Out Highway 61 between Maynardville and Luttrell, there's a small farm winery founded on a big dream. That dream belongs to Nicole "Nikki" Riddle, owner of The Winery at Seven Springs Farm. She leased 44 acres for a vineyard and winery from her parents, Donna and Rick Riddle, and opened the winery in 2015. Her fiance, Michael Coombs, is part of the winery as well.
Jean Underwood Fox and Harry Fox presently own the Albert Miller Lea farm at Richland, and this is the 209th anniversary of Mr. Lea’s birth. What a birthday gift, a Tennessee Historic Marker, presented by Mr. and Mrs. Fox. They have begun working with Grainger County Historian Ken Coffey to have Richland: Albert Miller Lea Farm placed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is the tenth historic marker to be placed in Grainger County. Mr. Marvin House, who restored the Richland Mill, was also helpful in this process.
My dad was of the old school. His home was his castle and he was in charge! My, how times have changed. Nowadays, mom works, too. The family doesn't gather around the supper table anymore. Every member of the family has his own agenda. When I think about the old days, I'm talking about the thirties and the forties. One thing, especially, comes to mind: "Fried Eggs on Toast." That was my dad's breakfast from as long as I can remember. Oh, there might be pancakes, French toast or whatever, but "Fried Eggs on Toast" was a given.
Floating Axe Farm began a year ago when Christopher and Heather Schwarzen moved to Halls with their 9 children. There, they own a farm with a couple of acres of land. The name Floating Axe has a biblical meaning, from 2 Kings 6:1-7. They grow a variety of produce organically, including cucumbers, beans, squash, lettuce and pumpkins and hope to grow popcorn in the future. They also raise meat rabbits and are in the process of raising goats for milk and meat. They hope to expand their farm each year as they continue to grow.
Here's some great news for folks in Sharps Chapel. The Union County Farmers Market is coming to you with fresh, local produce, noon to 2 p.m. every Wednesday, at the Sharps Chapel Senior Center.
"We have tossed it around for awhile," said Beth Bergeron of UT Extension. "We realized that there were some regulars (from Sharps Chapel) that we hadn't seen in two years. Apparently, Saturdays are not good for that particular community."
Bergeron said the Wednesday market will continue in the Chapel as long as there is interest.
Who’d ever thunk it? This Horace Maynard High School Class of 1976 graduate has already been successful in three careers. Young as he is, he may add to those. Reverend Keith Williams worked for a number of years as a Machinist/Toolmaker. When he became a full time pastor he, of course, gave up that job. Keith is the son of A. J. And Betty Williams of Tater Valley, where he grew up. His father taught Keith to play fiddle when he was just about 13 years old, but he didn’t become a serious fiddle player until he was 20. He did not attempt fiddle making until about four years ago.
Some of you might be too young to remember Dr. Baker or the TV show that made his character famous. It was called, Little House on the Prairie, and if you’re not familiar with it, look it up on Netflix. It’s family-friendly viewing at its finest.
Up until around the middle of the 20th century, most rural communities had a Dr. Baker who treated everyone from infancy to death. They made house calls, delivered babies, set broken bones, and many times even doubled as veterinarian for farm animals.
Joe’s Garden is owned by Joe Kitts. Joe is from Union County and grew up with a family of seven that all pitched in on the family farm. Joe often reflects on his memories from his childhood. His garden is located by the Union County Board of Education. This is a perfect example of community in Union County. Joe says thanks by planting his favorite peas and offers a variety of other vegetables, such as cantaloupes, watermelons, potatoes, beets, corn, cabbage, broccoli, tomatoes, zucchini, beans, squash, peppers, pumpkins, and onions.
Jacob “Jake” Franklin Butcher passed away on July 19, 2017 at the age of 81 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Jake was born May 8, 1936 to Cecil H. Butcher, Sr. and Kate Walters Butcher in the rural town of Maynardville, Tennessee. Jake attended Maynardville High School and later the University of Tennessee and Hiwassee College. After college, he joined the United States Marine Corps serving primarily in Korea, Japan and Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. Jake always held the Marine Corps close to his heart. He married Broadway actress and Oak Ridge native Sonya Wilde in 1962 and together they had four children, Maria (Randy) Loyd, Scarlett (Tim) Current, Brad (Leigh Ann) Butcher and Jason (Ashley) Butcher. Jake and Sonya also have 8 grandchildren, Kendall Loyd White, Austin Loyd, McCall Current, Joshua Current, Colby Butcher, Katelyn Butcher, Jace Butcher and Olivia Butcher, and 2 great grandchildren, Abigail and Judah White. During his long life, he treasured his family and they all adored him.
One year ago, folks who knew and loved the Red Gate Rodeo were holding their breath to see if the Union County Rodeo could fill the void. They were not disappointed, and Union County Rodeo will ride again this weekend, July 21 and 22, at 874 Hickory Star Road.
Dr. Jared Graves, veterinarian at Union County Animal Hospital, was approached by Wes and John Stalans of Spur'n S Rodeo Company last year about hosting the rodeo when the new owners of the Red Gate Farm property declined. Graves agreed to host the rodeo on a Hickory Star Road farm that has been in his family since 1882.