It’s not easy being me. For one, I struggle to do anything that’s simple. It’s as if my brain says: “Don’t worry. You’ll find a way to make it harder than it’s supposed to be.”

On Wednesday, September 10. from noon until 5 p.m., the Union County Health Department will hold a Health Clinic at Heritage Park on 115 Durham Drive in Maynardville. Services include testing for syphilis, HIV, and Hepatitis C.
Visits for PrEP, DoxyPEP, and Hepatitis C treatment are also available. For more information, please call the Health Department at 865-995-3867.

Picture it—Knoxville, Tennessee, 2025. My nephew, that woman I married and I were eating in a popular local restaurant. As part of her meal, that woman ordered pancakes and asked for syrup to go with them.
Remember that we are in the Appalachian area. While noisy restaurants can make it difficult to hear, local dialect can add to the problem.
Consider—how do you pronounce the word “Syrup”? (Sir-up”? “Surp”?
“Seer-up”?)
As the waitress flew by on one of her busy treks, the woman hailed her and asked for more “surp”. She was even holding the container in her hand.

When I think of my mother-in-law's cooking, I think of potatoes, pancakes and goose. believe that Myrtle was basically a good cook, but not with anything involving these three items. When she came to live with us at Pulaski, she seldom volunteered to do any cooking.

Peeling potatoes was her favorite chore. When it was time to fix supper, she would cheerily announce, "I'll do the potatoes." There was no stopping her. She really wanted to peel the potatoes. Myrtle was good at it. The peelings would roll away from her paring knife in thin curls. She wasted very little. You could use her in a training video. She peeled potatoes that well. There was one problem. She peeled lots of potatoes, perhaps about five pounds at a time. That was too much for three adults and one baby for supper.

Keeping your cutting boards clean and in good condition is essential for food safety. Over time, boards can develop deep grooves, cracks, or warping that harbor bacteria and increase the risk of foodborne illness. While there isn’t a specific timeline from University Extension services for replacing cutting boards, following these best practices can help ensure a safe kitchen.

4 apples
1/4 cup toasted walnuts 1//4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon butter, room temperature 14 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup apple cider 1/4 cup honey

Core and scoop out centers of apples, leaving a 1/2-inch shell. Mix nuts, brown sugar, butter and cinnamon. Spoon into apples. Mix apple cider and honey. Pour over apples. Bake in preheated 350 F. oven for 40 minutes. Makes 4 servings.

Union County Family and Community Education (FCE) members are gearing up for a busy fall filled with service projects, educational opportunities, and special events.

At the August 21 meeting, the group will host a yard sale fundraiser at the Union County Extension Office from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Proceeds will support community programs, educational outreach, and service projects throughout the year.

Chronic pain is widespread in the United States, particularly among military veterans, affecting between 40 to 70% of this population and serving as a leading cause of disability. Veterans experience chronic pain more often than civilians, with back pain being the most common. Up to 75% of older veterans report chronic pain.

Join us on Saturday, August 23 from 4–8 PM down Park Road at Luttrell Park Pavilion (On the hill behind Luttrell Elementary School) for a market filled with local goodness and community connection:

• Homegrown produce, herbs, flowers & eggs
• Homemade baked goods, jams, and local meats
• Handmade soaps, crafts, art, & decor
• Food trucks, sweet treats & cool drinks
• Local authors, child entrepreneurs & more
• Activities for kids and a welcoming, hometown vibe

Gather and enjoy as you support local farmers and makers!

The Union County Lions Volunteers will be in all county elementary schools to provide FREE vision testing for Pre-K students. Please be sure that your student is in school on the day the screening is performed.

Many vision problems, like amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (crossed eyes), and refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism), can develop in early childhood and may not be easily noticeable by parents or caregivers. Vision screening is recommended for children at ages 3, 4, and 5