The Madison Record - May 22, 2024

TheBobJonesPatriotscelebratetheirwinoverCentral-PhenixCityintheClass7Abaseballchampionshipseries.PhotobyAndrewNoles

throughthenettingtoahappy fanaftertheBobJonesPatriots hadjusteliminatedrivalJames ClemensfromtheFinalFour backacoupleofweeksago.

ByCALEBODOM caleb@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON-BradenBooth stoodnearthedugouttalking

Theseniorpitcherwhoalso playsshortstophadamixtureof fatigueandreliefonhisfaceas hestoodtherefreshoffthelatest battleonthediamond.

Hetalkedaboutjustrecording thebiggesthitofhishighschool

careerandBoothalsosharedhis beliefinhisteamintheimpendingstatechampionshipseries.

“Ourexpectationofcourseis towin,”Boothsaid.

“Wehavejustgottogoout thereandplaythewaywehave thelastfewdays.Justdothe smallthingsrightandputpressureonthem.”

TheseBobJonesPatriots(449)shinedthebrightestwhenit

matteredmostallseason,includingduringthisweekofallweeks wheretheschoolfromMadison roseuponemoretimetoface Central-PhenixCity(43-5). Ittookthreegames,butBob Jonesemergedvictoriousthis pastweektoclaimthe7ABaseballStateChampionship. Game1:BobJones6,Central1 Boothwasmasterfulonthe

BySTAFFREPORTS staff@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON-TheAlabamaDepartmentofTransportationwill acceptbidsMay31ontheplanned wideningofInterstate565inthe Madisonarea. ALDOTplanstowidenI-565to sixlanesfromjustwestofCounty LineRoadtojusteastofWallTrianaHighway.This2-milestretch passingHuntsvilleInternational Airportdropstofourlanesandcreatesatraf cbottleneck. TheoriginalestimatefortheI-565 projectwas$50million.

SENIORSTROLL -SeniorstrollsoccurredlastweekinelementaryschoolsacrossMadison.Thestrolls provideanopportunityforsoon-to-be-graduatestovisittheschoolswheretheygottheirstart.GraduationceremoniesforBobJonesandJamesClemenshighschoolswereheldMonday.TheMadison Recordwillpublish“SalutetotheClassof2024”intheMay29edition.Picturedabove:seniorswho attendedWestMadisonElementarySchoolstrollthroughthehallsofMidtownElementarySchool.MidtownreplacedWestMadison2021.Seemorephotosonpage5A AmericanLegiontohostMemorialDayceremonyinMadison

ByGREGGPARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON–AtitsannualMemorialDaycelebrationthisyear, MadisonAmericanLegion,Post 229willhonorGoldStarfamilies.

“Wewanttoidentifythesefamiliesinadvance,”Post229Vice CommanderJeanDownssaid. TheeventonMemorialDay,May 27,willstartat11a.m.atCaptain JesseOllieWikleJr.Veterans MemorialParkonFrontStreet

indowntownMadison. TheMemorialDayceremony willincludeguestspeakers,patrioticmusicbyMadisonCommunityBandandplacingof wreathsatthememorial. AGoldStarFamilyhaslost alovedonewhileservingina timeofcon ictintheAmerican ArmedForces.“Theterm‘Gold StarFamily’datesbacktoWorld WarI,whenmilitaryfamilies displayedservice agsfeatur-

MadisonAmericanLegion, Post229will honorGoldStar familiesatits MemorialDay Celebrationat CaptainJesse OllieWikle Jr.Veterans MemorialPark onFrontStreet indowntown Madison. SeeMEMORIALDAYPage 2A

LOCAL NEWS

BeforethesunroseThursday,May16,theClass7AAHSAAStateChampionshiptrophyfounditsnewhomeatBob JonesHighSchool.ThePatriots nishedthe2024campaign44-9anddefeatedCentral-PhenixCityinthestate nals twogamestoone.TheeffortswereledbyseniorBradenBoothwhowasnamedtheChampionshipSeriesMostValuable Player.Thisistheteam’s rststatetitlewin.Seepage1Aandourspecialcoverageoftheirchampionshipwininthis week’ssportssection.CongratulationsBobJones!

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MadisonPostOffice Madison,AL35758 (USPS324-960) ISSN0089-4250

POSTMASTER Pleasesendaddresschanges: P.O.Box859,Madison,AL35758 TheMadisonRecordispublished eachWednesdaybyTennessee ValleyMedia,Inc. TheRecordisamemberofthe AlabamaPressAssociation

BobJonesAirForceJuniorROTCpresentingthecolorsduring the2023ceremony.

MemorialDay

ingabluestarforevery immediatefamilymemberservingintheArmed Forces,”Downssaid.

“Thestar’scolorwould bechangedtogoldifthe familylostalovedonein thewar,”Downssaid.

Throughouttheyear, theAmericanLegionhonorsGoldStarfamiliesby presentingGoldStar ags andlapelpins,alongwith GoldStarMother’sand Family’sDayonthelast SundayinSeptember.

“ThisyearPost229 wantstodosomething specialtoensureourGold Starfamiliesarerecognized.Havingthemjoin inplacingthewreathsis justasmallgesturetoacknowledgetheirlossand sacri ceforourcountry,” Post229CommanderLarryVannoysaid.

Wreathsareplacedon MemorialDaytohonor soldierswhodiedinour nations’wars.Thetraditionbeganwhenpeoplearoundthecountry startedplacing owerson gravesofsoldiersthathad diedintheCivilWar.

“Asweenterthemonth ofMay,weasAmeri-

Continuedfrompage1A

canscelebrateoneofour country’smostimportant holidays,MemorialDay. Formany,MemorialDay weekendisatimetokick offsummerwithbarbecues,goingtotheswimmingpoolandenjoying theweather,butit’salso atimetohonorthemen andwomenwhodiedin serviceoftheU.S.Armed Forces,”Downssaid. Intheweekleadingup toMemorialDay,individualswillseemembers ofPost229andAuxiliary Unit229atlocalstores handingoutMemorial DayPoppies,Vannoysaid. “SomanyAmericans don’tknowthedifferencebetweenVeterans DayandMemorialDay,” Vannoysaid.“Havingour membersoutinthecommunityisawaytoeducate ourcitizens.” AmericanLegionasks GoldStarfamiliesto emailCommanderLarry Vannoyatcommander@ americanlegionpost229. orgtobehonoredduring theceremony.Legionnaireswillgatherfamily informationforGoldStar families.

AlabamaJubileeHotAirBalloonClassictakeso

BySTAFFREPORTS staff@themadisonrecord.com

DECATUR-Morethan60big beautifulhot-airballoonswill lltheskyabovenearbyDecaturthisweekendduringthe annualAlabamaJubileeHot AirBalloonClassic.ThemustseeeventofNorthAlabama willbeheldMay25-26atPoint MallardParkandfeatureshot airballoons,aballoonglow, antiquecarsandtractors,arts andcrafts, reworksandother familyfunwithactivitiesonthe groundandintheair.

TheAlabamaJubileeHotAir BalloonClassichasbecomea MemorialDayweekendtradi-

tionforlocalfamiliesandvisitorsforover45years.Thecelebrationbeginsbrightandearly Saturday,May25,at6:30a.m., withthehareandhoundballoonrace:oneballoon iesoff andtheotherstrytofollowto seewhichpilotcangetclosest toatargetputdownbythehare balloon.

AdditionalactivitiesonSaturdayincludeahands-onhistoricaltoolarea,anantiqueand classicautoexpofrom8:30a.m. to3p.m.andtheSouthlandFlywheelerswillhostanantique tractorshow,featuringsome ofthebestrestoredandmaintainedtractorsintheSoutheast. Atractorparadefollowsat10

Patriots Continuedfrompage1A

biggeststageforthePatriotswithhis seveninningsonthemoundwherehe allowedjustonerunwithtwohits,two walksandsevenstrikeoutsinthevictory. Withabatinhishand,theBobJones pitcherclubbedahomeruninhis2for 4dayattheplatewithanRBIandarun scored.

ThePatriotsscoredaruninthetopof the rstfortheswiftleadonlytoaddfour morerunsinthesecondtomakeit5-0. BobJonesscoredanotherruninthetop ofthefourthinningasCentral’sonlyrun cameinthebottomofthesixthtoavoid theshutoutinthechampionshipopener.

Game2:Central6,BobJones3

ThesecondgamemovedtoJacksonvilleStateUniversityadaylaterandthe RedDevilswereabletotakeGame2to avoidthesweep.

ThePatriotswereclingingtoa1-0lead afteraruninthebottomofthe rst,but threerunsbyCentralinthetopofthe thirdpushedtheRedDevilstothefront againstBobJonespitcherTannerHermesch.

BobJoneswouldtrimtheCentraladvantagetojustonerunwitharuninthe bottomofthethirdinning,butthatwould beascloseasitwouldgetastheRedDevilswouldtallythreemorerunsinthenaltwoinningstoholdoffthePatriotsto eventheseries.

Game3:BobJones12,Central5

Withthepressureonbothteamstodig deepandwinthe nalgame,BobJones leftnodoubtinthethirdand nalinstallmentwithablowoutseriesclincher.

SeniorcatcherZachJohnsoncollected threeRBIsinthe nalgameoftheseason withhis2for4nightattheplate.

BobJonesalsohadamajoroffensive contributionfromthealwaysclutch Boothwhohomeredalongwithgoing2 for2withtwowalks,twoRBIsandthree

a.m.,andfrom11a.m.to1p.m., therewillbetractorgamesand apedaltractorparkopensfor kids6yearsoldandunder.Beginningat5:30,someballoons willliftoffforanevening ight andtheBalloonGlowat8:15 p.m.isamustseeastowering balloonsofallcolorslightup PointMallardPark. Heldunderthepavilion,the popularDecaturArtGuildarts andcraftsshowisSaturday from7a.m.to7p.m.andSunday 8a.m.to6p.m.

Anotherroundoffriendly competitionbetweenthehot-air balloonpilotsisscheduledSunday,May26withtheLynnLaytonKeyGrab.Balloonsshould

runsscoredinhislastgameasaPatriot. Anothernotableoffensivethreat duringthislopsidedwinfortheeventual statechamps,wastheperfect3for3day bytheBobJonesright elderandpitcher, DylanAdkins.

JackShawstartedGame3forthePatriotsandhegavehisteamsixvaluable inningwhereheallowedjustfourrunson sevenhitswithonewalkand vestrikeouts.

Thetwoteamsweresquareat2-2after oneinningofactionbeforeBobJones brokethetiewithathirdruninthebottomofthesecondinningat3-2.

Centralknottedthegamebackupat3-3 inthetopofthefourthinning,butthat wouldnotlastasthePatriotsunloadedon theRedDevilsinthebottomofthefourth withfourrunstojerkthegamebackin theirfavorat7-3Pats.

Ifthatwasn’tenough,BobJonesblew thegameopeninthebottomofthe fth with vemorerunstorunawaywiththis thirdgame12-3withjustafewinningsto go.

Withtheseasonhangingonbyathread, Centralwasabletoscoretworunsinthe topoftheseventh,buttherallywent downin amesfortheRedDevils.

ForthisBobJonesteamthatlookedlike awell-polishedsportscarallseason,this statechampionshipjustvalidateswhat hasbeenshownallyear.

Forsomeprograms,successisfoundin asmallpondwithalackofanycompetition.

BobJonesrantowardsthebignames likeIMGAcademyandThompsonand thePatriotsbeatthemall.

Sometimesateamhasanincredible run,butthereisalwayssomemonsterof aschoolwaitingatthetopofthemountaintoknockthemoff.

In2024,BobJonesisthatmonstertakingalonglookfromthetopofthemountain.

CheckoutourphotogalleryofphotosfromthechampionshipgameonPages2B-3B.

TheAlabamaJubileeHotAirBalloonClassicinDecaturhasbeenaMemorialweekendtraditionforNorthAlabamaformanyyears.

SCHOOLS

TheTechnologyStudentAssociationorTSAfromJamesClemensHighSchoolwonnumeroushonorsatitsstateconference.ThephotoshowsTSAmembersatameetthatleadup totheconference.

JamesClemens collectshonorsat techconference

ByGREGGPARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON–Students fromJamesClemens HighSchoolcollected winsintopplacesatthe AlabamaStateConferenceoftheTechnology StudentAssociationor TSA.

Highschoolandmiddleschoolstudentsfrom acrossAlabamagathered fortheupbeateventon April18-19attheMontgomeryRenaissance HotelandConvention Center.YouthinTSA areinterestedinscience, engineeringandother STEM-relatedcareers.

JamesClemens elded 17studentstotheconferenceandcompetedin 15differentindividual andgroupSTEMcompetitions,TSASponsor AllisonEppersonsaid.In theJamesClemensEngineeringAcademy,EppersonteachesPrinciplesof Engineering,DigitalElectronics,andEngineering ResearchandDesign.

“WeplacedintheTop Teninallexceptonecompetition,andmanystudentsplaced rst,second orthirdattheconference. Congratulationstothe studentsfortheiraccomplishments,”Epperson said.

JamesClemenswon honorsindifferentcategories:

•Coding--ArjunGaikwad,BrianVensonand DouKimin rstplace; HannahPark,Isabelle BaoandJonathanPowell inthirdplace.

•Cybersecurity--Liam Shelleyin rstplace.

•DragsterDesign-JakeIngrahaminsecond place.

•ForensicScience-RiyaNaphadeandDou Kiminsecondplace.

•TechnologyProblem-Solving:Teniayo AkinsotoandJordan Hockeyinsecondplace.

AlabamaTSAusually conductsanaverageof 42ofthesesessionsatthe stateconference.Inteam andindividualevents, studentsarechallenged touseandimproveSTEM skillsincommunications, designandengineering, environmentalsystems, transportationandmanufacturing/construction. Allcompetitionsare alignedwithSTEMstandardsandotherrelated guidelines.

EppersonthankedKaylaBrownforattending theTSAconference.

TheTechnologyStudentAssociation,anational,non-pro torganization,hasmiddleand highschoolstudentswho areengagedinSTEM pursuits.SinceTSAwas charteredin1978,approximately4,000,000students haveparticipatedinchallengingcompetitions, leadershipopportunities andcommunityservice. AlabamaTSAhasmore than5,000membersand continuestoshowsteady growth.TSAalsoraises moneyfortheAmerican CancerSocietyevery yearasacollectiveorganization.

AtJamesClemens,the TechnologyStudentAssociationmeetsonFridaysinRoomA129during theRefueltimeframe.

THU,MAY23,20246:00PM 314WingateAvenue,Huntsville,AL

ContactBeauCole256.337.1219

TUE,JUN4,2024STARTINGAT6:00PM 29261,29249,10541,&10493CedarAcresDr,Madison,AL CloseOutAuctionwithLIVEON-SITEAuction

Records

AttheGreenpowerUSANationalChampionshipatTalladegaNationalSuperspeedway,teamsfromBobJonesHigh

BobJones,MillCreek Greenpowerraceteamstake nationaltitlesatTalladega

ByGREGGPARKER

gregg@themadisonrecord.com

TALLADEGA–Theworld-famoustrackheldexcitingmoments forMadisonyouthasthey‘owned’ thedayfortheGreenpowerUSA NationalChampionship.

AtTalladegaNationalSuperspeedwaynearBirmingham, Greenpowerracingteamsfrom BobJonesHighSchoolandMill CreekElementarySchoolwon majortitlesatthechampionship. EngineeringAcademyteacher JessyeGainesandParentCoach KrisKasprzakleadthePatriot racers.AtMillCreek,kindergartenteacherEmilyOrtizcoaches Greenpowerteams.

BobJones’threeteamssecured twotitlesofNationalChampion andonetitleasrunner-uptoNationalChampion.MillCreek’sCar 700wasnamedChampionforTalladegaGoblinGamesandoverall NationalChampionforthe20232024racingseason,whichisMill Creek’ssecondconsecutivetitle.

BobJones’biggesthurdleat Talladegawasthetracklayout’s dif culty.“Thetrackwasanextremelytechnicallayoutforour drivers.Ifdriversdidnottakea veryspeci cracingline,damage toourcars,tiresandwheelswas guaranteed,”Gainessaid.

“Evenourmostexperienced driverswerethrownacurveball withthetrackdif culty.Students consultedSportsCarClubof

Americadriversfortheirexpertiseontheracelinestotakefor everyturn;thisguidancewasinvaluable,”Gainessaid.“Iwasso proudofourdriversforovercomingthischallenge.”

“Attheawardsceremony,hearingthatPatriotRacinghadcompleteda‘cleansweep’withour threecarsfromtheracingand presentationcomponents,Ifelt bothreliefandpride,”Gaines said.“Mystudentshaveliterally putblood,sweatandtearsinto theirracingseason.Toseeitpay offforthemwaspriceless.They haveallsacri cedtoseethislevel ofsuccess.”

BobJonesfacedaGreenpowerF24race.Scoringinvolved50 percentforendurancerace(for themostlapsaroundatrackin 90minuteswithoutchanging/ chargingtheirbatteriesand changingdriverstwice)and50 percentforpresentationscore(for theNationalChampionshiprace, studentshadtowriteascriptand record,editandsubmitavideo, accordingtoarubricforjudgesto score),”Gainessaid.

MillCreekstudents elded threecarsthatall nishedinGoblinGames’toptier.‘Goblin’divisionistheelementarylevelfor

TUE,JUNE11,20246:00PM 245FrancisAmeliaDr.

TUE,JUNE11,20247:00PM 189TopazRd.

THU,JUNE13,20246:00PM 6501GreenMeadowRd.

SAT,JUNE15,202410:00AM 30Acres/PulaskiPike/PrimeProperty

TUE,JUNE18,20246:00PM 247&245WellsRd.

SAT,JUNE22,202410:00AM 55Acres/House’s/Barns/FarmEquipment

NotablenumberofMCSstudentsplace atstatelevelinRe ectionscontest

ByGREGGPARKER

gregg@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON–Facingoffagainst othertalentedyouthacrossAlabama,studentsinMadisonCity Schoolsachievedimpressiveresultsatstate-levelcompetitionin theNationalPTARe ections ne artscontest.

Eachyear,morethan300,000studentsacrosstheUnitedStatesin pre-kindergartenthroughtwelfth gradecreateoriginalworksfollowingastudent-de nedtheme.Winnerscanadvancefromtheirindividualschooltotheirdistrict,state andnationalcompetitions.

Competitioncategoriesare DanceChoreography,FilmProduction,Literature,MusicComposition,PhotographyandVisualArts. TheNationalPTAsponsorsthe Re ectionsprogram.

AttheirMay14meeting,MadisonBoardofEducationmembers recognizedstudentswhoexcelled withtheircreationsinthe nearts atstate-leveljudgingforRe ec-

tions:

•TishaNair–ReceivedAwardof Meritatnationallevel.

•EleriSanders--ReceivedAward ofMeritatnationallevel.

Thesestudentsreceivedcommendationatthestatelevel:

•TishaNair–Firstplacein DanceChoreography.

•ElizabethPeterson--First placeinFilmProduction.

•InayahSohel--Firstplacein Literature.

•EleriSanders--Firstplacein Literature.

•AnayaNaphade--Firstplacein Literature.

•NorahJaneBasham--First placeinMusicComposition.

•WylieSavage--Firstplacein MusicComposition.

•AdalynnLoomis--Firstplace inPhotography.

•EmilyJolley--Firstplacein Photography.

•SawyerHarrison--Second placeinDanceChoreography.

•LayaGowder--Secondplacein DanceChoreography.

Snapshot

•OviyaGowder--Secondplace inDanceChoreography.

•NorahJaneBasham--Second placeinFilmProduction.

•JackPhillips--Secondplacein FilmProduction.

•AnjanaRaman--Secondplace inLiterature.

•MatthewNg--Secondplacein MusicComposition.

•IshitaRajput--Secondplacein MusicComposition.

•KarstenWallace--Secondplace inMusicComposition.

•AnthonyHilderbrand--Second placeinPhotography.

•LucyAnderson--Secondplace inVisualArts.

•WyattMatthewDeylius--Third placeinFilmProduction.

•JeffreyDuan--Thirdplacein Literature.

•KimberlyBesherse--Third placeinLiterature.

•RhemaGosier--Thirdplacein VisualArts. Formoreinformation,visitpta. org/home/programs/reflections/ awards.

MadisonCity12thgradersstruttedthehallsoftheirelementaryschoolsintheannualseniorstrollsheldbeforegraduation lastweek.It’sachancetovisitwithteachers,minglewithclassmatesandreminiscebeforeheadingoffintotheirfutures whetheritbecollege,technicalschool,themilitary,theworkforce,oragapyearto gurethingsout.Kidsliningthehallsgave theseniorsaheroessendoffastheupperclassmenparadedby.HereareafewscenesfromMadisonelementaryschools.

TheEllenburgfamily:Claire,frontfromleft,Sophie,Piper(SophieandPiperaretwins.)andMelanie.Zachary,backfrom left,andJason.MelanieisStaffMemberoftheYearatColumbiaElementarySchool.

Ellenburgnamed ‘Sta Memberofthe

ByGREGGPARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON–ColumbiaElementarySchool’s facultyandstaffhaveselectedMelanieEllenburg as“StaffMemberofthe Year”for2024.

WorkingasaTechnologyAssistant,Ellenburg realizesthateveryperson hasadifferentlevelof knowledgeabouttechnology.“Itrytomeeteveryonewheretheyarewith patienceandgrace,”she said.

“Teachersandstaffhave somanyresponsibilities, andmanydonothavethe timetotroubleshootwhen

theirtechnologydoesnot workasexpected,”Ellenburgsaid.“BeforeIwalk intoaclassroomorof ce, Iremindmyselfthatmy actionswillhelplessena littleoftheirresponsibilities.” BeforeworkingforMadisonCitySchools,Ellenburgstayedhometocare forthefamily’syoungchildren.InJanuary2017,she startedworkingforMCS asaTechnologyAssistant, thejobshestillhascurrently.

Ellenburgworkedat HeritageElementary SchoolfromJanuaryto Mayin2017.InAugust

ByGREGGPARKER

gregg@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON–Katie

Scruggs’studentssayshe isanoutgoingteacherwith abigheart.HeritageElementarySchoolrewarded Scruggsas“Teacherofthe Year.”

Scruggsdeferredto herstudentstocomment aboutherteachingphilosophy:“Mrs.Scruggs’philosophyistobeniceand kindwhilehavingfun.” Theyalsosaid,“Sheiswell organizedandplanned.”

Scruggstaughtfor oneyearinDecaturCity SchoolsandjoinedMadisonCitySchoolsin2000. Forsixyears,shetaught

fth-gradersatHorizon ElementarySchooland sponsoredStudentGovernmentAssociationand theSunshineTeam,which helpstoboostteachermorale. For18years,shehas taughtfourth-gradersat Heritage.Shehasserved asgrade-levelchairand ontheLeaderinMeLighthouseTeam.Elevenyears ago,shefoundedFellowshipofChristianAthletes orFCAwithhelpofoneof herstudents.

“WithFCA,westartedtheinauguralDaddyDaughterDanceand theSeniorStrut/Stroll,” Scruggssaid.“I’veserved

THESTORYTELLER

TheWallofStarsintheNationalWorldWarIIMemorial.These4,048goldstarsrepresentAmericanswhogavetheir livesinserviceduringWorldWarII.Eachstarrepresentsapproximately100servicemembers.

StoriesBehindTheStars

Honoringthosewhosacri ceditallinWWII

ByMARIARAKOCZY

maria@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON-Over400,000Americansoldiersgavetheirlivesin WorldWarII,butmanyoftheir storiesandliveshavegoneunknown.StoriesBehindtheStars hassetouttochangethatandhas asigni cantpresenceintheNorth Alabamaareatellingthestories ofAlabamasoldiersinparticular. BobFuerst,aNASAengineerby day,istheleaderoftheAlabama cohortofauthorsandamateur historiansandgenealogistswho writethestoriesofheroesintheir homestate.Fuerst’srelationship withStoriesBehindtheStarsbeganin2018simplyasareaderof founderDonMilne’sblogposts.

“Idiscoveredhisblogin2018.It

wassomethingIlookedforward toreadingeveryday,”recalled Fuerst. Milne’spostsinitiatedwhatis nowanentire,nationwideprogram.AWorldWarIIhistorybuff, Milnestartedwritingblogposts

BobFuerstis theleaderof theAlabama cohortof authorsand amateurhistoriansand genealogists whowrite thestories ofheroesin theirhome state.

offallenWorldWarIIheroesas ahobby,postingthemtomilitary-themedFacebookpages. “Askindofahobby,hestarted researchingandwritingthestory ofoneWorldWarIIfallenonwhat

ByBRUCE WALKER

Oneofthefondestmemoriesofmychildhoodon Walker’sBend,ALwasthe gatheringofwomenwho cametoourhouseforthe weeklyquiltingbee.Hangingfromtheceilinginour livingroomwasalarge woodframewithsmall nailsprotrudingfromit inthree-inchintervals, thisseemednormal,didn’t everyonehaveahoveringspaceshipdescending fromtheirroof?Onthe thirdTuesdayofeach month,Mothermovedfurnitureagainstthewallsto makeroomforthequilting bee.Ididnotrealizeit,beingsixyearsoldin1959;I waswitnessingafeminine canonoffaith. Eachweekthewomen wouldgatheratadifferenthomeand,eachweek, adifferentstorystitched. Atonehomeaquiltwas piecedfromahusband’s shirt.Theleadquilter, Emmy,calledthisherrenewalquilt.“Myhusband worethisshirtwhenhe wasbaptizedat55yearsof age.Thecrops,thatyear, werefailingfromlackof rain,themortgagewas due,withnomeanstopay it,andthebankwouldnot extendtheloan.Oneeveningmyhusbandcamein fromthe eldswithdust cakedonhisface.”She continued,“Alberthadnot

darkenedthedoorofour churchinover20years, evenforfunerals,hewould sitinthepick-up,waiting forme.Thatdayhewas different,hekneltbeside ourkitchentable,bowed hishead,andprayed,“Oh Lordyouknowthatyou andIhavenothadagood relationshipsincemylittle Marydied.Idonotunderstandwhyyoutookher; youcouldhavepreventedthatwhoopingcough outbreak,butIwantto makepeacewithYou, I giveup,pleasesendsome rain,Emmyshowsupat churcheverySundayandI promiseIwilltoo.”With alongpause,tearsmakingstreaksdownhisface, andatremblingvoicehe said,“Amen.”Tears lled Emmy’s’eyesasshesaid, “Sureenough,therains setin,thecropsrecovered andwiththeoversupply oftheharvest,wepaid offtheloanand,trueto hisprayer,Albertmade peacewithGod.Hejoined thechurch,andbecame aferventbeliever,God resthissoul.Thisquiltis morethanbitsandpieces ofthatshirt;itismyrenewaloffaithtoo,truth betold,IwasmadatGod myself.”Ilookedupfrom playingwithmyspinning woodtop,asshetookthe handkerchiefGrandma gaveher.Hugs,affectionatepats,andwordsofunderstandingfromhersisterquiltersgaveasacred presencetothegathering. Thenextweekthe

See STARS Page 8A

Columnist

TheZookswill kickoffthe ‘Soundsof Summer’on May30,7-9 p.m.,atHome PlaceParkin Madison.

‘SoundsofSummer’kickso nextweek

BySTAFFREPORTS

staff@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON-Nextweek,Madison ArtsAlliancewillkickofftheir2024 summerconcertseries,“Soundsof Summer”.

TheconcertvenueisHomePlace Park,100ShorterSt.,twostreets southofMainStreetindowntown Madison.Theconcertsarefree.

MadisonArtsAlliancesponsors thisconcertseriesandpresentsthe eventinpartnershipwithMadison VisionaryPartners.

May30at7p.m.,TheZooks–Seriesopenerwiththereturnofa crowdfavorite.Thebanddescribes itselfaspeople“allabouthaving fun.”TheZooksoftenwelcomesurpriseguests.

TheZooks rstorganizedin 2000onKwajaleinintheMarshall Islandswhenbandmembersmet eachotherbecauseoftheirjobs

withacontractorfortheU.S.Army, bandspokespersonRandyRazook said.

TheZooksperformclassic rockanthems,Motowntunesand rhythm-and-bluesstandards.Their dancemusichailsfromthewellknownclassicsinpopandrock fromthe1960sthrough1980s.Band memberspridethemselvesinputtingsmilesontheaudience’sfaces.

Otherconcertsinclude:

June13,Groove–Thisgroupwill playtunesforgroovin’totheirversionsoffunk,rhythmandblues, soul,popanddancepartymusic.

June27,LunaKoi–Willentertain atHomePlaceParkfortwohoursof family-friendly,freemusic.Afewof LunaKoi’scoversongsare“Everything”(Lifehousecover);“Dreams” and“SoundCheck”(Fleetwood Mac);and“Volcano.”

July11,CalypsoVision–Entertainingaudiencesforthepast10

years.Thebandgivesarelaxed beachfrontspirit,withaheavydose ofBuffett-styleclassics.

July25,SecondHandSmoke–Thisgroupmaybeaduobuttheir soundcancompetewithalargerset ofmusicians.Theirmusicwillkeep theaudiencemovingtothebeat.

Foodtruckswilloffertempting foodandsnackoptionsattheconcerts.Inaddition,downtowneateriesarenearbyfora‘sit-downmeal.’ MadisonArtsAllianceseeksto fosterandpromotetheartsinMadisonCounty.Throughmembership, events,sponsorsandpartners,the organizationstrivestoprovide qualityculturalexperiencesand growthinNorthAlabama.

RosalieHolcombeisPresidentof MadisonArtsAlliance.Madison VisionaryPartnersisthealliance’s scalsponsor. Formoreinformation, emailinfo@madisonartsal-

INTUITIVE®tocelebrate25th anniversarywithdroneshow

BySTAFFREPORTS staff@themadisonrecord.com

HUNTSVILLE-IntuitiveResearchand TechnologyCorporation(INTUITIVE®), aprofessionalengineeringandanalysis rm,willcelebrateits25thAnniversary bypresentingthecity’s rst-everdrone showatBigSpringParkonJune3.

INTUITIVEisthesponsorofthe rst ConcertsintheParkevent,partofa10weeksummerseriespresentedbyArts HuntsvilleandtheCityofHuntsville’s ParksandRecreationDepartment.ConcertsintheParkshowcaseshomegrown musicaltalentinamixofgenresfrom rockanthems,toe-tappingcountry, smoothjazz,andsoulfulR&Btotoday’s hottesthits.

OnJune3,theeveningwillopenwith localbands.Aftertheperformance,300 droneswillexecuteacustom,synchronizedshowconductedbySkyElements fortheentirecommunitytoenjoyatno cost.

“Whenwewereconsideringhowwe wantedtocelebrateouranniversary,it feltnaturalforustoinvolvethecommu-

Jubilee Continuedfrompage3A

ofan‘X’thatisalsoplacedatthepole. Anotherfun ightissettolaunchat5:30 p.m.andfreetetheredrideswillbeavailablestartingat6:30p.m.Thetwo-day eventconcludeswitha reworksshowat 9:30p.m.

AdmissiontoandparkingattheAlabamaJubileearefree.Blanketsand lawnchairsareencouraged.Forsafety reasons,smokingisnotpermittedonthe launch eldandpetsarestronglydiscouragedduetotheloudnoisecaused bytheballoonsandthelargenumberof peoplepresent.

nity,”saidINTUITIVECorporateCommunicationsLead,NikkiFicken.“INTUITIVEisdedicatedtomakingapositive differencewherewework,live,andplay, sowewantedtoprovideanunforgettable experience,notonlyforourorganization butforthelocalarea.”

ArtsHuntsvilleandtheCityofHuntsvillewereinstrumentalinobtainingthe appropriatepermitsandapprovalsfor this rst-of-its-kindentertainmentexperience.

“ConcertsintheParkisHuntsville’s summersoundtrack,”saysAllisonDillon-Jauken,ExecutiveDirectorofArts Huntsville.“EveryMondayevening,Big SpringParkwilltransformintoastage forrisingstarsandbelovedlocalbands–there’ssomethingforeveryonethroughoutthesummer.Plus,withdeliciousfood truckson-site,it’stheperfectwaytostart eachweekandconnectwiththecommunity.”JamesGossett,DirectorofParks andRecreationfortheCityofHuntsville, adds,“ConcertsintheParkisatradition we’reallproudof.Getreadyforfree,family-friendlyconcertsrightintheheartof thecity.”

Allballoonactivitiesareweatherpermitting.Balloonsdonot y,tetheror glowintherainorifwindontheground isstrongerthanabout8mphorifthere arethunderstormsnearby.Duringfestivalhours,PointMallardParkisa“NoDroneZone”accordingtoFAAregulations.

AllactivitiestakeplaceinsidePoint MallardPark,a750-acremunicipalpark providingyear-roundrecreationfacilitiesinDecatur,Ala.Formoreinformationandascheduleofevents,visitwww. alabamajubilee.net.

Storyteller Continuedfrompage6A quiltingbeemovedover to“AuntVerna’s”house. Vernaandherhusband, Roy,wereanagingcouple thathadneverraisedchildren.Shewasstitchinga quiltfromherbaby’sdedicationgown,wornwhen hewas4weeksold,the babydiedshortlythereafter.Thisquiltwasnot madeinsorrowbutin hope-Vernapassionately believedshewouldhold herbabyagaininthenext chapterofherlife;they hadwantedmorechildren buttonoavail.Insteadof lamentingtheirsituation, VernaandRoyadopted allofuskidsonWalker’s Bendastheirown.Every childknewyoucouldstop at“Aunt”Verna’shouse afterschoolforahomemadegoodie.AtChristmastheywouldbuyevery childtheycouldthinkofa gift.OneChristmasthey gavemeatransistorradio, shapedasachesttypewatercoolerCokemachine.It

wasmagic;Cliptwowires comingfromittoanymetal,andyoucouldtuneinto aradiostation. Aroundthequilting frame,mygreat-grandmotherrevealedshehad terminalcancerand mymotherannounced Iwouldbecominginto thisworld.Surrounded byotherwomen,they discussedmarriageproblems,personalfears,and life’sdisappointments andblessings.Theolder onesofferedsageadvice fromroadsalreadytravelledandtheyoungerones gainedemotionalstrength knowingtheywerenot alone.Atthequiltingbee, therewasmoretoquilting thanthestitches.

BruceWalkerspeaksregularlytoawidevarietyof groups.Youmaycontact Bruceatbruce@brucestoryteller.comorvisithis websitewww.BruceStoryteller.com

wouldhavebeentheirhundredthbirthday,”explainedFuerst.

Asthepostsgainedtraction,reachingmorethanonemillionviewsby 2020,butworkcommitmentspiledup,in 2018,Milnerecruitedvolunteersandthe readersofhisblogtojoinhim.Fuerst respondedtothecallandcontributed aroundahundredstories.

Milnehadplannedtocontinuewritingupuntilthe75thanniversaryofthe endofthewarinSeptemberof2020but interestcontinuedgrow,andMilnethen setagoalofwritingthestoriesof420,000 fallensoldiersinWorldWarII.Fuerstestimatesthattodayoveronethousandvolunteersineverystateandevenabroad servethenon-pro tprogram.

“It’spurelydoneoutofjusttryingto honorandremembertheseheroesofthe greatestgenerationthatsavedtheworld forus,”saidFuerstofthemotivationbehindStoriesBehindStars.

Theprogramiscurrentlyworkingon severalprojects,includingrecordingthe storiesofsoldiersstatebystate.

FuerstisthestatedirectorforAlabama andinthiscapacity,hasledAlabama volunteerstocompletethestoriesofev-

asemceeoftheHeritageColor RunandPepRallyforthelasteight years.”ShechairsSunshineatHeritage,whichpromoteshavingfun. Severalyearsago,Scruggsstarted auniqueoutreachduringtheholidayseason.TheHeritageChristmas Carolers,composedoffacultyand staff,rideaschoolbusintheirugly Christmassweatersandconverge onHeritage’sneighborhoodstosing carolsandspreadChristmascheer. InScruggs’classroom,reading novelshasbeenade nitesuccess. “Moststudentssaidthatreading novelswaswhattheylearnedthe mostfrom.Wereadafewnovels eachyearanddivedeeperintoour

readingstandards,”Scruggssaid. WhenScruggsreads,herstudents alwaysenjoyhearinghercharacter voices,learningwaysthatcharacterschange,analyzingtheauthor’s themedevelopmentandunderstandingtheimportanceofvoiceandlanguagethroughoutthetext. Thisschoolyearisspecialfor Scruggs,notonlyforreceiving TeacheroftheYearhonorsbutfor herretirementfromMCS. SheisagraduateofHuntsville HighSchool.Studyingelementary education,Scruggsearnedabachelor’sdegreeatAuburnUniversity andamaster’sdegreefromtheUniversityofAlabamaatBirmingham.

Ellenburg Continuedfrompage6A

thatyear,shemovedtoColumbia ElementarySchoolandcontinuesto worktheretoday.

Oneinstanceofpersonalsuccess forEllenburgoccurredinrecent monthswhensheensuredeverystudentatColumbiahasanMCS-issued Chromebook.

KatieandhusbandRobertScruggs havebeenmarriedfor24years. TheirsonHunterwillbeajunior atAuburnthisfall.TheirdaughterAnnaClairewillbeaseniorat JamesClemensHighSchool. Ironically,mostpeopleknowthat RobertScruggsisanavidhunter, butKatiehasneverbeenhunting. “Oneofmyfavoritethingstodo isplanaparty.Icanalways ndan excusetohaveagoodparty,”Katie said. “I’mahugeAuburnfan.SinceI wasababy,myfamilyhashadAuburnfootballtickets,andwe’vecontinuedthattraditionwithourchildren.WarEagle!”Katiesaid.

andplayingboardgames.Shelikes totakewalksandgoonhiking trips.“Ialsoenjoylisteningtoaudio books,”shesaid.

Inherfreetime,Melanieenjoys crosswordpuzzles,jigsawpuzzles

“IgrewupinCharleston,S.C.,and Igraduatedwithabachelor’sdegree fromClemsonUniversity.GoTigers!”Ellenburgsaid. HerhusbandJasonEllenburg worksasanelectricalengineerat AviationMissileSolutions.Their childrenareZachary,juniorat JamesClemensHighSchool;Claire, freshmanatJamesClemens;and PiperandSophie,whoaretwinsin seventhgradeatLibertyMiddle.

eryfallensoliderinsixty-sevencounties throughoutthestate,includingMadison andLimestoneCounties.Hisresearch hasledhimtodiscovertheheroiclives ofmanyNorthAlabamiansandthrough them,touchthelivesofothers.

OneofFuerst’svery rststorieswas thatofLutherIsom,aHuntsvillenative,whowasonboardtheUSSArizona andlosthislifeatPearlHarbor.Helater sharedIsom’sstoryandseveralothers onaFacebookpagededicatedtothestoriesofNorthAlabamafallen.

“Throughthatpage,hisniecereached outtomeandthankedmefordoingthat, andinfact,invitedmetoawreathlaying ceremonyonhisgraveonDecember7, 2021,whichwasthe80thanniversaryof PearlHarbor,”recountedFuerst.

Theprocessforconstructingthese storiesincludesalotofonlineresearch usingresourcessuchasancestry.com, fold3.com,anddigitizednewspapers alongwithof cialmilitarydatabases.

“It’skindoflikeputtingtogetherajigsawpuzzle.You ndallthelittletidbits ofinformationindifferentplacesand youcraftastoryfromthat,”described Fuerst.

Inadditiontowritingthestoriesofthe fallenstatebystate,StoriesBehindthe Starshasotherongoingeffortstorecord thefallensoldiersfromD-DayandPearl Harbor.Eachstory,oncecompleted,entersthefold3.comdatabasewhereitis linkedtothegravesiteofthecorrespondingservicemember.

“Wewantthesefolkstoberememberedasmorethanjusta,youknow,a markeratacemetery.Everyoneofthese wassomebody’ssonorbrotherorfather andtherewasastorytotheirlifethatdeservestoremembered,”Fuerstsaid.

Fuerst’sworkhasdonejustthatinthe instanceofLeroySugg.SuggwasanexperiencedanddecoratedB-17 ghterpilotwith25combattourofduty,theAir Medal,DistinguishedFlyingCross,and fourOakLeafClusterstohisname.In 1944,Suggsacri cedhislifetosavethe restofhiscrewwhentheengineofthe B-29hewaspilotingcaught reinatrainingaccident.Today,Suggisburiedunder asimpleheadstoneinMapleHillCemetery.

“IfyouwalkpasthisheadstoneinMapleHillCemetery,you’dneverknowthat. Allithasishisnameandhisbirthyear

MelanieisanavidfanoftheJames ClemensJetsandsupportstheirEsportsteamandtheJamesClemens Band.ShealsoisproudoftheLibertyLions,speci callytheLiberty MiddleSchoolBandandproductions byLibertyTheatreDepartment.

anddeathyear.There’snothingtoindicatethatheservedinthemilitary,andI makeapointofgoingtogoputa agon thatoneeveryyearbecausenooneelse wouldknow,”saidFuerst. StoriesBehindtheStarsreliesonvolunteers,likeFuerst,totellthestoriesof andgiverecognitiontoheroeslikeSugg andIsom,andtherearethousandsofstorieslefttobewritten.

Volunteersundergoaspecialtraining process,knownas‘bootcamp’,before theybeginwritingandthenaregiven freeaccesstotoolssuchasancestry. comandotherdatabasestouseintheir research.Fuerstsaysvolunteersarewelcometowriteasmanystoriesasthey like.Somejointowritethestoryofarelativeandotherscontributehundredsof storiesoverthecourseofyears.

Volunteersareencouragedtobegin bysubmittingaformexpressingtheir interestinparticipatingonlineatstoriesbehindthestars.org.Forthoseinterested inreadingtheirwork,allthecompleted storiescanbefoundonfold3.comand Fuerst’sNorthAlabamastoriescanbe foundontheRememberingAlabama WWIIFallenFacebookpage.

StateChamps!

TheBobJonesbaseballteamwontheClass7AStateChampionshipforthe

rsttimeinschoolhistoryutilizingaWolfpackmindsetofplayingtogether asateam.PhotobyAndrewNoles.Seemorephotosonpages2B-3B.

ByBOBLABBE bob@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON-Withevery goodathleticteamcomesthe facttheeffortsofallamong thegroupofathletesmust becohesiveworkingtowards thesamegoal.TheBob Jonesbaseballteamexhibitedthenecessary“Wolfpack” philosophyfromthe rstday ofpracticebackinJanuary toclosingoutthe2024season bywinningtheClass7AAHSAAStateChampionship, thusbeingthe rsttodoso inschoolhistory.

“Theseplayersembodied

whatateamisandfromthe worsttothebestplayeron theteamwasnodifferent inthewantingtowinasall wereonboardforthechase tothestatetitle,”saidJared Smithafterhisninthseason asheadcoachoftheBob Jonesbaseballteam.“Weall receivethesamechampionshipringasthisteamhadno sel shness,envyorjealously.Wehadzeroparentsproblemsasthey,too,wereallon board.”

ThePatriots nishedthe 2024campaign44-9anddefeatedCentral-PhenixCity inthestate nalstwogames

toone.Theeffortswereled byseniorBradenBooth whowasnamedtheChampionshipSeriesMostValuablePlayerbybatting.700 withthreehomerunsand fourRBIs,plushetosseda two-hitteronthemoundin gameoneofthebest-of-three series.TheMississippiState signeeiseasilyintherunningforMr.BaseballofAlabama.

“Wewereateamandmore thanjustBradenasweall meshedtogether,nevergave up,asafewtimesduringthe seasonweweredown,but

See PATRIOTS Page 3B

JamesClemenshadtwoathletes nishamongthetop veattheDecathlonStateChampionships.IsaacPollard,center, nishedthird,whileBenjaminThomason,secondfromright,wasrunner-upinthemulti-sportevent. PhotobyAHSAA/JeffSegars

ByBOBLABBE bob@themadisonrecord.com

HOOVER-Halfwaythrough theAHSAADecathlonState Championship,JamesClemensseniorBenjaminThomasonhad107-pointleadand wasgearedtodefendhis2023 statetitle,butjuniorWilliam NumnumofNorthridgeHigh haddifferentthoughtscoming fromfourthplaceandnearly 200pointsbehindtowinthe

2024Decathlonstatetitlewith a158-pointvictoryoverrunner-upThomason.

FellowJamesClemensdecathletesIsaacPollard nished third(6,063)andAustinAbney wastenth(5,198)inthecompetitionwhichfeatured50athletesfromacrossAlabamaat themeetheldinHoover. The5-foot-11,170-pound Thomasonemergedasthe rstdayleaderafter veevents whichincludedtheseniorJet

tiedforthebesteffortinthe longjumpat21-feet,10-inches. Indaytwoofthehighlyspecializedcompetition,hetookthe tophonorinthe110-meterhurdlesracewithawinningtime of14.64.Meanwhile,Numnum turnedinastrong nishwinningboththediscusandpole vaultcompetitiononhisway toscoring6,494pointswhile Thomason nishedwith6,341 points,Pollardwith6,063and

See CHAMPIONSHIP Page 4B

SamanthaChan.PhotobyJosh Berry,EverlongPhotography

BobJonesswimmer surprisedby2024

U.S.Presidential Scholarselection

ByBOBLABBE bob@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON-BobJones recentgraduateSamantha Chanwasamulti-facetedstudent-athleteforMadison’soldesthighschool.Her5.3grade pointaverageputhersecond amongthe2024graduating class,shewasathree-time statechampionswimmerher seniorseasonfortheschool’s swimteam,participatedinthe SpeedoWinterJuniorChampionshipswhereshecompeted insevenracesandsignedan athletic-academicscholarship toattendandswimforGeorgia Tech.

would ghtbackaswekeptcomingin throwingpunches,”saidjuniorpitcher JackShaw,anunsungheroontheseason forthePatriots.The6-foot-3,195-pound righthandedpitcherhadamarvelous campaignwitha9-0recordwithtwosaves ontheseason.Butitwashisclutchpitchinginthepost-seasonthatsethimapart fromothersacrossthestate.

Ineachofthebest-of-threeseriesin post-season,includingagainstThompson inroundone,JamesClemensinround twoandthetitleseriesagainsttheRed Devils,Shawwascalledupontopitchin thedecidinggame-threeoftheseries.He wonallthreewithoutstandingefforts.

“IfeltalotofweightfromthechallengesinthosegamesbutIknewIhadtoperformwellanddoitfortheseniorsonour teamasitwastheirlastchancetowinit all,”saidShawinhissecondseasonon thevarsitysquad.“Mymindsetchanged fromtheregularseasonasitwaswinning andnothingelse.”

ForBooth,avarsityplayersincehe wasafreshmanandhighlytoutedplayeracrossthecountry,hisnumberson

theseasonwereenormousgoing13-1on themoundwitha1.51ERAwhilebatting .429with10homersand49RBIs.Known asbeingextremelyhumbleofhistalents,Boothsaidhissuccessandthe team’ssuccesscamefromateameffort. “Itwastheotherplayersinthedugout whocarriedusthroughourchampionshipseasonastheircontinuedenergy gavethoseonthe eldaboostatevery pitch,”saidBooth.“Weallunderstood wewouldneveragainbeonthe eldat thesametimeandwantedto nishby capturingachampionshipring,somethingBobJoneshadneveraccomplished before.Istruggledthroughalowerback injuryaboutaquarteroftheseasonand Ipushedthroughthatforour15seniors, especiallythosewhowillnotplayincollegeasthiswastheirlastseason.Iwanted tobringbackaringforthem.”

“Ineverhadavisionthisteamwould breaktheteamrecordofwinsandwedid thatwithonlyninelosses,”addedSmith. “Ididn’tknowwehadthedepthinpitching.Oureffortswereagreattestamentto ourplayersandcoachesandIfeelbless-

edtobewherewe nished.Oncewebeat somenationallyrankedteamsinthePerfectGameShowcaseinHooverbackin Februaryweallknewwecouldwinit all.”

ThePatriotshadwhatwascalledthe Wolfpackmentality,amonikerfromassistantcoachBrianRobertswhoalso wouldgettheteamtogetherandtell themstoriespriortoeachgame.He startedthosemeetingsinAreaplayand continuedthroughthechampionship series.TheWolfpackisonewhereeveryonematters.Infact,theentireteamvotedtohaveWolfpackinscribedontheir championshipringstheywillreceivefor winningtheClass7Atitle.

“WeallgrewuptogetherplayingbaseballinMadisonaswesawthosebig-time playersandteamsatBobJonesinthe pastloseandthatmadeusstrivetowin,” addedShaw.“Wewereclose-knitineverythingwedid.Matteroffact,Zack’s(Johnson,startingcatcherandsigneewithAlabama)motherwouldgiveZackandme amessagebeforeeachgame.Thosemessagesmotivatedus.Afterthat,Iwouldsay

aprayer.Wenevergaveup.”

“ThisteamIwoulddescribewasgritty, resilientandunsel sh,”saidSmith.“Of courseIwillalwaysrememberBradenas thebestplayerthat’severplayedhereand hisimpactontherestoftheteammadea differencethroughouttheseason.”

Uponwinningthestatetitle,beingpresentedtheStateChampionshipTrophy bytheAHSAAandcelebratingwithfamilyandfriends,thePatriotsmadetheirbus ridehomeandarrivedattheschoolat1:30 a.m.whereawaitingthemwasathrongof familyandfansatthebaseball eldwhere thestadiumlightswereonandthe nal scoreofthechampionshipgame ashed onthe eld’sscoreboard.

“That’swhenit nallyhitmethatwe wonthestatechampionship,”saidShaw.

“Ipredictedbeforetheseasonwe mightgo20-20,buteveryoneonthis teamprovedmewrongasweallmeshed together,playedhardanddidwhatwe neededtodo,”saidBooth. Whataseasontoremember,where greatplayerswithgreatteammates cametogetherasone,asaWolfpack.

Patriots Continuedfrompage1B

DiscgolfisaliveandwellinMadison

ByBOBLABBE bob@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON-Thesportofdisc golfisaliveandwellinMadison. Thereisanaverageofsixnew coursesopeningtothepublic perdayonanationalleveland Madisonisnotimmunetothat excitingfactasitsnewestcourse layoutatSunshineOaksPark willsoonbeopenforplaywhile othersremainopenforthefun sportthatanyonecanplay.

“SunshineOaksisapro-level course,butdesignedtoalsoappealtorecreational-levelplayers asnineofthe18holeslayout willfeaturepermanentshort targets,”saidLavoneWolfe, longtimeMadisonresidentand discgolfcoursedesigner.“The coursehasgeneratedquitea buzzbecauseitisMadison’s rstfull18-holecoursethatwill attractplayersofalllevelsasa destinationandofferlocalpromotersthefacilitiestohostlarge tournaments.” SunshineOaks,locatedon MoseChapelRoad,isadjacent tooneofMadison’sGreenways. Ifplayedtothelongpositions,

thecourseisagoodtestforadvancedandprolevelplayers.It willhaveshotsnotfoundatother localareacourses.Construction isstillongoingwithpavilions, restroomsandotheramenities stillpartoftheworkinprogress.

Wolfe,aformerWorldChampiondiscplayer,memberofthe ProfessionalDiscGolfAssociationanddesignerofnumerous discgolfcourses,wasoneofthe trailblazerswhointroducedthe sporttothisareaalongwithDisc GolfHallofFamerTomMonroe, whopassedawayinFebruary. Wolfeisoneofonly10inthe worldcerti edmasterdesigners with60-plusprojectstohiscredit,hasover100winsasaprofessionalincludingworldchampionshipsandstatetitles.Hewas inductedintotheDiscGolfHall ofFamein1994.Aresidentof theimmediateHuntsvillearea for60years,hehasaBSdegree fromtheUniversityofNorth Alabamaandamaster’sdegree fromtheUniversityofAlabama.

Wolfe’scoursesattractplayers andcompetitorsregionally,nationallyandinternationally,and whilethecoursesarepraisedby

theworld’stopprofessionals, thoselayoutsarealsofavored byplayerswhoplaydiscgolffor funandrecreation.

“Idesignedandinstalledeach ofthecoursesinMadisonwith eachcoursehavingitsowndistinctcharacteristicsandeach receivingalotofplayfromthe hugelocalcadreofdiscgolfers,” saidWolfe.

Here’salookatthecurrent coursesinMadison:

•IndianCreekCoursein CreekwoodPark,335HarvestwoodCt.Madison,AL-Located inCreekwoodPark,thecourse playsalongthegreenway.The courseisanotherLavoneWolfe designandisalsoanadvanced toprolevelchallenge.

•AsburyChurchGillespie Rd.Madison,AL-Locatedona churchcampusbutitisopento thepublic.ThiscoursehasbecomeafavoriteofMadisonresidentsinthepastfewyears.While itisonlyanine-holecourseitis aLavoneWolfedesignandoffers shotshapingusuallyfoundon largerandmoreadvancedcourses.Mostplayerswillplayseveral roundstocomplete18ormore holes.

LavoneWolfeisalongtimeMadisonresidentanddiscgolfcoursedesigner.

Othersmallerbutfuncourses includeDublinMemorialPark andStavemillParksinMadison. NorthAlabamawasalready ahubforthesportintheSouth andhometonationalandworld championsandHallofFame

members,”saidWolfe.“However,liketherestofthecountry, thesportexplodedduringCovid becauseit’sagreatoutdooractivity.ManyplayersnowhaveambitionsofmakingtheProTour whereanumberhavecontracts exceedingamilliondollars.”

TheCottonRowwillhostover3,300runnersin44thannualrun

ByBOBLABBE bob@themadisonrecord.com

HUNTSVILLE-TheCottonRowRun, aMemorialDaytraditioninHuntsville, willhostits44threnewalnextweekas morethan3,300runnerswilltaketothe streetsofdowntownHuntsvilleforthe 10K,5Kand1-milefunrun.

The10Kcourse,withitsstarton ChurchStreet,runsthroughthebeautiful neighborhoodsofdowntownHuntsville includingBlossomwoodand5Points, andprovidesanicechallengeasrunners enjoytheinfamousclimbupMountainwoodHillbetweenmilestwoandthree. Aftertheclimb,participantsmaketheir waybacktodowntownwitha nishon ChurchStreetnearwheretheracebegan.

Greenpowerraces;ofcialsdetermineanationalrankingbytotalinga team’stopthreescores. MillCreek’scarsplaced inthetop15,andCar#700

Frompage4A

The10KcoursealsoshowcasesHuntsville’sbeautiful,historicTwickenham andOldTownDistricts.The5Kcourse staysclosertodowntownandis atand fast.Allcoursesarecerti edbytheUSATFandarerecordeligible.

TheBillPenneyToyotasponsoredrace hasausualfocusonMemorialDayand honoringthosewhodiedservingtheU.S. TOC/TOCSportsandFleetFeetarealso hugebusinesssupportersoftheevents whichbeginat7:00a.m.MadisonHospitalVeinClinic,AvadianCreditUnionand Focu-sPhysiotherapyarealsosponsors oftheraces.

Thisyear,3,000runnershavepre-registeredfortheracewithanother400expectedtojoininbythetimethestartgunis red.Thetotalnumberofrunnersregis-

woneightofnineraces. Theraceheldspecial meaningforMillCreek students.Theyracedin memoryoftheirteacher/coach,thelateJackie

Smith,whopassedaway onMarch17.

“Ourbiggestobstacle,of course,wasthelossofour belovedcoach,Ms.JackieSmith,lessthantwo monthsago.Thesewere herkids,andthiswasher team,”Ortizsaid.

Whentheteamneeded ateachersponsor,Ortiz volunteeredbecauseher sonisontheteam,althoughOrtizdidn’tknow muchaboutGreenpower. “Teamparentsallbanded togethertohelpmewith coaching,weeklypracticesandpresentations.It trulytookavillage,and theymadeithappen,”Ortizsaid.

“AtTalladega,itwasa

Toaddtoheralreadyextraordinaryefforts,Chan isoneoftwofromAlabamaand161outstanding Americanhighschoolseniorsselectedforthe60th anniversaryofthe2024

U.S.PresidentialScholar.

U.S.SecretaryofEducationMiguelCardonasaid, “OnbehalfofPresident Biden,Iamdelightedto celebratetheiraccomplishments,andencouragethesescholarstocontinuetoaimhigh,liftup othersandembraceopportunitiestolead.”

teredisatleast200morethanayearago. Topseededrunnersarenostrangers totheCottonRowRun.BothDavidBett (28:37)ofKenyaandDominicKorir(29:20) ofLosAngelesparticipatedlastyearwith Bett nishingsecond(29:05)andKorir third(29:59)behindwinnerShadrackKeter,22,withhiswinningtimeof29:01.The No.1seededlocalrunnerisHunterNails, 25,ofMadisonwho nishedseventhoverallayearagowithatimeof32:44.Hisseed timeis31:30.Onthewomen’sside,defendingchampionLydiahMathathi,37,(33:55) hasnotenteredin2024,thusallowing 25-yearoldBettySigeitobethetopseed withatimeof32:06.Amonglocalfemales, EmmaHardmanwillleadthatgroupwith aseedtimeof36:30. Bettiscomingoffawonderousspring

hotweekend.Obviously, travelingtwohoursand stayingovernightwasa bigdealforourfamilies,” Ortizsaid.“ AbeltbrokeonMill Creek’schampionshipcar duringtheir nalrace, butstudentsandparents quicklyrepairedit.“The kidsweresowellbehaved andworkedsohard;itreallymadeforafunweekend,”Ortizsaid.

IntheGoblinGames, MillCreek’sCar750placed fourth,andCar775placed 15th.Thesetwocarsendedtheseasoninthetop10 andtop25,respectively.

“Ireallycan’tputinto wordshowspecialthis winwasforourteam.One

seasonofrunningashewonthe150th DerbyMini-MarathoninLouisville,Ky. Hisreputationasastrongrunnerisevidentwithhistremendousexperience. Bettwonagoldmedalatthe2010World JuniorChampionshipsheldinMoneton, Canadawhiletakinghomeasilvermedal atthe2009WorldYouthChampionships inBrixen,Italy. Withoneraceyearskippeddueto Covid-19issues,thisisthe45thyearof theCottonRowRunwhichbeganin1980. Sincethatopeningraceonlysixrunners haveparticipatedinalltheraces.They againwillbebackforanothershotatthe specialeventnextweek.ThosesixareBill Albritton,69,DonHillis,67,CharlesVan Vaulkenburgh,67,BillMcDowell,70,Jon Turner,76,andKevinJose,63.

ofthelasttimesItalked toMs.Smith,shetalked abouthowtheteamwasso closetoachievingthistitle again,andshedidn’twant toletthemdown,”Ortiz said.“Theteam’sgoalall seasonhadbeentowinfor Ms.Smith,soseeingthat happenwasincredible.” MillCreek’scarscompeteinthreeracingevents --drag,slalomandcircuit.Eachracecountsas aquarteroftheoverall score.Arequiredpresentationbeforetheraceaccountsfor25percentof thescore.ForTalladega, studentsmadeawebsite abouttheteam--sites.google.com/greenpowerusa. net/mill-creek-elementa-

ry-school/home.

AfterSmith’sdeath, theteamhasalwayspostedphotographsofJackie Smithintheteam’spit areaforeachrace.“Talladegawasnoexception. Wehousedourcarsina NASCARgaragestalland hadabannerdedicatedto herhanginginthestallall weekend,”Ortizsaid.

“Wetookherpictureto theawardsceremonyto makesureshewasthere withthekidsastheywon thechampionship.Asthe teamwasleavingTalladegaafterwinning,ahuge rainbowstretchedacross thesky.Itwasatrulyunforgettableweekend!”Ortizsaid.

Amy,whojustcompleted herfreshmanschoolyear, werethesuccessheart andsoulofthePatriot’s swimteam,whichclaimed theClass7AStateChampionship.Chanwonthe individual100butter y andwasonboththe200 medleyand400freestyle relays,whichalsowon goldmedalsattheAHSAAStateSwimMeet. BorninHuntsvilletoEdwinandEmilyChan,the well-roundedChantookto thewateratagesixwhile shetookswimlessonsat theMadisonbranchofthe YMCA.

“IwassurprisedIwas chosenasIfeellikeI didn’tdeservetherecognitionastherearesomany othershereinAlabama whocouldhavewonthis award,”saidChan.“I’m honoredtobechosenand I’msupergratefulforthis award.IthankGod,my parentsandmyteachers fortheirsupport.”

The17-yearoldChan andheryoungstersister,

stateschoolof cers,other partnerrecognitionorganizationsandYoungArts, theNationalFoundation fortheAdvancementof Artists. Chan,whoscoreda36on herACT,added,“I’mexcitedaboutgettingtoGeorgia Techtobeginmystudies inmymajorandswimfor theYellowjackets.Iknow I’llbeamongtoughcompetitionasmygoalinswimmingistomakeittothe NCAAChampionships. Swimmingisnotmymain goal.Myeducation,isas oncemyswimmingyears arecomplete,Iwanttobecomeadoctor.” Since1983,eachU.S. PresidentialScholarhas beenofferedtheopportunitytonametheirmost in uentialteacher.Each distinguishedteacheris honoredwithapersonal letterfromtheSecretary ofEducation.Theteacher chosenbyChanwasMalloryKingofBobJones. Chan

Abney’s5,198. ForThomason,adis-

“ThisSummerI’m swimminglongcourse competitionfortheHuntsvilleSwimAssociation mostlyinthe100and200 butter y,50freestyleand 100individualmedley events,”saidChan.“Ihave continuedmyhardtrainingasIknowthatwill pushmeforwardtowhatI wanttodo.”

appointingoutcomeafter suchamarvelousstart,

TheWhiteHouseCommissiononPresidential Scholarsselectsscholars annuallybasedonacademicsuccess,excellence intheartsandintechnicaleducationthroughessays,schoolevaluations andtranscripts,aswell as,ademonstratedcommitmenttocommunity serviceandleadership. Chanisoneof161outstandingAmericanhigh schoolseniorswhohave demonstratedoutstanding academicachievement, artisticexcellence,technicalexpertise,leadership, citizenship,serviceand contributiontoschooland community. Ofthe3.7-millionstudentsexpectedtograduate fromhighschoolthisyear, morethan5,700candidatesquali edforthe2024 awardsdeterminedbyoutstandingperformanceon theCollegeBoardSATor ACTexamsthroughnominationsmadebychief

buthe’llhavethememoriestolastalifetimewin-

ningthe2023statetitle withthefourthbestperformanceinthecountry and nishingastwo-time statechampioninthe Penthalon,whichisthe equivalentofthedecathlonfortheindoortrack season. Thomasonsignedto runtrackatSamfordUniversity. Championship Frompage1B

HISTORY withJohnRankin The“affair”at MadisonStation May17,1864

ByJOHNP.RANKIN

MadisonHistorian

MADISON-TherewereonlytwobattlesofanysizefoughtinMadisonCountyduringtheCivilWar.Theywereboth foughtinandaroundthetownofMadison,aboutsevenmonthsapart.Madison’slocationalongtherailroadhalfway betweenHuntsvilleandDecaturwasone oftheprimaryreasonsforitsstrategic importanceatthetime.Theoutcomesof bothlocalCivilWarengagementswere affectedbyweatherextremes.

Artilleryandri esweretheweapons ofthedayforthecon ictthatoccurred onMay17,1864,inadrivingrainthatobscuredvisionandminimizedlikelihood ofaudibledetectionofforcesapproachingforthesurpriseattack.TheengagementbeganshortlyafterdawnwithConfederate reupontheoccupyingUnion forcesaroundtherailroaddepotinMadison.TheConfederateattackbeganaftertheSoutherntroopshadcrossedthe riveratTrianaduringthenight,taken outtheUnionsentries,andsurrounded thetownonallsides.TheRebelsalso hadbroughtalongfoursmallcannonsor howitzers,butsomereportsindicatethat oneofthebiggunswasnotusable.

Thealarmwasreportedly rstsoundedfortheUniontroopsinthetown whenoneoftheirearlymorningforagingpartiesencounteredConfederates northofthehistoricdistrictaround8:00 a.m.However,thetownwasalready surrounded,sotheUniontroopsfought frombehindbalesofcottonpiledaround thetraindepotandfromasmallbarricaded“fortress”inoneofshopsonthe southsideofMainStreet.

Afterreceivingincomingcannon re atthedepotloadingdock,theUnioncommanderrealizedthattheirpositionwas untenable,sotheyfocusedacounter-attackalongtherailroadtobreakouttowardHuntsville,wherethemainUnion forceswerequartered.Theengagement continuedeastwardalongthetracksto theIndianCreekrailroadbridge.The stonesupportcolumnsarestillinplace justbeyondthesoutheasterncornerof today’sMadisonAcademycampus.

Themodernrailsdonotactuallyrest upontheoldstonecolumnsnow.Itwas attheeasternendofthisbridgethatthe Uniontroopsregroupedandheldtheir positionacrossthecreekuntillaterin thedaywhenreinforcementsarrivedby trainfromHuntsville.Meanwhile,beforeretreatingtheRebelforceset reto thedepotandtothecottonbalesthatthe Unionhadcon scated.Bythetimethe Unioncounter-attackfromtherailroad bridgeatIndianCreekcommenced,the Rebeltroopshadlootedthetents,armaments,andothersuppliesthattheescapingUnionforceshadhastilyabandoned inthetown.Beforetheendoftheday, theConfederateshadgonebackacross theriveratTrianawithsomecaptives andtheirplunder.AConfederatehistory reportwrittenin1890atonepointstated that80Unionprisonersweretaken.In anotherplacethenumberwasgivenas 130prisoners,whilestatingthattheFederalGarrisonnumbered400men.Pattersonwasstatedaslosingonly7killed andwounded.

Themanyaccountsofthe“affair” includenumerousvariationsofthedetails,aswrittenbydefensiveUnioncommandersandlaterbysparseConfederatememories.However,allagreethat itwasrainingsohardthatthecombatantscouldbarelyseetheiropposition. TheUnionaccountsdescribedtheevent asinvolvingfarmorerebelsthancould possiblyhavebeenpresentatthatpoint inthewarhere.ThelocalSoutherndefenseforceswereill-equipped,exhausted,andlowonmunitionsin1864.The informationwhichfollowsisexcerptedfromabookof123pageswrittenby LloydLanphere(deceased),aspublished in2001bytheMadisonStationHistorical PreservationSociety.

Theof cialUnionreportsclaimed that350Uniontroopsofthe13thIllinoisInfantrywereattackedbyaRebel forceofbetween1,000and1,500cavalry andinfantry.Morerealisticdescriptionssuggestthatamaximumof500 under-fedandworn-outbutdesperate Confederateswereraidingforsupplies whentheyroutedthewell-restedUnion troopsfromleisurelysleepastheywere awaitingmusteroutofservicewithina fewweeks.An1866historyofthe13th IllinoisInfantrystatedthat66Union picketsandskirmisherswerecaptured bytheRebels,whosuffered60killed, wounded,ormissing.

WrittenConfederatereportsare sparsefromthelastmonthsofthewar, buttherearenumerousdescriptions

oftheengagementpreservedinof cial Unionaccounts.Themostdescriptive Unionreportswere ledbyaself-defensiveColonelAdamGorgasofthe 13thIllinoisInfantry.He rstreported onthedayoftheengagementthat“We wereattackedthismorningat8o’clock byacavalryforceunderPatterson,numberingabout1,000,withfourpiecesof artillery.”Consideringtheirrudeand suddenawakeningandthedrivingrain, onecanwonderhowwelltheopposition couldbenumberedbytheUnionforceas it edforsafetytowardHuntsville.

WhenBrigadier-GeneralC.L.Matthies communicatedonthe17thtoLt.Col. R.M.Sawyerabouttheevent,hestated that“RebelPattersoncrossedwith500 menandthreepiecesofartillery,near Triana,movedontoMadisonStation, destroyedallbuttherailroad,tookColonelGorgasprisonerand50men,fellback totheriver,notknownifhecrossed.” WhenGen.MatthiesreportedtoGeneral J.E.Smithabouttheengagementlater thatday,hestatedthata“Telegramfrom DecaturJunctionsays2,000mounted rebelsatMadisonStation.Burntthe town.”Itshouldbekeptinmindthat avoidanceofdisgraceandeligibilityfor promotionsdependeduponanabilityto writereportscontaininggoodrationale foractionsandoutcomes.Sometimesdetailswereabitexaggerated.

Gorgasinhisinitialreportfurtherrecountedthat“...Wewereobligedtofall back,afterasevere ght,and,beingsurrounded,wecutourwaythroughtheir lines,andfellbacktothebridgeand watertank,aboutthreemileseast.We formedandreturnedtothisplace(Madison),and,afterskirmishing,drovethem fromthetown.Theycapturedseveralof ourmen,whatnumberwearenotableto say.Ourcampandgarrisonequipment, togetherwithalltheregimentaland companypapers,areeitherdestroyed orcarriedoff.Thedepotbuildingsare burned,togetherwithabout50balesof cotton.(Hesaid70balesinareporttwo dayslater.)Therailroadisallright,telegraphlinescut.Weareleftherewithout rations,andbutlittleammunition.”

Col.Gorgasdidnotmentioninhis initialreportthatthecounter-attack didnotoccuruntilhisforcewasgreatlyaugmentedbyatrainloadofUnion troopsandcavalryfromHuntsville.Nor didhedescribethetruehelter-skelter runalongthetrackstoescapefromthe town,ashisunpreparedforcewaslightlydressedandpoorlyarmedwhilethey werelostfromsightinthedownpourof rainandprotectedbythedenseforeston eachsideofthetracks.Healsoforgotto saythattheRebelforcehadalreadyretiredfromthetownwithwagonloadsof Unionequipmentplunderbeforeheand hisreinforcementsreturnedtothetown. Amuchmoredetailedaccountofthe engagementwas ledbyCol.Gorgason the19thofMay,asfollows:“Iwouldrespectfullysubmitthefollowingreportof theattackmadeonthispost(Madison Station)byaforceoftheenemy,under commandofColonelPatterson,consistingoftworegimentsofmountedinfantryandabatteryoffour12-pounder howitzers,theentireforcenumbering about1,000men.

Theattackwasmadeat8:30a.m.on theTrianaroad,onwhichtwooftheir eldpieceswereplacedinposition,the tworemainingpieceshavingcrossedthe railroad,togetherwithaportionofthe enemy’scommand.They,however,did notgetintoposition,astheattackwas precipitatedbytheenemy’sbeingdiscoveredbyaforagetrain,whichwasjust startingout.

Assoonasdiscoveredtheenemy opened refromtheirtwopiecesonthe Trianaroad,havingpreviouslysentdetachmentstoeachoneofmypicketposts, veinnumber,guidedbysomecitizens whoseemedtoknowtheexactlocality ofeach,encirclingthemandcapturing thementire.Onthe rstalarmmycommandwasquicklyformedinline,exceptingthreecompanies,whooccupiedthe stockadeintherearofthedepotbuilding,behindsomecottonbales.Twocompanieswerethrownoutasskirmishers, buttheenemyappearinginsuchalarge forceintheirfront,Iorderedthemtofall backtothemaincolumn. Inthemeantimethestockadewasrendereduntenablebytherapid refrom theartillery,sothatthethreecompanies werecompelledtofallbackbehindthe railroadembankment,whereIatlength formedmyentirecommand,beingsatis edthatwewereoutnumberednearly fourtoone,andhavingnothingtoresist theirartillery,itwouldbeimpossibleto holdthetown,mycommandtheentire timekeepinguparapidandincessant

re,killing3andwounding15oftheenemy.Atthistimetherebelforceappeared onboth anksandinmyrear,which madeitnecessarytofallbackstillfurther,whichIdid,inthedirectionofthe watertanktowardHuntsville,dispersing theenemyinmyrearbyafewwell-directedvolleys,theartilleryandnearly theirentireforcefollowingoneitherside oftherailroad,butthetimberwasso thickthattheycoulddonodamage.

Onarrivingwithinahalfmileofthe watertankIreformedmyline,andafterashortrest,againadvancedtoward MadisonStationwithastronglineof skirmishers,wellextendedoneitherside oftherailroad.Theskirmishersdrove therearguardoftheenemyfromtown, themainforcehavingdepartedafter burningthedepotbuildingsandabout 70balesofcotton.Mycampequipment wasalsoburned,it,however,consisting ofonlyasmallnumberoftents,which werescarcelyserviceable.Themen, also,havelostalltheirextraclothingand blankets.Thedamagetotherailroad wasslightandreadilyrepaired.

Assoonastheattackwasmade,the wagontrain,consistingofeight6-mule teamsandthree2-horseambulances, wereorderedontheHuntsvilleRoad,but wereinterceptedandcaptured,together withasmalltrainguardandtheteamsters.About12noonre-enforcements arrived,consistingoftheFifthOhio Cavalry,ColonelHeath,120men,and theFifty-ninthIndianaInfantry,Lieutenant-ColonelScott,220men.These,togetherwith100menfrommyregiment, movedaftertheenemyasrapidlyaspossibleinadrivingrain.ColonelHeath’s cavalrycameupwiththerearguardof theenemyearlyintheafternoon,and keptupaconstantharassing re,buthis forcewastoosmalltomakeaforcibleattack.

Theinfantrycameupjustbeforesundown,theFifty-ninthIndianadeploying asskirmishersanddrivingtheenemy beforethemtothebankoftheriver,but nightcomingonand ndingthatthe transportation(wagons)andprisoners wereacrosstheriver,ourmenfatigued, andammunitionalmostexhausted,it wasconsideredbythecommandingofcerstowithdrawourforces.Theywere consequentlymarchedbacktoMadison, 12milesfromFletcher’sFerry.

FromreliablesourcesIlearnedthat theenemy’slossattheferrywas15killed and40wounded.Thisestimate,Iampositive,isnotplacedtoohigh,whichwould maketheirentireloss18killedand55 wounded.Ofthenumberofprisoners frommyregimentIhavenotbeenableto learnhowmanywerewounded.Theloss oftheFifty-ninthis2wounded,andthe FifthIowaInfantry1killed.Ihavebut1 manwoundedwiththeregiment....” InalengthyreportbyBrig.Gen.John E.SmithdatedMay18,hestatedseveral discrepanciesintheGorgasreports.The Smithreporttoldofanestimatedforce ofupto3,000Rebelforces,andthatthe rstwarningoftheattackwasreceiving reintotheUnioncamp.The rst reportintoHuntsvillesaidthattheMadisonStationoccupyingUnionforcewould nodoubtbecaptured.Smithstatedthat his rstactionwasthentoorderoutthe FifthOhioCavalryandtheEighteenth WisconsinInfantry.Healsodirected thataregimentbesentbytrainfromLarkinsvilleinJacksonCounty.Hefurther saidthatwhileawaitingtheregimenthe proceededtoarmalldetachments,convalescentsoldiers,teamsters,etc.,inorderthateverymancouldbeavailable(to defendHuntsville,expectinganattack

Thearea wherea replicaof theold roundhousesits todaywas thescene ofthe “affair”on May17, 1864.

there).ThenhestartedtheFifty-ninth IndianaInfantrytowardMadisonafter placingcottonbalesandammunitionin position.Laterintheafternoonhesent theForty-eighthIndianatoMadison. WhentheUniontroopsencounteredthe ConfederaterearguardnearTriana, Smithreportedthattheykilled1man, woundedseveral,andcaptured4prisonersandsome30or40horses.Heconcludedhisreportwiththestatementthat afterreceivingtheinitialGorgasreport, hewasledtobelievethatGorgaswas “culpablynegligent.” Col.GorgasblamedthesuccessfulsurpriseatMadisonStationuponlocalcitizensguidingtherebelstothelocations ofhis vepickets,whowerethenoverwhelmedbeforetheycouldsoundthe alarm.Infact,subsequentlytheUnion occupiersarrestedMadisonresidents Dr.RichardMatthewFletcher,Edward Betts,andJamesHarveyPride.They weretakenintoHuntsvilletobetried andhangedasspiesforcomplicityinthe event.Afteragallowswasconstructed, arecently-transferredandremotely-billetedbutfriendlyseniorUnionof cer whoknewthatDr.FletcherhadcompassionatelytreatedFederalsoldiersduring theoccupationyearscametoHuntsville andhadthemenreleased. OnecanalsocontrasttheUnionconditionswiththosereportedbytheConfederatecommanderintheattack,Col. JosiahPatterson.Whenhewrotetohis commander,GeneralPhillipDaleRoddey,onJune27of1864,justsixweeks afterthe“affair”atMadisonStation,he recountedhismanyengagementsand marchesduringtherecentmonths.He statedthathehad250menintheFifth AlabamaCavalryatthattime.Hementionedhavingbeeninengagementsat notonlyMadisonStationbutalsoFletcher’sFerry,Garth’sFarm,andMoulton. HismenhadbeensenttoAberdeen(Mississippi),thentoGadsden,fromthereto RomeandDalton(Georgia),thenback toDecatur(Alabama),Talladega,Moulton,Tupelo(Mississippi),BigBearCreek (Alabama),Decatur,Corinth(Mississippi),andbacktoPondSpring(Alabama). Muchofthetimewasspentonquarter rationsofcornandintraversingmountains.Pattersonwrotethathismenhad marched,underorders,over1,200miles inthelast vemonthswithout ring ashotinadditiontothemanyengagementsandskirmishesalongtheway. PattersonalsotoldGen.Roddeythat “Youcanwellimagine,afterallthis marching,theconditionofthesemen.I havesacri cedmycommand,ruinedthe horsesofmybrigade,inmarchingand counter-marchinginobediencetoorders,andformylifeIcannotseewhere Ihavebene ttedthecountryinasingle instanceduringallthesemarches.Horseshavebrokendowninlargenumbers, thusreducingtheef ciencyofmycommandatalmosteverystep.Youareaware thatallofthishasbeendoneonlessthan halfrationsofcorn.Thetroopsthat Imovewithinthemorning,although once nelymounted,arenowinvery badcondition,andhalfthehorses,so Iaminformedbythecaptains,arenot abletomarchtwenty- vemileswithout laggingandgivingout....Ifmybrigade wasinspectedtoday,therewouldnotbe 200horsesfound tforactiveservice....” Thisdoesnotseemto tasadescriptionofthe“overwhelming”Confederate forcethatroutedtheUnionoccupiersat MadisonStationsoef ciently,butitwas anactualreportwrittenincon denceby Col.Pattersontohiscommandinggeneral--notforexcuses.

TheMMemoriial l Dayhhollidaycommemorattesalll of f theUUniited d Stattessolldiers whodiedinservicetoourcountryinanywarorconflict.Itisafederalholiday thatisobservedannuallyonthelastMondayinMay.Traditionally,theU.S. flag is flownathalf-staff untilnoononthisholiday.AftertheAmericanCivilWar, manycitiesaroundtheUnitedStatesbegansettingasidedaysofobservance fortheirveteranswhodiedinbattle.Thesedayswerelargelycelebratedby decoratingthegravesofsoldiers;asaresult,itwasoriginallycalledDecoration Day.AlthoughtheexactoriginsofMemorialDayareunknown,itisbelieved thatthe firsttruecelebrationoftheholidayoccurredinWaterloo,NewYork, in1866.In1868,GeneralJohnA.Logandeclaredtheholidaytobeatimeto givetributetofallencomrades.TheoriginalDecorationDaywasonlymeantto beatributetoCivilWarveterans,butaftertheendofWWII,theholidaywas modifiedtocommemoratethelostlivesofallAmericansoldiersinallwars.The holidaywaswidelycelebratedafterthistime,and,in1971,Congressdeclared itaNationalHoliday.

Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Duty, Freedom, Gulf War, Honor, Korean War, Liberty, Marines, Navy, Rights, Serv rice, Uniform, Veteran, Vietnam War, World War I, World War II

Across Clues:

2 General ___declaredtheholidayforthefallen.

5 DayisaNationalholidayintheU.S.A.

7 All flags are flownathalf-staff until_____.

8 The old holidaywasknownas________Day.

Down Clues:

1 soldiersarehonoredonthisday.

3 First city inNewYorktocelebrateMemorialDay.

4 Holiday is foranyfallen_______soldier.

6 Memorial Daybeganafter______WarII.

HONORINGTHE FALLEN SOLDIERS FALLENSOLDIERS

Youmaythinkthatasakidyoucannot domuchonMemorialDaytohonor thosesoldierswhohavefallenin battle.Youcan!Therearemanyways youcandoso.Attendaparade,place flagsatacemeteryonsoldiers’graves, orevenmakeaposteror flagtodisplay inyourcommunity.Askanadulttolook upwhateventsaretakingplaceinyour area,andgetinvolved! Usingthenumbers 1-6 completethe puzzle below.Youare e to have oneofeachnuumber (16)ineachvert

FAITH Verseof theWeek

Remember:yourvoice islouderthanthe voiceoftheworld

ByBECKY MILLER God’s Lemonade Stand

“Dearchildren,keep awayfromanythingthat mighttakeGod’splacein yourhearts.1John5:21

NLTBibleGateway

EachSaturdaymorning myhusbandandIwatch ourformerchurchback inAlabamaonlineforSaturdaymorningprayer,basicallyaprayer rststrategypreparingforSunday. Oneofourprayerswas forourchildrenand grandchildrentomake God’svoicelouderthan thevoiceofthisworldor basicallytheculture. Theworldisgetting darkeranddarker,and Satanseemstobewinning butdonotfearformany prayerwarriorsare‘on thewall’sotospeakwalk-

133MapleSt. Crosspointe 78HughesRoad

FirstBaptistMadison 4257SullivanSt. GraceBaptist 122WalnutSt. GreenbrierBaptist

7939GreenbrierRoad HavenBaptist 1840SlaughterRd. InternationalBaptist 1025SheltonRoad

KoreanFirstBaptist 4257SullivanSt. LindsayLaneBaptist EastCampus 1659NickDavisRoad LittleShilohPB 229MapleSt. MadisonBaptist 840BalchRoad MadisonFree WillBaptist 5295WallTrianaHwy MosesChapel PrimitiveBaptist 372MosesChapel

ingandprayingtodefeat thewilesofthedevil.You putyourprayeroutthere andthenletGodwork.I don’talwayscompletely letgobutitwouldwork betterifandwhenIdo. Whatroadblocks,walls, pitsorbumpsintheroad doyouneedtotakeon inprayerforthelivesof yourchildrenorgrandchildren?Ifyouhaveno childrenwhatotherareas needGodtointervene?

PRAYER:Thankyou, Lord,forhavingaBible. Helpmemakeitmore importantthanTV,the internet,orsocialmedia. ForgivemewhenIletthe thingsofthisworldinterferewithseriousprayer. InJesus’name.Amen.

God’sLemonadeStand iswrittenbyformerMadisonresidentBeckyMiller.Herdailydevotions appearonFacebookorat godslemonadestand.blogspot.com.

ByDAWNREED

MybelovedandI recentlyhadtheopportunitytoexplore St.Augustinefora fewhours,knowing itwastheplacePoncedeLeonreportedlydiscoveredtheFountain ofYouth.

Wefoundit.Thepark,thatis,and didthethingyoudo:tookasel eat theentrance.Itextedfriendsthat IhadfoundtheFountainofYouth andwasbringingsomebacktoall ofthem.Onesaidtogetagallon.

Uponenteringthepark,wefound thatwecouldpay$21.00(Senior discount)perpersontoviewPonce deLeon’sstatueandseesomeothercoolthings.Weconsidereditfor aminute,thenoptedtogotothe giftshop.Weknewthatitwasn’t therealTRUEFountainofYouth, afterall.Plus,mygreat-uncle’s nameisJohnPoncedeLeon,so there’sthat.

Onthewayoutofthepark,IponderedthewholeFountainofYouth thing.Ashumans,evenChrist-followinghumans,wesometimes chasebeingyouthful,beingyoung. Asmybelovedsaysfromthepulpit, “Wenip,tuck,suck,andpluckour bodiestryingtoturnbacktime.”

Ourcongregationalwayslaughs butwesecretlyknowit’strue. Growingoldercanbefunbut alsodif cultattimes.

Forawoman,thewrinklesand grayhaircomeatacost.Literal-

lyand guratively. Therearemorekinds ofwrinklecream thanyoucancount.I haveacarefullychosenbalmfor“crow’s feet”-thelittlewrinklesaroundtheeyesandalsouseitonmy neck.

Iliketothinkthat wrinklesaroundmy eyeswereearned;I’ve doneawholelotta laughinginmydays.Thewrinkles onmyneckareduetogravity.It justhappens.(Ihaveconsidered usingsomewell-placedstripsof ducttapeto ghtagainstit.)

Earlyinadultlife,womenmust decideabouttheirhair:coloror nottocolortolookyounger.It’s moreofacommitmentthanmarriagewhenyouchoosetoenhance theshadeofyourlocks.Years, money,andproductsareinvested intheperfectnaturallookinghair color.WhileIloveandcelebrate whenotherscolor,Ijustcouldn’t doitbecauseIknewIcouldn’tkeep itup.Plus,I’mwigglyandprobablycouldn’thavebeenstillduring theprocess.Whenyouchoosenot tocolor,though,youcanhearcriticismfromothers.

Myfoundationmakeupiscalled “agerewind.”It’ssupposedto makemelookyounger,butapparentlyonlybyayear.Istilllooka solid60.

SomethingI’vebeenworkingon

Toaddachurchorrequestachangeinthedirectory,pleaseemailjohn@themadisonrecord.com

Mt.ZionBaptist 228MountZionRoad Huntsville

PhillipTabernacle PrimitiveBaptist 930BalchRoad SkylineABABaptist 586SlaughterRoad

St.AndrewPrimitiveBaptist 1393SwancottRoad

TheBrook 8573Highway72

TrinityBaptist 1088HughesRoad WallHighwayBaptist 6597WallTriana

BIBLE FirstBibleChurch 29113 BrownsFerryRoad

MadisonBibleChurch 1520HughesRoad

CATHOLIC

St.John’sCatholic 1057HughesRoad

MostMercifulJesus CatholicParish 10509SegersRoad

CHURCHOFCHRIST CentralValley 5700MooresvilleRd.

ChurchofChrist HughesRoad atGoochLane

TheChurchofChrist ontheHighway 7594WallTrianaHwy.

Churchof ChristofMadison 556HughesRoad Monrovia

ChurchofChrist 595NanceRoad Swancott ChurchofChrist SwancottRoad WallTriana ChurchofChrist 7535WallTriana

CHURCHOFGOD

FirstChurchOfGod 1547CapshawRoad

EPISCOPAL

St.Matthew’sEpiscopal 786HughesRoad

GOSPEL

BrightStarFullGospel 5167WallTrianaHwy

JEWISHSYNAGOGUES

TempleB’naiSholom 103LincolnSt.S.E.

LUTHERAN

FaithLutheran 660GillespieRd

LambOfGodLutheran 11716CountyLine

MessiahLutheran 7740Highway72W

METHODIST

AsburyChurch 980HughesRoad

Asbury-Harvest 8089WallTrianaHwy

FellowshipUnited MethodistChurch 29768Huntsville BrownsferryRd.

GoodShepherd UnitedMethodist 1418OldRailroadBed

GraceUnited MethodistChurch 2113OldMonroviaRd.

Grady-MadisonAME 129GoochLane

HarvestPointe MethodistChurch 103GinOaksCourt

MadisonMethodistChurch 127ChurchStreet

ParkerChapel MethodistChurch 28670PowellRoad

SpringhillUnited MethodistChurch 1605ZierdtRd. St.PaulUnited MethodistChurch 6206thStreet St.PeterUMC 107StewartSt.

Ford’sChapelUnited MethodistChurch 280FordChapelDrive

MORMON TheChurchOfJesus ChristOfLatter-DaySaints 1297SlaughterRoad

NAZARENE MadisonFirstChurch 8234MadisonPike NONDENOMINATIONAL CenterOfHopeChurch 5167WallTrianaHwy. CornerstoneWordOfLife 3783SullivanStreet

FellowshipOfFaithChurch 132MapleStreet

recentlyismy“restingface,”becauseIdon’twanttoappeartobe frowningorcross.Whoknewit wasnecessary?

Naturally,Scriptureshares aboutgrowingolder.Isaiah46:4 isafavorite:“Eventoyouroldage andgrayhairsIamHe,IamHe whowillsustainyou…”Proverbs 16:31shares:“Grayhairisacrown ofsplendor…”Davidwrotethatour lifeis“abreath,a eetingshadow” inPsalm144:4. Ithoughtonthis“breath”oflife asmybelovedandIheadednorth. We’vebeenmarried43½years.I havemadelotsofmistakesand learnedmanyhardlessons.ButGod hasbeensogracious,sokind,and sofaithfultome,tous.Iamvery thankfulIamwhereIamandthe ageIam.I’mnotlookingback,but pressingonlikePaulsaidtoinPhilippians3:13-14. Idon’tneedPoncedeLeon’sFountainofYouth,thankyouverymuch. Iwouldn’tdrinkitevenifIcould!

GraceFellowship 11900MooresvilleRoad

TheHarborFamily WorshipCenter 1469BrownsFerryRoad

HopeChurch 1661BalchRoad JourneyChurch 13902BradfordRoad

LifesongCommunity HomeChurch

LightofChristCenter 4208HolmesAvenueNW

LivingWordFellowship 1477SlaughterRoad,Ala.

JesusMinistries 331LandessCircle,Ala. MadisonMissionEconomic 183SheltonRoad

MadisonWorshipCenter 5290WallTrianaHighway NewCreation ChristianCenter 8006MadisonPike

OasisTabernacle 8006MadisonPike

RayOfHopeMinistries 9580PutnamPlaza

RealMinistries

8006MadisonPike

RestorationFoursquare 5810WallTrianaHighway

SpiritLifeFamily WorshipCenter 1469BrownsFerryRoad

PRESBYTERIAN

GracePresbyterianUSA 5555WallTrianaHighway

Mt.ZionCumberland 3726PryorRoad

NewHopeCumberland Presbyterian ProvidencePresbyterian 7745Highway72W RedeemerPresbyterian 9580MadisonBlvd. St.ElizabethCumberland Presbyterian,104PerrySt. TrianaCumberland 263StoneSt.Sw ValleyPresbyterianChurch 719HughesRd SEVENTH-DAYADVENTIST MadisonMissionSDA 183SheltonRoad TrianaSeventhDay Adventist 251ErvinLane

5LEMONBEAGLEPUPS, 8weeksold.4 females,1male.Shots,dewormed3 times.$150.00each.256-226-0340 AUSTRALIANSHEPHERDPUPPIES,3 merles,3blacktri’s,3redtri’s,mostwith blueeyes,sixmales,threefemales,$200. Call256-436-5056Mt.Hope

FREETOAGOODHOME “Apricot”-10year-oldMaleShorthairOrangeTabbycat. 111/2lbs.Lovespeople;isveryaffectionate.DoesGreatonaharness.Doesnotget alongwithotheranimals.DoesNotlikethe vet.Hecanbeanindoor/outdoorcat.Has beenneutered.Hadallhisteethremoved except1.Hadasmallcancerremoved.Has asensitivestomach,andlovesFriskies GravyShreds(3cansperday).Haschronic urinaryissues.IsMicrochipped.Registered atNorthAlabamaAnimalHospitalin Sheffield.Hisonce-per-yearshotsrunabout $350,sincetheydobloodworkforolder cats.Hecomeswithafull-sizecattree,a largelitterbox,2largecontainersofcatlitter, acarrier,2foodbowls,1waterbowl,lotsof toys,andatleast1caseoffood.Pleasecall (256)443-7433 FREETOAGOODHOME, BrownLabfemale1.5yearsold,BlackLabfemale,1.5 yearsold,notfixed.BlackDobermanmale, neutered,tailclipped,twoyearsold,256627-9073Bartonarea PUGPUPPIES-FAWN/BLACK, Males&Females-AKC/CKC Registered-$1,500callortext 256.348.6426,www.mypamperedpugs.com

PUPPIESFORSALEKING CharlesCavalierSpaniel$1000.00each.Registered BassetHounds$800.00each.256-4124242or256-460-8504

SHI-CHONPUPPIES-MALE ANDFEMALE, ReadytoGo, PrettyColors,Shotsand Wormed.270-849-7401

LINCOLN:MKS,2012 $13,950. 1owner, only70kactualmiles,pearlwhite,tan leather,navigation,sunroof,climateseats, premiumfactorywheels,Michelintires,2 keys,OUTSTANDINGCONDITION!MUST SEETHISCAR!256-527-2125

PONTIAC:VIBE,2007 $6,000. 226,000 milessharp,runslikenew,cleantitle,no wrecks,greatgasmileage256-616-2840 Needajobchange? CheckourTNValleyStuff Employment adstoday.

UNBELIEVEABLE TOYOTA:COROLLA,2005$11,450. LE Only35kmiles!(YES,35K!)Fullpower, automatic,cruisecontrol,justserviced, newtires,VERYRAREFIND!MUSTSEE! 256-527-2125

Antique/ClassicVehicles

‘31CHEVROLETCOUPE Totallyrestored withalloriginalparts.256-582-2395

PONTIAC:GRANDVILLE,1972, 22,000 miles,alloriginal,newtires,Call256-3940065fordetails

SportUtilityVehicles

BUICK:ENCLAVE,2009 $9,950. CXL model.Only89kmiles.Leather,3rdrow seating,rearviewcamera,powerliftgate, justservicedincludingnewbrakes.Super clean,mustsee!256-527-2125

CADILLAC:SRX,2015 $17,950. SRX Performanceedition,oneowner,only71k miles,navigation,sunroof,premiumfactory wheels,Michelintires,2keys,exceptional condition.256-527-2125

CHEVROLET:TAHOE,2020 $36,500. Excellentcondition.Tires likenew!256-386-7592Muscle Shoals

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GMC:TERRAIN,2013 $13,950. SLTOnly 78kmiles.Heatedleather,sunroof, rearviewcamera,powerliftgate,factory chromewheels,justserviced,excellent condition.256-527-2125

NISSAN:MURANO,2016 $18,950. Platinumedition.Only94kmiles.1owner. Pearlwhite.Navigation,sunroof,justservicedincludingnewtiresandbrakes.Outstandingcondition!256-527-2125

NISSAN:PATHFINDER,2011 $10,950. SVModel1owner,white,taninterior,full power,only82kmiles.Justserviced,excellentcondition.256-527-2125 Trucks

GMC:1500,2014 $23,000. 4 doorextendedcabSLE5.3Liter AutoTrans68000Milescolor StealthGreyBlackFabricinterior Tomuchtolistmoreoptionson trucktolist.MoretruckthanI needNowCall931-215-3812

Announcements PublicNotice

ABANDONEDVEHCLES

NoticeofSale

Thefollowingabandonedvehicle(s)willbesoldon July05, 2024-Time-9am, ifnot claimed-1224PutmanDr., Huntsville,AL35816. 2015HondaCBR650 MLHRC7408F5100437 2020VWJetta 3VWCB7BU9LM033139

RunadonMay22,2024and May29,2024 MadisonCountyRecord ADID597378

ABANDONEDVEHICLE

NoticeofSale

Thefollowingabandonedvehicle(s)willbesoldon June28, 2024-Time-9am, ifnot claimed-3012CharityLane, HazelGreen,AL35750. 2006ChevroletSilverado 3GCEC14X36G224765 05/15/24,05/22/24 ADID596486

ABANDONEDVEHICLES

FieldingTowingandRecovery 2322ClintonAveW Huntsville,Al35805 256-534-5883 AllAuctions8:00am

2009HYUNDAISANTAFE WHITE VIN#5NMSG13D19H306565 AUCTIONDATE06-19-2024

2014HYUNDAIELANTRA WHITE VIN#5NPDH4AEH506359 AUCTIONDATE06-19-2024 05/15/24,05/22/24

ADID596684

ABANDONEDVEHICLES

FieldingTowingandRecovery 2322ClintonAveW Huntsville,Al35805 256-534-5883 AllAuctions8:00am

2019SILVERCHEVYSILVERADO 3GCURGEL6KG120003 AUCTIONDATE06/24/248AM

2009BLACKCHEVYEQUINOX 2CNDL53F396240519

AUCTIONDATE06/24/248AM 2018GRAYDODGECARAVAN 2C4RDGCG8JR297930 AUCTIONDATE6/24/248AM 1997GREENTOYOTA TACOMA 4TAWN72N0VZ274794

AUCTIONDATE6/24/248AM 05/22/24,05/29/24 ADID597551

ABANDONEDVEHICLES

NoticeofSale

Thefollowingabandonedvehicle(s)willbesoldon July05, 2024-Time-9am, ifnot claimed-30585USHwy72, Madison,AL35756. 2003ToyotaAvalon 4T1BF28B93U281958 2007InfinitiG35 JNKBV61E27M722756

RunadonMay22,2024and May29,2024 MadisonCountyRecord ADID597379

ABANDONEDVEHICLES

NoticeofSale

Thefollowingabandonedvehicle(s)willbesoldon July05, 2024-Time-9am, ifnot claimed-1224PutmanDr., Huntsville,AL35816. 2015HondaCBR650 C Needajobchange? CheckourTNValleyStuff Employment adstoday.

www.TNValleyStuff.com

MLHRC7408F5100437

2020VWJetta 3VWCB7BU9LM033139

RunadonMay22,2024and May29,2024 MadisonCountyRecord ADID597380

Getresultsfastwiththe

LORSTEWART,deceased, havingbeengrantedtotheundersignedonthe7thdayofMay 2024,bytheHon.FrankBarger, JudgeofProbateofMadison County,noticeisherebygiven thatallpersonshavingclaims againstthesaidestateare herebyrequiredtopresentthe samewithinthetimeallowedby law,orthesamewillbebarred.

MadisonCountyRecord3TMay 15th,22nd,and29th ADID595834 StateofAlabama MadisonCounty CaseNo80182

Notice;ProbateCourt:

LettersofAdministrationupon theestateofCHRISTOPHER MICHAELBULLARD,Deceased,havingbeengrantedto theundersignedonthe29th dayApril2024bytheHon. FrankBarger,JudgeofProbate ofsaidcounty,noticeishereby giventhatallpersonshaving claimsagainstthesaidestate areherebyrequiredtopresent thesamewithinthetimeallowedbylaw,orthesamewill bebarred. WHITNEYCUNNINGHAM

Tobepublishedthree(3)consecutivetimes:May8th,15th, and22ndintheMadison CountyRecordnewspaper ADID594819

StateofAlabama MadisonCounty CaseNo80202

PersonalRepresentative’s Notice;ProbateCourt: INTHEMATTEROFTHEESTATEOFAudreyDay, LettersofAdministrationupon theestateofAudreyDay,Deceased,havingbeengrantedto theundersignedonthe2ndday May2024bytheHon.Frank Barger,JudgeofProbateofsaid county,noticeisherebygiven thatallpersonshavingclaims againstthesaidestateare herebyrequiredtopresentthe samewithinthetimeallowedby law,orthesamewillbebarred. KayGentle

Tobepublishedthree(3)consecutivetimes:May8th,15th, and22nd,2024intheMadison CountyRecordnewspaper ADID595557

StateofAlabama MadisonCounty CaseNo77566

PersonalRepresentative’s Notice;ProbateCourt: INTHEMATTEROFTHEESTATEOFCharlesEvans ReynoldsJr, LettersofAdministrationupon theestateofCharlesEvans ReynoldsJr,Deceased,having beengrantedtotheundersignedonthe4thdayApril 2023bytheHon.FrankBarger, JudgeofProbateofsaidcounty, noticeisherebygiventhatall personshavingclaimsagainst thesaidestateareherebyrequiredtopresentthesame withinthetimeallowedbylaw, orthesamewillbebarred. DouglasCMartinsonII

Tobepublishedthree(3)consecutivetimes:May8th,15th, and22nd,2024intheMadison CountyRecordnewspaper ADID595167

StateofAlabama MadisonCounty CaseNo80004

PersonalRepresentative’s Notice;ProbateCourt: INTHEMATTEROFTHEESTATEOFGeraldRSchenk a/k/aGeraldRussellSchenk, LettersofAdministrationupon theestateofGeraldRSchenk a/k/aGeraldRussellSchenk, Deceased,havingbeengranted totheundersignedonthe22nd dayApril2024bytheHon. FrankBarger,JudgeofProbate ofsaidcounty,noticeishereby giventhatallpersonshaving claimsagainstthesaidestate areherebyrequiredtopresent thesamewithinthetimeallowedbylaw,orthesamewill bebarred. RayUhrig

Tobepublishedthree(3)consecutivetimes:May8th,15th, and22nd,2024intheMadison CountyRecordnewspaper ADID595072

StateofAlabama MadisonCounty CaseNo80201

PersonalRepresentative’s Notice;ProbateCourt: INTHEMATTEROFTHEESTATEOFJOHNSCHELLY BLACK, LettersofAdministrationupon f O SC

theestateofJOHNSCHELLY BLACK,Deceased,havingbeen grantedtotheundersignedon the8thdayMay2024bythe Hon.FrankBarger,Judgeof Probateofsaidcounty,noticeis herebygiventhatallpersons havingclaimsagainstthesaid estateareherebyrequiredto presentthesamewithinthe timeallowedbylaw,orthe samewillbebarred. PAULSCHELLYCARRUTHERS

Tobepublishedthree(3)consecutivetimes:May15th,22nd ,and29th,2024intheMadison CountyRecordnewspaper ADID596430

StateofAlabama MadisonCounty CaseNo80235

PersonalRepresentative’s Notice;ProbateCourt: INTHEMATTEROFTHEESTATEOFJuneBarbaraFord Acklin, LettersofAdministrationupon theestateofJuneBarbaraFord Acklin,Deceased,havingbeen grantedtotheundersignedon the7thdayMay2024bythe Hon.FrankBarger,Judgeof Probateofsaidcounty,noticeis herebygiventhatallpersons havingclaimsagainstthesaid estateareherebyrequiredto presentthesamewithinthe timeallowedbylaw,orthe samewillbebarred. CharlesAcklin

Tobepublishedthree(3)consecutivetimes:May15th,22nd ,and29th,2024intheMadison CountyRecordnewspaper ADID596023

StateofAlabama MadisonCounty CaseNo80249

PersonalRepresentative’s Notice;ProbateCourt: INTHEMATTEROFTHEESTATEOFEUGENIAALLENA TANNERAKAEUGENIATANNER, LettersofAdministrationupon theestateofEUGENIAALLENA TANNERAKAEUGENIATANNER,Deceased,havingbeen grantedtotheundersignedon the9thdayMay2024bythe Hon.FrankBarger,Judgeof Probateofsaidcounty,noticeis herebygiventhatallpersons havingclaimsagainstthesaid estateareherebyrequiredto presentthesamewithinthe timeallowedbylaw,orthe samewillbebarred. DEBRAGRAY

Tobepublishedthree(3)consecutivetimes:May15th,22nd ,and29th,2024intheMadison CountyRecordnewspaper ADID596467

StateofAlabama MadisonCounty CaseNo79289

PersonalRepresentative’s Notice;ProbateCourt: INTHEMATTEROFTHEESTATEOFInezJanieRoebuck Adams, LettersofAdministrationupon theestateofInezJanieRoebuckAdams,Deceased,having beengrantedtotheundersignedonthe3rddayMay2024

bytheHon.FrankBarger, JudgeofProbateofsaidcounty, noticeisherebygiventhatall personshavingclaimsagainst thesaidestateareherebyrequiredtopresentthesame withinthetimeallowedbylaw, orthesamewillbebarred. LynnHelms,NancyHelms

Tobepublishedthree(3)consecutivetimes:May15th,22nd ,and29th,2024intheMadison CountyRecordnewspaper ADID596448

StateofAlabama MadisonCounty CaseNo80247

PersonalRepresentative’s Notice;ProbateCourt: INTHEMATTEROFTHEESTATEOFRichardEdMorrison, LettersofAdministrationupon theestateofRichardEdMorrison,Deceased,havingbeen grantedtotheundersignedon the8thdayMay2024bythe Hon.FrankBarger,Judgeof Probateofsaidcounty,noticeis herebygiventhatallpersons havingclaimsagainstthesaid estateareherebyrequiredto presentthesamewithinthe timeallowedbylaw,orthe samewillbebarred. TimothyMorrison

Tobepublishedthree(3)consecutivetimes:May15th,22nd ,and29th,2024intheMadison CountyRecordnewspaper ADID596496

StateofAlabama MadisonCounty CaseNo80246

PersonalRepresentative’s Notice;ProbateCourt: INTHEMATTEROFTHEESTATEOFDavidSharafi, LettersofAdministration upontheestateofDavid Sharafi, Deceased,having beengrantedtotheundersignedonthe8thdayMay2024 bytheHon.FrankBarger, JudgeofProbateofsaidcounty, noticeisherebygiventhatall personshavingclaimsagainst thesaidestateareherebyrequiredtopresentthesame withinthetimeallowedbylaw, orthesamewillbebarred. WilliamSPylant

Tobepublishedthree(3)consecutivetimes:May15th,22nd ,and29th,2024intheMadison CountyRecordnewspaper ADID596497

StateofAlabama MadisonCounty CaseNo80264

PersonalRepresentative’s Notice;ProbateCourt: INTHEMATTEROFTHEESTATEOFKatriceMichelle Bradley, LettersofAdministrationupon theestateofKatriceMichelle Bradley,Deceased,having beengrantedtotheundersignedonthe10thdayMay 2024bytheHon.FrankBarger, JudgeofProbateofsaidcounty, noticeisherebygiventhatall personshavingclaimsagainst thesaidestateareherebyre-

quiredtopresentthesame withinthetimeallowedbylaw, orthesamewillbebarred. AaronDejuanBradley

Tobepublishedthree(3)consecutivetimes:May15,May 22,May29,2024intheMadisonCountyRecordnewspaper ADID596673

StateofAlabama MadisonCounty CaseNo80251

PersonalRepresentative’s Notice;ProbateCourt: INTHEMATTEROFTHEESTATEOFVeronicaLeeSt. Louis, LettersofAdministrationupon theestateofVeronicaLeeSt. Louis,Deceased,havingbeen grantedtotheundersignedon the8thdayMay2024bythe Hon.FrankBarger,Judgeof Probateofsaidcounty,noticeis herebygiventhatallpersons havingclaimsagainstthesaid estateareherebyrequiredto presentthesamewithinthe timeallowedbylaw,orthe samewillbebarred. MarciaHastingsSt.Louis Tobepublishedthree(3)consecutivetimes:May15th,22nd ,and29th,2024intheMadison CountyRecordnewspaper ADID596514

StateofAlabama MadisonCounty CaseNo80162

PersonalRepresentative’s Notice;ProbateCourt: INTHEMATTEROFTHEESTATEOFPaulMichaelHager, LettersofAdministrationupon theestateofPaulMichael Hager,Deceased,havingbeen grantedtotheundersignedon the10thdayMay2024bythe Hon.FrankBarger,Judgeof Probateofsaidcounty,noticeis herebygiventhatallpersons havingclaimsagainstthesaid estateareherebyrequiredto presentthesamewithinthe timeallowedbylaw,orthe samewillbebarred. MelodyHager

Tobepublishedthree(3)consecutivetimes:May22,May 29,&June5,2024intheMadisonCountyRecordnewspaper ADID596800

Getresultsfastwiththe TNValleyStuffClassifieds.

StateofAlabama MadisonCounty CaseNo80281

PersonalRepresentative’s Notice;ProbateCourt: INTHEMATTEROFTHEESTATEOFReginaldFredFoster, LettersofAdministrationupon theestateofReginaldFredFoster,Deceased,havingbeen grantedtotheundersignedon the15thdayMay2024bythe Hon.FrankBarger,Judgeof Probateofsaidcounty,noticeis herebygiventhatallpersons havingclaimsagainstthesaid estateareherebyrequiredto

CLASSIFIEDS GETSRESULTS!

presentthesamewithinthe timeallowedbylaw,orthe samewillbebarred. BrendaKayeFoster

Tobepublishedthree(3)consecutivetimes:May22,May 29,June5,2024intheMadison CountyRecordnewspaper ADID597248

StateofAlabama MadisonCounty CaseNo80278

PersonalRepresentative’s Notice;ProbateCourt: INTHEMATTEROFTHEESTATEOFCornellPruitt, LettersofAdministration upontheestateofCornell Pruitt, Deceased,havingbeen grantedtotheundersignedon the15thdayMay2024bythe Hon.FrankBarger,Judgeof Probateofsaidcounty,noticeis herebygiventhatallpersons havingclaimsagainstthesaid estateareherebyrequiredto presentthesamewithinthe timeallowedbylaw,orthe samewillbebarred. TerrancePruitt

Tobepublishedthree(3)consecutivetimes:May22,May 29,June5,2024intheMadison CountyRecordnewspaper ADID597253

StateofAlabama MadisonCounty CaseNo:79643

PersonalRepresentative’s Notice;ProbateCourt: INTHEMATTEROFTHEESTATEOF:UrsulaEdithSpicer LettersofAdministrationwith WillAnnexedupontheestateof UrsulaEdithSpicer,deceased, havingbeengrantedtotheundersignedonthe14thdayof May2024,bytheHon.Frank Barger,JudgeofProbateof MadisonCounty,noticeis herebygiventhatallpersons havingclaimsagainstthesaid estateareherebyrequiredto presentthesamewithinthe timeallowedbylaw,orthe samewillbebarred. DouglasCMartinson,II MadisonCountyRecord3TMay 22,May29,June5,2024 ADID597255

StateofAlabama MadisonCounty CaseNo80233

PersonalRepresentative’s Notice;ProbateCourt: INTHEMATTEROFTHEESTATEOFDaxtonRossSimmons, LettersofAdministrationupon theestateofDaxtonRossSimmons,Deceased,havingbeen grantedtotheundersignedon the15thdayMay2024bythe Hon.FrankBarger,Judgeof Probateofsaidcounty,noticeis herebygiventhatallpersons havingclaimsagainstthesaid estateareherebyrequiredto presentthesamewithinthe timeallowedbylaw,orthe samewillbebarred. WilliamStevenSimmons

Tobepublishedthree(3)consecutivetimes:May22,May 29,June5,2024intheMadison CountyRecordnewspaper ADID597377