By Dixie Terry
Rain, rain, go away! Come again some other day! We’ve had quite enough and really need some sunshiny days, with a small breeze, so we can get outdoors to spend some May days doing yard work or just sitting on the patio, my preference.
Some special May days to recognize are these: May 7–Fitness Day and No Pants Day in the funny papers! May 9–Lost Sock Day! May 10–Shrimp Day and Clean Your Room Day!
And, don’t forget Mothers’ Day, coming up on Sunday, May 11!
Did you know? President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed that Mothers; Day be celebrated on the second Sunday of May each year, back in 1914.
The Mothers; Day Luncheon of the Johnson County HCE was a successful event on Saturday, May 3, with a full house of mothers and daughters arriving for a gourmet lunch, door prizes, a silent auction, an inspirational speaker, and good company.
My daughter, Pam, and I sat with Cara Webb, Megan Webb, Phyllis Webb, Jodi Montgomery and Brandi Stout, both of Vienna, and our speaker, Lori Kerans, of Decatur.
The proceeds from the event will go to the scholarship project and for community events.
Pam won a door prize and I came home with a impatient plant that is now hanging ioutside of my bedroom window, as a high bid in the silent auction.
Thanks to all the businesses and individuals who were so generous with their door prizes and silent auction gifts.
The full moon will be seen on Monday, May 12, known as the “Full Flower Moon” and also known by some native American tribes as the “Full Frog Moon” and the “Full Planting Moon.”
The “Snake Road” in the Shawnee National Forest in Union County, will be opened to vehicular traffic on May 15, after being closed since March 15, to allow the amphibians and reptiles to cross the road from the bluffs to the LaRue swamp, where they will spend the summer months.
Barb Stanley, music instructor at the Goreville School. is inviting alumni from 1993-2024 to perform in a concert, her last one before retiring this month, to be on May 20. Alumni can call her at the school if they would like to perform.
Seeing our great-granddaughters on Facebook, in their prom finery, was a nice surprise. Rehgan Castellano, a junior at Marion High, and Aubree, a senior, were posing with their proud parents, sporting beautiful formals, but no dates.
The Vienna United Methodist Church will provide free meals via True Vine on Saturday, May 10, 4:30-5:30pm at a drive-thru pick-up at the rear entrance of the church. The menu will include spaghetti and meat sauce, cheddar and garlic biscuits, garden salad and a dessert, all for free. A call to order is requested, by calling 618-926-1468 and leaving a message.
The “Manifest Youth Event” will be held at the Vienna High School on Saturday, May 31, 12pm to 4pm for all area youth. Admission is $10 by calling Eagle House Ministries for reservations.
The Heather Treat Memorial Duck Race has been rescheduled to Sunday, September 14. Ducks and t-shirts are now available to purchase.
The Vienna Farmers’ Market is now open at the city park, Mon.-Sat. There is no charge to vendors.. Call the city hall for more at 618-658-5161.
Keep in mind the Goreville-wide yard sales will be held on Saturday, May 17. Call the village hall to get your sale listed.
The Old King Coal Festival will be underway on May 8-11 with free entertainment in West Frankfort each evening. Bring your chair!
The HerrinFesta will be held on May 19-May 26, 12pm to 10pm in the downtown area.
The Run For Heroes Half Marathon will be held in Vienna on the public square on Saturday, May 24 at 1pm.
The Tour de Tunnel Hill Bike Ride will be held on Saturday, May 24, near the Vienna City Park.
The Mystical Magic Market will be underway on Saturday, May 31, 12-5pm at 1602 Sioux Drive in Marion.
The Southern Illinois Reptiles and Exotics Show will be held on Saturday, May 17, 10am-4pm at 1602 Sioux Drive in Marion.
“One Night in Memphis” will be onstage at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center on Friday, May 9, 7-10 pm.
“Southern Illinois Made Expo” will breheld at The Pavillion in Marion on July 19, 10am to 6pm, to showcase products made in the southern counties of Illinois. This is being sponsored by State Senator Dale Fowler and the chambers of commerce of the area. Proceeds will go to area veterans organizations.
May 17 is National Armed Forces Day!
Happy Birthday to You! May 10–Joshua Luke, Breanna Murphy, Mary Lou Alford! May 11-Ann Ganzer, LaWanda Billingsley, Owen Castellano, our great-grandson! May 12–Regaina Travelstead, Shenna Menicucci, Vanessa Lantrip, Ian Hardcastle! May 13–Judy Nannie, Eden Morrison! May 14–Lois Kerley, Jonathan Estes! May 17–Carol Seymour, Austin Medley! May you all have many more!
Edith Webb and her daughter, Lisa Webb shared a birthday on Sunday, May 4! She was pleasntly surprised when a daughter and a whole bunch of great-granddaughters came for church.
Congratulations to Eric and Patricia Neuman who will celebrate their wedding anniversary on May 15!
Volunteering at the Goreville Ministerial Alliance Thrift Shop on May 13-15-17 will be members of Friendship General Baptist Church, Freedom Church and Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
The Bald Knob Cross of Peae will be the site of the sixth annual “Blessiag of the Jeeps” on Saturday, June 7, at 10am and 12pm at the bsse of the cross. Food trucks and vendors will be on site. Over 2500 Jeeps are expected to arrive! The Cross of Peace will also be holding “Blessing of the Bikes” on Sunday, May 18, ongoing from 8am to 3pm. Food will be available.
I t seems that I spent more time in Johnson County than in Williamson last week. At the Community of Christ Church Thursday, the HCE board met. On Friday, the Johnson County Women’s Club met in Vienna and on Saturday, the HCE Mothers’ Day Luncheon was held. On Sunday, I was back for church. This week I am volunteering at the GMA Thrift Shop on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and on Wednesday the GMA delegates are meeting at 2pm. I am on the road again!
Your newsy items are needed for this, your column. Call at 618-422-2086; email [email protected];or via mail at 907 C Independence Avenue, Marion, IL. 62959.
Enjoy the remainder of the week and all that May has to offer!