Richard Charlet Becomes an Ameriprise Financial Hall of Fame Member

Richard Charlet

Geneseo, IL – March 1st, 2026 - Richard Charlet, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CFA® a Private Wealth Advisor with Charlet, Vandersnick & Associates a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC in Geneseo, has earned membership in the company’s exclusive Hall of Fame.

Introduced in 1986, the Hall of Fame is designed to recognize exceptional professionals who have achieved years of consistently high performance. The Ameriprise Financial Hall of Fame is considered a lifetime achievement award.

3% percent of Ameriprise financial advisors have earned the prestigious Hall of Fame distinction. Charlet was one of only 29 advisors to achieve this milestone in 20261. He has 39 years of experience with Ameriprise Financial.

As a financial advisory practice, Charlet, Vandersnick & Associates provides financial advice that is anchored in a solid understanding of client needs and expectations and provided in one-on-one relationships with their clients. For more information, please contact our staff at 309-944-6596, or visit our Ameriprise office at 100 South State Street, Geneseo.

Girl Scouts Celebrate Girl Scout Week

From Jennifer Nelson
Service Unit Director 886

Girl Scouts celebrated the beginning of Girl Scout Week, which runs from March 8th to 14th, with a Community Service event this past Sunday, March 8th. Each troop brought all the necessary supplies for their station, which then Girl Scouts used to create items for our community. We had 60 Girl Scouts and Volunteers from Service Unit 886 of Geneseo and Atkinson participate. Afterwards most of the Girl Scouts went to a planned event at the bowling alley to celebrate their hard work. 

We would like to thank all of those that help support Girl Scouts, including those in our community and the Geneseo Community Chest. 

What these girls completed during the event:
- 45 bus driver and crossing guard treat bags 
- 100 Kindness rocks 
- 120 cat toys and 50 dog treats for the Humane Society
- 200 thank you bags for local teachers
- 60 cards for dialysis patients 
- Oodles of bracelets to make people smile 
- 50 Placements for nursing homes 
- 50 appreciation snack packs and cards for first responders
- 120 seed bombs for Girl Scout camp

Paintings from RutabagA Members for WQPT Fundraiser

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

RutabagA Art Gallery members Joyce Mattan, left; and Sharon Michaelsen, are shown with the paintings to be donated to the WQPT Public Broadcasting Fundraising Auction that begins Sunday, March 15, at WQPT’s Facebook Page.  
In addition to Mattan and Michaelsen, both Karen Vroman and Les Hoste also did paintings for the upcoming fundraiser.  Contributed Photo

Art Work by Sharon Michaelsen Featured at Geneseo Library

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Sharon Michaelsen. Contributed Photo

Geneseo artist Sharon Michaelsen is shown by some of her pastel paintings that currently are on display at the Geneseo Public Library.  The collection showcases historical locations she painted after traveling in Greece. The paintings are offered for sale and more information is available by contacting Michaelsen at 309-944-4580. 


 

Community Choir Concert is June 24

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The Community Choir of Geneseo will celebrate their 18th annual concert, entitled, “American Tapestry-Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday,” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, in the Geneseo High School Concert Hall.

   The Community Choir includes those people entering eighth grade and older adults.  Rehearsals are held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday evenings, beginning Wednesday, May 27, and continuing through June 17 in the GHS Concert Hall.

   Repertoire includes “Blowin in the Wind”, “Tell My Father”, “The Gift to be Simple”, and “Beautiful City.”

   Anyone interested in singing is asked to contact Pam Edwards, Community Choir Director, at 309-944-7380 or email (singplay53@gmail.com) by Saturday, May 2.

   Students entering grades 4-7 are invited to sing in the Children’s Choir, and they will rehearse June 18, 19, 22, 23 and 24.  Registration forms are available through the Geneseo elementary and middle school choir instructors, or by contacting Pam Edwards.  Deadline to register for the Children’s Choir is Friday, May 8.  Repertoire includes “Mississippi”, “Everyday People” and “50 Nifty United States.”

  Combined choirs will sing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”, “This Land is Your Land” and “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”