Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Winners Introduced at Ice Cream Social

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Hammond-Henry Hospital Auxiliary scholarship recipients were introduced at the auxiliary’s annual ice cream social held in Geneseo City Park.

The Auxiliary awarded 22 health career scholarships, totaling $40,500, to area students. This year’s number of scholarships was increased by eight.

In the photograph taken at the Auxiliary’s annual ice cream social are, from left, Kathleen VanDeRostyne, Volunteer/Auxiliary Supervisor; Linda DeSmith, scholarship committee member; Tracy Johnson, Adah Smutzer, Sarah Barrett, Keeli Frerichs, Karen Patterson; in back, Reagan Erickson, Courtney VandeVoorde, Emma Stone, Emma Dunker, Hannah Stelby, Brandon Gallagher, Lisa Betsworth, scholarship committee member; and Jan Sellman, scholarship committee chairperson.

Kathleen VanDeRostyne said, “A big thank you to all who came to the Ice Cram Social despite the gale force of winds, and many thanks to the community members who continue to support all of the Hammond-Henry Hospital Auxiliary fundraisers. Contributed Photo

Geneseo Women’s Club Hosts Salad Supper for 2024 Queen Candidates and Guests

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Mariah Hutchinson, left, co-emcee for the Geneseo Music Festival Queen Pageant; Kelsey Dillie and Addison Dykstra, Music Festival 2024 queen candidates, visit with Tiffany Stees, vice president of the Geneseo Women’s Club, at the salad supper held Thursday, June 13, in Central Schoolhouse Inn. Each year the Geneseo Women’s Club hosts the salad supper event for queen candidates, their mothers or guests and members of the pageant committee. The Queen Pageant is sponsored by Geneseo Rotary Club. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Hanna Stroud, left, 2023 Geneseo Music Festival Queen, visits with Cathy Rothschild, Geneseo Rotary Club pageant chairman, at the recent salad supper hosted by the Geneseo Women’s club and held in the Central Schoolhouse Inn. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Guests at the Geneseo Women’s Club recent salad supper included Sara Stroud, front left, who was crowned queen of the Geneseo Music Festival in 1995; Hanna Stroud, daughter of Sara Stroud, and who was crowned Geneseo Music Festival queen in 2023; and in back, Rhonda Peterson and her daughter, Jillian Beneke, who was named a runner-up in the 2024 queen pageant held Friday, June 14, in Geneseo City Park. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Music Festival Queen and Court and Music Festival Little Princess

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Addison Dykstra, center, daughter of Curt and Sara Dykstra, was crowned queen at the 2024 Geneseo Music Festival Queen Pageant held Friday, June 14, in Geneseo City Park. Members of the court are, from left, Molly Neumann, second runner-up, daughter of Landon and Sharon Neumann; Kylie Maertens, first runner-up, daughter of Brice and Angela Maertens; the queen; Jillian Beneke, third runner-up, daughter of Jason Beneke and Rhonda Peterson; Madison Thompson, fourth runner-up, daughter of TJ and Marisa Thompson. The pageant is sponsored by the Geneseo Rotary Club and the queen receives a $500 scholarship. Each runner-up also receives a scholarship from the Rotary Club. Contestants not in the court are each given a $25 gift certificate from Geneseo Rotary. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Shae Robertson, center, was crowned princess at the first Geneseo Little Miss Music Festival Pageant held Friday, June 14, in Geneseo City Park, prior to the Queen Pageant. Members of the Little Miss court are, from left, Irie Boone, second runner-up; Breckyn Granell, first runner-up; the princess; Lillian Rowold, third runner-up; and Eden Ebert, fourth runner-up. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Music Festival Queen Pageant Night

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Prior to Pageant(above)

Geneseo Music Festival Queen Pageant committee members Madeline Possin, back left, and Jean Pritchard, back right, provide some last minute help with hair styles to pageant candidates, Madison Ochs, front left, and Amelia Vandemore. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Music at Pageant

Geneseo High School vocalists, under the direction of Pam Edwards, left, provided piano accompaniment for the high school vocalists who sang at intermission of the Queen Pageant held June 14 in City Park. The vocalists are, at left from Pam Edwards, Cody Hensley, Tyler Holtzen, Cy Sammons, Paxton Sherbeyn, Perry Farley and Landry Possin. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Escorts visit with candidates

Music Festival queen candidates Madison Thompson, at left, and Kylie Maertens, visit with pageant escorts Hayden Moore, second from left, and Sam Mosbarger. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Emcees with Ashley’s daughter Tille

Music Festival Pageant co- emcees Ashley Moore, left, and Mariah Hutchinson pose for a photo with Moore’s daughter, Tille Moore, prior to the pageant festivities June 14 in City Park. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Geneseo Garden Club to Meet June 17

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Members and guests of the Geneseo Garden Club will meet at 1 p.m. at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 17, at Hornbaker Gardens, 22937 1140 North Ave., Princeton.
Hornbaker Gardens was established in 1987 as a destination center tucked among 40 acres of peaceful property. Through the years, it has developed into botanical gardens, an arboretum, selling hundreds of plants along with containers and other garden items. Visitors can spend their time walking through the gardens and viewing the large variety of hostas, daylilies, fairy gardens and more. Contributed Photo

Winners in RutabagA’s Second Fine Arts Exhibit

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Winners in the Youth Excellence division of the second annual Geneseo Fine Arts Exhibit sponsored by RutabagA Studio and Gallery in downtown Geneseo are, from left, Pauline Pustejovsky, third place with her watercolor “Song in Bloom;” Madison Reade, first place with her acrylic of “Le Plat Naturel;” and Christine Pustejovsky with her Chinese Ink “A Smug Kitten.”

Sharon Michaelsen, at right, was awarded Best of Show with her pastel titled “Kyle;” Marcia Fox won second place with her carved and painted wood titled “Red Fox in Fall Colors:” and Gloria Burlingame, center, won third place with her oil pastel, “The Farmer’s Wife.” The exhibit will be on display during regular RutabagA gallery hours, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, and during open hours at The Cellar, 5 to 9 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, through Sunday, July 7. Unless a piece is market NFS (Not For Sale), all are for sale and all sales go directly to the artist. RutabagA retains no commission.

The Pustejovsky family took three awards at RutabagA’s Second Fine Arts Exhibit judging which was held Sunday, June 9, at The Cellar, and the Pustejovsky family includes, from left, Pauline Pustejovsky, Joseph Pustejovsky won Honorable Mention for his photo of “Water in the Desert;” and Christine Pustejovsky. The exhibit was open to all area artists, high school age and older. The judge for the event is Annette Lezotte, who teaches art at Black Hawk College, Moline.

Lexi Gordon is photographed with her winning 3-D entry, “Atomic Sculpture.”

Pat Halverson, left, received Honorable Mention 2 in the Fine Arts Exhibit for her oil painting, “A Quiet Pond;” and Kathy Williams is shown with her winning photography entry “Daddy/Daughter Dance,” Maharah Jones received Honorable Mention 3 for her acrylic entry, “Red Tulips,” but was not present for the photo.

Father’s Day Fly-In Breakfast 2024 at Gen-Air Park

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Bob Kuhns, left, and Scott Durian are shown by Kuhns’ 1966 Cessna 182 Skylane which will be on display at the annual Father’s Day Fly-In/Drive-In Breakfast at Gen-Air Park on Sunday, June 16. Serving will be from 7 to 11 a.m. and Gen-Air Park is located two miles east of Geneseo. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. The event will feature demonstrations, Young Eagle flights, aircraft on display and flying-in to the airport. For more information, call 309-912-0437 or 218-464-7340. Photo by Claudia Loucks

RutabagA Art Sponsors 2nd Fine Arts Exhibit

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The second Geneseo Fine Arts Exhibit will be held Sunday, June 9, through Sunday, July 7, with displays of art work at the RutabagA Studio and Gallery, 108 North State St., and The Cellar Restaurant, 137 South State St., Geneseo.

The exhibit is being sponsored by RutabagA, the Heart of Regional Art, NFP and RutabagA Studio Corp. The exhibit is open to all area artists, high school age and older.

The judge for the event is Annette Lezotte, who teaches art at Black Hawk College, Moline.

A reception and critique will be held at The Cellar, beginning at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 9. The opening awards ceremony and judge’s critique are open to the public. After the event at The Cellar, the RutabagA Gallery will be open until 5 p.m. The exhibit will be on display during regular gallery hours, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, and during open hours at The Cellar, 5 to 9 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, through Sunday, July 7.

Prizes will be awarded on June 9 at The Cellar with the Best of Show receiving $350. The first seven awards are cash prizes and the eighth and ninth awards are gift certificates from Dick Blick Art Supplies, Galesburg.

According to Sharon Michaelsen, president of RutabagA, entries for the exhibit feature art work by artists in Dixon, Kewanee, Clinton, Quad Cities and Geneseo.

She said unless a piece is market NFS (Not For Sale), all are for sale and all sales go directly to the artist. RutabagA retains no commission.

Vroman’s Art Work Featured in RutabagA Window

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Karen Vroman is shown with some of her watercolor art work that is being featured in June in the window of RutabagA Studio and Gallery at 108 North State S t. in downtown Geneseo.

Vroman, who lives in Erie, grew up in Prophetstown and majored in Art at Illinois State University, Normal. Her minor was geography which created her passion for landforms, rocks and minerals, all of which continue to be present in her art today. Flowers are another favorite subject of hers in her art work.

She has studied under a number of college professors and members of the American Watercolor Society. Beginning in 1964, Vroman has taught art workshops every year for various organizations in Illinois and Iowa.

She shared that teaching the workshops has kept her art more versatile and has contributed to her own growth, including having met other artists who have made an impact in her life.

Her paintings have been accepted in many watercolor exhibits. In 1988, after her third acceptance into a Transparent Watercolor Society of America’s annual exhibit, she was elected as a signature member of that organization. Her art work is owned by national collectors as well as by clients in Australia, Germany and Japan.

Vroman lives in Erie with her husband Robert. More of her art work, including her quilting and copper tooling can be seen in her studio at 8549 Springhill Rd., Erie. For more information call or text 815-718-5245. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Emotive Artwork Display at Smith Studio

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The art work of Heather Shore is featured in a display at Smith Studio & Gallery at 124 South State St. in downtown Geneseo.

According to information from Studio owner David Smith, for many years Heather Shore has focused on the art of making circular Mandalas. Several years ago, she went through an artistic transformation as she dealt with the loss of a close friend.

The artwork in the current exhibit is the result of a two-year period in which her emotions were expressed through the art she produced.

Shore has expanded her artistic expression to include images of emotive portraits. Her collage artworks are created with cut paper and acrylic paint and she finds that patterned paper has many possibilities when the paper is used as an element of design, Smith said.

The exhibit will remain at Smith Studio until July 31, and Studio and Gallery is closed on Sunday and Monday.

Grief Share Seminar June 8 at First Methodist

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Kippy Breeden, left, and Barbara Leonard, discuss the upcoming Grief Share Seminar to be held Saturday, June 8, at His Place, the south campus of First Methodist Church in Geneseo.
Breeden will lead the seminar from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday, June 8, at His Place, the south campus of First Methodist Church, 224 South State St. The program is open to anyone in the community who is grieving the loss of a loved one. There is no cost.
Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by contacting First Methodist Church at 309-944-2793 or by visiting the GriefShare website at y.biddle@peopleneedjesus.org. 

Central Bank Has a New Look - By Claudia Loucks

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Central Bank, at the corner of State and 1st Sts. in downtown Geneseo, has a new look. The exterior of the building has been completely renovated, a project that began in October of last year and was completed this month.

Russell Construction, Davenport, was the project manager of the renovation, which was done in an effort to take the exterior of the building back to its original look, according to April Davis, Central Bank Marketing Officer.

The entire exterior of the building was redone, including removing the old cornice work and existing metal trims, removing HVAC units and sidewalk planter box, removing existing metal paneling from front face and canopy and removing and salvaging the building-mounted clocks.

Central Bank was founded in 1907 in Geneseo.

Dan Fitzgerald Is Volunteer of the Month at Food Pantry

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Dan Fitzgerald has been named “Volunteer of the Month” for June at the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry. He has been a volunteer for three years, picking up food distributions from Midwest Food Bank and River Bend Food Bank and delivering the food to the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry. He also does heavy lifting when needed.

Fitzgerald is a widow with four adult children and four grandchildren.

His hobbies are running, vintage cars and motorcycles and chasing children.

He said he feels fortunate to be retired and have time available to help support the Food Pantry, and he added that his favorite memory from volunteering is watching another food pantry representative pick up their food in a small SUV, and being amazed at how much they squeeze into the small vehicle every time.

Nicole Freadhoff, assistant director at the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry, said, ”Our Food Pantry would have a lot less food without Dan’s deliveries, so we are grateful for Dan, his truck, and all of his hard work.”

Grace Church GUMDROPS Meet K-9 Kauzi

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Youngsters in the Grace United Methodist Church GUMDROPS program took a field trip to City Park where they were introduced to Sgt. Jamison Weisser and K-9 Kauzi,

Lil GUMDROPS (Grace United Methodist Church Draw, Read, Open Play and Snack) is a weekly play group and outreach program for children in the community. Children who attend must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

The group’s spring session ended May 29 with a field trip to City Park where they spent time on the playground equipment before taking seats on the park benches to hear Sgt. Weisser share how he uses K-9 Kauzi in his police work.

In addition, Detective Jamie Shoemaker of the Geneseo Police Department spoke to the group about the IMPACT Task Force - Integrated Model Police and Crisis Team (IMPACT) that is designed to put focus on community issues relating to mental health, substance use and intervention.

Jenna Rushing is director of GUMDROPS, which is geared for children ages 2-5. Sign-up for the fall session of GUMDROPS will be announced at a later date.

Photos by Claudia Loucks

First Methodist Bible School Is June 17

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Shawn King, left, Director of Children’s Ministry at First Methodist Church in Geneseo; and Milo Jones, a third grader, invite area children to this year’s Vacation Bible School: “Start the Party: Celebrate the Good News!” VBS at First Methodist will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, June 17, through Friday, June 21, and children ages four through those entering fifth grade are invited. Registration can be made at peopleneedjesus.org/vbs. For more information, contact Shawn King at s.king@peopleneedjesus.org.
Photo by Claudia Loucks

Memorial Day Program in Geneseo Will Include Horse Therapy

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

In addition to the previously announced VFW Program planned for Memorial Day, May 27, in Geneseo City Park, there also will be a public demonstration by Megan Sundeen, executive director of Sundance for Our Soldiers (SOS) , and her therapy horse. Sundeen’s presentation is scheduled for after the VFW ceremonies which will begin at 9:15 a.m. on Monday in Geneseo City Park. The annual event is sponsored by the Don Cherry VFW, VFW Auxiliary and the Aisle of Flags.

Music will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the speakers scheduled for 10 a.m.

There will be a “by donation” pork chop lunch served after the ceremony and veterans

will eat at no charge. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held in the

Geneseo High School Performing Arts Center.

Sundeen said she is “excited to share the story of this horse (Smokin Soprano, a retired Standard bred horse) because he has a great story of many people he has helped as well as veterans from most combat wars and other service-related PTSD.”

Her late father, Charles Sundeen, was a lifetime member of the Don Cherry VFW Post in Geneseo, and she said her program on Memorial Day will focus on his story and how it led to horse therapy.

Sundance for Our Soldiers serves military serviced members and their families…”After Covid, we expanded to include First Responders, healthcare p rofessionals, teachers, youth, and the elderly,” she said.

Sundeen is certified by EAGALA, the global leader in Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) and Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL).

For more information, contact Sundeen at 309-945-7257.

Hospital Auxiliary 2024 Ice Cream Social June 6

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Kathleen VanDeRostyne, left, Hammond-Henry Hospital Auxiliary volunteer/auxiliary supervisor; Lisa Farrell and Linda VanDerLeest, Auxiliary members; will be helping at the group’s annual ice cream social on Thursday, June 6, in Geneseo City Park.  Sandwiches, chips, a variety of pies and cakes, along with ice cream and beverages will be served, beginning at 5 p.m.  This year’s scholarship recipients will be introduced at 6:25 p.m. at the ice cream social. The Miracle Blue Grass Band will provide music for dancing and listening, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds from the social benefit the Auxiliary’s Health Career Scholarship Fund. Claudia Loucks Photo

GEF Provides Lunch for Staff at Geneseo Schools

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The administration and staff at Geneseo High School were among the Geneseo School District employees who received sack lunches from the Geneseo Education Foundation in observance of Teacher Appreciation Week. In the photo are, from left, Jenna Rushing, representing Hanford Insurance, Geneseo; Bethany Winkleman, GEF board member; and Jo Lea Holevoet, vice president of Farmers National Bank Geneseo Location. Contributed Photo

The administration and staff at Geneseo High School were among the Geneseo School District employees who received sack lunches from the Geneseo Education Foundation in observance of Teacher Appreciation Week. In the photo are, from left, Jenna Rushing, representing Hanford Insurance, Geneseo; Bethany Winkleman, GEF board member; and Jo Lea Holevoet, vice president of Farmers National Bank Geneseo Location. Contributed Photo

The Geneseo Education Foundation recognized Geneseo School District 228 employees and Henry-Stark employees by delivering lunches to all schools in the District.

Representatives of the GEF delivered a total of 285 sack lunches, prepared by Atkinson Hometown Deli.

According to GEF director Sharon Neumann, “The GEF wanted to recognize all of these employees, including support staff and substitutes, to thank them for their efforts. The gesture is a way to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of these educators during Teacher Appreciation Week and to give back to the community. Thanks to the generosity of the sponsors, it is a win-win for everyone involved, and a reminder of the importance of supporting our local schools and educators.”

The Geneseo Education Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation, was established to solicit and receive gift bequests and grants to complement, enrich, and enhance the educational opportunities and experiences for students of the Geneseo School District beyond existing tax support.

For more information about GEF, and supporting its mission, visit http://www.geneseoeducation.com or contact Neumann at geneseoeducation1@gmail.com or call 309-945-5326.

GHS Students Are Readers

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Twenty-six students form Geneseo High School qualified for the Illinois State Library’s 2024 Read for a Lifetime Program. The program is sponsored each year by the Illinois State Library.

Students receive the new reading list in May every year and have until the first week of April in the next year to read and review the books. It takes four books to qualify for the program.

Jeanne Brucher, GHS and GMS librarian, coordinates the program, and she said, “Every year several students will read all 25.”

GHS senior Elizabeth Ramp is the 19th GHS student to join the State Library’s 100 Book Club by reading all 25 books from the annual Read for a Lifetime list each year of high school. Ramp said her favorite book from the reading lists was “Instructions for Dancing,” by Nicola Yoon. Contributed Photo

Lunch Box Program For Area Youth Begins June 10 in Geneseo

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Linda Flatt is director of the “Lunch Box” summer food program for children in Geneseo. A nutritious lunch will be served to young people from ages four to 18 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, beginning Monday, June 10, and concluding on Friday, Aug. 9, at the Geneseo Community Center, 541 East North St.
Entrance to the lunch site should be made through the door on the west side of the building. “There is no need for kids to sign up in advance, we just want them to show up,” Linda Flatt said. In an effort to eliminate “food shaming,” all young people in the community are welcome. The program is funded with local grant money. For questions call 309-945-3600. Photo by Claudia Loucks