I have always been curious about the origin of unusual plant names, and with a nod towards Halloween, I thought I would embark on local plants with ominous or spooky names. So here goes:

Bloodroot: This early spring flowering plant has a large daisy-like flower and odd shaped scalloped leaves. As the name implies the roots when broken emits a bloody looking fluid, which Native Americans used for body paint and as an insect repellent

While I was growing up, I often heard the expression: “That went crossways.” Have you ever heard it? In my family, it meant that not only did something not work the way it should have, but also there was no going forward or backwards. Tim and I recently experienced this.

UNION COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
WORKSHOP
Union County High School
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2026
6:00 p.m.

What does this legislation mean for Medicare patients?

Union County Veterans Gather for Breakfast and Community Update

After a hearty breakfast, NJROTC cadet Mia Tamayo opened the meeting by leading the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Adjutant Norman Gillen recognized the various branches of military service represented at the gathering. As a Navy veteran, he reminded everyone that Oct. 13 marked the 251st anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Navy. The group then observed a moment of silence to remember those who have fallen in service to our country.

Fear can be an icy grip that often paralyzes people. We’ve all seen or known someone who missed an incredible opportunity because they froze in fear. For example, a student who studied hard might know the answers but never advance because of apprehension. Similarly, a man might miss out on a promotion at work because his fear of failure prevents him from applying. Fear doesn’t just whisper worst-case scenarios; it shouts about possibilities, robbing us of what could have been.

After a long hot summer my favorite time of year is finally here, with its balmy days, cool nights, and eventual forest color display that everyone looks forward to. If you ever wonder why leaves change color, here’s the latest scoop.

From science class you know that a tree leaf is green because it contains a group of pigments known as chlorophyll. These are so abundant during the summer that the green color hides any other pigments present. Chlorophyll has the life giving function of catching the sun's energy and using it to manufacture food and building materials for plants. During this process the chlorophyll breaks down but is constantly replaced during the growing season.

By Steve Roark
Volunteer Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

The late summer/early fall season puts on a good flower show in our area, especially asters, those daisy-and sunflower-like species that come in a variety of colors, yellow being most prominent. One species that is not only pretty to see but can also be enjoyed as a seldom used vegetable is Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus).

Fighting Food Insecurity in Union County: A Growing Community Effort

Back in February 2023, I wrote several articles about food insecurity in Union County and the food pantries available at that time. According to the National Institutes of Health, Union County’s overall food insecurity rate in 2023 was between 16.4% and 16.7%, up from 12% in 2021. The child food insecurity rate in 2023 was 19.8%. These figures reflect the percentage of residents experiencing food insecurity, a condition in which people lack consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life.

Have you ever wished you had a time machine? If I did, I would go back 41 years so I could finish something that I started.