John Griswold, author and Herrin native, comes to Herrin City Library Guest Lecture Program, Friday, March l7 at 2 p.m. in The Tony Galines Room. Griswold, will speak on his 2009 book, HERRIN: The Brief History of an Infamous American City and other books he has written. His writings have won numerous awards. He was also the founding Series Editor for Crux: The Georgia Series in Literary Nonfiction, a book series at University of Georgia Press; a university professor; and a US Army deep-sea diver. He was born in Saigon, Vietnam. He lives in the St. Louis metro area with his wife and two sons. He is a l981 graduate of Herrin High School. The public is invited.
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HELP THE ANIMALS: Laura Miller, a weekly volunteer at Herrin Animal Control, 1225 Weaver Road, is a huge fan of the work they do, the dogs and cats they rescue, and put up for adoption. They do far more than just collect stray animals or intercede in hoarding and legal cruelty cases. Many lovable animals, cats and dogs, await adoption. Help if you can, small and large donations are welcome. A great stretch and stress reliever for cats who are mostly in metal cages, cat scratch pads are needed. Contact 618-964-4711 for assistance or donation information.
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STEPPING DOWN: After six years, the founder and president of the Herrin Community Cemetery Association, Dennis Avripas is resigning effective at the Spring Meeting in April. He will continue as an At-Large board member. The new President will be announced at the meeting.
He will continue his leadership and organization of the River to River All Corvette Shows. He is proud of accomplishments of Herrin CCA which include, two panted borders for Herrin City Cemetery to separate cemetery property from private property and planting of ninety-one Green Giant Arborvitaes from public donations, entrance planters, landscape improvements and future plans to light the cemetery entrance.
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TEN-YEAR ANNIVERSARY: Ryan Jeralds celebrated with his family, staff and customers in February on his decade long ownership of Chuck's Barbecue in Herrin. He purchased the famous diner from Charles and Janice Shahadey in 2013. He continues their pursuit of excellence in everything they serve. Cheers to Ryan for keeping on.
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FISH FRY'S: Join Louie’s P&R in their new location for Fish Fry's, 620 South Park across from Hardee’s. (Former Marinello Beauty Salon location.) Every Friday from Noon to 6 p.m. enjoy 2 pieces of fish, hush puppies, Cole slaw and potato salad. The main family-owned Louie's P&R market remains on the corner of Walnut and North l4th. That does not change.
Fun for them as they operate two locations. Watch for another upcoming surprise. Cheers to owners, Aaron and Julie Ridgway Christ.
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TOURING SPRINGFIELD: Pastor Mark Goldman Herrin First Baptist Church and his son, Titus, took an unexpected tour of the State Capitol in autumn and met the finest of tour guides, Herrin native, Joel Satterfield. He has a long career in tourism and marketing in Illinois. He gave father and son an exciting tour of Illinois’s renowned Capitol building.
Satterfield is the son of the late Clarence and Hester Ridgway Satterfield (he was a Herrin U.S. Postman), and brother to Dan Satterfield, St. Charles, MO and the late Jim Satterfield. The Satterfield’s were longtime members of Herrin First Baptist Church. The three shared memories of HFB. You never know when you will cross paths with a Herrinite.
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COMING UP: Herrin Rotary salutes Women Appreciation Month at a celebration dinner, Monday, March 27 at the Herrin Civic Center 6 to 8 p.m. Tix $25. Illinois Comptroller, Susanna Mendoza will speak. Herrin women will be honored for their community work, Tracy D. Rone, Sharon Frattini, Cookie Goodwin, Debbie Bracy and Ashley Watson. Cheers to women who make a difference.
RETURNING: Bob and Fran Emery calling Marion home again after a three-year move to Sarasota, FL. Family and friends are glad to welcome them home.
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SNAPSHOTS: Local Elections wherever you live. Vote, it’s a privilege and responsibility. Vote early or Election Day, April 4.
Marion Mayor Bill and Cheryl Absher among the guests at Market Street Music Conservatory Recital Hall March 3 to hear Dr. William Phemister present a stellar concert of classical and church music on a Steinway. We have a treasure in our midst as the Conservatory offers more and more delightful classes, recitals and cultural inspirations. Cheers to April Camden Mitter, Executive Director.
What a candy case it is at Etcetera in Marion. Delicious truffles, a mix of milk and dark chocolate, bits of raspberries and other fruits, caramels and coconut. A show room full of spring flowers, delightful bouquets and tiny pots of tulips to welcome spring.
Sad to hear of closings. La Galleria Mexican Creamery and Restaurant in Marion. We wish the owner the best in new endeavors, but will miss authentic Mexican dishes. M Boutique on North Market closes March 31 after a successful l5-year run. Meredith Ashe McDearmon will be missed.
Tom and Martha Stinson home from their two-month winter getaway to St. Petersburg, FL. Sandals, t-shirts, straw hats and sunglasses traded in for jackets, caps and warm outerwear.
Rural King bustling with chicks, ducks and rabbits, and always interesting customers in every line.
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SNAPSHOTS: Williamson County Historical Societyin Marion is now open Wednesday thru Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for tours and research. It is a county treasure. Sharon Vansaghi is Curator, contact her at 618-997-5863.
Herrin History Room at Herrin City Library under the direction of Lead Researcher, Lisa Carnaghi, has a room full of new cases, new artifacts, and documents. If you are a history buff, plan to spend several hours touring the room and enjoying the cases filled with our city memories.
Nancy and Gene Eisenhauer Herrin, celebrating his sister, from DuQuoin, Edna Bailey's 96th birthday March 2 at Cafe Bloom in Benton. Guests included Marcia Elliot, Marion and Charlotte Wilkerson, Buckner.
The Annual Herrin Tiger All Sports and Awards Banquet set for Monday, May 1 at Herrin High School at 5:30 p.m. Contact Stephanie Allen AD, at HHS for ticket information.
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ON THE NET WITH YOU: Weeks away, schedules forgotten, books to read and memories to catalog. A return now to warmer days; we hope. Tulip Magnolias dancing in March breezes. Daffodils unfolding in fields where farms once were. While Caesar was warned to Beware the Ides of March 15, 44 BC, in the Northern Hemisphere we wait for the first day of spring. It is good to be back on the page with you. Let’s talk next week.
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Cheryl is a freelance columnist who writes about her native southern Illinois and captures moments large and small. Contact her at CRTheSouthern@aol.com or 618-993-8173.
