Beat butter at medium speed with a stand mixer until creamy. Gradually add Cheddar cheese spread and beat until combined. Stir together flour salt and 1/4 and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper in a bowl. Gradually add flour mixture to cheese mixture, beating on low speed until combined. Transfer to a cookie press or a large piping bag fitted with a small star tip.

Pipe 3-inch-long strips onto 2 baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Leave 1/2 inch between the straws.

Chill 15 minutes. Bake in 350 F. preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes until edges are light brown. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Store in airtight container. Makes about 10 dozen straws.

Deer are social creatures and so there is a need to communicate with one another. Sometimes it’s one on one trash talk, while other times it’s an alarm to an entire group.

There are several ways a deer communicates that it is alarmed about something. Stamping one hoof several times shows mild alarm. Next it may snort, which sounds like someone blowing their nose very hard, and has a high pitch sound. Lastly, when disturbed enough they will run, flipping their tail straight up and exposing the bushy white underside. This is called tail flagging, and it tells the other deer to get the heck out of Dodge.

It’s become an annual boat trip for a sweet group of ladies that love the Low Country. This year we took a day trip to Savannah, Georgia. First off, we had a boat driver, we’ll call Captain, who knows the waters, tides and watches the weather closely. On a side note, that is important, because the tides rise and fall by about 8 ft on any normal day every 6 hours, and the weather can change quickly. You don’t want to be caught out on the water in a recreational watercraft with nowhere to go or at low tide that could run aground. Safety first, now to the fun stuff.

The history of the American automobile industry includes many brands that once played an important role but eventually disappeared. One of those brands was Rambler, a name associated with practical, affordable, and innovative automobiles. Although Rambler is no longer produced as an American car brand, its history remains an important part of the automotive industry.

I have the unique opportunity every fall to stand on the sidelines of college football games, and let me tell you, collegiate football looks different from the front row. From the stands, you see formations, touchdowns, and tackles. From the sideline, it’s as if you can almost feel them.

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.