We were thrilled to have 25 Little Dribblers (K-1st grade) and 25 Shooting Stars (2nd-3rd grade) participate in our six-week basketball clinic this year. Both groups worked hard throughout the year on basic basketball skills. All participants improved on their listening, dribbling, passing, defense, rebounding and shooting skills. The highlight of the clinic occurred when all participants demonstrated their skills at halftime of the Boys basketball game on December 5 against Jefferson. The Little Dribblers and Shooting Stars also had the chance to root for two of their coaches, Casey and Matt, as they led the Whippets to a great win over Jefferson.
Coach Bob stated: “If the Little Dribblers and Shooting Stars continue their dedication and positive work ethic regarding basketball practice and games, the future of boys and girls basketball will be very bright!”
The coaches and Whitewater Park District also want to extend a large THANK YOU to all the parents who helped with practices and supported these young basketball players.
We hope to see all of the kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders back next year. We wish our 3rd graders best of luck as they join traveling basketball.
The Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) is excited to announce a Call for Art for the 3rd Annual Artrageous Birds Juried Exhibition, a celebration of creativity inspired by the beauty and spirit of birds. This juried exhibition welcomes artists from the local and regional community to submit original work in both traditional and digital mediums.
The exhibition will run from Thursday, March 5 through Sunday, March 29, 2026 at the WAA Cultural Arts Center Gallery 402 W. Main St., Whitewater. All accepted works will also be displayed online, offering artists the opportunity to reach a wide audience.
As a juried exhibition, all entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges, and accepted works will be eligible for cash awards. A Best of Show award of $250 will be presented, along with first, second, and third place prizes in both the Traditional and Digital Salons. Additional honors such as Viewer’s Choice, Public’s Choice, and Honorable Mentions will also be awarded.
Artists may submit work in the following categories: Traditional Salon: Painting, drawing, illustration, mixed media, sculpture, ceramics, 3D art, and photography. Digital Salon: Digital painting, drawing, illustration, mixed media, and photography.
Submissions are now open and close on Sunday, January 18, 2026. Notifications of acceptance will be sent on Monday, February 9, 2026. Accepted works for the Traditional Salon must be delivered to the gallery on Tuesday, March 3 (4 pm-6 pm) or Wednesday, March 4 (12 pm-4 pm). Artwork pick-up will take place on Monday, March 30 (4 pm-6 pm).
“This exhibition is a wonderful opportunity for artists to share their creativity and connect with audiences both in Whitewater and beyond,” said Exhibit Co-Chair Emily Painter. Exhibit Chair, Jeff McDonald added, “By expanding the mediums, welcoming regional artists, and offering cash awards, we are creating a vibrant showcase that reflects the diversity of artistic expression in our community.”
Gallery Hours: Thursdays-Sundays, 12 pm-4 pm Please Note: The gallery is closed outside of Gallery Exhibit Hours except for special events and is also closed when no show is currently running.
“20 Years Of Celebrating The Arts And Creating Community!”
On Saturday, December 13, the Whitewater Wrestling Team hosted the 14th Annual Whitewater Invitational involving 12 teams from around the area. After coming close over the years, for first time in the 14 years of hosting the tournament, the Whippet Wrestling Team found themselves in first place, outdistancing Waterford.
Individually the team had many great performances throughout the day with lots of pins along the way.
Leading the way were three champions in George Christon going 3-0, Gabe Crane going 5-0, and Brady Friend going 5-0. This was the first high school tournament championship for all three of these young men. George had 2 pins, Brady 4 pins, and Gabe pinned all 5 of his opponents. George came out really motivated after a tough loss on Thursday night and was on a mission. Gabe also was on a mission and was focused on doing what he does best in his victories. Brady has shown more confidence each time he steps on the mat, and he is fun to watch.
Brady FriendGabe CraneGeorge Christon
Coming in as runner ups after making the finals were Alex Morales, Dahlton Vogel, and Austin Retzlaff, with all 3 of them going 4-1 on the day. Alex showed some great technique and persistence in a couple of close matches during the day coming out on top. He learned how to fight through adversity in the semi-finals to win his match, eventually by pin. Dahlton wrestled very well all day before running into a tough opponent from Janesville Craig. Finally, Austin won a tight match in the quarter finals and then came out on top of a very tough competitor in the semifinals before falling in the finals to a strong student from Kenosha Bradford.
Coming in 4th place and just missing out on the podium were Julio Avelino, Duli Balazi, Max Babcock, and Deavion Olson. Each of these students wrestled well but just missed out on the podium.
Great work to the entire wrestling team on a great job on Saturday. Also thank you to the many hands that made this tournament run so smoothly.
The team is next in action on Tuesday night, December 16, when they host East Troy in a Rock Valley Conference match up. Both teams are 1-0 in the conference so come out and support the Whippet Wrestling Team!
Article Submitted by John Schimming Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach jschimming@wwusd.org Photos Courtesy of Cora Schimming
Maryann Norton-Wilkinson, a business administration MBA student from Arlington, Wisconsin, smiles down at her son Scotty Norton-Wilkinson. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)Family and friends of UW-Whitewater graduates gather in Kachel Fieldhouse. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater held its 2025 winter commencement ceremony Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Williams Center on the Whitewater campus.
On a bitter cold day in Whitewater, families and friends gathered to celebrate 888 undergraduate and graduate students who earned degrees. Graduates represented the College of Arts and Communication, the College of Business and Economics, the College of Education and Professional Studies, the College of Integrated Studies, the College of Letters and Sciences, and the School of Graduate Studies.
Chancellor Corey A. King claps as he presides over the ceremony. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)
Chancellor Corey A. King presided over the two-hour event.
“We’re grateful you chose to be Warhawks,” King said. “We see you. We share in your emotions today.”
Student speaker Samuel Bardales (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)
After a recognition of university administrators, faculty, and staff, student speaker Samuel Bardales addressed his fellow graduates and attendees. Bardales earned a BSE in mathematics education with a minor in business law, and served as a leader in residence life, Whitewater Student Government, Lambda Chi Alpha, and more organizations on campus.
“Whitewater has been more than a place to learn,” Bardales said. “It’s been a place to grow, to belong, and to become who we are today.”
Bardales shared some of his favorite memories and traditions on campus and acknowledged the role that challenges in his life played in making him ready for the real world.
“Failures — and bumps in the road — will come, but now we have experience, resilience, and each other,” he said.
Bardales, a native of Gurnee, Illinois, lauded those who took winding roads and faced the same challenges on the way to graduation.
“You should be so proud of yourself, because even when it felt impossible, you still kept fighting, and now look at where you are,” Bardales said.”
Commencement speaker Mark Perry is the son of Harold Perry, who graduated from UW-Whitewater in 1933 as a four-year letterwinner in both football and men’s basketball and was inducted into the Warhawk Athletics Hall of Fame in 1973. In 1958, Harold returned to the university as a commencement speaker, and now Mark is following in his father’s footsteps. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)
Commencement speaker Mark Perry addressed the audience next, focusing on the story of his father, Harold Perry, who graduated in 1933, and the role UW-Whitewater played in his life.
Perry and his family remain highly engaged with the university. UW-Whitewater recently announced the Harold M. Perry ’33 and Margaret A. Perry Endowed Faculty Chair, a $2 million gift that will support a select UW-Whitewater faculty member or members to tackle complex issues, develop long-term solutions, and positively affect Wisconsin’s economy and student success.
The Endowed Faculty Chair started as a $10,000 retirement gift from Harold’s employer in 1974. Harold asked that it be donated to UW-Whitewater to establish a scholarship for students like him.
On Saturday, Perry stood in the same spot as his father did 67 years ago — Harold gave the commencement address in 1958.
“(My dad) often spoke about how influential his time here was, how his Whitewater education gave him opportunity, purpose, and community,” Perry said. “I was privileged to visit campus this summer, and I immediately understood why he loved it. This is a special place, rich with history, tradition, and people who sincerely care about students and their future.”
Perry, who is retired after a career working in accounting and finance in Silicon Valley, remains active through governance of various community service ventures. He offered graduates the lessons he’s learned in mentoring young people for his 55 years of professional experience.
“By far, the most important of the four lessons is to figure out what you are good at and then work hard to master it,” Perry said.
Perry noted that his father — a first-generation college student — stood in the same place as Saturday’s graduates nearly a century ago.
“Be guided by your Whitewater education, your core values, and hard work,” he said.
After crossing the stage, graduates marched out to “The Warhawk Strut” as the ceremony concluded.
Jonah Panning, a finance major from Whitewater, stands with Willie Warhawk in the gym. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)Noah Sauer, right, a finance major from Mayville, is greeted by his family. UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)First generation students Kisanyae Calvert, a communication major from Milwaukee, and Stephawn Easley, a management major from Milwaukee, pose for pictures with their family. The two have been friends since childhood. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)Group of UW-Whitewater graduates smile and clap during ceremony. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)Chiquita Bryant, an early childcare and education major from Milwaukee, celebrates as she crosses the stage. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)Caden Kretsinger, a management major from Bloomington, Illinois, walks solo outside toward the Kachel Fieldhouse in his cap and gown. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)
Ron Binning writes, “The Whitewater subdivision off of Indian Mound Parkway is really growing. At least six units have been sold already, and more are being built. Attached are two pictures taken November 17.”
Editor’s notes: Our thanks to Ron Binning for sharing these photos.
This nearly 11-acre site was first approved for a single-family development in 2000, with various plans having been discussed, and sometimes approved, since that time. The street and utilities were installed around 2000, and the barely used street was reconstructed before the developer began construction in 2024 of the proposed nineteen two-family home “Residences at Meadowview Court.”
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Edgerton Hospital Expands Access to Advanced Mobile Digital PET/CT Imaging
Edgerton Hospital and Health Services is enhancing its diagnostic imaging capabilities with the addition of a mobile digital PET/CT solution, delivered in partnership with Shared Medical Services. The new system — featuring United Imaging’s uMI 550 — supports Edgerton Hospital’s mission to provide high-quality, accessible imaging technology close to home for the patients and communities it serves.
“This investment reflects our continued commitment to bringing advanced technologies directly to the communities we serve,” said Marc Augsburger (MBA, BSN, RHCEOC), President and CEO at Edgerton Hospital. “By partnering with Shared Medical Services, we’re able to offer digital PET/CT imaging in a mobile format — giving our patients access to accurate, timely diagnostics without the need for long-distance travel.”
The uMI 550 is equipped with advanced features including time-of-flight, point spread function, HYPER Iterative (ROSEM), uAI HYPER DLR (Deep Learning Reconstruction), deviceless gating, motion head correction, and metal artifact correction. This technology enables healthcare providers to expand clinical capacity and deliver precise, low-dose imaging efficiently and reliably.
With a 2.9mm ultra-high NEMA PET resolution and a 24 cm axial field of view, the system supports enhanced lesion detection and faster patient throughput. Built with the same uEXPLORER PET technology that powers United Imaging’s flagship molecular imaging platforms, the uMI 550 enables future-proof flexibility and consistent image quality across a wide range of clinical applications.
“United Imaging designs our technology to support our mission of Equal Healthcare for All,” said Jeffrey M. Bundy, Ph.D., CEO of United Imaging Healthcare Solutions. “This mobile solution empowers organizations like Edgerton Hospital and Shared Medical Services to expand access and bring high-end imaging to both large systems and underserved regions.”
About Shared Medical Services
Shared Medical Services is a national leader in mobile diagnostic imaging solutions, offering PET/CT, MRI, and CT through the largest OEM-serviced and OEM-certified mobile imaging fleet in the nation. With decades of experience and a commitment to excellence, SMS partners with healthcare providers to deliver cutting-edge mobile and in-house imaging equipment and services. Learn more at https://sharedmed.com.
About Edgerton Hospital and Health Services
Edgerton Hospital is a Critical Access Hospital. It merited a Top 20 Critical Access Hospital Best Practices in Patient Satisfaction designation, in 2024 and 2025, from the National Rural Health Association. Edgerton Hospital has also been recognized as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience by the Women’s Choice Award®. The hospital and its clinics serve Edgerton, Milton, Whitewater, and surrounding communities. Founded in 1923, the facility offers inpatient, outpatient, surgical, diagnostic, emergency, orthopedics, pain management, swing bed, primary care and rehabilitation services. For additional information about Edgerton Hospital, please visit www.edgertonhospital.com.
Rainbow President & CEO Carol Brown joins Fairhaven Senior Services President & CEO Paul Kuenning for a quick photo opportunity during the ribbon cutting.
The final stages of life’s journey are often the most meaningful, yet they can be challenging for families, particularly when a loved one requires specialized care away from home. Traveling to distant places to visit loved ones often consumes precious time when “every moment counts.”
Now, two respected non-profits – Fairhaven Senior Services in Whitewater and Rainbow Community Care in Jefferson – have partnered to solve this critical local need. The organizations collaborated to open two dedicated hospice suites right on the Fairhaven campus, creating a “sacred space” where local residents and their families can find peace and comfort. The official opening was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 30. Staff, local healthcare professionals, and residents from the wider Whitewater community turned out in strong numbers to get their first look at the dedicated Hospice Suites.
The partnership was born not only out of necessity, but from a long-standing mutual respect and shared belief that compassionate care should be available close to home. “The idea originated when Brian Robinson, (Fairhaven’s Director of Marketing, Community Relations & Leisure Services), simply asked Rainbow staff during a tour, “Hey, is there anything we could ever do to work together?” said Paul Kuenning, President & CEO of Fairhaven Senior Services.
That simple question ignited a project driven by a strong, shared commitment to community and quality. Both organizations recognized they could make a greater impact together, ultimately focusing on one goal which emphasized the partnership’s purpose. “These hospice suites were born out of a shared mission to give families a peaceful, home-like space where they can spend meaningful time together when it matters most,” said Carol Brown, President & CEO of Rainbow Community Care.
The two new suites offer a warm, safe space for hospice patients and their loved ones to spend their final days together, close to home.
The two renovated suites are located on Fairhaven’s Advanced Assisted Living Wing (2nd Floor) and were specifically designed to offer compassionate and expert care in a peaceful, home-like setting. This option is vital for those who cannot or do not want to remain at home near the end of life.
Rainbow Community Care staff – experts in providing end-of-life comfort – were integral to the rapid renovation process. They chose the specific units and took the time to “really make them shine.” The suites are furnished with a blend of Fairhaven pieces and new, custom furnishings from Rainbow Community Care. The result is an environment that feels welcoming and comfortable instantly when you walk through the doors.
To create the feeling of peace and dignity required of a “sacred space,” the design team chose neutral colors with a warm tone, soft, gentle fabrics, and swapped all primary lighting for soft options, including flameless candles and twinkle lights. The design details extended to sensory comfort, providing visitors with ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ books and the option to turn on a sound machine for the peaceful sounds of a thunderstorm or waves crashing in the ocean.
“Since patient comfort is the priority and often requires a hospital bed, our philosophy was simple: Every detail surrounding the bed—from the quilt to the soft throw blankets—was chosen to provide warmth and create a truly comfortable, inviting space,” said Angie Zastrow, Rainbow’s Senior Director of Hospice Services. “That’s the peace we were hoping for as we created this space—the peace you get when you sit back in the recliner, close your eyes for a moment and just take in the moment, knowing your loved one is safe and well-cared for.”
“The word sacred means a lot to many,” Kuenning stated. “It really takes away a lot of the business stuff and gets right down to the heart of what we’re there for and why we’re there. You walk in and you just feel at home and comfortable instantly.”
The community reaction has been extremely positive, with visitors moved by the beautiful, non-institutional design. Visitors who have experienced hospice services previously have also been moved by suites.
“We’ve had folks who have been served by us previously or have had loved ones in hospice services and that have walked in the room and said I wish we would have had something like this when my family member was passing away.” Kuenning said.
The design of the new suites deliberately emphasizes a comfortable, residential atmosphere, drawing a parallel to the Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Center in Johnson Creek. This ensures the space is a beautiful, home-like, and state-of-the-art environment. The Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Center, an 8-bed facility in Johnson Creek, has served over 2,500 patients since 2011, providing care for those experiencing a significant medical crisis or offering families a break from the rigors of caregiving at home. The suites offer families peace of mind, knowing their loved ones are surrounded by compassionate and expert care in a serene, home-like setting.
This partnership is about more than just physical space. It’s about a shared vision for community health. The collaboration will extend into educational programming and learning opportunities, helping families and community members “better understand how to live well as we age and become seriously ill.”
Paul and Carol are joined by Brian Robinson (Fairhaven Director of Marketing, Community Relations & Leisure Services), Jess Ward (Fairhaven RN Nurse Manager), Kate Stauffacher (Rainbow Senior Director of Innovation), Angie Zastrow (Rainbow Senior Director of Hospice Services), and Dana Lybeck (Rainbow Clinical Facility Liaison).
Rainbow Community Care, which rebranded in 2024 with a mission of “Enriching Lives Throughout Aging, Illness, and Loss,” offers a broad range of programs like Hospice Care, Palliative Care, Community Grief Support, Advance Care Planning, Friends in Action, and Community Healthy Ministry. This makes them an ideal partner for Fairhaven to enhance local resources.
“For more than 35 years, Rainbow has cared for local families facing serious illness and Fairhaven has long been a trusted home for seniors in this region. We both believe that compassionate care should be available close to home, provided by people who live and serve right here.” Brown said.
Looking ahead, Fairhaven and Rainbow hope to continue strengthening this relationship, potentially utilizing additional suites in the future if the opportunity arises “to serve more people in our community, even better.” Rainbow Community Care also hopes to invest in similar suites with other trusted partners throughout their service area to ensure local access to quality options. The launch of the suites has already piqued significant curiosity, setting the stage for more conversations about compassionate, local care.
ABOUT RAINBOW COMMUNITY CARE Founded by volunteers in 1990, Rainbow Community Care is a local, independent, and non-profit provider of services that supports patients and families throughout the entire journey with aging and serious illness. Highly regarded for excellence in hospice care, palliative care, advance care planning, grief support, parish nursing, and volunteer programs, we care for people living in their homes, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes in rural South-Central Wisconsin as well as the Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Center in Johnson Creek.
ABOUT FAIRHAVEN Fairhaven Senior Services in Whitewater, WI is a non-profit Life Plan community founded in 1962. Their goal is to help their residents be as independent and active as possible through safety, conveniences, and amenities of a retirement community while also offering the full range of excellent health care services to support one’s health care needs. Their residents value friendship, independence, quality care, and a healthy, active lifestyle.
Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Regular Meeting – Monday @ 6:00 p.m Agenda (Click on “meetings” in upper right corner) includes Secondary Scorecard Presentations and Referendum Update
Whitewater High School Library 534 South Elizabeth Street via Zoom Online
City of Whitewater Police and Fire Commission Meeting – Monday @ 6:00 p.m. Agenda includes closed session, to be followed by open session: Interview of FTE EMT/Firefighter Candidates and Interview of Detective Candidate Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St. Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Please click the link below to join the meeting: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/24822211517601?p=Di6yB28m9jQgAZJ9yx You can also dial in using your phone: Phone Number: 1-929-229-5663 Phone Conference ID: 869 381 618#
Whitewater Public Library Board of Trustees – Monday @ 6:30 p.m. Agenda includes Library Building Project general update and tour of the new building Whitewater Public Library, Meeting Room 2, 431 West Center St. 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: Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82207120174?pwd=4C7sbktQhBHg7pbRC34mUUUNeNa0gv.1 Meeting ID: 822 0712 0174 Passcode: 4gcinkcJ Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US
City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m. Agenda includes TIF Impact Analysis, Mill Rate Impact of the Voter-Approved Referendum, Memo response to concerns raised at the 2026 Budget Hearing, and Information for Community Groups Regarding the Referendum’s Impact on Property Taxes. Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190 *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. https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/26464103859139?p=yG89m9foipW712S1h2 Dial in by phone +1 929-229-5663 United States, Phone conference ID: 971 378 892#
City of Whitewater Parks and Recreation Board – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m. Agenda 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. https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/24791106156233?p=a0gAAOF3vPn68hOXiZ Dial in by phone +1 929-229-5663,,894626294# United States Phone conference ID: 894 626 294#
City of Whitewater Community Development Authority Board of Directors – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m. Agenda includes Update on the WindUp Program. 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 the webinar: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/23214476546387?p=oQMMwiq5sb2v8HqRBg Dial in by phone +1 929-229-5663,,129564377# United States, New York City Find a local number Phone conference ID: 129 564 377#
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee holds commencement ceremony in December.
The following individuals from the Whitewater area are among the more than 1,300 prospective candidates for degrees attending University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee commencement exercises Sunday, December 21, 2025, in Milwaukee.
UWM is the second largest university in the State of Wisconsin, with over 23,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
Kristina McCullough, Sheldon B. Lubar College of Business, Master of Business Administration Thomas Utynek, College of Engineering and Applied Science, Bachelor of Science in Engineering Wendy Villegas, School of Education, Bachelor of Science
The Whitewater Common Sense Citizens are urging community members to attend a free public meeting to discuss the significant property tax increases reflected in the recently mailed 2026 tax bills.
The latest tax bills have left many residents shocked, with the city portion of many tax bills increasing by 25% or more compared to last year. Since 2021, some taxpayers have experienced increases exceeding 60%. These tax hikes are well above recent inflation rates and are deemed neither fair nor sustainable by community leaders.
“Out-of-control property taxes hurt everyone in our community,” said a spokesperson for the Whitewater Common Sense Citizens. “This includes people on fixed incomes, homeowners, renters, property owners, and business owners. We must come together to discuss these concerns and find solutions.”
The meeting aims to provide a platform for residents to voice their concerns and collaborate on potential actions to address these excessive tax increases.
Community members are encouraged to attend and engage in this important discussion. Together, we can work towards making Whitewater a more affordable place to live for all.
