November Observances

American Diabetes Month is observed annually in November. It is a time to raise awareness about diabetes, educate the public about the disease, and advocate for support for people living with diabetes.

---

November is National Family Stories Month, an annual observance dedicated to sharing and preserving family histories, memories, and traditions. It’s a time to reflect on personal history, collect stories from relatives, and document traditions like recipes or heirlooms, creating a legacy for future generations. Activities can include creating a family tree, journaling, and using resources like StoryCorps to help record stories.

---

November is unofficially designated as Historic Bridge Awareness Month to raise awareness about the importance of preserving historic bridges. The month was chosen by HistoricBridges.org to coincide with the anniversary of the demolition of the Shanley Road Bridge in 2004 and to reflect on bridge preservation at the end of the construction season.

---

November is National Entrepreneurship Month, a time to celebrate and support entrepreneurs and small businesses. The month recognizes the innovation and economic contributions of entrepreneurs while encouraging new and existing business owners to pursue their ideas. It was established by President Barack Obama in 2011 to highlight the role of risk-takers in job creation and economic growth.

---

November is National Memoir Writing Month, also called National Life Writing Month, a time for writers to reflect on and write about their life experiences. While it’s a time to focus on memoir, it also overlaps with National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), and some may even choose to write nonfiction, like with the Write Nonfiction in November (WNFIN) Challenge. The month encourages both individuals and groups to start and complete a work of nonfiction or memoir, like a book, essay, or other life story.

---

National Long-term Care Awareness Month is in November and serves to educate people about the need for long-term care services, which assist with daily tasks as people age. The month encourages conversations, financial and emotional planning, and a better understanding of options like in-home care, assisted living, and nursing facilities. It also highlights the important role of caregivers

---

National Peanut Butter Lovers Month is an annual observance in November dedicated to celebrating the versatile and popular food, peanut butter. It’s a time to enjoy peanut butter in new ways, whether by trying creative recipes, posting on social media with the hashtag #PeanutButterLoversMonth, or organizing peanut butter drives for local food banks.

---

Sweet Potato Awareness Month is observed annually in November. It is a time to celebrate the nutritional value, versatility, and deliciousness of sweet potatoes.

---

National Native American Heritage Month is celebrated each November to honor the rich culture, traditions, and contributions of Native Americans and Alaska Natives. The observance, officially designated in 1990, provides a platform to educate the public about the history and challenges faced by these communities while celebrating their achievements, resilience, and vibrant heritage.

---

November is National Entrepreneurship Month (NEM), a time to celebrate and recognize the contributions of entrepreneurs in the United States.

---

November is Aviation History Month, a time to celebrate the history, innovations, and pioneers of flight. The month was established to honor the rich and remarkable history of aviation, from the Wright brothers’ first flight to modern space exploration, and to inspire future generations.

---

November is Military Family Appreciation Month, a time designated to honor the sacrifices, strength, and commitment of military families. The month-long observance recognizes the challenges families face, such as frequent moves, separation from loved ones, and adjusting to new communities, in support of their service members. The U.S. government officially recognizes the month annually, and it is also known as National Veterans and Military Family Appreciation Month.  

November

National Fig Week is celebrated annually from November 1–7. It is a time to celebrate the unique flavor and health benefits of figs by cooking with them, sharing recipes on social media, or learning more about the fruit.

---

 

Monday, November 3, 2025

Golconda, IL City Clean Up Week

6:30P – The Massac County Historical Society at Elijah P. Curtis Home meets the first Monday of each month at 405 Market St.

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

National Easy-Bake Oven Day

---

12P – The Kiwanis Club of Metropolis meets every Tuesday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 520 Ferry Street in Metropolis

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

1-3P – DAR – Daughters of the American Revolution – 1st Wednesday of each month – Metropolis Public Library, 317 Metropolis St.

---

---

The “Beaver Moon” is the name for the full moon in November, traditionally named because it’s the time of year when beavers were busy preparing for winter. This year’s Beaver Moon is also a supermoon, making it the largest and brightest full moon of 2025. It will be visible shortly after sunset on November 5th, rising in the east. 

• • Origin of the name: The name comes from the time of year when beavers were most active in building dams and lodges and storing food for the coming winter, and it was also the season for trapping beavers for their pelts.
  • When to see it: The full moon rises in the east around sunset on November 5th, appearing largest and brightest in the night sky. You can see it with your eyes, or with binoculars for a closer look.

 

• What else to see: In addition to the moon, you may be able to spot other celestial objects like the Pleiades and Hyades star clusters, the constellation Orion, and the planet Jupiter. 

 

---

---

---

---

Thursday, November 6, 2025

12P – The Rotary Club of Metropolis meets every Thursday at  Community Christian Church, 1150 Country Club Rd.

---

---

Friday, November 7, 2025

Dear Santa Letter Week is a week-long observance from November 7-13, dedicated to the tradition of children writing letters to Santa Claus. During this time, parents and kids can participate in activities like writing and mailing letters, with some options to receive a special North Pole postmark through programs like the USPS Letters from Santa program.

---

Recreation Time for Needle Crafters

– Nifty Needles Meets from 4:30-5:30 on Friday Afternoons at the Metropolis Public Library

For more information about the Nifty Needles Group, stop by the library or call 618-524-4312.

---

Saturday, November 8, 2025

Sunday, November 9, 2025

Monday, November 10 – Friday, November 14th
Metropolis City Clean Up Week

Monday, November 10, 2025

National Sesame Street Day is celebrated on November 10th to commemorate the premiere of the educational children’s show Sesame Street on November 10, 1969. The day honors the show’s 50+ years of entertaining and educating children through its colorful characters and engaging format

---

United States Marine Corps Birthday

---

National Young Readers Week is a celebration of reading and literacy for young people, celebrated annually during the second full week of November.

---

9:30-11A – Garden Club – Metropolis Community Center – 900 W 10th St (2nd Monday of the month)

7-8P – City of Metropolis City Council Meeting – Upstairs at the Metropolis City Hall, 106 W 5th St – Metropolis City Council meetings occur on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month

Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Veteran’s Day

---

12P – The Kiwanis Club of Metropolis meets every Tuesday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 520 Ferry Street in Metropolis

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Thursday, November 13, 2025

World Kindness Day is an annual observance on November 13th, dedicated to promoting goodwill and acts of kindness globally. It was launched in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement and is celebrated with events and actions that emphasize compassion, empathy, and positive behavior toward others.

---

Christmas Barn Sale Trail

6P – Metropolis Lions’ Club – 2nd Thursday of the month at the Metropolis Community Center, 900 W 10th St. – Small Conference Room

Friday, November 14, 2025

World Diabetes Day

Recreation Time for Needle Crafters

– Nifty Needles Meets from 4:30-5:30 on Friday Afternoons at the Metropolis Public Library

For more information about the Nifty Needles Group, stop by the library or call 618-524-4312.

---

---

---

---

Saturday, November 15, 2025

1p-2p – Cherokee Trail of Tears in Southern Illinois – Giant City State Park

Heather Carey, Heritage Program Manager/Tribal Liaison for the Shawnee National Forest and President of the Illinois Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association will present on the Cherokee Trail of Tears through southern Illinois. She will discuss the historical background leading up to the forced removal of the Cherokee, information about local resources related to the Trail, and initiatives being undertaken to learn more about the Trail and the Cherokee experience while traveling through southern Illinois. Please call 618-457-4836 to register or for more information. More info

---

---

---

---

Sunday, November 16, 2025

National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week is observed annually the week before Thanksgiving, with the 2025 observance taking place from November 16 to November 22. This week aims to raise public awareness and support for those experiencing hunger and homelessness through various events, including educational, fundraising, and advocacy initiatives.

---

Monday, November 17, 2025

American Education Week is a national observance held annually in the third week of November, before Thanksgiving. It is a time to celebrate public education and show appreciation for all school employees, including teachers, administrators, cafeteria workers, and bus drivers.

---

---

November 17–21, 2025 Geography Awareness Week is celebrated annually in the third week of November, with the specific dates changing each year. The week aims to increase understanding of geography’s importance by encouraging citizens of all ages to learn about the significance of place and how we affect and are affected by it.

---

---

---

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

12P – The Kiwanis Club of Metropolis meets every Tuesday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 520 Ferry Street in Metropolis

 

5:30 – Metropolis Public Library – Board of Trustees Meeting -Third Tuesday of the month Basement of the Library – Open to the public.

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Thursday, November 20, 2025

National Game and Puzzle Week is celebrated during the week of Thanksgiving, from November 20th to November 26th, to encourage families to connect through games and puzzles. This celebration includes a wide variety of activities, from playing board games and card games to solving jigsaw puzzles and word games, which are seen as a fun way to spend time together during the holiday. The event highlights the cognitive benefits of games and puzzles, such as improved problem-solving, pattern recognition, and mood, while fostering quality time with loved ones.

---

12P – The Rotary Club of Metropolis meets every Thursday at  Community Christian Church, 1150 Country Club Rd.

Friday, November 21, 2025

Recreation Time for Needle Crafters

– Nifty Needles Meets from 4:30-5:30 on Friday Afternoons at the Metropolis Public Library

For more information about the Nifty Needles Group, stop by the library or call 618-524-4312.

Saturday, November 22, 2025

Sunday, November 23, 2025

Monday, November 24, 2025

7-8P – City of Metropolis City Council Meeting – Upstairs at the Metropolis City Hall, 106 W 5th St – Metropolis City Council meetings occur on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

12P – The Kiwanis Club of Metropolis meets every Tuesday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 520 Ferry Street in Metropolis

---

---

BETTER CONVERSATION WEEK – November 23-29, 2025

---

---

Wednesday, November 26, 2025

**Thursday, November 27, 2025**

Friday, November 28, 2025

Recreation Time for Needle Crafters

– Nifty Needles Meets from 4:30-5:30 on Friday Afternoons at the Metropolis Public Library

For more information about the Nifty Needles Group, stop by the library or call 618-524-4312.

 

Saturday, November 29, 2025

Sunday, November 30, 2025

It’s never too early to start planning to attend the Superman Celebration! Always the second weekend in June, contact the Metropolis Chamber of Commerce for more information.

December Observances

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

National Write A Business Plan Month

December

– Thursday, December 25, 2025 – Christmas Day

Cold Moon: Friday, December 12, 2025

Monday, December 1, 2025

Cookie Cutter Week: 1-7

6:30P – The Massac County Historical Society at Elijah P. Curtis Home meets the first Monday of each month at 405 Market St.

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

12P – The Kiwanis Club of Metropolis meets every Tuesday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 520 Ferry Street in Metropolis

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

1-3P – DAR – Daughters of the American Revolution – 1st Wednesday of each month – Metropolis Public Library, 317 Metropolis St.

Thursday, December 4, 2025

12P – The Rotary Club of Metropolis meets every Thursday at  Community Christian Church, 1150 Country Club Rd.

Friday, December 5, 2025

Recreation Time for Needle Crafters

– Nifty Needles Meets from 4:30-5:30 on Friday Afternoons at the Metropolis Public Library

For more information about the Nifty Needles Group, stop by the library or call 618-524-4312.

Saturday, December 6, 2025

Sunday, December 7, 2025

Monday, December 8, 2025

9:30-11A – Garden Club – Metropolis Community Center – 900 W 10th St (2nd Monday of the month)

7-8P – City of Metropolis City Council Meeting – Upstairs at the Metropolis City Hall, 106 W 5th St – Metropolis City Council meetings occur on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month

Tuesday, December 9, 2025

12P – The Kiwanis Club of Metropolis meets every Tuesday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 520 Ferry Street in Metropolis

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Human Rights Week: 10-17

Thursday, December 11, 2025

12P – The Rotary Club of Metropolis meets every Thursday at  Community Christian Church, 1150 Country Club Rd.

6P – Metropolis Lions’ Club – 2nd Thursday of the month at the Metropolis Community Center, 900 W 10th St. – Small Conference Room

Friday, December 12, 2025

Recreation Time for Needle Crafters

– Nifty Needles Meets from 4:30-5:30 on Friday Afternoons at the Metropolis Public Library

For more information about the Nifty Needles Group, stop by the library or call 618-524-4312.

---

---

---

---

Saturday, December 13, 2025

Arrival Event at Lewis & Clark State Historic Site (Day 1) – West Central IL –

On December 12, 1803, the Lewis & Clark Expedition arrived at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers and fixed on a place to build Camp River Dubois. This Arrival Event – December 13 & 14 – marks this arrival with reenactors, demonstrators, and more!

The event will feature exhibitors of vintage tools, firearms, 18th Century medicine, military reenactors, and artillery. Come see how the soldiers of the Corps of Discovery lived during their winter encampment in the Illinois Country from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is primarily inside the Interpretive Center.

St. Nicholas will also make an appearance for pictures and maybe a treat each day. Come learn about Christmas traditions in early 19th Century America. more info

---

---

---

---

Sunday, December 14, 2025

Monday, December 15, 2025

Cookie Exchange Week: 15-19

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

12P – The Kiwanis Club of Metropolis meets every Tuesday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 520 Ferry Street in Metropolis

5:30 – Metropolis Public Library – Board of Trustees Meeting -Third Tuesday of the month Basement of the Library – Open to the public.

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Thursday, December 18, 2025

12P – The Rotary Club of Metropolis meets every Thursday at  Community Christian Church, 1150 Country Club Rd.

Friday, December 19, 2025

Recreation Time for Needle Crafters

– Nifty Needles Meets from 4:30-5:30 on Friday Afternoons at the Metropolis Public Library

For more information about the Nifty Needles Group, stop by the library or call 618-524-4312.

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

Saturday, December 20, 2025

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Monday, December 22, 2025

7-8P – City of Metropolis City Council Meeting – Upstairs at the Metropolis City Hall, 106 W 5th St – Metropolis City Council meetings occur on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

12P – The Kiwanis Club of Metropolis meets every Tuesday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 520 Ferry Street in Metropolis

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Thursday, December 25, 2025

 

Friday, December 26, 2025

 

Saturday, December 27, 2025

Sunday, December 28, 2025

Monday, December 29, 2025

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

12P – The Kiwanis Club of Metropolis meets every Tuesday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 520 Ferry Street in Metropolis

Wednesday, December 31, 2025