Stories from Sunday, November 26, 2017

It's hard to believe but Christmas is less than a month away. It seems as if I am always trying to get everything done at the last minute just as I discover my brain has now forgotten all the wonderful plans for clever gifts that I had back in the spring. Oh, well, I will probably remember them around New Year's Day. Then I can write them down for next year. Then, if I just don't forget where I put the notes...

Writing about Thanksgiving and Christmas is such a typical topic this time of year, especially in the era of social media where anyone can be a writer, that I think many people who write and get paid for it tend to steer away from it altogether. I don't think I've written about either holiday in a few years, other than perhaps something following Christmas depicting my excitement that the holiday is finally over. I love Thanksgiving, but Christmas ... well, not so much...

Last Sunday was what is known on the church calendar as Thanksgiving Sunday; the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Our worship leader at Cannon UMC, Linda Stimpson, a gifted vocalist and inspiration to all of us, led the congregation in singing the old hymn, "Now Thank We All Our God."...

Madison Swafford of Petersburg and Dakota Smith of Shelbyville announce their engagement. The bride-elect is the daughter of Mike and Christy Swafford of Petersburg, and Shannon and Shannan Dover of Norman, Oklahoma. She is the granddaughter of Bill Swafford and the late Linda Swafford of Purcell, Oklahoma, and Jim and Carol Hall of Purcell...

There is no question that a group of Union soldiers and volunteers met in Bedford County during the Civil War on their final stop before reassembling in northern Georgia to steal a Confederate railroad engine known as "The General." While there is no doubt they stopped here, just where they met is subject to debate. A Tennessee state historical marker is located at Wartrace Pike (Highway 64.)...

Bubba belongs to Marty and Jenny Wright. (Submitted photo)

NASHVILLE — It was a wild shootout in Nashville on Friday evening for the Webb School. A combined 150 points between the Feet and LEAD Academy had Webb falling on the short end of an 80-70 decision. Webb’s Keon Johnson put forth a valiant effort of 39 points to lead the Feet in the battle against LEAD Academy...

Vince Lombardi once said, “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” In a way, Lombardi was spot on. But as the times change, expectations associated with sports in general changed. Acceptance of behavior not relative to the playing on the field has become a widespread disease infecting various sports across the spectrum...

In the 1990s, Baillie & The Boys were part of a wave of new-country groups that included Shenandoah, Sweethearts of the Rodeo, Highway 101 and others, bringing a contagious, listenable blend of pop and country to radios everywhere. “It was a great time in country music, I think,” said Kathy Baillie...

What’s in a name? Money, sometimes. Bedford County Board of Commissioners’ courthouse and county property committee, meeting Tuesday night, discussed an official name for the county-owned former bank building on the west side of the square. The county is currently preparing to remodel the building to house courthouse offices. Commissioner Linda Yockey told the committee that the building needs a name, and she suggested “Bedford County Courthouse Annex.”...

Filipino immigrants showed their gratitude for their opportunity to strive for the American Dream by giving to the less fortunate in Shelbyville for Thanksgiving. The Filipino American Association of Tennessee (FAAT) held a giveaway Saturday, Nov. 18 at St. William Catholic Church...

Daniel Clifford Trott, 65, of Shelbyville died Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017 at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville. A Celebration of Life service will be 7 p.m. Tuesday at Doak-Howell Funeral Home, Mark Hall officiating. Visitation will begin at 3 p.m.

James Ellis Sandlin, 89, of Shelbyville died Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Hillcrest Funeral Home, Rev. Jim Tedder officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Lebanon Methodist Church Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m.

Following is an interview with Joy Ruth Matanguihan, president of the Filipino American Association of Tennessee (FAAT). She immigrated to the United States in 2011...

Helen Crawford Marsh, 96, of Shelbyville died suddenly Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017 at Tennova Healthcare-Shelbyville. No services are planned. She will be buried in Willow Mount Cemetery. Doak-Howell Funeral Home handled arrangements.