News & Events

Update 12/11/25 @ 3:00 p.m. Due to the projected weather forecast of 4 degrees and the minus 25 degree windchill we have postponed this event until Saturday, December 20th at 11:00 a.m.

National Wreaths Across America Day at Heart Prairie Cemetery

The national nonprofit organization, Wreaths Across America (WAA), has announced
that Heart Prairie Cemetery, located in the Town of LaGrange, Walworth County, will join
the mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach by serving as an official location for the
2025 National Wreaths Across America Day. This marks the first time both Heart Prairie
Cemetery and Walworth County will participate in this significant nationwide program.

Wreaths Across America began as a simple gesture of gratitude and has grown into
a nationwide movement. Dedicated volunteers and communities across the country
have come together to remember our nation’s fallen heroes, honor their service, and
teach the next generation the importance of freedom. In 2025, more than 4,900
locations will participate by placing wreaths on National Wreaths Across America Day,
which will take place on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.

The event at Heart Prairie Cemetery is being organized by Peggy Schutt of
Delavan’s Samuel Phoenix Chapter, National Daughters of the American Revolution,
along with Cemetery Sexton James Holden. Thanks to the chapter’s sponsorship, funds
have been raised from individuals, families, and service organizations. These efforts will
allow for the placement of 42 wreaths on the headstones of fallen service members
resting at Heart Prairie Cemetery on County Highway O in the Town of LaGrange.

Local dignitaries scheduled to attend the event include Senator Steven Nass,
Representative Brienne Brown, and John Scholtz, Walworth County Veterans Service
Officer. The Whitewater American Legion Post 173 will also be present to assist with the
ceremony and honor the occasion with a gun salute.

The public is warmly invited to attend this historic event and participate in honoring
the service and sacrifice of our nation’s fallen heroes.

Editor’s note: The above press release was submitted by Pat Blackmer.

Whitewater High School Music Masters Ensemble performed at Fairhaven on November 12.  The concert included three songs by the entire group and six students performing solo numbers. Photo gallery courtesy of Tom Ganser.

HELLO, WHITEWATER!
Today, I, Aubrey Thompson, am announcing my candidacy for Whitewater City Council- At Large.

My family and I have been residents since 2018. We came to Whitewater because of the affordable market-priced rental we leased, and stayed because of the small-town vibe. My family enjoys many community activities here in Whitewater, with some of our favorites being events at Flat Iron Park, use of City Parks (including the Skate Park), Farmers’ Markets, Holiday Parades, and Independence Day Fireworks.

Our family is active within the community as entrepreneurs and volunteers. We are a family of “creatives” with a passion for music, art, and nature.

Our children attend Whitewater School District; with one who recently graduated and is moving onto a career with the U.S. Marine Corps. Both our children have been active in sports within the school district and outside the school district.

With great faith and perseverance we began our Handyman business here in Whitewater and have been truly blessed by our neighbors who hired us over the years. Many of our customers have become our friends, and we are better people because of them. We strive to be open and honest, offer quality solutions, and a workmanship warranty that customers have told us is the reason we are re-hired for new jobs. I know that sounds like an ad for our business, but I say all this to elucidate some of our common-core principles: honesty, trust, communication, and creative problem-solving.

I cannot sit still for long. I enjoy being helpful and purposefully engaged in work. I also enjoy volunteering. In the past, I volunteered at Root Pike WIN trash cleanups in Racine, while more recently I volunteer with the Whitewater Creek Coalition as the President.

Neighbors, I imagine you asking me, “ok, but what’s your training?” I hold an Associate’s Degree in Civil Engineering (focus in Wastewater treatment) from Gateway Technical College. While there, I was equipped with knowledge in water treatment/chemistry, Stormwater preservation methods, 3- D architectural design, estimating, project management, construction materials, and a vast array of other skills related to civil construction and environmental engineering. I love learning, and continue my education in a variety of self-propelled learning mediums. Namely, books, scientific studies, and free online courses from Hillsdale College and MIT.

I am a former municipal engineering technician from Village of Mt. Pleasant. I am a former Quality- Control Supervisor at Millennium Forms in Elkhorn (where I also performed a variety of duties such as EHS Supervisor, R&D Manager, Vendor Quality liaison, Industrial Wastewater Operator, and point of contact for Walcomet, EPA, DNR). Most currently, I am an entrepreneur of our Handyman business.

I am running for City Council and humbly ask for your vote, because I want to see smart and transparent fiscal spending. I want to see our city continue to improve infrastructure and safety. I want to see growth in our city’s economy by bringing in diverse, (what I call) “fair-wage-plus” jobs. I want to see my Neighbors be able to pay their bills with income leftover each month. The ability to save money and be charitable, grows prosperity within our families and our community.

What I stand for:
1) Safe, Affordable Homeownership – Encourage repairs of existing single-family homes, build new affordable single-family houses, and oppose taxpayer-subsidized apartment projects that don’t fit Whitewater’s needs.

2) Economic Growth – Retain existing business and attract a diverse mix of small, medium, and large businesses to expand the local job market and match a broad range of skill sets.

3) Community Safety & Quality of Life – Improve existing infrastructure, safety of residents, and environmental standards; while also supporting family-friendly programs that strengthen neighborhood bonds and celebrate Whitewater’s unique culture.

Whitewater, I ask for your vote come April 7, 2026. Until then, I hope to have the pleasure of meeting you!

Contact me at: 608-279-0811
Aubrey.whitewater@protonmail.com

Editor’s note: Al Stanek, who is completing his second term on the County Board, told The Banner that he is encouraging others who show an interest to attend this meeting. Though he has enjoyed his service and feels he has made some significant contributions, Al indicated that he is willing to serve again only if there are no other qualified candidates. Whitewater has two seats, Stanek’s (D-4) and another (D-3) that includes portions of the east and south sides of the city along with various towns currently held by Brian Holt. The deadline for filing nomination papers is January 6, 2026.

Walworth County to Hold Informational Workshop for Interested Residents and Potential County Board Supervisor Candidates

County Administrator Mark Luberda will hold an informational meeting for interested residents and potential County Board Supervisor candidates who would like to learn
more about the duties and responsibilities of County Board Supervisors. The meeting will take place:

• Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 6 p.m.
  County Board Room 114, Walworth County Government Center
  100 W. Walworth Street, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
  
  The workshop will provide an overview of Walworth County government and the
  responsibilities and time commitment generally required of County Board Supervisors. The 90- minute class will provide an overview of what an individual could expect while serving on the Board. This will include outlining the wide range of services provided by County government, summarizing the County’s budget, highlighting some of the legal rules under which Supervisors must operate, addressing the relationship between the County Board and other elected and appointed officials, reviewing the committee structure, and discussing typical time commitments.

If you’re interested in running for County Board Supervisor, County Clerk Susi Pike will be available with nomination packets and can assist you in completing them.

For more information or to register, please contact County Administration at (262) 741-4357 or email countyadministration@co.walworth.wi.us.

The district maps on the county website may be viewed here.

The Whitewater Arts Alliance is happy to announce a series of three festive ornament-making workshops this December, designed to bring creativity and connection to three unique community groups. Participants will craft whimsical Santa ornaments made from paintbrushes, transforming everyday tools into joyful holiday keepsakes. Each workshop will feature the same ornament project, with all supplies provided and several helping hands on site to support attendees.

The first workshop will be held on Wednesday, December 10, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center for English as a Second Language (ESL) students.

The second will take place on Thursday, December 11, from 1 pm-2:30 pm. at the Cultural Arts Center for members of the Whitewater Dementia Friendly Initiative.

The final session will be hosted for the residents at Mulberry Glen on Friday, December 12, from 1:15 to 2:45 p.m.

“These workshops reflect the Alliance’s commitment to inclusive, joyful art experiences,” said Gallery Director, Kim Adams “We’re thrilled to offer a welcoming workshop where creativity can flourish across generations and backgrounds.”

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will celebrate the achievements of its graduates at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 13, as proud families and friends gather for the 2025 December commencement ceremony.

Approximately 888 students will be earning their degrees, including undergraduates from the College of Arts and Communication, the College of Business and Economics, the College of Education and Professional Studies, the College of Integrated Studies, and the College of Letters and Sciences, and students earning a master’s degree or doctorate from the School of Graduate Studies.

The ceremony, about two hours long and presided over by Chancellor Corey A. King, will be held at Kachel Fieldhouse in the Williams Center.

This year’s commencement speaker is Mark Perry, a San Francisco business leader whose father, Harold Perry, graduated from UW-Whitewater in 1933 and returned in 1958 to serve as commencement speaker. When Harold Perry retired in 1974, the family established the Harold M. Perry and Margaret A. Perry Scholarship Fund at UW-Whitewater. Recently, the family established the Harold M. Perry ’33 and Margaret A. Perry Endowed Faculty Chair, a $2 million gift in 2024 that provides resources to a selected UW-Whitewater faculty member or members to address complex issues, develop long-term solutions and positively impact Wisconsin’s economy.

The student speaker is Samuel Bardales, from Gurnee, Illinois, who is earning a Bachelor of Science in mathematics, secondary education licensure, and a minor in business law. On campus, he joined myriad student organizations and served in multiple leadership roles. Early on, he joined the Leadership Involvement Team for Wells Residence Hall and became deeply involved with Whitewater Student Government. He also was involved in Whitewater Cru and was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Bardales hopes to work as a math teacher after graduation and later further his education.

82 percent of the graduating students come from Wisconsin, and 25 states and seven countries other than the United States are represented in the graduating class.

The graduating class includes nine international students, 69 military veterans and 154 nontraditional students, defined as undergraduate students who are 25 years of age or older. In addition, 77 self-identified students with disabilities will receive degrees.

A total of 56 graduating students participated in the university’s Hired Before Graduation campaign, which celebrates students who landed a job, earned acceptance to graduate school or started their own business before commencement. That represents an increase of 27% over the December 2024 class.

Commencement will be broadcast live online by UWW-TV, the university television station. Access to the livestream will be posted on our commencement webpage.

Stop by Studio 84 this Saturday, December 13th from 10 am-2 pm for Second Saturdays at Studio 84 located in downtown Whitewater at 121 W. Center Street. This month’s activity is Christmas card making! All materials and supplies are provided free of charge!

Studio 84 is a non-profit art studio, gallery and store. Our mission is to provide fully accessible opportunities in the arts to enrich people’s lives. Our regular weekday programming provides individual guidance and instruction to people of all ages and abilities for a cost. We are privileged to be able to provide this free opportunity to create art together as a community thanks to the generosity of the Geneva Lake Women’s Association.
 
An adult must accompany kids under the age of twelve at Second Saturdays. Anyone with special needs may also be required to have a guardian or caregiver present depending on their needs.

You can learn more about Studio 84 at our webstite www.studio84inc.org , Facebook @
Studio84, Inc. or Instagram @ studio84inc