Historic Union County

Spreading the good news of Union County

Big Ridge State Park had a record year last year in visitation despite being closed for about a month in the spring.
This summer was another record year for Big Ridge as it was for all parks across the nation. As the season winds down the staff here at Big Ridge can finally take a deep breath.
Everyone that works at Big Ridge deserves a great big shout out for their hard work the last couple of years. We truly have a great team working together.

I try most every yeast bread dough that comes along. These doughnuts are especially good. They are light, airy and melt-in-your-mouth yeast raised doughnuts and stir together quickly. They don't need kneading. That is a plus. Try them.

I had lunch with some dear friends today. One was Debbie Gillenwater, currently co-director of the Union County Family Resource Center. Many Union Countians will remember Ms. Debbie as a wonderful first grade teacher at Maynardville Elementary School.

By: Steve Roark
Volunteer Interpreter, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
Deer are social creatures and they need to communicate with one another. Sometimes it’s one-on-one trash talk, while other times it’s an alarm to an entire group.

For Molly, she had looking forward to going to Papaw’s garden
She and her brother Johnny each get to pick out a pumpkin

Johnny looked at the large ones, but kicked the small ones away
Molly knew her pumpkin had to be special, so she closed her eyes to pray

She asked God to send her the perfect one to use
Something hit her foot, which sent mud on her shoes

It was a little pumpkin that Johnny had left behind
Molly picked it up and ran her hand over the rind

Starting your day the right way can give your body a little boost as it prepares for the activity that’s ahead of it, Whether that be work or play. here are some tips:

When you get out of bed, greet the day with some stretching. There are lots of different stretches, but try this: stretch your arms above your head and hold for 10 seconds and feel your spine straighten out. Put your hands on your hips and rotate gently at the waist. Hold for 10 seconds to the right, and then 10 seconds to the left.

It was the summer of 1983. I had just graduated from Union County High School and was waiting to begin attending Lincoln Memorial University in the fall. I knew that I would be living on campus and that I would have a roommate. The college sent me his name, but nothing else. Of course I was somewhat apprehensive about having to live in such close quarters with a total stranger. My concern was greatly alleviated when my future roommate wrote me a letter more or less introducing himself to me. What a difference a letter can make!

Biscuit mix makes stirring together a biscuit dough easy as pie. It makes a fine coffeecake as well. Crushed pineapple is one of my favorite go-to fruits to bake with. Stir up this for your next Sunday morning breakfast.

By: Steve Roark
Volunteer Interpreter, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Spiders have been stereotyped as being dangerous and the natural tendency is to squash them before taking time to consider how beneficial and interesting they are. Their most unique talent is producing silk and spinning it into webs to catch prey.

Listen up! Here is a hooping, affordable sporting opportunity for Union County youths. The Union County Youth Basketball (UCYB) League is currently tipping off signups.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett and State Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins recognize Administrators of Elections from Clay, Union and Washington counties for recently passing the state Certification Exam for Administrators of Elections.

The newly certified election administrators are:

October holds the precedent for the year for the Union County Farm Bureau as the Board of Directors holds the Annual Meeting each fall. This year, amongst a board room daunted with beautiful autumn colored tables and décor, friends and members gathered to recap the year and look forward to a good kickoff to the next.

There are certain days from your childhood that you never forget. For me, it was a Saturday morning when I was five years old. Every ten minutes, I ran to the backdoor and stood on the top step. From there, I could see all the way down to the bridge that spanned Bull Run Creek.
What was I so anxious about? The piano my parents had bought was to be delivered that morning. My mother has always loved music and she knew of its importance, so she made sure we had one. For years, my parents made a payment on it every month.

The hallmark of chiropractic treatment is the spinal adjustment, a manipulation of the vertebrae — the individual bones that make up the spine. The purpose of the adjustment is to make sure those bones, through which the spinal cord stretches, are properly aligned. That’s important because the nerves that carry information from the brain to various parts of the body emanate from the spine, and reach out between the vertebrae.

On Friday, September 24, District Attorney General Jared Effler and staff, in partnership with the Children’s Centers of the 8th Judicial District, hosted the Sixth Annual Clays for Children Sporting Clays Tournament at Chilhowee Sportsman’s Club in Maryville. The purpose of this event was to raise money to support the children’s centers of the 8th Judicial District, comprised of Campbell, Claiborne, Fentress, Scott, and Union counties.

Nothing in this world lasts forever. I offer a personal example. In 2009 I had my basement waterproofed. The sump pump came with a lifetime guarantee of free replacement if it malfunctioned. Just this past Thursday the dreaded malfunction came after twelve years. The basement again flooded. The company is going to honor its warranty and replace the pump free of charge, though I will have to pay the service fee, of course.

I prefer recipes for anything chocolate to be made with cocoa. I always have a box of cocoa on hand, chocolate not so much. This recipe makes 2 1/2 cups. Enough for the gang.

By: Steve Roark
Volunteer Interpreter, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Black walnut is well known to most folks, but there is another walnut native to our area. Butternut (Juglans cinerea), also called White walnut, likes to grow in the same deep, moist soils like its black cousin, but is becoming rare to find.

As Dena Oakes walked her children through a field of bright orange pumpkins in 1999, she realized that she may be able to put her own twist on a pumpkin patch.
Three generations of Oakes have made a living in the Corryton community, while operating two agribusiness endeavors . One being Oakes Pumpkin Patch and farm, one of the largest agritourism spots in our area. This destination is filled with a corn maze, pick your own pumpkin patch, an animal exhibit and much more.

Whether it be your first experience in the 4th grade as Mr. Bill Morgan walked into your classroom or your last experience as you traveled to National 4-H Congress, 4-H has impacted many in our community.
Last week millions of members, supports, and alumni across the nation celebrated National 4-H week while those in Tennessee had something a little extra to celebrate.