By Dixie Terry
November is behaving quite well, weatherwise, with unusually nice weather for this time of year.
Election Day has come and gone, with Veterans Day also recognized on Monday, with Thanksgiving next in line to celebrate.
Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day, commemorating the signing of the agreement that ended World War 1, at 11am on Nov. 11, 1918. President Woodrow Wilson celebrated the first Armistice Day in 1919.
In 1938, Nov. 11 became a legal holiday by an Act of Congress. In 1954, the day was changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.
We hope you took advantage of the Veterans Day program provided by the Daniel Chapman Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), held on the lawn of the Vienna City Library.
Van tours have been scheduled for the Tunnel Hill State Trail for senior citizens, planned by the Cache River State Natural Area. The first two were held on Oct. 31 and Nov. 7 with the last one coming up on Thursday, Nov. 15, at both 10am and 1pm, heading from Vienna to Karnak. Reservations for the free trek are a must by calling 618-657-2064.
The full moon of November will appear on Nov.
15 and is also known as the Full Beaver Moon, begun by the American colonists and the Algonquin Native Americans.
Happy Birthday to you! Nov. 9–Kelsey Adams, Michele Sullivan, Jennifer Tong! Nov. 10–Matthew Smith, our grandson! Nov. 11–Bonnie Hogue, Oren Tripp, Jenny Levell, Cheryl Gage, Shirley Goins, Anna Marie Billingsley, Bailey King, Deanie Dillman! Nov. 13–Alex McCree! Nov. 14–Destiny Robertos, Evan Lee Moore! Nov. 15–Brandon Potocki, Tim Bowns, Carl Henderson, Denette Link! May you all have many more!
Ben Franklin thought the turkey would be a better national symbol than the bald eagle, declaring the turkey was a more respectable bird, a true native of America. He was apparently over ruled.
The first official celebration of Thanksgiving was observed, not for the harvest, but in honor of the creation of the new United States Constitution. In 1789, President George Washington issued a proclamation on designating Nov. 26 of that year as “a day of public Thanksgiving to recognize the new Federal Constitution.”
The next blood drive of the American Red Cross will be on Monday, Nov. 18, 12-6pm at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Vienna. Walk-ins are welcome!
The Johnson County HCE continues to collect aluminum can tabs to donate to the Ronald McDonald House in Nashville. Take your tabs to the U. of I Extension office in Vienna,
“Mean Girls, Jr,” will be presented onstage by Artstarts at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center, based on the book by Tina Fey and the movie by Paramount. The musical can be enjoyed at 7pm on Nov. 22-23, and at 2pm on Nov. 24. Tickets can be ordered at marionccc.com.
The Eagle House Ministries will again provide a Thanksgiving Feast on Thursday, Nov. 28, with volunteers welcome to cook, serve, deliver and clean. Call 618-658-0099 to make reservations for home delivery or to dine on-site at Route 37 on the Buncombe Hill.
The “Third Thursday” will be held on Nov. 21 on Tower Square Plaza in Marion, a family-friendly event, opening at 5pm with free entertainment, prizes and fun.
An “Altzheimer Awareness” program will be held at the Little Egypt Arts Association Center on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 6pm, for the public.
Also at the LEAA Center will be the “Glass Class” to create holiday decorations, on Nov. 16 and 22, at 10am and on Nov. 15 and 21, at 4pm. Contact cdudley9@hotmail.com. The $45 fee will include all supplies.
The annual Christmas and Toy Bazaar of the Goreville Ministerial Alliance will open at 8am on Saturday, Nov. 30 and will continue each day the following week and then on Tuesdays and Thursdays,9am to 4pm and Saturdays, 9am to noon, through Dec. 19.
The Faith Alive Thrift Shop of Vienna will begin their Christmas sales on Nov. 7-8-9, open each Thurs day and Friday at 9am to 3pm and each Saturday at 9am to noon. Shop locally!
Make holiday decorations at the visitor center of the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 9am. This is free.
The River-to-River Trail Society will provide a hike on Saturday, Nov. 16 at Secret Canyon in Pope County, led by Sam Morales. Call 618-384-1321 to make free reservations. Meet at 10am at the Cedar Bluff Social Brethren Church. No canines, please!
The “Rekindling the Spirit Youth Rally,” sponsored by Eagle House Ministries, will hold their Nov. 20 gathering at the Ozark Baptist Church with food served at 6pm followed by the worship service at 7pm. All area youth and their grownups are welcome.
The Tina Turner Musical will appear onstage at the Carson Center in Paducah on Nov 21.
The Second Act of Southern Illinois Healthcare
will host “A Silver Winter Holiday Party” on Thursday, Dec. 12, with dinner at 5:45pm, followed by dancing until 8:30pm. This event for senior citizens will be held at the Garden Grove Event Center in Carbondale. Tickets, at $10, are available at the SIH System Office in University Mall, M-F, 8:30-4:30pm.
We appreciate receiving your holiday news from churches, schools, and organizations. Call 618-422-2086; email dixieterry85@yahoo.com; or via mail at 907 C Independence Avenue, Marion, IL. 62959.
Have a great remainder of the week and enjoy all that November has to offer!