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Today is Saturday, May 17, 2025
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It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week’s photo is borrowed from Roger Anderson, internationally-known peony breeder. It is from 1986 and shows the new yellow intersectional peony developed by Roger. This peony was an innovation in color and in form. Roger was born and raised in Whitewater and developed his innovative peonies in nearby Fort Atkinson.
Join us this Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at the Cravath Lakefront Center for the Historical Society’s Spring program, “Roger Anderson and his Peonies.”
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
(photo courtesy of Roger Anderson)
Geneva Lake Conservancy, with its partner Lakeland Audubon Society, is pleased to announce its fourth biennial Kettle Moraine Bird Festival on Saturday, May 17 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bromley Woods, W5798 Greening Road in Whitewater.
Participants can expect to see a variety of warblers as well as many other forest interior birds.
Bromley Woods is the Conservancy’s largest public preserve and features an oak woodland, savanna, and kettle pond, which provide habitat for many declining bird populations. Bird walks will be offered at 8, 9 and 10 AM. Be sure to bring your cameras and binoculars!
After the last bird walk, there will be an official opening of the last Bromley purchase of 21 acres, where the Conservancy’s Chair and a member of the Bromley family will speak. This will be open to the public. A ticketed lunch will be available after the Bromley opening with an avian presentation by Beth Martin, lead of the Bald Eagle Nest Watch Program.
The event is open to the public and registration is limited. The bird walk is $5 and the walk with lunch and presentation is $30. To register go to https://www.genevalakeconservancy.org/ [click on “events”] or call 262-275-5700.
Editor’s note: The site indicates that reservations should be made by May 14. A call to confirm availability might be wise.
The Geneva Lake Conservancy is an accredited land trust that has protected over 3,500 acres of open land in Walworth County. Formed in 1977, it offers five public nature preserves for hiking and other recreational activities as well as other programs and educational activities for children and adults, including its Conservation@Home program. For more information, go to GenevaLakeConservancy.org.
Cleveland, OH — The UW-Whitewater softball team opened the 2025 NCAA Regional hosted by Case Western in spectacular fashion Thursday. Josie Hammen (Combined Locks, Wis./Kimberly) tossed the first no-hitter in NCAA play in league history as the Warhawks topped Penn College of Technology 5-0.
The day didn’t start off as planned as a rainstorm popped up in the middle of warmups causing a delay. The Warhawks headed to a locker room to wait out the next two hours before heading back to field to re-warmup. The delay didn’t seem to have an impact as the Warhawks took an early lead and Hammen shutdown the Wildcats.
JJ Jakosalem (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Buffalo Grove) took one for the team to lead off the bottom of the third. Kaitlyn Weidemann (Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township) laid down a nifty bunt and legged out the infield single followed by a walk from Bella Eggert (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North) to load the bases. Kiarra Kostroski (Fort Atkinson, Wis./Fort Atkinson) put the ball in play and forced a miscue to push the first run across. Emma Giese (Kenosha, Wis./Indian Trail) found the 5-6 hole beating the diving shortstop for a RBI single. Grace Wickman (Wausaukee, Wis./Peshtigo) scored another on a grounder before Dani Peshia (Newark, Ill./Newark Community) tagged a ball up the middle. The second baseman made a diving stop but Peshia got the infield single and an RBI for a 4-0 lead. Auburn Roberson (South Elgin, Ill./St. Charles North) plated the final run of the inning, and the game, on a grounder that the shortstop made a diving play on. Despite the great defensive effort, Giese was able to score from third and give UWW a 5-0 advantage.
The top of the fourth saw the lone Wildcat batter reach on a walk. Hammen threw to just one over the minimum, one batter away from the perfect game.
The no-hitter is the first of Hammen’s collegiate career, the first seven-inning no-hitter for UW-Whitewater since 2017, and the first no-hitter by any WIAC pitcher in the NCAA tournament in conference history.
The Warhawks advance to face Case Western Reserve, which beat Lebanon Valley 10-2 in five innings on Thursday. and Lebanon Valley tomorrow (Friday) at 10 AM CDT. All games of the Cleveland regional can be viewed live on NCAA Champs Pass.
The Whitewater Unified School District School Board has selected three finalists in its search for the next district superintendent. The finalists are Samuel Karns, Kurt Schneider, and Laurie Fiorenza.
As part of the selection process, the three finalists will spend a day in the district on Thursday, May 22. The day will include a tour of the schools and time to meet with staff and students. Parents, families, and community members will also have an opportunity to meet the candidates in a public session that evening.
All interested families, parents, and community members are invited to participate in the session, which will take place from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the Whitewater High School Auditorium. Each of the finalists will introduce themselves and take questions during their individual 45-minute session.
All district and community participants throughout the day will be able to share their feedback with the board via an online form, available through a link and QR code. The School Board will conduct final interviews with each of the candidates that evening.
Below are details on each of the finalists:
Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.
All WUSD after-school activities, athletics, and practices will be cancelled today, May 15, 2025, due to severe weather predictions in the area.
Alex Clarksen’s senior voice recital has been postponed until next week Wednesday, May 21 at 7:15pm, after senior portfolio presentations.
Lincoln Elementary School’s Family Teacher Partnership donated a helmet to every student who wanted one! A total of 115 helmets were distributed this year!
We take bike safety very seriously, even Mr. Smith, our P.E. teacher, demonstrates the importance of helmet safety while teaching a roller blading unit.
As the warm weather approaches, we ask that you watch for all the cyclists, children, and people! Be safe and have fun!
Warmly,
Lincoln Elementary Family Teacher Partnership
MADISON, Wis.–University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Matt Scolan has been named the recipient of the 2025 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Baseball Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete Award.
A senior from Downers Grove, Ill. (South), Scolan is majoring in finance and sustains a 3.81 grade point average. He was selected the 2024 NCAA Division III Baseball Academic All-America® of the Year, selected by the College Sports Communicators. Scolan is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and been recognized on UW-Whitewater’s Dean’s List numerous semesters. He was a UW-Whitewater Chancellor Scholar Athlete this year.
Scolan was tabbed the WIAC Kwik Trip Position Player of the Year this season and received the award for the second consecutive year. He is a three-time All-WIAC first team selection helped UW-Whitewater win four conference titles and three tournament championships in his career. Scolan received All-America First Team honors a year ago from the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and D3baseball.com. He is a two-time ABCA All-Region honoree, claiming third team recognition in 2023 and first team accolades in 2024.
Scolan owns the conference career record in runs scored, and holds the program record for career at-bats, hits, and home runs. In 2024, he set single-season program marks with 228 at-bats, 81 runs scored, 92 hits and 78 RBI.
Scolan has provided community service at Helping Hand in Illinois.
Also nominated for this year’s scholar-athlete award were: UW-La Crosse’s Tucker Bouche (Sr., Oconto Falls, Wis./Oconto Falls); UW-Oshkosh’s Mason Kirchberg (Sr., DeForest, Wis. /DeForest); UW-Platteville’s Brady Hoppert (Sr., New Berlin, Wis./Martin Luther); UW-Stevens Point’s Colton Martell (Sr., Sussex, Wis./Hamilton); and UW-Stout’s Justin Sedin (Sr., Poplar, Wis./Northwestern).
The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Max Sparger, who served as commissioner of the Wisconsin State University Conference for 22 years from 1971-93. He oversaw the transition of the conference from NAIA to full NCAA membership. Sparger arrived at UW-Stout in 1959 and served the institution in a variety of capacities, including an assistant football and basketball coach, head wrestling coach and head football coach. He served as UW-Stout’s athletics director from 1969-71 and was inducted into the WIAC Hall of Fame in 2012.
In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.50 grade point average. In addition, he must be in his last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years. The award is based on academic achievements, athletics accomplishments and involvement in other campus activities, organizations and community service projects.
Editor’s note: Source – WIAC website
Update 5/14/25 @ 11 p.m.: UW-W Women’s Softball has its first game in the championship on Thursday, May 15 at 10 a.m. CDT. They play Penn College and livestream may be found here.
The Warhawk softball team, will make its third consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament starting Thursday, May 15, in Cleveland, Ohio.
UW-Whitewater (35-6 overall) will make its 25th appearance in the national tournament as an NCAA Division III member. The team takes on Penn College in its first game on Thursday, May 15, at 10 a.m. Central Time at the four-team Cleveland regional, which is being hosted by Case Western Reserve University.
The Warhawks claimed an at-large bid to the tournament after winning the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular season championship for the third time in the last five years. UW-Whitewater reached the semifinals of the conference tournament last week in Whitewater.
Obituaries
Michael “Mike” J. Higgins, age 69, a lifelong resident of Whitewater, passed away May 13, 2025, at home. He was born May 15, 1955, in Fort Atkinson, the son of Merwyn “Mert” and Mary Ann (Krause) Higgins. He attended Whitewater schools and was a long-time mechanic at Fero’s Auto Repair, enjoying lunches at Rick’s at his reserved table. He retired after many years of service of the Whitewater Fire and Rescue Departments as Chief. He enjoyed spending time up north at his property hunting. He leaves behind long-time love of his life, Jody Buckingham and kids, Sherry (Al Jr.) Lemke … Read more
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Susan (Sue) Rhoda Schlough (nee Smith) was born August 11, 1936, in Barron, WI to Daniel and Ella Smith. The second of six siblings born during the Depression years, family-life was a meager and frugal experience, where Sue gained first-hand experience in making best use of all resources to meet the needs of a large family, which served her well in other life endeavors. During Sue’s teenage years, three significant events occurred that would become the foundation of her life’s work and dedication. The first of these events was choosing to become a Methodist, joining her local First United Methodist … Read more
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Jerry Wayne “Gorbs” GorbyDecember 8, 1942 – May 4, 2025 Jerry Wayne Gorby, affectionately known as “Gorbs,” passed away peacefully on May 4, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born on December 8, 1942, in Washington, Pennsylvania, Jerry brought joy, humor, and boundless energy to all who knew him. He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Carolyn Gorby, his daughters Tricia Gorby and Tina Jones (Paul Jones), and his treasured grandchildren: Ciara, Sydney, and Donovan Jones, and Aysha and Kai Knoot. He was preceded in death by his parents, Florence and Harold Gorby, and his brother, Douglas … Read more
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Mary Karen Erikson, 83, of Eagle, WI passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at her home. Karen was born on February 10, 1942 in Lafayette, Indiana the daughter of Richard and Neta (McGuire) Stockholm. She moved to Wisconsin with her family and graduated from Whitewater High School. Karen continued her schooling at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater where she obtained a degree in Education. After undergraduate school, Karen obtained her Master’s in Education from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Karen worked at Mukwonago High School for over 30 years as a math teacher, retiring in 1998. … Read more
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Janice Kay Brokmeier of Fort Atkinson, formerly of Whitewater, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2025, at Rainbow Hospice in Johnson Creek. Jan was born on June 7, 1942, in Stanford, Illinois to James Lloyd Smith and Eithel Amelia Ingram Smith. Jan moved to Wisconsin in December of 1955 with her parents and three of her brothers. She graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1960. Jan met Robert Joseph Brokmeier on March 13, 1958. Shortly after they met, they were married on August 26, 1961, at the First United Methodist Church in Whitewater. They had three children and resided … Read more
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Dean Chris Dunne, 69, Fort Atkinson, formerly of Whitewater passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at Alden Estates in Jefferson, WI. Dean was born on May 4, 1955 in Chicago, IL to Chris and Ann (Wagner) Dunne. He graduated from Whitewater High School in 1973. Dean enjoyed fishing, camping and was a good water-skier in the day. He and his family moved to Las Vegas in 1980. Dean worked in property maintenance in Las Vegas for over 20 years. He is survived by his children Nicholas (Amber) Dunne, Fort Atkinson, Linsey (Scott) Angione, Las Vegas, Chris (Kristyn) Dunne, Las … Read more
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Kenneth Dale Semrau, 74, of Whitewater, passed away April 26, 2025, in Winterhaven, Fl. Kenneth was born to Donna and Garhart Semrau on February 6th, 1951, in Marinette, WI. Kenneth married Kristy Pfeifer on May 6, 1972. They had two beautiful children Chad and Nicole and five wonderful grandchildren and lots of fur-babies. That made his world complete. Ken retired from Nestle in 2012 and enjoyed retirement by spending his summers at Riverbend Resort in Watertown, WI and the winter in Winterhaven, FL. “Kenny G.” was known for his loving and playful personality. His family was always first and foremost. … Read more
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Bruce E. LaBansky, 75, Whitewater died on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Alden Estates in Jefferson, WI. Bruce was born on November 28, 1949 in Sauk County, WI to Clarence and Velma (Nelson) LaBansky. He graduated from Mount Horeb High School and received his bachelor’s degree from UW Stevens Point. Faith, family and friends were very important to him. Bruce moved to Whitewater in 1980 where he raised his 3 sons Nelsen, Nathanial, and Nicholas. Bruce was an avid golfer, an outdoorsman with an impressive knowledge of all things nature, a sports fan (particularly the Bucks, Brewers and Packers). Family … Read more
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Dr. Holly J. Humphrey November 28, 1956 – April 17, 2025 Holly J. Humphrey, MD, MACP, led the Pritzker School of Medicine through a period of transformative growth that saw the school rise to a place among the nation’s elite institutions of medical education, emerge as a powerhouse of scholarship and discovery, and become a pioneer in efforts to diversify the field of medicine. One of the nation’s most prominent and innovative leaders in medical education, her voice and influence made an immeasurable impact on the field and countless mentees throughout her career. Dr. Humphrey, who served for 15 years as Pritzker’s … Read more
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John Rivers, 61, of Whitewater, WI, passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025, at his home after a short battle with cancer, with his wife by his side. Born on March 10, 1964, in Milwaukee, WI, to Bernie and MaryAnne (Sommers) Rivers Jr., John lived a life defined by perseverance and purpose. A 1982 graduate of East Troy High School, John spent more than 30 years as a dedicated truck driver. One of his proudest accomplishments came later in life when, at the age of 50, he returned to school and earned his bachelor’s degree while continuing to work full … Read more
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