“Spring Splash, an unofficial annual event in anticipation of warmer weather and the conclusion of the UW-Whitewater academic year, is taking place on Saturday, May 3. Event participants are primarily UW-W students and friends. Spring Splash has no official connection with UW-W. An organization known as “Wisconsin Red” publicized the early versions of the event in 2013 through 2015 with relatively few problems. In 2016, however, as social media spread word of the event, crowds became large and unmanageable. Problems included public drunkenness, disorderly conduct and large-scale litter. Wisconsin Red pulled its formal sponsorship of Spring Splash in 2017, and their involvement now appears to be limited to online merchandise sales.
In recent years the event has gone forward with less issues than once occurred, but the Whitewater Police Department annually requests mutual aid on a prescheduled basis from the county sheriff’s departments and nearby municipal police departments. Whitewater Police Chief Dan Meyer posted the following notice on the department’s Facebook page this week: “We’d like to inform the public that on Saturday, May 3rd, there will be increased law enforcement presence in the City of Whitewater in response to Spring Splash. Our goal is to maintain public safety and order, and we rely heavily on the community in order to accomplish that. As always, dial 911 if you have an emergency, and contact the Whitewater Police Department at 262-473-0555 option #4 to request a non-emergent police response. Thank you for helping us ensure a safe environment for everyone.”
Saturday, May 03, 2025 @ 7:30 PM The Young Performing Arts Center 930 W Main St
Experience the brilliance of the esteemed Whitewater Symphony Orchestra. Immerse yourself in a captivating symphonic journey as the orchestra’s harmonious blend of woodwinds, brass, percussion and strings come together to bring classical masterworks and modern-day compositions to life. With their unrivaled talent and dedication to musical excellence, the WSO promises an unforgettable performance that will leave you awe-inspired. Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for those age 65+ or under age 18. Tickets may be purchased online or at the Ticket Services office in the Greenhill Center for the Arts, 950 W. Main Street, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tickets purchased at the door are subject to a $2 surcharge.
Symphonic Wind Ensemble & Friends
Sunday, May 04, 2025 @ 3:00 PM The Young Performing Arts Center 930 W Main St.
Join us for the Symphonic Wind Ensemble’s post Carnegie Hall performance featuring two of our outstanding faculty members. Dr. Carson King-Fournier performs the jazz-influenced “Concerto for Trombone” by Dana Wilson and Dr. Diana Shapiro performs Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” in a delayed celebration of the work’s centennial. You don’t want to miss this spectacular combination of jazz and classical music! Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for those age 65+ or under age 18. Tickets may be purchased online or at the Ticket Services office in the Greenhill Center for the Arts, 950 W. Main Street, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tickets purchased at the door are subject to a $2 surcharge.
Chamber Singers and Vocal Jazz
Sunday, May 04, 2025 @ 7:30 PM Light Recital Hall 950 W Main St.
Experience the vocal mastery of the Chamber Singers and Vocal Jazz groups as they come together for an exciting evening of music. Featuring student conductors, this concert promises to be an eclectic celebration of vocal talent. Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for those age 65+ or under age 18. Tickets may be purchased online or at the Ticket Services office in the Greenhill Center for the Arts, 950 W. Main Street, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tickets purchased at the door are subject to a $2 surcharge.
Sophia Garbelman, Riley Smith, Lexi Subotnik, Anna Pineda, Ashley Sparrow
By Pat Blackmer President of the Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs
Make a Difference Day is an event at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, held annually to inspire and mobilize the campus community to engage in meaningful service activities. This day is dedicated to fostering a spirit of volunteerism and collective action, aiming to create a lasting impact on the local community and beyond.
The Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs was fortunate to have a group of young ladies who volunteered to assist club members with the annual spring landscape clean-up at the historic Bassett House on Friday, April 25th . With their assistance, leaves were raked, weeds were pulled and bushes were trimmed.
UW-Whitewater’s Make a Difference Day exemplifies the power of collective action and the positive influence of community service. By uniting students and local residents in purposeful activities, this event not only addresses immediate needs but also fosters a culture of empathy and proactive engagement. As it continues to grow and evolve, Make a Difference Day will undoubtedly remain a cornerstone of UW-Whitewater’s commitment to making a meaningful difference in the world.
Warhawks Give is happening April 30 at 9 a.m. – May 1 at 4 p.m., and we’re celebrating 1868 Minutes to Give—honoring the year UW-Whitewater was founded in 1868 and the generations of Warhawks who have shaped its legacy.
For 1868 minutes, alumni, donors, and friends will come together to support the students, programs, and initiatives that make UW-Whitewater special. Your gift—no matter the size—helps provide scholarships, enhance campus experiences, and strengthen the future of our university. Join us in making an impact today!
Click on this link to see the progress of the campaign, specific funds that may be designated for a gift, and a video about what makes UW-Whitewater so special.
The Whitewater Music Boosters is holding its next monthly meeting on Monday, May 5th from 5:30-6:30 PM. Join us at WHS – Room 403 or via Google Meet at the following link: https://meet.google.com/fko-afzc-hxa.
Way #1: Run for a seat on the Board! The positions of President, Treasurer, and Sponsorships/Fundraising Chair are up for election at the upcoming meeting. Position descriptions are in the Constitution.
Way #2: Volunteer!
Whitewater music events frequently need your assistance. Look for other opportunities from Whitewater Music Boosters and from teachers. Volunteering is a great way to support students in their music experience.
Way #3:
Donate/Fundraise! In addition to supporting student activities through volunteering, Music Boosters supports the growth of students through sponsoring music related activities and providing monetary support for instruments, uniforms, and other needed items that aren’t budgeted for. Donors are recognized on social media and through the programs at district music events but can also donate anonymously if it’s preferred.
1139 W Highland St, Whitewater Household moving May 2, 9-6 pm & May 3, 8-3 pm. Furniture- all rooms, dining table sets, dishes, flatware, kitchen items, beds, stereo, desk, chairs, etc.
As a result of a reader’s comment that it’s hard to find garage sales in Whitewater now that we no longer have a weekly shopper, the Banner staff agreed to offer a complimentary “consolidated” garage sale posting that will be published by Thursday morning for the upcoming weekend’s sales. This announcement will only be for garage sales (a sale of miscellaneous household goods, often held in the garage or front yard of someone’s house) in the city and school district boundaries. We will not be accepting, for example, ads for cars or other items that are not part of a scheduled garage sale. There will be a limit of three times per year for a particular property.
Those wishing to place a notice must send the information to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com by Wednesday at 6 p.m. You may include a brief description of the items that are for sale, the hours and days of the sale, and of course your address. If desired you can also include a few photos; we prefer the jpg format if possible.
Electronics Recycling Event Saturday, May 17, 2025 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
(The event will end if the truck is full before 12:00 p.m., so come early) Editor’s note: This is always a very popular event, and the truck has usually filled quickly.
LOT B, 312 W. Whitewater St. (across from the Train Depot at Cravath Lakefront)
All TV’s – $20 Old tube CRT computer monitors – $10 Microwaves – $5 Exercise equipment – $5 Other items accepted: computers, laptops, monitors, servers, tablets, switches, UPS batteries, printers, shredders, phones, keyboards/mice, hard drives, circuit boards, wires/cables, stereos, VCRs, DVD Players, stereos, power tools, gaming systems, cameras, test equipment, appliances, metal, and much more… Cash and checks Only…NO credit cards will be accepted!!
Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the City of Whitewater Department of Public Works.
Written by Dave Fidlin | Photos by Craig Schreiner and Martinez Milton
Over the past four decades, longtime Whitewater residents Richard “Dick” and Roni Telfer have made an imprint on the community in numerous ways. The importance of education has been one of the common threads that has tied together their professional and personal endeavors.
In 1985, Dick Telfer began 30 years of professional service to UW-Whitewater, culminating in his role as chancellor from 2007 to 2015 before his retirement. Roni Telfer’s contributions in education included leadership roles in the community and an instructional technology position with UW-Whitewater.
“We decided nearly 40 years ago we wanted to live in this community,” the former chancellor said. “If we’re going to live in the community, we want to take part in whatever goes on.”
UW-Whitewater Chancellor Richard Telfer, right, and his wife Roni wave to spectators during the Homecoming parade on Saturday, October 25, 2014. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)
Thinking back to her foundational experiences of establishing roots in Whitewater with her husband, Roni Telfer said one overarching goal was top-of-mind and carefully cultivated over the years.
“When Dick took the chancellor position, we made a conscious decision that we were going to try to pull the community and the campus closer together,” she said. “We were going to try to encourage the folks on the campus to be engaged in the community, and the community to be engaged with the campus.”
The couple’s assorted contributions on and off the UW-Whitewater campus are significant and enduring — for which they have been named the recipient of the 2025 S.A. White Award, which is presented to non-alumni for significant philanthropic contributions to the university. The award was presented at the Founders Day Celebration on April 26.
The establishment of the Whitewater University Innovation Center, a multi-tenant facility within the city’s technology park, is among the milestones that took place during his oversight of UW-Whitewater and is an example of the campus-city collaborative partnerships that flourished as a result.
“It really was a joint effort between the city and the campus,” Telfer said of the center’s creation. “The idea behind the effort was, ‘Can we do this together?’ It’s difficult to do it separately. We wanted to marshal our folks. We have talented individuals on the university side who put a lot of time and effort into it. We also had equally talented individuals on the city side, with important contributions from many.”
From left, Lisa Johnson of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, UW-Whitewater Chancellor Richard Telfer and Whitewater City Manager Cameron Clapper present UW-Whitewater entrepreneurship student Andrew Hoeft with a $10,000 Seed Capital Accelerator Fund check for his business, Date Check Pro, at Whitewater University Technology Park on Feb. 5, 2013. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)
While they both hail from Michigan and have lived in other areas within the Midwest, they said they were happy to call Whitewater home. His career in education began as a high school teacher in Indiana and Wisconsin — including time in Elkhorn. Her 37-year career in education included teaching in public schools in Michigan, Indiana, Kansas, and Wisconsin and serving as an administrator in Beloit and Whitewater.
After Dick received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1984, they departed for Kansas for one year before returning to the familiar southeastern Wisconsin terrain — he began his first role at UW-Whitewater as a faculty member in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
He gradually moved into part-time administrative roles, in graduate studies and as a department chair. He moved into administration full-time in 1997, in the next decade serving as vice chancellor and provost before being named interim chancellor in 2007.
Reflecting on the pivotal moment in the mid-1980s that began his tenure with UW-Whitewater, Telfer said there were a number of attractive and notable features of campus that remain hallmarks today.
“It’s the right-sized place for many people,” he said. “It’s not too big, and it’s not too small. You have faculty who are really interested in working with the students. I think it’s a supportive atmosphere for many people. They feel supported.”
From left, Richard Telfer, former chancellor, his wife Roni, and social work lecturer James Winship watch the women’s and men’s wheelchair basketball teams host a home tournament at UW-Whitewater in November 2017 at Kachel Fieldhouse. (UW-Whitewater photo/Martinez Milton)
She reflected on an informal gathering years ago, when she and Dick had faculty to their home. In this particular instance, members of the biology department were over, discussing a forthcoming trip to Yellowstone National Park.
“We got to discussing a situation where there were a couple of students in a class who were in wheelchairs and how the instructor said he would have loved to have found a way to get them out there,” she said. “They did wind up doing an excursion out there. They made arrangements to make it accessible.”
He said he is especially appreciative of UW-Whitewater’s merit-based King/Chávez Scholars Program, a program that he helped launch, which helps prepare first-generation students with the transition from high school to a college setting.
“If you’re from a background with family members who haven’t gone to college, you need to learn how to do college,” he said. “In order to do that, it’s helpful to have people who can help you understand that.”
An outpouring of love for UW-Whitewater Chancellor Richard Telfer fills the Hamilton Room of the University Center on April 27, 2015, as university staff pay their respects to their retiring leader. Telfer, center, stands with his grandchildren and wife Roni at the close of the program. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)
Since they retired, they have remained active in UW-Whitewater and the broader community. They have served on boards and contributed their time and talent to a number of local organizations, including the Whitewater Arts Alliance, Whitewater Community Foundation, the Fort Memorial Hospital Foundation and Fort Memorial Hospital Governing Board. Dick Telfer joined the UW-Whitewater Foundation Board of Directors, where he serves as a strong supporter and advocate.
Roni Telfer has held leadership positions in several community organizations, including the Whitewater Community Foundation. Shown here, from left, in November 2022 are Bonnie Miller, WFC program coordinator; Ginny Coburn, WCF board member; Roni Telfer, WCF board co-president; and Lisa Kaminski, advisor at Lincoln Elementary, who are holding a “Big Check” for the Whitewater Unified School District Robotics Program. Lincoln Brick Layer team members and fifth grade students Saul Mendoza, Amelia LeFaive, Paige Callahan and Emma Kuzoff are holding the check. (Submitted photo)
He singles out the couple’s involvement in Bethel House, a community effort organized by local church members who help provide transitional housing for people in need. As he sees it, providing stability through one of life’s most essential needs at times of difficulty increases the likelihood of success.
With friends, the couple has established the Richard and Veronica Telfer Fellowship Program, which provides support for a faculty member and curriculum development in the College of Education and Professional Studies, and the Telfer Incentive Program, for the support of a second faculty member. They have provided financial support to numerous programs at UW-Whitewater, including the College of Education and Professional Studies, the College of Arts and Communication and the Young Auditorium, Hyland Hall, Athletics, and Wheelchair Basketball.
“If you are given something, you need to give back.”
Editor’s note: This article appeared on UW-Whitewater’s website.
The Wisconsin Makers Inc hosted our 9th Spring Iron Pour on April 12. Teresa “Tree” Lind is the UWW Metal Arts instructor, and her students and alumni fire the forge and melt iron and about 50 people scratch sand mold and make metal Art.
A video of the pouring may be found below.
Editor’s note: This report was submitted courtesy of Ron Binning.
According to a press release from the Whitewater Police Department, “On Friday, April 25, 2025, the Whitewater Police Department arrested six adult males for a variety of crimes and municipal ordinance violations. These arrests were part of a human trafficking operation targeting criminal activity in the Whitewater area. The six individuals arrested ranged between 24 to 57 years of age. Each of the six subjects was confined in the Walworth County Jail and referred to either the Whitewater Municipal Court and/or the Walworth County District Attorney’s Office on one or more of the following charges:
Six (6) counts of Prostitution One (1) count of Operating while Intoxicated 4th offense One (1) count of felony possession of THC One (1) count of municipal possession of THC Six (6) counts of disorderly conduct One (1) count of misdemeanor bail jumping Four (4) counts of felony bail jumping Three (3) counts of possession of drug paraphernalia One (1) count of possession of cocaine One (1) count of failure to install an ignition interlock device One (1) count of possession of fentanyl
Our agency worked closely with our law enforcement partners to address the growing problem of human trafficking in our area. This issue affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Victims are often coerced, manipulated, or forced into situations where they lose their freedom and are subjected to unimaginable abuse. The Whitewater Police Department recognizes the profound impact this crime has on individuals and families and continues to work diligently to identify, rescue, and support victims while holding perpetrators accountable.
The Whitewater Police Department would like to thank the City of Delavan Police Department, City of Lake Geneva Police Department, UW-Whitewater Police Department and Walworth County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this investigation. It is noted that this case has not been concluded. Unless a judgment of conviction is entered, the defendants are presumed innocent of all charges.”
