Thousands of years before modern medicine, people depended on medicinal plants to ease pain and aid healing. Our early pioneer ancestors learned from native Indians what plants were useful to treat maladies. Many of these plants are common in our area and easy to identify. Here is a description of some of the easier to find medicinals found in our area.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): Also called bloodwort, nosebleed, and soldier’s woundwort. This wildflower has a tight, flat cluster of white, five-petal flowers at the top, with soft, aromatic, fernlike leaves along the stem. It is common in pastures, roadsides, and disturbed places. The leaves and stems were used to promote healing of open wounds and as a diaphoretic (used to increase perspiration).

The University of Tennessee Extension, in partnership with the Union County Health Department, is bringing a valuable program to the community this August and September to help community members manage chronic health conditions.

The Living Well with Chronic Conditions Program is a free six-week series designed to help individuals with chronic illnesses—such as asthma, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, COPD, and others—build skills to take control of their health and improve their quality of life. Caregivers and family members are also encouraged to participate.

Horace Maynard Middle School wrapped up a highly successful summer school session this June, averaging around 75 students each day—the largest turnout in recent memory. Students came ready to grow academically and personally, and they did just that through a mix of core academics and engaging enrichment activities.

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) has developed a new systematic review to summarize the evidence for epidural steroid injections and whether they reduce pain and disability for people with certain kinds of chronic back pain. With an epidural steroid injection, a steroid or corticosteroid medication is injected into a part of the spine called the epidural space. The goal is to help reduce certain kinds of back pain.

Bill Claiborne will address the Union County Historical society on preparations in East Tennessee to celebrate the United States 250th birthday. The meeting will begin at 2:30 at the Union County Museum on Sunday, July 20, 2025. The public is invited.

Maynardville, TN – July 2025 — The UT TSU Extension Office in Union County in partnership with Union County Farmers Market is excited to announce the 2025 Corn Festival Youth Competitions, a celebration of creativity, agriculture, and community spirit. The event will take place as part of the annual Corn Festival, offering local youth a chance to showcase their talents in culinary arts, gardening, and creative design.

The Union County Family and Community Education (FCE) organization will host a yard sale fundraiser on Thursday, August 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Union County Extension Office.

This event is open to the general public, and all are invited to stop by and shop for a variety of household items, books, décor and unique finds. Proceeds from the sale will benefit FCE programs and community projects in Union County.

The Union County Extension Office is located at 2721 Maynardville Highway, Maynardville, TN 37807.

Summer is in full swing. Several students are registering for college courses that begin in the fall. For non-Appalachian Americans and those from other countries, wouldn’t it be wonderful if an SSL class was offered?
The Appalachian region of the southeastern United States in unique in many ways, not the least of which is the local dialect of English spoken. Southern Appalachian natives are full of unique dialectical and idiomatic language patterns. Orthodox practitioners of standardized “King’s English” are sometimes bewildered at the language idiosyncrasy.

Ashley Webb, administrative assistant in the Union County Finance Office, graduated from the Certified County Finance Officer program on June 5 in Nashville. Jason E. Mumpower, the State Comptroller of the Treasury, presented her certificate after Webb completeted training and testing through the university level program designed to sharpen the skills of local finance employees. Union County Finance Director Melissa Brown, who is also a CCFO graduate, attended the graduation in support of her team member.

What’s the perfect birthday present for you? I daresay you immediately thought of something. But what about one for somebody else? A few years ago, my friend and I went in together on the perfect gift for our coworker. It seemed like a simple enough thing to do, but it didn’t quite work out that way.