To give a nod to it being Halloween season, I thought I’d share some stories that, while not spooky, have enough of the paranormal to be interesting. The stories involve people having a precognition, foreknowledge, of a future event before it happens. Several cultures call this having “a vision” and can come in the form of a dream or just come out of nowhere. There is no explanation for precognition, and I’m a stickler on finding an explanation of how and why things work, leaning heavily on science.

When county lines are re-drawn it confuses us all; but, as best as I can tell, Parnick George owned lots of land in the vicinity of Milan Church. Parnick George was the oldest son of Elizabeth and Travis George of North Knox County that later became Union County. The Georges are said to be English, but now that we have DNA testing there is probably much more detail available. Travis George came to what was then North Knox County before 1797. The first census of the United States –1790–lists Travis George as head of household in Salisbury District, Stokes County, North Carolina. This Travis is believed to be Parnick’s father and progenitor of the local George family.

When the heat source is wood or coal embers, use a long-handled wire popper. Put only enough corn in popper to cover bottom. Shake gently to get tender puffy kernels.

When popping on your kitchen range, use a large kettle or deep skillet. Add about 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil or shortening. Don't use butter or margarine. Add ½ cup popcorn to hot skillet. Cover and shake gently and constantly over medium heat. You can hear when the popping stops. Remove from heat to a large bowl and add salt. 1 cup unpopped corn makes about 5 cups when popped.

For the second consecutive month, the County Commission opened its meeting with a moment of silence. Hugh Kitts, an employee of the Union County Highway Department, was remembered for his service. For the second consecutive month, the election of Chairman was on the agenda. When Chairman England called for nominees for Chairman, Commissioner Jody Smith nominated Commissioner Gary England. Commissioner England respectfully declined and stated that he felt accepting the nomination would continue to divide the Commission. Chairman England again called for nominees.

I love quilts, coverlets, throws and home-made pieces in general. Recently, I have encountered some particularly moving pieces. Photographs and messages can now be printed on cloth and used in quilts, clothes and many other clever ways. Family stories are being preserved in these pieces in unique ways. Just think what this will mean a hundred years from now. I don’t have a picture of this particular quilt, but the Union County Family and Community Education members sewed and quilted a quilt that hangs at the Union County Museum.

Although the brisk air is blowing, our 4-Hers have hot 4-H camp weather on their mind this season. From October 3-14, 2018, Tractor Supply partnered with Tennessee 4-H holding the Fall edition of the Paper Clover Campaign. The campaign is held biannually at TSC with 4-Hers working by selling paper clovers as a fundraiser to earn scholarship funds to attend 4-H camps. The 4-Hers receive eighty percent of all funds they raise during the campaign towards their personal camp fees.

On October 19 and 20, neighbors worked together at the Sharps Chapel Elementary School to help people in need. The event was sponsored by Chapel of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church which worships in the Community Center at 10:30 AM on Sundays. Over fifty volunteers came. There were Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists, Roman Catholics, non-denominationals, and non-churched. The volunteers ranged in age from children through seniors. Organizers of the event were Karen and Kevin Kitts, members of Chapel of the Good Shepherd.

True love meets "head on."

Much has been written about animals finding their way back home after months, or even years of being lost. This is a true story about a man, a woman and a Mustang that found its way home. The car, not the horse.

Alan Summers bought his first car when he was in high school; a vintage 1969 Ford Mustang Fastback. He dated Lynda Fields in that car; a girl he had known since kindergarten. Alan and Lynda parted, neither can say why, and the Mustang eventually became neglected to the point that Alan decided to sell it to a friend.

I like coconut in just about anything sweet. This is an easy quick recipe that is cheap to make. Do you have all your ingredients measured out before you make a baking recipe? It is wise to do so even if you have made it a dozen times before. Forget any ingredient and the recipe will suffer for it. There is nothing worse than to start on the process of stirring up a batch of cookies and finding you only have one egg when you need two or three. It is also wise to measure everything out in their own dishes so you won't add too much milk for instance.

It’s a southern tradition that I usually experienced at church. On rare occasions it also happened to me at the funeral home or in the store. In those places, in front of God and everybody else, my mother felt the need to give me a spit bath. Yes, you read it right: a spit bath.

Let me tell you, I was such a little tomboy. While I am an only child, I have two uncles who are not that much older than me. Growing up, they were more like brothers. My neighbors and cousins were mainly boys. I didn’t play with other girls on a regular basis until I started kindergarten.