Archive for February 2013

Jeff & Sheri Easter and the Bowlings to Appear in Madison

Jeff&SheriEaster12groupThe music of Jeff & Sheri Easter and Mike and Kelly Bowling will touch hearts in Madison on Feb. 8.
Jeff & Sheri Easter will bring their ministry to Yogi Bear’s Jelly Stone Park at 1051 SW Old St. Augustine Road, on Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 at 7 p.m. in a special concert. The Bowlings will also appear. Admission for the event is $10 and a love offering will be received.
Two-time GRAMMY ® nominees Jeff & Sheri have a unique musical legacy that reaches out from Southern musical sounds of Appalachia Mountains of North Carolina and the Piedmont of Georgia within them. Jeff is the son of James, one of North Carolina’s Easter Brothers and Sheri the daughter of Polly from the three-time music hall of fame inductee The Lewis Family.
“Jeff and I both appreciate the heritage of gospel music we have in our respective families, and we choose to honor that legacy,” Sheri said.
One of Sheri’s latest projects – the book “Hear My Heart,” is a reflection of her life as a mother, daughter, wife, and friend as she shares journal entries, stories, quotes and blogs to inspire readers.
After a battle with breast cancer in 2008, Sheri is now even more passionate about the hope her music offers.
“I am more assured today after three and a-half years as a survivor, that God has a purpose for my life to encourage the lives of others through our music,” Sheri said. “I’ve celebrated with other friends who have heard the words ‘cancer free’ and I’ve mourned the loss of those who battled, then rested in the arms of Jesus.
“When you get the call, your world stops, and you know your life is changed. I am thankful that I had a wonderful support system of my family and all our wonderful friends throughout the country and the world,” Sheri said. “ I know all our fans can help make the difference in the lives of others who are facing breast cancer.”
The group has won two Grammy nominations, six GMA Dove Awards, 15 Singing News Fan Awards, three Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music Association Awards, two International Country Gospel Music Association honors, 16 Voice Awards, seven AGM Ovation Awards, four Southern Gospel Music Fan Fair Awards, five SGN Scoops Diamond Awards, four Hearts Aflame Awards and three Cash Box Awards.
“We are greatly honored by the way the people who care about our music continue to recognize what we are doing through these awards,” Sheri said. “The greatest gifts however we receive are the wonderful stories that many share with us along our path as how our music has changed their lives to look to Christ in times of trouble and joy.”
Among their best known hits are “Thread of Hope,” “Roses Will Bloom Again,” “Speak to the Mountain” “Praise His Name,” and “Born to Climb.” They are regulars of the Gaither Homecoming video series and tours, sharing their music on over 15 million videos sold.
Jeff & Sheri’s performances include the contributions of their three children Madison, Morgan and Maura Easter daughter-in-law Shannon and drummer Landan Smith as they share a love of Jesus through their music and uplifting experiences of life on stage. The Easter children each add dimensions to the show – vocally, musically and even with uplifting comedy.
Their latest CD “ Eyes Wide Open” from SpringHill Records, is available from iTunes and retail stores.
Among the titles on the project are “I Know How It Feels To Survive, ” “Love Is,” “Anything But Happy,” “I Wonder If He Ever Cries,” “It Must Have Been You,” “Sitting On Top Of The World,” “I’ll Take It,” “A Little Bit of Sunshine,” “A Good Old Gospel Song,” “Standing Here Wondering,” “There Is A Purpose,” and “I Won’t Have To Worry.”

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Reeves Wins, McCulley Runner-Up In Fourth Grade Spelling Bee

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Abigayle Reeves, right, of Madison Academy, was the big winner in the Madison County Fourth Grade Spelling Bee held at the School Board Office on Friday, Jan. 25. Alesha McCulley, of Pinetta Elementary School, was first runner-up. They are both shown with Madison County School Superintendent Doug Brown.

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Nominations Being Accepted For Citizen of the Year

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Who should be this year’s Madison County Citizen of the Year?
It’s decision time as the Madison County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism is now receiving applications for the honor. The recognition is given to a resident of the county “who has made a positive difference through leadership, community involvement, volunteerism and overall public service to our county.”
Past winners have included Deloris Jones, Juan Botino, Oliver Bradley, Jackie Johnson, Tommy Greene, Tim Sanders, Dolly Ballard and Bernard Wilson among many others. Ballard was last year’s Citizen of the Year.
The activities should be outside a person’s regular job and previous winners are not eligible to be Citizen of the Year.
If anyone knows of a person who deserves to be Citizen of the Year, please pick up forms from or request them from the Chamber of Commerce. Additional pages may also be attached if necessary.
Nominations will be accepted until noon on Monday, April 1.
The Citizen of the Year will serve as Grand Marshal for this year’s Down Home Days Parade.
Entries may be mailed to 248 SW Range Avenue, Madison, FL 32340 or faxed to (850) 973-8864.

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