Stories from Sunday, June 22, 2014

Four generations: Sarah Johnson, great-grandmother; Sonia Johnson, grandmother; Kavaris Kelso Sr., father; and Kavaris Kelso Jr., son. (Submitted photo)

I'm a reader. I thoroughly enjoy reading the newspaper, magazines, a good mystery or action thriller, and the news items that scroll across the bottom of the screen on Fox News and CNN. Nowadays, I do much of my reading on my iPad or iPhone; all those emails, and Facebook posts, and my daily devotionals...

Way back yonder when the Internet was first starting to become something that people actually used on a regular basis, I discovered the art of being a troll. Now, if you aren't familiar with the term, I'm not referring to the kind of troll one finds in mythology or folklore. I am referring to people who spend their time trying to start arguments or sow discord on the Internet...

Kimberley and Larry "Bo" Kass III of Wartrace announce the birth of a daughter, Emma Christine Kass, on May 2 in Murfreesboro. The baby girl weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces. She is the granddaughter of Joe and Joyce Pugh of Wheel and Larry and Vicky Kass of Lewisburg...

This past Wednesday's summer reading program visit from the animals and humans of the Natural History Educational Company of the Midsouth got me thinking about animals in the library. Then I discovered that today, June 22, is "Take your dog to work day."...

Garden Party The May meeting of the Shelbyville Garden Club was held at the home of Donna Simmons. Hostesses of this fun occasion were Kay Simmons and Donna Simmons. Members brought tea cup arrangements which served as table arrangements during the luncheon and meeting...

Mike Novak has worked as a teacher and principal in Bedford County. Now, he will work to spread knowledge about Chinese culture in schools across the state in a new job at Middle Tennessee State University. If you have a nomination for Sunday Conversation email sfowler@t-g.com...

Shelbyville natives Terrell Johnson and Julius Hill both have vision, and unique voices to go along with it. A vision that involves bringing the community together and inspiring through art and their project called The Voice and The Vision--a group of numerous artists and talented, like-minded individuals who desire to have a positive impact on their community...

The Student Council from Community Middle School recently purchased gifts for Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt with proceeds from the Dr. Love fundraiser in February. Sitting (from left): Noah Bowling, Ethan Lohn, Gabby Hunt, Macie Lemmons, Logan Brothers, Destiny Young, Calley Hand, Mackenzie Newkirk and Katlin Leverette. Standing (from left): Grayson Garrette, Zachary Lohn, Anna Katherine Lemmons, Heath Waterson and Gracie Simmons. (Submitted photo)

Dear Editor, I am writing in response to Tyson Foods and a real estate firm. They are trying to shove chicken barns down peoples' throats. I live at 3289 Sims Road. There are 10 chicken barns within a half-mile already and they want to build 10 more about a quarter-mile from me...

Just a few thoughts... *Hopefully the city of Shelbyville is still paying attention to rundown houses blighting neighborhoods. A concerned citizen called me last week complaining about the condition of a house on Bethany Lane -- uninhabited, in a state of disrepair with part of the front literally appearing to be falling off, shingles missing, no front door...

Chase Lee Clanton of Shelbyville has been recognized by the United States Achievement Academy as a student of excellence in advanced placement, fine arts, honor roll, language arts, leadership, mathematics, science and Social Studies. He attends Harris Middle School and was nominated by guidance counselor Margaret Ann Cobb. He will be a freshman this fall at Shelbyville Central High School...

Shelbyville police stayed busy investigating thefts Thursday. *A cell phone and wallet were taken from an unlocked vehicle during the day at Fishermen's Park. *A Samsung Galaxy tablet was taken from a Maplewood Drive residence on June 12 or 13, police were told Thursday...

Tennessee's Supreme Court will have to name a judge to preside over the theft accusations against the former director of the county's Emergency Communications District. Aug. 7 has been set for the next appearance of Cathey D. Mathis, who was charged with theft of property over $10,000 by direct indictment following an investigation by the Coffee County district attorney's office...

Robert D. Warren has announced his candidacy for a 9th District seat on Bedford County Board of Commissioners in the Aug. 7 general election. Warren is a Democratic nominee for the position. Warren is a territory sales representative for Anderson Merchandisers and serves as an intermediary between big box movie and music companies and Wal-Mart. Warren is also owner of Purple Penguin web hosting and design services...

At the start of July, Paige Shelton will embark on a 447-mile journey -- and it won't be by a plane, train or automobile. She's doing it all on her bicycle to draw attention to a disease that's close to her heart. "I'm doing it for diabetes awareness," she said. "I have personally experienced this in my own family. My mother had health issues and died of heart failure, but she also had Type 2 diabetes and that caused a lot of health issues for her."...

All are invited to a community ceremony in memory of the 10th anniversary of the death of U.S. Marine Pfc. Daniel McClenney. The public event will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Shelbyville Central High School. McClenney died in combat in Afghanistan on June 24, 2004. A plaque commemorating McClenney will be presented to the school...

The 12U Tennessee Prospects won the Summer Classic last weekend. The team has posted an impressive 43-5 overall record and won eight of the 10 tournaments participated in. The Prospects' season ends this weekend with a trip to Cooperstown. Members of the Tennessee Prospects are (front row, from left) Mason Landers, Blake Money, Jared Dickey, Grayson Cole; (back row, from left) Mitch Pelham, Gavin Hams, Camden Hayslip, Robert Hassell, Kolby Gaines and Jack Rando.

Gov. Bill and Crissy Haslam wave at festival-goers during the parade at the 20th Annual RC Cola - Moon Pie Festival Saturday in Bell Buckle. The Haslams were crowned RC Cola King and Queen. (T-G Photos by John I. Carney) Country music star Mark Collie and Florence Hall, who was queen of the Moon Pie at the first festival in 1995, were named Moon Pie King and Queen at this year's festival...