By Dixie Terry
Here’s hoping all our readers enjoyed a very Merry Christmas!
Since this is being written on the Friday before Christmas, I will share any holiday happenings in next week’s column. Please share your Christmas news!
Following a wonderful week of celebrating my 90th birthday, my next week was all downhill.
I awoke on Tuesday evening with a horrific cough, fever, and sneezing.
The next day three plumbers arrived to uncover a leak that the city water department discovered on their computer. After 2 1/2 days it was discovered underground and hopefully repaired for good.
They had advised me that my water bill was going higher every hour, not good news.
The plumbers worked in my garage, kitchen, both bathrooms and had to cut a large hole in my closet wall, to replace old pipes, What a mess!
Someone placed a waste basket in the middle of my bedroom and I fell head first over it, striking my head on the metal railing of my bed frame. I was face down, but able to reach the phone and call my daughter, who called 9-11, who arrived in minutes. No broken bones, just a knot on top of my head, for a souvenir.
The next week I went for my driving test and failed the vision portion. So now, I can’t drive until I see my eye doctor and no opening until January 2.
In the meantime, I am using all my family members for chauffeurs.
Since my son, Jay, was celebrating his 65th birthday on Dec. 12, we had to change our lunch date to the following week. He, his wife, Diane, and I enjoyed a tasty lunch at The Longhorn in Vienna, a good event after all the negative ones.
After reading all the letters to Santa Claus in last week’s Vienna Times, it is no wonder we old folks give checks, cash and gift cards to our youngsters. What are all these new-fangled toys the kiddies are asking Santa for. I hope Santa is up-to-date on them!
On a recent day, members of the First Baptist Church of Vienna visited the residents of Hillview Healthcare, bringing blankets and performing with Christmas music. How nice!
Ice skating continues on Tower Square Plaza in Marion, with bookings available at verymerrymarion,com.
My daughters and I are planning an evening of touring the town and seeing all the Christmas decorations, especially “Home Alone” in Kokopelli and that of the family out on Cherry Valley Road, as well as South Market Street and Tower Square Plaza, where Santa has his holiday house open at certain hours.
It will soon be income tax time and a free tax prep service is being provided for those who qualify, by the University of Illinois Extension volunteers. This will be provided at the Senior Center in Goreville and the Extension Office in Vienna. For more information, call 618-973-0978.
An indoor farmers’ market will be held each first Friday, 3-6pm, at The Hub Recreation Center in Marion. A diverse array of vendors from across Southern Illinois will be selling their wares. Two food trucks will be outside at 4-7pm, with Pali Kai Aisan Food and Velvet Moon Coffee Company.
I haven’t enjoyed “It’s A Wonderful Life’ as yet, but plan to make an evening of it on Christmas Eve, at 7pm on Channel 6, along with an assortment of Christmas cookies and coffee.
Where did the custom of giving gifts at Christmas begin? The ancient Romans always exchanged presents on January 1 and the practice spread, with Christians moving the giving to December 25.
The Johnson County HCE will provide a coach trip on Sept. 8-13 to Mackinac Island. Call Faye Mize at 618-771-0066 for more information and to make reservations.
The Goreville Ministerial Alliance Bazaar and Toy Sale will end on Dec. 21, after which, the thrift shop will be closed until January 21.
Happy Birthday to You! Dec. 14–Chuck Moake, Eric Neuman! Dec. 15–Jerry Smith, Stephanie Tripp, Sarah Holland. Joe Woodard, and Pete Sopczak, our Johnson County Sheriff!
Dec. 16–Carol Tregoning! Dec. 17–Donna McKeller, Patsy Strunk, Dakota Cotrell! Dec. 18–Kay McCoy, Jon Hiller! Dec. 19–Douglas Bowns, Pattie Kellums, Jiana Westerfield! Dec. 20–Chelsey Rouse Kelley, Barbara Foster, Gary Phalin! Dec. 21–Kelsey Hiller, Cheryl Odle! Dec. 22–Lisa Murley, Kaitlyn Null! Dec. 23–Steve Ross, Gary Hacker! Dec. 24–Evan Madden, John Ray, Angela James! Dec. 25–Sheila Harper, Mark Herren, Evan Johnson! May you all have many more!
Naughty or nice depends on whether children will receive gifts or a lump of coal from Santa Claus. How many of us would qualify for gifts?
Once again, for over thirty years, the Eagle House Ministries dished up a Christmas Feast for home delivery and for on-site dining at their Buncombe Hill location, for the public and for their many volunteers. A great tradition!
We appreciate your good news! Share it by calling 618-422-2086; emailing to [email protected]; or by mailing to 907 C Independence Avenue, Marion, IL. 62959.
A Merry Christmas week and a happy and healthy new year is wished to one and all!