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Today is Wednesday, May 13, 2026
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It’s time for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week’s image is a cornfield around 1900. Have you ever remarked on the height of today’s corn grown in local fields? Note that in this photo, the corn is much smaller in height and the rows contain lots of weeds. Today’s hybrid corn is taller and more productive and herbicides keep the fields pretty clean. Modern farming practices have certainly changed the Wisconsin landscape.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
2777GP, Whitewater Historical Society
Friday 8/8 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday 8/9 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
716 Peck St
Quilts, Santa collection, Christmas china , Weber grill lanterns, printer, a little of everything
As a result of a reader’s comment that it’s hard to find garage sales in Whitewater now that we no longer have a weekly shopper, the Banner staff agreed to offer a complimentary “consolidated” garage sale posting that will be published by Thursday morning for the upcoming weekend’s sales. This announcement will only be for garage sales (a sale of miscellaneous household goods, often held in the garage or front yard of someone’s house) in the city and school district boundaries. We will not be accepting, for example, ads for cars or other items that are not part of a scheduled garage sale. There will be a limit of three times per year for a particular property.
Those wishing to place a notice must send the information to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com by Wednesday at 6 p.m. You may include a brief description of the items that are for sale, the hours and days of the sale, and of course your address. If desired you can also include a few photos; we prefer the jpg format if possible.
| You’re Invited to A Full Day of Celebrating the Arts!!! |
| Friday, August 8, 2025. |
| Paint Wisconsin Afternoon Reception: Roberta’s Art Gallery, UW-Whitewater University Center, Rm. 158, 190 Hamilton Green Way, Whitewater, WI August 8, 2025, 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Program & Awards at 3:30 pm “Taste of Wisconsin” Friday Fish Fry themed refreshments will include: beer battered fish bites, mini potato pancakes, applesauce, coleslaw, relish tray veggies, Wisconsin Kringle, and sparkling cranberry juice Parking & Campus Map: Free parking for guests will be available in Lot 12 [Lot 12 is just off Prairie Street to the south of Heide Hall.] For more information, please visit: Roberta’s Art Gallery’s website and Instagram: uww_rag Paint Wisconsin Evening Reception, Art Auction, and WAA 20-Year Gala Event: Cultural Arts Center, 402 W. Main Street, Whitewater, WI August 8, 2025, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm 5 pm: Heavy hors d’oeuvres: themed mocktails available for purchase; gallery viewing; live piano music by Jim Olm. 5:45 pm: WAA 20th Anniversary Acknowledgement; Marilyn Fuerstenberg Tribute and Thank You to WHS Class of 1961; Paint Wisconsin Awards and Acknowledgement of Roberta’s Art Gallery. 6:15 pm: Appeal Message by WAA Board Member, Dwight Watson. 6:20 pm: Live Auction-Conducted by Jenny Gehl, Bravo Benefit Auctions; Followed by a Paddle Raise and Drawing of Gift Basket; Artwork/Prize Payments and Pick-Up. 7:30 pm: Performance by “Here Comes Treble” Sweet Adeline Quartet Featuring Christine Hayes, Valerie Troxel, Lori Heidenreich, and Kim Taylor. |
Detailed Schedule
Friday, August 8, 2025, will be a landmark day for the Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA), featuring a full schedule of events to celebrate its 20th Anniversary and honor local artists.
Paint Wisconsin Juried Exhibition Receptions
The day begins with the 1st Annual Paint Wisconsin Juried Exhibition’s Artist Reception and Awards Ceremony, held from 3 pm-4:30 pm at Roberta’s Art Gallery, located in the University Center at 190 Hamilton Green Way, UW-Whitewater. This juried exhibition honors the legacy of Marilyn Fuerstenberg and showcases works that capture the spirit of Wisconsin. A major exhibit, it is spread across two Whitewater galleries: Roberta’s Art Gallery and WAA’s own Cultural Arts Center Gallery, where a second reception will be held beginning at 5 pm. Awards will be presented to selected artists during both receptions. Parking in lot 12 at UW-Whitewater is free during the afternoon reception and parking is free at the Cultural Arts Center, with free overflow parking available across Main Street at First English Lutheran Church.
20th Anniversary Gala Celebration
At 5 pm, the celebration moves to the Cultural Arts Center, 402 W. Main Street, Whitewater, with the second Paint Wisconsin reception leading into the WAA 20th Anniversary Gala. The combined event at the Cultural Arts Center (CAC) runs from 5 pm–8 pm. Guests will enjoy live music, good food and treats, and a festive atmosphere that highlights the creative spirit of the community. For more information, visit the WAA Gala Event Page. Parking is free at the Cultural Arts Center, with free overflow parking available across Main Street at First English Lutheran Church.
Art Auction – Live Auction Fundraising Event
During the Gala, the evening at the CAC continues with an art fundraiser auction featuring paintings by the Stars of Whitewater, original works donated by WAA member-artists, and donated works created by nationally renowned, collected, artists such as Shelby Keefe, Schomer Lichtner, and Albert Benedict. Proceeds will support the Whitewater Arts Alliance’s mission to promote and sustain the arts in the region. Auction items may be viewed at the WAA Gala Event Page.
All events are free and open to the public. A voluntary contribution of $20 is warmly appreciated to help offset event expenses and support future programming.
All are welcome!
“Celebrate the arts. Celebrate community. Celebrate 20 years.”
| Feature Story |
| From Community Canvases to Cultural Treasures: The Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) Gala Auction Tells a Story of Artistic Generosity The Whitewater Arts Alliance’s 20th Anniversary Gala art auction began with a playful idea: invite Whitewater’s leaders to paint original works to be auctioned off as a fundraiser during the 20th Anniversary gala. That idea became Painting with the Whitewater Stars, a joyful July event where local figures—from university leaders to local business owners partnered with WAA Artist Coaches to create one-of-a-kind paintings. These spirited, original pieces would be auctioned at the Gala on August 8, 2025, with proceeds supporting the WAA. But the story didn’t stop there. As word of the art auction spread, donors stepped forward with remarkable gifts—artworks of serious merit and legacy. Among them, an extraordinary painting by Whitewater native, Shelby Keefe, a nationally acclaimed painter known for her expressive urban landscapes and vibrant realism. Also donated are serigraphic prints by Schomer Lichtner, one of Wisconsin’s most beloved artists, whose work is known worldwide and whose whimsical depictions of dancers and cows have charmed collectors for decades. His serigraphs add depth and prestige to the auction. Another generous donation comes from the Benedict family and honors the legacy of Al Benedict, a respected regional artist known for combining sculptural impact with playful design. The three pieces—creative and strong—show how Al’s work balanced his personality with craftsmanship, using unusual materials and bold forms to explore his inventive style. Alongside these renowned names are three beautiful pieces donated by local artists—each one a reflection of the community’s creative spirit and commitment to the arts. “What began as a lark quickly became a legacy,” said WAA Gallery Director, Kim Adams. “We’re honored to showcase both the playful and the profound. These works—whether painted by a city manager or a nationally recognized artist—share the same purpose: to bring people together and support the future of the arts in Whitewater.” The Gala will be held at the Cultural Arts Center Gallery, 402 W. Main Street, from 5–8:30 pm. Guests will enjoy an evening of celebration, live music, food, storytelling, and bidding on artwork that bridges generations and genres. Whether you’re drawn to the charm of local leaders’ first brushstrokes or inspired by the legacy of renowned artists, every piece in the auction tells a story—and every bid helps write the next chapter. Go to the Whitewater Arts Alliance website (whitewaterarts.org) to see the schedule of the 20th Anniversary Gala and to view all of the art pieces to be auctioned off during the event. |
Saturday, August 9th, 2025
12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
At the Lauderdale Landing
W5625 West Shore Drive, Elkhorn
Steak Dinner – $22
Burger with Fixings – $13
Proceeds to be used toward replacement of our engine
Fort Community Credit Union (FCCU) is proud to announce the grand reopening of its Whitewater branch. FCCU hosted an open house on Wednesday, July 30, with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Whitewater Chamber of Commerce.
The branch was originally constructed in 2000 to accommodate the merger with Whitewater Community Credit Union that occurred in 1999 and the growing membership in the city. Until this year, no major changes had been made, except for the installation of Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs) in the drive-up in 2018.
FCCU worked with LaMacchia Group to reimagine the interior layout of the Whitewater branch to enhance the banking experience for members. The branch remodel involved a reconfiguration of the space to ensure accessibility and private meeting spaces. The Whitewater branch has an inviting design that incorporates modern technology to improve member interactions, engagement and satisfaction.
“These upgrades reflect our commitment to providing a modern banking experience while remaining accessible to everyone in Whitewater,” said Sue Johnson, President and CEO of FCCU.
FCCU also has a new gallery wall provided by the artists of the Whitewater Arts Alliance. Community members are welcome to visit the branch to view the improvements.
About FCCU: Established in 1940, Fort Community Credit Union (FCCU) is a member-owned financial cooperative open to anyone living or working in Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, Rock, Walworth, or Waukesha counties. With branch locations in Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Watertown, and Whitewater, FCCU holds $380 million in assets and has more than 21,000 members. For more information about FCCU and the products and services they offer, visit fortcommunity.com or call (920) 563-7305.
Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by Fort Community Credit Union.
Steve Watson writes, “This morning’s [August 1] bike ride by Hillside cemetery hay field. Two deer playing tag and running circles around sandhill cranes.”
Our thanks to Steve Watson for these great wildlife action 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!
The 2025 National Senior Games is coming in hot in Des Moines, Iowa and four Wisconsinites representing the Wisconsin Tai Chi Academy are helping to bring the fire by already bringing home 7 golds in their sport.
Tracy Douglas, who attends the WTCA at their Whitewater location in the Cravath Lakefront Community Center was especially gratified. “This is the first time Tai Chi has been included in the National Senior Games, so to have won 1st place in the solo and group competitions is amazing. It’s wonderful knowing I’ve been a small part of tai chi’s history while representing Wisconsin. I even got to be the Wisconsin flag bearer in the Celebration of Athletes parade on Monday, July 28th which was an incredible honor.”
Founder and Head Instructor at WTCA, Ray Gates, was excited to be participating in the Games this year with three of his students. “Competitions are a great way to enjoy Tai Chi and meet others in the Tai Chi community. It’s a very supportive community; people are more interested in seeing what other people do and how they do it as opposed to being competitive. Having said that, we’re still very happy to have brought some medals back to Wisconsin.”
Four WTCA participants were the first from Wisconsin to compete in this sport at the Games.
The four WTCA athletes competed in a Group competition, as well as solo men and women’s competitions. Gates also competed in Open Weapon and Sword solo competitions, as well.
WTCA Medals
Women’s 65-69 Open Chuan Beginner- Sheila Quinnies
Women’s 60-64 Open Chuan Intermediate- Kerrie Hoffman
Women’s 55-59 Open Chuan Beginner- Tracy Douglas
Men’s 50-54 Open Chuan Advanced- Ray Gates
Open 50-54 Weapon (Non-Jian) Advanced- Ray Gates
Men’s 50-54 Sword (Jian) Advanced- Ray Gates
Group Advanced- Ray Gates, Kerrie Hoffman, Sheila Quinnies, Tracy Douglas
The National Senior Games run July 24-Aug 4 and include competitions for 25 different sports. Over 12,500 participants, including 400 from Wisconsin, ages 50-100+ will compete during this two-week event. More information about the Tai Chi competition at NSG can be found at: https://nsga.com/tai-chi/.
Wisconsin Tai Chi Academy is celebrating their 10th year this year, and offers classes in Cedarburg, River Hills, Brookfield, Wauwatosa, and Whitewater. You can find out more about WTCA at: https://wisconsintaichiacademy.com/.
Editor’s note: The above press release was submitted by Tracy Douglas.
Renea Gardner Zuehlke writes, “This was a beautiful butterfly that joined me in the garden.”
Our thanks to Renea Gardner Zuehlke for sharing this beautiful photo.
— 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!
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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