Our 6th grade students at Horace Maynard Middle School are competing in the annual Science Fair. The top six winners will be judged on February 27 by Clinch-Powell Education Cooperative. The two school-wide winners will each receive $150 and advance to the 12th Annual Regional Science Fair at LMU on March 7, where they'll compete against 6th graders from six counties.

By Steve Roark
Volunteer, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

When I was a kid in the 1970s, seeing a deer was a rare thing, so much so that when I did see one it was like I was witnessing wilderness— ‘feeling wildness’ as I call it. These days, deer populations are so high that I see them almost daily on the farm, so that special feeling has faded into commonplace. But it still comes out when I see, or more likely, hear, owls. I get chill bumps every time, and it’s a very satisfying feeling.

Country Connections by James and Ellen Perry

Sitting here at my desk and remembering our five-inch snow. Then our deep freeze that happened on January 10 with the deep freeze lasting for the following week. It was a beautiful and very frigid February of 2025. It started with a bang as the temps for the second week of February was more like early April. Mother nature can be harsh or very pleasant. Depends on her mood.

The price of a dozen eggs reached a record high in January 2025, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This followed a significant price increase in 2024, when the average cost of a dozen Grade A large eggs rose by 37 percent. In January 2025 alone, egg prices jumped by $1.28 per dozen, reaching $7.09 per dozen—an all-time high (Trading Economics, 2025). The USDA projects that egg prices will rise an additional 20.3 percent in 2025.

The Church of the Ignorant Brethren
I’ve written about a lot of controversial topics from the Bible, but this one really takes the cake! I am amazed at how ignorant we Christians can be concerning the word of God. I’m not alone!

One of my favorite genres of literature is the short story. The greatest short stories to me are those which I want to read over and over again, and of which I never tire.

When I was a student in Kenneth Venable’s junior English class at Horace Maynard High School, he assigned us Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment.” The story is about a doctor who supposedly had water from the Fountain of Youth. He invited some of his friends to partake of the water to study its effects on them.

Rick was a blonde curly-headed baby. No problem there, just beautiful curls. Anne did present a problem. She had beautiful curly locks as well, but she couldn't tolerate heat. Anne would turn red as a cherry when she became overheated.

Most everyone can regulate their body temperature by sweating. Not Anne. She just got redder as her temperature rose. I would sponge her off with a cool washcloth and move her to a shady location. The problem seemed unsolvable. Summer would be unbearable for her. We never found a solution.

You could use seedless strawberry preserves instead of strawberry jam, but you are more likely to have strawberry jam in your pantry. In small bowl combine crumbs and sugar. Add melted margarine. Toss until combined. Press into bottom of 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Evenly drizzle condensed milk over crumbs. Refrigerate for 10 minutes to set. Lightly press in place. Spoon strawberry preserves over top. Sprinkle with coconut and nuts. Bake at 350 F. for 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cut into bars. Store loosely covered at room temperature.

Learn to graft three apple trees and take home your own plants on April 2 at 10 a.m. at Chuck Swan. There is a $30 registration fee.
Register here: tiny.utk.edu/UnionApple or call 865-992-8038.

Enjoy a free breakfast at Union Farmers Co-op with Union County Extension, Union County Soil Conservation, and Farm Bureau on March 25.
3035 Maynardville Hwy, Maynardville