Not all oven settings are created equal. Today’s modern ovens often come with “Bake,” “Convection,” and even “Air Fry” options. Knowing the difference can save time in the kitchen and help you get the best results from your cooking.

Bake – Gentle and Traditional

The standard “Bake” setting uses heating elements, usually from the bottom of the oven, to provide steady, gentle heat. There’s no fan to move the air around, which makes it perfect for foods that need to rise slowly or set without disturbance.

One of the first house projects Tim and I worked on together as a married couple was replacing the front door. To say it didn’t go as expected is an understatement.

Please join the Hamilton Cemetery Association for the ‘2nd Gathering of the Generations’ Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Union County Historical Society, 11:00 a.m. The day begins with sharing ancestry information among descendents of those buried in the Union County, Hamilton Cemetery. Everyone will have an opportunity to hear, see, share and learn more about their ancestry.

Do you experience regular back pain? You’re not alone. According to the National Institute of occupational Safety and Health, more than 1 in 4 (26%) working adults experience low back pain. Studies show that back pain can limit your activities and impact your ability to work. In fact, the Health Policy Institute found it to be a leading cause of work-loss days, with 83 million days of work lost per year.

Whether you work from home, the office or a combination of both, it’s important to invest in your musculoskeletal health and protect your back.

Healthy Hardwoods Field Day Set for Chuck Swan State Forest, October 10, 2025

Forestry professionals, landowners, and natural resource enthusiasts are invited to attend the 2025 Healthy Hardwoods Field Day, a hands-on educational event focused on sustainable hardwood management and oak regeneration. The event will take place at Chuck Swan State Forest, offering both classroom-style presentations and in-the-field demonstrations.

Event Schedule Highlights:

Several years ago I was eating in a restaurant with two colleagues. One was a principal, and the other was a supervisor in our local school system. There was only one other person in the restaurant, sitting against the far opposite wall.
My two dining companions were discussing a situation that involved a student. They referenced the student by first name only. The conversation was private for our table only, which is why we were sitting as far as possible away from any other customer.

The Union County Heritage Festival is set for Saturday, October 4, 2025, and one of the sweetest traditions will once again take center stage: the Cake and Pie Contests. Bakers of all ages are invited to show off their skills, compete for cash prizes, and help raise funds for the Union County Family & Community Education (FCE) Club.

Last week Anne came into the house in a hurry with something on her mind. She had been down at the road getting the mail. "Guess what?" She said. "You have been called for jury duty!"

"ME?" I screamed. "But I'm ninety-five years old. (Pause) Yes, I would love to serve on a jury. Say! You know, I COULD do it. There is an elevator at the back of the Court House. I could take it to the second floor, wheel myself down the hall to the court room at the front of the building and sit comfortably in my wheelchair at the jury box. I would be fulfilling my civic duty. Yes, I could do it."

In large bowl, combine chocolate, marshmallows and 1/4 cup heavy cream. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. If not melted after 2 minutes, microwave on 15 second intervals, stirring in between.) Let cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes. Once mixture is cooled, whip remaining cream in another bowl until soft peaks form. Transfer 1/4 cup to small bowl for topping ...

The next regular workshop and meeting of the Union County Board of Education will be on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at Union County High School. The workshop will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the meeting immediately to follow.

There will be no school board workshop or meeting on Thursday, September 18.