Cherokee Spirit Mustang Rescue and Equine Refuge

Molly May Mule and Autumn

Right here in Union County is a family deeply involved in Mustang rescue. Loretta Morris and her teenagers Ariana and Ayden have prevented these horses from being shipped to slaughterhouses in Canada and Mexico. The Morrises care for these animals on a daily basis. Today, there is a total of 52 Mustangs, donkeys, mules, and mulestangs (part mule and part Mustang). Some arrive at the Cherokee Spirit Mustang Rescue in Washburn fairly healthy, while others are in need of extra care, nutrients and feed.

Frozen Shoulder

‘Frozen shoulder’ is a term sometimes used loosely in connection with any type of persistent shoulder pain. But specifically it is the loss of arm movement at the shoulder joint.

The shoulder is the part of the body that is the third most common subject for chiropractic treatment, the lower back and the neck being the two most common. Frozen shoulder can be brought on by the trauma of a fall or car accident, or it may come on gradually as a result of muscle imbalance, overuse and irritation.

Chug a Lug

Have you ever chug-a-lugged a drink? That’s when you turn the drink container up and guzzle it down as fast and as noisily as you can.
Unless I was playing ball on a hot summer day, I wasn’t allowed to chug -a-lug a drink. Why? If you have ever read any of my articles, you know that my family was and still is very steeped in southern etiquette. Part of that was how you ate and drink. For one, you didn’t make any unnecessary noises such as smacking your lips or slurping. When somebody (usually me) slipped up and did that at the table, they were met with scowls and an uncomfortable silence. That experience stayed with me for years. That is until I was carrying my daughter Sara.

Reruns

This past year, I have been watching a lot of reruns on television. Two that come to mind are Perry Mason and Johnny Carson. I enjoy seeing the actors of that era performing. I usually study the credits to see who else I remember.

Cheesy Pizza Bread

This bread snack goes well with pizza and just about anything else. Spaghetti, for instance. Add more garlic, if you like. Prepare pizza crust according to package directions. Pat onto a 12 inch round pizza pan. In small bowl combine melted margarine, garlic, Italian seasoning and seasoned salt. Brush onto prepared crust. Sprinkle generously with cheese.

The House That Saved the South

Who knew the lowly outhouse would improve the southern
economy in the early 1900s.

Let me warn you that this story is not for the squeamish. Way back in 1908 the millionaire John D Rockefeller wanted to make still more money, but most of his markets were saturated, so he began looking at the southern United States as an untapped marketplace. But there was a problem…the South’s economy was lousy. The people were illiterate, dirt poor, and were perceived as lazy. Farms weren’t fully operational, and the economic engine seemed to be turned off.

UC Humane Society fundraiser ride is Sept. 9

Riders at Veterans Overlook 2016. Photo by Laurie Oppel

Calling all motorcyclists to “Ride like an Animal” in the Annual Union County Humane Society Motorcycle Ride.
This year marks the 16th annual motorcycle ride to raise funds for the humane society.
The Union County Humane Society is a no fee animal shelter for unwanted or abandoned pets. The shelter also provides a low cost spay, neuter and vaccine clinic. Alongside these services, they work closely with local law enforcement to assist in animal-related issues across the county.

Passionate Pickin' at the Opry

Tim Shelton Syndicate played and sang with passion and emotion at the Union County Opry on August 5, 2023. The band opened with a fast paced song from their debut album titled Ain't got No Woman with Shelton carrying the melody. They followed with Middle Age Crazy by Jerry Lee Lewis. Then covered songs by Ralph Stanley and the Stanley Brothers. Joe Booher nailed Killin in Griffin and proceeded to wow the audience with his mandolin picking throughout the performance. Jr. Williams, who played guitar and banjo, owned Roving Gambler.

UCBPA enjoys informative programs

Sharon Hudson from the Red Cross speaks to the UCBPA.

Union County Business & Professional Association has enjoyed a variety of speakers at its meetings this spring and summer.
In August, Sharon Hudson, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of East Tennessee, shared the mission and services of the nonprofit. Hudson stated that besides disaster relief, the Red Cross operates an international blood bank that specializes in the storage of rare blood. She noted that the bank has been used in not only recent tornadoes and storms but also in Ukraine.

Plainview passes dwelling ordinance

Plainview Mayor Gary Chandler and Alderman Gordon Bright study Ordinance #157 regarding dwellings in Plainview.

The Plainview Board of Aldermen passed Ordinance 157 to establish a minimum dwelling size and prohibit recreational vehicles as permanent dwellings on first reading at its August meeting.

Try Oakleaf Lettuce To Avoid Icebergs As You Sail Into Fall Garden Season

The chef type of oakleaf lettuce named ‘Salanova’ will bring a sophisticated gourmet touch to your table. Photo courtesy of Natalie Bumgarner.

This fall would be a great time to take another look at lettuce and experiment with some new options in your fall garden. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is the vegetable cousin in one of the largest ornamental plant families, Asteraceae. As the third most consumed fresh vegetable in the United States, it hardly flies under the radar for gardeners. However, lettuce often doesn’t get the love it deserves because many gardeners may feel limited to leaf types if they have struggled with the more challenging iceberg or romaine lettuces. If that is you, this is the year to check out beautiful oakleaf lettuces that can be a tasty, productive and unique crop.

UT Extension Assists with Farmers Market Development

Owner of Kelley’s Berry Farm at the 12 South Farmers Market after selling out of berries on a market day in June was excited to hold a copy of the new publication in which he is featured. Photo by R. Painter, courtesy UTIA.

New Publication Now Available Online

KNOXVILLE- Tenn. –- Although National Farmers Market Week is coming to a close, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture reminds all those managing farmers markets and vendors who participate in direct sales that resources are available all year long through UT Extension.

University of Tennessee Extension Wins “Employer of the Year” From International Organization

UT Extension has been named the IAAP 2023 Employer of the Year. Left to right: UT Extension Administrative Specialist Trudi Neubeck, UT Extension Dean Ashley Stokes, and UT Extension Administrative Support Assistant Millie Hanson. Photo by Richard Anthony Photography.

Honor comes from the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Ask just about any person in the University of Tennessee Extension family what they like about their job, and they might mention the impact they have in their communities and the people they help. Long thought of as a career where you can realize a calling for service, an international organization now confirms what many employees have believed for some time – that UT Extension is a great place to work.

Mustangs and Burros in Crisis

In my pre-internet youth, we only had 3 TV stations that we could watch. And many of the daytime and early evening movies and TV had cowboy themes. Films like Hombre (1967) with Paul Newman offered a view of the wild horse as a symbol of the West. Books, advertising, music and children’s toys as well as comic books like Tomahawk and Red Ryder featured wild horses. And then there was TV – Bonanza, Have Gun-Will Travel, and (one of my favorites) Gunsmoke. Over and over in popular culture, we have seen images of mustangs running free.

Church Fender Bender

Unexpected things can happen anytime and anywhere. That being said, we don’t expect them to happen near a church.
My mamaw was known as an awesome cook. Whether it was at a Homecoming or a church social, everyone would flock to her table first. Also, when somebody in the church or community passed away, she always contributed food.

Dis-Missed!

A few days ago I was having lunch with a wonderful lady that I have known since she was a child. At one time in my youth and her childhood I served as her Vacation Bible School teacher.
There was nothing out of the ordinary about our lunch. The two of us have been friends practically all our lives. We had dined there before with other people, always without fanfare. On this particular day, all proceeded as would be expected. The waiter took our orders.

Bugs And Gators

A long time ago, well, just before Christmas in 1977, we decided to spend the holiday in Florida with our friends from the Assembly of God Church Camp in the area, Rex and Fran Irwin plus their daughter, Rhoda. It would be a different kind of holiday for us and our children,Tom, Anne and Elizabeth. After all, we had a new car. Why not take a trip? I-75 was a new superhighway, two lanes each way with a median between them. We expected to make it in record time. Yes, we did., but only because Rex Irwin drove like the wind and we had to keep up with him.

Dilly-Do Pasta Salad

Pasta salads are easy to do. Tasty.too. Cook pasta in salted water, adding peas the last few minutes before pasta is al dente. Rinse under cold water to cool quickly. Drain well and set aside. Next, in large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, milk with salt and pepper to taste.

A Tale of Two Fires: Gatlinburg and Maui

The terrible fire in Hawaii had a lot in common with the Gatlinburg Fire of 2016

The heartbreaking scenes of the fire in Hawaii have brought back a flood of memories to me of the Gatlinburg wildfire in 2016, which I witnessed firsthand as a wildland firefighter for the TN Forestry Division. I have researched the conditions and timelines of the fire that destroyed Lahaina and there are many similarities between the two fires worth comparing.

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