Stories from Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Two pastors -- one black and one white -- are holding an interracial service in Shelbyville on Wednesday. The friends were planning the event well before racial unrest broke out following a grand jury's ruling in Ferguson, Missouri. Jason Scales, who is black, is pastor of Believers Faith Fellowship, a church in Christiana that prides itself on having a diverse congregation. ...

The T-G Press Power team has the inside connection with Santa Claus, who has agreed to have his photo taken with local boys and girls this Saturday. The Times-Gazette's Relay For Life team is giving all proceeds from the Pictures With Santa photo op to benefit the American Cancer Society, said team co-captain Lakita Victory. Santa will be at the Times-Gazette from 10 a.m.-noon. The newspaper office is at 323 E. Depot St...

Do you want to bring home a furry friend for Christmas, or surprise a loved one with a new four-legged family member? During the next two Saturdays, you'll get a chance as Shelbyville Animal Control holds pet adoption events from 8 a.m. to noon. The goal is to get more animals adopted and into forever homes just in time for Christmas, said animal control director Randy McCullough...

Tis' the season to spread some holiday cheer -- and one local artist wants to do just that. Ryan Frizzell, lead singer of the Murfreesboro-based band Thunderfrog, has noticed something missing from the holiday season in the last few years: Christmas carolers...

Here at the T-G, we're always hearing and reporting about scams, especially around the holiday season -- warning our readers about the latest way crooks are trying to take your hard earned money. So it was a huge surprise when my financial institution called last week to tell me they had detected fraud on my account...

Would you eat a dish based on a recipe that had been created by a computer? It may happen sooner than you think. I signed up for, and got, an invitation to the beta test of "Chef Watson with Bon Appétit," a culinary tool being developed by IBM with the support of Bon Appétit magazine...

I've been asking churches to provide their favorite recipes. Today, I have several from Episcopal Church of the Redeemer. (My thanks to the Rev. Peter Whalen.) Email me if you would like to submit recipes from your church's functions. 6 cups sugar...

A woman was accused of concealing stolen clothing, including putting on a pair of panties, and attempting to leave Walmart without paying Monday afternoon. Kimberly Delina Vaughn, 40, of Lynchburg was charged with shoplifting, police said. She was also charged with possession of a schedule II drug after officer Mitchell Warren, while searching her purse, discovered a hydrocodone pill for which she had no prescription or bottle present. Vaughn was being held on $6,000 bond Monday...

Shelbyville Central took an early lead and never looked back in a 69-58 victory at Lawrence County in a District 8-AAA matchup Tuesday night. "This was a nice district win on the road and I thought our guys played some good basketball. We got off to a nice start and really did a good job in the third quarter and fourth closing the game out," Central coach Stan Eggleston said...

After leading most of the game, a few turnovers and missed shots down the stretch proved costly for Shelbyville Central's Golden Eaglettes in a 49-48 loss at Lawrence County in a District 8-AAA contest on Tuesday night. Lawrence County took the lead with around 1:30 left to play, but the Golden Eaglettes had three shots at the basket at the end that just wouldn't fall...

UNIONVILLE -- The Community Viqueens used an inside-out game and key points from their reserves to defeat the much-improved Fayetteville Lady Tigers 67-53 in a District 9-A game Tuesday night. The win kept the Viqueens (7-4, 3-0 9-A) undefeated in district play...

UNIONVILLE -- The Community Vikings tried to slow the tempo against the Fayetteville Tigers, but the Tigers used a successful night from the three-point arc and a potent offense to pull away and win 62-38 in a District 9-A contest Tuesday night. The Vikings (1-10, 0-3 9-A) were successful is controlling the pace of the game in the first quarter...

KNOXVILLE -- Tennessee is entering unfamiliar territory. Although the Volunteers are preparing for their 50th bowl appearance in school history, nobody on their current roster has ever played a down in a bowl game. The Vols (6-6) look forward to changing that Jan. 2 when they face Iowa (7-5) at Jacksonville, Florida, in the TaxSlayer Bowl, a game formerly known as the Gator Bowl...

The Webb School Feet gave put forth their best half of basketball this season in the first half against St. Andrews-Sewanee on Tuesday night. Although Webb gave its best half in the first two quarters, the wheels came off in the second half and SAS was able to rally past the home team, 70-55...

There's one thing about the winter months that just is not healthy for you -- it's too cold to go out and get active. If the weather is a problem, there's plenty going on down at the Shelbyville Recreation Center, according to assistant parks and recreation Director Dan Jackson...

Shelbyville native Mary Jo Graham talks about her experiences -- and especially, her emotions -- in caring for her elderly parents in a newly-published book. Graham is the daughter of Rhoda and the late Billy Gunter of Shelbyville. She has self-published a book titled, "When He Sends Redbirds: Walking Through Emotions as a Caregiver."...

The Hernandez family has been in Shelbyville over a year, and they want to give back to the community that has helped them get on their feet. "We've had our ups and downs," Monica said, adding that they have lived their whole lives in Texas. Monica contacted the T-G, asking if the paper had received any letters asking to provide items needed for Christmas...

Applications are being accepted for the 2015 Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador program. The deadline to submit applications is Dec. 12. Applications are available at the Chamber or online at shelbyvilletn.com. "We are so excited about the upcoming year," said incoming chair Marsha Howard. "The Chamber Board has been hard at work for our community and we see that continuing through 2015. ...

Jakie Cartwright Lane, 75, of Unionville died Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014. At his request he will be cremated. Private family graveside services will be held at a later date. Hillcrest Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Dec. 17 will be the 70th anniversary of the death of Pfc. John Crowell, a Bedford County native who was killed in a notorious World War II massacre. Crowell's cousin Randy Curtis, who now lives near Panama City, Fla., has been researching Crowell's story...

A new award-winning book series is sure to delight your young children. "The Life and Times of Birdie Mae Hayes" is a series set in Rainbow, Alabama, by Franklin resident Jeri-Anne Agee. The first book, "Friends Forever," introduces the main character, Birdie Mae Hayes, a third-grader, as well as her family, teachers and best friend, Sally. ...

The Fly Community Theater wraps up its two-weekend run of the farce "Don't Dress For Dinner" with dinner theater pefromances Friday and Saturday nights and a non-meal performance Sunday afternoon. Show times are 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. on Sundays, with the meal served an hour before showtime...

Earlier this fall, Ted Lewis of Shelbyville made another visit to Home of Blessing, a refuge in Thailand which Lewis and his wife Ann have supported since 2003. The facility, located in Chiangkham, Thailand, provides housing, Christian education, medical care and vocational training for as many as 220 young women, in hopes of rescuing them from, or keeping them out of, the sex trade...