115 Simpson Street is under construction to regain its small town charm again.

The house was leased just recently to a new arrival to the Jefferson County area, Liz Hewins, from Massachusetts. She says she fell in love with the house before even seeing it. The description by realtor Sandy Patterson, with United Country Monticello Realty, was enough for her, and she "wasn't misled either."

UCMR has been managing the rental property for Payne for the last couple of months. "In keeping up with the small town charm, and neighborhood homes, we are helping the owner with the renovation of this house and his other local properties," says Patterson. All local contractors have been hired to do the renovations, from painting to replacing beams on all the properties. "We not only manage properties, we also locate the contractors and line up the work schedules," Patterson adds.

Bill Herman with Herman Contractors has been working on this property for some time now. There was a kitchen fire that needed some attention, as well as updating the wiring and adding GFI's. The original whole-house fan is in the ceiling, allowing the fresh air from open windows to be pulled up through the attic and out the soffits. The bottom beams have been replaced and the house has been shored up for stability. The windows were repaired, as they were all still in good condition and did not need replacing. The front and back porches and doors were scraped and painted a country turquoise blue, right down to the floors. The house sports a bright new sunflower yellow, making her stand out in a crowd.

Inside the house the rooms are painted in soft, warm colors. The kitchen has open cupboards to the high ceiling. An open doorway separates the dining room and living room. There are three spacious bedrooms... one will be used as an office/workroom; all connected by a hallway of sorts. And, the bathroom still holds on to its earlier days charm. The new renters have chose to decorate the home inside with a collection of antique furnishings, and the outside with flowers and greenery.

Herman delights in making the old look as good as new again. He enjoys fixing up houses that just need a bit of love and attention. As a matter of fact... he has started work on the brick house two doors up on Simpson Street.

Contact United Country Monticello Realty at 997-8900.

Area residents Julie and Ray O'Quinn are working hard at opening a local transition house here in an effort to help members of the community who have been recently incarcerated, and are in need of a fresh start in their lives. A transition house, a place for them to stay while they are getting back on their feet, will give them hope for a better future.

The O'Quinn's will offer to help these men by ministering to them and giving them jobs in Julie's Four Seasons Lawn Service business, and in Ray's fruit stand business. The men will be given a job and the promise of housing for up to 12-months.

The O'Quinn's are in the process of receiving certification through the District School of Ministry in Marianna, FL. and are looking forward to the challenge God has placed in their path. At this time they are looking for a location for the transition house.

Julie is originally from Illinois, and Ray is a county native. They are members of the Transforming Life Church Assembly of God in Lloyd, and are recipients of the Bible College scholarships offered at TLC, and discounted rates. They are also proud A/B students, and looking forward receiving their ordination certificates. They are working now on their internship, which is a one-year commitment. They have five years to go.

"Our mission right now is to raise money for a facility," says Julie. Julie and Ray have a soft spot in their Christian hearts for these men. "We want to help them. We understand where they come from and their situations, and are willing to do all we can for them," she adds.

Four Seasons Lawn Service is owned and operated by Julie O'Quinn. The business is servicing the Jefferson County and immediate areas. Jobs are needed now. If you are in need of lawncare and handyman services, workers are available and ready to work. Call 850-997-5707 or 850-509-2582 during daytime hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The vegetables sold on their veggie wagons are purchased from local growers and are fresh daily. They are located at Wag the Dog, on North Jefferson Street, and at various locations through out Monticello and Jefferson County.

Proceeds in part go to Transition Ministry. HELP FREE GOD'S PEOPLE.

"We have been reaching out to the community for help and support for those in need since March 25, 2007," adds Julie. "Our objective is not just to make money or work a job; this is an opportunity to minister and meet the needs of prayer, and introducing people to Jesus Christ. We want to bring the lost to the Lord."

Volunteer Chele Roberts paints the lower walls of the Monticello Opera House banquet hall, with help from local resident and Christ Episcopal Church member Andy Tellefsen. Roberts is chaperon to the students from Tennessee who came to volunteer in the Jefferson County community.

"We just could not have gotten this work done without their help and the donations from the community," says Monticello Opera House Director Lisa Reasoner. The Opera House set up a fundraising effort during its annual membership meeting for paint and supplies that would be needed for this week of working and volunteering at the Opera House.

The students painted the banquet hall, oiled and cleaned the woodwork in the stairwell and balcony areas of the playhouse hall.

M&R Construction and Siding Contractors and Owners Rodney Roberts and Mitchell Morgan; Residential and Commercial Construction, Lic. #CBC1256821.

Together, and with construction crews as needed, they build and remodel just about anything, anywhere within reason; residential and commercial construction. They do new construction, additions, decks, replacement windows, screen rooms, soffits and fascia, vinyl, wood, fiber cement siding, minor and major repairs, and building houses. Very little of their contracted work is subcontracted out: plumbing, electrical, and the like. They get their hands dirty every day. They believe in "hands-on" in the work field.

Morgan and Roberts are brothers-in-law, married to the daughters of local resident Nikki Little. They are Jefferson County residents, and their children attend Aucilla Christian Academy.

Morgan has worked in the construction field all his adult life. He is married to Susan and has two young children. He spends most weekends and evenings with his family, enjoying ball games with his daughter. He moved to the Jefferson County area in 1995 from Woodville, FL, and attends Wacissa United Methodist Church. His hobbies include roping and Rodeo, though he doesn't do this as much as he'd like to anymore, and hunting deer during season, an interest he seems to be able to make time for!

Roberts is married to Monica, and is raising two teenagers. He's a lifelong resident of Jefferson County; his family roots are in the Waukeenah area. His hobbies include hunting... and more hunting! He spends most of his weekends and evenings at softball and baseball games with his boys. He plays ball himself, but not as much as he use too.

Call 850-251-6505 or 850-251-4588 for all your construction and repair wants and needs. They are licensed and insured and available today.