News

Whitewater Storytelling Festival Returns: A weekend of stories, music, creativity, & community


The Annual Whitewater Storytelling Festival Returns for a Weekend of Stories, Music,
Creativity, and Community

Families, creatives, music lovers, and lovers of all forms of story and tales are invited to gather for the two-day Annual Whitewater Storytelling Festival, a celebration of storytelling in all its forms through music, poetry, workshops, art, food, and hands-on activities for all ages.

Hosted by the Whitewater Arts Alliance, the festival will take place at the historic Cultural Arts Center and nearby Flat Iron Park. Community members are encouraged to come for a day or enjoy the full weekend experience beginning Friday evening with an open mic and live music. This event is held rain or shine. In the case of light rain, the vendor market will remain outdoors while storytelling activities move inside the Cultural Arts Center. In the event of severe weather, the entire festival will move indoors to the Whitewater Public Library.

Friday Night Open Mic & Music
Friday’s festivities will run from 5:30 p.m.–9:00 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center with an evening of music, poetry, storytelling, and community connection. Guests can enjoy an open Irish jam session, poetry readings, artist talks, an open mic opportunity, and live music throughout the evening. Light refreshments will be available courtesy of the Whitewater Arts Alliance.

Emceed by Karen McCulloch of The Book Teller

  • 5:45-6:15pm: Open Irish Session with Jefferson County Craic (Bring your instrument & jam!)
  • 6:15-6:40pm: Artist Talk with Marty Keey
  • 6:40-6:45pm: Poetry by Brian Kell
  • 6:45-7pm: Poetry by Suzanne Popke
  • 7-8pm: Open Mic (Signup to share a little something!)
  • 8-9pm: Live Music & Storytelling by The Bog Bodies

Light refreshments by the Whitewater Arts Alliance

Saturday Children’s Programming
Saturday morning activities from 9:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m. at Flat Iron Park are designed especially for children and families, featuring interactive musical performances, storytelling entertainment, creative play, and hands-on activities.

Children’s activities throughout the morning include spin art, Maypole dancing, flowerpot painting, story-themed games, free books, crafts, and more. Adult workshops focused on creative expression and writing will also be offered at the Cultural Arts Center, with advance registration encouraged.

Saturday Workshops —A few workshop seats are still available as of Friday, but hurry to register!
Saturday’s workshops at the Cultural Arts Center offer adults an opportunity to explore storytelling through creativity, reflection, and personal expression at the historic Cultural Arts Center.

Playwriting (9:00-10:30 a.m.) with ASL Interpreter, author, and playwright, Tim Mumm, is a workshop on the elements of playwriting. Some topics to expect: plot, story arc, editing, and even joining a writing community!

Falling UpArt: Processing Pain Through Poetry (11:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.) with speaker, author, poet, and content creator for alternative methods of recovery, Matty Jablonsky of The Point of Change, is a workshop where you will get tips, tricks, and insight on how to process trauma through poetry. This 4-part workshop will end with a Q&A.

Register ASAP for your spot in one or both before they’re gone! Accepting 10 participants/workshop. Tickets are $10, paid on site. Register here: https://forms.gle/TTzy9s5XFRL7UqsX9

Saturday All-Ages Storytelling
From 12:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m., festivalgoers can enjoy a diverse lineup of storytellers and performers sharing stories through spoken word, music, sign language, and multilingual performances.

Vendor Market & Food Vendors
The Saturday vendor market, open from 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., will feature local artists, authors, makers, community organizations, interactive exhibits, wellness offerings, handmade goods, books, crafts, and family-friendly activities. Food and beverage vendors will also be onsite throughout the day offering tacos, coffee, lemonades, and sweet treats.

Designed for the young and young-at-heart, the Whitewater Storytelling Festival invites attendees to slow down, connect, create, and experience the many ways stories bring people together. Whether participating in a workshop, listening to live performances, exploring the vendor market, or enjoying music in the park, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Special Thanks to Our Festival Sponsors
The festival is made possible through the support of generous local sponsors and community partners, including Burtness Chevrolet Buick GMC, Culver’s, First English Lutheran Church, Ketterhagen Ford, Lon’s Jon’s, PremierBank, UW Whitewater Andersen Library, UW Whitewater Children’s Center, Dwight Watson, Whitewater Arts Alliance, and the Whitewater Public Library.

For festival updates and additional information, follow the Whitewater Arts Alliance on social media or contact Whitewater Arts Alliance Gallery Director, Kim Adams, at wwartsalliance@gmail.com or 608-201-2151.

#FlashbackFriday with the Historical Society: German M.E. Church c.1920’s



It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

This post card, probably from the 1920’s, is identified as the German M.E. Church. Historic sources state that this church was constructed in 1869 for the German Immanuel Church of the Evangelical Association and the congregation worshipped here until the 1930s. It was one of the many churches established by German immigrants in the 19th century in Wisconsin. In 1934, the Whitewater Fundamental Bible Church acquired the building for their congregation that still holds services today.

For more information on historic churches, go to www.whitewaterhistoricalsociety.org to the Stories tab to see a new article on this subject.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(3088PC, Whitewater Historical Society)

Local Resident Named to President’s List at Western Technical College

LA CROSSE, WI – Connor Friend, from Whitewater, WI was named to Western Technical College’s President’s List of High Distinction for the Spring 2026 term.

To be included on the President’s List, students must achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and carry six or more credits in an associate’s degree or technical diploma program.

For more information about Western Technical College programs and services, call 608.785.9200 or visit www.westerntc.edu.

Community Youth Sports Day; Día de Deportes Juveniles de La Comunidad

Saturday, May 30 features a Community Youth Sports Day at Whitewater High School from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The event is free to all children with soccer games, a bike rodeo and more.

This event is sponsored by Whitewater United FC, the Whitewater Police Department and the Immigrant Support Coalition.

Our Readers Share: Ron Binning – Amazing backyard


Ron Binning writes “Yesterday’s back yard was also amazing. We don’t see a Scarlett Tanager very often or a fawn 1 or 2 hours old.  It could barely stand or walk.”

Our thanks to Ron Binning for sharing more amazing nature 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!

UW-W to Host Special Olympics State Summer Games for Fourth Straight Year [Updated]


Updated 5/28/26 @ 12:15 p.m. to add a Culver’s lemon ice cooler promotion at the bottom of this post.

Written by Chris Lindeke | Photos by Craig Schreiner

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is set to welcome thousands of Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes, volunteers, and fans to the Whitewater campus for the fourth consecutive year.

The State Summer Games are slated for June 4-6 at UW-Whitewater’s indoor and outdoor athletics facilities, including Perkins Stadium, Kachel Fieldhouse, and the university’s intramural fields. Due to construction this summer at Rex Foster Track, track and field events will take place at Palmyra-Eagle Middle / High School, located at 123 Burr Oak St., Palmyra, WI, 53156.


“Accessibility is central to our university mission, and this event gives Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes from around the state an opportunity to compete and have fun in a positive, inclusive environment,” said Chancellor Corey A. King. “We are excited to welcome these athletes and their families and friends to Whitewater. Our staff and volunteers are ready to work with Special Olympics Wisconsin to host a first-class event.”

“We are thrilled to once again partner with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to host our Summer Games, as their commitment to inclusion, excellence, and community creates an outstanding experience for our athletes,” said Chad Hershner, President and CEO of Special Olympics Wisconsin. “This collaboration allows us to deliver a premier event where athletes can compete, connect, and celebrate the power of sport in a truly welcoming environment.”


The three-day event kicks off with the Parade of Athletes and Opening Ceremony on June 4 inside Perkins Stadium. The remainder of the time includes opportunities for Special Olympics athletes to compete in track and field, cornhole, and powerlifting, engage in health and wellness activities and sessions, and participate in social events.

Hundreds of volunteers are needed to run athletics events, serve meals, and assist with other aspects of the Games. Learn more about volunteering »


UW-Whitewater has hosted the State Summer Games each year since 2023. The event is part of the dozens of camps, clinics, and special events hosted every summer by Continuing Education staff.

In 2025, a record 9,041 participants were part of nearly 100 summer events at UW-Whitewater. More than 6,300 were registered for UW-Whitewater camps, which include opportunities in athletics, the arts, music and more.

The Whitewater Culver’s is participating in this promotion.

Obituary: Donald Walter Triebold, 91

Donald Walter Triebold passed on to his eternal home on May 21, 2026. Don was born on April 23, 1935, in Evanston, IL, to the late Frederick W. and Mildred (nee Stecher) Triebold. Through his teen years, Don lived and worked on the family’s dairy farm, where he developed a life-long work ethic. His first eight years of education were in a one-room country schoolhouse, in which all eight grades were taught by one teacher. He graduated from Whitewater City High School in 1953 and then graduated from UW Whitewater in 1958 with a degree in Business Education. He continued his education, and earned a Master’s Degree in 1966. 

Don married Marjorie Schonath on August 9, 1958. They then moved to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where Don taught Business Education courses at Manitowoc High School. In 1963, they moved to Burlington, WI, where he taught at Burlington High School. 

Their marriage was blessed with three sons, Eric (Lynne), Mark (Carrie), Kurt (Julia); seven grandchildren, Ryan (Theresa), Sarah (Morgan), Taylor (Jackie), Emily (Nathan), Madelaine, Hayden, and Payton; 3 step grandchildren, Makiah, Helene, and Connor; 3 great- granddaughters, Oliani (Ani), Charlotte (Charlie), and Georgia. 

In 1966, Don moved back to Whitewater and launched a business career with his brothers, establishing Triebold Implement, Inc., a farm and construction equipment dealership. Other business ventures were: Froehling Farm Equipment in Watertown, WI, T & T Auto Parts Supply, D & R Partnership LLC, and real estate properties and rentals. 

Don represented the farm equipment industry by serving on dealer councils with various manufacturers, including J.I. Case, New Holland, and Gehl Company. He was a member of the Midwest Equipment Dealer Association and became president in 1999 and 2000. Don served a term on the Whitewater Community Development Authority Board, and was one of the founding members of Bethel House, a Whitewater non-profit offering shelter and financial assistance for families in crisis. Don also served in the Wisconsin National Guard for eight and a half years. 

Don aspired to live a Christ-centered life. His faith was reflected through decades of service in numerous church ministries, including 60 years as an active member of First United Methodist Church of Whitewater. He loved Christian and classical music and sang in choirs for nearly 70 years. Don also had a deep appreciation for history, art, architecture, flower gardening, nature, and world travel. He is survived by his sons, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. 

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife Marge; three sisters, Dorothy (Joe) Gray, Aileen (Hubert) Niemann, and Shirley (Gordon) Lohmeier; three brothers, Frederic “Fritz” (Jeanne) Triebold, Richard “Dick” (Judy) Triebold, and David (Laura) Triebold. 

 VISITATION: The family will greet relatives and friends on Monday, June 1, 2026, at First United Methodist Church, 145 S. Prairie St., Whitewater from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. 

SERVICE: A celebration of life service will follow the visitation at the church on Monday. 

Memorials in Don’s name to First United Methodist Church of Whitewater or the Alzheimer’s Association are appreciated by the family. 

The Nitardy Funeral Home – Whitewater has been entrusted in Don’s arrangements.  

Whitewater Resident Ron Slapinski Honored by VETSROLL 2026

The 17th annual VetsRoll trip took place, May 17-20, 2026, taking nearly 200 American Veterans, Rosie the Riveters and 125 volunteers on a free four-day trip to Washington, D.C. VetsRoll honors America’s Senior Veterans.

Ron Slapinski, Whitewater, was selected as one of the nationwide honored Veterans to take part in this 14-bus caravan on Badger Coaches, that departed Machesney Park, Illinois in the early morning of May 17, 2026.

Veteran Ron Slapinski


Ron served from 1970-1974.  He was an Air Force Sergeant E4.  His service was spent at:

*Lackland Air Force Base, Texas for Basic Training
*Lowery Air Force Base, Colorado, Tech School Training
*KI Sawyer Air Force Base, Michigan, General Duties
*RAF Bentwaters, Woodbridge, England Flight Line, Various Duties


The Veterans were escorted to Washington D.C. and back with 35 motorcycles and various police, first responders and fire departments.


During their travels, the Veterans toured all the Major American Military Memorials:
*National Museum of the USAF at Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio
*U.S. Marine Corp Memorial, Washington, D.C.
*WWII Memorial, Washington, D.C.
*Vietnam Memorial, Washington, DC.
*Korean Memorial, Washington, DC.
*Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC.
*Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, DC.

The convoy left Washington D.C. Early on Wednesday, May 20, for a long trip home. They were greeted by thousands of community members, supporters, a parade, and a large fireworks display.

If you are interested in volunteering, donating or applying as a veteran for next year‘s trip, you can find more information on the VetsRoll homepage. VetsRoll.org

Editor’s Note: Submitted by Ron Slapinski’s PROUD Air Force wife, Sharon Reigstad.