KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — By now you’ve heard the cicadas are coming. In fact, they are practically here. Entomologists predict the periodical cicada that are on a 17-year reproduction cycle will start emerging from the soil in mass within the next several days, and some early emergence has been documented in parts of Tennessee. What you may not have heard is that those young fruit trees you planted this year, or maybe in the last few years, are in danger if you have a large cicada population in your area.

Dave Chesney, a native of Union County and father of country music chart-topper Kenny Chesney, gifts the Historical Society with a donation of official Kenny Chesney memorabilia. Record labels recognize their artists’ achievements with record milestone awards, such as gold (500,000 albums sold) and platinum (1 million albums or 500,000 singles sold). These keepsakes are also presented to those who support an artist’s career; as such, Chesney has received several awards commemorating his son’s achievements.

The Union County 4-H Public Speaking Contest allows youths to highlight their exceptional presentation abilities in a supportive environment. Youth learn from professionals as well as their fellow 4-H members.

Americans are spending billions out-of-pocket for chiropractic services and other complementary health approaches according to authors of a new report by NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative health (NCCIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

I’ll admit to my share of girl watching. When I was in high school, I had a beautiful young neighbor who would occasionally walk by my house. If I was on the porch and saw her coming across the top of the hill, I would go inside the house for fear that I might be put into the awkward position of having to speak to her. I always went inside and traveled from window to window, gazing upon her beauty until she was out of sight. I rode the school bus with her, yet I don’t recall ever having spoken a word to her. I would have died of mortification if I knew she knew that I was so captivated by her beauty.

Do you remember our Bible eating dog, Pobby? She was a tiny stray Tim and I took in the day before Christmas Eve. At that time, we also had two large outside dogs. So, we kept little Pobby inside the house.

By: Steve Roark
Volunteer Interpreter, Cumberland Gap National Park

Everyone knows the dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), which is usually found somewhere in your lawn unless herbicides are heavily used. This European import is probably enemy number one on the lawn weed list, but it is still an interesting study, being both an edible and a medicinal.

On March 4th, I had an appointment with a pulmonary doctor. I have had some difficulty walking, even with a walker, so Anne helped me down the curb at her car as we were leaving. Suddenly Anne was telling someone that he didn’t need to move his car. She said I could make it alright.

I looked over to see who she was talking to. It was an older man (not as old as me) sitting in his SUV at my side of the car with his window down. He said something to the effect that Cub fans needed to stick together. That got my attention.

I found this recipe years ago in a cookbook my husband bought from a traveling salesman, when he worked at a lumber yard. Back in the day, men came through selling just about everything from encyclopedias to cookbooks. A huge dictionary came with it. That is long gone, but I still have the cookbook. I think it was published in 1946. This is an easy way to make rice cakes.

The Union County chapter of the Lions Club was chartered in October 2008 and has been serving our community well year after year. Not sure what the Lions Club is or what it does? It is a club composed of members of the community who embrace the motto “We Serve” in a variety of ways. Local Lions Club programs include vision conservation, hearing and speech conservation, diabetes awareness, youth outreach, international relations, environmental issues, and much more.