Discover, taste and support Wisconsin’s signature industry at the 48th Annual Walworth County Farm Bureau Dairy Breakfast on Saturday, June 14 from 7 to 11 am at JC-Kow Farms in Whitewater. JC-Kow Farms – owned and operated by the Kollwelter family – is located at W7522 Bluff Road, Whitewater. Whether you’re a lifelong dairy lover or new to farm-fresh experiences, the Kollwelter family invites you to come learn more about the people, products and passion that fuel the state’s $52.8 billion dairy industry.
Breakfast will include scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausage, cheese, milk and ice cream. The Walworth County Dairy Promotion Committee will also be selling charcuterie cups featuring local cheese, meat and strawberries. There will be farm tours, animal displays, a scavenger hunt and other activities for families to enjoy. Tickets can be purchased at the event – $10 for adults, $5 for children, under 5 eat for free. Parking will be located east of the farm with shuttles running to and from the farm. Parking for those with disabilities will be available on the farm. The event will be held rain or shine.
TROY, AL– Abby Grosinske of Whitewater, WI, graduated from Troy University during the Spring Semester/Term 4 of the 2024-2025 academic year.
Grosinske graduated with a Bachelor of Science – Exercise Science – Pre-Health Prof.
About Troy University
Troy University is a public, historic, international university with 22,500 students and 154,000 alumni. Students choose TROY for its quality academic programs, reasonable costs and availability of financial aid, outstanding faculty, and flexible in-class and online class offerings. Students on the Troy, Ala. campus enjoy a traditional college experience, while adult students are the centers of attention at campuses in Dothan, Montgomery and Phenix City, Ala., as well as at locations around the world and online.
The Greater Whitewater Committee is set to host Walworth County Historical Society board of directors’ member and Whitewater Landmarks Commission Chairman, Pat Blackmer, as a guest speaker at the upcoming June GWC meeting.
The Greater Whitewater Committee (GWC) is set to host Walworth County Historical Society board of directors’ member and Whitewater Landmarks Commission Chairman, Pat Blackmer, at the upcoming June meeting. Pat Blackmer will be presenting on the Historic Water Tower in Starin Park.
This event will take place on Thursday, June 12th at 7:00 a.m. at the Community Engagement Center, 1260 W Main St, Room 128, Whitewater, WI 53190.
Pat Blackmer is a fifth-generation resident of Walworth County who was born in the city of Whitewater. She completed college with a degree in education from UW-Whitewater and an M.S. degree from Illinois State University. Her teaching career included UW-Whitewater and the Wisconsin School for the Deaf.
Blackmer is active in several lineal and historical societies and is a weekly volunteer at the Walworth County Historical Society and a member of the board of directors. She has been an active preservationist all of her life with memberships in the National Historic Preservation Trust, Wisconsin Association of Historic Preservation, and the Whitewater Landmarks Commission of which she is the current chairman. She was honored in 2024 when she received the first City of Whitewater Historic Preservation Award.
The GWC’s upcoming monthly meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 12th at 7 a.m. at the Community Engagement Center, 1260 W Main St, Room 128, The public is more than welcome to attend this meeting to learn more about the Walworth County Historical Society. If you are interested in attending, you must RSVP. To reserve your spot, contact Jeff Knight at jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com or 920.728.0662 by Wednesday, June 11th.
“We are very thrilled to have Pat Blackmer present at this upcoming meeting,” said GWC President, Jeffery Knight. “We look forward to hearing updates about the Historic Water Tower in Starin Park.”
Saturday marked the final time that Traysen Thomason and Jack Hefty would don the Whippet jersey in high school competition. Both seniors have already achieved remarkable accomplishments in their careers, but they arrived at the state meet with unfinished business—and they delivered in dramatic fashion.
L-R Head Coach Tori Miller, Jack Hefty, Coach Carstens, Coach Green, Traysen Thomason, and Coach Wilson
Traysen Thomason – A Sprinter’s Dream Realized
Traysen was first up, with the 100-meter dash—arguably the most electrifying event in track and field—scheduled early in the day. With nearly 10,000 spectators packed in and the atmosphere electric, a rare hush fell over the crowd as the Division 2 finalists settled into their blocks. Traysen, reflecting on his mindset beforehand, said, “I simply wanted to put all the pieces together into this 100m final. All the things I’ve learned in my journey, and apply them here and now.”
He did exactly that. Launching from the blocks like a cannon, Traysen surged to an early lead, powering down the straightaway. His biggest threat came from a familiar foe—Ryan Walther of Delavan-Darien. As they barreled toward the finish, it came down to a lean at the line. The stadium collectively held its breath.
And then—it happened. Traysen Thomason’s name flashed first on the scoreboard.
With a scream of triumph and every muscle fiber bursting with adrenaline, Traysen celebrated becoming the first 100m state champion in Whitewater High School history. His winning time of 10.82 seconds edged out Walther by just two hundredths of a second.
Later that afternoon, Traysen returned for the 200-meter final, motivated by two goals: to reach the podium and break the school record he shared with Larry Gnatzig. With one final burst of brilliance down the home stretch, he achieved both. Traysen finished in third place with a new personal best and school record time of 21.97 seconds. An electrifying meet for Traysen.
He closed his high school career with three state podium finishes—including a state title in the 100m, a 4th-place finish in 2024, and now a bronze in the 200m. He holds school records in both sprint events and will continue his running career at UW-Whitewater this fall.
As is tradition, at 10:30 PM on Saturday in the auxiliary gym of Whitewater High School, Traysen was able to participate in the ceremonial ‘record-breaking ceremony’ as he now owns that mark.
Jack Hefty – Capping Off a Storied Career
Soon after Traysen’s 200, Jack Hefty laced up for the final race of his high school career—the 3200 meters. With a loaded field and a fast early pace set by Declan Gregg (Aquinas) and Isaac Ewing (McFarland), Jack played it smart. He bided his time in eighth through the opening 400m, then steadily climbed the field.
By the 1600m mark, he had moved into third, only 1.5 seconds off the lead. Though the front-runners surged again with 800 to go, Jack fought to stay in contact and dig deep one final time. As the bell lap sounded, he battled not just for position—but for pride—and held on for a 6th-place finish in 9:22.09, the second-fastest 3200 of his career.
This race capped an incredible legacy. Jack leaves Whitewater High School with five state podium finishes over four years:
Freshman Year: 7th in the 3200m
Sophomore Year: State Champion in the 1600m
Junior Year: Repeat Champion in the 1600m, 3rd in the 4x400m relay
Senior Year: Three-peat in the 1600m, and a podium finish in the 3200m
He holds school records in both the 1600m and 3200m, with the third-fastest 4×400 team and second-fastest 800 time in school history. This fall, Jack will take his talents to the United States Naval Academy in Maryland, where he will compete for both the cross country and track & field teams.
Collectively, they scored 29 points, placing 4th overall as a team.
As Traysen and Jack sprinted and surged through their final races in Whippet uniforms, they weren’t just chasing medals—they were etching their names into Whitewater history. Their drive, talent, and leadership will be felt for years to come. From school records to state titles, from roar-of-the-crowd finishes to quiet moments of reflection, these two athletes have shown what it means to represent their school with excellence. The next chapter awaits—but their legacy is already set in stone.
Article and Photos Courtesy of Chad Carstens Whitewater High School Assistant Track and Field Coach ccarstens@wwusd.org
Local Student Named to Westminster College’s Spring 2025 Dean’s List
NEW WILMINGTON, PA – Amber Krebs of Whitewater, Wis., was among 364 students named to the Westminster College’s Dean’s List for the spring 2025 semester.
Krebs, majoring in psychology, is a graduate of Whitewater High School. The student also graduated from Westminster College in May.
The Westminster College Dean’s List recognizes full-time undergraduate students who achieved a 3.6 grade point average or higher in a minimum of 12 semester hours during the spring semester.
About Westminster College: Westminster College is nationally known for its collaborative environment, outstanding experiential learning programs, focus on student success, and the effort invested in making higher education affordable and attainable to all students. Established in 1852, Westminster is proud to be the first college in the country open to all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, sex or religion from its founding charter by the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Updated 6/9/25 @ 9:30 a.m. to add public notice for Landmarks Commission on Tuesday. Updated 6/10/25 @ 3:35 p.m. to add school board special meeting on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
City of Whitewater Plan & Architectural Review Commission – Monday @ 6:00 p.m. Agenda includes Discussion and possible approval of a Conditional Use Permit for Sale of Alcohol by the Drink located at 141 W Whitewater Street #B, Parcel Id # TR 00008 for Jessica Marks d/b/a Waypoint Bar and Games. Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St. *In Person and Virtual Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods. Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://meet.goto.com/678316285 You can also dial in using your phone. Access Code: 678-316-285 United States: +1 (571) 317-3112 Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://meet.goto.com/install
City of Whitewater Landmarks Commission Public Notice Re: Possible Quorum – Monday @ 6:30 p.m. This notice is given to inform the Public that the Landmarks Commission will be at the Hamilton House to review with the owners the proposed wheelchair accessibility ramp. The information follows: When: Monday, June 9, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. Where: Hamilton House, 328 W Main Street, Whitewater, WI 53190 A quorum of the Landmarks Commission may be present. This notice is given to inform the public that no formal action will be taken at this meeting. The event is open to the public. This notice is given to inform the Public that the Landmarks Commission will be at the Hamilton House to review with the owners the proposed wheelchair accessibility ramp.
City of Whitewater Equal Opportunities Commission – Tuesday @ 3:00 p.m. Agenda Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods. You are invited to a Zoom webinar! Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84279670850?pwd=xgD5SbRxM11e4PbAPKclCNAf73lssf.1 Passcode:670334 Phone one-tap: +16469313860,,84279670850#,,,,670334# US +19292056099,,84279670850#,,,,670334# US (New York) Join via audio: +1 646 931 3860 US Webinar ID: 842 7967 0850 Passcode: 670334 International numbers available: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kbnkEmUNhq
City of Whitewater Public Works Committee – Tuesday @ 5:15 p.m. Agenda includes Discussion and Possible Action regarding the award of Contract 2-2025, 2025 Street Maintenance Project and Discussion and Possible Action regarding Walworth Avenue and Prince Street intersection safety ideas. Cravath Lakefront Room, 2nd Floor 312 W. Whitewater St. *In Person and Virtual Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods. Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89700852359?pwd=B6DBgg3LHYsaH1pwW2f4W3FuZk7D4F.1 Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US (Chicago) (Houston) Webinar ID: 897 0085 2359 Passcode: 473266
City of Whitewater Board of Review – Tuesday from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Open Book and opportunity to meet with the Board of Review to object property assessment This document provides important information about the requirements for objecting.
Whitewater Unified School District School Board Special Meeting – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m. Virtual closed session “Specifically, to discuss and take action on the terms of the employment contract to be offered to the new superintendent.”
City of Whitewater Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Commission – Thursday @ 5:30 pm. Agenda includes Discussion on existing Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan and goals moving forward. Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St. *In Person and Virtual Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods. Please note that although every effort will be made to provide for virtual participation, unforeseen technical difficulties may prevent this, in which case the meeting may still proceed as long as there is a quorum. Should you wish to make a comment in this situation, you are welcome to call this number: (262) 473-0108. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85714330388?pwd=CjRmjWRlaah98VuaLWvHV61DdRpwLi.1 Meeting ID: 857 1433 0388 Passcode: 568840 — One tap mobile +16469313860,,85714330388#,,,,*568840# US Dial by your location: +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
A Celebration of Life for Dick Enstad will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025 from 9:30-11:30 AM at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 North Newcomb Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin.
One of the delights of spring is the opportunity to plant a garden. Gardens provide great food, physical and mental health benefits, and social connections to other gardeners. However, not everyone has the space for a garden, the time to tend to it from planting to harvest, or the experience to grow one. That’s where community gardens can be a valuable resource.
In 2024, a garden was planted at Bethel United Methodist Church, located on the corner of Hwy 12/67 and County Road A (www.ElkhornBethelUMC.org). The garden was planted on a piece of unused land at the church and provided beautiful flowers and produce which all community members and congregation members were encouraged to enjoy.
In 2025, with help from the gardening group Wisconsin Food Forests, this garden is being expanded. Wisconsin Food Forests (www.wisconsinfoodforests.com ) is an organization dedicated to establishing community gardens based on perennial plants that will provide food for years to come.
The Bethel Garden sits on a half-acre behind the church building and will include an annual garden of flowers and vegetables, an herb garden, and a variety of perennial food-producing plants, from root crops to trees. It is an open space where all community members are encouraged to participate. Anyone can come maintain the garden, help themselves to flowers and produce, wander around, or just sit and read a book. We encourage sharing of the flowers and food grown there with all who visit. All surplus produce will go to the Elkhorn Food Pantry, while we hope to share flowers with those in local nursing homes, care facilities, and senior living complexes.
Our most recent planting day was Saturday, May 31, 2025, where Bethel members and community friends came together to share their hands, their hearts, and their green thumbs.
The expansion of the garden is fairly labor intensive for the first year. In subsequent years as the garden becomes dominated by perennials, we anticipate that it will become more self-sustaining by virtue of being relatively low maintenance, and by the collective participation of people in the community.
We are deeply grateful for the number of folks who have already stepped up to help get this garden established. We had our first planting day on May 3, 2025, and had 20 plus volunteers, including children, show up to help put in the primary plants of the food forest. Since then, we have planted more perennials and annuals, including the vegetable garden, pumpkins, and lot of flowers. If this project sounds intriguing to you, please contact us with any questions (or advice). Please spread the word to anyone who might be interested and feel free to share our contact information with them.
Contact info: Diane Bustamante Tim Middleton Email: middlemante@genevaonline.com
Come see our garden grow, sit for a while to enjoy the progress, lend a hand, and/or get inspiration for your own gardens. We welcome and celebrate everyone’s participation. Need a reason to come? Bethel will host a Farmers Market & Faire on Saturday, August 2, 2025 from 10 AM – 2 PM – the perfect time to see what’s happening. All are welcome to join us for this special day.
Theme: Artistic works that capture the essence and aesthetics of life in Wisconsin.
Jurors for the 1st Annual Paint Wisconsin Exhibition:
Frank Juárez is an award-winning art educator, curator, and arts advocate based in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Known for his commitment to elevating contemporary art and supporting Wisconsin artists, Juárez has spearheaded numerous initiatives, including the Midwest Artist Studios Project and the 365 Artists 365 Days Project. In addition to his roles as publisher of Artdose magazine and editor-in-chief of SchoolArts magazine, Juárez has curated exhibitions and juried art shows throughout the Midwest. His dedication to art education and advocacy has earned him numerous accolades, making him a pivotal figure in Wisconsin’s art community.
Graeme Reid serves as the Director of Collections and Exhibitions at the Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA) in West Bend. Originally from Scotland, Reid has curated over 100 exhibitions that celebrate Wisconsin’s artistic talent and cultural heritage. With a background in art history and education, he is also a respected writer, public speaker, and instructor. Reid’s extensive experience and dedication to the arts have established him as a leader in supporting and preserving Wisconsin’s rich artistic legacy.
Thomas Jewell is a renowned representational artist known for his vibrant landscapes, wildlife paintings ,and commissioned portraits. With decades of artistic experience, Jewell’s work has been featured in galleries, museums, and corporate collections across the United States. He is also a seasoned art educator, judge, and illustrator, having led workshops in drawing, watercolor, and acrylic painting. Jewell’s dedication to capturing nature and inspiring others through his art underscores his passion for creativity and community.
Walworth County Health and Human Services Division of Public Health, in collaboration with Aurora Lakeland Medical Center and Mercyhealth Hospital and Medical Center–Walworth, is conducting a survey to hear more about what it is like to live, learn, work, and play in Walworth County.
The survey is a part of the Community Health Assessment (CHA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) process. “We conduct this assessment every three years, as it helps us understand what community members in Walworth County need to live healthier, happier, more connected lives. Participating in the survey gives individuals the opportunity to make their voices heard, and is an important part of this process,” says Walworth County Public Health Officer Erica Bergstrom.
The Community Health Improvement Plan theme, Connecting Communities, emphasizes our collective ability to impact our community’s health and well-being through community partnerships and voice. “We now know that health is more than just physical health, and is greatly impacted by socioeconomic factors, access to transportation, housing, environment, and much more,” says Bergstrom. “The assessment and improvement process address health across all factors that may influence our community’s well-being.”
Survey results will be used to identify needs, set goals, and work with community partners to improve the health and well-being of all who call Walworth County home. Focus groups will also be conducted with area organizations and community members to learn more about the needs of Walworth County residents.
The Community Health Survey is available in English and Spanish until September 5. It’s voluntary, anonymous, and takes less than 15 minutes to complete. Take the survey at https://bit.ly/WalCoCHA.
