The Madison Record - May 5, 2021

INSIDE: Special section celebrating the Rocket City Trash Pandas’ first home game in Madison

M adison RECORD WEDNESDAY May 5, 2021

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Finalists picked for police chief job City council to interview candidates on May 8

The Driving Force

After 30 years as a high school coach, including 28 as head coach of the Bob Jones softball program, Kent Chambers is enjoying his position as an assistant for the Lady Patriots as much or more so than any previous season he can remember. Page 3A

By JOHN FEW john@themadisonrecord.com MADISON – Madison is moving closer to naming a new police chief. The city’s communication specialist, Samantha Magnuson, said the city council will hold a work session for the police chief interviews with the final four candidates on May 8, beginning at 8 am.

Stringer

Morris

Madison’s former police chief David Jernigan retired earlier this year. John Stringer, one of the finalists has been serving as Acting Chief since January.

The interviews will be conducted inside the city council chamber at city hall, 100

Walls

Gandy

Hughes Drive. Magnuson said the interviews will be open to the public; however, to avoid distraction during the interview process, doors to the council chamber will be closed once an interview begins. Those See POLICE CHIEF Page 2A

BUSINESS

Madison woman dies in Limestone wreck Groundbreaking

By STAFF REPORTS

The Madison Chamber of Commerce and city officials helped the Downtown Rescue Mission celebrate the groundbreaking of their new location in Madison on Wednesday. Page 5A

ATHENS — A Madison woman died in a one-vehicle accident in Limestone County Friday afternoon, according to Alabama state troopers.

They said Ashley Christine Cole Renfroe, 33, died when the 2003 Chevy Trailblazer she was driving left the roadway, hit a tree, overturned and ejected her.

The accident occurred at 12:56 p.m. Friday on Alabama 251 near Shelton Road, 14 miles north of Athens.

Renfroe, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene, troopers said.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Highway Patrol Division is investigating the crash.

EDUCATION

New head coach Madison Academy has named its new head coach of the Mustangs’ girl’s basketball program.

Krista Baldwin has joined the private school after five seasons as assistant coach at UAH. Page 6A

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I-565 INTERCHANGE AT TOWN MADISON OPEN - The long-anticipated opening of the new interchange entering the Town Madison District from I-565 eastbound was held Friday morning. City and area leaders met to cut the ribbon to open phase one of the project. Future phases will eventually connect to the westbound side of I-565. The opening comes just in time to handle expected traffic to see the Rocket City Trash Pandas play their first home game at Toyota Field on May 11. Speculation swirled during the past few months if the opening would come in time for the new Minor League Baseball team’s home debut. City officials said finalizing the interchange was a group effort by the Alabama Department of Transportation, city and state leaders, and Town Madison. “This interchange will improve interstate access for Toyota Field, Madison residents and allow for additional retail, restaurant and office developments to occur at Town Madison,” said Madison Communication Specialist Samantha Magnuson. “Commuters to Redstone Arsenal will also benefit as this interchange will provide an additional interstate access for workers using Gate 7 on Zierdt Road, easing traffic and reducing backups at Gate 9 on Research Boulevard.”

City names citizens picked for newly-formed police advisory council

By STAFF REPORTS MADISON – The Madison City Council approved selections for the first Police Citizens Advisory Committee last week.

The formation of the committee was approved earlier this year with the goal of promoting dialogue between the Madison Police Department

and the community. It will serve in an advisory capacity for community concerns, quality-of-life issues, police officer training, community policing, diversity, procedural justice, crisis intervention and other topics.

The mayor and each city council member selected their choices based on applications they received from Madison

residents.

The committee includes: Mayor’s appointment: Marc Highsmith; Place 1: Curtis Potter; Place 2: Sara Browder; Place 3: Billie Goodson; Place 4: Frank Fletcher; Place 5: Dwayne Craft; Place 6: Rebecca Franz, and Place 7: Paul Fontaine.

One more member will be chosen when the new chief of

police takes office “The Madison Police Department is committed to professionally and effectively serving our community in partnership with all stakeholders. We are excited about working with our community to establish the Madison Police Citizens Advisory Committee to strengthen our relationship See COMMITTEE Page 2A

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Committee with our community,” Acting Police Chief John Stringer said.

The committee will hold public meetings and recommend programs or policies to improve the police department.

“This Police Citizens Advisory Committee serves as another step forward in transparency and open dialogue with our citizens,” Mayor Paul Finley said. “We look forward to the cooperation with the members of the committee as they communicate with city’s Police Chief, Mayor, City

Council and the community at large.”

Council is hopeful for this valuable resource to connect with our citizens and listen to how our local government and law enforcement can continue to serve our community more effectively,” City Council President Greg Shaw said.

He said the community’s interaction can assist police in understanding the nature and causes of complex community problems. The committee will advocate the principle that administration

of justice requires total community involvement and personal responsibility.

Police Citizens Advisory Committee also will inform Madison Chief of Police, Mayor and City Council about actions by Madison Police Department that have created community concern or controversy.

City officials say the committee will strengthen bonds between the police department and the community to confirm equal protection and service for all citizens.

Man killed in wreck during chase

By STAFF REPORTS MADISON – A Madison County man was killed in a wreck Thursday when he was attempting to get away from deputies and crashed his car.

Deputies were trying to take 39-year-old Brian Potts into custody when he attempting to elude when he sped away from deputies.

The pursuit started about midnight on Madison Boulevard. It ended on Enterprise Way.

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Police Chief wishing to attend may only enter at the beginning or exit at the conclusion of each interview. Also, no questions from the public will be permitted.

While none of the candidates currently resides in the City of Madison, Magnuson said all the candidates have a strong connection to the State of Alabama, and plan to move into the city after appointment.

Included is a brief profile on each of the finalists along with their interview time:

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•

John Stringer (8 a.m.)

John Stringer has been with the Madison Police Department since March of 1997 and has been the Acting Police Chief for the Department for four months, managing 107 employees and a budget of $8.7 million. His regular position is Major/Assistant Chief since October of 2019.

From August of 2012 to October of 2019, he served as Captain of Special Operations for five years, and Captain of the Investigation Division for approximately 2 years.

Major Stringer began his career in law enforcement in 1996 as a Patrol Officer with the Huntsville Police Department; then sought employment outside of Police work and chose to return to Police work when he was hired by Madison Police Department as a Patrol Officer in 1997. He continued to progress up the ranks to Investigator, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and then Major of the Department.

Major Stringer is a member of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Steering Committee and was tasked with establishing a CIT for the Madison Police Department, and working with a Detective designated as the City’s CIT and Community Mental Health Officer, to develop the CIT program, resulting in 12 Madison Police Department CIT Officers qualified to assist citizens experiencing mental health crises. He also led the team that established a 12-hour shift, compressed work week, which has helped the department with recruitment and retention.

Major Stringer has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UAH, and an MBA in Public Administration from Columbia Southern, and completed the FBI National Academy in 2015.

Clay Morris (9:15 a.m.)

Clay Morris served as the Department of Justice (DOJ) Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from September 1995 to September 2020 as Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Deputy Director, Section Chief, and Acting Diversion Program Manager, in the Birmingham District Office and the Atlanta Field Division. His responsibilities included leadership and oversight of the Birmingham District Office, Resident Offices for Huntsville, Montgomery, Mobile, and the Dothan Post of Duty, for a staff of approximately 130 personnel (including

Staff Directory French Salter, General Manager, 256-722-6677 french.salter@theredstonerocket.com

Madison County Record is published each Wednesday by Madison Publications, LLC, P.O. Box 859 Madison, AL 35758.

John Few Editor 256-772-6677 john.few@madisoncountyrecord.com Gregg L. Parker News Writer gregg.parker@madisoncountyrecord.com Bob Labbe Sports Writer bob0873@yahoo.com

federal, state or local law enforcement officers).

Prior to working for the DOJ, Clay Morris served as Deputy Sheriff and Deputy Marshal for 3.5 years at East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Monroe, Louisiana City Marshal’s Office. In his career with the DEA, he has managed budgets from $7.5 to $32 million.

Clay Morris has a long list of achievements. Two examples of large-scale complex enforcement operations addressing life-threatening events include 1) Special Agent In Charge with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), District Attorneys and Local Law Enforcement to arrest many doctors and pharmacists distributing drugs; and 2) While stationed at DEA’s Office of Investigative Technology, he established an international High Value Target project to rapidly obtain actionable intelligence and information which led to the location and arrest of “El Chapo” Guzman, leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, and numerous high value targets designated by the US government.

Clay Morris has a bachelor’s degree in General Studies from University of New Orleans, and a Master’s in Criminal Justice from Northeast Louisiana University (Louisiana Monroe), and completed DEA Senior Leadership Institute in 2014.

Jeffrey Walls (10:30 a.m.)

Jeffrey Walls is a Police Commander of the New Orleans Police Department and has served in this role for approximately 10 years, currently supervising 100 certified officers.

New Orleans has eight Districts, and Commander Walls is currently serving in the 2nd (Uptown) District and had served in the 8th District (French Quarter) for 6.5 years, and the 3rd District (Lake View), as well as the Mounted Division. Commander Walls has progressed with the Department since he was hired as a Patrol Officer in 1997 progressing to Detective, Sergeant in Homicide, Lieutenant, and then to the rank of Commander in 2011.

Commander Walls involvement with the Community Advisory Board (PCAB), comprised of members from every spectrum of the community, offering the community a voice into how they police and providing citizens more understanding of the department; and meeting with as many neighborSubscription Rates In county one year ............. $28.08

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hood groups as possible, out of 50 in his district. He has also managed largescale public events (including the Super Bowl Game, Alabama and LSU Championship Game, and others); and managing the Mounted Unit, and community fundraising events to fully support the Unit (Hops and Cops and Horse Soccer).

Commander Walls has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Loyola University, and a Master’s in Homeland Security and Emergency Management from Tulane University, and completed the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute in 2018.

Johnny Gandy (11:45 a.m.)

Johnny Gandy is a Captain of the City of Virginia Beach Police Department, currently supervising more than 100 certified officers and non-sworn staff for a precinct of approximately 250 square miles. The 1st Precinct incorporates the US Navy’s East Coast Master Jet Base, industrial and office complexes, a large shopping mall, and numerous residential neighborhoods from assisted housing to multi-million-dollar homes.

Captain Gandy has progressed with the Department since he was hired as a Patrol Officer in 1987, becoming an Acting Detective in 1991, and a regular Detective in 1996, promoted to Sergeant in 2000, a Lieutenant in 2010, and then a Captain in 2018.

Captain Gandy has a long list of achievements.

Two examples include the establishment of a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program, developing in-service training for Police Officers, and authorized a grant package to start the program, partnered with many CIT staffed agencies that resulted in the largest most successful program in the state.

Also, when Captain Gandy supervised the department’s Domestic Violence Unit (DMU), the local Navy military bases had an epidemic of domestic violence incidents involving military families due to increased deployments, and Captain Gandy was asked to tailor the program for military members, which resulted in a drop in incidents.

Captain Gandy has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University, and a Master’s in Criminal Justice from Troy University, and completed the FBI National Academy in 2017.

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Longtime Bob Jones High coach/teacher Kent Chambers takes pride in driving the bus that transports the Patriots’ softball team on its road trips. The former head coach, now assistant, is the “driving” force behind getting the Lady Patriots to their next away game.

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the “Driving Force” behind Bob Jones softball program

By BOB LABBE bob0873@yahoo.com

MADISON - After 30 years as a high school coach, including 28 as head coach of the Bob Jones softball program, Kent Chambers is enjoying his position as an assistant for the Lady Patriots as much or more so than any previous season he can remember. His work with the team includes keeping the scorebook, team-player statistics and officially working with the outfielders. He’s also the team bus driver. He’s responsible for safely transporting the team to and from away games.

“It’s wonderful, exciting for me to be involved with the team I was with for 28 years,” said Chambers. “I park the bus, grab the scorebook and keep the stats.

This is so much less stress than being head coach.”

Chambers retired as a coach in 2016 and Whitney Deaver was hired as his replacement beginning in the 2017 season. For three years upon his retirement Chambers still supported the team he helped build for almost three decades by sitting in his lawn chair and cheer on the Patriots from outside the playing field fence just like all the other fans in attendance.

After three years away from the sport on the field and all of his former players graduated from the school Chambers had this need to be involved in some capacity with the team. Remaining at the school as a math teacher and assistant athletic director, he approached Deaver about helping the team, but without having to make any decisions for the program. She agreed to Chambers’ declarations and he joined as an assistant coach in 2020.

Already having to escort many of the sports teams at the school by driving a yellow school bus loaded with numerous sports teams and carrying his specialized driver’s license for over 20 years, Chambers jumped at the chance to sit behind the wheel and safely drive the teenage girls to game after game.

Chambers said today’s school bus is much different than the ones he first began to drive as the new sophisticated school buses are equipped with automatic transmission, air conditioning and, what he enjoys the most, a radio.

“I always play a radio station that

plays old rock and roll music and many times the girls make fun of my choice in music,” said Chambers, 56.

The relationship between Chambers and Deaver goes years back in time as Chambers became friends with her family and even baby sat her at one time.

Deaver played against Chambers’ teams while she starred at Grissom High and he watched her play throughout her collegiate years at Jacksonville State.

Deaver took the job as assistant coach at nearby Sparkman High before Chambers reached out to her about his retirement and hoping she would apply for his vacated position.

“He’s the reason I’m at Bob Jones and he’s in my corner and very supportive of our program,” said Deaver. “He’s more than our bus driver and assistant coach.

He’s like a father to all the girls. He’s a big part of the program.”

While at the wheel, Chambers is a man of concentration as he knows the lives of many are at his fingertips. Obtaining his special license to drive a school bus he’s a sure-sighted driver who always checks his mirrors for safety. “Yes, I can also see the girls in the back of the bus and many times they are very humorous,” added Chambers.

“I joke with Whitney about which restaurant we’re to visit and if they have bus parking,” chuckled Chambers knowing maneuvering a bus in tight parking lots does not work.

In his reign as head softball coach Chambers posted 884 victories with 19 winning seasons and 12 trips to the state playoffs while having 57 of his players sign collegiate scholarships. His storied history got him inducted into the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017 and earned him the prestigious AHSAA’s “Making A Difference” award in 2016.

“Whitney is the boss. I work for her and I’m there to assist whenever she asks,” said Chambers.

Once the bus fires up its engine, the team is in place and Chambers buckles his seatbelt, he put his hands on the steering wheel and sort of becomes the team leader rolling down the highways.

He continues his journey with the sport he loves and the softball program he built to become of the most respected in the country.

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The Sparkman High cheer squad exited the UCA National High School Cheerleading Championships with two national titles by winning both the Small Varsity Coed and Small Varsity Coed Game Day competitions at the event held in Orlando, Fla.

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The James Clemens Jets recently won the Varsity Non-Building Game Day division National Championship at the UCA National High School Cheerleading Championships held in Orlando, Fla.

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May 5, 2021

Heritage claims kudos at FIRST LEGO League Challenge

By GREGG PARKER Gregg.Parker@madison countyrecord.com MADISON – A prime example of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics or STEM applications, LEGO Robotics is popular at Heritage Elementary School. Students showed their dedication to the discipline at the FIRST LEGO League Challenge.

The Activators and Shifting Gears teams from Heritage delivered an impressive showing at the state competition.

The challenge emphasizes friendly competition as teams research, problem solve, code and apply engineering. Students build and program a LEGO robot that navigates a robot game’s missions.

Teams also participate in a research project to identify and solve a relevant real-world problem.

This year’s contest was in virtual format. The challenge attracted 22 teams with approximately 220 students.

“This year’s challenge was titled, ‘The Replay

Challenge,” coach Rachel Gibbs said. “In both the innovation project and robot game, students motivated their community to get out and get active.

Teams presented their project and robot, as well as a judging conversation in a 30-minute Google Meet session.”

Rachel Gibbs, who is gifted specialist at Heritage, coaches the Activators. Third-grade teacher Ariel Grimmett mentors the Shifting Gears team.

Judges are professionals in the community who have experience with robotic projects, design and programming.

The Activators Team, all fifth-graders, includes Harshtha Chander, Carson Forsyth, Laya Gowder, Grant Jauken, Zachary Johnson, Emily Lynn, Ishita Rajput and Eleri Sanders.

In the Shifting Gears Team, fourth-grade members are Anshita Agarwal, Sheldon Erickson, Prachi Khadka, Kaitlyn Nelson, Diego Santos and Colin Stonecypher, along with fifth-graders Evelyn Da-

vis, Declan Giles and Elizabeth Peterson.

“Our Activators Team took home the Robot Performance Award, coming in first place and earning the most points in the robot run portion. The Activators also won the Robot Design Award,” Gibbs said.

“For robot performance, the winning team’s robot earns the most points by completing missions successfully on the robot table through strategy and programming,” Gibbs said.

“The Robot Design Award (goes) to the team who (had) the most effective and innovative strategy, along with robot design and coding. They exemplify teamwork by including everyone as an important part of the process.”

By joining FIRST LEGO League, students receive multiple benefits at both local and state levels.

“Students (can) practice important executive skills that will be very useful later in life, such as researching, goal setting, planning and evaluating results,” Gibbs said. “I believe the

Straight from victories at FIRST LEGO League Challenge, Activators team members at Heritage Elementary School are Zachary Johnson, front from left, Grant Jauken, Emily Lynn, Ishita Rajput. Eleri Sanders, back from left, Laya Gowder, Carson Forsyth and Harshtha Chander. program’s most valuable aspect is the opportunity for students to build teamwork skills, such as trust, communication and collaboration.”

For a teacher, the LEGO activity is rewarding “to watch students grow and build relationships with one another and work as a

unified group to solve a real-world problem,” Gibbs said. Her team members most enjoy the chance to meet and learn with their friends every week. They feel a sense of family.

“Our parent coaches also play a huge role in our LEGO Robotics journey each year. We wouldn’t

succeed at the level we have historically without their support,” Gibbs said.

The Activators’ parent coaches are Matt Johnson, Matthew Lynn, Sherri Lynn and Yvonne Sanders. The Shifting Gears’ mentors are Pedro Capo-Lugo, Rich Erickson and Heidi Peterson.

Michael Cole qualifies for Eagle rank in Students earn corporate-sponsored Boy Scouts by organizing blood drives National Merit Scholarships

By STAFF REPORTS

By STAFF REPORTS MADISON – Students in Madison City Schools and local private schools are among recipients of corporate-sponsored funds in the 66th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

These students are in 2021’s first announcement of National Merit Scholars. Program officials will name additional recipients on May 12, along with winners of college-sponsored awards on June 2 and July 12.

Approximately 160 corporations, company foundations and other business organizations finance the scholarships: * Caroline M. Bendickson – James Clemens High School. Probable career field is biochemistry. National Merit Leidos Inc. Scholarship.

Headquartered in Reston, Va., Leidos is a global science and technology solutions and services leader working to solve the world’s toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, civil and health markets. The company’s 32,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. * Nolan J. Drummond – Bob Jones High School.

Probable career field is mechanical engineering.

National Merit Leidos Inc. Scholarship. * Devika Shankar – James Clemens. Probable career field is medicine.

National Merit Bentley Systems Scholarship.

Bentley Systems Inc. is a global leader in providing architects, engineers, geospatial professionals, constructors and owner-operators with comprehensive software solutions for sustaining infrastructure. Founded in 1984, Bentley has more than 3,000 colleagues in 50 countries. * Duke D. Yeom – James

Clemens. Probable career field is computer science.

National Merit BASF Corporation Scholarship.

BASF Corporation, a Fortune 100 company, has a highly diversified product mix, including chemicals, colorants, automotive coatings, inks, plastics and pharmaceuticals.

Scholarships were issued to students in private schools nearby Madison: * John Bennett Lange -- Westminster Christian Academy. Probable career field is medicine. National Merit Truist Scholarship.

Based in Winston-Salem, N.C., Truist Financial Corporation operates banking offices in the Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Indiana, Florida and Washington D.C. Truist awards are offered to employees’ children. * Joshua Lin – Bob Jones. * Noah E. Murphree – Westminster Christian Academy. Probable career field is engineering.

National Merit Leidos Inc. Scholarship. * Madison R. Taylor – Madison Academy.

Probable career field is neuroscience. National Merit General Dynamics Corporation Scholarship.

Headquartered in Falls Church, Va., General Dynamics employs about 50,000 workers worldwide. The company has leading market positions in business aviation, information systems, shipbuilding and marine systems, and land and amphibious combat systems.

Most scholarships are renewable for four years of undergraduate study and provide annual stipends ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. Some awards provide a single payment between $2,500 and $5,000.

For more information, visit nationalmerit.org.

MADISON – Michael Cole focused on attaining the Eagle rank when he realized how close he was.

Michael had watched and helped his brother with his Eagle project. “I saw it was a lot of work. My brother had to lead others to help complete the project. Watching him helped me learn what worked and what not to do for my project,” Michael said.

Michael, 16, is a sophomore at St. John Paul II Catholic School.

He joined Scouts as a first-grader in Clarksville, Tenn. His family moved to Madison when he was in fifth grade. “After visiting different troops, we found the smaller troop of Madison United Methodist Troop 204 as the best fit for our family and most similar to the troop in (Tennessee),” Michael said.

“Scouts in Troop 204 were fun. I liked the activities and games. Although I was new to the area, it felt like I had a home right away with familiar parts of the Scouting program,” Michael said.

Michael’s favorite part of Scouting was camping out with new friends. “We had adventure activities, such as canoeing, caving, hiking, fishing and bike rides,” he said. He enjoyed

games, campfire stories and jokes from adult leaders.

At each camp, Michael built relationships with fellow Scouts and troop leaders. “Each experience built memories. With more skills, I learned and, the more I knew about how to handle different and difficult situations, my confidence increased,” he said.

“Having my parents involved in the troop committee helped me. Adult leaders guided but left it to us Scouts to follow through on what needed to learn. This helped me stay focused,” Michael said.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, Michael learned that the Madison area was in emergency need of blood. “Everything was shut down. I wasn’t thinking much about moving forward on my Eagle project,” he said. However, he contacted LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, and, with Scout leadership, he discovered a blood drive’s safety requirements.

“LifeSouth volunteers and workers were very supportive and helpful,” Michael said. Observing COVID-19 protocols, Michael organized two blood drive buses and collected 42 pints of blood. Donors have told Michael that

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they’re continuing to give blood because his drive brought awareness of the constant need.

At John Paul II, he is enrolled in honors courses and participates in orchestra band as a trombonist for five years, marching band and Golf Team. He volunteers at church.

Michael’s troop will visit Florida’s Sea Base for a 10-day SCUBA diving trip in June. “Scouts have giv-

en me opportunities and situations to grow in ways I would have never experienced,” Michael said.

Michael’s parents are David and Melanie Cole.

David is Medical Director for Huntsville Hospital’s Occupational Health Group and Troop 204 Scoutmaster.

Melanie, a Licensed Professional Counselor, has worked as Professional School Counselor and mental health provider.

Ramirez signs with Southern Union State Community College

By BOB LABBE bob0873@yahoo.com MADISON - Paola Delgado Ramirez once had thoughts of giving up her efforts in her favorite sport of volleyball. Like many high school athletes, the Bob Jones senior seemed to feel she may not be up-to-par in her athletic craft and contemplated hanging up her volleyball uniform.

“At one time I thought maybe the next level was not for me, so I actually began looking at other plans for my future,” said Ramirez, senior team captain for the Patriots in 2020.

At 5-foot-5, 145-pounds, Ramirez is not your typical tall volleyball player, but her gutsy and energetic efforts on the court are many times the highlight of a Patriots’ winning point or match. Struggling to face the stagnant time through the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, Ramirez was attending a camp just prior to her senior season and all seemed to be going well as she was anxious about her play in her senior season. While attending that pre-season camp a college coach made their way to speak with Ramirez, as she described, “The coach told me I was a complete ath-

Bob Jones volleyball player Paola Delgado Ramirez, center, signed an athletic scholarship with Southern Union State Community College in a ceremony held at Bob Jones. She held her signing alongside her parents, Luis and Jessica, and her younger brother, Sebastian. lete and player. At that moment, I felt I could move from high school to college playing volleyball.”

Her persistence paid off as Ramirez sat down with her parents, Luis and Jessica, and her seven-year old brother, Sebastian, and signed an athletic scholarship to play volleyball in college for the Bisons of Southern Union State Community College located in Wadley, Ala. Ramirez wants to study nursing in college following in her mother’s footsteps as she, too, is a nurse.

Ramirez will attend Southern Union with a 3.5 grade point average.

“I love the sport and how it’s about teamwork, a whole team it

Toyota Field • Town Madison M adison RECORD THE

Michael Cole organized two blood drives to earn the rank of Eagle in Boy Scouts.

takes to win,” added Ramirez. “I feel I’m competitive and intelligent and I know I’m a very good vocal leader.”

Growing up in Puerto Rico, her family moved to Madison in her eighth grade school year and she continued pursuing volleyball after giving up basketball and track.

Progressing through her years of volleyball she was contacted by several schools about playing in college before she chose to play for the Bisons.

“I received a text message telling me Southern Union wanted me,” said Ramirez. “Maybe God wanted me to not quit and to play in college.”

May 5, 2021

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To advertise in The Record, call Donna at 256-714-7152 A groundbreaking ceremony was held last week for a new Downtown Rescue Mission in Madison.

Downtown Rescue Mission breaks ground on new store in Madison

By JOHN FEW john@themadisonrecord.com MADISON – The Madison Chamber of Commerce and city officials helped the Downtown Rescue Mission celebrate the groundbreaking of their new location in Madison on Wednesday. The new store will be built at 101 Plaza Boulevard, behind the Publix Shopping Center on Hughes Drive.

The new store is expected to be ready

by January 2022. Currently, the Downtown Rescue Mission Thrift Store in Madison is located at 8006 Madison Pike near Horizon Elementary. It first opened in 2010.

“The Downtown Rescue Mission has continued to make a difference here and throughout the rest of the Tennessee Valley,” Madison Mayor Paul Finley said at the groundbreaking ceremony. “We are very excited to have them here.”

Finley praised the work of the Rescue Mission, in particular the way the non-profit agency has utilized their thrift stores to help people in the community find items they need at great prices, which also helps fund the overall ministries through the Mission — their homeless shelter and recovery pro-

grams.

All proceeds from the seven thrift stores the Mission operates go directly back to the Mission to provide food, clothing, shelter and Christian education to anyone who needs it.

“A big part of what we do, is of course, help those who are needy,” said Downtown Rescue Mission President and CEO Keith Overholt. “But the Mission does much more than that. We are an advocate for the community.”

“While we do take care of the homeless, we have many programs to help the community in other ways too,” Overholt said. He used an example of a family they are working to help who lost their home in a fire. “We are working to find things to supply their next house and things they will need.”

Overholt said the thrift stores help them to provide those services. “Every cent goes back to help the Mission fund all those programs that we have,” he added.

The Mission currently operates seven stores in Huntsville, Athens, Decatur, Albertville, Meridianville and Madison.

For more information about the thrift stores and the ministries of the Downtown Rescue Mission, go to www.downtownrescuemission.org

President Biden nominates Madison CEO to TVA Board of Directors

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MADISON – The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has nominated Kimberly ‘Kim’ Caudle Lewis to serve on the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority or TVA. President Biden also nominated nine other individuals across the country to serve on key boards and commissions, according to the April 20 announcement.

Lewis is the Chief Executive Officer of PROJECTXYZ Inc., a business that provides services and products in the areas of engineering, logistics, technical services, manufacturing and international foreign military sales. She leads a workforce that supports federal and commercial customers across several diverse subsidiaries and at locations across the United States and around the world.

Lewis succeeded in previous career roles and studies in healthcare and information technology to set the foundation for starting PROJECTXYZ. With her company, she previously was involved in management of large-scale IT implementations and projects for large healthcare companies.

“At PROJECTXYZ, we believe our biggest differentiators are our people, our willingness to partner with our customers and our philosophy of putting profit back into the company. All of these aspects allow us to invest in the success of our employees, our customers and our business,” Lewis told “Madison Living” magazine.

Her 25-year career spans business operations and management, technology,

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Most recently, she has become the first minority owner of the only locally owned broadcast television station in North Alabama, WTZT-TV. Her husband, Larry Lewis Jr., serves as president of PROJECTXYZ, having joined the company in 2007. The couple has two daughters: Sandi Dewberry, 25, who lives in Nashville, and Lela Lewis, 9, a fourth-grader at Providence Elementary School.

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6A

May 5, 2021

Baldwin named Madison Academy’s new girls basketball head coach

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Baldwin joins the Lady Mustangs after five seasons as an assistant coach at UAH.

teer work with Manna House and Lincoln Village Ministries, Baldwin will be awarded a master’s of Science and Supply Chain and Logistics Management from UAH.

Bob Jones wrestler named All-American; Maddox Sunderman faced nation’s best

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MADISON- Packed up in his black Jeep, 16-year old Maddox Sunderman can be seen riding through Madison with a more of a smile than he usually flashes after his recent three-day trip to Virginia Beach, Va. The two-sport athlete from Bob Jones High returned from his trek to the fine beaches of the East Coast with the honor of being named an All-American Heavy-

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MADISON - Madison Academy has named its new head coach of the Mustangs’ girl’s basketball program. Krista Baldwin has joined the private school after five seasons as assistant coach at UAH. “I’m incredibly grateful and humbled by this opportunity, said Baldwin, after her accepting the new position. “The culture of Madison Academy is unlike any school I’ve stepped into and I’m excited to be a part of that family. I’m ready to go to work.”

The position came open after Alissa Flowers announced she would step away as head coach to concentrate on her young family.

Flowers was head coach for four seasons where she posted a 102-34 record and appeared in two State Championship games winning one.

Baldwin was an exceptional high school and college player under her

maiden name of Stricklin. At nearby Hayden High School of Blount County, she was a three-sport athlete and led the Wildcats in her four seasons in basketball being named All-State four consecutive seasons and piling up 3,155 points, which is the ninth best in AHSAA history.

Upon landing a spot at Samford University in Birmingham, she was a four-year starter appearing in more than 120 games scoring more than 700 points and pulling down more than 500 rebounds.

She graduated with a degree in fitness and health promotion and is a strength and conditioning coach.

She arrived at UAH where she helped the women’s program for five seasons.

“She brings a lot of energy to her new position,” said Mark Mincher, athletic director at Madison Academy. “She is an outstanding young woman who will have a tremendous impact on and off the court.”

Besides her community volun-

weight Wrestler and became Bob Jones’ first heavyweight All-American.

Sunderman and four others from the Patriots program made the trip.

Those joining “Mad Dog” were Evan Pippin, Jack Shaver and Ronin Amsler.

They participated in the 32nd annual High School Nationals, regarded as the premier wrestling tournament in the country, held at the Virginia Beach Sports Center, which is part of the National High School Coaches Association.

“When I first walked in I was really intimidated as the experience was a whole new thing for me,” said Sunderman. “I’ve never been a part of a national level wrestling event and there was a lot more competition than I was used to.”

The 6-foot-4, 295-pound sophomore took to the mats for five matches and posted a 2-3 record and finished eighth out of 64 wrestlers from across the country. He was pinned once and lost two close onepoint decisions. On the winning side, he pinned one opponent and scored a 10-2 decision for his second victory. He said of his matches, “I quickly found out I couldn’t muscle my way through the competition. I had to use my head and try and pace myself.”

Sunderman is expected to take over the reins of top heavyweight wrestler for the Patriots this fall after being in the shadows of state finalist Drew Lawson, who chose to play college football at Southern Miss this fall upon his graduation from Bob Jones. Sunderman’s rise to prominence began when he took up the sport in the eighth grade as he was also playing football at Discovery Middle School. He watched Lawson since his start in the sport and always inspired to one day make the move to the top of the weight class.

Upon arriving at Bob Jones, Sunderman quickly became a mainstay on the offensive line for the football team earning second-team All-State honors as a sophomore. He also chose to remain with wrestling under the guidance of Bob Jones head coach Matthew Sweatman, but he also made his way to club wrestling at the Tennessee Valley Wrestling Club where’s he’s been coached by Bob Jones Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Ken Clark.

Bob Jones sophomore wrestler Maddox Sunderman became the fourth wrestler in school history to be named All-American after a strong eighth place finish at the High School Nationals.

“I love both sports as they go hand-in-hand and I feel I’m equally good in both sports,” said Sunderman.

The son of Ryan and Kresta Sunderman, the heavyweight wrestler also has two younger brothers who tangle with opponents on the wrestling mats. Brody is an eighth grader and wrestles in the 205-pound division while fifth grade athlete, Cooper, mixes it up in the 100-pound weight class.

The football world can be very demanding in more ways than just putting on pads and knocking heads with similar high school athletes. When you carry talent such as Sunderman’s you have to deal with college recruiting and he’s currently seeing the entourage of recruiters knocking at his door.

He’s received numerous communications from the likes of Duke, Florida State, Western Kentucky and Arkansas State. He stated being able to play football and wrestle would be the ideal school.

While in Virginia, Sunderman made sure he put some sand between his toes visiting the local

beaches, but his concentration was squarely on wrestling and earning the label of All-American where he joined former Bob Jones wrestlers Zaderian Toney, Zach Clark and Anthony Bruno who also carried the national banner.

Sunderman says he has confidence in his wrestling talents mostly due to his coaches instilling the feeling of being able to perform at a high level. He admitted once he got into the arena in Virginia and won his first match he was thinking he would win the entire division, but soon a reality check came about when he was pinned by the wrestler who would go on and take the heavyweight overall title.

“I got cocky. I quickly realized I need to improve in several areas as I couldn’t muscle my way through the competition and had to use my intelligence to survive,” said Sunderman.

With springtime upon the area and his jeep more open-air, it would be a nice gesture if you see him riding among the streets of Madison to wave and say hello to the newest All-American.

Bob Jones heavyweight wrestler Maddox Sunderman gives much of the credit to his longtime club coach Ken Clark, left.

May 5, 2021

THE RECORD • 7A

Bob Jones, James Clemens return to Top 10 of ‘Best High Schools in Alabama’

By GREGG PARKER Gregg.Parker@madisoncountyrecord.com MADISON – Bob Jones and James Clemens high schools not only ranked in the “Best High Schools in Alabama” list by “U.S. News & World Report,” but both Madison schools qualified for the Top Ten. James Clemens was ranked as No. 10, while Bob Jones reached No. 6.

“Families can use the Best High Schools rankings to see how schools compare at the national, state and local level on factors, like graduation rates and college readiness,” Anita Narayan said. Narayan is Managing Editor of Education at “U.S. News.”

“The rankings also provide insight into academic performance among underserved groups showing how well schools are supporting these students,” Narayan

said.

“U.S. News” uses six factors to determine its “Best High Schools” list: * College readiness – Accounts for 30 percent of rating. Includes proportion of seniors who earned a qualifying score on Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or both exams. * Reading and math proficiency – 20 percent. From testing in the 2018-2019 school year. * Reading and math performance – 20 percent. Determined as expected performance for characteristics of the school’s students. * Underserved student performance – 10 percent. Comparison of scores on state assessments for underserved to those students who are not underserved in Alabama. * College curriculum breadth – 10 percent. Percentage of seniors in 2018-2019

who passed multiple AP/IB exams. * Graduation rates – 10 percent. For 2018-2019 school year.

Local schools in the list are Athens High School at No. 23 with a report card grade of 87/B; Huntsville High School, No. 18, 89/B; and New Century Tech High School (magnet), No. 2, 98/A. “U.S. News” compiled details for each listed school: * James Clemens, No. 10 -- 94/A. Student poverty level is 7 percent. Direct Certified 16 percent. Enrollment 1,983.

Total school-level spending per student for 2019 was $9,387. Local school-level

spending per student, included in total above, for 2019 was $1,976. Last year, James Clemens ranked as No. 7. * Bob Jones, No. 6 -- 95/A. Student poverty level is 7 percent. Direct Certified 19. Enrollment 1,812. Total school-level spending per student for 2019 was $9,356.

Local school-level spending per student, included in total above for 2019 was $1,671. Last year, Bob Jones ranked as No. 8.

For the second consecutive year, the No. 1 school was Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School in Montgomery.

American Legion, Post 229 hosts baseball activities for youth at Palmer Park in May

By GREGG PARKER Gregg.Parker@madisoncountyrecord.com MADISON – Madison American Legion, Post 229 has organized and will present two activities for youth who live for grabbing a hit to second base and the spray of dust during a slide into home.

The venue for both events will be Palmer Park at 574 Palmer Road in Madison.

Legionnaires are presenting the baseball activities in coordination with the City of Madison Parks and Recreation Department.

On May 5, the Jr. Home Run Derby competition will be held on the upper baseball quad starting at 6 p.m. The activity is ‘powered’ by MLBdevelops.

“Bring you bat and glove!” Post 229 Commander Larry Vannoy said. “Although Major League Baseball is the major sponsor of the event, we are not receiving any financial support. This is a ‘home grown’ event that we are hosting.”

“We are the only host in a 50-mile radius of Madison and only one of two competitions within a radius of 75 miles,” Vannoy said. “The competition is open to both boys and girls and for any player, not just Madison residents.”

The age groups are boys and girls will be U12 and U14. The cutoff date for ages is July 17, 2021.

Each competitor will be allowed 10 ‘outs.’ Any ball that is not a home run will count as an out. In addition, ‘a swing and a miss’ by a batter will be considered an out. Fences at the competition will be age

AVIATION CHALLENGE appropriate.

Registration is available only online.

To register, visit mlb.com/junior-homerun-derby/find-a-competition.

Youth who are participating must present his or her birth certificate and verification of health at the competition.

The second event is Major League Baseball’s Pitch, Hit & Run competition on May 19 at 6 p.m. at Palmer Park. The age groups for boys and girls are 7-8 years old, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14 years old. The age cutoff date is July 17, 2021.

Baseball players will compete at the park’s lower baseball quad. Softball players will report to the softball quad.

Registration is available online only.

To register, visit mlb.com/pitch-hitand-run/find-a-competition. At the competition, all participants must present their birth certificate and verification of health.

For more information, call 256-2588534, email commander@americanlegionpost229.org or visit americanlegionpost229.org or Facebook/American Legion Post 229.

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May 5, 2021

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LA GRAN RIVIERA

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C oming Soon to Madison!

PLAY BALL!

Page 3B

Coaching Staff -

A to Z Guide -

Page 3B

Page 4B

The Rocket City Trash Pandas will play their first home game at Toyota Field in Town Madison on May 11.

Seating Chart -

Page 4B

The long wait is over! The Trash Pandas is bringing Minor League Baseball back with first home game at Toyota Field

By BOB LABBE bob0873@yahoo.com

Promotions -

MADISON - “They’re here.”

To borrow a famous line from the 1982 film “Poltergeist,” the Rocket City Trash Pandas will become reality as May marks the beginning of what has been a journey from dreams to disappointment to corporeality. The minor league baseball team is now in the community and anxiously want to provide the area with what they’ve been waiting for since the Huntsville Stars vacated Huntsville in 2014- baseball.

From the day former Trash Pandas President and Chief Executive Officer Ralph Nelson walked the land west of Zierdt Road along I-565 and stood where he thought home plate would be, once a stadium was erected for the team and games played in what is now Toyota Field, the excitement has built to an enormous level. After a disappointing 2020 year where the COVID-19 pandemic canceled what was supposed to be the inaugural season of baseball for the new professional franchise of the Los Angeles Angels, the anticipation was a wild frenzy. Now…let the games begin.

Nelson resigned from his position with the Trash Pandas on April 22 in a surprise move. His company, BallCorps, will remain the team owner.

Page 4B

The grounds - Page 5B

A natural fit - Page 5B

The voice of the Trash Pandas - Page 8B

11 leagues in all. The Trash Pandas will play in, what was known as the Southern League, the Double-A South League with a North Division and South Division.

In the North Division, Trash Pandas are what was left of the Mobile Bay Bears who basically moved here still under the flag of the L.A. Angels. The remainder of the division teams and their Major League affiliations include: Birmingham Barons

(Chicago White Sox), Chattanooga Lookouts (Cincinnati Reds), and Tennessee Smokies (Chicago Cubs).

The South Division is made up of the Biloxi Shuckers (Milwaukee Brewers), which was derived from the move of the Huntsville Stars in 2015, Mississippi Braves (Atlanta Braves), Montgomery Biscuits (Tampa Bay Rays) and Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Miami Marlins).

Double-A South League With the 2021 season Major League Baseball reconstructed its Minor League Baseball with

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Trash Pandas Schedule What the entire Tennessee Valley has been waiting for is the action on the baseball diamond.

Major League Baseball has set a schedule on minor league teams playing Tuesday-Sunday with Mondays an off day. The 120-game season will feature 60 home games with the Trash Pandas to host its first home outing on Tuesday, May 11, after a See TRASH PANDAS Page 2B

2B • THE RECORD

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week-long road schedule in Chattanooga. A complete schedule is located elsewhere in this publication and on the Trash Pandas website: www. traspandasbaseball.com.

Promotions will be held each home game including every Tuesday during the 2021 season that have been designated Ladies Night, presented by Reeds Jewelers of Huntsville. Every game during this promotion women will have chances to win great prizes.

Toyota Field Home of the Trash Pandas will operate as a 100-percent “cashless stadium.” Eliminating the physical transfer of cash and coins will significantly cut down on contact between guests and employees providing a more sanitary overall experience at Toyota Field.

Credit and debit cards will be accepted at locales around Toyota Field. Mobile tap-to-pay will be available in all areas, excluding the ticket office. Trash Cash Cards, Toyota Field’s in-house form of payment are available and can be purchased in advance or at the stadium with the balance of the cards able to roll over from game to game.

Parking at Toyota Field has also migrated to new technology as visitors can purchase through the “Clutch!” app and when doing so receive a discounted rate of $6 per vehicle. Pay as you arrive is set at $10 per vehicle.

A security reminder- clear-bag policy will be enforced.

Toyota Field Layout (see seating chart on 4B) What is being recognized as one of the newest first-class and fan-friendly stadiums in America, Toyota Field and the Trash Pandas welcome everyone with open arms, smiling faces and plenty of options for a positive experience. As a homage to the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s, “a splendid time is guaranteed for all.”

One of the most significant aspects of the new stadium is the fact there is a 360-degree concourse. Once you enter the locale, you can maneuver completely around the stadium without leaving the facility. Besides the private concourse suites and other private areas within the confines of Toyota Field, there are numerous locations that are open, free and utterly fantastic places for the experience of attending a Trash Pandas game.

The Lee Company Home Plate Patio is located directly behind home

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May 5, 2021 Continued from 5B

plate on the concourse level and is open on a first-come, first-serve basis. Standing tables are available in this section. The Party Deck is located on the suite level where up to 105 fans can join the high-top tables and seats along with “Big Ass” ceiling fans there to keep a constant breeze blowing. Kirkland’s Pest Control Picnic Patio is available for rent with openings set for small groups or up to 312 seats. This area can be catered with a covered tent and buffet.

The Kid’s Zone is nearby with several pieces of playground equipment on hand with interactive items for the young kids as well.

Moving to the left field section of the facility the home and visitor bullpens are both located there.

Around and between those players’ areas is the Toyota Outfield Experience where $8 tickets get you general admission standing area with concessions. There is also an entrance gate located in that portion of the perimeter. On the right field side of the “Batter’s Eye” green wall is another open area that will feature a swimming pool in the near future and video screen/scoreboard before coming to the Inline Lighting Rock Porch.

The general admission ticket area will feature a full-service bar along with a drink rail that actually hangs over the outfield wall of the playing surface. The Rock Porch is a good 15feet above the playing surface.

Next to the Rock Porch is the Budweiser Berm featuring $8 general admission ticket lawn seating where frolicking is encouraged. The Bill Penney Plaza is expected to be a fun open area where the newest lines of Toyotas will be on display.

Along the first base section is the main Pepsi Entrance, Junkyard Team Store and batting cages where many of the players will be warming

up just prior to taking to their time at the plate during the game.

The largest inside/outside area of Toyota Field is the SportsMED Stadium Club. The large event center is open to all with a special suite ticket needed for the inside area and the 185 seats located just outside the Stadium Club. A full-service bar and food bar is available. Representatives of SportsMED, which is home of the team’s physician Dr. Troy Layton, have indicated the stadium club seats are sold out for three years.

The event center locale is available for renting for special occasions when games are not being held.

On the concourse level behind sections 01, 02 and 13 are the 4 Tops half-moon tables with four chairs facing the field of play. The open areas have also been sold out for three years. The Legacy Seats areas are three rows of seats directly behind home plate of sections 07, 08 and 09.

The individual high chairs area also includes drink rails.

As for concessions, four different concessions stands are available- Champy’s Friend Chicken, the Dumpster Dive, Gravity Grill and All-Stars featuring all of the usual baseball game type food and many other extras. The Trash Pandas will provide 13 portable carts throughout Toyota Field with drinks and the standard “Hawkers” offering your favorite foods walking through the ballpark. Trash Pandas management has also setup a special food app for several of the specialty areas.

Some of the individual suites above sections 04, 05, 11 and 12 can handle up to 25 patrons and catered for $1,300 per game. The outdoor suites have lawn furniture designed seating within the walled off areas.

Let the games begin. Rocket City Trash Pandas are here.

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May 5, 2021

THE RECORD • 3B

Trash Pandas roster includes some of the Angels’ top prospects MADISON – In conjunction with the Los Angeles Angels, the Rocket City Trash Pandas announced the first roster in club history last week ahead of their first game at Chattanooga. If the lineup stays mostly unchanged, these are the players fans can expect to see at Toyota Field on Tuesday, May 11.

At the helm for the Trash Pandas will be Manager Jay Bell, a World Series Champion and Gold Glove Award Winner with over 2,000 games of Major League experience.

Joining him on the coaching staff will be Pitching Coach Michael Wuertz, Hitting Coach Kenny Hook, Defensive Coach Derek Florko, Strength and Conditioning Coach Andrew Chappell, and Athletic Trainer Yusuke #

PITCHERS (15)

Takahashi.

Bell’s 28-man squad features five of the Angels’ Top 30 prospects (according to MLB.com): left-handed pitcher Reid Detmers (Angels’ No. 2, No. 65 in all of baseball), right-handed pitcher Oliver Ortega (No. 15), outfielder Orlando Martinez (No. 17), left-handed pitcher Packy Naughton (No. 22), and right-handed pitcher Denny Brady (No. 28).

Detmers, the Angels’ top pitching prospect, will be making his professional debut for Rocket City.

Drafted in the first round (10th overall) of the 2020 Draft out of the University of Louisville, Detmers spent last season at the Angels Alternate Training Site in Long Beach.

A strong Trash Pandas’ pitching staff includes Packy Naughton, a left-

THR HT

WT

BORN

12 Almeida, Adrian

LHP

6-0

175

2/25/1995

26 Puerto Cabello, Venezuela

Selected from NYM in Triple-A Phase of 2016 Rule 5 Draft

22

Bates, Nathan

RHP

6-8

235

3/1/1994

27

Drafted in 15th round, 2015 FYP Draft

17

Brady, Denny

47 Criswell, Cooper 10

Detmers, Reid

AGE

BIRTHPLACE

hander entering his first full season in the Angels organization. In 2019, he was named the Cincinnati Reds’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year after a strong season between High-A Dayton and Double-A Chattanooga.

Set to make their Double-A debuts on the mound for the Trash Pandas will be Denny Brady, Cooper Criswell, Detmers, Jhonathan Diaz, Travis Herrin, Connor Higgins, Jake Lee, Hansel Rodriguez, Keith Rogalla, and Kyle Tyler.

Adrian Almeida, Nathan Bates, Oliver Ortega, have previously pitched for the Mobile BayBears while Kieran Lovegrove has appeared at the Double-A level for parts of two seasons in the Cleveland Indians and San Francisco Giants organizations.

In the lineup, the

ACQUIRED BY LOS ANGELES ANGELS

Jackson, MS

RHP

6-1

200

1/18/1997

24

Vineland, NJ

Drafted in 7th round, 2017 FYP Draft

RHP

6-6

200

7/24/1996

24

Carrollton, GA

Drafted in 13th round, 2019 FYP Draft

LHP

6-2

210

7/8/1999

21

Nokomis, IL

29 Diaz, Jhonathan

LHP

6-0

170

9/13/1996

24

Valencia, Venezuela

28

RHP

6-2

220

4/29/1995

26

Lebanon, IN

33 Higgins, Connor

LHP

6-5

240

7/21/1996

24

Allentown, PA

Drafted in 30th round, 2018 FYP Draft

32

RHP

6-4

215

6/30/1995

25

Milford, MI

Drafted in 9th round, 2018 FYP Draft

Herrin, Travis

Lee, Jake

Drafted in 1st round, 2020 FYP Draft Signed as a free agent, 11/17/2020 Drafted in 18th round, 2015 FYP Draft

Signed as a free agent, 3/14/2021

15 Lovegrove, Kieran RHP

6-4

185

7/28/1994

26

23 Naughton, Packy

LHP

6-1

190

4/16/1996

25

Boston, MA

Trade with Cincinnati Reds, 8/21/2020

30

RHP

6-0

195

10/2/1996

24

Nauga, D.R.

Signed as a free agent, 12/10/2014

34 Rodriguez, Hansel RHP 24

Ortega, Oliver

Johannesburg, S. Africa

6-2

170

2/27/1997

24 Santo Domingo, D.R.

Signed as a free agent, 11/17/2020

Rogalla, Keith

RHP

6-3

225

9/15/1995

25

Oak Park, IL

Drafted in 12th round, 2017 FYP Draft

21

Tyler, Kyle

RHP

6-0

195 12/27/1996

24

Oklahoma City, OK

Drafted in 20th round, 2018 FYP Draft

#

CATCHERS (3)

B/T

HT

WT

BORN

AGE

BIRTHPLACE

ACQUIRED BY LOS ANGELES ANGELS

3

Cruz, Michael

L/R

5-11

210

1/13/1996

25

Aguadilla, P.R.

Signed as a free agent, 4/4/2019

16

Jones, Matt

R/R

6-0

200

4/14/1992

29

Wheat Ridge, CO

Signed as a free agent, 4/7/2021

36 Mulrine, Anthony

R/R

6-1

215

3/30/1998

23

Davie, FL

#

B/T

HT

WT

BORN

AGE

BIRTHPLACE

INFIELDERS (6)

R/R

6-0

195

10/1/1994

26

Oranjestad, Aruba

R/R

6-5

220

9/25/1995

25

Clovis, CA

19

R/R

6-4

235

6/20/1995

25

Yaguate, D.R.

6-2

220 12/15/1994

26

Easton, MA

18

plu us sandwiches, salads and soups

Signed as a free agent, 11/17/2020 Drafted in 32nd round, 2017 FYP Draft

6-3

220

9/20/1993

27

Chandler, AZ

Signed as a free agent, 12/29/2020

13 Stefanic, Michael

R/R 5-10

190

2/24/1996

25

Boise, ID

Signed as a free agent, 7/19/2018

# OUTFIELDERS (4)

B/T

HT

WT

BORN

AGE

BIRTHPLACE

*ULI¿Q 6SHQFHU

5 5

6XJDU /DQG 7;

'UDIWHG LQ WK URXQG )<3 'UDIW

4

Hunter Jr., Torii

R/R

6-2

205

6/7/1995

25

Pine Bluff, AR

Drafted in 23rd round, 2016 FYP Draft

8 Martinez, Orlando

L/L

6-0

195

2/17/1998

23

La Habana, Cuba

9

L/R

6-3

215

3/6/1998

23 Saint Maarten, NL Antilles

Wilson, Izzy

Down Home Cooking - Daily Specials -

Signed as a free agent, 11/17/2020 Signed as a free agent, 4/2/2021

27 MacKinnon, David R/R R/R

Players on the first Trash Pandas roster received their first chance to practice together at Toyota Field on Saturday, ahead of their first game on Tuesday.

Drafted in 25th round, 2019 FYP Draft

14 Gatewood, Jake

Nay, Mitch

Manager Jay Bell, above, conducted his first practice for the newly formed Trash Pandas on Saturday.

ACQUIRED BY LOS ANGELES ANGELS

2 Didder, Ray-Patrick

Isabel, Ibandel

Trash Pandas will have a diverse group of young talent mixed with minor league veterans. Infielders David MacKinnon and Michael Stefanic will be playing at the Double-A level for the first time.

Ray-Patrick Didder, Jake Gatewood, Ibandel Isabel, and Mitch Nay have all been All-Stars at the minor league level in previous seasons. Isabel also set a Florida State League record with 35 home runs in 2018.

The outfield is the youngest group on the team with all four outfielders aged 25 or younger. Torii Hunter Jr., 25, is the oldest of the group.

The son of Minnesota Twins and Angels legend Torii Hunter Sr., Hunter Jr. was named a California League All-Star in 2019. Spencer Griffin, Orlando Martinez, and Izzy Wilson join Hunter Jr. in making their Double-A debuts for Rocket City.

Handling the pitching staff will be the catching trio of Michael Cruz, Matt Jones, and Anthony Mulrine. Cruz and Mulrine will be making their Double-A debuts, while Jones was a member of the 2018 Jackson Generals team that won the Southern League Championship.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner M - F 7AM to 8PM, Sat. 6AM - 2PM

ACQUIRED BY LOS ANGELES ANGELS

Breakfast served until 11AM Mon-Fri and all day Saturday.

Signed as a free agent, 8/30/2017

Signed as a free agent, 11/17/2020

Military Discounts Available!

411222-1

By STAFF REPORTS

30694 US Hwy 72 NW, Unit B, Madison 256-233-4223 • miascafeal.com

R AY P E A R M A N LINCOLN

The Trash Pandas coaching staff MADISON - With the 2021 season fast approaching for the Rocket City Trash Pandas, the usual banter of baseball is officially underway with the naming of the complete coaching staff for the inaugural season of the Double-A team of the Los Angeles Angels.

The parent team recently named the coaching staff for the Trash Pandas starting with manager Jay Bell who was scheduled to lead the team in 2020 before the season was scrapped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 18-year Major League Baseball veteran first became a Minor League manager in 2017 in the New York Yankees’ organization. Bell was also a hitting coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates and bench coach for the Cincinnati Reds prior to his move to the manager’s position.

The 2021 coaching staff for the Trash Pandas includes a combined 26 years of Major League playing experience and 21 seasons of managing and coaching in the pro ranks. Those chosen have a wide variety of experiences to utilize in their coaching of the Trash Pandas including a worker in a bat company and SEC

strength and conditioning coach.

Hitting Coach: Kenny Hook, he spent the last six seasons with the Texas Rangers organization. Prior to his stint with the Rangers, he coached in the independent American Association. His playing time in the professional ranks came in the Minor Leagues.

Pitching Coach: Michael Wuertz, is in his fifth season as a coach after playing eight seasons in the Major Leagues including five with the Chicago Cubs and three with the Oakland A’s. He played in 426 games as a relief pitcher.

Defensive Coach: Derek Florko, is in his third season with the Angels and comes to the professional ranks through an unusual way. He never played baseball professionally, but instead, has had praise for his work in both college and high school organizations and he is certified by the Titleist Performance Institute for his expert biomechanics teaching of swinging motions in both baseball and golf. He was the Manager of Hitting for AXE Batting Company, which just happens to manufacture bats for many Major League players.

Athletic Trainer: Tusuke Takahashi, is in his fourth season in professional baseball.

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By BOB LABBE bob0873@yahoo.com

4B • THE RECORD

May 5, 2021

Rocket City Trash Pandas’ ‘A to Z Guide’

By GREGG PARKER Gregg.Parker@madison countyrecord.com MADISON – What time will the Rocket City Trash Pandas’ game start? Can I buy supper at the stadium? Do I have to buy a ticket for my two-year-old?

These questions and hundreds more can be answered with the “A to Z Guide” from the Trash Pandas. The Trash Pandas’ opening game for 2021 will be May 11 at 6:35 p.m. with the Tennessee Smokies.

A summary follows with some of the guide’s helpful details: A – Address of Toyota Field is 500 Trash Panda Way, Madison AL 35758. Alcoholic beverages are available at concession stands throughout Toyota Field, along with portable stands and Club Bar. Animals aren’t allowed, except service dogs.

B -- Bags must be clear and are subject to inspection. Business office is open Monday-Fri-

day from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; call 256-325-1403.

C – Cameras are allowed but not tripods. Cashless Policy allows use of MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover at ticket windows, concessions, parking and merchandise booths. Cell phones are permitted (without interfering with other guests). Two-yearolds and younger do not need a ticket but should sit in a parent’s lap; three-year-olds and older need a ticket.

D – Directions from east : On I-565, take exit 13 to Madison Boulevard, left on Zierdt Road, right on Town Madison Boulevard, and right on Trash Panda Way. Directions from west: On I-565, take exit 9 on Wall Triana, right toward Triana, left on Graphics Way, left on Dunlop Boulevard SW, right on Town Madison Boulevard, and left on Trash Panda Way. E – Elevators are available inside Toyota Field on the concourse behind home plate and

in left field.

F -- First-aid is available at Toyota Field behind Section 11 on the Concourse. First pitch is open to one member of a group of 50 or more in a hospitality area. Food and beverage menus are available on game-day programs and at TrashPandasBaseball.com.

G – Gates at main entrance open 65 minutes before game time. Groups of 20 or more should call 256-325-1403, Ext. 2.

K -- Kids Zone down the leftfield line has free playground area and rubberized floor.

L – Lawn chairs are prohibited because of slope of Budweiser Berm. Blankets are allowed.

M – Mascot is named “Sprocket.” In Minor League Baseball, Trash Pandas are Class AA and member of Double-A South league.

O – Outside food and beverage are prohibited.

P – Parking on-site is $6, if pre-paying with Clutch App; See A TO Z Page 8B

The Trash Pandas mascot, Sprocket, paid a visit to the Heritage Providence subdivision in Madison on Sunday to get residents pumped up about the new season. He is pictured above with some excited fans, and at right with Elizabeth Busby.

MESSAGE FROM THE MOUND

Find out at

Hogan Family YMCA 130 Park Square Lane Madison, AL 35758 256.705.9622

ymcamadison.org

May 11 – Opening Night / Toyota Field Replica Giveaway / Fireworks (Toyota) / Reeds Jewelers Ladies Night May 12 – Dog Leash Giveaway: First 500 dogs (Leidos) / Dog-Friendly Night May 13 – Mask Giveaway: First 5,000 fans (SportsMED) / Pregame Happy Hour May 14 – College Night & Shirt Giveaway: First 2,500 adults 18+ (Calhoun Community College) / Fireworks (Bill Penney Toyota) May 15 – 2021 Magnet Schedule: First 5,000 fans (WOW!) / Saturday Fireworks (WOW!) May 16 – Sprocket Trash Can Bobblehead: First 1,500 kids 12 & under (Kirkland’s Pest Control) / Miller Postgame Happy Hour / Kids Run the Bases May 25 – Seat Cushion Giveaway: First 2,500 adults 18+ (Crestwood Medical) / Reeds Jewelers Ladies Night May 26 – Dog-Friendly Night May 27 – Armed Forces Night & Jersey Auction / Pregame Happy Hour May 28 – Friday Night Fireworks (Inline Electric) May 29 – Saturday Night Fireworks (Budweiser) May 30 – Military Cap Giveaway: First 2,500 adults 18+ (WOW!) / Toiletries Drive / Miller Postgame Happy Hour / Kids Run the Bases June 1 – Ninja Turtle Night & Shirt Giveaway: First 2,500 adults 18+ (WDRM 102.1) / Reeds Jewelers Ladies Night June 2 – Lou Gehrig ALS Night / Dog Bandana Giveaway: First 500 dogs (Hollywood Feed) / Dog-Friendly Night June 3 – Frontline Workers Night / Pregame Happy Hour June 4 – Friday Night Fireworks June 5 – Saturday Night Fireworks June 6 – Kids Run the Bases June 15 – Wine Glass Giveaway: First 2,000 women 21+ / Reeds Jewelers Ladies Night June 16 – Dog-Friendly Night / School Supplies Drive June 17 – Throwback to the Huntsville Stars & Shirt Giveaway: First 2,500 adults 18+ (Trustmark) / Pregame Happy Hour June 18 – Friday Night Fireworks (Quantitech) June 19 – Saturday Night Fireworks June 20 – Fathers’ Day & Dress Socks Giveaway: First 2,000 men 18+ (The Rock Family Worship Center) / Kids Run the Bases July 6 – Reeds Jewelers Ladies Night July 7 – Dog-Friendly Night July 8 – Sunglasses Giveaway: First 2,500 adults 18+ (Bill Penney Toyota) / Pregame Happy Hour July 9 – Friday Night Fireworks July 10 – Saturday Night Fireworks (Chick-Fil-A) July 11 – Sprocket Bobblehead: First 1,500 kids 17 & under (Lexus of Huntsville) / Kids Run the Bases July 20 – Commemorative Glass Giveaway: First 2,500 adults 18+ (Champy’s) / Reeds Jewelers Ladies Night July 21 – Dog-Friendly Night July 22 – Adult Hat Giveaway: First 2,500 adults 18+ (SportsMED) / Pregame Happy Hour July 23 – Friday Night Fireworks July 24 – Saturday Night Fireworks

July 25 – Christmas in July Night / Toy Drive / Kids Run the Bases July 27 – Negro Leagues Celebration / Josh Gibson Tribute / Reeds Jewelers Ladies Night July 28 – Dog-Friendly Night July 29 – Pregame Happy Hour July 30 – Friday Night Fireworks (Trustmark) July 31 – Saturday Night Fireworks August 1 – Princess Night / Kids Run the Bases August 17 – Reeds Jewelers Ladies Night August 18 – Dog Tag Giveaway: First 500 dogs / Dog-Friendly Night August 19 – Superhero Night & Jersey Auction / Pregame Happy Hour August 20 – Friday Night Fireworks August 21 – Saturday Night Fireworks August 22 – Kids Run the Bases August 31 – Reeds Jewelers Ladies Night September 1 – Dog-Friendly Night September 2 – “Friends” Night & Shirt Giveaway: First 2,500 adults 18+ / Pregame Happy Hour September 3 – Friday Night Fireworks (Boeing) September 4 – Saturday Night Fireworks September 5 – Lunch Bag Giveaway: First 1,500 kids 12 & under / Canned Food Drive / Kids Run the Bases September 14 – Reeds Jewelers Ladies Night September 15 – Dog-Friendly Night September 16 – Huntsville Havoc Night & Jersey Auction / Pregame Happy Hour September 17 – Friday Night Fireworks September 18 – Saturday Night Fireworks (Trustmark) September 19 – Fan Appreciation Day / Kids Run the Bases For additional information, visit TrashPandasBaseball.com.

in·var·i·ant: n. constant, never changing, commitment to excellence.

411643-1

What’s up at the

The entire 2021 promotional calendar for Toyota Field

May 5, 2021

THE RECORD • 5B

Behind the Scenes at Toyota Field

WORKERS and EMPLOYERS: Need help with

Unemployment Claims related to COVID-19?

Contact the Alabama Department of Labor to

file claims and get more information.

411258-1

LABOR.ALABAMA.GOV

Funding provided by the USDOL, ETA, Federal WIOA. An Equal Opportunity Employer/Program.

Auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

1 OUT OF 10 ELDERLY PERSONS AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES ARE BEING: Abused, Neglected or Exploited If you suspect this is happening to someone you know, please report it to Adult Protective Services by contacting your local DHR office or calling the

ADULT ABUSE HOTLINE at 1-800-458-7214

The man responsible for the well-groomed playing surface at Toyota Field is Madison’s own Charlie Weaver.

Madison’s Charlie Weaver - the man behind Toyota Field’s well-groomed playing surface

HELP STOP THE ABUSE IF YOU SEE IT, REPORT IT

By BOB LABBE bob0873@yahoo.com

Thereʼs no excuse for 411257-1

ELDER ABUSE “This project was supported by Subgrant #18-VA-VS-050 #16-VA-VS-076 awarded by the Law Enforcement / Traffic Safety Division of ADECA and the U.S. Department of Justice.” The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice or grant-making component.”

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As healthcare professionals, it is up to you to ensure your patients remain up to date with their vaccines.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) recommend the following vaccines for adolescents:

411254-1

MADISON - Entering the gates and strolling into Toyota Field the first aspect of the new home to the Rocket City Trash Pandas that catches your eye is the playing field. The luscious green grass along with the brown dirt infield, pitchers’ mound and home plate area is a vivid contrast that makes the playing field and its magnificent beauty the showcase of North Alabama.

The man responsible for the wellgroomed playing surface is Madison’s own Charlie Weaver.

“When I was young growing up in Madison I used to get out with my dad while he taking care of the lawn as he took pride on what he was doing,” said Weaver of his first endeavor with grooming a magnificent grass surface. “I began to take pride in the final product like he did and that’s what I do today.”

A 2012 graduate of Bob Jones High, Weaver was an outstanding right handed pitcher for the Patriots and earned a scholarship to continue playing baseball in college at UAH. He played four years for the Chargers winning one Gulf South Conference Championship with the Blue and White. With one additional year of education still to go before earning his degree in cyber security, Weaver stayed close to the baseball program by being the groundskeeper for the baseball field on the UAH campus.

“The day after my graduation I went up to Wisconsin and took an

• • • •

Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis Human papillomavirus Meningococcal disease Influenza

For more information, please visit alabamapublichealth.gov/imm

ALABAMA DEPT OF CORRECTIONS Charlie Weaver internship with the Timber Rattlers, an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, and learned a lot

from my five-month stay there,” said Weaver. “I knew I wanted to See WEAVER Page 8B

CLEAR AND SECURE CAREER PATH

COMPETITIVE BENEFITS PACKAGE

Dr. Troy Layton “a natural fit” for Trash Pandas’ team physician JOBS AVAILABLE MADISON - “This is all I’ve wanted to do,” expressed Dr. Troy Layton on his being named the team physician for the Rocket City Trash Pandas.

As one of the founding physicians of SportsMED Orthopaedic Surgery & Spine Center in 1994 with Dr. Eric Janssen, Layton has specialized in sports injuries, especially the areas of knees and shoulders. He and Janssen had a vision of what they wanted to do in the Huntsville area- first, by educating the city and surrounding communities on sports medicine- second, by assisting most of the high schools in the area by providing expert care alongside an athletic program’s athletic trainer.

Layton’s first exposure to professional sports teams was when he was named team physician for the Huntsville Channel Cats professional hockey team, which is now known as the Huntsville Havoc. In 1994, he was chosen as team physician for the Huntsville Stars professional baseball team and remained with the parent club organization of the Milwaukee Brewers until the Stars’ closure in 2014.

“There were several doctors in the Birmingham area that I have worked with that recommended me for the position with the Brewers’ organization,” said Layton. “Once the Trash Pandas came to be, their parent club, the Los Angeles An-

gels, contacted me and they asked the Brewers who they used while their organization was thriving in Huntsville.”

That was almost three years ago and now Layton is officially on staff with the Angels and will receive a small stipend for his general care of the players and their families and anyone associated with the team.

“I love personal connection with a team like the Trash Pandas and being a personal physician to so many people,” added Layton. “Not only for the athletes, but their families. This is a big time commitment as I’ll be responsible for non-orthopaedic care as well. I’ll use Crestwood Medical Center in conjunction with what SportsMED will provide the Trash Pandas.”

Being a highly trained orthopaedic surgeon actually began while Layton was attending Tarrant High School in Birmingham. He was a three-sport athlete, but as a junior he suffered a broken femur bone (upper leg) and had a rod inserted during a special surgical procedure. The experience gave him the inspiration and drive to become a surgeon and specialize in athletics.

“Right after that surgery I knew I wanted to work in the field of sports medicine,” said Layton. “The decision happened almost overnight.

I’m the only person in my immediate family involved in the medical field.”

Layton is a 1989 graduate of the University Of Alabama School Of Medicine in Birmingham and com-

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411255-1

By BOB LABBE bob0873@yahoo.com

Dr. Troy Layton pleted his sports medicine fellowship at the University of Oklahoma after his residency in orthopaedic surgery at the University of Florida in Gainesville in 1994. He has been a surgeon consultant for numerous athletic programs including the University of Florida and Oklahoma State University. He’s also been a course instructor for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and clinical instructor at UAB. SportsMED is heavily involved in the Trash Pandas as it will host the SportsMED Stadium Club on the first base side of the new Toyota Field and the venue will be used for many events other than for the baseball games.

See LAYTON Page 8B

411253-1

6B • THE RECORD

May 5, 2021

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KOREAN FIRST BAPTIST JANG YOUNG KIM 4257 SULLIVAN ST. MADISON, ALA. 35758 256-772-9489 SUNDAY 12:15 P.M. WEDNESDAY 7 P.M. LINDSAY LANE BAPTIST CHURCH EAST CAMPUS ANDY JOHN KING, PASTOR 1659 NICK DAVIS ROAD WWW.LINDSAYLANEEAST.ORG 256.232.0020 SUNDAY 9 A.M. AND 10:45 A.M. WEDNESDAY GROUPS 6:30 P.M. LITTLE SHILOH PB REGINALD JOHNSON 229 MAPLE ST. MADISON, ALA. 35757 256-461-4275 SUNDAY 11 A.M. WEDNESDAY 6:30 P.M. MADISON BAPTIST MICHAEL ALLISON 840 BALCH ROAD MADISON, ALA. 35758 256-830-6224 SUNDAY 10:45/6 P.M. WEDNESDAY 11 A.M./7 P.M. MADISON FREE WILL BAPTIST 5295 WALL TRIANA HWY MADISON, ALA. 35757 256-430-3087 MOSES CHAPEL PRIMITIVE BAPTIST JOE HERFORD 372 MOSES CHAPEL ROAD MADISON, ALA. 35757 256-461-0083 SUNDAY (SCHOOL/WORSHIP) 9 A.M./10 A.M. WEDNESDAY 6:30 P.M./7 P.M. MT. ZION BAPTIST PASTOR DR. KEVIN MOORE 228 MOUNT ZION ROAD HUNTSVILLE, ALA. 35806 256-837-2665 SUNDAY SCHOOL/BIBLE STUDY

BIBLE FIRST BIBLE CHURCH MADISON CAMPUS SENIOR PASTOR: STEVE BATEMAN CAMPUS PASTOR: ALEXANDER ROBERTS JAMES CLEMENS HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM 11306 COUNTY LINE ROAD MADISON, AL 35756 256-353-2711 WWW.FBC.ORG SUNDAY: 10:45 A.M. WORSHIP SERVICE & CHILDREN MINISTRIES 9:15 A.M. COMMUNITY GROUPS, STUDENT & CHILDREN MINISTRIES MADISON BIBLE CHURCH 1520 HUGHES ROAD MADISON, AL 35758 256-430-0722 WWW.MADISONBIBLECHURCH.NET SENIOR PASTOR: BILL YOUNG YOUTH & OUTREACH PASTOR: JAY HUGHES WORSHIP & CHILDREN’S PASTOR: DAN MORGAN WORSHIP WITH US AT 9:15 (CHILDCARE FOR INFANTS – KINDERGARTEN DURING WORSHIP) STUDY WITH US IN ADULT BIBLE FELLOWSHIPS AT 10:45 YOUTH MEET AT 10:45 (MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL) CHILDREN’S MINISTRY AGE 2 – 5TH GRADE “JAM-JESUS AND ME” AT 10:45 NURSERY AT 10:45 AWANA FOR CHILDREN AGES 2 – 6TH GRADE MEETS ON SUNDAY AFTERNOONS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR AT 4:15 – 6:00 MINISTRY FOR MEN AND WOMEN DURING THE WEEK

CATHOLIC ST. JOHN’S CATHOLIC 1057 HUGHES ROAD MADISON, ALA. 256-722-0130 SUNDAY: 7 A.M./8:30 A.M./11:30 A.M./5:30 P.M. M-F/W&TH:8:30 A.M./6:30 P.M.

CENTRAL VALLEY CHURCH OF CHRIST 9580 MAISON BLVD. MADISON, AL 35613 SUNDAY 10:00AM WEDNESDAY CONNECT GROUPS 6:30PM CVCFAMILY.ORG CHURCH OF CHRIST MINISTERS CARL WITTY AND GREG CHANDLER HUGHES ROAD AT GOOCH LANE MADISON, ALA. 35758 256-830-1654 SUNDAY 10 A.M./5 P.M. WEDNESDAY 7 P.M.

GOOD SHEPHERD UNITED METHODIST PASTOR DAVID TUBBS 1418 OLD RAILROAD BED ROAD MADISON, ALA. 35757 256-232-3331 SUNDAY 9:15 A.M./10:45 A.M. WEDNESDAY 6:30 P.M. (YOUTH MEETING) GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PASTOR BRYAN SISSON 2113 OLD MONROVIA RD. HUNTSVILLE, AL 35806 256-430-0003 CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP 9:00 A.M. SUNDAY SCHOOL 10:00 A.M. TRADITIONAL WORSHIP 11:00 A.M. WWW.GRACEUMCHSV.ORG

CHURCH OF CHRIST OF MADISON MINISTER MIKE WINKLER 556 HUGHES ROAD MADISON, AL 35758 256-772-3911 SUNDAY 8:15 A.M./10:30 A.M./5 P.M. WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 7P.M.

GRADY-MADISON AME CHURCH 129 GOOCH LANE MADISON, AL 35758 (256)864-2829 WWW.GRADY-MADISONAMECHURCH.ORG SUNDAY SCHOOL @ 9:45AM SUNDAY WORSHIP @ 11:00AM

MONROVIA CHURCH OF CHRIST MINISTER RAY PALMER 595 NANCE ROAD MADISON, ALA. 256-837-5255 SUNDAY 10 A.M. WEDNESDAY 7 P.M.

HARVEST POINTE METHODIST CHURCH PASTOR MARSHALL DAIGRE 103 GIN OAKS COURT MADISON, AL 35758 256-434-1390 WWW.HARVESTPOINTE.COM WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/HARVESTPOINTE OFFICE@HARVESTPOINTE.COM

SWANCOTT CHURCH OF CHRIST PHILIP DOUD SWANCOTT ROAD MADISON, ALA. 35756 256-355-2217 SUNDAY 11 A.M./5 P.M. WEDNESDAY (BIBLE STUDY) 7 P.M. WALL TRIANA CHURCH OF CHRIST 7535 WALL TRIANA HIGHWAY MADISON, ALA. 35758 256-716-1817

MADISON UNITED METHODIST DR. TRAVIS WILSON, PASTOR 127 CHURCH STREET MADISON, AL 35758 (256) 772-9761 SUNDAY WORSHIP: 8:30 & 10:45 AM SUNDAY CLASSES: 9:45 AM WWW.MADISONUM.ORG

CHURCH OF GOD FIRST CHURCH OF GOD MADISON 1547 CAPSHAW ROAD MADISON, ALA. 256-830-5542

PARKER CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PASTOR BILL DEISS 28670 POWELL ROAD MADISON, ALA. 35756 SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:45 A.M. SUNDAY WORSHIP: 10:30 A.M.

ST. MATTHEW’S EPISCOPAL 786 HUGHES ROAD MADISON, ALA. 256-864-0788 SUNDAY 8:30 A.M. /11 A.M. /5 P.M. WEDNESDAY 12 P.M. GOSPEL BRIGHT STAR FULL GOSPEL 5167 WALL TRIANA HWY MADISON, ALA. 256-864-8072

SPRINGHILL UNITED METHODIST REVEREND CLAUZELL RIDGEWAYWILLIAMS, SR. PASTOR 1605 ZIERDT RD. MADISON, ALA. 35756 256-461-7472 SPRINGHILLUMCMADISON.ORG/

JEWISH SYNAGOGUES TEMPLE B’NAI SHOLOM 103 LINCOLN ST. S.E. HUNTSVILLE, AL 35801 256-536-4771 JOURNEY CHURCH 13902 BRADFORD ROAD MADISON, ALABAMA 35756 WWW.JOURNEYCHURCHATHENS.COM WORSHIP: SUNDAY 10:00 A.M. HUNTSVILLE CONSERVATIVE SYNAGOGUE 7705 BAILEY COVE RD. S.E. HUNTSVILLE, AL 35802 256-881-6260 LUTHERAN FAITH LUTHERAN PASTOR DOCTOR GERALD BOSSARD 660 GILLESPIE RD MADISON, ALA. 256-830-5600 SUNDAY 8 A.M./10:45 A.M. LAMB OF GOD LUTHERAN, WELS PASTOR DUANE SCHMEICHEL 11716 COUNTY LINE ROAD MADISON, ALA. 256-464-3900 SUNDAY 10:30 A.M. MESSIAH LUTHERAN PASTOR SCOTT PETERSON 7740 HIGHWAY 72 W MADISON, ALA. 35758 256-721-0041 SUNDAY 8:30 A.M./11 A.M. METHODIST ASBURY UNITED METHODIST 980 HUGHES ROAD MADISON, ALA. 256-837-0365 8089 WALL TRIANA HWY HARVEST, ALA 35749 256-325-1550

ST. PAUL UNITED METHODIST PASTOR PAUL HILLARD 620 6TH ST. MADISON, ALA. 35756 256-772-0016 SUNDAY 11 A.M. WEDNESDAY 6:30 P.M. ST. PETER UNITED METHODIST PASTOR DANNY JEFFERSON 107 STEWART ST. MADISON, ALA. 35758 256-464-0887 SUNDAY 11 A.M. WEDNESDAY 6:30 P.M. MORMON THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 1297 SLAUGHTER ROAD MADISON, ALA. 256-722-8417 NAZARENE MADISON FIRST CHURCH PASTOR LEWIS MARTIN 8234 MADISON PIKE MADISON, ALA. 35758 256-772-3381 SUNDAY 11 A.M./6 P.M. WEDNESDAY 6:30 P.M. NONDENOMINATIONAL CALVARY CHAPEL OF HUNTSVILLE 200 THERESA DRIVE MADISON, ALA. 256-430-3400

CENTER OF HOPE CHURCH 5167 WALL TRIANA HWY. MADISON, ALA. 35758 SUNDAY 3 P.M. WEDNESDAY 7 P.M. WWW.ANOINTEDTOREACH.ORG

SPIRIT LIFE FAMILY WORSHIP CENTER 1469 BROWNS FERRY ROAD MADISON, ALA. 256-772-8428

CHURCH DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRY 142 BROWNSTONE DRIVE, ALA. 256-895-0603 CORNERSTONE WORD OF LIFE 3783 SULLIVAN STREET MADISON, AL 35758 256-461-7055

THE SUMMIT LIGHTHOUSE PRESENTING TEACHINGS OF THE ASCENDED MASTERS WWW.TSL.ORG 1-800-245-5445 PRESBYTERIAN GRACE PRESBYTERIAN USA REVEREND ROBIN PALMER 5555 WALL TRIANA HIGHWAY MADISON, ALA. 35758 256-722-0508 SUNDAY 11 A.M.

CROSSPOINTE 78 HUGHES ROAD MADISON, ALA. 256-772-4463 FELLOWSHIP OF FAITH CHURCH 132 MAPLE STREET MADISON, AL. 35758 (256) 536-4673 WWW.TFOFCHURCH.ORG SUNDAY AT 8 A.M. GRACE FELLOWSHIP 11900 MOORESVILLE ROAD MADISON, ALA. 256-233-6200 THE HARBOR FAMILY WORSHIP CENTER 1469 BROWNS FERRY ROAD MADISON, ALABAMA 35758 VOICE 256-668-7795 WWW.THEHARBORCONNECTION.COM HOPE 1661 BALCH ROAD MADISON, ALA. 256-830-5544

MADISON MONROVIA PRESBYTERIAN PASTOR ROY HOLLY WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY MADISON, ALA. 256-722-9496 SUNDAY 10:45 A.M. WEDNESDAY 6:30 P.M. (BIBLE STUDY) MT. ZION CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN 3726 PRYOR ROAD MADISON, ALA. 256-353-9936 NEW HOPE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN 28520 S.W. WALL ST. MADISON, ALA. 256-353-8929

INSIDE-OUT MINISTRIES P.O. BOX 2004 MADISON, ALA. 256-325-5193

PROVIDENCE PRESBYTERIAN PASTOR DARREN THOLE 7745 HIGHWAY 72 W MADISON, ALA. 256-722-0227 SUNDAY 11 A.M./5 P.M. WEDNESDAY PRAYER 7 P.M.

LIFESONG COMMUNITY HOME CHURCH PASTOR JOE JOHNSON 304 HARVESTWOOD COURT MADISON, ALA. 35758 256-426-1339

REDEEMER PRESBYTERIAN 9580 MADISON BLVD. MADISON, ALA. 256-461-6012

LIGHT OF CHRIST CENTER 4208 HOLMES AVENUE NW, HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA 35816 COURSE IN MIRACLES SUNDAY 9 A.M. MYSTERY SCHOOL SERVICE 11 A.M.

ST. ELIZABETH CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN 104 PERRY ST. MADISON, ALA. 256-772-3994

LIVING WORD FELLOWSHIP 1477 SLAUGHTER ROAD, ALA. 256-895-9228

TRIANA CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN 263 STONE ST. SW MADISON, ALA. 256-461-0206

JESUS MINISTRIES 331 LANDESS CIRCLE, ALA. 256-461-0084

VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 719 HUGHES RD, MADISON, ALA. SUNDAY SCHOOL AT 9:30 AND WORSHIP AT 10:45, (256) 508-9020

MADISON MISSION ECONOMIC 183 SHELTON ROAD MADISON, ALA. 256-461-8892

SABBATARIAN HUNGRY HEARTS MINISTRY 6200 TOROK CIR NW HUNTSVILLE, AL 35806 731-736-1055 WWW.HUNGRYHEARTSMINISTRY.COM

MADISON WORSHIP CENTER 5290 WALL TRIANA HIGHWAY MADISON, ALA. 256-721-4595 NEW CREATION CHRISTIAN CENTER 8006 MADISON PIKE, ALA. 256-461-6070 OASIS TABERNACLE - FAITH & LOVE 8006 MADISON PIKE, ALA. 256-325-8009 RAY OF HOPE MINISTRIES PASTOR BILLY R. SANDERS 9580 PUTNAM PLAZA MADISON, ALA. 256-325-2889

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST MADISON MISSION SDA 183 SHELTON ROAD MADISON, ALA. 256-464-9488 TRIANA SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST 251 ERVIN LANE MADISON, ALA. 256-772-3099 UNITY UNITY CHURCH ON THE MOUNTAIN UNITY AFFIRMS THE POWER OF PRAYER AND

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RESTORATION FOURSQUARE 5810 WALL TRIANA HIGHWAY MADISON, ALA. 256-837-0643

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8B • THE RECORD

May 5, 2021

up of Duraedge Pro, which is a mixture of sand, silk and clay and was shipped in from Pennsylvania.

The walkups from each dugout to home plate and the warning track along the outfield fence are made of Southern Red Rock Pro. One of the noticeable looks to the infield is what is known as the “keyhole,” the infield section between pitchers’ mound and home plate. “That was requested by team owner-president Ralph Nelson,” said Weaver of what is regarded as “old school” baseball playing fields.

Weaver has been married to his wife, Jacqueline for 18 months. She is a 2011 graduate of Bob Jones and was a member of the Patriots’ dance team. They didn’t know one another until meeting through a mutual friend while both attended UAH. Weaver’s expertise is not only used at Toyota Field, but has been requested by numerous organizations around the area including Grissom High, UAH and his old stomping grounds at Bob Jones High. He loves the fact others ask him his advice and that they appreciate his knowledge and the fact he’s willing to help his community.

“I originally went to UAH in mechanical engineering, but my fifth year in school when I helped the baseball team and took care of the playing field, I found out I liked it and I quickly shifted my focus to grounds keeping,” said Weaver.

“Growing up in Madison, this was not on my radar.”

You could easily say Weaver has nurtured and groomed his career… much like he has the exquisite playing surface at Toyota Field.

come back near to home so I applied for a turf job and became an assistant with the Franklin, Tenn.

Parks Department where I spent one year concentrating on athletic fields.

That’s where I gained most of my knowledge on grooming athletic fields.”

His next stop was as assistant groundskeeper at the Hoover Met in Birmingham. He spent a year at that position before applying for the head groundskeeper spot at Toyota Field. He submitted his resume, had an interview and was soon on his way to what he calls his “dream job.”

The 26-year old Weaver has one fulltime worker as part of his staff and eight game day employees. The turf at Toyota Field is a blend of 419 bermuda grass over seeded with Kentucky bluegrass.

Weaver and his crew cut the field every game day and every other day when the team is on a road trip with a Triplex threereel mower and a small walk-behind reel mower for the infield. “That’s my favorite thing to do is cut grass,” added Weaver.

Specialized and expertly placed treatment for the turf of fertilizer and weed-insect control is handled year-round. The field is set with a stainless steel rotors Hunter irrigation system that features 14 zones. Sprinkler head locations are checked on a regular basis for player safety.

Weaver’s total budget for the necessary materials for care of the turf is set at $60-thousand.

“We even have a ‘sodfarm’ located just outside the fence over left field and is treated the same as the playing field every day,” said Weaver.

The infield section of the playing field is made

FACTORY H FRESH

Josh Caray

Continued from 5B

Josh Caray will be heard broadcasting each game over 730AM and 103.9FM, The Ump (WUMP).

The voice of the Rocket City Trash Pandas

By BOB LABBE bob0873@yahoo.com MADISON - While those who cannot attend a game in person can still keep up with every pitch of the contest by listening to the play-by-play broadcast over 730AM and 103.9FM, The Ump (WUMP).

All 120 season games can be heard with vivid game calls by Josh Caray.

Son of the late Atlanta Braves award winning broadcaster Skip Caray and whose half-brother, Chip Caray, is current Braves’ TV broadcaster,

A to Z

Layton

= $12

PER ROUND

LARRY’S

BLACK FRAME FLAT DARK EARTH SLIDE MAG FLAT DARK PULL EARTH GRIP PLUS EXTRA SET IL OF BLACK GRIPS A T E R $700

SALE

ESCORTT SLUGGER

NEW

GREAT BASIC SHOTGUN (MODEL HESL 12180001)

12 GA PUMP FROM HATSUN

SALE

NEW

RUGER PC CHAR RGER PISTOL PLUS GET A

FREE

$169

TAKES ALL GLOCK COMPATIBLE MAGA ZINES

RETAIL $ 6 49

OR NEW

$499

PREMIUM PERSONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND DEFENSE AMMO

SALE

$575

LIKE THE CARBINE TAKES ALL GLOCK RETAIL COMPATIBLE MAGS $769

SALE

35

$645

TOOLMAN TACTICAL MAGAZINE

ROUND WITH THE PURCHASE OF EITHER GUN

NEW LOW PRICEE

SPRINGFIELD “HELLCAT”

9M/M COMPACTS S

SALE

$499

RE ETAIL $569

(SKU# # HC9319B)

AMMO IS IN SHORT SUPPLY PR RICES ARE VERY VOLATILE AND D LARRY’S IS FORCED TO LIMIT PURCHASES OF SOME AMMO MANY POPULAR CALIBERS OF AMMO INCLUDING 22 SHORT, 22 LONG, 22 L.R., 17 HMR, 22 MAGNUM, 25 AUTO, 32 AUTO, 380 AUTO, 38 SPECIAL, 9 M/M, 357 MAGNUM, 40 CALIBER, 444 MAGNUM, 45 AUTO, 45 COLT, 45 GAP AND MANY OTHER PISTOL, RIFLE AND SHOTGUN CALIBERS INCLUDING 12 GA. BUCKSHOT.

9 M/M 100 GRAIN HOLLOW POINTS TRAVEL AT 1280 FEET PER SECOND

years and have two children.

“I can’t get away from being a team physicianit’s in my blood,” said Layton. “This is a natural fit.”

NO LIMIT

OR $25

(

(

TAURUS (G2C)

SUPER COMPACTT MODEL

A CASE OF 20 BOXES

MODEL 17 NEW COMPACT 9 M/M AUTO NEW

NEW

$530

STEVENS (MODEL 320) 12 GA. PUMPS (SKU# 19486)

RETAIL $505

SHIPMENT OF

$355

$550

SMITH AND WESSON

SALE AT BOTH LOCATIONS

EZ AUTO

15060 ALA HWY 20 (EXIT 3) IN MADISON

PISTOLANDPAWN.COM

RIGHTS RESERVED TO LIMIT GUN AND AMMO SALES

SALE

$429

BUY BOTH FOR

$429

KEL TEC CP33

22 AUTO

SUPER EASY TO PULL BACK THE SLIDE

(256) 260-7000 OPEN: TUES-FRI 10-6; SAT 9-4

RECEIVE ALL SALES FIRST! SIGN UP AT:

NEW

9 M/M M&P SHIELD

LARRY’S PISTOL AND PAWN

$199

HIG GH POINT RIFLES & PISTOLS

$429

LARRY’S PRICE

PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE LIMITS MAY APPLY ON SOME INVENTORY

(256) 534-1000 OPEN: TUES-FRI 10-6; SAT 9-4

SALE

CHOICE OF BUY BOTH 9 M/M FOR 40 CALIBER 0R 45 AUTO

(MOD DEL MC2C SKU# 89014)

2405 NORTH MEMORIAL PKWAY IN HUNTSVILLE

$299

RETAIL $269

MOSSBERG BASIC

MODEL 36 COMPACT 45 AUTO

$999

RETAIL $359

22 CALIBER SALE

GALLERY GUN

17 SHOT 9 M/M AUTO

GLOCK

SALE

RETAIL $1200

ROSSI

$50

SALE

$250

AR RIFLE E NEW

SAVE $13.50 BUY BOTH FOR

LARRY’’S PRICE E

9 M/M AUTO SALE

COLT

TRY A BOX OF BLUE GUARDIAN

GLOCK

$999

BLACK SLIDE ALL FRAAME COLORS COMES WITH EXTRA MAGAZINE 223 CALIBER - MODEL 6920 NEW

(REDUCED RICOCHET HOLLOW POINTS)

NEW

SALE

FEATURES M-LOCK HANDGUARD, KRISS DELUXE FLIP UP SIGHTS, SB ARM BRACE CHOICE OF 5.56 OR 300 BLACKOUT

45 AUTO

9 M/M AND 45 AUTO

TIDAL WAVE E!

RETAIL $1200

PER BOX A CASE OF WHEN BUYING 20 BOXES

20 ROUNDS

PER BOX OF NDS 20 ROUN

$475

LARRY’S EXCLUSIVE LEAD-FREE HOLLOW POINT PRODUCES CRITICAL FRAGMENTATION WITH REDUCED CHANCE OF OVER PENETRATION REDUCED RICOCHET

155 HOLLOW GRAIN POINTS 75 PER BOX OF OR $30 WHEN BUYING

31

= $14

PER ROUND

SUPER SHO ORT COMPACTT SALE (MODEL GAR-FEAR-118 CS5) 12 GA. AUTO O. THE BEST NEW WINDHAM RP9 OF THE DELUXE AR PISTOLS BEST

2675 PEROF BOX 20

$

BLUE GUARDIAN REDUCED RICOCHET

$

operation and I’ve had nothing but a positive experience with the local organization and the Angels,” said Layton.

He and his wife, Lisa, have been married for 28

223 AMMO

MAY MARKDOWNS 70¢

9M/M BALL 9M/M AND 20 HOLLOW ROUNDS OF POINT

MODEL 1911 GOVERNMENT MODEL 45 AUTOS

FACTORY FRESH

PER BOX OF 20 ROUNDS AMMO FOR INSTORE SALES ONLY

50 ROU UNDS OF

LARRY’S EXCLUSIVE NEW TAURUS

W – Water fountains are available in several locations. Window 5 is the Will Call window.

To access “A to Z Guide,” visit milb.com/ rocket-city/ballpark/ guide.

For more information, visit trashpandasbaseball.com.

PISTOL AND PAWN HORNADY 68 GRAIN (HOLLOW POINT) MATCH

RECEIVE FREE OF CHARGE

PISTOLS

RUGER 9M/M PC C CARBINE E

with professional athletes as they have career goals that could depend on how he treats them.

“For me, this is a great relationship as the Trash Pandas are a first-class

Layton currently performs from 700-800 surgeries a year, mostly on knees and shoulders. He understands with any patient the quality of care is important, especially

BUY AN NY FN 9 M/M PISTOL

OUR ENTIRE INVENTORY N OF NEW FN 9 M/M AUTO

events can be held, like weddings, banquets, corporate events and meetings.

T – Ticket prices are $18, box seats; $8, general admission; and $25, Stadium Club. Tours lasting 45 minutes cost $10.

U - Umbrellas are permitted.

Continued from 5B

➞

60¢

able for men and women in four locations on the concourse, along with two family restrooms near Champy’s. Club Level also has restrooms.

S – Scoreboard features main video in right centerfield with Daktronics LED display board. Seating capacity is 7,500. Special

otherwise, parking is $10.

Phone number for tickets is 256-325-1403. Prohibited items include food, beverages, weapons, containers, lawn chairs, helium balloons, banners, signs, animals, air horns, hoverboards, laser pointers, coolers and drones.

R – Restrooms are avail-

U.S. NO MADE 5.56 OR 223 LIMIT BRASS CASE 55 GRAIN FULL METAL JACKET AMMO

Caray comes to the Trash Pandas with numerous years of experience in an array of sports arenas. He will bring each game to your ears in splendid, colorful detail.

Caray will host a 15-minute pregame segment, along with a post-game recap at the conclusion of each Trash Pandas outing. Games can be streamed through the team’s website, the Minor League Baseball site (milb.com/rocket-city) and TuneIn (tunein.com/radio/The-Ump-1039-s11656).

Sponsors will be included throughout the season with special guests.

Continued from 4B

411952-1

Weaver

SALE

$429