Foster Hope Offers Free Movie Saturday at Central Theater

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

In honor of National Adoption Month in November, Foster Hope is offering a free movie, “Sound of Hope: The Possum Trot Story,” on Saturday at Central Theater in downtown Geneseo.

Doors open at 2:30 p.m. and the movie will begin at 3 p.m. The film is rated PG-13, for adults and mature teens.

There will be free popcorn and fountain drinks for those who attend the movie, in addition to door prizes, including a $25 Geneseo Chamber of Commerce Gift Certificate.

Child care will be provided for SAFE and foster families at First Methodist Church in Geneseo. Children will receive a certificate for a free ice cream cone from Sweet Marie’s to be redeemed after the movie. Contact Lola Rahn at 309-507-1392.

Lola Rahn, who with her husband, Ryan Rahn, founded Foster Hope in April of 2017.

Foster Hope is a 501 c3 non-profit organization that supports foster families in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas. They rely on donations and sponsors for the many events and activities held for foster care families. For more information, email fosterhopeqc@gmail.com.

Foster Hope currently serves families in Henry, Rock Island, Mercer and Whiteside counties.

Grief Share Seminar For Holidays Nov. 23 at First Methodist

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Gathering for a holiday meal after the death of a loved one can be difficult.  The empty seat at the table is a constant reminder of that loss.   Kippy Breeden, left, Grief Seminar Ministry leader, and Barbara Leonard, want to help those experiencing a loss prepare for the upcoming holiday season without a loved one.  Breeden will lead the seminar, Grief Seminar “Surviving the Holidays,” from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday, Nov. 23, at the South Campus of First Methodist, 224 North State St., Geneseo.  There is no cost for the seminar and it is open to the community.  The seminar offers encouragement, support, and practical tips for facing holiday challenges after loss. Anyone planning to attend the seminar is asked to respond by calling Biddle at 309-944-2793 or by email at y.biddle@peopleneedjesus.org.

Women’s Health Series Luncheon Is Nov. 20

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Penny Ford, left, representing the Women’s Health Committee at Hammond-Henry Hospital; and Katie Orwig, Hospital Foundation Manager, invite area women to the Wednesday, Nov. 20, 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. Waseem Ahmad, Neurology, Hammond-Henry Hospital, will present the program on “Neurology.” Cost of the lunch is $12, payable at the door on Nov. 20. For questions or to make a reservation, call the Foundation office 309-944-9112, or email at hhhfound@hammondhenry.com by Wednesday, Nov. 13. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Les Hoste Has Art Work on Display in RutabagA Window

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Les Hoste of Geneseo is the featured artist for the month of November at RutabagA Art Gallery and Studio at 108 North State St. in downtown Geneseo. Some of his work is displayed in the window at RutabagA. Hoste is a versatile wood worker and water color artist.

Retiring as a tooling engineer more than 10 years ago, he has continued his passion of creating items from wood, from end tables and doll furniture to cabinets, ornaments and more.

A friend encouraged Hoste to begin painting in water colors after his retirement. His work includes a variety of subjects, color palettes and skillful techniques. The combination of these elements has resulted in a collection of aesthetic pieces of art. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Artist Displays at Geneseo Library

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Karen Stewart Casper, a member of the RutabagA Art Gallery in downtown Geneseo, is the featured artist in November at the Geneseo Public Library.

The display features watercolor paintings in fall colors, including a scene of autumn trees in Wisconsin.

The artist lives in Milan, and said she started painting in childhood. She studied art at Black Hawk College, and has taken numerous classes in working with watercolors from local artists. She also has a studio in her home and added that her favorite items to paint are “old rusty cars and trucks.”

Program on Impact of Diabetes Nov. 12 at Hammond-Henry

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

A free program on the Impact of Diabetes will be presented at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, in the dining room at Hammond-Henry Hospital in Geneseo.

The effects of Diabetes on foot health and vision will be presented by speakers Dr. Thomas Rizzo and Dr. Jeffrey Heden; and Marcia Wirth, Hammond-Henry Hospital Dietitian, will have tasty and diabetic-friendly dessert ideas to share along with healthy holiday eating tips.

Reservations are requested and can be made by using the link

Community Events - Hammond Henry Hospital | Henry County Il Hospital, or by calling 309-944-9106. Walk-ins also are welcome.

GHS Trap Team Takes 1st at Home Invitational

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The Geneseo High School Trap Team captured first place in both varsity and junior varsity competition at the Geneseo Invitational when 11 area schools participated in the event held at Bi-State Sportsman’s Association in Colona.

In addition to Geneseo, participating varsity teams were Kewanee, Orion, West Carroll, Eastland, Knoxville, Annawan, Sherrard (2), Wethersfield and West Prairie.

Junior Varsity teams in competition were Geneseo, West Carroll, Knoxville, Annawan, and West Prairie.

Geneseo varsity won first place in team competition and Geneseo junior varsity 1 also took first place in team competition.

Individual Top 10:

Varsity – Ayden Kane 50/50, first place; Jordan Ramirez, 48/50 fourth place (5 members with a 48/50); Colton Herberg, 47/50 ninth place, (3 members with a 47/50).

Junior Varsity Top 10 – Emmerson Swan;, second place, 44/50; Braden Fender, third place, 42/50; Trevor Eastburn, fourth place, 40/50; Kenny Weber, sixth place, 39/50; Wyatt Bruce, seventh place, 39/50; Devan Lagaisse, ninth place, 38/50; Griffen Dewolfe, 10th place, 37/50.

Coaches of the GHS Trap Team are Ramon Ramirez, Jeffrey Lagaisse and Callie Parrish.

Grace Church Youth Group Helps with Yard Work at Allure of Geneseo

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Members of the Youth Group at Grace United Methodist Church in Geneseo spent a recent Sunday doing yard work at Allure of Geneseo. Their efforts included weeding the prayer garden and trimming bushes.

The day of work concluded with a meal and social time.

Grace Church Youth Group meets on the second and fourth Sundays of the month at Grace Church, 318 North Center St., Geneseo. At the meeting on the second Sunday, the group prepares and shares a meal prior to gathering for a student-led Bible study. The meetings on the fourth Sunday of each month include some type of community service project.

2024 Performing Arts Fall Fundraiser Begins Oct. 21

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Geneseo High School Performing Arts students, from left, Abby Holman, junior student; and Addie McSparin, freshman, are hoping area residents will support the 2024 Geneseo Performing Arts (GPAC) Fall Fundraiser.

The fundraiser begins Monday, Oct. 21, and concludes on Friday, Nov. 8. Items offered for sale include a variety of fruits, meats and cheeses, mixed nuts, holiday-flavored coffee in ground or whole bean, at a range of prices.

GPAC students at both Geneseo High School and Geneseo Middle School will be taking orders for the items. Funds raised are used to support activities such as music lessons, solo and ensemble accompanists, marching band, theater supplies, scholarships and other miscellaneous needs.

The items also can be ordered online at https://sales.minntexcitrus.com/organization/geneseo-performing-arts-council/ and then selecting Geneseo Performing Arts Council to enter the GPAC store, and at checkout, there will be a drop-down to select the student’s name to give them credit for the sale.

Orders will be delivered to the students on Friday, Dec. 13, and students will deliver the items to their customers. Anyone with questions is asked to call Carla Taets, 309-269-3551.

David Smith’s Sculptures in Quad City Arts Exhibit

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

David Smith, Geneseo artist and owner of Smith Studio and Gallery, has two of his sculptures accepted into the Open Invitational Exhibition of the Rock Island Art Gallery of Quad City Arts.

About once every two years the Rock Island Art Gallery hosts the open invitational exhibition in which they invite regional artists to submit artwork based on a theme. Artists were asked to respond to the phrase, “It’s Fine, Everything is Fine.”

The new exhibition will remain through Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Art Gallery which is located at 1715 2nd Ave., Rock Island.

Smith said, “I was excited to see the idea behind this open invitational show since several of my more recent sculptures have dealt with the angst of our times.”

One of his recent sculptures, titled “Literature,” relates a love for books, which Smith said, “also poses a question about the decision of those who wish to edit, ban or burn books.”

A second sculpture, created by Smith, is titled “Fractured Law,” which the artist said was created two years ago, and, “reflects on the inconsistency of how our laws are working for us.”

“People seeing this sculpture generally agree that our laws are not working for us as well as they should,” Smith added. “Consequentially this unique art work has been well received by everyone.”

All Dressed Up For The Dance

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

It’s tradition for students to gather in Geneseo City Park for photos and conversation prior to both Geneseo High School Homecoming and Prom dances, and Saturday evening was no exception. The weather was perfect, and the park became a rainbow of color from the ensembles chosen by students for the 2024 Homecoming dance at GHS. Photos by Claudia Loucks

Ava Sedam and Katie VanDeWoestyne

Katy Wilson and Kruiz Ludwig

Rachael Roodhouse, Sydney Nelson, and Jeslen Rink

Grace Hall and Kaylee Floming

Landon Barnett, Addison Espe, and Lincoln Barnett

Andre Diediker, Ava Brewer, Nina Schmedding and Gavin Hintgen

Dru Curcuru and Payton Snider

Ava Sedam and Madelyn Mooney

Claire DeGrave, Erik Bjorkman, Ethan Brown, and Aleksie Possin

James Matthews, Sage Windisch, Alex Snyder, and Cedric Kehoe.

GHS Homecoming Court 2024 Reigns Over Weekend

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Kamden Ariano was named king and Addison Snodgrass was chosen queen of the 2024 Homecoming festivities at Geneseo High School. Other members of the court from the GHS senior class are Dylan Gehl, duke, and Annie Maxwell, duchess; Paxton Sherbeyn, lord, and Sophia Bellagamba, lady.

Homecoming attendants chosen from the junior class are Hayden Schaaf and Eliana Barickman; attendants from the sophomore class are Jack Mickley and Payton Boone; and freshman attendants are Nolan Burton and Ellah Clifton.

The homecoming court was featured in the parade held Friday prior to the football game and the coronation of the homecoming court is Saturday night at the dance in the school gym. The dance concludes a week of festivities with a theme of “Viva Las Vegas.”

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.