By Dixie Terry
How many weeks until Spring arrives, as we count the days. The days are getting longer–have you noticed? According to Punxsutawney Phil, the weather predictor groundhog, we will have six more weeks of Winter weather, but then don’t we usually have.
I spent last week, the snowy icy one, hibernating in my warm house, getting out in the sunshine on Sunday, only long enough to drive to church and return home to stay in some more.
This week, as I look at my day planner, I won’t be able to hibernate. On Tuesday morning there is an HCE board meeting in Vienna. That evening I have been invited by my grandson, Matt, to come over for a home-cooked dinner, followed by a movie, along with he, his wife, Maddie, and their daughter, Maelyn.
On Wednesday, I have a dental appointment in Goreville. And, on Saturday, our county HCE is holding a chili supper at the Goreville School as a fundraiser for community projects. The meal will be served, 4:30-6:30 p.m. prior to the Vienna Eagles/Goreville Blackcats basketball game, sure to draw a crowd. Come out and enjoy great food and be entertained with exciting basketball.
Some February days that we can celebrate include: Feb. 9–Pizza Day. Feb. 11–Make A Friend Day. Feb. 12–Lunar New Year Day. Feb. 13–Cheddar Day. Feb. 16–Do A Grouch A Favor Day. Feb. 18–Drink A Glass of Wine Day.
Did you get a good view of the full “Snow Moon” seen recently?
This Saturday, Feb. 1, 4:30-5:30 p.m. True Vine of the Vienna United Methodist Church will be serving up a free meal to one and all. Call 618-658-3311 to order a pick-up meal or a home delivery. The meal will include ham and beans, cornbread, coleslaw, dessert, all for free.
The exhibit of “Women’s Voices III Make Believe” will continue through mid-May at the North Hall of University Museum where 36 local women artists will be showing their creations.
Like to learn the art of maple syrup making? The Maple Syrup Festival will be underway at the Touch of Nature Outdoor Education of SIU on Feb. 18, 1-4 p.m. The cost is $30 for adults and $15 for those 14 and under. Call for reservations at 618-453-3950.
“Meet Our Local Authors” at the Goreville Village Hall on Feb. 25. The cost is $20 per author with proceeds going to the Jordan Davidson memorial Fund. Call for more at 618-751-0785;618-889-7808; or 618-694-2591.
“Mardi Gras” or “Fat Tuesday” is coming up on Feb. 21 this year. It always occurs on the day before Ash Wednesday, when the Season of Lent begins. In England, “Fat Tuesday” is called “Pancake Tuesday.”
Happy Birthday to You! Feb. 4–Mike Hodge, Josh McCree! Feb. 5–Pam Reuscher, Jeff Smith, Brandon Madden, Robert Harner, Skylar Webb, Verna Taylor! Feb. 7–Addison Harris, Ken Retz, Samantha Craig, Dorothy Hart, Dee Ann Hodge, Alexandria Payne. Feb. 8–Jeff Morrow, B.J. Groaning, Don Macak, Dave Duringer, Louise Dwyer! Feb. 9–Macie Tosh, Rita Motsinger, Michael Epperley, Kelsey Tripp, Gayland Jenkins! Feb. 10–Roger McCoy, Myra Gossett, Laura Hosfeldt! May you all have many more!
Congratulations to Violet and Harry Weise on their February 5 wedding anniversary!
The Southern Illinois American Guild of Organists” will be celebrating 40 years and holding a tribute to organist, Marianne Webb, on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 4 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Carbondale on S. University Avenue. The public is welcome.
From our grands and greats enjoying their first Winter in Maine, we hear of the 10 below zero weather. B-r-r-r!
A fundraiser will be held for St. Jude’s Hospital on Feb. 25, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Pavilion in Marion. There will be more than one hundred vendors, a silent auction, food truck and a 50/50 drawing. All proceeds go to St. Jude’s. Admission is free.
Coming up at 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Pavilion will be “Southern Illinois Strength Expo” this Saturday.
On Saturday, Feb. 11 and Sunday, Feb. 12, at 2 p.m. will be “The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart” at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center. On Feb. 13, at 6 p.m. will be “Dragons and Mythical Beasts” also at MCCC. On Feb. 16, “Herman’s Hermits” will be onstage at MCCC. On Friday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m. “The Man in Black,” a tribute to Johnny Cash,will take place at MCCC.
Friday, Feb. 17, 3-6 p.m. will find a Farmers’ Market underway at The Hub Recreational Center in Marion.
On May 9, Flight #10 of the Southern Illinois Honor Flight will depart from Veterans Airport in Williamson County for a flight to Washington, D.C. for veterans of the area.
Seen on Facebook was the VHS Alumni Band performing at Vienna High School at a recent basketball game. They sounded pretty good!
Also spotted on Facebook was my granddaughter, Leah Sadlo and her daughter, Jamison, enjoying a Mother/Daughter Tea Party near their Florida home.
Can you believe it is Girl Scout Cookie Time?
Congratulations to Emma Wells, of Cypress, a VHS grad, who has been named to the Dean’s List of Belmont University.
The next blood drive of the American Red Cross will be held on March 20, noon to 6 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church.
The Frog and Toad Survey to be held in the Cache River watershed, needs volunteers. For additional information call 618-657-2064.
Congratulations to Brittaney Pruitt and Jake Wallace, Marion, on their new son, Callix, born Jan. 16, at Memorial Hospital. Grandparents are Debbie and Robert Pruitt, Goreville, and Tim and Tracy Wallace of Pope County.
We welcome your newsy happenings in this, your community column. 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!
