By Archie Wilson III
Elvis Presley met President Richard Nixon in the White House on December 21, 1970. Elvis went there because he wanted a Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (BNDD) badge, and because he was concerned over drug abuse and the culture of the United States. This is ironic because Elvis later overdosed on prescription drugs. However, he was never known to participate in the consumption of illegal drugs.

The Union County Board of Education Differentiated Pay Committee will meet at Maynardville Elementary School on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. regarding teacher merit bonus.

Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are invited to attend a special Deer Processing Class presented by Union County Extension’s Family and Consumer Science Agent, with guest presenters, on Saturday, October 11th, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Johnson’s Deer Processing, 520 W Mountain View Rd, Corryton, TN 37721.

This free, hands-on workshop will feature a live demonstration on how to properly field dress a deer and how to break it down into different cuts of meat. Participants will also receive information on venison recipes and how to safely preserve venison so nothing goes to waste.

Members of the Union County School Board recently attended the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) Fall District meeting, held at Valley View Elementary School in LaFollette, Tennessee. The meeting brought together school board members from across East Tennessee to discuss education policy, participate in training and share updates on local district initiatives.

Union County was represented by Board Chair Jessica Buck, Vice Chair Rebecca Lock, and board members Charlie Hamilton, Terry Washam, Jimmy Carter and Harold Cooke.

The second Hamilton Family Gathering of Generations will take place on Saturday, September 13, at 11 a.m. at the Union County Historical Society at 3824 Maynardville Highway.

I was only around 4th or 5th grade when a group of boys and I thought it would be funny to throw paint we had found on the side of Alice Bell Elementary School in the early 1990s. I vividly remember splashes of blue dripping down the brick like graffiti art gone wrong. The laughter died quickly when we found ourselves sitting before Dr. LeCoultre, the principal, with blue hands and a guilty look. I expected the worst and remembered feeling my heart beat through the wall of that thin 10-year-old chest wall.

Several years ago, a memoir writing class was offered at the Senior Citizen Center at Halls Crossroads. I had been trying to write about my past and needed someone to critique my efforts. I figured this would be a good place to start. I had no idea how much it would help. The classes met the first and third Tuesday of the month. Bob Farmer was the moderator. They ended when the class reduced in size because of deaths, relocations and other interests.

This is an impressive dessert to serve at your next big get-together.

Punch Bowl Trifle
2 cans (20 oz each) crushed pineapple
18 1/4 oz yellow cake mix
5.1 oz pkg instant vanilla pudding
2 cans (21 oz each) cherry pie filling
4 medium ripe bananas, sliced
2 cans (15 14 oz each) fruit cocktail, drained
2 cans (11 oz each) mandarin oranges, drained
16 oz carton Cool whip, thawed
7 oz pkg flaked coconut, toasted

He awakens from a deep sleep to the alarm of his Little Ben alarm clock. His foggy brain realizes it is time to get up and start his day. He realizes it is four a.m. which he has been arising at for the last thirty years during his six-day work week of Monday through Saturday. He then remembers that today is Tuesday April 25th 1950. He turns on the radio which is always set onto WNOX in Knoxville, Tennessee. Today ‘s weather calls for highs of 72 degrees with tonight’s low down to 36-degree temps.

What in your opinion would be an awesome place for a vacation getaway with your most significant other?
Once upon a time (yesterday, in fact) I visited a local organization to conduct business for another organization. While there I had an enjoyable conversation with two long-standing friends.
A story that emerged from our visit concerned a gentleman who had been married several years. After his wife died, he lived “in sin” with a woman for around a decade. He and this lady were on vacation to Florida.