By Dixie Terry
Finally, Spring arrived at 4:01 am on Thursday, March 20, with too much wind, a sprinkling of rain and a bit of snow, typical for our neck of the woods.
My car received a dose of “dirty rain” on Wednesday, while parked at Deaconess Medical Center, while I was visiting my cardiologist. The yucky stuff came via wind from dusty Texas, we were told . My daughter promised to take my car through the local car wash.
On returning home on Tuesday, after a day of volunteering at the Goreville Ministerial Alliance Thrift Shop with our church members, I was pleasantly surprised to see all the Bradford pear trees blooming out on Independence Avenue, where each of my neighbors has one of the beauties turning white. Beautuful!.
The steeple atop the Community of Christ Church was knocked loose by the wind of the past weekend but remained on the roof. However, another blast of March wind toppled it to the ground where it was damaged beyond repair. It will be replaced as soon as possible.
Seen on Facebook were two great-grands, Belle and Addie, of Maine, who were scheduled to compete in cheerleading in Boston, which was canceled for some unknown reason.
Also seen on Facebook were our two greats, Jamison and Jemma, of Orange Park, Florida, with their mom and dad, all dressed in matching green shirts on St. Patrick’s Day, enjoying green doughnuts at Krispy Kreme. In another photo, they were going swimming at the beach near their home.
The Snake Road in the Shawnee National Forest, also known as Forest Service Road #345, a 2 1/2 mile long stretch, is closed to vehicular traffic each March 15 for a few weeks, to allow the reptiles and amphibians to make their way from their Winter home on the limestone bluffs and cross the road to their Summer residence in the LaRue Swamp. Pedestrians are welcome to hike the road during this time, but who would want to?
The River-to-River Trail Society’s 6th hike of the season will be held on Saturday, April 5, at Little Black Slough Trail, in Johnson County. The trail is approximately 5.5 miles and will take about 4 hours. This is free and open to the public. Meet at 10am at the Wildcat Bluff Access Area. Call 618-967-0019 to speak to the hike leader.
Tulip Lane, a fresh flower business, is located in rural Metropolis, by a Johnson County native, Natalie Thodoropoulis, as a U-Pick Farm. Take a look at tuliplaneflowerfarm.com.
John A. Logan College will host their annual job fair on Wednesday, March 26, 9am to 1pm ,in the gymnasium, with more than 75 companies on hand.
Artstarts will present “Aladdin, Jr. based on the Disney film, on April 4 and 5, at 7pm and on April 6 at 2pm, at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center.
The Magpie Market Days Spring Vintage Market will take place on Friday, March 28–Sunday, March 30, This will be indoors at The Marion Pavilion, with outdoor food trucks available all 3 days.
The annual Gem and Mineral Show will be held on Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13, at 1602 Sioux Drive in Marion.
“Southern Illinois Made Expo” will return this summer, thanks to State Senator Dale Fowler and the Southern Illinois Chambers of Commerce. This will showcase products created in the southern counties of our state. The event will take place on July 19, 10am to 6pm, at The Marion Pavilion. Proceeds will go to veterans’ organizations of southern Illinois.
Volunteers at the Goreville Ministerial Alliance Thrift Shop on March 18-20-22 was the Community of Christ Church of Tunnel Hill. Next week’s volunteers will be from the Friendship General Baptist Church and McKinney Chapel Freewill Baptist Church. The “$1 A Bag Sale” will continue through the end of March, with Spring merchandise available beginning on April 1.
The “Word of Worship” will be on March 28, 6-8pm, at the Vienna City Park Amphitheatre, sponsored by Eagle House Ministries. The public is welcome!
LeAnn Rimes will appear onstage at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center on Thursday, April 17, at 7pm. Tickets begin at $49,99 and can br ordered at mccc.com.
The 26th annual “Taste of Chocolate,” a chocolate-themed gala, will be on April 12, 6-9pm at Walker’s Bluff Casino.
The 101st birthday of Myrtle Choate was celebrated at Hillview Senior Living on St. Patrick’s Day, with family, friends and residents.
More birthdays! March 23–Nancy Ford, Ross Hill, Erik Dudley, Jordan Palmer, Joey Rich ! March 24–Neila Collins, Jude Jones! March 25–Anna Craig, Kenneth Childers, Stacey Musgraves, Melissa Williamson! March 26–Glenn Webb! March 27–Linda Ferguson, Lorna Kirby, Lindsey DelaCruz, Ryan Hill, Mike Kluge, Mike Conway, Connie Hancock! March 28–Lynn McMahan! March 29–Blaine Ward, Paula King, Keith Lewis, Vera Stone! May you all have many more!
Congratulations to these couples who are celebrating wedding anniversaries. Bonnie and David Hogue on March 25! Bryan and Anita Etheridge on March 28!
Your news items are welcomed for this 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 March has to offer!