Booth Awards - Rocky Top Theme Award ICARE Union County, Best Heritage A&B Bookkeeping and Tax Service,1st Place Best Booth Award Uncle B's Barbecue, 2nd Place Best Booth Award Nana's Attic, 3rd Place Best Booth Award Little Valley Nursery, Best Demonstration Tri County Veterans Honor Guard, Item of Distinction (Food) Boiled Peanuts by KC Creations, Item of Distinction (craft) Wine sign by Mtn.

Union County Retired Teachers hosted members of the Tennessee Retired Teacher Association for an annual workshop on October 22, 2025, at First Baptist Fellowship Hall in Maynardville. After a welcome by President Elouise Jones, members learned about agendas, programs, and projects that impact membership from a panel discussion represented by Marilyn Toppins from Union County, Libby Burney from Knox County, Pat Stonecipher from Anderson County, and Bobby Jackson from Roane County.

Ann Blomquist, a retired math teacher in Jefferson County, addressed the Union County Historical Society meeting on October 19. Blomquist is the volunteer director of First Families of Tennessee. Her office is located at the East Tennessee Museum in Knoxville. She related that First Families of Tennessee began in 1993 in preparation for the 1996 Tennessee Bicentennial Celebration for the purpose of documenting pioneer ancestors and information on their families.

Emersyn celebrated her second birthday a few days early on October 18, with family and friends. She celebrated with a UT Volunteers Themed Birthday Party titled “It’s Great Two Be a Tennessee Vol” Emersyn is the daughter of Joshua and Brittany Bowlin of Washburn. She is the granddaughters of Ralph and Paula Bowlin of Washburn and Doug and Patricia Seal of Sneedville.
Happy Birthday Emersyn!!!! We Love You!!

Chairman Terry Washam and several members of the UC Board of Education escorted Representative Dennis Powers, 36th TN District, on a tour of the new Horace Maynard Middle School. Board members included Vice Chairwoman Jessica Buck, Rebecca Lock, and Harold Cooke. Director Greg Clay and Dr. Tobi Kilgore, principal, acted as the tour guides. Tony Bledsoe, project superintendent of Merit Construction, provided technical expertise and ensured a safe experience along with Assistant Superintendent Caden Rogers and engineer Davis Buehler.

During the October Plainview Board of Aldermen meeting, Brad Woods, LVFD Fire Chief, reminded everyone that burn permits are required to burn leaves or other plant waste from October 15 to May 15. Without a permit, the fire department must extinguish the fire. Also burning without a permit may cause a fine. For a burn permit contact the Tennessee Division of forestry at 1-877-350-2876 or online at Burnsafetn.

The Union County Lions Club pecans are on the way, fresh off the Georgia pecan trees. The organization sold out last year, and not everyone had the opportunity to purchase as many bags as they would have liked. This year, the Lions Club is offering both plain and amaretto-flavored pecans, cashews, chocolate-covered peanuts, and chocolate-covered raisins. And even though prices for these nuts and raisins have risen over the past year, the Lions Club is still asking only $10/bag.

There are pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread and pumpkin muffins. Here is a different take on pumpkin. I like it because I don't have to bother with a crust.

Mix together first 9 ingredients. Pour into buttered 9 by 13 baking dish. Sprinkle dry cake mix over pumpkin mixture. Mix melted butter with nuts and distribute evenly over cake mix. Bake at 350 F. for 50 to 60 minutes or until pumpkin is set. Let cool before serving. If desired, add a spoonful of Cool Whip on each serving.

Terry Washam opened the October UC Board of Education workshop and meeting with the comment that he would follow Roberts Rules of Order and anyone who spoke without recognition from the chairman would be ruled out of order. Then he led the board in recognizing two leaders for their service.

Perfect Attendance
Asa Foust, Alexander Buchkovich, Isabelle Sycz, Lucas Tallent, Liam Sanders, Kaitlyn Lawson, Liam Rindom, John Simmons, Stuart Priest, Walker Zielinski, Ava Bailey, Nolynn Coaker, Kinsley Coffey, Tesla Graff, Emmarie Grace, Devin Keyes, Harley Reed, Dudlee Williams, Noah Williams, Lakelynn Bussell, Marily Gonzales, Logan Wells, Devon Keyes, Haley Reed, Amelia Bass, Lucas Lewis, Malachi Phelps, Landyn Cheatham, Hayden Jones, Brooke Payne, Joseph Jordan, Rayen Dyer, Kendal Atkins, Ellie Braden, Lilah Johnston, Maci Williams, Trayson Wynn, Jaxon Berry, Mackenzie Burbage, Airalynnn Keyes, Faith Merritt, Andrew Phelps, Dawson Walker, Timmy Buckner, Braicen Celani, Joey Gallaher, Chloe Hurst, Beau Lawson, Kenzlee Nicely, MJ Oxley, Melody Rindom, Carley Stansberry, Jack Dyer, Morgan Evans, Isaac Williams, Ava Zielinski, Isaiah Messer, Declane Faulkner, Raven Gibson, Addyson Matthews, Noah Walker