When I was a freshman at Community High School umpteen years ago, Ardis Rittenberry-Caffey was my Algebra I teacher. I missed her when she later transferred to Shelbyville Central High School. When I worked at the T-G back in the 1980s and 90s, I would see her when I covered events at SCHS. Nothing compares to that smile of hers...

My Dad has always been the soup maker in our family. He loves to make chili with the left over prime rib from Christmas dinner. In Florida, he makes gumbo with the fresh shrimp. When I was growing up, I remember Potato and Leek Soup and Split Pea Soup with Ham often on the menu...

Two weeks ago, I ran a column in this section titled "So You Got An Instant Pot For Christmas...", with dos and don'ts for first-time users of any brand of electric pressure cooker. I hesitated to write the column, because I'd done several other pressure cooker-related stories over the past few years and thought it might be overkill. ...

At the beginning of the year a lot of us think about what we can be doing better, or at least different, in the year ahead. We try to improve ourselves. I know that I do. I work hard at being a good person. I try my best, and I pray about it all the time...

The new movie "Aquaman," starring Jason Momoa, is getting rave reviews. I don't seem to get to movie theatres very often lately, but from the previews I have seen, I might have to make an exception. I've enjoyed several of the "Justice League," inspired movies, and this one looks very interesting and filled with special effects...

In the spirit of the new year and many folks having the desire to eat a little lighter, I thought I'd lighten things up myself by sharing one of my favorite go-to salads that anyone can make and even share with a crowd if desired. It's nothing fancy, but it is a quick, tasty and nutritious dinner for anyone on the go -- and it features one of my all-time favorite greens, spinach...

It's time to brush up on your knowledge of speakeasies, bathtub gin, demon rum, homebrew, bootlegging and other icons of the Roaring Twenties. January 16 marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the Eighteenth Amendment, which set in motion the criminalization of the production, importation, transportation and sale of alcoholic beverages a year later...

Romny Felts of Bedford County has been named to the Dean's List at the College of Coastal Georgia, in Brunswick, Georgia, for high academic performance during the Fall 2018 semester. The students named to the Dean's List achieved a GPA of between 3.5 to 3.99 while enrolled as full-time students in the given term...

More than 5,170 Middle Tennessee State University students are included on the latest Dean's List for their academic achievements for the fall 2018 semester. To qualify for the Dean's List, a student must maintain a current semester grade-point average of 3.5 or above and earn at least 12 semester hours...

Donations for the Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library Building Fund, Memorial Fund and Memorial Books have been made in memory of: John Miller Dement by SCHS Class of 1947 Bob Fullerton by Nancy June Brandon Jeff and Gregg Gibson by Nancy June Brandon...

Liberty FCE Club met Dec. 17. Sara Kelly called the meeting to order. Roll was called with 13 members present. Minutes were read and approved. In the sunshine report, Sara Kelly, Bonnye Catron and Debbie Parker had anniversaries. Volunteer hours and donations were recorded. ...

Heart of the Home FCE Club met December 13 at Southern Charm in Bell Buckle for their holiday party. Members enjoyed the great food prepared at this nostalgic tearoom. Reminders were the Leader Training and County Council Meeting on Jan. 4, 2019, 9 and 10 a.m. respectively, at the UT/TSU Extension Office in Shelbyville, which Mignon Spence with attend...

If you have "white coat syndrome" when visiting the doctor, then it's possible that a home-like setting which fronts a horse pasture and an open sky may be just what the doctor -- or in this case, the family nurse practitioner -- ordered. "In two of our rooms, you can see horses and also airplanes come in," said Kristin Pinkston McBay, a board-certified FNP. "It is very uplifting to be able to see the side of nature out there."...

FirstBank on Madison Street is a platinum sponsor of United Way of Bedford County, contributing $1,000 and conducting an employee fundraising campaign. From left are Jonathan Boyce of FirstBank; United Way executive director Mark McGee; and Daryl O’Neal of FirstBank, who also serves on the United Way board. For more information about United Way, go to http://unitedwaybedford.org. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney)

Murfreesboro Medical Clinic has announced Brian Smith, M.D. as the newest addition to its gastroenterology department. Smith is a board certified Gastroenterologist who is skilled in general adult gastroenterology, including colon cancer screenings. ...

Ronnie Fletcher was honored recently for 15 years of service to Shelbyville-based Big G Express. Fletcher works in the maintenance shop. (Submitted photo)

Peoples Bank of Middle Tennessee recently held a drawing for a $500 cash prize drawn from customers who converted from paper statements to electronic statements. William Daugherty was the winner. Congratulating Daugherty are bank president Mike Rittenberry and customer service representative Barbie Parker. (Submitted photo)

James W. Ayers, executive chairman of FirstBank, has been presented the Horatio Alger Award by the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education. ...

“Holidays without Hunger” food boxes were bought at Food Lion by customers to assist those in need with food this holiday season. A total of 700 boxes were donated to Good Samaritan and The American Legion. From left are store manager Georgette Henderson and sales associates Mary Antosh and Jen Garrett. (Submitted photo)

Central High students work together to feed hungry Shelbyville Central High School students collected more than 22,000 cans of food in this school year's Great Canned Food Drive held Nov. 12-19. The food was donated to Good Samaritan Food Bank, First Choice Pregnancy Center, New Destiny Dog Rescue and many area church food banks...

A 45-foot customized bus will bring the exciting worlds of politics and mass communication to MTSU as C-SPAN's "Southern Swing" makes a stop in Murfreesboro. The bus and its interactive exhibits will be accessible from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Wednesday in the parking lot of the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building. Access to the bus is free and open to the public...

When I was a freshman at Community High School umpteen years ago, Ardis Rittenberry-Caffey was my Algebra I teacher. I missed her when she later transferred to Shelbyville Central High School. When I worked at the T-G back in the 1980s and 90s, I would see her when I covered events at SCHS. Nothing compares to that smile of hers...

Romny Felts of Bedford County has been named to the Dean's List at the College of Coastal Georgia, in Brunswick, Georgia, for high academic performance during the Fall 2018 semester. The students named to the Dean's List achieved a GPA of between 3.5 to 3.99 while enrolled as full-time students in the given term...

The Webb School in Bell Buckle will open its campus on Jan. 21 for Visitors' Day to host prospective students and their families. The daylong event begins at 9 a.m. with registration and breakfast and concludes at 3 p.m. The schedule includes the daily chapel program and also a tour of the 150-acre campus, led by a current Webb student. ...

Bedford County Board of Commissioners, meeting Tuesday night, approved an increase in the Adequate Facilities Tax on new residential construction, from $1 to $1.33 per square foot, which did not sit well with some real estate agents and builders attending the meeting...