Out & About

AAs Executive Director of Madison Chamber of Commerce, Michelle Epling respects the solid foundation that the previous leadership of the board of directors and ambassadors have built.

“I am looking forward to working with each of them to continue to grow and enhance the great work that was done before me,” Epling said.

Epling pursued the job opening with the chamber because “I truly love our town. It’s the best city in Alabama, and I have loved living and working here since 2007.”

“We have amazing community partners who have supported us and continued to support us throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. I am looking forward to continuing to work with them to showcase their businesses through fun chamber events throughout the year,” Epling said.

Looking at the personality of Madison and her attraction to newcomers, Epling appreciates Madison’s quality of life “where you can put down your roots with your family, work and community.” In addition, Madison City Schools stands as a shining example to other districts and “is ranked the second best in the state of Alabama,” she said.

As Madison experiences tremendous growth, the job market and new families also are expanding. “I am looking forward to continuing to promote that to all our visitors, shoppers and families who live and work in and around Madison,” Epling said. “This will only continue to enhance our different industry businesses and continue to drive economic growth in our region.”

Epling’s professional resume includes Director of Capital Giving, Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater and Academy in Huntsville; Account Executive, Huntsville “EVENT” magazine and “Huntsville Business Journal”; and sales and marketing for Newberry Pecans in Ardmore. In jobs with remote/travel focus, she worked as Lending Development Specialist with CUNA Mutual and as Client Development Manager for Allied Solutions.

“I have spent my career as a corporate sales trainer in the classroom, and my experience in direct sales and entrepreneurship has given me the skills to be able to use all these skills to help grow the chamber,” Epling said.

A Huntsville native, Epling earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing at Auburn University. She also holds licenses for Life and Health Insurance, along with Property and Casualty Insurance.

Since 2007, she has been a Madison resident. After securing her first job after college, Epling wanted to live near where she grew up “but in a new environment so I could expand my horizons.” She started out in an apartment next to Dublin Park and has lived in her current home for 10-plus years.

“I love that we (Madison residents) have the best opportunities to truly live that work/life balance through various community events that happen each week in our hometown,” Epling said.

Her husband, Adam Epling, works as a software consultant at Hexagon. Their twin daughters, Abby and Charlotte, are first-graders. For more information, email Michelle@madisonalchamber.com or visit madisonalchamber.com, facebook. com/madisonalchamber or instagram.com/madisonalchamber.

MADISON CHAMBER BEST IN BUSINESS AWARDS CEREMONY - The Madison Chamber of Commerce presented the 2021 Best in Business Awards in a surprise visit to each winning business to deliver the news. The 2021 winning businesses received their awards at the Champagne Toast celebration hosted at the Stadium Club at Toyota Field on November 3. This year’s Best in Business Awards were sponsored by: Polaris Industries, Inc, Redstone Federal Credit Union, Madison Hospital, and Progress Bank. Thank you to all of them. Without their generous support this event would not have been possible. The Chamber thanks all of the nominated businesses and congratulate all of the winning businesses for continuing to provide products and services to our great community. The winners are (photos by William Aycock):

Start-Up Business of the Year Filthy Gorgeous on Main

Best Small Business and Arts, Entertainment & Hospitality: Wine and Design of Madison Community Servant: Claudia Bucher United Way of Madison County

Health & Wellness Business of the Year Living Life Counseling Center Excellence in Leadership and Service: Michael Johnson (accepted by Stephanie Johnson) Mozaic Audio Visual Integration

Professional Service Business of the Year Edward Jones – Carlos Mendoza

THE WALKING TOUR OF HISTORIC MADISON SMARTPHONE APP UNVEILING - A local Girl Scout and a group of volunteer organizations teamed up to ensure tales of how Madison came to be, and the people who shaped it into a place once known as Madison Station, are preserved and easily accessible. Finley Koswoski, a member of the Girl Scouts of North Alabama, worked hard to complete an app allowing visitors to the city’s historic downtown district to take a self-guided walking tour while reading or listening to the interesting tales from the past that are ties to specific locations along the walk. “The Walking Tour of Historic Madison Smartphone App is a joint project with the Rotary Club of MadisonSunset Group, the Madison Visionary Partners, the Madison Station Historical Preservation Society, and the Girl Scouts of North Alabama,” stated Bailey Erickson, who inspired Finley to take on the project for her Girl Scout Gold Award. A special unveiling event was held Nov. 13 in downtown Madison. Girl Scouts and other volunteers were dressed in historic costume at approximately 25 of the historic locations along the route. The app is available tat www.facebook.com/WalkingTourofHistoricMadison. Pictured above: Finley is pictured with her mother, Stephanie, and brother, Tucker Koswoski. Photos by William Aycock

Terri Regensburger

Emily Jolly, Jaci Jolly Kahlan Jolly, Necia Jolly

Finley Koswoski, Mary Downs Maria Tischenko

Gracie Champion

OUT&ABOUT

DEAD PARROTS SOCIETY BASH - The Dead Parrots Society Bash was held on Oct. 30 as a fun-filled evening while raising funds for renovation of Kids Kingdom in Dublin Park. The first annual Dead Parrots Society at Black Patch Distilling Co. included musical entertainment, dancing and a costume contest to masquerade in a getup, gimmick or, conveniently, wearing a mask in style. Rotary Club of Madison sponsored the event to support renovation of Kids Kingdom and other charitable projects throughout the year. Pictured above: Kris (President-Rotary Club of Madison- Sunrise) and Marc McBride, Bailey Erickson (Chair-Sunset) and Dave Junghans. Photos by William Aycock

Catherine Beitel, Kate Robbins Reggie and Deborah Bell Monica and Larry Smith

Melissa Gibson Cynthia Curtis Wendy and Mike Good

VETERANS DAY - Madison City Schools celebrated veterans last week in a variety of ways: in car lines, parades across school campuses, wall of heroes tributes and more. Here is a sampling of observances from various schools.

INVESTOR’S RESOURCE 20TH ANNIVERSARY - COVID may have delayed their celebration, but it sure could not cancel it. The team at Investor’s Resource in Madison celebrated their 20th anniversary recently at the Huntsville Botanical Garden. Created by Shari Burnum in 2000, Investor’s Resource is actually 21 years old this year, but plans for the celebration were put on hold as the COVID pandemic spread. Fortunately, Shari and her team were able to host the celebration in September as a way of thanking their many clients and friends. Shari said her team takes pride in their independent investing advice. They say they rarely have a ‘client’. “Our clients become family to us and so we want nothing but the best for them — today and moving forward,” Shari commented. To learn more about Investor’s Resource, go to www.invresource.com. Shown above: Shari, seated, is pictured with her team (left to right): Dale Hubbert, Matt Leahy, Sarah Griffith and Martha Gilpin. Investor’s Resource is located at 100 Essex Court, Suite C, in Madison. Photos by William Aycock

OUT&ABOUT

HONORING OUR VETERANS - The American Legion Post 229 in Madison hosted their annual flag laying ceremony at Madison cemeteries for Veterans Day on Saturday, Nov. 6. The Post had some help from the Bob Jones and James Clemens JROTC units, Girl Scouts of Madison and Scout Troop 201. The Auxiliary unit held a Veterans Gravestone Cleaning event in conjunction with the flag laying. Here are some photos from the events.

What it takes to be a successful student at Mill Creek Elementary

Students in Mrs. Eichelkraut’s three ELA classes at Mill Creek Elementary School practiced the writing process as they wrote opinion essays on what it takes to be a successful student at Mill Creek. The essays were so good, Mrs. Eichelkraut contacted us and asked if we would be interested in sharing them. The following students were chosen to be published and offer sage advice to fellow students.

To be successful, students should be kind because people in younger grades might look up to them. This is because they are respectful, helpful, kind, and pay attention to instructions. The students in younger grades might start to be more responsible and helpful. When they get older, other people will look up to them, causing them to respect others, pay attention in class, help, ect.

Students should also be able to listen to directions and follow rules. If you have a substitute you should respect them. A substitute might do things differently than your teacher or the substitute could forget something your teacher does not. Continue to be respectful.

In addition, students need to be studious and study for a test or quiz. Studying is important because you can fix your mistakes and understand the material better. You can also get help when you study, but on a test you are on your own.

Lastly, students have to be safe from Covid-19. They can do this by wearing a mask. They should also stay three feet apart with a mask and six feet apart when eating. Students can be safe from Covid-19 by sneezing or coughing away from people. Students and teachers both need to do all these things and wash their hands to be safe from Covid.

To be successful students need to be kind, which will spread to others. Students should also respect everyone including teachers. Students need to be studious so they can do better on a test. The last thing that students have to do to be successful in school is to be safe from Covid-19. You can do this by masking and washing your hands.

By Charlotte Hardy

I was and am a Mill Creek student, so I know many ways to be a successful student.

But, I wrote three ways to be an advanced student. Some of the ways are ways that I actually used, and some of them I didn’t. But, I would like to share them in this paper.

First, pay attention. Don’t get distracted by other things because the teacher will be very disappointed if nobody pays attention. You also need to follow directions or rules that need to be followed. If you follow directions, you will be a magnificent and excellent student. You also have to remember not to talk with your friends whenever the teachers are talking because you might get silent recess if you don’t behave well.

Second, you have to be safe. Don’t take off your mask. Even though the others did it, doesn’t mean you should too. You should also give people private space, and have a private space. Sometimes people might not give you enough private space, so just kindly decline and say that you need some space, I am sure they will understand. Using sanitizer and washing your hands are other things to be safe. Washing your hands with soap is the best way. But, you might not have the time to wash. So, you can use a sanitizer. Sanitizer is quicker than washing your hands, but I will rather prefer actually washing away the germs with a clean soap.

The third thing is to stay organized. Purchase a planner to keep on track. Using the planner will help you keep track of all of your assignments. Also don’t forget to clean your backpack at least once a week. Cleaning your backpack might help you find things easily and might also make the bag lighter. Plus, it would seem less messier than before. You would also need to get yourself ready for the day in the morning because you might get tired of finding things if you don’t get ready in the morning. For good organization and good grades, make sure you did all of your homework. If you went to a class and the teacher was checking everyone’s homework. If you are the only one who didn’t do it, then that will be embarrassing! So, make sure you check your homework every single day.

As you can see, there are many ways to be successful, “Paying attention” and “Being Safe” are two important ways. All the things are important so don’t forget to follow all of these habits. Then you will be a successful Fifth Grader at Mill Creek Elementary.

As a fifth-grade student at Mill Creek Elementary, I can be successful in many ways. I aim to get into either an engineering college or a medical school after high school. I can set a good example for younger students too. I should have perfect attendance, be engaged, and pay attention.

At school, I can be successful by having perfect attendance, so I won’t miss classwork. I can also get my work done and get excellent grades. Also, I can be successful by getting my brain powered up for the day by getting a good night’s rest and relaxing my body. I can get hydrated and stay healthy.

Another thing is staying engaged, having the perfect mindset, and start learning. My perfect mindset only includes thinking about classwork and questions asked by the teacher. My perfect mindset at school doesn’t include bracelet making, TV, or anything I do at home. Having the perfect mindset at school is great, so I won’t fail. Also, getting good grades is great.

Paying attention is also good so I won’t get in trouble. Getting in trouble is not ideal, so I pay attention in class. Paying attention can result in me getting good grades. Getting good grades will eventually result in the teachers noticing how well I am doing in school.

With the teachers noticing how well I am doing; my grades could probably end up in me getting a scholarship. Getting a scholarship means I won’t have to worry about paying for college. As I mentioned earlier, I hope to get into an engineering college or a medical school. I follow these goals because I excel in math and I want to find cures for people. Doing all of these things are the keys to me being successful.

By Averi Fletcher

There are many diverse ways to identify as a successful student. Being well-rounded as a student has to do with being very intellectual and a likable person as well. It is good to be successful in school but many other factors of life as well.

Having self-control as a student is spectacular because you will know how to handle yourself. To have self-control, you need to set your priorities and goals such as doing sports after school work. You also need to treat others the way you want to be treated. Sometimes, I myself need to have self-control to calm myself down after an argument.

If you are able to work with others well, you will have no problem working on a team when you are much older. If you focus on what you have in common with someone instead of focusing on your differences, you will find a way to get along. To get along with someone, you need to listen to their opinion so they feel like what they have today is important. Also, if you accept help you can take in knowledge, but if you give help you can pass on your knowledge as well.

If you know your capabilities, you will be able to complete tasks at a steady rate. If you know your limits, you will find an outside-the-box way of thinking. To know your capabilities, you need to focus on all the things that could go right, instead of all the things that could go wrong.

To sum it up, if you work well with others, have self-control, and know your capabilities you probably can identify as a successful student. Successful people have great grades and friends. No matter what happens, we should always strive to be our best, successful students or not.

By Tristan Blalock

As a fifth-grade student at Mill Creek, how do you become a successful student? In my opinion, I think that you should study a lot to get better grades. I think that you should stay focused instead of watching TV or playing video games. To be a successful student you have to get good sleep for the next day so you aren’t tired for the next school day.

To be a successful student you have to do your homework and study it. To be successful as a student you have to be respectful to everyone you meet. Don’t get into any fights. If you get in fights, that will be on your personal record. If you have a bad record, you possibly won’t get into a good college.

To be a successful student during the pandemic that is all over the world right now, you have to stay safe. What I mean by safe is to be three feet from people all the time.

In my opinion, I think that you should pay attention to the teacher so you learn as much as every other student does. If you need to, you should ask a question, but you have to be respectful to the teacher while doing it. You have to raise your hand. It would be rude if you interrupted the teacher. To be a successful student, you also can’t fall asleep. First, it would be uncomfortable if you sleep on your desk. You could sleep when you get home. Second, if you snore, you probably will get caught easily. That is how you become a successful student at Mill Creek.

To be a successful student at Mill Creek Elementary you have to be responsible. Students should also have a good relationship with their teachers and peers. Another way to be a successful student is by being intrapersonal. Intrapersonal means things that happen within one’s mind. Read on to learn more about these three tips on how to be a successful student at Mill Creek. My first tip is that students should be responsible. One way students can be responsible is by setting goals. Setting goals can play a big part in being responsible because it keeps students organized. Another way to be responsible is by listening to important conversations. Listening to important conversations shows responsibility because it expresses that you listen. It expresses that you listen because it sets a good thought to whoever you are talking to that you listen and care about their ideas and don’t just talk. Second, students should have a good relationship with their teachers and peers. To have a good relationship with your teachers and peers, you have to be kind. For example, if you see somebody who dropped their books, help them out! Having a good relationship with others makes people happy. Being happy is contagious and spreads a positive attitude. My saying is “P.A.C.E” (Positive Attitude Changes Everything)! Lastly, to be a successful student you have to be intrapersonal. Intrapersonal means things that happen within one’s mind. One way to be intrapersonal is by accepting yourself. One way to accept yourself is by knowing you may not be able to do something yet. For example, when I was five I didn’t know how to ride a bike. I practiced, and over the years I learned how to ride. Another way to be intrapersonal is by thinking positively. For example, if you fail a test, take it as an opportunity to learn. Thinking positively can make you a joyful and a happy person in life. If you always think positively, then some of your worst situations can be easy to get through.

To conclude, being a successful student means being responsible by staying organized; having good relationships with teachers and peers; and by helping others. Lastly, being a successful student means being intrapersonal by accepting yourself. To be honest, being a successful student doesn’t mean you have to be perfect, it means try your best!

By Eiliyah Hafiez

Successful students have great habits. Those great habits can be something like always working hard or listening carefully to other people. But we all know that successful students weren’t successful at first. They practiced. If you ask me, I’ll say that they practiced great habits hundreds and hundreds of times. Being successful as a student isn’t easy, but once you get the hang of it, it’s going to be easy and, poof! You’re a successful student.

The first step of being a successful student is ‘setting priorities.’ In order to be a successful student, you must set priorities such as: working hard, studying, or being independent. By setting priorities, you can always think about them and make them into a habit. Habits can change your actions, thoughts, and even personalities! Setting good priorities is the first step of being a successful student.

The second step of being a successful student is ‘being self-reflective.’

You must know yourself first. By knowing yourself, you can always think positively, be respectful to others, and do metacognition (Metacognition is the act of thinking about what you’re thinking). For example, you’re not being a successful student if you’re always beating people up. You must have a good attitude. Being self-reflective is another way you can be a successful student.

The last step of being a successful student is ‘having good relationships’ with each other. You wouldn’t be a successful student if you’re always fighting with your friends, would you? Expand friendships, and you’ll be happy. Help others and one day, others will help you. Having good relationships with your friends is the last step of being a successful student.

Those are good habits to practice to be a successful student. Follow the steps and one day, you’ll be a successful student. By Joseph Lee