By Dixie Terry
Welcome December!
This month is named for the Latin word, “decem,” which means “ten,” because December was the tenth month on the early Roman calendar.
The official birthstone of this month is the Turquoise and the flower of the month is the Narcissus. Why not the poinsettia, I wonder.
Dec. 1 is Eat An Apple Day. Dec. 2 is Mutt Day and Special Education
Day. Dec. 3 is Faux Fur Day. Dec. 4 is Sock Day and Cookie Day. Dec. 5 is Bathtub Party Day. Dec. 6 is Saint Nicholas Day. Dec. 7 is Cotton Candy Day and World Trick Shot Day. Dec. 8 is Brownie Day. Celebrate!
December is also National Pear Month.
Why give gifts? The ancient Romans gave each other gifts on the first day of January and the practice spread throughout the Roman Empire. Eventually, Christians moved the custom to December 25. Many gifts get exchanged on January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany.
An old wive’s tale is: “As many mince meat pies as you bake at Christmas, so many happy months you will have.”
All this month, Jupiter is visible at night. During December’s first few mornings, Venus, a morning star, guides observers to Virgo’s blue main star, Spies, to its right. On the 18th of December, will be the year’s best meteor shower, the Geminids, under perfect moonless dark conditions. Take a look!
The blood drive of the American Red Cross as held on Monday, Nov. 20, at the Fellowship Baptist Church. The delightful desserts were furnished by the excellent bakers of the Shawnee Worship Center and the door prize, a canister set, was provided by Secret Gardens, and was won by Mona Akins. The volunteers in the kitchen, with Mary Jo King as chief cook, stirred up hot chili and grilled cheese sandwiches for all the donors.
Once again, volunteers gathered at the Eagle House Ministries to cook up a Thanksgiving Feast, to share with the community and beyond. This was the thirtieth year for the dinner and a Christmas Dinner is in the planning.
The annual Christmas Bazaar of the Goreville Ministerial Alliance opened on Saturday, Nov. 25 and will continue each day, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 27 through Nov. 30 and on all thrift shop business days, Tuedays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon, until Saturday, Dec. 16, 2024.
Happy Birthday to You! Dec. 2–Reace Merrow! Dec. 3–Sarah Pfeffer Clinger, Jeffrey Billingsley,Berna Dean Whitehead, Lance Trover! Dec. 4–Tina Dudley, Marba Nell Bertling! Dec. 5–Jon Hancock, Sherrie Annable, Ashley Pritchett, robbie Hancock, Nancy Porter! Dec..6–Connor Johnson, Peggy Francis, Dixie Terry and our great-granddaughter, Jamison Sadlo, with me, 89 years old and she being five years old. Dec. 7–Derek Trovillion,,Shirley Coonce, Wanda Vahle, Rick Newton! May you all have many more!
The last River-to-River Trail Society Hike of the season will take place on Saturday, Dec 16 at Thacker Hollow in Hardin and Gallatin Counties. Meet at Rim Rock parking lot at 10 a.m. This is free! .
On Sunday, several of our family watched the Christmas Parade in downtown Marion from the vantage point of our warm vehicles, especially enjoying watching the team of eight Clydesdale horses of Anheuser-Busch fame.
Later that evening, we enjoyed a Christmas movie at The Potter’s House Christian Center, followed by holiday food and a social hour.
Marty Stuart and his fabulous Superlatives will perform “An Evening With Marty Stuart: at 7 p.m. on nov. 30 at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center. Tickets can be had at marionccc.com.
At the Creal Springs VFW, hear the music of Jonny Coller, 8-11 p.m. on Dec. 8.
Mark your date book for Dec. 17, when “Tours to Bethlehem” will take place at the Vienna City Park, 5:30-8 p.m., with over eleven churches participating. The free admission includes sancks and drinks, live animals and music, sponsored by Eagle House Ministries.
On Dec. 3, Pam Willis and Phil Vasser will perform at the MCCC, with :Holiday and Hits,”
On Dec. 4, the Nutcracker: The Magical Christmas Ballet” will be performed onstage at the MCCC.
Ice skating on Tower square Plaza is held each Thursday and Friday, 6-9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays, 1-9 p.m. They will be closed on Christmas Day. Contact marionice.com for tickets.
The Goreville Grille is now open for uGas Station, with Bethany Dunn as the owner of the newly opened eatery.
The 2023 P.A.S.T. Heritage house Holiday Luncheons at 102 South Main street in Jonesboro will be held on Dec. 7-8-9-13-14-15-16 at $20 per guest. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and serving begins at noon. Call for reservations at 618-697-1870 and leave a message or email hileman14@frontier.com by Nov. 30.
I hope all who participated in “Black Friday” survived, as well as “Small Business Saturday” and “High Tech Monday,” and I am not sorry to have missed it all.
I do support the “Shop Local Campaign,” as we help out the local businesses in our community and keep the sales tax for local use.
The Johnson County Women’s Club will hold their Friday, Dec. 1 meeting at :kitchen on Lafayette” in Anna, followed by a tour of monty and Gail Webb’s historical home.
Senior Citizens will be picking up a nice supply of groceries at K-Lee’s Food Pantry on Buffalo Gap, South of Goreville, 4-6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1
The Goreville United Methodist Church will host a catered Christmas dinner on Dec. 9 at 1 p.m. The cost is $10 per person by calling Joyce Frederick at 995-1088. Everyone is welcome!
Take a tour of “The Citadel” on Tower Square Plaza in Marion, a 109-year-old structure that is decked out for the holidays. Have a family photo taken with Santa, enjoy hot chocolate, apple cider and treats. RSVP to terrawatermarkethos.org. This will be on Friday, Dec. 1, 5-8 p.m.
The Southern Illinois Concert Band plans holiday concerts, with Lake of Egypt First Christian Church on Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at 12102 Malibu Lane, Sunset Harbor, Lake of Egypt, and the Herrin Civic Center on Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. on 101 South 16th Street. All performances are free.
The Johnson County Home and Community Education (HCE) of the University of Illinois Extension will host a chili supper on Friday, Feb. 9, prior to the high school basketball game at Goreville High School.
The Goreville Masonic Lodge will be holding a spaghetti lunch on December 2, 11 1.m. to 2 p.m. for $10 per person. This will be a fundraiser for a local gymnastic team. Those under ten will eat for free.
Like to share your good news? Give a call to 618-422-2086; email dixieterry85@yahoo.com; or mail to 907 C Independence Avenue, Marion, Il. 62959.
Have a great reminder of the week and enjoy all that December has to offer. Remember the reason for the season!