Historic Union County

Spreading the good news of Union County

Snow shoveling tends to be an unpleasant task — this mundane seasonal chore combines heavy lifting and cold weather, resulting in possible injuries to the back and shoulder muscles if shovelers do not take the proper precautions.

Here are more tips to prevent injuries while shoveling and snow blowing:

• Check with your doctor. Because this activity places high stress on the heart, speak with your physician first. If you have a medical condition or do not exercise regularly, consider hiring someone to remove the snow.

While scrolling my Facebook account, I came across a picture of The Lone Ranger. The thought came to mind that even he would not have been politically correct at this time in history—like a raccoon, his mask didn’t cover either his mouth or nose!
Neither would lots of car models from the 1980s and 1990s now be fashionable. How long has it been since you’ve seen a wood-paneled station wagon? Or a car with automatic seat belts?

I love looking through catalogs. That probably started with the old Sears catalogs, especially their Christmas Wish books. As a child, I spent many hours sitting in my grandparents’ house as I flipped through its pages full of wondrous goodies.

This has some sauerkraut added for flavor and tartness. I am always looking for ways to use leftover ham. Ham does not freeze well, so I try to use any leftovers within a day or two. This recipe is easy and foolproof. It is great fresh but even better warmed up the next day.

By Steve Roark
Volunteer Interpreter, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

The “hanging of the green” is a Christmas tradition that has been around for centuries. Sprays, garlands, wreaths, and trees from evergreen trees such as pine, fir, holly, and laurel have decorated homes at Christmas time since the days of Martin Luther in the early 1500s. Many Churches begin their celebration of the Christmas Season with a ceremony called the Hanging of the Green (or Greens).

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go. Weather it be driving down Maynardville Hwy and seeing the snowflakes hanging from the light poles or walking through Walmart and seeing the section of lite up Christmas trees and inflatable yard decorations down the aisle.
On December 12 at 2:30 Maynardville Hwy will be filled with fire trucks, church floats, and joyfully smiling young children as they see the Christmas holiday brining the community together through the annual Union County Christmas Parade that is sponsored by the Union County Rescue Squad.

Ideas from UT Extension for Holiday Shopping Amid Pandemic Delays

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The 2021 holiday season is set to be different from previous years and will present unique challenges when compared to past holidays. To assist consumers, University of Tennessee Extension consumer economics specialist Christopher Sneed provides tips and ideas to remove the hassle from the holiday shopping.

Shoveling is a very physical activity that is comparable to lifting heaving weights repeatedly and quickly. As with any exercise, it’s important to begin with a five-to-10 minute warm-up. Try taking a brief walk or marching in place to get your body ready for the physical strain. Also, try adding arm movements and stretching your back to warm up the upper body.

Here are a few more tips to help you stay healthy during shoveling season:

It wasn’t my first choice for a vacation spot, but it was Tim’s. You see, he wanted to get away for a few days and do some fishing. I was in agreeance until he suggested going to Lake Logan. While I am a farm girl, I still like my modern conveniences.

Each fall since 2012, with the exception of 2013, I have taught an adjunct course for Walters State Community College. The first year I taught a writing course, but the Tennessee Board of Regents changed the criteria, and I am no longer qualified to teach writing at the community college level. It seems almost ironic that I could write a dissertation for a doctoral program, the equivalent of a publishable research book, and not be qualified to teach writing to a college freshman.

This is one of the few “roll-out” cookie doughs that I use. How else am I going to get the fancy shapes I like so well at holiday times. It makes a big batch and is frosted, too.

After the thrill of autumn coloration is gone, those who have yard trees must deal with the bushels of leaves when they fall off. An acre of trees in a forest can produce over 2 tons of leaves each year, and I think my yard trees can beat that estimate.

Consumer costs on many items are increasing right now, and the price tag on this year’s Thanksgiving meal is no exception. Financial experts from the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture have information for consumers about this trend and advice for stretching holiday meal budgets.

Your feet are the foundation of your body. As such, they are subject to considerable
pressure with each of the hundreds of steps you take every day. When they are working
properly, it helps keep everything above them in proper line. So treat them right! here are
some things to consider when buying shoes:

Once upon a time, there was a turkey named Purkey who loved to dance. While the other turkeys ate and gobbled, she frolicked around the barnyard.
“How silly you are Purkey! Gooble. Gobble.” They teased her, but she didn’t care. Purkey kept on dancing. It made her happy.
Soon the leaves turned vivid colors and fell off the trees. The wind blew with coolness. Purkey didn’t care because she was too busy dancing. Then one day the farmer walked into the barnyard with something in his hand. Purkey couldn’t tell what it was and she didn’t care.

As I write, it is the peak for fall colors in Union County and the surrounding area. This sun-filled weekend has in particular been glorious. Driving to church with the light filtering through the changing colors was like being surrounded by natural stained glass fashioned by God himself.

I like caramel. It seems there isn't much I don't like. I remember when I wore a size 10 dress. That was so very long ago. This recipe will help throw you into those half sizes I now know so well. It is delicious. Try it anyway.

As cold weather settles in you may end up with an influx of mice wanting to use your house as a winter retreat. There are several mouse species in our area, but thankfully only a few pose a problem for humans.

Imagine it, you walk in the shop and the first thing that greets you is the smell of freshly brewed coffee as you run in for quick cup of joe before the day begins.
Weather it be the thing that you cannot start the day without or the thing that is continually brewed all day, many of us enjoy the rich flavors and aroma of coffee.

Ever since the early humans learned to walk upright, they have suffered, as an unfortunate consequence of their erect posture, from low back pain. Modern understanding on this matter dictates that low back pain, in particular, is caused due to a postural instability resulting from poor “proprioception,” which is a term for the perception of part of our body’s own position in space. In fact, our trunk and lower legs are key to maintaining postural stability due to the presence of “proprioceptors” — sensory receptors responding to position and movement — in those areas.