Stories from Sunday, December 18, 2016

Billy Reed has been around bowling since before he was born. "I started, like, pretty early," he said. His mother, Barbara Reed, bowled as a member of Empire Pencil Company's team while she was pregnant with Billy. "We grew up around the bowling alley," said Billy...

Andrew York loves sharing the spirit of Christmas by lighting up his yard with all sorts of fun and exciting decorations. At just 15 years old, not only has he put the traditional icicle lights on his house, he has set up at least 10 of the large blow-up decorations including a snow globe, gingerbread man, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Snoopy, a train, lighted deer and several more...

David Lee Howard, 72, of Shelbyville died Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Funeral Mass will be held at noon Wednesday at St. William's Catholic Church. A reception in celebration of his life for family and friends will follow at the family's home at 117 Ashe Road. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel.

This year's Adorable Christmas Kids photo contest is the most popular ever, and by midday Friday had already outstripped last year's total entries. In 2015, a total of 109 approved entries were received; at midday Friday, this year's contest was already up to 120 entries, and entries are permitted right up until the last day of the contest on Wednesday...

Presenting a gift of $1,500 to the Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library are, from left, Tabitha Lewis, Salon 102; Cliff Hirst, Antiques, Art & Collectibles Mall; Calvin Cannon, Torso; Jennifer Jordan Thompson, J Jordan Boutique; Dena Landers, Merle Norman; Linda Brown, Heritage Jewelers; Davorka Whiteside, Antiques, Art & Collectibles Mall; Margaret Petty, Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library; and Kimberly McGee, The Pomegranate. Not pictured were representatives from Joli Cheval, Yesterday's Treasures, & The Coffee Break. Money was raised by selling engraved commemorative wine glasses during the December 9 Wine Walk wine tasting around the Shelbyville square. (Submitted photo)

LYNCHBURG -- After a sluggish start, the Community Vikings righted the ship in a big way, using an 18-0 run in the second half to coast to a 52-40 victory over the Moore County Raiders in a District 9-A game Friday night. It was an early Christmas present for Coach Robbie Davis as the Vikings completed their pre-Christmas district slate with a perfect 3-0 record...

FRANKLIN -- Seth Gardner opened Friday night's District 12-AA game at Page with a thunderous dunk that set the tone for the remainder of the game. While Page was able to get the long-ball working late in the game, Cascade (10-1, 2-0) withstood the late charge and notched its second district win of the season, 68-60...

BELL BUCKLE -- The Webb School was able to overcome a stellar effort by Covenant Christian's Jonathan Sullivan and hang on for a 63-55 win on Friday night in front of a home crowd in Bell Buckle. Sullivan led all scorers with 28 points, but did the bulk of his damage in the second half where he scored 16 points...

FRANKLIN -- Cascade just couldn't find an answer for Page's Faith Wilken. Wilken rattled off a game-high 29 points, including four 3-pointers, in Page's 56-30 District 12-AA win over Cascade on Friday night. Though Cascade hung close in the opening quarter, Page began to pull away in the second quarter, utilizing its size advantage inside...

LYNCHBURG -- The inability of the Community Viqueens to knock down close shots was costly as the Moore County Raiderettes capitalized on the Viqueen misfires to win a 57-40 District 9-A contest Friday night. 'We still are getting looks right around the bucket and we are not connecting," Coach Misty Thompson of the Viqueens said. "We've got to find a way to fix that."...

Vickie Hull, who manages the local offices of US Bank on the square, is a wife and mother, a cancer survivor, an active member of her church and community, and (until recently) a student. Want to suggest someone as a topic for Sunday Conversation? E-mail sfowler@t-g.com. Please give us some ideas of topics we can ask the subject about, and tell us why you think they'd be of interest...

Gavin Upchurch gets a suprise kiss from his new dog, a Yorkie named Bella. Submit your photos at http://www.t-g.com/forms/photo or email sfowler@t-g.com. (Submitted photo)

I walked in the front door this week and told my three granddaughters and their friend that there was a full moon that night. They all ran out onto the front porch and stood on the steps looking up at the sky. When Kori saw the moon, she starting clapping, and yelled, "Yay Moon! Good job!"...

Dear Santa, How are you? I am fine. The new bookmobile I asked you for last year arrived and it is so pretty. Many of the Bedford County folks donated to the cause. The local Rotary Club made a big donation that took fundraising "over the top" and we got a great deal from Newton Auto Group on a brand new silver 2016 Ford Transit Van. ...

JustServe is a website where the volunteer needs of organizations may be posted and volunteers may search for places to serve in their community. JustServe provides opportunities to care for those in need, and the main focus is to enhance the quality of life in the community...