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Today is Thursday, May 14, 2026
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Fort HealthCare Elevates Patient-Centric Care with the Launch of Patient and Family Advisory Council
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Fort HealthCare.
Fort HealthCare is proud to announce the establishment of its Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC), an initiative that marks a significant stride towards fostering patient-centered healthcare services. The PFAC, comprised of dedicated individuals from diverse backgrounds, will play a pivotal role in collaborating with healthcare professionals to enhance the overall patient experience.
“In the pursuit of health equity, the Patient and Family Advisory Council serves as a beacon of hope, ensuring that the voices of all individuals, regardless of background, are heard and valued in decision-making processes of healthcare,” remarked Molly Prater, Chair of the Patient and Family Advisory Council.
In tandem with the launch, Fort HealthCare is actively recruiting high-energy individuals to join the ranks of Patient Advisors. This unique opportunity empowers patients and their families to actively contribute to the shaping of healthcare policies and practices at a high level within our organization.
Lisa Jensen, Chief Nursing Officer at Fort HealthCare, expressed her enthusiasm for the launch of the PFAC, stating, “At Fort HealthCare, we believe in the power of partnership between healthcare providers and the individuals we serve. The Patient and Family Advisory Council is a testament to our dedication to cultivating a healthcare experience that is not only medically excellent but also deeply compassionate. We are excited to welcome individuals who are passionate about making a difference in healthcare to join us in this transformative journey.”
Patient Advisors will actively participate in strategic discussions, provide valuable insights, and collaborate with healthcare professionals to drive positive changes in patient care. This is an exceptional opportunity for community members to contribute to the evolution of healthcare practices at Fort HealthCare and make a lasting impact on the well-being of our community.
Fort HealthCare invites community members who are passionate about patient advocacy and committed to improving healthcare to apply for the role of Patient Advisor. Applications and additional information about the recruitment process can be found on our website at https://www.forthealthcare.com/about/get-involved/patient-and-family-advisory-council/ .
About Fort HealthCare
Fort HealthCare is committed to improving the health and well-being of our communities, with a vision to be the healthiest community in Wisconsin. As the leading healthcare provider in the region, it is our goal to reach as many members of the community as possible with health and wellness messages, providing tools and resources to help individuals improve their health and quality of life while collaborating with several partners to positively improve the population’s health overall on a long-term basis. FortHealthCare.com.
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.
Today we have a photo from the summer of 1999 taken by member George Scharfenberg, who left the society hundreds of photos of things happening in Whitewater in the decades of the 1990s and 2000’s. Here he documents the remodeling of the Starin Park Community Building. The building was damaged by a fire in March of 1998 and in the summer of 1999, the building underwent an enlargement and remodeling that gave us the great Senior Center building we have today.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
(Photo from the George Scharfenberg collection, Whitewater Historical Society)
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Walworth County.
Walworth County will host residential Clean Sweep recycling events on Friday, June 21, and Saturday, June 22. The Clean Sweep program safely collects and disposes of waste through a licensed facility. The events will be held at Walworth County Public Works, W4097 County Road NN, Elkhorn. No registration is required.
On Friday, June 21, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., residents may dispose of household hazardous waste. Acceptable hazardous waste products are those labeled caustic, acid, flammable, danger, warning, or poison. Examples include oil and lead-based paints, pesticides and herbicides, adhesives and lubricants, old fuel, fluorescent bulbs, mercury thermometers, thermostats, furniture strippers, drain cleaners, antifreeze, brake fluid, and motor oil. Items should be in their original containers, if possible. A full list of acceptable items can be viewed at www.co.walworth.wi.us/1059/Household-Hazardous-Waste-Guides.
On Saturday, June 22, from 8 a.m. to noon, residents may dispose of household hazardous waste and electronics, TVs, appliances, and tires.
Household hazardous waste is free. All electronics and computers can be recycled for free. The following items can be recycled for a fee (cash only):
- All TVs: $10 each
- Computer monitors: $5 each
- Mini fridges, small AC units, and dehumidifiers: $5 each
- Refrigerators and freezers: $10 each; all other appliances are free
- Tires with 18-inch rims or smaller may be recycled: The cost is $10 each for tires without rims and $15 each for tires with rims.
Clean Sweep has served the residents of Walworth County since 1992. The annual program has successfully kept hazardous waste out of landfills, wastewater treatment facilities, the environment, and groundwater.
Clean Sweep is sponsored by the Walworth County Public Works Department and partially funded by the Town of Darien, Mallard Ridge Landfill Fund, and a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
The Public Works department would like to acknowledge the following local partners and supporters for their financial contributions to the Clean Sweep program: City of Delavan, Village of Williams Bay, Lockhart Service, Inc., Kikkoman Foods, City of Whitewater, Joe Porter McLean, Halverson Door, Village of Walworth, Village of East Troy, and Walworth County Metropolitan Sewerage District.
For more information and a complete list of items accepted at Clean Sweep events, please visit https://www.co.walworth.wi.us/826/Clean-Sweep. Or contact the Walworth County Solid Waste Division at (262) 741-3116, walcosw@co.walworth.wi.us.
JUNE IS DAIRY MONTH!
We invite you to help celebrate the rich history of dairy in Wisconsin, at our annual “MILKTASTIC” Dairy Days Celebration Friday, June 21st from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Stop in and sample free dairy products like string cheese, yogurt, ice cream and of course MILK! 
We are also celebrating with a coloring contest! Stop in and grab a copy of our Wisconsin America’s Dairyland Coloring Sheet! Once colored, drop it off at any office and on June 28th, we will randomly draw 10 winners from each location (Whitewater, East Troy and Palmyra) to win Culver’s gift cards!
Plus, baby calves will visit the Whitewater Main office; come pet the calves! We can’t wait!!! 
Whitewater: 207 W Main Street
Palmyra: 111 E Main Street
East Troy: 2546 E Main Street
Posted to WIAC Sports
MADISON, Wis.–Three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference track & field standouts have secured spots in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s Sam Blaskowski and UW-Oshkosh’s Davian Willems will compete in the 100-meter dash, while UW-Whitewater’s Shelvin Garrett II will participate in the triple jump.
Blaskowski and Willems are the only NCAA Division III individuals of the 34 declared competitors in the event. Both student-athletes qualified for the trials at the UW-La Crosse Eagle Open on May 10. Blaskowski had a time of 10.09 seconds, while Willems posted a time of 10.14 seconds.
Garrett II is one of two NCAA Division III student-athletes participating in the triple jump. He had a leap of 52-4 3/4 (15.97m) at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships on March 9 to qualify for the trials.
The trials will take place June 21-30 at historic Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon and will be available to watch live on NBC, Peacock and USA.
The Young Auditorium will host Kids from Wisconsin’s “Larger Than Life: The Great Entertainers” on Wednesday, June 26 at 7 p.m. Kids from Wisconsin is composed of Wisconsin’s most accomplished youth, ages 15-20, as they take the stage for a two-hour performance featuring 22 singer/dancers and a 14-piece stage band.
The Kids from Wisconsin were founded in 1969. The 56th annual production will showcase historic bands and orchestras, kings and queens from rock to pop, and legendary Broadway stars and classic entertainers.
The non-profit organization showcases the best of Wisconsin’s young talent and provides a unique pre-professional tour opportunity. This summer’s tour features approximately 40 communities and features daily performances at the Wisconsin State Fair.
All seats are $25 with no extra fees. Tickets may be purchased here.
Editor’s note: Kids from Wisconsin performed at the Young Auditorium last summer, and though the group deserved to have a larger audience, those in attendance seemed to enjoy it very much. It was a very high energy show with great talent.
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Practitioners, clinicians, and others in the field of aging gathered at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on June 5 to attend “The State of the State of Dementia in Wisconsin Professional Caregiver Conference.”
The conference was organized by county Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC), and led by dementia care specialists Karen Tennyson of the Rock County ADRC and Tonya Runyard of the Jefferson County ADRC. It included an overview of the Wisconsin State Dementia Plan, 2024-2028, and other topical sessions, including some led by alums of UW-Whitewater.
“We serve our region through a variety of partnerships, and this conference is an excellent example of that,” said Matt Vick, Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education. “Dementia is a critical healthcare issue and we are pleased that so many professional caregivers joined us on campus to learn more.”
The Wisconsin State Dementia Plan aims to address factors that exacerbate dementia-related health disparities, promote dementia-related awareness, ensure high-quality care and services, as well as championing independence and choice for people living with dementia, while encouraging collaborative systems in the aging field.
Various areas of the Plan were highlighted by speaker Carrie Molke, director of the Bureau of Aging and Disability Resources in the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Bryce Dorff, research analyst with the Office of Policy Initiatives and Budget at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, shared information on how data was collected from surveys and listening sessions throughout the state. Dorff spoke on how the data informed the strategies and goals of the Plan. Conference participants were also offered ways to get involved to accomplish the goals of the Plan.
A number of sessions, all aiming to inform and energize professionals working in the field, followed the Plan overview. Led by practitioners and licensed clinical social workers, sessions included discussions about Adult Protective Services, Dementia and Crisis, Stabilization, In-Patient Psychiatric Units and the Law, Intergenerational Technology Services Program, and Caregiver Concerns and Community Education.
The conference culminated with a panel discussion of individuals impacted by dementia. Panelists included a physician caring for his wife with Alzheimer’s disease, a clinical psychologist recently diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, a former registered nurse who became a live-in caregiver for a friend with dementia until her death, and a daughter who realized the severity of her father’s dementia once she became his caregiver. Their unique and moving experiences engaged the audience and highlighted the complicated journey traveled by people living with dementia, their families and caregivers.
Nearly 100 people attended the conference from organizations around the state. Aging professionals included case managers, guardians, social workers, state and county-level supervisors, and county, state and federal legislative liaisons. These professionals represent hospitals, hospice agencies, long-term care facilities and a variety of state and county-level human service agencies. They came together to learn and share more about this vital health topic that affects thousands of Wisconsinites every year.
About UW-Whitewater
At the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater we inspire, engage and transform lives. Our higher education mission began more than 150 years ago — and we now serve more than 11,000 students at our Whitewater and Rock County campuses, 90% of whom stay in the region after earning their degree. The Warhawk family — led by caring faculty and staff — is devoted to student success within a broad range of academic programs. One of only four Public Colleges of Distinction in the state, the University boasts small class sizes (20:1 ratio), is ranked one of the top 10 public colleges by the U.S. New & World Report, and is the top-ranked college in the state for serving students with disabilities. Continuing Education is committed to meeting the lifelong learning needs of the residents of our region in offering a variety of classes, workshops and trainings that respond to the changing personal and professional interests of adult learners by connecting the University and community.
Obituaries
Lawrence “Larry” C. Hartung, a proud Marine Veteran of the Vietnam War, and longtime resident of Fort Atkinson, WI, passed away peacefully at his home on May 1, 2026. Larry was born June 7th, 1949, to Levon and Charles Hartung in Chicago, IL. Larry enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1968 and served 3 consecutive tours in the Vietnam War. During this time, he became pen pals with his future wife, Candy, via a connection through his father. In 1970, he came home on leave to marry Candy. They celebrated 55 years of marriage on October 31st, 2025. During … Read more
Leo E. Wurzer, 65, of Eagle, Wisconsin passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at his home. Leo was born on April 15, 1961 in Kenosha, Wisconsin to Cyril and Shirley (McNeil) Wurzer. He grew up between Pleasant Prairie and Antigo, spending his childhood summers on his uncle’s farm where he discovered his love for all things tractors. Although he never had a farm of his own, he was able to partially fulfill his dream by working as a driver for Robin’s Trucking in Whitewater, WI in his last days and collecting miniature Tonka toys. He began his career … Read more
Lois Cummings, 99, of Fond du Lac, WI (formerly of Janesville, WI, Fort Atkinson, WI, Fountain Hills, AZ, and Green Valley, AZ) passed away peacefully on May 5, 2026 at the Meadows Senior Residence in Fond du Lac surrounded by family. Lois was born on February 17, 1927 in Fort Atkinson to Edward and Clarice (Roseth) Stevens. The middle child of 9 children, she attended Fort Atkinson schools and graduated in 1944. On September 11, 1948 Lois married Grant Cummings at Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Delavan, WI. Together they had 3 children, Gary, Colleen (Tom) Sabel, and Patty (Paul) … Read more
Come celebrate William Kincaid’s Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 30th at 1 pm at Trippe Lake Park Pavillion in Whitewater. He truly enjoyed gatherings where his favorite foods and music could be enjoyed with some of his closest friends and family. We will honor him by carrying on one of his favorite traditions. Please bring your own beverages and chairs. There is limited seating. See you all there!
Gladys Jean (Riley) Hildebrandt, age 89, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 23, 2026. Gladys was born on December 26, 1936, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Theresa Egnoski Riley. She was married to Walter Sobolik Sr., and later married James A. Hildebrandt in 1976. Gladys was a hardworking woman who spent her life caring for others. She worked in school kitchens, restaurants, factories, and cleaning services. She concluded her working career as a full-time nanny. In that role, she lovingly cared for Andrew, Daniel, and Kaitlyn Drzewiecki, who became part of her chosen family. Gladys is survived by her sons, Wally … Read more
WHITEWATER – Nan Rowley died on April 15, 2026, at the age of 90. She was born on September 4, 1935, in a little house on the prairie in the Town of Johnstown, Wisconsin, the daughter of Wayne L. Wilbur and Florence (McQuillen) Wilbur. Nan attended primary schools in the towns of Johnstown and Richmond and in the City of Whitewater. Nan graduated with honors from Whitewater City High School. On June 19, 1954, Nancy and Ken Rowley were united in marriage in Whitewater and went to live on the Rowley family farm in Richmond. Over the years, Nan served … Read more
Marion H. Gorniak (nee Pfeiffer), 74, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 11, 2026. She was born on October 24, 1951, to the late Harvey and Loraine (nee Drifke) Pfeiffer in Fort Atkinson, WI. On June 2, 1969, she was united in marriage to Alan Gorniak. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, and cooking, especially her rhubarb pies. She especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends and will be missed by all who knew her. Those Marion leaves behind to cherish her memory include her husband, Alan Gorniak; stepson, Alan Bauer; sister, Sue Ann Schultz, other relatives and friends. … Read more
Ruth Irene (Phelps) Justis, 88, of Appleton City, Missouri, passed away Friday morning, April 10, 2026, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, MO, with her family by her side. Ruth was born June 3, 1937 in Janesville, Wisconsin, to Charles and Ada Mae (Maly) Phelps. She joined the Marine Corps in 1956. During her time there, she met and married her husband, Forest Wayne “Wayne” Justis in 1957. They shared 62 years of marriage and to this union, 2 children, Charles and Dorene, were born. Ruth grew up in Whitewater, WI., the oldest of three children. Ruth graduated from … Read more
Dorothy C. Kau, age 101, of Eagle, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Fort Memorial Hospital. Dorothy was born on March 18, 1925 in Eagle on the family farm, the daughter of John and Katherine (Faestel) VonRueden. Dorothy was a 1942 graduate of Palmyra High School. On May 21, 1949, Dorothy was united in marriage to Alvin E. Kau at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Eagle and the Lord blessed their union with 8 children. Alvin and Dorothy enjoyed 50 years of marriage together until Alvin’s death in the year 2000. Dorothy enjoyed being a farm … Read more
Dorothy E. McCracken, 95, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2025, in Sarasota, Florida. Born on April 14, 1930, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Carl and Joyce Meyer, Dorothy grew up in Whitewater and graduated from Whitewater High School. She then worked for a photographer and hand painted his first colored portraits, until she got married. She and her first husband, Bernard Wafle, owned and operated a 179-acre dairy farm in Helenville, Wisconsin, for 25 years before relocating to Ocala, Florida, in 1979. Dorothy later married Earl McCracken, in Ocala, Fl. She also shared a special companionship later in life with … Read more
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