Historic Union County

The Cradle of Country Music

Operation Christmas Child by Samaritan's Purse, that yearly effort to pack shoeboxes full of necessities for children in some of the world's most threatening situations, is a blessing for the recipients and donors alike.

Just ask Amie Winstead, Area Coordinator for the Operation Christmas Child Cumberland Pathway Team. She's been packing shoeboxes for nine years, and she says the effort "allows us to be foreign missionaries without leaving our hometowns."

Savannah Jones is running for Union County High School's homecoming queen, representing the Horace Maynard Chapter of Future Farmers of America. But she's not in the competition for the glory or the crown. She's in it because she believes in the FFA and the benefits it gives students. The money she raises as a homecoming candidate will go right back into the FFA program.

The Norris Lake Project Team is looking for volunteers to help with the Fall Five County Norris Lake Cleanups on September 22nd, 29th and October 6th. “Since 2011, volunteers from the counties surrounding Norris Lake have picked up over 200 tons of trash,” said Stephanie Wells, Director of the Anderson County Tourism Council.

It is common knowledge that 4-H is a club for kids to learn valuable skills and get their hands dirty. This summer, fifteen Union County 4-Hers were busy carrying water, cleaning cages, and gathering eggs as they indulged in the 2018 Poultry Project. They each received twenty chicks in early March and raised the birds from one day old to young laying hens at twenty six weeks old.

In my years as a journalist, I have had the privilege of meeting many authors. Only a few of those acknowledged God as their inspiration and as the One who impressed them to seek a specific writing goal. Dr. Terry L. Kirby is one of those few.

Kirby is an expository preacher, has been a senior pastor for almost twenty-five years and holds a doctorate in Expository Preaching from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He says the Lord gave him the idea for a different type of Bible.

(As part of a series entitled “Out of the Skillet and Into the Fire”)

John 17:16
“They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”

Last time we concluded our 2-part article, JESUS FRIEND OF SINNERS, by pointing out that we should get out of our comfort zones and let our light shine. Someone’s life could be dependent upon you letting your light shine! If Jesus was a “friend of publicans and sinners,” shouldn’t we also do the same?

I like molasses. I remember when I was first married and living on the farm, Dad would sprinkle molasses on the milk cows' grain. They loved it. I was curious. The molasses was clean, so I tasted it. It had a better flavor than that you bought in the store back then or nowadays, for that matter. There was no reason not to use it, so I did. We ate a lot of gingerbread and molasses cookies until the molasses ran out. Of course, I didn't tell anybody where the molasses came from. Why bother? Nowadays, don't be concerned. I use Muddy Pond Sorghum when I can find it.

Mincey’s Musings
Year One, Week Thirty-Six

Many people follow the “five second rule”. It goes something like this—if something is dropped on the floor and remains less than five seconds, it is fine to retrieve for consumption by the human body. This holds especially true when referring to the last chip in the bag.

It’s not something I am too proud of, but I did it. Or rather I didn’t do it. You see, I got out of church for a while. After I started back, I realized I didn’t have any pictures of Jesus in the house. So, guess what I did next? Yep. I went Jesus picture shopping.

I looked at all kinds of Jesus pictures and none of them felt right. Finally, I found one that I really, really liked. That is until I looked at the price tag. You know, it just didn’t seem right to go in debt for it. I didn’t think Jesus would like that.

I really enjoyed my career as a forester, partly because of the variety. It was rare that I did the same thing two days in a row. I could be walking in the woods collecting field data in the morning and be on a wildfire that afternoon. If you like routine, forestry is not for you. One unique task I did on occasion was identifying animal poop, especially when people would find droppings in their house and badly wanted to know what uninvited visitor left it.

How do you like your eggs scrambled? There are several ways. If it is springtime and your chickens are laying like crazy, eggs will be on your menu often. If you are living on a limited budget, eggs can be stretched to feed your family. It's all up to you what you add to them. If you add a cup of medium white sauce, cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken soup, the eggs will stretch further. Breakfast, lunch or supper, you have it covered.

6 eggs
1/2 cup water or milk
3/4 teaspoon salt
Dash of pepper
3 tablespoon butter or bacon drippings

If you or someone you know needs vision care and can't afford it, the Union County Lions Club is ready to help. The Lions Club Vision Van will come to Union County High School Saturday, Sept. 29, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., to provide eye exams or glasses to those in need. Hearing needs may also be addressed during this time, and services are by appointment only.

The extremely popular Hay Bale Decorating Contest will spruce up Union County for the fall. UT Extension Union County will sponsor the Hay Bale Decorating Contest to provide a warm welcome for all of our visitors to the 14th Annual Union County Heritage Festival. The contest is open to all Union County Businesses, Clubs, Organizations, Committees, Schools, and Groups.

Contest Rules

Local author A. D. Asher is pleased to be welcomed as a new member of the Authors Guild of Tennessee. My Friend the Sunsphere, the children’s photo storybook, is the first release by this photographer and award-winning creative writer. To summarize the book’s unique concept: Enjoy a wonderful day of adventures in Knoxville, as seen through the eyes of a delightful child who introduces Mom and Dad to a very special friend.

Asher says she plans to travel and create a series of “My Friend” photobooks featuring iconic landmarks.

After reading about the Union County Historical Society’s August meeting, I know you will want to know more about Arthur Bohanan. The following is a biographical sketch of this interesting man:

Do you remember your favorite foods back when you were a small child? Of course, you do. In case you have forgotten, older family members will remind you from time to time, sometimes in a joking manner. I remember foods from my childhood.

(Part 2 and Conclusion)

(As part of a series entitled “Out of the Fire and Into the Skillet”)

A LIVING LOVE LETTER

2 Corinthians 3:3
“Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.”

Mincey’s Musings
Year One, Week Thirty-Five

Today, I went to get my allergy shots. It seems the busier I get the easier it is for me to forget to go at least once a week to be poked by needles for real, not on Facebook.

The staff member who administered my shots didn’t seem at all sympathetic to my plight. I felt I should confess, “Bless me, for I have sinned. It has been 33 days since my last presentation for holes in my arms.” Thank God I don’t suffer from trypanophobia (fear of needles).

The oddest things happen on Papaw’s farm.

It was the late eighties. I pulled in from work one day to see Mamaw standing on the far side of my house. I saw her angry facial expression and thought, “This can’t be good. Maybe I should put my car in reverse and just go back to work.”

After a quick prayer, I parked and walked toward Mamaw. She didn’t give me the chance to ask her what was going on. “We managed to get your dogs in the basement. Since it’s E.O.’s fault, we’ll pay to have it fixed.”