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| Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Sergeant Jack Hohlfeld Who Lost His Life in World War II |
| MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #236 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Mon., Aug. 26, 2024, in honor of U.S. Army Air Forces Sergeant Jack Hohlfeld, who lost his life in World War II and whose remains have been identified and returned to Wisconsin for burial. “Sergeant Jack Hohlfeld was a decorated military hero who selflessly answered the call to serve and gave his life defending the values and freedoms we as a nation hold most dear,” said Gov. Evers. “It is our responsibility to make sure no hero is ever left behind, no matter how many years have passed, and it is an honor to be able to help welcome Sergeant Hohlfeld back to his home so that he may be laid to rest.” Born in Vernon County and raised in La Crosse and Trempealeau Counties, Sergeant Hohlfeld voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1938 and was assigned to the Philippines as a member of the Headquarters Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group. On Dec. 8, 1941, Sergeant Hohlfeld and members of the 24th Pursuit Group were engaged in combat and were soon overtaken by Japanese forces and forced to surrender as prisoners of war. Sergeant Hohlfeld survived the Bataan Death March and was held captive in the Cabanatuan Japanese prisoner of war (POW) camp until his death on Dec. 26, 1942, after which he was buried in Common Grave 811 with five other service members, before being moved to the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in 1948. The recipient of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, WWII POW Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal with Foreign Service clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one Bronze Service Star, WWII Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Honorable Service Lapel Button-World War II, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, and Philippine Defense Ribbon with Bronze Star, Sergeant Hohlfeld’s family have worked tirelessly to advocate for his identification, and his remains were positively identified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency in May 2024. Sergeant Hohlfeld will be buried on Mon., Aug. 26, 2024, in La Crosse. |
The Whippets opened their football season against Big Foot on Friday, August 23. The final score was Big Foot 7, Whitewater 6.
Coach Sam Bartlett commented, “The game was a hard fought, physical contest with both teams pounding the ball downhill in the run game. We battled the entire time, and I am so proud of everything the kids did out there. We put together a great drive and scored on a short run by Traysen Thomason to put up a score. Defensively we played extremely well, not giving up a single point. The lone score came on special teams which we will get better at. Ultimately the game came down to holding onto the football. Big Foot had one lone turnover, and we gave them the ball three times. It is hard to win games when giving up the ball. We will improve on that part of the game. The biggest thing I was proud of is the kids never gave up and fought until the final whistle. We made mistakes but we did not have a lack of effort out there. They exemplified the ACE standards we strive to live out in everything we do. I have no doubts that by the end of the season we can be a team that is playing a week 10 if we keep improving and play for each other!”
Rushing Offense:
- Rushes: 33
- Total Yards: 175
- Average:5.3
Passing Offense:
- Attempts:10
- Completions: 2
- Yards 22
Notable Player Stats:
- #6 Traysen Thomason 13 rushes, 73 yards, 1 TD
- #3 Connor Friend 12 Rushes, 60 yards
- #1 Mishaun Harris 6 rushes, 36 yards
Article Submitted by Sam Bartlett
Whitewater High School Head Football Coach
barsa01@wwusd.org
Photo Credit: Olivia Kowalski
Rockin’ Respite now has openings for caregivers seeking respite care for their loved one. The Rockin’ respite program is a collaboration of Fort HealthCare, local volunteers and local churches. We serve seniors in the Walworth and Jefferson county area.
Here’s an unsolicited testimonial that was received from the spouse of one of our participants:
“Whitewater is a dementia-friendly community that includes Rockin’ Respite. My name is Susan and I am a care partner. I know firsthand caregiving is hard. It often feels like there is no time left for you. Rockin’ Respite is a free program that offers time and rest for you, the care partner. Staff, including a nurse and volunteers, work one-on-one with your care partner. Activities include games, trips down memory lane, music, and light exercise. Lunch and snacks are provided. More importantly, smiles, laughter, and abundant care are provided.
As for me, well, I can read a book, have coffee with a friend, or finish a long overdue project worry-free knowing my care partner is happy and is in good hands thanks to Rockin’ Respite.“
Rockin’ Respite meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 9:30-3:30 at The Chapel, 445 Warner Road, Whitewater. There is no cost other than a nominal charge for lunch. If you are a full time caregiver in need of a respite break please contact Nurse Maisie Allie at (920) 723-7288 or Jennifer at 262-473-0535 for more information,
The Walworth County Division of Public Health, in partnership with the Geneva Lake Environmental Agency (GLEA) and the City of Lake Geneva, has officially closed the Lake Geneva Public Beach at the Riviera. The Big Foot Beach State Park beach will also be closed, per the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. A harmful algae bloom has been reported. Please avoid aquatic recreation and swimming in this area.
To ensure public safety, GLEA and Walworth County Public Health continue to actively sample the algae blooms in the city and lake-wide to determine the strain of Cyanobacteria and its toxicity level.
Blue-green algae, known as Cyanobacteria, are microscopic organisms naturally present at low levels in lakes, streams, and ponds. When conditions are favorable, usually in summer, the number of algae can increase dramatically. Some algal species produce toxins that, when ingested, can harm the neurological systems or liver of people, pets, livestock, and wildlife, and can cause other health problems.
There is no way to know immediately whether an algal bloom is harmful, so follow these tips to try and avoid contact with harmful algae:
- Do not swim in or near algal blooms
- Avoid water where blue-green algae appear as scums on the surface of the water, pea-soup-like discoloration, or a paint-like sheen
- Don’t swallow water while swimming
- Wash off after swimming in any lake, river, or pond to reduce the chance of illness
- Keep your pets away from algal blooms and rinse them off with clean water after swimming in lakes and ponds to reduce exposure to algal material
Symptoms of algae-related illness include:
- Sore throat, congestion, cough, wheezing, difficulty breathing
- Eye irritation
- Itchy, red skin, with or without blisters and/or hives
- Earache
- Agitation, headache
- Abdominal pain, diarrhea, or vomiting
Members of the public and veterinarians should call 608-266-1120 or complete the online form Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB) Illness or Sighting Survey, F-02152 (web survey) to report any blue-green algae blooms and related human or animal illnesses.
For more information on harmful algae blooms, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/harmful-algal-blooms.
Editor’s note: The image on the homepage is not a photo of either of the above lakes.
“The Fall Guy”
Tuesday, August 27, 1 p.m.
(Comedy/Action/Romance)
Rated PG-13; 2 hours, 6 minutes (2024)
Stuntman Cole Seaver (Ryan Gosling) has to track down a missing movie star, solve a conspiracy, and try to win back his girlfriend (Emily Blunt) while still doing his “day job.
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/
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Whitewater YES for Education.
Whitewater YES for Education formed back in 2004 to help support the passage of school district referendums. The group is intentionally and necessarily nonpartisan and not political. Whitewater YES works to keep folks aware of all the positive things happening in our school district. For example, the group maintains a Whitewater YES Facebook Page.
As part of this effort to continue a drumbeat of positivity, this weekend Whitewater YES is putting up bilingual “We Love Whitewater Public Schools” yard signs around the community to celebrate back to school time and show support for our teachers, staff, and students. The signs will stay up until Saturday, September 7. The response to this effort during Spring graduation was really positive!
We are hoping this effort brings people together and shows hardworking district staff and proud students that the community cares and supports them.
Who’s ready for the LAST Concert in The Cravath Lakefront Park? Piper Road Spring Band is always one of the most popular concerts; the group is in its 51st year! There are always some folks on the “dance floor” when they’re playing. PRSB consists of Randal Harrison Hoecherl (fiddle), Bob Mason (mandolin), Barry “Blacky” Riese (guitar), Mark Hembree (bass), and Billy “Kangaroo” (washboard).
Piper Road Spring Band will present our last concert THIS Thursday, August 22nd at 7 p.m. This event is FREE and family friendly. Bring your dinner, a lawn chair or blanket, and come enjoy some music in the Park!
Pictured Left to Right – BACK ROW: Krista Green (Imaging), Jessica Olson (Laboratory), Tiffany Pernat (Community Health and Wellness), Jenna Rudolph (Inpatient Services), Amy Christian (Dwight Foster Library), Marin Koch (Inpatient Services)
FRONT ROW: Tonya Runyard (Jefferson County ADRC), BethAnn Nowak (Internal Medicine and Pediatrics), Lisa Rudolph (Inpatient and Education Services), Sandy Brown (Obstetrics), Molly Prater (Community Health and Wellness)
Fort HealthCare proudly announces its official recognition as a Dementia Friendly Organization, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to providing inclusive and compassionate care for all patients.
To achieve this recognition, Fort HealthCare diligently met the rigorous criteria set forth by the Dementia Friendly Business/Organization standards:
Over 50% of staff have undergone specialized training in dementia care
Management has received comprehensive training to effectively lead and support dementia-friendly initiatives
Continuous integration of dementia care training and resources into ongoing staff development programs
Proactive consideration of environmental updates to better accommodate individuals living with dementia
Lisa Rudolph, Director of Inpatient Services and Education and Chair of the Dementia Friendly Committee at Fort HealthCare, expressed her excitement about this achievement, stating, “We are thrilled to be officially recognized as a Dementia Friendly organization. This milestone reflects our unwavering dedication to providing high-quality, person-centered care to individuals living with dementia. Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure that Fort HealthCare is a welcoming and supportive environment for all patients and their families.”
Fort HealthCare remains committed to advancing its efforts in dementia care and upholding its mission of promoting health and well-being throughout the community.
For more information about Fort HealthCare and its dementia-friendly initiatives, please visit FortHealthCare.com/dementia-friendly.
Obituaries
Isaac Richard Unger left the field on Christmas Day, and is now at peace. He was born in Whitewater, WI on April 1st, 1993 to Paul and Mary Jo (née Peiffer) Unger. Isaac was born ten days late on a silly holiday, and lived his life as such–never rushed, and with a lighthearted sense of humor. Isaac graduated from Madison East High School in 2011, and then attended UW-River Falls from 2011-2016, where he studied English and philosophy. Isaac was a sports lover, not only as a spectator, but as a participant. Isaac grew up playing soccer, basketball (Badger Sporting … Read more
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John George Mack passed away into eternal glory on December 24th, 2024. John was born December 1, 1963, in Fort Atkinson, WI to Ronald and Mary Alice (Hanson) Mack of Whitewater. John was a 1982 Whitewater High School graduate. In 1983 just out of high school John started his first wood company selling wholesale through all the major gift markets including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and New York. At the time his clients included 8 out of the 10 retail chains and several thousand independent stores nationwide. John had so many wonderful customers and associates. As the wholesale gift market shifted to cheaper overseas … Read more
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Clifford Maynard Witte, age 103, of Whitewater, WI completed his earthly journey on December 24, 2024 in his home surrounded by his loving family. Clifford was born on September 13, 1921 on a farm in Mount Horeb, WI, and was the third child of Ella and Eli Witte. Clifford served his country by joining the Navy in 1942 during WWII, and served alongside his two brothers. Later he used the GI bill to attend Palmer Chiropractic College in Davenport, IA. There he met the love of his life, Beulah (Billie) Ohrberg, and they married on Nov 7, 1946. Shortly after … Read more
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Mary Ann Burkhardt, 79, passed away December 24, 2024, at Edgerton Hospital, surrounded by loved ones following a brief illness. Mary was born on September 14, 1945, in Chicago, IL, to Raymond and Helen (Pasternak) Burkhardt. She attended elementary school in Chicago and Good Counsel Catholic Girls High School, before her family moved to Whitewater where she graduated from WHS in 1963. She worked at Gus’s Pizza Palace, Whitewater Products, and finally, Jones Dairy Farm until her retirement 33 years later. She enjoyed bowling, snowmobiling, boating, golf, riding her motorcycle, and playing softball for the Long Branch Saloon. She was … Read more
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Jean Lucile Zuill, 98, of Whitewater passed away on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at Hearthstone Memory Care. Jean was born on April 20, 1926 in the Town of Lima to Howard and Florence (VanDuser) Hunt. Along with her brother Van, she grew up on their family farm in Lima. She graduated from Whitewater High School in 1944. For a short time, Jean worked at the Parker Pen Company in Janesville. She married David “Dave” Zuill on August 9, 1947 in Whitewater. Upon marriage and having their two daughters, Janet and Mary, Jean undertook the meaningful job of mother and homemaker. … Read more
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Helen Ruth Delaney, 94, of Whitewater, WI, passed away peacefully into the arms of her Heavenly Father on Friday, December 20, 2024. She was born in Bellwood, West Virginia on August 8, 1930, daughter of Henderson C. and Bertha J. (Skaggs) Hamby. She attended Leedwood High School in West Virginia. She attended Cornell University in New York studying economics and business. On April 8, 1978, Helen married Laurence W. Delaney in Rockton, IL. Helen retired as the Manager of a Hallmark gift shop in Greenville SC and previously managed the Stop ‘N Go in Whitewater, WI. Helen was a member … Read more
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Mischio, Barbara E. May 17, 1939 – December 13, 2024 Barbara Mischio passed away on December 13, 2024, at the age of 85. A spirited mother, educator, artist and friend, Barbara left us after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. She is survived by her husband George, sons Scott, David (Amy) and Greg (Sharon), and grandchildren Jackson, Owen, Sam and Anna. Barbara was born on May 17, 1939, in Carlstadt, New Jersey. She was raised by her mother, Julia, and her stepfather, Louis. She had a younger sister, Geri, whom she grew close to despite their eight-year difference in age. … Read more
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LTC Patrick J. “Pat” O’Connor, 71, of Whitewater passed away on Friday, December 6, 2024 at Our House Memory Care in Whitewater. Pat was born March 17 at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. He moved often during his early school days as the family followed his father to different Army posts before settling in Whitewater when Pat was in high school. He graduated from West Point Military Academy and later completed a graduate degree from UW-Whitewater while on active duty. Pat served in the United States Army until his retirement. He took skills developed over decades of military service into … Read more
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Florence “Flo” May (nee Arbuthnot) Rhodes, 90, of Grosse Pointe, Mich., and longtime resident of Whitewater, Wis., died Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, at her home and surrounded by family, having celebrated her birthday nearly three weeks before. Her passing followed the loss of her husband of 62 years, Benjamin Rhodes, earlier this year. Born Nov. 6, 1934, in Janesville, Wis., Flo was the third of four children of George and Irene (nee VanDreser) Arbuthnot. Her parents owned Arbuthnot Dairy in Janesville, Wis. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Arts degree in comparative literature in 1957, … Read more
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Charles Aubrey “Skip” GroverFebruary 11, 1941 – November 25, 2024 WHITEWATER – Charles Aubrey “Skip” Grover, passed away on Monday, November 25, 2024. He was born in Dent, Minn., on February 11, 1941, the youngest son of Verlie Evangeline (nee Babcock) and Cyril Erwin Grover. His older sisters Elaine, Elizabeth and Verna Mae, and older brother, Duane (Cyril Duane) all predeceased him. Skip attended University of Minnesota – Moorhead for his undergraduate degree. He joined the U.S. Army National Guard in Minnesota and continued to serve after transferring to California. Skip went on to receive his Ph.D. in Theatre Research … Read more
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