Grace Church Congregation Has Mission Outreach at Church

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

  It isn’t often that an entire church congregation can participate in a mission “trip,” but that is exactly what happened on Sunday at Grace United Methodist Church in Geneseo. 

   Karen Doy, chairman of the Mission Committee at Grace Church, and her team organized several tables of school supplies to be sent to Midwest Mission.  

   Sunday, Sept. 14, was designated as Mission Sunday at the church when Doy explained, “We decided to bring the mission field to our church.”

   At the close of the church service, the congregation was invited to take part in the project and directions were provided for building the student school supply kits.  The group made it a fun time by forming an assembly line in filling the kits.  

   “All of the necessary supplies were provided, having been donated by church members or purchased by the Mission Committee,” Doy said.  “We thought if most people built one kit before leaving church, we would have 100 kits built in no time. We made it a fun time by providing donuts to those who participated.”

   Each kit includes three one-subject spiral notebooks, one 12-inch ruler, six unsharpened

pencils, one two-inch pencil eraser, one box of 12 colored pencils, one box of 24 crayons,

and one pair of scissors.

   The supplies are contained in individual handmade one-handled bags, made by 100-year-old Grace Church member Norma Lodge and several other church members. The pattern for the bags was supplied by Midwest Mission.

   The completed kits will be delivered to the Midwest Mission in Pawnee, IL.

   It is never certain where the student supply kits are sent, Doy said and added, “The student kits may end up in Ohio, Texas, Haiti, Ukraine, or somewhere else in the world where there is a need.  Last year we think some of them made their way to Honduras.”  

 

The Little Black Dress Program Sept. 17 at Geneseo Library

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

  It’s versatile, dependable and affordable – that Little Black Dress, but how did it become such a fashion staple?

  The answer to that question and more will be included in a program, presented by Leslie Goddard, at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the Geneseo Library.  

  Guests will learn how Chanel helped dissociate the color black from mourning, how Audrey Hepburn helped establish the dress as a woman’s staple, and how it was reinvented by everyone from Betty Boop to Prada.

   Goddard holds a PhD. From Northwestern University and Master’s Degrees in museum studies and theater.  In this area, she is not known for her education, but for her portrayal of many historical figures such as Jackie Kennedy, Lilly Pulitzer, and Lady Bird Johnson. 

   Goddard is a lifelong resident of the Chicago area and   has written three books on Chicago history.  She has been lecturing and performing on topics in history for more than 20 years, and her programs have been seen by audiences in a dozen states.

 

Garden Club to Meet Sept. 12 in Atkinson

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

   Garden Club members will meet at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, at Frank Pumpkin Farm, located at 21730 Moens Rd. in Atkinson.  Those Garden Club members planning to attend the meeting should be at Frank’s at 1 p.m., and are asked to “reply all” for information about carpooling from Lona Pribble’s home in Geneseo.

   A presentation will be given about the pumpkins, mums, and kale available at the Farm. 

Frank Pumpkin Farm’s regular hours of operation are Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm.

 

PTA Life Memberships 2025 Presented at Football Scrimmage

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

PTA Life Memberships were presented at the recent football scrimmage held at the Bob Reade Football Field at Geneseo High School.  Recipients of the awards include, from left, Bob Thomas, Geneseo Middle School; Brian Hofer, Southwest School; Dean Johnson, Geneseo Middle School; LuAnn DeGrave, Northside School; and Jodi Marshall, Southwest School. Also receiving Lifetime Memberships, but absent when the photo was taken, are Andrea Hogue, Geneseo Middle School; Kathy Buysse, Geneseo High School; Jon Murray, Geneseo High School; Michele Soukup, Millikin School; and Sharon Skelton, Northside.    The Lifetime awards are presented annually to PTA members who have gone above and beyond for PTA in serving their schools.  Geneseo District 228 PTA organizations have given the Life Membership Awards since 1954 to more than 400 individuals.  Contributed Photo 

 

Geneseo Class of 1980 Plans Reunion

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Nancy Bauwens Archer, left; Jill Baalman Fitzpatrick, and Ron Farrell, members of the J.D. Darnall High School (now Geneseo High School) Class of 1980, are on the committee planning the 45th class reunion.

   The two-day event will be Friday, Oct. 10, at the Geneseo High School homecoming football game; and on Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Geneseo Country Club.  For more information, visit the reunion page on Facebook: GENESEO IL CLASS OF 1980 CLASS REUNION.

 

History of the Barbie Doll Aug. 29 at Geneseo Library

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

  If you were a little girl growing up in the 60’s, and you had a Barbie Doll, you may want to learn more about how the Barbie Doll came about, including what her full name is, and the significance of Barbie’s boyfriend’s name.

   All that information and more will be presented in an illustrated lecture by Historian Leslie Goddard, Ph.D., at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, at the Geneseo Public Library.

   Information from the library states: “Learn what inspired Mattel Toy Company to create and develop a doll that was so vastly different from the standard baby dolls of the past and how Barbie helped make Mattel one of the world’s most successful toy companies.  The impact of the Barbie Doll on American culture also will be discussed. - Leslie Goddard is widely recognized in this area and is a real favorite.”

 

Diane Boelens is Volunteer of the Month at Food Pantry

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Diane Boelens

Diane Boelens has been named “Volunteer of the Month” at the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry. She has been volunteering for one year at the food pantry, where she assists guests who are shopping for food, and where she helps sort donations in the clothing room.

She has been married to husband Ken for 43 years and the couple has two sons, Cody and Dalton.

Boelens said she enjoys reading, gardening, volunteering locally and internationally, traveling and Jazzercise. She said the best thing about volunteering at the food pantry is spending time with like-minded people, those willing to help our local community. She said the volunteers and staff are willing to support the guests with respect, caring and understanding.

Nicole Freadhoff, assistant director at the Food Pantry, said, “Thank you for serving those in need, Diane!”

 

Model Railroaders Club Display at Library in August and Will Have Display at Trains, Planes, & Automobiles Car Show

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

   Pat Persampieri, left; and Carl Johnson, representing the Geneseo Model Railroaders Club, are shown by the display of model trains, which will be featured through August, at the Geneseo Public Library.  The display includes examples of scale and gauges of model trains.

   Club members also will have operating layouts on display during the Trains, Planes & Automobiles car show on Saturday, Sept. 6, in downtown Geneseo.  From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5, the display will be available for special viewing at Geneseo Communications Garage, 154 East Exchange St., in downtown Geneseo. 

   Anyone interested in seeing the display on Sept. 5 is asked to make a reservation by contacting Dan Klavine during business hours at Klavine Motors, 309-944-3319.

   The Geneseo Model Railroaders Club meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Geneseo Public Library. 

   The club, established by model railroad enthusiasts in 2011 in Geneseo, is open to all scale gauges and age groups.   

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

 

Garden Club Outing July 21

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The next outing of the Geneseo Garden Club will be at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 21, at the gardens of Martha Smith at 110 E. Girard Ave. in Monmouth. Estimated travel time is about one hour from Geneseo.

Smith recently retired as the Horticulture Educator at the University of Illinois Extension in Milan. Her 32-year career history included educating the public in horticulture as well as participating in the Perennial Plant Association and American Conifer Society.

Anyone interested in carpooling is asked to “reply all” to the email they received as to whether they want to ride or drive, and those wanting to ride together will meet at the home of Lona Pribble.

 

Native Culture and History Program at Geneseo Library July 16

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Contributed Photo

  Kim Sigafus Melver, accomplished writer and speaker, will present a program on Native Culture and History at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16, at the Geneseo Public Library.

   Information received from the Geneseo Library states: “Kim believes that education is an ongoing process for everyone, and she enjoys teaching curious listeners about her heritage.  She will be dressed in her native regalia and will give a history of natives in Illinois with a focus on native women, or what was considered ‘The Hidden Half’.”

   She has written non-fiction, children’s and young adult books and has traveled all over the Midwest to bring her native culture to life.

   Her family is from White Earth Reservation, located in the northwest corner of Minnesota, and her Ojibwa name is ”Bekaadiziikwe,” which means “quite woman.”

   She also sings and drums.

   The speaker will have an assortment of books she has written available to purchase when she presents the program at the  Geneseo Library.

 

Kathleen Roby Is Food Pantry Volunteer of the Month

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

   Kathleen Roby has been named “Volunteer of the Month” for July at the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry.  She has been volunteering at the Food Pantry for nine months, and assists guests in the food room and stocks shelves.

   Roby enjoys sewing and quilting, and she said the best thing about volunteering at the Food Pantry is helping staff and guests, and meeting new people.

   Her most memorable experience at the Food Pantry was when she had the privilege of helping a new guest with small children.  The guest was embarrassed for needing to ask for help, but Roby provided positive support and reassurance, and by the end of the visit, the individual felt more confident.

   Nicole Freadhoff, assistant director at the Food Pantry, said, “Thank you for all your help, Kathleen!”

 

Community Choir Concert Benefits Community Chest

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

   Lorrie Lord, at right, treasurer of the Community Choir of Geneseo; and Pam Edwards, in the center, Community Choir Director; presented a $1,000 check to Jenna Rushing, pictured at left, Community Chest treasurer.  Ms. Edwards said a mission of the Community Choir is to provide financial support to the Community Chest through the performance of an intergenerational ensemble.  The Community Choir presented a concert on June 25 in the Geneseo High School Concert Hall, and the theme was “HOPE.”