Madison Living Magazine - February 2023

ThePowerofa Healthy You.

EDITOR

John Few

CONTRIBUTORS

Bob Labbe

Gregg Parker

Erin Coggins

Joshua Berry

Maria Rakoczy

Lee Marshall

John Peck

MADISON LIVING

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.

Mary Lynne Wright

Brandy Booth

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MARKETING

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GENERAL MANAGER

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Madison Living is published monthly by Tennessee Valley Media, Inc. A one-year subscription to Madison Living is $27.99 for 12 issues per year. Single copies are available at select locations throughout the Madison area. To subscribe, call 256-772-6677.

Copyright 2023

Mozart’s phrases often seem to take on a question-and-answer format, as if he is scripting musical conversations. Composer Petér Eötvös created his Dialog mit Mozart in 2014; throughout the piece, he engages in a dialectic exploration of tunes by his renowned predecessor. Violinist Tai Murray takes the stage to perform Mozart’s Violin Concerto No.3 in a program crowned by Schubert’s Symphony No. 4, the “Tragic,” composed at age nineteen but unheard until decades later.

Conversation with Mozart • February 11 at 7:30 p.m. • VBC Mark C. Smith Concert Hall • www.hso.org

Snow White & The 7 Littles • Feb. 17-19

Von Braun Center • www.fantasyplayhouse.org

Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater and Academy will present a storybook classic with a tongue-in-cheek twist in their production of “Snow White and the 7 Littles.” Snow White is not waiting for a knight in shining armor. She’s much too busy working to provide clean water for the Littles and all the creatures of Nysland Woods. When the jealous Queen and magic mirror stop her mission, Snow needs the help of her forest friends to save herself and the entire village. Can the Littles rescue her in time, or will the Queen’s vanity reign supreme? Find out in this new twist on a classic about kindness, community and the true meaning of beauty. Show times will be Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 18-19 at 1 and 6 p.m. at the VBC Playhouse at the corner of Monroe Street and Clinton Avenue. For more information, go to www.fantasyplayhouse.org.

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-REFERRALSURGERIES-PHYSICALTHERAPY -EMERGENCYSERVICES

Fire On The Mountain - You won’t want to miss Burritt on the Mountain’s Fire on the Mountain on Saturday, March 4, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Their historic cooks will transport you back to the 1800s as you see, hear, and smell their work as they prepare historic recipes over open fires and cast-iron cook stove. In addition, blacksmiths will be firing up the forges throughout the historic park to demonstrate this fascinating skill. For more information, go to www.burrittonthemountain.com.

Let’s Celebrate Mardi Gras! - The Mardi Gras Dinner 2023 will be held at Burritt on the Mountain on February 21 at 6 p.m. The evening begins with New Orleans themed appetizers and lively jazz music by the Bourbon Street Stompers to kick off a fun time. The delicious gourmet sit down Cajun Dinner includes specialty wine. Plenty of Mardi Gras Beads, masks and entertainment surprises by TomFoolery. Don’t miss this Mardi Gras experience! For more information, go to www.burrittonthemountain.com.

Huntsville Ballet Company to present HBC Off-Stage

Feb. 17-19 at Dream Theatre

HBC Off-Stage will feature “The Best of Huntsville Ballet” Feb. 17-19 presenting audience favorites from their repertoire such as The Rose Adagio from Sleeping Beauty, Pas de Deux’s from Amore and The Letter and selections from the popular Stage Door Canteen as well as a new contemporary work, Bring the Rain by Huntsville Ballet’s own, Gina Guerrera.

Artistic Director, Phillip Otto will also premiere the recreation of Pure Line set to the beautiful music of Serenade for Strings.

Each performance will conclude with the opportunity to meet and ask questions of the dancers in the up-close and informal setting of the Dream Theatre.

“In December, we presented The Nutcracker to the largest audiences in Huntsville Ballet history. We’re excited to thank our patrons by presenting these audience favorites,” said Artistic Director, Phillip Otto.

The mission of Huntsville Ballet is to preserve and teach the classical art of ballet; to bring the artistry of classical and contemporary dance to the Huntsville community and beyond through performances, education and outreach programs. Our vision is to be North Alabama’s source and ambassador of extraordinary ballet experiences that give life to the classical tradition, nurture new ideas and empower children with a lifelong love for the arts.

For more information, go to huntsvilleballet.org. You can also find information about HBC’s upcoming presentation of Cinderella, which will be held April 14-16 in the VBC’s Mark C. Smith Concert Hall.

HBC Off-Stage will feature “The Best of Huntsville Ballet”.

Auburn Tigers VS University of North Alabama Lions at Toyota Field

Feb. 21 • Toyota Field in Madison

www.trashpandasbaseball.com/auburn

The home of the Rocket City Trash Pandas will host the Auburn University Tigers on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 against the University of North Alabama Lions. The matchup will be the second appearance for the Tigers at Toyota Field after they defeated Tennessee Tech 4-3 in the first SEC Game in Madison on March 9, 2022 in front of an electric crowd of 6,710. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. with all gates at Toyota Field opening at 4:30 p.m. Full ticket information will be released in the coming weeks. Purchase tickets at trashpandasbaseball.com/auburn.

ROUGE:

A Go Red Event

February 11, 2023 @ 6PM The Jackson Center

ROUGE – A Go Red Event

6001 Moquin Dr. NW Huntsville, AL

About the Event

Please join us for ROUGE, an unforgettable, entertaining, and inspiring Go Red event featuring a Red Dress Fashion Show with our own community leaders and professionals modeling for the cause. Be ready to be inspired and celebrate your new commitment to a better way of life.

ROUGE will also feature a silent auction, music, and dancing.

Guaranteed to be an exquisite night of fashion, food, and fun so get your tickets now.

All proceeds benefit the American Heart Association and the programs of Central North Alabama Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Meet the Models

A night for fashion, friends and fundraising will fill the evening at “ROUGE – A Go Red Event,” sponsored by the Central North Alabama Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. The event will focus on and celebrate women’s heart health. “Cardiovascular disease is the no. 1 killer of women. ROUGE advocates for women’s heart health, (along with) awareness for women and men,” Terry Green said. Green serves as Chapter President of Delta Sigma Theta. “Please join us for ROUGE, an unforgettable, entertaining and inspiring ‘Go Red’ event, that will feature a Red Dress Fashion Show with our own community leaders and professionals modeling for the cause,” Green said. ROUGE will alsso feature a silent auction, music and dancing.

using play-based learning in

Attire: Red Cocktail General Admission, VIP Admission, & Sponsorship Opportunities Available

Big Ol’ Ballpark Fair

March 10-19

Toyota Field in Madison www.trashpandasbaseball.com

The Rocket City Trash Pandas have partnered with Kissel Entertainment for the fourth annual Big Ol’ Ballpark Fair, taking place in the Toyota Field parking lot from Friday, March 10, through Sunday, March 19. Similar to previous years, the Big Ol’ Ballpark Fair will turn the parking lot at Toyota Field into a plethora of fun and entertainment. Rides on hand will include rollercoasters, carousels, a tilt-a-whirl, Ferris wheel, and so much more. Attendees can also take part in dozens of carnival games, enjoy one-of-a-kind entertainment, and eat unique treats like fried Oreos, chicken on a stick, cotton candy, and many other food and beverage options for everyone.

ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN

starting March 3

Huntsville Botanical Garden • hsvbg.org

Coming in March, a new exhibit will unfold at the Huntsville Botanical Garden: ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN, created by Santa Fe artists Jennifer and Kevin Box in collaboration with world-renowned origami artists. Inspired by the art of folding paper to make elegant objects, ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN transforms simple concepts into large-scale metal sculptures that will find their place among our own plant collections to delight, awe, and inspire. For more about this exhibit, go to www.hsvbg.org.

Quality & Comfort ata PriceYou’ll Love!

Gala Luncheon with Jane Scott Hodges

February 28 • 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Huntsville Museum of Art • hsvmuseum.org/events/gala

The 32nd Annual Gala Committee and the Huntsville Museum of Art are thrilled to welcome celebrated entrepreneur and tastemaker Jane Scott Hodges as the Gala Luncheon speaker.Catered by Purveyor.

Gala Black Tie Dinner and Live Auction

March 2 • 6-9 p.m. • Huntsville Museum of Art hsvmuseum.org/events/gala

During the second event of the 32nd Annual Gala, guests will enjoy a cocktail hour followed by a dinner with reserved seating and a live auction of artwork and trips.

Gala Cocktail Party and Silent Auction

March 4 • 7-11 p.m.

Huntsville Museum of Art • hsvmuseum.org/events/gala

The third and final event of the 32nd Annual Gala is the Cocktail Party & Silent Auction. During this cocktail party, the featured artist, Lesley Powell, will mingle with guests and be available to answer any questions they may have about the artwork. The silent auction will include fine art and treasures by top artists from around the country, along with various trips and treasures. Catered by Chef Narvell.

MADISON READYFEST

ReadyFest returns to underscore everyone’s need for preparedness during a disaster

STORY BY GREGG PARKER

B“Be prepared” is the prevailing message that residents can explore with Madison ReadyFest 2023, a city-sponsored event.

Discovery Middle School will host the event in the gym on Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“After a three-year absence due to the pandemic, ReadyFest is back with the theme, ‘When life happens, you need a plan,’” Maura Wroblewski said. She is City Council liaison to ReadyFest. “We’ve learned so much in the last years since the pandemic began.”

Madison ReadyFest will focus on “Community Lifelines” from the Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA for preparations for disasters. A lifeline allows continuous operation of critical functions for business and government. Emergency workers will cover wideranging needs during or after a disaster:

• Safety and security – Involves first-responders, such as police, firefighters, American Red Cross, vendors for tornado shelters and financial assistance.

• Food, water and shelter – Looks at these critical, survival needs. Examples are canning procedures, gardening and water filtration.

• Health and Medical – Includes tour of ambulance, screenings and the medical supply chain.

• Energy – Displays for solar energy and home generators.

• Communications – Explains alerts and warning sirens; 911 calls; ham radios; and dispatch and firstresponder conversations.

• Transportation – Displays equipment for winter weather by Public Works Department employees.

• Hazardous materials – Defines facilities that create these substances, along with HAZMAT and contaminant concerns.

“It’s critically important for our families to be prepared should we have an area-wide weather event or a personal family event with a situation that may seem overwhelming. We have wonderful resources in our community where we can share information to prepare for any event,” Wroblewski said.

“ReadyFest is an opportunity for preparation for everyone, from the youngest to the oldest. Madison Fire and Rescue Virtual Reality equipment will be onsite to teach folks how to escape a burning building,” Wroblewski said.

District 1 City Councilmember Maura Wroblewski answers quests at the city’s booth during the 2020 Madison ReadyFest.

Madison police will have personnel onsite to discuss personal, family and neighborhood security.

A few displays will foster ideas for preparedness efforts.

“Madison police will discuss Rape Aggression Defense or RAD classes and have personnel onsite to discuss personal, family and neighborhood security,” Steve Perry said. Perry is ReadyFest coordinator and works as Battalion Chief and City Emergency Manager with Madison Fire and Rescue Department.

Madison and Limestone County EMAs will attend with a Mobile Command Trailer. Huntsville Hospital’s Mobile Medical Unit will offer health screenings. Individuals can speak with mental health therapists.

Organizers hope the SARTEC K9 unit can attend with a demonstration. Vendors like Rhodes Construction with tornado shelters will offer a ReadyFest discount. The event includes food trucks, giveaways and indoor and outdoor presentations.

During ReadyFest, a donation drive will support Madison City Schools’ “Weekend Snack Pack,” endorsed by Trinity Baptist Church and Asbury Church.

“There will be something for everyone,” Wroblewski said.

ReadyFest is scheduled intentionally on the last Saturday in February, coinciding with Alabama’s Weather Preparedness Weekend.

Organizers hope the SARTEC K9 unit can attend with a demonstration. They are pictured above at ReadyFest in 2020.

Broadway Theatre League has several shows lined up in the coming weeks

FFebruary and March will be a busy for the Broadway Theatre league, with shows being presented at the Von Braun Center’s Mark C. Smith Concert Hall in Huntsville. The following shows are planned:

TOOTSIE

FEBRUARY 17-19

Call it “musical comedy heaven” (Rolling Stone). Call it “the most uproarious new musical in years!” (The Hollywood Reporter). Call it TOOTSIE! This laugh-out-loud love letter to the theater tells the story of Michael Dorsey, a talented but difficult actor who struggles to find work until one show-stopping act of desperation lands him the role of a lifetime. Featuring a hilarious Tony®-winning book by Robert Horn and an outrageously clever score by 2018

Tony-winner David Yazbek (The Band’s Visit, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), this New York Times Critic’s Pick is “a joyful delight” (The Washington Post) that’s “so packed with punchlines, it should be called a jokebox musical!”

(Bloomberg). “In these turbulent times, when the world seems out of balance, we need a place to let the good times roll,” raves Rolling Stone. “TOOTSIE is it!”

DISNEY’S ALADDIN

FEBRUARY 28-MARCH 5

Discover a whole new world at Disney’s ALADDIN, the hit Broadway musical. From the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of ALADDIN, a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle. It’s an extraordinary theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite.

Hailed by USA Today as “Pure Genie-Us,” ALADDIN features all your favorite songs from the film as well as new music written by Tony® and Academy Award® winner Alan Menken (Newsies) with lyrics penned by the legendary Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast), Tony Award winner Tim Rice (The Lion King, Aida), and book writer

MARCH 31-APRIL 2

ON YOUR FEET! is the inspiring true story about heart, heritage and two people who believed in their talent—and each other—to become an international sensation: Gloria and Emilio Estefan. Now their story is an all-new exhilarating original musical winning the hearts of critics and audiences alike, with the Chicago Tribune declaring “IT’S A HIT!” and The New York Times cheering, “The very air in the room seems to vibrate in this undeniably crowdpleasing musical!” ON YOUR FEET! features some of the most iconic songs of the past quarter-century, including “Rhythm is Gonna Get You,” “Conga,” “Get On Your Feet,” “Don’t Want To Lose You Now,” “1-2-3” and “Coming Out of the Dark.” Prepare to be on your feet from start to finish!

Other shows planned to round out the season include: THE BOOK OF MORMON

MAY 12-14

AUGUST 1-6

For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.BroadwayTheatreLeague.org or give Broadway Theatre League a call at 256.518.6155.

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INSPIRING

A MATTER OF THE HEART

Winter family shares journey of daughter’s heart transplant

STORY BY ERIN COGGINS

The heart.

TIt beats. It feels. It is linked to love. We cannot live without one.

For David and Corey Winters, the battle for a heart was an arduous journey. Their daughter, Bella, was born with a “slight” heart murmur. The couple clung to the word slight until doctors at Vanderbilt, weeks after her birth, allowed them to listen to Bella’s heart.

“I was shocked to hear a whooshing sound that did not sound anywhere near normal,” Corey said.

Still, the Winters clung to the word slight. They informed their doctor of family heart issues—one of Corey’s cousins was born with a hole in his heart-and he scheduled a cardiologist appointment three days later, Bella became ill, gurgling as she breathed.

“Immediately, he said that it was not a cold. That she was a very sick baby,” Corey said. “He proceeded to shatter our world with the devastating news that Bella did not

have a common cold, but in fact has a congenital heart defect. He then immediately sent us to the Huntsville’s Women’s and Children’s ICU.”

Corey had been through an emergency c-section, almost losing her life in the process. She could not even carry Bella. When they pulled in front of the hospital, the entire ICU team was waiting. Bella was only hours from dying at this point.

“Once Bella was stabilized, the doctor came in and drew us a picture of what was wrong and explained that Bella would be sent to Vanderbilt,” Corey said. “What he couldn’t account for was the bradycardia, the abnormally slow heart rate that she would later develop.”

Soon, Bella would require a pacemaker. That too seemed to fail Bella.

“The pacemaker doctor began to notice a slight decreasing pump function in her heart. He kept telling us that he was conferring with one of the other cardiologists on staff

to see if they were seeing the same thing,” Corey said “I asked for some numbers, being a bit of a math nerd, I wanted to know if we were seeing exponential growth or what he considered slight.”

Slight. That word again.

After a year and a half of watching Bella and hearing her struggles to keep up in school, her chronic exhaustion, the doctor told the Winters that it was time for Bella to officially meet the transplant team lead and come on board as part of the lead’s team.

“Our world was falling apart once again,” Corey said. “Every time we have surgery, the doctors have to tell us the good, the bad and the ugly. There is lots of ugly when your baby could die.”

Time was running out for Bella, her heart was failing, her pacemaker was in need of replacement. Corey says something had to give.

“We were partly relieved that we had a possible solution that could give us more time with Bella, but also so afraid of all of the what ifs,” Corey said. “We prayed every day for God to bring us the right heart at the right time.”

Bella was listed for a heart in November 2020-in the midst of the COVID pandemic. The Winters received special permission from Vanderbilt to attend Bella’s appointment for a transplant evaluation. The six-hour process included stress tests, x-rays, lab work, echo, EKG and about six types of doctors. The next day, the Winters were informed that Bella was being put at Status 1B on the transplant list, a heart is needed as soon as possible, but the patient can return home, if they chose to accept.

“We said yes. We had done the research and we knew the average wait list time was about 180 days, some wait years, some less,” Corey said.

In April 2021, doctors successfully transplanted a new heart into Bella’s chest. Again, COVID played a role. Instead of having family in the waiting room, supporting and praying, David and Corey were alone for 12 hours. It was the longest day of their lives.

“We said goodbye to our baby outside the OR doors and watched them take her away. I knew it was going to be okay because I felt an overwhelming sense of peace,” Corey said. “At the point when the nurse called to tell us that her new heart was in and beating on its own, I broke down and cried. I called my parents in tears. I was blubbering so much that I scared my dad. He thought I was trying to tell them that Bella had passed. When he finally understood what I was saying, he said, ‘You scared the crap out of me.’”

Joy, fear, relief, guilt. Corey’s heart felt them all. Guilt-that another family had to grieve for them to be joyful.

Thejourney tomend hisheartled

th tricuspid atresia that required a series of ope en, his health took a dramatic turn Qua’s pedia thing wasn’t right with his heart and sent him t m was standing by when he arrived by helicopt d a new heart He rebounded quickly and was b ks to the expert heart team here at Children s o

The heart was beating, but the harrowing days of a sick child did not go away. Bella had to take medicine five times a day, including shots for thinning the blood. Doctor appointments were required twice a week and physical therapy twice a week.

“I had to stab my child 86 times and those shots left horrendous bruises all over her arms and thighs for months,” Corey said. “It’s a good thing that we had insurance. One of the meds she had to take was $26,000 a month without insurance.”

Now, 12-years-old, Bella is enjoying life. Before the transplant, she could only attend school four days a week because she was too tired to keep up. She missed out on field days and field trips. She would grow too tired to finish her horseback lessons; and even her Make-a-Wish trip to Disneyworld was not enjoyable due to the extreme exhaustion.

“After her new heart, Bella’s horseback riding has improved so much. She is strong and confident. She can do a full week of school,” Corey said. “We went to Disney again as a family and she went all day, every day.”

Corey says that she and David could not have gotten through it all without support from family and friends. As a teacher, Corey’s colleagues and former students

checked on them daily and helped out by watching the family’s animals or cooking meals. They became Team Bella.

“Through it all, we met a very special friend who still calls about once a month to make sure that we have enough money to care for Bell’s medical needs. This process has shown me how many amazing friends I have been blessed with,” Corey said. “Angels on earth. Honestly, I am crying right now thinking about all of this and how amazing my Team Bella is.”

A part of Team Bella included the Children’s Organ Transplant Association who helped the family fundraise to have money for transplant expenses. When they family needed a short term rental in Nashville, the organization expedited the funds.

Getting involved in the American Heart Association’s heart walks also helped the Winters cope. At the time, Bella was one of the only children there bringing awareness to heart disease. Corey says, now there are so many. She says being active was her teachable moment.

“What if all that we have been through can help one other person or family? God has given us a miracle to share. Bella is a light and beacon of hope,” Corey said. “We are not rich by bank standards, but we are rich in

love and passion that we can share with the world to help others.”

Although Corey does not go there, research has shown her the possibility of an organ rejection is real. Bella still sees the cardiologist twice a year and will continue to do so for the rest of her life. She has chronic migraines, sleep issues and other ailments.

“Doctor visits are part of our life. I try not to let it get to me,” Corey said. “I refuse to live my life in fear. God would not have given us this miracle so that we could live in fear.”

The need to share Bella’s story and be active in helping others dealing with child heart disease is a Winter family priority. Bella’s sister, Abby, plans on being a pediatric cardiologist when she grows up. She says she wants to be able to help the doctors that will be on the forefront of research so that if Bella needs a new heart one day, she will be able to 3-D print one from Bella’s DNA.

“Abby wants to change the world for her sister and families like ours,” Corey said.

PEOPLE

A LOVE STORY

Respect, humor and love guide Tom and Sandy McKinney to 54-year marriage

STORY BY GREGG PARKER

PHOTOS BY JOSHUA BERRY

TTom and Sandy McKinney never realized the magic that a few bottles of Pepsi-Cola could give.

The McKinneys recently celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary. Their relationship has endured the greatest of times, the worst of times.

“Our first meeting occurred in 1954, which was 68 years ago,” Tom said. “We paid very little attention to each other, even though Sandy now claims when she saw me it was ‘love at first sight.’”

Tom and Sandy grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina. Tom was a third-grader at Curry School when his interest perked for a new girl, a cute redhead, who entered the classroom and sat at a desk near him. “We got along fine as classmates through the years,” Tom said. (Curry School was affiliated with Woman’s College that later consolidated with the University of North Carolina and known as UNC-G.)

Sandy’s father was manager of the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company, which sponsored a float in the town’s Christmas parade. During the 1956 Christmas season, Sandy invited Tom to ride on the Pepsi float. A first date? “I was oblivious to that designation. All I was thinking about was how many Pepsis I could slug down during the parade,” Tom said.

During their school years, Tom and Sandy were friendly classmates. However, in high school Tom started paying more attention to Sandy. As juniors, Tom wanted asked Sandy on a date to see “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

“It was a great movie, and we had a very nice time,” Tom said about the start of their dating life. By high school graduation in 1963, they were “going steady.”

Tom committed to join the U.S. Marine Corps in their senior year. He wanted to fulfill his military obligation; by enlisting early, Tom was guaranteed further education in the Marine Corps Air Wing and eligibility to attend college with the GI Bill.

Meanwhile, Sandy enrolled at the University of North Carolina. Tom and Sandy had fallen in love; being apart was difficult, even with the U.S. Mail staying busy to deliver their love letters.

Their relationship continued to grow. Whenever Tom had time off, he returned to Greensboro, if possible, to visit Sandy. His military assignments sent him to Parris Island, South Carolina and then Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for more training.

Next, Tom was stationed in Memphis, Tennessee for testing to determine the advanced school he would attend.

He was then off to Jacksonville, Florida for aviation ordnance training.

Tom’s next duty station was Cherry Point, North Carolina. Tom’s squadron deployed to Atsugi, Japan; Da Nang, Vietnam; Iwakuni, Japan; and back to Da Nang for a second tour of duty. Tom also served at Marine bases in Key West, Florida; Yuma, Arizona; and Naha, Okinawa. Tom returned to the United States in 1967 and was released from active duty as a Sergeant.

Tom and Sandy’s relationship intensified and led to their engagement. They decided that Tom should get two years of college before they married. Apparently, Tom became impatient; after one year, Tom and Sandy were married in 1968 in Greensboro, North Carolina in a large wedding.

“Our favorite part of the wedding was when it was over, and we could head out on our way,” Tom said. They honeymooned across Virginia and especially enjoyed Williamsburg.

Sandy moved into Tom’s apartment – their home for several years. Tom enrolled in Guilford College to pursue a degree in business management, worked as a grocery clerk and attended night classes.

Sandy worked as an administrative assistant at Greensboro Board of Realtors. “Between work, school, studying

and writing papers, there was not much time left for good social life, but we were happy and preparing for a future together,” Tom said.

In 1971, Tom did obtain his bachelor’s degree in business management from Guilford. He accepted a job offer at Greensboro Police Department as Civilian Director of Records/Information and Computer Operations. “At that time, many police departments were attempting to hire civilian professionals to replace uniformed officers, who (returned) to street policing,” he said.

Sandy continued to work at the University of North Carolina-G until the birth of their first child, Paul.

The McKinneys purchased an attractive, three-bedroom home in a middle-class neighborhood in Greensboro. Soon, their second son, Jason, arrived and they all lived happily as a family.

After nine years at Greensboro Police Department, Tom had accomplished a solid background in law enforcement and technical advancements that would improve law enforcement discipline. He accepted the position of Principal Consultant with Planning Research Corporation in northern Virginia/Washington, D.C. This job took him to many police, fire and EMS agencies in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom.

Tom worked as a consulting project manager for tech-

nical projects, like Computer-Aided Dispatch and Records Management Systems. In 1989, Intergraph Corporation offered him a Senior Management position to introduce the company into the emergency response and technical services industry. This job brought the McKinneys to Alabama.

In 1992, Tom and Sandy formed their own company, McKinney & Associates Inc.; Sandy was President, and Tom was a Vice President. Continuing to work with public safety agencies, McKinney & Associates became a preferred subcontractor to Northrop Grumman. Tom and Sandy successfully operated their company until 2015.

“In life and love, there are bound to be ‘ups and downs,’” the McKinneys realize. Along with the intense love and happiness that Tom and Sandy enjoyed, they also experienced heartbreaking tragedies.

In 2007, their son died as a result of a boating accident. Some 18 months later, Jason died, also the result of an accident. Clearly, this event was the most devastating one of their lives . . . which they will never get over.

Tom and Sandy have been blessed with two grandsons, Cameron and Rowan. Both grandsons

have graduated from high school, are working and are pursuing higher education. Cameron lives in Huntsville; Rowan lives in Melbourne, Florida. Tom and Sandy have relied on their lifelong love for each other, and now they pay special attention to their grandsons.

Tom and Sandy McKinney have realized some truths that kept their love and marriage strong for so many years

• Couples must understand they are different people.

• Each must give space to the other, when needed.

• Always respect each other.

• Do not let disagreements dominate.

• Try to never go to bed angry.

• Care for your family and friends.

• Develop interests that you can participate in together.

• Develop interests that you can enjoy by yourself.

• Try to find humor wherever you can.

• Say “I love you” and hug often.

• Let Faith and Love guide your way.

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The green and red of Christmas were barely put away, when local retail in the area began to fill the shelves with red and pink, clearing the way for Valentine’s Day. Besides the stuffed animals, roses and candy message hearts, local businesses and organizations have laid out their events for the community to enjoy.

If you are looking for a fun and unusual way to spend Valentine’s Day or the days leading up to the holiday, here are a few ideas.

Dangerously in Love Mystery Dinner

Friday, Feb. 10

Instaspace Studio, Harvest

In this interactive experience, the audience teams together in groups to determine whodunit. Some lucky audience members will be chosen to act alongside the show’s actors and play the roles of staff members, mobster and entertainers of The Blue Melody. Audiences are encouraged to join in the fun by dressing up in their best wedding attire for a night of fun, dancing, cheers and cake. Seating will be tables of six.

Call of text (256) 274-1517 for more information.

Create Saturdays: Abstract Valentines

Saturday, Feb. 11

Huntsville Museum of Art

This family-friendly event offers the attendees to celebrate Valentine’s Day and Heart Month by creating an abstract drawing of hearts. Fill the drawing with color using watercolor crayons. Reservations required. More information at: www.hsvmuseum.org

Mosaic of Love

Saturday, Feb. 11

Huntsville Master Chorale

Enjoy a night of music with your significant other as the Huntsville Master Chorale presents Mosaic of Love, a unique concert featuring choral arrangements of pop songs, from Motown, Chicago, The Beatles, Billy Joel and more.

For more information visit: www.hsvmasterchorale.org

Here are some heart-warming activities for Valentine’s Day

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LEADERS

DR. NEIL LAMB

Leading HudsonAlpha Institute of Biotechnology is more than a job, its a passion

STORY BY ERIN COGGINS

SSomething as simple as a newspaper article led to Dr. Neil Lamb becoming employed at HudsonAlpha and eventually being named the president at HudsonAlpha Institute of Biotechnology.

In 2005, Lamb’s mother-in-law, a Madison resident, saw the clip about the opening of the new cutting-edge biotechnology company opening in Huntsville. Lamb says he was extremely happy teaching at Emory University at the time, but she wanted him to be aware of the potential opportunity in his field.

“I think she just wanted a way to get her grandchildren close,” Lamb said. “No really, my wife Cynthia and I have always loved the Huntsville-Madison area. At the time, we would come and visit multiple times throughout the year. So, we knew it was a wonderful place to raise a family, but there were not job opportunities in my field.”

Basically, Lamb was aware of HudsonAlpha almost from the official announcement. Eight months later, Lamb was in New York working with a group on a genetics textbook. One of the primary authors of the textbook was Dr. Rick Myers, who at the time was working with

HudsonAlpha founders James Hudson, Jr. and Lonnie S. McMillian to identify the kinds of people they wanted to employ at their new institute.

“Rick was not in an official role at HudsonAlpha at the time. He was still the department chair of genetics at Stanford University,” Lamb said. “Rick and I had a conversation about my work in education and that I was from the South and worked in the South. And he said ‘you probably have not ever heard of this place, but there’s a new group starting in Huntsville called the HudsonAlpha Institute of Biotechnology.’ I told him what I knew about it, but asked him to tell me more. “

It was at that point Lamb learned about the educational programs the new center was hoping to create which interested him intently. He sent his resume and a week later was in Huntsville for an interview with Hudson.

“In the middle of the interview, Hudson looked at me and said ‘let’s just cut to the chase. Can you be here in August?’” Lamb said. “I said that there were some things we need to talk about, but that yes, I thought I could.”

Lamb describes this particular moment as a crystalliz-

ing moment—a fork in the road so to speak.

“I just knew that I would probably never have that kind of opportunity to strengthen genetics and genomics education in Alabama, in the South or across the country,” Lamb said. “And it has brought me so many incredible joys and experiences and opportunities.”

Since he came on board in August 2006, even before a building was built, a president hired or a scientist on staff, Lamb has had nothing but opportunities to pursue his passion of genomic education. His first position with the Institute was leading the education team and then on to Vice President of Educational Outreach. In his tenure, he and his team created innovative teacher professional opportunities, student experiences and interactive classroom kits and digital resources that are shaping how science education is delivered not only in Alabama, but across the nation.

“Since coming to the Institute, I have been involved in a lot of other components as well, which was great because it helped me to see how education really fit into the overall vision of this place,” Lamb said. “Where we

use the power of genomics to solve human’s most challenging problems and how we do that through a research lens, through supporting companies and building a biotech ecosystem and through the education component of creating a more genomically literate society and building the future workforce is exciting.”

According to Lamb, his previous position at HudsonAlpha gives him great insight into how to lead as the new president of the prestigious Institute, a position he accepted in July of this year. He describes his leadership style as collaborative.

“I think it works well at HudsonAlpha because we have three mission areas. Each are focused on the power of genomics and biotech and applying that in different ways,” Lamb said. “The answers do not come from the president’s office. The answers and ideas and opportunities come from our people.”

Lamb looks at his leadership role as bringing all the ideas together and prioritizing them for growth.

“The idea in research could have this really fantastic opportunity over here in education to partner with it or

to work with existing companies that are on campus,” Lamb said. “So, my job is to remind us of the direction we are headed in and to look for opportunities to take these different ideas and weave them into what takes place at HudsonAlpha.”

It is the science that invigorates Lamb. Science has been a part of his life since he was child. His grandfather, Neil Stewart, was a horticulturalist; his father an engineer and his mother a nurse, so Lamb grew up in a science focused family. He proudly tells the story of how he tried to clone plants in middle school and set up a makeshift lab on the baker’s rack in his parents’ kitchen to do his work. The stories do not stop there.

““My seventh grade science teacher had us bring in a small dish of water from some place in our community. It could not be tap,” Lamb said. “She had a microscope that had two sets of eye pieces so that she could look in it and the students could look in. We poured that water that I brought from the lake that was just at the top of our hill, and we looked in the microscope and saw all this life. I was hooked on biology. Something about the living world was the thing I was going to do.”

That love of science took him to Auburn University where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in molecular biology and then on to Emory Univer-

sity where he earned his Ph.D. in genetics and molecular biology. In 1999, after a position as Director of Family Planning and Communications with Oak Grove UMC in Atlanta, he joined Emory University as an assistant professor. An educator at heart, Lamb still has education as one of his top priorities in his new role.

“I am privileged to have been in a family and in a school that could provide me with those types of experiences which is why our education programs at the Institute focus so much on creating experiences for students, equipping educators to comfortably talk about genetics and genomics in human health and in the world of plant science,” Lamb said. “The things I helped lead in the education department are now very capably being handled by other members of the education team. And I have stepped back from that. And it has been really wonderful to watch them step into those roles and do those very well. I am available if they have any questions or if they are looking for guidance, but they have it now.”

It is the confidence he has in his fellow team members that will allow HudsonAlpha to continue to grow in their future projects. The Institute recently opened a stateof-the-art greenhouse that will allow for more growth in plant science research and they have just announced a collaboration in the Wiregrass region of the state where a second HudsonAlpha location will open.

“We have taken what we have done here and the way those mission areas integrate and overlap and are modeling it in another part of the state, specifically, at least initially with a focus on agriculture,” Lamb said. “Farmers are the ultimate innovators every day. Genomic information provides an additional tool for that innovation to create crops that thrive under specific conditions. That shortens the time that it takes to bring a new variety to market.”

On the health side, the Institute continues to produce cutting edge research on genomics, being among the first to say that sequencing DNA through the genome might be able to give people answers that they have not had up until this point.

“We started this program almost a decade ago, and we have expanded that—not just across Huntsville, not just across Alabama, but across the Southeast. And we continue to look for ways to use it,” Lamb said. “And we stand on the threshold of being in that place. There are lots of things that still have to be ironed out. There are lots of issues that still have to be overcome, but places like HudsonAlpha are actively working to bring the power of genomic information into patient care. That is exciting to watch and to see as well.”

Just as Lamb has seen growth at HudsonAlpha, he has also seen growth in the city of Madison. The Lamb family

relocated to this area when their children were young and have since watched all three graduate from James Clemens High School. Lamb says that he and his wife have always been active in Madison City Schools and continue to support the Jets at sporting events or theater performances. To him, though, the growth of restaurants on County Line Road have intensified his love for walking the city.

“My wife and I love to walk the Greenway and of course Palmer Park,” Lamb said. “And we do not have to get in our car to go out to eat. We just walk down County Line to the Publix Shopping Center and enjoy dinner or we walk the other way to Frida’s Mexican restaurant.”

Lamb’s hobby of walking in the community sums up his outlook on running HudsonAlpha from the president’s office. It is all about community.

“I am not ‘The Man’. HudsonAlpha is built on the strength of all of our people. The folks here are our greatest asset, more so than any set of samples we have in the freezer, more so than any set of machines or tools and technology,” Lamb said. “It is my incredible privilege to get to be the cheerleader, to advocate, to help set the direction and how we get there. If I can figure out how we help our people achieve what they want to be able to do, and then get out of the way, then I will have been successful.

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Big news for Huntsville Hospital Heart Center’s Madison clinic

FFebruary is American Heart Month, which makes this the perfect time to share some big news about our cardiology services.

I am pleased to announce that cardiologist Jordan Gunn, MD, who completed his internal medicine residency at the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, is now seeing patients at Huntsville Hospital Heart Center’s Madison clinic.

Mary Lynne Wright President Madison Hospital

With Dr. Gunn, Heart Center Madison now has three cardiologists focused exclusively on the Madison community. Simply put, more local residents with heart issues will now be able to get the specialized care they need without leaving the Madison city limits.

Dr. Gunn graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in 2016. Following his three-year residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., he completed a three-year fellowship in cardiovascular diseases at UAB. He is board certified in internal medicine and also has experience working as a hospitalist physician.

Even before Dr. Gunn, Heart Center Madison boasted a stellar group of cardiologists.

Dr. James P. McGraw, a Huntsville native, is board certified in cardiovascular diseases, echocardiography,

nuclear cardiology and cardiac CT. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Alabama with a bachelor of science in chemistry and math and completed medical school at the University of South Alabama.

Dr. Josh D. Valtos also has multiple board certifications – internal medicine, cardiology and nuclear cardiology –and served our nation as a major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. He completed medical school at Emory University in Atlanta and then moved to the University of Missouri for his internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship.

There’s even more exciting cardiology news coming in 2023!

To accommodate the growing demand for cardiology services in western Madison County, Heart Center Madison will soon move to a much larger clinic space in the same Madison Medical 1 building on the campus of Madison Hospital.

Also, electrophysiologist Dr. J. Scott Allison is now seeing patients at Heart Center Madison two days each month – a huge convenience for local residents with heart rhythm abnormalities.

Speaking of convenience, did you know Madison Hospital offers a wide array of state-of-the-art cardiac testing services including cardiac CT, cardiac MRI, nuclear cardiac stress testing, echocardiogram, Holter monitoring and vascular screening?

Our wonderful community is truly blessed to have so much specialized heart care available right here in Madison.

Dr. Jordan Gunn

Dr. James P. McGraw

Dr. Josh D. Valtos

Humana supports veterans facing loneliness

AA big part of what Humana does on a daily basis is make sure members get the support they need. You may think the support is mainly approving claims and answering plan questions. That is an important part of its business, but more and more of what Humana does focuses on making sure its members get the resources they need to live a full life.

There are many things that affect your health that aren’t medical, but social. Known as social determinants of health, they are part of the national conversation on healthcare. The conditions in the places where people live, learn, work and play affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes.

These barriers to good health occur outside of the health care system and can be things like poor education, low income or lack of transportation, food insecurity and loneliness.

Social determinants of health are so important that Humana has made it a core principle of its business- to cocreate solutions with community partners – like the government, physicians and community organizations and veteran’s service organizations – that address care of the

whole person.

It’s common to experience feelings of loneliness, even when surrounded by friends and family. Loneliness is a feeling of sadness or distress about being alone or feeling disconnected from the world. It can strike when a person doesn’t feel a sense of belonging or have social connections to friends, neighbors or others.

“Many veterans don’t realize that support for loneliness may be available to every veteran through his or her primary care physician (PCP) or a Veteran Service Officer,” said Stephanie Muckey, who leads Humana’s national strategy aimed at removing barriers to health for veterans and their families. “Identifying individuals at risk for loneliness, social isolation and related outcomes allows physicians and health plans like Humana to also predict their healthcare needs and establish appropriate preventive and intervention strategies to improve their health.”

If you or someone you love is facing loneliness, visit FarFromAlone.com to find resources to help or go to www. nacvso.or to locate a Veteran Service Officer who can support them.

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Lee Marshall Founder / CEO Kids to Love Foundation

TIPS

BBefore your Spring calendar fills up I want to share with you that Kids to Love is about to begin a new class to train foster parents. With more than 5,000 children living in foster care in Alabama, the need for foster homes is extreme. Our team has seen first-hand the difference a nurturing environment can make for our kids, and we are committed to equip more families who want to help.

Our next TIPS class begins in March. TIPS (Trauma Informed Partnering for Safety) classes meet once a week for 10 weeks. Teachers

help potential families understand the needs for children in foster care and how to meet those needs.

TIPS is a requirement in order to become a licensed foster home and we are here to help you along the way. So, if you’ve ever considered becoming a foster parent or wondered how you can impact the life of a child, visit our website at kidstolove.org and fill out the form we have available.

We look forward to meeting you! Kidstolove. org

SWEET COOKIES FOR YOUR SWEETHEART

Enjoy this recipe for “French Macarons,” which utilizes the Swiss meringue method

VValentine’s Day presents an opportunity to shower loved ones with special gifts, including treats. Dessert is a significant component of Valentine’s Day, as chocolates and cakes are given and consumed in abundance.

French macarons are a great sweet for amateur bakers to add to their Valentine’s Day repertoire. Making macarons often is a labor of love, so offering a sweetheart a plate of these chewy, meringue-based cookies really shows you care. Vary the filling of choice depending on your beloved’s favorite flavors.

Enjoy this recipe for “French Macarons,” which utilizes the Swiss meringue method, courtesy of Karli Bitner and her “Cooking with Karli” blog. Weighing the ingredients produces more reliable results.

French Macarons

Makes 20 macarons

• 100 grams powdered sugar

• 100 grams superfine almond flour

• 100 grams egg whites

100 grams granulated sugar

Food coloring, if desired

Vanilla buttercream filling

4 tablespoons butter, at room temperature

11/2 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Up to 2 tablespoons heavy cream

Food coloring, if desired

1. Measure out all ingredients.

2. Sift together the powdered sugar and almond flour. Set aside.

3. Add 1 cup of water to your sauce pan or to the liner of your Instant Pot.

4. Heat the water over medium heat until steaming.

5. While the water is heating, add the egg and 3 tablespoons of the measured out sugar to the bowl you’ll be using for the double boiler.

6. Once the water is steaming, place the bowl over the steaming water and whisk until the egg whites are foamy and white. When they are foamy and white, remove the bowl from the pan or Instant Pot and set on a hot pad on the counter. Turn off the burner or Instant Pot.

7. Add the remaining sugar to the egg whites and mix using an electric hand mixture until the egg whites are

white, glossy and can form stiff peaks.

8. Add the food coloring now if you’d like to color your macarons. Mix until combined.

9. Add the powdered sugar and almond flour to the bowl and mix with your mixer for 8 seconds. After the 8 seconds is up, use a silicone spatula to stir and smear the batter from the outside of the bowl towards the center. Turn the bowl as you do this to make sure all of the batter gets stirred equally.

10. Do this until your batter thins and is able to drizzle a ribbon of batter for a few seconds without it breaking.

11. Transfer the batter to a piping bag equipped with a round piping tip.

12. Pipe equal circles onto a silicone or parchment-lined cookie sheet. Make sure that your piping bag is straight up and down. Apply equal pressure and release pulling straight back up. Repeat with the remaining batter.

13. Bang the pan gently but firmly onto the counter a few times to remove any air bubbles.

14. Preheat oven to 300 F.

15. Allow the macarons to dry out as the oven preheats, for about 20 to 30 minutes. Your macarons should be dry to the touch before going into the oven.

16. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes at 300 F. The macarons should not turn brown.

17. Allow the macarons to cool completely on the pan.

18. When the macarons are completely cool, make your filling.

19. Make your filling by combining all ingredients using either a stand mixer or your electric hand mixer. Slowly add in the heavy cream (you can substitute milk if you’d like) because you want a thick buttercream so it doesn’t squirt out while eating the macaron.

20. Once the buttercream is mixed together and your desired consistency, gently pipe some frosting onto the bottom side of one cookie and then sandwich the frosting with the bottom side of a second cookie to create your macaron.

21. Repeat with remaining cookies.

Madison City Schools ....................... .......................

Lee Shaw

Madison City Schools’ Development Office Coordinator

LLee Shaw was only a week into her job in March 2020 when COVID closed schools statewide and left communities scrambling how to serve whole populations of students.

Development Office Coordinator was a brand new position for Madison City Schools so Mrs. Shaw had nothing to draw from.

No budget.

John Peck Madison City Schools Communications Director

No predecessor to bounce things off of.

No established network of community partners to help with resources and volunteers.

“I remember the administrative meeting that Acting Superintendent Eric Terrell was having to discuss the school system shutdown

and him saying, ‘Mrs. Shaw, we need to feed these kids.’ ”

“I said how?

“He said, ‘I don’t know. We are going to have to work together to figure that out.’”

It was a daunting charge with thousands of students. Not to mention working through food preparation and storage logistics at the schools, organizing a first-of-its-kind meal delivery and pickup system, and navigating through all the federal/state spending guidelines.

“I had no blueprint or map on how to work things out,” Mrs. Shaw recalled. “I immedi-

Lee Shaw visiting with students at lunch at Horizon Elementary School.

ately called the city because luckily one of my first meetings was with Marc Jacobsen,” - a top aide then to Mayor Paul Finley. Mrs. Shaw quickly began reaching out to the community. Aggressive outreaches soon had churches opening their food pantries for carline pickups and school buses delivering boxed meals into neighborhoods using help from PTAs. CNP staffs showed flexibility rotating among schools to prepare and box meals.

Mrs. Shaw was struck by all the generosity and overwhelming willingness to help.

“I couldn’t believe no one in this community told me no. It was a pleasant surprise. Anybody I called for help eagerly told me yes and went well beyond what I expected them to. I would ask for 20 food packs and I’d get 200. I would put out a need for 5 volunteers and 10 would show up. Everybody did it so eagerly. It was just shocking.” The food networking led to other assistance like a robust school backpack program providing school supplies, and the establishment of a Supporting Our Students fund to help struggling families with field trip fees, senior cap and gowns and other needs.

Today, Lee Shaw is increasingly becoming a household name in Madison school, business and community organization circles. She plays a vital role in harnessing outside support for schools that engages them into true community partnerships.

Examples are many. Knights of Columbus, for example, routinely held Tootsie Roll drives outside businesses to raise money for special ed programs. When Mrs. Shaw came aboard, the drive expanded to a fullfledged 5K using the stadium and partnering with the city and other community organizations in support roles. Another hallmark program was started when Dr. Nichols came on board with Madison City Schools. Mirrored after a program he was familiar with in Decatur, Partners in Education for Madison City Schools was born. This is a program that partners local businesses & families with local schools. The first year of the program was a pilot, which enabled Rainbow Elementary to build an outdoor classroom. Since then, the program has expanded to both middle schools, and 3 elementary schools. Shaw says, “The goal is to eventually have a partner for each local school. We want this to be a meaningful relationship for the school and business, and each school have established partners for years to come.”

She has helped organize school visits from the Sprocket mascot of the Trash Pandas and had baseball players read children’s books to students. She’s teamed with counterparts in Huntsville and Madison County schools in area-wide education initiatives like Orton-Gillingham training for dyslexic students and expanding partnerships with The Schools Foundation,

The Community Foundation and others to increase many services, programs and teacher support the system can offer.

“I feel like a matchmaker. I hear of a need or dream that a teacher or student has and find a way to get past any spending restrictions we have in the budget to meet that need through support of our community partnerships. So many of our local businesses and individuals want a connection with our schools. They value education. This position has them come from watching from the stands to being on the sidelines. We’ve been able to make them part of our team.”

Schools Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols said having a Development Office Coordinator has helped Madison City Schools be more in sync with individuals, businesses and community organizations who want to help. “Lee Shaw is a heartbeat for the district that touches every area of Madison. Her enthusiasm to serve students and staff has richly benefited the mission of the school district.”

Lee Shaw has been a resident of Madison for 17 years, is married to Paul, a graduate of Bob Jones High School and they have two children, Jack & Elizabeth.

Lee Shaw, left, delivering backpacks of school supplies to students in need. She is with Madison Elementary Principal Jamie Golliver.

OUT&ABOUT

100th DAY OF SCHOOL - This event each year never fails to produce the cutest photos. Schools throughout Madison found unique ways to celebrate the 100th day of school last month. Some dressed up as if they were 100 years old. Others held a parade or found fun activities centered around the number 100. Then came the 101st day of school -- and you know what that means -- more fun! Some classes had a blast dressing up as dalmatians from the Walt Disney movie “101 Dalmatians”. Check out these cute photos schools in Madison shared.

FLOYD THE BARBER

Mayberry’s Floyd the barber tribute artist, humorist, and life-long fan of The Andy Griffith Show, Allan Newsome and his wife Jan are keeping fond memories of the show alive

STORY BY ERIN COGGINS

PHOTOS BY JOSHUA BERRY

TThat one time back in 1994. That is how Allan Newsome starts telling the story of how his life changed or to be more specific how he transformed himself into Floyd the Barber.

“I was already a big fan of The Andy Griffith Show. I was able to meet David Browning who portrays the character of Barney at Mule Days in Gordo, Alabama,” Allan said. “I started doing quotes in the Floyd character voice. He said that I ought to get a smock and go to Mayberry Days and do my Floyd impersonation.”

That is exactly what Newsome did.

“I thought that Mayberry Days in Mt. Airy, North Carolina in 1994 would be a one-time thing, but people kept asking me to do appearances and here we are,” Allan said.

For the last 28 years, Allan has portrayed the beloved character. During this tenure, he has been on the stage with several of the original cast members, including Don Knotts, George Lindsey, Jim Nabors, and Betty Lynn, the actress who played Thelma Lou and the Dillards who portrayed the Darling Boys in the series.

“The cast members are like family. The ones that I’ve met are amazing people,” Allan said. “They are just as nice as you’d expect from Mayberry people. I have not been disappointed by any of the wonderful cast and crew that I have been blessed to meet.”

In the fall of 1997, Allan emceed “An Evening with Don

Knotts” in Birmingham. He remembers Knotts as a nice guy, very quiet and reserved. He says watching him transform into Barney was an incredible thing to witness.

“Don would be behind the stage, kind of slumped over, his shoulders hunched and then as he was being introduced on stage, he would start to straighten up and get into character,” Allan said. “It was always a real pleasure working with him. He never made me feel like he was better, that he was Don Knotts. That was special.”

Knotts’ family invited Allan to attend Knotts memorial service when he passed in 2006.

Allan has diversified his Floyd performance. He currently does a weekly podcast called “Two Chairs, No Waiting,” aptly named after one of the character’s common phrases. It all started in the early ‘90s when Allan interviewed some of the cast members, recording the interviews on MP3. He decided he wanted to share these and went through the process of transferring them to a podcast format. He has just finished up the episode 695.

“What is fun about the podcasts is the range in ages of people who call in or ask questions,” Allan’s wife, Jan said. “Little kids are my favorite. We once had a 6-year-old call in who was a big fan of the podcast and the original television show. It was pretty neat.”

As the longest running television show in history, at 60

years the longevity of “The Andy Griffith Show” is what inspires Allan to continue keeping the show alive. Those young children who call into his podcast are helping to carry on the memory of the show and its characters.

“The show has never been off the air,” Allan said. “During 2019-2020, a part of the COVID lockdown, the Andy Griffith Show was second only to Friends in all-time streaming. It was number four overall in comedies viewed. It’s amazing that after 60 years, people are still watching.”

Jan is just as much a part of the Floyd the Barber routine as Allan. Preferring to stay behind the scenes, she takes photographs and documents the many appearances Allan makes as the character. She also operates the couple’s online store, Weaver’s Department Store. The store offers a variety of Mayberry themed items, including 60 different t-shirt and sweatshirt designs, hats, posters, books, DVDs and of course, Floyd Barber shop combs.

The store was originally operated by a friend who founded it over 30 years ago. He always let the Newsome’s know that when he was ready to sell the then mail-order shop that he wanted them to take it over. They took ownership seven years ago and mail packages to locations all over the country. Both Allan and Jan lament on the unique items that they have included in the store over the years, especially special holiday items.

“On Halloween we sold the ‘Old Man Remshaw’ print. It

is a copy of the print that hangs in the Remshaw Mansion in the episode where Barney feels like he is being followed by the eyes from the painting,” Allan said. “The Goober beanies and deputy/sheriff badges are big sellers.”

Like the beanies and the Remshaw print, the Miracle Salve item offered in the store pays homage to the show. In a 1964 episode, Opie and his friends get involved in selling a worthless product called miracle salve. Jan says the salve hand cream sold in the store is made by two ladies in Birmingham.

“We ship the cream and depending on the order in a Miracle Salve box,” Jan said. “It’s kind of an extra surprise. People sometimes just want the box.”

Besides his live performances, Allan has portrayed Floyd on film in two feature roles. He appeared as himself in “The Mayberry Effect” providing insight into the nostalgia that continues to draw fans to “The Andy Griffith Show.” He followed that with a feature role in “Mayberry Man.”

The movie was made by two sons of Hoke Howell, who played Dud Wash in two episodes of “The Andy Griffith Show.” The sons sought out Allan to portray a man named Allan, a Floyd tribute artist. The premise of the show is to take people back to the days of a simpler life and where family is the most important.

“The movie has a ‘Doc Holiday’ movie feel; you know the one that stars Michael J. Fox. It’s not a remake. It is more of a feel the spirit,” Allan said. “We had a screening for it at

Cineplanet in Madison when it was released in 2021 and it sold out. You can stream it on Amazon Prime as well.”

Allan says he and the Howell’s are in the middle of raising funds and making deals to make Mayberry Man a series for a streaming company.

“It’s still unbelievable to me. I went from getting into watching the show while in college to actually being in a movie and looking at a streaming show,” Allan said.

Over the weekend of July 26, Allan made trip 28 to Mt. Airy to participate in Mayberry Days. He coordinated the Mayberry Round Meet Up at the Mayberry Motor Inn where the 184 people who attended watched episodes of the show. Something, again that he felt would be a one-time thing back in 1994. And Allan has zero plans of slowing down his portrayal of Floyd the Barber. He has been blessed beyond measure to stop now.

“I’ve enjoyed watching Allan do the things he has gotten to do,” Jan said. “We have made friends throughout the years that are like family to us. They are lifelong friends. We go through the good times together and the sad times together. We’ve been blessed.”

And isn’t that what “The Andy Griffith Show” is all about— friends and family?

For more information about Alan Newsome, check out www.mayberrybarber.com. You can find his podcast at www.Imayberry.com. Weaver’s Department Store is located at 4800 Whitesburg Drive Suite 30 - 236 in Huntsville. For more information, go to www.weaversdepartmentstore.com.

2022-2023 Madison Chamber Board of Directors

OOne of my favorite quotes is “Volunteers don’t have the time, they have the heart.” This quote could not be more true of our 20222023 Madison Chamber Board of Directors. This group of talented professional volunteers have in the last year helped re-define and reorganize the Madison Chamber. This board of directors has already set the ground work to help us celebrate this year our 30th Anniversary for the Madison Chamber of Commerce!

The mission of the Madison Chamber of Commerce is to create community conversations and grow businesses by being an advocate for its members and the community. The last 30 years, the Madison Chamber has continued to thrive through the hard work and dedication of volunteers on our board of directors. Each board member is an accomplished professional in their industry and has dedicated their life to making our community in Madison a stronger place to live.

We are very fortunate to have a board of directors that represents the diversity of businesses within our community and who believes in the mission of the Madison Chamber. Therefore, we are excited to welcome our board of directors for 2022-2023 who will help us accomplish our goals through advising the Madison Chamber on strategies that will advance our efforts in supporting the business community and residents for this year and the years to come.

President

DeWayne Howell

Sr. Manager of Environmental

Compliance & Sustainability, Polaris

Vice President

Carlos Mendoza

Financial Advisor, Edward Jones

Treasurer

Denise Bates

Director, Facilities & Building

Operations, Hexagon

Secretary

Jan Bias

Executive Vice President, Redstone Federal Credit Union

Grant Baker

Engineering Manager, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama

Lindsey Knupp

Executive Vice President, Rocket City Trash Pandas

Kathy Mann

Owner, Coldwell Banker CK Mann Realty

David Raby

President/CEO, STI Electronics

Doug Rossetti

CFO, United Way of Madison County

Melinda Sanders

Owner, Filthy Gorgeous on Main

Lee Shaw

Development Office Coordinator, Madison City Schools

Michelle Epling Executive Director Madison Chamber of Commerce

“It’s always tea time!”

Lanier House opens in downtown Madison

By Brandy Booth

TThe Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland says it best, “It’s Always Tea Time!” And now, thanks to Tammy Hall, owner of Main Street Cafe, opening her tea room in the Lanier House, Madison and nearby residents can enjoy a full tea service most anytime.

“Would you like an adventure now, or shall we have our tea first?”

- Alice, Alice in Wonderland

Tammy Hall has had some business adventures along the way to lead up to the opening of this experiencebased downtown attraction. Tammy and her husband Johnny Hall have been Madison residents since 2016. Prior to moving to Madison, they owned a restaurant in Columbus, Mississippi. As sometimes happens in life, being a restaurant owner wasn’t the profession Tammy

originally sought; it was the restaurant life that found Tammy. Hall’s education is in kinesiology, and as they were living in Mississippi, she was working on her Masters in nutrition. She had previously always worked in the fitness industry before being led to restaurant life. It was actually her husband’s original brainchild. He grew up in the restaurant life as his parents had owned a buffet-style restaurant named the Ranch House Diner. They had previously sold to new owners, but those owners were now selling it. So her husband Johnny wanted to buy it.

Then in 2015 Johnny and one of their two daughters came to Madison for a job at Yulista while Tammy and their other daughter continued with the Ranch House. One day eating at Main Street Cafe, he overheard Cindy Sensenberger, who had owned the restaurant 18 years, sharing with someone that she was just about ready to

sell. Yet again, restaurant life was finding the Halls. He was immediately inspired to introduce himself to Sensenberger and share his interest. One and a half years later, Sensenberger recontacted Hall and was officially ready to sell. For a year and a half, Tammy was splitting her time between the two restaurants, going back and forth every ten days, until they decided to sell the Ranch House and take on full-time residency in Madison for the family of four.

As Main Street Cafe had already been a favorite venue in downtown Madison, the Halls made only minor changes to the current menu but expanded to also offer dinner service that had been discontinued in 2007. The one conflict Hall met time and again was having to turn down so many requests for different private events, most being rehearsal dinners. With a max capacity of 35 seating, the small restaurant could not accommodate both walk-in customers and privately reserved occasions.

So when the Lanier House became available, Hall saw that as an avenue to have a private venue space first and

foremost with the tea room during the day as an extra attraction. As she began envisioning the aesthetics of the tea room, it was pertinent that all decor could be transitioned with buffet tables for any private event and needed seating. The eclectic look that everyone loves does not serve just an aesthetic function but also a purposeful one.

Hall’s love of tea was originally inspired by the St. James Tea Room in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Halls lived in New Mexico from 2004-2008. In 2006, they hosted one of their daughter’s birthday parties there, and Hall immediately fell in love with the venue. One can hear it immediately as Hall talks so admiringly about St. James. So in building her menu, she used St. James as inspiration along with many other family recipes given to her.

Hall states that they will have a rotating monthly menu. A sample menu that was featured at the soft grand opening included three courses. The first course Savory, served with white peach lemon tea, included English cucumber dill sandwiches, mini bacon and pecan cheese balls, and

avocado deviled eggs. The second course Scones, served with white cranberry orange tea, included sugar scones with lemon curd and English style crumpets with maple butter. And the third course Sweets, served with black lavender Earl Grey, included strawberry cheesecake bites, raspberry tarts, and lavender Earl Grey cookies. Tea times are Tuesday-Saturday at 11:00, 1:00, and 3:00. Reservations are highly suggested (see QR code to scan for direct link to website) as there will only be a couple non-reservation tables set aside daily. The standard tea menu, as listed above, will be $27 per person. This includes a 3-tier tray with all three courses and three teas. Private venue reservations are also available during those times and can be reserved via website as well.

In deciding who her pastry chef would be at the Lanier House, Hall was fortunate to look no farther than her own kitchen at Main Street Cafe. Megan Shaver had been a secondary chef at Main Street Cafe. She will be finishing culinary school in April. Hall chose her because of her pliability and ease to work with. Hall and Shaver seemed to work together so seamlessly as they collaborated on recipes such as the customer favorites Earl Grey iced lemon cookies and mini cheeseballs.

Opening a new restaurant, as with any new business, is always a daunting challenge, but especially now, as all restaurants are still having problems with getting products. When asked what Hall sees as the root of these problems, it was more like a spider web of causes. But

despite all these obstacles, Hall faithfully held fast to the belief, “If you build it, they will come.” And as the Grand Opening was January 14th, they are full force planning multiple private venues as well as the three tea times daily. As Hall originally anticipated, they already had multiple private parties reserved prior to opening.

With a new menu each month, they also have a special Valentine’s menu planned to include a Savory (English cucumber sandwiches, classic waldorf chicken salad croissant, and red pepper jelly cream cheese & butter crackers), Bread (Strawberries and Cream scones along with sweetheart scones), and Sweet (Pink sugar almond amaretti cookies, powdered apple roses, and mini brownies with raspberry ganache). Each course will include tea with the option to add on a rosé for $10. But as always seating is limited and reservations are highly suggested, especially for the Valentine’s special tea times.

Lanier House does not have a set dress code for their tea times; however, it is set up as a formal tea experience. So whether you are meeting a friend and treating it as lunch or want to make it a special event and wear your Sunday best, you are welcome. And with more shopping options expanding, downtown Madison is becoming a destination day and evening experience. From the lunch and tea options to all the shops on Main Street and beyond, it’s definitely worth catching up with a good friend and spending the day together downtown.

See the Lanier House ad on page 23.

Madison Street Festival awards grants, gears up for this year’s event

By Crystal McBrayer President - Madison Street Festival Committee

TThe Madison Street Festival made their come back in 2022 for our 40th festival after being away for two years. As we planned the festival, we had a mission. Create the best festival for our community to celebrate the big “40”, and to manage our budgets with rising costs to make an impact in our community through our grant program. Our all-volunteer committee worked diligently, and passionately to make those things happen!

Thanks to our sponsors, vendors, and donations, there is no admission charge to the Madison Street Festival, and activities are free. After the festival is complete, MSF takes all the profits after hosting the event, the start-up cost for the next year’s festival, and gives the balance of money back to our community.

Our Mission as a 501c3 non-profit is to support students of all ages and abilities by providing access to education and educational programs. We accomplish this each year through our grant program. We are so proud to be able to support 16 educational programs in our

community from our 2022 festival. Congratulations to the 2022 Madison Street Festival grant recipients.

Madison Elementary School

“STEM Club” Crissy Stegherr

Grant awarded to help purchase materials needed to create different opportunities for students to explore and learn through STEM Club challenges.

Midtown Elementary School

“Music Program Rhythm & Rhymes” Kristina Stundtner

Grant awarded to help create a music program at Midtown Elementary

Midtown Elementary School

“Archery team” Laura Hossler

Grant awarded to help to purchase bows, arrows, and targets for the archery team

Columbia Elementary School

“3D ART” Thuan Murine

Grant awarded to help to cover materials cost for 3D art

Thousands attended the 2022 Madison Street Festival on the first Saturday in October.

Columbia Elementary School

“Shopping for Success” Melissa Hyde

Grant awarded to help to purchase items to create vendor booths and supply the different booths with items the students can purchase using fake currency they earn for good behavior, completed work, and classroom jobs.

Columbia Elementary- “Astros” Jessica Pinegar

Grant awarded to help purchase coding rights, accessories and batteries for enrichment and STEM groups.

Madison City School “Robotics team” Jonathan Bailey

Grant awarded to help fund first robotics competition of 2023.

Heritage Ele. School “Finch Robots” Teri Patterson

Grant awarded to help purchase finch robots.

Heritage Elementary School “Hands-on Literacy Learning w/VersaTiles” Savannah Higgins

Grant awarded to help purchase VersaTiles BOB book sets for kindergarten teachers.

Rainbow Elementary School Resource Classroom “Sensory items” Kesha Lovejoy

Grant awarded to help purchase items for the sensory classroom.

Discovery Middle School “Panther Racing”

Melissa Marowski

Grant awarded to help purchase basic build materials required to modify the Greenpower cars steering mechanism.

James Clemens High School “Photography”

Hannah Stockman

Grant awarded to help to update cameras.

James Clemens High School Special Education Program “Brain Gym” Holly Waite

Grant awarded to help purchase a recumbent exercise bike with a video program screen.

Bob Jones High School Teaching Academy “Reading Buddies” Meagan Fleenor

Grant awarded to help create a program where younger students are paired with high school students. The older students read to the younger students to help promote reading.

The Danny Kendall Johnson Foundation - Danny Johnson

Grant awarded to help toward the education program that provides scholarships and assistance to students taking the ACT, and how to successfully interview in a professional environment.

American Legion Post 229 Foundation-Larry Vannoy

Grant awarded to help towards scholarships for Madison City Schools delegates to the Alabama boys and girls state convention in June 2023.

The Madison Street Festival Organization will be cheering on these wonderful programs and the individuals who put so much time and effort into making them a success. What a wonderful community we live in. We are honored to not only plan and create a fun event each year that brings our community together on the first Saturday in October, but also to support the educators, and individuals who work to enhance the educational experience for people of all ages and abilities.

Madison Mayor Paul Finley and Madison Street Festival President Crystal McBrayer are pictured welcoming everyone to the 2022 festival

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