Around Geneseo

Retired teachers hear about historic scrapbook

The spring meeting of the Livingston County Retired Teachers Association was held in Mount Morris on May 2 with Geneseo’s Joan Irwin as president. Perhaps a record attendance heard Tom Cook speak and Alberta Dunn’s report on the historic scrapbook.

Doris Whitney explained Association aid with the Avon Zion House. Margaret Vangalio and Leah Vitale were thanked for their fall luncheon efforts.

Around town

A May 3 Ecumenical Book Review by Connie English reminded attendees that smallpox was once a common disease for Americans. It played havoc with Native-Americans and left telltale facial markings on those who survived. The title was “Pox, an American History” by Michael Willrich.

Congratulations to Robin and Bill Louvain for a May 29 wedding anniversary.

Lori Ostrich of Stanwood, Iowa needs genealogical information for the following: Caroline Warren, Sarah Holbrook, and Mrs. Elijah Briggs, all from the Geneseo area around 1900.

Happy birthdays

Shea Maxwell, May 5; Chris Fox, 7; Chuong Tran, Blair and Reghan Maxwell, 10; Karen Miskell, 15;- Clara Blackman, 24; Tim Brinduse, 25; Tracy Carlini, June 2; Cindy Johnson, 3.

Rotary Cog Grindings

Tim Hayes announced Geneseo was the last Rotary Club standing at the Spelling Bee but “no gold.” President Howard Stewart reported the exciting news that Geneseo will host the 2013-14 District Assembly that will bring hundreds of Western and Central Rotarians to our village.

Randy Gilbert celebrated his April 28 birthday with family and friends at the Roycroft Inn. The Club accepted a Vic Raschi Little League plaque for sponsoring a team. Past-president Linda Gibbs was welcomed home. Members were reminded of the May 10-12 flower sale.

SUNY Geneseo student Michael Ruff explained his senior project gathering life stories from Geneseoans. It was reported Katherine Robin’s biography is impressive. Dean Johnson’s birthday was celebrated while Bob Gardner and Jim Culbertson were guests.

Other news

Tree tagging is a project being organized by Jim Keenan as part of a regional Cornell Cooperative effort. Ash trees will be tagged between May 20-25.

When we (the Parish family) first arrived in Geneseo we met the Haffs Beattys; soon after Jean Sweet with her beautiful melodic voice.

A spiritual woman, Jean worked at various churches as a music director. Jean (Florence Haaf Beatty) Sweet passed away on March 5, 2010 in St. Paul, Minnesota leaving years of musical blessings. A memorial service recently was held in Geneseo.

Thanks for recent good words about “Around Geneseo” mostly heard when shopping at Wegmans. They help in making six-dollar meals taste even better.

Kudos to the Geneseo Central School dramatists with proceeds from their May 26 performance to benefit Ronald McDonald House in memory of Brigid Herlihy.

With Geneseoans Lucretia Green and Rev. Paul Metzger attending, the County TRIAD members were warned about supposed back yard inspectors who lure senior citizens from their door while a second person enters to take money and jewelry. The backyard person assured that everything is ok, but it’s too late by then.

The Motor Corps made three trips last week with these drivers- Tom Thompson, Fred Parker and David A. Parish.

More kudos for Nancy and Doug Meyer who stretched their legs on a walk to benefit Walk4 Hearing on May 6.

Long Point Park has hosted many party events over its’ long history but perhaps a bounce-house rented by the Bertron family for a graduation party will be a Park “first.”

76 Years Ago in Geneseo

The High School collected donations for a football. Dan Welch hired teen-agers to hoe corn at one dollar a day. The Y.A. K. secret society began. (Young American Knockers) Mame Bolton was the blond bombshell and Mary Meeker was “gorgeous.”

Frank Foster was considered an Adonis. Most cool- Ed Cullinan returned from Harvard with a cape overcoat.

Some residents expected to hear machine qun fire as ominus military helicopters criss-crossed Geneseo sky several days ago. According to a reliable source, the Air National Guard used the Genesee Valley for a military exercise . Many believed the warbirds hovered “right over my house.”