School Board honors Paulette Beta Club

At the workshop of its January meeting, the Union County Board of Education recognized and congratulated the Paulette Elementary School Beta Club for its achievements at the Tennessee Elementary Beta Club Convention. Dr. Lauren Effler, Supervisor of Instruction, introduced each student and presented each a Certificate of Recognition for Achievement.

Cheryl Walker elected 2nd district commissioner

The Union County Commission elected Cheryl Walker to fill the second district vacancy at its January regular meeting. Sidney Jessee Jr. nominated Walker. No one nominated the other qualifying citizen, Lance Grigsby.
Commissioner England asked that nominations close and that Walker be elected by acclimation. Commissioner Jessee, the other second district representative, provided the second. Then County Mayor Jason Bailey administered the oath of office, and Walker took her seat on the Union County Commission.

The Honeybee Action Plan

By Jessica Garcia
4-H Ag Science Team Member
Bees! Most people are not fond of bees. But perhaps it is because bees, specifically the honeybee, are very misunderstood creatures, insects to be precise.
Of course, we like the cute bumble bees we see in story books, but most people view bees as pesky little intruders on our summer picnics or interrupting the tending of our flower beds; and of course to some, the bee is a small but dangerous enemy, for those who are allergic to its sting.

Give back to our local 4-H program

An age-old classic program in communities across the country is the local 4-H. Ask around, it is likely that your child, if in 4th grade or above, your parents and grandparents, all have been touched by 4-H at some point in time.
Whether the memory is of giving a beekeeping speech in 4th grade, baking biscuits at the Tennessee Valley Fair, showing sheep all across the south, learning to use a sewing machine, shooting shotguns or just learning parliamentary procedure at a young age, we have all had some part in the 4-H program.

Union County Tai Chi for Arthritis classes upcoming

Have you heard of tai chi? Did you know that a tai chi program is offered here in Union County?
UT Extension educator, Alyshia Victoria, is certified and approved by the Tai Chi for Health Institute to teach this program. During the course, she demonstrates joint-safe exercises that help participants improve muscle strength, mobility, coordination and relaxation.

Jack and Bonnie Heiskell, Eloping High Drama

When I think of my brother, Jack Heiskell, and his loving wife, Bonnie Caughron Heiskell, I am often reminded of the story of their courtship and elopement.
“In June of 2009, we celebrated the 50th wedding anniversary of Jack and Bonnie. At this celebration she wrote their story, and we will let her tell it in her own words.
“Jack and I met when I was in high school. Jack’s sister Ginny introduced us and we started dating regularly. Not long after we started dating, my foster mother, “Mam,” thought we were getting too serious, so she told Jack not to come back to see me.

No Tellin'

Being an East Tennessee girl, I have heard the phrase, “no tellin’” countless times. It can be used as another term for “who knows.”
For example: somebody may ask, “Do you think it will snow?” The proper response would be, “No tellin.’” That being said, I’m going to use that phrase in a little different context for this article.

The Greatest Valentine

Tullis Brown sat in his rocking chair in his and Sarah Brown’s bedroom watching the flames in his fireplace on this February 13, Valentine’s Eve.
It was a cold, windy night with heavy snow coming down. Tullis was a proud man nearing 80 years of age who married the prettiest girl from Redbud Hollow almost sixty years ago. Her maiden name was Sarah Loudon who came from a good family: Her father owned a good farm and a blacksmith shop in Redbud Hollow.