The Gazette-Democrat

Bob was not a happy camper. Somehow, Bob got a look at the column which yours truly had written for this week. I did not know he had computer skills, but it did not surprise me.

The Union County Museum is presenting a new exhibit which features photographs from a family collection. Cobden school photos are among those featured in the exhibit. Photo provided.

Museum plans extended hours during upcoming Cobden Peach Festival

The Union County Museum plans to have extended hours during the Cobden Peach Festival. The festival is scheduled Friday and Saturday, Aug. 12-13, in Cobden.

Heather Coffman has been inducted into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Master of the Year. Photo provided.

Coffman inducted into United States Martial Arts of Fame as Master of Year

Heather Coffman of Union County was inducted Saturday, July 16, into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Master of the Year. She is owner of Coffman’s Martial Arts in Anna, where she also is an instructor.

Let’s say you are a tiny rodent. A field mouse, maybe. You’re out looking for something to munch on for lunch. You sense something overhead. You look up. You see this. The hawk was looking for lunch, too. The raptor was seen overhead, on display, at the Giant City State Park visitors center.

Some summer adventures...and other stuff...

So much to write about. That, I suppose, is a good thing. So little time. Maybe not so good.

This is the time of year when we see “Christmas in July” celebrations...so, let’s join the fun...with a little bit of help from this month’s “supermoon.”

Christmas in July...tornadoes in the sky...

Bob and I were sitting on the porch swing last Sunday evening in the 94 percent humidity. The air we were attempting to breath was as thick as the proverbial pea soup. You really could see the air.

A photograph of the Mississippi River taken by Larry Braun was selected to be used as a U.S. Postal Service Forever Stamp. The photograph was taken from a bluff in Wickliffe, Ky. Photo provided.

Photo exhibit set at Anna Arts Center

The photography of Larry Braun of Benton, Mo., is featured in an exhibit which is scheduled to open Tuesday, July 19, at the Shawnee Hills Arts Council Anna Arts Center.

Union County stays at high community level for COVID-19

The Illinois Department of Public Health, IDPH, on Friday, Aug. 5, reported 30,762 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 59 deaths since July 29. According to the CDC, 59 counties were rated at high community level for COVID-19. Union County...

Early morning hike, plant names program planned at Giant City

An early morning hike and a program about plant names are planned at Giant City State Park near Makanda. Both programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. For more information, or to register, call 618-457-4836. Morning Hike: The park naturalist plans to lead a hike at 6:30 a...

Lawyer in Library programs set at Stinson

Patrons who want to represent themselves in court, or have a legal matter to discuss, will have the opportunity for a 20-minute, private, in-person consultation with attorney Gene Turk through the Lawyer in the Library program offered at Stinson Memorial Public Library in Anna. The library is...

Shawnee College announces updated COVID mitigations

The start of a new semester is right around the corner, and with changes coming on how the state of Illinois handles COVID-19 mitigations, leaders at Shawnee Community College are updating how the college will approach the situation for the fall semester. “We are excited to welcome students back...

Volleyball practice begins

Practice was scheduled to get underway this week for the high school volleyball season. Jaycee Pender, the first-year head coach for the volleyball team at Shawnee High School in Wolf Lake, is looking forward to a good season. Pender, who was a varsity assistant coach last season, is enthusiastic...

Cobden Spay/Neuter Coalition planning dinner, music event

The Cobden Spay/Neuter Coalition is planning to host “Spayghetti and a Show” on Friday, Sept. 9. The event is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Old Feed Store in downtown Cobden. Live music by local favorites Banjo Joe & Danielle and Hugh DeNeal is planned. Tickets are $10/adult and $6/...

Ag in Classroom open house planned

The Union County Ag in the Classroom program is planning to host an open house for teachers Thursday, today. The open house is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Union County Farm Bureau office, which is located at 104 W. Broad St. in Jonesboro. The event will be held in the basement event...

Back to School tax holiday began Aug. 5

State officials are encouraging Illinois families to take advantage of the state’s Back to School tax holiday, which began Aug. 5 and continues through Aug. 14. The 10-day sales tax holiday, the first for Illinois in over a decade, was created to save families $50 million on school supplies and is...

Self-defense classes set

Two-self defense classes are planned at Coffman’s Martial Arts in Anna. One class is planned from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10. The second class is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20. The classes are open to those ages 12 to adult. A children’s self-defense seminar is being...

Ag in Classroom activities planned

The Union County Ag in the Classroom program is planning to host an open house for teachers on Thursday, Aug. 11. The open house is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Union County Farm Bureau office, which is located at 104 W. Broad St. in Jonesboro. The event will be held in the basement...

Obituaries

Josephine May ‘Josie’ Law

Josephine May “Josie” Law, 46, of Villa Ridge, died at 3:45 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5, 2022, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born on Sept. 27, 1975, in Eads, Colo., the daughter of Florence Baxter Henderson. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her mother. Survivors...

Cecilia Schnaare Hankins

Cecilia Schnaare Hankins, 80, of Metropolis, died at 8:21 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah. She was born on June 13, 1942, in Olmsted. She was a graduate of the Grand Chain High School. She loved her dog, Bentley. She always enjoyed spending time with her family. She...

Ryan James Haire

Ryan James Haire, 19, of Anna, died unexpectedly from natural causes on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. He was born on Aug. 29, 2002, the youngest son of Dr. Charles and Courtney Ecker Haire. Ryan was just a few weeks from graduating from Paul Mitchell The School Knoxville (professional...

Wyatt Montana Pulver

Wyatt Montana Pulver was born on May 4,1995, and passed away on July 26, 2022, at the age of 27 years old. Survivors include his father Ricky Pulver and stepmom Lisa Pulver, both of Anna; his mother Renee Helton and stepfather Kevin Helton, both of Anna; his wife, Vera “Nicole” Pulver of Benton;...

Ruth A. Vondracek

Ruth A. Vondracek, 62, of Anna, died Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at her home. She was born on Oct. 23, 1959, in Flint, Mich., the daughter of Clayton Aden and Lela Mae White Payne. She is survived by her children, Michelle Pitts (James Bell) of Anna, Catrina Bryan (Ashley Starr) of Anna and Tim (...