By Steve Roark
Volunteer, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

I like looking over topographic maps, and I got to pondering all the different forms of water flow that show on a map. We have rivers, creeks, streams (also called brooks), and springs. I found myself asking what makes a creek a creek and a river a river? I assumed there was some size classification set up so that if a body of flowing water was so many feet wide it was a river. Research revealed that a creek is a vague concept.

On March 14, 2022 Union County Smoky Mountain home school 4-H group, lead by Bill and Debbie Morgan. Gathered at the Tindell's house to have a community service workday. Our goal was to serve Ronald McDonald House in Knoxville, elderly shut ins and the Union County children's services department. There were 34 of us present including 4-H'ers , parents and extension agent Alyshia Victoria.

Tai chi is a Chinese martial art practiced worldwide for health benefits, defense training, and meditation. It has been observed for centuries and is one of the oldest and best-known techniques that characterizes contrasting and complimentary movements.

If you’ve ever wondered if this form of exercise is a good fit for you, you can still explore that option. Thanks to UT Extension and Family and Consumer Sciences/4-H Extension Agent Alyshia Victoria, the method of Tai chi is being taught in Union County.

As with many forms of health care, people will sometimes ask: If I’m feeling good, why do I need it? In terms of chiropractic treatment, one answer could be, “Are you feeling the best you could be?” Are you reaching maximum capacity?

If I had to describe my outlook on life, I would reply: “Always move forward.”
Did you instantly think of how I constantly move around because can’t stand to sit still? Can’t blame you there, but I am referring to life in general. A good example of this recently happened as I was driving to work one morning.

I attended the Union County Opry this past Saturday evening. I was not there to enjoy the music, but to sell concessions for the Union County Lions Club with my nephew Joe. There was a gentleman there who once dated a member of our family. In the course of conversation, Joe asked this fellow who he married. He told his wife’s name, a name that was unfamiliar to both Joe and me. Joe said, “So you didn’t marry a Union County girl, huh?” The man replied that he was afraid to, as he might unknowingly be marrying his cousin.

By: Steve Roark
Volunteer, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

You may not be familiar with Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea), but I know you’ve seen it. It’s the earliest native tree to bloom in the woods (late March to early April) and is very striking on a hillside forest still barren and brown from winter. There is another unfortunate early blooming white flower produced by Bradford pears that are being spread by birds and is a bad invasive plant that competes with native trees.

This is the banana cream pie i used to make for the Wednesday night suppers at Revival Vision Church of God. It is quick and easy to stir up.

State and local leaders came together on March 16 to congratulate the first graduating class of the Fiber Optic Boot Camp in Union County to be certified as fiber optics technicians in fiber optic installation.
The course was made possible through the Governor's Investment in Vocational Education, better known as the GIVE Grant.
Director of Schools Dr. Jimmy Carter welcomed everyone and noted that for over four years, Union County Public Schools has been working to make sure that career and technical programs are offered that will help ensure jobs for our graduates.

On March 20, the Union County Historical Society had a full house with guest speaker Arthur M. Bohanan. He is an internationally award-winning patented inventor, researcher, lecturer and writer, a Certified Latent Print Examiner, a certified FEMA Mass Fatality Course Instructor and a certified police instructor with 55 years in study and practical application of forensics in thousands of violent crime scenes.