The day had finally arrived and I was giddy with excitement. I can still remember standing in the long line outside the Civic Coliseum as we waited to get inside.

It was winter 1977 and my parents had bought tickets to an ice skating show. It was a treat for me since I loved to watch people ice skate. It fascinated me how they performed all those jumps and twirled around on a thin blade as they glided over ice.

Being the klutz that I am, I have never attempted to ice skate. I had and still have no desire to wear a cast for a few weeks.

I recently conducted six professional development sessions on homelessness in a single day. I was sent the written comments from the evaluation forms, and I am thankful that they were all positive. At least I assumed they were. From what was visible on the email, it appeared one person wrote, “Ronnie is the dud” (the printed version of the email did read “dude”). Thank goodness for the power of positive thinking!

I was eight years old in 1936 when this school picture was taken. We moved around so much in those days that I was only at two schools at picture taking time, the first grade and this one when I was in the fourth grade. I started school when I was four so I was always younger than the other kids in my class. Let's look at the picture.

I’m still studying a book called Smoky Mountain English, which is a dictionary of mountain dialect. I was blessed to be around my grandparents quite a bit growing up and heard a lot of phrases and word pronunciations that aren’t used much today. But some of it is still hanging around and I find myself using it without thinking about it, which my granddaughters find puzzling. So what follows is my latest list of words in the book that I personally have heard used sometime in my lifetime. I’m sure you will find many familiar as well if you’re from around here.

Does everyone in your family prefer white meat? A turkey breast is a better buy than having all the bony parts of a whole bird that only winds up being leftovers that no one wants. I found this recipe about 10 years ago. If you haven't tried to make a brined turkey breast as of yet, this is a good one to test your turkey skills. There are so many recipes for "Turkey Day". Don't think this is just another one to ignore. It does take overnight space in the fridge that could be used for jello or such.

I love the mix of pumpkin pie spices. There is something about that combination that makes me think of autumn leaves and Thanksgiving. My mother made the best pumpkin pie. She only made it around Thanksgiving time. Why wait before leaves fall before filling the house with that comforting aroma. I make pumpkin pie whenever I want to do something nice for my daughter, Anne. It is her favorite pie. For myself, I prefer Pumpkin Pie Cake. There are several ways to make it. Here is one.

Remember those cozy evenings as a child when your mother or grandma invited you up in the lap of her rocking chair and tucked you under a soft quilt that she had made with her own hands from old hand-me-downs. She would let you pick a favorite book or two and you would spend the evening reading, giggling, and creating memories, all the while you were inhaling undetected skills that you did not perceive to be a part of the experience. “It’s never too early to start reading to your kids,” shares UT Institute of Agriculture Assistant Dean and Professor, Dr. Matt Devereaux.

Scouts and leaders from one hundred forty-three countries gathered in West Virginia for the 24th World Scout Jamboree. It has been more than fifty years since this event has been held in the United States. Four years ago, it was held in Japan, will be in Korea in four more years, then Brazil.

More than 45,000 Scouts from around the world gathered at the Summit Bechtel Scout Reserve near Beckley to “Unlock a New World” the theme of this year’s Jamboree.

Union County High School junior Seth Bates advanced to the Regional Golf Tournament for the third straight season. The student athlete from Plainview advanced out of the toughest district in the state to qualify for the regional tourney at Oak Ridge Country Club. Seth hopes to carry over his accomplishment in golf to a successful junior season in basketball for the Patriots. Great job, Seth!

by Coach Gary. D. Chandler and Coach Christian Chandler

World War One had far-reaching impacts on American society and its citizens. Union County, Tennessee, was not excluded from these impacts. As we celebrate Veterans Day, we should all take time to remember those brave men who fought to "make the world safe for democracy," but also remember the citizens who suffered, worried and rationed to support the war effort.

There are many examples of such sacrifice. But, there are also examples of the joy these citizens felt when loved ones returned from the far-off battlefields of Europe.