Historic Union County

Spreading the good news of Union County

Rethinking what causes pain and how great a threat it is can provide chronic pain patients with lasting relief and alter brain networks associated with pain processing, according to new University of Colorado Boulder led research.

The study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, found that two-thirds of chronic back pain patients who underwent a four-week psychological treatment called Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) were pain-free or nearly pain-free post-treatment. And most maintained relief for one year.

Nashville, TN– Ben Woods has been named the 2022 National Dairy Month Chairman for Union County.
Woods was honored May 26 at the Tennessee June Dairy Month Kickoff Event at Battle Mountain Farm in College Grove. The event included recognition from Brian Flowers, president of the American Dairy Association of Tennessee, and Jeff Aiken, Deputy Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The official kickoff celebration recognized Tennessee 4-H member’s efforts to promote National Dairy Month in Tennessee.

The City of Plainview introduced its new utility truck at the May meeting of the Plainview Board of Aldermen. The new three-quarter ton truck is a 2022 Ford 250 with 4-wheel drive and the latest in electronic and safety enhancements. According to Vice Mayor Richard Phillips, the new one replaces a truck that is 22 years old and will be a welcome addition to the maintenance vehicles. The old truck was declared surplus and will be sold.

A few days ago my wonderful niece in Cincinnati sent me the following text message at 6:29 p.m.: “Sitting on the back porch, enjoying the cool of the evening, the birds and squirrels, the fish and frogs, the breeze bringing in the scent of the freshly moon grass. How’s your day going?”
“Moon grass, huh?” thought I. “Is that like bluegrass, crabgrass, fescue? Is there ‘Martian’ grass on Mars? Did she have two cases of ‘Blue Moon’ iced down for the Super Bowl?” At 6:32 p.m. I received another message: “Mown grass . . . not moon.”

Wait until your friends try this candy. It is a smooth coffee-flavored fudge with chocolate bits and pecans. This is the old timey way to make fudge. You could vary it by using butterscotch bits.

I felt so sorry for my mom. Not only because strange things seem to happen to the both of us, but because she was in pain.
Back in the early ’80’s, we had a wood stove in the basement. I have previously talked about how my mom was the only one who tended to it. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to help. I asked her several times to show me how, but each time, she answered, “No!”
Why? Because I was a typical teenage girl. She knew my mind would be on boys, school drama and homework. Then I asked if I could at least help by carrying in some wood. Again, she answered, “No!”

Country Connections By James and Ellen Perry
It’s early morning and I’m sitting on my front porch pondering the emigration from Union County, Tennessee, that had been going on since the end of WWII in 1945.
Most immigrated to the northern states for a supposed better life provided by higher paying jobs in factories which had been suppressed in the South since the Civil War.

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” This statement is part of Paul’s closing instructions from his letter to the Churches in the region then known as Galatia.

By Steve Roark
Volunteer, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
Ticks season is officially here, though to be honest I was pulling them off me in January. With ticks come the concern of getting some serious illnesses they can carry. So be on guard to protect yourself and your family.

This spring UT Extension challenged our elementary school 4-H clubs to “Walk Across TN.” Each class received a state map, logbook, and pedometers to track their progress. By wearing pedometers to track steps during the day, students got to see how active they are compared to their peers. They encouraged each other to participate in healthy movement throughout the day in a shared goal of making it across the state. By logging steps taken, students learned about record keeping and used important math skills.

Different stretches have different functions. Some focus on a particular muscle or muscle group or limb and improve movement. Others, sometimes referred to as ‘active’ stretches, are intended to increase strength. These three exercises are designed to do both with your back:

The bridge: Lie on your back with your knees pointing up and your feet flat on the floor. Tighten your buttocks and stomach muscles and slowly raise your hips. Hold for a count of ten, and lower your hips. Do 10 repetitions at least once, up to 3 times per day.

Not many people know this but, I absolutely love to watch fire burning in the fireplace or at a bon fire. In fact, I have told Tim I would like to have a fire pit in the back yard. Considering what happened to me as a child, it is surprising that I enjoy watching fires.

A former teacher of mine recently gave me several books. One of them was titled The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. I believe this is the second time I have read the book, but if so the first was so long ago that I remembered none of the plot.

This recipe is so easy. There is no time wasted preparing meatballs. Start this recipe early in the day before your company comes. You have enough to do. By the way, if you have grape jelly and canned apple juice, you can turn to around and use 1 cup grape jelly and 1 cup apple juice. Who says we can't be adaptable.

Thunderstorms are common during the hot afternoons of summer, and some folks (like me) are invigorated by all the wind, flashes of light, and noise... a sort of natural fireworks show.

As Cadie Chapell approached the front of the room, she was unsure of how her speech would go. Little did she know it would be her first of many.
Chapell, at the time a small, petite, 4th grader talked to her class about a family ski trip never imagining that those small steps would one day lead to her speaking in front of her graduating class and guests at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

Join us this Saturday, May 28, as the Union County Farmers Market kicks off our Nourish Kids program. This will be the third season that the market has partnered with Nourish Knoxville to present this program. Through a grant, Nourish Knoxville has been able to assist markets like ours throughout East Tennessee, providing materials and Produce Bucks making this program possible.

Interested in historic homes? Historic downtown Maynardville? East Tennessee history? Have you ever done a double-take and wondered what is that old building, what stories can it tell? If so, join us for a walk through history.

Improper planting depth is one of the most common challenges impacting the growth and health of urban trees. Trees planted incorrectly are not only subjected to the physical stresses of improper placement, they’re also more susceptible to insect pests and fungal pathogens. These issues, combined with the already stressful urban environment, may lead to the untimely decline of trees that would otherwise prosper if planted correctly.

During pregnancy, a woman’s body goes through many changes. Obviously, it’s a wonderful phase of life, but it’s also a challenging time. Extra weight brings a shift to the center of gravity, which causes new sensations, and, in some cases, discomfort.