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Today is Thursday, October 8, 2026
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By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Anyone who visits The Community Space can’t help but marvel at the generosity of the greater Whitewater community’s residents for their donations of food, clothing, and so much more — not to mention the cheerful helpfulness of the volunteers who make it such a welcoming place. Everything is free! Who’s ever seen such a place, anywhere?
It’s said that everyone has a breaking point, and according to Kay Robers, manager of the organization, that point was reached on October 31. As a result she is regretfully announcing that The Community Space (TCS) is closed until further notice.
What’s wrong?
The Little Free Pantry in the vestibule includes a refrigerator and provides 24/7 access for people who have an immediate need for groceries. It’s an appreciated service, but recently, especially on weekends, there have been times when it’s virtually impossible to access the free pantry due to the huge amount of donations that have been crammed into the small space. Besides, visitors ransack the donations, and when the volunteer staff returns it takes hours of work before they can even free up the inside door.
Granted, a donation bin has been provided to allow people to drop off clothing or houseware items when it is convenient for them. However, TCS has requested that big items like furniture or large quantity donations be dropped off at the back of the building during their open hours.
Before TCS can reopen the staff needs to determine what changes need to be made in order to more effectively serve the community. Meanwhile they are sharing the following letters that have been received recently from two guests who’ve appreciated what they’ve encountered at The Community Space.
Editor’s note: The following announcement was received from the city of Whitewater.
CITY OF WHITEWATER, UW-WHITEWATER, AND WI SALT WISE HOST SMART SALTING WORKSHOP
Best Practices in Winter Maintenance
The City of Whitewater and UW-Whitewater invite area municipalities,
school district staff, local contractors, and all others involved in winter maintenance to join them
in learning the latest in smart salt practices. Staff at the City and UW-Whitewater campus have
made significant improvements to their winter maintenance program by calibrating their
equipment and incorporating salt brine in their winter maintenance toolbelt. In collaboration with
Wisconsin Salt Wise, the City and University hope to share what they have learned and facilitate
conversations around best practices in winter maintenance.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2022
8:30-10:30 a.m.
1260 W MAIN ST, WHITEWATER (UW-W Community Engagement Center)
Wisconsin Salt Wise, event co-sponsor, is a coalition of organizations from across
Wisconsin working together to reduce salt pollution in our lakes, streams, and drinking water.
Our primary goals are to: educate residents, leaders and winter maintenance professionals on
salt pollution and solutions, provide training, and promote best practices and recognize
contractors committed to using the right amount of salt for conditions.
Wisconsin Salt Wise’s Allison Madison stated, “All the salt that we put down on our sidewalks,
driveways and roads ends up in our lakes, streams, and drinking water. We need all winter
maintenance professionals using best practices to protect our freshwater resources.” Visit
www.wisaltwise.com to learn more.
Join UW-Whitewater faculty, staff and students for a talk on a timely topic. We’ll share information, then have a conversation with each other. All Warhawk Talks are followed by refreshments and open to the public. RSVPs requested.
Warhawk Talks are held at the Community Engagement Center, 1260 West Main Street, Whitewater. Entrance and free parking are in the rear of the building. Click here for more details.
Third Parties in American Politics: Why They Usually Don’t Succeed, and Why This Time May be Different
In the summer of 2022, dozens of former Republican and Democratic officials announced their commitment to a new national party: the Forward Party. Backers hope this new organization will provide a viable alternative to the two major parties in the United States, which continue to win nearly every major election despite the fact that more Americans identify as Independents than as Republicans or Democrats, and most Americans believe a third party is needed in this country. Join us to discuss why third parties struggle to gain traction in American politics, and why leaders of the Forward Party think they have the winning formula this time around. Do they? Let’s discuss!
Presented by Eric Loepp, Professor, Politics, Government, and Law
Thursday, November 3, 2022, 6 p.m.
If you have a disability and require accommodations, please advise us as soon as possible. Requests are confidential. UW-Whitewater provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and ADA. Please contact Kari Borne at bornek@uww.edu or 262-472-1003 for further information.
Reservations requested; please RSVP here.
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the map, “Electoral College Ratings” by nordique, which is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
WHS senior, Anderson Waelchli, performed at the Overture Center in Madison with the Wisconsin School Music Association Honors Choir on Thursday evening. Anderson was chosen last February to sing as one of the 25 tenors from around the state selected to perform in the Honors Mixed Choir under the direction of Dr. Lee Nelson. The concert was held in Overture Hall along with the Honor Treble Choir. Congratulations to Anderson on a fantastic performance!
The Whippet Swim Team competed in the Southern Lakes Conference Championships Saturday, October 29, at Jefferson. The Whippets placed 6th overall!
🎉The girls started off strong with a 5th (Grace Foucault, Emerson Dunham, Makayla Bazeley, and Brooke Bazeley) and 14th (Ashly Xochipa, Josie Treder, Charlotte Hajewski, and Karime Velazquez) place in the 200 Medley.
🥇Introducing our 2022, 200 Freestyle Conference Champion- Makayla Bazeley. She went a season best time of 2:03.33!
🎉Karime Velazquez also had an impressive 200 Freestyle by going a 2:50.37 and finishing in 12th place.
🎉Josie Treder took 13th place in the 200 IM with a best time of 2:46.93. That’s almost a 3 second drop!
🎉In the 50 Freestyle, Brooke Bazeley placed 11th with a time of 28.30 and Karime Velazquez with a best time of 33.06.
🎉Makayla Bazeley continues to swim strong with 2nd place finish in the 100 Butterfly by going a life time best of 1:00.24. She also earned herself a new place on the Top 10 list at #2!
🎉Grace Foucault took a 3rd place finish in the 100 Freestyle with a season best time of 57.18.
🎉Ashly Xochipa went a lifetime best in the 100 Freestyle with a time of 1:06.96!
🎉We had an impressive lineup of 500 swimmers including Charlotte Hajewski, Emerson Dunham, and Brooke Bazeley. Brooke Bazeley earned herself a 3rd place finish with a time of 6:02.48, Emerson Dunham earned herself a 5th place finish with a best time of 6:06.51, and Charlotte Hajewski earned herself a 14th place finish with a 10 second time drop by going a 6:31.29!
🎉In the 200 Freestyle Relay – Josie Treder, Ashly Xochipa, Karime Velazquez, and Charlotte Hajewski all had impressive splits with a 12th place finish (2:04.80).
🎉Grace Foucault adds some more hardware to her collection with a 4th place finish in the 100 Backstroke by going a time of 1:02.08.
🎉Ashly Xochipa continues to drop time in the 100 Backstroke by going a 1:19.02.
🎉The Whippets rounded up the events by placing 6th in the 400 Freestyle Relay (Makayla Bazeley, Brooke Bazeley, Emerson Dunham, and Grace Foucault).
With an impressive meet like this, we are so excited to watch them compete in Sectionals next weekend (11/5) in Whitefish Bay! Go, dogs!
Article and Photos Submitted by Sarah Reynolds
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Swim Coach
sreynolds@wwusd.org
Saturday, October 29th, was a beautiful day for cross country! The Whippets headed to Wisconsin Rapids for the 2022 State Cross Country Meet, where Junior Nate Holden and Sophomore Jack Hefty competed against the best runners in the state. Overall, the D2 race was comprised of 146 competitors. A fast field and the support of their family, friends, and teammates had the Whippets out in flying fashion, as Hefty and Holden cruised through the first mile in 5:05 and 5:13, respectively.
The second mile of the course proved challenging, as expected, due to the hills, sharp turns, and elevation changes. Hefty held his Top-40 position through the 2-mile marker, reaching it in 10:52. Holden, in his first State XC appearance, arrived at that same mark in 11:35.
A similarly challenging third mile also contained its fair share of twists, turns, hills, and an all-out sprint to the finish line to complete the course. Hefty made up some ground in the final stretch, and was able to finish the race in a time of 17:06, while Holden crossed the finish line in 19:07. Hefty’s time was good for 30th place in the D2 field, while Holden finished 126th.
This race capped off an excellent season for both boys! This season was full of awards for Jack and Nate as they both earned first-team all-Rock Valley Conference honors earlier this season as well as state meet births from their sectional races. The boys not only get it done on race day, but they also get it done in the classroom. Jack and Nate also earned academic all-state honors as their GPA is well above the 3.5 threshold set by the Wisconsin Cross Country Coaches Association to receive this honor. Congratulations, boys!
Full Results: https://www.wiaawi.org/Portals/0/PDF/Results/Cross_Country/2022/d2bstateresults.pdf
Article and Photos Submitted by Chad Carstens
Whitewater High School Head Cross Country Coach
ccarstens@wwusd.org
Whitewater Whippet Cheerleading is conducting a shoe drive fundraiser
beginning on October 31st, 2022, and running through December 30th, 2022, to raise funds for
uniforms. Whippet Cheerleading will earn funds based on the total weight of the pairs of gently worn,
used and new shoes collected, as Funds2Orgs will issue a check for the collected shoes. Those
dollars will benefit Whippet Cheerleading. Anyone can help by donating gently worn, used and new
shoes at UWW University Center, Irvin L. Young Memorial Library, First English Lutheran Church, Lincoln and Washington Elementary Schools, Middle and High Schools.
All donated shoes will then be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of micro-enterprise
(small business) partners. Funds2Orgs works with micro-entrepreneurs in helping them create,
maintain and grow small businesses in developing countries where economic opportunity and jobs are
limited. Proceeds from the sales of the shoes collected in shoe drive fundraisers are used to feed,
clothe and house their families. One budding entrepreneur in Haiti even earned enough to send her
son to law school.
“We are excited about our shoe drive,” said Jorie Raudenbush, Coach. “We know that most people
have extra shoes in their closets they would like to donate to us. By doing so, we raise money for our
growing program’s uniform needs, and we have the chance to help families in developing nations who
need economic opportunities. Shoes will also be donated locally. It’s a win for everyone.”
By donating gently worn, used and new shoes to Whippet Cheerleading, the shoes will be given a
second chance and make a difference in people’s lives around the world and in our own community.
[From the Funds2Orgs website] Funds2Orgs accepts all gently worn, used and new shoes, sneakers, and even cleats. However, there are some restrictions, which are as follows:
- Single Shoes or mismatched pairs of shoes
- Ice Skates
- Rollerblades / Roller Skates
- Wet / moldy shoes
- Shoes with holes or tears
- No thrift store shoes are accepted.
If possible it would be helpful if you could rubber-band the shoes together or tie the laces together to prevent the pairs from separating.
About Whippet Cheerleading
The Whippet Cheerleading program is for students in grades 6-12 who attend Whitewater public
schools. Currently the program includes approximately 30 cheerleaders who cheer for middle and high
school basketball teams and the high school football team. Our cheerleading program provides
students opportunities to improve upon their athleticism, and build communication, teamwork, and
leadership skills.
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Dim Hou from Pixabay.
Obituaries
Sally A. Schutte, age 73, of Whitewater, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 21, 2026, while at Hearthstone Memory Care in Whitewater. Sally was born on November 6, 1952, to Roy and Elsie (Rohloff) Haas. Sally married William Schutte in the spring of 2003. Sally grew up on the family farm in the Town of Hebron and graduated from Jefferson High School. She dedicated nearly her entire career to Fort HealthCare, where her hard work and versatility shone through various roles. Over the years, she served in housekeeping and medical records, Center for Dermatology. Sally … Read more
Zachariah “Zach” Schoenke, 41, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. He was born April 4, 1985, to Keith W. Schoenke and Kathleen Schoenke in Fort Atkinson, WI. He grew up and graduated from Whitewater High School in 2003. Zach worked various jobs over the years but was currently working at Cracker Barrel in Janesville. He was a big Packers Fan and liked to play fantasy football. He enjoyed reading, cooking, and watching horror shows. Zach fiercely loved his son, Lincoln, his sisters, Cami and Cary, his mom and stepdad, and his aunt Robin. He will be dearly … Read more
Carla Winn, 82, died September 5, 2026. Funeral Service will be at 12:00 PM, Saturday, September 12, 2026, at East Heights United Methodist Church, 4407 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67218, followed by a burial at 2:00 PM at White Chapel Memorial Garden 1806 N Oliver Ave. Carla is preceded in death by her parents, Vivian Dwight and Wilma Lois Krehbiel; and sister, Jennifer Krehbiel. She is survived by husband, Stephen; daughter, Ashley (Clint) Gagel, of Overland Park; siblings, Paul (Kay) Krehbiel, of Socorro, NM, Lynn (Bill) Oetting, of Wichita, Ellen (John) Querner, of Wichita, Teresa Woodson, of Lawrence, KS, … Read more
Susan Miller Celebration of Life There will be a gathering of friends and acquaintances at Susan’s Farm Store to celebrate Susan’s life on Saturday, September 19th from 2-5 p.m. at N6623 Lake Lorraine Rd., Delavan, Wisconsin
Our loving mother, JoAnn E Harrop, age 95, passed away on September 11, 2026. Our sorrow is deep, but we are filled with gratitude for the many years we had with her. Even as her mind was failing, she remained strong and appreciative of all who cared for her. JoAnn was born on January 13, 1931, daughter to Fred Braun and Evelyn Braun {Storck). She was raised in Whitewater, Wisconsin by her grandparents, Otto and Edith Storck. She attended Whitewater High School and helped at the Storck tavern where she met her husband Earl C. Harrop. They married on November … Read more
Russell O. Johnson “Russ,” 88, passed away on September 4, 2026 in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Russell was born on July 12, 1938, in Janesville, Wisconsin. Russ grew up in Janesville, and after high school he joined the Air Force on May 1, 1958, serving as an aircraft mechanic until June 12, 1962. He then worked at Parker Pen in Janesville for a time, where he met his future wife, Avis. After marrying Avis Mason in April 1964, Russ worked for Gillman Manufacturing for a time, then began a career at Dana until its closing in 1980. In 1981, Russ started working … Read more
Marcia Zingg, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, businesswoman, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2026, at the age of 75. Marcia will be remembered for her unwavering love, remarkable strength, generous spirit, and lifelong devotion to her family. She shared 40 wonderful years of marriage with her husband, Jeffrey Zingg, who considered her not only his wife but also his best friend, business partner, and the love of his life. Together, Marcia and Jeffrey built a successful life rooted in perseverance, hard work, laughter, and love. As entrepreneurs in Whitewater, Wisconsin, they owned and managed new car franchises and … Read more
Amanda Jean Hunter was born to Ralph and Malinda (Thomas) Hunter of Whitewater, Wisconsin, on October 6, 1976. She passed away on August 4, in Fort Worth, Texas, where she lived with her family. Amanda passed peacefully in the hospital, surrounded by her loved ones. Amanda was a kind-hearted free spirit with an unmistakable hippie warmth. Generosity, spontaneity, a quick wit, a macabre sense of humor, and an open heart were traits that she embraced. She was a tireless champion of those in need, an innate characteristic that became among the best of her qualities. She proved to be a … Read more
Ellen Eichmiller, 82, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Ellen was born on September 10, 1943, in Monroe, Wisconsin, to Chester “Guy” and Irene (née Holmen) Steig. She married the love of her life, Paul Eichmiller, on December 7, 1963, and together they made their home in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Ellen spent much of her working life as a secretary at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, where she formed many lasting friendships and memories. Ellen cherished her family and friends and treasured the time she spent with those closest to her. She was known for her love of … Read more
Janet Quinn, age 71, of Jefferson passed away on Thursday, August 20th. Janet was born on December 22nd, 1954 in St. Joseph, MI to Robert Mounsey and Edith Christison Mounsey. She was a granddaughter to Herbert Bragg Mounsey, Charlotte Mounsey, and Ester Christison West. She married Michael Durden in 1979 and later married Eury Quinn Jr. (J.R.) in 1988. Janet grew up in Benton Harbor, MI, and subsequently lived in New York and Arkansas before moving to Wisconsin in 2016. She was a dedicated caregiver to her disabled Mother, and worked as a custodian for various employers over the years. … Read more
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