ATHENS —Whenabeloved 91-year-old womansays ahotairballoonride is oneofthe last itemsonher“bucketlist,”others trytomakeithappen.
That’s what the friendsand family of Jo Putneydidlast Sundayin LimestoneCounty. Assoonasthesun peeped over thehorizon,Putneyand herentourage had gatheredinAthens at MajesticMetals field. They waited patientlyastheballoonistsfromBluffCityBalloons ofMemphisinflated Mischief. Thebabyblue, hot-air balloon is coveredwithblooming flowers, appointedwithabutterflyand hummingbird,andtoppedwith the Tennessee state flower —the blueiris.
“Mr. Baseball” BradenBooth awards grant to Miracle League of Madison
By STAFFREPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON -Braden Booth, who wasinstrumental inBobJonesHigh School’sstatebaseballtitlewin this spring, wasnamedGatoradeAlabama BaseballPlayerofthe Year.Withthat honor,he wasgiven a$1,000 grant to giftto anon-profitorganizationofhis choice.
BoothgiftedtheMiracleLeague of Madisonwiththe$1,000 grantto help accomplishitsgoal of building atopnotch,all-inclusive fieldandcomplex
at Madison’s PalmerParkinorder to provideopportunities forchildren withdisabilitiestoplaybaseball.
“Itmeans everythingtometo be put in thispositiontogive backtothe communityand Ibelieve anybody, nomattertheirlife circumstances,should be able to playthe game,” Boothtold WHNTNews 19.“I grew uphereplaying. Thecommunityhereisamazing andittaughtme everything Iknow.”
Boothstartedhisbaseballcareer at ayoung age, playing tee ball at Palmer Park,which is whyitwasthe first
See BOOTH Page 8A
MADISON– TheMadison Policeinvestigated ashootinglast week thatlefta mandead. Police investigators were askingfor thepublic’s helpaftera manwas killedlastWednesday nightnearHorizon Elementary School. Theshooting happened on Miller Blvd near theintersection of Old Madison Pikearound 11:30 p.m.
AccordingtoWAFF,whenofficers arrived, theyfound aman sufferingfromseveralgunshot wounds.Officers were on the scenewithintwominutesand attemptedlifesavingmeasuresuntilparamedicsarrived. HEMSI tookthemantoHuntsvilleHospitalwhere he diedfrom hisinjuries. Hisidentityhadnot been released at press-time. Authorities saidthere is reasontobelieve thevictim andthe shooterkneweachotherandthat thiswasanisolatedincident. Madison Police isaskinganyonewithinformation aboutthe incident to contactthe department at tellmpd@madisonal.gov or 256-772-5658.
Fireworksaccident claims man’slife
BySTAFFREPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON –A fireworksaccident claimed thelife of a20-yearoldmanearly Friday.
HEMSI spokesmanDon Webster told WHNT News 19they responded to acall abouta fireworks-related accident just after 12:00 a.m.on Fridayintheareaof Nick Davis Roadand Pettus Road. When they arrivedonthescene, they foundan injuredman. Webster saidhe wastaken to HuntsvilleHospital Trauma Services,wherehelater diedfrom his injuries.
Recentlynamed“Mr.Baseball” Braden Boothof BobJones wasalsonamedthe GatoradePlayerofthe Yearreceivinga $1,000 grantwhich he chosetodonatetotheMiracleLeague ofMadison. Booth, left,presentedthedonationchecktoMichaelMcKayinanefforttosecure astate-of-the-artMiracle LeaguefacilityinMadison.Photo by AndrewNoles
‘It’ssupposedtobehard. If it wasn’t hard everyone woulddoit. The“hard”iswhatmakes it great.’- JimmyDugan (Tom Hanks) says to Dottie Hinson (Geena Davis) aboutbaseball in the1992movie “A League of their Own”.
GARBAGETRUCKSLAMSINTOHOUSE -Authoritiesresponded to agarbagetruckthat went through ahomeinMadi-
sonon Fridaymorning.AspokespersonfortheMadisonPoliceDepartment saidthegarbagetruck lefttheroadwayon SullivanStreetnorthofRoyalDrive and went throughthe sideof the homeonGrayson Avenue. No one washomeatthe timeof thecrash,andfourdogs weretakento animal control.Three parkedvehicles were alsohit by thegarbagetruck. Don WebsterwithHEMSItoldWHNTNews19 that onepersonwas transported toHuntsville Hospital with non-life-threateninginjuries.Madison Fire &Rescue Chief DavidBailey, whowitnessedthecrash, said it wasthe garbagetruck driver who wastransported.
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MadisonPostOffice Madison, AL 35758 (USPS324-960) ISSN 0089-4250
POSTMASTER Pleasesend addresschanges: P.O. Box859, Madison, AL 35758 TheMadison Record is published each WednesdaybyTennessee ValleyMedia,Inc.
TheRecordisa member of the AlabamaPress Association
Berylisareminder gas pricescouldbeaff
BySTAFFREPORTS staff@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON- Asexpected over the4th of July holidayand weekend, the average gasoline pricesin theMadison andHuntsvillehave risen 4.5 cents per gallon, averaging $3.14/gMonday, according toGasBuddy.
PricesinHuntsvilleare 0.8cents per gallonlower than amonthagoand stand 6.3 centsper gallon higher than ayear ago. Thenational average price ofdieselhas risen 3.6cents in thelast week andstands at $3.81 per gallon.
Thenational average priceof gasoline is unchanged in thelast week,averaging $3.46/g on Monday. Thenational average is up 3.7 cents per gallonfrom amonth agoandstands 5.5 cents per gallonlowerthana year ago, according to GasBuddydatacompiled
frommorethan 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stationsacross thecountry.
“Thenational averageprice of gasolinehas nudgedhigher over the last weekasoil prices have continued to push toward multi-month highs.While itlookslike this recentrisecould be restrained fornow,HurricaneBerylisastark reminder that hurricane seasoncould playarole inpricesin the weeks ahead,”said Patrick De Haan,headof petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.
“Fornow, we’lllikely continue to seesome fluctuationsineitherdirection withthenational average movingup,butas we approachAugustand thepeakofhurricaneseason, thereremains arisk that thenational average couldsurgetemporarily if we see amajor stormin the wrongplace.”
HUNTSVILLE -One Generation Away and RefugeChurch arepartneringuptobring agrocery cartfullof foodtothelocalcommunity. “Whenschoolisout for thesummer,manyfamiliesbecomemoresusceptibleto foodinsecurity,” saidChrisWhitney,the founderandCEOofOneGenAway. “With grocery pricesrising at sucha highrate,foodisdifficult enoughtoobtain,and newschoolsuppliescan furtherstrainthe budget. We hopecomingtogetherwith RefugeChurch to provide food relievessome ofthatlate-summerstress forfamilies.”
Themobilefoodpantrywilltakeplaceinthe college parkinglot at 102 Wynn Drive Northwestin HuntsvilleonJuly13from 9to10:30a.m.orassupplieslast. Volunteerswill
beginsorting andorganizingfoodand backpacksat 7:30 a.m. No registration is requiredto receive or volunteer. Formoreinformation, visit onegenaway.com.
AboutOneGeneration Away: OneGeneration Away is510(c)(3)nonprofitorganization focusedonwipinghungeroff the faceof America.Founded in2013 by Chris and ElaineWhitney,the Tennessee-based nonprofitrescuesand receiveshigh-quality food and distributesitfree-ofcharge tothoseexperiencing food insecurityinMiddle Tennessee,Northern Alabama,and Florida.
By CRAIGMONGER www.1819News.com
MONTGOMERY -State
Education Superintendent EricMackeyinformed the publicon Wednesdaythat theAlabama StateDepartmentofEducation (ALSDE) website washacked, possibly exposing thepersonal informationof educationemployeesacross thestate. ALSDEinformation systemstaffreportedlydetected and stopped the cyberattackonJune 17, but not beforesomedata was breached.
Mackeysaid the attorney general’soffice,state andfederallawenforcementandan independent contractor were investigating thebreachbut would notelaborateon what data had been compromised.
“Thehackers were not able tofullyaccessour system or tolockusout ofour system,”Mackey said. “However, beforeour information services professionals were abletointerruptand stop the hack, somedata were breached, we believe.”
Hecontinued,“Webeganimmediatelytomitigatethecircumstances. Thisisanongoing criminal investigationand, therefore, there’s limited things thatwecan say andlimitedinformation thatwecangive out at this time.”
Mackeyrepeatedlystated thata“criminal syndicate” wasbehind the attack, suggestingthatthe sourceof the attackwas “foreign.”Mackeywould not stateifthose behind the attackhadcontacted theALSDE with alistof demands.However,heemphaticallystatedthatthe state wasnotgoing to “negotiatewith foreignactors or extortionists.”
“Wecan’tgivespecific information, butonour servers,wedokeepbackupstudent dataand employeedata,and thoseare statedepartment employeesand local education employees,” Mackeysaid. So,thereisapossibility, and again, Ican’tsay specifically, and Iknowthat people aregoing to want to know, ‘Do youknowifmy data areinvolved?’ Idon’t even knowifmypersonal data areinvolved. Obvi-
ously,
Ihavedatastoredon the site. Ihavethreesons whowent throughAlabama Public Schools,soI don’tknowiftheir personaldataisinvolved.”
“But what Iwould sayis that,to allparentsandall localand stateeducation employeesout there; they should monitor their credit. Theyshouldassume thatthere’s apossibility thatsomeof theirdata were compromised.” Mackeyclarified that the stateservers did not keep orcollect direct depositinformation, suchas bankaccountor routing numbers,onlypersonally identifiableinformation. TheALSDElauncheda websitewithinformation onthe hack,includinginformation forbest practices forthose whobelieve they mayhavebeenaffected by thebreach.
“The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends thatyouplace afreefraud alertonyour credit file,” the site reads.
“Afraudalerttellscreditorsto contact youbefore they openanynew accountsor changeyour existingaccounts.Contact anyoneof thethreemajor credit bureaus.Assoon asonecredit bureauconfirmsyourfraudalert,the othersarenotified toplace fraudalerts.The initial fraudalertstays on your credit reportforone year. Youcan renewitafterone year.
“Askeachcredit bureau to send youafreecredit reportafteritplaces afraud alertonyour file.Review yourcredit reports foraccountsandinquiries you don’trecognize. Thesecan be signs ofidentity theft. If your personalinformation has beenmisused,visitthe FTC’ssit at identitytheft. govtoreportthe identitytheftand getrecovery steps. Even if youdonot find anysuspiciousactivityon your initial credit reports,the FTCrecommends thatyou checkyour credit reportsperiodically so youcan spot problems andaddress themquickly.”
Itcontinued,“Youmay also want to consider placing afreecreditfreeze. That makesitlesslikely thatanidentitythief can opennewaccounts in your name.”
SCHOOLS
MariaWhite named MadisonCitySchools
ByGREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON –Maria
Whitebelieveslearning shouldbe dynamic,interactive andmeaningful. That outlookwill blend withhernewworkas SecondaryInstructional Technology Specialist for MadisonCitySchools.
Aftercompletingseveral teachingfellowshipswith BreakthroughCollaborative inBirmingham,White taught at Morris,Libertyand Journeymiddle schools.Her work forMCS startedin2020. “Myexperienceteachingin varioussettings and gradelevelssparked my interestinusinginstructionaltechnology toenhancelearningand makeinstructionmore engagingandaccessible,” Whitesaid.“Joiningthe Transformative Teacher CertificationProgram, initiatedin2023 by Rachel Gibbsand Russel Johnson, allowedmetogrowasan instructionaltechnology coach.”
White’snewpositionenablesher“tofurtherdevelopas acoachandlifelong learner,expanding my impactonteachingandtechnology integration.” Herteachingphilosophy centersoncreatinglessonsstimulatingstudents’ curiosityandpromoting criticalthinkingandcollaboration.“Iadoptastudent-centered approach, workingalongsidestudentstounlocktheirfullestpotential and foster aloveforlearning,”she said.“Thiscollaborative environmentencourages studentstoengagedeeply withthematerialandeach other.”
Her fiance,JamesCopeland, worksasa designengineer at Dynetics.“We’re gettingmarriedinHuntsvilleinSeptember,”she said.
Mostpeopledon’tknow thatshecoached cheerleading at Libertyand Journey.“Iloved building relationshipswith young ladiesontheteamand seeingthemdeveloptheir skillsandconfidence,” Whitesaid.“Watching them grow notonlyasathletes butalsoasindividuals wasincrediblyrewarding. Theexperiencetaught me alot aboutleadership, teamworkandtheimportanceofencouragement inhelpingothersachieve theirgoals.”
“WhenI’mnotteaching, Ilovetotraveland spendtimeoutdoors.Ialso love to work out, readand bake,”Whitesaid.
Photosshowscenesfromtherecent
avisit from AirEvac Lifeteam(above),a tourofthe Madison PoliceStationand the simulated drunkdriving courseusinggolfcartsand “drunk googles”toshowstudentshowdifficultitisto drivewhile impaired(below).
MadisonCitySchoolssuperintendentDr.EdNicholsexplained hebelieves“School Resource Officershelpshowa good partnership withtheschoolsandcityas awhole. Havingthe abilitytohave School ResourceOfficers forourdistricthelps showthatMadisonisacity focused onthesafetyofstudents.”
MadisonCitySchoolshasbeen abletohavea greatrelationshipwith the PoliceDepartment and thishas allowedtheschoolstohave Schools Resource Officers (SRO) available at everyMadisonCitySchool. The School Resource Officersarecertifiedlawenforcementofficersthat arehired by MadisonCitySchoolsto patroleachelementary,middle,and highschoolthroughoutthe year.The school resource officershelp partnerwitheachindividualschool to helpprovidethe bestsafetyforeach school,theyalsohelp bring awarenessthrough acurriculumtohelp educate children aboutdrugandalcohol abuse.
Bytheendof everyschool year officers aremorethan apolice officer whentheybecome aSRO at the schools, theybecome afriend. The SROateachschool strivestocreatea relationshipbetweenthe children at eachschool tohelp build atrusting relationshipand areliableadultthat theycancometoifthe children ever needhelpwith anything.
Oneof themanywaysthatthe SRO’sand overallcommunityof cityofficialshelpthe childrenof MadisonCitySchoolshave ahealthy relationshipwiththeirlocalpolice officersisthrough akidscamp that isheld by theMadisonCitySchool resource Officers.
TheSchool Resource Officer Camp
isput on by thenonprofitMadison Police Foundation,and the camp is runbyalltheMadison City School Resource officers. Thekids camp is forany upcomingrisingsixth gradersandit’s aweek-longcamp that teachesthekids allabout what the policedepartment providestothe communitythroughtheir work,allowing childrentohave abetterunderstandingoftheir roleinthe community.
Each dayofthecampoffers somethingdifferentthathelpseachkid have the absolutebestexperience. Kids areabletotourCityHall, MadisonPolice andFire Department, hearfrom thelocalMadison City SWAT,see aK9Demonstration, and
muchmore. Thereisalso aday when the statetroopers,MedicalAir Evac, and Madison Policeand Fire Departmentareabletocomeand teach thekids about their jobs. Thecamp is very thankful forthe donationof eachindividual’stimeto come to eachofthe threecampsandeducate eachgroup.
Thecampisoffered forthree different weeksand this summer they have had 210kids attendthis year’s camp.Throughout the week thekids notonlyget to makenew friends but also build alasting relationshipwith the school resource officers thatthey willknowastheycontinue to grow up inthe Madison City School system.
LIVING
ByGREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON –SarahCrouch of Madisonis receivingrave reviews forher firstbook,“Middletide,”set inthe PacificNorthwest whereshe grew up.
“I’vealwaysenjoyedwriting.My earliestmemorieswith apenin hand were scribblingterrible poemsthatnoone butmymother ever read,”Crouchsaid.
Crouchwrotemost of“Middletide”before6a.m.“I’m anearly-morningwriterand aninsomniac.Asabusymother of toddlers, Idon’thave theluxuryof writing
pepper 2/3cup KansasCity-styleBarbecue
Sauce(seebelow)
1. Trimanyhangingfat offthe ribs. Seasonwiththe salt andpepperonbothsides.Letstand at room temperaturefor 1hour.
2.Preparethe grillforsmoking at 225 Fto275 F.
3.Placetheribsmeat-side upon the grateoverthedrippan. Close thelid.Ifdesired,wraptheribsin aluminumfoilafter 1hour30minutesoroncethebark(crust) is reddish brown.
withinnormaldaytimehours,”she said.
Crouchmajoredin kinesiology at WesternWashingtonUniversityin Bellingham, Wash.
HerhusbandMichaelis arunning coach. Their childrenarethreeyear-oldCharlotteand two-year-old Emerson.“Charlotte and Emerson were immenselydisappointedto find out thatthebookmommywrote containednopictures,” Sarahsaid.
Sarah is a4XOlympic Trials qualifier.Shesetpersonalbest of 2:32inthemarathon(5:49milepace for26.2miles) at the2018Chicago Marathon.She finishedasthe first American womantocrossthe line. Sarahhas auniqueskill– riding aunicycle.“My dadownedanold Schwinnunicycle.Onesummer at age12, Idecidedtocommit myself tolearninghowtoride it.Several weeksandkneescars later,I can nowrideproficiently,”shesaid.
5. Remove the foil(if using),baste the ribswiththesauce, closethe lid, andcookmeat-sideup for10more minutes or untilthesauceisset. Serveimmediately. Cooking tip:Thebackofporkribs iscoveredwitha membranethat somepitmasterssaypreventsthe meat from absorbingthesmoke,but this is amyth.Manydon’tbother removingit,and leaving it onhelps keep theribsfromfalling apart when youmovethem.
THESTORYTELLER
Crankfishingandall youcaneatbuffet
ByBRUCE WALKER Columnist
Youcan fly fish,jug fish orpole fish butmycousin, Pete,invented awhole ‘nother category-Crank Fishing! Peteis notthemostambitioussoul, my grandpa pointedout if he hadanotherhand;he wouldneed athirdpockettostickitin. Lookingfor away tomake moneywithout working, he hadabrilliantidea; wellmaybeitwas just slightlybright.He found an oldphonedown at the barn, thekind yousee in thoseold blackand white movieswhere they crank itaround andproduces anelectriccurrent. Peterigged the old crank phonewithtwonaked wires and ran it intothe pond.Heread wherean electric current in water is amplified and shocks the fish;they floattothe surface; aneffortless way to harvest them. Pete finished giving the phone apowerfulcrank and called up abigole mess of fish;it waslikea buffet down at Shoney’s on Fridaynight.He wasin full crankmode whenhe turnedaround andthere stood thegame warden.It turnsout, crank fishingis illegal;the warden asked Pete,“What do youthink you’redoing?”Without missing abeatora crank he said, “I think I’vegot thewrong number”.Thirty days later, whenhe got back,Petewas stillobsessed with easy catfish farming. He scoopedout apond downnear the creek,next to Aunt Versa’sprizeto-
mato andlettuce garden. Pete arranged forthe Auburn University extensionagent tobringover experimental catfishto raise. When thedeepblue andorangeAuburntruck pulled up fullof catfish fingerlings,hetried totalk thedriverintoleavingthe catfish on thetruck. Pete figuredhe wouldfatten them up andthe driver could just comeanddrive the fishtothemarketon hisway back. Theextension agent remembered they needed the water truckatAuburnthatSaturdayfor the Alabama/ Auburn football game;it hadthehigh-poweredwatercannononit. Pete hadbeenstudying anew diet, highiniron, youcouldfeed the fish.A lightwent offinhis head, likeone of thoseidiot lightson acar’sdash. Pete hadbeen totheHonda factoryin Lincoln,Al. where they useelectromagnetic current to cause paint to stick tothemetal surfaces.Petereckoned this wouldworkjust as well with catfish.Hestrunga metal cyclonefence across thepondand hooked 240 voltstoitandwhen that electromagnetic charge went through the water, just likethat,Phssssttttt!!
All those fish electro-magneticallystucktothat fence! Therecommenced themost awfulnoiseand smokeyou have ever seen!!! He hadmiscalculatedtheamplifying effect of wateronelectricity and hadspeed-fried awhole pondofcatfish. Petedidn’t miss aminute, he gotout hismagicmarker, handwrote asignon apiece of cardboardandstuck it nearGrandma’sGarden downon the road. Itsaid,
KansasCity-Style BarbecueSauce Makes about11/2cups 1cup ketchup Treatsummerpartygueststoslow-cookedribsandhomemadesauce
BUFFALOSOLDIERS,THELIFEAND TIMESOF THE10TH CAVALRYINHUNTSVILLE willbethetopicoftheJuly16 meetingoftheMadisonHistoryAssociation. It will be presented by WilliamHampton,HuntsvilleRevisitedand the Madison History Associationalongwiththe MadisonLibrary. Themeetingwillbeheld Tuesday, July16,6-7p.m. at the MadisonLibraryRoom1.Itisfreetothepublic.JoinWilliam Hampton,HuntsvilleRevisited,for ajourneythroughhistory. LearnabouttheBuffaloSoldiers10th Cavalry, stationed in Huntsvillein1898.Whyweretheyhereand moreimportantly whatdidtheydowhiletheywereinHuntsville?The10thCavalry wasoneoftheoriginalBuffaloSoldierRegimentsinthe post-Civil WarArmywhoservedin theSpanish-American War. Come alittleearlyat5:45p.m.fora meetand greetwith the MadisonHistoryAssociation.
DOCMCSTUFFINS:THEEXHIBIT
•ThroughSept.22 EarlyWorksChildren’sMuseum •www.earlyworks.com NowthroughSept.22, become doctors-in-trainingand help carefortoypatientsinDoc McStuffins:The Exhibitat EarlyWorksChildren’sMuseum!Learnabout staying healthy, caringforothers,andproblem solving.The DocMcStuffins exhibitwilltransformtheGrandHall at EarlyWorksintoan entirehospital,completewithreception,petvet,operating room,andsomuchmore.TheDocMcStuffinsShow isabout acharacterfromtheDisneyJuniorshow, whoisagirlthat healstoysandhelpsherfriendswith their problems. This exhibitisopenfor alimitedtime.Itisincluded ingeneral admission,freetomembers,andall discountsapply.
THIRDTHURSDAYSONMAIN -Madison VisionaryPartners andtheShoppesofHistoricDowntownMadison will host “ThirdThursdaysonMain”inDowntownMadisonbeginning July18from 4-7p.m.Each event will featurefood trucks, livemusic,and avarietyof eventsforthe wholefamily andextendedshoppinghours.Gotowww.mvpmadison.org formore information.
Happening thisweek
SOUNDSOF SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
July 11 •7-9p.m. Home Place Park in Madison www.madisonartsalliance.org
MadisonArts Alliance prepares tocelebrate “beachstyle” forthe nextoffering of the 2024“Soundsof Summer” concert.HeldatHome Place Park,100 Shorter St.,two streetssouth ofMain Street in downtownMadison,the free concertstartsat 7p.m. The bandCalypso Vision willtake thestageonJuly 11.Entertainingaudiencesforthe past10 years,thebandgives arelaxed beachfront spiritwithaheavy doseof Buffett classics. Visit madisonartsalliance.org.
MADISONCITYFARMERSMARKET
Saturday8a.m.tonoon 1088 HughesRoad, Madison www.madisoncityfarmersmarket.com
Located at1088 HughesRoad, nextto Trinity Baptist Church,MadisonCity FarmersMarketisaproducer-only farmers marketfounded in 2007.Everythingsoldatthe market isgrown or craftedbylocalfarmers andcraftspeople. Itis open every Saturday from 8a.m.to noon.
12yearsofage
“VANGOGH: THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE”
When youstep into VanGogh: The Immersive Experience, you’renotstepping intoan ordinaryart gallery. You’restepping intoa full experience that,morethan justhanging paintingson awall, surrounds youinthemovingandskillful piecesof Vincent VanGogh. VanGogh: The ImmersiveExperienceopened recentlyat6123University DriveUnit100in Huntsville.You cangetticketsand information concerning what days andhours itis openat www.vangoghexpo.com/huntsville. The exhibit useshigh-techprojectiontechnologytodisplay andanimatemorethan 400OfVan Gogh’s works includingbothsketchesand completed pieces. It hastraveledthe countryand is now arrivinginHuntsville.
Huntsville Botanical Garden andUAH
to host Shakespeare in theGarden
BySTAFFREPORTS
staff@themadisonrecord.com
HUNTSVILLE -Transportto “fair Verona”orjourneytothe imaginaryseacoastofBohemia asHuntsvilleBotanicalGarden and UAH’sHuntsvilleShakespearepresentShakespearein theGarden.Allareinvited to experiencealternatingperformancesofShakespeare’stheatricalmasterpieces,Romeoand Julietand TheWinter’s Tale,held intheamphitheater at HuntsvilleBotanicalGarden(HBG).
On July 26, August3,and Au-
gust 9at7:30p.m.(doorsopenat 6:30 p.m.),Shakespeare’s greatestlove storytakesthe stage. This90-minute versionof Romeo and Julietis afamily-friendly waytoexperiencethetimeless taleoflove and tragedybetween twostar-crossedlovers!
Forthoselooking foranalternative toteenage romance, performancesof TheWinter’s Talewillbeheldon July 27, August2,and August10 at 7:30 p.m. (doorsopen at 6:30 p.m.). Witness the90-minute family-friendly versionof acaptivating story ofjealousy, forgiveness,and re-
Tickets are$25 forGarden members,$35 fornon-members, andcan bepurchased at hsvbg.
Splash N’ Play •July13 •2-5p.m.todusk •Huntsville BotanicalGarden •www.hsvbg.org
Get readytomakea splashatSplashN’Play– theultimatekids’ water eventhappeningon Saturday, July13,attheGrisham PavilionatHuntsvilleBotanicalGarden! Grabthe sunscreen andbringthewholefamilytobeat theheat during anafternoonof wetfunat theGarden. The eventincludes awaterslide, foampartywithMetropolitan DJ,bouncehouses,facepainting, HMCPLBookmobile,education stations,food and fun.
Global Rhythm& Blooms isanenriching eventseriesdedicatedtocelebratingthevibrant tapestryofculturesfromHuntsville’sinternationalcommunities thatmakethiscity sospecial. Through aseriesofengaging andimmersive experiences,attendees will have the opportunitytoappreciateandlearnaboutdiverse culturaltraditions andcontemporaryexpressions throughmusic,dance, food,anddrink.Theevent series willtakeplaceinthe Cedar Glade. Jointhisenrichingculturaljourneyevery Thursdayunder the Cedar GladecanopyatHuntsville BotanicalGarden.
org/calendar.There arenorain datesandno refundsforcanceled performances.Incaseof weathercancellationbythe venue,tickets mayberescheduled foralater performance ifthey areavailable, first come first
served. Concessions,alcoholic and non-alcoholicbeverageswill be availablefor purchase at the event.Guestsare prohibited from bringingalcohol intothe Garden.
merizingexhibit, GlassinFlight. Wanderamong 21 breathtaking,larger-than-lifeglasssculpturesthat capturethedelicate beauty and intricate
linators– from thevibrant wings ofbutterflies
meticulouscraftsmanshipofbeetles, and thegentle buzzofbees.Eachpiece,craftedwith exceptionalartistrybyartistAlexHeveri, tells astoryof
thedelicate balanceofnature.
FireflyGardenHike
July 16,23 7:30 -8:30 p.m. •Huntsville Botanical Garden
Aspecial guidedhike featuring the amazing firefliesthat call the Gardenhome! These intriguinginsects aremostactiveasthesun issettingand itstartstogetdark. You’ll learnabout theirlifecycle andhow youcancreatea habitatfor them inyourown backyard. TheHuntsville BotanicalGarden islocatedat 4747Bob Wallace Avenue.
Huntsville BotanicalGarden ischanging things up thisyear— GardenhoursonThursdays and Fridaysare extendedto dusk. Enjoyfood,drink, andentertainment intheshadeof the Cedar Glade,andexplorethe118acresduring thegoldenlight of eveningsat theGarden. Greatfordecompressing after work, enjoyingalovelydatenight, orsimplyseeing theGardenina different light. Startyour weekend with acolddrink,some yummy foodfrom thecafé,and livemusic fromlocal musicians. TheCafewill beopen forfood and beveragesand abar areawill be available at the CedarGlade.
freshbounty fromthemarket.
ButterflyRelease July 13,27•Huntsville BotanicalGarden Guests ofallageswillenjoy sharing in themagicof safely releasing live butterfliesintothePurdy ButterflyHouse. This programbegins with abriefpresentationaboutbutterfliesandtheirhabitat, followedbytakingpartinthesaferestorationofour indoorbutterflypopulation.
In thelittlemoments andmajor
arehereforourpatientsand theirfamilies–
“Freshcooked Catfish anddo it yourself saladbar$5.00”.When Pete’s mother saw what he wasdoing she pitched ahissy fit, “Pete,I raised youbetterthan that,you shouldn’tbeshockingthosepoor fish,
As the balloon rose,friendsand relatives gathered belowholding signs withencouragingmessagesand loudly cheeredheron.
Another smallerballoonaccompanied Mischief,thisone piloted by ClayTurner.Healso had abucket-listdreamer aboard; shewas flying tocommemorate her75th birthday on July 12. Aballoon ridewithBluff Citycosts $300, with lunchorsupperincluded,saidco-owner ToniDurham. Putney returnedtoearth in awheat fieldnearthe Buc-ee’s storeoff Lindsay LaneSouth.
Booth Continued frompage 1A
placehethoughtof whenhehad the opportunitytogive back.
“You’vegot akidlocal kidwho played the park, who’s thought aboutthis projectand wantsto seeitbecome areality. Ithinkthat’llforcethe hand of some to give itmorethoughtandcontribute to the projecttomakeitasuccess,” said Michael McKay, the fundraisinglead for Miracle LeagueofMadison.“He’shad coachesandinfluencesandparentsin hislife thathaveinstilledthe valuesin
nexttime,use the Dynamite!!!” Bruce Walker chooses toseethehumor inlife’ssituationsand he speaksto awide spectrumoforganizations. To contact him,email:bruce.walker2@gmail.com.
overmedium heat.
3. Add the garlic.Cookfor about30secondsor until golden.
4. Add the salt,paprika, cinnamon, andcayenne.Cookfor 10 secondsoruntilfragrant.
6. Letcooland refrigerateovernight before usingtolet the flavorsdevelop. Cookingtip: Whenmakingbarbecue sauce, it’s notnecessary toboilthe ingredients,onlysimmerthem. Simmering themallowsthe flavorstomeld;boiling themcausesthe ingredientsto separate.
“It wassostill, and we couldsee white birdsthatlookedlikeherons,” Putney gushed.“You don’t realizehow much noisepollution thereisuntil yourideon aballoon.It’s just sostilland peaceful.”
She wasn’tscared.Sheenjoyedit.
“It wasjust beautiful; Iwoulddoit again,” shesaid. Skipand ToniDurhamhave aquote, attributed to LeonardoDaVinci,on their businesscards.
“Once youhavetasted flight, youwill foreverwalk the earthwith youreyes turnedskyward. Forthereyouhave been,andthereyoulong to return….” Putneynowknows thefeeling.
him thatthis type of stuffisimportant, sohehas aplatformtospeakfromand he’sthought about this.This is really cool to see and Ihopeit’llinspireother kids whoare in apositionlikehimto think about thingslikethis.” If you’dliketodonatetotheproject at Palmer Park,reachout to Miracle Leagueof Madison by emailingMiracleLeagueofMadison@gmail.comorgoing towww.mvpmadison.org/miracleleagueofmadison -FromWHNT News 19
MADISON -Theannual North-SouthAll-Star Week competitionsareset forJuly1518inMontgomeryandnoless than10 athletesandonecoach fromthe fourlocalschoolsare amongthestate’selite to beselected forthe eventshostedby theAlabamaHighSchoolAthleticAssociation.
Teamscomprised representing boththeNorthhalfofAlabamaandthose representing the South halfofthestatewill convergeontheStateCapitol forplayagainstoneanother in golf,basketball,baseball,softball, volleyball,soccer, cross countryandtennisduringthe week-longAll-StarWeekfeaturingrisingseniors.The65th annualNorth-SouthAll-Star FootballGamewasplayed last DecemberwiththeSouthwinning31-28.
Softball- Kent Chambers, Bob Jones, Administration.
“Iam veryexcitedandhonoredtobe selectedtocoachthe Northteamandobviouslyit makesit evenmoreenjoyable to gettocoachtwo of my own players in the gameasbothRileyand Kennedyhaveworked reallyhardtoexcel at their positions,”saidJennyJarrett. “Ialsohave knownmanyof theplayersonthe Northsquad
MADISON –RocketCity starting right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (W,5-6)went thedistance tossingninecompleteinnings ofone-run ballasthe Rocket City Trash Pandas(42-38, 9-3) defeatedthe Birmingham Barons 4-1(45-36,4-8) Saturdayevening at Toyota Field totake five outof the six-game series. Withthewin and aTennessee Smokies loss,the Trash Pandastook sole possessionof first placeinthe SouthernLeague secondhalf North Division standings. Rocket City scored three runs inthe second totakeanearly leadasbothoutfielder Tucker FlintandinfielderBen Gobbel went deeponsolohomers.Designated hitter Gustavo Campero singled inthethirdrunof the inning against Barons starting pitcher NoahSchultz(L, 0-2) as the Trash Pandasraced to a3-0 lead. ForFlint,thedinger washis 11thofthe season placing him in atiewithCamperofor the teamlead.Campero’sRBI was hisseventhof the series ashe finished 10-19 forthesix games with twohomers,two doubles,a triple, five runsscoredand two stolenbases. TheTrash Pandasaddedanother runinthesixthas infielderArol Verasingled tobring home Gobbel and put Rocket City up 4-0. Birminghamgot arunacross inthe eighth against Rocket City starter Jack Kochanowicz asinfielderCristopherDe Guzmandoubledin arun to makeit athree rungame. TheBaronscouldn’tmount anymoredamageagainst Kochanowicz whotossedhis third complete gameofhis Trash Pandascareerandsecond over his lastthreeoutings.Kochanowiczallowedjust five hits and struck out sevenbatterswhile not recording awalk. Kochanowicz wasbackedup by the Trash Pandasoffense whichput together13 hitson the night,givingthem66 forthe series whichaveragestojust under 11baseknocks foreach game.
TheTrash Pandas will remain at homeandstarted asixgame series withthe Pensacola Blue Wahooson Tuesday.TicketsareavailableatTPTix.com.
BodybuildingChampionships
ByBOBLABBE bob@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON- If you’re shy, afraidtostandout in acrowd orbeingjudged side-by-sidewithothers, bodybuildingis notyour sport. Forthose whobrave to getpastwhatmany considerhindrancesin life,thesport is aperfect placeto build confidence, better nutrition andoverallhealth.
On July 20 at the Von BraunCenter,the fifth annual Tennessee Valley BodybuildingChampionshipswilltakeplace with anarray ofbodytypes, agesandconfidencelevels ondisplayforall tosee. Twoofthoseeagertohit thestage andshowoff the results of theirhard work anddedicationtobuild theirbodiesto what many call perfection areAnnabelle BryarsandAustin Adair.Both arelocalformermulti-sportathletes whoare intheirsecond year ofsculptingtheir bodies andmindswith one goal in mind-winning.
“I’ve always beena girly-girl,but neverenteredbeautypageants, butlast summer Ifound out about bodybuilding andthoughtitwas amusclebeautypageantanda howyou looksport,” said the19-year old Bryars,a one-time four-sportathlete at St. John Paul II CatholicHighSchooland currentstudent at Samford University whereshe isstudying businessmarketingwith an AirForce ROTCscholarship.
“Mymother wasa bodybuilderso Iwas ina weight roomas ayoungsterasI’vebeen working out consistentlysince age 13 andI always wanted tobebiggerandstronger,”saidAdair,whohas worked as aseniorconsultantcontractor forthe pastsix years on Redstone Arsenal andwasa fiveyear strength andconditioningcoachathis alma matterGrissomHigh. “This is my firstofficial competition starting from ground zero.”
Bodybuilding competitions requirephysical and mental disciplineincludingsculptingthe body andhaving themindset alongsidetohelp getnutritioninlinewiththe physicalworkouts. Enthusiasm anddrive areneededto keep thecompetition training on trackand thenperfecting theposing neededtoshowoff every inchpossibleof your physique.Thereisnoroom forhesitations.
throughcoaching club teamsandplaying against theminschool
Bryars is19,stands 5-foot-3 andtipsthescales at amere116pounds.She will compete inthe open class Ccompetition.She beganbeing what she termeda“gymrat”just afterCOVID in2020 asshe consistentlybegangoing tothe gymtoworkout. Shefellinlove withthe processandbecamesmittenwiththequiettime whereshecould“workon me.”
“As Istarted out,I weighed136pounds and Iwantedthepotentialto make myselftolookgood so Ibegantheprocess and it’snow strikingto see myself change,” said Bryars.“At first, Ihad no idea of what Iwas doing. Iwas acompletebeginner,but Isaw thehuge change in myself.I was goingthrough workouts, without knowing whatI wasdoing, butbodybuilding helped melearnmore about my body.”
At 5-7,175, Adairbegan heavytraining anddiet change in early2023. He triedsomepowerlifting competitionsbutnota lot ofopportunitiestoexcel inthatsportcameabout, soheturnedto bodybuilding wherehehas shaped hisbodyinto what could be an awardwinner.Seeing hisbodychangehas givenhim confidence. “My bestbodyparthas to be my Abs. Idon’thave big shouldersso my Abseasily showout. Ilikehaving astrongcore,”saidAdair. Now36, Adair wasa two-sportathlete at Grissom High whereheplayed footballandwas awrestler.Healsoplayedtrumpetintheschoolband and foundoutas asophomore hecouldpossiblyreceive acollege scholarshipto Jacksonville State asa musician.Heattended JSUfor ayearbeforehe transferredtotheUniversityof Alabamaand became asectionleader for theschool’s MillionDollar MarchingBand. Healso playeda trumpetsoloin the2011NationalChampionship Game whereAlabamadefeatedLSU21-0. Twoweeks later,hechose tobe awalk-onplayerfor theCrimsonTide where he wasonspecialteams and wasacornerbackon defense.Hedid notsee anyactionfor the Tide during the2012season whereAlabamawon its secondconsecutive NationalChampionship by defeatingNotreDame4214. Transfer rules would not allowhimtosee action in anyofTide’s games. “Icamehome andat-
DustinAdair feels hisabsarehis bestbodypartinhis endeavor to enter theupcoming Tennessee ValleyBodybuilding Championships. The 36-year oldone-time walk-on footballplayer at Alabama is set for his firstofficialcompetitionJuly20.
tended UAHwhere Ihave abusinessdegree,”said Adair. “IcoachedatGrissom, playedthree years of semi-profootball and gotintoCrossFit competition foreight years.I wasranked 54thin world rankings in my agedivision, butsaw thatwasas farasI couldgo inthat sport. Isoongotintobodybuilding.” In thelastfewweeks oftraining, both Bryars andAdair have honed inon specificmuscles to help make those changes necessarytocompete at ahighlevel.Bryarsadded, “Havingconfidenceon stage is extremelyimportant. Incompetitions for women,hairandmakeup arealsoimportant. I’ve been workingonthings to amplify my looks.” She hadher firstcompetition in Novemberof 2023 at the Birmingham Iron City Championships where sheplaced second inteen andqualified forthe U.S.
Nationals.Shealso finishedsecond intheopen divisionandthird place inthe novicedivision.She added,“Myquadsaremy best bodypart, butIlike my shouldersand back themost. Havingwelldefinedcalvescomes from my yearsplayingsoccer, basketball, cheerleading andvolleyball. My rear end(glutes) Idid notwork onuntil Ibeganbodybuilding.I’vebeenworkinga loton my posingand feelconfident.” Adairwill hitthe stage withfull support from hiswife,Abby. They are expectingtheir firstchild in November.Hewill competeinthemen’sphysique age35-plus,183-pounddivision.
Both Bryars andAdair will face the competition andcrowdswiththe knowledgetheymade changesintheirlives, bodies,mindsetsandthe knowledgeofwho they areand howtheyfeel.
ZachJohnsonisfresh offa season of alifetime forBob Jones as theFirstTeamAll-Statecatcher helped leadBob Jones totheClass7ABaseball StateChampionship.The Alabama commitbatted .384with 5homers,65 RBIs andstriking outjust 9timesintheseason.He hada.986 fieldingpercentage behindtheplate.
“I’mhonoredtobe chosen forwhatIexpectto be afunexperience as I’llhave achanceto meet newpeopleina competitive surroundings,”said Johnson, whoisexpected tosignwiththeCrimson TideonNationalSigning Day. “I’vebeen working out at theBob Jones facilitieswithsomeof my teammates andmyfather
whenhecanmakeit.”
The17-yearold is currentlynursingan injured “pinky-finger/knuckle” on his left hand.He injuredhis hand in atag playatthe plate inone of his recentsummer league gamesplaying for theViper Baseball AcademyBlacksquad.Headded,“ThisAll-Star Game means Iwas chosen to beamong thebestand there’sonlyoneopportunityfor thisevent.Iplan onmaking thebestof my experience.”
Kaden Rickard,6-foot-6risingsenior at BobJones,hasbeen selectedtoplay in the 2024 North-South All-Star Weekbasketball
July 10,2024THEMADISON
CELEBRATINGINDEPENDENCE DAY! -Hereare somefunphotosof various4th ofJulycelebrations inMadisonlast week.Theyinclude the annual CityofMadison StarSpangled Celebration atDublin Park (bottomphotos),whichwasheldlastWednesday; fireworksatToyotaFieldin MadisonaftertheRocket City TrashPandas baseball games on Thursdaythrough Saturday, and acelebrationatMadisonChurchofChrist (topphotos).The StarSpangled Celebration includedlivemusic, food trunks, inflatables and fireworks.The band, Redstone Avenue,openedthe musicand keeptheupbeattoneuntil7 p.m. whenGroovetook the stagewiththeband’sseasoned soundsof funk,rhythm andblues,soul, popanddance partymusic.Photos by Andrew Noles(NolesNestPhotography),CityofMadisonandRocketCityTrash Pandas.
MADISON –Eachyear at the AnnualMembershipGala,MadisonChamberofCommerce devotesan eveningto reflecton thededicationof chambermembers.Torecognizeexemplary service,the chamberisacceptingnominations forseveralAnnualGala Awards.
Chamberstaffwillannounce awardwinners at the galaon Sept.13from 5to7:30 p.m. at The JacksonCenter,6001Moquin Drive inHuntsville.
“Every year,wededicatea special eveningto recognizing and appreciatingthecontributionsandsuccessesofouresteemedmembers.OurAnnual MembershipGalawillpublicly presenthonorstoindividuals inseveraldiversecategories,” ChamberPresidentMichelle Eplingsaid.
“We’reexcitedtosharethat youcannownominatemembers forseveral awards.Doyouknow anoutstandingmemberof your teamortheMadisoncommunity?”Eplingsaid.
YoungProfessionalof the Year Award— Honorsanindividual whois40years oldor youngerwhohasdistinguished themselvesasaleader in their professionand in thecommunity.
Businessperson ofthe Year Award—Acknowledgestwo individuals whoclearly demonstratededicationtothe business communityin Madison through initiative, innovationandcivic responsiveness.One awardwill go toan individualfrom acompanywith15orfeweremployees. Theother awardwillidentify anindividual from acompany withmorethan15employees.
*MadisonChamberCitizenof the Year Award— Designedto
BUSINESS OVERBREAKFAST
-TheMadisonChamberof Commercerecently announcedDr.Kimberly Robinson (ExecutiveDirector &CEO)withtheU.S.SpaceandRocketCenterwill bethekeynotespeakerforMadisonChamber’ssecond“BusinessOverBreakfast” event.This eventsoldoutlastmonth, andmembersareurgedtoregisterimmediatelytosecuretheir spot.ItwillbeheldJuly24 -7:30-9:30a.m.at TheJackson Center,6001MoquinDr.NW, in Huntsville.The topicwill be theU.S.Space &RocketCenter -“ReturnoftheSpaceline”. BusinessOverBreakfast, aquarterlyeventspotlighting differentindustriesateachsession.Thesegatheringsaredesigned to keepourbusinesscommunityinformedaboutlocal,state, andnationalissuesimpacting boththemandourcommunity. Thisisanexcellentopportunitytoconnectwithlike-minded professionalsin arelaxedandfriendlyatmosphere.For more information,gotowww.business.madisonalchamber.com
MadisonChamberFreedom Award— Reserved foramilitaryveteran.The awardwill recognizethis person forcontributionsto U.S. Armed Forces andAmerican freedom.Note: This awardisnotpresented everyyear.
Creatorofthe Year Award–Goes to avisualartist,musician orcontentcreator whoproduces uniquecontentthatwins the heartsandminds oftheaudience.The work should shinea spotlightonthelivelihoodofthe Madisoncommunity.
“TheAnnualMembership Galalets attendees networkand buildlastingconnections while enjoying arelaxing evening withcocktails,conversations
By STAFFREPORTS
news@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON -Institute forOrganization Management,the professionaldevelopment program ofthe U.S. ChamberofCommerce recentlyannouncethatMichelleEpling,Presidentofthe MadisonChamberof Commerce,hasbeen awarded aNational InstituteScholarship.Given toprofessionalsacross thecountry, theNationalInstitute Scholarship recognizeseachrecipient fortheir involvement inindustryprofessionalorganizations,communityservice,and professionalbackground.
MichelleEplinghas recentlycompletedherthirdyear at Institute for Organization Management, afouryearnonprofitleadershiptraining program at SoutheastInstitute in Athens,Georgia.
“NationalInstitute scholarships offerexecutivestheopportunity tolearnaboutemergingindustry trends,expandtheirorganizations’ influence,and grow theirpeernetwork,” saidRaymondP.Towle, IOM, CAE,vicepresidentofInstitute forOrganization Management at the U.S.ChamberofCommerce .“We arepleasedtohelpthesetalentedprofessionalsadvancetheir careersandorganizations.”
Sinceitscommencementin 1921, the Institute program has beeneducatingtensofthousandsofassociation, chamber,andothernonprofit leadersonhowtobuildstronger organizations,better servetheir membersand become strong business advocates.Institute’scurriculum consistsoffour weeklong sessionsatfourdifferentuniversity locationsthroughout thecountry.
Through acombinationof requiredcoursesandelectivesinareassuchasleadership, advocacy, marketing, finance,andmembership,Institute participantsareable to enhancetheirownorganizationalmanagement skills andaddnew fueltotheirorganizations,making them runmoreefficientlyandeffectively. GraduatesofInstitute receive the IOM recognition, signifying completionof 96hoursofcourse
instructioninnonprofitmanagement.Inaddition,participants can earncredit hourstowardthe Certified ChamberExecutive (CCE) orCertified Association Executive (CAE)certifications.Nearly 1,000 individuals attendInstituteannually.
Institute forOrganization Management is the professionaldevelopment program ofthe U.S. ChamberofCommerce .Itisthe premier nonprofitprofessionaldevelopment program forassociation and chamberprofessionals,fostering individual growththroughinteractive learningandnetworking opportunities.
TheU.S.Chamber of Commerce
isthe world’slargest business organization representingcompanies ofallsizesacross everysectorof the economy. Ourmembersrange fromthe small businesses andlocal chambersofcommerce that linethe MainStreetsofAmerica to leadingindustryassociations and largecorporations. Michellestatedshe wants to extend herheartfeltthankstothe Madison ChamberofCommerce andInstitute forOrganizational Management forinvesting inprofessionalandpersonal growth. She look forwardtoapplyingtheknowledgeand insights gainedtofurther enhanceour chamber’simpactand service to ourmembers.
MadisonChamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for itsAnnual
Gala Awards to recognize thecontributions of chamber members.
MichelleEplingandherclassmates in year three of theirjourneyfor the Institutefor OrganizationalManagement.
MichelleEplingispresident of theMadison ChamberofCommerce.
HISTORY with John Rankin
McElhaney’s Precinct
ByJOHN P. RANKIN MadisonHistorian
MADISON -Before1854noperson couldownthesquaremile(640 acres) ofland whereMadison waslater foundedin what wasdesignatedasSection16 of Township4,Range2West.The area around thatsquaremile wasbeingsettledandpopulatedlongbefore1854. Of course,there were occasionalpre-settler trappersandhunters whoroamedthe Indianland ofthatsquaremilebefore anypermanentsettlements were made inthehistoricalareaoftheinitial Madison.This wasbeforethetimeoflegal recordingsofthesaleofthesurroundingareawestoftheoldChickasawIndianBoundaryLine.Thoselegalsales conducted by the Federalgovernment beganonFebruary 3of1818,anditis knownthatmany“squatters”had settledintheseChickasawIndianlands from about1806orearlier,whenit was knownaspartoftheSimsSettlement. It wasin1854thatJamesClemenspurchasedthree fourths(“quarters”--160 acresineachquarter)ofthe reserved square milementioned above. Ithad beenpartofa newmethodenvisioned andsuggested by PresidentGeorge Washington(a formersurveyor)to first systematicallysurveygovernmentlands intosquaremilesectionsarrangedwithin TownshipsandRangesas anumbered coordinatesquare gridof blocksin groupsof36squaremileseach. The16th section, centralineachofthe36 squaremile TownshipandRangegridblocks, wasdesignatedtobe reservedfrom sale andgivenbythe Federalgovernmentto theState.Theintent wasthatthe various16thsectionswithin aState’sboundariesweretobeused by theStateto fundpubliceducation.Alabamawas the firststateintheUniontobesurveyed in thismannerbefore landsales were authorized-- whichbecamethestandard practiceinsubsequent years fornewly-formedstates.
SincetheState wasdirectedtouse each16thSectioninthecountytoprovide forpubliceducation,the16th sectionswerecalled“SchoolLands”. The statecouldallowthelandto remainidle forhuntingortrappingorotheruses as seentobe appropriate,orthelandcould beleased forgrowingcrops,orevensold toraisemoneytoestablishschoolfunds. Forthearea wherethetown ofMadison waslaterestablishedin1854,theland wasleasedeachyearfrom1819, when Alabamabecame astate,through1853. Those were the years whenbidsfrom interestedparties were receivedfor their variouspurposes,butthe“winner” of the yearly bidding wouldnot ownthe landandwouldhave tobid foritagain aftereachyearuse,iftheywishedto continueutilizingorcontrollingit.Some lesseesonlyhuntedortrapped,and some cleared forests forlumber.Others usedit formakingcropsafterpartorall ofthesquaremile wascleared. Theannualbidding wassetupandcontrolled by aState-selectedcommitteeof at least threepeople wholivedaroundthereservedsquaremileand were familiar withit.
These“commissioners”advertised thebiddatesinnewspapers of thetime, andtheylateradvertisedanyschool openings orjobs forteachersinthesection.Forexample,in1823 anoticein the Huntsville Republicannewspaperof November 7announcedthatonSaturday, December 6the clearedlandsofthe 16thsection, Township4,Range 2West wouldbe rentedtothehighestbidder onthepremises.Thelandcommissionersnamedinthead wereJames Bibb, CharlesBetts,andDavidGray, whowere allknown residentsoftheareaaround thesiteofMadison’slater founding,and they livedwithintoday’scitylimits. Themostofthe16thSection where thehistoricalcenterofMadisonwas laterestablished wasprivatelysold by theStatein1854toHuntsvillemerchant JamesClemens,whoinitiallylaidouta townplatand by 1857beganto sell lotsto establish arailroaddepottown. This was probably afterhelearnedoftheplanned route fortheMemphis &Charleston Railroadthroughtheareafromhisson, U. S.Senator JeremiahClemens. Clemensunderstoodthatthelocomotivesof thetimeneededtostop forwaterand fuel(firewood,notcoalinitially) about every10miles,soitwasintendedthat thetownwouldbeClemens’namesake, tobecalledClemensDepot.However, therailroadhadothernamesinmind
andmaderoutemapswiththe labelas MadisonStation. Whiletherailroad thwartedtheClemens initial plan fornamingthe eventual town that grew upalongthetracks and depot,it wasnot the first name change. Theareaaround the eventualtownhad alreadybeenknownbymanyother names.BeforeWhitemen’s settlements here, thelargerarea wasknownasthe GreatBendofthe TennesseeRiver.Later it wascalled by some asHoustown, when it wasconsideredto bepartofthe early colonyandStateofGeorgia. Then itbecame partofthe Mississippi Territory, andafter that, itbecame apartof MadisonCounty in the Alabama Territory. Finally,by1854 allofthe 16thSection of Township 4Southand Range2 West wasbecame thetownofMadison Stationandtheniteventually became knownasonlyMadisonin 1869 at the timeofincorporationwithinMadison County in theStateof Alabama. Theactualtownof MadisonStationas it grew in infancywasinitiallydesignatedas being apartof“McElhaney’s Tax District”or“Precinct8”,encompassing alloftoday’sMadisonfrom abit north of what isnowHighway72tothe south oftoday’shistoricaldistrict,almostto Triana. TheMcElhaneyDistrict was centered in Township 3, Range 2W,just afew milesnorth ofthe newvillage of MadisonStation. Theenigma is whythe name McElhaneybecamenamesakeof theprecinct around thetown.The referencearosefromDavidM.McElhaney’s ownershipofnearbylandfrom 1848. His dwelling placebecamethe location for avotingplace andTaxDistrictNo.8 for thecitizensofthearea. McElhaneywas borninVirginiain1786 anddied here in 1854.Hemay wellbe buriedonthe land thatheowned,orperhapsin theCumberlandPresbyterianChurch graveyard (todayknownas the“Gray Cemetery”) alongtoday’sBalchRoadjust south of Gillespie Road, wherethereare several hundredunmarkedgravesinthisoldest ofthearea’scemeteries.
McElhaney’s160acresof landwhere he livedistodaythe locationof theCineplanet15movie theaterand Lowe’s HomeImprovement Warehouse, located onthenorth sideofHighway72inthe modern Madison area. McElhaney’s name was first foundhereinthe 1830 census,livingnextdoorto James Clemens,the founderofMadison 20 years later.Nearby were several Hilliardfamiliesplus Vaughn,Tuck, Bishop,Pettus, Fowlkes,Blackburn,Deadman,Douglass, and Parvinfamilies –all namesof knownMadison, Monrovia,andHarvest areaearlyresidents.
McElhaneyownedadditionallandparcelsinthe area,includingaparcelsouth ofDouglass Road,onthe westside of the ArdmoreHighway.Thisparcel wassold by the sheriff toBartleyM.Lowe, asonin-lawofJamesManning. Lowe wasthe highestbidderwhenthe propertywas auctionedonthe courthousesteps in Huntsvilleon December18,1827.While initiallyonecould thinkthatMcElhaneymusthavebeen adeadbeat tohave his propertyseizedandsold by the sheriff, thatwasnotexactly thecase.
McElhaneyhadunderwritten ajudgmentofthe County Court in acase against Abram S. Wrightbroughtby AllenBryanin favorofJohnH. Sneed. Wright’s debt wasthe reason forMcElhaney’sproperty loss.However,McElhaney also hadanother parcel.Heowned land in theHarvest area,acrossfrom the Tuckfamily cemetery. That propertyis northof Stovall Road,onthe eastside of Wall-TrianaHighway.EvenMary G. (neeHilliard)McElhaney,adaughterin-law oftheseniorDavid McElhaney, waspartyin1870withherHilliardsiblingsin thesaleoflandlocatedalong MattPhillipsRoadand Farrington Road,southofDouglass Road. MaryHilliard hadmarriedthe junior DavidM. “McClehaney”in1861. TheelderDavid McElhaneymarried NancyAnn Wilson inMadisonCountyin1824. Thesenior Davidmayhavehad abrothernamed Moses wholived inbothMadison and LimestoneCounties.Moses wasmarried inMadisonCountyto SallyGaitherin 1818. TherewasalsoanAllen“McElhany”whomarried JudahBlankenshipin MadisonCounty in 1823, so again there wasprobably aclose relationship.
TheMcElhaney name wasdropped from the precinct identificationafter theseniorDavid’spassingin 1854. The CountyCommissioners’Court Minutes of1856-1861 recordapetition by the
The County Commissioners’CourtMinutesof 1856-1861 record apetition by thecitizensof McElhaney’sprecinct beingapprovedtoabolish thename “McElhaney’sPrecinct,No. 8” and tomovethepollingplacetotheMadison Stationdepot (above) ontheMemphis &Charleston Railroad.
Excerptshowing “Madison Station No.8” precinctchange
Excerptshowing “McElhaney’s Precinct No. 8”
1824advertisementinThe HuntsvilleDemocratnewspaper for fiveteachers(fromtheSarah Huff FiskCollection,HMCPL).
citizensof McElhaney’sprecinctbeing approvedto abolishthe name“McElhaney’sPrecinct,No. 8” andto move the pollingplacetothe MadisonStationdepot onthe Memphis &Charleston Railroad. Thechangetookeffecton the first MondayinAugust1857, onlysixmonths
after JamesClemenshad sold the first lotin Februaryof 1857. That had toindicate veryrapid growth of theinfant town, whosename would in afew more yearsbe changedin 1869to only“Madison”(without the “Station”) on thedate ofincorporation.
Did youknow that JulyisNational IceCream Month? It is no surprise that oneof thehottest months ofthe year is setaside to celebratethe cold treat.Icecreamhasbeenaround fora long time,though itusedtobeadessert onlyfor thosewithenough money to make it.George Washington wasamong thosepeople;he liked it so much thathehad theequipment to make it andoftenservedittoimportantguests.Somerecords mayindicatethathe spentover$200on icecreamduringthe summerof 1790. Today,that wouldbearound$5000! In 1843, awomanby thenameofNancyJohnson invented thehand-cranked icecream maker.Afterthe inventionofindustrialrefrigerationinthe late 1800s, icecreambecamemorecommonand,by the1920s,wasbeing widelymass-producedand much cheaper to purchase. Vanillaicecream remainsthe most popular flavor to dateand is notdifficult to produce. To makevanillaicecream,you mixcream,sugar,and vanilla.Thereare severalmethods to make icecream,but theyallinvolve mixing theingredientswhile keepingthem cold.Tokeep ice cold enough to createicecream,saltisadded totheice.Thislowersthe meltingpoint,thus keeping itcolder longerandallowingthe mixturetokeepon churning into icecream.
DOTS
SANDWICHBAG ICE CREAM EAM FLAVORWORDFIND
Followthedirectionsbelow to makeyour ownvanillaicecreambyusingchemistry!
Step Three: Seal thesmall sandwichbag inside thelargebag withthe iceand salt. Putonyourglovesor wrap thetowel around thebag.
THREE SCOOP MAZE
Step Four:Begintoshakethebag. You will need to shakeitfor5-10 minutes.Ifice meltscompletely, addanother cupofice.
Step Five:After10minutes theicecream shouldbethe correctconsitency. Youcan addany toppings youwouldlikeandenjoy. If youwant it forlater,store itin thefreezer.
To surrendertoChrist isto forgetselfandbeconcentratingsolelyonyour Savior JesusChrist. Ilove praiseand worshipsongs whereyoucanlift your handstotheKingofKings andLordofLordswithout worrying about what othersthink.
BeingGodconscious notself-consciousis what IheardElevation Worship pastorStevenFurtickcall it.Do youhavetimesin church whereyou want tothrow yourarmsup butare scared?Scared of what?Justdoit.Maybe yourdenomination doesn’tpracticethat, well guess what?Youcando itanyway if youfeelled by theSpiritandnotthe
Most Merciful Jesus Catholic Parish 10509 SegersRoad
theWeek
By DAWN REED
TheFourth of July isoneof my husband’s very favorite holidays.Heloves the colorsred,white,and blueand lovesto flythe flag. Growing up,learning about the history ofournation wasnofun at all. Todayrereading/relearning the happeningsofourcountry’sbeginningandhowour independence came about stirs my heart. America is surelyamess, butI am thankfulit is my country. Presidentsand leadersdecades agospokeopenlyabouttheir dependenceonAlmightyGod.Teddy Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, Franklin Roosevelt,and ahostof otherspublicly proclaimedAmerica neededHishelp.They prayed-often
CHURCH OF CHRIST CentralValley 5700 MooresvilleRd.
Church of Christ Hughes Road at GoochLane
TheChurch of Christ on theHighway 7594 Wall Triana Hwy.
Church of Christ of Madison 556 Hughes Road
Monrovia
Church of Christ 595 NanceRoad
Swancott
Church of Christ SwancottRoad
Wall Triana
Church of Christ 7535 Wall Triana
CHURCHOF GOD FirstChurch OfGod 1547 Capshaw Road
EPISCOPAL
St.Matthew’s Episcopal 786 Hughes Road
GOSPEL
Bright Star Full Gospel 5167 Wall Triana Hwy
JEWISHSYNAGOGUES
Temple B’naiSholom 103LincolnSt. S.E.
LUTHERAN
FaithLutheran 660 GillespieRd
LambOfGod Lutheran 11716 CountyLine
MessiahLutheran 7740 Highway 72W
METHODIST
Asbury Church 980 Hughes Road
Asbury -Harvest 8089 Wall Triana Hwy
FellowshipUnited Methodist Church 29768Huntsville
Brownsferry Rd.
Good Shepherd
United Methodist 1418 OldRailroad Bed
GraceUnited Methodist Church 2113 OldMonroviaRd.
Grady-MadisonAME 129 GoochLane
HarvestPointe Methodist Church 103 GinOaksCourt
intheir inauguraladdress,inviting God tobeinvolved.
Life inAmericaisgood, butthere aredecisionstobemade. Each day brings choices:Do we want tobedependentor independent?
In thebookof Jonah, we learnhe lefttownquickasawink when God calledhim to gooutof hiscomfort zone. Jonah is alotlikeus…or we area lotlikeJonah. We want tobe our ownboss.Wedon’twantanybodytellingus what todo.Welive inAmerica, forPete’ssake.Wewant to have independence and thefreedomtomakeour ownchoicesand that tricklesoverintoour relationshipwithGod. We arewillingto serveHim-aslongasit’s convenient, changethe world-aslong as it’s not hard,andfollowwhereHeleads-as longasit’s wherewehadalready planned to go.
MadisonMethodist Church 127 Church Street
Parker Chapel Methodist Church 28670 PowellRoad
SpringhillUnited Methodist Church 1605 Zierdt Rd.
St.Paul United Methodist Church 6206thStreet
St.Peter UMC 107 StewartSt. Ford’s Chapel United Methodist Church 280 Ford Chapel Drive
MORMON
TheChurchOfJesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints 1297 Slaughter Road
NAZARENE
MadisonFirst Church 8234 MadisonPike
NONDENOMINATIONAL Center Of Hope Church 5167 Wall Triana Hwy.
Cornerstone Word Of Life 3783 Sullivan Street
FellowshipOfFaith Church 132 MapleStreet
But…wewhenacceptChrist as our Savior, we aregivingupour right tobe our ownboss.Weare actually declaringour dependenceon God. That’s agood thing.He knows our future andHehas plans forit. Hecreatedeachofusforgood works (Ephesians 2:10). So,wehaveachoice to make. Do we want todeclareour independence from God(because we are Americansand don’t wantanyone tellinguswhattodo)or declareour dependenceon God(because we’re gettingsmarterallthetimeand frankly it’s hardtodoeverythingon our own)?
If youare abelieverand follower of Christ, thedayyoumadethatdecision is your“DependenceDay”.If youdon’tknowChrist,today would be agreat daytodeclare your dependenceonHim!
This year,thesociety reached its40thanniversary,givingthe membershipanaddedboost for thepicnic’scelebratorytone. MSHPS wasestablishedandin-
FairinDallas,Texasin 2023. Balajihas playedchess for 10 years.
•PranaavSatheesh, Bob JonesHigh School— Satheeshplans tomajor inbiomedicalengineering at the UniversityofAlabama at Birmingham.
Inelementaryschool, he submitted an award-winning entryin Musical Composition fortheNationalPTAReflections fine artscontest. Satheesh is aNationalMerit Finalist. Hehas been focused onmath, chess andHOSA (FutureHealth Professionals)duringhigh school.
Satheeshwas elected toserveasPresident of theBob JonesChess Club forthe 2023-2024 school year.“Hehopestocontinue spreadinghislove for chess,”Guthriesaid.
•RachaelEhrman,Bob Jones –Ehrmanplans to majorinmechanical engineeringatthe University ofColoradoBoulder, whereshe receivedanacademic scholarship. She achievedthestatusofNationalMeritFinalist. Ehrmanhasbeen very active inbandandScouting.In her free time, she has learned tocrochetand playbassguitar.Ehrman has beenanactivechess playersinceelementaryschool, and she wasa member ofthe first-place team fortheK-12 Section in the 2021 All-GirlsState Championship.
•AndrewPark,Bob Jones –Parkwillmajorin computerscience at Virginia Polytechnic Instituteand StateUniversity or Virginia Tech.AtBob Jones,heserved astreasurer ofMuAlpha Theta
Math Honor Society and wasamember ofNational CyberSecurity Honor Society. Park co-founded the Supercell Club and was amember ofthe Varsity
Tennis Teamand Math Team. He wasrecognized forworkincybersecurity
ingtoMadisonin 1983withhis wonderful wife and former MadisonCityClerk, Joyce, forloving thiscommunityandits people and fortruly being a‘doer’ in ourcommunity,” Overcashsaid.
Forliveentertainment, MSHPSmembers at theannual picnicand 40th celebration were alsohappy to welcomethe “No NameBand.” “They were amazingand elevated the event toa newlevel,” Overcashsaid.
MSHPShasanongoingcommitmenttohelp with downtown residentialandcommercial building preservation;maintainingthe Roundhouse;helping Old MadisonCemetery; participatinginMadison Street Festival; Memorial Dayceremony;and Christmas events by providing
OpenHouseatthe Roundhouse and partnering with thecity for PolarExpressChristmas Tree TrailandMadisonChristmas Capers.
Madison Station Historical Preservation Society continues asanall-volunteer group.
FieldingTowingand Recovery 2322 ClintonAveW Huntsville,Al 35805 256-534-5883 August01,2024 At 8:00am
2010 MAROON NISSAN MAXIMA 1N4AA5AP3AC837910
07/10/24,07/17/24 ADID 604513
ABANDONEDVEHICLES
Fielding Towing andRecovery 2322 ClintonAveW Huntsville,Al35805 256-534-5883 August05,2024 At 8:00am
2005 BLACKLANDROVER LR3 SALAD24485A340962
1969 BLUE VOLKSWAGON SQUAREBACK 369182288
2012 MAROON FORD FUSION
3FAHP0HA0CR248612
2014 BLACKTOYOTACAMRY 4T1BF1FK4EU303980
2006 GREEN HONDAACCORD 1HGCD7253TA035618
2013 GRAYFORD FOCUS 1FADP3K20DL336173
2014 GRAYHONDACIVIC 19XFB2F85EE071416
07/10/24,07/17/24 ADID 604514
ABANDONEDVEHICLES
FieldingTowingand Recovery 2322 ClintonAveW Huntsville,Al 35805 256-534-5883 August05,2024 At 8:00am
2011BLACKTOYOTACAMRY 4T1BF3EK7BU222979
07/10/24,07/17/24 ADID 604517
ABANDONEDVEHICLES
Thefollowing vehicles will be auctionedon August20,2024, at12:00 noon at MDMWreckerService,Inc.
DBA: MayhallWrecker 5000 Meridian Street N, Huntsville,AL35810 256-536-5055
2008 VOLVOS80 VIN# YV1AS982481082596
2020 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE VIN# ML32F4FJ0LHF10701
07/03/24,07/10/24 ADID 603253
ABANDONEDVEHICLES
Vehicles will be sold on 8/26/2024 @8:00am,at 1317 Putman DrNW,Huntsville, AL35816 #256-694-6700
15 Chevrolet MalibuGray 1G11B5SL7FF175685
12 NissanAltimaBlue 1N4AL2AP4CC111663
15 NissanAltimaGray 1N4AL3AP6FN397143
16 Chevrolet Silverado1500 Black 3GCPCREC4GG125800
06 Volkswagen Jetta Red 3VWXJ71K26M727275 04Toyota CamryGray 4T1BE32K54U903362
07/10/24,07/17/24
ADID 604150
AbandonedVehicle
Thefollowing unclaimed vehicle will be sold on August9,2024Time -8am, if not claimed- 108 Corn FieldLane,Toney,AL 35773. 1999 HONDACRV JHLRD1841XC057652
07/03/24,07/10/24
ADID 603435
AbandonedVehicle
Thefollowing unclaimed vehicle will be sold onAugust9,2024Time -8am, if not claimed- 422 Steakley Rd,New Market,AL 35761. 2011CHRYSLERTOWN& COUNTRY 2A4RR5DG9BR665435
07/03/24,07/10/24 ADID 603439
ABANDONEDVEHICLE
Thefollowing vehiclewill be auctionedonAugust15,2024 @9am atThorntonsTowing 7233 WallTriana Hwy.Madison, AL. 2012 CryslerTown and Country Vin:2C4RC1CG6CR199823 ThorntonsTowing Service Reservethe right to rejectany andallbids 07/10/24,07/17/24 ADID 603748
ABANDONEDVEHICLE
Vehicles will be sold on 8/26/2024 @8:00am, at 1317 Putman DrNW, Huntsville,AL35816 #256-694-6700
09 Ford Flex Gray 2FMDK53C19BA22773 07/10/24,07/17/24
ADID 604198
ABANONEDVEHICES
Vehicles will be sold on 8/26/2024 @8:00am, at 1317 Putman DrNW,Huntsville, AL35816 #256-694-6700
12 KiaOptimaWhite 5XXGR4A6XCG047988 21 Chrysler300 Black 2C3CCARG3MH558473 92 Ford F-150 White 1FTEF14Y2NLA95984 05 Dodge CaravanWagon Blue 1D4GP25R05B173822 07/10/24,07/17/24 ADID 604487
Advertisementfor BidNumber2024-037 ANew Venue Buildingand Renovated EventCenterfor Ditto Landing MadisonCounty MadisonCounty,Alabamais seeking sealedbids fora New Venue Building and Renovated Event Center locatedonanexisting sitethat will remainin operation during construction.The existingTennesseeRiver Greenwaypassesthrough the site and is to be routedaround theconstructionarea with adequatesafetyprecautions.The Projectconsists of twobuildings.
TheRenovated Event Building is Level 3Renovation work of anexistingone-storypre-engineered metalbuilding.The f
Event Buildingis to be fully reskinned and reroofedand will requirestructuralreplacement of secondaryframing. Roofingis to bean insulated liner system and walls aretobeinsulated with bothrigid foamandbattinsulation.Theexterior construction is to beprimarily metal panel rainscreen with secondary finishesof modified wood cladding.Theinterioris to bea finished multipurposeevent center with entrances,concessionsareas,and front-of-house restroomsonthe south-facing corners.Thebackofhouse spaces include storage,dressing areas,green rooms, anda warming/catering kitchen.There aretwo performanceareasassociated withthis building,one on thenorth sideof themain event spaceand theotheron theexterior southsideloading dockfacing theVenue Building andplaza.Anew canopy is to be provided at this exteriorperformancearea.
TheVenue Building consists of structuralsteeland CMUconstruction on afour-foot raised cast-in-placeconcrete plinthto accommodateflood conditions. Foundations forthisplinthare to be slabongradeandauger cast piles.Exterior wall construction is to be metalstudwithmetal and modified wood rainscreen claddingand some locations of acousticalstucco finish.The Venue Buildingis “Coreand Shell” only with lifesafetyand mechanical systemstosupport allshell spaces.Corespaces in-
Site scope islimited to areasdirectly around thebuilding in supportofconnectingnewutilitiesand improvementstothe plazaanddockareas.This scope includes some sidewalks butdrivesandparkingareasare not in scopeunlessnotedotherwise.Scopealsoincludes some landscapingand refinishingof theconcrete dockwiththermoplasticcoating.
Bidder instructionsareincluded in thebid packages.Bid packages canbeobtained from the Madison CountyWeb Site “www.madisoncountyal.gov”. Clickoncurrentbids in thebox on theleftside of thescreen. Selectanddownload thebid package.
Thereisa bidder’s conference at9:30A.M. CDT,Tuesday,July 30,2024, that is highly recommended,butnot mandatory. Thebidder’s conferenceislocatedatEastHarborat Ditto Landing Clubhouse,132 Harbor Road SE, Huntsville,Alabama 35803.Thebids will beopened at theMadison CountyPurchasing Departmenton theseventh floorof theMadison County Courthouselocatedat100 Northside Square, Huntsville, Alabama35801at2:00 P.M. CDTonThursday,August15,
