Hickory trees are so common in our area that most of our woodlands are classified as the "Oak-Hickory" forest type. They provide humans and wildlife with important food and fiber.

There are several hickory species growing in our area, the three most common ones being Shagbark, Mockernut, and Pignut. All have compound leaves that have 5 to 9 “leaflets”. The leaves and nut husks have a strong spicy odor. The bark can be identified by its diamond shape pattern and hardness. The easiest hickory to identify in the woods is Shagbark, which has bark that hangs down in long shaggy plates that bend away from the trunk. In earlier times the non-shaggy species were called “tight bark” hickories. They will grow almost anywhere but are more often found on dry slopes and ridges.

The Union County FCE (Home Demonstration) Club traveled to Gatlinburg for a two day Spring Fling. Members took an assortment of classes and celebrated our 250th.

The Eastern Region of Family Communication Clubs came together to have an adult like 4-H event. This replaced the Spring Camp that always took place in Greenville at the Clyde Austin Camp. There was entertainment, games, good food (Ramsay’s) , fellowship and more.

Do you have a pet peeve? Is there something that bothers you probably more than it should? For me, it’s being misunderstood. A good example of this is my dislike of camping.

Before we go any further, I’m going to discuss the two types of camping I’m familiar with. The first one involves a camper, which is like a small mobile home on wheels. My in-laws used to have one many years ago that they would tow it to various campgrouns. It had a small bathroom and kitchen, heat and air, and furniture that would transform into beds. If you like to do a lot of traveling, I think this would be an awesome way to do it. But this isn’t the type that I dislike.

While some lower back pain needs to be treated by a specialist, chiropractors can help children and adolescents prevent and manage lower back pain. Most pain with no specific cause responds to rest, rehabilitation and identification of predisposing risk factors.

The Union County Heritage Festival's Art Show will occur on Saturday, October 3, 2026, 10:00AM to 4:00 PM at the Historic Snodderly House, 720 Main Street, Maynardville. Park at the house or the parking lot across from the Art Show. On Festival Day, parking is also available at Wilson Park where visitors can ride the big yellow bus free shuttle to the Art Show. Youth are encouraged to participate. If enough youth participate, then the Festival will have a special Youth Art Exhibit.

The first official day of the 2026 Union County Farmers Market on May 2 was a huge success! Many veteran Farmers Market vendors who have been attending every market for years were there, as were several vendors participating for the first time. This was the largest first-day crowd in the Market’s history, and several vendors had people in line waiting to check out.

NEXT MEETING--The next regular workshop and meeting of the Union County Board of Education is scheduled for Thursday, June 11, 2026 at Union County High School. The workshop will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the meeting immediately to follow.

Lonesome Dove is a Pulitzer Prize-winning epic Western novel, and later a TV miniseries, written by Larry McMurtry. The saga covers two retired Texas Rangers who led a cattle drive from Texas to Montana, exploring themes of friendship, love, hardship, and the end of the frontier.

The Tennessee Valley Coalition for the Homeless will be at Heritage Park in Maynardville on Thursday, May 21. They will bring their Shower Trailer, along with free clothing, hygiene products, and resource information. Camping out? Was the water turned off at your house? Need some contact information or clean clothes, boots, or shoes? Be sure to stop by and see your friendly TVCH folks!

Horace Maynard Middle School is welcoming back a familiar face with deep roots in Union County basketball.

Mike Johnson has been named to the HMMS boys basketball coaching staff, bringing with him more than two decades of experience and a long history of success at the high school level. A lifelong Union County resident and Horace Maynard graduate, Johnson returns to the court with a reputation for leadership, player development, and program building.