“An Apple A Day Will Keep the Doctor Away,” or so I have been told. Apples are one of the most popular, flavorful, and healthful fruits grown, according to the U.S. Apple Association.

Apple growing is an important industry in America. The pilgrims in the Massachusetts Bay Colony planted the first U.S. apple trees. In the early 1800s John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, traveled across the Ohio Valley carrying bags of apple seeds. He planted seeds and grew apple trees wherever he roamed to ensure that settlers would have nutritious apples to eat.

Pollination of the apple tree blooms is necessary for apple production. Many apple grower place beehives in their orchards so that the honeybees can pollinate the flowers. When the blossoms fall off, the pollinated flowers will produce apples. The apples grow during the summer and the crop is harvested in the fall when the apples ripen.

There are 2,500 varieties of apples grown throughout the United States with the state of Washington being top apple producer. The top ten apples are: Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, McIntosh, York Imperial, Rome Beauty, Johnathan, Stayman, Newtown Pippin, and Winesap.

Apples come in many varieties, convenient to eat, and very nutritious. A medium apple contains no fat, no sodium, an excellent source of fiber, only 80 calories, no cholesterol, and no artificial color or flavor. Could these facts be the reason for thinking apples keep the doctors away? For more information on apples check out Apples: A Class Act published by the U.S. Apple Association.

Scalloped Apples

2 cans Apple Pie Filling

8 oz Velveeta Cheese, cubed

1 cup sugar

1 cup flour

1 stick of butter

Directions: Place apple pie filling in bottom of sprayed baking dish. Cover top of filling with the cubed cheese. Mix sugar, flour, and butter with a fork until you have a crumbly mixture. Put this mixture on top. Cook in oven uncovered for 50 minutes on 300 degrees.

Submitted by: Janie Mundy, Defeated FCE Club

by Rachel Petty – UT Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development

On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, nine 4-H’ers spent a day of their Fall Break creating some cute fall-themed crafts at the Smith County 4-H Fall Break Sewing Day Camp! Our Fall Break Sewing Camp was open to all students in 4th – 12th grade regardless of prior sewing experience. Most of our participants had at least a little sewing experience, but some were complete beginners!

After learning or brushing up on the basics of hand- and machine-sewing, 4-H’ers spent the day carefully and creatively crafting fleece scarves, candy corn pillows, no-sew fabric pumpkins, and monster face tissue holders. In between our crafting fun, we took a break to enjoy some pizza and an ice cream sundae bar for lunch!

Participants for the day were Mary Barrett, Chloe Beechboard, Emmy Bibbings, De’Sean Kelly, Ava Martin, Grace Pederson, Evy Quijano, Hanna Reeder, and Luna Wright.

We hope that all of these 4-H’ers made projects they are proud of and continue to develop their newfound sewing talent!

Our 4-H Sewing Day Camp would not have been possible without the incredible team of volunteers who dedicated their time and talents to teaching the next generation! Special thanks to Mary Draper and Lucie Petty, as well as Smith County FCE Members Anne Waggoner Evans, Peggy Kemp, and Dorothy Moyers.

For more information about the wide range of 4-H opportunities available in Smith County, call Rachel Petty at 615-735-2900.

submitted by Connie Holder

The Smith County High School Cross Country team is headed to the TSSAA State Championships once again — marking their fifth consecutive trip to state.

Leading the way for the Owls, Tayden Rigsby earned a state berth with an impressive third-place finish and a personal record time of 19:49.

In a historic milestone for the program, the SCHS women’s team has qualified for state as a team for the first time in school history. The achievement comes after months of dedication, teamwork, and perseverance from both the runners and their coaches.

“This team has worked so hard this season and it’s paid off,” the program shared in celebration.

Now, with spirits high and determination stronger than ever, the team is preparing to make their mark on the state stage.

GORDONSVILLE, Tenn. (October 18, 2025) — A routine traffic stop on Interstate 40 in Smith County resulted in the discovery of more than 13 ounces of suspected marijuana and the seizure of nearly $3,800 in cash, according to a report from the Gordonsville Police Department.

At approximately 8:19 p.m., Officer Kyle Reynolds was traveling to assist Deputy Harry Brooks when a black 2020 Nissan Sentra abruptly turned in front of his patrol vehicle from a non-turning lane near the I-40 westbound 258 on-ramp. Reynolds initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, identified as Paul Daniel Bostic III, and a passenger.

Officer Reynolds reported detecting a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. When questioned, the passenger allegedly admitted there was marijuana in the car and produced two dispensary-style bags containing a green leafy substance. The passenger also handed over a plastic bag containing approximately 23.4 grams of marijuana, which he said belonged to Bostic.

During a subsequent search of the vehicle, Sgt. Robbie Woodard arrived to assist. Officers reportedly discovered multiple large mason jars filled with a green leafy substance in the trunk. The combined weight of the suspected marijuana from the jars and baggies totaled approximately 13 ounces, that along with the dispensary bags put the total amount of marijuana seized at just under 14 ounces.

A ledger was also found in the trunk, which investigators said listed marijuana strains, weights, and apparent transaction tallies. Bostic reportedly told officers the jars might belong to his father but denied knowing they were in the vehicle.

Dispatch confirmed that Bostic’s driver’s license was revoked. Officers allowed the passenger to take possession of the vehicle to avoid towing, though he was instructed to wait with it until a licensed driver could pick it up, as he also did not have a valid license.

Bostic was taken into custody and transported to the Smith County Correctional Facility without incident. During booking, officers found $3,802 in U.S. currency in Bostic’s wallet. Due to the quantity of marijuana, its packaging, and the presence of a ledger indicating prior transactions, police said they believe Bostic was involved in the sale and distribution of marijuana.

The cash was seized as part of a forfeiture proceeding. The Nissan Sentra was not seized because it had an active lien, according to the report.

All seized substances were packaged and sent to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for laboratory analysis and classification.

The incident occurred within Gordonsville city limits in Smith County, Tennessee.

The charges and allegations referenced in this report are merely accusations of criminal conduct and not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.

The Smith County Help Center is now accepting applications for individuals interested in serving on its 2026 Board of Directors. Those who feel called to make a difference in the community are encouraged to stop by the Help Center office, located at 318 Main Street in Carthage, to complete a volunteer application.

Selected board members will begin their term in January 2026. The board meets once a month and asks each member to volunteer at least two hours per month to gain firsthand experience in how the Help Center serves Smith County residents.

Board members also play an active role in community outreach and fundraising efforts, stepping in when extra hands are needed to support the organization’s mission.

Anyone interested in contributing their time and leadership to help strengthen local assistance efforts is invited to visit the office and apply.

For more than 50 years, the illuminated cross overlooking Gordonsville has stood as a symbol of faith, hope, and community. Originally built in 1968 by longtime Gordonsville resident and Southside Lions Club member Hollis Blair, the 14-foot-tall, 10-foot-wide cross has been faithfully maintained for decades — first by Mr. Blair, and now with the help of fellow Lions Club member Drew Apple.

However, in recent years, overgrown trees have begun to obstruct the view of this beloved landmark that has welcomed travelers and inspired locals for generations.

The Gordonsville Events Committee is working to restore that view by hiring a company equipped with a large excavator to remove the overgrowth around the water tank hill where the cross stands. The initial estimate for the project is between $10,000 and $12,000, but the total could be higher depending on how much additional work is needed once the clearing begins.

We’re asking for the community’s help to make this project possible. Donations of any size will go directly toward clearing the view and preserving this treasured part of Gordonsville’s skyline for years to come.

How You Can Help:

Checks can be made payable to “Gordonsville Events Committee”

Please include “Gordonsville Cross” on the memo line.

Checks can be mailed to:

P.O. Box 50, Gordonsville, TN 38563

Or dropped off at:

Gordonsville City Hall

Bass Funeral Home in Gordonsville

Any funds raised beyond the cost of the tree removal will be donated to the Southside Lions Club in Gordonsville to support future maintenance of the cross and other community service projects.

Together, we can ensure that the Gordonsville Cross continues to shine brightly — just as Hollis Blair intended when he first built it more than half a century ago.

— Gordonsville Events Committee

     gordonsvillehalloweenbash@gmail.com

Here is a PDF of the donation letter:

The Smith County School Board has approved the 2026-2027 School Calendar. Students will return to school after summer break for a half-day on August 5, 2026, marking the start of a new academic year. Fall Break will provide a chance to relax and recharge from October 12–16, 2026, while Thanksgiving Break will offer time for family and gratitude from November 23–27, 2026.

As the holiday season approaches, students will have a half-day on December 18 before starting Christmas Break, which runs from December 21, 2026, to January 4, 2027. After the winter months, Spring Break is scheduled for March 22–29, 2027. The school year will wrap up on May 28, 2027, with a final half-day of classes.