By Dixie Terry
Here’s hoping all our readers had a great Easter weekend with their church services and the gathering of family and friends.
Lots of leftover baked ham and deviled eggs, as well as desserts, are being consumed and enjoyed this week.
The past weekend was a bit damp at times and an unbrella was a handy item to have handy. The outdoor sunrise services, picnics, and Easter egg hunt planning were a bit iffy, but it all worked out, it seems.
The Johnson County Genealogical and Historical Society held their first meeting of the new season on Sunday, Apr. 13, at the Vienna Fraternal Cemetery, where Brian Bailey demonstrated the art of using a “grave dowser.” A large crowd arrived and enjoyed the event. Stay tuned for the announcement of the May meeting.
The JCGHS is planning an open house, hopefully on May 1, for their newly renovated center on the square in Vienna, where historical and genealogical items can be viewed, as well as a library, photo display, and county books can be purchased.
“Manifest,” a Christian youth event, will be held on May 31, 12pm-4pm at the Vienna High School, planned by Eagle House Ministries and area churches. All area youth are invited.
A benefit for Johnson County residents, who recently suffered tornado damage, will be held on Friday, Apr. 25, 5-8pm, with a fish fry meal in the cafeteria of the New Simpson Hill School. Bring chairs and enjoy live music on the ball fieldpr. 26, at 1pm at Campus Lake on the SIU-C campus. This is free, Bring chairs for your family, for a fun afternoon.
The Johnson County HCE will again host the Mothers’ Day Luncheon and Silent Auction, on Saturday, May 3, 11 am to 1:30pm. A gourmet luncheon, served on beautifully decorated tablescapes, will be followed by a program and door prizes. Tickets, at $12, can be purchased from members or at the U. of I Extension Office in Vienna. This serves as a fundraiser for the $500 scholarships given each year to a GHS and a VHS senior.
The Spring Junque Jamboree will take place on Saturday, Apr. 26, 8am to 3pm, on the historic public square in Vienna. This twice-annual event brings in vendors and shoppers from the tri-state area and beyond.
“Three Dog Night” will appear at 8-10pm at Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort on Saturday, Apr. 26.
The circus is coming to town! on Friday, Apr. 25, 5-10pm, at the Williamson County Fairgrounds, Bring the kiddies and enjoy the Culpepper and Merriwether Circus.
It’s open! The Marion Farmer’s Market will be open each Saturday, 6:01am-12pm, through October 25, with fresh produce and so much more, located on West Main Street on the parking lot of the Marion Senior Center.
Happy Birthday to You! Apr. 20–Kaylynn Adams! Apr. 21–Aaron Penrod, Kevin Penrod, Emily Miles! Apr. 22–Gale Storey, Shelly Crawford! Apr. 23–Dolly Hopkins!
Apr. 24–Beau Wright! Apr. 25–Jan Haney! Apr. 26–Mindy Hammond, Katie Tosh, Seth Tripp! May you all have many more!
Congratulations to these couples who are celebrating wedding anniversaries: Ben and Kathy Adams on April 21! Harvie and Denette Link on April 6!
Some special April days to recognize include: Apr. 22–Administrative Professiona Day. Apr. 28–Blueberry Pie Day, Super Hero Day. Apr. 29–Zipper Day. Apr. 30–Raisin Day, Honesty Day, Bubble Tea Day, Sense of Smell Day, Arbor Day. Enjoy!
This is also Poetry Month, Fly A Kite Month, Volunteer Month and Smile Month.
Volunteers at the Goreville Ministerial Alliance Thrift Shop next week are members of the Goreville United Methodist Church and Busby Chapel Freewill Baptist Church. Stop and shop for bargains galore!
Take a hike at Ferne Clyffe State Park on Saturday, Apr. 26 with the River-to-River Trail Society. Hikers will meet at 10am at the Rocky Hollow/Hawk’s Cave Trailhead for the 5 1/2 mile, 4 hour hike, geared to seasoned and healthy hikers. Cathy Jennings, the hike leader,can br called at 618-759-1924, Bring water and snacks,but no dogs,please.
The Illinois Amish Heritage Center is holding an all-day event on Saturday, Apr. 26, 9am-3pm. Kids’ activities, petting zoo, bake sale, sheep shearing, soap making, quilting, goat milking, and much, much more. Admission is $10, with the 12 and under group getting in for free. This is located off I-57, 9 miles west of Arcola or 3 miles east of Arthur on Route 133.
All-you-can-eat, while watching a Thrillbillie baseball game, is offered with their special tickets at Mountain Dew Park Season ttickets are now available at thrillbillie.com.
The 52nd annual Rend Lake Festival will take place on Apr. 30-May 3 with a parade, car show, Hoot’n Holler Band, as well as a carnival on the corner of Benton’s downtown square and more at Capital Park.
“The God of Miracles” by Evangelist Andy Anderson, will be held on Sunday, May 4, 11:30am and 6:30pm and Mon.-Thurs, on May 5-8 and an outide Miracle Service on Saturday, May 3, all at The Potter’s House on Route 13 in Marion. The public is urged to attend. For more, call: 618-694-6479.
At the Williamson County Shriner’s Club on Route 37, north of Marion, a World War II veteran, Don Fotheringham, will speak on his experience at Iwo Jimo, on Wednesday, May 14, 1-3pm The public is welcome.
The Marion Garden Club will hold thir annual plant sale on Saturday, May 3, 8am to 1pm or until the plants sell out. This will be at the Ray Fosse Park at the John Kaesar Pavilion, behind the swimming pool. Come early, since plants go fast.
Congratulations to GHS senior, Shelby Pribble, and VHS senior, Anniston Steinmann, who each received a $1000 scholarship from Black Diamond.
Volunteers are needed to clean up at Little Grassy Lake on Saturday, May 3, 8am-11am to pick up trash that has been under water for decades. The lake has been drained in the past year and the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is seeking asistance in a clean-up project. To register, call the visitor center at 618-997-3344. Volunteers will meet at the Little Grassy Campground.
A yard sale will b held on Saturday, Apr. 26, 8am to 3pm, as a benefit for a local family’s adoption. This will be held in front of Holy Grounds Coffee Shop and is being sponsored by area churches.
The Old King Coal Fest iwill take place in West Frankfort on May 8-11, with free entertainment and a carnival.
A letter arrived in my mailbox , actually three letters in one envelope, from our great-grandson, Henry Terry; his dad, Lucas Terry; and his mom, Sara Terry, who live in Glendale, Arizona. Henry, a 5th grader, has learned cursive writing, which was a nice surprise. He is one of 80 students,out of 800, who was selected to draw up plans for a new school. I am looking forward to his visit to Southern Illinois next summer, when he will arrive via plane in St. Louis, and be met by his gramps, Joel Terry of Marion.
Come May 15, the Snake Road in the Shawnee National Forest will again be opened to vehicle traffic. Presently, it is open only to pedestrians, so the reptiles and amphibians can safely migrate to their summertime home in the LaRue Swamp ,from the limestone bluffs where they have spent the Winter months.
Volunteer typists are needed by the Johnson County Genealogy and Historical Society to type a photo index list for their website. Contact info@johnsoncty/ilgenhist.org.
Have news? We can use local happenings in this, your community news column. Call 618-422-086; email [email protected]; or via mail at 907 C Independence Avenue, Marion, Il. 62959.
Enjoy the remainder of the week and all that April has to offer.