It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. It’s officially the summer season in Wisconsin and this week we have an image of an early roadside campground for people traveling in automobiles in the summer. This is Ward’s Tourist Camp, located just outside Whitewater on Highway 12 on the way to Fort Atkinson. These camps sprang up largely in the 1920s and this camp was first advertised in June of 1923. It advertised picnic grounds with water, tables, and stoves and operated during the late spring to late fall. The image features someone who has pitched a tent for, perhaps, an overnight or longer stay. Eventually these types of tourist camps gave way to roadside cabins, then motels. The last mention of this camp in the newspaper was in 1931.
Join us again next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
Starting Monday, June 9, 2025, Walworth Avenue will be closed to traffic from US Hwy 12 to Janesville Street. Local access will be maintained for residents of Walworth Avenue.
Motorists heading to Whitewater High School or the Aquatic & Fitness Center should use Elizabeth Street from the north to cross Walworth Avenue. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of August.
As was previously mentioned on The Banner, “Normally road construction in the city is its own responsibility. The Walworth Avenue project, however, was selected to be included in the funding provided to the state under the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Consequently, the state will be responsible for 80% of the cost, leaving the city with only 20%.
A partir del lunes 9 de junio de 2025, Walworth Avenue estará cerrada al tráfico desde US 12 hasta Janesville Street. Los automovilistas que se dirijan a Whitewater High School o al Centro Acuático y de Fitness deben usar Elizabeth Street desde el norte para cruzar Walworth Avenue. Se espera que la construcción esté terminada a finales de agosto.
Ann Mulligan, center, an athlete from Madison, and Lt. Nate Stetzer of the City of Wausau Police carry the flame to light a cauldron at Perkins Stadium, opening the Special Olympics Wisconsin on Thursday, June 6, 2024. UW-Whitewater hosted Special Olympics Wisconsin on June 6-8, 2024. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)
More than 1,200 athletes from across the state will compete in Cornhole, Powerlifting, Soccer, Tennis, and Track & Field at the 2025 Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) Summer Games, held at UW-Whitewater June 5-7. Several health-focused activities will complement Friday and Saturday competition, providing free oral, vision, podiatry, hearing, and fitness screenings.
The public is welcome to watch the competition and cheer on the participants.
SOWI Summer Games returns to Whitewater for the third consecutive year. It is made possible by support from Jersey Mike’s; Knights of Columbus; Dunkin’; Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation; Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Wisconsin; Kriete Truck Centers; WisPact Foundation; Ho Chunk Gaming; Spartan Nash Foundation; and OUR TEAM partners Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Admirals, Milwaukee Brewers, and Milwaukee Bucks.
About Special Olympics Wisconsin
Special Olympics Wisconsin has empowered people with intellectual disabilities for more than 50 years, providing year-round sports training and competition, health and wellness programs, school-based inclusion initiatives, and leadership development. Learn more about how together we can create a more inclusive Wisconsin at SpecialOlympicsWisconsin.org.
Updated 6/5/25 @ 5:45 p.m. – The university is providing a livestream of the celebration at Prucha Field.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will welcome home the 2025 NCAA Division III National Champion Warhawk Baseball Team at a Champions Reception tonight (6/5) at 7 pm at Prucha Field at James B. Miller Stadium. The reception is followed by a parade at 8 p.m.
Below is the schedule of events for tonight’s Champions Reception.
Schedule of Events 7:00: Gates open for Fans/Families 7:10: Player and Coach Introductions (Athletic Director Ryan Callahan) 7:20: Congratulations from Dr. Corey King 7:23: Statement from Coach Vodenlich 7:30-7:50: Photos on Field and Media Interviews 7:50: Players Leave on Float for Parade
Parking is available for this event in Lot 22. *Due to construction and Special Olympics Wisconsin occurring on campus, it is suggested you access Lot 22/Miller Stadium off of Schwager Drive from Tratt Street*
Here’s the route for the parade that begins at 8 p.m.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has issued a “Red PM2.5” (“Unhealthy:) Air Quality Advisory which is in effect for the Whitewater area, and a large portion of the state, until noon on Thursday. The concern is largely related to the wild fires in Canada. PM2.5 stands for fine particulate matter, a type of air pollution that can cause serious health problems.
The advisory indicates that “improving air quality is expected to move into Wisconsin from the northwest on Wednesday. However, smoke will continue to impact surface air quality across southern and eastern Wisconsin. Unhealthy AQI [Air Quality Index] is most likely in eastern areas near the Green Bay and Lake Michigan water bodies. Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups AQI is more likely for western portions of the advisory area.
Sensitive groups: Consider rescheduling or moving all activities inside. Go inside if you have symptoms. People with asthma: Follow your asthma action plan and keep quick-relief medicine handy. People with heart disease: Symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue may indicate a serious problem. If you have any of these, contact your health care provider. Everyone else: Keep outdoor activities shorter and less intense. Go inside if you have symptoms.
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Matthias Fischer from Pixabay.
The community is invited to join the Summer Reading Program with the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library, which runs June 9 through August 1. The library is under construction, but still has many free events planned around Whitewater throughout the summer! The fun kicks off with Science Heroes on Monday, June 9 at 4:30 p.m., an interactive program for all ages about real-life science heroes and experiments to help you discover your science power! This event will take place at the Frawley Family Amphitheater at Cravath Lakefront Park. Bring your own blanket and/or chair, if desired.
Other events during the first week include:
Teen Book Cover Design contest
William Snakespeare: help create a snake out of painted rocks
Storytime at Starin Park on Wednesday, June 11 at 9:30 a.m. (will continue weekly)
Fun Fridays on the library’s lawn: a new activity each week for kids at 3:00 p.m.
Reading Under the Lights on Friday, June 13 at 7:00 p.m. at Perkins Stadium
For complete information and the full lineup of all events during the Summer Reading Program, visit whitewaterlibrary.org or connect with the library on Facebook and Instagram.
No summer reading program would be complete without the reading! Children, teens, and adults may participate in a challenge to read at least thirty days. Complete the challenge to win a prize and be entered into a grand prize drawing. Children may also complete an activity challenge to receive an additional prize. Reading logs may be picked up at the library in a box near the book drop, at any library event, or downloaded from the library’s website.
Special thanks to First English Lutheran Church for sponsoring the adult summer reading program grand prize of a Kindle Fire! The library would also like to thank Bridges Library System, Tanis Construction, the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center, Springs Water Park, Little Amerricka, Dairy Queen, and Old World Wisconsin for their sponsorship.
The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. The library building is closed June 1-22 due to construction. Curbside services begin on June 23. Contact the library at 262-473-0530 or library@whitewater-wi.gov with questions or visit whitewaterlibrary.org.
By Lynn Binnie Whitewater Banner volunteer staff whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Bulk trash pickup is routinely provided on the second Thursday of every month, but in recent years the city has arranged with John’s Disposal to provide extra “bulk trash” pickups during the month of May. That service, of course, is particularly appreciated due to university student moveouts. This year, as was announced on The Banner,there would be four bulk pickups in the month: May 1, May 8, May 15, and May 22, 2025. Unfortunately, it seems that a number of residents understood that there would be bulk pickups on all five Thursdays in May, including the 29th. Consequently, there is still bulk trash on a number of tree lawns that won’t be picked up until June 12. Removing it from the tree lawn until the evening of the 11th would be appreciated and would ensure that residents won’t receive a notice from Neighborhood Services.
MANCHESTER, NH — Kaatje Gunnink of Whitewater (53190) has been named to Southern New Hampshire University‘s (SNHU) Spring 2025 President’s List. The spring terms run from January to May.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with a 92-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults. Now serving more than 200,000 learners worldwide, SNHU offers approximately 200 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, available online and on its 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH. Recognized as one of the “Most Innovative” regional universities by U.S. News & World Report and one of the fastest-growing universities in the country, SNHU is committed to expanding access to high quality, affordable pathways that meet the needs of each learner.
According to a press release from the City of Whitewater, “Starting Monday, June 9, Starin Road between Warhawk Drive and Prairie Street will be closed to all traffic. The University is in the process of installing new steam and condensate piping. The project is anticipated to be completed by June 18. This work is weather dependent. Traffic will be detoured using Warhawk Drive, Schwager Drive, and Prairie Street.
