Driving to Maynardville

Most people in my family asked, “Maynardville where? Why in the world are you going there?”, which of course required a long answer. Here is the shortest version I can manage. Actually, it isn’t very short.

Steward of the Community

Mrs. Kay Jones is a thoughtful person who cares very deeply about her community, her family, and her origins. She also enjoys cooking and the company of her beloved pets. Her roots run deep in Union County.

Take More Breaks To Avoid Back Injury At Work, Study Says

Workers who lift for a living need to take longer or more frequent breaks than they now do to avoid back injury, according to a new study at Ohio State University. The study also suggests that people who are new on the job need to take breaks even more often than experienced workers, and that the risk of injury is higher at the end of a work shift.

Write It Right

When I on occasion have the opportunity to look at documents from the past, there are times that I am impressed with the penmanship written by those who have long since departed this earth.

Pink Snow

I didn’t grow out of my fascination with trains. To this day, I still get excited when I see one and I also love to hear its lonesome whistle. But the one who actually witnessed the raw power of a train was my mom.
Back in the early eighties, she worked at a business in Powell that sat across the road from the railroad tracks. One day, she stepped out of the building and heard the loud revving of an engine. She looked toward where the train tracks crossed Emory Road and saw a delivery that was truck stuck on them. Yes, stuck.

Marinated Cucumbers

2 large green cucumbers
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons fresh chives or 2 teaspoons dried chives

Fall Traditions are Steeped in History

The Autumn Equinox is one of two times of the year when the Sun is exactly above the Equator and day and night are equal in length. That’s as far into the science of what’s going on that I’ll go. It’s the astronomical beginning of fall, which is my favorite season of the year. After a long hot and humid summer, the crisp cool mornings, balmy temperatures, and visual clarity of lower humidity are very welcome.

Let Them Read Books

Both authors and readers alike, rightfully romanticize the role of fantasy in their lives. But we often underestimate how drastic its potential is in influencing children. Centuries of storytellers have used memory to invoke tremendous imagery, to relay tales of long dead heroes,

It's Fair Time in Tennessee

As the young child walked through the rows of chickens her eyes lite up as she lifted her head to see a lighted Ferris wheel spinning in circles waiting for her to catch a ride.
This moment is one many of us have experienced walking through the fair as a young child and even still we feel a small glimmer of child like happiness when we see the line of carnival rides, games, and those delicious, candied apples.

Vintage vehicles, bands, and fireworks thunder in the park

Man standing next to a vintage car

George Massey explains why his Galaxie 500 is a 1963.5. The 1963 was modified with a slant rear window to make the car more aerodynamic for racing.

“Wow, it sure is nice to come to one of these [cruise-ins] with a good crowd,” commented a participant who relaxed under a shade tree at the 2021 Thunder in the Park. Gary England manned England's Sound Machine as “Elvis” opened with the National Anthem. The crowd had some 200 vehicles to inspect, admire, and photograph while the sounds of “Achy, Breaky Heart” and other traditional favorites played in the background. One enterprising young man was selling his truck and revved the engine to a roar in keeping with the thunder theme and the pleasure of the crowd.

Clays 4 Children

District Attorney General Jared Effler and staff, in partnership with the Children’s Centers of the 8th Judicial District, will be hosting the 6th Annual Clays for Children Sporting Clays Tournament at Chilhowee Sportsman’s Club in Maryville, Tennessee on Friday, September 24th. Funds raised from this tournament will ensure that our Children’s Centers continue their worthy mission of serving abused and neglected children. This successful fundraiser has grown every year and is now the largest event held at the Chilhowee Sportsman’s Club.

Seek a Blue Ribbon for Your Hard Work

The Union County Heritage Festival is right around the corner. Did you know that you can enter your items into the Festival Exhibit Contest with UT Extension Union County? You have already put in the hard work, now seek some reward. There are categories for adults as well as youths grades kindergarten thru 12th.

HLG CEO addresses UCBPA

A man standing behind a lecturn

Steve Johnson addresses the Union County Business & Professional Association regarding his business, Horticulture Lighting Group..

Steve Johnson, CEO of Horticulture Lighting Group (HLG), addressed members of the Union County Business & Professional Association (UCBPA) at its August meeting.
Johnson related how HLG grow lights developed into the world's best horticulture lights in less than five years. He said that his desire to grow tommy toe tomatoes year round sparked his quest to develop the perfect grow light.

Women Need Expanded Musculoskeletal Care During Pregnancy, Study Finds

Despite the high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain during pregnancy, few women in
underserved populations receive treatment for their low back pain. Moreover, researchers
found that pain in a previous pregnancy may predict a high risk for musculoskeletal
complaints in future pregnancies. 85 percent of women who experienced pain in a previous
pregnancy reported pain during their current pregnancy.

Next Stop - Flat Rock

One of the many beautiful views at Sky Top Orchard

Hubby and I headed east last weekend to Flat Rock NC. We had passed by the exit countless times, saying to each other, “That sounds fun. Maybe we’ll go there someday.”
Now one thing you must understand is that me and Hubby, we like to veer off the beaten path; like, way off. Many times we see a road that looks like it should go somewhere fun and we take that road. We have rarely been disappointed.

Morning Surprise

I have often said only certain things happen here in East Tennessee. One great example of this happened many years ago.
My Mamaw Jo got up one morning and went to the kitchen to start her coffee. That was usually the first thing she did. On this particular morning, she noticed stuff lying on her kitchen counter that wasn’t there the night before. She looked closer at them, which sent her into a state of panic. With what she thought it was, I really don’t blame her.

What's Your Sign?

Last week I shared about various signs that have caught my attention throughout the years. Today I continue with that thought.
Several years ago in the Sunday morning service at Loveland Baptist Church the elderly, esteemed Rev. Oliver Wolfenbarger stood and announced his text. It was the same text he had preached on the week before. He said, “I know what you’re thinking—poor ol’ Wolfenbarger, he’s losing his mind, can’t even remember that was what he preached about last week.” He continued, “I know this is the same text I used last week, I just didn’t get through with my message. And I’ll tell you something else. I’m just about as crazy as you all think I am.”

Easy Eggplant Parmesan

Eggplant is one of those veggies you either like or you don't. This recipe reminds me of a pizza. I suppose if you added a few slices or pepperoni, you could call it an eggplant pizza.

Picking Up Pawpaws

You’ve likely got some age on you is you remember singing about Susie “pickin’ up pawpaws, put ‘em in her pocket, way down yonder in the Pawpaw Patch!” The Pawpaw is a curious native tree that gets attention this time of year when its fruit start to ripen. Also called a "Winter Banana" and "Custard Apple", the fruit looks like it should be growing in a tropical rain forest rather than the Appalachian Mountains. It is in fact a relative of several tropical trees in South America, and even the name "Pawpaw" is tropical in origin, being a corruption of the papaya tree to which it is not related.

Become my life-saving kidney donor

Aaron Russell is a man of faith. Seven years ago, he became very sick. His kidneys shut down from what turned out to be vasculitis; a disease that damaged the small blood vessels in his kidneys.
During this time, Aaron became paralyzed as a side effect from heavy doses of steroids, which resulted in back surgery. He suffered pneumonia, migraine headaches, deadly hypertension, pericardial effusion, pleural effusion and was on dialysis three days a week, four hours per day.
In total, he was admitted to the hospital eight times and had countless doctors’ visits.

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