Franklin Living Jan/Feb 2015

1FRANKLIN LIVING

Communicating and community

Healing together

Churches on the

Trail

Jan./Feb. 2015 Vol. 5 Issue No. 1

2 FRANKLIN LIVING

3FRANKLIN LIVING

• Short-term rehab • Long-term care • Physical therapy • Occupational therapy • Speech therapy

Quality Care from a staff who respects your health care needs.

Offering: Activities and enjoyable social programs.

Large private rooms for short term care.

• FREE Wi-FiMedicare or private insurance may

cover these stays.390 Underwood Rd

Russellville, AL256-332-3826

Phillip & Sherene Wade

Terrace Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Inc.

Dedicated to Hope, Healing and Recovery

• Short-term rehab • Long-term care • Physical therapy • Occupational therapy • Speech therapy

Quality Care from a staff who respects your health care needs.

Offering: Activities and enjoyable social programs.

Large private rooms for short term care.

• FREE Wi-FiMedicare or private insurance may

cover these stays.

390 Underwood Rd Russellville, AL256-332-3826

Phillip & Sherene Wade

Terrace Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Inc.

Dedicated to Hope, Healing and Recovery

4 FRANKLIN LIVING

Writing and living well

Local author and columnist talks about

her craft and her family

Cooking with SamGreat recipes to share with friends and family

Churches featured on Hallelujah

Trail

Strength in CommunityA young man and his community pull together for recovery

In working on this edition of F r a n k l i n

Living, having a theme of Church and Faith, I can’t help but think of my own experiences at my church. For as long as I can remember I have attended church at Margerum United Methodist Church. I grew up memorizing bible verses for Sunday school class each week, I participated in the Christmas cantatas each Christmas and attended Vacation Bible School in the summer (which my favorite part was the Ice Cream supper on the last day). This was my grandparent’s church; this was where I grew up. It is a small church, many times referred to as the little white church on the hill, and we are a very intimate and tight-knit group. I have always felt welcome and part of the church family. I just always knew it was there and always would be.

In 2013, we were faced with having to close our doors. We could not afford to stay in the Methodist conference. I could not even picture a world without this church being there. This church started in 1907 and had managed to remain open for 107 years; we did not want to see it close on our watch. Our only option was finding three trustees to take responsibility for the church and try to move forward. I was the church treasurer. I knew we were holding on, but not growing. Luckily we found the three people we needed. Lt. Shane Dawson, a Florence Firefighter, Marjorie Hamm, a retired Librarian from Russellville High School, and I became the three trustees. Together, and moving forward, we became Margerum Community Church.

Taking responsibility for the church meant we were responsible for making ends meet, of course, but also for finding our own preacher. For the first five months we had a different preacher every Sunday. We were afraid if we had any new members they might leave due to the fact that we had no consistency. But we were waiting for the right fit. Finally, we found the right fit. God blessed us with Rod Stansky, Alacare Hospice’s Chaplain. Brother Rod has truly been a godsend. He is a perfect fit for our church. He preaches a great sermon, sings beautifully and cares about our church and seeing that it grows. He adds so much to our church just by being himself.

Since the very beginning of Margerum Community Church we have been so blessed. We knew we did the right thing. It was sort of scary, but God has been there the entire time and blessed us immeasurably. We want our church to be a blessing to our community.

In this edition, we are telling a story of faith that brought Franklin County together to pray for the healing of an injured high school athlete. We turned the tables on one of our columnists and instead of her telling the story, we are telling the story about Teri Lynne Underwood. We are also taking a closer look at the two churches in Franklin County that are listed on the Hallelujah Trail. I hope you enjoy this edition and thank God for all of our many blessings.

FCNI General Manager Nicole Pell with her husband, Hans.

Strength in CommunityA young man and his community pull together for recovery10

15

22

24

8 Wellness

20 What’s Hot

21 Classifieds

26 Out & About

28 Looking Back

30 Parting Shot

FROM THE MANAGER

5FRANKLIN LIVING

FRANKLIN MEMORY GARDENSRUSSELLVILLE’S ONLY PERPETUAL CARE CEMETERY

Offi ce on grounds located at 2710 Waterloo Road • Russellville 256-332-2115

Carolyn Atkins Porter

We off er Ground Burial, Mausoleum, and Cremation Niches. All may be purchased at need or pre-need to include

the grave fee and bronze memorial.

Serving You Since 1960 Complete Ground Burial Services

P.O. Box 1088 • Russellville, AL 35653

256-332-1881 • fax: 256-332-1883

www.franklincountytimes.com

General Manager NICOLE PELL

News Editor MATT WILSON

Sales PEGGY HYDE

Circulation GERALDINE BONDS

Photography TERI LYNNE UNDERWOOD,

TERESA STEDHAM-STOUGH and

LAUREN THORNTON TOBIN

Franklin Living is published monthly

by Franklin County Newspapers, Inc.

Copyright 2011 by Franklin County Newspapers, Inc.

6 FRANKLIN LIVING

FCCDC representative Kathy Hall and Sen. Roger Bedford present checks to Ryan Rackard and Levi Rogers for the Phil Campbell High School Fishing Team.

The following groups were recently awarded grants through the Franklin County Community Development Commission, which is an entity set up through the e�orts of Sen. Roger Bedford, Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow, and other members of the Tennessee Valley caucus who worked to make sure TVA in-lieu of tax funds were being re-distributed in the counties where the money was generated. The committee consists of two appointed members, Brad Bolton and Kathy Hall, and a chairman, which rotates between the mayors of Russellville and Red Bay every two years. Currently Red Bay Mayor David Ti�n serves as the chairman. Funds are used to promote economic development, education, and recreation in the area.

FCCDC representative Kathy Hall and Sen. Roger Bedford present checks to Jacob Anthony for Phil Campbell High School Jr. Scholars Bowl.

Sen. Roger Bedford and FCCDC representative Kathy Hall present checks to Russellville High School Baseball players, Reed Smith, Austin Bohannon, Cody Greenhill, Collin Garrison and Coach Chris Heaps for new backdrop construction.

Sen. Roger Bedford and FCCDC representative Kathy Hall present checks to the Russellville High School Volleyball Team Madison Lamon, Meagan Brockway, Coach Charlotte Dollar, and Kalli Beth Daniel for travel expenses and equipment purchases.

OUT & ABOUT

7FRANKLIN LIVING

FCCDC representative Kathy Hall and Sen. Roger Bedford present checks to Myra Fredrick and Robyn Bragwell for the Belgreen High School Establishment of Human and Family Consumer Science Program.


FCCDC representative Kathy Hall and Sen. Roger Bedford present checks to Jacob Anthony and Hayden Bell for the Phil Campbell High School Tipp O� Club.

Sen. Roger Bedford and FCCDC representative Kathy Hall present checks to Anna Duncan for the Franklin County Relay for Life Speaking Event.

FCCDC representative Kathy Hall and Sen. Roger Bedford present checks to Meletha Walker for Tharptown Mr. Moss Class Donation.

FCCDC representative Kathy Hall and Sen. Roger Bedford present checks to Teressa Robertson and Anna Margaret Bailey for the Attention Homes of Northwest Alabama Construction/Operation Expenses.

Sen. Roger Bedford and FCCDC representative Kathy Hall present checks to Kathy Alfaro for Tharptown High School Stage Construction.

Sen. Roger Bedford and FCCDC representative Kathy Hall present checks to Kaylee Allen for the Phil Campbell High School Band Marching Competition.

Sen. Roger Bedford and FCCDC representative Kathy Hall present checks to Danny Brown and Merrell Potter for the Phil Campbell Police Department purchase.

OUT & ABOUT

8 FRANKLIN LIVING

When colder weather sets in, some people abandon their outdoor fitness routines for the comfort of indoor gyms and home exercise equipment. However, walking in the winter and even jogging, when practical, are not limited to the warmer months of the year. Outdoor conditions can be a bit treacherous, so safety and common sense should always prevail.

FOOTWEARWhile winter walking is a good way to warm

up and get in a workout, it requires different footwear than regular walking shoes. The correct footwear will provide support, warmth and traction for traversing various conditions.

Start by choosing footwear that is warm. Certain boots and booties will have a lining that improves heat retention. Wear warm socks and waterproof or water-resistant shoes. They will protect against wet, chilled feet if you come across slushy puddles along the way. Although wet feet might be merely an inconvenience other times of the year, in very cold temperatures, a cold and wet body can be susceptible to hypothermia and even frostbite.

Look for shoes that have a mid-height ankle. This height offers support and stability to the ankles when walking on uneven surfaces, such as snow-covered paths. Also, should your foot slip on slick pavement, a taller shoe will protect the ankle against sprains or fractures.

Additionally, choose a shoe or boot that has a thick but not too heavy sole for better traction on icy areas.

WARDROBELayering is essential when exercising

outdoors in cold weather. You want to ensure that you will be warm enough, but not too warm that you begin to sweat and run the risk of hypothermia later on. Dress so that you feel chilled when stepping outdoors, not toasty warm. As your body warms up with the exercise, it will reach a comfortable temperature.

A windbreaker is good for blocking chilly, winter winds. Choose a jacket that will move with your body and not impede walking stride or jogging ability. Tights or yoga pants

that wick moisture away will insulate your legs, and a fleece vest can help keep your body’s core warm when it is particularly cold outside.

Don’t overlook gloves and a hat when walking. These items will prevent heat from escaping through your extremities.

SAFETYWinter conditions may lead to snow

blindness or reduced visibility for drivers. If you will be walking on roads, dress for visibility. Avoid colors that will blend in with snowy surroundings and opt for bright flashes of color that make you more visible, particularly at dawn, dusk and night.

Whenever possible, do your outdoor exercising when the sun is up. You’ll benefit from the mood-boosting properties of the sun and will have added warmth and visibility. Furthermore, spending time in the outdoor sun enables your body to produce vitamin D, which helps maintain healthy bones. Spending time outdoors can stave off winter doldrums and cabin fever.

Exercise with a buddy, who can help you if you slip or fall on icy surfaces. Walking or running with a partner also is a great way to remain motivated.

If you feel very unstable walking on slippery

roads and pathways, you may want to invest in winter cleats or crampons that can be attached to the underside of your shoes. These devices offer superior traction.

OFF-ROADINGIf you want to pack in a more

powerful winter workout, you can think about walking through the snow rather than around it. According to fitness experts at Weight Watchers International, walking in packed snow increases the calories burned by 60 percent compared to walking on a paved road. Walking in soft snow triples the calories burned compared to walking at the same speed on a treadmill. In addition, the added resistance of the snow can firm and tone muscles.

Purchase snow shoes or cross-country skis and poles to facilitate walking in the snow. For those who want to forego structured exercise, simply having fun in the snow, by trekking up a mountain when sledding or having a snowball fight with the kids, is a great way to exercise outdoors in the winter.

There is no need to pack away exercise clothing for the winter season. With the right equipment and know-how, winter lovers can still spend adequate time outdoors once the mercury drops

Outdoor exercise still a possibility when temperatures drop

WELLNESS

9FRANKLIN LIVING

10 FRANKLIN LIVING

Community members gather at the Russellville High School football stadium to show support for Austin Kitterman. Kitterman was injured in an ATV accident Sept. 28.

Strength in CommunityStory by MATT WILSON

Photos by THERESA STEDHAM-STOUGH

11FRANKLIN LIVING

When Austin Kitterman was severely injured in an ATV accident Sept. 28 a lot of things changed for him, his football team, his family and his community.

But one thing that didn’t change for Kitterman and his family was their faith and their steadfast belief that everything was going to be all right.

“The first night when everything happened was the most critical and the people, the amount of people, that showed support for Austin and our family, it was just unreal,” said Austin’s mother, Vicki Kitterman.

Prayer vigils and gatherings popped up around the region as fast as the news of the accident spread.

“I remember hearing that everywhere from Phil Campbell and Muscle Shoals and Tuscumbia there were prayer vigils and groups getting together to pray for Austin,” she said. “It was really overwhelming. It was moving

“And since then I’ve had people come up to me who recognize me from Facebook and they tell me that they are praying for us. All of the support is great.

“While we were in the hospital I had pictures being sent to me showing all the different groups gathering and praying for Austin,” she said. “I saw so many pictures of people from different communities that were praying for us and were pulling for Austin to get better and you have no idea how great that feels, how great it feels to know that your community is behind you and pulling for you.”

Vicki Kitterman has worked in physical therapy for over 26 years and she said when her son began rehabilitation work she knew there would be work to do.

“I have seen people with serious injuries that have had to rehab and I know what it takes and what it looks like,” she said. “I could see that Austin had that deficit and that he was going to go through a lot. But I could also see that determination and the motivation that he had and that I’ve tried to instill in him all his life.”

Austin was initially taken to Huntsville Hospital after his injury. After surgeries and a few weeks of visitors and one worried mother he was moved to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta to start his rehabilitation.

“I remember waking up in Atlanta and my brother had counted the staples in my head,” Austin said. “He said there were 44 and when I had the staples removed it took three hours. That is some of the worst pain I have ever felt.”

Austin’s doctors continued monitoring his brain injuries as well as injuries to his eye, hip, and pelvic bone.

“When I got started on rehab and moving around

11FRANKLIN LIVING

12 FRANKLIN LIVING

they had me in a wheelchair and I didn’t like it at all,” he said. “I got out of it and said I would never be back in that thing again.”

On Nov. 7 Austin was able to return to Russellville where he surprised his football teammates in the locker room before their first-round playoff game at home.

“We tried to keep it a secret as much as we could, but Coach Heaton knew I was there and a couple of the other coaches did too,” he said. “Coach told me I was going to be captain that night and as he was announcing the captains to the team that night I walked in after he called my name. Everyone went nuts.”

Austin said it was important to him to be there for his team and he wanted to be able to support them just like they had supported him during one of the toughest times in his life.

“I wanted to be there for them even if I couldn’t play and even if all I could do was be on the sideline and watch them,” he said. “Being there to support people you care about is important.”

Austin is planning on returning to school in January and he said he plans on trying to get things “back to

as normal as possible.”“My friends and family and my church are behind

me and knowing that helps me stay motivated and determined to get things going again,” he said. “I’m working out with the baseball team and I think I can be back and able to play by March if everything works out.”

His mother is just as optimistic in the future for her son.

“I think all of this is a miracle, I really do,” she said. “To look at how everything was two months ago and to look at him now, I know it is a miracle. He is my miracle.

“I never gave up on God and I knew that God had a plan for us.”

“I never gave

up on God and

I knew that

God had a plan

for us.”

— Vicki Kitterman

TOP: Austin Kitterman, 10, runs out with his teammates before a Nov. 7 playo� game at home. Kitterman suprised his teammates in the locker room before the game. ABOVE: Community members gather to pray at the Russellville High School football stadium Sept. 29. Prayer vigils and gatherings were held in communities across northwest Alabama.

13FRANKLIN LIVING

Hovater’s Metal Works, Inc.

Licensed General Contractor

Call Greg Hovater Cell: 256-412-8086Fax: 256-332-9663

Email: [email protected]

For all your Building and Site Development needs

Hovater’sHovater’sHovater’sHovater’s

Building Trust One Project

at a Time!!

Greg Hovater and Jarrett Hovater

14 FRANKLIN LIVING

Focused on Quality Vision Care for the whole family

eye exams • vision therapy • contact lenses • prescription eyeglasses • sunglasses • designer & budget frames

Campbell Vision Center

MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED

256-332-135514378 Highway 43

Dr. Jeremy Campbell

15FRANKLIN LIVING

Writing and living wellStory by MATT WILSON

Photos by MATT WILSON and TERI LYNNE UNDERWOOD

Teri Lynne Underwood sits at her vintage typewriter in her home in Russellville. Underwood writes books, a weekly newspaper column and curates her own blog.

Blog posts, Facebook series, self-published books, and a weekly newspaper column occupy a healthy portion of Teri Lynne Underwood’s life. Tying her writing

together with her family is not only what makes her work popular, but it also makes it genuine.

Underwood curates the blog, “Permission to Live Well,” where she discusses everything from being a mother and raising a daughter to her faith and life in the church and as the wife of someone in the ministry.

“I try to be funny in the things I write,” Underwood said. “I don’t know how funny I am, but I try and be at least a little bit funny.

“I also try and inject some real life into my writing so people are able to connect,” Underwood said. “That’s where my writing comes from.”

Underwood began her writing career by posting thoughts and essays on social media and from there she has branched out by connecting with her audience through the honesty and real life

experiences she and the audience share.“I started sometime in 2005 or 2006 on sites like

Myspace and it was mainly to keep my family updated on everything that was going on,” Underwood said. “We were living in Georgia and it was just an easy way to do that.

“I had a child at home and I started connecting with people and from there I just felt the need to share my message and discuss what it is like being a mother, a wife, and a Christian.”

That message has become a hallmark for Underwood and focal point for most of her writing.

“Permission to live well was something that came to be after discussing a lot of my writing with a professional brander,” Underwood said. “She told me that it sounded like I was telling people that it was ok to live well and not have to be perfect. And when she said that to me it kind of summed up everything that I had been getting at for years.”

Underwood said that many people get wrapped up in trying to be perfect and that she wanted to

16 FRANKLIN LIVING

CLOCLWISE FROM ABOVE: Drawings and reminders in the margins of her Bible help Underwood stay focused. Underwood works from home at her dining room table. Underwood with her husband Scott and her daughter Casiday.

17FRANKLIN LIVING

show that there are many ways to be a good person without having to be perfect.

“Things don’t come easy and I wanted to reach people’s hearts and let them know that they have permission to live well,” Underwood said. “It’s ok to have a bad day as long as your heart is turned toward God and your focus is on what’s important.”

Family and community are two other large parts of the Underwood’s lives and she said the key is to let each person be who they are.

“Our three personalities are all different,” Underwood said. “I’m high strung and very driven which can drive the others crazy.

“The hardest part of being a mom, that I’ve found, is letting your child be who they are,” Underwood said. “Figuring out how to help her navigate that is the hard part.”

Underwood said she feels some pressure from writing a weekly newspaper column because of how

“Things don’t

come easy and I

wanted to reach

people’s hearts

and let them

know that they

have permission

to live well.”

— Teri Lynne Underwood

18 FRANKLIN LIVING

tight knit the community is.“There is some pressure involved with that

because I wonder how other people will take it and what they will think about what I write and what I’m saying,” Underwood said. “But I like the community and this is where my husband and I wanted to be and this is where we wanted to raise our daughter.”

Underwood said she and her husband both grew up in small towns and they wanted their daughter to have that same experience growing up.

“When we moved here we had to move our daughter out of school and out of a larger town, but

we felt like it was going to be the best thing for all of us,” Underwood said. “We prayed about everything and we ended up in Russellville and it has ended up being great.

“I think the upside of a community like this can sometimes be the downside as well,” Underwood said. “It can be tough to find your place in a small community because there is so much shared history and that can form a shell that is hard to get inside. But a big part of being in a community is being able to feel comfortable and I think we have found our place here.”

Notes in the margin of her Bible help Underwood focus on the message of what she is reading. Many of these themes are used in her writing.

19FRANKLIN LIVING

Wooten Chiropractic & Pre-Employment P.C.

Dr. Rick Wooten is now listed on the National Registry of Certifi ed Medical

Examiners for DOT Physicals

256-331-0208 • Jackson Ave., Russellville

Certifi ed Federal DOT Testing

Headstones • Grave Markers • Monuments • Cremation Urns

• Memorial Benches • Memorial Portraits • Granite

Marble • Bronze Markers • Cemetery Vases • Lettering

• We engrave death dates

In business since 1926

Atkins Marble & Granite Works, Inc.

(256) 332-2332403 E. Lawrence Street

Russellville, ALOwners: Grant & Beverly Atkins

[email protected]

We offer Welding Equipment Sales & Service • Medical & Industrial Gases

• Fire Extinguisher Sales & Service

101 East 1st Street • Sheffield, AL 256-383-5429

4 locations To Serve You: Columbus, MS • Savannah, TN

Sheffield and Haleyville, AL

OUNG WELDING SUPPLY, INC.

14131 Hwy 43 • Russellville 256-332-1881

fax: 256-332-1883

www.franklincountytimes.com

State Senator Roger Bedford

Your Hard Working Senator!

Working

to:

Carrie DeArman

of

(256) 332-7400

Behind KFC on Gandy Street

Come see Carrie for all your

Pharmacy Needs

www.familypharmacygroup.com• Easy Prescription Transfers

• FREE Deliv

ery

• Drive-thru

• Friendly Staff

HOMETOWN

PHARMACY

Local high school fo

otball season previews

See The Game Plan inside.

Red Bay routes Colbert Heights 59-28

See more on Page 12.

RBHS SADD chapter

receives national recognitio

n

See more on Page 15.

50¢ | Vol. 134, N

o. 35

Hometown Newspaper of Joan Scott —

Est. 1879 | Wednesday, A

ugust 27, 2014

Brie� y

Index

Records .........

..........

....... 3

Opinion .........

..........

....... 4

Kids .........

..........

..........

....5

Worship .........

..........

....... 6

Classifieds ....

..........

....... 9

Sports .........

..........

........ 12

Community .....

..........

... 15

REDUCE

HEAT & GLARE

Reduce

mperature by

up torees!On Air Blue 80

ELECT

DON GARRARD

Revenue Commissioner

November 4

Gordon Ave., Russellville, AL 35653

Responsible

adership

At their recent busi-

ness meeting, members

of the Franklin County

Commission voted

to

approve the closing of

the Franklin

County

Courthouse at 5 p.m. each

day on Monday – Friday

effective Sept. 1

.

Currently, the Probate

Judge’s office stays open

until 6 p.m. on Mondays,

but this is

the only offic

e

in the courthouse that is

open past 5 p.m.

Commissioners felt

it would be best to have

a uniform closing of the

Probate Judge’s office at

5 p.m. so the courthouse

itself could also close at 5

p.m. each day.

The Franklin County

Sheriff’s Offic

e will be

conducting traffic

safety

checkpoints this week-

end in conjunction with

the Alabama Department

of Public Safety’s “Drive

Sober or Get Pulled Over”

campaign. Checkpoints

l be set up at various

s throughout the

inning this

Courthouse

receives

new hours

Checkpoints

this weekend

By Bart Moss

For the FCT

United States Senator

Jeff Sessions

and

Congressman Robert

Aderholt visite

d one

of Franklin

County’s

leading employers,

International

Hearth

Products (IHP) this past

week.

Due to

scheduling

conflicts, Sessions and

Aderholt made separate

visits, but both came at

the behest of company

officials concerned about

a new Environmental

Protection Agency (E

PA)

rule that has the poten-

tial to

cost their in

dustry

several million dolla

rs

and hundreds of jobs.

According to th

e EPA,

the new rules – set to go

into effect in February

2015 – are supposed to

reduce air emissions

from wood burning and

pellet-fu

eled stoves as

well as fir

eplace inserts,

which are products pro-

duced by IHP.

IHP officials said th

ey

are absolutely committed

to clear air and producing

compliant products, but

the new rule goes beyond

the intended goals and

could prove very costly

to the in

dustry.

Mark Klein, president

and CEO of IHP, said in

a statement that while

the company welcomes

Sessions, Aderholt visit I

HP

PHOTO BY BART MOSS

Sam Scarbrough, IHP plant m

anager, talks to Russellville Mayor D

avid

Grissom, IHP’s V.P. of Engineering and Quality Mike Pennington, and

Sen. Jeff Sessions.

See VISIT, Page 7

PHOTO BY KELLIE SINGLETON

Franklin County Arts and Humanities Council member Judy Horton sells tickets last Saturday to the firs

t movie shown at th

e historic Roxy Theatre

since 1976.

Kellie Singleton

kellie.singleton@

franklincountytimes.com

The historic Roxy

Theatre in downtown

Russellville

opened its

doors on Aug. 15, not to

host a ty

pical concert or

recital,

but to actually

show a feature-length

movie for the first time

since 1976.

Crowds of people fil

ed

into the theatre that

afternoon to see “Elvis

on Tour”, which is a

musical documentary

about the King of Rock

and Roll.

Showing a feature-

length movie is major

milestone that members


Arts and Humanities

Council have been work-

ing toward for many

years, and council mem-

ber Wanda Myrick said

last Saturday’s event

was the beginning of

what they hoped would

be a monthly tradition at

the Roxy Theatre.

“Being able to show

a movie at the Roxy for

the first time in more

than 40 years was a very

special thing for us and

something all of us on

the council were excite

d

about,” Myrick said.

“We put the event

together quickly so that

we could do it in conjunc-

tion with

the Watermelon

Festival, so considering

the short notic

e, we had

a good turnout.

“We are already plan-

ning and finalizing plans

for movies that will be

shown at the theater in

the next two months,

More movies planned at R

oxy

See ROXY, Page 2

Kellie Singleton

kellie.singleton@


A community tip

led to

the arrest of tw

o cousins

last week after 92 meth

labs were

discovered in

their posses-

sion, author-

ities said.

D o n a l d

Wa

yn

e

Clark, Jr., 34,

18966 U.S. 43,

Russellville

,

was charged

with 92

counts first-

degree man-

u f a c t u r i n g

a controlled

substance.

Bi l l y

Wa

yn

e

Clark, 35, 400

Cotaco St.,

Russellville

, was charged

with 20 counts of fir

st-

degree manufacturing a

controlled substance.

According to Franklin

County Sheriff Shannon

Oliver, this is the larg-

est number of meth labs

found in one location in

Men

arrested

for 92

meth labs

See METH, Page 2

Donald

Clark, Jr.

Billy

Clark

Kellie Singleton

kellie.si

ngleton@

franklin

countytimes.c

om

PHIL CAMPBELL —

A local woman was kille

d

on Friday in a car crash

that occurred near Phil

Campbell.

According to

the

ma State Troopers,

r Allen, 73, of

was killed

rolet

she was driving left

Franklin County 81 and

struck a ditch three miles

east of Phil Campbell.

The single-vehicle

crash occurred at 11:58

a.m. Troopers said she was

not using a seat b

elt and

was pronounced dead at

the scene. Nothing further

is available as Alabama

State Troopers continue

to investigate th

e crash.

Local killed in crash Kellie

Singleton

kellie.singleton@


RED BAY — Being

prepared is the most

important step in many

areas of life, but it

’s espe-

cially essentia

l when it

comes to self-p

rotection.

With reports of vio-

lence in th

e news every

day, there is a growing

trend, especially among

women, to be adequately

prepared in the event

that they ever need to

provide protection for

themselves or someone

else.Members of the Red

Bay Police Departm

ent

are offering an opportu-

nity for area women to

be prepared in th

ese sit-

uations by hostin

g their

Women’s Basic Handgun

Course on Thursday,

Sept. 4, from 6 p.m. – 9

p.m. and Saturday, S

ept.

6, from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m

.

at the Red Bay Police

Department.

Red Bay Police Chief

Janna Jackson said the

course will be taught

by Red Bay Police Lt.

Scottie Belue, who is a

certified FBI

firearms

instructor.

RBPD offering handgun class

See CLASS

, Page 2

State Senator Roger Bedford

Your Hard Working Senator!

Working

to:

Carrie DeArman

of

(256) 332-7400

Behind KFC on Gandy Street

Come see Carrie for all your

Pharmacy Needs

www.familypharmacygroup.com

• Easy Prescription Transfers

• FREE Delivery

• Drive-thru

• Friendly Staff

HOMETOWN

PHARMACY

It pays to be a Cattleman.

See more on page 2.

RHS cruises past Deshler in home opener.

See more sports on page 12.

Meet Phil Campbell’s Homecoming court.

See more on page 15.

50¢ | Vol. 134, No. 36

Hometown Newspaper of Angie Skidmore — Est. 1879 | Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Brie� y

Obits

Index

For a complete list, see page 3.

Vicky Jo Tompkins —

August 29, 2014

Carolyn Marie Lynch

Bishop — August 27, 2014

Tricia Reeves — August

27, 2014

Roy Carmack Garner,

Jr. — August 30, 2014

Records .............

.............

3

Opinion .............

.............

4

Kids .............

..............

......5

Worship .............

.............

6

Classifieds .............

........ 9

Sports .............

..............

12

Community Spotlight 15

Come see

Pamfor youring

Covering all the

news because

everything is

important to

meone1

- -

- -heffield, AL

REDUCE

HEAT & GLARE

Reduce

Temperature by

up to

30 Degrees!

On Air Blue 80

ELECT

DON GARRARD

Revenue Commissioner

November 4

Pd. Pol. Adv By: Don Garrard, 120 Gordon Ave., Russellville, AL 35653Responsible

Leadership

EMT arrested following transport

Kellie Singleton

kellie.singleton@


A local ambulance

service employee was

arrested last Tuesday

after authorities said

she failed a field sobri-

ety test following the

transport of a patient.

Pleasant Bay

Ambulance Service

employee Gina Jones,

38, of Franklin 25 in

Red Bay, was arrested

on charges of reck-

less endangerment and

public intoxication,

Russellville Police Chief

Chris Hargett said.

According to Hargett,

the Russellville Police

Department received a

call morning Tuesday

stating Jones had helped

with the transport of

a patient to an area

hospital and that she

appeared to be under the

influence of some type

of substance that wasn’t

alcohol.

Hargett said when

officers arrived on the

scene, they performed

a routine field sobriety

test on Jones.

Hargett said Jones

failed the test and was

arrested at that time.

Jones consented to a

blood test, and Hargett

said the blood has been

sent to forensics to deter-

mine what substances

were in her system at

the time of her arrest.

Jones, who is the

daughter of Pleasant

Bay owner Elzie Malone,

is a part-time emergency

medical technician with

the company.

Malone said Jones

has been placed on leave

pending the result of

the forensic analysis,

but Malone said Jones

denies that she was

under the influence of

any substance at the

time of her arrest.

PHOTO BY KELLIE SINGLETON

Pictured (L to R): WES librarian Mary Kay Rogers, Carol Glass, Jemma Moore, Connor Evans, Jake Sturdivant, Audrey Oliver, Annette Sturdivant,

Shirley Ezzell and Elizabeth Glass.

Local group donates books

Kellie Singleton

kellie.singleton@


Farming is an essen-

tial industry that is most

often the starting point

for many other indus-

tries. Its effects are far-

reaching and it’s safe to

say that we wouldn’t be

able to make it too long

without the men and

women who are part of

this essential facet of

our world.

Because of its impor-

tance, one local group

is doing their part to

promote farming to our

county’s youth through

the donation of books

at local elementary

schools.

The Women’s

Leadership Division of

the Franklin County

Farmer’s Federation

recently donated seven

books with farm-relat-

ed themes to West

Elementary School in

Russellville.

The books will be

added to the collection

of 18 books the group

donated in February

2013 along with a unique

New

PCHS

opening

delayed

Kellie Singleton

kellie.singleton@


PHIL CAMPBELL –

Students and faculty at

Phil Campbell High School

will have to wait a little

while longer before they

are finally able to attend

school at the new PCHS.

According to Franklin

County Schools

Superintendent Gary

Williams, the best case

scenario was to have the

school ready for occupa-

tion the day after Labor

Day, but Williams said

there were still a few

things that had to be com-

pleted before that could

happen.

“The main thing is the

parking lot,” Williams

said.“We didn’t want to send

the students back to school

without the parking lot

being completed, mainly

because that would pose

some safety concerns if

Phil Campbell

receives $100K grant

Kellie Singleton

kellie.singleton@


PHIL CAMPBELL

— The town of Phil

Campbell is getting clos-

er to completing neces-

sary sewer improvement

projects thanks to the

continued support from

state officials and agen-

cies.Sen. Roger Bedford

recently announced that

he has secured a $100,000

grant from the Alabama

Department of Economic

Affairs for the town of

Phil Campbell.

The funding will assist

the town in the replace-

ment of two sewer pump

stations.

“I’m proud that

through our efforts, we

were able to secure much

needed funding for the

town of Phil Campbell,”

Bedford said.

“This grant will

enable Phil Campbell to

continue to provide out-

standing infrastructure

Water board starting new project

Kellie Singleton

kellie.singleton@


The Russellville Water

and Sewer Board is offi-

cially moving forward

with plans to build a new

raw water pump station

that will not only better

serve the board’s cur-

rent customers but will

allow the board to pro-

vide adequate services

for future customers for

many years to come.

Members of the

water board,

the

Alabama Department

of Environmental

Management (ADEM),

the city of Russellville,

B.H. Craig Construction

Company, Inc., and

Utility Engineering

Consultants, LLC, met

last Wednesday to break

ground on the station.

Russellville Water and

Sewer manager Doug

Clement said the project

is being made possible

through a $500,000 grant

from the Tennessee

Valley Authority, admin-

istered through the

ADEM Drinking Water

State Revolving Fund,

coupled with funding

provided as low interest

loans to total the $1.3 mil-

lion final cost.

Clement said the new

raw water pump sta-

tion would allow the

Russellville Water and

Sewer Board to pump

up to 12 million gallons

of water per day into

their plant – a signifi-

cant jump from the six

million gallons the plant

is currently capable of

processing.

“What this means for

us is that we will be able

to continue providing

the same level of quality

See PROJECT

, Page 7

See EMT, Page 11

See PCHS, Page 7

See GRANT, Page 7

See BOOKS, Page 11

Courthouse

closing at 5 p.m.

At their recent busi-

ness meeting, members


Commission voted to

approve the closing of

the Franklin County

Courthouse at 5 p.m. each

day on Monday – Friday

effective Sept. 1.

Currently, the Probate

Judge’s office stays open

until 6 p.m. on Mondays,

but this is the only office

in the courthouse that is

open past 5 p.m.

Commissioners felt

it would be best to have

a uniform closing of the

Probate Judge’s office at

5 p.m. so the courthouse

itself could also close at 5

p.m. each day.

Dairy Margin

Protection

Program

Agriculture Secretary

Tom Vilsack announced

that starting Sept. 2,

2014, farmers can enroll

in the new dairy Margin

Protection Program. Visit

FSA online at www.fsa.

usda.gov/factsheets, or

stop by a local FSA office

to learn more about this

program.

Life in the great

outdoors

One local family makes

camping a priority

Hunting a major part of the

fall season in Franklin County

o e 4 Vol. 4 Issue No.

Enjoying life after 50

Travel important to many after retirement

Local couple competes in Alabama Senior Olympics

e e e 4 Vol. 4 Issue No.

May Vol. 4 Issue No. 4

Feeding those in

needLocal bakery offers fr

e

made pastries

test: Franklin Co

estaurant

Covering news & events that are special to Franklin County.

2513 E. Avalon • Muscle Shoals(256)383-8335

117 S. Jackson Ave. • Russellville (256)332-2061

Sinclair-Lawrence & Associates Insurance

For all Your Insurance Needs Call...

20 FRANKLIN LIVING20

This cute and classy bangle pack by Mud Pie will keep your little one’s things together with style. Ava’s China & Gifts $31.99

FRANKLIN LIVINGFRANKLIN LIVING

for all agesClassy gifts

Spread your love into the kitchen with these functional and cute tea towels by Servant’s Heart. Audrey’s Gifts & Décor $13

Display that special moment of your little one’s life in this adorable “For This Child I Have Prayed,” Glory Haus picture frame. Audrey’s Gifts & Décor $29

Add that something extra to your outfit with these cross earrings by Pish Posh. Ava’s China & Gifts $18.99

Welcome your guests with this fun, burlap door hanger

by Silvestri. Audrey’s

Gifts & Décor $34.99

This red décor with cross detailing by Jennie Hillman will be the perfect touch in decorating your home. Ava’s China & Gifts $27.99

This cute and classy bangle pack by Mud Pie will keep your little one’s things together with

Ava’s China & Gifts $31.99

This cute and classy bangle pack by Mud Pie will keep your little one’s things together with

Ava’s China & Gifts $31.99

WHAT’S HOT

21FRANKLIN LIVING

Classi� edsTo place an ad in Franklin Living, call 256.332.1881

Drivers: OTR Needed. Home Weekends, Great Pay & Qualitiy Equpiment. Class A CDL, Clean MVR. 1yr Exp Req. Health, Dental, RX, 401k. / Jay: 256-432-3944Mon-Fr 8a-5p

Company Drivers and Owner OperatorsHome at least once a wk. Exc bene� ts, pay. Must have Class A CDL w Hazmat & Tanker endorsements, 2 yrs OTR exp, good safety record. 800-338-2717

JOBS IN ALABAMA!! AIDT assists employers throughout AL by identifying quali� ed applicants by recruitment, screening & training services. Visit www.aidt.edu/jobs for latest jobs & training!

Caregivers & Nurses ALWAYS THERE IN-HOME CARE Immediate need, Flexible hours, Bene� ts available. Call for more information 256-539-1400 www.alwaysthereinc.com

ANN’S ALTERATIONS600 Limestone Street, Suite #6Hartselle, AL / 256-773-4213

5” Seamless Gutters$0.72 /sq ft(includes downspouts)Blue River Gutterswww.bluerivergutters.com256-303-3729

102 Gin Oak Ct. MadisonFormally Target Automotive 3,841 SFB2 Community Commercial District 2.30 acres. Call Bonnie Rawlinson 256-348-4520

Piano Tuning / Repair, Re� nishing, Moving & Storage Trained by The School for the Blind. Buddy Gray Music. 205-822-0482 or 800-593-2462

Cracker Barrel Decatur Hiring servers and dishwashers. Nights & weekends. Apply in person: 407 Beltline Rd SW Decatur, AL 35601

CARRY TRANSIT Decatur, Alabama Now hiring DRIVERS * Good Pay * Excellent Bene� ts & Home Time * 18 Months OTR exp. * Class A CDL with Tanker Endorsement. Apply on Line@ CarryTransit.com

Looking for a home? Need help with � nancing?Call your neighbors down the street at Davis Realty. We can help you get a great rate!Call Willodean 256-762-5671Davis Realty & Assoc. Inc.115 N. Jackson Ave., Russellville, AL / 256-332-9920

Need MIG Welders! Must pass criminal and drug screen. 256-751-5092. Apply in person:1901 John D Long Dr, Hartselle, AL 35640

DEPENDABLE DOZER & DIRT256-332-4854

Fireco Under New Mgmt MGRS/ASST MGRS/ PT& FT. Sales & Clerical Needed. Positive Attitude & Grateful Personality Req. No Exp Needed. Call Josh 256-261-1373 Wkly Pay Plus Bene� ts

Franklin Homes inRussellville, Alabama is currently taking applications for anExperienced Service Technician with a clean driving record. Excellent bene� ts available.Please apply in person at 10655 Hwy 43, Russellville Alabama or send your resume to [email protected].

Kubota L3940 HST 4x4 w/ 871 hrs, 41HP, QA Kubota Loader & Bucket: $17,700. New 5’ Titan Bush Hog w/ Slip Clutch: $975. The Hollow 300 Fertilizer Spreader: $400 / 256-565-8695 (no txt)

HOME FOR SALE Financing Available (wac)Low Down Payments Russellville, Falkville,& Belle Mina Call Matt 1-855-847-6808

Come Home to Holiday Plaza Apartments (Behind Foodland) Equal Housing Opportunity 256-332-2960

Are you a people person?Put your cheerful, encouraging demeanor to work as a Home Instead CAREGiver. Our non-medical companionship and home-helper service supports seniors to live safely and independently in their homes. Join our team!Home Instead Senior CareCall Today 256-883-3080

TIRED OF WORKING FOR SOMEONE ELSE? BE YOUR OWN BOSS!James R. Smith Trucking of Cullman, AL is currently seeking Owner -Operators. Bene� ts incl: Daily Settlements; Direct Deposit or Express Cash; 100% Of Fuel Surcharge, Stop & Drop Pay; Discounts on Fuel, Cell Phones & Tires; Pre-Pass Furnished; Exc. Home/Family Time & A Payroll Deducted Truck Purchase Plan. TransFlo Contact Greg Quick at 256.338.5168 or 800.841.9642

Hickory Heights Lots.4 - 1.2 acres $32,00-$52,000Call 256-773-9554

JONES OUTDOOR SERVICES Tree Care Specialist since 1987 Call 256-773-4013

KDC Properties, Inc.256-355-9090P.O. Box 987Decatur, AL 35602kdcpropertiesinc.comJ. Wesley Cain, AL #286; TN #6499

HOME WEEKENDS $1,000 sign on bonus.Regional � atbed. Exc. pay & bene� ts. Owner/operatorswelcome. 800-554-5661 Ext 331 tlxtransport.jobs

Marshall Concrete Driveways, Sidewalks, Patios, Slabs.Also Pressure Washing. Free EstimatesLicensed & Insured256-227-9118

AUTOBODY TECHMust have experience in bumper to bumper repairs. (256)837-7466

We Buy ATVsMotorcycles & Utility VehiclesMotorsports Superstore888-880-2277Hamilton, AL

SPRING CLEAN-UP Need a Dumpster? Call 205-893-7223

For Sale or LeaseTotally remodeled older home in Madison,Monrovia, & Harvest4bd/2 full bathsImmed avail. Super clean $95,000 Owner Fininancing Avail.Sale info 256-797-0196Lease info 256-508-6418

Smith MotorsTwo locations onHwy 31, DecaturLot #1 256-350-9938Lot #2 256-350-9937smithmotorsautosales.com

SURVEILLANCE CAMERA MONITORED 24 HOURS A DAY STORAGE BUILDINGS For Rent, All Sizes. Russellville, AL. We Accept Credit Cards. Call Jerry 256-332-9253 or 256-412-5392 Mon-Fri. 8am-5pm, Sat. 8am-12pm

Steel Building Bargains Allocated Discounts We do deals 30x40, 50x60, 100x100 and more Total Construction and Blueprints Available gosteelbuildings.com Source #18X 251-241-4250

Supreme Beverage Co is looking for delivery drivers with valid Class A driver’s license, clear MVR, DOT cert, ability to repetitively lift, pull and push 50+ lbs. Apply @supremebeverage.com

TED MILLSHeating & A/CService & Change out$65 Spring ServiceFree Estimates256-412-5408

The Lilly Company. Now Hiring IC and Electrical Techs for Forklift Dealership. No [email protected]

EFP, INC NOW HIRINGLocal Haul Truck Drivers3 yrs exp & CDL required. Full time/Part time/Weekends. For application or more info call Nicole Johns334-687-6000 X 18

FREE Recycling. We come to you. Computers, toner, software, printers, etc. Call 615-442-8697. www.tmwitherspoon.com

Town Hill Mini Storage160 UnitsVacanciesAll Sizes256-332-9928

Insurance InspectorPT independent contractor needed for commercial Loss Control services in central and northern AL areas. Exp req’d. Email resume [email protected]

High quality painting int & ext, sheet rock repair &installation, siding repair &installation, carpentry incl. No height too steep!! FREE Pressure Washing For details call 256-746-0646

MANUFACTURED HOMES MOBILE HOMES with land. Ready to move in. Owner � nancing with approved credit. 3 bdrm., 2 bath. No renters.1-205-289-8899VMFhomes.com

Become a Dental Asst. in ONLY 8 WEEKS! Please visit our website capstonedentalassisting.com or call (205) 561-8118 and get your career started!

22 FRANKLIN LIVING

Cookingwith Sam Recipes by SAM WARF

Cheeseburger Paradise Soup

6 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed1 small carrot, grated1 small onion, chopped1/2 cup chopped green pepper2 tbsp. chopped & seeded jalapeno

pepper3 cups water2 tbsp. plus 2 tsp. beef bouillon granules2 garlic cloves, minced 1/8 tsp. pepper

2 pounds ground beef1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms2 tbsp. butter5 cups milk, divided6 tbsp. all-purpose flour1 package (16 oz) process cheese

(Velveeta), cubedCrumbled cooked bacon

1. In a large pot, combine the first nine ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until

potatoes are fork tender.2. In a large skillet, brown beef and

mushrooms in butter over medium heat until done; drain. Add to soup. Stir in 4 cups milk; heat through.

3. In a small bowl, combine the flour and remaining milk until smooth; stir into the soup gradually. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce the heat; stir in cheese until melted. Garnish with bacon or fresh tomato and lettuce.

FOOD

23FRANKLIN LIVINGFRANKLIN LIVING

Cream & Onion Pu� s

1/2 small onion, peeled, finely chopped

1/2 cup mayo3 tbsp. cheesesea salt & pepper to taste8 slices of white bread

Preheat oven to 350˚. Mix all ingredients together, except bread. Cut bread with a 1” round cookie cutter. Toast bread first, then spread mixture, sprinkle with cheese. Broil and serve.

Cowboy Cookies

3/4 cup flour3/4 tsp. baking powder3/4 tsp. baking soda3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon1/4 tbsp. unsalted butter6 tbsp. sugar6 tbsp. light brown sugar1 egg3/4 tsp. vanilla extract3/4 cup rolled oats3/4 cup semi-sweet

chocolate chips1/2 cup chopped pecans1/2 cup coconut

Preheat oven to 350˚. Mix first 5 ingredients. In a large bowl add rest of the ingredients, when well mixed, add first bowl. Drop by tablespoon full onto cookie sheets. Bake 16-18 minutes.

Fiesta Chicken Soup

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 cans chicken broth1 can kidney beans

(undrained1 cup salsa1 cup nibbler corn1/2 cup instant rice1/2 cup Monterey Jack

cheese

Cut chicken into 1 inch pieces. In a large saucepan combine chicken, broth, beans, salsa and corn. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes or until chicken is done. Stir in rice. Cover. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes. Top with cheese.

Texas Caviar

2-15 g. can of black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup of cilantro1/4 cup olive oil1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1 clove garlic1 sriracha chili, stemmed, seeded and chopped1/2 red bell pepper1/2 red onion

Mix everything together, chill 4 hours. Serve on lettuce leaves.

7-Up Pound Cake

2 sticks of margarine1/2 cup of shortening1 1/2 tsp. lemon extract1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract3 cups of all-purpose flour7 ounces of 7-Up3 cups of sugar5 eggs

Preheat oven to 300˚. Cream margarine, shortening and sugar. Add extracts. Add one egg at a time. Add flour and 7-Up alternately. Beat after each addition. Finish with 7-Up. Generously spray 10” tube pan with canola oil. Cook at 300˚ for 1 hour or until it “tests done”. After taking pan out of the oven, let it sit for 30 minutes before flipping over on a plate.

24 FRANKLIN LIVING

First United Methodist Church of Red Bay and Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church of Newburg are featured on the Hallelujah Trail, a tourist attraction by the Alabama Mountain Lakes

Tourist Association.Both churches are over 100 years old and are in their

original placements. First United Methodist Church in Red Bay was

organized in 1882, and is still active today. “Some families can go back, grand, great-

grandfathers,” said Teresa Fears, secretary of the church.

Fears has been attending the church since 1969 and said the reason she thinks it’s still so active is because

generation after generation have continued to come worship.

Pastor, Mitch Nethery, said he thinks the reason the church is still active after a century is the same reason Red Bay is still booming.

“A lot of it has to do with families and people staying close by,” he said. “The community focused on the church to begin with and now the church has to focus on the community to stay afloat.”

Outreach programs provided by First United Methodist help to keep members and people of the community coming back. Along with Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for those less fortunate, there is also a food pantry and a fund given to Red Bay High School for elementary students who can’t afford snacks.

Work release inmates from Hamilton are familiar

Local churches featured on Hallelujah Trail

Story by LAUREN THORNTON TOBIN

Photos by LAUREN THORNTON TOBIN

25FRANKLIN LIVING

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church in the Newburg community is part of the Hallelujah Trail. A wooden cross stands next to the original Mt. Pleasant Church in Newburg. Gravestones dating back to the mid-nineteenth century stand outside of the church in Newburg. A cross welcomes visitors to the First United Methodist Church in Red Bay.

faces to Fears and Nethery. Once every quarter inmates doing community service in Red Bay are provided a meal.

“They are all given a Christmas present,” said Fears. “It’s something they look forward to.”

While there, Nethery preaches devotion, but he said there’s no obligations for the prisoners.

Although they haven’t had anyone return to church services after his release date, Fears said one man did write the church a letter of appreciation.

With the Allegro repair shop and RV park nearby, Fears said it’s not unusual to see new faces.

Nethery said a mother and daughter from New York were visiting a grandmother in the area and came to church to volunteer for the Thanksgiving dinner.

First United has not always run smoothly. Fears said about four years ago, two of the most active members died within a month of each other.

The man and woman were the ones who knew most about the technicalities of the church such as the air conditioning unit and the computer.

“It had to be a huge shock,” Nethery said. Rather than members straying away, they banded

together to learn how to take care of the church.Members have come a long way in the century

that First United Methodist has been in existence.

Where they once sat on split logs to worship, there is a sanctuary building all to itself.

Nethery said the sanctuary was renovated in 2009. “It doesn’t look new, it doesn’t look old. It looks

clean and well done,” he said.Fears said it was the first renovation it’s had since

she’s attended.What was once all in one building, the sanctuary,

Sunday school rooms, offices and fellowship hall, are now three separate buildings.

The newest addition to the church is the digital sign, which Fears said she thinks helps attracts new faces.

Nethery said there are usually about 130 people in attendance on Sunday mornings and the member count remains about the same.

“It may spike up, but never down,” he said. Fears said, “If it does go down, here comes another

family in and it’s about the same.” Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church in the Newburg

community no longer has services, but the building is still standing. Behind it is a cemetery where the graves date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Among those who are laid to rest in the cemetery are Confederate soldiers.

Some of the head stones are so old that the writing has worn off of them, and some are simply unmarked.

26 FRANKLIN LIVING


FCCDC representative Kathy Hall and Sen. Roger Bedford present checks to Meletha Walker and Kathy Alfaro for the Tharptown Singing Class.

Sen. Roger Bedford and FCCDC representative Kathy Hall present checks to Robyn Taylor and Emily Wilson for IPad purchases at Russellville West Elementary.

FCCDC representative Kathy Hall and Sen. Roger Bedford present checks to Shelton Bird, Justin Rickard, Sam Evans, Dillon Hatton, Colton Cox and Jase Gallagher for Russellville Golden Tiger Anglers.

FCCDC representative Kathy Hall and Sen. Roger Bedford present checks to Phil Campbell cheerleaders, Brooklynn Scott, Leeah Jackson, and Olivia Knight for the purchase of new equipment.

OUT & ABOUT

27FRANKLIN LIVING

without VISTAwith VISTASAVE ENERGY & REDUCE HEAT AND GLARE, ASK US HOW?

FREE ESTIMATES

14404 HWY. 43RUSSELLVILLE, AL

Call us today!!For Spring Maintenance

et us arn our usiness

Franklin County Business & Service Directory

If you would like to advertise your business or service in this directory, call Nicole at 256-332-1881

RussellvilleHotel & Suites

• Banquet & Conference Facilities Avail.

• 40” HD flat panel Televisions

• Complimentary Deluxe HOT Breakfast

• Free Wi-Fi

• Large Whirlpool Suites

13770 Hwy 43, Russellville, AL 256-332-1002

Each Best Western branded hotel is independently owned and operated.

28 FRANKLIN LIVING

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Citizens outside the Phil Campbell Post Office circa 1912. • Mr. Foster Gavin. • Inside the Orman Dearing Building on Jackson Ave. • Col. John W. Harris, Jr.

LOOKING BACK

29FRANKLIN LIVING

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Jessie and Bessie Thomas Rich circa 1913. • The Russellville Civitans circa 1939 by the Orman Dearing Building. Back Row: Victor Wood, Dr. Price Clayton, C.C. Kindig, Dr. W.H. Spruell, C. Woody Underwood, Dr. Tom Bonds, Dr. W.E. Wilson, S.C. Pinnion, M.C.

Giles, Abe Albert. Front Row: W.H. Key Jr., Guy McIntosh, Ben Meadows, Dr. A.L. Owens, Dr. N.P. Underwood, O.L. Coleman, Terriel Hutchins, James Wilson, W.H. Parr, Otis Brown. • Sunday School class at Kimbrough’s Chapel. • Pictured is the Citizens Bank staff on March 3, 1950, at Foster Gavin’s

retirement: Wilma Ruth Carter, Oliva Batchelor, C.W. James, Charlie Cook, Exie Porter, Bill Hester, and Foster Gavin (seated). • Russellville Class of 1936. Contributed. • Pictured is Charles Barton Kimbrough standing in front of the first bus in Russellville, which he built.

LOOKING BACK

30 FRANKLIN LIVING

PARTING SHOT

“The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.”

– Ernest Hemingway

31FRANKLIN LIVING

www.tif nmotorhomes.com

Donald Robbins

Walter Sparks

Tif n Motor Homes105 Second Street NW • Red Bay, AL

256-356-8661

Motorhomes have changed dramatically since Walter Sparks came to work for Tif- n Motorhomes almost 38 years ago.

Back then he worked on cabinets inside the coaches. But for more than 20 years now, he is responsible for installing every breaker box that comes through the line at the TMH Red Bay plant.

“I sure didn’t think I would be doing this 38 years later,” Sparks said. “But the Tif- ns and the company have been good to me all these years.”

With so many changes in the electrical components of the motorhomes, Sparks’ job is constantly evolving. “It’s de nitely different than when I started doing this. There are so many electrical components that change each year, there’s always something new.”

And if staying on top of the latest elec-trical changes at work is not enough to

keep him busy, his second job certainly is. Sparks serves as the pastor of a Golden, Miss., church and also tries spending as much time as possible with his ve grand-children.

“There is always something to do with the church,” he said. “But that is a calling and I am blessed to do it.”

Aside from his two jobs, Sparks enjoys camping and shing, two things that allow him to spend time with his family.

“That gives me time to be with my ve kids and ve grandchildren so I have al-ways enjoyed that,” he said.

Sparks said his decision to work at TMH in the mid-1970s turned out to be something that he could have never imagined. “Every-thing is so much different than it was back then and there have been a lot of people to come and go, but it has been a good place to work and everyone has been good to me.”

Donald Robbins’ 14-year career at Tif- n Motorhomes can almost be divided into two separate, distinct tenures.

The Hamilton native and now Red Bay resident, spent the rst 10 years of his TMH career working as an electri-cian. He has spent the past four years as an inspector.

“It is totally different from what I used to do,” he said. “I have really enjoyed it though.”

As an inspector, he is one of the nal people to check each unit before they are released to dealers.

“We inspect the entire motorhome and look at every detail,” he said. “A prob-lem might range from a small scratch on a cabinet door to a major thing like a gas or water leak or a problem with a slide-out.”

The job can be daunting, but Robbins insists that he enjoys getting to look at different units and nd things that need to be corrected before they leave the plant.

“There are always going to be little things that slip by, but we work hard to make sure that we catch everything that we can so any problems can be corrected as soon as possible,” he said.

When he’s not checking other people’s work, Robbins describes himself as an avid outdoorsman who loves to hunt and sh, especially on the Tennessee River. “We have great lakes here but for some reason I just really enjoy shing the riv-er, so that’s where I go most of the time.”

He is also an archery enthusiast who has already been getting prepared for the upcoming bow-hunting season.

“I have always loved the outdoors and hunting and shing and shooting guns and bows, so that’s the main hobby that I have.”

Robbins and his wife, Kimberly, have three children; 20 year-old Kyle, and two 17 year-olds, Brock and Kaitlyn.

“This has been a good place for me to work for my family and I really enjoy what I do.”

32 FRANKLIN LIVING

Documents

Franklin Living Jan/Feb 2015