Stories from Sunday, January 18, 2015

Loss. Pain. Grief. Faith. Family. Love. Surfing. Skateboarding. Music. Purpose. These are all words that describe a memoir of a man's life journey. Friendship is the word that ties all these elements together. Roger W. Thompson shares his triumphs and tragedies in "My Best Friend's Funeral: A Memoir." The book interweaves themes that include how Roger met his best friend Tim Garrety in middle school, their rite of passage, how they became pioneering skateboard park businessmen, and Tim's death and memorial service at a sold-out theater. ...

As I get older, hair is starting to grow in weird places. My eyebrows get these really long stark white hairs that seem to manifest over night. I was getting in the shower the other day and thought I had a string on my back. It was a single black hair that protruded from my skin like a left-over stitch from a botched surgery. I made my wife pluck it immediately. I'm pretty sure it grew right back. It seems fitting that I've started to resemble a caveman. Why?...

One of my favorite moments in sitcom history, was in an old episode of "Bewitched." Samantha convinced her neighbor, Gladys Kravitz, that Gladys needed a makeover to spice up her marriage. Gladys was feeling that her husband didn't notice her anymore...

Moving time for the library will be here before we know it. There is A LOT to do and plan to move a library or a business. We will be moving to the new library sometime this spring. We are getting plans in order right now with that move in mind. Many of you have asked me how all the aspects of a move like this are done and I always smile and think back to the words of a librarian who taught me lessons I use every day. ...

This week the T-G caught up with Edwin Fannin, who is owner of The Coffee Break and is also a pastor. If you have anyone you think would make for an interesting Sunday Conversation, email Sadie Fowler at sfowler@t-g.com. T-G: Where are you from and where all have you lived?...

Brittney Helton and Steven Leathers, both of Shelbyville, announce their engagement. The bride-elect is the daughter of Steve Helton of Chapel Hill and Anita Jackson Brady of Chapel Hill. She is the granddaughter of the late Leonard and Mary Nelle Helton, Debra and Tony Bradford of Lewisburg, and the late Andrew Jackson...

Amy Delk and Brandon Evans, both of Shelbyville have announced their engagement. The bride-elect is the daughter of Dicky and Bonnie Delk of Shelbyville. She is the granddaughter of the late Raymond and Lou Haston and the late Milton and Hazel Delk...

Growing up on a farm, you learn some things. It's a lifestyle that requires ingenuity and the ability to adapt. There's always something to be fixed, be it broken-down equipment or fences in need of mending. This was the world that brothers Randy and Mike Grissom experienced as children...

T-G STAFF REPORT HENDERSONVILLE­ -- The Webb Feet put forth another competitive game, but came up just short in the fourth quarter at Hendersonville Christian, falling 60-57. "We played hard tonight, but we're just having trouble finishing games. It's been competitive. We had opportunities to win and just didn't. We're still learning," said Webb coach Jeff Mitchell...

Harris Middle School fell 50-42 to Warren County Middle School in a Central Tennessee Conference matchup on Thursday evening on the road. The Eaglettes trailed 18-9 at the end of the first quarter and 35-20 at halftime. Harris outscored its opponent 10-4 in the third quarter too cut the lead to 39-30 going into the fourth quarter...

FAYETTEVILLE -- The Community Vikings couldn't overcome the explosiveness of the Fayetteville Tigers as they fell 71-42 in a District 9-A game Friday night. The Vikings (2-18, 0-9 9A) only led once at 1-0 before the Tigers took the lead with a big first quarter. With Community missing several close shots, Fayetteville went ahead 29-11 after one period as five Tiger players scored...

FAYETTEVILLE -- The Community Viqueens used a 14-0 run in the fourth quarter to break open the game and went on to defeat the Fayetteville Lady Tigers 64-42 in a District 9-A contest Friday night. Except for a 1-0 Lady Tiger lead, the Viqueens (14-6, 9-0 9A) were in front for the entire game...

Chad Spencer's crew of Lady Champions picked up a second-straight win on Friday night for the first time this season. Those two wins happened to also be much-needed district victories. The Lady Champions wore down a limited Marshall County Tigerette (5-13, 1-3 12-AA) roster and claimed the 56-40 victory...

A 19-0 Marshall County Tiger run was enough to down the Cascade Champions on Friday night in District 12-AA play. After a contested first half, the Tigers pulled away by outscoring the Champs 29-6 in the third quarter and claimed a 74-54 victory over Cascade...

A productive offense backed by steady defensive performance topped off by a dominate effort on the boards led to Shelbyville Central's 61-45 victory over visiting Columbia Central in a District 8-AAA matchup on Friday evening. The Eaglettes (14-7, 5-2 8-AAA) have now won six straight games and 11 of their last 13...

Shelbyville Central battled hard and strong till the end but came up short in a 62-56 loss to District 8-AAA leading Columbia Central at home on Friday night. "I was pleased with our effort and the way we played we just had a short spell in the second half where we didn't play particularly well and they made some shots and that was the difference in the game," Eagle coach Stan Eggleston said...

Oaklands Historic House Museum in Murfreesboro will be available in 30-minute time slots for weddings and vow renewals on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, in conjunction with the mansion's annual exhibit of historic wedding gowns. "For generations couples in love have enjoyed the romantic setting of Oaklands formal front parlor," said Raina van Setter, special events coordinator...

The Obama administration took a lot of abuse this week for refusing to send anyone to last weekend's march in Paris to denounce a wave of terrorism that struck the City of Lights. Many were appalled and humiliated that this country was not represented during this historic display of support for free expression...

"He's taking money," an employee of Krystal, Madison Street, yelled as she saw a man reach through the drive-through window and grab money from the cash register Thursday night. The employee told Shelbyville police the suspect is black, approximately 5-feet-11 to 6 feet tall, thin, and wore a gray hoodie with bluish green letters on the front. He was last seen running south, police said...

Fewer than half the respondents to a non-scientific poll at the Times-Gazette website say they've made a New Year's resolution, but out of those who have, the most common type relates to health and fitness. "I resolved, many New Year's Eve's ago, to never again make a resolution and it has worked very well," wrote one participant. "Saves a lot of stress."...

Many Americans just don't take vacations anymore, apparently. CBS Moneywatch recently reported that approximately 42 percent of Americans said in a survey they didn't take a single vacation day in 2014. The story was based on a survey by travel website Skift...

Thomas Magnet School is looking for a few good students. The school is accepting applications for 2015-2016 for grades K-5. Applications may be picked up at Thomas Magnet School's office or printed online at www.bedfordk12tn.com. Applications are due by Friday, Feb. 13...

A data aggregation website has given Thomas Magnet School a high mark. SchoolDigger.com listed Thomas as seventh among 835 elementary schools in the state. "We're excited," assistant principal Tracy Watson said. "What we've been doing is paying off."...