Stories from Sunday, January 17, 2016

Paul and Cindy Whitaker will mark 50 years of marriage on Jan. 22. The couple, married in 1966, celebrated over the Thanksgiving holiday with an anniversary cruise. (Submitted photo)

I try to be a good person. I work hard at it, and I pray about it all the time. I want others to see me as a good example, and I want my Heavenly Father to be able to say one day, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." I read some thoughts in a devotional guide this week that challenged me to strive harder to be a good example....

The year was 1994 and the students at Orange High School in Orange, California were having the time of their lives. The senior class of 94' was preparing to become adults, to live in the real world. I know this because a friend of mine was recently digging around Goodwill and found the 94' Orange High School annual. He suggested that I take it home and look through it, which I did...

I hope your 2016 is rolling along and that this year will prove happy and healthy for all of us. January is a good time to assess the past year and plan for the year to come. I hope that frequent visits to your library are in your plans. With that in mind, I want to remind you all of several time and money saving possibilities that are available to everyone...

In 1984, a change in Federal Communications Commission rules allowed broadcast TV stations to begin airing long-form, half-hour advertising, a format which has become known as the "infomercial." One of the early popular infomercials, at least one of the early ones that I remember, was for the FoodSaver, a vacuum-sealing device which promised to let you keep food fresh longer...

The Rev. Peter Whalen, rector of Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, is retiring after 49 years in the priesthood, the last 10 of which were in Shelbyville. A reception will be held for him at 2 p.m. today at the church. Do you have a suggestion for a future Sunday Conversation? E-mail Sadie Fowler, sfowler@t-g.com...

A lot of memories can build up in 68 years of marriage, much less 91 years of living. William Clarence "Buddy" Jr. and Virginia Ann Haynes, both 91, have built up those memories, their son Knox said. Many of those memories have been made in Bedford County...

"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." -- Walt Disney The first day of the 2016 Legislative Session started Jan. 12 at noon. This is the second year of the 109th General Assembly, which means that we are just finishing what we started in 2015...

2015 has been our first full year in office. It has been such a pleasure to be Bedford County's sheriff. Even though we shall always strive to improve the Bedford County Sheriff's Office which can create change, things have started to become more familiar and are falling into place...

Time -- noun -- the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole. Verb -- plan, schedule or arrange when something should happen. Time, it comes, it goes, it passes. There is no stopping it, no slowing it down, no speeding it up. God set the world on its axis. Spun it on His fingertip and set time into motion. He gave us "time," time to accomplish His tasks for us, the good works that He created for us to do...

What's on your mind? That question was asked of lunch-time diners at a Shelbyville restaurant Wednesday. One person said car shopping was on her mind. Gail Hobbs said she was looking for a new vehicle, but she did not yet know what she would buy. "I don't know. That's why I'm shopping," she said...

Here's our look back at the past seven days in local news. Choose the best answer for each question. 1) A total of 608 people were in Bedford County this month doing what? A. Attending a Bible conference at First Baptist Church B. Participating in an American Saddlebred show in Calsonic Arena...

BELL BUCKLE -- After falling behind 20-16 in the opening quarter against Davidson Academy on Friday night, the Webb School rallied behind Deion Nickson's game-high 23 points and claimed a 58-50 win on its home court. Nickson scored early and often, but was the key in the second quarter when the Feet were able to capture the lead...

UNIONVILLE -- There was no shortage of points as the Huntland Hornets proved why they are undefeated in District 9-A in beating the Community Vikings 87-74 Friday night. The Vikings (7-13, 3-4 9A) were hot out of the gates as a 10-0 run gave Community an early 10-2 lead...

LAWRENCEBURG -- Shelbyville Central faced a quality team on its home court in a 71-49 loss to Lawrence County in a District 8-AAA matchup on Friday night. The Wildcats took control early, jumping out to a 13-1 lead on the way to a 18-10 advantage at the end of the first quarter...

SPRING HILL -- Lady Champion senior Shaina Schneider did everything in her power to lift Cascade to a win on Friday night at Spring Hill. While Schneider was an unstoppable force in the paint, Cascade provided little else in the way of support and suffered a 65-50 loss to the Lady Raiders...

UNIONVILLE -- The Community Viqueens came back from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter to tie the game and bring on overtime, but couldn't hold on to their overtime lead as the Huntland Lady Hornets beat the Viqueens 53-49 in a District 9-A contest Friday night...

LAWRENCEBURG -- A combination of 3-point shooting and transition points proved to be more than the Eaglettes could overcome as Shelbyville Central fell 73-48 to Lawrence County in a battle undefeated District 8-AAA teams on Friday night. Kelsey Adkins and Taylor Clark scored a combined 55 points to lead the winners...

SPRING HILL -- After back-to-back losses, Cascade coach Mike Edmondson knew Friday's game at Spring Hill had a "must-win" feel to it. Although it wasn't the prettiest game at times, his Champions were able to battle through adversity and get back to .500 in the district standings with a 66-49 win over the Raiders...

Debbie Carney, a teaching assistant at Eakin Elementary School, retired Friday after 29 years with the school system and was given a surprise party by co-workers, with her family in attendance. She was caught completely unaware. "I had no clue," she said. She said retirement was a hard decision and that she would miss her co-workers. "I love each person in here," she said. Carney's grandson Mason Carney hands her a "We [heart] you" sign which he had been holding as she walked into the room. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney)

Bedford County Highway Superintendent Stanley Smotherman said that after a rough winter last year, he's hoping not to have to deploy the county's salt trucks and graders. "I'm hoping and praying we have a mild winter," said Smotherman. But if winter storms come, Smotherman will be ready, as will Mark Clanton of Shelbyville Public Works...

Two state legislators have introduced a bill which would allow Tennesseans to register online as voters. The online registration would only apply to those who have a valid Tennessee driver's license or a state-issue alternate photo ID, and would check the address information supplied by the voter against what the state already had on file...

Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. But as with most days of the year, Monday has more than one designation. It's also Blue Monday. The third Monday of January is called "Blue Monday," the saddest day of the year, due to weather and waning will power for New Year's resolutions, says Holly Signorelli, CPA, a financial advisor...

Malek Johnson & Billy Brown are excited to play basketball Sat mornings at the Rec Center. Go Voice and Vision!