Calling all homeschool students in Smith County! The first meeting of the Smith County 4-H Homeschool Club will be held on Tuesday, September 29th at 10:00 a.m. at the Smith County Ag Center. Our 4-H Homeschool Club is open to all students in 4th-12th grade, and there is no cost to participate. The Smith County 4-H Homeschool Club meets monthly from September through May, typically on the last Tuesday of the month.

4-H encourages youth to develop their unique skills and talents to the fullest potential. Each member can excel with the wide range of projects, programs, and activities that 4-H offers. By participating in clubs, classroom contests, afterschool judging teams, project groups, camps, and more, 4-H’ers foster communication skills, leadership, citizenship, teamwork, responsibility, and creativity that will help set them up for future success!

During our 4-H Homeschool Club meetings this school year, we will focus on cultivating life skills through lessons and contests like public speaking and project presentations and displays, as well as allowing 4-H’ers to show their creativity with the poster contest, photo contest, and piggy bank pageant. We will also participate in monthly service projects.

The 4-H Homeschool Club is a great way for homeschool families to make connections and for 4-H’ers to gain life-long friendships with their peers.

Students can participate in a variety of leadership opportunities through the 4-H program, and we will be electing club officers at our first meeting.

Our homeschool group has grown tremendously the past few years, and we would love to have you join us! 4-H can offer so many beneficial opportunities for our local young people. We’re looking forward to a great school year together!

The 4-H Youth Development Program delivers programs through cooperative efforts of the University of Tennessee, Tennessee State University, and public and private sector volunteers. 4-H educational programs are offered to all youth, grades 4-12, on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

Please call our office at 615-735-2900 or email rpetty@utk.edu or ltipton@utk.edu with any questions.

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

Have you seen the latest issue of The Tennessee Magazine yet?

The September issue should be arriving in mailboxes, and there’s a lot of UCEMC packed inside!

This month, you’ll find stories about our students experiencing Washington, D.C., through the Washington Youth Tour, young people discovering careers and possibilities at 4-H Electric Camp, the incredible impact of UCEMC Cares in our community and a message from our CEO about the values that have shaped your cooperative for nearly 90 years.

You’ll also find all the details for our 88th Annual Meeting on Saturday, September 12!

When your copy arrives, don’t toss it on the counter just yet. Take a few minutes to flip through and see some of the people, programs and stories that make our cooperative community special.

Have you gotten yours yet? Tell us which story you read first! ⚡📖

Read the digital version here: https://lsc-pagepro.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=868789&p=1&view=issueViewer

The final major weekend of the 2026 summer boating season is approaching with the upcoming Labor Day holiday, Sept. 5-7. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is reminding all Tennesseans and its visitors to wear life jackets and boat safely and responsibly.

The TWRA aims to ensure that everyone who visits the waterways has an enjoyable experience. Labor Day weekend often brings heavy boat traffic to the state’s lakes and rivers. TWRA game wardens will be present on the waterways, monitoring dangerous boating behavior, such as boating under the influence (BUI) and other reckless operations.

Labor Day is regarded as the third major holiday weekend of the summer boating season. The TWRA is pleased to report there were no boating-related fatalities during the previous major holiday weekends of this summer season, including Memorial Day and the July 4th holiday. So far this year, there have been 15 boating-related fatalities on state waters, compared to 17 at this same time in 2025.

Key Safety Reminders:

• Wear Your Life Jacket: Ensure you have a properly fitted life jacket accessible onboard the vessel for each person. Children under age 12 are required to wear a life jacket while the vessel is underway.
• BUI is Illegal: Operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs is dangerous and strictly enforced. BUI = DUI
• Monitor the Weather: Conditions can change quickly, so check local forecasts.
• Maintain Safe Speeds: Be mindful of your wake and respect other boaters, swimmers, and paddleboarders.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for protecting, managing, and conserving fish and wildlife species for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors. The Agency also maintains public safety through law enforcement and safety education on waterways.

 

Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation highlights the statewide partnership behind Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and calls on Tennesseans to support the program in their own communities

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In the days following the passing of Dolly Parton, Tennesseans have reflected on the countless ways her generosity changed lives. In homes across the state, one part of her legacy continues every day as children open books delivered especially for them through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Since 2004, more than 60 million Imagination Library books have been delivered to Tennessee children, helping generations of families build home libraries and make reading part of everyday life. Today, approximately 270,000 Tennessee children are enrolled and receive a high-quality, age-appropriate book in the mail each month at no cost to their families.

Dolly launched the Imagination Library in Sevier County in 1995, inspired by her father’s inability to read and write and a simple but powerful idea: give young children books of their own and inspire them to dream more, learn more, care more and be more.

Tennessee would go on to play a historic role in the program’s growth. Founded in 2004 by former Governor Phil Bredesen, Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation helped expand Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to all 95 Tennessee counties, making Tennessee the first state in the nation to offer the program statewide. That first-in-the-nation public-private partnership helped pave the way for similar models across the country. Over the past two decades, GELF has built on that foundation, expanding its work to serve Tennessee children from birth through third grade and create more opportunities to read and learn at home, in the classroom and throughout their communities.

“Dolly showed us what is possible when you put a book in a child’s hands and believe in what is possible for them,” said James Pond, President & CEO of Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation. “More than 60 million books later, generations of Tennessee children have grown up with books in their homes because of that simple idea. One of the most meaningful ways we can honor Dolly is to keep reading with our children and keep investing in this partnership so it can reach Tennessee families for generations to come.”

How the Partnership Works in Tennessee

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is available to all Tennessee children from birth to age five through a unique public-private partnership between the Dollywood Foundation, GELF, the State of Tennessee and local program partners in all 95 counties.

The Dollywood Foundation provides the program infrastructure, coordinating book selection, purchasing and fulfillment. With financial support from the State of Tennessee, GELF funds 50% of book and mailing costs statewide and provides local program partners with resources and support to strengthen the program in their communities. Local program partners raise the remaining 50% in their communities, enroll children and build local awareness of the program.

Together, the partnership makes it possible for children to receive books each month at no cost to their families.

“The strength of the Tennessee model has always been its partnership,” Pond said. “It takes all of us to put books into the hands and homes of Tennessee children. Our local program partners are essential to this work, and every gift made in a community helps sustain the Imagination Library for the children and families who call that community home.”

Honor Dolly’s Legacy by Supporting Children in Your Community

Tennesseans can honor Dolly’s extraordinary legacy of inspiring a love of reading and continue her impact on children and families across the state: · Give. Donate to help provide books to children across Tennessee and support the continued success of Imagination Library in communities statewide. · Enroll a child. Eligible Tennessee children from birth to age five can receive a high-quality, age-appropriate book in the mail each month at no cost to their families. · Read together. Share the joy of reading with a child and discover more ways to support literacy across Tennessee.

About GELF

Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation (GELF) is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to strengthen early literacy in Tennessee by building home libraries and fostering literacy-rich communities. GELF’s Home Library work delivers books and resources directly to families and educators through programs like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, K–3 Home Library, OWL Fest, and Tenn Under 10. GELF’s Community Through Literacy work brings reading beyond the classroom through Storybook Trails, Book Buses, and SELECT, a statewide network uniting partners to expand literacy access and impact. Founded in 2004 by former Governor Phil Bredesen, GELF champions early literacy as the foundation for lifelong learning and success. Learn more at www.GovernorsFoundation.org.

NASHVILLE — The application period for the 2026-27 Sandhill Crane quota hunt, the 2026-27 Bobwhite Quail quota hunt, and the Game Warden Deer Hunt will be open Sept. 2-30.

Information can be found on the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) quota hunts webpage. Applications can be made online at gooutdoorstennessee.com, through the TWRA mobile app, in person at any TWRA license agent, or at a TWRA regional office. No mailed applications will be accepted.

SANDHILL CRANE QUOTA HUNT:

Applicants must be at least 13 years of age by the end of the application period to enter the drawing. This hunt utilizes priority points. If applying as a party, priority points are averaged and rounded to the nearest number. Parties may have up to five applicants, including the party leader. When applying for the Sandhill Crane Quota Hunt as a party, all party members’ points will be averaged to determine the point value of the party.

A total of 1,250 permits will be issued for this hunt. A total of 2,500 tags (two tags/hunter) will be issued through a computerized drawing. The tags are valid statewide and in the Southeast Crane Zone. All sandhill crane hunters must pass an internet-based crane test each year before hunting. The sandhill crane hunting season is Dec. 3-Jan. 31, 2027, with the exception of Jan. 15-17 in the Southeast Zone.

BOBWHITE QUAIL QUOTA HUNT:

For the third year, a Bobwhite Quail quota hunt will be held on four dates at Bridgestone Firestone Wildlife Management Area (WMA) on Dec. 17, and on Jan. 14, 20, and 21 in 2027. There will be one permit per hunt, and applicants may create or join a party or apply as an individual. The maximum party size is three, and there are no priority points associated with this hunt.

If drawn, applicants may choose to alter their party or bring additional hunters (not to exceed a party of three) up until check-in at the WMA, the day of the hunt. Non-hunting individuals may not go on the hunt.

Applicants must be at least six years old by the date of the hunt. There can be no more than two youth (16 years old or younger) in a party. Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult who may hunt as a member of the party, not to exceed a party of three.

GAME WARDEN YOUTH HUNT:

A TWRA Game Warden Youth Deer Hunt will be held on Jan. 9, 2027, in Montgomery, Robertson, and Stewart counties. An area game warden will contact the individual following notification, and Jan. 8 will be a preparation day with the game warden. Youth ages 6-16 are eligible to participate.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR EACH OF THE HUNTS

Customers can apply by using any one of the following methods:

1. www.gooutdoorstennessee.com
2. Via the TWRA mobile app
3. At one of the TWRA regional offices
4. At any TWRA license agent

There is no application fee for current Annual Sportsman License holders or Lifetime Sportsman License holders. For all other applicants, there is a non-refundable $12 application fee, and a vendor fee. When applying at a license agent, hunters must remain at the location while the application is processed to verify the information is correct on the receipt.

All applicants should have a valid and accurate email address on their GoOutdoorsTennessee.com account. A receipt, which serves as proof of application, will be sent to the email address on the account.

Applicants may review their application (including party members) by logging in at GoOutdoorsTennessee.com. Applications may be edited by the applicants until the deadline. Successful applicants will be notified by email.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for protecting, managing, and conserving fish and wildlife species for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors. The Agency also maintains public safety through law enforcement and safety education on waterways.

—TWRA—

Tennessee’s 2026-27 mourning dove season opens on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at noon (local time), and is one of the state’s longest-standing hunting traditions. The season opener is the start of three hunting segments for the popular game bird.

Doves are found throughout various regions in the state, with the highest concentration in farming areas. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) manages dove hunting fields in each of the four regions. Hunters must have a valid state hunting license and a Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit while hunting. Before hunting on private lands, hunters are required to ask for permission. In Tennessee, an estimated 28,000 hunters harvest approximately 399,000 mourning doves each year.

The daily bag limit for mourning doves is 15, and there is no limit on collared doves. Doves not readily identifiable as collared doves will be considered mourning doves and will count toward the mourning dove daily bag limit. No person shall take migratory game birds by the aid of baiting, or on any baited area. Any auto-loading or repeating shotgun must be incapable of holding more than three shells while being used for dove hunting.

The first segment of dove season closes Sept. 28. The second segment is Oct. 10-Nov. 1 and the final segment runs Dec. 8-Jan. 15, 2027.

In addition to the start of dove season, the early season for Canada geese, brant, blue, snow, and Ross’ Geese (light geese) also starts on Sept. 1 and runs through Sept. 20. Other hunting seasons that open Sept. 1 are moorhens, gallinules, and rails (Virginia and sora), with a closure on Nov. 9. The Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit is also required to hunt these species.

A short crow hunting season overlaps with the opening week of dove season, Sept. 1-7. It will resume from Sept. 11 through Dec. 20, and hunting is allowed only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during this segment. Refer to the 2026-27 Tennessee Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Guide for daily bag limits and more information.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for protecting, managing, and conserving fish and wildlife species for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors. The Agency also maintains public safety through law enforcement and safety education on waterways.