Features

   The Suwannee Valley Players announced Monday the nominees of the 2012 Golden Gravel Awards. The Gravels, named after founding member Nancy Gravel, are a fun way for the Players to celebrate the completion of another successful season. This success is a direct result of the support received from the community; and the community is invited and encouraged to join in this celebration on July 28 at 7 p.m. at the Usher Community Center for an evening of dinner and entertainment.

Two residents have formed a music promotion company to help raise the profile of local bands and their first gig is Saturday at Double Down in Gainesville with Steel Bridge of Cross City and and Crosstyz of Bell.
Michael Michalis, an agent with Don Martin Insurance in Fanning Springs, and Rod Whited, an agent with Nothwestern Mutual insurance, have formed RAM MAN Productions.

Led by Lieutenant Todd Dunn, three U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps divisions spent an action packed weekend on base at Naval Station Mayport. Cadets from Dunn’s Manatee Division, who drill in Yankeetown, invited the Tampa Bay Division, which drills at Mac Dill Air Force Base, and the Gulf Eagle Division, which drills in Ft. Meyers, to experience what life in the Navy might be like.

The Kidzone Children’s Ministry at Lighthouse Word Church kicked off its Celebration Summer program. The events include music, drama, dance on Sunday, June 10.
There were two bounce houses, train rides, face painting, popcorn, cotton candy and snow cones.
Each Sunday at 10:30 am throughout the summer will be packed with fun and rewards for those who bring their friends. All children from kindergarten through 5th grade are invited, and classes for toddlers and babies are also provided.  
Call 493-1554 for more information.

Amateur radio operators, known as hams, from the Tri-County area will be gathering for their annual Field Day on Saturday and Sunday, June 23-24.

On June 2, the Chiefland Lions Club provided free diabetes screenings for the Tri-County area at the Chiefland Watermelon Festival.  
They had an excellent turnout and were able to screen 68 individuals. Of those 68 individuals, 29 of them were unaware that they had high sugar and were referred to their doctor. This number does not include individuals who were tested that were already aware that they had diabetes.

Williston will celebrate Independence Day Tuesday, July 3, with a parade at 5 p.m.
   This year's parade theme will be "made in America." Afterward, at 6 p.m., the gates of the Horseman's Park will open, with the opening ceremony starting at 7 p.m.
   There will be food, rides, booths and musical acts such as Javier Hernandez and the Shane Wooten Band. The evening will end with fireworks at about 9:30 p.m.

The Tri-county Chapter of the  Disabled American Veterans is hosting a pool tournament and car show on June 17, at 1 p.m. The event will include door prizes, a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction and a benefit lunch. It takes place at Chiefland Billards at 1545 N.W. 26th Ave in Chiefland. Proceeds benefit 20-year-old Casie Wharton, who has suffered from Type 2 Autoimmune Hepatitis since she was four. She recently received a liver transplant and has nearly $6,000 in medical expenses every month for further treatments.

By CARRIE A. MIZELL
Special to the Citizen
He may not have a driver’s license, but Matthew George does have a blossoming daylily business.
The 15-year-old Trenton High School student is actively involved in FFA, sports and running his own business.
“Matthew is learning about the real world at a young age,” said Steve Broker, Trenton FFA advisor. “He’s a very serious young man, who works hard and will do anything you ask him to.”