Historic Union County

Spreading the good news of Union County

Submitted by Sharon Hansard, Big Ridge FCE Reporter
The Big Ridge FCE Club of Union County had an eventful month in September. To kick off the month, a regular meeting was held to elect officers. Congrats and thank you to those who are serving to keep the club doing great work in our community.
In September, members also attended “FCE Day at Tennessee Valley Fair” where they got to reconnect with members across the region. Neal Denton spoke all about beef. Members learned a lot and even won a few prizes in the trivia contest!

Have you heard of Tai Chi? Did you know that the program is offered here in Union County? UT Extension educator, Alyshia Victoria, is certified and approved by the Tai Chi for Health Institute to teach this program. During the course, she demonstrates joint-safe exercises that help participants improve muscle strength, mobility, coordination and relaxation.

Follow your heart and bake a pie to enter the Union County Heritage Festival Pie Baking Contest. On Friday, September 30, take that pie to the Farmers Market Pavilion from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

I returned today from a conference at which every school superintendent in the state of Tennessee was present. The agenda for the last day had a musical theme, though no one sang.
I noted one of the session titles alluded to Elvis Presley’s song “A Little Less Communication.” Many of you, Dear Readers, might find this song worthy of a listen on YouTube. I just listened to part of it, and I don’t consider it one of Elvis’ best. I did a Google search for the lyrics, parts of which are interesting.
A little less conversation, a little more action, please

Red cabbage is so pretty resting there in the produce counter next to its green cousin. I had never found a satisfying recipe for red cabbage until recently. The flavor is different from that of the green variety so it needs to be prepared differently. Try this.

Just sitting on my front porch enjoying the late September afternoon with the high temps cooling down a bit, letting my mind meander and bring up pleasant visions of the present and past.
I’m seeing butterflies and birds coming through our yard getting nectar from our flowers, building surplus energy for their journey to Central America for the upcoming winter.
Saturday morning, I was standing on the patio when a beautiful tiny green hummingbird flew up within a foot of my face and hovered looking at me for at least 30 seconds, then flew away.

My dad was born in 1942 and although electricity was starting to be available, he grew up without electricity or running water.
When I asked my dad about that kind of life he reminded me that even though he grew up poor without much in East Tennessee, so did every other family he could remember. He did not realize the struggle that his mom must have had to endure at the time because everyone lived the same way. His mom raised nine kids in a tiny home without any of the modern conveniences that we require today.

What in the world do a peacock and a humor contest have in common? Yours truly, and here’s why:
If you know me or have ready any of my articles or books, then you know the strangest things seem to befall me. As I grew older, I realized these odd things didn’t happen as much to my friends. That may have bothered most people, but it didn’t faze me at all. I used to joke by saying, “I guess God doesn’t want me to get bored.”

We all have memories of unusual things. Well, I remember when you could buy gasoline cheap, really cheap. That was back in 1940, before the, War, a long time ago. Don't believe me? I have a picture to prove it. Mother took a picture of goats pulling some sort of contraption. Dad was standing off to the left side in the picture. A gas station sign happened to be caught on camera on the right side.. There it is: anti-knock for 14 cents per gallon and ethyl for a penny more at 15 cents per gallon. So for a penny more, you got a better grade.

Will a man rob God?
This is the question God’s messenger known as Malachi asked the remnant of Israel beginning around 425 B.C.
Malachi, whose name literally translates as “My Messenger” warned the Jewish priest and the people of Israel that God was not pleased with their halfhearted worship of Him. Malachi was the final writing prophet in the Old Testament and his message is appropriately placed last.

Fall is a great time to plant trees, as it allows the tree roots to settle in and get established during the dormant season, making it better prepared for the Spring growth spurt and summer heat. You can plant even in early winter as long as the soil is not frozen. Here are some tree planting guidelines:

Get it while it lasts! As fall approaches, with its promise of cooler weather, it brings with it the end of our beloved Saturday morning farmers markets. Located in the newly constructed pavilion next to Union County Highschool, this quaint little market carries a robust variety of goodies for shoppers. Catering to all ages, from 0 to 100, there is something for everyone!

Muster up a bit of competitive spirit or follow your nostalgic heart for some good ole memories of pumpkins, pies and pictures. The 18th Union County Heritage Festival has a contest for everyone.

Triple-Threat Festival Weekend in Cumberland Gap, TN Harvest Moon Festival, Last Saturday Antique Event, and The Mountain Fiesta Frequent visitors to Cumberland Gap, Tennessee will know that, over the past several years, there has been a growing number of high-quality community events and festivals taking place in the historic town. The last Saturday in September of 2022 is shaping up to be no exception to that pattern.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — State Rep. Dennis Powers, R-Jacksboro, and State Rep. John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, today announced $36.8 million has been awarded in broadband expansion grants that include Anderson, Campbell and Union counties. The funds were made available through a portion of Tennessee’s American Rescue Plan funding from the federal government.

If your college student is home for the weekend, you might want to have a discussion with him or her about the benefits of chiropractic treatment during the school year. After all, chiropractic treatment is not just for older adults with back problems. It’s beneficial for all people and college students are among those best poised for benefit.

It’s Medicare renewal time again. The season starts in October and ends December 7th. That is not soon enough for me. I am satisfied with my Humana HMO coverage. I don’t want to change, thank you. I refuse to be lured with “possible” savings. I might get $144 back on my Social Security monthly check, they say. One company even suggested I “might” save as much as $1,500 in a year. That’s less than $144 per month. I need to call right now, they insist. Poppycock!

Here is a fun way to serve cantaloupe. Honey dew melons would work, too. Show your family and friends that you really are a good cook. It is delicious.

While hiking in the woods you may stumble across a tree with a gnarly, wartlike bulge growing on the trunk or upper branch. These are called burls, and while not particularly pretty on the outside, the inner grain is gorgeous for woodworkers to create some beautiful work.

July of 2022 was a hard time for those of Eastern Kentucky as heavy rains caused mass amounts of flash flooding and devastation.
Among the survivors was one of Union County’s very own, Sarah Morgan, but along with Morgan were many others that needed help as well. Hitting close to home, many Union County community members rallied together to help our neighboring state out.
Only days after the natural disaster, a group of Union County 4-Hers made a trip to Kentucky in hopes of helping a least one person and touching one heart with love and compassion.