On December 2nd, the Union County Extension Office hosted a Simmer Pot Kit Class, offering community members an opportunity to learn the basics of dehydrating fruits and assembling their own holiday simmer pot kits. The class was led by Abigail Thomas, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent.

Is there something that you don’t ever want to outgrow? For me, it’s my love of Christmas ornaments. Honestly, it’s kinda dangerous to let me loose by myself in a store that has them for sale. But I don’t always buy them for my own Christmas tree; I also love to give them as presents.

Low back pain in school-aged children is a common occurrence, and the prevalence of low back pain increases once children reach school age — one percent at age seven years; six percent at age 10 years; and 18 percent at ages 14-16 years, yet only seven percent of adolescents with lower back pain will seek medical care.

“And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.”

This statement by Jesus is an excerpt found in three of the four Gospels and is commonly known in Christian circles as the story of the Rich Young Ruler. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke record a wealthy Young man’s discussion with Jesus regarding gaining entrance into heaven.

There are many points worth considering and discussing in the story of the Rich Young Ruler. We could consider why Mark and Luke chose to frame the Rich Young Ruler's question in terms of inheritance. Which begs the idea, can Heaven be inherited? Perhaps more notably, why did Matthews account record the Rich Young Ruler asking a different question? There are more questions one should ask regarding this short encounter recorded in these Gospels, such as whether a person can work their way into Heaven.

Imagine it’s 2075 in the former USA which is now part of the CCP’s new slogan “The sun never sets on the Chinese Empire. This slogan was conscripted from the former now gone Colonial British Empire which fell simultaneously with the former United States of America in 2030. It took the triad powers of China, Russia and Iran to accomplish the downfall of the world and gain and alter the capitulation of the white English-speaking superpower the black and brown countries fell like dominoes one by one in rapid succession. After the fall of the white English-speaking superpowers, China starting eradication of their partners in Russia and Iran. There were mass killings wiping out leaders in Russia, Iran along with remaining leaders in the USA, England, South America, Africa, and the Moslem Countries. There were millions of humans eradicated worldwide during the 2030’s and 2040’s. By the late 2040’s China controlled the entire earth.

FirstBank of Maynardville hosted a day long Open House this fall. Customers and the public were greeted by employees with gifts and refreshments. According to Heather Hoag, Branch Manager, FirstBank is grateful for all of its many customers and looks forward to providing all of its customers' financial needs. FirstBank offers savings, checking, investment and loan services. FirstBank also sponsors the Ayers foundation that services scholarships and post-high school career counseling programs for UCHS.

At the November meeting, the Union County Commission approved an option on a current building and 4.5 acres rather than build a new building with the CDBG Grant for an EMS building in Maynardville. The grant would pay $761,850 with a $153,00 local match. Andrew Reed suggested the purchase of the medical building that is for sale behind Kay's Market on Oakland Road at a sale price of $589,000 and use the remainder to construct the ambulance bays on the property.

The Union County Board of Education approved criteria for a student representative to the board at its November meeting. The BOE approved a proposal by Principal Lance Lay that was very similar to criteria recommended by Charlie Hamilton, First District board member. The number of student representatives was not decided. Schools Director Greg Clay encouraged as many as possible, with seven being the most allowed by the state law. He also noted that he has nominees that he can bring to the board meeting in December.

Only one business item was on the City of Plainview November agenda. The Board of Aldermen unanimously approved Resolution 95 to implement the overtime pay rate of $40 per hour for police officers. The funds are from a grant.

With the 84th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor coming up, I found it appropriate to revisit the Japanese attack on the United States Naval Base Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on December 7th, 1941. This attack dragged the United States into World War II. According to the National Archives, “In a devastating defeat, the United States suffered 3,435 casualties and loss of or severe damage to 188 planes, 8 battleships, 3 light cruisers, and 4 miscellaneous vessels. Japanese losses were less than 100 personnel, 29 planes, and 5 midget submarines.” President Franklin D.