The Madison Record - Sept. 27, 2023

Madison THE RECORD

Staying perfect

Fall concerts at Toyota Field start next week

YMCA

Heart of the Valley YMCA has named Jeffrey L. Collen as the nonprofit organization’s new interim President and Chief Executive Officer or CEO. Page 2A

Sunshine to your table

You need to check this recipe out from The Pampered Chef. This recipe for “Lemon Poppy Seed Pound Cake” is made from pantry staples. Page 5A

Golf

A new event for the city will give a recreational outing to participants while raising funds for student scholarships. Page 6A

Teacher of the Year

In his second year at Sparkman

High School, science teacher

Scott Coonfare has been named Alabama’s 2023 Earth Science

Teacher of the Year by the National Association of Geoscience Teachers. Page 7A

HOMECOMING CELEBRATION - The most common phrase that echoed from the press box at the Sparkman game on Friday was “Taken down by a host of Senators.” The Sparkman defense pitched another shutout this past week with a 51-0 drubbing of Grissom on Homecoming night. The Senators (5-0) remain perfect on the season with the victory over the Tigers (1-4) who had their hands full with Sparkman in all three phases. The homecoming game kicked off with an electrifying 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Amaree Jabbar, No.

9 (above). For complete game coverage, see page 2B and related homecoming photos on page 4A. Photo by Andrew Noles (Noles Nest Photography)

MADISON – Six Nationally

Touring Bands will headline six nights of concerts at Toyota Field in the Bill Penney Toyota Plaza starting next week.

“There is something about a concert - in its own way like a baseball game - when the lights go down, the music comes up, the crowd roars in anticipation…Toyota Field is going to rock and we can’t wait to host that atmosphere,” said Trash Pandas Executive Vice President and General Manager Garrett Fahrmann. “We’ve waited a long time to produce premium concerts at Toyota Field and we’re excited about the lineup we have. There is something for everyone.”

All tickets are general admission. Admission prices will range from $20 to $50. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for each event. Tickets can be purchased at trashpandasbaseball.com/ events.

The lineup:

Thursday, October 5 Drake Milligan Drake dominated Billboard, iTunes, and claimed the #5 spot on Billboard’s Emerging Artist chart with his debut 2023 LP “Dallas/Fort Worth.” It had since skyrocketed to #1 on iTunes All-Genre Top Albums and features hits like “Something I’d Do” and “Over Drinkin’ Under Thinkin’.”

Friday October 6 Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience Who’s Bad’s live performance is an unrivaled celebration of pop music’s one true King. Their power packed performance of Michael Jackson’s expansive catalog has united and ignited crowds on almost every continent. As the show opens on a Who’s Bad performance, every MJ fans feels the adrenaline

See CONCERTS Page 4A

Bell prepared for XTERRA Trail Run World Championship

trails will be called upon

Photo of the Week

Collen named Heart of the Valley YMCA’s interim President; other jobs open

MADISON –Heart of the Valley YMCA Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Jeffrey L. Collen as the nonprofit organization’s new interim President and Chief Executive Officer or CEO.

teamed

Collen, a YMCA professional for 36 years, began his new role on Sept. 1. Collen is replacing Jerry Courtney, who retired in August after nine years as president.

Madison

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Heart of the Valley facilities include Southeast Family YMCA, Downtown YMCA and three Early Childhood Education Centers in Huntsville; Hogan Family YMCA in Madison; and YMCA Camp Cha-LaKee in Guntersville.

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CORRECTIONS

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Most recently, Collen served as Interim President/CEO of Jackson Metropolitan YMCA in Mississippi. During his career, he has held positions as CEO, Chief Financial Officer or CFO and Chief Operating Officer or COO for both for-profit and non-profit organizations.

Before YMCA work, Collen coached swimming and worked with many national champions, world-record holders and Olympian athletes.

Collen earned a Master

of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin –Madison. He has taught at Wisconsin, his alma mater; New Mexico State University, Las Cruces; Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas; and St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minn.

In addition, several jobs are open at Hogan Family YMCA in Madison:

• Child Watch Attendant — Supervises children in YMCA-member nursery for safety and well-being.

Evening and weekend availability required. Pay: $10 – $11 per hour.

• Custodian — Seeking hard-working, responsible person to assist with facility and grounds’ cleanliness. Pay: $10 – $12 per hour.

• Group Fitness Instructor — Provides excellent

HAUNTINGLY HELPFUL HALLOWEEN BASH! - Rotarians with the Rotary Club of Madison and Bob Jones Interact students

up to fill backpacks with school supplies for Madison City Schools’ kids in need, just in time for

Security guard gets baptized behind Madison Academy

MADISON - A new beginning has greeted 22-year-old Jeff McKendall. As one of three security guards at Madison Academy School and a beloved smiling face on campus, McKendall recently made a much-needed change in his life by being baptized in the creek that meanders through the back acreage of the private school located on the eastern border of Madison.

“The baptism gave me a spirituality that felt like I opened doors in my life I once shied away from,” said McKendall. “I felt a rush of spirit that moved me to where I needed to be.”

Hired by Hedge Security Company, McKendall, with 18 months of experience in security, joined the Madison Academy family at the start of the school year. He has extensive firearms and security training and is licensed to handle any security situation should one arise at the K-12 facility. He carries a Sig Sauer p320 9mm handgun while on duty at the school.

Born and raised in Smyrna, Ga., located in the northwest quadrant of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area, McKendall

attended Campbell High School where he played football as an outside linebacker and wrestled in the 170-pound weight class for the Spartans wrestling team. A rotator cuff injury caused him to sit out his senior season, but did receive an offer to play for Tennessee Valley Prep Sports Academy in Huntsville. He played two seasons and helped win two region championships with the school designed as a post-graduate program that gives students a second chance at earning a college scholarship. He made his way to the North Alabama area with his mother, sister and his daughter, who is now three years old.

“Once here at Madison Academy, I saw all of the students and facility really in-depth with God,” said McKendall. “I grew up in church and was a Jr. Deacon at one point, but I lost my way with God when I turned 17. Here at the school, I saw I wanted to be back with God. I wanted to turn my life around to be a better man and a better father for my daughter. I didn’t pray nor read my Bible, but now I do.”

McKendall seemed to feel the Spirit of Christ as he attended large gather-

Snapshot

Continued from page 1A

and screams at the sight of the unmistakable silhouette. The energy is purely magnetic.

Saturday, October 7

Saving Abel

Saving Abel is a Southern rock band with catchy hooks and heavy riffs. Their first single “Addicted” breaking on to the scene, climbing its way quickly into a cross over hit from mainstream rock to Billboard Hot 100 and Top 40. Their self-titled debut album charted on Billboard’s Top 50 and became RIAA certified multi-platinum. This summer, Saving Abel release the chart-climbing and critically acclaimed new single “Fire.”

Thursday, October 12 WARRANT

An American rock band through and through, WAR-

Bell

RANT rose out of Hollywood, CA in the late 80’s-early 90’s with multiplatinum, chart-topping success. The album “Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich” produced hit singles like “Down Boys” and “Heaven.” The band’s second album in 1990 spawned hits “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” “ I Saw Red,” and the iconic “Cherry Pie.” WARRANT has been headlining a tour celebrating the 30 Year Anniversary of the album and is fired up, tighter than every musically, and can’t wait to play all the favorites both new and old.

Friday, October 13 John Anderson Unplugged Country Music Legend John Anderson’s hits first started piling up in the 1980’s. He had the highest-selling country single in the history of Warner Bros. Music

with “Swingin” in 1983. Over the next decade he had Top 10 Hits like “1959,” “Chicken Truck,” and “I’m Just an Old Chunk of Coal (But I’m Gonna Be a Diamond Someday)” of off his debut album. He topped the charts twice over the next two years. “Straight Tequila Night” went #1 in 1992 and the 90’s also saw chart topping hits like “Seminole Wind” “When It Comes to You” and “I’ve Got it Made.” His most recent album “Years,” released in 2020 was a collaboration with Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys.

Saturday, October 14

Almost Queen: A Tribute to Queen

The Nationally touring Almost Queen is a nationally acclaimed touring band. A deliberate four-piece band, Almost Queen delivers a live performance showcasing signature four-part

harmonies and intricate musical interludes. Donning genuine costumes, Almost Queen recaptures the live energy and precision needed to deliver the ultimate Queen tribute experience. The run of shows will mark a return to hosting premium

concerts at the venue. In 2020 and 2021, Toyota Field hosted FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) productions of Zach Williams and Chris Tomlin. In 2022, Flo-Rida and Big & Rich headlined a Toyota Alabama Anniversary celebration.

Continued from page 1A

SPARKMAN HOMECOMING - Here are some fun photos from the Sparkman High School homecoming game on Friday by photographer Andrew Noles (Noles Nest Photography). The Senators scored a victory over Grissom to cap their celebration. See related story on page 2B. in the marathon and half-marathon races to decide which elite and amateur runners will claim

the $10,000 in prize money and end the season as the ZTERRA Trail Run Champion.

Bell qualified for the World Championship after he won three National Championships, one

national runner-up and earned 17 All-American performances in 2023 including a qualifying run

in May. At the XTERRA Half-Marathon Trail Run National Championships held at Oak Mountain

State Park in nearby Pelham, he posted a runner-up time of 2:27:11 in the 55-59 age division, which qualified him for the race in Maine.

“This is what this journey has been about. Sharing Jesus along with loving and serving people,” said Bell, who heads up the track programs at James Clemens High. “I thought my running participation was over last year after battling COVID numerous times and battling other health issues, but God has a plan for me.”

That plan has put Bell in the World Championship where his goal is to finish as the top American and the top eight in the World to make the All-World Team in the 13.1-mile distance event. As always, he’ll be well prepared.

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

On This Day in History

Honoring our Veterans: A spotlight on Madison’s local veterans and their invaluable service to our country Sponsored by the American Legion Post #229 in Madison (www.AmericanLegionPost229.org)

1777- During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress, having fled Philadelphia, held a session in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, making the city the capital of the American colonies for one day.

Bobby Lee served in operations Just Cause, Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom

MADISON – After initial training at Fort Benning, Ga. (now Fort Moore), Sergeant Major (ret.) Bobby E. Lee Jr. was assigned to 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. and deployed with Operation Just Cause in December 1989.

He then was assigned to 2nd Brigade, 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) in August 1990. He deployed as part of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and served as Deputy Brigade Adjutant and Commander of Company C, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment.

After service at Fort Stewart, Ga., Lee was assigned as Assistant Professor of Military Science at East Tennessee State University from June 1993 through August 1995. He then joined Tennessee Army National Guard and served full time until he retired.

Lee’s deployments include Operation Just Cause, December 1989

– January 1990; Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, August 1990 – March 1991; Operation Iraqi Freedom III, November 2004 – October 2005; and Operation Iraqi Freedom 09-10, December 2009 – August 2010.

In addition, his unit served in Ukraine from 2018 to 2019 in building and validating the country’s version of the National Training Center and creating its first NCO Academy.

Lee’s awards and decorations include Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal (two), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (with Arrowhead), Southwest Asia Service Medal (two Bronze Stars) Humanitarian Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait and Saudi Arabia) and Overseas Service Ribbon (two).

He also earned Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist Badge with Bronze Combat Star, Air Assault Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Master Gunner Badge and Combat Action Badge. Lee retired from the U.S. Army in September 2020 as Operations Sergeant Major of 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Currently, he is a civilian contractor for PEO Aviation at See HONOR Page 8A

Lemon pound cake brings sunshine to the dining table

MADISON – Cooking at home enables anyone to customize ingredients and gain control of the foods they eat. Too often commercially processed items are contain ingredients that compromise consumers’ overall health. This recipe for “Lemon Poppy Seed Pound Cake” is made from pantry staples.

Whether baking alone or with the family, try this recipe, courtesy of “The Pampered Chef® Stoneware Inspirations” (The Pampered Chef®, Ltd).

Lemon Poppy Seed Pound Cake

Makes 1 cake or 6 mini pound cakes

• 11/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 11/2 cups granulated sugar

• 2 tablespoons lemon zest

• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 3/4 cup (11/2 sticks) butter, softened (do not substitute margarine)

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened

• 4 eggs

• 2 tablespoons milk

• 1 teaspoon Pantry Double Strength

Vanilla

• Powdered sugar (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 325 F. Spray Stoneware Fluted Pan with nonstick cooking spray. Combine flour, granulated sugar, lemon zest, poppy seeds, baking powder, and salt in a stainless, two-quart mixing bowl; mix well. In a stainless fourquart mixing bowl, beat butter and cream cheese on high speed of handheld mixer for 1 minute, or until blended (mixture will form a

stiff paste).

2. In a small batter bowl, whisk eggs, milk and vanilla until blended. Add egg mixture to cream cheese mixture in four additions, beating 2 minutes after each addition. (Do not undermix).

3. Pour batter into pan. Bake 55 to 60 minutes or until cake tester inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool cake in pan 10 minutes. Loosen cake from sides of pan; carefully invert onto a stackable cooking rack, keeping pan over cake. Cool completely.

4. Place cake on serving platter. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or prepare glaze, if desired. For glaze: Combine 11/2 cups powdered sugar and enough lemon juice to make a thick frosting. Spread glaze over top of cake.

‘Mental Health Informed Parent’ workshops set for Sept. 28 in Madison and Triana

MADISON – In Madison and Triana, a ‘double feature’ of workshops entitled “The Mental Health Informed Parent” will show strategies for supporting a student’s well-being.

Mental health professionals in Madison City Schools, along with Madison City Council of PTAs, are presenting the free workshops on

Sept. 28 at Madison Public Library, 142 Plaza Blvd. from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at Triana Public Library, 357 Record St. from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

“MCS continues to expand our mental health services and awareness efforts,” MCS Superintendent Ed Nichols said. “Learn how to proactively support your student’s mental health at this upcoming informative workshop for parents and caregivers.”

The workshop will identify signs

of a mental health struggle and what to do when it happens, along with methods to build positive habits for mental health with a student. Both programs cover the same materials, so participants can choose the time and location that works best to attend.

The Central Office staff involved with the workshop includes Stephanie Allen, MCS District Mental Health Coordinator, and Heather

See MENTAL HEALTH Page 8A

MADISON – A new event for the city will give a recreational outing to participants while raising funds for student scholarships.

enjoy a SWAG bag filled with goodies, a fun game of golf and beverage cart service throughout their day, according to Chamber Executive Director Michelle Epling.

The team that claims the highest score will receive an award.

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The inaugural Mayor’s Cup Golf Tournament on Oct. 26 at Sunset Landing Golf Course will have a teeoff time of 8 a.m. and will conclude at 2 p.m. Madison Chamber of Commerce is presenting this event.

Organizers expect to see a sold-out crowd, consisting of business owners and community leaders, and, of course, an appearance and participation by Madison Mayor Paul Finley, the namesake for the tournament. Players will

“This inaugural Mayor’s Cup Tournament serves as a fundraiser to help support our member programs for the chamber throughout the year,” Epling said. The event also generates funds for the Madison Mayor’s Scholarship and the Madison Chamber of Commerce Scholarship for a senior at both Bob Jones and James Clemens high schools that has excelled academically and compiled a worthy school resume of volunteering and community service.

“Besides being part of an exclusive networking event and a premiere round of golf, this event is filled with great opportunities to promote your

business,” Epling said.

“This tournament is one that you won’t want to miss.”

“If you are a golfer or you would just like to support the Madison Chamber of Commerce, this event will provide the perfect day to join us,” Epling said.

Sunset Landing Golf Course’s address is 346 James Record Road SW and is adjacent to Huntsville International Airport. For driving direc-

tions, take I-565 to Exit 8. Continue south, and take the first right. Next, take the first left into the Sunset Landing property. Fees and admission for a four-member team will be $480. Other rates apply for different configurations of teams.

To register, visit madisonalchamber.com, and click “Mayor’s Cup Golf Tournament” in the “Upcoming Event” scroll. On the new window, click “Register.”

SCHOOLS

Sparkman Teacher named Alabama’s 2023

Earth and Space Science Teacher of the Year

HARVEST - In his second year at Sparkman High School, science teacher Scott Coonfare has been named Alabama’s 2023 Earth Science Teacher of the Year by the National Association of Geoscience Teachers.

“I was shocked when I found out about the award this summer. I still don’t know how I got it,” Coonfare said. “I just do what I do and I don’t try to publicize it, I don’t want to. As I tell the kids, it’s not about me. It’s about you guys.”

Coonfare, who worked in the restaurant industry for 24 years before teaching, began his teaching career in Tampa, Florida where he began partnering with NASA to bring real-life science to his students. The partnership was so successful that he brought the same idea to Sparkman.

“NASA really loves high school kids because for one they are cheap. They don’t have to pay for their help, but they try to get them excited about science and

doing real life projects,” Coonfare said. “And there are so many opportunities to do real life projects that tie into the curriculum that the students would much rather do than opening books and doing stuff like that.”

Currently, Coonfare’s students are working with NASA to build a cube satellite that will go into space. Using two 3-D printers donated by the Missile Defense Agency and UAH, students must design the satellite, print the model and publicize the product.

“The Missile Defense Agency will look at their products and go ‘is this a good project?’ If it is a good project, they will go ahead make it and launch it,” Coonfare said. “We have until the second week in December to have the project ready.”

The students are divided into a social media team, a computer design team, a science team and a project manager. Besides teaching science, Coonfare says this model teaches students how to work with others.

“It’s hard getting them to do things

American dentist owns world’s largest toothpaste collection. Val Kolpakov, a dentist from Georgia, USA, owns the world’s largest collection of toothpaste tubes. His collection consists of 2,037 different tubes from all over the world, including items from Japan, Korea, China, India and Russia.

September was a big month for MCCL; Bartlett joins US Chess staff

MADISON - Madison City Chess League or MCCL proudly presented the Alabama State Chess Championship this year in Madison.

“Hosting the State Chess Championship in Madison was a first. The 116 players who showed up to compete made this a record turnout,” MCCL Marketing and Communications Manager Nicole Wall said. The meet was held Sept. 1-3 at Trash Panda Stadium in Town Madison.

“The SportsMed Stadium Club made for a beautiful venue, and the Trash Pandas staff was fantastic. State Representative Phillip Rigsby, one of our sponsors, welcomed everyone to Madison and presented us with a certificate in recognition of the 70th annual championship,” Wall said.

In the Amateur Section, players’ ratings must be under 1,200. Sophia Jerez of Journey Middle School finished first with 5.5 out of 6 points. Landon Drummond of Bob Jones High School finished sixth with 4.5 points. Nathan Chiu, also of Bob Jones, tied for eighth place with 4 points.

MCCL members represented the league well in the Amateur section:

• Bob Jones -- Aaron Chen, Caroline Wang, Sean Rowe and Rachael Ehrman.

• James Clemens High School -- Oviya Gowder.

• Discovery Middle School -- Cohen Tate, Noah Hsu, Arush Sharma, Chris-

tina Yang, Margaret Lin, John Chen, Abigail Barbre and Shiloh Stringer.

• Liberty Middle School -- Anna Ai and Andrew Tkach.

• Journey -- Jackson Moore.

• Horizon Elementary School -- Kylie Zou, Alice Zou and Samuel Ellis.

• Rainbow Elementary School -- Asher Allison and Annabelle Hsu.

• Madison Elementary School -- Samuel Liao.

• Heritage Elementary School -- Ibrahim Khan.

• Mill Creek Elementary School -- Gopika Baipu.

• Adult competitors -- Jimmy McHugh, Patrick Piper, Sam Harrison and Robert Barbre.

• Randolph School -- Vincent Grenon.

In the Reserve Section, players were rated below 1,600. Jacob New of Bob Jones finished third with 4.5 points. Esteban Jerez from Horizon, this section’s youngest player, finished in fourth place with 4 points. Aadi Saxena of Bob Jones tied for fourth place at 4 points. Andrew Yang, Nirvana Rajbhandari, Artem Starenki and Eddie Xiao of Bob Jones also competed in this section.

The Premier Section proved to have challenging games:

• Bob Jones -- Xavier Bruni finished seventh with 4 points. His only loss was with co-champion Zachary Snow. Bruni finished a half-point behind four players who tied for first place, including two National Masters and one International

they are uncomfortable with and working with people they do not know is uncomfortable. I divide them into a team of 10 people that do not know each other, and then I try to get them to work together and come up with common deadlines. I always tell them that this is

Redstone Arsenal.

Lee earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Married 37 years, he and his wife, Ashleigh, moved to Madison County when he retired “and are happy to be back in God’s Country,” he said. Ashleigh retired as a registered dental hygienist.

Bobby and Ashleigh have two sons, Matthew who is married to Rachel and son Patrick; grandsons A.J. and Nicholas;

one of the biggest things you are gonna have to do in life. You are gonna be working with people you don’t know. And you may be working with somebody you don’t like, but welcome to life.”

Besides the satellite, students will work with NOAA to launch three

and granddaughter Taylor Elise.

Bobby Lee enjoys playing golf and working in his yard, while Ashleigh enjoys being a ‘Grams’ and taking their dog, Jaxson, to facilities where he acts as a therapy dog. The Lees perform transport duty for rescue dogs.

Bobby Lee is an active Life Member of both Madison American Legion, Post 229 and Gentry-Isom VFW, Post 2702 in Huntsville. He participates with Redstone Arsenal Sergeants Major Association.

weather balloons from the Sparkman campus this fall. The balloons will collect information that will allow students to record observations on clouds on a daily basis. They will also collect water and soil samples from around campus for another project with NASA called the Globe Project.

“NASA really doesn’t have any documentation on water and soil in this area, so we will collect the samples and report our findings back to NASA,” Coonfare said.

As if these projects are

Baptized

not enough, Coonfare also incorporates a deep space telescope project to search for extraterrestrials.

“This is always fun. I always ask the students if they found an extra, would they tell the world?” Coonfare said. “These projects are about facts. It takes them a while to remove their opinions and just look at the data.”

Besides the cool science that these projects bring to the classroom, Coonfare utilizes these assignments to teach real world examples. Past students in Tampa used their assign-

Continued from page 3A

and said God spoke to him while he witnessed all of those spiritual moments. He began studying the Bible with Upper School Principal Brian Privett, a longtime coach and administrator at the school. He soon made his life-changing decision and asked Privett if he would do the honor of baptizing McKendall on the school property.

“I asked for him. Once baptized, I was overjoyed and became tearful as I felt reborn,” said McKendall, of the event held under sunny skies and warm temps on Sunday, Sept. 3.

“In a school setting, we are so focused on the students, while in a

Mental health

Myers, MCS Social Worker.

Famil

ments to work with NASA in a more professional setting while obtaining their degrees. This is something Coonfare wants for Sparkman students as well.

“I try to make it as real for them as possible,” Coonfare said. “I let them know that they can keep going. NASA wants people like them.”

Senior Petra Nichols enjoys Coonfare’s style of teaching. To her, it’s a relief to not have to use a textbook, but instead get some hands-on learning.

“I actually signed up for the course because I heard

situation like this, you realize God draws to himself who He desires,” said Privett. “It is the culture of Madison Academy and the influence of seeing students give their life to Christ that impacted Jeff. He is a humble young man who is bravely stepping out and saying I want to do life differently.” Ken Cherry, senior starting running back for the Mustangs’ football team, attended the event and said he knows the students moved McKendall to get baptized. He added, “I wanted to show my support for him, especially knowing he has a football background. At the baptism, we

Continued from page 5A

“The Mental Health Informed Parent” in-person event will provide a safe and welcoming space for parents to learn, share experiences and gain valuable insights. Parents can discover practical strategies for fostering a positive mental health environment at home, learn about the warning signs of common condi-

YMCA

Continued from page 2A

guidance to YMCA members and guests. Appropriate certifications required. Pay: $15 – $20.

• Lifeguard – Creates safe, positive atmosphere for members and confirms YMCA policies. For job requirements, visit ymcahuntsville. org/job/lifeguard-madison. Pay: $11 – $13 per hour.

•Manager on Duty – Responsible for assisting in all aspects of mem-

tions of mental health problems in youth, and learn about the available resources and support networks in the Madison and Huntsville area.

Madison City Council of PTAs includes all elected PTA officers in Madison City Schools PTA units of good standing. The group’s collective mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and

bership and facility operations. Flexible schedule; evenings, weekends as needed. For job requirements, visit ymcahuntsville.org/ job/member-services-representative-madison. Pay: $15 per hour.

• Membership Services Representative – Confirms excellent customer care to YMCA members and guests. Pay: $11 – $13 per hour.

• Swim Instructor — Ability to

Mr. Coonfare talking about it last year,” Nichols said. “I’m actually working on the manufacturing portion of the satellite and using the 3D printers. It’s not something I want to do after high school, but it is a cool project to work on.” The Teacher of the Year honors will be presented in Pittsburgh in October.

“I really don’t want any of that. I just want the kids to have fun,” Coonfare said. “I feel awkward about it because the spotlight is shining on me, but it really should be shining on the students.”

prayed together and took photos. It was a blessed time, and since then, I’ve noticed Jeff’s demeanor is more positive and he smiles a lot.”

“All of the problems that I stressed over and used to get angered by, I have let go as my days are better,” said McKendall. “There is a brightness God has shared on my life. I now attend The Light Church at Madison Academy. I know I’m there at the school to protect the students and staff, but in reality, it was all of them who saved my life, and made me a better person and I now feel fulfilled with Christ with a new beginning in my life.”

empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.

Tickets to “The Mental Health Informed Parent” are not required, but participants can reserve a seat by visiting madisoncity.k12.al.us and clicking the “Parents & Students” dropdown menu. Then, click “Mental Health Matters,” and scroll to click the registration link.

teach proper swim strokes and skills. Effectively communicate to individuals of all ages for a positive environment. Lifeguard certification required. Pay: $14 per hour.

Heart of the Valley YMCA’s office address is 238 Business Park Blvd.; Building 23B, Suite 101 in Madison. For more information, call 256-4289622, ext. 3008 or visit ymcahuntsville.org.

The

Jones

has burned through the early part of their schedule to possess a near flawless 34-1 record. There only loss came this week to a tough Mountain Brook team during a tournament at Spain Park. The Lady Patriots are 7-0 at home and 5-0 on the road with an equally strong 12-1 mark on neutral courts in assorted tournaments during the early part of the season. Bob Jones had won 16 consecutive matches in straight sets before it even lost a set on Aug. 26 against Mountain Brook which the Lady Patriots would go on to take 2-1. As it stands, Bob Jones Volleyball is ranked 20th in the nation with the top three schools being Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.), Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio, Tex.) and Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Ind.) Bob Jones returns to action on Thursday when they face crosstown rival James Clemens (10-13) at 5:30 p.m. You can read more about the team in a feature story by Bob Labbe at www.themadisonrecord.com and in next week;s issue. Photo by Andrew Noles (Noles Nest Photography)

CALEB ODOM

caleb@themadisonrecord.com

FLORENCE - The James Clemens Jets (4-1) pulled out a win on the road against Florence (2-3) with 14 unanswered points in the second half to edge the Falcons 14-7 on Friday.

Florence got on the board first with a 5-yard rushing score by Decarson Johnson that handed the Falcons the 7-0 advantage.

The Jets squared the game at 7-7 when Ty Doughty hooked up with Devon Cooper for a 30-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

James Clemens took the lead for good in the fourth quarter when Cameron Berry scored on a 30-yard rushing touchdown to make it 14-7 Jets.

This Friday, James Clemens welcomes Muscle Shoals (4-0) to Madison City Stadium as the Jets look for their fifth win of the season before a massive game against Sparkman on Oct. 6.

The Muscle Shoals Trojans present a real challenge for JC with notable wins over Bob Jones 48-14 on Aug. 24 and a 66-28 pounding of Athens on Sept. 15 that handed the Golden Eagles their first loss of the season.

Bob Jones 49, Huntsville 35

The Patriots (2-3) were able to take down Huntsville (1-3) on the road in a high-scoring affair to win their second game of the season.

Bob Jones grabbed the 6-0 lead in the first quarter on a 2-yard touchdown run by Tyren Washington who took the ball in the gun.

The Patriots found the end zone again in the first quarter when Caleb Sanders took the snap in shotgun and followed his blockers to the right for an 80-yard touchdown to make it 13-0.

Rocket City Trash Pandas wrap up third season

game attendance was 4,911. The Trash Pandas finished in third place of the Southern League North Division in both the first half and second half of the season and overall, at the end of the season

See TRASH PANDAS Page 4B

Fall Equipment

Senators waltz to 5-0 with pounding of Grissom

HARVEST - The most common phrase that echoed from the press box at the Sparkman game on Friday was “Taken down by a host of Senators.”

The Sparkman defense pitched another shutout this past week with a 51-0 drubbing of Grissom on Homecoming night.

The Senators (5-0) remain perfect on the season with the victory over the Tigers (1-4) who had their hands full with Sparkman in all three phases.

The home team, decked out in all black, wasted no time seizing control of the game with an electrifying 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Amaree Jabbar to open the contest.

Jabbar made it quickly 7-0 Senators with 11:44 on the clock in the first quarter when he glided through traffic down the field like everyone else was in slow motion.

Grissom went on a long drive that consumed much of the first quarter, but it was almost halted with a near-interception by Sparkman defensive back Jalyn Chambers.

This game was laden with penalties as the officials played it safe and threw one on seemingly every play.

The Senators found the end zone a second time at the 4:37 mark of the first quarter when senior quarterback Josh Ward connected with junior receiver Jonathan Rozier for a 48-yard touchdown to make it 14-0.

A play later, Sparkman used a sinking kickoff to handcuff Grissom causing a fumble that the Senators pounced on to be set up on the Tigers’ 20-yard line.

The Senators kept their foot on the accelerator when Ward found Brodie Slate with a bullet into the end zone for a 12-yard score that expanded the Sparkman advantage to 21-0 with over four minutes still to play in the opening quarter.

This game wasn’t just about how lethal the Senators’ offense was though as the blackout defense swarmed Grissom with relentless pressure.

There was the senior Donovan Dubose cracking the Tiger ball carrier with a sickening hit or the sophomore defensive end Jamarion Matthews collecting a sack.

Sparkman was flying around with bad intentions on defense.

Even when the Senators had a 45-yard punt return touchdown by Chambers wiped for a penalty, the Sparkman offense chugged forward unfazed.

The game really started to spiral out of control for Grissom when Sparkman running back Jayden “Drip” Thomas scored back-toback rushing touchdowns to push the score to 35-0 early in the second quarter.

It became about a burning clock as the Senators collected a safety with 47 seconds remaining in the second quarter to go up 37-0 at halftime.

It was the 4:21 point of the third quarter when Grissom quarterback Seth Leeburn’s pass was intercepted by Jalyn Chambers who took it 65 yards for the defensive score.

Sparkman was rolling up 44-0 after

three quarters of one-sided action.

The final points of the game for the Senators came thanks to their dynamic backup quarterback Jaiden Scott who took it himself for a rushing touchdown that gave Sparkman the definitive 51-0 mark.

This is the third time this season that the Senators have scored at least 50 points against opponents (65 vs Huffman, 58 vs Albertville and 51 vs Grissom).

The real number that matters is 18.

Sparkman has held five teams to 18 points this year and all 18 of those points came in the Senators’ 21-18 defeat of Austin on Sept. 8. Sparkman has a week off before the Senators do battle on the road against James Clemens (4-1) on Oct. 6 at Madison City Stadium.

UAH places ten total runners in top 100 at Cowboy Jamboree

STILLWATER, Okla. |

The UAH men’s and women’s cross country teams competed at the Oklahoma State Cowboy Jamboree on Saturday morning with the men’s team finishing fourth and the women’s squad placing seventh in the team standings.

Junior Sam Wilhelm was the top finisher for the Chargers on the men’s side with a 15th-place time of 24:59.5, while senior Emily McMurry led the UAH women in 30th overall at a time of 23:00.5.

Both Wilhelm and McMurry were the second-highest placing NCAA Division II runners

Roundup

in their respective fields.

Four more Chargers joined Wilhelm in the top 50 of the field in the men’s 8k including Nate Pohlsander (35th, 26:01.0), Jack Elliott (36th, 26:07.2), Nathan Knox (37th, 26:08.0) and Noah George (26:22.2).

On the women’s side, UAH boasted three more runners in the top 100 in addition to McMurry as Amelia Brady (35th, 23:07.7), Abby Weist (81st, 24:39.6), Sophia Knox (91st, 25:00.4), and Aylin Vega (95th, 25:12.3) all posted top-100 times on Saturday morning.

UAH looks ahead to competing on its home course on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 7 with the UAH Chargers Invitational at John Hunt Park.

Continued from page 1B

Washington punched the rock across the goal line from five yards out in the second quarter for a third Bob Jones touchdown for a 20-0 lead.

The scoring sequence of this game becomes choppy due to lack of reporting, but it appears that Huntsville next added eight points for a 20-8 Bob Jones advantage in the second quarter. Later on in the third quarter, Huntsville was up 29-27 when to Patriots mounted a comeback.

The Panthers tacked on a touchdown to go up 36-27 in the third quarter.

Leading 41-36 in the fourth quarter, Bob Jones was able to put the game away with a 48-yard rushing touchdown.

The Patriots have a rest week before returning to face Florence (2-3) on the road on Oct. 6.

Reese Baker wants to “win it all”

Madison Academy lineman leads Mustangs

MADISON - According to Bob Godsey, head coach of the Madison Academy football program, his senior star lineman, Reese Baker, “Wants to be good. It is important to him to do it right.”

Madison Academy 62, Danville 13

The Mustangs of Madison Academy (4-0) trounced a winless Danville team (0-5) on the road. Madison Academy overwhelmed the Hawks with 35 points in the first quarter to run away with this game before the home team knew what hit it.

It was more of the same in the second quarter as the Mustangs continued to punish Danville with a barrage of touchdowns.

42-0 became 48-0 and that grew to 55-0.

Madison Academy continued to pour it on the Hawks for a 62-0 lead by halftime.

Danville scored a pair of touchdowns in the second half to break up the shutout, but the real damage had already been done.

MA plays host to Madison County (1-4) on Friday.

Baker, who has nicknames of “Viking” and “Thor,” because of his 6-foot-4, 275-pound physical size, has one motivation factor for the current 2023 season. “To win a state championship. We can be really good if we want to. There’s no question we can go all the way,” added Baker.

The Mustangs are currently undefeated after four games in the 2023 campaign with a top 10 ranking. Baker is a team co-captain and is the leader of the offensive line that Godsey said, “Are as good as I’ve ever coached.” The senior is in his fourth year as a starter for the team after actually joining the program for his freshman season as a tight end, but coaches saw something special about Baker’s natural athletic talent, which he also used as a basketball and baseball player prior to his decision to concentrate on football.

“I remember my first start as a freshman,” said Baker. “It was the season opening game against Scottsboro and I was really scared and nervous. I played well and when I pancaked this big guy for Scottsboro, I knew I could do this.”

Born in Huntsville to Randall and Wanda Baker, he is the

youngest of five children in the Baker family. He weighed just over 11 pounds at birth and was so large some were afraid the young lad would die. He quickly grew up living in nearby Ardmore for 10 years before moving closer to Madison and joining the private school in the eighth grade. He currently carries a 3.6 grade point average and has plans of studying Kinesiology with his sights set on

becoming a physical therapist. Where he attends college is still a mystery, even to Baker. He has an assemblage of colleges looking at his football talent, but has not decided on where he wants to take his talents once graduating next May. The long list of schools showing lots of interest in his lineman skills include Auburn, MTSU, Appalachian State, South-

Sparkman Swim teams take 3rd at Wildcat Invitational

Special to The Record

SCOTTSBORO - Led by Sparkman junior Quintellis Darden II and Monrovia Middle School seventh grader Bella Minnon, the Senators men’s and women’s swim teams erupted for their highest combined points total on record at the Scottsboro High School Wildcat Invitational.

The 427 combined points easily surpassed last year’s 80 points of production, which had been the previous high-water mark according to event records available for the last decade. The men’s and women’s teams each placed third in their respective divisions on Thursday at the Scottsboro Recreation Center. They had not previously placed higher than

Chess

this event at 51.05.

fifth at the invitational. In a well-balanced attack, 13 of the Senators’ 17 swimmers scored. The Sparkman women scored 214 points and the men tallied 213.

Darden, the current overall career individual points leader for Sparkman (416 points), led the way for all Sparkman swimmers with 37 points in his first high school action of the 2023 season. His first-place finish in the 200 Yard Individual Medley (2:12.51) was ahead of Arab’s Hayden Williams (2:22.51) and good for 20 points. Darden is the school record holder in the event at 1:59.76. Darden finished second in the 100 Yard Butterfly (56.05) for 17 points behind ASCTE’s Lance Young (52.42). Darden is also the Senators’ record holder in

Continued from page 7A

Master. Bruni tied with National Master Scott Varagona, multiple winner of this championship; Bruni finished ahead of other past champions.

• Joel Friedman, coach for Journey Middle School and Madison Elementary School, and Bob Jones alumnus Victor Lundy tied for tenth place with 3.5 points.

• Bob Jones -- Steven Pan with 2.5 points.

Zachary Snow and Matthew Puckett earned the title of Alabama State Chess Co-Champion.

In other news, Ranae Bartlett has accepted the position of Director of Operations with US Chess.

In 2013, Bartlett founded Madison City Chess League as a nonprofit chess program. Madison City Schools now has more than 5,000 students participating in school chess clubs. Since 2020, she has served as Education Director at ChessKid.com.

As a US Chess volunteer, Bartlett served as a

delegate to the 2023 Annual Meeting and co-chaired the 2022 Chess in Education Committee. Recently, Bartlett traveled to St. Louis, Mo. for her first week at US Chess.

In civic work, Bartlett served on Madison Board of Education for 10 years. Currently, she represents District 5 on Madison City Council. Before living in Madison, she worked as Assistant General Counsel for a Fortune 500 company.

US Chess, a 501(c)3 organization, has an educational mission to “empower people, enrich lives and enhance communities through chess.” (new.uschess.org)

In addition, MCCL members voted for local candidates for Alabama Chess Federation Board positions. Madison representatives are Membership Vice President Adam Epling, Public Relations Vice President Sarah May and Scholastic Vice President Todd Guthrie.

Fueled by a second-place finish in the 100 Fly (1:08.94) and a sixthplace finish in the 100-yard Freestyle, Minnon scored 30 points to lead the Sparkman women. She finished only behind ASCTE’s Kailee Cline (1:02.80) in the Fly.

Cline, interestingly, is the sister of Senator alum Rebekah Cline, who is third on the all-time points list for the Senators (254).

The relay teams for the Sparkman women accounted for 92 points. In the 400 Yard Free Relay, with a time of 5:01.58, the Senators finished third and notched 32 points: Sparkman Ninth Grade School’s Mya Ceideburg (1:18.18), junior Mikayla Finucane (1:18.31), Monrovia eighth-graders Megan Zaremba (1:16.67) and Lynden West (1:08.42). Monrovia Middle School eighth graders Lillian Aguilar and Sophie Lee, and juniors Mikayla and Kaitlyn Finucane earned 30 points for their fifthplace finish (2:12.38) in the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay.

The 200 Yard Medley Relay team of Zaremba (44.77), Ceideburg (34.38), Minnon (30.80) and West (29.35) combined for 2:19.30, a fourth-place finish, and 30 points.

The men’s relay teams added 64 points with a pair of third-place finishes. Darden (26.13), junior Vladimir Smith (34.09), and seniors Josiah Williams (30.71) and Alex Bratton (25.13) combined to finish the 200-yard Individual Medley in 1:56.06.

The time was an improvement of 15.57 seconds over the group’s previous best.

Baker

The 400 Yard Freestyle Relay Team of Bratton (59.68), sophomore Cameron Thompson (1:17.39), Monrovia seventh grader Kipten West (1:17.23) and Darden (52.17) combined for a time of 4:26.47.

Third in individual scoring for Sparkman was Bratton with 29 points. He scored 17 with a second-place finish in the 500 Yard Freestyle (6:15.83) behind Arab’s Andrew Watts (5:53.27). Bratton notched 12 points with a seventh-place finish in the 50-yard Freestyle (26.89).

Monrovia eighth-grade students Jayden Gordon and Lynden West each tallied 15 points for Sparkman with a pair of fourth-place finishes. Gordon completed the 100 Yard Backstroke in 1:19.42 and West ended the 200 Yard Individual Medley 18.93 seconds fast-

Continued from page 3B

ern Miss, Army, SE Missouri State, Troy, Jacksonville State, UNA, Liberty, West Virginia and Tulane.

Baker was a First Team All-State selection a year ago and has been a part of 40 wins and 12 losses in his four years at Madison Academy. The Mustangs have made the playoffs in each of those years, but have come up just short of taking home a state title including a heartbreaking loss in the 2021 semi-finals. Last season, the horses were 5-6 overall, but lost its last five games on the season. Baker is looking at helping the squad to more winnings in this the 60th anniversary of the school’s first football team.

“Reese is an amazing talent as he is big, strong, fast and intelligent,” said Godsey of his prize offensive lineman. “The sky’s the limit for Reese. This team means everything to Reese and he means everything to this team.”

Trash Pandas

er than her previous best time at 2:46.65. Senators senior Jordan Breton, attempting the 500 Yard Freestyle for the first time in her six-year Sparkman Swim career, finished with 14 points after placing fifth with a time of 8:10.12.

Senators junior Matthew Hammer scored 25 points: 14 for his fifth-place finish in the 200-yard Individual Medley (2:51.55) and 11 points for eighth place in the 100-yard Breaststroke (1:26.32). Williams and Thompson each scored 14 points with their own fifthplace finishes. Williams completed the 100 Yard Backstroke in 1:23.99 and Thompson the 200 Yard Freestyle in 2:50.92.

Mikayla Finucane (2:49.49) scored 13 points in the 200 Yard Free by improving her previous best time in the event by 10.4

On the field, Baker has marvelous vision as on each play from his right tackle position he lines up looking over the field and seeing where each of the defenders are lined up. He added, “The college coaches tell me they love my feet, my long arms and that I carry my body weight well. For me, I feel I can throttle down when I need to, which helps me keep my balance. I believe my weakness is at times I become overly aggressive, and I do stupid things. I sometimes over launch and that allows the defense to get inside.”

In the weightroom, Baker is tops. He benches 315 pounds, has cleared 560 pounds in the deadlift and set a mark of over 400 pounds in the squat. Baker is a busy senior football player, but makes time for his faith and his girlfriend, Valarie Sproul, a senior member of the Madison Academy cheer squad who has

Continued from page 1B posting a record 58-80.

“The Trash Pandas would like to thank everyone that has come out to support us throughout the 2023 season,” said Garrett Fahrmann, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Trash Pandas. “Full prepara-

U C T I O N

seconds and edging out teammate and sister Kaitlyn FInucane (2:55.13) who scored 12 points.

Aguilar scored 12 points for Sparkman with a seventh-place finish in the 100-yard Backstroke. Aguilar’s time of 1:29.30 was an improvement of 16.57 seconds over her entry time. Lee rounded out the scoring for the Sparkman women with 11 points. The first-year Sparkman swimmer finished the 100 100-yard backstroke in eighth place with a time of 1:31.24.

Women’s final scoring: Scottsboro 403, Arab 268, Sparkman 214, Guntersville 178, ASCTE 80, Hazel Green 28, Albertville 15.

Men’s final scoring: Scottsboro 390, ASCTE 258, Sparkman 213, Hazel Green 151, Arab 147, Guntersville 96.

earned academic scholarships to attend college. Other talents Baker possesses includes being able to play the bass guitar. He’s self-taught on the guitar, but has taken lessons on being able to read music. He loves 80’s-90’s jazz/rock music and his favorite music band is Guns and Roses. Having dirty-blond hair to shoulder length is sort of a trademark for the 17-year old Baker, but his demeanor is one of leadership and being in control. “As a leader, I let my teammates know when they’ve done something wrong or missed a block. I can get in their face when I need to,” said Baker. “I always hold everybody accountable, especially the young guys, as we get them out there. We can’t leave them behind. They’re going to be the future of our line. I help them with their footwork and pass blocking techniques. I want us to win it all.”

• Popcorn- 20,000

tions are already underway for next season, and we are already counting down the days until Opening Night at Toyota Field in 2024.”

The start of the 2024 season will open on the road at Tennessee on April 5. Home Opener is set April 9 against the arch-rival Birmingham Barons. Garrett added, “It’s difficult to believe the 2023 season is over, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Toyota Field next season.” The 2024 campaign will feature 69 homes games and the team’s one millionth fan is expected sometime during the first half of the season.

Tremendous signs of development were evident for many of the Trash Pandas during the just completed season. So much so, 11 Trash Pandas went on to make their Major League Baseball debut with team’s parent club the Los Angeles Angels. Eight of those 11 were promoted directly to the Angels from the Trash Pandas. In addition, 13 members of the 2023 roster are now with Triple-A Salt Lake, providing the foundation for the future for the Angels organiza-

tion.

“It’s been a unique year for us here, but a very rewarding year with a lot of growth at the same time,” said Andy Schatzley, Trash Pandas’ Manager.

Overall, as a team, the Trash Pandas batted .232, 1044 hits, 641 runs scored, 200 doubles and 113 homeruns. The team also had a .336 on-base percentage. In the pitching department, those taking to the mound posted a 5.35 ERA, giving up 1,165 hits, 796 runs, 168 homers along with an astounding 114 hit batsmen. Trash Pandas pitchers posted 1,236 strikeouts.

The energy and enthusiasm the fans brought to Toyota Field at every game was something both staff and players noticed. The attending fans came to the ballpark hungry and certainly left satisfied just by looking at the numbers from the concessions among Toyota Field.

According to Garien Shelby, food and beverage director, the final items sold were:

• Chick Tender Baskets17,000

• Hotdogs- 50,000

• Nachos- 15,000

• Pretzels- 7,800

• Ounces of Beer1.4-million Players and coaches spent a lot of time out in the North Alabama community including stops at the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Unit and Huntsville Hospital. They also made stops at local schools where many of the players read to the school children.

Outside of Toyota Field, the Trash Pandas opened a new retail location on Hughes Road in Madison in an effort to expand its footprint in Madison with the opening of the biggest Trash Pandas Team Store to date. Team merchandise continued to be some of the most popular in Minor League Baseball as, since its conception, Trash Pandas merchandise has been shipped to all 50 states and more than 30 different countries across the world. One fascinating fact, the merch has been shipped to every continent, except for Antarctica.

A new season will be here before you know it, but what an exciting piece of baseball history was in 2023.

A look at the history of 116 Martin Street

MADISON - The house on the east side of Garner Street and the south side of Martin Street, at 116 Martin Street, was built around 1880 by Berry Leeman Martin. Berry was a son of Madison’s first merchant and lot owner, George Washington Martin, whose wife Nancy Leeman was a daughter of Green Leeman and a granddaughter of the William Leeman who owned and operated the Leeman Ferry over the Tennessee River. William Leeman was also the namesake of Leeman Ferry Road in Huntsville. That ferry crossing point is located in the civilian recreation area just downstream from the boat launch there in Redstone Arsenal. Berry’s middle name was in honor of his mother’s maiden family name. Berry married Mary Parker in Marion, Alabama, on November 11, 1886. Berry was the Madison railroad depot agent in 1889 and in the 1890s until his transfer to a station in northeastern Mississippi at Iuka in 1898. Berry’s mother, Nancy, at age 60 was tragically struck and killed by the train in April of 1891 when she started to cross the tracks very near the depot at the junction of Church Street and Main Street.

Additionally, one of Berry’s sisters, Hassie Martin (a twin of Hattie Martin) died in December of 1917 in Ft. Worth, Texas, when a train stuck their automobile as she, her husband, and her son were crossing the tracks there. Another of Berry’s siblings, Logan East Martin, was struck and killed by lightning as a young adult. The Martin family had its share of tragedies, as well as joys.

By 1920 Berry’s house was sold to Joel Lee Brewer, who served as Mayor of Madison 1923-1927. Joel was born in Kentucky of a family with Colonial Virginia roots that had migrated through North Carolina before going to Kentucky. Joel owned and operated the Brewer Cotton Gin, on the north side of the railroad tracks (still standing in the year 2001, but just barely) in the trees behind the Animal Trax store and the North Alabama Gas Company building.

Joel Lee Brewer’s wife was Katie A. Watkins, daughter of James Albert Watkins and his second wife, Martha Caruthers Martin. Martha (“Mattie”) was another daughter of George Washington Martin and a sister of Berry Leeman Martin. Joel Lee Brewer’s father-in-law was a trustee of Madison High School when it was incorporated in 1895. Joel and his wife Katie Watkins Brewer are both buried in Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville. They produced five children: Watkins Lee (never married); Martha Kathryn (married Andrew Lanier), Joe Allen (married Mary Belle Smith), Alice Elizabeth (married Henry Lee Hilson), and John Norman (married Mary Alice McCutcheon). Martha Kathryn Brewer’s marriage to a Lanier was not the only interconnection of the Lanier, Martin, Watkins, and Brewer families. Their linkages have been numerous, going back to the 1600s in America.

Alice Brewer’s marriage to Henry Hilson produced Brian Hilson, who became for many years the President and CEO of the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce. Alice preserved a store ledger from George Washington Wise’s store on Main Street. All pages of the ledger have been photographed and list the purchases there of Madison’s citizens for the period of 1888 and 1889. Alice Brewer Hilson’s grandfather James Albert Watkins had for a time worked as a clerk in the Wise store, but he later worked in the store of his father-in-law, George Washington Martin. The ledger was a keepsake retained by James that was handed down within the family for several generations. The leather-bound book contains over 262 pages and includes numerous clippings from old newspapers plus some early magazine illustrations in color. It also has a few handwritten family event notes made by Mattie Martin Watkins, wife of James Albert Watkins and sister of Berry Leeman Martin of 116 Martin Street. The ledger shows the purchases (by date, name, price, and merchandise item name and quantity) of most of the “old timers” of the town in those years. The ledger

has been photographed and included in the POTPOURRI section of the Madison Memories Collection DVD series that was previously offered by the Madison Station Historical Preservation Society. It is also in the digital files in the Madison County Library system and planned for soon installation in the on-line archives of the Madison Record newspaper.

By his first wife, Emma Pride (daughter of James Harvey Pride and Amanda Butler), James Albert Watkins had three children. This Pride-to-Watkins-to-Brewer connection is probably the basis for the location of the old original tombstone of James Harvey Pride that has been used for years as a cover over an old cistern at 116 Martin Street. Of course, a more impressive replacement James H. Pride tombstone was erected at his grave in the Madison City Cemetery. Emma died after five years of marriage and bearing three children to James. Emma and her last-born child (a girl named Emma) both died in early 1886. The first two children of Emma and James Watkins were Mattie Eleanor (married James Hugh Stone) and James Albert (married Mattie Lee Strong). Two years after the death of Emma, James Albert Watkins Sr. married Mattie Martin, who lived to age 96. Mattie is buried in the old section of the Madison City Cemetery beside her husband. Her father (George Washington Martin) and mother (Nancy Leeman) are buried nearby, in the Martin family plot of the cemetery with a shared monument to mark their graves.

James Albert Watkins served as County Commissioner of District 5, Precinct 8 from 1900-1907. He would no doubt have served longer, but he died in office. His life illustrates the changes that the Civil War made in the Southern society. In the census of 1860, he lived with his parents. After the war, the 1870 census revealed that he and his brother were living in a household headed by a blacksmith named Querlan Smith. In the census of 1880, however, he was listed as living in a household headed by an African-American man named Moses Moore. James’ occupation was listed as “Manages Farm.”

Since the farm was apparently owned by the African-American family, we can see in the situation a reversal of traditional roles from before the Civil War. The experience may have helped James to be a County Commissioner who served all citizens of the county fairly and equally.

The Watkins line in America included another James Watkins who accompanied John Smith in 1608 on his travels through Virginia, when Captain Smith was rescued from death by Chickahominy Indian Princess Pocahontas. An ancestral relative of James Albert Watkins, Dr. John Watkins, was a member of the very first Alabama State Constitutional Convention, which was held in Huntsville in 1819. Madison’s James Albert Watkins was also linked by ancestral marriages to William Bankhead, U.S. Congressman of Alabama and father of Tallulah Bankhead, a famous movie actress who was born in Huntsville. William Bankhead was a great-grandson of Thomas Jefferson, our nation’s third President.

James Albert Watkins was likewise connected by marriage to Susannah Withers, wife of Clement Comer Clay, eighth Governor of Alabama. He was additionally connected to Joseph Watkins of Georgia, who at age 20 invented an operable cotton gin that got the attention of Eli Whitney. Eli came to inspect the machine and figured out some improvements before filing a patent on it. Eli Whitney thereafter became recognized as the inventor of the system. Family tradition holds that Joseph was implored by his neighbors and relatives to take Eli to court, but he was content to just keep on farming. The Watkins family links to other notables of early north Alabama that include the surnames of Bibb, Pope, Walker, Clay, Hundley, Hughes, and Spencer. It would seem that the people who lived in or frequently visited close relatives in the house at 116 Martin Street had quite a wide range of prominent connections, contacts, and influences throughout the history of Alabama and many other parts of the world.

CONSTELLATION NAMES

There are 88 official constellations in the sky. Find the 20 listed below in the puzzle.

Humans have observed the stars for thousands of years. Some stars in the sky are a part of what we call a constellation. A constellation is a group of stars in the night sky that, when connected, resemble a figure or picture. In ancient times, people named the constellations after sacred animals, beasts, and the heroes of their legends. They attempted to explain the Earth around them in this manner. Today, the scientific study of the stars and planets is called astronomy. Some constellations are visible from the Northern Hemisphere, while others are only visible from the Southern Hemisphere. Others are visible from anywhere on Earth, but at different times during the year. A calendar, referred to as the Zodiac calendar, has a different constellation for each month. Because the Earth is constantly turning, different constellations are visible at different times during the year. Sometimes it is hard to locate a constellation. Finding a part of one that stands out can help. The constellation Orion is perhaps the most well-known and brightest of all the constellations. It resembles a hunter with a club and a shield. It is easy to locate the constellation if you first find Orion’s Belt. Three bright stars make up the waist or belt of the hunter; from there, you can see the rest of it. The distinguishable portions of the constellations are called asterisms. The Big Dipper is another asterism. It is a portion of the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear, that can be seen from the Northern Hemisphere. It is best to look for constellations on clear nights. Guidebooks and special apps can also help you find them. (Always get a parent’s permission before looking up apps on your device.) Telescopes and binoculars can also help you

MAKE YOUR OWN CONSTELLATIONS

You Will Need: Pencil, Nail, Scissors, Tape, Flashlight, Cardboard Cylinder with Lid (Such as an oatmeal box.)

Step One: Choose a constellation and look up its pattern.

Aquila, Aries, Big Dipper, Cancer, Canis Major, Cassiopeia, Cetus, Cygnus, Draco, Gemini, Hercules, Hydra, Leo, Little Dipper, Lyra, Orion, Pegasus, Scorpius, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor

NAME THE CONSTELLATION

Choose

SEARCHING THE STARS

Today, technology can assist us in searching the stars for the 88 constellations. With your parents’ permission, ask them to help you find one of the many apps, such as SkyView, that use your phone or tablet to locate constellations that are in your area. See how many your family can find!

Step Two: Using the pencil, mark the pattern on the lid of the box.

Step Three: Carefully using the nail, poke a hole in the lid for each star.

Step Four: Cut a hole in the bottom of the cylinder, just large enough to place the flashlight into the box from the inside. Place the flashlight inside the container and tape it.

Step Five: Place lid onto the box and tape it into place. Write the name of the constellation somewhere on it.

Step Six: In a dark room, turn on the flashlight and shine the constellation onto the ceiling and enjoy!

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS!

Sharon Dinkel, from left, and Cindi Sanderson of Fellowship United Methodist Church deliver a generous donation of clinic supplies to Journey Middle School. Accepting the donation are Journey Nurse Novella Wilson, (from left of Sanderson), Journey Principal Dr. Treva Stewart and Madison City Schools Nursing Supervisor Becky Tucker.

Fellowship UMC helps stock Journey’s clinic

MADISON – With a generous donation, members of a new church in Madison helped the students of a new school in Madison.

Fellowship United Methodist Church’s congregation at 29768 Huntsville-Brownsferry Road donated supplies for the clinic at Journey Middle School, 217 Celtic Drive.

“During a worship team meeting, I suggested the collection drive as a need in the community that we could help with,” Fellowship member Cindi Sanderson said. “Sharon Dinkel (another Fellowship member) agreed so she and I teamed up to make it happen.” Dinkel and Sanderson are Madison natives, and both retired from Madison City Schools.

MCS Nursing Supervisor Becky

Tucker provided a list of much needed items. The drive was open for three weeks. Dinkel and Sanderson handed off the supplies to Journey Principal Dr. Treva Stewart, Journey Nurse Novella Wilson and Tucker.

Journey’s staff welcomed the disinfectant wipes and sprays, paper goods, feminine products, coffee cups and other items because the newly opened school is still building its stock from scratch, MCS Public Relations Manager John S. Peck said. If any extra items are left that Journey does not need, Tucker will give those to other school clinics in Madison.

Fellowship UMC has conducted other activities to support MCS. Just before the start of the new school year, the “Blessing of the Backpacks” was held during a Sun-

day worship service.

“Children of all ages were asked to bring their backpacks to the front for a special blessing so the kiddos could get ready for the first day of school,” Sanderson said. “We also prayed for all of the teachers, getting ready to receive these kids (and backpacks) into the classrooms.”

Fellowship members had filled backpacks for some students in need that church members had learned about just before school started. Fellowship hopes to expand on this outreach next year.

Rev. Chuck Worley is Pastor of Fellowship UMC. Sunday worship, a multigenerational traditional service, is held at 3 p.m. at 29768 Huntsville-Brownsferry Road.

For more information, email fellowshipumcmadison@gmail.com or visit Facebook/Fellowship United Methodist Church - Madison.

Madison Church of Christ is planning to host a Caring for Mom & Dad Caregiver Workshop on Nov. 12. Speakers will teach on topics like financial management, navigating Alzheimer’s & Dementia, as well as other areas of elder law that will help prepare families to continue to honor their fathers and mothers in the late stages of life. Madison Church of Christ is located at 556 Hughes Road in Madison. For more information, go to www.madisonchurch.org

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Madison Living

Alison James earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism at Auburn University, graduating in 2012. She began her career in community journalism in Alexander City and Dadeville, followed by a stop in Opelika before landing in north Alabama. She loves sharing the stories – and correcting the grammar of those stories – of the people and places that make north Alabama such a special place.

John Few has been in the field of newspaper journalism and production for nearly 25 years. John has served as a staff writer for The Demopolis Times, the daily newspaper in West Alabama, and editor for the weekly newspaper the Black Belt Gazette. He was transferred in 2009 to begin his coverage of Madison. In covering the City of Madison the past 10 years, John has reported on several key events, such as construction of the Hogan Family YMCA and James Clemens High School. Over the years, as Madison has grown, John has been there to cover the news that has made Madison home. Together John and his wife, Lori, have seven children, ranging from 15-23 years old.

Bob

contributing writer

Bob Labbe is a lifelong resident of the Huntsville community. He has been in the local news media for 48 years, a multi-award-winning journalist in television, radio and print media. He is a member of the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame and has been nominated for both the Alabama Press Association and Alabama Music halls of fame. Bob has hosted a radio program, Reelin’ in The Years, for 29 years on WLRH-FM Public Radio. He has also been a local high school basketball referee for 28 years and was a high school football referee for 15 years. Bob is an avid sports fan and collector of 45 rpm records. He once boxed Muhammad Ali and was the reporter who asked the famed Paul Bear Bryant his last question as coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Gregg Parker, contributing writer

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

Erin Coggins, contributing writer

Erin Coggins is a scholastic journalism adviser and history teacher at Sparkman High School. She is also a freelance writer and public relations consultant. Her writing muse is World War II war correspondent Ernie Pyle, whom she fell in love with while a student studying communications at the University of Alabama. Erin and her husband Jamie reside in Madison.

Joshua Berry, photographer

Joshua Berry has a degree in biology and works full time as an aquatic instructor for the City of Huntsville. He is also an avid runner, ranging from short to long distances. When he’s not spending time with his wife and daughter, he enjoys trying to capture the perfect moment on his camera. As the owner of Everlong Photography, his advice for beautiful pictures is that nothing looks better than being confident in oneself.