Southern Made Expo set for this weekend
Summer continues, hot and humid, a great time to attend indoor events, such as the first "Southern Illinois Made Expo," to be at The Pavillion in Marion from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, July 28 and 29.
This event has been developed through a partnership between State Sen. Dale Fowler and the Southern Illinois Chambers of Commerce. Southern Illinois products will be showcased and available for purchase by the public. Vendors can rent a booth, beginning at $50, by calling 618-997-6311. This is a reminder to buy local and keep our shopping dollars in Southern Illinois!
• The Marion Cultural and Civic Center is a cool place to be on a humid July day. Bring a car full of youngsters and enjoy a Disney movie. "Dory" can be seen at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 26, and "Moana" will be showing at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 9. And, if you are not familiar with either of these, just ask the kids.
• Stop in at the LEAA Centre on Tower Square any day and view the Bicentennial celebration of "Historic Structures," mostly local buildings on display in photos, paintings, and sketches, a good way to celebrate the 200th birthday of our state.
• While driving down Russell Street on a recent day, the sign in front of St. Joseph's Catholic Church caught my eye. "Father Tom, auf Wiedersehen, Adieu, Adios, Good-Bye." Does this mean Father Tom is leaving Marion?
• Live and Learn! At 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25, "Strive for Excellence in Business and Sports" by attending the Lunch & Learn Seminar at Heartland Regional Medical Center, Classroom 1. This is sponsored by the Marion Chamber of Commerce and costs $20 for nonmembers or $15 for Chamber members, with reservations a must by calling 997-6311. Kerry Martin, head coach of the Marion football team, will be the speaker.
• If you are a Republican and a lady, you are urged to attend the Williamson County Republican Women's social hour at 5 p.m. at Mackie's on Tuesday, July 24, when they will be hosting the Illinois Federation of Republican Women. WCRP has been a part of the IFRW for 51 years and has one of the largest memberships in Southern Illinois. Visitors are welcome. For more, call Patti Howard, president, at 618-998-8221.
• With preschool kiddies underfoot, summertime story hours at the Carnegie Library, 10-11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 24, will give them a fun thing to do, and a break for their mom. That afternoon, at 4-5 p.m. a magician from St. Louis will perform for those ages 18 and older. These events are free to the public.
• Reading Fun will be underway at the Boyton Street Community Center from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, July 24, for youngsters five and up, with games, and snacks.
• An outdoor event, for those devoted fans, who don't mind the heat, will be a Miners game at Rent One Park at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday, July 24, when they meet the River City Rascals.
• While enjoying supper with our two Marion daughters, Pam and Nancy, at Cracker Barrel on a recent evening, to celebrate the birthday of Pam, the popular eatery was filled with traveling folks and I saw not one person that I knew, which is unusual. The meal was great, the company was outstanding, and the service was excellent. And, Pam enjoyed her free serving of ice cream in honor of her birthday.
• The Williamson County Fair is coming up on Aug. 5-11!
• Also coming up will be the annual Veterans on Parade, beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8. Veterans wishing to ride in the event, should be at the VA Center at 9 a.m. Veterans planning to walk in the parade should meet at the Junior High parking lot at 9 a.m. Contact organizer Ed Davis at 314-375-7170 or 618-967-9415 or email to edward2791@att.net.
• Save the date! An Autumn Senior Expo will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 8, at the Fellowship Baptist Church on Senior Avenue in Vienna. This is free for senior citizens, with vendors paying $25 for booth space. Call Mallory at 618-658-2775 for info. This event will provide information and resources for senior citizens and their caregivers residing in Southern Illinois.
• Another interesting event coming up will be the annual conference of the Genealogy Society of Southern Illinois. This will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ray Hancock Conference Center at John A. Logan College, on Saturday, August 11. The cost is $45 for members and $55 for nonmembers, with registration at 8 a.m. that day. Vendor space is free, with registration to be made at jmlyell@yahoo.com.
• Let's hope it cools down a bit for the annual Auto Show and Parts Swap at the Goreville Masonic Lodge, beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 11.
• I just got word that a movie has been filmed in Southern Illinois this summer, using the hills and hollers of Southern Illinois, including Ferne Clyffe State Park and Giant City State Park. The movie is titled "Range Runners" and is described as a survival thriller, produced by Fatal Funnel Films. Stay tuned for more.
• The summer concert series continues down at Egyptian Hills Resort on the beautiful Lake of Egypt. The next outdoor concert will be on Friday, Aug. 3, with a tribute to the music of Dr. Zhivegas. The gates open at 6:30 p.m. with the music to begin at 8:30 p.m., with food and drink available for purchase all evening. These concerts are sponsored by Farmers State Bank, Golden Eagle, Aisin, Speakeasy, HireLevel, Mercedes-Benz of Marion, Pappy's, Hideout, and Extra Help. Tickets at $20 can be purchased at egyptianhillsresort.com
• Coming to Marion will be the Colt World Series, to get underway Aug. 3-8 at Rent One Park, with Colt teams arriving from all over. Marion will be filled with visitors, so let's make them welcome and want to return. For those who enjoy youth baseball, there will be up to 20 games in the five days. Tickets are available at siminers.com at $8 per day or $25 for a series pass. Call 618-997-3690 or 618-998-8499 for more information.
We welcome your newsy items in this, your community column. Send your items to 995-2491, email to dixieterry85@yahoo.com or via mail to 101 Sidney Lane, Goreville, 62939.
Enjoy what is going on around town!