🌱 Poarch Creek Donates $2.5M To Space Center + Lifeguard Shortage

Good morning, everybody. I'm here right on time with your Thursday edition of the Huntsville Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out all the community news you need to know right now.

But first, today's weather:

Humid with clouds and sun. High: 85 Low: 64.

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Here are the top three stories today in Huntsville:

1. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians has made a $2.5 million donation to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, supporting the newly opened Space Camp Operations Center, which features a 1,000-seat auditorium funded by the donation. This is the largest donation made by the tribe in north Alabama, and the auditorium will serve as a key gathering space for Space Camp programs and educational events. The Space Camp Operations Center is the first new facility at the rocket center campus since 2008, and Boeing is the title sponsor of the building with a previous donation of $3.5 million. (AL.com)
2. The City of Huntsville is facing a shortage of lifeguards, which has been an ongoing issue for about two years, potentially leading to the temporary closure of pools due to insufficient staff. The lifeguarding requirements are feasible, with the primary requirement being a lifeguarding class from Red Cross. The job offers opportunities for interaction with the public, ensuring a safe swimming environment, and starting pay is around $12.20 per hour with room for growth. Interested individuals can apply for a lifeguard position here. (WZDX)
3. Huntsville is planning to add new greenways, including the Meek Greenway trail, named after local advocate Opal Meek, which will connect Alabama A&M to Sparkman Drive and showcase North Huntsville's offerings. The trail will be 1.65 miles long, 12 feet wide, and will feature a raised pedestrian crossing at Mastin Lake Road and a parking area. The addition of this greenway will help connect A&M to downtown Huntsville and is part of the city's long-term goal to establish a 264-mile greenway network throughout Huntsville. (WAAY)

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Today in Huntsville:

• Thursdays: Synths & Shakes (80s Mix-Tape) At Stovehouse (11:00 AM)
• Ambassador And Emissary Program At Huntsville Madison County Chamber (11:30 AM)

From my notebook:

• Sonny DiChiara, a 23-year-old baseball player, has returned to the active roster of the Rocket City team in Huntsville after being on the Injured List for the entire season. DiChiara, selected by the Angels in the 2022 draft, had a previous stint with the Trash Pandas and showed promise with a solid college season at Auburn, where he was named SEC Player of the Year. (WAAY)
• Have you experienced Huntsville Botanical Garden lately? If not, take a look at the beautiful flowers in bloom at the link! (Huntsville Botanical Garden via Facebook)
• Mark your calendars for the exciting exhibition, "A Graphic Journey: Prints by Pablo Picasso from the Dr. Timothy Collins Collection," opening on Jul. 15 at the Huntsville Museum of Art. Don't forget to grab your tickets starting Jun. 6 to witness Picasso's masterpiece, including "Tête de Femme au Chapeau," a captivating color linocut. (Huntsville Museum of Art via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• REFLECTIONS FROM MOZART TO GOSPEL - Huntsville Choral Festival Concert (June 3)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Joyce Nash

About me: Joyce is a freelance writer and poet whose work has appeared in the Hello Gloria newsletter and Nine Cloud Journal. Her background ranges from journalism to fitness instruction and spans the east coast to the West. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her husband and cats.