Stories from Sunday, September 4, 2016

Honors, Larry E. Edwards up for Keith and Dan McSwain of Milton and Gainsville, Georgia, was named Tennessee Walking Horse World Grand Champion at 12:46 this morning, concluding the 78th annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. There were seven entries in the class, and they entered -- as always -- to the beat of organist Larry Bright's "Flat Walk Boogie," which ring announcer Mark Farrar referred to as the "national anthem" of Tennessee Walking Horse competition...

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Rev. Lanita Monroe of First United Methodist Church delivered this invocation at Wednesday night's Celebration, leading Monroe to receive comments and requests for copies. Great and Gracious God, We come together as a community battered and bruised by false accusations and unfair rulings.....

By CHRIS SIERS sports@t-g.com Going into Friday night's Region 4-AA opener against Watertown, Cascade Champion coach Jake Tyre knew the Purple Tigers had a highly capable offense. While able to rack up over 400 yards, Cascade (1-2, 0-1) hung tough and perhaps gave its best effort of the season, despite a 54-7 defeat...

Community High School sophomore cheerleader Kynsie Giles was in for a big surprise on Thursday. She was asked to perform a duet with local performer Kacey Smith during this year's ROcK (Rewarding Our Kids) concert slated for Sept. 24 at the Ag Center. ...

New beginnings are special. For students, beginning a new school year brings excitement and anticipation. This year at Community Elementary some fourth graders began their year with two teachers experiencing the same anticipation and excitement. The new school year brought new beginnings for Megan Williams and Colt Boyce as they began their careers teaching together. ...

When one first sallies forth on one's own and leaves the nest for the first time, it can be quite an adventure. At least that was the case for me. All I can say is: 'Thank heavens that I worked in a library or had access to one when I made the big leap." Believe me, it was a large change...

Christopher Blake and Miranda Law Byford of Shelbyville announce the birth of a daughter, Makena Everly Byford, on May 20 at Saint Thomas-Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro. The baby girl weighed 7 pounds, 3 oz. She is the granddaughter of Danny and Jan Law, and Teddy and Cindy Byford, all of Shelbyville. She is the great-granddaughter of Calvin Law of Lafayette, Thelma Byford and Louise Jacobs, both of Shelbyville...

The last few columns I've written have focused in some form or fashion about a few things related to human nature. One touched on staying positive despite the little disturbances that come up in our lives; another touched on the power of strong communication skills -- word choices, body language and tone -- to achieve our goals...

I know so many people who went on Caribbean cruises this week. Some of them were cruising for the first time, and others have been on cruises in the past. One of my friends was so excited that she was posting multiple pictures on her Facebook page; pictures of things such as the hallway leading up to their cabin, the door to their suite, the hairdryer on the bathroom wall, and even a shot of the toilet and the shower...