Happy Mother's Day CHIEFLAND Thursday, May 9, 2019 Proudly servingITIZEN Chiefland and Levy County for 69 years C2 sections, 20 pages Volume 70, Number 9 www.chieflandcitizen.com Chiefland, FL 32644 $.75 Pillars in the community Chiefland Chamber of Commerce issues top annual awards at banquet SEAN ARNOLD/Citizen LEFT: Barbara Snow accepts the Citizen of the Year award from Chamber President Lewissa Mainwaring. RIGHT: Sheriff Bobby McCallum is first honoree for the new First Responder of the Year award. SEAN ARNOLD nity who is going above and beyond, It currently boasts around 35 employ- es its employees to be active in the Editor from school functions to community ees, including three logging crews, 10 community, and with that being said, events. truck drivers, three mechanics and Ken and Lynetta lead by example,” hree major honors were “(Snow) gives tirelessly to support four office employees. Lott said. the subject of the Greater bringing awareness, honor and mem- Lott detailed the Griners’ involve- Forester Eric Handley and Korey TChiefland Area Chamber of ory to our nation’s hero dogs to make ment in organizations inside and Griner accepted the award on behalf Commerce Awards Banquet on May a meaningful difference in the lives outside the industry, such as the of the company. 2, making this year’s edition a big of all hero dogs.” Log A Load For Kids program, which “Korey and I are the future of the draw. Hosted at Haven in Chiefland In addition to Snow’s volunteer helps provide care for children whose business and we’re just trying to con- with a slew of door prizes and an work for the U.S. War Dogs Associa- parents can’t afford medical treat- tinue down a path that was set for us auction hosted by Daniel Jerrels, the tion, Mainwaring pointed to Snow’s ment. Ken Griner recently served as and serve our community,” Handley banquet combined the 2018 Citizen lifetime work of animal advocacy president of the Cattleman’s Associa- said. “It’s people of the community of the Year and the 2018 Business of as director of Humane Societies and tion and Lynetta was the first woman that help keep us in business this the Year awards and for the first time work with animal control services, president of the Florida Forestry long and give us this opportunity.” added the First Responder of the Year along with her involvement with Association. Griner thanked and highlighted award. pairing retired working dogs with vet- “Usher Land and Timber encourag- Usher’s employees, saying it feels The funds raised from the auction erans and a program that helps ease go to a children’s backpack food pro- children’s fears of working dogs. See ROAD Page 2B gram and a scholarship fund support- After thanking the Chamber, Snow ed by the Chamber. kept her comments brief, putting the The Chamber also presented the attention back on the animals that family of Betty Walker a special fuel her passion. plaque for the late Chiefland Mayor’s “I could say it all in one sentence: “many years of dedication, caring when we pause to remember our and generosity to the community of heroes – and we should remember Chiefland, Chiefland.” Walker passed our heroes – let us also remember our in February after serving seven terms heroes with paws.” as mayor and more than 15 years on Ben Lott introduced the Business the City Commission. of the Year, Usher Land and Timber, The Citizen of the Year award went briefly outlining its history and the to a tireless advocate for working ser- extensive community involvement vice dogs, Barbara Snow, who is the by its owners, Ken and Lynetta Usher executive director for the Southern Griner. The couple took over its oper- Region of the U.S. War Dogs Associa- ations in 1989 after the tragic death tion, Inc. of Lynetta’s brother, Tommy, in a “This year, we reached out to the boating accident. The timber and cat- community to find a citizen of the tle business, which, under E.T. Usher, year,” said Lewrissa Mainwaring, evolved from a turpentine business in president of the Chiefland Chamber. the early 1900s and a logging busi- “We found that choosing a winner ness on its current property in the from a group of such outstanding 1940s, has since been selected South- SEAN ARNOLD/Citizen citizens has been difficult. It’s hard east Logger of the Year, in 2010, and ABOVE: Ken Griner, left, Korey Griner, middle, and Lynetta Griner accepted the Business not to find someone in our commu- National Logger of the Year, in 2013. of the Year award for Usher Land and Timber. BOTTOM: Shirly Smith accepts an honor for her late sister, Betty Walker. “more like a family than a business.” qualities of chivalry, including “cour- CHIEFLAND Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCal- age, honor, courtesy, justice and ITIZEN lum was presented the first-ever First readiness to help the weak.” C Responder of the Year award, and Allen noted McCallum’s 34-year 624 W. Park Ave was taken by surprise. career in law enforcement and many Chiefland, Fl 32626 “I thought i was coming to offer ac- of his other community activities, in- colades to Ken and Lynetta and Usher cluding his work with the First United Phone: 352-493-4796 Land and Timber and Miss Barbara Methodist Church and Sheriffs Ranch- (Snow), who is a very close supporter es Enterprises and formerly serving of ours through our canine program,” as a City Commissioner and Quarter- McCallum said. “I don’t know how back Club president as well as past this got pulled off and kept such a president of the Levy County Chapter secret. But I’m very appreciative and of the American Cancer Society. thankful. “His compassion and love for the “I accept this on my employees’ people of Levy County is exhibited bahelf, they’re the ones that make the daily,” Allen said. “You’ll never see ship go.” him not offer a handshake, a smile or When Chamber Vice President Ad#:000VXFT Date:04/03/19 Day:WED Size:5X3 Cust:80827Natasha Salesperson:792 Allen presented Last Edited the award, By:CDECKELMANN Pub:SPECIALSee AWARDS SERVICES Page Tag A3 Line:METAL ROOFshe said FRONT McCallum PAGE exhibitsColor Info:4COLOR the best 000VXFT - Page 1 - Composite 000VXFT 2A Chiefland Citizen Thursday, May 9, 2019 Talent Show Director Diana Child auctions Jake Smith performs off a cake at intermission. “Heaven Nor Hell” by Volbeat. Serenity Bohan performed “He Loves Me” and was accompanied on piano ‘This Is Me’ by M. Lanette Six. Annual Suwannee Valley Players show brings out Tri-County talent op talent competed for cash Tprizes and applause on May 4 at the 5th Annual Tri-County Talent Show hosted by the Suwannee Valley Players at the Chief Theater. From a robot chef to a perfor- mance of Danny Boy and a cake auction at intermission, the evening kept the crowd enter- tained. The event was directed by volunteer Diana Child. Junior Division Winners: Third place: Serenity Bohan $15 Second place: Aiden Van Bourgundien $25 First place: Aubrey Alford $50 Senior Division Winners: Second Place: Kayla Coffey $50 Nelson Crawford $50 First Place: M. Lanette Six $100 Enya Tapia $100 CITIZEN Photos by Suzette Cook Nelson Crawford performs “I Am What I Am” from La Cage Aux Folles. Alex Tapia and Sande Wilcox perform a dance routine to “You’re Gonna Be Okay.” Enya Tapia gets a hug from M. Lanette Six after Aubrey Alford won First Place in the both learned they tied for First Place in the Senior Junior Division singing “Hallelujah.” Division. Tapia performed “The Wizard and I” from Left, M. Lanette Six tied for First Place the musical Wicked. performing the skit “Robochef 2000.” The contestants and local talent sing “This Is Me” from the musical The Greatest Showman. Thursday, May 9, 2019 Chiefland Citizen 3A Chaplain a treasure at Chiefland flea market job requires them to work Fridays through Sundays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. “If you’re working weekends, it’s hard to attend a church ser- vice,” Brown says. I’m here if they need anything,” he adds. “If people need prayer,” I’m here. Brown says he never interferes during a sale as he makes his way through the market. He is soft spoken but friendly and easy to approach. “I don’t bring a ser- mon, but I go around to everybody in the flea market.” Before he joined the flea market team, Brown served as chap- lain at Levy County Jail for six years. Now he is a volun- teer who might hand you a bright orange card that reads, “Did you know ? That God Loves You!” And when you open it, you’ll see words quotes from Johns 3:16, Romans 6:23, Luke 13:3, John 14:6, Acts 16:31 and a prayer plus his contact information. SUZETTE COOK/Citizen “We are a very re- Chaplain Dick Brown has been serving the customers and vendors at the Chiefland Farmer’s Flea Market for seven years. ligious market,” Flea Market Manager Lydia SUZETTE COOK there.” every weekend. ed on the wall like a ding. Griffeth says. “We serve Reporter Chiefland Farmer’s On a typical Satur- prehistoric trophy. Or For Brown it’s about the Lord here every Flea Market Chaplain day morning he might maybe he’s helping a making sure that no- day.” “If they have a funer- Dick Brown says he be hanging out in a couple who works at body feels disconnected And Brown, who al, I’m there.