By Dixie Terry,
The weather has settled a bit since the week before, which brought flood conditions, power outages, wind damage and tornado warnings across our area. It seems Miss April has calmed down and is providing us with wild flowers, blooming trees and blossominh shrubs, all much appreciated.
Some special April days to recognize this week include: Apr. 19–Garlic Day. Apr. 21–Banana Day. Apr. 22–Teach Children to Save Day. Apr. 23–Picnic Day and Talk Like Shakespeare Day. Apr. 23–Cherry Cheesecake Day.
Good Friday will be observed on Friday, Apr. 18 and Easter will be commemorated on Sunday, Apr. 20.
The Johnson County Home and Community Education (HCE) of the University of Illinois Extension will hold their annual meeting on Tuesday, Apr. 22, at 6:30pm at the Extension Building in Vienna. Guests are welcome.
The Culpepper and Meriwether Circus will welcome one and all at the Williamson County Fairgrounds on Friday, Apr. 25, 5-10pm on Fair Street in Marion.
Upcoming events at the Bald Knob Mountain in Alto Pass, will include the Easter Sunrise Service on Apr.20; Blessing of the Bikes on May 18; and Blessing of the Jeeps on June 7.
Ferne Clyffe State Park will be the location of the River-to-River Trail Society hike on Saturday, Apr. 26, with Cathy Jennings as hike leader. Hikers will meet at Rocky Hollow/Hawk Cave Trailhead at 10am. For more, call 618-759-1924. This is free and open to the public with a 5.5 mile loop/backtrack trail for experienced hikers. Bring your own water and snacks, but no dogs, please.
The Illinois Amish Heritage Center n near Arthur, IL. welcomes the public to an all-day event on Saturday, Apr. 26, 9am to 3pm, with “Sheep to Yarn to Quilts.” There will be a Farmers’ Breakfast at 7am and lunch will be available to purchase. Admission is $10, with those 12 and under, for free. Watch sheep shearing, wool washing and dying; spinning wheels; quilt making, weaving, kids’ activities; a petting zoo, goat milking; rope making; soap making; a bake sale; plus additional demos and displays.
The Eagle House Ministries will provide a yard sale, as a benefit for a local family’s adoption. This will be on Saturday, Apr. 26, in front of Holy Grounds Coffee Shop, in Vienna, 8am to 3pm at 418 Court Street. Several area churches are contributing to this event.
The Thrillbillies BaseballTeam is now offering season tickets at thrillbillies.com, with all-you can-eat with tickets at Mountain Dew Park in Marion.
Seen on Facebook was our granddaughter, Leah Montgomery Sadlo, being inducted into the Sophia Fleming Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution held in Orange Park, Florida. She and I share an ancestor, Daniel Chapman, who served in the Revolutionary War with George Washington.
An Easter Sunrise Service will be held on Sunday, Apr. 20, at 6:30am, outdoors, weather permitting, at Eagle House Ministries, followed by a light breakfast. Everyone is welcome.
Our grandson-in-law, Andrew Sadlo, who teaches high school in Orange Park,Florida, was on a student field trip to Busch Gardens last week, and arrived at home, ready for a vacation by himself.
The “Third Thursdays” have begun again on the Marion Public Square, with free entertainment each third Thursday, a family-friendly event that brings out a crowd.
The Southern Illinois-Made Expo will return this summer, thanks to Senator Dale Fowler and the Chambers of Commerce of Southern Illinois. This will be on July 19, 10 am to 6 pm at The Pavilion in Marion. Locals can showcase their products and services and this will also serve as a benefit for veterans’ organizations of the area.
The Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois will be offering their Mission #14 on Tuesday, May 6, to Washington, D.C. where 88 veterans will spend the day touring military memorials. A check for $112,000 was provided by “Rocking For A Cause” to finnce this flight. The public is urged to arrive around 9pm at the Southern Illinois Veterans’ Airport to welcome these veterans back home.
Happy Birthday to You! Apr. 13–Jeff Maze, Cameron Tregoning, Colleen Payne! Apr. 14–Abby Schuhardt, Anissa Falmier, Mecca Helm, Colton Harner, Alisa Storey, Darla Perry! Apr. 15–Angie Harner. Michele Loge! Apr. 16–Daniel Hancock, Chester Lawrence, Melissa Davis! Apr. 17–Rachel Gilbert, Chris Castellano, our grandson-in-law! Apr. 18–Nick Kelley, Ethan Moore, Danny Rockwell! Apr. 19–Angela Dunn, Linda Kirby, Marilyn Webb, Bobby King! May you all have many more!
Congratulations to these couples who are celebrating wedding anniversaries. Chad and Felicia Maze on April 14 and Gary and Judy Maze on April 15.
A pancake breakfast will be served at the Knights of Columbus Hall ,in Marion, on Saturday, Apr. 26, 6:30-10:30am. The public is welcomed!
The “Fern and Vendor Day” will be held at “The Patch” on Saturday, Apr, 19,9am to 4pm with a variety of activities, vendors, artisans, along with a selection of ferns, located on Pittsburg Road, off of Route 13, east of Marion.
Volunteers from the Lake of Egypt Christian Church will be assisting shoppers on Apr. 15-17-19 at the Goreville Ministerial Alliance Thrift Shop. The Spring and Summer merchandise, plenty of it, is now available at budget prices. Shopping hours are 9am to 4pm on Tuesday and Thursday and 9am to noon on Saturday.
The Eagle House Ministries will be hosting a “Manifest Conference” on May 31, 12-4pm,at the Vienna High School, a youth event for all area youngsters. Admission will be $10 per person.
A benefit for area tornado victims will be held at the New Simpson Hill School ball field on Friday, Apr. 25, 5-8pm with a fish fry and live music. Bring a chair and enjoy the evening ,while helping out your neighbors.
The annual “Cardboard Boat Regatta” will be held on the SIU-Carbondale Campus Lake on Saturday, Apr. 26 at 1pm. Admission is free for this family-friendly event that brings in hundreds of folks. Bring a chair or blanket.
The annual Mothers’ Day Luncheon will be enjoyed on Saturday, May 3, 11am-1:30pm at the Community of Christ Church on Tunnel Hill Road. Besides the gourmet luncheon, there will b a silent auction and a program. The luncheon will be served on beautifully decorated tablescapes provided by members with their china, crystal and silverware. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased from HCE members or at the U. of I. Extnsion office on East Main in Vienna.
The Spring Junque Jamboree will be underway on the historic Vienna Public Square on Saturday, Apr.26, an all-day event, 8am to 3pm, with vendors galore, junk and treasures, food and music.
We welcome your newsy happenings from your neighborhood and neck of the woods. Contact me at 618-422-2086; email [email protected]; or via mail at 907 C Independence Avenue, Marion, IL. 62959.
Have a great remainder of this week and enjoy all that April has to offer.
Happy Easter!