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.

To the Editor:

In reference to Steve and Linda Huggins’ letter in The Citizen last week I say, “Ditto, Ditto, Ditto.” I agree completely with their statements and sentiments. We must  “wake up” and help stop the “Falling down” of our old, historic homes and buildings.
Even in these bad economic times we have some people willing and trying to restore historic homes and buildings and it seems we, the people are hindering them and putting stumbling blocks (or just plain blocks) in their way.
Please can we not work together to help the survival of our once beautiful town? As Barry Lurey says, “Keep Madison Madison.” I agree.   Let’s do that!

Rose Ann Rigby Weaver M.D.
Madison
Hand-delivered

Printed in the April 4, 2013 edition.

To the Editor:

In our minds there is always someone that needs help more than us. Sometimes this is far from the truth and a hard lesson learned starting when a tornado hit our home on April 8, 2010. A long overdue thank you goes out to every fire department member, emergency personnel, police department, and every volunteer (family, friends and strangers) that assisted us during that difficult time.
Randy had a heart attack on December 1, 2010. Just as we began to settle back home and from his illness, Randy was diagnosed with colon cancer (June 2011) that has now metastasized to his liver and lungs. He continues with chemotherapy.
March 16, 2013 was another amazing outpouring of love and support for our family. How do you say "Thank You" with deepest heartfelt sincerity when thank you is only two small words? Ronnie Milsap's song “What a Difference You’ve Made” came to mind. Your time, donations, encouragement, hugs and prayers are appreciated more than you will ever know.
Special thanks to: DW, Susan and Kim Stone; Ed Stone; Phyllis Poole; Tommy and Barbara Smith and the Smith Family; our Gibbs Memorial Baptist Church Family; Jim and Bucky Malcom; Curbside Services; all Team Randy Members and EVERY single person that participated in any way, big or small, that has supported and loved us from Tornado to chemotherapy– You have made a difference in our lives.
May God Bless You as HE has blessed us!

   Love,

Randy, Julie and Randa Sanders
Bishop
Via e-mail

Printed in the April 4, 2013 edition.