Stories from Sunday, December 9, 2018

I'm a big fan of comfort foods, but a recent headline made me feel decidedly uncomfortable. "Tuna seeks return to salad days," blared the Wall Street Journal. To my dismay, once-ubiquitous canned tuna has fallen upon hard times. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, per capita consumption dropped 42 percent between 1986 and 2016...

Christmastime already! Where do the days go? As you fly through the many errands and business of life that happens at this time of year, please remember to watch for those who are lonely, sad, and possibly far from home. It never ceases to amaze me what a kind word, a smile, or a few minutes of time listening can do for someone who is finding the memories of Christmases past or the burdens of Christmas present to be overwhelming. ...

As a throwback to one of my favorite comfort foods this time of year, I thought I'd share one of my all-time favorite things to indulge in this week. This recipe may be a soup, but don't underestimate its ability to fill you up and leave you satisfied. My broccoli noodle soup is an old family favorite, and just making it last night brought back lots of happy memories, as food often does...

In many Christian denominations, the season of Advent is celebrated during the month of December. The United Methodist Church, in which I now serve as a pastor, observes Advent annually; and so did the Lutheran Church that I was raised in. Both of these denominations had their beginnings in Europe, and the beginnings of Advent supposedly can be traced back to even earlier European roots...

I'm certain to never be a Christmas "wrap star." Why do we wrap Christmas presents? Since I happen to be the world's worst gift wrapper, I have pondered that question for most of my life. You've heard of ugly Christmas sweater contests. Well, if there's a ugliest wrapped gift contest, please let me know. I'm sure to win the prize...

The holidays bring many parties and events and entertaining with friends and family. It is nice to have a good arsenal of appetizers to use throughout the season. My brother's family always has a finger food dinner while they decorate their tree. Growing up, we always had finger foods for Christmas Eve before opening the presents...

An exhibit this month at The Fly Arts Center tells the story of how local resident Rafaela Belecki-Weyenberg spent several years in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, helping to battle HIV/AIDS. The exhibit includes photos as well as souvenirs of Bielecki-Weyenberg's stay in the Congo...

Harris Middle School’s Golden Eagles dropped a 25-20 decision to CTC conference foe Tullahoma West on Thursday evening. The Eagles trailed 3-2 at the end of the first quarter before evening the score at 6-6 by halftime. Harris held a 14-12 advantage at the end of the third quarter but were outscored 13-6 in the final stanza...

SPENCER — A strong second-quarter effort couldn’t be carried into the second half for the Cascade Champions on Friday night at Van Buren County. Cascade rallied and cut the Eagles’ lead to one point at the half, but couldn’t sustain the momentum into the second half and fell 72-58...

SPENCER — After dropping the first game of the season earlier in the week at Forrest, the Cascade Lady Champions got back on track on Friday night at Van Buren County, defeating the Lady Eagles 63-54. Cascade was led by the stellar effort of senior guard Keeley Sutton, who scored 22 points in the win...

UNIONVILLE – For three quarters Friday night, the Community Vikings could not narrow the margin against the hot-shooting Moore County Raiders as the Raiders used three big runs to go ahead by 28 points at the start of the fourth period. But the Vikings got off the deck in a big way as they cut the Moore County lead to five points late, but the hill was too steep to climb as the Raiders held on for a 74-68 non-district basketball win...

UNIONVILLE – The Community Viqueens and Moore County Raiderettes stayed within six points of each other the entire game, but the Raiderettes nailed some clutch free throws in overtime as the Viqueens fell 64-61 in a foul-marred basketball contest Friday night...

A delivery driver said he was robbed, possibly at gunpoint, early Thursday at a Shelbyville restaurant. The driver, from Georgia, told police he was told to “hand over your wallet” around 1:10 a.m. at Popeye’s, North Main Street, while in the truck’s refrigerated trailer. He told the man where his wallet was and only got a brief glimpse at the robber, who took it and his cellphone. The phone was later found behind a Quarry Street home...

Looking for a Christmas gift that spreads lots of love and doesn’t cost a penny to obtain? Bedford County Animal Control may have your answer. BCAC is waiving adoption fees for dogs and cats during December, director Jack Cooper says, Of course, the new pet’s upkeep carries costs, but that’s another story...

Two Shelbyville elementary schools will be the first outside of Nashville to benefit from Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s “Disney Musicals In Schools” program. Representatives of Eakin Elementary School and Learning Way Elementary School recently attended an orientation session at TPAC, in downtown Nashville, at which they selected their musicals and learned more about the program. The 17-week program will begin in January...

After two years of completely-clean, no-finding audits, Bedford County’s streak has ended — the newly-released audit of the 2017-18 fiscal year has one finding, which County Finance Director Robert Daniel said was the result of a mistake in the normal end-of-the-year budget amendment...

Voting is now underway in the the Times-Gazette’s annual “Adorable Christmas Kids” photo contest, which invites readers to submit Christmas-themed photos of children. Submissions are still being accepted — and the sooner you submit a photo, the more days it will be available for voting...

Jake Dickens with her little curly locks did not seem real happy to see Santa. Brother Reed Dickens looks on during the annual Santa-Fly-in Saturday at Shelbyville Municipal Airport.

Newly organized Scout Venture Crew 371 held a bonfire and movie event on Saturday December 8. From left to right, Allison Lemaster, William Ruiz, Trusten Seibert, Logan Mabry, Haden Cox. Not pictured, Zach Bowling, Shayne Lemaster – Assistant Advisor, Van Ayers – Advisor. ...