Archive for Lynette

Greenville Holds Inaugural Veterans’ Day Celebration

November 17, 2011 Around Madison Comments Off

By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.
With only a few weeks to plan its celebration, the town of Greenville hosted its first Veteran’s Day Celebration last Friday, marking the day with a parade, speeches, presentation of the colors and a ceremony in Haffye Hayes Park to honor veterans from the area who had served in all branches of the military.  Participants and onlookers alike braved some chilly, blustery winds that tried to blow the red, white and blue tablecloths off the tables and pulled the occasional balloon loose, sending it sailing off into the sky.
While patriotic music played in the background, beginning with “When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again,” the celebration began in honor of Greenville’s veterans.
In particular, the town paid tribute to three local heroes who had been killed in action:  Vietnam Veterans John Roberson (Feb. 1968), Robert Bellamy (Mar. 1968) and Arelinn Jackson (Jan. 1969).  A small candle stand in front of the gazebo held three votive candles, one red, one white and one blue, for each of the three men.
Other veterans presented the service flags for each branch of the military, including 92-year-old Earnest Sneed, WWII veteran, who presented the flag for the Marines.  Dennis Gallon, another WWII veteran, presented the Navy flag.  Lt. Willard B. Barnhart, a veteran of both WWII and Korea, presented the flag for the Army, Ronnie Moore presented the U.S. Air Force flag and Vietnam War veteran Ulyssees Roberson presented the flag for the U.S. Coast Guard.  The service flags flew from the gazebo during the remainder of the speeches, ceremony and recognition of several WWII veterans:  Rufus Crymes, Willis Bruton and Jessie Hunter.
The JROTC of Jefferson County Middle/High School served as the Honor Guard for the presentation of the colors, and Kimberly Thomas sang the National Anthem.  The keynote speaker for the event was John R. Nelson, Sr., Past District 2 Commander, Department of Florida, VFW 2005-2008.  “We are the ones who wore the uniforms,” he said, speaking collectively of all veterans.  “We are the ones who died.”
Other speakers included State Rep. Leonard Bembry, Greenville Mayor Elesta Pritchett, Madison School Board Chair VeEtta Hagan and Madison County Commissioner Renetta Warren, Clerk of Jefferson County Court Kirk Reams and Monticello Mayor John Jones.
Monticello Mayor Jones, who referred to Greenville as “Green Acres,” thanked the veterans for their service, as did all who spoke.
“With our words and deeds and actions, we say thank you,” said Hagan, acknowledging that mere words alone were not enough.
“God bless America,” said Warren a few moments later.  “And God bless our Veterans.”
As keynote speaker Nelson observed, recalling the words of Christ as he paraphrased slightly from John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man – or woman – than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

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Annual Community Thanksgiving Service Set For Sunday Evening

November 16, 2011 Front Page 2 comments

By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Make your plans now for the annual Community Thanksgiving Service at the Madison Church of God.
The Madison County Ministerial Association, which sponsors the service each year, would like to invite the entire community to come together Sunday evening, Nov. 20, at 6 p.m., for a praise and worship service.
The Madison Church of God is located at 771 NE Colin Kelly in Madison.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

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Madison Garden Club Yard Of The Month Winner Carolyn Edwards

November 15, 2011 Around Madison Comments Off

By Lynette Norris

Greene Publishing, Inc.

The first thing one might notice, driving past Carolyn Edwards’ house on Sumter Avenue just off Lake Frances, are the two large brown rabbit statues standing attentively among the pentas and Michaelmas daisies as if to greet visitors.

Then next thing one might notice is the early camellia trained to grow flat against the front wall beside the front porch, its white blooms set off by the green leaves and the red brick wall.  Up on the porch itself, filling an entire corner, is a gigantic fern.  It sits on a high stand, with fronds that rise almost all the way up to the ceiling and sweep all the way down to the floor.  It looks almost like a jolly green giant of a thing that could get up and shamble down the front steps, across the yard, and down to Lake Frances if it had a mind to.

Carolyn Edwards, Winner of the Madison Garden Club’s Yard of the Month for November, said that she grew the gigantic fern from a single cutting given to her many years ago by a good friend, Mack Primm, former principal of Madison High School, where Edwards was a business teacher.  He brought the cutting back with him from a trip to Alabama, and ever since then, Edwards has treasured the fern that grew from it.

Two other large ferns flank the front entrance, although they’re not nearly as big as the “Alabama fern.”

The back yard is edged with groups of whimsical birdhouses and more garden statuary, more flowers and a birdbath or two.  With a yard that inviting, it wouldn’t be complete without the nice little patio where Carolyn and her husband Bill can sit and watch the birds, butterflies and all the other wildlife that visit their little backyard haven.

Carolyn’s artistry isn’t limited to the outdoors; she does tatting and is also a talented painter, working with oils and watercolor.  Several framed examples of her work hang on the wall inside her home.

For her love of growing things and her attention to detail that makes her yard such a treat to look at, she will have the “Yard of the Month Winner” sign from the Madison Garden Club to display in her front yard for the entire month of November.

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Pinetta Celebrates Fall in a Big Way

November 15, 2011 Education Comments Off

By Lynette Norris

Greene Publishing, Inc.

Elephants and tigers, ponies and pigs…and a little choo-choo train made of large blue barrels put on wheels and linked together behind a small tractor.

The Nov. 4 Friday evening Fall Festival at Pinetta Elementary School had a little bit of everything.

Okay, the tiger was a bounce house that looked like a huge friendly cartoon tiger lying on his back, paws in the air, while children bounced on his tummy.  There was only one elephant, but it was real and it was big, waiting for brave souls to climb up on a huge platform and onto his back for a thrilling ride high up in the air.  Next to the elephant were the ever-popular pony rides, where children led their parents amid choruses of “oh, pleeeeese!”

As for the pig, it was a cute little pink pig, about the size of a really, really huge house cat.   During most of the festival, it waited in a small pen and burrowed into a pile of hay, waiting to find out which lucky teacher would win the honor, at the end of the evening, of kissing the pig.  Seriously.

Next to the little piglet’s pen was a tray full of piggy banks, each labeled with a different teacher’s name.  Throughout the festival evening, the children “voted” for the teacher they wanted to see kiss the pig, by dropping coins into the appropriate piggy bank.  At the end of the evening, the teacher with the most money in his or her piggy bank would be declared the winner.

The train ride was another popular attraction that had children lining up to take a ride around the schoolyard and even into a wooded area at the back.  There were cakewalks with lots of cakes for the winners, and lots of games such as the basketball toss and the fishing game and knocking over soda bottles with a baseball.

The smell of grilled hamburgers and hot dogs was everywhere for hungry festival-goers, but the longest line by far was for the funnel cakes.  Amy Kendrick, June Lucas and school principal Beth Moore stayed busy frying funnel cake after funnel cake and powdering each one with fine white sugar, while Moore recounted the story of the Vietnamese potbellied pig that was the longtime official pet for Pinetta Elementary School many years ago, living in a pen at the back of the playground.

At the end of an exciting evening was the moment everyone had been waiting for:  the piggy banks were collected, the money counted, and the winning teacher announced – June Lucas.

Smiling, Lucas stepped forward and climbed up on a picnic table and kissed the little pig right on the snout, not once but twice, amid cheers and applause.

Meanwhile, the sunny late afternoon was now the dark of early nightfall, and the nip in the air from earlier in the afternoon was now a definite chill — perfect fall festival weather.  There was still a glowing dark red band along the western horizon as the parents and children slowly began drifting away from the festival grounds, with their balloons and colorful hats and other prizes.  No one seemed in much of a hurry to leave, especially some of the children.  They had been having too much fun.

Besides, the tiger was still waiting.  Just one more round of bouncing.  Oh, pleeeeese!

For video clips of the festival, check out our web site at www.greenepublishing.com

 

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The Madison Cowboys: The Starting Offensive Line

November 10, 2011 Sports Comments Off

By Lynette Norris

Greene Publishing, Inc.

“Every Friday night, just being with all my friends,” said Morgan Carter, #71, when asked about his favorite moment of being a Madison Cowboy; every Friday night, when the team comes together and takes to the field for another game of crowd-pleasing football for Madison Cowboy fans.

Carter, who plays tight end and has two years on the starting lineup, speaks of friendship, part of the team cohesiveness that head coach Mike Coe has also spoken of on other occasions, including his address to the Rotary Club last month.  It is part of the spirit of trust and team building, of working together as a unit.

Left tackle, Van Thompkins, #56, who has been a starting offensive lineman for a year, sounds a similar note of unity when talking about his favorite moment:  the Gainesville game, because, he said, “We became stronger.  We played as one.”

There is also the pride they take in a job well done, as when left guard Gerard Brown, #55, spoke of last week’s game: “When we won the district title.”  Like Carter, Brown has been two years on the starting offensive line.

But even when the occasional loss happens, the Cowboy spirit of not being defeated by defeat, something else Coe has tried to instill in his players, comes through when center Gavin Stephens, #53 (three years in the starting line-up), talks about the Cocoa game:  “Even though we lost, I played my hardest.  Coach Coe slept good after that game, and I did, too.”

Along with occasionally losing with dignity, they have also learned to deal with adverse situations, especially when it comes to rising above poor behavior from opponents.  Right tackle Ira Denson, #74, recalls a favorite moment from the Pine Forest game: “One of the (Pine Forest) players took a swing at me.  But I didn’t swing back.”  That he was able to step back from a potentially explosive situation instead of reacting without thinking was a powerful moment for him, enough so that it has become a favorite moment from his time, so far, as Madison Cowboy.

Right guard Hank Hall, #72, likes the rough-and-tumble aspect of the game, especially any time he gets to lead block for the runner.  “Anytime he gets to knock things around,” said someone to a round of laughter.  Hall is another three-year man on the starting lineup.

They are part of a team and also a group of guys who can kid each other about their likes and dislikes.  Carter, whose favorite movie is “Forrest Gump,” laughed at some good-natured ribbing.  “That’s fitting!” someone said.  Denson, smiling, said his favorite TV show was “Home Improvement.”

When it comes to their favorite foods, Carter loves steak, Thompkins prefers Hamburger Helper, and Denson likes pork chops.  For Brown, it’s hot wings, for Stephens, it’s stewed chicken with grits, and Hall is a fried chicken man.

Then it was time to get out to the field for the practice session.

As for what they plan to do after high school, Coe says that he expects that each of them will go on to college.  “They’re all a pretty bright group of kids,” he said as he watched them go.

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Both Rotary Fundraisers A Success: Scott Singletary Winner Of Rifle Raffle

November 8, 2011 Around Madison Comments Off

By Lynette Norris

Greene Publishing, Inc.

Nearly 200 people had dropped by Villa Maria Hall by six p.m. for the Rotary Club’s prime rib dinner fundraiser according to Brian O’Connell as he counted up the tickets near the end.  The event officially ended at six, but there were still several people seated at the tables.  People came and went during the entire evening, some gathering to eat with friends and family, others buying takeout dinners.

The dinner, one of the Rotary’s main fundraisers that year, even drew a few out-of-town guests, including Tommie and Mary Jo Stanaland, who were visiting from Perry; Stanaland, a retired Navy man, produced his military ID card, although with a twist – instead of Stanaland’s photo, it had a picture of his cat, Thomas, A.K.A. “Mau Tse-Tom.”

Sometimes, when he is asked for his military ID, he shows the cat ID as a joke.  Every male cat he has ever had has been named Thomas, Stanaland added, and the current Thomas is a big, “very loving” cat, although the couples’ two dachshunds hate him.

Mayor Jim Catron, Janna Barrs, principal of Madison Academy, and several other Rotarians were on hand to help in the kitchen and the dining hall, and Ed Meggs did a turn washing a few dishes.  Rick Davis, Glen Smith, Mark Buescher and Police Chief Gary Calhoun manned the take-out table.  Calhoun sported a humorously appropriate chef’s apron, a gift from his sister about 10 or 15 years ago, he said; it resembled an old-west sheriff’s outfit, complete with a pocket that served as a holster for the oven mitt that looked like a revolver.

According to Rotarian Jim Catron, the dinner just about hit the mark as far as the number of guests expected, about 180 people.  “We had planned for 200, so it was close,” he said.

The other major fundraiser was the Rotary Rifle Raffle.  Rotarians had been selling tickets for several weeks prior to the Oct. 29 drawing, when the lucky ticket belonging to Scott Singletary of Cherry Lake was plucked from among hundreds sold.

The proceeds from both fundraisers will go toward several local charities supported by the Rotary Club of Madison.

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District Governor Jeannie Quave Visits Madison Rotary

November 8, 2011 Around Madison Comments Off

By Lynette Norris

Greene Publishing, Inc.

For Jeannie Quave, District Governor of the Rotary Club from Panama City, Florida, charity literally begins at home.  Ever since her two daughters, Olivia and Molly (now 12 and 14) were very young, they have chosen of their own accord to celebrate their birthdays not by accepting presents from their friends, but by choosing a charitable organization to support and having their friends bring donations for that organization.

That same spirit of charity, of giving, of “reaching within to embrace humanity” (the 2011 theme chosen by Rotary International President Kalyan Banerjee of India) was the subject of her presentation to the Rotary Club of Madison.

Quave’s remarks touched on everything from learning to balance her family, work, and Rotary life, to the Rotarian Polio Plus project that is so close to eradicating polio forever (of the three distinct strands of the polio virus known to humanity, the Rotary’s immunization programs have eliminated two), to a recent Rotary trip to Haiti, a country still devastated from the earthquake.

There, on the island nation of Haiti, Quave and her fellow Rotarian workers saw children playing on mounds of steaming garbage, an “orphanage” out in the middle of the woods with no shelter, food, medicine or running water for the children, and streets still filled with rubble from the January 2010 earthquake.  Yet, even in a place of so much despair, destruction and disease, the Haitian people recognized the Rotary Wheel and gravitated toward it as a symbol of peace and hope for their children.

From the personal to the global, from the oh-so-close-to-success of the world polio immunization program to the rubble-filled streets of a country that lacks even the basic heavy equipment to clear away the debris and rebuild – a country where even everyday sanitation garbage removal is a near-impossibility – Quave stressed the importance of the kind of sacrificial giving of time, energy and financial resources that make a difference, the kind of “live-to-give” philosophy that has distinguished Rotary Clubs around the world.

As part of the spirit of giving, Quave recognized two local Rotarians, Brian O’Connell and Peter Bucher, as Paul Harris Fellows, Rotary members who had contributed $1000 or more to the Rotary Foundation.

In just a few short weeks all 51 District Rotary Clubs, representing 2500 members will be participating in the February 25, 2012 “Rotary Rocks.”  On that Saturday, Rotary members throughout the district, including the one in Madison, will participate in a service project in the community to create awareness of the Rotary, the kind of work they do and the difference they can make in a community.

 

 

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Pinetta Third Grade Class Gets Creative With Flowers

November 8, 2011 Education Comments Off

By Lynette Norris

Greene Publishing, Inc.

“Doll-EE!  Doll-EE!  Doll-EE!” the children chanted to make sure Dolly Ballard got into the group photo with them at the end of their flower arranging session.

The Pinetta third graders had gathered in science teacher Peggy Ross’s classroom to learn how to put together eye-catching centerpieces to take home to their parents.  Madison Garden Club’s Dolly Ballard was on hand, along with Laura Coleman, Ann Paquette, Jean Fiori and Jackie Kirkland to provide the necessary materials and demonstrate the simple steps for creating something beautiful.  Ballard then showed the children how, by keeping the fern-like greenery as a base, other things besides the yellow flowers they were using, could be added or substituted to change the look of the arrangement for different holidays or different seasons of the year.  They could use a candle, pinecones, different colored flowers, or anything pretty they could find around their house or yard.

“You can do anything,” Ballard told the class.  “You can be creative.”

After the flower arrangement lesson was over, the ladies went out to check on the school’s winter vegetable garden to see how it was coming along.  Ballard and her team also lead the Madison Youth Gardeners and 4-H Club, teaching the children the basics of gardening and growing their own food.

Last month, when the children held their pumpkin-weighing contest on Oct. 13, the patch of bare ground had just been tilled and prepared for planting.  Three weeks later, the seeds the children had sown for carrots, radishes and mustard had made pale green lines of fine, feathery vegetation just above the soil, and the cabbage and broccoli plants were coming along nicely.

Next month, the Madison Garden Club ladies will be back at Pinetta with another seasonal, creative project for the children to make and take home.

 

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School Board Recognizes Parental Involvement Month

November 3, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

By Lynette Norris

Greene Publishing, Inc.

“It has been a day,” said several school board members, other officials and townspeople as they gathered for Tuesday night’s school board meeting.  School Superintendent Lou Miller opened the meeting with a prayer that “the Lord who is our refuge, our strength and our ever-present help in time of need” would show mercy on Madison County.

On that subdued note, county attorney Tommy Reeves then announced that Gov. Rick Scott, via Executive Order 11-215, had suspended Tina Johnson from her duties as a school board member, pending the outcome of election fraud charges filed against her.  Reeves then added that neither the suspension nor the charges were indicative of guilt or innocence, which would be determined through the court system, but that the suspension had occurred because Johnson is charged with a felony.  Scott has not appointed a replacement for Johnson, nor is he required to, Reeves told the board.  It was not known at that time whether or not the governor would do so in the near future, so for the time being, the board would carry on with the remaining four board members.

Normal business resumed with Greenville Elementary principal Davis Barclay thanking various board members for their help in making the school’s fall festival a success, and presenting a short report on Greenville’s progress and proficiency in various subjects.

Also on that first November evening, the board recognized November as Parents Involved in Education Month, and Nov. 17 in particular as National Parental Involvement Day.   That day, all parents are invited to come to their child’s school to see what goes on and learn ways they can help.  Dr. Cheryl James and Linton Hart ofTitle I Parental Involvement, read a proclamation from Gov. Rick Scott dedicating the month of November to getting parents more involved in their children’s schools.

Near its conclusion, the board meeting included a grace note of good news regarding the Madison County High School Band; board member Bart Alford announced to everyone that Saturday, Oct. 29, the MCHS band had traveled to Tallahassee for their annual evaluation from the Florida Bandmaster’s Association at Gene Cox Stadium, and returned with a score of “superior.”

Octavious Tookes brought more good news of another event that same Saturday – the Anti-Bullying event at Lake Frances, a project the Safe Schools committee had planned and worked on for weeks.  Tookes, who heads the committee, stated that the event was a success, well attended and well received by the community.  Superintendent Miller agreed, adding, “We’re all proud of the way that turned out.”

 

 

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County Commission Hears Plans for Holiday Celebration

November 3, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

Considers Alternatives to Renaming Road

By Lynette Norris

Greene Publishing, Inc.

With news that the county would be without a Supervisor of Elections for an undetermined amount of time, the County Commission wondered what should be done in the interim, with a Republican Primary coming up soon and a busy election season in the months after that.  There was a question of whether or not a previous supervisor of elections would be allowed to help in the interim, and also a question of funding, should the county need or be required to hire a consultant.

The questions arose after County Attorney Tommy Reeves delivered the official announcement that Gov. Rick Scott had suspended Jada Woods Williams from her duties as Madison’s SOE following her Nov.1 arrest on charges of elections fraud, but he added that although Scott had the ability to appoint a replacement for Woods, he was not required to do so, nor did anything compel him to do so within a required time frame.

“There isn’t really a playbook on what the next step is,” said Reeves, who advised waiting to see what the Division of Elections had to say about the situation.  “This doesn’t happen that much in Madison County.”

The Commissioners also heard from Willy Gamalero of the Kiwanis Club about the organization’s plans for “Light Up Madison,” planned for Saturday, Dec. 3.

Light Up Madison this year is planned not so much as a “festival,” but more as a fun event for the whole family, Gamalero told the Commissioners.  The list of activities sponsored by local businesses and organizations included a short parade on Range Street with entries from local churches throughout the county, a live nativity scene (also on Range Street) between the Genealogy building and the antique store, a huge drive-in-movie-sized screen set up on the courthouse lawn to show short, child-friendly Christmas movies, photos with Santa and hayrides.

The Kiwanis Club also plans have a booth collecting toys and non-perishable food items for help light up the holidays for families in need.

Also, the Treasures of Madison Museum will have an “Open House” during the event and would like to invite the public to come in and take a look at their collection of tangible pieces of Madison’s history.

The other big item on the agenda was the renaming of Delphinium Road in honor of C.C. Matheny.

In 1950s Madison County, African American citizens could not register to vote unless they were “identified” as a resident by previously registered voters.  Since all registered voters in Madison at the time were white, and the implicit threat of social and economic sanctions were held over the heads of white citizens who might wish to “identify” any African American citizens, the latter were effectively barred from registering.

That changed in 1954.  C.C. Matheny, a white citizen and supervisor of Negro Education, broke with tradition and “indentified” African American citizen and Negro Schools principal Jenyethel Merritt, allowing her to register.  Then, as a registered voter herself, Merritt could in turn “identify” other African American residents in Madison and allow them to register as well.

Matheny’s action cost him his job, and his family was ostracized and harassed by much of the white community.

At the County Commission meeting last month, Deloris Jones recounted the story for those gathered at the commission meeting, as commissioners discussed the idea of renaming NE Delphinium Road after Matheny, and voted to send out notices to the residents so they could come to the next meeting and voice their opinions before the matter was voted on.

At the Nov. 2 meeting, about half a dozen residents of the rural road went before the commission to state that although Matheny should be honored for his courage, renaming Delphinium Road was not the way to do it.

“An address change is not a fun thing,” said Harry Gramling, citing several documents that would have to be changed over, including long-term insurance papers and “things you never thought about,” until they had to be changed.

Jennifer Hendry, of Southern Living for Seniors, said the address change would impact everything from her Medicaid license, to her business papers, to the social security checks for the 22 ladies living at her facility.  “Many of these ladies don’t even have any family left to help them with the address change,” said Hendry.  Another man pointed out that they had already been through the address change process once with the 911 addressing system and had no desire to be put through it again.

Others who said Matheny deserved recognition suggested alternatives to renaming the road.  After all, one resident pointed out, what would the name “Matheny” on a signpost mean to anyone unless they already knew the story?  What about a plaque in a public place like the park?  What about dedicating part of the bike trail to him with some sort of historical marker that told the story behind the man?

Commissioners discussed the public’s comments, and Commissioner Alfred Martin said that he didn’t realize the address change was such a burdensome process.

The Commission then voted unanimously to choose a committee to look at the alternatives.

 

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Rev. Robert Holmes Hopes To Get Parents More Involved In Public Schools

November 3, 2011 Education Comments Off

By Lynette Norris

Greene Publishing, Inc.

It started out, a simple idea from a recent conversation that Rev. Robert Holmes had with Ben Killingsworth, principal of Madison County High School, after there had been six fights at the school in one week.

But the germ of that idea began many years before that.

Holmes had been an educator for many years before he entered the ministry, teaching seventh grade social studies at Madison County Central School.  One day, a student’s mother came to visit his classroom, and ended up sitting in on all of his classes for the entire day.

“That was the easiest day I’ve ever had,” said Holmes.  “Not one single disciplinary problem the entire day.”

Instead, the students were on their best behavior, and continually shushing each other, because, “we have a visitor.”

The presence of a parent in the classroom had what Holmes described as a “chilling effect” on the usual unruly behavior.

Fast-forward several years, to his more recent conversation with Killingsworth: “An idea – so simple,” had begun to take shape after that conversation, said Holmes.

It blossomed into the purpose behind two meetings held Sunday, Oct. 30.  Rev. Holmes met with the ministers of the Ministers, Deacons and Laymen Training Union, an organization consisting about 20 black churches in Madison County.  Holmes is also the First Vice President of the organization; Rev. Charles Barfield is the President.

In the second meeting, Rev. Bob Knight of Lee United Methodist met with the Ministerial Association, an organization of white churches in Madison, over which he also presides.

The leadership of both organizations has spoken with School Superintendent Lou Miller, who supports their efforts on behalf of Madison schoolchildren.

The two meetings were held Sunday, with the common goal of reaching parents of children in the public school system.  Part of the very simple idea Holmes had envisioned, was the need to get the word out to as many parents as possible via the county’s large network of churches, about the need for many, many, more parents to become involved in the public school system.

“We need them to become involved in their children’s education,” said Holmes, who wanted to emphasize that he meant more than just dropping the children off at school and coming back only when there was a problem.

The schools also need more parents when things are going well.  More parents who could sometimes sit in on a child’s class.  More parents who could sit in the bleachers with their children’s class during school assemblies.  More parents who could lend a hand during science fairs and health fairs.  More parents who could go on field trips.

There are several faithful parents who help out now, but more are needed, said Holmes.  Many more.  Those parents who can come in and visit and get involved when things are going well are a big help in keeping things going well, because, as he pointed out, “when someone’s mom or dad is right there, watching, they (the children) are much less inclined to do devilish things.”

So, the more parents, the better.

Of the meeting Sunday, Holmes stated that he was quite pleased with the results.  All the letters had gone out to all the churches and all the congregations, and Holmes was very encouraged with the response from his own congregation.  Based on the feedback he got from the parents, he feels quite confident that many of them will now be involved, or become more involved, in their children’s education.

He looks forward to seeing more parents stepping up, and to seeing what happens when they put this very simple idea into action, for the benefit of not only their own children but others as well.

Some of the many ways parents can help include: encouraging their child to do his or her best; setting goals and high expectations; supporting the teachers; keeping check of their child’s progress on FOCUS http://portal.madison.k12.fl.us/joomla/ ; reminding the child to be positive and respectful; participating in PTO meetings; and becoming a mentor, tutor or volunteer.

If parents would like to get involved, or more involved with their child’s education, there is a contact person at each school ready to help: Madison County High School, Evelyn Chancy, 973-5061 Ext. 182; Madison County Central School, Lisa Daniels, 973-5046 Ext. 132; Lee Elementary, Cindy Thomas 973-5030; Greenville Elementary, Lisa Davis, 973-5033; Pinetta Elementary, Sandra McDonald, 973-5028; Excel School, Linda McFarland, 973-5054; Project Safe Zone, Jodie Price, Mentor Coordinator, 973-5192.

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Video: Attorney Announces Gov. Scott Has Suspended Board Member Tina Johnson

November 2, 2011 Education, Front Page Comments Off

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Video: Second Part of Nov. 1, 2011 School Board Meeting

November 2, 2011 Education, Front Page Comments Off

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Video: Sen. Bill Nelson and Tommy Tart Talk About WWII Hero At Kiwanis

October 27, 2011 Around Madison Comments Off

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Take Stock In Children’s CEO Visits Madison

October 27, 2011 Front Page One comment

By Lynette Norris

Greene Publishing, Inc.

Mentors, donors and students gathered in the lobby of Bank of American for an after-hours reception Wednesday evening, Oct. 19.

Looking around at the gathered crowd, Jo Willis, Madison County Program Coordinator for Take Stock in Children, remarked, “This is a really good turnout.”

It was a reception for Emilio Alonso-Mendoza, the CEO of Take Stock in Children, Inc.  Alonso-Mendoza had traveled from the Take Stock in Children state office in Miami, first to Tallahassee, with several other stops in the Panhandle, then on to Madison to meet with and talk to some of the people involved in the mentoring program in Madison County.

Willis was especially pleased that some of the students in the program were attending the reception, hosted by the Madison County Foundation for Excellence in Education (MCFEE).

Currently, Willis added, there are 58 Madison County students enrolled in the mentoring program; 70 other students have already graduated and are now in college or vocational school.

Alonso-Mendoza spoke with several education officials at the reception, including School Superintendent Lou Miller, as well as several other elected officials, MCFEE members, mentoring volunteers, teachers and students.“I saw how our Take Stock program is really a movement in (Madison) County,” Alonso-Mendoza later wrote in his weekly update, adding that he was pleased to have spoken to so many local officials involved in the program. Besides Miller, he also chatted with Sheriff Ben Stewart, Kiwanis Club President Lucile Day, City Commissioner Myra Valentine, County Commissioner Roy Ellis, Supervisor of Elections Jada Williams, Woman’s Club President Mary Groover, Clerk of the Court Tim Sanders, Rotarian Jim Sale and many others.

Because of Take Stock and the community’s involvement, “Seventy of the promising youth of that community have a bright future ahead of them.”

 

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Sweet And Dill Pickles Make Sweet Music At 39ers Club

October 27, 2011 Around Madison Comments Off

By Lynette Norris

Greene Publishing, Inc.

Sweet and Dill Pickles were the musical guests for the very first 39ers Club meeting in October, after the summer break.

“I think you’ve already figured out who’s Dill and who’s Sweet,” said Troy Pickles, the lead bass singer who hits notes so low it rattles the floorboards in the basement.  The other half of the singing duo is his daughter, Jessica Ratliff, who harmonizes with a strong, ringing alto.

Ratliff, who also performs with the Southern gospel trio Lifesong (with Bryant Thigpen and Ethan Brooks) said learning to sing alto against such a strong bass voice was “a challenge….but I have always loved harmonizing.”

Together, the father-daughter team made sweet Southern gospel music at the Oct. 18 meeting.  Their performance brought in sounds of bluegrass, country and folk, including “Pray for the Fish,” a fun number about being baptized in a creek, an up-tempo version of Johnny Cash’s “Aint No Grave (Can Hold My Body Down)” and the praise anthem “Glory to God in the Highest.”

The 39ers were tapping their feet and clapping their hands to the music before it was over.

Rev. John Hopwood, Pastor of Grace Presbyterian, traded a couple of jokes with Pickles, asking at one point, “who was the creative genius who came up with the name Sweet and Dill Pickles?”

It turned out it was Hopwood himself who had suggested the name, but “I was trying to be humble about it and get you to say it,” he laughed.

“Nice try, John,” said someone in the audience, to a round of laughter.

The 39ers Club gets together the third Tuesday of every other month at noon in the fellowship hall of Grace Presbyterian Church to enjoy good food and great music.  There are no dues or fees of any kind, and anyone who is “39 years of age until proven otherwise” as the late Jack Benny put it, is welcome to join in the fun.  The lunch is covered dish potluck, and at Tuesday’s meeting, pieces of pink and white frosted cake from Rachel Reichmann’s 100th birthday party showed up on the dessert table.

The 39ers next meeting is Dec. 20, “Same time, same station!” said Hopwood.  “Bring a pal, or bring an enemy!”

“Bring an inlaw, bring an outlaw!” said another.

In keeping with the culinary theme, the musical guest scheduled for the December meeting is a group known as Oil and Vinegar.

 

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