UTIA Appoints Gary Bates Head of Department of Plant Sciences
Submitted by Ashley Mike on Tue, 05/24/2022 - 15:38Interim Director Gets Nod to Continue Role Permanently
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has appointed Gary Bates, professor and interim head of the Department of Plant Sciences, as the department’s permanent leader.
Bates has served in the interim position since 2020.
The Famous Flying Trampoline
Submitted by Brooke Cox on Tue, 05/24/2022 - 15:38What a Sight!
Submitted by Ronnie Mincey on Tue, 05/24/2022 - 15:38Occasionally in life the stars align themselves, sometimes they don’t. Sometimes I can see the alignment, sometimes I cannot.
I remember several years meteor showers were predicted. I got out of bed around 2:00 a.m., the reported best time to see them at my location, to witness this wonder of nature. For whatever reason, I did not see the expected phenomenon.
Peanut butter and jelly bars
Submitted by Shirley McMurtrie on Tue, 05/24/2022 - 15:37As i have said before, bar cookies are the easiest and quickest cookie to make. Who doesn't like peanut butter and jelly? These bar cookies are great
PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY BARS
3 cups plain flour
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup grape jelly
Local Biodiversity
Submitted by Steve Roark on Tue, 05/24/2022 - 15:36Biodiversity remains a big deal in ecology circles these days. The dictionary defines it simply as the variety of living things in a particular area or region. Opinions on the importance of biodiversity vary, but to me the loss of any plant or animal species means something’s wrong, and rightfully raises some concerns.
Union County Success Stories: From UCHS to LSU
Submitted by Kennedy Hill on Tue, 05/17/2022 - 12:47Union County, a small part of Tennessee and an even smaller part of the United States. With a population of approximately 20,000 in 2019, we often wonder what is produced by the endeavors of our families, teachers, and leaders.
One story that I would like to begin to tell over the next few months, is the story of successes that have come from our small part of the world.
Walk the Market Returns
Submitted by Beth Bergeron on Tue, 05/17/2022 - 12:47UT Extension Union County and the Union County Farmers Market are at it once again; partnering to create healthier, more active lifestyles. When you join us at the market each Saturday, just sign-in and pick-up your pedometer for the day, then walk the market and surrounding areas. When finished, exchange the pedometer for the market bucks you have earned! Thank Reliant Family Health for sponsoring this program and providing the market bucks and incentives.
Strengthen the core
Submitted by Dr. Darrell Johnson on Tue, 05/17/2022 - 12:47Twinkling
Submitted by Brooke Cox on Tue, 05/17/2022 - 12:46One of my favorite songs as a child was, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” I don’t know many times I have peered into the night sky and thought of that song. At times, I even sang it. So to me, the word “Twinkling,” meant something shiny and sparkly. That changed for me a few years ago in a dramatic way.
Alarming
Submitted by Ronnie Mincey on Tue, 05/17/2022 - 12:46Once upon a time a weary Ronnie Mincey prepared himself for bed. His lovely bride had retired some time earlier. He turned on the television to assist his delve into the realms of rest. As he crawled under the covers beside his oblivious wife and wrapped himself “just so” in the sheets, he heard something fall to the floor.
Milk 'n jello
Submitted by Shirley McMurtrie on Tue, 05/17/2022 - 12:45Why We Love the Mountains
Submitted by Steve Roark on Tue, 05/17/2022 - 12:43Mountains seem to be a universal attraction to people no matter where they come from. To those who were born and raised in them, they are especially endearing because they were the constant backdrop of our lives: their beauty, their challenges, and their molding of the culture of our ancestors that was passed on to us. Mountains are special, but what is it about them that everybody falls in love with? This will sound over-simplistic, but the answer is their three-dimensional terrain. Let me explain.
All-Star Basketball Camp is May 31-June 3
Submitted by Marilyn Toppins on Tue, 05/10/2022 - 23:37Plant and Seed Share Return to Farmers Market
Submitted by Beth Bergeron on Tue, 05/10/2022 - 23:36Need a plant to beautify your home? Maybe you really wanted to try 3 different varieties of summer squash so you ordered 3 seed packets, and now you have way too many seeds. Perhaps you even started them indoors, afraid they would not all germinate and now you have way too many plants. Plant and Seed Share to the rescue!
Take a walk
Submitted by Dr. Darrell Johnson on Tue, 05/10/2022 - 23:34Headed My Way
Submitted by Brooke Cox on Tue, 05/10/2022 - 23:34When I heard the announcement at church, I was so excited. It was a chance to play on a real softball team again.
You see, I played softball for years when I was kid. My position was second base. I played that position in the Knox County and state championship games. I also played it in invitational tournaments. So, when the church organized a lady’s softball team as part of the outreach ministry, I immediately signed up. I couldn’t wait to smell the infield dirt.
Advice
Submitted by Ronnie Mincey on Tue, 05/10/2022 - 23:28I begin with some questions for thought—Do you ever give advice? Do you like to give advice? If so, what does that say about your opinion of yourself? Do you ever receive advice from others, either solicited or unsolicited? How well do you receive advice from others? Are you better at giving or receiving advice? Are you one of those who could care less about either giving or receiving advice?
TAMALE PIE
Submitted by Shirley McMurtrie on Tue, 05/10/2022 - 23:25Paulownia: The Purple Roadside Tree
Submitted by Steve Roark on Tue, 05/10/2022 - 23:19Paulownia is most often noticed when it blooms in the Spring, right now in fact. Its large tubular purple blooms are quite showy along roadsides.
Paulownia (Paulownia tomentosa) is also called royal princess tree, empress tree, and lilac tree. It is not native to the U.S. but was introduced as an ornamental landscape tree around 100 years ago. It’s a very prolific seed producer and has since spread until it can now be found everywhere, especially along roadsides and other disturbed areas.