Feature Stories

Community Middle School Basketball Homecoming Court Queen, Bailey Helton, was recently crowed during school festivities. She is shown with her proud dad, Bobby. Wesley Haley Kenzie Sexton Braxton Griffy  Caylee Wilson Rylee Brown Kingston Kibble Kathryn Sego...

Special meetings continue to be held by Bedford County Board of Education and community business leaders to garner input for the school superintendent search criteria. Tammy Grissom, executive director of Tennessee School Board Association, led the most recent gathering and discussion at Blue Ribbon Circle...

Lord I ask for courage Courage to face and Conquer my own fears... Courage to take me Where others will not go... I ask for strength Strength of body to protect others And strength of spirit to lead others... I ask for dedication Dedication to my job, to do it well...

Shelbyville Central High School Criminal Justice Student Organization (C.J.S.O.) recently opened its 4th annual toy drive-one designed to allow students to be a part of making Christmas a little happier for children in need. “The awesome concept of this toy drive is that its supports the needy children of Bedford County,” said Chris Hobbs, SCHS criminal justice instructor. ...

Tennessee Behavior Supports Project (TBSP) at Vanderbilt University, which is funded by Tennessee Department of Education, recently announced that three local schools were selected as a 2020-2021 School of Recognition. Those schools include Community Middle, Harris Middle and Southside Elementary, which will now serve as mentors to other Middle Tennessee school systems...

The idea of a holiday swing dance in the tiny community of Normandy started at a recent ladies coffee one morning, according to resident Jackie Smith. The “Holiday Big Band Dance” will be held Saturday, Dec. 5, at 110 College St. from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $25 each and can be obtained by calling 662-417-0393 or by emailing b42jss@gmail.com. Deadline for ticket sales is Nov. 28 and there is a 50 person limit for this event...

Mark McGee, right,  a member of the Shelbyville Rotary Club, was the recent guest speaker for his fellow members. Ivan Jones, club president, is at left. McGee, executive director of United Way of Bedford County, can be reached at 684-6685.

New changes are coming, due to COVID-19, at Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library, which enters into Phase III on Monday. From left are Monica Lewis, Friends of the Library chair, and Margaret Petty, assistant library director, who talked recently about how patrons will soon be able to browse the books again.

Ronnie Segroves says he enjoys attending such events as the Shelbyville Veterans Parade, where he can honor those who served their country. He was honored himself recently with a Quilt of Valor for his service from 1966-1968 in the U.S. Army. The veteran served a year in Vietnam, where he worked in artillery.

Barbara Jackson of Shelbyville recently contacted the Times-Gazette about a poem she was inspired to write - saluting local veterans. We have printed it to honor local veterans. We thank Barbara for her kind words of respect for those who served. God Gave Me These Words...

Like so many areas of life this year, COVID-19 impacted United Way of Bedford County’s “Stuff the Bus” program. Even so, 56 boxes, filled with a record of approximately 13,000 items, were delivered Tuesday to all county schools by employees of the Bedford County School System...

Shelbyville Rotary Club members were given an overview of the Elk River District and the 100th anniversary of the Mldde Tennessee Council of the Boy Scouts of America by Derek Maness, Elk River District Executive. Ivan Jones, club president, left, was the program facilitator. Maness is seeking local residents to promote Scouting in the county. His email is dmaness@mtcbsa.org.

Cascade High School Band participated in the Shelbyville Veterans Parade last Sunday. The weather was fine for music and marching.

Shelbyville's Veterans Parade will be held 4 p.m. Sunday along the traditional city parade route - around the square and north on North Main Street, then east on Madison Street to the Celebration Drive intersection. East Side School< will sponsor a Veterans Day Parade on Wednesday. Veterans should line up at 8:30 a.m., at First Baptist Church on Depot Street. The parade begins at 9 a.m. For more information, contact Valerie Ward at 684-7112...

Retired educator Reva Martin was surprised Wednesday when a parade of cars, including a Shelbyville policeman with lights flashing, drove by her home, honking and greeting her by name. The group was celebrating Reva’s 90th birthday. In her teacherly manner, the retired teacher put her hands on her hips and stated, “Now I know why you wanted me to move my car!”...

Robert Franklin “Frank” Douglas was recently wrapped with a Quilt of Valor. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1954 to 1958. He is married to Janelle Douglas.

Community High School held a retirement luncheon recently in honor of three staff members who retired at the end of last school year. The spring ceremony was cancelled due to the pandemic and the closing early of school. Left to right, John Batts (Special Education Assistant), Lynn Laura (Comprehensive Development Assistant), and Jeff Gilmore (Driver's Education.) Principal Dr. Robert Ralston (not pictured) offered congratulations to each retiree before they shared humorous events that happened during their time at Community. The group received well wishes for a happy retirement from their peers.

David Williams Sr., right, who served the county and city for 54 years in law enforcement, was recently honored at a retirement reception at the VFW building on Depot Street. Congratulating Williams were Chace Warren and Phillip Prince of Shelbyville Fire Department. Look for a profile on Williams’ career in the Times-Gazette fall/winter “Bedford Life” on Nov. 21.

Fairview Family and Community Education (FCE) Club met on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at the UT/TSU Extension Office in Shelbyville. President Pat Hastings opened the meeting by having everyone do the suggested arm circles. Extension Agent Whitney Danhof read the Call to Order “Picture of Peace.” Sandra Smith presented the devotion...

Enjoy these comfort recipes from the Dairy Alliance. Milk does a body good, so we salute dairy for good health! Enjoy this soothing milk tea any time of day! It’s light with just a hint of sweetness to balance out the spice. Could be served cold as well for those warmer days...

The late Sam Gunter was known to most Bedford Countians as simply “Clarabell.” In memory of his beloved father, who passed away in 2019, Kevin Gunter has opened an antique, sport and outdoors shop on the public square at East Depot Street rightfully named, Clarabell Collectibles...

Janolyn King recently provided her fellow Rotarians with an overview of her life and career, including her work at Cascade Middle School. Club president Ivan Jones was program facilitator. 

Several non-profit organizations benefited from the dedication of workers during the recent United Way of Bedford County’s Day of Caring. Jostens, Newell Brands and First Community Bank provided volunteers who completed several projects for non-profits who are also partners of United Way of Bedford County...

God, grant me the serenity
 to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
 For I can do everything through Christ Who gives me strength. - Philippians 4:13.

Going up the mountain to Tracy City can be a relaxing one-day fall trip. The town serves as the location of the Grundy County Historical Society, just in case you need more history. There’s one art gallery named, The Nature Works, which focuses solely on nature and wildlife. There are incidentally about 12 churches, including the historic First Baptist, which was founded in the late 1800s. There are great mom and pop establishments for lunch and dinner. So check out Tracy City, which is at one end of the Fiery Gizzard Trail, known for its beauty. In this time of COVID-19, pack a picnic lunch for a day road trip and stop off at the park there.

Author Bruce McIntyre once said in a prayer that caregivers are often “unknown and unnoticed, but a hero, none-the-less.” He also said, “even in weakness, a caregiver gives life to their beloved.” Lee Ann Hyatt, RN, the new Bedford County Caregiver Relief director, said for such reasons, those caring for Alzheimer’s Disease patients should be recognized. It was in 1983, when President Ronald Reagan designated November as “Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month.”...

Shelbyville residents know all too well, particularly right now during the pandemic, that sometimes life necessitates a road trip to the mountains. That’s what Dianne and Victor Ratley of Shelbyville decided to do last weekend; they witnessed the beginnings of fall colors within about 100 miles from Bedford County...

A few months prior to his passing in 2018, Henry Marvin Peacock received an official letter from the president of Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, which confirmed he and another former classmate were the school’s first African-American graduates. Proud of that accomplishment, Peacock’s family recently discussed the life of the man they knew and loved as “Henry.”...

Amelia Jefferson, who is new to this area, and her poodle/Bichon Frise, “Max,” enjoyed Monday’s pleasant weather during a trip to H.V. Griffin Park.

Black cats are symbolic of Halloween, appearing in decorations as well as subjects for spook night folklore. Sadly, our dark, furry friends often get a bad rap, due to superstitions which abound during trick-or-treat time. Many cultures harbor superstitions about black cats, feeling they represent either good or bad luck. Black cats have been connected to witches, with various tales indicating that black cats are witches’ familiars...

Regina Ann Kincaid Lang, U.S. Air Force 1986-2006, and husband, Kennard W. Lang, U.S. Air Force 1984-2001, were recently honored with Quilts of Valor for their military service. Regina is a Community High School graduate.

Danielle Armbruster and her family are having a great season at The Shops at Main & McGrew 100 South Main St., on the public square. So much so, they’re planning to pay it forward this Christmas. During the holiday open house on Saturday, Nov. 28, or which has become known around the public square as “Small Business Saturday,” the Main and McGrew staff are hoping to give back to the community. ...

Halloween is a unique day each year when people gather together for parties, parades and of course, trick-or-treating. October 31 is a day that most children eagerly await each year because it means an opportunity to don a costume and come home with bags full of sweet treats...

After several months hiatus due to the pandemic, Shelbyville Woman’s Club reconvened at Riverbend Country Club on Wednesday with Jennifer Jordan Thompson emceeing the annual members’ only fall fashion show. Word is, from J Jordan Boutique, plaid still reigns queen in fall wardrobes...

The only hitch in this year’s annual Halls Mill Sorghum Squeeze were the ones attached to a mule. Despite the pandemic, the results prove another successful harvest at 225 Paschal Road, according to organizers. Attendees were once again invited to bring their lawn chairs, sit a spell, and get re-acquainted with their neighbors or meet new ones. The fall weather couldn’t have been finer for such last Saturday, organizers note...

Ann Spencer recently shared with her Liberty FCE Club members how she has made Halloween costumes for her grandchildren, Elijah Oosting, 3, and his sister, Eleanor Oosting, 1 1/2. Her daughter, Merri Catherine Oosting said recently her mom’s been sewing for many years; she made a variety of outfits when she was young. Naturally, she cherishes the Halloween costumes...

When the weather turns cooler, I always get the urge to bake. There is something about the smell of baked goods-those hot from the oven-that just envelop me in comfort. My Mom would always make big batches of quick breads in the fall and put them in the freezer to use during the cooler months and holidays. One of my favorite baked goods is scones. ...

Allison Taylor Alcorn, daughter of Allen and Shannon (Taylor) Alcorn of Fayetteville, was recently crowned Lincoln County High School homecoming queen; she is a senior. Grandparents are Luci and Tom Taylor and Shirley and Joe Alcorn, all of Shelbyville.

While times may be a little tight financially for the community, fact remains that the work being done by the Bedford County Caregiver Relief Program needs to continue. The number of people suffering from Alzheimer’s and onset dementia only continues to increase, according to Caregiver board members...

It was a great day in the new Longview Baptist church building recently when several church members were awarded Quilts of Valor for their military service. Debbie Farris Bryant made six of these quilt tops and Amy Fulton Martin made two. “Debbie did the longarming on all eight!” said Martin. “She does amazing work!...

Learning Way Elementary recently announced its “Students of the Month,” for August and September. Above photo are the students from K-2 classes and below are students from grades 3-5.

At a recent VFW Post 5019 Joint Meeting, Olivia Janine Gabhart was recognized for her art submission in the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest, a scholarship contest offered annually by the VFW Auxiliary.  Olivia was awarded a Patriotic Art Certificate of Recognition, a monetary thank you from both the VFW and the Auxiliary, and a copy of her art will be permanently displayed in the VFW building. ...

Liberty FCE met Sept. 2, with Lynn Wilhelm presiding. Betty Renegar served as this month’s hostess. Janie Pickle presented the devotion. Ardis Rittenberry read the call to order. Roll call include nine members present. Lynn Wilhelm, who presided over the meeting, also presented an education lesson, “Online Banking and Shopping.” Local extension agent, Whitney Danhoff, plans to meet with the club on Oct. 19, when she will present a program, “Holiday Traditions.”...

Community High School recently announced its 2020 football homecoming attendants. Seniors are Morgan Reid and Jacie Neeley; McCade Miller and Maggie Sanders; Nick Bridges and Korienne Beasley. Representing the junior class: Stratton Lovvorn and Lilly Dye; Riker Reid and Lida Phemgmany...

New Destiny Dog Rescue opened its Holiday House at 612 North Brittain St. (behind Pinnacle Bank) in September and will remain open each Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Dec.19. All proceeds benefit New Destiny Dog Rescue, a local nonprofit which assists with animals placed at city and county shelters...

With tears in her eyes recently, Joyce Adams accepted tokens of appreciation for her 16 years of services with the Caregiver Relief program of Bedford County. She says smiling how she will miss the families, but really is looking forward to such hobbies as sewing and making crafts. Most of all, she’s looking forward to rocking her new grand baby...

Caregiver Relief Program of Bedford County has been working to assist and comfort families affected by Alzheimer’s Disease for over 20 years. Services include free home visits by a registered nurse/program director who can assess the health and needs of clients and caregivers. Most importantly, they help families develop of plan of living...

Speaking of First Choice Pregnancy Center’s newest community program, director Angela Rasnick said recently, “COVID has caused us to think outside of the box on so many of our services and programs at First Choice and this is one of those ideas that evolved from a conversation I had with a young mother while we were walking at the park.”...

Shelbyville Fire Department recently gathered its team together in preparation for “Fire Prevention Week,” which is observed nationally Oct. 4-10. “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!" is this year’s theme.

Sonia Miller, director of the local Senior Citizens Center, says she always appreciates volunteers. Earlier this year, a new program started, MyRide Bedford County, which she says despite COVID-19, continues to move right along, especially due to volunteers like Ronnie and Edith Greenhagen...