2023 Maple City Band
Gosh, it looks like another summer of great concerts in the Geneseo Park. For you musicians, rehearsals are on Mondays from May 29 through July 17, 2023. Rehearsals are from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. If you can arrive at 6:30 p.m. you can help set-up chairs and socialize. The location is at the city park band shell. In case of a typhoon, wild animals, or a falling Chinese balloon, the back-up location will be the GHS band room. All MCB concerts will be held in the band shell on Tuesdays starting at 7 p.m. The July 4th concert will begin at 1 p.m. The following are the concert dates: June 6, June 13, (July 18 parade), June 20, July 4th, and July 18. The Maple City German Band will perform on Tuesday, July 25th.
Other Geneseo Concerts
Here are some other concert dates held at the band shell starting at 7:00 p.m. 1) Geneseo Middle School Band, Tuesday, June 27. 2) Big River Brass Band, Tuesday, July 11. 3) Geneseo Big Band, Tuesday, August 8, 2023. So, if you enjoy relaxing, socializing and listening to live music, all the bands have you covered! Oh, and the organizations who host the ice cream socials at the concerts can certainly use your support.
Gardening
From music to our ears, comes gardening to our eyes! There are plenty of local businesses that sell flowers and vegetable plants. One of Lorna’s former students, Ryan Werkheiser, has a nice plant nursery west of Kewanee called, “Nature’s Creation.” So, if you cannot find what you need locally, take a short drive to Ryan’s business. He has quite the selection of plants. If ‘yer going to pay a visit to Carbon Cliff Bait & Tackle for bait or whatever and you also need gardening items, try East Moline Feed, south of the bait shop. Owner Kevin Versluis may have what you’re looking for. Just don’t mention my name or that Belgian will charge you double!!!
Fishing Report
As of this writing, I wish I could report fishing has been good. I tried the main lake at Giant Goose east of Atkinson. After 5 trips there I’ve caught one bluegill, “whoopee!” Next stop will be at Gunslinger’s place on Rock River. Even though we are talking high water, the channel cats should be hungry. Last week I saw an interesting PBS program that showed salt water fish talk to each other. I knew whales could communicate with each other, but I never thought about other creatures of the deep, yakking away.
Two Local Fishing Events
Mark your calendar for these June fishing rodeos. The Geneseo Izaak Walton League will host their annual Youth Fishing Contest on Saturday, June 10, 2023, from 8:00 a.m. until noon. The following Saturday, June 17, 2023, is the Ikes Senior Fishing Contest. Both events will be held at the Ikes Park, one mile north of Geneseo, off Rt. 82. As we get closer to the events, I will keep you updated.
Aisle of Flags
Glen and Jan Anderson, Geneseo, asked if I would mention the need for volunteers to help with all the flags on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023. Volunteers are needed at 7 a.m. in the Geneseo City Park to put up the thousand flags honoring those who served. Volunteers are also asked to return at 2:30 p.m. to take down the flags and pack them away. For more information go to: facebook.com/Aisleofflags
Illinois Free Fishing Days
The IL-DNR Fishing Regulation booklet is now available and in it mentions the Illinois Free Fishing Days will be June 16 through June 19, 2023. You will not need a fishing license to fish Illinois within the jurisdiction of the State. However, all fishing regulations still apply. The Carbon Cliff Bait & Tackle have the new free regulation booklets. The local Ikes Senior Fishing Contest date falls in the free fishing dates. If you are in the age group of 55 to 105, you need to try your luck with the greatest sport of them all, fishing! Bait will be provided free courtesy of Carbon Cliff Bait & Tackle. There will be nice prizes awarded.
Humor
Can you believe all the tornadoes that been touching down lately? Very unusual. Normally, we only see that much wind in an election year!