We so enjoy Mike Wallace Park and now we get to hear the horn of the SoundRunner passenger ferry.Kids Day on June 18 was fun and heart-warming. Along with other kid-size activities, we unveiled the 2011 Kids Art Postcards now for sale at the Market information booth.

The Kingston Farmers Market held its regular market July 2,  followed by a special market on July 4.

I had the pleasurable opportunity on the last day of school to go to the Wolfle and Gordon elementary school classrooms of our chosen young artists and present each with their own bundle of postcards and a big thank you. Wow, it was great to see the young artists’ smiles! Just as great (and maybe more so) were the smiles on their classmates’ faces. They seemed happy for their friends to have been chosen!

It’s a small act in the face of wars and plagues and such, but it is the kind of moment that makes Kingston the friendly community that we all call home.

Here’s the musical lineup for July at the market. Performances begin at 10 a.m. and continue through closing.

July 9: Ali Marcus plays blues, country and folk.

July 16: Brownsville Highway leads off with roots, rock, blues and folk, followed by all-original singer/songwriters Susan Welch and Billy Forester.

July 23: Mike Murray plays laid-back folk.

July 30: Gary Smokestack Shaw closes the month with a blues performance.

Christmas in July returns July 23. There will be a vendor basket raffle and a silent auction (made possible by Kingston businesses) as well as Santa Claus and kids craft table. Proceeds from this event support food banks and food donations will be accepted throughout.

— Mary McClure