Early City Motto "The Banner Inland City of the Midwest"
The Banner has been serving Whitewater, Wisconsin since August 1, 2006
Today is Friday, June 19, 2026
News & Events
To add an event, click here to go to the Community Calendar. Then, click on Submit Event.
Helpful Links
Search our Archives
To search our archives, enter a search term in the search box, then press enter to search.
A number of appointments are still available between 3:10 and 4:20.
As we move into the holidays there always seems to be a drop in blood donations, so your gift will be especially appreciated. To make an appointment please click here or call Lynn at 262-473-2997.
Photos from dress rehearsal on November 18 and story courtesy of Tom Ganser
CORRECTION: Sunday’s performance is at 1 p.m. (Previously it was shown as 2 p.m.)
Kick-start your holiday season by taking in a performance of the Whitewater High School Players sparkling production of Irving Berlin’s classic “White Christmas” Nov. 21-23 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 24 at 1 p.m. in the James M. Stewart Auditorium at Whitewater High School.
Better yet … treat someone to seeing a performance as an early holiday gift.
General tickets ($7 for students and $10 for adults) are available at the box office one hour before the performance.
The WHS Players production showcases the talents of a cast of 30, a crew of 18, and a live band of 11.
Before the curtain opening, Tom Ganser’s photos of the WHS Players productions of “Footloose” (2021), “Beauty and the Beast” (2022), and “Mean Girls” (2023) will be shown.
Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil’s former army commander.
With a dazzling score featuring well-known standards including “Blue Skies,” “I Love A Piano,” “How Deep Is the Ocean” and the perennial title song, “White Christmas” is an uplifting, wholesome musical that will delight audiences of all ages.
Paramount Pictures released the movie musical “White Christmas” in 1954. The film starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen, and featured 17 songs by Irving Berlin. The top moneymaker of 1954, White Christmas set a new record as Hollywood’s all-time highest-grossing musical.
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
City of Whitewater voters were asked on the November 5 ballot whether they felt that the city should use tax dollars to repair and maintain the Starin Park Water Tower, a Local Landmark which is no longer in use. 56% of those responding to the non-binding referendum expressed the view that tax dollars should not be used for this purpose. The vote was 2209 in favor and 2836 opposed. If the votes cast at the university polling place, where nearly all the voters were students, are not counted, the negative percentage reaches 57.7%.
The Common Council at its regular meeting on November 19 will begin discussing the results of the referendum and the path forward. City Manager John Weidl, in a memo to the Council, indicates that the water tower is not quickly deteriorating, and consequently there is no immediate need to act. He recommends, “eventually referring the referendum results to the Landmarks Commission with a directive to develop, by June of 2025, a range of options that fall between full demolition and permanent restoration, including the possibility of repurposing the tower on-site.” Among the possibilities that the commission might consider could be “relocation efforts, such as lowering or showcasing parts of the tower in a museum.” Weidl also suggests that the Council ask the commission to propose fundraising efforts that could offset a significant part of any restoration or preservation expenses.
The Whitewater Banner provided background regarding the historical significance and structural assessment of the tower in the following articles: https://whitewaterbanner.com/starin-park-water-tower-non-binding-referendum-on-nov-5-ballot/ and https://whitewaterbanner.com/the-whitewater-water-tower/
The text of the non-binding referendum was as follows: “The City of Whitewater Water Utility has decommissioned the Starin Park Water Tower, meaning it is no longer part of the water system. The Water Utility can spend up to $600,000 (the cost of demolition) to maintain it as a City-owned Historical Landmark. The remaining costs, approximately $1,000,000 for repairs and $250,000 every 10 years for maintenance would need to come from City tax dollars or donations. Should the City of Whitewater use tax dollars to repair and maintain the Starin Park Water Tower?”
Editor’s note: The sunrise photo on the homepage was taken in 2023 by UW-W Police Officer Ryan Dewing using a drone.
The City of Whitewater is thrilled to announce the launch of Christmas at Cravath, a month-long holiday celebration that promises to fill the season with joy, wonder, and community spirit. From December 6, 2024, through January 6, 2025, Cravath Lakefront Park will be transformed into a winter wonderland, featuring festive lights, activities, and events for the whole family to enjoy.
Friday, December 6th
- Parade of Lights: Begins at 6:00 p.m., downtown Whitewater and ends at Cravath
Lakefront Park. The park will be officially lit at the end of the parade. - Holiday Market: 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., Cravath Lakefront Building. Local vendors
offering holiday gifts, treats, and crafts.
Saturday, December 14th - Family Fun with Santa: 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., Cravath Lakefront Building. Meet Santa,
enjoy seasonal crafts, and participate in festive activities.
Friday, December 20th - Chili Cook-Off: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Cravath Lakefront Building. Register now to
compete by emailing jjackson@whitewater-wi.gov.
There is a new Artist in TeaLux for November/ December. Get your Holiday gifts. Leah Jurgens
The League of Women Voters Whitewater Area is honored to announce that Whitewater resident Camden Harlan has been selected to receive the League’s 2024 Making Democracy Work award for her outstanding leadership as President of Whitewater Pride for the last five years, working to create civil discourse in our community. The Whitewater Pride Rally that she organizes is a seminal event that brings our community together to support LGBTQ+ values of peace, love, and understanding. The League’s Making Democracy Work Award recognizes citizens who strive to make their community a safer and fairer place in which to live.
A public reception celebrating Camden’s advocacy for diversity, equity and inclusion with an emphasis on engaging youth and the community in social justice action will be held Sunday, December 1, 2 PM – 4 PM, at the Prairie Village Community Center, located at Prairie Village on County U and Fremont Street in Whitewater. Refreshments will be served.
Please join us on December 1st in honoring Camden. Camden has worked in the field of education for 22 years: first in Woodstock, IL for 18 years, and then Greenfield High School, and at Whitewater High School, where she served as the faculty advisor for the Whitewater Gay-Straight Alliance. She is now a member of the Academic Instructional Staff in the Department of Communication at UW-Whitewater. In addition to volunteering her time as President of Whitewater Pride, Camden also serves as the Recording Secretary of the Whitewater Arts Alliance (effective in January), a Board of Trustees member for the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library, and on the steering committee member for Be Kind Whitewater.
________________________________________
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit our website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like us on Facebook!
Please note: The “Buy Tickets” buttons below will not work. For tickets go to https://www.uww.edu/ticket-services
Editor’s Note: The following interview was done by Marjorie Stoneman on behalf of Whitewater Unites Lives.
Tony Aranda is well-known in Whitewater for his dedication, passion and leadership of the Whitewater Youth Soccer Club (Whitewater United FC), a local parent-driven organization that welcomes soccer players from ages 4 to 17.
Soccer is his passion. He said, “I feel that is where I really help the community. It’s something I’ve been doing since 2008.”
Tony Aranda came to the United States from Guanajuato, Mexico at age 10, and has made Whitewater his home ever since. In Mexico, baseball was his sport. In fact, he tried to set up baseball games at Twin Oaks as a youngster. He never played soccer in Mexico, but learned at recess in America. One of the local coaches (Pedro Duran) needed players so he asked him to play. Thus, Tony’s soccer passion began at about age 13.
As a youngster, he participated in the soccer club he now coaches. He was inspired by all of his coaches who really helped students. One of his coaches was Richard Telfer, who to him was a coach and dad to one of the players (Gavin) – he didn’t find out until later that he was the chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater at that time. Dr. Telfer and other coaches drove him to and from soccer, and Tony remembers that was key to his participation – both of his parents worked so the rides were crucial. Now he pays it forward by driving his soccer players to games.
Since age 14 Tony has always played soccer and worked. He is the sixth of 11 children, and wanted to make sure to help his parents. At age 14 he had one newspaper route (The Janesville Gazette) that he later expanded into four routes. At age 16 he worked at an egg farm in Cold Spring. He cleaned buildings and worked the weekends to relieve the regular full-time staff. He worked to pay for his own soccer shoes, clothing etc. His many jobs included working at a restaurant, a financial company as well as translating for the owner of a landscaping company.
His goal as a teen was to be the first in his family to graduate from high school. After graduation in 2000, he went to work at an asbestos-removal business in the Milwaukee area. He realized how physically difficult the job was, and decided he wanted to go to school.
Tony has many wonderful memories of Whitewater community members. Roni Telfer spent time with him and planted a seed – she offered to help him secure a scholarship to attend UW-Whitewater at Rock County and then UW-Whitewater.
“I love Whitewater. I’ve been to Florida, California and visited many other states but there is something special about Whitewater. It’s a small town that is also a big city,” said Tony.
Tony attended UW-Rock and then UW-Whitewater for about two and a half years, and then had to determine how to handle work, school and then having a newborn. He made the tough decision to stop attending school but was grateful for the experience. He now works for the Water Department at the City of Whitewater and co-owns ARANDA, a clothing store at 177 West Main Street that also specializes in custom-made clothing and personalized jerseys. He also manages family-owned rental properties in the Whitewater community.
Tony’s dad came to the United States when he was 16 and worked in many states as a seasonal worker. He applied for the amnesty offered during the Reagan administration, became a resident, and then began applying to bring his family. Tony lived with his grandmother in Mexico for two years until his father was able to bring him to the U.S. He remembers that his mom left to come to the U.S. before he did, and when she called him to talk he was so happy. He said, “I was excited about what I heard – that being in the states allowed many opportunities.” Tony became a United States Citizen at age 18. He took the test and thought it was very simple, because he had learned most of it at school.
He said, “I remember Whitewater having a very supportive community.” One of those supporters was Jim Winship. “I remember him helping our families. He would try to bring the Hispanic community together and help with food and toys. I remember people like this and it makes me want to continue giving back,” said Tony.
His family first lived in Twin Oaks. He didn’t speak English when he arrived, but he remembers learning so much from his ESL teachers at Lakeview Elementary School and then at Washington Elementary School.
It wasn’t until Middle School that he realized not everyone liked him because of where he was from. “This is not the America I thought it was at 10 years old.” So he decided, instead of sticking with people that looked like him he would reach out and step out of his comfort zone. He said, “We should reach out to people too. We don’t have to wait for them to reach out.”
Now as a soccer coach, he encourages young people to reach out to other students.
Tony is a board member and coach for Whitewater United FC, the local Whitewater youth soccer club. The club has more than 50 players under age 8. “When it comes to helping the community I’m not only focused on kids whose lives were like mine, I want to help coach everyone,” he said.
Whitewater United FC is a volunteer parent-run organization in Whitewater, Wisconsin that provides select and recreational soccer opportunities for kids aged 4-17. For the recreational soccer program, there are no tryouts or “cuts.” All properly registered players will play. The teams are organized by age group and play either locally (non-traveling), or in a county-wide traveling league called the Stateline District and the Select teams play in SECL. Other members of this league include Big Foot, Burlington, Delavan, East Troy, Elkhorn, Lake Geneva, and Williams Bay. The Whitewater teams play games on Saturdays and generally practice no more than two nights per week.
Tony invites other adults to volunteer for Whitewater Youth Soccer or other groups. He said, “Adults need to shape the community by shaping young ones. We should never give up on our youth. Adults need to plant a seed, and some harvest takes longer, but we need to plant – especially for those in need.”
More information about Whitewater United FC can be found at whitewatersoccer.com
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
Other Recent Posts
Click on the title to view the post. To open the post in a new tab, press Ctrl (Cmd on a Mac) while clicking on the title.
