This summer, add some hidden, nearby destinations to your vacation plans!

The Union County Public Library is presenting "Day Trip Vacations," in the Griffin Room of the Monroe Library at 6:30 p.m., on Tuesday, May 7.

There are hundreds of interesting, intriguing, and little known places to visit within easy driving distance of Monroe and Union County. Did you know that a world renowned topiary garden, full of fantastic living sculptures, is less than an hour’s drive from Monroe? The South Carolina Cotton Museum, with “the world’s largest Boll Weevil” (don’t worry, it’s a replica) is equally close.

The USO of NC, the leading organization responsible for lifting the spirits of troops and their families in North Carolina announced Thursday that Jeff Byers, a center for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League, as their ambassador.

“As a child I remember looking up to soldiers with admiration, thinking of how honorable they were for their service to our country,” said Byers. “I've never lost the appreciation for their sacrifice and am grateful I can finally give back through the USO of NC. It's an honor to be part of such a selfless organization, and serve our troops for all they've given to protect our nation and our freedoms.”

Byers entered the NFL in 2010 and signed with the Carolinas Panthers in 2011.

Army National Guard Spec. Shante L. Bailey has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

Bailey is the sister of Tanya Williams of Proverbs Court, Monroe, N.C.

She is a 2004 graduate of Granby Memorial High School, Conn. She earned a bachelor's degree in 2010 from Tuskegee University, Ala.