Feature Stories

During the winter of 1963-1964, there was tremendous snowfall in Unionville. The snow was so heavy that its weight on the little barn-like gymnasium at Community School was permanently damaged. The County Court, as the county commission was called then, and County Judge Mac Farrar issued a $100,000 capital bond to begin construction on a new gym at Community. It was going to take the efforts of the community to build a new structure that would provide greater opportunities for its students...

"Nature-inspired colors," "beautiful details" and "elegant comfort" were descriptive words used by local clothier Jennifer Jordan Thompson, emcee for Shelbyville Woman's Club's recent fashion show at Riverbend Country Club. Owner of J Jordan Boutique, Thompson previewed lots of rich sweater colors, pairing each with the newest cropped pant. She announced sweater offerings now come in "one size fits all."...

For the past 50 years -- including 46 in Shelbyville -- Bible & Literature Missionary Foundation has been printing Bibles, Bible excerpts and tracts for disribution around the world. The ministry will celebrate its golden anniversary this week at its scripture conference, which runs Monday through Thursday. ...

When I think of fall (and I think we're finally starting to get some fall weather here), it conjures up foods that are hearty and roasted until browned on the outside with warm flavors like cinnamon or maple. For me that means butternut squash and root vegetables like beets...

Members of the community gathered Sept. 29 at the VFW Post hall in Shelbyville for the POW/MIA Recognition Ceremony. The ceremony was conducted by Rolling Thunder Tennessee One, and paid tribute to the 3,344 World War I, 78,287 World War II, 67,734 Korean War, 1,617 Vietnam War and 120 Cold War Veterans and civilians who remain missing in action or prisoners of war. ...

The Bedford County Family and Community Education Clubs held their Taste and Tell Luncheon honoring the Club Presidents and County Council Officers for the year. As in the past, they've been kind enough to share their recipes with us. Helen Williams, Shelbyville FCE...

Individuals living with dementia often experience changes in behavior that can be confusing to friends and family. For caregivers and professionals, learning to decode messages through attitude, tone of voice, facial expressions and body language can help both parties to connect and communicate in meaningful ways...

Jimmy Snow, son of legendary country entertainer Hank Snow as well as a pastor and entrepreneur, will be at Victory Celebration Revival Church, 1000 Colloredo Blvd., next Sunday, Oct. 14, both in the regular 10:30 a.m. worship services and at 6 p.m...

Here is a rundown of some of the agencies that provide support for cancer patients (or, in one case, mammograms for those concerned by might have breast cancer). Bedford Cancer Foundation is a local not-for-profit which assists qualified cancer patients who are residents of Bedford County. Assistance is usually a monetary gift to help with day to day expenses...

There are a number of ways doctors can test for breast abnormalities, including simple physical exams and family history assessments to X-rays and other radiation screenings to find a tumor, pinpoint a problem area or determine how far cancer has spread...

In 1966, Bob Dylan, who had scandalized his fans the previous year by "going electric," traveled to Nashville, home of the Grand Ole Opry, to record one of the greatest rock albums of all time. Shelbyville native Daryl Sanders, who has spent decades in Nashville writing about the music business, got to know many of the legendary studio musicians who played on the album, and has written magazine and newspaper stories about it. ...

Jayden Jackson had a pretty good summer. She was named Young Miss Bedford County Fairest of the Fair, her third straight year to win her age division in the pageant. And then, she won not one but two world championship titles at this year's Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. ...

The Xi Alpha Zeta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met at the home of Joan Gray for its annual Taste and Tell dinner meeting in September. Members brought a dish and a recipe to share at the meeting. Elaine Reed was co-hostess for the event. Here are the recipes:...

Whitney Danhof conducts a Tai Chi class at the Senior Citizens Center on Friday mornings. The program, sponsored by the University of Tennessee/Tennessee State University Extension, is based on "Tai Chi for Arthritis" by Dr. Paul Lam, an Australian physician. Anyone can join the class on Friday mornings at the Senior Citizens Center from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m...

Two residents of Carriage House Assisted Living on Colloredo Boulevard were the recipients, earlier this month, of Quilts of Valor. The Quilts of Valor program provides hand-made quilts to provide comfort to active service members and to veterans who have been touched by war. ...

Plans are already well underway for one of Bedford County's most unique and rustic annual events, the 17th annual Halls Mill Sorghum Squeeze. This one-day festival will be held Oct. 6 at 225 Paschal Road in Halls Mill (if you're using a GPS or smartphone mapping system, input 225 Paschal Road, Unionville). Activities begin at 9 a.m...

The horse show is over and the winner crowned. The children are back in school. The white pants are packed away until spring. Yes, it's the beginning of fall and that means fall flavors on the table. Nothing says fall better than acorn squash. Just the name conjures up visions of colorful leaves and scampering squirrels...

The Fly Community Theatre will present Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" Sept. 7-8 and 14-16 at The Fly Arts Center. Show times are 7 p.m. for Friday and Saturday performances, 2 p.m. for the Sunday matinee on Sept. 16. Miller, writing in the early 1950s, used the Salem, Massachusetts witch trials of 1692 and 1693 as an allegory for McCarthyism. ...

Imagine being born into a country where you were denied the right to vote just because you were a woman. That was primarily the situation for most American women prior to August 18, 1920, when Tennessee became the last state that could possibly ratify the 19th Amendment. The 72-year struggle for women to become enfranchised became a reality with Tennessee's action which enshrined their right to vote in all elections in the U.S. Constitution...

At 7 a.m. on the first day of the 80th Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration, Chris Garrett was already in the fourth hour of his work day. Garrett works for Joe Lester Stables. The first round of classes of the day was scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Garrett likes his job because he loves the horses. "Taking care of horses doesn't feel like a real job," he said...

The Bedford County Crush just wrapped up the clay target year with regional, state and national competitions. With a team comprised of students throughout Bedford County's middle, high, and home schools, they have competed all year, to get to this stage. And quite the stage it proved to be!...

Eugene Ray has been a part of county government for decades, serving as a county commissioner for 28 years and then as county mayor for the past 12 years. He served as chairman of the county commission while he was a commissioner and then continued in that role after being elected Bedford County's first African-American mayor...

Liberty School is the place to be on Sundays at 5:30 p.m. for a great workout. This class is designed to help improve coordination, speed, agility, strength, quickness, helping with imbalances in muscles, and overall athleticism in athletes ages 7 and up. Athletes will also learn about health and nutrition as well as the importance of stretching. This class is taught by Jeremy Byrd...

Ever heard of Porcupine Sliders? It sounds like something from the Outback. But actually, it was a creative recipe developed by a group of student chefs, through an event sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). While researching a school nutrition story recently, I ran across this great mini cookbook filled with nutritious recipes prepared by students across the country...

Scott Dorsett, with 10 years as director of athletics and personal finance teacher at The Webb School in Bell Buckle, was recognized by The Webb School Parents' Association with the 2018 WSPA Faculty Enrichment Award. Ashlea Shepard, WSPA president, presented the award at the opening of school recognition dinner on Aug. 8...

On July 18, Fairview FCE Club met in the Flat Creek area at the home of John and Jean Hill. The Hills moved to Shelbyville from the north. They had visited Wilmington, North Carolina, several years ago and saw a bottle chapel there. Jean had a strong desire to build one in their yard. ...

Shelbyville Police Department and Bedford County Sheriff's Department hosted National Night Out on Tuesday, bringing together a variety of local agencies for a night of fun and fellowship. National Night Out events are intended to help build communication and partnerships between law enforcement and the community...

Young engineers are often expected to know aspects of the job they may not yet be familiar with, and one of the biggest challenges they face is pinpointing where to find answers to their questions or identifying the best person to ask, according to Austin Voorhes of Bedford County, a senior mechanical design engineer at Arnold Air Force Base...

Food trucks are all the rage today. And we're not talking just concession fast food but gourmet dishes from a portable restaurant. When I go to the Franklin Farmers Market I used to always stop by one of the trucks for a crepe -- sometimes savory and sometimes sweet but always fun and interesting with fresh ingredients from the market. Apples and brie cheese or roasted sweet potatoes, it was always good. Unfortunately the truck is no longer in operation...

Seroberto Moreno, 20, of Culleoka, a student at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville, recently participated in the SkillsUSA Championships. This event, by invitation only, was for first place state medalists in 100 competition areas for career and technical students. It is the largest skill competition in the world...

The annual "Stuff the School Bus" drive was a great success this season as United Way of Bedford County teamed with Bedford County Board of Education to collect school supplies. Yellow boxes were furnished around town during the month of July. The official date for "Stuff the School Bus" was July 28 at the Walmart in Shelbyville...

Shelbyville resident Jim Probasco, under the pen name J.J. Probasco, has published a new novel, "What Happens On The Mountain." The thriller is the story of a family that moves to the mountains of New Mexico to escape the stresses of military life and memories of personal tragedies, but finds that escape just isn't that easy...

People’s Choice winners from the 2018 Fairest Of The Fair pageant were recognized during the opening ceremonies of Bedford County Fair, along with a presentation to Homes of Hope of money raised during the pageant. Rex Bicknell accepted the check on behalf of Homes of Hope from winners Evelyn Adams, Alexis Krieg and Emma Whitaker.

Lisa Smith won't have far to move her desk items when she makes her transition from the Bedford County Circuit Court Clerk Michelle Murray's office to Shelbyville City Hall on Aug. 13. She has been hired as the new city recorder. "I've been teased a bit for leaving the county for the city," said Smith. "But Michelle has been very understanding. She knows this is a good move ... job that will assist me as I move toward retirement."...

Arnold Engineering Development Complex team member Tracy Carter is leading a service project crocheting beanies for veterans at the Alvin C. York Campus of the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System in Murfreesboro. Carter, a management and program assistant for the Test Systems Sustainment Division at Arnold Air Force Base, said she enjoys supporting area veterans and has been part of the VA Picnic Committee since she started her position at Arnold...

Shelbyville FCE Club fed lunch to the Bedford County Fair judging team. Members present were (standing) Bonnie Saunders, Linda Rucker, Helen Williams and Lucile Sorrells. To ensure fairness, the fair recruits judges from other counties for the various home ec, produce and art competitions.