News & Events

Update 7/1/23 @ 11 a.m. – Photos by Tom Ganser of demolition added

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

The Whitewater Quick Lube and car wash that has been located for decades in front of Walmart has been demolished in preparation for the construction of a Starbucks.

Chris Bennett, city neighborhood services director, told The Banner that the city issued a demolition permit to the developer, Matt Herbeck, with that phase of the redevelopment moving forward while they wait for state-approved plans. At that time they can apply for a building permit. According to Bennett, Herbeck has expressed a desire to have blacktop in place by fall.

A previous Banner article provides more information about the development, including the Plan & Architectural Review Commission discussion regarding potential traffic impacts.

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Whitewater Public Library.

Click here to register.

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Household Sale
James Davis
860 Burr Oak Trail (near the intersection of Fremont St. & County U)
Prairie Village
Whitewater, WI 53190

Saturday, July 1st 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 2nd 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

*Numbers issued 1 hour prior to sale on Saturday and ½ hour prior to sale on Sunday*(Numbers are used to control number of people in the house.)

Glassware: Pyrex, Corning ware, Press Glass, Cut Glass, English Johnson Brothers Soup Tureen, Cranberry, Lead Crystal, Nikko 8 Place Setting Plus Serving Pieces – “Dena” Pattern – Microwaveable & Dishwasher Safe, Bavarian, Nippon, Limoges, Lenox

Furniture: Flex steel Sofa, Chair/Ottoman, Dining Table & 6 Chairs, Roll top Desk, End Tables, Bookcase, Hutch, Serving Cart, Reed Chair/Ottoman, Kitchen Cupboard, Entertainment Center, Table & Floor Lamps, Bauhaus Sofa, American Drew 5 Piece Bedroom Set/King Size Bed, Stiffel Lamp, Umbrella Stand

Household Items: C.L. Peterson Prints, George Sumner Prints, Jose F.M. Arentz Print, JVC Compact Disc Player, Step Stool, Small Kitchen Appliances, Small T.V., Linens, Local Whitewater Prints, Usual Kitchen Items

Garage & Outdoor Items: Shop Vac, Work Bench, Garden Tools, Patio Set/Umbrella, Lawn Chairs, Garden Cart, Hose Reel, Step Ladder, Wrought Iron Table & Bench, Handy Andy Work Bench, Storage Racks, and much much more

All Sales Final · No Refunds · Cash · Sold in “As Is” Condition
No Early Sales · Not Responsible for Accidents
Please bring help and tools for removing your items on the day of purchase – our staff is unable to lift or load items.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #206 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Fri., June 30, 2023, in honor of Private First Class Clinton P. Koloski, who lost his life conducting combat patrol near Obermuhlthal, France, during World War II and whose remains have been identified and returned to Wisconsin for burial. “We are glad to welcome Private First Class Koloski home so that he can finally be honored and laid to rest in his home state,” said Gov. Evers. “Private First Class Koloski gave his life in defense of the values and freedoms we hold most dear, and on behalf of the state, we are forever grateful for his service, selflessness, and sacrifice.” On January 14, 1945, United States Army Private First Class Clinton P. Koloski of City Point, assigned to Company A, 36th Engineer Combat Regiment, was killed conducting combat patrol near Obermuhlthal, France, during World War II. After the war, remains were recovered from the area where Private First Class Koloski was lost but could not be identified due to technology limitations at the time and were interred at Rhône American Cemetery in France. In 2006 and 2007, Private First Class Koloski’s identification tags were found near Obermuhlthal, and in 2016, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency excavated the site but found no further remains, and the unknown remains interred at Rhône American Cemetery were later exhumed and identified as Private First Class Koloski’s.  Private First Class Clinton P. Koloski will be buried in Beloit on Fri., June 30, 2023.

The Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) and Whitewater Chamber of Commerce are excited to announce the exhibition of the Public Art Project for 2023 – “Barn Quilts.” This community-driven project–which enhances the beauty and cultural richness of Whitewater–is on display downtown from now until late September. Plywood boards that have been turned into “quilts” are hanging from light poles along Main Street. Some are 2’ x 4’ while others are 2’ x 2’. These projects will hang throughout the summer.

Participants in this year’s project have been named below with brief images shown on
the WAA website. Viewers can go to the WAA website to read up on the inspiration of
some of the pieces. Participants included are:

Discover Whitewater
Studio 84
Culvers
Candace Jacobs
Sandy MacDonald
Lynn Weilbrenner
Ellen Penwell
Jill Gerber
Riley Buckett
Donn Lahaie
Linda Saumer
Carol Haas
Tricia Borchardt
Sherry Stanek
And all other participants who wished to remain anonymous.

The WAA believes that the public art plays a significant role in transforming the cultural fabric of a town. It brings people together, fosters dialogue and reflection, and creates a sense of pride and ownership among community members.

To learn more about the project and view individual pieces, please visit the Public Art page on the WAA website at https://www.whitewaterarts.org/public-art.

Any questions can be sent to either the chair of the project, Mary Nevicosi, at marynevicosi@yahoo.com, or to the WAA Manager, Ashley McDarison, at
wwartsalliance@gmail.com.

Please come check out the Storywalk at First United Methodist Church in Whitewater, to read our newest book.  In honor of July 4^th we are featuring “Blue Sky, White Stars” by Sarvinder Naberhaus. As quoted in the New York Times, this book is, “An inspiring and patriotic tribute to the beauty of the American flag, a symbol of America’s history, landscape, and people.”  We hope you enjoy!

Photos and text courtesy of Tom Ganser

If you’re thinking the Fourth of July fireworks will be spectacular . . . you haven’t thought about taking in a performance of “Finding Nemo, Jr.” by the Unified School District’s Summer School Playhouse June 29 and 30 at 7 p.m. and July 1 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Whitewater High School Auditorium.

The play is perfect for all ages – and a wonderful treat for your relatives and neighborhood kids.

If you happen to be a senior adult, don’t worry.  Any youngster attending a performance with you will be happy to clue you in on the plot.

General admission tickets for adults ($10) and students ($7) can be reserved by calling the Box Office at 262-472-8178 or purchased beginning one hour before the performance.

“Finding Nemo Jr.” is a lively 60-minute musical adaptation of the popular 2003 Pixar movie telling the story of Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, who lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid, Nemo.

“Finding Nemo Jr.” brings a vibrant underwater world to life on stage in a story full of family, friendship, and adventure.

The cast and technical crew for this amazing production includes more than 70 students ranging from incoming 6th graders to WHS Class of 2023 graduates.

Led by director Jim McCulloch, music director Liz Elliott, and choreographer Taytum Adkins, the talented cast of fish and birds includes Ian Agen, Deven Bawden, Chacha Binagi, Nels Brown, Anders Clarksen, Alex Clarksen, Ayden Clark, Belle Cohen, Grace Coleman, Peyton Comfort, Julianna Cortez, Sienna Dahl, Esteban Diaz-Gallegos, Franki DiFiore, Emery Duris, David Enns, Tyrelle Griswold, Charlotte Hajewski, Nina Heim, Raena Hicks, Toby Kapfer, Haley Keltesch, Evelyn Kjome, Josh Kirley, Amelia Lafaive, Ameera Lin, Brooke Mason, Eloise Morse, Virginia Nelson, Kai Peterson, Julian Rennells, Lauren Rollette, Zel Scherer, Josie Selby, Melody Smith, Serina Soto, Skylar Staebler, Evie Stine, Alex Sullivan, Ava Van Daele, Anderson Waelchli, Cosette Wildermuth-Breizman, Elora Wildermuth-Breitzman, Talon Wildermuth-Breitzman, Xavier Zei, Zoe Zei, and Matt Zingsheim.

Guided by amazing technical director Kat Dunham in creating a magical big blue world are Caitlin Alford, Henry Brockwell, Payton Bunger, Alexsandra Cansino-Pena, Lucy Davis, Laken DePorter, Alejandra Diaz-Gallegos, Emerson Dunham, Lu DiFiore, Ace Hudec, Gabbie Kirley, Rayne Levaspu, Marren McCulloch, Kara Long, Jacob McGlaughlin, Ava Nygren, Abigail Olson, Betzy Palomec, Lucy Troxel, Sami Van Daele, Miles Nicklesberg, Josh Nygren, Payton Peacock, Cora Shimming and Claire Tourdot.

According to Liz Elliott, “Finding Nemo Jr.” “is a fun and familiar story that the students have expressed their excitement to be a part of.  This show allows for many small groups of students to shine with the variety of songs and scenes that they are in.  Not all shows function this way, so it is a unique experience for many of our cast members.  While all students contribute to the greater whole of the show, these individual small group numbers highlight the many different characters and creatures within “Finding Nemo Jr.”

Comments from the students show how much they enjoy being part of the action.

Anders Clarksen said, “This is the second time I have been a bird!  I was a seagull in “The Little Mermaid” and I am a pelican in “Finding Nemo Jr.”

“I like being able to work with all ages and making an impact with performance and music,” stated Skylar Staebler.

Matt Zingsheim shared, “I enjoy the music in this show a lot,” adding, “I like the styles of the songs and some of the titles are funny to me.”

Asked to compare her character to an ice cream flavor, Charlotte Hajewski said, “I feel like my character, Peach, would be rainbow sherbet, because she lives in the colorful coral.”

“I am anxious just like my character,” Lauren Rollette noted.  “However, I am not purple or yellow.”

Ayden Clark reflected, “”I love helping with the dances, and helping the younger students get around the show and on stage.

7th grader Melody Smith, cast in the role of Breeze, said, “Something I have enjoyed about being in theatrical productions is feeling like you’re part of a family and getting really close with all of your fellow performers.”

Raena Hicks, a 7th grader, who plays a turtle and a seagull in “Finding Nemo, Jr.,” admitted, “Something that I learned about being in the play is that it takes a lot of time and effort to learn your part.”

Put seeing “Finding Nemo Jr.” on your bucket list for June 29, 30 and July 1.

Class of 2023 WHS and Ferradermis Alum Daniel (Peter) Portwine spent three days in Washington DC for the National Advocacy Conference sponsored by SASA (Student Association for STEM Advocacy).

On Tuesday, Daniel was able to meet with staffers for Senator Tammy Baldwin, Senator Ron Johnson, and Representative Scott Fitzgerald to discuss the importance of STEM education.

Daniel has been passionate about the impact of the FIRST Robotics program on students for a long time, but a new fire was kindled when he was one of five Ferradermis members to participate in the Wisconsin Advocacy Day at the State Capitol in February.

More information on the conference can be found at https://mysasa.org/national-advocacy-conference.

Article Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor and Banner Volunteer
lmasbruch@wwusd.org
Photos Courtesy of Daniel Portwine