With quaint, hometown businesses quickly becoming a thing of the past, Derrick and Scarlett Merritt are hoping to prove that a small business can not only make it, but thrive. To do that, they will need the support of local residents.
The couple recently purchased Rustic-Re-Do and officially re-opened the store for business as Rustic Re-Do & Décor August 20. Past customers can expect some of the same ambience as before, but with a ton of new offerings. New customers will love the selection of farmhouse crafts served up alongside rustic décor.

Have you ever heard a noise you couldn’t explain? This happened to me many years at one of my previous jobs. I didn’t think anything about it until one of my coworkers yelled at me.
The office I worked in at this time was always cold. It was that way even in the summer time. Often, the customers who came into the office would complain: “You all hanging meat in here somewhere?”

I think of this recipe as a glorified French toast. Two exceptions: It has cheese in it and its baked. It;s not only a breakfast dish. Instead, it makes a nice luncheon dish, something a little different.

You have no doubt enjoyed trees displaying a red canopy during the fall color blitz, which are likely as not red maples. The tree comes by its name honest, as there’s something red about it all year long. In spring they bloom red flowers, in early summer you’ll see the red of ripening seeds, and all summer long the leaf stem will show red. Come autumn, much of the brilliant reds in the mountains are from red maples. In winter the end twigs and buds are also red.

A crowd of well-wishers witnessed the swearing-in of the recently elected Union County Officials on August 29 at Union County High School Commons. County Mayor Jason Bailey, re-elected for his second term, opened the ceremony and called on Rev. Robbie Corum to say a prayer. Evelyn Gentry, UCHS, ROTC Cadet Commanding Officer, had the honor of leading the pledge to the American Flag.

The Union County Board of Education has decided to meet at various schools for many of the 2022-2023 meetings. In August, the board met at Luttrell Elementary School.
It was a fitting venue to pay tribute to the outgoing board member of Plainview, Gerald Smith. Dr. Jimmy Carter, Director of Schools, thanked Smith for his 20 years of service and acknowledged his effort at Luttrell Elementary where he was also a parent volunteer for many years, especially when his daughter was a student.

Only eight of the 16 commissioners attended the Union County Commission meeting on August 22. All in attendance will serve another four years except Commissioner Janet Holloway, who ended her term with this meeting. But the absence of the other commissioners who lost their seats but were still acting commissioners caused the county business to be postponed until September. Nine members present are needed for a quorum to take any action.

The 2022 Heritage Festival Collectible Print, titled Follow Your Heart, the latest in the series from Union County artist Betty Bullen, acknowledges the barn and its important role in rural Appalachia.
Much of life in the country had its birth in the barn. It was the place where not only the farm animal work was done, but also the location where many a heart felt the spark of love at the local barn dance.

The Norris Lake Protection Alliance invites you to bring your friends and family for an interesting 45-minute presentation specifically on Union County Water Quality on September 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the Sharps Chapel Senior Center.
Norris Lake plays a major role in the lives of Union County residents. Many of us get our water from Norris Lake through Hallsdale Powell. Others get their water from the groundwater through wells. We all rely on the surrounding watershed for the source of this water. Do you have questions about the quality of the water?

Congratulations and a job well done to our own Union County 4-H Outdoor Meat Cookery Team. There were 140 youth participants (16 teams) across the state that came together to show off their food and fire safety and grilling techniques at the Appalachian Fair in Gray, Tennessee, on Saturday August 27. Seven of our 4-H members participated in this event. These young men and women made Union County proud. Our Senior High Team placed fourth overall in this contest.