Pinks’ Bus Service still rolling after 75 years

Above: Nikki Smith, Beth Carton and Sue Keegan form the team that oversees 29 daily bus routes across the Geneseo school district’s 260 square miles.

February 7, 2022

It was in the spring of 1946—seven and a half months after the Allies emerged victorious in World War II—when George Pinks of Geneseo was considering his professional options.

Despite his father’s wishes, George was interested in getting into the transportation business. It was just a matter of whether it would be buses or trucks.

“My grandpa said he didn’t want him to do either,” recalls Beth Carton, George’s daughter. “He was very against it but told him that if he insisted on one, to buy the buses because kids always have to get to school.”

George did just that, purchasing a pair of buses, founding Pinks’ Bus Service, and opening for business on April 18, 1946. When Pinks’ began transporting local students in 1948, its fleet added 12 more buses.

Three quarters of a century later, Pinks’ is still going strong, even in the face of the pandemic. While portions of the 2020-21 school year involved remote learning, the district was determined to get students and teachers back in the classroom for 2021-22, something that could not have happened without Pinks’.

For their dedication and help with ensuring Geneseo’s schools remain open, superintendent Dr. Adam Brumbaugh will recognize Pinks’ owner/president Beth Carton, and her colleagues Sue Keegan and Nikki Smith, at the Board of Education’s February meeting and award them Maple Leaf Medallions.

“We take so much pride in providing all of our students with a healthy and safe learning environment, from the moment they board the bus to the time they are dropped off,” states Dr. Brumbaugh. “Pinks’ has played a very important role for an incredibly long time, and we can’t thank Beth, Sue, Nikki and everyone who drives buses enough for all that they do. We’d also like to acknowledge Beth’s late husband, Jim, who for over three decades was instrumental in transporting our students.”

It’s been quite a ride for Pinks’, which currently runs 29 daily bus routes across the district’s 260 square miles and serves approximately 1,750 eligible student riders. 

Even with stretches of remote learning last year, Pinks’ buses still totaled 385,576 miles, including rides to athletic and scholastic events. That figure exceeds half a million in a normal school year.

It all began with George, who according to his daughter was regarded as nice but firm, and tough but fair when it came to business.

“He was honest, and he really cared about the work,” says Beth. “He learned pretty quickly that as long as he did a good job and operated the right way, Pinks’ would be around.”

When George passed away in 1982, however, the family considered selling the business. Multiple bids were placed to purchase Pinks’, but in the end, Beth knew what she wanted to do.

“I grew up here,” she explains. “I started out painting bus wheels when I was 9 or 10 years old, and the business has always been part of my life. My brothers left the area, but I made the decision to stay.”

Beth took over the business, and when she married Jim Carton in 1988, he got involved too, becoming a driver and leading the company’s safety drills. Jim passed away in early 2020, but the collaborative team of Beth, Sue and Nikki forges ahead, running the day-to-day operations with a clear-cut top priority.

“Everything we do and ask the children to do is for their safety,” Beth states. “When you’re driving a bus, you’ve got 60 kids behind you. It’s not like you’re in the front of the classroom looking directly at them. Our drivers are tasked with watching the road and traffic, as well as keeping an eye on the children. That’s a lot of responsibility and we take it very seriously.”

From wintertime weather to keeping track of all the young riders, each day comes with its challenges. But time and time again, Pinks’ comes through for the community.

“We try to tell our drivers that they truly are essential,” Beth says. “But they just don’t get enough credit for what they’ve done over the years, especially since the pandemic started. It really speaks to their dedication.”

Beth is quick to note that many drivers have been with Pinks’ not just for years, but decades. It speaks not only to George’s vision and the foundation he created, but the ongoing efforts of Beth, Sue, Nikki and the drivers who continue to provide such a vital service.

“We’ve always been fortunate to have a lot of good people driving our buses,” concludes Beth. “We take pride in what we do, and we go with the flow.”

Below: George Pinks founded Pinks’ Bus Service and opened for business on April 18, 1946.

Murray a model of sustained success and longevity

January 5, 2022

Jon Murray, head coach of the high school wrestling team, has left Geneseo before.

Twice in fact, once after his freshman year of high school and another after serving as an assistant coach for Larry Kanke from 1992 to 1999.

When Murray returned in 2001 to teach and take over as the program’s head coach, however, he had a feeling he might be here to stay.

“The more I see other communities, the more I see how good we have it in Geneseo,” explains Murray. “The community is so supportive, from the parents to our administration. That’s meant so much, because obviously you can’t do it by yourself.

“There’s an old saying that I think about, ‘They will not care how much you know until they know how much you care.’ I try to remember that and live by it,” Murray says of his approach.

“Ever since I came back,” Murray adds, “I’ve had the peace of mind that I’m in the right place. I’m so appreciative of that and grateful for the situation I’m in.”

It’s Geneseo’s wrestlers who have benefited the most thanks to Murray’s prolonged presence. Last May, he recorded his 300^th coaching win and recently, he was awarded with a Maple Leaf Medallion, the district’s highest honor.

“As the head coach, you tend to get credit when you win and good things are happening, but so many people contribute and help you look good,” states Murray, who also serves as the girls’ golf coach. “Between the parents, the boosters and others throughout the community, we not only have the support, but we have nice facilities and all the equipment we need. Not every district can say that.”

After his family moved from Geneseo his freshman year, Murray lived in Danville his sophomore year and finished high school in Bloomington. He wrestled collegiately at Illinois State University and Illinois College, and following graduation, was determined to find work as a teacher and coach.

He’s accomplished both in Geneseo, having taught physical education, health and driver education while coaching soccer, cross country, and track and field over the years in addition to wrestling and golf.

While he had big shoes to fill in replacing Kanke, a member of the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association’s Hall of Fame, he’s done just that, and it starts with a simple day-to-day approach.

“I’ve always tried to keep the relationships first, whether that’s with parents, the team or our administration,” explains Murray. “Positive and trusting relationships are so important—then you can work on teaching in the classroom or taking care of business in the gym. There’s an old saying that I think about: ‘They will not care how much you know until they know how much you care.’ I try to remember that and live by it.”

Surprisingly, the significance of his 300^th win was at first lost on Murray, who is more inclined to think about the next meet than get caught up in any given moment. Appropriately, it was the community he loves that ensured he received his well-deserved recognition.

“What made it so meaningful to me is how everyone reacted to it,” recalls Murray. “The parents and fans had signs and made a big deal out of it, and that touched me. To me, 300 was just a number. I like to keep going and look ahead, and I didn’t really think too much about 300 until everyone else did. Then it hit me, and to see that it was important to others made it important to me.”

“If we can gel together, stay healthy, be full strength at the right time, and get a good draw, and this is a team that could potentially bring home another state trophy,” Murray says of this year’s group.

This year’s wrestling team is off to another impressive start with an 8-2 record and the 6th spot in the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association’s class 2A rankings. Murray’s group won the Rockford East Tournament, a field of 20 teams, and finished fifth amongst 24 teams—most of them from class 3A—at Hinsdale Central.

Three individuals are currently ranked by the IWCOA in their respective weight classes—Zachary Montez (no. 2), Anthony Montez (no. 2) and Tim Stohl (no. 6)—while Carson Raya, Jack Snyder, Josh Hock, Harrison Neumann and Levi Neumann all received honorable mention.

“If we can gel together, stay healthy, be full strength at the right time, and get a good draw, this is a team that could potentially bring home another state trophy,” states Murray.

As more team and individual accolades are earned, Murray has learned over the years to stop and enjoy the moment.

“When our team finished second at state in 2013,” recalls Murray, “it was great, but I immediately started thinking about what we could do to get better for next year. Once we got home, though, the school hosted a big assembly for us, and the emotions kicked in.

“It made me realize it was a big deal for our wrestlers, their families and our supporters,” Murray continues. “It’s also a reminder of how grateful I am for the Geneseo community and why this is such a special place to live.”