In my family, we called them “get togethers” instead of a family reunion. I can still remember the feeling of magic and anticipation of those special occasions.

When I was growing up, we got together right before Christmas with my Papaw’s brother’s family. I loved it when everybody came over to my mamaw and papaw’s house. My mom and my mamaws cooked in the kitchen as they whipped up the feast. The aroma was awesome. And they happily bantered and laughed as they worked.

Researchers have found that poor back muscle quality is not associated with worsening kyphosis (forward curvature or “hunch” of the upper spine) in older adults.

The researchers used computed tomography (CT) scans to measure spinal curvature in 1,087 men and women aged 50-85 years to determine whether age-related decline in trunk muscle size and quality contributes to the worsening of kyphosis.

Every pantry has a package or two of macaroni and cheese dinner in there somewhere. It is the good beginning for a quick supper. I remember that when I worked (it hasn't been that long ago) I needed a quick dish for supper. If I had a pound of ground beef defrosting in the refrigerator and I could find a package of mac and cheese dinner, supper would soon be on the table.

I was recently able to visit the Oakes Daylily Bloom Festival on June 23, as I have for several years now. Whether you take the kids to the kid’s tent or walk through the display of beds or just relax while listening to the music of local artist, it is a day well spent. With 6 acres of Daylilies in full bloom, the Oakes Farm has more than 1000 varieties of Daylilies and they ship all over the country. On the day of the festival, we visited a tent set up with a large variety of lilies on display where we could view and select lilies for purchase.

Gratitude and appreciation draped the last Union County Commission Meeting of the commission elected in 2014. The new Commission will have eight new members. Many commissioners expressed their gratitude for the honor of serving the citizens of Union County. Others mentioned their appreciation for the chance to work with people from all over the county to do some positive things. The citizens erupted in applause for the return of Commissioner J. M. Bailey who has been struggling with a serious illness.

The staff members of Willow Ridge Care and Rehab would like to thank all those who have so generously donated to provide a 19" wall mounted flat screen television for each of our resident's during their stay. The total cost of the television and mounting hardware comes to just under $100 each. For each $100 donation, we are placing a small sign on each television indicating who provided it. This is a daily reminder to our residents that they are cared for by the wider community. Over the course of a year, many people are touched by this gift.

Allyson Hanna has done her hometown proud by bringing home a state-level win from the Tennessee 4-H Round-Up and All-Star Conference. The 16-year-old homeschooler is a junior this year, and she won her division with a Senior Level 1 consumer education project on the Consumer Bill of Rights.

Hanna has been active in 4-H since she was in the fifth grade, and she credits the program with helping her grow as a leader and a team player.

The “digital divide” is the gap that exists between individuals advantaged by the internet and those individuals disadvantaged by lack of access to the internet. The divide has widened as technology has advanced with the advent of next generation fiber optic broadband that can make 1 GB broadband speeds available. The growing gap disproportionately affects rural areas as rural residents have few choices of internet service providers – or none at all. They pay higher prices for lower quality service.

In our time, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) remains as a residual reminder of the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration’s alphabet soup programs created in the 1930s to combat the economic ills of the Great Depression.

Not everyone should take music lessons. There are some that have a hole in their bucket, like me. Mother thought it would be nice if one of her children learned how to play the Hawaiian guitar. Island music was popular back in the days before World War II. She picked the wrong kid, me.