Stories from Sunday, June 24, 2012

Ted Lewis began to dream of a thousand-year old land in 2003, not knowing then the connection he would make to the people of Thailand. "God, I'll go," he promised, "... but I don't have faith for that." Whom God calls, he equips, and within a few weeks he heard from International Prayer Ministries of Conyers, Ga. They needed someone to preach in Cambodia. Would he go?...

What do you call a cow that can't give milk? A milk dud, of course. What was the bull doing in the pasture with his eyes closed? The answer: Bull-dozin.' Those are two of several jokes Allison Massey of Wartrace delighted seniors with Wednesday morning as she spoke to members of the Senior Citizens Center. Allison, daughter of Amy and Jay Massey, is Bedford County's 2012 Dairy Month Chairman...

We just celebrated my granddaughter Kori's first birthday. It was a perfect celebration for a little girl. There was a perfect sized swimming pool for a one year old, a fancy sprinkler for her older cousin and friends to run through, and a miniature pony named Pedro to carry everyone around in the back yard. Kori's mama even took a turn...

It only took a few moments for the feline residents of the Bedford County Humane Society to express their gratitude for their newest toy. John Parker, a 15-year old Life Scout, along with his brothers Matthew and A. J., delivered two hand-crafted cat trees to the shelter, and soon the cats had curled up on the platform, purring their enjoyment...

Otis and Brenda England of Unionville are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Jessica England to Clarence William "Billy" Stem of Shelbyville. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Otis and Edna England of Columbia, and Pugh and Nancy Brannon of Chapel Hill. She is a graduate of Community High School and Middle Tennessee State University, where she majored in mathematics. Currently, she is employed by Hardees of Tullahoma as General Manager...

Jerry Lee and Tina Inabnitt, both of Lewisburg, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Crystal Marie Lee to Jason Conway Lynch, both of Shelbyville. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Ronnie Gibson of Spring Hill, Dean Cozart, and the late Virgil and Jennie Lee, all of Lewisburg...

Tony and Terri Mullican of Manchester are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Amber Lynch, to Curtis Shultz, both of Shelbyville. The future bride is the granddaughter of Kevin and Sue Lafarlett of Normandy, and is employed by National Pen in Shelbyville...

Dana Richardson of Murfreesboro and Barbara Hardison of Shelbyville are proud to announce the engagement of their daughter, Amber Leigh Richardson to Matthew Joel Simons, both of Shelbyville. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of John and Edna Richardson of Murfreesboro, and the late Annie Ruth Hardison. She graduated from MIddle Tennessee State University with honors in December of last year. Her degree is in Fashion Design and Small Business Management...

It may be home to MTS Taxi, but on Thursdays from fall to summer, 316 Holland St. is home to the highest-flying, most adrenaline-fueled act in town. You can feel the electricity as you walk up the ramp into the venue. Strobe lights and lasers dart across the dark floor as a dance song reverberates in the small arena. A genuine giant of a man marches through the locker room doorway...

In the Wednesday night class I attend, the ladies got a bit off topic, ruminating about what heaven will be like. "I know there will be singing and dancing, but what about after that? What else will we be doing?" There are of course, many mansions in heaven. What will those look like?...

The city's planning and codes department will soon be reorganized -- splitting into two separate sections. City manager Jay Johnson proposed to the council that one section be dedicated to planning and community development and the other focus solely on building and codes enforcement...

Shelbyville's council deferred action until next month on looking for state grant money to help with a costly utility relocation. Extensive renovations are planned for Railroad Avenue to improve truck access to the city's industrial area, which includes Newell-Rubbermaid, Gold River Feeds, Bemis, Calsonic-Kansei, Goggin, CBT and other firms...

Solar powered blue and red birds were stolen and a water fountain vandalized at an Apple Blossom Lane residence overnight Wednesday, according to police. A ring has been reported missing from a resident's room at Celebration Way, Union Street. The ring, made in the 1920s, is described as "very old in appearance," an old white gold setting with one diamond in the center...

The city's planning and codes department will soon be reorganized -- splitting into two separate sections. City manager Jay Johnson proposed to the council that one section be dedicated to planning and community development and the other focus solely on building and codes enforcement...

The Bedford County School Board gave approval to proceed with the first step in a grant process which could provide a school-based health care system to 14 local schools. In July and December 2011, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awarded a combined $109 million in competitive federal grants to school-based health centers (SBHCs) to 323 programs across the country...

Lovers of our local natural resources -- particularly fans of the Duck River -- know to reserve the last Saturday each June for participation in the annual Duck River cleanup. The project is an outreach of the Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee, and is faithfully co-chaired by Wayne Bomar and Helen Garner...

Horse trainer Joe Cotten has been suspended and fined for alleged actions at the Liberty Lions Club horse show earlier this month, according to a press release issued Saturday by the SHOW Horse Industry Organization. Cotten's suspension, effective immediately, will last for 7 ½ years -- until Dec. 21, 2019 -- said SHOW President Dr. Stephen L. Mullins. He has also been fined $5,000...

the bedford county sox 5-6 year champs at the 2012 shelbyville summer slam recieveing their trophy

the bedford county sox were the 5-6 year champions of the shelbyvilles 2012 summer slam tournament held last weekend. they were undefeated!

Danna Lynn Floyd, 39, of Shelbyville died Saturday, June 23, 2012. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Hillcrest Funeral Home. Burial will follow at New Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Monday. www.hillcrestfuneralhomeshelbyvilletn.com

Creating art is a very private pursuit for many artists. Some don't even think of their creations as artwork. Of course, this isn't the only reason that some artists' works are only recognized posthumously, but it's definitely a factor. Ben Cartwright was one of those folks who preferred to keep his artwork to himself and his family. "Daddy Ben," as his family called him, probably would've been more likely to tell you that he carved as a hobby, or that he was just good with his hands...