Pulitzer Prize winning author Robert Olen Butler will be reading from his book, Tabloid Dreams, on Saturday, July 31, at 6 p.m., at the Monticello Opera House. The story he's selected from the book is "Woman Uses Glass Eye to Spy on Philandering Husband." Butler has done these readings at the Opera House for a number of years now; and they are always very entertaining. Before he became a noted author, he trained as an actor. So his readings are really dramatizations, and his characters come alive with their own unique voices and personalities. You will definitely have a good time. This event is sponsored by the Monticello Rotary Club; and the proceeds go to support the organization, A Doctor's Heart, which provides much needed medical care in third world countries. Monticello's own Dr. Wes Scoles makes yearly trips to Latin America to carry out this good work. There will be heavy hors d'oeuvres and desserts, plus a cash bar. Admission is $35 per person. Reserve by calling 850-997-4242.

According to Floridagriculture Mag-azine, there is money available for school teachers looking to integrate agriculture in their classrooms. Florida Farm Bureau Agriculture in the Classroom recently announced its Mini-Grant program for educators during the 2010-2011 school year. Certified Florida teachers engaged in classroom instruction at the Pre-K through 12th grade levels are eligible. Grants of up to $250 will be awarded for budgeted expenses to provide for an original and creative activity or program. An educator may not need that much... $50, $85, $100 may be enough. Application will be made available on August 1. Contact Shaun Fulford at 352-378-8100 x1030 or shaun.fulford@ffbf.org for more information.

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have committed $2 billion to help end hunger in the United States by donating 1.1 billion pounds of food and giving grants to support hunger relief programs. Learn more at www.walmart.com/fightinghunger

The federal government's National Cancer Institute has concluded that "light" cigarettes provide no benefit to a smoker's health Smokers interested in learning more about cigarette addiction and making a quit attempt can contact Marianne Arbulu at the Jefferson County Health Department at m_arbulu@msn.com or 850-342-0170.

With thoughts of the Health Department... have you noticed the new marquis sign and parking lot? Great job on both! The sign will be kept up-to-date with program news on a daily basis. First Baptist Church Monticello is also sporting a marquis out front and roadside. Inspirational quotes are displayed daily as well as upcoming services and events. Nice! Do you suppose we'll ever see FSU scores?

It's been many years since I took a "real" vacation. I've taken a few days, here and there, and have gone to the beach or Disney World, but it has been several years since I took off for a whole week. Two weeks ago, however, we took our "summer vacation."

My oldest brother, Harvey, now lives in Maine. He and his family moved up there about a year ago where he works as a P.A. (Physician's Assistant) and Janice (my sister-in-law) is an RN at the local hospital.

So, off we went to Maine, for eight days. What an experience that was. I learned several things about Maine; it is beautiful up there, the weather is much cooler, they talk funny, Southern Hospitality is not as wide-spread as it is in the south, it was a lot harder than I thought it would be to eat fish and/or eggs without grits, and the sun comes up at 4:00 am in the summertime.

We had a wonderful time visiting with the family, sightseeing, white-water rafting (in water that was 50 degrees), and shopping, of course.

When I was a 14 years old, Harvey joined the Navy. For the next six years I would go visit Harvey, wherever he lived at the time, for a month during each summer. Illinois, Orlando, Idaho (he was stationed there for three years) and Hawaii were my vacation spots while staying with him. So, I guess it was only fitting that I should follow him to Maine, also. However, with "old" age comes responsibility, and I was not able to move in for a month, this time. But I sure wish I could have.

It is good to be back in the South again, though. I love hot weather, and am cold with anything under 70 degrees. Needless to say, I kept a jacket on during most of my trip up there. I'm sure it was obvious to everyone that I was a tourist, walking around in jeans/sweat pants and a jacket, while they were all wearing shorts and enjoying their "warm" weather. Funny how things work out, now that I'm back in Florida, they are having their "heat wave" with temperatures in the mid to upper 80s.

I took them a box of grits and two bottles of hot pepper sauce to leave at their house. I brought back with me Amish jelly, tons of pictures, a lot of Maine souvenirs, and great memories.

It's always great to go on vacations, but it is also great to come back home. And I truly love living in the South. I love my warm/hot weather, my sweet tea, and my grits. I love the fact that my children say "Yes ma'am" and "No ma'am" and the fact of how much more respectful that sounds instead of just "yes" or "yea."

We're back home now, and back to the 'ole grinding-stone. The staff, at both newspaper offices, assured me they could handle the papers while we were gone, and they did. They showed me that everything can run smoothly without me here, after all. (Maybe next year I can try for that month.)

Until then, I'll see you around the town.