Women’s Health Series Luncheon Is Oct. 24

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Julie Zwica, left, and Julie West, representing the Hospital Foundation Community Benefits Committee, invite area women to the Thursday, Oct. 24, 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. Carlos Avila, Hammond-Henry Hospital Medical Group – Kewanee, will present the program on “Depression.” Cost of the lunch is $12 payable at the door. Reservations are required by Thursday Oct. 17, and can be made by calling the Foundation office at 309-944-9112, or by email at hhhfound@hammondhenry.com. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Guest Artist Displays at Smith Studio and Gallery

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Tony Seabolt is the featured artist at Smith Studio and Gallery in downtown Geneseo. His work currently is on display and will remain at the studio through November. Smith Gallery is located at 124 South State St. and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Seabolt was born and raised in the Quad City area, where he participates in a wide variety of art venues. Through many decades of studying art, and working in the art field, he has garnered a strong background in media and methods.

David Smith, owner of Smith Studio, said Seabolt “has created his own visual language and style that is easily recognizable in his paintings. Tony is heavily influenced by music, design and archetypes. These building blocks come mostly from early modern artists as well as mid-century and Bauhaus concepts. Tony asks the viewer, ‘Can you see jazz music, buildings and creatures?’ He encourages you to playfully explore his paintings and look for colors and shapes that excite your imagination.”

Garden Club to Meet Oct. 22 at Library

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The Garden Club meeting will be at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at the Geneseo Public Library, 805 North Chicago St. The October meeting originally was planned for the third Tuesday in October, but because the library room was already in use, the meeting has been changed to Oct. 22.

Tiffany Phillips, owner of Green Bee Shoppe in Geneseo, will present the program on herbs. Phillips has a booth at the Farmers’ Market in Geneseo where she sells herbs, creams, and more. She also will have products with her to sell when she does the program on Oct. 22.

CNA Students in 2024 at Hammond-Henry Hospital Receive Scholarships

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Each of the twelve students in the Certified Nursing Program (CNA) at Hammond-Henry Hospital in Geneseo has received scholarships to help pay tuition and other fees. The students are, in front from left, Instructor Heidi Brumbaugh, Marley Cherry, Kale

O’Bryan, Lily Johnson, Chloe Medler, and Instructor Jessica Jansen; in the middle, Kayci Freeman, Annie Maxwell, Lily Taylor and Addison Snodgrass; in back, Kaylee Floming, Avery Snook, Jenny Parsons and Joshua Anderson. Both of the instructors are school nurses with the Geneseo School District. The 12 students are in the CNA dual enrollment class held during the 2024-2025 school year at Hammond-Henry Hospital, in conjunction with Black Hawk College and the Geneseo High School. The Hospital Foundation provided scholarships to the students in the amount of $500 per student, the Hospital Auxiliary provided $100 per student, and Black Hawk College contributed an additional $100 per student, totaling $7200 in scholarships. Contributed Photo

Geneseo Police Raising funds for Women’s Health Services at Hammond-Henry

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

For the seventh consecutive year, the Geneseo Police Department is supporting the Women’s Health Services at Hammond-Henry Hospital, but this year their outreach is slightly different.

Pink patches were sold in the first year, T-shirts, masks and stainless-steel tumblers are a few of the items sold in previous years. This year, thanks to an anonymous donor, a half cow, including processing costs, (valued at approximately $2,500) will be awarded in a raffle drawing with the goal of raising funds and awareness of women’s health services. The second place prize is a Geneseo Gift Basket, and the drawing for both prizes will be held Friday, Nov. 8.

Raffle tickets, at $10 each, will be available to purchase Saturday at State Street Market festivities in downtown Geneseo, and tickets also may be purchased at the Geneseo Police Department, at 119 South Oakwood Ave.

The outreach of the Police Department supporting Women’s Health Services at the hospital began in 2018 when Police Chief Casey Disterhoft learned that other departments in the country were wearing pink patches to promote breast cancer awareness during the month of October.

Funds raised in past years totaled more than $11,600. The funds are donated to the Hammond-Henry Hospital Foundation to be used to benefit the Women’s Health Services in the Imaging Department.

Some of the items purchased with funds from previous Police Department fundraisers include a stretcher used in ultrasound for obstetrics and gynecology exams, mammography capes, and a radiology positioning device.

Sugar Maple Ladies Golf League 2024 Winners

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The Sugar Maple Ladies Golf League held their end-of-season event at The Cellar and winners were announced for the season. Lady golfers taking honors in Low Gross are, from left, Jan VanKerrebroeck, Flight A; Connie Zerull, Flight C; Connie Driessens, Flight B; and Barb Printy, Flight D. Joan Luikart was the winner in Flight E, but was absent for the photo.

Winners in the Low Net category are , from left, Erna Miller, Flight C; Nancy Stover, Flight D; Jan Hartsock, Flight E; and Barb Specht, Flight B. Sheila Cromien was the winner in Flight A, was absent for the photo.

Author Tim Pletkovich to Present Program Saturday on U.S. Presidential Genealogy

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Nationally Recognized author Tim Pletkovich, Geneseo, will be featured at the Toulon Public Library in Toulon at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday for a program entitled “U.S. Presidential Genealogy.” The program is sponsored by the Stark County Genealogical Society.

Ulysses Grant Dietz, a great-great-grandson of President Ulysses S. Grant, will join Pletkovich remotely for the presentation.

Pletkovich currently is writing a book about the subject with several presidential descendants, most of whom are either grandchildren or great-grandchildren of the nation’s commanders-in-chief. His previous works include “Civil War Fathers and Nuns,” “Nazis,” and “Notre Dame.”

The author received the Ella A. Dickey Award for Literature in 2017 for “Civil War Fathers.” Past Dickey Award recipients include former First Lady Laura Bush, former U.S. Senator and Democratic Party presidential candidate, the late George McGovern, and former U.S. Secret Service Agent Paul Landis.

Copies of Pletkovich’s books will be available to purchase after the program Saturday in Toulon.

 Pletkovich, the son of John and Shirley Pletkovich, graduated from JD Darnall High School in 1978.

Men’s Health Morning Series at Hammond-Henry Is Oct. 2

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Area men are invited to attend the Men’s Health Morning Series program from 7 to 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 2, in the hospital conference room. Dr. Waseem Ahmad, Hammond-Henry Hospital, will present the program on “Neurology for Men.” Parking is available in the east parking lot on Center St. 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. Blood pressure screenings will be available.

Church-Wide Garage Sale to Benefit Operation Christmas Child

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Shelly Emerick, church relations team member for the Greater Quad Cities Iowa-Illinois Area Team of Operation Christmas Child, begins to sort items that have been donated for the Church-Wide Garage Sale and Silent Auction planned to raise funds to cover shipping costs for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.

The garage sale will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3; from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4; and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the South Campus building of First Methodist Church, 302 North State St., Geneseo.

All household items in good condition will be accepted for the sale, excluding cribs and car seats, Encyclopedias, Halloween decorations, house paint, large appliances, large exercise equipment, mattresses, old computer monitors and tube-style TV’s.

Donations of items for the sale should be dropped off at the rear door of the South Campus building during: Saturday, Sept. 28, 5 to 6 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 29, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Monday, Sept. 30 -10 a.m. to 12 noon; and Tuesday - Oct. 1, 4 to 6 p.m.

Volunteers are needed and can sign up at the Information Center at the church to help with: setting up and taking down tables, receiving donations and assisting in hosting the sale.

According to Emerick, the sale is being held to help with shipping costs of the OCC shoeboxes, and she said, “The cost to mail each shoebox is $10. Our goal for the number of shoeboxes to pack this year is $1,200, so we are hoping to raise $12,000 at the upcoming garage sale.”

First Congregational Church Donates to Police Department Programs

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Members of the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ in Geneseo have made contributions to programs of the Geneseo Police Department.

In May, a “Ladies Spring Fling Luncheon,” with a 1950’s picnic theme was held and included a silent auction fundraiser. The money raised from the event, $1,180, was donated to the IMPACT program of the Geneseo Police Department. Wayne Stone, who serves as chairman of the mission board at the church, presented the check to Detective Jamie Shoemaker of the Geneseo Police Department, when she attended a recent worship service at the church. (“The IMPACR Task Force is to provide a coordinated professional police response to individuals affected by mental illness, substance abuse or who are in need of crisis intervention”). Contributed Photo

Wayne Stone, at right, chairman of the mission board at First Congregational Church United Church of Christ in Geneseo, recently presented a check in the amount of $440 to Geneseo Police Officer Alex Ingle. The contribution is designated for the National Child Safety Council. Contributed Photo

Gold Out is GHS Student Theme at Football Game

Four Geneseo High School students are dressed in the student section theme, “Gold Out,” for the recent GHS football game vs. Moline. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Shane Bagby is Volunteer of the Month at Food Pantry

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Shane Bagby has been named “Volunteer of the Month” at the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry. He has been volunteering at the Food Pantry for four months, and assists guests in the food room, restocks shelves, and sorts donations.

Bagby has a dog named “Cora.” He loves reading and spending time with friends.

He commented, “The people that I work and volunteer with are the salt of the earth. Seriously, they’re incredible.”

He said one night while he was sorting donations, a fellow volunteer brought in a cake to share, and Bagby recalled how fun it was to eat, work, and chat with everyone.

Nicole Freadhoff, assistant director at the Food Pantry, said, “Thank you for all your hard work and dedication Shane!”

Hospital Auxiliary Volunteers Membership Event Sept. 17

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Julie Zwica, left, and Deb Deener, representing the Hammond-Henry Hospital Auxiliary, are ready for the “Field of Blooms” volunteers membership event planned for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at First Lutheran Church, 114 East Main St., Geneseo. The membership event is for auxiliary members and prospective members and will include brunch. Taylor Meints of Taylor & Co., Geneseo, will be the guest speaker. Kathleen VanDeRostyne, volunteer/auxiliary manager at the hospital, will share a variety of opportunities for auxiliary volunteers. Reservations are required by Thursday, Sept. 12, by calling Zwica, 309-269-3563; Deb. Deener, 309-945-2136; or Kathleen VanDeRostyne, at 309-944-9130. Zwica added that anyone who might be interested in becoming a volunteer is encouraged to make a reservation and attend. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Geneseo Library Has a New Free Streaming Service Available

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The Geneseo Public Library has a new free streaming service available to its patrons.

Kanopy is an ad-free streaming service that distributes content through membership at public libraries and universities, according to Claire Crawford, director of the Geneseo library. “Kanopy focuses on providing movies, documentaries, foreign films, classic cinema, independent films and educational videos without commercial interruption, and it’s free to our patrons.”

Kanopy charges libraries and universities a fee for providing content to their members. Each member is allotted a certain amount of free digital rentals per month.

Anyone who has a library card is eligible to receive the free service and those patrons with library cards will be asked to use their library card number and a PIN password.

The new service offers PBS, Paramount, HBO Documentaries, A24, The Criterion Collection.

There is an entire section of Kanopy that is dedicated to children – Kanopy Kids. Some of the content includes: Peanuts, Sesame Street, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Arthur, Calliou, and Franklin the Turtle in addition to parental controls and classes for kids.

Even though it won’t have the most recent blockbuster movies, the library staff believes those people looking for independent films, documentaries and lots of content for kids “will really like it.”

Residents of Geneseo who do not have a library card can apply for a card at the library. They will need to present two proofs of residency (a current driver’s license with their address) and a paid utility bill that has their address.

Moms and Sons Continue Tradition of Helmet Striping at GHS

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Julia McAvoy and her son, Jackson McAvoy, enjoy the time spent striping Jackson’s football helmet. The “Football Striping” night has become a tradition for the Geneseo High School Football Team.

Lil Leaf Cheerleaders at GHS Football Season Opener

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

More than 100 “Lil Leaf” cheerleaders entertained football fans with the chants they learned at a recent Lil Leaf Cheer Clinic. Their performance was held Friday night in conjunction with the Green Machine’s season opener against Chicago Comer in which Geneseo dominated the night with a victory of 48-0. Photos by Claudia Loucks

Ignite Begins Oct. 2 At First Methodist In Geneseo

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Shawn King, left, director of Children’s Ministry at First Methodist Church in Geneseo, chats with second grader Matingly Lewis-Raley 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. 2, when school is in session.

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

Shawn King said, “Our program is designed to provide kids with age-appropriate, fun, hands-on learning experiences that allow them to know who Jesus is and what it means to have a relationship with Him.”

Students will be provided with a light snack and learning experiences at Bible, Discipleship, Games, and Craft 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 for more information.

PTA Life Memberships 2024 Presented at Football Scrimmage

By Claudia Loucks
Correspondent

PTA Life Memberships were presented at the recent football scrimmage held on the Bob Reade Football Field at Geneseo High School. Recipients of the awards are, from left, Misty Olson, Northside School; Angela Krause, Millikin School; Sarah Wirth, Southwest School; Susan Ash, Northside; Anne Marie Stone, Geneseo High School; Crystal Durnell, Geneseo High School; Nate O’Dell, Geneseo Middle School; and Bill Eaker, Geneseo Middle School. Paige Panicucci also received a Lifetime Membership, but was absent for the photo. The Lifetime awards are presented annually to PTA members who have gone above and beyond for PTA and in serving their schools.

Volunteer Named for the Month at Food Pantry

By Claudia Loucks
Correspondent

Lillian Bellagamba, has been named “Volunteer of the Month” at the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry. She has been volunteering at the Food Pantry this summer and she stocks shelves, assists guests in the food room, and sorts clothing donations. In addition, she helped pack and distribute school supplies.

Bellagamba has two cats, Lucky and Layla and she enjoys singing, writing, reading and golfing.

She said the best thing about volunteering at Food Pantry is the people working to help others. Her most memorable experience at the Food Pantry was when she and another worker discovered a crossbow that someone had donated and found that they had a lot in common.

Nicole Freadhoff, assistant director at the Food Pantry, said, “Lillian has been a wonderful addition to the Food Pantry. Thank you Lillian!”

Grants Provide Additions to Playground at Park District Athletic Field

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

John DuBois, left, president and CEO of Central Bank, Geneseo; Julia McAvoy, Geneseo Park District board member; Andy Thurman, executive director of the Geneseo Park District; Mark Breeden, board member of the Frances G. & Betty J. Miller Foundation; and Tyler Mackey, vice president-trust officer at Central Bank, are photographed at the climbing boulder added recently to the playground area at the Geneseo Park District Athletic Field.

The playground is a somewhat hidden treasure at the Geneseo Park District Athletic Field, located to the rear of the building on the grounds. The playground equipment and installation was done in 2022 with $80,000 in funds received from the Geneseo Foundation. The area also features an Outdoor Classroom made possible with $10,000 in funds from the Charles Davis Trust.

Recently, with contributions of $28,000 from the Frances G. & Betty J. Miller, $10,000, the Charles Davis Trust and the Geneseo Park District Foundation, the Park district was able to install two additional benches, picnic table additional lighting and a climbing boulder with safety surface padding and turf at the Athletic Field.

Andy Thurman, executive director of the Geneseo Park District, commented that the “playground, outdoor classroom and now climbing boulder have been huge assets to our Day Camp program. This gives the children a playground onsite and something for kids to do during Youth Football games as well.”

“We waited a couple of years to see the need for tables and benches and these newly –installed features are great for families eating a snack or taking a break while the children play,” he added. “The complete safety surface surrounding the playground makes it ADA compliant.

Thurman said the sidewalk surrounding the playground and classroom, as well as the adjacent track, gives parents or caregivers the ability to walk while the children play…”This play area at the Athletic Field provides the Park District’s first playground and is a great place for children to use in this area of town.”