Cedarview Memorial Park

Aug. 31, Carbondale. Hosted by Planetary Radio's Mat Kaplan, programming by NASA EDGE, the NASA 2017 Eclipse Team, The Adler Planetarium of Chicago and the Louisiana Space Grant Consortium. Live eclipse video on the scoreboard; expert commentary; two high-altitude balloon launches from the field; performance by the Marching Salukis. Eclipse glasses provided. Tickets: $25 (some fees may apply); VIP suite packages available. Doors open at 9 a.m. (877) SALUKIS or eclipse.siu.edu/tickets. Park at University Farms, west side of campus; take shuttle to Saluki Stadium/SIU Arena. $20/vehicle.Cohen Complex, Chester: 3401-3545 Bodes Lane. Grounds open at 8 a.m. XMC Mobile DJ, arts and crafts sale, Ecliptic Chic, food vendors. HAB.education (High Altitude Balloons) will track a weather balloon from Chester to over 100,000 feet, and have on-ground photography setups to show eclipse artifacts like shadow bands, The Diamond Ring and Bailey's Beads. Amateur astronomer James DeCamp will bring eclipse shades and 7x50 eclipse-safe binoculars to share, and will photograph the main event using a Celestron 8" Schmidt Cassegrain telescope on an equatorial mount. Parking passes required to park. 10x10 reserved viewing spaces available with $40 VIP pass. Chester also is offering camping and viewing at Cole Memorial Park.Crab Orchard Refuge, Marion: Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, 8588 Route 148, Marion. Grounds open at 8 a.m. No organized public events, just good viewing spots. Entry and boat launching fees will be waived, all pets must be leashed, no viewing equipment or chairs can be set up in the parking lot; commercial photography and videography requires a permit. (618) 997-3344; www.fws.gov/refuge/Crab_Orchard.Du Quoin State Fairgrounds: Aug. 21. Free bleacher seating available; lawn chairs, blankets encouraged. Food vendors open all day. 1,500-1,800 acres at fairgrounds provide excellent viewing with long sight lines. Camping also available at the fairgrounds, $25 a night.Giant City State Park, 235 Giant City Road. Park hours are 6 a.m.-10 p.m... (The Daily Republican)

Many towns will be hosting Memorial Day services and activities over the holiday weekend. Check out some of the things going on in Central Nebraska:— Memorial Day dinner at 11:15 a.m. at the Community Center, or after the program at the cemetery. Coffee and rolls will be served at 9 a.m.— Services at 8:45 a.m. Monday at the Balsora Cemetery, 9:15 a.m. at the Kingston Liberty Cemetery, 9:30 a.m. at the Lee Park Cemetery and 10:30 a.m. at the Arcadia City Cemetery. American Legion Post 251 and Sons of American Legion will march from downtown to the cemetery. In case of bad weather, services will be held at the old Arcadia High School Auditorium.— St. Francis Church Memorial Day dinner; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, May 29 at St. Francis Hall. Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Cemetery; if inclement weather it will be held at the church. Chicken, Maschka’s Polish sausage, potatoes, vegetables, salads, dessert and drinks will be served. Adults $8, children 6-11 years old $4, 5 and under are free.— Aurora American Legion Post 42 and Aurora VFW will do services at five cemeteries on Monday, complete with Taps, the placing of the wreath and the salute to the deceased by firing squad. Legion Post 42 Commander Justin Dimmitt will be the guest speaker. Mamre Cemetery at 8:30 a.m.; Kronberg Cemetery at 9 a.m.; Aurora Cemetery at 10:30 a.m.; Stockham Cemetery at 11:45 a.m.; Farmer’s Valley Cemetery at 12:15 p.m.At the Aurora Cemetery service, the Aurora Boys Scout Troop 28 will advance the colors. The community band will perform the Star-Spangled Banner during the service.— Services at 11 a.m. Monday in front of the Memorial Board on Main Street. The Boelus American Legion will conduct the services. Lunch will be served at the Boelus Civic Center after the services.BROKEN BOW— Services at 10 a.m. at the Broken Bow Cemetery Monday. Hosted by Custer County VFW Post 3576.— Services at 10 a.m. Monday at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Hosted by the American Legion Post 333. There will be coffee and rolls at the fire hall after the service.— Services at 9 a.m. (Grand Island Independent)