By Dixie Terry
Fall continues to bring us beautiful weather, as well as beautiful scenery as the trees change into their Autumn wardrobe.
Some days to be recognized are coming up: Nov. 13–World Kindness Day. Nov. 14– Pickle Day. Nov. 15–Bundt Cake Day, Philanthropy Day, Spicy Hermit Cookies Day, Clean Out Your Frig Day. Nov. 17–Family Bread Baking Day and Take A Hike Day.
Did you know? The average person in the United States will eat 15 pounds of turkey this year. (Probably the week of Thanksgiving) Turkey was once a rare treat, since an 8-10 pound bird would cost a full day’s wages.
The next Johnson County blood drive of the American Red Cross is set for Monday, Nov. 20, 3 p.m. to 5;45 p.m., at Fellowship Baptist Church. Call 618-342-6861 to make an appointment or just walk in. The Shawnee Worship Service will provide the baked goods and Secret Garden will donate a door prize. Please give!
November is National Novel Writing Month, with the Marion Library hosting a local writers fair on Saturday, Nov. 18, 10 a.m.-12 noon in the McCoskey Room. Drop by!
Like to participate in the 100-mile run? It will take place on Nov. 11-12 on the Tunnel Hill State Trail. Or, if running is not your thing, come out and watch dozens of folks running through the Vienna City Park all day.
On Nov. 11-12, the Christmas Barn Sale Trail will take place across Massac County.
The Autumnfest Arts and Crafts Show will show off over 120 exhibitions of handcrafted holiday gift and decor items at John A. Logan College on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 11-12.
Happy Birthday to You! Nov. 9–Kelsey Adams, Michele Sullivan, Jennifer Tong. Nov. 10–Matt Smith, our grandson! Nov. 11–Bonnie Hogue, Oren Tripp, Jenny Lewell, Cheryl Gage, Shirley Goins, Anna Marie Billingsley, Bailey King, Deanie Dillman! Nov. 13–Alex McCree! Nov. 15–Brandon Potocki, Tim Bowns, Carl Henderson, Denette Link! May you all have many more!
The Johnson County Genealogical and Historical Society will welcome speaker, Tony Calebrese, who will present a program on “History Restorers” at the Sunday, Nov. 19 meeting at 2:30 p.m. at the Vienna Library Community Room. The public is urged to attend.
Cathy Dudley of Goreville will teach a two-day class on a cardinal stained glass decor. This will be held at the Little Egypt Arts Association Centre on Tower Square Plaza in Marion on Nov. 9 and 15 at 9 a.m. Call 618-889-0750 to register. The two-day class will cost $70.
For those who missed the Senior Expo on Nov. 3 at the Fellowship Baptist Church, you should have been there. This was sponsored by Autumn Ridge and Arrowleaf. Lots of vendors, a complimentary lunch, prizes and information were provided for senior citizens.
I was one of the lucky winners of a door prize, a cozy throw, perfect for snuggling in this Winter, and also a nice big candle.
In a 1789 proclamation, President George Washington called on the people of our country to acknowledge God for affording them “an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness” by observing a day of thanksgiving, devoting the day to thanksgiving and prayer, after which it became a yearly tradition for many communities.
Good News! Max Hutchison and Joseph Ashby will be presented the “2023 Delta Award” by The Friends of Morris Library on Thursday, Nov. 16, 5-7 p.m. along with a reception. This is for their recent publication, “A Gazeteer of Johnson County, A Complete Guide to the Scenic and Natural Areas of the County.”
Artstarts will present Disney’s “Descendants” the musical, on Nov. 17-18-19 at Marion Cultural and Civic Center. Tickets can be ordered at marionccc.com.
On Veterans Day, the Creal Springs VFW will host a chili cookoff, beginning at noon, with the public urged to participate.
The weather is beautiful for hiking, so join the River-to-River Trail Society on Saturday, Nov. 12, at Secret Canyon in Pope County at 1:30 p.m. at the Cedar Bluff Social Brethren Church. This is free, but reservations are a must by calling 630-470-7692.
The annual Christmas Bazaar at the Goreville Ministerial Alliance Thrift Store will open on Saturday, Nov. 25, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then on Nov. 20-22, Nov. 27-30, Dec. 5-7-9, Dec. 12-14,16. The shop will then be closed after Saturday, Dec.16 until January 16, 2024.
Our great-grands in Orange Park, Florida, are growing up and their new twin grown-up beds were seen on Facebook.
We also saw on Facebook, another great, Addie, in Maine, who will be involved in cheerleading competition in Baltimore, Atlantic City and Atlanta for the first three events. And, then where to?
Our daughter, Susanne of Fort Pierce, Florida, and her housemate, Stacy, recently flew to New York City for the 16th birthday party of Stacy’s granddaughter.
Welcome back to Cypress to our son, Jay and wife, Diane, who have moved back from Bardstown, Kentucky after a three month stay.
The Vienna United Methodist Church will hold their monthly True-Vine Dinner Pickup at the back entrance of the church on Saturday, Nov. 11, 4:30-5:30 p..m. The menu will include turkey casserole, with gravy, corn, green beans and dessert. This is free, but reservations must be called in by Thursday, at 618-926-1468.
A huge crowd of senior citizens arrived at K-Lee’s Food Pantry, south of Goreville, on Buffalo Gap, on Nov. 3, to receive free groceries provided by the University of Illinois Extension. This will be held each first Friday of the month and anyone over fifty-five is urged to particpate in this free giveaway for all seniors.
Hurry! The raffle drawing of the Vienna Public Library board will be held on Nov. 14 for the beautiful queen-sized quilt made by local crafters at the Art Gallery Off the Square. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20, and can be purchased at the art gallery, the library, The Vienna Times, Vienna Town Square Mall or from any library board member.
We welcome your newsy items for this, your community column. Call 618-422-2086; email [email protected]; or via mail at 907 C Independence Avenue, Marion, Il. 62959.
Have a great remainder of the week and enjoy all that November has to offer.