News

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City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda has 12 items including Discussion and possible action on a education piece for the Whitewater Banner why the Bradford pear should not be used in plantings and the environmental impact of using them; Discussion and possible action on the use of Tree Sale funds to pay to remove Bradford Pear trees from the city landscape & replace with alternatives.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor, 312 West St Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82152804858?pwd=Dv009gV9zzhbMcLx1Y3zETxLfyz4bD.1
Meeting ID: 821 5280 4858
Passcode: 525352
Dial +1 312 626 6799 US

Whitewater Unified School District School Board – CLOSED SESSION – 6:00 p.m.
Agenda: to discuss Superintendent evaluation process.
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street
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6:00 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85350592490?pwd=3ybp64g4eQNd47eO4jsIvhKy5Ba558.1
– Passcode: 732656
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– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 853 5059 2490
– Passcode: 732656
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Closed Session
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7:00 p.m. via Zoom Online – OPEN SESSION
Agenda [click on “meetings” in upper right corner] includes High School Scorecard Review
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82666153766?pwd=oPJ4frZLHQ3tar1LzNxcVL2FsjUg8p.1
– Passcode: 597924
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– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 826 6615 3766
– Passcode: 597924

In a unanimous decision on July 21, the Board of Trustees voted to rename the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library the Whitewater Public Library. This decision included input from community members who attended the last two library board meetings.

Library Board President, Jennifer Motszko, stated that “the decision to change the name from Irvin L. Young Memorial Library to Whitewater Public Library reflects our commitment to creating a more inclusive and welcoming space for all members of the Whitewater community. This new name better represents the library as a vibrant hub and gathering place for everyone in our town.”

It is important to the library board, library staff, and community that the Young name continues to be honored. A sign over the entrance to the existing library will read “Irvin L. Young Memorial Wing.” The original donor plaque will also be displayed in a prominent location in the library.

Library Director, Diane Jaroch, stated that “the name Whitewater Public Library conveys a sense of community and inclusiveness.  We are a public, community space that is free for all to explore. The renaming of the library honors all of the donors who have contributed and all of our community members.”

The library building project is slated to be completed in early November 2025. There is still time to donate to the building project. Donations may be sent to the Whitewater Community Foundation at https://whitewatercommunityfoundation.org/donate/.

The Whitewater Public Library is located at 431 W. Center Street. More information about the library can be found at whitewaterlibrary.org.

Editor’s note: [Previously published on The Whitewater Banner.] Theological Seminary in Chicago. In 1940 he started the Snow Valley plant of Young Engineering in Palmyra. In 1954 he married Fern Drummond Jones of Chicago and established a home in his farm in the Palmyra area as well as retaining the Chicago home. Per his obituary, “He dedicated his life and income to the Irvin L. Young Foundation, a charitable foundation concerned mainly with the support of medical missionary work in Africa working through the board of 15 different denominations….Untold thousands of lives have been affected by the life and work of this one man.” Fern Young died in 2002. The Irvin L. Young Foundation made donations from its remaining assets of approximately $670,000 in 2019 and it was dissolved effective November 1, 2020.

The Whitewater Banner asked Library Director Diane Jaroch if she knew whether there were any stipulations connected to the foundation’s donation specifying how long the library was required to be named after Young. Jaroch replied, “I did do research before this idea was proposed, and there is nothing in the paperwork stating that we cannot change the name of the library.  I also consulted with Stacey Lunsford, the former Director. I plan to present the board with information on the history of the naming rights in their June board packet, so they will have all of the pertinent information they need before the June 16 board meeting.”

Local historian Carol Cartwright indicated that newspaper articles from 1987 and 1989 reported that the Young foundation gave $500,000 toward the library with the stipulation that it be named after Irvin Young. She stated that nothing was said about the duration of the naming. Taking inflation into account, today’s value of that donation would be approximately $1,300,000. The library opened in 1991, so it has carried the Young name for 34 years. The Young Auditorium, which opened on the UW-Whitewater campus in 1993, was also constructed with donations that included significant assistance from the Young foundation.

The approximate $6 million addition and renovation currently underway is being funded by over $2,300,000 in donations, library reserves of $840,000 and a $3,000,000 commitment from the city.

The Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) will close the 2025 Fran Achen Photography Exhibition with a special live performance by Pieces of Eight, a semiprofessional woodwind octet from southern Wisconsin.

The concert will take place on Sunday, July 27 at 2 p.m. at the Whitewater Cultural Arts Center, 402 W. Main Street. The octet includes pairs of oboes, clarinets, horns, and bassoons, and will perform works by Mozart, Hidas, Kalinnikov, and a new piece by Wisconsin composer Brian Packham.

Admission is free. A suggested donation of $10 will support WAA’s ongoing arts programming.

“This performance is a great way to wrap up the exhibition,” said Jeff McDonald, chair of the photographic exhibition. “It’s a unique opportunity to bring two art forms together—photography and music—in one shared space.”

The 2025 Fran Achen Juried Photography Exhibition features over 200 photographs in total. About 100 pieces are displayed on the gallery walls as part of the Print Division, and another 100 or so are projected digitally in the new Digital Division.

It’s a remarkable expansion from previous years, showcasing work from 57 photographic artists across six states—Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Florida. Guests are invited to explore the gallery and enjoy light refreshments prior to the performance.

For more information, Contact: Kim Adams, Gallery Director, Whitewater Arts Alliance

Phone: 608-201-2151

Email: wwartsalliance@gmail.com

Website: whitewaterarts.org

Gallery Hours: Thursdays-Sundays, 12 p.m.- 4 p.m.

“20 Years Of Celebrating The Arts And Creating Community!”

The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh’s 151st spring commencement celebrated the achievements of 1,250 students in two ceremonies May 17 inside Kolf Sports Center. Recognized for earning doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s or associate degrees, the new graduates joined the ranks of more than 100,000 UWO alumni.

Whitewater, WI

 Martin Gonzalez, Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice
 Allison Martens, Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing
 Jazmine Peterson, Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice
 Jazmine Peterson, Bachelor of Science, Psychology

Lois Mast writes “This beautiful bird loves to hang out in Whitewater Creek and can be seen from the wooden walkway leading to the Trippe Lake pavilion.

Our thanks to Lois Mast for sharing this beautiful photo.

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

Everyone is invited to the 39th Annual Lutherdale Fest Quilt Auction on Saturday, August 9, 2025. This outdoor event runs from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. or until all the quilts are sold. The live quilt auction, conducted by professional auctioneer Gary Finley, starts at 10 a.m.

The auction features more than 300 donated quilts of all sizes, from baby to king size, plus wall hangings and table runners. The quilts are handmade by hundreds of quilters from Wisconsin, Illinois, California, Texas, South Carolina, and Florida.

View the quilts online at www.lutherdale.org/quilt-auction. There will also be many quilts featured in this year’s online auction that will allow bidders to join the fun without being at camp. This can all be found on Lutherdale’s website.

Friday’s Quilt Preview will be held on Friday, August 8th from 4 pm – 7 pm with silent bids accepted on both quilts and Silent Auction items. Our Wisconsin Fish Fry will be available for inside & outside dining or carryout. Meal tickets are $18/adults and $10/youth 10 & under. Proxy silent bidding for quilts ends Friday, August 8 at 10:00 p.m. On Saturday, our Chef is serving a delicious lunch menu. There will also be an ala carte menu of bakery items, snacks, and beverages from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. All food will be served near the auction area.

Free admission. Free parking. For more information, call Lutherdale at 262-742-2352 or visit website at www.lutherdale.org

Lutherdale Bible Camp is a not-for-profit organization, accredited by the American Camp Association, serves all denominations, non-profits, school groups, and more.

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

It’s also time for produce stands. This image is from 1994 of a produce stand located along East Main Street. The man is not identified, but I am sure some of you may know who this is. The historical society hopes everyone enjoys the fresh produce of the season.

(George Scharfenberg collection)

“Black Bag”

Tuesday, July 29, 1 p.m.

(Spy thriller/Mystery/Romance)

Rated R (language). 1 hour, 33 minutes (2025).

The tale of a British spy (Michael Fassbender) who must ferret out a traitor in their midst amongst five potential suspects… one of which is his wife (Cate Blanchett). Also stars Pierce Brosnan.  An erudite, clever, well-acted cat-and-mouse cloak-and-dagger spy mystery!

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 out 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/

Governor Tony Evers, whose second term will end in January, 2027, announced on July 24, 2025 that he will not be running for another term. Governors in the state are elected to four-year terms and they have no term limits. Evers will turn 74 in November.

The governor’s video message is available here. A transcript of the video message is provided below.

Hey, Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers here.

You know, I was a scrawny kid with glasses who grew up scraping mold off of cheese. I never dreamed I’d end up governor of Wisconsin. But here I am.

For the last six years, you’ve welcomed me into your churches, businesses, classrooms, farms, hospitals, and communities. I cherish every moment—every tour, visit, high five, question, and selfie. It’s the honor of my life to be able to give back to the state that raised me.

I promised you when I ran for this office that I’d always work to do the right thing, that I’d always give it to you straight, and that I’d always try to be a governor for all of Wisconsin. And I work every day to keep those promises. That’ll never change.

I began my run for governor as a proud Plymouth Progressive, and that’s still who I am today. I’m a science teacher at heart who ended up running for office and winning five straight statewide elections. 

So, would I win if I ran a sixth time? Of course. No question about that. But whether I’d win or not has never been part of my calculus about running again.

Here’s the truth: Wisconsin, the only thing I love more than being your governor is being a husband, a dad, and a grandpa.

I’ve spent 50 years in public service. I’m damn proud I devoted my entire career—and most of my life—to working for you. And from Plymouth to Baraboo, Tomah to Oshkosh, Verona to Madison, and everywhere in between, Kathy and my family supported me all the way.

Marrying Kathy is the greatest accomplishment of my life because it gave me a lifetime with her, three amazing kids, and nine incredible grandkids. For five decades, my family has sacrificed to give me the gift of service. They’re my world. And I owe it to them to focus on doing all the things we enjoy and love doing together.

It’s why, Wisconsin, I’m announcing that I will not be running for a third term.

I’m so humbled to be your governor. This is the best job I’ve ever had. And folks, we are not done yet.

There is, as always, much work to do. And, Wisconsin, I’ll be working just as hard as I have for the last six years to keep doing the right thing and deliver for you.

So, let’s get back to work. Forward, for you and for Wisconsin, always.

Thank you.