NCAA DIII Volleyball Championship – UW-W Taking on Emory Wednesday

Salem, Va. — The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s volleyball team is set to open the 2024 NCAA Division III Championship with a quarterfinal match against Emory University Wednesday, December 4. The championship is being held at the Cregger Center at Roanoke College. 

The sixth-seeded Warhawks (29-3) will take on the number three seed Eagles (29-2) at 11:30 ET Wednesday. The match will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN+. 

For more information: https://uwwsports.com/news/2024/11/27/ncaa-championship-preview-warhawk-volleyball-sets-sights-on-salem.aspx

A Ceremony of Carols with WARM Choir & Harpist Lauren Hayes – Sunday


WARM Christmas Cantata – Sunday, December 8 at 10:00 am and 3:00 pm

A Ceremony of Carols, composed by Benjamin Britton in 1942, is an eleven song work that includes solos, duets, and full choruses, all accompanied by harp. The cantata will be presented at First United Methodist Church, 145 S. Prairie St., twice on Sunday, Dec. 8. The 10 am presentation is embedded in the morning service while the 3:00 performance will also have a guest presentation by the UW-W Tuba ensemble playing Christmas carols. The full choir is comprised of singers from FUMC, Bethel UMC, LaGrange UMC, and the UCC Congregational Church.

Lauren Hayes, Chicago professional harpist, is featured in this stunning collaboration of voices and harp. The work tells the Christmas story using Middle English and Modern English and a little Latin. The musical styles range from Medieval Chant to contemporary chords and invigorating rhythms. Soloists featured are Katie Fortney, Jennifer Crone, Barb Taylor, Kay Ebert and Nathan Roley. The choir is accompanied by James Athas and conducted by Christine Hayes.

A Ceremony of Carols is a prominent work in Christian choral music and an event not to be missed. The harp accompaniment joined with the singing is wickedly exciting and not frequently heard! The addition of the UW-W Tuba Ensemble filling the sanctuary with glorious deep sounds is a wonderful bonus.

As always, these performances are free of charge and open to all. Bring your friends!

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by First United Methodist Church.

Daughters of the American Revolution Dedicate a Liberty Tree

The Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution has
dedicated a Liberty Tree at Evergreen Cemetery. In a brief ceremony Friday, Nov. 15, members of the DAR and guests set a marker at the elm tree, located across from the Soldiers’ Circle in the Fort Atkinson cemetery. The tree replaces a nearby pine that was felled in July 2023 by straight-line winds that damaged nearly 70 trees at the northside cemetery. The engraved marker was donated by member Christine Spangler in memory of her late mother, Virgil Blumer, a longtime member, secretary and chaplain of the John Bell Chapter of DAR in Madison.

“An ‘America 250!’ grant offered by the National Society Daughters of the American
Revolution was applied for and granted to our local DAR Chapter: Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce,” DAR Chapter Regent Nancy Olson said. “We chose to have an elm planted, not only to help ‘reforest’ the cemetery, but to provide a lasting tribute to our patriot ancestors.” She pointed out that in early America and Europe, trees were used as meeting places. They often served as the community’s bulletin board. “In New England and other colonies, holding an unauthorized meeting was dangerous and could be life threatening. But chatting under a tree appeared innocuous, therefore safer,” Olson said. Leading up to the American Revolution, a stately elm on the Boston Common served as a place to demonstrate dissatisfaction with British rule. Planted near the intersection of what today are Washington and Essex streets, the elm was nearly 120 years old when, on Aug.14, 1765, a band of discontented merchants and artisans calling themselves the Loyal Nine hung in the tree a straw-stuffed effigy of Andrew Oliver, the lieutenant-governor of Massachusetts. They were protesting the Stamp Act, which required required all legal documents, permits, commercial contracts, newspapers, pamphlets and playing cards in the American colonies to carry a tax stamp. When the Stamp Act was repealed in 1766, townspeople decorated the large elm with flags, streamers and lanterns. A copper sign fastened to the trunk read, “This tree was planted in the year 1646, and pruned by order of the Sons of Liberty, Feb. 14th, 1766.” “Bostonians called it ‘The Tree of Liberty.’ The tree was a safe place to foment a rebellion,” Olson said. “This elm tree provides a nod to our patriot ancestors, who were willing to act for a more just future. Here, in the Soldier’s Circle, we honor the patriots who have gone before … including two Revolutionary War soldiers buried in Jefferson County.”

As a side note, Olson shared that loyalists to King George III cut down the original Liberty Tree in Boston Common in 1775, and British soldiers used the resulting 14 cords of wood for heat. After the British evacuated Boston the following year, patriots returning to the city erected a liberty pole at the site. Standing there during an 1825 tour of Boston, the Marquis de Lafayette declared, “The world should never forget the spot where once stood Liberty Tree, so famous in your annals.”

After the dedication, Evergreen Cemetery Association President Brad Wilcox thanked the DAR for its tree donation. “The Liberty Tree stands in a spot where we hold the city’s Memorial Day services every year, so when they come to the observance, (attendees) will stand under and by this Liberty Tree,” he said. Wilcox noted that the Liberty Tree is located across the road from the cemetery’s new flagpole. It fills a void left by the loss of a bur oak, white pine and cedar tree. He said that the 32 fully healthy trees lost in the storm included those three, as well as many planted toward North Main Street near the grave of Dwight Foster, the community’s first settler of European descent. Wilcox added that his granddaughter counted the rings on stumps of the felled trees and found 10 to have been more than 150 years old.

DAR members attending the dedication were Cheryl Hoeth, Regent Nancy Olson, Chaplain Val Cole, Registrar Jessica Punzel, Vice Regent Janet Stehling, Gayle Beck, Vicki Schicker, Mary Narkis, Jane Fary and Christine Spangler. In addition to Wilcox, guests included cemetery grounds supervisor Raughn Ferrell; cemetery head sexton Neal Traeder; Fort Atkinson City Council President Davin Lescohier; American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars member Dan Juday; and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 409 member Larry Narkis.

Organized in 1899, the Fort Atkinson Chapter of DAR was one of the earliest and largest chapters in Wisconsin for many years. In 1992, it merged with the Eli Pierce Chapter, which was founded in Whitewater in 1941. Today, chapter members reside in Fort Atkinson, Watertown, Lake Mills, Jefferson, Whitewater, Milton, Janesville and surrounding communities, as well as in several other states.

Computer Science Students Compete in Two Events

Computer science students at Whitewater High School have been testing their skills against other students from the region as well as across the country by competing in two recent problem-solving challenges.

All computer science students took part in the annual Bebra’s Computational Thinking Challenge in early November. This online competition challenged students to tackle visual problems within the areas of informatics and computational thinking. Students were divided into two divisions based on grade level, with freshmen and sophomores competing in the Junior Division and juniors and seniors facing off in the Senior Division. The challenge was available nationally.

Bebra’s Computational Thinking Challenge Winners Margaret Brown, Ace Hudec, Josh Nygren, Zoe Olson, and Andrew O’Toole (not pictured Carson Miller, Jayden Kehrer, and Quinlan McCarthy)

Sophomore Josh Nygren was the top scoring Whitewater student in the Junior Division. Finishing in a tie for second in the Junior Division were sophomore Carson Miller and freshman Jayden Kehrer.

In the Senior Division, top honors went to senior Andrew O’Toole, who was one question shy of matching the top score in the state with a score that ranked in the 98.4th percentile nationally. Second place in the Senior Division went to junior Ace Hudec, with senior Zoe Olson finishing third. Also receiving distinctions in the Senior Division were junior Margaret Brown and senior Quinlan McCarthy.

On Friday, November 22, thirteen programming students traveled to the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) for the annual Opportunity Conference Computer Competition. Whitewater students divided into four teams, with the newest programmers competing in Python and the more advanced students competing in Java. 50 teams from 13 schools from Wisconsin and Illinois competed throughout the morning to solve up to 9 problems of varying difficulty. The Whitewater team of Andrew O’Toole, Ace Hudec, Margaret Brown, and Zoe Olson placed 8th overall, finishing just one problem solution behind the winning team from Crystal Lake Central High School in Illinois. Other Whitewater programmers who accepted this challenge included sophomore Silas Long, sophomore Colby Long, senior Rae Breisath, junior Izzy Lavertu, Carson Miller, freshman Mason Schwartz, junior Narek Keshishyan, senior Alexis Amaya-Tizapa, and freshman James Pinzino.

MSOE Competitors in front of the supercomputer Rosie

Whitewater High School offers ten different computer science courses including Python Programming, AP Computer Science A, Microcontroller Programming, Digital Electronics, Networking, Web Programming, Computer Concepts, App Development, Game Development, and a Senior Project Studio. Five of these courses are transcripted with Gateway Technical College so that students can earn both credit at WHS and at Gateway. Computer Programming Team members will have the opportunity to compete one more time this school year at the Marquette University Programming Contest in April.

Article submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Computer Science Teacher
lmasbruch@wwusd.org

Obituary: Charles Aubrey “Skip” Grover, 83

Charles Aubrey “Skip” Grover
February 11, 1941 – November 25, 2024

WHITEWATER – Charles Aubrey “Skip” Grover, passed away on Monday, November 25, 2024. He was born in Dent, Minn., on February 11, 1941, the youngest son of Verlie Evangeline (nee Babcock) and Cyril Erwin Grover. His older sisters Elaine, Elizabeth and Verna Mae, and older brother, Duane (Cyril Duane) all predeceased him.

Skip attended University of Minnesota – Moorhead for his undergraduate degree. He joined the U.S. Army National Guard in Minnesota and continued to serve after transferring to California. Skip went on to receive his Ph.D. in Theatre Research from University of California – Davis. His daughter, Holly, was born in California in 1971, and son, Brian, was born in California in 1973. The family moved to Wisconsin in 1974, where he had accepted a position with the UW- Whitewater Theatre Department. He taught acting, directing, and theatre history, often directing three plays a year, and serving as academic advisor – mostly to students going into education, until his retirement in 2017.

On June 3, 2007, he married Carolyn Engstrom, better-known as Carna, mother of Roy, Shawna, and Tamara, and they lived together in Whitewater until this year. They cherished making memories and having adventures with his children and Carna’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild, Alagaesia, Aiden, Cierra, Cienna, Alyssa, Evion and her son, Broxdon, Joshua, Saudaie, Sylvanus, Sivon and Zane.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Fitchburg
Funeral & Cremation Care
2950 Chapel Valley Road
(608) 442-5002

Whitewater Walks in Unity

Editor’s Note:  The following was provided by the Be Kind Committee (photos by Josh Stoughton and Sara Kuhl).

More than 60 people walked in unity at the CommUnity Walk on Saturday, November 16 in Whitewater.  The purpose of the walk was to support unity and encourage kindness. 

This picture represents a portion of the 60 people who walked. Photo credit to Josh Stoughton.

City Manager John Weidl welcomed everyone at the Armory with snacks and a warm welcome.  Walkers enjoyed learning more from various vendors in attendance and then the group headed down Main Street to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where they were welcomed by Dr. Dwight Watson, a member of the Be Kind Committee and former chancellor at UW-W.


Dr. Dwight Watson spoke at UW-Whitewater. Photo by Josh Stoughton.
City Manager John Weidl welcomed walkers and thanked everyone for donating to The Community Space. Photo by Sara Kuhl.

Following are comments from John Weidl:

“As City Manager of Whitewater, I am honored to serve a community that recognizes the transformative power of kindness. In a city as diverse and dynamic as ours, kindness is not just an ideal—it’s the foundation upon which we build connections, foster understanding, and create opportunities for all.

Our mission is to embrace the cultural and educational opportunities of an increasingly diverse population. This commitment shines through in initiatives like The Community Space, where volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that no one in Whitewater goes without basic necessities. Whether it’s a warm coat, furniture, or a bag of groceries, these resources are given freely, reflecting the heart of our community: generosity without barriers.

Equally inspiring is the Adult English as a Second Language (ESL) program, a cornerstone of inclusivity in Whitewater for over 25 years. These classes do more than teach English; they provide a pathway to greater independence and participation in community life. They empower parents to communicate with teachers, workers to advance in their careers, and neighbors to connect across cultures. By offering childcare during classes staffed by bilingual adults from our own community, we further demonstrate our commitment to removing barriers and fostering growth.

As a Kindness Ambassador and city, our mission is clear: to lead by example. Kindness is not just in programs and initiatives—it’s in the daily interactions that build trust and understanding. It’s in the respect we show one another, the support we extend to those in need, and the spaces we create where everyone belongs.

This is how we grow stronger as a community—through kindness, patience, and a shared commitment to equity and opportunity. Together, we can ensure that Whitewater remains a place where all individuals can thrive, regardless of their background. Let us continue to embrace kindness as a guiding principle, shaping the future of our city and the lives of all who call it home.”

Photo by Josh Stoughton

For updates about other kindness-related events visit the Be Kind Whitewater page on Facebook or search by #BeKindWhitewater.

Photo by Josh Stoughton.
Photo by Josh Stoughton.

Council President Patrick Singer to Seek Election to At-Large Council Seat (Updated)

Patrick Singer

Update 12/2 @ 4:45 p.m. Lisa Dawsey Smith, who currently serves in the at=large seat that will be up for election, contacted the Banner to indicate that she filed a declaration of noncandidacy in early November and she supports Patrick Singer’s candidacy.

Current Whitewater Common Councilmember for Aldermanic District 1 and Council President Patrick Singer announced today that he will seek election to the At-Large Council seat in the upcoming April 1st election.

“During my last year of service on the Whitewater Common Council representing District 1, and in past opportunities to serve, I have been deeply committed to advancing our community’s interests. Through collaborative leadership, I have worked diligently to drive meaningful progress for our residents. Whitewater has experienced substantial economic and community development in recent years, and I am dedicated to sustaining and accelerating this positive trajectory.”

“Good local government starts with listening. As a member of the Council and in my service as its President, I’ve worked hard to ensure every voice is heard. Our Council has been committed to making real progress for Whitewater, and I want to continue that work. We’re not just talking about improving our community—we’re making it happen.”

“Investment in housing is critical to Whitewater’s economic development. By creating attractive, affordable single-family housing options, we will not only provide opportunities for families but also support local job growth and business retention.”

“Investing in public safety is fundamental to our community’s well- being. I have actively worked to provide our fire and police departments with the resources, training, and support needed to protect every Whitewater resident. I led the most recent personnel additions to our police department in 2008 and again in 2024, all within the constraints of those budgets.”

“In the months ahead, I look forward to knocking on doors across our community to listen to residents’ ideas and concerns for moving our city forward.”

Patrick was first elected to the Whitewater Common Council in 2007 and served until 2021 before being reappointed in 2024. He has served as Council President from 2008 to 2020 and again in 2024. He has participated on numerous boards and commissions, including the Community Development Authority, Library Board, and Landmarks Commission. Patrick, his wife Jenna, and their sons Lincoln and Holden live on the south side of Whitewater.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by Friends of Patrick Singer.

Jefferson County Board Adopts 2025 Budget


Upcoming budget cuts the tax levy and mill rate for second year in a row

At their meeting on November 12th , the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors adopted the county’s 2025 budget. For the second year in a row, this budget includes a reduction in both the debt levy and the mill rate. The new countywide mill rate will be $2.8049 per $1,000 of taxable value. That represents an 8.4% decrease over the prior year.

In his comments during the meeting, Finance Committee Chair Richard Jones from Waterloo stated, “I am pleased to present the 2025 budget for approval. We met the needs of our constituents, as demand increases for services we provide. The budget allows for salary and cost-of-living increases which reward our hard-working employees and help with retention and hiring. The budget is based on Jefferson County’s strategic and comprehensive plans. We accomplished all this while fixed costs continue to rise and will present concerns for future budgets. The budget has been transparent, allows all involved their say, respects the value of all programs and departments, and most importantly respects the taxpayers of Jefferson County.”

Total expenditures for all county programs are set at $109,600,674.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by Jefferson County.

This Week’s City Meetings

City of Whitewater Police and Fire Commission – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Police Chief’s Report, including public safety referendum update; Closed session, to reconvene for Interview of FTE EMT/Firefighter Candidate(s) and Interview of Patrol Officer Candidate(s).
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room
312 West 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 join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/186659989
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 186-659-989
United States: +1 (872) 240-3212

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Resolution Creating The City of Whitewater Trippe and Cravath Lake District, Ordinance 2024-O-26 an Ordinance amending Section 9.12.010 to allow dogs off leash at the Whitewater Bark Park inside the fences; Discussion and Possible Action to recommend approval of WAFC HAVC bid to Southport Engineering in the amount of $276,100 for repairs to Leisure Pool air handler, duct work and control replacement; Discussion and Possible Action regarding WAFC Capital Campaign; Closed session, to reconvene: Development Agreement With Tanis Properties, LLC
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West 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:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81242575354?pwd=IthBeu1LMggdhKv8EPkyyVJdHFz8So.1
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US
Webinar ID: 812 4257 5354
Passcode: 767507

City of Whitewater Landmarks Commission – Wednesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible action regarding the Starin Water Tower; Discussion regarding at risk and endangered landmarks in Whitewater.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West 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 join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/179347397
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 179-347-397
United States: +1 (224) 501-3412
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install

Whitewater Storyteller in Women’s Storytelling Festival


Whitewater storyteller and host of the Wright House Concert series, Sarah Beth Nelson, will be performing in the 2025 Women’s Storytelling Festival. Located in Fairfax, Virginia this festival attracts storytellers and attendees from across the United States and features women and gender nonconforming spoken word artists. The 2025 Women’s Storytelling Festival will take place March 20-23 at the Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax. And if you can’t make it to Virginia in March, don’t worry! There is a virtual only showcase that will premier on March 20 including our local storyteller, Sarah Beth.

Learn more about the Women’s Storytelling Festival on their website: https://bettersaidthandone.org/womens-festival/