Union County roots, that stretch all the way to Wisconsin and Utah, provide the setting for a true story of the life of Van Buren Butcher’s granddaughter, Carla Jane Butcher Morgan. There’s probably not too many of us around who remember “Uncle Buren;” but he is also the grandfather of the well-known country singer, Lois Johnson, of Nashville fame. Lois is the daughter of Fred and Iretta Butcher Johnson. Carla Jane, “C. J.,” is the daughter of Iretta’s brother, Carl Butcher. You will remember C. J. who performed with Lois Johnson at last year’s Union County Heritage Festival.

It's Fair time. I take my appetite to the Fair. There are many exotic foods to sample that aren't available other times of the year. Corn dogs with a squiggly line of mustard are my favorite. I can fix them at home, but Fair time is Corn Dog time in my mind. Elephant ears are good, too. The list goes on and on, but my Corn Dog recipe is where I'm heading today.

The Union County Heritage Festival announces its 2017 collectible print "Coming Home". Keeping with this year's Festival theme, "Come Here Come Home", Artist Betty Bullen has delivered an emotional picture of a veteran returning home from service to Union County. Betty says she gathered inspiration for the painting from numerous sources, including an episode of Bill Landry's Heartland Series where Landry interviews a Sharps Chapel Farm boy who returned home to Union County from service in WW II.

Hi, my name is Abby Pursiful. I am a senior at Union County High School and I am running for homecoming queen. The homecoming fundraiser runs approximately six weeks. This allows each club the opportunity to raise funds. I am representing the Skills USA Cosmetology division, of which I am the president. Ninety percent of the proceeds raised will be donated to Skills USA Cosmetology and ten percent of the proceeds will be going to the athletics department.

Are you ready for fun, festivities and fireworks?

Saturday, Sept. 2, Wilson Park will once again host Union County's signature Thunder in the Park festival, a free event that will light up the night with a professional fireworks show. The gates open at 5 p.m.

This is Thunder in the Park's second year. The brainchild of former Union County Chamber of Commerce president Leslie Corum, it was a partnership between the Chamber and Union County government. This year, Union County government is taking the lead to bring the thunder once again.

There's a lot of love at the core of Luttrell Library director Kim Todd's new project: love for books, love for kids, love for family, and love for a sassy canine named Lil Bit.

Todd is set this winter to publish the first in a series of illustrated children's books featuring Lil Bit, her rescued terrier and Chihuahua mix. The book, called "Finding Home," is inspired by Lil Bit's real-life rescue story, which Todd is reluctant to reveal because it would spoil the story. Teddy, the boy who becomes Lil Bit's owner, is inspired by Todd's husband and fellow writer Ted.

Every month seems to have its major national holiday except August. Yet for American women, August holds one of the most important dates, August 26, 1920. This date brought full suffrage or the right to vote for women in America.

Tucked away atop Hinds Ridge, two miles across the Union County line in Grainger County, is Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center, whose mission is to study, teach and demonstrate sustainability and to provide experiential learning of Earth Literacy.

Chow Chow is delicious. I wondered where that name came from. Taking a jar in hand, I looked at it straight on. Why is it called Chow Chow? Curiosity got the best of me. I checked it out online. I am now more confused than ever. Consider these possibilities:
1. There are "Northern" and "Southern" varieties. Mine is Southern.
2. Some say it came South with the Acadian expulsion from Nova Scotia.
3. Others cite a connection with the Chinese rail workers in the 1800's.
4. A chutney from India is made from chayote, hence "chow chow".

The Union County Historical Society will host the 13th Annual Heritage Festival Quilt Show at the Union County Museum. The Historical Society extends a special invitation to bring your quilts to the museum on Thursday, October 5th between 1:30 and 6:00 pm.