In 1996, as a high school graduate, I entered the workforce before pursuing higher education. My career started in accounts payable at Cooper Container Corporation (CCC). Since I had limited work experience, A.C. Cooper and the leadership team allowed me to develop the fundamental skills associated with clerical occupations and basic accounting processes.

I’m sitting in my bedroom looking out through the glass door at the gray afternoon with snow outside. Snow is not only beautiful but puts lots of nitrogen in the soil. This helps provide nourishment for spring flowers, grass and trees. Also, gardens for spring. While sitting here contemplating God’s work, my mind goes back to 1959 when on February 3rd at around 1:00 am at night a V33 Beechcraft Bonanza airplane lifted off the airport at Mason City, Iowa bound for Fargo, North Dakota. The plane a 1947 Beechcraft V33 Bonanza crashed only moments later killing all four aboard.

By Steve Roark
Volunteer, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Our winter has delt us with some single digit temperatures recently, so perhaps you don’t really want to hear any more about cold. But stay with me on this one and perhaps you won’t be so down on our own winter weather.

Every time we went from our house over to the log cabin, we had to go down the steps to the lower driveway level and then up some more steps to the log cabin. Just doing that would wear a person out. Something had to be done. I thought long and hard about the problem.

If a bridge were built across the ravine behind our house, a walkway could be dug out of the ridge side over to the log cabin. I could see it in my mind, but could it be done? I took the twenty-five­ foot tape and measured the width of the ravine. Glory be! A twelve foot long two by twelve would fit across the opening, if I laid up a concrete block base at either end.

Grate 1/2 teaspoon zest and squeeze 2 tablespoons juice from limes. In large bowl combine tomatoes, chopped onions, cilantro, garlic, Tabasco sauce, lime zest and juice with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Transfer to serving bowl. Serve with tortilla chips. Makes 4 servings.

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — University of Tennessee Extension, in cooperation with Tennessee State University Extension is pleased to host an event celebrating the strength and resilience of women in agriculture. The ‘Ladies Raising Livestock Conference’ will focus on the unique struggles and experiences women face in the livestock business.

The conference will be held Friday, February 2, at the UT Clyde Austin 4-H Center in Greeneville. Note the venue has been updated from previous announcements.

I received an email the other day that discussed a young man asking an elderly person questions about what life was like a generation or so ago. Were I to have been interviewed by this young man, this would have been my responses.

With egg prices on the rise, many Union County families are looking for creative ways to stretch their budgets without sacrificing their favorite recipes. While eggs are a kitchen staple for everything from baking to breakfast, there are several affordable substitutes you can use in your cooking and baking. Whether you’re trying to save money, accommodate dietary needs, or simply out of eggs, these alternatives can keep your meals on track.

KNOXVILLE — The UT Institute of Agriculture will present nearly two dozen field days in 2025 featuring advanced research and tried-and-true landscaping, production and land management techniques for practicing farmers, homeowners and all who are interested, a news release stated.

Most events will be hosted at UT AgResearch and Education Centers throughout the state, and they will feature UTIA researchers and UT Extension specialists as expert speakers.

Mark your calendars now for the Union County Lion's Club free spaghetti dinner on Saturday, March 29, at 5 p.m. at the Union County High School. Stay tuned to this space for more exciting information about the event you won't want to miss.