There are plenty of opportunities to get into the Christmas spirit in Southern Illinois. As noted on the page by this same title, it is not a complete list. However, this Year’s page has been started….
You will see some of the categories listing “TBD,” but hopefully not for long. Please feel free to send me Christmas events from I-70 to the Southern state line either by commenting on Facebook, Messenger, or asliceofsouthernillinois@gmail.com Updates are happening as I get the information and my neuropathy cooperates…
(The bright pink Christmas truck image is available as a digital download for purchase on my Ko-fi site.)
Click on the truck image below to go to the Page of Christmas events:
Once upon a time, there was a free app that correlated with info on A Slice of Southern Illinois. Eventually, with the original app development company, it became too difficult too keep up with changing requirements for common app stores. So, I disabled the app–for now. I would eventually like to create a new one, but I am taking my time to jump into that process.
Meanwhile, I still have pages accessible through the menu on this website for annual events, local food things to see, and more. I try to update these from time to time, but they are not likely going to be as current as the Facebook page.
As many of you know by now, my health is somewhat of a rollercoaster ride since covid did a number on me. (Yes, Long Haul Covid is a real thing, and I don’t wish it on anyone!) I am also doing some jewelry-making and crafting now that are actually therapeutic for me. When possible, I participate in farmer’s markets and other venues. However, I have to do a lot of prioritizing and “energy budgeting” for my health. With that being said, knocking myself out to keep the events page current as well as other changes can’t be my priority at this time. There is only so much energy, and after the whole near death/ventilator experience, I have a new perspective. Living life is a priority.
SO, I am attempting to make it easier to search on the A Slice of Southern Illinois Facebook Page. Hopefully, a series of hashtag terms (below) will help you to find info by town or type within Southern Illinois. It won’t be perfect (brain fog is real too,) and I may forget obvious hashtags and miss some things, but it’s a start. Even if no one else uses them, it will help me…
This is the link to the A Slice of Southern Illinois Facebook Page:
This is how you use hashtags in the search bar to seek info or types of posts:
If you are seeking info on a Southern Illinois town, try searching the A Slice of Southern Illinois Facebook Page with a hashtag. (Example: #Carbondale )
The hashtags below are to seek out posts with the types of info listed:
SIbreweries breweries
SIclosures closings
SIcares good deeds, service and volunteer opportunities, good news
SIcoffee coffee
SIentertainment entertainment
SIevents regional events
SIeventvenue event venues
SIfurbabies pet related
#SIhistory regional history
SIkids for children
SIlodging local cabins, B&B’s, etc.
SImarket Farmer’s Markets & locally made products
SIshopslocal locally owned shops & businesses
SItastes restaurants, food trucks, food-related
SItea tea
SIthingstosee things to see in our region
SIweather weather-related post
SIwineries wineries
WatermelonFalls (by A Slice of Southern Illinois) handmade jewelry, upcycles, & giftables
These search terms are currently pinned in a post on the A Slice of Southern Illinois Facebook Page. It is always a work in progress…
I didn’t slide driving around this morning, but a poor, large bird almost flew into my vehicle crossing over Crab Orchard Lake…
Please be safe driving around in Southern Illinois. The temperature is right on that line of freezing, and some folks are reporting a few slick spots. Big, fluffy snowflakes have been falling in the Marion area. Some actually are sticking to the geound.
Can you imagine the challenges of being a migrating bird in Southern Illinois? Whiplash could be an issue. “Get in formation, we are heading south for winter.” Then a few miles over, “Hey, it’s almost 70 degrees. Time to go north.” Another few miles: ‘Ugh. Snow. Put it in reverse, we’re heading south again…”
I guess we easily forget the wide range of weather we have, and how quickly it changes. On Christmas, it was so warm outside that we seriously considered dining al fresco on the deck.
That’s not the first warm December we have had. I can remember a December in Carbondale in the late 90’s (1998?) when it was exceptionally warm. Friends and I went to see Aerosmith at the SIU Arena. Later, we all sat out in front of La Roma’s on The Strip eating pizza at midnight and didn’t freeze. I miss La Roma’s…and those concerts. But, I digress…
Above: Carbondale, file photo
I also remember a cold May in the 90’s when a friend and I nearly froze trying to walk around at Fort de Chartres at Prairie du Rocher.
I guess the flipping back and forth of temperatures gives our region more character. It also means perhaps would should cut those poor birds some slack when they poop on our windshields. They must be stressed from all the weather changes.
Above: Our beloved Heidi (Heidi’s Angel Brigade of Southern Illinois was created to honor her memory) on a walk during a prior winter
