Give back to our local 4-H program

An age-old classic program in communities across the country is the local 4-H. Ask around, it is likely that your child, if in 4th grade or above, your parents and grandparents, all have been touched by 4-H at some point in time.
Whether the memory is of giving a beekeeping speech in 4th grade, baking biscuits at the Tennessee Valley Fair, showing sheep all across the south, learning to use a sewing machine, shooting shotguns or just learning parliamentary procedure at a young age, we have all had some part in the 4-H program.

Union County Tai Chi for Arthritis classes upcoming

Have you heard of tai chi? Did you know that a tai chi program is offered here in Union County?
UT Extension educator, Alyshia Victoria, is certified and approved by the Tai Chi for Health Institute to teach this program. During the course, she demonstrates joint-safe exercises that help participants improve muscle strength, mobility, coordination and relaxation.

Jack and Bonnie Heiskell, Eloping High Drama

When I think of my brother, Jack Heiskell, and his loving wife, Bonnie Caughron Heiskell, I am often reminded of the story of their courtship and elopement.
“In June of 2009, we celebrated the 50th wedding anniversary of Jack and Bonnie. At this celebration she wrote their story, and we will let her tell it in her own words.
“Jack and I met when I was in high school. Jack’s sister Ginny introduced us and we started dating regularly. Not long after we started dating, my foster mother, “Mam,” thought we were getting too serious, so she told Jack not to come back to see me.

No Tellin'

Being an East Tennessee girl, I have heard the phrase, “no tellin’” countless times. It can be used as another term for “who knows.”
For example: somebody may ask, “Do you think it will snow?” The proper response would be, “No tellin.’” That being said, I’m going to use that phrase in a little different context for this article.

The Greatest Valentine

Tullis Brown sat in his rocking chair in his and Sarah Brown’s bedroom watching the flames in his fireplace on this February 13, Valentine’s Eve.
It was a cold, windy night with heavy snow coming down. Tullis was a proud man nearing 80 years of age who married the prettiest girl from Redbud Hollow almost sixty years ago. Her maiden name was Sarah Loudon who came from a good family: Her father owned a good farm and a blacksmith shop in Redbud Hollow.

The legacy of Park Superintendent James "Jim" Rob

When I first started working at Big Ridge State Park in 2010, I was greeted every day by a picture of Superintendent Jim Rob that was in the lobby just before entering the employee offices. His picture was one of a healthy upright older man with a handlebar mustache. I not sure where that picture went off to but egos can be big, and as much as I would like to think that there is another reason that picture is gone, I can think of none.

Secrets

My father’s youngest sister, my aunt Fleetie Thomas, lived at 2110 Hoitt Avenue in Knoxville for many years. The two rooms at the very front of her house and the two directly behind them each had two doors, meaning that if all four doors were opened at the same time a little boy could run himself silly in a circle. This was a practically a once in a lifetime opportunity, as the front bedroom was closed off year-round.

Friends - Part 3

James 4:4 KJV
[4] Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
I really enjoyed writing the first two parts of this series on friends, but in all honesty, I have dreaded writing this last part. It is not my intention to offend or condemn anyone, but if the Word of God offends you, well, then take it up with Him. That being said, Jesus said many people would be offended because of the words he spoke and the things he did.

Finding your way

Humans must have a hardwired wanderlust. For generations our ancestors were always moving on to new places, and this continues today.
On average, Americans will live in five homes in their lifetime, and in between we take vacations to see new places. Nowadays we have road maps, phone apps and global positioning system (GPS) devices to show us how to get to anywhere we wish.