Historic Union County

Spreading the good news of Union County

One of my favorite episodes of The Andy Griffith Show was the one in which Barney rigs up a camera in Wally’s Service Station to catch a thief. Of course Barney has to demonstrate his criminal genius to none other than Gomer Pyle. The resulting photograph is of Barney demonstrating his setup. Shrewd Barney Fife failed to reset the camera to possibly catch a picture of the real crook.

These cupcakes don't need frosting. Instead, sprinkle tops with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon when you take them from the oven. They are delicious. With electric mixer, cream butter and add sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Then stir in beaten egg and 1/4 cup applesauce.

With January being National Tea Month, and since most teas are derived from a tree, I thought I’d study up and share some things I did not know about the world’s most popular beverage.

There are around 1,100 US military Veterans presently living in Union County. At any time, a Veteran may have questions and need advice about what benefits are available from federal, state, county, and local resources. A Veteran may need professional assistance in completing and filing benefits claims or even someone to represent them in a Veterans Administration (VA) hearing. That is where a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) comes in.

Opioid pain-relieving medicines are not more effective than a placebo in relieving acute back and neck pain and may even cause harm, according to a recent trial. The researchers say this is proof that treatment guidelines should be updated to advise against the use of opioids for this purpose.

OCTOBER 9, 2021. Now in Des Moines IA. Long day of driving (for the older, shall we say “elderly?”, version of us) and for the animals. We left Hobby Horse Overnight Stables in Mitchell SD around 8:30 and arrived at Hidden Creek around 4. Google predicted a 5 hour trip….but that was at speed and probably with no stops. Spent some time looking for a dump station for the RV as the black water tank was getting full.

“I’m ready for some fresh seafood!” My husband Tim said when we drove over the Florida state line. Actually, he also said that before we left Tennessee.

One of the few records we had when I was growing up was titled A Night at the Grand Old Opry. The liner on back of the cover of the Harmony label album reads in part:
The Grand Old Opry is probably the most popular showcase for country music. Originated in 1925 by radio station WSM in Nashville, Tennessee, the Opry still packs people into Ryman Auditorium by the thousands every Saturday
night . . .
You’ll hear Billy Walker’s great . . . “Funny How Time Slips Away” . . .

Applesauce makes a nice cake. It is always moist. This cake can stand alone without frosting, but i like frosting on amlost anything sweet. I have made this cake for years. Cream shortening and sugar with mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs and beat well. Add applesauce. Mix and sift together dry ingredients and stir with spoon. Bake in greased and floured 8 inch loaf pan at 350 F. for 30 minutes or until tested done by inserted toothpick. Cool on rack. Frost top with Lemon Butter Frosting if desired.

I lucked into a beautiful light display recently when the early morning sun went behind a small cloud, resulting in rays of sunlight appearing to shoot out from the cloud edge in all directions. After decades of seeing sunbeams, I wondered what causes them, and my researched answer is forthwith.

The Union County Lions Club is seeking service-minded men and women to join them in making a difference in the Union County community. Around the world, Lions are serving their neighborhoods and beyond while focusing on five global causes including vision, hunger, the environment, childhood cancer and diabetes.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 approved a plan to expand access to chiropractic’s nondrug approach to pain relief to veterans, many of whom suffer from back pain and other musculoskeletal conditions resulting from their service.

Isn’t it funny how we change our minds about things as we grow older. For example, I absolutely hated winter with a passion when I was a kid, but I like it now.
Are you asking yourself: “Why in the world does Brooke like winter?” Or maybe you’re thinking: “There’s something not right with that girl.”

I am most always a traditionalist. Once a movie or song has been successfully filmed or recorded, I find the quality of re-makes to be great disappointments. There are for me two exceptions, one a movie, the other a song.

October 6, 2021: Happy Horse Haus, Rapid City, South Dakota - 550 miles from Ramsay
Apparently, there are horse motels and then there are horse motels. This is one of the latter.
It is situated right on a very busy road (How did I not catch that in my research?), and is a small, crowded property. Leo has to stay in another box stall with Sugar. (They are doing their very best to break out.) Can’t possibly let him loose.

This recipe makes a lot of rolls. Serve some and freeze the rest. Perfect amount for taking to a potluck. Pour boiling water over quick oatmeal. Let stand 5 minutes. Stir in shortening and molasses. Mix 1 cup of flour with dry milk solids, salt and yeast. Stir in shortening and molasses. Add quick oatmeal mixture to flour mixture

By Steve Roark
Volunteer, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Native Americans and European pioneers were a tough bunch to be able to eke out a living in the American wilderness. Nothing symbolizes that toughness more than hickory, a common tree of great strength and versatility. It goes back a long way as a revered and useful plant.

A little over 100 UCBPA members and citizens attended the first annual Light the Night in Wilson Park on December 1. Unfortunately the lights on the Emily Link Gazebo were on for only two seconds before the ground fault interrupter shut off the power.  Martin Shafer and Bill Collins, the county maintenance supervisor, spent much of December 4 correcting the issues and adding timers purchased by Union County Business and Professional Association. Thanks to the cooperation between Union County and UCBPA, the gazebo remained lighted each evening until after the holidays.

President Charlie Hamilton read the winning ticket number for the handmade Christmas Tree Quilt at the Union County Historical Society Christmas Brunch on December 17 at the Union County Museum. Judson Palmer won the quilt. Proceeds from the quilt donations will go toward helping pay for needed repairs.
Palmer announced that the museum will receive a grant from the Tennessee Museum to replace the flooring. The museum will most likely be closed from January 28 through most of February while the flooring work is completed.

Plainview announced the opening of the new bay at the Plainview Fire Station on December 30. The new bay is large enough to accommodate a 3500-gallon pumper.
“Having this large of a bay opens up all kinds of possibilities for us,” commented Brad Woods, Chief of Luttrell Volunteer Fire Department.
Chief Woods further explained that this new bay means that structure fires can be fought in Plainview, Luttrell and especially in parts of the county where no hydrants exist with minimal transporting of water.