News & Events

Members of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater faculty will present free lectures in Whitewater and Janesville this spring. Lectures will be held in March and April and are open to all.  Historians, scientists, artists, as well as some students, will share their expertise and craft in engaging talks that encourage lifelong learning for all.

In the Our Stories. Our Future. series, UW-Whitewater shares the unique and bold stories of its people — students, faculty, and staff — both historical and contemporary.

“We are coming together to celebrate our collective Warhawk story to help build the university’s future,” says Matt Vick, dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education. “It’s a bright narrative with plenty of pages yet to be written. This spring we join with the UWW Foundation on their campaign and present our talented faculty, staff and students as they share their experiences on campus and off.”

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 in the Clubhouse at Cedar Crest, Inc., 1702 South River Road, Janesville. Visit uww.edu/ce/cedar-crest for lecture descriptions and updates.

Free parking is available at both locations and registration is not required.

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.

Please contact Kari Borne at bornek@uww.edu or 262-472-1003 for further information.

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: 

March 9

From Quakers to Warhawks: The History of Intercollegiate Athletics at UW-Whitewater

Presented by Angela Kelm, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information and Tom Fick, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information (Retired)

March 16

On Campus Housing Through the Decades: The Evolution from Dorms to Residence Halls

Presented by Terry Tumbarello, Executive Director, University Housing

March 30

Past Plays, Present Lights: How Design Shapes Our Experience of Theatre

Presented by Matthew Imhoff, Assistant Professor, Theatre and Dance

April 6

Chasing Storms: Documenting the Extreme Weather Travel Study Course

Presented by John Frye, Associate Professor, Geography, Geology and Environmental Science, Sabrina Wolf, Environmental Science Major, and Peyton Walz, Journalism Major

April 13

A Royal History: The UW-Whitewater Student Newspaper 

Presented by Keith Zukas, Professor, Journalism

April 20

Stories from the Front: Letters Home from Whitewater’s WWII Soldiers

Presented by Jennifer Motszko, Head of Archives and Library Associate Director

April 27

Then & Now: The Student Experience at Rock and Whitewater

Presented by Kristin Fillhouer, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs

Lectures scheduled for Tuesdays at 2 p.m. at Cedar Crest Retirement Community in Janesville:

 March 10

Rooted in Tradition, Leading the Future: UW–Whitewater’s Journey in Teacher Education

Lana Collet-Klingenberg, Dean, College of Education and Professional Studies

March 17

Not Your Mother’s Art History

Ashley Dimmig, Director, Crossman Gallery

March 31

50 Years of Women’s and Gender Studies at UWW: From Challenging Androcentrism to Intersectional Advocacy

Ashley Barnes-Gilbert, Assistant Professor, Women’s and Gender Studies

April 7

Chasing Storms: Documenting the Extreme Weather Travel Study Course

John Frye, Associate Professor, Geography, Geology and Environmental Science,  Sabrina Wolf, Environmental Science Major, and Peyton Walz, Journalism Major

April 14

A Royal History: The UW-Whitewater Student Newspaper 

Keith Zukas, Professor, Journalism

April 21

Then & Now: The Student Experience at Rock and Whitewater

Kristin Fillhouer, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs

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.

It’s a big week for Whitewater Forward!

EVENTS THIS WEEK!
Join us at a pop-up event tomorrow and/or Wednesday! The planning team will be prepared to talk about Whitewater Forward, listen to your thoughts and ideas, and provide materials to share with your friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues!

• TOMORROW! | Tuesday, March 10 | 4:00p to 5:30p | University Center (190 Hamilton Green Way)
  Editor’s note: There is a fee for parking on the campus; click here for information.

• Wednesday, March 11 | 11:00a to 1:30p | Innovation Center (1221 Innovation Drive)

NEW POLL ON THE WEBSITE!

This month’s poll brings the focus to housing in Whitewater. Take a moment and visit the project website today to submit your answers to the new monthly poll, share your ideas or concerns on the interactive map, and learn about upcoming events you can attend!

Can’t make it to the events this week? Join us in April for the Design Workshop! More information is on the project website.

Thank you for your commitment to the future of Whitewater!

www.whitewaterforward.com

Town of Cold Spring
By appointment only for absentee voting. Voters may contact us at 262-473-6228 or clerk@townofcoldspringwi.com. 

Town of La Grange
Thursday March 26, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Thursday April 2, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30a.m.

Town of Lima
Absentee hours are by appointment only. Please call the clerk at 262-893-2427.

Town of Richmond
April 1^st from 5PM to 7PM and April 4^th 11AM to 1 PM 
Testing of the machine April 4^th at 10AM.
Regular voting hours will be April 7^th from 7AM to 8PM.
At the Town Hall W9046 County Rd A.

City of Whitewater
Starting 3/24: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. through 4/2/26. On 4/3/26 until 5:00 p.m.

Town of Whitewater
VOTING EARLY, IN-PERSON, ABSENTEE BALLOT
HOURS:
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Wednesday, March 25 ,2026 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Thursday, March 26, 2026 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Saturday, March 28, 2026 9:00 AM – Noon
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 4:00 – 6:30 PM
Thursday, April 2, 2026 4:00 – 6:30 PM
Friday, April 3, 2026 – BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
In-person, absentee voting is not available the day before the election.

Editor’s note: The hours were provided by the respective city/town clerks.

The Greater Whitewater Committee (GWC) is set to host Carmen Bills and Brittney Lewis to present on Edgerton’s new Pain and Spine Center opening in Whitewater.

This event will take place on Thursday, March 12th at 7:00 a.m. at Jessica’s Family Restaurant: 140 W Main St, Whitewater, WI 53190.

Edgerton Hospital’s new Pain and Spine Center will be brand-new to Whitewater, with providers specializing in pain management and treating acute and chronic pain conditions. They can diagnose patients to create a treatment plan, which will improve their mobility. There is a wide range of conditions that these providers can treat, such as: back and neck pain, shoulder to hip pain, knee pain, and even headaches! You can find the center at 757 E. Milwaukee St., Suite A, Whitewater, WI 53190, around the corner and in the same building as Edgerton Hospital Whitewater Urgent Care.

The GWC’s upcoming monthly meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, March 12th at 7:00 a.m. at Jessica’s Family Restaurant: 140 W Main St, Whitewater, WI 53190. The public is more than welcome to attend this meeting to learn more about the new Whitewater Pain and Spine Center. If you are interested in attending, you must RSVP. To reserve your spot, contact Jeff Knight at jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com or 920.728.0662 by Wednesday, March 11th.

“I am very excited that Edgerton Hospital will be improving and expanding our healthcare across our community,” said GWC President, Jeffery Knight. “I want Whitewater residents to receive high-quality specialized care that isn’t too far from home.”

For further details, please contact Jeffery Knight at 920.728.0662 or jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com. 

About the GWC

The GWC is an action-oriented group committed to collaborating with citizens, elected officials, and policy makers to identify, craft, and implement a pro-business agenda. The agenda advances the economic, education, and social policies needed to energize and secure the Whitewater area’s economic future, as well as protect Whitewater’s quality of life.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Greater Whitewater Committee.

On Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 1:00 PM, the Bassett House will host a concert that promises fun for the whole family. The talented Rock River Woodwind Quintet will be performing a piece based on Winnie the Pooh, a musical tribute to an unhappy aardvark, and Sergei Prokofiev’s beloved “Peter and the Wolf.” Complimentary refreshments will follow the performance. Tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for students (14 years and older), and $10 for children (13 years and younger). You may buy tickets in advance by mailing a check made out to WFWC to Linda Robinson/ 957 W. Highland Street/ Whitewater, WI 53190 or via Paypal. On Paypal, click on “Send Money” and enter Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs as the recipient. Please indicate how many adult, student, and/or children tickets you are purchasing. Your tickets will be waiting for you at “Will Call.” Alternatively, you may buy tickets at the door. The Bassett House, located at 708 W. Main Street, is a beautiful, historic home in the heart of Whitewater. And hearing music at the Bassett House is an experience unlike any other. This is the way music was meant to be shared: In an enchanting, intimate setting, within arm’s length of the music makers. Your children will delight in sharing the experience of live music this way, and so will you! This concert is the first in the 2026 Bassett House Spring Concert Series. The second concert in the series will feature the talented students of Rachel Woods Voice Studio on Sunday, April 12, 2026. For our third concert, we are pleased to offer our first all-piano recital, featuring the exceptional students of Diana Shapiro’s Piano Studio on Sunday, May 13, 2026. Tickets to these two concerts will be available for purchase at the Bassett House on March 15. All proceeds from all three concerts will go to the Bassett House Preservation Fund, which the Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs will use to ensure the long-term preservation of the Bassett House, one of Whitewater’s oldest homes. For more information, visit our website at bassetthousewww.org or contact Linda Robinson at linrob73@gmail.com

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs.

Editor’s note: The following recommendations are provided by the city’s Urban Forestry Commission.

Bradford pear trees are often planted for their rapid growth and showy white spring flowers, but research and local experience have shown they are a poor choice for Walworth County and the City of Whitewater. Although once widely recommended as an ornamental tree, Bradford pears have significant structural and environmental drawbacks. They are short-lived, prone to severe branch breakage during storms and winter weather and frequently fail just as they reach maturity. Their weak branch structure results in higher maintenance costs and increased risk to property and public safety.

In addition to structural issues, Bradford pear trees are widely known for the unpleasant odor produced by their spring blossoms. While visually striking, the flowers emit a strong smell that many residents find offensive, particularly when trees are planted near homes, sidewalks, parks, or downtown areas. This odor, often compared to rotting fish or other decaying organic matter, can linger for days during peak bloom and significantly detracts from the perceived benefit of the tree’s short-lived floral display.

Beyond these concerns, Bradford pear trees pose a serious environmental threat. While individual Bradford Pear trees are often marketed as sterile, they readily cross-pollinate with other pear varieties, producing viable seed. These seeds spread into natural areas, parks, roadsides, and woodland edges, where they establish aggressively. Once established, Bradford pears form dense stands that displace native plants, reduce plant diversity, and degrade habitat. The loss of native vegetation directly affects insects, birds, and pollinators that depend on specific native plants for food, reproduction, and shelter. For these reasons, they are now considered highly invasive.

Fortunately, there are many native tree species well suited to Whitewater’s climate and soils that provide spring interest while supporting local ecosystems. These native trees offer attractive blooms, early foliage, and habitat benefits without the long-term problems associated with Bradford pears.

Native trees evolved alongside Wisconsin’s wildlife and climate, making them far more beneficial than non-native ornamentals. Native insects rely on native plants to complete their life cycles, and birds depend on those insects to feed their young. A single native oak can support hundreds of insect species, while non-native trees often support very few. Native trees are also better adapted to local soils and weather patterns, meaning they typically require less maintenance, are more resilient to pests and disease, and contribute to a stronger, more sustainable urban forest over time.

Residents interested in planting native trees will have an opportunity to do so through the City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission Tree Sale. The sale begins the last Friday in April at Starin Park and offers a selection of native, regionally appropriate trees while supplies last. Choosing native trees helps strengthen Whitewater’s urban forest, protect nearby natural areas, and ensure that spring beauty enhances the community without unintended environmental or quality-of-life impacts.

Congratulations to the WHS Forensics team for placing 4th overall in the Rock Valley Conference competition on March 4, in Brodhead. All members placed in each of their categories. Their next competition will be held in Lake Mills. This event will determine who moves on to the state competition in April.

Pictured are:  Lucy Davis 1st place Poetry, Peyton Comfort 1st place Solo Serious Acting, Sophia Noonan 3rd place Solo Serious Acting, Camdyn Avila 3rd place Special Occasion Speech, Maya Davis 3rd place Oratory Speech, Grace Coleman 1st place Oratory Speech, and Atreya Wilson 3rd place Impromptu Speaking.

Article and Photos Courtesy of Jim McCulloch
Whitewater High School Head Forensics Coach
jMcCulloch@wwusd.org