News

Get ready to talk trail, hike, and learn, live and in-person at the Ice Age Trail Alliance Annual Conference, taking place April 22-24 at the Holiday Inn & Convention Center in Stevens Point. 

“This is the premier event for Trail enthusiasts to come together and discuss their favorite topic: the Ice Age National Scenic Trail,” says Mike Wollmer, Executive Director and CEO of the Ice Age Trail Alliance. “Whether you’re new to the Trail and want to learn more about it, or have hiked it for years, there’s something for everyone at the conference.” 

The 2022 conference features multiple hiking opportunities, educational seminars, and entertainment. Highlights include:

• Keynote speaker Jennifer Pharr Davis: Nationally recognized speaker, award-winning author, and the founder and owner of Blue Ridge Hiking Company. Jennifer has covered more than 14,000 miles, exploring trails on 6 continents, and all 50 states. In 2011, she set the fastest known time (FKT) on the Appalachian Trail; completing the 2,190-mile footpath in 46 days; besting marks by elite male ultra-runners. And she did it, hiking-not running.
• Guided Hikes or Field Trips: Attendees can choose a shuttle for Ice Age Trail segment hikes or participate in “field trip-style” excursions, like bird watching at the Schmeeckle Reserve at UW-Stevens Point or a driving tour that explains the glacial geological context of Central Wisconsin.
• Future in the Outdoors Summit for Young Adults: Taking place Friday afternoon, this Summit will connect young adults with a variety of professionals who’ve made a career in natural resources, conservation, or outdoor recreation. Many topics will be discussed, including how to land a job, necessary experience, and volunteer opportunities. This event is FREE for young adults to attend.
• Breaking Trail Screening with Q&A: This documentary, which premiered at the BANFF Film Festival, chronicles Emily Ford’s historic 2021 winter thru-hike of the Ice Age Trail. Following the screening, Ford and the film’s director, Jesse Roesler, will take part in a Q&A with the audience.
• Long-Distance Hiking Seminar: A five-session workshop within the conference will help get hikers started on their Ice Age Trail journey, whether it’s a thru-hike or segment hike.

Registration is Required: Early-Bird Rates in Effect until March 18
Advanced registration is required to attend the conference. The public is invited to attend. One, two, or three-day tickets are available. There is NO charge for young adults to attend the Future in the Outdoors Summit, but registration is required. Visit iceagetrail.org/annual-conference for details.       

The Annual Conference culminates Saturday night with an Awards Banquet and Celebration. During this event, the accomplishments of the Trail’s volunteers are recognized. National Park Service honors are bestowed, and Alliance award winners revealed.

2022 Annual Conference Fast Facts:

• 450 attendees are expected.
• This is the first year the conference is taking place in Stevens Point.

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About the Ice Age National Scenic Trail:
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a 1,200-mile footpath contained entirely within Wisconsin. It traverses the state from St. Croix Falls in the west, to Sturgeon Bay in the east, going as far south as Janesville. One of 11 National Scenic Trails, the Ice Age Trail highlights the landscapes that were carved out by ancient glaciers, which happen to be some of the most beautiful areas in the state. Approximately 60% of Wisconsin residents live within 20 miles of the Ice Age Trail.

About the Ice Age Trail Alliance:
The Ice Age Trail Alliance is a non-profit, member and volunteer-based organization which conserves, creates, maintains, and promotes the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. For more information visit iceagetrail.org.

Editor’s note: The following information was received from UW-Whitewater

Politicians, activists, musicians, and every day citizens. Systems, inventions, and tragedies. This spring, we will spend an hour each week, putting the spotlight on changemakers that have made history. From local stories to those that made a global impact, join us as we take a closer look at some fascinating American profiles. Since 1983, faculty experts from UW-Whitewater have been presenting free public lectures on a wide range of topics. Join us this spring as we continue one of UW-W’s most well-known outreach traditions.

Lectures in the Spring 2022 series will be held on Mondays at 3 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of Fairhaven Senior Services, 435 West Starin Road, Whitewater and are open to the public. No registration required.  They will also be streamed live on Facebook. Recordings of lectures will be posted to our website and YouTube channel.  Videos of lectures in this series and in past series can be accessed for free any time after they are posted online. Check our website and follow us on social media for more information and updates.

The series continues with these lectures:

Forgetting and Remembering the “Spanish” Flu Pandemic
Monday, March 7 at 3:00 p.m.
Presented by Karl Brown, Associate Professor, History
The “Spanish” flu pandemic of 1918-19 went largely ignored by historians and the general public alike until COVID19 struck in March 2019. This talk will describe the WWI-era pandemic, suggest some possible reasons for this historical amnesia, and conclude with a discussion of what lessons we can draw from this previous crisis to aid us in our current one.

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Profile of Wisconsin Mass Media History
Monday, March 21 at 3:00 pm
Presented by Brian Schanen, Lecturer, Communication
Wisconsin is known for the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright, and Harry Houdini. But Wisconsin has left an indelible mark on media history as well. We will tell the tale of three of those stories. The creation of stop motion photography by H.H. Bennet, that has allowed us to capture those great Packers moments, to the “Motown of Blues” in Grafton Wisconsin, and establishment of the Barnum Circus in Delevan (a root of advertising). The landscape of what we colloquially know as “the media” would look very different if it were not for the efforts in Wisconsin.

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The Poison Widow of Whitewater: Mystery, Mayhem, and Murder
Monday, March 28 at 3:00 pm
Presented by Jennifer Motszko, Digital Scholarship & Preservation Archivist
In September 1923, the Whitewater community woke to the stunning news that one of their own had been arrested for attempting to poison her four children. While in custody, Myrtle Schaude confessed to murdering her husband with poison a year earlier. This presentation will explore the murder that rocked our small town, the motive behind the madness, and the sensational court case that captivated the community.

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Wendell Willkie and the We Want Willke Campaign
Monday, April 11 at 3:00 pm
Presented by Dick Haven, Professor Emeritus, Communication
He was a businessman who had never run for office. He was a former member of the Democratic Party who didn’t join the Republican Party until one year before the 1940 Presidential election. He was Wendell Willkie: A New York City CEO of an energy holding company and the surprise 1940 Republican presidential nominee.

Editor’s note: The following information was received from Walworth County 4-H.

Youth in grades 8-12, their parents, and their teachers are invited to participate in a virtual 4-H science careers series called “Scientists Live.”  This series offers participants quick exposure to science careers that may be of interest as youth make their post high school plans.

Now in its third year, “Scientist Live” features 30-minute stand-alone episodes that feature real-world scientists.  During each, the featured scientist shares a 20-minute presentation about their career and then hosts a 10-minute Q & A with the participants attending the live session.  As part of their presentations, scientists tell about the work they do, the schooling they needed to get where they are, the things they like most about their work, what they find most challenging, and much more!

The series is happening live every Wednesday of March from 12:00-12:30 p.m. via Zoom.  All episodes are being recorded and closed-captioned for program registrants who cannot attend live to view on their own schedule.   Participation is free.  Full details and registration info are available at: https://go.wisc.edu/7km16o.  Sign-up is required at least 24 hours before the first episode one plans to attend. 

Thirty-two half-hour episode recordings from past “Scientists Live” seasons are available for free immediate access, as well!  These recordings feature a wide variety of science-related careers ranging from electrician and high school science teacher to aerospace engineer and marine biologist.  Get complete details and access the recordings sign-up link at: https://go.wisc.edu/2zef04.

“Scientists Live” is the high school component of the 4-H Science Explorers program, a collaborative effort between the UW-Extension 4-H Youth Development Educators in Crawford, Lafayette, and Walworth Counties and UW-Madison BioTrek Staff.  4-H is the Positive Youth Development program of UW-Madison Extension.  For more information about Walworth County 4-H, visit the Walworth County Extension website at:  https://walworth.extension.wisc.edu/.

2021 Outstanding Research Award Nominees will host “Lightning Talks” (short talks) where they will present their research. Refreshments will be available for attendees.
We invite community members, the general public, and UW-Whitewater students & staff to attend.
Celebrate the research, scholarship, and achievements of Faculty and Instructor honorees across the University’s five Colleges!
Contact: For questions, please contact: Paul Waelchli (Library Director) waelchlp@uww.edu / (262)472-5516; Diana Shull (Librarian) shulld@uww.edu / (262)472-5011

Editor’s note: The following information was received from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

The University of Wisconsin – Whitewater is announcing that Summer Session 2022 registration opens beginning the week of March 7, 2022.

Summer Session is a series of approximately three-week sessions held between May 23 and August 13, 2022. The Summer Session term allows students to take up to twelve credits over the course of a summer, one three-credit course at a time. Part of the Finish-in-Four initiative developed to help students complete a bachelor’s degree in four years, the Summer Session offers a combination of online, on-campus, and hybrid courses. In fact, students who take special sessions like Summer Session and its winter companion, Winterim, are over 20% more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree in four years than are their counterparts. Summer Session features sections of courses that tend to fill up quickly during the academic year. The program is open to any college students, even those not attending the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (including incoming freshmen and graduate students).

Summer Session 2022 terms are May 23 – June 11, June 13 – July 2, July 5 – July 23, and July 25 – August 13. Students may take only one course during each session and many find they prefer this intensive course format which allows them to concentrate on only one subject.

There is an advance registration period for current University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students. Registration opens to UW-Whitewater students March 7, 2022.  March 12, 2022 marks the date when registration opens to all campuses.

Dr. Matthew Vick, Dean of the College of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education, encourages students to “take advantage of the long summer break to participate in a short summer session courses.”

Interested students are invited to learn more, including a complete list of course offerings and registration information by visiting uww.edu/ce/summer.

Editor’s note: The following was received from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Come see mystical, eye-catching pieces created by a college student herself at Roberta’s Art Gallery, in “Beyond the Waves and Into the Stars,” by Ashlyn Bledsoe. The exhibit will run through March 2 – March 30. Bledsoe’s pieces in the exhibit are full of imagination and fantasy inspired scenes, often consisting of vibrant blues, purples, and pinks which tie to the theme of the sea and space.

Bledsoe is currently a sophomore at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, majoring in illustration. “Beyond the Waves and Into the Stars,” will be her first professional art exhibit, besides having a solo show at her high school. She deems art as her purpose in life, saying: “Art is literally who I am. Without it, I don’t know what I would do. My room is surrounded by pieces of mine that I’ve hung up. I wake up and see it every day, I have this drive, passion, and love for it.”

Bledsoe’s exhibit features work done by using mixed media, with most of her pieces consisting of acrylic paint, ink, markers, and colored pencils in the creative process. She pulls inspiration from fantasy and science-fiction scenes to create her own intriguing scenes through bright colors and intricate details.

Roberta’s Art Gallery will be holding an exhibit reception featuring Bledsoe speaking on her work and her experiences as a young artist, on Wednesday, March 9, at 6 p.m. in person at the gallery. Any guests are strongly encouraged, and can meet the artist, chat, and enjoy light refreshments. To see more of Bledsoe’s work and experience, visit her Instagram at art.with.ashlyn.

Roberta’s Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the James R. Connor University Center (UC) at UW-Whitewater. The gallery hosts multiple exhibits each semester by collaborating with the artists–both locally and regionally. Many of our events will be held in person this semester, with the option of a virtual exhibit. Our hours are Monday – Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Roberta’s Art Gallery prides itself on all of their exhibits being free and open to the public. This means anyone: whether you’re a student, a Whitewater community member, or someone wanting to support the artist, please stop by. For questions or further information, contact Roberta’s Art Gallery at (262) 472-3193 or ucart@uww.edu or visit our website.

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

UW System President Tommy Thompson will visit the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to celebrate his accomplishments as System President. 

Everyone is welcome to attend a farewell celebration at 3:30 p.m. Monday, March 7, in the James R. Connor University Center, the Hamilton Room.

The event will include networking, a program, and refreshments.

Complimentary parking is available in lots 12 and 14.

Editor’s note: The following was received from the Whitewater Arts Alliance.

The Whitewater Arts Alliance will be hosting the Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) exhibit that features the works of nonprofessional Wisconsin artists at Whitewater’s Cultural Arts Center, 402 West Main Street, from March 4 through March 26. Visitors will be asked to participate in health and safety measures in light of COVID-19, to include wearing a mask at all times (masks will be provided) regardless of vaccination status. The virtual show will soon be available to view through our home page at whitewaterarts.org.

Artists from Wisconsin will be exhibiting art in a variety of media including 3D, photography, and watercolor.  Artists and art-advocates alike are invited to view the exhibit free of charge. The exhibit will run from 1 to 5p.m., Thursday through Sunday, beginning March 4th and running through March 26.

Though there will be no reception for this show, artist Larry Shultz will be presenting on March 27th for the WRAP workshop. Anyone who is not a WRAP exhibitor can attend the presentation for $5.

WRAP was established to encourage Wisconsin citizens with a serious interest in art – people who make art purely for the love of it, rather than for fame and fortune. The purpose of WRAP is to encourage nonprofessional artists to develop their abilities. The Wisconsin Regional Art Program consists of many artist workshop/exhibits that meet throughout the year statewide. Each one has a different artist demonstration or slide lecture and a different judge to lead the afternoon critique. Artists may enter as many Wisconsin Regional Art Workshops as they like. The program is run by the Association of Wisconsin Artists (AWA), formerly named WRAA.

Artists winning a State Exhibit Award are eligible to compete for monetary awards at the State Day in Madison.  In order to enter the State Exhibit you must be a member of the Wisconsin Regional Arts Program – you can join the organization at any time before the state exhibit by going to wiscartists.wildapricot.org and click on the WRAP tab to register.

The first Rural Art Exhibit was held at the Memorial Union during Farm and Home Week in 1940. Under the guidance of John Stuart Curry, the exhibit grew rapidly, expanding from 30 nonprofessional artists in 1940 to over 100 by 1947. The energy and enthusiasm of Curry’s successor, Aaron Bohrod, the WRAP directors, James Schwalbach and Ken Kuemmerlein, and the help of the AWA have continued to make the exhibition and workshops cornerstones of activity for nonprofessional artists throughout the state.http://wiscartists.wildapricot.org

WRAP was developed and administered by the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Department of Liberal Studies and the Arts. WRAP exhibits and workshops began in 1940 to encourage the creative growth of non-professional artists from rural areas. 

Big thanks to our sponsor!

The mission of the Whitewater Arts Alliance is to promote the visual and performing arts through an alliance of artists, individuals, educational resources, and organizations to promote creativity and diversity that will serve to educate and enrich the lives of the residents of the Whitewater community and surrounding areas.