The Madison Record - June 9, 2021

INSIDE: Check out some of the many upcoming local events on page 8A

M adison RECORD WEDNESDAY June 9, 2021

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West Madison

West Madison - A teacher’s perspective

Like hundreds of other teachers, Cheryl Bailey felt nostalgic twinges when West Madison said goodbye to its decades as an elementary school when this school year ended. Page 3A

EDUCATION

Emma Boyd

Emma Boyd, a 17-year-old violinist in Madison, has earned the honor as one of the brightest young musicians in the United States. Boyd has been selected for the critically acclaimed National Youth Orchestra of the USA, with headquarters at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Page 5A

Principal Dr. Daphne Jah, center, welcomes back alumni of West Madison Elementary School in 2016. The students were seniors at Bob Jones High School and returned ‘home’ to West Madison before graduation.

School’s legacy to thrive in memories of its friends

By GREGG PARKER Gregg.Parker@madisoncountyrecord.com MADISON – With the close of the 20202021 school year, West Madison Elementary School is transitioning from serving elementary grades to a central site for Madison City Schools’ First Class Pre-Kindergarten Center.

Gone will be the usual routine at West Madison, but residents will keep fond,

heartfelt memories for the building, educators, student classrooms, library, cafeteria and the festivals, fairs and friendships that brightened the years.

Originally, West Madison students met in churches or in a one-room structure for the school. In 1936 with assistance from the Works Progress Administration or WPA, local leaders secured land materials for a new school.

Cornelia Seay deeded the land for the

school without compensation. Interested citizens provided money and free labor.

The three-room building was erected on Pension Row. L.C. Jamar served as principal until 1947. His principalship started with two teachers and ended with four, according to local historian Cindi Sanderson.

Dorothy Turner then worked as principal, followed by Rev. E.C. Binford in 1948.

See WEST MADISON Page 3A

Harvest man arrested on drug charges in Moulton

Science Fair James Clemens High School students left no doubt about their technical knowledge at the Alabama State Science and Engineering Fair.

Page 5A

By STAFF REPORTS

Space Week Horizon Elementary School’s student body conducted experiments for heavenly bodies during Space Week on May 10-14.

Page 6A

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

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

FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR - It’s back for a second year. The Rocket City Trash Pandas announced last week they will again host the “Fireworks Spectacular” at Toyota Field on the 4th of July. This patriotic extravaganza will feature on-field activities, food trucks, and live entertainment. It begins at 4 p.m. and ends at 9 after the fireworks show. For more about this event, go to www.trashpandasbaseball.com. The photo above is from their weekly Friday fireworks show at Toyota Field last week.

MOULTON — A Harvest man is facing felony drug charges after being arrested during a traffic stop on Sunday, according to Moulton police.

Police Chief Craig Knight said Clifton Webster Brent Webster, 34, was in possession of heroin and methamphetamine when he was stopped by Officer Jon Zech. Webster also was charged with three misdemeanors during the stop, including a stolen license tag.

Knight said an unknown powdery substance in Webster’s possession was sent to the Alabama Forensics Office for testing.

Webster was taken to Lawrence County Jail with bail set at $3,500.

16 pages • 2 sections

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2A • THE RECORD

June 9, 2021

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West Madison Binford saw the school enlarged to five classrooms with five teachers.

The school consolidated with Union Hill, New Haven, Betts, Capshaw, Saint James and Triana students. Sixteen teachers handled classes in the school, four churches and a lodge hall.

In 1949, the building on Pension Row burned.

State regulations prohibited rebuilding on the same site, so leaders obtained suitable property on Wall Triana for a modern concrete building, built in 1953. The facility accommodated grades 1-9 with 12 classrooms, cafeteria and principal’s office.

Got five minutes?

Other principals included J.C. McCall, Irene Chapman and J.E. Ewing in 1967. During Ewing’s administration, the school became completely integrated in fall 1970 with grades K-9 with a ratio of 70 percent white and 30 percent Black for teachers. The student ratio was 53 percent white, 47 percent Black.

The school first earned accreditation during the 1970-1971 school year.

Grade configuration varied until 1975, finally set for grades K-4.

In 1990 to alleviate overcrowding, second and third-grade students transferred to Madison Elementary School. West Madison then served grades K-1. By 2021, the configuration was grades K-5.

One of West Madison’s principals, Dr. Daphne Jah, worked there for 28 years, as teacher to assistant principal and then principal.

“West Madison is a very special place. May 26, 2021 was bittersweet (on the last day as an elementary school),” Jah said.

“West Madison is home.

It is the place I spent 28 years of my life. West Madison holds many wonderful memories that will always remain in my heart,” Jah said.

Over the years, West Madison students have become doctors, lawyers, engineers and musicians.

“All of us, as teachers and administrators, made an impact on so many students. That means something,” Jah said.

When Jah first walked into West Madison in 1992, the campus already

engendered special feelings for her. “My uncle had been the PE teacher there many, many years ago. Little did I know the school would become so special to me as it had been for him,” Jah said.

Her uncle often spoke fondly about the heritage of the little school and how many wonderful lifelong relationships he had founded there. “I, too, have experienced the same. A special place with special people. The little school with the big heart,” Jah said.

Jah is very happy that West Madison will continue as a school. “That really means a lot. West Madison souls live on as a school in the hearts and minds of the citizens of Madison,” Jah said.

“It isn’t the building that makes an impact on a community . . . it’s the people. However, that building has served us all well.

I love that old place, and it makes my heart glad to know that the pre-kindergarten students will have a home there for many years to come,” Jah said.

Another West Madison friend and a Madison native, Cindi Sanderson started volunteering in 1986 when her son entered kindergarten at West Madison. She helped in the classroom and with PTA functions.

“I was first on the PTA Board as Vice President and became President for the 1990-1991 year. This was during a time when lots of people were moving to Madison. I was one of the few actually from here,” Sanderson said.

“So many parents wanted to volunteer with

everything,” Sanderson said. “I don’t recall the PTA ever being without a multitude of people willing to help.”

In 1991, West Madison PTA officers accomplished a milestone that no other Madison County school had ever achieved.

“We won the state award at the Alabama PTA Convention for the most outstanding Elementary Health Program. We worked really hard on that,” Sanderson said.

The program chair was Renee Graham. “I didn’t know her, but we became friends. We’re still friends today,” Sanderson said.

Sanderson recalls the glory days of West Madison Fall Festival. “Lots of people attended, even if they didn’t have children in school at West Madison. The PTA had Bingo with tons of prizes, a country store that lots of ladies shopped in and all kinds of games, food and entertainment,” she said.

Another fond memory is the visit by ABC’s “Good Morning America” crew to film an on-campus balloon launch.

“I have so many friends and acquaintances that go back to my West Madison days,” Sanderson said.

Her son, daughter and both grandsons attended West Madison.

“I loved going back to West Madison when my oldest grandson started kindergarten . . . to read and make crafts with his class and volunteer in the book fair. West Madison has always been like one big family and will always have a special place in my heart. Go Wildcats!”

Sanderson said.

Madison Weather with Steve Norris

More women trust us to take care of them and their families.

Visit oHHbaby.org to read the latest blogs written by our experts covering a wide range of topics.

Afternoon showers expected all week

By STEVE NORRIS MADISON - We will be in an unsettled weather pattern this week with showers and scattered thunderstorms likely each afternoon through Thursday. They will also be possible at night. Scattered thunderstorms will be around for the weekend with high temperatures in the mid 80s.

The first five months of the year brought an average of 30 inches of rain across Madison County, and we are likely to get several inches in some areas this week.

Our readers have been asking me where they can find daily precipitation totals for the county. Go to cocorahs. org, then near the top click on view data, then click daily precipitation reports and enter your state and county that you are interested in. A list of rain gauges that reported that day will pop up. Some counties have lots of reporters and some just a few. This is also the website where you can sign up to be an observer for your community.

If you need further information you can drop me an email anytime to weather1@charter.net

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June 9, 2021

THE RECORD • 3A

A teacher’s perspective: Cheryl Bailey will remember West Madison, the ‘hidden gem’

By GREGG PARKER Gregg.Parker@madison countyrecord.com MADISON – Sometimes, the best reflections grace the eyes of a teacher.

Cheryl Peterson Bailey taught second-graders at West Madison Elementary School for 19 years – in the same classroom. Like hundreds of other teachers, Bailey felt nostalgic twinges when West Madison said goodbye to its decades as an elementary school when this school year ended.

“I first got involved in West Madison as a parent when my oldest son started kindergarten in 1991. Dee Fowler was principal and Mary Long, assistant principal,” Bailey said. Bailey volunteered with PTA for Madison County Schools (before Madison City Schools formed) and was West Madison PTA President from 1993-1995.

“I became the computer aide teacher at West Madison in 1996 and also worked on my master’s in elementary education and finished that in May 2001,” Bailey said. “Mary Long hired me in August 2001 for second grade.

I retired with 24 years in education in June 2020.”

In October 2020, she was invited and accepted lead tutor position. She will continue that work at Midtown Elementa-

ry School. “We all are a little nervous about doubling the number of students at our new school. But we’re up for the challenge,” Bailey said.

Bailey enjoyed working with two principals -- Dr. Daphne Jah for many years and recently with Savannah Demeester, who has been her daughter Meghan’s friend since childhood.

Starting to teach after her three children were born, Bailey “came a little late to the game, but I had a good handle of how young kids ticked. I always said I teach ‘like a mom.’”

“I loved all my students as if they were my own . . . and told them like it was,” Bailey said.

“I can honestly say I laughed, cried and learned every day.

Teaching seven- and eight-yearolds was truly a blessing. I consider that age child to be ‘my peeps.’ They still respect you, they love you unconditionally, and are so creative and funny.”

“West Madison has been called the ‘hidden gem,’ or the little school with the big heart.

We were always the system’s smallest school and that was nice. I maintained a long relationship with past students and still keep in touch with many now who are married and having babies,” Bailey said.

Circa 2016, Bailey had returned from a field trip with

Former students at West Madison Elementary School surprised Cheryl Bailey (in orange shirt) by returning to visit. West Madison alumni included Meridian Jordan, front and bending down, Bailey, LouAnn Crosby with yearbook, and Parker Harless.

Madisyn Bedfingfield, back from left, Chase Henderson, Grace Merenka, the late Jackson Rumley and Connor Matheney. her then current class. “Dr. Jah followed me down to my classroom. I thought something was wrong.”

Unlocking her dark classroom, Bailey “saw ‘big people’ sitting at the desks. I thought, ‘Are these parents?’” She then heard screams of surprise, turned on the lights and saw about 10 teenage students from

a second-grade class that she had taught years ago.

“The students heard that I was giving away the ‘reading tower’ (a popular classroom activity) to another teacher, and they wanted to see it one more time before it was gone,” Bailey said. “They had set it up with Dr. Jah to surprise me.”

“I loved it and could hardly

believe they did that. We took lots of pictures together and reminisced about when they were with me in second grade,” Bailey said.

“West Madison was a big part of my life, and it was very difficult to say goodbye! But we’re excited about starting new traditions and memories at Midtown Elementary,” Bailey said.

Madison City school district to offer students COVID vaccine shots

By JOHN FEW john@themadisonrecord.com MADISON - Madison City Schools announce last week that they are teaming up with Huntsville Hospital to offer students 12 years old and older COVID vaccines.

School officials said the vaccinations will be administered Thurs-

day, June 17, at Bob Jones High School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is a signup link posted to the school district’s Facebook page and website.

The required second dose will be administered July 8 at Bob Jones from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was recently approved by the FDA

for ages 12-15 year olds. Officials with the school district said youth who are fully vaccinated and remain without symptoms after being exposed to a recent COVID-19 exposure, will not have to quarantine. Without the vaccine, children exposed to a positive case of COVID-19 will have to quarantine and miss school for 14 days.

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June 9, 2021

Snapshot The American Legion Post 229 in Madison hosted a Memorial Day Ceremony at the Madison Veterans Park in the hostoric downtown district. It was a beautiful morning to honor those who died in the service of our country. Speakers included LTG Thurgood, Congressman Mo Brooks and Mayor Finley. The Bob Jones JROTC, St John Paul II band, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and the American Legion Post 229 Honor Guard participated in the event. Below are some photos from the ceremony. Photos courtesy of American Legion Post 229

EDUCATION

5A

June 9, 2021

Boyd selected for National Youth Orchestra of the USA at Carnegie Hall

By GREGG PARKER Gregg.Parker@madisoncountyrecord.com MADISON – Emma Boyd, a 17-year-old violinist in Madison, has earned the honor as one of the brightest young musicians in the United States. Boyd has been selected for the critically acclaimed National Youth Orchestra of the USA, with headquarters at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

With 200-plus members, the youth orchestra offers a lifechanging musical experience. The musicians will connect with their peers from across the country and work with an all-star faculty, who are principal players from top American orchestras.

Boyd attends Interlochen Arts Academy and performs with its orchestra, along with the World Youth Symphony Orchestra.

This summer, Boyd will travel to Purchase College, near New York

City, for a month-long musical residency. She will play in master classes, rehearse with a full orchestra, work with stellar guest conductors and get to know her fellow musicians.

“This summer is especially meaningful, as young musicians get the chance to gather and play music together after an isolating year,” Public Relations Associate Meg Boyle said. “All program activities for summer 2021 are expected to take place in-person in the New York area with strict health protocols.”

Guest Conductors will be Carlos Miguel Prieto for orchestra one and Mei-Ann Chen for orchestra two.

Sean Jones will return as Artistic Director and Bandleader of National Youth Orchestra’s jazz ensemble.

Members of the 2021 orchestra represent 41 states. Carnegie Hall clinicians have rated the young musicians among the finest players in the country, after following a

comprehensive and highly selective audition process. Membership in national youth ensembles is offered free of charge, which confirms that all invited musicians can participate.

“After a challenging year in which most young musicians haven’t been able to play together, we are very happy to be able to convene these groups again in person for an unforgettable summer of music-making,” Clive Gillinson said.

Gillinson is Executive and Artistic Director for Carnegie Hall.

All three national youth orchestras will play new works written specifically for them and also will create digital performances. Due to COVID-19 constraints, national youth ensembles will not tour and will not play at Carnegie Hall, which remains closed until fall 2021.

For more information, visit Facebook/National Youth Orchestra of the USA.

Emma Boyd of Madison has been selected for the prestigious National Youth Orchestra of the USA with headquarters at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

James Clemens students show science proclivity at Alabama State Science and Engineering Fair

By GREGG PARKER Gregg.Parker@madisoncountyrecord.com

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectra to Assess Metabolic Alterations and Type I Diabetes Susceptibility.”

“My project was on using a computational approach through a Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm and Bayesian statistics applied to spectral data find correlations between metabolic reaction cycles, disease progression and predisposed genetic factors,” Lee said.

For the Cellular & Molecular Biology entries, Shreya Sunil earned second place.

Neha Singhal received Honorable Mention in the Medicine and Health category. Project’s name was “Scalable Track, Trace and Isolate Solution for Pandemic Contagion and Risk Management.” “In my project, I have prototyped a wearable ‘Internet of Things’ device that provides means for contagion management by identifying infectious points, monitoring symptoms and notifying the consumer of exposure,” Singhal said.

Leah McRae sponsors the James Clemens Science Fair and assists students who advance to regional and state contests.

To qualify for the state fair, stu-

dents must have competed regionally, which for James Clemens means the North Alabama Science & Engineering Fair. Lee and Singhal received “Best of Fair” and will represent James Clemens in the International Science & Engineering Fair. Approximately 1,500 students will participate in the international contest.

State-level projects usually involve scientific questions and a specific topic that interest students.

“Participants must research their question, learn and apply the scientific method to create a valid experiment and think about the meaning of their results,” McRae said.

“Through science fairs, students get the opportunity to meet peers interested in STEM and learn about innovative, cutting-edge work from a student’s perspective,” McRae said. “We also can receive feedback from scientists and engineers in the field that will help improve future research practices.”

“Students benefit from participating at state because it gives them a chance to express their ideas, and it motivates them to pursue a STEM career,” McRae said.

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Madhushalini Balaji, a freshman at James Clemens High School, claimed first place and “Best Of Fair” Award at the Alabama State Science and Engineering Fair.

Yewon Lee, at left, and Neha Singhal, who are students at James Clemens High School, earned honors at the Alabama State Science and Engineering Fair.

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MADISON – James Clemens High School students left no doubt about their technical knowledge at the Alabama State Science and Engineering Fair.

A panel of 40 distinguished scientists and engineers judged each category virtually with Zoom on April 10. These experts included professors, post-doctoral educators and graduate students from colleges, including the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Auburn University and University of South Alabama.

The state fair attracted 127 students from 41 schools. Sixty-plus students competed in the high school division. Requirements for students included a poster presentation, oral defense of the research and writing a detailed research paper.

In the Engineering, Computer Science and Math category, freshman Madhushalini Balaji claimed first place and “Best of Fair” Award.

The top four projects from all categories in the senior division earn Best Of Fair; these students qualify as finalists for the International Science and Engineering Fair with an all-expenses paid trip.

Balaji developed the project, “A Low-Cost Approach to EEG-Based Mind-Controlled Prosthetic Arm Using Brain-Computer Interface.”

Balaji developed a prosthetic arm using an alternate communication pathway to enable movement in amputees.

“A brain-computer interface was established, providing the opportunity for the control of external devices using EEG signals,” Balaji said. “The project’s main objectives included lowering cost of prosthetic arms, using noninvasive technology and analyzing the effectiveness of motor imagery.”

In Biochemistry, Chemistry and Materials Science, Yewon Lee earned second place. Her project’s name was “Application of Bayesian Inference for the Deconvolution of

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6A • THE RECORD

June 9, 2021

Bob Jones’ Joseph Marci, Ashwin Prabhakar rank second nationally with Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision

By GREGG PARKER Gregg.Parker@madison countyrecord.com

MADISON – Joe Macri and Ashwin Prabhakar, sophomores at Bob Jones High School, claimed second place in the nation in ExploraVision STEM Competition, sponsored

by Toshiba Corporation and National Science Teaching Association or NSTA. Along with their distinguished title as a national winner, Macri and Prabhakar each will receive a $5,000 U.S. Savings Bond.

“No other national winners are from the State of Alabama, and Joe and Ashwin were the youngest in their category of grades 10-12,” Jessye Gessner Gaines said.

Gaines mentored Macri and Prabhakar and teaches with Bob Jones Engineering Academy.

Earlier this semes-

ter, both Bob Jones and James Clemens high schools won in regional meets in Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision. “The Bob Jones team of Ashwin and Joe were selected as regional winners, but now they also have been selected as national winners,” Gaines said.

Macri and Prabhakar tackled a contemporary crisis with their project, “An Artificial Intelligence-Based System to Neutralize Pesticides and Sustain Honey Bee Populations.” Their subject matter was uber-complex, as these three paragraphs demonstrate: * “The goal of this project was to develop a system to protect pollinators like honey bees from pesticide toxicity. These pesticides bind to receptors in the nervous system of honey bees causing neurological dysfunction and subsequent death. To combat this, we present a

novel peptide and bacteria based dual targeting system to mitigate the pesticide’s effects.” * “Our autonomous solution comprises of a drone equipped with a machine learning algorithm to first identify crops and select the precise locations for pesticide neutralization. Next, the drone’s artificial intelligence system selectively dispenses an optimized concentration of formulations comprising of (a) synthetic peptides with high affinity to pesticides . . . and (b) bacteria mixtures with specific enzymes for rapid biodegradation of pesticides.” * “Honey bees, one of the significant contributors of pollination in our ecosystem, are declining due to widespread use of neonicotinoid pesticides. To overcome this, we present an automated system comprising of a drone integrated with

Joseph Macri, upper left, and Ashwin Prabhakar, upper right, placed second in nation in the Toshiba/ NSTA ExploraVision STEM Competition. The young men are sophomores at Bob Jones High School.

Jessye Gaines is their mentor and teaches in Bob Jones Engineering Academy. machine learning algorithm for characterization of crops,” Macri and Prabhakar wrote.

“This is absolutely an amazing accomplishment,” Bob Jones Princi-

pal Sylvia Lambert said.

“These are incredible and innovative young men.

I am so very proud of them.”

Macri and Prabhakar participated virtually in

an awards ceremony on June 4.

The National Science Teaching Association has headquarters in Arlington, Va. For more information, visit nsta.org.

Firefighters abet Horizon students’ experiments during Space Week

By GREGG PARKER Gregg.Parker@madison countyrecord.com

MADISON – Horizon Elementary School’s student body conducted experiments for heavenly bodies during Space Week on May 10-14.

Horizon PTA worked with Gifted Specialist Elizabeth Bero to plan fun activities for all grades. Kindergartners with PTA volunteers Betsy Allison and Katy Brown launched film canisters with Alka-Selzer tablets. First-graders listened to a constellation story by Bero and then created their own constellation pictures and stories.

Second-graders built UFO disc flyers for rounds of disc golf. In third grade, students witnessed a presentation by PTA President Leigh McMillan about propulsion, using Mentos and cola.

Fourth-graders held paper airplane contests.

Consuella Datcher’s fifth-grade science students used recycled materials to build ‘water balloon re-entry protection devices.’ The objective was to build the smallest, most lightweight construction but prevent the water balloon from bursting when dropped. Students applied classroom study about parachutes and motion.

In initial testing, students dropped their devices from atop the tallest playground slide. Devices that survived qualified for final experimenting.

For finals, Captain Ennis and firefighters from Madison Fire Department brought a ladder truck to campus and dropped the finalists’ devices from the extended ladder. Students Madisyn Hankins and Sianna O’Reilly made devices that protected their water balloons even when dropped from a height of 73

feet, Bero said.

Bero’s work with Horizon’s Space Week started when her oldest daughter was in kindergarten in 1997 and Bero worked for NASA in Education/Public Outreach. Bero started teaching at Horizon as Gifted Specialist in 2003 and has coordinated Space Week for 24 years.

Since 1998 (except in 2020 due to COVID-19), she has used a portable planetarium from Woodmen of the World Insurance Agency. In 2020, Bero recruited guest lecturers from NASA and American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

“This year, we were fortunate to be attending school and participate in PTArun activities,” she said. Post-COVID-19 in 2022, she hopes that assembles for NASA, Von Braun Astronomical Society and Huntsville Area Rocketry Association can return.

For Science Week 2021, PTA President Leigh McMillan and PTA volunteers contributed significantly. Spanish teacher Claudia Mesnil-Baez created a daily trivia question for morning announcements. Maria Jones in English Language Learning helped decorate and raised students’ excitement with her collection of space clothes and costumes. Datcher coordinated the ‘re-entry device’ project.

“Space Week is like Career Week,” Bero said. Normally, Horizon invites parents to discuss their jobs at Redstone Arsenal, NASA and Cummings Research Park.

“Our Acting Building Maintenance/ Custodian, David Blackburn, is retired from NASA and gave a video talk about his experiences. He encouraged students to study hard and look for jobs in aerospace, making the point that many people, doing many jobs, are needed in NASA -- not just astronauts,” Bero said.

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In long-standing tradition during Space Week, firefighters with Madison Fire and Rescue Department brought a ladder truck to Horizon Elementary School to help with the ‘balloon re-entry’ experiment.

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June 9, 2021

THE RECORD • 7A

Burnette honored as 2021 ‘Teacher of the Year’ at Horizon

By GREGG PARKER Gregg.Parker@madisoncounty record.com MADISON – Bria Burnette is 2021 “Teacher of the Year” at Horizon Elementary School.

Burnette has taught entirely at Horizon since her start in January 2016, initially as a Title I tutor. She then began classroom instruction for second- and third-graders. She has sponsored the Horizon Math Team for three years and co-sponsored Kind Kids Club.

“I will be continuing my teaching journey at Midtown Elementary next school year,” Burnette said.

“My philosophy and mission in teaching is to always leave my students better than when they found me by encouraging them to believe in themselves and be the change that is needed in our world,” Burnette said.

“I teach my students that they are ‘Change Makers’ -- they can make a big impact in their little world!”

Burnette believes in nurturing her students’ interests and passions, instilling needed confidence to become strong readers and leaders and establishing

a positive classroom environment for comfortable learning and growing together.

Each day, her students declare their class mission statement; discuss happy experiences they’ve shared or problems; and begin with a morning meeting to proclaim encouraging mantras, like “I can do hard things.”

Showing they do master difficulties, Burnette’s students learned to edit and create Google Slides, collaborated with Schoology comment boards, practice whole-body listening and used troubleshooting for technical issues. Her students embodied this mantra by telling each other, ‘Don’t give up; you can do hard things” during a year of new material, flipflopping to hybrid learning or rebuilding a STEM creation.

“Our students are the true superheroes of this school year,” Burnette said.

“I also utilize a flexible-seating model that gives students some autonomy in the classroom, which allows them to be more metacognitive about the ways that they learn best,” Burnette said. “This model has looked very different during

this particular school year, but the students worked really hard to come up with new and creative ways to have comfortable, alternative seating options that were still safe and maintained social distancing.”

Her philosophy and classroom environment helps student understand that she prioritizes their needs -- both academic and social-emotional -- above all else. “I’m my students’ biggest cheerleader, their greatest advocate and a student of mine is my student forever,” Burnette said.

Burnette lived in Estill Springs, Tenn. until entering the University of Alabama at Huntsville. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in Spanish and Language and Culture concentration. She is a National Board Certified Teacher in the area of literacy.

Her husband Brandon Waller works as an electrician for H.C. Blake Company. “We have a sweet dog named Suki that we love,” she said.

An avid reader, Bria enjoys a home library of 400-plus books … and always growing. She shares her passion of reading

Bria Burnette and husband Brandon Waller enjoy spare time together with their dog Suki. Bria is “Teacher of the Year” at Horizon Elementary School. and constantly recommends books to friends and coworkers.

For student families, Bria finds books or series in which they

are represented.

Bria likes to travel to visit her family and spend time with Brandon and Suki.

‘Nurse Bonnie’ accepts honor of top staff person at Central Office of Madison City Schools

By GREGG PARKER Gregg.Parker@madisoncounty record.com MADISON – Bonnie Davis deferred any boasting when she received “Staff Member of the Year” honors at Central Office. She instead praised nurses that work on campuses of Madison City Schools.

“The nurses in MCS have been phenomenal,” Davis said. “They have spent countless hours contract tracing, notifying parents, tracking symptomatic cases and reporting COVID-19 events, in addition to performing their regular clinic responsibilities.”

“Without them, my job would have been impossible,” Davis said.

Davis admits that work-

ing as MCS Lead Nurse during a pandemic has been quite challenging.

“Enforcing COVID policies and procedures and educating parents and students why we must adhere to those policies and procedures have been especially important this year,” she said. “Tracking and reporting positive cases of COVID-19 and quarantined students and staff have been the new normal.”

Her nursing career started with 12 years on Huntsville Hospital’s pediatric unit. In 1998 when Madison founded its separate school district, she started working for Madison City with another school nurse.

After one year, the other nurse resigned, and Davis became Lead Nurse.

Davis always has functioned as Madison’s Lead Nurse, but she also was Clinic Nurse at Bob Jones High School from January 2005 through April 2016.

“The MCS Nurse Health Educator at the time, Nancy Bocchino, and I shared the clinic position while performing our full-time district jobs,” Davis said.

Currently, the Madison district employs 15 Registered Nurses and six Licensed Practical Nurses.

As Lead Nurse, Davis creates and enforces medical policies and procedures to protect all students and staff. “I am definitely a rule follower myself,” Davis said. “My two philosophies are: ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’ and ‘Teamwork makes the dream work.’”

Nurse Bonnie’ Davis receives commendations as “Staff Member of the Year” from her colleagues in Madison City Schools’ Central Office. vis, an engineer, and wife Davis grew up in Tulla- tems Engineer for NASA. Bonnie and Stephan Kate. “My children are all homa, Tenn., and both her mother and grandmother Davis have three mar- products of Madison City were teachers. Davis grad- ried children: Brooke Schools and Bob Jones uated with a bachelor’s Boatright, a teacher, and graduates,” Bonnie said.

Bonnie is an avid exdegree in nursing from the husband Nik; Ginny MaUniversity of Alabama in tarrese, a Physician’s erciser, an aficionado of Huntsville. Her husband Assistant, and husband crafting and a nature phoStephan works as a Sys- Michael; and Mitch Da- tographer.

An array of camp sessions will accommodate varying age and skill levels at 2021 Summer Chess Camp, sponsored by Madison City Chess League.

Get on board! Summer Chess Camp returns with in-person sessions in July MADISON – Players will be happy to ‘get on board’ as in-person sessions return in 2021 to Summer Chess Camp, sponsored by Madison City Chess League or MCCL. Rainbow Elementary School, 50 Nance Road will host the camps on July 19-23.

“We will return to an over-the-board format with classes for every skill level,” MCCL Executive Director Ranae Bartlett said. “MCCL members (were allowed) to register first and reserve their spot. Registration opened to the general public on Memorial Day weekend.”

To register, visit madisonchess.com/ events/700/2021-summer-chess-camp.

Three different camps will be available during morning hours. These halfday camps will meet on Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Camp fee is $150. * Learn to Play Chess Camp -- This camp targets students in grades K-5 who want to learn to play chess, basic rules of the game, point values of pieces and checkmate patterns and strategy. Campers will receive a workbook. * Intro to Competition Chess Camp – Sections will be available for grades K-5 and 6-12. This camp is for a student who has been playing chess less than one year

or has not played in U.S. Chess Federation- or USCF-rated tournament. These campers want to get ready to compete in tournaments in fall 2021. Instructors Will Stevenson and Michael Guthrie. * Advanced Competition Chess Camp – Students with a USCF rating above 1,000 should enroll in this camp. Instructor Jonathan Rasberry.

An additional three camps in the afternoon are designed for students with a USCF rating and who have experience playing in over-the-board tournaments.

The half-day camps will meet on Monday through Friday from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Camp fee is $150. * Beginning Competition Chess Camp -- This camp will help younger students in grades K-5 who are USCF-rated under 600 and have competed in rated tournaments. The instruction will focus on tactics, endgames and tournament rules and notation. Instructor David Hayes. * Intermediate Competition Chess Camp – Campers in this session will be students in grades K-12 who have a USCF rating of 600 to 1,000. Instructor Will Stevenson. * Advanced Competition Chess Camp –This session is intended for students in grade K-12 with a USCF rating above 1,000. Instructor Jonathan Rasberry.

For more information email mccl. director@gmail.com or visit madisonchess.com.

YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID - More educators are placing an emphasis on recognizing and trying to improve the mental health of students. Madison City Schools is no exception. Teachers and counselors from the school district attend a workshop last week on Youth Mental Health First Aid led by MCS social workers Briana Hawkins and Heather Hicks. The workshop is designed to equip educations with the tools they need to better help students they come in contact with.

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EVENTS

8A

June 9, 2021

2021 TRASH PANDAS DAY CAMP • Toyota Field • June 21-25 Have fun this summer at Toyota Field during the 2021 Trash Pandas Day Camp. This is an all-day activities camp with lunch and a snack provided. Activities will include arts and crafts, kickball on the field, reading time, batting cages with hitting instruction, movie time and more. Kids will get to see and experience the brand-new facility at Toyota Field. Go to www.trashpandasbaseball.com/camp for more information.

Runners taking County Line State of Mind 10K, 5K and fun run on June 19

By GREGG PARKER Gregg.Parker@madison countyrecord.com

THE HUNTSVILLE MUSEUM OF ART’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY GALA JUNE 8 – 12 Considered one of Huntsville’s premiere events, the Huntsville Museum of Art’s Annual Gala consists of three separate events which each offer unique cultural activities to attract a variety of patrons, both young and old. These three events are tied together by the month-long Gala Art Exhibition. This year’s featured artist is Millie Gosch (right). Leading up to the 30th Anniversary Gala, the silent auction art, trips, parties and treasures will be on display in the galleries and available for immediate purchase. You can secure your favorite item before the Gala and take it home after the event to enjoy forever! Go to hsvmuseum.org/events/gala for more information.

BUTTERFLIES & FRIENDS FUN DAY - COOK’S MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY • June 12 Come fly into the world of pollinators: bats, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, bees, and more! Explore the exhibits, while filling out your Pollinator Passport. Take part in a variety of hands-on activity and craft stations. Enjoy the helpful “Honey Bees! Science on the Spot” presentations and the “Behind Beekeeping” video. Go to www.cookmuseum.org for more information.

DRONES: IS THE SKY THE LIMIT? US Space and Rocket Center ALL MONTH

MADISON – The County Line State Of Mind 10K 5K and Base Fun Run will leave the starting line on James Clemens High School campus, proceed south on County Line Road and return to campus for the finish.

The City of Madison’s sponsorship, powered by JC Jets Baseball, will present the inaugural running of County Line State of Mind on June 19. Participants can receive information envelopes at the Christina Smith - State Farm Packet Pickup on June 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the JetsPlex.

The 10K will start at 7 a.m., followed by the 5K at 7:15 a.m. at the JetsPlex baseball field. The race route will be closed to all traffic between 7 and 9 a.m., with streets progressively opening by following the last runner. At 9 a.m., traffic will return to all route streets.

After the Fun Run, runners will receive their prizes at the JC FleetFeet Awards Ceremony in the JetsPlex.

Officials will award individuals in each age group, along with the Top Male and Top Female entrants.

Runners cannot register on race day. In addition, limited entries may be available at packet pickup.

Currently, more than 200 runners have registered. “We will have great viewing spots along the route for people to cheer on runners,” spokesperson Kristen Kulavich said.

All registrations previously accepted by the race’s online registration system from postponement dates automatically will roll to the new 2021 race date, Kulavich said.

Registration is open. To register, visit runsignup.com and click “Find

a Race” on the top right of the page.

On the “Upcoming Races in Top Cities” page, scroll to the bottom and type “Madison” and select “Alabama” in the list. On the next page, select “County Line State of Mind 10K & 5K” in the list. Complete the registration form that then displays.

Participants who register by June 1 are guaranteed to receive a race T-shirt.

Sponsorships for the event are open until June 1. To-date, sponsors include SpineCare Start/Finish Line; Christina Smith - State Farm Packet Pickup; FleetFeet Awards Ceremony; All Things Madison; Nesin Therapy Services; Madison Chamber of Commerce; and Redstone Federal Credit Union.

Runners will have a two-hour time limit to complete the 10K race. After two hours, runners either must move to the sidewalk or ride in the race vehicle at the end of the race.

Participants will have a one-hour time limit to complete the 5K race. After one hour, the same guidelines apply about leaving the course.

“Be the first! Set the records for the inaugural run of County Line State of Mind 10K 5K,” Kulavich said.

For more information, visit jcjetsbaseball.com/county-line-state-ofmind.

Developed by subject experts from the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, and produced

by Imagine Exhibitions, Drones: Is The Sky The Limit? explores the modern phenomenon of drones, their uses throughout history and the exciting possibilities of the future role that drones will play in our society. Drones: Is The Sky The Limit? features real drones, in-depth label paneling and rich audio-visual content. For more information, go to www. rocketcenter.com.

ROCKET CITY FIT DAY • Toyota Field • June 12 Join the Trash Pandas for their inaugural Rocket City Fit Day. This health & wellness event is free to attend and family-friendly. It will feature dozens of local businesses with a workout on Toyota Field led by F45 Training West Huntsville. The workout is from 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. and is for all levels of fitness. At 1:00 p.m., they will host a Beer Squat Challenge for those who want a little friendly competition. The man and woman who can maintain a perfect squat while holding a beer the longest will win a prize.

MADISON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS EXPO & KIDS DAY INSANITY SKATE PARK • June 26 The Madison Chamber of Commerce proudly presents Business Expo & Kids Day, Saturday, June 26th, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Insanity Complex, 100 Skate Park Drive, Madison. This year’s theme will be Baseball.

This family fun filled event will have 60+ vendors showcasing their products and services. Kids will enjoy FREE activities like inflatables, face painting, giant Jenga, Connect 4, baseball Cornhole, photo ops with SPROCKET and balloon art from Dr. Osborne. For more information, go to www.madisonalchamber.com.

See story on page B7.

MADISON CITY FARMERS MARKET

Madison City Farmers Market, open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon, is the area’s original local, producer-only farmers market, founded in 2007.

Everything sold at the market is grown or crafted by local farmers and craftspeople. The vendors provide a wide selection of the freshest local veggies, fruits, cheese, eggs, meats, milk, herbs, honey, jams, relishes, home-baked goods, plants and flowers. The Madison City Farmers Market is Located at 1088 Hughes Road, Madison at Trinity Baptist Church.

Check online for more information and updates: www.madisoncityfarmersmarket.com

June 9, 2021

M adison RECORD THE

WEDNESDAY

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

www.themadisonrecord.com INSIDE SPORTS

Cotton Row Training Registration for the 2021 Cotton Row Run is still underway as the 41st running of the annual 10K extravaganza has been moved from its traditional Memorial Day date to Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 6.

Page 2B

Heart on the line When the Rocket City Trash Pandas call on Kieran Lovegrove from the bullpen, they know that the South African reliever will pitch with his heart on the line.

Page 3B

UAH WRAPS UP 2021 AT NCAA OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS - The NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships wrapped up last weekend, and The University of Alabama in Huntsville was represented by three student-athletes at the event. A Madison native, Zach Hancock (left)garnered All-American status in the discus with a fourth-place hurl of 53.60 meters, as he also notched a ninth-place finish in the shot put at 17.55 meters. Wilson McClain also competed at the Nationals from the UAH men’s team, as he qualified for the 110-meter finals with a top time of 13.94 in the preliminary round. Serenity Andrus represented the Chargers women’s squad in the 400 meter, placing 10th overall in the preliminary round.

Briggs named AHSAA Executive Director

COMMUNITY

Traveling exhibit Partnership for a Drug-Free Community, a local agency, is exploring the tobacco industry’s long history of targeting teenagers. Partnership has produced a traveling exhibit, “Airing Out Big Tobacco’s Dirty Laundry,” Page 4B

By BOB LABBE bob0873@yahoo.com

BUSINESS

After three seasons as head coach of the James Clemens softball program, Brittany Vintson has chosen to leave the school and pursue a new career as a Special Agent for the FBI. Photo by Bob Labbe

Mazda Toyota Mazda Toyota Manufacturing revealed that the first of the two allnew vehicles it will build at its $2.3 billion Limestone County plant near the western edge of Madison will be an option for the fast-growing compact crossover market. Page 7B

HISTORY

Madison’s First Mayor Check out this interesting look at Madison’s past with John Rankin.

Page 8B

Vintson exits James Clemens softball program to join the FBI

By BOB LABBE bob0873@yahoo.com MADISON - A new calling in life has caused Brittany Vintson to resign as head coach of the James Clemens softball program. After three seasons in her position, Vintson will change careers and become a Special Agent for the F.B.I. “It’s definitely a major career change as the job sort of just fell into my lap,” said Vintson, 31.

“I’ve always had a major interest in criminal law, but never thought about being in the F.B.I. before the job was posted.”

Vintson posted a 50-56-1 record while with the Lady Jets including a 29-18-1 mark in 2019 where her team won the area championship. A 9-29 mark in the just completed 2021 season was good enough to finish area runner-up.

The 2020 campaign, cut short by the pandemic, the Jets were 12-9.

Prior to coming to Madison for her position at James Clemens, Vintson coached three seasons at Cordova where her teams won area titles and made the state final four in 2017.

She played collegiately at Birmingham-Southern before transferring to the University

of Alabama where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language Arts. She went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in Guidance and Counseling from West Alabama.

As for her move to the F.B.I., Vintson will have to play the waiting game on where she will be placed as a Special Agent after she completes the academy training. “I would love to be placed back in Huntsville,” said Vintson.

“This is an opportunity I just could not pass up, so I jumped on it and I am super excited,” added Vintson.

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MONTGOMERY - Alvin Briggs has been named the Executive Director of the Alabama High School Athletic Association replacing Steve Savarese who retired from the position after 15 years.

The 56-year old Briggs is no stranger to athletics in Alabama as he began playing football at age five in his hometown of Greenville and later had 31 interceptions playing defensive back at Greenville High School. He played in the annual NorthSouth All-Star Football Game where he’s the only player in the game’s history to score a touchdown on offense and defense. He scored on an 80-yard pass play as a receiver and then added a 75-yard pick-six as a defensive back.

Briggs has been on the AHSAA staff since 2011 and becomes the first person selected for executive director from a current AHSAA staff. The last three years he has been in the role of Associate Executive Director and his duties included numerous responsibilities including overseeing football

See BRIGGS Page 2B

2B • THE RECORD

June 9, 2021

418874-1

BE MORE. GO BUILD.

The 2021 Cotton Row Run is scheduled for Labor Day and registration is currently underway for both the 10K and 5K races. Fleet Feet of Madison and Huntsville is providing a group training program leading up to the September event. Photo by Fleet Feet

Cotton Row Run training for Labor Day date change

417460-1

By BOB LABBE bob0873@yahoo.com

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

HUNTSVILLE - Registration for the 2021 Cotton Row Run is still underway as the 41st running of the annual 10K extravaganza has been moved from its traditional Memorial Day date to Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 6.

Race coordinators indicated they plan on the race’s tradition of honoring the military who have lost their lives in service to the country. Race officials have posted on social media the race is committed to honoring those fallen soldiers and will dedicate the race on Labor Day to those who have been lost.

Bill Penney Toyota returns as race presenting sponsor and the pre-race Race Expo on Sunday, Sept. 5, also sponsored by Bill Penney Toyota.

Hunter Johnson, Bill Penney Toyota general manager, announced the local dealership will give away a Toyota at the 10K race.

Details on the big giveaway will be available soon.

Runners that deferred last year’s registration will receive confirmation on their automatic 2021 race registration via e-mail. Open registration is available at www.cottonrowruns.com. Questions about any aspects on race day can be directed to cottonrowrun@hunts-

villetrackclub.org. Race director for this year’s big event is Donna Palumbo.

Fleet Feet Sports of Madison and Huntsville will host its race training program beginning Tuesday, July 6 with weekly training on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. Fee is $125.

The training is designed to learn how to run a proper race and form to eliminate injuries. Assigned running coaches will make the training to where participants will cross the Cotton Row Run finish line faster and increase the knowledge of the sport.

Training participants can register at Fleet Feet Sports’ website.

What’s up at the Alvin Briggs has been named the new Executive Director of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) to replace outgoing retired Steve Savarese. The former assistant football coach at North Alabama and player at Auburn has been with the AHSAA for 10 years. Photo from AHSAA

Briggs and both outdoor and indoor track and field.

“I am honored, humbled and excited to be selected as the next Executive Director of the AHSAA,” said Briggs. “No doubt I have big shoes to fill. I pray I can continue to lead this organization in the same manner as the great men before me who held this position.”

After high school, Briggs played at Auburn during the 1980’s and was once a teammate of Bo Jackson. He tried his luck at the NFL

elor and master’s degree in physical education. He chose to return to his hometown in 2001 and was the school’s head football coach for five years. He moved back to Florence, home of UNA, where he was in athletic administration and head football coach at Florence High before taking his position with the AHSAA in 2011.

Briggs is very active in civic organizations and is married to his wife, Roxie, and they have two children.

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and actually signed with the Dallas Cowboys, but suffered a knee injury just prior to his first season. In 1993, he joined the coaching staff at North Alabama where he remained through 2001. At UNA, his team played in seven NCAA Division II playoff appearances and won three National Championships and the Lions sported a 41-1 record during one three-season span.

While coaching at North Alabama, Briggs earned both a bach-

June 9, 2021

THE RECORD • 3B

The Trash Pandas hosted a special Memorial Day ceremony May 30 with Memorial Day First Pitches from three local WWII veterans. They included: Ross Malone (age 99), who served in a quartermaster unit in France, Belgium, and Germany, and was part of the Red Ball Express running supplies to the front lines in WWII; Bud Hill (103), who served in the Merchant Marines and Coast Guard during WWII, and was at Omaha Beach on D-Day in a refueling vessel. Hill also served in the Pacific at the close of the war; and Major Wooten (104), who served in Paris during WWII in a railroad brigade. Because of his experience working at U.S. Steel, he was responsible for repairing rail cars and getting them back in commission.

Kieran Lovegrove pitching for the Trash Pandas.

Lovegrove’s quest to learn lands in Rocket City

By AARON CHERIS Rocket City Trash Pandas MADISON - When the Rocket City Trash Pandas call on Kieran Lovegrove from the bullpen, they know that the South African reliever will pitch with his heart on the line.

After struggling with depression, a year away from the game, and a new fascination on forces greater than balls and strikes, Lovegrove is happy to be back on the mound with a chance to compete.

“I didn’t know if I was going to get another shot.

Now it could last another month, it could last 10 more years,” Lovegrove said of the rest of his career. “But if I can smile every time I get out on the mound at least once, that’s a victory for me.”

The smiles came quickly for the 26-year-old from South Africa during the first week of Trash Pandas baseball. On May 6 at Chattanooga, he threw a scoreless inning and wound up earning the first win in Rocket City history as the Trash Pandas rallied for a 10-7 win.

Six days later, he threw 3.0 scoreless innings earn another win on May 11 vs. Tennessee, the first home win for the Trash Panda at Toyota Field, giving him two of the Trash Pandas’ first three wins in franchise history.

“That’s always going to be something I hold special,” he said of the wins.

“Being a part of a new minor league franchise and getting to have my name associated with this beautiful new ballpark and one of the most fun teams in baseball, I really do value that.”

Winning games for the Trash Pandas is a long way from where Lovegrove was early in his career. When playing for the Cleveland Indians’ organization in 2014, Lovegrove had to undergo hip surgery. At that time, his mental health took a spiral.

“I disconnected from everything. Through that and negative thought, I built up these false narratives about myself that

The Trash Pandas also had our very first engagement during a game. The ball team posted these photos to their Facebook page congratulating Ashley and Marc on their engagement. For more, check out the Rocket City Trash Pandas on Facebook and at www.trashpandasbaseball.com.

Kieran Lovegrove I maintained for years.

I lost any sort of passion for life or anything. Nothing felt exciting,” Lovegrove said.

At the time, Lovegrove didn’t think much about what he was going through. But eventually, the fog finally cleared and he found a new passion.

“What got me out of it was going to therapy and meditating and working on myself and questioning if I was a good person and if I was doing the things I was supposed to be doing. I spent time slowly working on myself,” he said. “I started re-experiencing the world without the fog of that depression and seeing things as beautiful again.”

If he wasn’t playing baseball, Lovegrove said he would be back in school to be a scientist.

Once the 2020 season was canceled, he had plenty of time to look into his second passion.

“Ever since I was a kid I’ve been fascinated by everything. Over the quarantine, I had a reconnection with nature and the grandeur of the universe,” he said. “I started growing my own plants and understanding how the world works and the interconnectedness of it all. The floodgates opened and I had this incredible passion to learn again.”

The learning has in-

volved everything from how the plants receive nutrients from the soil and the core concepts of quantum physics, which Lovegrove admits he barely understands.

“I can spend the rest of my life learning and I’d never find all the answers, he said. “But I’d be happy with the search. If I found one answer that helps one person, I’ll be happy.”

One scientific phenomenon that Lovegrove has a better grasp on is the rotation of a baseball.

That’s one he learned after moving to the United States from South Africa as a five-year-old in 1999.

Growing up as a Los Angeles Dodgers fan in El Segundo, California, Lovegrove said his favorite player was All-Star closer Eric Gagne. As a child, he recalls going to Dodger Stadium to see a few of his record-setting 84 consecutive saves from 200204. Watching his hometown team win the World Series last season was an interesting experience for Lovegrove, who went to spring training with the Dodgers before the pandemic ended the season.

“I was happy as a Dodgers fan, my dad was ecstatic,” he said. “It was fun to watch a lot of the guys I know. I draw a lot of pleasure in the success of teammates and

friends.”

Now with the other team from Los Angeles, Lovegrove continues his career with the goal of reaching the Major Leagues still within his grasp.

But while he’s in the Rocket City, Lovegrove will continue to learn, both on and off the field.

He has one request for the North Alabama community as he continues to enrich his mind while representing the Trash Pandas on the mound.

“I need to talk to an astrophysicist because I have a ton of questions about dark matter and black holes that I need someone a lot smarter than myself to answer,” he said.

If you are an astrophysicist and want to answer Kieran Lovegrove’s questions, please reach out to the Trash Pandas. For more infrmation, go to www.trashpandasbaseball.com.

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COMMUNITY

Partnership for a Drug-Free Community nixes ‘big tobacco’s’ tactics with traveling exhibit

Put sin in the junk folder

By BECKY MILLER God’s Lemonade Stand

By GREGG PARKER Gregg.Parker@madison countyrecord.com

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1

MADISON – Partnership for a Drug-Free Community, a local agency, is exploring the tobacco industry’s long history of targeting teenagers. Partnership has produced a traveling exhibit, “Airing Out Big Tobacco’s Dirty Laundry,” that showcases what the industry really thinks about its potential customers.

“Health advocacy organizations like Partnership must be creative to combat multinational corporations and their slick ad campaigns that ignore the risks associated with smoking and vaping. Decades of quotes from industry executives prove it,” Ann Marie Martin said. Martin serves as Partnership’s Program Manager for Youth Tobacco and Vaping Prevention.

“We hope this exhibit will give youth and adults a lot to think about when they see how dismissive tobacco companies have been about their customers’ welfare,” Martin said.

Three members of Today’s Youth, Tomorrow’s Leaders or TYTL, which is Partnership’s youth advocate group, painted T-shirts, boxer shorts, socks and posters with quotes that reveal how tobacco companies have targeted teens with sweet flavors and marketing

Recently I spent about an hour purging old email and things I had let clutter my life electronically and what a good feeling it was to be free of junk not needed.

Similarly to when you clean your garage or attic and force yourself to part with things you know the surviving relatives are not going to want when you leave this Earth. Your spiritual life could use some dusting up and tossing out as well.

Do you cling to things you know you have been forgiven of or get stuck on some thought you have no business thinking? Today’s verse says to get rid of sin that so easily entangles. The enemy knows your weak points and will continue to dangle the ‘sin carrot’ in front of you hoping you will go for it. Continue to run your race tossing off old sin and accepting God’s forgiveness.

PRAYER: Sin is a part of every human’s life ever since creation, but I don’t have to continue sinning when I know the right path to take. Make things crystal clear and I know the Holy Spirit guides me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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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campaigns to turn teens into lifelong customers, Martin said. The exhibit also includes facts about the dangers of smoking and vaping, plus stories about tobacco products destroying the health of real people.

Josiah Smitherman, who attends Huntsville High School, is a threeyear TYTL member. Firstyear members are Kate Bowman, Life Christian Academy, and Pierre Carter, Liberty Middle School in Madison. Partnership staff members Wendy Reeves, Ann Light, Ann Marie Martin, Jacqueline Carter, Anna Thibodeaux and Ariel Matthews. Intern Cherubim Jephunneh also contributed to the project.

Partnership kicked off the exhibit on April 1, which is Take-Down Tobacco National Day of Action. Since then, three display racks have been traveling to schools in the Huntsville City Schools, Madison City Schools and Madison County Schools systems. Now that school is out, the displays will be on view this summer at various branches of the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, Martin said.

The Partnership website offers more details about the various components of the exhibit. Visit partnershipforadrug-freecommunity.org/airing-out-bigtobaccos-dirty-laundry.

Partnership for a Drug-Free Community has produced a traveling exhibit, “Airing Out Big Tobacco’s Dirty Laundry.” html for facts about these topics: * Tobacco company quotes used in the exhibit plus a few others. * Information on the guilty parties (that is, tobacco companies) behind the quotes. * Why the addictive drug nicotine is so dangerous. * What’s really in that

vape cloud? (Hint: It’s not water vapor.) * Personal stories of people harmed by tobacco.

Partnership for a DrugFree Community’s office address is 2201 Clinton Ave. W. in Huntsville.

For more information, visit partnershipforadrug-freecommunity.org or Facebook/thepdfc.

OPINION

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

4B

June 9, 2021

Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis Human papillomavirus Meningococcal disease Influenza

For more information, please visit alabamapublichealth.gov/imm

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

The Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Festival returned over Memorial Day weekend.

Memorial Day brought a (near) return to normal

ADULT ABUSE HOTLINE at 1-800-458-7214

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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.”

418876-1

So, that was normal — or at least a reasonable facsimile.

Across Alabama on May 26-28, people marked the Memorial Day weekend and holiday not in the fashion of the “new normal” — the “normal” of the COVID-19 pandemic that had dominated our lives for the past 14 months — but in the style of the old normal.

Families went outside and enjoyed the mild weather, and solemn ceremonies honored the fallen soldiers, sailors and airmen who gave their lives so that Americans can continue to enjoy freedom and prosperity. The Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Festival returned, attracting huge crowds, and the only difficulties it encountered resulted from its old nemesis: high winds, which kept the balloons grounded Saturday and Sunday mornings. In other words, it was a return to normal.

Alabama continues to lag behind all other states, except Mississippi, when it comes to COVID-19 vaccination rates. Just under a third of Alabamians (29.2%) are fully vaccinated, compared to the national rate of 41.4%. And it doesn’t seem now that Alabama’s rate will get much higher, to the dismay of public health officials, who worry that the high number of unvaccinated adults in the state will leave it vulnerable to another surge, especially if the

wrong mutated strain comes along.

But for now, things seem to be returning to normal, no doubt in large part because most of those in Alabama who have been vaccinated are members of vulnerable populations: the elderly and people with compromised immune systems.

Getting back to normal also means getting back to work. Businesses, in particular restaurants, that had to scale back services because of the pandemic are getting back to fully operational. Some, however, are finding it hard to attract employees.

Employers and at least some economists are at odds over why. Many employers cite having to compete with expanded unemployment benefits they say pay people to stay home. Some economists say rather that wages are being bid up by an expanding economy, especially in

MADISON LIVING THE GUIDE • AROUND TOWNN • CHAMBER CHAM AMBER CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS • OUT & ABOUT • RICKY SHACK

June 2021 / $4.95 madisonlivingmagazine.com

Save the Monarch

Rotary Club of Madison spearheads effort to create Monarch Butterfly Habitat

Old Rooster Ride of a lifetime for the man who faces challenges while challenging himself

Making “Sweet” History

Homeschoolers based in Madison make state history

ALSO INSIDE The exceptional Class of 2021 Around Town with Lee Marshall Out & About with Madison at the Range Opening Day at Toyota Field Upcoming events

and much more

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i i

1

north Alabama.

Here, as new plants like Mazda Toyota Manufacturing ramp up, they’re attracting employees with higher wages and benefits, which creates a kind of domino effect, as workers in lower-paying jobs jump into newly vacant higher-paying jobs, and leaving vacancies at the bottom.

But if that were the entire story, then service industries at the bottom of the pay scale might be having difficulty here, where new plants are opening, but not nationwide. Yet this is a phenomenon everywhere.

Regardless, as states like Alabama end their expanded benefits, we’ll soon see who was right. That’s another part of the return to normal.

Normal is good, and we should strive to keep it that way.

Check out the latest issue of Madison Living Look for the June issue of Madison Living this week. You can find it in Madison businesses or go to:

madisonlivingmagazine.com

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www.TheMadisonRecord.com

BUSINESS

7B

June 9, 2021

Mazda Toyota to build entry-level SUV Corolla Cross at Limestone plant; hiring continues

By STAFF REPORTS HUNTSVILLE — Mazda Toyota Manufacturing revealed last Wednesday that the first of the two all-new vehicles it will build at its $2.3 billion Limestone County plant near the western edge of Madison will be an option for the fast-growing compact crossover market.

Mark Brazeal, Mazda Toyota’s vice president of administration, described the Toyota Corolla Cross as an entry-level SUV, which will be built starting later this year on the plant’s Apollo production line. A production launch date hasn’t been announced as the plant continues to build its workforce, and a yetto-be-announced Mazda vehicle that will also be built there will be unveiled at a later date.

The Corolla Cross announcement is “another milestone in our journey here in north Alabama,” Brazeal said at a program held in the plant’s central office building on Greenbrier Parkway. The event followed Toyota’s own announcement earlier in the day.

The vehicle will be “showing up in dealers’ lots later this fall,” according to Brazeal.

The announcement coincides with what Brazeal called a

“large-scale hiring phase” at the plant.

“We’re right at 2,000 (employees) right now,” he said later.

“We’re hiring new team members every week,” at an average of 50 to 100 each week.

Mazda Toyota plans to hire about 2,000 more employees, eventually reaching up to 4,000 workers once production is in full operation next year. The plant has the capacity to produce 300,000 vehicles a year, and production will be evenly split between the two models.

Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield noted that the first steel column was raised at the Mazda Toyota site in the Greenbrier community in April 2019 and now, when arriving there, “it’s staggering, the magnitude of this facility.”

The plant has 3.1 million square feet of space.

Canfield said Alabama is the fifth-largest U.S. automotive producing state and, with the addition of vehicles made at the Mazda Toyota plant, the state could become the second or third largest producer.

After sitting behind the steering wheel of the vehicle after the announcement, Canfield said he was impressed with the amount of head room and the comfort of

the entry-level SUV. “I think they’ve got a winner,” he said.

According to a March article in Car and Driver magazine, which ranked the compact crossovers on the market, the vehicle segment — other than full-size pickup trucks — that’s dominating U.S. vehicle sales is compact SUVs. Toyota said the vehicle will be available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, and has a 169-horsepower, 2.0-liter engine.

The Corolla Cross has an estimated 32 combined miles per gallon for the front-wheel drive model and an estimated 30 combined miles per gallon for the allwheel drive model.

“We expect it will have industry-leading cargo space” compared to other SUVs of its size, Brazeal said.

Mazda Toyota is a joint venture partnership between Mazda Motor Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp., and the project investment grew to more than $2.3 billion when the parent companies announced an additional $830 million commitment last summer.

The production launch was delayed from this spring due to pre-pandemic construction delays of the paint shop and also pandemic-related issues in-

Toyota Corolla Cross SUV cluding travel and business restrictions that affected training, equipment and machinery.

The company was able to overcome challenges, and “hard work brought us to this moment,” said Hiro Kagohashi, Mazda Toyota’s executive vice president. “We wouldn’t be here today,” without the support of the community and on-site and near-site supplier partners, he said.

Those supplier companies are Aldez, Carter Express, DaikyoNichikawa US, Green Metals, Madison Metal Processing, Magnolia Automotive Services, Mazda North American Oper-

ations, Nippon Express, Penstone, Systems Automotive Interiors Alabama, Toyota Boshoku AKI USA, Toyota Boshoku Mississippi, Toyota Logistics Services, Vuteq and Y-tec Keylex Toyotetsu Alabama.

Lyndsay Ferguson, Mazda Toyota’s human resources manager, said recently that production will occur in phases, beginning with the Apollo production line for the Toyota SUV. The Discovery line will follow to produce the new Mazda SUV. Ferguson said that after a rampup period, a second shift will be added for each production line.

CHICK-FIL-A TO OPEN NEW MADISON LOCATION JUNE 30 - After 22 years in their current location, the Madison Chick-fil-A will close on June 19. They will reopen in their new location within Clift Farms on June 30. The relocation from the current store on U.S. 72 is only a little farther west.

The move was announced in July 2020. Store owner Norman Dull (left) broke the news about the opening on Facebook last week. He said the dining room will be open for customers – in addition to the drive-thru. In tribute to all of the memories made at their old spot, the Madison Chick-fil-A is wanting people to submit their photos of fond memories at the location to their Facebook page.

For more information, go to www.facebook.com/CFAMadisonAL. An aerial photo by SellersPhoto. com of the new location still under construction in Clift Farms is pictured below.

Madison Chamber of Commerce Business Expo & Kids Day will be held Saturday, June 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Insanity Complex, 100 Skate Park Drive in Madison.

MCC Business Expo and Kids Day returns June 26

By JOHN FEW john@themadisonrecord.com

art from Dr. Osborne,” she added.

Attendees can bring their blankets and lawn chairs to sit and enjoy great music MADISON - It’s back! After taking off from the band Groove. Food trucks will be year due to COVID-19, the annual Madison on hand too.

Chamber of Commerce Business Expo & For those performing arts enthusiasts, Kids Day will be held Saturday, June 26, Huntsville Ballet will perform. Free health 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Insanity Complex, 100 screenings will be offered by the Madison Skate Park Drive in Madison.

Hospital Medical Mobile unit and the LifeMCC Marketing Director Felecia Rod- south Bloodmobile unit will be there to gers says this year’s theme will be “base- take blood donations. ball” in celebration of the Rocket City There will be tours of the HEMSI ambuTrash Pandas inaugural season in Madi- lance and Madison Fire truck. Polaris will son. also be there to show off their Slingshot Rodgers said the family fun filled event and Off Road units. So come out and enjoy will have over 60 vendors showcasing their this family fun filled event. products and services.

The first 500 people will receive a Grand “Kids will enjoy free activities like in- Slam bag from the Madison Chamber of flatables, face painting, giant Jenga, Con- Commerce. nect 4, baseball Cornhole, photo ops with For more information, go to www.madiTrash Panda mascot Sprocket and balloon sonalchamber.com.

MADISON HISTORY with John Rankin

8B

June 9, 2021

Madison’s first mayor and The Sleeping Preacher

By JOHN P. RANKIN Madison Historian MADISON - In 1869 when the village of Madison Station citizens petitioned and obtained approval from the Alabama Legislature to incorporate under the name “Madison” without the word “Station” in the name, they had to elect officials for governance. William R. Johnston became Madison’s first mayor in the election. Little has been found about the mayor’s history in later life, but from the book “X + Y = Z, or The Sleeping Preacher” in its centennial edition of 1981 by William Pickens Drake of Owens Cross Roads, it was learned that Mayor Johnston was normally the host of the “Sleeping Preacher” when the preacher came to Madison. Because the preacher was in town only sporadically during the time from 1869 to around 1879, he purchased no property here. He lived in Mooresville and later in Maysville and Brownsboro, but usually he just travelled in the area by train to preach at various Cumberland Presbyterian Churches in northern Alabama and south-central Tennessee, with occasional travel to Nashville or other places. One of his church buildings has now been moved and preserved as an art gallery on the campus of the University of Alabama in Huntsville. The obituary of the “Sleeping Preacher” stated that he had preached 10,000 sermons from 1851 to 1908. In addition to preaching, this bi-vocational man practiced dental surgery. He had obtained schooling for his dentistry profession in Nashville at Vanderbilt, according to one of his great-granddaughters in Jackson County.

William R. Johnston, first Mayor of Madison, was born about 1830 in the Madison area of Madison County. His parents were William (b. 1785 VA; d.

1877 AL) and Elizabeth (b. 1793 NC; d.

1860 AL) Johnston. The senior William Johnston in 1827 purchased 80 acres of land west of Indian Creek Road and north of Old Monrovia Road. In 1831 he purchased 160 acres along the east side today’s Slaughter Road, running from its intersection with Carter Road to a bit north of the Yancy Road intersection.

This parcel was formerly the property of pioneer William East. The Johnston family was a neighbor of Richard Martin, father of George Washington Martin and Elijah Thomas Martin, all of whom figured prominently in the history of the town. This last Johnston parcel of land would have been where the first Madison mayor was raised on the family farm. The junior William Johnston and his wife were listed in the 1870 census as having children Elizabeth (age 10), William C. (age 5), and Maud (age 1).

They also had a Black female domestic servant named Emeline (age 15) living in their house at that time. William’s occupation in the 1870 census was given as “retail dry goods merchant.” He married Seraphina C. Davis in Limestone County on December 7, 1852. Her name has been found recorded as Sarah, Sarah C., Seraph, and S. F. Johnston.

In 1861 William’s brother John F. Johnston purchased (Deed Book DD, page 260) the north half of Lot 4 in Section 17, T4S-R2W, on the west side of today’s Sullivan Street and south of Mill Road. John D. Tanner sold it according to his plat of lots in the NE quarter of S17 for $50, consisting of ½ acre as the north half of Lot 4. Likewise, in 1861 William R. Johnston purchased (Deed Book DD, page 253) for $50 from John D. Tanner the south half of the same Lot 4 where his brother John bought the north half acre of the lot. However, in 1868 W. R. Johnston again purchased (Deed Book JJ, page 192) the same half of Lot 4 in S17 from James H. Bibb, again for $50, for unstated reasons. William R. Johnston also purchased (Deed Book LL, page 475) in 1868 Lot 34 of the original town plat surveyed by Thomas J. Taylor for James Clemens. His purchase price as “best and last bidder” at the Clemens estate sale in October was only $32, and it is likely that Johnston moved to live on Lot 34 in the town just before he became mayor because the lots in S17 were not yet a part of the town. To be elected mayor would probably have required a residence in the town.

During his lifetime, William R. Johnston purchased a total of four parcels of land in the Madison area. Two comprised just over an acre in combination, located on the west side of today’s Sullivan Street. One of the other lots was a small parcel of 64 ft. X 33 ft. in the southwest corner of Madison’s original platted Lot 16, where John W. Cosby had lived beside the lot of Theodorick and Jane Clay. This small southwestern corner of Lot 16 would soon afterward become called “The Post Office Lot.” It was the location of the first post office building, depicted in many copies now displayed in the town and in historical books about Madison. Today that location is the south end of Buttermilk Alley on the north side of Front Street. Land records indicate that William R. John-

ston died sometime between February 29 of 1877 and November 4 of 1878. Land deed CCC, page 585, indicates that William R.’s wife Seraphina lived until at least until 1878 on Lot 35 of Taylor’s original survey of Madison town lots when she sold it to Jeremiah F. Inman at auction on November 4 after defaulting on payments owed. At that time, the deed referred to what is today called Sullivan Street as “Bibb’s Street”, with the lot located along the east side of the street.

William’s assumed residential lot in the historical town center was Lot 34, but several references recorded it as Lot 35. That was an easily confused designation in the time when nobody had a copy of the original town plat conveniently at hand. Furthermore, the Taylor survey plat showed two adjacent lots numbered as Lot 36. Later, the lot situated between Lots 34 and the second Lot 36 came to be recognized Lot 35. Both lots were situated on the north side of Arnett Street (originally called DeLoney Street). Lot 34 was also on the east side of Sullivan Street, at the site of today’s First Baptist Church. This lot consisted originally of 0.84 acre, which closely matches the boundaries stipulated in the deed of CCC, page 585.

William Jr.’s father, William Sr., made out his Last Will and Testament in 1853, but he must have passed away just before October of 1870 because his son James sold his farm land as executor his estate on October 5 of that year.

However, final settlement of William Sr.’s estate began proceedings on August 1 of 1877. The senior William’s will specified bequeaths that he left for his wife Elizabeth and children Mildred W., Andrew James, John F., and William R. However, they did have other children who were not mentioned and therefore assumed to be either deceased, married, or “of age” and already established or moved away. These other children (siblings of William Jr.) were Silas Boyd, Mary Frances, Almary, William A., and Eliza Jane. Before the end of September, 1877, the estate was settled, with Probate Minute Book 17 on page 108 recording the property distributions for his widow and his children.

In William Jr.’s Last Will and Testament his wife was identified as Seraphina, but in the 1880 census she is listed simply as S. F. Johnston, a widow. In the 1860 census record they were listed in District 2 of Limestone County, with William R. occupied as an overseer. The centennial edition of the book “X + Y = Z or The Sleeping Preacher” as reproduced and expanded from diligent research by William Pickens Drake, mentioned that William R. Johnston had a store in the town of Madison during the 1860s-1870s.

His store was stated in the book as being about two or three hundred yards from his house. He did buy part interest in some property along Martin Street near the G. W. Wise store, located about the specified distance from Lots 34 and 35.

The book further tells that when “The Sleeping Preacher” Constantine B. Sanders was in Madison for periods of time to preach or practice his dentistry occupation in the 1860s and 1870s, he always stayed in the home of W. R. Johnston.

There are accounts in the book of several episodes of Sanders’ visions or trances witnessed by the Johnston family in Madison. Johnston family members are mentioned on pages 18, 70-73, 91, and 246 of the 400-page book. Additional surnames associated with the Madison area that appear in the book with respect to Sander’s paranormal visions are Strong, Humphrey, Vaughan, Davis, Nichols, Arnett, Bibb, Lanier, Looney, and Bendall. The book is now available for public check-out from the Huntsville-Madison County library.

Constantine experienced literally thousands of paranormal events during his adult lifetime. These events often occurred several times per day, while a few lasted for more than a day, and a couple lasted for weeks. Occasionally the accompanying seizures were so severe that several times those attending Sanders thought that he was literally deceased, with no pulse or breathing for extended periods. In fact, he was actually declared dead by some who left to make funeral arrangements before he awakened. Twenty of his life events were extensively studied by the Boston Society for Psychic Research and published in their Bulletin XI. It is notable that the “alter ego” personality that called Sanders “My Casket” while referring to himself as “X + Y = Z” was very unusual in being apparently pious and consistently acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord and Master. He did not seem to be a malevolent demon in any of his communications. Furthermore, the alternate personality that used Sanders body to communicate always was generally focused upon informing or assisting people. His messages never harmed anyone, other than causing the severe physical and emotional stresses imposed upon Sanders himself during the trances. Even so, eventually Sanders came to actually appreciate his alter ego

Portrait photos from the book X+Y=Z

and professed to have mixed emotions when “X + Y = Z” departed from him in 1876 for a few years. The “alter ego” wrote out a note to Sanders upon that occasion, promising to return – which he apparently did when Sanders took steps to avoid publicity for the rest of his life.

Constantine Blackman Sanders and his wife Dueanna A. White Sanders now lie in repose in the Stevenson City Cemetery that was originally named the College Cemetery in Jackson County, Alabama. They lived with a son in Stevenson in their latter years, during which time Sanders served in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church there. He died on Good Friday of 1911 and was buried on Easter Sunday. His wife died two years later. Several of their descendants are buried around them in the little Sanders family plot with the large common stone for Constantine and Dueanna. Photographs of both were trimmed, enhanced, reformatted, and relabeled after being found in the 1981 book by William Pickens Drake. A few more details of Sand-

ers’ experiences were published in the Madison RECORD newspaper of May 19, 2021 with an article on pages 7B and 8B about him. You can find a digital copy of that issue at www.themadisonrecord. com.