Stories from Sunday, July 15, 2012

More than 140 high school juniors from across Tennessee experienced an in-depth look at our nation's capital during the electric cooperative's 2012 Washington Youth Tour. Eleven students representing Duck River Electric Membership Corporation participated in the week-long tour of Washington, D.C., for writing winning short stories titled "Electric Cooperatives: iPower the Future," describing how locally owned, member-controlled electric cooperatives provide valuable community-building support in addition to reliable and affordable electric service. ...

Last week my parents and I went to Florida to visit my family. We stayed at my Nana and Papa's, who are both in their late 70's and have been married over 50 years. As most families did over the 4th of July holiday, we ate our fair share of watermelon...

Psalm 127:3-5 says: "Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them." I was sitting in my chair this morning with Charli on my left side and Kori on my lap. Charli was busy playing a game on my iPad and Kori, with a big smile on her face, was watching her older cousin at work...

One of the joys of summer is grilling outside. Hamburgers, barbecued chicken, steaks -- the smoky flavor and blackened grill marks give main dishes an extra boost of flavor that screams summer. To go along with these meats are many different side dishes -- slaws, beans, potato salads, pasta salads. The farmers' market is a great place to find inspiration for sides with fresh flavors that complement grilled meats...

United Way of Bedford County has partnered with the Bedford County School System, Walmart, Atmos Energy, First Baptist Church in Normandy, and more than 25 other supporters for this year's Stuff the School Bus campaign. The effort is to ensure that needy children in Bedford County have access to school supplies this school year. Residents can "stuff the bus" with donated school supplies, which are then donated to local schools in Bedford County to distribute to children in need...

Mr. and Mrs. Kenny Brown of Unionville are happy to announce the marriage of their daughter, Samantha Jo Brown of Unionville, to Andrew Clark Feldhaus, son of Mr. and Mrs. David Feldhaus, all of Shelbyville. The bride is the granddaughter of Eulene Brown of Shelbyville, the late Jim Brown, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Bert Manire...

Clayton "Buster" and Carol Moore of Bell Buckle are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Sarah Moore to Brian Tapp, both of Bell Buckle. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Clayton D. Moore of Bell Buckle and the late Mary Ruth Moore, and the late Julian and Mary Ruth Grubbs. She is a 2008 graduate of Cascade High School...

Sherry and Barry Frizzell, and John Payne, all of Shelbyville, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Lindsey Renee Payne to William Charles Ferrell Jr., both of Nashville. The future bride is the granddaughter of Dorothy and Tom Rowland of Shelbyville, Rachell and Connell Frizzell of Fairfield, the late Mary "Cookie" Steele Brown, the late Joe Norman, and the late Virgil Gilbert "Gibby" Payne Jr...

Jim and Paula Peissig of Shelbyville are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter, Elizabeth Rose Peissig to Phillip Brian Pyrdum, both of Murfreesboro. The bride is the granddaughter of Rose Danek of Shelbyville, and the late Joseph James, Joseph Danek, and Kenneth and Lucille Peissig...

The sound of children quietly yet enthusiastically pursuing their next adventure on paper excited Allen Shoffner during his recent visit to the Argie Cooper Public Library. After all, Shoffner, an 86-year-old gentleman -- gentleman -- who was born near Three Forks Bridge in Bedford County in 1926, understands the value of words, the value of education. ...

There's only one place Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Rex Brothers would rather be during the All-Star break other than playing for the National League in the game -- at home visiting his family. The former Community, Shelbyville Central,and Lipscomb left-hander had a chance to spend some quality time with his family this past week while taking a break form all the travel and pressure that comes along with being a major league baseball player...

After a wait of over a year and a half, Bedford County is now part of the Interlocal Solid Waste Authority (ISWA). Highway Superintendant Stanley Smotherman told the county's Solid Waste Authority that Bedford and Moore counties have been approved to join the group. He said the decision was announced at the monthly ISWA meeting in Fayetteville Wednesday night...

Shelbyville's city council will get together Tuesday evening at the Chamber of Commerce for a roundtable discussion. The mayor and council and the Chamber's Economic Development and Tourism Committee meet at 6 p.m. in the chamber auditorium, and will first hear a presentation of current development and tourism activities...

A "Different Kind of Horse-POWER" enhanced the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration Grounds in Shelbyville last month. The Celebration City Region of AACA was honored and excited to host the first AACA Grand National Meet in Tennessee along with the Southeastern Special Fall Meet on June 14-16...

LEWISBURG -- The former Shelbyville woman who ended her adoption of a 7-year-old Russian boy by putting him on a plane to Moscow by himself lost her bid Friday to keep from paying $150,000 in child support. Torry Hansen made her first court appearance Friday in a case that began in April 2010 when she sent Artyom Saveliev away from her home in Shelbyville with a letter that said he had violent behavior problems and she no longer wanted to be his mother...

On the heels of what many have termed a huge success, Phyllis and Jerry Clanton of Shelbyville have finally caught their breath after pulling off last month's AACA dual Grand National Meet and Southeastern Special Fall Meet. The event -- the first of its kind in Shelbyville -- drew thousands of patrons from 38 states. The Celebration City Region Car Club hosted the event on the grounds of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration...

Adrian "Geno" Piques and Teresa Ann Cobble, both of Shelbyville, are pleased to announce their engagement. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Burton and Nellie Cobble. Geno is a self-employed home improvement contractor. Teresa is employed by Christian Care Center...