Madison County Senior Center’s Celebrity Night scheduled for Saturday,
March 10, 2012, has been cancelled.
All monies for tickets will be refunded to donors. The event will be rescheduled
at a later date.
Marianne Graves
Senior Citizens Council of Madison County, Inc.
(850) 973-4241
March 5, 2012
Dear Letters to the Editor:
March is National Social Work Month which makes it an appropriate time for us to salute the valuable and important job that social workers provide all year long. When life’s challenges become overwhelming, many people turn to a social worker for help. Here at Big Bend Hospice, we have fifteen social workers who serve as family support counselors, grief counselors and Caring Tree counselors. They work tirelessly with our patients and families to help them cope with the many emotional and practical issues that accompany a life limiting illness. These dedicated professionals assist with everything from coordinating community resources to helping families solve personal and financial problems, to working through the emotional pain of dealing with an impending death. They recognize the family dynamics that are part of any life threatening disease and help patients reach out to conclude the important business of giving and receiving love and asking for and granting forgiveness. Often it is the social worker who will pause to recognize a special occasion in a patient’s life and make sure that a birthday is celebrated or a caregiver gets a night out. Our wonderful social workers are an important part of our patient care team and our Big Bend Hospice family.
The theme for the 2012 National Social Work Month is “Social Work Matters”. Time and again I have witnessed the powerful results of social workers both in our organization and in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities in recognizing and meeting the needs of the people they serve. On behalf of Big Bend Hospice we applaud social workers for their caring hearts and their important contributions to our community.
Cathy Adkison, RN, BSN, CHPN
President and CEO
Big Bend Hospice
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.
Carrie Mae White Gavin, 67, of Madison, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 4, 2012, at Shands Hospital in Gainesville. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Damascus Missionary Baptist Church with burial at Bethlehem Cemetery in Madison. A viewing and wake will be held Friday, from 5-7 p.m., at Damascus. Tillman of Monticello, (850) 997-5553, is serving the family.
Mrs. Gavin was a devoted member of St. James Missionary Baptist Church and a well-known vocalist.
Cherishing her love and legacy are her husband, John D. Gavin; daughters, Debbie White and Vivian Dye; mother, Mrs. Pearlie Mae Thompson, all of Madison; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 10 sisters; six brothers; and a host of nieces, nephews, godchildren, other relatives and friends.
She was predeceased by her son, Eddie Morris, Jr.; father, George White; three sisters; and a brother.
By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Time is fast approaching for Down Home Days.
Guests can enjoy bull riders, barrel racers and ropers at the rodeo, There will also be fantastic marching bands and beauty queens at the Down Home Days parade. Their pets will be able to compete in the pet contest and their pet frogs will be able to compete and see who can jump the farthest in the frog hop-off.
Delicious baked treats are always something that guests drool over. They should not miss out on the annual bake-off as the best bakers in Madison County compete with each other.
Entry forms for the parade and all of the contests are available at the Madison County Chamber of Commerce, located on South Range Street.
Businesses and individuals desiring to help sponsor Down Home Days can find out more information on the sponsorship opportunities by calling Cindy Vees, Chamber Director, at (850) 973-2788.
The event is scheduled for April 20-22.
By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Whether it was sliding down “the bowl” or skating around the courthouse, Tim Sanders’ memories of Madison are extensive. Being born and raised in this lovely county, Sanders’ roots here are deep.
Sanders attended Madison Elementary School through the sixth grade, and Madison High School from seventh through twelfth. In high school he played for the football, baseball and basketball teams. Back in those days, the high school teams weren’t the Cowboys. They were the Red Devils. “Everyone knows how successful the football team is now. Well, back in those days we weren’t so successful. In my three years on varsity we might have won three games, and tied a few. Almost all of our away games were homecoming games. Back then we were an easy win, and made for a happy homecoming for the other team,” recalled Sanders.
Growing up, Sanders had a very large extended family. He stated, “I was very blessed with my family. I had a lot of aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, everything. It’s heartbreaking to see the conditions that children are raised in now. Working in the juvenile court I seeing the way that some children are brought up compared to the way I was brought up, is heartbreaking.”
When he was a child, Sanders spent a lot of time at school or working. He worked for his Uncle Dick Baker at his Standard Oil Station. The station was located where the New York Life building is now. During the school year, he would work on Saturdays and half the day on Sunday. During the summer, he would work more often. “I really enjoyed it. I was able to interact with the older people in Madison and that was really special. I am still friends with some of those people today. They always made me feel special.”
He also recalls working for Mickler’s Laundry and Dry Cleaning on Saturdays, which was located across the street from where the post office currently sits. He and his cousin would run the laundry route. They would go to Greenville, Aucilla, Capps, Jasper and many other places to pick up and drop off laundry. “We got 10 percent of what was made that day. Some days, we would only get $5. When I was 16 years old I had just bought a Browning Sweet 16 shotgun from Mr. James at Western Auto. I had to pay him at least $5 a week to pay off my shotgun. Back then, there weren’t Visa cards or anything, just a handshake and my word. But often times I would get paid from Mickler’s and go straight across the road and give the money to Mr. James,” remembered Sanders.
For fun, Sanders and his friends would go up town and skate around the courthouse. “There would be 20 or 30 of us skating sometimes. I would leave home after breakfast, maybe go back for lunch and then get home sometime after dark. We were always outside playing. We would also go to ‘the bowl’ with boxes and rub candle wax on the outside of our boxes. We would sit on the boxes and ride down the bowl. The wax made us go even faster.”
Anyone interested in being interviewed for this article can call 973-4141 and make an appointment with Kristin Finney, or may drop by Greene Publishing, Inc. any day before noon. Those interviewed must have lived in Madison for a large portion of their life, and be able to recall a few things that have changed since that time.
By Nell Dobbs
Guest Columnist
Time changes. Time changes. God never changes. He promised the seasons and a new one is coming soon and with it all the beautiful leaves, flowers, growth, fruit and beauty.
Nothing is impossible with God for He can handle anything at anytime for anyone. Amen. “Through it all, we can depend upon Him for He knows all about us, He thinks about us, He calls us by name, and He’ll give us a new name on day.”
Our Dorcas Sunday School class thought it unusual to be studying the birth of Jesus at this time. Mary was troubled at first about the news Gabriel told her about having a baby – and especially not the usual way. And in the news today there are many unusual procedures going on concerning babies.
A very busy weekend is planned in anticipation of Preacher Gabriel Krell and family being with us, beginning tonight at 6:30 with pizza, then, on Saturday, at 1 p.m., an ice cream social. He will be our guest speaker in morning service on Sunday. Afterwards, we’ll have a covered dish lunch, with fried chicken provided by the church followed by a time of questions and answers. In night church, we’ll have a vote on whether he will become pastor or not.
Before Sunday School, there was a special breakfast for Kara Washington, with much of the expenses required for a mission trip to Mexico being received. Amen! And amen with prayers for the group going and may people come to know the Lord.
Geoff led music in Jim’s absence. Last week, he was the preacher. We are so blessed Robin, Josh and he are among us and love the Lord so. David Fries sang “The Bells are Ringing! He’s Alive” and we were happy to see Sharon and Danielle were back in church. Bern Smith, Deacon of the Week, prayed a touching offertory prayer and especially for all those affected by all the bad weather. Worship Choir sang “In Christ Alone.”
Preacher Gene Stokes again blessed us as he preached from Ecclesiastes 12. We know we will all die; therefore, the message is to be prepared. He is always such a blessing as he reminds us of God’s Way. How we appreciate the work Geraldine and he have done among us through the years. Amen.
Beautiful flowers were placed in loving memory of Maddox Jackson Page, infant son of Ernie and Jennifer Page, and grandson of Ernie and Marguerite Page.
Earnest prayers for the many, many ill ones – Jimmy Roebuck in Madison Hospital; Rudy Hamrick in an Orlando hospital; Will Rutherford not so good; W.C. Copeland not so good; Preacher and Mrs. Law as he’s not good; Peggy Drummond at Shands Cancer Center; Clifford Jackson, Cindy Brown’s sister, at North Regional; Lois Wainright’s granddaughter, Amber; Al Spurlock now home; Peggy Stokes’ mother at Shands Heart Center; Dr. John G. McCall, who had just called Sandra. I’d like to hear him preach and pray again.
Comfort Geneva Massey and Dorothy Hubble and families in the death of their sister and in the illness of both brothers.
May God help us not to miss out on His blessings because we fail to rejoice when He blesses others. Amen.
Gene and Ruth Ann Wheeler shared this photo with us. It is of the 1954 Madison High School conference champions. If you have any photos you would like to share with us, they may be scanned and emailed to Jacob@greenepublishing.com, or simply come by the office at 1695 S. Highway 53 and we will scan your photo for you and return it to you. Pictured are Coach Bob Booth (kneeling in front holding trophy) Front row, left to right: Robert Andrews, Manager; Billy Beggs #12, Freddie Blume #14, Johnny Gardner #13, Ken (Kenneth) Hudson #21, Gene Wheeler #15, and Roland Hammock, #34. Back row, left to right: Jim Hunter #22, Lamar Tuten #25, Billy Bunker #11, Thomas Shaw #31, James Browning #32, and Carlton Wells #24. Photo submitted
August 30th Wakulla Home
September 6th Columbia Co. Away
September 13th Suwannee Co. Home
September 20th Taylor Co. Away
September 27th Columbia Co. Home
October 4th Taylor Co. Home
October 11th Cairo Home 6:00 pm
October 18th Baker Co. Home
7:00 pm Kickoff all other games
