Sharon Michelson’s Art in RutabagA Window

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Sharon Michaelsen is the featured artist for the month of October at RutabagA Art Gallery in downtown Geneseo. Her window display of shooting stars, done in acrylics, is the result of Michaelsen’s involvement with the Geneseo Community Choir. She said, “This past summer, I had the honor of being invited to paint on stage with our local 124-voice Community Choir as they sang ‘Choose Something Like a Star.’ Images from the Hubble Space Telescope were my inspiration for these preliminary practice paintings of nebulae (exploding stars). This was certainly an exciting adventure for me to work outside of my comfort zone of painting pastel portraits of children and veterans and creating pen and ink drawings of cathedrals and Victorian homes.” - “From stardust we came, and to stardust we shall return.” RutabagA Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Oil Pastel Class Tuesday at RutabagA

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Geneseo artist Joyce Mattan will instruct a class in oil pastel from 5: to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, at RutabagA Art Gallery, 108 North State in downtown Geneseo. Cost is $10 for the class and more information is available at the Gallery, 309-944-4994. Mattan has been creating artwork for the last 50 years.

Photo by Claudia Loucks

Paper Collage Display at Smith Studio

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The art work of Janet Ahrens, Grinnell, Iowa, currently is featured at the Smith Studio and Gallery in downtown Geneseo. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Smith Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

David Smith, owner of Smith Studio, said the artist has received broad acclaim for her constantly adapting collages that are variations on a theme. Ahrens’ abstract three-dimensional paper works are often noted for their unique style, elegance, and technique….He said, “Janet’s wide use of texture, strong lines, and industrial materials make her work an excellent choice for a wide range of decorative projects.”

The artist said, “The ever-changing landscape has been a constant theme in my work. I try to capture a moment in time, showing how the environment shapes the landscape over the centuries.”

Janet Ahrens, Grinnell, Iowa

Float Face-Off Underway for GHS Homecoming

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Even though it was in the beginning stages, there were many Geneseo High School students at work at the Float Face-Off on Wednesday 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.

“Hollywood Homecoming” is the 2023 homecoming theme . Photo by Claudia Loucks

Lilyann Garza, left, and Abby Poston are ready to the spray the poles for the ropes that will line the red carpet on the freshman class float.

Anna Davis and Matthew Darnall, sophomores at GHS, work on their class float which includes the words “Peace Love Prevention,” in memory of their classmate, Lyla “Random” Litherland, who died unexpectedly earlier this year.

Dylan Gehl, left; Colin Orwig, Erica DeDecker and Emelia Schmitt, members of the Junior Class at GHS, are shown by their class float, “Red Carpet Hollywood.”

GHS seniors Hayden Spranger, left, Emma DeBaene and Emma Veloz begin work on their class float, “Building the Titanic,” which will be part of the Homecoming Parade on Friday.

Men’s Health Morning Series Oct. 4

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Area men are invited to the Men’s Health Morning Series presentation from 7 to 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4, in the Hammond-Henry Hospital conference room.  Detective Jamie Shoemaker, who is with the Geneseo Police Department, will present a program on the “IMPACT Task Force.”

Those attending may purchase breakfast in the hospital dining room.  For information and to make a reservation, call 309-944-9112 or email  hhhfound@hammondhenry.com .  Parking is available in the east parking lot on Center St.  Blood pressure screenings will be available.   The Men’s Health Morning Series is sponsored by the Hammond-Henry Hospital Foundation.

 In 2022 Detective Shoemaker began working to set up a mental health task force within the police department, and it was while she was working in the community and as a result of her training with crisis intervention that she realized more than just help for mental health was needed.

   “During trainings it was brought to my attention that a person who suffers form mental illness can turn to substance use to self medicate, therefore making our task force not just about mental illness, but also substance use as well as crisis intervention.  Every person we work with has different needs and different resources they need to help them.”

   She said it has taken some time to collect a list of resources – whether it is for inpatient substance use detox, inpatient patient mental health, therapy, food, and possibly housing.

Detective Jamie Shoemaker

Mobile Museum of Tolerance Coming to Geneseo

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The Mobile Museum of Tolerance (MMOT) will be in Geneseo the last week of September. The educational program is a large bus that travels throughout Illinois, usually seen at community libraries and schools.

Information in the literature of the MMOT states: “The Mobile Museum of Tolerance seeks to inspire students and adults from across the State of Illinois to stand up against hate and foster positive change in their communities. Unlike a traditional museum, the MMOT is a mobile classroom that travels directly to communities at no cost to the schools and organizations who host us. Instead of exhibits, the MMOT uses documentary films, interactive technology, and facilitated discussions to teach participants about history, online hate, and the importance of taking action. Our workshops have been specially crafted to engage all age groups, serving schools, faith groups, community organizations, businesses, and more.”

The Mobile Museum of Tolerance will arrive at the Geneseo Public Library on Monday, Sept. 25, and will be parked in the north parking lot. Public may take advantage of the MMOT programs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 26, and from 9 a.m. to 2:30 on Wednesday, Sept. 27. On Wednesday, the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce will have special use of the MMOT from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The MMOT will then be moved to the Geneseo Middle School where it will be available for exclusive use by the Middle School on Thursday and Friday.

More information about the MMOT is available at mmot.com

Ignite Begins Oct. 4 at First Methodist in Geneseo – By Claudia Loucks

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Shawn King, left, director of Children’s Ministry at First Methodist Church in Geneseo, chats with seven-year-old Carline Gramling, daughter of Marley and Brennon Gramling, about the Ignite Children’s Program at First Methodist Church. The program, open to all students in grades k-5, will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays, beginning Oct. 4, when school is in session.

Transportation will be provided for students at Northside, Millikin and Southwest schools.

Shawn King said, “Ignite is based on the Team Kids curriculum called ‘Faithful Promises’. Through this program, we will lead kids to discover the steadfast faithfulness of God through Old Testament promises. Kids will explore details of the major covenants promised in the Old Testament and connect the bigger reality of God’s faithfulness to their every circumstance.”

Healthy snacks will be provided at the beginning of the program, King added….”Children will rotate through an opening session, games, Bible activities, and mission stations.”

Registration may be made online at www.peopleneedjesus.org/ignite or by contacting Shawn King at s.king@peopleneedjesus.org or by calling 309-944-2793.

In the picture: Shawn King, left, director of Children’s Ministry at First Methodist Church in Geneseo, chats with seven-year-old Carline Gramling

Mo Goodarzi has been named Volunteer of the Month

Mo Goodarzi has been named “Volunteer of the Month” at the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry. He has been a volunteer at the food pantry for nearly one year and has been storing clothing, stocking the freezer, assisting guests in choosing food items and does the heavy lifting.

Goodarzi and his wife, Katie, have a son, Niko.

This month’s volunteer enjoys weightlifting, soccer, riding bikes with his son and boating on the Mississippi River.

He said the best thing about volunteering at the food pantry is meeting and helping people – “the staff and volunteers are awesome.”

His most memorable experience at the food pantry is having helped prepare school supplies for “Back to School.”

His seven-year-old son Niko is a student at Northside School and Goodarzi said he loves the excitement that comes with a new school year for the kids.”

Deadline Approaching for Submitting Entries to the 2023 Maple City Fine Arts Show – By Claudia Loucks

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The time is fast approaching to submit entries in the 2023 Maple City Fine Arts Show to be featured in October at the Art League Studio and Gallery and at The Cellar in downtown Geneseo.

This year artists of any level are welcome to enter up to five pieces for a $50 entry fee. Cash awards will be given to first, second, and third place winners.

Entries will be accepted between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 27, and Thursday, Sept. 28; and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 29, and Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Geneseo Art League and Galley, 125 North State St.

All entries must be ready to hang with wired back, no saw tooth hangers.

Entries will be judged across the board, no categories, and all mediums will be accepted.

The awards ceremony will be at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, at The Cellar Restaurant, and entries will remain on display at the Art League Gallery and at The Cellar until Saturday, Oct. 28.

Jodi Haars, president of the Geneseo Art League, shows a piece of her art work that will be entered in this year’s Maple City Fine Arts Show. Photo by Claudia Loucks