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Today is Monday, June 22, 2026
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The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point honored more than 2,300 undergraduate students for attaining high grade point averages during the spring semester of the 2023-2024 academic year.
Full-time undergraduates who earned grade points of 3.90 to 4.0 (4.0 equals straight A) are given the highest honors designation. High honor citations go to those with grade point averages from 3.75 to 3.89 and honor recognition is accorded to those with grade point averages from 3.50 to 3.74.
Personalized certificates of scholastic achievement are sent to those who earned highest honors distinction.
Students who received honors include:
Whitewater, WI
Wyatt Anderson, Honors
The Whitewater High School Choirs presented their spring concert, Ms. Tordera’s last, on May 15. Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser.
TROY, AL — Abby Grosinske of Whitewater, WI has been named to the Chancellor’s List at Troy University for the spring semester/Term 4 of the 2023-2024 academic year.
The Chancellor’s List honors full-time undergraduate students who are registered for at least 12 semester hours and who earn a grade point average of 4.0.
About Troy University
Troy University is a public, historic, international university with 22,500 students and 154,000 alumni. Students choose TROY for its quality academic programs, reasonable costs and availability of financial aid, outstanding faculty, and flexible in-class and online class offerings. Students on the Troy, Ala. campus enjoy a traditional college experience, while adult students are the centers of attention at campuses in Dothan, Montgomery and Phenix City, Ala., as well as at locations around the world and online.
Editor’s Note: The following was organized and provided by First English Lutheran Church.
In our divisive world, we have opportunities like this to work toward gathering our community together, getting to know one another, and build healthier and stronger relationships and communities. That idea is at the heart of David Brooks’ How to Know a Person.
BREAKFAST WITH “BROOKS”*
*David Brooks will not be in attendance, but others in our community will. Organized by First English Lutheran Church.
Where: The book study will be held at Jessica’s Restaurant in Whitewater so we can discuss around breakfast!
When: We will meet for 6 sessions (every other Thursday in the summer) beginning on June 13 at 7 am! The early start time is to allow people who work or have other morning commitments to be on their way by 8 am.
The 6 sessions are scheduled for the following Thursday mornings: June 13, June 27, July 11, July 25, August 8, August 22
Needed: A copy of the book—A few copies are still available in the church office for $20, or they can be purchased from Amazon.com or most other book dealers.
To Sign Up: Registration not required, but if you would like to let us know you’re coming, call the church office (262-473-5076)
Most people find this best-selling book an interesting read that is helpful in building strong relationships with family, friends, co-workers and the many others we encounter daily. The book study promises to be a fun learning and social activity for the summer. Come join us!
“Fantastic Mr. Fox” will be presented Friday, May 31, as Wisconsin Makers presents its free Movie Night.
The public is invited to attend the free showing of the family-friendly film at 7 p.m. at the community makerspace, located at 200 E. Clay St. in Whitewater. The doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Free popcorn will be served. Pizza, soda and water will be available for $1.
Before and after the film, attendees may tour the makerspace and see what it has to offer. In addition, they may shop at a rummage sale in which almost all items are free of charge, although donations are gratefully accepted.
Wisconsin Makers President Al Jewer said “Fantastic Mr. Fox” will be shown on a 15-foot-wide movie screen with a 500-watt surround-sound in the common area.
“We want to provide a fun, affordable evening out for people of all ages,” he said.
Rated PG, “Fantastic Mr. Fox” is a 2009 American animated adventure-comedy based on a novel by Roald Dahl. Its voice cast includes George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe, Owen Wilson and many other well-known stars.
The plot focuses on a spree of thefts led by Mr. Fox (Clooney) that result in his family, and later his animal community, being hunted down by three farmers.
In addition to an original score by Alexandre Desplat, the soundtrack includes several songs from other artists. The film received Academy Award nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score.
Located at the corner of Wisconsin and East Clay streets, Wisconsin Makers is a makerspace that creates an affordable, collaborative and educational environment that inspires people of all ages to becoming innovators within their communities by unlocking their skills through continual training.
It has members from Jefferson, Walworth, Rock and Waukesha counties and beyond, and all have access to the workshops around the clock.
The facility houses machine, welding/fabrication, electronics, automotive, 3-D printing, laser engraving and woodworking shops. It also offers ceramics, metal art, quilting, fabric arts, matting/framing and more.
The building is handicapped accessible, and has off-street parking, WiFi, and many other amenities.
For more information about Movie Night or the makerspace, contact Jewer at lafcat@lafcat.com or (630) 430-9498.
A new video tour of the makerspace may be viewed at https://youtu.be/Pqa9N8p1Fqw.
Whitewater Savory Sounds Summer Concerts Become More Savory
The Whitewater Alliance’s Savory Sounds Summer Concerts – 2024, is back and suddenly becoming “more savory” than ever. With a dedication to cultural diversity this year, the concert series not only has a diversely cultural selection of musical groups, but it will also have vendors that offer a savory food selection that will match the culture of the music. Concerts include: Peggy Mueller & Friends – German Folk music, The Currach Irish Trio – Irish Reel music, Piper Road Spring Band – American Bluegrass music, Amancer y Mas – Hispanic music, and Jimmy Sugarcane – Nigerian Reggae Fusion Rock music. So, attend all the concerts for a diverse aural and flavorful cultural experience! Concerts are each Thursday, June 20, 27, July 11, 18, and 25, from 11:30am-12:45pm at Flat Iron Park, and are free to the public. The food is for sale at the vendor station – so come hungry!
This year, we have wonderful local companies who chose to fully sponsor a band: Fairhaven, The First Citizens State Bank, The Coburn Company, Premier Bank, and Olm and Associates, along with donations from Fort Community Credit Union and an Anonymous Donor. This allowed us to reach out further into the region for more diverse bands. Thank you companies!
Whitewater Arts Alliance is proud to present “The Beauty of Nature,” a shared exhibition featuring the expressive watercolors of Painter Woody Olsen and the nature inspired ceramics of Tile Artist Jennifer Alexander. The exhibition will run from June 1st to June 30th, 2024, with an Artists’ Talk on Thursday, June 6th from 5pm to 7pm at the Cultural Arts Center 402 West Main Street, Whitewater.
Painter Woody Olsen, a former member of the prestigious Arts Club of Chicago, invites viewers to experience images of playfulness and happiness through his artwork. With over 40 years of residency in Chicago, including living in Mies Van Der Rohe’s iconic modernist Esplanade apartments on Lake Shore Drive, Olsen brings a wealth of artistic experience and insight to his pieces. Having studied at the Layton School of Art in Milwaukee and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), Olsen’s paintings reflect a deep appreciation for nature and a desire to provide respite from the negative forces of the world. “I want the viewer to experience images of playfulness and happiness, allowing for a moment to forget their surroundings and the negative forces that abound in our world today,” says Woody Olsen of his artistic vision.
In contrast, Ceramic Tile Artist Jennifer Alexander draws inspiration from stained glass artwork. With a background in glazing and a keen eye for design, Alexander’s creations evoke the organic beauty of nature. Founding Alexander Ceramics in Waukesha, WI, in 2020, Alexander looks forward to sharing her unique design creativity with a growing audience. “I’m drawn to the depth of color and richness found in stained glass artwork and enjoy the organic, sweeping lines that flow through art nouveau,” shares Jennifer Alexander about her inspiration.
The exhibition will be open to the public Thursdays through Sundays from 12 pm to 4 pm. For more information, please contact Gallery Director Kim Adams at 608-201-2151 or visit www.whitewaterarts.org.
About Whitewater Arts Alliance:
The Whitewater Arts Alliance, Inc. is dedicated to supporting, promoting, and developing the arts as an essential and integral part of the community.
Obituaries
Marion Jauch Burrows (Feb. 2, 1930 – June 5, 2026) Her sparkling eyes, warm laugh, and generous ways were gifts Marion brought into this world, touching family members and friends alike over the ninety-six years of her life. She was born and raised in Lombard, IL, and in the course of her life lived with her husband and growing family in Abilene, TX, St. David’s, PA, Arkadelphia, AR, Ada, OK, and Colorado Springs, CO, before settling in Whitewater, WI, in 1965. Generosity of heart, compassion toward those in need in and beyond her community, and an unwavering commitment to fairness … Read more
Patricia “Pat” Lynn Bailey, age 70, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026 with her daughter by her side. Pat was born February 21, 1956 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to John and Ruth (Hudock) Prentice. After a brief time in Ann Arbor, the Prentice family moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin, where Pat grew up as part of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater community, where her father served as University Registrar. Pat attended the University School and later graduated from UW Whitewater with a degree in Elementary Education. Although she did not pursue teaching, she built a meaningful career in Human … Read more
Gemelino Paris Esperante, 83, long time resident of Whitewater, passed away on Thursday, June 4th, 2026. He was born on January 10, 1943, to his late father and mother, Evaristo and Carmen in Spain. In 1973 he moved to the United States as a sheep herder. On August 21, 1981, he was united in marriage to Cyndie Esperante in Colorado. Gemelino also worked in Mining and construction for many years. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, raising sheep and growing things in his garden, and flowers. He will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife … Read more
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
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