The Gazette-Democrat

This an “authentic” photograph of a squirrel. The real deal. The photograph is not a deepfake. Just ask the squirrel. He (she?) lives in the neighborhood. Really.

An authentic column...and the Word of the Year

Don’t know about you...but this “old guy” was not ready for temperatures to be in the 20s...

A hawk made a brief stop atop a utility pole along the State Forest Road last Sunday afternoon. The hawk’s colors stood out in the light of an autumn afternoon.

There's that song again...and a trip to the woods, too...

Thank you, Dueling Pianos guys. Don’t know if you’ll read this, but I’m grateful for the song you chose to share when you passed by my vantage point at last Saturday’s Veterans Day parade in Anna.

Clouds filled much of the sky over Union County last Saturday morning. The image was captured during a stop along Aldridge Road, between metropolitan Cobden and Illinois Route 127.

If a picture is worth a thousand words...

Every once in a while, I figure it might be nice to create a scrapbook featuring some of the images yours truly has stumbled across during the latest chapter in The Journey Through Life.

One last chance to bask in the sun? A turtle (yes, folks, another turtle) took advantage of sunshine and warm temperatures on the last Thursday afternoon in October. Pretty soon, many turtles will be flying south for the winter.

Old Man Winter pays way-too-early visit...

Before we get to the “good stuff”... Did you remember to celebrate National Cat Day on Sunday, October 29. We mentioned the special day to Bob, who got some pork roast out of the deal.

Zero the ghost-dog and Jack Skellington are featured in several Pumpkin Town displays at the Anna City Park.

Pulling a rabbit out of my hat...

With apologies to Bullwinkle Jay Moose, we’re going to begin this week with... Hey, Rocky, watch me pull a column out of my hat...

An up-close look at the Mississippi River in Grand Tower during a visit last Friday afternoon.

A veritable potpourri of musings...

Once again this week, we’re offering a little bit of this...a little bit of that...a veritable potpourri of the writer’s musings, adventures and other things to waste your valuable time... Here we go...

Consumers alerted about applesauce recall

The Illinois Department of Public Health, IDPH, on Nov. 17 issued an alert to consumers about an FDA recall of children’s cinnamon applesauce pouches which may contain elevated levels of lead. At least one confirmed case in Illinois, and a total of 34 nationwide, had been linked to the product,...

Century tops Cobden to win championship at Dammerman Classic

The Cobden High School boys’ basketball team lost to Century in the championship game of the inaugural Gene Dammerman Classic Tournament hosted by Cobden at Shawnee Community College Saturday, Nov. 26. Cobden’s Mitchell Howell was named to the all-tournament team. Century 56, Cobden 43: Matthew...

A-J girls take third at Harrisburg tourney

The Anna-Jonesboro Community High School girls’ basketball team finished in third place at the Harrisburg Preview Invitation Tournament Saturday, Nov. 25. The Lady Wildcats lost twice on Saturday to host Harrisburg and Carmi-White County to finish 2-2 in the tourney. A-J’s Savannah Smith and Meme...

Bost files petitions for reelection

U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., filed for reelection Monday morning, Nov. 27 at the Illinois State Board of Elections in Springfield. Bost represents the 12th Congressional District in Illinois. Union County is in the district. Bost submitted 5,191 petitions signed by constituents in all 34 counties...

Holiday programs set at Union County schools

Christmas holiday season music programs are planned in the coming weeks at Union County schools. Anna-Jonesboro Community High School has a holiday performance scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 17, at 3 p.m. Lincoln and Davie Schools in Anna School District No. 37 have concerts set for Tuesday, Dec. 12,...

Proposed recreational trail system focus of meeting set in Alto Pass

A proposed recreational trail system will be the focus of a community meeting which is planned this weekend in Alto Pass. The meeting is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at the community center in Alto Pass. The Recreational Trails of Union County would like an opportunity to speak...

COVID hospitalizations on rise in Illinois ahead of Thanksgiving

With hospitalizations for COVID-19 on the rise in the state ahead of last week’s Thanksgiving holiday, the Illinois Department of Public Health, IDPH, was urging the public to stay informed about conditions in their area and to take steps to get fully protected from the range of seasonal viruses as...

Christmas in the Village set in Cobden

Christmas in the Village is planned Saturday, Dec. 3, in Cobden. Holiday bazaars and other activities highlight a variety of events that will climax with a presentation of the Christmas lights in the village’s downtown park. Christmas in the Village is scheduled to start with a 5K run/walk and 1...

Legislator sponsoring holiday diaper drive to benefit needy children

A Southern Illinois state legislator is sponsoring a holiday season diaper drive to benefit needy area children. “We have many wonderful organizations in our community that work hard to provide the best care and attention to our young children,” State Rep. Paul Jacobs, R-Pomona, said in a news...

WIBH Radio’s annual New Coats, New Hope Campaign underway

With the holiday season underway, the community is reminded about a yearly tradition to help families in need which is sponsored by WIBH Radio in Anna. The radio station is conducting its annual New Coats, New Hope Campaign to raise money to buy new coats for children in Southern Illinois. Nearly...

Obituaries

Clint Allen ‘Bubby’ Spurlock

Clint Allen “Bubby” Spurlock, 52, of Anna, died Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, at his home. He was born on Feb. 1, 1971, in Carbondale, the son of Johnny Spurlock and Phyllis Gunther. Clint is survived by his mother, Phyllis Gunther of Paducah; his father, Johnny Spurlock of Anna; sisters Jenny Brown of...

Raymond Patrick Dover

Raymond Patrick Dover, 95, of Grand Chain, died at 8:44 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, at his home, surrounded by his family. He was born on Feb. 4, 1928, in Grand Chain. A lifelong union bricklayer, he along with his father and three brothers, owned and operated Dover’s Masonry. He also owned and...

Charlene Halstead

Charlene Halstead, 80, of Linton, Ind., passed away on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023, at Good Samaritan Society Home in Jasonville, Ind. She was born in Cairo on June 22, 1943, the daughter of William Theodore and Juanita Boyd Berbling. She was afflicted with polio at 1 year of age and persevered...

Brian P. Macy

Brian P. Macy, 71, of Anna, and formerly of Patchogue, N.Y., died Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born on Jan. 8, 1952, in Port Jefferson, N.Y., the son of Thomas J. and Ann D. O’Brien Macy. He married Jasmin “Jess” Macy on April 3, 2001. Mr. Macy spent his...

Patsy Jean Rhodes

Patsy Jean Rhodes, 84, of Anna, died Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, at home, surrounded by family. She put her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and has gone to her eternal home. She was born on July 26, 1939. She was the daughter of Floyd and Lovena Hileman. She was a wife, mother and grandmother. She...