Focus Events
Scholarship Sporting Clays Tournament
Each spring on the Saturday one full week before Easter, UCB&PA hosts the Egg Hunt at Wilson Park. Children from the entire county search for the prize egg or rush to fill their baskets with the most eggs. The Easter Bunny chats with the children and cautions them to be careful as they hunt. Union County banks, Commercial, First Century, and FSG, donate 3000 eggs filled with candy or toys. The UCB&PA awards colorful Easter baskets filled with stuffed rabbits, games, candy, and toys to the winners in four age groups.
UCB&PA sponsors a golf tournament in late April to fund scholarships for deserving seniors at Union County High School. This year teams competed for prize money and one lucky golfer took a swing at winning $250,000Next year’s tournament will be on April 29 at Clinchview Golf Course in Bean Station, Grainger County. Play begins at 1:00. . Entrance fees will be $300 per team of four or $75 for each individual. Come out and golf for scholarships.
Last year UCB&PA awarded $6000 in scholarships to seniors at UCHS. Scholarships are available for valedictorian, achievement, service, and vocational/technical. The Valedictorian Scholarship is for $500 and is given to the senior with the highest GPA. Plainview City, Maynardville City, and Luttrell City help sponsor multiple winners. The Academic Achievement Scholarship is for $1000 and requires the applicant to write an essay, score high on the ACT/SAT, and complete an interview. The Service Scholarship is a matching grant totaling $1000 and is awarded on the basis of a minimum of 100 hours of volunteer service. The Vocational/Technical Scholarship is for $500 and is given to a student who plans to attend a technical school or community college to complete career training and has demonstrated competency while in high school. Scholarship presentations are made at the Senior Brunch in May. Since the UC&BPA Scholarship Program’s inception more than $36,000 dollars have been granted to over fifty-five students to help them realize their dreams of a post high school education.
The second Friday in June, UCB&PA invites everyone to the Prayer Breakfast. Past speakers have been area pastors as well as regional leaders. This year’s Prayer Breakfast was on June 10 at Union County High School at 6:30 AM. Diane Pearson, trainer and motivational speaker for Rocky Top Markets, inspired us to accept and be challenged by change. In keeping with the theme of “Transformations”, the Crist Family Ministries entertained with several spirituals and upbeat songs of how faith changes lives. The menu boasted biscuits and gravy, eggs, and an assortment of pastries and fruit. Next year’s Prayer Breakfast will move to Saturday morning and a specific date and time will be announced. Tickets will be $10.00. Proceeds fund donations to the March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, United Way, and UCHS Music Program.
The First Annual Support Our Troops 5K Run will he on July 2, with registration beginning at 7:00 AM at UCHS Commons. The course promises to be invigorating but not overwhelming for novices and just enough uphill challenge for the seasoned runner.
Come out and run or walk the course. The race begins at 8:00 AM.
Scholarship Sporting Clays Tournament
In an effort to expand the scholarship program, UC&BPA will host a Sporting Clays Tournament in late August. This event promises to be an exciting competition for a very worthy cause. Participants will pay a fee and spend the morning shooting clay pigeons and competing for prize money. Watch for further information in the Halls Shopper News about this event.
November 19 at 6:30 is the date to circle for the UC&BPA Annual Banquet. New officers and board members will be installed. The 2005 Man and Woman of the Year will be announced. A sumptuous feast will be relished as the members reminisce about this year and set goals for the next year.
December brings a myriad of events centered around bright lights, a parade, and presents. The Annual Tree Lighting at Union County Courthouse is on December 2 at 6:00. The Annual Christmas Parade hosted by the Union County Rescue Squad starts at 2:30 on December 10. Toys for Tots will be December 17 at the Senior Center in Maynardville. Approximately 150 children receive toys from this program each year.
Toys for Tots annually distributes toys to deserving children of Union County. This annual event brings smiles to children who otherwise might not have a Merry Christmas. Workers at the annual Toys for Tots distribution receive as much joy as the children!