Early City Motto "The Banner Inland City of the Midwest"
The Banner has been serving Whitewater, Wisconsin since August 1, 2006
Today is Monday, October 12, 2026
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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
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week’s image is one donated by the Leffingwell family. This donation was of photos from Halverson’s and Leffingwell’s men’s store. It shows a mid-20th century holiday float. Clearly it celebrates Santa and his reindeer, perhaps pulling a special hut where kids could visit Santa, but also wishes people a happy new year.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
(4332P, Whitewater Historical Society)
Whitewater Arts Alliance and FACT Reader’s Theatre Present
A Hometown Christmas
Two classic radio plays:
Christmas on Pine Mountain
Meet Me in St. Louis
One performance only at Whitewater’s Cultural Arts Center
Saturday, December 14 at 2 pm
Presented by Fort Atkinson Community Theater
Directed by Benjamin Whitcomb
Suggested donation of $10 per person at the door would be greatly appreciated.
Light refreshments will be served.
Obituaries
Sally A. Schutte, age 73, of Whitewater, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 21, 2026, while at Hearthstone Memory Care in Whitewater. Sally was born on November 6, 1952, to Roy and Elsie (Rohloff) Haas. Sally married William Schutte in the spring of 2003. Sally grew up on the family farm in the Town of Hebron and graduated from Jefferson High School. She dedicated nearly her entire career to Fort HealthCare, where her hard work and versatility shone through various roles. Over the years, she served in housekeeping and medical records, Center for Dermatology. Sally … Read more
Zachariah “Zach” Schoenke, 41, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. He was born April 4, 1985, to Keith W. Schoenke and Kathleen Schoenke in Fort Atkinson, WI. He grew up and graduated from Whitewater High School in 2003. Zach worked various jobs over the years but was currently working at Cracker Barrel in Janesville. He was a big Packers Fan and liked to play fantasy football. He enjoyed reading, cooking, and watching horror shows. Zach fiercely loved his son, Lincoln, his sisters, Cami and Cary, his mom and stepdad, and his aunt Robin. He will be dearly … Read more
Carla Winn, 82, died September 5, 2026. Funeral Service will be at 12:00 PM, Saturday, September 12, 2026, at East Heights United Methodist Church, 4407 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67218, followed by a burial at 2:00 PM at White Chapel Memorial Garden 1806 N Oliver Ave. Carla is preceded in death by her parents, Vivian Dwight and Wilma Lois Krehbiel; and sister, Jennifer Krehbiel. She is survived by husband, Stephen; daughter, Ashley (Clint) Gagel, of Overland Park; siblings, Paul (Kay) Krehbiel, of Socorro, NM, Lynn (Bill) Oetting, of Wichita, Ellen (John) Querner, of Wichita, Teresa Woodson, of Lawrence, KS, … Read more
Susan Miller Celebration of Life There will be a gathering of friends and acquaintances at Susan’s Farm Store to celebrate Susan’s life on Saturday, September 19th from 2-5 p.m. at N6623 Lake Lorraine Rd., Delavan, Wisconsin
Our loving mother, JoAnn E Harrop, age 95, passed away on September 11, 2026. Our sorrow is deep, but we are filled with gratitude for the many years we had with her. Even as her mind was failing, she remained strong and appreciative of all who cared for her. JoAnn was born on January 13, 1931, daughter to Fred Braun and Evelyn Braun {Storck). She was raised in Whitewater, Wisconsin by her grandparents, Otto and Edith Storck. She attended Whitewater High School and helped at the Storck tavern where she met her husband Earl C. Harrop. They married on November … Read more
Russell O. Johnson “Russ,” 88, passed away on September 4, 2026 in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Russell was born on July 12, 1938, in Janesville, Wisconsin. Russ grew up in Janesville, and after high school he joined the Air Force on May 1, 1958, serving as an aircraft mechanic until June 12, 1962. He then worked at Parker Pen in Janesville for a time, where he met his future wife, Avis. After marrying Avis Mason in April 1964, Russ worked for Gillman Manufacturing for a time, then began a career at Dana until its closing in 1980. In 1981, Russ started working … Read more
Marcia Zingg, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, businesswoman, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2026, at the age of 75. Marcia will be remembered for her unwavering love, remarkable strength, generous spirit, and lifelong devotion to her family. She shared 40 wonderful years of marriage with her husband, Jeffrey Zingg, who considered her not only his wife but also his best friend, business partner, and the love of his life. Together, Marcia and Jeffrey built a successful life rooted in perseverance, hard work, laughter, and love. As entrepreneurs in Whitewater, Wisconsin, they owned and managed new car franchises and … Read more
Amanda Jean Hunter was born to Ralph and Malinda (Thomas) Hunter of Whitewater, Wisconsin, on October 6, 1976. She passed away on August 4, in Fort Worth, Texas, where she lived with her family. Amanda passed peacefully in the hospital, surrounded by her loved ones. Amanda was a kind-hearted free spirit with an unmistakable hippie warmth. Generosity, spontaneity, a quick wit, a macabre sense of humor, and an open heart were traits that she embraced. She was a tireless champion of those in need, an innate characteristic that became among the best of her qualities. She proved to be a … Read more
Ellen Eichmiller, 82, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Ellen was born on September 10, 1943, in Monroe, Wisconsin, to Chester “Guy” and Irene (née Holmen) Steig. She married the love of her life, Paul Eichmiller, on December 7, 1963, and together they made their home in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Ellen spent much of her working life as a secretary at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, where she formed many lasting friendships and memories. Ellen cherished her family and friends and treasured the time she spent with those closest to her. She was known for her love of … Read more
Janet Quinn, age 71, of Jefferson passed away on Thursday, August 20th. Janet was born on December 22nd, 1954 in St. Joseph, MI to Robert Mounsey and Edith Christison Mounsey. She was a granddaughter to Herbert Bragg Mounsey, Charlotte Mounsey, and Ester Christison West. She married Michael Durden in 1979 and later married Eury Quinn Jr. (J.R.) in 1988. Janet grew up in Benton Harbor, MI, and subsequently lived in New York and Arkansas before moving to Wisconsin in 2016. She was a dedicated caregiver to her disabled Mother, and worked as a custodian for various employers over the years. … Read more
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