Eugene Orowitz was a skinny, awkward kid from New Jersey. Painfully shy, very self-conscious, and lacking self-confidence, when a high school coach half-jokingly asked him to try out for the track team, Eugene took him up on it, according to author Glenn Van Ekeren.

“Ugy,” as his friends affectionately called him, discovered a talent for javelin throwing and committed himself to being the best that he could possibly be. What Ugy lacked in self-confidence, he made up for in commitment.

By graduation, Eugene had achieved a national high school record for throwing the javelin...

From early morning crowds started pouring into the Devon County Showground at Westpoint near Exeter for the second day of the Devon County Show. Organisers say the atmosphere was relaxed and happy as visitors enjoyed the early sunshine and the many features which reflect rural life in the county. Ollie Allen, Show Secretary, said: "Numbers are on a par with our record-breaking gate last year and we're looking forward to great weather tomorrow - bring it on!" Thousands of local school children enjoyed exploring the 118th Show and finding out more about where their food comes from. And...

Devon and Cornwall Police have a new addition in the drive for safer roads in the shape of a Lotus sports car. The Lotus Evora has been emblazoned with the official Force livery and has been doing the rounds at public events across Devon and Cornwall. The £50,000 vehicle is being used by officers at public events to increase community engagement and to raise road safety awareness. Sgt Owen Messenger has borrowed the car from Lotus, who are providing it free of charge. McDonald’s have kindly agreed to pay for the livery. “We have taken the car to a few events now and the response has been...

The Exeter Chamber of Commerce held their monthly networking lunch at the Mercure Southgate Hotel, Southernhay on Wednesday this week.

The speaker at this event was Paul Thomas, Head of Trading Standards. Paul gave an update on trading standards delivery at a national, regional and local level with particular focus on how regulation can support the local economy rather than prove to be a burden on business.

Steve Barriball from Exeter CAB gave a short overview of the welfare reforms and how they impact on people in work. He also launched a new campaign to help employees...

BBC Radio Devon held a special birthday brunch at their Devon County Show marquee this morning as part of their year-long 30th birthday celebrations. Specially invited guests, including The Rt Revd Michael Langrish, Bishop of Exeter, enjoyed a brunch, while Mark Grinnell, Managing Editor of BBC Radio Devon, welcomed guests and spoke of the special relationship BBC Radio Devon has with the County Show. With a total of 31 live radio shows presented over the three days, there are plenty of opportunities for the public to see live radio in action. As ever, BBC Radio Devon will be broadcasting...

Leading food and drink organisation, Taste of the West, is promoting South West food and drink products to global markets as part of its new export sales and marketing service, Taste of the West International, taking advantage of the interest in all things British following the Olympics and Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The new service is committed to selling quality Westcountry food and drink products across the world providing regional food and drink producers with an opportunity to boost sales.

Taste of the West Chief Executive, John Sheaves, explains, “440,000 jobs, or nearly half...

Visitors to Devon County Show today and tomorrow (17-18 May) can play their part in creating two brand new world records. And it's all down to the good old pub game of skittles. The records up for grabs are for the most skittles to be knocked down in eight hours, which will, be taking place today. And then tomorrow, there will be an attempt to create an unbeatable record for the most people to complete a skittles throw in eight hours. Guinness World Records suggest the number to beat is 200 people participating in one skittles turn (three balls per turn). And because skittles is associated...

May, love is in the air and brides are getting gorgeous for their upcoming wedding dates. Choosing the makeup and hairstyle for your wedding day is a huge dilemma for many brides. Here are some key factors to keep in mind before you beg your makeup-artist and hairstylist to transform you into Keira Knightly or Kate Winslet for a day you will never get back.

Remain true to what you normally look like, accentuated.

True beauty is unique to each and every one of us. Channeling a celebrity's identity is an insult to your own special kind of beauty. Allow the makeup-artist...

Families for Children (FFC) Patron Michael Caines MBE and his family officially celebrated and launched the ongoing partnership with Devon’s Crealy Great Adventure Park as they embark on a second year of fundraising and support. Following the generous donation of £7,500 worth of family passes to FFC adoptive families, Devon’s Crealy Great Adventure Park have enabled FFC to hold a number of respite days at the park for some of the charity's most 'in need' children and teenagers. In addition to providing a welcome break for their adoptive parents, these days enable the children to let off...