By: Duane Ballard

Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

Well, it’s ghost and goblin season. Halloween is right around the corner and all those kids will be out gathering all those treats. Please be careful when you are out this year trick or treating. If the weather holds out and with Halloween being on a Saturday, it will probably be really busy, so slow down and keep an eye out.

November brings a month with four paid holidays. One of the most important is Tuesday, November 3rd. This day was negotiated to make sure all UAW members get out and exercise their right to vote. If you vote by mail, you can volunteer to knock on doors or offer rides to people to help them get to the polls.

This is a very important election for the labor movement, with both the House and Senate up for grabs. Remember the affordability we are at in this moment. Fuel prices have skyrocketed in the last year. It costs way more to fill up your vehicle, as well as the vehicles that bring food and goods to the store. This reflects on the prices that get passed down to you, the consumer. Vote your wallet and for labor-friendly candidates.

Veterans Day is November 11th. It is another Union-negotiated holiday. To all the veterans out there, Thank you for your service! Whether you served in conflict or not, your service does not go unnoticed. I, myself served in the 1980’s and did not see any military action. Just the presence of a well-trained fighting force is a reflection of a nation, and each and everyone of you helped with that. Happy Veterans Day!

We still have Union Sportsmen’s Alliance 2027 calendars for the 2-gun-a-week giveaway. I was just notified last week of a winner from one of the sales here at the Union Hall. Don’t wait, because we have a limited number of them to sell. We have had many winners in the past from our local.

Leaves changing and falling is my favorite time of the year. I love the days of cool mornings and warm afternoons. The farmers are harvesting the fields, and you an see the deer and turkeys much better without the cover.

I am taking a few days to go hunt pheasants in South Dakota, and am excited by the numbers I am hearing they have this year. I always tell you to take a child outdoors, but it is also good to enjoy it yourself.

“In every walk in nature one receives more than they seek.” Get a child and yourself outdoors.