Features

The first Dorman Center Carnival brought hundreds of folks out to Daniel Field on Saturday to celebrate and support the early intervention center.

The carnival raised more than $6,000 for Dorman Center, which provides help to more than 100 children ages 18-months to 5-years old that have been diagnosed with a disability, show signs of developmental delay, are at risk in their environment or have been determined to be in need of the program. The center starts with First Step early intervention and provides half and full day preschool classes.

Last fall I got hurt in an accident, and for two months, I couldn't drive, write or keyboard. I was so overwhelmed by the many helpful things our family and friends thought to do and the joy they seemed to take in doing it that I began to wonder if there's something about a small town that develops some people's character such that they enjoy the right thing.

The circle means many things.
You can circle the wagons for safety, and you can pull someone into your circle of friendship. Wedding rings are circles because they have no beginning and no end, going on forever.
And the International Order of The King’s Daughters and Sons embodies much of those ideals their “circles,” or small groups, that filter down to provide aid on local levels.

Visitors to the Shelbyville Welcome Center on Main Street on Thursday probably felt like they had passed through a time warp.

In addition to other historical exhibits already on display, the center, which houses the Shelbyville Historic District Commission’s office, featured a new exhibit that had just opened.

The World War II era certainly should bring back a lot of memories for many people who come to see this exhibit, said Sharon Hackworth, co-chair of the Shelby County Historical Society.

Brad Holland spent Friday enduring just about every hardship the human body can endure – thirst, exposure to all kinds of weather, near dehydration, fatigue…you name it.

But he wouldn’t have missed it for anything.

Holland, a financial advisor who lives in Shelbyville with his wife, Audrey and three daughters, participated in a 25-mile marathon, from rim-to-rim in the Grand Canyon, all in the name of charity. The money he raised will be used to purchase a water supply system for residents in the Dominican Republic.

He only has one eye and goes by the name of “Chicken,” and not only has he stolen the hearts of all those at an animal rescue facility in Shelby County but also that of a woman 3,000 miles away.

“He’s just the most amazing little guy you ever saw, and this woman is driving all the way out here from California to pick him up,” said Ashley Shelburne, founder of Tyson’s Chance, an animal rescue organization.

Things have certainly changed.

The world is definitely a different place.

But do we continue to learn, 10 years after the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001?

Students and teachers, no doubt, took time to discuss the matter in school this week. Maybe it was a small part of a lesson, maybe it was a whole class, but the events of that day do not appear to have worked their way into the fabric of U.S. and world history classes like D-day or the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

No one has ever forgotten the terrible loss of American life 10 years ago at the hands of terrorists.

Shelby County Sheriff Mike Armstrong called it one of the worst days in our nation’s history.

Now, a decade after al-Qaida terrorists killed 3,000 people in four separate attacks in New York City, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania, as the nation prepares to honor its dead on Sunday, many are reflecting upon the changes that terrible day has wrought on our society.

In Shelby County, the answer is clear.

When faced with an unplanned pregnancy, hope is a welcome word.

With the surprise that often accompanies this revelation, there can also be fear, sadness or delayed joy. Hope comes with an understanding of the choices a woman has to live with her discovery. Hope comes with an embrace, a place of welcome, and a caring person to walk with in dealing with the event of an unplanned pregnancy.