MADISON LIVING THE GUIDE • AROUND TOWN • SHOPPING • OUT & ABOUT • SCHOOLS • DOWNTOWN
December 2023 madisonlivingmagazine.com
Turning pain into purpose A Discovery Middle School shooting survivor’s story
THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS: Downtown Madison store keeps magical tradition alive with “winter wonderland” Madison Living 1
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MADISON LIVING Sharing the stories that make Madison home! EDITOR John Few CONTRIBUTORS Bob Labbe Gregg Parker Erin Coggins Joshua Berry Maria Rakoczy Lee Marshall John Peck Mary Lynne Wright Brandy Booth Kassidy Wilkins MARKETING Donna Counts GENERAL MANAGER French Salter
CONTACT US Madison Living Magazine The Madison Record 7734 Madison Blvd. Suite 115 Huntsville, AL 35806 madisonlivingmagazine.com For story ideas, call John Few at 256-763-1150 or email john@themadisonrecord.com. To advertise, call Donna Counts at 256-714-7152. Madison Living is published monthly by Tennessee Valley Media, Inc. A one-year subscription to Madison Living is $30.79 for 12 issues per year. Single copies are available at select locations throughout the Madison area. To subscribe, call 256-772-6677. Copyright 2023
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Skating in the Park • All month • Big Spring Park in Huntsville • www.hsvmuseum.org The Huntsville Museum of Art will partner with Downtown Huntsville, Inc. this year for “Rockin’ Around the Rocket City Tree” featuring Skating in the Park. This is the 11th anniversary of Skating in the Park presented by Redstone Federal Credit Union. The outdoor ice-skating rink officially opened Nov. 17 and will be open through Jan. 7. Located directly behind the Huntsville Museum of Art in Big Spring Park, Skating in the Park will be open seven days a week, including holidays. Rink hours change at different points of the season and can be found at hsvmuseum. org. The rink will host special events throughout the season including Skate with Santa, DJ Nights presented by McDonald’s, Family Nights presented by DESE and First Horizon Bank, Hanukkah celebration, WZYP Turkey Bowl, a family-friendly New Year’s Eve, and more.
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Galaxy of Lights • Walking Nights: December 1-3, 16-24 / Driving Nights: December 4-15 & 26-31. Closed December 25 Huntsville Botanical Garden • www.hsvbg.org/galaxy Galaxy of Lights is a regional holiday tradition that takes place every November and December at the Huntsville Botanical Garden. For over 25 years, they have welcomed guests from near and far to explore the magnificent lights and enjoy the Garden when it’s decked for the holiday season. With both walking and driving experiences, Galaxy offers guests of all ages the chance to experience the magic, share in the tradition, and make memories together.
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Randolph School, the region’s only PK-12 independent college preparatory school, is located on two campuses in scenic Jones Valley. Greengate School at Randolph, the state’s only nationally accredited school by the Orton-Gillingham Academy, serves students with dyslexia in grades 1 - 8. Our school is an exciting and energetic place for students to learn Teachers to thrive, and families to be embraced. The Randolph Difference is more than a tagline; it’s an unwavering commitment to help students learn how to think, lead, and reach their full potential.
Living Christmas Tree
Dec. 14-17 • First Baptist Church of Huntsville www.fbchsv.org/lct
Schedule a tour today! Drake Campus (PK - 8) 1005 Drake Avenue SE Huntsville, AL 35802 Garth Campus (9 - 12) 4915 Garth Road SE Huntsville, AL 35802
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The Living Christmas Tree is a choral and orchestral presentation of Christmas music presented by First Baptist Church of Huntsville since 1984. It’s a spectacle of sight and sound including thousands of lights that brings a 39-foot Christmas tree to life. The presentation includes over 150 singers, a 50 piece orchestra and special guests. The special guest artist this year will be Dennis Parker, a member of Ricky Skaggs’ band Kentucky Thunder. The Living Christmas Tree will be held Dec. 14-17. For more information on this year’s Living Christmas Tree go to www.fbchsv.org/lct.
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Holiday Jazz at UAH •Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. UAH Student Services Center The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) Department of Music, Theatre and Film will present Holiday Jazz on Friday, Dec. 8, at 6 p.m. at the UAH Student Services Center. Tickets are $35 each and are available online. “Imagine a holiday night club,” says David Harwell, UAH Theatre director and professor. “It will be a warm festive event with nosh and libations in a casually elegant spot on campus where friends can gather after a hectic workweek and enjoy some great music. We are proud to share our love of jazz and holidays and family.” Holiday Jazz will feature the UAH Faculty Jazz Combo with the vocal stylings of Karen Young plus trumpeters Devin Underwood and Ken Watters, saxophonist Steve Motz, trombonist Billy Bargetzi, pianists Keith Taylor and John Miller, drummer Tom Branch, guitarist Josh Couts and bassist Nick Walker. They’ll present favorite holiday melodies in fun arrangements by Taylor and Couts. Trumpeter Conor Gilbert, trombonist Hector Herrejon, pianist Preston Jackson and drummer Luke Mantooth, all UAH students, will join the Faculty Jazz Combo on stage in a showcase of their talents. Students will also be highlighted in their own set performing some of their holiday favorites.
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Rocket City Christmas Light Show • All month • Toyota Field in Madison • www.TrashPandasChristmas.com The musically synchronized, drive-through Christmas Light Show returns for the fourth straight year and will have nearly one million lights on display. This year’s theme is set as “Santa’s Favorite Tales” with a nod to Jolly Ol’ St. Nick’s favorite tales & nursery rhymes like the Gingerbread Man, Goldilocks, Humpty Dumpty, Snow White, and many more! Admission price includes access inside Toyota Field’s Winter Wonderland (open select nights, schedule at TrashPandasChristmas.com).
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Winter Park • All month • The Orion Amphitheater at MidCity in Huntsville • www.orionhuntsville.com
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Star of Bethlehem • U.S. Space & Rocket Center • www.rocketcenter.com Experience the wonders of the season as we explore the Star of Bethlehem in an astronomical context. Balancing both science and religion, we’ll explore theories on what celestial phenomenon may have led the Magi to the Nativity more than 2,000 years ago. It will be shown Dec. 15, Dec. 21, Dec. 22, and Dec. 23, at 7 p.m. and Dec. 30 at 4 p.m.
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Visit your local Xfinity Store at: 320 The Bridge St., Huntsville, AL 35806 Offer ends 12/21/23. Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. Offer requires enrollment in both automatic payments and paperless billing with bank account. Without enrollment, the monthly service charge automatically increases by $10 (or $5 if enrolling with credit or debit card information). The discount will appear on your bill within 45 days of enrolling in automatic payments and paperless billing. If either automatic payments or paperless billing are subsequently cancelled, the $10 monthly discount will be removed automatically. New residential customers only. Limited to Connect More 200 Mbps Internet. Equipment, installation, taxes and fees and other applicable charges extra, and subject to change during and after the term contract. After 24 months, or if any service is cancelled or downgraded, regular charges apply. Comcast’s service charge for Connect More Internet is $82/mo. (subject to change). Service limited to a single outlet. May not be combined with other offers. Mobile: Requires residential post-pay Xfinity Internet. Line limitations may apply. Equip., intl. and roaming charges, taxes and fees, including reg. recovery fees, and other charges extra, and subj. to change. $25/line/mo. charge applies if Xfinity TV, Internet or Voice post-pay services not maintained. Pricing subject to change. In times of congestion, your data may be temporarily slower than other traffic. Reduced speeds after use of monthly data included with your data option. Data thresholds and savings may vary. For Xfinity Mobile Broadband Disclosures visit: www.xfinity.com/mobile/policies/broadband-disclosures. $20 Unlimited Mobile discount: Must sign up for Xfinity Mobile Unlimited and activate a new line within 90 days of internet order and maintain the line to receive $20 mobile discount for 24 months. Discount applied to Xfinity Internet bill and will appear on statement within 30 days of Xfinity Mobile Unlimited line activation. If Xfinity Internet or Xfinity Mobile is cancelled, Xfinity Mobile Unlimited is switched to By the Gig, or Xfinity Internet service is downgraded within 24 months, the $20 discount will be removed. Internet: Actual speeds vary and not guaranteed. For factors affecting speed visit www.xfinity.com/networkmanagement.
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THE GUIDE
Christmas Time with The Beasley Brothers • Dec. 9 • 7 p.m. • James Clemens High School Auditorium • thebeasleybrothers.com The Nashville based country/rock duo from Madison returns to their home of North Alabama every year to put on a Christmas show like none other in town! The show is family-friendly and features Christmas classics, the Brothers’ original Christmas music, and special guests from the local music scene. Get your tickets now for Christmas Time with The Beasley Brothers! For tickets, go to www.tickettailor.com/events/ thebeasleybrothers/991070.
The HOLIDAYS ARE HERE at the PRINCESS! The Flashbacks Tues, Dec 05 2023 Film: Die Hard Wed, Dec 6
20 Madison Living
2023 Singer Songwriter Series: Channing Wilson and Chris Canterbury Thu, Dec 14
2023 Film: Elf Thu, Dec 21
A T.O.W. Family Christmas The Night It All Changed Fri, Dec 15
2023 Film: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Fri, Dec 22
Flying Dog Circus Sat, Dec 16
2023 Film: White Christmas Sat, Dec 23
2023 Film: The Santa Clause
Lorrie Morgan’s Enchanted Christmas Thu, Dec 7
Also, get your picture with Santa! Sponsored by the Wright Bunch
The Nutcracker Presented by Dancer’s Inc Sat, Dec 9
2023 Film: The Grinch Sun, Dec 17
2023 Film: A Madea Christmas Tue, Dec 12
2023 Film: Home Alone Tue, Dec 19
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e m Colay p h t i w us!
EarlyWorks Children's Museum provides innovative, interactive experiences that inspire creativity thrOUJlh discovery and learning, utilizing hands-on exhibits, community programs and events.
Nights of Santa • Dec. 12-23
EarlyWorks Children’s Museum • www.earlyworks.com Nights of Santa is set to return to EarlyWorks Children’s Museum this moonth, bringing with it all the magic of the holiday season. From Tuesday, Dec. 12 through Saturday, Dec. 23, children are invited to visit with Santa Claus and enjoy an immersive holiday experience in downtown Huntsville. During Nights of Santa, the jolly old elf himself will be on hand each night to listen to children as they share their wish lists. No visit with Santa would be complete without meeting his North Pole elves and helping them spread holiday cheer. Additional family-friendly activities adding to the whimsical fun include nightly snowfalls, making holiday crafts, a holiday themed experiment in the all-new Tinker Lab, mingling with costumed characters, decorating a fresh made gingerbread cookie, mailing letters to Santa and shopping in Santa’s gift shop. Kids will have plenty of room to play and enjoy the spirit of the season. Nights of Santa will be held nightly starting at 5 p.m. on weeknights, 3 p.m. on Saturday and noon on Sunday at EarlyWorks Children’s Museum, located at 404 Madison Street SE in downtown Huntsville. All tickets must be pre-purchased online at www.earlyworks.com. This is a timed entry event and tickets will sell out fast. Tickets for Nights of Santa are $12 per person for the general public and $10 per person for members of EarlyWorks Museums. Admission is free for children under one year old. For more information, visit www.earlyworks.com.
Located in downtown Huntsville, EarlyWorks offers a great menu of holiday season activities for your family. Visit with Santa or take an old-fashion lantern tour!
Check out the full holiday • • schedule at: •
www.EarlyWorlcs.com [!l
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Tinsel Trail - Big Spring Park takes on a holiday glow with over 300 elaborately decorated trees. Enjoy a festive stroll through the park. Stop to watch the ice skaters. Enjoy a hot beverage or purple cup drink along the way. Create a full experience by adding dinner at one of downtown Huntsville’s many restaurants.
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Christmas at Burritt on the Mountain • various events throughout the month • www.burrittonthemountain.com Burritt on the Mountain is a fascinating place to visit regardless of the season, but there is just something extra special about Christmas on the mountain. It is a very festive place to visit during the holidays. From the beautiful mansion decorated with a variety of Christmas trees, to the grounds, cabins and old church that are decked out for the holidays, this is a must-see during the Christmas season. Burritt also hosts several special events during the holidays, and one of their favorite traditional holiday events is back. The Burritt on the Mountain Candlelight Christmas 2023 will be held Dec. 1 and 2, 5-9 p.m. Burritt comes alive with the sights, sounds and smells of a traditional Christmas. Cabins are decorated with historic ambiance and the sounds of traditional music fill the air throughout the park. String cranberries and popcorn, make paper punch ornaments, create handmade cards and ice cookies to kickoff the holiday season.
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The Holiday Magic Dinners will be held Dec 5-10. This is one of Burritt’s most important and magical fundraisers. Guest enjoy a holiday dinner in the upscale atmosphere of the Burritt Mansion or the family style warmth of the cabins in the historic Park. Of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas at Burritt on the Mountain with the Sanders Family Christmas, Dec. 13-17. Southern Rogue Theatre Company and Burritt on the Mountain pair together to bring this traditional favorite to the community. This famous sequel of Smoke on the Mountain returns to the Old Country Church at Burritt on the Mountain. You’ll return to Mount Pleasant, North Carolina, on Christmas Eve of 1941. Reverend Oglethorpe has invited the Sanders to the Baptist Church to sing and witness, thereby getting the congregation into the down-home holiday spirit before the boys ship off to World War II. The congregation will hear Christmas carols, and hilarious yuletide stories from the more or less devout Sanders family members.
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A Christmas Carol December 1-3 and 7-10 • VBC Playhouse www.fantasyplayhouse.org.
Following this wild adventure, FPCTA presents a new adaptation of the Huntsville holiday staple, Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” -- adapted and directed by Cherie Evans. Huntsville’s most beloved family holiday tradition returns to the Fantasy Playhouse stage for the 33rd year this December. Take a trip in time through the past, present, and future with the miserly Mr. Scrooge, three Christmas Spirits, and all the whimsical characters of London town. With more theater magic than ever before, this Charles Dickens classic will delight all ages as an inspiration to keep Christmas in our hearts all year long. THEATER ARTS TRAINING | AGES 3-ADULT
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Madison Polar Express Christmas on Main Tree Trail
Celebrate the season in the city of Madison By Mayor Paul Finley City of Madison
T
‘Tis the season to be jolly, and the City of Madison has plenty of events and sights to see this holiday season! Local groups and organizations rally at this time of year, embracing the charm of our Historic Downtown. Take a stroll down Main Street, and you’ll feel like you’re on a Hallmark movie set. Throughout the month of December, the City invites residents and guests to celebrate the holidays with family-friendly events and activities for all ages to enjoy.
Madison Polar Express Christmas Trees on Main Street Friday, Dec. 1 Starting at 5:30 p.m. Sponsored by the City of Madison and the Madison Station Historic Preservation Society, enjoy the Polar Express Christmas Tree Trail has become a favorite among residents visiting downtown. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with the Madison Arts Alliance hosting Christmas ornament decorating, and our Madison Chamber of Commerce leading kids
Madison Living 29
Madison Christmas Parade
on a glowstick parade with their letters to Santa. Our Madison Public Library will also read The Polar Express to the audience while the Madison Community Orchestra serenades the crowd. Hot Chocolate and cookies will be provided by our local Rotary Club, and Madison Visionary Partners will be positioned on Garner Street for Snowflake Alley. I will proudly light the trees after 6pm, and kids can visit Santa in the Silver Ornament.
The Madison Christmas Parade Saturday, Dec. 9 at 5 p.m. One of my personal favorites of our tried and true traditions, the Madison Christmas Parade. This year’s theme is “Santa’s Workshop.” I look forward to the creative floats and participants every year. Grab a spot along Hughes Road and enjoy the show!
2023 Madison Christmas Capers Saturday, Dec. 16 at 4 p.m. Sponsored by the City of Madison and the Madison Station Historic Preservation Society, this event features history and hilarity of our small town! During years of the Great Depression in the early 1930s, ‘Doc’ Hughes started a holiday tradition dubbed the “Christmas Chicken Capers.” On Christmas Eve, Hughes would toss live chickens from the roof. The chickens had tags attached to their legs, and people could redeem the tags for prizes in Hughes’ store. Nowadays, Madison Roundhouse Christmas Open House Doc Hughes’ grandsons toss rubber chickens with and Madison Christmas Concert prize tags donated by local merchants. Gather in front Sunday, Dec. 10 Christmas Roundhouse Open House on Front Street of Hughes Drugstore on Main Street to catch one of Sponsored by the Madison Station Historic Preserva- the flying capers! Madison truly shines during this season, and we tion Society begins at 3pm and wraps at 4:30pm. Across the way, the Madison City Community Orchestra will hope to see you enjoying the festivities. May you and perform a Holiday Concert at Madison United Method- yours have a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday ist Church starting at 5 p.m. Enjoy all your favorite holi- season. - Madison Mayor Paul Finley day tunes with a talented group of musicians. 3rd Annual Madison Wassail Fest Friday, Dec. 1 Along Main, Martin and Church Streets Immediately following the Polar Express Tree Lighting, come enjoy samples of our Downtown Merchants’ best wassail recipes, vote for the best, register for door prizes and shop! This tradition is sponsored by the Shoppes of Historic Downtown Madison and sure to warm cold hands and bellies!
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EVENTS
CHRISTMAS CAPERS
The history behind one of the most unusual Christmas events held each year in the Tennessee Valley STORY BY MARIA RAKOCZY PHOTOS BY JOHN FEW
Madison Living 31
C
Chickens flying off a rooftop may not be the tradition that immediately comes to mind when you think of Christmas, but in Madison, it’s a nearly one-hundred-year-old tradition beloved by locals that spreads Christmas cheer and gifts to the streets of Madison. The tradition, known as the Madison Christmas Capers, is believed to have originated in the late 1920s or 1930s by local drugstore owner Doc Hughes. Hughes would climb atop his drugstore in downtown Madison on Christmas Eve and drop live guinea fowl from the roof to shoppers on the street below. The live birds, a type that could fly farther than the common chicken of today, added an element of excitement and surprise to the activity. Local historian John Rankin said, “That was what made it interesting is that there was a scramble. You couldn’t just stay in one place. You don’t know where they’re going to fly or for how far they’d fly.” One story even tells of one of the birds flying all the way across the street and causing a mob to chase after it, destroying a neighbor’s newly erected fence in the
32 Madison Living
process. The chickens were indeed highly sought-after prizes. Each bird had a small prize or a gift certificate to be redeemed at the drugstore attached to it, but in the Great Depression era, the bird was a prize in and of itself. Those lucky shoppers who managed to catch one of the flying chickens had secured Christmas dinner for themselves. Rankin explained, “What you need to know about small towns in those days was nobody had any money. They couldn’t afford anything, farmers in particular. This town was populated and grew its business by farmers. So, farmers of all races would come in for Christmas shopping once a year, usually on Christmas Eve.” He went on, “So, the chicken toss was the only hope they might have for somebody’s chicken other than their own to be killed for Christmas dinner. Otherwise, they might have cornbread and turnip greens for Christmas dinner. That’s all there was.” Hughes’ drugstore was one of the prime shopping
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A crowd gathers for the Madison Christmas Capers in the 1930s.
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spots for farmers from surrounding areas as it acted as a one-stop-shop, selling most everything except clothing. The Christmas chicken toss also perhaps added to Hughes’ good reputation as a trustworthy businessman, pharmacist, and later as mayor of Madison. “Doc had general toys and pharmaceutical stuff. That’s why he was the ‘doctor’. People could come in and get free doctor advice but he was not a doctor, but he knew everything. He had seen every illness. He talked to people who were doctors in town,” Rankin said. As to why Hughes started the tradition of the chicken toss, Rankin suggested, “He was a good businessman. He wasn’t just a pharmacist.” The tradition carried on for many years and even shifted venues from the drugstore to a water tower that once stood in downtown Madison. The event is believed to have continued well into the second half of the twentieth century until Hughes’ death in the 1970s, after which, it took a prolonged hiatus. Then, in 2019, in celebration of the city’s sesquicentennial, its 150th anniversary, the Christmas Capers was revived with the help of Rankin, Debbie Overcash, president of the Madison Station Historical Preservation Society, and Doc Hughes’ grandsons, Walt and Larry Anderson. “The mayor appointed John Rankin and I as chairmen of the sesquicentennial committee, and we arranged different activities each month in 2019, and it culminated with the reenactment of the Christmas Capers,” Overcash recalled. “We went to area businesses, the airport, and we got prizes valuing a little over, the first year, $4,000.” The sesquicentennial committee replaced the live chickens Hughes used to throw with twenty rubber chickens. Each rubber chicken has a num-
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The Madison Community Orchestra provides Christmas music during the event.
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ber attached to its leg that corresponds to a gift bag full of goodies and gift certificates from local businesses. The first reenactment was such a success that the tradition was picked up by the Madison Station Historical Preservation Society and has continued for the last four years, even getting creative and going virtual to keep the tradition alive during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, Overcash said, “It’s not something we plan on walking away from. It’s grown every year. Main Street is just packed with people.” Doc Hughes’ grandsons, who still own the Hughes drugstore building downtown, are also heavily involved in keeping their grandfather’s Christmas chicken toss alive. “Walt and Larry, like I said are Doc Hughes’ grandsons, get on top of the drugstore, and they kind of warm the crowd up by throwing Moon Pies, and then they start throwing chickens, and when you catch a chicken you just go get in line and then you get your prize,” Overcash explained. Though details about the chicken toss have changed in recent years, it has not failed to continue to bring the community together.
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According to Overcash, “The area businesses are very, very generous to us.” Each year, local businesses including Huntsville Airport, Brocks Jewelers, Belk, and more, contribute thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes to the capers. “The businesses are always very supportive of it,” Overcash said. Hot chocolate is served up for crowds by the Rotary Club and festive, live Christmas music is supplied by
the Madison City Community Orchestra. Downtown merchants are open for last-minute Christmas shopping, and Main Street is closed off for the hopeful crowds to fill the street and catch the flying rubber chickens. This year, Madison residents and visitors alike are invited to gather on Main Street and be a part of this unique, local tradition on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 4 p.m.
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The Nutcracker
Huntsville Ballet’s season continues with this timeless classic
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This year marks the 55th presentation of Huntsville Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker, and once again, Tchaikovsky’s timeless score will be performed by the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. The Nutcracker will be presented Dec. 8-10 in the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville. The production, featuring Huntsville Ballet Company’s entire roster of professional dancers, complemented by a cast of over 80 students from Huntsville Ballet School, will bring to life the treasured story of Clara and her Nutcracker prince. Together they defeat the Mouse King and his army and travel through dancing snowflakes to the Land of Sweets where they are entertained by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her court of magical characters. “We are extraordinarily grateful to be able to perform The Nutcracker with the Huntsville Symphony
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Orchestra. There’s something special about performing with a live orchestra. The audience can feel the energy,” said Huntsville Ballet’s Artistic Director, Phillip Otto. Huntsville Ballet’s opening performance of the season featured live musical accompaniment as will their presentation of Swan Lake, Acts II & IV in April. The Huntsville Ballet Guild will also host the 12th annual Nutcracker Ball on Dec 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the Stone Event Center on Campus No. 805 in Huntsville. For more information, visit bit.ly/NutcrackerBall. Showtimes and ticket information for The Nutcracker: · Friday, Dec. 8 - 7:30pm · Saturday, Dec. 9 - 2:00pm & 7:30pm · Sunday, Dec. 10 - 1:00pm To purchase tickets, visit www.huntsvilleballet. org/tickets or call 256.539.0961, or by email at companymanager@huntsvilleballet.org. About Huntsville Ballet Patrons from across Alabama and the Tennessee Valley travel to Huntsville to enjoy the artistry of Huntsville Ballet’s thirteen professional dancers, complemented by the work of pre-professional and junior company members and guest artists. In addition to The Nutcracker, audiences enjoy the art of classical ballet in performances such as Romeo and Juliet, The Firebird, and The Sleeping Beauty, as well as other dance genres featured in newer works such as Stage Door Canteen and The Tumbleweed Suite. Huntsville Ballet’s annual performance of The Nutcracker affords students from Huntsville Ballet School the opportunity to audition and perform alongside the professional company. Huntsville Ballet’s performances and community outreach programs are designed to appeal to a broad audience and bring the art of ballet to everyone from the ballet lover to those new to the experience. Huntsville Ballet Company and School operate under the umbrella of Community Ballet Association, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit member of the state and local Arts Councils.
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SHOPPING
CHRISTMAS MAGIC
Local shop creates an annual winter wonderland for Christmas STORY BY ERIN COGGINS PHOTOS BY CRISTIE CLARK
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Tucked in the back left corner of the store is truly a winter wonderland that will touch the hearts of any holiday shopper. It’s a highlight of the holiday season for downtown Madison’s Noble Passage Interiors and is referred to simply as the Snow Globe Room. Snow Globes grace every shelf in the room, giving off light and a low hum that just screams comfort and joy. Because these masterpieces are displayed in a small space, the impact is even more gratifying. “We try to dim the lights a little bit, so they make a bigger impact,” associate Rachel Masterson said. “A lot of times people have never seen this many snow globes together.” The snow globes encapsulate Santa and his reindeer, snowmen, Nativity scenes, ballerinas dancing to the “Nutcracker”, the classic red truck and cardinals. These are not ordinary snow globes. Some are round. Some are captured in lanterns. Some are Christmas trees. Some are in square boxes. And one is in a crystal church with a simple wreath on its doors. “We try to get something for everybody,” Masterson
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said. “You have the Santa-only classic Christmas or snowmen people and those who are deer people or angel people. I think we have something for everyone in this room.” The store sold out of its snow globe inventory last year, so they increased the order this year to give customers more choice. Masterson says the crystal church snow globe is a local favorite that sells out rapidly. “The first time we stocked that one, we only got six and within a week and a half they were all gone. And it wasn’t even December,” Masterson said. “We have five left now. We had a bunch of our entire inventory, but we are already getting low.” The snow globe or Schneekugel was invented by Austrian Erwin Perzy in the 19th century. A producer of surgical instruments, Perzy’s goal was to develop an extra bright light source for use as a surgical lamp. They became popular in the ’40s, during World War II, as holiday decor because of the tranquil feeling they project. The Snow Globe room provides just that tranquility. “We’ve had people come in and lie down on the floor
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Owner Deborah McDaniel
to soak up the tranquil feeling. We were like ‘Oh, okay.’ But he said he loved the room,” Masterson said. “People bring their kids in to see it and it’s just fun. We are always directing people to the Snow Globe room when they come in.” The snow globes are a little different than the average turn it over and watch it snow version. They have a built-in timer and a power adapter to save batteries, allowing them to shine brighter at all times of the day. Besides the lights, the snow globes give the room movement. Masterson says it’s this movement within the snow globes that makes them a great present for older people, or even the young, who just want some type of motion in their homes. She purchases them for her mother for that very reason. “She says that when she comes into the house, the snow globes make her relaxed and happy,” Masterson said. Whether you are looking for a gift that keeps on giving, holiday decor for your home or just want to take in a moment of holiday spirit, the Snow Globe room is a must-visit. And if you feel like lying on the ground to get the full experience, remember you are not alone.
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In addition to the Snow Globe room, the rest of the store is filled with beautiful Christmas decor. It can only be described as magical. That is what owner Deborah McDaniel feels when she thinks back on the time, she visited her grandfather in Chicago during the Christmas holidays. The family would take the train into the city to see the storefronts on Michigan Avenue—stores like Macy’s with elaborate displays. “My grandfather was an artist. He attended the Art Institute in Chicago,” McDaniel said. “His home was always decorated beautifully. We would get roasted chestnuts, hot cocoa, and walk down Michigan Avenue. It was magic.” That Christmas magic, the smells, the sights, and the feeling, is what McDaniel captures in her downtown shop, Noble Passage Interiors. “I want to capture that on a small scale. We do not have the large stores like Macy’s downtown, but we can still make children’s eyes twinkle,” McDaniel said. “I feel my shop feels magical and feels like childhood.” The storefront windows may not be as large as downtown Chicago, but McDaniel and her employees have represented a variety of holiday décor options in their windows. One is decorated in the tra-
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ditional red and green with Santa and his reindeer while the other represents the more spiritual side of the holiday with golds and Nativity scenes. “Decorating is so individual,” McDaniel said. “We like to cater to all tastes.” There is a reason customers come from as far away as Atlanta to purchase décor at the shop. McDaniel strives to make her store “feel like home.” The shop which has been open for 13 years has become a family tradition for some customers. “During the holidays, we see a lot of our clients bring in their families that are visiting,” McDaniel said. “Then those family members become repeat customers.” “Everybody who works in here loves Christmas,” McDaniel added. “One of my employees has Christmas music on her playlist and when she walks at the beach, she takes her walks listening to it. We could do Christmas all year long.” Noble Passage Interiors is located at 204 Main Street in downtown Madison. When in the area for the Madison Polar Express Christmas Tree Trail lighting, Wassail Fest or Christmas Capers, make sure you admire the storefront windows. They are beautiful, especially at night.
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....................... AROUND TOWN .......................
Christmas for the kids
...
Lee Marshall
Founder / CEO Kids to Love Foundation Kidstolove.org
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Close your eyes for a moment and imagine the best Christmas you experienced as a child. What was the one gift you wanted more than anything? A new bicycle? A dollhouse? Children in foster care want those same things, and then there are lists written by boys and girls whose most wanted wish is a new pair of shoes or a jacket. Kids to Love will grant Christmas wishes for 2,000 local children who live in foster care. Maybe they can’t go home for Christmas but with your help we can make Christmas feel a little bit normal. Maybe even magical. Isn’t that what every child deserves to experience
this season? If you’d like to be one of Santa’s elves this holiday, check out kidstolove.org We’ve listed everything you need to know about Christmas for the Kids, from which gifts our kids are asking for the most to where and when you can drop those off. There’s even an option to order online and have it shipped straight to us! The size of the gift doesn’t matter, just the size of your heart. On behalf of the Kids to Love team I want to thank you for spreading joy this holiday season. And from our family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas! Kidstolove.org
SPORTS
A HOLIDAY TRADITION
The running of the Rocket City Marathon celebrates 47th year STORY BY BOB LABBE
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Regarded as one of the best marathon race events in the country and voted by participating runners as the No. 1 road race in Alabama by Race Raves, the Rocket City Marathon celebrated its 47th annual running in early December. The annual trek through many parts of Huntsville has become affiliated with excellent planning, a marvelous army of volunteers, and rich Southern hospitality unlike anywhere in America. The huge responsibility of the enormous and complex coordination of putting on the annual sporting event falls directly on the shoulders of the husbandwife team of Dwayne and Dana DeBardelaben. Married since 2008 after meeting on E-Harmony, the dynamic duo took over the rein as race director in 2018 after the previous directors decided to vacate their positions after many years of heading up the top running event in the Huntsville community. “The Huntsville Track Club president Eric Fritz recruited us by sending an e-mail to Dana since she was a member of the marathon committee,” said Dwayne.
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“Dana actually laughed at first asking me if I was willing to direct the marathon. Dana and I went for a run and talked about the possibility of being race directors. We soon met with the track club and told them if we did accept the position we wanted to push for changes stressing more growth. Later that year (2018) we took over as race director and we added a half-marathon race to go along with the marathon.” The couple also made changes in 2022 in the form of adding a 5K and 10K on Saturday with incorporating two half-marathon races within the marathon now hosted on Sunday. “We succeeded to make this a weekend event and the City of Huntsville loves it,” added Dwayne. Dana and Dwayne are definitely not alone when it comes to going the extra distance in making the marathon more than just a race of 26.2 miles as it takes a beaucoup of coordinated organizations and volunteers to pull off the multi-complex event. The meshing of groups begins with the Huntsville Track Club,
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Race directors Dana and Dwayne DeBardelaben
which proudly organized the first marathon among the then-small running community in 1977. Recently, the Huntsville Sports Commission came on board as a big player in the formulation of how the event is hosted in Huntsville. The last 120 feet of the course, which leads to the finish line actually inside the South Hall of the Von Braun Center, is unique in its own sense, and Dwayne stated the management and staff of the Von Braun Center are great to work with. The Huntsville Mayor’s office has been a huge supporter of the efforts put forth for the marathon, which leads to traffic control provided by the Huntsville Police Department. The marathon committee of 30 looks to the extensive number of around 1,000 volunteers who are the backbone of the event. “What’s interesting is the fact a fair number of those volunteers are not super involved with the running community,” added Dwayne. “We receive enormous assistance from local boy scout troops, churches and some running programs. Everybody seems to be enthusiastic about supporting the marathon. We train them to prepare for the races as they fall under different committee heads.”
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The key sponsor for the marathon is the Huntsville Sports Commission. Local businesses also join in the sponsorship ledger. Included are SportsMED, which sponsors the half-marathons, Mission Driven Research has provided race T-shirts and Therapy South provides post-race stretching for those runners looking for assistance at race completion. The race course begins and ends in downtown Huntsville, but in between the two focal points, the course meanders through much of the old-town sections of Huntsville, the Space and Rocket Center and the Huntsville Botanical Gardens. “We have great relationships with those two extraordinary organizations,” said Dwayne. The cost of hosting a multi-day, multi-area event has risen sharply over the time frame of the five years since Dwayne and Dana took over as pilots of the marathon. This year, roughly $300,000 was spent on the festivities, most of which came from race registrations of over 2,000 participants. There is a 50-50 split on local runners and those traveling from outside the Huntsville Metro. “No one is paid connected to the operating the race,
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as we’re all volunteers,” said Dwayne. “It does take a tremendous toll on us and it consumes a lot of our personal time.” Dwayne retired from Dynetics two years ago, but six months later took a part-time engineering job with DSI as he works on a project for Lockheed Martin writing software. Dana, 54, works as a personal trainer specializing in triathlons. She also hosts spin and aqua fitness at both the Southeast and Downtown Huntsville locations of the YMCA. In addition to those endeavors, she is executive director of the non-profit Omni Kids Tri, helping youngsters financially unable to pay to be a part of triathlons. Besides co-directing the marathon, Dana currently directs three local children’s triathlons. The 59-year-old Dwayne ran track and cross country at Hewitt-Trussville High School and came to Huntsville while he attended UAH earning a degree in engineering while a member of the school’s first cross country team in 1982. At the time the team was a club sport but soon became a NAIAsanctioned sport. He earned a partial scholarship along the way. Dwayne also chose to earn a Divinity master’s degree became a pastor and followed the Lord for two years before exiting that profession. He also spent five years living in Minnesota before returning to the Tennessee Valley in 1998. Dana grew up in Arkansas and she and Dwayne met on E-Harmony in early 2007, met in person soon afterward and began dating, though Dana did not want to relocate. In June 2008, the longdistance relationship became even more entangled by the two getting married. Dana was working as an award-winning insurance adjuster and Dwayne was working in Huntsville causing the two to only see one another on weekends. They soon moved to Huntsville on a permanent basis in 2009. “I had quit running and just got fat, partially because I had a severe ankle injury and underwent surgery causing me not to be able to run,” said Dwayne. In December of that same year, the couple were traveling through downtown Huntsville and were stopped by traffic police. Dwayne added, “We were on Governor’s Drive and a stream of runners came by and Dana said ‘I want to do that.’” What they witnessed was the Rocket City Marathon. Dana soon became involved with the triathlon community through training programs at Huntsville’s Fleet Feet Sports. She enjoyed the complicated puzzle of the three-sport event and by 2011 ran her first Rocket City Marathon. Soon after,
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participated in the Ironman Triathlon competition at Lake Tahoe, and after hard work knocked off more than 3.5 hours her previous time in a similar Ironman in nearby Chattanooga. But Dwayne was yet in tune with Dana’s progression of being in excellent physical condition. “I became embarrassed with myself and I was determined to run and I spent months in weight training,” he said. “I ran for two years and participated in my own Ironman in Chattanooga.” The Rocket City Marathon showcases historic Huntsville and is a long-standing qualifier race for the Boston Marathon, but is also a magnificent showpiece for the entire Tennessee Valley. The weekend event features the 5K and 10K races on Saturday with a 7 a.m. start for the marathon, which features the first half half-marathon and a second half half-marathon incorporated with the main race. The second half half-marathon merges into the marathon on the UAH Campus. “A lot of runners love that idea as we have many couples join up at mid-race,” added Dwayne. “It’s a unique race you don’t see at other races.” The year-round work to coordinate such an undertaking is what Dwayne and Dana subject themselves to, but
they feel it’s well worth their efforts. The most difficult part of the race prep is surprising as Dwayne explained, “To be successful we need good promotion throughout the year. We visited other communities’ big running events and promoted our race. Dana and I became the faces of our marathon. We also advertise in Runner’s World Magazine.” Spectators along the course have always been a huge factor for participants receiving encouragement from the thousands cheering on the runners as they enjoy the local scenery and receive applause from complete strangers. The three-day extravaganza includes a Friday all-day Race Expo held at the VBC’s South Hall and is free to everyone. Saturday’s agenda again includes the all-day Expo, the 5K and 10K races and the annual Kid’s Marathon. The Sunday lineup features the 6:00 a.m. early start for those wishing to start the main race early, the 7:00 a.m. official start of the marathon, the marathon relay and the two half-marathons. At the conclusion of the races, participants and volunteers are treated to a post-race party inside the VBC. The Rocket City Marathon is a fixture in the immediate area and is most remembered for its Southern hospitality, fast course and an experience that will last a lifetime.
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PEOPLE
TURNING PAIN INTO PURPOSE A Discovery Middle School shooting survivor’s story STORY BY MARIA RAKOCZY PHOTOS BY JOSHUA BERRY
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Lyndsie Wade is an apprentice at Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. Personal encounters with Lyndsie make hard times just a little bit easier for family and friends of lost loved ones. Little may they know that her caring and attentive demeanor, which makes them feel loved and their family important, stems from a deep empathy formed by her own very close encounters with tragedy. It is no accident that Wade works in the funeral industry. It is a choice she has made after suffering two tragedies that exposed her firsthand to the pain of grieving a lost loved one. The Discovery Middle School Shooting in 2010 was her first encounter with tragedy. Feeling the pain and grief of watching the death of and losing a good friend and classmate became a soar reality. Wade was in ninth grade and present for that February day in 2010 when a student, Hammad Memon, opened fire in the school and took the life of another
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student, Todd Brown. She remembers that day vividly. “As I passed a crowd of kids circling around in a clutter in the ninth-grade hall I finally reached my locker retrieving my books for the last class of the day. Out of nowhere, what sounded like a pile of hardback books hit the floor and echoed through the halls. Then after a screeching cry, “He’s got a gun.” While students stampeded to a safe place, I dropped my backpack and froze as if I were in a state of paralysis. I was watching a friend of mine hit the cold, white, tile floor in slow motion,” Wade remembered. “The lockdown was obviously the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life. Not knowing what had truly occurred and how everything would play out was grueling. While being locked down in my biology classroom, all I could think to do was get on my hands and knees and just pray. I prayed that Todd was going to be okay and this nightmare would be over soon. But of course,
when the lockdown was over and I was able to go home, the grim reality hit that Todd didn’t make it. Our community was shaken to its core. It was so hard for days and months to come for so many people, from the other students and faculty to the family and friends of Todd, there were very few people in our community that were left unaffected.,” she recalled. She remembers the collective grief of the school community that followed in the weeks and months after too, “We all were just trying to survive it and grieve in our own ways, There were some classmates who tried to look past it and tried to get over it, it seemed especially hard, emotionally, for me, it took me a long time to process the grief and emotionally heal and I think that’s one of the reasons I have been led in doing what I’m doing now, because I notice those families that are having a really hard time, and they just need somebody.” She remembers a vigil that was held, as the student body, faculty, community, and the Brown family mourned. The small memorials that students made around the school will always be a memory of all the people who were grief-stricken. “That vigil, I feel like, as a community came together to kind of be there for Todd and his family.,” she observed. The loss was especially hard for Wade who knew Brown from her previous school in Monrovia. The two transferred to Discovery around the same time, and she found in him a familiar face through that change. “We actually transferred to Discovery together, and I spent a semester at Monrovia with him. Thereafter, I moved to Discovery,” Wade said. “We weren’t close by any means, but he was always a sweet, quiet kid, but when he came to Discovery… it was a comfort knowing there was somebody else there that I already knew.” In the aftermath of the shooting, she said, “All I wanted to do was be there for his family. I just wanted to tell his parents how amazing he was and how sweet and kind he was because he really was. He was the sweetest person.” Her own pain, the pain of the Brown family, and that of the student body touched her deeply then and still touches her now. Years later, she would encounter that same pain when the life of a friend’s young son, whom she affectionately called SamSam, was claimed in a house fire. She recalled the funeral service, which due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions was held outside but still brought a crowd to honor the little boy, “There was a lot of people. This little boy was
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so loved and there [were] so many people there. But, due to Covid restrictions, we could not provide him with a normal funeral service and allow him the recognition and final respects that he deserved. The services were not fully attended to by the funeral home. It felt very rudimentary and put a great deal of the burden of service on the family. We all had to be standing outside and only his casket on a vault. Close family and friends spoke about him. I got the opportunity to tell everyone what a lovable boy he was and share some of my fond memories with him.” Wade went on, “That left a lasting impact on me because I just saw a grieving mother and a grieving brother just falling apart, and it was a couple of months after that I made the decision to actually go into the funeral industry because even as a friend, I felt like I did what I could, but if I were that person responsible for making sure that somebody had the absolute best service they possibly could’ve, I want to be that person for them.” Soon after the funeral in 2020, she enrolled in a two-year Associate’s degree program in Funeral Services at Jefferson State Community College. Though her decision to pursue a career in the fu-
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neral industry was prompted by the latter event, both tragedies informed her desire to use her own experience with grief to help make others’ experiences with loss easier. “If I told you that a school shooting changed a lot about me, it would be that I have become more reclusive, compassionate, forgiving and protective. I’ve used my mental capabilities and character traits to help people deal with similar tragedies that I have had to deal with in life. I am constantly trying to find ways to better aid the survivors like students and faculty with mental support,” Wade wrote in a college essay reflecting on the personal effect the shooting had on her. “I’m that type of person who wants to help carry on a memory for someone, and I want them to know that it’s okay to grieve, it’s okay not to be okay. That’s why we’re here,” she said. Wade carries that attitude of compassion and service into all of her interactions with the intention of assisting family and friends in honoring their loved ones. As she nears the completion of her associate’s degree and looks forward to continuing her career, she reflected on how her work has impacted her life for the better, “I really do love what I do. I absolutely love going to work and being able to comfort families and having this purpose.”
MUSIC
THE LOVE OF MUSIC
Ardie Dean’s career in drumming took him to five continents and the stage of Carnegie Hall STORY BY GREGG PARKER
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Clarence Davis and Ardie Dean. Photo by Roger Stephonson. 66 Madison Living
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In his career as a professional drummer, Ardie Dean has performed around the world and worked as musical director, record producer and teacher. However, his first love always has been making music with his drums. Dean’s relationship with drums dates back to 1963 at his family’s home in Humboldt, Iowa. For his Christmas gift, his parents ‘rented’ a snare drum. They thought their son was just going through a ‘phase.’ “From then on, my experience lives strictly in the drum department,” Dean said about learning more and more about percussion during his life. With whom did he perform? “Who? Whew . . . too many to mention but the longest association is with ‘Music Maker Blues Revue’ and my high school band, ‘Lazy River,’ who has held yearly reunions to this day!” Dean said. Dean and his teenage friends in Lazy River convinced their parents to transport them around Iowa to perform at gigs. “We were making really good money, more than some of my high school teachers were making, and that’s when I decided I wanted to play drums professionally,” Dean said.
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“Riding the bus with the Music Maker Blues Revue is like taking boxing lessons from Ali, physics class from Einstein and music theory from Beethoven, all delivered as gospel,” Dean said. Dean’s experience in percussion grew, matured and expanded to scores of bands and groups . . . so much so, that he has performed on five continents. Today, he plays a 1930s Ludwig drum kit. His most memorable gig had to be the famed stage of Carnegie Hall in New York City, alongside Guitar Gabriel and Tim Duffy in the original “Brothers in the Kitchen.” During the Carnegie Hall show, “it was surprising what goes through one’s mind while performing on that stage, like my mom who put up with deafening relentless practicing . . . and the band director who wouldn’t allow me in the school band,” Dean said. His professional resume documents his experience with many musicians, especially blues greats, including Alabama Slim, Little Freddie King, Lee Gates, Ernie KDoe, Bo Diddley, Gregg Allman, Sweet Betty, Guitar Gabriel, Jerry McCain, Macavine Hayes, Beverly Watkins,
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Lightnin’ Wells, Taj Mahal, Cootie Stark, Sam Frazier Jr., Ironing Board Sam, Cool John Ferguson and Robert Lee Coleman. Dean is one of only a few drummers that Bo Diddley allowed to play the ‘Bo Diddley beat’ with him. Dean estimates that he has played on more than 100 blues albums. Guitar Gabriel and Dean had a working association that indirectly resulted to their establishing the Music Maker Relief Foundation in 1994. Since then, Dean has worked as musical director and record producer for the foundation. The foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, works to meet day-to-day needs of artists who create traditional American music and confirms that their voices are heard. “I knew Gabe and all these other players didn’t have a lot of money, but yet you had guys like Stevie Ray (Vaughn), and they’re copying these guys and making a bunch of money. I thought, ‘That ain’t right. This just ain’t right. These guys did it first,’” Dean said. “Drums have been a lifelong passion, and producing came much later when Taj Mahal began mentoring me in my new role as producer,” he said. “I learned that the
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Guitar Gabriel with Ardie Dean (photograph by Timothy Duffy)
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greatest drummer is the one who listens best, and producing is listening on steroids . . . two hats, same game.” Dean was inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame, Alabama Blues Hall of Fame in 2017 and Iowa Blues Hall of Fame in 2018. Vintage drums have been a special interest for Dean. “I rent them to movies – around 30 films have my drums in them. In fact, I’m playing drums in one of them!” he said. After living across the United States, Dean relocated to Madison in May this year. “My daughter and son-in-law brought my one and only grandson into the world, so, of course, I moved 45 seconds away from my little buddy,” he said. Sharing his talents in percussion, Dean is offering drum lessons. He teaches beginners through adults who already know the basics. “Yes, I love teaching beginners of all ages. Advanced lessons are fun, too,” he said. A student with Ardie Dean needs to have only one piece of equipment: a notebook. “Teaching has been special to me,” Dean said. “I moved to Madison from Hampton Cove, where I was in concert with Gene Swanner at Hampton Cove Middle School. There, I was able to help develop his percussionist to an advanced level, thus taking some burden off Gene Swanner – a great man.” Dean has arranged a rehearsal space in his home in south Madison, just north of Madison Boulevard. In addition, he’s willing to go to the student’s home, if he or she has a drum set. “While clocking in 20-plus years with teaching, I spent those same 20ish years as worship team drummer at Cove Church in Hampton Cove,” he said. To contact Ardie Dean about drum lessons, call 256-527-0601 or email ardie@hiwaay.net.
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....................... DOWNTOWN MADISON .......................
Be sure to check out the window display at Noble Passage Interiors.
The Downtown Top Ten
from the Shoppes of Historic Downtown Madison
T
By Brandy Booth
This month brings the most wonderful time of the year and with it all our favorite things (and events). So this month, we have asked several local downtown business owners what THEIR favorite thing is to share from their business for December. Whether it is a favorite drink or a special event, you definitely want to plan your December to catch them ALL! No. 1 - Christmas Capers - December 16th, 4:00 pm - downtown on Main Street: This is definitely a favorite of ALL the downtown businesses and also one of the longest standing traditions in downtown Madison. Patrons will find Walt and Larry Anderson, grandsons of ‘Doc’ Hughes atop the Humphrey-Hughes property at 200 Main Street tossing rubber chickens to the crowd below. Attached to the chickens will be thousands of dollars worth of gift vouchers to local businesses. The tradition began during the Great Depression with Hughes who would attach tags with redeemable prizes to the legs of live chickens and toss them from the roof. Patrons who caught the chickens would redeem the tags for prizes and keep the chickens to enjoy for Christmas
dinner. Present day the live chickens have been substituted for the rubber chickens but the wonderful prizes remain. Sponsored by the City of Madison and the Madison Station Historic Preservation Society, music will be provided by the Madison Community Orchestra, hot chocolate and cookies by the Rotary Club of Madison, and the Madison downtown merchants will be open. No. 2 - Noble Passage’s Christmas Window Displays: It was easy for Deborah to share her Christmas favorite - Noble Passage’s Christmas window displays and decor. Visiting her grandfather in Chicago as a child,she remembers walking in wonderment past storefronts like Macy’s on Michigan Avenue with their Christmas window displays. And that is what she has created at Noble Passage. So this is the perfect time to recreate on a local scale with your family the feelings of walking on Main Street and peering into the windows of Noble Passage at the wonderment of Christmas. No. 3 - Lanier House’s Tea with Santa, December 3rd
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....................... DOWNTOWN MADISON .......................
& 17th: Tammy has planned a wonderful event for kids and families to enjoy tea with Santa. With two tea times, 1:00 and 3:00, it is suitable for children ages 4-10 with parents or guardians. They have also reserved seats for underserved children and their parents at each tea time. Thank you to Tammy and staff for making this sweet event possible for many! No. 4 - Lemon & Lavender Christmas Cookie Decorating Class, Dec 17th, 2-4 pm. Always a customer favorite, this cookie decorating class is a family-fun event and perfect time to decorate cookies to enjoy and maybe save one or two for Santa! The class is led by expert cookie decorator Nutmeg’s Cookies. Visit online at www.lemonandlavendermadison.com, click the menu link Workshops, to reserve your spot. No. 5 - Filthy Gorgeous Holiday Collection: Melinda’s favorite is an entire collection this month because, well, you can’t have just one fabulous outfit in your closet. Filthy Gorgeous has ALL the perfect pieces for your holiday parties and occasions. Come in and let the staff guide you in finding the perfect attire for the holidays and make you feel absolutely gorgeous! No. 6 - Holtz Leather’s Personalized Whiskey Flight with Glencairn Glasses: This is definitely a Christmas gift favorite for the hard-to-shop-for person in your life. It is crafted from the stave of an authentic Jack Daniels whiskey barrel so that each flight is unique and full of character. And to make it even more of a custom gift, it can be personalized. No. 7 - Old Black Bear’s Holiday Drinks: How to pick just one? It is impossible when OBB has SO many amazing drink options. So when asked, Todd gave us three favorites - Eggnog Martini, Salted Caramel Martini, and the always cold weather favorite Hot Toddy. The Eggnog Martini is a classic holiday drink spiked with some OBB cheer! The Salted Caramel martini is perfect whether you like sweet or salty or especially a blend of both. OBB has shaken up the perfect mix of both.
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Hot Toddy is perfect for a cold night out by the fire pits with friends and family! So for a holiday evening out with friends, put OBB on your calendar and whether you try one of Todd’s favorites above or a classic local brew, enjoy the Spirit of Christmas in OBB’s courtyard around the fire. No. 8 - Pure Barre Open House - January 6th, 6:30 am - 1 pm. Enjoy the holidays to the fullest, but plan to kick off January with a focus to get back into shape, and Pure Barre will help you with that. This is definitely Josh’s favorite - helping others refocus themselves physically and mentally and creating a community of support throughout. During their open house, they will be hosting FREE Barre classes, giveaway raffles valued over $500, help with setting fitness goals, and no enrollment fee with membership. Pure Barre is located at 14 Main Street next to South & Pine. Visit their website at https://www.purebarre.com/location/madison-al to learn more about what Pure Barre can offer. No. 9 - Main Street Cafe’s Christmas Catering Menu: It is always a favorite of Tammy to be able to make Christmas cooking easier for others. Did you even know Main Street Cafe hosted a catering menu? It hosts everything from wonderful main dishes to side dishes to desserts. So let Tammy make life easier for you this holiday season whether it is a full meal or just a side dish. Visit Main Street Cafe’s website at www.mainstreetcafemadison.com. No. 10 - Elegance on Main - Free Haircut with any Chemical Service: The salon favorite because it is also a great time for a new hairstyle for the holidays. With multiple stylists, everyone is sure to find their perfect match. Connect with Elegance on Main on Instagram @ eleganceonmain938 Thank you to everyone who continues to visit historic downtown Madison whether it is to enjoy a meal at Main Street Cafe or Old Black Bear or enjoy a day of shopping with our Shoppes. We appreciate everyone who comes out as a patron of the Heart of Madison.
PEOPLE
MADISON IS HOME
Mike Hinesh not only set out to start the Madison Culver’s, he fell in love with the city he now calls home STORY BY MARIA RAKOCZY PHOTOS BY JOSHUA BERRY
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I
If you’re a fan of Culver’s Butterburgers and Fresh Custard, then you have Mike Hinesh to thank for bringing the Wisconsin treat all the way to North Alabama. A Wisconsin native, Hinesh has long loved the Midwest restaurant, but his journey in the culinary world began with an even more famous and beloved brand. The Hinesh family were long-time fans of Disney and travelled every for nearly twenty years to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Hinesh remembered dreaming of working for Disney from a young age, “As a young kid, I was like, ‘I want to be a monorail driver at Disney!’ That was sort of the life goal when I was in elementary school.” Though his aspirations changed later in life, when the opportunity was presented to Hinesh early in his career to enter a culinary program at the world-famous resort, he excitedly applied. Hinesh had been working another culinary apprenticeship back in Wisconsin when a guest mentioned the culinary development program offered by Disney University. He was one of thousands to apply, part of a small group to actually be
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accepted into the program, and then part of an even smaller group to complete the three-year program. “I remember asking, ‘How many people applied?’ I don’t know if she told me the truth, but she goes, ‘Three thousand applied. Seven hundred fifty are getting interviewed, and seventy-five are starting,’ And actually, there were seventy-seven that started and eleven of us completed the program on time,” Hinesh said. The program sent him off to Orlando, Florida, where he worked and studied in the world-famous restaurants of the Walt Disney World Resort. “I stayed at Disney, probably three more years after [the program]. I went back to Wisconsin as executive sous chef for a hotel, did that for about a year and a half, and Disney came calling back, and I went back there for four years,” Hinesh narrated. He worked at various restaurants around the property in different positions during his years at Disney. In his last four years, he returned at first as a sous chef at EPCOT’s table service English pub, The Rose and Crown, and then shifted for a year to a front-of-house position in two of the quick service restaurants in the
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park, but Hinesh’s Disney repertoire doesn’t end there. He also spent time at The Grand Floridian Resort, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, The Contemporary Resort, and Disney’s Polynesian Resort. Then, after spending over ten years with Disney, Hinesh returned with his family to his home state of Wisconsin. Hinesh recalled, “From Disney, I went back to Wisconsin for about thirteen and a half years to work at another restaurant. I started out as an assistant general manager. Got promoted to general manager. I was part owner of the concept.” The decision was driven by the needs of his family, which included small children at the time, and it ultimately led to his involvement with the iconic Wisconsin brand, Culver’s. Hinesh’s journey with Culver’s began in 2019 when he participated in the company’s ‘Discovery Week’, a week-long program where franchisee candidates participate in a series of interviews at the Culver’s headquarters. From there, he participated in their intense, sixteen-week, hands-on training program that teaches all future franchise owners the ins and outs of a Culver’s location from back of house to front of house and allows them to participate in the openings of two locations. The program led Hinesh to Alabama where he participated in the opening of the restaurant’s location in Hoover. On the hunt for a place to establish a location
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of his own, Hinesh drove around the entire state but settled on North Alabama, where he fell in love with the mild climate and of course, the “friendliness of people.” “Part of it was the weather, but you know, how are the people? How do you interact with people? I really did look at that,” Hinesh said of what drew him to Madison. In June of 2020 and in the midst of a global pandemic, Hinesh opened the very first Culver’s in North Alabama to a welcoming Madison community. Following the success of the first location, three years later, Hinesh opened a second Madison-area location in Clift Farm in June of 2023, and he says the North Alabama community has only continued to be supportive. In turn, Hinesh and his Culver’s family give back to the community. Hinesh partners with local schools, non-profits, and other organizations in fundraising efforts through ‘share nights’ that give a portion of profits to local organizations. Hinesh’s two Culver’s locations have also provided excellent opportunities for career development. In fact, several members of the Blue Crew, as the company affectionately calls their teams of restaurant staff, at Hinesh’s locations have received national recognition from Culver’s and have received promotions for excelling in their positions. As for the future, Hinesh is taking it the Culver’s way of “one successful restaurant at a time”.
OUT&ABOUT
The RAILYARD BARBEQUE BRAWL AND MUSIC FEST was held in Downtown Madison last month with a Kansas City style barbecue competition being the main focus. The 3rd annual event featured an official Kansas City Barbecue Society cook-off with both professional and amateur tiers. The public was able to sample barbecue from one of four BBQ tents, providing a great atmosphere will free smells from fifty cooking teams, and sweet sounds from musical acts. Attendees were treated to the music from the Jimmy Henderson Blues Band, Andy Beckey, and Alyssa Palmer. Here are some fun photos from the event by Captured by Cristie Media Co. We have more photos on our Facebook page for The Madison Record. Visit railyardbbqfest.com to and follow @railyardbbqfest on Facebook to keep up with information about next year’s festival.
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GET BACK TO WHAT YOU LOVE
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When it comes to visiting the people or places you love, don’t let back or neck pain get in the way.