Stories from Sunday, December 23, 2018

One of my favorite pictures of my father, Fred Dezotell, was a black and white photo of him standing on a ladder decorating a 20-foot-tall Christmas tree. The tree was put up every year in the grand ballroom of the Student Union at The University of North Dakota. Dad was the maintenance supervisor for the Student Union and decorating that tree was a job he looked forward to every year...

Hi, Dobby here. I bet you didn't know that guinea pigs are really quite gifted and that with a little practice we can actually read and write. ...

Sentimental fool that I am, a recent change in my son's extracurricular activities was like an early Christmas gift. Gideon has joined the staff of his school's newly launched (online) newspaper, the Cornersville High School "Paw Prints." Since I cut my journalistic eyeteeth at my junior high, high school and college newspapers, Gideon's decision was heart-warming -- and much safer than two klutzy individuals seeking father-son bonding via athletic roughhousing. ...

NEW YORK CITY -- Only in the "Big Apple" can Christmas and cynicism blend together on a cold December night. One of the traditions of the holidays is the decorative windows at the Macy's Department Store. The Thanksgiving parade only has a one-day shelf life. The window displays can be enjoyed over and over again during the holidays at any time of the day or night...

POINTS NORTH -- Santa Claus opens the heavy, leather-bound calendar on his desk and points out to me various deadlines for having toys ready to distribute. Santa's workshop produces an unimaginable number of toys -- and it has to, given the number of children who are expecting a visit on Christmas Eve. The activity on the workshop floor is frantic, and Santa, from his office overlooking the floor, can keep a close eye on things...

In a game where there was a distinct difference in the total number of team fouls and free throw attempts, Shelbyville Central dropped a 66-58 decision to visiting Lexington on Friday evening. The Eagles held a 16-11 advantage at the end of the opening period before Lexington rallied to even the score at 31-all by halftime...

Keeley Sutton had 12 points and was the only player to reach double figures as she guided the Cascade Lady Champions a 39-29 non-district win over visiting Van Buren County (8-5) on Friday night. Cascade (12-2) utilized an aggressive defense throughout the contest, forcing the Eaglettes to continuously turn the ball over...

The Cascade Champions (7-7) were at their best on Friday night when they played through Steele Carter in the low post. Though the shooting from the perimeter was anything but consistent, Carter pitched in a team-high 18 points and led Cascade to a 66-59 win over visiting Van Buren County...

A suspect in a robbery and burglary is in custody, authorities say. William Anthony Hayworth, 43, of South was arrested Thursday in Tullahoma, said Detective Sgt. Sam Jacobs of the Shelbyville Police Department. Hayworth is accused of yelling “police” while forcing his way into a Central Avenue home Dec. ...

A local family and a restaurant are making sure no one is hungry and alone in Shelbyville on Christmas Day. When the courthouse clock strikes noon on Christmas Day, Cindy Allen and family will serve their annual potluck luncheon for seniors (also other adults and kids) at Shelbyville Recreation Center. Allen gifts to others her day off from the center, where she works as senior programs coordinator. She is only paid for her normal work hours as she sets up the days preceding the event...

Margaret Petty’s photo of six-week-old Woody Petty, asleep beneath the Christmas tree next to Santa’s milk and cookies, won the Times-Gazette’s annual “Adorable Christmas Kids” photo contest, receiving 245 of the 4,642 votes cast. Margaret Petty will receive $200 from Talk Of The Town Boutique, one of two premier sponsors of the event...

Though I would love to write a Merry Christmas column, I’m unwrapping another topic-distracted driving. As a commuter, I have a vested interest. It is very scary to see people nearly run off the road. Even worse is when they veer across the center line. I have so aptly named this maneuver “The Clark Griswold.” (You have to see the movie “Christmas Vacation” to understand.) I’m sure you get the picture here...