By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   Horry Street in downtown Madison is getting a facelift.
   The new road construction is being done thanks to a Community Development Block Grant.
   "The grant will help pay for new parking spaces in front of the First United Methodist Church and create handicap accessible areas," said Chuck Hitchcock, the city's Director of Public Works.
   The total scope of the work runs from Horry Street to Dade Street and will turn south at the fire station and head to Shelby Street.
   "I think the handicap access will help everyone," Hitchcock said, "and One Eleven Grill puts a demand on the parking area. The new parking spaces should help with that."
   Ray Griffin, who owns PBC Financial, which is located on Horry Street, said that his business had no problems with the new construction; they just have to change the way that they conduct the business.
   "We're having people come to the side door," he said. "Most of our business is done by appointment so we have people call us or knock before they come to that door."
   Hitchcock said that there have been no major problems, either. He did note that there had been one curb that was a foot too long and that was busy fixed. He also noted that an inverted drain, instead of a regular drain would be installed.
   "Just the normal problems, making sure everything is coordinated," he said. "Just typical mini problems."

Greene Publishing, Inc. Can Help Get Letters To Santa

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   Any children wishing to write letters to Santa, but not knowing the exact address can send bring their letters to Greene Publishing, Inc., located on Highway 53 South, or mail them in care of Greene Publishing, Inc., P.O. Drawer 772, Madison, FL 32341. The letters will be forwarded to Santa and also be published in the December 21 edition of The Madison Enterprise-Recorder.
   Greene Publishing, Inc. needs the letters by December 18 to make sure that they reach the North Pole in time.

Nancy Scarboro Passes Away

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   Longtime Greenville librarian, school secretary and business owner Nancy Scarboro died Sunday, December 2, at her home in Greenville. She was 65 years old.
   Born in Marion, S.C., she had lived most of her life in Greenville, where she was he owner of Greenville Furniture Company and a secretary at the former Greenville High School. She also ran the computer lab at the former Greenville Middle School.
   Scarboro was of the Southern Baptist faith and was a member of Greenville Baptist Church, where she served as the church's pianist.
   She had also been a contributing columnist to Greene Publishing, Inc., where she kept the county informed of news in Greenville.
   She is survived by her loving husband, Ronnie Scarboro; two sons, Jamie Scarboro (and his wife Nancy) and Jon Scarboro (and his wife Kim), all of Greenville; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lyles Harper of Greenville; three brothers Mac Harper (and wife Beth) of Tallahassee, Bobby Harper (and wife Kristie) of Sirmans and Kenny Harper (and wife Wendy) of Greenville; and two grandchildren, J.R. Scarboro III and Katie Scarboro, both of Greenville, as well as a number of nieces and nephews.
   Her brother, Joey Harper, preceded her in death.
   Funeral services will be a 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 6, at Greenville Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Greenville.
   The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, December 5, at Beggs Funeral Home, Madison Chapel.
   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308.

Martha Owen Davis Passes Away

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   There are warm smiles, contagious smiles, and then there is the Martha Davis smile, and it will be sorely missed.  Survived by her husband Jimmy, whose family’s footprint is part of the landscape of Madison County, Martha Davis, too, leaves a legacy; a legacy of warmth, and a legacy of care. 
   Although slowed a bit over the last two years from her battle with cancer, she didn’t let it keep her from helping those she loved, which included just about anyone who shared time with her.  Martha Davis simply had a way of bringing out the best in anything and anybody.  And as her closest friends would attest, she is the reason there are sayings like “the power behind the throne,” having spent 50 years growing a family and a business with her husband.
   In addition to being a devoted wife and best friend to her husband, who she met while attending Florida State University, Martha Davis was a very loving mother to her two sons, Jay and Hank, and daughter, Lynn.  As her family grew to include seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, she spoiled all of them with all the love she had strength to give.
   Perhaps it’s only fitting that in this season of our Lord, a season lighted by the radiance of sacrificial love, that Martha Owen Davis, born April 25, 1936, should return.  She will be missed by all who knew her.  Her funeral will be Wednesday, December 5, at First United Methodist Church, Madison, at three o’clock. 

Madison County Health Council To Support The Whole Community

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   The Madison County Health Council has a simple mission that in full gear will create a monumental step toward achieving “the highest level of health and wellness possible for the people of Madison.  The Council includes, and is seeking, leadership from the health, government and business community of Madison.”
   These divisions represent the legs on which the Council intends to build its platform, serving both as planner and promoter in the process.  From maximizing resources and eliminating overlap, to supporting commercial growth, the Council intends to be as much a tool to the Chamber of Commerce as the individual seeking medical care.
   Having only been organized recently, the Council is just now ramping up, so ideas haven’t yet had the opportunity to fully materialize into action.  But considering the track record of the leadership on the Council, their likelihood of success is extremely high.  If one were to weigh them initially on their intent instead, then their likelihood of effectively and permanently taking wellness, in all forms, to that next level, is equally as high. 
   Implementation is what separates the “committee lunch clubs” from those groups that shape communities.  It begins with a clear vision and concludes with measurable results.  These results are sometimes good, other times ineffective, but as Edison pointed out, with each failure inventing the light bulb he learned what didn’t work.  So too is the Council committed to keeping what’s not broke, fixing what can be salvaged and making the hard decisions to eliminate what isn’t working.
   On a practical side, the council is working feverishly to develop publications outlining programs, providers and procedures.  These will take the form of handouts, direct mailers, brochures and newspaper coverage.  In fact, this reporter has the privilege of carrying the Council’s message to readers, practitioners and perspective business interests throughout the area.
All communities welcome the “right” people, the “right” businesses and the “right” level of officiating.  And as far as health services, certainly the “right” fit is also central to an expanding community.  Chair Bonnie Webb is devoted to finding and supporting that fit.