june 2010

June 2010 • www.marionliving.com • 1

2 • marion living magazine • June 2010


Table of contents

Publisher/OwnerJim Muir

Creative DirectorStephanie Milligan

PhotographersCeasar MaragniChristopher Kays

Contributing WritersHarry BoydLila H. CollotonDon GasawayCeasar MaragniJim MuirJon MusgraveBernie PaulDixie TerryGeorge Trammell

Celebrating Life........................................12

5

Answering the Call........................................8

Bookworm Comes to Marion........................................19

National Day of Prayer........................................24

6

PublisherFrom the

Odds & EndsCarnegie Library

Cover Story

Other Features

For more information regarding Marion Living call Jim at 618-525-4744. For advertising information, call Cheryl at 618-353-8515.


June 2010

Jim Muir, Publisher

from the Publisher

Greetings and welcome to the June issue of Marion Living Magazine.

With any major and successful organization there are a lot of smaller working parts behind the scenes – smaller working parts that are all working diligently and moving in the same direction.

That’s exactly the point that is driven home in our cover story about the 13th Annual Williamson County Relay for Life. Held in mid-May nearly 600 cancer survivors, caregivers and supporters participated in the event that raised more than $90,000.

What a great tribute from this wonderful group of people as they pooled their talent and combined a tremendous amount of hard work to set a new high-level mark for money raised. Marion Living photojournalist Ceasar Maragni (as always) did a marvelous job in words and pictures highlighting the effort.

Also this month we continue our popular feature “Making Marion Go” which highlights the behind-the-scenes efforts of Marion city employees. This month we also highlight a new bookstore “Bookworm” that recently opened in the Illinois Centre Mall. Overall, this month’s Marion Living fits what I like to refer to as a ‘smorgasbord issue’ – a veritable feast with a little something for everybody’s taste.

As always, I hope you enjoy this month’s issue and God Bless!

All the best,


Geology Day • Wednesday, June 2 • 10 a.m.Dig up colored beads in buckets of sand that represent coal,

sand, gold, silver and more! Adult Anime Night • Wednesday, June 2 • 6 p.m.

Open to adults 18+ who are interested in anime.The Best in Tent Camping • Monday, June 7 • 6 p.m.

John Schirle, author of The Best in Tent Camping: Illinois, will talk about how he researched the book, including both the pleasant and unpleasant surprises, and also highlight some of his favorite camping spots. The book is a guide for the tent camper for whom camping is not just overnight lodging, but an

integral part of the whole outdoor experience.Summer Movies • June 8, 14, 21 and 28 • 10 a.m.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (shown at 2 p.m.), Where the Wild Things Are, The Princess and the Frog and Monsters vs. Aliens.

Lego Club • Tuesday, June 8 and 22 • 6 to 7:30 p.m.Come to the Children’s Department for a fun-filled evening of Legos.

Hooked on Science: Scare Up a Good Book • Wednesday, June 9 • 10 a.m.From screaming balloons to spooky fog, “Science Guy” Jason Lindsey will “Scare up a Good Book.”

Teen Game Day • Monday, June 14 • 1 p.m.Play games, including board games, Wii and more! For ages 12 to 19.

Pollen Detectives • Wednesday, June 16 • 10 a.m.Dissect pollen racks of ragweed, green grass, sunflowers, pine trees and more!

Meet Mary Todd Lincoln’s Sister • Wednesday, June 16 • 3:30 p.m.Betty Kay will present Mrs. Elizabeth Todd Edwards, older sister of Mary Todd Lincoln, who will talk about Mary’s life. Dressed in hoop skirts and trimmings, Elizabeth talks honestly about her younger sister, stressing Mary’s good points while acknowledging her

faults.Learn Martial Arts and Self Defense • Monday, June 21 • 1 p.m.

Receive martial arts and self defense instruction and information. For ages 12 to 19.The Reptile Man • Thursday, June 24 • 3:30 p.m.

The Reptile Man Serengeti Steve will present a program full of the creepy and crawly.Arts and Crafts with Sara Morrison • Monday, June 28 • 1 p.m.

Learn art from a student in SIU’s art program. For ages 12 to 19.

MARION CARNEGIE LIBRARY

Odds & Ends

206 S. Market • 993-5935 • www.marioncarnegielibrary.orgHours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. • Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

JUNE EVENTS

All programs are free and open to the public.

Games Group • Tuesdays • 4 p.m. Open to teens of all skill levels. Games include chess, checkers, Go.

Cards Group • Thursdays • 4 p.m.Open to teens. Members are interested in playing card games.

Anime Club for teens on the second and fourth Saturday at 1 p.m.Regu

lar

Even

ts

Marion Carnegie Library’s new coffee bar, Carnegie Commons, is now open! The coffee bar is located on the library’s main floor. Carnegie Commons hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The new addition features cappuccino, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Prices range from $.75 to $1. Snacks available include Special K bars, trail mix, danish, muffins, fruit bars and Rice Krispies

treats, all priced at $.50-$.75.

Carnegie Commons

Summer Reading Registration Begins

June 7!


Sponsored by Southern Illinois Health Care

m a k i n gThe CallAnswering

Firefighter Bart Gwaltney is a member of the brave corps of men who man Marion’s fire stations


lthough unexpected danger can lie just around the

corner, Marion firefighter Bart Gwaltney says he loves his job.

Gwaltney, 25, is among the corps of brave men who man Marion’s fire station and are poised and ready to answer the call whenever the alarm goes off.

A Marion firefighter for a year and a half, the Herrin native says the best part about his job is that he never knows what each day will bring, “Really, they’re all different.” he stated.

He laughed when asked what the most difficult part of the job was for him, and said, “Cooking!” He admitted that is not his strong suit and that fellow fighters will attest to that. He says the last time he tried to cook, he burnt the biscuits. “Now I just set the table and clean up afterward.”

On his days off he says he enjoys spending time with his wife Jessica, daughter Cameran, 4, and son J.J. who is 7 months old. He says there’s always plenty to do when on his days off, “They keep me busy at home.” he said.

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Southern Illinois University CarbondaleDivision of Continuing Education — www.dce.siu.edu or (618) 536-7751

Become a Fan on Facebook!


Bank of MarionMarion Civic Center

Marion City HallCarnegie Library

Wm. Co. Senior CitizensMarion Chamber of Commerce

SI Hospice17th Street Bar & Grill

Black Diamond H-DWilliamson County Tourism

EtceteraDoug’s Lock and Key

BenniesAdams Shoe Store

McDonalds (2 locations)Medicine Shop

Penn zoilNAPA

Bank of HerrinComfort Suites

Quality InnHoliday Inn

America’s Best InnDrury Inn

Country InnFairfield Inn

Mid Country BankUS Bank

Garden Gate Florists

Golds GymIdeal Lawn & Tractor

Hampton InnQuiznosSubway

CVS Marion Post Office

Triple E BBQEZ AutoDays Inn

Econo LodgeValvoline

WalgreensSuper 8

Marion Office CenterBorowiak’s

BanterraPit Road RacingPapa Murphy’s

Motel 6Alltel

Marion Health CareHeartland Regional Medical

Fifth Third BankApplebees

RegionsGray Plaza

Best One Tire

Is available at these locations:

If you would like to be a distributor for Marion Living call 618-525-4744.


CelebratingLife Story & Photo’s by Ceasar Maragni


“We had over 50 teams and each team had anywhere from 10-30 people on

them this year. The weather was great and the support was wonderful.”

– Andrea Butler, senior income development representative with the American Cancer Society –Celebrating

Story & Photo’s by Ceasar MaragniWilliamson County Relay for Life

raises more $90,000


he annual Williamson County Relay for Life was held in mid-May in Marion and for the nearly 600 survivors, caregivers and supporters who participated in this year's event it was a major success.

According to Andrea Butler a senior income development representative with the American Cancer Society who works out of their Marion office, this year's Relay for Life event raised more than $90,000.

“We had over 50 teams and each team had anywhere from 10-30 people on them this year,” said Butler. “The weather was great and the support was wonderful.”

For cancer survivors like Richard McFadden of Marion who was a featured speaker at the event, it was a chance to let others know that there is life beyond cancer and how important it is for families to know that.

“I wanted to share a little bit of my own story,” McFadden said. “I survived cancer but not alone. I

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Three year old Gage Cutler of Mt. Vernon was there to lend support to his favorite relay team.


“I wanted to share a little bit of my own story. I survived cancer but not alone. I had a wonderful caregiver, great doctors and nurses, my family and friends, my church and my Christian faith. So many

others have similar stories.”

– Richard McFadden, cancer survivor –


had a wonderful caregiver, great doctors and nurses, my family and friends, my church and my Christian faith. So many others have similar stories.”

Ann Gualdoni of Herrin was chairperson of the survivors at the event.

“This was my first year doing this and I was so blessed,” said Gualdoni. “It's a great feeling to see those young kids beating cancer. It brings tears to your eyes. When people share their stories, it is really touching.”

This was the 13 annual Williamson County Relay for Life.

Some teams like this one even sold tasty treats to raise even more money to fight the disease.


“This was my first year doing this and I was so blessed. It's a great feeling to see those young kids beating cancer. It brings tears to your eyes. When

people share their stories, it is really touching.”

– Ann Gualdoni, chairperson of the survivors –


JULY 12-14 www.southernillinoisminers.com

For ticket information, call (618) 998-8499 or visit

The Bookworm Comes to Marion

Story & Photo’s by Ceasar Maragni


JULY 12-14 www.southernillinoisminers.com

For ticket information, call (618) 998-8499 or visit

The Bookworm Comes to MarionCarl and Kelly Rexroad bring a new independent bookstore to the location that formerly housed

Waldenbooks in Illinois Centre Mall


“We saw a need and we decided to fill it.”

– Carl Rexroad, co-owner of The Bookworm –


When chain book retailer Waldenbooks closed their store in Marion's Illinois Centre Mall last year it was a sad time for the many customers who shopped there. But thanks to veteran bookstore owners Carl and Kelly Rexroad of Carbondale, there's a new independent bookstore now open in the same location.

The Rexroads opened their Carbondale bookstore, The Bookworm, nine years ago and are excited about their new store in Marion.

“When we found out Waldenbooks was leaving Marion and B. Daltons was also closing in Mt. Vernon we realized that left a huge void on the east side of our region,” said Carl Rexroad. “After we talked with the managers of both stores, we learned that the stores were still successful, but that the decision to close both had been made on the higher corporate level. We saw a need and we decided to fill it.”

“We’re all so proud of how the store turned out after a lot of work getting it ready. We've installed over 2,000 square feet of hardwood flooring, used 10-1/2 gallons of paint and we're very happy with

how it all turned out.”

– Nancy Hileman, general manager of The Bookworm –


One thing that they’re proud of at the newest Bookworm is the large children's book section which is twice the size as Waldenbooks had. In addition shoppers entering the new store will notice the large selection of books for local authors as well as books about Southern Illinois.

Nancy Hileman is general manager of the new store which is open Monday thru Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and from noon to 5:30 pm on Sundays.

“We’re all so proud of how the store turned out after a lot of work getting it ready,” said Hileman. “We've installed over 2,000 square feet of hardwood flooring, used 10-1/2 gallons of paint and we're very happy with how it all turned out.”


Rexroad echoed the comments about the sense of pride that went into the new store.

“We've gotten a lot of compliments on how the store looks,” said Rexroad.

He said that they would also continue the practice they initiated at their Carbondale store several years ago of hosting book signings by local and nationally known authors. He added that they offer a large selection of magazine titles and will be open to suggestions from customers for

anything they don't currently offer. Another thing that might surprise customers is the large area set aside for young readers. They have a much larger section for kids than their predecessor did.

Barbara Hughes of Murphsboro works at Sears Optical at Illinois Centre Mall and said she was a regular at the Waldenbooks when it was in the Mall and that's she's “thrilled” that the Bookworm has opened their new store.

“When I heard they were opening a new bookstore here I would walk past them everyday and I couldn't wait for them to open,” she said.


NationalDay ofPrayer

Marion area residents come together to celebrate the power of prayer


arion area residents celebrated the 2010 National Day of Prayer week with several

events which included a youth event and both indoor and outdoor observances.

Hundreds of young people gathered at Rent One Park to sing, pray, listen to speakers and enjoy live Christian music at Bridging The Gap For Christ 2010. Featured musicians were City Serenade, No Compromise, Red Letter, Central Christian Church Band and Life Church Band.

The following evening hundreds of people took part in an indoor prayer session at Marion Cultural and Civic Center which featured the First Church of God Worship Band and several individuals who offered prayers for a wide

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array of specific areas such as government, media, family, schools and more.

Those events were then followed the next day with an outdoor public prayer service at noon in Marion's downtown Tower Square. That gathering also featured speakers, live music and prayer.

This year marked the 59th Annual Day of Prayer observance in America.


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june 2010

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