This Week's Sunday Morning Mystery: This week's mystery photo captures one of the many disasaters recorded in Geneva during the past 175 years.  Do you know the name of this building, and what caused the destruction shown in the photo?  Do you know where it was located?  Answer to Last Week's Mystery: Last week's mystery photo featured the interior of Giddy's Johnsson's Chop House, a popular Geneva restaurant located on the north side of the 200 block of West State Street.  Owned and operated by Andrew Gideon "Giddy" Johnsson, the Chop House originally opened as the German Kitchen about 1912 …

This Week's Sunday Morning Mystery: Geneva is home to a number of fine restaurants and comfortable "neighborhood" pubs where you sometimes feel like everybody really does know your name.  Can you identify this popular Geneva eatery from days gone by?    Answer to Last Week's Mystery: This handsome hansom was once owned by the Skoglund Funeral Home, located in the 200 block of West State Street.  Today, the building houses the Strawflower Shop. If you look closely at the photo, the word, "Undertaking," is discernible on the window, and it is interesting to note that the offices of Dr. Francis …

This Week's Sunday Morning Mystery: Happy Halloween!  Perhaps you will find today's photo just a little bit spooky. This elegant carriage carried many Geneva citizens one last time through the tree-lined streets of their beloved hometown. Can you guess what it is, and where this picture was taken? The buildings in the background should look familiar. While you are examining this image closely, note the small face in the second story window on the right.  Answer to Last Week's Mystery: These beautiful stained-glass windows are all within a short walk of each other, and are best enjoyed in …

This Week's Sunday-Morning Mystery: These three thumbnails are just a little peek at some of the beautiful stained glass windows from Geneva's historic churches. Can you identify them?  Let us know in the "comments" section below, or e-mail me at kellybnowak@yahoo.com.  

This week's Sunday Morning Mystery Photo depicts a grand building from Geneva's past. But is there a trick question inside, or perhaps just a treat for the memory and intellect to open? It is the month of October, and Oct. 15 is the Geneva History Center's Ghost Walk. And we know Dave Oberg likes to play with themes. Is that a clue or a red herring? Hmmm ... The building also looks familiar. It is grand enough to be recognizable if it still stands. Does it still exist? If so, where? How do you know it, from memory or recent experience. Tell us, please, in the comments space below. The first …

There's a book titled The Daughter of Time, considered among the best mystery novels ever written. It tells the story of a bedridden Scotland Yard investigator who studies faces as a natural part his vocation. The inspector sees a portrait of Richard III, whose face appears kinder and eyes more tortured than history depicts him—and the police officer is compelled to investigate the circumstances surrounding Richard's death. Take a look at the face in this photo. What does it say to you? Can you tell by looking at her what kind of person she was? What she might have achieved? What is her …

This Week's Sunday Morning Mystery Photo This aerial photo does not depict Geneva, but rather another river town with a special relationship to our fair city. Can you identify it? Hint: Just as Geneva is linked by rail to Chicago, this river town has been linked to a major metropolis by train since the 1830s.   Last Week's Mystery Solved: Last week's mystery photo featured Charles Dawson Butler, aka "Daws Butler" a voice actor who attended Geneva High School and spent his early adult life in our fine community. Following his service in World War II, Butler moved to California and used his …

This Week's Sunday-Morning Mystery: Most people might not recognize this former Genevan by appearance, but generations of children knew him as the voice of Yogi Bear. Do you know who he is?   Answer to Last Week's Mystery: Kit Sherlock Is One of Geneva's Great Characters; Too Bad the Squirrels Made a Nest of His Cash Last week's photo depicted Kit Sherlock, one of the more colorful figures who plied his trade on the streets of old Geneva. From 1885 until his death in 1911, Sherlock worked odd jobs in Geneva, taking care of local lawns, tending to the cemeteries and making minor repairs. …

This colorful character came to Geneva from Ireland and worked odd jobs throughout town.  He was described as having "a fund of keen wit and a pugnacious disposition that allowed for a chip on both shoulders." Who was he?   Last Week's Mystery Solved: Genevan Dr. George Whitfield Ray Was 'The Livingston of South America' Last week, we shared with you the image of a globe-trotting adventurer who once called Geneva home. The individual pictured is Dr. George Whitfield Ray, a missionary, member of the Royal Geographical Society and explorer who was called "the Livingstone of South America." He …

This globe-trotting daredevil lived in Geneva from the 1920s until his death in 1953. A member of the Royal Geographical Society, this gentleman explored trackless wilderness before settling down in our hometown. He is buried in West Side Cemetery.  Stay tuned for his name and biography in September.