Thursday, Nov. 5
Southern Illinois Photographic Society meeting, 7 p.m., Marion Carnegie Library. Everyone is welcome, film shooters and digital shooters. Members include everyone from beginners to professionals.
Friday, Nov. 6
The Benton-West City Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Silent Auction, Rend Lake Resort, Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for silent auction viewing; dinner begins at 6:15 p.m. Open to the public. Honorees include Business of the Year, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake; Educator of the Year, Bill King; Citizen of the Year, Steven Mitchell; and Volunteer of the Year, Doris Heaton. Reservations should be made by Tuesday, Oct. 27, by calling the Chamber, 438-2121. Tables can only be reserved for parties of 10.
Saturday, Nov. 7
• Christmas Ideas Day and Health Fair, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Benton Civic Center. There will be blood work-ups and flu shots. Secretary of State’s office will be there to do identification cards, etc. Anyone interested in being a vendor should contact Loma Baxter at 629-2190.
• Annual Country Store, Bear Point Church, located on Route 154, Sesser. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Items include homemade soups, dessert and drink, as well as homemade pies, cakes, breads, jelly, candy and lots of craft items such as wreaths, centerpieces and ornaments. Proceeds benefit missions. For more information, call 625-5873.
• Frankfort Area Genealogy Society’s 35th anniversary, 10 a.m., Old Logan School, 2000 E. St. Louis St., West Frankfort. Speaker will be Tony Craig Garrison; a light lunch will be served. No charge.
• Chili dinner (chili and chili mac), 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Buckner Village Hall. Proceeds to fund Veterans Memorial at Village Park. There will also be a raffle for a shotgun and a silent auction.
• American Legion Riders Post 280 in Benton is hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser, 4 to 6:30 p.m., Stanley McCollum Post, 311 S. Main St., Benton. An auction will follow. Carryouts available. Tickets available at the post; Heartland Office Supply, 111 Lawrence St., Benton; or from ALR members. Proceeds benefit veterans’ charities. For more information, call Bill Chaplain at 927-7437.
• Akin Grade School PTO hosting Fall Fest and car and truck show from 4 to 6:30 p.m., with an auction beginning at 7 p.m. Car and truck show, games, cake walk, pony rides, dinner, auction and much more. Bring the family out and join the fun.
Sunday, Nov. 8
• Quilt and cash bingo, St. Michael’s Church, Radom, to benefit cemetery. Doors open at 11 a.m.; bingo starts at 1 p.m. Lunch will also be served. For more information, call (618) 521-6169.
• Spaghetti dinner and bake sale, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Andrew’s Catholic Parish Hall, Christopher. Fundraiser for Felicia Dick.
Thursday, Nov. 12
Girls’ Night Out: Plan to join Downtown Benton, Inc., for a relaxing and fun evening filled with fashion, pampering and food. Girls’ Night Out tickets include a fashion show, free mini-manicures, mini-makeovers and makeup advice, free body messages, free hand messages, healthy cooking tips from a chef, vendors offering discounts on jewelry, purses, spa products, great deals on fitness packages, food and more, including prizes and a silent auction, 5 to 9:30 p.m., Benton Eagles Lodge, 201 E, Washington St., Benton. Tickets are available from Downtown Benton, Inc., Cato’s in West City, MidCountry Bank in Benton, Benton-West City Area Chamber of Commerce, Deadeye Printing, Benton Fitness Center and The Buzz.
Friday, Nov. 13
The Class of 1955 Reunion planning meeting will be held at 11:30 a.m. The reunion meeting will be combined with the monthly luncheon. See you at the Benton Elks Club on Industrial Road. All classmates, spouses and guests are welcome. Come and help us plan the 55th reunion.
Saturday, Nov. 14
Royalton Community Craft Fair, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Royalton Church of the Nazarene. Many craft booths, baked goods and food, including BBQ plates and dessert.
Saturday, Nov. 21
Benton Kiwanis Club Pancake Day, 6 a.m. to noon, Kiwanis Hall, 414 W. Hudelson, Benton. Pancakes, sausage, drink. Carry-outs available. For more information, call 435-8262.
Sunday, Nov. 22
Southern Illinois Train Club Model Railroad Show and Sale, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Benton Civic Center. Concessions available. For more information, call (618) 984-4474 or visit the Web site www.sitrainclub.net.
Sunday, Dec. 6
Franklin Hospital Auxiliary Christmas Homes Tour, 1 to 5 p.m. Refreshments will be served at the Franklin Hospital, Benton, after the tour. For tickets, contact any Auxiliary member or call 218-8702.
