By Dixie Terry
Miss May has been behaving much like Miss April, with thunder, lightning, and downpours, more than we want.
A rare sunhiny day is made welcome, but we need more.
Mothers’ Day was beautiful, as our clan gathered inside and outside at the home of our daughter, Nancy and Steve Rehder. Enjoying lunch out on the deck, after he had smoked a ham and grilled chicken breasts and several brought in tasty sides and dessert of angel food cake and fresh strawberries with whipped cream. Thanks to my kiddies for the flowers, balloons and beautiful gifts. A perfect May day!
Our great-grandson, Owen Castellano, was also enjoying his 14th birthday on Sunday, so we also enjoyed cupcakes topped with fireworks.
Some other special days to observe this week are: May 15–Chocolate Chip Day. May 16–Do Something Good For Your Neighbor Day. May 20–Be A Millionaire Day. May 21–Pizza Party Day and also Armed Forces Day.
May 12 found the arrival of a new moon, riding high in the evening sky.
Coming up on May 20 at 7pm at the GHS gym will be the final concert directed by Barb Stanley, music instructor at the Goreville schools for the past few decades, with a successful career in teaching music. The concert will include several of her former students from 1993-2024.
The Vienna Farmers’ Market is now open each Mon.-Sat. at the City Park. There is no charge for vendors. Call the city hall for more at 618-658-5161.
The Goreville village-wide yard sales will be underway on Saturday, May 17, a great opportunity for bargain shopping.
ARTSCO Poets will perform at John Brown’s on Tower Square Plaza in Marion on Thursday, March 15, 6:30-8pm.
The Southern Illinois Reptiles and Exotics Show will be held on Saturday, May 17, 10am-4pm, at The Pavilion in Marion.
HerrinFesta Italiana will be underway in downtown Herrin on Monday, May 19-Monday, May 26, 12pm-10pm, with entertainment, Italian cuisine, a carnival, parade and contests.
Be at Mountain Dew Park for the Ohio Valley Conference Baseball Tournament on Wednesday, May 21-Saturday, May 24, 8am-10pm, in Marion.
“Blessing of the Bikes” will be held at the Bald Knob Cross of Peace on Sunday, May 18, 8am-3pm, with food trucks, entertainment and the blessing ceremonies all day.
The “Run For Heroes Half Marathon” will be held on Saturday, May 24, 8am-1pm, on the Public Square of Vienna. On that same day, the “Tour de Tunnel Hill” will be held on the Tunnel Hill Trail adjacent to the Vienna City Park.
The “Manifest Youth Rally” will take place on Saturday, May 31, noon to 4pm at the Vienna High School, for all area youth. Call 618-658-8116 for reservations at $10, sponsored by Eagle House Ministries.
The “Rekindling the Spirit Youth Rallies” will resume this fall , with the first one set for September 17 at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Vienna.
Seen on Facebook was our grandson, Nate Williams, his wife, Jenilee, and their daughters, Belle and Addie, heading to Orlando from their home in Maine, for yet another cheerleading competition of their girls and their team.
The Webbtown Ice Cream Social will be held on Saturday, July 5, 5-7pm on the lawn of the Community of Christ Church on Tunnel Hill Road. A variety of homemade flavored ice cream, along with home baked desserts, plus grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and tasty sides will be available. This annual event serves as a fundraiser for youth events, Everyone is welcome to join in this social event.
Happy Birthday to You! May 18–Chad Maze, J.P.Watkins! May 19–Chasey Peas, Veronica Francis, Wade Pritchett! May 29–Elias Harner! May 21–Waylon Jones, Hannah Murley, Michael Hammond, Diane Annable! May 22–Johnna Herron, Brody Whitehead, Daniel Madden, Jacob Cox! May 23–Joshua McGill, Caitlyn Link! May 24–Rosanna Poole! May you all have many more!
Congratulations to these couples who are celebrating wedding anniversaries. Mark and Kelly Bean, on May 19! Angie and John Pressley on May 20! Shawn and Angela Bailey on May 20! Natalie and Jim Dougherty on May 21! Bob and Lulu Ann Mount on May 21! Elsie and Norman Hinkle on May 24!
The Southern Illinois-Made Expo will return this summer, on July 19, 10am-6pm, at The Pavilion in Marion. This will provide an opportunity to showcase products and services provided by area residents. This is being sponsored by State Senator Dale Fowler and the Chambers of Commerce of Southern Illinois. Proceeds will go to veterans’ organizations of this area.
The Illinois Dept. of Transportation will be hosting a Career Fair on May 29, 10am-2pm, in Carterville, at John A. College, in the Hancock Center/FWing. Workshops will be held , as well as breakfast provided. Learn how to apply for state job positions.
Organist Bradley Welch will provide an organ concert at Shryock Auiditorium on the campus of SIU-C on Friday, May 23, at 2:30pm. The concert is free and open to the public. with a reception following the organ presentation.
Notice! The Heather Treat Memorial Duck Race has been rescheduled from May 4 to Sunday, September 14. Ducks and t-shirts are now available to purchase.
Take a fun trip with the Johnson County HCE, a coach trip to Mackinac Island, which includes a cruise through the Soo Locks, a ferry ride, horse and carriage ride, and quaint village tours. This will take place on Sept. 8-13 and is open to all area folks, families and friends.
Call Faye Mize ar 618-771-0066 for information or to make reservations.
Coming up at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center will be LeAnn Rimes, in concert, on May 27 and Texas Tenors on May 30. Tickets can be had at marionccc.com.
The Little Grassy Fish Hatchery is now open for tours, 8:30am-3:30pm Fri,-Tues. and 8:30am-2pm on Wed.-Thurs. This is free.
Keep in mind the Memorial Day Service, on the Vienna Public Library lawn, on Monday, May 26, at 11am, sponsored by the Daniel Chapman Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Everyone is welcome!
Did you know? Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. The purpose of Memorial Day is to remember the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Another May date of note is May 14, when one year after the United States doubled in size through the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark Expedition departed from St. Louis to explore the new exquisition in 1804.
Volunteering at the Goreville Ministerial Alliance Thrift Shop on May 6-8-10 were members of the Community of Christ Church of Tunnel Hill. Working there this week will be volunteers from the Friendship General Baptist Church and McKinney Chapel Freewill Baptist Church. Stop and shop for bargains galore!
The veterans returned to Southern Illinois Veterans Airport on Tuesday, May 6, to an excited welcoming crowd, who had gathered to welcome them home from flight #14 to Washington, D.C. with 88 veterans aboard. Flight #15 will take place on Tuesday, September 16, with 87 veterans and their guardians taking off to our nation’s capitol to tour the military memorials.
Got news? Share it in this community column! Call 618-422-2086; email to [email protected]; or via mail to 907 C Independence Avenue, Marion, Il. 62959.
Enjoy the remainder of the week and all that the month of May has to offer.