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Closing thoughts
Closing Ceremony remarks of Home-Coming Co-Chair Kristine Zaballos
July 4, 2007
(These remarks were given directly after City Manager Kevin Brunner led a packed room in a celebration of the 170th birthday of Whitewater's first settlement, featuring a spectacular 59-inch birthday cake and Common Council members in attendance leading the crowd in singing "Happy Birthday to you." The cake was being cut and handed out at this point.)
When Kevin and I were discussing the sequence for the closing ceremonies we debated if the closing remarks should come before the birthday celebration… we gave up on that idea pretty quickly because we didn’t want the the 2007 Home-Coming Team to be remembered as the group that came between Whitewater water and its cake.
Wow, I’m happy to be here! I’m happy to be here because it means that we are almost done, that we’ve done what we set out to do. That less than five months ago what had been up until then periodic and sometimes annoying prodding on the part of Fred Kraege and Rick Fassl and Kevin Brunner and Dave Kachel to do something about marking the Centennial of the 1907 Home-Coming turned into a meeting held in the room about this room, where about 35 people sat with flip charts and post-its and sharpies and their ideas and opinions and dreams and visions and then planned and believed their way to the 2007 Whitewater Home-Coming Festival that we have been enjoying these past four days.
This festival was a grand gesture, and grand gestures require vision, risk, and an understanding that the rewards may not be measurable, and indeed may not be felt for many years. It is like planting a tree, a great burr oak if you will. It can seem like such a small gesture… but what if it doesn’t grow? What if I planted it in the wrong spot? These are the preoccupations that can prevent the grand gestures from being made, every day, in countless ways. That they are made at all is a gift, then, a thing to be celebrated.
Of course, not everyone made that gesture, and not everyone gave that gift. There were nay-sayers along the way, and don’t worry I’m not naming names. I’m just hoping that the next time there is a big idea, a grand gesture to be made, that they refrain from saying “no” so quickly and open their hearts and minds a little bit, remember what the 2007 Home-Coming became, and perhaps see how they can help make that next big thing happen. And if they can’t, perhaps they can apply that knowledge of what will happen or will not in the future to making money in the stock market, and leave the vision thing to those of us who feel that if you build it they will come.
And what did we build? We built a community of people planning, over many months and in countless, believe me countless, meetings. We built the unity of purpose, that The 2007 Home-Coming, held July 1-4, commemorates Whitewater’s rich heritage and bears witness to its present and promising future as it brings our community together, connects current and former residents, and creates a living legacy of shared memories. To that end we built the website, www.whitewaterhomecoming.com, where people have and will continue to be able to tell their stories and reconnect with the Whitewater that they know, however they know it. We built fun in the form of events as diverse as Bucky Badger, bucket brigades, and the 1st Brigade Band.
We will build the stone stable, on a site across the street, just as the 1907 Home-Coming gave us the Halverson Log Cabin, which was rededicated yesterday. And like the log cabin, the stone stable will appear after the festival has ended, but will endure for Whitewater’s enjoyment and education and general benefit for years to come.
And we built a medallion, an homage to the 1907 medallion, which featured the log cabin. This one, cast in bronze, features the stone stable. Knowing how the 1907 Festival medallions were prized over the years we made a limited quantity to sell at the 2007 Festival, thinking of how these too will be held over the years, passed on to children and grandchildren, and perhaps serving as inspiration to beleaguered festival planners in 2107.
But we also cast them in nickel. As a special gift to some of the extraordinary people and groups that stood up to the task and made the grand gesture, 20 nickel medallions were cast, as a visible gesture of our thanks. It is my pleasure to give these hard-earned medallions away now.
I will start with Fred.
FRED. Fred stood at a public meeting one day and asked for citizens who cared about Whitewater to come forth and help him write a book about the history of Whitewater, to give the town something to be excited about, to bring a sense of pride and accomplishment to the community. That book, Whitewater, was published in 2006.
The moment the books were delivered Fred turned his attention to this year, 2007, the 100th anniversary of the great Home-Coming of 1907, in his mind the city’s high-water mark, so much so that the Home-Coming parade was featured on the book’s cover. That 4-day event of community togetherness was staged as a way to boost a town whose spirits were sagging after the loss of all of its major manufacturing and it was a glorious success with 2,000 former sons and daughters came back to visit, remember, and celebrate. This is what Fred always wanted for 2007: something to remind the people of Whitewater of the achievements, great and small, of its past and to offer them hope for the future.
Fred always understood that it was about the journey. That the events would come and go, but that it was the process of creating this festival, of working together and collaborating, that would give us the hope and the belief we were looking for. Fred, our Home-Coming King and muse. So Fred, I am honored to give to you the first nickel festival medallion.
Marilyn Kienbaum. Marilyn is a muse as well, the face of Whitewater and a storyteller in her own right. She is Common Council president and thus the leader of the community for this 2007 Whitewater Home-Coming, and at the same time a very regal and unforgettable image as our Home-Coming Queen. Marilyn, I am honored to give you this medallion, in celebration of your unique and inspirational role in the community.
DLK. My co-chair, David Kachel. I deeply admire the fierceness of his affection for WW and how important it is to him to see people enjoy themselves, to feel good, to feel pride and fellowship. He understood the importance of Home-Coming and was willing to work hard and attend some of those meetings and twist a few arms to make it happen. It is my honor to give you this medallion, Dave, but please don’t let your puppy chew on this too.
Executive Team. In addition to Dave and myself, six people very much rose to the challenge and formed the 2007 Whitewater Home-Coming executive team. We’ve relied a great deal on the hard work, great ideas, sound judgment, and inspiration of these team members.
Kevin Brunner. City Manager has served as the team’s treasurer and also a great sounding board for ideas big and small. Kevin provides wonderful leadership and sense of purpose and knows just what details to sweat and which ones to let go. One of my favorite moments was watching him ceremonially and playfully bestow a 2007 medallion on a woman visiting from Madras, India – her first visit to the US – to celebrate her having traveled so far. Thanks for the leadership, conviction, and sense of occasion, Kevin.
Jim Caldwell. Jim Caldwell served as our secretary, which meant about agendas and notes and much more about lending his acumen and critical eye to the proceedings. He was always there when I needed a considered opinion, and he never failed to think big, such as when he thought to mention having the badger band to come down, which led to one of the festival’s biggest successes. Thanks for the steady support, encouragement, and big ideas, Jim.
Jan Bilgen Craggs. Ms. Community brought people, ideas, partnership, and great problem-solving skills to the 2007 Whitewater Home-Coming. As unflappable as she is hard-working, she also has a keen sense of purpose and vision and possibility, remembering the countless detailed connections that form the rich fabric of the festival. Plus, she’s a blast to work with. Thanks for your hard work, passion, and sense of possibility, Jan.
Ellen Penwell. Ms. Unity brought a wonderful sense of purpose, inspiration, and determination to the telling of the 2007 Whitewater Home-Coming story. From her quiet and consistent involvement to the monumental undertaking of the Crossman Gallery show, Ellen always gently reminded us of both the 1907 context, of remembering the past as we plan, to the 2107 context, of purposefully looking to and speaking to our counterparts in one hundred years. Thanks for your gentle determination, your critical eye, and your sense of stewardship, Ellen.
Russell Walton. Mr. Fun not only brought a great deal of fun to the Whitewater Community, he was terribly fun to work with. Russell always brought good spirits, a sense of vision and possibility, and inclusion to the planning process. He brought the wonderful Starin Park events on Sunday and the Family Day events Monday, and served as official Train and Building bunter to boot. Thanks for the sense of spirit, fun, and vision you brought to us all, Russell.
Geoff Hale. Mr. Make-it-Happen was not always the most visible member of the team, but Geoff and his company Home Lumber were always there for us, whether it was raising money or telling the Home-Coming story or providing a place for the steam train to station overnight or the Lemke carriages to be safe. Thanks for all the energy, enthusiasm, and can-do spirit, Geoff.
Honorable mentions: Rick Fassl Rick was not just an early booster of celebrating the centennial of the 1907 Home-Coming, he worked hard to bring everyone from Gene Lee to Fran Achen’s photos to the table, to make as many as possible part of the story and, especially, to mount an exhibition that all of us can enjoy and be proud of. Thanks for all the time, energy, and passion that you have devoted to the 2007 Home-Coming, Rick.
Jim Stewart Jim not only served as Council President when the Home-Coming funding was approved, he later lent the considerable weight and reach of his whitewater banner to allow the Home-Coming story to reach as many people as possible. He has also led the charge on the time capsule, which will be placed in the stone stable and reopened in 2107. Thanks for your enthusiastic and unflagging support, as well as your sense of the bigger picture, long-term view, and willingness to try new things and dress in costume, Jim.
Ruth Walton Ruth Walton took on the logistical challenge of bringing Whitewater the Lawn & Garden contest, garnering volunteers to promote beautification and to judge properties, culminating in the four winners and 10 honorable mentions posted on the banner this week. Thanks for taking this on and encouraging Whitewater to put its best face forward, Ruth.
Peter Zaballos/Jay Craggs Last but not least I’d like to single out two people who have to content themselves with sharing their wives’ medallions, but who distinguished themselves in ways that have nothing to do with their wives’ efforts. One is Jay Craggs, who cheerfully and unfailingly served as graphic designer and artist, sound man, schlepper, and good-spirited go-fer throughout the planning and the festival itself. What a wonderful sense of “sure, why not, I can do that!” just when we needed it most. And as Jan’s husband he also kept her going in countless ways. Thanks for lending your myriad of talents to the 2007 Home-Coming, Jay.
The other is Peter Zaballos, mastermind behind the storysite and one who, early on saw the potential of both the site and the festival to bring people in, invite them to the table. Many hours were spent telling the storysite story, working as a storysite volunteer, crafting promotional ideas to encourage people to use the site, and posting playful contests. As my husband he also supported me fully and without question, always gently reminding me of the bigger picture and sense of accomplishment, when details threatened to bog me down. Thanks for your own passion and vision, Peter, and for so open-heartedly supporting and protecting my own.
PARTNERS There were many partners who collaborated to make the 2007 Whitewater Home-Coming a success, including the 4th of July Committee, the Whitewater Tourism Council, the Federation of Womens Clubs, the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce, the Stone Stable Committee, the American Legion and VFW, the Whitewater Arts Alliance, the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library, and the Whitewater Police and Fire Departments.
City of Whitewater. The City of Whitewater, led by City Manager Kevin Brunner and the Whitewater Common Council and exemplified by the many fine city staff that we had the honor of working with, showed strong and unfailing support of our efforts from the get-go. From their incredibly encouraging challenge grant of $20,000 to the countless ways individuals have put the time and effort to making this festival a success, the city of Whitewater has shown amazing and inspiring leadership. Especially Bruce Parker, Doug Saubert, Nancy Stanford, Debbie Hilgen, Dwight Slocum, Dean Fischer, Tom Barnes, Michele Smith, and Deb Weberpal… I really owe you one. That the city has shown such confidence in us and willingness to work with us made all the difference to the 2007 Whitewater Home-Coming.
Whitewater Historical Society. Led by director Ellen Penwell, the Whitewater Historical Society has provided wonderful support and encouragement as we have planned for this 2007 Home-Coming. Member Carol Cartwright spent countless hours researching and answering people’s questions about the 1907 festival, as well as providing the popular historic tours during the festival itself. Led by Rick Fassl and Ellen Penwell the society mounted the impressive “Coming Home to Whitewater: Looking Back, Going Forward” show at the Crossman Gallery, which will be open for one last time Thursday from 1 until 5. Then there was the second staging of the Oak Grove Cemetery tour, which involved dozens of volunteers, for our History Day yesterday. And of course making the museum available during extended hours to our festival-goers, especially when the soo line 1003 steam locomotive was in town. That’s what partnership is all about.
UWW. Like Albert Salisbury before him, Interim Chancellor Dick Telfer understood that the Home-Coming festival provides the opportunity for the community and the university to truly work together; that it's not about the appearance of collaboration, it's about the actual connections being made and relationships being formed by an event such as this, something that committees and task forces can't provide and something that will endure in countless small ways after the events are long since over. From the festival dinner to rededicating the Halverson log cabin to the wonderful Whitewater show at the Crossman Art Gallery, from providing an alternative location for the 1st Brigade Band in case of rain to decorating along main street and celebrating on their home page. From able-bodied and spirited volunteers like Jan and Therese Kennedy, the University has played a central and vital role in this 2007 Whitewater Home-Coming.
WWUSD. One of the first groups to step forward and say, what can we do? was the school district. The most visible means of support was when Lane and Anne Kuske, director of the summer school playhouse, changed the summer play to be the Music Man, to celebrate the Home-Coming themes and timeframe. They added a great Whitewater History powerpoint presentation at the beginning, staged a whitewater music display in the lobby, and wove Whitewater themes into the play itself. In addition, the school district distributed flyers, allowed us to hold a “What Whitewater Means to Me” contest, led by Nancy Brunner, and helped provide the wonderful banner you see here, which will be preserved for the future.
DONORS There are many donors to and sponsors of the 2007 Home-Coming, but the following three donors especially rose to the occasion, in the strength of their financial support, and, just as critically, the spiritedness they have shown in getting behind the Home-Coming Festival.
Coburn Co. From their generous donation to their memorable bucket brigade performance in Mr. Sticky t-shirts and their professional-class entry into the Cravath Cup, Coburn Co was very much present at the 2007 Whitewater Home-Coming, a wonderful example of the can-do spirit that makes Whitewater what it is.
Commercial Bank. Commercial Bank brought us Willie the Warhawk and the Warhawk Pep Band, whose appearance at the festival was one of my personal highlights. They also brought us the images of Fran Achen, captured on calendars given to the community over the years and shared with us now in a wonderful display at the Commercial Bank.
First Citizens State Bank. First Citizens sponsored the Bucky Badger/UW Madison Marching Band portion of the friendly battle of the bands enjoyed by so many the other night. They also hosted a storysite, decorated their beautiful building, and celebrated Whitewater arts with a showing of resident artist Ben McCready’s outstanding portraits.
Many people have been gracious enough to stop me over the past few days and tell me how much fun they are having, how proud they are of Whitewater, how wonderful the festival feels. This is perhaps less measurable than numbers of Home-Comers, items sold, and steam trains brought to town, but in the end much more powerful and meaningful. Like that mighty burr oak. A time that Whitewater once again challenged itself and created something that would be remembered, enjoyed, and appreciated by generations to come.
I hope that Chancellor Telfer, Dave Kachel, Fred Kraege, Marilyn Kienbaum, Kevin Brunner, Jan Bilgen-Craggs, Jim Caldwell, Geoff Hale, Ellen Penwell, Russell Walton, and myself, along with the dozens of planners, partners, and sponsors of the 2007 Whitewater Home-Coming, inspire the people of the future in the way that we were inspired by President Salisbury and the organizers of the 1907 Home-Coming. That in one hundred we have a community that rises to the same occasion and a thriving university that again takes a central, vital role. May they all come together, in celebration of our achievement and that of 1907, in making the 2107 Home-Coming a glorious success. Thank you very much.
July 4, 2007
(These remarks were given directly after City Manager Kevin Brunner led a packed room in a celebration of the 170th birthday of Whitewater's first settlement, featuring a spectacular 59-inch birthday cake and Common Council members in attendance leading the crowd in singing "Happy Birthday to you." The cake was being cut and handed out at this point.)
When Kevin and I were discussing the sequence for the closing ceremonies we debated if the closing remarks should come before the birthday celebration… we gave up on that idea pretty quickly because we didn’t want the the 2007 Home-Coming Team to be remembered as the group that came between Whitewater water and its cake.
Wow, I’m happy to be here! I’m happy to be here because it means that we are almost done, that we’ve done what we set out to do. That less than five months ago what had been up until then periodic and sometimes annoying prodding on the part of Fred Kraege and Rick Fassl and Kevin Brunner and Dave Kachel to do something about marking the Centennial of the 1907 Home-Coming turned into a meeting held in the room about this room, where about 35 people sat with flip charts and post-its and sharpies and their ideas and opinions and dreams and visions and then planned and believed their way to the 2007 Whitewater Home-Coming Festival that we have been enjoying these past four days.
This festival was a grand gesture, and grand gestures require vision, risk, and an understanding that the rewards may not be measurable, and indeed may not be felt for many years. It is like planting a tree, a great burr oak if you will. It can seem like such a small gesture… but what if it doesn’t grow? What if I planted it in the wrong spot? These are the preoccupations that can prevent the grand gestures from being made, every day, in countless ways. That they are made at all is a gift, then, a thing to be celebrated.
Of course, not everyone made that gesture, and not everyone gave that gift. There were nay-sayers along the way, and don’t worry I’m not naming names. I’m just hoping that the next time there is a big idea, a grand gesture to be made, that they refrain from saying “no” so quickly and open their hearts and minds a little bit, remember what the 2007 Home-Coming became, and perhaps see how they can help make that next big thing happen. And if they can’t, perhaps they can apply that knowledge of what will happen or will not in the future to making money in the stock market, and leave the vision thing to those of us who feel that if you build it they will come.
And what did we build? We built a community of people planning, over many months and in countless, believe me countless, meetings. We built the unity of purpose, that The 2007 Home-Coming, held July 1-4, commemorates Whitewater’s rich heritage and bears witness to its present and promising future as it brings our community together, connects current and former residents, and creates a living legacy of shared memories. To that end we built the website, www.whitewaterhomecoming.com, where people have and will continue to be able to tell their stories and reconnect with the Whitewater that they know, however they know it. We built fun in the form of events as diverse as Bucky Badger, bucket brigades, and the 1st Brigade Band.
We will build the stone stable, on a site across the street, just as the 1907 Home-Coming gave us the Halverson Log Cabin, which was rededicated yesterday. And like the log cabin, the stone stable will appear after the festival has ended, but will endure for Whitewater’s enjoyment and education and general benefit for years to come.
And we built a medallion, an homage to the 1907 medallion, which featured the log cabin. This one, cast in bronze, features the stone stable. Knowing how the 1907 Festival medallions were prized over the years we made a limited quantity to sell at the 2007 Festival, thinking of how these too will be held over the years, passed on to children and grandchildren, and perhaps serving as inspiration to beleaguered festival planners in 2107.
But we also cast them in nickel. As a special gift to some of the extraordinary people and groups that stood up to the task and made the grand gesture, 20 nickel medallions were cast, as a visible gesture of our thanks. It is my pleasure to give these hard-earned medallions away now.
I will start with Fred.
FRED. Fred stood at a public meeting one day and asked for citizens who cared about Whitewater to come forth and help him write a book about the history of Whitewater, to give the town something to be excited about, to bring a sense of pride and accomplishment to the community. That book, Whitewater, was published in 2006.
The moment the books were delivered Fred turned his attention to this year, 2007, the 100th anniversary of the great Home-Coming of 1907, in his mind the city’s high-water mark, so much so that the Home-Coming parade was featured on the book’s cover. That 4-day event of community togetherness was staged as a way to boost a town whose spirits were sagging after the loss of all of its major manufacturing and it was a glorious success with 2,000 former sons and daughters came back to visit, remember, and celebrate. This is what Fred always wanted for 2007: something to remind the people of Whitewater of the achievements, great and small, of its past and to offer them hope for the future.
Fred always understood that it was about the journey. That the events would come and go, but that it was the process of creating this festival, of working together and collaborating, that would give us the hope and the belief we were looking for. Fred, our Home-Coming King and muse. So Fred, I am honored to give to you the first nickel festival medallion.
Marilyn Kienbaum. Marilyn is a muse as well, the face of Whitewater and a storyteller in her own right. She is Common Council president and thus the leader of the community for this 2007 Whitewater Home-Coming, and at the same time a very regal and unforgettable image as our Home-Coming Queen. Marilyn, I am honored to give you this medallion, in celebration of your unique and inspirational role in the community.
DLK. My co-chair, David Kachel. I deeply admire the fierceness of his affection for WW and how important it is to him to see people enjoy themselves, to feel good, to feel pride and fellowship. He understood the importance of Home-Coming and was willing to work hard and attend some of those meetings and twist a few arms to make it happen. It is my honor to give you this medallion, Dave, but please don’t let your puppy chew on this too.
Executive Team. In addition to Dave and myself, six people very much rose to the challenge and formed the 2007 Whitewater Home-Coming executive team. We’ve relied a great deal on the hard work, great ideas, sound judgment, and inspiration of these team members.
Kevin Brunner. City Manager has served as the team’s treasurer and also a great sounding board for ideas big and small. Kevin provides wonderful leadership and sense of purpose and knows just what details to sweat and which ones to let go. One of my favorite moments was watching him ceremonially and playfully bestow a 2007 medallion on a woman visiting from Madras, India – her first visit to the US – to celebrate her having traveled so far. Thanks for the leadership, conviction, and sense of occasion, Kevin.
Jim Caldwell. Jim Caldwell served as our secretary, which meant about agendas and notes and much more about lending his acumen and critical eye to the proceedings. He was always there when I needed a considered opinion, and he never failed to think big, such as when he thought to mention having the badger band to come down, which led to one of the festival’s biggest successes. Thanks for the steady support, encouragement, and big ideas, Jim.
Jan Bilgen Craggs. Ms. Community brought people, ideas, partnership, and great problem-solving skills to the 2007 Whitewater Home-Coming. As unflappable as she is hard-working, she also has a keen sense of purpose and vision and possibility, remembering the countless detailed connections that form the rich fabric of the festival. Plus, she’s a blast to work with. Thanks for your hard work, passion, and sense of possibility, Jan.
Ellen Penwell. Ms. Unity brought a wonderful sense of purpose, inspiration, and determination to the telling of the 2007 Whitewater Home-Coming story. From her quiet and consistent involvement to the monumental undertaking of the Crossman Gallery show, Ellen always gently reminded us of both the 1907 context, of remembering the past as we plan, to the 2107 context, of purposefully looking to and speaking to our counterparts in one hundred years. Thanks for your gentle determination, your critical eye, and your sense of stewardship, Ellen.
Russell Walton. Mr. Fun not only brought a great deal of fun to the Whitewater Community, he was terribly fun to work with. Russell always brought good spirits, a sense of vision and possibility, and inclusion to the planning process. He brought the wonderful Starin Park events on Sunday and the Family Day events Monday, and served as official Train and Building bunter to boot. Thanks for the sense of spirit, fun, and vision you brought to us all, Russell.
Geoff Hale. Mr. Make-it-Happen was not always the most visible member of the team, but Geoff and his company Home Lumber were always there for us, whether it was raising money or telling the Home-Coming story or providing a place for the steam train to station overnight or the Lemke carriages to be safe. Thanks for all the energy, enthusiasm, and can-do spirit, Geoff.
Honorable mentions: Rick Fassl Rick was not just an early booster of celebrating the centennial of the 1907 Home-Coming, he worked hard to bring everyone from Gene Lee to Fran Achen’s photos to the table, to make as many as possible part of the story and, especially, to mount an exhibition that all of us can enjoy and be proud of. Thanks for all the time, energy, and passion that you have devoted to the 2007 Home-Coming, Rick.
Jim Stewart Jim not only served as Council President when the Home-Coming funding was approved, he later lent the considerable weight and reach of his whitewater banner to allow the Home-Coming story to reach as many people as possible. He has also led the charge on the time capsule, which will be placed in the stone stable and reopened in 2107. Thanks for your enthusiastic and unflagging support, as well as your sense of the bigger picture, long-term view, and willingness to try new things and dress in costume, Jim.
Ruth Walton Ruth Walton took on the logistical challenge of bringing Whitewater the Lawn & Garden contest, garnering volunteers to promote beautification and to judge properties, culminating in the four winners and 10 honorable mentions posted on the banner this week. Thanks for taking this on and encouraging Whitewater to put its best face forward, Ruth.
Peter Zaballos/Jay Craggs Last but not least I’d like to single out two people who have to content themselves with sharing their wives’ medallions, but who distinguished themselves in ways that have nothing to do with their wives’ efforts. One is Jay Craggs, who cheerfully and unfailingly served as graphic designer and artist, sound man, schlepper, and good-spirited go-fer throughout the planning and the festival itself. What a wonderful sense of “sure, why not, I can do that!” just when we needed it most. And as Jan’s husband he also kept her going in countless ways. Thanks for lending your myriad of talents to the 2007 Home-Coming, Jay.
The other is Peter Zaballos, mastermind behind the storysite and one who, early on saw the potential of both the site and the festival to bring people in, invite them to the table. Many hours were spent telling the storysite story, working as a storysite volunteer, crafting promotional ideas to encourage people to use the site, and posting playful contests. As my husband he also supported me fully and without question, always gently reminding me of the bigger picture and sense of accomplishment, when details threatened to bog me down. Thanks for your own passion and vision, Peter, and for so open-heartedly supporting and protecting my own.
PARTNERS There were many partners who collaborated to make the 2007 Whitewater Home-Coming a success, including the 4th of July Committee, the Whitewater Tourism Council, the Federation of Womens Clubs, the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce, the Stone Stable Committee, the American Legion and VFW, the Whitewater Arts Alliance, the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library, and the Whitewater Police and Fire Departments.
City of Whitewater. The City of Whitewater, led by City Manager Kevin Brunner and the Whitewater Common Council and exemplified by the many fine city staff that we had the honor of working with, showed strong and unfailing support of our efforts from the get-go. From their incredibly encouraging challenge grant of $20,000 to the countless ways individuals have put the time and effort to making this festival a success, the city of Whitewater has shown amazing and inspiring leadership. Especially Bruce Parker, Doug Saubert, Nancy Stanford, Debbie Hilgen, Dwight Slocum, Dean Fischer, Tom Barnes, Michele Smith, and Deb Weberpal… I really owe you one. That the city has shown such confidence in us and willingness to work with us made all the difference to the 2007 Whitewater Home-Coming.
Whitewater Historical Society. Led by director Ellen Penwell, the Whitewater Historical Society has provided wonderful support and encouragement as we have planned for this 2007 Home-Coming. Member Carol Cartwright spent countless hours researching and answering people’s questions about the 1907 festival, as well as providing the popular historic tours during the festival itself. Led by Rick Fassl and Ellen Penwell the society mounted the impressive “Coming Home to Whitewater: Looking Back, Going Forward” show at the Crossman Gallery, which will be open for one last time Thursday from 1 until 5. Then there was the second staging of the Oak Grove Cemetery tour, which involved dozens of volunteers, for our History Day yesterday. And of course making the museum available during extended hours to our festival-goers, especially when the soo line 1003 steam locomotive was in town. That’s what partnership is all about.
UWW. Like Albert Salisbury before him, Interim Chancellor Dick Telfer understood that the Home-Coming festival provides the opportunity for the community and the university to truly work together; that it's not about the appearance of collaboration, it's about the actual connections being made and relationships being formed by an event such as this, something that committees and task forces can't provide and something that will endure in countless small ways after the events are long since over. From the festival dinner to rededicating the Halverson log cabin to the wonderful Whitewater show at the Crossman Art Gallery, from providing an alternative location for the 1st Brigade Band in case of rain to decorating along main street and celebrating on their home page. From able-bodied and spirited volunteers like Jan and Therese Kennedy, the University has played a central and vital role in this 2007 Whitewater Home-Coming.
WWUSD. One of the first groups to step forward and say, what can we do? was the school district. The most visible means of support was when Lane and Anne Kuske, director of the summer school playhouse, changed the summer play to be the Music Man, to celebrate the Home-Coming themes and timeframe. They added a great Whitewater History powerpoint presentation at the beginning, staged a whitewater music display in the lobby, and wove Whitewater themes into the play itself. In addition, the school district distributed flyers, allowed us to hold a “What Whitewater Means to Me” contest, led by Nancy Brunner, and helped provide the wonderful banner you see here, which will be preserved for the future.
DONORS There are many donors to and sponsors of the 2007 Home-Coming, but the following three donors especially rose to the occasion, in the strength of their financial support, and, just as critically, the spiritedness they have shown in getting behind the Home-Coming Festival.
Coburn Co. From their generous donation to their memorable bucket brigade performance in Mr. Sticky t-shirts and their professional-class entry into the Cravath Cup, Coburn Co was very much present at the 2007 Whitewater Home-Coming, a wonderful example of the can-do spirit that makes Whitewater what it is.
Commercial Bank. Commercial Bank brought us Willie the Warhawk and the Warhawk Pep Band, whose appearance at the festival was one of my personal highlights. They also brought us the images of Fran Achen, captured on calendars given to the community over the years and shared with us now in a wonderful display at the Commercial Bank.
First Citizens State Bank. First Citizens sponsored the Bucky Badger/UW Madison Marching Band portion of the friendly battle of the bands enjoyed by so many the other night. They also hosted a storysite, decorated their beautiful building, and celebrated Whitewater arts with a showing of resident artist Ben McCready’s outstanding portraits.
Many people have been gracious enough to stop me over the past few days and tell me how much fun they are having, how proud they are of Whitewater, how wonderful the festival feels. This is perhaps less measurable than numbers of Home-Comers, items sold, and steam trains brought to town, but in the end much more powerful and meaningful. Like that mighty burr oak. A time that Whitewater once again challenged itself and created something that would be remembered, enjoyed, and appreciated by generations to come.
I hope that Chancellor Telfer, Dave Kachel, Fred Kraege, Marilyn Kienbaum, Kevin Brunner, Jan Bilgen-Craggs, Jim Caldwell, Geoff Hale, Ellen Penwell, Russell Walton, and myself, along with the dozens of planners, partners, and sponsors of the 2007 Whitewater Home-Coming, inspire the people of the future in the way that we were inspired by President Salisbury and the organizers of the 1907 Home-Coming. That in one hundred we have a community that rises to the same occasion and a thriving university that again takes a central, vital role. May they all come together, in celebration of our achievement and that of 1907, in making the 2107 Home-Coming a glorious success. Thank you very much.
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| Anonymous | Thank You to all | 0 | Jul 9 2007, 12:41 AM EDT by Anonymous | ||
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Thread started: Jul 9 2007, 12:41 AM EDT
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Thanks to all who participated in big and little ways, behond the scenes and in the front to make Home-Coming 2007 a huge sucess.
What wonderful leadership we have in our great town. Never before have I seen so many so inspired to work together to make this happen. It gives me a warm heart to see the support given to our leaders and the support our leaders are giving to our town and it people. So much has been happening in Whitewater in the past couple of years because as a community we care about our town, it's citizens and our leadership. Thanks again to those that planned, worked, participated and enjoyed our celebration. Think ahead to Whitewaters 175th Birthday in 2012. We can do it!!!! |
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| Anonymous | Addition of Gratitude | 0 | Jul 5 2007, 4:33 PM EDT by Anonymous | ||
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Thread started: Jul 5 2007, 4:33 PM EDT
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It sometimes goes without saying it needs to be said--A thank you to all the citizens of such a wonderful place as Whitewater. Without the everyday efforts of each person whether they sit on a committee or pick up a gum wrapper on the street and put it in a receptacle along their way---whether they deliver mail or bring a meal and a smile to someone who needs one--or are the parents that help at their child's school or the library or with transportation for the kid that doesn't have a ride on a rainy day--to the Wal-Mart greeter who puts the smiley sticker on your child--the crossing guard, the visitor to a senor who may be lonely..."the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker"--they all make Whitewater the fine community it is by their sense of pride. Certainly without the leadership mentioned in the closing remarks we could not have had such a grand gesture and wonderful celebration--for this we stand in honor and gratitude for them--and for all those others who participated by their attendance (and look with pride on all we are--all we can be) we stand in honor and gratitude for you too—your compassion for your fellow citizens and community weave the fabric of this tapestry--the lovely colors --to you we take off our hats for giving us such a lovely place to live. A Place we can all fondly call Home.
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