91-year-old Madison woman gets bucket-list balloon ride
By JEAN COLE news@themadisonrecord.com
ATHENS — When a beloved 91-year-old woman says a hotair balloon ride is one of the last items on her “bucket list,” others try to make it happen.
That’s what the friends and family of Jo Putney did last Sunday in Limestone County.
As soon as the sun peeped over the horizon, Putney and her entourage had gathered in Athens at Majestic Metals field. They waited patiently as the balloonists from Bluff City Balloons of Memphis inflated Mischief. The baby blue, hot-air balloon is covered with blooming flowers, appointed with a butterfly and hummingbird, and topped with the Tennessee state flower — the blue iris.
Inside the wicker basket of the balloon was a special safety chair for Putney, who uses a walker, so she could sit through the flight and be buckled in.
Putney, of Madison, had always wanted to fly.
“When she was a little girl, whenever a plane flew over, she would run outside and watch it go over,” said her daughter, Jan Edmunds. Putney retired from a career in finance with Huntsville City Schools, but the debits and credits of accounting didn’t quench her thirst for flight.
By the time the balloon and wicker basket began their slow ascent from the field about 7 a.m. Sunday, Putney’s smile was so wide it filled her face. Edmunds, who was also a passenger, looked a little nervous at first. Pilot Skip Durham was drenched in sweat from the already oppressive heat and from manning the propane
See PUTNEY Page 8A
“Mr. Baseball” Braden Booth awards grant to Miracle League of Madison
By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON - Braden Booth, who was instrumental in Bob Jones High School’s state baseball title win this spring, was named Gatorade Alabama Baseball Player of the Year. With that honor, he was given a $1,000 grant to gift to a non-profit organization of his choice.
Booth gifted the Miracle League of Madison with the $1,000 grant to help accomplish its goal of building a topnotch, all-inclusive field and complex
at Madison’s Palmer Park in order to provide opportunities for children with disabilities to play baseball.
“It means everything to me to be put in this position to give back to the community and I believe anybody, no matter their life circumstances, should be able to play the game,” Booth told WHNT News 19. “I grew up here playing. The community here is amazing and it taught me everything I know.”
Booth started his baseball career at a young age, playing tee ball at Palmer Park, which is why it was the first
See BOOTH Page 8A
MPD seeks information after man killed in Madison shooting
By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON – The Madison Police investigated a shooting last week that left a man dead. Police investigators were asking for the public’s help after a man was killed last Wednesday night near Horizon Elementary School. The shooting happened on Miller Blvd near the intersection of Old Madison Pike around 11:30 p.m.
According to WAFF, when officers arrived, they found a man suffering from several gunshot wounds. Officers were on the scene within two minutes and attempted lifesaving measures until paramedics arrived. HEMSI took the man to Huntsville Hospital where he died from his injuries. His identity had not been released at press-time. Authorities said there is reason to believe the victim and the shooter knew each other and that this was an isolated incident. Madison Police is asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the department at tellmpd@madisonal.gov or 256-772-5658.
Fireworks
By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON – A fireworks accident claimed the life of a 20-yearold man early Friday.
HEMSI spokesman Don Webster told WHNT News 19 they responded to a call about a fireworks-related accident just after 12:00 a.m. on Friday in the area of Nick Davis Road and Pettus Road. When they arrived on the scene, they found an injured man. Webster said he was taken to Huntsville Hospital Trauma Services, where he later died from his injuries.
Recently named “Mr. Baseball” Braden Booth of Bob Jones was also named the Gatorade Player of the Year receiving a $1,000 grant which he chose to donate to the Miracle League of Madison. Booth, left, presented the donation check to Michael McKay in an effort to secure a state-of-the-art Miracle League facility in Madison. Photo by Andrew Noles
Jo Putney, seated, prepares for her hot-air balloon ride Sunday in Limestone County. The 91-year-old had the ride on her bucket list. At left is Putney’s daughter, Jan Edmunds.
Skip Durham of Bluff City Balloons in Memphis, prepares to help 91-year-old Jo Putney experience her bucket list adventure.
‘It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard ev-
eryone would do it. The “hard” is what makes it great.’ - Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks) says to Dottie Hinson (Geena Davis) about baseball in the 1992 movie “A League of their Own”.
GARBAGE TRUCK SLAMS INTO HOUSE - Authorities responded to a garbage truck that went through a home in Madison on Friday morning. A spokesperson for the Madison Police Department said the garbage truck left the roadway on Sullivan Street north of Royal Drive and went through the side of the home on Grayson Avenue. No one was home at the time of the crash, and four dogs were taken to animal control. Three parked vehicles were also hit by the garbage truck. Don Webster with HEMSI told WHNT News 19 that one person was transported to Huntsville Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Madison Fire & Rescue Chief David Bailey, who witnessed the crash, said it was the garbage truck driver who was transported.
Beryl is a reminder gas prices could be affected in coming few weeks
By STAFF REPORTS staff@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON - As expected over the 4th of July holiday and weekend, the average gasoline prices in the Madison and Huntsville have risen 4.5 cents per gallon, averaging $3.14/g Monday, according to GasBuddy.
Prices in Huntsville are 0.8 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 6.3 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.
The national average price of diesel has risen 3.6 cents in the last week and stands at $3.81 per gallon. The national average price of gasoline is unchanged in the last week, averaging $3.46/g on Monday. The national average is up 3.7 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 5.5 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled
from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.
“The national average price of gasoline has nudged higher over the last week as oil prices have continued to push toward multi-month highs. While it looks like this recent rise could be restrained for now, Hurricane Beryl is a stark reminder that hurricane season could play a role in prices in the weeks ahead,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.
“For now, we’ll likely continue to see some fluctuations in either direction with the national average moving up, but as we approach August and the peak of hurricane season, there remains a risk that the national average could surge temporarily if we see a major storm in the wrong place.”
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.
8, 2018: $2.51/g (U.S. Average: $2.85/g)
July 8, 2017: $1.97/g (U.S. Average: $2.26/g)
July 8, 2016: $2.01/g (U.S. Average: $2.24/g)
July 8, 2015: $2.49/g (U.S. Average: $2.76/g)
July 8, 2014: $3.41/g (U.S. Average: $3.65/g)
OneGenAway to hold food giveaway at Calhoun’s Huntsville campus this Saturday
By STAFF REPORTS
HUNTSVILLE - One Generation Away and Refuge Church are partnering up to bring a grocery cart full of food to the local community.
“When school is out for the summer, many families become more susceptible to food insecurity,” said Chris Whitney, the founder and CEO of OneGenAway. “With grocery prices rising at such a high rate, food is difficult enough to obtain, and new school supplies can further strain the budget. We hope coming together with Refuge Church to provide food relieves some of that late-summer stress for families.”
The mobile food pantry will take place in the college parking lot at 102 Wynn Drive Northwest in Huntsville on July 13 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. or as supplies last. Volunteers will
begin sorting and organizing food and backpacks at 7:30 a.m. No registration is required to receive or volunteer. For more information, visit onegenaway.com.
About One Generation Away: One Generation Away is 510(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on wiping hunger off the face of America. Founded in 2013 by Chris and Elaine Whitney, the Tennessee-based nonprofit rescues and receives high-quality food and distributes it free-ofcharge to those experiencing food insecurity in Middle Tennessee, Northern Alabama, and Florida.
By CRAIG MONGER www.1819News.com
MONTGOMERY - State Education Superintendent
Eric Mackey informed the public on Wednesday that the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) website was hacked, possibly exposing the personal information of education employees across the state.
ALSDE information system staff reportedly detected and stopped the cyberattack on June 17, but not before some data was breached.
Mackey said the attorney general’s office, state and federal law enforcement and an independent contractor were investigating the breach but would not elaborate on what data had been compromised.
“The hackers were not able to fully access our system or to lock us out of our system,” Mackey said. “However, before our information services professionals were able to interrupt and stop the hack, some data were breached, we believe.”
He continued, “We began immediately to mitigate the circumstances. This is an ongoing criminal investigation and, therefore, there’s limited things that we can say and limited information that we can give out at this time.”
Mackey repeatedly stated that a “criminal syndicate” was behind the attack, suggesting that the source of the attack was “foreign.” Mackey would not state if those behind the attack had contacted the ALSDE with a list of demands. However, he emphatically stated that the state was not going to “negotiate with foreign actors or extortionists.”
“We can’t give specific information, but on our servers, we do keep backup student data and employee data, and those are state department employees and local education employees,” Mackey said. So, there is a possibility, and again, I can’t say specifically, and I know that people are going to want to know, ‘Do you know if my data are involved?’ I don’t even know if my personal data are involved. Obvi-
ously, I have data stored on the site. I have three sons who went through Alabama Public Schools, so I don’t know if their personal data is involved.”
“But what I would say is that, to all parents and all local and state education employees out there; they should monitor their credit. They should assume that there’s a possibility that some of their data were compromised.”
Mackey clarified that the state servers did not keep or collect direct deposit information, such as bank account or routing numbers, only personally identifiable information.
The ALSDE launched a website with information on the hack, including information for best practices for those who believe they may have been affected by the breach.
“The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends that you place a free fraud alert on your credit file,” the site reads. “A fraud alert tells creditors to contact you before they open any new accounts or change your existing accounts. Contact any one of the three major credit bureaus. As soon as one credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the others are notified to place fraud alerts. The initial fraud alert stays on your credit report for one year. You can renew it after one year.
“Ask each credit bureau to send you a free credit report after it places a fraud alert on your file. Review your credit reports for accounts and inquiries you don’t recognize. These can be signs of identity theft. If your personal information has been misused, visit the FTC’s sit at identitytheft. gov to report the identity theft and get recovery steps. Even if you do not find any suspicious activity on your initial credit reports, the FTC recommends that you check your credit reports periodically so you can spot problems and address them quickly.”
It continued, “You may also want to consider placing a free credit freeze. That makes it less likely that an identity thief can open new accounts in your name.”
SCHOOLS
Maria White named
Madison City Schools
Secondary Instructional Technology Specialist
By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON – Maria
White believes learning should be dynamic, interactive and meaningful. That outlook will blend with her new work as Secondary Instructional Technology Specialist for Madison City Schools.
After completing several teaching fellowships with Breakthrough Collaborative in Birmingham, White taught at Morris, Liberty and Journey middle schools. Her work for MCS started in 2020.
“My experience teaching in various settings and grade levels sparked my interest in using instructional technology to enhance learning and make instruction more engaging and accessible,” White said. “Joining the Transformative Teacher Certification Program, initiated in 2023 by Rachel Gibbs and Russel Johnson, allowed me to grow as an instructional technology coach.”
White’s new position enables her “to further develop as a coach and lifelong learner, expanding my impact on teaching and technology integration.”
Her teaching philosophy centers on creating lessons stimulating students’ curiosity and promoting critical thinking and collaboration. “I adopt a student-centered approach, working alongside students to unlock their fullest potential and foster a love for learning,” she said. “This collaborative environment encourages students to engage deeply with the material and each other.”
As Secondary Instructional Technology Specialist, White will support integration of instructional technology throughout the district. This objective includes setting and achieving instructional technology goals, facilitating effective use of classroom technology and leading professional development sessions for digital tools.
“Additionally, I support the district’s 1:1 initiatives, ensuring teachers and students can effectively uti-
lize technology to enhance learning experiences,” she said.
At day’s end, White can feel the most confident when she has taken time to listen to students or staff and provide valuable feedback. Collaborating with them for improvements that engender pride for everyone is incredibly rewarding, she said.
“Whether it’s helping a student overcome a challenge or working with a teacher to enhance lessons, seeing the positive impact of our efforts at the end of the day reassures me that my work is making a meaningful difference,” White said.
White is filling Russel Johnson’s vacancy. He left the position to work as Secondary Instruction Specialist after Mary Oliver’s retirement.
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, White moved to Alabama after high school.
At the University of Alabama, she earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education / language arts and English.
“Recognizing the transformative potential of technology in education, I pursued a Master of Education in Learning, Design and Technology from the University of West Alabama, graduating in August 2023,” White said.
Her fiance, James Copeland, works as a design engineer at Dynetics. “We’re getting married in Huntsville in September,” she said.
Most people don’t know that she coached cheerleading at Liberty and Journey. “I loved building relationships with young ladies on the team and seeing them develop their skills and confidence,” White said. “Watching them grow not only as athletes but also as individuals was incredibly rewarding. The experience taught me a lot about leadership, teamwork and the importance of encouragement in helping others achieve their goals.”
“When I’m not teaching, I love to travel and spend time outdoors. I also love to work out, read and bake,” White said.
The unseen heroes of the halls SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS
By MADELINE SHAW news@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON - Madison City Schools not only wants to provide the best learning environment for students but also a safe environment. One of the many ways that Madison City Schools continue to ensure safety for their students is through partnership with the Madison Police Department.
Madison City Schools superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols explained he believes “School Resource Officers help show a good partnership with the schools and city as a whole. Having the ability to have School Resource Officers for our district helps show that Madison is a city focused on the safety of students.”
Madison City Schools has been able to have a great relationship with the Police Department and this has allowed the schools to have Schools Resource Officers (SRO) available at every Madison City School. The School Resource Officers are certified law enforcement officers that are hired by Madison City Schools to patrol each elementary, middle, and high school throughout the year. The school resource officers help partner with each individual school to help provide the best safety for each school, they also help bring awareness through a curriculum to help educate children about drug and alcohol abuse.
By the end of every school year officers are more than a police officer when they become a SRO at the schools, they become a friend. The SRO at each school strives to create a relationship between the children at each school to help build a trusting relationship and a reliable adult that they can come to if the children ever need help with anything.
One of the many ways that the SRO’s and overall community of city officials help the children of Madison City Schools have a healthy relationship with their local police officers is through a kids camp that is held by the Madison City School resource Officers.
The School Resource Officer Camp
is put on by the nonprofit Madison Police Foundation, and the camp is run by all the Madison City School Resource officers. The kids camp is for any upcoming rising sixth graders and it’s a week-long camp that teaches the kids all about what the police department provides to the community through their work, allowing children to have a better understanding of their role in the community.
Each day of the camp offers something different that helps each kid have the absolute best experience.
Kids are able to tour City Hall, Madison Police and Fire Department, hear from the local Madison City SWAT, see a K9 Demonstration, and
much more. There is also a day when the state troopers, Medical Air Evac, and Madison Police and Fire Department are able to come and teach the kids about their jobs. The camp is very thankful for the donation of each individual’s time to come to each of the three camps and educate each group.
The camp is offered for three different weeks and this summer they have had 210 kids attend this year’s camp. Throughout the week the kids not only get to make new friends but also build a lasting relationship with the school resource officers that they will know as they continue to grow up in the Madison City School system.
As Secondary Instructional Technology Specialist, Maria White will support integration of instructional technology throughout the district.
WAFFLE HOUSE - THE MUSICAL - A college student from Madison is making a name for himself on the stage at William Carey College in Hattiesburg, Miss. Carey Dinner Theatre will present “Waffle House: The Musical” in July to mark its 50th anniversary. In this photo, a broken-hearted Waffle House cook named Scooter, played by Joseph Dobbs of Madison, Ala., is consoled by friends from the diner played by Andrew Cox of Laurel, Miss., left, and Conner Graham of Hattiesburg. This original comedy, written by three CDT staffers, runs July 11-27
Tatum Theatre on William Carey University’s Hattiesburg campus.
Photos show scenes from the recent Madison Police Foundation School Resource Officer Camp, including a visit from Air Evac Lifeteam (above), a tour of the Madison Police Station and the simulated drunk driving course using golf carts and “drunk googles” to show students how difficult it is to drive while impaired (below).
LIVING
On This Day in History
1962 - Telstar 1 launched
Telstar 1, the first communications satellite to transmit live television signals and telephone conversations across the Atlantic Ocean, was launched this day in 1962, inaugurating a new age in electronic communications.
By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON – Sarah Crouch of Madison is receiving rave reviews for her first book, “Middletide,” set in the Pacific Northwest where she grew up.
“I’ve always enjoyed writing. My earliest memories with a pen in hand were scribbling terrible poems that no one but my mother ever read,” Crouch said.
“Not until I was 25 did I wonder if I had the sort of stamina it takes to write a novel. I was delighted to discover that I did, and though that first manuscript was absolutely plotless and had no publishing future, I was hooked on the novel writing process!” Crouch said.
Today, writing is Crouch’s fulltime job.
“Middletide” has been chosen as a “Book of the Month Club” pick and an “Indie Next” pick. Amazon just named Crouch’s work as one of the “Best Books of 2024.”
The book is a whodunnit but
Crouch would argue that it’s, perhaps more so, a love letter to the Pacific Northwest’s deep beauty.
“Middletide” follows Elijah Leith, a failed mystery writer who returns to his hometown to find purpose in restoring the ramshackle cabin his father left behind and rekindling his relationship with his first love, Crouch said.
“But just as he is getting his feet underneath him again, his new life is turned upside down,” Crouch said. “A woman has been found dead on his property in a crime exactly like the one he wrote about in his failed novel.”
“I chose to include strong themes in this book. Love, longing, redemption and Biblical themes that I believe infused the story with an amount of heart that would not have existed otherwise,” Crouch said.
Crouch wrote most of “Middletide” before 6 a.m. “I’m an early-morning writer and an insomniac. As a busy mother of toddlers, I don’t have the luxury of writing
within normal daytime hours,” she said.
Crouch majored in kinesiology at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Wash.
Her husband Michael is a running coach. Their children are threeyear-old Charlotte and two-year-old Emerson. “Charlotte and Emerson were immensely disappointed to find out that the book mommy wrote contained no pictures,” Sarah said.
Sarah is a 4X Olympic Trials qualifier. She set personal best of 2:32 in the marathon (5:49 mile pace for 26.2 miles) at the 2018 Chicago Marathon. She finished as the first American woman to cross the line.
Sarah has a unique skill – riding a unicycle. “My dad owned an old Schwinn unicycle. One summer at age12, I decided to commit myself to learning how to ride it. Several weeks and knee scars later, I can now ride proficiently,” she said.
Sarah’s book is available anywhere books are sold (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Simon and Schuster and other sources).
THE STORYTELLER
Crank fishing and all you can eat buffet
By BRUCE WALKER Columnist
You can fly fish, jug fish or pole fish but my cousin, Pete, invented a whole ‘nother category-Crank Fishing!
Pete is not the most ambitious soul, my grandpa pointed out if he had another hand; he would need a third pocket to stick it in.
Looking for a way to make money without working, he had a brilliant idea; well maybe it was just slightly bright. He found an old phone down at the barn, the kind you see in those old black and white movies where they crank it around and produces an electric current.
Pete rigged the old crank phone with two naked wires and ran it into the pond. He read where an electric current in water is amplified and shocks the fish; they float to the surface; an effortless way to harvest them.
Pete finished giving the phone a powerful crank and called up a big ole mess of fish; it was like a buffet down at Shoney’s on Friday night. He was in full crank mode when he turned around and there stood the game warden. It turns out, crank fishing is illegal; the warden asked Pete, “What do you think you’re doing?” Without missing a beat or a crank he said, “I think I’ve got the wrong number”. Thirty days later, when he got back, Pete was still obsessed with easy catfish farming.
He scooped out a pond down near the creek, next to Aunt Versa’s prize tomato and lettuce garden. Pete arranged for the Auburn University extension agent to bring over experimental catfish to raise. When the deep blue and orange Auburn truck pulled up full of catfish fingerlings, he tried to talk the driver into leaving the catfish on the truck. Pete figured he would fatten them up and the driver could just come and drive the fish to the market on his way back. The extension agent remembered they needed the water truck at Auburn that Saturday for the Alabama/ Auburn football game; it had the high-powered water cannon on it.
Pete had been studying a new diet, high in iron, you could feed the fish. A light went off in his head, like one of those idiot lights on a car’s dash. Pete had been to the Honda factory in Lincoln, Al. where they use electromagnetic current to cause paint to stick to the metal surfaces. Pete reckoned this would work just as well with catfish. He strung a metal cyclone fence across the pond and hooked 240 volts to it and when that electromagnetic charge went through the water, just like that, Phssssttttt!! All those fish electro-magnetically stuck to that fence! There commenced the most awful noise and smoke you have ever seen!!! He had miscalculated the amplifying effect of water on electricity and had speed-fried a whole pond of catfish. Pete didn’t miss a minute, he got out his magic marker, handwrote a sign on a piece of cardboard and stuck it near Grandma’s Garden down on the road. It said,
Treat summer party guests to slow-cooked ribs and homemade sauce
- Summer get-to-gathers and grilled baby back ribs are a perfect and popular pairing. The following recipe for “Baby Back Ribs” with homemade “Kansas City-Style Barbecue Sauce” from Will Budiaman’s “The Essential Kamado Grill Cookbook” (Rockridge Press) will make sure guests go home with full bellies after any summer bash. Baby Back Ribs Serves 4
4 2- to 21/2-lb. racks baby back ribs
3 tablespoons kosher salt
3 tablespoons freshly ground black
pepper 2/3 cup Kansas City-style Barbecue Sauce (see below)
1. Trim any hanging fat off the ribs. Season with the salt and pepper on both sides. Let stand at room temperature for 1 hour.
2. Prepare the grill for smoking at 225 F to 275 F.
3. Place the ribs meat-side up on the grate over the drip pan. Close the lid. If desired, wrap the ribs in aluminum foil after 1 hour 30 minutes or once the bark (crust) is reddish brown.
4. Turn over the ribs, close the lid, and continue cooking for 1 hour 30 minutes more, or until the ribs pull apart with a gentle tug.
5. Remove the foil (if using), baste the ribs with the sauce, close the lid, and cook meat-side up for 10 more minutes or until the sauce is set. Serve immediately.
Cooking tip: The back of pork ribs is covered with a membrane that some pitmasters say prevents the meat from absorbing the smoke, but this is a myth. Many don’t bother removing it, and leaving it on helps keep the ribs from falling apart when you move them.
Kansas City-Style Barbecue Sauce
Makes about 11/2 cups 1 cup ketchup
Sarah Crouch of Madison has written her debut novel,
BUFFALO SOLDIERS, THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE 10TH CAVALRY IN HUNTSVILLE will be the topic of the July 16 meeting of the Madison History Association. It will be presented by William Hampton, Huntsville Revisited and the Madison History Association along with the Madison Library. The meeting will be held Tuesday, July 16, 6-7 p.m. at the Madison Library Room 1. It is free to the public. Join William Hampton, Huntsville Revisited, for a journey through history. Learn about the Buffalo Soldiers 10th Cavalry, stationed in Huntsville in 1898. Why were they here and more importantly what did they do while they were in Huntsville? The 10th Cavalry was one of the original Buffalo Soldier Regiments in the post-Civil War Army who served in the Spanish-American War. Come a little early at 5:45 p.m. for a meet and greet with the Madison History Association.
and
will transform the Grand Hall at EarlyWorks into an entire hospital, complete with reception, pet vet, operating room, and so much more. The Doc McStuffins Show is about a character from the Disney Junior show, who is a girl that heals toys and helps her friends with their problems. This exhibit is open for a limited time. It is included in general admission, free to members, and all discounts apply.
THIRD THURSDAYS ON MAIN - Madison Visionary Partners and the Shoppes of Historic Downtown Madison will host “Third Thursdays on Main” in Downtown Madison beginning July 18 from 4 - 7 p.m. Each event will feature food trucks, live music, and a variety of events for the whole family and extended shopping hours. Go to www.mvpmadison.org for more information.
“VAN GOGH: THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE”
MADISON CITY FARMERS MARKET
Saturday 8 a.m. to noon 1088 Hughes Road, Madison www.madisoncityfarmersmarket.com
Located at 1088 Hughes Road, next to Trinity Baptist Church, Madison City Farmers Market is a producer-only farmers market founded in 2007. Everything sold at the market is grown or crafted by local farmers and craftspeople. It is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.
When you step into Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, you’re not stepping into an ordinary art gallery. You’re stepping into a full experience that, more than just hanging paintings on a wall, surrounds you in the moving and skillful pieces of Vincent Van Gogh. Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience opened recently at 6123 University Drive Unit 100 in Huntsville. You can get tickets and information concerning what days and hours it is open at www.vangoghexpo.com/huntsville. The exhibit uses high-tech projection technology to display and animate more than 400 Of Van Gogh’s works including both sketches and completed pieces. It has traveled the country and is now arriving in Huntsville.
MADISON FIRST FRIDAYS - Hosted by the Farmers Market at Oakland Springs
Huntsville Botanical Garden and UAH
to host Shakespeare in the Garden
By STAFF REPORTS staff@themadisonrecord.com
HUNTSVILLE - Transport to “fair Verona” or journey to the imaginary seacoast of Bohemia as Huntsville Botanical Garden and UAH’s Huntsville Shakespeare present Shakespeare in the Garden. All are invited to experience alternating performances of Shakespeare’s theatrical masterpieces, Romeo and Juliet and The Winter’s Tale, held in the amphitheater at Huntsville Botanical Garden (HBG).
On July 26, August 3, and Au-
gust 9 at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.), Shakespeare’s greatest love story takes the stage. This 90-minute version of Romeo and Juliet is a family-friendly way to experience the timeless tale of love and tragedy between two star-crossed lovers!
For those looking for an alternative to teenage romance, performances of The Winter’s Tale will be held on July 27, August 2, and August 10 at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.). Witness the 90-minute family-friendly version of a captivating story of jealousy, forgiveness, and re-
Other fun at the Garden
demption, where ancient Greek oracles coexist with Renaissance sculptors and “what’s past is prologue.”
Tickets are $25 for Garden members, $35 for non-members, and can be purchased at hsvbg.
event includes a
HMCPL Bookmobile,
org/calendar. There are no rain dates and no refunds for canceled performances. In case of weather cancellation by the venue, tickets may be rescheduled for a later performance if they are available, first come first
served. Concessions, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase at the event. Guests are prohibited from bringing alcohol into the Garden.
of safely releasing live butterflies into the Purdy Butterfly House. This program begins with a brief presentation about butterflies and their habitat, followed by taking part in the safe restoration of our indoor butterfly population.
cold drink, some yummy food from the café, and live music from local musicians. The Cafe will be open for food and beverages and a bar area will be available at the Cedar Glade.
Glass in Flight • Huntsville Botanical Garden
merizing exhibit, Glass in Flight.
“Fresh cooked Catfish and do it yourself salad bar $5.00”. When Pete’s mother saw what he was doing she pitched a hissy fit, “Pete, I raised you better than that, you shouldn’t be shocking those poor fish,
next time, use the Dynamite!!!”
Bruce Walker chooses to see the humor in life’s situations and he speaks to a wide spectrum of organizations. To contact him, email: bruce.walker2@gmail.com.
over medium heat.
3. Add the garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds or until golden.
4. Add the salt, paprika, cinnamon, and cayenne. Cook for 10 seconds or until fragrant.
5. Stir in the ketchup mixture. Bring to a simmer and let simmer for about 1 minute or until the flavors meld.
6. Let cool and refrigerate overnight before using to let the flavors develop.
Cooking tip: When making barbecue sauce, it’s not necessary to boil the ingredients, only simmer them. Simmering them allows the flavors to meld; boiling them causes the ingredients to separate.
burners that inflate the balloon.
As the balloon rose, friends and relatives gathered below holding signs with encouraging messages and loudly cheered her on.
Another smaller balloon accompanied Mischief, this one piloted by Clay Turner. He also had a bucket-list dreamer aboard; she was flying to commemorate her 75th birthday on July 12. A balloon ride with Bluff City costs $300, with lunch or supper included, said co-owner Toni Durham.
Putney returned to earth in a wheat field near the Buc-ee’s store off Lindsay Lane South.
Booth Continued from page 1A
place he thought of when he had the opportunity to give back.
“You’ve got a kid local kid who played the park, who’s thought about this project and wants to see it become a reality. I think that’ll force the hand of some to give it more thought and contribute to the project to make it a success,” said Michael McKay, the fundraising lead for Miracle League of Madison. “He’s had coaches and influences and parents in his life that have instilled the values in
“It was so still, and we could see white birds that looked like herons,” Putney gushed. “You don’t realize how much noise pollution there is until you ride on a balloon. It’s just so still and peaceful.”
She wasn’t scared. She enjoyed it.
“It was just beautiful; I would do it again,” she said.
Skip and Toni Durham have a quote, attributed to Leonardo DaVinci, on their business cards.
“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward. For there you have been, and there you long to return … .”
Putney now knows the feeling.
him that this type of stuff is important, so he has a platform to speak from and he’s thought about this. This is really cool to see and I hope it’ll inspire other kids who are in a position like him to think about things like this.”
If you’d like to donate to the project at Palmer Park, reach out to Miracle League of Madison by emailing MiracleLeagueofMadison@gmail.com or going to www.mvpmadison.org/miracleleagueofmadison - From WHNT News 19
Renovati
Several local athletes and coaches ready for AHSAA All-Star Week
By BOB LABBE bob@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON - The annual North-South All-Star Week competitions are set for July 1518 in Montgomery and no less than 10 athletes and one coach from the four local schools are among the state’s elite to be selected for the events hosted by the Alabama High School Athletic Association.
Teams comprised representing both the North half of Alabama and those representing the South half of the state will converge on the State Capitol for play against one another in golf, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer, cross country and tennis during the week-long All-Star Week featuring rising seniors. The 65th annual North-South All-Star Football Game was played last December with the South winning 31-28.
Here are the list of the local players/coaches chosen to participate:
Baseball - Zack Johnson, Bob Jones, Catcher, 6-1, 185.
Soccer-Girls - Regan Boyd, Madison Academy, Midfielder, 5-4, Amber Smith, Sparkman, Midfielder, 5-7.
Tennis-Boys - Jason Park, James Clemens.
Basketball-Boys - Kaden Rickard, Bob Jones, Guard, 6-6, 170.
Basketball-Girls - Jaliyah Smith, Bob Jones, Guard, 5-10.
Volleyball - Kennedy Vaughn, Bob Jones, Outside Hitter, 5-11, Riley Lovell, Bob Jones, Setter, 5-6, Jenny Jarrett, Bob Jones, Head Coach.
Cross Country - Boys- Luke Alverson, James Clemens.
Cross Country - Girls- Kylie Gero, James Clemens.
Softball - Kent Chambers, Bob Jones, Administration.
“I am very excited and honored to be selected to coach the North team and obviously it makes it even more enjoyable to get to coach two of my own players in the game as both Riley and Kennedy have worked really hard to excel at their positions,” said Jenny Jarrett. “I also have known many of the players on the North squad
MADISON – Rocket City starting right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (W, 5-6) went the distance tossing nine complete innings of one-run ball as the Rocket City Trash Pandas (42-38, 9-3) defeated the Birmingham Barons 4-1 (45-36, 4-8) Saturday evening at Toyota Field to take five out of the six-game series. With the win and a Tennessee Smokies loss, the Trash Pandas took sole possession of first place in the Southern League second half North Division standings. Rocket City scored three runs in the second to take an early lead as both outfielder Tucker Flint and infielder Ben Gobbel went deep on solo homers. Designated hitter Gustavo Campero singled in the third run of the inning against Barons starting pitcher Noah Schultz (L, 0-2) as the Trash Pandas raced to a 3-0 lead. For Flint, the dinger was his 11th of the season placing him in a tie with Campero for the team lead. Campero’s RBI was his seventh of the series as he finished 10-19 for the six games with two homers, two doubles, a triple, five runs scored and two stolen bases. The Trash Pandas added another run in the sixth as infielder Arol Vera singled to bring home Gobbel and put Rocket City up 4-0.
Birmingham got a run across in the eighth against Rocket City starter Jack Kochanowicz as infielder Cristopher De Guzman doubled in a run to make it a three run game. The Barons couldn’t mount any more damage against Kochanowicz who tossed his third complete game of his Trash Pandas career and second over his last three outings. Kochanowicz allowed just five hits and struck out seven batters while not recording a walk. Kochanowicz was backed up by the Trash Pandas offense which put together 13 hits on the night, giving them 66 for the series which averages to just under 11 base knocks for each game. The Trash Pandas will remain at home and started a sixgame series with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Tuesday. Tickets are available at TPTix.com.
James Clemens cross country runner Kylie Gero, right, was selected to represent the north half of Alabama at the annual North-South All-Star Week competition set for Montgomery July 15-19.
Zack Johnson of Bob Jones, rated one of the top players in Alabama in the Class of 2025, has been selected to play in the annual North-South All-Star Week baseball competition.
Jaliyah Smith from Bob Jones was chosen to play in the North-South All-Star Week girls basketball contest. The 5-10 guard is regarded one of the top players in North Alabama.
ServingFamilies
Bodybuilding Championships Preview 2024: Two local athletes are ready to show off their hard work
By BOB LABBE bob@themadisonrecord.com
Famil
MADISON - If you’re shy, afraid to stand out in a crowd or being judged side-by-side with others, bodybuilding is not your sport. For those who brave to get past what many consider hindrances in life, the sport is a perfect place to build confidence, better nutrition and overall health.
On July 20 at the Von Braun Center, the fifth annual Tennessee Valley Bodybuilding Championships will take place with an array of body types, ages and confidence levels on display for all to see. Two of those eager to hit the stage and show off the results of their hard work and dedication to build their bodies to what many call perfection are Annabelle Bryars and Austin Adair. Both are local former multi-sport athletes who are in their second year of sculpting their bodies and minds with one goal in mind- winning.
“I’ve always been a girly-girl, but never entered beauty pageants, but last summer I found out about bodybuilding and thought it was a muscle beauty pageant and a how you look sport,” said the 19-year old Bryars, a one-time four-sport athlete at St. John Paul II Catholic High School and current student at Samford University where she is studying business marketing with an Air Force ROTC scholarship.
“My mother was a bodybuilder so I was in a weight room as a youngster as I’ve been working out consistently since age 13 and I always wanted to be bigger and stronger,” said Adair, who has worked as a senior consultant contractor for the past six years on Redstone Arsenal and was a fiveyear strength and conditioning coach at his alma matter Grissom High. “This is my first official competition starting from ground zero.”
Bodybuilding competitions require physical and mental discipline including sculpting the body and having the mindset alongside to help get nutrition in line with the physical workouts. Enthusiasm and drive are needed to keep the competition training on track and then perfecting the posing needed to show off every inch possible of your physique. There is no room for hesitations.
Bryars is 19, stands 5-foot-3 and tips the scales at a mere 116 pounds. She will compete in the open class C competition. She began being what she termed a “gym rat” just after COVID in 2020 as she consistently began going to the gym to workout. She fell in love with the process and became smitten with the quiet time where she could “work on me.”
“As I started out, I weighed 136 pounds and I wanted the potential to make myself to look good so I began the process and it’s now striking to see myself change,” said Bryars. “At first, I had no idea of what I was doing. I was a complete beginner, but I saw the huge change in myself. I was going through workouts, without knowing what I was doing, but bodybuilding helped me learn more about my body.”
At 5-7, 175, Adair began heavy training and diet change in early 2023. He tried some powerlifting competitions but not a lot of opportunities to excel in that sport came about, so he turned to bodybuilding where he has shaped his body into what could be an award winner. Seeing his body change has given him confidence. “My best body part has to be my Abs. I don’t have big shoulders so my Abs easily show out. I like having a strong core,” said Adair.
Now 36, Adair was a two-sport athlete at Grissom High where he played football and was a wrestler. He also played trumpet in the school band and found out as a sophomore he could possibly receive a college scholarship to Jacksonville State as a musician. He attended JSU for a year before he transferred to the University of Alabama and became a section leader for the school’s Million Dollar Marching Band. He also played a trumpet solo in the 2011 National Championship Game where Alabama defeated LSU 21-0. Two weeks later, he chose to be a walk-on player for the Crimson Tide where he was on special teams and was a cornerback on defense. He did not see any action for the Tide during the 2012 season where Alabama won its second consecutive National Championship by defeating Notre Dame 4214. Transfer rules would not allow him to see action in any of Tide’s games.
“I came home and at-
from across the north end of the state.”
For the Bob Jones duo, who were part of the team that finished runner-up in the Class 7A State Championships of the 2023 season, setter Lovell and outside hitter Vaughn had 19 assists and 16 kills, respectively, in the 7A finals for the Patriots.
Zach Johnson is fresh off a season of a lifetime for Bob Jones as the FirstTeam All-State catcher helped lead Bob Jones to the Class 7A Baseball State Championship. The Alabama commit batted .384 with 5 homers, 65 RBIs and striking out just 9 times in the season. He had a .986 fielding percentage behind the plate.
tended UAH where I have a business degree,” said Adair. “I coached at Grissom, played three years of semi-pro football and got into CrossFit competition for eight years. I was ranked 54th in world rankings in my age division, but saw that was as far as I could go in that sport. I soon got into bodybuilding.”
In the last few weeks of training, both Bryars and Adair have honed in on specific muscles to help make those changes necessary to compete at a high level. Bryars added, “Having confidence on stage is extremely important. In competitions for women, hair and makeup are also important. I’ve been working on things to amplify my looks.” She had her first competition in November of 2023 at the Birmingham Iron City Championships where she placed second in teen and qualified for the U.S.
Nationals. She also finished second in the open division and third place in the novice division. She added, “My quads are my best body part, but I like my shoulders and back the most. Having well defined calves comes from my years playing soccer, basketball, cheerleading and volleyball. My rear end (glutes) I did not work on until I began bodybuilding. I’ve been working a lot on my posing and feel confident.”
Adair will hit the stage with full support from his wife, Abby. They are expecting their first child in November. He will compete in the men’s physique age 35-plus, 183-pound division.
Both Bryars and Adair will face the competition and crowds with the knowledge they made changes in their lives, bodies, mindsets and the knowledge of who they are and how they feel.
“I’m honored to be chosen for what I expect to be a fun experience as I’ll have a chance to meet new people in a competitive surroundings,” said Johnson, who is expected to sign with the Crimson Tide on National Signing Day. “I’ve been working out at the Bob Jones facilities with some of my teammates and my father
when he can make it.”
The 17-year old is currently nursing an injured “pinky-finger/knuckle” on his left hand. He injured his hand in a tag play at the plate in one of his recent summer league games playing for the Viper Baseball Academy Black squad. He added, “This All-Star Game means I was chosen to be among the best and there’s only one opportunity for this event. I plan on making the best of my experience.”
Kaden Rickard, 6-foot-6 rising senior at Bob Jones, has been selected to play in the 2024 North-South All-Star Week basketball game as a Div. I prospect.
Annabelle Bryars has transformed her body (before, left, and after) through physical workouts and proper nutrition to become an outstanding bodybuilder and will take her new look into the Tennessee Valley Bodybuilding Championships July 20 at the Von Braun Center.
Dustin Adair feels his abs are his best body part in his endeavor to enter the upcoming Tennessee Valley Bodybuilding Championships. The 36-year old one-time walk-on football player at Alabama is set for his first official competition July 20.
CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE DAY! - Here are some fun photos of various 4th of July celebrations in Madison last week. They include the annual City of Madison Star Spangled Celebration at Dublin Park (bottom photos), which was held last Wednesday; fireworks at Toyota Field in Madison after the Rocket City Trash Pandas baseball games on Thursday through Saturday, and a celebration at Madison Church of Christ (top photos). The Star Spangled Celebration included live music, food trunks, inflatables and fireworks. The band, Redstone Avenue, opened the music and keep the upbeat tone until 7 p.m. when Groove took the stage with the band’s seasoned sounds of funk, rhythm and blues, soul, pop and dance party music. Photos by Andrew Noles (Noles Nest Photography), City of Madison and Rocket City Trash Pandas.
BUSINESS
Nominations open for Madison Chamber’s Annual Gala Awards
By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON – Each year at the Annual Membership Gala, Madison Chamber of Commerce devotes an evening to reflect on the dedication of chamber members. To recognize exemplary service, the chamber is accepting nominations for several Annual Gala Awards.
Chamber staff will announce award winners at the gala on Sept. 13 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at The Jackson Center, 6001 Moquin Drive in Huntsville.
“Every year, we dedicate a special evening to recognizing and appreciating the contributions and successes of our esteemed members. Our Annual
Membership Gala will publicly present honors to individuals in several diverse categories,”
Chamber President Michelle Epling said.
“We’re excited to share that you can now nominate members for several awards. Do you know an outstanding member of your team or the Madison community?” Epling said.
To nominate a member, visit
cognitoforms.com/madisonchamberofcommerce/annualgalaawardsnominationform.
Several different categories are open for nominations:
Excellence in Public Service Award — Recognizes an individual for their outstanding contribution to the community through motivation, involvement or service. This person is dedicated to improving the quality of life for Madison citizens.
Young Professional of the Year Award — Honors an individual who is 40 years old or younger who has distinguished themselves as a leader in their profession and in the community.
Businessperson of the Year Award — Acknowledges two individuals who clearly demonstrate dedication to the business community in Madison through initiative, innovation and civic responsiveness. One award will go to an individual from a company with 15 or fewer employees. The other award will identify an individual from a company with more than 15 employees.
* Madison Chamber Citizen of the Year Award — Designed to
BUSINESS OVER BREAKFAST - The Madison Chamber of Commerce recently announced Dr. Kimberly Robinson (Executive Director & CEO) with the U.S. Space and Rocket Center will be the keynote speaker for Madison Chamber’s second “Business Over Breakfast” event. This event sold out last month, and members are urged to register immediately to secure their spot. It will be held July 24 - 7:30- 9:30 a.m. at The Jackson Center, 6001 Moquin Dr. NW, in Huntsville. The topic will be the U.S. Space & Rocket Center - “Return of the Spaceline”. Business Over Breakfast, a quarterly event spotlighting different industries at each session. These gatherings are designed to keep our business community informed about local, state, and national issues impacting both them and our community. This is an excellent opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. For more information, go to www.business.madisonalchamber.com
honor a person who supports the Madison community through outstanding service, along with participation in educational, civic, charitable or business activities . . . over and above normal work assignments.
Madison Chamber Freedom Award — Reserved for a military veteran. The award will recognize this person for contributions to U.S. Armed Forces and American freedom. Note: This award is not presented every year.
Creator of the Year Award –Goes to a visual artist, musician or content creator who produces unique content that wins the hearts and minds of the audience. The work should shine a spotlight on the livelihood of the Madison community.
Ambassador of the Year Award – Identifies a person who represents Madison Chamber of Commerce in an outstanding and productive manner to residents and chamber contacts.
“The Annual Membership Gala lets attendees network and build lasting connections while enjoying a relaxing evening with cocktails, conversations
U.S. Chamber awards Madison Chamber president the National Institute Scholarship
By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON - Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently announce that Michelle Epling, President of the Madison Chamber of Commerce, has been awarded a National Institute Scholarship. Given to professionals across the country, the National Institute Scholarship recognizes each recipient for their involvement in industry professional organizations, community service, and professional background.
Michelle Epling has recently completed her third year at Institute for Organization Management, a fouryear nonprofit leadership training program at Southeast Institute in Athens, Georgia.
“National Institute scholarships offer executives the opportunity to learn about emerging industry trends, expand their organizations’ influence, and grow their peer network,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, vice president of Institute for Organization Management at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce . “We are pleased to help these talented professionals advance their careers and organizations.”
Since its commencement in 1921, the Institute program has been educating tens of thousands of association, chamber, and other nonprofit leaders on how to build stronger organizations, better serve their members and become strong business advocates. Institute’s curriculum consists of four weeklong sessions at four different university locations throughout the country.
Through a combination of required courses and electives in areas such as leadership, advocacy, marketing, finance, and membership, Institute participants are able to enhance their own organizational management skills and add new fuel to their organizations, making them run more efficiently and effectively.
Graduates of Institute receive the IOM recognition, signifying completion of 96 hours of course
instruction in nonprofit management. In addition, participants can earn credit hours toward the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) or Certified Association Executive (CAE) certifications. Nearly 1,000 individuals attend Institute annually.
Institute for Organization Management is the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce . It is the premier nonprofit professional development program for association and chamber professionals, fostering individual growth through interactive learning and networking opportunities.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business organization representing companies of all sizes across every sector of the economy. Our members range from the small businesses and local chambers of commerce that line the Main Streets of America to leading industry associations and large corporations. Michelle stated she wants to extend her heartfelt thanks to the Madison Chamber of Commerce and Institute for Organizational Management for investing in professional and personal growth. She look forward to applying the knowledge and insights gained to further enhance our chamber’s impact and service to our members.
Madison Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for its Annual Gala Awards to recognize the contributions of chamber members.
and community,” Epling said.
“We can’t wait to celebrate the many individuals who help make Madison a wonderful place to live, learn, work and play. Save the date!”
Michelle Epling and her classmates in year three of their journey for the Institute for Organizational Management.
Michelle Epling is president of the Madison Chamber of Commerce.
HISTORY with John Rankin
McElhaney’s Precinct
By JOHN P. RANKIN Madison Historian
MADISON - Before 1854 no person could own the square mile (640 acres) of land where Madison was later founded in what was designated as Section 16 of Township 4, Range 2 West. The area around that square mile was being settled and populated long before 1854. Of course, there were occasional pre-settler trappers and hunters who roamed the Indian land of that square mile before any permanent settlements were made in the historical area of the initial Madison. This was before the time of legal recordings of the sale of the surrounding area west of the old Chickasaw Indian Boundary Line. Those legal sales conducted by the Federal government began on February 3 of 1818, and it is known that many “squatters” had settled in these Chickasaw Indian lands from about 1806 or earlier, when it was known as part of the Sims Settlement. It was in 1854 that James Clemens purchased three fourths (“quarters” -- 160 acres in each quarter) of the reserved square mile mentioned above. It had been part of a new method envisioned and suggested by President George Washington (a former surveyor) to first systematically survey government lands into square mile sections arranged within Townships and Ranges as a numbered coordinate square grid of blocks in groups of 36 square miles each. The 16th section, central in each of the 36 squaremile Township and Range grid blocks, was designated to be reserved from sale and given by the Federal government to the State. The intent was that the various 16th sections within a State’s boundaries were to be used by the State to fund public education. Alabama was the first state in the Union to be surveyed in this manner before land sales were authorized -- which became the standard practice in subsequent years for newly-formed states.
Since the State was directed to use each 16th Section in the county to provide for public education, the 16th sections were called “School Lands”. The state could allow the land to remain idle for hunting or trapping or other uses as seen to be appropriate, or the land could be leased for growing crops, or even sold to raise money to establish school funds. For the area where the town of Madison was later established in 1854, the land was leased each year from 1819, when Alabama became a state, through 1853. Those were the years when bids from interested parties were received for their various purposes, but the “winner” of the yearly bidding would not own the land and would have to bid for it again after each year use, if they wished to continue utilizing or controlling it. Some lessees only hunted or trapped, and some cleared forests for lumber. Others used it for making crops after part or all of the square mile was cleared. The annual bidding was set up and controlled by a State-selected committee of at least three people who lived around the reserved square mile and were familiar with it.
These “commissioners” advertised the bid dates in newspapers of the time, and they later advertised any school openings or jobs for teachers in the section. For example, in 1823 a notice in the Huntsville Republican newspaper of November 7 announced that on Saturday, December 6 the cleared lands of the 16th section, Township 4, Range 2 West would be rented to the highest bidder on the premises. The land commissioners named in the ad were James Bibb, Charles Betts, and David Gray, who were all known residents of the area around the site of Madison’s later founding, and they lived within today’s city limits.
The most of the 16th Section where the historical center of Madison was later established was privately sold by the State in 1854 to Huntsville merchant James Clemens, who initially laid out a town plat and by 1857 began to sell lots to establish a railroad depot town. This was probably after he learned of the planned route for the Memphis & Charleston Railroad through the area from his son, U. S. Senator Jeremiah Clemens. Clemens understood that the locomotives of the time needed to stop for water and fuel (firewood, not coal initially) about every 10 miles, so it was intended that the town would be Clemens’ namesake, to be called Clemens Depot. However, the railroad had other names in mind
and made route maps with the label as Madison Station.
While the railroad thwarted the Clemens initial plan for naming the eventual town that grew up along the tracks and depot, it was not the first name change. The area around the eventual town had already been known by many other names. Before White men’s settlements here, the larger area was known as the Great Bend of the Tennessee River. Later it was called by some as Houstown, when it was considered to be part of the early colony and State of Georgia. Then it became part of the Mississippi Territory, and after that, it became a part of Madison County in the Alabama Territory. Finally, by 1854 all of the 16th Section of Township 4 South and Range 2 West was became the town of Madison Station and then it eventually became known as only Madison in 1869 at the time of incorporation within Madison County in the State of Alabama.
The actual town of Madison Station as it grew in infancy was initially designated as being a part of “McElhaney’s Tax District” or “Precinct 8”, encompassing all of today’s Madison from a bit north of what is now Highway 72 to the south of today’s historical district, almost to Triana. The McElhaney District was centered in Township 3, Range 2W, just a few miles north of the new village of Madison Station. The enigma is why the name McElhaney became namesake of the precinct around the town. The reference arose from David M. McElhaney’s ownership of nearby land from 1848. His dwelling place became the location for a voting place and Tax District No. 8 for the citizens of the area. McElhaney was born in Virginia in 1786 and died here in 1854. He may well be buried on the land that he owned, or perhaps in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church graveyard (today known as the “Gray Cemetery”) along today’s Balch Road just south of Gillespie Road, where there are several hundred unmarked graves in this oldest of the area’s cemeteries.
McElhaney’s 160 acres of land where he lived is today the location of the Cineplanet 15 movie theater and Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse, located on the north side of Highway 72 in the modern Madison area. McElhaney’s name was first found here in the 1830 census, living next door to James Clemens, the founder of Madison 20 years later. Nearby were several Hilliard families plus Vaughn, Tuck, Bishop, Pettus, Fowlkes, Blackburn, Deadman, Douglass, and Parvin families – all names of known Madison, Monrovia, and Harvest area early residents.
McElhaney owned additional land parcels in the area, including a parcel south of Douglass Road, on the west side of the Ardmore Highway. This parcel was sold by the sheriff to Bartley M. Lowe, a sonin-law of James Manning. Lowe was the highest bidder when the property was auctioned on the courthouse steps in Huntsville on December 18, 1827. While initially one could think that McElhaney must have been a deadbeat to have his property seized and sold by the sheriff, that was not exactly the case.
McElhaney had underwritten a judgment of the County Court in a case against Abram S. Wright brought by Allen Bryan in favor of John H. Sneed. Wright’s debt was the reason for McElhaney’s property loss. However, McElhaney also had another parcel. He owned land in the Harvest area, across from the Tuck family cemetery. That property is north of Stovall Road, on the east side of Wall-Triana Highway. Even Mary G. (nee Hilliard) McElhaney, a daughterin-law of the senior David McElhaney, was party in 1870 with her Hilliard siblings in the sale of land located along Matt Phillips Road and Farrington Road, south of Douglass Road. Mary Hilliard had married the junior David M. “McClehaney” in 1861. The elder David McElhaney married Nancy Ann Wilson in Madison County in 1824. The senior David may have had a brother named Moses who lived in both Madison and Limestone Counties. Moses was married in Madison County to Sally Gaither in 1818. There was also an Allen “McElhany” who married Judah Blankenship in Madison County in 1823, so again there was probably a close relationship.
The McElhaney name was dropped from the precinct identification after the senior David’s passing in 1854. The County Commissioners’ Court Minutes of 1856-1861 record a petition by the
The County Commissioners’ Court Minutes of 1856-1861 record a petition by the citizens of McElhaney’s precinct being approved to abolish the name “McElhaney’s Precinct, No. 8” and to move the polling place to the Madison Station depot (above) on the Memphis & Charleston Railroad.
Change from “Mcelhaney’s” precinct to “Madison Station”
Excerpt showing “Madison Station No. 8” precinct change
Excerpt showing “McElhaney’s Precinct No. 8”
1824 advertisement in The Huntsville Democrat newspaper for five teachers (from the Sarah Huff Fisk Collection, HMCPL).
citizens of McElhaney’s precinct being approved to abolish the name “McElhaney’s Precinct, No. 8” and to move the polling place to the Madison Station depot on the Memphis & Charleston Railroad. The change took effect on the first Monday in August 1857, only six months
after James Clemens had sold the first lot in February of 1857. That had to indicate very rapid growth of the infant town, whose name would in a few more years be changed in 1869 to only “Madison” (without the “Station”) on the date of incorporation.
Did you know that July is National Ice Cream Month? It is no surprise that one of the hottest months of the year is set aside to celebrate the cold treat. Ice cream has been around for a long time, though it used to be a dessert only for those with enough money to make it. George Washington was among those people; he liked it so much that he had the equipment to make it and often served it to important guests. Some records may indicate that he spent over $200 on ice cream during the summer of 1790. Today, that would be around $5000! In 1843, a woman by the name of Nancy Johnson invented the hand-cranked ice cream maker. After the invention of industrial refrigeration in the late 1800s, ice cream became more common and, by the 1920s, was being widely mass-produced and much cheaper to purchase. Vanilla ice cream remains the most popular flavor to date and is not difficult to produce. To make vanilla ice cream, you mix cream, sugar, and vanilla. There are several methods to make ice cream, but they all involve mixing the ingredients while keeping them cold. To keep ice cold enough to create ice cream, salt is added to the ice. This lowers the melting point, thus keeping it colder longer and allowing the mixture to keep on churning into ice cream.
SANDWICH BAG ICE CREAM FLAVOR WORD FIND
Follow the directions below to make your own vanilla ice cream by using chemistry!
You Will Need: 2 Zipper-Seal Sandwich Bags, 1 Zipper-Seal Gallon Bag, 5 cups of ice, 1 cup of salt, 1/2 cup of cream, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract, winter gloves or a towel.
Step One: Place the cream, sugar, and vanilla into one of the sandwich bags. Seal tightly and place it into the other sandwich bag. This will prevent leaks.
Step Two: Place the ice and salt into the gallon-sized bag.
THREE SCOOP MAZE
Step Three: Seal the small sandwich bag inside the large bag with the ice and salt. Put on your gloves or wrap the towel around the bag.
Step Four: Begin to shake the bag. You will need to shake it for 5-10 minutes. If ice melts completely, add another cup of ice.
Step Five: After 10 minutes the ice cream should be the correct consitency. You can add any toppings you would like and enjoy. If you want it for later, store it in the freezer.
Banana, Birthday Cake, Blackberry, Black Cherry, Butter Pecan, Chocolate, Coffee, Cookie Dough, Cookies and Cream, Cotton Candy, Green Tea, Mint Chocolate Chip, Moose Tracks, Neopolitan, Peach, Peppermint, Pistachio, Rocky Road, Strawberry, Vanilla
Raising your arms and hands to the Lord
By BECKY MILLER
PRAYER: Lord, I need to die to self and be more aware of your presence guiding me daily. Help me cast off any works of the flesh and worship you and you alone. 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.
your Savior Jesus Christ. I love praise and worship songs where you can lift your hands to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords without worrying about what others think. Being God conscious not self-conscious is what I heard Elevation Worship pastor Steven Furtick call it. Do you have times in church where you want to throw your arms up but are scared? Scared of what? Just do it. Maybe your denomination doesn’t practice that, well guess what? You can do it anyway if you feel led by the Spirit and not the flesh. Maybe if worship doesn’t excite you, it is time to find a church home where the name of Jesus is lifted high. Worship is you and God period not those around you. Be blessed to be a blessing.
COMMUNITY
Madison City Chess League wishes good
By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON – Among the hundreds and hundreds of Madison seniors who graduated this year, four of them scheduled time during their academic studies and extracurricular activities to learn, practice and compete with peers in the game of chess.
Madison City Chess League or MCCL has said goodbye to these dedicated members who participated in chess teams – literally since childhood.
“Congratulations to our graduating seniors,”
MCCL Executive Director Todd Guthrie. “These student chess players are well prepared for their post-high-school lives. We wish them the best as they take on college and adult-
hood.”
• Madhu Balaji, James Clemens High School –Balaji will attend Cornell University, where she will major in computer science and pursue a minor in entrepreneurship. She has served as President of the Society of Women Engineers at James Clemens.
Balaji is the founder of the Alabama Chapter of ProjectCSGIRLS, in which she teaches programming concepts to young girls. She has developed projects, including an EEGbased prosthetic arm and deep-brain stimulation software, that qualified for recognition from judging panels at international science fairs. With one project, she advanced from state competition to Regeneron International Science and Engineering
Fair in Dallas, Texas in 2023. Balaji has played chess for 10 years.
• Pranaav Satheesh, Bob Jones High School — Satheesh plans to major in biomedical engineering at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
In elementary school, he submitted an award-winning entry in Musical Composition for the National PTA Reflections fine arts contest. Satheesh is a National Merit Finalist. He has been focused on math, chess and HOSA (Future Health Professionals) during high school.
Satheesh was elected to serve as President of the Bob Jones Chess Club for the 2023-2024 school year. “He hopes to continue spreading his love for chess,” Guthrie said.
• Rachael Ehrman, Bob Jones – Ehrman plans to major in mechanical engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she received an academic scholarship. She achieved the status of National Merit Finalist. Ehrman has been very active in band and Scouting. In her free time, she has learned to crochet and play bass guitar. Ehrman has been an active chess player since elementary school, and she was a member of the first-place team for the K-12 Section in the 2021 All-Girls State Championship.
• Andrew Park, Bob Jones – Park will major in computer science at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University or Virginia Tech. At Bob Jones, he served as treasurer of Mu Alpha Theta
Math Honor Society and was a member of National Cyber Security Honor Society. Park co-founded the Supercell Club and was a member of the Varsity
Madison Station Historical Preservation Society holds annual picnic
By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com
MADISON – Members of Mad-
ison Station Historical Preservation Society or MSHPS gathered last month for their annual picnic...always an anticipated event but this year carrying special significance with a valued milestone and a formal resolution from Montgomery.
Society members gathered on the beautiful front lawn of Dennis Vaughn’s home on Front Street in downtown Madison. Vaughn owns the Hertzler-Vaughn Home, constructed in 1905.
This year, the society reached its 40th anniversary, giving the membership an added boost for the picnic’s celebratory tone. MSHPS was established and in-
corporated on March 22, 1984.
“On June 18, 2024, the 40th celebration of the founding of Madison Station Historical Preservation Society, in conjunction with our annual picnic, was truly a grand celebration of our 40 years!” MSHPS President Debbie Overcash said. “The society was excited to welcome Alabama State District 25 Representative Phillip Rigsby to present a state resolution congratulating the society on our work completed and all the work our group continues to accomplish in the historic area of Madison.”
“In addition, the society recognized our only charter member still active (very active), as well as participating with many other committees in our community. Our deep and heartfelt ‘Thank You’ to Dennis Vaughn for mov-
ing to Madison in 1983 with his wonderful wife and former Madison City Clerk, Joyce, for loving this community and its people and for truly being a ‘doer’ in our community,” Overcash said.
“Dennis Vaughn is a true Madison jewel,” Overcash said.
For live entertainment, MSHPS members at the annual picnic and 40th celebration were also happy to welcome the “No Name Band.” “They were amazing and elevated the event to a new level,” Overcash said.
MSHPS has an ongoing commitment to help with downtown residential and commercial building preservation; maintaining the Roundhouse; helping Old Madison Cemetery; participating in Madison Street Festival; Memorial Day ceremony; and Christmas events by providing
Open House at the Roundhouse and partnering with the city for Polar Express Christmas Tree Trail and Madison Christmas Capers.
Madison Station Historical Preservation Society continues as an all-volunteer group. The society meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at Madison City Hall. All residents are welcome to attend. For more information, email Debbie.overcash@gmail.com.
Tennis Team and Math Team. He was recognized for work in cybersecurity during CyberPatriot XIV competition. Park has played chess since elementary school.
Dennis Vaughn, center, with MSHPS President Debbie Overcash, at left, and MSHPS Treasurer Cindy Sensenberger.