READING AT THE MARKET

Monticello Mayor Bryan Standifer reads to children who have gathered at the Market Festival on the Square Saturday. Tamala Alexander, Jasper County Library manager, was also on hand to read and show pictures to the children and help them develop their love of reading. The Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce, market sponsors, distributed books to the children.

Les Steele provided entertainment Saturday morning. This week, Doc McStuffins will be giving away ice cream at the market, staring at 10 a.m. The market begins at 8 a.m. each Saturday and continues until noon. This time of year there are a few fresh vegetables, but also lots of canned goods, homemade foods, handcrafted items, and much more. Some 40 vendors are signed up for the market, but they never all show up at the same time so visitors see new and interesting items each week. The market continues through October.

On Saturday, Aug. 22, children and adults can learn about fire safety and explore a real fire truck, and on August 29, Southern Crescent Technical College will bring a tractor-trailer to the Square for interested persons to learn more about big rigs.