News & Events

Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Clog Pipes

NOTICE: This is a reminder that fats, oils, and grease (FOG) items should never be put down the sink. FOG are natural by-products of the cooking and food prep process. Common sources include food scraps, meat fats, cooking oils, lard, baked goods, salad dressings, sauces, marinades, dairy products, shortening, butter, and margarine.

In a warm, liquid state, FOG can appear harmless since it flows easily down the drain. However, shortly after it enters the drain, it can quickly cool and turn into a solid that will cause problems in the pipes in your home and in the sanitary sewer system.

Over time, FOG will accumulate along the walls of the sewer pipes. This will restrict the flow of wastewater and can cause sewer backups not only into your property, but throughout your neighborhood.

FOG also contributes to operational issues for our Water Utility such as obstructing flow in the sewers, causing foul odors, interfering with equipment and treatment processes at the Wastewater Utility, along with potentially polluting our lakes and streams.

Please do yourself and the Public Works Departments a favor today by not flushing fats, oils and grease down the sink. The presence of FOG in the sewer system affects everyone in our community!

Brad Marquardt
Director of Public Works
262-473-0139
bmarquardt@whitewater-wi.gov

For other requests, visit https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/RequestTracker.aspx.

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. The second summertime image from the Scholl collection of glass plate negatives from around 1900 is this view of a young man and his bicycle. The collection includes many images of bicycles, a popular new type of transportation around 1900. Not everyone had a horse and/or buggy and most did not have an automobile. In an era when people had to walk everywhere, bicycles gave riders a way to be more mobile.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(3664GP, Whitewater Historical Society)

Artist Tom Jewell Donates Three Paintings for Raffle Benefiting Whitewater Arts Alliance

Tom Jewell, August exhibiting artist at the Cultural Arts Center in Whitewater, has generously donated three of his paintings [shown above] to be raffled off in support of the Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA). This special raffle aims to raise funds for the Alliance and offers art enthusiasts a unique opportunity to own a piece by Jewell while contributing to a worthy cause.

The raffle will take place throughout the duration of Jewell’s exhibition, with tickets priced at $5 each or $20 for five tickets. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase at the Cultural Arts Center during the entire run of the show, which culminates in a grand drawing on August 29, 2024.

The drawing for the raffle will be held at 3:00 p.m. on the final day of the exhibition. Ticket purchasers will have the choice of any of the three donated paintings, with the selection made from three bins corresponding to each artwork. Winners do not need to be present to claim their prize, making participation accessible to all.

All proceeds from the raffle will directly benefit the Whitewater Arts Alliance, supporting their mission to promote and sustain the arts in our community.

Expressions in Paint, Pastel and Pencil” featuring artist Tom Jewell at the Cultural Arts Center – 402 W. Main Street, Whitewater

Artist Talk & Reception: Thursday, August 8 from 5 -7 p.m.

Tom Jewell‘s artistic journey began during his childhood years in Arizona, where he developed a profound love for the outdoors, animals, and wildlife. At the age of 14, his family relocated to Wisconsin, where he continued to nurture his interests, filling several sketchbooks with landscape and animal pencil sketches.

Pursuing a career in graphic arts, Tom attended Layton College of Art/Marquette University, earning a degree in graphic design and print management. His career as a graphic designer, art director, and print operations manager has been marked by success, and he has always remained true to the influence of his professors at Layton, focusing on refining his fine art painting technique and style.

Throughout his career, Tom has showcased his paintings in numerous art galleries, exhibits, art fairs, and museums. He has held several solo exhibitions, received awards in juried competitions, and his paintings are part of private and corporate collections across Wisconsin and beyond.

Since retiring from his professional career in 2003, Tom has devoted himself to painting, with a focus on landscapes, wildlife, horses, animals, and commissioned human portraiture.

• Professional Organizations and Activities:
• Member of Oil Painters of America
• Member of Whitewater Arts Alliance
• Published wildlife book illustrator
• Published annual calendar illustrator
• Art exhibit judge
• Commission artist working in watercolor, oil, acrylic, colored pencil, and graphite
• Technical keynote artist speaker/presenter
• Instructor for adult art classes and workshops in drawing, watercolor, and acrylic mediums

Join us at the Whitewater Arts Alliance Gallery to experience the exquisite artistry of Tom Jewell and celebrate his contributions to the world of fine art.

Tom illustrated the book “Tig of the Marsh and Wetland”. Copies of this book will be available for purchase in the gallery during the exhibit.

The Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership is pleased to announce the selection of its ‘Bridging the Divide’ campus leaders for the 2024 fall semester. ‘Bridging the Divide’ brings students of different ideological backgrounds together to foster civil discourse and understanding across ideological and partisan divisions. The Thompson Center selected 20 students as campus leaders from over 60 applications from all 13 four-year campuses in the University of Wisconsin System. Campus leaders will conduct civil discourse discussion groups once a month on their campuses. Students were chosen not only on the strengths of their academics but also on their experience and passion for leading on civil discourse. They vary from sophomores to seniors and include a wide range of academic backgrounds.

Those who were selected to be student leaders on the UW-Whitewater campus are:

Blake Erwin
UW–Whitewater | International Relations

Gabriel Gotcher
UW–Whitewater | Political Science

Programs and services that promote the independence of older adults and adults with disabilities play a major role in the health of our community. The Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is developing a three-year plan on how best to provide services to help older adults remain healthy and independent. This plan will identify priorities and guide the ADRC staff on which programs and services best meet the needs and interests of those living in Walworth County.

The Walworth County ADRC is requesting public input. They would like to know what Walworth County residents think is important for individuals to be as independent as possible and have a good quality of life while they age. The ADRC is hosting a Town Hall Meeting on Friday, August 23, 2024, at 1 p.m. The public hearing will be held in the Walworth County room at the Health & Human Services Department located at 1910 County Road NN in Elkhorn.

A 2025-27 Walworth County Aging Plan draft will be available for public inspection from August 9 through August 22, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Walworth County, 1910 County Road NN, Elkhorn. It will also be available online at www.co.walworth.wi.us/376/Aging-Disability-Resource-Center.

Written comments regarding the draft Aging Plan will be accepted before the hearing. Comments should be directed to Anne Prince, Aging Services Supervisor, Aging and Disability Resource Center of Walworth County, P.O. Box 1005, Elkhorn, Wisconsin, 53121-1005.

Transportation to the hearing is available for persons aged 60 and over. Persons requiring transportation assistance must call VIP Services at (262) 723-4402, at least three business days in advance.

To request interpreter services (language or sign) contact Prince at (262) 741-3400, 1-800-365-1587, or e-mail aprince@co.walworth.wi.us three business days in advance.

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About the Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center: The ADRC provides information and assistance to older and disabled adults, their friends, family, caregivers, and the public. We can assist by evaluating your current needs and providing options available to meet the needs of your situation. Learn more at www.co.walworth.wi.us/376/Aging-Disability-Resource-Center.

Where: N1019 Fremont Rd Whitewater, WI 53190

When:

Thu, Aug 8, 2024 @ 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Fri, Aug 9, 2024 @ 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Sat, Aug 10, 2024 @ 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Sun, Aug 11, 2024 @ 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Details: No more babies sale! Lots of different baby items (swings, rockers, sit me up, rock n’ play, high chairs, etc!) along with clothing newborn – 2T. Kids toys. Lots of women’s name brand clothing. Housewares. Telescope. Coat tree. 3-container laundry basket. Women’s shoes, kids shoes. & so much more!

Paul Jhona writes, “Not a bridge to cross if afraid of heights. Connects the Upper & Lower Peninsulas of Michigan!”

Our thanks to Paul Jhona for sharing these beautiful photos.

— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share.  Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. Thanks for thinking about this!

Walworth County Treasurer Valerie Etzel announces the sale of county-owned properties. Sealed bids are invited and will be accepted by the Walworth County Treasurer’s Office, 100 W. Walworth, Room 103, PO Box 1001, Elkhorn, WI 53121, until 10:00 a.m., August 28, 2024.

Please visit the Walworth County website at www.co.walworth.wi.us and under the Treasurer’s Department page click on “Treasurer In Rem Tax Foreclosures” [on the left side of the page] for instructions, a complete property listing, and official bid form. Properties are located in the towns of Bloomfield, Delavan, East Troy, Lyons, Richmond, Sugar Creek and Troy; village of Sharon; cities of Elkhorn and Lake Geneva.

Specific questions may be directed to the Walworth County
Treasurer’s Office (262)741-4251; email treasurer@co.walworth.wi.us.