In shallow dish, whisk together the first 7 ingredients. Then preheat a well greased griddle over medium heat. Dip bread in egg batter mixture, letting it soak in for a few seconds on each side. Cook on griddle until golden brown on both sides. Serve with butter and maple syrup plus any desired toppings. Makes 4 servings. Recipe can be doubled.

Spring has moved on from blooming wildflowers to trees in bloom, and so I’ve been trying to catch native trees and shrubs in flower. While observing American Holly flowers I was reminded that some trees do thing different. Several species like the holly produce flowers of one sex only, and so there are literally boy and girl trees, which is not common in the plant world.

Mark Allen Martin of Maynardville. graduated from the University of Tennessee and taught music in the Union County school system for 27 years. He was known as a terrific teacher, highly skilled and talented musician, friendly, and loved to joke around. The Union County Lions Club honors his memory by awarding scholarships to UCHS High School seniors in his name.

The Poet Voices will start this special concert with a sing-along of famous hymns and will then introduce the Union County High School Band, under the direction of Hunter Collins. The band will open with the National Anthem, accompanied by the Poet Voices bass singer KC Armstrong, a former member of the US Air Force Singing Sergeants and, later, the US Army Chorus.

Tennessee is called the Volunteer State because people in this state, the people in this county, step up to help one another. The Union County Lions Club is looking for some cheerful volunteers to assist with various functions of their fundraiser, the Freedom Concert with the Poet Voices and the Union County High School Band, on May 18th. The monies raised will provide eye exams, glasses and sometimes hearing aids to Union County residents. Doors open at 6:00 and we are looking for folks to take tickets, hand out free CDs, sell tickets at the door and various other tasks as needed.

Exercise is generally beneficial for you, but there are right and wrong ways to go about it. You certainly don’t want to injure yourself while doing something that’s meant to benefit you. Here are a few things to consider:

We are in the midst of the month of May, and I (Tammie) think of this month as a month of changes. With change comes different seasons, and we all experience the seasons of life. Each season brings new experiences, as well as beginnings and endings. I often talk with my friends about the seasons that we have experienced, and the memories associated with them. Sometimes we get so caught up in the day to day that we do not realize the season is changing until it has already passed.

Have you ever looked for one thing and instead you found something else that you had totally forgotten about? Recently, I done just that.

It was Sunday afternoon. He had been to church, had gone out to eat with his sister and a fellow parishioner. He called his wife and asked what she would like him to bring her home to eat. He stopped on the way home and filled the car with fuel and bought his wife’s lunch. He arrived home and presented his wife with her food. Having nothing pressing to do that wouldn’t wait until the first day of the work week, he sat down in his recliner for a pleasant Sunday afternoon nap.

Preheat oven to 400 F. arrange asparagus in greased 9 by 13 inch baking dish. In small bowl combine half and half, softened cream cheese, salt and pepper until smooth.Pour over asparagus. Top with mozzarella cheese, cashews and Parmesan cheese. Bake until asparagus is tender and cheese is melted and golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove dish to wire rack to cool for 5 minutes. Makes 8 servings.