Commentary: Southern Illinois Made Expo, a bonanza of local businesses this weekend at The Pavilion in Marion. Doors open at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 22-23. It’s a showcase of local products, local destinations, local jobs and local chambers. Meet the owners, the associates, take a look at unusual products made right here at home and visit your friends and neighbors. Food and beverages are available.
ART IN PICTURES: Photo Exhibition by Herrin photographer, Michael A. Bruce, opens Friday, July21 in the Adult Reading Lounge, Herrin City Library at 120 North l3th. Presented by Herrin History Room, view anytime during regular library hours. Free and open to the public.
HERRIN CHAMBER: Membership Luncheon Tuesday, July 25 at 12 Noon. Arrive at 11:45 for lunch. Sponsored by OASIS Outdoor. Herrin Mayor Steve Frattini will provide updates on the City of Herrin and city representatives will be in attendance. Lunch is $15, catered by Crystal’s Catering and More, serving her famous sandwich boxes. Chamber Board meeting at 11 a.m. before meeting. Evan Collier is Chamber President; Ashley Watson is Chamber Executive Director.
TRAVELERS: Pam Camarato, Herrin, traveled to Orange Beach, FL to celebrate with her sister and brother-in-law, Doug and Cindy Stotlar Milby’s 50th Wedding Anniversary with family and friends. Cheers to this lovely couple from home.
QUILT STORIES: Coming to the Harrison Bruce Historical Village, campus of John A. Logan College, Saturday, July 29 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Local quilters, Quilts of Valor, quilting guilds, children’s crafts, tours of the historic buildings, refreshments and entertainment. All part of the “Tell Your Story” Summer Saturday Series. Take a tour, enjoy the Heritage gardens and quilts of every make and design. Contact 618-985-2828 or Harrison/Bruce Historical Village at JALC
ART GARDENS: Let’s visit St. Louis and then a turn in Mt. Vernon. The Grace Taylor Broughton Sculpture Garden is a captivating garden outside Saint Louis Art Museum, and Laumeier Sculpture Park founded in l976 sprawls over 105 acres with rotating exhibits and more than 70 outdoor sculptures. Look for pathways, and even an Art Hike Trail. Located near I-270 and I-44, 16 miles and 20 minutes south from The Gateway Arch.
The Goldman-Kuenz Sculpture Park in Mt. Vernon welcomes you with a gleaming horse made from obsolete car bumpers. Located at Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, with more than 70 outdoor sculptures to please and fascinate you. Closed on Mondays.
SNAPSHOTS: Antonio, a favorite at Marion Starbucks near Sam’s, has the new Store Manger position at Stevens Florals and Gifts and Ziggy’s Coffee Shoppe in Marion. Thanks to Brandon Chaplain, store owner, for this appointment. Good guys make it big.
Two Helleny Siblings celebrating birthdays within a week of each other, Dr. Jane Helleny Herman, July 13 (owner of 20/20 Vision in Marion,) and big brother, Joey Helleny (retired from SIU and making a name as a Facebook chef) July 17. Best and Happy Birthday to both.
Good luck to Herrin’s 15-year-old, Stetson Conman, who is at the National High School Rodeo Association Finals in Gillette, Wyoming thru July 22.
Crowds return to local movie houses; many to see Sound of Freedom and the new Tom Cruise film, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.
Happy Birthday to Herrin’s First Lady, Sharon Frattini, surprised by friends at the Queen of Hearts at Herrin Civic Center, July 18 to celebrate her July 20 birthday.
Shout out to Endodontist Dr. William M. Todd DMD, one of his dental technicians, Candace and the entire team who make difficult work personable, easy, comfortable and skilled. He has served the area for decades located on Airway Drive in Marion.
Catch famed pianists, Holly Kee and Mel Goot rotating on the keys most evenings at The 20’s Hide Out Steakhouse in Marion. This is the place that was honored in March, as the judges said, “…Takes Farm to Table Seriously,” in the America’s Best Restaurant series on YouTube. Cheers.
SUMMERTIME SIZZLE:
Long cool drinks of frosty root beer or lemonade in the shade, gardens growing like Jack’s beanstalk, kids splashing, teens simmering in the sun, golfers on the green. All of it adds up to a summer day in July in the Midwest. In our case, we add inches and inches of rain and thunder after a dry spell in June. Keep your umbrella handy. Let’s talk next week.
Cheryl is a freelance columnist who writes about her native southern Illinois. She is the author of one book, "Snapshots and Footnotes" A Collection of essays, thoughts and words to bring peace and calm and sweet memory. CRTheSouthern@aol.com
