As school was wrapping up this year, the Union County Extension office offered a unique program, called On My Own to teach financial literacy to youth in our county.
On My Own is a hands-on, real-life simulation that gives young people ages 13 to 18 the opportunity to experience adulthood in a fun and exciting way. During the simulation, participants assume they are 26 years old, are the primary or sole support of the household, and are encouraged to make healthy and wise lifestyle choices similar to those adults face on a daily basis.

We love having families at the Union County Farmers Market so bring your children and/or grandchildren on Saturdays! We always have something fun for all ages. Check out the activities at the UT Extension booth as well as those offered by some of the vendors.

Patrons lined up to purchase sweet treats at the grand opening of the Buttercup Bakehouse at 3933 Maynardville Highway on June 3. Emily Cooke, formerly of Sweet Treats by Emily is the proprietor. The bakery offers a variety of breakfast items, drinks and desserts. Baked goods include breakfast jam bars, cinnamon rolls, banana bread and cupcakes galore.

The state's reevaluation of property stirred concerns over property tax increases by many commissioners at the Union County Commission meeting on May 23. Even though County Mayor Jason Bailey and the finance department proposed a balanced budget, questions arose regarding inflation, salaries, insurance, and taxes.
Commissioner Bill Cox asked if the state had sent a recommended tax rate. Bailey responded that the state would certify a reduction in the tax rate to 1.58 from 2.13 due to the fact that the county cannot receive more revenue from the state reevaluation alone.

A dozen or so parents with concerns about Horace Maynard Middle School attended the Union County Board of Education meeting in May. Jessica Waggoner, the spokesperson, said that her fifth grader was terrified at the thought of being a student in the middle school next year.
Waggoner listed vaping, fights in the bathrooms and punishing everyone for the bad behavior of some as issues to be addressed. Another parent echoed these issues and added that bathrooms need adult monitors. One grandmother suggested that the middle school needs a PTO and better communication with parents.

Rethinking what causes pain and how great a threat it is can provide chronic pain patients with lasting relief and alter brain networks associated with pain processing, according to new University of Colorado Boulder led research.

The study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, found that two-thirds of chronic back pain patients who underwent a four-week psychological treatment called Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) were pain-free or nearly pain-free post-treatment. And most maintained relief for one year.

Nashville, TN– Ben Woods has been named the 2022 National Dairy Month Chairman for Union County.
Woods was honored May 26 at the Tennessee June Dairy Month Kickoff Event at Battle Mountain Farm in College Grove. The event included recognition from Brian Flowers, president of the American Dairy Association of Tennessee, and Jeff Aiken, Deputy Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The official kickoff celebration recognized Tennessee 4-H member’s efforts to promote National Dairy Month in Tennessee.

The City of Plainview introduced its new utility truck at the May meeting of the Plainview Board of Aldermen. The new three-quarter ton truck is a 2022 Ford 250 with 4-wheel drive and the latest in electronic and safety enhancements. According to Vice Mayor Richard Phillips, the new one replaces a truck that is 22 years old and will be a welcome addition to the maintenance vehicles. The old truck was declared surplus and will be sold.

A few days ago my wonderful niece in Cincinnati sent me the following text message at 6:29 p.m.: “Sitting on the back porch, enjoying the cool of the evening, the birds and squirrels, the fish and frogs, the breeze bringing in the scent of the freshly moon grass. How’s your day going?”
“Moon grass, huh?” thought I. “Is that like bluegrass, crabgrass, fescue? Is there ‘Martian’ grass on Mars? Did she have two cases of ‘Blue Moon’ iced down for the Super Bowl?” At 6:32 p.m. I received another message: “Mown grass . . . not moon.”

Wait until your friends try this candy. It is a smooth coffee-flavored fudge with chocolate bits and pecans. This is the old timey way to make fudge. You could vary it by using butterscotch bits.