Madison Living Magazine - June 2024

MADISON LIVING

Madison’s Mural Trail

The first phase in Madison’s new mural trail unveiled downtown Sports James Clemens two-sport athlete is a true Renaissance man

Rotary Club pays tribute to Madison employees Above & Beyond

Dining Humphrey Brothers Bistro and Lounge

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Mammography MadeEasy!

MADISON LIVING

EDITOR

John Few

CONTACT US

Madison Living Magazine

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

The Madison Record 7734 Madison Blvd. Suite 115 Huntsville, AL 35806 madisonlivingmagazine.com

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Copyright 2024

Madison

St., two streets south of Main Street in downtown Madison, the

June 13. This group will play tunes for groovin’ to their versions of funk, rhythm and

soul, pop and

music. Luna Koi performs on June 27. Madison Arts Alliance sponsors this concert series and presents the event in partnership with Madison Visionary Partners. For more information, visit madisonartsalliance.org.

Fantasy Playhouse 64th Season • Starts in October 2024 www.fantasyplayhouse.org

The wait is over! The secret is out! For Fantasy Playhouse’s 64th Season, they are choosing WONDER! The 64th Mainstage Season lineup is designed to inspire wonder in everyone. Fantasy will kick off the season with ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,’ followed by their holiday tradition of ‘A Christmas Carol’! Then, in 2025, they’re back with ‘Sleeping Beauty & the Big Green Pea’ and end the season with ‘A Wrinkle in Time’! Show dates and audition information are coming soon. Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater and Academy has been a leader in Arts Education in North Alabama since 196. Shows are usually presented at the Von Braun Center Playhouse in Huntsville.

64th Season Choose Wonder

TICKET PACKAGES NOW AVAILABLE!

October 2024

December 2024

February 2025

May 2025

Treatments average about 30 minutes once every four to six weeks over a course of six treatments.

July 9th – Mike Roberts

August 13th – Josh Allison

Ditto Landing, the Huntsville Music Office and Artemis Music Productions are presenting the Summer Sunset Concert Series every second Tuesday starting in June through September, 6-8 p.m. Join the fun at the Ditto Landing Pavilion and enjoy local music along the Tennessee River. It’s open to the public with free admission. The first band of the season is The Drive in Mondays. This trio features originals and covers with a folky/indie twist. Bring your friends and family, pack a picnic, tote a chair or blanket, and enjoy the sunset and local music. Mark your calendars for the rest of the series:

September 10th - Dawn Osborne and Jason Humphress

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w e h B A C i u

Thursdays on

Madison Visionary Partners and the Shoppes of Historic Downtown Madison will host “Third Thursdays on Main” in Downtown Madison beginning June 20 from 4 - 7 p.m. Each event will feature food trucks, live music, and a variety of events for the whole family and extended shopping hours.

Located at 1088 Hughes Road, next to Trinity Baptist Church, Madison City Farmers Market is a producer-only farmers market founded in 2007. Everything sold at the market is grown or crafted by local farmers and craftspeople. It is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

Huntsville Botanical Garden is hosting a whimsical journey through an mesmerizing exhibit, Glass in Flight. Wander among 21 breathtaking, larger-than-life glass sculptures that capture the delicate beauty and intricate details of nature’s most fascinating pollinators – from the vibrant wings of butterflies to the iridescent shimmer of dragonflies, the meticulous craftsmanship of beetles, and the gentle buzz of bees. This exhibit is more than a display; it’s an invitation to see the Garden and its inhabitants in an enchanting light. Each piece, crafted with exceptional artistry by artist Alex Heveri, tells a story of flight, transformation, and the delicate balance of nature. For more information, go to hsvbg.org/glass-in-flight.

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VETERINARY

MON -THUR

8AM-5PM MON-THUR

SAT8AM-SUN 8PM SAT8AM-SUN8PM FRI8AM -8PM FRI8AM-8PM

Enjoy a night of music at a truly unique outdoor venue while supporting local land conservation. Land Trust of North Alabama welcomes fantastic local female artists The Lana White Band and Seeking Babylon to the Three Caves stage this summer. Tickets for this event are exclusively available to Land Trust members. Not a member? Simply add a membership to your ticket order. Membership begins at $35. All proceeds benefit Land Trust of North Alabama’s mission to preserve scenic, historic and ecological resources through conservation, advocacy, recreation and education.

Rocket City Fair • June 20-30 • John Hunt Park

Rocket City Fair returns to John Hunt Park, 2195 Jaycee Way in Huntsville, with more rides and games, plus live music and entertainment. The fair will be open to the public during the following hours: Monday-Thursday: 4-10 p.m., Friday: 4-11 p.m., Saturday: 1-11 p.m. and Sunday: 1-10 p.m. Entertainment is a key highlight of the Rocket City Fair, featuring Lady Houdini’s World-Renowned Escape Show, a delightful Petting Zoo, live music by local artists, and much more! With over 30 rides and games suitable for both children and adults by a new amusement partner, Casey’s Rides, the fair promises to boost nostalgia for adults and new experiences for children.

Juneteenth Celebration • June 22 • 12-6 p.m. The Orion Amphitheater • theorionhuntsville.com

The Orion Amphitheater plans to celebrate Juneteenth by supporting local Black-owned businesses, farmers, food trucks, and creators while hosting live performances in the Apollo South Dome. It will be held Saturday, June 22 from 12 - 6 p.m.

2 p.m. – R&B Vibes Live with DJ B Short and host Gabreal Lyrix

Aquarist for a Day Camp • Wednesday, June 12 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. • Grades: 4 – 8 • Cook Museum of Natural Science • cookmuseum.org

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be an aquarist or to work at the Cook Museum of Natural Science? What would you have to know? What would you get to do? Experience live animal feedings, behind the scenes tours, ocean classes, independent workstations, and even a shark dissection! Lunch and a t-shirt included.

Concerts in the Park - A Huntsville summer tradition, Arts Huntsville and Huntsville Parks & Recreation’s Concerts in the Park is held every Monday evening starting at 6:30 p.m. through August. The free series showcases local music talent in a mix of genres. It is held behind the Huntsville Museum of Art at Big Spring Park. Upcoming concerts include: June 10 - Maneuver Center of Excellence Band, June 17 - The Collection and Alex Banks & Co., June 24 - 3 Savile Row and Moondust Big Band. Check out the weekly schedule of musicians at www.artshuntsville.org.

Armed Forces Celebration Week

EEvery year, the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and community plans a number of events for a week-long Armed Forces Celebration to honor our military. Here are the events for the upcoming Armed Forces Celebration Week. At the bottom of the list, there is information on discounts and free admissions to local attractions as well.

For more information, go to www.hsvchamber.org/ armed-forces-celebration-week-2024.

Saturday, June 8

Armed Forces Night at Wicks Family Field

Huntsville City FC vs. Crown Legacy FC, 7 p.m. Redstone Test Center flyover planned Military appreciation moments throughout game

Monday, June 10

Proclamation Signing Ceremony

Huntsville-Madison County Veterans Memorial, downtown, 8 a.m.

Concert in the Park Fireworks Show

Huntsville Museum of Art lawn, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Fireworks at 8:30 p.m.

Arts Huntsville and the City of Huntsville Parks & Recreation Department present the 2024 Armed Forces Celebration Concert in the Park featuring the Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCOE) Band from Ft. Moore, Ga. At the end of the Concert, the Chamber will host a fireworks show, compliments of our sponsoring companies! In case of rain, event will move to VBC South Hall, and fireworks will be cancelled.

Tuesday, June 11

Armed Forces Celebration Luncheon

VBC Saturn Ballroom, 12–1:15 p.m.

Wednesday, June 12

Annual Softball Game between Team

Redstone and Community Team

Toyota Field, 6–7:30 p.m.

Whether you cheer for the Redstone Arsenal team or our local Community Leaders, this will be a great game featuring senior officers from Redstone and lots of local elected officials. Admission and parking are free, so bring your entire family and make an evening of it! The gates open at 5:30 p.m., and concessions will be available for purchase. FREE hot dogs to the first 500 attendees.

Annual Softball Game between Team Redstone and Community Team • June 12 • Toyota Field in Madison

Whether you cheer for the Redstone Arsenal team or our local Community Leaders, this will be a great game featuring senior officers from Redstone and lots of local elected officials. Admission and parking are free, so bring your entire family and make an evening of it! The gates open at 5:30 p.m., and concessions will be available for purchase. FREE hot dogs to the first 500 attendees.

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Thursday, June 13

Rocket to the Tropics

Saturn V Hall at U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s Davidson Center, 5–7 p.m.

Proceeds support AUSA

Rocket to the Tropics at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center is an evening of live music, great food, and activities. Go to www. www.rocketcenter.com/rocket-to-the-tropics for more information.

Friday, June 14

Armed Forces Prayer Breakfast

The Summit on Redstone Arsenal

7:30 to 8:30 a.m.

This breakfast is free to all military/veterans and their families

Sponsored by Madison County Chairman

Hosted by North Alabama Veterans & Fraternal Organizations

Coalition and Madison County Military Heritage Commission Register on navfoc.com by June 10

U.S. Army Birthday Celebration Dinner

Presented by AUSA

Von Braun Center East Hall at 5 p.m.

Saturday, June 15

249th U.S. Army Birthday Celebration

Redstone Gateway (Outside Gate 9), 4–9 p.m.

The celebration includes a cake cutting ceremony, cruisein car show, kids play zone, craft/market vendors, Redstone Gateway restaurants and food trucks, entertainmen by: DJ Slim Robb and The Bicho Brothers, and a fireworks show. More details can be found at redstone.armymwr.com.

Wednesday, June 19

2024 AUSA Iron Mike Golf Tournament

The Links at Redstone, 4140 Goss Road SW, Huntsville Registration: 7 a.m.

Shotgun Start: 8:30 a.m.

Includes breakfast, lunch, beverages, and awards

Military Discounts

The following attractions are offering discounted or free admission for military families during Armed Forces Celebration Week:

• U.S. Space & Rocket Center – free admission for Veterans and active duty personnel with one paid admission.

• EarlyWorks Museums – free admission for military and/or their families.

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• Heart of the Valley YMCA – free admission is given to all active/retired military, with Military ID, and their immediate family members at all branches of the Y: Downtown Express YMCA and Southeast Family YMCA in Huntsville and Hogan Family YMCA in Madison.

• Huntsville Museum of Art – discounted admission for military

EVENTS

CELEBRATING THE 4TH

Here is a look at area plans to celebrate our Independence Day.

STORY BY JOHN FEW

Patriotic Celebration at Asbury Church • June 30 • 3-4 p.m. • 980 Hughes Road in Madison • Madison Campus, Bldg 2 Sanctuary • Free event

Begin your patriotic celebrations leading up to our nation’s Independence Day with the Asbury Orchestra and Chancel Choir for Songs of Courage, Gratitude, & Remembrance. Invite a service member or veteran to honor, and join in uplifting moments of joy and meaningful contemplation as you hear selections form patriotic hymns and classic favorites such as America the Beautiful, Battle Hymn of the Republic, and the Armed Forces Salute. To learn more about being part of a music group for all ages and skill levels at Asbury, visit weareasbury.com/music.

City of Madison Star Spangled Celebration

July 3 starting at 5 p.m. • Dublin Park in Madison www.facebook.com/MadisonALParksandRec

Mark your calendars for the Annual July 4th Star Spangled Celebration. Sponsored by the City of Madison Parks and Recreation, the event will include live music, food vendors, inflatables, a free shuttle service, and FIREWORKS! This is always a great family event for the community to celebrate our country’s independence.

Ditto Landing’s Independence Day Celebration

June 29 • starting at 5 p.m. • www.dittolanding.org

The Ditto Landing Independence Day Celebration will be held June 29. Located in south Huntsville, the celebration is one of the best of the year with live music, food trucks and fireworks -- all along the scenic Tennessee River. Gates open at 5 p.m. It is a free event.

Independence Day Celebration & Firework Spectacular! July 4 • Gates open at 5 p.m. • Toyota Field in Madison

The Rocket City Trash Pandas will host their annual Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks Spectacular during the Trash Pandas vs. Birmingham Barons game on July 4 at Toyota Field in Madison. For more information, go to www.trashpanadsbaseball.com.

Join MidCity District for the annual Independence Day Celebration! The 2024 MidCity fireworks show is on Thursday, July 4 accompanied with live music by Madison City Orchestra. It all starts Sunday, June 30 with The Market at MidCity and the Watermelon Carving Contest. Come back on Thursday, July 4th for music at The Camp and 20 minutes of spectacular fireworks with the Madison City Orchestra. On Saturday, July 6, The Camp is hosting a Mullet and Mustache Contest. Find MidCity District on Facebook or go to www.midcitydistrict.com for times. Parking is free. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, family, friends and pets.

Madison: Baby Box SUCCESS!

Lee Marshall Founder / CEO Kids to Love Foundation Kidstolove.org ...

FFrom the moment our babies are born, moms wonder and worry whether we’re making the right choices for our children.

Three women in Madison have made the most difficult decision a mom can endure. Each of these mothers surrendered her child to the baby box installed earlier this year at the city of Madison’s Fire Station 1.

I feel a deep sense of gratitude each time I get the call that a baby has been safely surrendered. I am adopted. My biological mom chose to give me life, and she wanted to give me a better life through adoption. That’s one

reason Kids to Love worked so hard to amend Alabama’s Safe Haven Law, to give women more time to decide if they are ready to parent and more places to surrender their babies safely.

Madison was the first city in Alabama to install a baby box at fire stations, and has led the way for others to do the same including Prattville, Dothan, Gadsden and Tuscaloosa. The cities of Opelika, Enterprise and Mobile will have a box soon.

I am so thankful our city said “yes” because the baby box is saving lives.

DOWNTOWN

MADISON’S MURAL TRAIL

The first phase in Madison’s new mural trail were unveiled last month, both in downtown Madison

STORY BY MELISSA DAVISON

PHOTOS BY CRISTIE CLARK

MMadison Visionary Partners (MVP), along with city officials, recently unveiled two new murals in the City of Madison as part of the first phase of its new mural trail.

Madison Visionary Partners’ Executive Director, Melanie Thornton, explains how this idea came to fruition from a conversation with Madison’s Mayor Paul Finley in early 2023.

“A group of community members expressed the desire for more public art in the City of Madison,” said Thornton. “Because our nonprofit works as a connector, we were happy to jump in and see how we could help.”

Thornton also believed murals were a missing element to Madison’s cultural landscape. Having spearheaded mural projects in other cities, Thornton saw the value in adding this project to MVP’s roster.

“Public art is a way to celebrate a community’s identity,” explains Thornton. “It also has the potential to

inspire and connect us.”

When MVP began planning for the mural project, they quickly realized that the path to bring murals to Madison was a process. The current sign ordinance didn’t allow for murals, except in the Madison Station Historic District.

“We knew we wanted a location at the Avenue after discussions with the developer, Charlie Sealy, and the owner of Honest Coffee, Christy Wimberly,” explains Thornton. “The city then guided our efforts to make changes to the ordinance.”

After several months of work, the Planning Department presented a new ordinance to City Council for approval in October 2023 and, as a result, the Mural Advisory Board was formed. The Council-appointed board provides guidance, review, and approvals for murals on public and private property.

“The coordination between the City and Madison Visionary Partners to change the standing ordinance

worked in our community’s best interest,” said Mayor Paul Finley.

“From those early days of discussion to where we are now, we are so grateful for all of the work that the City and the Council have done to pave the way for murals in our city,” said Thornton.

While the City was creating the ordinance, MVP worked on securing the funding necessary to bring not one but two murals to the City of Madison.

“As Mayor and Council, we appreciate Madison Visionary Partners for their efforts in raising funds and launching the Madison Mural Trail. Public art enhances the quality of life for our community, and these first murals highlight the City of Madison in thoughtful and unique ways,” added Finley, “The local artists MVP commissioned have truly captured the heart of Madison through their incredible talent!”

MVP’s original plan was to work on one mural at a time, but with the need to change the ordinance delaying the Avenue’s project, they began planning the historic downtown one first, which included applying for its first arts grant.

The unveiling ceremony of the March of the Monarch mural.

The Madison Station Mural at 14 Main Street

In September 2023, the Alabama Council on the Arts approved a grant for a historic downtown mural, and Representative Parker Moore (AL House District Four) provided the matching funds to hire North Alabama artist Sonya Clemons to paint a mural about the history of Madison. Clemons was favored for this project because of her artistic style and experience painting history-themed murals.

Choosing a location for the historic district mural was simple in this case, because there were a limited number of walls able to accommodate the project. When Thornton approached property owner Cindy Sensenberger and her daughter Melinda Sanders, owner of Filthy Gorgeous, about putting the mural on the side of 14 Main Street, they enthusiastically agreed.

In a letter of support to the Alabama State Council on the Arts, Sensenberger wrote, “A well-executed mural has the potential to serve as a landmark, increasing foot traffic to our downtown area and generating positive attention for the surrounding businesses.”

MVP wanted the mural to be appropriate and engaging for children, particularly those in fourth grade who study local history as part of their curriculum. Working with local historian John Rankin, Clemons and Thornton selected which elements would be interesting, both visually and historically.

“We knew we couldn’t fit all of Madison’s history on one wall, so there are plans to offer programming in the future, as well as a corresponding website that will go further into Madison’s history,” said Thornton.

Because Clemons had a waiting list several months long, she couldn’t start until the spring. After receiving approvals from both the Mural Advisory Board and the Madison Station Historic Preservation Commission, Clemons began work on April 1 and finished the mural in early May.

“It was an honor to be chosen for this project and a privilege to create one of Madison’s first murals. During this experience, Madison’s downtown businesses were so welcoming and so excited to see this project come to life,” said Clemons.

The unveiling ceremony of the Madison Station mural.

The March of the Monarch

92 Shorter Street is next to MVP’s first renovation project, Home Place Park, so naturally, MVP was committed to the continued progress of the area.

The vision for Madison’s first planned mural was a culmination of several interested parties ultimately wanting to bring something different to the regional mural landscape. In other words, because it was the first mural, it needed to be special.

Local artist Ann Moeller was asked by MVP to paint the Avenue mural, based on the goals of the project. MVP wanted a mural that captured the essence of Madison, but also wanted it to be educational. With those two main factors in mind, Moeller created the “March of the Monarch.”

“And Ann captured all of that in one design,” explained Thornton. “She rose to the challenge very seamlessly and wowed us with her creativity.”

The mural, just outside of Honest Coffee Roasters, pays homage to the monarch butterfly, Alabama’s state insect, as a symbol of transformation and community, which also represents Madison’s own growth and transformation.

The March of the Monarch aims to raise awareness about the monarch’s migration journey, with Madison

being a part of this important path. MVP partnered with the Huntsville Botanical Garden to provide information on the life cycle of the monarch butterfly and how the community can help the butterflies as they migrate.

“I am delighted and proud to have had the opportunity to bring this piece to the community I grew up in and where my kids can see it every day on their way to school,” said Moeller.

Because of Ann’s commitment to other projects, she gave MVP a start date of April 1. After receiving approvals from the Mural Advisory Board, work on this mural coincidentally began the same day as the Madison Station mural.

MVP received funding from the Huntsville Area Association of Realtors (HAAR), Toyota Alabama, Sealy Management, and Bank Independent for the monarch mural.

“I am delighted to see how our schools and our community continue to utilize this mural in their support, and we can all take joy in it for years to come,” said Moeller.

With the first phase complete, MVP is currently working on plans for phase two, but does not anticipate work to begin until 2025. For more information visit: www. mvpmadison.org/muraltrail

John Rankin, members of the Madison Station Historic Preservation Commission, artist Sonya Clemons, along with Madison Mayor Paul Finley and MVP Executive Director Melanie Thornton and Representative Parker Moore (AL House District Four) in front of the Madison Station Mural.

LAWN&GARDEN

Purple plants create a striking garden

By Dr. Eddie Miles Louis Smith, MSU Extension

Mabel Murphree’s Tupelo garden has an impressive variety of plants, but what really caught my attention when I visited were her purple blooms.

MOne of the first plants that stood out to me was the chive, typically known as an herb but also a great pollinator plant. The beauty of chive flowers lies in their small, star-shaped blossoms which are a delightful shade of purple.

These flowers grow in dense, spherical clusters made up of numerous individual flowers connected by slender stems. Typically arranged in a globe-shaped formation atop a single, tall stalk, the flowers rise above the foliage of the chive plant to give depth to the garden or landscape.

I found another of my favorites, Bachelor’s Buttons, in Mabel’s garden.

Bachelor’s buttons, or cornflowers, are classic annual plants that are widely known as reseeding pollinator plants. They produce beautiful blooms in both dark and light purple. Flowers may come in single or double form, making them a great addition to a garden.

Although chives are known as herbs, these pollinator plants have beautiful, star-shaped blossoms in a delightful shade of purple. Below: Camassia are perennials that you don’t see very often that produce clusters of star-shaped flowers on slender stems.

Once planted, they reseed freely, allowing you to enjoy their beauty year after year. Bachelor’s buttons are easy to grow and require minimal care. They do best in a full-sun location but can tolerate some shade. They are perfect for adding a pop of color to a garden.

I was also intrigued in Mabel’s garden by a plant with striking purple blooms that I don’t often encounter -the Camassia.

Camassia are perennials that produce clusters of starshaped flowers arranged on long, slender stems. These spike-like stems rise above the foliage of the plant.

Camassia are known for their showy looks, which makes them a favorite among gardeners and florists alike. Additionally, Camassia blooms come in different shades of purple, from deep violet to lavender, adding

depth and variety to a garden.

Ajuga covered the ground in a shaded area of Mabel’s gardens. Ajuga, also known as bugleweed, has spikes of small, purple, tubular-shaped flowers. The leaves are often glossy and vary in color depending on the species and cultivar, ranging from green to bronze, purple or variegated.

Ajuga is a pretty and low-maintenance plant that is perfect for adding natural beauty to shady areas of the landscape.

I think adding plants with purple blooms to your landscape can be a great way to create a striking and unique display that makes your garden the envy of the neighborhood. By using these plants, you can create a beautiful display that lasts for years to come.

CADE McCOMB

James Clemens two-sport athlete is a true Renaissance man

STORY BY BOB LABBE

PHOTOS BY JOSHUA BERRY

JJames Clemens two-sport athlete Cade McComb is a true Renaissance man. He’s a gifted athlete in both swimming and baseball, a member of the National Honor Society, with a 3.8 grade point average, for his work in the classroom and is a near clone of former Olympian Michael Phelps. The 18-year-old, a recent graduate of his high school, is now gearing up his physical and mental challenges in preparation to attend Auburn University where he will swim for the Tigers’ program.

“I had several colleges reach out to me including Air Force and Kentucky, but I clicked with Auburn as they have good athletics, is a smaller campus than other universities, and they were specific on what events they want me to swim,” said McComb.

Once on The Plains, McComb will swim the 50 and 100 freestyle events, which he is familiar with as he holds James Clemens school records in both the 50 and 200 freestyle races. As a senior, he finished second at the State Meet in the 50 free, was fourth in the 100

breaststroke and was anchor on two relay teams which finished runner-up. In all, he accounted for 32 of the team’s points. As a sophomore, McComb won the state title in the 50 free and runner-up in the 100 free. His extraordinary talents were being showcased to the max and with the hard work came burnout.

“I sat out my junior season of swimming from burnout, so I decided to concentrate on baseball instead but midway through the season I suffered a torn labrum and missed the remainder of my junior baseball season,” said McComb. “At that point, I chose a second chance at swimming.”

The 6-foot-4, 175-pound McComb was a starting right-handed pitcher for the Jets and help the squad make a deep run in the state playoffs as a semi-finalist in 2024. It seems he was destined to be a baseball player as McComb said, “Ball was my first word as a toddler. Yes, baseball is 100-percent my favorite sport. On the mound I have a two-seam and four-seam fast-

ball, curveball and changeup. I love the social aspect of playing baseball as compared to swimming where you spend a lot of time alone in the pool swimming laps.”

That feeling of loneliness began as a toddler for McComb as he did not have swim lessons, but his parents, Matthew and Ginger, literally threw him into a swimming pool and, as if his future flashed in front of him, his natural ability in the water allowed him to make his way back to his parents, thus his introduction to swimming. He began competitive swimming at age five, but without fellow age competitors, McComb competed against older swimmers. This competitive edge jumped started him to become an elite athlete.

“Competition was crazy, and I enjoyed winning,” said McComb. “It was a huge sacrifice for me as all my

friends were playing baseball and hanging out while I competed. It wasn’t long after I knew I had a future in the sport.”

Being a big competitor is a memory McComb reflects on when he joined the Madison Dolphins recreation league swim team and was competing in the 12-under State Meet in the 50-yard freestyle. His best friend Mike Tretyakov was also in the race and surged ahead and defeated McComb. “I definitely saw I had my work cut out for me and that loss began a heated rivalry between us,” explained McComb. “He made me better. Made me strive to compete.”

When asked why he is a good swimmer, McComb said he has the same physical dimension as former Olympic champion Michael Phelps, the most decorated

U.S. Olympic swimmer in history. “Yeah, I have a narrow head like Phelps and that allows me to cut through the water easily and I have a huge wingspan and small torso.”

The soon to be college student-athlete easily thanks Roger and Pam Von Jouanne, his longtime swim coaches who also helped McComb with his walk with Christ. McComb explained, “Every two weeks Roger would take me out to fish and while on the water we talked about God as I now attend the Church of the Highlands in Madison.”

McComb indicated he will not be alone once arriving in Auburn as his girlfriend, Emma Kutche, will also begin classes this fall at Auburn. An interesting twist to their personal relationship is the fact she attended James Clemens’ heated crosstown rival Bob Jones where she was a member of her school’s cheerleader squad.

Travel baseball has always been a part of McComb’s summers and as a member of the 12-year-old Blacksox team won the Alabama State Championship. Again, McComb was faced with high-caliber competition as his team’s opponent

featured several players who would later play college baseball.

Born in nearby Decatur, McComb and his family made the move along I-565 to live when the already well-established athlete was in the fifth grade. The young McComb quickly adapted to his new surroundings where he played recreational basketball and golf, but it was both in the pool and on the diamond where he excelled the most.

With any well-established athlete there is always an awkward moment in their memory bank that many times is humorous and inspiring. For McComb, his moment came at the pool during a competitive meet when his father yelled at him to try and get McComb to the pool for his race. Once sprinting to the pool with the race already underway McComb dove into his lane. To everyone’s amazement, McComb overcame his late start and won the race. The only problem was the fact the event was not McComb’s race after all. The event belonged to one of his good friends, Dylan, who said, “Thanks for winning for me.”

With baseball now in his past, McComb will be a one-sport college athlete, but his past will always be memories of a Renaissance man expanding his talents well beyond the baseball diamond and swimming pool.

DINING

HUMPHREY BROTHERS

Joseph Santor channeled his New York upbringing to create a professional cigar lounge in the heart of downtown Madison

STORY BY MARIA RAKOCZY

PHOTOS BY JOSHUA BERRY

JJoseph Santor, owner of Humphrey Brothers Bistro and Lounge, channeled his New York upbringing to create a professional cigar lounge in the heart of downtown Madison.

The idea came from Santor’s desire for a more upscale cigar lounge perfect for professionals to meet and enjoy quality cigars.

“The concept is designed to take care of that neglected audience here in [the] Huntsville/Madison area which is a professional who would love to go out and have a good Italian meal, have a cigar, relax, listen to some jazz music, and possibly some live jazz music,” said Santor.

Humphrey Brothers features a curated offering of cigars to enjoy in the lounge as well as smoking accessories and tobacco product maintenance products. They carry both familiar and more unique cigar brands for a wide array of options.

But the restaurant is not just for cigar smokers. Anyone looking for a classic setting to enjoy good food and

good music will feel at home at Humphrey Brothers. A high-quality ventilation system keeps a heavy smell of smoke at bay and during the hours of 11 and 3, the bottom floor is designated smoke-free.

The craft Italian menu is enough in itself to draw smokers and non-smokers alike. The cuisine is inspired by Santor’s New York Italian heritage, and the housemade meatballs and marinara sauce are even his own recipes. The rest of the menu was expertly curated by Chef Daniel Sikorski, formerly of Domaine South.

“He took the ball and ran with it. Literally, he took the meatballs and ran with it, and he’s expanded the menu out, of course, with the chicken parm, the veal parm, the hot Italian beef sandwich, [and] the Grinder,” Santor said of Chef Sikorski’s work.

The menu features classics like Santor’s house-made meatballs and marinara along with a selection of hot sandwiches, pastas, and appetizers like Polenta Fries and antipasto. Olive Oil Cake and Tiramisu complete

the traditional Italian fare as dessert.

These traditional Italian dishes and a specialty cigar can be paired with a drink from the bar’s list of classic cocktails that include Aperol Spritz, Martini, and Old Fashioned along with some more unique drinks like The Godfather and Italian Margarita thought up by Bar and Tobacco General Manager Devon.

“He’s got a pretty in-depth experience and concept of liquors and what works together and what’s really appealing to [the] taste buds to the general customer that would come in to a cigar lounge-type atmosphere. Key to that is the pairing of the cigar with the drinks,” Santor explained.

Jazz music is the score to which patrons can enjoy a cigar, a cocktail, or a plate of meatballs and marinara. It is yet another way Santor channeled his New York upbringing into the restaurant.

“I grew up in the restaurant industry in New York at an early age and one of the first places I worked at was a jazz café at the age of fourteen,” explained Santor.

He worked in the kitchen of the jazz café in the win-

ters as a teenager while renovating restaurants and houses in the summers, but his love of jazz began even earlier at the age of ten listening to Miles Davis. As such, patrons will find jazz every day at Humphrey Brothers but will get treated to live jazz performances on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The ambience is completed by the physical building itself. Santor was drawn to the building which with the classic and historic brick façade, reminded him of buildings he renovated back home. He approached the owners of the building who immediately got on board, and after four years of renovations (during which he encountered obstacles like surgery and the COVID-19 pandemic), opened Humphrey Brothers Bistro and Lounge earlier this year in 2024.

Santor’s expertise in restaurant renovation shines through in his restoration work of the historic building. When restoration work began, the interior was in serious need of renovation. The original wood floors were unrecoverable, and the upstairs loft was not up to code, leaving something of a blank slate for Santor to leave his

own mark on the space.

Indeed, he did leave his own mark on the space. He updated the old floors, added a bar, and renovated the loft area to modern standards and to feature a stage for live performances and a relaxed seating area. More impressively though, he handmade all of the custom wood shelves that line the walls of the ground level of the restaurant.

“I did all the woodwork myself. I put every groove in every board, every rosette. I cut it myself,” stated Santor.

As for the name of the restaurant, you might be asking, ‘Who are the Humphrey brothers?’ The restaurant’s name is actually an homage to the former occupants of the historic building in downtown Madison whose names are written on the old marquee outside. Santor saw the marquee and decided to keep it and adopt the name for the restaurant.

The Humphrey brothers operated a mercantile out of the space which was built around 1907 by local African American brickmason D.S. Brandon, whose name is immortalized on the façade of the building. Patrons of Humphrey Brothers Bistro and Lounge can sit in what was once the shop floor on the ground level or on the upstairs loft that was once a storage area for the

mercantile.

Though some of the original features were not salvageable, the original tin ceiling was, and Santor took care to clean and restore the ceiling so it could remain part of the building. Patrons today can look up from their meal and cigar and enjoy the ornamented tiles overhead.

The historic nature of the building is not lost on Santor, and he is thrilled to be giving it new life and contributing to a rejuvenation of the whole downtown area.

“To me, this is just the beginning of the vision I have for downtown Madison as an entertainment district. They’re bringing more cultural, rich establishments with good food, drink, and entertainment,” he commented.

He says the Madison community has warmly welcomed Humphrey Brothers:

“When [customers] come in, the first thing they feel is the atmosphere, and they’re immediately like, ‘Wow!’

Santor plans to keep growing the restaurant’s menu which will soon include gluten free options, flatbreads, and more and to build on the enthusiasm he’s received for Humphrey Brothers already.

Humphrey Brothers Bistro and Lounge is located at 112 Main St. Madison, AL. They are open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m. with a limited menu between 2p.m. and 5p.m. For more information visit humphreybrothersbl.com or find them on Facebook at Humphrey Brothers Bistro and Lounge.

OUT&ABOUT

SOUNDS OF SUMMER - Madison Arts Alliance kicked off their 2024 summer concert series, “Sounds of Summer” on May 30. The Zooks helped usher in the new season at Home Place Park in Madison. They performed classic rock anthems, Motown tunes and rhythm-and-blues standards. Their dance music hails from the well-known classics in pop and rock from the 1960s through 1980s. Home Place Park, is located at 100 Shorter Street, two streets south of Main Street in downtown Madison. The concerts are free. Madison Arts Alliance sponsors this concert series and presents the event in partnership with Madison Visionary Partners. The next concert will be held June 13 starting at 7 p.m. featuring music from “Groove”. They are known for their versions of funk, rhythm and blues, soul, pop and dance party music.

RECIPE

Sheet Pan Cajun Shrimp Fajitas with Bell Pepper

MMeals savored with loved ones are intended to produce smiles and shared moments. Take the first step toward bringing back the joy and magic while making Sheet Pan Cajun Shrimp Fajitas with Bell Pepper.

Recipe courtesy of Albertsons

Total time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

2 green bell peppers

2 yellow bell peppers

1 lime

1 medium red onion

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/2 pounds raw, peeled shrimp, fresh or frozen

5 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, divided

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup ranch dressing

12 small flour tortillas

Preheat oven to 450 F.

Wash and dry green bell peppers, yellow bell peppers

and lime. Trim, seed and slice bell peppers lengthwise into thin strips; transfer to large baking sheet. Peel, halve and slice onion lengthwise into thin pieces; add to baking sheet with bell peppers. Drizzle veggies with oil, toss to combine and spread in even layer. Bake until veggies have softened slightly, about 5 minutes.

If using frozen shrimp, place them in colander and run under cold water to thaw slightly. Place shrimp on clean towel or paper towels and pat dry. Remove baking sheet from oven. Arrange shrimp over veggies then sprinkle with 4 teaspoons Cajun seasoning and salt; toss to combine and spread in even layer. Bake until veggies are tender and shrimp are cooked through, 5-7 minutes. Remove from oven. Cut lime into wedges. In small bowl, stir ranch dressing and remaining Cajun seasoning. Warm tortillas in skillet, oven or microwave, if desired. Divide tortillas between plates and fill with shrimp and veggies; drizzle with spicy ranch and serve with squeeze of lime.

THE LOVE OF FLYING

Ted Satcher is a pilot and flight instructor, but most importantly he is a loving father who passed down his love of flying to his sons

STORY BY MARIA RAKOCZY

PHOTOS BY JOSHUA BERRY

TTed Satcher has long had a love of flying.

He pins the start of his fascination down to high school football practice in Texas when he would watch F-4s fly over from a nearby Air Force Reserve base.

Though he has long had a passion for flying, he did not fly for the first time until college, and a flight in the back of an F-15 while at the Air Force Academy left him airsick and subsequently discouraged. A quick trick from an instructor (chewing gum) re-instilled his confidence and he went on to serve in the Air Force.

His love of flying led to a career of doing what he loves from the Air Force to working as a commercial pilot for United Airlines. Today, he works as a software engineer during the day but keeps his love for flying alive by sharing it with others, including his two sons, Jack and Steven, who are both pursuing careers using the skill passed on to them by their dad.

“The boys just kind of grew up flying to see grandpapa, and then when they were old enough, they decided that they wanted to be a pilot as well,” said Ted’s wife, Laura Satcher. “So, two summers ago, he taught our two boys,

Steven and Jack to fly, and they got their pilots license.”

Ted introduced Jack and Steven to flying at a young age. They grew up flying back and forth to visit family in Texas on the plane Ted bought for the family in 2006, and though they didn’t always love flying like their father, both are now pursuing careers in aviation.

Their youngest son Jack is currently enrolled at Mississippi State University and participating in their ARTOC program in the hopes of following in his father’s footsteps and joining the Air Force. Steven, the oldest, is currently pursuing a commercial flying license at the University of Memphis and looking to join his younger brother to continue his training at Mississippi State.

They say having a dad with expertise in flying has been extremely helpful in their training.

“It’s definitely been helpful because I’m used to his teaching style both in and out of the cockpit,” said Jack. “He is here in the house, and I can ask questions too, which has been extremely helpful. It has helped strengthen my relationship with him.”

“I mean while I was flying at Memphis, of course, I

had other instructors that I had to fly with in order to get through everything. It was good to see different perspectives on flight instruction, but still, I mean, they were not as good as my dad,” joked Steven.

“He’s pretty much my main inspiration for what I want to do later on in life,” added Jack on his goal of becoming an Air Force pilot. “He’s helped me through that as well, given me some insider tips to help me reach that goal.”

Laura has had a front row seat to the bond her husband and sons have built over their shared love of flying and sees it as a unique activity to bond over. She admires the kind of teacher her husband has been to their sons.

“It’s been interesting to see his relationship with the boys just his patience with them, and he’s just a good man overall. I’m a little biased I’m sure,” Laura observed. “Most dads don’t get to have that side of instruction or depth of instruction with their boys.”

As for Ted’s perspective, he says sometimes it is difficult to balance being their teacher and their father when

they’re in the cockpit.

“It’s challenging for me as an instructor to communicate to them as an instructor not as their dad,” he said.

Knowing that flying is fun but can also be dangerous at times, his paternal instincts often come out when his sons are in the air. When Jack and Steven completed solo cross-country routes as part of their training and certifications, Ted’s paternal instincts came out in full force. He tracked their flight paths and periodically checked in on their statuses. When their signals would drop out, worst case scenarios would come to mind.

“I had no qualms about them flying solo in the local area but when I cut them loose to do their solo cross countries that was some nerve-wracking days because there’s so much unknown out there that they could encounter,” Ted remembered. “I sweated those flights immensely, and I watched them like a hawk on the computer and listened to their radio calls on the computer the whole time.”

When the cross-country treks were finally complete, he felt a great sense of relief and a sense of pride.

“It was just great to get them back and see them land, just pride in their accomplishment and happy that they made it back,” he said.

His sons are not the only ones he passes his flying knowledge on to.

While in New Zealand for a year, Ted treated a group of locals to a scenic flight over the Pacific Island. The experience was especially touching for one elderly man who got to see the one room schoolhouse he taught at for many years from a bird’s eye view. Here in Huntsville, he is partnered with the Boy Scouts too for a flying event at Huntsville Airport.

Ted is also a chief pilot at the Redstone flying club, where he teaches civilian students the ropes of aviation. He became involved in the flying club after reading an advertisement in The Redstone Rocket. The club was the perfect outlet for Ted’s restlessness after a prolonged hiatus from flying.

“When we came back from New Zealand, we had sold our airplane before we left to go over there, and when we came back, it was probably two months later

in December, he felt really restless and he couldn’t figure out why, and the next day he said, ‘You know I haven’t flown since we’ve been back.’ And I was like, ‘That’s what’s wrong with you! That’s why you’re restless because you haven’t flown!’” said Laura.

Ted flew for the first time with the club in August 2005, earned his FAA civilian instructor certification in 2010, and took on his first student in 2013.

His sons, however, may just be his greatest students. He offered them advice as they start their careers in the air:

“A lot of it’s just studying hard. You are not going to learn it all in one night. So, you really have to keep studying. You must keep learning even after you have your license. You must continue to try and make yourself a better pilot all the time, and you have to be realistic about your skills and to be sort of brutal in your own analysis of your performance.”

When asked what motivates him to give his time to passing on his skills and appreciation for flying, his family responded simply, “The love of flying.”

ABOVE AND BEYOND

Rotary Club pays tribute to city employees going above and beyond

STORY BY GREGG PARKER

PHOTOS BY SAMANTHA MAGNUSON

TThe one who reassures you after a thief violates your home. The person who performs CPR to rescue a loved one from life-threatening injuries. A behind-the-scenes worker whose job keeps first responders prepared to do their jobs.

These personalities work for the City of Madison and help residents deal with some of the most frightening scenarios of their lives. Members of Madison Police Department, Madison Fire and Rescue Department and City Hall’s office staff maintain the everyday demands of a town with constant growth.

With city approval, the Rotary Club of Madison spotlights one department employee for exemplary work in law enforcement, fire protection and community services. Department supervisors select employees for the honor.

“The Rotary Club of Madison is proud to have initiated, supported and to continue this recognition since its inception in 2000,” Debbie Overcash said. A Rotary member, Overcash serves as Chair of the Madison Employee of the Year Committee.

“We are excited to recognize those city employees who go the extra mile, who give 110 percent to the citizens of our community and whose spirit and accomplishments are greatly and deeply appreciated,” Overcash said.

Mayor Paul Finley, City Council President Ranae Bartlett and Rotary Club of Madison President Erik Simonson assisted Overcash in presenting the awards for 2024 Outstanding Madison City Employees during a council session on May 28.

Luke Hall, Firefighter of the Year

Luke Hall has worked for the city for six years and currently serves as Driver-Paramedic. In the past year, Hall has earned the rank of Driver and has completed the Flight Medic/Critical Care class and another EMS Instructor program.

Hall received two Lifesaving Awards, one because of his swift action in transporting a six-month-old baby in respiratory arrest to Women’s and Children’s Hospital. As a result, the child’s life was saved.

“In my interactions with Luke, whether on the train-

Debbie Overcash, chair of the Rotary Club’s Madison Employee of the Year Committee, presented the awards at a Madison City Council meeting last month. Behind her is Madison Fire Chief David Baily and Luke Hall, firefighter of the year.

ing ground, at emergency calls or in the station, I have routinely perceived him to be the ‘Quiet Professional,’” Fire Chief David Bailey said. “Luke can keep himself and others calm, regardless of the incident, and provides excellent guidance in any training environment. He truly exemplifies the positive, professional character that we strive for at Madison Fire and Rescue.”

Hall’s Captain, Russ Kennington said, “Luke is dedicated to the fire service. He is a continuous student of the craft, and he exemplifies everything that Madison Fire represents.”

Hall, a committed employee, “consistently exceeds expectations, continues to increase his knowledge, skills and abilities and continues to grow not only as a Madison Fire team member but as a person,” Kennington said.

Helping his peers, Hall serves as an EMS Division instructor/mentor, assists in the Training Division, teaches rescue bailouts and high-rise operations and more. With the Health and Safety Committee, he compiled a document that lists all mental health resources available to personnel.

Hall’s Battalion Chief Chad Menard praises Hall’s service to the paramedic program, his leadership during

shift and live-fire training and the ways he returns with innovations and knowledge for the department after attending training conferences.

“Luke leads by example and NEVER speaks negatively,” Menard said.

Hall’s fellow firefighters agree that his positive attitude, strong work ethic and willingness to assist in any situation make him an asset to the department. Hall often does extra cleaning around the station and always is willing to handle daily chores. He has played a pivotal role in fostering a sense of camaraderie within the department.

Away from work, Hall likes to hunt, fish and help Athens’ ambulance service. However, his primary interest is with his family and fiance, Briana Fortier, who works as a Madison dispatcher. Their dog and cat are considered a part of the family. Luke and Briana are planning to marry in October, Overcash said.

Joshua Overman, Police Officer of the Year

Joshua Overman joined the police department in April 2022. During his brief time as a Madison Officer, Overman has worked extremely hard to develop knowledge

Employee of the Year recipients, Joshua Overman, Candace Watson and Luke Hall with Madison Mayor Paul Finley and Madison City Council President Ranae Bartlett.

Candace Watson with her family.

Joshua Overman with his family.

and skills. He has established a record of excellence.

“Officer Overman is an outstanding young police officer who espouses the core values of our organization,” Police Chief Johnny Gandy said. “He strives to ensure a safe community, and his work ethic is respected and admired by his peers and supervisors alike.”

In the past six months, Overman has fielded 881 calls for service. From those calls, he self-initiated hundreds of routine patrols to check for security concerns and criminal activity in neighborhoods, on city property and at local businesses.

Overman conducted 227 traffic stops for various moving and equipment violations, along with narcotics interdiction (elimination). His proactive approach has led to 44 arrests; more than 20 of those arrests involved narcotics possession, many as felonies.

“Early in his career, Overman developed the drive and knowledge to take dangerous narcotics off the streets of Madison. This is not an easy task,” Gandy said. “Criminals, especially ones involved in narcotics, learn police tactics. As police learn how they’re currently conducting their business, they change tactics to avoid detection.”

Overman takes extra time to keep up with new criminal trends and develops successful strategies to find and expel narcotics from Madison. His research occurs si-

multaneously with answering regular calls and serving Madison residents with routine enforcement.

In February 2024, Overman noticed an occupied vehicle behind a gas station. He contacted the vehicle occupants and investigated to locate 58 grams of methamphetamine in numerous packages for sale. He also found drug paraphernalia and a firearm. These factors led to two felony arrests.

In addition, he found stolen firearms, a ghost gun, stolen property and offenders trafficking stolen identities.

According to Captain Nick McRae, Overman’s outstanding work ethic and positive attitude endorse the highest tradition of Madison Police Department by protecting and serving citizens to the highest standards attainable.

During free time, Overman enjoys time with his wife Amber and their pets -- two dogs and a cat. His favorite hobbies are mountain biking and lifting weights.

Candace Watson, Employee of the Year

– Works as Police Communications Supervisor. Since 2015, Watson has worked for the city as a dispatcher and supervisor with Madison County 911 Center. Previously, her job was paramedic with Athens-Limestone Ambulance Service.

Luke Hall with his family.

“Candace is one of the city’s most experienced and dedicated dispatchers, and she devotes herself wholeheartedly and professionally to the service of her community and her fellow first responders,” Mayor Paul Finley said about selecting Watson for the award. “Candace has aided, comforted and reassured countless citizens of Madison in their most critical moments of need.”

“Our 911 dispatchers are our first . . . first-responders. Their ability to quickly connect members of our community with the help that they need is an invaluable resource. Candace exemplifies the very best qualities of her profession,” Finley said.

Watson has aided in apprehension of many suspects with her excellent attention to detail, intelligence gathering and forethought during unfolding incidents, Finley said. One incident example involved her monitoring other agencies’ calls for service during overnight hours. One night, she noticed a call reporting the robbery of a business in west Huntsville.

“Knowing these types of suspects sometimes rob multiple stores in a row in the general area, she reached out to Madison businesses located on Highway 72 and provided them with a description of the offenders, in case they were to attempt another robbery,” Finley said.

“This (action) led to a store employee recognizing indi-

viduals entering the store who matched that description. The employee alerted Madison police, who were able to apprehend the suspects. Because of Candace’s forethought and preemptive actions, these individuals were prosecuted for crimes in both Madison and the City of Huntsville,” Finley said.

“As a supervisor, Candace is a focused, driven and effective leader,” her supervisor Daniel Weaver said. “She is respected by her peers and listens to the concerns of others in her decision-making process.”

“Candace’s judgement during critical life-threatening situations is excellent, and those on her shift depend on her calm ability to make sound decisions,” Weaver said.

Away from work, Candace is an avid dog lover and likes to feed wild birds. She spends many days on her family’s cattle farm in Tennessee.

Candace has touched many lives with her dedication to service. Even though the public won’t see her, Candace has made an impact that many people will feel. Candace is a valued and integral member of her division, the police department and the City of Madison, Overcash said.

Hall, Overman and Watson each received an award plaque, inclusion on City Hall’s perpetual plaque, a cash gift from Rotary Club and the entire city’s gratitude for a job well done.

PLACES

VAN GOGH

THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE

A new exhibit opens in Huntsville showing visitors the renown and multidimensional life of artist Van Gogh like never before

STORY BY MARIA RAKOCZY

WWhen you step into Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, you’re not stepping into an ordinary art gallery. You’re stepping into a full experience that, more than just hanging paintings on a wall, surrounds you in the moving and skillful pieces of Vincent Van Gogh.

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience opened May 30 at 6123 University Drive Unit 100 in Huntsville. You can get tickets and information concerning what days and hours it is open at www.vangoghexpo.com/huntsville.

The exhibit is presented by Exhibition Hub, an international exhibition distributor, curator, and producer.

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience was the group’s first ever digital art project. It was launched in 2017.

According to John Zaller, Executive Producer of Exhibition Hub, they chose Van Gogh’s art to be the subject of their first exhibition because of his renown and multidimensional life.

“We focused on Vincent Van Gogh because he really is the rockstar of the art world. He’s well-known. He has an incredible story. His work is recognizable but also very

captivating in a very special way,” said Zaller.

The exhibit uses high-tech projection technology to display and animate more than 400 Of Van Gogh’s works including both sketches and completed pieces. It has traveled the country and is now arriving in Huntsville.

Zaller said Huntsville was a perfect place to take Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience next.

“Huntsville is a very smart market. It’s a market that really celebrates culture. It’s a market that really values these types of experiences just from the research that we did. We basically just decided that it was the place to come where people would really appreciate this work, and also from the technology perspective. With all the technology that’s in Huntsville being developed there, we thought that it would be a nice nod to all the technology that’s being created there as well.”

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience goes beyond a typical art display by delving into the artist’s life. Walking through the exhibit is like walking through his life from his early years to the end of his life.

In the process of designing the exhibit, Zaller and the team became acquainted with Van Gogh as both a person and an artist. Zaller explained, “We poured over Van Gogh’s works and also got really in depth into his life story, his biography, really got to know him in great detail so that we could put together a story that not only features over 400 of his sketches and paintings, but also gives you a real glimpse into his life and his times and his struggles.”

Letters between family members and Van Gogh, stories of his brother and sisters, and the artist’s earlier works grace the first galleries of the exhibition. These pieces all lead up to the immersive gallery or what Zaller calls the “the crown jewel” of the exhibit. The immersive gallery displays over 400 of Van Gogh’s pieces to a custom score in a 35 minute display that wraps the guests inside the paintings by projecting them on the walls of the room in a 360 degree experience.

Starry Night is one of the paintings featured in the immersive gallery. Exhibition Hub’s high-tech projection system immerses you in this renowned painting, which because of the short brush strokes, inspired by Japanese art, used by Van Gogh make the painting appear crisp on the projections.

Zaller says they chose to make Starry Night a significant part of the exhibit because it’s one of Van Gogh’s most famous works and for its extraordinary technique and unique perspective on the night sky.

“It’s emblematic of Van Gogh’s entire style where he said, ‘I’m going to paint a different way. I’m going to paint not just what I’m seeing but what I’m feeling.’ And he felt the power of those stars in the sky in such a way that they became these glowing orbs, these swirling glowing orbs,” explained Zaller. “It, really, in a way, sums up his work so powerfully that we decided that it really needed to be featured and it really is featured right in the middle of the immersive experience.”

After exploring Van Gogh the artist, the galleries that follow the climactic display of Starry Night and other famous paintings explore Van Gogh the man by delving into his mental struggles. The final gallery places you up close and personal with Van Gogh the person with dis-

plays of his self-portraits.

“We give you a glimpse into some of the struggles he incurred as an artist and as a human being with a really beautiful wrap up of dozens of Van Gogh’s self-portraits surrounding you in the room. You feel very close to him at that point,” Zaller said.

At the end of the exhibit, guests are invited to express their inner artist and create artwork of their own design that then gets incorporated into the exhibition. The finale also includes a virtual reality aspect that takes you through the French countryside but through the lens of Van Gogh’s paintings of provincial scenes.

“There’s a real power in digital art in terms of helping you get centered and focused and relieving anxiety and stress, and so, that’s it; it’s just a great getaway in that regard,” described Zaller. “We’re happy to bring Van Gogh’s works to a new audience in a new way, and we think that this type of digital art projection can introduce a lot of new audiences to art in very powerful ways that they’ll be able to carry with them for a long time.”

See Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience for yourself at its Huntsville location at 6123 University Dr. Visit vangoghexpo.com for more information and to book tickets.

STORIES BEHIND THE STARS

This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project (see www.storiesbehindthestars.org). Over 6,300 Alabamians paid the price of freedom in World War II. A small team of volunteers has researched and written stories of over 5,300 service members from Alabama who did not come home from the war and hope to have all completed by the end of the year. We are featuring some of the stories of those from Madison County in each issue of Madison Living Magazine through the end of the year. Check out “Remembering Alabama WWII Fallen” on Facebook for more.

Petty Officer First Class

Thomas R Boyd, USS Barbel

TThomas Ray Boyd was born November 2, 1923 in Madison County, Alabama to Joseph E. Boyd, a farmer, and Flora (Pritchett) Boyd. His parents were born in Tennessee and Alabama, respectively. Thomas had three older sisters, two younger brothers, and three younger sisters. In 1930, the family was living on a farm in Whitesburg, Madison County, Alabama and by 1940 had relocated to a farm on Union Chapel Road in Hazel Green, Alabama.

Thomas enlisted in the US Navy on 2 January 1941 at Birmingham, Alabama and rose to the rank of Petty Officer First Class. He initially served as a Seaman First Class aboard the destroyer USS Broome (DD-210) beginning in March 1941. In November 1941 he volunteered for submarine service and attended Submarine School at New London, Connecticut, where the

Navy prepared sailors for the physical, mental and emotionally rigorous life aboard a submarine. After completing Sub School, he completed two war patrols in the Pacific between February and October 1942 aboard the USS Grouper (SS-214) as a Torpedoman 3rd Class, then completed another two patrols aboard the USS Sunfish (SS-281) between January and October 1943. He next completed a war patrol aboard USS Tarpon (SS-175) in October and

The Barbel (SS-316) slides down the shipways Nov. 14, 1943.

November 1943.

In November 1943, he was assigned to the Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion, and Repair at Groton, Connecticut as a Torpedoman 3rd Class on the crew of a new submarine under construction, the USS Barbel (SS-316). Barbel was commissioned 3 April 1944 and the crew of 10 officers and 71 enlisted conducted exercises off the coast of Key West, Florida until late May 1944. On 6 June 1944 she transited the Panama Canal headed for Pearl Harbor, where she arrived 21 June 1944. She departed Pearl Harbor on 15 July 1944 on her first war patrol. TM3c Boyd and his mates were kept busy as Barbel sank five Japanese ships in her patrol area off the Ryuku Islands. She sank another three Japanese ships on her second patrol between 13 September 1944 and 24 October 1944, and two more on her third patrol in October and November 1944, then arrived at Fremantle, Australia on 7 December 1944 to refit.

Barbel departed Fremantle on 5 January 1945 on her fourth war patrol, assigned to patrol the South

China Sea. On 3 February 1945, Barbel transmitted a message to another American submarine in the area that she had been depth charged three times by enemy aircraft and would check in again the next evening, but was never heard from again. Postwar review of Japanese Navy records showed that a submarine, likely the Barbel, was caught on the surface off southwest Palawan on 4 February 1945 and sunk by a Japanese antisubmarine aircraft, with all hands lost.

Thomas Ray Boyd is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Philippines and at the Huntsville Madison County Veterans Memorial.

Thank you Petty Officer Boyd for your service and your sacrifice, you will not be forgotten.

This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project (see www.storiesbehindthestars.org). This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 400,000+ of the US WWII fallen. Check out www. storiesbehindthestars.organd search “Remembering Alabama WWII Fallen” on Facebook.

The crew of the Barbel (SS-316), most of whom will be K.I.A. in a little over four months from the time this photo was taken, present their 10-kill battle flag to the camera.

OUT&ABOUT

HEARTBEAT OF HEALTHCARE - Madison’s healthcare community includes countless dedicated professionals who are passionate about improving our quality of life. The Madison Chamber of Commerce recently hosted its “Heartbeat of Healthcare” summit celebrating the many successes of our healthcare system and highlighted the history and future of Madison Hospital. The keynote speaker and President of Madison Hospital, Mary Lynne Wright, shared the many ways Madison is continually growing its resources when it comes to healthcare. “We ended with a local panel of government officials and healthcare professionals who discussed many relevant topics surrounding our health, well-being, and future,” said Madison Chamber President Michelle Epling. “Thank you Mary Lynne Wright, City of Madison Mayor Paul Finley, CEO of WellStone Jeremy Blair, and Madison County Chairman Mac McCutcheon for offering your insights on a very important topic. And thank you to Madison City Schools Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols for moderating the panel.” To learn more about the Madison Chamber of Commerce, go to madisonalchamber.com. Photos by Cristie Clark (Captured by Cristie Media Co.)

Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols, Mayor Paul Finley and Chamber President Michelle Epling

more about what they offer, go to alexandersmartialarts.net

Alexander’s Martial Arts continues to fight the good fight

WWhen it comes to fighting the good fight, Joe and Kristin Alexander are all in. As owners of Alexander’s Martial Arts, the couple put their students and employees’ health above everything else and their most recent investment proves it.

After thorough research, the Alexanders retrofitted their school’s HVAC system with a dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) as the cornerstone.

“We knew we wanted to improve the air quality in the school and while we understood some of the basics, we knew it was a responsibility that was outside our area of expertise,” Joe said. “We were able to find clean air advocates online and their knowledge proved invaluable.”

The Alexanders utilized Environmental Systems Cor-

poration of Huntsville for help in designing and installing the DOAS system as well as for guidance on how to bring the entire system together. This included retrofitting their HVAC system with merv-13 filters and adding high efficiency Corsi-Rosenthal Boxes and HEPA filters to provide additional filtration.

“Recently, the American Society of Heating and AirConditioning Engineers released ASHRAE Standard 242 which gives specific recommendations for dealing with airborne infectious disease. That standard gave us a design metric to meet,” Joe said. “With the new system, we can have over 100 people working out and still meet the clean air requirements per ASHRAE standard.”

Alexander’s Martial Arts is located at 51 Nance Road #104 in Madison. For

The system has two major benefits. The first is removing airborne contaminants including things like wildfire smoke, COVID, flu and RSV. This is accomplished through filtration and dilution, or by bringing in outside air. The other major benefit is reducing the CO2 level in the room.

“Removing airborne contaminants can effectively be accomplished on a personal level by proper use of high efficiency N-95 masks, but masks can be uncomfortable for workouts and fewer people wear them anymore, so we filter all the air in the building,” Joe said. “As far as CO2 levels, before the DOAS (with only the conventional HVAC) we were measuring numbers above 3000 ppm and numbers above 1000 ppm are not safe for prolonged periods. WIth the DOAS, we only spike 1000 ppm for our biggest adult classes for a short period.”

The idea to invest $80 thousand in a new air unit did not just evolve overnight. It was actually conceived during the COVID pandemic. Kristen says they homeschool their children and that when the pandemic started, they began reading about the 1918 pandemic and it taught them a lot about actions they could take in making ventilation better.

“We came across a 1904 document in the US Archives,

and it prepared us for the different responses people might have to a pandemic. In the confusion and frustration of figuring out our new normal, we knew we wanted to employ the Mr. Rogers’ idea of looking for the helpers,” Kristen said. “Our helpers, clean air advocates, public health officials, infectious disease experts, taught us how to take an active role so we could be helpers in the community as well.”

Despite the readings and research and the lessons learned through COVID, the idea to upgrade their ventilation system boiled down to one thing–their love for people.

“We are a small business which employs people who are highly trained and incredibly special to us, and we invest a lot of time in each other. We want them safe and well. We teach families, we want them safe and well,” Kristen said. “It is our core value to make a positive difference in people’s lives. That means protecting people from disease, as well as all of the other personal development and self-defense skills we teach.”

Joe says the response from their students and staff has been great. Their staff still wear masks as a precaution and many students are happy to work out without masks.

“Many students and parents have let us know how im-

portant it is to have a safer environment for their kids,” Joe said. “Lots of families have someone in their group who is at risk for bad outcomes from COVID. We pride ourselves in being inclusive, that means making the place accessible and safe for all.”

There is not a doubt that the new air quality is making a positive difference in the lives of their students and employees because the very sentiment of making a positive difference is a core part of the martial arts school’s foundation. A look on the school’s website states, “make a positive difference in the community…one Black Belt at a time.”

“To us you don’t just earn a Black Belt, you become a Black Belt. It’s the things you learn and the way you grow as you earn a Black Belt that matters,” Joe said.

“We teach ‘life skills.’ The premise is that anything can be taught as a skill, so things like focus, discipline, respect and confidence can all be taught and are therefore skills. When we develop those skills in our students, it’s like dropping a stone in a pond. The ripples spread out into the broader community. Our clean air focus is another life skill. It shows that we value health, which is fundamental to safety.”

The 31-year-old business currently serves 150 active members and a staff of four. The Alexanders are hopeful to get the student population back to pre-COVID numbers of 350 and feel installing the DOAS system will help achieve that goal.

“We required masking until we got the DOAS installed and operational. We still offer an all-masked schedule on Mondays and Wednesdays where staff, students and spectators voluntarily wear masks on these

days,” Joe said. “Grandparents and others who would not otherwise get a chance to see their loved ones do karate in person have the opportunity to attend on these days. It’s an example of our community deciding to take care of one another. That selflessness makes me very proud of our team.”

Now that the Alexanders have reduced the CO2 in their building by two-thirds during their busiest classes, they want to help others do the same by working with local businesses and schools to improve air quality in the entire Madison community.

“I totally understand that most small businesses will not spend the money for a DOAS, but upgrading filters in existing HVAC units, adding HEPA filters and even monitoring CO2 in offices and classrooms is within reach of almost everyone,” Joe said. “It was extremely frustrating to see that there must be a technical solution to the indoor air quality and not know how much air to clean or how to lower CO2 in a way that protected the building and preserved air conditioning. We’ve done it and we hope to share the information so others can make similar improvements. In the long run, exposure has a cumulative effect on people’s health and less exposure would mean less of an effect.”

The Alexanders will do well in spreading the message of clean air quality in the community. It’s as simple as their approach to self-defense: common sense, avoidance and resistance.

“Common sense tells us not to walk down dark alleys in an unfamiliar place. Likewise, common sense would say don’t breathe things that could injure your health,” Kristen said.

MADISON CITY SCHOOLS

Madison City Schools Class of 2024 Persevered through great challenges

By Madeline Shaw

For Madison City Schools Public Relations

MMadison City Schools held 2024 graduation ceremonies for Bob Jones and James Clemens High Schools on May 20th at the VBC.

This ceremony marked the school district’s largest graduating total for the two high schools, with 1,027 students receiving their high school diploma.

Madison City Schools continues to generate graduating seniors who finish strong with bright futures ahead. College bound students from each school are heading off to an average of 78 colleges across 23 states and two countries outside the U.S. Thirtyeight percent of students at both Bob Jones and James Clemens High School graduated with a 4.0 or higher grade point average. Eighteen percent achieved per-

fect scores of 30 on the ACT Test.

The 2024 graduating class of Madison City Schools persevered against the odds of beginning their high school experience with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic yet still found ways to excel. Madison City Schools produced 28 National Merit Finalists and 2 National Merit Semi-Finalists. The success continued as Madison City Schools had one Presidential Scholar and one Presidential Scholar semi-finalist, while nearly two thirds of the students were offered college scholarships. Sixtythree percent of students accepted over thirty million dollars in scholarship money, an average of $46,751 each.

Both schools provided the opportunity for members of the senior class to partici-

Bob Jones High School Class of 2024 ...

pate in almost 100 Internships with various industries including Community Partners in Engineering, Virtual Reality, Computer Science, Cyber, Health Science, BioMedical, and Construction & Welding. Various local companies with a national presence were able to come alongside students to display opportunities available in workforce positions in the various fields of study.

The success students have displayed is not limited to academics. Both schools have achieved greatness outside the classroom as well. Both schools have had successful teams throughout the 2023-2024 school year in programs such as Greenpower, Chess Club, Science, Technology Student Association, Theatre and Art as well as Esports, Swimming, and most recently Baseball. James Clemens and Bob Jones represented their schools as final contenders in the state high school tournament

that would ultimately lead to Bob Jones High School bringing home the Class 7A Baseball State Championship for the first time in school history.

While these young people who entered the pandemic as high school freshman, they have now completed their high school tenure in a good position to succeed beyond high school.

So, where are our graduates headed to after high school? End of the year surveys show the following:

4 year institution: 672 (65%)

2 year institution: 191 (18.5%)

Military: 29 (2.8%)

Undecided: 52 (5%)

Workforce/ Gap Year: 80 (7.7%)

Madison City Schools wishes our graduates the best of success for their futures.

James Clemens High School Class of 2024

Mother Earth Troll Garden

Nature folklore comes to life with addition of new area featuring artist Thomas Dambo’s colossal trolls at Huntsville Botanical Garden

RSTORY BY LAURA MCPHAIL

In the heart of Huntsville Botanical Garden (HBG), a new magical realm is taking shape—tentatively named the Mother Earth Troll Garden. Opening in Spring 2025, this innovative space is a fusion of art, nature, and fantasy, crafted to transport visitors into a world where mythical creatures and earth’s beauty coexist in harmony.

“We’re creating an experience unique to Huntsville,” said HBG CEO Susan Wagner. “Nothing like the Mother Earth Troll Garden exists anywhere else in the region.”

The centerpiece of the Mother Earth Troll Garden is a 20-foot-tall troll, seated in a lotus pose, created by Thomas Dambo. A world-renowned artist known

for his larger-than-life recycled troll sculptures scattered across the world, Dambo hails from Denmark and brings life to folklore through his trolls, creatures born from recycled materials that blend seamlessly into the landscape.

His approach is not merely artistic but narratively rich—each troll he creates is accompanied by a story, a name, and a poem that echoes the spirit of the creature and its surroundings. In Dambo’s world, the trolls are the heroes of the Earth, here to protect nature from the wayward activities of humans.

“I came up with this concept in 2018, and ever since then, I have been looking for a partner who could see

the potential in the idea and trust my vision for it. I recently reconnected with Sue Wagner whom I had met when I made my blockbuster exhibition Troll Hunt in Chicago at the Morton Arboretum and she invited me to Huntsville Botanical Garden,” said Dambo. “I am thrilled to finally get to roll it out with somebody who trusts me to spend the full year it would take to have the concept and plants grow and I will come back in 2025 to complete one of my dream projects.”

In contrast to his traveling troll exhibits like the ones held recently at Atlanta Botanical Garden and Cheekwood Estate and Gardens in Nashville, this will be a permanent feature opening in Spring 2025 at Huntsville Botanical Garden.

“The Mother Earth Troll and maze is an entire permanent garden landscape,” said Wagner. “It is one of the first gardens called out in the Garden’s Master Site Plan.”

The Mother Earth Troll Garden is more than just a home to one of Dambo’s creations. It’s a living, breathing piece of art. The troll (to be named by Dambo) sits inside a maze made of plant materials. This maze will eventually be the troll’s hair (made of plant materials) cascading down. The preservation of existing trees and the thoughtful addition of new plant species enhance the garden’s canopy, creating a tapestry of green that supports local biodiversity and offers visitors shade and beauty.

The garden’s design also features innovative artistic elements integrated into the maze structure, intended to evolve into living features as plants grow through it over the years. A throne, crawl-through tunnels, a hid-

den hut, a swing and more invite visitors of all ages to engage in nature play, interacting with each other and the natural elements of the maze in ways as varied as the people who visit.

Construction on the maze began in February 2024 when Dambo’s team from Denmark joined HBG staff and volunteers to transform the space. Phased plantings will continue in that area through spring 2025, ensuring seasonal interest throughout the year. The troll will be installed in early spring 2025, and the area will open to the public shortly thereafter.

Elements like the tree and rock donations from local contractors and partnerships with tree companies underline the community’s involvement and the cyclical nature of life—the old giving way to the new, fostering growth and sustainability. These elements are not just decorative but are integral to Dambo and HBG’s shared ecological narrative, emphasizing the role of reuse and renewal in conservation.

For more information about Thomas Dambo, visit thomasdambo.com.

OUT&ABOUT

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY - The annual Memorial Day ceremony by Madison American Legion, Post 229 and Auxiliary Unit 229 was held May 27 at Captain Jesse Ollie Wikle Jr. Veterans Memorial Park on Front Street in downtown Madison. This year the ceremony placed emphasis on honoring Gold Star families. The Memorial Day ceremony included guest speakers, patriotic music by Madison Community Band and placing of wreaths at the memorial. A Gold Star Family has lost a loved one while serving in a time of conflict in the American Armed Forces. Throughout the year, the American Legion honors Gold Star families by presenting Gold Star flags and lapel pins, along with Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day on the last Sunday in September. “This year Post 229 wanted to do something special to ensure our Gold Star families are recognized. Having them join in placing the wreaths is just a small gesture to acknowledge their loss and sacrifice for our country,” Post 229 Commander Larry Vannoy said. Wreaths were placed on Memorial Day to honor soldiers who died in our nations’ wars. The tradition began when people around the country started placing flowers on graves of soldiers that had died in the Civil War. Here are some photo from Madison American Legion, Post 229.