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I THINK OF education the same way I think of the spring season. In that time of year, out of season and lifeless-looking trees begin to bloom and become like new. The new nutrients, new water, and...
MEMORIES OF books, card catalogs, and hushing librarians come to mind when we recall the libraries of our childhood. We can almost smell that perfect mixture of paper, dust, and nostalgia. Those...
THERE IS at least one in nearly every reader’s home. Barna.com reports that in 2021, approximately half of American adults go to it at least occasionally and that half of the U.S. adults believe it...
LAURENCE J. Peter said, “It’s better to have loved and lost than to have to do 40 pounds of laundry a week.” Erica James-Hernandez, the owner of Fresh Fold Laundry Co., agrees and doesn’t want you...
Sometimes life just isn’t what it seems. There are situations where we view each other through the fishbowl of life. We watch from outside, sure of what we’re seeing. Meanwhile, inside, life is its...
DID YOU feel like an outsider at some point in high school? Do you remember the invisible boundaries between you and those in sports or clubs? Were your grades or wardrobe always short of measuring...
FAR FROM home while deployed to Iraq, Dr. Lucas Bowling received a call that changed the trajectory of his life. Not the kind you answer with your cell phone, but a call that doesn’t use Verizon’s...
LYNNA MILLER’S students are a part of her life forever, each becoming one of her kiddos. But some put the “special” in education — a field Miller has been actively involved in for more than 30...
IT’S BECOME a Bedford County tradition — graduating seniors returning to their elementary schools to walk the halls of their childhood memories. When the last days of high school are marked off the...
WHETHER YOU’RE on the go or wanting to eat a meal that’s packed with good for you ingredients, Earth Bar has your back with their multiple options of smoothies, açai bowls and fresh juice shots....
AFTER TWO long years, the Bell Buckle Daffodil Day and Best of the Butts BBQ Cook-Off were back in action. Cozy, little historic Bell Buckle sparkled and shined for the third weekend in March when...
THE TEST of history has proven that women have been foundational, like a sturdy rock that can withstand a storm. They overcame obstacles century after century, constantly adapting to the needs of...
AT WORK, Eddie Medley wears many hats: job coach, record keeper, counselor, facilitator, job developer, etc. But he said it all comes down to three important tasks: advocate, facilitate, and...
WHEN MARY Beth Gunn and her friends used to hit the tennis courts on high school Friday nights, college championship matches may not have been on her radar, but a love of the game and her...
MIDDLE TENNESSEE families are benefiting for the 10th consecutive year from an initiative of the Tennessee Cattleman’s Association (TCA) with Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. Farm...
WATCHING YOUR baby grow, develop, and toddle is something you never forget. You soak in as much as time allows, even though it is a naturally stressful time. Milestones come and go, and growth...
JUST OVER 100 years ago, women finally received what other Americans, but not all, already had — the right to vote. Now, we have the opportunity to lift up and celebrate the groundbreaking women...
LAURA PARHAM’S dad, Austin Lewis, taught her from a young age that she could do anything. In fact, he expected nothing less from her. While he couldn’t have known where her career would take her, he...
SOME GENERATIONS grew up racing to answer the phone, but not everyone’s phone would ring a solid, uninterrupted ring until you lifted the receiver. That call sounded the alarm to volunteer...
MARGARET BRITTON Vaughn, known to most people as “Maggi,” tracked the grit on the avenue from the ruts of the road. Many of the songs she hummed have been sung by names and faces we know and...
IT’S LUNCHTIME on a Friday, and Mother’s Subs has parked their bright yellow food truck in my work parking lot. My co-workers and I swarmed the vehicle, ready for a delicious meal, and luckily for...
MARCH 1 is National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day — a day to celebrate the rich, gooey goodness of a pantry staple. What better way to start the day than with a batch of special pancakes? Then, keep up...
IT’S THE curse of getting older — you know — being told that we are acting like our parents by taking on their traits, actions, and beliefs. And it’s true. Now, at 39, I find it happening to me,...
THE QUAINT town of Wartrace has recently added to its charm with the addition of the Big Creek Winery Tasting Room. The local business recently celebrated its arrival with a grand reopening....
IMAGINE LIFE is a car, and our goal is to make it from one side of the country to the other. The only way to do that is by having a full tank of gas. What is the gas in our lives, as humans, that...
CHERI BLACKWELL was born to be a teacher— it’s in her genes. Retired teacher Brenda Ayers, Blackwell’s aunt, influenced a family of educators: her daughter, Robin Ayers Adcock; her granddaughter,...
STEP INTO the office of the Bedford County Archives and Records Center (BCARC) with me. Now, close your eyes and take a deep breath. That’s more than the smell of old books and records; that’s a...
A CHURCH THAT has endured fire, natural disasters, the Civil War, cholera epidemics, and a global pandemic persevered and held its Bicentennial Plus Two celebration Sunday, September 18, 2022. The...
SPENDING MOST, if not all, of your time with a loved one that can’t recognize their surroundings, forgets if they’ve eaten recently, or can’t remember your name can be more than overwhelming. It...
TO SAY “the sky’s the limit” is to aim low in the world of Shelbyville native Billy Hix. While the concept of the internet did not exist when Hix was a fifth grader, he’d have had no problem...
WHEN YOU see Terry and Joanne Theis, you’ll likely see them holding hands. Even from a distance, you sense the depth of their love for each other. It’s the picture of their loving relationship that...
FOOD IS a universal love language… one that needs no words. Memories are made around the fellowship of the table where love, laughter, and a sense of belonging comingle with the sweet aroma of our...
THEY’VE ALWAYS been a part of Judy Gambill’s life—agriculture and faith. Her commitment to serving her community is rooted in them. Gambill grew up in Franklin County and spent her childhood on the...
WITH SO many options for Mexican restaurants, how do you stand out from the crowd? Birria pizza, quesadillas with Flaming Hot Cheetos, or elote in a cup sure will help to be unique. These are...
ROSES ARE red, violets are blue, treat your loved one to a treat that is made by you! Whether you’re celebrating the beginnings of a new relationship, or spending the day with your longtime...
I DON’T KNOW a stranger. Call it a hazard of my job as a writer, but I genuinely enjoy meeting people, and it is even better if I can turn them into friends. There’s a great quote by Maya Angelou...
CALEB MCCALL walked into Canvas Community Church in Manchester as a young adult, not realizing how big an impact they would make in his journey to restoration. He served as the young adult pastor...
I AM IN the middle of my third decade of life, and within the last two years, I’ve discovered something I always ignored: music from the midcentury. Life does not seem to be slowing down. Our...
DAVID MCGEE always had a doctor’s kit in his toybox; medicine intrigued him. He applied to med school for a career in dentistry and pharmacy school as a backup. Pharmacy school answered first. Today...
MANY CHILDREN dream of being teachers when they grow up. They play teacher at home with siblings and stuffed animals, grade papers, teach lessons, and imagine themselves behind the desk and at the...
THE SET is iconic, the family known to those who planned their evenings by the TV Guide in the 70s. “Goodnight, John Boy” became a household phrase. It began as the 1972 movie, “The Homecoming: A...
COFFEE FROM a favorite mug, their children’s hugs, and that exhausted feeling from a hard day’s work—all these little things were traded for soul-numbing choices leading to their incarceration. A...
FOR OVER 35 years, Trena Tucker Cook stood behind the chair. Today, her appointment book is entirely cleared, making time for the most important things in her life—her family. Cook said, “Between...
OUR COMMUNITY has a rich history. Businesses, people, and locations have created the foundation of who we are today. Each decade is a building block to our identity, creating a beautiful masterpiece...
THE NEON invitation to entertainment and escape has stood for almost 75 years at the corner of Depot and North Brittain Streets. But on Wednesday, May 22, 1968, it shined brightest, announcing “The...
LABOR DAY weekend 1974, Saturday, September 7. The city inhaled Celebration energy and exhaled excitement and anticipation. Nine days of hopefuls— present and future—had entered the ring, walked,...
ON CHRISTMAS Day, in the early 70s, a truck driver drops coins into a truck stop pay phone while piling the rest of his change on the ledge below it. He’s anxious to hear his wife’s and children’s...
I CANNOT START my day without a cup of delicious coffee. The Coffee Break consistently delivers outstanding specialty drinks, a filling breakfast, amazing lunch options, and a plethora of pastries....
“ I AM A child of the King that is recovered from drug addiction. This February, I’ll have 19 years of being free from methamphetamine and other drugs. God used this program to transform my entire...
FOR OVER 30 years, children’s television host Mister Rogers came into the homes of millions via our television sets and told each of us one of the most important things a person could say to us. “I...
TWO WORDS strike fear and dread in our hearts. Cancer is number two. While number one is associated with it, it is no longer exclusive to it. Any number of conditions can lead to a call for it; the...
FOR 14 years, he smiled back at customers from behind the meat coolers at Dial’s Supermarket, happy in his work there until the day he believes the Lord dropped the dream of a Christian bookstore...
ALL I want for Christmas iiiiiiis…yoooooOOooooOOoouuuUUUuuu.” Can you hear it already? It’s that time of year once again. A time of year when a heated blanket feels like a hug. Every inch of the...
STORIES ARE some of our first teachers. They teach us about the world and each other, transporting us to places our bodies may never travel. They shape our minds and sharpen our perceptions. Brenden...
… but Shelbyville’s police and Santa make spirits bright by delivering Christmas joy. SANTA HAS a local connection, but don’t tell everyone. In December, the atmosphere at the Shelbyville Police...
AT AGE 35, Jim Wood left his native Williamson County. He resettled in Flat Creek, a bucolic village in the Southernmost part of Bedford County, to escape the gravitational pull of Music City. Jim...
Like our lives, stories travel. Walk with Kyle Thomas on the worn path of a writer, but don’t dilly dally around, or he’ll run off and leave you. Envision the classic scene of a writer at an old...
OPEN THE door of the Habitat Thrift Store just off Shelbyville’s square and expect to leave with a lighter heart and a smile on your face. Drop whatever is wearing on you outside their door; it’ll...
ONE LOOK at bewildered faces in the grocery store as we shop reflects the struggle to afford groceries and life’s necessities. The roller coaster of unprecedented events of the past few years...
Staring into the storefront windows; you’re a child again. Whether transported to your earliest Christmas mornings or into make-believe stories of days gone by, Phillips General Store in Bell Buckle...
As you put on your next new pair of shoes, hold that empty box a few minutes longer. Look inside at what it holds. What do you see? Packing paper? Cardboard? Look again. That empty box has the...
THROUGH THE years, I’ve seen this location under many identities, but my all-time favorite is Penalties Sports Bar and Grill. This isn’t your average sports bar, so don’t let the name fool you. I...
SHELBYVILLE'S DOWNTOWN Wine Walk has become a fan-favorite event in Bedford County during the winter holiday season. At the event, attendees can sample and taste wines from local wineries and...
ALL I want for Christmas iiiiiiis... yoooooOOooooOOoouuuUUUuuu,” Can you hear it already? It’s that time of year once again. And I know there is a crowd of people who agree with the Grinch and...
YOU MAY not realize there are people without homes living in Bedford County. They may be people who sleep in their cars or “couch surf ” (going from friend to friend and sleeping on their couch);...
CREATING A workforce of the future requires a lot of planning from diverse groups. In October, a group of teachers came to an in-service day hosted by the Shelbyville-Bedford County Partnership....
FOR THE first time in recent history, according to those with historical knowledge, industries in Bedford County assembled with educators and locally elected officials to discuss workforce...
THE DREAMS of one individual can shape the heart of an entire community. We can all look around and see the change we wish to see in the world. Many situations may seem too big; however, all it...
TO SHOW appreciation to their teachers, kids used to bring a shiny apple to leave sitting on their educator’s desk. They would run back to their chair and wait for the teacher to come in and see the...
IN JULY of 1996, Detective Joyce McConnell was called out to a scene she will never forget. Detective McConnell was heartbroken at what she saw. Years after this event, Joyce founded Junior’s House,...
TOURING THE Community Clinic of Shelbyville and Bedford County in July of this year changed Hannah Peels’ life. As part of the Vocational Rehabilitation Program in Shelbyville, a summer program to...
HAVE YOU ever seen Edwin Holcombe walk a rabbit on a leash in downtown Shelbyville? You might think you’ve entered an episode of the Twilight Zone or expect to see Alice in Wonderland next but what...
“THIS IS a banner year for Bedford County Schools,” according to Assistant Superintendent Tim Harwell. He was explaining the impressive improvement seen in the 2020-2021 TCAP (Tennessee...
HALLOWEEN IS Leland Blessing’s favorite holiday, when all his friends can get into the costumes of their favorite heroes and villains. They get to visit with friends and go knock on doors for candy...
HONEY AND Haley were ready on the starting line at a horse race in Kentucky. She was surrounded on her left and right by racers in her young adult age bracket. One racer after the other looked...
THE WEBB School, in its 152nd school year, recently paused to mark the 150th anniversary observance, a celebration that originally began in August of 2020. More than 350 alumni, parents, and friends...
“THE SWEETS baking wasn’t my passion to start,” local baker Cole Krieg said. He was passionate about livestock and farming – a family trait he acquired from his great-grandmother. He had gone to...
AMY EDMISTON, creator of the digital scrapbook “Pretty Old Places”, invites you to pull up a rocking chair on the wraparound porch of the old homeplace where stories line the shiplap walls like...
LYNFIELD GARDENS in Bell Buckle and Craig and Wheeler Realty in Shelbyville reminded me of two important principles: loving my neighbor, and the old saying, “Do unto others as you would have them do...
GANDHI SAID, “Be the change you want to see in this world.” Jasper Wilson, director of High Calling Ministries (HCM), his wife, Israel along with a team of staff and volunteers are living this...
THE FORMER University of Tennessee (UT) professor, writer, and author Warren Gill grew up on the historic Greer-Gill farm in a small town outside of Petersburg. His grandfather bought the land in...
DR. EDWARD Perryman is a nature lover and devout Christian with a humble spirit, and his story inspires many to pursue their dreams and live their lives to the fullest. Good News story writer Tina...
NO SOONER than the door closes behind you, you know you’re somewhere special. A deep breath sweetens your lungs and your spirit. The stress and cares of the world are locked outside, the door...
COFFEE SHOPS are a growing industry worldwide. Sitting down at a coffee shop is the most efficient way to catch up with friends and family, enjoy a nice cup of tea or coffee, get some work done...
LOCATED IN the beautiful North Main Marketplace shopping center is the sweetest spot in Shelbyville filled with sugar, spice, and everything nice. Mouth of The South Bakery is the brainchild of...
IN 2019, The Fly Arts Center was having a moment. Audiences and patrons were getting more and more involved in events and productions. They were starting to reach their goals. Then, COVID-19 hit....
TAKE A deep breath and smell the aroma of lunch cooking in the kitchen. It was a very important meal. Jesus and the 12 stopped in to visit the home of Martha and Mary, in Bethany. Through the...
WE DUST off the artificial pumpkin decorations and pull orange and purple wreaths from storage. We pull out rakes and sweaters as the weather drops like the leaves do. The weather feels therapeutic...
WE DUST off the artificial pumpkin decorations and pull orange and purple wreaths from storage. We pull out rakes and sweaters as the weather drops like the leaves do. The weather feels therapeutic...
WITH TODAY'S economic changes, we must ensure that our community members have the resources to provide for their families. Duksan Electera is doing just that for the city of Shelbyville. Duksan...
HUMAN TRAFFICKING has been an issue worldwide for a very long time. With the recent uprising of social media and trafficking awareness campaigns, it is easier to raise awareness of an issue that has...
CASCADE HIGH School’s annual Wartrace Horse Show fundraiser, hosted on August 6, 2022, was a success. The show is special every year, but one thing that makes it incredibly unique this year is that...
YOU’RE RUNNING down the court as fans cheer in the stands, your teammate makes a pass as you enter inside the paint, and swish, the team’s leading scorer makes a layup, and that’s game. Siblings,...
“IT WAS the best of times; it was the worst of times. Nothing is more simultaneously joyful and stressful than the birth of your first child unless it’s starting your own business on the same day....
NURSE LORIE KEENE has seen a few things. She sees the present, the past, and the future with humor and heart, and all three have inspired her podcast, “Along Norrell Road - snippets from a Southern...
A FRESH-BREWED POT of coffee waits for you as you take butter from the fridge and add three thick pats to your favorite saucer. You slowly pour sorghum syrup over the butter, swirling them together,...
GET ON Facebook and scroll for a while, and you’re likely to see a delicious post about the newest coffee, ice cream, and sweet shop in Shelbyville, JOS Fifteen Coffee. These instagram-worthy...
IN A SEA of students, a beacon light anchors an ever-changing tide of teenage lives. Help is on the streets too. At night and in the early morning hours, another light is prepared to lend itself...
911 IT’S A CALL we hope and pray we never have to make, yet we’re confident someone will come when we do. Answering those calls is the responsibility of our first responders, and we envision an army...
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE your ability to influence the world around you for the better. Volunteer firefighter Richard Crick and his 16-year-old friend and Walmart co-worker often lunched together, eating...
WHEN THE SMELL of warm caramel coffee lingers in the air of your vehicle on the way to work, you don’t have to think about watching your back. While not every driver on the road is aware of their...
One night a year, the stars shine brighter in Bedford County than any other evening. The glow from the venue, honoring our community’s special citizens, could power the area for months. Extra...
SHELBYVILLE IS full of entrepreneurs, pioneers, trendsetters, athletes, engineers, politicians, and everything in between. In this city, one can't help but feel a sense of community with each...
COUNTY MAYOR Chad Graham said he had a broad vision of what he wanted to accomplish before he took office. One of the many things on that list was what he called the "downtown revitalization model."...
BEDFORD COUNTY’S 2021-22 school year was a success, as each school took the time to ensure the highest quality of education for its students. One of the many exciting things about being a part of...
WARREN WELLS reports that the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration facility upgrades are set to begin before the 84th Annual Celebration event. Wells said the upgrades are "more of a capital...
FAITH AND art have filled Marie Lane Madeiros’ heart for as long as she can remember, inseparable like muscle and marrow. Not one season of her life is without them. Her earliest art memories trace...
IMAGINE A life with no hope for your child – no hope for education, to learn to read or write; no hope for growing into their dreams; no hope for what we would call a normal life. Imagine that...
It’s finally here! Although the outside temperature argues for summer, your school spirit knows it’s fall. Tonight you’ve chosen shorts and flip-flops, but soon it will be flannel shirts, pants, and...
DURING THE FALL seasons of 1945-47, Shelbyville Central High School’s football field was the place to be for Elmer “Coke” Crowell and Billie Hayes. He was on the field as Central’s star running...
RAPID GROWTH in any environment creates challenges. Adolescent rapid growth brings with it complications in healing from injuries, and repetitive sports-related injuries are a particular concern....
LITTLE GUYS dressed out in pads and grass-stained uniforms dot the field. They pass, catch, run, and tackle with the fervor of professional football players, although clumsily at times. With sweat...
IF YOU’VE never heard of or eaten at Bocelli’s, you must be new to town. Nestled in our beautiful historic square is a restaurant guaranteed to satisfy your Italian cravings. With an updated...
THERE IS strength in numbers. Ask any member of Wartrace’s largest family, the Cataldo family, and they would confirm the saying as true. The family of 15 (13 children born to Don and Janet Cataldo)...
THE CLASSROOM is like railroad tracks. Hard workers spent years, decades—centuries even—laying the groundwork for the trains to run smoothly from coast to coast. They’re strong. And they last for...
AS WE commemorate teachers and their dedication to educating our future leaders, we also recognize the teachers who are no longer formally teaching; their legacies continue to mold the community for...
JUNE HAS been recognized as Dairy Month since 1939, but on June 1, Bedford County Mayor Chad Graham signed the proclamation to further commemorate dairy farmers all over Middle Tennessee. For some...
ALL STUDENTS deserve equal academic success opportunities, but every student learns differently. Over 14,000 students in the state of Tennessee are given a second chance at academic success that...
AFTER A challenging past few seasons, Cascade Middle School’s baseball team recently earned the title of conference champions. Cascade High School alumnus and boys head baseball coach, Justin Reese,...
THE SKY’S the limit for future pilots, and Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and the Shelbyville Municipal Airport will play a vital role in the takeoff of their careers. Statista.com...
DEFINING THE meaning of teacher requires more than Merriam-Webster; it takes a deeper look and a second glance. More than a job with a summer-long vacation, teachers are motivated by their love for...
Did you know that right in our backyard is one of the most biologically diverse rivers in North America? Over 50 species of freshwater mussels, and 151 fish species reside in this precious water...
IT MIGHT be one of the most exciting yet stressful times of the year, rivaling that of Christmas. It requires preparation, planning, logistics, time, and money. I’m almost sure there are military...
SURROUNDED BY a sea of classmates, a student filled with potential may feel invisible or wish he could disappear. Another student’s highest aim might be to coast through school until graduation. One...
RACHEL PORTER’S Learning Way Elementary School classroom doesn’t look like a construction site, but don’t trust your eyes. At first glance, it resembles the average preschool classroom. Cubbies...
While walls define the space occupied by a class, the environment within empowers the learning inside. At Shelbyville Central High School (SCHS), teacher Tiffany Church makes sure her room’s...
JENNIFER COOK’S family began investing early in her teaching career. It wasn’t the type of investment overseen by financial advisors, but it added up over the years and paid off for Cook and her...
The newest food truck to grace Shelbyville offers a fresh take on traditional smash burgers and hotdogs, with some amazing side dishes. When I heard about M•A•C Daddies Food Truck, with burgers...
WITH THE first cup of steaming coffee in my hand and the stiffness still in my joints, I gently ease into my spot on the couch. A fresh, new day offers a blank page, although the to-do list in my...
CROWDS OF horse enthusiasts fill the arena, row after row and seat after seat. The silence of the former moments is gone. Slowly, as each new group settles into their box for opening night, the...
IF YOU took a snapshot of any 10 years in our country’s history, there is a hurt we were trying to heal. The same is true today. It’s our independence that lets us correct that, to heal, and to...
Here are fun facts to challenge your players: DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE: John Hancock’s was the first and only one on July Fourth. The remaining signatures were added over time, following the...
“FREEDOM” enters the chatroom, and immediately it’s all, barbecued meat and who’s got the biggest bang of a firework show. While Independence Day is our nation’s designated time to pause and...
WHEN VIKTOR Makela arrived in America from Finland, the Statue of Liberty welcomed him. He brought more than a few material possessions with him; he arrived with a heart filled with dreams. Makela...
WHEN VIKTOR Makela arrived in America from Finland, the Statue of Liberty welcomed him. He brought more than a few material possessions with him; he arrived with a heart filled with dreams. Makela...
WE WELCOME a summer celebration more than ever, and Independence Day is the perfect time to gather for food, fun, fireworks, and flag-waving. There’s an event near you, so there’s no excuse for...
HMMM AAAHH. It smells like the weekend. Those grilled pineapple burgers will be lip-smacking, mouthwatering, and juicy down to the last bite. However, what lies on the grill is much more than your...
WHEN I was a young buck, I decided if there was a rule, I was going to break it. There have been many distinct times in my life when I have felt suffocated by others’ control, expectations, or...
THE SHELBYVILLE-BEDFORD 501(c)(3) Community Foundation partnered with Bedford County public safety agencies to create a funding opportunity to improve rescue operations and safety awareness along...
WHAT COMES to mind when you hear the word “Juneteenth?” Some people think of the tireless strides made by civil rights advocates and allies alike, to end the battle against slavery. Others think...
GENEROSITY IS not a new concept for Bedford County, but it is essential to make it a point to recognize acts of kindness whenever we see them. Super Mercado Shelbyville, Los Amigos, Tortilleria...
MANY YOUNG athletes dream of playing sports on a professional level. With the help of his family and the community of Shelbyville, Keon Johnson was able to turn his dreams into reality. ...
LAST DECEMBER, the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association (TWHBEA) Awards Banquet highlighted the unveiling of Justified Honors’ official portrait by photographer Shane...
SHAKESPEARE WROTE, “All that glitters is not gold,” and several pastors proved this at the Second Annual Homes of Hope (HOH) Pastor’s Pageant held at the Shelbyville Central High School, in April....
HER HANDS were full, and her life was overwhelming. Jane Wagnar Feist and her four young children carried on as best they could while her husband, Herbert Feist, served in the United States Marine...
THE CARPENTER bees buzz a few feet from our heads. A truck with modified mufflers drowns out conversation. Birdsong fills the trees. The front door opens and smacks shut. The porch swing squeaks...
EVER SINCE I first ate at Southern Fare restaurant, I knew they would be around for many years to come. Their first location was smaller in size, which could not handle the capacity of patrons...
IN 1917, someone requested a snack “as big as the moon.” A bakery in Chattanooga responded with the perfect combination of marshmallow, graham, and chocolate. They called it the MoonPie, and the...
WELCOME DONALD Anthony to the City of Shelbyville team of movers and shakers. He will be the new Planning Director beginning in July. He graduated from the University of Memphis and has worked in...
ARCHIVES AND historic records aren’t only for people interested in genealogy and family history. Did you know that people who like to fish can use historic maps in archives to find the best fishing...
THE SMELL of freshly cleaned hardwood floors fills the air. The bright fluorescent lights hum above the bleachers. The cool AC fights the stuffy hot air from cheering fans. The referees and umpires...
TEACHER AMANDA McBride was awarded a $5,000 grant from the TVA to support STEM (Science, Technology, Electronics, and Math) initiatives at Bedford Learning Academy (BCLA). She spoke to her students...
EVERY GREAT American small town has a recognizable and historic square. But not every small town across America is like Shelbyville. In fact, this particular square has made an impact on small towns...
THE SMOOTH taste of Tennessee whiskey is famous around the world. There’s nothing more American than sitting around a backyard campfire with bourbon circling in a glass. The clink of a glass,...
ISN’T SUMMER a wonderful time to live in the beautiful State of Tennessee? Lucky you, living in Middle Tennessee, in Bedford County, where you have access to numerous recreational opportunities for...
100 years ago, an angry white mob in Tulsa, Oklahoma, destroyed “Black Wall Street.” It was a predominantly African American district in Tulsa. Black-owned businesses were successful and living the...
WATER, SUN, soil, and lots of love is all it takes to grow plants. It’s even better in a greenhouse, designed to foster the growth of flowers, herbs, succulents, and other green stems of life. For...
A GROUP OF clowns from the Shriners Hospital for Children danced in roller skates through the street. They were one of many participants in the parade. Kids on the edge of the street, holding a...
Tims Ford Reservoir is 10,600 acres in South Central Tennessee, a major portion of which is located in Franklin County. The lake is considered one of the most picturesque in Tennessee. It’s regarded...
Located below Tims Ford Dam, the Elk River is popular for panfish and trout fishing. The tailwaters below the dam are about 50 feet wide with gravel bars and intermittent deep pools. For...
HAVE YOU ever given something away and later felt regret settle in? Last summer, I was push-mowing our grass. I thoroughly enjoy breaking a sweat and getting a little exercise while doing yard work....
According to nature.org, the Duck River is one of the state’s most scenic waterways and North America’s most biologically diverse freshwater river. It is located entirely within the state of...
Whether it’s relaxation or adventure you’re seeking, you don’t have to look far to find it. Middle Tennessee’s waterways will refresh and restore you. A lazy float with nature’s soundtrack of...
Right in our own backyard, we have access to one of the most di- verse ecosystems in the world. Henry Horton State Park (HHSP) neighbors the peaceful Duck River and is waiting to be explored. The...
TENNESSEE MAY not have sandy shores. We may not have Buckingham Palace sitting in our backyard. Vacation spots all around the world, from Big Ben to the Eiffel Tower, attract tourists from far and...
SPANNING 284 miles long, with 87 miles landing in Bedford County, the famous Duck River is where visitors and locals alike enjoy fishing, family picnics, and kayaking, among many other activities....
ROOTED IN African American History, Uncle Nearest Distillery is more than a place for tourists to try new drinks; it is a historical monument and reminder of an incredible moment when a skilled man...
NINETEEN HIGH school seniors from Bedford County Youth Leadership visited the state Capitol on their annual State Government Day trip on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. The purpose of the trip was to...
THE SHELBYVILLE-BEDFORD Partnership recruits new industries and businesses to Shelbyville and Bedford County, but the Partnership also has a robust program to retain and expand existing businesses....
THE WEBB School girls basketball team clinched their 68-point game- winner against Middle Tennessee Christian School, making them TSSAA Division II Class A champions for the second consecutive year....
“I AM. I can. I will......I am. I can. I will,” she repeated silently, studying the judges’ faces and feeling hopeful about her chances. The top five had been called to the stage, and each...
WHILE WE envision lives filled with companionship and cuddles, the reality of homeless dogs and cats is much more problematic than we imagine. Significant progress has been made locally, due to the...
April 12, 1972, THE BELL BUCKLE SKY was indeed ablaze. The school that housed grades 1-12 was fully engulfed and a total loss. Bell Buckle students finished the school year at Wartrace School. In...
You're invited to a day, two if you choose, of indulgence. Escape life's stresses and treat yourself to rest and renewal. Bell Buckle's Kingdom Acres is holding your spot. What ails you? Joints and...
Imagine it, a Friday night after a long week, and you're looking for something fun to do. Somewhere with great food choices, ice cold beer, and and live music. Look no further than The Iron Horse...
IN MAY of each year, the town of Shelbyville starts filling up with King Ranch trucks with massive horse trailers in tow. License plates are caked and covered in dust, as many of these vehicles have...
Fiddle and banjo players will team up with artisans and food vendors to create an atmosphere of fun and harmony at the inaugural American Mule and Bluegrass Festival. Put on your dancing shoes and...
PICTURE THIS... imagine what your “ideal Shelbyville” looks like. Look out five or ten years into the future. Imagine what would make Shelbyville even better, even nicer, even more appealing to you...
HAVE YOU felt the rumble of activity in Bedford County? If you’re feeling a movement under the earth below your feet, it’s not an earthquake – it’s the massive improvement that is coming to the...
Congratulations to Anna Parsons on receiving the 2021 David T. Craig Memorial Scholarship. Ms. Parsons, daughter of Tim Parsons and Susan Huff, is a graduate of Shelbyville Central High and will be...
“ WORK HARD and be kind.” Those are words that Dr. Tammy Garrett, Bedford County’s new school superintendent lives by and instills in the students with whom she connects. Dr. Garrett sees her- self...
COMMUNITIES DON’T get bet- ter by chance. It takes people with ideas, foresight, and the willingness to put in the hard work required to make positive change. And most of all, it takes people who...
“I’m not gonna lie,” Justin Bird said. “There have been plenty of nights when I’m laying in bed at night while I’m on duty at the station thinking ‘I’ve got the greatest job in the world.’” Justin...
‘Am I completely gowned up? Do I have everything on correctly?’ Jarylin Bishop thought as she stood in front of the doorway to the patient’s room. On the other side of the door was her first...
Cathy Purcell is a certified nursing assistant, or CNA, in Shelbyville. She lives in Unionville, just a quick 17-minute drive up the road from the hospital. She lives on the same road as her mother,...
If you get the pleasure of walking by Rich- ard “Ricky” Donovan in the hallway of the hospital, he will speak to you. A simple hello, at the least, can brighten anyone’s day. Ricky is an...
“I heard a bad quote in mid-April of last year from a healthcare provider. It was not someone I knew directly,” Dr. Austin Mackens said. The bad quote he heard was “I did not sign up for this.” “My...
January 1, 2021, was the first day in more than 250 days that Donya Neal got to take a day off as an Infection Control Practitioner at the Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital. Since mid-April 2020, she had...
Dr. Troy Miller, the director of hospital medicine at Van- derbilt Bedford Hospital, researched through evidence from hospitals in cities that were already hit by the pan- demic. He knew it was...
Imagine walking into work and the first thing you have to do is develop an action plan to treat a patient who has been shot, another patient who has pneumonia from COVID-19, and another patient who...
In patient after patient, the COVID-19 virus attacks your lungs. You may have heard that it contributes to pneumonia or COVID pneumonia. The virus causes inflammation in the lungs. With inflamed...
For the Nash Family, the green, green grass of home is a 500-acre farm north of Shelbyville, Tennessee. Howev- er, it wasn’t always that way. The story of Nash Family Farms began over nine decades...
ACCORDING TO the nursery rhyme “Monday’s Child,” people born on a Tuesday grow up to be gracious, agreeable, refined, and polite in manner or behavior. It might apply to horses as well, or at least...
Sometimes it comes from a photograph or from traveling and seeing what someone else has done. Sometimes it comes from out of the blue. For Tanya Coffey, taking ideas and turning them into a reality...
These delicious summertime salad offerings will add a little bit of fun to any meal. Chock full of a variety of nutritious and fun ingredients, you’ll be glad you remembered to put salad back on the...
At 284 miles long, the Duck River is the longest river located entirely in the state of Tennessee. It is also one of the most biologically diverse rivers in North America, home to more than 50...
West of the Appalachian Mountains, a beautiful expanse of elevated land known as the Cumberland Plateau rises approximately 1000 feet above the surrounding countryside. The small town of Monteagle...
THE MERRIAM-WEBSTER dictionary defines the word selfless as “someone who has no concern for self, or unselfish.” As the world keeps turning, it may feel like selfless people are few and far between....
Easter parades may have passed on by, but its many other traditions are alive and well. Even though the internet has changed how we watch movies, families still watch “The Ten Commandments” every...
WEBSTER MAY define selflessness as having no concern for self, but givers in our community give the world and our lives deeper meaning. They take to heart the well-being and care of others and place...
AS MORNING’S first light nudged the last of the darkness, Mary Magdalene walked with heavy heart and feet along the dirt road. The garden’s birdsong and fragrant blossoms, usually welcomed,...
HOMES OF Hope (HOH) of Bedford County is a faith-based nonprofit organization. HOH inspires citizens within the community to recruit families to care for children in crisis. It also provides support...
DORIS SMITH is a retired teacher, volunteer, and advocate for children’s education who learned that teaching and helping others is essential through her spirited Baha’i Faith. She is a 20-year...
ON FEBRUARY 11, the Tennessee Department of Education awarded Bedford County School District the Best for All District Award. Bedford County School District is one of 68 districts to receive the...
THE SHELBYVILLE-BEDFORD Partnership focuses on economic and community development for Shelbyville and Bedford County. The Partnership’s efforts focus on retaining existing business and industry and...
ATHLETICS COORDINATOR for Shelbyville Parks and Recreation Department Jace Mallory began working at the rec center on January 5, 2021. He came from Louisiana, where he graduated with a media degree...
THE SHELBYVILLE Sharks swim team coach is making waves! In late 2020, the recreational swim team’s parent board reached out to Lauren Ball, asking if she was interested in being their head coach....
IN 2021, Bell Buckle was named the South’s best small town by Southern Living magazine; what an honor for this quaint town in Bedford County, Tennessee to receive! According to Southern Living’s...
THE PANDEMIC has magnified seniors’ loneliness and isolation, especially those unable to drive. MyRide Bedford and its drivers are lifting spirits and developing friendships while supplying a...
ABANDONED ANIMALS may not understand human language, but the heart of their guardian, Diane Forbes, is no secret to them. Tireless in her efforts to protect them, Forbes’ life is one of service to...
A VOLUNTEER IN all of life’s seasons, Shelbyville’s Kay Bartley has lived a life of service. From her early days of marriage to the present, Bartley has covered a lot of ground. She has sown many...
BEFORE THE door closes behind you, the greetings near the counter meet you. And if you’re a regular, your table’s already set with your drink order. Only once will lifelong Bedford County resident...
I’VE BEEN very excited to get to Ruth’s Kitchen and try her food. When the announcement broke on Facebook, Shelbyville responded with such enthusiasm, and it shows. At 9:40 a.m. the place was packed...
GET READY for this year’s series of Fourth Friday Fests on Shelbyville’s Historic Uptown Square. Coinciding with the Celebration City Region Car Club Cruise-In, the festival provides opportunities...
CHILDREN’S BASKETBALL is just one of many sports that impact children’s health and development. Bedford County school districts are making it a point to ensure elementary-aged basketball players are...
THE POTHOS plants on the kitchen window seal are from your grandmother last summer. The welcome mat has little specks of dirt from your brother’s boots from his visit over the weekend. Your favorite...
THERE IS no doubt that the city of Shelbyville is growing at accelerated rates. Shelbyville Fire and Police Departments continue to adapt to such growth and make the city a safer place one day at a...
DESPITE THE tremendous staffing shortage Bedford County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) faced this past year, the level 1 ambulance service is combating such issues by teaching training programs...
BEDFORD COUNTY School District is constructing its new and highly anticipated elementary school. District Superintendent Dr. Tammy Garrett reports that a new elementary school has been in the works...
THE SHELBYVILLE-BEDFORD Partnership, the local economic development organization, is actively working on more than 16 projects in the City of Shelbyville and Bedford County. 10 of the projects...
THERE ARE moments in life when you take a step back and ask, “How did we get here? How did this come to be? How did we get in this state or condition?” Similar to the aging of the skin, most things...
UNFORTUNATELY,SOMETIMES in life, it takes a tragic accident to unveil a place of great need. This is what happened on a freezing-cold winter night in 1978 when many of the animals at the city pound...
ONE OF Shelbyville's most trusted lawn care services, Adam's Lawn Service, has been around since 1989. The business started in a bit of an unusual way. Kris Adams, the current owner of the business,...
GETTING TIRED of staring at the same walls day in and day out? You are not alone! It’s been a long cold winter and being stuck inside for any amount of time can make a space feel dull. With some...
ONCE UPON a time, there was a cozy cottage on a hill. Isn’t that how all the best stories begin? The story of Shelbyville local Vicky Black and her whimsical Hilltop Bed and Breakfast is no...
DID YOU know the holiday involving copious amounts of green beer is actually an Irish holiday celebrating Christianity? It is! In fact, the holiday is held each year on the anniversary of Saint...
WELCOME HOME. That’s how it feels when walking into Mai House Asian Cuisine for the first time. I was promptly greeted by some of the nicest staff I've ever met in the restaurant industry, which...
AS THE regal, iridescent purple martins flew in and out of their colony housing, she pointed and asked through my phone’s translator, “Can I take one home?” Over the birds’ noisy chatter, I...
DRIVING PAST historic Bell Buckle at night, one might mistake the small cluster of buildings for a sleepy little town with not much going on. However, anyone who has stopped and spent time in this...
AT SHELBYVILLE Mayor Eugene Ray’s funeral, Fredia Lusk saw evidence of a well-lived life. As Shelbyville’s first and only African American mayor to date, Ray’s legacy was more than a statistic. Lusk...
INDUSTRIAL PARK INVESTMENT Planning and Community Development Director Waleed Albakry said some of the main changes in community planning are rezoning the Industrial Park to I-3 to allow for more...
THOMAS MAGNET School’s fifth- grade students impact the lives of their peers by celebrating random acts of kindness. Fifth-grade teacher Tara Turner said that Thomas Magnet School Principal Mrs....
FOUR DAYS before Christmas, the City of Shelbyville and Bedford County received news of $1,000,000 headed to the local area from the State of Tennessee. Tennessee Governor Lee and Department of...
CASCADE HIGH School Marching Band, led by band director David Lucich, finished 4th place in the Division II state championship, and their hard work, both on and off-season, pays off. They honed...
NESTLED BEHIND Shelbyville’s historical public square and the former public library is an inconspicuous building housing inspiration, entertainment, and education. In the early 90s, The Bedford...
LOVE IS not guaranteed to last a lifetime. However, such wonder is seen in the lives of a Bedford County couple celebrating 60 years together. Bruce and Linda Gordon met at the age of 21 in July...
AROSE IS a rose is a rose – except at Leanne’s Flowers where her red roses are the most beautiful she’s seen in her 28 years in the florist industry. Owner Leanne Moore is equally excited about the...
PLANNING A date can get difficult. Sometimes your bank of ideas goes bankrupt, and it’s another night of staying in with the latest Netflix binge. It makes sense that Billy Bob and Charlene in...
Salmon Steaks with Wine Sauce: SUBMITTED BY MARY INMAN Ingredients- 4 salmon steaks, 4 oz., fresh or frozen1 T. margarine1 T. cornstarch 1/2 t. instant chicken bouillon granulesdash of white pepper1...
NEVER JUDGE a book its cover and never judge a restaurant by its building. Mini Super Los 3 Reyes may seem like a small convenience store, but it’s hiding away Shelbyville’s best-kept secret. The...
ROLLS OF thunder boomed overhead as we quickly finished the grocery shopping and raced to the checkout. Hurrying out under dark skies, we were pummeled with hard, blinding rain that pushed my...
MENTION NETWORKING and you’re bound to hear a few sighs and moans. Except for the more extroverted in nature, mingling and speaking to a group about your business may be preferred over a dental...
“...AS AN appointed official, it is my job to look out for all of the people in Shelbyville. To do that, I need to listen and understand their needs and their perspective, especially if I haven’t...
HELPING RESIDENTS access public meetings and give their input is a high priority for Bedford County officials. Transparency (the community knowing what government officials are doing and why) is an...
BEDFORD COUNTY Schools Superintendent Dr. Tammy Garrett planned the town hall-style meetings because she understood the importance of listening to parents and hearing their concerns. She hoped the...
THE END of an exciting year for economic and community development is upon us. The end of the calendar year is traditionally the time to show appreciation, reflect on past successes, and prepare...
WE REMEMBER the Dream that Martin Luther King Jr had 58 short years ago, as it continues to live on today. That dream further intensified the race to tear down the oppressive system that bounded the...
SHELBYVILLE IS giving a fresh start to local dogs with the help of New Destiny Dog Rescue, an animal rescue organization that helps reduce the population of unwanted and neglected dogs in Bedford...
E VERY TOWN and county is filled with the history of those who came before them. Whether that be old cars, historical documents, or even retired fire trucks. Garland King was an avid collector of...
JEANNIE CAMPBELL knows from personal experience that there is a lot to deal with when a person with an addiction decides to get clean. It’s not only the body that detoxes, it is a process of...
THE COSTS of prescription drugs drain household budgets. Navigating insurance, manufacturer coupon programs, and the barrage of information from mailings and the internet is overwhelming. United Way...
IT’S NEVER too late to start fresh by promoting healthy living through commitment to growing a business that feeds and blesses the body. Blűhen Farms Aquaponics’ partners Steve and Carol Riggs and...
WHEN I pulled up to this retro-style camper, I had no idea I was in for such a treat. I heard there was a food truck making spaghetti grilled cheeses and I knew I had to try this out. I was greeted...
Nullam vestibulum eget orci ac dignissim. Mauris aliquet aliquet magna sit amet bibendum. Nulla sit amet risus at sem sollicitudin tempus. Etiam massa neque, auctor at diam vitae, varius bibendum...
AS THE 2021 American Mule and Bluegrass festival, help in Shelbyville, Sept. 13-18, was approaching its end, the final prayer was announced on the intercom by Clancy Burk. In his prayer, he stated...
THE 32ND annual Lone Star National Finals Rodeo is coming to Shelbyville on the Celebration grounds at the Calsonic arena on February 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m., that’s Friday, the Motogear Warehouse...
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