The Madison Record - May 19, 2021

INSIDE: The unusual story of Madison’s Reverend Constantine Blackman Sanders

M adison RECORD

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WEDNESDAY May 19, 2021

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First responders, city employee honored by Rotary Club

She will be missed

By GREGG PARKER Gregg.Parker@madisoncountyrecord.com

North Alabama mourned the loss of Dr. Dorothy S. Davidson last week.

Davidson, the Executive Chair of the Davidson Technologies, Inc. Board of Directors, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, May 11.

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EVENTS

Memorial Day

Madison American Legion, Post 229 will conduct their annual Memorial Day Ceremony to honor individuals who died in military service.

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COMMUNITY

SENIOR STROLL 2021 - Madison elementary schools held their annual senior stroll days last week. It’s a time when graduating seniors from Bob Jones and James Clemens high schools who attended elementary school in Madison can revisit the school from those early grades. It is always a festive occasion. The younger students get in the act waving congratulatory posters and cheering as they strut down the halls in their cap and gown. It’s a reminiscing time for principals and many teachers as well, seeing their former students all grown up. The seniors from both high schools received their diplomas on Monday during their graduation ceremonies at Alabama A&M University’s Louis Crews Stadium. Madison Academy held their graduation ceremony on Sunday. The Madison Record will have a special section in next week’s issue saluting the Class of 2021 with photos from each ceremony. Pictured above: seniors who once attended Columbia Elementary School walk through the campus’ halls once more before graduating high school.

MADISON – Shannon DeFazio, Kenneth Howard and Jason Colee received awards in 2021 Madison Employee of the Year recognition.

These city employees received awards at Madison City Council’s May 10 meeting. Rotary Club of Madison has sponsored the recognition for 21 years.

With city approval, Rotarians spotlight city workers for exemplary work in law enforcement, fire protection and community services. Department supervisors select employees for the honor, Debbie Overcash said.

Overcash, a Rotarian, chairs the award program.

Honorees receive a plaque, name inscription on City Hall’s perpetual plaque, Parrots of the Caribbean tickets and cash from Rotary.

OFFICER SHANNON DEFAZIO “Officer of the Year” Madison Police Department DeFazio joined the Madison See HONORED Page 3A

Baseball in North Alabama a winner in Trash Pandas’ opening night

By BOB LABBE bob0873@yahoo.com

Saving the monarch One dwindling species soon will add Madison to its migratory path to Mexico. The majestic insects will visit Rotary Club of Madison’s Monarch Butterfly Habitat. Page 5A

EDUCATION

MADISON - Despite losing the game in extra innings to the visiting Tennessee Smokies, the long-awaited home opener of the Rocket City Trash Pandas was a winner last Tuesday.

The packed house, although many were stuck in long traffic lines and did not arrive to well after the first pitch, were part of the history making night where smiling faces of the Trash Pandas’ staff greeted all who made their way into Toyota Field. Simply put- the night was electric.

The evening began with special welcoming speeches, a fly-over by

a military plane and the singing of the National Anthem by music superstar Lee Greenwood. After introduction of the entire team and coaching staff, the game got underway with the first pitch in the history of professional baseball at Toyota Field a ball from Trash Pandas’ pitcher Reid Detmers to Zach Davis of the Smokies. The game would go on to extra innings where the good guys lost to the bad guys 4-3, but for most in attendance, the winning was attending a game after four years of preparation.

The first dinger hit at Toyota Field for the pro ranks came from the Smokies’ Levi Jordan See TRASH PANDAS Page 2A

SENIOR PROM - Residents, their family and friends at Madison at the Range got to relive their high school days on Friday.

The assisted living community on County Line Road in Madison hosted a special senior prom. The community’s designated prom king and queen also celebrated the 65th anniversary of their high school prom at the event. For John and Sara Thomas, both residents, being crowned prom king and queen brought them right back to their senior prom together in May of 1956 at Butler High School. The residents had their dancing shoes ready and celebrated with each other, the staff at Madison at the Range, and their family and friends. It was the first time the residents had an event where they got to celebrate with visitors since the pandemic began. You can see more photos from the prom in June’s issue of Madison Living Magazine (www. madisonlivingmagazine.com).

Impressive!

Jerry Zheng, a sophomore at James Clemens High School, wouldn’t accept the pandemic’s drawbacks – even cancellations -- that students faced in statewide computer science competition.

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CLASSIFIEDS

FIND JOBS INSIDE: There are plenty of jobs within today’s classifieds pages.

See page 4A.

INSIDE Records .......... 2A Events ............. 5A Education ........ 6A Sports ............. 1B

Sprocket, the Trash Pandas’ mascot, celebrates with fans at the home opening night at Toyota Field in Madison. Photo by Bob Labbe

Business ......... 4B Kids................. 5B Church ............ 6B Lifestyles ......... 7B

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2A • THE RECORD

May 19, 2021

North Alabama mourns the passing of Dr. Dorothy S. Davidson, engineering pioneer, philanthropist and friend to many

By STAFF REPORTS

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HUNTSVILLE - North Alabama mourned the loss of Dr. Dorothy S. Davidson last week. Davidson, the Executive Chair of the Davidson Technologies, Inc. Board of Directors, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, May 11.

She was 86.

Davidson was a vanguard, not only for women in her field, but a pioneer within the engineering industry as a whole. She began her professional journey after earning her bachelor’s degree in Mathematics in 1956. Throughout her storied career, she attained many accolades and achievements, but none as rewarding as assuming the role of CEO and Chairman of the Davidson Board of Directors following the death of her husband, Davidson Founder, Dr. Julian Davidson in 2013.

She took great pride in

both maintaining Davidson’s reputation of performance excellence, and in transforming the company into what it is today. She remained active in the daily business operations of the company until her final days.

Davidson was also a pillar of community philanthropy for more than 25 years, diligently donating her time and resources in support of dozens of organizations including Huntsville Museum of Art, where she funded the construction of the Davidson Center for the Arts; Huntsville Symphony; the Saturn V Restoration Executive Committee; The Davidson Center for Space Exploration at the US Space and Rocket Center; National Children’s Advocacy Center; Kids to Love Foundation; Calhoun Community College; Auburn University School of Engineering; Auburn University Museum of Art; Decatur’s Cook

Dr. Dorothy S. Davidson Museum, and Huntsville Botanical Garden, among others.

Many North Alabama leaders publicly expressed

their sorrow at her passing, saying her servant-leadership, community stewardship, and altruism will be deeply missed.

team is setting new memories for many who were never in Huntsville to experience the previous teams.

In between inning contests were held with the most memorable being “Are You Smarter Than A Trash Panada.” A selected member of the crowd was asked to name three items from the 1990’s from photographs compared to the answers given by a member of the Trash Pandas.

The crowd was certainly into the contest and the fun surrounding the entire atmosphere of the evening that lasted just over three hours of game running time.

In all, the Trash Pandas will play 60 home games.

Kinks within the chain will be worked out at each outing by the front office staff and the entertainment value of the team and its surroundings at Town Madison. The efforts are well worth the time as “The Boys Of Summer” are here.

If you can’t make the game in person, you catch all home games TV broadcast on WAAY-TV, Channel 31 newest channel, This TV, on 31.6 and several cable systems.

Josh Caray will handle the play-by-play on radio for all games at 103.9 FM and AM 730 The Ump.

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Trash Pandas that baptized the grounds beyond the outfield fence in the second inning. The first home hit by the Trash Pandas came in the fourth inning when Izzy Wilson

hit a shot over the right field wall. He also became the first foreign-born player to do the honors at Toyota Field as the 23year old was born on Saint Maarten, Antilles.

Trash Pandas’ general manager Garrett Fahrmann could be seen throughout the evening in just about spot in Toyota Field greetings fans, handling issues that arose and helping those with questions about the first evening of professional baseball in North Alabama since 2014 when the Huntsville Stars closed shop after 30 seasons at Huntsville’s Joe Davis Stadium. Now, the new

Madison Police Arrest Report The following are arrests made by the Madison Police between May 7 to May 13.

May 7 Joel Felts, Madison Controlled Substance - Possession Cocaine-Possess Marijuana-Possession 2 Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia Aaron Devon Little, Huntsville, Violation Of Probation

Got five minutes?

Gary Raymond Staggers, Madison, Distributing Private Images To Harass Theft Misc.- 1st Degree May 8 Richard Leon Chandler, Madison Controlled Substance - Possession

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Terry Glenn Thomas, Huntsville Failure To Appear Traffic Owen Edward Brown, Huntsville Failure To Appear Traffic May 9 Robert Andrew Pruitt, Huntsville Failure To Appear Traffic May 10 Kristen Kafka Sherwood, Madison Harassing Communications Computer Tampering Misdemeanor

May 11 William Brandon Roberts, Decatur, Violation Of Probation Kimberly Lenore Marks, Huntsville Violation Of Probation Samuel John Bloemetjie, Huntsville Violation Of Probation Angel Marie Starlin, Huntsville, Failure To Appear Traffic Cedric Ladon Jones, Huntsville Violation Of Probation May 12 Stanley Carl Cothren, Huntsville Failure To Appear Traffic Markice Lashawn Grays, Madison Failure To Appear Traffic John Charles Wilson, Huntsville Violation Of Probation Violation Of Probation Kandice Lashaunna Humphrey, Huntsville Violation Of Probation

Travon Terrell Toney Garner, Madison Violation Of Probation May 13 Jeremy Jamar Lawson, Madison Failure To Appear Traffic Dylan Andrew Ammons, Madison Controlled Substance - Possession Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia Dylan Andrew Ammons, Madison Theft Shoplifting-2nd Degree Cody Alan Smith, Madison Fugitive From Justice Obstructing Justice-False Identity Wesley Douglas Fromhold, Madison Public Drunkenness Makayla Adell Barnhill, Huntsville Controlled Substance - Possession Marijuana-Possession 2 Nicholas Andrew Capito, Madison Theft Shoplifting-2nd Degree

Jake Tyler Fromhold, Madison Driving Under The Influence (Alcohol)

Joshua Lee Grimes, Huntsville, Theft Shoplifting-4th Degree

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

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THE RECORD • 3A

Honored force in June 2018. In February 2020, she earned certification as Crisis Intervention Team or CIT Officer, with specialized training to de-escalate citizens experiencing mental health crises.

DeFazio has mitigated countless calls involving citizens experiencing mental health crises. In January, Madison County Probate Judge Frank Barger appointed her as Community Mental Health Officer, giving her authority to begin involuntary mental commitment of persons who are a hazard to themselves or others.

“In one 12-hour shift, Officer DeFazio responded to three mental health calls that resulted in involuntary commitment of three citizens who were a danger to themselves and would have suffered further without immediate mental health assistance,” Acting Police Chief John Stringer said.

DeFazio also has received medals for CPR on unresponsive subjects.

When officer applicants are scrutinized, ‘character’ is the deciding factor. “Officer DeFazio embodies character and lives as an example to officers and citizens,” Stringer said. “Her commitment to making a sustainable difference in the lives of our citizens who experience mental health crises is impressive and inspiring.”

FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC KENNETH ‘KEN’ HOWARD “Firefighter of the Year” Madison Fire and Rescue Department Howard has worked with the department for seven years, first as Firefighter/ Paramedic and currently as Driver/Engineer and Paramedic.

Fire Chief David Bailey said recipients of this award must demonstrate dedication, loyalty, service and professional-

ism. Howard’s Shift Captain and Chief of Special Operations credited him with all these attributes.

Howard strives to improve his station and enhance service delivery. For example, to separate crews during COVID-19, the department moved Station 1 Engine Company to the abandoned Public Works facility on Celtic Drive. Howard was among employees converting that site to a working firehouse.

“Ken donated personal household items to make it a nicer place and worked hard to create a livable facility. To-date, he has made and mounted the firefighter flag plaque at his station and the fire hose flag at Station 1,” Bailey said.

At his request, Howard led retrofit of used pick-up trucks to a First Response Paramedic Squad. The changes included equipment placement, building/mounting brackets and equipment, along with troubleshooting.

This past year, Howard supervised the Paramedic Orientation Program for three new medics. He serves as SWAT Team Medic and the drone team’s Lead Support.

Howard and wife Kim live in Madison with their two children, ages five and eight.

“Ken’s experience, his calm demeanor no matter the circumstances, his teamwork ethic and his positive spirit have led him to be a tremendous asset for his shift, department and Madison citizens,” Bailey said.

JASON COLEE “City Employee of the Year” Information Technology Department Colee and the city’s IT team maintain computers, software, phones and elec-

Recipients in “Madison Employee of the Year” awards are Jason Colee, from left, City of Madison Information Technology Department; Kenneth Howard, Madison Fire and Rescue Department; and Shannon DeFazio, Madison Police Department. tronic devices for more than 300 full-time employees. During 2020, IT managed implementation of the police department’s records management system for, major upgrades to equipment and software systemwide and continued monitoring of cyber-intrusion threats.

During COVID-19 restrictions, IT pivoted to support municipal demands and employee needs to quickly outfit laptops for employees to work from home.

For more office space, IT employees installed internet and telephone service to the Three Springs facility and former Public Works building. Colee supervised wireless connectivity for downtown ‘hot spots’ and parks.

Colee’s focus on cyber-security in-

volved strategic development of hardware/software configurations. IT added cyber training citywide, helping employees to better understand threats and simplify documentation of threats.

“Jason’s positive attitude shines each day at City Hall,” Mayor Paul Finley said.

“His ability to thrive under COVID’s added workload and stress continues to pay huge dividends for our city and community. We are proud of Jason and happy to call him Employee of the Year.”

“The residents of Madison, along with Mayor Paul Finley, our City Council and the Rotary Club of Madison, thank these fine individuals for their service to our community and congratulate you all on a job very well done,” Overcash said.

American Legion’s Memorial Day Ceremony set for May 31 at Madison Veterans Park

By GREGG PARKER Gregg.Parker@madisoncountyrecord.com MADISON – Madison American Legion, Post 229 will conduct their annual Memorial Day Ceremony to honor individuals who died in military service.

On May 31, the event will open at 11 a.m. in Madison Veterans Park downtown at the intersection of Front and Church streets.

“Memorial Day weekend is an important time of reflection for all Americans to pause and honor and remember those that have given their lives in the service of our great nation,” Post 229 Auxiliary President Jean Downs said.

“Each year, Madison American Legion holds a ceremony to show our respect for our nation’s heroes. The public is encouraged to attend,” Downs said.

“In 2020, we had a ceremony primarily (for) post and auxiliary members only due to COVID-19.”

“Many celebrate the long Memorial Day weekend with barbecues and family get-togethers, but Memorial Day is so much more than a chance to kick off the summer months,” Downs said. Memorial Day is a day intended to solemnly honor all men and women who have died in U.S. military service.

Post 229 Commander Col. Larry Vannoy encourages every resident of Madison to schedule time in their weekend plans and attend the ceremony. “It’s important for our children to learn the true meaning of Memorial Day and why we celebrate it. It’s more than a three-day weekend to kick off summer … it’s a time

for honor and remembrance,” he said.

At the ceremony, Lt. Col. Stacey Harring, American Legion Adjutant, will offer opening remarks. The Air Force JROTC Color Guard from Bob Jones High School will present Posting of the Colors.

An AFJROTC Cadet from Bob Jones will sing “The National Anthem.” Legionnaire Andy Haq will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The guest speaker from the military will be Lt. Gen. L. Neil Thurgood.

The program will continue with remarks from Madison Mayor Paul Finley. Steve Haraway, District 2 Madison County Commissioner, will speak, along with Alabama State Representatives Mike Ball and Mac McCutchen.

With an escort of Legionnaires, Haq then will post the wreath in memory of fallen men and women. American Legion Honor Guard will present “Taps” played on bugle and a rousing 21-gun salute.

Local musicians will perform selections for reflection and patriotic pride.

In closing remarks, Vannoy will address the audience.

“Memorial Day began in 1868, a few years after the Civil War ended. An organization of Union veterans established the holiday, then known as Decoration Day, as a time to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers,” Vannoy said.

“The American Legion continues this tradition by placing flags at the graves of our veterans at City of Madison cemeteries each Memorial Day,” Vannoy said.

Coordinated by Madison American Legion, a Memorial Day ceremony will be held at Madison Veterans

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4A • THE RECORD

May 19, 2021

Baseball returns to North Alabama

Here are some fun photos from the historic Rocket City Trash Pandas home opener on May 11 at Toyota Field. The evening brought professional baseball back to North Alabama, and to Madison for the first time.

Check out the June issue of Madison Living Magazine (www.madisonlivingmagazine.com) for more photos. See page 1A and 1B for related stories. Photos by Bob Labbe and the Trash Pandas.

You can follow the latest local news updates at

themadisonrecord.com

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To advertise in The Madison Record, call Donna Counts at 256-714-7152

May 19, 2021

THE RECORD • 5A

Saving the Monarch

Workers at Madison Rotary’s Monarch Butterfly Habitat at Dublin Park struggled with muddy clay to plant milkweed seed. The volunteers included Alexis Nichols, from left, Cheryl Byers, Lisa Hendrix, Bailey Erickson, Trace Hackler, Mayra Pangborn, Donna Phillips and Kathy Gardner.

Rotary Club of Madison spearheads efforts for habitat for Monarch Butterfly Project MADISON – One dwindling species soon will add Madison to its migratory path to Mexico. The majestic insects will visit Rotary Club of Madison’s Monarch Butterfly Habitat.

Last November, the Rotary organization committed to help save the Monarch butterfly, which was seen a 90-percent decline in population.

Rotarian Bailey M. Erickson contacted her friend Kathy Gardner with Master Gardeners of North Alabama Inc. and an expert on Monarch habitats.

“We asked Dublin Park (about) planting a habitat. They agreed,” Erickson said.

Erickson is serving as project lead.

Gardner is subject matter expert.

Erickson and Gardner pursued planning, a land search, coordination with city officials, recruited volunteers and bought seed and supplies. Kory Alfred, Director of Parks and Recreation, approved a plot measuring 10 feet by 160 feet below Field 7 and above Field 6 at Dublin Park.

To start, Rotarians and volunteers planted 30,000 milkweed seeds, along with pollinator plants, last fall as the Monarchs’ main food source. “The clay was hard to work with, but we all stayed and planted the pollinators,” Erickson said.

“Our next step is to have the area certified by the Save Our Monarch organization. All plants and seeds were donat-

Madison Weather with Steve Norris

Summer-like temps finally upon us

By STEVE NORRIS MADISON - It may be spring but it is going to feel like summer before the week is out as we get the highest temperatures in our area so far this year.

From the middle of the week through the weekend it is looking mostly sunny and dry and the temperatures soaring through the 80s, and a few places could hit 90 degrees by the weekend. The remainder of the month is looking very warm, but I do see the chance of storms picking up over the next week or two.

The first half of May saw temperatures well below normal. We will have just the opposite for the remainder of the month, and entomologists tell us that with the warmer weather we could start to see cicadas coming out of the

ground later this month. Their arrival has been delayed by the cool temperatures. They take about three days with ground temperatures of 64 degrees before they emerge.

It continues to look like we are headed toward a much hotter and drier weather pattern for the summer. A large dome of high pressure is expected to set up shop over the southeastern United States, possibly as close as Chattanooga. That would allow temperatures to soar into the 90s and block off much of the moisture from the Gulf.

We are expecting an active start to the hurricane season, and the path they take could have an effect on us. I will keep you posted.

Have a weather question? Drop me an email to weather1@charter.net

ed by volunteers,” Erickson said.

Volunteers include Rotary Club, Madison Visionary Partners, North Alabama Zoological Society, Girl Scouts of America, Boy Scouts of America, National Honor Society, Rotary Sunset Club and Madison citizens. Kelly Johnson and the Dublin staff also assisted.

Master Gardeners Mayra Pangborn, Donna Phillips, Melissa Kirkindall and Gardner were subject matter experts for concerns such as planting location and plant variety. “These projects could not have been accomplished without their expertise,” Erickson said.

In August, the habitat will be in bloom … hopefully with Monarchs. “We had our first caterpillar on a milkweed we planted in the Dublin habitat,” Erickson said.

In addition, Rotary Club built a butterfly habitat in Madison Hospital’s Healing Garden. “Thank you, Mary Lynne Wright, CEO, and Robert Black, Groundskeeper, for letting us plant a

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place for Monarchs to eat on their way through the Tennessee Valley,” Erickson said. “Kathy Gardner, Melissa Kirkindall and Kevin Cedeno donated plants.”

Todd and Dawn Seaton, Dave Junghans and Leigh Boothe contributed plants, soil and mulch. The Cedeno family gave milkweeds, lavender Platinum Blonds and two pounds of seeds. Glenda Anderson gave black-eyed Susan flowers.

All campuses of Madison City School System will have a habitat with free supplies from saveourmonarchs.org/ schools.html. Lee Shaw is coordinating that effort.

Residents can create a butterfly habitat in their yards – or even a container – by planting milkweed and flowering annuals and shrubs as pollinators.

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By GREGG PARKER Gregg.Parker@madisoncountyrecord.com

EDUCATION

6A

May 19, 2021

James Clemens student codes platform for students statewide to compete in computer science competition

By GREGG PARKER Gregg.Parker@madison countyrecord.com MADISON – Jerry Zheng, a sophomore at James Clemens High School, wouldn’t accept the pandemic’s drawbacks – even cancellations -- that students faced in statewide computer science competition.

Zheng created the first virtual platform for students to practice and compete in the state-level Alabama Consortium for Technology in Education. By himself, Zheng formulated the questions, wrote test cases and coordinated the competition online.

“Work that Jerry completed for ACTE surpasses what you find in typical advanced-placement computer science tracks at high schools,” Kayla Brown said.

Brown sponsors the Computer Science Team and teaches precalculus and computer science at James Clemens. “To complete everything for the competition, Jerry had to understand up to advanced-tier competitive pro-

Jerry Zheng, a sophomore at James Clemens High School, designed, coded and completed troubleshooting for a digital platform so students statewide could compete in the competition for Alabama Consortium for Technology in Education or ACTE. gramming algorithms and some advanced website design.”

Zheng also understood the current implementation, improved it and made ‘bug fixes.’ To construct the contest platform, he worked with cloud platforms, like AWS Lightsail, MySQL database, Python WebSocket and Ubuntu operating system. “The

platform is scalable. For example, he added an additional grading server for this competition because of the number of participants,” Brown said.

Brown describes Zheng as a very determined student and always up for a challenge. “Running the whole ACTE competition on his own was a very extensive process. Jerry had to work through several hurdles,” she said. “His perseverance to work through those challenges is what made the competition successful.”

“Jerry will continue to be successful in his future because of his ability to approach a problem, reflect on the process and learn to adapt,” Brown said.

Zheng already was planning on hosting a programming contest this year. When invited to host the state’s biggest tech competition, he couldn’t decline the next level. He wanted “to help students not only in my local county but the entire state.

Besides, organizing and hosting this competition, I learned

(many) interesting things and touched back on my own knowledge of competitive programming topics.”

The most difficult task was writing solutions. “Oftentimes, things at first glance make perfect sense, but, under closer inspection, turn out to gloss over crucial steps in understanding. I wanted students to not only know how to do problems but also know why the solution reached the conclusions,” Zheng said.

Students should see the competition more as a learning experience and less as a place to just earn prizes, Zheng said.

At James Clemens, Zheng participates in the math, computer science and soccer teams. He is a two-time qualifier for American Invitational Math Exam. He reached USACO Gold status in programming, along with first place, in computer science competition at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Programming is Zheng’s primary hobby. “Most projects

help my life become easier, but I’ve done a few for the school/ other people, such as a fingerprint scanner attendance manager for James Clemens library and online homework grader for the chemistry department,” he said. Zheng also likes origami and soccer.

His parents are Haibiao Zheng and Xiaoying Lou. Both work as software engineers for ADTRAN. Jerry wants to attend Carnegie Mellon University for a master’s degree in computer science.

“I must also give a shoutout to all the people who have helped me: my computer science teacher Kayla Grantham/Brown; James Clemens Principal Brian Clayton; and my counselors over ninth/tenth grades, Heather Porter and Kristen Gist. They helped me get on the accelerated track for my computer science journey and my dual-enrollment class at University of Alabama in Huntsville in my sophomore year,” Jerry said.

Joshua Lin, Nikhita Mudium named U.S. Presidential Scholars

By GREGG PARKER Gregg.Parker@madison countyrecord.com

MADISON – Joshua Hugh Lin and Nikhita Sainaga Mudium of Madison have been named as two of the 625 semifinalists in the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

Lin is a senior at Bob Jones High School. Mudium is a senior at James Clemens High School.

In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson established the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program by executive order. The program recognizes and honors some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors.

In 2020, Mudium was named a Semifinalist with the 66th annual National Merit Scholarship Pro-

gram. Earlier this year, she earned a gold medal in the “Cultural Diversities & Disparities” category at the Health Occupations Students of America or HOSA Virtual State Leadership Conference.

This year, Lin earned first-place honors in the “Nutrition” category at the HOSA State Leadership Conference. He was recognized as a Semifinalist with National Merit Scholarship Program in 2020. Lin has performed as a star player with Madison City Chess League.

His probable career field will be neuroscience. Lin received a $2,500 National Merit Scholarship.

Mudium served as mentor of the award-winning James Clemens team in Exploravision, a national scientific contest that

Toshiba Corporation and National Science Teachers Association sponsor.

Her probable career field will be neurology.

Mudium received a $2,500 National Merit Scholarship.

For both Lin and Mudium, National Merit Scholarship Corporation contributed its own funds for their awards (instead of corporate donations).

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education. The program is described as “one of the nation’s highest honors for students” for American and global youth.

Each year, up to 161 students are named U.S. Presidential Scholars.

The scholars represent excellence in education and

Joshua Lin and Nikhita Mudium are Madison’s latest recipients in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. the promise of greatness in young people.

A student can become a Presidential Scholar based on three paths of accomplishment: Broad academic achievement; academic and artistic scholarship in the visual arts, performing arts or creative writing, and outstanding scholarship

and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.

Scores on SAT and ACT are a major consideration on selection of Presidential Scholars. Officials review test scores in each state; Evidence-Based Reading and Writing or ERW and Math SAT scores are compared to the ACT English,

Reading and Math score.

Officials identify each student’s highest test score from the first three attempts. Scores of the top 20 male and the top 20 female examinees qualify candidates from each state and other jurisdictions.

Students can apply as a Presidential Scholar by invitation only.

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WHAT A BLAST! - Everyone had a BLAST at the Rainbow Elementary Field Day on Friday. The school received some fun help from Madison Fire and Rescue to make the day a very memorable one. Several schools held their field days and end-of-the-year field trips last week. The past school year saw many changes to the way students interacted and were taught in classrooms. Now that the pandemic seems to be moving behind us, the end of the 2020-21 school year gives a new meaning to many of the celebrations. School leaders expect the next school year to see further strides in returning to normalcy. Officials with the Madison Fire and Rescue are also welcoming the return to normal community interactions. “Just about every year we do this across Madison City Schools and we always have just as much fun as the kids,” they said on their Facebook page with photos of the field day. “It’s been difficult to stay connected to our community these last few months, but we are glad to back interacting with everyone!”

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THE RECORD • 7A

Two local Boy Scouts complete projects to secure Eagle rank

By GREGG PARKER Gregg.Parker@madison countyrecord.com MADISON – To fulfill service requirements for the Eagle rank, Tyler Gohlich worked to improve a nature area adjacent to Madison that many people have never visited.

“For my Eagle project, I worked with Ranger Daphne Moland at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge to restore a nature trail. I also created an online quiz that corresponds with wooden markers along the trail to identify trees native to Alabama,” Gohlich said.

To complete his project work, Gohlich used concrete and weather-treated wood to build and place a bench. He also positioned markers along the trail that correspond to specific trees.

“I was motivated to finish the Eagle Scout requirements by my father and grandfather, who were also Eagle Scouts,” Gohlich said. “They both played a big role in helping me complete my proj-

ect, as well.”

A senior at James Clemens High School, 16-yearold Gohlich has participated in Scouts since kindergarten. “I enjoy being in Scouts because of the opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. I have learned to make many types of shelter in unique situations, handle tools safely, start a fire with many different tools and enjoy wildlife responsibly,” he said.

At James Clemens, Gohlich is a member of the cross country and track teams. “I also participate in a few clubs, including First Priority and National Honor Society,” he said.

His parents are David and Heather Gohlich.

David works as an Operations Research Analyst with MITRE. Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank possible in Boy Scouts of America or BSA. The title of ‘Eagle Scout’ was established in the early 1900s.

Only four percent of Boy Scouts members qualify to have the Eagle rank because of the required ser-

vice work and a lengthy review process by Scout elders.

Chase Benjamin Lynn Chase Benjamin Lynn gained interest in earning the rank of the Eagle Scout when his Scout leader explained the concept for the first time.

“He listed all of the virtues of becoming an Eagle Scout. This caught my attention, to say the least, and it started my work towards the rank,” Lynn said.

“My motivation to do the work was the tasks themselves; certain aspects of the work required large amounts of time camping, which I thoroughly enjoyed,” Lynn said. “I was always working towards the next merit badge or campout.”

Lynn is a junior at James Clemens High School. He is 16 years old.

For his service project to qualify as an Eagle Scout, Lynn decided to build an outdoor chapel for Heritage Church in Madison. He built 16 large benches that can seat four

Chase Benjamin Lynn

Tyler Gohlich to six people.

Supplies for his project required an extensive amount of materials involving large amounts of lumber, bolts, nuts and washers. “To assemble these benches, many steps had to be taken -- many of which involved power tools, such as a circle saw, jig saw, router, power drill and other items. The rest of the assembly was connecting the parts and sanding,” Lynn said.

“The benches were then transported into the outdoor chapel in the forest behind the church,” Lynn

said. “This project benefits Heritage Church in a major way as they now have a fully developed area for not only outdoor services but also (for activities with) their preschool children.”

Lynn decided to join Scouts when he saw one of his friends recruiting for a troop. “I was in the second grade at the time, and since then I have learned a wide variety of skills including basic survival skills, such as fire starting, how to read a map, first aid and cooking,” he said. In addition,

Lynn has been introduced to more specialized skills, like metalworking and automotive maintenance.

Along with Scouting, his extracurricular interests include the James Clemens Archery Team and James Clemens Greenpower Racing Team. He is enrolled in numerous advanced-placement classes.

His parents are Stuart and Janet Lynn. Stuart is Chief Financial Officer with Guarantee Home Mortgage Corporation.

Janet is “a dedicated wife and mother of four,” Chase said.

Heritage’s Chander, Nuzman, Gowder and Rajput shine at state science fair

By GREGG PARKER Gregg.Parker@madison countyrecord.com MADISON – Aspiring scientists and technicians at Heritage Elementary School impressed judges at the Alabama Science and Engineering Fair.

This year, the state-level fair was held online using a virtual exhibit hall. Students used Zoom to discuss their projects with judges. Sponsors are fifth-grade teacher Jaime Mathison and fourthgrade teacher Sarah Stewart.

Alabama Academy of Science hosted the fair, with support from University of South Alabama and Auburn University, Stewart said.

Heritage student Grace Nuzman earned second place in Behavioral and Social Science with her project, “How Does Smell Affect Your Mood?” Nuzman investigated the connection between certain smells and the feelings

they evoke, Stewart said.

In Earth and Environmental Science, Harshtha Chander and Ishita Rajput claimed third place.

Chander and Rajput submitted a group project, “Salt Iodine Test,” that investigated ways to test food for the presence of iodine.

Laya Gowder received Honorable Mention in Behavioral and Social Sciences with “Show Me Your True Colors.”

Gowder used paper chromatography to analyze the components of different pigments.

To qualify for the state-level Alabama Science and Engineering Fair, students had to earn a place win in one of five regional competitions.

First, Heritage students had to compete at the North Alabama Regional Science Fair, hosted by the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

“Students chose their own research questions for projects. They carried

out their projects independently and documented and submitted results online to enter the science fair,” Stewart said.

“Instead of the usual trifold board, they had to upload a digital presentation, including a video summary of the project. Students then met with judges on Zoom to discuss their projects,” Stewart said.

“Students followed a similar procedure to submit project materials online and meet with judges for the state fair.”

By entering inter-school contests, students can explore scientific topics that interest them beyond classroom learning, Sarah Stewart said. “They learn to design and carry out an experiment and communicate their conclusions.

It encourages students to be independent learners and to investigate the world around them.”

In addition, students find solutions to real-world problems, which could lead them to pursue

Snapshot

Award winners at the Alabama Science and Engineering Fair included Harshtha Chander, from left, Grace Nuzman, Laya Gowder and Ishita Rajput. The girls attend Heritage Elementary School. a career in science or engineering.

“For teachers, we enjoy … seeing our students take their science knowledge outside of the classroom in a competitive setting,” Mathison said. “Heritage students are leaders in and out of the classroom. It’s always a pleasure to see them doing what they love on the Alabama stage.”

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C oming Soon to Madison!

STATE BOUND!

INSIDE SPORTS

Making a move Former Madison Academy All-State football player Kerryon Johnson has made a move for the 2021 NFL season.

Page 2B

Liyah Nelson The record books among athletics at Madison Academy may have to add a new volume to its already extensive history due to Liyah Nelson.

Page 3B

COMMUNITY

By BOB LABBE bob0873@yahoo.com

The Bob Jones Patriots (35-4) are 7A regional champions after shutting out the Sparkman Senators on Friday. Playing at the Florence Sportsplex, the Patriots kept Sparkman off the board with a strong 8-0 victory. With the win, Bob Jones qualified for the 7A state tournament. They had previously defeated James Clemens and Huntsville in the tournament. Sparkman, who had defeated James Clemens and Huntsville before facing the Patriots alsso earns a trip to the state tournament as the regional runner-up. The Patriots will play Thompson (40-7-1), on Thursday starting at 9 a.m. in the AHSAA state softball tournament at Oxford’s Choccolocco Park. Sparkman (34-12) will face Hoover (31-14) at the same time.

Trash Pandas end first home series with a five-game winning streak Team hits the road for series with Blue Wahoos in Pensacola

By STAFF REPORTS

Summer camp fun Calling all aspiring artists, astronauts, scientists and explorers, summer camps await. Check out these camps that will keep the children busy as they climb boulders, sculpt clay, explore space and canoe creeks. Page 4B

Jarvis Wilson named head coach of Sparkman girls basketball

MADISON – In a wild, back-and-forth affair that came down to the final at-bat, the Rocket City Trash Pandas earned the first walk-off win in franchise history, 12-8 in 13 innings over the Tennessee Smokies on Sunday night at Toyota Field to extend their winning streak to five games.

Down 8-7 in the 13th, the Trash Pandas rallied off Smokies catcher turned pitcher Erick Castillo. Michael Stefanic singled to score Ray-Patrick Didder with the tying run. Two hitters later, David MacKinnon unloaded for a walk-off grand slam to left, his second home run of the season to give Rocket City the victory.

The rally capped a 5-1 homestand for the Trash Pandas in their first series at Toyota Field.

Making his Double-A debut on the mound, Trash See TRASH PANDAS Page 3B

Trash Pandas slam past Smokies 12-8 on Sunday to cap their first home series and extend their winning streak to five games.

HARVEST - After 20 years on the coaching staff including the last nine as head coach, Patrick Delay retired from coaching the girl’s basketball program at Sparkman High. In his place is Jarvis Wilson who was introduced as the new head coach at a ceremony held at the school.

Wilson comes to the Senators program from Carver High of Birmingham where he was head coach since 2014. While with the Rams’ program, he coached the girls team to a Class 5A state title in the recent 2020-2021 season with a 25-4 record.

The 43-year old Wilson was head coach at Blount County for two years prior to being on the sidelines at Carver. In nine seasons as head coach he has been named ASWA Coach of the Year three times leading his squads to three Final-Four appearances, four Elite Eight spots along with seven Area Championships. He won 187 games at Carver.

“I love having a well-disciplined style of play, especially on defense, controlling the tempo and being structured,” said Wilson. “I love a detailed offense and defense.

I want to control the offense and for my players to be comfortable with what we are doing.”

Delay was 226-67 as head coach of the Lady Senators having two Final Four appearances including a state See WILSON Page 2B

Players wanted The Girls Lacrosse Team at James Clemens High School is wrapping up its second season, and the team and coach are recruiting new players to join the team.

Page 4B

HISTORY

A look at the unusual sleeping preacher Historian John P. Rankin takes on a journey into the history of Reverend Constantine Blackman Sanders.

Page 7B

HEPTATHLON STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2021 - Cadence Huntsinger of James Clemens, far left, finished among the top five places at the AHSAA Heptathlon State Championships. She finished fifth with 3,843 points in the event at Hoover High. Huntsinger finished second in both the javelin (104.3-feet) and shot put (34-3.5-feet) and fifth in the long jump (16-feet, 7.25 inches). Photo by AHSAA/Josh Bean

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Former Madison Academy All-State football player Kerryon Johnson is joining his second NFL team as he was picked up off waivers from the Detroit Lions by the Philadelphia Eagles. Photo courtesy of Detroit Lions

Former Madison Academy standout picked up Philadelphia Eagles

By BOB LABBE bob0873@yahoo.com PHILADELPHIA, PA.- Former Madison Academy All-State football player Kerryon Johnson has made a move for the 2021 NFL season. The 5-foot-11, 215-pound running back was released by the Detroit Lions and was immediately picked up off waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Johnson earned All-State honors for three consecutive AHSAA State Championship teams at Madison Academy and was named the Class 3A Player of the Year in 2014. He signed with Auburn where he soon earned the award as SEC Offensive Player of the Year for the 2017 season when he led the conference in

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rushing with 1,391 yards. He entered the NFL Draft after his junior season on The Plains and was drafted in the second round by the Lions.

In three NFL seasons with the Lions, the son of Kerry and Natalie Johnson played in 34 games over three seasons with 16 starts. He ran for 1,225 yards and eight touchdowns and caught 61 passes for 527 yards and three touchdowns. He is entering the final season of a fouryear deal he made with the Lions and is due his base salary of $ 1.367 million for the upcoming season.

Johnson became expendable due his suffering several injuries and missing lots of playing time for the Lions and the fact the team made new hires at running back caused

the team to release the team’s leading rusher in both 2018 and 2019.

Last season he rushed for just 181 yards on 52 attempts. He also has suffered numerous other injuries, including shoulder, hand, hamstring and ankle during his years in high school and college.

There’s some question of why would Philly pick up Johnson when they several running backs on its roster including its two top rushers from last season in Miles Sanders and Boston Scott and have four others in its roster. The fleet-footed, hard-driving tailback has had two seasons cut short due to knee injuries and many feel his spot would be better suited on a team which needed some young but experienced running backs.

Former James Clemens coach hired as head coach of girls basketball at Athens High School

By BOB LABBE bob0873@yahoo.com MADISON - After announcing her resignation over a month ago as head coach of the James Clemens’ girls basketball program, Capriee Tucker has been hired in a similar position at Athens High.

The 31-year old Tucker was approved by Athens school officials

and will officially take over the reins of the program for the Golden Eagles at the conclusion of the current school year. She will remain at James Clemens until the end of the 2020-2021 school year is complete.

“I want to thank the administration for taking a chance on me three years ago and I have certainly grown as an individu-

al and coach,” said Tucker upon announcing she was exiting the Madison school. “I enjoyed my time here at James Clemens and I learned a lot about the game and myself.”

In her three seasons at James Clemens, the former All-State player at Fort Payne High and four-year player at UT-Chattanooga posted a record of 39-50.

What’s up at the

Jarvis Wilson, center, celebrated with his family the ceremony where he was named the new head coach of the Sparkman High girls basketball program. Wilson takes the position arriving from Carver High of Birmingham where won a Class 5A State Championship earlier this year.

Wilson

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runner-up. In 20 years at Sparkman, Delay saw 39 of his players sign college scholarships. His teams won three state titles among six Final Four looks. He was just the third head coach of the program since 1977 following Marvel Foard and June Seals.

“I have three children, ages 4, 7, and 9 and I need to spend more time with them,” said the 43-year old Delay who will remain as a math teacher at Sparkman. “I knew back in November at the start of the season I was going to leave. It was time.”

Wilson also has children, Kamaya, 13, and Khloe, 11. He and his wife of 16 years, Kimberly, will soon take up residence in Harvest.

Wilson’s self-proclaimed hobby

is watching videos of basketball games and reading about the sport all in the effort of increasing the level of his craft.

The eldest of five children, Wilson was a multi-sport athlete at West Point High School in Mississippi, but he excelled in baseball earning an athletic scholarship to Stillman College where he became a threetime defensive Player of the Year from both as a centerfielder and as a pitcher.

As an adult, Wilson occasionally thinks back to when he was eight years old and nearly lost his life when he was ran over by a truck.

“My father allowed me to go to a nearby grocery store and I tried crossing traffic, but was hit by a truck I didn’t see,” said Wilson. “I

had no broken bones, but did have some internal injuries that soon healed.”

The outgoing and incoming coaches have conversed about the squad of Lady Senators at Sparkman who will returning next season. Wilson knows the history of the program as being one of the most successful and respected in Alabama. He once lost to Delay’s team in a matchup seven years ago and said, “It’s ironic I’m now coaching the program that once defeated me.”

Wilson’s discipline style of coaching also carries away from the court.

He said, “I expect my players to carry themselves in the community with pride and to respect yourself.”

Wilson will teach physical education at Sparkman.

To advertise in the next Madison Record, call Donna Counts at 256-714-7152

May 19, 2021

THE RECORD • 3B

Serenity Andrus garnered first place in the 400 meter.

Chargers record eight NCAA provisional marks at Lee Last Chance Meet

By STAFF REPORTS CLEVELAND, Tenn. - The University of Alabama in Huntsville men’s and women’s track & field teams competed at the Lee Last Chance Meet on Saturday, with the squads coming away with a combined eight NCAA provisional marks.

Madison Academy senior track speedster Liyah Nelson stands with her countless medals she has won during her years as one of the fastest high school athletes in Alabama. She will graduate Madison Academy after winning eight state championships.

Meet Liyah Nelson Medal winning athlete of Madison Academy

MADISON- The record books among athletics at Madison Academy may have to add a new volume to its already extensive history. Liyah Nelson is about to exit the private school through her 2021 graduation as one of the most accomplished track athletes to ever grace the school colors of maroon and gold for the Mustangs.

Nelson will depart the Class 4-5A school with eight state championships and three second place finishes among the track and field programs at Madison Academy.

“I started running track in the third grade the same year the school officially began its track and field program,” said Nelson, 18.

Her enormous talents on the track combined with her superior academic gift of carrying a

4.20 grade point average placing her No. 13 in her senior class have provided her the right stuff to gain an athletic scholarship to run track in college as she has signed with Samford University in Birmingham.

Since joining the track team as a seventh grade student-athlete, the 5-foot2, 113-pound Nelson has won three state championships in the 100-meter, two gold medals in the 200-meter and three first place finishes as part of the 4x100 relay squads.

She’s also stood upon the medal-winning podium as state runner-up three times. In the recent 2021 State Track Championships, Nelson won the 100meter with a time of 12.38 seconds. In the preliminary race, she set her personal best time at 12.01.

“I am very focused and I try and execute my technique very well as I al-

ways try and get out of the starting block quickly,” said Nelson.

Speed has always been something Nelson has possessed as growing up she was the fastest youngster on the block and her speed was faster than most boys. She played both soccer and volleyball until she chose track as her fulltime sport, which led to her gaining a scholarship for her college education.

The daughter of Gayland and Renita Nelson looks to study speech and language pathology at Samford. She added, “I’ve always wanted to work with kids. Seeing others in that field of work drew my interest.”

In 2020 during her junior season, Nelson suffered a back injury that kept her sidelined. She had pain in her hips and back, but she kept training knowing her final, senior season was on its way

Trash Pandas Pandas starter Boomer Biegalski fell behind quickly as Vance Vizcaino launched a two-run homer to left just three hitters into the game to put Tennessee ahead.

The Trash Pandas responded in the bottom of the second. With the bases loaded and one out, Ibandel Isabel broke through with the first grand slam and Rocket City history, a towering 405-foot drive to left for his first home run of the season to propel the Trash Pandas in front 4-2.

Biegalski departed after giving up the two runs on three hits over 3.0 innings.

Adrian Almeida entered in the fourth and gave up a solo homer to Connor Myers to make it a one-run game. The Smokies got even in the fifth off Tyler Payne’s solo shot off Kieran Lovegrove.

Lovegrove rebounded to pitch a clean sixth and Connor Higgins did the same an inning later to keep the game tied 4-4 at the seventh inning stretch.

In the bottom of the frame, Gavin Cecchini restored the Rocket City with a two-run single left to plate Stefanic and Orlando Martinez. Tennessee got the

runs right back in the eighth on a two-run single from Darius Hill to level the score 6-6. It would remain that way until extra innings.

Hill and Isabel each drove in a run for their team in the 10th, and the pitching stalemate commenced from there.

In the 11th, Rocket City reliever Nathan Bates caught Vizcaino trying to steal home for the final out of the frame as the game remained tied. Tennessee took the lead in the 13th on a sacrifice fly from Levi Jordan, and that set the stage for the Trash Pandas comeback in the bottom of the frame.

Isabel went 2-for-5 with five RBI in the win while MacKinnon was 2-for-4 with the game-winning grand slam. On the mound, Bates gave up one unearned run over 3.0 innings to get the win.

The Trash Pandas (5-5) hit the road to begin a six-game series with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Tuesday night. Josh Caray will be on the call for 103.9 FM THE UMP and 730 AM SportsRadio. Check www.trashpandasbaseball.com for times.

as she sat out the indoor season of track to rehab and concentrate on the outdoor season where she showed great promise and leadership on the team.

Her gold medals she proudly displays is the mark of years of hard work, determination and natural speed.

Women’s Notables -Serenity Andrus garnered first place in the 400 meter with a time of 55.03, which tops the NCAA provisional mark and ties the program record. The school record of 55.03 was set by Alexis Luckett at the 2017 GSC Championships.

- Kaylee Stewart broke both the program record and the NCAA provisional mark in the 5000 meter with a time of 16:52.03. Her time tops the record of 17:17.39 set by Stewart earlier this year at the Mississippi State Relays.

-The Chargers 100 meter relay team of Krystalynn Oatman, Andrus, Chelsie Burnett and Zakiria Holifield posted an NCAA provisional time of 46.36 for second place.

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Men’s Notables -UAH notched a pair of NCAA provisional marks in the 3000 meter steeplechase by Jacob Bishop with a 15th-place time of 9:04.70 and Jay Day with a 16th-place time of 9:11.15. Bishop’s time tops the program record of 9:08.19 set by day at the 2019 GSC Championships.

-Zach Hancock finished first overall in the discus at 51.98 meters in additional to a fourth-place finish at 17.39 meters. Both marks top the NCAA provisional standard.

-Wilson McClain posted a third-place time of 14.06 in 110 meter hurdles, besting the NCAA provisional time in the event.

4B • THE RECORD

May 19, 2021

UAH softball stretches streak of NCAA tourney berths to 18

By STAFF REPORTS

The Girls Lacrosse Team at James Clemens High School is recruiting new members.

Like to try a different sport? Jets girls lacrosse team has openings

By GREGG PARKER Gregg.Parker@madisoncounty record.com MADISON – The Girls Lacrosse Team at James Clemens High School is wrapping up its second season, and the team and coach are recruiting new players to join the team.

“We are the ONLY high school girls team in North Alabama and barely have enough players. This year we will lose five seniors, too,” spokesperson Misty Merschat said.

“Our team is considered a club, so we welcome girls from multiple high schools: James Clemens, Huntsville High, Sparkman High and St. John Paul II Catholic School,” Merschat said.

The James Clemens Lacrosse team plays high schools in the Birmingham area. All games -- home and away – are scheduled for weekends. The season runs from Janu-

ary to April.

Girls must be in grades 8-12 and show “a great attitude and are willing to work,” Merschat said. “At one time, 12 people can play on the field.

We can have up to 20 or so players.”

The 2021 team members are Eden Strickland, eighth grade; freshmen -- Amber Wilson, Lauren Merschat, Ainsley Lenahan and Lila Gilmartin; sophomores -- Paysen Grandy, Rylie Rivera and Victoria Hirst; juniors -- Paige Gilmartin, Laura Counts, Jade Parkes, Jessica Reese and Courtney Ortel; and seniors -- Brei Crawford, Katie Daniels, Andrea Torres, Mikia Atherton, Erin Ruch and Rachel Zuvanich.

Player equipment includes a lacrosse stick, mouthguard, goggles and cleats.

“Lacrosse is governed by the Greater Birmingham Lacrosse Association. It is not a sanctioned high school sport yet,” Merschat said. James Clemens has had games

with Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Oak Mountain, Spain Park, Auburn, Hoover, Thompson and Trussville high schools.

“Lacrosse can be played on any grass or turf field. At James Clemens, we play on the football field, as we do at away games,” Coach Ashtyn Hiron said. Instead of yard lines, lacrosse uses specific markings. Fields measure approximately 60 yards wide, 110 yards long.

“Because lacrosse is not sanctioned as a high school sport, students often choose other sports, like soccer or volleyball,” Hiron said.

However, lacrosse is starting slowly to gain popularity in the South. “It’s primarily a northern sport, with native American roots.”

A player needs skills in running, hand-eye coordination, teamwork, endurance and grit.

For more information, contact Jill Reese at Jetsgirlslacrosse@ gmail.com.

HUNTSVILLE - The NCAA Division II Softball Committee has announced the 48-team field for the 2021 NCAA Division II Softball Championship, and The University of Alabama in Huntsville has earned a berth to the South Regional for the 18th straight time.

The Chargers will open up national postseason play on Wednesday as the No. 3 seed and will battle a familiar foe in sixth-seeded Mississippi College in the regional tournament which will take place in Valdosta, Georgia.

UAH’s streak of 18 straight NCAA tournaments is the longest active run in Division II, and it

is the third longest in Division II history behind Bloomsburg’s 32 consecutive and Omaha’s string of 22 appearances.

The Chargers will be making the program’s 23rd trip overall in the 25 years that the tournament has been held in UAH’s 26year history.

The winner of Wednesday’s contest will take on No. 2 seed Valdosta State on Thursday, while the loser will move to an elimination game.

The top seed is Auburn Montgomery who will square off against No. 4 seed Rollins and fifth-seeded West Florida as the Gulf South Conference takes five of the six spots in the regional field.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville has earned a berth to the South Regional for the 18th straight time

Summer Fun: Explore nature, the arts, space and more at north Alabama camps NORTH ALABAMA - Calling all aspiring artists, astronauts, scientists and explorers, summer camps await.

Check out these camps that will keep the children busy as they climb boulders, sculpt clay, explore space and canoe creeks.

NATURE Pine Ridge Ages: 4 to 8th grade Dates: May 31-July 30, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Nestled on 120 acres in Somerville, the Pine Ridge camp offers adventures in archery, hiking, canoeing, caving, horseback riding, fire building, zip lining and more. Cost: $358 per week, $697 per two-week session, $1,294 per four-week session.

Register: pineridgedaycamp.org Cook Museum Ages: 4-12 Dates: June 21-June 25 and July 1216, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Learn what makes a rainbow, why cats’ eyes glow and why tides change during the Phantastic Phenomena camp at Cook Museum in downtown Decatur. During the five-day camp, campers will explore weather, space, energy, plants and animals. Cost: $199

Explore nature during Huntsville Botanical Garden’s camps ranging from “Nature’s Superheroes” to “Bugs: Heroes and Villains” to “Fairies in the Forest.” Cost: Ranges from $175-400.

Register: hsvbg.org.

Burritt on the Mountain Ages: Rising first- to sixth-graders Dates: June 7-July 30, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Monday to Friday.

Get out in nature while learning about animals, bugs, water and music. Week camps include “Roaring Safari Adventure,” “Itsy Bitsy Critters,” “Taking Flight,” “Earth Heroes” and more.Cost: $165 per week for members, $195 for non-members.

Register: burrittonthemountain.com.

ARTS Camp Carnegie Ages: Rising first- to sixth-graders Dates: June 21-25, July 12-16, 8 a.m.5 p.m.

The Carnegie Visual Arts Center will transform into an imagination station for children as Camp Carnegie campers learn about art, drama, music, yoga and science. 207 Church St. N.E., Decatur.Cost: $160 for Carnegie members; $190 for non-members.

Register: carnegiearts.org.

Register: groups@cookmuseum.org or 256-898-6312

Princess Theatre Ages: Rising first- to 12th-graders Dates: June 21-25 for grades firstto fifth-graders; June 28-July 2 for grades sixth- to 12th-graders, 9 a.m.3 p.m.

Huntsville Botanical Garden Ages: 5-13 May 31-July 30, weekly camps. Full-day, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and half-day, 9 a.m.12:30 p.m. or 1-4:30 p.m., available.

Culminating with the staging of plays, the Princess Theatre’s weeklong camps will challenge participants to create sets and costumes, write scripts and act out roles. Produc-

Kids get the opportunity to be surrounded by nature while learning about animals, bugs, water and music at Burritt on the Mountain this summer. tions will be “Pan!” for the elementary school camp and “Goldilocks on Trial” for the middle and high school camp.

Cost: $165 for elementary school camp, $105 for middle and high school camp.

Register: princesstheatre.org.

Huntsville Museum of Art Ages: Preschool to 14 Dates: June and July, full-day and half-day camps.

Use glass, clay, beads, crayons and paint to create works of art at the Huntsville Museum of Art summer camps. Camps for ages 4-5 include

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Mudworks!; Things that Crawl, Wiggle and Roar; and Sparkle, Glitter & Glow.

Other camps are Ceramics and Mix it Up! for ages 5-8; and Cartooning and Easel Painting for ages 9 and up. Cost: Ranges from $40-150 for members and $55-165 for non-members.

U.S. Space and Rocket has designed several options in addition to the traditional Space Camp experience. Check their website for family opportunities and dates: www.spacecamp.com

Register: hsvmuseum.org.

WinShape Ages: Rising first- to ninth-graders Dates: July 12-16

OTHER CAMPS Space Camps Ages vary All summer Space Camp is a one-of-a-kind experience at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, the Official Visitor Center for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. The

The camp held at Asbury Madison, 980 Hughes Road, will entertain children while also educating them about the Bible. Campers can participate in gymnastics, lacrosse, cooking, soccer, secret ops, sewing, musical theater and more. Cost: $219 Register: camps.winshape.org.

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PHILLIP TABERNACLE PRIMITIVE BAPTIST PASTOR MANUEL 930 BALCH ROAD MADISON, ALA. 35758 256-830-5398 SUNDAY 11 A.M. WEDNESDAY 6:30 P.M. (BIBLE STUDY) SKYLINE ABA BAPTIST RON MALLARD 586 SLAUGHTER ROAD MADISON, ALA. 256-971-0420 ST. ANDREW PRIMITIVE BAPTIST MICHAEL HARWELL 1393 SWANCOTT ROAD MADISON, ALA. 35756 256-353-9708 SUNDAY 10:45 A.M. WEDNESDAY 6 P.M.

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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/

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THE RECORD • 7B

Madison History

The sleeping preacher

The unusual story of Reverend Constantine Blackman Sanders

By BECKY MILLER God’s Lemonade Stand Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24 Don’t stay in the pit of despair or valley of doom but run for higher ground meaning a life of Joy following Jesus. The mountain top is where you need to be. Keep looking upward.

No matter what you may be going through now God loves you and has a wonderful plan for you.

There are those who have had painful things happen in life and immediately blame God and run far from Him wanting nothing to do with ‘organized religion’, a ‘brick and mortar’ building, or reading the Bible and prayer. This is scary because when a person who once lived for Christ gets hurt and turns their back on Him Satan loves it and fuels this attitude with pride.

If this describes you or if you know someone who has many excuses why they don’t need church keep praying for them to not only have a change of heart running back to higher ground but to have an insatiable thirst for being close to the Lord.

PRAYER: Lord my heart aches for those people who say they love God and believe but don’t want to spend Sunday in worship and even go as far to say doing that wastes their day. Bring these people back to you Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

By JOHN P. RANKIN Madison Historian

God’s Lemonade Stand is written by former Madison resident Becky Miller. Her daily devotions appear on a Facebook page entitled God’s Lemonade Stand or at www.godslemonadestand.blogspot. com. Becky can be contacted by email at writemiller2002@yahoo.com.

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Newspapers in Alabama, Tennessee, and Ohio during his lifetime included several accounts of the strange happenings. Yet, he was still highly regarded as an evangelist in great demand by many churches. The first reported trance of 1854 occurred at the home of Allen and Mary Harlow in Elkton, Tennessee, where he lived while attending the Presbyterian school there. In that first reported instance he had severe head pain, and his skull opened from just above his eyes running up to the middle of his scalp, where the opening split down each side to his ears. (The fissures would typically close again as the trance subsided.)

Sanders invited his landlady to feel the skull openings with her fingers, and she reported that her little finger could fit into the cracks of his skull. During this trance Sanders predicted that there would be a burial in the family’s little private cemetery within 24 hours, but it would not be a family member. It was later that evening when a neighbor came by with the body of a deceased person and asked permission to bury the corpse in the family cemetery, which was allowed. The death had occurred over three miles away per one account, but 25 miles away according to another account.

Generally, the trances addressed people and events or things that were nearby, but other times they referred to things that occurred many miles away. For example, he once was reported to have described in great detail a fire that was occurring in a North Carolina city. He had never been to North Carolina, and news of the fire came several days later. Another time while in a trance in Athens, Alabama, he suddenly exclaimed with great anguish that 30-year-old Lt. Robert W. McClure was suddenly dying of an internal hemorrhage in Clarksville, Tennessee, over 140 miles away. Word of the death reached the widow in Athens the next day by telegraph. Sanders also told several times where lost money or other objects, including people, could be found, specifying precise details. He even “saw” the inscription inside a woman’s lost wedding ring from miles away while telling exactly where the ring was soon afterward found.

During Sanders’ trances he sometimes bled from his eyes, but usually his eyes closed to give the appearance that he was asleep. His body would often be contorted severely, even with his feet facing nearly opposite to the direction of his face while he experienced cramps and headaches. The episodes included times when Sanders would correctly diagnose illnesses of people that he never met or examined. Later, See HISTORY Page 8B

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where lost toys were to be found up to the time he died in Stevenson on April 14, 1911.

Even after the initiation of his supernatural episodes, Sanders was licensed to preach in 1855 by the Tennessee Presbytery. In 1862 he was ordained as a minister, and about that period he served for a time in the Presbyterian church at Mooresville. That church operated from 1822 through 1975. Its pastor during the 1830s was famed preacher Robert Donnell. During the 1800s three Presidents of the United States attended the church in Mooresville, though not necessarily during their times in office. Eventually, Sanders served in many other churches in north Alabama, including Meridianville, Madison, Maysville, and Brownsboro, as well as Stevenson, where he retired to the home of his son William White Sanders, who was born in Nashville, Tennessee.

Constantine Sanders married Duanna Ann White of Madison County in 1856 and had eight children by her. They lived in 1860 near the Tennessee state line in the Hayes Store district of Madison County. It was also reported that they moved to Maysville in 1869, but they were enumerated in Brownsboro in the census of August of 1870, living beside surveyor (and later judge) Thomas Taylor. Duanna was born in 1832 and died in 1913. At least three of their children are known to have died before their parents and are buried in Maysville in a “lost” cemetery on their property in that area.

Sanders may have left Madison soon after the March 1870 church deed listing him as the pastor here. However, it is also quite likely that he was a “commuter” pastor, riding the regular morning and evening trains on the tracks between Madison and Brownsboro for a number of years.

There is no record that Constantine Sanders ever purchased property in the Madison area, but he did enter into land transactions in both the Maysville and the Brownsboro areas. His short tenures in some of the churches where he served may well have been terminated due to reports of him having some of his more gruesome psychic trances during church services. Such experiences also led to him being called the “Sleeping Preacher” initially in a Nashville newspaper account. The label stuck for the rest of his life, but Sanders shunned publicity about his experiences for all of his life.

The painful trances of C. B. Sanders were described as being frequent for 22 years, lasting from a few minutes to several hours or sometimes even days for each episode. Several books and other publications were written about his many trances.

Sometimes the trances would indeed occur during his sermons, and the congregations usually grew accustomed to them. Most of the trances

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MADISON - Almost every generation and society of recorded history has had notable supernatural seers, prophets, soothsayers, clairvoyants, psychics, and those who were termed as demon-possessed. It turns out that the city of Madison is no exception because in the late 1860 to 1870 time period, there was such person pastoring a church in Madison.

A recent request for information about the Pension Row area in Madison led to another examination of the records in Deed Books OO, pages 178-9, and RR, page 199. These records address history of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church that in 1870 began to share a property in that area with the Masonic Hall.

The location of the one-acre Masonic property was on the west side of today’s Sullivan Street, where Arnett Street crosses over Sullivan. The Masonic lot lay on the north side of the westward extension of Arnett and measured 210 feet by 210 feet.

Just before the agreement was made for the church to share property with the Masons, on June 16 of 1869 the church was deeded land on Lot 24 of the original town plat. Lot 24 is the current location of 17 Front Street, now owned by, and the residence of, Tony and Cindy Sensenberger. In 1869 Lot 24 was sold for $50

by Samuel A. Pepper to church trustees William R. Johnston, Mrs. S. C. Johnston, and Mrs. A. O. Vaughan.

It was only about nine months later, on March 4 of 1870, that the same church purchased a 50% share of the Masonic property across Sullivan Street in the northeast quarter of Section 17 of Township 4, Range 2 West. The change of location did not indicate a split of the church body.

Rather, it was probably decided that it would be more expedient to share an existing building nearby rather than to construct a new building for worship on Lot 24.

Pages 178 and 179 of Deed Book OO were recorded in the Madison County Probate Office to detail the agreement for both parties to share the existing Masonic building and the acre of land upon which it sat. There was even a stipulation included that both parties would conduct their services in a manner to preclude obstruction or conflict between the parties. The church paid $800 to the Masons, and this time the deed was made out to elder Reverend C. B. Sanders plus trustees A. O. Vaughan and S. C. Johnston. The Masonic Committee who signed the deed consisted of George Washington Martin, Theodoric S. Clay, and William R. Johnston, who was Madison’s first Mayor and had a wife named Sarah. During earlier years of studying these deed records, the name C. B. Sanders was not recognized as a historically prominent name. However, more recent historical document studies have shown that he was indeed quite prominent in history of the area and the church, even receiving national fame and recognitions of his time.

Oddly enough, Sanders did not generally seek attention or fame due to his supernatural experiences. In fact, he actually tried to avoid such throughout his life until he finally asked a good friend to document some of his episodes before retiring from the public eye.

Reverend Sanders had already acquired a reputation as “The Sleeping Preacher” sometime before 1870 and his time in Madison. He lived for a time in Mooresville and is recorded in publications of the history of that early town as “The Sleeping Preacher of Mooresville”. Sanders was born about 12 miles north of Huntsville in 1831. He was the seventh of ten children of James and Rebecca Sanders. James died when Constantine was only six years old. Constantine joined the Presbyterian church in 1851. In 1854 he began to experience painful clairvoyant episodes during his schooling for the ministry in Elkton, Tennessee. That year Sanders experienced some mental breakdowns and a severe case of typhoid fever. These conditions were immediately followed by numerous supernatural experiences that lasted until 1876 and beyond. In fact, his great-granddaughter Shirley Boyd Schuerman of Scottsboro reported that he could tell his grandchildren

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History trained physicians would confirm Sanders’ diagnoses and prescriptions. This occurred even though Sanders had no medical training whatsoever, yet he during the trances would speak in medical terms that only doctors would know.

He also could understand and speak in other languages while at other times he wrote in Greek or Latin, especially for medical prescriptions.

Sanders also was reported to read aloud letters and books that were not in his presence. It was also told that he handed to a just-arrived messenger at his door a complete set of written answers to questions delivered by the messenger from a doctor to inquire about a patient’s condition.

Sanders had never met either the remote doctor or the patient, and this was before the days of telephones in the area. Another time, while at home, he wrote word-for-word the sermon of a preacher in Huntsville as the preacher was speaking it.

While in his trances Sanders would often write notes, signing with “X + Y = Z” as his name, when it was actually the name used by the “alternate ego” personality using Sanders’ body to communicate. The alternate ego personality sometimes referred to Sanders as “My Casket” in the notes that were written during trances. In 1876 “X + Y = Z” even wrote a farewell note to “My Casket” praising him for having been a good host and promising to soon depart, which he apparently did, while Sanders lived until 1911. Sanders lived after the departure in relative anonymity by choice. His reputation never approached the level of that of Nostradamus. However, if there had been social media that we have now during Sanders’ lifetime, he would have probably been more famous than Edgar Cayce of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, who was born in 1877, just after the departure of X + Y = Z from Sanders. Later, in the 20th century it was Jeanne Dixon who captured America’s attention for predictions of future events, but only Constantine B. Sanders can be claimed for a time as Madison and Alabama’s foremost clairvoyant of all time.

There are a number of data sources and additional trance episodes included about Constantine Blackman Sanders in Folder 15 of Box 1 of Subseries B of Series 4 of the Roberts Collection at the archives in the Salmon Library of the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Some of the material there includes newspaper clippings and articles written by Henry Walker in the Huntsville Times (especially the Sunday issue of November 19, 1961) and also material by Elbert L. Watson of the Huntsville library. The Huntsville library on St. Clair also has a book about Sanders that was written and published in 1981 by William Pickens Drake of Owens Cross Roads.

That book is based upon perhaps the most comprehensive resource for further reference. The definitive book was written in 1876 about Sanders by his close friend, Rev. George Washington Mitchell of Athens, Alabama. Sanders had asked Rev. Mitchell to write of his psychic episodes and explain the unusual aspects of his life in order to preclude further sensational publicity about the

paranormal events. Mitchell titled his book as “X + Y = Z, or The Sleeping Preacher” after interviewing 69 living witnesses. These witnesses included people of Madison, Athens, Brownsboro, Decatur, Hazel Green, Huntsville, Leighton, Maysville, Meridianville, and Mooresville of Alabama. The witnesses also included people from Elkton, Lebanon, Salem, Nashville, Tullahoma, and Winchester of Tennessee, as well as of Montgomery, Virginia. Ten of the witnesses were clergymen, six were physicians, and one was an Alabama Legislator. One was the President of Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee. All appeared to be reliable witnesses of integrity, and they confirmed their knowledge and perspectives of the astounding paranormal capabilities of Constantine Blackman Sanders.

Constantine B. Sanders

The highly anticipated Alabama Jubilee will be held May 29-30 at Point Mallard Park in Decatur.

Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic returns

By STAFF REPORTS

Constantine B. Sanders later in life.

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DECATUR - After last May, when most staple north Alabama events canceled due to the coronavirus, a flurry of festivals will bring hot-air balloons, concerts, rodeos and more back to the Tennessee Valley to kick off summer. Included in that list is the highly anticipated Alabama Jubilee at Point Mallard Park in Decatur.

Splashes of reds, pinks, blues, greens and purples will color the north Alabama sky as more than 50 hot-air balloons take flight during the annual Alabama Jubilee. Highlights

of the two-day festival include the Hare and Hound Race on May 29 at 6:15 a.m., the balloon glow on May 29 at 8:15 p.m., and the key grab on May 30 at 7 p.m., weather permitting.

Along with high-flying fun, the festival will feature a car expo, antique tractor show, tractor parade at 10 a.m. and tractor games for children 6 and younger at 11 a.m., on May 29, and an arts and craft show, live music and evening tethered balloon rides on May 29 and May 30.

The festival will culminate with a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. on May 30.

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