From the 2024 Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Detective Jamie Shoemaker, with the Geneseo Police Department, was the keynote speaker at the Annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast held May 2 at Geneseo First Methodist Church.

She shared information about the “IMPACT Task Force,” and about Geneseo as a “Dementia Friendly Community,” a title which is given through the Dementia Friendly America group and works in coordination with the Geneseo Police Department’s efforts to raise awareness of mental health conditions in the area.

The Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, held in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer, is sponsored by the Geneseo Ministerial Association and is open to all area residents. The Ministerial Association serves the entire Geneseo School District, including Atkinson.

The Rev. Laura Kamprath, pastor at First Lutheran Church in Geneseo, is president of the Geneseo Ministerial Association.

In addition to Detective Shoemaker, other speakers included the Rev. Dr. Chris Ritter, Geneseo First Methodist Church; Geneseo Police Chief Casey Disterhoft; Michael Sigwalt, Director of the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry and GMA secretary.

Cathy Runty, First Lutheran Church, gave the prayer for State and National Government; Linda VanDerLeest, Geneseo First Methodist Church, gave the prayer for Local Government and First Responders; George Farley gave the prayer for the Military; Ed Kiefer, First Congregational Church, gave the prayers for agriculture and business; Ted McAvoy, St. Malachy Church, gave the prayer for schools; and Steve Durian, First Presbyterian Church, gave the prayer for families.

Photo by Claudia Loucks

Karen Doy is Food Pantry Volunteer of the Month

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Karen Doy has been named “Volunteer of the Month” at the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry. She has been a volunteer at the food pantry for two years, helping guests shop in the food room, and sometimes helping in the clothing room.

She and her husband, Steve, have two sons, Nathaniel and Andy, and a Beta fish. Doy enjoys ice dancing, water aerobics, gardening and scrapbooking.

She said the best thing about volunteering at the food pantry is meeting and interacting with guests, “who are so appreciative of what they receive.”

Her most memorable experience at the Food Pantry was when she was helping a new guest who was amazed to find she had the opportunity to select her own items. Doy talked with the guest the entire time she was shopping, and when she was ready to leave, she gave Karen a big hug and thanked her for the friendship and for making her day.

GHS Student Council Hosts Leadership Breakfast

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

National Student Leadership Week recently was observed at Geneseo High School recently when the GHS Student Council hosted a leadership breakfast for student leaders.

The student leaders recognized included sports team captains, club officers and all Student Council members.

This is the second year for the Leadership Breakfast at GHS. The breakfast concluded with a message from Rich Thurman, a retired teacher and coach in the Geneseo School District.

GHS Student Council advisor Tara Laingen said, “Over 75 students attended the event and were celebrated for their commitment to service and leadership in our school community.”

She added, “Our Leadership Breakfast is a nice way to celebrate National Student Leadership Week, and recognize the many student leaders in our school. Their contributions to our school and community do not go unnoticed and we appreciate their commitment.”

In addition to Laingen, Megan Brewer also is Student Council advisor.

Contributed Photo

Contributed Photo

Contributed Photo

Geneseo Music Festival 2024 Queen Pageant Forms Available

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Geneseo High School office staff, Nicole Cherry, center; and Jill Harrington, at right, go over a Geneseo Music Festival queen candidate information sheet with graduating senior Ella Toom, at left. The Geneseo Rotary Club-sponsored pageant is Friday, June 14, in City Park. The pageant is open to GHS graduating seniors and scholarships funds from the Rotary Club will be awarded to the queen and four runners-up. Pageant forms are available in the main office at GHS. For more information, call Catherine Rothschild at 309-945-7966 or Claudia Loucks at 309-714-1366. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Gary’s Hometown Deli Changing Ownership

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Gary Shaw, who opened and operated Gary’s Hometown Deli at 804 South Oakwood in Geneseo in September of 2017, visits with Tim Bissonette, who is purchasing the business. The Deli will remain as Gary’s Deli and will continue to be open the same hours, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Bissonette and his wife, Christy, are buying the business and he and his daughter, Melissa Sissel, will be working at the Deli.

Plans are to continue to offer the same items that have been available, including a complete line of salads in addition to ham, beef and chicken salads as well as a variety of sliced meats and cheeses and the local favorite cheese dip. The daily lunch sandwiches also will be available.

Bissonette said he has been a customer at Gary’s Deli and added, “I love the products. My wife and I owned a restaurant in Mineral and food has always been my passion.”

As for Gary Shaw, he said he looks forward to “working on my house and spending time with my granddaughters.”

He shared that he has enjoyed working with his customers and “appreciates all their support.” Photo by Claudia Loucks

Geneseo Park District Preschoolers Visit Fire Station-

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Students in the Geneseo Park District’s Bright Beginnings Preschool visited the Geneseo Fire Department on their spring field trip. Contributed Photo

Geneseo Middle School Eighth Graders at Career Fair

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Geneseo Middle School was the site Wednesday for the annual Career Fair held for eighth graders. There were 20 participants at the event, representing a variety of professions.

Amy Feely and Kate Reed; Geneseo Middle School staff members; and Travis Mackey, retired Geneseo High School principal, who is now the school district’s

Career and Technical Center Director organized this year’s Middle School Career Fair.

Photo Submitted

Photo Submitted

Photo Submitted

Photo Submitted

Photo Submitted

Black Hawk College Students and Staff Display at RutabagA Gallery

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Jorgia Finch, Moline; left, Lexi Gordon, Geneseo; and Jasmine Vega, Rock Island, all students at Black Hawk College, Moline, show some of their art work that is included in the Black Hawk Art Collective Exhibit currently at RutabagA Gallery at 108 North State St. in downtown Geneseo. The display will remain another week.

The exhibit features 37 pieces of art, completed by 12 artists, all BHC Art Collective teachers or students.

In the photo, Lexi Gordon is holding two ceramic dogs and she said, “I made these ceramic dogs for my Dad, one is my dog ‘Bobo,” and the other is ‘Jake.’”

Jasmine Vega, at right, is holding a painting that she said is her version of the moon and sun goddesses…Vega added that she also really enjoys “playing around with warm and cool colors.”

Jorgia Finch, left, is holding a self-portrait and she commented, “It’s meant to be a creepy self portrait…This painting is me as a Biblically accurate angel, this piece helps me feel eternal as I raise myself as an icon. While doing this piece, it helped me realize how much I don’t like having eyes on myself, but I’m always observing others even if they don’t see me.”

Unique Display of Art in RutabagA Gallery Window

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Lexi Gordon, a graduate of Geneseo High School who is now studying art at Black Hawk College, holds a piece of her artwork that is included in the window display at RutabagA Studio/Gallery at 108 North State St. in downtown Geneseo. The window display includes earrings designed and made by the artist as well as some pieces of art she has completed as a student at Black Hawk College. In addition, the window exhibit features a still-life charcoal piece, a pastel chalk house drawing; a jellyfish painting done is acrylics and little bee and plant stickers. Gordon said she likes to work in “all mediums,” and added that she also enjoys doing sculptures. “In the middle of my window display is my ‘Atomic’ sculpture, based off of the energy drink place ‘Atomic’,” she explained. “All the drinks are shown spilling out in vibrant colors.”
Photo by Claudia Loucks

Men’s Health Series Is May 1

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Maurie Nelson, left; and Jerry Deutsch, representing the Hammond-Henry Hospital Foundation Men’s Health Committee, encourage area men to attend the Men’s Health Morning Series program from 7 to 8 a.m. on Wednesday, May 1, in the hospital conference room. Shannon Port, CPT, 500-Hour Yoga Instructor, Hammond-Henry Hospital, will present the program, “Chair Yoga.” Parking is available in the east parking lot on Center St. Those attending may purchase breakfast in the hospital dining room. For information and to make a reservation, call 309-944-9112 or email hhhfound@hammondhenry.com. Blood pressure screenings will be available. Photo by Claudia Loucks

GHS Musical Opens Thursday

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Students in the theater and music departments at Geneseo High School will present Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 25; at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27; and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 28, in the DePauw Theater at GHS. Cast members include Imogene Greene, left, and Shay Schehl. Tickets, at $15 each, are available and reservations can be made at the Geneseo High School website, www.dist228.org. Advance reservations are encouraged, and any unsold tickets will be available at the door on the performance dates. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Hospital Auxiliary 2024 Flower Sale

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Martha Herron, left, and Mary Jane Causemker, representing the Hammond-Henry Hospital Auxiliary, will be helping with the Auxiliary’s “Spring in Bloom” flower sale fundraiser from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, May 6, and Tuesday, May 7, at Pink Prairie Gardens, 16301 Weber Rd., Geneseo. The event will be held rain or shine as the blooms and plants are in greenhouses. All proceeds benefit auxiliary pledges. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Women’s Health Series Luncheon Is April 25

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Theresa Klotz, left, and Beth Unrath, representing the Hospital Foundation Community Benefits Committee, invite area women to the Thursday, April 25, program of the Women’s Health Series, sponsored by the Foundation Community Benefits Committee. The program is from 12 noon to 1 p.m. in the Geneseo Community Center Activity Room, 541 East North St., Geneseo. Dr. Thomas J. Rizzo, Step Ahead Foot Care, Geneseo, will present the program “Foot Care.” Cost of the lunch is $10, payable at the door. For questions or to make a reservation, call the Foundation office 309-944-9112, or email at hhhfound@hammondhenry.com by Thursday, April 18. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Walk With a Doc Begins May 4

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Dr. Tom Rizzo of Step Ahead Foot Care in Geneseo, invites area residents to join him at “Walk With a Doc,” to be held on the first Saturday of each month at Geneseo City Park, beginning Saturday, May 4.

Those planning to participate should meet at 9 a.m. at City Park. The first 10 minutes of each session will be talk time and question session with the doctor.

According to information received from Dr. Rizzo’s office, “Walk With a Doc” started in April of 2005 by a doctor who grew tired of telling his patients to get more exercise so it was decided to ask his patients to join him for a walk.

Pedometers will be available at the walks and T-shirts will be an incentive for participants to make it to more of the walks.

More information about the walks to begin in Geneseo is available at www.walkwithadoc.org or on face book at Walk With A Doc-Geneseo.

Geneseo Garden Club to Meet April 22

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Emily Swihart, Horticulture Educator at the University of Illinois Extension, will present the program “Raised Bed Gardening,” at the meeting of the Geneseo Garden Club which will be at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 22, at the Geneseo Public Library.

Guests are welcome.

Health Career Scholarship Applications Available

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Applications for Hammond-Henry Hospital Auxiliary Health Career Scholarships are available online or at the volunteer office at the hospital.  The scholarships are for students who reside in the Hammond-Henry Hospital District or have graduated from Geneseo, Cambridge or Annawan School Districts, and are enrolled in an accredited health career program.

   The deadline to submit an application for the 2024-2025 school year is May 1, 2024.  Application forms and information are available online at https://www.hammondhenry.com/resources/scholarships.

   The Auxiliary scholarship winners will be introduced at the Auxiliary’s Ice Cream Social planned for Thursday, June 6, in the Geneseo City Park.

   For more information, contact Kathleen VanDeRostyne, Volunteer Manager, at Hammond-Henry Hospital, 309-944-9130.

Geneseo High Students Exhibit Art at Smith Studio

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The Smith Studio and Gallery, at 124 South State St., Geneseo, is hosting the 10th annual Geneseo High School Art Exhibition which features more than 100 works of art by junior and senior high school art students.

The end-of-the-year exhibit demonstrates student learning in a variety of 2-D and 3-D media.

An open reception to meet the artists will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17, and the exhibition will remain at Smith Studio until Saturday, April 27, which is the date of the annual Geneseo Art Walk from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown Geneseo.

The public is invited to view the artistic talent of the students during open hours at Smith Studio and Gallery: Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Gallery phone number is 309-945-5428 in the event that someone with impaired mobility might need assistance to avoid stairs.

Eberhardt is Volunteer of the Month at Food Pantry

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Sally Eberhardt has been named “Volunteer of the Month” at the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry. She has been a volunteer at the food pantry for eight months, helping guests shop in the food room, and bagging and carrying out groceries.

She said the best thing about volunteering at the food pantry is the kind, generous and interesting people she has met…”Someone at the Food Pantry always makes my day,” Eberhardt said. “You never know who will share a story, a recipe or a smile. There are so many folks with a positive spirit in our community. I am honored to volunteer and love the interactions with the Food Pantry guests!”

She and her husband, Pat, have two sons, Nick and Rob, and a Labrador named “Cooper.” She enjoys reading, walking, baking, playing pickle ball and being with her family.

Geneseo Community Choir Schedules Annual Concert and Invites Singers

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The Community Choir of Geneseo will celebrate their 16th annual concert this summer with a theme of “Does It Matter?” The performance is at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, in the Geneseo High School Concert Hall.

The Community Choir is open to those entering eighth grade and older adults. Rehearsals are held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, beginning May 29 and continuing through June 19 in the Geneseo High School Concert Hall.

Repertoire includes: “Do You Hear the People Sing?” “Memory,” and “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.”

Anyone interested in singing with the group is asked to contact Pam Edwards, director, at 309-944-6641 or email singplay53@gmail.com by May 3.

Youth entering grades 4-7 are invited to sing in the Children’s Choir which rehearses on June 20, 21, 24, 25 and 26, and will perform with the Community Choir on June 26.

Registration forms are available from Geneseo elementary and middle school choir instructors or by contacting Pam Edwards. The deadline to register is May 3. Repertoire includes: “Play For Me a Simple Melody,” and a “Mary Poppins Medley.”

Combined choirs will sing “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee,” “Sing, Sing, Sing,” “Earth Song,” and “God Bless the USA.”

Display at Geneseo City Park in Observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the display in Geneseo’s North City Park, at the corner of State and North Sts., is “The Freedom House Silent Witnesses Project.” The red silhouettes are in memory of the women and children, from the five Illinois counties served by Freedom House, whose lives were lost to sexual violence.

The back of each silhouette has information about the victim.

Photo by Claudia Loucks