Stories from Wednesday, July 5, 2006

Dick Poplin, whose "Scraps of Poplin" column in the Times-Gazette enriched the lives of Bedford County readers for decades, died Monday following a battle with liver cancer. He was 87. It had been less than a month since Poplin's June 7 farewell column, in which he explained his absence during the preceding weeks and announced his cancer to readers....

A man's life is comprised of events and moments woven together to create a tapestry of memories. For over 30 years, Richard Rufus "Dick" Poplin wrote about the memories that made up his life. On Monday, Dick passed from this earthly life, leaving behind family and friends who will greatly miss him...

Being anchored in concrete wasn't enough to keep the safe at Sally Beauty Supply, North Main Street, from being stolen overnight Friday. The amount of money taken was undetermined, police said, but four customers' personal checks were in the safe. Entry was gained through a back door which an employee noticed appeared to have been tampered with, Officer Charles A. Merlo said. No other signs of forced entry were noted...

James "Coach Jimmy Dee" Darden has announced his candidacy for a seventh district seat on Bedford County Board of Commissioners in the Aug. 3 general election. Darden is a retired employee of the U.S. Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Center, for which he worked 23 years. Prior to that, he worked at Uniroyal in Shelbyville for 17 years. He is a graduate of Burt High School, Austin Peay State University and the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa's continuing education program...

With the Bedford County Fair set for July 23-29, leaders of the annual celebration of rural life and community are calling for applications from area residents to participate in the programs. And that's the case with Bedford County Idol, a local opportunity for performers to be in the bright lights and display hidden talents, according to director Hilda Wood...

I can't believe I missed the fact that Neil Armstrong talked to "60 Minutes" last November. I don't normally watch the show, but when I saw the promos for last Sunday's broadcast I became excited. After all, when it comes to shunning publicity, Armstrong has been in a league with J.D. Salinger and the late Greta Garbo. But if Harper Lee can write a letter about her love of books for Oprah Winfrey's magazine (which she did), then I suppose Armstrong can talk to Ed Bradley...

Scattered thoughts, written as the fireworks blasts fade to stillness in the final minutes of Independence Day: I couldn't help reflecting on that as, while walking through the midst of Shelbyville's July 4 observance at Griffin Park, often the predominant language I heard was Spanish...

At least 30 people registered to vote on Monday, the last day to register before the Aug. 3 election which includes state and federal primaries, Bedford County's general election and Bell Buckle's city election. The number of people eligible to vote here next month will probably exceed the 20,761 noted by Andrew Robertson, assistant elections administrator for Bedford County, because some registration forms will be received by mail with Monday's postmark...