Historic Union County

Spreading the good news of Union County

Camp provides new opportunities for STEM education
MIDDLETON, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) hosted a ribbon cutting for the new UT Extension 4-H and Youth Development Center at Lone Oaks Farm on May 22.

In a study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society of 5,589 U.S. adults aged 65 years and older, persistent pain was common and was linked to meaningful declines in physical function and well-being over seven years.

Scientists have been studying the effectiveness of chiropractic care for various types of pain for many years. The most promising research is in the area of low back pain. The research has shown spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) is as effective as other common therapies, like exercise therapy, standard medical care, or physiotherapy.

Get your paintbrush, camera, carving tools, lathes, potters wheel or any other artistic tool ready to create a piece to enter the Union County Heritage Art Show on October 7, 2023.
Betty Bullen, noted regional artist from Union County will host the event at the Historic Snodderly House at 721 Main Street in Maynardville.

Were you around boats when you were growing up? I wasn’t unless the kiddie boat ride at the fair counts. This ride had little boats that floated in a shallow pool of water. They were attached by spokes to a central motor which turned them in a circle. Oh, I almost forgot about the canoe ride I had when I was twelve years old. I was in the middle as my friends sat at the ends. Each time they switched the oars to the other side, I was splattered with water. That was the extent of my boating experience until I was in my 30s.

I have always appreciated sunsets. Each sunset is totally different from any that preceded or will follow it. No artist can replicate the majesty and wonder of a sunset.
Forty years ago today I became a legal adult. I spent several evenings as a teenager sitting on the front porch or looking through my childhood bedroom window at magnificent sunsets. None have ever equaled the mysteries of those youthful end-of-day ponderings.

I have always had trouble with my eyes. In school up to the ninth grade, everything only a short distance away looked fuzzy. For instance, trees sometimes looked like green fuzz balls. In school, I would take my notebook up to the blackboard to write down the next day's assignment. The teaches didn't pay any attention until junior high school.

Here we go! Tuna again. This is a fancy way with that tasty fish. Make this when you have time to fuss with it. There won't be any leftovers. Line a 9 inch pie pan with pastry. Saute onions and celery in butter until tender, but do not brown. Blend in flour, salt, curry powder and pepper

The mountains of our area contain one of the most diverse forests in the world. Over 170 woody species and close to 2000 herbaceous plants grow here, second only to tropical rain forests in variety. If you’re observant, you can find sites here that are the same as forests hundreds of miles away.

Free to the Public, the Summer Exhibit Opens July

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Come see some fanciful foxes while strolling through a beautiful garden. The University of Tennessee announces the opening of Fanciful Foxes: A Garden Art Exhibit, its 2023 Art in the Gardens display. The exhibit opens Friday, July 7, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. as part of Knoxville’s First Friday arts celebration. The event and the exhibit are free and open to the public.

Farm fresh produce, both spring produce like all those healthy greens, and tasty summer produce like heirloom tomatoes, as well as meats, eggs, baked goods, crafts and more, can all be found at the Union County Farmers Market.

East Tennessee Lions Club District 12-N held the drawing for their annual Reverse Raffle on June 17th. The winning tickets of this raffle were the last three numbers drawn after of all of the other 1378 entries were drawn out one-by-one. The 3rd place prize was awarded to Glen Morris of Clinton. The very last ticket left (after all of the others had were picked out of the drum one-by-one) was the 1st prize winner of the $2000, Sunbright resident Billy Ward.

The Union County community is filled with generous and compassionate individuals. Over the years, citizens, business folks, community members, leaders, stakeholders, entrepreneurs and many others have taken part in the Leadership Union County program which helps instill these values and demonstrate the importance of giving back to the community when you can.

In the Union County Commission meeting in June, commissioners approved all budgets that did not affect the tax rate. Fund 122, which contains no property tax revenue, passed first.
Next the commission approved Fund 127, which contains funding from federal monies in the American Rescue Plan Act to provide broadband and to improve some water and sewer systems.
The Highway Department Fund 131 had no local increase in funding, so commission passed that budget.

Annually, Union County Farm Bureau distributes scholarships to senior students at Union County schools. This year was a very competitive application pool with funds for three scholarships. Each student received $1,500 to the college of their choice. Any high school senior was invited to apply; however, it is emphasized that a student furthering their education in an agriculture-related field will be given priority. An immediate family member of the student must also be a current member of the Union County Farm Bureau.

They say time flies as you get older. I didn’t believe that when I was a young girl. To me, it took forever for my birthday, Christmas, or the end of school to come around again. As an adult, it seems as if I blinked my eyes and 40 years have suddenly passed by. It seems as if I just graduated yesterday and now it’s time for the 40th Halls High School Reunion.

First, be aware of your posture throughout the day and make an effort to stand and sit up straight. Secondly, avoid sitting for long periods of time and take breaks often to move around. Finally, strengthening your core muscles will also help to improve your posture by providing support for your spine.

Have you ever churned butter? Milked a cow? Made a cane fishing pole? How about planted seed for a garden?
These are some of the fun activities that children have had the opportunity to participate in when they have attended the Nourish Kids programs at the Union County Farmers Market.
We love children at the market. Several of our vendors have activities and items just for children—in fact, some of our vendors are still school age!

The University of Tennessee Extension programs throughout Tennessee are put into place to provide "Real. Life. Solutions." for communities across the state. This concept is widely known and accepted across the county as our Extension agents are often seen working with youth, families, and farmers across the county.
Similarly, Tennessee State University has a Cooperative Extension Program to educate and provide information to limited resource urban and rural communities. Together, UT and TSU work closely to create a diverse number of opportunities for Tennesseans.

After a string of strong storms and heavy rain across Middle Tennessee, the weather couldn't have been better to kick off the week-long 4-H State Horse Show held in June at the National Walking Horse Celebration Grounds in Shelbyville, Tennessee.
Collette Russell traveled with her coaches, Leila and Sam Hilliard of Bull Run Ranch and Jeffery Oaks of Knoxville, and two horses, Darling and Dixie, to represent Union County 4-H at the big event.

Union County 4-H was pleased to partner again this year with Tractor Supply for their annual Clover Sale, which helps youth raise money to pay for a week at summer camp at the Clyde Austin 4-H Center in Greeneville, Tennessee.