Float Face-Off Underway for GHS Homecoming

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Even though it was in the beginning stages, there were many Geneseo High School students at work at the Float Face-Off on Wednesday in preparation for this year’s Homecoming Parade which will be at 3:30 p.m. Friday, starting at Geneseo City Park and traveling north through downtown to the high school.

“Hollywood Homecoming” is the 2023 homecoming theme . Photo by Claudia Loucks

Lilyann Garza, left, and Abby Poston are ready to the spray the poles for the ropes that will line the red carpet on the freshman class float.

Anna Davis and Matthew Darnall, sophomores at GHS, work on their class float which includes the words “Peace Love Prevention,” in memory of their classmate, Lyla “Random” Litherland, who died unexpectedly earlier this year.

Dylan Gehl, left; Colin Orwig, Erica DeDecker and Emelia Schmitt, members of the Junior Class at GHS, are shown by their class float, “Red Carpet Hollywood.”

GHS seniors Hayden Spranger, left, Emma DeBaene and Emma Veloz begin work on their class float, “Building the Titanic,” which will be part of the Homecoming Parade on Friday.

September 26 - City Council Meeting

By Dalcon DeMaranville
Geneseo Current

Removing the Bloat

• Election forms are available for pickup at City Hall
• Debut of new Geneseo Commercials: Distributed October 15 – December 15
• Appointment of Jeffrey Lang to Police Commission
• Proposal to removal of brush and sucker trees along Poppy Garden Road to clean area around transmission lines.
• Police has requested funding to upgrade police in-squad cameras
• Conditional real estate purchase and sale agreement of Olivia Drive ground to WCKJJ.LLC
• Condominium development on 3.99 acres of Olivia Drive for 29 new individual housing units
• Proposed a 4% sewer increase for 2024
• Independent rate study of all utilities going forward for 2025 and beyond

You can find the agenda in it’s entirety here: https://cityofgeneseo.civicweb.net/document/45908/?printPdf=true

Men’s Health Morning Series Oct. 4

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Area men are invited to the Men’s Health Morning Series presentation from 7 to 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4, in the Hammond-Henry Hospital conference room.  Detective Jamie Shoemaker, who is with the Geneseo Police Department, will present a program on the “IMPACT Task Force.”

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 .  Parking is available in the east parking lot on Center St.  Blood pressure screenings will be available.   The Men’s Health Morning Series is sponsored by the Hammond-Henry Hospital Foundation.

 In 2022 Detective Shoemaker began working to set up a mental health task force within the police department, and it was while she was working in the community and as a result of her training with crisis intervention that she realized more than just help for mental health was needed.

   “During trainings it was brought to my attention that a person who suffers form mental illness can turn to substance use to self medicate, therefore making our task force not just about mental illness, but also substance use as well as crisis intervention.  Every person we work with has different needs and different resources they need to help them.”

   She said it has taken some time to collect a list of resources – whether it is for inpatient substance use detox, inpatient patient mental health, therapy, food, and possibly housing.

Detective Jamie Shoemaker

Mobile Museum of Tolerance Coming to Geneseo

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The Mobile Museum of Tolerance (MMOT) will be in Geneseo the last week of September. The educational program is a large bus that travels throughout Illinois, usually seen at community libraries and schools.

Information in the literature of the MMOT states: “The Mobile Museum of Tolerance seeks to inspire students and adults from across the State of Illinois to stand up against hate and foster positive change in their communities. Unlike a traditional museum, the MMOT is a mobile classroom that travels directly to communities at no cost to the schools and organizations who host us. Instead of exhibits, the MMOT uses documentary films, interactive technology, and facilitated discussions to teach participants about history, online hate, and the importance of taking action. Our workshops have been specially crafted to engage all age groups, serving schools, faith groups, community organizations, businesses, and more.”

The Mobile Museum of Tolerance will arrive at the Geneseo Public Library on Monday, Sept. 25, and will be parked in the north parking lot. Public may take advantage of the MMOT programs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 26, and from 9 a.m. to 2:30 on Wednesday, Sept. 27. On Wednesday, the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce will have special use of the MMOT from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The MMOT will then be moved to the Geneseo Middle School where it will be available for exclusive use by the Middle School on Thursday and Friday.

More information about the MMOT is available at mmot.com

Ignite Begins Oct. 4 at First Methodist in Geneseo – By Claudia Loucks

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Shawn King, left, director of Children’s Ministry at First Methodist Church in Geneseo, chats with seven-year-old Carline Gramling, daughter of Marley and Brennon Gramling, 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. 4, when school is in session.

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

Shawn King said, “Ignite is based on the Team Kids curriculum called ‘Faithful Promises’. Through this program, we will lead kids to discover the steadfast faithfulness of God through Old Testament promises. Kids will explore details of the major covenants promised in the Old Testament and connect the bigger reality of God’s faithfulness to their every circumstance.”

Healthy snacks will be provided at the beginning of the program, King added….”Children will rotate through an opening session, games, Bible activities, and mission 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.

In the picture: Shawn King, left, director of Children’s Ministry at First Methodist Church in Geneseo, chats with seven-year-old Carline Gramling

Farm Bureau to hold Program for Driver's Ed students

What:  “Share the Road” – Program for Driver’s Education Students in Henry County, IL

Close to 200 high school students will rotate through five stations and learn about sharing the road with farm equipment and safe driving in rural areas.  Presenters will include Henry County Sheriff’s Department, Gold Star FS, Farm Bureau and area farmers.

 When:   Thursday, September 21, 2023

               Two sessions:  9:00am-11:00am and 12:00-2:00pm

 Where:  Henry County Fairgrounds, 311 E North Street, Cambridge, IL

 Any questions contact Henry County Farm Bureau Manager, Katie Laleman at (309) 337-1348

Geneseo Chamber marks Chamber of Commerce Week with Four Ribbon Cuttings

The Geneseo Chamber of Commerce celebrated Chamber of Commerce Week 2023 with four ribbon cuttings at local businesses in Geneseo. Chamber of Commerce Week in Illinois is promoted at the Illinois Chamber and the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (IACCE), highlighting the role chambers of commerce play in communities across Illinois. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also issued a Gubernatorial Proclamation, declaring the week of September 10-16, 2023 to be Chamber of Commerce week in Illinois.

 Ribbon Cuttings at Geneseo businesses were celebrated at the following locations:

  • UpLoved – 780 S. Chicago St.

  • Erdman Construction – 105 S. Chicago St. #2

  • Jenna Eden Designs – 137 S. State St. #335

  • Hertz Farm Management – 613 E. Ogden Ave.

 

“Chambers of Commerce play an important role in communities across Illinois.” said Zack Sullivan, Executive Director of the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce. “Imagine Geneseo without a Chamber of Commerce. No events like Christmas Walk or Music Fest, no promotion of the community, and no stories to tell to get people excited about Geneseo. Our Chamber in Geneseo tells the story of Geneseo – celebrating our successes, promoting our community events, and putting a spotlight on our small business community so it can continue to shine. The Geneseo Chamber is grateful and fortunate to have so much support from the Geneseo business community. The magic does not happen without the support of our member businesses. We work hard to provide tangible benefits to our members, and I think the community sees that.”

 For more information joining about the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce or upcoming community events, please email geneseo@geneseo.org or call 309-944-2686.

 

Mo Goodarzi has been named Volunteer of the Month

Mo Goodarzi has been named “Volunteer of the Month” at the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry. He has been a volunteer at the food pantry for nearly one year and has been storing clothing, stocking the freezer, assisting guests in choosing food items and does the heavy lifting.

Goodarzi and his wife, Katie, have a son, Niko.

This month’s volunteer enjoys weightlifting, soccer, riding bikes with his son and boating on the Mississippi River.

He said the best thing about volunteering at the food pantry is meeting and helping people – “the staff and volunteers are awesome.”

His most memorable experience at the food pantry is having helped prepare school supplies for “Back to School.”

His seven-year-old son Niko is a student at Northside School and Goodarzi said he loves the excitement that comes with a new school year for the kids.”

Deadline Approaching for Submitting Entries to the 2023 Maple City Fine Arts Show – By Claudia Loucks

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The time is fast approaching to submit entries in the 2023 Maple City Fine Arts Show to be featured in October at the Art League Studio and Gallery and at The Cellar in downtown Geneseo.

This year artists of any level are welcome to enter up to five pieces for a $50 entry fee. Cash awards will be given to first, second, and third place winners.

Entries will be accepted between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 27, and Thursday, Sept. 28; and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 29, and Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Geneseo Art League and Galley, 125 North State St.

All entries must be ready to hang with wired back, no saw tooth hangers.

Entries will be judged across the board, no categories, and all mediums will be accepted.

The awards ceremony will be at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, at The Cellar Restaurant, and entries will remain on display at the Art League Gallery and at The Cellar until Saturday, Oct. 28.

Jodi Haars, president of the Geneseo Art League, shows a piece of her art work that will be entered in this year’s Maple City Fine Arts Show. Photo by Claudia Loucks