We invite residents to participate in a public discussion regarding the future of emergency medical services (EMS) in Jefferson County at meetings on September 17 in Jefferson and September 24 in Watertown. The meetings are identical in information and format, which features a moderated presentation and a Q&A session for attendees to ask questions and share their opinions.
The meetings will examine factors affecting Jefferson County’s emergency medical services, including rising costs, fewer volunteers for fire and EMS teams, increased training commitments for emergency responders, rising call volumes, and the challenges involved in delivering rapid call responses throughout a rural county. Attendees will also receive an update on research and recommendations from the EMS Working Group, a multidisciplinary team of local stakeholders that has studied EMS issues since early 2025.
The Whitewater Kiwanis club has launched a fundraising effort that encourages people to post pictures of their favorite pet (past or present) with a chance to be one of 12 pets featured on the monthly pages of a 2027 Keepsake Calendar. There will also be an opportunity for their favorite pet’s picture to be commemorated on that pet’s special month, date and year. Funds raised are used to support youth programs in the Whitewater area. The $5 entry fee also gives winning participants an opportunity to choose between a wide range of prizes ranging from the $300 value UW Warhawk Football season ticket package with preferred parking to a less serious, but potentially pleasing, award of a six-pack of donuts each week for an entire month from Whitewater’s Dunkin’. The winner is encouraged to share with friends. For information go to gogophotocontest.com/Whitewater. There is an added incentive for early entry. The first 25 photo entries will be in a drawing for a $100 Walmart gift card supplied by our Whitewater Walmart. The contest is being underwritten by major sponsors Edgerton Hospital Services/Whitewater Urgent Care and First Citizens State Bank, plus a host of local businesses supplying prizes. Additional prizes include a $250 credit toward a WI Lake area Airbnb weekend provided by HIS Rentals, a round of golf with four carts at Willow Brook Golf Course, a one month family membership at the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center, gift certificates for a cat or dog wellness checkup from the Whitewater Animal Medical Center, a Pet Supplies Plus gift certificate, burgers and shakes for four at the Brain Freeze Malt Shop and gift certificates from Floral Villa and the Fuzzy Pig. The fun is not limited to pet owners. Everyone can get in on the action by voting for your friend or family member’s entry. The contest is completely legal and safe and is run by a long-standing reputable family operation that supports fundraising efforts by nonprofit organizations. It is not in any way affiliated with a questionable national dog photo contest.
Funds generated by this and other Whitewater Kiwanis fundraising efforts support area youth including college scholarships, the recent acquisition of an accessible playground We-Go-Round feature at Starin Park and other Whitewater Parks improvements. Other annual programs include shoes and boots for Whitewater school kids, support of Whitewater United youth soccer and WHS’s Ferradermis Robotics program along with sponsorships of Whitewater Middle School Builders Club, WHS Key Club, and UW-Whitewater Circle K club, and more. The Top Pet contest will be Whitewater Kiwanis’s premiere fundraiser this year. Due to scheduling difficulty and a shortage of volunteer planners, Whitewater Breakfast Kiwanis was unfortunately unable to hold its annual pancake breakfast this past spring. The club is hopeful the event will return next year and is actively seeking new members who can help ensure the continued success of the popular community event. Folks who want to learn more about the club are encouraged to attend one of our meetings. The Whitewater Breakfast Kiwanis meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month in the back room of Jessica’s Family Restaurant in downtown Whitewater. Breakfast and fellowship start at 6:30 with a regular program of local interest to follow at 7. Non “early birds” are encouraged to sign up to assist with various projects. Contact Corey Davis at davisc@uww.edu or call (262) 203-0827 if interested. For information on the pet contest contact albertstanek@gmail.com or call (608) 320-9781.Whitewater Breakfast Kiwanis is deeply grateful for the community’s continued support of all its fundraising over the years, including not only its pancake breakfasts, but poinsettia and lily plant sales, and of course this Top Pet Photo Contest. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.
First Citizens Shred Days are in September this year! Our shred event at our Whitewater Main Office is on Friday, September 18th. Stop by for on-site disposal of confidential documents from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Papers should be free of plastic or metal objects and in containers that can be easily lifted. We’ll have employees available to assist. This event is free and open to the community.
PLUS! We’ll also be hosting our annual Customer Appreciation Day! Enjoy a tailgate party starting at 11:00 am as we celebrate our MVPs! Complimentary lunch and activities will be fun for the whole family! Attendees will receive a free entry into our MVP prize raffle.
Tickets are also on sale now for our Fundraiser Raffle basket with all proceeds benefiting The Bethel House. The winning ticket will be selected on Friday, Sept 25th. Stop inside any time before then to purchase tickets. $5 each or 5 for $20. Whitewater Main Office: 207 W Main Street 262-473-2112
Free Event Connects Residents with Preparedness and Mental Health Resources
Walworth County Department of Health & Human Services is excited to host this year’s Walworth County Preparedness & Resiliency Expo on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Elkhorn Area High School, located at 482 E. Geneva St., Elkhorn.
Hosted in collaboration with local preparedness expert Jim Cobb, Walworth County Emergency Management, and the Elkhorn Area School District, the Preparedness & Resiliency Expo will provide resources on emergency preparedness and mental health, aiming to enhance resiliency skills so individuals are equipped to effectively respond to and recover from emergencies. The event also seeks to strengthen community readiness, promote networking, and raise awareness and engagement concerning mental health issues.
Visitors can explore hands-on exhibits, including hands-only CPR, emergency communication, family and personal preparedness, blood pressure checks, confidence-boosting strategies, and more. Connect with vendors and attend expert-led presentations on Pet First Aid and Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR), a suicide prevention training. Attendees can also take part in a pickleball game and enter raffles.
“Preparedness and health are the foundations of strong communities,” says Ashley Burden, Public Health Preparedness Coordinator. “The more prepared our communities are, the more resilient and ready we will be to face challenges with confidence.”
The Preparedness & Resiliency Expo is open to the public and welcomes all ages. The first 75 attendees will receive a solar-powered power bank. Join us to learn, connect, and take the next step in becoming more resilient and better prepared for the unexpected. Together, we can build a safer, stronger Walworth County.
The Whitewater Community Foundation is now accepting applications for Fall Community Action Grants. Grants will be awarded to local non-profit organizations actively working to support the greater Whitewater community with educational, cultural, charitable and benevolent projects that will benefit and improve the community.
Projects are expected to be accomplished within a specific period of time (generally not more than one year) and should be creative, innovative and address community needs. Organizations interested in pursuing a Whitewater Community Foundation Action Grant should check out the Foundation web site at https://whitewatercommunityfoundation.org/community-action-grants/ or contact Ginny Coburn at virginiacoburn@coburn.com for more information. The deadline for submitting applications is October 31, 2026.
Virginia Coburn, WCF Board Member who chairs the Community Action Grant Selection Committee, said, “I’m inspired by the number of local organizations sponsoring programs and projects to benefit the community. The Foundation has given grants to The Community Space, Whitewater Food Pantry, Bethel House, Studio 84, Fairhaven Pollinator Garden, Whitewater Youth Soccer, Whitewater Public Library, Wisconsin Makers, and much more. I invite you to read the pages on our website to see if one of your projects is eligible for an action grant.”
The Foundation continues to provide and host scholarships for Whitewater High School students and also offers fiscal sponsorship to organizations that are seeking 501(c) (3) status or require temporary pass-through funds for worthy community projects.
The Whitewater Community Foundation’s mission is to enhance quality of life in the Whitewater area via educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent expenditures.
Editor’s Note: The above was provided by the Whitewater Community Foundation.
Come hungry and bring the whole family to Whitewater Food Truck Fest on Saturday, September 26 from 11:00 AM–6:00 PM at Cravath Lakefront Park!
This year, we’re adding even MORE reasons to spend the day at the park!
LIVE MUSIC from 2:00–4:00 PM! Kick back and enjoy Matt & Lynda Lee, an acoustic duo playing rock, pop, country, soul and oldies while you grab your favorite food truck eats!
FREE ALL-YOU-CAN-HANDLE BOUNCY HOUSE from 1:00–5:00 PM! That’s right — let the kids bounce, slide and play as much as they can handle while you enjoy the food and music!
And of course…the FOOD! Come hungry because we have a fantastic lineup:
Naan Stop Fusion • Mom’s Touch • We Got Soul • Sampas Tacos • Kona Ice of Madison • Leftys Too • The Cha House • Mexican Nicarague Food Trailer • Berry Good Donuts • Steve’s Deli Dog House • Rocky Rococo Pizza
Great Food + Live Music + FREE Bouncy House = One BIG day of community fun!
Saturday, September 26 11:00 AM–6:00 PM Cravath Lakefront Park, Whitewater
Bring your appetite, bring the family, and make a day of it at Whitewater Food Truck Fest!
There is still room for more trucks! If you would like to bring a Food Truck, email us at parks@whitewater-wi.gov
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will host free lectures in Whitewater and Janesville this fall, highlighting pivotal movements and events in our nation’s history.
Lectures will be held September through November and are open to all. Free parking is available at both locations and registration is not required.
Historians, political scientists, and other experts from both the Whitewater and Rock County campuses will share their expertise in engaging discussions that encourage lifelong learning for all.
Lectures in the series, titled “Making of America: Historical Events, Modern Implications,” will reflect on the United States’ foundational history and explore the country’s enduring impact on modern society.
“Our nation remains a work in progress, and the social, economic, and political struggles we face today are deeply rooted in our past,” said Matt Vick, dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education. “This series of lectures will help our community engage with faculty and examine together our shared American experiences.”
Lectures in the Fairhaven Lecture Series are held in Olm Fellowship Hall at Fairhaven Senior Services, 435 West Starin Road, Whitewater. Visit uww.edu/ce/fairhaven for more information and descriptions of each lecture.
Public lectures held in the Cedar Crest Lecture Series will take place at the Independent Apartments at Cedar Crest, Inc., 1702 South River Road, Janesville. Visit uww.edu/ce/cedar-crest for lecture descriptions and updates.
Patrons needing accommodations should contact UW-Whitewater Continuing Education (at least two weeks before the date of the lecture). Requests are confidential. UW-Whitewater provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and ADA.
UW-Whitewater’s Continuing Education has hosted lectures in the Fairhaven Lecture Series in Whitewater since 1983. The Cedar Crest Lecture Series in Janesville was established in 2020.
Lectures scheduled for Mondays at 3 p.m. at Fairhaven Senior Services in Whitewater:
September 14
“There is Nothing Complicated About Ordinary Equality:” The Long Fight for Women’s Suffrage in the United States
Presented by Ashley Barnes-Gilbert, Assistant Professor, Women’s and Gender Studies
September 21
Who Picks Our Elected Leaders? The Evolution of the American Vote
Presented by Eric Loepp, Associate Professor, Politics, Government, and Law
October 5
The Founding of America and the Words that Inspired a New Nation
Presented by Richard Haven, Professor Emeritus, Communication
October 12
Women’s Trade Union League: An Alliance across Class Lines
Presented by Elizabeth Jozwiak, Associate Professor, History
October 19
Beyond the Ballot: Making Sense of the 2026 Midterm Elections
Presented by Eric Loepp, Associate Professor, Politics, Government, and Law
October 26
Lincoln, Slavery, and the Jeffersonian Dilemma
Presented by David McKay, Senior Lecturer, History
November 2
Route 66 at 100! America’s “Mother Road” as an Enduring Symbol of Freedom, Mobility, and Adventure
Presented by Anna Hajdik, Senior Lecturer, Literature, Writing and Film
Lectures scheduled for Tuesdays at 2 p.m., unless otherwise noted, at Cedar Crest Retirement Community in Janesville:
September 15
The Founding of America and the Words that Inspired a New Nation
Richard Haven, Professor Emeritus, Communication
September 22
A Population History of the Midwest: Mass Migration, America First, and Demographic Winter in the Heartland
Jonathan Burkham, Associate Professor, Geography, Geology & Environmental Science
October 6
Populists, Progressives, and the Making of American Democracy
Micah Wright, Assistant Professor, History
October 13
Women’s Trade Union League: An Alliance across Class Lines
Elizabeth Jozwiak, Associate Professor, History
Thursday, October 22
Lincoln, Slavery, and the Jeffersonian Dilemma
David McKay, Senior Lecturer, History
About Continuing Education
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Department of Continuing Education is committed to meeting lifelong learning needs by offering a variety of classes, workshops and trainings that respond to the evolving personal and professional interests of adult learners. Working closely with UW-Whitewater’s School of Graduate Studies and Department of Camps and Conferences, we connect talented faculty, staff, and students from the university with residents of the region for hands-on, high-level engagement on relevant topics.
