Women’s Health Series Luncheon Is Feb. 22

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Crystal Yost, left, Hammond-Henry Foundation Assistant, and Shelly Hickerson, representing the Hospital Foundation Community Benefits Committee, invite area women to the Thursday, Feb. 22, program of the Women’s Health Series, sponsored by the Foundation Community Benefits Committee. The program is from 12 noon to 1 p.m. in the Geneseo Community Center Activity Room, 541 East North St., Geneseo. Dr. Rafat F. Padaria, cardiologist, cardiovascular Medicine, PC, will present the program on “Leg Vein Issues,” with presentations on vascular equipment from Medtronic and Tactile Medical. Cost of the lunch is $10, payable at the door. Reservations are required by Thursday, Feb. 15, and can be made by calling the Foundation office 309-944-9112, or by email at hhhfound@hammondhenry.com. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Geneseo Police Department Raises Funds to Promote Breast Cancer Awareness

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Representatives of the Hammond-Henry Hospital Foundation recently received a check in the amount of $2,220 from the Geneseo Police Department. The funds were raised from the Department’s annual fundraiser to support breast cancer awareness.

The Department sold long-sleeve T-shirts, designed by Jessica Damewood, Geneseo Police Department Administrative Assistant. The shirts featured the message, “No One Fights Alone,” on the sleeve area, with the pink ribbon breast caner awareness logo imprinted on the front of the shirt. There are a limited number of shirts available to purchase at The Geneseo Police Department. Cost is $20 for each shirt.

Raising funds to support breast cancer awareness began in 2018 by the Geneseo Police Department when Chief Casey Disterhoft learned that other police departments were wearing pink patches during Breast Cancer Awareness in the month of October.

Funds raised in the last six years by the Geneseo Department total more than $11,500.

The Hammond-Henry Hospital Foundation will use the gift of money to benefit women’s health services in the Imaging Department at Hammond-Henry Hospital.

There are a limited number of shirts available to purchase at The Geneseo Police Department. Cost is $20 for each shirt.

Family Fun Night to Benefit Concordia Lutheran Academy

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

In an effort to raise funds to support the Concordia Lutheran Academy, there will be a “Family Fun Night, Euchre Style” from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 16 at Concordia Lutheran Church, 316 South Oakwood Ave., Geneseo. The night will include a lasagna meal, Euchre Tournament, movies and crafts for the children. Childcare will be provided for children 12 years old and younger.

Free will donations will benefit Concordia Lutheran Academy.

Registration is necessary and may by made at the link: https://forms.gle/ENJoor7rzYjYfC649 so the committee in charge will know how much lasagna to prepare.

Unique Paintings on Display at Smith Studio and Gallery

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Unique paintings by artist Joe Ruck will be on display during February and March at Smith Studio & Gallery, 124 South State St., Geneseo. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Hours at Smith Studio & Gallery are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Joe Ruck is a painter and sculptor who lives and works in Campton Hills, IL. His expressive paintings capture glimpses of life from Chicago and the surrounding area. By using oil paints applied with a brayer (roller) in place of a traditional brush, he creates a tapestry of overlapping strokes.

David Smith, owner of Smith Studio & Gallery, said, “This unique impressionistic approach is both eye-catching when viewed from a distance and intriguing up close.”

Subjects are wide-ranging - from people, animals and landscapes to structures, still-life and machinery.

Volunteer of the Month at Food Pantry

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Carla Lee has been named “Volunteer of the Month” at the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry. She has been a volunteer at the food pantry for two years and helps in the clothing room and the toy room at Christmastime.

She and her husband, Andy, were married in March of 2022 and they have a “spoiled” cat named “Buddy.”

The volunteer enjoys doing crafts, working at craft sales, and volunteering at St. Malachy Gift Shop.

She said the best thing about volunteering at the food Pantry is that it makes her feel good to be volunteering and paying back some of the help she has received through the years. She enjoys seeing familiar faces and happy faces when people come to choose clothes and gifts at Christmas.

Grief Share Seminar Feb. 11

Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Kippy Breeden, left, Grief Ministry leader; and Yvette Biddle, Director of Discipleship at Geneseo First Methodist Church, invite area residents to a one-day Grief Seminar, “Loss of a Spouse,” from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 11, at His Place, the church’s south campus building, 224 North State St., Geneseo. The seminar will include a video presentation, time of discussion and each participant will receive a booklet to take home. The seminar is offered free and is open to the community. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by contacting First Methodist Church at 309-944-2793 or by visiting the GriefShare website at https://www.griefshare.org/loss/events/8124 Photo by Claudia Loucks

Richmond Hill Players Scholarships Available

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The Geneseo Richmond Hill Players have announced two scholarships, which have been named the “John VanDeWoestyne Players Scholarships,” available to qualifying seniors. Each is a $500 scholarship, payable at the beginning of the recipient’s first year of post-secondary education.

   To be eligible, applicants must meet the criteria of:

  -Must be a graduating senior in the spring of 2024.

  -Must be planning post high school education.

  -Must have had experience with Richmond Hill Players prior to applying for either of the scholarships.

  -There is no requirement of area of study.

  -Applications must be received by Richmond Hill Players by Feb. 29, 2024.

-All applications will be reviewed and finalists may be scheduled for an interview.

  -Applications are available by searching “Richmond Hill Players in Geneseo, Illinois.” Additional information and the applications are at that site.

Men's Lenten Breakfast series

The Geneseo Ministerial Association has coordinated the schedule for the 2024 Men’s Lenten Breakfast series. All men in the community are invited to come enjoy a delicious breakfast at 7 a.m. on the following Saturday mornings during Lent. A free-will donation is collected at each breakfast.

• February 17 at First Lutheran Church, 114 E. Main St.

• February 24, at First Congregational Church, 101 W. Pearl St., hosted in conjunction with First Presbyterian Church

• March 2 at Grace United Methodist Church, 318 N. Center St.

• March 9 at Saint Malachy Church, 595 E. Ogden Ave.

Garden Club to Meet Feb. 19th

By Claudia Loucks - Geneseo Current

The Garden Club meeting will be at 1 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 19, when the group will visit the Quartz Botanicals, 810 15th Ave., East Moline.

After a brief meeting, Austin Harned, owner, will share how he started Quartz Botanicals. There will be time for shopping after the presentation.

Quartz Botanicals features house plants, crystals and more for sale.

Anyone planning to attend the Feb. 19 meeting is asked to contact Terri Lamberti.

Jill Gephart Is Volunteer of the Month at Food Pantry

By Claudia Loucks - Geneseo Current

Jill Gephart has been named “Volunteer of the Month” at the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry. She has been a volunteer at the food pantry for three years, sorting clothing and household item donations, helping guests in the food room, and sorting toys for the Christmas Toy Room.

She loves organizing and baking and she owns and operates a bakery, “North Street Treats.”

She said the best thing about volunteering is paying it forward, and she loves helping in any way she can, especially by sorting toys at Christmastime.

Gephart and her husband, Jarred, have three sons, Liam, Devin and Drake.

Pauline Swanson’s Art Work Featured on Library Wall

By Claudia Loucks - Geneseo Current

Artwork by Pauline Swanson, a member of RutabagA Studio & Gallery in downtown Geneseo, is featured on the entrance wall at the Geneseo Public Library. She is pointing to her panting of “Wolf Watching,” which is included in the display of winter scenes she has completed, some in oils and some in acrylics. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Women’s Health Series Luncheon Is Jan. 25

By Claudia Loucks - Geneseo Current

Julie West, left, a member of the Hammond-Henry Hospital Foundation Women’s Health Steering Committee; and Katie Orwig, incoming Foundation Manager, invite area women to the Thursday, Jan. 25, program of the Women’s Health Series, sponsored by the Hospital Foundation Community Benefits Committee. The program is from 12 noon to 1 p.m. in the Geneseo Community Center Activity Room, 541 East North St., Geneseo.

Brandy Stockton, of Vandemore Funeral Home & Crematory, will present the program “What Is Your Legacy?” Cost of the lunch is $10, payable at the door. Reservations are required by Thursday, Jan. 18, and can be made by calling the Foundation office 309-944-9112, or by email at hhhfound@hammondhenry.com. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Sharon Michaelsen’s Art Work in RutabagA Window

By Claudia Loucks - Geneseo Current

Sharon Michaelsen is the featured artist for January at RutabagA Art Gallery at 108 North State St. in downtown Geneseo. The window display features favorite portraits Michaelsen painted through the years, including the one she is holding of her daughter, Kirsten Michaelsen, who was 14 at the time the portrait was done. In addition to the window display, portraits by Michaelsen also are featured throughout the gallery. On patriotic holidays, Michaelsen displays portraits of veterans she has painted to honor them for their service. RutabagA Gallery hours are from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday. through Saturday. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Clothing Drive at Bethany Winkleman’s State Farm Agency to Benefit Dress for Success

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Bethany Winkleman, left, of Bethany Winkleman State Farm Agency at 113 South

State St., in downtown Geneseo; Brianne Sandrock, Account Representative; and Grace Shelton, Office Manager, show some of the clothing items that have been left at the State Farm office for Dress For Success, a non-for-profit that provides career coaching, professional clothing and a support network to help Quad City area women thrive in work and in life. New or gently used business attire can be left at the State Farm office, during office hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, in the months of January and February and those items will be delivered to Dress for Success in the Quad Cities. For more information, contact the Agency at 309-944-5123. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Students and Staff Celebrate Christmas Spirit Dress Days

GHS junior Payton Snider posed for a photo in her Christmas sweater. Photo by Claudia Loucks

GHS student Evelyn Dahl wore a Christmas cardigan to school for Christmas Sweater Day. Photo by Claudia Loucks

GHS students Anthony Carter, left, and Jack Mickley agreed to be in a photo in their Christmas sweaters. Photo by Claudia Loucks

GHS principal Tom Ryerson, left, and Officer Tim Steines dressed in theme for the Christmas Sweater Dress Day on Thursday, Dec. 21. Photo by Claudia Loucks

First Congregational Church Donates to Inspire

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Curent

Wayne Stone, at right, representing the Mission Board of First Congregational United Church of Christ, Geneseo, presented a check to Jenn Johnson, left, founder and director of Inspire Continuing Care in Geneseo; with Inspire participants Paige Hamer and Rylee Roberts. The money was raised by church members from the sale of and donations for hot chocolate during Geneseo’s Christmas Walk. Stone said the Mission Board decides on a local organization to receive the sales from the chocolate and this year it was decided to donate the entire amount to Inspire, and he added,”With the help of the community and our church members, we are very pleased to be able to provide Inspire of Geneseo with a check for $743. ICC opened its doors in August of 2021. The daytime community program is for young adults that have aged out of special education or graduated from high school. Inspire Continuing Care is held in The Victory Center, (The Vic building) at 218 South State St. in Geneseo. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Model Railroaders Donate to Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry

Dean Wannemacher, left, son of Nicole and Nick Wannemacher, recently presented a check to Michael Sigwalt, director of the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry. The donation is from the Geneseo Model Railroaders Club, of which Wannemacher, a fifth grader at Southwest School in Geneseo, is the youngest club member. Photo by Claudia Loucks

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The Geneseo Model Railroaders Club was established by model railroad enthusiasts in 2011 in Geneseo and is open to collectors and hobbyists of all scales and gauges of model trains.

Club meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Geneseo Public Library, with Mike Gawrysiak as president. Anyone interested in learning more is welcome to attend a meeting.

Gawrysiak said the contribution of $50 was made to the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry “to show our support of the community.”

Michael Sigwalt, director of the food pantry, responded, “We really appreciate all the support the Geneseo community gives us.”

For more information about the Geneseo Model Railroad Club, email questions to gmrrclub@gmail.com or visit Geneseo Model Railroaders Club on face book.

GHS Art Club Members Offer Crafts at Smith Studio

Rena Ceurvorst(left) & Sydney Hoover

The 2023 Geneseo Christmas Walk was a huge success and truly did offer activities for all ages, including “God’s Eye”…aka Ojos de Dios, presented by members of the Geneseo High School Art Club at Smith Studio & Gallery in downtown Geneseo. GHS Art Club member Mariella Fischer is shown with Luna VanDerSnick and Art Club members Rena Ceurvorst and Sydney Hoover were in charge of a raffle drawing for a Santa sculpture, made by David Smith of Smith Gallery. All proceeds from the raffle benefit the GHS Art Club to help fund a field trip to the Art Institute in Chicago or the Figge Art Museum in Davenport.

Meal Sites During Geneseo 2023 Christmas Walk

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The meal sites during Geneseo’s 2023 Christmas Walk:

-Concordia Lutheran Church, 316 South Oakwood Ave. – 3 to 7 p.m. – Cookie Walk, Baked Potato Bar and Chili Supper.

-First Methodist Church, 302 North State St. – 4 to 7 p.m. - Chili, Hot Dogs, Chips Cookies and a Beverage. Free will donation.

-Geneseo Moose Lodge, 1025 South State St., - 4 to 7:30 p.m. – Chicken Dinner, $12 to $16 per person, open to the public. Trolley stop!

Cookie Walk and Meal at Concordia Lutheran Church on Geneseo Christmas Walk Date

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Rogene McMullen, left, and Kathy Kramer show some of Christmas cookies to be available to purchase at this year’s Cookie Walk from 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, (during Geneseo Christmas Walk festivities) in the Fellowship Hall of Concordia Lutheran Church, 316 South Oakwood Ave., Geneseo. The Cookie Walk is sponsored by the Concordia Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML), and is being held in conjunction with a Baked Potato Bar and Chili Supper, sponsored by the Concordia Lutheran Academy. Cost of the meal is a free will donation. Both events are from 3 to 7 p.m. Proceeds from the Cookie Walk will be used to support mission projects, and proceeds from the Potato Bar and Chili Supper will benefit the Concordia Lutheran Academy. Photo by Claudia Loucks