Mandy, Adelyn and Wesley Pinyan live in Mandy’s hometown of Madison. CONTRIBUTED

Why I Love This Town

By GREGG L. PARKER / For the Record

MADISON – Mandy Pinyan has proven author Thomas Wolfe wrong.

Defying Wolfe’s “You Can’t Go Home Again,” Pinyan’s family has settled comfortably in her hometown.

Mandy graduated from Bob Jones High School, finished college and returned to “home base'” in Madison. She worked at Barnes & Noble and Sci-Quest Hands-on Science Center before Madison Public Library recruited her.

About seven years, Mandy served as Madison’s Youth Services Librarian. She then was promoted to Youth Services Coordinator for Huntsville-Madison County Public Library.

As coordinator, Mandy oversees summer reading and puppet shows, writes grants, participates in special events and acts as librarian for Ready Reader early literacy program for Head Start and Title 1 Pre-Kindergarten classrooms.

“I never really planned on staying (in Madison), but I had a job and friends here. I also met my husband, and we decided to stay. It all just worked out,” Mandy said. “I’ve learned from every job. I’m lucky to do something that I truly enjoy.”

“Undoubtedly North Alabama, particularly Madison County, is a great place to raise a family. One of the huge draws for Madison is the schools,” Pinyan said.

Madison has enough small-town feel “to meet friends to see a parade, visit the park or grab something to eat and a coffee (my fave is a dirty chai from Cafe 153),” she said. Yet, Madison is growing daily and convenient to area attractions.

Residents will benefit from Madison’s new library, especially with “space.” The current facility has only one meeting room, filled to capacity with many of my programs. Madison patrons really make use of the building and deserve more opportunities to meet, study and engage in activities,” Pinyan said.

Husband Wesley works at Cushman & Wakefield appraisal firm in Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi. Daughter Adelyn loves kindergarten at Horizon Elementary School, her “wonderful teacher and exciting classmates,” Mandy said.

A Horizon PTA member, Mandy is affiliated with numerous library associations and writes for “Rocket City Mom.”

Naturally, Pinyan’s prime hobby is reading. “I’m enjoying seeing my daughter’s world open up through learning to read, even if it’s road signs or in the grocery store. I also enjoy movies, crafting, painting and recently have become addicted to collecting Pop figures.”