As America approaches the 250th anniversary of its independence, we stand at a remarkable moment in history. No nation has experienced the blessings, opportunities, freedoms, and influence that the United States of America has enjoyed since its founding in 1776. While no nation is perfect and no generation has been without its challenges, it remains true that America is one of the greatest experiments in liberty ever undertaken by mankind. There is no doubt that this movement was guided by God, guarded by His Spirit and grounded in His Holy Word: the Bible.

Join your fellow Veterans for breakfast, dinner, or camaraderie. All welcome!

Have concerns about falling? You're not alone. Many older adults limit their daily activities because they worry about falling, but it doesn't have to be that way. The University of Tennessee Extension in Union County is offering A Matter of Balance, an award-winning program designed to help older adults build confidence, improve balance, and reduce their risk of falls.

Fresh green bean season is here, making it the perfect time to learn how to safely preserve your harvest for months to come. The University of Tennessee Extension in Union County is offering a hands-on Green Bean Food Preservation Class on Saturday, July 11, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Union County Farmers Market, located at 115 Durham Drive in Maynardville.

William E. Woolet, known to his picking buddies around Woods Music in Maynardville as “Dobro Bill,” was born June 26,1927. Our math being correct, on June 26, 2026, he turned 99 years young. Bill was born in Mishawaka, Indiana, and was raised on a farm with three brothers and four sisters.

Bill graduated high school in 1945 from Mishawaka High School and joined the U.S. Navy, where he served on the Wharton and Prinston battleships, and was stationed on the Bikini Islands while testing was being done on the atomic bomb. Bill was honorably discharged in 1952.

By Steve Roark
Volunteer, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

It interests me how trees are so often intertwined with our culture and history. The 250th July 4th celebration of our Independence is a good time to review the history of the Liberty Tree, a symbol for individual liberty and resistance to tyranny.

Whisk together
1/3 cup buttermilk,
1/2 cup mayonnaise,
1/4 cup each sour cream
1 minced red onion,
1 tablespoon each chopped chives,
dill and parsley.
1 minced garlic clove.
Season with salt.

Since the first part of this series which was printed in the December issue we have made prophecy of America’s future which looks bleak. America’s main enemy as of now is China. China has Russia and North Korea as allies against America, did have Iran but Iran has now been rendered at present as harmless by the current American administration, their fortitude and the rebuilding of America’s military. But the snake is not dead, still has fangs and if not exterminated will heal and come back to bite and rejoin China as an ally. Remember China built the great wall of China which is 13,107 miles long and took over 2,000 years to complete. It took many Chinese dynasties to build it. China is in no hurry and they believe that China has a manifest destiny to rule everything on earth covered by the sky. China today exports up to 33% of America’s products

(All our Veterans have different backgrounds, different lives and different stories. The one thing that they have in common is their service to our country. Some served 2 years, some 4, while others made a career of the military. Many Veterans saw battle or supported battle troops; others spent a good deal of their service in one place. There are Veterans from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard and now, the Space Force).

Eddie Ramirez hails from a long, rich family history of farming. His parents spent most of their lives working tomatoes and, in 2002, bought a farm in Rutledge. Eddie and his wife Lizbeth have strong ties to Union County. They were married at St. Teresa of Calcutta in 2019 and celebrated their union with a reception at Red Gate Farm. They now have 3 active children who all love being on a farm. Although Ramirez Tomatoes does grow other vegetables, about 98% of their crop is tomatoes. They are fairly new to the general public; the majority of their business has been wholesale.