The Madison Record - July 26, 2023

THE RECORD

By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON - Mike Slaughter, owner and president of Slaughter & Associates, the urban planning firm contracted by the city of Madison to lead the redistricting process, presented the first draft of the redrawn districts to Madison residents at a public meeting on Monday evening. Redistricting is a fivestep process that determines if redistricting is necessary, seeks public input, develops new plans, presents the final draft to the residents in a public hearing, and then seeks adoption and implementation by the city government.

Last Monday’s meeting is step four of seeking public input on the initial draft of the new map. The first steps were completed, and redistricting was determined to be necessary when 2020 census records showed a combined 70.8% deviation between District 2, which deviated from the ideal population by 46.3%, and District 5, which deviated by -24.5%. The Department of Justice requires redistricting when the combined

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“You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.” - Ray Bradbury

Police bust man they say conducted drug operation at Monrovia residence

By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com

MONROVIA - A man charged last week with having more than two pounds of cocaine in a Northwest Decatur house also had a firearm and cash at a Monrovia residence, according to Decatur police.

Terence Orrick Jones, 54, of Decatur, is being held in the Morgan County Jail in lieu of a $752,800 bond, according to court records.

The Decatur police Vice/Narcotics Unit this month opened an investigation into cocaine distribution in the 400 block of Davis Court Northwest and determined that Jones also conducted his drug operation at a residence in the 100 block of Creekmound Drive in Monrovia, according to a police statement.

The residence in Monrovia is situated off Jeff Road, near Monrovia Middle School.

Last Tuesday, police executed a search warrant at the Davis Court address and found the two pounds of cocaine, plus a quantity of marijuana and drug paraphernalia,

according to the statement.

Also on Tuesday, Decatur investigators, with assistance from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, executed a search warrant at the Monrovia address. During the search, police said, a large quantity of U.S. currency and a firearm were located. According to police, the currency was drug proceeds and was seized pending condemnation procedures.

Jones was placed under arrest and charged with trafficking in cocaine, first-degree possession of marijuana and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia.

For more news, go to themadisonrecord.com

Member of the Alabama Press Association

Work still continues at the revamped Kids Kingdom playground at Madison’s Dublin Park. Recent rains have slowed progress, but construction of the all-inclusive playground pushes forward towards a completion date sometime this summer. Possibly in August or September. Just in time for its 25th birthday, Kids Kingdom has secured its role as Madison’s destination playground for future decades. A collaboration among non-profit organizations, civic groups and volunteer activists has brought the vision into reality for a new version of Kids Kingdom. Madison Visionary Partners adopted the kingdom as one of its top-priority ventures. (mvpmadison.org).

Jones

James Edward Barber

State carries out execution for 2001 Harvest murder

By ERICA THOMAS www.1819News.com

HARVEST - A man convicted of killing a 75-year-old woman with a claw hammer in 2001 was put to death early Friday morning at Holman Prison.

James Edward Barber was the first inmate to die of lethal injection since Gov. Kay Ivey ordered an internal review of the lethal injection process.

“Tonight, the justice that James Barber managed to avoid for more than two decades has finally been served,” Ivey said in a statement. “In 2001, 75-yearold Dorothy Epps desperately fought for her life as Mr. Barber brutally and gruesomely beat her to death in her own home. The facts are clear: Mr. Barber confessed to his guilt, and the jury has spoken. His litany of appeals to delay justice finally came to an end, and Mr. Barber has answered for his horrendous crime. In Alabama, we will always work to enforce the law and uphold justice.”

New rules for executions were established prior to the execution, including the changing of the timeframe given on death warrants. Instead of the death warrant for Barber expiring at midnight, it was set to expire at 6 a.m. Friday to give the state more time to carry out the sentence. Previously, executions have been called off because the state ran out of time. That would have likely been the case in Barber’s execution.

Attorney General Steve Marshall cleared the execution at 1:34 a.m. after gaining the go-ahead from the Supreme Court.

“Justice has been served. This morn-

Apple

Continued from page 1A

The new dog was secured through Guide Dogs of America-Tender Loving Canines in California, and started serving patients and staff earlier this month. Because of her extensive training from birth, Apple is able to deliver services based on medical goals, be present during procedures and assist with bereavement. Results include increased healing, decreased anxiety, improved mood and reduced blood pressure.

Hospital leadership anticipate the program to be especially beneficial for youth seeking mental health care and adult patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s. That’s because Apple’s full-time handler, Joe Taylor, MS and LPT (licensed psychological technician), has 30 years of experience working with patients and families affected by psychiatric disorders, as well as neuropsychological conditions such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.

“We have been wanting to add Canines for Coping to our hospital for a long time, and I cannot think of a more perfect duo for the role than Joe and Apple,” said Mary Lynne Wright, president of Madison Hospital. “They are expertly trained for this specialized work and are filling a growing, critical need. We are excited to see the many incredible ways they will

ing, James Barber was put to death for the terrible crime he committed over two decades ago: the especially heinous, atrocious, and cruel murder of Dorothy Epps,” said Marshall.

He continued, “I ask the people of Alabama to join me in praying for the victim’s family and friends, that they might now be able to find some sense of peace and closure.”

Another change made since the process review is the addition of more medical professionals and new equipment following issues with officials being unable to insert an IV into inmates.

Attorneys for Barber tried to get his execution blocked due to previous problems, but the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied that request due to the completed process review. The attorneys then took that plea to the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) but SCOTUS also denied the request for a stay of execution.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented, saying Alabama was experimenting with human life.

“The Eighth Amendment demands more than the State’s word that this time will be different. The Court should not allow Alabama to test the efficacy of its internal review by using Barber as its ‘guinea pig,’” Sotomayor wrote.

In the moments before her death, Epps was at her home in Harvest when Barber, who knew her through her daughter and had done handy work for her, came to visit. He punched her in the face, then attacked her with a claw hammer. An autopsy showed although Epps weighed only 100 pounds, she fought for

See BARBER Page 8A

help patients of all ages, and also support our health care heroes. I am deeply grateful for the Foundation donors who are making this program possible for our hospital and community.”

The addition of Madison Hospital’s new dog was made possible by the generosity of one Madison couple through a memorial gift to HHF. Sheryl and Pat Thomason lost their son unexpectedly in 2022. They chose this special project as a way to memorialize Patrick, who loved dogs. The Thomasons hope the comfort Apple provides will help many recover or deal with their sickness in a more positive way.

“After looking into many different charitable organizations, when the opportunity to provide the dog for the Madison Hospital and knowing Patrick’s love of dogs, this was an easy decision for us,” Pat said. “Just knowing how a facility dog can brighten the day and bring joy for everybody it comes into contact with is a very exciting opportunity. We know Patrick would love this and would support this 100 percent.”

Individuals can contribute to the program’s growth and needs by becoming a Pet Pal! To learn more or donate, visit www.huntsvillehospitalfoundation.org/ caninesforcoping.

Honor

Local WWII veterans visit Normandy for 79th anniversary of D-Day

By ERIN COGGINS news@themadisonrecord.com

Honor. That’s what 96-yearold World War II veteran Otis Branon says was the reason he journeyed over 4,000 miles to Normandy, France to celebrate the 79th Anniversary of D-Day.

Branon, who served in the Pacific Theater, was one of three local veterans to travel to Normandy through the Back to Normandy Association. The trip was organized by Honoring Veterans Legacies, a local non-profit organization co-founded by Chris Batte and Elaine Oakes. Batte traveled with the group.

“I wanted to recognize fellow soldiers–the 10,000 that died,” Branon said.” It’s kind of like our Memorial Day here or some people call it Decoration Day. You go to your mother’s and father’s grave. That’s kind of the way I felt going there. I felt like if I went over there, I’d show my respect and I thought that was the most I could do.”

Ninety-six-year-old Arthur Hullett, an Army veteran, entered the war in 1945 and served in various duties, including overseeing cooks. His motivation for going on the trip was to see Europe rebuilt.

“When the war was over, they gave us a train ride all the way from Spain up to Belgium and into Germany,” Hullett said. “I had a chance to see the early part of the damage that had been done. When I went to Normandy before, people were driving oxcarts or anything to get around.

To see it again rebuilt made me proud to be able to have helped preserve democracy. And I’m a fanatic about democracy.”

The group consisted of 11 people, including Hullett’s wife, Martha, Patterson’s two daughters, Marcia Crouch and Linda Crowell and Branon’s daughter, Tennie Smith. A nurse and nurse practitioner also traveled with the group.

While in France, the veterans attended small-town D-Day celebrations. Batte, who has arranged and been on trips like this since 2016, says she prefers the small-town celebrations over the bigger ones where they are long and involve long speeches by dignitaries.

“One of our favorite ceremonies took place in a town called Brevard,” Batte said. “Rather than having dignitaries speak and so forth, school kids did it. They sang the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ in English which really made an impact and did a symbolic dance with both the French and American flag. It really brought tears to your eyes.”

Besides the celebrations and museums, the veterans also visited school children in the Normandy area. Patterson says the kids were smart and asked intelligent questions.

“Some of their questions, I couldn’t answer,” Patterson said laughing. “I was asked what I did to end the war. That’s a broad question. I didn’t know how to

answer that.”

Patterson, a Pacific Navy veteran, watched the war’s armistice signed in Tokyo Bay with binoculars from his ship. To him, going on this trip was to make a connection to the war’s other theater.

“I can tell you about walking the streets of Tokyo, but I can’t tell you about walking the streets of Berlin,” Patterson said. “I can’t return to the Pacific, but I was able to see what the war meant to the French.”

All three veterans were housed in French civilian homes where they had dinner every evening.

Branon and Hullett’s housemates spoke English; however, Patterson’s host family did not. They found themselves communicating with sign language and Google translator. They simply made it work. Crouch says she witnessed something that will forever be a sweet memory for her.

“They had the children write letters to all the veterans. Daddy was sitting at the table with Francios, the woman of the house. I thought they could go through the letters together,” Crouch said. “I was packing his suitcase in the makeshift room they had made for him but could see and hear them through a sheer curtain. Francois was reading the letters in English and Daddy was helping her with the words that she didn’t know.”

And of course, the food, including bread, cheese and wine, is a memory in itself.

“The diet was quite different from America, not I can tell you that,” Hullett said. “And I am not a big eater, but they kept me eating all the time.”

All three veterans say they cannot rave enough about how they were treated while in France. From the host families to the school children to the locals, they were treated with the utmost respect.

“Stuff like giving up chairs and places in line happen around here, but not as much. Yes, they show their respect, but will not give up everything they have if asked. And every person we met over there would,” Batte said. “And the thing is about 98% of them weren’t alive during the war, but they have been taught.”

This is one reason Batte hopes to continue working with the Back to Normandy Association. The goal is to keep the trips going for the French economy, but also as a way to show respect to veterans from other wars and families of World War II veterans.

“Every World War II veteran, well every veteran, deserves to be treated like that,” Batte said. “They deserve to go there and experience that.”

Branon credits Batte and the Honoring Veterans Legacies volunteers for the opportunity to travel to France. Batte, though, does not take the credit. Instead, she credits God for putting her in a position to help veterans.

moments on their trip, including being in the right place at the right time with medical supplies to save a lady on their plane trip over the Atlantic.

“The lady had an allergic reaction and thankfully our nurse had overpacked medical supplies, including an Epipen and antibiotic IV’s,” Batte said. “We were told that if we had not been on the plane with those supplies, she would have died.”

Branon had his own unique moment. Batte went into a museum shop in St. Mary Dumond to purchase an original World War II jacket when she saw a jacket that looked Branon’s size. The jacket looked exactly what Branon would have worn in the war, including all the patches.

“It was amazing. He wanted 250 euros for it and Chris was going to buy it, but the owner gave it to me,” Branon said. “He said it was his honor and that I was the first World War II veteran to come into his new museum.”

The most moving portion of the trip was the visit to the Normandy American Cemetery. Batte said she and Hullett found the grave of an Alabama soldier and read his name aloud together as a way to honor the fallen...

“The cemetery was so well kept,” Hullett said. “They are doing an excellent job taking care of that cemetery. I wish the dead could come back and see what’s going on.”

Batte says these trips are often healing for the veterans. For Hullett, she says seeing a healed country in France helped ease the burden of having to fight two wars, one in Europe and then the one for civil rights at home. For Branon, it meant not having his usual nightmares for the nine evenings he was there.

“I have seen lots of healing on these trips. God at work,” Batte said. “These heroes get to see that everything they sacrificed in the war turned out. France is a democracy. They are appreciated and respected. It eases some of the burden. For Otis not to have nightmares for the nights he was there, but they have re-

Veterans stand in front of their service era

photos: Ray Wallace, Pat Patterson, Arthur Hullett and Otis Branon.

For the 2023-2024 school year, students will report for the first day of classes on

Students, teachers return to MCS classrooms next week

By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – Madison City Schools campuses will revive soon with teachers, students and staff members for the 2023-2024 school year.

When students have a half-day for classes, pre-kindergarten will dismiss at 11 a.m., elementary grades at 11:30 a.m. and middle and high schools at 12:15 p.m.

The first people to return to campus will be teachers, with the traditional Institute Day on July 27. Teachers will continue their back-toschool preparations with professional development and teacher workdays on July 28, July 31 and Aug. 1-2.

The first day of classes for students will be Aug. 3 when everyone returns to classrooms. The next break in the schedule will be Sept. 4. when the Madison district will

close for Labor Day.

Fall Break week for teachers and students will be Oct. 2-6. A Teacher Collaborative Day is scheduled for Oct. 11, which will be a half-day for all students with early dismissal. High school students will attend in the morning with grades 10-11 taking the PSAT and grades 9 and 12 pursuing E-learning.

On Oct. 25, students in grades 9-10 will pursue the PreACT (Preparation for American College Test), while grades 11-12 will engage in E-learning. Schools will be dismissed on Nov. 10 in observance of Veterans Day. Students and teachers will be off for Thanksgiving holidays on Nov. 20 through 24. The MCS district will close for Thanksgiving on Nov. 23-24. A Teacher Collaborative Day will be held on Dec. 18, and students

See

All elementary schools in Madison schedule open house events for July 31

By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – All elementary schools will conduct Open House on July 31 before the start of the 20232024 school year.

Open House times are staggered, based on students’ last names.

• Columbia Elementary School -- “Kindergarten 101” on July 31 at 4 p.m. will help youngsters and their parents to acclimate to new surroundings. Transitional students also will attend at 4 p.m.

Columbia’s sessions will include “Quiet Transitional Opening” from 4 to 5 p.m. Students whose last names start with A-H will attend Open House from 5 to 6 p.m. Students with last names starting with I-Z will report from 6 to 7 p.m.

Other back-to-school meetings at Columbia include New Student Orientation on July 27 at 8:30 a.m., along with the Kindergarten Sneak Peek on July 27 at 10 a.m. madisoncity.k12.al.us/columbia

• Heritage Elementary School – Heritage students with last names starting A-G should arrive at 5 p.m.; last names H-O at 5:40 p.m.; and last names P-Z at 6:20 p.m. madisoncity.k12.al.us/heritage

• Horizon Elementary School – Orientation for new students at Horizon is scheduled for July 28 from 9 to 10 a.m.; PTA members will give tours and discuss campus information. A link to the “Kindergarten Readiness Guide” is available on Horizon’s home page.

Students with last names beginning with A-L can attend from 5 to 5:45 p.m., while last names from M to Z have the 6 to 7 p.m. time slot. Student families can meet their new teacher, sign up for

clubs and/or Expanded Day and drop off supplies. Shuttle services will run from Miller Plaza to campus. madisoncity.k12. al.us/horizon

• Madison Elementary School – Students with last name A-K can report from 5 to 6 p.m. and last name L-Z can visit from 6 to 7 p.m. Families can learn about bus schedules, clubs, cafeteria accounts and joining PTA.

New Student Orientation on July 28 is open from 8 to 9 a.m. or from 10 to 11 a.m. for grades K-5. PTA members will lead campus tours and conduct a question-and-answer session.

Madison Elementary’s Back-to-School Bash on Aug. 4 will promise fun, food and games on the new playground from 5 to 7 p.m. madisoncity.k12. al.us/madison

• Midtown Elementary School – Midtown will have three time slots: names A-G, 5 to 5:40 p.m.; names H-O, 5:40 to 6:20 p.m.; and names P-Z, 6:20 to 7 p.m. madisoncity.k12. al.us/midtown

• Mill Creek Elementary School – Students with last names starting with A-G can report from 5 to 5:40 p.m.; last names H-O, 5:40 to 6:20 p.m.; and last names P-Z, 6:20 to 7 p.m. Students can “Meet the Teacher” and get answers for beginning-of-the-year questions. Mill Creek faculty will explain bus schedules, cafeteria accounts, PTA membership and Extended Day registration. Parents can ask about medication dropoff.

Mill Creek’s home page has a link for sign-up for “Kindergarten Pre-assessment Test.” Test dates are July 20 and 21. If the student can’t attend one of those dates, he or she

See OPEN HOUSE Page 8A

Welcome to the annual Madison Record Back to School special section. For more back to school news and updates, go to

New Additions

Bob Jones High School has a new assistant principal, Lewis White. He comes from Priceville High School where he has served seven years - the past three as principal. He worked in Decatur City Schools 18 years in a variety of capacities including teacher, counselor, and coach. White replaces Tom Runnion, who is retiring.

Pictured L-R: Assistant Superintendent Eric Terrell, BJ Principal Sylvia Lambert, new BJ Assistant Principal Lewis White, Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols.

The Madison City School Board recently approved the hiring of Richard “Brent” Thurman as assistant transportation administrator for Madison City Schools. Thurman, third from left, is the new assistant transportation administrator for Madison City Schools. L-R Assistant Superintendent Eric Terrell, MCS

Transportation Administrator Travis Schrimsher, Thurman, Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols. Thurman is a U.S. Army veteran specialized in transport, mechanics and logistics of power generation equipment and supports. He has served in teaching/coach positions in Kentucky and Alabama, most recently Huntsville High School. Dr. Nichols said he will assist MCS

Transportation Administrator Travis Schrimsher in the management of the growing MCS transportation system, which transports nearly 6,000 students daily and also on field trips and activity runs with a fleet of 104 buses.

James Clemens High School has a new assistant principal. Caleb Gautney joins the JCHS admin team from a teaching/admin position in the RISE Academy, which is housed in JC. Pictured L-R: Assistant Superintendent Eric Terrell, JC Principal Dr. Kerry Donaldson, new JC Assistant Principal Caleb Gautney, Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols.

Discovery Middle School has a new assistant principal. Jasmine Simpson joins DMS from the Decatur school system where she was a counselor. Pictured L-R: Assistant Superintendent Eric Terrell, Discovery Principal Jamie Hill, new Discovery Assistant Principal Jasmine Simpson, Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols. Liberty Middle School has a new assistant principal. Deanna Hanks joins LMS from Sparkman High School where she served as assistant principal and teacher before that. She also taught in Oxford, Ala. Pictured L-R:

Assistant Superintendent Eric Terrell, Liberty Principal Shannon Brown, new Liberty Assistant Principal Deanna Hanks and Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols.

The Madison City School system has a new Special Education Coordinator to help with its growing SPED program. Melissa Robertson (second from right) comes to MCS from Madison County Schools system where she served as principal at Meridianville Middle School and other administrative and teaching positions.

Alison Young is the new MAAP at Mill Creek Elementary. MAAP is the Madison Aspiring Administrators Program that helps groom MAAPs for school leadership positions. Young comes from Midtown Elementary where she was a special education teacher. Pictured L-R: Assistant Superintendent Eric Terrell, new Mill Creek MAAP Alison Young, Mill Creek

Principal Nathan Wilson, Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols.

deviation between the ideal and actual population of the largest and smallest districts is more than 10%.

“This information, I think, was presented in September of [20]21 to show, ‘Hey, we need to redistrict’,” Slaughter recounted.

Slaughter & Associates is formulating a new map based on parameters from the Department of Justice that require as equal districts as possible in line with the one vote one person principle and forbids racial discrimination. Slaughter and Associates are voluntarily making an effort to keep current city council members in the district, in which they were duly elected to preserve the will of the people.

They are using data from the 2020 census that revealed a 32% increase in population in the city of Madison since the 2010 census to a total of 56,970. Thus, the ideal population of each seven

districts is 8,139, and Slaughter and Associates is working to put each district within a 5% margin of that number. Feedback and questions were welcomed by the public after Slaughter’s presentation. Concerns were common about accounting for future growth in the new map. Two citizens proposed that certain districts that have experienced the most growth, namely districts 1, 2, and 4, be intentionally drawn up significantly below the ideal population to allow for growth in the next few years.

Slaughter explained that though future population projections may be helpful, his firm is required by law to base its map on the 2020 census results. “No matter how much growth since the decennial census in 2020, those are the numbers we are required to use,” he said, but did make note of suggestions to leave a margin for increasing

Continued from page 3A

her life. Along with defensive wounds, the medical examiner discovered 19 lacerations in her head and seven fractures in her skull. She also had bruises, cuts

Calendar

population in certain districts. Slaughter also took note of an inquiry into keeping the section of Limestone County that sits within the Madison city limits together in the same district.

The concerned citizen cited the unique issues the area experiences due to its location in a different county than the rest of the city which incentivizes special representation.

Councilwoman Karen Denzine was also in attendance and queried about the loss of four thousand of her current constituents, the gaining of two thousand new constituents, and Slaughter and Associates’ commitment to minimizing change. According to the draft of the new map, District 6’s boundaries would shift farther to the west and a significant portion of the current eastern section of the district would be incorporated into District 5. Slaughter responded, “District 5 is underpopulated. So, they have

got to gain population. They can’t go north. They can’t go east. They could go some south, but that’s the reason. District 5 has got to gain population.”

The next steps will be for Slaughter and Associates to take the feedback provided by the public and make appropriate adjustments to the map. Slaughter clarified that the map presented at this meeting was simply the first draft and may evolve into multiple drafts before even being considered for adoption by the council.

“This is not one that the

council prepared or the council instructed us,” he stated. “[It’s] just one we came up with. There’s been no discussion of adoption or moving forward with this. This is a starting point to provide you all with that information and show you one that’s in balance.”

The next meeting will be on August 14 and will either be a public meeting for feedback on a second draft or a public hearing. The slideshow presentation used by Slaughter detailing the process is available online at madisonal.gov.

and fractures all over her body, including rib fractures and claw hammer injuries to her abdominal and lower chest. After he killed Epps, Barber fled the scene with her purse.

Continued from page 6A

will attend a half-day with early dismissal. On Dec. 19, students will attend for a half-day, and the first semester ends.

For students, winter holidays will run from

tmjgroupins@gmail.com

Dec. 20, 2023, through Jan. 3, 2024. Teachers will return one day earlier on Jan. 2 from the time off for Christmas and New Year’s Day. The MCS district will be closed from

Barber was on death row for 22 years. The 64-year-old was pronounced dead at 1:56 a.m. He told the Epps family he loved them and that he was sorry for what happened.

Dec. 25, 2023, through Jan. 2, 2024. On Jan. 3, teachers will report for professional development and a workday. Students and teachers will return to the class-

Hope lives

“No words would fit how I feel,” he said. He also said he forgave the governor and the people in the execution chamber for what they were about to do.

room on Jan. 4., 2024. The MCS district will close on Jan. 15, 2024, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.

For a Teacher Collaborative Day on Feb. 14, 2024, students will have early dismissal after a half-day. The MCS district will be closed on Feb. 19, 2024, for Presidents’ Day.

The district also will close on March 11-15,

Open house

Witnesses of the death said after the drugs were put into his system, Barber went to sleep, his chest pulsated and his breathing slowed before eventually stopping.

2024, for Spring Break. On April 9, 2024, juniors will take the ACT on campus; grades 9, 10 and 12 will have E-learning.

Graduation Day for James Clemens and Bob Jones high schools will be May 20, 2024; other students will engage in E-learning. May 21, 2024, will be a Teacher Collaborative Day; students will attend for a half-day.

Continued from page 6A

will complete the test after school starts on Aug. 3. madisoncity.k12.al.us/mill-

creek

• Rainbow Elementary School – Students with last names A-L will attend from 5 to 5:50 p.m., followed by last names M-Z from 6:10 to 7 p.m. madisoncity.k12. al.us/Rainbow

• West Madison Pre-Kindergarten Center -- Parents will receive a Signup Genius link to select one of three 45-minute sessions at 4, 5 or 6 p.m. Students can

The end of the second semester will be May 22, 2024; students will have classes for a half-day and then dismiss for summer break. On May 23, 2024, a Teacher Workday is scheduled.

To view the calendar, visit madisoncity.k12. al.us and click “Calendars.” Then, click “20232024 School Year Calendar.”

meet their teacher, visit their classroom and glean back-to-school information.

Parents will receive paperwork about extended day, medicine/diet, lunch and other topics.

Parents should give a printed copy of their child’s Certificate of Immunization to the teacher. School will open with a staggered start: girls attend on Aug. 3, and boys on Aug. 4. The school day opens at 7:40 a.m. and closes at 2:20 p.m. madisoncity.k12.al.us/Domain/19.

Mike Slaughter of Slaughter & Associates presented a new map of city districts to the public.

BBQ festival

The newest barbecue festival in the Tennessee Valley is coming to Toyota Field in Madison next week, with the debut of the Smoke In The Outfield BBQ Festival at the home of the Rocket City Trash Pandas from Aug.

Girl Scouts

Realizing “a dream,” Girl Scout Troop 10708 from Madison “took a mecca-like trip to Savannah,” birthplace of founder Juliette Gordon Low and the cradle in 111-plus years ago for the Girl Scouts organization. Page 6B

Kari Childress

Check out this week’s veteran spotlight. Page 5B

Caden Rose living his dream, signs contract with Red Sox

By BOB LABBE bob@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON - Once a Red Sox fan, always a Red Sox fan, and even more so for Caden Rose. The former stellar athlete in both baseball and football at Bob Jones High grew up as a huge fan of the Boston Red Sox and always dreamed of maybe one day getting his chance to wear the uniform of the American League East Division team.

On July 12, Rose officially was given the right away for his dream to come true as he signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox after being drafted in the seventh round of the Major League Baseball Draft and

signed with the parent club Red Sox.

Since chosen at the 208th overall pick, Rose signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox with a pick value of $250,300 with a $150,000 signing bonus. After meeting with the parent club he was assigned to the Ft. Myers, Fla. rookie club to begin his work at professional baseball.

“I’m here in a Ft. Meyers hotel with a fellow player as a roommate and taking this opportunity one day at a time,” said Rose, via a telephone conversation. “This is a dream come true and I’ve worked my entire life for this. I’m just fired up for the opportunity to actual-

Fellowship of Christian Athletes

ly live my dream. Through the years I became a fan of the Atlanta Braves, but I still remember my father taking me to Boston to see the Red Sox at Fenway Park and watching infielder Dustin Pedoria (14 seasons with Red Sox), my favorite player for Boston.”

The Red Sox were intrigued by his power potential plus defense in the outfield. In the most recent season playing for the Alabama Crimson Tide, Rose, who will turn 22 in October, batted .261 with 10 doubles, nine home runs, 26 RBIs, 45 runs scored, nine stolen bases, 26 walks and 40 strikeouts in 186 plate appearances within 48 games for

Rocket City

Trash Pandas struggles on the road with Pensacola

By CALEB ODOM caleb@themadisonrecord.com

PENSACOLA - The Rocket City Trash Pandas continued to slide in the Southern League North standings with a handful of losses this past week on the road against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (12-9).

As of Monday, the Trash Pandas (8-12) are currently dead last in the SLN 6 1/2 games out of first.

The Tennessee Smokies (156) lead the division by a healthy margin with the Chattanooga Lookouts (10-10) trailing in second place 4 1/2 games back.

Once the bottom team in the division, the Birmingham Barons (8-11) find themselves in the third place slot six games back due to the Trash Pandas’ continued road woes.

July 18: Pensacola 8, Rocket City 3

A middle inning charge by the Trash Pandas would not be enough as the Blue Wahoos took advantage of three costly errors.

Rocket City even outhit Pensacola 9-8 in this game that didn’t go its way.

The Blue Wahoos struck first in the bottom of the first inning for a pair of runs to lead 2-0.

The game stayed that way until the top of the fifth inning when the Trash Pandas tallied one run thanks to an RBI single by Tucker Flint that allowed Sonny DiChiara to score. This contest swung back in the direction of Pensacola in the bottom of the fifth inning when the Blue Wahoos picked up two more runs to push their advantage to 4-1.

But Rocket City was not going away so easy as Edgar Quero’s sixth-inning 2-run home run to right field brought the Trash Pandas within a run of tying the game up once more at 4-3.

That was as close as this game was going to get though as the Blue Wahoos brought more offense in the seventh inning to pull away for the victory.

July 19: Pensacola 4, Rocket City 2

Four runs in the bottom of the first inning would be all Pensacola needed to handle the Trash Pandas in the Wednesday game.

FCA hosting Tim Tebow as keynote speaker

By BOB LABBE bob@themadisonrecord.com

HUNTSVILLE - The annual Power Leadership Training Conference as part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) will be held Aug. 4-5 with keynote guest speaker Tim Tebow. Tebow’s appearance will be

held Aug. 4 in the arena of the Von Braun Center and admission is free. The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner from the University of Florida and former player in the National Football League turned TV sports commentator will deliver his keynote message of Christian Faith and how it af-

fects every aspect of life to what is expected to be a packed house. His stop in Huntsville will come just 10 days prior to his 36th birthday.

Born in the Philippines to missionary parents Bob and Pam Tebow, the multi-talented athlete began playing football at

See FCA Page 2B

Blue Wahoo starting pitcher Luis Palacios was lights out going seven scoreless innings where he allowed four hits, no walks and struck out five Rocket City batters.

The Trash Pandas’ two runs came late in the top of the eighth inning when Jose Gomez and David Calabrese both clubbed solo home runs to cut the Blue Wahoos’ lead in half.

July 20: Pensacola 4, Rocket City 3

Dating back to the Saturday, July 15 loss to Biloxi, the Trash

Former Bob Jones two-sport standout Caden Rose just completed his junior season at Alabama and recently signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox after being drafted by the American League team in the 2023 Major League Baseball Draft. Photo by Alabama Athletics

Former NFL player and current TV sports commentator Tim Tebow will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Power Leadership Training Conference as part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Tebow’s appearance will be held at the VBC and admission is free.

Rose Continued from page 1B

the Tide. The right-handed hitting junior dealt with several injuries in his latest campaign.

As part of a star-studded six-player 2009 signing class out of Bob Jones, Rose was the top-ranked shortstop and third-rated player in Alabama by Prep Baseball Report. He was named All-State in three consecutive seasons as an infielder but also was one of the team’s top pitchers. He was a two-time All-State selection in football where he was the Patriots’ starting quarterback.

“At the top of my list of the best all-round athletes I’ve seen and most definitely played hard every play and was no surprise he was chosen in the MLB Draft,” said Jared Smith, head coach of the Bob Jones baseball program who witnessed first-hand the incredible all-round talents of the young Rose. “He led by example and suffered several injuries due mostly to him playing hard every moment he was on the field both baseball and football.”

One of the most memorable injuries Rose suffered came in the 2019 season where he lacerated his spline while in Area play. Rose reminisced about the freak injury, “Two weeks prior to the spline injury my finger was stepped on during a game versus Florence and I was out of the lineup for days. I remember it was prom night and I was pitching batting practice when a line drive off the batted ball hit me in the area of my spline. I did stay for the game

Trash Pandas

and really began not to feel well. Later that day, I decided to visit the doctor and he found I had internal bleeding from the laceration.”

Doctors double checked scans of the injury and decided surgery was not required. With the State Championship race just a few weeks away, Rose sat out much of the action and did not practice. When the Patriots arrived in the State Championship series he was fitted with a special vest he wore as his doctor cleared him to play, but was cautioned not to take any physical blows to the body.

“In the series, Caden was four for seven at the plate and was terrific in playing while injured as he wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Smith. “I don’t know how many kids could have done that.”

Signed with Alabama, Rose arrived in Tuscaloosa where he split time between centerfield and second base. In three seasons, he maintained a .260 batting average while hitting 14 homeruns and driving in 61 runs. Overall, Rose was a superior defender, was fairly productive at the plate and showed good power for his smaller-in-stature size at 5-foot10, 185-pounds.

Most people aren’t aware Rose could have gone pro right out of high school, but the money he was offered was not to his liking so he signed with Alabama where, as a freshman, had the worst batting average on the team. As a sophomore, he went from worst to first having

Continued from page 1B

Pandas’ losing skid grew to five in a row as they were dropped by the Blue Wahoos again on Thursday.

This game was tight because of more late-inning heroics by Rocket City in the eighth inning once more.

Pensacola was up 3-0 when the Trash Pandas tied the game up in the eighth.

A game that saw the Blue Wahoos hit three solo home runs to establish their 3-run lead was knotted up when Jeremiah Jackson launched a 3-run jack to right center that plated teammates Jose Gomez and Kyren Paris.

The table was seemingly set for Rocket City to break through with its first victory in a while, but it was not to be as Pensacola answered with a Troy Johnson RBI double in the bottom of the eighth to go ahead and secure the win.

July 21: Rocket City 10, Pensacola 5

After several days of disappointing results, the Trash Pandas hit the accelerator and buried the Blue Wahoos with double-digit runs.

a very young age and his family moved to the U.S. in 1991 when Tebow was a mere four years old. He led his high school to a State Championship and signed with the Florida Gators where he led his teams to two SEC Championships and the National Championship in both 2007 and 2008. It was during the 2007 season where he became the first sophomore to win the coveted Heisman Trophy.

Upon completing college, Tebow was drafted in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos where he played for two seasons.

He then played one season with the New York

A pair of runs in the top of the first for Rocket City set an early tone that this game was going to be different.

Pensacola hacked the Trash Pandas’ advantage in half with a run in the bottom of the second inning to make it 2-1.

The teams traded solo runs in the fourth inning and then each club collected three runs each in the fifth inning.

When the dust had settled, it was 6-5 Rocket City clinging to a narrow lead.

In the end, it came down to the Trash Pandas’ ability to keep tacking on runs late with three more in the top of the seventh and then a solo run in the top eighth to pull away from Pensacola.

July 22: Pensacola 12, Rocket City 8

The Saturday clash featured even more runs and a battle that came down to the very end.

Four runs by Rocket City in the top of the ninth tied a game that had once been in control by the Blue Wahoos.

Jets while also signing with, but never playing for, both the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles. Overall, in 37 games, he passed for 2,874 yards and 19 touchdowns and scampered for an additional 197 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground. From 2016-2020, he tried his luck at playing professional baseball signing with the New York Mets, but his stay never led him the Major League Baseball and he officially retired in 2021. Tebow’s television work has included stints with ESPN and the SEC Network. He’s also a three-time New York Times best-selling au-

the squad’s top batting average. In his just completed junior season, Rose suffered through several injuries, but was still a leader on the squad. “A lot of those experiences has made me stronger mentally and that’s the biggest part of being a professional baseball player,” added Rose. “I’m ready to roll as I’ve seen adversities in my life and I’m confident in my abilities.”

Growing up in Madison, Rose, the son of Kevin and Heather Rose, his trek through athletics included years of play at Madison’s Palmer Park and one of his fondest memories while there was his last year in the leagues played at the multisport facility. His team lost one game during the season and won the League Championship. Rose added, “Our team was the Red Sox. We called ourselves the ‘Red Hot Red Sox’ as playing on that team was a lot of fun.”

The super-talented athlete has one year remaining to complete his education and Rose said the Red Sox will pay for his final year of college when he decides to attend.

Rose has always listened to his parents and upon signing a contract and leaving home for a new venture in his life, his father did present him some fatherly advice. Rose said, “He told me don’t change who I am as that’s one of the main reasons I’m in the position I am in. He told me to stick with the process I’ve been taught. Believe in yourself.”

Pensacola had the firepower in this game though as it tallied four runs in the bottom of the ninth from a walkoff grand slam by Victor Mesa Jr.

July 23: Pensacola 7, Rocket City 2

Another close game that slipped away from the Trash Pandas was the Sunday finale as a 2-2 deadlock in the eighth inning fell apart for Rocket City.

The Trash Pandas had tied the game in the top of the seventh inning when Tyler Payne drove in Sonny DiChiara and Bryce Teodosio with an RBI double to right.

The hopes of a Sunday victory evaporated though as Pensacola nailed Rocket City in the bottom of the eighth to the tune of five runs.

Rocket City returned home this week for a showdown with the formidable Tennessee Smokies at Toyota Field on Tuesday through Sunday.

The games Tuesday through Saturday start at 6:35 p.m. while the final matchup of the series on Sunday is tabbed to begin at 4:05 p.m.

thor. He will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in December as part of the 2023 class inductees.

Tebow is a devoted Christian and married his longtime partner DemiLeigh Nel-Peters in Jan. 2020. The South African model was named Miss Universe in 2017. Tebow was once stated, “Never forget that in whatever you do, your main audience is God, not others.”

The two-day conference for the FCA is open to student-athletes from grades 6-12 and includes hotel accommodations. Registration must be made in advance and can be done so on-line at northala-

bamafca.org. The event will include conference speaker Dr. Jay Strack, a private concert starring KB and worship led North Point Worship. The only portion of the twoday conference that is free is the PTL Party featuring Tebow on Friday night, Aug. 4. The Northeast Alabama chapter of the FCA has access to over 135,000 students in the five counties of North Alabama the organization serves. The FCA has 40-50 staff members who serve the numerous camps and special worship events with an annual budget of over $1-million. Partner donations are welcome.

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1775 - The U.S. Postal Service was established by the Second Continental Congress, and Benjamin Franklin was named the first postmaster general. Nearby, in the historic town of Mooresville is the oldest operational post office in the state of Alabama. It was built around 1840.

Jimmy Henderson Trio set for free Sounds of Summer on July 27

By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – In the next concert in The Sounds of Summer series, the Jimmy Henderson Trio will perform on July 27.

The trio will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. downtown in Home Place Park, 130 Shorter St.

The Jimmy Henderson Trio is popular for its versions of classic rock favorites and guitar shreds.

“This free concert series at Home Place Park in Madison is hosted by the Madison Arts Alliance or MAA and is a great way to spend a Thursday afternoon with your friends and family,” MAA President

Rosalie Holcombe said.

“Bring your lawn chairs and mark your calendars for a great summer lineup of bands and musicians,” Holcombe said. “Food trucks will also be present so bring your appetite.” The food truck scheduled to visit for this concert is Nomad’s Road Dogs.

While admission is free, donations to MAA are gratefully accepted. To donate online, visit madisonartsalliance. org and click the “Donate” button on the home page.

For more information, call 256-7729300, email info@madisonartsalliance. org or visit them online at madisonartsalliance.org.

Smoke In The Outfield BBQ Festival debuts at Toyota Field August 4-5

By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – The newest barbecue festival in the Tennessee Valley is coming to Toyota Field in Madison next week, with the debut of the Smoke In The Outfield BBQ Festival at the home of the Rocket City Trash Pandas from Aug. 4-5.

The Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned competitions will bring amateur cook teams from across the region to North Alabama, with competitions taking place in a variety of categories including chicken, ribs, and pork. The event kicks off with the “VIP

Library’s

By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON - The MAD Summer Movie Spectacular at the Madison Public Library will conclude this Thursday night, July 27, with the showing of Ghostbusters.

The auditorium is open at 6:00 p.m. and the movies start at 6:30 p.m. Food and drink are allowed in the auditorium during the movies. Treats will be provided by our summer movie sponsor, Renasant Bank.

The 1984 movie features parapsychologists

Dr. Peter Venkman, Dr. Raymond Stantz and Dr. Egon Spengler as they

Opening Night Celebration” on Friday, August 4 at 5:30 p.m., with introductions of the cook teams and their specialties as they prepare the next day’s competitions.

Free live entertainment including a live band, face painting, balloon animals, outdoor games, and a mechanical bull will be on hand for attendees. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, including pulled pork, beef brisket, smoked turkey, and specialty drinks.

On Saturday, August 5, the festival will be from 12-5 p.m. with more live entertainment, games on the concourse, local vendors on hand, and of course, the barbecue sta-

tions where guests can sample and/ or purchase their favorite foods.

All competitions will take place on Saturday, with the awards presentation set for Saturday afternoon. Guests can arrive to watch judges begin critiquing the competitors’ food beginning at 12 with the judging of chicken, then ribs at 12:30, and finally pork at 1 p.m. People’s Choice sampling will begin at 1:30 p.m. for guests that have purchased special sampling tickets.

The first-place overall winner will receive a guaranteed $1,500 cash prize. Second place will receive $1,000. Cash prizes will be

See BBQ Page 8B

offer a “ghostbusting” service for ridding a residence of unwanted spirits. Their services are in huge demand when Gozer, a demon from another dimension, decides to set

up residency in New York City.

The Madison Public Library is located at 142 Plaza Blvd in Madison. For more information, go to www.hmcpl.org.

MAD Summer Movie Spectacular’s final movie will be “Ghostbusters” on July 27

Ghostbusters will be the final movie of the Madison Library’s 2023 free summer movie series.

The free concert series will continue this Thursday at Home Place Park starting at 7 p.m.

The accomplishments in Madison of the last year will be festively recognized at the second annual Celebrate Madison, a reinvented State of the City address at Toyota Field. Celebrate Madison invites all Madison residents to enjoy the family-friendly festivities. For more details, go to www.celebratemadison.com.

Hit the road before hitting the books: end of summer day trips

By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON - With less than two weeks before students return to school, now is the time for those last-minute trips. Whether traveling two hours to go under the sea at the Chattanooga Aquarium or driving nearby to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, here are a variety of educational and entertaining activities and day trips.

BIRMINGHAM ZOO

Time from Madison: 1 hour 30 minutes

2630 Cahaba Road, Birmingham

From giraffes, elephants and a lion to flamingos, giant tortoises and orangutans, the Birmingham Zoo is home to 550 animals from six continents. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes for walking around the 122-acre site. Also bring a change of clothes, water shoes and a towel for the children if stopping by the zoo’s splash pad.

Don’t Miss: Stop by the lorikeet aviary to get an up-close experience with the colorful birds. While walking through the aviary, the birds might perch on your head or arm.

Admission: $19.95 for adults, $16.95 for ages 65 and older, $14.95 for ages 2-7, free for younger than 2.

Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday

TENNESSEE AQUARIUM

Time from Madison: 2 hours

1 Broad St., Chattanooga

The Tennessee Aquarium’s more than 400,000 gallons of fresh water habitat and 700,000 gallons of saltwater tanks house 12,000 animals. Expect to see everything from penguins, sand tiger sharks and the blue poison dart frog to the giant Pacific octopus, lemurs and turtles.

Don’t Miss: Stop by the interactive sturgeon bend exhibit, which allows people to touch sturgeon, which can live up to 150 years.

Admission $39.95 for adults,

$29.95 for ages 5-17, free for ages 4 and younger. Purchase timed-entry tickets in advance at tnaqua.org.

Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday

U.S. SPACE & ROCKET CENTER

Time from Madison: 5 minutes

1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville

Learn about human space exploration at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville.

The center features interactive simulators, a Saturn V Rocket, thousands of rocketry and space artifacts and the INTUITIVE Planetarium. Rides on the G-Force Accelerator and Moon Shot are included in the cost of general admission.

Don’t Miss: While the planetarium shows cost extra, the experiences present an in-depth look at space. Current shows at the planetarium include “James Webb Space Telescope: The Story Unfolds” and “Our Place in Space,” which cost $10 for children and $12 for adults each, and “Summer Skies,” which costs $8 for children and $10 for adults.

Admission: $30 for adults, $20 for ages 5-12, free for ages 4 and younger.

Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., daily

POINT MALLARD PARK

Time from Madison: 25 minutes

2901 Point Mallard Circle S.E., Decatur

With the heat index values hovering in the high 90s and triple digits, Decatur’s Point Mallard Park offers a chance to beat the summer heat. Attractions include the wave pool, flume slides, the Sky Pond slide, the Olympic-sized swimming pool, the 1,140-foot Lazy River, the Pro Bowl slide and the children’s area with slides, a tire swing, tubes and more. Make sure to bring sunscreen, sandals or water shoes, and a towel.

Admission: $28 for ages 1261, $23 for ages 3-11 and 62 and older, and free for ages 2 and younger. Half price admission days are Monday through

Thursday, excluding holidays.

Hours: Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and 1-6 p.m., Sunday, through July 30.

Open 1-6 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day from Aug. 5-Sept. 4.

COOK MUSEUM

Time from Madison: 25 minutes

133 Fourth Ave. N.E., Decatur

If it is too hot outside, go indoors to the Cook Museum of Natural Science for a day of exploration. Museum-goers can climb the inside of a tree modeled after the Sipsey Wilderness’s Big Tree, explore a cave, build volcanoes at the kinetic sand table and watch 100 fish in a 15,000-gallon aquarium. The museum’s exhibits focus on space, rivers and streams, caves, the arctic and deserts, oceans, forests, insects and rocks and minerals.

Admission: $20 for adults, $17 for ages 65 and older and military, $15 for ages 3-14, free for ages 2 and younger.

Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday, 12-5 p.m., Sunday.

CATHEDRAL CAVERNS

Time from Madison: 1 hour, 637 Cave Road, Woodville, Alabama. Covering more than 400 acres, Cathedral Caverns features a stalagmite 45 feet tall and 243 feet around, a frozen waterfall of stone, a stalagmite forest and a stalagmite measuring 27 feet tall and three inches wide. The temperature in the cave is 60 degrees year-round. The site also offers gemstone mining for an extra fee.

Admission: $20 for ages 13 and older, $18 for military, $9 for ages 5-12 and free for ages 4 and younger.

Hours: 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., daily. Tours begin hourly from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Other activity ideas: A visit to the Huntsville Botanical Garden, and the EarlyWorks Children’s Museum in Huntsville. For a day trip, check out Noccalula Falls Park, which features a 90-foot waterfall, in Gadsden.

Please joinus forthe 2023 ShoalsWoman oftheYear AWARDS LUNCHEON

BTL presents “Ain’t Too Proud”

August 1-6 • Mark C. Smith Concert Hall at the VBC • broadwaytheatreleague.org

Featuring the Grammy® winning songs and Tony® winning moves, AIN’T TOO PROUD is the electrifying new musical that follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With their signature dance moves and unmistakable harmonies, they rose to the top of the charts creating an amazing 42 Top Ten Hits with 14 reaching number one and being voted the greatest R&B group of all time by Billboard Magazine. The rest is history — how they met, the groundbreaking heights they hit, and how personal and political conflicts threatened to tear the group apart as the United States fell into civil unrest. This thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty, and betrayal is set to the beat of the group’s treasured hits, like “My Girl,”“Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” and more.

Celebrations Bridal Event

presented by: Table Sponsors:

July 30 • Noon to 4 p.m.

• Von Braun Civic Center East Hall • www.modernbridesinc.com

Modern Brides has been hosting the Celebrations Bridal Event for over 30 years. This bridal event is North Alabama’s’ largest bridal show. Over 100 vendors participate. While brides are going from booth to booth they will notice a continuous fashion show presented by Modern Brides. Brides and their attendants are entertained with a beautiful show of wedding gowns and bridesmaids gowns that will showcase the latest styles. The music and decorations set the stage for an entertaining afternoon. The floral arrangements, draping, lighting, hair styles, and makeup add a gorgeous intimate wedding feel, and are provided by the vendors that attend this event. Vendors supply hundreds of door prizes in our special prize area. Free services, jewelry, floral arrangements, cookware, and honeymoons are just a few of the prizes given away to almost every bride that attends. There is a large variety of food sampling from fabulous caterers. Jewelry, musicians, hair stylists and make up artists, photographers and video specialist, cake bakers, wedding planners, DJ’s, travel agents, florists, venues and much much more will all wow you with the beautiful displays of their work!

Located at 1088 Hughes Road, next to Trinity Baptist Church, Madison City Farmers Market is a producer-only farmers market founded in 2007. Vendors provide a wide selection of the freshest local veggies, fruits, cheese, eggs, meats, milk, herbs, honey, jams, relishes, home-baked goods, plants and flowers. Come see creations from local artisans including handmade cards, soaps, lotions, candles, wood crafts, sewn items and other handmade products.

There’s enough gold inside Earth to coat the planet Turns out, there’s quite a bit of gold on—or, really, in—our planet: 99percentofthepreciousmetalcan be found in the Earth’s core, DiscoverMagazinereports.Howmuchisthere?Enoughtocoat the entire surface of the Earth in 1.5 feet of gold.

The class reunion, aka, who are these old people?

By JOE HOBBY Columnist

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around every once in a while, you may miss it.”

- Ferris Bueller

I recently attended my Fiftieth anniversary high school reunion. That’s a lot to reflect on. Fifty years is a half century! It’s 600 months - 219,000 days. I didn’t compute the hours and minutes because it’s just too depressing.

A lot of water has gone under our bridges since we got our diplomas. It’s an extensive list, including: Watergate, disco, the oil crisis, Rodney King & the LA riots, MTV, Mount St. Helen’s, fall of the Berlin Wall, AIDS, the internet, mobile phones, the Challenger disaster, the Oklahoma City bombing, 911, the Simpsons, the Rover landing on Mars, and social media. Not to mention ten Presidents. And the general consensus of everyone at the reunion was, “Boy, that happened fast.”

Believe me, Millennials, it did. It will for you too.

When I walked up to a group of my classmates for the first time, my initial thought was, “who are these old people?” There was lots of white hair and bifocals. More wrinkles than an old linen suit.

Upon closer examination, I began to recognize some of these codgers as my high school friends. Then it hit me: I’m a codger too.

As you might expect, some of my classmates had aged well. Some even looked fantastic, and that’s between them and their plastic surgeon. However, others looked like they had gone one too many rounds with Father Time. Thank goodness for name tags.

After spending a few hours with my old friends, I came to a realization about time: it takes something away from us, but it also gives something back.

There is no doubt that time steals our youth. No matter how good anyone looked, how much anyone exercised, or how healthy they ate, everyone at the reunion is approaching seventy. You can say “seventy is the new fifty” all you want. Seventy is still old.

However, time is a great equalizer. I couldn’t help but notice how the passage of time had eliminated the cliques that existed in our high school. At the reunion, all the subgroups like jocks, nerds, thugs, and brainiacs were gone. The passage of time seemed to even things out between us. We had become part of one collective.

It was great fun to reconnect with people I haven’t seen since the Nixon administration. All afternoon, we caught up. Children, careers, and life experiences were all popular topics of conversation. And our health - which is a lot to talk about. When we were teenagers, about the only medical condi-

tions that concerned us were pimples and jock itch. Now, it’s hearing aids, knee replacements, high blood pressure, acid reflux, and the settings on our CPAP machine. Damn you, time.

The great southern writer Rick Bragg once said that “nostalgia sells”. He’s right. It seems that everyone at the reunion was fondly telling and retelling stories from those formative years so long ago.

Immaturity sells too.

My old friend Randy told me about shooting Roman candles out of a hotel window on a field trip. Long time buddies Dan and Dale recalled pulling in front of a bowling alley and mooning the patrons. Most of us rolled yards, egged houses, and blew up mailboxes with cherry bombs. My pal Mickey once dressed up as cheerleader and freaked out his English teacher by sitting in a less than ladylike position.

To be honest, it would’ve freaked me out too. My best friend Richard pulled out a rubber snake in front of a teacher who promptly fainted. Before you check on the statute of limitations, I’ll point out that everyone I just mentioned are productive, successful, citizens. But I still wonder why we did those kind of things.

Time passed quickly, and soon I began making a final pass thru my classmates when I saw someone I missed - Darlene. We stopped, hugged and lied about how good each of us looked. She was the liar, by the way. I thought she looked just fine.

Only a few minutes had passed when I said,”I always think about Randy when I think of you.” Randy was a beloved classmate who left this world much too soon. At once, tears began flowing down her cheeks.

“I can’t think of him without crying,” she sobbed. “ When Randy died, it was as bad as losing my mother.”

I responded, “We all miss him. “He was a great guy.”

She nodded. “When we moved down here, Randy was the first person to reach out to me. He accepted me. He immediately made me feel like I was part of the group.”

And then she cried some more.

I pulled her close to me and gently patted her back. No more words were necessary.

It was the perfect ending to a high school reunion. In a few short hours, I had revisited some of the most formative years of my life.

I reconnected with old friends. I laughed at their stories, and I cried at their losses. And like everything else in life, it truly went by too fast.

Ferris Bueller was right.

Joe Hobby is a comedian from Alabama who wrote for Jay Leno for many years.

For more of Joe’s stories, go to: www.mylifeasahobby.blogspot.com/?m=1. Also, follow him on Facebook at: Joe Hobby Comedian-Writer.

Kari Childress served two years in Iraq at Camp Cedar 2 with U.S. Army

By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – Kari Childress, a member of Madison American Legion, Post 229, shared her experiences for “Veteran of the Week.”

In 2005, Childress entered the U.S. Army as a Private First Class. She completed Basic Training at Fort Jackson, S.C. and Advanced Individual Training or AIT at Fort Lee, Va.

Childress’ first station assignment was Fort Lee, Va. She deployed to Camp Cedar 2 in Iraq during 20052006. Her second station assignment was Fort Hood, Texas.

She earned medals for Army Commendation, Army Achievement, National Defense Service, Global War on Terrorism Service and Iraq Campaign, along with the Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver-Wheeled Vehicle Clasp.

She works as a Budget Analyst at the Army Materiel Command. “I am on the Board for the American Society of Military Comptrollers and the newly formed Team Redstone Female Mentoring and Morale Program,” Childress said.

Childress earned a bachelor’s degree in general business from the University of Alabama and a master’s degree in business administration or MBA with concentration in project management from the University of North Alabama.

“I live in south Huntsville but spend a ton of time in Madison because my family lives here,” Childress said. “I grew up in Huntsville.”

“I have two nephews and a niece that are the lights of my life,” Childress said. “Both of my nephews live in this area, and my niece lives in Austin, Minn.”

Along with Post 229, her veteran affiliations include VFW Post 2702 in Huntsville. A member of First Baptist Church in Huntsville, Childress teaches Sunday School and sings in the Sanctuary Choir, including the popular area tradition, the Living Christmas Tree.

Currently, she is in training to become a Court-Appointed Juvenile

Advocate.

In free time, Childress enjoys completing jigsaw puzzles, which she frames and gives to people as gifts. “I’m trying to get through a few books and a cross-stitch that I’ve been working on for a few years,” she said. “I spend as much time as I can with my family and friends.”

Bucher named director of development for Salvation Army

By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com

HUNTSVILLE – The Salvation Army of Huntsville has welcomed a new staff member. Claudia A. Bucher has accepted the position of Director of Development.

“Claudia brings a wealth of nonprofit and fundraising knowledge to the organization through her 33 years of experience with United Way of Madison County as Director of Resource Development, Madison/Marshall County American Red Cross, Ability Plus and EarlyWorks Family of Museums,” according to The Salvation Army’s press release.

In 2021, Madison Chamber of Commerce named Bucher as “Servant Leader of the Year.” Bucher is involved with support of several community organizations, including Huntsville Rotary Club, Women’s Economic Development Council and Women’s Advisory Council with Crestwood Medical Center.

In addition, Bucher serves on the Board of the Veterinary Clinical Research Hospital in Decatur.

For The Salvation Army, Bucher will have the responsibility for the overall, regional financial development. She will develop the organization’s public relations plan and increase The Salvation Army’s visibility and awareness to serve critical needs of the community.

Bucher reported to serve in this new position

on July 10.

At Athens State University, she earned a bachelor’s degree in business, management, marketing and related support services.

The Salvation Army was founded in 1878. Today, The Salvation Army is active in virtually every corner of the world and serves in 133 countries. The organization offers healing and hope to all individuals who are in need. The Salvation Army’s mission is disaster relief assistance, emergency response, housing, counseling, rehabilitation, youth services, social work and evangelism.

For more information about The Salvation Army, visit salvation-

armyalm.org/Huntsville or Facebook/The Salvation Army Huntsville.

Honoring

Kari Childress is “Veteran of the Week.” An Army veteran, Childress now works as a Budget Analyst at the Army Materiel Command.

Claudia A. Bucher has accepted the position of Director of Development with The Salvation Army.

Girl Scouts delve into history in Savannah

By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – Realizing “a dream,” Girl Scout Troop 10708 from Madison “took a mecca-like trip to Savannah,” birthplace of founder Juliette Gordon Low and the cradle in 111plus years ago for the Girl Scouts organization.

Troop Leader Beth Crocker remembers those feelings from visiting as a 12-year-old with her Girl Scout troop.

Madison Girl Scouts who visited Savannah are Discovery Middle School eighth-graders Katie Crocker, Lyla Mackrell and Sarah Rydbom; Liberty Middle School eighth-graders Brooklyn Colquett, Anna Dasher, Elizabeth Litavec, Maribeth Williams and Natalie Zesinger; and Bob Jones High School freshman Katelyn Preus, along with six Scout mothers.

“Juliette Low’s birthplace was beautiful. The girls were impressed with so many original pieces of furniture and wall-hangings,” Beth said. “The girls learned that Juliette was born in the home dubbed ‘the birthplace’ but actually grew up in the Low house across the street.”

The original structure was built in 1831 as a Federal-style home built of brick covered with stucco. The house stands at the corner of Bull

vannah’s prime intersections.

For the Girl Scout movement’s expansion, Low was forced to sell her precious string of pearls. Girl Scout Katie Crocker said she had not understood how incredible the Girl Scouts organization was in 1912 and definitely had taken it for granted. Katie now has a new respect for “all things Girl Scout.”

For example, people didn’t accept girls who climbed trees, hiked and camped. Girls were expected to wear dresses and work on needlepoint.

The Madison girls took a bike tour around the city, learned historical facts and how Savannah was founded. “Our tour guide focused on influential women who helped create the city,” Beth said.

They also visited Tybee Island and attended a class at the marine center. “We toured Scouting’s birthplace and first headquarters.

Forsyth Park’s playground was their absolute favorite. We also geocached downtown,” Beth said. They squeezed in outlet shopping and browsing River Street shops.

Before the trip, most Scout mothers considered Girl Scouts “just a cute, little fun group for girls,” Beth said. “After immersing ourselves in all things GS, we actually felt part of the movement. Participants, not just observers.”

nah trip. I truly believe because we took this trip, my 10 girls are more committed to our troop than ever,”

Beth said.

For recruitment this fall, a registration table about joining a troop will be available at all Open Houses for Madison’s elementary schools and at Liberty and Discovery middle schools.

An open Recruitment Night at Asbury Church’s gym on Aug. 13 will run from 3 to 5 p.m. Local troops will host activities for the girls while leaders will talk to parents.

“Girl Scouts isn’t just snacks and crafts. Over the last eight years, my troop has attended cybersecurity classes three times at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. We’ve been whitewater rafting on the Ocoee and taken two rock-climbing classes at High Point. At Camp Trico every year, girls do archery, canoeing, hatchet-throwing and all cooking,” Beth said.

“Jean Downs’ troop is a few years ahead of us and has hiked at the Grand Canyon and taken classes for self-defense and car maintenance,” Beth said. “I’m very proud to be a Girl Scout leader. When I found out I was having a little girl, (Girl Scouts) was the first thing I thought of.”

For more information about Girl Scouts, email betty82402@gmail.com or visit juliettegordonlowbirthplace.

Twickenham Town Chapter, DAR set to dedicate monuments at Veterans Memorial

By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com

HUNTSVILLE – An organization in Huntsville is perpetuating the brave actions of local heroes who defined our freedoms

hundreds of years ago.

The Twickenham Town Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution or NSDAR will dedicate two four-foot granite monuments at Huntsville-Madison County Veterans Memorial, 200 Monroe St. NW in downtown Huntsville.

The ceremony on Aug. 12 will open at 10 a.m. Chapter members encourage the public to attend the free dedication ceremony and onsite reception.

Names of 22 Revolutionary War Patriots who died in Madison County, Ala. are etched into the new monuments. The monuments flank an 8-foot,

3-ton granite monument that the local NSDAR Chapter erected in 1939.

In addition, an attached bronze marker contains 84 Patriots’ names who also died in Madison County.

Penny Sumners, Historic Preservation Chair of Twickenham Town Chapter, led efforts to identify patriots missing from the 1939 monument. Sumners organized members to search military and Madison County records to document the men’s patriotic service.

In addition, Sumners directed a fundraising campaign to pay $10,000 to purchase and install the etched monuments.

The verified patriots

etched into the new monuments are John Mosby Binford, Charles Dement, George Dickey, Owen Evans, Zachariah Greenhill Leigh, George Hallmark, Henry Harless, William Hogan, Richard Holmes, Colby Jackson, Fleming Jordan, Charles King, Benjamin Lynn, Michael Mason, James McCracken, Daniel McDuff, Andrew McElroy, Andrew Neely, Moses Poor, Daniel Rather, John Slaughter and John Whitaker. According to Dr. Dorla Evans, Regent of Twickenham Town Chapter, “America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of its founding in 2026. The three monuments will be

Girl Scouts from Madison visited the home of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of Girl Scouts, in Savannah, Ga. The photos show Girls Scouts from 1912 and their contemporary counterparts from Madison. Scouts are Sarah Rydbom, front from left, Katelyn Preus, Natalie Zesinger, Lyla Mackrell and Maribeth Williams. Anna Dasher, back from left, Katie Crocker, Troop Leader Beth Crocker, Brooklyn Colquett and Elizabeth Litavec.

The Twickenham Town Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution or NSDAR will dedicate monuments at Huntsville-Madison County Veterans Memorial in a public ceremony on Aug. 12.

Prepare for attack

By BECKY MILLER God’s Lemonade Stand

“From the wicked who despoil me, my deadly enemies who surround me.”

Psalm 71:10

Ever had one of those great weeks when things go great all around then voila an emotional bomb drops that tries to throw you off course? Satan is a master of doing that, but you don’t have to fall for it. You have to purpose to stay uplifted regardless and recognize it for what it is, a ploy to get your eyes off of Jesus.

Life will occasionally throw curve balls right when you are at your highest happiest emotionally. Hang on to Jesus. Be still. Have faith. Keep running after Jesus.

Friend, I don’t know what you may be going through today but reach out to a trusted friend for prayer and allow the comfort of the Holy Spirit to fill you up. When you continue to let negative thinking sink you into emotional quicksand you won’t have victory. You can have victory regardless of your circumstances.

PRAYER: Today Lord, I need you and every day I need you. Help me Lord to trust you will make wrongs right. Help me stay humble. Guard my mouth so I don’t say stupid things I regret. Help me forgive people when they are mean to me. 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.

Church Directory

By DAWN REED

My mom used to say her “quiver was full,” (Psalm 127:4-5). We would smile because we knew what she meant. She was saying that her heart was full of joy. Her family was together, and the moments were just right. Treasured.

I got that same “quiver full” feeling last night-the first night of Vacation Bible School.

Our director had worked tirelessly for months. Decorations had been painted. An enormous ship filled the stage. Painted and built off-site, I still don’t know how they got it to the church. Food had been planned, kids and adults had pre-registered, prayers had been prayed.

I’ve been to VBS since I was a kid. One sip of strawberry Kool-Aid takes me straight back to the creekbank of Belfry Baptist Church where we had a small cup of the red stuff-with no refills-and two cheap cookies. As an adult, being involved in this bestest week ever for churches was my jam. The story was the gig I loved for a long time. I was even the director for a few years at McVeigh Baptist where my beloved was the pastor. We were fully immersed in the work of reaching kids and their parents in the crazy and wonderful chaos of VBS. It was all glorious. And then we moved.

My first VBS at Fitzpatrick found me hiding in my beloved’s office. (He

was the new pastor.) This church already had VBS in hand. It seemed that they didn’t need me. I just hadn’t found my place. Yet.

This week is my 20th Vacation Bible School at Fitzpatrick. I’ve served in many spots over the past two decades. One year as a guide, I was puked on, peed on, and then lost a kid-but for only 45 minutes. My last stint was in preschool music, which turned out to be my most favorite place.

Last night, I was an assistant to the director, trouble shooter, and pastor’s wife. After everyone was in class and on schedule, I got to mingle and work the crowd.

Eating a delicious cheeseburger with some ladies in the adult class, I scanned the fellowship hall. Tables on one side were filled with seventh and eighth graders. Kindergartners were on the other with volunteers and parents scattered throughout. Kids were laughing and talking with their mouths full. New friends had been made right here in the church. We could hear squeals of delight from the recreation station outside.

My eyes filled with tears. This was it. This was the perfect moment. My mother’s words flashed into my mind. My quiver was certainly full.

At VBS, boys and girls get a great taste of Jesus and church life. What’s not to love? Fun games that usually involve water, exciting stories straight from the Word of God, peppy music with a Biblical theme (and dancing for everyone), a full meal,

and throw in a craft. Bible school is the time when the church rolls up its sleeves and becomes a beautiful example of the body of Christ.

In case you didn’t know, or if you’ve never been to VBS, all the fun stuff sets up the main thing: the plan of salvation. On the last night, the pastor and lay leaders will share with each group about Who Jesus is, what He did for us, and how He longs to be our Savior. It’s the reason for the games, the food, the crafts, and the songs. VBS is the greatest evangelist tool of the church. We are excited about what happens on that final evening. Forevers will be changed!

Each night finishes with The Chicken Dance. I don’t have words. I don’t understand. It’s just a thing. We all lose our minds for a few minutes and then see pictures of it later on the internet.

I suddenly remember David dancing in 2 Samuel 6. Yeah, it’s just like that. VBS is the best!

Thank you to the following Faith Section sponsors

a dramatic backdrop for the coming celebrations.

The dedication will be one to remember for years to come.”

A women’s nonprofit, nonpolitical service organization, DAR members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing American independence during the Revolutionary War. Today’s DAR is dynamic and diverse, with more than 185,000 members in 3,000 U.S. and global chapters.

DAR members annually provide millions of hours of volunteer service to their local communities across the country and worldwide. DAR chapters participate in projects to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. More than 1 million members have joined the organization since its founding in 1890.

DAR preserves the

memory and spirit of those who contributed to securing American independence. For more than 130 years, the DAR has strived to bring awareness to the honorable sacrifices and enduring legacy of all patriots who fought for America’s freedom.

Through the DAR Genealogical Research System, the public can access a free database of information that DAR has amassed about these patriots. For more information, visit dar.org/GRS.

Any woman is eligible for membership who is 18 years old or older, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution.

For more information, call Evans at 256-270-5688, email flagview7@gmail. com or visit dar.org or twickenhamtownchapterdar.weebly.com.

Youth meet ‘Pen Friends’ at Madison Library

By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – Email, texts, Twitter or Insta-Whatever’s popular today . . . Technology has zapped intrapersonal interaction in many ways. However, Madison Public Library sponsors a program for youth to write as a “Pen Friend.”

Pen Friends materialized after Librarian I Amelia Parkes received a phone call from the Assistant Director and Head of Youth Services for the Ransom District Library in Plainwell, Mich. The caller asked if the Madison branch would be interested in coordinating Pen Friends with the Michigan library.

The basis of Pen Friends’ conversations was their shared summer reading theme, “All Together Now.” “We thought it would be a fun way to expand on our theme, make new connections and learn about new people and places,” Parkes said.

Pen Friends is not like a tradi-

BBQ Continued from page 3B

presented for the top three winners in each of the specific categories as well.

The Kansas City Barbecue Society is the number one organization

Renovating Rooms. Building Relationships.

tional ‘Pen Pal’ program. “Rather than pairing the children with individual pen pals, we are offering drop-in sessions for letter writing on Fridays, where children can come write letters to the children at Ransom District Library, based on weekly prompts,” Parkes said.

For one week, the library staff used the following prompts for students to follow in writing to their Pen Friend. Youth needed to ‘fill in the blanks’:

Dear Michigan friends,

Hello from Alabama. The weather is ____ today. My favorite song is ____ by ____. I like it because ____.

What is your favorite song and why? What types of music do you like listening to? I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Your friend, John “I then send the letters to the library in Michigan and put the letters I receive on display in the Children’s Room,” Parkes said.

of grilling and live-fire smoking enthusiasts globally. It is also the top sanctioning body for barbecue food sports. Throughout the two-day festival, guests will be able to learn

“Children have the option of responding to a specific letter or writing a more general letter based on the weekly prompts.”

Because the setup allows children to drop in to write a letter, the library staff has welcomed children on varying dates.

“I have had to explain the concept of having a Pen Pal to most of the children who have participated in Pen Friends, but they catch on fast and seem excited,” Parkes said.

Thus far, the Madison staff has covered topics such as “Tell me about your hometown” to discuss the weather, favorite places, activities, favorite sports and favorite sports teams.

“Some weeks have had better attendance than others, but I am happy to offer the opportunity for the children who do want to participate,” Parkes said.

For more information, call 256461-0046 or visit madison@hmcpl. org.

more about the sport of barbecuing and the techniques used by the professionals. For more details, go to trashpandasbaseball.com.

Madison Public Library has sessions for Pen Friends on Fridays. Children and youth, like this girl in the photograph preparing to write to her Pen Friend, can drop in to write letters.