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Today is Monday, June 22, 2026
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The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library has unveiled a new online events calendar and room reservation software. The public can easily view upcoming library events, book a study room, and reserve Makerspace equipment, including the 3D Printer, Cricut Maker machine, and more. Visit the library’s website at whitewaterlibrary.org and click on “Events” or “Reserve a Room.”
The library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. Call 262-473-0530 or email library@whitewater-wi.gov with questions.
On Sunday, December 8, 23 FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge robotics teams from around southern Wisconsin converged on Whitewater High School. This contingent included teams from Lakeview, Lincoln, and Washington Elementary Schools as well as Whitewater Middle School. FLL Challenge is open to 4th through 8th graders and combines a LEGO Spike Prime robotics competition with a research project presentation. Each team can have up to 10 participants. Teams are scored in four areas which are waited equally – robot performance, robot design, Innovation Project, and core values. The core values of the FIRST program (discovery, innovation, impact, inclusion, teamwork, and fun) are evidenced through conversations with the judges about how their team operates throughout the season as well as observations made by the referees during the robot game on the day of the competition.
Over 75 volunteers pitched in to make this wonderful event possible by taking on rolls such as referees, team escorts, emcees, and more. Almost every member of Ferradermis had a role as a volunteer. Ferradermis was grateful to the community members who volunteered as judges including Thayer Coburn, Jenessa Starling from MacLean-Fogg, Amy Waelchli, and Juk Bhattacharyya from UWW. We were also thankful for our team alumni who returned to help, and we took the opportunity to honor Bennett Miles as our Volunteer of the Year for his determination to start the FLL program in Whitewater as a senior in high school in 2018. Our team parents were vital to the success of the event with some serving as judges and others running the concession stand on behalf of the WUSD Robotics Booster Club. Another key factor in the success of the event is the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) community. Mentors and students from high school teams throughout southeast Wisconsin converge each weekend on each other’s events to provide key volunteers. Ferradermis would like to give a special shoutout to the Warriorbots from Muskego High School for bringing a crew of students to assist and to the Mukwonago Bears for all of their help in preparing for the event and training members of our team for key roles.
The 2025 event is already scheduled for Saturday, November 15, 2025.
Article Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor
lmasbruch@wwusd.org
Photos Courtesy of Rich Grosse
Rotary’s Annual Holiday Fruit Basket Sale is happening now! The seasonally festive baskets contain 12 pieces of premium quality apples, pears, oranges, and grapefruit. Those who ordered in advance may pick up their baskets in the lobby of the downtown office of First Citizens State Bank during normal business hours beginning on Wednesday, December 18.
Never fear if you didn’t order in advance; a limited quantity of baskets will be available beginning on Wednesday, December 18 while supplies last for $22 each.
The bank is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
All the proceeds will go to our local community projects and Whitewater High School Scholarships!
“Love the Coopers”
Wednesday, December 18, 1 pm
(Holiday/Comedy/Romance) Rated PG-13;
1 hour, 47 minutes (2015).
The hilarious intertwined stories of four generations of the Cooper Family unfolds right before their annual family reunion on Christmas Eve. A stellar cast includes Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, John Goodman, Ed Helms, Timothee’ Chalamet, Amanda Seyfried, Alan Arkin, Marisa Tomei, Olivia Wilde, and June Squib.
Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. Although there is no charge to attend, regular participants are encouraged to join Seniors in the Park. The annual fee for residents of the Whitewater Unified School District is $10 and non-residents is $15. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes our of our fundraising monies. If you cannot afford the fee, we have a fund that will cover it for you. Fees are accepted at the Starin Park Community Building or online at https://schedulesplus.com/wwtr/kiosk/
Everyone is welcome with no cost for any activities.
Todos son bienvenidos sin costo para ninguna actividad.
Photos and story courtesy of Lisa Dawsey Smith.
This year’s Parade of Lights was far and away the biggest in memory. There were 30 preregistered entries. At the starting point the parade ran 25 minutes from beginning to end.
There is one annual title sponsor of the Parade of Lights. We are incredibly grateful to Generac for their continued support and sponsorship of this event. That sponsorship allows for the rehabilitation of the snowflake lights downtown, the parade and promotion of the parade, and the children’s take and make craft station.
Online voting for winners of parade prize categories is open until today, Friday, December 13 at 6:00 p.m. (one week after step off of the parade). The community will choose this year’s winners, and as of Thursday evening there have been over 200 in-person and online votes. Descriptions of the categories and the ballot may be accessed through the link below:
https://forms.gle/ujot15Q2MRVH9XbD7
Event attendees are also encouraged to use the link below to provide feedback on the parade, the market, the lighting ceremony, and other elements of the evening. Your comments will enable organizers to improve future events.
Celebrate the Magic of Christmas at Cravath
The City of Whitewater is thrilled to celebrate the success of this year’s Christmas at Cravath lighting event, which brought holiday cheer to the community through an enchanting display of lights and decorations at Cravath Lakefront Park.
The Christmas at Cravath lighting ceremony took place around 7:00 p.m. on December 6th, immediately following the festive downtown Christmas parade. Attendees gathered at Cravath Lakefront Park to witness the stunning lights come to life, marking the start of a magical holiday season in Whitewater. [The lighting ceremony may be viewed here, and a video walk-through of the lights may be seen here.]
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors, whose generous contributions made this event possible.
Presented by sponsor: TDS Fiber
Santa’s Helpers level sponsors: Pro Landscape Supply, Burtness Chevrolet, Generac, UW Whitewater (SAI)
Candy Cane level sponsors: Tundra Tobacco, PremierBank, First Citizens State Bank, Kienbaum Iron & Metal, JLH Trucking
Gift Level Sponsors: Ketterhagen Ford, Fort HealthCare
Holiday Cheer level sponsors: Steve O’s Flip Flops and Tank Tops, Fort Community Credit Union
The lights and displays will remain available for public viewing nightly from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM through January 6, 2025. Families, children, and visitors are encouraged to visit Cravath Lakefront Park to experience the magic of the season and enjoy everything Whitewater has to offer during this special time of year.
Join us Saturday, December 14th for Family Fun Activities with Santa from 5-8 pm. Enjoy cookies and milk sponsored by Katzman Family Farms, cookie decorating and other family friendly activities.
Friday, December 20th from 6-8pm, we will be hosting a Chili Cook Off and viewing National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation out on the big screen in the park. Dress warm!
Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce that Christmas at Cravath will become an annual tradition in Whitewater, further solidifying our community’s commitment to bringing joy and togetherness to the holiday season.
Additionally, stay tuned for a special treat! Media Services is creating a video walking tour of the Christmas at Cravath display, which will soon be available on our social media platforms, YouTube channel, and Channel 990.
For more information, visit https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/1 or follow us on social media for updates and content from this year’s event.
Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the City of Whitewater.
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE HOLDS COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY IN DECEMBER
The following individual from our area is among the 1,340 prospective candidates for degree attending University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee commencement exercises Sunday, December 15, 2024 in Milwaukee.
UWM is the second largest university in the State of Wisconsin, with over 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
Whitewater, WI
Dorothy Kent, School of Nursing, Doctor of Philosophy
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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