Geneseo Model Railroad Club Donates to Library

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Claire Crawford, director of the Geneseo Public Library, and Mike Gawrysiak, representing the Geneseo Model Railroad Club, are shown at a recent meeting of the Model Railroaders when a donation of $50 was made from the club to the library.  Gawrysiak said, “The library is a huge supporter of our train club and our monthly meetings are held at the library, at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday  of each month.  To show our gratitude to the library we decided to make this year’s donation to the library, and we have miniature library billboards included in our displays,” Anyone interested in learning more about the Geneseo Model Railroad Club is welcome to attend the meetings, and Gawrysiak said, “All scales, gauges and ages are welcome.”  Claudia Loucks Photo

 

Civil War Songs and History Lesson Nov. 20 at Geneseo Museum

Barry Cloyd

   Area residents are invited to the Geneseo Historical Museum on Thursday, Nov. 20, to hear Barry Cloyd singing songs written by Civil War Soldiers.  In addition to songs, the program will include a history lesson about the Civil War.  Music will begin at 6 p.m. and museum doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

  Melanie Rice, director/curator of the museum, said Cloyd “puts history to music.  We are thrilled that he will be entertaining us on November 20th.”

Nobuntu, Female A Capella Group, to Perform Nov. 13 at Geneseo Library

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

   Nobuntu, a female A Capella ensemble from Zimbabwe, will perform at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Geneseo Public Library. 

   The group has toured extensively across Africa, Europe, and North America.  They are dedicated to community work, including the Nobuntu Pad Bank, which provides sanitary products to young women in the arts.

   Information received from the library stated:  The group’s name, Nobuntu, reflects an African concept of humility, love, unity and family from a woman’s perspective, and their mission is rooted in the belief that music can transcend racial, tribal, religious, gender and economic barriers.  They have received international acclaim for their inventive performances that range from traditional Zimbabwean songs and Afro Jazz to Gospel.  In addition to their exciting uplifting concerts, which feature their pure voices along with traditional dance and percussion, they also offer highly-impactful outreach activities…“Their 45-minuite performance and artist talk will enlighten you with their vibrant celebration of heritage.  They are a testament to the power of music as a force for change.”

   The program at the Geneseo Library is made possible by a grant from the Quad City Arts Council. 

Christmas Open House is Nov. 14 at the Geneseo Museum

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

   Melanie Rice, Director/Curator of the Geneseo Historical Museum, is shown by the Christmas Train Display featured in the formal parlor of the museum.  The two trains, under the decorated Christmas tree, will be operating during the Christmas Open House at the museum, from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14.

   Docents in vintage dress will welcome guests to the museum which will be decorated in Victorian splendor.

   In addition, during the open house hours, Mrs. Claus will be seated in the General Store at the museum, accepting letters to Santa that she will take back to the North Pole.  Children are encouraged to take their letters to the museum during the open house hours on Nov. 14.

   Rice is inviting visitors to the museum on Nov. 14, to “step inside a wonderland filled with sparkling holiday, décor, local history, and charm!”

Sugar Maple Ladies Golf 2025 League Winners

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The Sugar Maple Ladies Golf League held their end-of-season event at The Cellar and winners were announced for the season. Prizes were awarded for pars, birdies and no putts.   Lady golfers taking Low Net honors are, from left, Joan Windisch, Nancy Stover, Libby Trego, Deb Pulford, Connie Zerull and Sheila Cromien.  Julie Atwell also is a Low Net winner, but was absent when photo was taken. 

  Winners in the Low Gross Flight category are Barb Printy, left, and Donna Gradert.  Winners absent from the photo are Jan ZumMallen, Carol Johnson, Joan Luikart and Annie Jones.  Presidents of the Sugar Maple Ladies Golf League are Vicky McVietty, Teresa Carlson and Connie Zerull. 

 

Float Face-Off for GHS Homecoming

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

   Geneseo High School students gathered Monday afternoon and evening to work on their 2025 Homecoming floats at the annual Float Face-Off in preparation for this year’s Homecoming Parade which will be at 3:30 p.m. Friday, starting at Geneseo City Park and traveling north through downtown to the high school.  This year’s homecoming theme is “Enchanted Forest,” and all class floats were designed and decorated around the theme. 

Photo by Claudia Loucks

Bella Goethals, left, Emma Loehr, Hannah Loehr and Anna Davis are shown with the garden gate they have decorated for their senior class float.

GHS seniors, from left, Jacob Ramsay, Karen Lester, Izabella Stewart and Oliver Merrill make paper flowers for their class float.

Eleanor Bertelsen, left; Viola Pettit (holding lanterns) and Bella Brown (painting), students in the Junior Class at GHS, are shown by their class float.

Sophomore students at GHS -William Rankins, left, and Zoe Friedline get some help in building their class float from class sponsors Ava Brewer, second from left, and Tara Laingen.

  Alexander Gentry, left; Faith Kuster and Chelsea Shamblin work on their class float at the Float Face-Off held Monday. 

 

Historian to Speak on Lincoln Oct. 11 at Library

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

   Tom Emery of Carlinville, IL, noted history enthusiast, author, freelance writer and historical researcher, will be speaking at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Geneseo Public Library.

   Emery has written books about the Civil War, the history of the State of Illinois, Abraham Lincoln and notable women in Illinois.  He has degrees from Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL, and from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.

   He said, “I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed working on Abraham Lincoln and the Heritage of Illinois State University.  It may be the most fun I’ve ever had in writing and research.  I think we broke a lot of new ground there, and I loved every minute of it.”

   One of Emery’s recent books, “Stories of Historic Illinois Women,” celebrates the history of dozens of leading Illinois women.   Emery said relatively little has been written on women in Illinois history.   Among the women featured in the book is Jane Addams, the renowned Chicago social reformer who was called “the most famous American woman in the 20th century.”

 

Card-Making Class Oct. 9 at Geneseo Library

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

A card-making class will be offered at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9, at the Geneseo Public Library.

   Tami Finley of “The Art of the Apron,” will present the class.  Cost of the class is paid for by the library, and anyone interested in participating is asked to register in advance by calling the library, 309-944-6452, as class size is limited.