What will you do if a snowstorm, flood, fire or tornado strikes your home?  Will you be ready?  In association with National Preparedness Month, the Ball Play Ruritan Club will host the first "Getting Prepared for Disasters Fair" on Sept. 22.  The fair will be from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Friends Meeting of Ball Play Fellowship Hall located at 157 Ball Play School Road, near the intersection of Ball Play Road and Hwy. 360 about 10 miles from Telllico Plains.

The fair will provide valuable information for planning and preparing for all kinds of disasters and emergencies with a variety of informational displays, classes and demonstrations, while showcasing and promoting local businesses whenever possible.  Learn about your options for emergency power, cooking, heating, lighting and more. Additional details will be published as we confirm guest speakers and vendors attending this event.

Mark your calendars now and be sure to pass this on to family and friends in and around the Monroe County area.  Contact John Pearson at 423-442-7053 for more information or to be a participant.  The event is free to the public and all are welcome to attend.

Happy birthday to Wesley Rogers, Reuben Abernathy and David Allison.

Happy anniversary to Jim and Wilma Ellis (45 year).

Get well wishes go to Reba Williams, Betty Cheeks, Sam Belcher,  Faye Torbett, O.R. "Red" Young, Sue Young, Susie Moser, Otis Young,  Molly Gray, Mammie Belcher, Wail Dalton, Thelma Matoy, JoAnn Queen,  Boyd Rodgers, Emma Best, Wayne Lynn, Charlotte Duncan, Sharon West, Justine Williams, Margaret Wall,  Virgil Tipton,  Faye McDaniel and Clifford Lynn.

Thank you to everyone that is sending e-mail to me for printing.  I really appreciate your help. Please send any monthly meeting information to me.  Sometimes I will forget that your organization has a standing meeting on a certain day of the month, such as a Ruritan meeting on the second Tuesday.  I want this column to be for you.  I enjoy letting everyone else know what is important to Tellico and area readers.

You can call 253-3454 to report any information that you would like to see in this column.  You can email me at bep98twc@charter.net to have your news reported as well.