Stories from Sunday, February 12, 2012

Thirty years ago, I was attending a ministry conference in Talladega, Ala., when I spied a beautiful young woman sitting across the room from me. I don't know if she noticed me, but I sure had a hard time taking my eyes off of her. I still remember what she was wearing too...

While on our life journey, we are met with many decisions about which paths we will follow. The signs along the way are enticing, yet scary. Fear of the unknown may keep us from traveling a path that is very intriguing to us. We may have chosen the path of least resistance. ...

Sweet, nutty, starchy and full of flavor, the parsnip is a jewel of the winter vegetables. Brought to America by the first settlers from Europe, it has not become a well-known and used vegetable here as the potato reigns supreme in most American kitchens. However, you will be amazed by this flavorful powerhouse and the versatility it brings to your winter dishes...

Tom Bierovic was a middle school English teacher in Wheaton, Ill., but he knew how to manage money, and soon found some success trading in stocks and commodities. "I had some ideas about trading," he said. In fact, he was so successful at it that he developed a second career, writing three books on the subject, including "Playing for Keeps in Stocks and Futures: Three Top Trading Strategies that Consistently Beat the Markets," released in 2001 and still available from booksellers...

The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration search committee is seeking a new chief executive officer. The open position comes as a result of current CEO Dr. Doyle Meadows announcing his intent to resign two months ago. Meadows informed the Celebration's board of directors last December that his tenure as CEO will come to an end in October, 2012, following this year's Celebration...

WINCHESTER -- Shelbyville Central (14-14, 5-5 8-AAA) connected for seven treys against Franklin County (18-11, 8-2 8-AAA) and still came up just a bit short against the Rebelettes on Friday night, 60-43. Eaglette freshman Sarah Beth Martin drilled a trio of trifectas to keep the game close, but in the end a 22-point second quarter proved to be the difference in the game...

WINCHESTER -- After an evenly-matched first half, the Shelbyville Golden Eagles (6-20, 2-8 8-AAA) broke the game open with a 40-point second half to down the Franklin County Rebels (9-18, 1-9 8-AAA) 66-49 on Friday night. Only leading by one point after one half of play, the Eagles found their scoring rhythm in the third quarter and banked 21 points against the Rebels...

MURFREESBORO -- The third time was the charm when it came to Cascade's attempt to defeat the Eagleville Lady Eagles this season. Luckily for the Lady Champs, that third time came in the opening round of the District 9-A tournament on Friday night. In perhaps their best game in several weeks, the No. 5 Lady Champs (17-10, 7-7 9-A) booted the No. 4 Lady Eagles from the tournament with a 59-55 win...

MURFREESBORO -- One out of three ain't so bad after all. Forrest swept the regular season series but coach Allison Martin's Community Viqueens won the one that counted the most with a 36-30 win in the opening round of the District 9-A tournament on Friday night. The win insures the Purple and Gold a berth in the region tournament just as they are peaking as a team...

A top representative of the U.S. State Department was in Tennessee this week to discuss a law dealing with the state's refugee resettlement program. The Refugee Absorptive Capacity Act, which originated from the desk of State Sen. Jim Tracy, became law last July. It's the first bill of its kind...

Bedford County School Superintendent Dr. Ray Butrum said the approval last week of waivers for the requirements of the No Child Left Behind act had been expected, and won't change the way schools are operating. President Barack Obama announced on Thursday that waivers from some of the law's requirements were being granted to 10 states which had requested them, including Tennessee...

With barely enough members for a quorum, the Bedford County Solid Waste Authority met briefly on Thursday evening to go over business. The meeting was held in the hallway of the Bedford County Business Complex due to no meeting room being available. Solid Waste Coordinator Gay Ervin briefed members on action to be taken by Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation over a dumping site on Highway 64 and Sims Road, where the land owner could be fined $1,000 a day until it is cleaned up. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely)