About 20 years ago, I fell in love with painting and have been trying to turn a flat surface into a three-dimensional picture ever since. Little did I know when this journey started that the greatest joy I'd receive would not be from any painting I might do but would be from the friendships I made along the way. For eight years, 2004-2011, I painted at Dollywood during their Harvest Festival. The management, employees, and craftspeople become your "Dollywood Family".

In an effort to encourage sharing the positive message about agriculture, November 11 – 17, 2018, will be celebrated as “Agriculture Literacy Week in Tennessee”. Tennessee Agriculture Literacy Week will allow everyone involved in agriculture to focus attention toward our vibrant industry through literacy promotions in local school systems. Volunteers are encouraged to contact local school systems and schedule a visit to read agriculturally themed books to school students. Many segments of Tennessee’s agriculture industry have
strong literacy outreach programs.

Mincey’s Musings
Year One, Week Forty-Three

Just a few days ago, I took a trip back in time. Of course, that is nothing unusual for me. I became the first person to open a package wrapped fifty years ago. Next week, I’ll share with you what that was.

Family and Community Education (FCE) Clubs, organized under the direction of the University of Tennessee, are dedicated to the purpose of helping persons become better homemakers and community members. Home Economics activities are carried out through monthly meetings, special interest activities, workshops, mass media, and individual contacts. Union County currently has two very active FCE Groups, Big Ridge FCE meeting on the second Thursday monthly and Sharps Chapel FCE meeting on the third Thursday monthly.

While holiday shopping can get you into the spirit of the season, it’s often accompanied by a nagging feeling that you’re overspending. Listening to that nagging little voice will be the best thing you can do! Busting the budget is a holiday tradition that you may pay for months into the new year. A holiday spending plan can help you feel comfortable and in control, but a common mistake is not considering the hidden expenses that come with the holidays. Here are tips for making sure your budget covers even those hidden costs:

I was looking for an old Halloween postcard from my stash of early 1900s postcards. I didn't have even one. I guess Halloween wasn't a big deal back then, but I did find a couple turkey post cards. The one I chose has a very apprehensive turkey eyeing a basket of cranberries. That ole Tom sized up the situation pretty well. The postcard got me thinking about our national holiday, Thanksgiving Day.

The workshop occurs prior to the meeting to provide information on business items and discussion by board members. No votes are taken during the workshop, only the meeting.

Joseph E. Stephens

Fifty- seven years seems so short a life, but we must remember that God’s timing is perfect. In reflecting on Joe’s life since I've known him: Joe was kind, helpful and smart. He was interested in history and had a good memory.

For those raised to see Africa as "the mission field," it might come as a surprise that someone from Africa would seek a mission field in East Tennessee. But that's just what Erick Orandi is doing. Raised in the Western Kenya village of Myagetinge, Orandi is studying to become a Catholic priest, and he's serving part of a one-year internship program through Glenmary Home Missioners at St. Teresa of Kolkata Catholic Church in Maynardville.

The Recreation Hall at Big Ridge State Parked was packed on the 18th of October as concerned members of the community provided input to the Park’s Business and Management Plan. This plan is updated every five years and it provides the framework for future improvements to the park. Recognizing that place based economic investment is fundamental to the county's economic future, individuals attending Thursday evening’s meeting stressed that one of the most important investments in Union County to bring jobs and prosperity is Big Ridge State Park.