FYI 5/22/11

Learn about invasive plants at Giant City State Park

May is Invasive Species Awareness Month in Illinois, and Giant City State Park in Makanda, Ill., is hosting a "Going Native" workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. today to promote using local plants. Topics will be landscaping with native plants, invasive plant management, natural areas and activities for children. At 1 p.m., join "weed guy" Chris Evans for a hike to learn what noninvasive species are invading our natural areas and what tools are used to eradicated them. Chris Benda with the Illinois Natural Area Inventory project will give a talk at 2 p.m. about the effect of invasive species on native plants and animals. The presentations will be at the park's visitor center. For more information, call 618-253-7114 or 618-457-4836 or go to www.fs.sda.gov./shawnee.

Salvation army serves up Meals with Friends

The Salvation Army will host Meals with Friends Monday to Friday. Meals are served from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome for a nutritious meal and friendly faces. Monday will be ravioli; Tuesday is ham and potatoes; Wednesday is spaghetti; Thursday is baked chicken and potatoes. All meals served with vegetables, fruit, bread and butter, cake or pie. Friday will be beef stew, bread and butter, fruit, cake or pie. For more information, call 335-7000 or visit the Salvation Army at 701 Good Hope St.

Farmers market sets up on Saturdays in Sikeston

The Sikeston farmers market, held in downtown Legion Square Park, opened Saturday and will operate from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday through the summer. Anyone wishing to sell homegrown food or homemade articles is invited to set up in the park. The farmers market will have an official opening with special events June 4. For more information, contact Brandon Kuehn at 380-3801 or Kathy Medley at 471-2780.

Ministry plans women's conference in June

The Rock International Ministries group, Women Living in the Overflow, will host the third annual women's conference in Southeast Missouri. The three-day conference equips women in the church to assert themselves as a significant part of the Kingdom of God. This year's theme is "Unlock Your Destiny." The conference will be June 2 to 4. No registration required. For more information, call 204-7625, email trim63755@att.net or visit www.trim63755.com.

*** Crader family plans reunion at Cape County Park North

The 2011 Crader family reunion will include a cemetery board meeting, shared lunch and an auction to benefit Crader Cemetery. The reunion starts at 9:30 a.m.; cemetery board meeting at 11; whole group meeting at 11:30; meal at noon and the auction at 1 p.m. June 12 at Cape County Park North Shelter No. 4. Bring items for the auction and food to share. For more information, contact Joyce Partain at partainhj@bellsouth.net.