By Steve Roark
Volunteer Interpreter, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Fall coloration of trees in our area is a much looked for event. The presence of vast forests having brilliant fall foliage is more unusual than you think, as the only other places in the world with a similar abundance of foliage colorations are northern China, Korea, and Japan. A common question this time of year is: will the colors be good or not? The answer is meteorological.

Hunters and community members from across the region gathered on Saturday for a hands-on deer processing class hosted at Johnson’s Deer Processing & Taxidermy, at 520 W Mountain View Road in Corryton. The class was led by Tyler Johnson, who provided a live demonstration and detailed instruction on how to properly and safely field dress a deer.

Veterans Day on November 11 is an opportunity to celebrate and thank the veterans who have served and protected our country and our way of life. On Saturday, November 15, Union County veterans, their family members, and anyone who simply wants to show their appreciation for our veterans, will gather at Wilson Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. American Legion Post 212 will supply smoked pork butts for your free lunch. There will be bands, kids' games, the UCHS JROTC, and more.

The purpose of spinal manipulation, also called spinal adjustment, is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become hypomobile — or restricted in their movement — as a result of a tissue injury. Tissue injury can be caused by a single traumatic event, such as improper lifting of a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture over an extended period of time.

The annual Pie and Cake Contest at the UC Heritage Festival was a huge hit this year, drawing an impressive 27 delicious entries from local bakers eager to show off their culinary talents. The sweet aroma of pies and cakes filled the air as judges sampled everything from fruit-filled creations to rich chocolate delights.

In the Pie Contest, Kathy Venturella took home the title of Grand Champion Pie and a $100 prize with her show-stopping Lemon Meringue Pie.

Ever heard the expression: “It’s not easy being me?” I’m going to tweak it a little: “It’s not easy being Brooke’s toes.”

Like many of you, I am an avid football fan. We all know that when a football team takes the field, even the most talented quarterback cannot win the game alone! An offensive line must protect him, receivers need to catch the passes he throws, and the defense has to prevent the opposing team from scoring more points than he can help generate. Every player has a role, and victory is only possible when the whole team functions together.

Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractic services are used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.

By Steve Roark
Volunteer Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

The most common forest type we have in our area is called Oak-Hickory, meaning those two trees are commonly found in the forest mix. There are several species of both hickory and oak, and one of the easier oaks to find and identify in the woods is Chestnut oak.

The Union County Jr. High 4-H team recently competed in the Eastern Region Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Skill-A-Thon, held in McMinn County. This hands-on contest gives youth the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge in areas such as food and nutrition, child development, clothing and textiles and housing, and interior design. Participants rotate through a series of skill stations where they solve real-world problems and apply what they have learned.