Union County Business & Professional Association awarded scholarships to three Union County High School Graduates in 2019. Recipients spoke at the BPA June meeting and thanked the membership for their scholarships. Ethan Dyer received the Service Scholarship for performing over 200 hours of volunteer time to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and another 100 hours at Milan Baptist Church and as a coach for Union County Youth Basketball. He will attend Lincoln Memorial University and plans to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Business.

Article written by 4-Her Meradeth Whitley
When the Union County UT 4-H Extension office called and asked if I would like to be the June Dairy Month Chairperson, my first question was, “What is that?” I did not know anything about June Dairy Month, and I knew very little about dairy.

Did you know that Lyndon Baines Johnson is on the First Families of Tennessee list and has the papers at the Lyndon Baines Library in Austin Texas to prove it? The ancestry chart and who filled out his papers was Robert Desha, Johnson, Jr. who lives in Knoxville [or did live in Knoxville–I don’t know if he is still living.]

Two of Union County’s ladies were recognized for 50 years of membership in FCE. Kaye Robb Whaley and Brenda Effler Williams were recognized at the Union County Spring Luncheon held in Sharps Chapel. They both are members of the Big Ridge Club. They have seen many changes over those 50 years and quite a few extension agents. The various name changes started with Home Demonstration Club, Homemakers and now to the current name FCE (Family Education Club). This is a branch of the UT Extension Office.

One of the professors in my doctoral program at Lincoln Memorial University once gave us an assignment entitled “This I Believe About Educational Leadership”. I am thinking there is a website or blog called “This I Believe” to which people can publish their beliefs on certain topics. The importance of the assignment was to teach that what we believe guides our life decisions and impacts not only our own but others’ lives for better or worse.

I have a hard time wrapping my head around this, but in many countries, bugs are considered to be a delicacy. Did you know you can buy chocolate covered insects here in America? Maybe some of you have tried them and liked them. I’ve heard they are rather crunchy. As for me, the bugs I ate weren’t chocolate covered. And it wasn’t on purpose.

Christian, do you realize Jesus prayed for you? In John Chapter 17, as Jesus Himself was going through what arguably was the most turbulent time in His earthly life, Jesus prayed for you!
Here is the specific verse and following that verse is some of the context, but not all:
John 17:20
“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;”

When holidays roll around, I like to poke around for a connection with the natural world, and I found some interesting stuff about The Declaration of Independence. This most revered American document kicked off our nation’s quest to rule itself, which we celebrate on the 4th of July, Independence Day.

On August 3rd, kids from all over Union County will be able to show off their skills in cooking, corn-shucking, joke-telling and so much more at the Annual Youth and Corn Festival.

A contest unique to this event is the Farm to Table Corn Dish. Kids can make the dish of their choice and enter it in the contest. The corn can be obtained from the competitor’s garden or from the farmer’s market. Entries will be judged on taste and overall appearance, and must include a recipe card and at least one item from the farmer’s market.

Kayla Torra, owner of Self Made Fitness, has introduced a new level of fitness classes in Union County. For the month of June, Torra has hosted a Fit Camp at Sweet Southern Tumbling on Durham Drive. Classes are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5:00 to 6:00 in the morning; yes, in the morning, before work or school or daily lives typically begin.