Madison Living Magazine - June 2023

MADISON LIVING THE GUIDE • AROUND TOWN • SHOPPING • OUT & ABOUT • SCHOOLS • MADISON HOSPITAL • DOWNTOWN

June 2023 madisonlivingmagazine.com

In this issue Celebrating the amazing Class of 2023

Going Above and Beyond

Three Madison employees honored by the Rotary Club of Madison for their service to local citizens

Madison’s downtown is coming alive this summer Local aircraft enthusiasts gather for camaraderie and flying Local athletes selected for North-South All-Star Week Madison Living 1

Let the Family Gathering begin

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MADISON LIVING Sharing the stories that make Madison home!

EDITOR John Few CONTRIBUTORS Bob Labbe Gregg Parker Erin Coggins Joshua Berry Maria Rakoczy Lee Marshall John Peck Mary Lynne Wright Brandy Booth Kassidy Wilkins MARKETING Donna Counts GENERAL MANAGER French Salter

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Madison Living is published monthly by Tennessee Valley Media, Inc. A one-year subscription to Madison Living is $30.79 for 12 issues per year. Single copies are available at select locations throughout the Madison area. To subscribe, call 256-772-6677.

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THE GUIDE

SUMMER FUN! School is out for summer, meaning June is filled with many exciting events for the whole family Pictured above: Madison’s “Sounds of Summer” free concert series - see page 47

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THE GUIDE

Concerts in the Park • Every Monday at 6:30 p.m. • Big Spring Park in Huntsville • www. artshuntsville.org/concerts-in-the-park.

Concerts in the Park showcases homegrown musical talent in a mix of genres from rock, and country to jazz, R&B, and today’s hits. The concerts will take place in downtown Huntsville in Big Spring Park from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. The series is free to the public; everyone should bring their own seating and leashed pets are welcome. Local food trucks and vendors will be onsite offering a diverse array of local cuisine.

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THE GUIDE

Trash Pandas Summer Movie Series • June 28 -7 p.m. • Toyota Field •www.trashpandasbaseball.com The Rocket City Trash Pandas would love for your family to come to Toyota Field for a fun and exciting time watching a movie on the stadium’s videoboard. Their free “Summer Movie Series” continues on June 28. Bring a blanket and sit in the outfield to enjoy the film. Gates open at 6 p.m., movie starts at 7 p.m. For the movie listing and to RSVP, go to www.milb.com/rocket-city/events/movies.

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Jurassic Quest

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THE GUIDE

Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater and Academy announces its 63rd season lineup

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Get ready for a season filled with excitement and adventure on the stage. Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy (FPCTA) announced its 63rd season last week.

Beginning in October, the new season will be filled with original adaptations and plays written by Alabama authors.

The FPCTA season sponsor is Redstone Federal Credit Union.

The Jungle Book FPCTA kicks off the all-new season with Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book” adapted by Josh Mitchell. This is an original adaptation of the most famous short stories in a collection published by Rudyard Kipling in the 1890s-the Mowgli Adventures. This script is faithful to three of the short stories, so it includes elements that will be new to those only familiar with the Disney versions. Still, it has all the usual characters--Mowgli; Baloo, the bear; Bagheera, the panther; Kaa, the python; and of course, Mowgli’s nemesis, Shere Khan, the Bengal tiger.

Deep in the mysterious Jungle lives Mowgli, a curious young boy raised by wolves. When the mighty roar of a fearsome tiger forces Mowgli to leave the only home he’s ever known, the young boy sets off on a journey where he meets an array of jungle creatures. Mowgli must rely on the

guidance of his new friends, a pragmatic panther, and a big brother bear as he learns valuable life lessons through selfdiscovery, brave adventures, and the rules of the jungle.

“The Jungle Book” will be presented October 20-22 and 27-29.

A Christmas Carol Following this wild adventure, FPCTA presents a new adaptation of the Huntsville holiday staple, Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” -- adapted and directed by Cherie Evans. Huntsville’s most beloved family holiday tradition returns to the Fantasy Playhouse stage for the 33rd year this December. Take a trip in time through the past, present, and future with the miserly Mr. Scrooge, three Christmas Spirits, and all the whimsical characters of London town.

With more theater magic than ever before, this Charles Dickens classic will delight all ages as an inspiration to keep Christmas in our hearts all year long.

“A Christmas Carol” will be presented December 1-3 and 7-10 Rapunzel and the Beanstalk In February, Fantasy Playhouse travels back to Nysland Wood for the next fairytale installment by Stephen Tyler

Madison Living 11

THE GUIDE

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Space Monkeys! The Adventures of Baker & Able Rounding out their season, FPCTA launches a new play about the two infamous primates of Alabama history that led the space race in 1959. Written by Stephen Tyler Davis, “Space Monkeys!

The Adventures of Baker & Able” will have its world premiere in partnership with the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in May 2024.

3...2...1...Blastoff! It’s 1959 in Huntsville, Alabama and the space race is on! Scientists around the world were depending on all sorts of creatures to discover the great beyond. But in America, two brave monkeys led the charge for space exploration- Baker and Able! Buckle up and hold on tight as these two courageous creatures take us on an adventure through their imagination, deciphering data and preparing their human astronauts for a discovery of galactic magnitude.

A story of friendship, sacrifice, and dreaming big, this world premiere play will inspire all ages through a special Alabama story set at our very own U.S. Space and Rocket Center.

“Space Monkeys! The Adventures of Baker & Able” will be presented May 16-19, 2024.

Each performance will occur at the Von Braun Center Playhouse in Downtown Huntsville. Season tickets go on sale June 5.

Individual tickets go on sale on August 1.

For more information about the 63rd Theater Season and the Academy classes and camps, visit www.FantasyPlayhouse.org.

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Davis, “Rapunzel and the Beanstalk”. Davis serves as the artistic director for FPCTA. Rapunzel and Jack have always lived on the same cobblestone street but never knew it! Between them sits the run-down cottage of the worst witch in Nysland- Willy Nilly Walliwort. She trips over her broomstick and always leaves her hat behind. Her spells come out wrong and her potions are just plain pitiful.

When Willy Nilly tries to make new friends, she invites her neighbors over for her delicious magic beans! But if she fumbles the recipe, she might end up with a beanstalk she didn’t bargain for...and are those beautiful locks of vines growing from Rapunzel’s head? Climb on up for this adventure to giant places about friendship, trying your best, second chances, and the power of positivity.

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THE GUIDE

Firefly Garden Hikes • Saturdays through July 11• 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. • Huntsville Botanical Garden • hsvbg.org Come to the Huntsville Botanical Gardens for a special guided hike featuring the amazing fireflies that call the Garden home! These intriguing insects are most active as the sun is setting and it starts to get dark. You’ll learn about their life cycle and how you can create a habitat for them in your own backyard.

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THE GUIDE

Southern Fried Film Festival • June 8-11 • Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment, 2211 Seminole Drive • www.southernfriedfilmfestival.org The Southern Fried Film Festival is a 4-day event, screening over 20+ independent films, showcasing local bands and musicians, and hosting innovative panel discussions. During these 4 days in June, SFFF will celebrate the beauty of storytelling, spotlighting films and filmmakers from around the world. The festival allows filmgoers the opportunity to experience a diverse range of storytelling through film, music and technology. Celebrating their 5th year, The Southern Fried Film Festival ready to blast off. The opening night film and gala will be held at INTUITIVE Planetarium at the Space and Rocket Center and the remaining three days of films, concerts and panels will be held at Lowe Mill.

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THE GUIDE

Amy Grant • June 25 • 7:30 p.m. • Mark C. Smith Concert Hall at the VBC • www.vonbrauncenter.com Amy Grant’s career spans more than 40 years and stretches from her roots in gospel into becoming an iconic pop star, songwriter, television personality and philanthropist. With three multi-platinum albums, six platinum albums and four gold albums, her total career album sales have exceeded 30 million and over 1 billion global streams. Grant’s chart success has been consistent throughout her career with six No. 1 hits, 10 Top 40 pop singles, 17 Top 40 Adult Contemporary tracks and multiple Contemporary Christian chart-toppers. In addition to her six GRAMMY® Awards, Grant has earned 26 Dove Awards (including four Artist of the Year Awards) and has been awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well as the Music City Walk of Fame and the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.

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THE GUIDE

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder

June 24 • 7 p.m. • Princess Theatre, Decatur www.princesstheatre.org

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Fifteen Grammy Awards. Nine Academy of Country Music Awards.

Eight Country Music Association Awards. Three honorary doctorates. These are just a few of the many accolades of singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Ricky Skaggs. An icon of the country and bluegrass genres, Skaggs is a member of the Grand Ole Opry and has been inducted into both the Country Music and International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) halls of fame. Skaggs’ extensive discography includes 12 consecutive Grammy-nominated albums and 12 number-one hits on Billboard’s Country chart, including “Crying My Heart Out Over You,” “Highway 40 Blues,” “Honey (Open That Door),” and “Heartbroke. Eight-time IBMA Instrumental Group of the Year winners Kentucky Thunder join Skaggs for an unforgettable performance.

COMING EVENTS! June 1 - Singer-Songwriter Series 7 pm Marla Cannon Goodman & Josh Martin June 6 - UNION - Award Winning independent film 7 pm (includes Meet the Makers Q&A following the film Filmed in Alabama and Director by Alabama Film Maker Romance set against the backdrop of the Civil War

June 24 - Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder in concert 7 pm

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THE GUIDE

Burritt on the Mountain celebrates 30th season of City Lights & Stars Concert Series

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Burritt on the Mountain is a beautiful place to visit anytime but when there is great live music and good food, that just makes it even better. Burritt knows that, which is why they are now celebrating 30 wonderful seasons of City Lights & Stars Concert Series at Burritt on the Mountain For the 30th season, the City Lights & Stars Concert Series will feature eight concerts starting at 7:30 p.m. 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 Alabama stars with the 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. Food trucks will be onsite and wine, beer and other drinks are sold at every concert.

The backbone of Burritt’s educational programs Community support is pivotal to Burritt’s educational

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programs, including camps, field trips, family festivals, and outreach. This support assures the finances necessary for Burritt on the Mountain to build community through educational, artistic, and recreational experiences. The City Lights and Stars Concert Series is part of the foundation of support for one of Huntsville’s most exceptional educational programs. Without your assistance, Burritt could not create the variety of opportunities for our community.

2023 Concert Dates June 16 – Kush The name KUSH comes from an ancient African empire.

Many artists have influenced KUSH. Reggae ambassador Bob Marley’s influence is quite evident in the “Roots,” while artists such as Sean Paul and Beenie Man have influenced the harder hitting “Dance Hall” styles performed by the band. The group also receives inspiration from the many “Calypso” and “Soca” artists. Kush’s mainstream influences include Sade, Bob Dylan and Santana to name a few.

July 7 – Eric Essix Over a period of more than 32 years, Eric has maintained a steady flow of new music that continues to push the boundaries of contemporary jazz. Eric shares his Birmingham Alabama southern roots through his compositions. His music reveals the soul of the man and his music.

Eric will be releasing his latest album “Stride”. This is his 28’th album which is distributed by Virgin Music/Universal Music Group.

July 21 – Fireball Mail Fireball Mail bluegrass band – Winners of the 2016 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Contest. The group embodies a unique combination of instrumental virtuosity and prolific songwriting talent with an impressive catalog of fresh and original material. Collectively, Fireball Mail has an extensive resume of touring and recording experience including appearances with such notable artists as Buddy Green, Curtis Burch and Ricky Skaggs.

August 11 – Kaleidoscope Kaleidoscope is a classic rock band featuring a terrific full horn section bringing classic Rock, R&B and Soul music to North Alabama. The band performs songs by groups such as Chicago, Blood Sweat and Tears, the Doobie Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eric Clapton, Etta James, Blues Brothers, and others.

September 8 – Calypso Vision Eclectic “Gumbo Mix” of Buffett-Style Trop and Classic Rock, grounded in good alternative roots, and a few Hippie Surprises, Calypso Vision brings its beach party ready to go, with all the spontaneous fun you need to turn an evening into a trip down island! Offering a “better attitude from another latitude”.

September 22 – In the Mood Swing Band Calling Huntsville “Hometown”, Huntsville’s In the Mood is an exciting 21 piece big band. Specializing in swing and jazz making every occasion an exciting event. Influences include Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, Henry Mancini, Cole Porter Bobby Darrin, Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie.

Also, Cocktails at The View Join Burritt every Wednesday 5-8 p.m. through October.

Watch the sun go down and enjoy a cocktail on the elevated Overlook. You bring your friends, they provide The View.

Gorgeous sunsets and the best view of Huntsville thru October every Wednesday evening rain or shine. Ride with a friend and carpool to help with parking, especially on beautifully gorgeous evenings.

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For more information on any event at Burritt, go to www.burrittonthemountain.com.

Madison Living 23

LOOKING AHEAD

All About Birds Fun Day • Saturday, July 8 • 10 am – 2 pm • Cook Museum of Natural Science • www.cookmuseum.org Birds have always captured the attention and imagination of humans. At All About Birds Fun Day, you can learn more about these highflying, feathered friends! Anniston Museums and Gardens will be bringing some of their raptors to show guests the beauty of birds up close.

There will be a number of hands-on stations including some presented by Huntsville Botanical Garden. Please note that guests will NOT be able to touch the birds. Schedule: • Raptor “Meet and Greet” with Anniston Museums and Gardens: 10 am – 2 pm • Hands-on Bird Beak Activities with Huntsville Botanical Garden: 10 am – 2 pm • Hands-on Microscope Stations: 10 am – 2 pm • Selfie Station: 10 am – 2 pm • Feathered Friends Scavenger Hunt: All Day in the Exhibits

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INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS

ENGAGING ACTIVITIES

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DISCOVER SOMETHING

GROUPS

TAKING TO THE SKIES

Local aircraft enthusiasts gather for camaraderie and flying STORY BY ERIN COGGINS PHOTOS BY JOSHUA BERRY

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I

It’s a bird. It’s a plane. Yes, it’s a plane.

Residents in Harvest can spot planes soaring over George Epp’s property as it is the home runway for the North Alabama Radio Control Association (NARCA).

The organization, formed in 1985, by 10 men now boasts 46 members, three of whom were part of the original group.

When the organization was established, these men were members of another RC club in Huntsville and had become disillusioned with the direction that the club was taking and started looking for a new home.

“They found a field, a few miles north of Epps Field, and formed NARCA there. A few years later, the landowner decided he no longer wanted an RC club on his property. Shortly thereafter Mr. George Epps’ property was brought up as a potential new flying field,” NARCA president, Chuck Pierce said. “Mr. Epps, who was a lover of aviation of all sorts, was approached about allowing NARCA to use a portion of his grass runway for their flying field, and Mr. Epps quickly agreed. NARCA has been there ever since.”

Pierce grew up in an Air Force household and wanted to be a pilot in the Air Force, but poor vision and color blindness did not allow him to do so. He found his alternative in RC airplanes in the mid-2000s. He flew them for about a year, then bent a propeller shaft, set the airplane on the shelf and kind of forgot about RC planes for 10 years.

“In 2015, I walked into a hobby shop and saw a 4-channel powered glider sitting on the shelf. It was outfitted with everything, except a transmitter and battery,” Pierce said. “I bought the aircraft, a 5-channel transmitter, and a couple of batteries, and took the airplane system home. I flew the aircraft on my own for several months, then I saw a flier in a hobby shop about NARCA.” Pierce contacted the then NARCA president, Rick Nelson, who visited the field a couple of times and then joined the club.

“Rick was and still is my mentor,” Pierce said. “He helped me learn and hone the skills to be a good RC pilot. Even to this day, if I’m flying an expensive and/or complex aircraft for the first time, I like to have Rick standing next to me, giving me advice when I need it.

Learning never ends.”

There are basically two groups of hobbies in this organization. The first group are builders and fliers of their planes. The second group are fliers and not much into building. Both groups fly.

“The builders enjoy the construction of their planes from kits. Some of these kits may take months to com-

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plete. Once completed the flight is the icing on the cake to enjoy the flight from labor to construction,” long-time member Cliff Lanham said. “The flier group purchases their planes almost ready to fly.

These aircraft come in modules that are assembled before flying.”

Lanham, Pierce says, is quick to say that these aircraft are not toys.

When it comes to model aviation, Pierce says there are two main types of aircraft: fixed-wing and rotary-wing. Rotary-wing aircraft have rotor wings, generating lift by rotating around a vertical mast, like a helicopter. Fixed-wing aircraft use the engine or motor to push or pull the aircraft forward, which generates airflow across the wings. Both operate the same way that real, full-scale aircraft operate. Pierce prefers flying fixed-wing aircraft.

“Our aircraft are uncrewed, meaning that there’s not a pilot onboard. As the name implies, we control these aircraft remotely, using a radio system. The radio receiver is on board, and the RC pilot on the ground uses a hand-held radio transmitter to send commands to the receiver,” Pierce said. “There’s really no limit to the number of functions onboard the

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Madison Living 29

aircraft, other than by the number of channels of the radio itself.”

As far as flying these RC planes, there are several ways to learn the craft. The computer-based RC simulator is a good way to gain the basic skills to fly, but Pierce suggests that beginner pilots learn to fly under the direct supervision and guidance of an experienced RC pilot.

“In using learning under direct supervision, the trainer and the beginner are standing side by side and can verbally communicate with one another.

It makes for a good learning environment,” Pierce said. “The trainer gets it off the ground and the beginner initially flies slow circuits, to get practice turning, banking and maintaining and changing altitude. The aircraft is high enough that if the beginner gets into trouble, the trainer has plenty of time to regain a healthy altitude for the aircraft. As the beginner gains experience and confidence, more skills are taught, such as rolls and loops, then takeoffs and landings.

Pierce says that landing the aircraft is by far the most difficult task.

“The ground is unforgiving, the aircraft’s speed

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is too low and there’s often turbulence close to the ground,” Pierce said. “In fact, even though I consider myself to be a rather skilled RC pilot, it’s very common for me to dedicate flights to doing nothing but landings and takeoffs. You must practice, practice, practice. The learning never ends.”

Growing up a warbird enthusiast, Pierce loves to fly World War II warbirds. In fact, he has close to 100 aircraft and around 90% of them are warbirds.

“I like warbirds because they are historical and are usually very beautiful aircraft. If you ask other NARCA members what I like to fly, they will probably tell you Luftwaffe warbirds,” Pierce said. “A rather long-time favorite airplane of mine is the FMS F7F Tigercat. It’s a twin-engine navy warbird.

It has gobs of power. It’s absolutely gorgeous in the air. I often joke that the Tigercat makes me look like a much better pilot than I really am.”

Besides hosting monthly meetings, NARCA hosts several events, including a regional event called Aero Tow. This event, which usually occurs in October, spans four days and focuses on flying gliders.

Quarterly, the group organizes picnics for its members. There may be a theme, such as Piper Cubs or warbirds, in which those are the types of planes brought to fly.

32 Madison Living

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“These events are as much about socializing as they are about flying,” Pierce said.

Pierce says those interested in joining NARCA should visit the field or attend a monthly meeting.

This way potential members can see how the group does things and act in relation to each other. Prospective members can take a turn at a test flight to see if they are interested in pursuing the hobby in more depth.

“If potential members belong to the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), they can fly at the field a few times as a visitor,” Pierce said. “If they visit us and decide they want to become a member, I suggest they start with an aircraft that is a high-wing trainer.

These aircraft are stable and slow.”

NARCA prides itself on a beautiful grass runway, nice pits area and running water and flush toilets, but Pierce says there is more to their group than what others may see.

“We all came to NARCA to fly model aircraft, but we all stayed because we genuinely enjoyed each other’s company,” Pierce said. “We also have some extremely skilled flyers in the club and these guys love to help others become better flyers and to help fix aircraft that are not flying well. The people are what makes NARCA special.”

Madison Living 33

OUT&ABOUT

MADISON CITY FARMERS MARKET - We decided to pay a visit last month to the Madison City Farmers Market. As always this time of year, the Market was busy and full of fun. A sizable crowd took advantage of the nice weather on Saturday, May 27, to check out the many offerings the Market provides. Located at 1088 High Road, next to Trinity Baptist Church, Madison City Farmers Market is a producer-only farmers market founded in 2007. Everything sold at the market is grown or crafted by local farmers and craftspeople. It is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. You can find out more at www. madisoncityfarmersmarket.com. Photos by Caleb Odom

Arthur Talley showcases his produce from Talley’s Fruit Farm in Crossville.

34 Madison Living

ABOVE: David Reeves and Chad Hampton greet a customer interested in strawberries from Reeves Farm on May 27.

LEFT: Jiana McDonald welcomes patrons to check out her family’s assortment of salsa and seasonings from Muchacha de Masias Spice Company which has some restaurant locations in Colorado.

BELOW: Shannon McGee organizes her plants at the Madison Farmers Market. McGee Plants and Produce was bombarded with customers.

Madison Living 35

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ABOVE AND BEYOND Rotary Club of Madison honors three City of Madison employees for going “above and beyond” in serving local citizens STORY BY GREGG PARKER PHOTOS BY JOSHUA BERRY

Madison Living 37

38 Madison Living

T

2001, and he has been working for the city since 2018. He has spent most of his time assigned to the Special Operations Division in the Traffic Unit, and he has additional training as a Traffic Homicide Investigator, Advanced Crash Investigator, and Accident Reconstruction specialist.

Overcash said when Sergeant Dixon took over command of the Traffic Safety Unit earlier this year, he immediately began setting expectations for his unit members and scheduled each of them for advanced training in traffic safety and crash re-construction investigations. His diligence in preparing his staff for their new responsibilities has led to the successful investigation and closure of several reckless driving cases.

In the past year, he has been an integral part of closing major investigations. For example, Sergeant Dixon’s vigilance and attention to detail led directly to the arrest of a double homicide suspect last August. After responding to the area of a reported shooting on Angela Drive, Sgt. Dixon ensured all assistance was on-scene. He learned that two Sergeant Michael Dixon, Police Officer of the Year victims had been shot and killed. Sgt. Dixon then began a Sergeant Michael Dixon has been a certified officer since comprehensive search for two suspects that had fled the The city of Madison is filled with outstanding employees who strive daily to meet the city’s mission statement of helping increase the quality of life for all Madison residents. For the past 23 years, the Rotary Club of Madison has selected three of those employees to honor. Working with the city, the Rotary Club has again recognized exemplary city workers in law enforcement, fire protection and community services. “These fine employees have been selected by their supervisors for this well-deserved recognition,” Debbie Overcash said.

Overcash is a Rotarian and chairs the award program.

During a recent Madison City Council meeting, she presented city employee Michelle Dunson, MPD Sergeant Michael Dixon and firefighter Cole Edwards with plaques for being named Madison’s Employee of the Year.

In addition to the plaque, they will receive their name on City Hall’s perpetual plaque, four tickets to Dead Parrot Society Bash and monetary donations from Rotary and Optimist Club of Madison.

Madison Living 39

scene. During this search he noticed a suspicious vehicle that may have been involved in the shooting. As he approached the vehicle, he noticed a person emerging from a wooded area nearby and took him into investigative detention. It was later determined that this subject was the actual shooter of the two victims. Some discarded clothing was found in the woods where the subject had been.

In addition, last October, he was instrumental in the capture of a murder suspect out of Chicago. After a Limestone County investigator working with the FBI asked for drone assistance, Sgt. Dixon immediately went to the scene. Within 11 minutes, Sgt. Dixon was able to locate the suspect. Guiding officers and agents to the scene was difficult because he was unable to talk to them directly and had to go through Dispatch, who relayed the information to the Officers and Agents on the ground.

However, they were soon able to surround the suspect and take him into custody without incident. Sgt. Dixon’s quick arrival and deployment of the drone equipment was instrumental in the capture of the fleeing murder suspect and was in keeping with the highest standard of the Madison Police Department.

“Sergeant Dixon’s superior knowledge, dedication, character, and exemplary performance reflect highly upon the Madison Police Department and the City of Madison,” said Police Chief Johnny Gandy. “He is an excellent example for all officers to follow and an asset to the Madison Police Department and the citizens you serve.”

Outside of work, Sgt. Dixon is married to his wife, Amanda, and they have three daughters– Katelyn, Jessica, and Liana.

Cole Edwards, Firefighter of the Year Cole Edwards has worked for the city since August 2022, and he currently serves as a firefighter at Station 2 on B-shift. Before he started working for the city, he was a career firefighter in Tennessee and an Advanced EMT. His Captain states that Cole has contributed greatly to his team’s success in providing care for Madison’s citizens. Cole has shown great fireground and EMS delivery abilities, and he consistently demonstrates a positive attitude. He also strives to better himself and his company through dedication to training and physical fitness.

Like many firefighters, Cole has a part-time job. On some off-duty days, he works for Rocket City Bin Cleaning. The owner of this company, Mr. Lance Nation, detailed two incidents where Cole, while off duty, took quick actions to save citizens. On one occasion Cole and Mr. Nation were on Hwy. 72, when they witnessed a motorcycle crash. The rider became airborne with his helmet flying off as he landed in a travel lane. Cole quickly reached the unconscious rider and assessed his condition. He found him with a compromised airway and was able to safely reposition him to clear his airway allowing the patient to breathe effectively. Cole manually main-

40 Madison Living

Madison Living 41

tained a clear airway and assisted other EMS providers with patient packaging once they arrived. The patient was regaining consciousness as they left the scene.

On a second occasion, Cole was alone on a route and realizing that he smelled smoke he began to look for its source. He soon found significant smoke in a neighborhood and located a house with flames through the roof over the attached garage area. He also noticed a car in the driveway and quickly stopped to ensure all occupants were safe. Not able to find a resident outside, he entered the residence, and noticed smoke beginning to show in the living area. He quickly located the female resident taking a shower. She had no knowledge of the fire. Cole helped her to quickly rescue her dog and moved her to safety across the street from the house. He briefed the responding Huntsville Firefighters and made sure the resident was safe and uninjured before continuing his route.

“Cole embodies the characteristics of courage and compassion that are so needed in our profession. He is also a good team player. He trains hard with his shift, is an aggressive firefighter; and he is ready at a second’s notice to move to help anyone in need,” said Madison Fire Chief David Bailey. “One of the characteristics I admire the most about Cole is being humble. I had to go ask Cole about the two incidents detailed here. I had not heard about either

42 Madison Living

incident until weeks later when Mr. Nation dropped by the office to praise Cole and tell me how fortunate Madison is to have him as part of our team.”

Outside of work, Cole enjoys spending time with his wife Erin, who also has a heart for service and works as a Health Care Provider. Cole even works more on his off time to serve his community as a volunteer firefighter.

Michelle Dunson, Employee of the Year Michelle is the City of Madison’s Deputy Director of Engineering, and she has worked for the city since 2019. She manages nearly all city infrastructure projects from the initial proposal stage through construction closeout, and works very closely with other departments, including Public Works, Recreation, and Planning.

Overcash said there are many reasons why Michelle was nominated for this award, but it starts with her professional relationship with the city’s consulting engineers, public works crews, outside contractors, and utility partners. She is always well prepared for meetings, and she communicates effectively with others through the different phases of construction. She also handles resident concerns with care, compassion, and fantastic follow up.

Michelle shows good judgment when resolving issues in the field and reviewing design plans. At predetermined

Madison Living 43

checkpoints throughout the design process, she provides thorough plan review identifying utility and drainage conflicts, right-of-way and easement acquisition requirements, constructability concerns, plus any design course corrections to keep the project on track. Providing these reviews and notes in the early phases of design greatly reduces the need for costly and time-consuming redesign and field revisions during construction.

Michelle has extensive knowledge of engineering concepts, but she is still always learning. She keeps up to date with new products and techniques through periodicals & seminars, and she is comfortable in the field learning from contractors and skilled workers.

“Michelle is an indispensable part of the Engineering Department, and we are very fortunate to have her on our staff,” said City Engineer Michael Johnson. “When met with challenges, she has the courage to ask questions and the resourcefulness to research new solutions.”

Mayor Paul Finley added, “During our City Engineer transition, Michelle was the rock that kept projects and communication going. Her long hours wearing two hats were greatly appreciated and critical to our community success.”

Outside of work, Michelle enjoys spending time with her husband, Nick Sanders, and their dog Shelby, a golden retriever and German Shepherd mix. She also is close to her sister and her three nieces, as well as a couple of nephews. She loves fishing and running.

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DOWNTOWN

SUMMER OF FUN

Downtown Madison will host several opportunities for fun this summer, including “3rd Thursdays” and “Sounds of Summer” STORY BY BRANDY BOOTH

Madison Living 47

T

This may just be the summer of downtown Madison. As historic Madison continues to thrive with more businesses making their home downtown, the Shoppes of Historic Downtown Madison and Madison Arts Alliance have continued planning multiple events for everyone to come out and enjoy an evening downtown.

The Shoppes of Historic Madison have kicked off their Third Thursdays, May-August, from 4-8 pm, on Main Street, downtown Madison. In addition, Madison Arts Alliance is hosting their “Sounds of Summer” free concert series.

Both originations have partnered with Madison Visionary Partners (MVP) to host multiple events throughout the year. MVP has been a foundational support and fiscal sponsor for the downtown business owners to cover required permits. It is a non-profit organization that spearheads small and large projects in Madison to enrich the quality of life in the city of Madison.

Shoppes launched Third Thursdays in 2022 and has continued into this year. Third Thursdays, which runs MayAugust (June 15, July 20, and August 17), will give all a

48 Madison Living

family-friendly venue to enjoy the evening including food trucks, live music, events and activities for the kids, as well as extended shopping at all your favorite downtown stores.

Third Thursdays The downtown Shoppes owners have been meeting and planning over the past few months to give everyone a variety of reasons to visit downtown each month May - August, from 4-8 p.m. each Third Thursday.

“Our goal is to give all the residents of Madison more entertainment within our town. Instead of them having to drive to outlying cities, we want to give them entertainment, shopping, and restaurants within our city limits, shared Shannon Fisher, the co-owner of one of the shops downtown, All About Lemon and Lavender. “Supporting Madison businesses filters money right back into one of the most important aspects of what everyone loves about our town - the schools. So our events that give Madison residents an avenue of entertainment are cyclical, coming back to support their family through education via sales tax dollars.”

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The foundational attributes of each month will be consistent, but with new surprises each month. Here are a few highlights not to miss: • Favorite local food trucks have all been scheduled out. Each month there will be 2-3 main food trucks alongside 2-3 drinks and dessert food trucks.

• A variety of other local food vendors have been invited to attend to showcase and sell their treats.

• Musician Brandon Morris will be playing again this year.

• Inflate North Alabama will be setting up one of their bounce houses, so make sure to bring the kids.

• At 4:30 & 5:00 there will be silent yoga - bring a yoga mat • Meet n Greet with Exotic Pets via Animal Traxx, will be set up on Main Street • Flower Cart at 16 Main - pick up some live florals to brighten your home or to gift via Lemon & Lavender • Many downtown businesses will be extending hours till 8:00 pm

Madison Living 49

Downtown Madison is full of history and southern charm. Any day is a good day for a visit.

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• And don’t forget, Main Street Cafe and Old Black Bear are always open.

Sounds of Summer The Madison Arts Alliance has an exciting lineup planned for their concert series. Groove will help kick the series off in downtown Madison on June 8 starting at 7 p.m. A popular North Alabama band, Groove is known for funk, R&B, soul, pop and dance party music.

The re-imaged series follows the tradition of the Gazebo Concert Series, which was once held in downtown Madison’s village green. The new format is being held at Home Place Park, 100 Shorter Street.

Food trucks will be available. Those planning to come are encouraged to bring a chair.

Other dates and performers in the series include The Zooks on June 22, Calypso Vision on July 13, Jimmy

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Madison Living 51

Henderson Trio on July 27 and Kelly Joyner on August 10.

The concerts will start at 7 p.m. and end at 9 p.m.

Local support has continued to grow to revitalize downtown Madison as more and more retail and restaurants open. Just over the past few months, a plethora of more businesses have opened downtown. Here’s a look at all the new businesses: • Mia Bella Candle Co. - located on the side of 16 Main

Street, featuring an assortment of candle scents and sizes • Elegance on Main, 206 Main Street - downtown’s newest salon • Tactical Grooming, 105E Church Street - downtown barbershop catering to today’s man • Esthetics and Cryoskin by Tonia LLC, 105 Church St. To keep up with current events in downtown Madison, check out Shoppes of Historic Madison on Facebook.

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MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY - It was a beautiful morning to honor those who have given their lives in the service of our country. The Madison American Legion Post 229 hosted the annual Memorial Day ceremony at Captain Jesse Ollie Wikle Jr. Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Madison. Madison youth were strongly represented by the Bob Jones JROTC, Scouts and Girl Scouts who participated in the ceremony. They were honored to be joined by several dignitaries, including Medal of Honor recipient COL (US Army Ret.) Mike Sprayberry. Photos by Caleb Odom and American Legion Post 229

Madison Living 53

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Madison Living 55

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

Physician of the Year Roderick Zalamea, MD

Nurse, Physician, Employee and Volunteer of the Year

N

National Hospital Week is one of my favorite times of the year.

Held in May to coincide with the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the most famous nurse in history, it is a time to celebrate the immeasurable contributions of health care workers everywhere.

Keeping Madison Hospital running around the clock is no easy feat. We employ about 750 people from across the region. This includes nurses and doctors, of Mary Lynne course, but also therapists, health Wright care assistants, pharmacists, lab technicians, imaging experts, soPresident cial workers and many more cliniMadison Hospital cal and allied health professionals.

We also have a large number of non-clinical staff who work mostly behind the scenes making Madison Hospital go. They clean patient rooms, prepare meals, provide security, fix equipment that breaks, register new patients, keep our computer systems up to date, and much more.

During National Hospital Week, we recognize four very special individuals as our Nurse, Physician, Employee and Volunteer of the Year. I’d like to take a moment to tell you about this year’s honorees.

Brian Denton, RN, is our 2023 Nurse of the Year. He’s a

...

58 Madison Living

skilled caregiver, fantastic mentor to younger nurses, model employee and just all-around great guy. Brian has been with Madison Hospital since 2015 – first as an ER nurse and now as a key member of our Acute Medical Care Unit team. As a show of just how much he is trusted, Brian also serves as our relief house supervisor.

Roderick Zalamea, MD, is our 2023 Physician of the Year.

A board-certified radiologist with Radiology of Huntsville and longtime member of our medical staff, Dr. Zalamea specializes in cardiothoracic and women’s imaging. A University of Tennessee College of Medicine graduate, he completed his diagnostic radiology residency at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis followed by a cardiothoracic imaging fellowship at Wake Forest University.

Markina Cook is our 2023 Employee of the Year. A clinical education specialist in our Clinical Outcomes department, Markina spends her days meticulously reviewing patient data to ensure that we comply with all government regulations and live up to our goal of being safe, caring and kind to every patient. It’s a huge responsibility that Markina manages with professionalism and grace.

Jean Warren is our 2023 Volunteer of the Year. Jean started as a volunteer in our Food Service Department, helping check our shelves for any expired food products. When she heard that other hospital units needed someone to check their stockrooms for expired products, she jumped right in.

Jean loves organizing and does it with great thoroughness.

She is always happy and has a contagious positive spirit.

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

Markina Cook, Employee of the Year

Jean Warren, Volunteer of the Year

Brian Denton, RN, Nurse of the Year

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60 Madison Living

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Last summer, a little girl came home to Davidson Farms, a backpack among her meager belongings. A piece of yarn tied to the handle of that backpack caught our eye. We recognized the yarn because our team tied it, a color-coded piece of string we use as we fill backpacks with school supplies. This girl was moving into the Farm and we had already touched her life.

We call our annual school supply drive “More than a Backpack” because that’s what it is for our kids. Backpacks are not just a means to get books and pencils to school. They often function as a suitcase when foster children are moved from home to home, and moves happen

a lot. They carry clothes, maybe a toothbrush.

With your help, our kids will also carry confidence with their backpacks. More than a Backpack equips children in foster care with the things they need on the first day of school. We give them new boxes of crayons, notebooks and calculators and other basic supplies so they can sit next to their classmates, ready to learn.

“More than a Backpack” is one the easiest ways to be involved with Kids to Love. You can Click, Ship & Give through our Amazon store, pick up supplies at a store and bring them to us, or host a drive. All the information you need to know is listed at kidstolove.org

SPORTS

ALL-STARS

Local high school athletes selected for AHSAA North-South All-Star Week STORY BY BOB LABBE

Madison Living 61

Janiyah Bone - Basketball

S

Summer vacation will be extra special for an assemblage of high school athletes from across Alabama in the annual AHSAA North-South All-Star Week. Each of the participating athletes are 2024 rising seniors and were selected to play in the nine-sport extravaganza by the Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association. Both boys and girls competitions will be held in the Capitol City of Montgomery July 17-22.

A ninth sport, football will hold its 65th annual NorthSouth All-Star Football game in December. The South defeated the North 42-17 in last year’s game as the South holds a 35-27-2 lead in the series, which was first played in 1948.

The eight athletic endeavors in July include competitions in baseball, softball, volleyball and boys and girls basketball, soccer, cross country, tennis and golf.

To be chosen for the annual week-long competitive but friendly competition is an experience only a few athletes will have the luxury to live-out in their athletic endeavors of their youth. Just to be considered among the best within Alabama is a feeling of joy and pride.

“This is totally unexpected as I’ve never been chosen

62 Madison Living

Megan Jarrett- Volleyball

for anything like this,” said Bob Jones’ Janiyah Bone, who was selected to play for the North squad in girls basketball.

“This is exciting and I’m happy to be chosen, as I get to play versus some really good opponents.”

Bone, the 5-foot-8 guard is a hard worker and leads by example on the court as she gets others involved. As team captain she leads by being unselfish in her play for the Lady Patriots. She’s smart in the classroom with a 3.6 grade point average and is considered a “smart” player on the court as on defense she boxes out very well for rebounds and has quick feet, which put her in the best position to make the plays needed to win. She’s very athletic and fast of foot.

“I feel I’m smart on offense as I’m always looking for good shots, but I also look for my teammates who may have better opportunities to scores for us,” said Bone, who played softball as a catcher and third baseman, but stopped in the seventh grade as she chose between softball and basketball to place her concentration efforts at a high level. “I shot on 80-percent of my free throws while I feel I know when to be aggressive in my field goal shooting.”

Bone can carry a tune with a lovely singing voice and actually has a hobby to use coloring books with crayons as

stress relief.

Megan Jarrett will ride into her final year as a high school student-athlete this fall after experiencing her appearance in the All-Star Week as a member of the North All-Star volleyball team as a libero and defensive specialist. The 5-foot-8 Bob Jones Patriot earned numerous honors as her accolades included All-Area, All-State Tournament Team and All-State so named by the coach’s association.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity and I feel I was chosen because I play for others on the team and I feel I’m a team leader,” said Jarrett. “I’m gritty and very competitive. That’s what drives me. I have what I call a whole heart on the floor.”

“Meg is definitely a leader on our team, the team encourager and helps spark their energy,” said Jenny Jarrett, head coach of the Patriots and who just happens to be Megan’s mother, as well.

On the court Jarrett has 1,490 digs, 201 assists, 175 aces and has posted 233 kills in her high school volleyball play. She has verbally committed to play for UAB once graduating high school in 2024.

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petition level now into overdrive, she came back to the court much sooner than what even her doctors thought she would.

“I feel like I’m committed as all I wanted to do was get back on the court,” added Jarrett. “I handled the situation and made a difference in my junior season.” As for Jarrett playing for her mother, the young Jarrett added, “It’s amazing. I would not have it any other way. We finished our last season at 51-7 and was state runner-up. I think it was great for my mother’s first year as head coach.”

The selections for the cross country squads heavily feature local athletes including three from James Clemens.

This is a first in All-Star Week history for three members for the same school to be selected.

For the Jets, the selections include Emma Bothern who has the fastest time of any girl on the North All-Star teams with a personal best time of 19:13. She was an All-State runner in her junior season. Also selected was Dylan Dryer who won the Adidas Indoor National Championship in the 800-meter. In the cross country race, he’s second ranked among the class of 2024 with a personal best time of 15:49.

Cole Robinson, ranked eighth in the U.S. in the two-mile race and fifth in Alabama in the cross country distance, is the third Jet selected for the Montgomery competition.

Cole is a strong runner who will go out hard and use his

64 Madison Living

speed in the last mile.

“I think it’s so cool to be chosen, especially with teammates,” said Robinson, who carries a 3.6 grade point average and would love nothing better than run in college with a scholarship. “I was always the fastest kid in elementary school and played baseball until sixth grade. I had a cousin who was into cross country running and he suggested I try the sport. I tried out while attending Liberty Middle School.”

His efforts have paid dividends as he also qualified for three events in the recent AHSAA Track & Field State Meet.

After his track season Robinson has continued his hardnosed training in preparation for the seventh annual cross country All-Star event.

Besides Bothern, the North girl’s roster features Sparkman’s Samantha Menikheim. Sporting a 4.0 grade point average in her studies and having qualified for four events in the 2023 State Track Meet, the 5-foot-5 talent scurries on training runs that total 55 miles a week. She can be seen on local Greenways, her local neighborhood and, on occasions, along the streets of old-town downtown Huntsville.

“I’m really excited about the All-Star event as I love racing, especially knowing I can race during the summer,” said Menikheim, who, like the other All-Star athletes, will be facing the mid-July heat of South Alabama. “I do typically

Emma Bothern - Track

Samantha Menikheim - Track

start fast in my races and usually have a strong finish.”

An incident while playing soccer put Menikheim on the trail to run cross country.

“I had a knee injury that kept me out of soccer so I decided to pursue running as my parents asked me to try it,” added the Lady Senator, who played the flute instrument in the school band in grades six to nine. “Here I am today

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five years later. I never thought I’d be a runner as I hated running. I love it now.”

The North All-Star roster for basketball includes, Jamya Griffin of Sparkman and Janiyah Bone of Bob Jones in girls and Julius Wonston of Bob Jones on the boys team. The North won both games last summer. The North girls won 75-52 to improve 22-3 in the annual series and the North

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Julius Wonston - Basketball

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boys won 101-91 and now holds a 50-29 edge in the series.

In volleyball, the North roster features Megan Jarrett of Bob Jones. The North won the 2022 matchup 3-2 and improved to 15-9 in the series which was first played in 1997.

Cross Country athletes for the North include Emma Bothern of James Clemens of James Clemens and Samantha Menikheim in girls and Cole Robinson and Dylan Dryer of James Clemens for the boys. In 2022, the North girls won the competition 19-38 to improve to 3-2 in the series which was added to the All-Star Week lineup in 2017. In boys, the South defeated the North 22-33. The North boys also hold a 3-2 edge in the series.

The baseball matchup between the North and South will feature one player from the local teams. Braden Booth (Jr., 6-0, 180, P/3B) of Bob Jones will travel to Montgomery. The super-talented Patriot led the team in 2023 in homeruns (7), RBIs (36), batting average (.410), hits (57) and doubles (10). He was second on the team in runs scored (40) and stolen bases (20). On the mound, Booth was third in innings pitched (53) wins (7) and strikeouts (63).

The North leads the series 23-15-2 in baseball.

In the softball competition scheduled to be played at Lagoon Park, Natalia Kenyatta of Bob Jones, a 5-foot-5 3B/C will be the lone representative for the local schools.

Former longtime softball coach Kent Chambers will be involved in his usual capacity as in the administrative duties among the North’s coaching staff. The North swept last year’s games 6-3 and 10-5 to up its lead in the series 29-23-3.

The 27th annual Soccer competition will be held at Emory Folmar Stadium on July 19. The North girls lead the series 17-3-1 and the North boys hold a 14-4-1 advantage.

Local schools have provided one boy and one girl to the All-Star lineup. In girls, Chelsey Curtis (5-4, MID/W) will represent the recent Class 7A State Champion Sparkman Senators. Owen Tarrer (5-11, 155, FOR) of Bob Jones will face the action for the boys.

Two rather new sports added to the All-Star lineup, tennis and golf, enter the fourth year of competition. The North girls squad feature Lauren Sheehy of Bob Jones and Clara Tran of Sparkman. Heading up the coaching staff for the North squad will be Corey Wright of Bob Jones. The golf match will be played at Arrowhead Country Club in Montgomery. The North leads the series in both boys and girls with the girls leading 2-1 and the boys a 3-0 advantage.

There’s plenty of good local tennis talent and two local players have made the All-Star squad for the North.

Both talents arrive in the girls play as Bhavya Chalasani of James Clemens and Jaedyn Martin of Madison Academy will take to the courts representing the North half of the state. The North leads in the competition 3-0 while the North boys hold a 2-1 advantage against the South.

MILITARY ACADEMY

Five students from Bob Jones High School received military academy appointments this year, opening the doors to elite service and education STORY BY GREGG PARKER

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A legacy. The tradition. The venture that may take them around the world. A few teenagers in Madison have satisfied the perquisites to receive an appointment to a United States military academy.

Three young women and two males from Bob Jones High School (recent graduates or an alumna) were successful in the multi-tiered application process and the long wait to learn eventually that their quests were successful.

They are Madeline Edwards, Riley Groves, Katie LaFerrera, Leah Lessmann and Thomas Jensen.

Edwards secured an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. “There are about 1,200 Plebes or freshmen in each class. Currently, 4,594 are enrolled as Cadets,” Edwards said.

Edwards looked no further than her relatives for motivation to attend West Point. “I have been inspired by family, which has served in the Army across three generations. Most recently, my parents exposed me to West Point throughout my life. ‘Go Army, Beat Navy’ was a way of life in our house because both my mother and my father were graduates in the Class of ‘97 at West Point,” Edwards said.

“I have been blessed with the opportunity to grow up watching my parents live out the West Point motto: ‘Duty, Honor, Country’ in everything they do,” Edwards said.

“I have looked at many other amazing colleges and I had wonderful options, but I just kept coming back to West Point because I want something uncommon that serves a purpose bigger than myself.”

Edwards’ college major will be systems engineering.

And after West Point? She will become an Army officer.

Groves also was successful with an appointment at West Point. He actually will have fewer classmates with West Point’s 4,400 cadets than if he had enrolled at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Auburn University or UA’s home campus in Tuscaloosa.

“I chose to attend West Point mainly for the benefits I believe it will have upon my character, as well as future careers,” Groves said. “I really like the values and standards that they teach at West Point and uphold their cadets to.”

“I believe I will graduate from West Point as a much stronger and better developed character than I would by graduating from any other school,” Groves said.

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Riley Groves

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“As far as what major I will pursue, nothing is official yet, but I believe I will choose mechanical engineering,” Groves said. “For career plans after school, I will serve my five years of active duty and then possibly three years in the U.S. Army Reserves.”

“I can’t say for sure whether or not I will choose to stay in the military or leave after my required time is up. I will wait to make that decision after gaining experience in the military workforce and seeing what opportunities are available at that time,” Groves said.

LaFerrera has earned an assignment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, approximately 33 miles east of Washington D.C. She will be in the ranks of about 1,000 fellow classmates as a freshman.

The Naval Academy’s total enrollment is 4,526 students.

“I was first inspired to attend the Naval Academy by my grandfather. He was a Captain in the Navy, and I have always looked up to him,” LaFerrera said.

“My grandfather embodies the values of honor and courage – values that I want the Navy to instill in me,” LaFerrera said. “Through him, I have seen what it truly means to be a leader.”

“The Naval Academy offers me the opportunity to get a formal education while developing me into a leader allowing me to serve my country,” LaFerrera said.

At the academy, LaFerrera intends to pursue a major in oceanography. In addition, she plans to enroll and

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complete all required pre-medicine courses for medical school.

“I plan to become a Surface Warfare Officer and serve in the fleet for five years before returning to medical school and serving in the Naval Medical Corps,” LaFerrera said.

“Madeline and Katie are great friends. It will be fun to be Army versus Navy rivals for a lifetime. They will agree on ‘Beat Air Force,’” Amy Edwards, Madeline’s mother, said. Amy Edwards and Dr. Stephanie Bostick, College and Career Counselor, assisted the Bob Jones students in their academy pursuits.

Lessmann graduated from Bob Jones in 2022 and accepted a Falcon Foundation Scholarship to attend Northwestern Preparatory School, California. She received her appointment this year to the U.S. Air Force Academy.

The Falcon Foundation scholarship is given only to approximately 100 people in the nation (usually only 60), and this scenario allowed Lessmann to choose from a few different military prep schools. Lessmann chose Northwestern Prep School in Crestline, California and attended from September 1 to December 11, 2022.

Lessmann then had to re-apply for a United States Air Force Academy appointment and secure a new Congressional nomination. She needed to attend a college of her choice while she was awaiting the results of her USAFA

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application. Lessmann decided to attend the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the Air Force Academy has approximately 1,100 freshmen enrolled. The total count for the student body is 4,100 individuals.

“I know that the Air Force Academy will provide new opportunities and shape me to be the best possible version of myself to honor, protect and represent America to the best of my ability,” Lessmann said. “Both of my parents retired from the Armed Forces, and I cannot wait to continue the tradition of serving our country.”

“I feel so blessed to have received this appointment, and I am thankful for the people who have supported me on this journey,” Lessmann said.

Thomas Jensen at Bob Jones also earned an academy appointment but was unavailable for comment.

Edwards, Groves, LaFerrera, Lessmann and Jensen quickly learned the facts about one early component to their journey to enter an academy. A Congressional NOMINATION does not mean that a student has received an APPOINTMENT. All applications to a U.S. military academy require a Congressional Nomination. Students must wait possibly one year to learn whether or not they will receive an appointment.

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SCHOOLS

THE CLASS OF 2023

This year’s graduating class is the largest in Madison City Schools’ history and continues the tradition of excellence set by previous classes STORY BY JOHN PECK, MADISON CITY SCHOOLS PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER

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Brianna Hall was one of 532 graduating seniors from James Clemens High School.

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The 2023 graduating class of Madison City Schools marks the 25th class to receive diplomas from MCS. Their ranks have grown from 333 in 1998-99 when MCS separated from the county into an independent school district to more than 1,000 today.

At 1,017 graduates (538 from James Clemens and 479 from Bob Jones), the 2023 Class was the largest senior class ever from Madison City Schools.

Their performance continues the tradition of excellence set by their predecessors.

Sixty two percent (634) of the graduating seniors received $69.2 million in scholarship offers - an average of $109,148 each. Approximately $26.6 million in scholarships had been accepted at the end of the school year - an average of nearly $42,000.

Thirty-six percent (374 seniors) graduated with a 4.0 or higher grade-point average, with 10 percent of those earning a 5.0 or higher GPA. Seventeen percent scored a 30 or higher on their ACT, with several landing perfect scores.

Twenty-two percent of the seniors (225) dual-enrolled, meaning they took college classes simultaneously.

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Madison City Schools produced 32 National Merit Finalists, 13 U.S. Presidential Scholar candidates split nearly evenly between BJ and JC, and one U.S. Presidential Scholar semifinalist each from JCHS and BJHS. The district has produced 88 National Merit semifinalists in just the last three years, more than any other school system in Alabama regardless of size.

Both schools racked up countless awards in academics, arts and athletics like band, theater, tennis, greenpower, cheer, baseball, soccer, math competitions, chess, creative writing, spelling and science bees, ROTC, debate, engineering challenges, lego robotics, and the list goes on. Several schools and teachers earned coveted acclaims measuring excellence, and the school district itself was named No. 1 in Alabama out of 137 school systems statewide by the national NICHE school rating organization.

Individual schools also fared well by NICHE with all seven of our elementary schools landing in the top 10 among 741 elementary schools statewide. Discovery and Liberty placed in the top 5 out of 397 middle schools statewide while James Clemens and Bob Jones were in the top 10 of

Bob Jones High School choir director Randall Fields leads the graduating class of 2023 in the singing of the school’s alma mater Photo by John Peck

Graduates from James Clemens High School throw their caps in celebration during their graduation ceremony. Photo by John Peck

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365 Alabama high schools.

Both the district and every single school earned an “A” rating on 2022-2023 state-issued report cards.

Plans for our 2023 graduates, based on end-of-theschool-year surveys, show: *69 percent plan to attend a four-year institution. *18.6 percent a two-year institution. *6.7 percent workforce/gap year. *4 percent undecided. *2.7 percent military.

Of college-bound students, Bob Jones graduates are bound for 78 colleges spread across 25 states. James Clemens graduates are bound for 74 colleges across 22 states and one country outside the United States.

Many of our seniors are planning to enter trade schools, or apprenticeship programs aided by strong career prep programs at MCS in welding, construction, culinary and others.

Partners like K-Tech provided valuable experience and insights into workforce opportunities, as did the growing Madison CEO program and strong internship opportunities through our academies with community partners in engineering, virtual reality, computer science, cyber, health science, biomedical, construction & welding and more.

Bob Jones and James Clemens graduates earned 386 industry credentials spread across 22 disciplines in areas such as Certified EKG Technician, Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, CompTIA Strata IT Fundamentals, NCCER Core, Adobe Certified Associate in PhotoShop and also Premier Pro, Certified Pharmacy Technician, Air Force and Army Jr. ROTC, Microsoft Office Specialist, BLS Instructor with Health Care Provider and more.

Madison City Schools offered 33 Advanced Placement courses, and its Career and Technical Education Academies offered 98 middle and high school CTE courses.

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SENIOR STROLL - As seniors prepared to strut across the stage to get their diploma, they had the chance to stroll the halls of their elementary school for a walk down memory lane. It’s a tradition in Madison where graduating seniors who attended elementary school here take part in their school’s Senior Stroll. The younger students high-five’d and cheered the older students as they paraded by in the caps and gowns. Some faculty would be overheard on the sides remarking how grown up their former students are. Here are some scenes from this year’s Senior Stroll.

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Here is a sample of the stories you can find every week in...

M adison RECORD THE

You can find The Madison Record in newsstands across Madison or online at www.themadisonrecord.com This story was written for the May 24, 2023 issue of The Madison Record

Eighty-nine-year old Charles Terrell will take to the Cotton Row Run on Memorial Day alongside his three daughters. Participating in the annual fixture event in downtown Huntsville since 1985, Terrell will walk the 5K portion of the event as he suffers from spinal stenosis. Photo by Bob Labbe

At age 89 Charles Terrell still enjoys the 5K Cotton Row Run

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Throughout the grass growing season the sounds of a push lawnmower can be heard coming from the lawn of a home on Badger Drive on the border of Harvest and Madison. Still extremely active, such as mowing his own lawn, Charles Terrell will continue his prowess of participating in the annual Cotton Row Run on Memorial Day. The 89-year old will dress in his running gear, lace up his shoes and walk the 5K race of the multi-event 44th

annual Cotton Row Run in downtown Huntsville. He will do so alongside his three daughters who will walk with their father as he partakes in the 5K distance event he began in 2010. Prior to moving to the 5K, Terrell ran in the 10K distance race beginning in 1985 at the urging of a friend.

“I was a high school basketball referee at the time and I was looking at running to stay in good physical shape,”

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said Terrell. “I’ve been running ever since. Now I’m walking and I hope I can finish the race.”

Six years ago Terrell was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, a condition of the spine causing lower back pain or cramping in one or both legs. His condition has caused him to stop running and walk his way through the Cotton Row Run races. To keep in good physical shape, Terrell walks on his treadmill four days a week. His additional hobby is completing jigsaw puzzles, which he glues front and back and then frames. Many of those completed puzzles hang throughout his home where he lives alone after his wife, Lila, passed away four years ago. They were married for 62 years.

Terrell was among a class of 10 who graduated in 1952 from Industrial High School located in Southern Mississippi. He then served in the United States Army from 1954-1956. After some education in junior college, he chose to complete his degree in electrical engineering at Mississippi State graduating in 1964. He soon moved to Huntsville where he began working for NASA at Marshall Space Flight Center. Later, working for both General Electric and Chrsyler his duties included working on numerous NASA high profile projects such as the Saturn I and Saturn 5 rockets and the Skylab program. He retired in 1990.

“I ran an array of races throughout the Southeast including one Rocket City Marathon,” said Terrell. “I talked my daughters into running while their mother was our cheerleader from the sidelines.”

“My father always wore a bright neon headband while he raced so he was easy to spot among the racers,” said Kay, 62, the eldest of Terrell’s three daughters. “He never really looked up while running as he kept his head down.”

Kay, along with her sisters, Janice, 60, and Cathy, 56, will shadow their father on the 5K course throughout downtown Huntsville as part of the Cotton Row Run festivities. Their similar family outing last year in the event had Terrell surrounded by his daughters the entire 5K distance until just yards from the finish line. “They didn’t want me to run, but I had to run across the finish line,”

said Terrell.

Terrell’s family includes eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren, all of whom support his efforts during the road races.

The one-time softball and basketball player, nicknamed “Tiger,” was born on Aug. 5, 1933, the same day the National Labor Board was created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. On the same date three years earlier, Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, was born. Sort of ironic that Terrell would cross paths with Armstrong in his line of work for NASA. Close to 700 runners from the immediate Madison area will face the challenges of the Cotton Row Run presented by Bill Penney Toyota. The event will feature both the 10K and 5K runs along with the one mile Fun Run. Those registered to participate will be eligible for two cash awards as Bill Penney will hand out $5-thousand to one lucky person prior to the 10K and one before the 5K race. The Cotton Row Run will offer a total of $20-thousand in race record bonuses.

Terrell will complete his effort with little fanfare long after the winners cross the finish line. His personal best time in the 10K was in 1985 with a 43:44 at age 54. In 2010, he posted his best 5K time at 29:28. This time, he looks to walk his way with moral support alongside.

“After each Cotton Row Run we come back home for a family brunch and to take photos,” added Kay. “He’s a legacy. All these people who see him are inspired by his efforts as he’s worked hard all his life.”

Terrell looks back on his years as a runner as being exciting and rewarding. He’s multi-faceted training regimen has featured a multitude of different workouts. He said one remembrance that stands out from his workouts was once where he trained by running backwards, which didn’t turn out well. He added with a laugh, “I ran into a car as I thought I was in the middle of the road, but I was actually on the side where I ran into a parked car. I wasn’t injured nor did I damage the car.”

“My goal this year is to finish,” added Terrell. “Along with my daughters close by.”

M adison RECORD THE

Check this and other stories out online at www.themadisonrecord.com 82 Madison Living

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