ice Age Trail after hiking it.”

Large-Scale Trailbuilding Projects Drew Volunteers from Across the Region

In 2023, the Ice Age Trail Alliance hosted eight, large-scale, multi-day Trailbuilding projects in Taylor, Marquette, Waupaca, Dane, Rock, and Door counties. Volunteers from across the Midwest participated; crafting Trail tread, building bridges, boardwalks, rock walls, and steps.

Highlights of these projects included: 5.3 miles of new Trail on the Rib Lake segment in Taylor County, and 3.5 miles of new Trail on the Cross Plains segment in Dane County.

Chapter-Led Initiatives Also Added Trail Miles

Nineteen volunteer chapters make up the Ice Age Trail Alliance. These chapters which are located along the Trail, are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep their area. This year, multiple chapters led initiatives to open up new Trail.

“Our chapter members took ownership, getting more Trail on the ground in their counties,” says Chad DuChateau, Director of Trail Operations for the Ice Age Trail Alliance. “New miles take a long time to come to fruition, and volunteers helped all along the way: from establishing contact with landowners and being involved with compliance to building Trail.

Thanks to chapter volunteers, official Trail is now blazed through Evansville (1.7 miles) and Gibbs Lake County Park (1.3 miles) in Rock County. The Ice Age Trail Community of Cornell in Chippewa County also has 1.5 miles of official Trail.

In addition, chapter volunteers constructed Trail through the Alliance-owned Ice Override Preserve in Langlade County. And, extended Trail on the Waterville,  Scuppernong, and Chaffee Creek Segments.

“This successful season, with its many new miles, gets us closer to a continuous completed Ice Age National Scenic Trail,” says Kloberdanz.

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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 that were 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.

About the Ice Age Trail Alliance:

The Ice Age Trail Alliance is a nonprofit, member and volunteer-based organization which conserves, creates, maintains, and promotes the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. For more information visit iceagetrail.org.

Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Former U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers on December 28 ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff beginning Thurs., Dec. 28, 2023, until the date of interment for former U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl. Gov. Evers yesterday released the following statement regarding U.S. Sen. Kohl’s passing. “A Milwaukeean and Wisconsinite through and through, U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl dedicated his life to serving our kids, our communities, our state, and our country. “Sen. Kohl was, without a doubt, nobody’s senator but ours. Kathy and I are devastated by the news of his passing.” “Sen. Kohl was deeply committed to community, kindness, and service to others. Wisconsin’s seniors, students, teachers, and schools, and farmers and rural areas, among so many others, are better off because of his life and legacy, the impacts of which will last for generations. “Kathy and I join the people of Wisconsin, friends and colleagues of Sen. Kohl, and the many people whose lives he impacted—both near and far—in offering our sincerest condolences to the Kohl family and the Herb Kohl Foundation in mourning the loss of this Wisconsin giant.” Services for former U.S. Sen. Kohl are set to occur at a future date in January. Executive Order #219 will be in effect beginning on Dec. 28, 2023, until interment. Executive Order #219 is available here.

Editor’s note: The following announcement was provided by Delta Kappa Gamma, Alpha Gamma Chapter.

The members of Delta Kappa Gamma, Alpha Gamma Chapter gathered on December 7, 2023
for our annual holiday gathering. For the past years our entertainment has been the members
of the cast of the Whitewater High School plays and their Director Jim McCulloch. The chapter was able to write a $1000 grant to our Foundation to provide financial help in updating the sound system in the auditorium at the High School. When the grant was approved, the members were additionally challenged to donate to the cause over the current year. Our treasurer, Dee Simon, was able to present a check to Jim McCulloch and a student, Alex Clarksen, in the amount of $2000 toward further work on the sound system. (See Photo)

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from Walworth County.

Walworth County and United Way of Walworth County Team up to Support Local Nonprofits and Veterans Organizations

ARPA Grant Program to Provide a Fourth Round of Funding to Social Service Agencies

Walworth County has earmarked an additional $200,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funds for the United Way of Walworth County to distribute to local nonprofits and veterans service organizations in 2024. The goal of the ARPA grant-funding program is to offset the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic incurred by local 501(c)(3) nonprofit and 501(c)19 veterans service agencies.

This is the fourth round of funding since the program was established in 2021. In December 2021, Walworth County awarded an initial $100,000 to the United Way through the grant-funding program. Sixteen area nonprofit agencies received between $1,000 and $9,000 each. Since then, the County has provided two additional rounds of funding totaling $175,000, with grants between $1,000 and $7,500 awarded to 46 local nonprofits.

“The ARPA grant-funding program is an incredible opportunity to support local nonprofits that have a tangible impact on Walworth County communities,” says United Way Board President Katherine Gaulke. “We are excited to continue our partnership with Walworth County and, for the first time, extend grant funding to veterans’ organizations.”

For this round, eligible agencies can request between $1,000 and $9,000 and may utilize the grant for assistance in implementing COVID-19 prevention or mitigation tactics; technical assistance, consulting, or other services for business planning; assistance with payroll support, costs to retain employees or other operating costs; or assistance to those impacted by COVID-19.

A board of United Way of Walworth County committee members will select the grant recipients. Organizations with 501(c)3 and 501(c)19 tax-exempt status may apply. These organizations must also maintain their principal place of business in Walworth County, conduct their business in Walworth County, and serve people within Walworth County.

Applications are available online at http://www.unitedwaywalworth.org/arpa-grant. Qualifying 501(c)(3) or 501(c)19 agencies interested in applying may also contact Katherine Gaulke for an application at (262) 374-4474. The deadline to apply is January 15, 2024, at noon. The goal is to issue the awards by March 15, 2024.

This project is being supported in whole or in part by federal award number FAIN #SLFRP 2146 awarded to Walworth County by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Since John’s Disposal was closed on Christmas day, all routes will be delayed by one day. The city routes will be picked up on Friday, December 29.