Stories from Sunday, June 7, 2009

In an earlier column, I discussed how much trouble my own name has given me over the years. I also said I would never give one of my children a name that is hard to pronounce or made up. So, here I am, at 14 weeks of pregnancy, trying to decide on a baby name with my husband. We don't know yet if we are having a boy or a girl, but considering I was almost eight months pregnant before my 6-year-old daughter, Tessa, was named, I thought we might need to get a head start...

I've spent the week getting my two youngest boys packed and ready for their upcoming trips. Ben will be headed off to Webb School, where he gets to participate in this year's Tennessee Shakespeare Festival, and Buzz is off to church camp. I won't see either of them for a week, by which time I may have recovered from packing ... You'd think Bell Buckle was Outer Mongolia, based on the items my now-17-year-old wanted to take...

I'm often amazed by the way some men prioritize their spending, compared to most wise women. A man might ignore the leaking roof, the broken garage door, or the molding he forgot to finish, only to turn around seconds later to state a case as to why he "needs" a new toy...

There's one thing that ignites great excitement in Gay Ervin, her daughter Amy Massey, granddaughter Allison Massey, and just about the entire Ervin family. This thing is not really a thing, actually. Rather, it's short, red, stocky and has big and beautiful eyes. And it produces a quality product that recently has been named the official drink of Tennessee...

One might call it the Shelbyville connection. Shelbyville Central High looks to be well represented in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft later this week. Three former Golden Eagles are projected to be drafted, quite a statement for the Central baseball program...

Children in the Bedford County School Age Care Program rode a "chicken bus" into Guatemala this week. So, it wasn't exactly Guatemala, but it was a reasonable facsimile at Fairlane Church of Christ at what they are calling a learning center. "This is our first year doing it," said Iris Whitney, a member of the church who was in charge of designing the center. "It started in Dallas, but we got the idea from a church in Smyrna. This is the second learning center in Tennessee."...

It's time again for the Times-Gazette's annual salute to the fathers of Bedford County. Let your dad know you love him by submitting a story about your father and a photo of dad and the family to be included in the section at no charge. We're looking for written remembrances, photos and other material to include in the section, which is scheduled to be published Tuesday, June 16. Father's Day is Sunday, June 21...

In celebration of June Dairy Month, 4-Hers will be busy throughout the month with fun activities celebrating all things dairy. One of the highlights on the schedule will take place Wednesday morning, and the public is welcome to join in all the fun...

Construction on the new Community High School is nearing completion and the finishing touches will be done within 10 days, said Terry Hollingsworth, construction manager for American Constructors, Inc. On Thursday, Hollingsworth and his crew were finishing up paint and working on the school theater's seating, while other subcontractors worked on electrical work and tested out the school's fire alarm system...

Some visitors to the Trainers' Show Friday night saw what is becoming an all-too familiar sight in the walking horse world -- classes with only one or two horses competing. It is a trend owner Ira Kilbern of Kentucky is afraid will destroy the industry...

"I think I see it going under water," said an excited William Taylor, 6, who was watching his bobber with his father, Lamont. The two were participating in the "Take a Kid Fishing on the Duck" event Saturday at Riverwalk Park in Shelbyville. "I'm just having fun catching fish, and the chance of getting a prize for catching a fish," William said. "Good thing you reminded me, Dad, because I almost totally forgot about it."...

To the editor: God's word says life begins in the womb. In 2nd Timothy 2:15 we are told to study God's word, not just casually read it. In a letter to the editor of May 31 a writer evidently failed to follow these instructions. He ridiculed a previous writer as being uneducated or able to read when he himself seems to be guilty of these things...

When browsing through the latest "Relish," which will be included in the June 12 Times-Gazette, I was immediately drawn to the first two recipes, which were both quick pasta tosses. I love quick and I love Italian, particularly pasta dishes with lots of cheese. After a long day at work, who's in the mood to fuss over a complicated dinner? Not me. Yet, most of the time, I still want to enjoy a homemade, comforting, fresh, and flavorful meal...