By Dixie Terry
The foliage continues to change colors, but just a bit later than usual, it seems. The peak weekend is expected, in our neck of the woods, on the first weekend of November.
Weather conditions that result in the most outstanding foliage include cooler nights, decreasing temperatures throughout the daytime hours, for the most vivid colors, especially the red leaves, such as those on red maples and sugar maples. Take a drive around Johnson for a view of some outstanding scenery.
Be sure and have your say at the polls!
The first Election Day took place on November 7, 1848, with Whig Party Candidate
being Zachary Taylor, who won out over Democrat Lewis Cass and Free-Soil Candidate and former President, Martin Van Buren. Taylor’s running mate was Millard Fillmore, who became the nation’s 13th President on July 10, 1850, upon Taylor’s untimely death.
Take a hike and enjoy the Fall colors with the River-to-River Trail Society, on this coming Saturday, Oct. 26, at Little Grand Canyon in Jackson County. Call for reservations at 618-559-0686 and meet at the parking area at 10am. Please leave the canines at home.
Back to Johnson County will be a hike on the following Saturday, Nov. 2 at Panther’s Den. Call 618-926-3250. Leave from the trailhead at 10am on Rocky Comfort Road. These hikes are free, but reservations are a must.
Visit illinoistreasurer.gov/icash to see if you have unclaimed property.
The Marion Kiwanis club will host its annual “Pancake Day” on Saturday, October 26, 6:30-10:30am at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Russell Street.
The “Heritage Festival” will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2, 9am-4pm and Sunday, Nov. 3, 10am-4pm, with over 75 vendors on College Road near Harrisburg. Admission is $1, which goes to Freddy’s Food Pantry.
October 23 was National Nut Day!
A “Glass Class” will be underway at the Little Egypt Arts Centre on Tower Square Plaza in Marion, on Nov. 16 and 22 at 10am and Nov. 15 and 21, at 4pm. The cost is $45, which includes supplies. Contact [email protected].
October is National School Bus Safety Month!
Happy Birthday to You! Oct. 28–Terry Lambert, Nancy Davis, Wendy Sadcewicz! Oct. 29–Jane Butzler, Karelyn Bailey, Debbie Housewright, Lauren McCree, Jean Todd! Oct. 30–Tricia Bailey, Andrew Pearson, Trenton Potocki, Betty Yandell! Oct. 31–Marilyn Tite, Kim Manier! May you all have many more!
Congratulations to Andrew and Kelli Phelps who are celebrating their October 29 wedding anniversary!
Oct. 30 is National Frankenstein Day! Oct. 27 is National Black Cat Day! Oct. 28 is National Cat Day!
Volunteers at the Goreville Ministerial Alliance Thrift Shop on Oct. 29-31-Nov. 2 will be members of the Tunnel Hill Community of Christ Church. Stop and shop!
Seen on Facebook were our great-granddaughters, Aubree, 18, and Rehgen, 17, in their glamorous homecoming gowns, with their dates and their parents, Ashleigh and Chris Castellano, prior to the MHS homecoming dance.
An “Altzheimer Awareness” presentation will be held on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 6pm at the Little Egypt Arts Association Centre. Everyone is welcome to attend and learn more about the condition.
Goreville First Pentecostal Church is offering a new bus ministry with transportation, for all ages, to their Sunday services at 10am and 6pm. Call for a ride at 618-751-3278.
Do your early holiday shopping at the “Shopalooza” of the Adams School, to be held this year at “The Marion Pavilion” on Saturday, Nov. 2, 10am to 5pm.
A “Meet and Greet” is to be hosted by “The Friends of Shawnee National Forest” with a breakfast buffet of bacon, scrambled eggs, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, and coffee, all for $20 per person, payable at the door. Reservations are necessary by calling 309-826-6763. A presentation by District Ranger Dennis Wilson; Shawnee Forest Archeologist Heather Carey, and Public Affairs Officer Samantha Stoffregen. Kids are welcome!
Illinois led in the yield of pumpkins in 2022, by producing 634 million pounds. In 2023, 96% of the value and more than 98% of the tonnage (645.8 million pounds) of processed pumpkins came from Illinois, according to FarmWeek publication.
Take the youngsters to a “Spooky Movie Double Feature” at the Marion Carnegie Library and celebrate Halloween with popcorn and candy, all for free, at 4pm on Wednesday, Oct. 30. Parents are also welcome!
At the Potter’s House Christian Center, will be a free “Trunk or Treat” at 6pm, located at 1214 East DeYoung Street in Marion.
The “Southern Illinois Chapter American Guild of Organists” will be holding a “Halloween Extravaganza” featuring haunting classical music by area organists, on Sunday, Oct. 27, at 6pm at Shryrock Auditorium on the SIU-C Campus. This is free! Costumes are encouraged, but not required.
For adults, who enjoy being scared, the “Rocky Horror Show” will be performed live onstage at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center on Oct. 31 and Nov. 2. Order tickets at marionccc.com.
At the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge Campground, on Saturday, Oct. 26, 5-7pm, will be a free “Trunk or Treat.”
“Howl-0-Ween Trivia” will be held at the Masonic Lodge in Marion on Saturday, Oct. 26, with trivia games, a silent auction, 50/50 drawing, and costumes encouraged. Food will be available to purchase. The location is 705 Robinson Drive.
Enjoy the local Halloween events and the trick-or-treaters who will be out and about on October 31.
We welcome any good news in this community column. Call 618-422-2086; email [email protected]; or via mail to 907 C Independence Avenue, Marion, IL. 62959.