An Ohio native, Kathy Morris said volunteering lets her apply her creative talent to good use. CONTRIBUTED

Why I Love This Town

MADISON – Kathy Morris views Madison as a small town with some big-town choices.

“Madison is a wonderful community with a lot to offer …. restaurants, Hogan Family Y, specialty shops, wonderful library, many grocery stores, hospital and so much more. Everyone is very friendly and always seems to want to help,” she said.

About the only asset missing is a large shopping mall, Morris said.

She grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio’s northern suburbs, where most of her family still lives. “It wasn’t until I attended Miami University (Miami of Ohio) that I moved from there,” Morris said.

“My husband, John Morris II, accepted a job in Alabama in September 2012. I joined him in July 2013 after our home in Geneseo, Ill. sold,” she said.

Their daughter Kari Morris lives in Salt Lake City, Utah “with her fiancee and my two beautiful granddaughters, Madison and Payten. My son John Morris III currently is living in Geneseo. It’s hard for me with the kids so far away, but I’m very proud of the adults they have become,” Kathy Morris said.

For Madison Street Festival, Morris co-chairs both the finance committee and information booths. Volunteering “gives me a chance to meet other people and allows me the opportunity to put some of my skills and creativity to good use,” she said. “People that you volunteer with become like a family; that’s one thing I love the most.”

She works as assistant to the residential sales manager at Overhead Door Company of North Alabama. “I’ve never done this kind of work before, and it’s very challenging and rewarding.”

“My husband and I seem to eat out a lot. I like to have lunch at Main Street Cafe. My other favorites are more food types — Mexican, pizza and steak — rather than specific restaurants,” Morris said.

Enjoying all kinds of music, Morris listens to almost anything from bands like Chicago, Earth Wind and Fire and Styx.

Reading, cross-stitching, card making and motorcycle riding are her pastimes. “My yard during the spring, summer and fall months seem to cut into this play time,” she said. “Sometimes, I really hate when the adult duties get in the way of fun!”