The Madison Record - September 13, 2023

Oktoberfest

This year’s Oktoberfest at Redstone Arsenal will take place Sept. 15-17 at the Activity Field on Aerobee Road and is open to the entire North Alabama community. It promises fun for all. Page 6A

Madison THE RECORD

Revised city map waiting on next hearing and approval

By MARIA RAKOCZY news@themadisonrecord.com

Ready for flight

James Clemens jet placed on pedestal in front of school, unveiling set for tomorrow

By MARIA RAKOCZY news@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON - The powder blue

TF-9J Cougar is now in place to welcome students outside the front entrance of James Clemens High School. The jet, which commemorates the school’s mascot, was installed on its pedestal last week in a majestic

Kroger to open long-awaited new store in Madison today

By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON - A long-awaited Kroger store in Madison is open starting today. Located at 8855 Hwy 72 E, the store broke ground on Nov. 1, 2022, and will be the first Kroger location opened in the city in over six years. The store was originally announced in 2016, but was delayed after Kroger shifted “focus to the customer experience in existing stores, e-commerce and digital technology”.

According to a press release announcing today’s opening, shoppers will be able to see an over $27 million investment aimed to provide a unique, all-inclusive shopping experience for the entire Madison community.

To celebrate the store’s grand opening, Kroger will be hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony

See KROGER Page 4A

takeoff position.

The specific aircraft chosen for the installation is a TF-9J Cougar, a retired Navy fighter jet that was previously housed at the U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum in Huntsville. In 2014, the U.S. Naval Aviation Museum transferred care of the aircraft on loan to the Madison City Board of Education, at

which point, a local volunteer, Randy Beavers, began leading restoration efforts on it.

The restoration was a nineyear process that included countless hours of Beavers’ and James Clemens’ students’ time and the help and support of local companies, the Highland Group, Nola VanPeursem

The Madison Bowl

MADISON – Madison’s redistricting process is nearing an end. During a recent Madison City Council work session, Director of Development Services Mary Beth Broeren presented the third iteration of the redistricted map from Slaughter & Associates. Slaughter & Associates, the firm contracted by the city to draw up a new municipal district map, received feedback from the council and the public at the previous work session last month and using that feedback drafted a new map.

“As you recall from your last public meeting with the consultant, you provided input, the public provided some input, and so, based upon those comments, the consultant prepared this Plan 3 which meets statutory requirements in terms of one person one vote,” Broeren stated at the work session.

Much of that feedback surrounded keeping neighborhoods intact in a single district. One such neighborhood was Park Meadow where Councilwoman Maura Wroblewski advocated to be kept together. Now in the new version, the neighborhood is all in District 1.

See MAP Page 4A

James Clemens High School’s new mascot was hoisted into place in front of the school’s campus last week. There is an official unveiling ceremony planned Thursday afternoon after the homecoming parade, which starts at 5 p.m.

James Clemens running back DJ Williams placed the first points on the scoreboard during Friday’s Madison Bowl, the annual rivalry game between James Clemens and Bob Jones at Madison City Stadium. For the complete story and photos from the game, check out our Madison Bowl coverage in this issue’s sports section.

Photo by Andrew Noles (Noles Nest Photography)

Obituary

Mrs. Vivian Virginia Edwards

November 15, 1940 - September 5, 2023

Mrs. Vivian Virginia Edwards, age 82, of the Morgan City community of Union Grove, Alabama, passed away on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at her residence. Vivian was born November 15, 1940 in Belleview, Tennessee, daughter of Hosea Ewing Swinford and Velma Irene Beddingfield Swinford. She grew up mostly in the Hazel Green area of Madison County.

Vivian was a homemaker and took great pride in providing a loving home for her family. She was a good and faithful member of the Morgan City Church of God. Family and friends considered her a Saint of God due to her sweet and humble nature and her love of God and of her Church.

Vivian was a wonderful mother and grandmother and would do anything for her family. She enjoyed her flower and her vegetable garden and was often found cooking and canning. She enjoyed Christmas and was always adding pieces to expand her Christmas Village and her snowman collection. She was rather fond of Thomas Kincaid paintings as well.

Family left behind to cherish beautiful memories of Vivian include: husband, John T. Edwards; son and daughter-in-law, Dr. John A. and Christina

Vivian Edwards

Edwards; daughters and sons-in-law, Lori and John Few and Kimberly and Dennis Howard; twelve grandchildren; and sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Jerry Davis. Family members preceding Vivian in death include: parents, Hosea and Velma Swinford; brother, Eldridge Swinford; three sisters, Maggie Ruth Posey, Erma Dean Kerr, and Dorothy Ann Cothren. Services for Vivian were held on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at the Morgan City Church of God. Brother Roland Cornwell officiated. Burial was in Rescue Cemetery in Morgan County.

Pallbearers were Lane Edwards, Will Edwards, Shawn Blomgren, Andy Davis, James Edwards, Mike Kerr and Chris Thompson. Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel directed.

To submit an obituary notice or birth announcement, email it to john@themadisonrecord.com.

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Players from the Rocket City Trash Pandas visited Madison’s Rainbow Elementary Thursday to read to second graders. The players fanned out to individual classrooms where they briefly introduced themselves, fielded questions and read a book from the library-media center. The kids seemed mesmerized as much by the story as with the celebrity status of their guests. Team mascot “Sprocket the Trash Panda” drew smiles and hugs while making the rounds to classrooms. Team players Erik Martinez (#16) , Victor Mederos (#52) and Jack Dashwood (#25) took their time to visit and read for the kids.

ABOARD THE PINTA - The “Pinta”, a Replica of a Portuguese caravel used by Columbus and many early explorers opened as a “floating museum” for dockside educational tours last week. The ship will be docked at Ditto Landing Marina in Huntsville until her departure on Sept. 18. The general public is invited to step back in time and explore the Pinta for self guided tours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Check out www.ninapinta.org. In 2005, the Pinta was launched in Brazil after three years of construction. The ship was built by eighth-generation Portuguese shipwrights using the same methods and hand tools that were used to build the original in the 15th century. The Pinta was the first ship to sight land on the famous voyage of discovery on October 12, 1492.

“Pullin’ for Partnership Fire Truck Challenge,” which will benefit Partnership for a Drug-Free Community, will be held Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at Bob Jones High School.

Teams to show strength in ‘Pullin’ for Partnership Fire Truck Challenge’

By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – Community teams will demonstrate that they’re ‘pulling for’ people working for sobriety by entering the “2023 Pullin’ for Partnership Fire Truck Challenge,” which will benefit Partnership for a Drug-Free Community.

For the third year, Madison Fire and Rescue employees are joining forces with Partnership personnel to bring attention to substance use problems that face the local population. The event will raise funds to provide services to individuals looking for help.

The fundraiser will be held Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at Bob Jones High School, 650 Hughes Road. The event coincides with National Recovery Month. The Partnership staff will combine their Recovery Resource Fair with Pullin’ for Partnership, giving the audience numerous options to learn more about available treatment resources.

Pullin’ for Partnership will involve teams of 10 competing for bragging rights, trophies and a chance to prove they ‘have what it takes’ to pull a 46,000-pound fire truck for the length of 100 feet with a rope. This community event will offer youth activities and a couple of food trucks.

Brandy Williams, Deputy Chief of Madison Fire and Rescue, said the department is supporting Pullin’ for Partnership event because, as first responders, they see the impact of the opioid and fentanyl crises almost daily.

“I think most people are very aware that we have a serious substance use crisis. Too many are dying. So anything we can do to bring awareness to programs that

help address it, from trying to prevent it to helping those who have an addiction, it is a positive for our city and community,”

Williams said.

On a lighter note, Williams said the event presents a rare opportunity for people to be able to say they pulled a fire truck with a rope. “The department will have strict safety protocols to ensure this is a fun event for all,” she said.

Partnership Board Chair Karren Crowson said the nonprofit appreciates the support from the City of Madison and Madison City Schools to create this event for the third year. “We expect this to be our biggest year yet,” Crowson said.

Encouraging teams to enter ‘the pull,’ Partnership board and staff said the fire truck pull can be a great team-building exercise and a fun stress buster. It’s also a great way for a person to celebrate sobriety.

“It’s the reason we’re doing it that’s so important,” Partnership Deputy Director David Battle said. “We see this as a great way to show those who may be struggling with addiction and maintaining their sobriety that there are many people ‘pulling’ for them to get better and lead healthier lives.”

A team’s registration fee is $250; registration deadline is Sept. 15. Any donation to the nonprofit organization is tax-deductible, and all proceeds will support Partnership for a Drug-Free Community’s programs, which are in high demand with the opioid, fentanyl and vaping epidemics.

For event rules and registration forms, call 256-539-7339, email info@thedrugfreepartnership.org or visit www.partnershipforadrug-freecommunity.org.

Architects, Northrop Grumman, and PPG

Aerospace. Members of the Highland Group crafted the base for the aircraft and performed the lifting of the jet and welded it into place at last week’s installation.

“It was awesome seeing it lifting up,” Beavers said.

“The Highland Group, the construction company that built the pedestal and handled the hosting, I can’t say [anything] good enough about those guys. They have just been aces on helping out with everything, wonderful group to work with.”

Beavers had high praise

for everyone involved and the teamwork that made the project possible from the supporting companies to the James Clemens staff to the board of education.

“This wasn’t done in a vacuum,” he said. “Everybody has been behind it.”

The jet is a Vietnam War-era aircraft that saw combat, was used by the Blue Angels and as a flight trainer, and has over four thousand flying hours.

According to a press release from the Highland Group, “This initiative forms part of an ongoing series of enhancements at James Clemens High

School, which includes significant upgrades to the athletic facilities, football fields, track area, and baseball and softball complexes. Another major project underway is the construction of a cutting-edge indoor practice facility. Spanning an impressive 10,000 square feet, this facility aims to provide a year-round, climate-controlled training environment for our student-athletes, complete with indoor batting cages and locker rooms.”

The official unveiling of the jet is set to take place on September 14 around 6 to 6:30 p.m.

Map Continued from page 1A

“I think it’s a great compromise. Thank you so much for getting Park Meadow all together. That was huge for that community,” Wroblewski commented.

Councilwoman Connie Spears likewise expressed satisfaction with the new map, “I think this is the best plan so far.”

Though Park Meadow was able to stay together, many other neighborhoods were split into different districts. Broeren explained that

Kroger

this was an unavoidable reality while prioritizing another piece of feedback that requested the under-sizing of high-growth areas, “It is a domino effect and trying to keep those districts where we’re going to have a lot of growth on the low end is a more important goal, I guess I will say, or at least that what it seemed, than keeping a neighborhood in one district.”

Thus, the biggest change in the third plan is its reduction of Dis-

Continued from page 1A

at 9 a.m. today where the store’s management team and associates will celebrate Kroger’s commitment to Madison by presenting a donation to Food Bank of North Alabama. Throughout the ceremony, the Bob Jones High School Band will be performing, and opportunities for shoppers to win numerous prizes will be available.

The new Madison Kro-

ger store will have over 58,000-square-feet of space, including an in-store Starbucks®, Pharmacy with Drive Thru, Sushi Bar, Kitchen Place Food Hall and a Murray’s Cheese Shop.

One of the store’s focal points is the 24-foot wide by 8-foot-tall Madison community mural created by Ann Moeller Steverson, a native of Madison. Steverson was selected thanks to her timeless quality and romantic oil paintings aimed at shining a light on the beauty in the world.

The mural Steverson created resembles the most joyous and beautiful aspects of the Madison community – Madison’s

tricts 3, 4, 1 and 2 to negative percentages to allow for growth in response to the requests from council and citizens to accommodate future growth in high-growth areas.

This map is the finalized map that will be presented for the official public hearing on October 9 before being presented to the council for adoption at the October 23 council meeting.

The newest plan is available online at madisonal.gov.

iconic downtown clock and the variety of butterflies that fly through the city and state. These butterflies dance over colorful zinnias inspired by the local pick-your-own flower farms and lush green spaces in Madison. When looking at the mural, the butterflies featured from left to right include the Great Purple Hairstreak, Red Spotted Admiral, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Sleepy Orange Butterfly, Summer Azure and Monarch.

“We are so excited to share this new store, and mural dedicated to finding joy in our city, with the Madison community during our Grand Open-

ing celebration,” said Calley White, Madison Kroger store leader. “We look forward to revealing all the hard work we’ve been doing since breaking ground, and offering our customers a brand-new shopping experience for years to come.”

Store hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, with pharmacy hours 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., weekdays; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays. The new location will see more than 160 jobs brought to the city of Madison. Kroger encourages anyone interested in joining the Kroger team to visit TheKrogerCo.com/ Careers.

Randy Beavers stands in front of the nearly mounted jet in front of James Clemens High School.

By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – In Jim Frederick’s work philosophy, any job has parts you don’t like and some you love. People you like, and people you may not like.

“You need to adapt and work with them,” he said.

Before graduating from high school, Frederick joined the U.S. Navy with the Delayed Entry Program in March 1983. His active-duty entry date was March 2, 1984.

“I went to Boot Camp in Orlando, Fla (facility no longer exists). Remaining in Orlando, I completed Basic Electricity and Electronics (BEE) school and then Advanced Electricity and Electronics School at Orlando’s Naval Training Center,” Frederick said.

He transferred to Great Lakes Naval Training Center in north Chicago and attended Fire Control “A” School; this training concerned placing ordinance on a target, not firefighting. Training involved RADAR Theory, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, cooling systems and more. Then, Frederick attended “C” School for advanced training for a specific system.

“I finally received orders to my first ship, USS NIMITZ CVN-68, a nu-

Smoked brisket for the big game

clear-powered Aircraft Carrier,” Frederick said.

He completed at-sea training evolutions, leading to a North Atlantic cruise where he crossed the Artic Circle and earned the “Realm of the Artic Circle” Blue Nose certificate.

“We conducted our duties within the Mediterranean. We maintained our presence inside the Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi’s claim of the whole Gulf of Sidra and his ‘Line of Death,’” Frederick said.

Frederick’s port visits included Palma, Mallorca; Toulan, Cannes and Nice in France; Monaco, Monte Carlo; Naples and Rome, Italy; and Alexandria and Giza, Egypt to see the Great Sphinx and Pyramids.

“I was promoted to FC3 (E-4). (This time) made the biggest impact of my young life,” Frederick said.

The Fredericks drove from Virginia to Bremerton, Wash. and completed his tour on-board USS NIMITZ. He transferred to his first shore duty in Long Beach, Calif. There he overhauled guns systems and occasionally radar systems. After three years, he was promoted to FC2 (E-5) and received orders to USS ANTIETAM CG-54.

“I extended an extra year aboard her. The Com-

See HONOR Page 8A

By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – Sports is often credited with bringing people together. That tendency to connect people from different walks of life is even more noticeable when sports is combined with food.

Food and sports go hand in hand. Food is never too far away when getting together with fellow fans. That’s true if fans are hosting a game watch at home or if they’re tailgating in a stadium parking lot. Certain styles of food are synonymous with sports, and that includes grilled and smoked items. Smoking has become particularly popular among sports fans in recent years, and many modern smokers are now portable enough that they can be taken on the road when following a favorite team.

Gameday can be the perfect time to master the art of smoking. Smoking can take a long time, which makes it an ideal option for

day-long tailgates or game watch parties. Fans who have volunteered for cooking duties this season can impress guests with their smoking skills by following this recipe for “Texas-Style Beef Brisket” from “The Essential Kamado Grill Cookbook” (Rockridge Press) by Will

Budiaman.

Texas-Style Beef Brisket

6 to 8

Serves

• 1 8- to 10-lb. beef brisket

• 3 tablespoons kosher salt

• 3 tablespoons freshly ground black

pepper

Dry-brining time: Overnight

Prep time: 15 to 30 minutes

Cook time: 7 hours, 30 minutes to 9 hours, 30 minutes; plus 1 to 2 hours to rest

Grill temperature: 250 F to 275 F

Smoking wood: Oak or pecan

1. Trim off any hard fat from the brisket and square off the edges. Trim the fat cap down to an even 1/4-inch thickness. Sprinkle evenly on all sides with the salt and

pepper. Refrigerate overnight.

2. Prepare the grill for smoking at 250 F to 275 F.

3. Place the brisket fat-side up on the grate over the drip pan. Close the lid. If desired, wrap in aluminum foil after 5 to 6 hours or once the bark (crust) is dark brown.

4. Turn over the brisket, close the lid, and continue cooking for 2 hours, 30 minutes to 3 hours, 30 minutes more or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 200 F.

5. Rest the brisket, wrapped in foil, for 1 to 2 hours before serving. Cut across the grain into 1/4-inchthick slices. Pour over as much of the drippings from the pan as you like, and serve.

Cooking tip: The grain in each part of the brisket - it’s made up of two different muscles, known as the flat and the point - runs in two different directions. Roughly speaking, the grain in the point runs perpendicular to the grain in the flat, so you’ll want to slice the two sections separately.

Madison Newcomers and Neighbors to meet Sept. 14 at the Hogan Family YMCA

By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON - The Madison Newcomers and Neighbors Club, a Womens Social Organization, will meet Thursday, Sept. 14, at the Hogan Family YMCA located at 130 Park Square Lane. The social time begins at 9:30am with the speaker

beginning promptly at 10 am.

September’s speaker is Hallie Porter, Development Director of the Land Trust of North Alabama. The Land Trust leads regional and community collaborations that plan, preserve and provide stewardship to all green space in North Alabama.

Current residents as well as

newcomers to our community are always welcome to attend our meetings the 2nd Thursday of each month. We offer informative programs as well as a variety of fun activities which gives you a chance to meet new friends.

For further information contact either Martha Heard (256)772-9721 or Lisa Anderson (540)273-3239.

On This Day

Fans who have volunteered for cooking duties this season can impress guests with their smoking skills by following this recipe for “Texas-Style Beef Brisket” from “The Essential Kamado Grill Cookbook”

Honoring our Veterans: A spotlight on Madison’s local veterans and their invaluable service to our country Sponsored by the American Legion Post #229 in Madison (www.AmericanLegionPost229.org)

Jim Frederick’s strong work ethic guided his years in the Navy

Senior Chief Petty Officer Jim Frederick first served on USS NIMITZ CVN-68 during his Navy career. His deployments took him around the world.

Monte Sano Art Festival to welcome over 140 artists Sept. 16-17

By STAFF REPORTS

HUNTSVILLE – Prepare for an exquisite blend of nature’s beauty and artistic creativity at this year’s Monte Sano Art Festival, presented by Damson Automotive, on Sept. 16 and 17, 2023, at Monte Sano State Park.

A Huntsville tradition, the juried art festival will feature a new expanded festival layout showcasing over 140 local and regional artists and welcome select local food vendors and featured musicians.

“Allowing patrons to discover a diverse array of artistry from local, regional and national talents amidst the picturesque backdrop of Huntsville’s state park is what makes the Monte Sano Art Festival truly exceptional,” said Allison Dil-

lon-Jauken, the Executive Director of Arts Huntsville. “As a juried showcase, our festival highlights professional artists who have been handpicked from a competitive pool. From mesmerizing jewelry to intricate clay pieces, expressive paintings to captivating sculptures, this event promises to captivate both first-time buyers and seasoned collectors.”

Celebrating September’s Music Month, the festival will feature 12 local musicians on two stages presented by United Community. Additionally, there will be a special performance of Opera Bytes Live from Opera Huntsville on Saturday at 4 p.m. Local food trucks will be present throughout the weekend, and attendees will be able to dine al fresco on picnic tables placed throughout

the food and beverage areas. A full list of musicians and food trucks can be found on the Monte Sano Art Festival page on the Arts Huntsville website.

The Monte Sano Art Festival will be held this weekend at the Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville.

Oktoberfest starts Friday on Arsenal

By STAFF REPORTS

The annual Redstone festival attracts thousands of people each year. Some attend for the Ferris wheel and other carnival rides, others for the

live entertainment, which this year will include The King Guys Oktoberfest Brass Band, DJ Slim Robb, DJ Jammin’ Jeff, karaoke, The Pollies (a Muscle Shoals band) and Buck’d

Up, a Huntsville-based eclectic band.

Always a draw to Oktoberfest is the cuisine, such as grilled brats and schnitzel plates (German potato salad, sauerkraut, dill pickle spear and Brotchen), pretzels and beer cheese and more.

This year’s event will cost $15 for general admission and $25 for admission with unlimited rides. Parking is free.

Proceeds from the Oktoberfest are returned to the Redstone community in the form of improvements to Morale, Welfare and Recreation facilities and recreational offerings.

Details on events can be found in future issues of the Redstone Rocket and at redstone.armymwr.com.

COUNTY LINE ROAD CONCERT SERIES • September 16-17 • 4 to 8 p.m.

Heritage Park in Madison • 29768 Huntsville Brownsferry Road

Four bands in two days, food trucks, giveaways for kids, and pet-friendly! Bring your lawn chairs, coolers, and your friends to this free community event. On stage will be: September 16 at 4 p.m. The Mishaps will perform; The Zooks at 6 p.m. September 17 at 4 p.m. Remy Neal will take the stage. 3 Way Handshake will perform at 6 p.m.

LUNCH&DINNER/SUNDAYBRUNCH 619MERIDIANST | 256-539-8001 | FurnitureFactoryBarGrill.com ANDINPROVIDENCE:7TownCenterDr.,Ste103 MondaySTEAKNIGHT TuesdayKARAOKE Wed.MUD&MUSCLEMEETUP Thurs.BIKENIGHT 560145-1 INHUNTSVILLE 9/13-TRICKZIPPER 9/14-BIGDADDYKINGFISH 9/15- STOLENFACESaTributetoGratefulDead 9/16-DEPARTURE 9/13-WHITNEYMERKEL 9/14-KARAOKE 9/15-4MILESGONE 9/16-JEDEYE INPROVIDENCE MondaySTEAKNIGHT TEQUILATuesday

Bands to compete at first

Rocket City Marching Invitational on Sept. 23

By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – An exciting, new event will premiere in Madison with the Rocket City Marching Invitational on Sept. 23.

Bob Jones High School Marching Patriots are presenting the contest for bands to impress the audience and panel of judges with their music charts, field formations, color guard pageantry and synchronized dance moves. The invitational will open at noon.

Marching bands will converge on Madison City Schools Stadium to compete in numerous categories. Bands will perform continuously until all have marched. In the finale, judges will announce ratings and students from each band will accept their awards on the field.

Leigh Thomas is Director of Bands at Bob Jones.

Kevin Smart is Assistant Director and directs the percussion line.

70 members; AAA – 71-100 members; and AAAA –101-plus members. Bands can choose to register at a higher classification for the competition.

From the preliminary competition, students can earn trophies for both performance and “Best in Class” in categories for drum major, color guard, dance, majorette, percussion and overall band.

The top eight overall scores, regardless of class, will advance to finals. Overall scores are weighted with music at 50 percent; visual at 30 percent; and 20 percent for general effect.

In the finals, awarding differs slightly. Bands will receive awards based on best overall performance by drum major; visual ensemble, which includes guard, dance and majorette; percussion; visual; music; and general effect.

Bands with the top three scores overall will earn first-, second- and third-place awards. Other bands in the finals also receive awards. The audience will choose and vote for ‘fan favorite.’

THE ROCKET CITY FAIR returns September 14-23 with big rides and bold moves! The 2023 Rocket City Fair will be held next month at John Hunt Park, 2195 Jaycee Way in Huntsville. You won’t want to miss the classic fair food (funnel cake, anyone?), thrilling rides, live music, and fun for the entire family! There will also be entertainment, such as The Tickled Pink Petting Zoo starring Larry the Llama, Lady Houdini’s World-Renowned Escape Show, and the 2023 Concert Series. For more details, go to www.rocketcityfair.com. NEACA 2023 FALL CRAFT SHOW • September 15-17 • Von Braun Center • www.neaca.org NEACA Fall 2023 Craft Show! There is no admission fee and it is open to the public. There will be over 100 crafters with items ranging from jewelry, pottery, home decor, outdoor decor, dolls, clothing, kitchen accessories, childrens items, food and much more. There will be a drawing for a $20 gift certificate every 2 hours that can be used during the show. Please check

of Us, Colsa, Leaf Filter and Renewal by Anderson. For the full list of participating artists and additional information about the Monte Sano Art Festival and Arts Huntsville’s 7445HWY72W,MADISON VALLEYPOOLSMADISON.COM 256-533-POOL

Based on the number of musicians, classifications will include A — 40 members maximum; AA — 41-

programs, please visit the Arts Huntsville website or call (256) 519-ARTS (2787). Arts Huntsville can be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @ ArtsHuntsville. LIMITED AVAILABILITY FIBERGLASS INSTOCKPOOLS 560161-1

Bob Jones Marching Patriots will host the inaugural Rocket City Marching Invitational at Madison City Schools Stadium.

HUNTSVILLE - This year’s Oktoberfest at Redstone Arsenal will take place Sept. 15-17 at the Activity Field on Aerobee Road and is open to the entire North Alabama community. It promises fun for all.

The Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride will travel across North Alabama on Sept. 16. At approximately 10:30 a.m., Madison American Legion members will sell merchandise at the official stop at Madison Harley-Davidson, 15100 Ala. Hwy. 20 W. in Madison.

Trail of Tears

Commemorative Motorcycle Ride set for Sept. 16

By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – Motorcyclists from across the United States will converge in North Alabama as part of the Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride on Sept. 16, the event’s 30th anniversary.

Riders travel from Bridgeport in northeast Alabama to Waterloo in northwest Alabama. The scenic ride across North Alabama honors Native American Indians who were all voluntarily or forcibly moved by the U.S. Government from the eastern United States to Oklahoma. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 required the dispersal.

Along with ride, the town of Bridgeport will host a kickoff rally on Sept. 15, along with a three-day Indian Festival in Waterloo for the public.

“Our post, Madison American Legion, Post 229 will be part of the ‘Spirit of America’ presentation to a Native American military veteran,” Post 229 Commander Larry Vannoy said. “This year, the award will go to T.C. Dawson, a veteran of the Vietnam War who is heavily involved in the veteran community.”

“Native Americans have made countless contributions to our nation’s freedoms, in particular, serving in our armed forces,” Vannoy said.

On Sept. 16, the ride will begin at 8 a.m. at the Alabama/Tennessee state line off U. S. 72 in downtown Bridgeport. The route will

follow U.S. 72 W. to I-565 W. in Huntsville and arrive at Redstone Harley-Davidson, 15100 Ala. Hwy. 20 W. in Madison, at approximately 10:30 a.m. for an official rest and lunch stop, including special entertainment. The public is invited to welcome riders. At noon, riders will continue to Florence and arrive in Waterloo at approximately 2 p.m.

Waterloo will host a free festival on Sept. 15-17 in remembrance of all people who walked the Trail of Tears. Presented by the Alabama Indian Affairs Commission, the three-day event will offer live music, flute and drum music and exhibits and displays from Native American artisans and vendors.

American Legion, Post 229 will sell Trail of Tears T-shirts and other ride-related merchandise at Madison Harley-Davidson “as a fundraiser for both the ride and our post, which we have done for 20-plus years,” Vannoy said.

On Sept. 17, the ride will continue to Tahlequah, Okla. from Spring Park in Tuscumbia. The ride is held, regardless of weather.

In 1838, the U.S. government hired wagon master J.C.S. Hood to transport

1,070 Native Americans by foot and wagon from Ross’ Landing in Chattanooga, Tenn. to (current-day) Waterloo.

Many Native Americans died in Waterloo. Others escaped into the hills; today, area residents can trace their Native Ameri-

See RIDE Page 8A

Behind the scenes

itself as a premier fall event in the South, and a committee of dozens of hard-working volunteers has made that possible for over forty years.

Crystal McBrayer, the president of the Madison Street Festival, heads a committee of forty-three volunteers that work year-round to put the festival together and execute its charitable mission.

By MARIA RAKOCZY news@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON - If you have lived in Madison or North Alabama for any amount of time you probably know the Madison Street Festival quite well, but do you know the people behind the festival?

The festival has made a name for

Lincoln County Fair starts this weekend

By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com

The Lincoln County Fair is back for the 118th edition, starting on Sept. 16 -23 in Fayetteville, TN – just a short drive north

from Huntsville.

Some highlights of this year’s fair include:

Saturday, Sept 16

•Opening night - Rodeo and armband day

Sunday, Sept 17

• Armband Day, Quarter

Horse races, and Rodeo

Monday, Sept 18

•Truck & Tractor Pull and beauty pageants

Tuesday thru Saturday Harness Races (races start at 2pm daily, 1pm on

See FAIR Page 8A

“We start meeting at the beginning of the year, and we work twelve months out of the year on different aspects of the organization,” McBrayer says. “So, when we take a little break around the holiday time, we come back at the beginning of the year and we focus on distributing the grants that we were able to award from the last festival. So then, that works and from that point on it’s the behind-

the-scenes kind of thing, making sure our registration procedures and policies are in place.”

As McBrayer described, planning for the next year begins almost as soon as the festival ends. The army of volunteers hit the ground running in January with plans for that year’s festival. The first months of the year are filled with acquiring sponsorships and setting up vendor registration. The last two months before the festival are dedicated to mapping out the more than ten different sections and the vendor line-up and working out the logistics of transportation and supplies ahead of time.

Things start picking up even more the week of the festival as volunteers sometimes pull off thirteen or fourteen hour days to coor-

A lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes of the Madison Street Festival to pull off the successful event each year

The Madison Street Festival Committee is comprised of several volunteers who work year-around to ensure each festival is the best. Photo by Captured by Cristie Clark (Cristie Media Company) See

dinate the process and traffic of set-up and loading of supplies in downtown. A generous, local sponsor cares for the hard-working volunteers and vendors the week of by supplying food, and the Madison City Public Works and Police Departments pitch in, as well, to support traffic and logistics for a smooth and safe festival day for volunteers, vendors, and attendees alike.

All in all, the festival requires the generosity, enthusiasm, and time of so many people, or as McBrayer put it, “It’s really quite a juggernaut with a lot of puzzle pieces but when the puzzle pieces are put together, it really is quite beautiful.”

This year is the festival’s forty-first year. It is the second festival since coming back from the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s expected to be bigger and better than ever.

“We’ve got a strong committee this year. This festival this year probably has ten to fifteen percent more participants than we’ve ever had. It will be the biggest festival we’ve ever had,” McBrayer predicted, and based on the vendor registration filling up forty percent of each section’s capacity within only the first week of registration, her prediction is looking spot on.

Ride Continued from page 7A

can ancestry to those who fled. As many as 4,000 deaths occurred because of this forced removal of civilized Native Americans from their rightful homes. To recognize these action, the first Trail of Tears Motor-

Fair

Saturday)

The festival has twenty-eight sponsors this year and two-hundred eighty-six participating vendors. All the hard work of the volunteers and vendors ultimately benefits Madison education programs. The non-profit aspect of the festival was founded specifically to raise money for Madison City Schools. Today, it continues to benefit Madison City Schools but has expanded to include a variety of educational programs throughout the city.

“The reason the non-profit even was brought for the Madison Street Festival and implemented within the organization was to support Madison City Schools. That was the only reason and that was the goal twenty years ago was to create a non-profit where we could give grant money back to Madison City Schools. Now, here we are fast forward to 2023, and our main focus still is a big part of the Madison school system. Fourteen out of the sixteen grants we gave away last year went to Madison City Schools but we have expanded our reach to the community. So, we have opened it up to other educational programs,” McBrayer explains.

“Then we sit down and we read every one of the applications and we see where we can make the

cycle Ride was organized in 1994 with approximately 100 riders. The ride has grown to 15,000-plus riders annually.

For more information, visit trail-of-tears.webflow. io/the-ride/this-yearsride.

Continued from page 7A

Tuesday, Sept 19

•Harness Racing at 2pmNight Harness Racing at 7pm and beauty pageants, Armband Day

Wednesday, Sept 20

•Live Pro Wrestling and Stock Demolition Derby

Thursday, Sept 21

•Monster Truck Show and Armband Day

Friday, Sept 22

•Sanctioned Truck & Tractor

Pull, Armband Day

Saturday, Sept 23

•Demolition Derby and NEW car giveaway

There will be agriculture exhibits, 4-H displays, cow shows, creative arts displays and even a poultry show and sale. Visit their website or Facebook for more details: www.lincolncountyfairTN.com.

biggest impact with the money that we have.”

The festival committee accepts grant applications from qualifying groups from September 1 until October 31. Last year, the committee was able to donate $9,000 to sixteen different programs. The committee spends November reviewing the grant applications and then officially presents the awardees with their grants at a city council meeting in January.

In recent years, the festival has gone even beyond grants to incorporate the local schools and offer students opportunities to grow and use their skills. For example, the festival hosted a photography club for student photographers to practice their photo-snapping skills as official press during the event. It also invited the James Clemens lacrosse team to host a water fundraiser, established a student art tent to display the work of local students, and welcomes groups from Madison schools every year to march in the parade.

“We’re always trying to find ways to engage and whether in its education, [like] photography, or fundraising, which is what the festival really is and also with the water fundraising or art and showcasing students,”

Honor Continued from page 5A

manding Officer and Executive Officer (were) great leaders who took care of their people. Some Sundays, we slowed down enough to fish off the fan tail,” Frederick said.

After more courses and learning all aspects of the ship, Frederick was promoted to FC1 (E-6). At Fleet Training Center – San Diego, he earned NEC 9502 as qualified Instructor for PHALANX Weapon system and continued training to reach NECs 1169 and 0334 and promotion to FCC (E-7).

Frederick received orders to USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN CG-57, where he served 3.5 years. As a senior enlisted officer, he was mentor, trainer and occasionally disciplinarian.

On the West Coast, he deployed often, including Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and North Arabian Sea boarding merchant ships to search for contraband, along with ports such as Yokosuka, Japan; Subic Bay, Philippines; Hong Kong; Singapore;

McBrayer stated.

October, November, and December are also filled with reviews of that year’s festival, highlighting the aspects that went well and looking for ways to improve.

McBrayer calls the whole festival experience “a full-circle kind of thing.”

“It’s really cool because it really is a full-circle kind of thing,” she says. “The community rallies for us every year and supports us and pours into us whether it’s through sponsorship or vendors or participants that are spending thousands of dollars in activities to do over in the children’s area. They’re supporting us and they’re loving us and then we’re able to create this event for people to come and experience all of that.”

The festival is a year-round commitment for committee volunteers, but the joy and passion they have for the festival and its charitable mission makes it all worthwhile.

“They are the ones that are creating the magic.” McBrayer says of the forty-three committee volunteers. “They are the ones that are really making it amazing and they work so hard and so passionately and they give so much of their time.”

Thailand; Guam; India; United Arab Emirates; Australia sites; Mexico; Pearl Harbor; Alaska; and Canada.

He continued at his final Duty Station in Louisville, Ky and was promoted to FCCS (E-8). “With contacts I made and work I’ve done, I (got) a job with Raytheon. I’ve worked for them 15 years now.”

Frederick earned many awards, which included Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2) and Achievement Medal (2); Meritorious Unit Commendation (2); National Defense Service Medal (2); Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (4); Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Service Medal; Secretary of the Navy Letter Of Commendation; and numerous others.

Frederick retired as Senior Chief Petty Officer (FCCS) (E-8).

“I grew up in the country, a little town of Durango, Iowa with about 50 people. We were Rural Route 1 on a gravel road,” he said. Working on

McBrayer herself has dedicated time and energy in some way to the Madison Street Festival for a total of fifteen years, first as a vendor, later as a committee volunteer, and today as president.

McBrayer described the dedication and generosity of the volunteers, “The community just can’t grasp what they give to make this happen every year, and I’m so proud to be associated with them and to be surrounded by them and to do work with them because they’re just amazing.”

This year’s Madison Street Festival will take place Saturday, October 7. You can follow along with the festival at madisonstreetfestival.org and on Facebook and Instagram @madisonstreetfestival.

his grandfather’s and uncles’ farms nurtured his work ethic and dedication to finish a job.

With a Raytheon transfer, the Fredericks moved to the Madison area in November 2013.

He and wife Dana have been married for 37 years. “Dana’s time in the military was likely more difficult than mine, especially with kids — a daughter and son. She is retired from retail — another tough job,” Jim Frederick said.

He belongs to American Legion, Post 229; VFW, Post 2702; and Raytheon RTXVETS Employee Resource Group.

Helping Madison American Legion, the Fredericks volunteered to update maps of Madison’s four cemeteries with 500-plus veterans. Existing maps were not entirely accurate. The Fredericks’ work will help volunteers easily locate each veteran for flags on Memorial Day and Veterans Day and wreaths at Christmas.

CALEB ODOM

caleb@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON - There was a minute left in the fourth quarter on Friday night and the familiar chant could be heard building from the James Clemens student section.

Through the sea of white shirts and white smoke, the Jets students crowed “Nah-nah nah nah… nah-nah nah nah…

hey hey hey… Goodbye.”

The James Clemens Jets (2-1) took down their cross-town rival Bob Jones (0-3) in convincing fashion 40-13 at Madison City Stadium.

The Jets turned to the dominant play of Ty Doughty who finished with three touchdowns including a 42-yard punt return for a score in the victory.

After a Mountain Brook game on Sept. 2 where James Clemens quarterback Ty Marsh struggled with turnovers, the Jets signal caller had a strong night against Bob Jones with three touchdown passes.

The Patriots were seemingly doomed from the start with the absence of their starting quarterback Dylan Willingham.

The Bob Jones passer, who was dangerous with his strong arm and shifty mobility, left

the Athens game the week before with a left leg injury in the fourth quarter.

With Willingham relegated to watching the game from the sideline in street clothes with a crutch under his arm, the Patriots faced an uphill climb against James Clemens.

This game struggled to find any sort of flow because of the way it was officiated.

The contest was riddled with flags and stoppages by the stripes as they discussed numerous calls.

Some calls would be reversed and then the spot of the ball would not reflect anything that made any sense.

Despite the minutes here and there of the game being halted by the officials for discussions, James Clemens was able to carve out some offensive suc-

HARVEST - The Sparkman Senators (3-0) remain perfect this season with a 21-18 defeat of the visiting Austin Black Bears (2-1).

Senior quarterback Josh Ward was 12 for 19 passing for 178 yards with two touchdowns and a pair of interceptions for the Senators.

Jayden “Drip” Thomas led the way for Sparkman on the ground with 126 yards on 10 carries with a score.

Thomas’ longest carry in the game against Austin was 53 yards.

Through the air for the Senators, it was the senior Amaree Jabbar with six catches for 92 yards including a 70yard grab.

The Sparkman senior Nick Moon had a catch for 48 yards while his teammate, the junior Jonathan Rozier, collected three catches for 33 yards.

Senior wideout Brodie Slate got all the glory with the ball in his hands though with two catches for a total of five yards with two touchdowns.

Sparkman tallied two touchdowns in the second quarter to go up 14-0 after one half of play.

Austin got on the scoreboard in the third quarter with a field goal to make it 14-3 Senators after three quarters.

The Black Bears would score 15 points in the fourth quarter to make it close, but a third touchdown by Sparkman helped them do enough to hold off Austin in the end.

Sparkman next travels to take on Albertville (0-3) this Friday.

The winless Aggies most recent loss came at the hands of Florence 28-6 at home. Madison Academy 26, Pennington 21

The Madison Academy Mustangs (3-0) were able to hold on against Pennington (1-2) to remain undefeated at home on Friday.

The Mustangs scored two touchdowns in the first quarter to go up 14-0 through one half of the action.

Madison Academy senior running back Ken Cherry gave his team a 20-0 lead in the third quarter with a rushing touchdown.

The extra point would be missed by the Mustangs.

Pennington finally joined the conversation in the third quarter with a 31-yard passing score that made it 20-7 Madison Academy.

As the game advanced into

CALEB ODOM caleb@themadisonrecord.com

Devon Cooper races towards the endzone after a catch from Ty Marsh for a 78-yard touchdown. Photo by Andrew Noles (Noles Nest Photography)

The Bob Jones High School Marching Band makes its way into the stadium at the start of the Madison Bowl on Friday. See more photos from the rivalry game on page 4B. Photo by Andrew Noles (Noles Nest Photography)

show!

Jets’ cross country treks through Georgia

By BOB LABBE bob@themadisonrecord.com

FAYETTEVILLE, GA.-

The cross-country team from James Clemens continues its movements through the current 2023 season even traveling to Fayetteville, Ga. for one of the most competitive meets in the Southeast. Located south of Atlanta, Fayetteville is the home of Starr’s Mill Panther High School which played host to the event that included teams from several states. Upon completion of the cross country meet, the boys from James Clemens finished in third place while the girls took home a fifth place spot. The Jets’ girl’s junior varsity squad took home a fourth-place finish.

In boys, the Jets placed four among the All-Elite (top 20) finishers of the event which featured 241 runners from 31 schools. Luke Alverson, a junior, shattered the school record with a time of 15:29 (4.59 average per mile) to place third to lead the Jets to their third-place finish.

Cole Robinson, 12, (16:06) was 11th, Dylan Dryer, 12, (16:19) was 16th and Andrew Gohlich, 11, (16:28) 20th. Additional Jets finishing were Ronan Barnes (16:49), Nathan Maehlmann (17:32), Michaell Class (17:36) and Hudson Parker (18:20).

The third-place finish by the Jets was significant from the fact the meet champs and runner-up were Georgia State Champions and State Runner-Up last season. The final tally was 1. Harrison, Ga. 75, 2. Marist, Ga. 92, 3. James Clemens 93.

The Lady Jets put two runners among the girls All-Elite. Junior Kylie Gero (19:05) was sixth, with a personal best finish time, and senior Emma Bothern (19:32) in 15th. Additional Jets racing across the finish line included Makenzie Parker (20:27), Kayla Willett (20:40), Ella carter (20:52), Molly Herndon (21:28), Brooke Bogardus (21:40) and Ashlyn Diehl (21:55).

Team scores in girls competition with 22 schools in action were 1. Marist, Ga.

Roundup

Continued from page

the final quarter of play, the Mustangs added to their lead with a 7-yard touchdown grab by MJ Drake for a 26-7 score after the two-point conversion attempt failed.

But the Tigers were not dead yet as Pennington mounted a late charge in the fourth quarter.

The comeback attempt started with an 11-yard passing score to make it 26-14 Mustangs.

Pennington was able to find the endzone a second time in the closing minutes on a 64-yard recep-

tion for a touchdown to hack even further into the Madison Academy lead at 26-21.

In the end, the Tigers ran out of time and the Mustangs escaped with a narrow victory.

Madison Academy is back in action with a road game on Friday, Sept. 22 against the Danville Hawks (0-3).

Danville’s last game was a road loss to Susan Moore 33-0 and the Hawks will travel to face Pennington this Friday while Madison Academy has a bye week.

46, 5. James Clemens 148. In junior varsity, The Lady Jets claimed fourth place and were led by All-

Elite performances by Kaley Gilman (22:35) in eighth and Kaitlyn Hockey (23:06) in 15th.

Kylie Greco (No. 1534) heads toward the finish line of the AT&T Starr’s Mill Panther Cross Country Meet for the James Clemens squad. Photo by Drew Bell, James Clemens High

Luke Alverson of James Clemens holds his trophy for finishing third at the AT&T Starr’s Mill Panther Cross Country meet held in Georgia. His time of 15:29 set a new school record.

Photo by Drew Bell, James Clemens High

The James Clemens boys cross country team celebrates its third-place finish in the AT&T Starr’s Mill Panther Cross Country Meet held in Fayetteville, Ga.

Langford: God paved way for homecoming to MA

By BOB LABBE bob@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON - There’s no emotional feeling like a homecoming. For Josh Langford, that feeling has led him to understand his returning to his alma mater of Madison Academy is a movement by God.

“I feel like this is a very big faith building experience for me as my relationship with God has grown with my move back to Madison Academy as the opportunity door open and God made this move happen,” said Langford.

Easily the most celebrated basketball player in the history of the private school, in May, Langford was recently announced as the new assistant coach of the boy’s basketball program with head coach Tom Berryman. Langford brings not only high school experiences to share, but college basketball experiences to assist the players in

their way through their young lives.

A graduate of Madison Academy in 2016, the 6-foot-5, 200-pound Langford was an unbelievable five-time Alabama

Player of the Year, three-time State Champion, 3-time State Tournament MVP, 3,089 career points, which at the time was the eighth best in state history, a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year and a McDonald’s All-American. All of these accolades under former head coach Andy Blackston. He was one of the top recruited players in the country, but was an early commit to Michigan State where he went on to play for Hall of Fame head coach Tom Izzo and was named team Co-Captain. Despite missing one half of the 2018-2019 season and all of the 2019-2020 season due to a severe foot injury, Langford finished among the school’s 1,000-point club averaging 10.1-points, three rebounds, and a 43.1-percent

field goal shooting in 110 games for the Spartans. In his final season at the Lansing, Mich. school he scored 9.7-points a game as the team was 15-13 on the season. He was named the recipient of the team’s Stephen G. Scofes Inspirational Player Award for his relentless fight against injuries and the desire to play. Through high school and college, Langford had to endure going through six surgeries, all on his left side. Those included surgeries to his knee, foot and hand.

“I was hoping after my third surgery I was eventually going to play professionally, but I made the tough decision not to pursue that level of play after I left Michigan State,” said Langford, who has a degree in advertising management and religious studies and a master’s in education as he is currently teaching Bible along with his duties on the staff of the basketball program. “I had the de-

Renovating Rooms. Building Relationships.

cision to teach others as I feel that was my purpose in life, but I wasn’t able to make a living doing that as I needed money to help me fulfill my passion

to teach. I needed to play basketball to make a living. I was once asked if I had the money would I still play basketball. I

UAH volleyball goes 2-0 on Saturday for perfect weekend

By STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com

HUNTSVILLE - The UAH volleyball team completed the final day of competition at the UAH Invitational presented by Huntsville Sports Commission on Saturday winning both of their matches and improving to 3-0 in their host tourny.

The Chargers improved to 4-3 on the season with Saturday’s results, while Barry dropped to 3-3 and Trevecca Nazarene fell to 3-6.

UAH hits the road to Rome, Ga. next weekend where they will take on Shorter in their debut to the Gulf South Conference schedule.

UAH 3, No. 12 Barry 0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-20)

The Chargers won their first match of the day over the 12th ranked Bucs, notching their first win over a ranked opponent since September of 2018 when they beat West Florida.

UAH won a back-and-forth first set, while the second set saw the lead change hands seven times before the blue and

white ultimately took control, scoring 13 of the final 18 points of the set.

The decisive third set went to UAH after storming back late from a 17-15 deficit to score 10 of the final 13 points.

Autumn Mayes led the Chargers with 2 service aces, 2 block assists, 13 kills, and a .423 hitting percentage. Savannah Rutledge tallied 35 assists, along with a .500 attack percentage with 4 kills.

Caroline Moyer totaled 10 kills on a .400 attack percentage and a block assist.

The win over the Bucs marks the Chargers’ first ever win over Barry in five matchups. The loss represents Barry’s first time being swept on a Gulf South Conference court since 2011.

UAH 3, Trevecca Nazarene 2 (22-25, 25-12, 19-25, 25-15, 16-14)

The second match of the evening proved to be an exciting one as the Chargers won it in a thrilling fifth set. Zoe Smith and Mayes led the way for UAH in kills with 15 apiece, while Mary Grace Bundrant contributed 9 of her

See UAH Page 5B

Former Madison Academy basketball star Josh Langford has returned to his alma mater with an advancement he feels is God’s movement to help others.

BOB JONES VOLLEYBALL - It was a big weekend for both the Bob Jones High School varsity and junior varsity volleyball teams. The varsity team won the Tournament of Champions in Guntersville and the JV team placed second in the Bob Jones JV Tournament.

Rocket City limps to season finish with home loses

CALEB ODOM

caleb@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON - The Trash Pandas’ final homestand of the season was more of the same as Rocket City was swept away by the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at Toyota Field.

As of Monday, the Trash Pandas (26-37) are in third place eight games behind the Southern League North leader Tennessee Smokies (3429).

The Chattanooga Lookouts (30-33) remain firmly in the second place position at four games out of first while the Birmingham Barons (22-41) continue to toil in last place 12 games back. Rocket City and Birmingham have both been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.

September 5: Pensacola 3, Rocket City 2

The Trash Pandas had the early 2-0 lead, but the Blue Wahoos were able to tie it in the top of the fourth and eventually win it with a home run in the top of the ninth by Paul McIntosh.

September 6: Pensacola 1, Rocket City 0

In a Wednesday game where Pensacola starting pitcher Luis Palacios went eight scoreless innings where he struck out seven, it would only take one run for the Blue Wahoos to edge the Trash Pandas.

UAH

September 7: Pensacola 11, Rocket City 4

The Blue Wahoos had the third game of the series sewed up with two long balls in the first two innings, but that didn’t stop them from collecting 11 runs in the win.

September 8: Pensacola 8, Rocket City 4

Rocket City took the early 3-0 lead with two homers, but it evaporated when Pensacola scored six runs over two innings from home runs to take the Friday game.

September 9: Pensacola 6, Rocket City 1

Will Banfield’s 3-run jack in the top of the fifth inning for the Blue Wahoos would be all they needed to bury the Trash Pandas on Saturday as Rocket City could only scratch one run across.

September 10: Pensacola 9, Rocket City 5

The clubs were knotted up in the series finale at 4-4 until Pensacola broke the tie with two runs in the top of the sixth to go up 6-4 and then three more Blue Wahoo runs in the final two innings would secure the sweep.

Rocket City has five games remaining in the season with a road series against the Tennessee Smokies this week.

The games are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. while the final game of the series and the Trash Pandas’ season is tabbed for Sunday at 1 p.m.

Continued from page 3B

By BOB LABBE bob@themadisonrecord.com

LOS ANGELES, Calif.- Jamil Muhammad lives in harmony. Over the last several years he’s learned to adapt to his surroundings, challenges and apprehensions with splendid divineness, which has allowed him to face those demands with huge success and confidence.

His most challenging point of life at age 22 is his position on Southern California’s football team. Muhammad is a starter at rush end for the fifth-ranked Trojans making his spot on the Pac 12 squad after entering the transfer portal after three years at Georgia State. The former James Clemens High star quarterback was an All-Region selection and Honorable Mention AllState pick for his play in his senior season in 2018. He passed for 1,773 yards and 21 touchdowns while rushing for 942 yards and 18 scores.

own with a .429 attack percentage.

Moyer recorded four service aces for the winning effort while also

Langford

smashing nine kills. The win helped the Chargers close out a 3-0 weekend before entering GSC play this week.

Continued from page 3B

said no. I felt like I didn’t want to play just to play so I listened to what God was telling me and suddenly the position here at Madison Academy came open. I had a prompting in my heart to help others.”

“We are thrilled to add Josh to our coaching staff as he will immediately impact our program in all facets,” said Berryman. “He will be able to use what he has learned to help mentor our players about succeeding here, at the next level and beyond.”

“Coach Berryman is a great leader as he understands how to lead,” said Langford. “He’s open to me sharing my experiences and knowledge.”

Besides the ins and outs of basketball on the court, Langford will bring a perspective not many have the privilege to do on the level of high school basketball. He added, “It’s a luxury to have this knowledge of suffering through injuries, getting an education and play for one of the best coaches in college basketball. All of those experiences show me basketball allowed me to express not only who I am, but what I am. Off the court is more valu-

able to me and I have the understanding I can give to these young players and show them there is so much out there besides basketball.”

Earlier this summer

Langford was married to his wife, Lauren, who is a Michigan State grad with degrees in human resources and Spanish. She is working as a substitute teacher at Madison Academy while pursuing a career as a Christian music artist. They made the trip to his home as a unified couple while both strive to fill their careers in what they truly believe in. His connection to Madison Academy is one of richness and admiration and he wants the school to be the best it can be. Langford said he has a purpose in life and each person has their own unique journey in life. He’s happy. He’s content. He’s following his unique path God has given him.

Langford believes what one of his mentors said to him in the fact “it’s important to bloom where you are planted.” Today, he’s home at Madison Academy, planted and making a difference to the lives of many youths now and in the future.

His performance led him to sign a scholarship with the Vanderbilt Commodores where he made his way to the school in Nashville as an early attendee so he could enter Spring practice with the SEC program in 2019. At the completion of Spring drills, Vandy coaches met with Muhammad and his family and the decision was made to transfer from the school. Upon his transfer to the Peach State he was beaten out at quarterback and the Panthers coaching staff asked him to move to defense wishing not to waste his natural athletic abilities.

He made the transition to linebacker and end rusher where he played three seasons for the Sun Belt Conference school. At the completion of his third campaign, he entered the transfer portal and soon received a call the USC Trojans wanted the 6-foot-1, 250-pound redshirt senior where he will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.

“I feel at home where I am now,” said Muhammad from his apartment in downtown Los Angeles just nine minutes from the USC campus. “Yes, it’s been a cultural change and been an adjustment, but you see I’m very comfortable with discomfort. I’ve had to adapt most of my life.”

His uncanny ability to adapt is astonishing. A devastating knee injury caused him to miss his entire junior season at James Clemens before returning for his All-State

performance as a senior. Upon arriving at Vanderbilt he knew he needed a change so he adapted to the emotional disappointment of leaving and transferring to a different school. Once at Georgia State, he again was facing adversity with the position change and then the move to USC meant Muhammad again had to rely on his gifted intelligence and his faith in God.

“God is guiding me as he has brought me along the way in my life with the ACL injury to changes in schools and football situations,” said Muhammad, who attends “The One” church on a regular basis since beginning his stay in Southern California. “After my surgery, my thought was I had to take action and adapt to what I was facing. The experience altered my life. That made me more of whom I am today.”

Being a part of the legendary Southern Cal program is an honor for Muhammad who said getting used to the way his new team does things has been his biggest challenge, but he added, “The game is the same since I began playing at age five.”

Living in the shadows of Hollywood has given Muhammad the opportunities to run into a bevy of entertainment and sports stars, but he spends most of his spare time continuing his education by pursuing a master’s degree in Business Entrepreneurship. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies at Georgia State. He goes to the movies, visits the nearby beach and spends quality time with his

Muhammad admits he misses

his family 2,000 miles away back in Madison and is very thankful they have traveled to the Western United States to see him play. He also feels blessed his older brother, Marquez, 29, lives in the Los Angeles area and can spend as much time as possible with him. Muhammad added, “It’s great having him here as he was a big part of my being here. He even cuts my hair.”

Besides his excellent football talent he brings to the team, he carries with him a depth of knowledge with his education as he was a member of the Sun Belt Conference and Dean’s List while at Georgia State. Muhammad also feels he has brought along his natural “Southern charm” he carries with him.

“Just being from the South helps me to be better with my teammates,” added Muhammad, who goes by the nickname “Money Mil.” “They teased me when I first arrived. In many ways, the lingo here in L.A. has been different. It’s been fun.”

Being new to California and having been raised in the South he’s not used to the USC rivalries, but he’s growing accustomed to what those mean to the rich history of the program. “I can answer better when I play in one. We take a rivalry mindset to each game,” said Muhammad.

Turning to football, the high school two-sport athlete said the team’s mindset is it plays on its own terms during the game and are not concerned with other teams. “We’re just concerned on being 1-0 each week. We think we’re one of the best teams in the country,” said Muhammad.

Through three games of the 2023 season, the fifth-ranked Trojans are 3-0. Muhammad has been a big contributor and spark plug for the defense with seven tackles, including five solo, has two tackles for loss and has caused two fumbles as the defense has given up just 17 points per game.

His being able to adapt to past experiences is eye-opening, to say the least. He’s excited about the opportunity he has at USC and he’s dominating his time and enjoying the experiences he’s currently facing as his life is racing along with the truest of harmony as he adapts to his new surroundings.

“I’m happy where I am. God has guided me. My spiritual faith keeps me going,” said Muhammad.

Former James Clemens All-State football player #10 Jamil Muhammad has adapted to wherever he has played the sport, but he feels he’s where he needs to be playing for the Trojans of Southern California. Photo by USC Football

Jamil Muhammad

cess. The football field on Celtic Drive was humming with energy before the game as cars filled the parking lot to near capacity.

The stadium lights glowed brightly as fans struggled to find anywhere to sit for this massive game, which led to many being forced to stand and watch along the fence.

James Clemens took the 7-0 lead with 2:47 to play in the first quarter when DJ Williams pounded the rock up the gut from two yards out for the touchdown in front of the Jets student section.

Bob Jones struck back with points of its own when running back Tyren Washington scored on a 6-yard carry at the 8:54

Snapshot

mark of the second quarter to make it 7-6 Jets after a blocked extra point.

The bands were already collected in the corners of the field with halftime looming when Marsh launched a ball deep into the night air.

The pigskin twirled down the field toward James Clemens receiver Devon Cooper who had a Bob Jones defensive back on his hip.

The ball was perfectly placed by Marsh and Cooper took it all the way for the 78-yard touchdown grab to make it 13-6 Jets after a missed PAT with 1:41 to play in the first half.

A Bob Jones interception by the Jets’ Jackson Crider with 9.4 seconds on the clock hand-

ed James Clemens the ball back with good field position. Marsh took the Patriot gift and ran with it when he found Doughty wide open along the sideline for a 30-yard walk-in touchdown as time expired in the second quarter.

All of a sudden it was 19-6

James Clemens as the bands prepared to strut their stuff during the halftime break.

Bob Jones got the ball to start the third quarter, but its drive stalled, and the Patriots were forced to punt it to Doughty who made them pay with his 42-yard punt return touchdown.

The speedy skill player was going right before he bounced off defenders and cut back left and tore up the field like a blur

for the special teams score. Doughty made it 26-6 for James Clemens with 10:18 to go in the third quarter. Bob Jones needed a spark, and it needed it bad.

The Patriots got that when Washington flipped the field with a massive carry that took them all the way down near the 10-yard line.

Caleb Sanders shouldered the ball the rest of the way for Bob Jones with 9:36 remaining in the third quarter on a 7-yard touchdown carry to make it 26-13 Jets.

It was early in the fourth quarter when Marsh found Williams for a 10-yard pitch and catch that pushed the James Clemens advantage to 33-13 at 11:44.

The Jets tacked on their final points of the game with 8:59 to play when Doughty showed off his speed once more with a 56yard touchdown run to make it 40-13.

As the clock hit zero the James Clemens students flooded the field to celebrate the triumph with their football team.

The Jets (2-1) are right back at Madison City Stadium on Friday when they play host to Huntsville (1-1).

Huntsville’s last game was a 36-0 shutout of Grissom (1-2) at home a week ago.

Meanwhile, Bob Jones (0-3) will continue to search for its first victory of the young season with a Friday road clash against that same Grissom team.

Here are some random photos from the 2023 Madison Bowl, including a photo of a skydiver delivering the game ball into the stadium. JC defeated BJ, but the festivities made it a win-win for everyone from fan spirit, student enthusiasm, wonderful band, cheer and dance performances - the whole experience. Photos by Andrew Noles (Noles Nest Photography). Go to www.themadisonrecord.com for more photos from the Madison Bowl.

Hedgehogs

How To Draw A Hedgehog

Using a grid helps when drawing. Copy the hedgehog square by square below.

Hedgehogs are small mammals found in many parts of the World. They look cute and cuddly, despite being covered in thousands of tiny spikes that protect their bodies. They are small animals, ranging in size from one-to-four pounds and only a few inches in length. They are nocturnal which means that they sleep during the day and are awake at night. Some live in forests, while others are able to survive in desert climates. Only certain types of hedgehogs hibernate, or sleep through the Winter. Others sometimes go into a trance-like sleep for shorter periods of time. That is called torpor. Hedgehogs are omnivores which means they eat plants and meat. They like small insects, such as scorpions or spiders. They will also forage around for fallen fruit, mushrooms, and other small prey. A hedgehog may shoot his prickly spines up when threatened, but most tend to curl up into a small ball. A special muscle that runs the length of their bodies allows them to curl completely into a ball, protecting their soft bellies, head, feet and legs from a predator. Most animals will avoid their spines. Many people wish to keep hedgehogs as pets, but it is illegal in several states in the United States.

Hedgehog Word Find

Ball, Curl, Cute, Desert, Forest, Hedgehog, Hibernate, Mammal, Nocturnal, Omnivore, Roll Up, Small, Spines, Torpor

Porcupines Vs. Hedgehogs

Porcupines may remind you of a hedgehog, but they are different.

- Porcupines are much larger, averaging 2-3 feet in legnth, and have long tails.

- Porcupines have quills, not spines, that are often barbed.

- Porcupines are herbivores. They do not eat meat.

- They are not able to curl into a ball, as they lack that muscle.

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Alison

copy editor

Alison James earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism at Auburn University, graduating in 2012. She began her career in community journalism in Alexander City and Dadeville, followed by a stop in Opelika before landing in north Alabama. She loves sharing the stories – and correcting the grammar of those stories – of the people and places that make north Alabama such a special place.

John Few, contributing

writer

John Few has been in the field of newspaper journalism and production for nearly 25 years. John has served as a staff writer for The Demopolis Times, the daily newspaper in West Alabama, and editor for the weekly newspaper the Black Belt Gazette. He was transferred in 2009 to begin his coverage of Madison. In covering the City of Madison the past 10 years, John has reported on several key events, such as construction of the Hogan Family YMCA and James Clemens High School. Over the years, as Madison has grown, John has been there to cover the news that has made Madison home. Together John and his wife, Lori, have seven children, ranging from 15-23 years old.

Bob

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CONTACT

contributing writer

Bob Labbe is a lifelong resident of the Huntsville community. He has been in the local news media for 48 years, a multi-award-winning journalist in television, radio and print media. He is a member of the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame and has been nominated for both the Alabama Press Association and Alabama Music halls of fame. Bob has hosted a radio program, Reelin’ in The Years, for 29 years on WLRH-FM Public Radio. He has also been a local high school basketball referee for 28 years and was a high school football referee for 15 years. Bob is an avid sports fan and collector of 45 rpm records. He once boxed Muhammad Ali and was the reporter who asked the famed Paul Bear Bryant his last question as coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Gregg Parker, contributing writer

A graduate of Mississippi State University, Gregg Parker relocated to Madison with Intergraph Corporation in 1990 with wife Brenda and son Andy. For 15 years Gregg wrote for “Madison Spirit” and “Limestone Spirit” sections in “The Huntsville Times.” His articles have been published in numerous chamber of commerce publications, “Southern Family Magazine” and “Life on the Water.” Gregg considers it a privilege to document Madison’s coming of age in his hundreds of articles for “The Madison Record” and “Madison Living” magazine. Gregg enjoys spoiling his rescue dachshund, Francis Underwood Parker; binge-watching Netflix series; and visiting Andy and wife Saadia, both physicians, in Nashville, Tenn.

Erin Coggins, contributing writer

Erin Coggins is a scholastic journalism adviser and history teacher at Sparkman High School. She is also a freelance writer and public relations consultant. Her writing muse is World War II war correspondent Ernie Pyle, whom she fell in love with while a student studying communications at the University of Alabama. Erin and her husband Jamie reside in Madison.

Joshua Berry, photographer

Joshua Berry has a degree in biology and works full time as an aquatic instructor for the City of Huntsville. He is also an avid runner, ranging from short to long distances. When he’s not spending time with his wife and daughter, he enjoys trying to capture the perfect moment on his camera. As the owner of Everlong Photography, his advice for beautiful pictures is that nothing looks better than being confident in oneself.

Labbe,

James,

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