Greene Publishing, Inc.

By Jacob Bembry

I have always been a small town boy and I always will be. The biggest city I ever lived in was Tallahassee and it was much smaller then. The city is a nice place to visit, but give me the small town warmth any day.

What are some of the advantages a small town has over the big city?

Well, it’s much easier to drive in a small town and you don’t have to go through a bazillion red lights to get where you are going.

Everyone knows their neighbor and cares for them. If someone learns of any distress a person is in, many will head right to them. I once had a person tell me that when their house burned down, they were amazed at the outpouring of love and generosity that was given to them. They had moved here from up north and they told me that would not have happened up north.

When I went into cardiac arrests in December, the outpouring of prayers, love and finances were deeply appreciated. Although I was unaware of it at the time, I learned later of it. I was overwhelmed by it, and even today, when I think of it, I am moved to tears of happiness by it.

I am so glad that God gave me a small town to live in, to grow up in and to spend my life in. I love it and I love each and every one of you.

By Diann Douglas, Guest Columnist
Madison County Extension Service

It’s time to think about your food choice and its impact on your health; March is National Nutrition Month and the focus is on a color splash for your plate. Sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formally known as the American Dietetic Association) this campaign promotes healthful eating and practical nutrition guidance. Since it takes more than a village to get the message out, we in Extension are glad to be a part of the educational effort. Americans need to understand the food choices you make have a profound impact on your health and well-being.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages Americans to step up today and make healthier lifestyle choices. Small steps add up to a big impact over time. This year’s theme, “Eating Right With Color”, gives us an easy way to focus on improving eating habits; simply include plenty of color on your plate. Adding colorful food to your plate not only makes the meal more appealing, but it guarantees a plate of nutrients. Each colorful food contributes different nutrients; get a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and low fat dairy food in each meal.

Get the most nutrition from your calories. Dietitians stress your body needs the right fuel for daily activities. The best way to get what you need is to enjoy a wide variety of nutrient-rich foods from all of the food groups each day. This insures you are getting a daily intake of carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients.

Eating in moderation will help keep a balance of calories. Most of us take in more calories than we burn during daily activities. Often the culprit is empty calorie food and beverages that are high in sugar and fat, but low in nutrients. Portion control will help balance your intake without cutting favorite foods completely out.

Find a balance between food and physical activity. The USDA 2010 Guidelines for Americans recommends physical activity every day along with eating right. Regular physical activity for a minimum of 30 minutes a day helps with fitness, weight management and reduces the risk of chronic diseases. If you can’t do 30 minutes, aim for 10 minutes of physical activity several times a day.

If you have a computer, USDA has a great website at www.myplate.gov. You can customize a daily food guide for your age and weight and set up a free personal food tracking account to help you record daily food intake and physical activity. For more information on food and nutrition, contact the Madison County Extension Service.

The University of Florida Extension/IFAS – Madison County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap or national origin.

By Joe Boyles
Guest Columnist

Music has its Kenny G and Madison had our Tommy G. The one and only Tommy Greene passed away two weeks ago from a lengthy illness that he quietly and manfully fought. Unlike many things in his life, Tommy bore his illness quietly. Many of us did not know he was sick.

To say that Tommy was unique would be a classic understatement. I once said that with Tommy, “they broke the mold,” but to be honest, I’m not sure there was a mold to begin with. Everywhere in our fair state that I would travel, people in the know would mention Tommy Greene when I said I was from Madison. The two were inseparable. I would think that if anyone compiles a list of Madison’s most unforgettable characters in our first two centuries, Tommy Greene will be on the list.

Some referred to Tommy as Madison’s Leprechaun. Everything about Greene was … green. His clothes; his signature; his cars; the names of his children; the list goes on. I never checked his underwear, but I wouldn’t be surprised. Many of us have to remember to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day; not Tommy.

Tommy was not an accomplished public speaker, so he used short, funny quips to compensate. His stock answer to the question, “what are you up to Tommy” would be greeted with the response, “about 5 foot 5.” I chuckled every time he pulled that one-liner on me.

Tommy was certainly controversial and he had his fair share of detractors. I was not among them. I found that most of his opponents were people who had known him as a youngster. I only knew Tommy for 15 years.

I respected Tommy, and he returned my respect. I knew it wasn’t wise to get into an argument with someone who buys ink by the barrel. Once when his newspaper was on a crusade that concerned me, I sat down with him over lunch and we both heard each other out. Tommy was firm in his convictions – no surprise there, but we listened to each other. No one got hot under the collar; merely respect and honest dialogue.

I think another reason that Tommy appreciated me was because of my military background. Those of us who have worn the uniform are a band of brothers. Tommy had the utmost respect for servicemen and women.

My association with Greene Publishing goes back nearly ten years. The late Bernard Wilson came to me one day at Rotary and confided that he was no longer comfortable writing the weekly veterans column for the Carrier that he had begun 30 years before. Why he told me this, I’m not sure, but when I asked several weeks later if he would mind if I begin to write in his place, Bernard thought it was a good idea. At his bidding, I went to see Mary Ellen Greene and she encouraged me to begin writing.

I’ve been faithfully writing this column ever since. Of course, it is quite a bit different that Bernard’s column was, but that’s to be expected. Tommy appreciated my small contribution to the Carrier. He would mention it whenever we saw each other. I always thank my readers including Tommy. Without you, there wouldn’t be much point in writing, would there? I also know and appreciate my audience. I realize that many of the things I put into words confirm your thoughts and concerns.

I send my deepest condolences to the Greene Family and all members of Greene Publishing. I would extend that to our entire community. Tommy may have been short in stature, but he was a giant in spirit. Now, he is in the company of angels. God Rest.