Stories from Sunday, December 23, 2012

I can never think of the late Clarence "Pete" Phillips without thinking of Doris O'Neil. Mrs. O'Neil, who I think lived in Nashville, was the secretary-receptionist for Rep. Phillips and two other state representatives at the Legislative Plaza in Nashville. ...

David and Nancy Sorrells of Shelbyville announce the marriage of their daughter Haley Elizabeth Sorrells of Murfreesboro to Michael Chase Rogers of Shelbyville, son of Mike Rogers of Shelbyville and Lisa Rogers of Chattanooga. The bride is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marion Savage of Shelbyville and Mr. and Mrs. Holman Sorrells of Unionville. The groom is the grandson of the late Paul Rogers, Mrs. Inez Rogers of Shelbyville, and Ms. Louise Rogers of Winchester...

Russ Faxon, a bronze sculptor with numerous commissioned pieces that are publicly displayed, was a chapel speaker at The Webb School earlier this month. Faxon, a resident of Bell Buckle, showcased some of his sculptures in a display and a slideshow as part of the presentation...

One of my favorite pictures of my father, Fred Dezotell, was a black and white photo of him standing on a ladder decorating a 20 foot tall Christmas tree. The tree was put up every year in the grand ballroom of the Student Union at The University of North Dakota. Dad was the maintenance supervisor for the Student Union and decorating that tree was a job he looked forward to every year...

Rev. Scott Reed of Midland Heights Baptist Church and Herbert Derickson, the church's worship leader, recently returned from a trip overseas to Moldova, a very small country between Romania and the Ukraine.. For the past 12 years the Children's Emergency Relief International (CERI) organization has headed the kids and boots mission in this country...

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, a charitable organization dedicated to enriching the quality of life in the 40 Middle Tennessee counties it serves, announces $1.3 million in grants to 273 nonprofit organizations as part of The Foundation's annual discretionary grantmaking process...

Eakin Elementary received funds from Fuel Up To Play 60 in the amount of $4,000. The program was founded by the United Dairy Council and the National Football League based on a mutual commitment to the health of the next generation. Using its many "plays", the program encourages youth to eat healthy and move more...

Webb took to game two in the Community Christmas Classic, searching for a way to find some momentum to close the second half of the season. While some of the recent positives were evident in the game against Collinwood, there still wasn't enough to ensure a Feet victory as Webb fell 77-44...

After leading the majority of the game, Shelbyville Central was outscored by 13 points in the fourth quarter in a 42-37 loss to Hunters Lane on Friday afternoon in the Columbia Christmas Classic. The Eaglettes (4-7) led 9-6 at the end of the first quarter, 20-15 at halftime and were in control 29-21 going into the fourth quarter...

The Community Viqueens extended their win streak to seven games with a 51-41 win over Cornersville on Friday night to close out the first half of the season. Katie Leverette continues to pile up the points for the Purple and Gold as she led the way offensively with 16 points with eight points in the first quarter to overcome an early deficit. But make no mistake about it, the home team's defense remains the catalysts for the consecutive game streak...

Julio Francesconi, a resident of Flat Creek, frequently shares his holiday-themed fiction with the Times-Gazette, and we're always delighted to receive it and pass it along. At Saba, a city on the northern border of Persia, a multitude surrounded three caravans that had just arrived. Men on horseback were shouting orders. Camels loaded with supplies were being unburdened. Tents were being erected. Noisy children and barking dogs played under foot. Vendors of all kinds hawked their wares...

From the outside of Faye Sutton's home on Wilson Street in Shelbyville, you would never know that it is the Christmas season. There are no colorful lights strung through the trees or hanging from the eaves of her simple home. No inflated Santas or lighted figures placed between the street and the front porch. But go through her front door and you will find a Christmas tree wonderland...

POINTS NORTH -- Santa Claus tugged at his suspenders as he leaned back in his great leather desk chair. "Children are very giving," he said. "Maybe not always -- they can be possessive, too -- but there's nothing quite as touching as the love and generosity of a child. I think that's what makes me want to give to children."...

Which bicycle to choose? This little boy (with help from mom, at right, and Matt Heflin, left) had a choice of many at City Outreach Ministries' annual distribution day for toys, clothing and food to the needy Saturday. Pastor Scott Horn said about 800-900 people were served. "We were running short of donations until the last minute but God came through for us," Horn said. See a photo gallery at t-g.com. (T-G Photo by David Melson)

Kimberly Roberts was the winner of the Times-Gazette's "Scared of Santa" photo contest, winning a diamond Kiss pendant, inspired by the famous foil-wrapped chocolate, valued at $200 from Lowery Jewelers on North Main Street. Tabitha Palmer submitted the second place entry but elected to give her prize, a sterling silver heart necklace valued at $100, to Cindy Ford, mother of the twins depicted in the photo...

One is a start. Two is a trend. Balanced scoring and a solid effort on the boards paved the way for the Community Vikings as they put a horrid seven-game losing streak in the rear view mirror with their second consecutive victory on Friday night in a 67-40 win over Cornersville in the final game of the Community Christmas Classic...

Guillermo Escareno, 71, of Shelbyville died suddenly Friday, Dec. 21, 2012 at Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday at Doak-Howell Funeral Home with Fady Al-Hagal officiating. Burial will follow at a later date in Melchor Muzquiz, Coahuila, Mexico.

Walter Franklin Bobo, of Estill Springs, formerly of Shelbyville, died Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012 at his home. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Rosebank Cemetery in Flat Creek with Joe Rutherford officiating. Visitation, ending with prayer, will be held from 11 am.-1 p.m. at Estill Springs United Methodist Church. Doak-Howell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

WE DECORATED OUR CHRISMAS TREE WITH RIBBONS AND TROPHIES OUR DAUGHTER, SARA REID, HAS WON THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WITH HER HORSES.

SPOTTED SADDLE HORSE SARA'S TARGET IS ALL DECKED OUT FOR CHRISTMAS WITH OWNER SARA REID. HE'S BEEN A VERY GOOD BOY THIS YEAR.