By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
The Lightkeepers of Geneseo First Methodist Church have once again found some of the most inviting outdoor venues in the area for their 2025 Porches, Pools & Patios Tour. The event will be held on Saturday, July 19, with the designated properties open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The day includes a salad and charcuterie luncheon, with serving from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Commons at First Methodist Church, 302 North State Street in Geneseo.
Tickets, at $20 per person, are available in advance at porchespoolsandpatios.com with tickets, and maps of the five tour destinations, will be mailed to those purchasing tickets online. Tickets also will be on Sunday mornings in the Commons at First Methodist, during the week in the church office, and on the day of the Tour, July 19, tickets will be available to purchase at $25 each.
Guests will be able to visit the sites on the tour at their own pace by using the provided map. Ticketholders will be asked to present their tickets when they arrive for lunch at the church.
Members of the Lightkeepers Tour Committee are Suzanne Rakestraw, Barb Nelson, Chris Stahl, Deb Ward, Marilyn Bourne and Jackie Skiles.
ON THE TOUR:
-Greg and Kim Heaton reside in a quiet neighborhood within the city limits, where they must certainly enjoy their somewhat secluded back yard which features a pool, putting green, outdoor kitchen, firepit in addition to a screened-in porch, complete with fireplace.
-Jeff and Jackie Jobe have created an outdoor space that speaks relaxation, from the beauty of the blooming perennials that line the paved walkway leading to the gate of the pool area, which includes an outdoor kitchen, conversation area around the fireplace, swimming pool and coy/goldfish pond. A beautiful array of flowers and limestone designs complete the setting.
-Lona Pribble has agreed to share her backyard haven, which has been her passion for more than 50years. She has created a botanical dream behind her house, located across from the Geneseo Swimming Pool. The pathway leading to the back yard was created with 8,000 bricks put in place by Lona’s late husband, Ray Pribble. The many Conifers and plantings are the back drop to a playhouse, fairy gardens, ponds with fish and a seating area within a pavilion. The entire garden is accented with a large center island of giant Hosta’s anchored by gigantic oak trees.
-Shadow Lake Wedding Venue, located off Illinois Route 92, just east of the Antique Engine and Tractor Association showgrounds, is a breathtaking site, as it graces the shores of the Rock River, with a special wedding arch and area near the water. The location has been used to host weddings, graduation parties, class reunions, showers and even concerts. The train car, situated in front, servs as a unique restroom. Shadow Lake Venue is open from May-October and their website is www.shadowlakevenue.com.
-Tim and Kelly Yager have designed the grounds of their working farm with a touch of class, from the landscaping the three-level limestone featured decks in back. Both Tim and Kelly grew up in Geneseo, and after 22 years of “city” life, they returned “home,” and have built their sprawling house on the farm ground where Tim’s grandparents lived, just outside of Geneseo on Illinois Rt. 82. The scenery at the Yager farm is breathtaking during each season of the year.
