Seeing the goodness of God in the letdowns of life

The Book of Ruth is a cameo story of love, devotion, redemption and grace set in the dark context of the days of the Judges. Bible readers know that Ruth was a Moabite who forsakes her Pagan heritage to cling to the God of Israel. Her reward was a new husband (Boaz) and a son (Obed), and the eventual privileged position as great-grandmother to a king (David).

The Leg Check

It takes some patients by surprise, but one of the first things a chiropractor will do during your initial visit is measure the length of your legs. If you’ve gone to see a chiropractor because your back is bothering you, it’s reasonable to wonder why the doctor is looking at your legs. But here’s the reason: It’s not uncommon for people to have legs that are of slightly different lengths.

2025 UC 4-H Public Speaking Contest results

The Union County 4-H Public Speaking Contest showcased the talent and hard work of our youth, highlighting their dedication to honing skills that will help shape them into future leaders. Held at Horace Maynard Middle School, this year’s competition was a resounding success, and we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who made it possible.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our judges, who generously gave their time and expertise to evaluate the speeches. Your support is invaluable, and we are deeply appreciative of your role in encouraging these young participants.

TN Swine Show Shirts on sale now to benefit UC 4-H

Get Your Limited-Edition TN State Swine Show Shirts – Now Online!
Due to the weather at the event, we have extra TN State Swine Show shirts featuring 4-H and FFA logos! These shirts are perfect for showing your support for youth in agriculture and make amazing gifts!
Available Options:

Hoodies: tiny.utk.edu/Hoodie

Long Sleeves: tiny.utk.edu/LongSleeveSwine

These shirts are available in a variety of sizes and are the perfect keepsake or gift for any 4-H or FFA supporter. Don’t miss out on this limited opportunity!

Hard Work

There was a program on TV I found interesting. It was called "How Its Made." One evening when no baseball game was on, I checked it out. The topic hit a familiar cord with me. It explained how beet sugar was made.

I am familiar with sugar beets. They are a major crop in the Saginaw Valley of Michigan. My maternal grandparents had a twenty acre farm about a mile from the Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron. The soil was fertile. It had been part of an ancient flood plain formed when the glacier melted long ago. That soil would grow anything.

BLT and Shells Salad

This is a good hearty salad any time of the year. The ingredients are available anytime you can get to the grocery store. In mixing bowl combine shells, tomatoes and crumbled bacon. Set aside. In a small bowl combine dressing ingredients. Spoon dressing mixture over pasta mixture. Stir lightly to combine. To be the most flavorful, chill at least 2 hours before serving. On individual salad plates, on a small pile of shredded lettuce, divide salad into 6 portions and serve.

Lichen: That Stuff Growing on Your Tree

By Steve Roark
As a forester, I often get asked tree health questions, and one involves flat blotches stuff growing on well-established yard trees. It’s often blue-green but can come in other colors. These are Lichens, of which there are many species, have found a niche where they can grow off the ground and away from competing plants. They are perfectly happy living in the high-rise apartment provided by tree trunks, especially in deep shade areas. Most older trees in our area have at least one small colony of lichen growing somewhere.