Union County, by Tennessee's standards, is a small county. With an approximate population of 20,000, we have not grown a great deal in the last few decades, or even during the 20th century. That seems like it is changing and will continue to change in the 21st century.
Union County's population changes as society changes. We have seen an influx of "Rust Belt" refugees, migrant workers and Norris Lake retirees.
We can be assured of these continued changes with increased urbanization, or, more accurately, increased sub-urbanization.

The other day I stumbled across a John Denver song on YouTube that I had never heard before, and then I started listening to other old favorites. Denver had a way of striking a chord on many different subjects. And ‘Grandma’s Feather Bed’ was one of them.
Part of it goes like this:
“But the best darn thing about grandma's house
Was the great big feather bed
It was nine feet high and six feet wide
And soft as a downy chick
It was made from the feathers of forty 'leven geese
Took a whole bolt of cloth for the tick

Genetically Modified Organisms, or GMO’s, are plants that have been modified to make them more productive and resistant to certain problems. The process of creating these organisms can best be explained using a chain model. If there is a weak link in a chain, you either mend it or replace it with a stronger one. If there is a gene in the DNA of a wheat plant that makes it susceptible to a certain fungus, scientists have now developed a way to remove that gene and replace it.

The Union County Clerk’s Office is excited to say that we now issue REAL ID Driver License, duplicate and address change on Commercial Driver License and renewals on Handgun Carry Permits.
The County Clerk’s office has numerous other duties including collecting Race Track Insurance Licensing Fee, issuance of Marriage Licenses, Pawnbroker Licenses and New Business Licenses.

For nearly six years, the local Hansards Chapel United Methodist Church has been hosting a food giveaway to those in need within the community. The pantry takes place on the third Saturday each month at 6:00 pm at the church near the Knox/Union County line.

Divorce is a difficult and painful process for most people, even if they are able to get along. It is very hard for the children involved. Parents going through a divorce want to do the right things for their children. Sometimes they are so hurt and so busy with the legal details of the divorce that they are not aware of how the divorce is affecting their children.

“You can’t read a book here!”

“Why not?” I was totally (as mom would say) “befuzzeled.”

“Because you don’t read a book at a drag race!”

Tim’s answer made no sense to me. I grew up reading. I read anywhere and everywhere; even while riding in the car. That was until Mamaw Jo said, “I get motion sickness when I read in a car.” Once that thought was planted in my brain, I couldn’t read in the car anymore without feeling woozy.

Back pain is pervasive among American adults, however it is not uncommon among children and teens. In a new and disturbing trend, young children are suffering from back pain much earlier than previous generations, and the use of overweight backpacks is a contributing factor, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA).

A certain amount of misadventure can come from dining in public, especially if that public meal is as a student in elementary school.

Recently I was talking with my good friend Chip Brown. We recalled the time when we were having lunch in seventh grade at Maynardville Elementary. In those days, ketchup and mustard were in plastic bottles in the middle of each table. (Even vinegar for the spinach was in glass bottles on the table! Just imagine, spinach for lunch!) I haven’t seen this in a school in decades, and probably in great reason this is due to our misadventures at Maynardville Elementary.

What do you do with leftover ham after a big dinner? I don't like to freeze the leftovers. They get sort of a freezer taste if not used within a week or two. Here is a recipe that looks elegant, that is, if leftover ham can look elegant. Anyway, it tastes good.

ELEGANT CABBAGE AND HAM
1 medium head cabbage, shredded
2 cups diced cooked leftover ham
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup buttered bread or saltine crumbs