Mayor’s Row…….by Ned Mitchell

          Sesser was on the map big time last week as several events happened that should make us all proud.  The first major event was the visit of Diocese of Belleville Bishop Edward K. Braxton to our local St. Mary parish.  The Bishop does not get this way too often so it was a great honor to have him visit Sesser and the local congregation.

          Thursday found Farm Bureau County offices from several area counties honoring their women employees with a lunch and tour of the Opera House.  We enjoyed their visit and picked up some new fans of Sesser.

          Friday it was a tour group from the Metro-East area visiting the Opera House for a lunch and surprise guest entertainer Billy Grammer and wife Ruth.  Billy thrilled those in attendance with both old and new songs and as usual put on a show.  The local quilter’s club also put on a demonstration before the folks toured the Opera House and fanned out to local businesses.  They have committed to coming back to Sesser and again we picked up a lot of interest in Sesser.

          Saturday was a busy day in two ways as we welcomed Governor Pat Quinn to our city.  Gov. Quinn appreciated those who turned out to meet him and made nice comments about Sesser.

          As I have previously written I have been a fan and supported of Gov. Quinn for over 3 decades.  Some of my fellow democrats join republicans and define him as a revolutionary and quite frankly I consider that a compliment.

          At one point a Sesser resident asked the Governor for his business card and he promptly pulled out one that said Lt. Governor Pat Quinn to which he quickly pulled out a pen, scratched out Lt. and said; now it says Gov. Quinn.  That should speak volumes to all of us as it has been a long time since we have had a frugal minded Governor in this state.  He set a great example that day right here in Sesser.

          We honored Gov. Quinn with a brick engraved with his name from the Miner’s Memorial and he took it back to Springfield to put in his office.

          In making remarks to the attendees however he made what I thought was a profound statement.  He spoke without notes and from the heart.  Gov. Quinn stated that a lot of folks think that holding the office of Governor is the highest office to have in Illinois.  He went on to say that being a citizen is the highest office to hold.  What a statement!  If only other politicians could see that.  You see there is a difference in politician and public servant.

          I don’t know that the future holds for Gov. Quinn but this much I do know he is dedicated to the job and he will without hesitation map out a course for this state that we need to be on.  Hopefully folks will see the folly of the last two Governors and demand change when they go vote and keep Gov. Quinn so he can finish the difficult task at hand.  It will not be easy and sacrifices will have to be made from top to bottom but I think if you will join me in staying the course the end result will be something that we all will be proud to have been a part of.

          We finished up the evening with a fantastic string ensemble with renowned pianist Sandra Wright Shen performing on the Opera House grand piano.  I know it was a busy week and the crowd was small but the entertainment was of a quality we don’t see too often in this area.  I was however amused that some folks from Minneapolis found their way to the Opera House and most of Sesser stayed home!

          We are starting to attract quite a few city folks to Sesser who enjoy coming here for the weekends during the summer.  There are three couples that I know who live in St. Louis but have purchased weekend homes and they just go on and on about Sesser.  This will be the third summer for these three families and they always talk about how fortunate we are to be able to live in Sesser.  Perhaps some of the naysayers in the crowd should talk with these folks who look forward to weekend visits to Sesser where they eat, shop, and just have a good time.  These folks could go anywhere and buy property to relax on but after visiting Sesser they chose us.  That kind of makes me think maybe we are not so bad after all!

          This Thursday will be a huge event for the local high school jazz band as they join with Murphysboro Jr. and High School to put on a dinner and show at the Opera House.  This event has already had over 200 advance tickets sold.  This is a fund raiser activity for the school kids and we are elated to be a part of it.  Make plans to come out and eat a fantastic Italian buffet dinner and see the show.  The time will be well spent and the money raised goes to a good cause.  Events like this too make me feel like we are not so bad after all!

          Edna “nonnie” Harle is home from the hospital as is Josephine “nin” Goessman and we wish them well.  My mother Rose Mary is in Heartland Hospital in Marion after surgery and hopefully will be home this week.  A call, visit, or card would be appreciated by these ladies as they are all a part of the fantastic family that we fondly call Sesser!

          Plans are being made for the town wide clean up so stay tuned and we will let you know the dates for that event.

          If you need us give us a call at 625-3611 or 625-5322.