Madison’s idyllic past, promising future please Cannon

Beth Cannon remembers Madison’s quaintness from her childhood and embraces diverse options that her hometown now offers her family. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – A native Madisonian, Beth Cannon describes her hometown’s growth as unbelievable.

Cannon remembers riding her bike with neighborhood friends (from Skyline Acres to today’s Woodland Homes) to the “Big Ditch.” At church, she sat with family friends while her mother sang in the choir and her dad was an usher.

“We celebrated football wins at Pizza Hut, which was new then. Madison provided me with an idyllic childhood and now provides a quality of life for our family, for which I’m very thankful,” Cannon said.

As co-owner of The Dance Company with Julie George, Cannon meets many new families. “Madison is a melting pot of cultures. (Families) have chosen Madison as their home for the very same reasons we have. We’re blessed to call Madison home.”

After graduating from Bob Jones High School in 1990, Cannon and George started The Dance Company while they were attending the University of Alabama in Huntsville. “It’s a privilege to teach the children that I do. I cherish the relationships I’ve formed over the past 26 years,” Cannon said.

In addition, she is pleased with “the education system in Madison and professional opportunities for my husband and me.”

Beth and husband Todd have three children: Caroline, sophomore at Samford University; Reynolds, junior at James Clemens High School; and Price, eighth-grader at Liberty Middle School.

Beth is a founding member of Asbury United Methodist Church.

Beth and Todd volunteer at church and at school, with most volunteer involvement centering around their children’s activities. They have served on boards for Mental Health Association, Kids Kingdom, Distinguished Young Woman of Madison County and numerous Asbury committees.

“Music plays a large part of my daily life at the studio. My musical interests vary widely; however, classic rock and show tunes would be at the top of the list,” she said.

Dining out in Madison, Beth and Todd enjoy “the new Italian restaurant, Mangia, La Placita, Picasso’s Grill and Sakura. We really miss Thomas Pit Barbecue and Terry’s Pizza from Star Market.”

The Cannons’ Australian Shepherd is named Stonewall.