Junior League of Huntsville - New Members Parade

Anna Russell, Valerie Johnson

Junior League

Drive-By Orientation PARTIES The Junior League of Huntsville held a drive-by parade to welcome their new Photos by Steve Babin PEOPLE • PLACES • members while observing social distancing guidelines on July 26. The organization normally hosts a full day of in-person new member orientation. With 20 current members hosting, 40 new members drove through the parade, including six women transferring from other leagues. Due to the generosity of the new members, the group collected nearly 100 books for donation to Cavalry Hills Library. Since 1949, the Junior League of Huntsville has developed exceptionally qualified civic leaders who collaborate with community partners to identify Huntsville/ Madison County’s most urgent needs and address them with meaningful solutions. Evie Pols, the Communications VP said of the event, “The Junior League of

Huntsville is excited to welcome 40 women to our 2020-21 Provisional Class.

Given the current environment we are especially proud to have this interest from our community. The theme for this year’s class is ‘Better Together,’ and we’re honored to work alongside these women to serve and support our community during these challenging times and for years ahead.” n

The Junior League New Member Committee

Anna Russell, Kerry Dahlberg, Valerie Johnson, Betsi Boutwell

Cat Daniels, Lauren Johnston

Haley Patterson, Brittany Pruitt

KAREN MOCKENSTURM

Call it what you will. Pivoting. Shifting gears. Adapting. Regardless of the term used, it is a matter of adjusting to change in very unusual circumstances. Since mid-March, nearly every organization has faced its own theme and variation on organizing and regrouping. Arts organizations have been hit especially hard, as their existence relies on people, businesses, and revenue - ticket buyers, donors, and sponsors.

Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater and Academy Executive Director Karen Mockensturm refers to it as “taking lemons and making artistic lemonade.”

To volley the setbacks, Fantasy Playhouse has strategically made a series of creative adjustments. Instead of presenting in-person camps, classes, or theatre performances, Fantasy has migrated to the virtual platform. Its annual “A Christmas Carol” has been adapted and re-invented. Through shadows, puppetry, live foley sounds, and a cast of five actors playing multiple roles; the theatre effectively captures the classic Dickens tale in a family-friendly virtual format.

Founded in 1961 by Katherine and Richard Lester, Richard Van Valkenburg, Helen Herriott, along with many others, Fantasy Playhouse Theater has introduced over 600,000 people to the magic of theatre over the past 60 years. Last year, before COVID, Fantasy reached 29,000 people. Of those, 16,000 were youth.

Perpetuity of Fantasy Playhouse is crucial to the Huntsville community, especially the West Huntsville area. Fantasy enhances the quality of life to the nearby Hillandale and Terry Heights communities by providing free theatre arts education to local at-risk students and those students attending Title I schools.

Mockensturm got her first taste of the spotlight in the eighth grade, as a new arrival to South Florida. By way of the Plantation Players, a teen theatre group directed by Genie Croft, she soon found her niche. And that was only the beginning. The summer between her junior and senior year, Croft encouraged Mockensturm to apply to the Cherub Program with National High School Institute at Northwestern University. After playing Miranda in “The Tempest” Mockensturm was hooked.

After high school graduation, she initially planned to attend the theatre program at Florida State but soon found herself in Gainesville. “That summer they had the International Thespians Troupe,” said Mockensturm. “The state conference was at the University of Florida.”

She honed her skills in presenting outreach programs through her years of experience as a teaching artist and acting instructor at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, along with the Roundabout Theatre Company, Creative Acting Company, and Broadway Classroom in New York City.

The Roundabout Theatre Company’s “Page to Stage” program used theatre arts integration to help high school students improve their communication skills to pass their written Regent’s exam. The residencies spanned across the greater New York metropolitan area; programming at private schools on Long Island along with schools in Queens and in Harlem.

After 16 years as an actor, a divorce and a 5-week-old infant brought Mockensturm to Huntsville in 2002 to be near her parents. With a new baby to provide for, her acting career took a decade-long backseat. When the executive director position at Fantasy opened in 2012, she had the opportunity to return to her passion. “I never thought I’d do theatre again.”

Mockensturm spent her first six months on board getting to know board members, volunteers, and the people who grew up with Fantasy Theater. Then, in January 2013, she held a very instrumental board meeting. “Barring any kind of resource limitations,” she asked the board, “where do you want to see Fantasy in 10 years? Every single person in that room wanted to see Fantasy have a brand-new campus where we could have a home, where we would be presenting the shows in the building, and most importantly, where we could teach technical theatre.” “Since 2014, we have grown 415% in terms of formalized educational impact of what Fantasy does,” said Mockensturm. Growth and recognition go hand in hand. In 2017, the theatre was named 2017 Nonprofit of the Year by the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce.

“In 2018, we launched our in-school touring shows which are using theatre professionals to bring shows directly into the schools to support curriculum. The first show we did was part of the Alabama bicentennial. Fantasy in the Classroom was a big game changer,” Mockensturm said. “Now, we’ve got five full-time employees and a part-time advancement director. We also employ about 40 contractors including musicians, teaching artists, composers, playwrights, actors, directors and designers.”

“The biggest indicator as to whether someone is going to pay for a ticket to live production, attend a concert, go to an art museum or become a subscriber at a concert series is whether or not they were exposed to the arts as a child,” she explained. “And that supersedes economics and education.”

“We’re going places because our region is exploding and Fantasy is building on the amazing legacy of theatrical artistry to bring forth new programming that brings the magic of theatre arts to all children throughout our region and beyond, “ said Mockensturm. “There are big things happening and Fantasy Playhouse will be standing stronger than ever on the other side of this pandemic. We are grateful to be part of a community that understands that arts and culture are intrinsically tied to quality of life”

“The reason we’re growing is because the program is in demand by every family that’s coming from Washington D.C. or St. Louis or Seattle,” said Mockensturm. “They are coming here, knowing that this is the type of programming offered – both the entertainment aspect and the school partnerships.” n

Bushwacker Moe’s Original BBQ

Chocolate ice cream, rum, Kahlua. Toppers include peach schnapps, 99 Bananas, Rumple Minze, 151 Proof Rum

Photo by Steve Babin

Transatlantic Flip The Bottle

Tinta Negra Rich Madeira, Johnny Drum Private Stock Bourbon, yolk, Citrus Cream

Vanilla Pain de Gênes

Almond cake, vanilla sauce, vanilla ice cream, candied nuts

Photo by Steve Babin

Gibson’s famous pork-stuffed baked potato Gibson’s Bar-B-Q

Photo by Steve Babin

Tom Brown’s TOM-ahawk Ribeye Tom Brown’s Restaurant

At approximately 38 ounces and 20 inches long, this signature cut of Black Angus Prime beef is seasoned and chargrilled to perfection. Comfort food at its absolute best.

Huntsville Happenings

Written by Judy S. Ryals, Pres./CEO

Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau

The holiday season is here, and there are plenty of events and activities to get you into the holiday spirit! The Huntsville Botanical Garden’s Galaxy of Lights is celebrating 25 years of lighting up holiday nights. Walking nights are being offered November 13 - 25, so whether you like to walk or ride, get out and enjoy this perennial family favorite.

The Tinsel Trail in Big Spring International Park East is marking its tenth year of bringing holiday joy into the heart of downtown Huntsville. Hundreds of trees are sponsored and decorated by local businesses and organizations in this free event. Ice skating is a popular holiday activity for the young and young-at-heart. Make a day of it and go Skating in the Park next to the Huntsville Museum of Art. These outdoor activities are great exercise and they make social distancing easy.

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is offering some exciting new options for visitors. Mission Experiences offer guests the opportunity to see and do special activities in addition to the museum’s outstanding standard admission experience. Check out the options on their website and make your reservation for a Mission Experience that’s sure to make lasting memories. Apollo: When We Went to the Moon will be coming down soon so catch this world-class exhibit now. A trip to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Burritt on the Mountain, the EarlyWorks Family of Museums or any of the local attractions are all great activities when family and friends visit. Check out their great gift shops for some unique holiday shopping. Harrison Brothers is one of my favorites for Huntsville gifts.

The Christmas Fireworks Spectacular will be held in the parking lot of Joe Davis Stadium in John Hunt Park on Friday, December 4. This free event is sure to feature some breathtaking fireworks and will be a fun event for the entire family. Recurring events: The Legume Room Comedy Open Mic, Salty Nut Brewery – weekly on Tues. Paint Nite, Village of Providence – every two weeks on Tues. Rocket City Rover Mixer Rides, downtown Huntsville – weekly on Thurs., Fri. and Sat. I.D.E.A.S. Lab, U.S. Space & Rocket Center – weekly on Fri. and Sat. (through Dec. 19) Bikes & Brews, downtown Huntsville – monthly on the first Fri. Rocket City Improv Presents, Shenanigans Comedy Theatre – monthly on the first Fri. Mars Music Hall Local Lineup Series, Von Braun Center – weekly on Fri. and Sat. Downtown Walking Tours presented by Scenethat Walking Tours – weekly on Sat. and Sun. The Market at MidCity – Sun. Burritt Folk School Workshops, Burritt on the Mountain – daytime and evening classes available

One-time events: Symphony Fall Festival 1, Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, Von Braun Center – Nov. 1 Theory of a Deadman, Mars Music Hall, Von Braun Center – Nov. 6 Train Ride: Fall Color Special, North Alabama Railroad Museum – Nov. 7 Folklife Festival, Burritt on the Mountain – Nov. 7 Symphony Fall Festival 2, Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, Von Braun Center – Nov. 13 -14 The Trash Dash, Toyota Field – Nov. 21 Candlelight Christmas, Burritt on the Mountain – Dec. 4 - 5 Christmas Fireworks Spectacular, Joe Davis Stadium – Dec. 4 NEACA Christmas Craft Show – South Hall, Von Braun Center – Dec. 4 – 6 North Star Limited Train Ride – North Alabama Railroad Museum – Dec. 4 – 19 Santa Train, North Alabama Railroad Museum – Dec. 5, 12, 13 & 19 Yule Y’all: Christmas Market & Spirit Sampling, Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment – Dec. 5 Holiday Magic Dinners, Burritt on the Mountain – Dec. 10 – 18 Symphony Pops Series: Orchestral Pop Favorites, Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, Von Braun Center – Dec. 31 n

FREE WEEK PASS!

A new holiday event is the Rocket City Christmas Spectacular at Toyota Field in Town Madison. Starting November 13 through January 3, paying guests can drive through the magical “Santa’s Mountain” themed light show around Toyota Field, then park their car and enter the winter wonderland in the stadium at no additional cost.

The events and activities listed below are scheduled for November and December. Please use this list as a starting point and then visit huntsville.org for updates. Stay safe, follow the guidelines, and support our local attractions, restaurants, hotels, retail and small businesses. Don’t forget to come by the Visitor Center at 500 Church Street for discount coupons and to browse our gift shop offerings.

Ongoing events: Apollo: When We Went to the Moon, U.S. Space & Rocket Center Toyota Field ballpark tours, Town Madison Madison County Marker Challenge, countywide Monte Sano State Park Tour - virtual Rocket City Civil Rights Driving Tour Huntsville Botanical Garden Virtual Tour Science Never Stops, U.S. Space & Rocket Center (online) Gloria Vanderbilt: An Artful Life (through January 24); Spotlight on the Collection: “WORK SMARTER NOT HARDER” Buccellati, Huntsville Museum of Art Toys: The Inside Story, EarlyWorks Children’s Museum Galaxy of Lights Walking Nights, Huntsville Botanical Garden – Nov. 13 – 25 Madison Fit Body Boot Camp Rocket City Christmas Spectacular, Toyota Field – Nov. 13 – Jan. 3 Skating in the Park, Big Spring International Park – Nov. 20 – Jan. 10 8580 Madison Blvd Suite G 10th Annual Tinsel Trail, Big Spring Park East – Nov. 27 – Jan. 3 256.585.5798 | Madisonfitbody.com Galaxy of Lights Driving Nights, Huntsville Botanical Garden – Nov. 27 – Jan. 2 52 www.eventhuntsville.com