It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.
This week we are flashing way back in the past to begin the 2026 celebration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. The image is of noted presenter Jessica Michna as Abigail Adams, who will be at the Cravath Lake Community Building this Sunday, February 1 at 1:00 p.m. for the Whitewater Historical Society’s first program of the year. The program is entitled “Abigail Adams – ‘A Lifeline of Letters'” and features Abigail Adams looking back at her life during this important era in American history. The program is free and open to the public, so join us for this entertaining and educational start to America’s 250th anniversary.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
Daniel Portwine named to MSOE Dean’s List for Fall Semester 2025.
Daniel Portwine, from Whitewater, was named to the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Dean’s List for the 2025 Fall Semester. Portwine is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
MSOE encourages excellence in academic achievement and, as a result, publishes the Dean’s List and Honors List each fall and spring semester. Students taking undergraduate courses who have earned at least 12 credits in residence at MSOE, are in good academic standing, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher are on the Dean’s List. Students on that list who have maintained a 3.70 or higher receive “high honors.” Students with a term GPA of 3.20 or higher, who are not on the Dean’s List, are on the Honors List.
Milwaukee School of Engineering (www.msoe.edu) is the university of choice for those seeking an inclusive community of experiential learners driven to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. The independent, non-profit university has about 3,000 students and was founded in 1903. MSOE offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, computer science, business, nursing, mathematics, user experience, and construction management. Faculty are student-focused experts who bring real-world experience into the classroom. This approach to learning makes students ready now as well as prepared for the future. Longstanding partnerships with business and industry leaders enable students to learn alongside professional mentors, and challenge them to go beyond what’s possible. MSOE graduates are leaders of character, responsible professionals, passionate learners and value creators.
“While it is pleasant to renew acquaintance with numbers such as ‘All That Jazz’ and ‘Razzle Dazzle,’ everything is exactly as I remember it from 1997.”
– The Guardian
“Fosse’s world along with the glamour and crime of 1924 are brought to life through a defiant and thrilling world of dance.”
– The Edinburgh Reporter
CHICAGO is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz, with one show stopping song after another and the most astonishing dancing you’ve ever seen. No wonder CHICAGO has been honored with 6 Tony Awards®, 2 Olivier Awards, a Grammy®, and thousands of standing ovations. As we celebrate our 29th anniversary —you’ve got to come see why the name on everyone’s lips is still… CHICAGO.
With a legendary book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, CHICAGO is now the #1 longest-running American musical in Broadway history — and it still shows no sign of ever slowing down!
Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, CHICAGO is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who maliciously murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids.
It’s no surprise that CHICAGO has wowed audiences from Mexico City to Moscow, from Sao Paulo to South Africa. And now it’s coming to your town!
Whether you’re looking for your first Broadway musical, whether you’ve seen the Academy Award®-winning film and want to experience the show live on stage or whether you’ve seen it before and want to recapture the magic, CHICAGO always delivers!
CHICAGO is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz, with one show stopping song after another and the most astonishing dancing you’ve ever seen.
In the whirlwind of Chicago’s Jazz Age, two of the Cook County Jail’s most notorious murderesses—vaudeville star Velma Kelly and chorus girl Roxie Hart—become fierce rivals as they compete for headlines amidst a media frenzy.
Broadway’s longest-running hit, CHICAGO, delivers sizzling songs, dazzling dance, all that jazz—join the razzle dazzle and get your tickets today!
At the Young Performing Arts Center – Wednesday, February 4 @ 7:00 p.m.
The Young Performing Arts Center is located at 930 W. Main Street, Whitewater. Parking is free. Turn north on Prince Street from Main Street. The parking lots will be on the right side. The second lot, #2, generally has the most convenient parking to the venue.
Tickets are available online here for $25-85, tax and fees included. Most of the prime seats on the main floor have been sold; however, most of the seats in the balcony are still available. The balcony is accessible by elevator. Tickets may also be purchased at the Ticket Services Box Office in the Greenhill Center for the Arts, 950 W. Main Street. The phone number is 262-472-2222. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased at the door for an additional $3 service charge.
The Whitewater Unified School District is launching a strategic planning process to gather community input and set priorities that will guide the district over the next three to five years.
The process will begin with a brief community survey, open from January 9 through January 30, inviting input from students, families, staff, and community members. Feedback collected through the survey will help inform the district’s strategic direction and ensure future planning reflects the needs and priorities of the broader school community. The survey is available at https://dgsurveys.com/r/Whitewater2026.
Input from the survey will guide the work of a Strategic Planning Workgroup, which will meet several times throughout the process to help shape the district’s vision, core values, and strategic priorities. Additional opportunities for engagement will include focus groups and community engagement sessions designed to gather deeper insight and encourage broad participation.
“We are committed to hearing directly from our students, staff, families, and community as we plan for the future,” said Superintendent Samuel Karns. “This process will help us build on our district’s strengths, address areas for growth, and make sure our strategic priorities reflect the voices of those we serve.”
A guiding theme of the strategic planning is “All Means All,” a commitment to ensuring every student is seen, heard, and supported. The district aims to create an accessible process that reflects the full diversity of the school community and engages participants across all backgrounds and experiences.
Updates and additional information about the strategic planning process will be shared throughout the coming months. For more information, visit www.wwusd.org.
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Andreas Breitling from Pixabay.
Marc DeVries Honored as a 2026 BizTimes Media Notable CFO
Jefferson County Finance Director Marc DeVries has been named to the 2026 BizTimes Media Notable CFO list. DeVries is one of nine chief financial officers from southeastern Wisconsin to receive the honor, which recognizes finance professionals who demonstrate excellence within the field, effect change within their organization or industry and give back through civic or community service.
“As Finance Director for our county, Marc oversees an annual budget with more than 6,000 accounts and provides excellent leadership for our committee,” said Dick Jones, Jefferson County Supervisor and Chair of the Jefferson County Finance Committee. “Marc ensures that our actions and decisions are in agreement with the county’s financial goals, and he keeps us apprised of future trends that may impact our work.”
DeVries, who has 31 years of financial experience, joined Jefferson County in 2017. In addition to preparing and managing a budget that impacts nearly 700 employees and 85,000 residents, he led a priority-based initiative to align county spending with community priorities and completed a risk-based reserve study to inform implementation of a proactive approach to potential financial risks.
“On behalf of all our employees and everyone who works with him, I am thrilled that Marc has received this award,” said County Administrator Michael Luckey. “He has consistently stewarded our finances to provide a high quality of life for our communities. Under Marc’s fiscal leadership, we are well-positioned to excel at delivering the services our residents need and deserve from their tax dollars.”
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is proud to recognize the outstanding academic achievements of the Blugolds who have earned a place on the Dean’s List. Their commitment to excellence exemplifies the highest standards of scholarship at UW-Eau Claire. Congratulations on this remarkable accomplishment!
Eligibility Requirements
At the end of each semester, each of UW-Eau Claire’s four colleges recognize excellence in scholastic achievement by publishing the Dean’s List. To be eligible, a student must: – be in good academic standing. – have a minimum semester GPA of 3.70. – have completed at least 12 credits during the semester, with no incompletes, no courses below the 100 level, no repeats, and no Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory registrations (except in degree credit-bearing courses that are offered only on the S/U grading system in which a grade of S has been earned).
The student from your area who was named to the Dean’s List is:
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will hold an official release party for “Either/Or,” a new national literary journal, on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at Roberta’s Gallery on the first floor of the James R. Connor University Center.
Produced by faculty and undergraduate students in the university’s Department of Literature, Writing, and Film, the release marks a new chapter for the region’s arts scene by including internationally acclaimed novelists.
While many national journals are housed at the graduate level, “Either/Or” places the editorial, design, and production process in the hands of UW-Whitewater undergraduates. Under the vision and mentorship of UW-Whitewater faculty members Nicholas Gulig, a former Wisconsin Poet Laureate, and Barrett Swanson, an acclaimed essayist, the students involved in “Either/Or” compiled a powerhouse roster of contributors. Lauren Groff, National Book Award finalist, Sheila Heti, acclaimed novelist and Guggenheim Fellow, Claire Vaye Watkins, Story Prize winner, and Becca Rothfeld, non-fiction critic for The Washington Post, are among those featured.
The release party offers the local community a first look at a journal that bridges the gap between UW-Whitewater undergraduate students and the highest tiers of the contemporary literary world.
The release party is open and free to the public. Appetizers and light refreshments will be served. Registration is not required, but it is encouraged at this link. “Either/Or” is available for purchase at www.eitherormagazine.com.
The Department of Literature, Writing, and Film at UW-Whitewater offers a robust Creative Writing program alongside majors in Literature, English Education, Professional Writing and Publishing, and Film Studies.
On Monday, January 26, WHS students were selected and performed with the Rock Valley Conference Honors Band. These students were selected because of their hard work and dedication to music at WHS. They spent all day working with renowned conductor and educator Carrie Backman and performed a concert in the evening! Congratulations to these exceptional students!
Article and Photos Courtesy of Sam Averill Whitewater High School Band Director saverill@wwusd.org
WHITEWATER, WI—Community members are invited to a free Financial Freedom workshop with Denise Maple of Live Life Spiritual Direction. The event will take place at the Whitewater Public Library in Meeting Room 1 on Tuesday, February 3 at 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Prosperity and wealth are possible for everyone. Often, our conditioning growing up or past experiences tell us the lie that abundance is not for us. Learn how to overcome these false beliefs to live a life of prosperity in your finances, relationships, and more.
Please join us for an enlightening and transformative gathering aimed at helping individuals harness the power of their mindset and actions to manifest abundance and prosperity in their financial lives. This workshop offers mind shifting exercises and practical strategies to enhance one’s relationship with money and create a positive money mindset.
During the workshop, participants engage in various activities and teachings that guide them toward a deeper understanding of their beliefs, attitudes, and habits around money.
Through guided meditations, visualization exercises, and introspective discussions, participants learn to identify and release any limiting beliefs or negative patterns that may be blocking their financial success. They discover how to cultivate a positive and empowered mindset, aligning their thoughts, emotions, and actions with the abundance they desire.
The workshop offers practical tools and strategies to help individuals set clear financial goals, create effective action plans, and cultivate healthy financial habits. It also fosters a supportive and nurturing environment where individuals can connect with like-minded individuals who are also on a journey of spiritual and financial growth.
This workshop is for adults. Registration is requested but not required. Please register in advance at whitewaterlibrary.org/events or by contacting the library.
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.
WHS is proud to welcome back a true legend of our program—Track & Field Hall of Fame Coach Mark Maas. Coach Maas’s impact goes far beyond wins and records; his leadership, mentorship, and dedication have shaped generations of athletes. Please join us in giving a warm welcome! We’re excited to have you back where your legacy began.
