Historic Union County

Spreading the good news of Union County

Union County Commission solved the redistricting issue by agreeing to do nothing to the current district numbers and “leaving every district as is.”

Periodic absences for various reasons continue to cause the Union County Board of Education to barely have a quorum.
At the November school board meeting, Chairman David Coppock and Vice Chairman Marty Gibbs were absent along with Brad Griffey from Luttrell. Dr. Jimmy Carter, Director of Union County Schools, chaired the workshop and oversaw the election of Andrew Reed, who represents District 6 (Paulette), as the Chairman Pro Tem to preside at the November meeting.

Aaron Russell and Shannon DeWitt are Man and Woman of 2021
Union County Business & Professional Association named Aaron Russell and Shannon DeWitt as Man and Woman of 2021 at its Annual Banquet on November 19, at Hubbs Grove Fellowship Hall.
Aaron Russell, publisher of Historic Union County News, was praised by Robbie Corum, the 2020 Man of the Year, for Aaron's “out of the box thinking.” With this “tackle the unknown attitude,” Aaron has given Union County its first online newspaper, as well as a printed monthly edition.

Last month, Olivia Howard joined the UT Extension Office here in Union County as the full-time 4-H agent. Olivia was born in Kansas, lived in Michigan and moved to the Knoxville area when she was in 4th grade where her love for agriculture started.
This led her to pursue a degree in Animal Science at the University of Tennessee. Olivia’s experience in Extension started when she completed an internship with the Knox County Extension Office in summer of 2020 where she worked in agriculture and natural resources.

New research from Boston medical Center identifies elevated mortality risk for women with back pain when compared to women without back pain. Back pain was not associated with mortality among men, indicating long-term consequences of back pain may differ by sex. The overall findings suggest that mild back pain (pain that does not keep a person from exercising or doing daily activities) is unlikely to impact the length of one’s life, but risk of mortality was increased among adults with more severe back pain.

Happy Holidays from Union County Farmers Market!
We are really excited to offer a Holiday Market once again this year. We can’t wait to see you there!
At the Holiday Market, you will find some of your favorite market vendors and be able to support your community by shopping local.

Over 300 children will have presents under the tree this Christmas thanks to the dedicated volunteers of Union County Children's Charities.
Gina B. Gilbert, Tammie George, Brooke Simpson and Pam Tolbert serve as the leaders of the 501(c)3 nonprofit to organize the effort while Carol Pratt, Janet Holloway and friends shop and assemble the bags.
At least eight area churches gave away socks, toiletries, laundry detergent, books and paper products. Another church supplied hams, and the Family Resource Center contributed gift cards from a grant for teenage siblings.

By Beth Bergeron
Once again, 4 H members in each elementary school are collecting pop top tabs for their community service project and the first full jug has been turned in. All tabs will be donated to our local Ronald McDonald House for recycling.
In the process of collecting these tabs, the students learn the importance of recycling, and are encourage to recycle the entire aluminum can.

By Alyshia Victoria
Union County FCE members gathered on November 18 to celebrate thanks for one another and for our community. Family & Community Education (FCE) clubs are located across the state, and we have a great group here in Union County.
The goal of FCE clubs is to strengthen the home and community by improving the quality of life of individuals and families through continuing education, leadership development and community service.

By Mary Johnson
Sharps Chapel residents have been meeting at the Sharps Chapel Senior Center once a month to share the latest news, research and concerns regarding the new Mexican-owned Sanfer SPF egg production factory farm. The facility will eventually house 72,000 chickens in eight concrete block buildings on the historic Sharp family farm on Sharps Chapel Road.

By Jeff Brantley
I represent the 5th District of Union County (Sharps Chapel and Speedwell side). A controversy has arisen about the location of a chicken/pharmaceutical farm in Sharps Chapel. Some are complaining about property values, odor, contamination, etc. Most of the resistance comes from lake lot property owners who are approximately a mile away from the proposed business.

By Alyshia Victoria
Have you heard of FCE clubs? Perhaps you have heard of the homemaker’s club.
Family & Community Education clubs (FCE), formerly known as the homemaker’s group, have been around for a long time. While 4-H clubs have been a way of building community and skills among youth throughout Tennessee history, FCE clubs have been doing the same for adults. The goal of FCE clubs is to strengthen the home and community by improving the quality of life of individuals and families through continuing education, leadership development and community service.

November 9 was graduation day for the East Tennessee Regional Leadership Association Class of 2020-2021 at Hunter Valley Farms in West Knoxville.
The keynote speaker was Art Bohanan, who is known for his work with the UT Body Farm, the World Trade Center and the Knoxville Police Department as a forensic specialist.
Union County was well represented by Robbie and Gail Corum, who are known for their business, Corum Bookkeeping, as well as their community involvement with Leadership Union County and Union County Business & Professional Association.

Like a warm blanket of love, the Union County Opry wrapped the audience in Christmas cheer at the 2021 Christmas show, “Bringing Country Home.”
Singing and playing tunes from Elvis to the Eagles with a spice of Cajun and more than a sprinkle of nostalgia, musicians evoked dreams of the star, the tree, the gifts and the hope of the season.

By Derek Wilson
Maybe you have heard the term birds of prey. It’s a broad term that is referring to carnivorous birds like buzzards, hawks, owls, falcons and eagles.
This is a great time of year to bird watch. The leaves have fallen off the trees and many species are in migration. Migration gets lots of species on the move and the forest is much easier to spot many of these species without all the leaves on the trees.
Some birds of prey also take advantage of the more open forest this time of year also to use their excellent eyesight to catch prey.

Do you have some bananas hanging out at your kitchen counter? Are they a lovely shade of yellow flecked with brown? They are ready for these cookies. Don't throw them out.

Country Connections by James and Ellen Perry
It being a couple of weeks ’til Christmas in 1952, Daddy said on Saturday morning, “Boys (to the four of us boys) it’s time to go up on the hill and look for a Christmas tree.”

By Brooke Cox
Growing up, one of my favorite activities was decorating Christmas trees. Even as an adult, I often volunteer to adorn them. You see, I love anything that sparkles and/or has a bright color.
Many years ago, I worked in a very nice and professional office. My first Christmas there, the company bought a new Christmas tree. The manager asked me if I wouldn’t mind decorating it. While I calmly agreed, I was jumping for joy on the inside. Whoo hoo!

Part 1
Proverbs 18:24 KJV
[24] A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
I often close conversations with Proverbs 18:24, to remind myself and others of the importance of having friends. Friendships come in various levels, from short-term casual contact, to lifelong intimate relationships.
We sometimes use the word friend very loosely, even casually as a greeting. Many believe that friendship in the best sense is lifelong to the extent that both parties involved would die for each other.

By: Steve Roark
Volunteer, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
Our connection with trees goes back a long time, and during the holidays it shows up in just how interwoven forest plants are with Christmas symbols and traditions.
The Christmas Tree: An evergreen tree, sparkling with ornaments and lights, is probably the preeminent Christmas icon.