Stories from Sunday, October 25, 2015

Community Elementary recognized Viking Valors for the first nine weeks of school. Viking Valors are recognized for exhibiting outstanding Viking Values, which include being respectful, responsible and ready each day. These students are leaders in the school, and they are role models for the student body. Students receiving the honor are Isabella Manire, Sophia Wright, Aliana Leverette, Landon Mullis, Bradyn Petty, Danny Null, Jessa Mangrum, Madison Jones, Athena Alonzo, Kierra Dale, Jaylinn Buckins, Lily Underwood, Cheyanne Boucher, Kylie Dalton, Cason Smith, Jalena Haynes, Jayla Mangrum, Isabella Rego, Guadalupe Cazares, Ethan Walls, Hannah Parker, Cole Daniel, Reese Cawthon, Alexa Montalvo Maldonado, Drew Harris, Lexi Berman, Faith Lewis, Hailey Scott, Nathan Stacy, Jacey Collier, Daniel Cazares, Diego Albino, Abi Brown, Makayla Crosby, and Meredith Simmons. (Submitted photo)

Last week, I mentioned that I was raised Pentecostal. This is partly true. I was also raised Church of Christ, Baptist, non-denominational, interdenominational and, at some point, probably Methodist. I can't even keep up with how many churches I've been to. My parents were, if nothing else, earnest in their search for more churchin'...

I like fall weather. I like it a lot. I like the cooler temperatures, and the changing colors of the leaves on the trees. And I like all the wonderful tastes associated with fall weather as well. Pumpkin comes to mind. I like all things pumpkin flavored...

"My Father's War," a story of war, survival and grace, will be staged on Nov. 6 as part of the 2015-2016 Follin Speaker Series at The Webb School. Adapted and performed by Carol Ponder and Robert Kiefer from the WWII memoir 'Ponder Anew' by Lt. Herschel Ponder, the performance will be at 7 p.m. in the Follin Chapel. The performance is open to the public, and free tickets may be reserved by calling 931-389-5703...

Cascade High School recently inducted its Spanish Honor Society for 2015-2016. Seniors: President, Anna Holcombe; Vice President, Keauna Hiles; Secretary, Keven Gonzalez; Treasurer, Mathew Baldwin. Juniors: President, Ji Woo Park; Vice President, Shae Fordham; Secretary, Taylor Reynolds-Bower; Treasurer, Bailey Sudduth...

Lipscomb University has awarded Seth Jarrell of Shelbyville with a bachelor's degree in exercise science at the conclusion of the summer semester. August graduates have either already participated in the May graduation ceremony or will be eligible to participate in the December ceremony, according to a university press release...

Members of the Bedford County FFA Chapter of Shelbyville Central High School recently held their annual Welcome Back Cookout for their new and returning members, their families, and guests at the Career and Technical Annex. The members were able to take part in the first annual Bedford County FFA Cornhole Tournament. ...

Thomas Magnet School held a "pink out" day Wednesday in honor of former principal, and cancer survivor, Janice Womble. "Very seldom have I been at a loss for words," said Womble, "but this really touches me." The school had a high participation rate for the activity...

In the winter of 1963-64, a heavy snowfall badly damaged the old, barn-like gym built in 1929 at Community School. The county court and county judge issued a $100,000 bond to fund construction of a new gymnasium. The next year, fifth grader Amy Fulton watched out her classroom window each day as the new gym was constructed...

BELL BUCKLE -- A 51-14 blowout over rival St. Andrews-Sewanee advanced the Webb School to the first round of the MTAC playoffs on Friday night. Wes Watson and Garth McIntosh combined for nearly 300 yards of offense and three TDs in the win. Watson put the Feet on the board with a 60-yard punt return to open the scorefest...

WESTMORELAND -- Amidst a two-game win streak, the Cascade Champions felt pretty good about their chances going into Westmoreland (5-4, 5-1 4-AA) on Friday night. What they couldn't account for was Eagle running back Dylan Todd's 145-yard and three-touchdown night in a 49-14 Region 4-AA loss...

COLUMBIA -- In a game where the offense was only on the field for a total of 12:22, Shelbyville Central scored often and quickly on the way to a 49-31 victory over host Columbia in a Region 5-5A matchup on Friday night. The game was televised on MyTV 30's Friday Night Rivals...

"Say babe, do you know who Lamar Odom is?" "Never heard of him," my wife replied. "Why do you ask?" "Because of this breaking news item on Twitter," I explained. "Apparently, he's been found drooling and unconscious in a Nevada brothel." That statement produced a laugh from the wife, and had me wondering why in the world this was so important to end up as a breaking news item...

Bedford County Veterans' Parade will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, along the normal parade route. The parade will form at the intersection of Lane Parkway and Cannon Boulevard, proceeding south to Holland Street, east on Holland to the square, north on Main Street to Madison, and then east on Madison to its ending point at Celebration Drive...

The public is invited to attend a summit by the Rural Arts Program (R.A.P.) at the R.A.P. Center, 622 Elm St. Community leaders, clergy, law enforcement and others in the community will meet Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 11 a.m. to discuss daily struggles of youth. Lunch will be provided...

THIRD IN A SERIES It was a beautiful fall day -- one of the first ones of the season -- and I was enjoying my walk on the newly bricked sidewalk just off of the square. I was headed to a lunch meeting with girlfriend to discuss an upcoming Downton Abbey event at the library. (Because Downton Abbey is ridiculously addictive and awesome, right?)...

Midnight runs in the rain on otherwise-empty highways. Fitful sleep in moving locker rooms, both in appearance and smell, that some might call vans. And camaraderie plus teamwork. Lots of it. Plus a load of fun and excitement. For Ragnar Relay competitors, it takes both a serious commitment to running and a sense of humor -- as shown in some competitors' running wear and signs on their vans -- to finish the 194-mile relay from Chattanooga to Nashville. ...

On most nights, 36 points are enough to win a football game, but the Community Vikings ran into a potent Watertown Purple Tiger offense in a 63-36 region loss Friday night. "They're a high-scoring team, we're a high-scoring team," Coach Chris Grooms of the Vikings said...

Principal's List Fifth Grade Santana Alexander, Matthew Boyer, Christopher Brown, Weston Burnett, Mackenzie Carrion, Robert Clanton, Brice Comstock, Zachary Cope, Daniel Craig, Xamarion Dixon, Bridgett Evans, Ashton Fields, Ava Foulk, Thomas Gentry, Connor Huie, Macy Legate, Margaret Lynch, Micheal Olive, Avery Petersen, Benjamin Reeves, Sandra Rojas-Machado, Timothy Scheffler, Ethan Waller Freeman...