I have often said only certain things happen here in East Tennessee. One great example of this happened many years ago.
My Mamaw Jo got up one morning and went to the kitchen to start her coffee. That was usually the first thing she did. On this particular morning, she noticed stuff lying on her kitchen counter that wasn’t there the night before. She looked closer at them, which sent her into a state of panic. With what she thought it was, I really don’t blame her.

Last week I shared about various signs that have caught my attention throughout the years. Today I continue with that thought.
Several years ago in the Sunday morning service at Loveland Baptist Church the elderly, esteemed Rev. Oliver Wolfenbarger stood and announced his text. It was the same text he had preached on the week before. He said, “I know what you’re thinking—poor ol’ Wolfenbarger, he’s losing his mind, can’t even remember that was what he preached about last week.” He continued, “I know this is the same text I used last week, I just didn’t get through with my message. And I’ll tell you something else. I’m just about as crazy as you all think I am.”

Eggplant is one of those veggies you either like or you don't. This recipe reminds me of a pizza. I suppose if you added a few slices or pepperoni, you could call it an eggplant pizza.

You’ve likely got some age on you is you remember singing about Susie “pickin’ up pawpaws, put ‘em in her pocket, way down yonder in the Pawpaw Patch!” The Pawpaw is a curious native tree that gets attention this time of year when its fruit start to ripen. Also called a "Winter Banana" and "Custard Apple", the fruit looks like it should be growing in a tropical rain forest rather than the Appalachian Mountains. It is in fact a relative of several tropical trees in South America, and even the name "Pawpaw" is tropical in origin, being a corruption of the papaya tree to which it is not related.

Aaron Russell is a man of faith. Seven years ago, he became very sick. His kidneys shut down from what turned out to be vasculitis; a disease that damaged the small blood vessels in his kidneys.
During this time, Aaron became paralyzed as a side effect from heavy doses of steroids, which resulted in back surgery. He suffered pneumonia, migraine headaches, deadly hypertension, pericardial effusion, pleural effusion and was on dialysis three days a week, four hours per day.
In total, he was admitted to the hospital eight times and had countless doctors’ visits.

The Luttrell Music Festival—formerly referred to as the Luttrell Bluegrass Festival—is a city-sponsored annual event that also receives grants from the Tennessee Arts Commission that showcases local musicians in a fun-filled, festive family atmosphere.
Although the festival name has changed, there is still plenty of down-home bluegrass music to enjoy, plus this year there are country and gospel bands as well.
There will also be a variety of craft booths and food vendors. It is sure to be a great time for all, and admission is free.

You may have heard the buzz about a very exciting project happening here in Union County. The Fresh Wagon is a food distribution that focuses on education and striving to get families more fresh foods in their diet. Education and convenience are two of the main goals of the project.
At food distributions, community organizations will be available to answer questions or even offer tips on how to make cooking and eating healthier and delicious.

“Take a Country Road” to UT Extension Union County, 3925 Maynardville Highway, on Wednesday, September 29, and bring your best pie to enter the Union County Heritage Festival Pie Baking Contest.
UT Extension Union County will host the pie contest. Alyshia Victoria, Food and Consumer Science Agent, will be the coordinator.
Fruit, nut, and other are the categories. Winning pie bakers will receive cash prizes and ribbons.

Dr. Dale Lynch, Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents, appeared before the Union County Board of Education during the workshop in August to announce that Dr. James (Jimmy) Carter is the East Tennessee Region Superintendent of 2022.
The award is bestowed on the superintendent or director of schools who has exhibited outstanding leadership not just in his or her own system but through holding various positions of leadership throughout East Tennessee and the state.

Growth was the theme of Mayor Jason Bailey in his report to Union County Commission at the regular August meeting.
Union County has grown by more than 500 according to the 2020 US Census. The growth of internet or broadband service will be the focus of the American Rescue Plan money in the amount of $1.9M.
Bailey is partnering with the Ayers Foundation, a non-profit, to work with Clinton Utility Board and LaFollette Utilities Board to provide broadband in Big Ridge and Speedwell with the goal of providing fiber based internet throughout Union County.