Garrison Valley Farms: United by Geography, Guided by Tradition
SINCE THE mid-1800s, through the Hawkins line, four generations of the Curl and Lee families have farmed the Garrison Fork River Valley in the unincorporated community of Fairfield. Don Curl and his...
Rob McGill: From Runway Dreams to Golfing Greens
ROB MCGILL dreamed of being a pilot. He even majored in aerospace at Middle Tennessee State University. After graduation, jobs in the airline industry were scarce, so McGill, who had been working in...
Hal Skelton: The Champion Who Forged a Path for All Champions
HAL SKELTON drove over the railroad tracks for the first time in 1966 and scanned the thin row of buildings. As a recent college graduate, he’d accepted the position sight unseen. Could this be...
Jared Carkuff: There’s No Place Like Home
IN THE 1939 movie “The Wizard of Oz,” a tornado whisked Dorothy from the hayfields of Kansas to a colorful, whimsical land where she faced many challenges and gathered new friends along her journey....
Get a “Pizza” This
BESIDE THE historic Capri Theatre, Shovel Pizza has found its home. Upon entering, the first thing that strikes you is the sleek, contemporary design. Black, white, and wood accents create a warm...
Tailgate Like a Champion
WHEN THE stadium lights blaze and the roar of the crowd echoes, true fans know the game-day experience begins in the parking lot. Celebrate your team’s spirit with these tailgating recipes, which...
Letter From the Editor; Where Champions are Made
THE CROWD fills the stands, row after row, of people in our high school’s colors. The family in front of you sits down with a fresh hot dog from the concession stand. It’s still steaming with a...
Lisa Turner: First Female Board Member of the TWHNC
ANTICIPATION FILLS the air like the smell of donuts, onion rings, and smoked brisket. As the gate opens, a hush falls over the crowd. A snow-white Tennessee walking horse carrying a rider adorned in...
John Allan Callaway: Saddling up for Success
JOHN ALLAN Callaway is the only trainer in the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration (TWHNC) history to win the World Grand Championship four years in a row. In fact, the name “Callaway” has...
J. French Brantley IV
TEN-YEAR-OLD J. French Brantley IV scooted to the edge of the seat and gazed toward the organist in the center of the arena. The melodies flowing from Larry Bright’s fingers carried J. to an...
Brent Pewitt: Bites For Brighter Futures
TEN DAYS out of the year, taste, tradition, and Tennessee walking horses combine to create the touchstone of the crowning of the national grand champion. Lines as long — and longer at times — as...
A Whole Lotta Empanadas
STEPPING INTO Rico’s, a riot of colors from the numerous piñatas and festive decorations adorning the interior greets you. The lively and inviting atmosphere sets the perfect stage for a sweet treat...
Colby Prince: Unlocking The Door to Life
It’s a reality for too many with blood diseases and cancers. Hopefulness with the start of radiation or other treatment fades to disappointment. Fear threatens to suffocate patients’ dreams of...
Ron Eldridge: Maps, Mentorship, and Melodies
HIS LONG, narrow fingers danced across the strings, no longer obsessed with the movements of the bow in his hand. Instead, the world around him disappeared into the melody, the fiddle’s mellow yet...
Brent Canady : Commanding at Sea, Leading Ashor
THEY SAY never judge a book by its cover. In its spot on the Shelbyville Central High School library shelves, it sat untouched, passed over for the more recent, colorful selections around it. It...
Dianne and Madison Arnold: Two Generations, One Mission
THE CONFERENCE room filled with nervous energy as everyone waited for the resolution of a snag from the final walkthrough. Many other challenges on the road to closing left everyone unsure this day...
Savor Summer’s Bounty
AS THE warm summer sun shines high in the Southern sky, it’s time to embrace the vibrant flavors of the season. Our July recipes showcase the best of summer’s produce, from juicy peaches and crisp...
Letter From The Editor: Dreams Come True
WHEN I was 8, I wanted to be a teacher. I remember my third grade teacher clicking the chalk on the green board on the wall. And when I was 9, I wanted to be a director. My parents bought me a...
Jeb House: Preserving the Past, Embracing the Future
AS IF frozen in time, John Ruskin’s words ring true as you take in the elegant brick cornices and window arches that accentuate the character of Shelbyville’s town square storefronts. The...
Mike Ruess: Serving Those Who Served
AS THE rain lashed against the window of his car, the steady rhythm mirrored the drumbeat of the Vietnam veteran’s anxiety. He stuffed the manila folder inside his field jacket and made his way as...
Scott Johnson: Safeguarding Our Community and Country
WHILE SCOTT Johnson’s University of Tennessee, Knoxville classmates in the College of Business accepted positions with banks and manufacturing companies, he considered a job offer from a Shelbyville...
Local Recipes: Fireworks, Flavor, and Family
WHAT BETTER time to indulge in the ultimate celebration of all things American: backyard barbecues, July Fourth festivities, and the comforting flavors of home? Let’s salute the classic dishes that...
Food Critic: Coffee With Extra Creativity
THIS TINY building with a huge following has captured the hearts and taste buds of locals throughout town. The Southern Cup is in a cozy corner in the middle of town. This drive-thru-only cafe may...
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Heritage Group: Beyond the Closing Table
YOU’VE DREAMED of owning a home for years and promise yourself each rent payment will soon be your last. Perhaps your family has outgrown your current home, or you no longer need the extra space,...
Letter From the Editor: Independence
IF YOU took a snapshot of any moment 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 our wrongs, to heal, and to...
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