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Today is Tuesday, July 23, 2024

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Mean Girls Wins Four Jerry Awards

May 20, 2024

Congratulations to this year’s Jerry Award winners for their roles in the WHS Players production of Mean Girls. WHS competed against 80 other high school musicals throughout the state in a wide range of categories. The awards ceremony, on June 9th, at the Overture Center, showcases the talents of the student performers and outstanding musicals. Chacha and Cosette will be performing. Tickets ($35, or $25 for students when purchased in-person) for the event go on sale to the public May 24th by calling the Overture box office or online. There is also a virtual streaming option, which is already on sale, for a “pay what you wish” price.  Please congratulate all our winners on a job well done.

2024 Jerry Award Winners
Outstanding Supporting Performance – Cosette Wildermuth-Breitzman
Spirit Award – Chacha Binagi
Outstanding Musical Direction- Liz Elliott
Outstanding Scenic Design- Jim McCulloch and Kat Dunham

Article Submitted by Jim McCulloch
Whitewater Unified School District Drama Director
jmcculloch@wwusd.org
Photos Courtesy of Tom Ganser

WHS STEAM Faire Photo Gallery

May 20, 2024

The WUSD Robotics Booster Club hosted the first annual STEAM Faire at Whitewater High School on May 18. The event was free and open to the public and was designed to say thank you to the community for the support it has already offered the robotics programs in the school district. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. The event featured over 30 exhibitors.

Photos are courtesy of Tom Ganser.

Local Students Graduate from UW-Milwaukee

May 20, 2024

The following individuals from our area are among the 2,480 prospective candidates for degree attending University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee commencement exercises Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Milwaukee.

UWM is the second largest university in the State of Wisconsin, with over 22,900 undergraduate and graduate students.

Whitewater, WI

 Nicole Tomomitsu, Bachelor of Science, School of Biomedical Sciences & Health Care Administration
 Emma Van Daele, Bachelor of Science, School of Rehabilitation Sciences & Technology

Call for Photography!

May 20, 2024

The Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) invites photographers of all levels to submit their photography for consideration in the 15th Annual Fran Achen Juried Photography Exhibition.

The gallery exhibit will be held during the month of July, 2024 at the WAA’s Cultural Arts Center Gallery. The photographs in the exhibit will be displayed on the walls of the gallery and, concurrently, in an online virtual exhibit that will appear at the WAA website.

New this year: a free commemorative PDF catalog containing all of the photographs chosen for the exhibit will be produced and made available for download.

All are welcome to enter. Submissions must be received no later than Wednesday, May 29 and must include 1) a completed online entry form, 2) entry fee of $35 ($30 for current WAA members), and 3) emailed digital copies of entered photos. The entry includes submission of up to four photographs. Complete information, along with the online entry form, key dates, and rules is located at www.whitewaterarts.org/fran-achen-2024

Contacts

Awards

  • First Place Award: ($150)
  • Second Place Award: ($125)
  • Third Place Award: ($100)
  • Viewer Choice Award: ($75)
  • Honorable Mention Certificates

Key Dates

  • Entries, fees, and image files due: Wednesday, May 29, 2024
  • Notice of acceptance: Wednesday, June 5, 2024
  • Gallery exhibit Dates: July 5 – 28, 2024
  • Reception and awards presentation: Sunday, July 7, 2024 ( 1pm – 4 pm), awards at 2 pm
  • Viewers’ Choice Award Announcement: Sunday, July 28

Entry Fees

  • $30 for current WAA members, $35 for non-members
  • Fee includes up to 4 photographs
  • An entrant may optionally enter 2 additional photographs (making a total of 6) for an additional fee of $20
  • Photographs must receive an acceptance to be included in the exhibit.

Entry Process

An opening reception featuring the presentation of awards will be held Sunday, July 7 at 1:00 P.M. at the Cultural Arts Center where light refreshments will be served. Voting for Viewers’ Choice will continue throughout the run of the exhibit and its winner will be announced Sunday, July 28.

Jeff McDonald, the exhibit’s 10-year chair and a longtime WAA board member, said “The Fran Achen exhibition is an annual highlight. Fran Achen was a revered member of the community and an exceptional photographer. His collection of images continues to inspire. This exhibit, named in his honor, is an excellent opportunity to showcase the outstanding work created by both established and aspiring area photographers. The participation and support of many skilled artists from all over southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois is greatly appreciated and is the reason for this program’s continued success. Each year brings a new crop of inspired work.”

Admission to the exhibit and its reception are free of charge, open to the public, and all are invited. The gallery is open Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12:00 P.M. (Noon) to 4:00 P.M. and the website is open 24/7. The exhibit runs from Friday, July 5 through Sunday, July 28.

The Whitewater Arts Alliance believes art plays a significant role in transforming the cultural fabric. It brings people together, fosters dialogue and reflection, and creates a sense of pride and ownership.

UW-La Crosse and UW-W Headed To NCAA Baseball Super Regionals in Whitewater

May 20, 2024


Editor’s note: The following announcement appears in the WIAC website.

MADISON, Wis.–University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and UW-Whitewater will participate in the Super Regional round of the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship after winning regional finals on May 19.

UW-La Crosse (35-14) beat Coe College (Iowa) 9-7 in the La Crosse Regional, while UW-Whitewater (38-8) posted a 6-4 triumph over Centre College (Ky.) in the Whitewater Regional. The conference duo will meet in a best-of-three Super Regional series in Whitewater May 24-25, with the winner advancing to the NCAA Division III World Series.

UW-La Crosse posted a 19-2 triumph over Bethel University (Minn.) in its first regional contest, and dropped a 12-11, 10-inning decision to Coe College (Iowa). The Eagles rebounded with an 18-15 win over Benedictine University (Ill.) and defeated Coe 18-11 to setup a winner-take-all rematch with the Kohawks.

UW-Whitewater opened regional action with a 9-2 win over Crown College (Minn.) and followed with a 20-3 victory over California Lutheran University to advance to the regional final.

Against Centre (36-13), the Warhawks got on the board in the second inning on a sacrifice fly by Sam Paden.

Centre took a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning on a two-run single, but UW-Whitewater quickly tied the game in bottom of the inning on a run-scoring single by Paden.

Centre grabbed a 4-2 advantage in the fifth, and the Warhawks took the lead in seventh on Paden’s double down the leftfield line that scored Andy Thies, who led off the inning with a walk. Darryl Jackson’s single to center field scored Paden, and Matt Scolan hit a deep two-run home run to right field.

Cade Hensen earned the win to improve to 4-0 on the season, while Jack Hagen worked the ninth inning for his first collegiate save.

In the clinching game against Coe (31-16), the Kohawks took a 2-0 lead in in the top of the first inning on a two-run single.

UW-La Crosse countered in the bottom of the inning on a RBI single by George Seaman and Anthony Vivian’s two-run home run.

The Eagles extended their advantage to 4-2 in the fifth inning on a solo home run from Nate Witte.

In the seventh, Mac Born had a run scoring single and was followed by Seaman’s three-run home run to right field for an 8-2 lead.

Coe scored five runs on one hit, three walks and three hit batsman in the eighth inning to get within 8-7.

The Eagles added an insurance run in the bottom of the inning on Jack Moran’s run scoring double to right center.

Isaiah Katz worked 7.1 innings to secure the win and improve to 7-5 on the year, while Tyler Schmitt recorded his first save of the season after pitching the final 1.2 innings.

Editor’s note: The bracket, which has not been completed yet as of the time of this posting, may be found here.

Twelve to represent UW-W at NCAA Track and Field Championships

May 20, 2024

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will be represented by 12 student-athletes at the 2024 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships this week. The championship meet is slated to run Thursday-Saturday, May 23-25, at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The following UW-Whitewater student-athletes are outdoor national qualifiers for 2024:

Justin Krause of Whitewater, WI (53190), who is majoring in Business Administration MBA.

Gunner Schlender of Whitewater, WI (53190), who is majoring in Physical Education.

Two Warhawk men qualified in two events. Christian Patzka (Black Earth, Wis./Wisconsin Heights) boasts the top times in Division III in the 5,000-meter run and 3000-meter steeplechase. Patzka will look to defend his 2023 national title in the steeplechase. A three-time All-American in the event, Patzka enters the championship with the top time in Division III by more than six seconds. In the 5,000, he will be joined by teammate Gunner Schlender (Brillion, Wis./Brillion), the ninth seed, in the event. Schlender will also compete in the 10,000-meter run where he enters the championship with the 11th-fastest time in the nation this season. He captured bronze in the 10K a year ago.

Shelvin Garrett II (Beloit, Wis./Memorial) and Jordan Hall (Elkhorn, Wis./Elkhorn) both qualified in the triple jump. Garrett II enters as the number three seed while Hall is seeded 22nd. Garrett II is a two-time All-American in the event and was the 2023 runner-up at the national championship meet.

Justin Krause (Ixonia, Wis./Pewaukee) will look to add to his 2022 All-America honor in the 1500 this season. He enters as the 12th seed.

Ben Bojar (Pewaukee, Wis./Pewaukee) earned a spot in the 100-meter dash with his time of 10.52 seconds, good for a tie for 20th among competitors entering the meet.

Tina Shelton (Janesville, Wis./Parker) will lead the UWW women as a qualifier in multiple events. Shelton’s 100-meter dash time is tied for fourth-best in the nation this season. She will also compete in the 200-meter dash where she enters as the 16th seed. Shelton claimed All-America honors in both events last season after finishing fifth and seventh respectively.

Shelton will also run the second leg on the Warhawks’ 4×100 squad that comes in as the sixth seed. Hannah Bilodeau (Machesney Park, IL/Harlem) will lead off the foursome followed by Shelton and Jacqueline Kornowski (Green Bay, Wis./Preble). Danielle Pouska (Algonquin, IL/Jacobs) will anchor the combination.

Gracie Holland (Marshfield, Wis./Marshfield) has qualified in her signature event, the pole vault. She enters the championship as the fourth seed. Holland is a two-time All-American in the event. She finished as the runner-up in 2022 and was fourth a year ago. Kenni Czarnecki (Muskego, Wis./Muskego) will represent UWW in the throws. She is the 11th seed in the hammer throw field.

Fans can watch the 2024 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships on ncaa.com. Selections and live results are available here.

Tonight’s Military Genealogy Event at the Library is Postponed

May 20, 2024

This event had been scheduled for Tuesday, May 21. It is rescheduled for Tuesday, May 28 at 5:30 p.m.

Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Esmoth from Pixabay.

Our Readers Share: Steve Watson – You Lookin’ at Me?

May 19, 2024

“You lookin at me? “

Steve Watson writes, “Tree swallow in one of many nesting boxes along the Trippe Lake Trail. They twist and turn, dart about, to get a insect in their mouth.”

Our thanks to Steve Watson for sharing yet another fun nature photo.

— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share.  Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. Thanks for thinking about this!

Obituaries

Celebration of Life: Dave Triebold

A celebration of life for Dave Triebold will be held July 27 at Triebold Farms, with festivities beginning around 11:30 am. A rememberance service will take place at 12:30 pm. A pig roast will follow, and the pool will be open. The family encourages you to stay through the evening for a bonfire as well. Contact Kris (262)949-5474 or Kath (414)412-4385 with questions.

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Celebration of Life: James Paul Fisher, 86

James Paul Fisher, 86, known by friends as JP or Jay, passed away on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at UW Hospital, Madison, with his immediate family by his side. His body finally surrendered to a heart attack after battling heart and kidney ailments for many years. Born in Fond du lac, Wisconsin, on October 25, 1937, to Lorraine and James Fisher, JP was a resident of Elkhorn and then Whitewater, Wisconsin. At age 2 JP was diagnosed with polio. Through daily therapy administered by his mother and grandmother, he overcame this life threatening virus, and with a prognosis of limited … Read more

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Obituary: Shirley M.  Messier, 86

Shirley M. Messier, 86, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, passed away on July 8, 2024. Shirley was born to Erwin and Leona Reese on May 20, 1938, in Farmington, Wisconsin. Shirley (“Shirttail”) attended the local country school, then set out on her own, taking a job doing factory work. On August 24, 1957, she married Blaine Messier in Jefferson, Wisconsin. They had three daughters, Michele (Shelly), Terry, and Karen. Shirley spent many years being a working wife and mother, finally retiring from Polymer Technologies / MacLean Fogg in Whitewater. Shirley loved country music and spent her retirement years going to George Jones … Read more

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Celebration of Life: Patricia Parr

Patricia Ann ParrBorn 7/20/42Departed to Heaven 5/10/23 About herself, Patricia often said “I love life, I love God, He always has taken care of me, and He always will”. Patricia died peacefully at Angels Grace Hospice in Oconomowoc, after a long and courageously fought season of declining health. Patricia was born in Beaver Dam, to a lovely family, which included her older brother Dennis and not too long after, her lifetime best friend and little sister Mary. They grew up on an idyllic “Gentlemen’s Farm” outside of Jefferson, with horses and many animals. Her parents, Floyd and Kathryn owned the … Read more

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Obituary: Margorie Alice “GG” Roloff, 89

Marjorie Alice “GG” Roloff, 89, passed away Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at Golden Years in Lake Geneva, WI. She was born July 31, 1934, to Fred and Martha (Arndt) Papcke, in Whitewater, WI, the fifth of eleven children. GG attended South Heart Prairie School, across the road from the family’s home farm. She is a Whitewater High School graduate. On April 19, 1953, she married her high school sweetheart, Eric. She worked a variety of jobs over the years. Her most memorable of those being the local canning factory and as a crossing guard. After retiring, she and Eric would … Read more

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Obituary: Marilyn Mae Fuerstenberg, 81 (UPDATED)

Marilyn Mae Fuerstenberg, 81 of Whitewater, WI., passed away on June 27, 2024, at Agrace Hospice in Janesville, WI. Marilyn was born May 27, 1943, in Geneva Township, to Raymond and Doris Kilpin. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, her two younger brothers, Mike and Donny Kilpin. Marilyn married William (Bill) Fuerstenberg on September 21, 1963. Bill and Marilyn lived in Whitewater. Together they raised three children, taking the family on yearly vacations and camping trips throughout the years. Marilyn worked for Walworth County Health and Social Services as a Child Protection Social Worker. She dedicated 25 years … Read more

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Obituary: Jerome Francis Burke, 76

Jerome Francis Burke, age 76, of Whitewater, WI, passed away unexpectedly following a brief illness on June 27, 2024. Jerry was born in Evanston, IL on May 13, 1948 to Stephen and Catherine Burke. He grew up in Glenview, IL, where he graduated from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Grade School and then Loyola Academy (Wilmette). Those early days spawned treasured, lifelong friendships. He went on to graduate from St. Joseph’s College (IN) with a BA in Economics, and it was there thathe met his beloved wife, Eileen. They married shortly after graduation and were blessed to share their lives … Read more

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Obituary: Angelica E. Vicente Santa Cruz, 59, of Delaware / Obituario

Angelica E. Vicente Santa Cruz passed away Sunday, June 30th in home beside family and friends in Milford, Delaware from a long battle with cancer. Angelica E. Vicente Santa Cruz was born on February 24, 1965. She was the daughter of Doña Carmen Santa Cruz Valdez and Don Luis Vicente León, who allowed her to share a life of family union with her four brothers: Braulio, Carmen Rosa, Edgar and Juan. She was born in Lima-Peru and grew up in the Ventanilla district of the constitutional province of Callao of Peru. She completed her primary studies at the La Merced … Read more

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Obituary: Lowell V. Youngs, 87

Lowell V. Youngs, 87, of Whitewater passed away on Monday, June 24, 2024 in Madison. Lowell was born on September 4, 1936 in Wyoming to Isaac and Violet (Doble) Youngs.  He grew up in the very small town of Veteran, Wyoming, where he was one of nine students in his graduating class.  After graduating, Lowell attended the University of Colorado, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 1958.  Lowell was drafted into the US Army in 1960 and selected to be in the Army Band, where he gladly carried a clarinet instead of a gun.  He was … Read more

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Obituary: Robert Karl Webb, 97

Robert Karl Webb passed away peacefully with his loving wife Adrienne by his side on June 14, 2024, at Hearthstone Memory Care in Whitewater, WI.  Dr. Webb was born in Trenton, Missouri on September 29, 1926, to parents Karl and Esther (Kull) Webb. During World War II, he served in the Navy aboard the USS Pennsylvania and was honorably discharged in 1946. He received his undergraduate and doctorate degrees in music from the University of Illinois in Urbana. Dr. Webb was a composer and taught in the public schools of Moberly, Missouri, and was the director of the Hobart, Indiana … Read more

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