Honoring our Patriots
GRAY CEMETERY - Benny Hannah, through the Sons of the American Revolution, has been working to honor and immortalize Revolutionary War veterans buried in North Alabama cemeteries. He continues his work to pass on history with his cemetery restoration efforts, including one he is working to restore in Madison. The Gray Cemetery is one of Hannah’s current projects and where a celebratory ceremony will soon be taking place. It is located off of Balch Road near the Gillespie Road intersection, and was formerly used by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church that sat on the property until the late 1920s. So far one patriot, John Gray, has been confirmed to be buried there, and Hannah suspects there could be another two patriots. Hannah has partnered with local historian and volunteer cemetery restorer John Rankin to clean, restore, and maintain the cemetery. Hannah is pictured above working to restore the grave site of an American Revolution Patriot and his wife at the historic cemetery on Saturday. You can read his story and of the volunteers who are striving to restore honor to our local Patriots’ memories.
By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON – A community event to celebrate Independence Day is set to go on this evening, July 3, at Dublin Park.
The annual Star Spangled Celebration will open at 5 p.m. and continue to 9 p.m. when the sky will be filled with bright and intense fireworks. Madison Parks and Recreation Department is the sponsor for the patriotic event. Dublin Park, 8324 Old Madison Pike, is hosting the celebration.
The Star Spangled Celebration, which is free to attend, will include live music, food trunks, inflatables and fireworks.
Festival goers can visit Dublin Soccer Field no. 1 for performances by bands that are popular in the area. The band, Redstone Avenue, will open the music and keep the upbeat tone until 7 p.m.
See CELEBRATION Page 8A
The 2024 City of Madison Star Spangled Celebration will be held on July 3 at Dublin Park. The event will open at 5 p.m. and end with fireworks at approximately 9 p.m.
By MARIA RAKOCZY maria@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON – The Madison City Council hosted a listening session at last Wednesday’s work session. They welcomed input from Madison residents on projects to be included in the city’s budget for fiscal year 2025.
“In listening through the Civic Awareness Academy, one of the suggestions that came out of that is ‘We’d kind of like to be part of the budget process,’” stated Mayor Paul Finley. “This is such a positive thing to be able get information from you guys and in turn, be able to work on our mission statement which is to take what you give us in revenues and provide excellent services for your quality of life, and that’s what the goal is.”
Citizens received two minutes per person to bring their ideas and concerns for the 2025 budget before the council.
Among those requests were ones for sidewalks, road maintenance, and increased funding for the library.
Connie Chow, Deputy Director of the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, requested an additional $27,500 from the city for the Madison Library. According to Chow, increased funding is needed in order to meet the demand for increased programming at the Madison branch.
“Madison Library is the busiest branch out of our ten branches in the county. In the past year, the branch has checked out almost 800,000 items to users and had 245,000 visitors. This has been a 5% growth since the previous year,” said Chow. “I ask that you continue your support of the library budget along with the necessary increase to cover the growth in the services and population we serve.”
Manager of the Madison Library Katie Moore advocated for the funding as well, “Please continue help us provide this amazing resource for the entire community by maintaining the library’s funding.”
Multiple citizens requested for the city to made more walkable.
“I’d like the city to be a lot more walkable and bikable,” said one citizen.
“It needs to be more walkable and more bikable. Our neighborhoods are sort of isolated, especially for our kids after schools or whatever. They can’t go from a neighborhood that’s right next to each other without crossing a big street. They should be more interconnected,” added another.
One citizen specifically asked for improvements to Hardiman
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CORRECTIONS The Madison Record will be happy to correct any errors which appear in the newspaper or clarify any statements which are unclear. To request a correction or clarification, call 256-7631150 between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday - Friday, or email news@ themadisonrecord.com.
for pedestrians and easier for residents of the nearby subdivisions to access the restaurants and retail on County Line Road.
“We have a dangerous area off of Hardiman Road for our children and pedestrians. We have no sidewalks. We have deep ditches,” she said. “We have a Daisy Lane Gifts. We have a Dairy Queen. Both of those are business that people would walk to and access from Hardiman Road if they could. We’ve also had traffic accidents coming out of Dairy Queen. There are not turn lanes coming into subdivisions or into those businesses.”
There was also a request for maintenance of existing infrastructure.
“I’ve seen a lot of improvement in Madison. However, when we improve, when we make
new things, sometimes we forget about the older things, the things like neighborhood streets. We’re seeing lots of streets that are going in disrepair where there’s large pits in the road or large patches that never get back and touched up,” said a resident of District 4. “So, while we make budget for new stuff, I would like to see some of the older stuff taken care of in that way.”
After the listening session, department heads presented updates on current projects and proposed projects for the FY 2025 budget. Some of those projects included construction of a traffic signal at Burgreen and Hardiman Roads, Wall Triana and Gooch Road signal and sidewalk, and Balch and Gooch Roads roundabout.
A draft of the budget will go out in about two weeks to department heads in the city and Mayor for review, then the finance committee and city council.
By MARIA RAKOCZY maria@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON – Benny Hannah does the impossible. He brings cemeteries back to life.
He raises old, forgotten cemeteries from the dead and with them, the memories of those buried there.
Hannah does his work through his membership to the Sons of the American Revolution and specifically seeks to honor and immortalize Revolutionary War veterans buried in North Alabama cemeteries.
Hannah has been a member of the Tennessee Valley Chapter Sons of the American Revolution for more than a decade since 2013. He joined after his brother in West Virginia researched their family’s genealogy and found three or four ancestors connected to the Revolutionary War. After his brother joined the organization in West Virginia, Hannah soon followed suit in Alabama.
During his time with the organization, he has served in a number of leadership roles including secretary, Vice President, and President from 2021-2022 for the Tennessee Valley Chapter. He also served as secretary at the state level, and currently, he serves as Vice President for the state. He is expected to serve as state president starting in the spring of next year.
His volunteer work with the SAR began in the local schools, teaching history to the younger generations.
“I was first of all encouraged by a lot of their programs in schools supporting history and patriotism and education, which is our core principles of what we work with the SAR and especially getting kids back to learning about history again,” said Hannah.
Today, he continues his work to pass on history with his cemetery restoration efforts.
“During my presidency of the chapter is when I really got involved in wanting to do these grave markings and recognizing our patriots who participated in the Revolutionary War. We have a lot who flowed through this area. Some stayed and passed away here. Some went on to Arkansas [and] Texas,” said Hannah.
His interest in cemetery work began when he encountered SAR members from New York who were doing cemetery restoration and securing historical markers for Revolutionary War veterans in their state. Hannah saw it as a great project to bring to the many historic cemeteries in Alabama. His work now includes restoring entire cemeteries and erecting historical markers for Revolutionary War veterans buried there.
Hannah works with a group of about
New appointments, City Hall and Toyota Field upgrades focus of city council meeting
By MARIA RAKOCZY maria@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON - The Madison City Council put the stamp of approval on several board appointments at the June 24 city council meeting.
Brent Bolander was appointed to Supernumerary 2 Position on the Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals for a term starting June 25, 2024 and ending December 31, 2027.
“I met Brent Bolander when he went to the Civic Awareness Academy, and he is using this as an opportunity to get involved in the city as Traci Gillespie and Mayor actually set up this committee or program to do so, and opportunity, and I think he would be a fabulous addition to the ZBA,” said Councilwoman Maura
Wroblewski at his nomination.
Maura Wroblewski was then appointed by acclamation as Madison liaison to the Huntsville-Madison County Emergency Management Agency.
In a last minute addition to the meeting’s agenda, Stacy Tidwell, a local professional in the health field with special needs experience, was appointed to Place 8 on the Madison City Disability Advocacy Board.
Later in the meeting, progress was made toward preparing Toyota Field for the clubhouse addition. The council approved a proposal from Amiri Engineering Corp. for subsurface exploration and a geotechnical report in the area of the new clubhouse along third baseline. The work includes “recommendations as to the
See CITY COUNCIL Page 8A
See HONOR Page 8B
Benny Hannah worked with a small group of volunteers on Saturday to clear out the overgrown Gray Cemetery in Madison. Once complete, the historic former church graveyard will be accessible to the public. You can read more about it in the July issue of Madison Living Magazine (www. madisonlivingmagazine.com).
Photo by Susan Few
The Tennessee Valley Chapter Sons of the American Revolution recently gathered at the Russell Cemetery in Somerville to unveil the new Pomeroy Patriot Burials Historic Roadside marker. The marker identifies Revolutionary War Patriot Electious Thompson, who is buried at the cemetery.
SCHOOLS
Journey Middle School selects Macy Smith as their first ‘Teacher of the Year’
By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON – In her classroom, Macy Smith observes the Golden Rule by treating students with kindness, empathy and respect . . . the same treatment she wants. Smith is “Teacher of the Year” at Journey Middle School.
In 2003, Smith first taught kindergartners with Madison County Schools for seven years and then with second-graders for 7.5 years.
In 2017, “I took a leap of faith by accepting a temporary position (which changed to permanent) as school counselor at Heritage Elementary School,” Smith said.
In 2021-2023, Smith transitioned to Liberty Middle School to continue development of counseling skills with that age group. “The experience that I gained at both Heritage and Liberty proved invaluable when I was selected (for the) opening team at Journey Middle School,” she said.
“I was excited to bring my passion for school counseling to a new group of students,” Smith said.
While at Heritage, Smith sponsored the Patriotic Troop, the televised “Morning Show” and facilitated during implementation of Leader in Me. While at Liberty, she was a member of the Accreditation Team.
“My philosophy of teaching is that every student deserves a nurturing and inclusive space at school (to) thrive, grow and flourish,” Smith said.
“I believe by providing a supportive environment, I can help empower students to achieve academic excellence, develop essential social-emotional skills and help discover their unique potential.”
As a counselor, building trust and creating a welcoming environment is crucial for fostering a positive and supportive atmosphere, she said. “To achieve this, I strive to create a safe and non-judgmental space where students feel comfortable and valued.”
“Students can develop a sense of trust and confidence in me, allowing them to open up and share their concerns and feelings freely.”
“This approach not only helps students feel more at ease but also enables me to provide more effective guidance and support,” Smith said.
During her inaugural year at Journey, Smith experienced resounding success in building strong relationships with her students. “Learning alongside new students has been a true joy for me,” she said.
She grew up in Ballplay, a charming community near Gadsden. Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Athens State University. At University of West Alabama, she received master’s and education specialist degrees in school counseling.
“I’m proud to celebrate 34 years of marriage to my wonderful husband, Harold Smith,” Macy said. Harold, a Test/Fabrication
World Records
Congratulating Macy Smith, “Teacher of the Year” at Journey Middle School, are her family members: Lyndon Lovelace, front from left, and Florence Weatherly. Harold Smith, back from left, Eria Williams, Macy Smith, Jared Smith, Harold Smith II, Ashley Lovelace, Macy Lovelace and Jarvis Lovelace.
LIVING
On This Day in History
1863 - Battle of Gettysburg ended
Following three days of intense fighting—casualties numbered more than 50,000—the Battle of Gettysburg ended on this day in 1863 with a victory for the Union forces and was seen as a turning point in the American Civil War.
Grillinglike a pro
Simple tips for more flavorful grilling
By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON - Grilling is sometimes described as an art form. Many skilled grillmasters are a testament to that assertion, and it’s apparent to anyone who enjoys grilled foods that some who man the grill have a knack for producing flavorful dishes.
Though grilling requires a little trial and error on the path to becoming a go-to grillmaster, there are some simple strategies anyone can employ to produce more flavorful finished products.
· Dry rub foods before putting them on the grill. Grilling enthusiasts may debate if a dry rub or a marinade is best for grilled foods, and that back-and-forth may never produce a definitive answer. The choice of dry rub or marinade is ultimately up to the cook, but a dry rub can be more convenient because it can be applied shortly before foods are placed on the grill without sacrificing flavor. Many recipes call for foods to marinate for several hours
or even overnight. Both dry rubs and marinades can improve the flavor profile, but the former can do so without too much planning ahead of time. Dry rubs also tend to be made with ingredients such as salt, pepper and brown sugar that many people already have at home, adding to the convenience of this approach that can enhance flavor without too much effort.
· Oil the grates before cooking. Similar to utilizing a dry rub when cooking, oiling the grill grates can add flavor and make grilling more convenient. Various online grilling experts and forums advise using a silicone brush to apply an oil with a high smoke point (the smoke point is the temperature at which the oil will begin to smoke). The online grilling resource 4thegrill. com notes that corn (smoke point 450 F) and peanut oil (440 F) are better than extra virgin olive oil (410 F) when oiling a grill grate. The oil applied to the grate can add some additional flavor, and also create a nonstick surface that ensures food
is not torn apart while it cooks over an open flame.
· Bring meat to room temperature. One of the keys to successful grilling is to ensure foods cook evenly. Prior to grilling meat, take the meat out of the refrigerator roughly 20 to 30 minutes before you intend to put it over a flame. This allows the meat to reach room temperature, which in turn increases the likelihood it will cook evenly.
· Cook with wood. The culinary experts at Williams-Sonoma note that wood can be used to add flavor to grilled foods. Williams-Sonoma recommends soaking wood chips, herbs, or grapevine cuttings for 30 minutes and then draining before using with a charcoal grill. Avoid soaking wood or aromatics when grilling on a gas grill, as doing so can make it difficult to ignite the grill. Grilling is a skill that anyone can develop over time. But even novices can employ a few strategies to increase the flavor profile of their next meal cooked over an open flame.
Interesting facts related to Independence Day
By STAFF REPORTS
MADISON - Americans celebrate Independence Day every July 4.
The holiday has become synonymous with summer fun, as grand fireworks displays and backyard barbecues are integral components of many people’s July 4 celebrations.
Madison Station Historical Preservation Society reaches 40th anniversary
By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON – Madison
Station Historical Preservation Society or MSHPS is celebrating its 40th anniversary and reflecting on its origins, legacy traditions and continuation of the town’s heritage.
On January 24, 1984, citizens met to discuss founding a ‘historical society’ for the City of Madison. The ‘society’ held its first meeting on February 23, 1984. The group then elected charter officers on March 22, 1984.
On March 28, 1984, the “Madison County Record” newspaper stated that Madison Station Historical Preservation Society met on March 22, 1984, “for the purpose of presenting the Articles of Incorporation.” The group intended “to promote interest in the renovation, rehabilitation and preservation of historical properties of all kinds within the City of Madison.”
The proclamation commends the historical society for reaching its 40th anniversary and celebrates its four decades of invaluable contributions to Madison. MSHPS has played a pivotal role “to allure tourists and visitors, actively contributing to the revitalization of Madison Station,” the resolution states.
Through the years, the society has sponsored a “Tour of Historic Homes” with owners opening their houses on Front, Martin, Maple and Church streets.
Individual members have mentored Boy Scouts pursuing the Eagle rank and Girl Scouts working to earn the Gold Award.
During the Christmas season, society members coordinate a full slate of events, such as the Madison Polar Express Christmas Tree Trail and Christmas Capers, a sentimental tradition.
· There have been many iterations of the American flag. The American flag has become an iconic symbol of freedom recognized across the globe since the United States declared their independence from Great Britain in 1776. But few July 4 celebrants may know that the current version is the 27th iteration of the American flag. According to the U.S. Chamber of
As Americans and residents of the United States prepare for some festive Fourth of July celebrations, they can keep these interesting facts related to Independence Day in mind.
Commerce, the current version of the flag officially became the flag on July 4, 1960.
· More than half of all Americans own an American flag. A 2023 poll from WalletHub found that 57 percent of Americans own an American flag. And that’s not the only way Americans show their national pride, as the same poll found that roughly one in three Americans intended to purchase patriotic merchandise for July 4.
See FACTS Page 8A
One charter member, Dennis Vaughn, is still active in MSHPS and hosts the organization’s summer picnic on his front lawn on Front Street. Vaughn also serves on various municipal committees and with civic groups.
To commemorate the society’s 40th anniversary, Phillip Rigsby submitted a resolution with the Alabama House of Representatives. Rigsby serves as Alabama State Representative for District 25.
In 2020, Madison Station Historic Preservation Society entered a partnership with the City of Madison to foster mutual stewardship of the Roundhouse. The Roundhouse contains most artifacts that the society owns, including documents and photos. (madisonal.gov) For more information, visit historicmadisonstation.com or Facebook/ Madison Station Historical Preservation Society.
These are some simple strategies anyone can
State Representative Phillip Rigsby, Alabama District 25, presents a House Resolution to Debbie Overcash, President of Madison Station Historical Preservation Society.
Sounds of Summer audience can chill to Calypso Vision at Home Place Park
By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON – The motto for Calypso Vision, the featured group at “Sounds of Summer” on July 11, reveals their music’s genre and the band’s outlook.
“A Better Attitude from Another Latitude.” Their motto shows devotion to light-hearted good times, seasoned with a heavy dose of Parrot-head style. Much of their music pays homage to the late Jimmy Buffett.
This Sounds of Summer concert series starts at 7 p.m. and will end about 9 p.m. The event is free to attend.
Calypso Vision is no newcomer to entertaining people in Madison. In years past, the band played at the ‘Gazebo Concerts’ held on Front Street at the Madison Gazebo. Now, the group will share its music in the different venue of Home Place Park.
ServingFamilies Since 1868
Formed a decade ago, Calypso Vision brings an audience the relaxed beachfront spirit, and a “gumbo mix” of Buffett-style tropical tunes and classic rock. The beach party will be ready to go with plenty of fun and surprises.
Calypso Vision’s full band has a huge sound, rooted in a love for the music dear to many hearts, and that song that you just won’t hear anywhere else. The ‘calypso vision’ is simple and easy to see, as it focuses on great music offering an escape from the mundane, according to the band.
Band members are Sam Benefield, Dave Lavallee, Chris Radzinski, Greg Thompson, Andrew Tygielski, Sonny Veque and Tania Yee.
“Whether on a mountain, in a backyard, on a boat or at the pub
around the corner, Calypso Vision brings a beach party ready to go, with all the spontaneous fun to turn an evening anywhere into a memorable trip down-island,” according to the band’s website. For more information, call 256503-0554, email thegregcast@gmail. com or visit linktr.ee/calypsovision or Facebook/Calypso Vision.
Calypso Vision is scheduled for the “Sounds of Summer” concert on July 11 at Home Place Park. Andrew Tygielski
music.
suitability of on-site materials for use as structural fill, site grading, or general backfill”, “site preparation recommendations”, and “recommendation for foundation design”. The proposal cost the city $12, 800 out of the Multi-Use Venue Maintenance Fund.
The city council chambers video and sound system will be receiving an upgrade in the form of four more wireless microphones and a new video production system installed by Sutherland Sight and Sound, the company that upgraded the chambers’ sound system in 2016, 2020, and 2023. The upgrades come as the city is increasing its efforts to make meetings accessible to the public through livestreaming, recording, and use of microphones in the chambers.
The issue of the presence of certain books in the Madison Library was resumed at the June 24 meeting with some citizens asking for answers from city council president and board member of the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, Ranae Bartlett.
In response, Bartlett clarified her role on the board, “I was appointed to the library board by this council and my term was for four years, and in that role, it is a governance role. It is not an operations role. The library board does not purchase books. The library board doesn’t try to tell the executive director or the staff that’s trained in terms of procurement of material and I think even someone
mentioned tonight that there were some [books] that were critically acclaimed even though they were shocking to hear out loud. So, in the role a library board member, the only time I’m ever going to hear a complaint about a book is on an appeal after a statement of concern is filed.”
She went on to explain the appeal process and how to file statements of concern, “And so on the library page, you can click on a statement of concern and you can file one and you can explain what your objections are to any book and then a committee is formed to review your objections to that book and a decision is made, and only if you disagree with that decision does an appeal come to the library board. I’m in my fourth year on the board. I’ve never heard an appeal. That may change soon, and when it does, we will handle it.”
She also explained that the library board is comprised of representatives from and appointed by the Huntsville city government and the county commission.
One citizen in public comments proposed a resolution to the council that would prohibit book banning and censorship. Wroblewski expressed support for the proposed resolution at the June 26 work session and asked her fellow council members to consider the resolution for adoption down the road.
The next city council meeting will take place Monday July 8 at 6 pm at city hall.
Continued from page 5A
· The United States is not the only place to celebrate American independence. Such celebrations occur in various countries, including Australia, Denmark, Ireland, and Norway. The festivities in Rebild National Park in Denmark is believed to be the largest celebration of American independence outside the United States.
· The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council estimates that 150 million hot dogs are consumed on July 4. Though there’s no corresponding estimate related to how many ham-
Smith Continued from page 4A
Engineer at Jacobs, designs and implements innovative solutions.
Their daughter attended Sparkman High School and the University of North Alabama. Their sons, Harold J. Smith II and Jared Smith, attended Westminster Christian Academy. Harold continued at Shel-
Honor Continued from page 3A
“Redstone Avenue is what happens when you combine musicians born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama, classical training, rock and roll, Bluegrass, Americana, R&B, a little engineering and a whole lot of creativity,” according to Arts Huntsville.
“Redstone Avenue is renowned for its distinctive flair, masterfully blending traditional bluegrass instruments with a broad spectrum of musical styles . . . At the heart of their music lies not just a shared vocation but a deep-seated joy in the act of playing together.” (redstoneavenue.com)
Then at 7 p.m., Groove will command the stage with the band’s seasoned sounds of funk, rhythm and blues, soul, pop and dance party music. Groove, a dance band, is based in Huntsville. (Facebook/ Groove)
Formed in 2004, they’ve become known as the number one party band. Their energetic repertoire is designed to keep audiences dancing, covering a versatile range of genres. (Facebook/Groove)
With both male and female lead vocalists, they perform hits from the 1960s, 1970s and modern Top10 tracks. Whether you need some Michael Jackson, Cee Lo Green or Pharrell, Groove delivers. They’ve played at large festivals to weddings
burgers Americans eat on July 4, various reports suggest Americans eat roughly 50 billion burgers annually, so it’s fair to conclude many a burger will be consumed this Independence Day.
· July is a popular month for nations to celebrate their independence. In addition to the United States, various countries, including Algeria (July 5), Argentina (July 9), The Bahamas (July 10), Belarus (July 3), Burundi (July 1), Canada (July 1), Cape Verde (July 1), Colombia (July 20), Kiribati (July
ton State Community College; Jared enrolled at Troy University.
“A little-known fact . . . I had the unique experience of attending boarding school at Darlington School in Rome, Ga. This time at Darlington School not only shaped my educational journey but also left a lasting
12), and Liberia (July 26), celebrate their Independence Day in July.
· John Adams, a Founding Father of the United States and the second president in the country’s history, felt Americans should celebrate their independence from Great Britain on July 2. That’s because the Continential Congress voted for independence on July 2, 1776. However, the Declaration of Independence was not approved for two more days, thus making July 4 the day to celebrate America’s independence from Great Britain.
impact on my life,” Macy said.
“My favorite hobby is creating lifelong memories with my family and friends,” Macy said. “There’s no better joy than sharing laughter, adventures and quiet moments with people who bring me the most happiness.”
and corporate functions. (Facebook/ Groove)
A variety of food trucks will set up in the lower parking lot from 5 to 8 p.m. The kids can bounce and have fun on inflatables on soccer field no.
2.
will
High School. A complimentary shuttle service will start at 4:30 p.m. and continue until after fireworks.
The fireworks show will be an exciting end to a fun-filled day at Dublin Park.
For more info, visit Facebook/Redstone Avenue or Facebook/Groove.
Everyone
park at Bob Jones
Former Sparkman standout helps Tennessee capture national title
By BOB LABBE bob@themadisonrecord.com
HARVEST - A.J. Causey and the entire Volunteer Nation are on top. Rocky Top, that is. The former Sparkman High All-State baseball player just played a big part in the Tennessee Volunteers recent victory of the College Baseball World Series and claiming the school’s first Baseball National Championship.
Tennessee (60-13, 22-8-SEC) defeated Texas A&M in three games in its third visit in the last four years to the World Series. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound junior righthanded pitcher, a ThirdTeam All-American for the 2024 season, finished with a 13-3 record with a 4.43 ERA, 125 strikeouts and allowing a .259 batting average in 91 innings, which
Four feet from glory
was second on the team. His 13 victories were tied for first in the country. He was a huge performing newcomer to the Vols as a transfer from Jacksonville State, the school he signed with out of Sparkman in 2021. At Sparkman, he was a twoway player playing catcher along with his duties on the mound. Current Sparkman head coach Ben Stevenson, who
See CAUSEY Page 2B
Former Patriot standout was .57 seconds
By BOB LABBE bob@themadisonrecord.com
INDIANAPOLIS, IND.
- In sports that are timed one-hundredth or even a tenth of a second can determine between winning and losing. For those not participating in those athletic events, those milliseconds are difficult to comprehend and understand just how short of time those units really are.
For Zach Harting, he was a mere 0.57 seconds, or four feet from glory of making his sec-
2024 U.S. Olympic Swim Team
ond consecutive U.S. Olympic Swim Team.
The former Bob Jones Patriot finished fourth in the finals of the 100m butterfly event at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swim Team Trials held in Indianapolis, Ind. thus just missing out on making the team set to partake in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
The 26-year old Harting also finished eighth in the 200m butterfly thus ending his quest to make the team as he did four years ago for the Tokyo Olympics where
he finished ninth just .04 of a second from the finals in the 200m butterfly. “I performed my best and there was a lot of emotions during the trials, but not a sad emotion of missing my spot on the team as I have no regrets,” said Harting after the competition. “As I drove away from Lucas Oil Stadium most of my emotions were geared to what I had accomplished as an athlete. I’ve had a great life. I’ve earned my education, traveled the world represent-
munity College has named Shannon Dorsey as the school’s new cross-country coach. The move was made official in a press release sent out by the school last week. Dorsey comes from Madison Academy, where he had been the head cross-country, as well as the head track and field coach since 2015. He led the Mustangs to the Class 3A state championship in track and field in 2023. He also has served as manager and specialty running shoe expert at First Place Athletics in Huntsville since 2009. Dorsey competed in both cross-country and track and field at the University of Alabama in Huntsville from 2009 to 2013.
“We are excited to welcome Shannon Dorsey to our athletic team,” said Calhoun Athletic Director Nancy Keenum. “His proven track record in coaching and leadership will be valuable as we continue to develop our cross-country program. We look forward to seeing the positive impact he will have on our student-athletes.”
Shannon holds a Bachelor’s degree in Independent Studies from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, which he obtained in December 2023.
His numerous awards and achievements include being named to the Cross Country All Region First Team in 2011 and the Cross Country All Conference First Team in 2011 and 2012. He was part of the Cross Country Southeast Region Championship team in 2011 and the Cross Country Conference Championship teams in 2011 and 2012. Shannon also achieved the title of Track and Field Conference Steeplechase Champion in 2013 and was part of the Track and Field Conference Championship team the same year.
Madison’s Zach Harting looks to see how he finished after one of two races at the U.S. Olympic Swim Team Trials held for the upcoming Olympic Games.
The Tennessee Volunteers won the 2024 College World Series for the first time in program history and those among the elite Vols was A.J. Causey. The strong-armed pitcher was tops in the country with 13 victories to his credit. Photo from Tennessee Athletics
ing my country and even met my wife through swimming. There was
Hotel Indigo located in Huntsville’s MidCity. The company was a huge supporter of Harting’s attempt at making another Olympics team as he worked his swim workout schedule around his work schedule training with the Louisville swim team. He also lifted weights at night after a full day’s work.
thing for granted,” said the son of Scott and Lori Harting. “When the 100 was over, I said to myself, wow, I’m done. I knew I gave it my best and I can smile and hold my head up. The next day, I ran into several former Olympians and they asked how I was handling the fact I did not make the team. They quickly saw I was handling just perfectly and I saw I was part of a great Olympic community.”
Upon graduating from Bob Jones as the state’s No. 1 swim prospect winning two individual state championships he chose to sign with the University of Louisville where he would earn All-American honors during his time with the Cardinals. Since that time he is a two-time World Champion earning gold medals in both the 4x200 freestyle relay and 4x100 medley relay where he swam the butterfly portion of the four-man team event. Those performances led his coaches to encourage him to concentrate on the 100m butterfly race.
“I used to be the 200 guy and saw the 100 for fun, but now, I swim the 100 and do the 200 just because I can,” said Harting. “At first, I struggled with the idea, but I soon took to the notion of making the 100 my race filled with confidence.”
Attending the trials knowing you must perform your best can get even the best athletes in a state of mind they each don’t know how to handle. For Harting, the event was stressful and he couldn’t sit back and take a short nap because of his constant raised heart rate. He and many family members and friends were at the trials as “one.” He had support and the confidence, which had grown immensely since the World Championships in February winning his gold medals.
“Ever since then I never took any-
Harting has decided to retire from the 200m event. He added, “With 25 meters to go I knew my goose was cooked. I knew I was in trouble, but I still fought for it.” He remains undecided if he will continue to swim the 100m. If he does, the next event for him to compete will be in the Short Course World Championships set to be held in Budapest come December. “If I don’t feel good about a decision to do so, I’ll pass on my chance, retire and let someone else have the honor,” he added. “It’s sad, but it’s very important others know I’m OK. Failure is not bad. Months ago I had an epiphany moment where I saw that I have sacrificed a lot, but know life goes on.”
Earning his degree of mechanical engineering in 2019 and a master’s in engineering management a year later, the former Madison Dolphins and Huntsville Swim Association swimmer has been working fulltime since March, 2023 for Buffalo Construction Company based in Louisville as a project engineer. His company was involved in building
Harting and his wife, Alina Kendzior, once a swimmer for Louisville, live in Louisville proper and currently have no plans to move to another location. For the last few years he has made a living by swimming for Team USA qualifying for funding through the U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Swimming. “I never wanted to swim for money, but it was a great extra benefit,” added Harting.
Looking back on a tremendous swim career, which began at age seven at Madison’s Dublin Memorial Park, Harting is taking away a lifetime of experiences. He said his father mentioned to him a lot of people came to see him swim and were never disappointed as many of them cared enough to make the trip to the Olympic Trials in support.
“The amount of people who have congratulated me and indicated they really enjoyed watching me swim has been enormous,” said Harting.
“It was then when I realized what kind of positive impact I have made.” Harting may still tread water because that’s what he has been trained to do, but he knows he was just four feet from glory…again.
was an assistant coach for the Senators when Causey was a team member, said of young man’s talents, “He’s a great kid and came to us as a sophomore after being home schooled. He had an immediate impact with us as starting catcher and part-time pitcher. He was a great hitter, too.”
Once moving into his senior season at the school located on Jeff Road in Harvest, Causey chose to concentrate on just pitching and gave up his position as catcher for the Senators. “He also played some first base and was a designated hitter as he had very good bat talent,” added Stevenson. “One of the biggest impressions on me was his everyday workout ethic. After every workout he would walk up
to all of the coaches, shake our hands and said thank you.”
Signing with Jacksonville State as a two-way player, he mostly pitched for the Gamecocks seeing action in 40 games in his freshman and sophomore seasons. He posted 147 strikeouts over the two seasons earning an overall 9-6 record. At the completion of his second season at Jax State, Causey, whose given names are Anthony Jordan, chose to enter the transfer portal where several SEC schools reached out to the enormously talented youngster. He made the rounds visiting several schools placing hundreds of miles on his car. He finally chose to stop in Knoxville where he became a Volunteer.
“His first game at Tennessee he came out of the bullpen, but soon began to start games,” said Stevenson. In the first game of the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., Causey came in relief in just the first inning against the Aggies after the starting pitcher
Zach Harting of Madison races through the water at the U.S. Olympic Swim Team Trials where he was attempting to qualify for his second consecutive Olympics.
Tennessee would bounce back with a 4-1 victory in game
before
title
game
score of 6-5. Causey did not see
playing time in the remaining two games. Tennessee was ranked
Causey Continued from page 1B
A.J. Causey with his unorthodox style of pitching was an All-State player at Sparkman High before signing with Jacksonville State and then transferring to Tennessee where he helped the Vols win the 2024 College World Series.
Former Sparkman High righthanded pitcher A.J. Causey was part of the recent College World Series win by the Tennessee Volunteers. The junior from Harvest helped lead the Vols to the program’s first ever World Series title.
Table tennis takes center stage at VBC with national championships
By BOB LABBE
MADISON - After months of local preparations and years of never-ending mental and physical provisions for top-notch competition, North Alabama is set to host the USA National Table Tennis Championships this week in the South Hall of the Von Braun Center.
With competition beginning each morning at 8:30, the action will feature competitors from 37 states and run through Sunday. In addition, the US Olympic/ Paralympic Teams will also be involved in their final preparations for the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Like all big events, the heart and soul of the Table Tennis Nationals are the hundreds of volunteers who offer their time and skills to make sure the huge event is held without any major concerns. One such helper is Pari Motivaras a former student at James Clemens High. The 19year old is a sophomore at UAB where she is studying to become a surgeon and plays on the school’s unofficial table tennis team, which is ranked No. 2 in Alabama among college teams.
“I’m looking forward to watching the play live and really excited about this event happening in Huntsville,” said the 2023 graduate of James Clemens where she posted a 4.56 grade point average and earned an academic scholarship to at-
tend UAB. “I love the fact this is great exposure for the sport here in our area.”
Motivaras and her family moved to Madison five years ago from India where she first picked up the sport of table tennis, but wasn’t fond of the sport at the beginning, but soon learned to love the athletic endeavor by getting to know the techniques needed to play the sport, which for some is a smaller version of tennis. While at James Clemens, she joined the school’s club table tennis team comprised of as many of 10 students who hit the table tennis setup in the school’s gymnasium. Upon attending UAB, she soon became involved with the University’s club table tennis team made up of about 13 players.
Motivaras’ play with the Blazers’ squad helped the team become the No. 2 ranked school in Alabama after partaking in the National Competition of table tennis teams. Only the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) is ranked higher in the state. Motivaras qualified for the post-season play in the women’s singles where she made it to the Regionals.
She is currently ranked No. 1000 in the country according to National Collegiate Table Tennis Association. She has yet to gather a national ranking among the USA Table Tennis Association. She joined the North Alabama Table Tennis
Club over a year ago and has become a well-respected player among her peers where she plays mostly against men. “There aren’t that many women who play table tennis,” added Motivaras.
“When I first began playing the sport, the more I played the more I understood all of the proper techniques, and I put in a lot of hard work to get better,” added Motivaras. “Men have one major advantage over women. They have more good competition to play against, which in turn makes them better. Having the passion for and loving
the sport makes my efforts feel better. I think table tennis is an amazing sport. You can be surprised to find out the difficulties of the sport, but that fact leads to being enjoyable.”
At UAB, Motivaras has a 4.0 grade point average and is actually undecided on what type of surgeon she’s looking to become once she graduates. Her passion for health sprang out of experiences with her father who suffered heart spasms and he struggled to locate a doctor and receive the necessary, proper health care. “Yes, that motivated me to be in the health field,”
Summer speed workouts require precautions
By BOB LABBE bob@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON - Madison is in the mid-south, which means plenty of hot weather conditions throughout the summer months. But don’t let that fact scare you away from continuing physical workouts, especially runners. It’s not OK to stop working out. It is OK to take precautions.
Fleet Feet of Madison/Huntsville has professional advice for those who wipe their brow, drink liquids and hit the road for continuous running workouts throughout the sultry summer in North Alabama. The experts at Fleet Feet remind runners to warm up properly, even on a hot day and cool down afterward. Each runner should listen to their own bodies and adjust the intensity of the workout as needed. Have fun.
Intervals: Run faster-paced intervals (e.g., 400 meters or 800 meters) followed by a recovery jog. Repeat this cycle several times. Intervals help boost your anaerobic capacity and overall speed. Tempo Runs: Maintain a comfortably hard pace (around your goal half marathon pace) for an extended distance (e.g., 3-5 miles). Tempo runs improve your lactate threshold and race-specific fitness1. Progressive Runs: starting slow and increasing pace 10 seconds or so every mile. Hard to do sometime especially if there is wind or hills. Fartlek Runs: These are unstructured speed workouts where you mix fast segments with slower recovery segments. Vary your pace based on how you feel during the run. Hill Repeats: Find a hill and sprint up the incline, then jog or walk back down for recovery. Repeat this process. Hill repeats build strength and power in your
legs. There are many good locations in and around Madison to hit hills.
Recovery is an important part of training. The first step to recovering from a workout is your cool down. A good example would be a one mile cool down. After your cool down you want to do you static stretching and start rehydrating your body.
Other things you can do to help your body recovery from hard training.
Cold Therapy or Cyrotherapy. This could be the Cryo Chamber or Cold Plunge. Both are fantastic. PEMF is Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy. The PEMF Therapy process begins with a personalized consultation to understand your specific health concerns and wellness goals. From there, you’ll relax in a comfortable setting while
our specialized PEMF equipment goes to work. Each session typically lasts between 30 minutes to an hour, during which time you may feel a gentle, pulsing sensation as the electromagnetic fields penetrate your body, targeting areas of concern. If you’re interested in joining others for speed work and long runs this fall, look at joining the Marathon and Half Marathon Programs, which start in September. Fleet Feet will have groups in both Huntsville and Madison. The programs include long run, speedwork and complete program from start to finish. Mentors will be in pace groups to run with each participant.
Fleet Feet coaches are RRCA certified, VDOT certified and Ironman certified.
UAH Lacrosse garners 34 PBC academic honor roll recipients
AUGUSTA, Ga - The Peach Belt Conference announced its 2024 academic awards, presented by Barnes & Noble College, and the UAH men’s lacrosse team was represented by four members of the Team of Academic Distinction and a total of 34 PBC Honor Roll recipients. The Chargers Team of Academic Distinction honorees include Pete Fabrizio, Matteo Siciliano, Brayden O’Neill and Zach Rudgunas. Fabrizio and O’Neill highlight the UAH quartet with the pair also earning All-PBC this season.
To be eligible for the team, a student-athlete must 1) participate in at least half of his/her team’s events and be either a starter or significant contributor; 2) achieved a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0
and 3) completed at least one full academic
at his or her current institution and has reached sophomore athletic
bility. The Peach Belt Conference Sports Information Directors oversee the program.
said Motivaras. “While attending James Clemens I joined the Jets Wildlife Club and was part of several health and school/ community organizations while being a member of the National Honor Society. I graduated No. 54 out of 527 in my senior class.” As for the table tennis event this week, she said, “When I registered to be a volunteer, I was given options of helping with the logistics of the tourney.
Pari Motivaras, former James Clemens High student
will offer her time as a
Photo- fromHuntsville Sports Commission
Fleet Feet has numerous group activities for runners as activities during the hot summer months continue with lots of support from fellow runners. Photo from Fleet Feet
Penrod, Matteo Siciliano, Tanner Vander Noot, Graham Young, Park-
Davie Silver Scholars: Pete Fabrizio, Zach Rudgunas, Brady Saunders Bronze Scholars: Cullen Asbeck, Will Bond, Thomas Dugan, Bryce Ferraro, David Friend, Kyle
BUSINESS
For fifth year, Matt Curtis Real Estate named ‘#1 Real Estate Team in Alabama’
By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com
HUNTSVILLE - Matt Curtis
Real Estate, a leading residential real estate team based in Huntsville, is humbled to announce its recognition as the “#1 Real Estate Team in Alabama” for the fifth consecutive year.
This distinguished accolade was awarded to Matt Curtis Real Estate as part of the “RealTrends + Tom Ferry The Thousand” ranking program, a national initiative that identifies and celebrates the country’s most successful brokerages, teams and agents. In addition to this remarkable achievement, Matt Curtis Real Estate secured a national ranking of #62 in the Mega Team category, which is the category of largest real estate teams in the nation.
“We are honored to be named the #1 Real Estate Team in Alabama for the fifth consecutive year,” Matt Curtis, Founder and Owner of Matt Curtis Real Es-
tate, said. “Who you hire MATTers, and we are so thankful to our clients and the community of Huntsville for giving us the opportunity to provide them with five-star real estate service. We truly have the top team of agents and admin staff in the entire state of Alabama and one of the top teams across the United States.”
“We’re not satisfied with this success and look forward to continued growth in the coming years,” Curtis said.
To learn more about Matt Curtis Real Estate, visit mattcurtisrealestate.com.
About RealTrends + Tom Ferry The Thousand:
RealTrends + Tom Ferry The Thousand is an annual ranking program presented by RealTrends and Tom Ferry International. Each year, the program compiles and verifies transaction sides and closed sales volume to determine the top performers nationwide.
The Thousand places Matt Curtis Real Estate in the top .05 percent of more than 1.6-million licensed Realtors nationwide. The rankings are compiled and
verified by RealTrends, a trusted source in the industry, and are prominently featured in “The Wall Street Journal.” For more information, call
Chick-fil-A breaks ground in Town Madison
By MARIA RAKOCZY maria@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON - Chick-fil-A broke ground on its Town Madison location on Monday, July 1, with the Madison Chamber of Commerce and Madison Mayor Paul Finley.
Local owner and operator of the Clift Farm location Norman Dull is bringing a second location to the Madison area. For Dull, Chick-fil-A has been a family and community-minded business.
“For those of you guys that do not know, Norman and his family have been for over 25 years in the city of Madison with our Chick-fil-A,” said President of the Madison Chamber of Commerce Michelle Epling. “They are constantly trying to make Madison better and brighter during some of our darkest times and we are just so thankful for all you’ve done.”
Dull and his team have been active participants in the Madison community. While the restaurant shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dull paid for his employees’ salaries out of his own pocket and when schools reopened after the pandemic, the Madison Chick-fil-A team supplied lunches to local teachers.
Chick-fil-A has been Dull’s only job since he started working with his mom and sisters at the Parkway City Mall location, where he worked throughout both high school and college. He went on to work at different locations throughout the country until becoming an owner and operator back home here in Huntsville and Madison. Dull opened the original Highway 72 location in November of 1999.
“It didn’t take long for us to build that business over on Highway 72 and people started saying, ‘We need another Chick-fil-A in Madison,’
and I was excited about that. We talked to corporate a bunch of different times about trying to find the right spot, trying to find the right time, and as we continued to grow throughout the years, we were just always looking forward to having a second restaurant in the city of Madison,” stated Dull. “We’ve got both sides boxed in. We get to serve the entire town of Madison.”
The new restaurant is on the other side of town from the Clift Farm restaurant. It is located off of I-565 on Tom Thrasher Lane next to Cracker Barrel in the former Ruby Tuesday lot. It will be slightly larger than the Clift Farm location and will feature the newest model of Chickfil-A restaurant design along with a double drive thru and an indoor playplace. Construction is expected to be completed late 2024 and the restaurant open for business by the end of this year.
Chicken Salad Chick to hold grand opening for Town Madison location on July 16
By STAFF REPORTS
MADISON - Chicken Salad Chick is opening a seventh location to the area overall and a second in Madison this month. It is located at 101 Moon Shot Drive in Town Madison. This company-owned restaurant features a convenient drive-thru and a patio for outdoor dining, with proximity to Toyota Field and the Double-A baseball team as well as near Redstone Arsenal and other retail businesses.
The Madison community is invited to celebrate the grand opening on Tuesday, July 16; the first 100 guests at 10 a.m. that morning will win free chicken salad for a year.
Chicken Salad Chick made its Huntsville debut in 2014 on Airport Road, then opened on Highway 72 West in Madison in 2017. The brand has continued growing in the area with company-owned locations now in Athens, Decatur, Florence and Cullman.
“The greater Huntsville commu-
nity has been incredibly supportive of Chicken Salad Chick over the past 10 years, and we have loved getting to know our local guests and their families over lunch, dinner and catered events,” said Scott Deviney, CEO of Chicken Salad Chick. “Town Madison is known for its emphasis on connectivity, community and culture, which makes it a perfect fit for our company mission to spread joy, enrich lives and serve others. We are thrilled to reach even more of Madison and Huntsville with our freshly made chicken salad served with gracious hospitality.”
As part of the pre-opening Friends & Family events at Town Madison, General Manager Hali Treadway and her Chicken Salad Chick team will be supporting Kids to Love, which serves children living in foster care, putting clothes on their backs, getting Christmas presents under the tree and giving them scholarships for the next steps of their education. Through the Chicken Salad Chick Foundation, the company also raises funds for
organizations throughout the year to fight childhood cancer and support local food banks and food-related charities. Chicken Salad Chick in Town Madison will be open Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.chickensaladchick.com. Follow Chicken Salad Chick on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and trends. For more information on giveaways and specials, visit www. facebook.com/ChickenSaladChickTownMadisonAL.
By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON - Bank Independent announce last week the launch of its 11th annual School Share drive, which started on July 1. This year, the drive will support local school children through the “$5 Helps Carry the Cost” campaign, aiming to provide essential school supplies to those in need.
“Our ‘$5 Helps Carry the Cost’ campaign is a great reminder that a little can go a long way to make a big impact,” says Hallie Mauldin, Community Engagement Leader at Bank Independent. “Whether you can drop off school supplies on collection day or take a moment to donate to the drive, we’ll ensure your donations make a positive difference in your community.”
Monetary donations will be accepted via PayPal and Venmo, making it easier than ever for community members to contribute. In addition, a special collection day has been scheduled for July 19th at two Walmart locations: Cloverdale Road in Florence and Highway 72 in Madison.
“At Bank Independent, we believe in the power of community support and recognize the importance of ensuring every child has the tools they need for a successful education,” said Rick Wardlaw, CEO of Bank Independent. “Our annual School Share drive is a commitment to investing in the future of our communities by providing essential school supplies to those in need. We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with local organizations and our generous community members who contribute to making a lasting impact on the lives of our students.”
Bank Independent partners with local organizations across its seven-county footprint to ensure that donations are distributed to area families in need. This year, donations will be distributed through Sidney’s Safe in Lauderdale and Colbert County, DHR of Franklin County, DHR of Lawrence County, DHR of Limestone County, Committee on Church Cooperation in Morgan County, and Free 2 Teach in Madison County.
Food Share Drive raises over $7,000 and 300+ donations
By STAFF REPORTS
MADISON - Bank Independent and the Helping Hands Foundation announced the successful completion of the 10th Annual Food Share Drive. Thanks to the generosity and support of our community, $1,000 was raised for each partner organization, and over 300 items were shipped directly to them.
Running from April 29 to May 17, the drive aimed to combat food insecurity and support local organizations across the seven counties served by Bank Independent. Community members contributed both monetary donations and items from Amazon Wishlists specifically curated for each partner. These contributions have stayed within the local communities, directly benefiting families in need.
For the fifth consecutive year, Matt Curtis Real Estate, a leading residential real estate team based in Huntsville, has reached the distinction of “#1 Real Estate Team in Alabama.” In the photo, Curtis, at left, visits a young family who worked with his office to purchase the home.
Chick-fil-A broke ground on their newest location at Town Madison on Monday. It will be located off of I-565 on Tom Thrasher Lane next to Cracker Barrel in the former Ruby Tuesday lot.
HISTORY with John Rankin
Captain John Buchanan Floyd
Madison Mayor, 1898-1900
By JOHN P. RANKIN Madison Historian
MADISON - One of the more successful Southern recoveries following the Civil War was experienced by John Buchanan Floyd, a Confederate Captain. He was the youngest of four brothers who fought for the Confederacy, sons of Dr. Nathaniel Wilson Floyd of Lynchburg, Virginia. The family history was documented in “Southern Biographies and Genealogies, 1500s - 1940s”. John Floyd attended Virginia Military Institute, where he studied under Professor T. J. Jackson -- later known as “Stonewall Jackson”.
John was on a visit to Alabama, staying on the plantation of his next oldest brother, Nicholas Jackson Floyd of Shoal Ford, near Madison in Limestone County when the war started. Nicholas immediately left for duty in the Confederate forces after obtaining John’s promise to remain in Alabama and manage the cotton plantation. However, after the first Battle of Manassas and Lincoln’s call for more Union troops, John could resist no longer. He put the affairs of the plantation in the hands of its black foreman and joined a newly organized Confederate company, where he was elected to a lieutenancy.
The company that John joined became a part of the 35th Alabama Infantry and distinguished itself at Corinth, Mississippi, where its major was killed. John was given a battlefield promotion to replace the major. However, the War Department of the Confederacy declined to move him above those in the normal progression. Instead, a captain was put in the position, and John was transferred to General Joe Wheeler’s cavalry.
When General Wheeler’s force was sent to defend Atlanta, during a Southern attack at “Big Shanty”, John Floyd was shot from his horse during the last charge against a greatly superior Union force. He received a Minie ball through an ankle, but men of his company rallied around him during the intense gunfire and got him on his horse again. He refused to permit the surgeons to amputate his foot, and he suffered as a cripple for the rest of his life from the injury. His brother Nicholas Floyd was passing through on other orders and found John in distress, so he changed his travel plans to take John back to the family home in Virginia for the duration of the war.
John B. Floyd’s photo was made after the war, when he had acquired civilian clothing of proper size. He was over six feet tall, as were two of his brothers, excepting the third, who was reported as “just barely six feet in his boots”. A photo of John’s brother Nicholas was made as he passed through Lynchburg, Virginia, where his father lived. The occasion was just after the Battle of the Crater at Petersburg, Virginia, in 1864, and Nicholas was enroute to the Trans Mississippi District. Nicholas was also owner and editor of the Athens, Alabama, newspaper “THE HERALD”.
A photo of John’s brother Nathaniel Bedford Floyd is believed to have been taken in Matamoras, Mexico, while he was an officer of the general staff. He served as an ordnance officer in the 6th Texas during the Civil War. The third brother of John, Charles Anderson Floyd fought in the Virginia Cavalry. His photo was made in camp a short time before he was killed in the repulse of Grant’s attack on the right flank of the small remnant of the Army of Northern Virginia (under General Robert E. Lee), only three days before the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse in 1865. A composite of these photos is contained in a book held by the Madison Station Historical Preservation Society.
After the war, John decided to revisit his brother Nicholas’ Limestone County (Alabama) plantation, and there he received a second kind of “wound” from which he also never recovered. He at that time encountered a second cousin visiting his brother. That second cousin was now a woman, no longer the attractive schoolgirl that he had seen before the war, and her blue-gray eyes inflicted this new wound from what started as harmless glances. The distant-in-bloodline cousin was Frances Maria Harris, but she was apparently not too distant toward John in other ways.
John B. Floyd and Frances M. Harris were both descended from Orlando Jones of Virginia via one of his two granddaughters. The younger of the granddaughters of Orlando Jones was
Frances Barbour Jones, who married an unrelated Captain John Jones. Captain Jones served as an officer in the Light Brigade of Henry Lee, the father of Robert E. Lee. The Light Brigade endured the harsh winter conditions of the Revolutionary War at Valley Forge, where also was Captain Llewellyn Jones, who is buried on the UAH campus. It was Frances Barbour Jones who became the great-grandmother of both John B. Floyd and Frances Maria Harris, who were wed in Alabama in December of 1867.
To grasp the prestigious connections of many of our Madison-area families in American history, one should note that the older of the two grandchildren of Orlando Jones was Martha Dandridge, who at age 19 married her neighbor Colonel Daniel Parke Custis in 1750. Custis was born in 1711, making him at age 39 and 20 years older than Martha at their marriage. Parke died in 1757, leaving young Martha with several children and enormous wealth. Two years later, in 1759, Martha married George Washington, who later became the first President of the United States. Martha and George produced no children together, but they raised two of Martha’s grandchildren in their home at Mt. Vernon in Virginia. The family connections led to Martha Dandridge Custis Washington becoming a great-grandmother of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s children. Furthermore, Llewellyn Jones has been found in Family Tree postings to have been one of the ancestors of Madison Mayor John B. Floyd (served the city 1898-1900), making direct connections to Llewellyn Jones and the UAH campus for some of Madison’s most prominent early officials. John B. Floyd and his wife Frances Maria Harris produced nine children that lived to adulthood. The eldest, Elizabeth Harris Floyd, married Eldred Fletcher of Madison, son of Dr. Richard Matthew Fletcher. The second, Annie West Floyd, married William Harvey Gillespie, son of Campbell Milton Gillespie and his wife Lorinda Clark. The third was Schuyler Harris Floyd, who married Mittie Sherrod. The fourth child of John and Frances was Ellen Stith Floyd, who married John Hertzler, son of Dr. John Hertzler, who in 1877 bought land east of Zierdt Road and north of Martin Road that is today the northwestern part of Redstone Arsenal. The Hertzler family, however, resided on Madison’s Front Street for a time, after having constructed a larger house for the patriarch of the family at the corner of Church Street with College Street, as well as another large family home that was built upon their arsenal land holdings. That original Hertzler house in Madison is no longer standing, replaced by a more contemporary dwelling.
Ida Isabel Floyd was the fifth child of John and Frances Floyd. She married Thomas H. Hopkins, a grandson of Alabama’s 2nd Governor Thomas Bibb. His father, Arthur Mosely Hopkins, a son of Arthur Francis Hopkins, an early Alabama Supreme Court justice, had married Eliza, a daughter of the Governor. John Buchanan Floyd, Jr., was the sixth child. He married Sarah Hibernia Wise, who was a daughter of James Arthur Wise and Lucy Harris. The last three children of John B. and Frances Maria Floyd were Florence Lee Floyd, Charles Perkins Floyd, and Nicholas Nathaniel Floyd for whom data has not yet been collected by this writer.
The father of Hibernia Wise, James Arthur Wise, was brother and business partner of George Washington Wise, a prominent Madison merchant and President of the Bank of Madison, as well being a partner in the Burton & Wise Drug Store and the firm of Wise Brothers & Harper Company. The latter firm was so-named due to the inclusion of partner Benjamin F. Harper, who served as Mayor of Madison, 1900-1901, serving immediately after the terms of Mayor John Buchanan Floyd Sr. Hibernia’s fatherin-law John B. Floyd Sr. was also a trustee of the Madison Male & Female Academy, along with her father James A. Wise, who had a great name for a school leader.
George W. Wise was likewise partner in the firm Wise, Hertzler & Co., which was dissolved and replaced in 1887 by the partnership of the Wise Brothers (George W. & James A.). James Arthur Wise’s wife Lucy Harris was a daughter of Thomas Harris, the first person known to be buried in the Madison City
Cemetery, according to death-date inscriptions on tombstones. Thomas died at age 30 in 1869 from wounds received at one of the Battles of Manassas.
From these relationships, one can easily see that the Floyd children were completely intertwined into the history of the town and the area. Somehow, the large Floyd family was raised in what today we would consider to be a very small house on west Martin Street. John Buchanan Floyd, Sr., in spite of his crippled ankle, became Mayor of Madison for several terms, 1896 and 1898-1900. While serving in that capacity, he bargained with the city to build in 1896 or 1898 the structure that became known as the Roundhouse, even though it was octagonal in shape. The original Roundhouse then served as Madison’s first city hall, being used as the Mayor’s office and for card playing and haircuts when the barber would visit on occasion. It is thought to have been given the name “Roundhouse” from railroad stations generally built at the termination of a line, where the train turned around, thereby becoming turn-arounds or “round” houses, no matter what their shape. There were two tracks in front of the depot and one track ran behind the depot for loading freight, so it could have been thought that trains could turn back here. Still, the Madison station was not a point on the line for turning around. The name may have come from the appearance of it looking a bit like a roundabout from a distance along the tracks,
but it was never really a true roundhouse typical of railroads.
The original Madison Roundhouse was built on 8-foot stilts over the town’s water supply (a well or cistern) on the Main Street side of the tracks. That location was necessary and the stilts needed because at the time of construction, the town owned no other land. In fact, that land was likewise not owned by the town, but the Memphis & Charleston Rail Road had granted a 99-year lease for installation of the cistern to fight fires in order to prevent the depot and businesses along the tracks from burning down after being showered by sparks from the smokestacks of passing or parked locomotives. Today’s Roundhouse Replica was constructed on the old depot site in 1986 during a Street Festival, but it faithfully followed the original structural design to the extent possible. It also illustrates the effort required for Mayor Floyd to ascend the stairs on his painfully injured ankle with no elevator or escalator whenever he went to his office in the original Roundhouse, which served as the town’s first City Hall, Mayor’s Office, and Barber Shop until the mid-1930s. Its function was replaced by a two-story wooden structure on the south side of Martin Street on the west side of Garner Street until 1954, when what is now Main Street Café became the city hall for a time. Today’s city hall was constructed in 1994, and it has served our growing city quite well.
Confederate Captain John Buchanan Floyd (circa 1864 - 1865)
Original Roundhouse circa 1936 before being torn down.
Madison Belle Ramsey Griffith near Roundhouse replica in November, 2012.
Happy Fourth Of July, America!
Independence Day is celebrated in the United States each year on July 4; as a result, the holiday is called the Fourth of July. Most Americans have a holiday from work or school. Fireworks are set off in many towns and cities to mark the occasion, and parties and picnics are common. On July 4, 1776, the Founding Fathers of the United States of America signed the Declaration of Independence declaring that the 13 colonies were an independent nation free from control by the British Government. These 13 original colonies (which are now states) were Virginia, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The colonists wanted freedom from laws passed by the English Government which they felt were unfair, especially tax laws. Revolting against a tax on tea, a group of colonists known as the “Sons of Liberty” disguised themselves as Native Americans and threw around 350 crates of tea from three British East India Company ships into Boston Harbor in December 1773. This act is known as the Boston Tea Party. The British Government responded to the revolt by passing laws that increased royal control. The colonies rallied together and a colonial committee decided to convene the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in September 1774. The first Congress demanded that Britain repeal all the unfair laws they had passed since 1763 and called for a colonial boycott of British goods. The Revolutionary War began on April 19, 1775, and ended in victory for the United States with the Peace of Paris Treaty which was signed on September 3, 1783.
Hidden Words:
Alexander Hamilton, Ben Franklin, George Mason, George Washington, James Madison, John Adams, John Marshall, Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, Thomas Jefferson
Using the numbers 1-6, complete the puzzle below. You are to have
Alone yet not really alone
By BECKY MILLER God’s
Stand
“A
Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:32-33 NIV Bible Gateway
Sometimes it is okay to take a break and do nothing. If you’re a mom with toddlers or young children, it might be harder to orchestrate but point being it is even good for children to learn the value or resting and stillness.
As I write this, I am relaxing, not following my to do list, next to a fountain. I am under a shade tree.
I am observing antics of birds flying here and there. I was pondering the people in the Big Apple needing to escape to Central Park to get away from the concrete jungle and noise.
When you are alone God is always with you. Enjoy some peace without clamoring for Facebook updates. Sit, pray, be still, relax. Don’t worry what others think or who is looking at you because probable no one is. Just chill and thank God for moments of solitude.
PRAYER: Lord to you I lift up praises of Thanksgiving for life, for blessings, for family, for friends, for a time of relaxation. Help me seek joy in every situation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
God’s Lemonade Stand is written by former Madison resident Becky Miller. Her daily devotions appear on Facebook or at godslemonadestand.blogspot.com.
forty volunteers to clear debris from overgrown cemeteries, restore and clean headstones, and maintain the sites. The work is not always easy. It is often physically demanding, from dodging brush and stumps to lifting heavy headstones and box tombs.
“Actually, my wife took an old pair of blue jeans and cut the legs off and put elastic in it to go over my arms because I kept coming home with all these cuts and bruises and bleeding from my arms from the briars, and she says, ‘You got to do a little better job protecting yourself,’” laughed Hannah.
Many of the cemeteries he works on are hundreds of years old and former family cemeteries or defunct church cemeteries that have been abandoned and fallen into disrepair. With the population growth in North Alabama currently, many cemeteries are endangered by the encroachment of new developments as was the case with one cemetery in Meridianville that was unknowingly damaged by construction crews of a new subdivision.
Hannah and his volunteers use what they have to clean up these historic cemeteries and when their own axes and strength aren’t enough, Hannah has found help in local leaders, as in the case of the Crawford-Ryan cemetery in Morgan County. When one particular tree was too large for Hannah and his volunteers to handle, state Senator Arthur Orr secured them a $1,500 grant to contract a tree removal company.
Accessing cemeteries is another challenge Hannah faces, as a cemetery he recently worked on in Decatur demonstrates. The positioning of the cemetery between railroad tracks and a defunct foundry along with the padlocking of the gates to the cemetery made it difficult for Hannah and the public to regularly access.
Locating these cemeteries where Revolutionary War veterans are buried in the first place is challenge in and of itself, and then confirming that a patriot is buried there can be another challenge.
Hannah and the SAR partners with The William G. Pomeroy Foundation who supplies the $1,500-historical markers for the patriots, but the Pomeroy Foundation has a few requirements in order to acquire a marker. One of those is confirmation either through records or an original headstone that the patriot is in fact buried there.
With many cemeteries in bad shape with broken and missing headstones and records sometimes scarce, confirming a veteran’s burial can be difficult, but Hannah has another group of volunteers dedicated to researching for confirming evidence.
Once the veteran is confirmed and the cemetery restored, the historical marker is erected and then unveiled in an official ceremony with the SAR color guard and often DAR representatives. Hannah even reaches out to descendants of the patriots and some make trips from all over the country to attend the ceremony and visit the gravesite.
The Gray Cemetery right here in Madison is one of Hannah’s current projects and where a celebratory ceremony will soon be taking place. The Gray Cemetery is located off of Balch Road near the Gillespie Road intersection. It was formerly used by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church that sat on the property until the late 1920s.
So far one patriot, John Gray, has been confirmed to be buried there, and Hannah suspects there could be another two patriots.
The cemetery, which is one of the largest Hannah has worked on at almost two acres, has been three years’ work so far, and Hannah has partnered with local historian and volunteer cemetery restorer John Rankin to clean, restore, and maintain the cemetery.
The Gray cemetery presents its own
challenges to restoration. To start, it is boxed in on all sides by a neighborhood, a storage unit facility, and a wooded area, making it difficult for the public to access and for Hannah and his team to remove the cleared debris from the cem etery.
“This particular cemetery has been a real bear because first of all, typically, when we’re cleaning a cemetery, we’ve got some place that we can drag all the brush and the trees and the bushes and the briars but this particular ceme tery is all boxed in except for the south end which is opened up into kind of a swampy area. So, we started making all these piles of debris within the ceme tery,” Hannah explained.
The south end of the grounds also contains a former dirt road that was once used by wagons to bring coffins to the church and cemetery. The road now forms a deep gully that cuts across the land, presenting another potential dan ger and obstacle to easy access.
Public access is another one of the Pomeroy Foundation’s criteria in order to supply a historical marker, and thus, a major concern of Hannah’s when renovating cemeteries where Revolutionary War veterans are buried.
Fortunately, Hannah is working on solutions for the Gray cemetery. The city is currently building a paved road through the wooded area on the far south end of the cemetery to access their nearby water treatment plant but the road will also double as a public access point to the cemetery and a small parking lot planned for the road will additionally make public access even easier. As for the former road and current gully, a local Boy Scout plans to earn his Eagle Scout badge by building a bridge for foot traffic to cross the gap on the way from the parking area to the cemetery.
Restoration of the Gray Cemetery is ongoing, and Hannah plans to map the cemetery and register it with the Alabama Cemetery Preservation Alliance. He also plans to apply for a historical marker for the cemetery and hold an SAR ceremony for the patriot, John Gray, there as soon as the city’s road is finished and public access has been established.
“Basically, when we find a patriot in the cemetery, we’re not going to just clean up the area around where the patriot is. If we’re going to do it, we’re going to do it right. We’ll clean up the whole cemetery,” explained Hannah.
So far, Hannah has acquired seven historical markers for the state of Alabama.
For his efforts, the SAR’s sister organization, the DAR, has presented Hannah with three awards including the America 250 medal and the Hannah White Arnett Medal, presented by the regent of state.
The work is important to him because of the significance of the sacrifices these early patriots made to found our country. He recalls being hit by the importance of this work upon finding a stone in one cemetery he was clearing that read, ‘Lost but not forgotten’.
“That really just broke my heart to see something like that and knowing that we have so many people in these early days who sacrificed so much and especially in taking a stand for our country and being able to start and develop such a nation as we have today. I think it’s only fair that we search out those individuals and give them some of the honor that they deserve,” recalled Hannah.
He plans to keep going for a long time:
“I’ve pretty much just set a personal goal that as long as I’m able to get out there and clean up these cemeteries, rebuild their headstones and place markers on their graves and have ceremonies to recognize these folks, I’m going to do it as long as I can, as long as I’m able.”
The Tennessee Valley Chapter is one of the leading chapters in the country in cemetery restoration. Hannah hopes to get other chapters interested in doing the same thing in their areas. He also hopes to cover all the veterans in North Alabama and then bring more cemeteries back to life throughout the entire state. Hannah is always looking for more volunteers to join him and posts regular updates on his projects on Facebook.
The Gray Cemetery has one patriot from the American Revolution buried there, John Gray (above, next to the grave of his wife, Eleanor. Hannah suspects there could be another two patriots in the cemetery.
McCartney Campbell, local Boy Scout is working on his Eagle Scout project ar the Gray Cemetery by building a bridge for foot traffic to cross a gap on the way from the planned adjacent parking area to the cemetery.
Madison Historian John Rankin and volunteer Karen Thacker discussing what task is up next in cleaning out the old Gray Cemetery, which was lost for decades in the woods off Balch Road. Rankin helped rediscover the graves over 30 years ago.