Good morning, Whitewater

There are no public meetings scheduled for Whitewater today.

In our school district today, there will be a book fair at Lincoln School, an international student reception at the high school at 3:15 p.m., a 6:30 p.m. open house at Lakeview School, and a 7 p.m. PTO meeting at the middle school.

The National Weather Service forecasts sunny weather and 77 degrees. The Farmers’ Almanac predicts that pleasant conditions will return.

Yesterday’s better prediction: Even. The NWS was right about the morning, and FA right about the remainder of the day. (I am ignoring the standard that the more unique prediction — like foggy weather — should prevail if it applies only to a portion of the day.)

In Wisconsin history on this date, in 1862, the Wisconsin Historical Society reports on a mostly German-speaking volunteer unit mustered into service during the Civil War:

On this date the 26th Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers, the majority of whom were German speaking immigrants, were mustered in. They enlisted in August of 1862, drilled at Camp Sigel in Milwaukee, and were placed in the 11th Corps. Major General Franz Sigel, also a German immigrant, took command of the entire 11th Corps and the 26th Wisconsin regiment fell under the Division of Major General Carl Schurz and the Brigade of Colonel Wladimir Krzyzanowski.

An online history of the 26th Wisconsin Infantry offers additional details on the unit.

On this date in American history, in 1787, delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution, and in 1862 Union and Confederate armies fought at Antietam. The History Channel has a video with information on these and other events that took place on this date: http://link.history.com/services/link/
bcpid1184539009/bclid1214007432/bctid1213938775

Good morning, Whitewater

There will be two scheduled public meetings held in Whitewater today. There will be a meeting of the Alcohol Licensing Task Force at 5:45 p.m.

Subsequently, at 6:30 p.m., there will be a Common Council meeting.

It’s Native American day at the Whitewater Middle School, and the Imperial Crown sales kickoff at Lakeview.

The National Weather Service forecasts patchy fog and 73 degrees. The Farmers’ Almanac predicts that pleasant conditions will return.

Yesterday’s better prediction: NWS. The flexible planner beats the long-range planner.

Good morning, Whitewater

The National Weather Service predicts a chance of drizzle and 63 degrees. The Farmers’ Almanac forecasts the same prediction as part of a four-day series: “stormy weather spread [sic] east into the Great Lakes.”

Tomorrow, I will begin reporting which forecaster was closer for the previous day, and I’ll summarize the prior week each Monday.

There are two scheduled public meetings in Whitewater today. There will be a meeting of the Planning Commission at 6:00 p.m. The published Planning Commission agenda is available at http://www.ci.whitewater.wi.us/Your_Government/Agendas/
Plan_Architect_Review/2008/PC%20AGENDA%209-15-08.pdf.

Later, at 6:30 p.m., there will be a meeting of the Irvin Young Memorial Library Board.

In Wisconsin history on this date, in 1832, the Wisconsin Historical Society reports that a Ho-Chunk treaty was signed:

On this date a treaty was signed between the Ho-Chunk and the United States that stipulated that the Ho-Chunk cede lands lying to the south and east of the Wisconsin river as well as lands around the Fox river of Green Bay.

One can safely guess that the Ho-Chunk might have been less willing to sign had they known the future value of the land, or had they faced less than overwhelming pressure.

On this date in world history, in 1915, the tank emerged as a battlefield weapon during the First World War. Wired reports on the introduction of the weapon, at an assault near assault near Bois d’Elville:

In the run-up to World War I, the British High Command remained indifferent to the concept an armored assault weapon, preferring to concentrate on infantry and cavalry. But the tank (or “landship” as it was then known, because it was regarded as a kind of land-based warship) had some influential advocates — including First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill, whose Landship Committee kept the idea alive.

In fact, the first tanks were manned not by army personnel but by naval ratings and officers, since the Royal Navy was already responsible for the operation of armored cars on the Western Front.

The Sept. 15 attack at Delville Wood was made by a D1 tank, commanded by Capt. H. W. Mortimore.

It was followed up by a larger attack at Flers-Courcelette, which employed 15 tanks. The British had intended to commit every tank they had — 49 in all — to this assault, but only 22 of them reached the front line without breaking down, and seven of those failed to start as the attack commenced.

The Germans were profoundly shocked by the tanks’ sudden appearance and fell back, but they quickly rallied. They soon discovered that while small-arms fire and machine guns had little effect against the armor, artillery could knock the tanks out with relative ease. And the Germans had very good artillery.

Photo courtesy of the New York State Library.

Good morning, Whitewater

There are no public meetings scheduled in the City of Whitewater today. We’ll manage.

The National Weather Service predicts a chance of showers with a high of 73. The Farmers’ Almanac‘s long-range forecast, from a year ago, for today predicts “Stormy weather spread [sic] east into the Great Lakes.”

The PTO book fair at the Middle School, concludes today, it’s also picture re-take day at the Middle School, and Parents’ Night at the football game against McFarland tonight at 7 p.m.

2008 Taste of Whitewater begins today at the Cravath Lakefront.

Events take place, rain or shine, under big, dry tents. The Taste of Whitewater website offers a schedule of events for Friday (5 p.m.-11 p.m.) and Saturday (11 a.m. – 11 p.m.)

Special attractions include

Sussy’s Bounce House

A Friday @ 8 p.m. showing of the Blues Brothers movie

A Flyball K-9 relay race Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.

Fred Scheer’s Lumberjack Show at 1, 4, and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday

On Saturday from 11:30 AM until 4 PM you’ll have a chance to view over a hundred varieties of freshly-picked truly unusual chile peppers like Ring of Fire, Dancing Spirit, Aji Amarillo, Habanero Peach, and the blistering Cheyenne Orange, which registers a whopping 855,000 heat units on the Scofield scale.

Yikes!

Not only will you be able to see them, you’ll be able to taste them, pick your favorites and bring them home, and even make your own ristra so you can enjoy your chiles over the coming months as they dry in your kitchen or on your deck. There will be suggested donations for these activities, and all proceeds will benefit the Rotary Botanical Gardens.

This is your chance to see and taste these seldom-grown varieties of all kinds of peppers; once they are gone they are gone. Next year the Rotary Gardens will be growing many varieties of basil to complement their yearly heirloom tomato display and tasting. So don’t miss out!

In the case of an encounter with an unexpectedly hot chile, don’t worry: we’ll have cream cheese and crackers on hand to calm your palate, and refreshing beer will only be a few steps away!

Here’s a second promotional video for the Taste of Whitewater events —

In Wisconsin history on this date, in 1892, three University of Wisconsin-Madison schools opened: the Schools of Economics, Political Science and History. more >>

Good morning, Whitewater

There will be a meeting of the Community Development Authority Housing Committee at 5 p.m. today.

The National Weather Service predicts a mostly cloudy day with a high of 75. The Farmers’ Almanac forecasts squalls migrating into the Great Lakes, then turning fair as the final day of a multi-day prediction.

The PTO book fair at the Middle School, continues today, and at 6:30 p.m. an ice cream social and open house at the Middle School.

2008 Taste of Whitewater begins tomorrow at the Cravath Lakefront.

Here’s another look at a promotional video with more information —

The History Channel has a summary of tragic events that make September 11th memorable.

In Wisconsin history on this date, in 1903, auto racing began at The Milwaukee Mile. Here’s more from the Wisconsin Historical Society:

On this date William Jones of Chicago won a five-lap speed contest, setting the first track record with a 72 second, 50 mph lap in the process. The Milwaukee Mile was originally a private horse track, in existence since at least 1876, and is the oldest, continuously operating auto racing facility in the world.

Good morning, Whitewater

The National Weather Service predicts a mostly sunny day with a high of 73. The Farmers’ Almanac forecasts squalls migrating into the Great Lakes, then fair as part of a multi-day prediction.

There are no public meetings scheduled for the City of Whitewater today.

There will be a PTO book fair at the Middle School, and a 7 p.m. meeting of the Athletic Booster club at the High School.

On this date in science, in 1984, “English geneticist Alec Jeffreys is performing advanced but routine lab work when he has a “Eureka!” moment and discovers DNA ‘fingerprinting.’ ” More on the discovery is available online at “DNA Leaves Its Print.”

Good morning, Whitewater

There are no public meetings scheduled for the City of Whitewater today. I am reminded of a local newspaper headline, from over a year ago: “What Would We Ever Do Without Them?” We’ll carry on — somehow, some way.

The National Weather Service predicts patchy fog with a high of 66. The Farmers’ Almanac forecasts squalls migrating into the Great Lakes, then fair.

There will be a P.A.T.T. meeting at Washington School at 6:30 p.m..

In Wisconsin history on this date, in 1951, esteemed actor Tom Wopat was born in Lodi. No one else would have played Luke Duke of the Dukes of Hazzard half so well.

The Wisconsin Historical Society also reports that on this date in 1954, Janesville residents debated their local liquor laws:

The topic of discussion was whether Janesville should allow women to be served at the bar, in taverns. Residents also debated whether dancing should be allowed in taverns. Speaking to lift the bans was Erv Lacey, field director of the Tavern League of Wisconsin. Lacey noted that the law against women being served was discriminatory and contended that Janesville taverns lose business because of the laws. The Rev. Frank Dauner, pastor of United Brethren Church, said the strict prohibitions should remain intact because alcohol threatened public health, safety and peaceful domestic life.

(Emphasis added.) That there was someone who thought that allowing women to drink and dance at a bar was a bad idea seems odd to me. I thought that was the whole point of opening a bar in the first place… more >>