Stories from Sunday, December 2, 2012

At age 5, Vivon Ward is the youngest child, and the only one from Bedford County, ever to attend NASA's Science Engineering, Math and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA), a nationwide program which has had a presence in Tennessee since 2004. The Thomas Magnet School kindergartener, son of Teaquicia Ward and Kieran Ward, is interested in space...

Independent Television Service (ITVS), Nashville Public Television (NPT) and the Nashville Public Library bring director Neil Berkeley's award-winning documentary "Beauty is Embarrassing,' a film focusing on the life of renowned puppeteer and artist Wayne White, to Community Cinema at the downtown Nashville Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 15...

Joshua Edd and Leigh Ann Young are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Charleigh Ann Young. She was born on Oct. 11, 2012 at Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro. She weighed 7 pounds and 1 ounce. Her grandparents are Rev. Jay and Barbara Pope of Shelbyville; Norma Wix of Shelbyville; and Ricky Young of McMinnville...

Brad and Amy McGee of Shelbyville are proud to announce the birth of their son, Piercen Davis McGee. He was born on Nov. 1, 2012 at Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro. He weighed 7 pounds, and was 19 1/2 in. long...

I find the recent decision to end the contract of Dr. Ray Butrum as director of schools is discouraging. Introduction of new leadership can always be challenging, but it appears to me that Dr. Butrum came with an eager commitment to provide each child in Bedford County the highest educational opportunity possible...

Dear editor: Please speak to your county commissioner re: the purchasing of Regions Bank, which goes up for auction Monday. Let them know they have a very important decision to make which will affect us all now and in the future. The Regions Bank building can provide much needed space for county offices which otherwise may be forced to move to another location. ...

Consider the Shelbyville square and immediate surrounding area. It's a gem -- one maybe needing a little polishing in places but, nevertheless, a gem. Whether it sparkles or fades in the future depends, to a large extent, on cooperation among its merchants (who are working hard to keep it alive) support from residents of Bedford County and a progressive outlook from elected and appointed county officials...

THIS IS IVAN ROBERT KULICK, SON OF JACOB & RACHEAL KULICK. LOVES TO SMILE FOR NANA WE LOVE YOU BABY BOY!

THIS IS MARLI ANMARIELINES BAUMAN, DAUGHTER OF MIKE & KAYLA BAUMAN. SHE LOVES TO POSE FOR NANA WE LOVE YOU BABY GIRL!

THIS IS ALEXANDER RAYMOND KULICK, SON OF JACOB AND RACHEAL KULICK. POSING FOR NANA WE LOVE YOU LITTLE MAN!

Local educator Billy Hix was working with the U.S. Air Force on some science and technology education programming when he found out about a portable planetarium, owned by the Air Force but not used very often. Hix, whose passion is sharing his love of space and astronomy, knew what he had to do...

One phrase you're going to hear a lot about until the end of the year -- and likely thereafter -- is "fiscal cliff." What is it? "Fiscal cliff" is the term being used to describe a situation the federal government will confront at the end of December, when the terms of the Budget Control Act of 2011 are scheduled to go into effect...

Shelbyville's newest council member is due to be sworn in Tuesday, and all members will be appointed to a number of various boards. Former mayor Henry Feldhaus will be officially taking the Ward 1 seat he won in last month's election when he defeated incumbent city council member Jo Ann Holland 386-195...

The county's fire chief says his department does not use Shelbyville hydrants or water when responding to emergency calls. The issue recently came up during ongoing discussions between the city and its water system over fire hydrant fees that will cost the city almost $140,000 this year...

The Cascade Champions got just the start they wanted against their archrivals, the Community Vikings, Friday night. While the Vikings struggled early, they were able to string together enough points to make a run at the Champs in the fourth quarter, but eventually fell 55-42...

It was an offensive struggle for the Community Viqueens against the Cascade Lady Champions on Friday night. Despite troubles getting shots to fall, the Viqueens still lurked within striking range of the Lady Champs until Haylee Simpson drilled a pair of 3's to put the game out of reach...

As with any young team, growing pains are expected. The Webb Feet felt some of those pains in a 53-34 loss to visiting St. Andrews-Sewanee on Friday night. "We played really hard and we are going to get better. It's going to take some time playing together. We just got in a lot of foul trouble tonight and that hurt us a little bit," said Webb coach Jeff Mitchell...

In many Christian worship services a hymn known as the Doxology is sung after the collection of the offerings. We do that in the churches where I serve, and we would sing those familiar words in the church that I grew up in. "Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost."...

The Blue Ribbon Circle in Shelbyville was the sight of the inaugural Miss Fairytales Christmas Pageant and fundraiser Nov. 10. The event served to raise money to provide Christmas gifts and food for local children in need. Kim Hammond, pageant director, said, "It was a wonderful day for the girls and a very...

Glen Oaks Health and Rehabilitation has named Owen Hammonds its resident of the month. It was a beautiful clear day when Hammonds took his first airplane ride with his uncle, and that was just the beginning of his lifelong passion and occupation. The love for flying was not immediate, however...

Unionville FCE Club met Nov. 20, at 11 a.m. for a delicious potluck Thanksgiving Dinner. After the meal, business was conducted by Jana Swan who was president for the month. One hundred percent membership (12) were present and 1 visitor, Lavada Carlton...

One of the hallmarks of the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life is individual communities taking up the fight against cancer. In Tennessee, the American Cancer Society has selected a group of dedicated volunteers to help ensure Relay For Life continues to be a successful movement to end cancer...

Each November, a certain buzz whispers through the air at several local banks. "Who will get the tree this year?" bank employees might ask each other. Last week, local ladies skilled in needlework revealed the lucky recipient of their tree, beautifully adorned in detailed colors of red and white...

Emilee Baumgartner of Franklin and Tyler Miller of Shelbyville have announced their engagement. The future bride is the daughter of Rick and Donna Baumgartner of Franklin, and the granddaughter of Finish and Charlie Mai Bowman of Nashville, Mary Ruth McGinnis and the late Ronald Baumgartner...