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Oktoberfest at Zion United Church of Christ

It's time for the second annual Oktoberfest at Zion United Church of Christ. Activities are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at the church, 930 W. Cherry St., in Marion. There will be German food, live music by the German Waterloo Band, souvenirs, a castle bounce house, games for the kiddies and more. Call (618) 997-5190 for info.

Thinking of Christmas yet? The Second Act of Southern Illinois Healthcare has made plans for a coach trip for Christmas in Nashville, Tennessee, for Nov. 16 and 17. An overnight stay in the luxurious Gaylord Opryland Hotel, Diamond Rio Holidays and Hits Dinner Show, a float on the Delta River flatboat, and a Charlie Brown Christmas displayed in ice, along with shopping, are on the agenda, all for $329 for doubles, $304 for triples, or $294 for four. Call (877) 480-4040 soon.

If pumpkins are on your mind, the coach trip to Arthur (Amish country) might be your choice for a fall getaway on Tuesday, Oct. 24. For members of The Second Act, cost is $95; for nonmembers, it's $105. Call the above number.

A "Creatures of the Night" hike, a family naturalist program, will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Giant City State Park. Look for glow worms and hoot owls before heading to a campfire for hot dogs, marshmallows and ghost stories. This is free. Meet at Shelter No. 5. For more, call (618) 457-4836.

Another fun, outdoor event will be the Marion Chamber of Commerce Block Par-Tee from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, at the Serenity Trail, behind Heartland Regional Medical Center. Food, drinks, prizes, games and vendors, along with putt-putt, bocce and bag board tournaments are on the agenda. Free admission! Register at bit.ly/blockpartee or call (618) 997-6311.

More outdoor fun includes volunteering for the cleanup session from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at Prairie Creek Recreation Area at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. Call (618) 997-3344.

Marion Carnegie Library offers teen games, for ages 12 to 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday, and it's free! Call (618) 993-5935 for more.

Mark your date book for Saturday, Nov. 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., when the Williamson County Home and Community Education (HCE) will host its annual bazaar at Third Baptist Church. Shoppers can enjoy lunch and take home one-of-a-kind gifts for the holidays.

The annual Run for Hope will be at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, on Tunnel Hill State Trail during the fall festival at the adjacent Vienna City Park. To register, go to www.runforhoperace.weebly.com. This is a fundraiser for Eagle House Ministries.

Two events are coming up this weekend at Marion Cultural and Civic Center. A Night of Worship with Iron Bell, sponsored by WBVN, will be at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30. Tickets are $10 and can be had at news.bandintown.com. Also, David Phelps will perform in concert at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1. Tickets are $25 to $50. Call the civic center at (618) 997-4030 or go to marionccc.com.

Goreville Pentecostal Church will be serving up its famous chicken and dumplings dinners, after a summer recess, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1. Drop in after church and enjoy dining with lots of friendly folks.

The University of Illinois Extension will present its 10th annual Family and Consumer Science Conference from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9, at Shawnee Community College. Ladies can attend three consumer classes (choosing from nine), enjoy a gourmet lunch, hear a keynote speaker, win door prizes and enjoy the camaraderie of women from around the region. Cost is $10. Call (618) 745-5200.

Your newsy items are welcomed in this community column. Call (618) 995-2491, email to dixieterry85@yahoo.com or mail the old-fashioned way to Teapot Cottage, 101 Sidney Lane, Goreville, IL 62939.</group