Archive for May 2011

Obituary: Margaret Sullivan

May 3, 2011 Obituaries Comments Off

Margaret Brooker Sullivan, 95, passed away Tuesday, May 3, 2011, in Madison.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 5, 2011, in the Pinetta Baptist Church with interment at Mt. Horeb Cemetery in Pinetta. Donations may be made to Pinetta Baptist Church Building Fund.

She was a homemaker and had lived in Homestead most of her life before moving to Pinetta in 1993. She was very active in many civic organizations in Homestead including being past president and lifetime member of the Homestead Women’s Club where she was voted “Woman of the Year” twice. Charter member of Homestead Community Concert Association, lifetime member of Beta Zigma Phi, Board member of Homestead Public Library, President of the P.T.A. of Neva King Cooper Elementary School, Den mother for the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. She was a hand model and bathing suit model and in 1934 she was voted “Miami Beach Beauty Queen”. She was a member of Madison Woman’s Club and Madison Garden Club. She loved to cook and catered many events, and was a master bridge player. She was a member of Pinetta Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Ovid Homer Sullivan, who died in 2003; a brother, Thomas Potter Brooker, Jr.; a sister, Marjorie Brooker Ring; and a granddaughter, Julie Sullivan Griffin.

She is survived by her son, Walter “Butch” Ovid Sullivan (Callie) of Sandersville, Ga.; her daughter, Inda Tinney (B.J) of Pinetta; her sister, Marjorie Brooker Ring; two grandchildren, Tamara Tinney Copeland (Scott) of Dahlonega, Ga.; Kayla Tinney Robbins (Rory) of Tallahassee; and six great-grandchildren.

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Bin “Gone” Laden

May 3, 2011 Editorials Comments Off

National Security
Joe Boyles Guest Columnist

Osama bin Laden is dead … room temperature … toes up. He’s also apparently fish food having been off-loaded into the North Arabian Sea. So ends the 10-year hunt for the al-Qaeda leader following the horrific attack of 9/11.
The raid on his compound in Abbottabad, about 40 miles north of Pakistan’s capital, was a joint CIA/Special Operations attack. It was apparently months in the planning. Friday morning, the President signed off on the operation which was delayed at least one day until weather conditions presented the best low-light level for a night attack.
The Special Ops Blackhawk helicopters appeared above the one acre compound at about 3:30 a.m. local time on Monday morning. The assault force rappelled down ropes onto the ground. One chopper lost power and the pilots crash landed the ailing bird inside the compound’s 10 foot walls, a neat piece of airmanship using night vision goggles. No one was hurt in the landing.
Most of our attackers were members of Seal Team Six, a very elite counter terrorism squadron based at Coronado Island near San Diego. These fellows are just about the toughest snake-eaters you can imagine. Just be glad they’re on our side. After their calls for surrender were met with small arms fire, our boys waded in and spilled blood.
They were on the ground for just forty minutes. In that time, they killed all males who resisted, rounded up women and turned them over to Pakistani authorities, and gathered a significant amount of intelligence loot. They were unable to fly the disabled helicopter, blew it up, and departed with no American casualties. The chopper with bin Laden’s remains flew to the USS Vinson (CVN-70) where his body was prepared for burial and, to paraphrase The Godfather, fed to the fishes when the Saudis refused to accept the remains. Bye, bye, bin Laden.
As most of you know, I’m pretty critical of our young president but in this case, I tip my hat. In 2008, he campaigned that he would go after bin Laden with a vengeance and he did. Rather than drop a laser guided bomb on the place, he sent in the Seals … boots on the ground … and they finished the job. Good for him; good for us.
Where does this leave us? Bin Laden may be gone, but his organization al-Qaeda isn’t. I think they’re pretty scattered but dangerous nonetheless. Yemen appears to be the most active cell. The intelligence coup that led to this raid indicates that we can put every aspect of al-Qaeda at risk. But this much is clear – al-Qaeda has lost its charismatic leader and the soul of the movement. His demise is big, really big.
This raid took place well inside Pakistan, supposedly our ally. Bin Laden wasn’t living in a rural cave in the mountains but rather in a city not far from the capital. How much did Pakistan military, political and intelligence officials know about his presence and chose to look the other way. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?
Our Special Ops are the best in the world. Headquartered at Tampa’s McDill Air Force Base, this unique command of air, sea and land elements works around the clock to put our enemies at risk. The bad guys lose sleep at night worrying over who will come knocking. That makes us safer.
Let’s give full credit to the Central Intelligence Agency who developed the leads over several years that led to this recent success. And let’s also tip our hat to former President George Bush. He put the infrastructure in place after 9/11 to dismantle, harass and destroy al-Qaeda. Candidate Obama roundly criticized Bush for all that he did, but President Obama has seen fit to keep that infrastructure in place and exploit it. To put it kindly, he was “mugged by reality.”
Ten years ago, we looked extremely vulnerable to the brand of terror practiced by al-Qaeda. Today, we don’t look nearly so vulnerable. We have been lucky in some cases, but mostly, we have been good. Our intelligence, particularly with communications and finances, is topnotch. Our military assets are second to none. If you’re in the life insurance business, you wouldn’t want to sell a policy to an al-Qaeda terrorist.

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Madison County High’s Class Of ’81 “Original Cowboys” Planning Reunion

May 3, 2011 Around Madison, Education Comments Off

By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.
They call themselves “The Original Cowboys,” that Class of 1981, that was the first to graduate from Madison County High School after it re-opened in its present location and changed its mascot from “cougar” to “cowboy.”
And one of those Original Cowboys, Jesse Solomon, went on to become a Dallas Cowboy.  Solomon played football for both Madison High and Florida State University, and from 1986 to 1994, he also played for several NFL teams, including the Minnesota Vikings and the Miami Dolphins.
Now, he is busy organizing a 30-Year Class Reunion for his fellow MCHS alumni for the weekend of June 10,11 and 12.
It’s a fun-filled weekend with something for everyone.  Friday, June 10, two busloads full of the first 100 classmates to register, will leave Madison County for Jacksonville, where they will embark on a casino/dinner cruise.  The deadline to register for the cruise is June 1, and those who are interested should register soon.  Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Saturday is Family Day, with a cookout and softball games, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., at Madison County High School.  That evening there will be a dinner at the Divine Events off the Valdosta Highway (Hwy 145).
Sunday will round off the weekend with church services at the MCHS auditorium, led by Tom Page and several classmates who have gone into the ministry since graduation.
For more information, about the activities, or registering for the cruise, contact Jesse Solomon at (850) 408 2342.

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Nfcc Honors Top Students At Honors Convocation Ceremony

May 3, 2011 Education Comments Off
Madison County residents receiving awards at NFCC’s Honors Convocation are, left to right, Jacob Connell, Selena Phillips, Leona Murfin, Jimmy Smith Jr., Steven Godfrey, Andrew Tillman and Caleb Tuten. Not pictured are Thomas Cheek, Alfa Hunt, Lauren Maultsby, Arielle Prevot, Taylor Rykard and Kayla Sapp.

Jimmy Smith Jr. and Karla Stephanie Rodriguez receive Student of the Year awards
Rep. Leonard Bembry honored as “Friend to the College”

North Florida Community College’s brightest students were honored during the college’s Honors Convocation ceremony in April. Students from various academic areas and student organizations received recognition for outstanding achievement and character during the 2010-2011 academic year. NFCC faculty and staff announced each award recipient as NFCC President John Grosskopf and Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Sharon Erle presented the awards.
Jimmy Smith, Jr. of Madison and Karla Stephanie Rodriguez of Live Oak both received NFCC’s prestigious “Student of the Year” award. Smith serves as the Student Government Association (SGA) President and is also as a member of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society. Rodriguez is Vice President of SGA, President of PTK, and a member of the NFCC Brain Bowl Team. NFCC Director of Student Services Kim Halfhill announced the awards and shared insight into why these two outstanding students were selected as Student of the Year.
“At the beginning of the fall semester we launched many new student events and initiatives,” said Halfhill. “I could always depend on one person to enthusiastically participate, but more importantly to bring others along with him. He [Jimmy Smith Jr] is a model Sentinel for his peers and is respected by the College’s faculty, staff, and administrators for his maturity and commitment.”

Madison County residents receiving awards at NFCC’s Honors Convocation are, left to right, Jacob Connell, Selena Phillips, Leona Murfin, Jimmy Smith Jr., Steven Godfrey, Andrew Tillman and Caleb Tuten. Not pictured are Thomas Cheek, Alfa Hunt, Lauren Maultsby, Arielle Prevot, Taylor Rykard and Kayla Sapp.

Halfhill described Rodriguez as charismatic, articulate, and enthusiastic. “These qualities combined with a true compassion for her peers and a heart for service make her an integral part of our student body,” said Halfhill. “Through her roles as Vice President of SGA, President of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and a member of the Brain Bowl Team, she has promoted the importance of involvement in campus life.”
In addition to recognizing outstanding students, NFCC also named its 2010-2011 “Friend to the College.” Representative Leonard L. Bembry was recognized for his continuous support of education and NFCC. Rep. Bembry is a Greenville resident and NFCC alumnus who serves District 10 in the Florida House of Representatives. “Representative Bembry knows that this college and the communities we serve are worth fighting for, and he has not been afraid to do so,” said Grosskopf.
NFCC’s Honors Convocation ceremony is held annually in April to recognize outstanding students and celebrate student achievement prior to NFCC’s Spring Term commencement ceremony in May.

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Taryn Copeland Recognized As ACA Softball Senior

May 3, 2011 Sports Comments Off
Taryn Copeland was escorted by her parents Tom and Debbie Copeland of Greenville

By Fran Hunt
Special From ECB Publishing
The diamond seniors of 2011 softball and baseball were recently recognized at Aucilla Christian Academy.
On the softball senior recognition night, April 11, Dan Nennstiel served as the announcer.

Taryn Copeland was escorted by her parents Tom and Debbie Copeland of Greenville

“Our Aucilla Athletic Boosters are honored to have a special recognition for our senior softball players and their families tonight. This is to commemorate the last time these seniors will play on Aucilla’s field as a team,” said Nennstiel. “We would like to thank these seniors and their families for the commitment they have had to our athletic program.
“Our first senior is Taryn Copeland, who is escorted by her parents, Tom and Debbie Copeland, of Greenville. Taryn has been playing softball for six years at Aucilla.  After graduation, Taryn is attending St. John’s River College on a softball scholarship, then plans to transfer after two years to FAMU or University of Florida to pursue a degree in pharmacy. Taryn would like to say, ‘Thanks to Big Ed (Head Varsity Softball Coach Edwin Kinsey) for all the time he has put into the team and thanks to Sunnie (Sorensen) for being such a great catcher for me.’
“Let’s give the players and their parents a huge round of applause for the years of effort and support to our softball program here at ACA.  They will be missed next season,” concluded Nennstiel to an eruption of applause.

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Health Fair at Madison County High School Athletic Field

May 3, 2011 Education, Health Comments Off
That perennial favorite, the tug-of-war challenge, has two teams struggling to pull each other into the wading pool.

By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Madison school children from all over the county spent the day at Madison County High School’s athletic field for the school health fair, participating in fun, competitive activities, and listening to guest speakers talking about the importance of staying fit and healthy.
The health fair, organized by the Junior Auxiliary of Madison, was an undertaking that took “months and months of planning” to get it to all to come together, said J.A. member Cathy Rogers, who headed up the event.  “Our national focus is ‘Healthy Children, Healthy Village,’ and all our members are required to participate.”
Among the many J.A. members on the field that day, Elizabeth Waring was in charge of the tug-of-war, Janie Barnes ran the obstacle course, Toni Norris oversaw the team-leapfrog and centipede games, to name just few.
In addition to the J.A. members, Rogers added that “several wonderful friends” were also helping out.

That perennial favorite, the tug-of-war challenge, has two teams struggling to pull each other into the wading pool.

The large oval track at the athletic field was divided into over a dozen stations, each one devoted to a different team activity.  Teachers lead their teams around the track from one activity tent to another, so that each child had a chance to participate in everything from tug-of-war, to skipping rope, to potato sack races.  In spite of the heat and humidity, the children were having fun and laughing, especially the ones playing tug-of-war, where the “losing” team ended up in a wading pool full of water.  “Give me a hug,” said one girl to a dripping wet friend, “so I can get wet too!”
All over the field, groups of children covered the ground like grasshoppers in constant motion, playing games, competing on teams and experiencing the fun being outside, moving around, and seeing that an active lifestyle could be enjoyable as well as healthy, benefiting them both now…and in their future as adults.

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