Stories from Sunday, May 13, 2012

Kelly Mayo, 29, knows motherhood to be a gift. In her mind, God chooses each mother -- individually -- for each child He brings to the world. For some mothers, the process of raising a child is mostly a blessing. For some, loss and heartache are also part of the package...

I have a bookmark that I keep in one of my devotionals that reads, "I am among you as one who serves. Jesus." That simple note is a constant reminder to me that I too am to be a servant. As one of Jesus' disciples I am to follow His example. As a husband, a father, a grandfather, a pastor, and a friend, I am among you as one who serves...

Every year my family vacations in August at a cottage in Muskegon, Mich., along the shore of Lake Michigan. Western Michigan's beaches are beautiful with the sand and fresh water rolling in with no jellyfish or crabs or sharks to worry about so it's great for swimming. ...

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen L. Allen of Lewisburg are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Megan Suzanne Allen to George Daniel Townes, II, son of Ms. Susan Burke Townes of Brentwood, and Mr. and Mrs. George Daniel Townes of Shelbyville. The future bride is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Lee Allen, and Mrs. Charles Edward "Bay" Roberts and the late Mr. Roberts, all of Lewisburg...

It's an unfortunate, but true realization. You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn't been affected by cancer in some way. It's the great equalizer that can bring anyone to their knees. But, it also can show how strong a person is, and how great the community around them can rally when called upon...

The Bedford Against Drugs Community Coalition held its bi-annual prescription drug take recently. More than 158 pounds of unwanted, unused prescription drugs were claimed by the coalition and disposed of by the Drug Enforcement Agency. Bedford County was also given a Prescription Drug Take Back Box that came from the Office of Environmental Assistance. ...

The Nashville Symphony had been coming to Shelbyville for two or three years when there was a change in sponsorship, and the late Scott McDonald -- whose bank was the new principal sponsor -- decided to form a local steering committee for the event. ...

Following Motlow's largest graduation in the history of the College, the dean's list and honor roll announcement for the spring 2012 semester reveals more than 800 students achieving academic excellence according to Dr. MaryLou Apple, president of Motlow...

The National FFA Organization awarded a $1,000 Archer Daniels Midland Company scholarship to Ashleigh Nash of Cascade High School's FFA chapter. Nash plans to use the funds to pursue a degree at the University of Tennessee at Martin. The scholarship is one of 1,539 awarded through the National FFA Scholarship Program this year. ...

TULLAHOMA -- Defensive miscues proved to be costly in Harris Middle's 10-6 loss to host Tullahoma in an elimination game of the Central Tennessee Conference Tournament on Friday evening. The Eaglettes committed seven errors in the field and that proved to be more than the offense could overcome...

Saying the Golden' Eagles tennis team has had a great season would be an understatement. Just last week, Shelbyville knocked off 8-AAA top dual team Columbia to claim the district crown and advance to the region. Hoping to continue their Cinderella trek even farther into the postseason, the Eagles traveled to Oakland on Friday afternoon, seeking another upset victory...

Baseball is on the rise throughout Bedford County and no program has more promise than the Community Vikings after posting 16 wins, the most for the Purple and Gold since 1999. The Vikings (16-16, 6-6 District 9-A) amassed the win total with a roster stocked with nine underclassmen and played one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the mid-state, taking on teams such as Smyrna, Murfreesboro Central, South Pittsburg, CPA, Summertown and Sequatchie County...

The Times-Gazette recently picked up more awards than any other newspaper in the state at The Tennessee Press Association's annual Ideas Contest held last week in Gatlinburg. This competition brings together Tennessee newspapers' best advertising and circulation work from 2011 to be judged by another state's press association...

The county's solid waste authority deferred a request from a couple wanting to start a trash collection service in the Unionville community so that members can reexamine their past actions. Amy and Craig Hand made the request Thursday to start the service, which would involve about 20 households. They explained that many residents only own cars, not trucks, and didn't want to put the trash into their vehicles...

In August of 2010, Michelle Sutter suffered a devastating loss -- her husband Rick died, in his sleep, of complications from a service-connected injury. They had been high school sweethearts; Rick asked Michelle out three days after her 15th birthday, yelling "WILL YOU GO OUT WITH ME?" from across the football field...

The Times-Gazette is proud to reveal the winner of its Mommy and Me photo contest, which honored mothers and their children of all ages by capturing special moments on camera. All contest photos were published in a special Mother's Day section Tuesday, May 8...

"Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success." -- Henry Ford I'm happy to be home in Shelbyville now that session is over and I am no longer needed in Nashville full time. It was a great year in the Tennessee State Legislature as we passed many bills that will make living in Tennessee even better. I am very proud of all that we accomplished this session. We ended on May 1st, a little earlier than last year which saved taxpayers nearly $200,000...

A good friend of mine achieved another rung on what she thought was her career path last year. Her education, experience and drive made her a perfect fit for the job. But it was all-consuming, and she has a son at home and a husband who both miss her energy...

Statistically, about a hundred women receive a diagnosis of breast cancer each year in Bedford County. Over time, that represents a significant amount of the population in a county our size. From the moment of diagnosis, "It's frightening," said Julie Smith, who was diagnosed in 2008. "I think at first you just go into a fog, it's just overwhelming."...

Barbara Ann Wallace, 78, of Shelbyville died Friday, May 11, 2012 at Middle Tennessee Medical Center following an extended illness. Per Ms. Wallace's wishes, her remains will be cremated. No services are planned at this time. Doak-Howell Funeral Home is handling arrangements.