Geneseo is the ‘Right Fit’ for New School Superintendent - By Claudia Loucks

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Dr. Laura Delgado

Dr. Laura Delgado was searching for a school superintendent position shortly after she completed her Doctorate Degree at Illinois State University earlier this year, and that search led her to Geneseo.  She was named Superintendent of the Geneseo Community Unit School District in April.

   When asked about her interest in the Geneseo School District, she said, “I knew I wanted to find a community that felt like the ‘right fit’ for me and my family.  While I interviewed for multiple positions, nothing felt quite right.  When Geneseo opened up, I drove up to the area and instantly felt like the community was a place I could call home.”

   She added that she “loves the small-town feel, but also the welcoming nature of the community and the clear commitment to family and education.”

   When asked: “What’s ahead?  What do you see in the future for Geneseo Schools?”  Dr. Delgado answered, “I am looking forward to continuing the tradition of excellence that clearly exists in the Geneseo School District.  It is my goal to continue to lift and support what is going well and problem-solve through areas that may need lifting.

   I am most excited to learn more this year as I spend time in schools with students, teachers, and support staff.  I am looking forward to learning about programs that make Geneseo exceptional, including (but not limited to) life skills, fine arts, athletics, FFA and CTE programs.  I hope to continue to grow our enrollment as we take pride in being a ‘destination district’ for families in the area.”

   When asked: “What is most enjoyable or exciting about your position/career?”  Dr. Delgado replied, “I love meeting new people, connecting with their passions, and working on solving problems.  I am a student-centered leader and the main focus of my work is always what is best for students.  I love the complexities and nuances of running a school district and look forward to continuing to grow in this role.”

   And: What’s the least enjoyable - ups and downs of your career?”  She said, “This career, like most, has its ups and downs.  I want to design systems that support students and staff, but sometimes you have to have difficult conversations or make decisions that are not popular with everyone.  As long as we continue to center what is best for students, I can weather those ups and downs.”

   Delgado and her husband, Rafael Delgado, is a project manager for commercial facilities with Growmark and Dr. Delgado said, “He designs and manages projects for co-ops across the state.  Luckily, he works from home most of the time, so moving to Geneseo was possible for our family.”

   The couple has one son, Xavier Delgado, a sophomore at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.  His mother said,” He is studying education and plays on the Loras Football team.  We are proud parents and have loved watching him grow into an incredible young man.”

Dr. Delgado’s education:

Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education - Eastern Michigan University (1995)
Master’s Degree in Instructional Technology - Eastern Michigan University (2002)
Master’s Degree in Educational Administration - Illinois State University (2017)
Doctor of Education Degree w/Superintendent Endorsement - ISU (2024)

Dr. Delgado’s work history:

2021-2025 Director of Elementary Education - Bloomington District 87 (Bloomington)
2013-2021 Principal, elementary teacher, instructional coach - McLean County Unit 5 (Normal)
1999-2013 Elementary Teacher - Ann Arbor Public Schools (Ann Arbor, MI)
Prior to this I taught preschool at a private school and a few years in Howell, MI.

Professional certifications and credentials include:

-Superintendent Endorsement, PK-12, State of Illinois.
-Working on CSBO Endorsement, State of Illinois.
-Administrative Endorsement PK-12.
-Professional Educator License, Elementary Education, Grades K-9 (self-contained, All Subjects).
-Teacher Evaluator Training.
-Principal Evaluator Training.

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.”

 

They Are Ready for College - By Claudia Loucks

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current


   Christian Haney, left; and Rachael Roodhouse post for a photo in front of what is now their high school alma mater, Geneseo High School,  as they are ready to begin college classes.  Claudia Loucks Photo

  Getting ready for college is a significant life transition that includes excitement and challenges.  It’s a time for personal growth and independence, but also a time of adjustment and potential stress. 

   I chose to ask two 2025 Geneseo High School graduating seniors how they are preparing for college.

   Rachael Roodhouse, daughter of James and Abbey Roodhouse, will be attending the University of Wisconsin -Platteville, where she will be pursuing the pre-law track and majoring in marketing.  Christian Haney, son of Cindy Haney, will be studying Computer Science at Black Hawk College and later transferring to Augustana College, and he said, “I’m going with this route to save money and to stay close to home so I can work.”

   When asked why she chose the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Rachael Roodhouse said, “I chose to go to UW-Platteville because of its incredibly welcoming and friendly student body every time I visited.  It’s also the perfect distance form home – about two hours away – which makes it easy to come back whenever I need, but far enough that my parents can’t visit every day.  My older   sister also attended Platteville and currently lives there.  She is my role model, and seeing how much she loved her experience at Platteville really inspired me to attend there as well.”

   She said she did not visit any colleges until her senior year at GHS, “but every single one I visited, I fell in love with.  Ultimately, my decision came down to what would be the most financially affordable for me.  Most of my senior year was spent searching and applying for scholarships and figuring out which college offered the best financial and academic opportunities for the future.”

   Christian Haney did a lot of planning in his senior year of high school, trying to solidify his major because not every college offers his original choice of hardware engineering…”Luckily, I had help at Black Hawk that helped me decide on Computer Science and the path I needed to take.”

   Both young people were asked if they planned to be involved with any extracurricular activities in college and Roodhouse said, “While I’m not playing any sports for Platteville

‘s official teams, I do plan to join intramural clubs for some of the sports I enjoyed in high school, like basketball and tennis, as well as clubs similar to those I was part of before, like student government.  I’m also pretty open-minded and excited to try out new clubs or sports I may have never experienced before.”

   Haney said Black Hawk College has a College IT Society “that I’ve been eyeing, so hopefully I’ll be part of that.”

   And how about the dorm room decorating?

      Even though not necessary at Black Hawk, Christian Haney said, “Although this is applicable for Augustana, I’ve already committed to making a 30-minute drive nearly every day as opposed to living in the dorms.”

   Rachel Roodhouse answered, “While planning your dorm room, school supplies, and clothes is definitely the most fun part of college-planning, I think the most beneficial part of my planning was staying on top of applications, housing deadlines, and scholarship opportunities.”

   She received a $500 scholarship form the Northside PTA which she dedicated to be her budget for dorm supplies…”As soon as I found out which residence hall I would be in at Platteville, I went to my school’s website and printed their official resident hall packing list, crossing off what I already had and adding anything that I still needed or wanted.”

   She and her roommate made a shared Pinterest board full of decoration ideas and layout designs they liked which she said was “super helpful for planning what we could share, what we each needed our own of, and as a fun icebreaker to get to know each other better.  Some of the best places I’ve found to shop for dorm supplies are Target, HomeGoods, TJ Maxx and Amazon.” 

   The soon-to-be college freshman admits that clothes have been the most difficult part of packing for college, and she said, “I really enjoy dressing up and styling outfits, so it’s been hard to avoid overpacking.  To help, I made a list of each type of clothing – the sweatshirts, jeans, dresses, and so on – and decided how many of each would be appropriate to take.  Then I went through my closet, narrowing down what I really wanted to take and what needed to stay home.  I also kept the seasons in mind so I wouldn’t end up packing heavy winter clothes for the fall.  After finishing my college packing, I sorted through what was left at home that I wanted to keep and gave the rest to Goodwill or to my little sister.”

   Christian Haney said he plans to wear more formal clothing at college…”Probably a lot of collar-neck shirts in my future.”

   In regard to sororities or fraternities, Haney said he didn’t think he would ever join a fraternity if he went to a college away from home.  “From what I know, it can be expensive, and they don’t necessarily have the best stereotypes to be associate with,” he added.

   Roodhouse said, “I’m probably interested in joining a sorority.  My school is Division III, so rushing isn’t as much of a deal as it is at larger schools, but it’s still very much alive and a part of campus culture.  My plan is to get to campus first, explore the different sororities available, and then decide when and how I want to start the joining process.”

   Haney did not have to make any decisions about a dorm roommate as he will be commuting, but Roodhouse said even she has not personally met her roommate, they have chatted many times over testing and the phone…”We first connected through our school’s incoming freshman Instagram page where she messaged me asking if I already had a roommate.  From both of our posts, it seemed like we had a lot in common – we booth have older siblings who attend or attended Platteville, and we both ran cross country and track in high school.  It was a little awkward messaging at first while trying to figure out if our living habits would be compatible, but talking on the phone instead of just texting helped break the ice a lot.”

   When asked what they think they will miss most about high school, Roodhouse said, “I think I’ll really miss having the chance to sit with my friends at lunch every day, and those fun walks to and from class and the parking lot where we talk about whatever wild or funny thing that just happened in class.  It’s the little moments and opportunities high school gives you to hang out with friends that I’ll definitely miss  !”

   Haney said what he will miss is the “feeling of familiarity.  Especially since many of my friends are going to be hours away, and I won’t know everyone.

   Another questions I had for the two college-bound students – What is the most frightening about leaving about leaving for college and what is the most exciting.  Haney replied that the most frightening think is “the people and making new connections,” and added that the most exciting is “new experiences that I get to be part of.”

   Roodhouse said she thinks the most frightening aspect of college is “all the what ifs’ – what if I don’t find friends?  What if the classes are too hard?  What if this isn’t the right educational or career path for me.  But on the flip side, the most exciting part is the unknown.  Who am I going to meet?  What new clubs and opportunities are waiting for me?”

   My comment is that both young people are ready for their next step in higher education!

Scumbags - By Dan Dauw

Poachers

  These scumbags, who illegally kill wildlife, especially deer, will never completely go away. However, last month the Illinois DNR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service caught five Mississippi men using spotlights at night to shoot deer in five Illinois counties.
All of the men received long probations, plus very hefty fees and heavy fines in restitution.  Illinois Conservation Police Officers (CPOs) and federal agents depend on tips provided by residents who witness illegal activity. Contact your local police or CPO Jamie Posateri @ 309-830-0708.

 Record Flathead

   A bowfisher from Michigan caught a new Michigan state record flathead catfish. The previous state-record was 53.35 pound caught in 2022.
The new state record is now 64.46 pound. Of the three species of catfish in our country, blue, flathead and channel, the blue catfish is the largest. In 2005, a blue catfish was caught in Illinois waters that went 124 pounds.

 ‘Da Bears

   Being a die-hard Bear’s fan, you may have to put up with a paragraph each week on the previous game.  Because of a family event, I could not see the Dolphins/Bears game.
It ended in a tie, 24-24.  The next game pits the Bears vs. Bills on Sunday, Aug 17 @ 7 p.m. on Fox.  Of course, we’re talking pre-season so the game doesn’t mean a whole lot, or at least, not for most fans.

Dog Tags

  If you served in the military you were given a pair of “dog tags.” They were worn for identification such as death. Only 58% of the soldiers who died in action during the Civil War were positively identified. 
They were not issued to soldiers so many made their own dog tags. They would write their name on a piece of paper and stick it to their uniform or carve their name on a small wooden disk. 
In WW1 our soldiers were issued 2 aluminum tags stamped with name, unit and religion. By the end of WW2 the tags were made of stainless steel. In Vietnam, one tag would go into the soldier’s boot in case his body was dismembered. The other tag was around his neck unless they made noise. Towards the end of the war a small rubber cover was issued to solve the noise problem.    

Trapping

  I know next to nothing about trapping, but I did find this interesting. Skunks are in demand in certain fashion circles. The reason they are in such demand, or partly so, is thanks to the ultraorthodox Hasidic Jews. The Hasidic community is using skunk tails for fur hats.
The hat is known by its Yiddish name, “shtreimel.” Trapping coyotes, red fox, muskrats, raccoons, and mink is hardly an easy way to make a buck or two.  I’m not so sure grey fox is one animal that is allowed to be trapped.  For whatever reason, they seem to be vanishing or at least here in Illinois. From what I’ve read, it is not because of trapping.

 Joke

  Lorna lost our dog. It ran outside while she was making a salad. So, if anyone caesar, lettuce know.  

Quote

  “This will remain the land of the free so long as it is the home of the brave.” • Elmer Davis  

New School Staff at 2025 Luncheon at Grace Church in Geneseo

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current


  Jeff Orton, retired Geneseo School District teacher, and Grace Church member, served as emcee at the new staff luncheon.    A quote printed in the programs at the luncheon stated, “Students may not remember everything you said, but they will remember how special you made them feel.”

New staff members, their mentors and new administrators in the Geneseo School District were honored on Aug. 7 at a luncheon at Grace United Methodist Church. The 2025 luncheon was the 45th year for the church to host new teachers, counselors and administrators to the district.

-ELEMENTARY: - Taylor DeSplinter, fifth grade, Northside School; Anna Poel, vocal music, Northside; Madisyn Ryan, kindergarten, Millikin; Katlyn Schmitt, third grade, Southwest; Cassie Wales, fifth grade, Southwest; and Danielle Wieland, fourth grade, Millikin.

-MIDDLE SCHOOL: - Cody Robertson, history, Middle School; Jennifer Woolsey, instructional coach; and Sarah Williams.

-HIGH SCHOOL: – Tara Hinton, English, Geneseo High School; Keyaira Lavine, guidance counselor, Mitchell Munda, physical education; and Michael Bell, special education.

-HENRY/STARK: - Meloney Brasmer, Carrie Brown, Jordan Seei and Stephanie Wexell.

Photos by Claudia Loucks

New staff members at the elementary schools in the Geneseo School District are, in front from left, Carrie Brown, Katlyn Schmitt, Jordan Seei; and Madisyn Ryan; and in back, Taylor DeSplinter, Cassie Wales, Danielle Wieland, Anna Poel and Stephanie Wexell. Photo by Claudia Loucks

New staff at the Geneseo Middle School and at Geneseo High School are, in front from left, Jennifer Woolsey, Mitch Munda, Michael Bell, and Meloney Brasmer; and in back, Tara Hinton, Keyaira Lavine, Cody Robertson, and Sarah Williams. Photo by Claudia Loucks

   Geneseo School District Superintendent Laura Delgado, left; and school board member Diane Olson visit at the new staff luncheon.

 

   Larry Johnsen, left, GHS teacher; Margaret Hitzhusen, retired from Geneseo School District and a member of Grace Church; and Mary Orton, seated, retired from Geneseo School District and Grace Church member, were visiting at the luncheon.

   Brooke Emmerson, left, assistant principal at GHS, and Philip Moe, principal at Millikin School, also were at the luncheon.

   Jordan Seei, left, new staff member in the Geneseo School District, and Tasha Moe, teacher, who is Seei’s mentor, were at the new staff luncheon Thursday at Grace Church.

   Jeremy Mosier, left, assistant principal at GHS, and Tom Ryerson, GHS principal, were photographed at the new staff event held Aug. 7 at Grace United Methodist Church in Geneseo.

 

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!”

 

My Printer Was Playing Music - By Dan Dauw

By Dan Dauw
Geneseo Current

I-80 Café

  That is the new name of the former Brunch House 2 restaurant in Colona. As of now, they are still remolding, but hopefully they will be open soon.  

Geneseo Ikes Fish Fry

  The Geneseo Izaak Walton League held their summer fish fry on Saturday, August 2, 2025. The fish served were bluegills, crappies, walleyes and channel catfish.  Besides fish, chicken was also served. Side dishes and desserts were included with the meal.  The food was really good and it was nice catching up with all the local news.  

Geneseo Ikes “Ham ‘n Bean” Public Supper

  This is always a nice event. It is open to the public and will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at the Ikes Park, near the lodge. The hours are from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Take Rt. 82, 1 mile north of Geneseo. There will be live entertainment, too.  

Gulp Works

Gary Dahlquist, Geneseo, recently caught this big bass. Submitted Photo

   I’m a live bait guy when fishing. Minnows, waxies and worms are my favorite baits with the exception of stink bait for Mr. Whiskers.
However, last week I have re-thought my opinion on artificial minnows, namely “Gulp” by Berkley. Gary Dahlquist and I went fishing at a private lake.  I fished for bluegills using red worms. Gary used 2 inch or 1 inch Gulp artificial minnows.
For some reason, I always thought they were just another “hook” to catch the fisherman rather than the fish. Gary caught 7 nice crappies, one big largemouth bass (he let it go) and some nice bluegills. All on Gulp artificial minnows.  He gave me a few to try and by-golly, they did work. Now it helped that he was in a good fishing spot, but still, I’m a believer on Gulp artificial bait. 
After fishing I stopped at Farm & Fleet and bought the last package of 2” minnows and 1 jar of the 1” size. I guess at my age I can still train this old dog new tricks! 

Navy & Space Force Uniforms

  The first time the U.S. Navy issued a Navy uniform was on August 24, 1797. It was first used to provide a distinctive dress for officers.It was during the Civil War (1860-1865) when the first major influence was on Navy uniforms.
 The current uniforms for the Space Force are modeled after the Army and Air Force. However, the Guardians (members of the Space Force) are set to get their own service dress uniforms this year, 2025.

 Humor

I was so confused last night. My printer was playing music. Turns out my paper was jammin’.
What did one hat say to the other? Answer: You stay back, I’m going on a-head.

Quote

  “We don’t know them all, but we owe them all.” - Unknown

New Exhibition - Smith Studio and Gallery

Dave Smith
Smith Studio & Gallery

Now on exhibit at the Smith Studio and Gallery, in downtown Geneseo, is the Illinois Art Education Association’s (IAEA) traveling exhibition of K-12th grade student artwork. This unique statewide art exhibition is re-created each year in order to showcase student artwork. The current 2024-2025 exhibition consists of 45 works of art that were picked from over 600 entries. This creative exhibition has been traveling Illinois for the past year and it is now in its’ eleventh and final showing. 

This unique exhibition helps to display much of the Visual Art curricular goals and educational objectives that are included throughout Illinois schools. More importantly this artwork gives a glimpse into the thinking and wonderful creativity of children at different age levels. This exhibition is a delightful treat for families and children. While this unique exhibition is in western Illinois it is hoped that community leaders, school board members and educators at all levels will take the time to consider the importance of the Arts in education. 

During August this exhibit is open and free to the public.

Hours at the Smith Studio and Gallery are Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-5:00.

 

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
 

 

Hammond-Henry Hospital moves offices to better accommodate patients, physicians

Geneseo IL - In an effort to better accommodate patients and its expanding list of physicians and services, Hammond-Henry Hospital, located at 600 N. College Avenue, Geneseo, is in the process of moving its Specialty Clinic, its Surgical Clinic, and Home Health Services.

Hammond-Henry Hospital’s Home Health Services recently moved its Cambridge office back to Geneseo and is now conveniently located across from the hospital at 534 N. Center Street. Home Health Services’ hours remain Monday-Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm, and their phone number is 309.944.4853.

The former Specialty Physicians Center or the Northwest Clinic at Hammond-Henry Hospital will now be called the Hammond-Henry Hospital Specialty Clinic. The Hammond-Henry Hospital Specialty Clinic, which will officially move on August 4, will serve as the office site for HHH’s General Surgeon (James Schrier, MD), Orthopedic Surgeon (Ryan Pizinger, MD), Pain Management Specialist (John Dooley, MD*), and Rheumatologist (Manoj Kohli, MD*).

“The new Specialty Clinic location offers improved accessibility, making your visits more convenient, and you’ll also have a larger, more comfortable environment for all your appointments,” said Derek Fortin, Specialty Clinic Manager. Those interested in reaching the Specialty Clinic can call 309.944.1595.

Cardiovascular medicine, endocrinology, nephrology, and urology patients that formerly visited physicians within the Specialty Physicians Center on the first floor of the hospital will now visit their physicians (except Dr. Cory Straub, endocrinologist, and Keelin Willits, APRN, urologist) in the Hammond-Henry Hospital Outreach Clinic, located in Suite 220 on the second floor of the hospital.

The new Hammond-Henry Outreach Clinic (formerly the Surgical Clinic) can be accessed by taking Elevator 2 and following the signs for the outreach clinic. Those seeing Rajiv Mallik, MD*, Rafat Padaria, MD*; Aswartha Pothula, MD*, Sanjeev Puri, MD*; Rajesh Alla, MD*; and Travis Figanbaum, MD*, will see these physicians in the Outreach Clinic on the second floor, beginning August 4.

Cory Straub, MD*, will see patients in the UnityPoint Clinic, located on the first floor of the hospital in Suite 130. Keelin Willits, APRN*, will no longer have hours or office space in Hammond-Henry Hospital. She will see patients at Urological Associates, PC, at 600 Valley View Drive, Upper Level, Moline, or 3319 Spring Street, Davenport, IA.

* Physician is an independent, non HHH employed contractor with privileges to provide healthcare services at Hammond-Henry Hospital.

I’ll Have a Tenderloin, Please - By Dan Dauw

By Dan Dauw
Geneseo Current

H.C. Genealogical Society

I spoke to this nice group of folks last week. My program was on the U.S. Navy and aircraft carriers. I thank Pat Hurd, Vice President, and Steve Morrison, President, of the Henry County Genealogical Society, for the invite.
The meeting was held at the Kewanee Library. I will present a similar program on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the Vintage Farm Equipment Show, Atkinson, IL. The programs will be at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

I’ll Have a Tenderloin, Please

Last Monday Lorna and I hosted at the Henry County Historical Museum in Bishop Hill. At lunch time we both ordered the tenderloin specials at The Filling Station.
Of course, the tenderloin stuck out on all sides of the bun. It got me wondering! I cannot ever remember ordering and eating a tenderloin sandwich where the tenderloin didn’t completely engulf the poor little bun?! No complaint mine you, but when and where did it become the norm that the patty must overtake the bun? A hamburger stays within the bun’s boundary and so the same with a hotdog.

Butterflies

We have a lot of flowers both outside and inside. We both enjoy gardening. During the past few years we just don’t see butterflies like we used to. I saw one today, but don’t ask me what kind? Unrelated, but we are happy with our tomatoes and onions this year. Creatures did a number on our lettuce and some of our beans, but that’s not new.

The Cellar

We hit our 54th year Wedding Anniversary last week. No, not 53 years as I mentioned in this column last week. Of course, there is only one place to celebrate and that is at The Cellar.
My steak was so big we got two meals in the “doggie bag!” We were the first ones there at 5 p.m. and by 5:30 p.m. It was packed and that was on a Thursday. Through the years we’ve always had good food and service at The Cellar.

Argo

This little hamlet, a few miles west of Princeton, Iowa, is where Lorna, myself and some of her relatives meet once a year for breakfast in the little restaurant.
The kicker is the food is so good and their meals are very dollar cheap. We were there last Sunday and within a few hours we solved all the world’s problems.

Humor

Did you hear? They’re not making 12” rulers any longer.
Did you hear about Vic Bianchetta’s coffee was stolen. He got mugged.
It doesn’t matter if you are tall, short, thin, fat, rich, or poor. At the end of the day, it’s night!

Quote

“The wildest colts make the best horses.” - Plutarch

Henry County Humane Society – Geneseo Shelter - How It Began and What it Has Become

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

  The Henry County Humane Society- Geneseo Shelter became a reality 50 years ago, in January of 1975.

   Prior to that time, the lost and abandoned animals in Geneseo were housed in what has been described as “sadly inadequate facilities.”

   A group of concerned Geneseo citizens were instrumental in forming an organization in 1974 with a goal of “aid in the prevention of cruelty to animals, and to generally improve the lot of defenseless animals.”

   In 2005, the group began holding office hours at the animal shelter which allowed anyone interested in adoption to come and meet the animals.  They also placed profiles and photographs online to help introduce the animals to families or individuals who may be interested in adopting. 

HOW IT BEGAN ---Some information in the history section of this story was provided by the Geneseo Humane Society – Geneseo Shelter and by Geneseo writer Steve Kastorff.

   Those volunteers also took the animals on outings away from the shelter for “meet and greets” to help with the adoption process, and their efforts seemed to work as by 2015 the group averaged 300 adoptions per year. 

   In the first year of incorporation, at no cost to them, the group shared the Geneseo City Dog Pound, located north of Geneseo.  The group of volunteers arranged to have a heater placed in the dog pound and they also were responsible for the installation of a new roof.

   With the increase of interest in the animals, there was a need for more volunteers.  That “need” resulted in the group continuing as an organization and becoming the Henry County Humane Society – Geneseo Branch.   It was the hope of those volunteers that the name would clarify that the group was there to help animals in the Geneseo area, and not the entire county.

   By the fall of 1986, the group was still using the city dog pound and the volunteers had just completed work on a new exercise yard at the facility.

   Fast forward to 2000, and the group was continuing to operate from donations and there were no paid workers to help care for the animals.  The group still was operating from the city-owned shelter at no cost to the group, with the exception of the cost of caring for the animals housed at the shelter.

   In December of 2007, it was announced that the organization would begin raising funds to construct a new Henry County Geneseo Branch of the Humane Society, located south of the city-owned shelter.   

   The volunteers envisioned a new building, more than 7,000 square feet in size, as the city shelter that housed the animals in 2007 was 1,200 square feet.

   Geneseo Communications spearheaded the fund-raising effort in 2007 with a goal of raising $50,000 for a new shelter building.

 The Henry County Humane Society – Geneseo Shelter is governed by a nine-member board, which includes, from left, Kristen VerStraete, board member; Linda VanDerLeest, president; Jamie DeSplinter, vice president; Cindy Hoste, treasurer; Kim Park, board member; Ashley Moore, board member; Traci Ellsworth, secretary, and Katie Irwin, board member.  Carlie Sanchez also is a board member, but was absent for the photo.  Contributed Photo

   In 2007, the Humane Society had 51 members and about 30 volunteers who helped with more than 160 animal adoptions that year.  The need to have their own building came from insurance concerns raised by the city’s insurance provider.

   The goal was to build the new facility south and west of the original dog pound.  Until the new building could be constructed, a wall was put up between the city side and the Humane Society’s in February of 2008.

   With the new wall in place, the city had four dog runs and a bank of cat cages and the Humane Society had four dog runs and a cat room.  The building was arranged so each side would have its own entrance.

   In June of 2008, the second phase of the fund-raising for the building was underway, as the first $50,000 became a reality.

  New construction began in 2013, but funds were short which stalled the completion of the facility. 

   In 2016, Dr. Barb Kuhns and her husband, Bob Kuhns, donated $250,000 for the completion of the new shelter and the Humane Society – Geneseo Branch now operates out of its new home and is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

AND WHAT IT HAS BECOME

   The Henry County Humane Society – Geneseo Shelter has continued to grow through the years.

   Katie Irwin, who serves on the Humane Society Board, shared that growth has happened not only in the number of animals being cared for and adopted, but also in the number of people who are dedicated to the well-being to those animals and where they are housed.

   “We have experienced exciting changes over the past couple of years,” Irwin said.  “Our board has evolved significantly, with four new members joining in that time, bringing us to a total of nine.  This expansion has infused fresh energy and diverse perspectives into our leadership, allowing us to strengthen our commitment to our mission and create a more dynamic, forward-thinking team.  These changes have propelled us into a period of growth and transformation, positioning us for continued success as we work to further our impact in the community.”

   Irwin added that the group is dedicated to forward-thinking practices that anticipate future needs, ensuring that the shelter not only meets current demands, but is prepared for tomorrow’s challenges.

   “Through strategic sustainability planning, we focus on building a resilient and resource-efficient organization that thrives over time,” she said.  ‘In addition, we actively seek to cultivate strong community partnerships, knowing that collaboration and relationship-building are vital to achieving lasting change for both animals and the community we serve.”

  Accomplishments of the Humane Society – Geneseo Shelter in the last two years include:

  -Creating six new dog yards with privacy fencing and artificial turf to create a more comfortable space;

  -Enhanced disease prevention protocols, bringing ringworm transmission down to zero.

  -A community-donated deep freezer, allowing us to expand our dog enrichment program.

  -A growing team of volunteers, enabling us to provide even more individualized care.

  -The addition of two employees with veterinary technician experience, reducing vet costs and improving in-house care.

   “These milestones reflect our commitment to elevating care for the animals we serve and strengthening our community impact,” Irwin said.

TO CELEBRATE THE 50TH ANNIVESARY MILESTONE

   The Henry County Humane Society – Geneseo Shelter will host their first “Paws for the Cause Gala” from 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Lavender Crest Winery. 

   The evening will include:
  -Live music from two artists – Eva Kendall & Chloe Mae.
  -A live and silent auction.
  -A delicious dinner.
  -A pop-up shop featuring exclusive Humane Society merchandise and animal goodies!

   For more information, contact the Geneseo shelter at info@henrycountyhumanesociety.org and see the attached graphic bout the Gala.

Middle School Walking Path to Have Wellness Stations

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current


Marcia Wirth, left; Hammond-Henry Hospital dietitian; and Katie Orwig, Hospital Foundation Manager, are shown at one of the wellness stations now in place along the walking path at the Geneseo Middle School.   The hospital and the Geneseo School District teamed up to add four wellness stations along the walking path and those signs will be unveiled at a celebration planned for 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2.   Community members are Invited to the event, and walkers along the path will see the new signs as well as receive some giveaways at each of the wellness stations.  Exercises are listed on the signs as well as instructional videos that can be assessed from each sign by a QR code.  Photo by Claudia Loucks

Hammond-Henry Hospital and the Geneseo School District have teamed up to add wellness stations along the walking path at the Geneseo Middle School.

Katie Orwig, Hammond-Henry Hospital Foundation Manager, said, “In an effort to engage with the community, HHH has created an employee-led committee to offer events both inside and outside of the hospital.”

HHH will host an event to celebrate the unveiling of the four wellness stations at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2, and members of the community are welcome. Walkers along the path will be able to see the new signs as well as receive some giveaways at each of the wellness stations.

The idea for the wellness stations originated with Marcia Wirth, HHH dietitian. She and her daughter regularly walk a path at Rosland Park in Edina, MN, where there are signs along the way with exercises that can be done as part of a walker’s loop around a lake.

According to Orwig, Wirth has long thought this was something that cold be done in Geneseo…As a co-lead on the community committee, Wirth brought the idea to the group.

Many locations were discussed, but the Middle School walking path seemed to be the best place.

Geneseo Middle School Principal Nate O’Dell was contacted and he brought in the appropriate staff to help in the decision-making process.

The project involves several departments within HHH. Rehab department staff Jennifer Mills and John Davis chose the exercises to be listed and made instructional videos that can be assessed from each sign by a QR code. Using her nutrition background, Wirth teamed up with fellow HHH dietitian Anna Kreiser to add nutritional information and can be expanded upon with the help of an additional QR code.

The cost of the signs was covered by a donation to the HHH Foundation by Wirth, Inc., and Orwig said, “We are happy to partner with community leaders like Wirth, Inc., and the Geneseo School District to establish what we hope to be a long-lasting enhancement to the walking path.”

In addition to her position as HHH Foundation Manager, Orwig also is co-lead of the community committee.

 

Drive Alone or Drive a Hearse! - By Dan Dauw

By Dan Dauw
Geneseo Current

A Fox on the Fairway

Last week Janet Anderson, Lorna and myself went to the Richmond Hill Playhouse to see the comedy, “A Fox on the Fairway.” It was excellent!
I think with comedy, actors have to deliver their lines “with perfect timing” and they did just that. There were 6 actors . Jackie Patterson was one of them. She is really a natural and we always like to support her. The play’s last performance was July 20th.
The next play, Marjorie PRIME, will be August 14-17 & 21 – 24. One of the actors will be Lorrie Lord. She is another one of those natural actors. The play is not a comedy, and I heard through the grape vine it is very thought provoking. We shall see.

What Goes Around, Comes Around

We are fans of PBS, but to a point! I used to watch the PBS NewsHour with Judy Woodruff because it was not bias. However, I noticed during the past year or so PBS has become more and more democratic. I don’t watch their NewsHour anymore because of their liberal points of view. I see that President Trump wants to cut funding to PBS. I have mixed emotions on that subject. We contribute to PBS, certainly not for its news reporting, but because it has so much other “excellent viewing”. While we will continue to watch and support PBS, I have to smile at Trump’s “pay-back” time. In short, “What goes around, comes around!"

Ikes Club Fish Fry at the Lodge

A reminder, the annual summer fish fry for members and guests will be held on Saturday, August 2nd, starting at 6 p.m. Sooooo, good!!!

Ham & Bean Supper

This is a big event and is open to the public. If you like ham soup and/or vegetable soup plus the trimmings, put this date on your home calendar, iphone or your memory bank. Besides great food we will have live entertainment, too! The event is Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m. It will be held at the Ikes Park by the lodge. Just take Rt. 82 about 1 mile north of Geneseo. See you there.

Henry County Genealogical Society

These members will have a meeting at the Kewanee Library at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, July 28, 2025. Their speaker will be myself and the topic will be Aircraft Carriers.

Luke Dauw wins the Game

Luke’s high school age baseball team are called the St. Louis Tigers. As I type this our grandson, Luke, just made it to 1st base with his teammate making it from 3rd base to home and they won the game. Way to go, Luke!

Good reason to go to The Cellar

Fifty-three years on July 24th! Happy Anniversary, Lorna.

Humor

Lorna says I have two major faults. I don’t listen and something else. Last night I accidentally handed Lorna a gluestick instead of the chapstick. She still hasn’t talked to me.

Quote

“There are only two ways to avoid backseat drivers. Drive alone or drive a hearse!”

From Caterpillar to Chrysalis to Butterfly at Geneseo Library

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

The Geneseo Public Library is buzzing with all kinds of activity. The concrete for the Reading Garden has been poured and the two resident caterpillars have changed into chrysalises.

Library staff is preparing for a class for “little ones” (ages 4-9) at 9 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 1, which will be under the direction of former preschool teacher Donna Piekos.

The session will include a variety of activities and “hopefully,” a butterfly release.

This spring, the library received a flat of milk weed plants as part of a grant to help the Monarch butterflies prosper in the area. A spokesperson for the library said, “Unfortunately Mother Nature does things on her own schedule, so there is a chance the butterflies may complete their metamorphosis by Aug. 1, and will be gone, but we have a few reserve caterpillars that may help us out.” Contributed Photos