Back in about 1986, Big Ridge Homemaker member Fontella Suffridge worked at the Big Ridge State Park. The park was going to start a new bluegrass festival the third Friday in August. She volunteered the Big Ridge Homemakers to provide the concessions. This was a huge undertaking and required all members to participate.

sold grilled hot dogs and hamburgers. Each member brought various baked goods that were the highlight every year. Husbands and family members helped out by cooking at the hot grills. This taught us all how to appreciate the work done at a fast food restaurant.

May your dressing be tasty
May your turkey be plump.
May your potatoes and gravy
Have not even one lump.
My your salads be ...

You don’t have to be a world-class — or even weekend — athlete to develop aches and pains. Just try being a parent! Starting with a child’s infancy, it’s bending over to change diapers, lifting them into car seats, strollers and high chairs, getting down and playing on the floor, piggyback rides and at the end of the day picking up toys. Throw in lugging groceries, cooking dinner, making beds and talking on the phone, maybe with a baby on your hip, and it can equal back pain.

Nobody likes to be ignored or brushed aside. When I was a kid, I found out the hard way what a struggle that can be.

It started when my parents went on a day trip on a Saturday. I was 11 years old at the time and I didn’t want to go. A couple who was our friends offered to take me to the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge while my parents were away. I was excited since I had seen the commercials on TV. Plus, I wanted to see peoples’ hair stand out when they touched the electric ball.

My paternal grandparents, J. L. and Mary Katherine Nicely Mincey, were blessed with six children. Four of them lived to adulthood. Their son Fred was kicked to death by a mule when he was almost eight years old. Their daughter Faustine died when she was almost three and a half years old. No one seems to know for sure why, though she is said to have been a sickly child from birth.

The Mark Monroe corn crib on the grounds of the Union County Museum sports a new roof, thanks to Dan Wyrick and the employees of Wyrick Roofing on Highway 33, who donated their labor to preserve a Union County historical landmark. Billy Myers contributed new lumber to make sure there were no leaks. Judson Palmer and Dennis Johnson, both members of the Union County Historical Society, assumed the responsibility of providing the cedar shakes and materials so the Wyricks could use their skill.

There are usually a few slices of turkey breast left over from the big dinner. Of course, there are other pieces, but they are smaller. It is a shame to cut up those nice slabs of white meat. Here is a recipe that will do them justice.

Do you have a child that loves spending time outdoors? Exploring, hiking, biking, climbing trees, playing with bugs, fishing, birding, orienteering—anything, as long as they can be outdoors. We are blessed to live in an area with an abundance of absolutely beautiful mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, parks and trails to explore; and exploring is one of our favorite 4H Outdoor Adventure project group activities.

By Steve Roark
Volunteer, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

With winter coming on, folks start thinking about precipitation of the frozen kind. In what form frozen water come to us meteorologically depends on a whole lot more than what the temperature our thermometer says, and I’m sure you’ve see days when the weather goes from rain to sleet to snow and back again. So let us delve into the frozen world a little while.

Union County Business and Professional Association named Sidney Jessee Jr. and Tammie Hill as Man and Woman of 2024 at the 34th Annual Banquet on Friday, November 1, 2024. Martin Shafer, Man of 2022, and Tonya Atkins, Woman of 2023, introduced the recipients. The banquet was held at First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Maynardville and was catered by Pete's Place.