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The Banner has been serving Whitewater, Wisconsin since August 1, 2006
Today is Sunday, June 7, 2026
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Whitewater High School Players – “Radium Girls”
The Whitewater High School Players will be performing “Radium Girls” Feb. 26-28 at 7 p.m. and Mar. 1 at 2 p.m. in the James M. Stewart Auditorium at WHS.
“Radium Girls” is based on a true and tragic story that defined American labor history in the 1920’s. The Radium Girls were factory workers who painted dials with radium-based paint and mysteriously started dying. The “ghost girls” were instructed to finely point their brushes by molding the bristles with their mouths, but this process ultimately poisoned the laborers themselves. As doctors began to discover radium’s devastating harm, five women in New Jersey sued their employers but reached a settlement outside the court in 1928. Both topics of workplace hazards and corporate accountability are explored throughout the play. The legacy of the Radium Girls can’t be understated — even today. Their case was among the first in which a company was held responsible for the health and safety of its employees, and it led to a variety of reforms and to the creation of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
General admission tickets ($12 for adults, $7 for students) are available beginning one hour before the performances.
Under the direction of Jim McCulloch, the cast includes Ian Agen, Camdyn Avila, Isabella Cohen, Peyton Comfort, Esteban Diaz-Gallegos, Joseph Falcon-Kienbaum, Aurora Gerblick, Vivian Harris, Ameera Lin, Sam Nickelsburg, Sophia Noonan, Kia Peterson, and Lia Ramirez. Josie Davis and Jesus Ramirez support the production in their important role as stage manager.
Kat Dunham guides the backstage crew that includes Caitlin Alford, Sidney Block, Georgia Esch, Ace Hudec, Hadley Huebner, Joshua Nygren, and Jesus Ramirez.
For additional information about the history of Radium Girls, go to https://www.britannica.com/story/radium-girls-the-women-who-fought-for-their-lives-in-a-killer-workplace
Grief rarely follows a straight line. For many, the experience of losing a loved one feels complex, non-linear, and composed of many layers. To help community members navigate these fluctuating emotions, Rainbow Community Care is hosting its unique, hands-on workshop: “Broken Pots: Exploring Our Beautiful Brokenness Through Art.”
Led by the experienced bereavement team of Laura Wessels, Hilary Furnish, and Terry Hein, the workshop is inspired by the Japanese art of Kintsugi—the practice of repairing broken pottery to highlight the fractures as part of the object’s history. This approach views the cracks not as flaws that need to be fixed, but as a unique part of the story. “In the breaking and reconstructing of these pots, space is made to acknowledge both the pain of loss and the enduring love that remains,” says Rainbow Bereavement Counselor Hilary Furnish. “It becomes a tangible way to see your own experience and realize that while you are changed by loss, you are still whole and there is a different kind of beauty in that.”
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Center (Community Room) 1225 Remmel Dr., Johnson Creek, WI
Cost: Free and open to the public
Rainbow Community Care remains committed to supporting the community long after a loved one has passed. Through its 13-month bereavement program, the organization offers the counseling and community connection necessary to help individuals process their grief and find a path forward. This workshop provides a safe, creative environment to put feelings into motion and discover a new perspective on the healing journey.
Registration: Space is limited for this hands-on experience. To reserve your spot, please call (920) 674-6255 today.
The University of Wisconsin-River Falls 2025 fall semester Dean’s List has been released by Registrar Kelly Browning. It honors 1,724 students.
To be named to the Dean’s List, a full-time undergraduate must earn a grade point average of at least 3.5 on a scale of 4.0, or midway between an “A” and “B” average. Area students are listed below by name, hometown and major.
About UW-River Falls
Founded in 1874, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls is a regional public university dedicated to student-centered learning and academic excellence. With more than 70 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs, UWRF is committed to preparing students for success and service in the region, the state and beyond. Learn more at uwrf.edu.
Whitewater, WI
Haley Keltesch
Gwen Truesdale
Come and support Studio 84 at their Saturday SOUPer Bowl fundraising event. The artists have been busy glazing bowls and plates and are excited for you to take home one of their creations. There will be chili, chicken and dumpling, cheesy broccoli and more varieties of soup. Don’t forget the bread and yummy desserts too! The gallery and store will be open and there are over 20 raffle baskets just waiting for lucky winners. We are truly grateful for all of the friends of the studio that have donated items to help support this event.
Versiti is the primary blood supplier for Southeastern Wisconsin hospitals, including Aurora Lakeland Medical Center and Fort Memorial Hospital. They are also the primary provider for all of the veterans’ hospitals in the state.
Appointments are preferred, and many are still available. Please use the QR code, visit https://www.versiti.org or call Lynn at 262-473-2997 to make an appointment.
Hosted by the International Student Association, the 44th Annual International Dinner is your chance to embark on a global culinary adventure.
Join us on Friday, March 6, 2026 in the UWW UC Hamilton Room for an evening filled with delicious international dishes and captivating cultural performances. Doors open at 5:30 pm, dinner starts at 6:00 pm, followed by a presentation.
Experience flavors from around the world, enjoy entertainment that celebrates diverse traditions, and immerse yourself in a night of culture and community. Cultural attire is encouraged but not required.
The International Dinner is a very popular event and tickets usually sell out. Student and under 18 tickets are $6 per person, and guest tickets are $12 per person. You can also purchase a table (8 seats) for $88. This purchase pays for a reserved table as close to the front as space allows. Tickets may be purchased here.
For questions, contact wilderms@uww.edu
Obituaries
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
Leo E. Wurzer, 65, of Eagle, Wisconsin passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at his home. Leo was born on April 15, 1961 in Kenosha, Wisconsin to Cyril and Shirley (McNeil) Wurzer. He grew up between Pleasant Prairie and Antigo, spending his childhood summers on his uncle’s farm where he discovered his love for all things tractors. Although he never had a farm of his own, he was able to partially fulfill his dream by working as a driver for Robin’s Trucking in Whitewater, WI in his last days and collecting miniature Tonka toys. He began his career … Read more
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!
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