There is a lot happening south of I-70 this Labor Day Weekend. Friday night lights and high school football action kicked off across the region. Special festivals, events, and farmer’s markets are scheduled this weekend. The DuQuoin State Fair wraps up on Labor Day as people across the nation debate whether or not they can wear white again until Memorial Day…
Below is just a fraction of the weekend info shared on the A Slice of Southern Illinois Facebook Page. Check it out for even more events, food, sports, and more. Enjoy your weekend, and be safe!
Did you know that there is an indoor winter Farmer’s Market in Carbondale? You can find a great variety of local food and products on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Carbondale Community Farmer’s Market. The market is located in the movie theater entrance of University Mall. It runs from December through March and makes it a bit easier to still get fresh, local produce, dairy and meat products. There are wonderful locally made food products, baked goods, and beverages as well as handcrafted and artisan items.
You can enjoy local musicians as you shop, and there is a Kids Club with a different activity each week. On January 27, there is a cooking demonstration, and February 2 is the yearly seed swap. Ellen Esling, CCFM Indoor Market Manager, does a wonderful job with the weekly event.
Fresh Local Produce
My new favorite product by Glaciers End is the Winter Solctice Shrub. (A shrub is a drinking vinegar that has been used by many generations as a beverage. ) Although some people drink it by itself, I prefer adding a little splash to a glass of ice and seltzer water (or club soda) for a refreshing drink. I’ve also used their shrubs in marinades and vinaigrettes. Glaciers End is usually at the Winter market.
Glaciers EndWinter Solctice in Seltzer Water
If you like mushrooms, Flyway Family Farms has a wonderful selection of gourmet mushrooms. Although I tend to like the shiitaki or gourmet mix, I recently used their Black King Oyster mushrooms in a vegetarian stir fry. A great way to try a variety is with the Gourmet Mix.
Flyway Family FarmsBlack King Oyster Mushroom Stir Fry
You can usually find lettuce and salad mixes at the winter market. Kale is one of favorites. If you like zuppa toscana, kale is one of its ingredients.
Kale
Those with a sweet tooth can find a variety of wonderful treats.
Get Dipped’s Vanilla Cream PieEagle Point Emporium’s Freeze Dried Candy
You can also shop for great gifts or yourself!)
Eco Friendly Makeup Remover PadsBeautiful Gourds and Dream CatchersLapis and Blue Lace Agate Earrings
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…
National News has been dropping hints that merchandise may run out before Christmas. Only time will tell if that comes to pass. If commercial items become scarce, perhaps shopping local can help a bit.
Regardless, you can still put together your own Advent calendar with local treats and experiences. It doesn’t even have to be fancy, but if you are creatively-inclined, go for it! It can be as simple as 24 envelopes or small wrapped boxes labeled 1-24, each containing a treat, trinket, or experiences.
Although Advent this year technically started on November 27 and goes through December 24, many people use their Advent Calendars by opening the first box or window on December 1.
The Square in Marion
Southern Illinois is filled with many beautiful Christmas displays, experiences, and unique gifts. Although this post is about Advent calendars, there are many local items that would also make wonderful Hanukkah and Christmas presents.
You and your family or friends will open a box/envelope for each day of December leading up to Christmas Day, when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Of course, one person will need to assume the role of “Advent Calendar Admin” and fill the Little boxes or envelopes the daily surprises. If it is a small trinket, such as a Christmas ornament or bit of candy, it may fit in the box. If it is something larger, such as the experience of visiting a local Christmas Light Display or tree farm, it goes on a little note. Many also include a Bible verse each day leading up to the birth of Christ.
There are many Christmas events throughout our region. Some of these are listed in the “Events” section of this website and the ASOSI app. I’m sure there are many more wonderful ones, such as church and school Christmas programs and dance recitals.
Christmas in Carterville
If you are stumped for gift ideas, L.E.A.F. Food Hub, the online Farmer’s Market, as well as the Carbondale Community Farmer’s Market have more than just wonderful food. You can find great gifts like items like lotions, soaps, and even natural loofah sponges and dish scrubbers are great. Gift certificates for locally owned restaurants are also an option. Be creative. Have fun. More importantly, make some wonderful memories with those you love as you celebrate Christ’s birth.
A FewResources to Aid in Creating Your Unique Advent Calendar:
Im not sure if it is technically called a mini episode, introductory vlog post, or channel trailer, but it is now up on the A Slice of Southern Illinois YouTube channel!
The first vlog post features the crunching sound of fall leaves and a bit of the beautiful autumn scenery in Southern Illinois. Crafting with pine cones and leaves is discussed. There is a glance at the Events, Lodging, Shopping, Sites, and Tastes sections of the ASOSI app. An easy Pizza bread recipe starts the episode.
There are people, including friends and family, who read the blog from all over the world. I really wanted to share with people in climates that do not experience our four seasons a glimpse at what we sometimes take for granted.
I hope you enjoy the video. Please feel free to subscribe to the YouTube channel and share the link.
Last Sunday, I finally made it to the Carterville Farmers’ Market in it’s new time slot. Since it now runs from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sundays at Cannon Park, there was plenty of time to walk around and grab lunch at the market after church.
Although it was a pretty hot afternoon, I enjoyed looking at all of the different things and chatting with some of the vendors. Dee Ann Hammack, who manages the market, had invited me to come out and see the changes since my last time there. She explained that a few of the regular vendors were absent due to the 4th of July holiday, but there was still a good variety. Some of the items I saw were local honey, fresh veggies, artisan-crafted items, kettle corn, plants, live music, and even a chuck wagon with picnic tables.
Dee Ann and her husband, Mike, also operate the Thunder 5 Ranch Chuck Wagon, a farm to fork culinary experience that also sets up at the Johnston City Farmer’s Market. The rib dinner that they prepared for me was wonderful: ribs, corn, and zucchini and onions. I also really liked the special edition 4th of July bib custom made by Nammers Crafts for the chuck wagon. Super cute. The T5R Chuck Wagon menu may vary a bit from week to week based upon what they have ready in their gardens.
The market does accept EBT/LINK and Debit/Credit for transactions. EBT/LINK purchases are limited to items allowed by law such as produce, pre-packaged food, and plants that produce food. If you enter Cannon Park from Greenbriar Street, you will drive on around to the little drive/road just past the skate park that turns toward the market and park in the grass behind the vendors (unless directed otherwise.)
Mmmm….kettle corn
Thunder 5 Ranch Chuck Wagon
BBQ Ribs!
Zucchini & onions on a custom-made bib by Nammers Crafts
This past weekend, my daughter, her friend, my brother, and I visited the 29th Annual Centralia Balloon Fest. Although there was still some humidity, the weather was much more comfortable than in some of the previous years.
People seemed to be enjoying the colorful balloons, bands, crafts, and food. Although we were not there early enough for the balloon races or car show, my daughter was able to capture some great video footage of the hot air balloons as they decorated Foundation Park. The glowing balloons at night were absolutely gorgeous–especially when their reflections were graced the water.
Video below by Kiersten Sullens:
Above: One of those Little Egypt pork shop sandwiches…
Centralia Balloon Fest returns to Foundation Park this weekend, August 17-19, 2018. This is the 29th year for the annual event. Friday and Saturday nights will feature a balloon glow. Crafts, concessions, entertainment, and a car show also make up the event. Tethered balloon rides will be available. The event boasts over 35 hot air balloons. Additional information is available on the event’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/448467368916042/?ti=as
