From Forest Gump: Stupid is as stupid does

Country Connections By James and Ellen Perry
As I sit here on my porch in the late evening shadows, I am thinking of men’s necessities in life.
They are: at least one good dog, one good old pick-up truck during your life, an understanding wife who never complains and only thinks of you when you are away, bluebird sky days after a soft rain, a fish on the line every cast, grandchildren who sit on your lap and don’t squirm and are very quiet, a good baseball game on TV, a Sunday afternoon nap and sardines for a snack.
Also, a good barber who tells you jokes.

Feels Like the First Time

I was recently amused to read the following sentence in a communication from the Tennessee State Department of Education: “Tennessee is preparing to launch its third search in two years for its first superintendent over statewide school turnaround work.”
Honestly, if my wife had been required to conduct three searches for two years to find me one push lawnmower to trim my grass, my yard would have lots more weeds than it did after our fifteenth wedding anniversary.

A study of Peter and John

[1] Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. - Acts 3:1 KJV
I like to do character studies of the Bible patriarchs, because it helps me to better understand the context of their stories. A common theme of these character studies is that all the men and women of the Bible were subject to the same passions as we are today.

Big Ridge roadside 'decorations'

I would like to start by saying how proud and blessed I am for being raised in East Tennessee. It’s a beautiful culture that compares to no other. There are no other people I’d rather be around than good ole Appalachian folk. With that being said, there is one part of Appalachian culture I would like to improve upon in the future and that is the proper use of a trash can.
I have had folks from other parts ask me about the litter something like this, “You live in such a beautiful place but why is there so much garbage alongside of the road?”

Blueberries, a forest treat

A wild blueberry branch

Sweet tasting blueberries are a popular food for animals and humans in mid to late summer. Blueberry jam or fresh blueberries on top of some corn flakes is hard to beat.
We have several types of wild blueberries in our area, but they all have similar features. All are shrubs with many branches, with two-inch leaves that are spear shaped, smooth edged, and a short stem. The spring blooming flowers are small, white, and bell-like.

Momma's superpower and the inchworm

My momma has an awesome superpower that most people would love to have. She has the quickest and funniest retorts of anybody I know.
A good example of this happened a few years ago when Mom and I went to a restaurant with some friends. She had ordered coleslaw, which is one of her favorite side dishes. They served it to her in a small white bowl with a rounded scoop of it sitting on top of a leaf of lettuce. Simple elegance.

Fashion and Design Stitched into a 4-H Conference

Khilee Cochran at 4-H Fashion and Design Conference 2021

By Gracie Tindell

Hello, my name is Gracie Tindell, I am a 7th grader in Union County. I was able to attend the fashion and design conference at the UT campus n June with fellow Union County 4-Her Khilee Cochran. We spent the day with other
4-H'ers from surrounding counties. We had many projects to accomplish in our time at fashion and design. There were teachers attending who are experienced in the fashion and design industry. They were able to speak on many different topics and give us insights.

Godzilla and Mamaw Jo

When I was around thirteen years old, I decided I wanted my own pet lizard. So, my parents took me to a pet store where I picked out a cute little gecko. And as you can tell by the title, I named it Godzilla. I thought it was funny, but I didn’t realize how apt the name would become.

The Older I Get

There once was a man who said he was going to have his patience tested. (I was positive from his demeanor that he would test negative.) I have been told that I have the patience of Job, but it seems that this year in particular my patience has been pushed to its extreme outer limits on a few occasions. Perhaps this comes as a natural part of the aging process. Having never been in my upper 50s before, I have no frame of reference.

Hummingbird Hype

The hummingbird needs no introduction since everyone at one time or other has been mesmerized by its bright color, tiny size and amazing aerial abilities.

There are several hundred species of hummingbirds in the world, but only one is found in the eastern US, the Ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). It is around 3 inches long and weighs only one-half ounce (hummingbirds are the smallest of the bird world). Both sexes have metallic green feathers and a long, straw-like bill. The male has a metallic red throat while the female has a white throat.

Union County Volunteers Spread Joy To Children Worldwide Through Year-Round Effort

Area Families Help Operation Christmas Child Change Lives with Simple Gifts

Maynardville, TN, July 2021— Union County families believe it is never too early to make a difference, which is why, whether it is July or December, they are transforming shoeboxes into gifts of joy. Operation Christmas Child, a project of international Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse, delivers the shoeboxes—filled with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys—to children in need worldwide.

Sew ‘N Vac Run by Local Family, Treating Community Like Family, Since 1974

Sew ‘N Vac, Knoxville—a family-owned and operated business—offers:
• Husqvarna, Singer, and Viking sewing machines
• Dyson, Lindhaus, Miela, and Riccar vacuum cleaners
• Service of all makes and models of sewing and vacuum equipment
• Fabric and Supplies
• Classes: Learn to use your new equipment (offered for no additional cost) or learn a new skill for a small fee

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Sew ‘N Vac in Knoxville, TN with my mother-in-law, who had tinkered with her sewing machine and gotten the settings mixed up, so we took it in for service. The owner, Steve Osborne, remembered trading with her more than a decade ago. She traded her mother’s old quilter for a new sewing machine. Osborne looked it over and fixed the settings and replaced a missing foot and refused to take any money for the service. He was just taking care of a customer.

4-H Excels in Preparing Youth to Communicate

4-Her Natalie Graves with her Demonstration Exhibit

The Union County 4-H Demonstration and Interactive Exhibits Contests allows youth to highlight their exceptional presentation abilities in a supportive environment at our Annual Achievement Day. Youth will learn from professionals as well as their fellow 4-H members.

Mays Signs With Milligan

Caitlin Mays

2021 Union County High School graduate and four-year letter winner Caitlin Mays has received a softball scholarship and signed with Milligan University.
Mays finished her career with the UCHS girls’ softball team with an impressive batting average of .319.
“Caitlin is a hard worker and an overall great kid to coach,” said Coach Lance Lay. “Milligan is getting a special kind of student and player. I wish her the best.”

Chiropractic Basics Part III

Chiropractic colleges accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) offer Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree programs. (CCE is the agency certified by the U.S. Department of education to accredit chiropractic colleges in the United States.) Admission to a chiropractic college requires a minimum of 90 semester hour credits of undergraduate study, mostly in the sciences.

Peachy Time

I truly believed I was going to have a fun adventure to tell my friends when I got back home. Let’s just say things didn’t go as planned.
Let me back up a little here. It was the summer of 1980 and I was fifteen years old. Mom, Mamaw Jo, Papaw E.O., and I were spending the weekend in Fletcher, NC. In case you’ve never heard of it, Fletcher is a small town just a little east of Asheville. Papaw’s army buddy Porter lived there and he invited us over to spend the weekend with him and his family.

“Don’t-ables”

The Bible tells us that in the beginning, God gave the first man and woman only one commandment. They could eat of all the trees of the Garden of Eden except the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. God had a very good reason for this. Before they ate the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve were innocent like children, not knowing that anything was wrong.

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