If you are like me, you are not particularly fond of the days between Christmas and New Year’s. The decorations remain, the songs still echo faintly, but the urgency, excitement, and expectation seem to have passed. It’s like the celebration is over, and the future is now waiting to begin. We find ourselves in a sacred in-between, after the miracle, before the movement. The Bible reminds us that God often does some of His most important work in moments just like this.

The Union County Retired Teachers Association shared pepperoni and veggie pizzas from Pizza Plus in Luttrell with the Union County Senior Center on Wednesday, December 3. Members also enjoyed treats of cookies and candy canes.

Union County Business & Professional Association held the Emily Link Gazebo Lighting in Wilson Park on December 5, 2025, to launch the Christmas holiday celebrations. Carols, cookies, and cocoa drew a crowd to participate in the festivities. Children of all ages enjoyed the cookies, popcorn, hot chocolate, water, candy, as well as Christmas coloring sheets and books. Especially delightful were the crème filled chocolate chip cookies and brownies.

The Union County Historical Society hosted a holiday gathering at its December 2025 meeting at the Union County Museum. Hosts for the meeting were the officers: President Ellen Perry, Vice President Charles Hamilton, Secretary Jo Gibson, and Treasurer Glenda Cooke. The Board of Directors are Chairman Judson Palmer and members Fred Gibson, Dennis Johnson, Geraldine (Jeri) Lett, Dave Monroe, James A. Perry, Fred H. Simmons, Marilyn Toppins, Veronica Fox (recorder), and Tonya Atkins (accountant).

Luttrell Volunteer Fire Department and their families and friends enjoyed their Christmas dinner at the Plainview Fire Station on December 13, 2025. Fire Chief Brad Woods welcomed everyone and encouraged them to not only enjoy the food but also the location. He also mentioned several of the LVFD blessings including new firefighters, improved equipment, and the expanded Plainview Station. He thanked the cities of Plainview and Luttrell, Union County, and the many volunteer firefighters and citizens that provided the growth.

In last month’s article I brought you up into the 1950’s through the Democratic Party and after General Dwight Eisenhower retired from the army as supreme commander of all the Allied Forces during WWII. He changed from the Democratic Party, became a Republican and won the Presidency during the 1952 election. As the first article published in the December issue stated during the 1930’s and into the early 1970’s, the Democratic party had some very fine conservative congressmen, senators and governors. Let’s take a look at some who were mostly southern. We’ll start with a governor from the great state of Alabama. His name was George C. Wallace, a man born and raised from the tiny town of Clio, Alabama. George Wallace was short in stature, but big with brains and a large serving of common sense and political savvy.

Let me share my first trip across the pond and take you along to Italy. This fall, I joined a thoughtfully planned 10-day tour that began in Milan and wound its way south to Rome. While the grand cities impressed me with their architecture and energy, it was the small towns that truly captured my heart.

We are pleased to announce the birth of Lincoln Paul Bowlin born on December 1, 2025, at 8:19 P.M. He came into this world weighing 7 lbs. 4 oz. and 19.5 inches long. He is the son of Joshua and Brittany Bowlin and brother to Big Sister Emersyn all of Washburn. The grandsons of Ralph and Paula Bowlin of Washburn and Doug and Patricia Seal of Sneedville. We Love You Lincoln!

OUTSIDE
By Steve Roark
Volunteer Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

We’ve had a dusting of snow or two recently, and since it’s snow season so it seems only right to write about it. Trouble is I’ve written several snow articles in the past, so I had to dig harder to find something fresh to write about. I did find something surprising that I’d have to classify as weird science. It involves something called heavy water, so prepare to go sub-atomic.

The Russo-Japanese War began on February 8th, 1904 with the Japanese attack on the Russian Port Author. According to the United States Department of State Archives, approximately 60,000 Russian and 41,000 Japanese soldiers died in this war making the estimated death total 101,000. Japan, like European countries of the time, was involved in the age of Imperialism. During the late Meiji period Japan began to acquire colonies in Southeast Asia. This put Japan in a position where it would rival European countries which also had colonies in Asia.