You don’t have to be an adult to experience the ill effects of a sedentary lifestyle. Kids sitting for hours in front of computers, televisions or hand-held devices are setting themselves up for problems later in life. Not only has childhood obesity reached epidemic proportion in the U.S., Chiropractors are seeing an increase in the number of children suffering from neck and back problems.

Remember some of those things we had to do in school that we have never had to do since? I went to college, majored in English, taught in public school and community college and have worked in the Union County Public Schools for many years, but never since high school have I had to conjugate a verb or diagram a sentence. I’m sure that you, Dear Reader, can remember many other things you had to do in school that you have never used elsewhere in life.

Big Ridge Elementary School opened in 1960-1961 as the consolidated school assigned to receive Pine Grove students. Central View, Hickory Valley, Arevalo, and part of Burkhart were also included in the consolidation.
Arevalo Elementary School opened to students in 1st through 8th grade circa1924. Bonnie Heiskell Peters relates the origins of the name of the Arevalo School in Union County Schoolday Memories.

Your hips, which bear considerable weight, can become painful as a result of injury or disease. They can also suffer from stress brought on by the improper alignment of other parts of the body. The hip joint, like the body’s other joints, is a point at which tendons, muscles and bones come together to allow particular movement. As with the other joints, the hips are susceptible to pain and discomfort.

There is a wonderful episode of The Twilight Zone that features a hunter portrayed by the late Arthur Hunicutt. The hunter takes his dog and goes hunting, but both drown. The story relates how the hunter and his faithful dog make their journey to the hereafter. The farmer is almost lured by trickery into entering hell (which the gatekeeper tries to disguise as Heaven). The gatekeeper tells the farmer that dogs are not allowed in Heaven, so the hunter says he’ll just keep going down the road. A little further the farmer indeed finds Heaven, to which his dog is also welcome.

In mid to late summer if you’re out and about you will likely see plants bearing fruit going through color stages, especially blackberries right now. Blackberry and several other wild fruits go from green to red and finally black or blue when they fully ripen. As is almost everything in creation, there is a purpose to the color change.

In the fall of 1986, Wanda Woods Cox (later Byerley), a former teacher at Pine Grove Elementary, a school with grades first through eighth, organized a reunion of former students and teachers.
Since the school was located close to the county line, students attended from Anderson and Union County. Most walked to school. Many of the early students went home for lunch.

“It’s here!” Carefully I opened the cardboard envelope that my step mother had mailed to me and pulled out the yellowing piece of paper. When I first looked at it, I couldn’t breathe for a few seconds. On it was a drawing I had made for my daddy when I was a child. I was simply amazed that it hadn’t been lost or torn after everything it had been through.

When fresh corn is in season this is a good soup for a rainy day. In large pot, stir together the celery sou. 4 cups corn, curry powder and 2 cups water. Over medium heat , bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium low. Cook until flavors blend, 10 minutes. Serve topped with remaining corn. Sprinkle with chopped green onions, tomato and parsley. Makes 6 servings.

Last summer Asher Effler, a 10-year-old with an amazing work ethic, was trying to find something to keep him busy. He wanted something that he could organize, raise some money, and help somebody all at the same time. So he discussed his options with his parents and together they decided to set up a table in the front yard and give away snow cones for a donation. Then he would use the money to purchase stuffed animals for the children at East Tennessee Children's Hospital.

In the June meeting the Union County Board of Education extended Director Greg Clay’s contract to June 30, 2028.
Clay received high marks from teachers, administrators and school board members during the evaluation process.

NASHVILLE – Road construction won’t slow motorists across Tennessee over the July 4 holiday. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will suspend all construction-related lane closures on interstates and state routes beginning at noon on Wednesday, July 3, through 6 a.m. on Monday, July 8, to provide maximum roadway capacity for holiday travelers.
AAA predicts record travel in Tennessee this year, with 1.4 million Tennesseans taking a road trip.

Do you remember those Saturday mornings when you attended the market and were able to taste some of that farm fresh produce? That’s the Farmers’ Market Fresh program and … we’re back! The market is in full swing at the Heritage Park pavilion with lots of farm fresh produce; spring produce, like all those healthy greens are still available, and tasty summer produce like heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and blueberries have already turned up at the market. Of course, meat, eggs, crafts and more (there are even dog treats!) can also be found at the Union County Farmers Market.

“Grandma, I’m hungry,” the little five-year-old girl said to her grandma. “Honey,” her grandma said back to her. “We are about out of food, but we will make it some way ’til Monday and get help with food from the Union County Food Pantry. You see, grandma and her husband, called Grandpa, were raising three grandchildren, the children of their daughter who left her kids with Grandma and Grandpa three years ago due to her being a heavy drug user. Her whereabouts are unknown and they don’t know if she is still alive.

If you know me, then you know that I’m not a fisherman. I struggle with being quiet, sitting still, and not falling into the creek. As for my husband and daughter, they not only love to fish, but they are also very good at it.
That being said, I have occasionally heard them fuss and get frustrated when they were trying to reel in a rather large fish. Unfortunately, some of the fish would fight and manage to get off the hook. That’s when they usually say: “You ought to have seen the one that got away.”

The first American Navy consisted of six schooners paid for and pressed into service by none other than General George Washington in 1775. He pleaded with the Continental Congress that he needed a Navy immediately, but true to form, the Congress endlessly debated on the need for a Navy, how to organize and fund ships, and so on until Washington’s patience was at an end, so he funded the ships himself.

December 1794
Nicholas Gibbs stood on the banquette (baNGˈket) of the fort overlooking the wooded forest and mountain ridges. He had risen early from a light sleep before dawn to stay on watch for any uninvited guests. He had been there all day trying to get a glimpse of the Indian war party known to be in the area.

Did you have lots of pets when you were a kid? Not me and there’s a reason for that. The first one I ever had was Heidi. She was a German Shepherd puppy we got from a family friend. I was so excited when my daddy brought her home. At that time, I hadn’t developed my fear of dogs yet. Let me tell you, I loved that little dog. I played with her and she followed me around everywhere. Heidi was my little buddy. Then she became very sick. Apparently, the vet had given her liter too much worm medication. Unfortunately, Heidi didn’t make it. Needless to say, I was heartbroken.

Don't ask any of my three children, Tom, Anne and Elizabeth, if they want to go pick up stones. Why? Because they have already done more thantrheir share. I have never purchased stone to lay up a wall, etc.,not with so many stones out there just waiting for me to grab. Fieldstone makes a good wall. there are so many different shapes, colors and sizes. If the stone doesn't fit, it can be hammered down to size.

Everyone knows the dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), which is usually found somewhere in your lawn unless herbicides are heavily used. This European import is probably enemy number one on the lawn weed list, but it is still an interesting study, being both an edible and a medicinal.

Union County 4-Her’s had a blast at 4-H camps this summer. Junior 4-H Camp was held June 10-14 with 31 Union County 4th-6th graders, 5 adult leaders, and 2 teen leaders attending. Junior High 4-H Camp will be held July 8-12th. Both camps are held in Greeneville at Clyde Austin 4-H Center, Monday through Friday annually.

In a large bowl, toss together baby spinach, blackberries, feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, green onion, and walnuts
-Place berries in the refrigerator, unwashed, because excessive moisture can make them mold quickly.
-Spinach should be loosely wrapped in a damp paper towel and stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
-Store cherry tomatoes on the counter at room temperature for the best flavor and texture. Wash just before eating.

Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see,
and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein,
and ye shall find rest for your souls.
But they said, We will not walk therein. (Jeremiah 6:16 KJV)

The lines are fallen to me in pleasant places;
yea, I have a goodly heritage. (Psalm 16:6 KJV)

Fresh tomatoes in the summertime are a treat. The winter hothouse ones are pretty but lack flavor. This is a summertime salad, place prepared vegetables in large bowl. Combine dressing ingredients and mix well. Pour over vegetables and lightly toss. Refrigerate at least 4 hours to allow flavors to blend. Serve on lettuce leaves.