About The Madison County journal. (Hull, Ga.) 1989-current | View Entire Issue (April 16, 2025)
THE MADISON COUNTY (GA) JOURNAL, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2025 - PAGE 3A Danielsville approves up to $2,500 to repair maintenance truck Prodigy continued from 1A By Caleb Rollins At an April 14 meeting, the Danielsville Mayor and City Council approved the us age of up to $2,500 to repair a city mainte nance truck. During his maintenance department re port, Council Member Steve Russum an nounced that the estimated repairs on the city’s maintenance truck, which involve in stalling a new manifold gasket and heater core hose. Estimated labor and costs for the repairs were “around $2,000” according to Russum. Mayor Michael Wideman asked for a motion to approve an amount up to a $2,500 limit to cover the cost of the repairs. A motion was made and approved unan imously. Russum also reported that the mainte nance department had received a phone call from a resident stating that the depart ment had been “a little aggressive” cutting trees recently. Russum stated that he felt the depart ment was cutting back trees so that they would not have to come back and cut again BOE celebrates Bus Safety Poster winners The Madison County Board of Education recently recog nized the county’s Bus Safe ty Poster winners. Winners pictured from left to right: Maris Beard, Comer Ele mentary and Lily Kelly, Ila Elementary. BOE celebrates Bus Road-E-O winner and placers soon after. OTHER BUSINESS In other business, the council: • approved an alcohol license renew al for El Timon Mexican Restaurant. The restaurant, which opened in 2023, is lo cated at 200 General Daniels Ave. N Suite 215, Danielsville. • heard a Police Department report from Police Chief Cleve Williams who announced that the recent active shooter training the department conducted went “very well.” Williams also announced the department is planning to do something to recognize National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month in November. He plans to provide the council with further information in the future. • heard from Council Member Cyle Cox who stated that the Danielsville Farmer’s Market would like to begin the process of becoming independent of the city and plans to no longer make use of city resources. • made plans to report streetlights that have gone out or are blinking to Georgia Power to receive repair/replacement. was inspired by her family’s dog. Kyra’s parents are frequently impressed by what she is able to accomplish. “I don’t think either of us would have ever imagined what Kyra has accomplished beginning from when she started reading at the age of three years old to where she is at today,” said Koy. “We are botli very proud of what she’s done in a short amount of time.” A DIVERSE BODY OF WORK It’s not just Kyra’s age that stands to im press, but the quality and diversity of her work as well. Eacli of her eight books are unique, ex ploring a variety of themes that young read ers can connect with. From her fantasy books, sucli as “The Unicorn in the Volcano,” to educational pieces like her books on synonyms and antonyms, Kyra’s work reflects the diverse interests and thoughts that take place within a child’s mind. The writing style is engaging and acces sible, demonstrating that age is no barrier to creating compelling narratives. INSPIRING OTHERS Kyra has also appeared as a guest author at several primary and elementary schools, encouraging students to express themselves througli writing. Readers can also find inspiration in the themes woven throughout Kyra’s narra tives. Her books often feature characters em barking on quests of self-discovery and adventure, mirroring the experiences of growing up. According to Kyra, “love, kindness and courage” are just a few themes she likes to explore in her work. Kyra also likes to spend time visiting other elementary and middle schools and speaking to students about writing. She said that she would encourage any one interested in becoming an author to “keep at it.” “I honestly believe every kid in this world can publisli a good book if they put their mind to it,” she said. FAMILY SUPPORT Family has also played an integral role in nurturing Kyra’s creative spirit. Her parents have been supportive from the beginning, while providing her witli the resources she needs to continue her literary journey. “It has definitely given her a sense of pride and provides a way of expressing her thoughts and feelings througli her writ ings,” said Kerry. Koy added that she believes reading and writing provide an opportunity to escape some of the stresses that can impact a child growing up. “In part, it can be an escape doing something she has always loved,” she said. Koy provides all the illustrations for % r 9 NAERWOEF, NATAL'S Kyra is photographed around age 5-6 hold ing her first book, “Naerwolf and Natali’s The Adventures in Kanoon”. Kyra is pictured signing copies of her books for students at Elbert County Primary School. Kyra’s books, and botli parents have helped to get her books published and into the hands of young readers. FUTURE PLANS Kyra plans to continue to develop her writing skills, witli plans for future projects and explorations of even deeper themes. “I would love to someday publisli a chap ter book instead of just picture books and poems,” she said. “I want to write books for adults and teens too. Just because I’m eleven doesn’t mean my writing is limited.” “I would also enjoy it if I could visit more schools, have more interviews, meet more people, et cetera,” she continued. “And maybe sometime I’ll write a book about how good people can be, that every one’s not so bad inside, that you are awe some and you aren’t the terrible person you might think you are.” Kyra also serves as the editor of Hull-Sanford Elementary’s school newspa per, where she writes, edits and does design work. Further showcasing how multi-talent ed she is, Kyra also recently acquired her black belt in Kyuki-Do, a Korean martial art that blends elements of Taekwondo, Judo, Hapkido and Jujitsu. Kyra’s books can be found locally at the Madison County Library, Neighborhood Books in Athens, Amazon or at other local public libraries, including Elbert County, Oglethorpe County and Oconee County. The Madison County Board of Education recently recognized the winner and placers of the 2025 Bus Road-E-O competition. Catherine Bracewell (far right) won with a perfect score of 400. Other placers, pictured from left to right, are: Doug Duke, Brandon Johnson, Judy James, Marie Farmer and Melissa Hart. Placers not pictured were: Misty Huntsinger, Genia Slayton, Andy Huff and Sally Fortson. Kyra Lloyd is pictured in third grade in 2023, alongside her family, holding her certificate for winning the Georgia Young Authors Writing Contest. She also won the contest in first grade. GA Centennial Farm now accepting applications PUBLIC MEETINGS ... FOR ONLY $5 PER MONTH you can list your groups meetings! Banks County News . Jackson Herald Madison County Journal . Braselton News Call 706-367-5233 to list your meetings! Georgia Centennial Farm applications are open to all qualifying candidates witlia dead line of May 1. Farms play a pivotal role in shaping Geor gia’s legacy, serving as the bedrock for eco nomic, cultural and familial traditions for generations of Georgians. Several farms boast a legacy spanning more than a centu ry, and the state recognizes their historical significance through the Georgia Centennial Farm program. More than three decades ago, the Cen tennial Farm program was created to draw attention to historic farms and to encourage preservation. Since 1993, the program has recognized more than 630 farms around the state. Nominees must be working farms witli a minimum of 10 acres of the original pur chase, actively involved in agricultural pro duction, and must generate at least $1,000 in annual farm-generated income. In addition, farms must have been continuously farmed by members of the same family for at least 100 years or must be listed on the Nation al Register of Historic Places. Qualifying Georgia Centennial Farms are honored eacli October during an awards ceremony at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricen ter in Perry. The Georgia Centennial Farm program is administered by the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Com munity Affairs, Georgia Farm Bureau Fed eration, Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia EMC, Georgia National Fair and Agricenter and University of Georgia Coop erative Extension. For more information, contact Rose Mayo, Historic Preservation Division Outreacli Co ordinator, at 770-855-2586 or rose.mayo@ dca.ga.gov. The postmark deadline for ap plications is May 1, and they are available online at dca.georgia.gov/community-as- sistance/historic-preservation/centenni- al-farms-program. Want to lose weight? Well come to TOPS, Which meets every Saturday at 12 Noon, at the Commerce Public Library for a one hour meeting. You'll hear an interesting program, weight loss tips, and share with friends what has helped you toward your weight loss goals. "Take Off Pounds Sensibly." BANKS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC. Meets first Monday each month 7:00 p.m. in the Banks County Historical Courthouse at 105 U. S. Hwy 441 North in Homer, GA 12619 JEFFERSON AMERICAN LEGION Post 56 • Meets 3rd Tues., 6:30 p.m. Joe Ruttar, Commander Phone (860) 949-4037 309 Lee St., Jefferson, GA JEFFERSON ROTARY CLUB Meets Tuesdays 12:00 Noon Jackson County Historic Courthouse 85 Washington St., Jefferson Holly McShane, President 706-768-0456 12626 12972 ROCKWELL LODGE F & A.M. No. 191, Hoschton, GA 2nd Tues, at 7:30 p.m. • Dinner at 6:30 p.m. www.rockwelllodge191.com Two blocks behind Larry's Garage West Broad at Hall Street KIWANIS OF JEFFERSON Meetings every 2 nd & 4 th Monday at Noon Cream & Shuga Contact Darryl Guniz at 770-605-6656 for more info. St. Catherine Laboure Catholic Church Mass Schedule: Sat. 4:00 p.m., Sun. 10:00 a.m., Tues. 12:10 p.m. Mon., Wed, Thurs. & Fri. 10:00 a.m., Spanish Sun. 8:00 a.m. Website: www.stcatherinelabourega.org 706-367-7220 Tri-County : Shrine Club 3rd Thurs. of each month 7:30 p.m. Rockwell Lodge 191 Call 706-367-5233 For all your Printing and Advertising needs!
