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Editor’s Note: The following information was provided by the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Walworth County.

More than 100 million adults in the U.S. are now living with diabetes or pre-diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While that statistic is startling, there is good news. People with diabetes or pre-diabetes can improve their health by joining a Healthy Living with Diabetes workshop sponsored by the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Walworth County and Aurora Health Care. A 2010 Diabetes Care study showed that the program improved the health of adults with diabetes or pre-diabetes.

In just six weekly sessions, Healthy Living with Diabetes gives participants strategies for managing diabetes, including techniques to deal with symptoms and information about healthy eating, appropriate use of medication, exercise and working effectively with health care providers. Participants learn to make realistic, achievable action plans, share their experiences, and help each other solve problems.

Healthy Living with Diabetes will be held in the Observatory room on Wednesdays (1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.) from April 6 to May 11, 2022, at the Walworth County Health and Human Services building at 1910 County Road NN, Elkhorn. The workshop has a suggested donation of $10. 

For questions or to register for the program, contact Chetney Dudzic RDN, CD at (262) 741-3309.

About the ADRC of Walworth County: The ADRC provides information and assistance to older and disables adults, their friends, family, caregivers, and the public. We can assist by evaluating your current needs and help provide options available to meet the needs of your personal situation.

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Ripon College.

Ripon College has announced its Dean’s List for the Fall 2021 semester, recognizing academic excellence. To qualify for the Dean’s List at Ripon College, students must achieve a 3.40 grade point average or higher on a 4.00 scale and complete at least 12 credits of regular letter-graded work.

Clarice Bergman of Whitewater

Heather Charter of Whitewater

Jacob Zuehlke of Whitewater

Ripon College, founded in 1851, prepares students of diverse interests for lives of productive, socially responsible citizenship. Ripon’s liberal arts and sciences curriculum and residential campus create an intimate learning community in which students experience a richly personalized education. In recognition of its academic excellence, the college was awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa in 1953, placing it among a select group of the nation’s top colleges. Visit ripon.edu.

Editor’s note: The following was received from Dwight Foster Public Library.

On Thursday, March 24 at 7 p.m. the US Veterans Project Library will welcome author Robin Hutton to a presentation at the Dwight Foster Public Library in Fort Atkinson. Hutton shared the story of Korean War hero, “Sgt. Reckless: America’s War Horse” with us last December. Now she returns to share the stories of the many other animals that assisted the US and our allies in World War II.

Millions rallied to the cause of freedom against Nazism and the menace of Imperial Japan. But did you know that some of those heroes had fur, or feathers? War animals guarded American coasts against submarine attack, dug out Londoners trapped in bomb wreckage, and carried vital messages under heavy fire on Pacific islands. They kept up morale, rushed machine gun nests, and even sacrificed themselves picking up live grenades.

This book tells the heart-warming stories of the dogs, horses, mules, pigeons—and even one cat—who did their bit for the war effort. American and British families volunteered beloved family pets and farm dogs when rationing made it difficult to feed them; President Roosevelt bought honorary commissions in the reserves for lapdogs and other pets not suitable for military duties to “exempt” them from war service and raise money to defeat Hitler and Tojo. Many of these gallant animals are recipients of the prestigious PDSA Dickin Medal, the “Animals’ Victoria Cross.”

This presentation will be in-person in the FCCU Community Room on the first floor of the Library. Robin Hutton will join us virtually through Zoom. It will also be possible to attend remotely on Zoom by clicking the link you find on this web page: fortlibrary.org/war-animals/ Contact Amy Lutzke at (920) 563-7790 for additional information or to inquire about accessibility to this program.

Steve Watson writes, “The last few days I’ve seen three migratory bird species layover on Trippe Lake.”

1. Goldeneye duck.
2. Hooded Merganser.
3. Greater white fronted goose,
   or speckle bellies.

Our thanks to Steve Watson for sharing these photos of, not to mention identifying, these harbingers of spring.

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Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area.

The League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area is hosting a program on Thursday, March 17, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. Our speaker, State Representative Don Vruwink, will provide an overview of the most recent activities in the Wisconsin State Legislature as well as provide an opportunity for questions. This program is free and open to the public.

This event will be virtual. To attend live, please join the webinar by using the URL: https://bit.ly/lwv-ww_march2022. Or, join us by telephone: Dial (312) 626-6799, Webinar ID: 9892 1289 9685, Passcode: 379366. This event will be live-streamed on Facebook and be made available to the public afterward.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit our website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like us on Facebook!

Editor’s note: The following was received from Whitewater High School.

Whitewater High School is proud to announce that Sophia Walton and Gwen Truesdale have each won a $9,000 Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarship this year!  The State of Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarship provides up to $2250 per year for tuition at a Wisconsin college or university for up to four years.  In order to be eligible for this award, students must have acquired senior status, completed at least three semesters at Whitewater High School, and have the highest cumulative grade point average in all subjects taken for credit at the end of the seventh semester.  In the event of a tie, students are chosen based on their highest composite score earned on the ACT.  Other tiebreakers include the highest subscores on the ACT, the number of Advanced Placement tests passed with a score of “3” or higher, and the number of AP tests passed.  Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarships are awarded to alternate winners if the top recipients choose to attend college in another state.  Congratulations Sophia and Gwen!!

Editor’s note: The following was provided by Whitewater Unified School District.

Did you ever wonder who writes the music for movies, TV shows, and video games?  How do you compose electronic music? Where do composers find their inspiration?  Lincoln students learned about all of this and more when on March 3rd they had a ZOOM call with internationally acclaimed composer, Alex Shapiro.  The students have been practicing one of Shapiro’s newest pieces, “Count to TEN,” which they will perform at the Lincoln Fine Arts Night Concert, on March 15.  The piece has an electronic music track that plays along with acoustic choral speaking. It challenges students through changing time signatures, dynamics, articulations, and rhythms. Performing it with the electronic track adds to the complexity and the fun!  Already knowing basic information about the composer, the students all wrote questions they hoped for Alex to answer about her life as a composer.

Hundreds of questions were narrowed down to twenty-four and asked by students during the meeting.  Students loved hearing about Alex’s life, starting to compose at age nine, just like them, exploring electronic music in her teens, and following her dream.  Alex told the students that she loved listening to several of their electro-acoustic compositions that every 4^th and 5th-grade student had composed in the winter. She reminded the young composers that no matter what age you are, you can create music.  Alex’s inspiration comes from what is in her world, especially her love of nature, such as the ocean that she looks out on every day from her home on San Juan Island. Events happening around her and in the world are also expressed through her music, such as her piece, “Breathe,” written during the Covid-19 pandemic.  Although she started out in video game music, Shapiro now focuses on compositions for bands, orchestras, choirs, and chamber music, traveling around the world where her music is performed.

Lincoln students reflected upon their opportunity to talk with a professional composer, learning about what she did. They were grateful they could hear her live, not from “some video.”  Students stated that: “Her music inspires me.” “All of us can be composers, no matter what our age.”  “You are able to express your emotions and events in life through music.” “I liked getting to know her and learning about what she did.” “She’s really cool and funny.”  “The exciting thing about electronic music is that you can copy and make any sound in the world, then change it up.”  “We have a voice that needs to be heard.”

Music educator, Christine Hayes, commented, “It was a magical day in music, connecting a world-class contemporary composer with future composers at Lincoln Elementary!  And just wait until you hear them perform Alex Shapiro’s piece at the concert – you will be inspired.  We are so appreciative of Alex spending time with us.  We all grew!”

Editor’s note: The following information was received from Dwight Foster Public Library.

The Dwight Foster Public Library will be displaying works by local artist Kelly Hausknecht during the month of March. Stop by the Jones Gallery on the second floor to experience her series of whimsical paintings devoted to sweet marshmallow Peeps. Kelly’s interest in this subject was inspired by the Annual Peeps Exhibition at the Racine Art Museum.

Some of Hausknecht’s paintings include collage elements such as clotheslines and pins and actual candy Peeps. These creations are free-spirited, silly, and fun. She has also created an Artist’s Challenge scavenger hunt and a drawing to win one of the Peeps paintings. She encourages others to make a Peeps creation of their own and consider entering it for free at the Racine Art Museum next year.

Hausknecht was born in Milwaukee, graduated from UW Whitewater, and moved to Edgerton 35 years ago. She has had a career in art, alternating both teaching and interior design. She has been teaching art with UW-Whitewater at Rock County and the Janesville School District. Her passion for art extends to all media including painting, collage, and photography. She encourages others to, “Whatever you do, enjoy art, make art, and appreciate the beautiful world around you.”