Our free programs are on Mondays beginning at 6:30 PM -
see our current schedule below.
If cancellation is required an announcement will be made on
WILW 96.3FM and Facebook.
OUR MISSION
Winchester Academy’s mission is to enrich the community by providing free, intellectually stimulating, informative, and engaging programs.
- 2026 Summer Series -
Cookie Sponsors are
Patti Kile & Glen Bullick
June 8, 2026
6:30 pm
Waupaca Area Public Library Meeting Rooms
Forensic Science:
The Wisconsin Crime Laboratory
Bob Block spent 34 years as a forensic analyst with the WI Crime Lab as head of the drug identification unit. Step into the world of real-life crime solving and forensic investigation. If you’ve ever been captivated by shows like CSI, this presentation is your chance to see how forensic science works beyond the screen. You’ll explore the fascinating field services of the Wisconsin Crime Lab and discover how each area of analysis—from drug evidence to crime scene investigation—helps bring truth to light. Hear directly from an expert forensic analyst who will share stories of real courtroom drama, unusual drug cases, and haunting crime scenes. Get ready for an experience that’s as informative, educational, and unforgettable as it is thrilling.
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Program sponsors - Duane & Leslie Younsteadt and Pat Pfeifer
June 15, 2026
6:30 pm
Waupaca Area Public Library Meeting Rooms
Brain Health:
Strategies for Preventing Cognitive Decline & Neuro-degenerative Disease
Rick Menet, MD, is board certified in Internal Medicine and has completed a fellowship in Infectious Disease. He holds board certification in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, demonstrating a broad and in-depth expertise across these medical specialties for 36 years practicing in Appleton. His commitment to furthering his medical knowledge was driven by his own health journey, which he openly shares with others. Dr. Menet, motivated by his interest in brain health, earned certification in the Dr. Dale Bredesen - ReCode Program, for the prevention and improvement of cognitive decline.
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Program sponsors - Dr. James & Mary Fico
June 22, 2026
6:30 pm
Waupaca High School
The National Native American Veterans Memorial: Honoring the Military Service of Native Americans
The National Native American Veterans Memorial opened on November 11, 2020, on the grounds of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC. This tribute to Native heroes recognizes for the first time on a national scale the distinguished service of Native Americans in every branch of the US military.
Simple and powerful, timeless and inclusive, the memorial creates an interactive yet intimate space for gathering, remembrance, reflection, and healing. It welcomes and honors Native American veterans and their families, and educates the public about their extraordinary contributions.
Join Rachelle Pablo (Diné), Museum Specialist with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, to learn about the making of the memorial from concept to creation and about the enduring legacy of Indigenous military service.
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Program sponsors - Linda and Rex Pope
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This program was developed as a companion to the Making History, Making Change Lecture Series, organized by Smithsonian Affiliations & is presented in collaboration with the Waupaca Historical Society, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, and the Smithsonian.​​​
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June 29, 2026
6:30 pm
Waupaca Area Public Library Meeting Rooms
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense
and American Independence
Brett Barker, PhD, is Chair of the Department of History and International Studies at UW-Stevens Point where he is a Professor of US history. Two hundred and fifty years ago, American colonists declared their independence. Yet we often forget that they had been at war with Great Britain for over a year. In the period between the out break of war in the spring of 1775 and July 4, 1776, no other leader, battle, speech, or pamphlet did more to persuade a majority of colonists to declare independence than did Thomas Paine’s pamphlet Common Sense. Prof. Barker explains the arguments and genius contained in those 47pages, and explores how they helped create the United States.​
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Program sponsors - Kate and Mark Saunders
July 13, 2026
6:30 pm
Waupaca Area Public Library Meeting Rooms
Applied Research with a Side of History: Sustainable Commercial Fisheries
in the Great Lakes
Titus Selheimer, PhD, is the Fisheries Outreach Specialist with the Wisconsin Sea Grant Advisory Services Team and is based in Manitowoc. Commercial fishing has been an important coastal industry for centuries and it continues to be important today. Learn about the state of the fishery and dig into an applied research project on a Lake Michigan fishing boat.​
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Program sponsors - Dr. Christopher and Marcia Sands
July 20, 2026
6:30 pm
Waupaca Area Public Library Meeting Rooms
Youth Involvement in Civic Engagement and Leadership
What is civic engagement and what does this look like for younger people?
Historically, voter participation amongst our youngest voting population has lagged the overall population. Voting, however, is one metric of overall civic engagement in our society.The focus of this presentation is to highlight the many opportunities that youth have to be civically involved. You will hear from our youth panel who have taken advantage of these opportunities in civic engagement and leadership and used these to further their participation in society.
Our panel includes: Alyssa Durrant, a Waupaca High School alumna and current UW-Madison student; Henry Fries, a Waupaca High School alumnus and current UW-Madison student as well as a Dane County Supervisor; and Morgan Naylor who is a junior at Lake Mills High School. With introductions by Winchester Academy Trustee Dan Naylor, the panel discussion will be facilitated by Cory Nagel, Waupaca High School social studies teacher and Alderperson for the City of Waupaca, and JoeJanssen, retired social studies teacher. Joe was the advisor for the Waupaca School District Youth on Board program for 20 years.
Please join us in learning more about the many local and state opportunities that are available to our youth and the impact that these have.
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Program sponsors - Dan and Mary Naylor
