Horace Maynard Middle School has finished the school year on a high note, with students and teams excelling across academics, athletics and extracurriculars.

Over 50 percent of the 8th grade class will leave HMMS with high school credits—a testament to their hard work and academic focus. Even more impressively, six standout students are leaving with three high school credits each, giving them a major head start on their high school journey.

By Steve Roark
Volunteer Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Walking in the woods you are bound to rocks, soil, even the base of trees covered with a thick, green carpet. Moss may appear fairly plain, but it has a few features that call for more attention. It is an old and venerable life form unique to other plants you find in the forest.

I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Rev. Joe McCoy this past week. Preacher Joe was my pastor at the First Baptist Church of Maynardville for eight years. That was the time of life when I ended my undergraduate education at Lincoln Memorial University and began my career as a Union County educator.
I attended Preacher Joe’s funeral service just last evening. I have never attended a funeral service that was more of a testimony to the life lived by the one being eulogized.

In large pot place first 8 ingredients. Stir to combine. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until cabbage is tender, 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Garnish with fresh dill before serving. Makes 6 servings.

The Smoky Mountain Lions Club held a free Vision Van clinic on Saturday, May 10, at Union County High School. Seventy-eight adults and children received vision services. Participants were to return to the high school to pick up their new glasses.

Regarding many forms of health care, people will sometimes ask: "If I’m feeling good, why do I need it?" In terms of chiropractic treatment, one answer could be, “Are you feeling the best you could be? Are you reaching maximum capacity?"

Not everybody wants to admit it, but we all have fears. Not only do they vary from person to person, but they are also very real and upsetting. That being said, if you don’t have a certain fear, then I think you should help others who are experiencing the same one. For example, I am terrified of spiders. When I see one at home, I call for my husband Tim to get rid of it since he isn’t afraid of them. Actually, that happens a lot for me, but there was an instance when I was the one to come to the rescue of others. Obviously, it wasn’t because of a spider.

By Steve Roark
Volunteer, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Some time you find an immature bird that has fallen out of the nest, which can happen in the spring when the birds are old enough to move around in the nest but too young to fly. Their flopping about sometimes puts them on the ground and in serious trouble. So what to do?

“You steer where you stare.”

I recently heard this statement from Jimmy Dykes, an ESPN and SEC basketball analyst, while speaking to a group of seniors from Gibbs High School. It conveys a powerful truth: The things we regularly focus on ultimately shape the direction of our lives. In other words, where we direct our attention often captures our hearts. What we choose to look at or allow to dominate our mental and spiritual vision will inevitably influence who we become and where we go in life.

The UCHS tennis team ended the year on a high note. The boys snatched first place in the south section of the district with a 3-1 record and finished with 8 wins to 2 losses after the district tournament. In the boys’ singles for the season, Jaxon Bailey (10-4), Max Corum (12-2), Lathan Garner (14-1), Braylon Graves (11-3), Zachary Clark (12-2), Tucker Odom, (6-1), and Luke Williams (2-1) achieved winning records. Jace Walker at the number one singles position took on the best of the district and posted a 6-7 record overall.