News

Are you looking for a meaningful way for your high schooler to grow, serve, and make unforgettable memories next summer? Mark your calendars now for our upcoming parent/student info meeting on Monday, October 26 at 6:00 PM at First United Methodist Church!  (145 S. Prairie Street) 

We are gearing up for an incredible high school mission trip to Indianapolis, scheduled for July 10-18, and high schoolers are warmly welcomed to attend the meeting alongside their parents to learn all about the adventure ahead. The trip is open to all high school students including 8th graders going into 9th grade and graduating seniors.

This trip will be an amazing opportunity for students to step outside their everyday routines, build lifelong friendships, and make a real, positive impact through service. At the meeting, we’ll walk through the itinerary, expectations, and answer any questions you might have about preparation and travel. Come get the details and see how your student can be a part of this life-changing experience! It’s open to any students of all faiths!

If you have any questions please reach out to Julie and Tom Duval at tomjulieduval@gmail.com or via: 262-949-7309

Here’s a picture of last year’s Mission Trip group at Carhenge! Article is submitted by Prime Time Group from the First United Methodist Church in Whitewater. 

A live experience blending film, poetry with archival footage and live music.

Driven by hope and pursued by fate, a young woman braves a wild ocean in the mid-19th century for the promise of a new life.

Inspired by the historic wave of emigration from the Winterswijk region of the Netherlands in the mid-19th century, the poetic short film From Wenters to Wisconsin tells the universal story of a young woman who leaves her home and hearth behind in the mid-1800s. Traveling across land and tempestuous seas in pursuit of prosperity, she balances between the hardships she left behind and an uncertain new life in the American Midwest. Through her eyes, we witness the struggles she has put in her past and the hope for a prosperous future that lies ahead. The film’s premiere was celebrated with a unique tour of the United States. This live experience blends film and poetry with archival footage, historical letters, and quotes from Dutch immigrants, all accompanied by live music. The tour visited prominent museums, universities, and historical sites that remain inextricably linked to the history of Dutch pioneers in states such as Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio.

Accompanying the film is an interdisciplinary lesson plan that brings together history and media communication. Moreover, From Wenters to Wisconsin marks a technical milestone: it is the first film in which filmmaker Udo Prinsen weaves AI techniques together with digital animation, compositing, and editing. As a result, the film is not merely a narrative in terms of content; the innovative filmmaking technique itself also serves as a timely starting point for dialogue.

Many of Prinsen’s productions often originate from musical inspiration; he has collaborated with artists such as Eric Vloeimans, Martin Fondse, and Dominic Seldis. The soundtrack for From Wenters to Wisconsin was composed and produced specifically for this project by American trombonist, composer, and educator Ryan Keberle. Keberle has collaborated with such greats as David Bowie, Maria Schneider, and Alicia Keys. His music forms the emotional heartbeat of the film and uniquely enhances the cinematic journey.

For all of the above programs, with the exception of Music Mosaics, the admission cost is $6 for adults, $4 for those under age 18 or age 65+. Music Mosaics, which raises funds for music scholarships, is $10 for adults and $6 for those under age 18 or age 65+.

Parking – Monday through Thursday

A permit is required to park in university lots and on Prince Street north of Main Street during events that take place Monday – Thursday. Parking is permitted without a permit from 5 p.m. Fridays to 11:00 p.m. Sundays.

The closest lots are Lots 1 and 2. To purchase a permit, visit uww.aimsparking.com and follow these steps:

1. Select: Purchase UW-W Special Event Permits
2. Agree to Terms of Service
3. Select Event Type: CENTER OF THE ARTS
4. Select the event you are attending
5. Select Permit Type: EVENT GUEST
6. Dates will automatically fill in
7. Click Add Vehicle
8. Enter license plate, make, model and color vehicle; Click ADD
9. Follow the remaining prompts to complete registration process

NOTE: Your license plate is your permit; be sure to enter the plate information correctly to avoid tickets. Plates not entered correctly are subject to $5 tickets. Do not park in stalls with any type of sign. If you need to change your plate, call 262-472-1011 during business hours Mon-Fri 7:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Visit the College of Arts and Communication website to explore our full list of events. Reserve your spot for upcoming ticketed shows or enjoy our enriching non-ticketed events for free. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to engage with creativity and culture – join us and let the arts ignite your imagination!

October 27 performance combines acrobatics with expressive movement

“The most fantastic, emotional event I have ever experienced.” – Audience review

PUSH Physical Theatre will perform at The Young PAC at the University of Wisconsin–
Whitewater on Tuesday, October 27, at 7 p.m., bringing an evening of movement and physical storytelling to the stage.

The program draws from the company’s repertory, pairing intimate solo work with athletic ensemble performances. Acrobatics and expressive movement explore familiar human experiences, including humor, sorrow and the search for connection.

For audiences unfamiliar with physical theatre, the performance offers an introduction to an art form that uses the body to carry a story. The company combines the physical demands of acrobatics with the emotional focus of theatre, creating scenes that invite viewers to follow character and feeling through movement.

The performance takes place at The Young, 930 West Main Street, Whitewater. The lobby opens at 6 p.m. Tickets and current pricing are available at theyoungwhitewater.com or through Ticket Services at 262-472-2222. Tickets may also be purchased in person at Ticket Services, 950 W. Main Street, Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. There is no charge for parking for the performance in lots 1 and 2 off Prince Street.

Event details: https://www.theyoungwhitewater.com/event/push-physical-theatre

About The Young
The Young is a performing arts venue at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, presenting live entertainment for camps and regional audiences. Learn more at theyoungwhitewater.com.

Do you have what it takes to escape the Upside-Down? Sign up for the Stranger Things Escape Room on Friday, October 30th. Select your 45-minute time slot here: https://signup.com/go/QOWxQPW The capacity for each time slot is 8 people. This program is free and open to participants 12+. An adult may participate if they have a teen participating with them.

If you have any questions, please contact Deana Rolfsmeyer at (262) 458-2788 or
drolfsmeyer@whitewater-wi.gov

Update: Ginny Coburn provided this information about the above photo: “The butterfly shown with Ed Grosskreutz’s beautiful photos is a Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) a rapid flyer often seen in a group.  Its host plant is the common stinging nettle.  Don’t touch the nettles, but let them grow for the Painted Lady’s caterpillars.”

Our thanks to Ed Grosskreutz for sharing these beautiful photos, which were taken in late September.

Lunch will be available all day donated by Toppers Pizza and Texas Roadhouse, and there will also be raffle items you can win. Please help us make a difference in saving lives in our community. 

Help Choose the Next Leader of Wisconsin’s Public Universities

By Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents Vice President Ashok Rai, MD, FACP

Few institutions touch the lives of more Wisconsinites than the Universities of Wisconsin.

Our 13 public universities provide educational opportunities to future teachers, nurses, engineers, business leaders, and public servants. Our public universities prepare the workforce that powers communities across our state, from Ashland to Racine, La Crosse to Marinette. And our public universities drive research that improves lives and advances discoveries in healthcare, agriculture, technology, and countless other fields.

Most importantly, our 13 public universities belong to the people of Wisconsin.

That is why the search for the next president of the Universities of Wisconsin is about more than selecting a leader. It is about identifying a visionary who can help Wisconsin meet future opportunities and challenges while harnessing the power and momentum of all the UWs.

As chair of the Presidential Search Committee, I have spent the past several months working alongside a diverse group of Regents, faculty, staff, students, alumni, business leaders, and community representatives. Together, we have listened to stakeholders, reviewed candidates from across the country, and identified finalists for this important position.

Now, we need to hear from you again.

The next president will help shape the future of the public universities that serve every corner of our state. That leader will help expand educational opportunities for our workforce, support research and innovation, and ensure that the Universities of Wisconsin continue fulfilling their public mission for generations to come.

In the spirit of the Wisconsin Idea, the benefits of our universities extend far beyond campus boundaries. Because this mission belongs to all of us, the voices of Wisconsinites should help inform this decision.

That is why we are inviting the public to attend two candidate forums later this month.

Finalists for the presidency will participate in public presentations at UW-Parkside on Monday, Oct. 26, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon in the Bedford Concert Hall at the Rita Tallent Picken Regional Center for Arts & Humanities, Avenue of the Arts, Kenosha. The finalists will participate in a second public forum at UW-Madison on Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon in the Great Hall of Memorial Union (fourth floor), 800 Langdon St., Madison. Both events will also be available via livestream.

Each finalist will appear separately, sharing their vision for the future of the Universities of Wisconsin and responding to questions from in-person attendees. Following each presentation, the public will have an opportunity to provide feedback to the Presidential Search Committee.

Your perspectives matter. Whether you are a student, parent, alumnus, employer, educator, taxpayer, or simply someone who cares about Wisconsin’s future, I encourage you to participate.

The Universities of Wisconsin are one of the state’s greatest public assets. The next president will help determine how that asset serves students, employers, communities, and families in the years ahead. This is Wisconsin’s search, and we hope you’ll take part in it.

For Presidential Search 2026 candidate information, livestream details, and feedback opportunities, visit wisconsin.edu/about/. Information will be posted as it becomes available. Editor’s note: It appears that the names of the candidates have not yet been made public.

As Bird-Migration Season Returns, Jefferson County Health Department Shares Preparations for Avian Influenza

The Jefferson County Health Department (JCHD) has undertaken several precautionary action items to aid in the detection and containment of avian flu as the fall bird-migration season increases the risk of disease activity. Although Jefferson County has no current avian flu cases, two counties have reported cases in recent months: Barron County in September and Racine County in October.

JCHD has remained in close contact with flock owners and is monitoring water sources near past outbreak sites to detect any local disease activity quickly. This includes regular communication with and biosecurity advice for commercial and backyard flock owners, as well as groundwater and surface water testing to check for contamination from virus shedding.

The Health Department has updated its avian flu processes and training and continues to refine its response plans with the latest expert guidance, including:

• Remaining current on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidance for monitoring, sampling, and laboratory procedures across human health settings.
• Maintaining established processes for laboratory testing of exposed individuals.
• Participating in ongoing training on personal protective equipment (PPE) use and outbreak response best practices.
• Preparing, in collaboration with Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and the CDC, to actively monitor individuals with potential exposure for symptoms and ensure timely, appropriate follow-up.

In addition, County leaders have called on the state of Wisconsin to help strengthen responses to avian flu outbreaks. The Jefferson County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution titled “Urging the Wisconsin Legislature and State Agencies to Strengthen the State of Wisconsin’s Response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza” earlier this year and submitted it to the Wisconsin Counties Association, where it was approved as part of their policy platform. The resolution called for these changes:

• Expanding access to poultry-vaccination programs
• Reviewing and modernizing composting regulations
• Evaluating and supporting incineration options
• Evaluating alternatives to whole-flock depopulation and on-site composting
• Requiring Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) to file and keep current mass-mortality plans that also include risk assessments
• Strengthening protections for groundwater and drinking water wells

Jefferson County officials request that residents contact their state officials to support these policy items as well.

For more information, please visit https://www.jeffersoncountywi.gov/health_department/index.php or contact the Jefferson County Health Department at 920-674-7275 or health@jeffersoncountywi.gov.

Editor’s note: The above press release was received from Jefferson County on October 9.

Early voting will be available from October 20th to October 30th in the Municipal Building, First-Floor Community Room (312 W Whitewater St.), from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

NOTICE: The Clerk’s Office will be OPEN on Oct. 24th, and open longer on Oct. 27th and Oct. 30th, for in-person absentee voting and Voter Registration.

• Saturday, Oct. 24: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 27th: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 30th: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Register/Request Absentee Ballot: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/
By entering your address at the above link you may see all the candidates and issues that are on your ballot.