Molly and the Christmas Star Part 1

“Look! It’s a shooting star!” five-year-old Molly points to the light streaking across the evening sky.
“It’s a meteor, silly,” her older brother Jimmy taunts.
“That’s not nice Jimmy,” Daddy warns him.
“I’m gonna make a wish on a falling meteor.” Molly closes her eyes.
“Instead of just wishing, why don’t you pray?” Momma suggests.

Ramblings of an Afflicted Mind

Is somebody trying to tell me something?
I have finally reached that point in my career when people have begun to ask me, without my broaching the subject, when I plan to retire.
Perhaps worse, I have been getting multiple calls daily on my cell phone to discuss the burial insurance options that the state of Tennessee can provide for me.

Moving to Idaho

When my son graduated from UT with his degree in Mechanical Engineering, he was offered two jobs. One in downtown Washington DC for a mindboggling amount of money – hard to refuse! The other in some tiny town in North Idaho called Bayview for not so much money. Apparently, there is a Navy base there on Lake Pend Oreille – the largest lake in Idaho. Most importantly to me, it is 2400 miles from Sharp Chapel, where we were living. Idaho offers 5 million acres of wilderness with lakes, and rivers.

Chicken bake

Yes, here is another chicken recipe. chicken is so versatile. add some noodles and gravy and you have a tasty casserole. In mixing bowl, place 3 tablespoons butter and 1 cup milk. In Dutch oven, melt remaining butter. Blend in flour, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper. Add remaining milk all at once. Cook, quickly, over medium high heat until mixture thickens and is bubbly.

Speak up or sing the blues for Blue Mud

The image shows a proposed plan and what will happen to the natural woodland area across from the current Big Ridge campground and Blue Mud boat launch if the project is completed.
The Union County Commission approved the grant to complete the study to implement this plan at last month’s meeting. The grant is for $104,000 with a match of $24,000. No source for the match was noted in the Mayor’s Report. The approval was done as part of the Budget Amendments and Transfers under Fund 171-Capital Projects.

Nearly $75M handled perfectly says Mayor Bailey

Mayor Jason Bailey recognized the Union County Finance Department for “doing such an awesome job with Union County finances and having a perfect audit” with no findings in any department or fee office of Union County government at the regular Union County Commission Meeting on November 27. He recognized finance department employees for their careful handling of nearly $75M. He also commended the expertise of the elected officials who handle funds.

BOE adopts 2024-25 calendar with early release days

The Union County School Board approved the 2024-2025 calendar at its November meeting. Most of the calendar was very similar to past years.
However, the addition of six early release days sparked some discussion. The early release days would close school at 1 p.m. rather than 3:15. Carolyn Murr, a Maynardville teacher and president of UCEA, voiced a concern for parents including teachers who would need to find additional daycare during the work day.