Geneseo Animal Shelter Needs Your Help

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current



The more than 100 animals at the Henry County Humane Society – Geneseo Shelter, need your help!

Linda VanDerLeest, left; president of the Henry County Humane Society – Geneseo Shelter Board; Katie Irwin, co-chair of the upcoming “Paws for a Cause Gala,” and Cindy Hoste, Board treasurer, are hoping area residents will join them at the Oct. 18 Gala planned in observance of the 50th anniversary of the Geneseo Shelter and to raise funds for the many animals currently living at the Shelter.  Photo by Claudia Loucks

   In order to continue caring for the animals at the Henry County Humane society -Geneseo Shelter, the staff and volunteers need to raise $25,000 In funds by the conclusion of the Oct. 18 Gala.

  The group hopes area residents will reach out in support by attending the “Paws for a Cause Gala” planned in observance of the 50th anniversary of the Geneseo Shelter.

   The event, which includes dinner and drinks, live music entertainment and auction items, will be from 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Lavender Crest, 5401 U.S. 6, Colona.  For more information, call 309-944-4868.  Ticket information is available by emailing  info@henrycountyhumanesociety.org, or visiting  https://www.henrycountyhumanesociety.org/news.html,  or by using the QR Code included in this story.

   Linda VanDerLeest, president of the Geneseo Shelter Board, said, “As we reflect on this journey of observing 50 years of caring and compassion for the shelter animals, we are deeply grateful for the people who have made it possible.  With your continued support, we will be able to provide food, medical care, safety, and most importantly -love to countless animals.”

   She added that she would “be truly honored if you would join us for our first-ever ‘Paws for the Cause Gala’ on Oct. 18 to celebrate this milestone together.  The evening will be filled with community, stories of impact, live and silent auctions, and of course, a celebration of the animals whose lives have been forever changed.”

Henry County Humane Society – Geneseo Shelter Board member Kim Park is shown with “Caliber,” one of the dogs at the Geneseo Shelter.  Contributed Photo

   “This celebration would not be possible without the people who have helped us reach this moment!” she said.  “We hope you can be part of this special evening as we honor the past 50 years and look ahead to the future.”

   Currently, the HCHS in Geneseo is operating at full capacity, as they have been for some time.  In 2024, they provided shelter, medical care and second chances to over 300 animals, finding loving homes for more than 250 of them.

   “But with rising veterinary costs, up over 20 percent, and a growing waiting list, the need for support has never been greater,” VanDerLeest said.

   The upcoming Gala on Oct. 18 is more than a celebration of 50 years, it’s being held in hopes of raising essential funds for the animals who are dependent on those people who care for them.

   Anyone unable to attend the “Paws for the Cause Gala,” and who would like to make a donation for continued care of the animals can mail contributions to 14606 Roos Hill Rd., Geneseo, IL 61254

LIVE AUCTION ITEMS INCLUDE:

  -Ultimate Kids Birthday Bash for 10.
  -Locked and Loaded with Generosity.
  -Evening Comedy Escape at Dragonfly Farms.
  -Up, Up and Away.
  -An Afternoon of Christmas Cheer.
  -Shopping and Spring Blooms.
  -Bear Down, Bundle Up.
  -Fall Home Glow-Up from Frank’s Pumpkin Farm.
  -The Tailgater’s Dream.

SPEICALITY BASKETS INCLUDE:

  -Pumpkin Time.
  -Cozy Winter Vibes.
  -Girls Will Be Girls
  -Golf Basket 

 

I’ll Remember It - By Dan Dauw

By Dan Dauw
Geneseo Current

Wild Game Dinner

   The Boy Scout Troop 131 will host their annual “Wild Game Dinner” on Saturday, November 1, 2025. The hours are 4:30 – 7:00 p.m. at the Geneseo Moose Lodge. A donation of $12.00 ages 13 and older is requested with ages 4-12, $6.00 and ages 3 and under, free. 
They will be serving Buffalo, Pheasant, Duck, Venison, Salmon, Turkey, Chicken and all the “fixins.” There will also be a Silent Auction.  So, mark it on your calendar because this event is really nice and the food is so good.

 Native American Presentation

  There will be a very interesting presentation by Chief White Winnebago on “Ho-Chunk Native Americans, an Illinois Indigenous Tribe.” It will be held on Saturday, Sept 27, 2025, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.at the Henry County Historical Museum, Bishop Hill, IL.

 Navy/Aircraft Carrier Presentation

   I think you will also find this presentation interesting, as well.  I will be giving the 1 hour program from 10 to 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept 28, 2025. It will be held in the Military Room at the Henry County Historical Museum.

 The Woman in Black

   This play at the Richmond Hill Barn sounds like a good mystery for sure.  It will be held on October 2-5 and 9-12, 2025.  Admission is $12 per person. The play is not recommended for children under age 12. For more info go to: rhplayers.com or phone: 309-944-2244. 

Humers

  All this summer we had 4 hummingbirds at our feeder. Of course, they spent more time chasing each other away from the feeder then sitting down for a drink. In the past few days, I’ve only seen one, a female. I think the others have started their track south. Just as well as the bees have pretty much taken over the feeder.

 Flowers

   Kind of sad to see the flowers starting to fade away. Not yet, but soon we will be bringing inside some perennials for the winter. It is nice to see the beauty of the golden-yellow soybean fields especially when the evening sun sinks in the west. Even with a good neighbor’s help, yard work and trying to keep up with the weeding, gardening and so on, it’s been really tough for us.    

Humor

   For we seniors: 1) Talk to yourself. There are times when you need expert advice. 2) “In style” are the clothes that still fit. 3) You don’t need anger management. You need people to stop irritating you. 4) Your people skills are fine. It’s your tolerance for idiots that needs work. 5) The biggest lie you tell yourself is: “I don’t need to write that down. I’ll remember it.” 

Quote

   “He who fears being conquered is sure of defeat!” - Napoleon Bonaparte

Card-Making Class Oct. 9 at Geneseo Library

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

A card-making class will be offered at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9, at the Geneseo Public Library.

   Tami Finley of “The Art of the Apron,” will present the class.  Cost of the class is paid for by the library, and anyone interested in participating is asked to register in advance by calling the library, 309-944-6452, as class size is limited.

Kingswood Church Plans Garage Sale to Benefit Operation Christmas Child

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

  Helen Johnston, left; and Sharon Carton will be helping at the 2nd Annual Garage Sale planned at Kingswood Church in Geneseo to benefit Operation Christmas Child.  The two-day event is being held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the church’s South Campus building.  Oct. 4  also is the State Street Market event in downtown Geneseo.  All proceeds from the garage sale will he used for shipping costs for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, which is a $10 cost for each shoebox.  The goal is to raise $12,500 from the two-day sale to help with the shipping costs.

   Household items in good condition are being accepted for the sale and may be left at the rear door of the South Campus between the hours of 2 and 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26; from 8 to 10 a.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27; and from 8:15 to 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28.  A volunteer will be available during the drop-off times at the rear door of the South Campus.

   All household items in good condition will be accepted with the exception of clothes, cribs and car seats, encyclopedias, Halloween decorations, house paint, large appliances, large exercise equipment, mattresses, old computer monitors and Tube-style TV’s. 

   A link to a video about the cost of shipping the OCC shoeboxes is available at: https://video.samaritanspurse.org/project-leader-workshop-journey-of-a-shoebox/

   Operation Christmas Child is an outreach of Samaritan Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization.   The non-profit organization specializes in meeting the critical needs of victims of war, poverty, disease and natural disaster, in order to demonstrate God’s love and share the Gospel.

   The ministry uses the shoebox as a tool to open the door for the Gospel and make disciples of all tribes, tongues and nations.  OCC started in the United Kingdom in 1990 as an outreach to Romanian Orphans and OCC began in North America in 1993.

 

110 Stories - By Elizabeth Hulsbrink

Docudrama by Sarah Tuft
Performed by members of the Geneseo community
By Elizabeth Hulsbrink

Tuesday, September 11, 2001 is a day carved into our memory. Not sketched. Brutally carved. And anyone over the age of about 10 on that day could tell you exactly where they were, what they were doing, and how the world changed when the news of the attacks hit the public.  

Fast-forward to Sunday, September 14, 2025, twenty-four years later, to a local production honoring the victims and giving homage for the survivors.

From the first crash at the Twin Towers to the final goodbye at Ground Zero, 110 Stories, written by Sarah Tuft, offers a raw and moving portrayal of 9/11—told not through news footage or political speeches, but through the real voices of those who lived it. This docudrama, built from actual interviews, weaves together first-person accounts that bring the unimaginable into deeply personal focus.

The cast of characters isn’t made up of officials or celebrities, but of everyday people whose stories are often overlooked: a mother, a photojournalist, an ironworker, a chiropractor, a dog handler, and a homeless man who became an unlikely hero. Each one brought something unique and deeply human to the stage.

One particular character who stood out to me most was the father whose son, of Pakistani descent, was missing. His quiet desperation and restrained emotion were deeply moving. He didn’t need to raise his voice—every word reflected the heavy weight of uncertainty and fear. His story stayed with me, a reminder of the personal pain and quiet strength carried by so many, including families who also faced the burden of cultural bias in the aftermath. 

Another story that resonated with me personally was the mother who couldn’t find her child. Her panic was palpable, and as a parent, I felt her fear deep in my chest. The rawness of her desperation—searching, hoping, not knowing—was heartbreaking. Her story captured the chaos of that day through a deeply personal lens that stayed with me long after the scene ended.

The ironworker’s account particularly stood out to me. It reminded me of the stories my husband often brings home from his own work—tales of courage, hard labor, some laughter (like finding a 40-year-old beer can in a steel beam!) and resilience in difficult conditions. Hearing the ironworker’s experience gave me a new appreciation for the everyday bravery of those who faced unimaginable danger that day.

The dog handler’s story touched me deeply, bringing tears to my eyes as I listened to the incredible tenacity and seemingly impossible endurance of the dog. Through the handler’s words, I could feel the bond between them—the unwavering loyalty and courage that carried them both through unimaginable challenges. It was a powerful reminder of the silent heroes in that tragedy, whose strength and determination often went unnoticed but made a profound difference.

What struck me most was how the play didn’t shy away from the chaos and confusion of that day—many accounts were unfiltered, panicked, even darkly humorous in moments. That balance of emotional weight and raw honesty made it all feel incredibly real.

Each actor spoke from different areas of the stage, creating a tennis-match viewing experience that initially left me feeling annoyed and frustrated—until I realized it was intentional. Kudos to director Jackie Patterson of Geneseo for her creative vision in staging the actors across different areas of the stage, because what first felt disorienting soon revealed itself to be an intentional, powerful choice—mirroring the confusion and chaos of that day. It was a bold move that deepened the emotional impact and pulled me further into the experience.

Perhaps the most powerful aspect of 110 Stories is its refusal to lean into politics. Instead, it honors the human experience—highlighting the compassion, fear, courage, and resilience that united New Yorkers in the face of unthinkable tragedy.

When the program ended, I felt a quiet reserve settle over me—as if speaking aloud would somehow disturb the weight of what we had just witnessed. It felt appropriate to leave in silence, out of respect for the real people whose stories had been shared. That silence became a final act of reverence for the survivors and the lost alike.

In the end, 110 Stories doesn’t just memorialize a tragic day—it breathes life into it, reminding us not just of what was lost, but of the strength that rose from the ashes

Sheila R. Lassman: August 20, 1942 ~ Saturday, September 20

Sheila R. Lassman, 83, of Geneseo, IL, died Saturday, September 20, 2025 at Allure of Geneseo.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Friday, September 26, 2025 at St. Malachy Catholic Church, Geneseo.  Visitation will be one hour prior to Mass at the Church.  Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Geneseo.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hammond-Henry Hospital Auxiliary.  Gibson – Bode Funeral Home, Port Byron, is in care of the arrangements.

    Sheila was born August 20, 1942 in Aurora, IL, the daughter of William and Dorothy (Desmond) Gaulke.  She was in the first graduating class of Marian Central Catholic High School in Woodstock, Illinois.  She continued her education at the former Shimer College in Mt. Carrol, Illinois where she met her future husband.  Sheila married Arthur “Lee” Lassman on September 5, 1964 in Woodstock, Illinois. 

    In addition to raising their four children, Sheila was very generous in the Geneseo community with her time, talent and treasure.  She was a longtime member of St. Malachy Church, a more than 30 year volunteer for the Hammond-Henry Ladies Auxiliary, volunteer for the John Deere Classic, coached youth softball and travel softball and she enjoyed crocheting blankets that were given to newborn  babies. Sheila was a great supporter of her grandkids and Geneseo Sports teams.  She loved sports and most enjoyed watching the Chicago Cubs, Bears and Bulls.  When Patrick Mahomes emerged with the Kansas City Chiefs, she became one of their biggest fans.  Most evident was the love she had for her family.

    Sheila is survived by her children, Kurt (Brenda) Lassman, Geneseo, Kelley Lassman, New York, NY, Kristine (Daniel) Hitzhusen, Geneseo, Kent Lassman (Dana Damico) Alexandria, VA; grandchildren, Travis (Carlie) Lassman, Nicole Lassman (Omar Amaro), Scott (Dana) Hitzhusen, Bill Hitzhusen (Alli Hanson), and Esme, Desmond, Josephine, and Tobias Damico-Lassman; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lee Lassman; sisters, Theresa McConville, and Julianna Mass.

    The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the caregivers and staff at Allure of Geneseo for the compassion and love shown to Sheila.

Share a memory or condolence at www.gibsonbodefh.com

Richmond Hill Players to Present Thriller in October

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Geneseo’s Richmond Hill Players continue the 2025 season with a thriller, “The Woman in Black,” adapted by Stephen Mallatratt form the novel by Susan Hill.

   The show will be presented Thursdays through Sundays, Oct. 2-12, in the Barn Theatre at Richmond Hill Park, Geneseo. 

   Dana Skiles, Geneseo, directs the play.

ABOUT THE PLAY

Patrick Kelley, Kewanee, attempts to revive James Driscoll, Bettendorf, who has been frightened nearly to death by The Woman, played by Tifany Simosky, Geneseo, in the thriller, “The Woman in Black,” opening on Thursday, Oct. 2, at Richmond Hill Barn Theatre.  Contributed Photo

   “The framework of this spine-tingler is unusual:  a lawyer hires an actor to tutor him in recounting to family and friends a story that has long troubled him, concerning events that transpired when he attended the funeral of an elderly recluse.  There, he caught sight of the woman in black, the mere mention of whom terrifies the locals, for she is a specter who haunts the neighborhood where her illegitimate child was accidentally killed.  Anyone who sees her dies!

   The lawyer has invited some friends to watch as he and the actor recreate the events of that dark and stormy night in this classic tale of the Gothic mystery genre.

   The show is not recommended for children under 12, with a warning for discussion of child loss.

   The cast features Patrick Kelley, Kewanee; James Driscoll, Bettendorf; Tifany Simosky, Geneseo; Aimee Albrecht, Alexis; Cali VanZandt, Atkinson; David Shaffer, Moline, and Mike Kelly, Rock Island.

   The staff includes stage manager/special effects coordinator David Shaffer; stage crew Aimee Albrecht, Cali VanZandt, and Sarah Carrington, Galesburg; light and sound designer/operator Dana Skiles, and set builder Jim Skiles, Colona.

   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 rhplayers.com.

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

   Admission to all performances is $12.

   An audio description performance will be Friday, Oct. 3.  Richmond Hill also offers Assistive Listening devices (ALDS), which can be requested at the time reservations are made.

   ABOUT:  RICHMOND HILL PLAYERS - a non-profit community theater group presenting plays in the converted top floor of an old dairy barn in Geneseo since 1968.  Approximately 100 active members are involved on and off-stage each year, with actors, directors, backstage personnel, support staffs, and audience drawn from a 75-100 -mile radius that includes cities in both Illinois and Iowa.

Chairman of Harold Neumann Project Flies in Mr. Mulligan

  Paula Neumann Chapa is chairman of the Harold Neumann Project, which showcases the accomplishments of Harold Neumann’s flying career.  Harold Neumann grew up in Geneseo.

   Chapa was invited recently to fly in Mr. Mulligan in Clear Lake, Iowa, and shared this information with me:  “Doug Rozendaal is the proprietor and it was something for me to be able to do with the history of Harold Neumann and this plane.”

   Information received previously from Paula Neumann Chapa, states, “During Harold Neumann’s flying career of 70 years, he accomplished much more than that farm boy from Geneseo, ever imagined he could.  In 1935, Harold Neumann won the Greve Trophy, the Thompson Trophy (With Mr. Mulligan in 1935) along with the award of America’s #1 Pilot by the National Aeronautical Association.  He is acknowledged in the Smithsonian; he was a barnstormer, skywriter, and a Captain for TWA for 30 years.  From Jenny’s to Jets, this man was not just a pilot, he was a genius.” 

PAULA NEUMAN CHAPA’S STORY OF FLIGHT IN MR. MULLIGAN

HOWARD DGA-6

“MR. MULLIGAN” 

Harold Neumann and Benny Howard in Mr. Mulligan 1935

   “As we taxi down the runway, I am feeling a great deal of wonder as I am not sure if I am going to be able to enjoy the flight or sit with my eyes closed the whole time. Dramamine -check, something to throw up in – check, reminding myself to breath…. Before I knew it, the wheels had left the runway, and we were flying! What a rush! A smooth as silk climb into the sky. My first ever flight in a non-commercial plane, let alone a racer.

   Doug Rozendaal, proprietor of Mr. Mulligan, Clear Lake, Iowa, gave me the Harold Neumann flight as if I were actually in the Thompson Race myself - 235 miles an hour and turning the plane as if actually rounding the pylon. How they flew so close together, racing in and out of each other is beyond me.

   These are large planes maneuvering around a tower, not knowing where the other planes were in the race. It takes a person with focus and patients to be able to do that feat, and Harold obviously was that sort of pilot. As Jimmy Doolittle once said, “I was successful with racing only because I was good at focusing on one thing. I could focus on the race and only the race.”

Paula Neumann Chapa looking out the same window of Mr. Mulligan on her recent flight.

   Being able to look out of Mr. Mulligan and see as far as the eye can see, was like nothing I had experienced before. Fields, lakes, water ways and cities. Another rush I was not expecting. I am reminded of Harold’s first flight in his Jenny. How he felt seeing things from above for the first time. No wonder pilots are drawn to the sky. It is wonderful! Calming and exciting at the same time. Just to fly along without a care in the world. My kind of medicine.

   As we flew, I was also reminded about stories in Harold’s 1939 book about fixing the planes midflight. If something was not right, especially if flying Mike or Ike, Harold would work on the plane…. DID I MENTION WHILE FLYING! It amazes me that someone can think that fast. Multitasking to say the least!

We came around to land and just as smoothly as we took off from the runway, we landed. The kind of smoothness only men like Doug and Harold could provide. I was glad to be on the ground and yet, I was disappointed that what I had been excited for was over.  Just another reason to come back and do it again, Doug said.  And you can bet I will if the opportunity is there.

   It was the night of Doug & Kim’s 3rd Thursday fly in. I was able to meet some wonderful people that just like to fly together and talk with other pilots about planes. The potluck was great as were the people. I brought the Greve and Thompson Trophies from the Geneseo Historical Museum as well as some pictures and old newspaper clippings to share. That was a hit, and it was fun to answer questions about some of the aviation pioneers that I have uncovered through years of looking through Harold’s clippings and notes.

   As they pulled Doug & Kim’s additional planes back into the hangar, I was reminded about the comradery of these aviators that have become friends through the years. I was reminded of stories Harold told of how often a problem would occur and how they all worked together for a solution. The wonderful stories and laughter that occurred as we ate together was something that I will look forward to experiencing more of in the future.

   I may not be a pilot, but I still feel like a big part of this thing called aviation. It has certainly touched my soul as I can only imagine it did Harold’s.” 

Paula Neumann Chapa, Chair, Harold Neumann Project (My Grandfather and Harold were first cousins.) geneseoaviationpioneer.com – webpage

haroldneumannrace – facebook

geneseoaviationpioneer@gmail.com - email

 

 

Geneseo Chamber of Commerce Announces 2025 State Street Market

Zack Sullivan, Executive Director
Geneseo Chamber of Commerce

State Street Market Geneseo, a beloved Midwest autumn tradition, returns to the beautiful State Street in Downtown Geneseo, Illinois, for one day only! Celebrating ten years in 2025, State Street Market been your destination for amazing style, unbeatable savings, and guaranteed smiles!

Don't miss out on the FREE open-air market happening Saturday, October 4th, 2025, from 10 am to 4 pm. Discover a fantastic selection of curated handmade and vintage vendors, enjoy live music, snap some fun photos, savor delicious food, and explore the wonderful shops and restaurants that Geneseo has to offer.

A curated list of over 60 vendors and mobile boutiques will be set up along historic State Street in Downtown Geneseo from 10am-4pm. Shop vintage, handmade, and handpicked goods from all over the Midwest region.

Make a day of it! Enjoy excellent shopping and dining city-wide all day long. This year you can expect to see many of past market vendors returning alongside some new names setting up for their very first market. This is a great day to make Geneseo, Illinois a shopping and dining destination. Geneseo is conveniently located in the heart of the Midwest on Interstate 80 at Exit 19 in Illinois, and is easily accessible by Interstate 80; Interstate 280; and Interstate 74.

Live music and Fun! Right at the center of State Street Market you will find LIVE MUSIC happening the entire market time. Paxton Sherbeyn will perform at State Street Market from 10am-1pm, Bugz Benson will play at the Food Court from 11am-2pm, and Chloe Mae will take the hayrack stage from 1pm-4pm. Food trucks will be setup for market guests and picnic tables and blankets will be spread out for a safe and fun outdoor dining experience. Geneseo’s brick and mortar stores and restaurants will also be open and ready for all of your local shopping and dining needs.

For more information about the 2025 event, follow State Street Market Geneseo on Facebook and Instagram: @statestreetmarketgeneseo #statestreetmarketgeneseo

Questions? For more information, call the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce at 309-944-2686 or via email at geneseo@geneseo.org.

Klavine Motor Co. (Museum) to Mark 100th Anniversary at Geneseo Location - By Claudia Loucks

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Dan Klavine in his shop. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Klavine Motor Co. has been in the family for 107 years, and on Oct. 1 will mark a milestone of being located in the same place for the last 100 years.

   Dan Klavine, the third generation Klavine who now owns and operates the business said no special celebration is planned. 

   The company remains in its original location, at 119 South Center St.  where it moved in 1925, although it has grown from its location at the back of the building to now occupying the front as well.   Dan Klavine estimates “seven rooms,” on the first and second floors, not counting the basement and attic.

Dan Klavine holds an antique wrench which is one of the many antique tools at Klavine Motor Co.  The large clock on the wall is from the former Northside Elementary School building on Russell Ave., in Geneseo.  Photo by Claudia Loucks

 

   The business is so much more than a “Motor Co., showcasing countless cases of memorabilia, old tools, motors, engines, and “everything in-between,” Klavine said.  

   Dan has been involved in the family business since childhood, although the official year of him starting work is 1977.  He recalls being at the shop when he was in grade school, and he also was involved in the family business when he was a “coop” student at J.D. Darnall High School (now Geneseo High “School.”)  

  He shared a memory of he and his dad, Roy “Joe” Klavine building a go-kart together.

Dan Klavine, owner and operator of Klavine Motor Co. in Geneseo, is photographed in front of the building at 119 South Center St.  Photo by Claudia Loucks

   Both Dan’s grandfather, Joe A., and his dad, Roy Joe, have passed away, his grandfather died in 1981, and his dad in 2019, and he isn’t sure what will happen to the business when he decides to retire.

   “My son, Brandon, is not interested in working in the business,” he said.

   Klavine Motor Co. was the first such in Henry County to offer refrigeration and repair service and the second to fix car air conditioners in Geneseo.

   Joe A. Klavine, who was born in 1899 and grew up on a farm in Edford Twp., was the founder of the business in 1918. 

   After tiring of farming, he went to work for the railroad and later became interested in car repair, opening his own shop in 1918 in Osco, near the family farm.

   It was one of his customers who encouraged him to open a shop in Geneseo, which he did in 1925 in the location where it remains today.

   At one time the building was a buggy factory and some of the bows and seats remain there, although now the upstairs is used primarily to store old parts and some family antiques, “and junk,” Dan added. 

Klavine is standing by the antique horse-driven road cart housed at the shop.  Photo by Claudia Loucks

  In the front of the shop are numerous glass cases, filled with memorabilia, ranging from toy tractors, to items from Geneseo stores and yet another case holds memorabilia from the Klavine business.  On a wall in the building at the front hangs a pendulum clock which at one time was located in the original Northside School building.

   During World War II, Klavine Motor Co. serviced an area that reached from the Quad cities to New Boston, Knoxville, Princeton, Rockford and Clinton, Iowa.  The company covered commercial refrigeration repair throughout northwest Illinois.

   “Most of my customers now bring their work to the shop,” Dan said.

   Klavine Motor Co. sells welding supplies which Dan said keeps the farmers visiting the shop, and they also recharge paint ball guns.

   When asked how much longer he plans to operate the business, Dan answered, “Until I know it’s time to leave.”

 

Whitewalls - By Dan Dauw

By Dan Dauw
Geneseo Current

When I wasn’t old

  1) Remember when soft drinks were called “soda pop?”
  2) What happened to “Royal Crown,” “Cream Soda” and “Squirt?”
  3) Trash cans were metal and no wheels.
  4)  Houses were built with a single garage and no garage door opener?
  5)  I-80’s speed limit was 65.
  6)  Police carried revolvers, not semi-automatics.
  7)  The Royal American Show came to Davenport every year via train.
  8)  Every kid wanted a Lionel or American Flyer RR train.
  9)  Records were 45, 33 1/3, and 78.
  10) T-shirts were plain white, no logos, statements or political words.
11) Most Christians went to church on Sundays.
12)  Whitewalls were on most car tires. 

No Degree

  The recent assignation of Charlie Kirk had some news reporters mentioning he had no college degree. And the point is? Seems to me the young fella accomplished quite a bit without a college degree. Sadly, his time on Earth was cut short by a devil.  

Khadga

  There was an interesting article in the Iowa Farmer Today publication on a family business called “Heritage Bison Ranches.” 
They have herds based in northwest Iowa and near Sisseton, SD.  The bison are 100% free of antibiotics and growth hormones. The bison roam on prairie grasslands and are also fed corn. The closest place to purchase bison meat is CSI Manufacturing, Cambridge, IL.  It is excellent, lean meat. However, it is more expensive than beef.

The Role Ag plays on the Road

  Last week I wrote about the need to drive carefully on the roadways especially during harvest time. From gravel roads to highways, our highway systems play an important role for agriculture. 
Besides, roads and bridges, railroads and waterways help support agriculture. Again, drive carefully when farm machinery meets the road.  

‘Da Bears

   After watching the Bears vs. the Lions game, I do believe it is going to be a l-o-n-g season. Grant you, Detroit is a good football team, but a 31 point lost difference was hard to swallow. The Cowboys come to Soldier Field next Sunday, Sept 21. “Yipee, Coyote!”  

Fishing Report

   I’ve gone fishing twice lately, but not with much luck.  There are anglers I’ve talked with that are doing good, especially channel cats.
Another fella was telling me he caught a muskie and some smallmouth bass in the Green River. The “smallies” like that shallow river and the fish adjust to it.
For me, I’m going to wait for cooler temps and maybe a slight breeze would be nice, too! 

 Humor

  What did the pickle with a big ego say? Ans: “I’m kind of a big dill.”
If money doesn’t grow on trees, then why do banks have branches?
I opened-up a new restaurant called, Peace and Quiet. Kids meals start at $150.00. 

Quote

  “All persons by nature desire to know.” - Aristotle

A Harvest Season Reminder: Let’s All Get Home Safe

Curt Jacobs
Maplewood Ag

As combines begin to roll and grain carts hit the road, it’s that time of year again—harvest season in Illinois and Iowa. For farmers, this is the most critical stretch of the year. Long hours, heavy equipment, and a race against weather all come together in a few short months. But for everyone who shares the road, harvest also brings unique safety challenges that we can’t afford to overlook.

Farm machinery is slow-moving, wide, and often unpredictable in where it has to turn. A tractor pulling wagons or a combine moving between fields can be difficult to see around. Passing without enough room or getting impatient can have consequences that no one wants to live with. The truth is, no load of grain and no quick errand is worth a life.

So here are a few simple reminders:

  • Slow down when you see farm equipment. That orange triangle means it’s moving far slower than normal traffic.

  • Give plenty of space. Don’t crowd, tailgate, or try to squeeze by—wide turns and sudden stops are part of farm equipment movement.

  • Stay alert at night. Equipment may have flashing lights, but visibility is still limited, and rural roads are unforgiving.

  • Be patient. Harvest lasts a season; regret lasts forever.

Every farmer, every driver, and every family has someone waiting at home. Let’s not make them wait in vain. Traffic safety during harvest isn’t just a courtesy—it’s a responsibility we all share. If we look out for each other, we all go home safe, without becoming another statistic.

Wishing you a safe and successful harvest.

 

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.”  

 

Find Out Why Women Wear Hats at Sept. 19 Library Program

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

  For centuries women have adorned their heads and framed their faces with hats and head coverings.  What was the reason?

   That question will be answered at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 19, at the Geneseo Public Library when Elizabeth Carlson, known as “Ellie,” will present a program on hats through the years.

   Carlson is a historian and performer who gives lectures, workshops, and programs to groups on various topics including “Women’s Underwear (The Rise and Fall of it),” what it was like to be a schoolteacher during Laura Ingalls Wilder’s time, what it was like to be at Woodstock, and Women’s Suffrage.

   She began taking children’s theater classes at the age of 11 and continued to work in theater through high school and college.  She has performed or served in various capacities at Drury Lane, Chicago Opera Theater, Candlelight dinner Playhouse and Second City Children’s Theater.  Combining theater and history in graduate school led Carlson to museum work.

   She previously has presented several programs at the Geneseo Library and information received states that she “is a crowd pleaser…Her programs can be somewhat whimsical, especially those calling for first-0person interpretation, like the program she calls ‘Regretting Mr. Wright,’ about the married woman who fell in love with Frank Lloyd Wright.  Another of her characters travels to her presentation in a time machine.”

   The information from the library includes, “Anyone who owns a hat from long ago is asked to dust it off wear it!  Then be prepared to share the story behind it.  Ellie encourages audience participation.”

   On a special note, at the conclusion of the program on Sept. 19, Carlson will be serving decorated sugar cookies that look like little hats.

 

Kaleidoscope Caravan to be at Geneseo Library Sept. 20

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

   Tom Chouteau and his Kaleidoscope Caravan will be at the Geneseo Public Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20.  The Kaleidoscope on wheels will be parked outside of the library and visitors are encouraged to stop by and experience a mirrored, kaleidoscope environment inside the colorful school bus.

    “My mission is to place kaleidoscopes and mirrored environments out in front of the public eye in the best way possible so that those who view them may have their lives enhanced and refreshed,” Chouteau said.

   Chouteau is a native of Davenport, Iowa, and has been creating kaleidoscopes for 30 years.  He has received numerous awards and has led dozens of workshops on the subject of kaleidoscope creation.

   Information from the Geneseo Library states, “People of all ages have been taught by Tom how kaleidoscopes are put together, what makes them work, and the many varieties of mirror tunnels and images that can be created.  Tom has taught after-school classes in the Iowa Quad Cities, has demonstrated at local organizations and clubs, and directed senior citizens and teen classes at area libraries.

   He purchased the bus, now the Kaleidoscope Caravan, from Midcoast Fine Arts in 2025 for $1. The 1985 Chery Thomas School Bus was converted by Midwest Fine Arts to be a First Fine Art experience for third graders of the Quad City Metro Area.  It was named “The Art-O-Mobile.”

   The agreement we made when I purchased it, was that I would use it for educational purposes,” Chouteau said.  “I worked on the Caravan in a sporadic way.  One year, I’d work on the brakes, the next year, installing mirrors, and, maybe the next, painting the exterior.  My whole challenge was to be able to take it to schools, campgrounds, fairs, and parties.  But now I’m starting to feel that, maybe, I should have it say in one place most of the time.  Have people come to visit, at least, until I’m able to really get the get-up very sound…kind of like the Wizard of Oz!”

    Information from the library also stated that the Kaleidoscope Caravan is for both adults and children.  Oftentimes, the adults must be coaxed to leave!  The interior is lit up with florescent black lights and painted details that kind of place you into an unfamiliar world.  Sort of like Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland!”

   One of Chouteau’s creations, the Blue Note, is a large kaleidoscope located inside the Geneseo Public Library.  It has a secure stepladder for children to use to look through it. 

ADDED INFORMATION ABOUT KALEIDOSCOPES:

   A kaleidoscope is an optical instrument with two or more reflecting surfaces (or mirrors) tilted to each other at an angle, so that one or more (parts of) objects on one end of these mirrors are shown as a symmetrical pattern when viewed from the other end, due to repeated reflection.  These reflectors are usually enclosed in a tube, often containing on one end a cell with loose, colored pieces of glass or other transparent (and/or) opaque) materials to be reflected into the viewed pattern.  Rotation of the cell causes motion of the materials, resulting in an ever-changing view being presented.

   The kaleidoscope was invented by a Scottish scientist named Sir David Brewster.  In 1815, he was doing experiments with light and discovered how mirrors could create these repeating patterns.  Two years later, in 1817, he officially got a patent for his invention.

   Brewster’s first design was a simple tube.  It had pairs of mirrors at one end and clear disks at the other.  In between these, he placed small beads.  These beads were what created the colorful, shifting images.

   Brewster chose a skilled lens maker to be the only person to produce his new invention.  The kaleidoscope became a huge hit!  In just three months, over 200,000 kaleidoscopes were sold in London and Paris.  People loved them so much that Carpenter couldn’t make them fast enough.

   On May 17, 1818, Brewster allowed manufacturers to start making kaleidoscopes too, so more people could enjoy them.  Even though it was first meant to be a scientific tool, the kaleidoscope quickly became a popular toy.  Brewster had hoped to make a lot of money from his invention, but a small mistake in his patent application meant that others could easily copy his design without paying him.