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It’s not too late to sign up for the Jr. Whippet Football Camp being held next week, July 18th-21st, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the WHS Football Fields! It is probably too late to mail in registration, but don’t forget Walk Up Registrations on Monday are allowed (and all kids should still receive their T-shirt on time, including those who sign up on Monday).
If you do plan to attend and have not registered yet, it is preferred that you email Head Coach Jason Bleck at jbleck@wwusd.org to let him know and so he can get the most accurate head count possible ahead of time. Any questions can be directed to Coach Bleck as well!
Article Submitted by Jason Bleck
Whitewater High School Head Football Coach
jbleck@wwusd.org
“Death on the Nile”
Tuesday, July 12, 1 p.m.
(Crime/Drama/Mystery) Rated PG-13; 2 hours, 7 minutes (2022)
Based upon the novel by Agatha Christie.1937: while on vacation on a cruise on the Nile, Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) investigates the murder the murder of a young heiress. Among the suspects: Annette Benning, Gal Gadot, and Armie Hammer.
The Whippet City Mile led off the Fourth of July parade again this year with 160 runners of all ages participating. The youngest participant was 2 in the stroller division and our eldest was 72. The runners were led by a Harley Davidson motorcade consisting of Ronny Walenton, Ramsey Walenton, Owen Walenton, Steve “Uncle Scuba” Meinel, Gary Smale, and Tom Bobby. The weather was perfect for the closest finish in race history. Battling to the end was Whitewater High School distance star Jack Hefty and Fort Atkinson’s Spencer Agnew. Agnew, a former 4 minute miler for Marquette University, coaches distance events at Fort High School. Hefty pulled away in the last 15 meters for a narrow victory. The female division was led by Whitewater resident and Boston Marathon qualifier, Heidi Mane. The racers once again basked in the cheers of the thousands who lined the parade route. Thank you to Marissa Piper, Scott “Richy” Richardson, Ben Holden, and Steve Johnson for their help in the race. Special thanks to Lisa Dawsey-Smith and the rest of the 4th of the July Committee for their continued support. Appreciation also to Robert Mischka for the wonderful photos. Can’t wait till next year!
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.
Remember when the “Circus Train” came through Whitewater on its way to the Great Circus Parade in Milwaukee? The circus parade in Milwaukee ran between 1963 and 1973 and then was revived in the 1990s. Every summer, the Circus World Museum in Baraboo would load up its collection of historic circus wagons on a special train and head for Milwaukee. Between 1996 and 2003, this train would stop in Whitewater, usually around July 7 or 8. In this July 8, 1996 photo from the recently donated Dan Sable photo collection, one of the rail cars with historic circus wagons is shown at its stop in Whitewater. The event would always draw a big crowd of spectators and fun was had by all.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
(Dan Sable photo collection, 2022, Whitewater Historical Society)
Friday, July 8 • 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
SHOW YOUR COLLEGE PRIDE DAY WITH ONMILWAUKEE, CW18 AND MY24 MILWAUKEE
All patrons who arrive between 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. wearing a shirt or hat representing a participating college or university, or present their High School ID, will receive one FREE admission ticket. Tickets are only valid for the day and time of the promotion. Stop by the Mid Gate Promotions Booth to receive your ticket, then head over to your school’s booth to say hello and show your support! Only shirts or hats from the following colleges or universities will be accepted:
- Cardinal Stritch University
- Carthage College
- Marquette University
- Milwaukee Area Technical College
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- University of Wisconsin – Parkside
- University of Wisconsin-Platteville
- University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
- Western Governors University
Editor’s note: The following information was provided by UW-Whitewater.
Continuing a proud tradition of producing international caliber wheelchair basketball players, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will be represented by nine current and former Warhawks on the latest roster of Team USA.
The players and coaches will compete in the 2022 International Wheelchair Basketball Federation America’s Cup in Sao Paulo, Brazil on July 9-19. The event serves as the qualifier for the 2022 world championships taking place Nov. 16-27, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Current UW-Whitewater women’s coach Christina Schwab, who has won three Paralympic gold medals as a player and recently coached the American men to gold in Tokyo, will helm the women’s team as head coach. She’ll be assisted by alum Desiree Miller of Monroe, Wisconsin, a gold medal winner in Rio de Janeiro who earned a master’s degree in counseling in 2014.
Students Josie DeHart, a physical education major from Fruita, Colorado, and Mandy Willmore, MBA candidate from Rock Springs, Wisconsin, will join alum and bronze medal winner Lindsey Zurbrugg of Portland, Oregon, on the roster.
On the men’s Team USA roster, Warhawks include Talen Jourdan, a general business major from Deerfield, Wisconsin; Jeromie Meyer of Woodbine, Iowa, who graduated in May with a degree in education; alum Dylan Fischbach of Vermillion, South Dakota; and John Boie of Milton, Wisconsin, a UW-Whitewater alum from the Class of 2014 who also earned an MBA in 2019, and currently works as an academic adviser at the university.
“Our wheelchair basketball program at UW-Whitewater is truly powered by tradition,” said Jeremy “Opie” Lade, who is an alum, former player and coach, and also a Paralympic medalist. “Elite athletes and coaches have built this program to its current status — and elite athletes and coaches will continue to be produced and keep our tradition alive moving into the future. Being a Warhawk is something that is said with a great amount of pride.”
Collectively, the men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball teams at UW-Whitewater have won 16 national championships.
According to an article in The Journal Times, Chris Bennett, the neighborhood services director for the City of Whitewater since March, 2021, is one of five finalists for the position of village administrator of Union Grove. Bennett has also served for over thirteen years as an elected trustee for the Village of Rochester, where he resides. The Union Grove administrator resigned in March after three years on the job. Union Grove is located in Racine County, and in the 2020 census was found to have a population of 5031.
The other finalists are:
- Will Kolschowsky, a management analyst for the City of Urbana, Illinois.
- Todd Willis, economic development coordinator for the City of Brookfield.
- Theresa Loomer, village administrator for the Village of Fontana.
- Kerry Bennett, interim village administrator for the Village of Union Grove. [Kerry Bennett is not related to Chris Bennett.]
Union Grove is also in the process of hiring a new village clerk.
Looking for some fun, free family entertainment? Come learn about the world of FIRST Robotics as Whitewater High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition Team #6574 Ferradermis competes with and against 13 other teams in the Laser Lights Off-Season Event at Kettle Moraine High School on Saturday, June 25. The competition will kick off at 9 a.m. and continue through late afternoon.
Off-season competitions are a chance for teams to introduce newer members to new roles and responsibilities on the team, and in the more relaxed atmosphere, you will find teams ready and willing to take the time to talk about their robots with the general public. In addition to watching matches, you can stroll through the pits and talk with students and mentors.
Ferradermis will be entering two robots in this particular competition – the fully-functional robot they competed with during the 2022 regular season, and a second bot that is simply a swerve drive base. Swerve, a drivetrain in which all four wheels are independently driven and steered, is a project the team has wanted to tackle for a long time. Entering the drive base in an off-season event will give the students a chance to learn to drive this very different system while having fun playing defense on the opposite alliance.
Can’t make it to Kettle Moraine High School on Saturday? The team will be competing in Manitowoc on Saturday, July 16, but will be back in the area for another competition at Mukwonago High School on Sunday, July 24.
Article and Photo Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor and Banner Volunteer
lmasbruch@wwusd.org
Obituaries
Lois Cummings, 99, of Fond du Lac, WI (formerly of Janesville, WI, Fort Atkinson, WI, Fountain Hills, AZ, and Green Valley, AZ) passed away peacefully on May 5, 2026 at the Meadows Senior Residence in Fond du Lac surrounded by family. Lois was born on February 17, 1927 in Fort Atkinson to Edward and Clarice (Roseth) Stevens. The middle child of 9 children, she attended Fort Atkinson schools and graduated in 1944. On September 11, 1948 Lois married Grant Cummings at Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Delavan, WI. Together they had 3 children, Gary, Colleen (Tom) Sabel, and Patty (Paul) … Read more
Come celebrate William Kincaid’s Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 30th at 1 pm at Trippe Lake Park Pavillion in Whitewater. He truly enjoyed gatherings where his favorite foods and music could be enjoyed with some of his closest friends and family. We will honor him by carrying on one of his favorite traditions. Please bring your own beverages and chairs. There is limited seating. See you all there!
Gladys Jean (Riley) Hildebrandt, age 89, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 23, 2026. Gladys was born on December 26, 1936, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Theresa Egnoski Riley. She was married to Walter Sobolik Sr., and later married James A. Hildebrandt in 1976. Gladys was a hardworking woman who spent her life caring for others. She worked in school kitchens, restaurants, factories, and cleaning services. She concluded her working career as a full-time nanny. In that role, she lovingly cared for Andrew, Daniel, and Kaitlyn Drzewiecki, who became part of her chosen family. Gladys is survived by her sons, Wally … Read more
WHITEWATER – Nan Rowley died on April 15, 2026, at the age of 90. She was born on September 4, 1935, in a little house on the prairie in the Town of Johnstown, Wisconsin, the daughter of Wayne L. Wilbur and Florence (McQuillen) Wilbur. Nan attended primary schools in the towns of Johnstown and Richmond and in the City of Whitewater. Nan graduated with honors from Whitewater City High School. On June 19, 1954, Nancy and Ken Rowley were united in marriage in Whitewater and went to live on the Rowley family farm in Richmond. Over the years, Nan served … Read more
Marion H. Gorniak (nee Pfeiffer), 74, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 11, 2026. She was born on October 24, 1951, to the late Harvey and Loraine (nee Drifke) Pfeiffer in Fort Atkinson, WI. On June 2, 1969, she was united in marriage to Alan Gorniak. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, and cooking, especially her rhubarb pies. She especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends and will be missed by all who knew her. Those Marion leaves behind to cherish her memory include her husband, Alan Gorniak; stepson, Alan Bauer; sister, Sue Ann Schultz, other relatives and friends. … Read more
Ruth Irene (Phelps) Justis, 88, of Appleton City, Missouri, passed away Friday morning, April 10, 2026, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, MO, with her family by her side. Ruth was born June 3, 1937 in Janesville, Wisconsin, to Charles and Ada Mae (Maly) Phelps. She joined the Marine Corps in 1956. During her time there, she met and married her husband, Forest Wayne “Wayne” Justis in 1957. They shared 62 years of marriage and to this union, 2 children, Charles and Dorene, were born. Ruth grew up in Whitewater, WI., the oldest of three children. Ruth graduated from … Read more
Dorothy C. Kau, age 101, of Eagle, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Fort Memorial Hospital. Dorothy was born on March 18, 1925 in Eagle on the family farm, the daughter of John and Katherine (Faestel) VonRueden. Dorothy was a 1942 graduate of Palmyra High School. On May 21, 1949, Dorothy was united in marriage to Alvin E. Kau at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Eagle and the Lord blessed their union with 8 children. Alvin and Dorothy enjoyed 50 years of marriage together until Alvin’s death in the year 2000. Dorothy enjoyed being a farm … Read more
Dorothy E. McCracken, 95, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2025, in Sarasota, Florida. Born on April 14, 1930, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Carl and Joyce Meyer, Dorothy grew up in Whitewater and graduated from Whitewater High School. She then worked for a photographer and hand painted his first colored portraits, until she got married. She and her first husband, Bernard Wafle, owned and operated a 179-acre dairy farm in Helenville, Wisconsin, for 25 years before relocating to Ocala, Florida, in 1979. Dorothy later married Earl McCracken, in Ocala, Fl. She also shared a special companionship later in life with … Read more
Carol Ann Seebruch, 88 of Whitewater passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, April 3, 2026. Carol was born July 12, 1937 in Chicago IL to William and Ann Borovec. She married Marvin Seebruch on June 9, 1984. Carol and Marvin enjoyed traveling the United States making it to 48 of the 50 states. She also enjoyed her time with the Red Hat Ladies. She loved taking pictures of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Carol is survived by her three children; Bill Anderson of Fort Atkinson, WI, Terri Laban of Whitewater, WI, and Donna (Mike) Jones of Crivitz, WI. She … Read more
Entered God’s Kingdom on Friday, April 3, 2026, age 65. Donna is survived by her cousins, other family and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents James and Lois (Michels) Lyons. Donna was raised in the Church of Nazarene, with her father being the assistant pastor. Religion was very important to Donna. Donna enjoyed working with the students of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, where she resided. Donna also loved to travel, visiting France, Italy, and all around the United States. She also loved to paint, cross-stitch, knit, and crochet. She also loved collecting recipes and trying … Read more
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