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THE MADISON COUNTY (GA) JOURNAL. THURSDAY. DECEMBER 24. 2009 — PAGE 3B Social News * HUMANE I CENTER DEMOCRATIC PARTY DONATES TO ANIMAL SHELTER The Madison County Democratic Party donated $500 recently to the Madison-Oglethorpe Animal Shelter. The shelter has received an offer from an anonymous donor, who said he would give $10,000, if matching donations of the same amount are given by the community. Pictured receiving the donation is shelter director Susan Fornash, along with Democratic Party representatives George Cronic (L) and Larry Stewart. Party officials say they hope this will encourage other groups to donate to the shelter. Margie Richards/staff MR. OSBORNE, MISS COLQUITT New Comer mayor to hold reception Comer’s mayor-elect David McMickle, and his wife Beth, will host a "Meet Your Mayor” reception from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9, at Blue Bell Gallery in Comer. "I look forward to this opportunity to meet the citizens of Comer, Mayor-elect McMickle said. "I hope that all our residents will take the time to attend the reception and allow me to hear their concerns.” Pesticide container recycling day planned Madison County Extension is working with Banks County Extension to conduct a pesticide container recycling day in January. What’s happening? “This is for empty container disposal not unwanted or unusable pesticides (like we have done in the past),” organizers said. Containers must be empty and triple rinsed. If a producer has a large number of containers to dispose of, a farm pick up can be arranged. Otherwise the extension service will have one central location where containers may be dropped off. “We are trying to determine if there is a need for this type container disposal in Madison and surrounding counties,” organizers said. “Please contact Madison County with the approximate number of containers you have for disposal if you are interested.” For more information, call 706- 795-2281. Old-time barn dance set for Jan. 2 First Saturday Old Time Bam dances will be held in the old Colbert gym, from 7-10 p.m. on the first Saturday in January, February and March. The first dance will be Saturday, Jan. 2, featuring the Garnet River Gals with Janet Shepherd calling. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for 17 and under. “Mark you calendar for the second dance, Feb. 6, featuring The Georgia Mudcats and a third dance March 6, featuring Hogslop Springband,” organizers said. The bam dances are sponsored by Grassroots Arts Program of the Georgia Council for the Arts and Madison County Habitat for Humanity. Call 706-795-5223 for more information. Colquitt, Osborne to marry in December Mr. and Mrs. Randy W. Colquitt of Hull, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Ashley Nicole Colquitt, to Corporal Bradley Scott Osborne, son of Mr. and Mrs. Greg Osborne of Hull, and Ms. Connie Hix of Comer. The bride elect is the grand daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Larry W. Barnett of Hull, and Mr. and Mrs. Larry J. Colquitt, also of Hull. Colquitt is a 2005 gradu ate of Madison County High School and a 2007 graduate of Young Harris College with an associates degree in education. She is also a 2009 graduate of Brenau University with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Special Education with a specialization in science. She plans to pursue her Master’s degree in the fall in Special Education. She is employed by Madison County High School. The groom-elect is the grand son of Mr. and Mrs. Roger L. Watson of Danielsville, and Mrs. Barbara Ann Hardigree and the late Mr. Otha Dwayne Osborne of Ochlocknee. Corporal Bradley Scott Osborne, 2nd AA Battalion USMC, is a 2006 gradu ate of Madison County High School and a 2007 graduate of The United States Marine Corps Training Academy. He is stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina where he is awaiting deployment to Afghanistan. A December wedding is planned at Union Baptist Church, Hull. Master Gardener program to be offered in January If you are passionate about garden ing, then mark your calendar: Tire University of Georgia Cooperative Extension office in Madison County will conduct a Master Gardener cer tification program in January 2010. A maximum of 20 participants will be selected for tire program, and will be trained and certified in horticulture and related areas. Class topics include basic botany; soil and plant nutrition; plant physiology; weed identification and control; troubleshooting ornamental plant problems; landscape design; com posting; insects, diseases and weeds of vegetable gardens; butterfly gar dening and similar subjects. "I have been a Master Gardener for over 10 years and found it to be one of tire most rewarding and fun experiences ever" local Master Gardener Sandra Davis said. "You meet lots of other people who love gardening and who like to get together to share information and have a great time.” Courses will be taught by Northeast Georgia Area County Extension agents, certified Master Gardeners and instructors from the University of Georgia. Tire program begins Jan. 26 and runs 11 weeks. Classes will be held at the Madison County Senior Center on Hwy. 98 in Danielsville from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The cost is $90 per person or $125 per couple, and includes one copy of the Georgia Master Gardeners’ Handbook. An application and tire course fee must be submitted to the Cooperative Extension office in Danielsville no later than Jan. 10. Attendance is required, and Master Gardener trainees must not miss more than two classes in order to pass the course. Master Gardener trainees who complete tire 11-week course will need to donate 50 hours of volunteer service to the Extension office in their home county in order to become a certified Master Gardener; tire volunteer hours must be completed by Dec. 31, 2010. Once certification is granted, Master Gardeners are required to donate 25 volunteer hours a year in order to maintain their certification. "It sounds like such a time com mitment that at first my wife and I were worried it would be too much and would be hard to balance,” said Ed Gilmore, who took the course with Iris wife in fall 2003. “But tire classes were so informative, and it was all about a subject that we love, so the time flew by and honestly, we didn’t want to miss a class. "The volunteer hours were very easy to get,” Gilmore added. “The activities are always related to gar dening, and you’re surrounded by people who love to garden and who love to talk about plants. So it never feels like you’re actually working to accumulate volunteer hours. In fact, our first year I think nry wife and I got well over 100 volunteer hours each - and we loved every minute.” Master Gardener trainees who complete the course can opt to join tire Madison County Master Gardener's Association, which is made up of Master Gardeners in Madison County and neighboring areas. The group holds plant sales and does volunteer garden projects for non-profit organizations in the Madison County area. For more information and to get an applica tion for tire fall program, contact the Madison County Cooperative Extension office at 706-795-2281. GRAHAM HOSTS COFFEE HOUR Odis Graham, of Graham Office Products in Madico Park, hosted December’s Chamber of Commerce Coffee Hour. Also shown is Chamber of Commerce board chairman Barry Hardman. Margie Richards/staff. At United Community Bank we appreciate our customers. Whether it's a simple transaction or financing your first home our customers always have our undivided attention'' Sandy Massey Head Teller "l believe that 'quality service' means putting 'quality r into the'service'we provide. When we give our very best service, the quality shines through." Lee Heard Customer Service Representative United i UNI > E °i Community Bank The Rank That SERVICE Built COMMERCE 2055 Homer fid. 706-423-9300 Efpu.ri rtVAmij Lenctnr I Master FDJC | UCPI-C<*m Ccpyr-rr c 3009 U^mSCommunity ftfrik We Invite You to Switch Too! We Made the Switch.