By Dixie Terry
Welcome October!
The Latin word, “octo”, which means eight, for the 8th month. is the meaning of this new month.
Before there were weather apps and weather reports, people looked for the signs of nature to prepare for the weather to come. Here are some signs of an upcoming harsh Winter: Thicker than normal corn husks, woodpeckers sharing a tree, early departure of geese and ducks, early migration of the Monarch butterflies, thick hair on the nape of a cow’s neck, raccoons with thick tails and bright bands, heavy and numerous fogs during August, spiders spinning larger webs than usual, and an unusual abundance of acorns. Be on the lookout!
Coming up on Oct. 4-5, at the Vienna City Park will be the Johnson County Fall Festival, with live music, great food, craft vendors, contests, a parade, a tractor show, and much more.
The parade will take place on Saturday, at 10 am, with awards at 11:45 am. A jazz band, rock band, and a bluegrass gospel band will perform on Saturday afternoon and evening and a Johnson County Talent Show will be held at 7pm. Come on down!
The St. Joseph Catholic Church of Marion will host their annual Fall Rummage Sale on Thursday, Oct. 3, 12 noon to 6pm; Friday, Oct. 4, 8am to 12 noon; and Saturday, Oct. 5, 8am to 12 noon, at the Family Life Center, behind the church.
The Fall Festival of the Cypress School will be on Saturday, Oct. 19, with a chili supper at 5-7pm, followed by games, an auction, a haunted house, at 6-8pm, and a trunk or treat event by the teachers, 5:30-7pm. Bring the family and enjoy!
The Annual Bratwurst Dinner will get underway on Sunday, Oct. 13, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Marion at 11 am to 1 pm, with smoked bratwurst, mashed potatoes, green beans, sauerkraut, and good news, pies will be back on the menu.
True Vine of the Vienna United Methodist Church will be providing a free meal, with pick-up or home delivery available, on Saturday, Oct. 12, 4:30-5:30pm at the back entrance parking lot. Call 618-926-1468 to reserve meals, featuring chili, grilled cheese, fruit cup and dessert.
“A Very Merry Marion” will be held on Sunday, December 1 at 5:30pm in the downtown area. To register to appear in the parade, go online to verymerrychristmas.com.
Bald Knob Cross will host its annual “Fall Colors at the Cross,” on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19 and 20, 10am to 5pm on Saturday and 1-6pm on Sunday. Food trucks, vendors and family activities will be underway. Bring a lawn chair for the stage entertainment and enjoy the Fall foliage in the surrounding forest.;
The “Little Egypt Chorus” will present “Broadway to Barbershop” at the Market Street Conservatory on North Market Street in Marion, on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 2 pm. Tickets can be purchased by calling 618-571-6424.
The Marion Police Department will once again host their “Spooktacular” with food trucks, a carnival, candy and more at Mountain Dew Park on Saturday, Oct. 26, 5-8pm, for the 8th year. All families are welcomed!
The “Rekindling the Spirit Youth Rally” will b held on Oct. 16 at Eagle House Ministries, with food served at 6:30 pm, followed by a worship service at 7pm. All youngsters and their grownups are welcomed to attend.
Artstarts will present “Mean Girls, Jr.” on Nov. 22-23 at 7pm and on Nov. 24 at 2 pm at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center, based on the Paramount movie, from a book written by Tina Fey.
The annual Francis/Pyle Reunion will be held at the country home of Lorna and Steve Francis on Oct. 5. Family and friends are welcome to join in!
Volunteering at the Goreville Ministerial Alliance Thrift Shop on Oct. 1-3-5 will be members of the Friendship General Baptist Church and the McKinney Chapel FreeWill Baptist Church.
It was good to volunteer at the GMA Thrift Shop last week and greet so many familiar folks, who were stocking up for Fall and Winter.
Go bicycling in the usually restricted area of the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 9am.
Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week with a hike at your own leisure, with free admission.
On Saturday, Oct. 12, at 10am, learn all about bats and build your own bat house. Reservations are required by calling the refuge office.
A flea market will be held at the Cypress Village Park on Saturday, Oct. 12. To reserve a space to sell your merchandise, call Kim Beasley or Heidi Poland.
The “Big Daddy” Car Show will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 10am to 2pm at the Herrin City Park, with trophies. There will also be an “Autumn in the Park Craft Show” underway.
The River-to-River Trail Society will hold another of their free hikes on Saturday, Oct. 12, in Johnson County at Max Creek, with Bill Gilmour as the leader. Meet at New Simpson Hill School at 10am. Call for reservations at 270-331-1553.
Oct. 2 is World Smile Day, Celebrate!
Happy Birthday to You! Oct. 1–Matt Payne! Oct. 2–Gale Fosse, Rick Travelstead, Ty Taborn, Lucas Terry, our grandson! Oct. 3–Ray Smith, Brenda Funkhouser! Oct. 4–Mason Lipe, Morgan Cavins, Ellen Eastman, Shayla Storey, Emma Vaughn, Deanna Hudgens! Oct. 5–Madison Herron, Mike Webb, Marley Rambo-Sharp! Oct. 6–Cara Webb! Oct. 7–Audra Hamernik, Noel Peas! May you all have many more!
A belated birthday wish is sent out to Garnelle Trover who turned 103 years old on Sept. 28!
Congratulations to these couples who are celebrating wedding anniversaries. Lois and Danny Joe Hancock on Oct. 1! Bobby and Sherry Throgmorton on Oct. 3! Stephen and Jennifer Jones on Oct. 6!
Have good news to share? Call 618-422-2086. Email [email protected]; or mail to 907 C Independence Avenue, Marion, Il. 62959.
Have a great remainder of the week and enjoy all that October has to offer!