Dancing with Geneva Stars features local couples
Final preparations are being made for the 2012 Dancing with the Geneva Stars event to be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at the Eagle Brook Country Club.
The event is a fundraiser for the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission and the Geneva Academic Foundation.
Organizers say the event is selling out quickly, but some tickets at $35 remain and can be ordered at genevarts.org.
Voting for the couples continues online through Friday, Feb. 3, at the genevarts.org. Audience members will be able to cast votes during the performances. There is no limit on the number of $1 votes supporters can submit.
Competing couples include:
Ÿ Laura Rush and Derek Swanson performing the Jive: Laura is the communications manager at the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, while Derek is the owner of D. Swanson Sales and Installations Inc., and a past member of the Geneva Academic Foundation in addition to being an assistant coach and former Geneva football player.
Ÿ Steve and Beth Bales Olson performing the Waltz: Steve is chief of the Geneva Fire Department and active in supporting local theater, while Beth is a freelance writer for Geneva Patch and a communications specialist for the Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Charles.
Ÿ Eric and Kari Bartel performing the Cha-Cha: Eric is an orthopedic surgeon at Fox Valley Orthopaedics in Geneva and the team physician for the Geneva Vikings football team, while Kari is a member of the Geneva United Methodist Church board of trustees and the Friends of TriCity Family Services board.
Ÿ Mike and Heidi Jacoby performing the Tango: Mike is the executive director of the Illinois Association of School Business Officials and the former Geneva School District superintendent, while Heidi has served as a judge in local elections.
Ÿ Art and Connie Wagner performing the Fox Trot: Art is the operations manager for Brandt Industries, and a member of the Knights of Columbus, while Connie is a school nurse for the Geneva School District and a former chairman of the Sports Boosters Auction.
Ÿ Jim Radecki and Maureen Emma performing the Salsa: Jim is vice president for Farmers Insurance in the Auto Claims division. He served two years on the plan commission and two terms as an alderman for the city of Geneva.
His wife, Maureen Emma, owns her own association management company and works with multiple dental organizations. Born and raised in Geneva, she has volunteered in many capacities for Geneva schools, St. Peter Women's club, the Geneva History Center, and the Chamber of Commerce.