Stories from Sunday, March 12, 2017

Mama was 90. That in itself was quite an accomplishment, considering she had smoked for over 20 years, raised three kids and worked her butt off until retirement. Now she lived by herself in that little five-room dump on the outskirts of Nashville, two miles from the county line...

Charles Blondin was known as The Daredevil of Niagara Falls. He was one of history's most famous tightrope walkers, also known as a "rope dancer" or a "funambulist." It was estimated that he had crossed the Niagara Falls at least 300 times on a rope stretched across the Niagara River from the American side to the Canadian side...

"Beware the Ides of March!" Many of us utter this quote from Shakespeare and often use it to proclaim that March can have all kinds of unpredictable weather. But, did you know that the Ides can be the 15th or the 13th of any month depending on its length? Ides is a term that designates about the middle of the month on the Roman calendar. ...

Ever have a word in your close circle of family and/or friends that makes you laugh or joke -- every single time it's said? It can be the simplest of words or phrases, and no one else may "get it," but the word "gets you" every time. One of those words for my daughter and me, and a few close to us, is porridge...

Popeye had the right idea when he ate his spinach. Spinach is loaded with vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin C and Folate and it's a good source of iron, magnesium and potassium. But not only is it good for you but it's just plain good! A cool season green, we'll start seeing fresh spinach soon here in middle Tennessee. Fresh spinach is great in salads and pairs well with winter and spring fruits like oranges, apple slices or strawberries or roasted vegetables like butternut squash or beets...

Johnny Jones and Charlie Pope first became acquainted with each other at Community School in Unionville. Together, they ventured out and created a lasting impact at Martin Methodist College for the school and its athletic programs. It was a day to remember on February 11th as Jones and Pope were inducted into the Martin Methodist Sports Hall of Fame...

Shelbyville police report they conducted a major gambling bust Thursday. Officers raided six businesses where they said illegal gambling video game machines were being used, Shelbyville Det. Lt. Brian Crews said. At least nine people have been cited in connection with the activity...

On March 8, the Rotary Club of Shelbyville conducted the 42nd Rotary Career Day for over 600 sophomores from Shelbyville Central, Cascade and Community High Schools at Motlow State Community College. The 10th graders, working with their respective high school guidance counselors, choose to attend four different career fields to listen to expert speakers in those fields in 25 minute sessions. ...

Gerson Solis of Shelbyville, a senior at Cascade High School, recently competed in the Ben Alford Church Leadership Scholarship Competition at Martin Methodist College in Pulaski. The Cal Turner Jr. Center for Church Leadership of Martin Methodist awards two or more Ben Alford Scholarships each year to students showing exceptional promise in the area of church leadership. ...

NASHVILLE (AP) -- A Tennessee free-market group is suing the state over regulation of horse massage therapy. The Beacon Center Legal Foundation on Thursday sued the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners in Davidson County Chancery Court. The lawsuit claims the board told Martha Stowe and Laurie Wheeler of Franklin they couldn't continue practicing horse massage therapy without a veterinary license...

iHobby is a feature in which we introduce you to someone with an interesting talent, hobby or pursuit -- and then tell you how you can get involved. We'd love suggestions of people and/or hobbies for future columns; send them to tgnews@t-g.com. The Civil War comes to life on a regular basis thanks to reenactors like Doug Soileau of Bedford County...

Funeral services for Sarah Jane Ray, age 90, of Unionville will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at the chapel of Doak-Howell Funeral Home with Bro. Larry Hames and Phillip Crawley officiating. Burial will follow in the Houston-Whitworth Cemetery. Granny Ray passed from this life Sunday morning following an extended illness surrounded by her family at the Waters of Shelbyville...

Snowfall 3/11

An eager group of homeschoolers made their way bright and early to the Shelbyville-Bedford County Humane Association (SBCHA) on Wednesday morning. These kids are part of a local 4-H Club provided to those area children not able to attend 4-H meetings through the public schools, such as homeschoolers and private school children. ...