Beautification-minded town officials have searched for years for some way to hide the ugly thick clumps of overhead utility lines that line Main Street. The subject re-surfaced at last week’s Madison Town Council meeting, but a solution remained elusive. 

Now that the presidential election is over, we should heed the calls for unity from both President-Elect Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain. This is needed not just nationally, but in Madison County as well. No matter how your political tastes run, we all need to work together to overcome the big challenges of the day. And while it’s fine to experience the joy of a new president’s inauguration, you should temper that with the realization that he inherits many weighty problems that will not likely all be solved quickly.

The Madison County Eagle features a special full-color keepsake commemorative page entitled, “Madison cheers Obama win,” in its Nov. 13 edition. The page features images of Madison County residents celebrating the historic election of the first-ever African-American U.S. president.

Democratic Sen. Barack Obama captured the most votes in Virginia and nationwide to win the Nov. 4 U.S. presidential election, but he came in second in Madison County. His Republican opponent, Sen. John McCain, received more Madison votes – 3,758 – to Obama’s 2,862. (This is according to unofficial results from the Madison County Registrar’s Office.)

Would you like to see bike lanes in Madison County? Or more carpooling opportunities to improve your daily commute? Officials are reaching out to area residents to find out how they feel their travel within the county and the surrounding area could be improved.

The blanket of bright green that has covered Madison County throughout the summer is giving way to shades of red, orange and yellow. “What I’m hearing and seeing is that fall color will be good this year,” said Madison County Extension Agent Adam Downing. 

UPDATE
Madison County (4-0, 0-0) defeated Page County 21-14 in Sept. 26 homecoming football action at Eddie Dean Field.

Friday’s Madison County-Page County football game caps Madison County High School’s annual homecoming celebration.This year, something new is being added to the mix—a 5:30 p.m. pre-game community family tailgate party. Families are encouraged to bring grills and related picnic items to the back (south) parking lot of MCHS and tailgate.

UPDATE
Madison County again demonstrates its superiority over Culpeper and Orange counties, amassing the most points in the Tri-County Track Meet Saturday to retain control of the annual event’s covered Winner’s Trophy for the third straight year.

I’m back again because of a request from one of my friends and an Eagle reader, with a heads up on mouse catching and an ongoing mystery that I don’t expect to solve anytime soon.When last I wrote, I had caught/murdered/put out of their misery four nasty little mice. The day I delivered my guest column to our faithful and talented editor of The Madison County Eagle, Don Richeson, a profound mystery occurred in the same cutlery drawer that I had previously alluded to in my column.

As temperatures cool and farmers prepare for the fall harvest, a new Madison County winery will open its doors for the first time. Sweely Estate Winery – which recently changed its name from Acorn Hill Winery – is putting the finishing touches on its 16,000-square foot hospitality center, which will include a tasting room and a banquet hall. The winery expects to open soon with a grand opening event set for October.

BREAKING NEWS
The Music on the Lawn series concert set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28 will be at a different location than usual, due to the lingering rain that continues to blanket Madison County as the remnants of Tropical Storm Fay move through the area. The concert, featuring the group Whiskey Rebellion, will be at American Legion Post 157’s meeting hall at 310 Thrift Road in downtown Madison.

Everyone sometimes has a beef with what they see and hear in “the media.” But for me, the week before last was exceptionally bizarre. On Friday of the week before last (Aug. 8), I was able to scoot out of the office early enough – as I had eagerly intended — to catch the broadcast of the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony. I made it home in time to even catch the national news broadcast just before it.

School resumes for Madison County public school students Aug. 20. The Eagle gives an overview of what the new school year has in store for students, plus follows with a complete list of Madison County school bus schedules.

A big professional wrestling match is coming up. At Madison Square Garden in New York City? Maybe on the strip in Las Vegas? No – the Young Farmers site in Madison, Va.