November 28th - Committee of the Whole City Council Meeting

Removing the Bloat

• Paisley Arnold represented the Girl Scouts. She gave a presentation about city park upgrades and earning the silver award for her project work.

• The city contributes 1% of all brick-and-mortar retail sales tax to the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce. The city does collect partial expenses on Chamber events held on public grounds. It is proposed to keep this partnership intact for FY 2024.

• Council moved forward a measure to increase residential fees for refuse services from the current rate of $14.95 to $15.95 beginning January 01, 2024. The rate increase is projected to keep the refuse fund balance healthy, while maintaining current service levels related to refuse, recycling and yard waste, including curbside cleanups, e-waste, and burn pile operations through the end of 2025. The Republic Services contract expires on 12/31/2025.

Lil’ Leaf Gymnastics Clinic Registration

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Geneseo High School gymnasts Brooke Boone, left, and Skylar Wainscott, encourage boys and girls, in grades K-5, to join them at the Lil’ Leaf Gymnastics Clinic to be held from 9 a.m. to noon, with a performance for family and friends at 11:30 a.m., on Friday, Jan. 5, at the Geneseo Community Center, 541 East North St., Geneseo. Gymnasts check in at 8:45 a.m. The clinic is open to boys and girls in kindergarten through fifth grade and participants will receive instruction on balance beam, bars, floor and vault. Gymnasts will be instructed by the GHS Gymnastics Team. Cost of the clinic is $35 per child, and $20 for each sibling in the same household. The fee includes a T-shirt. Registration is due by Friday, Dec. 15. There will be no walk-in or late registration. More information and registration is available at ghs.gymnasticsboosters@gmail.com Photo by Claudia Loucks

Beyond 76 - By Dan Dauw

POEM FOR CUZ LAURA

I promised my cousin, Laura Dunfield, I’d give her a poem on her 80th birthday. She lives in Connecticut and is a giant UConn women’s basketball fan. Anyway, it’s a little late, but here’s her poem:

Roses are red, Violets are gray;

Hope you stayed sober, On that special day;

I know you like the pool, But now swimming is done,

Too cold outside, not hardly fun!

So, Happy Birthday to you, Just stay healthy and don’t get the flu!

Polly

“Polly” was our foreign student guest we hosted over the Thanksgiving holidays. Polly Cheng (western name) or Nga Yue (Hong Kong name) is from Hong Kong which means,”fragrant harbor.” People in Hong Kong and also Singapore have two names. Because of the Covid 19, the International Thanksgiving Day Program was suspended until this year. In short, foreign college students from Chicago are bused to Geneseo and a few other northern Illinois cities over the Thanksgiving holidays. The students stayed with host families and were bused back to Chicago on November 26th. Polly is studying for her Masters in Social work.

She was lots of fun and spoke excellent English. Besides having Thanksgiving at the farm in Long Grove, IA, one day we took her to see the Mississippi River, Al & Karen Lyman’s farm in Cambridge, and the Henry County Historical Museum in Bishop Hill. We also had breakfast in Argo, IA. It is the only place I know of where the waitresses take your order from memory. There were seven of us. The food was excellent and we always go there the day after Thanksgiving. On Saturday, November 25th, we had the traditional International Potluck Supper and Program for all the host families and the foreign guests. This year it was held at St. Malachy’s Catholic Church, Geneseo. Lorna and I will miss our friend, Polly.

Falling Nuts

Nut-bearing trees have on and off years. On the “on years” which are called, “mast years,” there are a lot of nuts falling from trees like oak trees dropping acorns. After the trees have dropped their nuts they take a breather for two to five years. They can be a nuisance if the acorns or walnuts fall on your driveway, or on your lawn when cutting grass. Naturally, park your vehicle in your carport or garage if you’re bombarded by the projectiles.

Fishy Humor

What is a shark’s favorite game? Swallow the leader.

What did you call a fish’s date? His gill-friend.

What do you call a fish that can do magic?

Marlin, the Magnificent. (Don’t blame me, ‘yer the one reading these dumb jokes).

Leave ‘em Be

Not in our front yard, but we have lots of trees in our backyard jungle. In past years I’ve cut the grass in late fall and did it so the leaves would be jettison into the woods. This fall I’m leaving scattered leaves in the backyard because I read it is best to do so as they become fertilizer. We’ll see how that turns out. In that same article it mentioned to use caution when planting a black walnut tree. It’s leaves contain a toxic chemical which adversely affects and sometimes kill plants like peonies, hydrangeas, lilies, tomatoes, and other plants. I don’t think there is a problem with artificial plants!!!!

Beyond 76

I heard on TV that the average life dependency is 76 years. Wow, I snuck in an extra 5 years. Hope St. Peter doesn’t find his mistake!! I read that the world’s population is now over 8 billion. Much of that is that people are living longer. I’m quite sure I’ll checkout in my 80s, but I’m in no hurry.

Job Humor

1. My first job was working in an orange juice factory, but I got canned. I just couldn’t concentrate.

2. After that job I worked in the woods as a lumberjack, but just couldn’t hack it. They gave me the axe.

3. I then became a tailor. It was just a sew-sew job.

4. A few years ago I liked my job at a muffler factory, but it was too exhausting.

5. My best job was as a musician, but it wasn’t noteworthy.

Geneseo Fareway Has New Store Manager

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Russ Federspiel, left, Geneseo Fareway Grocery manager, is welcomed to Geneseo Fareway by Stan Melchert, meat department manager. Federspiel succeeds Bill Lanphere, who took the store manager position at Fareway in North Liberty, Iowa.

Federspiel has 38 years experience with Fareway and comes to the Geneseo store from the Fareway Grocery in Independence, Iowa. He said he first applied for the management position when the Geneseo store opened in 2005, and decided then if the management position came up again, he would apply.

“I was disappointed when I didn’t get the position in 2005,” he said. “I like Illinois and I am a huge Chicago Bears fan.”

He now has the reins of a completely updated and remodeled Fareway Grocery in Geneseo which allows for more refrigeration space in addition to being able to offer more items for shoppers.

A Visit to Concordia Lutheran Academy – By Claudia Loucks

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Students enrolled in the Concordia Lutheran Academy in Geneseo are learning much more than the standard reading, writing and math.

I recently spent some time in the K-2nd grade classroom at Concordia Lutheran Church in Geneseo and I was impressed at the behavior and the knowledge of the students. Upon entering, I was greeted by smiling faces that mirrored the warm atmosphere of the room.

Marilyn Brondos is the instructor and she described the Classical Lutheran education curriculum as “rich in content, and a classical curriculum gives students the skills necessary to grow deeply in wisdom, communication, and critical thinking.”

“Our curriculum is built around a classical education in the Lutheran tradition,” she said. “We teach children to look to God in faith and to care for one another in love by means of the Six Chief Parts and the Seven Liberal Arts. The Six Chief Parts are The Ten Commandments, The Apostles Creed, The Lord’s Prayer, Holy Baptism, Confession and Absolution and The Sacrament of the Altar. The Seven Liberal Arts include Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric, Arithmetic, Geometry, Music and Astronomy.”

Subjects include Bible history and beginning in kindergarten, Bible stories are read and discussed directly from the Bible. Old Testament and New Testament history will be studied in depth during the years at CLA, Brondos said, and added, “Students also memorize Scripture passages and Luther’s Small Catechism.”

The young people enrolled in CLA have excellent communication skills. When second grader Charlotte Prochaska was asked her favorite subject, she replied, “science.”

Just minutes later, the class of eight recited names and their knowledge of the planets and my visit included hearing the group recite the United States presidents.

Brondos explained basic information about the Classical Lutheran curriculum and said the K-2nd graders are learning Latin vocabulary that will then be used in succeeding years for translation…”Much of the English language stems from Latin,” she said. ‘These origins go beyond vocabulary and include grammatical rules, too. A firm foundation in Latin will help a student learn new words while improving English grammatical and structural knowledge.”

When it came to a lesson in spelling, the entire group recited perfectly the sounds of each letter, and Brondos explained that she uses “The Writing Road to Reading” which is a complete language arts curriculum that teaches phonics, handwriting, spelling and fluency…She said, “We begin with 70 Orton Phonograms that the children memorize to help them ‘sound out’ words for reading and for spelling. Children in kindergarten are already reading fairy tale books and will start their spelling lists in December.”

The group reads appropriate classic title books, not portions of books: fairy tales, fables, tall tales, fantasy, historical fiction and nonfiction…Their teacher said, “Kindergarten has just finished reading ‘The Three Little Pigs’ and the Three Bears’. First grade recently completed reading a number of classic children’s books, including ‘The Blind Men’ and the Elephant’ and ‘Madeline’. Second grader just finished reading ‘The Boxcar Children’.”

The CLA students are memorizing a 70-point history timeline in World History. The timeline outlines main events in the history of the world, starting with “God Created the World in the Beginning.”

In kindergarten, children will learn American History; grade one will learn basic facts of World History during Egypt, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, and the Middle Ages. Grades 2-5 will read, discuss, and do activities through the four volumes of “The Story of the World” by Susan Wise Bauer.

Art history and music history also are part of the curriculum.

After their instruction in art history, the children will imitate different types of art, from mosaic, poetry and sculpture to painting, portrait, still life, landscape and more.

The school day is not spent entirely in the classroom. In addition to a morning break, the students have recess after lunch and a physical education period in the afternoon. Their teacher said, “We want our children to have a sound mind and sound body, so we daily do exercises, run laps, and play organized games. This is a good time to build team leadership and cooperation skills, including good sportsmanship.”

The children do bring their own lunch and they eat together in the Fellowship Hall of the church. There are four students in kindergarten, three in first grade, and one in second grade.

Brondos added, “God willing we will add grades 3 through 5 in the 2024-2035 school year.”

She has 31 years of teaching full time and she has taught all grades between PreK-6th…”It is in the past 25 years that I have been teaching ‘classically’ in Lutheran schools,” she said. “Concordia Lutheran Academy just opened in 2022, so I have only been here for one-plus years. Our curriculum is rich in content, and a classical curriculum gives students the skills necessary to grow deeply in wisdom, communication, and critical thinking.”

Concordia Lutheran Academy is open to the public and for more information, contact the church office at 309-944-3993 or at Concordia@geneseolutheranchurch.com.

Students enrolled at Concordia Lutheran Academy in Geneseo are, in front from left, kindergarten students Boon Schmidt, Gideon Mueller, Mollie Prochaska and Nico Rosales; in back, first grader Michaiah Mueller, second grader Charlotte Prochaska; first graders Logan Akers, Ethan VanAntwerp. Contributed Photo

Charlotte Prochaska shows the math board in the Concordia Lutheran Academy classroom. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Logan Akers points to a note on the music board. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Building A Gingerbread House for Geneseo Christmas Walk – By Claudia Loucks

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

“Gingerbread House Party” is the theme of the 2023 Christmas Walk which will feature a full day of festivities, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9.

The theme of the Christmas Walk changes from year to year, and this year’s theme includes a Gingerbread House Competition, hosted by the Geneseo Art League & Gallery, located at 125 North State St.

There is no cost to enter the competition. and the Grand Champion will be announced at noon during the Geneseo Chamber’s Shop Geneseo! Drawing live on the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce Face book page.

Visitors to the 2023 Geneseo Christmas Walk are invited to visit the Geneseo Art League to vote for their favorite Gingerbread House. The winner will be crowned Grand Champion, and will win a $100 Geneseo Chamber Gift Certificate.

Anyone entering the competition is asked to include their name and Gingerbread House title in a visible separate piece of paper. All Gingerbread Houses must be placed on a plywood board base or cardboard not exceeding 24” x 24”. No peanuts, tree nuts, or any nuts are allowed.

The Gingerbread Houses must be 100 percent edible candy/embellishments/materials except for lights inside or outside the house. Non-edible support structure material other than the baseboard may not be used.

Non-edible decorations, such as paint, ribbon, figurines, etc. may be used ONLY to decorate the base. A list of materials used to create the Gingerbread House along with a title and brief description should be submitted with each entry.

Completed entries must be submitted on site to the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce office, located at 117 South Oakwood Ave., inside of Geneseo City Hall, or submitted by email to: geneseo@geneseo.org no later than 4 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 4.

Entries to the Gingerbread House competition must be left at the Geneseo Art League by 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8. Competition begins Saturday, Dec. 9, during the 2023 Christmas Walk.

The Grand Champion will be announced at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 13, during the Geneseo Chamber’s “Shop Geneseo” Drawing live on the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce Face book page.

Jodi Haars, seated, president of the Geneseo Art League, is in the process of building a Gingerbread House for this year’s Geneseo Christmas Walk which has a theme of “Gingerbread House Party.” “Helping” Haars put the pieces together are from left, Sullivan Nichols, seven-year-old daughter of Joe and Amanda Nichols; Maud Depies, at right, five-year-old daughter of Steve and Lisa Depies. Zack Sullivan, executive director of the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce, sponsors of the annual Christmas Walk, shows the sign promoting the 2023 Walk on Dec. 9. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Geneseo’s 2023 Christmas Walk Ornament Available – By Claudia Loucks

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Creating an annual Christmas Walk Ornament is a Geneseo tradition that spans decades. The first ornament was created in 1993 by Don Beck to commemorate the Victorian Walk in Geneseo. Beck retired from making the ornaments in 2006, but the ornament tradition continues each year.

The design of the annual ornament tradition has gone through the hands of several creative Geneseo citizens.

The 2023 mosaic glass ornaments are circular in shape and each of the 60 ornaments has been made in-house by members of the Geneseo Art League. All are of different designs and colors.

Jodi Haars, president of the Geneseo Art League, said League members began creating the designs in April and include poinsettias, Christmas bells, lights and more.

The reverse side of each ornament includes a laser etching of the Art League logo and Christmas Walk 2023.

This year’s holiday ornament is available to purchase for $15 each at any of the three art galleries located in the “Art District” on State St. in downtown Geneseo. The Geneseo Art League at 125 North State, RutabagA Gallery and Studio at 108 North State, and at Smith Studio and Gallery at 124 South State.

Holiday hours at the Art League begin Wednesday, Nov. 22, and continue through Christmas Eve - from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

Megan Harrington, daughter of Mike and Jill Harrington; and Jodi Haars, president of the Geneseo Art League, show one of the mosaic glass ornaments made for the 2023 Geneseo Christmas Walk. Photo by Claudia Loucks

GHS Seniors Continue Their “Feeding Through Faith” Mission – By Claudia Loucks

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Three years ago Nathan Dunker and Reed Preston began making donations to the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry, and they plan to donate again this year.

The donations are a result of their “Feeding Through Faith” cross sales which they began in 2020. They do keep some seed capital from their sales for their ongoing mission project, but have been able to make sizable donations to the food pantry in previous years.

Thus far, they have made over 200 crosses since beginning their mission three years ago.

“When we started this project, we really didn’t think far into the future,” Dunker said.

“We have taken it year by year and we are happy with its success. Nathan is the son of Keith and Tina dunker and Preston is the son of Rick and Kelly Preston.

Three years ago at Christmastime, the six-foot tall lighted crosses became part of the outdoor Christmas decorating scene in many area yards. The crosses have become so popular that the two young men continue to take orders.

The 6-ft. tall crosses can be ordered with or without lights in a choice of white lights or colored lights. The two young men have purchased the materials necessary in building the crosses and are seeking area donors to offset the cost of materials so they can increase their contribution to the food pantry.

Anyone interested in placing an order for Christmas or for Easter 2024, or in donating materials is asked to email feeedingthroughfaith20@gmail.com or visit facebook at Feedingthroughfaith20; Instagram at feeding_through_faith_20 or by contacting Kelly Preston at 309-945-6270.

Anyone placing an order is asked to include their address, phone number, white/colored ($40), or non lit cross ($25), email address, as well as payment method preferred….Cash, check (payable to Tina Dunker) or Venmo at Tina-Dunker are accepted.

The teens’ mission project began during the 2020 Christmas season. They live next door to each other, have grown up together and are good friends.

When the Christmas season approached three years ago, Dunker used some of the wood left from fort-building to construct a cross, outlined the cross in white lights and

added it to the Christmas decorations in the yard of the family home.

When Reed’s mom, Kelly Preston, saw what Nathan had made from the wood in the wood pile, she told her son, “I love the Dunker’s cross and would really like you to build one for us.” She said her son was hesitant at first because he did not want to copy his friend’s idea.

“We are good friends with the Dunkers and I will ask them,” Kelly Preston said.

“Nathan’s mother said, ‘Absolutely, Reed can build you a cross. Jesus is the reason for the season’.”

That idea snowballed as neighbors and friends learned about the crosses from seeing them and from social media and began ordering the crosses from the two teens.

The project was launched when Dunker and Preston were on Thanksgiving break in 2020 from classes at GHS so they put their free time into doing something charitable, and the decision was made to continue making and selling the crosses and donate their profits to a charitable organization.

Dunker said, “I didn’t mind giving up my free time because I had fun building the crosses. I found it nice to know that the time I was putting in was going towards a good cause. Hopefully, we inspired others to donate this holiday season too.”

They first designed a logo for their mission, “Feeding through Faith,” and those words gave them the idea to use their efforts to benefit the food pantry. The logo (FtF) is burned into the center of each cross they have made.

The logo was thought of by Dunker and it was Preston who explained, “He (Nathan) has a small wood burner and thought it would be cool to burn a logo onto the crosses.

The name and logo was then thought of when we had a ‘meeting’ and decided on the name of ‘Feeding through Faith’ because we were spreading and sharing our faith

through the cross sales. My faith has taught me the importance of giving and helping others.”

When asked how they decided to donate the money to the food pantry, and not keep the funds for themselves, Nathan Dunker said, “We knew we had the option to keep all of the profits; however, we decided against it because He is the reason for the season, so we knew we should donate most of the proceeds. It felt wrong to use the cross as a way for us to gain profits, rather than spreading the wealth to other people in need, especially during the holiday season. Jesus said to love thy neighbor as thyself, so it felt right to help those in need.”

Reed Preston had similar thoughts and he said, “I saw something on the news that talked about how many of the food pantries nationwide were in need due to the pandemic and I thought it would be a good idea to donate to our food pantry so families could have food and gifts for the holidays.”

They chose to donate their profits to the food pantry “because it is a local organization and since we were selling the crosses locally we thought we should donate locally too,” he added.

“We get to benefit people in need by giving donations to our local food pantry,” Preston said. “We both enjoy spending time together building the crosses. And the process of burning our logo into each cross, it really does add a special touch.”

When asked their thoughts when they see the crosses in so many area yards, Preston said, “When I drive around town, it is a pretty awesome feeling to see our crosses in people’s yards. This project also continues to help me grow in my faith and feel closer to God. I am proud of the work Nathan and I have done to spread the love of Jesus.”

And Dunker replied,” I like the fact knowing that I made the crosses and that by making them, I am able to help people in need. I like knowing that we are spreading Christ’s love while helping others. I enjoy seeing our crosses around because it brings up all the memories Reed and I share in the garage and on the road while making and delivering the crosses. I really enjoy being able to spread God’s image in a way where we can help those in need, and remind people of the reason for the season.”

Nathan Dunker, left; and Reed Preston, continue their “Feeding Through Faith” mission, a project the current Geneseo High School seniors began in 2020. They now wear shirts inscribed with their logo (FtF) to promote the project. Photo by Claudia Loucks

---

HEALTH DEPARTMENT OFFERS SOME FOOD SAFETY-TURKEY TACTICS

RaeAnn Tucker
Director of Health Promotion
November 15, 2023

It's that time of year again - Thanksgiving.  And the staff of the Henry and Stark County Health Departments note as cooks across the country ready themselves for this annual feast day, handling poultry incorrectly and undercooking it are the most common problems that lead to foodborne disease outbreaks.  To better guarantee that your Thanksgiving holiday is a healthy one, the Health Department offers up some helpful "Turkey Tactics:

 1.Thaw Your Turkey Safely

• In the refrigerator in a container; start early and thaw turkey in a refrigerator or in a place where the air temperature is no higher than 40° F. A 20-pound turkey will take about three days to thaw completely in a refrigerator.

• In a leak-proof plastic bag in a sink of cold water (change the water every 30 minutes); or

• In the microwave, following the microwave oven manufacturer’s instructions.

     Never thaw your turkey by leaving it out on the counter. A thawing turkey must defrost at a safe temperature. When the turkey is left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, its temperature becomes unsafe. Bacteria can grow rapidly in the “danger zone” between 40°F and 140°F.

     Do not wash or rinse a raw turkey.  Federal food safety advice has recommended against washing turkey or chicken since 2005, but some habits are hard to break.  Old recipes and family cooking traditions may keep this practice going, but it can make you and your family sick.  Poultry juices can spread in the kitchen and contaminate other foods, utensils, and countertops.

2. Handle Your Turkey the Right Way

     Raw poultry can contaminate anything it touches with harmful bacteria. Follow the four steps to food safety—clean, separate, cook, and chill—to prevent the spread of bacteria to your food, family, and friends.

• Wash hands with warm soapy water for 20 seconds before and after handling turkey.

• Use a separate cutting board for raw turkey.

• Never place cooked food or fresh produce on a plate, cutting board, or other surface that previously held raw turkey.

• Wash cutting boards, utensils, dishes, and countertops with hot soapy water after preparing turkey and before you prepare the next item.

3. Cook Stuffing Thoroughly

     Cooking stuffing separately from the turkey in a casserole dish makes it easy to be sure it is thoroughly cooked. If you cook stuffing in the turkey, put the stuffing in the turkey just before cooking.

     With either cooking method, use a food thermometer to make sure the stuffing’s center reaches 165°F. Bacteria can survive in stuffing that has not reached 165°F and may then cause food poisoning. If you cook stuffing in the turkey, wait 20 minutes after taking the bird out of the oven before removing the stuffing; this allows it to cook a little more. Use a food thermometer to check for a safe internal temperature.

4. Cook Your Turkey Thoroughly

     Set the oven temperature to at least 325°F. Place the completely thawed turkey in a roasting pan that is 2 to 2-1/2 inches deep.  Cooking times will vary depending on the weight of the turkey. Use a food thermometer to make sure the turkey has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F. Check by inserting a food thermometer into the center of the stuffing and the thickest portions of the breast, thigh, and wing joint. Even if your turkey has a pop-up temperature indicator, you should still use a food thermometer to check that it is safely cooked.

     Let the turkey stand 20 minutes before removing all stuffing from the cavity and carving the meat.

     For more information on food safety, call the Health Department Environmental Health Division at (309) 852-0197 Extension 222 or email eh@henrystarkhealth.org.

Hammond-Henry Hospital Auxiliary 2023 Love Lights Tree – By Claudia Loucks

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The Hammond-Henry Hospital Auxiliary is once again sponsoring the Love Lights Tree which is on display at the corner of Wells St. and College Ave., Geneseo.

A dated ornament, designed for this year’s tree, is given to anyone making a qualified contribution to the Love Lights Tree in memory of a loved one. Contributions also may be made in honor of a special person in someone’s life.

The 2023 ornament was designed by local artist Susan Bos.

-Anyone making a contribution of up to $20 will receive an acknowledgement card, but not a dated ornament.

-Anyone making contributions of $20 to $99 will receive a card and a dated ornament.

-Anyone making contributions of $100 and above will receive a card, dated ornament

and will be acknowledged with a special light in the red heart at the top of the Love Lights Tree.

The tree is an Auxiliary fundraiser and funds received this year will be used to provide health career scholarships to local students enrolled in a medical field of study.

Donation forms and information are available at the hospital volunteer office, 309-944-9130, at the hospital website which is www.hammondhenry.com/lovelight or by email at volunteer@hammondhenry.com . Checks may be made payable to

Hammond-Henry Hospital Auxiliary and mailed to the Auxiliary at 600 North College Ave., Geneseo, IL 61254.

The names of all donors and names of those being remembered and honored will be displayed at the main and east entrances of the hospital from Dec. 8, 2023, through Jan. 8, 2024.

Kathleen VanDeRostyne, left, Hammond-Henry Hospital Auxiliary and Volunteer Supervisor, and Julie Riney, president of the hospital auxiliary, stand by the banner for the Auxiliary’s 2023 Love Lights Tree, on the hospital grounds at the corner of Wells St. and College Ave.

---

Forty is the Old Age of Youth - By Dan Dauw

Christmas Wreath

I noticed some stores are already displaying Christmas items. One item of various sizes is the tradition wreath. They can be at different places like on a door, lamppost, window and so on. We put ours one the front door with electric lights. Okay, now you’re going to learn a few things about the wreath. First, wreaths go back to the earliest civilizations, around the time Lyn Paris was playing golf using a tree branch and a round rock. Round wreaths are a symbol of immortality and are associated with life and renewal. Lastly, they used to be hung around the neck, head or waist. It was a sign of welcome.

Now, see what you can learn by reading Dan D’s Outdoors?!

Compliment Time

I haven’t thrown any compliments for a while so let’s give some to Zack Sullivan, Executive Director, Geneseo Chamber of Commerce. The gentleman really deserves some “kudos” for all the work he does. The City of Geneseo is very lucky to have such an energetic and personable person working for the ‘Chamber. Last week I happened to turn on the TV and Zack was on KWQC-TV, the “PSL Show.” He did an excellent job promoting Geneseo and the “Christmas Walk.”

Poor Bears

Talk about two inept teams at last week’s game between ‘da Bears and the Carolina Panthers. Thankfully, they don’t play again until November 19th at Detroit. QB Justin Field’s thumb should be healed by then. QB Tyson Bagent didn’t do a horrible job, but I think Fields will be the better of the two against the Lions. This joke going around fits their game against the Panthers. “After watching the last Bears game, Arlington has decided to rebuild the racetrack!” “Go, Bears!”

Blackbirds & Bird Food

Every fall it is interesting to see the thousands upon thousands of blackbirds all bunched up and heading for warmer temps. Sir Glen Anderson, Birdman of Henry County, told me that 50 pound bags of cracked corn is good bird feed and reasonable in price. For large selections of bird feed try Farm & Fleet, Farm King and Theisen’s in Davenport.

Civil War Lingo

Bacon was called “sow bosom” by soldiers of the Civil War. A soldier under attack wanted to “peddle lead” meaning shoot fast. Civil War officers’ shoulder bars were called, “pumpkin rinds.”

Jewish Cemetery

On Shockoe Hill in Richmond, Virginia, is the only Confederate Hebrew Cemetery outside of Israel.

Age

Victor Hugo once said, “Forty is the old age of youth, fifty is the youth of old age!” No one is so old as to think he cannot live one more year. Lastly, “Youth is a blunder; Manhood a struggle; Old age is regret.”

Why

Lastly, why does pushing the elevator button more than once make it arrive faster? Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground? Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are dead?

Geneseo Ikes Breakfast

On Saturday, November 11th, the Geneseo Izaak Walton League held their annual fall breakfast for members and guests. The cooks and helpers did a great job. The food was excellent!

Men’s Health Morning Series Is Dec. 6

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, Dec. 6, in the hospital conference room. Dr. Ryan Wilson, Geneseo Vision Center, will present the program on “Vision.” 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

Henry & Stark County Health Departments Announce They Now Have Both Pfizer & Moderna Updated Covid-19 Shots For Adults & Children Available in Kewanee & Colona

RaeAnn Tucker
Director of Health Promotion
November 8, 2023

The Henry and Stark County Health Departments and First Choice Healthcare are pleased to announce we now have both Pfizer & Moderna Updated Covid-19 Shots For All Adults & Children (6mos+) at our clinics in Kewanee and Colona. Covid-19 shots will be available by appointment at both locations, simply call the First Choice Healthcare location nearest you: Kewanee 309-852-5272 or Colona 309-792-4011.

     Adults & Children with “Insurance Coverage” for the Covid-19 vaccination can obtain either the Pfizer or Moderna 2023-24 updated vaccine.  Simply bring your insurance card with you to your appointment. Moderna “insured” appointments starting Friday, November 10th.

     Adults & Children with “NO Insurance Coverage” for the Covid-19 vaccination may choose either the Pfizer or Moderna 2023-24 updated Covid-19 vaccine through the “Bridge Access Program” or “VFC (Vaccines For Children) Program.”     

      The Health Department notes that both the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and CDC recommend vaccination with the updated COVID-19 vaccine for all persons aged ≥6 months. Older adults and persons with weakened immune systems are at greatest risk for hospitalization and death. In addition, healthy children and adults can still experience severe disease.

     To schedule your appointment or for more information, call the First Choice Healthcare locations in Kewanee (309) 852-5272 and Colona (309) 792-4011 Colona or visit our website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find us on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments, or Follow Us On Twitter or Instagram.

Geneseo Woman Makes Quilts of Valor for Two Local Veterans– By Claudia Loucks

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

It was an emotional experience for both Dick Ghys and Brad Windisch when they received the Quilts of Valor made by Diane Mallum. All are of Geneseo.

The two Vietnam veterans were honored at the recent ceremony hosted by the Quad City Quilts of Valor Foundation and held at the Quad City Botanical Center.

Both Ghys and Windisch served in the military during the Vietnam War. Ghys served in the U.S. Army from December of 1966 through November of 1967. He was in the infantry stationed in the Mekong Delta.

Windisch served in the U.S. Air Force, stationed at Phu Cat Air Force Base in Vietnam from September of 1970 until September of 1971.

The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. Although the patterns of the quilts may vary, the fabrics used are almost always shades of red, white and blue.

Mallum said she has made Quilts of Valor before and donated them to the Quad City Quilts of Valor Foundation, but had never before nominated any specific person to receive the throws….”I have made the quilts through the Geneseo Quilt Guild and donated them to the Quad City Quilts of Valor Foundation, but this is the first time I have specified the veterans I wanted to receive my quilts.”

Mallum contacted both Ghys and Windisch in May and asked them if they would accept her nomination as recipients of the quilts. Both men agreed and did attend the ceremony held by the Foundation.

The event was held in conjunction with the observance of Veterans Day.

Mallum said she will continue to make the Quilts of Valor, “maybe not every year, but I do still like to quilt.”

Diane Mallum made and presented Quilts of Valor to veterans Brad Windisch, at left; and Dick Ghys. The presentation was made at a ceremony held by the Quad City Quilts of Valor Foundation at the Quad City Botanical Center. Contributed Photo

Each of the two Quilts of Valor Mallum made for Geneseo veterans are personalized with her name and the recipient’s name.

---

Tickets Available Soon for 2023 GHS Madrigal Dinners – By Claudia Loucks

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Beginning in 1980, students from the music department at Geneseo High School have been taking guests a step back in time to “Merrie Ole England” at the annual Madrigal Dinners.

This year’s dinners, which mark the 42nd year of performances, are at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30; Friday, Dec. 1; and Saturday, Dec. 2, in the Geneseo High School Concert Hall Commons, 700 North State St. Seating begins at 6 p.m. and tickets are available, and reservations, which are required, may be made by visiting
https://www.vancoevents.com/CCCG and searching “GHS Madrigal.” Tickets are $28 per person, and will go on sale Nov. 13.

Guests will dine on a medieval feast, including bread, salad, pork loin, twice baked potato, green beans and Figge pudding with a cup of wassail, and be entertained by the Madrigal Singers, as well as the Madrigal Brass, recorder Choirs, mimes, and entertainers.

The singers and brass also will be featured at the Geneseo Christmas Walk on Saturday, Dec. 9, and will perform and 6 p.m. that night in Central Theater.

When the Madrigal celebrations began in 1980, they were held in the former St. Malachy’s Church before the performances were moved to Grace Church in 1986. They are now held in the GHS Concert Hall Commons.

The Madrigal cast is under the direction of GHS choral director Stephen LaCroix, along with band directors Jaime Kotovsky and Sara Hawkins. LaCroix said the Madrigal Dinners were started by former music and drama department directors, James Rimington, Victor Bianchetta, and the late Harvey Green.

LaCroix said the dinners involve approximately 100 high students each year including singers, brass players, recorder ensemble, harpsichordist, beggars, fair maidens, a poet, a cook, serving wenches, mimes, wait staff and those who help with hair and makeup in addition to character roles that vary each year with changes in script.

“Parent involvement is key to the success of the dinners as the parents oversee the many tasks to make it a detailed and personalized performance for the audience,” he said.

Madrigal singers audition in May each year for the upcoming season and singers begin rehearsing weekly beginning in August.

“Time after time students remark that their Madrigal Dinner involvement was the best and most memorable experience of their four years of high school,” LaCroix said.

Geneseo High School seniors Jeron Neal and Isabella Haney are cast as the king and queen in the 42nd annual Madrigal Dinners to be presented by students from the music department at GHS. Contributed Photo

---

Grief Seminar Is Nov. 12 at First Methodist

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Gathering for a holiday meal after the death of a loved one can be difficult.  The empty seat at the table is a constant reminder of that loss.   Kippy Breeden, left, Grief Seminar Ministry leader,  and Yvette Biddle, Director of Discipleship at First Methodist Church, Geneseo, want to help those experiencing a loss prepare for the upcoming holiday season without a loved one.  Breeden will lead the seminar, Grief Seminar “Surviving the Holidays,” from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12, at His Place (the south campus of First Methodist), 224 North State St., Geneseo.  There is no cost for the seminar and it is open to the community.  The seminar offers encouragement, support, and practical tips for facing holiday challenges after loss. Anyone planning to attend the seminar is asked to respond by calling Biddle at 309-944-2793 or by email at y.biddle@peopleneedjesus.org. Photo by Claudia Loucks