Early City Motto "The Banner Inland City of the Midwest"
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Today is Monday, June 22, 2026
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Dear WHS Band Alumni,
For the 25th year, we will be putting together an alumni band for the July 4 parade. If you’re going to be in this part of the country for the holiday, please consider joining us! I know that some of you have been playing professionally while others haven’t touched it since graduation – ALL are welcome! Instrument loans are available as are fingering charts! No marching is involved, we’ll be sitting on a flatbed truck!
There will be no rehearsal, but if you want to see the music ahead of time I can email scans to you. Our “uniform” for the parade consists of ANY WHS Band T-shirt and AT LEAST one other article of clothing. (I just happen to have some pretty nifty WHS Band shirts still available at the low price of $5) Or just wear something red.
The parade starts at 10 a.m. this year, the normal time. We’ll plan to meet at Lincoln Elementary School (Prince St. between Highland and Walworth) around that time although we will be near the end of the parade. Do not attempt to drive up Prince Street that morning; best bet for close parking is in the Middle School (old HS) lot off Elizabeth Street. Drummers talk to me about the best way to get your equipment onto the truck.
For added incentive, there will be the traditional gathering at the beer tent after the parade. (OK, soda for you recent alumni.)
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU’RE COMING so I know how many chairs, stands & copies of music we need. Also, please forward this to any other WHS Band Alumni you know from any decade – my list of email addresses is far from complete.
Hope to see you there!
Dr Don W Deal [WHS Band Director 1979-2012 and again in 2020]
Fort HealthCare Awarded Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Top Workplaces Award for 2023
Fort HealthCare has earned the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Top Workplaces Award for the ninth year in a row. Top Workplaces recognition is awarded solely on the anonymous feedback of employees provided in a research-backed survey that measures organizational health and employee engagement. The survey measures 15 Culture Drivers that are proven to predict high performance against industry benchmarks and is designed based on data captured from over 27 million employees at more than 70,000 organizations across the past 16 years.
Fort HealthCare celebrates its 13th award since the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel began recognizing Top Workplaces in 2010, based entirely on employee feedback captured by the Energage Workplace Survey.
“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of.”
Top Workplaces Awards identify organizations dedicated to people-first culture excellence. Fort HealthCare employees are committed to our strong culture and RESPECT Values: Responsiveness, Excellence, Sensitivity, Professionalism, Empowerment, Cultural Diversity, and Teamwork.
“Fort HealthCare is grateful to our employees for sharing their voices and for their dedication to providing people-first care to the communities we serve,” said Michael Anderson, MD, President and CEO of Fort HealthCare. “We are honored to be recognized as a workplace committed to employee engagement and to making a difference in the lives of our patients, providers, and staff.”
On Friday, May 19th, Fort HealthCare Senior Vice President, Finance & Strategic Development, James Nelson, accepted the award at the Brookfield Conference Center. This year, Fort HealthCare has also received the Top Workplaces USA 2023 Award and the 2023 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence award for Purpose & Values.
About Energage
Making the world a better place to work together.TM
Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 16 years of culture research and the results from 27 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.
The following students from the area graduated in May 2023 from University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, Wis. The university graduated 1,173 students, with 946 undergraduate and 227 Graduate School students this spring.
UW-Stout, Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, has 47 undergraduate majors and 24 graduate programs, including one doctoral degree. UW-Stout, established in 1891, prides itself on the success of its students in the workplace, with an employment rate above 97% for recent graduates. The university was awarded the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2001.
UW-Stout is Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, with a focus on applied learning, collaboration with business and industry, and career outcomes.
Whitewater , WI
Broderick Frye, BS Professional Communication and Emerging Media
Luke Rule, BS Digital Marketing Technology
“Moving On”
Tuesday, June 27, 1 p.m.
(Comedy) Rated R (language) 1 hour, 25 minutes (2022)
Two old friends (Jane Fonda & Lily Tomlin) reconnect at a funeral and decide to get revenge on the widower (Malcolm McDowell) who messed with them decades before. Revenge is oh so sweet…
MINDFUL MONDAYS BOOK CLUB AT THE LIBRARY
Community members are invited to the next meeting of the Mindful Mondays Book Club on June 26 at 6:00 p.m. at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library. Mindful Mondays is a book club for conscious living led by Lori Frison and Denise Maple. The group meets every 4th Monday of the month for a book discussion and mindfulness practice. This month’s book is “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. A limited number of copies are available for checkout at the library’s front desk.
One of the facilitators and local business owner, Denise Maple of Live Life Spiritual Direction says, “The practice of mindfulness has changed my life. I am more centered, calm, present, intuitive, and loving as a result. I want to share what I have learned with others, as well as learn more and deepen my practice through book study and learning from others.”
This book club is for adults, although high school students are welcome to join. There is no cost or registration to attend. You may contact Sarah French with questions at sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or 262-458-2782.
For the seventh consecutive year, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has been named among the Colleges of Distinction — a national honor that recognizes campuses for exceptional teaching and dedication to student success. UW-Whitewater is one of just four public universities in the state to receive this distinction.
This year, the university is one of only two colleges in the state to be awarded a badge in affordability, one that focuses both on an institution’s costs and student outcomes as it aims to assist cost-conscious students and parents in navigating the complex landscape of college financing. The tuition at UW-Whitewater is among the lowest of the four-year colleges in the UW System, and the university is the least expensive when housing and meals are factored in.
“This designation affirms that UW-Whitewater offers affordable world-class academic programs that strengthen our region and state,” said UW-Whitewater Chancellor Corey A. King. “For example, we have the largest accredited business college in Wisconsin, and it ranks in the top 2% in the world, yet it is accessible to more students and families thanks to its affordability. That kind of access will benefit our students, their families, and the state of Wisconsin for generations to come.”
Tyson Schritter, chief operating officer at Colleges of Distinction, emphasized the significance of addressing today’s cost of higher education. “For new students, the ability to finance their education is a very reasonable concern. UW-Whitewater has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring manageable student debt and empowering career opportunities.”
Schritter further emphasized, “Our Affordable Colleges of Distinction are not just about a low price tag; they epitomize a significant return on a student’s investment. UW-Whitewater exemplifies that an engaging, real-world education can be accessible without a hefty financial burden.”
The new badge rounds out existing badges that highlight UW-Whitewater’s excellence in business, education, equity and inclusion and as a public institution in Wisconsin. And it continues to be the only university in the UW System to earn the career development badge.
To be named a College of Distinction, UW-Whitewater demonstrated excellence in undergraduate education in such factors as student engagement, teaching excellence, outcomes-based learning, and community involvement. This evaluation process differs from those of popular college rankings publications, whose formulas grade institutions based on things like faculty salaries, endowment size, and peer opinion.
The Colleges of Distinction selection process consists of a review of each institution’s freshman experience and retention efforts alongside its general education programs, alumni success, strategic plan, student satisfaction, and other criteria. Schools are accepted on the basis that they adhere to the four distinctions: engaged students, great teaching, successful outcomes, and vibrant community.
Garage Sale: Friday & Saturday, June 23rd & 4th
8-4 @ 592 N. Walton Dr.
Artificial Floral arrangements, lots of home decor, 38″ square coffee table w/glass, antique sleigh table, princess house China, crystal wine glasses & Mikasa bowls, Chicago Bears outdoor flags, and much more
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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