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On December 4 at the Prairie Village Community Center, the League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area presented their “Making Democracy Work” award to Patrick Singer and Lynn Binnie. Both Patrick and Lynn served on the City of Whitewater Common Council for 14 years, with Patrick having retired in 2021 and Lynn in 2022. Unfortunately Patrick was unable to attend the presentation due to family illness. Photos below are courtesy of Tom Ganser.
The award read as follows:
WHEREAS, the League of Women Voters of the Whitewater Area is affiliated with the LWV of the United States (LWVUS), the organization where hands-on work to safeguard democracy leads to civic improvement in America and in Whitewater, Wisconsin; and,
WHEREAS, the League is a nonpartisan political organization that has fought since 1920 to improve our systems of government and impact public policies through citizen education and advocacy; and
WHEREAS, the Whitewater Area League’s Making Democracy Work Award honors community members that exemplify the League’s mission; and
WHEREAS, the Whitewater Area League collaborates with LWVUS and other organizations to achieve mutual goals, increase civic participation, create lasting change in the community, and, above all, signify to others that the League of Women Voters “Makes Democracy Work;”
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the LWV of the Whitewater Area has chosen LYNN BINNIE and PATRICK SINGER as the recipients of the 2022 Making Democracy Work Award for their civility and influential leadership as members and past presidents of the Whitewater Common Council and for their years of service on many community boards and committees.
NOW THEREFORE, we members of the League of Women Voters of the Whitewater Area, urge all residents of Whitewater, Wisconsin to pay great tribute and respect to LYNN BINNIE and PATRICK SINGER for all they represent and have accomplished on behalf of their fellow citizens.”
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by The Whitewater Landmarks Commission.
The City of Whitewater Landmarks Commission has designated the Converse House at 161 N. Fremont Street, currently owned by John and Mary Seiser as a Local Landmark. The mission of the commission is the preservation of the city’s architecturally, culturally and historically significant properties.
The Converse House received the designation at a public hearing on December 8th. Located on Fremont Street, pioneer settler, Frederick J. Starin designed and built the single family residence for his daughter Margaret and her husband E.D. Converse. The building of the Italianate style house, believed to have begun in 1868 and completed in 1869 was designed as a rectangular, cream brick two story building. It is one of the few remaining examples of the Italianate style with arched openings in the city of Whitewater. A front porch was added to the home in the late 1880’s.
The present owners have recaptured the Victorian feeling with their exquisite decorating and collection of antiques typical of the time period.
The house is potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and is the 27th Local Landmark in the City of Whitewater.
Update: In addition to the public forums on campus shown with each candidate’s information, there also is an opportunity for the remaining four candidates to meet with members of the community at the Community Engagement Center, 1260 W. Main Street. Those dates and times are shown below.
Lynn D. Akey – December 6, 2023 – 5 to 6 pm – Community Engagement Center
John D. Chenoweth – December 7, 2023 – 5 to 6 pm – Community Engagement Center
Corey A. King – December 8, 2023– 5 to 6 pm – Community Engagement Center
Mrinal Mugdh Varma – December 13, 2023– 5 to 6 pm – Community Engagement Center
Paul D. Plotkowski – December 14, 2023– 5 to 6 pm – Community Engagement Center
Further information regarding the forums is available here.
The candidates will also participate in separate campus public forums, offering opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and community members to interact directly with them. The schedule for each forum is shown below.
The finalists, listed in alphabetical order, are:
Lynn D. Akey
Vice President for Student Success, Analytics and Integrated Planning, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Mankato, MN
Curriculum vitae
In person: 3-4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, Timmerman Auditorium, Hyland Hall
Live stream:
John D. Chenoweth
Interim Chancellor, University of Wisconsin–Whitewater
Whitewater, WI
Curriculum vitae
In person: 3-4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, Timmerman Auditorium, Hyland Hall
Live stream: See link here
Corey A. King
Vice Chancellor for University Inclusivity and Student Affairs, UW-Green Bay
Green Bay, WI
Curriculum vitae
In person: 3-4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, Timmerman Auditorium, Hyland Hall
Live stream: See link here.
Paul D. Plotkowski
Dean and Professor, Padnos College of Engineering and Computing, Grand Valley State University
Grand Rapids, MI
Curriculum vitae
In person: 3-4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, Timmerman Auditorium, Hyland Hall
Live stream: See link here.
Mrinal Mugdh Varma
Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor, Auburn University at Montgomery
Montgomery, AL
Curriculum vitae
In person: 3-4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, Timmerman Auditorium, Hyland Hall
Live stream: See link here.
After reviewing campus feedback, Rothman and the Special Regent Committee, comprised of Regents Bogost, Ashok Rai, Jill Underly, and Kyle Weatherly and chaired by Regent Vice President Bogost, will interview the finalists and recommend a single successful candidate to the Board of Regents, which must approve the appointment.
The person selected through this process will be UW-Whitewater’s 18th chancellor.
For more information about the five candidates, the public conversations, and the search process, see the UW-Whitewater chancellor search page: https://www.uww.edu/chancellor-search. For more information about UW-Whitewater, go to its homepage: https://www.uww.edu/.
The Varsity Gymnastics Team competed in their second meet of the season at the Janesville Craig Invite on Saturday, December 10th. The girls continue to impress with their personal bests, new skills performed, and eagerness to compete in new rotations.
Halee Peters led the way with a season best on the balance beam with a 7.95. She followed that up with a lifetime best score on the floor with an 8.35 and then a medal worthy performance on vault, taking 5th. In her last rotation, she had a season best score of 7.65 on the uneven bars, which also ties her lifetime best score.
Brooke Bazeley was able to perform her floor and her beam routines for the first time this season. She accepted the challenge with a no fall beam routine picking up where she left off last season! She is excited to add some new skills to both routines for future meets.
Makayla Bazeley scored close to her season best on the balance beam with a 7.05 and followed that up with a fun to watch floor routine where she did her best 720 pirouette. Her routine on the uneven bars scored her a season best that tied with her lifetime best score of 7.30. She added a double cut catch to her routine and nailed it.
Nola Coburn had a great day on the floor where she had a season best score of 6.65. She went on to have a season best score on the vault with a 7.35 which is getting close to her lifetime best score.
Stephanie Walters competed for the first time this season on the balance beam, and her score contributed to the team score. It was great to see her trying new skills and hope to add more to her mix in the upcoming meets.
Alexa Wildenberg continues to impress with her floor routine, earning a season best score. She also has been working hard to be able to compete on the vault, and her score contributed to the team score for that rotation!
The girls have a little break in competitions until January 3rd when they have a home meet against Elkhorn. Hope to see you there!
Article and Photos Submitted by Shawnda Peters
Whitewater High School Head Gymnastics Coach
speters@wwusd.org
This week, the Whippet Wrestlers had a busy couple of days being in action on Thursday night, December 8, and again on Saturday, December 10.
On Thursday night, the Whippets traveled to East Troy to participate in a dual meet with Clinton and East Troy, our first two dual meets of the season. The team wrestled very well in both duals coming out on top 60-12 against Clinton and 47-36 against East Troy. Clinton had been down over the years number wise, but the new coach is doing a very nice job getting students out, and they had many competitive matches. The Whippets wrestled well in all the matches to seal wins in many of them. Clinton also provided our JV members with some good matches as well. Whitewater has 44 student-athletes on the team, so it can be difficult getting good matches for all the students. Many had the opportunity on Thursday and performed well.
In the next dual meet against East Troy, it was typical East Troy vs Whitewater fashion. Three of the last four times these two teams have met it has come down to criteria after it finished in a tie. This year could very easily have been the same; however, Whitewater was able to wrestle with grit and win the swing matches. The coaches were proud of the performance of the team after one of their teammates went down with an injury. They did not know what was wrong but were concerned for their teammate. They kept wrestling hard to finish it out. One of the key swing matches came at 126 when CJ Tomomitsu battled back after losing the majority of the match but was able to secure a pin in the 3rd period which created a huge change in events for the dual meet.
On Saturday, the team hosted a 12-team invitational. This year was the most competitive it has been in the 9 years Whitewater has hosted it. There were many very competitive matches throughout the day, and in the end, Burlington won the tournament with Riverdale coming in second place. Whitewater wrestled well during the day and finished in 4th place. The coaching staff was happy with this finish. We were shorthanded in a couple of weight classes to take care of injuries as the focus is the big picture, not a one-day event.
Unfortunately, the team did not have any finalist this year, but they did have four finish in 3rd place. Jason Villegas, CJ Tomomitsu, Connor Friend, and Payton Lyon all had one loss on the day, but each finished 4-1 to claim 3rd place. Each of the losses were to extremely tough competitors but they all did well in the loss. It is difficult to come back from a loss, but each of them did so to win their last match of the day.
Alongside the boys’ competition there were also brackets set up for the girls to compete in. The women’s wrestling team has some very nice numbers with some new additions in the last week as well. Whitewater had three competing on Saturday. Khloe Meyer has not found success in the win column; however, she is showing much improvement each time she competes. Lauren Buehler wrestled well, pinning her first opponent then losing in the championship in a well wrestled match where she got out of position and took the loss. Lauren finished in 2nd place.
Ashly Xochipa had a great day going 4-0 and bringing home the gold. She pinned all four of her opponents. In one, she was behind in a close match but got a big reversal to the girl’s back for the pin. Ashly improved her record to 9-1 on the year with the wins on Saturday.
Against East Troy and Clinton the ladies also had some very good competition. Coming away with wins for the girls were Lauren Buehler, Stephanie Wence, and Ashly Xochipa who had 3 wins on the night. This was a great performance for the ladies’ team.
Article Submitted by John Schimming
Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach
jschimming@wwusd.org
Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka
The Dance Factory and Lake Geneva Symphony present Tchaikovsky’s popular ballet, The Nutcracker, written in 1892, on Saturday, December 17 at 1:00 p.m. Tickets ($30-35) are available here.
EMMANUEL RAMIREZ. Born and raised in Mexico, Emmanuel is a dance teacher, dancer, actor, and choreographer. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Dance from Universidad de Guadalajara and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Drama from Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes, Mexico. Emmanuel has danced for various professional companies throughout Mexico, such as Compañía de Danza Clasica y Neoclasica de Jalisco, Compañía de Danza Clásica de Quintana Roo, Danza UNAM, Atelier Ballet Teatro Contemporaneo and Guadalajara en Movimiento, where he danced choreography pieces of Mark Godden, Nazira Yakubova, Katia Garza, Rosario Murillo, Dalirys Valladares, Sergio Vicencio, Arcadio Carbonell, Diego Vazquez, Raul Fernandez, among others. Emmanuel moved to Chicago in 2016 where he’s performed annually in both Ballet Legere’s and Ruth Page’s Nutcracker and danced as a company member of Elements Contemporary Ballet. As a Teacher, he has worked for Maywood Fine Arts, Ballet Legere, Dance On Broadway, The Rooted Space, Kenwood Ballet School, and Chicago Public Schools. As an actor he played the role Iago from Othelo for Repertorio Latino Theater Company, Sharks’ ensemble in West Side Story at Marriott Theater, and Ramon in Zorro the Musical at Musical Theater Works. He recently earned his Pilates Certification through Kinetic Axis studying under Steven Winterstein and is certified nationally through the Pilates Method Alliance.
NICOLE VOLPE. A Chicagoland local, Nicole has had an eclectic performance career. After graduating from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN in 2016 with a degree in Psychology, she returned home to Chicagoland to study at Lou Conte Dance Studio’s Scholarship Program. Before launching her career as a freelance dancer, she also trained at Ruth Page, Hubbard Street Professional Program, and ABT Summer Intensives, among others. In Chicago, she had the opportunity to dance as a season soloist with Mandala South Asian Arts, Ballerina #1 on FOX’s Empire, with Alma Dance School in their productions of Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty, and as the Sugar Plum Fairy in Tina Hansen’s Nutcracker in 2019. Most recently, she had the opportunity to perform in the ensemble and Mistress alternate in Drury Lane Theater’s production of Evita. She is now living in Boston, MA with her husband and three cats, where she runs Nicole Marie Photography. She continues to dance in Boston, and is excited to be dancing with City Ballet of Boston, collaborating with Harvard Ballet Company, and exploring her own choreographic work with the thriving Boston dance community. She is thrilled to be returning to dance with The Dance Factory’s Nutcracker!
Editor’s note: The following announcement was posted by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on December 9.
Deans Hayes, Goza to retire in 2023
Eileen M. Hayes, dean of the College of Arts and Communication, and Franklin Goza, dean of the College of Letters and Sciences, will retire from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater next year, they announced.
“It has been an honor to work with Dean Hayes and Dean Goza. Their commitment to the university and our mission of transforming lives is something I have been able to observe on a daily basis,” said Robin Fox, interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Over the years, I’ve seen their strong support of their colleges, administrative teams, faculty and staff, their commitment to shared governance and their focus on students through offering high-quality, rigorous programs. Their retirements are well deserved and I wish them the very best. On a personal note, I will miss their thoughtful counsel, which I have often turned to for guidance.”
Hayes joined the Warhawk family in August of 2017.
“Dean Hayes, a noted scholar of Black music and LGBTQ community formation, has an impressive vitae. Of special note is her role in the College Music Society, which is the largest professional music society for the multi-disciplines,” Fox said. “She is the immediate past-president of the organization. This level of leadership is significant and helps to continue to elevate UW-Whitewater and the College of Arts and Communication on a national level.”
In a message to the college, Hayes remarked, “As I have said on numerous occasions, it is a pleasure to join you in furthering the education of our students. We have a marvelous faculty, academic staff, and university staff; the list of accomplishments of Music, Art and Design, Communication, Theatre/Dance, and Media Arts and Game Development is long. Daily, I marvel at my good fortune at having had the opportunity to work with you.”
Goza began his leadership role at UW-Whitewater as associate dean in August of 2013, and was hired as dean in June of 2019.
“Dean Goza’s work at UW-Whitewater has resulted in new majors, minors, certificates and emphases,” Fox said. “I would also draw attention to his support for the development of two new departments under his leadership — Computer Science and World Languages and Cultures. This type of support for the members of the college is just one example of Dean Goza’s strong and responsive leadership.”
In a message to the college, Goza remarked, “I want to thank all of you for everything that you do to make this a great college. It has been an honor and a privilege to work with you and to serve as one of the college leaders during the past 10 years. It is truly a bittersweet moment for me as I thoroughly enjoy what I do, especially being able to interact on a regular basis with such dedicated and inspirational individuals like you.”
Hayes’ retirement is effective March 13, and Goza will retire June 30.
The national search for the College of Letters and Sciences dean has already begun and the national search for the dean of the College of Arts and Communication will be launched early in the spring semester.
Many caregivers have mixed feelings about holidays. They may have happy memories of the past, but they also may worry about the extra demands that holidays make on their time and energy.
Here are some ways to balance holiday-related activities while taking care of yourself and a loved one with dementia:
- Safety first. Be sure holiday decorations are secured, cords are not loose and traffic areas are clear.
- Simplify, simplify, simplify! Your everyday life requires much time and energy. Don’t add a lot of stress. Think of simple pleasures like taking a walk or taking a drive to view decorations. Prepare a special food together but keep it simple.
- Take care of yourself. As difficult as it is to find time for rest, regular meals and exercise, try your best. Enlist friends to sit with your loved one.
- Set your own limits. You do not have to live up to the expectations of friends or relatives. Your situation is different now.
- Involve the person with Alzheimer’s in simple holiday preparations, or have him or her observe your preparations. Participating may give the person the pleasure of helping and the fun of anticipating and reminiscing.
- Simplify meals and decorating. You don’t have to do everything you used to do. Find one tradition that is not too demanding and emphasize its connection with the past.
- If visitors are desired, limit them and find a time when your loved one is at his or her best.
- If your person with dementia gets upset or overstimulated, have some quiet distractions in your playbook, such as looking at photos or going for a walk.
- Make sure there is a quiet space where the person can rest and have time to recharge.
- Try to maintain your daily routine as much as possible and avoid noise, loud conversations, loud music, lighting that is too bright or too dark, and having too much rich food or drink (especially alcohol).
- If you receive invitations to events that your loved one cannot attend, consider going yourself. Ask a friend or family member to spend time with the person while you’re out.
Happy Holidays to all!
This article is submitted by Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, a program of Whitewater Seniors in the Park.
https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/273/Seniors-In-the-Park
More Holiday resources for caregivers and their loved ones:
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/holiday-hints-alzheimers-caregivers
Obituaries
Marion Jauch Burrows (Feb. 2, 1930 – June 5, 2026) Her sparkling eyes, warm laugh, and generous ways were gifts Marion brought into this world, touching family members and friends alike over the ninety-six years of her life. She was born and raised in Lombard, IL, and in the course of her life lived with her husband and growing family in Abilene, TX, St. David’s, PA, Arkadelphia, AR, Ada, OK, and Colorado Springs, CO, before settling in Whitewater, WI, in 1965. Generosity of heart, compassion toward those in need in and beyond her community, and an unwavering commitment to fairness … Read more
Patricia “Pat” Lynn Bailey, age 70, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026 with her daughter by her side. Pat was born February 21, 1956 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to John and Ruth (Hudock) Prentice. After a brief time in Ann Arbor, the Prentice family moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin, where Pat grew up as part of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater community, where her father served as University Registrar. Pat attended the University School and later graduated from UW Whitewater with a degree in Elementary Education. Although she did not pursue teaching, she built a meaningful career in Human … Read more
Gemelino Paris Esperante, 83, long time resident of Whitewater, passed away on Thursday, June 4th, 2026. He was born on January 10, 1943, to his late father and mother, Evaristo and Carmen in Spain. In 1973 he moved to the United States as a sheep herder. On August 21, 1981, he was united in marriage to Cyndie Esperante in Colorado. Gemelino also worked in Mining and construction for many years. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, raising sheep and growing things in his garden, and flowers. He will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife … Read more
Mary Ann Warner died peacefully on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Crestridge Assisted Living in Dodgeville. Her physical heart failed, but her actual, loving heart never did. Ann was born June 28, 1939 to Mary and Charles Kearns in Iowa. She moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin and graduated with many dear friends in the class of 1957. Ann married John Warner on September 19, 1959. They lived in Whitewater, Sturgis Michigan, and finally settled in Janesville where they built a beautiful life and raised their family. Together, they ran a business, traveled, played cards, and enjoyed their lives. When they became … Read more
Patricia Ann Jacobson (Bureau), age 81, of Whitewater, WI, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI. Born on September 2, 1944, in Marquette, MI, to the late Donald and Margaret Bureau, Pat grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She graduated from Graveraet High School, attended Michigan State University, and later earned her bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University. Pat dedicated her professional life to shaping young minds, working as an elementary and junior high school teacher in both Flint, MI, and Whitewater, WI. At the heart of Pat’s life was a beautiful, … Read more
In loving memory of Lois Lauritzen, age 92, who passed away on June 1, 2026 at Lakewood Memory Care in Brookfield. Lois led an active life full of devotion to family and friends. Born July 14th, 1933 in Silvis, IL, daughter of Harry and Elsie Wilson, she grew up in the Quad Cities with older brother Harry Wilson Jr. Lois graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with a degree in physical education. She met her husband Paul Lauritzen on the college tennis team. Their marriage on June 12th, 1955 lasted 59 years until Paul’s death on September 26th, … Read more
Donald Walter Triebold passed on to his eternal home on May 21, 2026. Don was born on April 23, 1935, in Evanston, IL, to the late Frederick W. and Mildred (nee Stecher) Triebold. Through his teen years, Don lived and worked on the family’s dairy farm, where he developed a life-long work ethic. His first eight years of education were in a one-room country schoolhouse, in which all eight grades were taught by one teacher. He graduated from Whitewater City High School in 1953 and then graduated from UW Whitewater in 1958 with a degree in Business Education. He continued his education, and earned a Master’s … Read more
William Kincaid Davis, age 84, passed away on Tuesday, May 19 at Agrace Hospice Center in Fitchburg. He was born on November 1, 1941, in Madison, Indiana, the second son of Salvation Army Officers Agnes (Dixon) and William C. Davis. He attended several schools in Indiana and Illinois, including University of Illinois Experimental High School (Champaign), and graduated from Galesburg High School in 1958. He earned his bachelor’s degree from UW-Eau Claire in 1964 and his master’s degree from UW-Whitewater in 1972. He had an expansive career in education, beginning as an English teacher in Whitehall, Thornton Township (IL) and … Read more
Magdalene “Maggie” Stetter (nee Fritz), 79, of Whitewater, Wisconsin passed from this life onto the next on Monday, May 4, 2026. She was born on January 16, 1947, to the late John and Mary (Presser) Fritz in St. Stefan, Austria. Maggie immigrated from Austria with her parents and brother, became a US citizen, and grew up and attended school in West Allis, WI and then graduated with a teaching degree from University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Maggie served as a substitute, English, and German language teacher in the Whitewater, Elkhorn, Delavan, and Palmyra schools and at Divine Word Seminary. Maggie … Read more
Lawrence “Larry” C. Hartung, a proud Marine Veteran of the Vietnam War, and longtime resident of Fort Atkinson, WI, passed away peacefully at his home on May 1, 2026. Larry was born June 7th, 1949, to Levon and Charles Hartung in Chicago, IL. Larry enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1968 and served 3 consecutive tours in the Vietnam War. During this time, he became pen pals with his future wife, Candy, via a connection through his father. In 1970, he came home on leave to marry Candy. They celebrated 55 years of marriage on October 31st, 2025. During … Read more
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