By Dixie Terry
Summer is quickly on its way out, as we anticipate the arrival of Autumn on Sept. 21. Already, Fall decor is seen, in front yards, with pumpkins and corn stalks and all the shops are showing off their Fall merchandise.
Keep in mind the American Red Cross Blood Drive on Monday, Sept. 16, noon to 6pm at Fellowship Baptist Church in Vienna. Walk-ins are urged to participate.
September is recognized as National Library Card Sign-Up Month.
“Blessing Boxes” are seen near the Vienna City Hall and the Vienna Public Library for those in need of food. These are sponsored by Eagle House Ministries. Anyone wishing to help in this ministry, call 618-771-7442.
An outside food box is also filled each week near the entrance of the Goreville Ministerial Alliance Thrift Shop. for those in need.
There is also a food box at Eagle Point Bay near the EPB Association Building.
September is National Mushroom Month.
Keep in mind that Sept. 16-21 is National Constitution Week, sponsored by the Daniel Chapman Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. There will be a bell ringing ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 16, on the lawn of the Vienna Public Library. All county churches have been asked to ring their bell at that time. The public is urged to bring a bell and participate.
Constitution Week was enacted by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on Aug. 2, 1956, from a Congressional Resolution Petition by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution,
Sept. 20 has been commemorated as National POW/MIA Day.
Remember the “Word in Worship” on Friday, Sept. 14, 6-8pm, at the amphitheater in the Vienna City Park with four Christian bands performing. Bring a chair and enjoy an evening in the park with friends and neighbors. There is no admission fee!
Volunteering at the Goreville Ministerial Alliance Thrift Shop on Sept. 10-12-14 will be members of the Goreville United Methodist Church and Busby Chapel Church. The Fall/Winter merchandise will be available after Sept. 23.
Johnny Appleseed Day will be celebrated on Thursday, Sept. 26. He was a Massachusetts nurseryman, named John Chapman, who spent years planting apple seeds throughout the Western frontier. He was born on Sept. 26, 1774. He walked across the countryside, carrying a bag of apple seeds and is considered by some as an American hero.
The Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois will be flying from the Veterans Airport in Williamson County on Tuesday, Sept. 10, with 103 veterans and a crew to Washington, D.C. for a full day of touring the military memorials. A welcome home celebration will begin at 5 pm at the airport. The public is urged to attend and welcome the heroes home.
The delegates of the Goreville Ministerial Alliance held their monthly meeting on Sept. 4, with eight members present. The meeting opened with a prayer. Terri Whitehead conducted the business meeting with reports from the committees and store updates. Plans were made to have the Fall/Winter merchandise out by Sept. 23. The annual Christmas Bazaar has been set for Saturday, Nov. 30 through Dec. 19.
The Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge welcomes the public to a “Monarch Butterfly Roundup” on Saturday, Sept. 14, 10 am to noon. This is free. However, reservations should be made by calling ahead.
“Hunting and Fishing Days” will be held on Sept. 28-29 at John A. Logan College, with activities for all ages. The admission is free.
Our grands in Orange Park, Florida, Leah and Andrew Sadlo, have returned from a family member’s birthday celebration in Mexico. Their daughters, Jemma and Jamison, stayed home for school and their Grandmother Sadlo flew down from Long Island, New York, to stay with them.
The art stroll will take place in historic downtown Carterville on Saturday, Sept. 28, 10am to 3pm, with live music and lots of art along the way. This will serve as a fundraiser for the “Strong Survivors.”
My daughter, Nancy, and I took time out for a Friday lunch at Club 60, the Marion Senior Center and enjoyed a delicious lunch and visiting with several folks.
You won’t want to miss the 75th anniversary celebration of Ferne Clyffe State Park on Saturday, Sept. 21. There will be guided hikes, fishing for kids, a climbing experience plus food by the GHS Beta Club and a guest speaker. There will also be commemorative coins to purchase.
Thanks to friend. Jody. I am the proud owner of one of the 75th anniversary commemorative coins, a great souvenir.
The Murphysboro Apple Festival will be held on Sept. 11-14, for the umpteenth year, downtown and beyond. I remember attending the first one back in the sixties, when the Goreville School band performed in the parade.
Speaking of parades, my daughter, Pam and Nancy, attended the Veterans on Parade on Saturday. A multitude of veterans were seen, riding in some beautiful convertibles and antique cars. I was disappointed in seeing no bands from Johnson County. We had lunch at Riley’s Smokehouse following the parade.
Seen on Facebook were our two greats, Belle and Addie, who will be taking to the soccer field. since they both made the team at their middle school in Maine.
Our Marion great-grand, Maelyn, is also playing soccer this season and played in the opener last week.
Our grandson, Nate, celebrated his Sept, 17 birthday early, with he and his wife, Jennilee, flying to Chicago from Maine, to watch the Cubs in play.
Happy Birthday to You! Sept. 8–Christy Smith, Pat Cruse, Alan Watkins! Sept. 9–Jakob Breeden! Sept, 10–Christopher Gage, Gretchen Handlos, Kyefer Cavins, Ava Hammernik! Sept. 11–Cathy Dudley, Krysten Dauksavage, Andrew Manier, Cindi Swinehart! Sept. Sept. 12–Rita Moake, Lucas Nannie! Sept. 13–Cale Moake, Billie Case, Barb Smith, Virginia George! Sept. 14–Roger Potocki, Sally James! May you all have many more!
Congratulations to these couples who are celebrating wedding anniversaries! Anita and Kent Ritchey on Sept. 14! Jake and Mary Lou Crews on Sept. 2!
Lonnie and Judy Dunn of West Vienna will be celebrating their Sept. 19 60th wedding anniversary on Sept. 14 with a come-and-go party at 2 pm at the Event Center in Vienna.
The “Run For Hope” 10K, 5K. and Kids’ Fun Run will take place on Sept. 27 at 6pm at the Tunnel Hill State Trail adjacent to the Vienna City Park. Register online at eaglehouseministries.com.
The “Patriot Day Car Show” will be on Sept. 14, 11am to 1 pm, with ,music, an auction, live music, a 50/50 raffle, free food and more. This will be located at 1517 East DeYoung Street in Marion. Proceeds go to the “Wounded Warrior Project.”
I have a new laptop to replace the one that I have fought with for 12 years. And now, I continue the battle.
The “Big Boy Toy Expo” will be held on Friday, Sept. 13, 4pm to 8:30pm and Saturday, Sept. 14,9am to 4:30pm. For more, call 270-575-8753.
A Senior Citizens Expo will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 9-11am at the Carbondale Civic Center. Another Senior Citizens Expo will be held in Marion on Wednesday, Sept, 25, 9-11am at The Hub Recreation in Marion. This is free.
“National Diaper Awareness Week” will be observed by the Southern 7 Health Department who are sponsoring “Bundle of Joy,” a diaper drive, on Sept. 23-29. Bring diapers or a monetary donation to the Dollar General Store in Vienna, on Sept. 20, 2-6 pm or the Family Dollar Store on Sept. 21, 10 am to 2 pm.
The “Book Borrowing Program” sponsored by the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) offers free books to senior citizens in the Goreville area. Borrow and return when finished are the rules. Come to the Senior Citizen Center at 11am to noon M-F and take as many as you wish. For more, call 618-658-8140.
Have good news to share? Call 618-422-2086; email [email protected]; or via mail at 907 C Independence Avenue, Marion, Il.
Have a great remainder of the week and enjoy all that September has to offer.