By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Following its first hit season of Sunday Best, an American Idol styled contest that showcases some of the finest up-and-coming gospel singers in America, BET is launching season two with great expectations. Among contestants traveling to Atlanta to participate is Madison’s own, Kimela “Kim” Thomas.
Leaving for Atlanta on Jan. 8, for a ten-day stay that will hopefully conclude with a nationally televised performance that launches a much-deserved gospel career, Thomas simply asks that everyone pray for her. Of course, the cost of travel, food and lodging can pile up quickly, so friends of Thomas gratefully request any financial assistance that is comfortable. All efforts are warmly appreciated.
The callbacks begin Jan. 10, and based on her fans in Madison County, Thomas is expected to make a great showing. To many, including Thomas, gospel music is much more than the performance; it’s a ministry in and of itself. To that end, this reporter joins all residents of Madison County in wishing her a bountiful and blessed experience.
Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

Bank Account Set Up For Cancer Patient

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
A bank account has been set up at Madison County Community Bank for Clint Minter, who is suffering from lymphoma.
Clint, who is married to the former Kelli Fox, is in stage 3B of the dreaded disease. He had begun having symptoms in January of this year and he found out for sure that he had cancer on July 2, two days after his and Kelli’s first wedding anniversary.
“He had never even been sick before,”
Please See Bank Account, Page 4A
Kelli said.
The chemotherapy treatment Clint was receiving at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville wasn’t working, so he has been sent to Tampa for alternative chemotherapy.
“He has to go every three weeks for three-five days,” Kelli said. “After he has taken five treatments, he will have to stay in the hospital for a month to receive bone marrow treatment.”
The Minters have to travel to Tampa and, while there, they have to stay in a motel during the nights Clint receives his treatment during the day.
Clint is a self-employed farmer, who lives across the county line in Hamilton County. Kelli said that he enjoys the outdoors.
Kelli is a teacher at Madison County Central School. She is the daughter of Wayne and Barbara Fox of Madison.
Clint and Kelli attend Corinth Baptist Church in Hamilton County, which will do a fundraising dinner, along with Hopewell Baptist Church in Madison, on January 9. The time and location of the event are still to be announced.
“I want to let everyone know that we appreciate all of the prayers and support that they have already given,” she said. “It’s so amazing.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation to the bank account set up for Clint Minter can do so by stopping by Madison County Community Bank. All donations are tax-deductible.

Editorial Comment: Want And Ignorance

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Over the Christmas holidays, I had the chance to read Charles Dickens’ The Christmas Carol. I encourage everyone that can to read it, no matter what time of the year it is. If you have Internet access, you don’t even have to go to the library. You can log onto www.archive.org and type in the book’s title. You can download it as a PDF or read it the way that I did, as a flipbook, which will allow you to read it, just like reading a regular book.
As many readers know, the book is about Ebenezer Scrooge being visited by four ghosts. The spirits basically chastise him for his “Bah humbug” attitude toward Christmas. In the end, Scrooge changes and becomes good-hearted.
The most moving parts of the book for me were when the Ghost of Christmas Present and the Ghost of Christmas to Come showed Scrooge the home of Bob Cratchit and his family.
In the Present, Scrooge was shown a poor but happy Cratchit home with Bob Cratchit doting over his little boy, Tiny Tim. Bob and Tim had been to church, where Tim told Bob that he hoped that people could see him because he was crippled and that they would remember the One who made lame peo-
Please See Editorial Comment, Page 4A
ple walk and blind people see.
The Ghost of Christmas to Come shows Scrooge a scene where Tim has died because his family could not afford to get him the proper medical help.
One other scene that stood out starkly to me was when the Ghost of Christmas Present showed Scrooge two children in his robes. The grotesque children were called Want and Ignorance.
Today, we still face a tremendous bout with Want and Ignorance. People are hurting and in need but they are ignored, hence, want and ignorance.
In a Christmas carol, Scrooge changes his heart and begins to see the want around him. He begins to help others, including Tiny Tim, who does not die in the book and the rest of Bob Cratchit’s family.
Scrooge was not forced by the government to change. He changed willingly after seeing the error of his ways. He was able to see the Want and, in doing so, he no longer suffered from Ignorance.
There are many people in Want today. In this area, more people will be suffering from it when Pilgrim’s Pride begins massive layoffs. We should not ignore it. We should be ready to help.
Our elected leaders should be working on helping the people who will be losing their jobs. I know that Employment Connections is already seeking to help them. Our business leaders and Chamber of Commerce should be reaching out to help them. Churches need to be prepared to help. Individuals need to be ready to help, not only the workers at Pilgrim’s Pride but people who are already in need in our community. There are sick people, there are hurting people, there are poor people.
We should work together to stamp out Want and Ignorance and then, we can say like Tiny Tim, “God bless us everyone.”

Free Tickets Available At Greene Publishing For High School All-America Game Sunday Night

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
The coaches and staff of the Madison County Cowboys are pleased to announce that two players, Jacobbi McDaniel and Chris Thompson, have been selected to play in the Under Armour All-America Game scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 4 in Orlando. The game will be played in the Florida Citrus Bowl at 8 p.m.
McDaniel’s bruising blows on defense, and Thompson’s ability to outrun even the fastest secondary, make them easy choices for this rare honor. Adding to the recognition, both are recruiting standouts headed for Florida State University, with McDaniel acknowledged as their top recruit on the FSU team website.
In the hopes that fans, family and friends will join this celebration by attending the game, the team has made a number of free tickets available. Simply phone this reporter at (850) 973-4141, or email michael@greenepublishing.com for tickets and more information. GO COWBOYS!
Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

Matt Thompson And Stephen Jones Set To Ring In The New Year With Sermon And Concert

?By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Midway Church of God will hold a New Year’s Eve service on Wednesday evening, Dec. 31.
Matt Thompson, formerly of Lee, will be the guest speaker for the service.
Stephen Jones, from Lake City, will be the special musical guest that evening. Midway Church of God is located at 2485 SE Midway Church Road, off Highway 53 South (south of the I-10 Madison exit) or off County Road 255 (south of the I-10 Lee exit). Johnny Carroll will also provide music for the evening.
Refreshments will be served following the service.
Everyone is welcome to attend!

Congressman Makes Generous Offer To Support Lee Homecoming

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
In a letter dated Dec. 15, sent from U.S. Representative Ander Crenshaw to Thelma Thompson of Lee, the congressman expressed his desire to support her efforts in making the Centennial Celebration of the “Little But Proud” town a huge success. To this end, he wanted to make a memorable contribution that had worth and was worthwhile enough to help raise both money and awareness for the affair Thompson supports mind, body and soul.
According to Crenshaw’s letter, “…to help you raise money, I will be happy to donate a lunch for a group of up to four in the Capitol Member’s Dining Room with me in Washington, D.C.” The letter goes on to say, “I will be happy to send you a letter detailing the visit and you can use it to raise funds.”
The choice of whether to auction the lunch with the congressman during Lee Homecoming Day or do so prior to the event has yet to be determined, although private inquiries are currently welcome. Simply call (850) 971-4121 or email michael@greenepublishing.com for more details.

Two Injured In Rollover

?By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
A man and woman were injured in an accident in Lamont on Thursday, Dec. 28.
According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, Tiffinie Lynn Norell, 22, of Dade City, was traveling south on US Highway 19 and 27 in the outside lane.
Norell traveled ont to the west shoulder of the road and attempted to steer the vehicle back into the outside lane. She overcorrected the 2005 Ford f-150 pickup, causing it to travel southeast across both southbound lanes.
Norell’s vehicle then traveled southeast into the grass median, where the pickup overturned. It came to a final rest in the grass median of the highway on its wheels facing west.
Norell and her passenger, Darrell Scott Fitzgerald, 22, also of Dade City, were taken to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. Norell suffered minor injuries. Fitzgerald suffered serious injuries.
Madison County EMS, Jefferson County EMS, the Greenville Volunteer Fire Department and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.
FHP Trooper James J. Parker, Jr. was the investigating officer.