The Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee of the League of Women Voters Whitewater Area will hold the third and final Book Club discussion on our spring book selection, An Eye for an I: Growing Up with Blindness, Bigotry, and Family Mental Illness by James Bonilla, on Monday evening, April 13th, 6:15 PM-8:00 PM, at The Whitewater Public Library, 431 W Center St, in Whitewater.
This powerful narrative offers an intersectional analysis of disability, racism, and mental illness, inviting readers to empathize, be inspired, and consider their own potential for social change. Our discussion on April 13th will cover chapters 31-42.
ACQUIRE THE BOOK TODAY! A limited supply of books are available at The Book Teller (call 262-269-9109 to hold a copy to purchase) and local libraries. You can also order the book from Amazon.
The LWV Book Club was formed to help our members and friends engage in meaningful discussions of current notable books dealing with public policy issues of interest to the League. You do not need to be a member of the League to participate and refreshments will be served. For questions or further information please contact Dwight C. Watson, dwight.watsondcw@gmail.com, or Deb Gamble, 23debg@gmail.com
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.
Congratulations to the WHS Forensics team for an outstanding season of public speaking. The team finished their final individual competition last week in Lake Mills. Five of the seven members will be moving on to the state WISDAA competition on April 18th. Students going to state are Peyton Comfort and Sophia Noonan in Acting Solo Serious, Atreya Wilson in Impromptu Speaking, Grace Coleman in Oratory, and Lucy Davis in Poetry.
Whitewater Public Library is excited to host a Badger Talk performance featuring University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Low Brass Ensemble. A collective of the Trombone Choir and Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble, the ensemble performs original compositions, transcriptions, and arrangements across genres, showcasing the expressive potential of low brass in every form.
In this program, they will delight audiences with 45 to 60 minutes of music from a recent or upcoming concert. There is also an opportunity for informal interaction with the performers after the concert.
Discover the bold, resonant voice of the UW–Madison Low Brass Ensemble, where the power of sound meets the artistry of collaboration. Directed by Professor Tom Curry and Professor Mark Hetzler, two leading low brass educators and performers, this ensemble showcases the full spectrum of low brass brilliance—from the thunderous depths of the tuba to the soaring warmth of the trombone and euphonium.
Badger Talks reflects our tradition of the Wisconsin Idea — to extend the resources of the university to citizens of the state. Over 300 Badger Talks are hosted around the state each year, featuring faculty and staff with expertise in a variety of disciplines. Talk topics range from cutting edge discoveries to happiness in the workplace and everything in between. Professional, community, and civic organizations, as well as schools, are invited to request a UW–Madison speaker. For more information about Badger Talks or to find a speaker for your next event, contact 608-262-3880 or badgertalks@uwmad.wisc.edu.
This event will be held in Meeting Room 1 of Whitewater Public Library at 431 W. Center St. in Whitewater on April 10, 2026 at 5:30 PM.
This program is for all ages. Registration is preferred but not required. Visit whitewaterlibrary.org/events to register in advance. You may also email hswanson@whitewater-wi.gov or call 262-473-0113 to register, or with any questions.
This 4th of July, we have the honor of celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary, and we want to make it truly unforgettable- by recognizing the people who make our freedom possible.
We are inviting Veterans and Active-Duty Military to be part of the Whitewater 4th of July Parade as our honored Grand Marshals.
Proudly represent your branch
Wear your uniform (if you’d like!)
All branches welcome
Active Duty and Veterans Invited
This is more than a parade- it’s a chance for our community to come together and recognize the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of those who have served our country.
If you have served, we would be honored to have you join us. If you know someone who has served, please encourage them to participate.
The Whitewater Public Library is closed on Friday, April 3, for their spring holiday. Staff will not be available via phone or email. However, online resources may be accessed 24/7/365 via the library’s website at whitewaterlibrary.org.
The library will return to normal operating hours on Saturday, April 4 at 9:00 a.m.
The Whitewater Public Library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. For more information, visit whitewaterlibrary.org, email library@whitewater-wi.gov or call 262-473-0530.
Whitewater Unified School District Superintendent Samuel Karns continues to provide a monthly newsletter for constituents of the district as well as the community at large. Here are just a few highlights from his last two newsletters, together with links to the publications.
February newsletter
“Building Our Future Together” – strategic planning efforts included 11 focus groups, 6 community sessions, and one special working group meeting.
“Teaching and learning” – Two highly rated math programs will be piloted during the second semester.
WI Seal of Biliteracy – The district has been approved to award this seal to graduating students who have mastered two or more languages.
Community partnership: Graduates will have the opportunity to have their photo displayed in a downtown storefront.
Strategic planning for the next 3-5 years continues.
The Whippet Wire newsletter was sent by postal mail to all residences in the district.
Director of Teaching and Learning Terilyn Robles was selected to speak at the WI Association for Bilingual Education Conference.
The state Forward exam will soon be administered to grade 3-8 students, with the pre-ACT and ACT exams being taken by high school students.
Pupil services: Health care resources for uninsured and underinsured individuals are listed. Gratitude is expressed to volunteers who support a variety of resources in the community, including the Food Pantry and the Community Space.
Multilingual learning: Seven languages are represented within the student population!
Technology: Planning is ongoing for an infrastructure overhaul.
The first annual Whippet Works was held, with representation from a variety of local business, industry, and organizations.
Join the Death Café: Community Talks on Life, Loss & Legacy
The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Walworth County is excited to partner with East Troy Area Intergenerational Community Center and Citizens Bank of Mukwonago to offer Death Cafe, a social program dedicated to destigmatizing conversations associated with death. The program takes place monthly on the third Tuesday of every month, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the East Troy Area Intergenerational Community Center, 2043 Division Street, Door #7, East Troy, Wisconsin.
Join us for a relaxed gathering where anyone can share tea, cake, and real conversations about death. There’s no judgement—just people coming together to talk honestly.
“We’re thrilled to build on the success of our Living with Death program,” says Jake Sawyers, Dementia Care Specialist at the ADRC. “After the October Living with Death event, participants expressed a strong interest in having these meaningful conversations more regularly. We’re proud to now offer the monthly Death Café in our community, providing a welcoming space for ongoing discussion.”
To register for this free program or for more information, please call 262-741-3273 or email Jake Sawyers at jsawyers@co.walworth.wi.us.
About the Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center: The ADRC provides information and assistance to older and disabled adults, their friends, family, caregivers and the public. We can assist by evaluating your current needs and providing options available to meet the needs of your personal situation. Learn more at www.co.walworth.wi.us/376/Aging-Disability-Resource-Center.
Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Walworth County ADRC.
Grace Chen, a fifth-grade student at Lincoln Elementary in Whitewater, has written and illustrated an original book entitled Dawn of a Day which has won a second place award in the State Delta Kappa Gamma Nettesheim Literary Competition for 2026. According to Grace her book, which she both wrote and illustrated, “is the story of the peacefulness of the forest when the animals arise.” She completed her project while attending the Book Buddies program. From there, Grace’s book was submitted for judging at the local and then the state levels of Delta Kappa Gamma.
Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. Whitewater has a local chapter which supports this literary competition and other projects enhancing education in the community.
Editor’s note: This article was submitted by Barbara Penington.
Rock River Community Clinic staff and board members celebrate the opening of the Johnson Creek Clinic during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 26, 2026.
Rock River Community Clinic Opens Johnson Creek Clinic
Rock River Community Clinic (RRCC) is pleased to announce the opening of its new dental clinic, located on the first floor of the newly renovated Fort HealthCare Johnson Creek Clinic. After more than two decades of providing dental services at the Fort HealthCare Handeyside Clinic, this transition marks a significant step forward in expanding access to dental care in Jefferson County. The clinic will officially begin serving patients on Monday, March 30, 2026.
“The move to Johnson Creek allows us to maintain and expand access to dental care for our community,” said Dr. Olivia Nichols, CEO/Executive Director of Rock River Community Clinic. “As the only Medicaid dental provider in the greater Jefferson County area, we are grateful for the outpouring of support to make this possible.”
In the next few months, RRCC will be adding medical and behavioral health services to the Johnson Creek Clinic. By integrating patient services, RRCC will minimize overhead costs and maximize patient access to affordable services. The Johnson Creek clinic was made possible through the generous support of major donors, including Jones Dairy Farm, Fort Community Credit Union, First Citizens State Bank, the Otto Bremer Trust Foundation, Roots & Wings, the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation, and Delta Dental. Ongoing support from Fort HealthCare, the Greater Watertown Community Foundation, and Watertown Regional Medical Center was also crucial to the project’s success.
“With medical, dental, and behavioral health care under one roof, we reduce barriers to accessing care and improve patient health outcomes through integrated care,” states Dr. Nichols. “This expansion will aid us – the collective greater Jefferson County region – in reducing health disparities.”
As part of its capital campaign, RRCC also secured funding to relocate its Watertown clinic and renovate its Whitewater clinic. The Whitewater expansion will utilize the previously vacant lower suite for administrative offices, creating additional space to support the continued growth of medical services. By late summer, RRCC plans to transform the Watertown clinic into an outpatient, youth-focused behavioral health center.
In 2024, RRCC medical & dental clinics served 3,176 patients across 8,250 visits. In 2025, those numbers increased to 4,291 patients for a total of 12,417 visits across all clinic locations. With these expansions, RRCC projects serving 6,800 patients annually by 2028, totaling an estimated 23,000 visits.
RRCC will host a public open house in late summer, offering community members an opportunity to tour the clinic and learn more about RRCC’s mission to provide quality, comprehensive health care for all.
To learn how you can support Rock River Community Clinic, visit RockRiverCommunityClinic.com/support-us/, or contact Dr. Nichols at director@rockrivercommunityclinic.org or 262.472.6839.
Rock River Community Clinic (RRCC) is a community health center that provides comprehensive and cost-effective health care services to ensure all community members have access to the care they need.
At RRCC, all community members are welcome and accepted, regardless of ability to pay, with discounted prices for patients who are uninsured or underinsured (high deductible plans). RRCC also provides care coordination services to help patients overcome barriers to accessing healthcare (e.g., transportation), and helps to coordinate referrals. Bilingual staff (Spanish & English) are available to support patients and their families. By increasing access to health care services, offering care at affordable costs, and assisting with healthcare navigation, RRCC works to create a healthier, more equitable, community. For clinic hours and directions, visit www.rockrivercommunityclinic.org
