Union County Children’s Charity, Inc. (UCCC), a 501c3 nonprofit organization, is on a mission to ensure that every child in Union County receives a present on Christmas morning. With the COVID-19 pandemic afoot, many noble efforts and events have been derailed, but the UCCC is committed to doing whatever is necessary to see that this program survives. Gina Buckner, the current president of the UCCC, says, “It may look different this year, but extensive plans are underway now to safely distribute toys to families in need again this winter.”

Dr. Jimmy Carter, Director of Schools, remarked that his staff was preparing a rubric (rules for evaluation) for teacher incentive pay.
He further explained that the plan would not be ready for the Union County Board of Education September meeting and would need to be placed on the October agenda.

“Union County has received the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in the amount of $253,143,” announced Mayor Bailey at the September Union County Commission Meeting.
The CDBG money will be used to purchase a fire engine for the Northeast Union Fire Department. Any remaining funds will be offered to the other fire departments to purchase needed equipment. However, Bailey stated that most likely the amount would just cover the cost of the truck.

Union County Business and Professional Association awarded their 2020 scholarships at a recent meeting.
Receiving the Jeffreys Memorial Academic Scholarship is Savannah Jones. Savannah is currently attending UT Knoxville and majoring in food and agricultural business. She will receive a total of $3,125 to further her education.

Jackston Wyrick plays football in the Union County Youth Football and Cheer Program, in place for Union County Students ages 5-11 who want to learn the fundamentals of football and cheer. These students also have the opportunity to learn sportsmanship, confidence and teamwork.

Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. These disorders include, but are not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches. Doctors of chiropractic (DCs) practice a conservative approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment.

With Election Day approaching there is much discussion in America and Union County about who to vote for, especially with the election or re-election of a Commander-in-Chief. However, as is typical of any election, there are other offices which must be filled and many voters lack key information:
“What is the position in question?”
“Who is on the ballot?”
“What are their policies?”
These are often asked questions asked on election day or very shortly before.

Farmers and producers, October is here and with it brings the time for 2020 Tennessee Ag Enhancement Program (TAEP) Applications to be submitted. Following suit of recent years in the program, Application A can be completed between October 1 and 7, 2020, postmarked or online. This is the only time that applications are accepted all year. Check the website for more details https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/farms/taep.html , or call (865) 992-8038.

Union County Business and Professional Association is seeking nominees for the Man and Woman of 2020, and the public is invited to participate. If you know of a person who is a resident of Union County or gainfully employed Union County, you may want to send the name, the reasons for the nomination, your name, and your phone number to Shannon DeWitt by email to sdewitt@utk.edu or by mail to UCB&PA, PO Box 696, Maynardville, TN 37807. Nominations are due by October 20, 2020.

Earl Bull was cutting and baling 100 acres of hay, but still found time to talk to me. We were going back to our days spent on the farm as boys to help the family make it.
“Make it” meant to have food, wood cut for the winter, hay for the livestock and hopefully a cash tobacco crop to pay the farm taxes and put brogan shoes on our feet for winter, a couple of pair of jeans and flannel shirts for school.