Market Has Many Special Features this Week

Stone Workman, who does the children’s sermons at Monticello Presbyterian Church regularly has turned one of those sermons into a children’s book. And, it is illustrated by noted artist and fellow church-goer Linda Aldridge.

The book is about the animals and the manger. But, rather than the typical Christmas story that tells of the animals being around baby Jesus, this is written from the animals’ perspective after the baby has left the manger.

Mr. Workman said he has been doing the children’s sermon at the church for more than 20 years. Most of the sermons are new each week, but a few come around every holiday, such as this one, and a mother’s day message that he foresees as his next book.

The publication of the book became a challenge for the duo after deciding they would do it. First, explained Mrs. Aldridge, they had to figure out how to divide the story on different pages for the picture book. Then, she had to figure out how to depict the characters.

Once they put the book together, they “published” it…by making copies on the copier at the Jasper County Library and then Linda tied them together with string. It was a labor-intensive job, to be sure. So then they turned to Amazon which has a publishing arm, and used that to actually publish the book and get it into print where more copies could be sold.

Sometime during the process, it hit Mrs. Aldridge that she had done all the drawings, and wouldn’t it be nice for the children to be able to color the pictures themselves. So, they created a coloring book.

Now the story is available for sale as either a fully-illustrated book or a coloring book which just has the outlines of the pictures. Each sells for $10, but they offer the pair for $18. Mrs. Aldridge and Mr. Workman will be on the Square this Saturday morning, June 4, at the Market from 8 a.m. to noon signing copies of the books. They will be at Booth #88, near the monument on the Square.

Those interested in purchasing the book(s), but unable to attend the market may e-mail stoneworkman@bellsouth.net.

The writer/illustrater duo is just one of the many booths to be open at the Market on the Square this Saturday.

The Market on the Square will be a busy one this Saturday, June 4. Various fruit and vegetables are now available: yellow squash, patty pan squash, zucchini, onions, tomatoes, broccoli, new potatoes, watermelon, and cantaloupe. Also available are fresh milk, butter, and eggs.

In celebration of National Homeownership Month, the USDA Rural Development will be at the Market on Saturday. Area Specialist Patricia Simmons will be available to tell the community of local home ownership options, especially for first-time homeowners and veterans.

Ms. Simmons will have information on-hand for residents to begin the process of becoming a homeowner. Stop by booth #52 and talk to Ms. Simmons about how your dreams of owning a home in Jasper County can be a reality!

In addition, Hummingbird TINY Housing, LLC of Danville, will be at the Market on the Square with one of their TINY houses. Hummingbird TINY Housing has been constructing tiny homes for over 30 years and are leaders in the industry. Be sure to visit and tour a real tiny house!

In addition, this is the weekend for the Shady Dale Rodeo, so rodeo queen Harmony Latham and rodeo clown Mike Wentworth will be signing autographs on the Square from 9 to 10 am.

Also, a fund raiser for Never Too Late, the residential boys’ home being prepared in Monticello will kick off Saturday at the Market.

If your family has not yet come to the Market on the Square please make the special effort this Saturday! You are sure to have a good time! Market hours are from 8 a.m.-noon.

Anyone who is interested in being a vendor at the Market, may contact the Chamber of Commerce at 706-468-8994