Opinion
 By  admin Published 
2:03 pm Tuesday, February 24, 2015

City volunteers create special Downtown atmosphere

From The Publisher

Historic Downtown Madison’s holiday decorations are a real treat.

The local businesses and the City of Madison do a wonderful job of making the season feel colorful and bright.

As newcomers to the community, my family and I have really enjoyed these efforts this year. We’ve made it a point to drive through downtown once a week to see the lights and any new sights.

Mayor Troy Trulock and the City of Madison employees host wonderful events downtown to help bring in the holiday cheer. My family and I were able to attend the Lantern Parade and the lighting of the downtown Christmas trees.

Gayle Milam, event and volunteer coordinator for the City of Madison, did a tremendous job in making this year’s lighting ceremony special.

Gayle spent many hours behind the scenes coordinating the Christmas tree decorating effort with each participating businesses. Mayor Trulock and Gayle even found solutions to help stake down the Christmas trees so that the high winds could not topple them over.

I’m sure there are many unsung Madison heroes like Gayle Milam who understand the importance of a job like lighting downtown.

These tasks can make a major impact on families who live here and visit here.  I’ve found it is truly what makes living in Madison so great.

Another wonderful tradition to the holiday cheer in downtown Madison is Christmas Card Lane, presented by the Madison Arts Council and Planet Fitness. These displays of holiday art can be seen in front of beautiful historic homes.

The Madison Record and Madison County Record produces a weekly column called “Why I Love This Town.” It can feature people, places or traditions that make this community a great place to live.

We invite you to submit your stories on why Madison means so much to you.

It will be our pleasure to publish those stories.

Simply email them to news@madisoncountyrecord.com or mail them to P.O. Box 859 Madison, AL 35758.

Also on The Madison Record
Main Street Madison elects first-ever “Pup Mayor”
Events, Madison County Record, Madison Living, ...
John Few 
November 13, 2025
Pup Mayor Cooper was sworn in with the help of Madison Mayor Ranae Bartlett tonight during a special inauguration celebration at Homeplace Park MADISO...
Visibility Art Crawl this week will feature local artists who are living with disabilities
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
November 12, 2025
MADISON – The City of Madison is launching an initiative that will highlight artistic talent for individuals with disabilities and benefit a prospecti...
New mayor, city council hit the ground running after swearing in
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
ERIN COGGINS news@themadisonrecord.com 
November 12, 2025
MADISON - In front of a standing room only crowd in City Hall last Monday night, Ranae Bartlett took the oath of office to become Madison’s fifteenth ...
Tess Halbrooks added to Madison City school board; she replaces Alice Lessmann
Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
STAFF REPORTS news@themadisonrecord.com 
November 12, 2025
MADISON - The newest school board member for Madison City Schools was sworn last week. Tess Halbrooks took the oath of office at a BOE meeting on Thur...
Find handmade treasures at Messiah Lutheran Quilt Sale
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor
Gregg Parker 
November 12, 2025
MADISON – A homemade/ handmade quilt gives not only warmth but a cozy, peaceful feeling of security against winter’s wind and daily stress. Members of...
Madison to name and celebrate first “Pup Mayor” with “Paw-ty” Thursday
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Six pups in the final running for title, voting ends tonight
JOHN FEW john@themadisonrecord.com 
November 12, 2025
MADISON - There are now six final candidates, but just one will earn the title of Madison’s first “Pup Mayor” this Thursday. Main Street Madison has b...
‘Light the World Giving Machine’ to accept donations for those in need
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Anyone can donate much-needed items, such as clothing, food, hygiene products, school supplies... and even livestock to those in need.
Gregg Parker 
November 12, 2025
HUNTSVILLE – An ingenious breakthrough in outreach will open at Bridge Street Town Centre on Nov. 14 with the “Light the World Giving Machine.” A ribb...
Experience artisan wares, foods at Harvest Holiday Market Nov. 15
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Gregg Parker 
November 12, 2025
MADISON – The Harvest Holiday Market will feature sights and sounds of the Christmas season to warm people’s hearts – even for a Scrooge. The market w...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *