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Today is Friday, June 19, 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
Marion Jauch Burrows (Feb. 2, 1930 – June 5, 2026) Her sparkling eyes, warm laugh, and generous ways were gifts Marion brought into this world, touching family members and friends alike over the ninety-six years of her life. She was born and raised in Lombard, IL, and in the course of her life lived with her husband and growing family in Abilene, TX, St. David’s, PA, Arkadelphia, AR, Ada, OK, and Colorado Springs, CO, before settling in Whitewater, WI, in 1965. Generosity of heart, compassion toward those in need in and beyond her community, and an unwavering commitment to fairness … Read more
Patricia “Pat” Lynn Bailey, age 70, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026 with her daughter by her side. Pat was born February 21, 1956 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to John and Ruth (Hudock) Prentice. After a brief time in Ann Arbor, the Prentice family moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin, where Pat grew up as part of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater community, where her father served as University Registrar. Pat attended the University School and later graduated from UW Whitewater with a degree in Elementary Education. Although she did not pursue teaching, she built a meaningful career in Human … Read more
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
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