Historic Union County

Spreading the good news of Union County

“Hello, Dear Reader.” Actually, I would be more hopeful to say, “Hello, Dear Readers!” I hope there are more than one of you out there.
Many times I approach writing, as Mark Twain prolifically stated, “. . . like an envelope without any address . . .” This state is commonly called “writer’s block,” and at times it seems I have enough blocks to build a high wall. Though it might take longer, it is easier to put thoughts into words. Writing leaves lots of room for correction, though public speaking is unforgiving. I have to either speak or write, for I’m like the man Billy Wilder noted had Van Gogh’s ear for music.

Is there some leftover cooked spaghetti all alone and neglected in the fridge? Make this recipe. Spaghetti fries op nicely. Fix it instead of potatoes for supper tonight.

Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) is a small plant that’s possibly in your yard but keeps a low profile so you may not know it. But if you’re ever mowing and suddenly pick up on a minty smell, then you for sure have it. The plant is worth a close look, for its petite bloom and leaves are striking. It has been given many names over the years, including Creeping Charlie, Crow-Victuals, and Gill-Over-The-Ground.

Opportunities and Choices for Agricultural Success
April 18, 2023
9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Jubilee Banquet Facility
6700 Jubilee Center Way
Knoxville, TN. 37912
Presented by T.E.A.M. —
Teaming to Educate for Agricultural Mastery

UT Extension Union County is hiring! We are seeking a full time 4-H Youth Development Agent. You can help shape the next generation by teaching lifeskills with 4-H.
Please this post and help us find our new 4-H Agent!
Applications must be submitted using the University of Tennessee main careers page: tiny.utk.edu/unionagent
Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences or a field related to Education and/or youth development is required.

Youth and Union County have been camping at the Clyde, Austin, 4H Camp and Greenville for many years. This summer will be no different. We will leave on Monday, June 5 and travel to Greenville on a school bus. We will spend four nights having the time of our lives. We will return on Friday, June 9th. After a week of exciting and constant activities, youth return home in need a nap!

The shoulder is the third most commonly treated part of the body for chiropractors (after the lower back and the neck). As with any part of the body, the shoulder can become painful as a result of wear and tear over time, or as the result of a trauma, like a car accident or a fall. Shoulder pain often begins in the cervical spine, the upper portion of the spine. The nerves that control the hands, arms and shoulders pass through that section of the spine.

Unlike my mother, I am not a shoe connoisseur. She has always been very particular about her shoes. First, they have to perfectly match what she is wearing. Second, they have to fit the setting she will be in. For instance, there were certain shoes that were only fit for church or the funeral home. Third, they always had to be clean and in pristine condition.

Here is a good meatless Mexican recipe to try. Beans were used instead of ground beef. Anyway, it is tasty.
Soak beans overnight. The next morning, add ginger and bring to a boil in soaking water. Cook over low heat for 2 hours or until skins pop. When beans are tender, there should be so little water that it seemed to have been all absorbed. Gently mash beans with potato masher so about half the beans are mashed ...

As a botany enthusiast and student of medicinal plants, I keep running across plants with recurring name components. The terms balm, bane, and wort come up often, so I decided to see why. Prepare to delve into the world of ethnobotany, the study of plants used by humans.

The Union County Lions Club is selling tickets for its 8th Reverse Raffle to support many worthy causes.
The organization is part of the 42 clubs that make up the East Tennessee Lions Club, District 12-N.
The District 12-N Charity donates to several area organizations such as providing supplies and gifts for children with cancer ...

One of the greatest hindrance is that we have a county seat consisting of only court house, jail and two ordinary country stores. There being no town or public spirit, or no one to back up a single undertaking, Union County really isn't a county. It is just branches of Knox, Campbell and Claiborne counties. The larger part of the county will not support the county seat, on this I have worked quite a lot ...

At its March regular meeting, Union County Commission voted to return the Parks and Recreation Grant (PGR) that would have funded the Union County Sports Complex.
The PRG would have provided soccer and football fields in Phase 1 and baseball and softball fields in Phase 2 for Union County youth.
Concession stands, lighting and equipment, as well as site development, were included in the $1.2M initial grant that most likely would have ensured the awarding of the phase 2 grant when phase 1 was completed.

Two grants, mowing bids, and audio recording equipment appeared on the special called meeting of the Union County Board of Education last month.
Spring has arrived, the grass is growing and the former mowing contractor has gone out of business.
The Central Finance Purchasing Agent bid out a new contract that was much the same as the previous one. But the BOE requested that the contract only be for a partial calendar year and asked if a better use of funds would be to add one or two maintenance employees to mow.

Congressman Tim Burchett spoke at the Union County Business & Professional Association Meeting last month.
He had just returned from the US - Mexican border and had witnessed the plight of the immigrants who come across the border. He described the conditions as deplorable and talked about how many of the children seemed to be scared and confused.

The Plainview City Board of Aldermen set March 20 as a workshop to discuss road improvements, building additions, police equipment upgrades, grants, and other budget concerns. To accommodate future building expansions, the board approved a resolution to set up a dedicated Capital Funds Account.
Chief Brandon Ford reported 41 calls, 7 speeding tickets, 2 citations for no insurance, 1 move-over violation, and 1 arrest so far in 2023. In February, the police answered 8 calls that included 3 wrecks.

“Developers purchase land and think that they own the cemetery that is on the property,” related Graham Perry, Historical Cemetery Preservation Specialist at the Union County Historical Society last month, “But they may or may not own the cemetery.”
Perry also explained that cemeteries cannot be blocked from visits by relatives, but the activities of visitors in the cemetery can be regulated by the owner.

A Honor Roll
Trayson Wynn, Maci Williams, Luke Napier, Willow Hickle, Amelia Harrell, Ellie Braden,
Izayah Wolfenbarger, Dawson Walker, Lileigh Ruthven, Ember Murray, Logan Jessee, Braydyn Hunter, Abram Hickman, Natalie Collins, Marlei Chandler, Mabry Acuff, Kendal Atkins, Corey Beeler, Rhett Weaver, Jedidiah Simmons, Faith Merritt, Hattie Jo Corum, Kasen Conley, Leeila Brinker, Aiden McCarty, Raylan Capps, Ryker Harper, Emily Ward, Blakeley Bailey, Makenna Brogan, Zayla Stair, William Baker, Easton Cummings, Jack Dyer, Zoe Dyer, Emma Hoskins, Melody Rindom, Jasper Swift, Ava Zielinski, Caiden Blankenship, Beau Lawson, Haven Jade Mathis, James Naylor, Trace Nicely, Avery Purvis, Corbin Wells, Keaton Mathis, Briley Cantrell, Kinsley Owens, Maddox Acuff, Willow Lewis, Kenzy McBee, Destiney Graves, Kenzie Lundie, Gabby McLoud, Haylynn Phelps, Emma Williams and Brianna Naylor.

Tom Eggum, founding president of Phoenix-based Hope 4 Kids International, a Christian non-profit organization that works to restore dignity to children and families who are suffering through extreme poverty and disease, will speak at Irwin’s Chapel United Methodist Church on Sunday, April 16, at 9:45 a.m. to share messages about the importance of making a meaningful, impactful difference in the world.

Nearly 40% of older adults currently use at least one integrative medicine strategy to try to ease symptoms of a physical or mental health issue, or to help them relax, a new poll finds.