Cookie Walk, Meal and Entertainment at Concordia Lutheran and Other Christmas Walk Meal and Warming Sites

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Linda Hull, left, and Kathy Kramer show some of Christmas cookies that will be available to purchase at this year’s Cookie Walk from 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, (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), with all proceeds to benefit the group’s mission projects. The Cookie Walk 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. Proceeds from the Potato Bar and Chili Supper will benefit the Concordia Lutheran Academy. In addition, students in the Geneseo Middle School Choir will perform at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 14 in the church sanctuary. Photo by Claudia Loucks

ADDITIONAL MEAL SITES AND WARMING SITES ON DEC. 14:

3:30 – 5 p.m. – Lighted Parade Staging, Grace United Methodist Church at 318 North Center.

-4 – 8 p.m. – Warming Station: Geneseo Chamber Info Center and Christmas Card Stamping, Hanford Insurance Agency at 119 South State.

-4 p.m. – Warming Station: Free Hot Chocolate – Geneseo Evangelical Free Church, at intersection of State and First Sts.

-4 p.m. – Warming Station: Grow Ministries, South State by Smith Studio and Gallery.

-4 p.m. – Warming Station: Free Hot Apple Cider and Hot Cocoa, First Baptist Church at intersection of State and Second Sts.

-4 – 7 p.m. – Meal Site: Chili, hot dogs, chips, cookies and a beverage, First Methodist Church, 302 North State, and monetary donations accepted.

-4 – 7 p.m. – Meal Site: Chicken Dinner, open to the public, $12 to $16 per person, Geneseo Moose Lodge, 1025 South State St., A TROLLEY STOP.

-5 p.m. – Warming Station: American Family Insurance, Michele Weber-Enck Agency, 229 South State St.

Christmas Walk Children’s Activity at Geneseo Art League

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Sullivan Nichols, left, daughter of Joe and Amanda Nichols, gets some help from Jodi Haars, president of the Geneseo Art League, in making a Christmas star ornament. Children are invited to the “Create a Christmas Star” Christmas Walk activity planned from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Art League Gallery, 125 North State St. There is no cost for the children to make an ornament, and the Art League is located at 125 North State St. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Men’s Health Morning Series Is Dec. 4

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Katie Orwig, left, Hammond-Henry Hospital Foundation Manager; and Crystal Yost, Foundation Assistant Manager, encourage area men to attend the Men’s Health Morning Series program from 7 to 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, in the hospital conference room. Marc Peirce, Hammond-Henry Hospital Physical Therapist, will present the program on “Balance.” 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. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Richmond Hill Players Comedy Continues This Week

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Tickets are still available for the Richmond Hill Players end-of-season comedy, “My Son is Crazy, But Promising,” by Tim Kelly, and which will be presented Thursday, Nov. 21- through Sunday, Nov. 24, at the Barn Theatre in Richmond Hill Park.

In the photograph, from a rehearsal for the show are, from left, Derek Bolme, and
Tifany Simosky, both of Geneseo; Samuel Carrington, Galesburg; and Carol Neuleib, Geneseo. Dana Skiles directs the play.

On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the show beginning at 7:30 p.m. Sunday shows are 3 p.m. matinees with the doors opening at 2 p.m.

Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling the Richmond Hill box office at 309-944-2244 or by visiting the website at rhplayers.com.

Late seating is not permitted; no one will be admitted to the theater after the show has started.

VFW Auxiliary Taking Orders for Hometown Hero Banners Displayed in Downtown Geneseo

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The Geneseo VFW Auxiliary will continue selling Hometown Hero Banners that will be displayed on the light poles that line the streets in downtown Geneseo.

The banners, at $150 each, will have the wording: Hometown Hero,” and will include the name and a photo of a Geneseo veteran with information about the veteran.

According to VFW Auxiliary officer Rhonda Borkgren, the banners will be attached to the poles the week of Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day, 2025. The banners will be replaced with new Hometown Hero banners every two years.

“We have a limited number of downtown poles to use, which is why we have to replace the banners and give everyone a chance to fly a banner in honor of their special veteran,” Borkgren said.

She said the Auxiliary will take orders for up to 39 banners.

For more information, contact Borkgren at 309-714-8077 or at vfwauxrhonda@gmail.com

Rhonda Borkgren, representing the Geneseo VFW Auxiliary, shows one of the Hometown Hero Banners that has been on display on a downtown street light pole, and recently was taken down to make room for the next group of banners to be displayed, beginning with Memorial Day 2025. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Hospital Auxiliary 2024 Lovelight Tree

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Sue Elliott, left, president of the Hammond-Henry Hospital Auxiliary; and Kathleen VanDeRostyne, Auxiliary/Volunteer Supervisor, stand by the banner for the Auxiliary’s Lovelight Tree, displayed at the corner of Wells St. and College Ave. They are holding the dated porcelain ornaments designed by Geneseo Artist Sharon Michaelsen for this year’s Lovelight Tree, and which will be given to anyone making contributions of $20 and more to the Lovelight Tree in memory of a loved one. Contributions to the Lovelight Tree also may be made in honor of a special person in someone’s life.

The tree is an Auxiliary fundraiser and funds received this year will be used for Health Career Scholarships. Donations forms and additional information are available at the hospital volunteer office, 309-944-9130; at the hospital website www.hammondhenry.com/participate/volunteer or by email at volunteer@hammondhenry.com. Checks may be made payable to Hammond-Henry Hospital Auxiliary and mailed to the Auxiliary at 600 North College Ave., Geneseo, IL 61254. Names of all donors and names of those remembered and honored will be displayed at the main and east entrances to the hospital. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Winners in Geneseo Park District’s Turkey Trot

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The Geneseo Park District’s Annual Turkey Trot was held Nov. 10 at the Athletic Field.

Children had an opportunity to race against their friends for a chance to win a turkey from Fareway Grocery. Participants were divided into three groups by grade: Boys/Girls Pre-K (100 yard dash); K-2 (200 yard dash) and 3rd-5th (1 lap around the track.

Participation was free, thanks to the Geneseo Park District Foundation.

Pre-K Boys:

1st – Patrick Hoegner
2nd – Finley Graham
3rd – Teddy Anderson

Pre-K Girls:
1st – Brynn Rexroth
2nd – Madi Olson
3rd – Penelope Werner

K-2 Boys:

1st – Blake Wahlheim
2nd – Mason Spivey
3rd – James Kroener

K-2 Girls:

1st – Taylor Murphy
2nd – Addie Calhoun
3rd – Estes Pauley

3-5 Boys:

1st – Ivan Hone
2nd – Gunner Painter
3rd – Oliver Osborn

3-5 Girls:

1st – Greyson Hintgen
2nd – Ava Jolly
3rd – Leona Werner

Tribute to Veterans in RutabagA Window

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Artist Sharon Michaelsen shows one of the portraits included in “A Tribute to Veterans” display in the north window of RutabagA Gallery and Studio at 108 North State St. in downtown Geneseo. The display includes portraits of veterans who have served in different branches of military in different combats. In addition to Michaelsen, the exhibit features art work by Les Hoste and Joyce Mattan. Photo by Claudia Loucks

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.”