Madison Living Magazine - March 2023

MADISON LIVING

March 2023

madisonlivingmagazine.com

INSIDE

MADISON’S MVP VOLUNTEERS

Celebrating our community volunteers in a very special way

Inspiration unfolds as Huntsville Botanical Garden hosts new exciting exhibit

“WHERE THERE IS TEA, THERE IS HOPE”

The story behind the city’s first tea room

BLESSED TO BE ALIVE David Webb’s second chance at life

Carly Thomas

Carly Thomas

Bob Jones’ star female wrestler won her third state title, but this time it was very personal

ThePowerofa Healthy You.

MADISON LIVING

EDITOR

John Few

CONTRIBUTORS

Bob Labbe

Gregg Parker

Erin Coggins

Joshua Berry

Maria Rakoczy

Lee Marshall

John Peck

Mary Lynne Wright

Brandy Booth

Kassidy Wilkins

MARKETING

Donna Counts

GENERAL MANAGER

French Salter

CONTACT US

Madison Living Magazine

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

For story ideas, call John Few at 256-763-1150 or email john@themadisonrecord.com.

To advertise, call Donna Counts at 256-714-7152.

Madison Living is published monthly by Tennessee Valley Media, Inc. A one-year subscription to Madison Living is $30.79 for 12 issues per year. Single copies are available at select locations throughout the Madison area. To subscribe, call 256-772-6677.

Copyright 2023

Dragons

Unveil a myriad of dark secrets and come face to face with some of the most magnificent monsters and terrifying beasts ever to walk the earth. Discover the colossal Stone Troll, the mysterious Indrik and Japanese Baku; the Tooth Fairy (not as sweet as you’d think), an adorable Unicorn and majestic Griffin. Take your place among legendary heroes, just don’t wake the Dragon. This Olivier Award nominated show comes to the USA direct from the West End, from the creators of the international smash hit Dinosaur World Live, who bring spectacular puppets to life.

and Mythical Beasts • March 21 at 7:30 p.m. • VBC Mark C. Smith Concert Hall • www.vonbrauncenter.com

Creepy aliens, gangsters, goofy extraterrestrials, old-school dancing and even cops ‘n robbers will ignite the screen as Madison Public Library reprises its series, “Mad Movie-A-Thon-ORama!”

The free films first were released mainly in the 1950s and 1960s when these flicks were viewed as a fun night at the local walk-in theatre or, better yet, the drive-in. The library staff has announced its schedule for Mad Movie-A-Thon-O-Rama through May.

On the show dates, doors will open at 6 p.m. and the movie reel will start to roll at 6:30 p.m. The audience is welcome to bring food and drink into the auditorium to enjoy a snack (or dinner) during the show.

“Plan 9 From Outer Space,” will be shown March 9. It is a 1957 science fiction-horror film. The storyline concerns extraterrestrials who seek to stop humanity from creating a doomsday weapon that could destroy the universe. The aliens implement “Plan 9”, a scheme to resurrect the Earth’s dead. By causing chaos, the aliens hope the crisis will force humanity to listen to them; otherwise, the aliens will destroy mankind with armies of undead.

Other movies include: “Strange Brew,” March 23; “Breakin’,” April 13; “Targets,” April 27; special VHS movie, ‘May the Fourth Be With You’ “Star Wars,”; “Assault on Precinct 13,” May 11; and “Ambush at Cimarron Pass,” May 25.

The library is at 142 Plaza Blvd. For more information, call 256-461-0046 or visit events.hmcpl.org.

‘Mad Movie-A-Thon-O-Rama!’ to show best ‘Grade B’ movies

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

Shrubs

Monster Jam • March 17-19 • VBC Propst Arena • www.vonbrauncenter.com

Monster Jam® is an action-packed motorsport with world-class athletes locked in intense competitions of speed and skill. Witness heated rivalries, high-flying stunts, and fierce head-to-head battles for the Event Championship. Engineered to perfection, these 12,000-pound monster trucks, including legendary Grave Digger®, push all limits in Freestyle, Skills Challenge and Racing competitions.

The home of the Rocket City Trash Pandas will host the Alabama Crimson Tide versus the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. The matchup marks the first journey to Madison for the Alabama baseball team and will be the third SEC baseball game in Toyota Field history, with the first two being hosted by Auburn. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. with all gates at Toyota Field opening at 4:30 p.m. Trash Pandas season ticket holders will have the first priority to purchase their own seats for the game. Purchase tickets at trashpandasbaseball.com/rolltide.

Taste of Soul Festival • March 25 • Starts at noon Orion Amphitheater • theorionhuntsville.com

Taste of Soul Alabama Family Festival is a one day event to celebrate the heart and soul of the greater Huntsville area through music, food and fun. Local eateries, food trucks and food entrepreneurs are the fabric of Rocket City and will be the main focus of this event. Local businesses provide a friendly and home-like environment to all of our residentsand this hospitality will be on display at the Taste of Soul festival. With something for everyone, Taste of Soul will be a family friendly event that will capture the minds and taste buds of all of the individuals who represent who we are.

Cinderella • April 14-16

• Huntsville Ballet

Mark C. Smith Concert Hall • www,huntsvilleballet.org

The Huntsville Ballet Company takes the stage of the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall in April 2023 with a performance of Cinderella. One of the most famous and beautiful ballets of all time, Huntsville Ballet Company tells the timeless story of Cinderella with majestic beauty and magical sets and costumes. Cinderella is a servant to her evil stepsisters until her fairy godmother helps her win the love of a prince. Cinderella will transport you to a land where dreams are made. Huntsville Ballet Company holds a long and rich history in the art of dance. Huntsville Ballet Company brings the finest quality of dance to the region, performing ballets such as The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, The Firebird, Cinderella and The Sleeping Beauty. The Huntsville Ballet Company and Huntsville Ballet School are under the umbrella of Community Ballet Association, Inc., a non-profit member of the state and local Arts Councils.

On Your Feet, The Story Of Emilio and Gloria Estefan

March 31-April 2 • Mark C. Smith Concert Hall

www.BroadwayTheatreLeague.org

ON YOUR FEET! is the inspiring true story about heart, heritage and two people who believed in their talent—and each other—to become an international sensation: Gloria and Emilio Estefan. Now their story is an all-new exhilarating original musical winning the hearts of critics and audiences alike, with the Chicago Tribune declaring “IT’S A HIT!” and The New York Times cheering, “The very air in the room seems to vibrate in this undeniably crowd-pleasing musical!”

ON YOUR FEET! features some of the most iconic songs of the past quarter-century, including “Rhythm is Gonna Get You,” “Conga,” “Get On Your Feet,” “Don’t Want To Lose You Now,” “1-2-3” and “Coming Out of the Dark.” Prepare to be on your feet from start to finish! For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.BroadwayTheatreLeague.org or give Broadway Theatre League a call at 256.518.6155.

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Gala Cocktail Party and Silent Auction

March 4 • 7-11 p.m.

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

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

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ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN

Inspiration unfolds as Huntsville Botanical Garden hosts new exhibit

STORY BY LAURA MCPHAIL

AArt and nature will merge into one unforgettable experience at Huntsville Botanical Garden (HBG) March 3 when the ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN exhibition opens to the public.

Created by Santa Fe artists Jennifer and Kevin Box and presented by PNC Bank, 18 pieces from the collection of larger-than-life sculptures inspired by the ancient Japanese art of origami will temporarily call the Garden ‘home’ through the end of August.

Box has taken origami, which literally means ‘folding paper,’ in a new direction. After years of experimentation, he developed a technique that led to several successful castings of paper into bronze.

“This exhibit is a perfect fit for Huntsville Botanical Garden,” said HBG Chief Executive Officer Sue Wagner. “Paper is made from plants, origami is made from paper, and the origami sculptures that will be displayed in the Garden reflect elements of the natural world. It’s a beautiful melding of subject and setting.”

Along with wife and co-creator, Jennifer, Box collaborated with world-renowned origami masters Te Jui Fu, Robert J. Lang, Beth Johnson and Michael LaFosse to

create original designs that eventually became the huge statues made of museum-quality metals that will dot the landscape and adorn the atrium at the Garden.

“As a national main street bank, PNC strongly supports the communities where we live and work,” said Nick Willis, PNC regional president for Greater Alabama. “We are delighted to support this exhibit and the Gardens as they continue to inspire imagination and make a lasting impact on our Huntsville community.”

Sculptures in the exhibit include colossal butterflies, ponies, birds and more. The highlight of the show will be “Master Peace,” a 25-foot-tall sculpture of hundreds of origami peace cranes towering over the Aquatic Garden.

Box believes that seeing the sculptures amid the natural beauty found in botanical gardens makes it more of an immersive experience than one would get while viewing them in a museum with hushed whispers and recycled air.

“I think that there’s nothing more enchanting than experiencing art in the outdoor environment,” Box reflected. “Botanical gardens are museums for plants. It’s just the perfect setting.”

ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN is included with regular admission to the Garden. To create a more complete experience, a free audio tour is available for guests to dial into and hear interpretation for each piece directly from the artist.

“We are so grateful for the support from PNC that helped bring this delightful yet sophisticated exhibit to our community,” said Wagner. “We feel confident that people who come see this exhibit will leave with a sense of inspiration.”

To learn more about ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN or other events, programs, classes and more at Huntsville Botanical Garden, visit hsvbg.org

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SPORTS

CARLY THOMAS

Bob Jones’ star female wrestler won her third consecutive state title, but this time it was very personal

STORY BY BOB LABBE

PHOTOS BY JOSHUA BERRY

FFor 16-year old Carly Thomas, a junior at Bob Jones High, facing adversities has been a common occurrence for the gifted student-athlete.

She began wrestling in seventh grade versus boys prior to the Alabama High School Athletic Association establishing girls wrestling across the state. She wrestled through her freshman season against girls while tending to an injured shoulder. In between her freshman and sophomore seasons she underwent surgery to repair the labrum of her right shoulder and was forced to sit out the sport for six months, during which time she gained 20 pounds during her recovery period.

Upon returning to the mats for her sophomore year Thomas had to shed those pounds she had gained to be able to wrestle in the 128-pound weight class. She accomplished that feat and in the process was named among the top 30 in the country as a female wrestler. In the just completed 2022-2023 wrestling season as a junior she won her third

consecutive AHSAA State Championship with a pin over Jessalynn Allen (19-2) of Grissom at the 1:42 mark in the match. Thomas completed the season at 28-1.

Through all the blood and sweat she has put forth in her wrestling efforts to be a three-peat state champ, she also shed some tears this season.

For the last several years her father, Carlos Thomas, had been working in Washington State and had not been able to see Carly make her way onto the mats on a regular basis. Carly said the last time her father saw her in competition was her championship winning match in her freshman year. His work kept Carlos at bay while Carly lived with her mother, Mandi Manley, and her grandparents in Madison. Just prior to the State Championship Tournament Carly was presented the news every child does not want to hear-her father was killed.

On New Year’s Eve the Spokane, Wash. Police Dept. received a call a man had been shot in the East Central

neighborhood of the city near East 7th Avenue and East Newark Avenue. When police arrived on the scene, they came upon one man fatally wounded. Very little is known of what happened as Carlos Thomas was gunned down early Saturday morning less than 24 hours before the New Year.

“Carly was devastated,” said Mandi, of her daughter’s learning of the murder. “It was very hard at first as her emotions of losing her father came in waves. Carly has a tremendous support system comprised of her wrestling team, fellow students at Bob Jones and of course her family. She even took it upon herself to care for her little sister, Kali, who at nine years of age looks up to Carly.”

Carlos was a mere 42 years old when he died in the streets of Spokane, Wash. Somehow Carly continued her schoolwork where she has a 4.0 grade point average and her quest for perfection on the wrestling mat. She fought through the grieving she suffered every day knowing she would never see her father again.

“As I made it to the State Tournament I kept thinking of my father,” said Carly. “It was extremely stressful being on the stage in front of hundreds who were at the CrossPlex in Birmingham. It was an amazing feeling to be in that position as I saw all my hard work paid of with a chance to win the state title in three consecutive

For Carly difficult situations has been her life as she played two years of tackle football at Discovery Middle School and currently plays for the Bob Jones flag football. In every effort she puts forth in athletics she is known as one of the toughest competitors and all the boys on the wrestling team show deep respect for her continued efforts in the grueling sport.

Once at the State Tournament Carly struggled with emotions of trying to defend her state title and the fact she had just recently buried her father. “I dedicated the entire tourney and wanted to win for him,” said Carly. “I know it had been a couple years since he saw me wrestle, but I feel he was there at the CrossPlex in spirit. When I won my third straight state championship, I know he was smiling from heaven.”

Mandi works as general manager of Subway on

I dedicated the entire tourney and wanted to win for him.

Hughes Road. She’s also in her final year as a student at UAH earning her degree in business administration where she has posted a 3.88 grade point average. She smiled and said, “Carly’s in competition with me on who has the best GPA.”

Carly also works at Subway at both the Hughes Road and County Line Road locations. She’s been able to keep a constant schedule of success of athletics, school and work. Her mother attributes Carly’s outstanding attributes as a teenager to her discipline ways due to her being a high school wrestler.

“Yes, the sport has taught her discipline, responsibility

and doing what is right,” said Mandi. “Athletics has kept her out of much of the normal teenage trouble. I support her 100-percent as when she began wrestling, I liked the idea and wrestling with boys was not an issue.”

Spokane police indicated suspects have been mentioned in Carlos’ murder, but no one has been arrested. Carly does not have closure with the death of her father, but being active in her many facets of life have assisted her in dealing with her loss and knowing her father will be there cheering her on in whatever she chooses to face, and when her hand is raised in victory, she will be that much closer to her father.

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Carly’s teammates, classmates, and fans were present to cheer her on in winning her third state title in January.

PLACES

Madison resident and downtown business owner turns historic home into the city’s first tea room

STORY BY ERIN COGGINS

PHOTOS BY JOSHUA BERRY

“WHERE THERE IS TEA, THERE IS HOPE”

DDuring World War II the British government used the phrase “while there is tea, there is hope” to encourage the British citizens to be strong in the face of war. Although Madison is not in the throes of war, there is always room for hope. And now the city has its first tearoom.

It all started when Madison resident Tammy Hall visited the St. James Tearoom while living in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She found herself returning over and over and even having her daughter’s fifth birthday party at St. James.

“I fell in love with the concept. I had never seen anything like that,” Hall said. “I knew about China, but I had never seen it be used in a restaurant setting that way.”

She began to visit tearooms while on other travels, including Italy where she took mental note of the things she liked. Those mental notes turned into actual plans in October 2022 when the Lanier House became available on Martin Street in downtown.

“It was just something I thought about doing about a month ago,” Hall said. “When the Lanier House became available, I was like I’m doing it.”

Hall feels the Lanier House, designated a National Historic Landmark in 1994, is the perfect place for her vision

of a tearoom.

“The fireplace makes it perfect,” Hall said. “The little private dining room was important because I knew I wanted to have a private room that we could section off.”

She had the house. She needed China. Although she says her knowledge of China is limited, she knew she wanted to stock the tearoom with porcelain or bone. She began searching Facebook Marketplace and local thrift shops to find the perfect three-piece settings.

“I was like Johnny Cash in that I felt like I had been everywhere to buy China,” Tammy said. “Most of my China was found here in Madison County, but I did drive over an hour to buy some. The farthest place I ordered China from was Ohio.”

Hall says teapots on the other hand were a little more difficult to find. She knew she needed at least 35 teapots to make sure that each table had one to two available for a full service.

“A lot of teapots are collective items and although they were perfect, I did not want to spend $60 for one,” Hall said. “I finally resorted to Amazon where I found a cute collection, so I just mass ordered a bunch.”

Taking a little bit from a tearoom here and a tearoom

there, Hall set out to create a quaint experience–something patrons will not get anywhere else. She and her staff see it as pseudo entertaining.

“We want our patrons to feel like this is their time to sit down and relax,” Hall said. “We see ourselves as a host of three parties a day. It’s like going shopping and having the salesperson dote on you. We explain the tray and the tea and chat if we have the time.”

Although the China and teapots are darling, tea is the center of it all. Hall says she is not a connoisseur of tea but became interested in different teas while visiting her mother-in-law in Las Vegas where they frequented a Teavana.

“I started buying loose tea from them all the time and I bought the little pot that you seep it in and everything. There were so many options,” Hall said. “When this whole tearoom concept became a reality to me, I thought finally all of these teas I’ve been drinking all this time can be rotated through my tea services.”

The tea flavors as well as the food offerings change monthly, allowing Hall to keep things fresh and new for customers. The offering is afternoon tea which includes a tea pairing for a savory, a bread and a sweet tray.

“The first tray is the heavier food so you want a

heavy tea to go with it. The second is usually a light tea, such as a herbal tea and then with the sweets we usually go with a light black tea,” Hall said. “Right now, I am working on our March menu and the first tea is going to be an Irish breakfast tea.”

Hall has been asked what a tearoom is and she knows the concept is new to some people. The first thing she asks when confronted with this question is “do you watch Bridgerton? Outlander? Pride and Prejudice?’

“If they say they do, then I say well, let’s think about that. Let’s think about when they are in their sitting rooms,” Hall said. “That’s what we want to create. We want to create a large room that is for sitting so then we can prepare small food that is for eating. It’s meant for sharing.”

Hall is no stranger to the food industry, she and her husband have owned and operated Main Street Cafe since 2018. And although the tearoom is separate from the Cafe, Hall utilizes much of the same operational standards; however, the tearoom operates on reservations only.

“Reservations allow us to determine how many

people we have to prepare for on any given day,” Hall said. “We do all the preparations before you get here. We then bring out the tray, the tea and it keeps you from having time wasted worrying about what you’ve got to order or anything else.”

Having been open a month, Hall is beyond ecstatic at the number of patrons that have already had afternoon tea. She feels opening the tearoom in Madison was not only a great thing for her, but for the city of Madison.

“I am so happy to be in downtown Madison. I love all the people down here and I want to bring traffic down here,” Hall said. “I cannot tell you countless people who have walked in here and sat down for tea, but they have never been to downtown Madison. Once people know we’re here, they come back, and it has been fantastic.”

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Humana supports veterans facing loneliness

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

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

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

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

whole person.

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

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

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

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COMING SOON: The Mark C. Smith Wellness Center

BBreakthrough therapy can heal the trauma children in foster care have experienced, and Kids to Love is leading the way.

lation.

But there is hope: trauma can be treated.

Lee Marshall Founder / CEO Kids to Love Foundation

We broke ground recently on the Mark C. Smith Wellness Center, home of the Grant Hill Trauma Team, to fill this critical need in the foster care community. Every single child in foster care has experienced trauma in some form. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics Healthy Foster Initiative identifies behavioral health as the greatest unmet need for children and teens in foster care. Up to 80% of children in foster care have significant mental health issues, that’s 4 times the general popu-

Kids to Love is offering a new approach called Instinctual Trauma Response. ITR treatment will determine the level of trauma a child has experienced and address the trauma they’ve experienced in order to improve their cognitive and behavioral health. This therapy is not just life-changing; it is life-giving for our kids.

You will hear a lot more about the Mark C. Smith Wellness Center in the coming weeks and months as we give our children the help they need to live healthy lives. For more information, log on to kidstolove.org

PEOPLE

BLESSED TO BE ALIVE

David Webb’s road to recovery after near-death strokes is nothing short of a miracle, one that has him thankful for being given a second chance

STORY BY BOB LABBE

PHOTOS BY JOSHUA BERRY

TTo quote the 1970 Beatles No. 1 hit song, “The Long and Winding Road,” Madison’s David Webb is currently on that road…to recovery. The world record-setting powerlifter is currently making headway on his journey after suffering near-death strokes in early 2022 and to the amazement to everyone, including his doctors, Webb is again lifting weights in record form.

“This road required a lot of help from my friends at Powerhouse Gym and my training partner,” said the 65year old Webb. “Without the support from the personal trainers of Nate, Nathan and Josh and their constant encouragement, I would not be where I am today. My wife, Nancy has been my rock and the one person who kept me in line of not overdoing my recovery.”

Listening to Nancy, working with therapists and following the guidance from his doctors, Webb was determined to show all concerned he would make a comeback. His true grit and pure spunk pushed him to stand tall, overcome his limitations and to make his way to the lifting platform for the competition he desires. After 10 months of rehabilitation he returned to competing in November,

2022. In a new age bracket of 65-69 Webb was back at his old form of setting records. In his first competition, he set a new bench press world record of 226 pounds in two different categories. He also set 11 new state records in his first meet since his strokes. Two weeks later in Decatur at the Golden Ape Power Challenge he moved to a higher weight class and set 12 new state records.

“Those meets were very rewarding as the weights I’m lifting now is different as my form is better and I feel my strength is solid,” said Webb. “But, one thing I did learn is the fact I had a second chance at life and I wasn’t going to blow it. I was going to run it up the flagpole. I have the entire use of my body and I feel I’m blessed beyond measure.”

Webb also feels he’s blessed just to be alive.

After working for the University of Alabama-Huntsville (UAH) for 30 years as a research scientist contractor on Redstone Arsenal, Webb chose to officially retire on Jan. 1, 2022, but his well-prepared retirement was about to hit a pothole on his retirement travels.

On Jan. 27, Webb’s life changed in a dramatic way.

He was preparing for a daily workout at Powerhouse Gym and began to feel dizzy thinking it was his blood pressure medication causing the miscues. After waiting until the dizziness subsided he took his usual trip to the gym workouts where he began his weight lifting routine on the leg press machine. While loading the necessary weights onto the machine, Webb said, “It hit me. I knew right away something was wrong. I grabbed my bag and headed for the front door, but on my way I kept drifting and falling to the left. Through just pure determination I made my way to a chair at the front of the gym where representatives of the gym saw what was happening and called 9-1-1.”

Upon being rushed to Crestwood Hospital he was assessed and doctors indicated he was having a brain stem stroke. There was 99-percent blockage and he was immediately started on an IV and administered a “clot-buster,” a drug used to break up a clot and help restore blood flow to the brain. After being stabilized, Webb was transferred to Huntsville Hospital’s Neurology ICU Unit where he remained under constant care for 13 days.

“I felt lucky just to be alive,” said Webb. “I know a lot of prayers came my way and soon more miracles were coming my way. My neurologist, Dr. Kate Heaton, was in charge of my case and she was spot-on with her diagnosis. She said there would be a great chance of having another stroke, and once released to go home, to stay home, rest and recover.”

Webb was released and was at home recovering under the watchful eyes of Nancy. While watching the Super Bowl battle between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals, where the Rams defeated the Bengals 23-20, something happened. While sitting back in his favorite chair and enjoying the annual game, Webb said he suddenly lost the use of the right side of his body. He instantly knew what was happening and had Nancy call 9-1-1. Just as his doctor predicted, Webb was having another stroke.

“I found out 80-percent of those with a second stroke don’t survive the ride to the hospital,” said Webb. “I was again in the hospital for four additional days. On the day I was to go home, Dr. Heaton told me my competitive power lifting was no longer in my future and to work hard in the upcoming physical therapy sessions as she believed that’s what was going to allow me to regain most of my functions, including walking again.”

For the exceptionally positive and proactive Webb, additional miracles were about to be bestowed upon him on his road to recovery.

During the time dealing with the strokes, Webb lost 24 pounds, which was a lot for a man who

stands 5-foot-8 and weighed in at 179-pounds, but he retained much of his muscle mass and that factor was the first item his lead physical therapist, Brant Bishop, noticed in his first face-to-face session with Webb. If anyone knew what to look for in Webb’s case, it was Bishop, who just happens to be inducted into the Alabama Power Lifting Hall of Fame. “He asked me if I was wanting to return to competition and I replied with a resounding yes,” said Webb on his first encounter with Bishop, who then geared the physical therapy program towards Webb reaching his goal.

Webb was paired with physical trainer, Eric Hansen, who just happen to have competed in powerlifting. Webb quickly saw miracles really do happen to those who believe.

Webb began his therapy where he could not let go of the use of his walker to walking with a cane in just four weeks. He felt his trainer had challenged him in ways he never knew was possible. Webb was soon released by Dr. Heaton to begin lifting a light amount of weights, but Webb had other plans, which included returning to a competition level of power lifting.

The first attempts at lifting weights was eye-opening and humbling. Webb went from competition squatting 280-pounds to barely able to squat the 45-pound bar.

He struggled to curl a five-pound dumbbell, bench press 90-pounds or deadlift more than 150-pounds. “I knew right away I was on a long road to recovery,” added Webb, who indicated his road included many friends at Powerhouse Gym and his workout partner, Bobby Brown. “I still thought I could compete and I wondered how long of a road was it going to be.”

The road is still ongoing, but his undiluted determination has led Webb to have his weightlifting eyes set on setting three national records in the May third USPA Drug Tested Core Wars scheduled to be held in Madison.

“There was a reason certain people were put in my life during this time as at one time I never really understood the severity of my stroke as I struggled just to walk and my doctor said they’ve never seen this type of condition

“

One thing I did learn is the fact I had a second chance at life and I wasn’t going to blow it. ”

from a stroke revamp so quickly,” said Webb. “I guess I’m an anomaly.”

Growing up in Louisville, Ky., Webb didn’t partake in athletics until his four-year stint in the U.S. Army where he played racquetball, softball, bowling and the martial arts. Once moving to Alabama in 1983 and taking up residence in the area of Monrovia-Madison, he became an Alabama state champion racquetball player and disc golfer. He also earned his teaching certificate for U.S. Kids Golf. Prior to his strokes he has set numerous state, national and world records in power lifting.

Webb is determined to succeed and prove to himself he can survive. He’s also eager to show others how they have affected his life in a positive and successful way. His message to others who may suffer similar medical conditions and get a second chance is to surround themselves with others who can help and to encourage you to do your part as others around you are impacted by your pain and suffering.

“I spend a lot of time concentrating on what I need to do,” said Webb. “The support sent to me by the Lord was for a reason. I know I have a second chance and with all of that support on my road to recovery, I can’t fail.”

Madison City Schools

Social workers play a very vital role at Madison City Schools

HHours before the start of another school day, social workers at Madison City Schools might find themselves scrambling to the aid of a family or student.

A house fire. A family medical emergency. Efforts to meet food, clothing or transportation needs.

MCS, working closely with principals, school counselors, the Safety and Security Coordinator, Mental Health Services Coordinator, Development Office Coordinator and community advocates.

...

John Peck Madison City Schools Public Relations Manager

March 5-11 is National School Social Work Week. Madison City Schools would like to recognize its social worker team of Briana Hawkins, Heather Myers and contract worker DeAnna Haataja. They play an integral part of

Our social work team meets the needs of students by coordinating with outside agencies, local churches, and community donors. Another resource to meet student needs is through the school district’s Supporting Our Students (SOS) Fund, which is primarily funded through community donations.

DeAnna Haataja, Briana Hawkins, Heather Myers, in a resource room stocked with basic needs and school supplies.

“Our goal is to make sure every student has what they need in order to succeed academically,” said Ms. Hawkins, who has been with MCS for six years. “We look at the hierarchy of needs to ensure their physiological and safety needs are being met. If there are concerns, we want to bridge that gap.”

Calls to action often come from a principal or school counselor, with information often relayed by a teacher or support worker. The social work team might work oneon-one with students or coordinate with groups to deliver support services. While a large focus may be to children from disadvantaged backgrounds, support covers the entire socioeconomic spectrum.

Social workers are trained in mental health to provide services related to a person’s social, emotional and life adjustments to school and society.

Some of their work is helping to educate parents to give them life tools. They do this through parenting workshops covering matters like behavioral issues.

School Social Workers are there to bridge the gap between the school and the home. If a student is struggling at school with poor attendance or failing grades, they may reach out to the family and find out that more is going on at

home and help meet that need with community resources. One can catch MCS Social Workers doing anything from meeting with students at schools to check in, teaching Parenting or Mental Health First Aid classes, or talking with parents about needed resources and support.

The most rewarding part of the job, they say, is being able to see students and families overcome various challenges that once seemed impossible.

“To know that we had a small part - along with teachers, counselors, and other school staff in empowering students to succeed - makes the hard days so worthwhile,” said Ms. Myers. Ms. Haataja agreed. “Students need more than just school supplies to be successful. I love to see the look on a student’s face after receiving new shoes/clothes that we help provide.”

Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols said the district’s social workers are a key part in upholding the district’s “Empowering Students” vision statement. “Our social workers stand in the gap to assist students and families at their most vulnerable moments of life. I am so appreciative of our social worker team,as well as our counselors, administrators and staff who watch vigilantly to assist our students every day.”

Children take to the water at Goldfish Swim School’s new Madison location

FA new business in town is answering an important need for children in a comfortable and safe manner.

Goldfish Swim School is the country’s leading water safety and swim lesson school that offers infant and child swim lessons. “The Goldfish Swim School Madison team understands how important water safety is to Huntsvillearea families,” General Manager Michael Reams said.

“We are thrilled to bring the Goldfish curriculum, high quality instruction and state-of-the-art facility to families in this community. I’ve long had a passion for aquatics and water safety,” Reams said.

Goldfish Swim School Madison provides indoor, yearround swim instruction to children, ranging in age from four months to 12 years old. Highly trained instructors instruct the children in a safe, fun and family-friendly setting. “We start with our Parent/Child Mini Classes and work up through our Pro Levels,” he said.

“Students then have the opportunity to move on to our Swim Force Program, which is a recreational swim team.

We run every level of swim lessons every half-hour in our large, 90-degree pool,” Reams said. “We follow a perpetual lesson model, and students progress through our award-winning curriculum at their own pace.”

Each swim lesson is 30 minutes, and classes meet once each week. In addition to perpetual lessons, Goldfish offers week-long Jump Start Clinics during school breaks and summer months.

Class sizes are small, with a maximum of 4:1 studentto-teacher ratio. The water temperature of 90 degrees guarantees a shiver-free visit to the pool. Goldfish takes pride in its state-of-the-art water purification system.

“Goldfish offers perpetual lessons, and families can enroll at any time,” Reams said. The school offers convenient scheduling options, and families can easily book makeup classes, when necessary.

In addition to swim lessons, Goldfish offers frequent family swims for both members and non-members, along with party packages.

NOW OPEN!

Goldfish Swim School is the premier learn-to-swim facility for kids ages 4 months to 12 years. We use our holistic philosophy, The Science of SwimPlay®, to build life skills both in and out of the water using play-based learning in a fun and safe environment.

Learning to swim is paramount to safety, especially considering the popularity of back-yard pools today. “Drowning remains the number one cause of accidental death for kids under age four. The Goldfish team is committed to changing this statistic by providing swim lessons and water safety education to local families,” Reams said.

The American Academy of Pediatrics or AAP recommends that children participate in regular, high-quality swim lessons starting at age one, he said. In addition to providing swim lessons, the Goldfish Swim School Madison team offers free water safety presentations to any interested school, organization or community group.

Founded by husband and wife team Chris and Jenny McCuiston, Goldfish Swim School has specially trained instructors in a safe, child-friendly and fun environment. Their research-based philosophy is called “The Science of SwimPlay.”

With headquarters now in Troy, Michigan, Goldfish Swim School was established in Birmingham, Michigan in 2006 and opened its first franchise location in 2009. Company executives currently are expanding franchise opportunities throughout North America. More than 125 schools are open, and 130-plus are in development across the United States and Canada.

Guests at Goldfish will find an air-conditioned viewing gallery for parents to watch lessons, individual/private changing rooms, blow dry station, snack bar, retail shop and warm, tropical decor.

“Our team of instructors is growing as we add new lesson times to meet the incredible demand that we’ve seen for swim lessons since we opened in January of 2023,” Reams said.

“All of our instructors undergo at least 40 hours of in-house training and follow our award-winning curriculum,” Reams said. “Ongoing training sessions and in-services occur regularly to keep instructors and other staff current on our curriculum and safety protocols.”

Reams’ experience has prepared him well. “I’ve worked as a scuba Instructor since 2016. My previous roles in scuba training and aquatics have prepared me for my role at Goldfish Swim School Madison,” he said “Most recently, I worked as Aquatics Manager for the U.S. Space and Rocket Center from 2020 through 2022.”

“I live locally with my spouse and two kids -- Brooklynn, 8, and Max, 11. My family moved to the Huntsville area in February of 2020. We chose the area because of the family-friendly environment and the great schools,” Reams said.

Goldfish Swim School’s address is 7696 U.S. 72 West, Suite 110. For more information, call 256-500-8422, email swimmadison@goldfishss.com or visit goldfishswimschool.com/Madison, Facebook.com/goldfishmadison or Instagram @goldfish_madison.

COMMUNITY

MADISON’S MVP VOLUNTEERS

Celebrate our community volunteers with the first annual Madison Visionary Awards

STORY BY MELANIE THORNTON

PHOTOS BY JOSHUA BERRY

MMadison Visionary Partners (MVP) is hosting its inaugural Madison Visionary Awards, a community-wide event to celebrate the people who make Madison a great place to live, work and play at 11:30 a.m. on March 30 at the SportsMed Club at Toyota Stadium. Tickets are on sale and limited sponsorships are available until March 15.

During the luncheon, awards will be given to Community Volunteer of the Year, Youth Volunteer of the Year, Philanthropic Business of the Year, and Madison Visionary of the Year.

“One of the elements of Madison’s success is its people and MVP thought it fitting to honor the volunteers who work every day to build community in our city,” said Melanie Thornton, Executive Director of MVP. “We have many people doing good and most often, they are the ones working behind the scenes. What better way to bring them in the spotlight than through these awards?”

Finalists are featured in the following pages, except for the Madison Visionary of the Year The finalists for that category will remain a mystery until the ceremony.

“We had such a wonderful response from the community during the nomination process. We have a great group of volunteers and businesses who will be highlight -

ed for their work in Madison,” said Thornton.

These awards highlight a key element in MVP’s mission as Madison’s community nonprofit. In addition to fundraising for large projects, MVP is also working on building a community of volunteers who want to bring small projects, events, and programs to Madison.

“Madison’s leaders have a vision for our community that MVP, along with other community organizations, can help bring to reality,” said Jeff Showalter, Chair of the MVP Board of Directors. “Support for our mission is integral as we continue to grow as a city and a region.”

Also part of the awards program will be the presentation of recipients of the first Community Impact Grant. Also in its first year, MVP is granting $15,000 to local nonprofits for programs and events that will benefit the community.

“Any way we can enhance and support the nonprofit activity in Madison is going to be beneficial to the community. We have some great projects that are going to get funding,” said Thornton.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit mvpmadison.org/visionaryawards. Tickets will be on sale until March 15.

Olivia Downs

FFor Olivia, volunteering in the community brings her out of her comfort zone and allows her to grow.

“The best part of volunteering is being able to get myself out there and meet new people in my community that I’d probably never have been able to meet otherwise. I’ve been able to meet many interesting women leaders, like the CEO of Girl Scouts USA and Astronaut Jan Davis.”

In 2022, Olivia Downs performed 275 volunteer service hours for which she received the Gold Level Presidential Volunteer Service Award. This was the fifth year that Olivia has earned this recognition, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to volunteerism in our com-

Senior at James Clemens High School

munity.

Olivia volunteers with the American Legion Post 229, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 229, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2107, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, and Girl Scout Service Unit 212 of Madison.

Olivia spends several hours each month working behind the scenes. Some of her volunteer work includes making and picking up handmade cards for veterans from local schools, shopping for supplies and gifts, playing board games with veterans, sorting donated items, or preparing for upcoming events and activities.

She has supported over 140 veterans and veteran’s

spouses in Madison’s assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing facilities through her participation in the Junior Auxiliary.

“I hope that my involvement with the American Legion and the Auxiliary is impacting the veterans in Madison’s senior living facilities,” says Olivia. “We do a lot to recognize them and thank them for their service, and I hope it is making them feel appreciated.”

Olivia also supports the American Legion by participating in flag placement and retrieval on veterans’ graves for both Memorial Day and Veterans Day at our city’s cemeteries, as well as the placement and recovery of the wreaths for Christmas.

As an Ambassador Girl Scout, Olivia has volunteered to assist with younger girl programs for the Madison Girl Scout Service Unit. She has taught the Leave No Trace class to Madison Girl Scouts and a beginning archery badge class to a Brownie Troop.

Olivia loves her community and encourages her friends to get involved. For her, Madison’s smalltown feel is one of the things she loves the most.

“I love how Madison is getting new businesses and expanding, but it still feels like a community that is connected by common values.”

Emilie Tesseneer

T“The best part of volunteering is being able to connect with new people, and knowing that I am making some kind of a difference in someone’s life.”

Emilie’s volunteer work through her school is an extension of her family’s volunteer work. Whether that is donating to Kids to Love or supporting the local homeless shelters, Emilie knows the value volunteerism brings to the community.

Junior Student 2 Student is a middle school-level student program that brings military and civilian students together to welcome new students, creates a positive environment, supports academic excellence, and eases transitions. As a member of this organization, Emilie

Freshman at Bob Jones High School

gave new student tours, answered questions, and participated in special events by being a student speaker and helper.

Emilie also has volunteered with the Best Buddies program. The Best Buddies program pairs students together to build lasting friendships and help those with disabilities conquer their fears of not fitting in.

“Those moments with the Best Buddies program were memorable,” said Emilie.

Emilie is also a current swim mentor to the younger swimmers in Madison Dolphins Swim Team. As a state swim record holder and state swim team champion for Bob Jones High School, she volunteers with the Madison

Dolphins’ age six and under program.

One of her best moments as a volunteer coach was when the team won first place at the state championships. “I had volunteered every day since summer swim started to coach the kids on the team. Being presented with that trophy and getting up on the podium with all the kids and all of the coaches felt so good! I was so proud of the kids for doing their very best, and I’m so glad that their hard work throughout the season paid off.”

As a ninth grader at Bob Jones High School, Emilie has many years ahead of her to continue making a difference in Madison.

“I believe that volunteering is a way to connect people within our community while trying to better our city. I think that it is a way to improve the people and the places around us,” she said.

As for Madison’s future, Emilie believes that there will be many opportunities for the city’s youth to get involved.

“I think Madison’s future will be filled with growth and I believe that this growth will open up even more opportunities for everyone to get involved and volunteer in something they love.”

Rian Edwards

RRian’s work through the EWE Foundation has made a huge impact on spreading awareness and education about what life is like for siblings of children with rare terminal diseases. Her brother Elijah is 5 years old and is living with Trisomy 18, a genetic chromosome abnormality that occurs in 1 in 5,000 births. Only 5-10% of children with Trisomy 18 live past their first year of life but with severe intellectual disabilities. Despite those odds, Elijah is 5 years old and started kindergarten this year at Rainbow Elementary.

Rian has become an advocate for her brother and has provided support for other young people who have sib-

Junior at Bob Jones High School

lings with this disease. In the fall of 2022, she spoke at a global conference for the first time in San Diego.

In addition to her work with the EWE Foundation, she is an active volunteer through Bob Jones High School in the Madison community. She has volunteered through the PTA and Student Government Association and serves as a Student Advisor to the Superintendent at Madison City Schools. She is also a member of the Best Buddies Program, which builds friendships between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“The best part of volunteering for me is being able to participate and create spaces for people who would usually

go unnoticed in our community,” said Rian. “As a minority and as a young woman, I truly value opportunities that promote inclusion and self-care.”

Through her volunteerism, Rian has worked on voter registration campaigns, and community food and warmth drives, and he has participated in fundraisers like the Kids Kingdom Renovation project.

“Volunteering allows members of the community to come together and make the most of our space; as a regular volunteer, specifically through our student government, I feel that my work helps students engage with staff members, but it also gives me the opportunity to experience new things and share them with others.”

Rian is excited about Madison’s future because she says our community thrives on education. She also sees diversity, equity, and inclusion as a priority for future growth in Madison.

“In the future, I would like to see more diverse representation in community leadership. I would also like to see more accommodations for people with special educational and health needs. As Madison grows, so should our special education programs as well as specialty pediatric services.”

Sandy Weisner

SSandy Weisner had a vision for a community orchestra nine years ago that started with only five people. Through her volunteer service as director of the Madison City Community Orchestra (MCCO), it continues to grow, with approximately 75 musicians playing in spring 2023.

“In 2015, I realized that Madison did not have an outlet for string instrument players to play in a full orchestra/ ensemble setting, so I created the orchestra to allow those community members to continue playing,” said Sandy.

MCCO is a 501c3 organization whose mission is to bring music to life. Through performances and outreach, the MCCO believes that the power of music creates commu-

Founder and Director of the Madison City Community Orchestra

nity connections and increases the quality of life in Madison. The all-volunteer orchestra performs four free, family-friendly concerts each year and participates in many events in Madison, including the Madison Street Festival, Christmas Tree Lighting, and concerts at the Madison Public Library.

For Sandy, serving in this volunteer role is rewarding because she is providing an outlet for our community’s musicians. This group is one of the few in the area that provides amateur string players a place to continue playing in a large ensemble after high school or college.

It has also been a dream of hers since a very young age.

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

“My mom tells me that when I was very young, I would stand up in the seat of the school’s gym at my sister’s band concerts and I would direct along with the band director.”

Sandy’s hope is that children will be introduced to music through the orchestra and take an interest, either through learning how to play an instrument or supporting the performing arts when they become adults.

Sandy believes that the diversity and growth of our community offer residents plenty of opportunities to become involved to continue to make Madison successful.

“If you see a need within the community, don’t be afraid to create that outlet. If you see an organization growing and needs help, then step in and help. What you get out of it will double or triple what you put into it.”

Her dream is that one day, Madison will have a performing arts hall where musicians and artists can have a dedicated, multi-use space for music, dance, and theater. “A performing arts center would not only be supported by our community, but it would be an economic boon for our city. Think of all the possibilities we would have then,” Sandy said.

Elizabeth Servidio

FFor Elizabeth Servidio, volunteerism is a calling that is deeply rooted in the social responsibility to make our community a better place to live.

“I hope Madison will continue to attract people who have the gift of service who will keep the city’s many community activities going as well as develop new ones,” she said.

Elizabeth is a source of constant support at the Madison Senior Center off of Hughes Road in a role that requires daily and weekly attention. She is described as a loyal and faithful volunteer who gives much of her time to our community’s senior population.

Volunteer at the Madison Senior Center

The Madison Senior Center is where Madison’s older adults congregate to fulfill many of their social, physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. They provide an opportunity for seniors to get active, enjoy various social activities, and to improve their overall quality of life.

It is also a community service that is dependent on mostly volunteers to run successfully.

Her volunteer service provides a basic need that is integral to the seniors as well as their caregivers, especially at a time when seniors are vulnerable to social isolation.

As a volunteer with the Meals on Wheels program, she preps meals for over 125 homebound seniors weekly and

for 125 in-center meal participants daily.

“My small involvement in the Meals on Wheels program helps Madison seniors who are unable to leave their homes as well as supporting those seniors who are able to eat at the center,” said Elizabeth. “I also hope to make the day of the kitchen staff easier.”

She also launders the towels, inventories and orders supplies, and enters data electronically. She makes herself available Monday through Friday to assist in the kitchen as needed and monitors the monthly volunteer calendars to assure the center has full coverage.

“We feel so fortunate to have her as a volunteer here,” said Levoneia Ayers, Director of the Madison Senior Center. “When she could have chosen so many worthy organizations to give her time, she chose the senior center.”

Even as someone who is comfortable working behind the scenes, Elizabeth also loves the social aspect of volunteering. “The best part is meeting new people: other volunteers, employees, and clients. Everyone has a unique story and I enjoy hearing them.”

Her advice to anyone wanting to volunteer is that sometimes it takes a leap of faith. “Jump in. If the position doesn’t suit you, find one that will. You will find the ideal position eventually.”

Crystal McBrayer

TThe Madison Street Festival is the city’s largest event and it is put on through an all-volunteer committee under the leadership of Crystal McBrayer. It is also a 501c3 organization whose mission is to motivate and support students of all ages and abilities by providing access to education and educational programs.

Crystal and the festival planning committee worked tirelessly for two years to bring back the Madison Street Festival after the COVID-19 pandemic shut it down and in 2022, during its 40 festival, it drew crowds of over 40,000 to downtown Madison.

“Each year, on the first Saturday in October, the Madi-

President of the Madison Street Festival

son Street Festival showcases our community, and our community helps the festival to be successful,” said Crystal. “It really takes a lot of individual collaboration to make such a fun event happen. Not only do we spend months planning, but the small businesses and participants also spend months preparing for the event.”

Her fellow committee members credit the success of the 2022 Madison Street Festival to Crystal’s positive attitude, concern for others, and extremely hard work ethic.

One of the reasons she pours so much into this volunteer role is the impact that the Madison Street Festival makes through its educational grant program that supports com-

munity literacy. Last year, proceeds from the Madison Street Festival went to supporting 16 educational programs in Madison City.

“I feel honored to be able to serve in a role where we can impact so many lives in our area through this event,” said Crystal. “

Crystal has been living, working, and volunteering in Madison since 1999. She says what keeps her involved is getting to work beside individuals giving their time, creativity, and talents to accomplish the goal of bettering the community.

“The comradery that happens, the connection between serving and accomplishing something great is beautiful and very fulfilling,” said Crystal.

As a community volunteer, Crystal says it is an exciting time for Madison, as she sees its growth as an opportunity.

“It has been such a joy to see this community grow year after year with new and exciting businesses and organizations that make our small town so wonderful. Add in the addition of the new community center, more greenway space, expansion of Town Madison, and new schools being built- I am grateful to call Madison my home. It is an honor to live and serve here.”

Redstone Federal Credit Union

IIf there is a business synonymous with philanthropy, it is Redstone Federal Credit Union (RFCU). Their dedication to giving back supports more than 693 organizations in seven counties across the Tennessee Valley and Middle Tennessee.

In Madison City, just about every philanthropic endeavor has had the support of RFCU.

RFCU was founded in 1951 with $55 in assets and 11 members. With members all over the world and more than $7.5 billion in assets, Redstone is now one of the 25 largest federal credit unions in the country.

“One of Redstone’s guiding principles is to ‘be the catalyst for positive change in our communities,’” said Mary Grace Evans, Senior AVP Community Relations. “That goes hand-in-hand with our mission of improving the financial well-being of our members and communities by offering trusted advice, choices, opportunities and solutions,’’ Evans said.

Redstone Federal Credit Union has supported such Madison-based projects and organizations such as the Kids Kingdom renovation project, the Home Place Park Pavilion, the Rotary Club of Madison, the Madison Chamber of Commerce, the Madison Baseball Association, the Madison Street Festival, the Madison Swim As -

sociation, Madison City Schools, Madison Community Orchestra, the Madison CEO program and the Madison Arts Council.

They also gifted $2.5 million to the Huntsville Library Foundation to support the building of three new libraries, including the Madison Public Library that opened in 2018.

In addition to its generous sponsorships, Redstone Federal Credit Union’s employees also volunteer with organizations inside the City of Madison. Two of Redstone’s branches have adopted Mill Creek and Midtown Elementary Schools. These employees volunteer and provide added resources to the schools by reading to the students, serving as lunch monitors, and assisting with field trips and major events, such as Back to School and Teacher Appreciation Week.

If you sense a theme running through its list of donations, that would be correct. Redstone’s board and executive team considers projects with the greatest impact, over the greatest time, for the greatest number of people when deciding where to donate. In most cases, education-related projects fit that bill.

“Not only is education a great equalizer, but it also affects families for generations to come,’’ said Evans.

Apparel Lab

AApparel Lab has been offering quality custom apparel and merchandise for businesses, organizations, and nonprofits since 2017 when local entrepreneur Matt McLellan founded the company.

With clients such as Bob Jones High School PTSA, the Singing River Trail, and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Apparel Lab has carved a niche for community organizations and businesses to create custom apparel locally.

The team at Apparel Lab aims to give the community a platform to create change through their business as well as through their philanthropic work.

“We are most passionate about giving a voice to those who may seem forgotten or have a hard time speaking up for themselves,” said Nicole Reynolds, sales and production manager at Apparel Lab.

Matt, Nicole, and other team members volunteer and partner with organizations and projects who have a special focus on individuals with special needs and disabled veterans like the Madison City Disability Board and the Kids Kingdom renovation project, as well as Bearded Warriors.

“We do our best to engage with these communities and find ways to help these individuals get the resources they need to live the kind of life we all deserve. Their happiness, access to care, and ability to connect with the rest of our

community as a whole are very important to us,” said Matt.

A big focus of Apparel Lab’s business is helping both the education and nonprofit sectors in the community grow their fundraising opportunities. They have found a way to break down the traditional barriers and red tape that many small organizations face when fundraising through merchandise sales. The Apparel Lab team can have a fundraiser online in less than 24 hours. They handle everything on the back end: payments, printing, and shipping.

Once the fundraiser is over, Apparel Lab cuts the organization a check for their profits. In 2022, they were able to foster $100,000 in merchandise sales for local schools and organizations in the Huntsville/Madison area.

“We put our community first. We spend time with each customer to make sure their merchandise gets the creative attention it deserves,” said Matt. “I know some may think we just sell t-shirts, but these shirts are conversation starters. These t-shirts help bring awareness and a voice to people who need it the most.”

The company’s willingness to go the extra mile for schools and community groups has raised not only awareness for their causes, but donation dollars.

“We just want to see others succeed and be a catalyst to help foster positive action in any way that we can.”

Signalink

TThrough their philanthropic work in Madison, Signalink hopes to inspire other members of the community to actively give back with their time, donations, and resources.

“Our corporate philosophy is made up of three major pillars: people, customers, and community. To us, these pillars serve as the direction for our business and how we want to serve the community,” said CEO Alice Lessmann.

Founded in 2005 by Steve and Alice Lessmann, Signalink provides engineering, technical, logistical, and programmatic support to the aerospace and defense communities. Steve serves as President and Alice as Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Signalink’s list of community support is long, and they have a particular focus on education and veterans. Their employee-run charitable organization, Signalink Serves, directly benefits under-served sectors within the community.

“Community is at the center of everything we do. It provides employees with the opportunity to have input in the organization’s charitable giving. Most of the donations and sponsorships Signalink has made over the years have been at the suggestion and decision, by vote, of our employees,” said Alice.

Signalink is a supporter of the Madison City Schools. In addition to Alice serving on the Madison City Board of Education, the company has supported several sports teams including wrestling, baseball, and cheer at Bob

Jones High School, as well as the high school’s JROTC program. Signalink also sponsors the annual Bob Jones Hackathon.

The company is also a founding sponsor of the Madison CEO program where Steve also serves as a board member. Since 2021, Signalink has hosted the Madison CEO Trade Show, an event that allows high school entrepreneurs to showcase their businesses.

Signalink Serves has sponsored or participated in several community events, including the first annual Madison Witches Ride, the Madison City Schools Tootsie Roll 5K, the Madison Railyard BBQ, and the Madison Polar Express Christmas Tree Trail. They have also donated to community projects such as Homeplace Park and the River of Hope at Dublin Park that raised over $10,000 in COVID-19 relief to nonprofit organizations.

Their connection to veterans has also led Signalink to support the Madison YMCA’s Veterans Prayer Breakfast and Veterans Day events at the local schools. They also work closely with the Madison American Legion Post 229 to support veterans and service members. Through the Legion, the company has sponsored and participated in prayer breakfasts and veteran meetings.

“Everyday Signalink employees serve with heart and authenticity in several capacities” said Alice.

Steve added, “We are proud of the work we do and what we are able to accomplish for the benefit of our community.”

Madison Visionary Awards Sponsors include:

Hopping Ahead in 2023!

Madison Chamber of Commerce is ready to “Hop’n Shop” into the Spring Shopping Season!

The Madison Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce our first “Hop’n Shop” event for the city and surrounding areas for this upcoming spring shopping season!

Mventory at the Trash Panda store.” says Lindsey Knupp Executive Vice President of Trash Pandas.

Michelle Epling Executive Director Madison Chamber of Commerce

Join the businesses of Madison for Hop ‘n Shop 2023 on March 24th and 25th! Hunt for coupons, candy, and more while you shop for Easter! Keep your eyes and ears open for a surprise visit from the Easter Bunny hoppin’ around Madison!

“The Madison Chamber of Commerce is so excited to showcase our wonderful retail members for the spring shopping season!” says DeWayne Howell President of the Madison Chamber of Commerce Board.

“The opportunity to participate in the Hop’n Shop is a great way to highlight our unique in-

“We are thrilled to welcome our current customers and new customers to the Hop’n Shop event in the city of Madison! We are so excited to provide a fun, unique way to help new and existing customers find the perfect stylish outfit for the upcoming spring season!” – Melinda Sanders (Owner of Filthy Gorgeous on Main Street)

Our Madison Chamber retail members work so hard stocking their stores with the best inventory and we want to showcase their wonderful shopping opportunities to all residents across North Alabama! This event is a way to highlight how you can support our retail members & provide excellent gifts to your family and friends!

“Learn the Past, Watch the Present, Create the Future”

Shoppes of Historic Downtown Madison & Madison Visionary Partners

By Brandy Booth

DDowntown Madison will always be a unique part of Madison as the historic buildings remain a physical evidence of the past. But as every business owner that is a part of Shoppes of Historic Downtown Madison knows, in order for any downtown to thrive, it must evolve. Shoppes of Historic Downtown Madison is the overarching name of the business owners of Main Street as well as the outlying businesses in the historic district.

Two years ago, these business owners came together to begin collaborating to plan a variety of events to drive more traffic downtown and give Madison more events to enjoy. As the shop owners began collaborating, they found a few hurdles they faced. Fortunately Mayor Finley, who always supports small businesses on the forefront, introduced Melanie Thornton with MVP (Madison Visionary Partners). MVP’s Mission is to connect people who care with causes that matter to enrich the quality of life to the

city of Madison. So with this mission in mind, they became an umbrella to support all the events moving forward that the Shoppes of Historic Downtown Madison wants to plan.

Thornton confirms, “Madison Visionary Partners is excited to be partnering with the Shoppes to bring more events to Downtown Madison. We believe that a strong downtown presence plays an important role in a community’s quality of life, and as the Shoppes umbrella organization, we enthusiastically support their mission to bring more fun and family-friendly events to Downtown Madison.”

And with that, here are events the Shoppes are planning to bring to downtown this year.

April : Spring Fling - This event first launched in 2022. This is a great family-friendly event for young and old children alike. Visitors come downtown and check in at

DOWNTOWN MADISON

the Welcome Station - generally located near Main Street Cafe. Participants then visit all the Shoppes and pick up Easter eggs with goodies inside. And then upon returning to the Welcome station, parents can be entered into a Grand Prize drawing for a collaborative basket from the Shoppes owners. This is also a great time to support downtown businesses and learn more about what they have to offer and shop for spring. In the past the Easter bunny also made a guest appearance for free pics, so they are hoping for a return this year!

May - August: Third Thursdays - Shoppes launched this in 2022. While there will be some revamping this year to improve the experience, the main highlights will continue. Every Third Thursday from May to August, businesses will remain open later (8:00ish) for evening shopping, and some of the local favorite food trucks will be coming in for all to enjoy as well as Main Street Cafe and Old Black Bear. Fingers are also crossed during this time that Humphrey Bros. Cigar Lounge will also be opening.

October - Scare on Main: This will be a new event and the planning is still in the process but definitely mark your calendars. This will be a fun event for everyone. Events will include a variety of events for children as well as fun for adults too. With the addition of Humphrey Bros. Cigar Bar and Lanier House Tea Room, downtown Madi-

son soon hopes to become an entertainment district.

December - Wassail Fest: This year will be the third year of this fun-filled event. Wassail Fest is the brainchild of Tammy Hall with Main Street Cafe. This is a fun event for everyone as it works in unison with the Polar Express tree lighting event. Plan to make a full evening of this event to come downtown, enjoy the variety of Christmas trees decorated by various Madison businesses and then visit the historic downtown businesses and sample their Wassail. Pick up a voting card to fill out and return to be entered into a Grand Prize drawing.

Also in December - Christmas on Main: This will be the second new event hosted by Shoppes of Historic Downtown Madison in 2023. As a new event, this event is still in the planning phase but hopes to include Santa pics, a variety of kid events hosted throughout downtown. This event will potentially coincide with Christmas Capers which has historically been a fun day downtown where the Anderson brothers toss rubber chickens with prize vouchers attached for everyone.

So as we cherish the past in downtown Madison, the Shoppes of Historic Downtown Madison continues to bring more events and activities to downtown for all residents. Make sure you follow Shoppes on both Instagram or Facebook @shoppes_of_downtown_madison.

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