Update 7/28/25 @ 8:55 a.m. – The NWS has reduced the predicted heat index for our area from 103 to 101 degrees. Newly added: “A complex of thunderstorms is expected to approach the region late this evening. These storms are expected to be in a weakening phase as they approach, but may still be capable of producing some strong/severe wind gusts, especially over south-central Wisconsin. There is above average uncertainty regarding the track and strength of these storms; some details should become clearer by later this afternoon as storms begin to form over South Dakota.”
The National Weather Service [NWS] Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office has issued a Heat Advisory all of Southern Wisconsin for Monday from noon to 8 p.m. Our area is predicted to have a heat index of 101 degrees F during the afternoon and early evening. There is a possibility of thunderstorms and/or cloud cover lingering over our area later into the morning than anticipated, in which case the advisory-level heat indices might be delayed until mid-afternoon.
It is recommended to spend as little time as possible outdoors, and if that is necessary, to be certain to hydrate frequently.
Ron Binning shared this photo he took of the Birge Fountain on the beautiful sunny morning of July 21.
A Landmarks Trek video that was produced in 2023, the 120th anniversary year of the fountain, provides interesting information about its history.
Our thanks to Ron Binning 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!
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 ———————————————– 6:00 p.m. via Zoom Online – URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85350592490?pwd=3ybp64g4eQNd47eO4jsIvhKy5Ba558.1 – Passcode: 732656 ———————————————– – Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799 – Webinar ID: 853 5059 2490 – Passcode: 732656 ———————————————– Closed Session ———————————————– 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 ———————————————- – 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 artsprogramming.
“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
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.
