Madison Living -July

Rita’s Italian Ice • Bama Boys go to Nationals • Chamber Connections

MADISON Living Painting

an inspired

Path Madison’s Ann Moeller Steverson is inspired by everyday life

Living easy at

Edgewater Reynolds happy at home in Madison

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MADISON Living

CONTRIBUTORS Rebekah Martin, managing editor

Editorial Rebekah Martin Alison James John Few

Rebekah Martin is 2011 graduate of Faulkner University and an award-winning journalist.

A Talladega native, Rebekah has lived in north Alabama since November 2017. She enjoys spending time with her parents Mark and Ramona Martin, her brother Seth and her sister and brother-in-law, Rachel and Rett Russell. She’s also slightly obsessed with her cat Felecia and can make a reference to The Office from just about anything.

Contributors Gregg Parker Bob Labbe Daniel Whitt Joshua Berry Lee Marshall Mayor Paul Finley Mary Lynne Wright

Alison James, copy editor Alison James earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism at Auburn University, graduating in 2012.

She began her career in community journalism in Alexander City and Dadeville, followed by a stop in Opelika before landing in north Alabama. She loves sharing the stories – and correcting the grammar of those stories – of the people and places that make north Alabama such a special place.

Marketing Tori Waits Donna Counts

Bob Labbe, contributing writer Bob Labbe is a lifelong resident of the Huntsville community. He has been in the local news media for 46 years, a multi-award-winning journalist in television, radio and print media. He is a member of the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame and has been nominated for both the Alabama Press Association and Alabama Music halls of fame. Bob has hosted a radio program, Reelin’ in The Years, for 28 years on WLRH-FM Public Radio. He has also been a local high school basketball referee for 27 years and was a high school football referee for 15 years. Bob is an avid sports fan and collector of 45 rpm records. He once boxed Muhammad Ali and was the reporter who asked the famed Paul Bear Bryant his last question as coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Administrative Sierra Jackson

•••

Gregg Parker, contributing writer

CONTACT US

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

Madison Publications, LLC 14 Main St., Suite C P.O. Box 859 Madison, AL 35758 Phone: 256-772-6677 Fax: 256-772-6655 madisonlivingmagazine.com

Julie Blair, contributing writer

Madison Living is published monthly

by Madison Publications, LLC. A one-year subscription to Madison Living is $24.99 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.

Copyright 2019

by Madison Publications, LLC

4 Madison Living

Julie Blair is a 2004 graduate of Sewanee: The University of the South with a background in publishing. A native of St. Louis, Julie has lived in Madison on and off since 1997.

A lifelong learner, she enjoys taking classes and playing with her 3D printer.

Joshua Berry, photographer

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Joshua Berry has a degree in biology and works full time as an aquatic instructor for the City of Huntsville. He is also an avid runner, ranging from short to long distances. When he’s not spending time with his wife and daughter, he enjoys trying to capture the perfect moment on his camera.

As the owner of Everlong Photography, his advice for beautiful pictures is that nothing looks better than being confident in oneself.

Madison Living 5

the guide

11 22 HOME & STYLE

33

11 Living easy at Edgewater

FOOD & DRINK

July 4

22 Rita’s serves up sweet treats

SCHOOL & SPORTS 27 Inspiring competition

National Senior Games bring Huntsville Bama Boys together

ARTS & CULTURE

33 Painting an inspired path

Madison’s Ann Moeller Steverson is inspired by everyday life

6 Madison Living

IN EVERY ISSUE: 7 The Guide 10 #MadisonLife 38 Out & About 42 Chamber Connections

Stars and Stripes Forever Dublin Park 2 p.m.

Join the Madison Parks and Recreation Department at Dublin Park on Independence Day. Admission is free to enjoy fireworks, food and family fun. Free parking will be at Bob Jones High School, and a shuttle will run to and from the park. Dublin parking will be reserved as handicap parking only.

Inflatable activities for children of all ages will start at 2 p.m.

Madison Living 7

the guide

the guide

Concerts in the Park

Weekly events in Madison

Big Spring Park

Free GED classes

6:30-8 p.m. Every Monday through Aug. 5

Asbury Farmhouse

July 19

Summer Movies in Madison: Sweet Home Alabama Madison Public Library

Mondays and Wednesdays 5:30-8:30 p.m.

7-9 p.m.

Classes include free childcare and a meal before each class.

July 25

Madison Summer Concert Series Madison Public Library 5-6:30 p.m.

July 4

Stars and Stripes Forever Trivia Night

Rocket Republic Brewing Company

Breastfeeding Support Group Madison Hospital

Mondays at 10:30 a.m.

Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesdays 6-8 p.m.

In cooperation with the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, Rocket Republic Brewing Company hosts a weekly family-friendly trivia night. Food and drinks are available to purchase, but it’s free to play trivia, and all ages are welcome.

New moms dedicated to breastfeeding can join this weekly support group meeting that offers ongoing support from certified lactation consultants, solutions to common problems, weight checks with infant scales and more.

Dublin Park 2 p.m.

Join the Madison Parks and Recreation Department at Dublin Park on Independence Day. Admission is free to enjoy fireworks, food and family fun. Free parking will be at Bob Jones High School, and a shuttle will run to and from the park. Dublin parking will be reserved as handicap parking only. Inflatable activities for children of all ages will start at 2 p.m.

July 26

Summer Movies in Madison: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Madison Public Library 7-9 p.m.

July 12

Summer Movies in Madison: Cinderella Madison Public Library 7-9 p.m.

July 27

Madison City Chess League Madison Public Library

Mondays from 6:15-7:45 p.m.

Children in kindergarten through 12th grade who know how to play chess are welcome.

8 Madison Living

Madison Farmers Market Trinity Baptist Church

Saturdays from 8 a.m. until noon Every Saturday local farmers and artisans bring their fresh produce, meats, cheeses, coffee, flowers, herbs, eggs and handmade items to sell.

July 13

Business Expo & Kids Day 2019

Rocket City Summerfest

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

U.S. Space and Rocket Center

Rocket City Summer Fest is an annual celebration at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, meant to bring together the community of camp alumni and their families from all over the world. This event allows them to reconnect with friends and applaud the accomplishments of fellow alumni.

Hogan Family YMCA Business Expo & Kids Day’s theme this year is in honor of Madison’s sesquicentennial and Alabama’s bicentennial celebrations! There will be food trucks, demonstrations, games, activities and lots of information. Madison area businesses, clubs and services will be available for attendees to visit their booths and find out what they have to offer.

Madison Living 9

home& style

#MadisonLife Madison Living is on Instagram! Tag @madison_living_mag in your posts, and magazine staff will choose favorites to regram and publish.

@abeavers2003

@alli.protos

Spring showers brought in the flowers.

I know I say this about every grad party, but @melisa.shaffer had the best food I’ve ever eaten #congratsss #turkishfoodforthewin

@gracieroberson

@isha.patnaik

Memorial Day spent w/ the best

do it for the culture

Living easy at Edgewater Written BY GREGG L. PARKER photographS BY JOSHUA BERRY

10 Madison Living

Madison Living 11

D

During the past couple of decades, Jim and Dianne Reynolds have found the Edgewater community is a wonderful place to live. “There are activities at the clubhouse for the entire family and space to come together as a community to prepare bags for Christmas luminaries, a book club or special interest group,” Dianne said. “The neighbors are friendly and always have time to stop and talk about the weather, the ducks at the lake, the benefits of exercise or to share the best places to buy plants and shrubs – or a good pizza.”

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Madison Living 13

Into the woods

The quiet, woodsy setting of the Edgewater development lured the Reynolds to move to the neighborhood more than 20 years ago.

“As we traveled Zierdt Road, we would often see deer standing on the side of the road or peeking from the woods,” Dianne said. “We learned to drive slowly as they would sometimes run out in front of the car to get to the other side. The lake that could be seen from Zierdt Road was cool and inviting.”

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The Reynolds’ home features traditional brick construction with a flat front.

The house has 3,400 square feet: Four bedrooms and baths are upstairs, while the downstairs living space includes a den, living and dining rooms and powder room, along with the kitchen and breakfast area.

Gleaming hardwood floors reflect sunlight that streams through banks of windows.

Attuned to nature

Large mature trees shade the house’s back deck. Jim and Dianne devote time to

sitting at their patio tables and watching the birds at the feeders or drinking water from the birdbaths. Mounds of azaleas yield bountiful flowers along the west fence line.

“In season, a vegetable garden – if we are lucky – yields delicious tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers,” Dianne said. “I thoroughly enjoy gardening and spend many hours planting and weeding. We planted a Japanese Maple in the front of the house last year to replace a crape myrtle that died, and it is growing beautifully.”

Madison Living 15

Casual elegance

The kitchen is Dianne’s favorite room in their house. “Because the kitchen is on the back of the house, I can watch the birds at the feeders,” she said. “I can see the antics of the squirrels and chipmunks as they chase each other around the backyard and up and down the trees. I can watch the deer as they move through the woods.”

Dianne’s decorating style combines formal and informal motifs. Their den blends both of these themes.

16 Madison Living

“The dining room is traditionally formal in furnishings, but the china cabinet is used to house some of the many cookbooks I collect and occasionally cook from, small figurines, paintings and plates,” she said.

When prepared for a festive meal with friends, the dining table’s impeccable setting starts with starched white linen tablecloth and napkins. Golden chargers hold fine china, flanked by crystal stemware and polished silverware. Bright, fresh flowers anchored with fern and euonymus complete the stunning decor.

Madison Living 17

As time goes by

“We have lived here in Madison for 23 years and have watched it grow into a bustling city with its own successful school system, hospital, movie theatre and state-of-the-art library,” Dianne said. “Jim and I are both retired – he from the Army Corp of Engineers and I from the Huntsville City School System. We both enjoy being community volunteers, and I enjoy best of all being a ‘cuddler’ in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Huntsville Hospital.

“Jim was born right down the road in Florence, and I am from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.,” Dianne added. “We moved to Alabama in 1970 when Jim, after military service, returned to his previous job at Redstone Arsenal.”

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Madison Living 19

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

Recycle, reduce, reuse

Ask the experts

Do you need help making Madison your home? These leaders in the community, business, finance and real estate have answers to all your questions.

Rosenblum Realty Are you re-locating into the Huntsville metropolitan area? You can confidently trust the name with proven results: Rosenblum Realty – YOUR #1 Source!

This fourth-generation, family-owned, full-service real estate company has served Huntsville and the north Alabama region for more than 62 years, and we are ready and willing to help you find a solution to your housing needs!

Buying a home? Utilize our extensive experience, our established relationships with local suppliers/craftsman and our willingness to work with you personally and professionally through the entire process to fulfill your family’s needs and dreams. Our exclusive buyer representation – supported by a team with more than 300 years of experience – offers you guidance from start to finish, and we willingly share our market knowledge, contract negotiating skills, inspection advice, financial analysis and supplementary resources with you.

Want to rent a home? Our property management division handles the largest inventory of single-family homes in north Alabama and, depending upon availability, we can provide short- and long-term options in the locations and the price ranges that meet your requirements.

Contact us at 256-539-9501 or at www.rosenblumrealty.com.

Let us assist you in finding YOUR HOME in Madison County!

Jan Wells Realtor 12181 County Line Road, Suite 180, Madison, AL 35758 Phone: 256-337-2400; email: jan.wells@knology.net

F

Paul Finley Mayor City of Madison

Fun fact: Madison leads the region with the most recycling participation.

We are a community made up of environmentallyconscious people. Many residents even use two bins Wednesday mornings to collect overflow of recyclable material. Even our young minds are actively making a difference: A few Discovery Middle School students began the bottle cap recycling initiative with drop-off locations at each fire station in Madison.

With recent news of changes to the city and regional recycling program, I’d like to outline what you can expect and where to find answers to any questions you might have. Beginning Aug. 1, the Solid Waste Disposal Authority will be transitioning the small 18-gallon rectangular bins to larger 95-gallon wheeled carts, collected monthly. SWDA officials hope this will create a more efficient collection service and sustainable recycling program. SWDA leaders have worked diligently to ensure this is no cost to our residents; however, you do have to enroll, or “opt in” for the new program. Only homes with the updated large carts will be serviced.

The program will be called the Recycling Alliance of North Alabama. SWDA will be managing the program alongside the newly-established contract with Red River Waste Solutions. Cart delivery will begin this month, and you can request your cart online at www.SWDAHSV.org. SWDA has been a great partner through this planning process, working to deliver an ecologically-sound recycling system in a cost-effective manner to our Madison and regional residents.

As a mayor and City Council, we are happy with the changes to deliver a better system of recycling to our residents. We will continue to communicate any possible changes and provide as much information on www.madisonal.gov. If you have not already, please sign up for our “Notify Me” service. Text and email reminders will be sent out to our subscribers to remind residents of recycling service dates through the transition.

We encourage you to participate in the Recycling Alliance of North Alabama!

A Madison resident since 1986, Jan has been active in the business and real estate communities as well as city government. Whether chairing committees for the Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS, serving as the first President of the Madison Chamber of Commerce, or leading the city as Madison’s Mayor from 2000-2004, Janhas enjoyed meeting the many diverse residents who call Madison home. The experience gained through that service has given her a unique insight into life in Madison. A licensed REALTOR since 1989, Jan now enjoys representing former clients as well as their sons and daughters. That continuity of service is especially gratifying.

Jan says that the trust implied by these referrals is her greatest compliment and the many new friends she continues to meet are the greatest reward.

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20 Madison Living

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Madison Living 21

food& drink

M

Madison’s new place for a sweet frozen treat is Rita’s Italian Ice and Frozen Custard, on the corner of Highway 72 and Wall Triana Highway, between Salsarita’s Fresh Mexican Grill and Uncle Maddio’s Pizza.

Rita’s offers Italian ice, frozen custard and several combinations of both, plus treats like a frozen sandwich made with two homemade cookies. Rita’s offers catering and custom cakes, and the waffle cones are made on site.

Shawn Toone, franchise owner, has the inside scoop on new flavors. “Rita’s has product development specialists who are always testing out new flavor ideas,” he explained. “We have some really fun flavors coming out this summer we know our guests will love. We rotate our ice flavors regularly.

There are a few flavors that are very high demand that you will always see at the shop, like mango, and we also try to keep one sugarfree option available daily. We try to offer a good mix of flavors, while keeping the most popular ones.”

Toone said bringing Rita’s to Madison has been a family affair: a project that would not have come to fruition without the help and support.

Rita’s serves up sweet treats Story by Julie Blair PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOSHUA BERRY 22 Madison Living

Madison Living 23

“Our family has been huge supporters of our adventure. From my father helping me do a big part of the building layout and construction, to both grandmothers willingness to help with setup and of course babysitting our 3 children,” he said.

“Opening a business is very challenging at first but when you finally get to the finish line and see the community support we have received it makes it all worth it. Seeing families and children leave with smiles on their faces knowing we have brightened their day gives us reassurance we made the right choice with Rita’s.”

Toone’s advice for customers is to “sample, sample, sample. We want our guests to get a treat they will love,” he said.

“Guests may sample any of our Italian ices and our hand-scooped custard before making a final order.

“You can’t go wrong with a gelati,” he added. “This treat layers soft-served custard with your choice of an Italian ice flavor.”

Gelati is just one of the ice-and-custard combinations. There’s also the blendini – custard and Italian ice blended with a topping. Toppings include wet walnuts, hot fudge and mini gummies. Customers can also order a misto, a frozen drink of blended custard and Italian Ice. The menu also offers a concrete, a mix of frozen custard and toppings.

“I love seeing a guest try our ice for the first time and the look of surprise when they love it,” Toone said. “It is its own treat; there’s nothing else you can really compare it to. We make all of our ice and hand-scooped custard in our store, so it’s all freshly made.”

24 Madison Living

Rita’s is already popular with young families in Madison. The always-present line usually includes children, eager to reorder favorite flavors. Sarah Barbre is a patron and mother of four who brings her children to Rita’s. “I love the cotton candy Italian Ice,” said Hannah Barbre, age 9.

Sister Abigail Barbre, age 7, is also a Rita’s fan: “The waffle bowls are yummy, and I really like to play outside with the bean bag toss game and the chalk.”

Their mother Sarah said she enjoys the family atmosphere that Rita’s provides. “I like to visit Rita’s in the afternoon with the kids. They love to play with the corn hole game,” she said.

“My favorite flavor Italian Ice is S’mores.

It’s creamy and delicious! It’s also good to know they they have a child size even though it is not on the menu.”

Madison’s new addition is one of more than 60 Rita’s locations around the country. “We had no idea so many people in the Madison area already knew what Rita’s Italian Ice was. It has been a great surprise to see how excited people are to have a Rita’s in Madison. We are so grateful for how welcoming the community has been

I love seeing a guest try our ice for the first time and the look of surprise when they love it.

– Shawn Toone

to us,” said Toone. “We first tried Rita’s on a family vacation in Foley. We instantly fell in love with the products. We had never had fresh-made Italian ice or custard. It was so good, and we knew we had to bring this place to north Alabama.”

Rita’s in Madison had a soft opening this spring and a Grand Opening celebration in late May and early June. Rita’s is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Madison Living 25

Madison Hospital

The gift of life

A Mary Lynne Wright President, Madison Hospital

A healthy baby is born, and a mother’s donation of amnion collected from the placenta gives a burn victim a fighting chance or a surgery patient faster healing from a major incision.

In many hospitals, the placenta is thrown away. But Madison Hospital is offering moms who deliver by a scheduled C-section a chance to donate their placenta for medical use.

We recently became the first hospital in north Alabama to partner with Birth Tissue International l, a Tennessee company founded

on the healing properties of amnion – the thin, protective sac that surrounds a baby during pregnancy. BTI is registered with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

Just a few patches of amnion have been shown to reduce pain and speed up the healing of burn victims, people with severe wounds and surgical patients, including women recovering from breast reconstruction.

A single placenta can yield as many as 250 therapeutic amnion patches.

The miracle of life.

school&sports

Inspiring competition National Senior Games bring Huntsville Bama Boys together Written BY BOB LABBE PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOSHUA BERRY

26 Madison Living

Madison Living 27

P

Possessing a passion for something is a satisfying, rewarding and many times exhilarating experience. For a small group of age 60-something men who adopted the name Huntsville Bama Boys, a fondness for the sport of basketball began more or less before each of them could recite the alphabet.

Spanning ages 64-68, the six players who make up the team roster of the Huntsville Bama Boys make an annual trip to the National Senior Games, winning one gold medal in 2013 and a silver medal as runnerup in 2009. Last month the squad made its latest trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico, for the 2019 three-on-three competition.

28 Madison Living

“We have to have the passion; we just enjoy playing the game. It’s good for health and a way to stay close to old friends,” said Danny Petty, who recently retired after 47 years as a teacher and three-time state championship winning coach.

Petty, 68, is joined by David King, 64, Snyder Washington, 67, Ricky Bowling, 65, Ricky Allen, 64, and Chris Jones, 67.

King and Allen have the same birthday and are retired teachers. Washington is a retired local banker who also spent 32 years in the National Guard. Bowling is a retired educator, while Jones is owner of Top Turf Sod Farm.

Our best days are when we’re out on the court with one another and playing the sport we all love.

It’s difficult to go out and find others your age to compete on the level our team does. If we stay healthy, we always feel we have a good shot at doing well in any competition.

We sort of speak the same language of loving the game and always having a good time with the friendships.

– David King

Madison Living 29

The six athletes each have a strong competitive spirit. It’s the fire within that spirit that sends them back to the National Senior Games every two years.

“Our best days are when we’re out on the court with one another and playing the sport we all love,” said King, who is regarded as team captain. “It’s difficult to go out and find others your age to compete on the level our team does. If we stay healthy, we always feel we have a good shot at doing well in any competition. We sort of speak the same language of loving the game and always having a good time with the friendships we have and those we have created by attending the National Senior Games.”

Competition aside, the six are also best of friends.

“Playing in the National Senior Games with my best friends has really brought our friendships to a new level,” said Petty.

“It’s a team concept, and we all get along with one another. The trips to other locales are like our vacations, and to have the camaraderie between us is always fun.”

“Danny and I have been teammates of some sort since 1974 on local recreational teams,” added King. “We discovered the National Senior Games and set a goal to get in shape and compete. Snyder was once 30 Madison Living

a competitor of ours until we had him join us. We love the fact we play with others that have the same passion as we do. The three of us have been the base of our team for years and have had several players come and go on our roster.”

The National Senior Games are the largest Olympic-style multi-sport event for those older than 50. With all 50 states partaking in the 20 different medal events, close to 14,000 athletes exhibited their own

passions – a chance to live that competitive spirit even just one more time.

The Huntsville Bama Boys prep for the annual trek to the games location by practicing as much as possible. King played college basketball at North Alabama, and Petty played at Snead State and Athens State. Washington suited up for Alabama A&M, and Bowling was a star player at St. Bernard, while Allen played at Snead State.

Jones stopped playing after his years at Hazel Green High.

“We’re all glad we found the competition.

That’s what we love to do,” said King.

“Through the years we’ve also found our enemies on the court are now friends, too.”

Their long-time natural basketball skills might have been diminished by Father Time, but their love for the sport and the chance to put their team on the map of the National Senior Games helps them lace up their shoes, grab a basketball and relive the years gone by.

Madison Living 31

EDUCATION

New websites augment ongoing effort to modernize schools

Daniel Whitt MCS coordinator of instructional technology

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Much has changed with the Internet in the past decade. In 10 years, we have seen MySpace give way to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and others. Cloudbased music services have rendered CDs and tapes almost obsolete. The death of Blockbuster birthed the rise of streaming services, while online commerce rides an exponential growth curve. We are more informed, equipped and connected than ever – and sometimes it still feels like it’s only the beginning.

In Madison City Schools, we know school systems are not immune to this change.

The rollout of a new website this summer is the latest in an ongoing evolution of technology changes we must make to remain an education leader.

Our new website follows other trailblazing initiatives – like Options Open, which created proprietary online classes for our students. Our move to Google’s G Suite for Education enabled us to equip students and staff with the most collaborative productivity tools in the world.

Our ever-evolving career tech offerings for students are yet

32 Madison Living

another example of embracing modernity with open arms.

Now we set our sights on dramatically improving our online presence. Our websites are a top priority, and we have spent a year preparing a completely new online experience for you. We know our community expects ease of use, a visuallyappealing interface, loads of tools and resources, mobile compatibility and guaranteed accessibility for those with disabilities. This summer, your experience on any of our sites will be completely transformed.

Our new websites are much more than just a visual overhaul. They are downright intuitive. Information has been restructured and re-categorized to make your experience easier and faster. Load times have been dramatically reduced, and navigation is easier than ever.

Perhaps most importantly, our new platform is optimized for mobile devices.

We estimate approximately 70 percent of our web traffic is from a mobile device, and our new platform is quite possibly the most mobile-adaptive interface available

arts&culture

to schools. Whether you visit our sites on your smartphone or on a desktop, you will find a media-rich experience optimized for your device.

With the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, all schools in the U.S. got a major wakeup call. Under the 2017 update of Section 508, schools are now required by law to ensure their websites are accessible to people with disabilities. Though we have done everything in our power to be compliant in the past, this more modern platform along with intense staff training will ensure accessibility for those with disabilities.

World renowned futurist Ray Kurzweil said, “Our intuition about the future is linear, but the reality of information technology is exponential, and that makes a profound difference.”

In Madison City Schools we know how fast things are changing, and we know we can never stand still.

This new jump in our online presence is just one way we are attempting to stay ahead of the curve. We hope you love our new websites at madisoncity.k12.al.us.

Painting an inspired path Madison’s Ann Moeller Steverson is inspired by everyday life Written BY Julie Blair PHOTOGRAPHS BY Johnny Miller Madison Living 33

A

Although she is an internationally collected artist, Ann Moeller Steverson calls north Alabama home. She has a studio in Huntsville’s Lowe Mill and lives in Madison with her two daughters. “Madison County is a gorgeous and green place to live. I’m raising my girls here, and the community feels safe, has great schools and has lots of activities and opportunities for them,” Steverson said. “I’m in close proximity to

34 Madison Living

Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment, making it a quick ride into my studio. I grew up here, and to have the largest privatelyowned arts facility in America spring up here is a magical gift.”

Steverson’s art includes paintings of portraits and still life. She said she finds inspiration all around her. “So many things strike me as beautiful and compelling.

Sometimes I am interested in an idea or

concept, but so often a spark is something visual I encounter. I am inspired by other artists’ work, travel, Instagram, color combinations or impressions of my everyday life,” she explained. “Right now, I am deeply interested in meditation and trying to listen to a voice outside myself when I’m painting that knows how it wants the painting to be.

I am usually a realistic painter. Listening to intuition and learning to untie myself from a visual reference is very freeing and expands my work. Simply put, I hear a voice that

says, ‘I think it would be pretty to’ or ‘I just wish this was different or would be better if’ and then I do that.”

It isn’t easy to be a working artist, and Steverson’s career path has taken a few turns. “For undergraduate school, I attended the University of Montevallo and UAH and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in graphic design and web cognate minor,” she said.

“I then worked at an advertising agency for a year before deciding to go back to

school to become an art teacher. I got my Master of Arts from Alabama in art education. While getting my degree, I was hired to teach art in a middle school, which I did for several years. I left public school teaching when my first daughter was born. Instead of returning to the public-school classroom, I then started to pursue my own painting professionally while still teaching as an adjunct at several universities, the Huntsville Museum of Art and in my own studio.”

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Around Town

I’m fortunate to be internationally collected and spend my days doing what I love and working with wonderful inspiring creative people.

‘Our scholars move mountains’

A

– Ann Moeller Steverson

While her career always focused on art, she also ventured into several businesses.

“I partnered with two other artists to form Protégé Atelier. Protégé has brought internationally-acclaimed artists from all over the country who we wanted to study with to advance our own skills and share something special with our local artist community,” Steverson said. “I also launched Venus Copper panels to introduce my own special copper painting surface for artists.” The product line was picked up by Artefex panels and is now sold nationwide.

Currently, Steverson said she counts herself lucky “to combine my passions for 36 Madison Living

teaching, painting and entrepreneurship.

I’m fortunate to be internationally collected and spend my days doing what I love and working with wonderful inspiring creative people.” Steverson teaches in her Lowe Mill Studio and for Calhoun Community College and Athens State. She also offers workshops in other cities. “I offer a variety of drawing and painting classes for all ages and levels – from Saturday group classes with a topic as simple as how to put paint on your palette and mix colors, to private mentorships for serious artists trying to put together a portfolio or figure out how to take their work to the next level,” Steverson said. “I offer social figure drawing classes

in the evenings and portrait/head study groups. There really is something for everyone.”

Lowe Mill isn’t the only place to find Ann’s work. She is represented by the Little Green Store on Monte Sano Mountain and sells work in group shows all over the country. “Sometimes folks fall in love with a piece they find in my studio, on Instagram or Facebook or from my website, and I can send it to their home. I also take commissions and work with individuals to achieve a combined vision,” Steverson said. “Often my commissions are portraits of loved ones and become treasures for the whole family.”

Adventure and opportunity are in the air this summer as graduates in the class of 2019 are planning, and maybe even packing, for their next chapter as college freshmen. Many foster children will join their peers, and the Kids to Love Scholarship program helps make that possible.

Statistically, foster children aren’t supposed to have bright futures or college degrees to hang on their walls; they are predicted to end up poor or in prison. Kids to Love Lee Marshall is changing that. Over the past 15 Founder/CEO years, we have awarded more than Kids to Love Foundation 600 college scholarships, and we will inch that number closer to 700 with our annual college scholarship luncheon this summer, where 35 students will be recognized for their academic achievements.

Our scholars move mountains. Our most recent graduate, Sacred B. Huff, completed George Washington School of Law with honors just last month. Other students have excelled in nursing and social work, and many KTECH students have started careers in the advanced manufacturing industry.

Their pictures are hanging on the “wall of success” at the Kids to Love Center, and I am so proud of them when I pass that wall walking to my office each day.

Foster children don’t have a lot to call their own. Each year I remind them that an education is something no one can ever take away from them.

Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” – and I believe foster youth have the potential to do just that.

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out & about Summer Recreation Camp at Dublin Park

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Madison Parks and Recreation begins the annual Summer Recreation Camp at Dublin Park in June.

Campers got to experience swimming, trips to the movies, a trip to Monte Sano and tons of recreational sports activities.

Photos BY JOHN FEW 1. JoLayne, Brandon and Libby Hall 2. Ansley Ford and Ryan Veal 3. Evan and Luke Chisgar 4. Raquel and Aleena Moore

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5. Kristin and Catherine Fulda 6. Brynna, Riley and Chris Koehler 7. Kyle Bales 8. Jesse and Cody Daniel 9. Eric Robinson, Kelly Johnson and Dylan Reutter

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Madison Living 39

out & about

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County Line Road Concert Series Microwave Dave entertains the crowd at opening night for the County Line Road Concert Series June 2. Concerts are held every Sunday evening through June in Heritage Park.

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Photos BY JOHN FEW 1. Mike Toth, Leighann Toth, Jennifer Truumees, Sue Nahilla, Anna Toth and Annie Paschall 2. Nickee and Ron Cary with their dog Lexi 3. Amberlee and Carson Peterson, with Savanna and Hudson Demeester 4. Jenny MacMiller and Amelia Robertson with Lilly 5. Jeff and Carmen McPherson 6. Wendy Waggener and Max 7. Barb Bailey 8. Karen Bishop and Avery Weakley 9. John and Bradley Shoemate

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Madison Chamber of Commerce connections

Madison Chamber of Commerce connections

All Aboard for Business Expo & Kids Day 2019, coming July 27!

Business Expo & Kids Day is pulling into the Hogan Family YMCA July 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Presented

by Jerry Damson Honda/Acura, this year’s event is themed Madison Depot 1869, in honor of our city’s 150th birthday!

This FREE, family-friendly event features more than 60 booths representing the varied businesses in our area at this Chamber signature event; visit each booth and learn more about the amazing goods and services our area offers! Food trucks will be on site throughout the event, too.

Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting for MCC Member Jennings Event Management.

Bob Jones High School student Johnathan Hampton was the recipient of the Chamber’s $1,000 scholarship.

Kids enjoy free activities including face painting, balloon animals, bounce house, dunk tank, games, prizes and more! There will be tours of the HEMSI ambulance and Madison fire truck as well as Madison Fire and Rescue’s Virtual Reality Trailer. The SARTEC rescue dogs will be on hand, as will LifeSouth’s Bloodmobile, and the Madison Hospital Mobile Unit will offer free health screenings.

Get Your Business in Front of Thousands!

Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting for MCC Member Rita’s Italian Ice Frozen Custard.

Business After Hours hosted by Insanity Complex.

Bob Jones High School student Malachi Battle is the recipient of the Mayor’s $5,000 scholarship sponsored by Lockheed Martin.

James Clemens Student Chase Consylman, recipient of the Madison Chamber of James Clemens Student Drew Consylman, recipient of the Commerce’s $1,000 Scholarship.

Mayor’s $5,000 Scholarship sponsored by Lockheed Martin.

Business Expo & Kids Day draws thousands of area attendees each year! It’s the perfect opportunity to get your business in front of the community for a little over $300. Full pipe and drape makes for a professional presentation so your business can shine. Booths are selling fast, so don’t miss out! To reserve your booth, give call 256-325-8317. More information is available at www.madisonalchamber.com.

Life insurance is for those you leave behind September is Life Insurance Awareness Month. Let’s get together to

 sure you have a plan for today, and for tomorrow. make

Madison Chamber of Commerce Open House Ribbon Cutting.

Mark Berryman LUTCF Mark Berryman LUTCF Financial Representative Financial Representative 1874 Slaughter Road Suite R 1874 Slaughter Madison, AL 35758 Road Suite R Madison, AL. 35758 www.countryfinancial.com/mark.berryman (256) 325-1242 mark.berryman@countryfinancial.com www.countryfinancial.com/mark.berryman (256)325-1242

surance is for those ave behind

Grand Re-opening Ribbon Cutting for MCC Member Family Security Credit Union.

Ribbon Cutting for the new Children’s Garden at the Madison Public Library sponsored by Rotary.

MCC Quarterly Luncheon featuring Speaker Moore Hallmark.

Life insurance is for those you leave behind Let’s get together to make sure you have a plan for today, and for tomorrow.

Auto, home home and insurance policies issued

by COUNTRY Mutual Mutual Insurance Company Company, , COUNTRY COUNTRY Preferred Insurance Company andCompany COUNTRYand Casualty Insurance Company . Life insurance Auto, andbusiness business insurance policies issued

by COUNTRY Insurance Preferred Insurance COUNTRY Casualty Insurance Company. Life Insurance policies policies issued by COUNTRY Life Insurance Company® and COUNTRY Investors Life Assurance Company®, Bloomington, IL. issued by COUNTRY Life Insurance Company and COUNTRY Investors Life Assurance Company, Bloomington, IL 0415-556HC-19170®

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nsurance Awareness Month. Let’s get together to 103and Spenryn Dr., Madison, AL 35758 e a plan for today, for tomorrow.

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k Berryman LUTCF

MADISON, ALABAMA 35758

256-325-8317

www.madisonalchamber.com

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All Aboard!

Business Expo & Kids Day Presented by Jerry Damson Honda/Acura, this year’s event is themed Madison Depot 1869 in honor of our city’s 150th birthday!

This FREE, family-friendly event features: Over 60 booths representing the varied businesses in our area On-site Food Trucks FREE fun activities for the kids!

Face painting, balloon animals, bounce house, dunk tank, games, prizes and more!

Madison Fire and Rescue’s Virtual Reality Trailer for kids to tour.

Hogan YMCA Saturday, July 27th 10 am – 2 pm www.madisonalchamber.com

(256) 325-8317

Why I love Madison

Taylor Edge

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Taylor Edge is a Madison man through and through: He has called the city his home for nearly 25 years. He and his wife Mindy have two children, Stuart (17) and Austin (14), who both attend Bob Jones High School. Taylor is the character coach of the men’s basketball team at the University of Alabama at Huntsville.

What does your job at UNA entail?

I am the character coach for the University of Alabama Huntsville Men’s Basketball Program. My responsibilities revolve around relationship building, character development and one-onone mentoring of players and the coaching staff.

What do you enjoy about your job?

My job chose me. Pouring into the lives of young people is what I have been called to do, and when the opportunity to be a character coach at UAH came available, it was the perfect platform to live out my calling. I love building trusted friendships with athletes that need guidance and a willing ear to listen. I love being an encouragement to them at practice and during games when things are not going well and life situations get hard. Everything about my job is meaningful. I get to help lead and grow the next generation, show them what selfless love looks like, care about what they care about and push them to be the best version of themselves on and especially off the court. I also get to walk with them on their own spiritual journeys. I have the most meaningful and fulfilling job on earth.

What is your favorite place to visit in Madison?

I love the athletic fields of Bob Jones High School. That is where I get to encourage young men and women, watch them excel in their giftedness and share enthusiasm and love.

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What is your favorite Madison restaurant?

My favorite restaurant in Madison is La Placita! I love how Antonio treats all of his guests and also has a smile all of the time.

He is very generous with spirit nights for school organizations and always goes out of his way to make sure everything is right with you when you visit his restaurant. People make a restaurant as much as the food.

Why do you love Madison?

I love the family atmosphere and its diversity. There is a sense of family everywhere – not just in the values of mothers and daddies and children and grandparents but amongst the community as a whole, as a neighborhood, in our association with a particular school in town and in our various churches. Family permeates everything that exists and goes on in Madison. I also love the diversity. Most people that live in Madison are not originally from Madison, so it makes it a unique place of great ideas and inclusion.

I think we are a model of what inclusion looks like in thriving U.S. cities. It is so second nature that when I see issues in communities around the country, it is hard to understand why people cannot get along. That is a very special quality of Madison, and I am extremely grateful for it.

1. Favorite hobby: Reading.

Fast Five

Share a little about your education background.

I graduated from Gadsden High School in 1991 and magna cum laude from Jacksonville State University in computer information systems in 1995. I began my professional career at Intergraph in Madison in 1996 and then owned and operated two Madison area businesses, Rescue ONE Connector Boats and Tennessee Valley Marine. The City of Madison honored me with a Madison City Coin in May for my dedication and positive impact on the lives of young people through mentorship and coaching at Bob Jones High School. I’m also a published author and wrote “More Than A Believer: Practical Guide to A Transformed Life.”

2. Favorite food: Good ole ribeye.

3. Goal or ambition: To be all that God created me to be down here on earth so when I get to heaven, I hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

4. Church: Church of the Highlands.

5. Something people might not know about me is: My wife and I lived in Belgium for 18 months in a small Flemish village called Gooik.

Pat McAfee turned her love of travel into a career as a flight attendant, but that ended when an injury caused chronic pain.

She turned to the orthopedic team at Madison Hospital for minimallyinvasive hip replacement surgery.

With her mobility back and her pain gone, Pat is able to travel again — starting with Italy, Spain and Australia.

Read the rest of Pat’s story at

myreason.org.