The first day of autumn

officially will arrive Sept. 22 and shortly thereafter will bring us the colorful fall foliage and, hopefully, cooler

|temperatures.

Sympathy to the family of Gary Perdue, of Nellis, who passed away Sept. 10.

Brittany Evans, of Nellis, extends her thanks to those who were concerned with her two recent hospital stays. She

appreciates the visits, phone calls and especially the prayers. Hopefully, Brittany will

continue to improve as she

recuperates at home.

A special thanks to Jim Totten, of Grants, N.M., for sharing this Southwestern recipe with us this week. It is very good. I’m sure you will enjoy it.

CALABACITAS

6 zucchini, sliced

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

4-ounce can diced green chiles

15-ounce can whole kernel corn

2 cups grated cheddar or pepper jack cheese

3 tablespoons olive oil or butter

Sauté onions and garlic 3-4 minutes. Add zucchini and sauté 3-4 minutes more. Add chiles, corn and cheese. Mix well and spread into a casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Serve hot.

Variations: Save 1 cup cheese for topping before baking, or, if you like, add a half cup of cream or half-and-half to dish before baking.

ANNIVERSARIES

Happy 29th wedding

anniversary to Mark and Sandra Graley, of Emmons, on Sept. 22. They are the parents of two

children, Dema and Anthony.

Happy first anniversary to Thomas “Jamie” and Helen Little, who will celebrate Sept. 20.

Ernest Ray “Tags” and Joyce Barker, of Springfield, Ohio, will celebrate their 49th wedding anniversary Sept. 17.

GET WELL

Get well wishes to Kathy Perdue, of Nellis, who is

recuperating after surgery.

Renee Ball, of Danville, has been in Thomas Memorial Hospital the past week. Renee is a sister to Brenda Wood and Janet Epling, who, along with all of her friends, send get well wishes her way.

TRAVELING/VISITING

Mark, Ronda and Brody Thompson, of Goodlettsville, Tenn., were visiting family and friends in Costa, Seth and Hometown during the Labor Day weekend.

Mark, a Nashville recording artist, performed at the Labor Day celebration at Racine.

BIRTHDAYS

Happy 11th birthday to Adam Christopher Selbe, son of Chris and Terri Selbe, of Costa, on Sept. 18.

Jonathan Perdue, son of Alice Perdue, of Nellis, will celebrate his 37th birthday Sept. 17.

Happy seventh birthday to Kelsi Lyn Gurski on Sept. 18.

Happy 20th birthday to Casey Webb on Sept. 16.

Happy birthday to Kay McDerment, of Charleston, on Sept. 17.

Jason McCallister will celebrate his birthday Sept. 21. Have a happy birthday, Jason.

Happy birthday wishes are sent to Diana Heath, of Tampa, Fla., who will celebrate Sept. 20. She is the daughter of George and Phyllis Kinzer, also of Tampa.

Happy birthday to Ammie Enis, who will celebrate her 28th birthday Sept. 19. Ammie is the daughter of Steve and Sara Morrison, formerly of Ridgeview.

Happy birthday to Larry Kinder, of Ashford, on Sept. 20.

Danielle Woodson, of Cross Lanes, will be 21 on Sept. 21.

Happy birthday wishes to Stacey Wolfe Reed, who will celebrate her 30th birthday

Sept. 16.

Danny Laws, of Nellis, will celebrate another birthday

Sept. 20.

Sarah Chandler, daughter of Ron and Nancy Chandler, of Ashford, will celebrate her 18th birthday Sept. 19.

Happy birthday to Lodis James Lafferty, who will be 43 on Sept. 20.

Birthday wishes are sent to Donna Caruthers, of Hernshaw, who will celebrate Sept. 19.

Happy birthday to Elaine Banther, of Rossville, Ga., on Sept. 20, from all of your friends in West Virginia.

Happy birthday to Peggy Tetoff, of Sylvester, on Sept. 19.

Happy 16th birthday to Jordan Epling, son of Dwight and Janet Epling, of Costa, on Sept. 16.

Happy 27th birthday to Justin Pauley on Sept. 22.

Alan Elkins, of Ashford, will celebrate his 26th birthday

Sept. 21. Happy birthday, Alan!

Happy 23rd birthday to Kayla Gardner on Sept. 22.

Happy birthday to Alexander Griffith, who will celebrate

No. 16 on Sept. 16. Alexander is the son of Jon and Melinda Griffith, of Drawdy.

That's all for this week. Be sure to call me at 836-5379 or write me at P.O. Box 102, Nellis, WV 25142 with any news you want to share. You also can e-mail me at ntmccomas@suddenlink.net. The deadline is 6 p.m. Thursday.

Take care until next time.