The Whitewater Arts Alliance warmly invites community members and artists of all experience levels to join Exploring Lines, a drawing workshop led by renowned muralist and educator Caryl Yasko.
The workshop will take place on Monday, March 30, 2026, from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm at the Cultural Arts Center, 402 W. Main Street in Whitewater. Exploring the power of gestural lines in drawing, this workshop invites artists to loosen up, observe deeply, and express form through movement while creating one shared, collaborative drawing together.
Yasko brings decades of experience to the workshop as a nationally recognized artist, sculptor, muralist and pioneer of community‑based public art. Raised in Racine and shaped by artistic training in both the Midwest and Japan, she developed a distinctive approach rooted in movement, brushwork, and the belief that art should be accessible to everyone.
As one of the founding members of the Chicago Mural Group—now the Chicago Public Art Group—she helped lead a national shift toward collaborative, community‑centered mural making, including her iconic Under City Stone mural in Chicago.
Now living in Whitewater, she continues to mentor artists and share her generous, joyful approach to drawing. With a maximum class size of 15, Yasko will personally engage with artists to open up and freely express form through line.
The cost is $10, and registration is available in person at the Cultural Arts Center, located on the second floor at 402 W. Main Street in Whitewater during regular gallery hours, which are Thursday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Pictured left: Lillian Groblewski, at right, pictured at Purdy Elementary School, home of Flourishing Next Steps, with program coordinator Molly Fuller. (Submitted photo)
In-school partnership benefits UW-W students, Fort Atkinson community
Written by Abigail Dotzler | Photos by Craig Schreiner, submitted
The best way to learn how to change lives is to start doing it now. For a future speech-language pathologist, there’s a monumental difference between reading about textbook “intervention strategies” and actually helping a child master reading and math.
At Purdy Elementary in Fort Atkinson, college students like Lillian Groblewski are earning real-world experience long before graduation through a unique collaboration between the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Flourishing Next Steps. They’re bridging the gap between theory and practice and building their professional confidence one after-school session at a time.
As part of the Communication Sciences and Disorders (COMDIS) program’s emphasis on hands-on learning, students take two credits of an experiential learning requirement, which can manifest as an internship, an independent study, a travel study, or a field study.
While university-facilitated field studies are common in the graduate program, the department is proud to offer a field study for undergraduate students as well. By collaborating with Flourishing Next Steps at Purdy Elementary School, the program is supporting students’ professional development, or “scaffolding student success,” according to Lynn Gilbertson, COMDIS department chair and professor of communicative disorders.
As schools are the top employment setting for speech-language pathologists, Flourishing Next Steps is an ideal fit to introduce students to their most likely professional environment.
The after-school program is for children between kindergarten and second grade in the Fort Atkinson school district, less than 10 miles from campus. The program uses interactive activities and play to promote learning and social and emotional development.
“Students participate in hands-on, applied experiences that are relevant to the field, by working with different kinds of client populations or other professionals that they’ll be collaborating with and teaming with when they are speech-language pathologists or audiologists in the future,” said Gilbertson.
In December 2025, Lillian Groblewski completed her second semester volunteering at Flourishing Next Steps. She assisted interventionalists in developing reading, writing, and math skills in the students.
While weighing the career options of teaching or pediatrics, Groblewski, a junior and a first-generation college student from Lake Villa, Illinois, stumbled upon UW-Whitewater’s COMDIS program, which she sees as the perfect blend between the two.
“It also was really important for me that [I would be] able to give back or have more sense of purpose in my job,” she said, “and I found it with the major.”
Lillian Groblewski, a communication sciences and disorders student from Lake Villa, Illinois, meets up with friends in the University Center on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)
She and other “bigs” — as Flourishing Next Steps terms those who work with the children — from the COMDIS department volunteer twice a week at Purdy Elementary School, earning 45 hours of experience per semester.
During twice-daily debriefs, the Flourishing Next Steps coordinators offer feedback and strategies for implementing new tools. They provide the volunteers with learning targets to work toward with the children, and guide the volunteers through the hands-on activities.
Groblewski loves seeing behind the scenes of how a program like Flourishing Next Steps is run, and this real-world experience has given her a new perspective on her coursework.
“I’m not just going to class. I’m going to get something out of this,” she said.
Groblewski sees the strategies she learns in the classroom play out in real life at Flourishing Next Steps as the children’s performance improves. The strategies and techniques students are learning aren’t limited to their field studies — they can apply them in their careers as well.
Gilbertson highlighted the behavior management skills, intervention strategies, and professional connections that students develop through the field study and stressed that each student chooses their own goals for their field study. By collaborating with their supervisors and with Gilbertson and her team, students can individualize their experience and learning.
Beyond the classroom, COMDIS students gain confidence and a sense of community. Groblewski stressed the greater purpose she feels on campus, too, as a result of her field study. Because of the opportunities afforded by their field study, students are able to branch out, get involved, and make a difference in the community beyond the university.
In the spring 2026 semester, COMDIS students continue to work with Flourishing Next Steps, through both the field study and independent studies. The program has become an invaluable partner for the COMDIS department.
Gilbertson and the COMDIS department are open to expanding their undergraduate field studies and encourage those with ideas to reach out.
“We are really excited to work with our communities surrounding us to facilitate career readiness and student learning.”
My name is Terri Jones, and I have been proud to call Whitewater home for 24 years. I have served as an educator for more than a decade. I am a two‑time alumna of the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism and a Master of Science in Mass Communication with an emphasis in Higher Education. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of supporting countless students on their collegiate journeys and celebrating their successes.
I firmly believe that every student deserves equitable access to a high‑quality education. My goal is to support, resource, and advocate for students—especially those who may not have the ability or opportunity to advocate for themselves. As a first‑generation college graduate, I understand the challenges many students face, and that lived experience motivates me as I seek election to the WUSD School Board.
While I do not have children of my own, I bring extensive experience working with students of all ages and backgrounds. For example, I helped initiate the Little Scholars Pen Pal Letter Exchange with Lincoln Elementary School and recently collaborated with the Battle of the Books competition. As an avid reader, I am passionate about promoting literacy and nurturing a lifelong love of learning.
On the UW–Whitewater campus, many know me affectionately as “Mother Hen,” a nickname that reflects the care, mentorship, and encouragement I strive to provide. I support students by attending fundraisers, student‑led events, athletic competitions, and other campus activities. I also prioritize building strong relationships with parents, alumni, and community members to ensure students feel supported from every angle.
I believe I have been called to serve as a steward for this community and to use my skills to advocate for our youth. I stand firmly by the CORE value that students are our number one priority. I also believe deeply in the saying, “It takes a village,” because it truly does. I am ready to connect, partner, and collaborate with anyone who shares the goal of supporting the well-being and education of the children in our district.
If you believe in my commitment and feel I can bring meaningful contributions to the WUSD School Board, I humbly ask for your support in the April 7 election. Please confirm all election details through official sources.
Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by Terri Jones. The Whitewater Banner welcomes a submission to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com from Common Council, School Board or Town Board candidates for the city and nearby towns.
It is never too early to prepare for the aging experience. It is going to happen to all of us and the more prepared we are, the more likely we will age gracefully. A number of doctors and experts were asked to come up with a mantra – a short slogan that encapsulates a core truth about physical and mental health. Here are some of them.
Aging is a good thing.
Getting old makes you wiser, more resilient, more accepting and happier. Do your best when changes and challenges come into your life. Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t.
The way to health is through the gut.
The gut talks to the brain and to the immune system, the two most important organ systems for maintaining health and preventing age-related diseases. Keeping your gut healthy through diet and activity is your best defense.
Sleep is important but not important enough to lose sleep over.
Sleep is when our body pushes the reset button for our brain and prepares it for the next day. But some of us get so anxious that bedtime becomes a battleground. If you can’t stop thinking about your problems, try to find behaviors that turn off your brain and you might nod off, such as deep breathing, reading a few pages of something not too stimulating, tensing and relaxing your muscles, or drinking some warm milk. Don’t hesitate to get professional help when needed.
This article is submitted by Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, a program of Whitewater Seniors in the Park to help educate the community about dementia and to support patients and their care partners. New committee members are very welcome! Call Debbie to volunteer dandrus@whitewater-wi.gov 262 473 0535
Lisa Huempfner Running for Re-Election for Whitewater Unified School District Board
Lisa Huempfner has announced her candidacy for re-election to the Whitewater Unified School District (WWUSD) School Board, reaffirming her commitment to supporting all students and strengthening the community through high-quality education.
A current board member, educator, and longtime community advocate, Huempfner brings extensive experience in education, including a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and a career spanning teaching, assessment development, and teacher training. As an Associate Professor of Spanish at UW–Whitewater, she has also worked closely with local schools, fostering partnerships and supporting bilingual education initiatives.
“Healthy schools are at the heart of thriving communities,” said Huempfner. “I am committed to ensuring that every child—regardless of background—has the opportunity to succeed.” Huempfner cites the district’s evolving needs, including the recent growth of the immigrant student population after the pandemic, as a key motivation for continuing her service. She emphasizes the importance of expanding multi-language programming, strengthening early literacy efforts, and increasing outreach to families. She also prioritizes student mental health, school safety, responsible technology use, and the well-being of teachers.
During her time on the Board, Huempfner has supported the adoption of new reading and math programs and efforts to improve attendance and close achievement gaps. Given the heavy property tax burden felt by many constituents, she has also urged the district to seek ways to cut costs while at the same time advocating for more state funding. She plans to continue building partnerships with the university, local businesses, and community organizations to expand academic and career-readiness opportunities for students.
A dedicated parent and community member, Huempfner has been actively involved in local schools, youth athletics, literacy initiatives, and outreach to Spanish-speaking families. Her background growing up in a working-class Wisconsin family informs her commitment to representing diverse perspectives and finding solutions that benefit all students.
“I believe in listening, collaboration, and leading by example,” Huempfner said. “Together, we can continue to move our district forward.”
Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by Lisa Huempfner. The Whitewater Banner welcomes a submission to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com from Common Council, School Board or Town Board candidates for the city and nearby towns.
There’s no better way to treat an early case of spring fever than by taking in a performance of Whitewater Middle School’s production of Walt Disney’s “Dare to Dream JR” in the James M. Stewart Auditorium at Whitewater High School on Apr. 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. and Apr. 11 at 2 p.m. Tickets (Apr. 9 – Pay What You Can, Apr. 10 and 11 – $10 adults, $5 students) are available an hour before the performances. Also, 30 minutes before the performances, Tom Ganser’s photos from the WMS productions of “Seussical” (2023), “Far Fetched Fairytales” (2024), and “Annie” (2025) will be shown.
Under the direction of MacKenzie Gehrke and assistant director Alyssa Orlowski, the cast includes Ellie Accetta, Alanna Alaniz, Lucy Baldwin, JJ Boss, Finley Bunger, Evangeline Burdine, Noah Clarksen, Kinleigh Dvorak, Mary Horner, Neema Kejo, Amelia Lefaive, Leah Lenartowski-Schramm, Madalynn Lesar, Rafaela Los, Karlee Luna, Samantha O’Donnell, Laylah Ortiz, Owen Pinzino, Donovan Ross, Elin Rothwell, Avery Schultz-Majkrak, Monserrat Serna, Sylvia Straight, Lily Tranel, Oliver Villanueva, Felicity Volbright, and Aubree Wojtkunski.
Led by Kat Dunham, the crews include Evie Baker, Corbin Bunger, Alejandra Escobar, Tucker Marshall, Anabelle Ries, Rayhane Savadogo, Hannah Scott, Mason Taylor, Angie Zeferino-Hernandez, and Arlo Zotti.
”Dare to Dream JR” is a musical revue that follows an eager group of trainees on their first day at a fictional Walt Disney Imagineering Studio. As the group sets out to help each other discover their dreams, they work together to explore the power of dreams to unite, inspire, and make anything possible.
Drawing from a century of beloved Disney films, “Dare to Dream JR.” includes the classics “Be Our Guest” from “Beauty and the Beast,” “When You Wish Upon a Star” from “Pinocchio,” and “Let It Go” from “Frozen.” Also appearing for the first time in a Disney stage musical are fan-favorites from “The Princess and the Frog,” “Coco,” and “Encanto.”
This musical revue is a thrilling mix of contemporary songs, timeless classics, and brand-new medleys that are sure to surprise and delight Disney lovers of all ages. “Dare to Dream JR” turns a century of Disney magic into a theatrical celebration of music, creativity, and the dreams that live inside us all.
In-person absentee voting for the city at the Municipal Building begins Tuesday, March 24 and is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through April 2, and until 5:00 p.m. on April 3. Go to 2nd Floor, City Clerk’s Office, at 312 W Whitewater St.
Information for in-person absentee voting in the nearby towns may be found in this previous Banner article.
To see who is on your ballot, simply enter your address on this website.
The Jefferson County Spring Clean Sweep will be held on Friday, April 10 from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 11 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. at the Jefferson County Parks Shop, 1555 South Industrial Drive in Jefferson. The event is open to households, farms, and small businesses to properly dispose of their hazardous waste.
We require phone pre-registration (920-674-7430) for this event. Households and farms, please register by Wednesday, April 8 at 4:00 p.m.; you are welcome to bring items from multiple residences/families. Small businesses, please register by April 3 or earlier. You will complete an inventory record of items you have and will receive an estimated disposal cost (based on weight) payable at the event.
Fees for households and farms are $10 cash per trunkload, $50 cash per truckload, and $100 cash per truck and trailer. Businesses may pay by credit card or company check. Additional fees are charged for tires, cylinders, and large quantities of light bulbs.
New for 2026, we are accepting one-pound propane cylinders. Jefferson County is excited to add this service and provide a safe recycling option for residents. The cost is $5 per cylinder.
Please note: Unused prescription drugs, electronics, appliances, and latex paint will not be accepted at this event. Latex paint may be dried out and tossed in your trash; empty paint containers should be recycled.
Candidate for City Council District 4: Brian Schanen
I am seeking re-election on April 7 to the Whitewater Common Council representing District 4 on the city’s west side because of my deep love for this community. If re-elected, I am committed to addressing affordability, expanding business opportunities, and ensuring transparency in local government.
Growing up I was involved in Boy Scouts, earned the highest rank of Eagle Scout, and helped my dad on his hobby farm. I learned the importance of honesty, respect, hard work, civic engagement, and servant leadership. These are values that I live every day, that I bring to my campaign and are central to my work on council.
My wife Heather and I met as students at UW-Whitewater and quickly fell in love with the community. While the university brought us here, it was the people, businesses, and events that made us stay. We are avid supporters of local businesses, events, and organizations – a Friday night fish fry at Rick’s, a Sunday morning breakfast at Jessica’s, a birthday at Fanatico’s, Tuesday trivia at Beer Here, a 4th of July on Cravath lakefront, Kiwanis Pancake Day, Cars & Coffee in the Kettle Moraine, the Fire Department pancake breakfast, a movie at Cinemas of Whitewater, busy restaurants after a Warhawk or Whippet win (among many, many other things) these experiences aren’t small, they are what makes Whitewater special.
As your council representative, I prioritize listening to residents, asking questions, and digging into the details. Whether it’s a small neighborhood concern or a long-term city plan, I work to ensure decisions are thoughtful, informed, and in the best interest of our community. I strongly support our residents, city staff, and our fire, EMS, and police departments.
First Term Accomplishments Over my first term representing Whitewater’s west side meaningful progress has been made. • Expanded owner-occupied housing, with over 50 new units well underway • Strengthened programs to rehabilitate aging homes and convert rentals back to owner-occupied housing • Supported business growth in the business park, with multiple developments in progress • Expanded business retention visits citywide, helping support projects like a major expansion at Lavelle • Increased access to healthcare through a partnership with Edgerton Hospital that brought an urgent care into the city. Since then, Edgerton Hospital has also opened a new pain clinic here. • Improved transparency by reducing closed sessions, increasing public notice visibility via social media, and expanding lake committee participation
Vision for a Second Term Affordability is one of the biggest challenges facing our community. I am focused on responsible budgeting and easing the property tax burden for residents. At the March 17 Council meeting, I introduced a series of ideas to improve accountability and control spending, including: • Placing limits on when the city can go to referendum • Capping the level of city debt • Making better use of funds as the result of tax increment districts to help all residents. • Increasing transparency when it comes to the number of city employees • Other ideas can be seen in the council agenda item
If re-elected, I will work to move these ideas forward immediately, along with strengthening our ethics code to increase accountability.
As a member of the Finance Committee, I am also advocating for a clearer and more strategic approach to capital planning—ensuring we can maintain our roads, lakes, and parks while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.
Supporting local businesses is another key priority. I want to simplify processes like permitting and licensing so business owners can focus on growth. For example, I believe we should streamline duplicative approval processes that currently require multiple committees to review the same items.
We must continue building on the momentum in our business park by attracting high-quality employers that create good-paying jobs without overburdening city resources.
I will continue to be an advocate for owner-occupied housing, the lakes, and local healthcare.
I have more information on my priorities on my Facebook Page.
Voting Information
If you live on the west side of Whitewater (wards 6-8), I respectfully ask for your vote on April 7.
In-person absentee voting at the Municipal Building begins March 24 and is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through April 2, and until 5:00 p.m. on April 3.
For full voting details, and to see what is on your ballot please visit myvote.wi.gov.
Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by Brian Schanen. The Whitewater Banner welcomes a submission to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com from Common Council, School Board or Town Board candidates for the city and nearby towns.
The internationally acclaimed musical Kinky Boots is stepping into town in a dazzling new national tour! With a score by pop icon Cyndi Lauper and a heartwarming book by Harvey Fierstein, this Tony Award–winning show celebrates friendship, acceptance, and the courage to be yourself. Inspired by a true story, Kinky Boots follows Charlie Price and the fabulous drag performer Lola as they join forces to save a struggling shoe factory with a bold new line of high-heeled boots. Packed with unforgettable songs, electrifying choreography, and a powerful message about embracing what makes us unique, this joyful production promises an evening of laughter, heart, and high-stepping entertainment.
Kinky Boots is not rated R. The show is known for its uplifting themes and positive portrayal of characters, making it suitable for a broad audience. It has won multiple awards, including the Tony Award for Best Musical, and is recognized for its joyful and heartwarming story.
Don’t miss your chance to experience the magic—grab your tickets today and get ready to raise a heel! Tickets, which start at only $25, may be purchased online here. They also may be purchased at Ticket Services in the Greenhill Center for the Arts, 950 W. Main Street, Whitewater. The office is open Monday – Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The phone number is 262-472-2222. There is a small surcharge for tickets purchased at the door. Parking is free; the most convenient lot is generally #2, south of Main Street on Prince Street.
SAVE 20% WITH PROMO CODE: YoungBoots20!Discount valid for a limited time and subject to availability. Not valid on previouslypurchased tickets or in combination with other offers. Some restrictions may apply.
