Marion Toyota to host benefit for employee
The Marion Toyota family is hosting a fundraiser for one of its finance managers, Steve Ward, who has been diagnosed with cancer and will be taking treatments in the coming months. Italian beef, mostaccioli and pulled-pork dinners will be sold from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at the dealership. This is dine-in or carryout. All donations will be appreciated.
Keep in mind that the LEAA Annual High School Art Exhibit continues through Sunday, Feb. 11. Stop in at LEAA Art Centre on Tower Square Plaza in Marion and take a look at the creations of students from 12 schools in the area. Awarded Best of Show are Anna Creviston and Quincy Gordon - both Marion High School students, Congratulations! A reception for the high school art exhibit will be at 2 p.m. Feb. 11 for the public.
LEAA is sponsoring a trip May 2 to 4 for local photographers, artists and history buffs to the covered bridges in Rockville, Indiana, the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the Warbler Festival in Oregon, Ohio. This will be via car pool. Call Bob Gulledge at (618) 993-5053 or (618) 922-1257 for more.
Good news for fans of the Truthseekers. The annual three-day event will feature southern gospel concerts at 7 p.m. March 15 through 17 at Marion Cultural and Civic Center. Tickets in advance are $20 for one night or $40 for all three performances. Tickets at the door are $22 if seats are available. For more, call (618) 997-4030.
More travels are in store for those who like the coach trips of The Second Act of Southern Illinois Healthcare. A trek will be April 20 to Charleston, Missouri. for its annual Azalea Festival. Cost is $97 for members and $107 for nonmembers. Tour the town, enjoy soup and sandwiches at a local church, browse the local arts and crafts fair, and enjoy dinner at Lambert's, where a throwed roll may land in your lap.
The Second Act is also sponsoring a coach trip to the Fox Theatre in St. Louis for a showing of "Phantom of the Opera" on May 10. Cost is $124 and $134. By the way, you can become a member by calling (877) 480-4040. The Second Act's trip to Memphis and Tunica is filling up fast.
When I read in the Marion Republican that Brock Bertling was to perform at the annual Chamber of Commerce meeting, I remembered going to The 20's Hideout with my favorite husband to see him play the piano. His mom, Marba, also is a good piano player. She is a teacher at Jefferson School and was our across-the-street neighbor when growing up with our kids.
Allie, the daughter of country singer Garth Brooks, will follow in her dad's footsteps by performing at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 2 and 3, at Pookie's in Marion. There will be a $5 cover charge.
The eagle tours at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge will continue this weekend. Tours will be at 8 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 3 and 4. The two-hour van tours are free, but reservations are a must by calling (618) 997-3344, ext. 1.
As of last week, Marion Carnegie Library was No. 1 in the "Like Jan Brett Library Contest." The contest continues on www.JanBrett.com, and the library with the most likes will get to host the well-known children's author.
For adults who like to color, the monthly Coffee and Coloring will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at Marion Carnegie Library. Sounds good to me. I have become a coloring addict since receiving some adult coloring books a year ago.
Did you know? February is National Library Lovers Month and also Black History Month. Celebrate both at Marion Carnegie Library.
Coming up on Wednesday, Jan. 31, will be the second supermoon to be seen this month. The one on Wednesday evening will be the last chance for a while. Brave the chill and step outside to view the gorgeous moon.
• DIXIE TERRY would like your community news from the Marion area. Contact her at (618) 995-2491, dixieterry85@yahoo.com or 101 Sidney Lane, Goreville, IL 62939.