Feature Stories

The 23rd annual Highway 41 Toy Convoy & Show took place Nov. 3, starting in Manchester and ending, for the first time, in Wartrace. The event generated 20 large 55-gallon bags full of toys, said organizer Katy Ishee, with an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 individual items. The toys were divided between Wartrace Fire Department, Manchester Police Department and the Gene Taylor/Steve Graves Christmas Foundation, each of which will distribute them this Christmas to those in need...

Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce's Workforce Development initiative recently held its third annual 7th Grade Career Exploration Fair at Calsonic Arena, where over 750 students from Cascade, Community, Liberty, and Harris Middle schools checked out booths and participated in various demonstrations...

First Baptist Church's youth ministry has planned a free girls' night out 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, with young blogger, author and YouTube personality Emma Mae Jenkins. The event is designed for girls seventh grade to college-age and is cosponsored by First Choice Pregnancy Counseling Center...

Acorn squash are always fun in the fall. They are the perfect little individual bowl when cut in half. My Mom will put some cinnamon, a little brown sugar and butter in the middle and roast it for a great side dish to pork. The sweetness of the squash pairs well with the flavor of pork...

Xi Alpha Zeta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met recently for its annual Taste and Tell meeting. Members were kind enough to share their recipes with us. Becky Cortner 4 cups Monterey Jack Cheese 1/2 large green pepper, chopped 1 can sliced black olives...

Smokestack Theatre at Community High School will present the original play "Night Of The Living Dead 1984," written and directed by the school's drama teacher, Anthony Davis, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 1-2, at the school's auditorium. Admission is $5 at the door...

"Are you excited to see your grandmother, Maria?" Mom asked as we turned onto grandma's street. Maria didn't respond because her mom already knew the answer. Maria and her 7 year old sister, Savannah, were visiting their grandma for the weekend for her 50th birthday. They pulled into grandma's driveway and seen her house. It was an old house, at least 30 years old, with rotting wood and nasty windows. They got out of the car and seen their grandma run out. She gave them all hugs and kisses...

That day was like any other Monday at Community Middle School. It was a warm October morning, except that there were no teachers at the school. It was really weird, because after the bell rang, the announcements began; however, it was not our principal. The voice was really deep and disturbing. The strange voice said, "Today your teachers couldn't make it."...

There I was, in the darkness of my bitter, cold, grimy room. The stench of old, rotten perfume fills the air around me. My lungs feel like there are ten thousand bricks stacked up, making it hard to breathe. My eyes feel like a neverending waterfall...

Alice stared, nervously transfixed at the heavily wooded lot she would have to cross to reach her house. It was foreboding enough in broad daylight, so thick and dark with tangled vines and drooping Spanish moss. It was almost as if the darkness within was a presence actively shunning and trying to repel the sunshine from penetrating its black, evil heart. ...

I was screwing around on a video chat room called Omegle one night last week, but I never showed my face. I had a major trust issue, especially after all of the web horror stories my mom has told me. But anyway, I ended up chatting with a very pretty girl that I had never seen before. She was in a dark room, the light of her computer dimly illuminating the room...

I turn the TV down, I'm tired of hearing it. "The Countdown," it's been going on for days now. Nineteen days to be exact, nineteen days for 19 bodies. 19 children gone, vanished, disappeared, no trace of the killer, no evidence, no anything. Not even a body...

When twenty-something Jordan Ray finishes her day of teaching agriculture mechanics at Shelbyville Central High School's Career and Technical Education program she's likely to get dirty working on cars at her father's shop, Hockaday's Auto Repair. "I know my way around cars," she said. "I can do anything on a car. I grew up with it. I'm there every day after school, still."...

If you're hoping to buy the best steaks at the grocery store, you might want to see if Allison Davis or Nick Moore will go along and help you choose. But, if Davis or Moore is not available then try and get in touch with Ian Alcox or Dorothy Brandon...

Agritourism -- the development of public attractions on farm property -- has become a trend in recent years. Whether it's "pick your own" berry farms or pumpkin patches, cornfield mazes, or more elaborate attractions, the trend continues to grow. Bedford County's agritourism infrastructure has been growing as well. ...

In 4-H you get to show animals, including horses. You practice all year long and finally at the beginning of summer you have your county show. You get to compete with others from your county before you move on to the regional show at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro. At regionals you compete with other 4-Hers from your region...

Have you ever thought about joining 4-H? 4-H is an organization for 4th-12th grade boys and girls that has a lot of different activities and opportunities. Some activities include: Livestock projects, judging teams, photography, public speaking, dairy, shooting sports, and many more...

What is 4-H? What do you do in 4-H? How did you get involved in 4-H? What is your 4-H project? These are questions that I am frequently asked when I tell people that I am in 4-H. This is when I take the opportunity to tell them all about 4-H and my project...

The 4-H slogan is "Learn by doing." Learning by doing means people interacting with their environment in order to learn something new. In 4-H, kids are taught to be visual learners and to use their knowledge to help other people. 4-H is an honorable organization that teaches leadership, citizenship, public speaking, and prepares kids for life after high school. ...

I am part of Bedford County 4-H. I am involved in the sheep project and love it! By being involved in 4-H I have had to learn to lead groups of youth, speak in front of people and keep myself organized because I stay very busy. 4-H has already made a big change in my life! I also participate in Livestock Judging, am a member of Honor Club and enjoy the Photography Project Group. There are many other things you can do in 4-H too but sheep is the best!...

To paraphrase actor James Earl Jones from the movie "Field of Dreams": "The one constant through all of the years has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It's been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time...this game is part of our past."...

Bedford County Family and Community Education clubs held their annual Taste and Tell Luncheon for the club presidents and county council officers in recognition of their service for the year. Each attendee sent a recipe for the booklet and then made the dish to share at the luncheon....

The Rolling Stones still tour. Paul McCartney still releases new music. So why shouldn't Marshall County's own favorites Us Two And Him have a new CD release too, "Growing Up Country in Marshall County USA." "We've been playing a long time and we've enjoyed it," said band member John Rickman...

Jennifer Jordan Thompson of J. Jordan Boutique on the square recently advised Shelbyville Woman's Club members who might have a hard time shopping for the right outfit to: "Look in the mirror. Hold it [the garment] up to you. If it gives you color and makes you smile, wear it!"...

I am a member of the 4-H Line & Design project group. The 4-H Line & Design project group is a group that meets monthly to do a different craft which includes painting, sewing, etc. I have been a member for two years going on my third year and have really enjoyed it...

I love 4-H. I have been in 4-H for about seven years. The 4-H project I'm in is the Line and Design project. Line and Design includes anything that has to do with art. I chose this project because of my love for drawing, painting, and crafting. 4-H has given me many opportunities to thrive in this project group. ...

My 4-H project is Personal Development. In this project group, I participate in several different activities. There is Livestock Judging, Dairy Judging, Public Speaking, Shooting Sports, Life Skills, Family and Consumer Science, Honor Club and All-Stars...

Joshua Wade of Bell Buckle was recently recognized at Tennessee 4-H Roundup in Knoxville with the Vol State award, the highest level of recognition a Tennessee 4-H member may achieve. Vol State is presented to high school juniors and seniors in recognition of excellence in all phases of 4-H work, as well as service and leadership rendered in their communities.

Shelbyville Central High School Class of 1960 held its 59-year reunion on Saturday. Those attending were (front row) Mary Grace Landers Phillips, Laura Mai Crews, Louise Russell Gilliland, Gale Webb Stephens, Sandra Bowman Daniel, Wanda Rainwater Graf, Vivian Cook Thorpe, Carolyn Benson McKinney. Second row: Glynda Simmons Payne, Patricia Tarpley Fahey, Laura Long Hix, Nancy Brantley Rice, Sylvia Napper Bryan, Beverly Montgomery Ligon, Lamarr Neese Sanders, Rhonda Russell Reed, Diana Gowen Cushing, Faye Parsons Hane. Third row: Eddie Wright, Burt English, David Renegar, Betty Burch Richards, Mary Lou Finney Stone, Linda Moulder Kraus, Dolores Odeneal Cranch, Bonnie Clark Philpott, Marguerite Crigler Morrison, Wayne Williams (partially hidden). Fourth row: Eddie Murray, Jim McKinney, Paul Neese, Jerry Darnell, William Woods, Marvin Neill, Rodney Kirk, Wess Brown, Ott Renegar, Ray Noblitt. Back row: Mike Bone, Brent Smith, Lanny Alcorn, Joe McBee, Ray Gilliland, Jerry Robertson. Not pictured: Geneva Pruitt Melson.

Fall has finally arrived with its cooler temperatures and crisp, dry air. For me, that means its apple season. While we can get apples year round now at the stores, fall is when they are at their peak here in Tennessee. Crisp, juicy, sometimes sweet, sometimes tart, apples make great warming dishes for the cooler days...

Mamie Boyce's yard is simply for enjoyment -- a place where visitors like Sara Wood of Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce's beautification committee find themselves taking a break. Upon her recent visit to the Boyce home, Sara presented Mamie her Yard of the Month award on behalf of the Chamber's beautification committee....

The mission of Child Development Center is to provide supports and services to children, families and individuals with disabilities. At the same time, the center strives, according to director Anita Teague, to address the health and well-being of all persons in the communities in which the non profit serves...

Although local residents like Katy Ishee have been involved with the Highway 41 Toy Convoy & Show for years, and Bedford County families have benefitted from some of the toys collected, the event hasn't actually passed through Bedford County. That will change this year, with a new, more-scenic route that will end in Wartrace...

Christmas plans are already underway in the Town of Wartrace, as volunteers and leaders have set their hearts to help deserving local families. In a giving program hosted by the Wartrace Volunteer Fire Department, the Parks and Recreation Committee, and the Police Department, applications are now being accepted for food and gift baskets...

Sterling Smith works in a tidy office at 605 Delray Street as a First Community Mortgage loan originator. He recently branched out, so to speak, helping fit hundreds of local school children with new shoes. "I remember that being such a special part of going back to school -- getting your new school shoes," recalled Smith...

If the recent focus on country music's roots has you hankering to hear more, a young pair of old-time Tennessee fiddling wizards, captured on 21st-century digital CD for the MTSU Center for Popular Music's Spring Fed Records, may have the answer. A new grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission, funded in part by specialty license plates, helped the center bring new MTSU graduate Austin Derryberry of Unionville and young Trenton "Tater" Caruthers of Cookeville into the university's Studio A this summer to capture their takes on the state's unique musical styles.. ...

Shelby Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution held its first meeting of the 2019-2020 year at River Bend Country Club on Sept. 25. Three guests were present along with one prospective member. Regent Muriel Robinson called the meeting to order and led in the DAR Rituals...

The September meeting of Shelbyville Woman's Club had the theme "Southern Strength and Southern Charm," and featured best-selling author of inspirational historical romance Tamera Alexander. A USA Today top author, she describes her career with words by theologian Martin Luther:...

On Sept. 21, the Bedford County FFA Chapter of Shelbyville Central High School traveled to Stewart’s Creek High School in Murfreesboro to attend the 2019 Middle Tennessee FFA New Member Conference. Members attended sessions on various aspects of FFA and were able to bring that information back to their chapter to help others. Back row, from left: Savannah Martineau, Emma Ashworth, Zoe Spence, Alex Ochoa, Allison Davis, Abigail Betancourt, Jacob Stallings, and David Carben. Front row: Shelby Fortel, Betsabe Lopez, Mercedes Quinonez, Joanna Hernandez, Cayla Lynch, and Alissa Cobble.

On Sept. 19, the Bedford County FFA Chapter of Shelbyville Central High School and Bedford County 4-H traveled to Lewisburg to compete in the Middle Tennessee Land Judging Contest. The FFA team placed third in the Middle Tennessee FFA Region and will move on to the Tennessee FFA State Land Judging Event to be held in Oak Ridge on Oct. 21. The 4-H A Team placed fifth in the region and Abigail Betancourt competed as an individual for 4-H. The teams are as follows:...

Two members of Cascade FFA competed at the Tennessee State Fair on Sept. 9. Emily Yates and Macy Legate wrote, memorized and practiced their 3-4 minute speech as they prepared for the FFA public speaking contest in their respective age divisions. On Sept. ...

When Tony Townsend started shooting flintlock rifles he made a common mistake, forgetting to put the black powder in before loading the lead ball. (The powder needs to be behind the bullet.) This earned him the nickname “Dry Ball.” Townsend has since learned how to load the flintlock and he captured the undivided attention of Cub Scouts with Nashville Pack 240 at the 17th Annual Step Back in Time event at Henry Horton State Park in Marshall County...

At age 5, Austin Derryberry played with his father Brian's band; he usually earned more tips. Fast forward 15 years: Austin earns the Grand Master Fiddler Traditional Champion at the Country Music Hall of Fame fiddling contest in Nashville. The Grand Master Traditional Fiddler Championship contest is a showcase event. The annual competition is designed to recognize fiddlers with a style outside the recognized U.S. contest or popular Texas styles...

Rita McDonald, right, presents a floral arrangement in memory of her father, Bill Payne, to the staff and residents of Carriage House Inn. Social Services Director Mary Ellen Butler accepts the gift.

This year alone, Amy Martin has presented 50 Quilts of Valor to local service veterans, and most of those presentations were pictured in the Times-Gazette. Martin vows the "notion" for each quilt's design results from time spent between friends with patriotic hearts...

Since I sell gaited trail horses, I'm always looking for prospects. In July 2017, while scanning Craigslist for potential trail horses, an ad in Murfreesboro caught my eye. After talking with the owner, Amber Parkhurst, I purchased Romeo sight unseen from one picture....

Birdie Ruth Moore of Haley is celebrating her 99th birthday.

On Sept. 5, the Bedford County FFA Chapter of Shelbyville Central High School competed in the 6th Annual Bedford County Land Judging Invitational Contest held in Shelbyville. The team placed first out of the nine teams competing. By winning the event, the team also won the District X championship for the Middle Tennessee FFA Region. Team member Allison McCarty was the 1st high scoring individual and Khloe Davis was the 2nd high scoring individual. Bedford County Soil Conservation District sponsored the meal for the event; Sam Davis provided the property for the event, and Bedford County FFA Alumni sponsored plaques. From left are Cali Mason, Khloe Davis, Dorothy Brandon and Allison McCarty.

The youth and young adult years often represent the prime of life--a time filled with fun and new experiences. But they can also be marked by challenges or stress in school, with friends and at home. Tragically, many young people are taking drastic action in response to what are likely short-term struggles. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death among ages 15 to 24...