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Today is Saturday, June 13, 2026
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Each year the Whitewater Arts Alliance is delighted to showcase the outstanding 2D and 3D visual art produced by its members.
The 2025 exhibit opens Thursday, November 6 with a reception Saturday, November 15 at the Cultural Arts Center, 402 West Main Street in Whitewater.
Being eligible to exhibit in the Members’ Show is one of the benefits of WAA membership. There is no fee to enter, and WAA does not deduct commission on sales made during the show.
Advance registration is required using either the online form (recommended) at whitewaterarts.org/2025membersshow or by downloading, printing, and mailing/dropping off the paper entry form at the gallery.
Entries must be received by Sunday, October 26, 2025.
Your Whitewater Whippet Soccer Team came out on the winning side of an evenly matched contest on Tuesday night, September 23, versus Jefferson, 1-0.
Whitewater dominated all aspects of the game but couldn’t find the back of the net. Possession, passing completion, shots on goal, and 50/50s won all went in favor of the Whippets. While piling on the pressure late in the match, Diego Gonzalez made a great run into the box which forced the Jefferson defender into committing a poor tackle, fouling Diego, and seeing a penalty awarded to WHS. Abdi Calvillo slotted the penalty perfectly into the far post corner giving the keeper no chance of a save. With only minutes left, Whitewater kept the pressure on and narrowly missed out on scoring another goal.
Whippet Soccer is back in action at home on Thursday night vs Edgerton.
Where: 329 E. Cravath St., Whitewater
When: Saturday 9/27 – 9a -4p
Details: House, garage, and basement cleanout sale! Everything is $1 unless marked. Women’s clothes size S/M, Men’s clothes size L/XL. Some furniture, priced to sell. Full-size refrigerator in great working condition- $50. Lots of miscellaneous items. Stop and see, there’s something for everyone and we want everything gone!
Where: N5907 State Rd. 89 Delavan (3/4 mile south of Duck Inn).
When: Friday + Saturday 9/26 & 9/27 8am-4pm both days.
Details: Misc household, outdoor items, cookbooks, KitchenAid mixer, misc Christmas, women’s Harley coat/boots, dog toys,
bed and kennel like new.
Updated 9/23/25 @ 11:45 p.m. to add Tom Ganser photos at end of the post.
The Greater Whitewater Committee (GWC)’s 13th annual Discover Whitewater Series (DWS): Half Marathon, Half Marathons Teams, and 5k was a success raising money for local charities.
This year, the DWS team worked hard to put together brand-new maps that allowed runners an exhilarating experience while still highlighting all of the amazing qualities Whitewater has to offer. The entire DWS team wants to give a special thank you to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater; with their help and hospitality, we were able to continue to host this safe and fun community event.
With this new course, runners had the chance to finish the race in the University’s football field, Perkins Stadium, on the 50-yard line! Participants of the 5K got to see some of Whitewater’s’ incredible campus, beautiful nature trails, and lively downtown area! Runners on the new 13.1 course got to experience a significant course in Whitewater’s racing history, as they went along part of Whitewater’s Marathon Qualifiers in the 80s and 90s! Because of these two maps, the 13th annual race was themed as a “Retro Race,” a showcase to the history of Whitewater seen in a new light!
This year, the DWS brought in over 420 participants, 180 volunteers and nearly 70 sponsors. The DWS team was thrilled to welcome runners from so many different states! The weather was nice for the runners with clear skies and temperatures in the upper 60s and low 70s.
Chancellor Corey A. King arrived at the race bright and early Sunday morning to give the welcoming remarks and wished all of the participants a great race. He was joined by Whitewater Unified School District’s new superintendent, Samuel Karns, who helped kick off the exciting day!
Thank you to all of our runners for coming out to participate! A special shout out to all of our top placing racers!
The top runners in the Women’s Half Marathon:
● First Place: 1:18:55.29 – Runner 1786 Jessa Victor
● Second Place: 1:21:04.87- Runner 1771 Jenny Zwagerman
● Third Place: 1:24:40.25- Runner 1775 Jenny Simpson
The top runners in the Men’s Half Marathon:
● First Place: 1:07:51.20 Runner 1626 John Dewitt
● Second Place: 1:09:35.18 Runner 1676 John Liddell
● Third Place: 1:11:13.08 Runner 1636 David Fassbender
The top runners in the Women’s 5K:
● First Place: 23:58.90- Runner 2476 Kate Omernik
● Second Place: 24:12.31- Runner 2456 Kirstin Colligan
● Third Place: 24:12.37- Runner 2459 Jessica Krause
The top runners in the Men’s 5K:
● First Place: 16:57.07- Runner 2423 Tyler Zwagerman
● Second Place: 17:24.02- Runner 2249 Andrew Balistreri
● Third Place: 18:18.85- Runner 2249 Nate Holden
To see all race results, make sure to visit: https://runwhitewater.com/race-results/
Thanks to all of the hard work of our amazing volunteers and sponsors, the 13th Annual DWS proved once again, to achieve its mission of bringing people together in support of a good cause. All proceeds will be distributed to the DWS’ four charity partners: Bethel House of Whitewater, J-Hawk Aquatic Club, Warhawk Athletics through the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Foundation, and Whitewater LEADS. Runners and volunteers joined together after the race to celebrate the day’s accomplishments, enjoying a free beverage from post-race celebration sponsor, 841 Brewhouse.
“I wanted to give a shout out to all of our runners, volunteers, and of course, the University for hosting us,” said Race Director Dawson Miller, “We are all very honored that everyone came together to make this community event possible once again, and we are happy for the overwhelmingly positive feedback on the new course.”
The DWS team would like to thank all who came out in support of the race. The entire community has been a part of such an amazing event that has greatly helped charities across Whitewater.
The Planning Committee is already starting on next year’s race! Save the date for September 20, 2026 for our fourteenth anniversary of the Discover Whitewater Series. Stay tuned for updates – we hope everyone will join us!
Photos below are of the start of the half marathon, from very start to photos as runners passed, courtesy of Tom Ganser.
Photos below are of the start of the 5k,from the very start to runners along the way passing Tom Ganser.
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, Warhawk Athletics through the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Foundation, 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.
The Cultural Arts Center is proud to present a Latino Heritage Pop-Up, a three day celebration honoring the artistic contributions and cultural richness of Latino art and culture in Wisconsin. Sponsored by McCullough LTC Pharmacy, this event brings together a diverse group of artists and performers whose work reflects the vibrancy, resilience, and depth of Latino heritage.
Among the featured artists is Edith V. Wence, a young,contemporary artist from Whitewater whose work explores themes of identity and transformation through expressive visual language. Her work invites viewers to reflect on the beauty found in everyday materials and the stories they carry.
Thom Romero, an interdisciplinary artist from Milwaukee, brings a meditative and layered approach to his work. With degrees in Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Romero bridges drawing, painting, printmaking, and large-scale fiber installations. His work documents memory and shared histories, using color and line to unlock narratives embedded in the surface of his materials.
Emmanuel Guerra, a mixed media artist with an MFA from UW–Milwaukee and a BFA from Ball State, creates evocative assemblages, drawings, and paintings that explore intergenerational memory and personal identity. Guerra’s art is rooted in the intersection of their Midwest upbringing and Mexican heritage, offering intimate reflections on grief, resilience, and cultural continuity.
Marco Wence, a Latino musician from Whitewater, is known for his expressive vocal performances and contributions to the local music scene. His solo rendition of “Who Am I?” from Les Misérables earned him an Exemplary Performance Award at the WSMA State Solo/Ensemble Festival. Wence’s music blends theatrical storytelling with Latinx heritage, creating a powerful and heartfelt experience for audiences.
The celebration culminates in a special event titled Hispanic Roots, held on Sunday, September 28 from 2pm-4pm. This gathering will feature live music, artist talks, and community engagement, offering a space for reflection, connection, and celebration of Latino culture.
The Latino Heritage Pop-Up runs from September 25 through 28 at the Cultural Arts Center in Whitewater. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Cultural Arts Center directly.
The special event Hispanic Roots on Sunday, September 28 from 2–4 PM is completely free. It’s a perfect opportunity to connect, reflect, and celebrate Latino heritage together.
For more information, Contact: Kim Adams, Gallery Director, Whitewater Arts Alliance
Phone: 608-201-2151
Email: wwartsalliance@gmail.com
Website: whitewaterarts.org
Gallery Hours: Thursdays-Sundays, 12pm-4pm
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.
Hungry for a great pork loin sandwich? Come visit the FFA Alumni before the Homecoming game on Friday evening between 5:00 and 7:00 in the back of the high school!
The Whippet Volleyball Program took on East Troy this past week and Varsity headed to a tournament in Deerfield.
The JV1 and JV2 teams continue to make great strides in their overall skill development. They are beginning to understand the game at a higher level and continue to focus on playing as a team. Every athlete continues to work hard and get better each match!
The Varsity squad fell to the visiting Trojan team, but had moments of great play! What is impressive with this group is that they never give up, they have a will to win and it is shown in their work ethic, determination, and belief in being a great teammate.
East Troy stat leaders included Senior Sydney Schilt with 6 kills and 1 block. Sydney continues to lead this squad with her positive attitude and will to set the standard for her teammates. Our team looks to her to carry some offensive load and she has shown her ability to do this game in and game out. Dig leader on the night was Freshman Jasmine Kilar with 32 digs. Jasmine has truly developed as a defensive leader for us. Her ability to read hitters and her quickness bring us a strong defense against good hitters. Senior Mya Graves-Koran continued to dish the sets to our hitters and led us with 8 assists and 2 aces. Mya continues to lead and develop as a faster offensive leader! Junior Rowan Seaver rounded out the stat leaders with a block.
The Varsity squad then headed to Deerfield for a tournament. They faced a tough schedule playing 5 matches in a row against Cambria-Friesland, Lincoln Academy, Randolph, Deerfield, and Dodgeland.
The team pushed Cambria-Friesland to 3 sets (25-21, 17-25, 9-15), losing in the 3rd. They followed that by beating Lincoln Academy in 2 sets (25-17, 25-18), and then fell to Randolph (13-25, 11-25), Deerfield (13-25, 21-25), and Dodgeland (17-25, 14-25). Again, this team continues to push through and work hard!
Stat leaders on the tournament included:
Kills: Senior, Sydney Schilt- 24
Digs: Freshman, Jasmine Kilar- 70
Aces: Schilt-9
Blocks: Senior, Peyton Clark-4
Assists: Senior, Mya Graves-Koran- 40
Next up, the Whippets will take on Delavan-Darien at home on Thursday, September 25 (5:00 PM-JV1 and 2, and 6:30 PM Varsity). This will be Play for Trey and Parents’ Night!
Article Submitted by Mary Kilar
John Schneider of Schneider Brothers Plastering and Stucco, repaired water damage to the substrate of the “Prairie Tillers” mural at the intersection of Center and Whitewater Streets.
This repair is in preparation for the mural’s second coat of MSA Varnish which is scheduled for the week of Monday, September 22nd. The damaged area will be re-painted and the varnish will protect the colors from sun damage.
Information and Photo Submitted by Caryl Yakso
Obituaries
Gemelino Paris Esperante, 83, long time resident of Whitewater, passed away on Thursday, June 4th, 2026. He was born on January 10, 1943, to his late father and mother, Evaristo and Carmen in Spain. In 1973 he moved to the United States as a sheep herder. On August 21, 1981, he was united in marriage to Cyndie Esperante in Colorado. Gemelino also worked in Mining and construction for many years. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, raising sheep and growing things in his garden, and flowers. He will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife … Read more
Mary Ann Warner died peacefully on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Crestridge Assisted Living in Dodgeville. Her physical heart failed, but her actual, loving heart never did. Ann was born June 28, 1939 to Mary and Charles Kearns in Iowa. She moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin and graduated with many dear friends in the class of 1957. Ann married John Warner on September 19, 1959. They lived in Whitewater, Sturgis Michigan, and finally settled in Janesville where they built a beautiful life and raised their family. Together, they ran a business, traveled, played cards, and enjoyed their lives. When they became … Read more
Patricia Ann Jacobson (Bureau), age 81, of Whitewater, WI, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI. Born on September 2, 1944, in Marquette, MI, to the late Donald and Margaret Bureau, Pat grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She graduated from Graveraet High School, attended Michigan State University, and later earned her bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University. Pat dedicated her professional life to shaping young minds, working as an elementary and junior high school teacher in both Flint, MI, and Whitewater, WI. At the heart of Pat’s life was a beautiful, … Read more
In loving memory of Lois Lauritzen, age 92, who passed away on June 1, 2026 at Lakewood Memory Care in Brookfield. Lois led an active life full of devotion to family and friends. Born July 14th, 1933 in Silvis, IL, daughter of Harry and Elsie Wilson, she grew up in the Quad Cities with older brother Harry Wilson Jr. Lois graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with a degree in physical education. She met her husband Paul Lauritzen on the college tennis team. Their marriage on June 12th, 1955 lasted 59 years until Paul’s death on September 26th, … Read more
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 … Read more
William Kincaid Davis, age 84, passed away on Tuesday, May 19 at Agrace Hospice Center in Fitchburg. He was born on November 1, 1941, in Madison, Indiana, the second son of Salvation Army Officers Agnes (Dixon) and William C. Davis. He attended several schools in Indiana and Illinois, including University of Illinois Experimental High School (Champaign), and graduated from Galesburg High School in 1958. He earned his bachelor’s degree from UW-Eau Claire in 1964 and his master’s degree from UW-Whitewater in 1972. He had an expansive career in education, beginning as an English teacher in Whitehall, Thornton Township (IL) and … Read more
Magdalene “Maggie” Stetter (nee Fritz), 79, of Whitewater, Wisconsin passed from this life onto the next on Monday, May 4, 2026. She was born on January 16, 1947, to the late John and Mary (Presser) Fritz in St. Stefan, Austria. Maggie immigrated from Austria with her parents and brother, became a US citizen, and grew up and attended school in West Allis, WI and then graduated with a teaching degree from University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Maggie served as a substitute, English, and German language teacher in the Whitewater, Elkhorn, Delavan, and Palmyra schools and at Divine Word Seminary. Maggie … Read more
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
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