In the previous articles about the Big Ridge area, we discussed the history of the early settlers and their relationship with the land.
The area around Big Ridge was once a happening little community with a town center called Loyston. This area was a farming community with schools, churches and farms scattered along the banks of the Clinch River.
Many people who visit Big Ridge or Norris Lake don’t picture or know that the area was farms. Now the area is mostly wooded and undeveloped.

Country Connections by James and Ellen Perry
It was late October, the best I remember 1957 or 1958. Our neighbor’s wife, who was also my father’s sister, invited our family to join her family and others for our first Halloween party.

What goes good with butter beans? Pork sausage, of course. I like tomato soup, too. It's good alone or with something like butter beans. It's a cold weather soup that's easy to prepare.

Career Trend, an online resource that discusses duties of elected and appointed city officials (for anyone entertaining the notion of serving), describes small town mayors as the Chief Representative of the People.
That description is quite fitting of the Mayor of Plainview, Gary D. Chandler. Having an interest in making his community better, Chandler began serving as Plainview City Alderman in 2003. He was elected Plainview City Mayor 10 years ago and is currently serving his third term. Chandler is the third mayor to serve the City of Plainview in its 28-year history.

Q: What conditions do chiropractors treat?
A: Doctors of chiropractic (DCs) care for patients of all ages, with a variety of health conditions. DCs are especially well known for their expertise in caring for patients with back pain, neck pain and headaches, particularly with their highly skilled manipulations or chiropractic adjustments. They also care for patients with a wide range of injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system, involving the muscles, ligaments and joints.

No, I’m not talking about a horror movie. I don’t like those things. And no, I don’t have a fear of bridges, or gephyrophobia. Well, not all bridges. Just one, and to be honest, my terror took me by surprise.

How did you spend your fall break? Well, I took my wife to several doctors most days of that week. I did manage to finish reading at least one book, portions of a few others, shop at KARM, eat out with a friend, mow my and my neighbor’s yard, and put up a storm door at my home library.

Everyone has heard the old term “once in a blue Moon”, which is used to reference a rare event. The origin of the term comes from the fact that when a month has two full moons in it, the second one is called blue. This will occur this month appropriately on October 31, Halloween, so be sure and watch for it. This second full moon blue thing is not old folklore. A March 1999 issue of Sky and Telescope describes the term as recent occurrence.

Yes, I like onions. I remember from my childhood during the Great Depression that Mother flavored our monotonous menu with onions whenever possible. She only had that old 1936 Detroit Times cookbook for guidance. I don't know what she did before that. Introduce this recipe to your family. They will learn that onions can be used for more than just flavor. Onions can play a starring roll. It is simple but delicious.

This really is a Spam chowder. I didn't call it by it's true name because I figured you wouldn't look at it if I had the word "Spam" in the title. It is easy to fix and a bit different from your typical ham chowder - no potatoes.

CORNY HAM CHOWDER
1 tablespoon margarine
2 cups cubed ham or a can of Spam, cubed
1 cup sliced celery
16 ounce can cream style corn
1 cup milk
1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt, optional