By Dixie Terry
Welcome April!
Special days for this month include:April Fools’ Day, on the first day, which was Tuesday. We hope you were not a victim of this fun-filled day, such as salt in the sugar bowl or confetti in your shoes.
Other more serious days to observe are Apr. 12, when Passover begins. Apr. 13 brings Palm Sunday to many of our churches. Good Friday will be here on Apr. 18, followed by Easter Sunday on Apr. 20, a bit later than usual.
There will be a full moon, known as the “Full Pink Moon” on Apr. 12, that heralds the appearance of the “Moss Pink” or wild ground phlox, one of the first April blooms. It is also called “Budding Moon” and “The Moon When Geese Lay Eggs” by the American Natives. The new moon can be viewed on Apr. 27.
April comes from the Latin word, “aperio” meaning “to open” because many plants begin “to open” in April.
The birthstone of April is the diamond and the official flower is the sweet pea.
Some days to recognize in April are: Apr. 2–Reconciliation Day. Apr. 3–Find A Rainbow Day. Apr. 4–Hug a Newspaper Person Day. Apr. 5–Caramel Day. Apr. 6–Tartan Day. Apr. 7–No Housework Day and Coffee Cake Day. Apr. 8–Empanada Day. Apr. 9–Unicorn Day and Cherish An Antique Day.
April 1-9 is National Library Week!
And, April showers bring May flowers! However, March brought us an abundance of buds and blooms with its warm days. Forsythia, flowering trees, and tulips are blooming like crazy, with daffodils, jonquils and Easter flowers making an early showing, to be gone by Easter.
My one and only rose bush received a pruning by my daughter, Nancy, on a recent day, with hopes that it will be beautiful again this summer.
Driving through Johnson County on a recent sunny day, I was amazed to see the woods filled with blooming trees bursting with blooms.
Road work on Route 37 slows us down, as one- lane signs pop up. I remember my dad telling of hauling gravel there, when they were constructing this busier-than-ever highway.
Did you know? The village of Goreville will be acknowledging its 125th year in 2025, after officially being incorporated in the year of 1900. We will be sharing some early tales of the busy village in future editions of the Goreville News.
The annual Gem and Mineral Show will be underway on Saturday, Apr. 12 and Sunday, Apr. 13, at 1602 Sioux Drive in Marion, with hands-on activities for all ages.
“Taste of Chocolate” in its 26th year as a fundraiser, will be held at Walker’s Bluff Casino, this year on Saturday, Apr. 12.
Like to hike? The River-to-River Trail Society welcomes hikers on The Snake Road in Union County on Saturday, Apr. 12. Meet at LaRue Pine Hills North parking lot. Call Shawn Gossman a 618-694-7034 for information. Yes, the reptiles and amphibians will be crossing the road as well.
The “Rekindling the Spirit Youth Rally” will be held at Eagle House Ministries on April 16, with food served at 6:30pm, followed by the worship service, for all youngsters and their adults. Bring a carload and enjoy!
The fans of LeAnn Rimes will enjoy her concert at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center on Thursday, Apr. 17, at 7pm. Order tickets now at ilshows.com or marionccc.com.
TThe next blood drive at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Vienna will take place on Monday, May 19, 12-6pm. Please give! Walk-ins are welcomed!
The True Vine meal pick-up and delivery of the Vienna United Methodist Church will be on Saturday, Apr. 12, 4:30-5:30 pm. The menu will include shepherd’s pie, cheddar biscuits, fried apples and a dessert. Call 618-926-1468 and leave a message with name, number of meals and phone number. The meals can b picked up at the rear parking lot of the church or delivered to shut-ins. This is free!
A pancke breakfast will be served by the Knights of Columbus at their hall, near the St. Joseph Church in Marion, on Saturday, Apr. 26, 6:30-10:30am.
Hummingbirds should be arriving soon, so get those feeders cleaned and filled with red liquid to welcome them. The same birds return to the same locations each year, so be ready for their company.
Volunteering at the Goreville Ministerial Alliance Thrift Shop on April 1, 3, 5, will be members of GorevilleFirst Baptist Church, Freedom Church and Mt. Zion Baptist Church. The Spring and Summer merchandise is ready and waiting for shoppers, looking for bargains.
Happy Birthday to You! Mar. 30–Colin Voigt, Tucker Francis, Trace Thomson! Mar. 31–Alene Lehr, Joe Lambert, Mary Merriman, Debbie Taborn, Taylor Baker, Eddie Holland, Rosemary Rouse, Henry Hannon, Ryder Hill! Apr. 1–Tom Reed, Steve Housewright, Lulu Ann Mount, Cletus Palmer, Gail Delaney!! Apr.2–Brad Housewright, Jason Billingsley! Apr. 3–Pat Lamb, Donna Smith! Apr. 4–Bob Sawyer, Josh Sullivan! May you all have many more!
“Fern and Vendor Day” will be held at “The Patch.” located at 14656 Pittsburg Road near Marion off Route 13, on Saturday, Apr. 19, 9am to 4pm. Vendors, food, fun, ferns, and so much more for a family day out is promised.
The annual Spring Junque Jamboree will be held on the historical public square in Vienna, on Saturday, Apr. 26, an all-day event for vendors and collectors of whatever.
April 1 is Election Day. Be sure to have your say!
Thanks to all who contribute newsy items for this
community column! Got news? Call 618-422-2086; email [email protected]; or via mail to 907 C Independence Avenue, Marion, Il. 62959.
Have a great remainder of the week and enjoy all that April has to offer!