It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. Happy Halloween! The society does not have any real Halloween-related photos, and we usually use cemetery views for our “spooky” content. This year we are featuring a boy (Donald Lean) in what he probably thought was a “costume” suitable for trick or treating–a Buster Brown suit. A while ago, we featured a little boy in a late 19th century “Little Lord Fauntleroy” suit. After 1900, the fad changed to Buster Brown, a character created in 1902. Buster Brown was depicted in a suit with a long tunic coat with belt, oversized bow, knickers, and a “bowl” hair cut of a bob with bangs. Mothers loved dressing their boys up as Little Lord Fauntleroy or Buster Brown, but whether the boys wanted to wear these outfits is debatable.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
The Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee of the League of Women Voters Whitewater Area will hold the third and final Book Club discussions on our fall book selection, American Madness: Fighting for Patients in a Broken Mental Health System by Alice Feller, M.D., on Thursday evening, November 13, 6:15 PM-7:45 PM, at The Book Teller, 171 W Main Street, in Whitewater.
The book explores the complex realities of mental health care in the United States. Our discussion on November 13th will cover Chapters 10 – Epilogue.
ACQUIRE THE BOOK TODAY! A limited supply of books is available at The Book Teller (call 262-269-9109 to hold a copy to purchase) and local libraries. You can also order the book from Amazon.
The LWV Book Club was formed to help our members and friends engage in meaningful discussions of current notable books dealing with public policy issues of interest to the League. You do not need to be a member of the League to participate and refreshments will be served. For questions or further information please contact Dwight C. Watson, dwight.watsondcw@gmail.com, or Deb Gamble, shebagam@gmail.com
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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit our website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like us on Facebook!
During his tenure at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Chancellor Corey A. King has overseen three consecutive years of enrollment growth and a renewed sense of pride from students, faculty, staff, and alums behind a “Warhawk Bold” mentality he instilled on campus.
King was recognized for his efforts as the Milwaukee Business Journal selected him as one of 21 C-Suite Stars for 2025. He is one of six honorees in the Top Executive category, and the only higher education leader recognized.
King is joined on the full list by leaders from Bank Five Nine, Marcus Corporation, the Milwaukee Brewers, Northwestern Mutual, and other businesses and organizations in Milwaukee and southern Wisconsin.
“I’m honored to be selected among this group of talented individuals, but I’m most proud of serving as this university’s chancellor and all that we’ve accomplished together,” King said. “Over the last three years, I’ve witnessed the dedication, passion, and talent that make our university thrive. I’m so proud to call UW-Whitewater my home.
“I’d like to thank the Milwaukee Business Journal for putting a spotlight on our university and its contributions to southern Wisconsin. At UW-Whitewater, our guiding compass is student success and doing all we can to positively transform students’ lives. By supporting students’ educational goals, we are ensuring a bright future for the region and state.”
Chancellor Corey A. King joins faculty in welcoming graduates as they process into the gym. The College of Integrated Studies on the UW-Whitewater at Rock County campus held its commencement ceremony on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Frank Holt Gymnasium at Wells Cultural Center
Since his arrival in March 2023, King has inspired the campus under the mantra “Warhawk Bold,” empowering faculty, staff, and community members to work collaboratively as they solve problems and drive positive change for the present and future stability of the university. A first-generation college student, King has placed a focus on student success and eliminating barriers to academic progress and graduation.
Chancellor Corey A. King continues his tradition of taking a selfie onstage in the Hamilton Room of the University Center with some of the new students at the SOAR program. New students with their family members and friends visited campus on Tuesday, June 11, 2025.
Under King’s leadership, UW-Whitewater has also transformed its financial stability, eliminating a structural deficit that was as high as $8.9 million and beginning the 2025-26 academic year with a positive cash flow. This past year, the university launched a $50 million fundraising campaign — “Our stories. Our future.” — the single largest philanthropic effort in its history. To date, over $28 million has been raised.
King’s leadership has led to physical changes on campus. Last spring, UW-Whitewater received state approval to renovate Winther Hall, home of the College of Education and Professional Studies, and Heide Hall, and will see several minor facilities projects begin thanks to the largest increase in state funding for the Universities of Wisconsin in 20 years.
Kaylynn Bacon, left, from Albany, describes her research to Chancellor Corey A. King. UW-Whitewater student researchers visited the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison to join in Research in the Rotunda on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
King has rallied colleagues across both campuses to focus on student success. Earlier this month, UW-Whitewater was named the top Wisconsin public university in student experience and social mobility by The Wall Street Journal. In fall 2024, the university launched One Stop, a universal, on-site resource available to students who have questions about any aspect of academic success and campus life. King’s focus in the areas of veteran and servicemember success and mental health have continually enhanced the Warhawk student experience.
Chancellor Corey A. King greets students as he moves through a tunnel of welcoming Warhawks during the annual RU Purple Rally on Monday, Sept. 1, 2025.
Since joining the UW-Whitewater team, King has been a member of the Higher Education Regional Alliance (HERA) executive leadership team, the Walworth County Economic Development Alliance Board, the Whitewater Chamber of Commerce Board, and the Greater Whitewater Committee. He is a strong proponent of programs like the King/Chávez Scholars Program that create pipelines from Milwaukee to the university and support social mobility.
Two other Warhawks were recognized on the Milwaukee Business Journal’s list. Dave Anderson, who graduated from UW-Whitewater with a BBA in accounting and finance and serves as senior vice president/senior executive for Southeast Wisconsin at BMO Financial Group, joined King on the list of Top Executive honorees. Lynnette Fritz, who earned a B.A. in communication (public relations) and is the chief human resources officer at OwnersEdge, is among the publication’s Top HR honorees.
The Discover Whitewater Series is hosting their 13th Annual Post-Race Banquet on November 5, 2025. The event will be held at Willow Brook Golf Course in Whitewater, WI.
The Discover Whitewater Series (DWS) is set to host their 13th Annual Post-Race Banquet to celebrate their charity partners and to honor their sponsors, volunteers, team leaders, and community members. The Greater Whitewater Committee in partnership with the Discover Whitewater Series will present proceeds and donations to their four local charity partners: Bethel House, University of Whitewater Foundation (Athletics), J-Hawk Aquatic Club, and Whitewater LEADS.
The DWS’s Annual Banquet is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, November 5th at 5:00 p.m. at Willow Brook Golf Course: N9035 Highway 89, Whitewater, WI 53190. The public is more than welcome to attend this banquet to learn about what our sponsors and team leaders do for our race. If you are interested in attending, you must RSVP. To reserve your invitation and get involved, contact Em Duffek at design@knightpublicaffairs.com by Friday, October 31st. Formal invitations will be sent to those being honored in the coming weeks.
The Executive Board has met and confirmed that they are set to host the 14th Annual Race on September 20th, 2026, at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. They are looking to add two new concepts to next year’s event and are asking for the help of the community.
“We are very hopeful to reinstate the Fit Kid Shuffle,” said GWC President, Jeffery Knight. “It would be free to children under the age of 10 and include first, second, third place trophies, along with medals, for each age group: 4 and under, 5 and 6, 7 and 8, 9 and 10. We’re looking for an organization to manage this event as part of the DWS team.”
Next year’s event will also incorporate a new traveling trophy for 5k teams. The two categories will be teams made up of sponsors/businesses or student organizations that can create groups of four and top three times will solidify their place as top finishers. Whoever wins the traveling trophy will get their company/organization’s name inscribed on it and keep it until the next race.
If you have any interest in help with the Fit Kid Shuffle, the traveling trophy 5k event, or for further details, please contact Jeffery Knight at 920.728.0662 or jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com.
About the DWS
The goal of the DWS is to promote the City of Whitewater and highlight its greatest features, while keeping everyone in the community active. All the proceeds from the race are donated to local non-profit partners: Bethel House (which provides interim housing for homeless families), J-Hawk Aquatic Club, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Foundation of Athletics, and Whitewater LEADS. The DWS partners with the city, business community, and university to make this a tremendous event that benefits all who participate. For more information about the race visit www.runwhitewater.com. For further details, please contact Jeffery Knight, Executive Director at 920.728.0662 or jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com.
Editor’s note: This press release was provided by Knight Public Affairs.
Storytime Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. | September 10th-November 19th Cravath Lakefront Building Ages 2-5
Join Miss Deana for stories, songs, and silliness!
Storytimes are best for children ages 2-5, but older and younger siblings are always welcome. No registration is required. Please contact Deana Rolfsmeyer at (262) 458-2788 with any questions. Please note that there is no Storytime on Wednesday, November 12th.
Steve Watson writes “Cravath Lakefront Park fall photos. It’s pretty pretty at the park.”
Our thanks to Steve Watson for sharing these beautiful fall photos.
— 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!
By Al Stanek Walworth County Board Supervisor District 4
As previously reported in ‘The Banner,’ Walworth County residents will be able to comment on the county’s proposed budget for next year Thursday, October 30. The public hearing will start at 6 pm in the County Board Room of the County Administration Center at 100 W. Walworth Street in downtown Elkhorn. It will be preceded by an announcement of a new name and new features for the county’s shared ride taxi service to be held in the Administration Center parking lot at 5:30.
How property taxes are levied and collected is a little confusing. Each of several governmental units (School District, City, County, Technical College District) project the next year’s revenues and expenditures. Each unit of government then establishes a levy (tax rate or mill rate) needed to provide services which is applied against each $1,000 of property value. Your property’s “assessed value” times the total combined amount of the levies from all of the involved government units determines your tax bill.
Equally confusing is who you get your tax bill from and the options for when you make a payment. The city mails out annual tax bills. The first installment, which is paid to the city, is due by January 31. Some taxpayers choose to pay their entire bill at that time. Otherwise, the second installment, which is due by July 31 is paid to the county.
As the Walworth County Board Supervisor representing most of the City of Whitewater, I’d like to share some information about the county budget and how it compares with other Wisconsin counties. Supervisor Brian Holt represents the southeast portion of the city.
The WI Counties Association issues an annual “Green Book” comparing Wisconsin counties’ financial status and demographics. Walworth County is one of only three of Wisconsin’s 72 counties that have paid off all of their past debt according to the report. Units of government borrow money to build and maintain buildings and infrastructure.
Careful financial planning by past and present administrations and a fiscally conservative County Board have updated or replaced almost all of our county facilities, improved and maintained county roads, and the county has a multi-decade capital plan that hopefully will keep Walworth County debt free for several decades according to the ‘Walworth County Administrator’s 2026 Preliminary Budget Report.’
The “Green Book” estimates that the average county has debt obligations of $539 per county resident. With a county population of just over 100,000 that means that if Walworth County were an average county it would have nearly $54 million of debt. Obviously that debt is paid back over various time frames and at low “Municipal Bond” rates but, not having to ask its county taxpayers for money to pay off present and future debts makes for lower county tax rates.
Half of Wisconsin’s counties had a 2024 per capita county tax levy of more than $3.69 per thousand dollars of property values with the other half with a per capita levy of less than $3.69 according to the “Green Book” report. Walworth County’s 2024 levy was $2.37 per thousand dollars of assessed value. Only six of Wisconsin’s 72 counties had a lower 2024 tax rate according to the “Green Book.”
Walworth County’s levy per thousand dollars of property value for 2026 is projected to be $2.26 according to County Finance Director Jessica Connelly. “That reduction in rate from the previous year would mark at least the tenth consecutive year of Walworth County tax rate decreases,” according to Connelly. Final adoption of the 2026 Walworth County Budget including the tax rate is scheduled for November 10.
Any county budget concerns can be addressed at Thursday’s budget public hearing. The meeting starts at 6 pm. An unveiling of a new name and new features for Walworth County’s shared-ride transportation services starts at 5:30 that same evening in the parking lot of the County Administration building in downtown Elkhorn.
Similar to Whitewater’s shared-ride taxi service, “Walworth County Connect” is available on a reservation basis for trips anywhere in Walworth County with one exception. Because the City of Whitewater offers its own shared-ride service, Whitewater “in-city” trip requests cannot be provided competitively by the county service under State of Wisconsin guidelines.
Service between Whitewater and any other location in Walworth County is available by calling 262-723-4402. One way trip fares are $3 for residents 60+ and $6 for adults. Trips can be for any purpose but should be booked as far in advance as possible. Service is provided seven days per week.
By Lynn Binnie Whitewater Banner volunteer staff whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
A number of communities in south central Wisconsin move trick or treating to a weekend day when October 31 falls on a weekday. Fort Atkinson’s children trick or treated this year on Sunday, October 26, and Palmyra’s was on Saturday, Oct. 25. For at least the past many years, however, Whitewater has always remained traditional with trick or treat on October 31 regardless of the day on which it falls. Again this year the hours will be 4-7 p.m. Jefferson’s is also on Friday, from 5-8 p.m.
How many readers remember growing up in a community where you wouldn’t have dreamt of going out trick or treating till it was nearly dark? (Was that ever the case in Whitewater?) This writer’s trick or treating curfew was 9 p.m., and the last doorbell was rung at about 8:55. Our city didn’t ever have to tell us when to trick or treat; Halloween was October 31, we started out when it was dusk, got home when our parents told us to, and a few mischievous kids took soap along!
Ghoul’s Night Out is Thursday, October 30.
The event is sponsored by Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce, Pro Landscape Supply, Whitewater Family Dentistry, Whitewater City Market, the Ice Age Trail Alliance – Walworth, Botanica Beauty Parlor, First Citizens State Bank, Olive the Journey Travel Company, and Studio 84, Inc.
Trunk or Treat will be at 402 W. Main Street [the Cultural Arts Center, and also the new location for the Chamber,] and Associated Bank is hosting the costume contest. There’s also a scavenger hunt for participating businesses that have a symbol. Kids can go to those businesses through this week and find the symbol. If they go to every stop, they win a small goodie bag.
Please see below for participating businesses! – Mulberry Glen – Pro Landscape Supply (Trunk-or-Treat) – Associated Bank (Location of costume contest) – Whitewater City Market (Trunk-or-Treat) – Olive the Journey (Trunk-or-Treat) – Revamp Nutrition – Whitewater Unified School District – Studio 84 – Cost Cutters – FCCU – Fairfield Inn & Suites Whitewater – State Farm – Jennifer Visser – Whitewater Parks & Recreation (Trunk-or-Treat) – Whitewater Family Dentistry (Trunk-or-Treat) – First Citizens State Bank (Main & West offices) – Burtness Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram – Underground Cutz – Edgerton Hospital Whitewater Urgent Care – SSM Health Dean Medical Group – Whitewater – Protect Wisconsin Waterways (Trunk-or-Treat) – Toppers Pizza – Cozumel Mexican Restaurant – Walworth Jefferson County Ice Age Trail – QPS Employment Group – McCullough’s LTC Pharmacy – Botanica Beauty Parlour – The Dentist – Whitewater – Culver’s – Whitewater High School Key Club (Trunk-or-Treat) – Warhawk Alley – UW-Whitewater Camps and Conferences – PremierBank – Burtness Chevrolet, Buick, GMC – SteveO’s – Fort HealthCare (Trunk-or-Treat) – Starbucks – Sampa-Tacos LLC (will be located at 239 E Milwaukee Ave)
All aboard, sisters! The hysterical sequel to the smash-hit Menopause The Musical® is finally here! Five years after their chance encounter in a department store, we set sail with our beloved ladies for more high jinks on the high seas. Menopause The Musical 2: Cruising Through ‘The Change’® is a hilarious and heartfelt look at the joys of menopause and friendship — plus hot flashes, mood swings, and memory lapses! Join us on a trip of self-discovery, backed by a new soundtrack of toe-tapping parodied hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s. For these four ladies, menopause was not the end, but the beginning of a beautiful friendship where love conquers all, and friendships never fail.
Editor’s note: This article, Menopause the Musical 2 Review: A Gynecologist’s Perspective on Humor, Healing, and Hormonal Harmony, might help undecided readers to decide whether to attend.
The Young Performing Arts Center at UW-Whitewater, 930 W. Main Street Thursday, October 30 – 7:00 p.m. Tickets, available here, start at $38. Parking is free; lot 2 off Prince Street provides the best access to the auditorium.
