News & Events

July 24  – Mariachi Nuevo Mexico

:: Mariachi : A high-energy mariachi band from the Chicago area. There will be a special children’s workshop, offering fun, hands-on activities inspired by the day’s music.

:: Sponsored by The Coburn Company

Also, would you mind emphasizing that

:: Food Vendor: Taqueria la Estrella 2

Savory Sounds 2025 Concert Series

• Concert Times: All concerts are held on Thursdays from 11:30am – 12:45pm.
• Location: Outside the Cultural Arts Center (CAC) / Flat Iron Park (next to the Birge Fountain), 402 W Main St, Whitewater.
• The concert will go on–even if we have inclement weather.  We will move the concert inside the CAC in this case (including for excessive heat).  We will post updates on our Facebook Page.
• Seating: If the concert is held outside, please consider bringing a lawn chair or blanket. A few picnic tables and benches around the Birge Fountain are also available.
• Food & Refreshments: Food and other refreshments will be available from the food vendor or bring your own lunch.
• Parking: CAC lot and city street parking is available with additional parking available at First English Lutheran Church.

Savory Sounds Sponsors:

• Anonymous Donor
• Coburn Company
• Culver’s of Whitewater
• D.L.K. Enterprises
• Fairhaven Senior Services
• Harbor Homes
• TDS

Wildlife, Whitewater version. 7-5-25

Steve Watson writes, “After witnessing this behavior, I had to look it up.

A doe licks her fawn’s rear end to stimulate defecation and urination, which she then consumes to keep the fawn’s scent down, minimizing the risk of attracting predators. This behavior is crucial for fawn survival as it helps keep the fawn clean and scent-free, allowing it to hide effectively.

Changing diapers don’t seem so bad, eh
all you moms.”

“That’s the spot!”

Our thanks to Steve Watson for figuring out the behavior in his photos – especially the first one!

— 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 second Concert in the Park of the season, Tuesday, July 22, at 6 p.m. features The Honey Pies. The event is free and open to all. We are super excited to be back on Tuesday nights for the Concerts in the Park Series. Our partnership with the City Market is truly unique and we are looking forward to Summer 2025!!

FREE Concerts will start at 6 pm! City Market 4-7 pm. ALL at Cravath Lakefront Park.

There is a limited amount of seating on benches next to the parking lot. Bring a chair or blanket, and, if you wish, bring supper or pick it up from the City Market vendors.

GOOD TASTE IN MUSIC [From the Honey Pies’ website]

In September 2017 three veteran Madison musicians, vocalist Jodi Jean Amble, singer and guitarist Tom Waselchuk, and multi-instrumentalist Doug Brown, put together a set of material for a one-and-done performance at the annual Spring Green BeatleFest. Their set was enthusiastically received. The players came away feeling the spark of a kindred musical spirit, and so began the Honey Pies. A year’s worth of performances confirmed each member’s initial feeling that they’d stumbled onto something special. To mark their one-year anniversary The Honey Pies introduced bassist and vocalist Matt Rodgers to the band.

Displaying a formidable range of musical backgrounds and notable depth of experience, The Honey Pies apply crystal vocal harmonies and virtuoso instrumental skills to the best of traditional, contemporary, and original Americana music.

“This is not your typical three-chord country-folk band! The four members of the Honey Pies are all terrific musicians in their own right but put together their musicality shoots to new heights.  The sound is free-spirited, but amazingly focused and precise. Jodi & Tom’s voices blend so well and both have extensive vocal ranges.  When Matt and Doug join in for four-part harmony, it’s just over the top. Tom & Doug’s fret work and Matt’s bass riffs are inspiring, and you just can’t help but love Jodi Jean any time she opens her mouth to sing.  And what a range of styles!” Nancy Cullen  •  Rural Musicians Forum

Grow Your Gardening Skills with UW-Madison Extension’s Online Course

Want to be a better gardener? Whether you’re new to gardening or looking to deepen your skill set, Growing and Caring for Plants in Wisconsin: Foundations in Gardening is the course for you. 

Offered online by the UW-Madison Division of Extension Horticulture Program, this self-paced course runs Sept. 7–Dec. 6, 2025. You’ll learn how to grow and care for everything from trees to vegetables to houseplants—and everything in between! Learn more at go.wisc.edu/ExtFoundationsInGardening.

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:

• Connect plant biology with good gardening practices
• Explain how to select, grow, and maintain the health of different kinds of plants
• Manage common plant problems
• Use Integrated Pest Management strategies to protect plant health and the environment

The course includes 14 modules with videos, virtual activities, readings, and live webinars featuring Extension experts. You can also sign up for optional online lab sessions to apply what you’ve learned in real-life scenarios (additional fee applies).

If you are interested in becoming a Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener, this course is considered an “approved learning opportunity” to be eligible for the Master Gardener Program. For more information on how to become a Master Gardener, visit mastergardener.extension.wisc.edu/join.

Early Bird registration is open July 16–Aug. 11, 2025, for $299, including a digital course manual. You may purchase a physical copy of the course manual for an additional fee. Scholarships are available during Early Bird registration for those eligible for financial assistance. Registration closes Aug. 28. Learn more and register at go.wisc.edu/ExtFoundationsInGardening.

Questions? Email Amy Freidig at gardening.class@extension.wisc.edu

The Extension Horticulture Program provides research-based horticulture information to Wisconsin gardeners so they can make informed decisions that keep their plants healthy while protecting the environment. The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by  Richard Duijnstee from Pixabay.

UW-MADISON ANNOUNCES 2025 SPRING GRADUATES

A total of 9,424 students received degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison on May 9-10, including students from your area.

There were two live Spring 2025 Commencement ceremonies, one for undergraduates at Camp Randall and one for all graduate degree candidates at the Kohl Center. 

Keynote speaker and celebrated sports columnist Jason Gay encouraged the graduates to embrace joy in their lives.

“Spend your time with people who give you happiness. Stay as open to new experiences as you are today,” Gay said. “Find satisfaction in small routines – the place where you live, community service, time outside in the natural world.”  

Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin reminded graduates that an essential part of their UW-Madison education has been learning to find ways to connect, not disconnect, and to engage, not disengage. And to do that even when they disagreed – to move beyond bubbles and echo chambers.

“And that’s important,” Mnookin said. “You are stepping into a world that is both deeply complex and distressingly polarized, and you have the power to do something good in that world, especially if you can find ways to work with people you might not always agree with.”

Senior class president Sam Mahlum, who served as Saturday’s student speaker, said one of the things she and her fellow graduates learned at UW was the value of time, including the time it takes to climb Bascom Hill.

“We wish for more time to get assignments completed, to study for the next exam, to hang out with friends or to just stay here, in this special place in our lives, before we have to go out there and be whatever it is we have been working so hard to become,” she said.

For more information about UW-Madison, visit http://www.wisc.edu.

Here are the degree recipients from your area:

NAME, COLLEGE, DEGREE, MAJOR(S), DISTINCTION (if listed)
Whitewater, WI

 Yogesh Ahlawat, College of Engineering, Master of Science-Industrial Engineering, Industrial Engineering
 Jenna Caldwell, School of Business, Bachelor of Business Administration, Business: Finance, Investment and Banking and Business: Real Estate and Urban Land Economics
 Elijah Grall, College of Letters and Science, Bachelor of Science, Computer Sciences and Data Science
 Reid Gunnink, School of Business, Bachelor of Business Administration, Business: Finance, Investment and Banking and Business: Information Systems, Graduated with Distinction
 Cc Liang, College of Letters and Science, Bachelor of Science, Psychology, Graduated with Distinction
 Mohamed Mohamed, School of Pharmacy, Doctor of Pharmacy, Pharmacy
 Kaden Tourdot, College of Letters and Science, Bachelor of Science, Computer Sciences and Data Science

Starting July 21, Starin Road between Warhawk Drive and Prairie Street will be closed to all traffic. The University is in the process of installing new steam and condensate piping. The project is anticipated to be completed by August 8. This work is weather dependent. Traffic will be detoured using Warhawk Drive, Schwager Drive and Prairie Street.

_________________________________________________________________

A partir del 21 de Julio, Starin Road entre Warhawk Drive y Prairie Street estará cerrada a todo el tráfico. La Universidad está en el proceso de instalar nuevas tuberías de vapor y condensado. Se prevé que el proyecto esté terminado para el 8 de Agosto. Este trabajo depende del clima. El tráfico se desviará usando Warhawk Drive, Schwager Drive y Prairie Street.

Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the Department of Public Works.

Special Common Council Meeting for City of Whitewater & Whitewater
Unified School District School Board – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda Discussion regarding School Resource Officer agreement- Whitewater Unified School District; Discussion and Possible Action regarding School Resource Officer agreement with Whitewater Unified School District- City of Whitewater
Whitewater High School LMC, 2nd Floor, 534 S. Elizabeth Street
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88295102614?pwd=nWlHbClD6GkRKOeovPasL3a1w4bBh4.1
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US
Webinar ID: 882 9510 2614
Passcode: 058570

Starin Park Water Tower Community Committee – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St
*In Person and Virtual
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/167994549
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 167-994-549
United States: +1 (872) 240-3212
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install

Irvin L. Young Memorial Library Board of Trustees – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes naming of the library.
Cravath Lakefront Conference Room, 312 W Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89777146348?pwd=zpOmV3adZ7k3qhC3tHIGJe1GxYEyg1.1
Meeting ID: 897 7714 6348
Passcode: P2NQ6svp
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US (Chicago)

City of Whitewater Finance Committee – Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater Str
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar: You are invited to a Zoom webinar!
Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84316558364
Phone one-tap:
+13126266799,,84316558364# US
Join via audio:
+1 312 626 6799 US
Webinar ID: 843 1655 8364

Sing, Dance, Thrive! Music & Movement Fun for Children

Do you and your young kids love to sing, dance, and play musical instruments? Do you wish you had new parenting strategies to handle stress, meltdowns, and challenging behaviors? Children ages zero to six and their caregivers are invited to “Sing, Dance, Thrive,” a free class at Cravath Lakefront Park (341 S. Fremont St.) on Monday, July 21 at 4:30-5:30 p.m. Participants will engage in imaginative music and movement adventures, playfully dance with colorful ribbons and parachutes, and nurture relationships by deepening emotional awareness and learning coping strategies for home and school.

The class is taught by Noelle Larson, a Board-Certified Music Therapist, graduate of Whitewater High School and Berklee College of Music, and the owner of Circle of Song Music Therapy, LLC. Noelle has a passion for helping clients and participants to “Connect, Thrive, and Come Alive Through Music,” strengthen family relationships, learn adaptive coping strategies, and experience wonder and joy through the delight of participating in live music making.

There is no cost or registration required to attend. While the class is best for ages 6 and under, all ages are welcome to attend. Contact Sarah French with any questions at sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or 262-473-0530.