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The Banner has been serving Whitewater, Wisconsin since August 1, 2006
Today is Thursday, August 29, 2024
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Whitewater Unified School District: Due to expected weather conditions, all activities and events after 6pm Friday, January 10, are cancelled. Activities and events planned for Saturday, January 11, are also cancelled. At this time, activities for Sunday, January 12, will be held, and we will continue to monitor the weather.
All Saturday Parks & Rec. programs are canceled including gymnastics. All SWL basketball games for the weekend are postponed.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men’s basketball team’s game scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 11, at Kachel Gymnasium has been moved up to a 1 p.m. start due to anticipated inclement weather in Southern Wisconsin later in the afternoon and early in the evening. The Warhawks (5-8 overall, 0-2 WIAC) will face UW-River Falls (7-6, 0-2) in their first home game since Nov. 22. The game was originally slated to tip off at 5 p.m.
Congratulations to the cast and crew of the WHS Players Production of “The Little Mermaid” on their 14 Jerry Award nominations! The show was performed November 21-24, 2019, involving more than 60 cast, technical crew, and pit band members. The plot involved Ariel, King Triton’s youngest daughter, who wished to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above, bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But the bargain was not what it seemed, and Ariel needed the help of her colorful friends to restore order under the sea.
“The Jerry Awards encourages, recognizes, and honors excellence in high school musical theater. Educators and industry professionals review productions at more than 85 high schools in 30 counties around the state providing valuable feedback. School and student achievements are honored and featured in an awards show held at the Overture Center in June, and two outstanding performers are selected to represent the program at The National High School Musical Theater Awards (The Jimmys) competition in New York City.” Last year, Whitewater High School’s production of “The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee” won Outstanding Musical, and Lauren Harkness was selected to represent the state in New York City.
Jerry Award nominations are based on three adjudicators’ reviews and recommendations. Winners will be announced in May after all competing high school productions have been evaluated. Winners will be honored at the Overture Center in early June.
Please congratulate the nominees below as well as the rest of the cast and crew for their outstanding contributions to the production.
2019-2020 Jerry Award Nominations from Whitewater High School
Outstanding Lead Performance:
Lauren Harkness, Ariel
Carter Waelchli, Ursula
Henry Bresser, Sebastian
Ella Willman, Scuttle
Chris Porcaro, King Triton
Outstanding Supporting Performance:
Anderson Waelchli, Flounder
Sophie Mayer, Chef Louis
Outstanding Direction- Jim McCulloch
Outstanding Stage Management- Josie Hintz, Hailey Long, Emma Van Daele
Outstanding Overall Design
Outstanding Set Design- Jim McCulloch, Kat Dunham
Outstanding Costume Design- Karen McCulloch, Deborah Blackwell
Outstanding Lighting Design- Jim McCulloch
Outstanding Sound Design- Tony Hansen
For more information on the Jerry Awards, visit https://www.overture.org/programs/jerry-awards
Photo Credit: Tom Ganser
Current University at Buffalo football coach Lance Liepold was ranked at No. 78 on ESPN‘s list of the top 150 football coaches of all time, released in December.
The selections were made by a blue-ribbon panel of 150 media members, administrators and former players and coaches, ESPN said.
Leipold was lauded primarily for his time at UW-W when he posted a record of 109-6 from 2007 to 2014 and won six Division III national titles. He was named national coach of the year six times and reached 100 career wins faster than any football coach in NCAA history at any level. Leipold was also recognized for taking down “the dynasty that was Mount Union.
For the article in The Buffalo News, click here.
City of Whitewater Landmarks Commission - Thursday at 3:30 PM
Whitewater Municipal Building - More information
The first step to overcoming an addiction is to admit that you have a problem. The new year is a great time to make that fresh start. The following groups are led by supportive people who are recovering and would love to have you visit. We are grateful to the churches and the city for providing space for these nonsectarian meetings.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Tuesdays at 11 a.m., First English Lutheran Church, 401 W. Main Street
Wednesdays at 7 p.m., Whitewater Senior Center, 504 W. Starin Rd. (Starin Park) (We are not certain whether they will be meeting on New Year’s Day; if someone in the group can clarify this, please email whitewaterbanner@gmail.com.)
Thursdays at 7 p.m., St. Patrick Church – Berry Hall Rooms 1-2, 1225 W. Main Street
Fridays at 9:30 a.m., First English Lutheran Church, 401 W. Main Street
Narcotics Anonymous
Tuesdays at 8 p.m., Congregational UCC Church – Guild Hall, 133 S. Franklin Street (We are not certain whether they will be meeting on New Year’s Eve; if someone in the group can clarify this, please email whitewaterbanner@gmail.com.)
Gamblers Anonymous
Mondays at 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church – Library, 145 S. Prairie Street
Whitewater hosted Brodhead in a girls’ basketball game on Thursday, December 19, and lost 52-66. Abby Grosinske led the Whippet scoring with 20. Kacie Carollo scored 7 and Brianna Zimdars added 5.
The WHS Boys hosted McFarland in basketball on Friday, December 20, and lost 78-71. Carter Brown led the Whippet scoring with 19 followed by Peter Zimdars with 16.
Comments and photos courtesy of Bob Mischka.
Pursuant to the public meeting noticed by the DNR (https://dnr.wi.gov/news/releases/article/?id=4992) notices will be posted at both Trippe and Cravath Lakes of the following:
NOTICE OF FISHING SEASON CLOSURE ON TRIPPE AND CRAVATH LAKES, WALWORTH COUNTY
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the fishing season on Trippe and Cravath Lakes is closed effective December 18th, 2019 and will remain closed until further notice. This season closure is established pursuant to s. NR20.33(1) Wis. Admin. Code because a scheduled drawdown of water levels in order to control invasive Eurasian watermilfoil may concentrate fish, make them more vulnerable to angler harvest and may deplete the game fish supply. Closure of the season will conserve game fish populations until water levels are restored to allow future opportunities for good fishing on Trippe and Cravath Lakes in Walworth County.
If you have questions, please contact:
Laura Stremick-Thompson, Fisheries Supervisor
(920)387-7876
Laura.stremickthompson@wisconsin.gov
Find additional frequently asked questions regarding the lake drawdown project here: http://www.whitewater-wi.gov/438/Parks-Recreation.
Obituaries
Dr. Nomsa Gwalla Ogisi, retired UW-Whitewater Special Education faculty member, passed away in Madison, WI on August 20, 2024.
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Tania Ann Bowden, age 48, Delavan, Wi., passed away unexpectedly on August 1, 2024. Born September 16, 1975, to John Bowden and Irene Bowden (Proc) originally from Chicago, IL. Came to Wisconsin from Chicago in 1979. Tania attended Whitewater High School. Tania is survived by her Mom, Irene and James Osgood, Delavan, WI., three daughters Casandra Harris (Casey), Fort Atkinson, WI., Samantha Dohms (Sammy), Cheyenne, Wyoming, Mariah Flynn, Slinger, WI., Laura, Sandy, Bonnie Bowden and many nieces and nephews, Fayetteville TN., and the list goes on. Private visitation and the celebration of life will be held at her Mom’s residence.
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Lee Spencer Murray, 92, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 18, 2024 at Fairhaven in Whitewater. Lee was born on September 24, 1931 in Princeville, Illinois to Harlow and Grace (Larson) Murray. He graduated from Princeville High School in 1949 and the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana with his bachelor’s degree Agriculture-Agronomy in 1957. Lee served in the United States Army from 1951-1953 and received a purple heart during his service in the Korean War. He was a proud member of the Whitewater American Legion, Princeville Masonic Lodge, Whitewater Jaycees and Wisconsin Fertilizer Association. Lee is survived by … Read more
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Updated 8/23/24 @ 4:40 p.m. to add information regarding the casket. Leo Jorgen Hansen, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, passed away in Janesville, Wisconsin, on August 18, 2024, at the age of 98. Leo was born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 15, 1925, and spoke Danish before he learned English. He entered the work force at the age of 12, assisting his father, a house painter. When he was 17 years old, the family moved to a 120-acre farm on the southeast edge of Whitewater, Wisconsin. The family initially worked the fields with two teams of workhorses and … Read more
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William Walton “Bill” WeissMarch 23, 1944 – August 19, 2024MADISON – Bill Weiss went Walking with The King on Aug. 19, 2024. William Walton “Bill” was born on March 23, 1944, to Myrtle (Walton) and William Weiss in Philadelphia, Pa. Bill’s father was serving in World War II when Bill was born. He was 17 months old before he met his father for the first time. Until then, Bill and his mother lived with her parents. His mother and brother died in childbirth when Bill was 2 1/2 years old, and Bill returned to live with his maternal grandparents. Papa … Read more
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Barbara Lynn (Bressler) Robbins, 62, Dubuque, IA, passed peacefully, August 16, 2024. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 7:30 pm Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory, where a prayer service will be held at 7:30 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial for Barbara will be 10:00 am Thursday, August 22, 2024, at Church of the Resurrection with Father Phil Gibbs as the Celebrant and Rev. Michael Tess as the homilist. A graveside service will follow the same afternoon at 3:00 pm at Maple Ridge Cemetery adjoining the First Lutheran Church of Jordan … Read more
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Joan Mary Grosinske, 91, of Whitewater passed away on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at Glenwood at Mulberry in Whitewater. Joan was born in Wisconsin Rapids on December 4, 1932 to Edwin and Gertrude (Sauter) Zenisek. She graduated from Neenah High School. While working at AC Sparkplug in Milwaukee, she was introduced to the love of her life Don Grosinske by her sister and brother-In-law. They were married on June 13, 1959 in Neenah, WI. The most important aspect of Joan’s life was her family and being the #1 fan for every event or activity they were involved in. She and … Read more
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Christine Marie “Chris” Gasperetti, 58, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 surrounded by her loving family at Fort Memorial Hospital. Chris was born on June 9, 1966 in Milwaukee to Joseph and Elaine (Sadowski) Socha. She was raised in Whitewater in her childhood home on Whitewater Lake. Chris graduated from Whitewater High School in 1984. Chris met her husband, Tim, while working at Wenninger in Milwaukee in 1988, and the two later married on September 30, 1989. Tim and Chris were married for exactly 34 years and ten months, and together they raised their daughter, Anna. … Read more
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Janet Irene Heckert, age 87, passed away peacefully on July 25, 2024 in Delavan, Wisconsin. Born on November 1, 1936, in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, she was the daughter of Gladys and Henry Jansen. Janet was preceded in death by her loving husband Kenneth Heckert and her brothers Sonny and Paul and sister Darlene. Janet was a graduate of Elkhorn High School in 1955. On October 24, 1957, she married the love of her life, Kenneth Heckert, at Elkhorn Baptist Church in their hometown of Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Janet worked for many years as a seamstress, but her true passion was as a … Read more
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Obituary: Fred Chester Traxler, 78 Fred was born in Whitewater, Wisconsin on October 23, 1945, son of Chester and Elva (Klug) Traxler. He was born to eternal life at Ascension St. Francis Place in Milwaukee on June 1, 2024. Fred was a 1964 graduate of Whitewater High School. In his younger days Fred enjoyed bowling and polka dancing–and was very good at both. He was very competitive, especially when pitching horseshoes with his Dad, brothers, and cousin Sid. He was always ready for a card game, and was also a big fan of the Packers and Brewers. Fred is preceded … Read more
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