By Dixie Terry
Welcome August!
This month is named for the first Roman Emperor and grand-nephew of Julius Caesar, Augustus Caesar, 63 B.C.-A.D. 14.
The birthstone for this month is the Peridot and the official flowers are the Gladiolus and the Red Poppy.
Although August has no national holidays, there are a number of days to recognize or celebrate, such as: Aug. 1–Girlfriend Day and Pinball Day. Aug. 2–Ice Cream Sandwich Day. Aug. 3–Watermelon Day. Aug. 4–Chocolate Chip Cookie Day. Aug. 5–Underwear Day and Mustard Day. Aug. 6–Root Beer Float Day and Jamaica Party Day. Aug. 7–Friendship Day and Lighthouse Day.
August is also known for these national events: Peach Month, Family Fun Month, Sandwich Month, Foot Health Month, Catfish Month, Water Quality Month, Romance Awareness Month, and Honey Month. School bells are ringing across the country, with parents celebrating the beginning of the new school year, while students are wondering where did the summer go.
And, with the new school year comes the “Blessings in a Backpack” program in Johnson County grade schools, which provides food items for the weekend for youngsters who might not have sufficient food at their home. The food items are sent home in the student’s backpack each Friday, thanks to the generosity of our community. Donations for this worthy cause can be sent to Barb Watkins, 1680 Dutchman Lake Road, Tunnel Hill, 62972. Thank you!
The Williamson County Fair is underway Aug. 3-10, with a carnival, a demolition derby, a rodeo, live entertainment, along with fair food and much more.
The “Veterans on Parade” will celebrate its 20th anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. in downtown Marion. For more information or to register for the parade, which is required, call Ed Davis at 314-375-7170 or 618-967-9415 or [email protected].
The Poshard Foundation for Abused Children is celebrating their 25th anniversary in 2024 and will be holding an event on Saturday, Sept. 7, 10:30 am to 1 pm at the waterfall courtyard at John A. Logan College. Invitations are being mailed.
Happy Birthday to You! Aug. 1–Lori Daine, Tyler Woelk! Aug. 2–Audrey Poole, Linda Tropp, Douglas Dunn, Kim Choate, Angie Breeden ,Mikalah Greer, Eric Martin! Aug. 3– Jason Alvis, Kira Franklin, Gayla Stapleton! Aug. 4–Dick Kelley! Aug. 5–Danny Joe Hancock, Tina Hammond! Aug. 6–Jerrod Walker! Aug. 7–Bill Hancock, Nell Stokes, Donna Ray, Kim Chamness! May you all have many more!
Congratulations to these couples who will be celebrating wedding anniversaries: Cyndi and Clark Madden on Aug. 3! Robin and Donna Wetherell, on Aug. 3! Bill and Helen Hancock, on Aug. 5! Karen and Bob Sawyer, on Aug. 7! Chester and Ann Lawrence, on Aug. 6!
The August full moon will be seen on Monday, Aug. 19, known as the “Sturgeon Moon” by Native Americans of the Great Lakes, where the popular fish was easily caught under the full moon. It was also known as the “Black Cherries Moon” and the “Full Flying Moon” by other Indian tribes.
After watching the 2024 Olympics from Paris, I find myself exhausted from viewing the bicycling, skate boarding, and the gymnastics. Congratulations to all the winniers from the U.S.A.!
Are you tired of all the political ads seen on TV? Me too!
The 12th annual Saline Masonic Lodge Car and Truck Show is coming up on Saturday, Aug. 10, with a rain date of Aug. 17. Registration opens at 8 am, with the judging to start at 11 am and awards given at 1:30pm. There will be a fish and chips lunch available to purchase. For more, call Ron at 618-694-6976 or [email protected].
Another car show will be the River-to-River All-Corvette Car Show on Saturday, Aug. 17, 11 am-3 pm, in downtown Herrin, sponsored by rhe Herrin Elks Club. Call 618-889-8555 for more.
The Cobden Peach Festival will get underway on Aug 9-10, with a carnival and more in the city park. The parade will be at 4:30pm on Saturday downtown. There will be food available, including peach cobbler
Tracey Bryd wiill be performing onstage at Walker’s Bluff on Aug. 9.
The open times have changed at “Saved Treasures” in Goreville, a newly opened antiques mall. On Tues., Wed., Thurs. amd Fri., the hours are 10 am to 3 pm and on Sat. the hours are 9 am to 5 pm.
The city of Vienna is hosting a “Back-To-School-Bash” on Saturday, Aug. 10, 5:30-9:30 pm. at the city park. There will be music by Heath Holloman from 5:30-8:30 pm. in the amphitheatre. All Johnson County students, including home-schooled, are welcomed, along with their grownups. Gift cards and school supplies will be givn out.
“Rock of Ages” will be onstage at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center on Aug. 9-10 at 7:30pm and on Aug. 11 at 2 pm. Tickets can be ordered at 618-997-4030 or marionccc.com.
Our daughte, Nancy, arrived home from Maine, via Philadelphia, to St. Louis, where she was met by her husband, Steve. She arrived in time for a meeting of school bus employees, who will begin school this week. She had a great time visiting with her son, Nate, his wife, Jen, and their daughters, Belle and Addie.
True Vine of the Vienna United Methodist Church will be providing another free meal for pick-up or home delivery on Saturday, Aug. 17, 4:30-5:30 pm. The menu will include a chicken quarter, potato salad, green beans and watermelon. Call 618-926-1468 to reserve meals.
Seen on Facebook were our great-grands, Jemma, 3, and Jamison, 5, with their cousins, having fun at the Museum of Discovery and Science and at Fort Lauderdale Pier by the Sea Beach, while their parents were on a getaway to Miami.
Volunteering at the Goreville Ministerial Alliance Thrift Shop this week will be members of the Tunnel Hill Community of Christ Church. The hours for shopping are Tues and Thurs, 9 am to 4 pm and Sat, 9 am to noon. Stop and shop!
State Senator Dale Fowler will be featuring the stunning outdoor attractions of the 59th District of Southern Illinois on his Facebook page. From Johnson County, look for Ferne Clyffe State Park, Tunnel Hill State Trail, Cache River State Natural Area, all to be seen on Southern Illinois Treasures Video.
I am eagerly awaiting your good news, for this, your community 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.