The Madison Record - May 10, 2023

Local teen making his own path to chase his passion

By CALEB ODOM caleb@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON - Beyond the playground at Shelton Park in Madison there is a trail that leads into the woods.

It is a quiet piece of land that is nestled around a bunch of neighborhoods that sit below the patch of trees.

Through the foliage a teenager on a yellow bike cuts through the sea of green with a smooth grace that makes him look like he is in his natural habitat.

The kid is 15-year-old Evan Gillespie, and he has built a net-

work of trails up on this ridge in Shelton Park.

The dirt paths are immaculate. The have been raked and trimmed and ridden on daily because Gillespie loves to be outside and practice his passion.

Evan races dirt bikes around the southeast on the weekends and he has used the trail-building as a way to stay sharp and do something that he loves at the same time.

“After you build the trails it’s good training to ride them,” Gillespie said. “To just have fun on them because they are really

Graduation for Bob Jones and James Clemens to be held Monday

Both ceremonies will also be available to watch live online

By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com

Chamber hosts “welcome back” event for commission chairman Mac McCutcheon

KASSIDY WILKINS

of

McCutcheon was appointed by Governor Kay Ivey as Chairman of the Madison County Commissioner in January of 2023. He has spent the last six years serving as Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives and multiple years before that as the representative of District 25, in which both the cities of Madison and Huntsville reside.

McCutcheon was born in Madison country and served 25 years with the Huntsville Police Department in various roles from hostage negotiation to probation officer. He is a U.S. Army Veteran, a member of the American Legion, and a member of the Alabama Peace Officers, among many other organizations.

Various notable members of

See WELCOME BACK Page 5A

MADISON - Graduation ceremonies are set for the 2023 graduating classes of Bob Jones and James Clemens high schools. Both programs will be Monday, May 15, at the Von Braun Center. Bob Jones goes first at 2 p.m. Graduation for James Clemens will begin at 7 p.m.

To view the livestream of both graduation ceremonies, go to https://vimeo.com/ event/2109747

Last year 985 graduates (534 from James Clemens and 451 from Bob Jones) received their diplomas, making it the largest senior class ever from Madison City Schools. This year could rival or exceed those numbers.

In just 24 years, Madison’s senior class grew from 333 in 199899 to almost 1,000 last year.

Evan Gillespie, age 15, takes off from a ramp he constructed behind Shelton Park.

See PATH Page 5A Evan races dirt bikes when he is not working on his trail-building.

Madison County Commission Chairman Mac McCutcheon details some of his goals at a “welcome back” reception hosted by the Madison Chamber of Commerce last week.

LOCAL NEWS

Photo of the Week

“Never smile at a crocodile

No, you can’t get friendly with a crocodile

Don’t be taken in by his welcome grin

He’s imagining how well you’d fit within his skin.”

- From Walt Disney’s Peter Pan

Obituary Maj. James “Papa” Justus passes away at 100 years old

Maj. James “Papa” Justus died in his sleep April 28 in Madison, Ala. This Christian lived 100 years.

Born June 2, 1922 to Ray and Alphia Justus, Jim grew up in McRae, Ark., until the age of 10. He graduated from high school, then at age 20, entered the U.S. Army Air Corps (later named ‘Air Force’ in 1947 after World War II) as an airplane mechanic.

Thursday, May 4,

Madison

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2ND CLASS POSTAGE PAID Madison Post Office Madison, AL 35758 (USPS 324-960)

After joining the Aviation Cadet program, he graduated from Bombardier School. Jim attended the University of Alabama for USAF officer training and served as 2nd Lieutenant for 18 months. He would also serve as 1st Lieutenant, Captain and Major. Jim married Bernice Nell (DeFord) Justus on Dec. 30, 1947 in Shreveport, La., where he was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base. He qualified as Fighter Pilot the next year and loved piloting the P-51 Mustang.

By 1950, the couple moved to Biloxi, Miss.’ Keesler AFB where they welcomed firstborn, Jimmy Scott. Jim then fought in Korea for two years. His third tour of duty was in Germany in 1959. Upon returning stateside to New York’s Rome AFB, they welcomed son, David, in 1961. Jim retired with 21 years in the Air Force in 1963 and moved the family

to Jonesboro, Ark., before relocating to Plant, Ark., to run a cattle farm. They moved to Clinton, Ark., in 1969, where he worked as Van Buren County’s property appraiser until he retired in 1985. Jim and Nell moved in 2003 to Madison, Ala., to be near David’s family. Preceded in death by wife, Nell; son, Dr. Jimmy Scott Justus; older brother, John Justus and younger sister, Mary Katherine Dixon, Jim’s survivors include son David Justus and wife Nancy of Madison, Ala.; granddaughter Kimberly Sitton and husband Ronald of Trumann, Ark.; granddaughter Jami Justus and husband Michael Seger of Conway, Ark.; granddaughter Libby (Justus) Griffith and husband Jeremy of Cabot, Ark.; grandson Tad Justus and wife Miranda of Madison, Ala.; five great-grandsons and a great-granddaughter.

See JAMES JUSTUS Page 5A

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C ALL TODAY!

was the National Day of Prayer. The observance was marked by local events, including oat CrossPointe Church in Madison, Sherwood Baptist Church near Bridge Street Town Center, a county-wide service for all of Madison County at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center (above). National Day of Prayer is a long-standing tradition in the United States. It has been celebrated since the First Continental Congress in 1775. It was recognized again by Congress as Joint Resolution in 1952, making this year’s celebration the

Member of the Alabama Press Association

Maj. James “Papa” Justus

James Clemens senior selected for ‘APT Young Heroes’ award

By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – Joshua Wortham can be described as a young ‘Renaissance Man’ with his successes in the fine arts, entrepreneurship, academics and diplomacy. Alabama Public Television or APTV took note of Wortham’s unique story and named him to “APT Young Heroes.”

Each student will receive a $5,000 scholarship, a laptop computer and other prizes.

Nominees must be full-time students in grades 9-12 curriculum in Alabama. The Young Heroes Board searches for students who have demonstrated academic excellence, active civic participation and, most importantly, courage to persevere in the face of adversity.

Wortham, a senior at James Clemens High School, reached a 4.04 GPA. He represented the United States at the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates and for the International Youth Leadership Peace Summit. His work has been published in an International Educational Peace Journal.

A four-year member of Jets Marching and Concert Bands, Wortham received the “Freshman Musicianship Award” and “Junior Service Award” and lettered as a freshman. Wortham earned numerous music awards including All-State Band, All-State Orchestra, Honor Band at multiple universities and Superior ratings at Solo and Ensemble Competition.

Other musical commitments include pianist for James Clemens Mixed Choir and fill-in pianist and trumpeter for churches and organizations. He served as counselor for Jet Bands’ summer music camp and as youth intern for Madison City Youth Orchestra.

Wortham also served in Student Government Association and was inducted into National Honor Society.

In entrepreneurial ventures, 10-yearold Wortham started a bakery, Peaceful Pastries and Sweets, to pay his way to Peacebuilder’s Camp. His bakery expanded into a full-service, licensed LLC to serve North Alabama cities. Wortham’s work led to “Youth Entrepreneur of the Year” for Alabama.

Wortham donates cookies to non-profit organizations and for his campaign for mental health advocacy, “Coexist with Cookies.”

For many years, Wortham and his two brothers were home-schooled because of family medical catastrophes. One brother was diagnosed with HSP Renal and was hospitalized or undergoing chemotherapy for several months. His other brother was born with Global Cerebral Atrophy and other special needs. His parents endured major surgeries and mental health issues. The Worthams now are fierce advocates for mental health awareness and erasing stigmas for suicide.

Wortham returned to public school as a freshman but suffered a medical emergency during algebra class. Within hours, he was in the emergency room and diagnosed with a brain tumor. Surgeons at Vanderbilt Medical Center removed a colloid cyst in his left ventricle during brain surgery; while recovering, he was absent much of his freshman year.

Wortham’s parents are William and Rebecca Wortham.

Wortham’s many challenges, tempered with achievements, have shaped him into a resilient, humble and determined individual. For those qualities, Alabama Public Television recognized Wortham in “APT Young Heroes” for 2023. For more information, visit aptv.org/ education/young-heroes.

Alabama Public Television or APTV has selected Joshua Wortham for 2023 “APT Young Heroes.” Wortham is a senior at James Clemens High School.

At 1.6%, the Huntsville metro is tied for the the lowest unemployment rate in the nation! According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate is tied with the Decatur metro and Rapid City, SD.

Huntsville metro has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation

By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com

MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay

Ivey last Wednesday announced that three Alabama metropolitan areas have the lowest unemployment rates in the country for March 2023.

In a metro area with a population of one million or more, the Birmingham – Hoover metro area was ranked the lowest in the nation at 1.8%.

Two other state metro areas, Decatur and Huntsville, were ranked as the lowest in the country at 1.6% (tied with Rapid City, SD).

“Alabamians have been finding jobs in record numbers for many months now,” said Governor Ivey.

“Therefore, it is not surprising that we are home to the lowest unemployment rates among major metropolitan areas in the nation. Alabama workers are not only trail blazers in aerospace, automotive and agriculture industries – among others – but we are eager to enhance our quality of life. For some time, we’ve been saying ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ is open for business and the job numbers continue to bear that out.”

The rankings are compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bu-

Meet and greet planned to help recruit firefighters

By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com

HUNTSVILLE – As Huntsville Fire & Rescue recruits the best and brightest to join its ranks, the department is inviting interested candidates to an informal meet and greet Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to noon at the

Public Safety Training Facility, 5365 Triana Blvd.

Candidates will get a chance to get a behindthe-scenes look at how the department operates and talk with top leaders about the exciting careers available through Fire & Rescue.

For more information, visit JoinHFR.com.

reau of Labor Statistics.

“These rankings are just more proof of how well Alabama’s economy has recovered since the pandemic and demonstrates the dedication in our communities to offer our families good jobs,” said Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington.

“To think that three Alabama metros beat out all the other metros in the nation is something to be really proud of, and I certainly hope that we continue this streak of achievements.”

Governor Ivey recently announced that Alabama’s state unemployment rate in March set a new record low at 2.3%.

CONCERTS ON THE DOCK - Marcus Pope & Friends took the Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment stage for Concerts on the Dock on Friday night. The band filled the night with smooth tunes and classic songs. Folks danced in the grass in front of the stage and while the kids hula-hooped with one another while the band played a jazzy mix of music. Last week featured Marcus Pope’s own band, Marcus Pope & Friends. Lowe Mill A&E’s spring Concerts on the Dock series features artists curated by Marcus Pope. Pope is an instructor at Randolph School as well as operating Pope’s School of Percussion in Huntsville. this week, David Anderson will be Pope’s featured musician during our signature concert series. Bring a friend or meet a friend under the water tower and listen to some great new music in this collaboration between Pope’s School of Percussion and Lowe Mill A&E’s Concerts on the Dock. Lowe Mill A&E’s Concerts on the Dock continues every Friday night through May 26. The bands begin at 6:00 p.m., just as the sun is setting under the water tower. The bands play until 9:00 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and grab a patch of grass in front of the stage. There are also risers available for seating. Leashed pets are welcome. Kids are welcome, too! (No leash required.) Parking is $10.00 per car.

MIDCITY MARKET

Sunday means time for The Market at MidCity. Each Sunday MidCity hosts a wide range of vendors, from food to goodies. The Market will be held each week through Nov. 12 from 12-4 p.m. It is located at The Camp, 5909 University Drive in Huntsville. For your ears, “The Camp Counselors” are on stage at The Camp every Sunday providing great live music.

Photo by Eric Shultz, Lowe Mill A&E

Below are some photos from a similar meet and greet held last week.

FISHING RODEO - The fish were biting Saturday at the 40th annual Madison County Commission Fishing Rodeo. It was held at Sharon Johnston Park in New Market. Madison County Commission Chairman Mac McCutcheon said everyone had a great time. “A lot of participation and excitement. The kids and families came out to join in the fishing rodeo on a beautiful day,” he said. “There was a lot of excitement!”

By JOE HOBBY Columnist

I just finished my annual reading of To Kill a Mockingbird. Wow. As long as I live, I will read this novel. And for me, there’s a bonus. Every time I pick up the book, I’m reminded of a special graduation gift I gave to someone.

Let’s face the factssince the gift card came along it’s made true gift giving a dying art. Yes, I’ve used them - but reluctantly because I think they reduce gift giving to a thoughtless ritual. I’ve even talked about when I perform saying, “If someone gives you a gift card, what they’re really saying is, “I feel obligated to buy you something, but I don’t care enough about you to look for anything.”

A thoughtful gift is a beautiful thing. For example, one Christmas I surprised my siblings with framed pictures of the dog we had as kids. It brought them to tears. I gave my wife her engagement ring by steaming open a box of Cracker Jacks and putting it in the surprise toy package. Once I had my friend Jay Leno send a buddy a personal birthday greeting. There’s true joy when you give someone a great gift.

This leads to a problem. What was I going to do about Christie? She’s a sweet girl I’ve known since she wore diapers. So, when I received her college graduation notice a few years ago, I wanted to put some thought into her gift. Sure, I could’ve given her cash that she would burn through on a beach trip; instead, I wanted her to have a special keepsake.

Unfortunately, nothing came to mind as I sat in my home office. The wheel was spinning, but the hamster was dead. After a while, I got up from my desk totally frustrated. That’s when I saw the answer to my problem staring at me from the bookshelf. It was my copy of To Kill a Mockingbird.

Of course! Christie was a fan of Mockingbird, so why not get her an autographed book? Once I went to Harper Lee’s hometown of Monroeville, Alabama and picked one up with no problem at all. I knew she kept some of her friends supplied with autographed copies to sell at their local businesses. I actually bought mine from a video rental store. Ol’ Nell and I were practically best buddies. All I had to do is get down there and I would buy the perfect present.

But things had changed since I copped my copy. I discovered that Harper Lee had stopped signing books! What now? Those gift cards were starting to look pretty good.

So, I reached out to a business associate with relatives in the area, and asked him to make a few calls. Soon he gave me the bad news. Harper Lee, now in declining health, was residing in an assisted living facility just outside of Monroeville. Furthermore, she was using an assumed name, and was taking no correspondence. Ugh. Looks like my quest was over.

But I remembered John Belushi in Animal House when he said, “Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

“Nooo!” So, I pressed on. If I failed, then I would give Christie some cash, the book, and the letter I wrote

Welcome back

Continued from page 1A our community attended the event to hear McCutcheon speak. All enjoyed refreshments and drinks.

McCutcheon expressed his thanks for the event and the warm welcome back to his home county. “I am tickled to be able to come home and serve in my community,” he said.

McCutcheon reflected on the work they had done in Montgomery, but said that what was going on at home was always in the back of his mind. “To be able to work and see the direct impact of what you’re doing,” he said, “on the local level is so meaningful.”

Regarding his new role as County Commission Chairman, McCutch-

James Justus

eon said: “There are two things that I’ve put at the top of the priority list after taking this role. One is the fact that we as a county commission are here to serve the residents of this county…The other thing as chairman…is that we want to make sure that we are taking care of our employees.”

In addition to these, McCutcheon’s priorities as County Commission Chairman will be public safety, infrastructure, and transportation. The County Commission also handles the county’s budget and oversees the fiscal status of various departments.

The evening’s other speakers in-

Continued from page 2A

A graveside service arranged by Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home was held held Monday, May 1 at Jonesboro’ Memorial Park Cem-

etery. Memorials may be made in Jim’s name to Alzheimer’s Association, Huntsville Office, 7800 Madison Blvd. Ste. 503, Huntsville, Ala.

cluded, DeWayne Howell, senior manager of environmental compliance and sustainability at Polaris; Katie Comer, head of Community Development for North America at Meta; Mayor Paul Finley of the City of Madison; Chip Cherry President and CEO of Huntsville Madison County Chamber of Commerce; and Michelle Epling, executive director of the Madison Chamber of Commerce.

All expressed their thankfulness for McCutcheon to be back serving in our community and several told personal stories of interactions with McCutcheon as a friend and colleague.

35806.

The online guestbook can be found at www.rollerfuneralhomes. com/Jonesboro.

1994 - Nelson Mandela, whose efforts to end apartheid led to his imprisonment (1962–90) and earned him a share (with F.W. de Klerk) of the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize, became president of South Africa this day in 1994.

Former NASA astronaut, NFL player to speak at Village of Promise event

By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com

HUNTSVILLE - Leland Melvin is the first person to have been drafted by an NFL team and flown in space as a NASA astronaut. He will share his philosophy on serious, local concerns in the Speaker Series that Village of Promise or VoP sponsors.

The 2023 event with Leland Melvin as special guest will be held at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in the Davidson Center for Space Exploration on May 16 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Melvin served on board the Space Shuttle “Atlantis” as a mission specialist on STS-122 and STS-129. Inju-

ries prevented Melvin from on-field play with the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys.

Axient Corporation is presenting the Speaker Series for 2023. Village of Promise opened the series in 2011. This sixth venture by nonprofit organization Village of Promise ties directly to its mission to advance families out of poverty using a multigenerational approach.

“Our Speaker Series events all feature keynote speakers with expertise in education and poverty, and the relationship between the two, with Leland, being no exception,” Village of Promise CEO Dana M. Gillis said. “We invite commu-

nity members to join us for an unforgettable evening in support of Village of Promise as Leland’s story is sure to inspire attendees to reach for the stars.”

Karen Stanley and Brenda Martin are co-chairing this year’s event. “I sincerely believe that we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers,” Stanley said and added that she is honored to lead the event’s volunteer team and that they are all happy to help families in need.

“Village’s Speaker Series is a valuable resource in strengthening our community,” Martin said and noted she is elated to support Village of

This weekend

Fantasy Playhouse will present TINKER BELL at the Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave SW, on May 13-14. The performances will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and Sunday at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and children. Ticket does not include admission to Huntsville Botanical Garden. For more information go to www.fantasyplayhouse.org.

FOR KING AND COUNTRY May 14 • 7 p.m. at Orion Amphitheater theorionhuntsville.com

For King and Country is one of the music industry’s most respected and decorated duos. Brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone’s RIAA Platinum-selling act’s live show has been hailed as a must-see concert event that continues to wow sold-out crowds. Joel and Luke are also committed to numerous philanthropic efforts focused on human trafficking, children in need, as well as numerous programs in support of the arts.

to 6 p.m. MidCity District in Huntsville www.theorionhuntsville.com

The Orion Amphitheater, MidCity District, The Camp, and the Huntsville Police Department (HPD) are teaming up to bring the North Alabama community a day filled with fun, art, music, celebration, and more! Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 13, from 12 to 6 p.m. for a free music and arts festival. There will be four stages with live music and performing arts, artist and vintage market, kids activities , food trucks, and so much more. This event is open to the public and free for everyone!

THE BOOK OF MORMON May 12-24 at the Von Braun Center Broadway Theatre League broadwaytheatreleague.org

The New York Times calls it “the best musical of this century.” The Washington Post says, “It is the kind of evening that restores your faith in musicals.” And Entertainment Weekly says, “Grade A: the funniest musical of all time.” Jimmy Fallon of The Tonight Show calls it “Genius. Brilliant. Phenomenal.” It’s THE BOOK OF MORMON, the nine-time Tony Award® winning Best Musical.

Good Citizenship Award

Don’t let their short stature fool you, Minikiss can rock just as hard as their full-size idols! The band, from New York, USA, are proving that they are true rockers with their high energy rock shows and very BIG stage presence. With an average height of 138.55 cm (4 ft 6.5 in), Minikiss has earned a record title for the shortest band (male).

MCCL members travel to Texas for National Middle School Chess Tournament

By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – To reach a recent tournament, chess players from Madison had to follow the lyrics of a rhythm ‘n blues standard.

“Ain’t no mountain high enough . . . ain’t no valley low enough . . . ain’t no river wide enough.”

Way to go.”

Asher Allison, a third-grader at Rainbow Elementary School, seized a once-in-a-lifetime chance during the National Middle School Tournament by starting the tournament with a Simultaneous chess match with Grand Master Julio Sadorra.

Bonnie Howard, an educator at Madison Elementary, was awarded a Good Citizenship Award by the Tennessee Valley Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) on Thursday. This award, with accompanying medal and certificate, is given by the SAR to select individuals who exemplify outstanding service to the community. As a state finalist for Alabama’s Teacher of the Year Award, Mrs. Howard’s superlative service to her students has now been recognized repeatedly by her peers locally and across the state. This year, she was one of 16 finalists for the award among the 47,400 certified teachers in the state. The award was presented by Chapter VP Chip Pharr, who was dressed in the uniform of a soldier in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Pharr emphasized the huge impact and very important role that an educator can have in the development of young people. He said the SAR views educators as critical to the development of how future citizens will view and perform their civic duties.

Principal Jamie Golliver, Mrs. Howard’s parents, her husband and daughter, and several professional colleagues were present for the ceremony. Pictured above are: Chip Pharr, VP of the Tennessee Valley Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, Bonnie Howard of Madison Elementary School, and Jamie Golliver, principal of Madison Elementary.

St. John Paul II, Bob Jones teams qualify for The American Rocketry Challenge

By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – The American Rocketry Challenge or TARC has announced 100 national finalists, which include student teams from Bob Jones High School and St. John Paul II Catholic High School or JPII.

The teams qualified to compete in the 2023 National TARC. TARC, the world’s largest student rocketry competition, involves seven-member teams. Officials selected two teams from JPII and one from Bob Jones.

Only 100 of the 798 teams will represent 45 states in TARC on May 20 in The Plains, VA. Finalists are competing for $100,000 in prizes and the title of national champion, which includes a paid trip to compete in International Rocketry Challenge at the Paris Air Show in June.

Each team designed, built and launched model rockets to safely carry one large hen egg to an altitude of 850 feet, stay airborne for between 42 and 45 seconds and return the rocket to the ground safely. One rocket section must contain the egg and altimeter, and the second with motor(s). Both tubes must separate after apogee and land with their own parachutes.

The two JPII teams are Falcon Rocketeers with Co-Captains Ju-

liet Spradlin and Stephen Hibbs and Noah’s TARC with Co-Captains Catherine Hare and Sophia Damen. Faculty Sponsor is Science Department Chair Brian Finzel. The school TARC volunteer is Duane Mayer.

Jonathan Bailey sponsors the Bob Jones rocketry teams. “The Bob Jones Rocketry Team competes in TARC each year,” Bailey stated in his school profile “Through the process, our students learn to design and build model rockets and the science that goes into them. We try to launch at least once in the fall and multiple times in the spring for our

competition.”

Huntsville Area Rocketry Association or HARA provides data to the National Association of Rocketry to validate TARC team scores. HARA members annually assist with NASA’s college rocketry competition in Huntsville.

TARC also leads as the aerospace and defense industry’s main program designed to inspire students to pursue study and STEM professions. The challenge has motivated many students on TARC teams to work as aerospace engineers and other STEM careers.

“The National Middle School Chess Tournament was not for the faint of heart. It took determination to fly to Austin and then travel to Round Rock, Texas for the tournament site,” Ranae Bartlett said. Bartlett serves as President of the Madison City Chess League or MCCL.

“Once there, things ran pretty smoothly. We were small in number but mighty!” Bartlett said.

“Individually, our kids learned a lot and even brought home some hardware.”

Madison player Xavier Bruni traveled a day early to the national tournament so he could compete in the K-8 Blitz Championship on April 20 during the long weekend. Bruni competed with the best middle-school blitz players in the country.

“Xavier finished in second place after six rounds.

Congratulations, Xavier,” Bartlett said. In addition, Bruni took 20th place in K-8 Championship. “Xavier reached a personal best of five points in the K-8 Championship section. The competition in the Championship section was fierce, but Xavier showed up to compete.

“Grand Master Sadorra continued to encourage and advise Asher throughout the tournament,” Bartlett said. “He was a favorite among all the competitors.”

Cohen Tate, a seventh-grader at Discovery Middle School, finished 14th with 5.5 pts after 7 rounds in the Under 900 section. The top 15 places in the Under 900 section received a large bronze medal, so Tate received this medal because of his place ranking.

“Thanks to Coach Will Stevenson who coached MCCL members who competed over three days with a new time control of Game 90/d10,” Bartlett said.

In recurring events, MCCL Adult Chess Club meets at Madison Public Library on Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m. MCCL students meet on Monday nights, also at the library, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Players will be provided with chess sets. Students in grades K-12 who know how to play chess are welcome to attend. For more information, call 256-970-4762, email mccl.director@gmail.com or visit

com.

Student teams from St. John Paul II Catholic High School who are finalists in The American Rocketry Challenge are Catherine Hare, front from left, Katie Lowe, Zoey Jones, Sophia Damen, Juliet Spradlin and Sirisha Chennupati. Brian Finzel, back from left, Julian Lowe, Fox Smith, Caden Hastings, Stephen Hibbs, Alex Dobbins, Cale Stewart and Rowan Smith. (unavailable for photo, Victoria Quintero).

madisonchess.

Asher Allison, a member of Madison City Chess League, entered the National Middle School Chess Tournament in Round Rock, Texas and played a Simultaneous chess match with Grand Master Julio Sadorra.

Path

fun to ride around on.”

Evan is homeschooled by his mother Lana so the pair can make the far away dirt bike competitions a little easier.

The goal is to one day turn pro and that takes a great deal of hard work and dedication.

It also takes money to keep the dirt bikes working properly and to travel like they do.

It is not uncommon to see Evan heading into the forest with his chainsaw to work on building his trails.

Gillespie and his neighborhood friends ride the dirt paths and make ramps with spare wood that they have found places.

One ramp that Evan launched from on his yellow bike was built out of old fence boards.

“I just figured it out myself really,” Gillespie said.

Promise

Promise.

Continued from page 6A

With VoP’s status as a Family Advancement Center, the organization addresses the needs of children and families in distressed, under-resourced neighborhoods. The Speaker Series event provides a stage for national, thought leaders to share their insight with the Huntsville community on best-practice solutions for confronting generational poverty.

tmjgroupins@gmail.com

“My grandad and I used to build dirt bike trails and stuff.”

Evan’s grandad was the one who got him into riding when he was just 4 years old.

His grandad has since passed away, but Gillepie’s love to be outside on the dirt or mountain bike has remained.

While his current trail-building is remarkable, the teen has aspirations to do even more with the tucked away Shelton Park if he had city support or financial backing.

“Just better equipment. Better things to build bigger things. I we had like a skid steer or some kind of a tractor to clear the trails,” Gillespie said.

To help Evan Gillespie build the trails or to pursue his dirt biking goals reach out to his mother at Lana_m_pruitt@yahoo.com.

To open this year’s event, a cocktail reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available for advance purchase only through May 5. The webpage for Village of Promise’s Speaker Series, villageofpromise.org, contains event information and purchasing details.

For more information on Village of Promise, call 256-536-8052 or visit Facebook or Instagram.

to Ms. Lee about her. Not a bad consolation prize.

Composing the letter was intimidating.

I did at least 3 rewrites, and made a jillion changes. That’s because I believed that writing to Harper Lee was like writing to Mark Twain. The content and the grammar had to be perfect. I’d hate to think that my request for an autographed book was shot down because I improperly used a semi colon.

I was happy with the end result, especially the first paragraph. I tried to touch every hot button that she might have; the South, the University of Alabama, and her Father. Here’s part of what I wrote:

Dear Ms. Lee,

My name is Joe Hobby. I am a proud Southerner, a graduate of the University of Alabama, and a big fan of your book.

I want you to know that composing this letter has been difficult for me. After much thought, I have decided to follow my father’s advice when asking for a favor: be polite and to the point. Enclosed is a copy of your work. I would respectfully ask that if it pleases you, would you autograph it and return it to me?

I continued with the reasons for my request. Then I signed it neatly, put the contents in an envelope, and sent it to the assisted living center using Harper Lee’s name. It was done. I’m not sure she would respond, but I was sure I did all I could do.

Two weeks later, I was in Kansas City taking an afternoon walk when my phone rang. It was my wife.

“The book’s back!”

My heart began beating faster than a sprinter waiting on the starter’s gun.

“What do you want me to do with it?”, she asked excitedly.

This was an unusual question. Normally my wife would have already filleted the envelope, spilled its contents on a table, and called 37 of her friends to tell them what was inside. Then it would be posted on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. It’s possible that she may have even sent out smoke signals. Finally, she’d get around to calling me. However, this time I made her take a blood oath not to open the package if it arrived while I was out of town.

Besides, I couldn’t stand it either.

I said, “Go ahead, open it.”

There was a short pause, followed by a shriek. “She signed it!“ Then she gasped and added, “It’s personalized to Christie!”

To me, this was a bases loaded, walk off homer in Yankee Stadium. I pumped my fist in the air and yelled,” Yes!”, terrorizing two nearby joggers. I didn’t care. I had completed the quest.

Upon returning home, I immediately compared the signatures in both books. They matched. Then it was time to set up lunch with Christie. I couldn’t wait to give this gift. We met a few days later. Somehow, I overcame the urge to give her the present the moment I saw her. We ate and chatted first. Then I handed her a spiffy bag with the book inside. Pleased, she thanked me and began to put it aside.

I spoke up. “Take a look in the back. There’s something you’ll want to see.” She opened the back cover and picked out the neatly folded piece of paper. Quietly, she began reading my letter to Harper Lee. Looking up she slowly asked, “What does this mean?”

I said, “Why don’t you look inside the front cover?”

She flipped open the book and turned a couple of pages. I felt like a 16-year-old about to get a good night kiss from the homecoming queen.

Her eyes met the signature. Then… silence. Finally, she looked up, and said in disbelief, “How did you manage to do this?”

That question was one of the best gifts I’ve ever received. I told her the entire story, then I got the best hug I’ve ever had.

There was one final thing to do. I sent Harper Lee a hand written thank you note. I held out a silly notion that she would respond and we would become pen pals. Didn’t happen. But that’s OK. I’m forever grateful because her kind gesture gave two people a gift they will both remember for a life time.

Or, maybe it had something to do with the Wal Mart gift card I enclosed.

Joe Hobby is a comedian from Alabama who wrote for Jay Leno for many years. Find more of Joe’s stories on his blog: mylifeasahobby.blogspot.com. Also, on Facebook at: Joe Hobby Comedian- Writer

Continued from page 1A

Evan with his supportive mother Lana.

Baseball playoffs

It all came down to Saturday afternoon for the Bob Jones baseball team as the Patriots fought to vanquish Thompson in the second round of the 7A playoffs. Page 3B

All-Area Baseball

The All-Area Baseball list was released last week, and it was loaded down with Bob Jones and James Clemens representatives.

Page 3B

Bob Jones tennis earns team state runner-up; win two state championships

By BOB LABBE bob@themadisonrecord.com

MOBILE - The Bob Jones boys tennis team posted its highest finish ever at the recent AHSAA State Tournament. Behind the stellar play of Parker Free and Jonah Moro, the Patriots finished runner-up to Vestavia Hills in the Class 7A action held in Mobile. Free and Moro teamed up to win the No. 1 doubles championship while Free won his second consecutive No. 1 singles state title.

“For their efforts they will be a part of the tradition we have at Bob Jones of having a sign on our court fence stating their title efforts,” said Bill Bryant, head coach of the Patriots’ tennis program for 11 years.

For Free, who has been playing competitive tennis for only five years, it was his third straight appearance in the finals finishing runner-up as a freshman and now etching his name in Alabama high school

athletics history with his second straight state title doing so over Samuel Sellers of Hoover. This year he put a near perfect beat-down on Sellers with 6-0, 6-1 scores. Through the recent Sectional and now State Tournament, Free lost just three games in his six matches. A remarkable feat of endurance and athleticism.

“I stayed back most of the finals match and made him hit as many balls as possible in an attempt to wear him down,” said Free, a junior. “I didn’t come in too much as I figured I could out rally him.”

“He exudes confidence as he has full commitment on the court,” said Bryant of his No. 1 player. “He’s relentless, attacks and has one speed on the court. His loss in the state finals as a freshman I believe helped him become mentally strong and that’s what I see as his biggest improvement and that has been remarkable.”

In No. 6 singles, Karthik Kaki

HomeTown Lenders Golf Championship: It was one for the ages!

By BOB LABBE bob@themadisonrecord.com

of Bob Jones fell to Andrew Pipkin of Vestavia Hills 6-0, 6-0.

In the doubles match, the two junior Patriots rolled to a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Kade Nelson and John Michael Yanosky of Vestavia Hills in a match Bryant called made possible by the play of Moro. “He was the difference in their earlier matches at state and in the finals, he set up Parker for some big winning points. He basically imposed his will in the match as he and Parker are best friends.”

“The experience was awesome as we really had no expectations to win, but Jonah played very well as he was on top of his game,” added Free, who stands 5-foot-11 and weighs in at 155 pounds and carries a tremendous 4.44 grade point average.

For Moro, who once played soccer, baseball and football, made the change to tennis in the fourth grade while playing an X-Box tennis game and

See TENNIS Page 4B

HUNTSVILLE – After double bogeying the final hole of the tournament and forcing a playoff, Ben Silverman lost on the second hole of the sudden-death playoff to Ben Kohles to end the weather-plagued HomeTown Lenders Golf Championships on the 7,114-yard, par 70 course at The Ledges in Huntsville.

Going into the final hole with a two-shot lead, Silverman scored a double bogey while Kohles parred to cause a playoff between the two on the Huntsville stop of the Korn Ferry Tour. In the playoff, the two played hole No.18 where both carded a par. On the second go-round on the par four, 457-yard dogleg left hole, Kohles knocked stiff a seven iron to within three feet of the hole and made birdie while Silverman missed in his attempt to tie and keep the playoff continuing.

Kohles fired a final round 67 while Silverman also had a 67 as both started the day one shot behind Carter Jenkins who shot a final round 72 to finish tied for seventh. Silverman had five birdies on the day and looked to be in control until the final hole of regulation.

Kohles posted rounds of 68, 62 and 67 to post a 197 total score in the tournament shortened to 54 holes by inclement weather. “That was quite the finish there,” said Kohles, hoisting the famed Saturn V Rocket Tournament Trophy after facing winds of up to 30-miles per hour during the final round of action. “I hit it pretty low and I’m really good at flighting my irons. It’s the strength of my game. The windier the better, honestly. It was great to just capitalize today and get the win.”

This was Kohles’ second win on the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour

Kerry Donaldson

Bob Jones junior tennis players Jonah Moro, left, and Parker Free won the No. 1 doubles championship at the 2023 AHSAA Class 7A State Tennis Championships. Overall, the Patriots finished runner-up in team standings.

Parker Free captured the No. 1 singles Class 7A tennis championship for the second consecutive year with a 6-0, 6-1 score in the finals. The Bob Jones junior helped the Patriots to a second-place finish in the team competition.

Photo by AHSAA See GOLF Page 4B

Ben Kohles celebrates his winning the 2023 HomeTown Lenders Championship in a playoff after a wild and whacky week of weather in the Tennessee Valley. The 33-year old won the coveted Saturn V Rocket Trophy on the second hole of a playoff.

PhotoHomeTown Lenders Championship

UAH captures program’s ninth GSC Championship, advances to NCAA tourney on Thursday

By CALEB ODOM caleb@themadisonrecord.com

OXFORD, Ala. - The No. 5 University of Alabama in Huntsville softball team has won the 2023 Gulf South Conference Softball Championships with a 1-0 victory over West Alabama in the GSC tournament final at Choccolocco Park on Saturday afternoon. UAH improves to 449, while UWA slides to 41-12.

This is the Chargers ninth alltime GSC Championship, as the program last won the league’s tournament in 2008. Also, this the fifth time in program history UAH has gone undefeated at the GSC tournament.

UAH is now tied for first in GSC history with nine conference championships.

As GSC Champions, UAH has earned an automatic berth to the NCAA Division II Softball Champi-

onships in the South Region. UAH is the No. 4 seed in the South Region.

The Chargers have now made the NCAA tournament for an incredible 20 consecutive years, which will also be the 25th overall appearance in the national postseason over the program’s 28-year history.

As the No. 4 seed, UAH opens the 2023 NCAA Division II South Region Tournament against fellow GSC member and No. 5 seed Mississippi College, while the No. 1 seed and host is Tampa who will take on eighth-seeded Tuskegee.

Tampa and Tuskegee have the first game of the South 1 Regional at 11 a.m. CT on Thursday, followed by UAH and MC at 2 p.m. CT.

The Chargers had a total of four players named the GSC All-Tournament Team including Lawren Hayes, Jada Henderson, Josie Thompson and Katie Bracken.

Bracken was additionally honored as the GSC Championships Most Outstanding Player.

On Saturday, UAH took the lead in the early going on Saturday with one run in the bottom of the first thanks to an RBI single to left by Kaylee Vaught, and that was all the offense the Chargers would need in the lowest scoring game in a GSC tournament final since 1994.

The Chargers were backed by stellar pitching throughout the tournament final, as Josie Thompson started and tossed 4.2 scoreless innings with zero walks and two strikeouts. Thompson earned the win for her first career GSC tournament victory.

Bracken finished off the final 2.1 scoreless innings with three strikeouts to pick up the save. Overall in the GSC tournament, Bracken went 3-0 in the circle with one save.

UAH women take second, men place third at GSC outdoor championships

By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com

CLEVELAND, Tenn. - The University of Alabama in Huntsville men’s and women’s track & field teams wrapped up action at the 2023 Gulf South Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Saturday with the women placing second and the men snagging third place.

Men’s Notable Performances

-Wilson McClain earned All-GSC in the 110m Hurdles with a second place finish and a time of 13.89.

-Michael Gizzi took home All-GSC in three events, placing first individually in the 100m and 200m, while the 4x100m team took home first place. Gizzi’s mark in the 200m tied the GSC Outdoor Championships record for the event with a 20.84 time.

-The 4x100m team of Elijah Drake, Tommy Rodriguez, Gizzi, and McClain earned All-GSC in a time of

40.35.

-Jeremiah McCain earned AllGSC in the 400m Hurdles in a second-place finish in a time of 53.89.

-Tommy Rodriguez joined McCain on the podium, placing third in the 400m Hurdles at 55.11.

-Drake joined Gizzi in the top three of the 200m as he nabbed a thirdplace finish with a time of 21.24.

-Jared Tittle took home All-GSC with a first place finish in the javelin throw with a toss of 60.44m.

Thomas Vaughn claimed a spot on the podium in the pole vault, taking home third as he cleared a height of 4.50m.

Women’s Notable Performances

-Katie Long grabbed All-GSC with a first-place finish in the javelin throw with a mark of 43.33m.

-Long was joined on the podium by Hailey Smith with a third-place finish at 34.63m

-Ann Hampton claimed a spot in the top three in the pole vault, plac-

ing third with a height of 3.45m.

-Ijah Drake took first in the 100m Hurdles to earn All-GSC with a time of 14.03, second place in the 200m for All-GSC in the event, and a third place finish in the 100m.

-Anndrea Chester placed second in the 100m Hurdles in an All-GSC performance with a time of 14.57. She also claimed third place in the 400m Hurdles with a time of 1:03.54.

-Nikki Mata took home All-GSC honors in the 400m Hurdles with a second place time of 1:03.30.

-The 4x100m team of Zakiria Holifield, Chandler Robinson, Krystalynn Oatman, and Drake took First Team All-GSC with a UAH and GSC Outdoor Championship meet record time of 45.35.

Next Time Out

UAH will compete in last chance qualifying events this weekend before the NCAA Outdoor Championships begin on May 25th in Pueblo, Colorado.

Bob Jones’ Booth named All Area Player of the Year

Patriots, Jet pack the picks for top spots

By CALEB ODOM caleb@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON - The All-Area Baseball list was released last week, and it was loaded down with Bob Jones and James Clemens representatives.

The Patriots ended up being recognized in six different categories while the Jets claimed seven spots.

Bob Jones head coach Jared Smith was named the All-Area Coach of the Year for his strong season at the helm of the Patriots, while his third baseman and pitcher Braden Booth was selected as the Player of the Year.

Booth was also selected as the All Area third baseman for his offensive prowess in 35 plate appearances where the junior collected three doubles, two home runs and 11 RBIs with a .517 batting average.

“I thought we were well represented, and our guys definitely deserved it after a perfect area record,” Smith said.

“I think you could even argue for a couple more guys to make the list as well.”

The Patriots’ senior pitcher Sam Mitchell was named the Pitcher of the Year for his 3-0 Area record that consist-

ed of 21 innings where the ace struck out 38 batters and ended up with an 0.33 ERA.

For James Clemens, their ace on the mound Luke Davenport, was one of three pitchers selected for All Area honors.

The Jets right hander struck out 25 in his 18 innings and out of the four arms recognized in this list, Davenport ended up with lowest average for the batters he faced at a mark of .153.

The other two pitchers named on the list were Bob Jones pitcher Ben Arn and Mac Etheredge from Austin.

Arn was 3-0 and collected 16 strikeouts to earn his way onto the list for the Patriots.

Other than Braden Booth a third base, James Clemens locked down the infield for the All-Area list.

The Jets had reliable play from their senior shortstop Andrew Lawrence, second baseman Francisco Ramirez, first baseman Satchel Wheeler and catcher Colten Payton.

Ramirez was a nightmare for opponents as the second baseman snagged 13 stolen bases, 5 RBIs and 11 runs scored

See ALL-AREA Page 4B

Patriots’ season ends dramatically against Thompson

By CALEB ODOM caleb@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON - It all came down to Saturday afternoon for the Bob Jones baseball team as the Patriots fought to vanquish Thompson in the second round of the 7A playoffs.

The two programs had each taken a game from the other the evening before so this third and final faceoff meant everything.

It was a game full of exciting moments for both sides in the final innings as this contest twisted in and out of Bob Jones and Thompson’s respective control.

In the end, it was the Thompson Warriors who did just a little bit more to wrestle to the victory away from Bob Jones 6-5.

“Game 3 was one of the most exciting games I have ever been a part of,” Bob Jones head coach Jared Smith said.

“Both teams exchanged lead multiple times. The ball just didn’t bounce our way in the end, but I couldn’t be more proud of this team.”

Thompson drew first blood in the top of the fourth inning with a run, but Bob Jones responded swiftly in the bottom of the fourth with an electrifying 2-run home run by CJ Bush that shifted the score to 2-1 Patriots.

The Warriors squared the game back up at 2-2 in the top of the fifth inning and things really started to turn negatively for Bob Jones an inning later.

A couple of RBI knocks for Thompson against starting pitcher Ben Arn handed the Warriors a 4-2 advantage in the top of the sixth and it also sent the Patriot head coach out to get Arn.

The lefty Arn was lifted for Bob Jones right-handed pitcher Tanner Hermesch was inserted into situation with one on with none out.

The pressure was on Hermesch and the kid sat down three straight Thompson batters to keep the defect at two runs.

Bob Jones stormed back in the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run by Sam Mitchell with one out that sliced the Warrior lead in half to 4-3.

The Patriot right fielder Bush was hit by a pitch and left fielder Aidan Doyle was next up with the bat in his hands.

Doyle cracked a ball to center that bounced off the top of the fence and over for a go-ahead 2-run home run that pushed the Patriots past Thompson 5-4.

The Bob Jones crowd was in a frenzy as

See BASEBALL Page 4B

Sparkman takes down James Clemens girls soccer in playoff opener, Lady Senator advance to semifinals

By CALEB ODOM caleb@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON - The Sparkman

Lady Senators survived a barrage of James Clemens shots to edge the Lady Jets 2-1 in the first round of the 7A Girls Soccer Playoffs last Monday at Madison City Stadium.

“This has been a historic year in terms of winning for our program,” Sparkman head coach Samuel Tidmore said.

“Anytime you can beat as high of a caliber program as James Clemens; that is something that you go home and are proud of.”

Sparkman’s senior goaltender Audrey Edwards played with her hair on fire, making save after save with game hanging in the balance. She darted, pounced, and launched her body throughout the match to take away golden chances for James Clemens who always seemed right on the verge of tying the game.

The Lady Senators used goals from Jayda Davis in the 34’ min-

ute and Chelsey Curtis in the 71’ minute to eliminate the Lady Jets from the playoffs.

“It’s just unfortunate that we went out the way that we did,” James Clemens head coach Erin Riddle said.

“I thought that our effort and our composure on the ball was first class. I thought the way that we were creating chances for

ourselves moving into the final third was consistent.”

James Clemens took the early 1-0 lead in the 16’ minute when senior midfielder Olivia Plant was taken down in front of the crease and a penalty shot was awarded.

“I just knew I wanted to place it in the back of the net to hope-

Bob Jones head coach Jared Smith (Right) was named the All Area Coach of the Year. Smith talks to James Clemens head coach Johnny Johnson before a game.

Bob Jones third baseman Braden Booth (17) was named the All Area Player of the Year.

Bob Jones left fielder Aidan Doyle (13) celebrates hitting a 2-run home run during the Game 3 playoff game against Thompson on Saturday.

Bob Jones batter Braden Booth (17) faces Thompson

pitcher Ben Pearman during the Game 3 playoff game on Saturday.

Sparkman’s Kaitlyn Langjhar (44) battles for the ball against James Clemens’ Emily Cheng (5) during the playoff match last Monday at Madison City Stadium.

Ben Kohles celebrates his winning the 2023 HomeTown Lenders Championship in a playoff after a wild and whacky week of weather in the Tennessee Valley. The 33-year old won the coveted Saturn V Rocket Trophy on the second hole of a playoff. Photo- HomeTown Lenders Championship

Golf

Soccer Continued from page 3A

fully get my team to the win in the end,” Plant said as she fought back the urge to cry after the tough loss.

“Although we didn’t get the result, I was just happy that I was able to score in my last game.” Davis’ goal knotted the game at 1-1 as the match neared halftime.

Right before the horn sounded for the midway point, James Clemens had a set piece and Hannah Congo uncorked a rocket of a shot that hooked past a leaping Edwards and the only thing that kept it from being a goal was the crossbar.

As the game moved into the second half of action, the pace seemed to grow more intense and there were some serious collisions out there.

Sparkman’s Chelsey Curtis had to come off the field to get her right wrist taped up because she thought she might have broken it.

“It’s probably broken or dislocated or something on this little bump,” Curtis said. “Somebody stepped on it.”

But Curtis wasn’t worried about her hand, she was focused on winning the game for her team.

“I was dribbling to the end line kind of waiting because I thought somebody would come and I could lay it off Jayda (Davis) but nobody ever came and the goalie came out so I just slipped it near post.”

Curtis’ go-ahead goal put the pressure on James Clemens with clock suddenly flying.

The Lady Jets went on the attack with shot after shot, but Edwards was lights out.

“Early this season, I didn’t feel like I was up to par,” Edwards said.

“Recently after we made playoffs I locked in and throughout the game, I just knew this is what my

team is meant for and we are going to go all the way.”

The biggest moment of the match came when James Clemens’ forward Shay McFarland had the ball on her foot near the left side of the net.

McFarland was charging hard, but so was Edwards.

“I’ve gone up against her multiple times,” Edwards said.

“I knew what she could do, and I knew I’m bigger than her and I knew I just had to go all out.”

The two girls smashed into each other like a play a home plate.

The result was no goal and the stop by Edwards helped seal the victory for Sparkman as time ran out.

The Lady Senators advanced to the second round where they defeated Bob Jones, 4-0. They are now set to play Oak Mountain on Thursday at 3 p.m. for the semifinal round.

Continued from page 1A

and remains atop the point standings for the Tour.

The 33-year old last won 28 days earlier at the Astara Chile Classic. Ironically, his first win of the season also came at the hands of a birdie on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff.

This victory featured just two bogeys in his three rounds played, which was the fewest in the field. He missed five greens during the final round including missing the putting surface on hole 17.

“I pulled it left and thought it went off the mountain,” added Kohles.

“We found it down there and kind of fortunate I was able to hit it.” Kohles chipped the ball within 15-feet and made the par saving putt keeping him within two strokes of Silverman.

On the final hole of regulation, Silverman hooked

the ball left, which put him in the penalty area along the mountain side and forced him into a drop and pitch out to the fairway. He hit the green in four and two-putted for his double bogey. Kohles also missed the green on 18, but was able to get up and down to tie the score and force the playoff.

“Obviously Ben kind of gave me a little gift there on the last hole,” added Kohles. “He played great all week, and I was fortunate to close it out in the playoff.”

The final scores of the top players included:

Ben Kohle

-13, 68-62-67- 197

Ben Silverma

-13, 66-64-67- 197

David Skinn

-12, 69-64-65- 198

Frankie Capan III

-12, 68-64-66

Baseball

Continued from page 3A

the blonde-haired Patriots mobbed Bush and Doyle at home plate.

This game appeared to have its storybook ending.

Thompson had other plans though as the Warriors answered with a 2-run jack to left by Peryn Bland that took the wind out of Bob Jones’ sails and switched the score to a stunning 6-5 Thompson.

Suddenly, the Patriots’ season was hinging on three outs in the bottom of the seventh.

A walk and a hit batter placed two Bob Jones baserunners on promptly with no outs.

An effective bunt by Sammy Vander Hill moved the Booth brothers to second and third with one out.

Thompson next opted to load the bases by intentionally walking the dangerous Nate Mayfield and instead facing cleanup hitter Sam Mitchell.

The stands and dugouts were roaring a mixture of cheers and cowbells as the anticipation reached a breaking point.

The Thompson reliever Ashton

Tennis

Blair delivered the pressure pitch and Mitchell’s barrel found it with an echoing smack.

The ball was hit hard, but it was lined to the shortstop Zach Wyatt who flipped it to third base for the season-ending double play.

It was a flurry of Thompson players running around the field in celebration as many Bob Jones players doubled over broken by how it all ended.

“One loss doesn’t define this team,” Smith said.

“We had an outstanding season, and our guys should be proud of all they accomplished. Our 10 seniors will go down as one of the greatest groups we’ve ever had.”

Friday Game 1: Thompson 9, Bob Jones 6

The Warriors jumped all over Bob Jones ace Sam Mitchell to take the first game on Friday.

Mitchell went 6 1/3 innings where he allowed nine runs on four hits with eight walks and collected six strikeouts.

Trailing 3-2 after the first inning, Thompson used a 6-run top of the

Continued from page 1A

decided to try the real thing. He has been on the Bob Jones teams for five years including three on varsity where he plays No. 3 singles.

“Parker is like a brother to me and led me to be better and any time you’re on the court alongside him it’s hard not to be confident,” said Moro, who stands 6-2 and weighs in at 180-pounds while carrying a 3.9 grade point average. “When I saw the draw we had I had high hopes we could make it. Mentally I just knew we were going to win.” Moro is never afraid to rush

the net in his singles play and that style is a good reason why he plays so well in doubles. He’s fearless but having the best in the state at your side certainly helped in his efforts in the state finals.

“Winning with my best friend could not have been more perfect,” added Moro. “We have an advantage knowing each other like we do on and off the court.”

“This was the year we were pointing to where winning the state title could happen,” said Bryant, who also teaches history at Bob Jones

second inning to pull away in this game. Bob Jones mounted a late comeback in the bottom of the sixth inning with a couple of runs, but it would not be enough.

The Patriots were powered by the bats of shortstop Nate Mayfield, who had two hits and 2 RBIs in the loss and right fielder CJ Bush who also picked up a pair of hits.

Friday Game 2: Bob Jones 7, Thompson 0

With their season hanging in the balance, Bob Jones pitcher Braden Booth stepped up to toss a complete game shutout where the junior only allowed three Thompson hits over seven innings with eight strikeouts.

Offensively, the Patriots turned to the clutch bat of Jacob Pearl who went 3 for 3 with 3 RBIs while the catcher Zach Johnson also had two hits in the victory.

Bob Jones scored solo runs in the second, third and fifth innings to lead 3-0, but a big 4-run top of the sixth handed Booth and company plenty of breathing room down the stretch.

All-Area

for James Clemens.

Continued from page 3A

“They are all very deserving and had great outings during area play,” James Clemens head coach Johnny Johnson said.

“Even more exciting is five of the seven will return in 2024, and the two seniors will be representing the Jets in college baseball.”

The three players selected to the All-Area outfield were Austin’s Bryson Claiborne, Bob Jones’ CJ Bush and James Clemens’ Aidan Cook.

The right fielder Bush stood above the others with his four doubles, 9 RBIs and 12 runs scored for the Patriots.

The last slot of the list went to the James Clemens designated hitter Ty Marsh who returned from an elbow injury to punish area pitchers with 8 RBIs.

Bob Jones relief pitcher Tanner Hermesch (14) delivers a pitch during the Game 3 playoff game against Thompson on Saturday.

A look at the history of 16 Main Street

By JOHN P. RANKIN Madison Historian

MADISON - The structure at 16 Main Street started out as a fascinating house in Madison’s history, long before it became exclusively a business. Madison residents of 2000 to 2008 knew of this address as being the Clay House or the Clay House Noritake Pottery Museum. At that time, it was owned and operated by Robin Brewer, but the building had a very wide range of uses in the history of Madison, just as now it has hosted a wide range of businesses in the town. Records attribute the construction and initial ownership of the house to Sarah A. (Russell) Clay, widow of Civil War soldier Andrew J. Clay, who was a brother of Thomas J. Clay and Theordoric S. Clay, who both were also residents of Madison even before the Civil War. However, Sarah did not move into Madison until 1866, just after the war ended, so the house may well have been built by the previous owner of the lot (with appurtenances and tenements), Jane Parke Custis.

Sarah Russell was the twin of Nancy Russell of Limestone County. Sarah’s first marriage was in 1841 to Robertson Webb, also of Limestone County. Their home was in the area between “Nubbin Ridge” and “Shoal Ford”, only a few miles northwest of where Madison was founded in 1857. The 1850 census showed that Robertson Webb was 65 years old, when his wife Sarah A. Russell Webb was only 24. Their ages in the 1850 census indicate that Sarah was born about 1826, and therefore she was only about 15 years old when she married Robertson, who would have been 56 years of age when they married. Records show that in the early 1830s, before his marriage to the young Sarah Russell, Robertson Webb was appointed guardian of the three minor children of his sister Nancy (Webb) Clay, who had lived in Madison County. Nancy had obtained a legal separation from her husband, a senior Thomas Clay from the days well before Madison was founded.

Upon the death of Robertson Webb, about 1857, the young widow Sarah (Russell) Webb inherited Robertson’s estate and remained the stepmother of the three Clay brothers of her own age. In 1858 she married her stepson Andrew J. Clay in Limestone County, and they bought Colonel Egbert Jones’ house in that in county. They were enumerated in the census of 1860 as age 30 for each of them. They had produced a son Walter Clay, born in 1859, but their daughter Maggie Jane was born in 1863. This was just about the time that Andrew Clay died in action during the Civil War. Sarah’s stepson, the junior Thomas Clay, in 1857 became the second lot owner, storekeeper, auctioneer, and first postmaster of Madison. Her stepson Theodorick would also live in Madison close to Thomas. Additionally, their guardian’s second wife, who subsequently became their other brother’s widow, also lived in the recently-established town of Madison by the time of the 1870 census. That census showed only Sarah and her daughter Maggie. Compounding the situation, Thomas’ wife was another Sarah Clay. It is a wonder that the town did not get renamed as Claysville, but that name was already taken for a small town in Marshall County, near Guntersville.

Sarah left significant holdings bequeathed to her daughter Maggie, as her will listed 480 acres in Limestone County plus a house and lot in Madison and notes of obligations owed to her totaling around $1000. In fact, Sarah must have been a good money manager, as she had paid $1500 in gold for her house and lot in Madison in 1866, just after the Civil War, when almost everyone else in the South was destitute. Sarah purchased the Madison property of Lot 9 where 16 Main now stands from Jane Paralee Harrington Custis or Custice (clearly recorded as such in the deed). Jane’s transaction for the property was executed via her trustee Micajah Pope. That suggests significant local interconnections to the Custis name, since the Popes and George Washington’s ancestors were closely connected in Virginia. George Washington married Martha Dandridge, whose first husband was Daniel Parke Custis, with whom she had 4 children.

In her 1876 Last Will and Testament,

Sarah named as her heirs Ann H. (Webb) Robinson (b.1848) and Maggie Jane Clay (b. 1863). Sarah left most of her estate to her minor daughter Maggie. Sarah left only token possessions to her daughter Ann, who was a daughter of Robertson Webb and had married N. T. Robinson.

Sarah also did not mention Walter in her will, and he was not listed in her household in the 1870 census, so he had apparently passed away before Sarah’s own death preparations in August of 1876. Sarah’s other stepchildren -- Wiley Webb, and Catharine Webb -- apparently had either died or otherwise missed any mention in the will. Ann must have married poorly, as she and her husband N. T. Robinson were mentioned as “utterly insolvent,” and still Sarah saw no reason to provide significant relief in term of cash or land for their situation.

William A. Russell (Sarah’s brother and later constable and grist mill owner in Madison) was named as the Executor of Sarah’s will. William Russell was listed as an “overseer” in his 20s in the 1860 household of Andrew and Sarah Clay in the Shoal Ford district of Limestone County.

Sarah had significant holdings to bequeath to her children in 1876, as the will listed 480 acres in Limestone County plus houses and lots in Madison, as well as notes of obligation totaling around $1000.

In fact, Sarah must have been a good money manager, because she paid $1500 in gold for her house and lot in Madison in 1866, just after the Civil War, when almost everyone else was destitute. It was was still strange in 1870 when the census showed her as a widow with the occupation as a seamstress. Sewing must have been a lucrative occupation at this time after the Civil War, when she owned over 480 acres in Limestone County plus multiple houses and lots in Madison, and several people owed her money.

The house at 16 Main stands on the north portion of original Lot 7, south of Main Steet, as laid out by Madison’s founder James Clemens in his 1857 plan. The grounds around the house include much of Lot 8 as well. Today there is no official record to be found of Sarah

A. Clay (Andrew’s widow) purchasing those lots. However, it is known that she definitely sold the north part of Lot 7 after the 1868 auction of the Clemens Estate. It is safe to assume then that Sarah

A. Clay was indeed its original purchaser, possibly at or before that auction, and the records just didn’t get kept to show it during the Reconstruction era. The deed records do show that at the time of her death in August of 1876, Sarah was living on Lot 9, not Lot 7. The wording of Madison County Deed Book LLL, page 260 (1886) clearly states that when the south half of Lot 7 was sold to J. A. Wise, it was a lot “... formerly owned AND OCCUPIED by Mrs. Sarah A. Clay.”

The word “formerly” is key, but it did not state how far back her occupation of Lot 7 had occurred. In other words, Sarah could not have been living on Lot 7 in 1886 because she died ten years earlier, in 1876. However, she may have indeed lived there originally, around 1866, when she moved from Shoal Ford into Madison after her husband Andrew’s death.

Sarah also paid $1500 in gold for Lot 9 in 1866, when she bought that lot from Jane Custis, who had initially bought it from James Clemens himself in 1858. Clemens 1857 plat was recorded in Deed Book QQ, page 14. Boundary descriptions in Sarah’s Last Will and Testament give proof that she was actually residing on Lot 9 south of Main Street at the time of writing the will in 1876.

No matter how or when Sarah Clay came into ownership of Lot 7 and surrounding lots, she definitely entered into legal transactions of that property through time. The 1886 Deed Book LLL page 260 also records that Sarah had previously sold the NORTH PORTION of Lot 7 to a “Protestant Episcopal Church.” J. W. Hopkins and his brother Thomas B. Hopkins (grandsons of Alabama’s 2nd governor Thomas Bibb) were named as the agents of the church in the transaction.

However, there is no record of that Episcopal Church ever being incorporated or registered in Madison. The sale of the north part of Lot 7 to the Hopkins brothers for the church was recorded in Deed Book XX, pages 33-34, on March 17,

1874, two years before Sarah Clay died. Sarah’s original 1866 Madison house may well have already been there prior to 1874 or even prior to 1866. If it was, there is no record of anyone owning Lot 7 or building a house on it before Sarah came to Madison.

It was only the southern portion of Lot 7 that was purchased by James Arthur Wise in 1886 from Sarah’s daughter and heir Maggie Jane (Clay) Gray. James was a partner with his brother George Washington Wise in a Madison mercantile store, and George lived very nearby. While James Wise was not recorded by deeds as the owner of the northern portion of Lot 7, he apparently did live there according to other historical publications. There has been no record found that the northern portion of the lot was ever relinquished in any way by the Episcopal Church or by either of the Hopkins brothers, so many details remain lost in history about the property.

After James Arthur Wise died January 25, 1889 (only three years after purchasing the south part of Lot 7) records show that his widow, Lucy Harris Wise, married James P. Ashford Jr. in 1894. At that time, joint ownership of the property would have transitioned to Ashford, who was a son of a senior James P. Ashford, a deputy sheriff in the area per the 1880 census. It was probably the senior Ashford who escorted Minerva Walker, accused killer of elderly Constable William A. Russell (a brother of Sarah Russell Webb Clay), to Huntsville’s jail for safekeeping in 1903. The junior Ashford was listed as the keeper of a saloon, a merchant in a furniture store, and an undertaker in census records.

Lucy Harris Wise Ashford was listed as a “hotel keeper” in the census of 1900 when the Ashford house included boarders. That indicates that 16 Main was probably considered to be a “hotel” at the time. That same census record showed that Lucy had given birth to nine children, but only four of them were still living in 1900. James and Lucy Ashford sold the property including all of Lots 8 and 9 plus parts of Lots 7 and 10 to Mary Spillman in 1904. Mary died in 1910, and

her daughter Ester Lucy Spillman Collier inherited the house. Lucy’s husband since their 1897 marriage was Charles Ephraim Collier, who died in 1913. In 1923 the property was sold to Dr. Jessie Ollie Wikle, a physician who conducted his practice at 16 Main.

In the 1930 census, James P. Ashford Jr. was living back at 16 Main as a separate “household” in the Wikle house that he had previously owned. This was after James had spent some years residing with two of his sisters in the Madison household of William S. Russell (a son of William A. Russell) following the death of his wife Lucy Haris Wise Ashford. Lucy died just before, or early in, 1910.

Therefore, James Ashford was listed as a widower in the census of 1910, living in the house of William S. Russell. At that time, Jim Ashford’s sister Mazzie was W. S. Russell’s wife. Jim’s sister Mattie Ashford Lanier was also in the Russell household following the death of her 13-year-old son Joe Lanier from an accident in the Russell grist mill. Jim Ashford’s occupation in 1910 was given as “undertaker.” He had likely begun that practice while he owned 16 Main.

In the 1920 census James Ashford Jr. was listed as a furniture merchant, living on Church Street beside William Wann and Joseph Pruitt. At that time it was shown that James had remarried. His second wife was Frances Berg. As previously mentioned, in the 1930 census James was listed as living in a separate household (with wife Frances) in the 16 Main Street home of Jessie Ollie Wikle. Dr. J. O. Wikle was the father of Captain Jessie Ollie Wikle Jr., for whom the Madison Veteran’s Park is named at Church and Front Streets.

It is also known that Dr. Wikle for many years operated his practice in surgery at 16 Main when he owned it. In 1982 Dalton J. Nix purchased the house for his family residence from Wikle heirs. He kept it until 1997, when it was sold to Robin Brewer, owner-operator of the Clay House Museum for Noritake Pottery and later used for an art gallery. Robin died in 2008, and from 2010 the

Every year in the United States on the second Sunday in May, we celebrate our Moms. This year, Mother’s Day will be Sunday, May 14, 2023. The holiday became official in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson made the declaration to make it a nationally recognized day. The history of Mother’s Day starts before the year 1914. The tradition of Mother’s Day that we celebrate today in the United States was created by a woman named Anna Jarvis. Anna was the daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis who formed an organization in the 1860’s that helped teach Mothers how to care for their children. In the years following, she used the Mothers’ Clubs to try and bring peace and unity among people who were divided over the Civil War. When her Mother died in 1905, Anna began a campaign to celebrate Mothers as a way of recognizing her legacy. The first Mother’s Day Church service was held in 1908. Since then, people have participated in the tradition of honoring their Moms, thanking them for all they do and each year making this day a special day for them. Honor a Mom in your life this year!

The words below are different ways to say“Mom” around the world. Circle the hidden words.

Aayi, Ama, Ammee, Ema, Inahan, Ma, Maa, Mader, Madre, Mae, Maji, Makuahine, Matke, Mere, Moeder, Mom, Mommy, Mother, Mutter, Mzazi

Mom Word Find Mom

Read the sentences below and fill in the blanks about your Mom. Then read it back to her or put it in her card.

My Mom’s real name is _________________________, but I call her _______________. Our favorite thing to do together is ___________________________. My Mom’s favorite food is _________________________.

Mother’s Math Maze

Solve the math equations. Then go from 1-10 to get Mom to the baby polar bear.

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Tense times in Babylon

By DAWN REED

Have no anxiety about anything? Seriously?

By BECKY MILLER God’s Lemonade Stand

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. - 2 Corinthians 10:5

How on earth can I not have anxiety because there are so many things to worry about? Learning to not be anxious is a skill. It involves controlling your thoughts and focusing on something else.

Whatever you are concerned about today, regardless of the issue, let God into it. It may be something you may be saying there is no way it can be fixed. Nothing is impossible with God.

So, learning to capture your thoughts to the obedience of Christ is getting your mind under control not to wander down some rabbit trail of no return. Stop the comparing, the what if, the if only, and continue to give the situation over to God. Period. Stand still and wait. Trust God, He can see you through.

PRAYER: What a beautiful day it is Lord. I start by casting my cares on you and knowing you have all things under your control. All the worries in the world will never change a situation but trust and patience will. Help me break the stronghold of wrong thinking. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Note to readers: If you have missed any devotions, you can see them all at www.godslemonadestand. blogspot.com

When we began studying Daniel last week in youth Sunday School, I thought, “This will be great for teenagers.” To be truthful, it’s good for kids who are six, 16, and 60+. There are many truths to unpack from this familiar book of the Bible no matter your age.

Countless young men being ripped from their homes and taken to a pagan land is a scary start to the true story. Upon their arrival, the captives’ names were changed. We learn specifics of four. No longer honoring the God of Israel, their new names now reflected the gods of Babylon. Daniel became Belteshazzar; Hananiah was changed to Shadrach; Mishael to Meshach; and Azariah to Abednego. They began studying the language and literature of Babylon. After three years, they would be ready for the king’s service.

Daniel along with countless other fine specimens of physical and mental perfection were far away from home. Immediately he and his friends were tempted with things they knew were not good for them. No one would know what they did.

But Daniel would have known. In Daniel 1:8, we learn that he had resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine. He had pre-determined what he would and would not do, whether anyone back home

was watching or not.

We don’t ever read about Daniel’s upbringing. We don’t know if he was raised by a mother and father, or grandparents, but someone taught him about the One True and Living God.

It’s a reminder of the instructions written in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 to impress a love for God and His Word on your children when you sit, when you walk, when you lie down and when you get up. Somebody had been doing all that to the four boys.

When Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were snatched from Jerusalem, all they took with them was what they had been taught. And miraculously, it was enough.

In a far away, ungodly place, being faced with threats and temptation, they leaned on the Lord even when the others did not.

I’m impressed with the way Daniel spoke to the chief official’s guard. He kept his head and used his words wisely, courteously expressing his convictions and objection. The pressure was on. Tensions were surely high, yet Daniel spoke calmly. He began his request with the word “Please.”

Many verses instruct us to be careful with our words, but Daniel’s situation is described perfectly in Proverbs 13:3: “The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” If he hadn’t guarded his mouth, the book of Daniel would have been the shortest one ever.

The LORD blessed the faith of this small crew in the harsh land of Babylon. When doing the right thing would have been so difficult, and the wrong thing so easy, they put their faith in the God of Israel. And this is only the first chapter!

I wonder if these stories will be new to some of our youth. Will their hearts be stirred as we learn? I pray so! There is much to learn as we follow Daniel and his friends as they follow God in a scary place.

Continued from page 5A property has been under the ownership of Tony and Cindy Sensenberger, renting or leasing it to house a variety of businesses.

The house through time apparently was used as a church, a single-family residence, an apartment house, a hotel, a funeral parlor, and a surgical office or hospital of sorts. This was long before it became a museum and art gallery and then tran-

Historysitioned into the uses of today. The building may additionally have served for a time as a temporary jail, because when Robin Brewer was repairing the floor of back rooms of the structures, she found balland-chain leg irons underneath the old flooring.

Deputy sheriff James P. Ashford Sr. may have had something to do with that in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Asbury Church getting geared up for next weekend’s Car & Bike Show

will also be served.

By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – Asbury’s biggest community event will be bringing in over 200 eye-catching cars, bikes, and trucks for a spectacular day for the entire family on May 20 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. With free admission and free vehicle registration for 2023, all kinds of vehicles are invited to participate, including hot rods, cruisers, pick-ups, hogs, vintage beauties, and exotic imports. Free hot dogs

“Last year’s show was a roaring success, and we love seeing the excitement this event brings every year as car and bike enthusiasts roll in their vehicles to offer a fun day for the community,” said Bill Munts, Pastor of Operations at Asbury. “It’s a great way for members of the car scene to connect and give families in our community a free experience together too. We look forward to welcoming everyone onto our campus!”

Sponsorship opportunities are also available for local automotive businesses to support the scene and feature fun giveaways. Fees will be poured back into Asbury’s ministry efforts through things like local partnerships with organizations that serve the vulnerable in

Check out “Explore Huntsville and Madison”. You can view it online or download a pdf version at www.themadisonrecord.com.

our community such as the Downtown Rescue Mission, Asbury’s Oil Change Day Ministry, and Royal Family Kids Camp.

The 2023 Asbury Car & Bike Show will take place at Asbury’s north parking lot on the Madison Campus at 980 Hughes Road. The entrance will be from Gillespie Road. Attendee parking will be available behind Building 3. For vehicle registration or sponsor info, visit asburycarshow.com. On-site vehicle registration and check-in will begin at 8 a.m. on May 20. Voting will be completed by amateur judges from 10-11 a.m. with trophies awarded at 12 p.m. No rain date is scheduled. For information, to volunteer or to register a vehicle for the show, go to www.weareasbury.com/carshow.

Madison History Association to meet May 16 at the Madison Public Library

By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON - The “Parcus Family Legacy” will be the topic at our next Madison History Association meeting on May 16. The public is invited to attend the monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 16, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Madison Public Library. All MHA events are free and open to the public. A microphone is now used for

all speakers.

Jimmy Parcus will be our guest Speaker along with friends and family. The Parcus family has been involved in many businesses in Madison, Huntsville, and Triana.

You may have heard stories related to these businesses, but you probably haven’t heard them all! Be sure to bring a friend and enjoy learning about the history of our area.

The annual show will be held May 20, registration still open

The 2023 Car & Bike Show at Asbury Church is scheduled for May 20.