Several readers will probably remember the words in the title as part of a jingle for Toys“R”Us. You might think that Toys“R”Us is no more, but a Google search will indicate that what was to some an icon has made a comeback (Source: https://x.com/toysrus?lang=en Retrieved May 28, 2025).
Not everything makes a comeback. Facebook presented me recently with what was called a “harsh truth”—"If you’re not losing friends, you’re not growing up.”

Who doesn’t experience a bad dream from time to time. The one that really bothers me is the one where I can’t reach where I need to go. In it, I’m usually late for work or a class of some kind and I’m constantly being thwarted as I try to get there. When I wake up, I’m so frustrated that it takes me a while to go back to sleep. Last year I actually experienced one of those dreams.

After months of requests, Thomas Skibinski from the Union County Chamber of Commerce addressed the county budget committee on May 27. The committee inquired as to how the chamber was spending the more than $80K contributed to the chamber from the occupancy (hotel-motel) tax. Skibinski listed the total amount on tourism but did not explain individual project expenditures. When asked about Thunder in the Park, he and Mayor Bailey explained that fireworks could no longer be launched behind Trinity Funeral Home due to the new housing development.

Union County Commission made progress on the jail property at the regular May meeting. Jim Langford, CEO of Spirit Architecture and a certified advisor on jail construction, evaluated the Hubbs property regarding construction. In his opinion, the price is very good compared to property cost for jails in surrounding counties and there is ample acreage for long term expansion. Langford commented that a high knoll would cause a lot of excavation, but overall the property is a good site. He noted that core drilling and a survey were needed to determine further information.

By Steve Roark
Volunteer Cumberland Gap National Park

Though their numbers vary from place to place, you likely have seen and for sure heard the periodical cicada, which has emerged this year in vast numbers and is creating a loud drone during the warm part of the day.

Setting here thinking about the tumultuous 1990’s and what occurred January 16th 1991 under the presidency of George H. W. Bush. On this date January 16th 1991 we entered a war against Iraq caused by Iraq invading Kuwait and committing major atrocities against the Kuwaiti people. Iraq at this time was under the dictatorship of Sadam Hussain. United States Army General Norman Schwarzkopf led the multi-national air, land and sea military invasion of Iraq to push Iraqi forces back into Iraq and stop them there. Next 14,000 Jews were airlifted from Ethiopia by Israel. Jeffrey Dahmer was arrested, tried and convicted for murdering young males and he was also suspected of cannibalism. Apartheid was cancelled in South Africa. Next the Soviet Union collapsed December 25th 1991 ending the cold war that started in 1947 between Russia and the United States.

I checked my Facebook account last Friday afternoon. There were several posts concerning awards that were given to staff at the school system’s end of the year celebration.
Teachers who completed 30 years of service to the district were recognized with the presentation of a “golden apple.” They have been “busy bodies,” having devoted their careers to educating students in the Union County Public Schools.

Walk 4 Water Union County’s third annual fundraiser is coming to the UC Farmers Market at Heritage Park on Saturday, June 7.

“We invite all Union County residents to come together to celebrate the blessed life we have here and to help spread the blessings to others suffering from extreme poverty and lack of access to clean, safe water in Uganda,” said Desiree Hensley, Walk 4 Water UC chair.

Join park rangers for an overnight experience in the back country. This is a beginner-friendly workshop at Norris Dam State Park for women where we will learn best practices for overnight camping and some survival tactics. The hike to the campsite is 3.5 miles. It is a moderate trail but very beginner friendly. This workshop is open to women and girls 15 and older.

We will meet at 2 p.m. June 21 to check off the gear list and pack up everyone’s bags, then hit the trail.

Paul Ollis addressed the Union County Business & Professional Association regarding the East Tennessee Military Affairs Council at the May meeting. The council was formed as a nonprofit by the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce to facilitate and coordinate information about services and resources for veterans in the East Tennessee region. The council meets on the first Thursday of each month at 8:30 at the Knoxville Chamber on Market Square. The council offers information from over 50 area organizations that help military families and veterans.