By Dixie Terry
The “Dog Days of Summer” have arrived, so stay indoors as much as possible, advise the weather experts.
The following days of August are to be acknowledged or celebrated, as you wish: Aug. 8–Sleep Under the Stars Day or Dollar Day. Aug.9–Book Lovers Day. Aug. 10–Lazy Day. Aug. 11–S’Mores Day. Aug. 12–Middle Child Day. Aug. 13–Bonding Day. Aug. 15–Lemon Meringue Day and Relaxation Day. Enjoy!
It’s fair time! The Pulaski County Fair has ended, with the Union County fair to kick off on Aug. 16, with the Junior Livestock Auction to take place on Aug. 22 at the Union County Fairgrounds at 6 pm., an opportunity to bid on a hog, steer or lamb to support local youth exhibitors and their family farms.
On Aug. 17, the FFA Livestock Show will begin at 8 am. with the Junior Horse Show at 9 am., horse racing at 1 pm and a Western Horse Show at6 pm, all held at the fairgrounds.
On Aug. 18, A Community Worship Service will be at 6 pm. On Aug. 19, the Truck, Semi and Farm Stock Tractor Pull will take place at 7 pm. On Aug. 20, the 4-H Livestock Show will be at 8 am. with Family Night at the Carnival at 6 pm. On Aug. 21, there will be a Ranch Rodeo at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 22 will be Veterans Appreciation Day and a demolition derby will take place on Aug. 23-24, at 7 pm.
The Williamson County Fair wound down on Aug. 10 after a seven-day run.
The Illinois State Fair in Springfield will take place on Aug. 8-18 and welcomes visitors to attend and enjoy the events.
The DuQuoin State Fair, that attracts crowds from our area, will be on Aug. 23 through Sept. 2, with a long list of fun events.
More fun is coming up on Aug. 15, when the ‘”Third Thursday” is celebrated in downtown Marion, beginning at 4 pm.
A “Word in Worship” will be held at the Vienna City Park amphitheater on Sept. 13, time to be announced.
The “Fall Rekindling the Spirit Youth Rally” will begin on Sept 18 at 7 pm at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Vienna.
The area farmers markets are staying busy, providing fresh produce for their customers. The Johnson County Farmers Market is open to shoppers on Mon.- Sat. all day long at the Vienna City Park. A farmers market is open each Saturday in Goreville, until they sell out, located on Route 37, just north of the village hall.
With errands to run in Goreville the past two Saturdays, I invited a different daughter to tag along. Pam and I enjoyed lunch at the Subway and Nancy and I enjoyed a breakfast at the Goreville Grill, my first time there. I will return!
Sad news is that the K-9 member of the Marion Police Department, “Loeki,” a Belgian Malinois, 14 years old, was set to be retired, but passed away on July 29, before her retirement date of Aug. 1. The much loved canine had been a faithful partner of Sgt. Justin Francis, a Goreville native, the son of Lorna and Steve Francis. “Loecki” had made her home with the Francis family, including Justin’s wife, Sarah (Bertling) and their young son and daughter, while working for the police department. A doctor from the Veterans Hospital has donated $14,000 to obtain another trained canine for the MPD.
Coming up on Friday, Sept. 13, will be the “Stone Temple Pilots” at the Mountain Dew Park in Marion.
A party will be thrown at Ferne Clyffe State Park on Sept. 21, to celebrate the 75th birthday of the popular scenic park. Stay tuned for details.
The annual River-to-River All-Corvette Car Show will be underway on Saturday, Aug. 17 in downtown Herrin, sponsored by the Herrin Elks Club. Call 618-889-8555 for more.
Another car show will be held on Sept. 14, 11 am to 1 pm, with live music, an auction, 50/50 raffle, free food and fun at 1517 East DeYoung Street in Marion. This will be a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project. Registration begins at 10 am with no fee.
Happy Birthday to You! Aug. 9–Abigail Payne, Dorothy Pfeffer, Caleb Montgomery, our oldest grandson! Aug. 10–Emilee Webb, Misty Rowe! Aug. 11–Tyde Resezensky, Nancy Farris, Vernetta Maze! Aug. 12–Elizabeth Potocki, Melissa Darnell, Dixie Hughes! Aug. 13–Robert Poole, Owen Hancock, Joyce Frederick, Logan Lambert! Aug. 14–Caleb Murley, Mary Comp, Carl Kelley! Aug. 15–Rosemary O’Keefe, Derek Herron, Krista Miles, Baylee Webb! May you all have many more!
Our grandson, Caleb enjoyed a birthday lunch at the Lake of Egypt Triple E, hosted by his mom, Pam Montgomery.
Congratulations to these couples who are celebrating wedding anniversaries! Jamie and Shannon Kerley on Aug. 9! Julie and Jason Hammond on Aug. 11! Glenna and James Collie on Aug. 15! Max and Emma Hook on Aug. 15!
The Vienna United Methodist Church will be providing free meals on Saturday, Aug. 17, 4:30-5:30 pm, with pick-up at the church or home delivery provided. Call 618-926-1468 to reserve meals. The menu will include a chicken quarter, potato salad, green beans and watermelon.
A new chicken eatery, “Raising Cane” will open in Marion on Aug. 27, with twenty customers winning free chicken meals for a year. Doors will open at 9 am followed by a ribbon cutting. The location for the chain, that began in 1996 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is at 2806 Joseph Cannon Way, next door to Seven Brew Coffee.
The annual Murphysboro Apple Festival will be held on Sept 11 through Sept 14. Save the date!
“Smooth Jazz on the River Festival” will be held at Fort Defiance State Park in Cairo on Sept. 1-2, noon to 10 pm with free admission.
The Goreville Ministerial Alliance Delegates held their monthly meeting on Aug. 7, at 2 pm in the GMA Thrift Shop Annex, with nine delegates present. The business meeting was conducted by Terri Whitehead. A $1 a bag sale was decided on, beginning on Aug. 8, for certain merchandise. Volunteering at the GMA Thrift Shop last week was the Community of Christ Church members. This week, members of the Friendship Baptist Church and the McKinney Chapel Freewill Baptist Church will be assisting shoppers.
“God’s Miracle Power” will be a prayer service for the sick, each night on Aug. 16-18 at 7 pm by Evangelist Tom Kenyon, at “The Potter’s House” Christian Center on East DeYoung Street in Marion. Everyone is welcome.
The annual Webb Family Reunion will be held on Sunday, Sept. 1, with church services at 11 am. a pot luck dinner at noon, and a talent show at 1:15 pm.
Vacation Bible School was underway last week at the Busby Chapel Baptist Church with an enthusiastic group of youngsters attending.
Have news? Share it with readers of this local news column. 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 August has to offer!