Mincey's Musings by Ronnie Mincey
I graduated from Lincoln Memorial University’s Ed.D. program in May of 2012. A sense of idealism seemed renewed in me as a result, and I felt a need to contribute something to the community in which I was raised and received my elementary and high school education. I decided to do three things to make myself a useful citizen.
One was to write a weekly article of interest for my fellow Union Countians titled “Teacher Time.” I wrote that weekly article for a little over three years for the no-longer-published Union County Shopper. That effort was pleasantly received and ultimately led me to submit a weekly article to historicunioncounty.com with the new title “Mincey’s Musings.”
Another idea I had to “pay it back” was to become an adjunct instructor at Walters State Community College. I have taught a class there each fall since 2012 with the exception of 2013, first at the Sevier County site, then in Claiborne County.
The third idea was presented to me by Union County Historian Bonnie Heiskell Peters. A local Lions Club was chartered in Union County in 2008. Over the years it declined and ceased to meet. The club’s funds were sent to the Halls Lions Club to hold until such time that the club once again became active.
Bonnie called me one day and said that Darrell Malone had agreed to be the club treasurer if I would be the president. I asked why not make Mr. Malone the president, and she replied, “He doesn’t want to be the president.”
I saw this as a golden opportunity to renew acquaintance with my former high school guidance counselor and willingly volunteered.
Mr. Malone and I were not alone for long. Brenda Sweet remained as the only charter member. Soon former Union County School Board Member Bill Sexton sought us out and became a strong working member in appreciation for the help he had received from the Lions Club for his vision problems.
Others have come and gone throughout the years. The Union County Lions Club at present has a total of 13 members, several which are willing workers for the cause. Pastor Kathy Chesney is currently president of the Union County Lions Club.
What services are provided by the Union County Lions Club?
The overall mission is to provide eye examinations and eyeglasses free of charge to individuals whose income is below the federal poverty line.
We have had some success with helping individuals with hearing problems as well.
Our club sponsors the Mark A. Martin Memorial Scholarship for qualifying graduating seniors.
The Union County Lions Club also conducts vision screenings in the district’s elementary schools for pre-K and kindergarten students.
Our local club has also provided food from the district initiative Operation Inasmuch for the Union County Family Resource Center to distribute to needy families.
On occasion our club donates to local programs for young people. Recently our club donated to the Union County High School ROTC program.
How can you help the Union County Lions Club? The club operates mainly from the profits received from fundraising and from donations. Here are specific ways you can help the Lions Club continue to assist needy Union County individuals:
• Purchase Italian ice that the Lions Club sells at local community events such as the Union County Heritage Festival and Union County High School football and basketball games;
• Purchase concessions from the Union County Lions Club at Union County Opry performances;
• Purchase pecans that the Lions Club sells each fall from either the Commercial Bank or First Century Bank branches in Maynardville;
• Attend the annual Primitive Quartet Concert. This year’s concert is on Saturday, March 12, at Union County High School at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased either at the door the night of the concert or prior to the concert at Commercial Bank branches in Maynardville and New Tazewell. Concessions will be sold at the concert;
• Donate your old or unused glasses to the Lions Club. Collection boxes can be found outside the entrance to the Food City in Maynardville or inside the lobby at Cherokee Health Systems in Maynardville;
• Place donations in Union County Lions Club collection boxes located at Tolliver’s Market and Union Discount Pharmacy in Maynardville;
• Make your tax-deductible monetary donations to the attention of Union County Lions Club Treasurer Ronnie Mincey, PO Box 323, Maynardville, TN 37807;
• Show your support by attending Union County Lions Club meetings;
• Join us! Become a member of the Union County Lions Club.
For further information on the Union County Lions Club, contact Ronnie Mincey at 865-278-6430. Everyone is welcome to the Union County Lions Club monthly meeting held the first Monday of each month at noon at Hardee’s in Maynardville.
As an affiliate of Tennessee District 12-N of the International Lions Club, the Union County Lions Club lives to fulfill the motto of our international organization—We Serve!