Separated By Years, Yet Joined By The Strings of Their Instruments

Young Musician Offers Testimonial To Millard Hatcher, Well Known, Long Time Local Musician
By Sid Riley

This week a bright fifteen year old boy came into our offices on Madison Street with a picture of himself and Millard Hatcher, a well known local musician who spent his life serving the Lord through playing at hundreds of churches proclaiming his faith through his talent. The young lad was Carlon Dilmore, a student at Victory Christian Academy in Sneads and also a very talented musician. The picture was taken of Carlon and Millard Hatcher playing together at the Easter service at Victory Christian Chapel.

“It was taken on Easter Sunday”, Carlon explained. “It was the first time I was privileged to play with this great musician, and it was his last performance before he died on May 4. My short time with him had a profound impact on me as a person, the strength of my faith, and my resolve to use my talent in the service of the Lord.”

“Carlon is one of the best players in the southeast, maybe the best in the country!” exclaimed James Earl Cloud, his proud Grandfather. Cloud was a Jackson County Commissioner for District 5, in the early 1990’s.

“Mr. Millard Hatcher could have made it big in religious music if he had wanted to”, Carlon explained. “Instead he chose to stay in Jackson County and serve the Lord here at home. He played with such notables as Jim Williams and the Stanley Brothers, and recorded a great CD entitled “Memories of Mom and Dad”.

Carlon can usually be found playing for the congregation at the Dellwood Baptist Church on most Sunday’s, with his family proudly sitting in a pew near the front.

Community Calendar

Thursday, June 4, 2009
♦ CONCERNED CITIZENS OF JACKSON COUNTY MEETING - 6:00 P. M. CDT PLACE: Agriculture Center Highway 90 West (next to National Guard Armory) Our Guest Speaker will be Gary Clark, VP Member Services, West Florida Electric Cooperative Association, who will be speaking on what the proposed energy policy will mean to your budget. His subject: "Our Energy, Our Future". Homeowners and renters: You will not want to miss this. If you are concerned about the United States of America and the direction our leaders are taking us, and if you are concerned about the irresponsible spending of these leaders, we invite you to join us for this meeting. You will learn how YOU can become involved.
♦ The Jackson Hospital Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting on at 5:30 pm in the Community Room of the Hudnall Building.
♦ The WILLIAM DUNAWAY CHAPTER, FLORIDA SOCIETY, SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, will meet at Jim’s Buffet and Grill, with the Dutch treat meal starting at 6:30 P.M. Guest speaker will be Compatriot Roger Dunaway, Gulf Breeze, Fl., speaking and showing a video on the recent "Celebration of the 228th Anniversary of the Battle of Pensacola." Anyone interested in the SAR is welcome. For more information please call 594-6664.
♦ The Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group provides emotional support and education for family and loved ones that have been affected by someone with Alzheimer’s disease. The next meeting will be on Thursday, June 4. The support group is free but registration is required, and light refreshments will be served. To register for this support group, or for additional information, call January McKeithan at (850) 482-8520 or (888) 817-2191.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
♦ Canoeing for the Fight against Cancer is scheduled for Saturday, June 6th. – 9:00 a.m. – until - Starting point: Spring Creek Park, Hwy. 90 East, Marianna, Florida. To: Magnolia Bridge Boat Ramp – Magnolia Road, Marianna. $20.00 Donation per person. Come along and paddle a way to help find a cure! For more information, please contact: Sheila Hayes at (850) 526-2124.
♦ Partners for Pets will be having a multi-family yard sale at its facility at 4011 Maintenance Dr., (across from the Arthur B. Dozier Boy’s School) in Marianna. It will be held from 7:00 a.m. -12:00 noon. Items include over 200 hardback books, children’s toys and miscellaneous household items. If you have items you’d like to donate or need more information, please call 482-4570.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
♦ Trinity Sunday and the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated at the 11 a.m. service this Sunday at the First Presbyterian Church, corner of Jefferson and Clinton Streets in Marianna, in honor of Pentecost. The service will be based on the visit of Nicodemus to Jesus as found in John 3:1-17. At 5 p.m. in the parlor there will be a time of Prayer and Quiet Reflection based on the familiar words of John 3:16. Those who would like to do so are invited to bring their favorite translations or paraphrases of those words. For more information please call the church at 526-2430 or check the website at www.firstpresmarianna.org.
Monday June 8, 2009
♦ Jackson County Democratic Party will hold their meeting at 6PM in the Jackson County Board of Commissioners Offices. Meeting is open to all citizens. For More information please call 482-5943 or 482-4220.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
♦ The Town of Grand Ridge will hold its regular monthly council meeting on June 11, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. in the Grand Ridge Town Hall. The public is invited to attend. For more information please call 850-592-4621.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
♦ Stewart Family Reunion – June 13, 2009 starting at 11:00 AM till? At CITIZENS LODGE – CAVERNS ROAD (JEFFERSON ST.) MARIANNA, FL. We will be providing the meats, beans, and the drinks, and utensils. We ask that each family bring a covered dish, salad, or dessert to help complete our meal. We also ask that you please bring information of your side of the FAMILY TREE, PICTURES, ETC. For more information call: 850-482-5657
Sunday, June 14, 2009
♦ Bethel MBC - Building Fundraiser / Fellowship Service - Guest Church - Friendship MBC Pastor & Congregation will be rendering Services Rev. Daryl Johnson, Pastor at 3:00 p.m. Elder Chambers, Pastor Church Phone: 592-4108
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
♦ Protecting Your Money – A free conference on: Florida’s Financial Status, Obama’s Stimulus Package, Saving for the Future, and Managing in Tough Times. Sponsored by: University of Florida, IFAS Extension. Location: Jackson County Agricultural conference Center 2741 Pennsylvania Avenue Marianna, FL 32448. Tuesday, June 16, 2009, 6-8 p.m. Snacks provided. Pre-registration required. Contact: Joan Elmore at (850)482-9620, email at jpelmore@ufl.edu.
♦ Lactation (Breastfeeding) Class is Tuesday, June 16th , 5:30-7:00pm, Education Classroom on the Ground Floor of Jackson Hospital, 4250 Hospital Drive, Marianna, FL. Nutritious snack and course materials provided. There is no cost to participants as the class is brought to the community through the partnering of The Florida Department of Health, Jackson County, Florida WIC, Chipola Healthy Start, and Jackson Hospital. For more information, call (850)526-2412, ext 162.
Monday, June 22, 2009
♦ The Jackson Hospital Board of Trustees will have its regular Finance Committee meeting at 5:30 pm in the Community Room of the Hudnall Building.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
♦ The Jackson Hospital Board of Trustees will have its regularly scheduled meeting at 5:30 pm in the Community Room of the Hudnall Building.
Thursday-Wednesday,
June 22-27,2009
♦ Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Cypress, Fl. – Revival Meeting. To all surrounding churches! The Pastor and members of Bethel M.B.C. invite you to join in, giving praise to the Lord! The speaker: Evangelist Sam Gray, Cottondale Florida, will be at Bethel M.B.C. in Cypress, Florida on June 22nd – June 27th, 2009. Time: 6:30 pm nightly.
Wednesday-Thursday,
June 24-25,2009
♦ Hitting Camp – Chipola Baseball coach, Jeff Johnson will offer a special camp for hitters ages 8-18 on June 24 and 25. A limited number of applicants will be accepted. Please pre-register. The camp will meet at the Chipola Field from 9 a.m. to noon both days. Cost is $100.00. Accident insurance coverage is included in the camp tuition. Contact Johnson at (850) 718-2237.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
♦ Covenant Hospice 4th Annual Garden Gala - starting at 6PM at the National Guard Armory, 3645 Hwy 90 W, Marianna, FL 32446. All Proceeds to benefit the under-funded and non-reimbursed special programs at Covenant Hospice.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
♦ 2nd Annual MS Walk - For Jackson and surrounding counties. Registration is happening now and we need your help. For more information on forming a team, call James Poston @ 850-526-5873 or Viki Smart @ 850-579-3935 or go on the web to www.walkms.org and sign up today.

Claude Reese Appreciation Day Proclaimed

Well deserved honor is bestowed on local citizen.

On Monday, May 18th, the Chipola Historical Trust observed "Claude Reese Appreciation Day" in observance of his retirement after many years of serving as President of Chipola Historical Trust.
Claude was presented a "Key to the City" by City Commissioner Roger Clay, a proclamation from Mayor James Wise was read, declaring Monday, May 18th as "Claude Reese Appreciation Day". A special plaque from the Chipola Trust expressing their appreciation for over forty years of leadership of historical projects in Jackson county and Marianna.
He and his wife, Becky, were given a gift certificate to a local restaurant to express appreciation for the time he spent away from her taking care of presidential duties. An outline of his many years of service and the many accomplishments of the organization under his leadership was read by Pat Crisp, who will now assume the presidency of the Chipola Historical Trust. Harvey Wilbanks will serve as vice-president, Carol Jean Crawford, treasurer and Ruth Bass as secretary.
With 60 members, the Chipola Trust will continue to promote historical preservation and awareness throughout Marianna and Jackson County.
The Chipola Trust meets each 3rd Monday evening at the Davis-West House on Putnam Street. Anyone interested in historical preservation is invited to join the organization. Contacting Carol Jean Crawford at 482-8322 will allow her to send a reminder card to anyone interested in membership. The next meeting will be June 15, 2009. We meet each month except July, August, November, and December.

Local Resident, Rita Eastman Killed in Auto Crash

Crash occurred at McDonalds exit to State Road #71 South

An accident report prepared by Trooper Peterson of the Florida Highway Patrol states that Mrs. Rita Eastman, age 87, of Marianna was killed when she apparently was exiting the McDonalds restaurant south of the truck stop on the Blountstown highway. She pulled into the path of a northbound GMC pick up truck driven by Glenn Brock of Vernon, FL.
The truck hit the driver’s side of the vehicle which pulled out into the path of the oncoming traffic. Both drivers were wearing seat belts.

JCSO Reports Arrest of Registered Sex Offender

On Monday the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received information regarding a parole violation for one of the county’s registered sex offenders, identified as Roy Bush. Information received during a child abuse investigation was that Roy Bush might be living at a residence other than the residence where he was registered as required by Florida Law.
During the investigation it was revealed that Roy Bush, 51 years of age, with a registered address 2745 Fleetwood Drive, had in fact been living at a residence in the Marianna area other than this registered address.
Bush had been released in April from the Florida Department of Corrections and returned to live in Jackson County. As a result of the findings of this investigation against Roy Bush, a criminal complaint was filed with the Office of State Attorney in order to obtain a warrant for the arrest of Bush. Roy Bush was then taken into custody on the afternoon of 06/01/2009, and is currently incarcerated in the Jackson County Correctional Facility awaiting first appearance in court.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office continues to monitor the location of registered Sex Offenders in Jackson County. Anyone with information about a Sex Offender/Predator known to be in violation of Florida Law is asked to contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office @ 482-9624 or CRIMESTOPPERS@ 526-5000.

Body Recovered From the Apalachicola River

On Monday morning searchers recovered the body of a Blountstown man who disappeared in the Apalachicola River Saturday after a boating accident, about a mile south of the Chattahoochee Landing, near the spot where the accident occurred, as reported by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Lt. Gary Applewhite.
The dead man was identified as Jefferie S. Rector, 28, of Blountstown. FWC Investigator Tony Brunson said Rector and Mark Hamilton, 29, of Marianna, were going north on the river Saturday afternoon in a 15-foot aluminum boat, powered by a 75-horsepower motor.
They had been knee boarding and enjoying the river after entering the river at Ocheessee Landing earlier in the day. They had decided to make their way upriver to the Chattahoochee Landing when they attempted to go around a navigation buoy. Brunson said it’s unclear exactly what happened, but as they made a sharp turn, the vessel hit a wake or "something" that caused both men to be ejected.
Neither man wore a life jacket.
Hamilton told officers, after he and Rector were ejected, the boat began circling wildly and then struck Rector. Hamilton was pulled from the river by a fisherman who was nearby. He remained at the scene and assisted in the search for Rector.
Rector’s body has been turned over to the medical examiner’s office in Panama City.
Many area law enforcement agencies aided in the overnight search for the body. These included the dive team from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Gadsden and Calhoun County Sheriff’s Departments, the Chattahoochee Police Department, a helicopter search team from Calhoun-Gulf County search and rescue team, and the U.S. Corps of Engineers.

Long Time Marianna Businessman, G.D. Yon Dies

Community has lost a fine citizen and leader

By Sid Riley

"Who will we call now when we have a problem?" That is a question many property owners in Jackson County are asking. For the past thirty-six years, when most people had a problem with their septic systems…..it was G.D. Yon that they turned to for help. He always responded to their calls quickly, bringing the necessary equipment and knowledge….and always bringing a big smile and friendly, caring attitude.
G.D. was traditionally active in school athletic programs, and was always one of those fathers rooting vigorously for his children as they competed. He could be counted on to provide support, personally and financially for community activities. G.D. was a certified referee, frequently refereeing area basketball games.
G.D. was a graduate of Cottondale High School. After graduation, he went to work for the local Coca Cola Bottling plant, then Florida Public Utilities as a linesman. He suffered a severe electrical shock in an accident while at work, and had to be rushed to Tallahassee Memorial for treatment. As bad as this event might have seemed, it ended up being a blessing. for the rest of his life…while convalescing at the hospital he met a young nurse named Francis Grubbs, who he married in 1964, and loved for the next forty five years. They had two daughters, Lyn and DeAnne.
In 1973 he opened Yon’s Septic Tanks, which served the citizens of our area for the next thirty six years. Will Speights started working for him the first day they were open for business, and continued to work with G.D. every day for the next 36 years. Jackson County will miss G.D. Yon. May God bless him.