To the Editor:

Dear friends and neighbors,
I am writing again to ask for your sponsorship for an annual charity bike ride to Savannah.  I have asked for donations before and raised substantial money to support school programs at Morgan County High School such as the trip to Sapelo Island and the MCHS Academic Bowl Team.
This year there is a larger, more urgent need at MCHS.  Due to budgetary woes, many schools around the country are closing.  Others are curtailing the school year, reducing faculty, axing field trips, or curtailing challenging academic options.  We have been very fortunate in Morgan County, but still have had to ask students taking our most challenging classes to help with the cost of the exams which qualify them for college credit.
Last week at a parent meeting, I heard Dr. Malanowski express his concern that all students should be able to take the IB and AP courses and exams, if they choose to accept the challenge.  I saw this as an opportunity to begin raising matching scholarship money, and to publicize this need to our community.  Could you help me raise money to help financially disadvantaged students pursue these challenging courses?  If you would like to support this effort, please send your donations payable to “MCHS;” address to MCHS, Attention: Susan Beasley, 1231 College Drive, Madison, GA 30650.  Please make a note on the memo space “For AP/IB Fund.”

Karl Scott
Madison
Via e-mail

Printed in the April 11, 2013 edition.

To the Editor:

Our middle school’s archery team has won first place in the entire state! And now, Nationals is coming up in Kentucky next month. The schools no longer allow the kids to sell candy as a fundraiser, and there is no money for them to go. We had a meeting with the coaches, and we were basically told we are all on our own to get the kids up there, get hotels, eat, etc.
The parents have decided to turn to the community to help raise the funds needed for the kids to go on this trip. We believe we can raise the money with your help! We are looking for corporate and private sponsors. The cost will be about $200 or less per child and we have 20 kids going. This money will pay for entry fees for each athlete, lodging, and transportation expenses.
The archery team does have an account already set up, so anyone willing to contribute can send checks/money to the middle school, care of Coach Webb, and specifically noted to be applied to the “National Archery Competition.” I know the support in this community is wonderful for our students in everything they do and our Archery Team deserves it as well (after all, they are STATE CHAMPS!). The competition trip will be Thursday, May 9 through Saturday, May 11. I hope you will find it in your hearts to contribute so that our middle school team can represent the state of Georgia at this national level.
Thank you,

Jennifer Dean
Madison
Via e-mail

Printed in the April 11, 2013 edition.

To the Editor:

Morgan County citizens,
My name is Ollie Rivers. As most of you may already know, I am a two-time CANCER SURVIVIOR. There is no one I know who can say they do not have a friend or relative who has battled this terrible illness.
On Friday, April 19, from 6 p.m. to Saturday, April 20, 6 a.m., we will be hosting the Morgan County Relay for Life. I am the team captain for “Team Rivers.” I would love to have your support.
Our team’s goal is to raise money for research, patient services and educational programs.
Relay for Life is a family-oriented event with lots of fun and exciting activities. One in particular I will be sponsoring this year is the giant fire truck inflatable.
In addition, I would like to invite you to attend the Luminaria Ceremony, which will take place at 9:30 p.m. that evening. Luminaria will be lit to honor cancer survivors and to remember those who have lost their battle.
Thank you in advance for your support. If you have any questions or would like to join “Team Rivers” or purchase a luminary ($5), please call me at (706) 474-9306 or e-mail me at ollierivers0817@aol.com.
Remember there is no finish line until we find a cure!
Sincerely,

Ollie Rivers
Madison
Via e-mail

Printed in the April 11, 2013 edition.

To the Editor:

The entire staff and members of the Madison-Morgan Boys & Girls Club wish to offer a sincere ‘thank you’ to all who made the recent Academic Awards Dinner a success.
Members who were passing all classes at the end of this past nine-week grading period and their parents were treated to an awards dinner where the members received recognition, including certificates of achievement. The event would not have been possible without the time and gifts of many community members.
Dinner and the celebratory cake were graciously provided by the Madison Walmart. Jean Triplett, Morgan County Elementary School principal, allowed us the use of the cafeteria for the dinner, and the custodial staff provided assistance in cleaning up after the event. Stacy Dearing, MCES counselor, assisted with the event, as well.
Georgia Military College provided use of their copier for reproducing the invitations to parents, and the Morgan County Citizen was so kind to attend and document the event, despite the last-minute notice. We appreciated the coverage in last week’s paper. We have reprinted the layout and will be hanging it in the club—our members are honored to see their names printed in the local paper, in recognition of their effort and hard work!
Thank you, all.
We are sincerely and truly grateful to the many hands and hearts that made this event possible.
With gratitude,

Karen Freeman
Education Coordinator, Madison-Morgan Boys & Girls Club
Via e-mail

Printed in the April 11, 2013 edition.

To the Editor:

This month marks the one-year anniversary for Ralph Castillo, the “new” CEO of Morgan Memorial Hospital. We would like to offer our praise and continuing support for Mr. Castillo as he helps us navigate through complex reimbursement policies, implications coming from the Affordable Health Care Act, and planning for the future of Morgan Memorial.
His constant emphasis on patient-focused quality healthcare for patients serves as the foundation for every decision we make. Morgan Memorial Hospital will continue to move forward under Mr. Castillo’s leadership.

Sincerely,

Terry Evans, Sarah Burbach, Mary Ellen Shannon,
Paul Courchaine, Sherry Terrell, Dan Zant, Calvin Welch, Butch Thompson, and John Moore
Members of the Morgan Memorial Hospital Authority
Via e-mail

Printed in the April 4, 2013 edition.

To the Editor:

I feel like I just returned from New York City and Broadway after enjoying the Music Man with a live orchestra in the pit and wonderful dancing and beautiful singing and excellent acting!   
Kudos to Anderson McCormick, Jessica Bailey, Bryce Kiepper, Reed Pagett, Annie Jones, the quartet – David Burbach,  David Shytle, Jared Register, Steve Triplett and hats off to all who took part in this wonderful play. As Atticus was said in To Kill a Mockingbird, “stand up your Daddy is passing by.” We should all stand up when Kathleen Bryant, director passed by.

Rose Ann Rigby Weaver, MD
Madison
Hand-delivered

Printed in the April 4, 2013 edition.