Archive for April 2011

Account Set Up For Tracy Fox At MCCB

April 26, 2011 Front Page Comments Off
Tracy Fox, right, has been diagnosed with colon cancer. She is shown with her sister, April Leonard, who helped set up an account for her medical expenses at MCCB.

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
An account has been set up at Madison County Community Bank for Tracy F

Tracy Fox, right, has been diagnosed with colon cancer. She is shown with her sister, April Leonard, who helped set up an account for her medical expenses at MCCB.

ox, who is undergoing treatment for colon cancer.
Tracy’s doctors diagnosed her with the ailment on Tuesday, April 19. Since Tracy isn’t working, her sister, April Leonard, set up an account in her name. Money deposited into Tracy’s account will go for medical treatment, as well as travel and other expenses.
Tracy said that she had been out of work with an injury and was set to return to work when she was diagnosed with cancer.
Tracy and her husband, Albert Keith Fox, have one son, Toby.
“Any donations will be greatly appreciated,” Tracy said.

 

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Not Exactly Chicken Salad

April 26, 2011 Front Page Comments Off
With the truck backed out of the way, truck driver Roy White and Street and Sanitation Department Supervisor, J.R. Olmstead, scoop up the rest of the mess.

With the truck backed out of the way, truck driver Roy White and Street and Sanitation Department Supervisor, J.R. Olmstead, scoop up the rest of the mess.

By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Amid jokes about chicken salad and chicken salad sandwiches, and a smell that rivaled really ripe roadkill, members of the police department, fire department and the city street department awaited word on how to handle the mass of spilled chicken guts at the intersection of Base and Range Streets.
About 10 a.m., the driver of an American Proteins, Inc. truck, a company based out of Cuthbert, Ga., was headed west on Base Street when the traffic light at Range Sreet caught him short and he had to stop suddenly; the load in his truck slopped forward over the top of the container and some of it splattered onto the street.  The container top was covered with a tarp-like covering tied down with rope.
The lane behind the truck was quickly blocked off.  Officer David Stevenson and Police Chief Gary Calhoun called the DOT and the EPA to determine what kind of biohazard the pile of reeking renderings might pose, but they were eventually advised to shovel it into buckets, load it back onto the truck, and have the company responsible come and hose the area down.

American Proteins, Inc., of Cuthbert, said their facility was three hours away and they had no one available locally to do the job.  There was some discussion of calling Pilgrim’s Pride in Live Oak, where the truck had picked up its load, but the task ultimately fell to the Madison Fire Department.
Madison City Street and Sanitation Department Supervisor J.R. Olmstead grabbed a pitchfork and then a shovel as he scooped up innards and joked, “Man, this takes me back to my childhood!”
The driver, Roy White, who had been sitting dejectedly on a nearby park bench and declining to comment except to say that he had worked with the company for ten years without incident, grabbed a wide shovel and assisted Olmstead.
The driver was issued a citation for having an unsecured load.
.

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Greenville Teens, Lamont Teen Injured In Crash

April 26, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

By Fran Hunt
Special to Greene Publishing, Inc.
A Lamont teen and two teens from Greenville, were injured in a single-vehicle crash, Saturday afternoon.
Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) reported that at 12:35 p.m., Saturday, April 23, Jarrod Flowers, 17, of Lamont, was driving a 1990 Ford F-150 northbound on Wilbur Knowles Road in Taylor County, at approximately 50 miles per hour.
Riding in the vehicle as passengers were Corey Miller, 18, of Greenville and in the bed of the pickup truck, was passenger Bradley Miller, 17, of Greenville.
Flowers lost control of the vehicle and overcorrected the steering in an attempt to gain control.
The vehicle rotated sideways and slid off the roadway onto the west shoulder, where the vehicle struck several small trees.
This caused the vehicle to overturn, ejecting Flowers and Bradley Miller.
The vehicle came to a rest upright on top of Flowers, facing north.
Flowers was transported to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital for treatment of critical injuries.
Corey Miller and Bradley Miller each sustained minor injuries.
FHP reported that the crash was not alcohol-related and none of the three teens were wearing seatbelts.
The vehicle sustained $6,500 damage.
Assisting FHP on the scene were Taylor City Sheriff’s Office, Fire and Rescue and EMS.

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EOC Building Named After Jim Stanley

April 26, 2011 Front Page Comments Off
Jim Stanley stands in front of the plaque dedicating the Emergency Operations Center in his honor.

By Jacob Bembry

Jim Stanley stands in front of the plaque dedicating the Emergency Operations Center in his honor.

Greene Publishing, Inc.
The Emergency Operations Center has been renamed in honor of Jim Stanley.
The building was dedicated to him on Wednesday, April 22.
Describing the event as one of the most important that had ever happened to him, Jim stood before family and friends who had gathered to pay tribute to Madison County’s former Emergency Management Director.

Stanley said that Joe Peavy, who was sheriff at the time, had walked across the street from the courthouse to Beggs Department Store, where Stanley served as manager, with the news of the position coming open.
“If Joe hadn’t come and told me that Bernard Wilson was stepping down, I never would have learned of it,” he said.
Stanley said the first person he spoke to about it was Tommy Beggs, who was one of his employers at the time.
“I never got anything but support from Tommy,” he said.
Stanley started out as emergency management director with no office and a part-time salary of $250 per month.
“Alan Sowell told me I was crazy to work for $250 a month,” said Stanley, who also continued to work as the store manager at Beggs.
Joe Peavy shared that when the governor declares a county in a state of emergency, the emergency management director has total control of everything, including law enforcement. He said that he was glad that Stanley had not stuck him directing traffic in Eridu or somewhere during a hurricane or tornado.
Over the years, Stanley was able to make some changes to the Emergency Management department ,including getting an office and hiring Vicki Brown as the department’s Program Coordinator. Later, with the aide of Vicki’s grant writing, the department was able to secure a grant, which helped build the Emergency Operations Center.
Brown replaced Stanley after he retired. After her husband, Mike, got a job in Auburn, Ala., she resigned from the post.
Stanley said that, through the years, Emergency Management had a lot of help from the public, from businesses, from utility companies from law enforcement and from the news media. He said that not one person or group could have done it alone.
Jim and his wife, Sandra, have a son, Jason, and a daughter, Shawn Godwin, and three grandchildren: Terra Godwin, 15, J.B. Godwin, 9, and Sam Stanley, 7.

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Former Madison County Resident Retires From Air Force

April 26, 2011 Front Page One comment
Master Sgt. Thomas L. Dennis

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.

Master Sgt. Thomas L. Dennis

Master Sgt. Thomas L. Dennis, the son of Tommy and Laverne Dennis of Madison, retired from the U.S. Air Force on April 8. The ceremony was held at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico.
Born in Thomasville, Ga., Master Sgt. Dennis graduated from Madison County High School in 1991. In July 1991, he entered Air Force Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base near San Antonio, Texas.
Following basic training, Dennis spent four months of technical training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Systems training.
Dennis’ first assignment was as an air conditioning specialist at the 2853rd Civil Engineer Squadron at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia.
After spending several years on station, he became a journeyman and was promoted to Senior Airman. He then received an assignment to Osan Air Base in Korea.

After completion of his one-year tour of duty, Dennis was assigned to the 796th Civil Engineer Squadron in Eglin Air Force Base, near Pensacola.
While assigned to Eglin, Dennis met and married his wife, Tamika. They have four children.
Within the next 11 years, Dennis graduated from the Airman Leadership School. He received a promotion to staff sergeant in 1998 and held the position as heating and air conditioning crew leader. He was later deployed to Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait for 120 days.
In 2003, Dennis received a promotion to technical sergeant and attended Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, where he was a distinguished graduate. He became the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration shortly afterwards.
He was deployed to Balad Air Base, Iraq for 181 days in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he was embedded with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as the NCOIC of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration operations.
Three years later, Dennis was promoted to master sergeant and selected to cross-train in Information Management.
Dennis became an Information Manager in 2007 and was assigned to the 49th Communications Squadron, Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.
While serving at Holloman, Dennis served as Chief of the Network Training Center, Section Chief of Force Development, Section Chief of Client Systems, Wing 3D0X1 Functional Manager and Flight Chief of Plans and Resources. These positions earned him the 2008 49th Fighter Wing Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of Information Management and 2010 49th Wing Senior Non-Commission Officer of Cyberspace Operations.
Dennis’ military decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters; the Army Commendation Medal; the Air Force Achievement Meal with one oak leaf cluster; the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters; the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with six oak leaf clusters; the National Defense Medal with bronze star; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Iraqi Campaign Medal with bronze star; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Korean Defense Service Medal; Air Force Overseas Short Tour Medal with one oak leaf cluster; Air Force Expeditionary Service Medal with gold border; Air Force Longevity Service Medal with Gold Border; Air Force Longevity Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters; Air Force PME Graduate with one oak leaf cluster; and Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Medal.

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County Commission Meeting Hears Naming Proposal And Other Items

April 26, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.
In their April 20 meeting, the County Commission approved a resolution honoring the late Deputy Marcus Jones, Sr., and also heard a heartfelt proposal from Jones’ friend, Michael Maurice, about renaming part of the bike trail, from Hanson up to the railroad tracks, after Jones.
“He had found a new love,” said Maurice.  “When that bike trail was finished, he had bought himself a new expensive bike and he loved riding that trail.”

Jones died suddenly at age 40, of a massive heart attack, earlier this month.
The Commissioners agreed to check with the Water Management District, which is responsible for that section of the bike trail, and take up the proposal at the next meeting.
Fran Pylus, of the Area Agency on Aging (AAA), also spoke to the Commission, seeking their help in letting the seniors of Madison County know that her agency is available and ready, to either provide them with assistance, or put them in touch with the right organization that provides the elder service they need.  Her agency is one of several in Florida, and her particular AAA is responsible for 14 counties; it is a kind of “one stop shopping” for seniors, for everything from free telephones with amplified audio technology to the organization SHINE that specializes in helping the elderly fill out forms and applications.  “We’re trying to find seniors in rural areas to let them know we’re here to help.”
Finally, an ongoing disagreement between the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and Tommy Jonas, who owns the Family Fun and Game Center, was resolved.  The conflict began severeal weeks ago, when the Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous complaint that Jonas was selling beer without a license.  At the meeting last Wednesday, a frustrated Jonas was ready to turn in his beer license and call it quits, when Lt. Ralph Campbell, of the Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco out of Tallahassee, took the podium to clear up the matter.   His research had found that Jonas was properly licensed to sell beer, but that the address had been recorded incorrectly, causing the confusion.  With that mistake corrected, he stated that Jonas should be able to run his business without any future problems.

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Wild Cumberland

April 26, 2011 Editorials Comments Off

National  Security
Joe Boyles  Guest Columnist

Nearly two years ago, the National Park Service (NPS) reassigned my younger brother Fred from Andersonville to the superintendency of Cumberland Island National Seashore (CINS).  Cumberland, the barrier island just north of Fernandina Beach and the Florida-Georgia border, has become a fascination to me.
Linda and I had the opportunity to visit Cumberland last November.  We caught the 11:45 ferry from the St. Mary’s dock.  There is no bridge to Cumberland; more on that later.  It takes 45 minutes to arrive at the Dungeness dock at the south end of CINS, a good opportunity to look for porpoises and the birds that populate the salt marsh.
The history of Cumberland Island is both interesting and conflicting.  The Timucuan tribe, Spanish missionaries and colonial fortifications did not leave a lasting impression on the 18-mile long island.  The plantation period followed for nearly a century, principally built around the live oaks of the maritime forest (important for wooden shipbuilding) and Sea Island cotton.
An important burial took place in 1818 when Revolutionary War hero Light Horse Harry Lee, the father of Robert E. Lee, was buried in the cemetery near Dungeness.  There his remains rested for nearly a century until the Commonwealth of Virginia disinterred Lee and buried him next to his famous son at the Washington and Lee Chapel in Lexington, Va.  Light Horse Harry’s original tombstone is still at CINS.
In the post-Civil War era when the plantations failed, northern money came south to fill the void of poverty that gripped the defeated South.  Thomas and Lucy Carnegie came with their steel fortune from Pittsburg in 1882 and quickly purchased most of the island.  They had a big family (9 children) so an aggressive construction program began almost immediately.  As many as three hundred workers were employed to support the family.
Thomas died early and Lucy Coleman Carnegie became the matriarch of Cumberland.  They lived off the accumulated fortune.  None of the six sons had a profession so there was no steady income to support their lavish living style.  Lucy died in 1916 and she locked up the estate in a trust until the last of her brood died forty-six years later.  During this time, the family continued to spend away their wealth until they could no longer support their immense mansions which gradually deteriorated.
From the nine children, there were five lines of succession and the Carnegie’s ownership of the island was divided accordingly.  Cash strapped heirs sold their lands to Savannah developer Charles Fraser who built Hilton Head, South Carolina.  He wanted to do the same with Cumberland but the Carnegie descendents resisted.  Their solution was to invite the National Park Service.  In 1972, Cumberland was designated a national seashore although some families retained rights to live on the island for years afterward.
Lawsuits fly around CINS like confetti at New Years.  Environmentalists sue.  Former owners sue.  Local politicians sue.  The state argues with the Feds.  They sue about land, driving rights, wilderness, turtles, horses, pigs, etc.  Caught in the middle of this legal tug-of-war is the National Park Service.  More than one of my brother’s predecessors has been tossed out on his ear.  Lawyers in Coastal Georgia are doing a booming business.
No more than 300 visitors can make two ferry trips each day to and from the island.  The annual visitor count is about 48 thousand.  Tourists see three types of landscape across the 36 thousand acre island.  The salt marsh dominates the western or river side.  Through the middle of the island is the maritime forest, beautiful old twisted live oaks.  The eastern shoreline is simply the widest, most beautiful beach you can witness, devoid of any buildings whatsoever.  Nothing but sand dunes, sea oats, and packed sand to the rolling surf of the Atlantic.  Across this island roam wild horses and an abundance of other wildlife than have adapted to Wild Cumberland.  Hunting has long been part of Cumberland’s attraction and the NPS holds six hunts each year.
There are several important lessons in this story.  Cumberland is largely preserved because there has never been a bridge to the island.  The 1972 legislation stipulates that there will never be a bridge which I suspect will prove true.  The Carnegies lived even beyond their means and eventually the money ran out.  Wealth is a marvelous thing, but income pays the bills.  The mansions they built were not from indigenous materials and eventually, fire, storms and termites took their toll.  But the 200 year old Tabby House at Dungeness looks like it will survive another century or more.
Cumberland Island is a marvelous day trip from Madison.  For a $20 ferry ride, you will see a site to remember for many years.  There are no concessions, so bring things in your own backpack and prepare to walk.  The island beckons.

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Larry Harrington

April 26, 2011 Obituaries Comments Off

Larry Harrington, 71, a former resident of Perry, passed away on April 20, 2011 in Athens, Ga.
Mr. Harrington was born April 13, 1940, in Donalsonville, Ga., to the late Wallace and Thelma Harrington. He attended the Seminole County school system and was graduated in 1958.
Upon graduation, he attended Middle Georgia Junior College and the University of Georgia, where he graduated in 1963 with a degree in forestry. Mr. Harrington then went to work with the U.S. Forest Service in Pierce, Idaho, where he stayed until December of 1964. He then moved back to Georgia to get away from the intense cold weather. In April 1965, he began working in Madison with the Florida Forest Service as County Forester. Mr. Harrington then transferred to Perry in February 1974 as District Forester and was responsible for 67 people and 1,800,000 acres of land. His position was later upgraded to Forestry District Manager in the late 1980’s. He retired April 25, 1995, after 30 years of service.
Mr. Harrington was married to the former Harriet Rosser and had two children, a son, Cameron, and a daughter, Kimberly. Cameron resides in Athens, Ga., and Kimberly lives in Carrabelle.
Funeral services were held Monday, April 25, 2011, at 10 a.m. at Joe P. Burns Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Lamar “Cooter” McCray officiating.
The interment service was held on Monday, April 25, 2011, at 3 p.m. at Friendship Memorial Gardens in Donalsonville, Ga., with Brother James Scarboro officiating. The family received friends on Sunday, April 24, 2011, from 6-8 p.m.
Visitors may sign the guestbook at www.joepburnsfuneralhomes.com.

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Fred Tracy Reeves

April 26, 2011 Obituaries Comments Off

Fred Tracy Reeves, age 74, died Thursday, April 21, 2011, in Madison.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m., Saturday, April 23, 2011, at Beggs Funeral Home with burial at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Visitation was from 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 22, 2011, at Beggs Funeral Home.
He was born October 12, 1936 in Leon County. He was Executive Director with the State of Florida Justice Administrative Commission.
He moved to Madison in 1968 coming from Tallahassee. He was a member of the Madison Lions’ Club, Linda Tippette’s Bible Study for 15 years, Elder in the Grace Presbyterian Church and later joined Fellowship Baptist Church. He graduated from Leon High School in 1955 and married in 1959. He was a graduate of FSU in 1963.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra Reeves of Madison; three sons: Frederick Tracy “Freddy” Reeves, Jr. (Vicki) of New Port Richey, Wesley Seay “Wes” Reeves of Madison and George Thomas “Tommy” Reeves of Madison; one daughter: Elizabeth Evelyn “Lynn” Reeves Hosseini (Sepehr) of Atlanta, Ga.; daughter-in-law, Lisa Masters Reeves of Tallahassee; five grandchildren: Sidney Nicole Lindsay of Orlando, Benjamin Ethan Hosseini and Joseph Cole Hosseini, both of Atlanta, Ga.; and Kayla Elizabeth Reeves and Abigayle Whitley Reeves, both of Madison.
Memorial contributions may be made in Tracy Reeves’ name to Fellowship Church, 1997 NE Colin Kelly Highway, Madison, FL 32340.

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Georgia Mabel Schulz

April 26, 2011 Obituaries Comments Off

Georgia Mabel Schulz, age 87, died Thursday, April 21, 2011, in Tallahassee.
Graveside funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Monday, April 25, 2011 at Ebenezer Cemetery.
She was born on July 25, 1923 to parents James Russell and Minnie Mae Martin in Chilhowie, Va.
She is survived by one son, Robert Schulz (Alma) of Madison, and many nieces and nephews.

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Lawrence T. Rowell

April 26, 2011 Obituaries Comments Off

Lawrence T. Rowell, 76, of Madison passed away Friday, February 11, 2011.
He was born in Plant City on April 30, 1934.
Lawrence moved to Madison with his parents in 1946.  Lawrence owned and operated Rowell’s Bait and Tackle, as well as a small engine and lawn mower repair shop for many years.
His parents, David E. Rowell and Maybell Harris Rowell and siblings, Mami R. Johnson, Ruben E. Rowell, John E. Rowell and Charles E. Rowell preceded him in death.
His loving family and friends survive him.
He will be laid to rest at Mount Olive Cemetery on Saturday, April 30, 2011, at 11 a.m.

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Fred Junior Bass

April 26, 2011 Obituaries Comments Off

Fred Junior Bass, age 63, died Friday, April 22,2011 in Jasper.
Graveside funeral services were held at 3 p.m.Tuesday, April 26, 2011, at San Pedro Cemetery,Madison.
He was born in Madison and moved to Vero Beach.He moved to Jasper in 1999. He worked as a heavyequipment operator.
He is survived by his mother, Abbie Bass of Cherry Lake; a girlfriend, Abbie Goss of Jasper; one daughter, WandaYates (Jason) of Fellsmere; two sons, Jeffrey Thomas Bass (Marlo) and Jimmy Lee Bass, both of Vero Beach; two brothers, Tommy Bass of Bell and Vann Bass of Vero Beach; two sisters, Jane Evans of Pinetta; and Julie Bass of Cherry Lake; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

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Norman Albert Haynes

April 26, 2011 Obituaries Comments Off

Norman Albert Haynes, age 99, died Saturday, April 23, 2011, in Madison.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 26, 2011, at Lee First Baptist Church with burial at Oak Ridge Cemetery.  Visitation was Monday from 5-7 p.m. at Beggs Funeral Home.
He moved to Madison in 1976, coming from Viet Nam.  He was an advisor to Viet Nam, with the U.S. Department of Defense for the U.S. Government.  He was a member of Lee First Baptist Church.  He was also the owner and Operator of Haynes Apartments in Madison for many years.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy of Madison, and one son, Truman Lee Haynes of Tucson, Arizona.
Beggs Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 850-973-2258.

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Friends Of MCMH Hold Dinner

April 26, 2011 Around Madison Comments Off

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
The Friends of Madison County Memorial Hospital held a dinner on Thursday evening, April 14, in the hospital’s dining room.
“This will be one of several that will be held over the next few months,” said Vicki Howerton, MCMH Community Relations Coordinator.
Ray Griffin served as chef for the occasion. He prepared a spaghetti dinner with salad, garlic bread, tea and a vast array of special desserts. Helping Griffin were Chris Day, Caitlin Griffin, Hannah Odiorne, Adam Odiorne and Aaron Brown.
Day and Griffin will be on a missions team headed to Haiti, while the Odiornes and Aaron Brown will be on a mission, sharing God’s love with the people of Brazil.
Dr. James Stockwell was one of the speakers at an informational meeting. Stockwell is a noted gastroenterologist who comes to MCMH each Tuesday for endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures.
Rep. Leonard Bembry (D-Greenville) spoke to the group concerning the necessity of the new hospital for all families in the county and in the area.
Kin Johnson, a local businessman, suggested that all local businesses have signs concerning the new hospital displayed, as well as having bumper stickers.
David Abercrombie reminded everyone that Tallahassee Orthopedics Clinic now comes to the Four Freedoms Clinic each week. He also mentioned that Dr. Armond B. Cognetta, Jr. and other dermatologists from his clinic would be coming to Madison in May.
Abercrombie also discussed a working relationship with MCMH and North Florida Community College.
Approximately 75 people gathered to hear plans for a new hospital.
If anyone is interested in going to a community meeting in May, please call Vicki Howerton at MCMH at (850) 253-1917 or email her at vickihowerton@gmail.com.

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Mchs Senior Class Hosting Fundraiser

April 26, 2011 Around Madison, Education, Outdoors Comments Off

The Madison County High School senior class will be selling plants through May. The plants already have blueberries on them and will be ripe in a couple of weeks. (1 gallon = $6.00 & 3 gallon $10.00)

 

Other Plants for sale by the
Senior Class include:
7 gallon English Dogwood
(blooming) $20.00
3g Red, Coral, Pink Drift Rose
$15.00 Nice
3g Carefree Yellow Rose
$15.00 Nice
3 gallon Dwarf Climbing Rose
(blooming on trellis) $12.00
3 gallon Confederate Jasmine
(blooming on trellis) $12.00
3g Thorn-less Blackberries
(blooming (on trellis) $12.00
3g Knock-Out Rose $12.00
3g Ash Magnolia $12.00
3g Brown Turkey Figs $12.00
3g Red Buckeye $10.00
1g Bottle Brush Buckeye $5.00
1g Dogwood $5.00
3g Dogwood $8.00
1g Redbud $5.00
3g Redbud $8.00
1g Guthrie Plum $5.00
(good for Jelly)
3g Guthrie Plum $ 8.00
(good for Jelly)
3g Crepe Myrtle
(White & Pink) $8.00
1g Sky Pencil $5.00
3g Sky Pencil $8.00
1g Coral Honeysuckle $5.00
1g Japanese Honeysuckle $5.00
1g Purple Wisteria $5.00
3g Purple Wisteria $8.00
3g Plumbago $8.00
3g Red Fountain Grass $8.00
3g Indian Hawthorne $8.00
3g Loropetlum $8.00
3g Pampas Grass $8.00
3g Gardenia $8.00
3g Muscadine Grapes $8.00
3g Southern Magnolia $8.00
1g Itea (blooming) $5.00

ALL 1 GALLON PERENNIALS $2.50
Dune sunflower (blooming)
Purple Verbena (blooming)
Coreopsis (blooming)
Black-eyed Susan
Lobelia
Salvia (blooming)
Yellow Lantana (blooming)
Available in one week
Purple Lantana (blooming)
Available in one week
Scarlet Hibiscus
Swamp Hibiscus
Purple Coneflower
Swamp Sunflower
Liatris
Daylily
4” Container $1.50 Each
Variegated Ivy
Variegated Liriope

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Don’t Throw Granny to the Curb Foster Grandparent Program gets caught in the crossfire of government cutbacks.

April 26, 2011 Health Comments Off

Most agree that improvements and cutbacks are needed at all levels of government. Unfortunately, lawmakers who control the huge budgets that fund government programs are elected officials and are therefore very slow to cut into programs that might cost them votes; it’s a game of compromise. However, the severity of the current economy is causing them to take aim at everything, with many cost-effective programs getting caught in the crossfire.
One of the buzzwords in health and human services today is “evidence-based research.” Another is “sustainability.” The idea is simple, and it makes sense. Programs must show results and become as self-sufficient as possible, and few programs illustrate this better than the Foster Grandparent Program, especially those serving the Big Bend of Florida.
Nationally, the Foster Grandparent Program, which began in 1965, provides loving and experienced tutors and mentors to children and youth with special needs. Approximately 31,000 Foster Grandparents meet the needs of more than 260,000 young people each year. Typically working one-on-one, Foster Grandparents provide support in schools, hospitals, drug treatment centers, correctional institutions, and child care centers. Among other activities, they go over schoolwork, reinforce values, teach parenting skills to young mothers, and care for premature infants and children with disabilities. Foster Grandparents often maintain an ongoing, intensive relationship with their young clients for a year or longer.
In a desperate effort to cut spending, the Foster Grandparent Program was targeted for elimination and was only sustained at reduced levels through an emergency provision, and although no one would suggest the $2.65 per hour stipend and transportation reimbursement the Foster Grandparents receive were excessive, the public outcry to save the program has been limited because these senior heroes operate quietly in the background. Consequently, station organizers who oversee services are gratefully reaching out for support, requesting all who recognize the vital role these “grandmas” and “grandpas” play to take a stand with them to save this unique resource. Here’s what a few had to say:

“We need FGPs in every class. Find more money!”
“Our FGP volunteer lights up our classroom.”
“FGPs provide loving care for the child.”
“FGPs have increased positive academic outcomes for sure.”

The evidence agrees:
•    87 percent of children and youth report showing a lot or a fair amount of improvement in their academic performance since establishing a relationship with a Foster Grandparent.
•    90 percent of children and youth report showing a lot or a fair amount of improvement in their self-image since establishing a relationship with a Foster Grandparent.
•    90 percent of special education youth served demonstrated improvement and growth in areas critical to independent living.
The benefits are unmistakable and the costs are minimal compared to alternatives, not to mention the great benefits realized by the Foster Grandparents, as an astounding 98 percent report improvements in their quality of life. To find out more, please contact Deborah Latson at (850) 245-5923, or email at LatsonD@ecsbigbend.org, or visit www.seniorcorps.gov.
Please don’t throw granny to the curb! Call today.

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