Do you have a favorite tree? As for me, I love any Christmas tree, but my other favorite one stood close to my grandparent’s carport. To me, it was a wonderful place to play and use my imagination as a child. In case your wondering, I didn’t ever climb it. The bottom branches were too high for me to grasp. Believe me, I jumped several times and couldn’t grasp a strong enough limb. The only trees that short enough for me to climb were apple trees at Papaw Janesway’s house. But he stopped me because he didn’t want me to hurt them.

My uncle Cas Newton Day remained a kid at heart to his last days. I loved him for it and I think (and hope) a little of it rubbed off on me. To illustrate, he and I, both grown adults, were helping hang tobacco in a barn that had very soft dirt at the entrance. We noticed funnel shaped indentions in the soil, and he suddenly got down on his hands and knees, put his mouth near one of the indentions and yells “Dooodlebug, doodlebug, house on fire!” After I got over my fit of laughter he pointed to the hole and upon close inspection, I saw that a small bug had surfaced at the bottom of the hole and was squirming around fit to bust. He had called up what I now know is an Antlion, but to generations of youth before me were called Doodlebugs, and it was a common fun activity to yell at them in this manner so that the sound vibrations would disturb them and make them surface from their lair.

Show your support for the Union County Farmers Market!

On May 26, the Union County Commission voted to establish a new farmers market board. The County Mayor appointed the board members, who include four County Commissioners and three people from the farm community. During the Commission meeting, one Commissioner explained the purpose of the new board is to move toward County operation of the Farmers’ Market. As part of the approved plan, the County intends to hire its own Farmers Market manager.

The County Commissioners have decided to dissolve the present volunteer Farmers’ Market Board of Directors and replace them with County Commission members and 3 people from the farm community. They will meet in the large courtroom on Monday, July 6 at 6:00. You should be there to voice your opinion.

Union County 4-H (Head, Heart, Hands, and Health) encourages diverse groups of youth to develop their unique skills and talents to the fullest potential through hands-on activities. At this market, the Grill Masters were preparing juicy, tasty hamburgers with free samples for everyone. The grass-fed meat was from both Rebel Hollow Farm and Seven Springs Farm-to-Table. Under the guidance of Extension Agent Sarah Stokely-Cook (865-992-8038) and awesome grilling coach Brandon Davis, Grill Master club members learned all the nuances of preparing and grilling pork, beef, lamb, and chicken.

Next breakfast scheduled for Saturday, July 11.

Come out and support the Union County 4-H Grill Masters Team!

Join us Friday, July 3rd, at the Union Farmers Co-op!

Location:
3035 Maynardville Hwy
Maynardville, TN 37807

Time: 11:00 AM until we're sold out!

Our Union County 4-H Grill Masters will be serving up delicious grilled hot dogs! Stop by for a great lunch, meet our talented youth grillers, and support the next generation of outdoor cooks and leaders.

Meal Deal: $5 includes a hot dog, chips, and a drink.

I get so aggravated at myself at times. Why? Because when I’m having fun, I have the tendency to not use my brain. At all. Yes, that has caused me a few problems over the years.

Managing the stress in your life — and most of us have it to one degree or another — is essential to keeping a healthy lifestyle. Stress comes from many directions and makes itself known in a variety of ways. It might show up as a headache, tight muscles, nausea or back pain. It’s generally caused by outside factors, some obvious, like fretting over financial problems, and others not so obvious, like planning for a joyous occasion like an impending wedding.

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