Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

THE MADISON COUNTY (GA1 JOURNAL. THURSDAY. JUNE 11. 2009 — PAGE 3A Family to honor military members Gloria McElroy shows off the framed photo display honoring the McElroy family’s military service. Margie Richards/Staff Bank ...cont’dfrom 1A Terrell said he likes the fact that First Citizens is a rural- based banking company. He noted that Merchants and Farmers is solely based in Madison County and that First Citizens was attracted to doing business in this county. “One of the real positives is that First Citizens has a long history and has a lot of branch es that are in the community banking business as we know it here in Madison County," said Terrell. "They’re not in urban areas; they're in rural areas. And what this does is give us a lot better platform for products and services to offer our cus tomers, a wider array.” Terrell said the faces the pub lic sees at the bank will remain the same. “There will be changes to the staff in operations, but as far as the customer contact peo ple that all remains the same,” said Terrell. “... The sign can change, but the people that you’re dealing with remain the same.” Journal receives 6 state awards The Madison County Journal has received six awards from the Georgia Press Association for its coverage of Madison County in 2008. The Journal was judged against other mid-sized week lies in the state. Awards received included: •Sports writing, second place, Ben Munro •Education coverage, second place, Ben Munro •Lifestyle coverage, second place •Religion coverage, third place •Photo essay, third place, Margie Richards •Editorial writing, third place, Zach Mitcham By Margie Richards margie@mainstreetnews.com Gloria McElroy’s family will gather this Sunday for the 56 th time to honor her mother Elbe McElroy’s birthday. Though her mother passed away years ago, McElroy said the reunion is still called "Mama's birthday dinner." And this year, McElroy wants to add another reason for her family gathering. “We’ve had 22 members of this family who have served in the military," McElroy said. “And since the reunion is on Hag Day, I thought it’d be a good way to honor them and their service as well." The reunion began June 14, 1953. McElroy said. Her father had died that April, and her mother told her she wanted a reunion for her birthday and she wanted to “keep it up” every year after that. The family has continued the tradition since her death. The reunion will be held at Moon’s Grove Baptist Church and McElroy hopes several of the seven service men and women who survive will be there for “their day.” McElroy will have the reunion decorated in red, white and blue and she has worked diligently for several months to compile photos of all 22 veterans. The centerpiece for the reunion will be a framed photo display of those photos with each of their names underneath. Those who will be hon ored include: James McElroy, Douglas McElroy, Wayne McElroy, Clyde Honeycutt, Tommy Thompson, Rufus McElroy, Pam Hiraga, Janet Moon, Hope Hix, Roger Pace, Johnny Davis, Buck Davis, Billy Godfrey, Sonny Godfrey, Mike Godfrey, Grady Godfrey, Charles McElroy, Randy McElroy, Travis McElroy, Clay McElroy, Asa McElroy and Howell Shazu. McElroy hopes the signifi cance of the celebration won’t be lost on the children and young adults who'll be in attendance Sunday. “I've got a family that I’m proud of and I want the younger ones to understand the sacrifices they made for them," McElroy said. Large crowd turns out for Ayers estate auction A large crowd turned out Saturday morning for an auction of items from the estate of late newspaperman Jere Ayers. The money raised from the auction will be used by the Jere Ayers Family Foundation to do something positive in the com munity, such as funding scholar ships and the possible establish ment of a community park on the family land. Auctioneer Phil Piche said some of the noteworthy items auctioned Saturday included china cabinets, $1,800; a piano, $925; a grandfather clock, $725; a silver set, $1,075; a tractor, $4,800; and some old coins, such as Indian headed pennies and wheat pennies, along with silver coins that brought in a total of $2,185. “All in all, the sale was a great success," said Piche. “We had a great crowd.” Ayers died in 2005 at the age of 91. He was the long-time owner/editor of The Comer News/Danielsville Monitor and was known for his involvement in numerous civic organizations in Madison County and his gen erosity toward the community. The portion of Hwy. 98 between Comer and Danielsville has been renamed the Jere Ayers Parkway in his honor. Republicans to meet June 20 The Madison County Republican Party, in conjunction with Banks, Clarke, Elberton, Franklin, Hart, Jackson, Oconee and Oglethorpe County Republican parties, will host a "meet and greet" Saturday, June 20, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., at Boutier Winery, 4506 Hudson River Church Road, Danielsville, located six miles north of downtown ha. Guests will be 2010 Republican candidates to include Insurance Commissioner John W. Oxendine, former Senator Brian Kemp, Gerry Purcell, and U.S. Congressman Paul Broun. Invitations have also been extended to other 2010 candidates. All GOP county residents are welcome to attend. For more information contact the Madison County Republican Chairman, Bruce Azevedo at 706-296-3834. IDA to meet Monday The Madison County Industrial Development and Building Authority will meet at 6 p.m., Monday, June 15, in the historic county courthouse in the center of Danielsville. Agenda items include: •Financial report. •Water request •Utility director report: a. billing report; b. 2008 water system expansion update; c. Hwy. 98 water tank update. •Other IDA related issues: a. Hull-Sanford sewer project. b. Madison County, Colbert waste water treatment plant; c. closed session; d. engineer ing contract and intergov ernmental agreement with Madison County Board of Commissioners. HOME-AUTO PACKAGE DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE! HE GALLAWAY -AGENCY Insurance Services Auto • Home • Life • Business 122 Courthouse Square Danielsville, GA 30633 (706)795-3700 thecallawayagency@windstream.net Kerry Callaway GEORGIA METALS Fabricators of Metal Roofing, Siding, and Steel Building Components Offering a wide variety of profiles and colors for residential as well as agricultural purposes. WE MANUFACTURE! I 706-795-3144 | 539 General Daniel Ave. N. • Danielsville, Ga. 1 Oust past redlight) j Athens Dermatology Group Karen Maffei, M.D. Welcomes Hope Cook PA-C to our practice. Hope is a Summa cum laude graduate of the University Of Georgia and Emory University Physician's Assistant Program. CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT FOR ALL YOUR SKIN CARE NEEDS. Karen Maffei, M.D. Hope Cook, PA-C Our services include but are not limited to: • Acne • Actinic Kertosis • Dermatitis • Hair Loss • Herpes • Eczema • Keloid Scars • Melanoma • Mole Evaluation & Removal • Melasma • Molluseum • Nail Fungus • Patch Testing • Psoriasis • Rashes • Rosacea • Shingles • Skin Allergies • Skin Infections • Warts Surgical Dermatology Cosmetic Dermatology Skin Cancer Surgery Botox Mohs Surgery Microdermabrasion 1050 Thomas Avenue • Watkinsville, Georgia 30677 Visit us on the web at athensdermatologvgrouo.com or call at 706-769-1550 l 1850 Epps Bridge Pkwy. • Athens, GA Fittings Bag Evaluations Repairs Putting Green Equipment Apparel ssories