This fall looks to be a good year for nut producing trees like hickory and beech, and oak acorns aren’t looking bad either. Fruit and nut production varies from year to year, and the reasons are many.

Doug Cheek fondly remembers fishing with his father George, a tradition he was happy to carry on with his son Alex. He began fishing specifically for Striper (also known as Rockfish, but whose proper name is Striped Bass) around the turn of the century. Then, while he was still working, it was just a hobby. Upon the sale of his Ford dealership in 2018 and subsequent retirement, and seeing a need within the community, Doug decided to start a second business as a Fishing Guide.

According to the U.S. Consumer Products safety Commission, in one year more than 50,000 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms, doctors’ offices, clinics and other medical settings for injuries related to luggage.

Here are some strategies to prevent injuries when lifting and carrying luggage:

• Pack lightly. when possible, pack items in a few smaller bags instead of one large luggage piece. It is better—and may prevent muscle sprains and strains—to carry a lighter bag in each hand rather than one heavy bag in one hand or over one shoulder.

While growing up, my mom and Mamaw Girdle/Myrtle would often tell me, “You can’t see diddly squat!” Mamaw Jo was different in that she would say, “I swannie! If it was a snake, it would’ve bitten you!”

I was speaking the other day with one of my nieces. As our conversation progressed, I shared about a particular person who always seems able to irritate me. My niece informed me that this person was my “sandpaper”. Perhaps there is a connection here with the phrase “rubs me the wrong way”. I am grateful that there are few people who have this effect on me, and I hope that I don’t have that effect on many people.

There are a number of ways to prepare and serve summer squash and zucchini. It can even be frozen for next winter's use. Here is a good casserole. Try it and see what you think. Hopefully, it will be pave a place in your recipe box.

Okay, that crumbled- rusted -fender Edsel was history. We were tired of hearing the lame jokes about Edsels. Most of them were not very nice. We needed a new car. This time we would stick with a well-established brand. Our adventure down the side street of "New! New! New!" was over. Dad had been smart enough not to get sucked in by the hype over the Tucker car. We should have learned from his experience that "Buyer Beware!" was more than just an idle threat. But Dad was gone to his reward and we were slow in wising up.

The dictionary defines a forest as "a tract of land covered with trees and underbrush." That's probably the way a lot of people think of the forest, but I submit to you that a forest is more than a bunch of trees.

Andrew Edmondson, Union County High School Class of 2021 Graduate, applied for every scholarship he found available, including one offered by the Union County Opry, and his efforts truly paid off. Edmondson received several scholarships to cover most of the expense of attending college in the Fall. When asked what the requirements are for receiving scholarships, he chuckled, “I don’t really remember, I just took one of every scholarship application available and followed the instructions! It’s not really that hard; it tells you exactly what to do, you just have to do it.”

We all know the farmers’ market is an excellent place for picking up fresh fruits and vegetables. This summer, in addition to picking up some home grown tomatoes, you can pick up some research-based knowledge as well. The University of Tennessee (UT) Extension in [insert county here] will be at the market offering food demonstrations, as well as selection and storage suggestions for the flavorful fruit and vegetables available at the market. The demonstrations and outreach are part of a new UT Extension program called Farmers’ Market Fresh.