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Today is Tuesday, May 12, 2026
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Former Wisconsin Poet Laureate and UW-Whitewater Professor Nicholas Gulig presents a lyrical reflection on his return to Wisconsin adjoined to the literary echoes of Fort Atkinson’s famed 20th century poet Lorine Niedecker (1903–1970). “Welcome Poets” is a PBS Wisconsin production that connects the shared and divergent landscapes, personal histories and poetry of both writers — exploring themes of place and displacement, nature and culture, alienation and belonging. Gulig retraces the terrain of his childhood and coming of age as a Thai-American growing up in Eau Claire, his education and career taking him out of state and abroad to Southeast Asia and ultimately back to Wisconsin — landing in Fort Atkinson, the same town where Lorine Niedecker lived her entire life, writing and publishing in relative obscurity until shortly before her death in 1970. Gulig’s story accompanies Niedecker’s biography and poetry in a lyrical, layered conversation, her words etched in the geographies where Gulig is reestablishing home.
The film screening will be followed by a discussion with former Wisconsin Poet Laureate, UW-Whitewater and film writer/narrator Professor Nicholas Gulig and Colin Crowley, productor, director and videographer.
This event will be held on Wednesday, October 22 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at the Summers Auditorium in the University Center at UW-Whitewater. It is free and open to the public. No registration required.
More info: https://events.uww.edu/lectures/event/welcome-poets
This Tuesday, October 21, will be the season finale for the outdoor City Market, from 4-7 p.m.
The market will be moving to the Cravath Lakefront Community Center on Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon beginning November 8.
The Whippets traveled to Milton on Saturday, October 18th to compete in the Red Hawk Relays! The girls had a phenomenal day in the water, placing 4th overall as a team and bringing home multiple medals!
Top 5 Relay Finishes:
- 850 Free Relay (50–100–200–500) – 5th place, 10:54.20
• Maggie Maas swam the 200 leg in 2:22.37
• Lucy Davis closed the relay with an impressive 6:50.97 in the 500, a season best! - 300 Breaststroke Relay (50–100–50–100) – 5th place, 4:26.61
• Maya Davis – 1:34.10 (best time)
• Emma Maas – dropped 5 seconds with a 40.81 50 split
• Atreya Wilson – lifetime best 1:24.77 for her 100 - 200 Free Relay (Juniors/Seniors) – 4th place, 2:13.72
• Grace Coleman, Georgia Esch, Paige Kollwelter & Charlotte Hajewski earned the first medals of the day!
• Georgia, Paige & Charlotte all swam season-best splits. - 200 Medley Relay – 5th place, 2:22.12
• Emma Maas – 39.14 (Back)
• Atreya Wilson – lifetime best 36.91 (Breast)
• Lucy Davis – 35.63 (Fly)
• Grace Smith – 30.44 (Free) - 400 Free Class Relay (FR–SO–JR–SR) – 5th place, 5:27.43
• All swimmers went best times!
• Georgia Esch – 1:20.61
• Paige Kollwelter – 1:21.11 (4-second drop!)
• Caitlin Alford – 1:27.52
• Storm DePorter – 1:18.19 - 4×100 IM Relay – 4th place, earning medals with a fantastic team effort!
• Maggie Maas – 1:15.12
• Atreya Wilson – 1:18.69 (6-second drop!)
• Emma Maas – 1:20.40 (5-second drop!)
• Charlotte Hajewski – 1:20.26 - 200 Fly/Back Relay – 4th place, 2:24.04
• Lucy Davis, Grace Coleman, Charlotte Hajewski & Maggie Maas brought home another set of medals! - 200 Reverse IM Relay (FR–BR–BA–FLY) – 5th place, 2:42.69
• Laken DePorter, Maya Davis, Georgia Esch & Jalayne Hanson rounded out an impressive team performance!
The Whippets continue to show depth, teamwork, and steady improvement across every event — an incredible showing at a fun and competitive meet! 
Next up, the Whippets are back in the water on Tuesday, October 21st for their final dual meet of the season against Edgerton/Evansville — it’s Senior Night! 
Come celebrate our seniors and cheer on the team! Swimming starts at 5:30 pm at home!
Article and Photos Submitted by Sarah Reynolds
Whitewater High School Head Swim Coach
ReynoldsSM07@uww.edu
The Rock County Sheriff’s Office released the following press release on October 20:
“On October 20, 2025 at approximately 8:00 a.m., the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, Whitewater Police Department, Milton Police department along with Fire personnel from Whitewater and Lakeside fire were dispatched to a traffic crash with injuries. The location of the crash was in the 11000 block of E CTH N in Lima Township.
The investigation revealed a passenger car driven by a 56-year-old female of Whitewater was WB on E CTH N. There was a passenger SUV being driven by a 53-year-old male of Janesville traveling EB on E CTH N. The WB car had gone into the EB lane with the front of both vehicle’s colliding in a virtually head on collision. There were no other occupants of either vehicle. Both operators were wearing their seatbelts.
The driver of the passenger car was pronounced deceased on scene due to injuries sustained in the crash. The driver of the SUV was treated for non-life threatening injuries at a local hospital.
The Rock County Medical Examiner’s Office, Rock County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Team and Rock County Sheriff’s Office Drone Team assisted with this crash.
The name of the deceased will later be released by the Rock County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The crash investigation is ongoing.”
CURTIS N. FELL
SHERIFF
Online orders may be placed directly on this form.
Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by the J-Hawk Aquatic Club.
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Updated 10/19/25 @ 3:30 p.m. to add contact information for photographer.
The 13th annual Discover Whitewater Series (DWS): Half Marathon, Half Marathon Teams, & 5K were run on September 21, 2025. For the first time the races did not begin at the high school, due to the construction on Walworth Avenue. The start was on Schwager Drive near Perkins Stadium, and the finish line was on the football field.
Many thanks to Tom Ganser for this extensive photo gallery. Email tganser33@gmail.com to inquire about copies.
5k Judy Valdez of Whitewater
Obituaries
Lawrence “Larry” C. Hartung, a proud Marine Veteran of the Vietnam War, and longtime resident of Fort Atkinson, WI, passed away peacefully at his home on May 1, 2026. Larry was born June 7th, 1949, to Levon and Charles Hartung in Chicago, IL. Larry enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1968 and served 3 consecutive tours in the Vietnam War. During this time, he became pen pals with his future wife, Candy, via a connection through his father. In 1970, he came home on leave to marry Candy. They celebrated 55 years of marriage on October 31st, 2025. During … Read more
Leo E. Wurzer, 65, of Eagle, Wisconsin passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at his home. Leo was born on April 15, 1961 in Kenosha, Wisconsin to Cyril and Shirley (McNeil) Wurzer. He grew up between Pleasant Prairie and Antigo, spending his childhood summers on his uncle’s farm where he discovered his love for all things tractors. Although he never had a farm of his own, he was able to partially fulfill his dream by working as a driver for Robin’s Trucking in Whitewater, WI in his last days and collecting miniature Tonka toys. He began his career … Read more
Lois Cummings, 99, of Fond du Lac, WI (formerly of Janesville, WI, Fort Atkinson, WI, Fountain Hills, AZ, and Green Valley, AZ) passed away peacefully on May 5, 2026 at the Meadows Senior Residence in Fond du Lac surrounded by family. Lois was born on February 17, 1927 in Fort Atkinson to Edward and Clarice (Roseth) Stevens. The middle child of 9 children, she attended Fort Atkinson schools and graduated in 1944. On September 11, 1948 Lois married Grant Cummings at Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Delavan, WI. Together they had 3 children, Gary, Colleen (Tom) Sabel, and Patty (Paul) … Read more
Come celebrate William Kincaid’s Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 30th at 1 pm at Trippe Lake Park Pavillion in Whitewater. He truly enjoyed gatherings where his favorite foods and music could be enjoyed with some of his closest friends and family. We will honor him by carrying on one of his favorite traditions. Please bring your own beverages and chairs. There is limited seating. See you all there!
Gladys Jean (Riley) Hildebrandt, age 89, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 23, 2026. Gladys was born on December 26, 1936, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Theresa Egnoski Riley. She was married to Walter Sobolik Sr., and later married James A. Hildebrandt in 1976. Gladys was a hardworking woman who spent her life caring for others. She worked in school kitchens, restaurants, factories, and cleaning services. She concluded her working career as a full-time nanny. In that role, she lovingly cared for Andrew, Daniel, and Kaitlyn Drzewiecki, who became part of her chosen family. Gladys is survived by her sons, Wally … Read more
WHITEWATER – Nan Rowley died on April 15, 2026, at the age of 90. She was born on September 4, 1935, in a little house on the prairie in the Town of Johnstown, Wisconsin, the daughter of Wayne L. Wilbur and Florence (McQuillen) Wilbur. Nan attended primary schools in the towns of Johnstown and Richmond and in the City of Whitewater. Nan graduated with honors from Whitewater City High School. On June 19, 1954, Nancy and Ken Rowley were united in marriage in Whitewater and went to live on the Rowley family farm in Richmond. Over the years, Nan served … Read more
Marion H. Gorniak (nee Pfeiffer), 74, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 11, 2026. She was born on October 24, 1951, to the late Harvey and Loraine (nee Drifke) Pfeiffer in Fort Atkinson, WI. On June 2, 1969, she was united in marriage to Alan Gorniak. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, and cooking, especially her rhubarb pies. She especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends and will be missed by all who knew her. Those Marion leaves behind to cherish her memory include her husband, Alan Gorniak; stepson, Alan Bauer; sister, Sue Ann Schultz, other relatives and friends. … Read more
Ruth Irene (Phelps) Justis, 88, of Appleton City, Missouri, passed away Friday morning, April 10, 2026, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, MO, with her family by her side. Ruth was born June 3, 1937 in Janesville, Wisconsin, to Charles and Ada Mae (Maly) Phelps. She joined the Marine Corps in 1956. During her time there, she met and married her husband, Forest Wayne “Wayne” Justis in 1957. They shared 62 years of marriage and to this union, 2 children, Charles and Dorene, were born. Ruth grew up in Whitewater, WI., the oldest of three children. Ruth graduated from … Read more
Dorothy C. Kau, age 101, of Eagle, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Fort Memorial Hospital. Dorothy was born on March 18, 1925 in Eagle on the family farm, the daughter of John and Katherine (Faestel) VonRueden. Dorothy was a 1942 graduate of Palmyra High School. On May 21, 1949, Dorothy was united in marriage to Alvin E. Kau at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Eagle and the Lord blessed their union with 8 children. Alvin and Dorothy enjoyed 50 years of marriage together until Alvin’s death in the year 2000. Dorothy enjoyed being a farm … Read more
Dorothy E. McCracken, 95, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2025, in Sarasota, Florida. Born on April 14, 1930, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Carl and Joyce Meyer, Dorothy grew up in Whitewater and graduated from Whitewater High School. She then worked for a photographer and hand painted his first colored portraits, until she got married. She and her first husband, Bernard Wafle, owned and operated a 179-acre dairy farm in Helenville, Wisconsin, for 25 years before relocating to Ocala, Florida, in 1979. Dorothy later married Earl McCracken, in Ocala, Fl. She also shared a special companionship later in life with … Read more
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