Buddy Esslinger is a life-long Madison County resident and says he'll never move from here. He retired from NASA after working there for 38-1/2 years. Buddy's father owned the NuWay hamburger restaurant that was the original Krystal Hamburgers here in Huntsville.
Don Broome is a local artist and framer who knows that this area has so many amazing artists. On Feb. 19 the Huntsville Art League will be holding their annual fund-raiser at the VBCC starting at 4pm, called Collector's Draw, where you buy a ticket for $125 and receive a piece of artwork worth $200+. Don is doing his part by offering a signed original piece of his own art to the event, and anyone who buys a ticket is eligible to win his art, which is worth over $300. If you're interested in attending this event please email Renee at smartartsr@aol.com.
We were so proud of Huntsville Hospital when we heard that the hospital rating company HealthGrades had awarded them its top score to the cardiac surgery program. The program's five-star rating for 2012 is based on clinical outcome data from Medicare patents treated at Huntsville Hospital from 2008-10. And this is the fifth year that the hospital's open heart surgery am has won the top honor.
Mary Alice Cannon was a very well known businesswoman here in Huntsville, opening and running her business "Home Buddies" to provide child and eldercare services to those in need. Mary Alice had been sick for quite a while and passed away in early January at the age of 81. We send our sympathy to her family and many friends.
Many of our readers called after we had mailed out the last issue (January) because what normally took a day to get local mail delivered is now taking 4-5. This is all part of the U.S. Postal Service trying to cut back to just survive. As we understand it, the bulk mail that used to be handled right away locally is now being shipped first to Atlanta, and then back to Huntsville. So this tacks on about 4 extra days. We apologize for this delay, which will be ongoing, and wish we could do something about it. So from now on your issues that used to arrive the first week of the month will arrive the 2nd week.
We were so sorry to hear that Bob Boerner, Sr. had passed away, at the age of 81. Among many other accomplishments, he was awarded top honors as the first postgraduate at Georgia Tech to earn a 4.0 GPA from the School of Engineering, after working for many years with the Werhner Von Braun team. We send our deepest condolences to his wife Dorothy Bowling, children Beverly Farrington, Bob Boerner, Jr. and wife Jenni, Susan Johnson and husband Nathan, and Cindy Moore Yates and husband Glen.
Beverly Farrington was married to Col. Jack Farrington for many years prior to his death several years ago. We loved Jack and miss him so much - he loved tinkering with old cars and owned Jack's Toy Shop in which he fixed MGBs, Fiats, old cars, etc. and did a fabulous job. We send our love to Beverly and all her family.
Our friend Henry Turner called, in relation to the ongoing discussion regarding what happened to the weather vane & 4-sided clock that used to be on the beautiful old courthouse in the early 60s. He said the clock faces are not the ones that you see on the present courthouse, that the original ones would have been way too old to use. Also that the weather vane is the same one that is on top OF the old bank building across the street.
For Huntsville middle school basketball fans, if you're up early on Friday mornings at 6am, tune into the Chapman Middle School Basketball review on Channel 15, WHDF, The Valley's CW, with host John Troup who is the voice of the Chapman Indians, and Indians head coach Chris Blanding. You'll find out why they are Huntsville's premier middle school basketball program. Dr. James Waters, Principal at Chapman, is a big fan of the show. Go Indians.
During the holidays, when I was driving around downtown Huntsville and the square was lit up so beautifully, I thought that it would be absolutely perfect with that old courthouse (or one like it) back on the square. That current building looks so out of place and in my humble opinion detracts from the beautiful old buildings you see around the square. Maybe that will change one day soon.
Bonefish was the setting for a really fun party of old friends who are all into remodeling and driving beautiful old cars. Attending the annual party which usually takes place around the holidays was Clay Johnson, Gwynn Lewis, Bob Smith, Vicky Vest, Larry Holmes, Georgie and Phil Bailey, Ann and Tom Schuman, Cathey Carney, Sam Keith, Robert Garrison, Judy Posey, and Mike and Linda Robinson. The food and company were great.
The annual Dog Ball is going to be held this year on Feb. 10 and the theme is "Prancing with the Stars." The Greater Huntsville Humane Society puts this on every year and it is quite an event, featuring the "Celebri-dogs" of 2012 for adoption. The event includes silent auction, social hour with the dogs, dinner and dancing. A very memorable and worthwhile event. Make your reservations soon if you want to go - it is always sold out. Go to www.thedogball.org or call 256-881-8081.
Have a warm and wonderful Valentine's Day with your loved ones, and be sure and get out there and walk - it's a great way to stay healthy.
