Due to an overwhelming level of community interest, Union County 4-H recently hosted two sessions of its Culinary Science Day Camp at the Union County Extension Office, giving even more youth the opportunity to explore the exciting connection between science and cooking. Throughout the camp, participants discovered that cooking is much more than simply following a recipe—it is a hands-on science experiment.
The Union County Board of Education will conduct a workshop on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the Library of the Old Horace Maynard Middle School to discuss potential future usage of the Old Horace Maynard Middle School.
The July 4th morning was forecast to be dangerously hot and humid. But around 10 am the heavens opened up, rain poured down, and a light breeze started, cooling off the area, and the Market was quite comfortable. The rain on the metal roof was extremely loud, making conversation challenging. But it was so needed that no one really minded.
Nothing seems more vulnerable than children, the disabled/elderly, and pets. They so often have such limited ability to defend themselves. It is a truly evil person who intentionally mistreats defenseless people and animals.
The Union County 4-H Grill Team invites the community to attend the Beef Backer Event on Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Union County Farmers Market, located at 115 Durham Drive, Maynardville.
Union County 4-H Grill Masters will be showcasing their grilling skills while promoting Tennessee's beef industry through this fun, family-friendly event.
Do you have a favorite tree? As for me, I love any Christmas tree, but my other favorite one stood close to my grandparent’s carport. To me, it was a wonderful place to play and use my imagination as a child. In case your wondering, I didn’t ever climb it. The bottom branches were too high for me to grasp. Believe me, I jumped several times and couldn’t grasp a strong enough limb. The only trees that short enough for me to climb were apple trees at Papaw Janesway’s house. But he stopped me because he didn’t want me to hurt them.
My uncle Cas Newton Day remained a kid at heart to his last days. I loved him for it and I think (and hope) a little of it rubbed off on me. To illustrate, he and I, both grown adults, were helping hang tobacco in a barn that had very soft dirt at the entrance. We noticed funnel shaped indentions in the soil, and he suddenly got down on his hands and knees, put his mouth near one of the indentions and yells “Dooodlebug, doodlebug, house on fire!” After I got over my fit of laughter he pointed to the hole and upon close inspection, I saw that a small bug had surfaced at the bottom of the hole and was squirming around fit to bust. He had called up what I now know is an Antlion, but to generations of youth before me were called Doodlebugs, and it was a common fun activity to yell at them in this manner so that the sound vibrations would disturb them and make them surface from their lair.
Show your support for the Union County Farmers Market!
On May 26, the Union County Commission voted to establish a new farmers market board. The County Mayor appointed the board members, who include four County Commissioners and three people from the farm community. During the Commission meeting, one Commissioner explained the purpose of the new board is to move toward County operation of the Farmers’ Market. As part of the approved plan, the County intends to hire its own Farmers Market manager.
The County Commissioners have decided to dissolve the present volunteer Farmers’ Market Board of Directors and replace them with County Commission members and 3 people from the farm community. They will meet in the large courtroom on Monday, July 6 at 6:00. You should be there to voice your opinion.
Union County 4-H (Head, Heart, Hands, and Health) encourages diverse groups of youth to develop their unique skills and talents to the fullest potential through hands-on activities. At this market, the Grill Masters were preparing juicy, tasty hamburgers with free samples for everyone. The grass-fed meat was from both Rebel Hollow Farm and Seven Springs Farm-to-Table. Under the guidance of Extension Agent Sarah Stokely-Cook (865-992-8038) and awesome grilling coach Brandon Davis, Grill Master club members learned all the nuances of preparing and grilling pork, beef, lamb, and chicken.