August 4 is Election Day in Union County. Polls will be open from 9:00AM to 8:00PM. Anyone in line by 8:00PM will get to vote. This election has candidates in the Democrat and Republican Primary for the US Congress, Governor, Tennessee House of Representatives, and State Executive Committee Men and Women of the Democrat or Republican Party. The General Election Ballot will cover candidates in the 8th Judicial District, County Offices and local District Offices. The last part of the ballot is a vote on retaining judges for the Tennessee Supreme Court and the Appelate Court.

The Union County Farmers Market pavilion at the new Heritage Park is a busy place on Saturday mornings. The market is in full swing as the farmers are bringing in loads of produce. Once again, UT Extension is offering the Farmers’ Market Fresh program at our market. The primary objective of Farmers’ Market Fresh is to encourage fruit and vegetable consumption. The program is designed to encourage everyone to make healthy meal choices and provides simple, easy to follow healthy recipes each week.

In the United States, chiropractic is often considered a complementary health approach. According to a recent survey about 8 percent of adults (more than 18 million) and nearly 3 percent of children (more than 2 million) had received chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation in the past 12 months. Additionally, an analysis of NHLS cost data found that adults in the United States spent approximately $11.9 billion out-of-pocket on visits to complementary health practitioners — $3.9 billion of which was spent on visits to practitioners for chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation.

Did the title make you think of the old “Columbo” TV show? I have always loved that show. Even now I watch it if it’s on. My husband Tim sighs and asks, “How many times have you seen that episode? You know how it ends.” While he’s right, I still have to watch it. But I am not going to talk about “Columbo.” I am going to talk about what happened in our living room year ago.

I love freshly made cake doughnuts. It's ok to frost them when you've had your fill before they go stale. Coffee and doughnuts go together. However, they are not something you make often. When you have all of the family in-house, stir up a batch and make an extra pot of coffee.

I am presently paying a price for all the off-trail hiking and field wanderings I do. I have the worst attack of chiggers I’ve ever had…well over a hundred bites. They are almost microscopic, yet pack a wallop of misery.

A group of non-partisan residents of Union County reached out to the 6 candidates running for the 5th District Commission seats and the 2 candidates running for Union County Mayor. We asked them for responses to 5 questions. We have provided the questions and unedited responses below. There is also a website www.voteuc.com where the responses, background information provided by the candidates, as well as other information related to the August 4 election is provided.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to make a quilt? What makes a hand made quilt different than other options that can be purchased? Well, every summer 4-H students get the opportunity to discover and explore the craft of quilting at 4-H Quilt Camp. Like all 4-H events, education is at the center of the fun students have. Students are sent fabric samples prior to the camp, to assist them in making their own fabric selections for their quilts. This year, students completed a double slice layer cake quilt for themselves and worked on a quilt of valor service project.

Researchers have studied spinal manipulation for a number of conditions ranging from back, neck, and shoulder pain to asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and headaches. Much of the research has focused on low-back pain, and has shown that spinal manipulation appears to benefit some people with this condition.

You know, when you travel across the country, sometimes you must choose to spend the night somewhere just because it’s time to stop and sleep. Hence, our time in Bakersfield CA.
If you end up here, try Maggie’s Diner for breakfast. Exceptional food, service, and atmosphere. We chose a table outside and even though the heat was still raging, it was cooler than Phoenix. And remember, it’s still a dry heat. To be fair, it was also 7 a.m.