By Helina Bailey
Christmas is fast approaching. Stockings are hung and the lights are up. Many families have begun to fill up the space beneath their Christmas trees with all the gifts from their children’s lists for Santa...but some children in Union County won’t wake up to gifts on Christmas morning. For many, this has been a tough year. Some families in the community are facing food insecurities this holiday season and lacking the means to put gifts under the tree.

Have you ever had a conversation with somebody and you wondered if you two were speaking another language?
It was December 1982. I was so excited since it was my and Tim’s first Christmas together as a couple. When he picked me up one evening, his friend Steve was with him. Tim had to stop at a store. Running in, he left Steve and myself in the car.
Trying to start a conversation, I said, “Mom and I are going shopping for a tree stand tomorrow.”
“You are?” I heard the surprise in his voice. “Who’s it for?”

I never drink a glass of iced tea that I don’t think of my brother, Russell Stimer. He passed away over twenty years ago. Gone, but not forgotten. Russ died of throat cancer. A doctor had told him not to smoke cigarettes, but that small cigars were ok. Not true.

Cream style corn goes well with mashed potatoes. Of course, the other ingredients in this recipe help. We have potatoes at almost every meal at our house. If your meat entree is a little skimpy or not their favorite, these potato cakes will make up for it.,

By Steve Roark
Volunteer, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Since childhood I have always enjoyed Christmas carols, preferably AFTER Thanksgiving, and especially the old ones. Some go back to the 1600s, and sometimes have some obscure language that may not make sense in our present era. So, I thought it interesting to check a few out. 

Union County Business & Professional Association named Martin Shafer and Donna Riddle as Man and Woman of 2022 at its Annual Banquet on November 12 at Maynardville Fellowship Church Fellowship Hall. The dinner was catered by Pete’s Place with coffee provided by Ridge and Valley Coffee House. Brenda Sweet greeted guests and collected tickets, and Rev. Matt Cooke delivered the invocation.

Archie Reynolds addressed the November meeting of the Union County Historical Society (UCHS). He spoke of the traditions of Native Americans. He explained how warrior societies were formed to carry on the culture and sacred beliefs of indigenous people.

Maynardville, TN, November, 2022 — Union County churches, groups and individuals want children in need around the world to receive a gift this Christmas season and to experience the love and hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.
People from our area partnered with the Samaritan’s Purse project, Operation Christmas Child, to make a difference in the lives of children affected by war, disease, disaster, poverty and famine.

The Union County Lions Club annual pecan sale is now underway. You can purchase one pound packages of pecans for $10 at Commercial Bank and First Century Bank (Maynardville branches only) during their normal business hours. Regular pecans are available in half pieces. Pecans covered with white or amaretto chocolate and chocolate dipped peanuts are available while they last.
For additional information contact Ronnie Mincey (865-278-6430).

It’s time for Christmas lights, so you know what that means: “Light It Up” is back! UT Extension has partnered with the Chamber of Commerce again to host the annual Light It Up contest for the county.