Pike to Pike News

By Editor | January 15, 2026 |

“Your life is like an EGG…either it’s raw and, if cracked, will run all over the place with no destination in mind…or it’s scrambled and allows all the parts to go several different directions and settle and able to handle those directions…or it’s over easy and, even though it stays in one place, it is soft in the middle and easy to sway without being decisive….or it’s hard boiled and is totally at a standstill and is either paranoid or can’t or won’t move.” quote by Wyvetta
Keep each other in prayer. Pray for God’s guidance in each other’s lives. Thank God for everything He has done for us and continues to do for us.
Another week of good temperatures in Pike County Illinois. The weather forecast for this area, as of this writing on January 11th, is actually going to feel like winter.
Big River Band schedule:
Saturday, Jan. 24 — The Big River Band will be at the Pike County Senior Center in Pittsfield with the show starting at 6:30 p.m. Concession stand and big dance floor available.
Friday, Feb. 13 — The Big River Band will be playing in Bowling Green, Missouri, at Merna’s Kitchen, 214 West Church Street, starting at 5:30 p.m. that evening. There will be several good menu choices to choose from for their Valentine’s celebration. To be able to order food accordingly, RESERVATIONS ARE A MUST and should be made by calling 1-573-470-1113 by Friday, February 6th. This is the first time that Big River Band has been asked to be there.
Saturday, Feb. 14 — The Big River Band will be at the Courtyard Cafe with the show starting at 6 p.m. I know Paul and Patty will have something very special on the menu for Valentine’s Day. Everyone is welcome to come on out and enjoy a good evening.
A nice sized group attended the Big River Band concert at the Courtyard Cafe on Saturday evening, Jan. 10, and thanks to all who came.
Bugg’s Family Opry schedule:
Friday, Jan. 23 — The Buggs’ Family Opry, with special guest Simon Webb, will be in Pearl with the show starting at 7 p.m.
Do Not Forget, if the weather gets bad and/or iffy, either listen to 97.5 or 102 on the radio, or check on Facebook and look on either BIG RIVER BAND or Polly Bugg or Jamie Niffen or myself Wyvetta Davis, or give someone a call, including me, at the number above to make sure the Shows will be happening.
Single Seniors + One is planning their January “Meet, Greet, & Eat”. If you want to start your year off right, please call the number above to find out details, and then JOIN and attend these monthly get-togethers. You will be welcomed!!
Birthdays and Anniversaries for the week Jan. 14 – 20, 2026:
Jan.15 — Cathy Bollegar, Cody Clendenny, Dan Dunham, Debbie Galbreath, Mary Lou Buchanan, Reese Ostrander, Krystal and Rick Musgrove
Jan. 16 — Scott Shelton
Jan. 19 — Brenda Baxter
Jan. 20 — Cindy White, Lucas Hutton, Cary and Dan Dunham
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12
Shirley and Mike Straus recently returned from a trip out west to visit family. Monday, December 29th, they flew to San Antonio to visit Shirley’s daughter Holly Smith, her husband Justin, and grandchildren Sadie, Abe, Hope, and Boaz. While there, they all visited the San Antonio Botanical Gardens where the most awesome lights display of huge flowers and other things were beyond one’s imagination. Thursday, January 1st, they flew to El Segundo, California, which is near Los Angeles to visit Mike’s daughter Misha Kurniady, her husband Thomas, and granddaughters Sinta and Devina. They went to the beach and toured an aquarium there, visited Palos Verdes and the Point Vincente Interpretive Center where there was a whale museum near the ocean where you could also watch for whales. They also visited the Getty Center Museum where we saw amazing collections of paintings, sculpture, manuscripts, furniture, and china from hundreds of years ago. They also took in the huge Del Amo Mall Fashion Center. Monday, January 5th, they flew back to St. Louis and was ever grateful for Pike County life after experiencing so many people and so much traffic. Shirley said, “it was a wonderful experience with so many sights to take in and lots of good food enjoyed at so many different restaurants. Our families helped us make an abundance of great memories”.
The visitation and funeral for Sharon Straus that was held at the Emerson Baptist Church on Monday, January 5th, was very well attended. The service was good and well thought out. The procession to the cemetery had at least fifty vehicles. Afterwards, there was a prepared delicious meal to feed everyone that went to the Philadelphia Community Center. Jamie, Nathan, and I were among all those who attended.
Trivia Answers from Last Week:
1. Who wrote most of the book of Psalms in the Bible? (David)
2. What does the initials on the BMW stand for? (Bavarian Motor Works)
3. Who led the first expedition down the Colorado River into the Grand Canyon? (John Wesley Powell)
4. Who wrote the book of Proverbs in the Bible? (King Solomon, son of David)
“Just because it’s taking time does not mean that it’s not happening”.