It's time to shop the local farmers markets

Summer unofficially arrived on Memorial Day, and with it, came hot and humid, a good time to celebrate National Dairy Food Month and National Iced Tea Month.

It is time to go shopping at the local farmers markets, like the one outside the Marion Senior Center on West Main Street. This is a great place to find local produce, home-baked goods and who knows what else will appear 6 to 10 a.m. Wednesdays and 6 a.m. to noon? on Saturdays. Fresh strawberries are gone, but blueberries are arriving soon.

With summer guests to entertain, don't forget this Saturday is "Marion Night" at the Southern Illinois Miners Game at Rent One Park.

Another place to take visitors is the Harrison-Bruce Historical Village at John A. Logan College. They offer self tours or guided tours twice each month through November. Call (618) 985-2828, ext. 8425 for exact dates. Private tours can also be arranged for groups.

Country artist Toby Keith will perform June 17 at the Black Diamond Harley-Davidson facility in Marion. Get tickets online at Black-DiamondHD.com or stop in. $18/$88.

Other special performers will be David Lee Murphy, a Herrinite; Kendall Marvel, originally from Thompsonville; and Waterloo Revival, a Texas duo. The concert is sponsored by Watermark Auto Group and Marion Ford.

Coming up at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center is the Miss Illinois Scholarship Pageant on June 14-17, great entertainment for all ages, and especially little girls, who will love the glitz and glamour of the coronation and entertainment.

For those who are anticipating the Great American Solar Eclipse that will take place in our Southern Illinois sky on Aug. 21, take a look at Southernmostillinois.com.

A reminder to members of the Little Egypt Arts Association; the annual meeting will be held 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, June 24 at the Bella Terra Winery between Creal Springs and Tunnel Hill, in Johnson County. Reservations are a must, at $15, by calling President Bonnie Davis at (618) 995-2694 by June 19. The gourmet luncheon will be provided by The Wooden Spoon Caterers.

Take the kids and grandkids over to Giant City State Park on June 10 to learn about Woodsy Wonders, the trees in our area. Meet at Shelter 1. This is free, but you must register. Call (618)-457-4836.

More outdoors fun can be had from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. June 17, when families can learn about kayaking at the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. Free, but you must register, at (618) 997-3344.

Also on June 17, a forest hike for youngsters and their adults will be offered at Giant City at 10 a.m. Meet at the nature trail.

Outdoor entertainment for adults will be under the stars overlooking the beautiful Lake of Egypt on Saturday, July 8, when Who's Bad, a Michael Jackson tribute band, will play. For tickets, visit egyptianhillsresort.com or buy them at Speakeasy. Concert at 8:30 p.m.; doors open at 6:30 p.m. Food will be available to purchase.

Coming up June 10 is the annual garden tour of the Marion Garden Club, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be five local gardens on the tour, with tickets available at $5 at the Williamson County Fairgrounds where lots of exhibits can be seen and plants will be for sale. Members are selling special glasses with which to view the August solar eclipse.

The Marion Elks will present their annual fireworks July 1 at Lake of Egypt. The Goreville fireworks, always a great show, will close Freedom Fest on July 4. The parade will be at 4 p.m. and a concert will be held in the village park prior to the fireworks.

The Finding Forever Animal Rescue will hold a Trivia Night fundraiser at 6 p.m. June 17, at Pookie's, 109 N. Madison. Teams of 6-8 will compete for $80 per table. Silent auction, 50/50 raffles, door prizes. For info, check Finding Forever Animal Rescue on Facebook.

Violet Dippel and Kathy Belletire, a mother-daughter artist team from Marion, are exhibiting their talents at The Varsity Gallery of Carbondale, 418 S. Illinois Avenue. Their show, "Flower, Feather and Shell" runs through June 30. Gallery hours are 2-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Free.

• Got news? Call (618) 995-2491; email to dixieterry85@yahoo.com; or via regular mail to Teapot Cottage, 101 Sidney Lane, Goreville, 62939.