☕ Front Porch Morning: Payday Wednesday, a Peek in the Meat Drawer, and the Big Book Sale Opens

Or: Check the Bank, Check the Hot Dogs, and Hang Up on Anybody Giving Away a Free Car

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Good morning, neighbor. It’s a gentle Wednesday. For many of us, Social Security pays today. The Friends of the Library book sale opens at 10 a.m. at the Fairbuilding. Chair Dancing is at 1 p.m. Early voting is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. And after a little morning fog, it’ll be sunny, near 76°F.

Before you head out, take two minutes to look in the meat drawer. We’ll tell you exactly what to look for.

⏱️ Your 30-second morning recap

• Yesterday: A big recall of Kayem, Al Fresco and McKenzie meats was in the news, along with warnings about a pressure cooker and an air fryer oven. ABC News reported that Medicare Advantage choices are shrinking for 2027. Rhea County’s sheriff warned about “you won a car” calls.
• Good news: Former county executive Bill Harmon received the Chamber’s Howard Hatcher Pillar of the Community Award.
• Today: Social Security payday (birthdays 11th–20th). Book sale, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Chair Dancing, 1 p.m. Early voting, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Weather: The National Weather Service forecast for Dunlap (updated about 1:26 a.m. Central) calls for patchy fog before 8 a.m., then sunny with a high near 76°F. Tonight will be clear, low around 47°F.

📝 Jot This Down: today’s 3 things to remember

1. Social Security pays today, Wednesday, Oct. 21, for most people whose birthday is the 11th through the 20th. If it isn’t there, wait three mail days before calling 1-800-772-1213.
2. Check your fridge and freezer for Kayem, Al Fresco or McKenzie hot dogs, sausage, bacon, ham or deli meat. Look for EST. M/P 7839, EST. P 20935A or EST. M 9520 in the USDA mark. If it matches, don’t eat it.
3. The book sale opens at 10 a.m. at the Fairbuilding, 103 Heard St. Today is for Friends of the Library members, and you can join at the door for $5. Chair Dancing is at 1 p.m. at the library.

Tomorrow’s heads-up: Thursday, Oct. 22, the library is closed, but the book sale is open to everyone, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The free MobileMOC clinic is in Grandview from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Central. Early risers may spot shooting stars before dawn. It’ll be sunny, near 74°F.

📰 In Case You Missed It Yesterday (Tuesday, Oct. 20)

🌭 A Two-Minute Fridge Check: Recalled Hot Dogs, Sausage and Deli Meats

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service says Kayem Foods is recalling about 1.58 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry. The products may have gotten too warm in a warehouse cooler. They were made from about March 31 to Oct. 7, 2026, and shipped to stores nationwide. The USDA announced it on Saturday, Oct. 17, and our Healthy Valley report shared the details Tuesday.

The calm part: the USDA says there have been no confirmed reports of illness.

• Brands: Kayem, Al Fresco and McKenzie, including hot dogs, chicken sausage, bacon, ham, turkey and deli meats.
• Look inside the USDA mark for EST. M/P 7839, EST. P 20935A or EST. M 9520. Then match the UPC on the full list.
• If it matches: Throw it away, or take it back to the store.

What it means for you: Pull out any hot dogs or lunch meat and read the package with your glasses on. When in doubt, throw it out. Questions? Call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-674-6854, or Kayem at 1-800-426-6100, weekdays 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Central.

👉 Read more (USDA: Kayem Foods recall)

🍲 Two Kitchen Cookers to Set Aside

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has warned people to stop using two countertop cookers. These are warnings, not recalls, so no refund is offered.

• Power Quick Pot 6-quart pressure cooker, model Y6D-36. The lid can open while the pot is still under pressure. The model number is on a label on the back. It was sold from 2018 to 2023 at Walmart.com, Amazon.com and other stores.
• Kalorik MAXX air fryer ovens with two French doors. The doors can close suddenly on your arm while the oven is hot.

What it means for you: Turn your pressure cooker around and read the back label. If you own either one, stop using it. Please don’t sell it or give it away at a yard sale, so it doesn’t land in a neighbor’s kitchen.

👉 Read more (CPSC: Power Quick Pot warning) · CPSC: Kalorik air fryer warning

🩺 Medicare: Fewer Advantage Plans to Pick From Next Year

An ABC News report on Tuesday said many people in Medicare Advantage plans may need to find a new plan for 2027. It cited a KFF analysis: the average person on Medicare can choose from about 35 Advantage plans in 2027, down from 39 in 2026.

The report also said a temporary federal program that helped hold down stand-alone drug plan (Part D) premiums ends this year. So some drug plan premiums could go up more than usual next year. Exact plan prices vary.

What it means for you: Don’t worry, and don’t rush. Just open the “Annual Notice of Change” letter from your plan and look for two things: Is my plan still offered? and Are my pills still covered? You have until Monday, Dec. 7 to make a change. For free, unbiased help, call TN SHIP at 1-877-801-0044. They don’t sell insurance.

👉 Read more (ABC News: Medicare open enrollment changes)

📞 How to Protect Yourself: Prize Calls, Bond Calls and Look-Alike Websites

Our neighbors in Rhea County got a heads-up from their sheriff’s office. Callers are telling people they’ve won a vehicle, then asking for money or personal information to “claim” it. Others take names from the jail website and call family members asking for bond money. Rhea County Sheriff John Argo said his office will never ask for bond money by gift card, cryptocurrency or a payment app.

And if a Lookout Mountain trip is on your list, Ruby Falls says a copycat ticket website offers a “25% off” deal that doesn’t exist. Those tickets won’t work at the gate. Buy only at rubyfalls.com.

What it means for you: A real prize never costs money to collect. If a caller knows a loved one’s name, they may have just read a public list. Hang up, then call the sheriff’s office or your family member yourself, using a number you look up.

👉 Read more (NewsChannel 9: Rhea County scam warning) · Dunlap.Today: Ruby Falls ticket warning

🔥 Propane’s First Price of the Season: About $3.22 a Gallon

The U.S. Energy Information Administration says Tennessee’s average home propane price was about $3.22 a gallon for the week of Oct. 12, before taxes. That’s about 19 cents more than a year ago. Your own dealer’s price may be higher or lower.

What it means for you: On this sunny day, walk out and read the gauge on your tank. If it’s low, ask your dealer about a budget plan that spreads the cost over the winter. For help with heating bills, call SETHRA in Dunlap at (423) 949-2191.

👉 Read more (EIA: heating oil and propane update)

🏅 A Pillar of the Community: Bill Harmon Honored

The Dunlap Tribune reported Tuesday that the Sequatchie County-Dunlap Chamber of Commerce gave former County Executive and State Representative Bill Harmon its Howard Hatcher Pillar of the Community Award, for his role in starting the Chamber. It was a total surprise. He thought his son John was the one being honored.

The Chamber’s Heart of the Valley Awards went to Glenn Barker, Garrett Barker for years of Fourth of July fireworks, Brianna Orozco of Little Caesar’s, and Betty Sue and Norman Christian, who make and sell homemade fried pies for the Sequatchie County Cancer Support Network. Chamber Director Janis Kyser also said a study found Dunlap qualifies for a 65-room hotel.

What it means for you: If you know any of these folks, today’s a fine day for a phone call or a card to say congratulations.

👉 Read more (The Dunlap Tribune: Harmon honored)

📅 Today in the Valley (Wednesday, Oct. 21)

💵 Social Security Payday: Check Your Birthday

Today, Wednesday, Oct. 21, is payment day for most people whose birthday falls on the 11th through the 20th. If your birthday is the 21st or later, your day is next Wednesday, Oct. 28. This payment is still the 2026 amount. The 3.6% raise starts with January payments.

What it means for you: Check your bank balance this morning. If the money isn’t there, wait three mail days before calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Social Security will never call, text or email asking for money to “release” a payment.

👉 Read more (Newsweek: this week’s Social Security payments)

📚 Book Sale, Chair Dancing and Family History at the Library

The Friends of the Library Book Sale & Silent Auction opens today at the Fairbuilding, 103 Heard St., Dunlap.

• Today, Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friends members only. Not a member? Join at the door for $5.
• Thursday and Friday, Oct. 22–23: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., open to everyone.
• Saturday, Oct. 24: Fill-a-Bag Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The silent auction closes at noon.

At the library, 227 Cherry St., Genealogy Assistance runs 9 to 11 a.m. Bring family names, dates or old photos. Chair Dancing is at 1 p.m. It’s a free, gentle 45-minute seated class upstairs. Stop at the front desk first, and first-timers sign a waiver. The library is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today. All times are Central.

What it means for you: The book sale is a cheap, cheerful outing, and every dollar helps our library. If the grandkids are with you, there’s Storytime with the Friends at 10 a.m. at the Fairbuilding too.

👉 Read more (Sequatchie County Public Library)

🗳️ Early Voting Is Open Today, 9 to 5

Early voting for the Tuesday, Nov. 3 election is open today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central at the Sequatchie County Election Commission, 68 Spring St., Dunlap. Bring a Tennessee or federal photo ID. It’s OK if it has expired. Early voting runs through Thursday, Oct. 29, with Saturday, Oct. 24 hours of 9 a.m. to noon.

What it means for you: If you’ll be in town for the book sale, you can do both in one trip. To confirm hours, call (423) 949-2431.

👉 Read more (Sequatchie County voting information)

🩸 Bloodanooga in Chattanooga Today and Thursday

Blood Assurance, which serves Chattanooga-area hospitals, reported a critical shortage, with less than a day’s supply of O-negative blood. Its Bloodanooga drive is today and Thursday in the Tennessee Room at UTC, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern. That’s 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. our time. Donors must be at least 17 (16 with a parent’s OK) and weigh at least 110 pounds. Bring a photo ID.

What it means for you: If you’re healthy and headed to Chattanooga anyway, eat a good meal, drink plenty of water and give an hour. If not, a phone call to a younger relative who can go is a fine way to help.

👉 Read more (Chattanoogan.com: Bloodanooga)

🍽️ Senior Center, Rides and Weekday Help

For lunch, rides and activities, call the Sequatchie County Senior Citizens Center, 103 Heard St., Dunlap, at (423) 949-2228. With the book sale in the same building this week, call ahead to confirm today’s lunch and activity times. We couldn’t find today’s menu online.

To schedule a ride to the doctor or the store, SETHRA Transit is at (423) 478-1396.

What it means for you: If you’d like a ride to the book sale or the polls, call early this morning.

☀️ Today’s Weather: Morning Fog, Then Sunny Near 76

The National Weather Service forecast for Dunlap (updated about 1:26 a.m. Central) calls for patchy fog before 8 a.m., then sunny skies with a high near 76°F and almost no wind. Tonight will be clear, low around 47°F, with patchy fog late. Thursday and Friday look sunny, near 74°F. No weather alerts were posted for Dunlap early this morning.

The sun comes up about 6:53 a.m. and sets about 5:59 p.m. Central. A free burn permit is required from Oct. 15 to May 15.

Time note: Dunlap and Sequatchie, Marion, Bledsoe, Grundy and Van Buren counties are on Central Time. Chattanooga, Hamilton County and Rhea County are on Eastern Time, one hour ahead.

What it means for you: If you drive early, use your low beams in the fog and leave extra room. By lunch it’s shirt-sleeve weather.

👉 Read more (National Weather Service: Dunlap forecast)

🗓️ Put These on the Fridge: This Week

• Wednesday, Oct. 21 (today): Social Security payday (birthdays 11th–20th). Genealogy, 9 to 11 a.m. Book sale (Friends day), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Chair Dancing, 1 p.m. Early voting, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 22: Library closed. Book sale open to all, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. MobileMOC free clinic, Grandview Community Center, 175 Emergency Road, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Central. Call 423-425-1657.
• Friday, Oct. 23: Book sale, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Chair Dancing, 1 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 24: Early voting, 9 a.m. to noon. Book sale Fill-a-Bag Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 28: Social Security payday (birthdays 21st–31st). Thursday, Oct. 29: Last day of early voting. Sunday, Nov. 1: Clocks fall back one hour. Monday, Dec. 7: Medicare open enrollment ends.

✅ Your Calm Morning Checklist

• ✅ Check your bank for today’s Social Security payment (birthdays 11th–20th).
• ✅ Read the packages on your hot dogs, sausage and lunch meat. Look for 7839, 20935A or 9520.
• ✅ Turn your pressure cooker around and check for model Y6D-36.
• ✅ Set your Medicare plan letter by your chair to read before Dec. 7.
• ✅ A prize that costs money isn’t a prize. Hang up.
• ✅ Bring $5 if you’d like to join the Friends and shop the book sale today.
• ✅ Read your propane gauge while the sun is out.

Practical rule: You don’t have to remember it all. Just keep this page handy, and check back tomorrow morning.

— Dunlap.Today

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

When does my Social Security payment come this month?

Most people are paid on a Wednesday based on their birthday. Birthdays on the 1st–10th were paid Oct. 14. Birthdays on the 11th–20th are paid today, Oct. 21. Birthdays on the 21st–31st are paid Wednesday, Oct. 28. Some people, including many who started benefits before May 1997, are paid on the 3rd.

How do I know if my meat is part of the Kayem recall?

Look for the brand names Kayem, Al Fresco or McKenzie, then find the USDA inspection mark on the package. If it shows EST. M/P 7839, EST. P 20935A or EST. M 9520, match the UPC on the USDA’s recall list. If it matches, throw it out or return it. The USDA hotline is 1-888-674-6854.

My pressure cooker is a different brand. Do I need to worry?

This warning is only for the Power Quick Pot 6-quart, model Y6D-36. The model number is on a label on the back. The other warning is for Kalorik MAXX air fryer ovens with French doors.

Do I have to change my Medicare plan?

Only if you want to, or if your plan is ending. Read your plan’s Annual Notice of Change letter. You can make changes until Dec. 7, and they start Jan. 1. TN SHIP gives free, unbiased help at 1-877-801-0044.

Can anyone go to the book sale today?

Today, Wednesday, is for Friends of the Library members, and you can join at the door for $5. Thursday and Friday are open to everyone, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday is Fill-a-Bag Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 103 Heard St.

Someone called saying I won a car. Could it be real?

The Rhea County Sheriff’s Office says these calls are scams. If a caller wants money or personal information before you can claim a prize, just hang up.

🔗 Helpful Numbers & Resources

• Social Security: 1-800-772-1213 · Report a scam: ssa.gov/scam
• Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) · Medicare.gov: open enrollment
• TN SHIP free Medicare counseling: 1-877-801-0044
• USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline: 1-888-674-6854 · Kayem Foods: 1-800-426-6100 · Kayem recall product list
• CPSC recalls and warnings: cpsc.gov/Recalls
• Sequatchie County Public Library, 227 Cherry St.: (423) 949-2357 · sequatchielibrary.org
• Sequatchie Senior Center, 103 Heard St., Dunlap: (423) 949-2228 (weekdays)
• Sequatchie County Election Commission, 68 Spring St.: (423) 949-2431 · GoVoteTN.gov
• SETHRA Transit rides: (423) 478-1396 · SETHRA Dunlap office and heating help: (423) 949-2191
• MobileMOC free clinic appointments: 423-425-1657 · MobileMOC calendar
• Blood Assurance: bloodassurance.org
• Rhea County Sheriff’s Office: (423) 775-7837 · AARP Fraud Watch Helpline: 877-908-3360
• Report fraud to the FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
• Sequachee Valley Electric outages (24/7): 1-888-421-7832
• Sequatchie County 911 non-emergency: (423) 949-9912. For an emergency, call 911.
• Free burn permits: BurnSafeTN.org or 1-877-350-2876 (weekdays)
• National Weather Service Dunlap forecast: weather.gov point forecast

🌅 A Full Bank, a Clean Fridge and a Good Book

Here’s the whole day in one breath. Check the bank. Peek in the meat drawer. Maybe pick up a paperback or two for a dollar and help the library while you’re at it. Nothing today needs hurrying, and nothing needs worrying over. The sun will be out by 8, and the rest of the day is yours. We’ll be here again tomorrow morning. Read Dunlap.Today every morning for plain-English Valley news, and find local businesses on Dunlap.Directory.

— Dunlap.Today