By Dixie Terry
We received a nice preview of the upcoming Spring weather, broken by the stormy weather on late Friday and early Saturday. The tornado sirens gave us warning, but fortunately, nothing serious happened.
Maybe this was the “Beware the Ides of March” an archaic phrase that means little these days, it seems.
Coming up on Thursday, March 20 will be the arrival of the Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the arrival of the Fall Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere.
According to tradition, the blooming of crocuses is the cue to plant radishes, parsnips and spinach.
Crocuses, Easter flowers and daffodils are popping up all over I noticed, as I drove around Johnson County.
It’s also time to tap your sugar maple trees and boil down the sap to produce maple syrup. It is a long, hard process, but well worth it, say maple syrup fans.
Some March days to recognize include: March 23–Hot Tamale Day, Chip and Dip Day and Puppy Day. March 27–Scrabble Day. March 30–Virtual Vacation Day and Take A Walk in the Park Day. March 31–Crayon Day.
Several folks were awake to step outside and view the eclipse of the red moon on March 13.
Lots of folks are adjusting to Daylight Savings Time. I forgot to spring ahead on Saturday evening and was late to church.
Don’t forget to take a look at the Shawnee Forest paintings of Abraham Hunter, one of our own Johnson County artists, who now lives near Gatlinburg, Tenn., where he is partnered with Infinity Fine Art and Masters Editions Galleries. The Exhibit will continue through March at the first-floor rotunda of the SIU Morris Library. The exhibit is free and prints will be availble for purchase, with the profits going to the Shawnee Park and Alliance (SPACA), which is dedicated to bringing a National Park to Southern Illinois.
The River-to-River Trail Society is offering a free hike on Saturday, March 29, at the Hayes Creek Section in PopeCounty. The leader, Chris Drone, can be reached at 618-926-3250. Meet at the Shawnee Mart in Eddyville.
State Senator Dale Fowler and the chambers of commerce of Southern Illinois are announcing the return of Southern Illinois Made Expo to be held at The Pavilion in Marion on July 19 at 10am to 6pm. This will showcase products made in Southern Illinois and will raise funds for veterans’ organizations.
With 385,000 voters having their say about the State Flag design, 32,898 voted to keep the flag we now have. However, the Illinois State Flag Commission will have the last say later this Spring.
On Friday, March 28, at 6-8pm, a “Word in Worship” will be held at the Vienna City Park, provided by the Eagle House Ministries. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Visit illinoistreasurer.gov/cash to see if you have unclaimed property.
It has been 100 years since the 1925 Tri-State Tornado struck Missouri, Southern Illinois and Indiana, taking the lives of over 600 citizens, including the wife of State Representative Paul Powell, who was visiting her family in West Frankfort.
Southern 7 Health Dept. and Head Start are celebrating National Nutrition Month through March.
Volunteering at the Goreville Ministerial Alliance Thrift Shop on March 18-20-22 will be the Tunnel Hill Community of Christ Church. The shopping hours will be Tuesday and Thursday at 9am to 4pm and Saturday, 9am to noon.
The Johnson County HCE will offer travel opportunities for any area folks who enjoy travel. On June 5-11, spend time in New York City; on July 22-30, enjoy Boston; and on Sept. 8-13, head to Mackinac Island. Call Faye Mize for information and to make reservations ar 618-771-0066.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! Mar. 16–Kendra Lantrip, Floy Wheeler! Mar. 17–Linda Duhamel, Jeff Helm! Mar. 18–Ben Hill, Nicole Barnaby, our great-grand! Mar. 19–Jim Hodges, Peggy Anderson! Mar. 20–Dwight Lehr, Andrew Rockwell, Ashlyn Zaranti, Katie Beth Harner, Nathan Webb! Mar. 21–Manul Goins, Bob Manier. Barbara Peterson, Scott Annable, Kevin Thomas! Mar. 22–Jay Gunn! May you all have many more!
Congratulations to these couples who are celebrating wedding anniversaries. Richard and Jeanne McKenzie on March 18! Jo and Larry Sanders on March 18! Manul and Shirley Goins on March 19! Ned and Karen Ray o n March 20!
Your news is welcome for this community column! Call 618-422-2086; email [email protected]; or via mail at 907 Independence Avenue, Marion, IL. 62959.
Enjoy the remainder of the week and all that March has ro offer.