By Dixie Terry
There’s a feeling of Spring in the air, with blue skies, warmer temperatures, daffodils pushing through the muddy soil, and sounds of twitters near my office window.
Seen in my front yard Bradford pear tree, was a flock of cardinals, along with a single robin, on a recent windy day, as they struggled to keep from being blown off their perches.
Maybe Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow in Pennsylvania, but the groundhogs in Southern Illinois have been sticking close to their dens and maybe didn’t see their shadow and maybe, just maybe, there won’t be six more weeks of Winter weather. However, after living in Southern Illinois for eighty-eight years, and seeing the weather change quite frequently, it is possible that most anything could occur weather-wise. We shall see!
I didn’t get to head to the sunny South this year, due to so many medical appointments, but maybe next year I will go and spend the Winter in Florida.
Crowds arrived in Goreville on Feb. 11 to watch the hardwood action in the high school between the Eagles and Blackcats, three games in all. Who won? You should have been there to find out! I hear that the walls were bulging with excited fans.
The Johnson County HCE members were serving up chili and chicken taco soup before, during and between games. However, we were contending with the high school concession stand, where popcorn and pizza were outselling our chili.
Thanks to all who bought tickets for the chili supper, to those who made donations, and to all those who volunteered their assistance in cooking and serving.
The proceeds will go for scholarships for a senior from each of the county high schools, as well as other county projects.
Coming up on Tuesday, Feb. 21, will be Mardi Gras, also called Shrove Tuesday as well as Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Christian observance of the Lent season.
Also coming up is the birthday of “The Father of Our Country” George Washington, on Feb. 22. Believe it or not, he was actually born on Feb. 11, 1731, since he arrived when the Julian calendar was in use. This calendar was changed to the Gregorian calendar, when everyone born before 1752 was advised to add eleven days to their original birth date.
Another truism about President George was that his teeth were not made of wood, but came from hippopotamus teeth that had been filed down to fit his mouth.
And, one more thing he did not do, was cut down the cherry tree of his father.
Speaking of teeth, I made a visit to the dental center at the new Rural Health in Goreville for a teeth cleaning, well done by a nice technician. I also got in a brief visit with Dr. Otte, who has been taking care of my teeth for forty years. And, I have two more appointments for May!
A get-well wish goes out to 6-year-old Tyde Resczenski who has undergone a tonsillectomy on Feb. 10 and is now recuperating. He is the son of McKenzie and Michael Resczenski of rural Goreville.
Some special days in February that you might want to celebrate include: Feb. 19–Caregivers’ Day and Long Lash Day. Feb. 20–Love Your Pet Day and Muffin Day. Feb. 21–Sticky Bun Day. Feb. 22–Cook A Sweet Potato Day. Feb. 23–Banana Bread Day and World Spay Day. Feb. 25–Chili Day. Feb. 26–Tell A Fairy Tale Day. Feb. 27–Retro Day–A Blast From the Past, and Floral Designer Day. Take your pick!
Feb. 21-27 will be celebrated as “National Restaurant Week.”
The eighth annual “Daddy-Daughter Dance” will be held at The Pavilion on Friday, Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m. Call the Pavilion in Marion at 993-2657 to make reservations.
On Saturday, Feb. 25, the “St. Jude Kick-Off Shopping Market” will be underway at The Pavilion, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with vendors and food trucks galore.
Also coming up at The Pavilion will be an event of interest to Johnson County folks, a fundraiser for the grandchildren of Matt and Mona Akins, Amora and Emmit Aumiller, whose late mother was Michelle Akins Aumiller. This will be held on February 26, 1-5 p.m.
The Johnson County Genealogical and Historical Society will meet on Sunday, March 19, at 2:30 p.m. in the Vienna Carnegie Library on the historical public square. Local historian, Ed Annable, will present a program on his latest book, “Paradise,” showing how to preserve your family history. Everyone is welcome to attend and new members are also welcome to join this interesting organization.
Congratulations to Emma Vaughn of Goreville, who was named to the Dean’s List at Mississippi State University.
Seen on Facebook were our greats, Jemma and Jamison, ice skating with their parents, Andrew and Leah Sadlo at an indoor arena near their home in Florida.
By the way, ice skating is still underway on certain evenings at the Tower Square Plaza of Marion. Call the city hall at 997-1398 for hours.
Cleaning house? If you have good used items of furniture or small appliances, take them to the Eagle House Ministries for “The Unit,” where those in need can select what they can use. For information, call 618-771-7442.
“Meet Local Authors” at the Goreville Village Hall on Feb. 25, as a fundraiser for the “Jordan Davidson Memorial Fund.” For more, call either 618-751-0785; 618-889-7808; or 618-694-2591.
“Lawyer in the Library” will be underway on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the Marion Carnegie Library. Register at the main desk, a requirement, to have a one-on-one question and answer session with a local lawyer.
“Rekindling the Spirit Youth Rally” will be held on Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m. when food will be served, followed by the service at 7 p.m. This will be at the New Liberty Church on Old Tannery Road in Eddyville. Lauren Porter, a college student, of Metropolis, will be the speaker. All area youth and their grownups are invited.
Happy Birthday to You! Feb. 11–Ron Thomas, Keith Billingsley, Elise Petroski, Levi Alvis, Marilyn Whitnel! Feb. 12–Ruth Stritzel, Lee Rockwell! Feb. 13–Cory Pritchett, Jason Huggins, Jason Billingsley, Matt Darnell, Elaine Rotan! Feb. 14–Katie Bradshaw, Pender Bradshaw, Max Trujillo, Amy Perry-Duringer, Susie Bell! Feb. 15–Norma Kluge, Danny Norris! Feb. 16–Berit Ruth Calvin, Kyleigh Massey, Matthew Grammer, Brenda McKenzie, Paula Reineking! May you all have many more!
Congratulations to Leon and Karen Jones on their Feb. 12 wedding anniversary!
National Future Farmers of America Week will be celebrated on February 20-25.
We hope everyone had a Happy Valentine Day, with roses, chocolates, and a scrumptious dinner with your favorite Valentine.
We welcome news from all county churches, as well as school events, birthdays, anniversaries, club news, new arrivals, vacations and neighborhood happenings, This is your community column and we want to share what is going on. Call 618-422-2086; email dixieterry85@yahoo.com; or mail to 907 C Independence Avenue, Marion, Il. 62959.
Have a great remainder of the week!
