The Union County Clerk’s Office is excited to say that we now issue REAL ID Driver License, duplicate and address change on Commercial Driver License and renewals on Handgun Carry Permits.
The County Clerk’s office has numerous other duties including collecting Race Track Insurance Licensing Fee, issuance of Marriage Licenses, Pawnbroker Licenses and New Business Licenses.

For nearly six years, the local Hansards Chapel United Methodist Church has been hosting a food giveaway to those in need within the community. The pantry takes place on the third Saturday each month at 6:00 pm at the church near the Knox/Union County line.

Divorce is a difficult and painful process for most people, even if they are able to get along. It is very hard for the children involved. Parents going through a divorce want to do the right things for their children. Sometimes they are so hurt and so busy with the legal details of the divorce that they are not aware of how the divorce is affecting their children.

“You can’t read a book here!”

“Why not?” I was totally (as mom would say) “befuzzeled.”

“Because you don’t read a book at a drag race!”

Tim’s answer made no sense to me. I grew up reading. I read anywhere and everywhere; even while riding in the car. That was until Mamaw Jo said, “I get motion sickness when I read in a car.” Once that thought was planted in my brain, I couldn’t read in the car anymore without feeling woozy.

Back pain is pervasive among American adults, however it is not uncommon among children and teens. In a new and disturbing trend, young children are suffering from back pain much earlier than previous generations, and the use of overweight backpacks is a contributing factor, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA).

A certain amount of misadventure can come from dining in public, especially if that public meal is as a student in elementary school.

Recently I was talking with my good friend Chip Brown. We recalled the time when we were having lunch in seventh grade at Maynardville Elementary. In those days, ketchup and mustard were in plastic bottles in the middle of each table. (Even vinegar for the spinach was in glass bottles on the table! Just imagine, spinach for lunch!) I haven’t seen this in a school in decades, and probably in great reason this is due to our misadventures at Maynardville Elementary.

What do you do with leftover ham after a big dinner? I don't like to freeze the leftovers. They get sort of a freezer taste if not used within a week or two. Here is a recipe that looks elegant, that is, if leftover ham can look elegant. Anyway, it tastes good.

ELEGANT CABBAGE AND HAM
1 medium head cabbage, shredded
2 cups diced cooked leftover ham
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup buttered bread or saltine crumbs

Since the red grape pie was so good, I decided to try to make a “white” grape pie. Table grapes are available most of the year, so they are around to make a fruit pie when most fresh fruit isn't in season. I use our neighbors as guinea pigs for new recipes. They loved the red grape pie. The same with this pie. “Bring it on,” they said. They will try anything I make. They loved this pie, too.

It’s nice to think that plants produce fruit for our pleasure and that of other creatures. They do want us to eat them but have an ulterior motive of getting their seeds dispersed to other areas.

I recently read a report that said in the past five decades, North America’s bird population has decreased by over 3 billion individuals. That’s Billion with a capital “B.” And that is only in North America. The reports are similar in Europe, South America and other parts of the world. So what happens when we no longer have chance encounters seeing unique and intriguing birds? The norm will be that the next generation won’t miss them because they weren’t ever aware of their existence. Clear as mud?