During August and September, it is easy to spot Joe-Pye Weed along roadsides and woodland edges. I wondered about its name, so I did my usual research thing and discovered the following.

The Joe-Pye Weed common one around here is Eupatorium fistulosum. It has another nice name as well, Queen of the Meadow. It is a tall, slim plant 5-10 feet in height, with whorls of dark green, spear shaped leaves along the stem. What will catch your eye is the dome-shaped cluster of dull pink flowers that bloom from August into October. It is common in our area and easy to spot even from a moving car.

The Union County FCE (Family Community Education) Big Ridge Club, had a field trip to the TVA & I Fair, for FCE Day. It was free admission and parking for FCE members. The clubs donated Gift Cards to US Veterans and crafted patriotic cards for them to go into. This was a Community Service event for the Eastern Region FCE. They will be distributed to Veterans in Johnson City.

🍂🎶 **18th Annual Pickin’ in the Park** 🎶🍂
**Friday, October 2, 2026 | 5:00–9:30 PM**
Fall just feels a little sweeter at Norris Dam State Park! 🍁
Join us for an evening filled with **live Appalachian-inspired music, delicious local food, handmade treasures, and good old-fashioned community fun** at the 18th Annual Pickin’ in the Park!

My first thought was: “Well, I’ve killed another one.” No, it wasn’t a spider. Rather, it was a small potted plant that I had had for 6 years.

During pregnancy, a woman’s body goes through many changes. Obviously, it’s a wonderful phase of life. But it’s also a challenging time.

Charlie Hamilton will deliver his program on racing and NASCAR today, September 20,2026 at UC Museum at 2:30.

All are welcome.

📅 Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 a.m.
📍 Location: Johnson’s Deer Processing
520 W. Mountain Road
Corryton, TN
💰 Cost: FREE

Grainger County is hosting this year’s Deer Class, and we’re excited to have this hands-on educational opportunity taking place right here in Union County!

Join us on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Johnson’s Deer Processing in Corryton. This free class will provide practical information and demonstrations to help you safely handle your harvest and make the most of your venison.

Union County 4-H members Jaxson Moore, Luke Groce, and Madeleine Groce had the opportunity to represent Union County 4-H at the Tennessee Valley Fair on Monday, September 14. The youth spent a couple of hours of their evening putting their baking skills to use by preparing delicious homemade biscuits for fairgoers to enjoy.

This Market was less of a Palooza than was hoped. Coincidentally, this was also the opening weekend of the Tennessee Valley State Fair, which drew some of the usual Farmers' Market customers southwards to that annual event. Lower attendance didn't stop Rustic Ridge Cheesecake and Fire on the Mountain from selling out by the end of the market day!

I used to love summer as a kid. It was a time of playing and having fun. But the summer of 1979 was different for me because it was a time of new adventures.
For one, I saw the Atlantic Ocean for the first time. While that in itself was exciting, it was also my first trip without my parents. I went with my cousin Julie and her mom and aunt. It was kinda freeing in a way. I felt less like a kid and more like a real 14 year old teenager.