new new North Florida CYAN U U YELLOW MAGENTA Even Odd BLACK Today’s Weather A reminder about the 64/46 Manna House Angel Tree! The Manna House Angel Tree is now at Thriftway. For more weahter, Please stop by and pick a boy or girl angel, “from visit our Web site at www.nflaonline.com our county.” See details, Page 3A. nflaonline.com Mayo Lafayette ACD Elementary Letters School first and second grade letters, Free Press to Santa Pages 6-7A. Vol. 121, No. 41 USPS 334-600 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2009, Lafayette County, Florida 2 SECTIONS 32 PAGES 50¢ Weather EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION delays Christmas Mayo company parade Rescheduled for Saturday lends a hand Due to the bad weath- er and standing water in the Mayo Park, it was necessary to cancel the Christmas Parade on Sat- urday. The parade and entertainment have been rescheduled in the park for this Saturday, Dec 19. Line-up will be at 6 The team worked around the clock to con- p.m. and the parade will struct the new home. begin promptly at 7. Anyone wishing to en- ter the contest for the best float must submit a form, which may be ob- tained from the Chamber of Commerce (294-2705), The Wagstaffs’ new home, thanks to the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” team and donations by the Main Street Restau- businesses such as Mayo Truss. - Courtesy photos rant (294-3663) or the Dust Catcher (294-2482). Extreme Makeover: Home Edition airs Sundays on ABC. As previously An airdate for this episode has not been announced. planned, there will be food vendors, petting “Our business By Stephenie Livingston Pennington and the design zoo, train rides, live en- feels we have [email protected] team, along with others in tertainment with Christ- been blessed the Gainesville community mas music, as well as during a tough ast week Mayo rebuilt a home that was “lit- karaoke for anyone who erally crumbling around economic time. Truss donated the desires to sing or play an trusses for an Ex- them,” according to an Ex- instrument We saw this treme Makeover: treme Makeover press re- And, of course, Santa project as an HomeLL Edition build in lease. Claus will be at the park opportunity to Gainesville. Company em- Trusses donated by Mayo Truss being in- for photos with the chil- give back. The ployees, as well as other lo- SEE MAYO, PAGE 10A stalled. dren after the parade. entire Mayo cal businesses, donated their Bring the family, enjoy Truss team labor and materials. the season, the food and College sweethearts Tobin the music. feels grateful to and Jill Wagstaff, of Sponsored by the have had the Gainesville, started their Lafayette County Cham- opportunity to own non-profit music school ber of Commerce. help in building to provide an arts education a safe and that would be available for functional home everyone, including those that will allow with financial limitations or LCVFD disabilities. After dedicating the Wagstaffs all their time and resources gets to continue to to the school, little was left support the for the major, and necessary, combat arts.” repairs needed to their - Wayne Hamlin home. Last week, Extreme flag Mayo Truss Makeover team leader Ty Gibson donated musical equipment for the family’s new studio. The Lafayette County Volunteer Fire Depart- ment and Lafayette Lafayette High FBLA County Rescue were re- cently presented with an American flag flown on a helps make miracles combat mission in sup- Submitted backgrounds can receive port of Operation Endur- Lafayette High School treatment for every ing Freedom 9/11 in Future Business Leaders imaginable disease and Afghanistan on August of America hosted Walk- injury-from asthma and 15, 2009. This was from ing For Miracles, a walk- broken bones to cancer the United States Caval- a-thon to benefit Chil- and heart defects. Chil- ry Troopers of 7th dren’s Miracle Network dren’s hospitals are also Squadron, 17th US Cal- recently. FBLA members on the front lines of re- vary Regiment, 101st walked more than 100 search, education and Airborne Division, (Air laps to raise money to outreach programs that Assault), Death Rides a donate to this worthy keep millions of kids out Pale Horse. cause. of the hospital each year. In the photo that ac- Donations to Chil- companied the flag are dren’s Miracle Network SEE LAFAYETTE, PAGE 10A the two pilots who flew create miracles by fund- this flag and the third is ing medical care, re- Michael Hawkins search and education (proudly wearing the that saves and improves the lives of 17 million SEE LCVFD, PAGE 10A children each year. Every child deserves the hope and healing of chil- dren’s hospitals. With the help of a Children’s Miracle Network hospi- For Kids 12 & Under Members of the LHS chapter of Future Business Leaders of America raised mon- tal in their community, No Purchase Necessary Must Present Coupon ey for Children’s Miracle Network recently. - Courtesy photo children of all ages and Limit 1 Per Person 540661lcv Lafayette County’s news source since 1888. We’re proud to serve! Odd Even U CYAN U YELLOW new MAGENTA new BLACK new new North Florida CYAN U U YELLOW MAGENTA Even Odd BLACK PAGE 2A ~ THE MAYO FREE PRESS, Mayo, FL THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2009 There Are No “Holiday Hours” For Social Security’s Online Services OBITUARY can handle your holiday If you are already a So- for you. All times are information for specific shopping and planning cial Security beneficiary, Eastern Standard Time groups, news and press Betty Jean Windham with one less time con- you can go online to and some online services releases, and even videos straint or worry - and change your address, have extended hours. and public service an- Betty Jean Windham, one less “shopping line” phone number, or your You can find the individ- nouncements. You can 75, of Mayo, Fl passed to wait in. direct deposit informa- ual operating hours for find it all at HYPER- away on Tuesday, De- Some of the services tion, get a replacement different online services LINK “http://www.so- cember 8, 2009, after a available online at HY- Medicare card, or re- atcialsecurity.gov” short illness. The Live PERLINKquest a proof of income www.socialsecurity.gov So remember: while Oak, Fl native moved to “http://www.socialse- letter. /onlineservices banks and other offices Mayo, Fl in 1996 from curity.gov” include: Social Security’s on- In addition to these in- in the private sector and Olustee, Fl. Mrs. Wind- Applying for retire- line services are avail- teractive services, there in government are closed ham was a customer ser- ment or disability bene- able each work day from is a wealth of informa- for the holidays, Social vice representative for By Donna Maitland fits; 5 a.m. until 1 a.m.; on tion available 24 hours a Security’s online office is South Trust Bank, a vol- Social Security District Checking the status of Saturdays, from 5 a.m. day on our website that open and ready to assist unteer for Lafayette Manager, Gainesville, Fl your pending applica- until 11 p.m.; and on can help answer your you. To see a complete Health Care for three If you are one of the tion; Sundays from 8 a.m. un- questions and get you list of online services, years and an active mem- many Americans who Getting an instant, til 10 p.m. And the on- the information you visit HYPERLINK ber of the New Hope may have to conduct personalized estimate of line services are avail- need, including fre- “http://www.socialse- Baptist Church, Mayo, business with Social Se- your future retirement able even on federal hol- quently asked questions, curity.gov/onlineser- Fl. curity over the holiday benefits using the Retire- idays - including Christ- publications and forms, vices” She is survived by one season, it’s good to ment Estimator; and mas and New Year’s daughter: Jeanne Perme- know that you can use Applying for extra Day - from 5 a.m. until nter, Mayo, Fl; two sons: our online services with- help for Medicare pre- 11 p.m. So if you have Laurence Windham, out having to worry scription drug plan costs business to take care of CHRISTMAS PROGRAM Bristol, Va and Nivin about opening or closing available to some benefi- during the holidays, our AT BETHEL CREEK - Windham, Olustee, Fl; times. That means you ciaries. online services are here eight grandchildren and You’re invited to join us in celebrating the three great-grandchil- birth of our Savior on Sunday evening, Dec. 20, 6 dren. p.m. Funeral services were Following the Christmas presentation, there held 11 a.m. Saturday, LIVING PLANTS, will be a time of fellowship with cookies and December 12, 2009 at the punch. A GIFT New Hope Baptist Church Mayo, Fl with REMEMBERED! Rev. Charlie Walker offi- I’ve never met anyone that doesn’t ciating. Interment fol- have at least one plant memory. lowed in the New Hope Building a fort in your favorite tree, Cemetery. In lieu of your Grandma’s sweet smelling flowers family wish do- roses, picking grapes as a child or planting a spring garden with your nations to be made to the Dad. All of these memories bring You want the most in-depth coverage, New Hope Baptist back warm feelings of persons or Church Building Fund, places that we love. This Christmas the latest news and stories that touch home. Mayo, Fl start your own memory by giving a We want to give it to you.