PAGE 2A - THE MADISON COUNTY (GA) JOURNAL, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2025
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ROTARY CONSTRUCTS
RAMP FOR MIKE LANE
Members of the Rotary Club of Madison County and
volunteers constructed their 973rd handicap ramp, a
16-foot access ramp with a 4’ by 5’ landing, on Thurs
day, March 6, for Mike Lane who lives on Cotton Street
in Commerce. “Mike has been blessed in the last year by
recently moving closer to family and winning the hand of
his bride, Candice,” Rotary leaders said. “So, luckily, he
is surrounded by a loving and caring family, especially
Candice’s grandfather, Ricky, who suggested the ramp
and assisted the ramp crew. But unfortunately, Mike is
also being severely tested by fighting complications from
diabetes, which has already claimed one of his feet. Mike
worked for almost 10 years at the Chic-fil-A in Oakland,
Georgia and is now aspiring for a scholarship offered
by Chic-fil-A to become a Professional Christian Life
Coach.” Candice and Mike joined the ramp crew in the
accompanying photograph, and they made a welcome
donation to the Rotary Club for its ramp program. This
week’s ramp crew: Don Sullinger, Artry Bishop, Walton
Hill, Alan Phillips, Floyd Phillips, Gerry Carroll, Nev
in Belsen, Johnny Minish, Ed Brown, Bruce Gandy and
John Taylor.
District 10
constituents invite
Collins to town hall
Many changes in federal poli
cy and federal funding affecting
constituents and businesses in
Representative Mike Collins’s
district have occurred since
President Donald Trump’s Jan.
20 inauguration. Voters in Dis
trict 10 are eager to hear ' about
these changes from their rep
resentative in Washington but
have not yet had the opportunity.
To give Collins and his con
stituents a chance to discuss the
changes, a group of constituents
invited Collins to appear' at a
Town Hall meeting at 5:30 p.m.,
Tuesday, March 18. The event
will take place in the community
space in the Piedmont Oconee
Health Center off Jennings Mill
Road in Watkinsville.
According to town hall or
ganizers, this invitation follows
many attempts by District 10
constituents to meet with their
representative. In October last
year', in response to the school
shooting in Barrow County, a
group of almost 100 constitu
ents rallied in Monroe in front
of Collins’s office to request an
opportunity to speak with him.
They also delivered a letter ' with
approximately 400 constituent
signatures asking for a meeting
to discuss Collins’s positions on
gun regulations. He did not re
spond to the requests.
On Feb. 20, 42 constituents
traveled to Collins’s office to
request a meeting. Although he
was on break from Congress, he
did not make himself available,
nor did he respond to the request
for a meeting. In the meantime,
many voter's have called his of
fice in Monroe and in Washing
ton, asking for an opportunity to
meet.
The request to Collins to ap
pear' at the scheduled Town Hall
in Watkinsville, during another
congressional break, was made
formally through his website,
yet no response has been re
ceived. The Town Hall will take
place with or without the con
gressman in attendance to give
his constituents a chance to air
then questions and concerns.
“A member' of Congress rep
resents every constituent in his
district, not just those who voted
for him,” said Barbara Burl, a
member of Indivisible Georgia
10, one of the groups organizing
the Town Hall. “This is an hon
est attempt to hear ' directly from
our representative in a public fo-
rum. We need to know what is
happening and what he is doing
to protect us. He needs to hear'
what constituents are concerned
about. Some have lost their jobs,
others are worried about losing
government benefits or services,
still others are concerned about
the cost of groceries and other
necessities. These are not trivial
concerns.”
Athens Tech
Foundation plans Third
Annual Illuminate Gala
The Athens Tecli Foundation will hold its third annual Il
luminate Gala on April 17 at The Classic Center. The event
highlights Athens Technical College’s impact on workforce
development and raised over $150,000 last year.
Janis Mangum, former Jackson County Sheriff and 2023
Georgia Sheriff of the Year, will deliver the keynote address.
The Athens Tecli Foundation supports students througli
scholarships and emergency assistance, GED® vouchers,
and funding improvements to the campus, helping the col
lege stay connected witli the community at large.
In 2024, the Foundation awarded over $92,000 in merit
and financial need scholarships, $23,000 in retention grant
funds, and over $14,000 in emergency support grants for
tuition, books, program materials, and supplies not covered
by financial aid.
The evening will include a cocktail reception, silent auc
tion, wine pull and testimonials from student scholarship
recipients.
Tickets are $160 per person, witli sponsorships starting at
$500. For details, visit AthensTech.edu/Foundation_Illumi-
nate or call 706-355-5025.
Community Calendar: Week of March 12
KINDERGARTEN
REGISTRATION
COMING UP ON MARCH 26, 27
The Madison County School Sys
tem’s kindergarten registration will be
taking place on Wednesday, March 26,
and Thursday, March 27.
Registration is by appointment only.
Parents are encouraged to call their
home school to schedule an appoint
ment.
Kindergarten registration is for chil
dren who will be five years old on or
before Sept. 1, 2025.
Registration will take place at the
Madison County Board of Education
located at 800 Madison Street, Daniels
ville.
Habitat for Humanity hosting
‘Buy-A-Box’ sale on March 22
The Madison County Habitat for Hu
manity’s Re-Use Boutique will host a
Christmas clearance “Buy-A-Box” sale
on March 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Patrons can pick and choose from a
collection of various Christmas items to
fill a box.
Boxes will be available in small, me
dium and large sizes, costing $1, $3 and
$5 respectively.
The Madison County Habitat for Hu
manity is located at 1956 Main Street,
Comer.
County rec. dept, offers yoga
The Madison County Recreation De
partment offers a yoga class on Mon
days at 6 p.m.
Yoga is held in the Old Danielsville
Gym, located at 91 Albany Ave., Dan
ielsville.
Pre-registration is required and the
cost is $10.
Bring your own yoga mat, bottle of
water and workout towel.
For more information, visit https://
www.madcorec.com/home/programs/
yoga
Oglethorpe Library’s Big Spring
Book sale happening March 13-15
The Friends of the Oglethorpe Coun
ty Library will be having their Big
Spring Book Sale on March 13, 14 and
15 in the library’s multipurpose room.
Thursday and Friday hours are
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and prices are $1 for
hardback books and 25-50 cents for pa
perbacks.
Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday will be fill-a-bag for $5.
Cash and check only will be accept
ed. All proceeds benefit the Oglethorpe
County Library.
BBQ Benefit for
Andrew Bridges on March 15
The Vine and Branches Sunday
School Class of Gordon’s Chapel Meth
odist Church is sponsoring a chicken
BBQ on Saturday, March 15, to benefit
Andrew Bridges.
Bridges was involved in an airplane
accident and remains hospitalized with
severe injuries. All donations and pro
ceeds will fund Bridges’ recovery.
Take out plates will be available from
4 to 6 p.m. at the Sanford Community
Center located at 6495 Nowhere Road,
Hull.
Tickets are $12 each.
For tickets, contact a member of the
Sunday School Class or call Lynn Hix
at 706-224-3187 or Jonathan Hix at
706-308-5048. Checks should be made
payable to Vine and Branches Sunday
School Class.
Sharing and Caring Meal to take
place in new location on March 15
The free Sharing and Caring Meal in
Comer, which occurs every third Satur
day of the month, will have a new home
as of March 15.
The new location is the former police
office for Comer, which is located at
2180 Spring Circle, Comer. The time
remains the same: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“We are excited to announce our new
location, which is thanks to the City
of Comer. We will have a much big
ger space that will also house the free
Clothes Closet,” explains Nell Gantt
Browne, the program’s coordinator and
cook.
This week’s menu is ham, green
beans, corn, roll and cobbler. These
meals are available for take-out, home
delivery or for eating at the new loca
tion. For more information or to place
your order, contact Browne directly at
757-286-4132.
Georgia Options’
Casino Night on March 15
Georgia Options will be hosting a
Casino Night on Saturday, March 15,
from 6 to 11 p.m., at the Classic Center
in Athens.
The event will offer classic casino
games like Blackjack, Poker, Roulette,
Craps and more.
“Enjoy classic casino games, deli
cious food and lively entertainment —
all while supporting Georgia Options’
mission to empower individuals with
disabilities to live independently in
their communities,” organizers said.
The event will also feature dinner,
drinks, a silent auction and dancing.
All proceeds from this event directly
support Georgia Options, helping indi
viduals with disabilities achieve greater
independence and quality of life as they
thrive in the community.
“Whether you’re a seasoned player
or a first-time gambler, this will be a
night to remember,” organizers said.
For more information, visit https://
onecau.se/gogiving or contact ckester-
son@georgiaoptions.org
Scheduled Town Hall
with District 10 Congressman
Mike Collins on March 18
Congressman Mike Collins has been
invited to meet with his District 10 con
stituents in a Town Hall-style gathering
on March 18, starting at 5:30 p.m.
The event will take place in the Com
munity Room at Piedmont Oconee
Health Center, located at 1305 Jennings
Mill Rd., Watkinsville.
Collins may not appear, and has not
yet responded to an invitation, accord
ing to organizers. “However, we will
hold the gathering whether he decides
to participate or not,” organizers said.
“He has many constituents with serious
questions about major changes hap
pening at the federal level, those that
directly affect them locally as well as
those having statewide repercussions.”
For more information or to set up
interviews, contact Lucette Bernard at
lucetteb423@gmail.com or 404-788-
3817
‘Dancing Through
Frozen’ showing at
Morton Theatre on March 20-21
Dancefx Athens will present “Danc
ing Through Frozen” this month at the
Morton Theatre in Athens.
Showings will be Thursday, March
20, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., as well as
Friday, March 21, at 6:30 p.m.
The show will feature songs from the
soundtrack of the movie “Frozen” and
dancers in the roles of Elsa, Anna, Olaf,
Kristoff and Sven.
Tickets for the Matinee show are $5.
Tickets for the evening shows are $10
for children, students and seniors 60+,
and $13 for adults.
Comer Annual Kite Flying
Party coming up on March 22
The yearly opportunity to celebrate
spring by flying kites will return to
Comer on Saturday, March 22, starting
at 11 a.m.
Participants are encouraged to bring
their own kites, picnic lunch, chairs,
blankets, sunscreen and “good spirits,”
according to organizers.
Beverages and desserts will be pro
vided.
For safety purposes, guests are asked
not to bring pets.
The location of the Kite Flying Party
will be 181 Meadow Street, Comer.
For more information, contact Bruce
and Betsy Gandy at 706-783-8024
MCSO offering Ladies
Self Defense Class on March 22
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office
is offering its Annual Ladies Self De
fense Class on Saturday, March 22, at
9 a.m. with Sergeant Brandon Moss as
instructor.
Only 20 spots are available. To re
quest a spot in the class, email Chief
Deputy Jeffrey Vaughn at jvaughn@
madisonco.us
The class will take place at 729 Mad ¬
ison St., Danielsville.
St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital
Wellness Walk and 5K on March 22
St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital in
Lavonia will host a Wellness Walk and
5K, as well as a one-mile Fun Run for
kids, on Saturday, March 22, at 8 a.m.
Race-day registration will start at 7
a.m or participants can register in ad
vance at www.runsignup.com/Race/
GA/Lavonia/WellnessWalk5K
All proceeds from the event will ben
efit the Sacred Heart Hospital Cardiac
Rehab Department. Cardiac rehab is
designed to help people who have ex
perienced heart problems such as heart
attacks, bypass surgery or who are liv
ing with heart failure recover faster and
improve their quality of life.
For more information, please con
tact Shawn Carter at Shawn.Carter@
stmarysathens.org.
Piedmont Athens Regional
Teddy Bear Clinic on March 22
Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital
will host a Teddy Bear Clinic on Satur
day, March 22, from 9 a.m. to noon, to
celebrate Child Life Month.
The free event is for children ages
3-8 to explore common medical proce
dures through play.
Registration can be completed at
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904
0848A5A72EA6FE3-53197640-pied-
mont?useFullSite=true#/
Chamber of Commerce
holding ‘State of the
County Address’ on March 27
The Madison County Chamber of
Commerce will hold its annual “State
of the County Address” on March 27,
from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Jackson
EMC.
“This event is the County’s premier
intergovernmental gathering where
governing bodies report on the previous
year and deliver outlook on the current
year,” Chamber leadership said.
The event will serve as an opportu
nity to network and hear about various
key topics that affect the community.
Speakers will include representa
tives from each of the county’s cities,
the Board of Commissioners, Board of
Education, Industrial Development &
Building Authority and the Chamber of
Commerce’s Agricultural Promotions
Committee.
Jackson EMC is located at 85 Sprat-
lin Mill Rd., Hull.
4F Renaissance
Festival open throughout April
The 4F Renaissance Festival will
be open every Saturday and Sunday
throughout April, from 10 a.m. to
6 p.m.
The festival will feature a selection of
vendors, activities and demonstrations
for visitors who wish to immerse them
selves into Renaissance culture. Games
for children will also be available.
Cost of entry is $15 per person. Chil
dren five and under get in free.
The festival is located at 132 Gos
nell-Hutto Rd., Danielsville.
For more information, call 706-207-
7080 or email 4FVendor@gmail.com
2025 Canna Pageant
to take place May 10
The 2025 Canna Pageant will take
place on Saturday, May 10, at 6 p.m.
Contestants must live in Madison
County and currently be between Pre
K and 12th grade. (Must turn 5 on or
before September 1).
The entry fee is $50 and can be paid
by the contestant or sponsor.
Entry forms can be picked up at Col
bert City Hall, Colbert Bread Basket or
by calling 706-202-3481 or 706-714-
4082. Forms will also be available at
the mandatory meeting on April 14 at
6:30 p.m. in the Colbert Auditorium.
•••
Submit your event for
the community calendar
To have your event placed in the
community calendar, email news@
mainstreetnews.com. The deadline to
submit is noon on Friday prior to the
date of publication.
Priority will be given to imminent
upcoming community events.
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