News & Events

Whitewater Public Library is committed to fiscal responsibility and ensuring sustainable services for all patrons. In response to the growing demand for digital materials both at our library and throughout the library system, we have conducted a comprehensive review of digital borrowing trends and performed a budget analysis.

We are focusing our funding on the continued development of our robust digital collections within the Libby app, which includes access to digital books, audiobooks, and magazines. We will be discontinuing the hoopla service on October 12, 2025. [The entire Bridges Library System, of which the library is a member, is phasing out hoopla by January, 2026.]

It was determined that hoopla’s pay-per-checkout model has become unsustainable, consuming a disproportionate share of resources while serving a limited percentage of patrons. By focusing on the Libby app, we aim to continue delivering high-quality digital content effectively to a wider audience without compromising the sustainability of our library’s resources.

We appreciate your understanding and want to assure you that our commitment to providing excellent digital services remains a priority. We encourage patrons to explore ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines through the Libby app. Additionally, patrons are invited to explore other digital resources available with your CAFÉ library card.

For any questions or assistance in accessing our digital resources, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Editor’s note: This announcement is from the library’s Facebook page.

“Humphrey Bogart: Life Comes in Flashes”

Wednesday, August 20, 1 pm

(Biography/Documentary)

Rated G. 1 hour, 39 minutes (2024).

The iconic actor’s journey to stardom from vaudeville to Hollywood as seen through unprecedented, rare personal footage from his estate, including his own personal narration and that of his wife, Lauren Bacall, son Stephen, and other notable actors and actresses. 

The man, the myth, the legend! 

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

Updated 8/15/25 @ 11:45 a.m. to add another stand.

For many years, the Marsh family farm of Palmyra was one of the most popular sources of sweet corn for Whitewater residents. Their pickup truck with the bed full of the delicious treat was a frequent sight on the east side of First Citizens State Bank. Local resident Jayne Haskey told The Banner that Phil Marsh no longer plants corn, and consequently his wife Carmen and their grandchildren have retired from corn sales. Per Haskey, the grandchildren “paid their way through college working the corn truck. They have now all graduated.”

Fortunately, there are a number of nearby locations where residents can sample this year’s corn. A few of those options are shown below.

Update 8/16/25 @ 10:50 p.m. – Sara Pontel wrote to clarify “we are the farm [Sarafina Farm] at W9440 Stader that grew the Pontel sweetcorn. My husband, Kevin and I own the business.”

Banner reader Kathy Church Channing reported that there’s another area stand [shown above] operated by Rodney Pontel at W9440 Stader Road. Stader Road is off Highway 89, south of US Hwy 12, and the farm is to the west. There’s a sign at the intersection promoting their “super sweet sweet corn.” Pontel’s stand wins the prize for the most artistic display of ears of corn.

Billy Mills’s stand [shown above] next to Mills Automotive, 707 E. Milwaukee Street, appears to be the only one where the corn and other produce is refrigerated. The corn is from Holt Farms in the Delevan area. As seems to be the case with all the area farmstands, it’s self service 24/7, but it may be the only one that has lighting. Parking is easily accessible off Milwaukee St. Venmo accepted.

Matt Meiners of MY Farm has a stand [shown above] at 13205 E County Road N [beyond Walworth Ave.] a short distance past Highway 12 on the right side of the road. There’s a sign for Hidden Falls Ranch. Though, of course, it’s a busy road, there’s a good pull-off parking area. Recently corn was priced at $7/dozen or three ears for $2, and there was a selection of other produce. Matt is also a vendor at the City Market on Tuesdays.

Kolton Reu only sells corn at his stand [shown above], but he uniquely welcomes purchasers to leave the husks in a bin for his cows. His stand is located at the corner of County U and County N, basically across the street from the airport. It’s easy to pull off County U into parking by the stand.

Other stands [sorry, no pictures] :
Hwy 59, right side of the road, just before the industrial park

W8141 Clover Valley Rd. – reportedly they also had really good green beans.

Cedar Bend Century Family Farm, N7922 US Hwy 12 & County Hwy 67, Elkhorn – It appears that this is an attended stand, and it may not be open 24/7.

Markets:

City Market – Tuesday 4-7 p.m. at the parking lot of the Cravath Lakefront Park
Matt Meiners of MY Farm has a booth with a variety of produce including corn.
Mike Murphy of Milton’s booth has corn and other produce plus eggs.

Farmers Market – Saturday 8 a.m. – noon, 301 W. Whitewater St., in the parking lot next to the Train Depot
Mike Murphy is there with corn, eggs, etc.
This is a rather small market compared with the City Market, but there are other vendors with produce, meat, etc.

Editor’s note: Apologies if we’ve inadvertently left any other area stands off the list. We will be glad to add others; please submit to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. The image on the homepage is from the Murphy Farm Facebook page.

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week’s image is a summer picnic at the lake. Henry Scholl took this photo on a glass plate around 1900 and the location was probably Lake Koshkonong. Notice how dressed up the people are, a suit for the man and long-sleeved blouses and skirts for the ladies. And hats! In 1900, even a picnic at the lake called for formal clothing.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

3710GP, Whitewater Historical Society

Lea Sperle joins First Citizens State Bank

Nate Parrish, President of First Citizens State Bank, is pleased to announce that Lea Sperle has joined the Bank as Vice President – Business Banker at the East Troy Office, located at 2546 E. Main St., East Troy, Wisconsin.

Lea has over 28 years of experience in community banking with roles including CSR [Corporate Social Responsibility], Branch Manager, Mortgage and Consumer Lender, and most recently nearly 10 years focused on business banking. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee and is a long-time resident of East Troy with her husband and two sons.

In making the announcement, Nate Parrish said, “Lea is a perfect addition to our team, and we are thrilled to welcome her as our new Business Banker. Along with her strengths in risk management and business development strategies, she brings an extensive and diverse background in banking.”

Lea is an avid horseback rider and enjoys being outdoors, golfing, and fishing. Active in her local communities, she is Treasurer for the nonprofit The Haase House, located in Mukwonago, and is involved in both the East Troy and Mukwonago Chambers of Commerce.

Lea commented, “I am excited to join such a historic local institution with a clear and deep commitment to community growth. I look forward to expanding relationships and strengthening support for families and businesses in the communities I love.”

First Citizens State Bank, locally owned and operated since 1863, is committed to serving the communities in which we live, work, and do business. We are proud of the partnerships we have established with organizations, businesses and individuals in Southeastern Wisconsin. First Citizens State Bank has Full-service offices in Whitewater, East Troy and Palmyra. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

Editor’s note: The following update was made by the City Parks & Recreation Department.

CANCELED! Due to the wet soggy conditions, we will reschedule the movie for next Saturday.  Movie Night Update 

Unfortunately, due to the wet and soggy conditions, tonight’s showing of Mufasa at Cravath Lakefront Park has been canceled.

But don’t worry—we’re not letting the fun slip away!  The movie has been rescheduled for next Saturday at dusk.

Thank you for understanding, and we look forward to seeing everyone next weekend for a (hopefully dry!) night under the stars. 

Tonight is the night!!

Join us for Mufasa: The Lion King at the Cravath Lakefront Park, Saturday, August 16. Movie will start at dusk, 8:30 PM.

We will have concessions available for purchase. Bring a blanket or chair.

Mufasa: The Lion King, released in December 2024, is a photorealistically animated musical drama produced by Walt Disney Pictures and directed by Barry Jenkins.

• It’s a prequel and sequel to the 2019 remake of The Lion King.
• The story is told by Rafiki to Simba and Nala’s cub, exploring Mufasa’s origin, his bond with Scar (then known as Taka), and how he rose to become king.
• It features a star-studded cast including Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Seth Rogen, and Blue Ivy Carter in her film debut.

City Manager John S. Weidl earned the nationally recognized designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), denoting a mastery of skills in economic development and a dedication to personal and professional growth. This milestone marks a significant achievement and underscores John’s commitment to excellence in the field of economic development.

“Becoming a Certified Economic Developer isn’t just a credential, it’s a career-defining
milestone that demonstrates a professional’s dedication to elevating their expertise and their
community impact,” said IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle. “Certified Economic Developers
possess deep technical knowledge and bring trust and credibility to stakeholders, investors, and
peers. We are thrilled to celebrate John on achieving this accomplishment and joining our
network of professionals driving economic progress around the world.”

The CEcD designation is a prestigious acknowledgement of skilled and committed professionals
in the field of economic development, establishing a benchmark of excellence within the
industry. To attain this designation, candidates must successfully complete a rigorous and
comprehensive examination, consisting of three parts and spanning two days. This examination
assesses a practitioner’s knowledge, proficiency, judgement, and critical thinking abilities in the
following areas of economic development:

• Business retention and expansion
• Finance & credit analysis
• Marketing and attraction
• Strategic planning
• Entrepreneurial & small business development
• Managing economic development organizations
• Neighborhood development strategies
• Real estate development & reuse
• Technology-led economic development
• Workforce development strategies
• Foreign direct investment & exporting

“Earning the CEcD designation affirms my commitment to pairing technical expertise with an
inclusive approach to economic growth. This is more than a professional milestone; it’s a pledge
to apply nationally recognized best practices and data-driven strategies to every decision,
ensuring our focus stays on what strengthens the community as a whole, not on narrow or
short-term interests. I’m grateful for the support of the City Council, staff, and community
partners who share in this commitment to building a stronger economic future for Whitewater
and the region,” said City Manager John S. Weidl.

Certified Economic Developers operate as highly skilled economic development professionals
and collaborate with public officials, business leaders, and community members to establish
astute leadership and serve as a driving force in the economic development landscape. Their
commitment to excellence translates into a profound impact on well-being, elevating the
quality of life and unlocking a myriad of opportunities for individuals, businesses, and
communities alike.

Weidl is now one of over 1,250 active CEcDs worldwide.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the City of Whitewater.

Celebrating 25 Years of Dorothy Carnes County Park and Rose Lake State Natural Area: A Legacy of Generosity, Partnership, and Community

The Friends of Rose Lake and the Jefferson County Parks Department invite the public, park supporters, and Friends Group members to celebrate a remarkable milestone: the 25th anniversary of Dorothy Carnes County Park and Rose Lake State Natural Area—a space that has become a cornerstone of outdoor recreation, environmental stewardship, and community connection in Jefferson County.

The celebration will be hosted by the Jefferson County Parks Department and the Friends of Rose Lake on Tuesday, August 19 at 6:00 PM at the Dorothy Carnes Park Pavilion off Radloff Lane. Attendees are invited to enjoy light refreshments, share memories, and recognize the individuals and partnerships that have made the park what it is today. Guests are welcome to bring stories, photos, or simply their appreciation for this beloved local treasure.

This milestone event honors not only 25 years of natural beauty and public access, but also the vision and generosity of Carol Liddle, whose donations were instrumental in the original land acquisitions and subsequent improvements to the park—including the very shelter where the celebration will be held. Carol’s early contribution was not only a catalyst for preserving this land but also served as the inspiration for naming the park in honor of her mother, Dorothy Carnes. Dorothy’s deep love of the outdoors and “all things wild and free” instilled in Carol a lifelong commitment to conservation and public access to natural spaces.

The development and expansion of Dorothy Carnes County Park would not have been possible without key funding partnerships. Through the Wisconsin DNR’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program and Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) funding from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Jefferson County has been able to make multiple strategic land acquisitions and improvements over the years—turning a bold vision into a thriving public space.

“This park is a reflection of what can happen when generosity, partnership, and community commitment come together,” said Tom Belzer of the Friends of Rose Lake. “We are incredibly proud to celebrate the past 25 years and look forward to the next chapter.”

From its first trail to today’s wide-ranging recreation, conservation, and community programming, Dorothy Carnes County Park and Rose Lake State Natural Area have become more than just a park—they are a testament to public participation, shared stewardship, and the power of local action.

Event Details:
�� Date: Tuesday, August 19, 2025
�� Time: 6:00 PM
�� Location: Dorothy Carnes Park Pavilion, 6915 Hoard Road [just east of Fort Atkinson on Hwy 12], Jefferson County, WI

Join us to honor the people and partnerships that built this park—and the community that continues to make it thrive.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by Jefferson County Parks Department.