A bonus for getting out into the woods in early spring is enjoying those wildflowers that bloom while everything else is still asleep and dead looking. There is a short period when the ground warms a little and the forest floor is still receiving full sun when these early flowers, called ephemerals, manage to grow, bloom, produce seeds, and then die back in a short timeframe. To pull this off they have a growth cycle backwards from most other plants.

The Aspire in Clinton is a privately funded public park on over 370 acres of diverse, beautiful landscapes. There are over 22 miles of biking/hiking trails, a kayak dock and kayak rental, golfing, a Service and Sacrifice monument, and a quite good restaurant. Included is the Adventure Playground at Aspire. There are color-coded zones tailored for toddlers, preschoolers and older kids.

All Veterans and their family and friends are invited to come shoot the breeze at the American Legion New Liberty Post 212, 140 Veterans St, on Thursday, March 19, from 3:00 to 7:00. This Open House in the downstairs meeting room is a perfect opportunity to catch up, share stories, see old friends, and meet new ones.

The American Legion Post 212 Food Pantry is stocked with frozen chicken, canned goods, and dry goods, all available during the Open House. Any Veteran, family of a Veteran, or anyone in need: c’mon down and get some food to take home!

If attendance at the Union County Farmers Market Vendor Meeting and Chili Cookoff was any indication, the 2026 Farmers Market will be better than ever. Over 50 vendors were in attendance, many had previously participated, but several were new. Seven pots of delicious chili were in competition. Jodie Moore took first place for the best-ever chili. Running a close second and third were Dave Trandum and Bobby Nelson.

Shred the cheese. Transfer to a bowl. Add cream cheese, W. sauce, vinegar, pepper, garlic powder and cayenne. Beat at low speed until blended. Drain pimientos, reserving 2 tablespoons juice. Stir in pimientos and reserved juice. Serve with crackers and vegetables. Makes 2 3/4 cups.

If you read my article: “Orange Angel,” then you know a couple of things about me: I love to cross stitch and I love to give Christmas gifts that are unique to each person. A few years ago, I found a cross stitch pattern that would be an absolutely perfect one for the wolf lady.

It was an big week at Horace Maynard Middle School as Jaydon Battles captured first place in the HMMS School Spelling Bee and then followed it with another first-place finish at the Clinch-Powell Education Cooperative & Lincoln Memorial University Annual Science Fair.

A chiropractor can help address back pain and other herniated disc symptoms. At your initial appointment, your chiropractor will go through your medical history, do a physical exam, and perform orthopaedic and neurological tests.

Your chiropractor will look for several things. These are important questions the orthopaedic and neurological exams can help your chiropractor answer.

Are the reflexes intact? That is, are your nerves sending messages correctly? (The classic reflex test is when the doctor taps your knee with a small hammer and your leg kicks up.)

If you paid attention in health class you know that our body needs to move materials around to function properly, such as oxygen. The transportation system is the bloodstream, which utilizes red blood cells as a bucket brigade, going to the lungs via veins to pick up oxygen, and carrying it to various body locations via arteries. A tree has similar needs and also uses a liquid transportation system.

UNION COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
WORKSHOP
Union County High School
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2026
6:00 p.m.