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Today is Friday, June 19, 2026
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The Community Space will be closed the week of July 4th for some much-needed R & R for our volunteers. 
We will reopen on Tuesday, July 9.
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. Next week is the 4th of July and Whitewater’s 4th Parade has been a long-time tradition. This image is of the Whitewater Historical Society’s float from a 4th parade during the 1970s. The 1970s was an active time for the society because in July of 1974, the society took over the old Whitewater Passenger Depot and turned it into a local history museum. We are celebrating “50 Years at the Depot” at the museum beginning July 4 and 6 when we will have extra open hours (11:00-3:00 on July 4 and 2:00-6:00 for the car show on July 6).
We will have a special display about the opening of the museum in 1974 along with some of the large banners from Whitewater High School that were produced with museum photographs for the production of “Our Town.” Come and see us during the 4th festivities and/or on Tuesdays (4-7) or Saturdays (9-12) to see our special exhibit!
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
(#5177P, Whitewater Historical Society)
WHS Class of 2004: 20 Year Reunion on August 10th!
The Whitewater High School Class of 2004 is celebrating its 20 year reunion on Saturday, August 10th starting at 4:00 P.M. at Second Salem Brewing. All 2004 classmates and a significant other are invited to join.
Please help spread the word!
RSVP: https://facebook.com/events/s/twenty-year-reunion/978761050645818
Or RSVP via email at: Whitewater.HS.2004@gmail.com
The Whippet City Mile will once again be run this year fifteen minutes prior to the start of the 4th of July Parade. The race course follows right along the parade route with the starting line located by the corner of Highland and Prince Streets. On-site registration will be available, but runners are encouraged to preregister. Registration forms may be found on the 4th of July website. [Please note that the race is on Thursday. The form erroneously references Tuesday.]
Anyone interested in helping at the on-site registration area or at the finish line should contact Mark Maas at: 970-306-2828. Please leave a message.
Editor’s note: This announcement was submitted by Mark Maas.
Living with a chronic condition such as arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, anxiety or another ongoing health problem can be physically, emotionally, and financially draining. If you or someone you care about has a chronic condition, this workshop is for you. It is important to find solutions that work for you, but you need the tools and knowledge to help you. Living Well with Chronic Conditions workshop can show you the way! The program has been researched and shown to improve participants’ physical and emotional outcomes and health-related quality of life.
In just 6 weekly sessions, Living Well with Chronic Conditions gives participants strategies to manage chronic disease including techniques for coping with fatigue, pain, and isolation, communicating with family, friends, and health professionals, practicing good nutrition, evaluating new treatment options, and goal setting and problem solving. In just 6 weeks, you can take charge of your health and live well!
Living Well with Chronic Conditions will be held on six Wednesday mornings from 9:00 AM -11:15 AM, from July 10 – August 21, 2024 (no class 7/24/2024.) Location will be at the Kandu Industries Building, 15 Plumb Street, Milton, WI. The workshop is best suited for those age 60+. Suggested donation is $15 for the series, which includes the resource book & class materials. For questions or to register for the program by July 8th, contact the ADRC of Rock County by calling: 608-757-5309 or email: Lisa.Messer@co.rock.wi.us.
Editor’s note: The ADRC of Rock County has told the Banner that they welcome residents of other counties when they have space available in the programs. Since they indicate that they still have space for more participants in this program it seems very likely that they would accept Jefferson or Walworth county residents at this time.
Photos of dress rehearsal on June 26 courtesy of Tom Ganser
WUSD Summer School Playhouse production of Nickelodeon’s “The SpongeBob Musical.”
By Tom Ganser
Not so happy about the string of hot and humid days? Nothing better to handle this than a trip to Bikini Bottom with SpongeBob, Patrick Star, Sandy Cheeks, Eugene Krabs, and a net full of other sea creatures, taking to the stage in the Whitewater Unified School District Summer School Playhouse production of Nickelodeon’s “The SpongeBob Musical.”
The production opens in the James Stewart Auditorium at Whitewater High School on June 27 at 7 p.m., with additional performances on June 28 at 7 p.m. and June 29 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students. For ticket information call 262-472-8178.
We find ourselves in the undersea city of Bikini Bottom, inhabited by the happy-go-lucky and ever-optimistic yellow sea sponge SpongeBob SquarePants and his quirky circle of friends and neighbors. Stakes are higher than ever before as all of Bikini Bottom faces the total annihilation of their undersea world. Chaos erupts. Lives hang in the balance. And just when all hope seems lost, a most unexpected hero rises up and takes center stage. SpongeBob, trying to prove to himself and the world that he is not “just a simple sponge,” resolves to save the day when everybody else has given up all hope.
Tom Ganser’s photos of the three prior Summer School Playhouse productions (“Madagascar,” “Willie Wonka,” and “Finding Nemo”) will be shown before each performance.
Under the artistic direction of Jim McCulloch and the musical direction of Liz Elliott, the cast of incoming 6th grade students through WHS Class of 2024 graduates, includes Ian Agen, Deven Bawden, Chacha Binagi, Payton Bunger, Ayden Clark, Grace Coleman, Julianna Cortez, Emery Duris, David Enns, Elijah Gonsiour, Tyrelle Griswold, Raena Hicks, Rafa Los, Brooke Mason, Genevieve Miranda, Ian Ngabo, Maia Pratt, Jesus Ramirez, Julian Rennels, Harry Ritchie, Melody Smith, Serina Soto, Taylor Speerbrecher, Letty Trautman, Ava Van Daele, Felicity Volbright, and Zach Welsch.
Supported by Kat Dunham’s deep talents, the crew working their magic from set construction to scene changes include Caitlin Alford, Corbin Bunger, Isabella Cohen, Emerson Dunham, Isabelle Lavertu, Kayla Mikos, Miles Nickelsburg, Ava Nygren, Joshua Nygren, Cora Schimming, Lucille Troxel, and Samantha Van Daele.
Michelle Dujardin writes, “Thought I would share a picture I took last night [Tuesday] after the storm, the colors were beautiful! Picture taken on my property in La Grange.”
Our thanks to Michelle Dujardin for sharing this beautiful 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!
- Where: 1638 W Wildwood Rd (neighborhood behind Burtness & Ace)
- When: Saturday 6/29 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
- What: kids clothes/shoes, kids toys, men’s & women’s clothing/shoes, home decorations, outdoor patio furniture, home furniture, tools/shop equipment, electronics (TVs)
- Bonus: kids will be selling lemonade and brownies!
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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