December 15, 1952: It was cold—very cold—in the 26th Signal Corps compound at Inchon, South Korea. Hardy Johnson still wasn’t acclimated to the harsh winter conditions he was experiencing there, nor the stark living conditions that the South Koreans had to endure in 1952.
They had nothing, living in 6 ft. by 8 ft. mud and straw huts, sleeping on dirt floors with no furniture, no water, heated by a tunnel dug in the floor as the hut was built, filled with anything that would burn and covered with dirt.

The Christmas season is upon us. Christmas trees, live garland, wreaths and other evergreens deck our halls. To make our homes more inviting we introduce the smells of the season: cinnamon, spruce, apple, orange, clove and a plethora of other spices. Poinsettias, rosemary and Christmas cacti are strategically placed for just the right pop of color. Where would our holidays be without the enhancement of plants?
For now, I would like to focus on the Christmas cactus and the conundrum associated with it.

Once again, the Christmas season is approaching. Christmas presents a marvelous opportunity each year to make new memories. Reflecting on the memories of past Christmases is also refreshing. Let me take this opportunity to share a few random memories of Christmases past.

I have a number of leftover turkey recipes. If you have leftover chicken, that works, too. One thing about cooked meat is that it can be put on the table in a hurry. Most of the time in less than 30 minutes. I have a collection of quick supper meals.

When buying either a cut or live (balled) Christmas tree, a few extra minutes spent checking it over prior to purchase will make sure you bring home a healthy and attractive tree.
Before you bring a tree home, decide where you will display it to determine the size and shape you can handle. The most important consideration when selecting a tree is freshness. A fresh tree retains its needles longer and is more fire resistant. Freshness can be determined by doing the following checks. Bend the tree's needles, which should be supple and springy.

The Union County Board of Education approved two candidates for consideration for director as recommended by the Tennessee School Board Association in a special called meeting on Monday, December 5, 2022. Ten applicants were considered by TSBA and the two recommended were Angela Messer, a Knox County Supervisor of Music, who will interview on Wednesday, December 14, and Gregory Clay, a Grainger County Principal, who will interview on Monday, December 19.

We all know about Black Friday, but did you know that the following day is dedicated to small businesses? Established in 2011 by American Express, and later sponsored by the SBA (Small Business Association), the Saturday after Thanksgiving was designated as a small business shopping day so that small businesses could get in on some of the holiday shopping action, which is the busiest time of the year for retail stores. Here in Union County, we do not have an abundance of retail shops, but we still have plenty of family run mom and pop shops offering giftable items/services.

Now that Thanksgiving has passed, Christmas is fast approaching. With it comes the beloved Christmas festivities! So, what does December have in store for the community? There are plenty of fun, family friendly events this month.

Q: Does chiropractic treatment require a referral from an MD?

A: A referral is usually not needed to see a doctor of chiropractic (DC); however, your health plan may have specific referral requirements. You may want to contact your employer’s human resources department — or the insurance plan directly — to find out if there are any referral requirements. Most plans allow you to just call and schedule an appointment with a DC.

Q: Is chiropractic treatment ongoing?

When I saw the dark, menacing clouds in the distance, my heart filled with dread. That is exactly how I felt as a child when I realized a storm was heading our way.