The 2021 Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival, in its 90th year, has chosen a new queen. She is Abigail Canter of Western Kentucky University and Shelbyville. A second-year Spirit Master as one of the university's official student ambassadors, Canter is majoring in corporate and organizational communication and minoring in psychological sciences... more

Shelbyville Women's Club held its monthly luncheon Wednesday at the Riverbend Country Club and introduced their 2021 scholarship recipient, Evie Winfrey, and their "musical" guest, Chase Clanton. The meeting began with a devotion read by Martha Fisher in which she quoted sayings from her father, Dwight Stubblefield, who passed away at 91 last year after being one of the first in the County to contract COVID-19... more

After a year of stressful indoor living due to COVID-19, summer is here, and with it, outdoor enthusiasts are looking for those fun activities that have been missing for so long. Fortunate residents of Bedford County can find a family, pet-friendly staycation site right in their own back yards called Float-A-Boat, known as FAB, for short... more

It's that time of the year again when many churches will be conducting Vacation Bible School. Please email us one or two of your best captures from your event. Email photos to: dhankins@t-g.com. First Baptist Church, 304 Depot Street, will host its VBS starting Sunday and continuing through Wednesday, from 6 to 8:30 p.m... more

Granted, Tennessee weather is unpredictable. So much so, outdoor picnics-those which we go to great length and expense to prepare-can often be cancelled. Try a little al fresco dining, close to home, until the weather clears. Below are some suggested recipes that store well for traveling. The calcium and protein-enriched menu ideas are courtesy of The Dairy Alliance... more

Attorney Zulu Ali (formerly known as David Castleman) has received the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his achievement in law and activism. Ali is the son of Linda Reese Harvey and the grandson of A.D. and Bessie Reynolds, Perry and Catherine Reese, and Ed and Ora Castleman... more

Attorney Zulu Ali (formerly known as David Castleman) has received the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his achievement in law and activism. Ali is the son of Linda Reese Harvey and the grandson of A.D. and Bessie Reynolds, Perry and Catherine Reese, and Ed and Ora Castleman... more

Beta Iota Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha sorority held a "Taste and Tell" event on May 6, at the home of Brenda Knight. Kenzie Miller served as co-host. Members shared how it was "a delightful dinner with delicious desserts." We thank sorority members for graciously sharing some of their recipes with readers... more

First Church of the Nazarene, 834 Union St., celebrated in a big way last Sunday with a special worship service in honor of the Rev. Ron and Judy DeWitt's 30-year Shelbyville ministry. While he admitted that he highly suspected on his pastoral anniversary something would be presented, the preacher was surprised with the large crowd, visits by dignitaries and old friends. The DeWitts expressed their emotions during the program as guests honored them with words, gifts and plaques from the pulpit... more

Cascade High's 2021 valedictorian, Connor Primm, presented his graduation speech Saturday. In addition to reaching the top of his graduating class academically, he's also quite the music man, with music education goals for the future. The son of James and Linda Prim of Bell Buckle, Connor earned his place at the top of his class with a cumulative numeric average of 101.188 and an ACT composite score of 33. ... more

Bedford County School System honored its retiring teachers and staff Tuesday night with a special recognition ceremony and reception. Front row, from left: Teresa Mangrum, 31 years; Jennifer Bennett, 24 years; Reita Vaughn, 41.5 years. Standing, from left: Jeff Gilmore, 27 years; Linda Gilmore, 33 years; John Batts, 11 years; James Darden, 13 years; Judy Leverette, 16 years; Beth Mohon, 18 years; Frank Locke, 8 years; Kathy Banks, 30 years; Dale Rucker, 34 years; Juan Chirigliano, 13 years; Jon Brock, 37 years; Betty Housch, 42 years; Pam Feldhaus, 31 years; Virginia Sue Roberts, 14 years; Clysta Leathers-Rose, 34 years; Sherry Crawford, 21 years; and Delores Donegan, 25 years. Not pictured: Kimberly Allison, 19 years; Corey Bates, 10 years; Melanie Bryant, 8 years; Pamela Butler, 30 years; Carolyn Camacho, 20 years; Lillie Fay Clanton, 1 year; William Cunningham, 6 years; Don Embry, 40 years; Tracy Ferrell, 32 years; Mark Hall, 29 years; Jackie Hambrick, 30 years; Ernest Kennerly, 21 years; Dana Lynn Laura, 15 years; Scott Parsons, 17 years; James Porter, 13 years; Donald Taylor, 4 years; Jimmy Tharp, 17 years; Steve Tomerlin, 4 years. more

Five-year-old Malachi Farmer has new wheels. Malachi was featured recently in the Times-Gazette, because he was sad about someone stealing his bike - one his mom, Ashley, said was a Christmas present. The Disney-themed bike was picked up from their home, his mom reported to Shelbyville Police... more

Friends and family of James Cannon "Jim" Burns Jr. are celebrating his turning 100 years old on May 24. Jim said recently, "It has been a good ride." Jim is still married to Mena Anderson Burns - the love of his life and wife for the past 70 years. His children each said they wanted to wish to express their deep gratitude to him for his steadfast love and guidance he has provided to them, and for his strong devotion to their mother... more

Shelbyville Fire-Rescue was recently honored by Bedford County Republicans with snacks for all the work they do in the community. more

Amy Jones, center, from Adoration Home Health, recently presented information about home health options to members of the Shelbyville Rotary Club. From left, Cassie Davis, Jones and Dr. Jay Davis, program facilitator. more

Larisa Rincon Molina is this year's Shelbyville Central High School valedictorian. She has quite a remarkable volunteer and school involvement record in addition to being ranked first in her graduating class. Larisa has a 4.0 GPA and a numerical average of 4.0. The AP and dual credits include 3 AP world history; 4 AP 2-D art and design and pre-calculus. Some of her artwork was featured recently at the Fly Cultural Arts Building during a special exhibit... more

Shelbyville Garden Club met recently at Riverbend Country Club. Pam Beasley offered the devotional, "The World's Largest Rose Tree." This month, members were involved in planning and finalizing programs for the new club year. Club member Babs Chicoine presented what members said was an informative program on hummingbirds. Chicoine said the most common in the Eastern United States is the Ruby Throated... more

Recently attending a Bedford County teacher appreciation reception at Community Middle, from left, Tim Harwell, assistant school superintendent; Tammy Garrett, school superintendent; Mary Tim Cook, District Teacher of the Year, Southside Elementary School; and Stefanie Norton, Southside Elementary principal. more

Announced recently as the 2020-2021 Bedford County Teachers of the Year are, from left, Kristi Griffin, Learning Way Elementary School; Amanda McBride, Bedford County Learning Academy; Judy Leverette, Community High School; Mary Tim Cook, Southside Elementary School; Chris Hobbs, CTE Annex; Jimmy Yates, Community Elementary School; Sharon Frazier, Cascade Elementary School; Dale Rucker, Cascade High School; Angela Tyre, Cascade Middle School; Ashley Evett, Harris Middle School; Jenni Byford, Thomas Magnet School; Jeremy Bryant, Shelbyville Central High School; Lindy Holland, Liberty School; Katie Myers, East Side Elementary School; Josh Burrahm, Community Middle School. Not pictured: Kari Tisma, Eakin Elementary School more

On a picturesque hill in the small rural community of Rover in Bedford County, sits a peaceful resting place for over 1,000 souls called the Simpson Cemetery. Long-time Rover resident Bobbie Sue Lonas says she believes people should be educated on such histories behind local cemeteries... more