In June, Ross Richnafsky left his own ducks, birds, chickens, snakes, and other animals to care for animals at Anderson County Hospital. For five weeks, Ross traveled to Clinton and that is where he met Smokey. The vet diagnosed Smokey with Canine Parvovirus. So Ross helped with the treatment of fluids and antibiotics as well as performing a variety of other tasks related to the various animals at the clinic. But Smokey taught Ross that animal owners do not always share his concern for animal care. Unfortunately, the owner removed Smokey before treatment was completed.

Voters filled the Union County Senior Center on July 10th to hear how candidates planned to improve economic development, education, and infrastructure in Union County. All seemed to agree that a positive working relationship between County Commission and the mayor was essential. All also believed that TCAT or some form of post high school trade school needed to be established within Union County. Most mentioned broadband and internet as essential to modern day business development and recruitment.

Historians will record 2018 as the second year in a row of a balanced budget for Union County; likely the most significant legislative accomplishment of the County Commission in a generation. Union County’s budget is one of the most important pieces of public policy the Commission enacts every year.

“God’s most beautiful gifts bloom into children.”

Jordan and Allison Campbell recently received a new blessing to their family. Their son, Leyton Taylor Campbell, was welcomed into the world on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at 12:42 pm at UT Medical Center.

In order to appreciate how it is or how it might be, our youth need a lesson in the “Old Ways.” Understanding what our ancestors endured will instill a greater respect for their survival and how they prospered.

My husband's widowed mother married her former brother-in-law in our living room. Uncle Charlie had hurt his leg putting down our well on the property of what was to be our new home, closer to my husband's work. The minister said it wasn't written anywhere that you had to stand to be married. We were all seated.

Back to the well. The water table was high at the new place. We didn't need to drill a well, Uncle Charlie said. He would help us pound down a well. It was cheaper to do than drilling a well. The three of us could do it.

Walking down a lane through the camp where I was working the summer of 1989, near Roanoke, Virginia, I bent over, picked a dewberry, and stuck in my mouth. Another staff member immediately became alarmed and asked me if I knew what I had just put in my mouth.

Some spices I am privileged to experience from the side line.

That spring evening, my daughter Sara’s softball team was playing the number one, undefeated team in their league. The other team were all 12 years old whereas Sara’s teammates were barely 10. We went in with no illusions of victory. If we were lucky, we may get one run.

At the top of the third inning, Sara went up to bat. At this point, none of ours girls had made it to first base, which was no surprise. At least they looked cute in their red, white, and blue outfits.

The pitcher threw. Sara swung.

Mincey’s Musings
Year One, Week Twenty-Eight

For the past nine weeks, I have referenced Bill Hybels book Who You Are When No One’s Looking: Choosing Consistency, Resisting Compromise. In this final article on this topic, I want to focus on the greatest character in all history.

I remember when I worked full time in a sewing factory. My mind would wander while sewing. After you do the same stitching over and over, it doesn't take all your attention to do the job. My mind would wander to wondering what I would fix for supper that evening. My kids were in the lower grades in school and came home about the same time I did. They had a long bus ride.