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It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

This week’s image is a long-distance view of Hillside Cemetery and reminds us that the upcoming Memorial Day is not just for cookouts and parties, but for honoring those who have given their lives while in military service.

This image is also being used because a few weeks ago, we posted a post card marked “Trippe Lake.” Well, our eagle-eyed and knowledgeable Facebook friends noted that the view was not Trippe Lake, but Cravath Lake because they spotted Hillside Cemetery in the background. Older post cards were produced by out-of-town companies and were prone to errors. This view is somewhat similar to the other view and is unusual in that many images were taken from Hillside Cemetery across the lake showing the downtown, but few were taken from this perspective. And, in this case, the card is correctly marked–I hope!

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(5439PC, Whitewater Historical Society)

Recognition from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services highlights health care providers protecting children’s health through vaccination

SSM Health is proud of the work its clinicians do to keep children safe through routine vaccinations. SSM Health Dean Medical Group – Whitewater is being recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) as a 2026 BigShot award recipient in the Two MMR Doses by Age 6 category. This award recognizes providers with 95 percent or more of patients receiving two doses of the MMR vaccine by age 6.

Now in its tenth year, the BigShot awards recognize the crucial role vaccinators play in supporting the health of Wisconsin’s children and communities. This recognition is especially meaningful as childhood vaccination rates continue to decline across the state.

In addition to SSM Health Dean Medical Group – Whitewater the following SSM Health medical group locations also received BigShot awards:

Routine Childhood Vaccine Category
Providers with 90 percent or more of patients vaccinated according to the recommended 4:3:1:3:3:1:4 schedule for children ages 24–36 months^[1]:

• SSM Health Dean Medical Group – Oregon

One MMR Dose by 24 Months
Providers with 95 percent or more of patients receiving at least one dose of the MMR vaccine by 24 months of age:

• SSM Health Dean Medical Group – Mineral Point
• SSM Health Dean Medical Group – Oregon
• SSM Health Fond du Lac Regional Clinic – Waupun
• SSM Health Monroe Clinic Medical Group – New Glarus

Two MMR Doses by Age 6
Providers with 95 percent or more of patients receiving two doses of the MMR vaccine by age 6:

• SSM Health Dean Medical Group – Deerfield

Learn more about the BigShot awards and view the full list of winners on the BigShot webpage.

Footnote:
^[1]The 4:3:1:3:3:1:4 childhood vaccine series includes four DTaP, three polio, one MMR, three Hib, three HepB, one varicella, and four PCV vaccines.

Updated 5/10/26 @ 8:30 a.m. – see editor’s note.

Tyler Schneider, a Political Science major from Whitewater, WI, claimed an award at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for their excellence in the University Honors Program (UHP).

Schneider won the Honors Exemplary Student Award – Junior (Dwyer) award.

The University Honors Program is an academic experience for motivated undergraduate students who seek a challenging and intellectually enriched learning environment.

The program cultivates students in their academic development by providing small classes and seminars that are led by some of the university’s most accomplished teachers and scholars. It supports Honors students to achieve their full potential as students, prospective professionals, and future civic leaders by engaging them in high-impact practices such as study abroad/travel study, Honors conference participation, special field trips, service learning projects, and scholarship opportunities.

More than 400 students are currently active in UW-Whitewater’s Honors Program. To learn more about the program, visit uww.edu/honors.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by UW-W. Schneider was recently elected to represent a large portion of the City of Whitewater on the Walworth County Board.

Preacher Lawson was born in Portland, OR, and raised partly in Memphis, TN, moving frequently before age 10. He considers Orlando, FL his comedic home. He rose to fame as a finalist on America’s Got Talent (2017), later competing on its Champions editions and reaching the finals again. He also appeared on AGT: Fantasy League (2024).

Lawson released stand-up specials Get to Know Me (2019) and My Name Is Preacher (2024). His TV credits include A Black Lady Sketch Show and I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, and he hosted World’s Most Amazing Dogs.

He has millions of followers on TikTok and YouTube, recently hosted AGT Live in Las Vegas, and continues touring globally.

Grab your tickets now before they’re gone!

Young Performing Arts Center, 930 W. Main Street, Whitewater, WI
Saturday, May 9 at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets are available now for $25 [upper rows of the balcony] to $51, tax and fees included.
There is no charge for parking. Turn north on Prince Street. The most convenient lot is #2, the second lot on the right.

Tickets may be purchased online or at the ticket office, 950 W. Main Street, 9:30 – 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Telephone orders are also accepted at 262-472-2222. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

The Kilar Family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who came out this past Saturday to support the Treyton Kilar Field of Dreams cleanup. With so many helping hands, it was a truly successful and rewarding day!
We are incredibly grateful to the Whitewater community for your kindness, hard work, and dedication to making this field a beautiful place for all the young players who will step onto it.

A special thank you to Toppers Pizza of Whitewater for generously providing lunch for our volunteers—we appreciate your support!

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WTMJ4-TV Milwaukee ran a story with the above headline on March 2.

One interesting quote: Readers such as Ben Markham are thankful Whitewater has a place to find so many books and resources. “I order books in large quantities,” said Markham, who is a junior at nearby UW-Whitewater. “The way I read books is like television but better, because unlike TV, your imagination gets to run the picture.”

The video may be viewed here.

Editor’s note: Our thanks to Mark Dorn for passing on this story.

Correction to the Bassett House Spring Concert Series Schedule

The final concert in the third annual Bassett House Spring Concert series will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2026 and not on the date previously reported. The concert will be held at 1:00 PM at the historic Bassett House, 708 W. Main Street in Whitewater.

The second concert will feature the talented students of Rachel Woods Voice Studio on Sunday, April 12, 2026. Come hear classic repertoire and Broadway favorites! For our third concert, we are pleased to offer our first all-piano recital, so piano lovers, take note! This concert will feature the exceptional students of Diana Shapiro’s Piano Studio on Sunday, May 3, 2026.

All concerts will be held at 1:00 PM at the Bassett House, 708 W. Main Street, Whitewater.

Adult ticket prices are $30 per concert or $75 for the series. Student tickets (over 13 years old) are $15 per concert, and child tickets (13 and under) are $10 per concert. Please make checks out to the WFWC and mail them to Linda Robinson at 957 W. Highland Street/Whitewater, WI 53190. Alternatively, you may pay via Paypal to the Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs. In either case, please make sure we have your name and address, and please indicate the number of tickets you want and for which concerts, and the number of adults, students, and/or children attending. Space is limited, so buy your tickets soon.

All proceeds will go to the Bassett House Preservation Fund, which the WFWC will use to ensure the preservation of the Bassett House, one of Whitewater’s oldest historic homes.

For more information, visit our website at bassetthousewww.org or contact Linda Robinson at linrob73@gmail.com

Following an update provided at the Whitewater Unified School District School Board meeting on February 23, the Whitewater Unified School District and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater are adjusting their partnership with the UW-W Children’s Center as the center pursues a new state funding opportunity.

The district and the university have partnered with the Children’s Center for more than a decade under a memorandum of understanding that has supported 4-year-old kindergarten services for families in the community located on the university campus. As the Children’s Center applies for a state grant this year to more completely fund programming and support its future operations, both organizations have agreed to place the current partnership structure on pause for one year.

UW-Whitewater is applying for the Get Kids Ready Grant, which is funded through the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. If awarded funding, the Children’s Center would help offset the cost of care during the school day, allowing families to access high-quality early learning at a reduced rate. Under the requirements of the grant program, childcare centers receiving this new state funding may not receive financial support from a local school district, which means that the Children’s Center cannot serve as a Whitewater Unified School District site.

“This is a thoughtful and temporary adjustment that reflects our shared commitment to supporting children and families in a sustainable way,” said WUSD Superintendent Samuel Karns. “Our partnership with the Children’s Center and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has been valued for many years. This pause allows the Children’s Center the flexibility it needs to pursue long-term funding while we continue to work collaboratively.”

School district leaders and university leaders emphasized that the pause does not signal an end to the relationship. “We see this as the next evolution of our partnership, not a conclusion,” said Interim Provost Robin Fox at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. “While the structure may look different in the coming year, our shared commitment to early childhood education and to serving families in the Whitewater community remains strong.”

District and university leaders will continue working together with the Children’s Center throughout the year and will keep families and community members informed as plans move forward.

Editor’s note: The photo on the homepage is by UW-W/Craig Schreiner.

Get ready for glitter, drama, and a whole lot of heart!

Book and Lyrics by Chad Beguelin
Book by Bob Martin, Music by Matthew Sklar

“The Prom” directed by Robyn Accetta is a vibrant, feel-good musical that brings together an impactful story of queer love, Broadway glitz and small-town grit in a story bursting with humor, heart, and humanity. Full of show-stopping songs and powerful moments, this production celebrates redemption, transformation, and the joy of being seen. Whether you’re here for the laughs, the love, or the glitter—there’s a place for you at “The Prom.”

A total of 58 students from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will be part of the university’s production of “The Prom,” which is set to debut Feb. 20 and runs through Feb. 28 at Barnett Theatre inside the Greenhill Center of the Arts, 950 W. Main Street.

THE PROM is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide,1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. http://www.theatricalrights.com/

Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for those age 65+ and $14.50 for those under age 18. Tickets may be purchased online or at the ticket office at 950 W. Main Street, where hours are Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. There is a $2 surcharge for tickets purchased at the door. Note that there is a charge for parking on Monday through Thursday evening. Details are available on the ticketing website.

Act now to take advantage of our half-price matinee on Saturday, February 21. Seats are limited. Don’t miss out—reserve yours today!

Friday, February 20 at 7:30 p.m. – Wear your prom attire and join us after the show for music and dancing until 10:30 p.m. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

Saturday, February 21 at 2 p.m. – All tickets are 50% off for this performance. Get your tickets before it’s too late.

Sunday, February 22 at 2 p.m.

Tuesday, February 24 at 10 a.m. – Student and Community matinee – This special mid-week matinee is open to high school groups as well as community members. Stay for a talk back with cast members after the show.

Wednesday, February 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, February 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, February 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 28 at 2 p.m.