An 18th birthday mushroom trip brings free spirited Elliott face to face with her wise cracking 39 year old self. But, when Elliott’s “old ass” starts handing out warnings about what her younger self should and shouldn’t be doing, she realizes she has to rethink everything about her family, life, and love during this transformational summer.
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/
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Whitewater Unites Lives (WUL).
Renea Gardner-Zuehlke is a Hometown Hero, and was nominated by Mary Sue Reutebuch “For her fiscal organization and dedication behind the scenes to the Mind the Gap program which has allowed WUL to work within a not-for-profit status and support local children.”
Renea Gardner-Zuehlke is a Hometown Hero
Mind the Gap is a program that raises funds to purchase gift cards during the summer when our school lunch programs will not be operating. Whitewater Unites Lives (WUL) uses community support to meet this need and raised the donations to fund the purchase of gift cards that homeless and impoverished families will use to buy groceries.
Renea and the UCC Congregational Church had helped with Mind the Gap until the closing of the church. WUL is grateful to the First English Lutheran Church for taking over this important work.
WUL (Whitewater Unites Lives) is a locally-focused civil and human rights group that works to connect the people in our community and to create opportunities for all people to learn and support each other in our common humanity.
Anyone who would like to nominate a local hero of any age should send their nomination, with a short description, to whitewaterunites@gmail.com
The university library is open the following hours through August 16: Monday through Thursday – 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Reference desk is only open until 3 p.m.) Friday – 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Reference desk is closed.) Closed Saturday/Sunday
Also, a reminder that the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library is offering curbside pickup until the construction is complete. Patrons are also welcome to visit and check out materials at any of the other system libraries, including Fort Atkinson and Palmyra.
Jefferson County residents with private drinking water wells can get their water screened for nitrate at the Jefferson County Fair. Staff from the Jefferson Country Land and Water Department and Health Department will be available for the nitrate screening on Wednesday, July 9th through Friday July 11th from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM. They will be located in the Expo Building adjacent to the Activity Center.
When bringing in a sample to be screened for nitrate, please follow the below steps: Collect sample in a clean glass or plastic bottle/jar (about eight ounces of water is sufficient) Obtain the sample no more than 24 hours before the screening Take samples from the main drinking water source without touching bottle/jar to faucet Run faucet for 5-10 minutes on cold at full flow before collecting sample Samples typically take 7 minutes for results
Jefferson County staff will explain the results and may recommend that a water sample be sent to a lab for analysis. Educational information about well water, groundwater contaminants and treatment options will be available.
On weekdays from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM throughout the year, citizens can also get their well water screened for nitrate at the Health Department (1541 Annex Road, Jefferson) or the Land and Water Conservation Department (311 S Center Ave, C1050, Jefferson).
For more information on nitrate screening or well testing in Jefferson County, please contact Colton Hutchinson at 920-674-7111 or CHutchinson@jeffersoncountywi.gov.
To learn more about health-related issues with nitrates, please reach out to Elizabeth McGeary at 920-674-7275 or Health@jeffersoncountywi.gov
City of Whitewater Public Works Committee – Tuesday @ 5:15 p.m. Agenda includes Discussion and Possible Action regarding Walworth Avenue and Prince Street intersection safety ideas. Cravath Lakefront Room, 2nd Floor 312 W. 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. Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83549177613?pwd=CLbav3QzvF0WaHio9MesLMUIbDSx0Z.1 Telephone: Webinar ID: Passcode: +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) 835 4917 7613 020567
City of Whitewater Alcohol Licensing Committee – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m. The agenda has not been posted as of 7/6/25.
City of Whitewater Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Commission – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m. The agenda has not been posted as of 7/6/25.
Whitewater Arts Alliance Presents the 16th Annual Fran Achen Juried Photography Exhibition July 5–27, 2025 | Cultural Arts Center, 402 W. Main Street, Whitewater, WI
Whitewater, WI – The Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) proudly presents the 16th Annual Fran Achen Juried Photography Exhibition, continuing a tradition that honors the legacy of local photographer and educator Fran Achen. This year’s exhibition features both traditional gallery display of photographs from the Print Division, together with projected photographs from the new Digital Division. Online web galleries will display all images from both divisions during the run of the exhibit at whitewaterarts.org/fran-achen-2025.
Works by fifty-seven photographic artists from Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Florida were selected from a much larger submission field by an experienced jury panel. Over 200 photographs will be on display at the Cultural Arts Center in Whitewater – about 100 on the gallery walls and another 100 or so using projection systems in the gallery.
The public is invited to a special reception, featuring a gallery talk and awards presentation, on Sunday, July 6, from 1 pm–3 pm. Many of the artists will be on-hand for the reception which will make it an excellent opportunity to meet them, enjoy refreshments, and explore the exhibit in an informal, friendly atmosphere where all are welcome.
While the awards presented at the reception will have been awarded by the jury panel, the public is also asked to weigh-in. The Print Viewer’s Choice Award is chosen by in-gallery voting. The Print People’s Choice and Digital People’s Choice Awards are chosen by public online voting. Voting for these awards continues throughout the run of the exhibit and the awards are announced on the last day of the exhibit.
Jeff McDonald, President of the Whitewater Arts Alliance and longtime chair of the Achen exhibit, shared: “The Fran Achen Exhibition continues to evolve in exciting ways, but its heart remains the same—celebrating the power of photography to connect, inspire, and reflect our shared experiences. It’s been a privilege to help nurture this event and witness the incredible talent it draws year after year.”
To mark the closing of the exhibition, WAA welcomes a special live performance by Pieces of Eight, a semiprofessional summer woodwind octet, on Sunday, July 27. Featuring musicians from southern Wisconsin, the ensemble will perform selections by Mozart, Hidas, Kalinnikov, and a newly commissioned work by Wisconsin composer Brian Packham. A suggested goodwill donation of $10 is appreciated.
Gallery Exhibit Hours Thursdays: 12-4 pm Fridays: 12-4 pm Saturdays: 12-4 pm Sundays: 12-4 pm Note: The gallery is closed outside of Gallery Exhibit Hours except for special events.
Come celebrate the creativity, community, and enduring impact of the arts in Whitewater.
For more information, please contact: Kim Adams, Gallery Director, Whitewater Arts Alliance Phone: 608-201-2151 Email: wwartsalliance@gmail.com Website: whitewaterarts.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/wwartsalliance
“20 Years of Celebrating the Arts and Creating Community!”
The Greater Whitewater Committee is set to host Whitewater Unified School District’s newly named Superintendent, Samuel Karns, as a guest speaker at the upcoming July GWC meeting.
The Greater Whitewater Committee (GWC) is set to host Whitewater Unified School District’s (WUSD) newly named Superintendent, Samuel Karns, as a guest speaker at the upcoming July GWC meeting. Karns will be presenting on the values and goals he brings to the WUSD and the greater Whitewater community.
This event will take place on Thursday, July 10th at 7:00 a.m. at the Community Engagement Center: 1260 W Main St.
Samuel Karns has assumed the role of Superintendent of Whitewater Unified School District. He expressed his honor and excitement about joining the Leadership Team at WUSD, with a primary focus on keeping students as the #1 priority. Karns is dedicated to fostering an equitable environment where high expectations for academic achievement and continuous improvement are upheld for every student, every day, in a unified way.
Before joining WUSD, Karns served as the principal at Todd Elementary in Beloit, WI, for the past three years. He recently received the Herb Kohl Leadership Award and was named Wisconsin’s 2025 Elementary Principal of the Year by the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators (AWSA) for his leadership at Todd Elementary; he is honored for promoting a collaborative culture, engaging the diverse needs of students, and raising the school and surrounding community to a higher standard than ever before. Karns is also committed to the Whole Child approach, actively promoting the Whole School Whole Community Whole Child framework from ASCD [fomerly known as the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development] by speaking on it at national and state level conferences.
Samuel completed his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2007 and obtained a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M University in 2013. He recently finished his superintendent licensure program at Concordia University in December 2024 and is currently pursuing his Doctorate degree.
Outside of his professional commitments, Samuel enjoys exercising, playing golf, and spending time with his wife, Jamie, and their four children: Jackson, Tanner, Milo, and Danbi.
The GWC’s upcoming monthly meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 10th at 7 a.m. at the Community Engagement Center: 1260 W Main St, Whitewater, WI 53190. The public is more than welcome to attend this meeting to learn more about the new superintendent. If you are interested in attending, you must RSVP. To reserve your spot, contact Jeff Knight at jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com or 920.728.0662 by Wednesday, July 9th.
“We are very excited to have Samuel Karns at our next meeting,” said GWC President, Jeffery Knight. “We are happy to have the chance to get to know him and welcome him to Whitewater.”
The GWC is an action-oriented group committed to collaborating with citizens, elected officials, and policy makers to identify, craft, and implement a pro-business agenda. The agenda advances the economic, education, and social policies needed to energize and secure the Whitewater area’s economic future, as well as protect Whitewater’s quality of life.
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.
Happy 4th of July! Here is a photo from 2005 of the 4th grounds at Lakefront Park. The 4th grounds were moved to Lakefront Park in 2001, so this will be the 24th year the festivities have been held here. Previously, the grounds were at Starin Park.
The historical society hopes everyone has a safe and fun 4th!
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
This image was taken by volunteers or staff of Downtown Whitewater, Inc at a prior year’s fireworks show.
Updated 7/2/25 @ 8:45 p.m. to add the push-in for the new fire truck on Friday.
Join us for Whitewater’s Annual 4th of July Celebration — happening July 3rd–6th at the Cravath Lakefront!
It’s a tradition generations strong — where family, friends, and neighbors come together to celebrate Independence Day with:
TWO nights of fireworks
A family-owned carnival with rides, games, funnel cakes, & more!
Food & beer served up by local churches and civic groups
Live music at the Frawley Ampitheatre
A massive 4th of July parade full of hometown spirit
And don’t forget there’s also: Miss Whitewater Pageant, Karaoke, Car Show, AND family day complete with camel rides!
There’s something for everyone, and **you’re invited** to be part of the celebration!
4th of July Festival Quick Tips from the questions we get most often:
– Festival opens Thursday. Full schedule on Website – www.whitewater4th.com or at the bottom of this article
– Festival is cash only. Yup it’s true, plan ahead.
– Wrist band sessions are on the festival schedule and only at specific times not throughout the entire event.
– All food vendors south of the railroad tracks are local organizations – this is a fundraiser for them. Please support them as much and as often as you can. [Food and beverages from the community groups require tickets that are purchased from the festival booths. Those tickets may not be used for the carnival rides and food.]
– Fireworks are 10 pm 7/4, 7/5. If for any reason there are weather changes the ONLY place to stay informed is the Whitewater 4th of July Festival Facebook page, we are a water launch and a metal platform + explosives + lightning don’t mix.
– The festival (outside of family owned and operated carnival) is volunteer run; please be kind and thankful for the tremendous amount of time these folks invest in this event to celebrate with their friends and neighbors.
– The parade is 7/4 at 10 am. Preceded by the Whippet City Mile at 9:45. Road closure is a firm 9:30 am.
– Road closures around the festival on Whitewater St run through 7/7. Thanks for your patience.
– Helping hands make light work. The festival is always seeking volunteers and donor support. Connect with us down at the ticket booths or by email whitewater4th@gmail.com
– Thank the city streets crews when you see them. They are also working as hard as our volunteers, and we are so thankful for their partnership.
Last but not least, be patient with our social media page, we try to answer comments but once we’re on-site that is our primary focus.
Have an absolutely amazing holiday week, be safe, hydrate, and have fun! PS we really won’t mind if you share this post to help remind your friends!
Festival Schedule
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Christman Family Amusements Wrist Band Session: 5-9 PM, $25 each wrist band Family Day Sponsored by Generac 4-7 PM Karaoke at Frawley Ampitheater: 4-6 PM Miss Whitewater Pageant at Frawley Ampitheater: 6:30 PM Civic Organization Food Vendors: 4-11 PM
Friday, July 4
Whippet City Mile: 9:45 AM along parade route 4th of July Parade: 10 AM Civic Organization Food Vendors: 10 AM to 11 PM Push-in ceremony for new fire engine – Noon at the Fire Department (holding off till 12:30 if the parade is still underway) Christman Family Amusements: 12-4 PM Wrist band Session Live Music at Frawley Amphitheater: After the Parade – enjoy one of the bands in the parade on stage! 2 PM Jeff Winard Polka Party 5 PM Rural Route 3 8 PM Stetsin and Lace Fireworks: 10 PM
Saturday, July 5
Christman Family Amusements Wrist Band Sessions: 12-4 pm, 5-9 pm – $25 40th Annual Car Show 2-6 PM Civic Organization Food Vendors: Noon to 11 PM Live Music at the Frawley Ampitheater: 12-1:30 PM Brian Matteson 2 PM Sawyer Road 5 PM Gebel Girls 8 PM Brightside Fireworks 10 PM
Sunday, July 6
Carnival Only – Last chance for rides and a wrist band session! Christman Family Amusements Wrist Band Special: 12 to 4 PM, $25 each
Editor’s note: This article is based on the festival’s Facebook page and website.
The editor was on vacation for ten days recently, and the Banner is most appreciative of our longtime volunteer staffers keeping the “presses” running so capably during this time. Laura Masbruch had her eye on the very active inbox while formatting and publishing the posts. Dee Hoglund provided support. Thank you, Laura and Dee, for your dedicated work throughout the years, and especially for taking on this additional responsibility.
TWO nights of fireworks
A family-owned carnival with rides, games, funnel cakes, & more!
F
Live music at the Frawley Ampitheatre
A massive 4th of July parade full of hometown spirit