Madison Living Magazine, June 2022

MADISON LIVING THE GUIDE • AROUND TOWN • CHAMBER CONNECTIONS • OUT & ABOUT • SCHOOLS • MADISON HOSPITAL

June 2022 madisonlivingmagazine.com

BRANDY WILLIAMS Madison Fire and Rescue Department’s deputy chief is the first woman selected to serve on the state fire commission Madison Living 1

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MADISON LIVING

INSIDE

EDITOR

CONTACT US

John Few

Madison Living Magazine The Madison Record 7734 Madison Blvd. Suite 115 Huntsville, AL 35806 Phone: 256-772-6677 Fax: 256-772-6655 madisonlivingmagazine.com

CONTRIBUTORS Bob Labbe Gregg Parker Erin Coggins Joshua Berry Lee Marshall John Peck Mary Lynne Wright MARKETING Donna Counts

Madison Living is published monthly by Tennessee Valley Media, Inc. A one-year subscription to Madison Living is $27.99 for 12 issues per year.

Single copies are available at select locations throughout the Madison area.

To advertise or to get more copies, call 256-772-6677.

GENERAL MANAGER

Copyright 2022 by Tennessee Valley Media, Inc.

French Salter

35

Welcome Nicole Alexander, MD Obstetrician / Gynecologist Board Certified Now accepting Tricare patients.

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4 Madison Living

PEOPLE

29 BRANDY WILLIAMS Madison Fire and Rescue Department’s deputy chief is the first woman selected to serve on the state fire commission

AUTHOR

35 HIDDEN PRINCESS Madison author pens novel chronicling the daily travails of a nation, and its people in flux

SPORTS

51 ALIVIA URRUTIA Bob Jones athlete ranks No. 1 In Alabama as a seventh grade track star

KIDS TO LOVE

57 HAYLEE’S STORY For Haylee and her new family, life changed in less than a year

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45

51

57

WOMEN

DOWNTOWN

50 THIRD THURSDAYS Madison’s historic downtown is the cool place every third Thursday this summer

IN EVERY ISSUE

6 The Guide 26 Shopping 34 Madison Hospital 40 Madison City Schools 42 Out & About 56 Around Town

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45 ERIN COGGINS Madison Living writer has been influencing journalism students for 20 years, fueling the desires for future careers

Madison Living 5

THE GUIDE

The Orion Amphitheater • MidCity District in Huntsville • www.theorionhuntsville.com The Orion Amphitheater opened to great fanfare last month and has a full schedule of entertainment in June. Located in the MidCity District in Huntsville, The Orion is the area’s premier entertainment venue. Upcoming shows include: June 08 - Neil deGrasse Tyson, An Astrophysicist Goes to the Movies; June 09 - Southern Fried Film Festival Opening Night; June 11- Dierks Bentley: Beers on Me Tour 2022 with special guests Ashley McBryde, Travis Denning, and DJ Aydamn; June 16 - The Black Crowes Present: Shake Your Money Maker played in its entirety, plus all the hits, with special guest Drivin N Cryin; June 18 - T-Minus Music Fest Featuring Old Crow Medicine Show & More with special guests Aaron Lee Tasjan, Jaime Wyatt, Little & the Giants; June 25 - Keith Sweat.

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THE GUIDE

Planet Pioneers • All Month • U.S. Space & Rocket Center • www.rocketcenter.com Do you have what it takes to survive in a completely foreign environment? You can test your skills with Planet Pioneers, the newest traveling exhibit at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Comprised of 17 hands-on exhibits, Planet Pioneers challenges budding astronauts and to source their own food, shelter and solve problems in an unknown world. Colonizing the planet is no trivial task, and visitors should prepare for full-body challenges including driving a 4-D Surface Exploration Vehicle, flying a virtual drone to solve environmental issues and experiencing G-Force in a spinning capsule. Before arriving at the planet, you will need to successfully pack the right equipment for the voyage, recruit the perfect crew and learn about the surrounding planets in the solar system. Once landed, challenge yourself to find sources of water and oxygen, grow food in the foreign atmosphere and build shelter to survive the elements. Planet Pioneers is created by the renowned Scitech in Perth, Australia, and produced

by Imagine Exhibitions.

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THE GUIDE

Concerts in the Park • Monday nights starting at 6:30 p.m. • Big Spring Park in Huntsville • www.artshuntsville.org Concerts in the Park begin in Big Spring Park starting June 6. Awarded the ‘Downtown Event of the Year” Concerts in the Park is a free Huntsville tradition, hosted by Arts Huntsville and Huntsville Parks & Recreation, bringing live, local music to the area in the park just behind the Huntsville Museum of Art every Monday night for 10 weeks. The Concerts will take place in downtown Huntsville on the Huntsville Museum of Art outdoor stage in Big Spring International Park from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. The series is FREE to the public; concertgoers should bring their own seating and leashed pets are welcome. The lineup for the next few weeks includes: June 6 - Jazz McKenzie / JUICE; June 13 - Common Man / Remy Neal & The Moon Band; June 20 - April Pendergrass / The Bubbanauts; June 27- Armed Forces Week Celebration - Maneuver Center of Excellence Band (MCoE) of Fort Benning; and July 4 - Peruvian Coin / JED Eye.

We LOVE our military!

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T-Minus Music Fest featuring Old Crow Medicine Show • June 18 • The Orion • www.theorionhuntsville.com Family-friendly, one-day music fest at the Orion Amphitheater featuring Americana superstars Old Crow Medicine Show. All proceeds will be donated to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Education Foundation. Gates open at 3pm and music starts at 4pm. Performances by Old Crow Medicine Show, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Jaime Wyatt and Little & The Giants. Tickets available on AXS. com

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THE GUIDE

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Madison City Farmers Market • Open Saturdays 8 a.m. - noon • Trinity Baptist Church in Madison Located at 1088 Hughes Road at Trinity Baptist Church in Madison, the market is the area’s original local, producer-only farmers market, founded in 2007. Everything sold at the market is grown or crafted by local farmers and craftspeople. The vendors provide a wide selection of the freshest local veggies, fruits, cheese, eggs, meats, milk, herbs, honey, jams, relishes, home-baked goods, plants and flowers. Come see creations from local artisans including handmade cards, soaps, lotions, candles, wood crafts, sewn items and other handmade products. Go to www.madisoncityfarmersmarket.com for more information.

12 Madison Living

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THE GUIDE

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June 22 at 7:30 p.m. • Mark C. Smith Concert Hall at the VBC Created by Herbert W. Armstrong College and Armstrong Dance, with original new music from the Golden Globenominated composer Brian Byrne (Heartbeat of Home), Celtic Throne celebrates the dramatic and the mysterious origins of Irish dance. Infused with innovative choreography, dazzling costumes and spectacular lighting and projection, Celtic Throne follows the millennia-long journey of a music-anddance-loving people as they migrate from the ancient Near East to Ireland, Scotland, England and the United States.

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“25 Years of Experience”

WE POUR CONCRETE TOO

Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett • June 3-11 The Studio Theatre • Lowe Mill A&E • www.theatrehsv.org In Waiting for Godot, two wandering tramps, Vladimir and Estragon, wait by a lonely tree, to meet up with Mr. Godot, an enigmatic figure in a world where time, place and memory are blurred and meaning is where you find it. The tramps hope that Godot will change their lives for the better. Instead, two eccentric travelers arrive, one man on the end of the other’s rope. The results are both funny and dangerous in this existential masterpiece. Recommended for teens and up

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THE GUIDE

2022 City Lights and Start Concert Series • Burritt on the Mountain • www.burrittonthemountain.com

The City Lights & Stars Concert Series hosts seven concerts from May through September, with musical acts from varying genres. This years lineup features a fabulous mix of local hometown favorites and regional talent joining us on the Isenberg Gazebo stage. Enjoy being entertained under the stars of Alabama over a breathtaking view of the City of Huntsville only Burritt can provide. A casual atmosphere encourages attendees to bring chairs, blankets and picnic food to enjoy a relaxed musical experience. Concert Series Lineup: June 10 - Automatic Slim Blues Band, July 1 - Eric Essix, July 22 - Austin Grimm & Friends, August 12 - Mambo Gris Gris, September 9th - Huntsville’s In the Mood Swing Band.

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THE GUIDE

Rocket City Trash Pandas Day Camp • June 20-24 Toyota Field in Madison • www.trashpandasbaseball.com

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Kids ages 5-12 can participate in a Day Camp at Toyota Field!

Activities include sports, arts and crafts, music, and much more! This year’s activities will highlight Mexican, Scottish, Italian, French, and Cuban culture with internationally themed fun every day. Deadline to register is June 13th. For more information contact: Gayle Milam: gmilam@trashpandasbaseball.com.

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THE GUIDE

Simply the Best: The Tina Turner Story • June 15, 7 p.m. • Mars Hall at the VBC • www.vonbrauncenter.com Awarded “Best Musical Tribute Show” at the Reel Awards in Las Vegas in 2020! The show takes the audience on a journey through five decades of the rock icon’s musical history and the greatest hits of one of the most important artists of our time. The “Tina Turner Story” is a tribute to the exceptional artist who has shaped half a century of rock history - with over 180 million records sold, countless number 1 hits and chart placements such as “Simply The Best”, “Private Dancer” or “ We Don’t Need Another Hero “. Inspired by the exceptional artist, Dorothea “Coco” Fletcher, born in the USA, manages to imitate the world star perfectly and is considered as one of the best doubles worldwide. With the special timbre in the voice and an energetic performance, she brings the great rock diva back on stage and sweeps the audience away to storms of enthusiasm.

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THE GUIDE

Trash Pandas Crawfish Festival • July 2 • Toyota Field in Madison • www.trashpandasbaseball.com On Saturday, July 2, the Trash Pandas will celebrate Independence Day weekend beginning with the Crawfish Festival at Toyota Field. Gates will open at 4 p.m. Guests can purchase crawfish from J&J Seafood and Bubba Luke’s on the day of the event.

Throughout the day, there will be live entertainment including music, performances, and contests including a crawfish eating contest. Activities include a Euro Bungee Trampoline, inflatable Moon Bounce, a Rascal Obstacle Course, putt putt, and yard games such as cornhole. At 9 p.m., a special fireworks show will end the night’s festivities. Independence Day weekend will be capped off by Rocket City’s first home game on Monday, July 4 as they take on the Chattanooga Lookouts at 6:35 p.m. The Trash Pandas will wear special patriotic jerseys for the game, and an incredible fireworks spectacular will follow the game.

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Madison Living 23

THE GUIDE

We work tirelessly to help kids get well because Hugh has a long list of stuff he wants to do.

WE DO WHAT WE DO BECAUSE CHILDREN HAVE DREAMS.

Dorothea Lange’s America • Exhibit Huntsville Museum of Art • www.hsvmuseum.org Dorothea Lange’s America is a focused exhibition of 30 original lifetime prints by the legendary documentary photographer, Dorothea Lange (1895-1965). Her empathetic images of migrant workers, suffering families, and tortured landscapes seared the faces of the Great Depression into America’s consciousness.

Huntsville Photographic Society Members’ Showcase Huntsville Museum of Art • www.hsvmuseum.org

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The Huntsville Photographic Society is an organization dedicated to promoting the art and science of photography in Huntsville and the surrounding area through informative programs, member contests, and special events. The HPS Members’ Showcase is an annual exhibition jointly organized by the Huntsville Photographic Society and the Huntsville Museum of Art.

THE GUIDE

Food Truck & Trailer Rallies • First and Third Fridays • Big Spring Park in Huntsville • www.downtownhuntsville.org The Food Truck & Trailer Rallies is one of the largest events and a staple to the greater Huntsville community. On the first Friday of every month from 5-9 p.m., food trailers will show us what they have. The third Friday of every month from 5-9 p.m. is the food trucks’ time to shine. Your favorite food trucks and trailers will be spread out across Big Spring Park.

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Madison Living 25

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This beautiful bracelet can be yours. Be sure to check Meyer and Lee’s website for a great selection of jewelry. www.meyerandlee.com - Meyer and Lee Fine Jewelry

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INTERIORS Your Local Expert in Fine Furniture, Design Accessories, Unique Clothing, Jewelry, & More 204 Main Street • Madison, AL 35758 • 256-325-1919 • Tue, - Fri, 10-5; Sat, 10-4

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There is plenty of decor ideas at Noble Passage Interiors

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PEOPLE

BRANDY WILLIAMS

Madison Fire and Rescue Department’s deputy chief is the first woman selected to serve on the state fire commission STORY BY GREGG PARKER PHOTOS BY JOSHUA BERRY

Madison Living 29

I

In the late 1980s, Brandy Williams accepted a job that has appealed to her since that day. Even as a young teenager, she had wanted to enter the profession.

Williams works in the role of Deputy Chief in Madison Fire and Rescue Department.

As Deputy Chief for the Madison firefighters, Williams is involved with the department’s management, supervision of employees, coordination of work routines and staff, evaluation of firefighters’ job performances and planning for major divisions and functions within the fire department.

Currently, those divisions and functions include training, community risk reduction, logistics, administration, fleet management and their hiring process. “As a Deputy Chief, I assume the duties of the fire chief in his absence,” Williams said.

“I have worked at Madison Fire & Rescue for my entire career,” she said. “I began my career here in 1998, and I have spent the last six years in my current role of Deputy Chief.”

With her work, Williams is involved with several different professional groups in varying capacities. She serves as President of North Alabama Fire Chiefs Association,

30 Madison Living

which in turn places her on the Executive Board for the Alabama Fire Chiefs Association.

“I was nominated by the Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs as their representative on the Alabama Firefighters Personnel Standards and Education Commission. I serve as one of seven commissioners on this board. I had to be confirmed by the Alabama Senate before serving for this four-year term,” Williams said.

The standards and education commission establishes and approves regulations and bylaws, sets minimum standards for firefighter certification and ensures the efficient operation of Alabama Fire College. “The commission meets on a quarterly basis in Tuscaloosa at the Alabama Fire College,” Williams said.

The Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs nominated Williams for the commissioner position on the Alabama Firefighters Personnel Standards and Education Commission.

“I am the first woman to serve on the commission. I am honored to serve and represent the Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs in this capacity,” she said.

“I just happen to be the first woman to serve in this capacity. It’s an honor to be selected and trusted to represent this group,” Williams said.

Madison Living 31

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Williams grew up going to visit her uncle at the fire station in Huntsville. “I watched a neighbor’s house burn when I was about 13 and that further intrigued my interest to be a firefighter,” she said.

“Once I turned 18 years old, I became a volunteer firefighter in my community to make sure that was what I wanted to do, and I have not looked back,” Williams said. “There is a lot to be said for responding to an emergency and helping someone when they are having their worst day.”

Williams enjoys the variety of challenges that come with her job as Deputy Chief. She appreciates “the ability to affect change and make our department better for the members that work here, as well as the community.”

Fortunately, and opposed to many people in today’s workforce, Williams finds few situations or demands that she dislikes about her job. “I would have to say days where there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done and work continues to pile up” obviously generates stress to perform her responsibilities well . . . but she perseveres.

When she goes home at night after a day at the fire station, she can sit down, relax and sometimes realize that she had experienced a really good day. Williams is satisfied when “feeling like the work that I completed that day made a difference in our department, community or the fire service.”

Away from work, Williams enjoys leaving the confines of the office or house. Summer is her favorite season, so she looks forward to being outdoors and traveling.

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....................... MADISON HOSPITAL .......................

Meet Madison Hospital’s Nurse of the Year

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Because Madison Hospital is blessed with so many amazing nurses, it’s tough to choose just one as our Nurse of the Year. But Amanda Ryan, RN, from our Progressive Care Unit, has certainly earned it.

Let me tell you a little about Amanda’s story and why we selected her as our top nurse of 2022.

Amanda grew up in Texas knowing she wanted to be a proMary Lynne fessional caregiver. But she was Wright focused on raising a family with her husband, so nursing school President would have to wait.

Madison Hospital In 2017, Amanda applied for a health care assistant job in our Medical-Surgical Unit. That turned out to be a great decision for her, and for Madison Hospital. It was clear from the start that Amanda would excel at whatever she put her mind to, so we moved her to a key role on our telemetry team that remotely monitors the

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cardiac activity of patients throughout the hospital.

While serving as a telemetry tech, Amanda decided she had put off nursing school long enough and was accepted to Wallace State Community College in Hanceville. Soon, she had gained enough nursing experience to begin working as a licensed practical nurse in our Progressive Care Unit.

“I worked full time as an LPN throughout nursing school,” Amanda told me. “Many times, I would get off work at 7 a.m., change out of my scrubs and drive straight to class.”

And don’t forget, Amanda is also a mom. She and her husband Mark live in Harvest with their 11-year-old daughter Kylie and seven-year-old son Jack.

Since graduating from nursing school last summer and becoming a registered nurse, Amanda has impressed everyone at Madison Hospital with her compassion, selflessness and obviously sincere desire to provide the best possible patient care. That’s why we recognized her with a DAISY Award for exceptional nursing in March, and now as our Nurse of the Year.

“I am still very new in my nursing career, so I am beyond honored by all the recognition,” Amanda says. “It’s really been a year full of surprises.”

AUTHOR

HIDDEN PRINCESS Madison author pens novel chronicling the daily travails of a nation, and its people in flux STORY BY ERIN COGGINS PHOTOS BY JOSHUA BERRY

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As the Civil War is the backdrop to “Gone with the Wind,” the Black Experience is the backdrop of Madison resident Dedra Muhammad’s first novel.

Set mostly during the transition between the Reconstruction Era and the Great Depression, Black history nuggets are interwoven within every chapter of “Hidden Princess: The Rebirth of Making Mary.”

“The book chronicles the daily travails of a nation, and its people in flux,” Muhammad said. “The characters interact with hundreds of historical landmarks and people like jazz musicians during that time, freedom fighters and events like the Tulsa and Redwood massacres.”

The novel, though, is much more personal to Muhammad than documenting Black history. The work fictionally explores the real life of Muhammad’s great-great-grandmother, Vivian Johnson. Johnson was born in 1906 in Century, Florida. She died at the hands of her husband at age 22.

“The rumor hit my ears unexpectedly when I was in my early twenties: ‘Your grandmother died at the hands of her husband.’ That was it. No explanation, no details, no discussion,” Muhammad said.

Muhammad says she was inspired to write a book with

her great-great grandmother as the heroine because she strongly believed there was a story that needed to be told about the life and legacy of Johnson, yet there was no one to tell that story.

“When I discovered that she died at such a young age, I started imagining what she was like,” Muhammad said.”I started thinking about how unfair it was that her memory was being swept un the rug because the subject of domestic violence was too uncomfortable to discuss. I decided that the least I could do would be to acknowledge her existence and legacy.”

Without any professional writing experience at all, Muhammad set out to write a novel about a story she felt was urgent. She says that during the process, she accidentally discovered that she had the talent for character development, and she capitalized on it.

“In my character development, I explored the thought processes of abusers and victims,” Muhammad said.

“There was no blame, no malebashing; I was just able to dissect the structure of relationships from the point of view of each player. I was not going to let the reader walk away blaming any of the characters without knowing that person’s backstory.”

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This magic did not happen overnight. Muhammad says it took multiple years to complete the novel. She would work on it and then put it away for a while. One of those times followed after a publisher commented that “the book looks like another book about a girl getting beat up by her husband or boyfriend.” This left Muhammad feeling defeated.

“That experience taught me not to rely on others to fulfill a goal that I have set for myself,” Muhammad said. “It took a minute, but I was able to respond to the stigma by saying one book about a girl who suffered is important and I could lead the charge in saying her name despite a publisher not wanting to hear about it, so I decided to become an independent author.”

As an independent author, Muhammad relied on other sources to which to bounce ideas. She recalls a friend who read an early edition and fell in love with Vivian. They were crushed by the true story of Vivian’s tragic fate.

“I decided then to use more humor and to change the ending for the sake of the reader,” Muhammad said. “The beauty of it is I was able to take a tragedy and turn it into a brilliant and fascinating love story. And the reader gets to laugh abruptly without warning at witty passages. The book is full of satire.”

Muhammad also relied on her husband throughout the process as well as her parents and her friends. Her friend and colleague, Twyla Maxtion, read the book before it was

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published and even wrote a book blurb for the back of the printed version.

“I was very busy, but I kept staring at the book in awe, compelling me to open it again and again even though I was completely overwhelmed with attending events with my children, working and working,” Maxtion said. “I could see Dedra’s personality throughout the book. Her humor and wit made me smile.”

Her parents provided Muhammad with all of the history they know concerning Vivian and put her in contact with others who could fill in the gaps. However, there were very few people still living who could give her firsthand information on not only her family, but on history from the time period, Muhammad had to conduct a tremendous amount of research to ensure that the novel was historically accurate.

“I needed to use words like cabaret instead of club or disco; the construction of interstate highways and when certain ones were developed, the dialects, the type of clothing, Escambia County, Florida and Michigan history,” Muhammad said. “Even though the novel is classified as fiction, I wanted to include as many facts as possible.”

Maxtion says it is obvious that Muhammad did her research to paint an accurate picture of Black history during a particular time in history.

“The novel teaches that our history is a deep part of who

we are, and that Black history should be championed, not hidden, even if that history is painful. Muhammad inserted the history in a clever way by tying historical events into the everyday life of ordinary people,” Maxtion said. “The history provided were matters of fact, and the characters interacted with these truths as they went on about their lives. For example, famous jazz musicians like Duke Ellington were mentioned, and the reader gets to learn who he was and when he was born, but he blended into the story without overtaking the story.”

And then there was presenting the uncomfortable topic of domestic violence.

As a high school guidance counselor, Muhammad knows it is important to have open discussions about domestic violence. She sees it as something that plagues society regardless of race, status or religion.

“When domestic violence takes place, the impact is widespread and can touch everyone from bystanders, caring relatives to police officers who must respond,” Muhammad said. “It can tear the fabric of communities and destroy the self-esteem of children. Even worse, witnessing domestic violence can shape children who may be involved.”

This is one reason she talks a lot about Vivian’s daughter, Mary, in the book. The book details turbulent circumstances surrounding Mary’s conception and her early life as a toddler.

“Mary had a front-row seat to all of the dysfunction taking place in Vivian’s relationship with her husband,” Muhammad said. “Vivian knew how to tune him out, but Mary felt the tension of his presence through her mother. That is a very important message that I hope people will take away from the book.”

Muhammad sees “Hidden Princess” in a variety of ways. It is a tribute to her great-great grandmother, a family history, a chronicle of Black history, a discussion of a taboo subject and a love story.

“I see the novel as a multifaceted, serious literary project that started with one idea but progressed into something greater than I could have ever imagined,” Muhammad said. “It is a story about hope, courage, and American society. There are so many treasures readers can gain from reading it including cultural awareness, rich history, and tear-jerking laughter.”

But most of all it served as a healing process for Muhammad.

“I knew I would be investigating what I heard about my great-great grandmother,” Muhammad said. “I think it was because there were so many holes in the story, and I needed closure. That’s why I decided to piecemeal the story back together, using fiction where I could not find facts. Now, this book holds a great significance to my family.”

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....................... Madison City Schools .......................

Bob Jones High School had 451 seniors graduate on May 16 at the VBC. Photo by Sam Wilson.

MCS graduates finished strong as district’s largest senior class ever

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Graduation ceremonies were held May 16 for Madison City Schools. The 2022 Class finished strong and is destined for promising futures.

At 985 graduates (534 from James Clemens and 451 from Bob Jones) this was the largest senior class ever from Madison John Peck City Schools.

Madison City Schools In just 24 years, Madison’s Public Relations Manager senior class grew from 333 in 1998-99 to almost 1,000 this year.

Some 60 percent (592) were offered $61 million in scholarships. Approximately $23.5 million-worth of scholarships had been accepted near the end of the school year so far - an average of nearly $40,000.

An impressive 19 percent scored a 30 or higher on their ACT. Madison City Schools produced 37 National Merit

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Finalists (split almost evenly between JC and BJ), a U.S. Presidential Scholar from JC and Presidential Scholar semifinalist at BJ, eight Military Academy recipients, and both schools racked up countless awards in academics, athletics and the arts.

Surveys by each high school indicate 64 percent of the graduating seniors will embark to a four-year university and 17.6 percent to a two-year college. Some will enter the military (3.2 percent) and some will go directly into the workforce or take a gap year (10.4 percent) - hopefully aided by one of the outstanding career tech academies at MCS like the new welding program and others.

The 4.4 percent who are undecided will no doubt find their purpose and pursue it.

While many of the workforce and college bound graduates will stay in-state, others are fanning out to universities across the country and globe.

James Clemens reports acceptance to 81 colleges across 28 states. Bob Jones has students enrolling in 74 colleges across 25 states.

....................... Madison City Schools .......................

James Clemens High School had 534 seniors graduate on May 16 at the VBC. Photo by Sam Wilson.

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OUT&ABOUT

There were lots of smiles, tears and reminiscing today among seniors of Madison City Schools who visited their elementary schools one last time before graduating. All MCS elementary schools hosted their traditional “senior stroll” - or “strut” as some call it - in the days leading up to graduation. It’s a time for seniors to reflect on their school journey and for underclassmen to see their predecessors progress to the next level. Many parents accompanied their gowned seniors, wondering how their “kids” morphed so quickly into young adults.

Photos here are from Heritage Elementary and Horizon Elementary, which feed into James Clemens and Bob Jones respectively. Also from Madison Elementary, which feeds into both. All MCS elementary schools held similar welcoming ceremonies for seniors who went there.

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WOMEN

ERIN COGGINS Madison Living writer has been influencing journalism students for 20 years, fueling the desires for future careers STORY BY KENDALL COPE PHOTOS BY JOSHUA BERRY

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Editor’s note: The Madison area has many influential, trail-blazing women leaders who are making a huge impact within our community. Over the next few months, we will spotlight several of these remarkable women and why we consider them some of our area’s most influential people. To begin with, we start with one of our own writers, Erin Coggins. Erin has been a teacher at Sparkman High School for 20 years. This story about her was written by one of her students, Kendall Cope. Kendall is a junior at Sparkman and is the Arts and Entertainment Editor of school’s newspaper, The Crimson Crier.

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Journalism teacher Erin Coggins had no idea she would become dedicated to teaching students a brand new form of writing when she took the job 20 years ago at Sparkman High School. Throughout the years, she has met over 300 new individuals interested in this class and fueled desires for future careers.

Coggins first fell in love with writing at age five and has always loved the written word, so she obtained a major in public relations at the University of Alabama. After working at NASA in the Technology Transfer Department as a Communications Specialist, she had an individual ask her about the possibility of teaching scholastic journalism. She took hold of the opportunity and went back to school to get her second bachelors in English, where she was then interviewed and offered the position by then principal Steve Holland.

“After going back to get my second degree, I started partaking in freelance writing, professional development opportunities and certifications to better equip me for the

class. I never would have believed I would be a high school journalism teacher after graduating,” Coggins said.

Coggins spends most of her time diving into writing. She writes for Madison Living Magazine and Huntsville Magazine alongside teaching journalism and yearbook students.

She also has a PR consulting business called Pubs and Prose. She recently placed third in two feature writing categories through the Alabama Media Professionals, an affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women.

“I love to write and keep my skills sharp. It’s meeting the people in the community and telling their stories that motivates me to take on the extra work,” Coggins said. “One of my favorite stories to write was about my gym instructor, Kelly Adkison. She is amazing and everyone that takes her classes loves her. It was like giving her a gift by getting her story and passion for exercise in print.”

Coggins later earned the Master Journalism Educator Certificate from the Journalism Education Association. In order to earn this certification, the individuals prove that

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they know the specifics of journalism, participate in projects and take a test. She has also been named the Alabama High School Journalism Adviser of the Year seven times and was awarded the Youth Journalism International Journalism Educator of the Year this year.

“I was incredibly fortunate to inherit a very well developed journalism program. Our first state convention concluded with a student being named Journalist of the Year. Ever since then, I have loved competing and teaching,” Coggins said.

Sparkman High’s newspaper, The Crimson Crier, has consistently won individual and publication awards along with their adviser. They have won the Alabama Journalist of the Year 14 times in 20 years, and 12 students have been awarded the Al Neuharth Free Spirit Scholarship.

“It used to be a tradition that I would jump into their arms when my students won Alabama Journalist of the Year and the whole convention attendees prepared for this, but I had to stop after I got old and fat,” Coggins said. “Kidding aside, these kids truly are deserving of their awards and it is cool to see them win.”

Twenty years in the program and in the same classroom, and she can still see the faces from her first year teaching. Coggins reveals her biggest memories have been from attending conventions.

“Seeing kids rewarded for their work and having fun together gives me motivation as it is rewarding to watch.

I’ll never forget getting to celebrate every year with the kids,” Coggins said. “A really cool time was when four of my students covered a Trump rally and got called fake news with CNN and Fox. They created a video that I was told had the best coverage of any of the news stations all on their own, so that was a proud moment.”

Coggins must choose and submit work from students each year for conventions. She looks at everything students have done throughout the year and uses a judges’ lens and input from students to ultimately decide what to submit as it costs money.

“Money must be raised but all that stress from the buildup goes out the door when seeing students win.

There is nothing like those unexpected wins and live award shows to see everyone’s work getting rewarded,” Coggins said.

She believes journalism is an excessively hands-on class with students having to learn by actively participating and gaining experience. When students leave this program they will have obtained knowledge of interviewing, writing, media literacy, being more involved in the news and current events.

“Journalism is special because their homework is on display for everyone which makes it totally different from every other class. It is all about learning as we go and building experience,” Coggins said.

Since journalism is unlike most classes, it has posed unique challenges for Coggins. She had to overcome tech-

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nological advancements as well as funding issues because scholastic journalism has changed. When she first started they shot pictures on film and had to develop them. Now, she is juggling the web, social media and things never even dreamed of years ago.

“Technology has been a huge learning curve for me while also being a part of an award-winning program that doesn’t get funding from our school system, so I had to go add a certificate in career tech and get equipment. Supporting student journalism is vital to the success of our program,” Coggins said.

She has come to implement routines and lessons to ensure the success of the class. One of those lessons involves her journalistic muse, World War II correspondent Ernie Pyle. An important lesson she has learned while teaching is the importance of deadlines and holding students accountable for getting their work done on time while managing to stay encouraging.

“You get from students what you put into them, let them know you care and want them to succeed and when they know that, they will give it back to you,” Coggins said.

She believes that students deserve a voice and since they are affected by issues, they should have a say in those things that affect them. Coggins feels that communication is key to prosperous journalism and teaching students.

“After the first convention, I saw myself growing and learned that some of the best communicators in the world are scholastic journalism teachers because they have to teach students this complex subject,” Coggins said. “There are days where I wonder about other opportunities, but helping students and seeing their faces light up would be incredibly missed out on.”

Coggins looks and chooses students for her class every year in an effort to uphold its legacy. She used to use interviews in the past, but now finds students through teacher recommendations and applications.

“Any kid that wants to come in and learn and be a part of our family is welcomed. If they are willing to put in the hard work, I will take them,” Coggins said.

She has created countless memories and traditions over the years including giving a special gift to seniors at the end of the year. Coggins hopes to leave a positive impact on not only the program, but the students as well.

“It has been a tradition for 20 years now that all my seniors get a children’s book at the end of the year and inside that children’s book is a message and I always tell them at a bad time to pull it out, look at it and read it to your children one day,” Coggins said. “I got a phone call last year from a student that pulled it out and sent it to me and that’s all that matters. I think every year I hope I leave my students with something new they have learned and that they know they have somebody they can always talk to or depend on.”

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....................... DOWNTOWN MADISON .......................

The first 3rd Thursday event was held May 19 in Madison’s historic downtown area. The next one will be held June 16.

Downtown Madison is the place to be on 3rd Thursdays this summer

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By Maria Rakoczy

A new summer event kicked off last month in downtown Madison. Third Thursdays is a fun, family-friendly street party taking place every third Thursday of the month through August. The event is the combined work of The Shoppes of Downtown Madison, “a collaborative effort of multiple businesses located in downtown Madison,” according to a press release.

Co-owner of the Lemon and Lavender store, Brandy Booth, hopes these events bring awareness to the area and the businesses of Madison: “We have customers on a regular basis come into our store who are new to the area and had no idea downtown Madison even existed.”

The shops on Main Street and Church Street are open for extended hours until 8 p.m. on these Thursdays. Additionally, Third Thursdays offers a venue for local pop-up vendors and small-businesses of all sorts including food trucks, home goods, and art. This past week’s version of the event featured the popular food truck Hippea Camper, Lowe Mill artisans, and various independent vendors. Live entertainment from local musicians also contributes to a festive, energetic atmosphere each month.

“We are appreciative of both The City of Madison and The Madison Chamber for all the work they do to support downtown. It’s the heart of Madison, and we want to continue the history of the birthplace of Madison. As Madison continues to grow, we want all residents to know that downtown Madison has so much to offer,” Booth further shared.

Third Thursdays is an opportunity for families to enjoy an evening outside of shopping, dining, and entertainment

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while supporting local businesses. The events start at 6 p.m. and go until 8 p.m. on June 16, July 21, and August 18. During these times, Main Street is closed to traffic and open for pedestrians to walk freely around the main drag of downtown Madison.

For updates and additional event information, The Shoppes of Downtown Madison can be found on social media at Facebook and Instagram.

SPORTS

ALIVIA URRUTIA

Bob Jones athlete ranks No. 1 In Alabama as a seventh grade track star STORY BY BOB LABBE PHOTOS BY JOSHUA BERRY

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She’s fast. She’s smart. She’s an artist. She has a tremendous future ahead of her. All of these accolades are well deserved for 13-year old Alivia Urrutia who has received attention as being ranked the No. 1 seventh grade runner in Alabama in the 400-meter race in both the indoor and outdoor 2021-2022 seasons.

The Discovery Middle School student-athlete is a member of the Bob Jones High varsity track team and has also earned a No. 5 ranking in the United States for the indoor season and a No. 3 ranking among seventh graders nationwide for the

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outdoor track season.

“It wasn’t long ago I noticed I was good and I could go somewhere with track,” said Alivia, who also plays volleyball at Discovery. “I saw myself doing something in the future and I have set my goals to do so.”

On the backside of the closet door in her bedroom she has listed several goals she wanted to achieve and scratches through a goal once she has achieved her personal goal. Her current goals are running the 400-meter race in 56 seconds, the 200-meter event in 24 seconds and be able to jump-serve

in volleyball. As for track goals, Alivia is close to marking through two of her goals as she has posted a 57.5 in the 400m and a 25.2 in the 200m.

She understands at times others remind her she is usually competing against older girls of high school age, but Alivia will not have any part of excuses. She said, “I feel like I should be just as good as the older girls.”

The daughter of Vanessa Walker, Alivia’s biological father lives in Louisville, Ky. Her stepfather, Adriel Walker, has been her coach since she began running and currently volunteers as a coach for the Bob Jones track team. Her brother, Jordan, is a sophomore at Bob Jones, and he, too, runs track and plays football for the Patriots. At the recent Metro Track Meet, Jordan took first place in the 200m and runner-up in the 100m. The family moved to Madison four years ago from Kentucky.

Besides playing volleyball for Discovery, Alivia is a member of the Rocket City Volleyball Club and its 13-U National Team. She participated in dance, gymnastics and soccer, but none of those sports seem to hit home for her as athletics didn’t seem to be working out for her and she began to suffer health issues.

“She was inactive and health issues began to arise while she was in the fourth grade,” said Vanessa. “We had to change her diet and with Adriel’s help as a coach we got her into running track, which we hoped would begin to slim her down. Alivia didn’t like track at first, but soon began to see improvement and gained confidence so she joined the summer track program.”

There was a moment in her first summer track participation Alivia said pushed her to want to succeed in the sport.

“I was running a 100m race when I stumbled and came to a stop. I got mad, so ran as fast as I could and won the race,” added Alivia.

She’s already began thinking of college and the prospects of earning a full scholarship, running track and possibly becoming a civil engineer. With her superior athleticism and desire to succeed, her future looks as bright as any runner Bob Jones has had in recent memory.

Alivia was your typical young girl growing up in her neighborhood in Kentucky, running with her friends, her brother and her father. But there was one important piece of the puzzle that didn’t fit. “I didn’t like running. I disliked it,” said Alivia.

Standing 5-foot-6 and weighing 122 pounds, this dynamo of talent has showed her talents in the just completed school track season. In the Metro Meet, she took first place in both the 200m (26.38) and 400m (59.66). In the Sectional, she won the 400m (57.72) while at the State Meet she finished fourth in the 400m (57.52). As she’s progressed through the season she has seen her times continue to improve.

Like most athletes, Alivia gets into the same routine before each race in a sort of regimen for good luck. She wears the same uniform and undergarments and ties her shoes

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the same way each time she laces up is race preparation. While getting near the starting block she sings the song “Save Your Tears” by The Weekend in her head as a way of calming herself in anticipation of the starting gun. Once the explosive sound erupts, she comes out of the block fast. In the 400m, her style is to sprint the first 200 meters and then glide until coming out of the last curve where she kicks into another sprint to the finish. She admitted she has issues of running the curves, but with the help of her coaches she feels she has now nearly per-

fected her trips around the track in competition.

Away from the track Alivia likes artwork, drawing and making crafts and working on science projects. She also likes to cook. She’s an A-B student in the classroom and understands her studies are just as important for her future as trips around the track. She has the burning desire to succeed.

“I’m proud to have the state and national rankings, but I need to keep working,” added Alivia. “I don’t want to be second. I want to be number one.”

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....................... AROUND TOWN .......................

Pave the Way Home

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Lee Marshall

Founder / CEO Kids to Love Foundation

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The Whitaker Cottage Community at Davidson Farms will be ready to welcome the first girl very soon. You can help “Pave the Way Home” by buying a brick that will be used to build walkways to the cottages.

The Whitaker Cottage Community will be home to young ladies who are aging out of foster care. The cottages, along with our team of mentors, will help them build a bridge to independence as they pursue education or a career. What better way for our girls to arrive home after work or school than to see every day the names of people who believe in them?

The bricks come in two sizes: 4 inches by 8 inches and 8 inches by 9 inches. You can include a custom message in honor or memory of someone you love. It’s a beautiful way to and remind them they never walk alone.

For more information about the Whitaker leave a legacy!

Life in foster care is a rocky road to say the Cottage Community or to buy your brick tovery least. Let’s smooth the path for our girls, day, visit kidstolove.org.

KIDS TO LOVE

HAYLEE’S STORY

For Haylee and her new family, life changed in less than a year STORY BY LEE MARSHALL

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The last year for Haylee was such a whirlwind that it doesn’t actually feel like it was a year.

In April 2021, Haylee was living at Davidson Farms, a foster home for girls run by the Kids to Love Foundation.

She spoke at the foundation’s annual fundraiser, Denim & Diamonds, about her life before and how the Farm had changed it.

By April 2022, Haylee was no longer at the Farm, and when she went to Denim and Diamonds this year, it was with her new family.

“A lot has happened in the past year,” she said.

Haylee was in foster care for more than four years.

She had spent two years with a foster family in Walker County but needed more attention and care. Her social worker contacted Kids to Love, and she was accepted into Davidson Farms.

It was a move Haylee didn’t want to make initially. She had to leave the friends she had made behind.

“I just remember I did not like it the first week I was there,” she said. “I was like ‘this is not what I’m used to.

I’m pushed out of my comfort zone. I do not like it.’ Within the first month I was like ‘OK maybe this is something I can live with.’ Fast forward two years later. I am there. I am loved. It is somewhere that I call home.”

At Davidson Farms, Haylee got everything she needed.

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She had a counselor. She received three meals a day. She made friends.

“It’s where I grew,” she said. “And I grew with the best people.”

And then at Denim & Diamonds, she got the chance to share her story. What she didn’t know at the time was her new parents were sitting in the audience.

They didn’t know either.

Amity and Bob Baron Jr. have been supporters of Kids to Love for years, and that year’s Denim & Diamonds was just like the others they had attended — until it wasn’t.

“I had noticed a very cute blond girl when I came in, and my heart was moved, but I didn’t really know why,” Amity said. “And I just kept watching her throughout the evening interact with other girls, and then she got up to speak. And when she spoke I knew we were in trouble.”

Amity said she had an internal conversation with God throughout the evening.

“When I would look at her, He would say ‘Who is going to be her protector?’” Amity said. “And I would say ‘Clearly her dad would be her protector,’ and the Lord would say to me ‘And that would be Bob.’” Her conversation with the Lord continued through the evening. She found herself speaking with Haylee and told her she was proud of what she had overcome. When the

event was over and Amity and Bob were finally alone and could talk, she thought he would be the voice of reason.

The conversation did not go the way she thought it would.

“I was like ‘Don’t start talking to me, because the Lord has spoken to me very clearly,’” Bob said.

They prayed and discussed it over the weekend and then called Kids to Love CEO Lee Marshall. They set a date to meet with Haylee.

“It was supposed to be just a dinner,” Haylee said. “We sat there for like four or five hours, and we were talking about all the possibilities that could happen from this experience.”

Everyone left that dinner with a good feeling, and they decided to move forward with the adoption process.

Months later, after meetings, counseling, and navigating the legal system, Haylee became Haylee Nicole Baron in November 2021.

For them all, it feels like 10 years have been squeezed into one because of everything that has happened.

“It’s a little overwhelming for us and it’s a little overwhelming for her,” Bob said. “There’s a lot of growth on both sides. There are still challenges. Haylee has managed to survive things that no kid should have to survive. And she survived a system that really nobody should have to survive.”

But they wouldn’t change a thing.

“I think overall for me, the thing that comes back to me, and the Lord was reminding me today of it, is just how humbling it is to be chosen,” Amity said. “And I tell Haylee that all the time. He chose us to be her mom and dad. And the fact that he thinks we’re equipped to do it is humbling.”

And as Haylee prepares to graduate from high school with excellent grades, she looks at everything she has overcome and thanks God for helping her find her forever family and surrounding her with people who helped her get to them.

“In their words they say I was their missing piece,” Haylee said. “And I have never felt more loved or more cared for or treasured in my entire life.

“They were my missing piece as well.”

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Meet Barnie, the new “Facility Dog” at Madison Elementary. Barnie has been a hit with kids since his arrival last month to serve the students.

The Service Dogs Alabama program (www.servicedogsalabama.org/) helps in anxiety, calming, classroom management and other ways.

Barnie is under the direction and care of the school counselor and a teacher who went through rigorous training to qualify Barnie for assignment to the school. Here are some fun photos of Barnie’s interaction with students.

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Madison Living 61

SPEAKEASY PARTY - Last month, the 8th grade ELA department at Discovery Middle School hosted a Speakeasy party to bookend their study on the 1920s Harlem Renaissance. Everyone dressed to the nines, the jazz band played, and Officer Scott busted up the party. There was dancing, mocktails, snacks, and everyone had a great time!

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Madison Living 63

OUT&ABOUT

FUN DAY - Elementary schools throughout Madison held their annual “Fun Days” last month. Columbia and Rainbow are just two of the schools that shared some photos of the event. Their events were a huge success. It was organized by the schools’ PTA groups. Here are some fun photos of the fun day.

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Madison Living 65

OUT&ABOUT

LION GAMES - The inaugural Lion Games event was a success at Liberty Middle School last month. The students who are exceptional in so many ways got to show out during their sporting events with the help of LMS athletics, S2S, Best Buddies, and more. Here are some fun phiotos of the event.

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Madison Living 67

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS!

Cummings Research Park celebrates 60 years of innovation

Explore 2022-2023

Huntsville - Madison

The Orion Amphitheater Huntsville newest entertainment and event venue opens this spring

Discover

attractions, parks and greenways, shopping and dining, entertainment, festivals, music and fun!

CHECK OUT THE NEW EDITION OF EXPLORE! You can find in hundreds of locations in the Huntsville area, or go to www.themadisonrecord.com 68 Madison Living

CHAMBER CONNECTIONS Congratulations to the following business on their recent ribbon cuttings and grand openings.

Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting for MCC Member Downtown Rescue Mission Thrift Store

Ribbon Cutting for MCC Member Flourish

Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting for Alabama Goodwill

Check out more events and services through the Madison Chamber of Commerce at www.madisonalchamber.com and follow them on Facebook

Madison Living 69

CHAMBER CONNECTIONS Congratulations to the following business on their recent ribbon cuttings and grand openings.

Ribbon Cutting for MCC Member Restoring Bodies Fitness & Nutrition

Bob Jones Senior, Zachary Cole is the 2022 Mayor’s Scholarship recipient

Ambassador Luncheon hosted at Terrame Salon & Day Spa featuring Mayor Paul Finley

Check out more events and services through the Madison Chamber of Commerce at www.madisonalchamber.com and follow them on Facebook

70 Madison Living

488149 S U P E R H E R O F U N DAY !

Dust off your cape for the 9th annual Superhero Day, September 10th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Athens Big Spring Memorial Park (Duck Pond) in Athens, Alabama. Enjoy free kids’ activities hosted by local businesses and groups, food trucks, rented rides and inflatables, music, and SUPERHEROES! A gang of about 30-40 Heroes comes out for this event.

Our Real Heroes section features law enforcement, military, fire, farmers, utility linemen, and this year we Promoter: will feature real heroes from the First Responders community in recognition of their service for 9/11.

Saturday, September 10, 2022 Athens Big Spring Memorial (Duck Pond) 100 N. Beaty Street, Athens, AL 35611 Including 50 exhibitors, Parade of Heroes, costume contest, lego vehicle contest and more!

Learn more at https://www.elisblockparty.org BRIAN MAY . Engel & Völkers Huntsville

320 The Bridge Street . Suite 104 . Huntsville . AL 35806

(256) 497-6780 brian.may@evrealestate.com

©2022 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

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The moment everything changes.

Catch your breath. You’re going to do great, and we’re here to help. From pregnancy to birth and all the moments in between, we have everything you need.

Visit oHHbaby.org to learn more about our dedicated maternity services.

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