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Today is Monday, June 8, 2026
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“Napoleon”
Wednesday, July 17, 1 p.m.
(Biography/History)
Rated R (violence, language); 2 hours, 38 minutes (2023).
The life and times of soldier, strategist, General, Emperor: Napoleon Bonaparte 1 (1769-1821).
An incredible costume drama/historical epic, detailing the rise, fall, return, exiles, and demise of Napoleon. Joaquin Phoenix is Napoleon; Vanessa Kirby is Josephine. Directed by Ridley Scott. A sweeping and majestic film!
Rock County ADRC & Caregiver Network Presents “An Afternoon with Elvis & Friends” starring World Champion Elvis Tribute Artist Jesse Aron to be held on July 20, 2024, from 2-4 PM.
In recognition of family Caregivers from across Rock County, the Aging & Disability Resource Center and the Rock County Caregiver Network will host a free “Afternoon with Elvis & Friends” starring World Champion Elvis Tribute Artist Jesse Aron. “Elvis” will be performing on July 20, 2024, from 2-4 PM at the DWRC located at 1717 Center Avenue, Janesville, WI. Tickets for this event are FREE for family caregivers and those that support them in their caregiving. Family caregivers are invited to attend regardless of where their loved one lives, the age or the disability of their loved one. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the ADRC of Rock County at 608-758-8455 or emailing Krystal.Torres@co.rock.wi.us.
This will be an afternoon you won’t soon forget. Join us on Saturday afternoon, July 20 for an afternoon full of entertainment with award winning Tribute Artist Jesse Aron as he takes you on a magical journey with some of the most legendary voices in rock and roll and country music history with special tributes to Elvis and Roy Orbison! “Music and laughter as well as time away is important for family caregivers and can be another way to assist families with coping,” says Cori Marsh, Aging Programs Supervisor, ADRC of Rock County. Marsh encourages family caregivers of all types to join them on July 20.
For more information, please contact Cori Marsh at 608-757-5416 or cori.marsh@co.rock.wi.us.
Thanks to Dawn Hunter for this beautiful sunset photo taken from the Hunters’ driveway on Wisconsin Street.
Lawrence University in Appleton has announced that Cora Linos of Whitewater has attained Dean’s List distinction for the 2023-2024 academic year.
This distinction is earned by achieving an honors grade point average of 3.5 or above with no current unsatisfactory, incomplete or unreported grades recorded for this past year.
Linos plays volleyball for Lawrence and is a government major with a Spanish minor. She is the daughter of Jim and Jean Linos.
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh officials and University of Wisconsin-Platteville have released the names of students who qualified for the Dean’s List and Honor Roll in spring 2024.
UW-Oshkosh:
The term grade-point average (GPA) requirement for University Honor Roll is 3.3; the term GPA requirement for Dean’s List is 3.75 out of a possible 4.0. To qualify, a student must have been enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits. There can be no individual grades below a “C” and no incomplete or non-reported grades at the time the process is run.
UW-Platteville:
College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture and the College of Liberal Arts and Education require grade-point averages of 3.75 and above for Dean’s List honors, while the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science requires students to reach at least a 3.50.
UW-Oshkosh
Julia Feit, Dean’s List
Fabian Gonzalez, Dean’s List
Martin Gonzalez, Honor Roll
Allison Martens, Dean’s List
Jazmine Peterson, Honor Roll
Lizbeth Rodriguez, Dean’s List
Dalia Velazquez, Dean’s List
UW-Platteville
David Cushman, Mathematics BS, Dean’s List
Rachel Mason, Civil Engineering BS, Dean’s List
Sam Mckelvey is a vibrant young artist known for their dynamic mixed media creations. With a distinctive abstract style that bursts with color and energy, Sam explores the intersection of reality and imagination.
Born with a passion for creativity, Sam began experimenting with different mediums from a young age. Their artistic journey is marked by a fearless exploration of unconventional techniques and materials, resulting in surrealist artworks that evoke and inspire viewers to go beyond their bounds and create their own sense of beauty.
Editor’s Note: The following interview with Mr. Shabani was written by Marjorie Stoneman on behalf of Whitewater Unites Lives (WUL).
Ilmi Shabani is well-known in Whitewater as the owner of Jessica’s Restaurant. He and his family have nourished the community from Jessica’s for 33 years.
Born in Macedonia, Ilmi came to the United States at age 13, where he attended school in Illinois and learned English. He said, “I am more comfortable speaking English than Albanian.” He is fluent in English and Albanian and also knows some Macedonian and Spanish.
As a young man, he journeyed back and forth from Macedonia and eventually worked as a waiter in Chicago. The owner of the Chicago restaurant, Leonardo, had a home at Whitewater Lake, and Ilmi often visited with his family.
Leonardo told him, “You are capable to be on your own. You should start a business.” He decided Whitewater was the place to be.
He said, “Whitewater is a friendly town. Dave Kachel and Harry Leffingwell welcomed me and said it would be a great idea to start something here.” He opened Jessica’s with $400 of his own and a loan from Leonardo, which has long since been paid back.
Ilmi has traveled back and forth from Macedonia throughout his life. He met his wife there and had to leave her in Macedonia with his son and daughter for several years until they could file for amnesty in 1989. It took three years to be able to bring his family here. “I wanted a better life here,” said Ilmi.
At ages 6 and 7, Ilmi’s children attended Washington Elementary School, where the teachers and principal welcomed them. They learned English at the school. His youngest daughter was born here.
“This is my home. I am a part of Whitewater. I am committed to the downtown. I thank the community for all the support,” said Ilmi.
Ilmi is very grateful to his family and staff who stood by him and supported him. He said that the business suffered during the Pandemic. “I wouldn’t be here if not for them. We work together as a team.”
When he isn’t working, Ilmi enjoys planting his garden, raising chickens and spending time with his seven grandchildren.
“I worked 16 hours a day, seven days a week to be where I am today. I love work,” he said.
Ilmi’s son, Urim, is learning the business from his father, and will take over once Ilmi retires. “I am committed to Whitewater. My son is taking over but it’s hard to let go. I tell my son I will work until I am 92,” said Ilmi.
His dream is for his grandchildren to thrive in the United States, and he would love to have Jessica’s stay in the family for generations to come.
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.
We are celebrating “50 Years at the Depot” at the museum and here is a look at the museum’s display space from when it first opened in 1974 along with a recent photograph of our display space today. The Whitewater Historical Society has spent the last 50 years interpreting the history of Whitewater in the depot museum with our varied collections. Fifty years ago we had an eclectic approach, showing our many artifacts in a variety of settings. Today, we use our artifacts and copies of our photographs to present a thematic history of Whitewater. Both approaches have brought Whitewater’s history to our thousands of visitors over the years.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
(5166P and 2023 Photo by Carol Cartwright, Whitewater Historical Society)
Obituaries
Mary Ann Warner died peacefully on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Crestridge Assisted Living in Dodgeville. Her physical heart failed, but her actual, loving heart never did. Ann was born June 28, 1939 to Mary and Charles Kearns in Iowa. She moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin and graduated with many dear friends in the class of 1957. Ann married John Warner on September 19, 1959. They lived in Whitewater, Sturgis Michigan, and finally settled in Janesville where they built a beautiful life and raised their family. Together, they ran a business, traveled, played cards, and enjoyed their lives. When they became … Read more
Patricia Ann Jacobson (Bureau), age 81, of Whitewater, WI, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI. Born on September 2, 1944, in Marquette, MI, to the late Donald and Margaret Bureau, Pat grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She graduated from Graveraet High School, attended Michigan State University, and later earned her bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University. Pat dedicated her professional life to shaping young minds, working as an elementary and junior high school teacher in both Flint, MI, and Whitewater, WI. At the heart of Pat’s life was a beautiful, … Read more
In loving memory of Lois Lauritzen, age 92, who passed away on June 1, 2026 at Lakewood Memory Care in Brookfield. Lois led an active life full of devotion to family and friends. Born July 14th, 1933 in Silvis, IL, daughter of Harry and Elsie Wilson, she grew up in the Quad Cities with older brother Harry Wilson Jr. Lois graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with a degree in physical education. She met her husband Paul Lauritzen on the college tennis team. Their marriage on June 12th, 1955 lasted 59 years until Paul’s death on September 26th, … Read more
Donald Walter Triebold passed on to his eternal home on May 21, 2026. Don was born on April 23, 1935, in Evanston, IL, to the late Frederick W. and Mildred (nee Stecher) Triebold. Through his teen years, Don lived and worked on the family’s dairy farm, where he developed a life-long work ethic. His first eight years of education were in a one-room country schoolhouse, in which all eight grades were taught by one teacher. He graduated from Whitewater City High School in 1953 and then graduated from UW Whitewater in 1958 with a degree in Business Education. He continued his education, and earned a Master’s … Read more
William Kincaid Davis, age 84, passed away on Tuesday, May 19 at Agrace Hospice Center in Fitchburg. He was born on November 1, 1941, in Madison, Indiana, the second son of Salvation Army Officers Agnes (Dixon) and William C. Davis. He attended several schools in Indiana and Illinois, including University of Illinois Experimental High School (Champaign), and graduated from Galesburg High School in 1958. He earned his bachelor’s degree from UW-Eau Claire in 1964 and his master’s degree from UW-Whitewater in 1972. He had an expansive career in education, beginning as an English teacher in Whitehall, Thornton Township (IL) and … Read more
Magdalene “Maggie” Stetter (nee Fritz), 79, of Whitewater, Wisconsin passed from this life onto the next on Monday, May 4, 2026. She was born on January 16, 1947, to the late John and Mary (Presser) Fritz in St. Stefan, Austria. Maggie immigrated from Austria with her parents and brother, became a US citizen, and grew up and attended school in West Allis, WI and then graduated with a teaching degree from University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Maggie served as a substitute, English, and German language teacher in the Whitewater, Elkhorn, Delavan, and Palmyra schools and at Divine Word Seminary. Maggie … Read more
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!
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