Foreign Students Enjoy Thanksgiving
Geneseo and neighboring towns, Moline, Colona, Port Byron, Cambridge, and Coal Valley, had volunteers to host foreign college students from the Chicago area.
The students arrived by bus in Geneseo from the International House on Wednesday, November 27 and returned to Chicago on December 1, 2024.
The International Thanksgiving Fellowship Program started in Paris, IL. Marcia and Arlyn Helke, Geneseo, became coordinators of the Geneseo International Thanksgiving Fellowship Program, for over 50 years ago. They have done a tremendous amount of work coordinating the program through the years. Of course, many thanks goes to the volunteers and host families for opening their homes during the Thanksgiving holiday season.
The Helkes also arrange foreign business persons to stay with local hosts. It is a separate program based in Washington, DC. To date, there has been 3,909 international guests from 173 countries. The foreign students learn much about American traditions plus seeing various places of interest in Geneseo and the Quad City area.
We took our two guests, Huey Ru Lee from Malaysia, and Vartika Sinah, India, to the family farm in Iowa for Thanksgiving. We also took them to Bishop Hill, IL, Henry County Historical Museum, P.L. Johnson’s restaurant and the Mississippi River in LeClaire.
On Saturday, Nov 30th, all guests and host families had a potluck dinner at St. Malachy’s Catholic Church. The food was “so” good!!
Lots of foreign dishes. Naturally, “Mr. Dufus” dropped his plate of food on the floor. Ugh!! For entertainment, we were fortune to have Geneseo’s Pam Edwards and Paxton Sherbeyn with a medley of folk songs. They were totally awesome! The program ended with the singing of the beautiful song, “Let There Be Peace On Earth.” I can never get through that song without some tears.
Almost forgot, thanks to Father Daniel Gifford for saying Grace and his blessing. Thanks to Dr. & Donna Bordwell for briefly hosting our guests on the last day as we had to attend our VanDeWalle Christmas Party at Walcot, IA. Lastly, we wish the best to our two guests during their stay with us.
Huey, we really enjoyed your time with us.
As to “Vartika,” oh well, one out of two is good!!! Gotcha, Girl!!!!
Seriously, thank you for the kind letter. The End!
Solar Smart Savings
Stark County School District saved $15,068 from April, 2023 to April, 2024, at its elementary school thanks to the bank of solar panels installed. They are also going to have a solar bus barn/electric bus project.
Next will be the expansion of solar panels to the high school campus for additional savings.
Geneseo Ikes Christmas Party
All members and guests of the Geneseo Izaak Walton Club are invited for their annual Christmas Party on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 5 p.m. It will be held at the Ikes Lodge.
The club will supply the main dish and please bring a dish to pass. New this year we are asking if you can, to bring a non-perishable food item for the Geneseo food pantry.
The spirit of Christmas can help those who may be having a tough go of it. For entertainment, there will be a fun trivia game and traveling bingo. Participants of bingo must bring a nice gift of about $15.00.
This is always a nice event so unhitch your horse and trot over to the Ikes Park this coming Saturday, Dec 7th.
Donate Red
Whether it’s in Geneseo, Cambridge, Moline or wherever, a kind thing to do is give blood. It is a busy time of the year, but if you can give about 45 minutes of your time, please donate blood. There is always a need for donated blood.
Humor
Lyn Paris wonders this, “Does a straw have one hole or two?
I didn’t get this at first, but the object of golf is to play the least amount of golf.
How can you tell when Santa Claus is on your roof? Ans: Your television reception is bad.
Why does Santa have a garden? Ans: Because he likes to hoe, hoe, hoe.
Why didn’t Isaac Newton dodge the apple? Ans: He didn’t understand the gravity of the situation.
Quote of the Week
“Never keep up with the Joneses. Drag them to your level. It’s cheaper.”
Quentin Crisp