By: Duane Ballard

Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

It is that time of year for all the princesses, ghosts, and goblins to come out. I know this is because the girls around the hall here love Halloween and seem to decorate a month early.

Hopefully, the weather will stay somewhat decent for all the trick or treaters this year. Speaking of trick or treat, please don’t forget about our annual Trunk or Treat here at the Union Hall on October 26 at 1:00-3:00 p.m. Let the kids come and practice their skills on receiving that candy.

If you would like to donate candy to give away that day, you can always drop it here at the hall and we will make sure it gets handed out. Better yet, decorate your car and come hand out some yourself.

This year is drawing to an end and it seems like it goes by so fast. With a new year comes a new calendar. The Union Hall is again selling the Union Sportsman calendars for 2026. Each week brings an opportunity to have a chance at winning one of two guns. that equals 104 chances a year.

Stop by the Union Hall and grab a 2026 calendar for $30.00. They make perfect gifts and an excellent stocking stuffer for Christmas. These calendars are limited to the first 50.

A reminder that all of our members need to be checking their pay stubs each and every week. We are still getting members calling about dues not being taken out. If dues are not being taken out, odds are that some of your other deductions are messed up as well. Put a reminder in your phone to make sure you check each and every week.

This article is a little short this month, because it snuck up on me and I leave for a mule deer hunting trip in a couple days, but I do have to do a little bragging before I go. My oldest grandson just ran his first 5k yesterday through a local orchard. Not knowing what he was getting into, he did it with full gusto.

Now, mind you, this kid is just 10 years old, but he defiantly put his whole heart and soul into it, and he finished it in 19:32 with a 6:18 minute mile pace. Not only did he finish first in his age group, but finished third overall. He was totally exhausted and shaking when he was done and was ready for the free pancakes, but he put on a very impressive showing for his first one.

Besides his placements, he said he totally enjoyed the scenery of running through an orchard in the outdoors. Whether it is a 5k run or a short walk through an orchard, get a kid outside and let them begin a race through life enjoying the outdoors.