Stories from Sunday, November 25, 2018

Trey and Tori Barnes of Unionville announce the birth of a daughter, Holland Ray Barnes, Nov. 9 at Williamson Medical Center in Franklin. She weighed 7 pounds, one ounce. Grandparents are Melissa Broiles of Unionville, Kerry Broiles of Murfreesboro, Eddie and Penny Barnes of Unionville. Great-grandparents are Kenneth and Joan Neill of Unionville, Buddy Broiles of Christiana, Conan and Sharon Clark of Murfreesboro and Linda King of College Grove...

Kacie Elise Jackson and Logan Edward Pierce, both of Cookeville, were married Oct. 13 at Newton's Bend Farm in Cookeville. Ronnie Dunn of Dodson Branch Freewill Baptist Church officiated the double-ring ceremony before a large company of guests. The bride is the daughter of Larry and Lori Jackson of Cookeville and the granddaughter of Nathan and Juanita Judd of Cookeville, Pauline Jackson of Cookeville and the late Willis Jackson...

I hope you are celebrating a terrific holiday weekend! I am writing this before Thanksgiving knowing that it will be published after Thanksgiving....and after Black Friday.... and after Small Business Saturday. By now, I bet most of you are just plain worn out. ...

When I was a tyke, I always freaked out over the possible presence of "cat hairs and goims." (Why a Tennessee farm boy pronounced "germs" like a hooligan in a 1930s movie set in Brooklyn, I'll never know.) As time passed and life's more pressing issues accumulated, I became complacent about cats shedding, cats leaving their muddy pawprints on the car hood, cats using my credit card to order pizza delivery, etc...

I listened to comedian Sarah Silverman as she was being interviewed on a daytime talk show this week. She was on this TV program to promote the new animated sequel to Disney's 2012, "Wreck-It Ralph," in which she voiced the character of Vanellope von Schweetz. She returns in the sequel to give voice to Vanellope once again in "Ralph Breaks the Internet."...

There's never been any doubt that my single greatest character flaw or attribute, depending on who you ask, is that I am terrible at saying 'No." On one hand, I've justified this over the years by telling myself that those who can do more should do more, but at other times I really get mad at myself for causing my own plate to almost always be on the verge of spilling over...

Joe Leonard “Doc” Irwin of Shelbyville, a World War II veteran, was the recipient of a Quilt of Valor Tuesday from Amy Martin. She is working her way down a long list of names of deserving veterans for this local commendation for bravery. While wrapped in American colors, the 93-year-old veteran recalled how he and other servicemen spent holidays overseas. (Submitted photo)

Local florist Leanne Moore served up what she called an "hors d'oeuvre of Christmas" during a recent holiday program for Shelbyville Woman's Club. Don't know where to start decorating for Christmas? Moore suggested when decorating for a holiday party, start with a basic miniature Boxwood, which can be accented with bows or fruit...

LEBANON — Offense was rolling in the second game of the Friendship Christian Thanksgiving tournament for the Webb School on Friday. Webb penciled 11 players into the scoring column and blasted Lighthouse Christian, 97-60, marking the second win for Webb in the tournament...

WOODBURY – Shelbyville Central fell behind early and couldn’t bounce back in a 64-50 lass to Oakland in the Cannon County Classic on Friday morning. The Lady Patriots posted leads of 18-13 at the end of the first quarter and 39-26 at halftime. The Eaglettes (1-4) played even with Oakland in the third frame, with both teams scoring 14 points...

CHAPEL HILL – For Coach Robbie Davis and the Community Vikings, the Forrest Thanksgiving Classic was a chance to make amends after losing their first two games of the season. After avenging a season-opening loss to the Summertown Eagles with a win over the Eagles on Wednesday, it was deja vu on Friday as the Vikings defeated the Loretto Mustangs 50-40...

Bedford County native Estella Peacock Harvey is coming home to autograph her first children’s book, “ABC’s from Granna’s Porch,” 2:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at Shelbyville Recreation Center in H.V. Griffin Park. “It’s been years in the making,” Harvey reveals. “Just as someone cared and prayed for me from infancy to adulthood, I pray that this book will be conducive in fostering a positive learning process.”...

New state law taking effect in January makes it mandatory that parents of Bedford County students be notified within five days if any school’s water tests show high levels of lead. The state considers anything more than 15 parts per billion of lead content to be high. But if level tests show 20 parts ppb, parents have to be warned of the potential risks...

Following a three-year hiatus, First Baptist Church, East Depot Street, will present its greatly anticipated musical- drama, “The Living Christmas Tree,” Dec. 9-10. A Sunday evening show will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. (The matinee from 3 to 4 p.m. on Sunday has sold out.) “The Living Christmas Tree” finale will be Dec. 10 from 7 to 8 p.m...