DESIGN | BUILD
Lifestyle Letter
Have you ever paused to think about the impact fathers have on their homes and families? The truth is, the role of a father is immeasurable. Fathers shape homes, nurture growth, and provide the foundation upon which children can thrive. And as a dad, the level of impact you choose to have is entirely in your hands.
A father’s gifts are unique and lasting—his strength, his words, his guidance—all create an impact that ripples through generations. Here are just a few of the ways fathers build up their homes:
• A father’s strength can be a steady anchor.
• His words can encourage and inspire.
PUBLISHER
Amy Bailey | amy.bailey@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Casey Creque | casey.creque@citylifestyle.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Susan Rogers | susan.rogers@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Tresa Peppers
COPY EDITOR
Mary Nell Cole
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Cooper Smitherman, Josue Juarez, Dennis Keim
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Joe Davis, Dennis Keim
• A dad’s hugs can provide comfort in difficult times.
• A smile from a dad can instill joy and confidence.
• Time spent with a dad is filled with both fun and productivity.
• A dad’s physicality can challenge and excite.
• His guidance can be life-changing.
• A father’s correction is sometimes life-saving.
• Adventures with a dad create unforgettable memories.
This month, let’s celebrate fathers everywhere. If you have a father or father figure in your life, let them know how much they matter to you. And if you are a dad, thank you. You are an invaluable part of your family, your community, and the world.
Happy Father’s Day to all the incredible dads out there!
AMY BAILEY, PUBLISHER
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe
LAYOUT DESIGNER Andi Foster
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
city scene
1, 2, 5: Blue Apple Bookstore 3: Linda Hickam Blue Apple Bookstore 4: Stacey Kingsley Blue Apple Bookstore 6: Eric Kruse, Penny Kruse, Brittany Kruse, Amanda Kruse, Brandon Kruse The American Heart Association Heart Ball 7: The American Heart Association Heart Ball
8: Jada Leo, Huntsville Heart Ball Chair The American Heart Association Heart Ball 9: Davien Harper, Ginger Harper, John Troy, Lynn Troy, Jeff Samz, Robert Chappell The American Heart Association Heart Ball 10: Dr. Sherrie Squyres (Physician of the Year Honoree) and Jada Leo The American Heart Association Heart Ball 11: Christine Wicks, Mike Wicks, Amanda Kruse, Brandon Kruse The American Heart Association Heart Ball 12: Josh Herren and Danielle Edgemon The American Heart Association Heart Ball 13: Alex Gum, Yolanda and Scott McClain 14: Alex and Kristi Williams, Alex Gum
15: Sonja Greene, Lisa Mays, Brinkley Cottingham Madison Chamber Small Business Awards 16: Lisa Mays, Judd Vowell Madison Chamber Small Business Awards 17: Dustin and Kera Kiernan Madison Chamber Small Business Awards
A TRIBUTE TO MICROWAVE DAVE
Huntsville legend Microwave Dave, musician and friend
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY DENNIS KEIM
It all started with a phone call to my studio in 1989. In those days, the Yellow Pages was the lifeline of any business, and that’s where he found me. The voice on the other end was raw and rich: “Hey, this is Microwave Dave with Microwave Dave and the Nukes. You’re the only photographer listed that offers Black & White photography. I need a band photo!”
Microwave Dave playing his LowBow cigar box guitar at the Cigar Box Guitar Festival at Lowe Mill in 2022
I’d never heard of them and assumed they were a punk band. Curious, I checked the Valley Planet, a local entertainment paper and saw they were playing the world-renowned Kaffeeklatsch bar that evening. To my surprise, they weren’t punk at all; but rather a hard-driving blues band playing to a packed house. Little did I know that phone call would spark a 38-year friendship with the man the world affectionately knew as “Microwave Dave.”
THE FINAL PIECE OF THE PUZZLE
In those early years, I had the honor of getting “the call” for every new band lineup. While Dave and bassist Rick Godfrey were the core of the Blues power trio, they cycled through several drummers. Then one day, they arrived with a kid named James Irvin, who sported a “rooster-spiked hairdo”. As Dave put it, James “stuck
like a bad penny”—they couldn’t get rid of him, nor did they want to. James became the perfect final piece of the blues puzzle Dave had been seeking.
LIVING ON “DAVE TIME”
Whether you met Dave once or a hundred times, he was always the same: genuine, humble, generous and incredibly giving of his time. Dave never met a stranger, and if you were out with him and his uber driver, you’d better not be in a hurry.
I called it “Dave Time.” Everyone wanted to meet and speak with him, and Dave, without hesitation gave it freely. It was humbling to watch the respect and compassion he poured into every conversation. He was a true legend who never made too much of himself, treating every person he met with the same respect and dignity as if they were the most important person in the room.
CONTINUED >
“It was humbling to watch the respect and compassion he poured into every conversation.”
A MISSION OF COMPASSION, MUSIC AND EDUCATION
Dave’s passion for students and education began in the fourth grade when a band played at his school. That moment provided an awakening and defined a life’s mission: to share that spark with as many children as possible.
For almost 40 years, Dave and the Nukes have brought the “Gospel of the Blues” into North Alabama schools. He once told me his greatest reward was seeing the sparkle in a child’s eyes when they connected with the music. To ensure this work continued, the Microwave Dave Music Education Foundation was formed, providing a legacy that will continue to educate and support young students today and in future generations. (microwavedavemef.org ).
THE MUSICIAN’S MUSICIAN
Dave’s love for Huntsville and the music community was legendary. He “reluctantly” was the first musician to receive a mayoral proclamation in his honor in 2015 and a key to the city. Soon after, “Microwave Dave Day”, a music festival was established where he used the key as a slide. He never believed he was worthy of any of the accolades and recognition, always choosing the path of humility.
Dave was a “musician’s musician,” attending as many local shows as humanly possible during his free time and constantly offering his love and encouragement. I’d often see him pull cash from his overalls to secretly pad a tip jar.
Whether Dave was playing for one person or a thousand, he performed with
the same infectious energy. His 50-year career was a Who’s Who of icons, having shared stages with the likes of Greg Allman, Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, Johnny Shines, Travis Wommack and Buddy Guy. Yet, he always felt he owed his best performance to whoever showed up to listen.
In 2021, when the Foundation produced a book titled, “I’m A Road Runner” on his life, famed author and Nukes aficionado, Stephen King wrote the foreword, perfectly concluding: “God Bless Microwave Dave. He’s a Road Runner, Honey.”
THE POWER OF FISH SPEAK
Of all my memories, which would be too many to share, there is one that resonates and illustrates his empathy the best. We met regularly at a local diner, where Dave always insisted on a specific two-seat booth facing a wall of aquariums. He would stand in silence at that one tank when we arrived and again before we left.
Once, I arrived early and requested a different booth. The disappointment on his face was so genuine we moved immediately.
Dave later shared the reason on Facebook: One evening he noticed an angelfish “beckoning” him to the glass. He finally got up and went around to the other side only to realize the fish’s partner had passed away and was lying at the bottom of the tank. Dave was deeply moved by the creature’s grief. Today, a small plaque featuring an angelfish in overalls sits above that booth in his honor.
A SOUL FOR SERVICE AND COMMUNITY
Dave was very protective of his personal life, his family, his faith and spiritual journey and his politics. His adherence to the teachings of Saint Francis of Assisi brought his love for all living things into focus. His Rector, The Rev. T. Michael Goldsmith of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity, said it best: “Saint Francis’ rule
Microwave Dave attending a Huntsville Stars game in 2014
of life included vows of poverty and obedience, rules which Dave lived out in his own life. Always with the kindness and openness of a mystic, Dave continually sought a deeper relationship with Christ through his service to others—especially those who felt the weight of poverty in our own community.”
We could all learn a lesson or two about being a better human from him. He not only talked the talk, but he walked the walk! He was the iconic bluesman, the best of friends, and a tireless giver.
He left us far too soon, but he did it his way. Later this year the city of Huntsville will honor Dave’s legacy with renaming a street and naming a dog park in his honor.
BEEP BEEP!
“He was the iconic bluesman, the best of friends, and a tireless giver. ”
Microwave Dave playing the historical Kaffeeklatsch in 1998
zero sugar n ever tasted so good.
DON’T CHASE THE KILL. CHASE THE EXPERIENCE.
KENNY WINTER SHARES HIS SECRET FOR SUCCESS AS A BUSINESS OWNER AND OUTDOORSMAN
ARTICLE BY COOPER SMITHERMAN PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
Outdoorsman. Business owner. Husband. Father. Kenny Winter goes by many titles, but these titles are only a gateway into understanding a man who is driven by his passion. While his thriving businesses can serve as a model to others seeking success, Kenny believes anyone’s story should start with developing the right mindset.
Kenny’s story began when he discovered his fascination with the great outdoors. His father was a farmer, and Kenny hunted any wild animal he could find on the farm. Over time, he realized that what he enjoyed wasn’t the kill. He just wanted a reason to be immersed in nature. When I asked Kenny how his hunting experiences have shaped his professional life, he claimed, “I knew I wanted to be outside. I never wanted to work in an office setting. And when a door opened up, I had to be willing to risk it all.”
As a child, Kenny spent a lot of time with his grandfather, a master carpenter, on job sites to learn the trade. This knowledge, coupled with his desire to follow his heart, led Kenny to build his first house for himself and his wife, Shana. They lived there for only 6 months before a real estate agent made an offer on the house. After some deliberation, they followed their hearts again and sold the house. Kenny decided he enjoyed the experience so much that, with Shana’s support, he would open his first business: Winter Homes.
While it began as a side business to help others build their dream home, Winter Homes grew so much over 13 years that Kenny had to make a choice. He could continue working his full-time management job at the bank, or he could place all of his chips on Winter Homes. After celebrating the 25 th anniversary of Winter Homes
this past February, building close to 2,000 houses across 25 communities, and even donating some profits to the Stacey Wolfe Breast Cancer Foundation and the construction of the new Athens High School, Kenny has no regrets about betting on himself. Kenny credits his team’s shared mindset for building a productive and uplifting work culture. He claims, “if you have stability with your team, you deliver good products.”
However, Kenny didn’t miss the irony that, as CEO of Winter Homes, he now had to spend most of his days in the office. Accordingly, he has tried to find as many ways to stay connected to the outdoors as possible. Another solution seemingly happened upon him: St. Nick’s Knives, his father’s knife store. In 2007, Kenny convinced him to open another location in Huntsville. After his father got sick in 2014, Kenny said, “I felt guilty, so I bought the Huntsville store with the intention of closing it after finishing the lease.”
CONTINUED >
But Kenny didn’t realize that, to see this goal through, he needed someone else to run the store so that he could focus on closing. In turn, he had to open more stores in Athens and Florence to make up for lost profits. After making these changes and still not turning a profit, Kenny remembered that he couldn’t chase a predetermined result. However, he could chase his dream of owning a full-fledged outdoors store. Once he took the next step and added firearms to the Athens location in April 2020, the business took off. He rebranded it to Winter Timber Outdoors and fully committed to building the brand. He has since opened a second location in Auburn and plans to open another in Olive Branch, Mississippi.
Kenny has always found that remaining a patient yet motivated hunter drives his success. When I asked Kenny what an aspiring hunter should keep in mind, he proudly told me, “If you’re going to be a hunter, be a good hunter. And my definition of that is conservation.” In Kenny’s opinion, too many people want a specific kill. The bad hunter may spend a whole weekend watching turkey, rabbits, deer, or even snakes slip through their grasp and feel like they got nothing out of the experience. The good hunter is “all about the experience, spending time with family, and finding peace in the outdoors.”
“I KNEW I WANTED TO BE OUTSIDE. I NEVER WANTED TO WORK IN AN OFFICE SETTING. AND WHEN A DOOR OPENED UP, I HAD TO BE WILLING TO RISK IT ALL.”
As Kenny pursues the 49 Fly Downs challenge while balancing his business endeavors and family life, he hopes he can encourage others to fuel their lives with passion. This challenge, which requires hunting one turkey in each of 49 states (excluding Alaska), may seem daunting. But Kenny is enjoying the ride as he always has, and he has crossed 6 states off the list so far. Eventually, he aims to mount every bird in Winter Timber Outdoors to remind every visitor that patience rewards the dedicated hunter. Chasing the experience will always take priority over chasing the kill.
HIGH TECH AT HOME
ARTICLE BY JOSUE JUAREZ | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOE DAVIS
Located at the end of University Drive in Huntsville, Alabama, AVIQ was created for audio enthusiasts seeking a simple, easy-to-understand way to set up their high-quality Hi-Fi system. It is not just a store with high-end products; the AVIQ staff has years of experience across many areas of the audio industry. In addition, AVIQ has a unique history that has helped provide musical entertainment through concert piano performances and video content for families. All these factors come together to create an environment that feels like a movie theatre, with high-quality sound. During my guided tour, I learned about the latest technology curated by the knowledgeable team, including Michael Burleson and Chip Bowen, who welcomed my questions. Chip noted, “If you don’t feel lost in the music, we can help with that.”
It’s one thing to experience AVIQ’s demo cinema in their University Drive showroom. It’s another to see that philosophy come to life inside a Huntsville home. As Matt Roha and his family spent the 2020 lockdown together, they considered creating their own home media room after staying in a vacation rental in Florida with a full surround-sound system and projector setup. Seeing his wife and kids enjoy the vacation rental as a family made Matt realize that it was possible to have a cinematic escape without owning a mansion.
Why should homeowners view a professional design media room as an investment rather than a luxury? Michael was quick to assure me, “Well, if you’re investing in entertainment, you’re investing in being able to entertain.” It’s easy to think of such a niche as available only to specific audiences, but at AVIQ, that misses the bigger picture. Michael highlights AVIQ’s tailored emerging technology solutions, emphasizing long-lasting media room designs and expert knowledge to enable easy upgrades. For the Roha family, that mindset shaped their new construction
CREATING YOUR OWN MOVIE MAN CAVE
home in Huntsville. With inventory tight, they chose to build. When reviewing floor plans, Matt identified potential in a bonus room within the McMullen layout. To support a true projection setup, the builder squared the dormer to achieve more than 18 feet of usable depth—enough to engineer a dedicated theater rather than a large television room. It wasn’t an afterthought. It was built into the home’s structure.
That principle guided the Roha’s theatre budget. Because it was anticipated that the majority of material would be consumed using either 4K Blu-rays or via streaming, AVIQ’s recommendation was to place responsibility on a surround sound system (7.1) rather than to spend too much on the projector. A riser for the second row of seats was constructed to maintain direct sightlines during house construction, and the room was pre-wired for network services, speakers, and electrical service prior to drywall installation. This type of advance planning helped avoid retrofitting expenses at a later date.
Many DIY builders mistakenly believe that more is better, leading to future upgrade costs due to underperforming equipment. As with any industry, it’s imperative to consider how the technology unfolding within it influences it, and that’s critical in the AVIQ operating space, which assesses what makes a worthy investment in home entertainment. Michael notes that one of the top things to monitor is the quality of input to the various home systems. Chip adds proudly, “The most important thing is what you feed the equipment. Michael highlights the importance of server-based platforms for delivering studio-level streaming, allowing homeowners to achieve cinematic sound that often exceeds Blu-ray quality. The key factor in AV design is content quality, which drives optimal delivery.
Now, performance can be calculated easily, but the next most crucial factor AVIQ considers is personal aesthetics. Everyone who walks through the doors has their own personalization, reflected in the colors they prefer and the tone they aim to establish in their spaces. Michael happily exclaims, “You know, if all you get is a piece of paper like this and it says, here’s everything I’m putting in your room and here’s the price, you’re not doing your job.
The professional won’t do that.” Both he and Chip have strong customer connection skills. To align aesthetic choices with personalized budgets, AVIQ meets with clients before starting designs. At the Roha home, that collaboration spanned months. The finished space features custom cabinetry, concession countertops from Stone Cutters Guild of Huntsville, a lit candy counter, and illuminated poster displays from Glowbox and Digital Movie Boards. When guests arrive, pre-show music plays through the WIIM system installed throughout the house, building anticipation for the film.
“WELL, IF YOU’RE INVESTING IN ENTERTAINMENT, YOU’RE INVESTING IN BEING ABLE TO ENTERTAIN.”
The intended goal is to control the sound, not to completely absorb it all or muffle it. Michael notes, “You don’t want to suck all of the energy of the sound out of the room and turn it into heat, which is what soundproofing does. It absorbs it, it changes.”Finding an appropriate response to the challenges of sound treatment is about getting the right amount of treatment in a room—not too little and not too much. A room can become “dead” (no sound) if it is overtreated with sound-absorbing materials, or it can become “muddied” in sound if it is undertreated with those same materials, so the quality of the sound will suffer. To avoid creating “dead” acoustical areas (areas without sound), the seating was carefully measured during the bonus room design (e.g., Roha project) to conserve acoustic energy and maintain vocal clarity for the 7.1 surround layout used in this project.
The utility of these multimedia rooms lies in their multifaceted design. Whether you’re looking to watch Star Wars once a day or host a space for kids, a multimedia room can be configured for any use! Some hosts may opt for a dedicated home theater, while others focus on televised events to create a sense of suspension of disbelief.
Lighting plays a crucial role in this flexibility, primarily in three methods: pre-show ambience, dimming control, and automation control. A reliable lighting system ensures anyone can use the room without the frustration of confusing controls. In the Roha theater, Lutron remote dimming allows the space to shift from bright family gathering to full cinematic darkness in seconds. The wow factor begins the moment you step inside — eyes drawn first to illuminated posters, then to the glowing concession counter before settling on the projection screen. For its customers, AVIQ considers the existing wiring system to maximize what is already available and deliver a high-quality lighting system. While seemingly inconsequential, this approach can produce a warm, refreshing, and inviting room.
For homeowners considering a media room upgrade, the key consideration is the budget. Success in this compartment isn’t defined by how loud the room can deliver or the size of the speakers; instead, it should answer the question: What is the purpose of this intended space?
Michael says, “Someone says, for example, an audio system, they go, I want it to blow my hair back, okay? Then you move to another situation where I don’t want to see speakers. I just want to have music playing in the background.” It’s the combination of sound and sight that significantly enhances a media room, moving it beyond luxury to a worthy investment in how a home is lived in and enjoyed.
Nice? Is Whiskey On Ice
In speaking to Whiskey lovers (most happen to be men, but do accept me in their brethren as a fellow enthusiast, writer, and educator), I’ve learned a great many opinions on how to drink Whiskey. Specifically, preferences on adding water and ice vary greatly.
A brand ambassador that I had the privilege of listening to recently said the obvious: both dilution and temperature change when you add ice, so if you are going to add something, a little water is best. I personally prefer to use a water dropper, so I can add one drop at a time until I get to the desired taste.
HERE ARE THE DIFFERENCES:
THE BEST WAY TO ENJOY YOUR WHISKEY: ON THE ROCKS, ROCK, NEAT, OR WITH WATER
Rocks: Provides the highest rate of dilution as a lot of ice melts quickly. If you are drinking a barrel proof Whiskey, it kind of defeats the purpose as the distiller didn’t add water as they do in every other type of finished Whiskey.
On the Rock: The single rock, cube, or sphere is the slowest to melt and thought to be the most aesthetic. It’s nice if you want to stretch out your tasting. I often order on the rock if I want my drink to last longer.
Neat: This is the way single malt Scotch is served at a tasting event, in a branded Glencairn or Neat glass so that proper nosing for aromas can be achieved - and a dram of Scotch, smaller than an ounce, fits in them perfectly.
Water: As I mentioned above, quoting the brand ambassador, a little water is better for a fine Whiskey over any kind of ice. Often, if ordered with water, the water is served in a separate vessel on the side so you can add in as much as you want.
Quoting another expert on the subject, Richard Paterson of The Dalmore famously and enthusiastically demonstrates in his Scotch classes how to drink single malt Scotch Whiskey: Paterson fills a lowball glass to the rim with ice, adds Scotch and then ceremoniously throws it over his shoulder onto the carpet of the classroom – because that much ice makes the drink worthless. One more quote, never “add green tea or milk to Whiskey. You can add a little water, but not a lot of ice.”
Ultimately, the reason we add ice can be for aesthetics, to stretch out the time spent on one glass, for cooling, and for dilution. However, the number one reason enthusiasts add water is … drumroll please … because adding a little water actually opens up a Whiskey to show more aromas and flavors.
AN EXCERPT FROM EPISODE 6 OF SHARE THE LIFESTYLE, A CITY LIFESTYLE PODCAST
Photographer: Brittany Dawn Short
Creative Director: Jen Birn
Stylist: Stephanie Coultress O’Neill
Location: Hotel Saint Cecilia, Austin, TX
MIKE JOHNSON HAS BUILT HIS LIFE AROUND ONE QUIETLY RADICAL IDEA: THE STANDARD YOU SET PRIVATELY IS THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS.
After eight years in the Air Force, a celebrated run on national television, and a health crisis abroad that sent him deep into supply chains and ingredient certifications most founders never touch, the result is Oshun — a luxury ritual brand built on provenance you can trace and integrity you can verify. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Mike shares what it actually takes to build something worth putting your name on. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full episode.
Q: YOU BECAME A FAN FAVORITE ON THE BACHELORETTE AND THEN LEFT THE SPOTLIGHT. YOU MOVED TO MEXICO, LEARNED SPANISH, THEN COSTA RICA, AND BUILT A COMPANY. WHAT DID THAT EXPERIENCE TEACH YOU ABOUT HUMAN BEHAVIOR?
A: “If you’re a good person going in, that shows. If you’re not, that shows too. I also learned that people form this parasocial relationship with you — they assume things about you. When all actuality, different circumstances bring out different parts of who you are. I was on TV trying to find love. The kindness people were showing after felt a bit fake, because they wanted to be a part of something that isn’t who I am individually, but a part of what they saw on TV. And so I had to get away from everybody and everything and the noise.”
THE QUIET STANDARD:
MIKE JOHNSON
“Too many people have prayed for me. So I’ve got to get up and do the walking.”
— Mike Johnson
Q: YOU JOINED THE AIR FORCE RIGHT OUT OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE. WHAT WERE YOU ACTUALLY RUNNING TOWARD?
A: “There was something in me that was saying: I’m not living up to my full potential. I was being a follower. My uncle said, ‘What’s going to make you become an adult the fastest?’ I said, obviously, the military. The Air Force broadened my thought process more than anything. We’re so caught up in our own perception — when you learn to understand different people’s perspectives, it adds to you in so many ways.”
Q: WITH OSHUN, YOU OWN YOUR MANUFACTURING, YOU EMPLOY A CHEMIST, EVERY PRODUCT HAS A BATCH NUMBER TRACEABLE TO ITS ORIGIN DATE. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO THAT DEEP WITH THE BRAND?
A: “The EU bans 1,100 ingredients in personal care products. The U.S. bans nine. That’s my starting point. Oftentimes, it might be the same ingredient, but it comes from a place where it doesn’t have the highest purity. And 60% of what we put on our skin is absorbed. Every product Oshun makes carries a batch number that goes back to the exact day it was created — I can show you every single supplier, the date, the origin. I own more than one part of the supply chain because that’s the only way I can stand behind what’s in the bottle.”
This conversation is just the beginning. Mike goes deeper into why he’s buying land up north, the family in the Philippines who prayed over his factory floor, and what he’d tell every person ready to stop performing and start building. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle podcast.
MIKE JOHNSON
JUNE 2026
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
EVERY TUESDAY
The Farmers Market at Clift Farm
The Village Green at Clift Farm | 4:00 PM
The Farmers Market at Clift Farm will kick off the summer season! With live music, yard games, face painting, and more--you can grab the family and friends to experience slower summer Tuesdays in Madison, Alabama.
JUNE 5TH
AUSA Iron Mike Golf Tournament
The Links at Redstone | 7:00 AM
This annual event, featuring a 7 a.m. registration and 8:30 a.m. shotgun start, supports the AUSA Redstone-Huntsville Chapter scholarship program. The tournament serves as a key event in the local Armed Forces Celebration.
JUNE 6TH
251st Army Birthday Celebration
Redstone Gateway | 4:00 PM
Celebrate the Army's 251st birthday with food, entertainment, a car show, and fireworks at this family-friendly event!
JUNE 6TH
Trash Pandas vs Columbus
Toyota Field | 6:30 PM
Grab the family for Trash Pandas Baseball as they take on Columbus at home. Stay after the game for Saturday night fireworks! Tickets available at milb.com/rocketity
JUNE 11TH
Grooves on the Village Green
The Village Green at Clift Farm | 6:00 PM
Gather at Clift Farm for Grooves on the Village Green, a free live music series featuring talented local artists. Bring your favorite lawn chair or cozy blanket, settle in on the Green, and enjoy a mix of classic covers and fresh new sounds under the open sky. Good vibes, great music, and community nights.
JUNE 12TH
Greenway Grand Prix 4 Mile
360 Harvestwood Ct, Madison, AL 35758 | 7:00 PM
This 4 Mile will take place on the Indian Creek Greenway off Harvest Rd Ct. Start and finish line will be near Creekwood Park. Registration Opens May 4, 2026. $25.00 Race Fee + $2.50 SignUp Fee at runsignup.com
JUNE 13TH
Outdoor Recreation Fair
The Orion Ampitheatre | 11:00 AM
Presented by Land Trust of North Alabama. Guests of all ages and experience levels can discover a hobby that’s just their speed. Attend guided experiences and seminars, or wander through activities offered by local businesses and non-profits around Apollo South at your own pace. Plus, your favorite food trucks and Orion bars will be serving up summer refreshments throughout the fair.
JUNE 20TH
Cruise-In to Village Green Car Meet
The Village Green at Clift Farm 9:00 AM
Immerse yourself in nostalgia while celebrating both classic and modern cars, and create lasting memories at this free, family-friendly event.
JUNE 26TH
T.I. and P$C
The Orion Ampitheater | 8:00 PM
Don't miss this chance to see T.I. live in concert! Once dubbed "The JZ of the South" he is a show you won't want to miss! theorionhuntsvlle.com
Want to be featured?
GET IN TOUCH AT CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/ MADISON
Father’s Day Gift Guide
GOLF THEMED WHISKEY GLASS
$18 each - Southern Kitchen and Home
SECRID WALLET
$99 - Roosevelt & Co. @rooseveltandco
SMOKER SOUTHERN HEARTH AND GRILLS
Local gift ideas for all styles and budgets
GOLF THEMED WHISKEY GLASS $18 EACHSOUTHERN KITCHEN AND HOME
Raise a toast to his love for the game with the “Send It” 13oz Double Old Fashion Whiskey Glass. These are the perfect blend of style, spirit, and sport.
SECRID WALLET $99 - ROOSEVELT & CO. @ROOSEVELTANDCO
Every man needs a stylish wallet, and this one is sleek but durable, and comes in a variety of colors to appeal to any man’s style.
SMOKER SOUTHERN HEARTH AND GRILLS
FOCAL’S BATHYS WIRELESS HEADPHONES $849 - EXCLUSIVELY AT AVIQ
With its wireless and active noise cancelling (ANC) technologies, it is the perfect travel companion. Comfortable and refined, these wireless headphones boast a battery life of over 30 hours, fast charging, and a host of features for a total musical escape.
ARTICLE BY CASEY CREQUE
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
FOCAL’S BATHYS WIRELESS HEADPHONES
$849 - exclusively at AVIQ
