Dr. Jimmy Carter resigned his position as Director of the Union County Public Schools during the June regular school board meeting. Initially, Dr. Carter agreed to stay on for 120 days to ease the transition to a new director. Later, Dr. Carter was named interim director. At the regular school board meeting in September, the school board voted to terminate Dr. Carter as interim director.
Horace Maynard Middle School Principal Dr. Tobi Kilgore and Union County Elementary Middle Alternative Center Principal Laura Jones are participants in the Tennessee Rural Principals Network.
The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) established the Tennessee Rural Principals Network in 2018 to provide development opportunities to school leaders in rural communities around the state.
October Sunrise as the leaves begin to change- Photo by Shannon DeWitt
Autumn coloration in Tennessee should be brilliant. Trees are not stressed. The combination of not too much or too little moisture, few local extended droughts, and warm days and cool nights should promote vibrant color change with longer durations this year.
The Northeast Tennessee Beef Expo presented by UTIA is scheduled for October 13-14 in Greeneville at the Northeast Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center. Image courtesy UTIA.
Two-Day Event Features Variety of Programs for Beef Producers
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is preparing for the annual Northeast Tennessee Beef Expo, scheduled for October 13-14 at the Northeast Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center. The two-day event features programs to educate beef producers on the latest research and best practices.
The descendants of Floyd Cramer and Chet Atkins headlined the Luttrell Music Festival in 2022. Jason Coleman and Maegan Taylor, center back row, performed as Nashville Legacy.
The 2022 Luttrell Music Festival was all about legacies. An eager, supportive crowd witnessed the legacy of Luttrell native Chet Atkins as his family members took the stage in the final act of the day. It was also the establishment of a legacy for Mayme Taylor, who birthed the LMF some eleven years ago. Ms. Taylor in her last year as the festival coordinator ceremoniously passed the mic to David Johnson from Plainview who opened the Luttrell Music Festival with prayer and will be in charge of planning the 2023 festival.
Many patients live with low back pain that radiates to the buttock, groin, thigh, and even knees. The challenge for patients, and often their doctors, is determining the origin of the pain — the hip, the spine, or both. A new article published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS) outlines the identical symptoms associated with hip and spine pain and discusses the diagnostic steps and tests required to treat them appropriately.
Have you ever thought you had lost a pet? It happened when we moved years ago.
Our dog, Little John Deere, was a miniature dachshund that we kept inside. One evening, my dad was helping Tim move furniture when I realized he left an outside door open. I looked around and called: “Little John!” When he didn’t come running to me, I realized he must’ve gone outside. My dad apologized. He wasn’t used to having to watch for a dog.
There are times I am better at writing my thoughts than speaking them. I enjoy the opportunity to verbally relate a story as it gives more freedom of expression. I enjoy the organization of being able to write a story, though when writing one has to go to greater effort to paint a verbal picture for the reader. I do not claim to be adept at creating either written or verbal stories. Practically every story I tell is an event that happened in my past. As an illustration, I will relate what to me is one of the most bizarre events I ever witnessed.
You don't usually thick of buttermilk and potatoes together. You don't need any flour to thicken this dish. The potatoes do that tick themselves. An electric skillet will make the preparation easier. Yes, there are so many ways to fix potatoes. Add this to your recipe box. The recipe doubles easily..
I remember when every home had a little house out back. It was placed close to a back door. Of course, it was. When someone was in a hurry, the shortest route was best. If the little house were in a nicer neighborhood, it might be painted to match the house. In our farming community, it was a weather-beaten necessity, not to be celebrated with a fresh coat of paint.
The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is probably the favorite game species in our area, and spotting one always gives me a small touch of “wildness”. They have a complex and intriguing lifestyle.
Chair caning at the Festival.
Follow your heart on October 1 to the Union County Heritage Festival. The 18th Festival expands to four venues in 2022. Visitors can park at Union County High School and enjoy the main event in Wilson Park or board the free shuttle (the big yellow bus) sponsored by Monroe Bus Lines, State Farm Insurance, and City of Plainview to travel to the Farmers Market Pavilion for produce and the Ice Cream Bar, the Union County Museum for the Heritage Day Quilt Show, and the Myers Building (formerly Ailor/Byrd Funeral Home) for the Art Show. All venues are open from 10 a.m.to 4 p.m.
Jacob is at it again! Selling pumpkins that is. He has a variety of pumpkins this year, including all the old favorites and has added a few new ones such as the yellow cushaw and many others.
Jacob is a senior at Union County High School where he studies with Mr. John Fugate and is his teacher’s assistant. Mr. Fugate has been a big influence on him by encouraging him to participate in the TVA Fair where he has won several ribbons. This year he took 17 first place ribbons in different categories, one being the tallest corn stalk at 15’7”. Jacob will also take place in the competition land judging on October 6.
Spirit, a dun Kiger mustang from Sulfur, Utah, is fed hay by Rachel Gaylor’s grandsons at Roan Ridge. (Photo Credit: Rachel Gaylor)
By Helina Bailey
Did you know that wild horses can double their herd sizes every four years? According to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), wild horses and burros have no natural predators and current population estimates are above 80,000.
Because of this, these majestic, free-ranging animals must be removed by the thousands in order to “control herd sizes ... to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands.” The BLM removed 13,666 mustangs and burros last year alone.
“A family gets ready to go for a dip in Norris Lake.” (Photo Credit: Helina Bailey)
TVA tests have gaps of years; NLPA will test year-round
By Helina Bailey
With over 800 miles of shoreline, Norris Lake is an Appalachian aquatic treasure trove. Nestled in our backyard, this beautiful lake breathes life into the region and attracts both weary travelers seeking to enjoy the great outdoors as well as locals. Anglers, boaters and vacationers flock to the water during the summer, but locals can be spotted all year long.
The Union County School Board continued its community-based meetings by conducting its September business at Maynardville Elementary School. The board elected a new chairman, a new vice chairman, and a new interim director.
Local educator selected to statewide consulting body to help determine the best resources to combat learning loss in students
Dr. Lauren Effler, Union County Schools K-12 Curriculum & Instruction Supervisor and Pre-K Director, has been named to Governor's Early Literacy Foundation's (GELF) 2022-2023 Executive Council, a group of 28 educators from rural, urban, and suburban communities across Tennessee who will help GELF determine the resources to best meet the needs of students statewide.
Leadership Union County Class of 2022 Graduates: Donna Riddle, Rebecca Lock and Sheila Varner.
Leadership Union County celebrated with dinner at Pete’s Bar and Grill to host its graduation ceremony on September 20. Graduating were Donna Riddle, Rebecca Lock and Sheila Varner.
President Wayne Toppins presided over the ceremony for the Leadership Union County Class of 2022. Board member and past president Colleen Beeler awarded the plaques while secretary Pearl Coffey extended her congratulations. The class attended sessions on government, health, industry, agriculture & tourism and education & technology in addition to their orientation.
Some of the Union County Farm Bureau Board Members and Agent visit with TN Farm Bureau President Eric Mayberry. Front: Ashley Mike, Eric Mayberry, Virgil Dyer, Jordan Campbell, Mary Ellison, Debbie Corum, Lawana Wilkerson, Joe Hickle. Back: Derek Williams, Eddie Thompson, Bud Wilkerson, Wayne Ellison, Cody Brown.
This year our County Farm Bureau Board, Farm Bureau Women, and the new agents and staff have been busy in the Union County. The Farm Bureau has always been more than ready to help out the community and support positive projects and there is much opportunity. Through community outreach, our local Farm Bureau is doing its best to promote the importance of agriculture as well as support other needs when possible.
A car accident or other serious trauma, like a fall, are likely causes of back pain. But back pain can develop from a variety of sources that are not quite so obvious. Here are a few of the conditions that can play a role in creating back pain:
Spinal stenosis: a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord. It’s a condition often caused by arthritis. In the narrowed chamber, pressure can build on the spinal cord.