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Today is Monday, June 22, 2026
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By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Whitewater Wrap & Ship, located at 116 E. Main Street, recently announced that it will be closing its doors, with the last day for domestic shipments being Friday, May 24. The following is the announcement that was posted to their Facebook page by Lori Tanis. When a question was posed on Facebook as to whether they were planning to sell the business, the response was that they have no plans as of now, but, “if someone is wanting to have a conversation about it, we are willing to sit down with them.”
Please see the bottom of this post for alternative shipping services in Whitewater and beyond.
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“It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing the closure of our store. We wanted to express our gratitude for the support over the last 4 years from this community.
It is due to many reasons including the explosive growth of the business and many personal reasons that growth affects, our family has made the difficult choice to close our doors. This decision was not made lightly and everyone involved with the store running is in complete agreement the decision is best for all of us personally.
Everyone here at Whitewater Wrap & Ship wants to take the opportunity to thank you for your loyalty and patronage. It has been an honor to serve this community and we are beyond grateful for the relationships we have built with our customers. Your support as we took the risk to open during the early COVID lockdown and the following time as we navigated the growth and changes that came through the shipping industry.
With this closure we are committed to helping the community through the transition to closure. As we close, anyone shipping a package will have the support provided until the packages arrive. Our last day shipping internationally is May 17th. For domestic it will be May 24th. Even though our doors are closed, I will personally be reachable via phone or email for any follow up or issues.
Even though we are closing the shipping store, Kelsey and I are still providing apparel services. We will be updating our contact information for that in the coming weeks.
As we close this chapter, we encourage you to continue supporting our local businesses. Your support is vital in sustaining the local economy and preserving the unique character of our community. We look forward to all the growth and changes that are coming to Whitewater!
Once again we thank you for your support and we are grateful to have been a part of this community. We will cherish the memories, friendships, and connections we have made. Thank you for your understanding and support.”
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Alternative shipping services
Unfortunately with the closing of Whitewater Wrap & Ship (WWS), there will be no business in the city providing the full range of services that they have offered. For one, as their name implies, customers have been able to rely on the business to provide an envelope or box and to prepare same for mailing. Additionally, WWS has represented and provided pricing for DHL, FedEx, UPS, and USPS. Going forward the Banner is not aware that any business will provide “wrapping” service; further, it appears that existing businesses ship through only one carrier. A significant challenge with using FedEx or UPS is that many people probably don’t have a scale, or at least one that’s sure to be accurate to the pound. WWS and True Value Hardware provided a scale, but that service will apparently only be available at the Post Office now.
Advance Auto Parts, 1184 W. Main Street
Only UPS shipping
Drop off: Customer must bring the package labeled and prepaid. They are not able to work from a QR code. Parcels are typically picked up between 3-4 p.m., Mon. – Fri. (There is also a UPS drop box outside Associated Bank.)
Pick up: Those wishing to have parcels delivered to the store rather than to their home may have parcels addressed with their name care of the store. When residents are not home to accept a UPS delivery that requires a signature the driver will leave a note asking for them to pick up the package at this store.
United States Post Office, 213 W. Center Strett
Only USPS shipping. Envelopes and boxes are available for sale.
Walgreens, 1041 W. Main Street
Only FedEx shipping
Drop off: Customer must bring the package labeled and prepaid. For retail returns, they prefer that the customer have the label, but with the QR code they can usually provide one. FedEx picks up ground parcels Mon-Fri at 3 p.m., express parcels at 12 and 3 p.m.
The Shipping Depot
58 W. Market St., Elkhorn (Next to Taste of China)
Offers “wrapping” service, sells envelopes and boxes. Will provide a label for an Amazon return with QR code for $1.
Ships by DHL (international), FedEx, UPS, USPS.
Open Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The UPS Store
2811 Milton Ave., Janesville
Offers “wrapping” service, sells envelopes and boxes. Will provide a label for an Amazon return with QR code (as of a few months ago, no charge for the label.)
Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Editor’s note: Any readers having further information about mailing services is requested to email us at whitewaterbanner@gmail.com so that we may update this information.
The Bassett House Spring Concert Series continues on Sunday, May 26 at 1:00 pm with a concert of vocal music presented by UW-Whitewater faculty Bob and Sarah Gehrenbeck, joined by special guests Nahuel Recoba, Molly Wanless, and Angela Bleke. The three guest singers are former UW-W voice majors who have worked closely with the Gehrenbecks in the past, who have each made their mark on the local music scene and beyond. Recoba recently made his professional debut at The Fireside in Fiddler on the Roof; Wanless will be starting a Masters program in vocal performance at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln in the fall, and Bleke recently moved back to Wisconsin after completing a Masters at the University of Louisiana.
The program will consist of classical and musical theatre songs sung in German, Italian, and English, including art songs by Robert Schumann, Gioachino Rossini, and Charles Ives, along with selections from My Fair Lady, Pirates of Penzance, Les Misérables, and Anastasia. A unique feature of the event will be an audience sing-along of Memorial-Day themed music, based on a song by American composer Charles Ives called “The Things our Fathers Loved.”
The concert is a fundraiser sponsored by the Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs, with all proceeds going toward the preservation of the historic Bassett House, 708 W. Main St, Whitewater.
The two Gehrenbecks have been a musical duo for 25 years since they first met during a performance of a Bach cantata during their graduate school days at Indiana University (Sarah was the organist, and Bob, the baritone soloist). Since that time, they presented additional recitals together in Indiana and Illinois, and portions of recitals in Whitewater, but the upcoming Bassett House concert will be their first joint recital since the birth of their musically talented sons, Henry and Theo. Both Sarah and Bob hold doctorates in music from Indiana University and both also earned degrees at Boston University prior to their paths finally crossing in Indiana. Sarah is currently music director and organist at First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater, and instructor of piano, organ, and harpsichord; staff accompanist, and vocal coach, at UW-W. Bob is director of choral activities at UW-W and artistic director of the Wisconsin Chamber Choir, based in Madison. In addition to their main pursuits as pianist/organist/coach (Sarah) and conductor (Bob), both are also trained singers, having studied once upon a time with the same teacher, Mary Ann Hart, former chair of the Voice Department at Indiana University.
The Whippet Track and Field Teams had a great night at the WIAA Regional hosted by Delavan-Darien on Monday. The top four finishers in each event earned a trip to the WIAA sectional on Thursday in Big Foot. Four regions will feed into one sectional event where the top four finishers will earn a trip to the WIAA State Meet held in UW-La Crosse on May 31st – June 1st.
Ethan Dugan was the top performer for the boys’ team as he etched his name into the record books by taking down Brent Gnatzig’s 1978 record of 49.04 in the 400m dash. Ethan stopped the clock in an eye-popping 48.67 and won the regional title. Sydney Schilt had a very strong day in the relays and the 200. Her time of 26.60 earned her a spot as the 10th fastest 200m runner in program history, bumping off Fy Fy Okocha (1995) and Keri Mclean (2000) who were tied in that same spot with a 26.74. Other sectional qualifiers include:
GIRLS
- 100H Hurdles – Carley Boudreau, 4th
- 200 – Sydney Schilt, 2nd
- 300 Low Hurdles – Carley Boudreau, 3rd
- 4×100 – A’lani Ross, Sydney Schilt, Calli Grosinske, Athena Soto, 2nd
- 4×200 – A’lani Ross, Sydney Schilt, Calli Grosinske, Athena Soto, 2nd
- Pole Vault – Myialynn Cobbs, 2nd; Makayla Bazeley, 3rd
BOYS
- 100 – Traysen Thomason, 4th
- 110H Hurdles – Ty Bucholtz, 3rd
- 400 – Ethan Dugan, 1st; Nate Holden, 3rd
- 1600 – Jack Hefty, 2nd
- 4×200 – Traysen Thomason, Nate Black, Akamion McHenry, Quincy Boudreau, 3rd
- 4×400 – Quincy Boudreau, Traysen Thomason, Nate Holden, Ethan Dugan, 2nd
- High Jump – Jaylyn Ewing, 4th
- Long Jump – Quincy Boudreau, 4th
- Triple Jump – David Rubio, 4th
The boys’ team finished 3rd and the girls’ team finished 7th overall.
FULL RESULTS: https://www.wiaawi.org/Portals/0/PDF/Results/Track/2024/delavandarienregional.htm
Article Submitted by Chad Carstens
Whitewater High School Track and Field Coach
ccarstens@wwusd.org
Photos Courtesy of Bob Mischka
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
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.
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
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
- Jeff McDonald, Exhibit Chair – waa.franachen@gmail.com
- Kim Adams, WAA Gallery Director – wwartsalliance@gmail.com
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
- Described in detail at www.whitewaterarts.org/fran-achen-2024
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.
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.
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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