The Worm Word

Fall in Love with Fall

Today is the first official day of autumn! I think fall really might be my favorite time of year; I love the crisp air, the colorful leaves, football and all of the festivals and events. Unfortunately, the temperature is supposed to be in the 80's all week and the leaves are just beginning to change. However, there will be football this weekend. On Saturday, September 27th, at 6:00 pm, SIU will take on Northern Iowa. It is also Family Weekend at SIU so I expect a large and energetic crowd at McAndrew Stadium. To really get yourself in the mood you should go to the SIUC Alumni Association Online Store and get yourself one of our new "Instant Lunatic" kits. The kit includes an "Instant Lunatic" T-shirt, two sticks of face paint (one maroon, one white) and a fuzzy maroon wig. I really like the wig and think I might be at the game with my kit on this week.

Can you believe that October will be here next week? I want to know where September went, because I'm pretty sure it was just starting last week. I'm not too upset though, October has so many fun things going on in it; corn mazes, haunted houses, Colorfest. I feel like there are more things going on than I can mention right now, but I will be sure to keep you updated as the great stuff comes up.

Have a great fall,

Sezmore

One Worn Out Worm

I think I need a week long nap after all the excitement of last week. The Murphysboro Apple Festival was a blast, but I feel like I was there more than I wasn't. Last Tuesday a group of Silkworm Team Members went to the Sponsors' Reception to see Bob get the Benefactor Appreciation Award. On Wednesday I helped some Relay For Life members make a float that they used in the Parade. Thursday was the Apple Pie and Apple Butter Competition and Auction. We had two Team Members that each entered two pies, unfortunately neither of them placed. I got to participate in the Auction on Thursday night and I even bid on a pie, but I got out bid really quickly. Fortunately Captain Applesauce gave me a pie, and I gave him the Sponsor's Choice pie because he looked like he needed it. I heard that Silkworm Team Member Doris Jines took a few awards in the Apple Peeling Contest, but she doesn't like to brag so I'm not sure just how many she won. Saturday was the Grand Parade and I have to say that my walkers looked great in their "Sez For Prez" shirts. I'm not sure what I will do if I actually get elected president though.

This coming weekend is a BBQ fan's dream come true. Both the Murphysboro Barbecue Cook-off and the Carbondale Main Street Pig-out are going on this weekend. You can get information on the Murphysboro event here, and the Carbondale event here. I know that I will be torn between the two options.

I wish you luck in deciding which Barbecue event to go to,

Sezmore

Looking Forward to the Cool Weekend

I would like to start off with a big "CONGRATULATIONS!" to the SIU Football team. They took Hampton down 37 to 31. This is definitely the way to start off the season and Coach Lennon's career here at SIU. The next home game will be on September 27th at 6:00 pm. That game will be during SIU's Family Weekend, so we should have a great turn-out.

On the topic of SIU athletics; the Men's Basketball schedule has been released and you can see it all here. I know that it doesn't start until November, and it isn't like I'm not excited by football, but I just love cheering on the dawgs every chance I get. I am particularly looking forward to the Creighton game on Valentine's Day, that should be a lot of fun.

This week has so much going on I feel like I am running in circles. The Murphysboro Apple Festival kicks off tomorrow and the fun goes all weekend. Be sure to come to the Apple Pie and Apple Butter Auction at 6:00 pm on Thursday, I will personally be there to help auction off the goodies. Though if you are a really good baker, you should enter the competition earlier in the day. I will also be marching in the parade on Saturday as long as the weather holds out; if it rains I will send the rest of the Worm crew. There is a lot more going on than just those events so you should go here for the full schedule.

If apples aren't your thing, the sesquicentennial celebration of the Lincoln/Douglas debate is going on in Jonesboro this weekend. If you aren't burned out by political information yet, this should be a really neat thing to see. How often do you get the chance to see Lincoln and Douglas debate? You can get all the info here.

Two other things worth mentioning; Cache River Days and Pepperfest are also going on this weekend. With all of these great events going on, I don't want to hear about anyone who spent the weekend bored at home.

Let me know which fun events you attended.

Sezmore

Let the Excitement Begin

I feel a need to state, first and foremost, that I do love my job. I enjoy every day that I go to work at Silkworm. That being said, three day weekends ROCK! I slept in, I got some chores done, but most importantly, I had a great weekend. I got to go to the Du Quoin State Fair and checked out all the great things there. Not to mention getting to enjoy some fresh cotton candy (a total weakness of mine).

This coming weekend the fun will continue with the 29th Annual Popeye Picnic in Chester, IL. This year they will unveil a Bluto statue. I haven't even seen the Olive Oyl statue yet. Don't forget to purchase your commemorative T-shirt while you are there. Guess where those were printed? To get a full picture of all the goings on go here.

As much fun as the Popeye Picnic will be, you might want to enjoy it early so you can be back by Saturday evening. At 6:00 pm the SIU Salukis will take on Hampton in the first football game of the season. The game will also be a "Maroon-Out" so you might want to pick up a Saluki Way Fundraiser "All In" T-shirt from the SIU Alumni Association Online Store or at one of the locations around town.

Next week will be the Murphysboro Apple Festival. It begins with the Opening Ceremony next Wednesday, then there is the Apple Pie and Apple Butter competition on that Thursday early in the day with the auction of the entries starting at 6:00 pm that evening. Saturday the parade will start at 11:00 am and is definitly something you won't want to miss. There is a lot more going on and the Murphysboro website has the whole list of events.

I'm almost moved to tears I am so excited about the next few weeks. I hope you had a good Labor Day.

Sezmore