Stories from Friday, June 10, 2011

As Charlie Pope can attest, there's more than one way to skin a cat. Leading young people down the proper path in life doesn't have to involve being a boys basketball coach. With that in mind, Pope decided to swap in his coach's whistle for the opportunity to be a house parent at Arrowhead Ranch in Normandy on Cortner Road...

The spotted beauties are back. Calsonic Arena is hosting the Tennessee Pony of the Americas club show Saturday and Sunday. These POAs enjoyed an afternoon run in one of the many paddocks on the Just Foalin' Around Farm in Bedford County, owned by the Haynes family. POAs are like scaled-down Appaloosas, but also carry strains of Shetland pony, Arabian and other breeds. Classes begin at 8 a.m. each day and admission is free.

Earlier this month Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined with First Lady Michelle Obama and Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin to introduce the USDA's new food icon -- MyPlate -- a simple reminder to make healthy food choices. Local nutritionists and dieticians applaud this move to replace the familiar Food Pyramid...

When Ed Gray first entered the teaching profession in 1966, he said, the emphasis was on teaching children to be good citizens and productive members of society. Much has changed over the past four decades. Today, schools must educate children in preparation for high-tech jobs that don't even exist yet. Children are accustomed to electronic communications from an early age, and teachers must use high-tech tools to keep and hold their attention...

It's scorching hot, and Shelbyville's city council took action Thursday evening to relieve the heat in two city buildings. The council will seek bids for major repairs to the Desert Air system at the Shelbyville Recreation Center at a cost of about $45,000...

Interviews are scheduled next week for five applicants for the job of Shelbyville city manager. City recorder Betty Lamb told city council members this week she has set up two interview sessions for Tuesday and Thursday of next week, starting at 6 p.m.. in the courtroom of the city's police department...

Tennessee Titans radio announcer Mike Keith was the keynote speaker for Thursday night's Steak & Chicken Dinner to benefit the newly-formed Boys & Girls Club of Bedford County. Adults were served chicken, while children who are members of the club received steak. Club member Promise McWhirter served as an enthusiastic emcee for the event....

Billy Joe Redd, 82, of Shelbyville died Friday at NHC Healthcare Oakwood in Lewisburg. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Willow Mount Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Sunday.

James Randolph Lewis, 88, died Friday at his home after an extended illness. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Tom Henry will officiate. Per his request, his remains were cremated.

James "Jimmy" Clanton, 70, of Rockvale died Thursday at Heritage Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. Friday at Fair Haven Baptist Church with Charles Williams and Willard Nelson officiating. Private burial will be at Willow Mount Cemetery at a later time. Doak-Howell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.