Ann Blomquist, a retired math teacher in Jefferson County, addressed the Union County Historical Society meeting on October 19. Blomquist is the volunteer director of First Families of Tennessee. Her office is located at the East Tennessee Museum in Knoxville. She related that First Families of Tennessee began in 1993 in preparation for the 1996 Tennessee Bicentennial Celebration for the purpose of documenting pioneer ancestors and information on their families.

Senator Frank Niceley visited the Union County Museum to address the Union County Historical Society at its meeting in July. He donated a new United States Flag to replace the one that was frayed. He also donated a 2023-2024 Tennessee Blue Book.
But the major reason for his visit was to address the Union County Historical Society regarding a rare homemade banjo that he acquired as a teenager on a visit to Union County. The banjo is made of wood and the head is octagonal in shape rather than round.

“Developers purchase land and think that they own the cemetery that is on the property,” related Graham Perry, Historical Cemetery Preservation Specialist at the Union County Historical Society last month, “But they may or may not own the cemetery.”
Perry also explained that cemeteries cannot be blocked from visits by relatives, but the activities of visitors in the cemetery can be regulated by the owner.

Archie Reynolds addressed the November meeting of the Union County Historical Society (UCHS). He spoke of the traditions of Native Americans. He explained how warrior societies were formed to carry on the culture and sacred beliefs of indigenous people.

The called Union County Budget committee meeting on June 7 yielded a balanced budget to recommend to the Union County Commission on June 14.
Commissioner Larry Lay chairs the committee with Jody Smith, Kenny Hill, Earl Cox, Janet Holloway, Dawn Flatford and Becky Munsey as members.
Mayor Jason Bailey informed the committee that after the May Union County Commission meeting, he received notice that all elected officials were to receive a two percent raise. This increase pushed the shortfall to a little over $359,000 instead of the approximately $330,000 gap at the end of May.

Dave Chesney, a native of Union County and father of country music chart-topper Kenny Chesney, gifts the Historical Society with a donation of official Kenny Chesney memorabilia. Record labels recognize their artists’ achievements with record milestone awards, such as gold (500,000 albums sold) and platinum (1 million albums or 500,000 singles sold). These keepsakes are also presented to those who support an artist’s career; as such, Chesney has received several awards commemorating his son’s achievements.