By Steve Roark
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Volunteer

After the thrill of autumn coloration is gone, those who have yard trees must deal with the bushels of leaves when they fall off. An acre of trees in a forest can produce over two tons of leaves each year, and I think my yard trees can beat that estimate.

The Union County 4-H Honor Club will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, November 13, at 5 p.m at the Union County Extension Office. Youth can look forward to an exciting evening featuring a guest speaker, free food and an interactive escape room activity.

The 4-H Honor Club is open to students in grades 6 through 12, and 5th graders are welcome to attend as well. The club focuses on community service, leadership and teamwork, providing members with opportunities to give back to their community while having fun and building friendships.

As the holiday season approaches, the Union County Fresh Wagon program is asking for the community’s help to collect non-perishable food items for local families in need. Donations will be accepted November 1-14, and every contribution helps make a difference for a neighbor this holiday season.

We are currently collecting boxes of stuffing mix, packages of instant mashed potatoes and boxes of macaroni and cheese. Any brands and sizes are acceptable.

Of all my education, including college classes, I learned more about local and national politics and government in 6th, 7th and 9th grades from two teachers. I will always be grateful for Ms. Ann Crass and Mr. Harrell Edmondson. Because of those two teachers, I developed an appreciation for the government that has kept our great nation free for almost 250 years.

Union County 4-H members and families gathered for a morning of food, fun and fellowship during the 1st annual Fall Fun with 4-H event. The day began with a hearty breakfast featuring pancakes, sausage, muffins and fresh fruit, setting the stage for a day full of energy and excitement.

Participants enjoyed a variety of hands-on games, creative activities, and even a meaningful community service project. The excitement continued with rounds of high-stakes Bingo that kept everyone smiling and engaged.

The Union County Family and Community Education (FCE) Club invites the public to attend its November meeting on Thursday, November 21, at 10 a.m. at the Extension Office.

This month’s meeting will serve as the group’s annual Thanksgiving gathering, featuring a menu of soups and sandwiches. Members and guests are encouraged to bring a soup, sandwich, dessert or drink to share as everyone enjoys a time of food and fellowship.

Horace Maynard Middle School’s Red Ribbon Week is an annual campaign dedicated to promoting drug prevention and a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. The week included a highly successful and well-attended Family Night, designed to connect students and families with crucial community resources and provide a night of fun and engagement.

Every season of life tells a story of change, growth and God’s unshakeable purpose. Our Creator has woven a rhythm of renewal into the fabric of creation. The stillness of winter, the renewal of spring, the strength of summer and the release of autumn all serve as reminders that our hearts also experience spiritual seasons.

I was so excited when I booked the cruise. Before you ask on which sea and/or ocean, let me say that it was the on Tennessee River and on a paddle boat.
This was a part of Tim and I celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary, which was on October 12th. But the cruise wasn’t in our original plans. At the first of the year, he asked: “What’re we gonna do for our anniversary?” My first thought was to have reception with our family and friends. So back in the spring, I reserved the Fellowship Hall at our church. By the time August rolled around, I had begun to think about having to carry decorations and food stuff in, sitting them up, and then taking them back down. On top of that, I was worried about unlocking the Fellowship Hall and sitting off the alarm again. Then I opted to have a smaller function at our house. Soon, I changed my mind again. To say it has been an eventful year for us is an understatement. I told Tim: “I’m tired and I don’t feel like having a party.” He answered: “Okay, but what are we gonna do instead?”

Trees and spookiness kind of go hand in hand, and you won’t have to try hard to think of movies with a scene of a terrified person walking alone among trees with branches swaying in the wind like arms with long grasping fingers. Scary looking trees show up a lot in artwork, especially clip art caricatures that often give a gruesome face to the tree. I got to looking at these scary tree silhouettes and scratching my head, because they looked familiar. Then it hit me….. they all in profile look like a black walnut, a common local tree that produces very tasty nuts that are dropping from the branches as we speak.