Published: September 27, 2007 04:18 pm         

AROUND THE TOWN: Fall is here, so why am I still sweating?

Fall is my favorite time of the year. Primarily because it means hot weather is behind us. I don't like hot weather. Anything above 70 is too hot for me unless I am in the water. Therefore, it is with great anticipation that I look forward to cool, crisp mornings, colorful leaves, blue skies, frost, sweaters and soups.

So far, however, it still seems like summer. Is this long, hot summer ever going to end? I know, I know, there are lots of you out there loving this. You probably haven't broken a sweat since 1963.

At press time, the long-range forecast was calling for cooler temperatures by this weekend. By cooler, they mean the low 80s. I never thought I would be happy to see the low 80s! Unfortunately, with the temps in the high 80s and the mid to high 90s for the past few weeks, that seems like an arctic freeze almost!

Bears, as you know, hibernate in winter. I do that in summer. You will be hard-pressed to find me outdoors unless it is late in the evening or I am in the water. I just can't do the heat. Never have liked it... probably never will. When I hear people say they want to go to Florida for the winter, I always say I want to go to Maine for the summer. Fall and winter here are just my cup of tea!

Anyway, there are lots of things to do this time of the year. Besides football, there are lots of activities to do outdoors when the temperatures begin falling. Such as:

•hiking

•touring the Smoky Mountains

•pumpkin painting/carving

•hayrides

•visit the Autumn Acres corn maze and pumpkin patch on 1096 Baier Road

•decorate for fall with mums, pumpkins and/or Halloween items

•ride bikes

•visit the state's parks

•drive over to Biltmore House and Gardens

•go to the pumpkin festival in Allardt

•watch the Cumberland County High School Homecoming Parade. It was held Thursday evening at 5:30 p.m. and featured the Glitter Queens, bands, floats, queens and lots of candy.

CCHS students have celebrated homecoming all week on campus with dress days. Thursday was the parade, bonfire and pep-rally at First Bank of Tennessee and tonight will be the crowning of the new queen and the Jet game with Sparta.

Vying for 2007 homecoming queen are Sara Loveday, Missy Bargayo, Taylor Williams and Deonna Lynch. Homecoming class representatives for this year at CCHS are Sammy Jo Miles, freshman; Meagan Morris, sophomore; Allison Rose, junior; and Jessica Hayes and Jessica Wright, seniors.

Speaking of homecomings around our county, it is Homecoming Week at Pleasant Hill Elementary School this week. Monday was Pajama Day, Tuesday was Hawaiian Day, Wednesday was Camo Day and Thursday, Spirit Day. The Hornets hosted the South Rebels in their homecoming game.

And over at Martin Elementary School, Homecoming 2007 ended with the crowning of King and Queen T.J. Potter and Erin Curry. Congratulations to both of them!

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Youth basketball sign-ups are currently under way over at the Cumberland County Youth Center. Students ages 6-16 are eligible. Call 484-9736 for more information.

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Congratulations to the SMHS Band. Did you see them on Channel 10 Friday night? They did a great job as the featured Band of the Week!