Commentary: Launched in 1991, HerrinFesta Italiana celebrates the rich Italian heritage of the City of Herrin and invites visitors and residents to days of family fun May 21-29 in and around the Herrin Civic Center. Herrin Woman’s Club presents their annual Little Mr./Miss Pageant and Baby Contest 1 p.m. at Herrin Civic Center. Miss HerrinFesta Scholarship Pageant with 12 contestants take the Civic Center stage Monday at 7 p.m. May 22.
Mayor’s HerrinFesta Honoree Banquet is set, Tuesday, May 23 cocktail hour 5 to 6 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. Herrin Civic Center. Honorees, Grand Parade Marshals Paul and Susan Jones Murphy, Lifetime Achievement Award, Gent Stiman, a Herrin native, Corporate Honoree Pass One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning, Francis and Patricia Pass. Pick up Festa Schedules at Herrin Chamber office, Herrin Civic Center or Novacom Offices, South l3th.
__________________________________
BANK of HERRIN PRAYER Breakfast Friday, May 26 at 7 a.m. at Herrin Civic Center. The public is invited to this complimentary event. Special speakers, music and delicious breakfast.
________________________________
WING IT WEDNESDAY: Featuring Festa Week party and Mostaccioli Dinner. Admission is $5, dinner is $10. May 24, doors open at 5 p.m., music 6 to 9 p.m. with Steve Kesler and The Wing It Band. Proceeds benefit Herrin House of Hope.
___________________________
SHOUT OUT TO Larry’s House of Cakes. The bakery celebrates their 60th year this month of May. Each month they will randomly send out free sweets to 60 of their customers. Customers are invited to sign for text messaging alerts for a chance to win. Text JOIN to 855-499-8408. Who can resist those Pink Cookies and the other fine pastries, cakes and cupcakes that fill their glass bakery cases. Cheers to a tradition that continues at 905 South Court Street in Marion.
_____________________________
COMING UP: Johnathan Len and the Double Edge Band will be at VFW Post 1301 in Marion June 2. Tickets $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m.. Music 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Len was a singer with the Blend group. Contact 618-203-7790 for tickets.
____________________
THANKS to STUDENTS and ADULTS who entered HerrinFesta Poster Contest for 2024. 30 plus entries this year. Winner’s work will be used to promote next year’s Festa. Monetary prizes awarded Saturday, May 27 at 2 p.m. in Galleria of Civic Center. Thanks to Lisa Carnaghi, Herrin History Room and her team for hanging the Poster Exhibition at The Civic Center.
____________________________
HERRIN CITY LIBRARY offers a summer reading program “Dig Into Reading This Summer.” Grand Opening is Thursday, June 8 at 11 a.m. with a two-month exciting agenda for children. Pick up a schedule at the library.
__________________________
SNAPSHOTS: Craig LeVesque, the General Manager of Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort looks forward to the opening. It should be soon.
There are singers. Then there is Roger Russell, retired clergy and Senior Adult Ministries and Missions, at Aldersgate Church in Marion. He sings with such elegance, timbre and tone he draws the listener in. He needs a concert of his own.
Patti LaBelle rocked the MCCC last night with a huge and responsive crowd.
MCCC continues to bring star-studded singers and performers to their stage a great treat for the region.
Cheers to 2023 Herrin High School, Marion High School, Johnston City and Carterville High School graduates, off to college, the military, jobs at home and across the country. Their lights are green. We wish them health and happiness wherever the road lead them.
The Peabody Ducks: Memphis, TN and the Grand Peabody Hotel are famous for the Peabody Marching Ducks. The ducks come down to the Lobby daily from their penthouse roost and march around the elegant Peabody lobby fountain from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information visit http://www.peabodymemphis.com Let's talk next week.
____________________________________
Cheryl is a freelance columnist who writes about her native southern Illinois.
Contact her at CRTheSouthern@aol.com or 618-993-8173.
