Hometown Madison - March & April 2016

Mary Anna
Chaney
Why did you decide to make Madison
your home?
I decided to make the move to Madison mainly for
the fabulous public schools and because it’s a safe
place to raise small children. I also had a dream of
one day opening a children’s consignment shop
because there was not one in Madison and I felt
there was a need for one with so many young
families here with small children.
How long have you lived in Madison?
I have lived in here for over 16 years
Tell us about your family.
I have 4 wonderful children, 3 girls and 1 boy.
Ashlie Dye (31) lives in Merigold, Miss. with her
husband Adrian and 2 sweet daughters, Willow
and Maryella. Holly Richardson (28) lives in Yazoo
City with her husband Zack and 2 precious boys,
Wrigley and Riley Banks. My baby girl Maddie
(18) is a senior at Madison Central and will be
attending MSU in the fall. Maddie enjoys piano,
spending time at the animal shelters and loves
working at Trace Grill. Christian (16) is a 10th
grader at Madison Central and on most any given
day you can find him hunting, fishing or enjoying
an afternoon of archery. We attend Grace Crossing
church in Gluckstadt and absolutely love our church
and the loving church families there. My dream came
true over 14 years ago when I opened Leap Frog,
a children’s consignment shop in Madison. As a
family we all enjoy getting together for holidays
and birthdays. The one thing as a mom I truly
enjoy is having my entire family together. Weather
permitting, we always end up in the backyard for a
game of kickball.
What is your favorite memory of living
in Madison?
My family has always enjoyed meeting our dear
friends and their families for the Christmas parade.
Since our babies were little, we’ve enjoyed hot
chocolate and donuts together on that special
morning to kick off the holiday season. The
Scarecrow Festival is always a favorite in the fall.
44 • March/April 2016
Hometown Madison
Reader
SPOTLIGHT
Where are your three favorite places to
eat in Madison?
We enjoy Kristos on the patio, all the sushi
restaurants and Donut Barn has the best donuts
around!
What are some fun things to do in
Madison on the weekends?
Our weekend fun will often involve going to the
movies, boating at Lake Caroline, and taking
Jeep rides to explore the beautiful backroads of
Madison County.
What is your favorite childhood memory?
Our annual vacation to Biloxi, Miss. And riding in
the large back window stuffed with pillows.
Share some things you enjoy doing in your
spare time.
Well honestly, owning my own business doesn’t
allow too much spare time but I gather unsold
clothing donations through my business to send to
various charities such as MADCAPP, The McCoy
House, African Children Outreach, Teen Challenge
and several others. I do enjoy any outdoor activities.
Watching sunsets are always a joy. I love cheering
for my son at the baseball field. I have a wonderful
hobby of collecting pictures of everyday objects that
are heart-shaped. I love this shape so much that
I actually started noticing it in everyday objects.
I glance over at an item, be it a water mark, spilled
milk, food items or a leaf and always find the “heart”
–so I snap a picture of it. It’s amazing to me what
you can see in everyday life if you just stop to really
see it. This hobby always brings a smile to my face.
I plan, one day, to make a book of my large heart
collection for all my loved ones.
What are three things on your bucket list?
Go on a cruise with my dear girlfriends. Own a
secluded yellow beach house somewhere warm.
Open a clothing center that any child in need
could always come to and never be without decent
clothing and shoes.
Who is someone you admire and why?
My mom is amazing, strong and loving during all
seasons of life and is the most unselfish person
I know. I also admire single moms that strive, on
a daily basis, to provide for themselves and their
children. Those that have a determination to climb
the mountain even though the struggle is not
always easy and believing that having faith in God
that will get you through it.
Where do you see yourself ten years
from now?
Hopefully in that secluded yellow beach house on
my bucket list, enjoying visits with family. I hope to
always be involved in collecting clothing for needy
children.
If you could give us one encouraging
quote, what would it be?
“Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation
determines what you do. Attitude determines how
well you do it.” – Lou Holtz
What is your favorite thing about
Hometown Magazines?
I enjoy reading about all the talented, gifted, caring
people that make up our great community–in
addition to finding new places to shop and dine. n