By Marilyn Toppins

Monday, June 10 at 7:00 pm, the Commission will meet in special session to consider the FY20 Union County Budget. Mayor Bailey announced, “The budget is balanced.” According to Finance Director Ann Dyer, 1.06 pennies were moved from debt service and 2.97 pennies were taken from capital projects to balance the budget. The tax rate remains the same as last year.

Union County Solid Waste collected 421 pounds of household hazardous waste during its event on Saturday, May 18.

On Saturday, May 4, 2019, Dale and Mary Kitts, along with their family, officially opened the Sunset Cove Adventure Park and Campground. The ribbon cutting was scheduled for 1:00 pm with lunch being served soon after. Thankfully, the rain held off long enough for Dale and Mary’s son, Daniel Kitts, to start the ceremony with prayer and for Dale to cut the red ribbon with the giant scissors.

Years ago, we received a five-pound block of American cheese when we picked up what we called “welfare food.” It was so good. There is nothing to compare with it nowadays. I miss that cheese.

I have a recipe for those of you who receive food commodities. Sometimes you really have to reach to find a good tasting recipe for those items that you are not familiar with. We grow up eating certain dishes. Our mothers made them as did our grandmas. It can be hard to learn to like something new, but give it a try.

Back pain is a fact of life for many people. Research shows that up to 80% of the population will experience back pain at some point during their lives. It is also the second most common reason for visits to the doctor’s office, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections.

Agriculture partners joined forces in a pleasurable and educational event for Paulette Elementary School students on May 15. This was the 25th Annual Farm Day hosted in Union County. The event is hosted at one of the county’s five elementary schools each year, in rotation, so that every student in the county gets at least one attendance.

Alyssa Long and Jaden Ayers, UCHS one seed doubles team, advanced to the Regionals for the second year in a row. Both girls are Juniors at Union County High School and have played tennis together since middle school.

Alyssa Long is seeded number one in singles and does an excellent job. Jaden Ayers is seeded number two in singles and also does an excellent job. But when these two team up in doubles, people pay attention. Last year as sophomores the girls won the doubles district championship. This year they came in second against a good Halls team (1-6, 7-5, 3-6).

Union County High School Class of 2019 students have now made their last entrance as seniors and students at UCHS. On May 14, at the Senior Brunch and Awards Ceremony, students were congratulated and honored with an estimate of a half million dollars in scholarship funds being presented.

Red Devils Golf Closed Season with TMSGA Tournament
After a great season, coached by Matt Barton and Joe McBrayer, the HMMS golf team saw some close matches and tough courses. Coach Barton and Coach McBrayer led the Devils through the season with their encouraging spirits and wonderful practices. The team was prepared for the tournament.

Ms. Lana Booker’s students in Computer Science Foundations completed a test in information technology. Students were required to take a 75 question exam from the world’s leading tech association, CompTIA. CompTIA is an IT professional association and a leader in industry certification programs. When students complete industry certifications, employers see they are knowledgeable, skilled and committed. The IT Fundamentals exam is a stepping stone for additional information technology certifications.

Seth Jackson, a senior at Union County High School, has made an effort to give back to his school through an Eagle Scout rank project. An Eagle Scout Project is an effort to assist your community in some way while developing scouting leadership skills. For his Eagle Scout Project, Seth evaluated the distance between the school and the other outdoor classroom and wanted to create a more accessible one adjacent to the science hallway. As he began building the outdoor classroom in early April, Seth was assisted by Scout Troop 401. Mr.