Geneseo Chamber of Commerce Announces the 2025 Geneseo Christmas Walk: Windows of Hope

Zack Sullivan, Executive Director
Geneseo Chamber of Commerce

The 2025 Geneseo Christmas Walk will take place Saturday December 13th from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm in Geneseo, IL. The 2025 Geneseo Christmas Walk marks the 40th Anniversary of the annual Geneseo Christmas Walk.

The Geneseo Christmas Walk theme of "Windows of Hope" is the designated theme for the 2025 event. This theme encourages a celebration of hope and the holiday spirit within the community. It involves businesses and residents decorating their windows into the popular Living Windows to reflect messages of optimism and Christmas cheer. The theme aims to capture the wonder and charm of the holiday season in a small-town setting.

New this year, the Windows of Hope concert will take place at 7:30 pm at the Geneseo High School Performing Arts Center. As the finale to the 2025 Geneseo Christmas Walk, “Windows of Hope” is a free Contemporary Christmas Celebration Concert. Come sing with us! You’ll know every song! Some high energy, some emotional, yet all filled with joy and hope during the holiday season. The evening will close in candlelight.

The 40th annual Geneseo Christmas Walk is coordinated by the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce. Zack Sullivan, Executive Director of the Geneseo Chamber, commented, “The Geneseo Christmas Walk hosts one of the best small town holiday celebrations in the Midwest. Many people travel from afar to attend this annual community event, the biggest event Geneseo hosts all year.

The annual Christmas Walk themes change year to year, and the event is very versatile. We thought that after 40 years, it would be a great idea to pay homage to the Living Windows that have been a staple of the event for the past four decades.” Sullivan said, “The Geneseo Christmas Walk is a kaleidoscope of holiday offerings, including live music, holiday shopping, warm meals, a Gingerbread House Decorating Contest, living windows, luminaries, trolley rides and so much more! This has always been one of my favorite events in Geneseo. People from throughout our region make the annual trip to Geneseo to celebrate Christmas time!”

The Geneseo Christmas Walk has something for everyone. The Geneseo Jingle Run 5K race kicks off the big day’s festivities at 8:30 am. The Lighted Christmas Parade is a popular regional attraction, which steps off in Downtown Geneseo at 5:00 pm sharp. The parade leads up to the traditional Tree Lighting Ceremony of the City Christmas Tree at approx. 5:45 pm at the intersection of State and Second Streets.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank Pavilion will host a Holly Jolly Christmas Party from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm – featuring holiday-themed dance music from a live DJ, ice sculptures, and a trackless holiday train for the kids to enjoy.

The Geneseo Christmas Walk started in 1986 as the Geneseo Victorian Walk, offering a unique way to celebrate Christmas in Geneseo while providing a boost to local small businesses during the holiday season. Since then, the event has become an all-time favorite for Geneseoans and visitors from the Quad Cities region alike – capturing the wonder and charm of experiencing Christmas in a Christmas-movie-like small town setting. Event organizers anticipate attendance of over 10,000 people this year. Geneseo’s population is 6,500 people.

The evening will be filled with Christmas magic in Geneseo and we invite you to join us both that evening and at any time in Geneseo, IL. Most events are free unless otherwise indicated; some meal and warming sites will accept free-will donations.

Geneseo 2025 Christmas Walk Ornament Available

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Megan Harrington

Megan Harrington, daughter of Mike and Jill Harrington, Geneseo, shows the 2025 Christmas Walk ornament, which reflects this year’s Christmas Walk theme of “Windows of Hope.”  The limited number of ornaments are now being offered for sale at $20 each at Smith Studio and Gallery, 124 South State, RutabagA Studio & Gallery, 108 North State St., and Geneseo Art League, 125 North State St.

  Dale Smith of Smith Studio and Gallery, Geneseo, designed the ornament commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Geneseo Christmas Walk. The ornament was created by Lou Hanson of Hantverk Pottery in Bishop Hill.

   The 2025 white porcelain ornament is circular shaped and showcases the design of a white dove in the center of a blue circle with the words “2025 Geneseo Christmas Walk.”

   Stepping back in time to 1993, the year when Don Beck created the very first ornament to commemorate the Victorian Walk in Geneseo.  The Victorian Walk became the Geneseo Christmas Walk in 2008.  Beck retired from making the ornaments in 2006, but the ornament tradition continues.

   David Smith, who, with his wife, Dale, own Smith Studio & Gallery, said, “The Christmas Walk ornament is a special Christmas tradition for many families who look forward to adding this year’s ornament, knowing that these will be cherished heirlooms for generations to come.”

   There are 60 ornaments created each year. 

 

Food Pantry Meets Needs of Families for Thanksgiving

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current


Michael Sigwalt

 “What a great community to be part of!” were the words from Michael Sigwalt, director of the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry, when asked how the current food shortage crisis and government shutdown has affected the pantry.

   Sigwalt added, “Geneseo is generous.”

  The GAFP served a record number of families in October of this year, (501 families in total), which Sigwalt said is a 17.6 percent increase over the previous record of 426 families, which was reached in Sept. 2025, and Sigwalt said the community stepped up to meet the increased need.

   “The 501 families served also is a 57.5 percent increase over the number of families served in October of 2024, which was 318. 

   “For all of fiscal year 2025, we’ve served an average of 371 families per month, which is a 60 percent increase over the families served in fiscal year 2024, which was 233.

  The included chart shows the progression of families served at the pantry since August of 2021.

   Sigwalt commented, “In response to the national news concerning Federal actions, or inactions, the people of the City of Geneseo have responded so incredibly favorably.  Because of their amazing generosity, we have not had our pantry shelves lacking of food!”

   Keeping the shelves stocked has also been the result of the pantry staff seeking new food sources and Sigwalt added, “We most certainly have been very busy exploring as many new food sources as possible.”

   He listed the sources:

  -Greater utilization of River Bend Food Bank and Midwest Food Bank resources.
  -An increase in purchased inventories.
  -Fabulous food drives throughout the community!
  -Incredible support form our area food retailers!

   “Because of the community’s incredible support, we have been able to provide some of our Thanksgiving food items for our guests, such as canned vegetables, cranberry sauce, corn bread mix, stuffing mix, and mashed potatoes.”

   The Thanksgiving food items did not include meat this year and Sigwalt said the reason being there were too many families and rising meat costs, and he added, ”Of course, if anyone would like to donate a ham or turkey, we would make it available for our friends,”

   Sigwalt answered my question of how the Geneseo -Atkinson Food Pantry been impacted by news reports with: ‘Yes, GAFP has most definitely been impacted by all the reports we’ve all heard in the news!  But the community’s response has been so phenomenal that we’ve been able to still provide needed for families in need.”

  He added that he does not know what to expect now that the government has opened – “We didn’t’ know what to expect when it was shut down!  But I’m certain, no matter what the current crisis might be, the citizens of Geneseo will help us help our neighbors!”

IN LOOKING AHEAD TO CHRISTMAS

   “For Christmas, we’ll be doing something very similar to Thanksgiving, including many of the same items,” Sigwalt said.

   Those items include pumpkin pie filling, cranberry sauce, corn, green beans, crispy fried onions, cream of mushroom soup, corn bread mix, pie crust mix, sweet potatoes/yams, dried mashed potatoes, aluminum roasting pan.

   Donations of any of those items would be helpful and Sigwalt said the pantry is “always in need of cereal (hot or cold), baking items (mixes, flour, oils, sugar, etc.), condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise), canned meats (tuna, chicken, etc.); Hygiene, cleaning and paper products, (napkins, paper towels, wax paper, cling wrap, etc.) always are welcome.  We go through those quickly and our guests cannot purchase them with their SNAP benefits.”

Civil War Songs and History Lesson Nov. 20 at Geneseo Museum

Barry Cloyd

   Area residents are invited to the Geneseo Historical Museum on Thursday, Nov. 20, to hear Barry Cloyd singing songs written by Civil War Soldiers.  In addition to songs, the program will include a history lesson about the Civil War.  Music will begin at 6 p.m. and museum doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

  Melanie Rice, director/curator of the museum, said Cloyd “puts history to music.  We are thrilled that he will be entertaining us on November 20th.”

Raccoons - By Dan Dauw

Congratulations

Goes to the Geneseo H.S. Football team on their playoff wins. Let’s hope they have another good win this coming weekend. It gets tougher with each game played, but the Leafs are a good team. Good luck, GHS! Congrats also goes to the Bears on their win over the Giants on Sunday. I do wish they would play the first 3 quarters better so we didn’t have to rely on the last minutes of the 4th Q to pull out the win!  However, a win is a win! The Bears play the Vikings next Sunday @ MN. They lost on Sunday so you can expect a tough go of it for ‘da Bears. Anyway, “Go, Bears!”  

 

Raccoons

   These bandits are a pain in the butt. They leave their “calling card” on our decks and knock over our bird feeders. I know, they were here when we had our house built in 1977, but they are still a pest. I read recently in the Outdoor News publication that in Fairfield, IL, and Wayne County the raccoon population has increased causing related property damage. This has led the Wayne County Farm Bureau to continue its “Raccoon Roundup” program during this year’s Illinois trapping and hunting season. The organization is offering a $3.00 cash reward for each raccoon tail turned in by its members. The first of four collection dates is scheduled for Nov 18 from 6 – 7 p.m. at the Wayne County Farm Bureau office in Fairfield, IL.  Members participating in the program can bring up to 50 tails per collection date and must present proof of a DNR-issued hunting or trapping license. Other collection dates are Dec 16, Jan 13, and Feb 12. I wonder what Henry and Rock Island County thinks about the program?!

 

Golf Humor

  I hope I didn’t use this joke before. Anyway, a nurse says to a recovering patient,

“You’re a lucky man. The doctor took a gallstone the size of a golf ball out of you.” The patient said, “Wow! I’d like to thank him if he’s around. The nurse said, “No, he just left to go golfing!”

 

Lure ‘em In

  Okay! When you head out to do some fishing do you take live bait or do you depend on lures? Maybe both?  Let’s say you’re after bluegills. It’s pretty hard not to use a worm and a small hook size. A hungry fish is more likely to grab live bait than any lure made of plastic or metal. Well, that could be de-“baited.” I don’t think you’ll find many bass-pros using live bait. A lure is much easier to use than going to the bait shop for some minnows. Just open the tackle box, pick out a lure and tie it on your line. Lures are not messy. Fish are less likely to swallow the hook(s) using a lure. Still, I am mostly a live bait angler, but if you look in my tackle box there are more than a few lures. Whatever works is the key!

 

Veterans Day

  I think it is nice of so many folks and businesses to thank we veterans, both past and present. I think of those veterans that paid the ultimate price, plus those who received long lasting wounds.  Many suffer day by day for the freedoms we enjoy. God bless all of you men and women for your service.

 

St. Joan of Ark

  I saw this little prayer I thought I’d share. Supposedly it was said from the courageous, Joan of Ark. She was burned at the stake for her believes. “If I am not in his grace, may God place me there. If I am, may God so keep me there.”

 

Humor

  I went to the store and found out they don’t make 12” rulers any longer. Get it? Longer/12 inches. Dale Collis, Galva, got his coffee stolen. He got mugged! 

 

Military Humor

  1) Did you hear about the accident on base? A tank ran over a box of popcorn and killed two kernels! 2) What do soldiers do when they find a scorpion in their tent? Answer: In the Marines, they kill the scorpion. In the Army, they call their CO and report the presence of the scorpion. In the Air Force, he calls the front desk and asks why there’s a tent in his room? In the Navy, they wonder what a tent and scorpion are?

Interview with Grover Cleveland’s Grandson Nov. 18 at Geneseo Library

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

  Ever wonder if you may be related to an American President?  Anyone having ancestors who lived in Colonial New England could be.  More information is available at a 2 p.m. program on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the Geneseo Public Library when Geneseo native, Tim Pletkovich, will be interviewing George Cleveland, grandson of President Grover Cleveland.

   George Cleveland, grandson of the 22nd and 24th president of the United States, is a self-employed consultant living in rural Tamworth, N.H., and information from the Geneseo Library states, that “he bears an uncanny resemblance to his grandfather, who died in 1908.”

   Cleveland has spoken about the importance of a healthy history curriculum in middle and high schools around the country.  He is an advisor to the Grover Cleveland Birthplace Memorial Foundation, and his passion for fundraising knows no bounds, having appeared in a calendar wearing only a hat.  (That calendar brought in $75,000 for nonprofits.) – According to information received from the library.

   Pletkovich grew up in Geneseo and spent more than 35 years as a secondary school teacher in New York and Illinois and worked as a baseball scout for the Chicago Cubs.  He recently returned to make Geneseo his home.

   He is the author of the book “Civil War Fathers:  Sons of the Civil War in World War II,” and is writing a book about presidential genealogy.  Pletkovich co-wrote “Nuns, Nazis, and Notre Dame:  Stores of the Great Depression, World War II and the Fighting Irish,” with Gerald A. O’Reilly.

   Grover Cleveland, a Democrat, served as president from 1885-1889.  The automobile and telephone were still new inventions when he occupied the White House, so the fact that he has a living grandson makes George a bit of a curiosity.  Grover lost the election to Benjamin Harrison in 1888, but was elected again, serving from 1893 to 1897.  He died in 1908.

   It wasn’t until the 1990’s that George Cleveland decided to dig deeper into his grandfather’s background and performed historical interpretation and character impersonations of his grandfather and other historical figures.

  Information from Pletkovich received by the library states: “It’s a matter of sex and math because Grover was almost 25 years older than my grandmother when they were married,” he (George Cleveland) said.  “It’s ridiculous to have somebody who’s still alive whose grandfather was born in 1837.  You know, my father was born in 1897.  And then he met and married my mother in 1943 when she was teaching his children from his first marriage.  So, we basically dropped two whole generations.”

   “He (Grover) believed that you shouldn’t benefit from public service,” said Cleveland of his grandfather. “And, as a result, when he got out of office, there were a lot of companies that wanted him to come on their boards…but he turned all those offers down because a public office is a public trust.”

Cleveland and Pletkovich will be speaking at a breakfast at The Central Schoolhouse Inn in Geneseo from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18.  Tickets are $60 per person and reservations are necessary.  For more information, or to make a reservation, call Pletkovich at 309-253-5377.

Operation Christmas Child 2025 Packing Parties Nov. 14-15

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Shelly Emerick, Operation Christmas Child Church Relations Team Member, said there is still a need for additional shoeboxes to be filled, and A need for volunteers to help at the Shoebox Packing Parties planned for Nov. 14-15 at the South Campus of Kingswood Church.   Photo by Claudia Loucks

The Packing Party dates are set and the Shoebox Drop-Off dates are in place, but there are still many empty shoeboxes to be filled for the Operation Christmas Child outreach.

   Team members are aware that the Christmas season is drawing near and there is a concern of making sure the OCC shoeboxes get to disadvantaged children worldwide. 

   Empty shoeboxes are available from Shelly Emerick, OCC church-relations team member, by contacting her at 309-945-3700.   Anyone interested in filling a shoebox may also use an empty shoebox of their own. 

SHOEBOX PACKING PARTY TIMES:

   Shoebox packing parties will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, at Kingswood Church, south campus, 224 North State St., Geneseo.  Volunteers who help with packing can come and go as their schedules allow.

 

SHOEBOX DROP-OFF DATES AT GENESEO EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH, 914 NORTH CHICAGO ST., GENESEO

  -Monday, Nov. 17, Tuesday, Nov. 18, – 2 to 4 p.m.
  -Wednesday, Nov. 19, – 4 to 6 p.m.
  -Thursday, Nov. 20, and Friday, Nov. 21, - 2 to 4 p.m.
  -Saturday, Nov. 22, - 10 a.m. to noon.
  -Sunday, Nov. 23, - 2 to 4 p.m.
  -Monday, Nov. 24, - 9 to 11 a.m.

   For those not able to attend a packing party, but who still want to help, she said, “Packing a shoebox can be done by anyone and the first step is to decide to pack for a boy or a girl in age groups 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14.  It’s best to begin with a “wow” item such as a doll, stuffed animal, deflated soccer ball with a pump, toy cars or trucks.  It is important to include school supplies and hygiene items such as a washcloth, comb, brush, toothbrush - but toothpaste is not allowed.”

   Clothing or shoes also can be included in the shoebox as well as fun toys, but no food, candy, liquids or soap. 

   Each shoebox contains a copy of “The Greatest Gift” booklet, a storybook that shares the message of salvation, written in the language of the child receiving the shoebox.

   Items that cannot be included in the shoeboxes are anything glass, liquid, camouflage or war-related, or any type of food.

   Emerick said there also is still a need for monetary donations to help pay the $10 cost of shipping each shoebox.  Donations can be mailed or dropped off at the office of Emerick Pest Control, 361 JF Edwards Dr., Geneseo, IL 61254.   Donations also can be left or mailed to Kingswood Church, 302 North State St., Geneseo, IL 61254.

   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, which is in its 32nd year, 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. 

Nobuntu, Female A Capella Group, to Perform Nov. 13 at Geneseo Library

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

   Nobuntu, a female A Capella ensemble from Zimbabwe, will perform at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Geneseo Public Library. 

   The group has toured extensively across Africa, Europe, and North America.  They are dedicated to community work, including the Nobuntu Pad Bank, which provides sanitary products to young women in the arts.

   Information received from the library stated:  The group’s name, Nobuntu, reflects an African concept of humility, love, unity and family from a woman’s perspective, and their mission is rooted in the belief that music can transcend racial, tribal, religious, gender and economic barriers.  They have received international acclaim for their inventive performances that range from traditional Zimbabwean songs and Afro Jazz to Gospel.  In addition to their exciting uplifting concerts, which feature their pure voices along with traditional dance and percussion, they also offer highly-impactful outreach activities…“Their 45-minuite performance and artist talk will enlighten you with their vibrant celebration of heritage.  They are a testament to the power of music as a force for change.”

   The program at the Geneseo Library is made possible by a grant from the Quad City Arts Council. 

Tony Simon Remembers His Honor Flight

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

 Those of us fortunate enough to know Roy (Tony) Simon know for certain that he is a dedicated patriotic guy.  As I thought about what sort of story to write in observance of 2025 Veterans Day, I realized how little I know about the Honor Flights that transport our military veterans on one-day trips to Washington, D.C. to visit their memorials, and I chose to interview Tony Simon to learn more.

  Lt. Col. Roy (Tony) Simon, Geneseo, is photographed at the Vietnam Memorial in Geneseo City Park, wearing the jacket and cap he received when he was a passenger on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. Photo byClaudia Loucks

   Lt. Col. Roy (Tony) Simon made a career of the Air Force and during his years of service, volunteered for special operations duty combat in Vietnam.

   He was aboard Honor Flight #52 that departed from the Quad City International Airport early in the morning of April 12, 2022, and landed at Reagan International Airport, Washington, D.C., with approximately 80 veterans and about the same number of guardians.

   (Guardians on Honor Flights are volunteer escorts, typically between 18 and 72 years old, who are physically able to assist veterans for the entire day's trip. Their role is to ensure the veteran's safety, comfort, and a memorable experience, which includes pushing wheelchairs, assisting with boarding, and helping with meals.

   Simon said several sources of media, including television radio, newspapers, etc., advertise early the dates of details of the upcoming Honor Flight, generally once per year.  Applications are made available to those wishing to participate.  There is no cost for the veteran, however, guardians must pay a fee.  The remainder of the cost is funded by local organizations, and “in our case, I believe an organization form Galva, the Back Roads Music Festival, funded Flight #52.”

   As a military pilot, Simon recalled landing at the D.C. Airport many years ago, in addition to many trips to the area made by automobile with his family.

   The veterans making up Honor Flight #52 spent the day visiting museums, memorials, monuments and the veterans’ cemetery.

   What made the trip even more special for Simon was that his son, Tony Jr., came from San Antonio, Texas, came to serve as his dad’s guardian….”We discovered there was one veteran in a wheel chair who did not have a guardian, Simon said.  “Since I did not require any special assistance and was able to maneuver on my own, my son volunteered to act as the disabled veteran’s guardian.  I was so proud of him for doing the right thing.”

   “We visited all the monuments and memorials, but were disappointed that we did not have the time to visit the Space Museum,” he said.  “We were late in departing Moline and were not able to visit everything as scheduled.”

   Simon commented that everything about the trip was “a highlight, but there are two things that really stood out.  There was a huge crowd as we departed and entered the airport at Reagan.  These people, more than likely, did not know a soul on our flight but showed up in droves to clap, cheer us on and sing songs.”

   He shared another highlight that he said “brought a tear to my eye was a rather large group of very young boys and girls belting out patriotic songs.  It was a sight to behold!  There was even a good size crowd of people as we departed on the bus to take up to the aircraft”

   Another highlight, he said, was the group’s arrival at the Quad City Airport in Moline at the end of the day.

  A book of photographs of her dad’s experience on the Honor Flight was put together by Simon’s daughter, Lori Rowe, and includes a photo of Simon and his son, Tony Jr., who was his dad’s guardian on the Honor Flight. Photo by Claudia Loucks

   “I couldn’t believe the crowd of people gathered there to welcome us home.  What made it even more unbelievable was the hour of the night.  Our approximate arrival time was 10:30 p.m., but I think it was closer to 11 p.m., if not later.  I’m told these crowds appear at every Honor Flight arrival.”

   He added, “I’m heartened by the support our veterans receive from the local folks.”

   One of the questions I asked Lt. Col. Simon was his feelings about freedom in the USA and the American flag.

   He responded, “As you know I’m a rather patriotic guy.  I love my country and the beautiful American flag that represents it.  I fly my flag on a pole outside my front door every day to remind me how lucky I am to be an American.  I wear my American flag pin when appropriate and I wear it proudly.  I volunteered for combat duty in Vietnam because I felt it my duty to do my part to protect my family, my loved ones, my fellow Americans and my country; I would do it again without question.  We would not be free Americans had it not been for the terrible sacrifice of our millions of veterans, living and dead.  We cannot and must not ever forget what many of them have suffered.”

   “I will never forget the experience of having participated in the Honor Flight,” he said.  “It continues to remind me that most Americans are thankful for what our veterans represent and are not shy when it comes to express those thanks and gratitude.  I highly recommend that any and all veterans participate in an Honor Flight in possible.” 

TONY SIMON AND THE MILITARY

   Before enlisting in the Air Force, Simon said he had never been in an airplane.

   It was while he was in basic training when Simon applied for, and was accepted into the Aviation Cadet program.  He completed basic and began pilot and officer training in the Air Force Aviation Cadet program.  He trained in small single aircraft as well as World War II B-25’s and B-29’s, and graduated from the program in January of 1956.

   He and his wife, Ginny, were married two days after Simon received his wings and 2nd Lieutenant Commission.  He was given a choice of assignments in either fighter aircraft or multi-engine transports.

   “I chose multi-engine primarily because I thought this would give me a better chance of seeing the world,” he said.  “We were transferred to our first permanent assignment in the state of Washington.”

   Simon said he flew C-124 Globemasters, the largest transport of its time, at assignments in Washington, Hawaii, Delaware and Oklahoma for the next 10 years.

   “As pilots, we were qualified to fly anywhere in the world at any time,” he said.  “In 1966, I was selected to instruct other pilots in a new jet transport, the C-141 Starlifter, at Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma.  At Altus, I was an instructor and flight examiner for three years in the C-141.”

   Simon recalled numerous memorable missions during his years in transports, including flights to northern Greenland, just 400 miles south of the North Pole; a mission through the restricted corridors in Germany to Berlin; missions to Africa, South America, Australia, Iceland, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan, Canada, Alaska, numerous islands in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, “and more.”

   “I have experienced on-board fires, hydraulic leaks, oil leaks, fuel leaks, lightning strikes, multiple systems failures, landing gear failures, communications failures, minimum weather conditions, flights through thunderstorms, extreme icing conditions and, of course, engine failures,” he said.  “Single engine failures on a mission were common.  I very vividly remember a double engine failure, two engines on the same side of a four-engine aircraft.”

  “The ultimate heart-thumper was a nighttime bailout of my 13 crew members in the South China Sea.,” Simon said.

   In late 1971, Simon volunteered for Special Operations combat duty in Gunship aircraft in Vietnam. 

   “After stateside training in the gunship, a converted transport aircraft with six side-firing Vulcan rotating barrel 20 mm and 7.62 mm guns and carrying thousands of rounds of ammunition, I first attended an ocean survival course and a jungle survival course in the Philippines before arriving in Vietnam,” he said.  “For the next eight months, I flew 120-night combat missions in Vietnam and Laos, where nightly anti-aircraft fire and heat seeking missiles were a constant threat.  As the end of the war approached in 1972, since I was the Wing Chief Standardization and Flight Examiner Pilot for the gunship group, I was selected to remain at DaNang Air Base in South Vietnam to train the South Vietnamese Air Force pilots in the operation of the gunship.  All the gunships were ultimately transferred to the South Vietnamese Air Force.”

   After the Vietnam War, Simon was transferred to Kansas, then to North Carolina as Commander of Mobile Aerial Port Squadron, made up of about 300 officers and enlisted men, including a contingent of Air Force Combat Controllers. 

  “These were intensely trained and highly qualified special forces airborne troops whose sole purpose was to parachute into forward landing and drop zones to secure them and set up communications for follow-on Army Airborne troop drop missions,” he said. 

   Simon said because he enlisted in the Air Force before finishing his college education, he realized early in his career that he needed to continue his education.  He took night classes for the next several years and after a six-month residency, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Nebraska in 1970.  He continued his studies and earned a master’s degree in business management in 1977.  During this same time, Simon also completed Air Force courses at the Squadron Officers School, the Air Command and Staff College and the Air War College.

   After a short joint tour with the Army in New Jersey, Simon was transferred to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois near St. Louis as Chief of the Mobile Aerial Port Division at the Military Airlift Command Headquarters.

   He retired in 1978 as Lt. Colonel Simon with more than 10,000 flying hours.

   His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and the Joint Service Commendation Medal.

   He and his wife Ginny have a son, Tony Jr., who served as a medical technician in the Air Force for 24 years and before his retirement, he was a medical technician at a military hospital in San Antonio, Texas; one daughter, Lori Rowe, Davenport, and four granddaughters, two great-granddaughters and one great-grandson.

Christmas Open House is Nov. 14 at the Geneseo Museum

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

   Melanie Rice, Director/Curator of the Geneseo Historical Museum, is shown by the Christmas Train Display featured in the formal parlor of the museum.  The two trains, under the decorated Christmas tree, will be operating during the Christmas Open House at the museum, from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14.

   Docents in vintage dress will welcome guests to the museum which will be decorated in Victorian splendor.

   In addition, during the open house hours, Mrs. Claus will be seated in the General Store at the museum, accepting letters to Santa that she will take back to the North Pole.  Children are encouraged to take their letters to the museum during the open house hours on Nov. 14.

   Rice is inviting visitors to the museum on Nov. 14, to “step inside a wonderland filled with sparkling holiday, décor, local history, and charm!”

May He Rest In Peace - By Dan Dauw

May He Rest in Peace

   Last Saturday we paid our respects to a really nice guy, Wayne A. Dengler, Eldridge. A Celebration of Life was held at the Cornerstone Church in Eldridge. He was a hardworking farmer and a really nice person. One of his sisters is Sharon Bianchetta, Geneseo. Lorna graduated with Wayne from North Scott High School. Wayne accomplished a lot during his time on Earth. May God rest his soul.

Wild Game Dinner

  The Boy Scout Troop 131 and their leaders did an awesome job with last Saturday’s wild game dinner. This annual event is a big drawing card for both the scouts and the public. The food was “sooo” good.

Geneseo Ikes “Wiener Roast”

  Another nice event was the Geneseo Izaak Walton League’s “Weiner Roast” held last Saturday evening. Sad to say that as the years go by we have less members and guests. There were ten attendees, but it was a nice event for sitting around the campfire and talk experiences.

Congratulations to the Geneseo Football Team

  We haven’t been to a Geneseo high school football game since our kids graduated from GHS. They have a really good team this season.  In last weekend’s game a last minute field go by Geneseo kicker, Carson Peters, sealed the win over Rochelle, 16-14. Rochelle had a good team. Anyway, good luck to the Leafs during the rest of the IHSA tournament.

‘da Bears Great Win

  Talk about a “nail bitter!” The Bears played the Bengals last Sunday. The game came right down to the wire and you just knew there would be an “L” in the Bear’s column. But no, in a minute or so left on the score clock, QB Caleb Williams marched them downfield to a final score of 47-42. Next Sunday the Bears host the NY Giants at Soldier Field.  “Go, Bears!”

Hug a Vet

  Well, I’m not sure you need to do that, but a nice “Thank You for your service” is always welcome to we Vets. Veterans Day is Tuesday, November 11, 2025. I should mention that Iowa PBS will have “A Salute to Service” broadcast on Monday, November 10 at 8 p.m.

St. Joan of Ark

  I’m not sure if this little prayer was originally said by the Saint, but none of us were around to say for sure. Whatever, I thought I’d share her little prayer. “If I am not in His grace, may God place me there. If I am, may God so keep me there.”   

GI Ingenuity

 This is a non-fiction book I just finished reading. It’s mainly about soldiers and airmen during and after Normandy in France.  In short, it points to the good and bad decisions made by the higher rank officers. While they came up with good ideas in fighting the war, the ordinary G.I. also showed great ingenuity and ideas. Some things worked, others did not.  The book is called, “GI Ingenuity” by James Jay Carafano.” The book has been out since 2008.

Humor

 A nurse says to a recovering patient, “You’re a lucky man. The doctor took a gallstone the size of a golf ball out of you. The patient said, “My goodness, I’d like to thank him if he’s around.” The nurse says, “No, he just left to go golfing!”

Quote

  “There are no uninteresting things, there are only uninterested people.” -  William Jennings Bryan

Ann Marie Shoemaker: May 1, 1936 ~ October 30, 2025

Ann Marie Shoemaker, 89, passed away Thursday, October 30, 2025, at Southgate Nursing Home and Rehabilitation in Metropolis, Illinois. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Geneseo Chapel.  Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., before the funeral service.  Interment will be at Rosedale Cemetery in Cambridge, Illinois. 

Ann was born May 1, 1936, in Wareham, Massachusetts, to Gerald V. and Hannah (Potter) Robery. She graduated from Wareham High School in 1954.  Ann married Thomas Willard Shoemaker on December 19, 1955. They were married for 68 years. He passed away in January 2023, preceding her in death. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, two brothers, and an infant grandson (Benjamin Shoemaker). 

Ann loved to travel with her husband, Tom. Her favorite trips were cruises to Greece and to Hawaii. No matter where she was, she always considered Cape Cod her home. Her greatest joy in life was being a grandma and great-grandma. 

Surviving are her two children: Patricia (Tony) Thompson and Tom Shoemaker Jr.; seven grandchildren: Darin (Nancy) Thompson, Trevor (Kathy) Thompson, Tyler (Kara) Thompson, Abigail Thompson, Grant Shoemaker, Gavin Shoemaker, and Maddie Barfield; six great-grandchildren: Zion, Matthew, Lucas, Lydia, Kayden, and Reagan. She is also survived by her sisters, Marjorie (Paul) Maloney and Patricia Battles, and a sister-in-law, Marilyn Borkgren

Geneseo TV is Hard at Work

We have been in communication with the two-person technical team at Geneseo TV 50, who are anticipating a substantial viewing audience for this weekend’s playoff game. Throughout the week, they have been diligently working behind the scenes to enhance the broadcast and ensure an optimal viewing experience for all audiences.

Online Health Literacy Session Offered by Library on Nov. 12

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

   If you are a senior citizen in need of assistance of going online “safely” to obtain good health information, the Geneseo Public Library can help.  A 90-minute session, presented by Western Illinois University, will be offered on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

   Information from the Library states: “Instructors form Western will focus on teaching the basic online health literacy skills.  They’ll discuss the basic ideas of online health literacy, which online resources on health topics are safe to access, which online support groups you can access for health issues, and how to access your own personal health records.”

   The 90-minute session is free to the public, but spots are limited for in-person training, so anyone interested is asked to call the library at 309-944-6452.  Participants will be allowed to access a library computer after the class to put their skills to the test.