POSTAL CUSTOMER
VOL. 12 NO. 2
www.ShopperNewsNow.com |
BUZZ Livestock drought aid available Union and Claiborne counties have been declared eligible for assistance under the Livestock Forage Program (LFP) as a result of the drought of 2016 as authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. Eligible livestock producers may qualify for the maximum payment level of three months. Jan. 30 is the deadline to apply for benefits. To file an LFP application for benefits, eligible livestock producers must have timely filed (by July 15, 2016) a Report of Acreage for all pasture grazed on all farms in 2016. If the acreage report was not timely filed, then a late-filed report can be made; however, the late fee is $31 per farm. Livestock that may be eligible under LFP: beef, dairy, buffalo/beefalo cows and bulls and non-adults weighing 500 pounds or more. Sheep, goats, equine, swine, llamas and others may be eligible. The livestock must be produced and maintained for commercial use as part of a farming operation. Animals used for recreational purposes such as pleasure, hunting, pets, roping or for show are not eligible for LFP. Contact the ClaiborneUnion County FSA Office for additional program details at 2178 Highway 25E, Tazewell, or call toll-free 1-888-2571245, option 02 or 423-6263811. To find more information about FSA disaster assistance programs online, visit http:// disaster.fsa.usda.gov
Dippin’ Donuts offers free sample
Through Feb. 28, those who bring their church bulletin for the week to Dippin’ Donuts on Sunday or Wednesday will receive one free, regular-sized doughnut of their choice. The business has relocated from Kingston Pike to Black Oak Center in Halls. Church pastors, youth directors and program directors can call for free delivery: 865-5883765 or fax to 865-588-7489.
➤
Read Sandra Clark on page 2
Looking ahead
“Recruiting is a cruel and often heartless sport. Promises don’t count until signed in blood and legally notarized – or the young man enrolls in school.” Sports writer Marvin West looks at Clemson’s recruiting and ponders what’s ahead.
➤
Read Marvin West on page 6
Pick up extra copies at Union County Senior Citizens Center 298 Main St. Maynardville NEWS (865) 661-8777 news@ShopperNewsNow.com Sandra Clark | Shannon Carey ADVERTISING SALES (865) 922-4136 ads@ShopperNewsNow.com Amy Lutheran | Patty Fecco Beverly Holland
January 11, 2017
www.facebook.com/ShopperNewsNow
First Day Hike
starts New Year on right foot By Shannon Carey There was a slight chill in the air and a bit of a drizzle, but that didn’t stop the 20 or so intrepid hikers who attended the First Day Hike at Big Ridge State Park Jan. 1. First Day Hikes are a statewide initiative of Tennessee’s state parks. New hikers can turn over a new leaf with a moderate hike guided by park rangers. Pros can decompress from the holidays with their favorite activity. And perhaps those in between will discover a new trail to enjoy. Ranger Derek Wilson led the Big Ridge Hike, which followed the Lake Trail with a detour to Loyston Overlook. “It helps to make people more aware of the recreational opportunities they have close to home,” Wilson said. “The state parks offer a free outlet to enjoy the beautiful nature that our state has to offer.” Big Ridge offers guided hikes several times a year, notably the nighttime Ghost House Hikes in October. On the First Day Hike, Wilson paused at various points to talk about the history of Big Ridge State Park, the surrounding community and any wildlife encountered. Participants ranged in age from young to young-at-heart. Father and son team Chris and Lincoln White carried backpacks on the trail. The avid backpackers go on backcountry camping trips three or four times per year and live close to Big Ridge along Hickory Valley Road. Chris leads a Cub Scout troop as well.
Lincoln White and father Chris White pause on the Big Ridge State Park First Day Hike Jan. 1. The pair are avid backpackers who live close to the park. Photos by S. Carey
To page 2
Water, water everywhere By Sandra Clark The warmth of Christmas filled the room as Union County’s Budget Committee demonstrated solidarity on several pending issues at last week’s meeting. The votes – most about water – foreshadowed resolution to several lingering matters at the full commission meeting scheduled for Monday, Jan. 9 (following our press deadline). Budget Committee chair J.M. Bailey commended Mayor Mike Williams for bringing “to a point” the city of Maynardville’s proposal to use the county’s grant capacity for a waterline extension project which could interfere with the county’s ability to receive CDBG grants through 2019. And the committee passed unanimously Commissioner Wayne Roach’s motion “to go on record as non-supportive” of allowing the city to use the grant. Williams, sitting in the audience, said he’s “OK with helping the city, but when I learned (the grant) could buy two ambulances …” While there is no guarantee that Union County would be approved to use grant funding for the ambulances, there is zero chance of it happening if the county signs over the grant for use by the city. Commissioner Mike Sexton observed that the city of Maynardville charges residents who live outside the city limits “substantially more” for water than those who live inside the city. And Bailey expressed concern with fire hydrant placement.
SUBOXONE Treating opiate addiction
“We should look at (the county’s) needs before we look at the city’s needs,” said Roach. ■■Commissioner Dawn Flatford passed a motion to approve spending some $2,800 (one-half of a $5,600 estimate) for Hallsdale Powell Utility District to extend a water line to three houses on Cooper Road in her district. She said HPUD will pay for the engiJ.M. Bailey neering and the residents will pay their own connection charges. ■■Residents of Mill Creek subdivision can expect $35,000 toward extension of public water from the Anderson County Public Water Authority. Union County residents and taxpayers, the residents of Mill Creek get most services, including schools, from Anderson County. The land was cut off from Union County by the impoundment of Norris Lake. The homes had been served by a 15,000-gallon water tank and two wells that failed during the 2016 drought. “We pay over $54,000 annually in property taxes,” said spokesperson Al Abernathy. He was joined by Neil and Pam Walker, retired teachers from Halls Middle School. Abernathy said he had complied with the requests of county attorney K. David Myers, who wanted to know the cost, the timeline and whether the homeowners are solvent to complete the project. “The cost will not exceed $45,000; it will be
done by June 30, 2017; and we have a $21,000 certificate of deposit,” said Abernathy. Roach asked who would own the master meter. “The utility company,” said Abernathy. “We want to be out of the water business.” Sexton got the last word: “That’s the way utilities work. You pay all the bills and they own all the stuff.” ■■The committee OK’d the purchase of two new ambulances at roughly $135,000 each. ■■The committee approved mid-year increases for the Finance Department, including an increase for travel, overtime pay for staff (excluding the director) and $9,700 to buy a new copier. Sexton was the sole no vote.
Budget hearings set The Budget Committee adopted a schedule for budget hearings. Tuesday, April 4: various elected officials, health, elections, senior citizens and ag extension; Tuesday, May 2: Sheriff’s Office, jail, drug fund, ambulance service, Highway Department, capital projects; Tuesday, June 6: County Commission and Mayor’s Office, fire prevention, coroner, solid waste, library, parks, employee benefits, litter; The school system will present its budget in July after receiving data from the state.
®
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO PLAN.
Call us to transfer your existing arrangements or establish a pre-arrangement with Trinity Funeral Home today.
CALL NOW for an appointment
865-882-9900 www.EHCMedical.com *Suboxone treatment provided based on the medical appropriateness of the treatment for the individual patient as determined by a licensed physician. Suboxone is a registered trademark of Reckitt Benchiser Healthcare (UK), Ltd.
228 Main St., P.O. Box 8 Maynardville, TN 37807
865-992-5002
Family owned & operated.
KN-1432502
www.trinityfuneralhome.net
2 • January 11, 2017 • Union County Shopper news
Linnea and Linda Burke drove from Knoxville to be part of the Big Ridge State Park First Day Hike. They are making a tradition of the hikes and attended the Seven Islands hike last year.
First day hike “It’s a great, great park,” Chris said of Big Ridge. Lincoln said his favorite part of hiking and backpacking is seeing wildlife. For Linnea and Linda Burke of Knoxville, the Big Ridge First Day Hike was their second. Last year, they
From page 1 took part in the Seven Islands State Park hike, starting a new family tradition for New Year’s Day. “It’s a good way to start the New Year,” said Linda. “And it helps work off some of those holiday calories.”
Big Ridge State Park Ranger Derek Wilson pauses at the Lake Trail trailhead to discuss the history of the park and Loyston, a town submerged by the impoundment of Norris Lake. The First Day Hike went to Loyston Overlook before continuing along the Lake Trail.
Crowd rallies for Dippin’ Donuts
LMU board of trustees welcomes new members Roger A. Ball and Dr. Carroll E. Rose have joined the Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) board of trustees. Lynn Duncan rejoined the board following her retirement from the division of University Advancement. Ball, a lifelong resident of Claiborne County, gradu- Roger Ball Dr. Rose ated from LMU in 1966 and earned a master’s degree of Surgery at Middlesboro from UT in 1970. He cur- Community Hospital and rently serves as president of Chief of Staff at Claiborne Powell Valley Electric Co- County Hospital. He serves operative and is chair of the on the board of directors at First Century Bank. board at Citizens Bank. Duncan, wife of U.S. Rep. Rose graduated from LMU in 1965. In 1967 he John J. Duncan Jr., first completed a master’s de- served LMU as a trustee in gree in biochemistry from the early 2000s before joinUT, and in 1971 he earned ing the division of Univera medical degree from UT. sity Advancement as direcFollowing medical school, tor of major gifts. During Rose joined Dr. Meredith her tenure, she raised more Evans in his medical prac- than $1 million in gifts and tice and later served as Chief grants. She retired in June.
By Sandra Clark Kent and Mary Tharp had already put in 12 hours when we arrived at 5 p.m. on the grand opening of Dippin’ Donuts at 6625 Maynardville Pike in Halls’ Black Oak Center. Stock was low and Kent had all the backroom cookers abuzz to prepare more doughnuts. Folks were coming in so fast, you’d think they had never seen a doughnut. Actually, few of us have seen the array of specialties offered at Dippin’ Donuts. “We’ve got 50 varieties of doughnuts and nine varieties of holes,” said Kent Tharp. “We’ve got ice cream and fritters, but we’re best known for our beignets.” Beignet is a French term for deep-fried choux pastry. Think New Orleans.
Kirkland’s Kitchen
Country food with a cafeteria style
Call for daily specials Take-out available
Gift cards available!
Sunday 11am - 3pm • Wednesday-Saturday 11am-7pm • Closed Monday & Tuesday
1705 Maynardville Hwy • 865-680-6053 KN-1432791
COUNTY BAIL BONDING 150 Court Street Freedom is just Maynardville, TN a Call Away 992-6511 Agents Von Richardson & Tammy Richardson-Boggs Locally owned & operated 24/7 Hr. Service / 365 days a year Major credit cards
KNOX RAIL SALVAGE VISIT KNOXRAILSALVAGE.COM FOR FREE KITCHEN LAYOUT & QUOTE
MOVING SALE
400 E Jackson location only
50% OFF Light Fixtures at lowest marked price
Plywood Paneling and Wood Siding
KN-1428450
15% OFF
Vinyl Fencing
10% OFF Damaged Wafer Board
Fence Panels starting at
$20
Mobile Home Doors per sheet
$5.00 and up
Cabinet Doors $1.98 for first, then
Wood and Plastic Moldings
$3.00
2 for FREE
50% OFF
Hours: Mon-Fri 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. • Sat. 8 a.m. - Noon 400 E. Jackson Ave. • 524-8242 • 200 E. Magnolia Ave. • 524-8000 Mike Frazier www.KnoxRailSalvage.com Follow us on Twitter & Facebook
Owner Kent Tharp celebrates the grand opening Dec. 31 of Dippin’ Donuts in Halls. Photo by S. Clark
Kent Tharp said he’s been in the doughnut business for 30 years and owns the name Dippin’ Donuts as well as the store. Why Halls? “My lease (on Kingston Pike) was up and this store is on the right side of the road.” The site has previously been a Time Out Deli and more recently the Back-
woods Bistro. It’s a clean, no-frills eat-in space with adequate counter space to place an order. Don’t see what you want? Tharp will make it for you. The store is open daily 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mary Tharp talked about the growth of the business. “In 2003 (when the store
opened on Kingston Pike), we had (contracts to deliver to) two motels and five churches; now we have about 30 regulars. For churches, we give a discount and deliver.” Dippin’ Donuts also delivers to 32 local Pilot stations. Online, customers rave about the unique flavors such as peanut butter donuts. Most like the freshness, knowing the food is cooked onsite. Church pastors, youth directors and program directors can call for free delivery: 865-588-3765 or fax to 865-588-7489. Through Feb. 28, those who bring their church bulletin for the week to Dippin’ Donuts on Sunday or Wednesday will receive one free, regular-sized doughnut of their choice. The Tharps live in Fountain City, but they’ve found a business home in Halls.
Come to the Water “Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” (2 Cor. 4:16) I love the New Year. Wow, 2017 is here!!!! My first response is thank you God!
Fr. Steve Pawelk
A New Year can be a new beginning and a time to start anew. God can do this for us every day. As we age, our body does change, our energy level fades, and maybe even cynicism begins to sneak in. However, we may not be able to do much about the physical changes of aging, but our inner life is an open world of possibilities. God is renewing us every day if we are living in His Spirit. The past is done. 2016 is over, and despite all the science fiction movies about time travel, it cannot be undone. The past is finished. You and I cannot change it. It is over. So why live there? God sent His Son, Jesus, so we can have a new beginning. All sins can be forgiven. All consequences of sin can be healed. Many consequences of sin do leave scars, but they do not have to be open and infected wounds. The power of the Holy Spirit can heal, soothe and strengthen us. New life is KN-1432477
possible if we can just let go of the past. Also, 2018 is not yet here. So do not worry about tomorrow. Jesus says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.” (Matt 6:33-34) In other words, the great thing about life in Christ is that today is the best day of your life. If you have greatly sinned in your past, you can be forgiven today. If the sins of others have left scars, you can be healed today. If you are anxious about the future, today God’s love can fill you. Today the Lord loves you. Today the Lord forgives you. Today the Lord heals you. Today the Lord walks with you in your grief. Today the Lord renews you. Today you are saved!! Today is a new day with the Lord. Be renewed in Christ and be refreshed with joy and peace. If you fail to do so today, then start again tomorrow. A new life awaits you whenever you are ready!
Fr. Steve Pawelk, Pastor Blessed Teresa of Kolkata Catholic Church 4365 Maynardville Hwy. 865-992-7222
Union County Shopper news • January 11, 2017 • 3
Maynardville Elementary students Jaiana Peace, Adrianne Jones, Rihana Peace, Kyra Peace and Savannah Hamilton join Horace Maynard Middle School student Matthew Hamilton for a photo in front of the school Christmas tree.
Makynli Yarbrough makes a Christmas ornament craft at the Maynardville Elementary School Magical Holiday event.
Adrianne Jones gets her photo taken with Santa at the PTOsponsored event.
Third-grade teacher Linda Nicley and second-grade teacher Annie Howard are ready to help students make creative ornaments at the Maynardville Elementary Magical Holiday.
Value of massage Chiropractic Outlook By Dr. Darrell Johnson, DC
Paula Booker watches as Jeanne Booker gets her face painted by Nikki Lemmons.
Magical Holiday at Maynardville Elementary Maynardville Elementary School’s PTO got the Christmas season started off right for students at the Magical Holiday event Dec. 10. The PTO had food, games, crafts, facepainting, and even photos with Santa available for students and their families.
SPECIALS OF THE WEEK!
SAVE $$$
2013 FORD EDGE SEL, AWD, LEATHER, PANORAMIC ROOF, FULLY LOADED, R1891 .......................$24,997 2014 FORD ESCAPE TITANIUM, LEATHER, MOONROOF, NAV, ONLY 15k MILES!!! R1910................$22,777 2015 FORD TAURUS LIMITED, FACTORY WARRANTY, 1 OWNER, XTRA CLEAN, R1928..................$21,999
CARING MEDICAL CENTER
2012 FORD FUSION SEL, AUTOMATIC, POWER, MOONROOF, SONY SOUND SYSTEM, R1950........$12,950 Price includes $399 dock fee. Plus tax, tag & title WAC. Dealer retains all rebates. Restrictions may apply. See dealer for details. Prices good through next week.
149 Durham Drive Maynardville, TN 37807
992-2221
Now accepting NEW patients!
No appointments necessary Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5pm Saturday by appointment
Ray Varner
Travis Varner
Dan Varner
2026 N. Charles Seivers Blvd. • Clinton, TN 37716
865-457-0704 or 1-800-579-4561 www.rayvarnerford.com
A chiropractor has a variety of treatment arrows in his or her quiver. One of them is massage therapy. Though chiropractors may be best known for their expertise in spinal manipulation, they are trained in the use of an array of techniques. Massage therapy is effective in loosening tight muscles and easing pain. There are different types of massage. Deep tissue massage is just what it sounds like: a forceful working deep into muscles. Deep tissue massage can be mildly uncomfortable, but it should never be painful. Another type of massage involves the use of heated rocks, like basalt, to warm muscle tissue. There is also a light massage technique that is used to encourage
blood and lymphatic flow. From this array of massage techniques, your chiropractor will choose the one that best addresses your particular need. Tight muscles are more than annoying. The function of your musculoskeletal system depends on all its parts being in harmony. Depending on which muscle or muscle group has tightened, it may pull excessively on the spine or some other joint and cause dysfunction and discomfort. Talk with your chiropractor about how you may benefit from a regimen of massage therapy. Presented as a community service by Union County Chiropractic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, Tenn. 992-7000
Admissions Open House Thursday, January 26, 2017 8:30 am - 11 am
Located at 529 Academy Way To RSVP or arrange a student shadow for that day, please contact the Director of Admissions
Stacey Bristow at 813-4CAK.
admissions@cakmail.org For more information about CAK, please visit CAKWARRIORS.COM
SERVANTS • SCHOLARS • DISCIPLES KN-1420917
4 • January 11, 2017 • Union County Shopper news
A pygarg?
Volunteers Brandy Walker and Les Sponseller organize food bags before a Union County Food Pantry distribution day.
These are the beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat, the hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois. (Deuteronomy 14:4-5 KJV) When I wander around the more obscure pages of the King James Bible, I run into words I never saw before! My love of words (and my fascination with words that are completely new to me) sometimes keep me holding a Bible in one hand and a dictionary in the other. For example, a pygarg? A what? My New Revised Standard Version of the Bible translates pygarg as ibex. And my dictionary (Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate) says that an ibex is a “wild goat living chiefly in high mountain areas of the Old World and having large recurved horns transversely ridged in front.” Clears it right up, doesn’t it? And besides that, who knew that a chamois was not just a very soft piece of leather that one uses to polish a car? I guess if I had thought about it, it might have occurred to me that
Polly Gray sits on Santa’s lap at the Union County Food Pantry December distribution day.
Cross Currents
Lynn Pitts chamois equals leather, and leather equals animal, but somehow I didn’t think that far. This kind of information (which is not terribly useful, I admit) is just fun to know. I mean, think of playing Scrabble and being able to put pygarg on the board. You are bound to be challenged, but you will be right and your opponents will be bumfuzzled. The dictionary will be involved, I feel sure! This leads me to wonder how any of our words came into being, but if we reread Genesis, we will discover that we can blame it all on Adam. He is the guy God deputized to name the creatures!
Photos submitted
Union County Food Pantry director Kitty Lewis said the food pantry’s immediate needs include monetary donations, working laptop computers and tablets, and volunteer time from those experienced with data entry and database management. If you can fill any of these needs, call 865-992-4335 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Food pantry helps those in need, looks to future By Shannon Carey The Union County Food Pantry opens twice a month to provide supplemental food to those in need. While the need goes up and down, food pantry director Kitty Lewis said about 500 families are served each month. Many of those are elderly folks living on fixed incomes, or those who, in Lewis’s words, “just need a little bit of help.” “Volunteering is a very
KN-1247945
humbling experience,” said Lewis. “And a lot of the people we serve, they just need some extra help, and some depend on it, especially the elderly.” The food pantry was started back in 1997 by Lewis’s friend Paula Napier, who started feeding people out of her kitchen once she heard of an elderly lady who was eating cat food by the end of the month. When family obligations called Napier to Ohio, Lewis took
over running the food pantry, and she’s been doing it ever since. No stranger to hard times, Lewis said she feels a kinship with the people the food pantry serves. “I just know how it is to struggle,” Lewis said. “Once you start volunteering you see that the people really need it. Most people are just a paycheck or two away from being desperate.” These days, the food pantry is set up in the
county-owned Cedar Grove Community Center. Food is purchased from Second Harvest. Volunteers and monetary support come from local churches, individuals Community and grants. One volunteer services couple maintains and fuels ■■ Hansard Chapel Methodthe delivery truck, another ist Church, on Highway 33 picks up salvage bread and across from Tolliver’s Market, hosts a food pantry 6-7 p.m. snack items several times each third Saturday. Gently weekly. Food City in Mayused clothing is also available. nardville gives support as
FAITH NOTES
To page 5
Info: the Rev. Jay Richardson, 776-2668.
Special services ■■ UPLIFT, a nondenominational study/prayer group for Universal Peace, Love, Inspiration, Faith & Truth, meets 11 a.m.-noon Sundays in the conference room at Hardee’s, 2825 Maynardville Highway, Maynardville. Info: Eva, 9920185 or eva.thaller@att.net.
Union County Shopper news • January 11, 2017 • 5
Above my head Not everyone we meet will be pleasant. If we could only know their problems, we might understand why people act as they do. Figuratively speaking, it is not always possible to know what hangs over a person’s head. Interestingly, people are not always aware of what literally hangs over their heads, either. I am quite certain that most people who visited my family in the house where I grew up had no clue what sat on the upstairs floor, just a few feet directly above the living room. As I understand, Burl Warwick lived in the unpainted, two-story weatherboard structure on Luttrell Road until his death. The house was unoccupied for a couple of years until Burl’s son Jack rented it to our family. Mr. Warwick’s furniture was in the house the first time I saw inside when I was 6 years old. (I remember being fascinated by the Victrola in the downstairs bedroom.) Jack stored his father’s belongings in his basement next door, except for the contents of the only unfinished room.
Ronnie Mincey Teacher Time Among the sparse contents of that room was a coffin, also unfinished. (I understand that Mr. Warwick built the coffin himself, possibly for intended sale to Cooke’s Mortuary.) It was inside a larger wooden box intended to be placed in a grave to house the coffin that would have provided eternal rest for a baby. The lid of the outer box had four nails, one in each corner, never hammered into place to protect precious remains from ravages of earth, water and time. The coffin was filled with straw. All it needed for completion was cleaning, hinges and lining. I never asked but always wondered why the coffin was never finished to serve its ultimate purpose. Such speculation and an overactive imagination helped me develop a morbid fascination for this object. I looked at and inside
the box and coffin several times while I lived there, but never once did I move them even one centimeter. I showed it to several relatives and visitors, but never once was it disturbed beyond the look and conversation it excited. I was brave enough during the day, especially when someone was with me. Though I was almost 19 when I moved from that house, I could count on one hand the number of times I was in that room after dark, either alone or with another. As the front window of the room faced north, and a huge box elder tree shaded the room’s only other window on the east, the room was dark at all times of the day and seasons of the year. The brightest bulb could have done little to brighten the unpainted pine walls. Almost 33 years have passed since I was in that room. The house is now gone, but I visit often in mind and dreams. You’d be surprised how brave I am in my sleep! Next week we’ll think about things that hang over school children’s heads, literally and figuratively.
Food pantry well, and USDA food is also distributed. Union County Jail trusties help unload the truck. “We have a really good group of volunteers,” said Lewis. Two of those volunteers organized something extra for food pantry recipients on the distribution day closest to Christmas. They and
their friends collected toys, money and pajamas and made sure that the children in food pantry families had a good Christmas. They also gave gloves and sundries to the elderly recipients. They even had Santa visit the distribution day. “They were just really, really touched by the children,” said Lewis. “It was
■■ Dichoric Pendant workshop, 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, Appalachian Arts Craft Center, 2716 Andersonville Highway 61, Norris. Instructor: Donna Gryder. Info/registration: 4949854 or applachianarts.net. ■■ Roane State’s Wilderness First Responder course, Sunday-Sunday, Jan. 15-22, Great Smoky Mountains
Institute at Tremont. Meets Tennessee EMS standards and national standards for first responder training. Must have completed professional-level CPR training. Info/registration: gsmit.org/wfr.html or 4486709. ■■ Honor Guard meeting, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, 140 Veteran St., Maynardville. All veterans invited. Info: 256-5415.
just really nice.” While the food pantry is not a religious organization, Lewis said the volunteers often pray for the recipients, especially when asked, which happens often. “Some people I guess they just want somebody to care about them,” she said. “Some of them don’t have anybody.” Going into 2017, Lewis said the food pantry’s needs are mostly financial. They never turn anyone away, and monetary donations allow them to fill unexpected needs. Also, the food pantry is digitizing its records to save printing costs. Recipients are required to provide a picture ID, proof of residence and proof of household income, and that information is kept on file with the food pantry. Using computers in-
stead of printed forms will not only save money, it will save time at check-in. Lewis said donated, working laptop computers and tablets would be a great help to the food pantry, as would any volunteers with experience in data entry or database management and programming to help the person in charge of the project. The Union County Food Pantry is open 2-5 p.m. every second and fourth Monday. In case of inclement weather, the food pantry follows Union County Public Schools’ closures. Info: Kitty Lewis, 865992-4335. Please call between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. only.
Gloria Johnson stands with Mary Linda Schwartzbart during a roundtable discussion of the Medicare “doughnut hole.” Photo
by Shannon Carey
three years,” he said Dec. 6 after a meeting with Vice President-elect Mike Pence. Into the fray comes Gloria Johnson, former state representative and Obama organizer. She convened a meeting of seniors Dec. 29 at the Time Warp Tea Room in Knoxville. “Repeal of the Affordable Care Act will create chaos, raise costs and limit protections for seniors,” Johnson wrote in the invitation. Mary Linda Schwarzbart said, “Thanks to the ACA, we paid 11 percent less in 2014 than 2013 for our Medicare premiums and saved almost $900 on prescription costs.” In 2013, Schwarzbart fell into the so-called doughnut hole in early June. Linda Haney of Halls said she and husband Dan saved $3,000 in 2016 and expect to save $2,000 this year. With the ACA, they pay
BILL’S No Job too small or too large
25 YEARS EXPERIENCE
992-2573 or (408)893-7164
Home Improvement & Repair • Kitchen/Bath Remodels • Room Additions • Floors, Doors & Windows • Electrical • Custom Tile • Custom Woodworking • Service Calls
$700 of the cost of Dan’s insulin; without the ACA, they would be required to pay almost $1,700. Richard Henighan, a family nurse practitioner from Sevier County, said, “If you are in the doughnut hole now, you are paying only 45 percent for brand-name drugs. If we repeal the ACA, we are looking at paying 100 percent for that same drug.” Johnson added: “55 million Americans are covered by Medicare. Enrollees have benefited from lower costs for prescription drugs; free preventive services including cancer screenings; fewer hospital mistakes and more coordinated care.” Will “repeal and replace” become law during Trump’s first 100 days? During his first term? And then what? That still leaves the wall building and swamp draining. We live in interesting times.
Bull Run Creek Apartments Now leasing-1, 2 & 3 bedrooms
$25 Application! Please call for details
KN-1418460
■■ “The City of Conversation” presented by the Encore Theatrical Company, Fridays-Sundays, Jan. 13-22, Judge William H. Inman Humanities Theatre located on Walters State Community College Morristown campus. Performances: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Info/tickets: etcplays.org or 423-318-8331.
By Sandra Clark When the sloganeering Donald J. Trump becomes the 45th president of the United States on Jan. 20, his supporters will expect three things: ■■Drain the swamp; ■■Build a wall; and ■■Repeal and replace Obamacare. That third goal is a sticky wicket, complicated by Trump’s insistence on the word “replace.” Repealing Obamacare is a straight up/down vote. The House of Representatives voted to do it 50 or 60 times (depending on who’s counting). Sen. Ted Cruz introduced a bill to repeal it outright. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell promises, “The Obamacare repeal resolution will be the first item up in the New Year.” But not all senators see a simple solution, even the Republicans. Sen. Lamar Alexander said full repeal and replacement could take years. And Sen. Bob Corker doesn’t like the idea of a quick repeal with deferred implementation while the replacement is hammered out. “It might make sense to repeal and replace at the same time. It’s not really repeal if it’s still in place for From page 4
HAPPENINGS ■■ VFW meeting, 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, 140 Veteran St., Maynardville. All veterans invited. Info: 278-3784.
Seniors fear rising health costs if ACA is repealed
Writing services for busy business owners. I blog so you don’t have to! Also offering social media, proofreading and more.
Shannon Carey
shannon.b.carey@gmail.com www.thepluckypen.com
Office: 992-5888
1330 Main Street • Maynardville, TN. Across from Food City
WANNA GET HEALTHIER THIS YEAR? TIRED OF NAGGING WINTER ACHES AND PAINS?
DO SOMETHING About it in 2017 with a visit to
UNION COUNTY CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC! Dr. Darrell Johnson and staff are celebrating 15 years in Union County this year and are STILL the #1 choice for back and neck pain in the region. Now offering licensed massage therapy by Ron Cowan, LMT, Mondays & Thursday. (Of course you do NOT have to be an existing chiropractic patient to schedule massage therapy.)
Our compassion and caring are only surpassed by our dedication to the communities we serve! Personalized services to best reflect the life of your loved one and the wishes of the survivors.
We accept all major insurance, including auto accident, Medicare and commercial plans.
Values and caring have been a tradition at Mynatt Funeral Home for over 100 years!
Call 992-7000 to schedule an appointment today!
• Pre-arrangement available • Full-service funerals tailored to your needs • Cremation alternative • Two locations to serve you! 2829 Rennoc Road in Fountain City • 688-2331
www.mynattfh.com
Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 110 Skyline Dr • Maynardville 4131 E. Emory Rd. Halls • 922-9195
(behind McDonald’s)
www.unioncountychiropractic.com KN-1432506
KN-1392674
6 • January 11, 2017 • Union County Shopper news
News from Rocky Top Family Practice
Know your numbers in the new year By Kayla Brummitte Newcomb New Year’s resolutions are upon us, and many people have chosen to focus on losing weight, relaxing more or spending more time doing the things they enjoy. Those are great resolutions, but when it comes to focusing on losing weight, there is more than meets the eye! A greater impact can be accomplished by simply knowing your numbers. Skinny does not always mean healthy, so make sure you understand normal values and what is expected for your personal health goals. Small steps can be taken to make a big impact on overall well-being. Going for a walk, taking the stairs, cutting back on sugar consumption, making healthier food choices and practicing relaxation techniques can all improve health outcomes. Routine health screenings are another way to ensure you are living the healthiest life possible. These checkups are essential to diagnosing and managing some serious health conditions, and they serve an important role in education on conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease. Some results and numbers you need to be familiar with include the following: ■ Body Mass Index – This weight-toheight ratio helps us identify patients, including children, who are at risk for
Kayla Brummitte Newcomb, FNP-C, MSN, BSN, RN
certain medical conditions. ■ Blood Pressure – Various factors can affect your blood pressure, but routine exams allow us to see a clear picture of your normal ranges. ■ Cholesterol & Triglycerides – Lower your risk of heart disease and stroke by keeping these values in check. ■ Blood Glucose (A1C if Diabetic) – These numbers help us diagnose and monitor for diabetes and allow us to detect prediabetes so interventions can occur. Your specific family history findings may also require more extensive or frequent monitoring of certain tests. We look forward to helping you achieve the healthiest, happiest you in 2017.
ROCKY TOP FAMILY PRACTICE 598 John Deere Drive, Maynardville, TN 37807 (865) 745-1160 www.rockytopfamilypractice.com
Larry & Laura Bailey PE
I ND
Looking ahead instead of behind … The dead period in college football recruiting is ending. It was in place to protect coaches of bowl teams from being overtaken by coaches with time on their hands. The turn of the calendar means Tennessee can resume pursuit of young talent supposedly better than what it has in the bank. Butch Jones and associates assembled a strange preliminary list of threestar commitments while looking all around for more famous names. This is the controversial shotgun approach to recruiting, based on bountiful travel budgets – go here and there and look at everybody, extend scholarship offers to 300 possibilities and hope to hit a top 25 as permitted by NCAA restrictions. Each time the collection appears complete, a better possibility suddenly develops an interest in Tennessee. To create space, one of the early commitments mysteriously goes away. Hard to tell if 18-year-olds read tea leaves precisely or coaches suggest looking around for more favorable playing opportunities. Prep players, relatives, girlfriends and high school coaches are often befuddled or offended by the shuffle. They have told all their friends about the scholarship at Tennessee. Even worse than the embarrassment, they are sometimes left to learn of changing plans through osmosis. One father said coaches never said anything. They simply stopped calling his son. He took that as a clue. Recruiting travels a twoway street. Future stars, apparently dedicated and all locked in, may succumb
865-947-9000
www.knoxvillerealty.com
Marvin West
to rival lures and simply walk away, leaving terrible voids and fever blisters. Recruiting is a cruel and often heartless sport. Promises don’t count until signed in blood and legally notarized – or the young man enrolls in school. Securing that December commitment from Trey Smith, best offensive lineman in the state and maybe America, did not eliminate all alarm among experienced recruiting followers. It appears there are holes in the fence that Butch built around his turf. Clemson is causing consternation. Texas A&M has invaded. Alabama is a constant threat. LSU and Oklahoma think they have one each of ours. Others are circling like hawks, looking for a free lunch. In times past, Tennessee recruiters went elsewhere due to the perceived shortage of talent in our state. Now the shoe is on the other foot. In some cases, there are disagreements about how good is a certain prep player and how much does it matter which college he chooses. There is no disagreement about wide receiver Tee Hig-
gins of Oak Ridge. The Vols know he is good. Clemson has him. There are whispers about academic shortages. The Tigers haven’t noticed. Amari Rodgers of Knoxville Catholic, son of exVol Tee Martin, never has shown deep interest in Tennessee. Clemson wins again. Clemson success is relevant. Are there secret recruiting weapons? Dan Brooks is no secret. He is associate head coach. He was a key man with Phillip Fulmer for 15 years. Marion Hobby is a sharp Tiger who played at Tennessee. Both know which interstate exits to take and a lot of people who live nearby. John Chavis, once a gritty Volunteer, longtime defensive coach for Fulmer, crosses state lines while wearing a Texas A&M shirt. He signed two from Tennessee last winter that UT didn’t make much fuss about. He is back, trying to take someone Tennessee wants. Maybe you’ve read and fretted about de-commitments. They make headlines but should be evaluated carefully. Ten who said they would be Volunteers have since said so long and are going elsewhere. Sometimes that means better prospects have appeared. If more emerge, others will clear out. It is the law of the recruiting jungle. Marvin West invites reader reactions. His address is westwest6@netzero.com
SENIOR NOTES ■■ Union County Senior Citizens Center, 298 Main St. Monday-Friday • 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Info for all seniors groups: Melanie Dykes 992-3292/9920361 ■■ Luttrell Seniors, Luttrell Community Center, 115 Park Road.
Meets each third Monday • 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Luttrell Seniors lunch, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, Luttrell Community Center, 115 Park Road. Bring a dish to share. Everyone welcome. Info: Fran, 992-0678.
Justin Bailey
NG
UNION CO -This Move in Ready HEISKELL - Private setting. This 17.67 acres is mostly wooed. 2Br 2Ba features 2 bedrooms Cleared and Graded for home on main and Rec Rm with site with views of Cumberland Mountains. 3-bay shed on closet & full bath down. 1-Car property and utilities available on road. $99,900 (967145) $99,900 (984172)
SHARPS
CHAPEL
-
Private
wooded 9.5 acr setting with seasonal
Norris
Lake
features: 2BR 2BA basement rancher with attached 2-car garage. Detached 20x36 2-car garage with circular driveway & Storage bld with electric. Neighborhood
has
Norris
Lake boat launch. $144,900 (984639)
HEISKELL - 22.2 acres in private LUTTRELL – 18.41 Acres with wooded setting. Convenient barn. Approximately 8 acres of to I-75 & US 441. $124,900 pasture and utilities available (979949)
at road. $129,900 (981786) NORRIS LAKE - Private and gated 2.08 acre lakefront peninsula on Norris Lake. 4Br 3Ba features: year round deep water on all sides, elevator, open floor plan, custom kitchen,w/breathtaking views of Norris Lake views, boat dock, launch ramp, concrete/steel catwalk and handicapped accessible. $899,000 (981728)
view.
This property is 3 parcels and
KN-1419791
Adjustable aspect of recruiting
POWELL - 20.53 acre Cattle Farm convenient to I-75. This property has it all. The property has two residences: Custom built brick 4Br 3Ba 2900 sqft & 2Br2Ba 2000 sqft rental home. Plenty or work space with 52x48 metal barn with underground utilities, 40x70 metal barn with 14ft roll up doors & Pond. $1,000,000 (981058)