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Today is Thursday, June 25, 2026
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The WHS Choirs presented their Fall Concert “Why We Sing” on October 18th in the James M. Stewart Auditorium at Whitewater High School under the direction of Mrs. Karen Tordera. The students from the Bel Canto Choir, Cadenza Singers, and Music Masters Ensemble performed songs that highlighted the reasons we sing. Ms. Kathy Schereck was the collaborative keyboard artist and fiddler Eric Funk added a country feel to a song sung by Cadenza Singers. The Choirs collected items for a community baby shower which were donated to The Community Space in Whitewater. Congratulations to the WHS Choirs on a fine concert and a big thank you to all who donated to the community baby shower!! (Concert Photos Credit: Tom Ganser)
Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by Karen Tordera.
Sunday, November 5 the Whitewater High School Football Team held its end of season banquet and awards presentation.
The following student athletes received All Conference Honors…
Nate Black 1st Team Wide Receiver
Casey Lyon 2nd Team Linebacker
Mi’shaun Harris 2nd Team Cornerback
Ethan Barels 2nd Team Offensive line
Ty Hagedorn Honorable Mention
Ivan Gonzales Honorable Mention
Jesus Barajas Honorable Mention.
Head Coach Samuel Bartlett also presented the following players with team awards…
MVP Offense – Nate Black
MVP Defense – Nate Black
JV Whippet Award – Edrick Camacho
Varsity Whippet Award – David Rubio
ACE Award – Jesus Barajas
Coach Bartlett would like to thank his assistant coaches, Shawn Hagedorn, Dan Lindsey, John Schimming, Garret Junemann, Michael Maas and the equipment manager Dan Comfort for all of their hard work this season.
Editor’s note: The above announcement was provided by Shelly Black.
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from Fort HealthCare.
For 39 years, an honored holiday season tradition at Fort HealthCare is the Partners Love Light Tree project. Lights are purchased by community members and added to special trees surrounding Fort Memorial Hospital. The Love Lights Tree project began in 1985. It is a heartfelt way to honor loved ones who are amongst us (colored lights) or to memorialize those who have passed away (white lights). Every year, all monies raised through the Love Light Tree project help to fund special services and projects.
In 2023, Love Lights campaign funds raised will be used to help subsidize the cost of the CareLine service for those who cannot afford it. CareLine is a medical personal emergency response service that allows subscribers to get emergency help 24/7 at the press of a button. Funds will also be used to support several healthcare scholarships for students and professionals in the community.
Kari Behling, Fort HealthCare Volunteer Services Manager, states, “The CareLine Program is so important to our community. It allows individuals to remain in their homes and avoid losing their independence. It also provides peace of mind for their families and loved ones knowing that help can be accessed quickly. For community members who have chronic health conditions and cannot afford this life-saving alert system, the funds raised will allow the Partners CareLine Program to provide FREE or reduced rates to qualifying clients.”
Behling adds, “We also believe that providing scholarships to students and professionals seeking further education in healthcare is important because they are our future. We want to ensure that the people entering the healthcare field have resources available to pay for their education. Your contributions to these worthwhile projects will be greatly appreciated by the Partners and the many local people who will benefit.”
Purchasing Love Lights
Love Lights order forms are available at www.forthealthcare.com/lovelights, The form and payment can be sent through the mail or made directly through the website (there is a $5 minimum required for online donations, which automatically purchases two lights). Honor cards can be emailed to individuals to show that you’ve made a gift in their honor. Donations of $25 or more are recognized as Love Light Tree sponsors. To ensure you are properly recognized in this year’s sponsor and donor listings published in late December, Fort HealthCare Partners must receive your donations by December 6th.
Love Lights Tree Lighting Ceremony
The Love Lights Tree lighting ceremony will take place on Tuesday, December 5th, at 6:30 p.m. on the Sherman Avenue lawn in front of Fort Memorial Hospital in Fort Atkinson.
About Fort HealthCare and our Partners
Fort HealthCare is committed to improving the health and well-being of our communities, with a vision to be the healthiest community in Wisconsin. As the leading healthcare provider in the region, it is our goal to reach as many members of the community as possible with health and wellness messages, providing tools and resources to help individuals improve their health and quality of life while collaborating with several partners to positively improve the population’s health overall on a long-term basis.
As members of the Fort HealthCare Partners organization, Fort Memorial Hospital volunteers are an invaluable resource to the community and a vital part of any healthcare organization. Important roles filled by volunteers add a tremendous amount of value to Fort HealthCare’s services. Call 920-568-5276 or toll-free at 1-800-421-4677 ext. 5276 or visit FortHealthcare.com/volunteer to learn more. More information and donations for Love Lights Tree can be viewed at www.FortHealthCare.com/LoveLights.
Chuck Owen & ReSurgence – 11/8/23 @7:30 p.m.
5-time GRAMMY nominee, Chuck Owen, unveils his latest musical project with this All-Star jazz septet! Recognized internationally for his unique compositional voice, Chuck’s creative, evocative, and intensely personal compositions are steeped in the jazz tradition but draw liberally and playfully from an array of additional influences – classical, American folk/roots music, Latin, funk, and more!
ReSurgence (as the name implies) is largely culled from his acclaimed 19-piece Jazz Surge family. The incredibly accomplished personnel (all Grammy nominees and leaders in their own right) includes: Kate McGarry – Voice, Sara Caswell – Violin, Corey Christiansen – Guitar, Danny Gottlieb, Drums, Mark Neuenschwander – Bass, Chuck Owen – Keyboards, Jack Wilkins – Saxophones.
Tickets are $28 when purchased online; an additional service fee applies if purchased at the door.
Young Auditorium serves as a presenting organization for the performing arts and as an educational and cultural center enriching the lives of regional communities. Tickets for any show can be purchased online, by calling the Box Office at (262) 472-2222, or in person. Ticket Services is located in the atrium of Greenhill Center of the Arts, 950 West Main Street, Whitewater, and they are open Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. There are two parking stalls in lot 1 that are for ticket purchasing. The Young Auditorium is adjacent to this building at 930 West Main Street, Whitewater, WI 53190, and parking is always free during your event. To learn more, visit www.YoungAuditorium.com.
Whitewater College High Class of 1950 held their 73rd class reunion on October 18.
Pictured, standing, left to right are:
Tom Bray
Helen (Leiting) Kish/ Richards
Bob Stock
Seated
Joan (Weaver) Bray
Cele (Larkin) Krahn
Not pictured
Joan (Heth) Maasz
Geraldine(Johnson) Traxler
Editor’s note: This submission is courtesy of Patty Tarpley.
City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible action regarding motion to reconsider RFP for legal services to
retain an outside law firm to advise the Common Council on employee discipline and personnel matters not to exceed $10,000; Discussion and possible action regarding approval of the amended agreement for legal
services from von Briesen and Roper SC; Discussion and possible action regarding MOU/MSP with the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater for the Innovation Center to extend the contract date to June 30, 2024; Discussion and possible action regarding the Whitewater Aquatic Fitness Center lease agreement between the City of Whitewater and the Whitewater Unified School District; and Presentation of the 2024-2025 Budget, which includes $3,000,000 of general obligation debt for the library expansion/renovation. Closed session, followed by open session: 1) Discussion regarding complaints received by the Human Resources
Department and Discussion and possible action regarding the Whitewater Aquatic Fitness Center lease
agreement between the City of Whitewater and the Whitewater Unified School District.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81780069924?pwd=AiRTEkIgZ3shxTX9mj7mcpo0mjxMjg.1pCVNp6YuTE9hM
kn
Or Telephone:
1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 817 8006 9924
Passcode: 679710
Wow…all we can say is wow! The Whitewater Girls’ Swim Team showed up to compete at Sectionals on Saturday, November 4 at Sauk Prairie with a majority of best times and an individual ticket to STATE!
The 200 Medley Relay consisting of Georgia Esch, Atreya Wilson, Lucy Davis, and Payton Peacock started off the meet with a major time drop of 8 seconds. They paved the way for a very successful day of competition!
200 Freestyle –
Lucy Davis and Atreya Wilson went head to head in their heat and both kept an impressive pace.
STATE QUALIFIER and NEW SCHOOL RECORD HOLDER, Makayla Bazeley with a time of 1:56.41.
200 IM –
Emerson Dunham dropped 2 seconds to go a time of 2:34.06 which placed her 15th overall
50 Freestyle –
Maggie Maas joins the Under 30 club with a time of 29.08
Charlotte Hajewski dropped 1 second to go a time of 30.03. She is milliseconds away from joining the Under 30 Club with her lane mate!
Adalynn Frye drops nearly 2 seconds going a season best time of 31.98
Payton Peacock went a 32.98 by dropping nearly 3 seconds
Georgia Esch finishes up the 50 Freestyle best times with a time of 34.88
100 Butterfly –
NEW SCHOOL RECORD HOLDER and STATE QUALIFIER, Makayla Bazeley with a 3rd place finish and a time of 58.86
100 Freestyle –
Adalynn Frye dropped 4 seconds with a time of 1:15.11
Payton Peacock dropped 5 seconds with a time of 1:15.43
Georgia Esch dropped 3 seconds with a time of 1:17.12
500 Freestyle –
Emerson Dunham had an 8th place finish by breaking a 6-minute hurdle. She dropped 9 seconds and earned herself a time of 5:56.42
Charlotte Hajewski finished 1st in heat with a time of 6:25.31. She dropped 6 seconds overall!
Lucy Davis dropped 7 seconds and earned herself a season best time of 6:50.94
200 Freestyle Relay of Makayla Bazeley, Maggie Maas, Charlotte Hajewski, and Emerson Dunham vested their seed time by 4 seconds. Makayla Bazeley continues the record-breaking streak by breaking the SCHOOL RECORD in the 50 Freestyle by going a time of 24.91 in lead off leg of the relay!
100 Backstroke –
Maggie Maas finishes 16th overall with a 1 second drop going a time of 1:15.08
100 Breaststroke –
Atreya Wilson pushed passed the 1:30 mark with a time of 1:29.66. This is an impressive time drop with a 6 second difference.
400 Freestyle Relay team of Makayla Bazeley, Emerson Dunham, Charlotte Hajewski, and Maggie Maas went a time of 4:06.39 which is a 10 second time drop from their seeded time! And yet again, Makayla Bazeley in the lead off breaks another SCHOOL RECORD in the 100 freestyle with a time of 53.74!
Overall the team dropped over 1 minute and 28 seconds. Wow…just wow, what a way to finish out the season!
Makayla Bazeley will be competing at the Girls Swim State Championship on Friday (11/10) at 5:30 p.m. at Waukesha South High School. Come cheer her on as she swims the 200 Freestyle and the 100 Butterfly!
Article and Photos Submitted by Sarah Reynolds
Whitewater High School Head Swim Coach
sreynolds@wwusd.org
By Angela Kelm
Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information
Stevens Point, Wis. — Warhawk Football Recap Sponsored by Premier Bank – Game 9: The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team rolled to a 48-0 win over UW-Stevens Point on the road Saturday. The shutout is the Warhawks’ 14th in the series against the Pointers that dates back to 1895.
The UW-Whitewater defense limited UWSP to just six first downs and 115 total yards of offense in the entire contest. Offensively, UWW put up over 500 yards of offense with 354 on the ground and 173 through the air.
The Warhawks scored at least twice in each of the first three quarters with quarterback Alec Ogden getting UWW on the board in the team’s first possession of the game. Ogden punched it it from four yards out to cap a five-play, 40-yard drive.
A second straight three-and-out for the Warhawk defense quickly brought the offense back on to the field. Once again, it was Ogden hitting paydirt with a three-yard run to end an 11-play, 65-yard scoring drive. Jeff Isotalo-McGuire’s kick made it 14-0.
Isotalo-McGuire added to the team’s total with a 36-yard field goal early in the second quarter. Later in the quarter, Ogden found Tommy Coates from nine yards out for the first passing touchdown of the game. Following a quick three-and-out, the Warhawks had 2:23 left to try and add to their total before the intermission, starting the drive from the UWSP 41 – and that’s exactly what they did. Ogden hit Tyler Vasey for a 14-yard gain. The senior quarterback got another first down with his feet on a 25-yard scamper up to the UWSP two-yard line. Tamir Thomas punched it in from there to make it 31-0 at the break.
On the other side of the half, Brian Stanton tallied his first collegiate touchdown run on a 30-yard burst. Isotalo-McGuire split the uprights on a 32-yard field goal and Mike Ryan hauled in his first touchdown reception for the Warhawks on a one-yard pass from Jason Ceniti for a 48-0 lead.
Ogden was 10-15 for 97 yards and a touchdown while Ceniti was 9-12 for 76 yards in the game. Patrick Lippe and Drake Martin each caught three passes to lead a contingent of 10 Warhawks that registered at least one reception in the game.
On the ground, Ammiel Jackson and Stanton took on the brunt of the workload with 12 and 10 carries respectively. The pair combined for 179 rushing yards.
Defensively, Mason Stepanski paced the Warhawks with eight tackles while Joey Antonietti had seven. Each posted a tackle for a loss in the game.
UW-Whitewater will wrap up the 2023 regular season campaign next Saturday at Perkins Stadium. The Warhawks will host UW-Eau Claire for the team’s annual Military Appreciation and Shriner’s game, as well as Senior Day sponsored by Educators Credit Union.
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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