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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)
Out & About Mom Walks this summer for grandmothers, foster moms, adoptive moms, stepmoms, surrogate moms, mother figures, and moms-to-be!
NEXT WALK: SATURDAY, JULY 13, 10-11AM
Yerkes Observatory, 373 Geneva St, Williams Bay
Calling grandmothers, foster moms, adoptive moms, stepmoms, surrogate moms, mother figures, and moms-to-be …
Join the Tree House and fellow moms as we walk and talk about the ins and outs of parenthood and babies! Each free Out & About Mom Walk will include medical providers walking alongside participants to answer questions about child development, immunizations, nutrition, and more. Walk participants will be provided with water, giveaways, and community resource information.
Bring your strollers and/or kiddos of all ages!
REGISTER FOR ONE, TWO, THREE, OR ALL FOUR WALKS!
REGISTER
Additional walks later this summer:
Saturday, August 17, 11am-Noon
Starin Park, Whitewater
Saturday, September 14, 10-11am
Sunset Park, Elkhorn
Questions about Mom Walks? Please contact 262-374-2242 or madeline@treehouseforkids.net.
Funding for Mom Walks is provided by a grant from the Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board (CANPB).
Obituaries
Sally A. Schutte, age 73, of Whitewater, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 21, 2026, while at Hearthstone Memory Care in Whitewater. Sally was born on November 6, 1952, to Roy and Elsie (Rohloff) Haas. Sally married William Schutte in the spring of 2003. Sally grew up on the family farm in the Town of Hebron and graduated from Jefferson High School. She dedicated nearly her entire career to Fort HealthCare, where her hard work and versatility shone through various roles. Over the years, she served in housekeeping and medical records, Center for Dermatology. Sally … Read more
Zachariah “Zach” Schoenke, 41, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. He was born April 4, 1985, to Keith W. Schoenke and Kathleen Schoenke in Fort Atkinson, WI. He grew up and graduated from Whitewater High School in 2003. Zach worked various jobs over the years but was currently working at Cracker Barrel in Janesville. He was a big Packers Fan and liked to play fantasy football. He enjoyed reading, cooking, and watching horror shows. Zach fiercely loved his son, Lincoln, his sisters, Cami and Cary, his mom and stepdad, and his aunt Robin. He will be dearly … Read more
Carla Winn, 82, died September 5, 2026. Funeral Service will be at 12:00 PM, Saturday, September 12, 2026, at East Heights United Methodist Church, 4407 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67218, followed by a burial at 2:00 PM at White Chapel Memorial Garden 1806 N Oliver Ave. Carla is preceded in death by her parents, Vivian Dwight and Wilma Lois Krehbiel; and sister, Jennifer Krehbiel. She is survived by husband, Stephen; daughter, Ashley (Clint) Gagel, of Overland Park; siblings, Paul (Kay) Krehbiel, of Socorro, NM, Lynn (Bill) Oetting, of Wichita, Ellen (John) Querner, of Wichita, Teresa Woodson, of Lawrence, KS, … Read more
Susan Miller Celebration of Life There will be a gathering of friends and acquaintances at Susan’s Farm Store to celebrate Susan’s life on Saturday, September 19th from 2-5 p.m. at N6623 Lake Lorraine Rd., Delavan, Wisconsin
Our loving mother, JoAnn E Harrop, age 95, passed away on September 11, 2026. Our sorrow is deep, but we are filled with gratitude for the many years we had with her. Even as her mind was failing, she remained strong and appreciative of all who cared for her. JoAnn was born on January 13, 1931, daughter to Fred Braun and Evelyn Braun {Storck). She was raised in Whitewater, Wisconsin by her grandparents, Otto and Edith Storck. She attended Whitewater High School and helped at the Storck tavern where she met her husband Earl C. Harrop. They married on November … Read more
Russell O. Johnson “Russ,” 88, passed away on September 4, 2026 in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Russell was born on July 12, 1938, in Janesville, Wisconsin. Russ grew up in Janesville, and after high school he joined the Air Force on May 1, 1958, serving as an aircraft mechanic until June 12, 1962. He then worked at Parker Pen in Janesville for a time, where he met his future wife, Avis. After marrying Avis Mason in April 1964, Russ worked for Gillman Manufacturing for a time, then began a career at Dana until its closing in 1980. In 1981, Russ started working … Read more
Marcia Zingg, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, businesswoman, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2026, at the age of 75. Marcia will be remembered for her unwavering love, remarkable strength, generous spirit, and lifelong devotion to her family. She shared 40 wonderful years of marriage with her husband, Jeffrey Zingg, who considered her not only his wife but also his best friend, business partner, and the love of his life. Together, Marcia and Jeffrey built a successful life rooted in perseverance, hard work, laughter, and love. As entrepreneurs in Whitewater, Wisconsin, they owned and managed new car franchises and … Read more
Amanda Jean Hunter was born to Ralph and Malinda (Thomas) Hunter of Whitewater, Wisconsin, on October 6, 1976. She passed away on August 4, in Fort Worth, Texas, where she lived with her family. Amanda passed peacefully in the hospital, surrounded by her loved ones. Amanda was a kind-hearted free spirit with an unmistakable hippie warmth. Generosity, spontaneity, a quick wit, a macabre sense of humor, and an open heart were traits that she embraced. She was a tireless champion of those in need, an innate characteristic that became among the best of her qualities. She proved to be a … Read more
Ellen Eichmiller, 82, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Ellen was born on September 10, 1943, in Monroe, Wisconsin, to Chester “Guy” and Irene (née Holmen) Steig. She married the love of her life, Paul Eichmiller, on December 7, 1963, and together they made their home in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Ellen spent much of her working life as a secretary at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, where she formed many lasting friendships and memories. Ellen cherished her family and friends and treasured the time she spent with those closest to her. She was known for her love of … Read more
Janet Quinn, age 71, of Jefferson passed away on Thursday, August 20th. Janet was born on December 22nd, 1954 in St. Joseph, MI to Robert Mounsey and Edith Christison Mounsey. She was a granddaughter to Herbert Bragg Mounsey, Charlotte Mounsey, and Ester Christison West. She married Michael Durden in 1979 and later married Eury Quinn Jr. (J.R.) in 1988. Janet grew up in Benton Harbor, MI, and subsequently lived in New York and Arkansas before moving to Wisconsin in 2016. She was a dedicated caregiver to her disabled Mother, and worked as a custodian for various employers over the years. … Read more
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