A community watch party featuring music from The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square on June 26, 2026. The venue will open at 3 PM with bounce houses, giant yard pong, corn hole, and jumbo Connect 4 as entertainment. The show will begin at 7 PM and fireworks will follow.Proceeds from all concessions will be donated to our local charitable organization First Stop,Inc. who is dedicated to helping homeless people move from homelessness to stability.There will also be a special performance from classically trained tenor, Nathan Pacheco, singingthe National Anthem live.In this special episode, we explore a historic moment for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in North Alabama—the creation of the new Sipsey Alabama Stake. The organization of a new stake is often seen as a sign of growth, faith, and strengthening congregations, and this milestone reflects decades of steady development across the region.Through exclusive interviews with President Kariya of the Huntsville Alabama Stake, President Dunford of the Madison Alabama Stake, and President Garcia of the newly formed Sipsey Alabama Stake, we discuss the history, challenges, and opportunities that led to this significant reorganization. Together, they share insights into leadership, ministering to growing congregations, and what this new chapter means for Latter-day Saints throughout North Alabama.Whether you're a member of the Church, interested in the history of faith communities in the American South, or simply curious about how religious organizations grow and evolve, this conversation offers a unique look at a landmark event in Alabama Church history.Visit http://churchofjesuschrist.org for more information on the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day SaintsHost/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town with Troy Bye, a brand of the Our Town Company, LLC Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5NjTsQ72k00C5n7ghLapAWatch on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0JwD62zXPncMeFeQdTVomHAudio only available in all other platforms where you get your podcastsFollow us on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/our-town-w-troy-bye-50033a234/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourtownpodcast/

Today’s guest is Ranae Bartlett, the Mayor of Madison, one of the fastest-growing and most successful cities in the Southeast. Her career spans law, education, corporate leadership, nonprofit management, public service, and municipal government, making her one of the most accomplished civic leaders in North Alabama.

During nearly a decade of service, she helped guide one of Alabama's highest-performing school systems through periods of rapid enrollment growth and increasing academic success. She served as Vice President of the Board from 2015 to 2017 and as President from 2017 to 2020, providing leadership during a critical period of expansion for Madison City Schools.Her contributions to education earned statewide recognition. In 2020, she received the All-State School Board Member Award from the Alabama Association of School Boards, one of the highest honors available to school board members in Alabama.Her influence in the chess world grew nationally when she was selected as Executive Director of the United States Chess Federation in 2024. As the leader of the nation's largest chess organization, she oversaw programs serving players, clubs, tournaments, and scholastic chess initiatives across the United States. She held that position until assuming the office of mayor in November 2025.Meanwhile, her local government career continued to advance. In 2020, Madison voters elected her to the Madison City Council representing District 5. During her tenure, she earned the respect of her colleagues and was selected to serve as Council President from 2022 to 2024 and later as Council President Pro Tempore in 2025. Her work focused on responsible growth, infrastructure planning, education, and maintaining Madison's reputation as one of Alabama's most desirable places to live.In 2025, Bartlett launched a successful campaign for mayor, emphasizing experienced leadership, economic development, support for Madison's award-winning schools, infrastructure improvements, and responsible management of the city's rapid growth. She won the election outright with a majority of the vote, avoiding a runoff and becoming the first Asian-American mayor in Alabama history.Since taking office in November 2025, Mayor Bartlett has focused on economic development, strengthening communication within city government, supporting local businesses, investing in public education, and ensuring Madison continues to provide the high quality of life residents expect. Her administration has emphasized strategic growth planning, collaboration with regional partners, and positioning Madison for long-term success.In addition to her professional accomplishments, Mayor Bartlett is a graduate of Leadership Greater Huntsville Class 26 and has been recognized throughout her career for community service and leadership. She received the Women of Distinction Award from the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama in 2013 and has become widely known for bringing a thoughtful, strategic, and collaborative leadership style to every role she has held.From federal courtrooms to corporate boardrooms, from school board leadership to the national chess community, and now as Mayor of Madison, Ranae Bartlett's career reflects a lifelong commitment to public service, strategic thinking, educational excellence, and building stronger communities.For more information on Mayor Bartlett visit https://madisonal.govHost/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town with Troy Bye, a brand of the Our Town Company, LLC Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5NjTsQ72k00C5n7ghLapAWatch on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0JwD62zXPncMeFeQdTVomH Audio only available in all other platforms where you get your podcasts Follow us on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/our-town-w-troy-bye-50033a234/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourtownpodcast/

Taylor Reed is a Huntsville engineer, nonprofit leader, and community advocate whose passion for serving others led him to found and lead ShowerUp Huntsville, a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring dignity, hope, and human connection to individuals experiencing homelessness. Through mobile shower units, hygiene supplies, and compassionate outreach, ShowerUp Huntsville provides one of life's most basic necessities—a safe, hot shower—to those who need it most.

A graduate of The University of Alabama in Huntsville with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Taylor balances a successful career in the aerospace and defense industry with a deep commitment to community service. He has served as a Quality, Safety & Mission Assurance leader supporting advanced research efforts for the Missile Defense Agency while also dedicating countless hours to charitable work throughout North Alabama. Inspired by his faith, family values, and years of volunteer work serving Huntsville's homeless population, Taylor launched ShowerUp Huntsville in 2020 after seeing the impact of the original ShowerUp program in Nashville.

What began as a vision to address a critical but often overlooked need quickly grew into a thriving organization that has provided thousands of showers and essential hygiene services to people throughout the Tennessee Valley. Under his leadership, ShowerUp Huntsville became one of the organization's most successful chapters and helped inspire expansion into other cities across the country. Taylor believes that a shower is about far more than cleanliness—it's about restoring confidence, dignity, and hope.

Through partnerships with churches, businesses, nonprofits, and volunteers, ShowerUp Huntsville has become a powerful example of how local communities can come together to serve their most vulnerable neighbors. His work has been featured throughout the Huntsville area, highlighting both the practical impact and the deeply human stories behind the mission.

On this episode of Our Town, Taylor shares the story behind ShowerUp Huntsville, the realities of homelessness in our community, the lessons he's learned building a nonprofit from the ground up, and why small acts of kindness can have life-changing consequences.

For more information on Taylor Reed and ShowerUp visit https://showerup.org

Host/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town with Troy Bye, a brand of the Our Town Company, LLC

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5NjTsQ72k00C5n7ghLapA

Watch on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0JwD62zXPncMeFeQdTVomH

Audio only available in all other platforms where you get your podcasts

Follow us on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/our-town-w-troy-bye-50033a234/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourtownpodcast/