Stories from Sunday, August 28, 2016

The 78th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration is upon us here in Shelbyville. For Vicki and me, this is our third Celebration and we continue to be impacted by its majesty and by its history. We love horses and enjoy spotting them being exercised and trained at the numerous training facilities around Shelbyville...

I haven't had chokecherry syrup or chokecherry jelly in years. I started thinking about chokecherries this week, and I thought how nice it would be to have chokecherry syrup on a stack of hot pancakes. My mother and her sisters used to make their own jams and jellies and syrup out of the chokecherries that grew all over their family farms...

I was talking to a friend the other day and realized that she probably never has to worry much about getting high marks in the "grandma" category. She owns a bridal shop and sells wedding gowns, bridesmaids dresses, and prom attire. When I was a little girl, a visit to her store would have ranked right up there with a trip to Disneyland. Maybe even higher...

A best-selling book offers the author's hard-won advice on coping with feeling rejected in your most personal relationships. Lysa TerKeurst is the author of "Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely," by Nelson Books. This past week "Uninvited" was No. 3 on Amazon's best-seller list; the week before, it was No. 2 right behind the new Harry Potter book -- putting it in great company indeed...

Self-improvement and goal setting have always been important to me. We all have our peaks and valleys in life, but I believe human nature leads anyone to want to become better, striving toward achievement, recognition, or even simply love. Whether or not these same humans are successful in this is simply a matter of whether they have the tools it takes to get there, or to channel their energy in a useful way to push forward, whether it's getting through a difficult time in life or simply breaking away from the pack of competition and becoming one's best version of self.. ...

The 90th birthday of Lucille Sorrells of Rover was celebrated at St. Paul United Methodist Church on Sunday, Aug. 14 by a host of family, friends and church members. Sorrells' three children, and many of her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were in attendance. Sorrells is a life-time member of the St. Paul UMC and served as a Sunday School teacher for many years and still occasionally serves as a pianist.

Celebration regulars may remember Leighton Reed, a long-serving usher in E Section of the outdoor arena...

Robbie Davis is quite the busy guy once the school year starts. In addition to balancing family life and a busy teaching schedule, Davis finds time to coach varsity boys basketball and varsity baseball at Community High School in Unionville. To nominate someone for Sunday Conversation, send their name to editor Sadie Fowler, sfowler@t-g.com...

LaToyia Danelle Pincheon of Lynchburg and Matthew Whittaker Johnson of Shelbyville were united in marriage on the evening of July 30 at The Fly Arts Building in Shelbyville. The bride is the daughter of Clyde and Deborah Knox of Lynchburg, and Tim Pincheon of Atlanta...

For much of the first half in Cascade's home opener against Lewis County, the Panthers imposed their will on the Champions (1-1) and dominated the game, both through the air and on the ground. While Lewis County (2-0) did take the 22-6 win, Cascade did regain its composure in the second half and scratch out a few positives for coach Jake Tyre...

United Way of Bedford County recently conducted its "Stuff The School Bus" drive, collecting school supplies which will be distributed by local schools to needy children. Businesses like the Times-Gazette, represented here by Adria Sharp, had collection boxes, and there was also a public collection event at Walmart...

Kayla Warren of First Community Bank presents the Brighten Your Corner Award to Jason and Sylvia Daughdrill of Gateway Church. The bank sponsors the award, which is given by the Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee. (T-G Photo by Jason Reynolds)

A 2006 Chevrolet Impala was stolen from a Cherokee Lane home between 10:30 p.m. Thursday and 6 a.m. Friday, the Bedford County Sheriff's Office was told. Keys had been left inside the car, according to the report. Other thefts reported to city and county authorities:...

Slightly more than half of the participants in a non-scientific poll at the Times-Gazette website say they feel worse about their financial situation this year than they did at the same time a year ago. Out of 370 participants, 187 say they feel worse, while the remainder are evenly divided between better (92 votes) and about the same (91 votes)...

Liberty School students are collecting school supplies to be shipped to schools in the flood-stricken areas. Various grade levels at the school are being asked to contribute specific items, and the fourth grade is taking the lead in the project as part of of its civic service requirements...

If you think you cannot afford to adopt a pet and get it fixed, the city of Shelbyville has a deal for you. The city's Animal Control Department has received a $2,500 state Animal Friendly grant, said director Randy McCullough. The grant will pay the $50 spay or neuter fee for animals adopted through the city shelter, said Aimee Davis, the city's accreditation manager and grant coordinator. The new pet owner would simply pay $25 for a microchip and rabies vaccine...

Ever since I was little, The Celebration was about family and bringing loved ones together. Some of my earliest memories of Shelbyville come from going with my grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. Sam Pearce. They had a box right at the southwest corner near the CHS Marching Band booth...

A major donation will enable Raiders' Closet to bolster its ability to clothe MTSU students properly for job interviews. Modern Woodmen of America, a fraternal benefit society that provides financial expertise for its members, has responded to the $2,500 raised by an MTSU class with matching funds of $2,500...

Doris McCord, 88, of Shelbyville died Sunday, August 28, 2016. A Celebration of Life event will be held in October when her family can gather in Shelbyville. Per her wishes, she will be cremated. Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements.

Rita Faye Bailey, 59, of Shelbyville died Sunday, August 28, 2016. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Willow Mount Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m.