Franklin LIVING SUMMER 2012 . VOL. 2 ISSUE NO. 2
Volunteers work for Mountain View County offers great choices for golf enthusiasts
ing d l i u B t Trus ject Pro One Time!! at a
Hovater’s Metal Works, Inc. Licensed General Contractor For all your Building and Site Development needs
Jarrett Hovater and Greg Hovater
Call Greg Hovater at Cell: 256-412-8086 Fax: 256-332-9663 or Email: hovaterg@bellsouth.net Quality Construction • Every Phase Of The Way
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. Medicare or private insurance may cover these stays.
Phillip & Sherene Wade
390 Underwood Rd. • Russellville, AL FRANKLIN LIVING
256-332-3826
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elcome to summertime Alabama. Sure, it’s hot and humid but that’s part of what we love about summer in the South. Whether we are grilling with friends, swimming with the kids or enjoying an afternoon of golf with the buddies, there is plenty to love about this time of year. And fortunately for us, we can do it all right here in Franklin County. With some of the most beautiful lakes in north Alabama, two of the finest golf courses within driving distance and an abundance of other outdoor activities available, Franklin County is the place to be this summer. We hope you enjoy reading through this edition of Franklin Living, which we take great pride in using to showcase and spotlight the people and places of Franklin County. Franklin Living was recently named the Best Niche Publication of its size in the state of Alabama in the Alabama Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest. We were excited to have it recognized as one of the state’s best by our peers, but we are even more excited about the positive response we have received from our friends and neighbors right here in Franklin County. We hope you, our loyal and regular readers of Franklin Living, enjoy these stories as much as we enjoy telling them.
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What’s happening?
See the Calendar of Events for can’t miss summer activities
What’s hot?
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View some of the latest summer decorations and fashions
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Keepin’ the faith
FCNI Publisher Jonathan Willis with his wife, Mandi, and sons, Cade, 2, and Ty, 5.
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Wades design outdoor space ideal for entertaining
On the go
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Protect your eyes this summer
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Foster spends retirement traveling the world
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Outpouring of supporters help rebuild Mountain View Baptist
Summer health tips
Cabana nights
Give it a squeeze
Dishes you must try for your summer cookouts
Fore!
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County courses offer options for golf enthusiasts
Pinkard Funeral Home, Inc. We offer ff an affordable ff ff d bl preneed d plan l to t fi fitt your budget. b d t All money is funded thru an Insurance Company.
Call for appointment 27305 Hwy. 24 E • Russellville 256-332-7772
1308 21st Street • Haleyville 205-486-7662
www.pinkardfh.com
Mike Jones Financial Advisor - AAMS
128 N. Jackson Avenue Russellville, AL 35653 Ofc. 256-332-7924 Toll Free: 888-383-7332 mike.jones@edwardjones.com www.edwardjones.com
FRANKLIN COUNTY ARCHIVES and RESEARCH CENTER 300 E. Limestone St. P.O. Box 298 Russellville, AL 35653 256-332-8827 archive@hiwaay.net
Mary C. (Chris) Ozbirn
Director
Franklin
LIVING
Franklin Living is published four times per year by Franklin County Newspapers, Inc. Copyright 2011 by Franklin County Newspapers, Inc.
P.O. Box 1088 • Russellville, AL 35653 256-332-1881 • fax: 256-332-1883 www.franklincountytimes.com 6
Publisher Jonathan Willis Editorial J.R. Tidwell and Kellie Singleton Photography Heather Mouser Sales Peggy Hyde and Nicole Pell Composition Karen McAfee Circulation Thomas Douglas FRANKLIN LIVING
WHAT TO DO
Jam on Sloss Lake July 4 One of North Alabama’s largest fireworks displays takes place right here in Franklin County at Sloss Lake on Alabama 24 in Russellville. An afternoon filled with music, games and fun is highlighted by a spectacular fireworks show once the sun goes down. The Cotton Flats Cruisers will also host their third annual car show during the day, featuring an assortment of classic cars and truck from across the area.
Rockin’ at the Roxy July 14, August 11, September 8 The Franklin County Arts and Humanities Council hosts the
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Rockin’ at the Roxy concert series the second Saturday each month.
Vina July Fest July 28 The annual Vina July Fest attracts visitors from all over the area. Come out and enjoy games, crafts and giveaways.
Watermelon Festival August 17 & 18 Come enjoy a good time in downtown Russellville this August at the Franklin County Watermelon Festival, hosted by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. The Watermelon Festival has been recognized as one of the top attractions in the state of Alabama each August. The two-day festival includes con-
certs, games, crafts, vendors and all the watermelon you can eat.
Municipal Elections August 28 Don’t forget to vote for your city’s officials on August 28.
Labor Day September 3
Red Bay Founders Fest September 15 Come explore all the charm the small, Southern town of Red Bay has to offer at their annual Founders Fest celebration downtown. Take part in the games, enjoy the entertainment, see the arts and crafts and eat some of the delicious food provided by the vendors.
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OUT & ABOUT Franklin County residents always turn out for the annual Relay for Life in support of the American Cancer Society. Pictured are: 1. Bob Seeley and his daughter Susan Crittenden 2. Jane and Abbigale Voyles 3. Jesley Long and her puppies, Lola and Stella
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OUT & ABOUT 1. Katelynn and Ponda Gordon 2. Lynn Jones, Demaris Jones and Paula Lindsey 3. Nikki and Mike Tutich
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OUT & ABOUT Franklin County residents always turn out for the annual Relay for Life in support of the American Cancer Society. Pictured are: 1. Members of the David Grissom Relay for Life team 2. Members of the Gettin’ it 2Gether for Gladys Relay team 3. Mike Shewbart and Brad Bolton 4. Rex and Jean Mayfield 5. Scott and Susan Godsey 6. Teresa Seal, Nancy Cooper and Kris Lloyd.
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OUT & ABOUT Softball and baseball are staples of Franklin County life throughout the spring and summer. Pictured below are some snapshots of local teams from all ages as they hit the diamond this spring. Teams from across the county travel near and far to play, but Franklin County is home to some of the best youth league facilities in north Alabama.
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WHAT’S HOT
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FAITH MATTERS
Keepin’ the faith
Hundreds reach out to rebuild Mountain View Baptist Church
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olding onto your faith in the midst of trials and tribulations isn’t always easy to do. The congregation of Mt. View Baptist Church found that out after the lives of four church members, the homes of 16 church members, and their actual church building were lost to the E-F5 tornado that cut a path of STORY BY destruction through Phil Campbell KELLIE SINGLETON on April 27, 2011. PHOTOS BY With their church building in ruins HEATHER MOUSER and many grieving the loss of dear friends and family, members of the church would agree that the road to recovery and rebuilding over the past year hasn’t been without it’s potholes and detours. “When this first happened, we didn’t know what we were going to do,” longtime Pastor Sammy Taylor said. “We met in the parking lot for those first few services, then in a tent, then we were fortunate enough to have Northwest Shoals Community College allow us to use one of their buildings.” But as grateful as they were to get back in an actual building and not a tent, Taylor said the congregation of Mt. View longed to be home. After searching for a temporary building they could purchase to place on the site where the Mt. View sanctuary once stood, church leadership soon came to realize that a purchase like that would eat up all the insurance money they had received. But Taylor never doubted that the Lord would provide. “I guess we could have just shut down until things got easier, but we wanted our congregation and our
Over 1,550 volunteers with Builders for Christ will be coming to the area from 20 different states during the course of the summer. Each week a different group will come in to work on a specific task. The 220 workers who were there during the week of June 4-8 were in charge of the framework for the church and preparing the walls.
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Builders for Christ Project Director Lawrence Corley said each volunteer has a certain skill that makes him or her valuable to that week’s project, such as carpenters, contractors and professional builders.
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community to know that God was still in control and we still believed in His plan for us at Mt. View,” Taylor said. “It wasn’t long before we got a call from the Southern Baptist Convention, who told us that they were going to provide us with a temporary building that would house 200 people for worship and another building that was split into eight classrooms that we could use for Sunday School. “We know the Lord was working in that situation to help us get back on our feet.” Once the congregation got settled into the temporary buildings, they turned their attention back to the seemingly impossible task of figuring out a way to rebuild their church building. “Once again, we just had to keep believing that God would provide for us and help us find a way to move forward,” Taylor said. “We wanted to be the best stewards we could and use the insurance money we had received as wisely as possible. “We weren’t sure where the help would come from to make that happen, but we had faith that it would come.” Enter the organization called Builders for Christ. According to their project director, Lawrence Corley, this group is a network of construction missionaries who build structures for churches who are active in winning people to a saving knowledge of who Jesus is as Savior and Lord. After Mt. View submitted an application to be one of three churches Builders for Christ would construct this year, Corley said they felt overwhelmingly like it would be a worthwhile project. “We heard about and looked at 12 stormdestroyed churches in Mississippi and Alabama,” Corley said. “Half of those were entirely too small for our large team to work on, even though they were worthy churches. Of the ones left, we felt spiritually motivated to join with Mt. View primarily because of their faithfulness to God. “This church has been all over the U.S. with the Franklin County Baptist Association doing mission work and they have also been to several foreign countries to do both evan-
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gelism and humanitarianism mission projects. “Our goal in offering our assistance to Mt. View wasn’t to help them with the cost of constructing a new church, even though it will help them tremendously in the way of finances, but we felt like Mt. View needed to get back in the business of completing their multiple mission projects and not be worrying about getting their church rebuilt.” The first group of volunteers with Builders for Christ converged on the area the last week in May. Over the course of the summer over 1,500 volunteers will pass through the county as they come from 20 different states – some as far as Connecticut and Wisconsin – to help Mt. View rebuild. “Each week we have a different team that comes in and each
team has a specific task to complete,” Corley said. “Some do framing, some do walls, some do landscaping, some do door frames, some do hardware and so forth. “Our crews pay for their own lodging and we have a volunteer kitchen set up where we cook our own meals.” Mt. View was responsible for was getting the concrete slab ready, getting the building materials and taking care of the underground electrical and plumbing work, but everything else was pretty much covered by Builders for Christ. “This has saved us all of the labor expense, which is a huge deal when we’re trying to stretch insurance funds as far as they will go,” Taylor said. He added that it was hard to even put into words what a
Above: Pastor Sammy Taylor has been with Mt. View Baptist Church for the past 34 years. Below: Builders for Christ volunteers pay their own way when they are at a building site, including paying for their meals. Lawrence Corley said several volunteers will prepare over 6,000 meals this summer in the make-shift kitchen and will serve the workers under the tent.
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blessing the Builders for Christ organization has already been and will continue to be up until the last crew pulls out on August 15. “I’m not sure what we would have done if God hadn’t provided us this avenue to help us rebuild, but we are beyond thankful to have this organization here and for God’s continued faithfulness he has shown towards Mt. View Baptist Church,” he said. “Our church was shaken to the foundation but the things that remained unshaken were our belief in God’s word, our commitment to evangelism and discipleship, and our belief that God can do anything. Each nail that is nailed to erect this church is a testament to that.”
Right: Everyone pitches in to help the church come together. Below: A new church building will soon stand in the place where the old building once stood for so many years.
“Our church was shaken to the foundation but the things that remained unshaken were our belief in God’s word, our commitment to evangelism and discipleship, and our belief that God can do anything. Each nail that is nailed to erect this church is a testament to that.”
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Creating New Jobs
Promoting rural economic development.
State Senator Roger H. Bedford, Jr.
Your Hard Working Senator, Still Working For You!
Roger Bedford & Assoc. P.C. 256-332-6966 • fax: 256-332-6967 • 334-242-7862 • email: senbedford@aol.com Paid for by Roger Bedford, P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653
Get INTO this year’s Watermelon Festival! Find the perfect slice of
WATERMELON at the 32nd Annual Watermelon Festival Sponsored by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
August 17th & 18th, 2012 More Franklin County Events:
July 28, 2012 - Vina Fest Sept. 15, 2012 - Red Bay Founder’s Fest Oct. 6, 2012 - Spirit of Hodges Oct. 13, 2012 - Spruce Pine Day FRANKLIN LIVING
Website: www.franklincountychamber.org Email: info@franklincountychamber.org
256-332-1760 21
“START RIGHT, START HERE”
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Small Engine Parts and Service
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256-331-0123 • Just Behind McDonalds • Russellville 22 22
FRANKLIN LIVING
WELLNESS
Protect your eyes this summer
While many people are concerned about effects of the sun on their skin, experts say they shouldn’t lose sight of what the sun can do to their eyes. If the eyes are exposed to excessive amounts of UV radiation over a short period of time, a “sunburn” called photokeratitis can occur. This condition may be painful and includes symptoms such as red eyes, a foreign-body sensation or gritty feeling in the eyes, extreme sensitivity to light, and excessive tearing. Photokeratitis is usually temporary and rarely causes permanent damage. Premature Aging and More Ongoing exposure to UV radiation, however, can cause serious harm to the eyes and age them prematurely. Research has shown that exposure to small
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amounts of UV radiation over time increases the chance of developing cataracts, macular degeneration—the leading cause of blindness in adults—and eye cancer. Long-term exposure may also cause damage to the retina, a nerve-rich lining of the eye that is used for seeing. Steps You Can Take Whether it’s cloudy or sunny, summer or winter, the American Optometric Association (AOA) urges Americans to take measures to protect their eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet rays in order to decrease the risk of eye diseases and disorders. A good rule of thumb to follow is to wear sunglasses or contact lenses that offer appropriate UV protection, apply UV-blocking sunscreen around the eye area and wear a hat to help protect the eyes and prevent premature
aging. To provide adequate protection for the eyes, the AOA recommends sunglasses and protective contact lenses that: • Block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation • Screen out 75 to 90 percent of visible light • Are perfectly matched in color, free of distortion and imperfection and have lenses that are gray for proper color recognition. The AOA also urges parents to remember to protect infants’ and children’s eyes from the sun at all times. Regular Exams Are Key A good way to monitor eye health, maintain good vision and keep up-to-date on the latest in UV protection is by scheduling yearly comprehensive eye exams with an eye doctor.
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Tiffin Motorhomes WHEREVER YOU GO,
WE GO.
Setting High Standards
Ask just about anyone at
Tiffin Motorhomes a question and they’ll point you toward
Danny Inman as one of your best sources for getting the correct answer.
Inman, a 38-year veteran of the Red Bay company, serves as one of Tiffin’s sales representatives and is responsible for many of the Tiffin dealers in the Southeast. However, that is only part of his job. His daily routine can involve not only talking with dealers but also taking phone calls regarding service issues someone may be having with a motorhome, greeting customers in his Red Bay office, and more. “Every day is different, there’s not really one thing you can plan your day around,” says Inman. “It’s always changing. I guess the fact that it’s not routine is what I enjoy most about my job. You never know what’s going to be next. I enjoy talking with customers, going to shows
and developing good relationships with dealers.” Inman also serves as editor for Inman’s Answers in Tiffin’s Roughing It Smoothly magazine. The added duty exemplifies his image as an expert when it comes to Tiffin Motorhomes. “That just comes with the territory of being here so long,” jokes Inman. Having worked at Tiffin since 1974, Inman has obviously watched the company go through many changes as it has grown into one of the leading manufacturers of Class A motorhomes. He says some of the biggest changes include going from aluminum to fiberglass exteriors, adding slide-outs and painting the entire motorhome. “It used to just include a single stripe on the aluminum exterior and now it’s full-body paint,” Inman says. “And just the growth of the units themselves has changed. They used to be 23 to 29 feet long and now those are the smallest units we make. “Everything is more complex now compared to how simple it used to be. Our
customers want the same luxuries in their RV that they have at home.” Working at Tiffin Motorhomes has enabled Inman to stay close to home and raise his family in Red Bay. When asked why he’s stayed so loyal to Tiffin, Inman says, “Because Tiffin has remained loyal to me and stayed with me. It’s a good atmosphere and good people. “It’s a family-owned and operated business and when the owners of the company are some of the hardest workers here and are easy to work with, it makes it easy to come to work.” Inman obviously takes pride in knowing that Tiffin has grown into a market leader in Class A motorhomes. “It’s kind of unbelievable in a sense from where we started and what we’ve accomplished. Bob Tiffin’s business philosophy of treating the customer the way they should be treated goes all the way down through the company. He’s very respected in the industry and now other companies want to be just as good as Tiffin Motorhomes. He’s set the standard pretty high.”
105 2nd Street N.W. • Red Bay, AL • 256-356-8661
Kevin G. Kelly, M.D.
Atkins Marble & Granite Works, Inc.
Serving your Family for over 30 years
FAMILY PRACTICE Pediatrics • New Born Care
256-332-5901
(256) 332-2332 403 E. Lawrence Street Russellville, AL
Headstones • Grave Markers • Monuments • Cremation Urns • Memorial Benches • Memorial Portraits • Granite Marble • Bronze Markers Cemetery Vases • Lettering Cutting and all services we do at our local shop Owners: Grant & Beverly Atkins atkinsmarble@bellsouth.net
and
Family Care Clinic WALK-INS WELCOME
Robin Cross, CRNP, Dr. Kevin Kelly, M.D. Bonnie Marshall, CRNP
General Medical Problems Plus • Sports injuries • Work Comp • Employment Physicals • Immunizations • Routine Check-ups No Appointment Needed
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
256-331-2092 • www.russcare.com 13150 Hwy. 43 S. Suite 10 • Russellville, AL (at the intersection of Hwy. 24 and Hwy. 43) FRANKLIN LIVING
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The Wade family enjoys their state-of-the art outdoor kitchen, which has been the site of many gatherings over the past few years.
S
ome people may think that outdoor living in Alabama is simply not an option with the humid weather that typically personifies the summer months in this area. But if you have a space like the one found at the home of Russellville residents Phillip and Sherene Wade, outdoor living is a luxurious activity that will make you forget about normal indoor living altogether. When you first walk up to the outdoor oasis, you notice the striking living space that is comprised of a wide patio space and an open-air caba単a area that houses a full, gourmet kitchen, a cozy seating area by a fireplace and a dining area where Phillip serves up some of his famous grilled dishes to the many frequent visitors to the home. To the left, the Wades have found a way to beat the Alabama heat with their spacious in-ground pool, complete with a slide, diving board and plenty of lounge chairs for those looking to perfect their summer tan.
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Cabana nights STORY BY KELLIE SINGLETON PHOTOS BY HEATHER MOUSER
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The entire area is nestled behind the Wades’ home in a way that makes you feel as if you are in the middle of the countryside instead of mere miles from restaurants and stores in town. But this outdoor paradise hasn’t always been a staple at the Wades home, which they have lived in for the past 15 years. When they first purchased the home, the outdoor living space was lacking that certain charm and functionality they were hoping for. “For the first three years that we had the home, it only had the pool,” Phillip said, “and it was in poor condition. We had to do a good bit of work just to get the pool area where it needed to be for our two children to be able to enjoy it.” The pool area features a soft-corner rectangular pool with plenty of lounge chairs for
the Wades’ guests to enjoy, and tropicalstyle plants of vibrant greens and pops of bright pink and deep purple line the space to add a flair of sophistication. This may sound perfect even in itself, but the Wades knew that there was still something more they could do with their outdoor space. Those first years of having only the pool, Phillip said his daughters, Lydia and Laurel, who were young at the time, enjoyed being able to swim at their own home, but he found himself wishing for a place he could watch them play but still be able to watch TV, grill or just sit in the shade and relax. “We first started throwing around the idea of a pool house so we could have a more comfortable space outside to watch the kids, but then we started to consider that the girls were getting older and we wanted
them to have a place they could hang out with their friends without us having to worry about where they were and who they were with.” With these things in mind, the Wades began to develop their ideal outdoor living space. The unique design is something Phillip came up with based on the needs of his family. “The contractor I always work with is from Muscle Shoals and he told me that he had never built anything like the space I designed, so I would definitely say it was one of a kind,” Phillip said. “Since that time he has shown the design to several other people in the Shoals area who have built something similar because of the way the space was laid out.” Wade’s brother copied the design for his house on Lake Tuscaloosa.
Above and right: The Wades outdoor kitchen features
stainless steel appliances and a Fire Magic grill with gas burners that is perfect for grilling up a feast for guests. Below: Laurel and Phillip Wade enjoy their pool.
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The landscaping around the outdoor space makes you feel as if you have walked into a setting out in the country instead of a place that is only minutes from downtown Russellville. The blooming flowers and lush green trees provide privacy and an ideal place to relax.
The focal point of the covered cabaña – and the most important space for Phillip – is the state-of-the-art kitchen that features stainless steel appliances, a Fire Magic grill with gas burners, an enormous smoker off to the left side, brick and wrought iron accents throughout, and an eat-in bar area for more casual dining than the large eight-seater wrought iron dining table positioned in front of the kitchen area. “I do a lot of grilling, either for our family or for the groups of people we entertain, so this kitchen is ideal,” Phillip said. “You can grill, fry, cook over the gas burners, smoke meat – just about anything you would need to do you can do it right here without ever having to go back inside.” Next to the kitchen space is a cozy seating area that will make you feel right at home. The area is strategically placed by the gas fireplace, picked out by Sherene, that offers the perfect atmosphere for cool evenings or crisp fall days. “The fireplace was something I wanted to make sure we had in the seating area because not only does it add a cozy ele-
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ment to the space but it helps transform the space into a place we can use for more than just the warm spring and summer months,” Sherene said. “We designed this whole area to be a year-round space, and we really do use it almost every month except the ones right in the middle of winter.” She added that the whole area is perfect for entertaining business associates for Phillip, who is the owner and administrator of Terrace Manor Nursing and Rehab Center in Russellville as well as other business ventures, or for enjoying the company of the kid’s church groups or hosting gatherings of their daughters’ teenage friends. Sherene said their oldest daughter, Lydia, who is a freshman at Belmont University in Nashville, used the space constantly when she was in high school and she feels her youngest daughter, Laurel, who will be a senior at RHS this year, will get just as much use out of it. “We love to entertain and have our friends over, and you couldn’t ask for a better place to do that,” Sherene said. “This has
also been a favorite place for the girls and their friends to hang out over the years. When they are here, we know they are safe, so it eases our minds, but it has been beneficial for them because they are able to have fun right here at home without having to go very far. It’s convenient for everyone.” Sherene and Phillip both agree that adding the outdoor living space to their home not only increased the value of their home but it increased the value of their children’s time and lives as well. “Having an outdoor space has really changed the way we live,” Sherene said. “It’s almost like traveling to a vacation spot but only having to walk a few steps to get here. “We feel like this space has allowed us to spend more time together as a family and has strengthened those bonds and at the same time allowed us to spend time with our friends and other family members who mean so much to us. It’s just a wonderful addition that I don’t know how we ever lived without.”
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“I’m very grateful for the experiences I’ve had and the life I’ve led...I feel like traveling has really helped me grow as a person and has allowed me to have a more open and accepting mind frame.” — Yvonne Foster, Retired educator from Russellville
On the R go
ussellville resident Yvonne Foster has a personality that completely fills up whatever room she is in. With her silver hair subtly styled, her eyes full of excitement, a face that exudes vibrancy and an ever-present smile that she shares freely, anyone who meets STORY BY Foster can tell that she is full of life, but what they may not know immediKELLIE SINGLETON ately is where that “carpe diem” spirit comes from. PHOTOS BY Foster has been happily married to her husband, Paul, for 46 years, and HEATHER MOUSER he and her daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are a great source of joy in her life. She also has several close friends that know just how to brighten her day. But a wonderful family and fantastic friends are only part of Foster’s equation for a happy
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life. The big factor in this equation no doubt comes from Foster’s many interesting and unique life experiences that would impress even the most exciting of people. You hear the term “world traveler” tossed around quite a bit to describe someone who may have visited London or took a trip to Canada or sailed on a cruise to the Bahamas, but Yvonne Foster is quite literally a world traveler in every way possible. Since the late 1970s, Foster has traveled to a mind-boggling 69 countries. She has gone on safari in Zambia, South Africa. She has walked along the Great Wall of China. She has ridden on camels in Egypt. She has talked on her cell phone while sailing down the Nile River. She has walked the cobblestoned pathway to the home of Beatrix Potter. She has attended the wedding of friends in Scotland. She has spoken the language with the natives of Germany. She has stayed in a hotel beside the gondola routes in Venice, Italy. She has attended both the 25th and 50th anniversaries of Queen Elizabeth in England. She has stayed among the mountain villages in the Swiss Alps. She has experienced the culture in Dubai, India. She has successfully visited all 50 United States. She has driven a motorhome across New Zealand. She has taken brass rubbings of a tombstone in Moscow, Russia. She has stayed in the hamlets of Ireland. She has bundled up in the freezing temperatures of the Arctic and Antarctic circles. She has gotten her hair cut in most of the countries she’s visited just so she could have the experience. And this is only a handful of the adventures this Franklin County native has embarked on over the past 30 or so years. Foster’s home, which she lovingly and jokingly refers to as “the flea market,” is an eclectic collection of mementos, memories, pictures, souvenirs and treasures from her many excursions. A visitor might think the bright purple cornices in her dining room were just a reflection of her bold personality, but they are actually made from a sari she picked up in Dubai. The unique metal chests placed here and there might just look like a decorative accessory but they are actually “lebkuchen truhe,” or gingerbread chests, from Germany. Cuckoo clocks, china sets, signs welcoming guests to her home in several languages – all these things and more serve as little pieces of each country that Foster has brought back to her own corner of the world. “Just about everything here comes from somewhere I’ve been,” she said. “It’s just a wonderful way to surround myself with the memories of these trips and to always keep them on my mind.”
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Even though it might seem like it would take all 73 years of her life to have so many different experiences, Foster’s love affair with traveling hasn’t been a lifelong ambition. Foster officially retired after working for 20 years as a lobbyist for the Alabama Education Association, but before that, she taught English literature for eight years at Russellville High School. During that time, Foster took a group of 33 people on a school trip to London, which was the first spark in what grew to be a wildfire passion for experiencing different places. Over the years, she and Paul also housed exchange students who shared their culture and made Foster long to visit the places they came from. Once Foster decided she wanted to make traveling a priority in her life, she found a group of six to eight ladies who shared her love of roaming the world. Since Paul isn’t fond of traveling far and wide, these ladies normally serve as Foster’s traveling partners. “Paul and I have been to places like the Rocky Mountains and the Grand Canyon, but he never had any desire to go to all the other exotic places I like to travel to,” she said. “But even though he doesn’t like to go, I have an amazing husband who has always supported me and encouraged me in everything I do. I’ve often told him that when I married him 46 years ago, he opened the door to the world for me, he just never wanted to step through the door with me.” Foster’s daughter and grandchildren, however, were a different story. She has been on several trips with them overseas, and she said these were some of the most meaningful and memorable trips she has taken because of the company she had. “It was very important to me to pass on my love of traveling and my love for seeing and experiencing new things to my family,” she said. “One of the greatest compliments I ever received was hearing my granddaughter tell her mother that so much of who she was came from me. It meant so much to know she had really taken what I had tried to teach her and absorbed it and embraced it.” When Foster isn’t off traveling the world herself, she spends some of her time helping other people do it through her part-time work as a travel agent. “I love working as a travel agent,” she said. “It’s something I can do from home, but it’s also a way for me to help other people have some of the experiences I’ve had. It’s a rewarding job.” There is a sign in one of the bedrooms in her home that bears the phrase “La Dolce Vida,” which means “the sweet life,” and Foster said that’s exactly how she would describe the way she has tried to live. “I’m very grateful for the experiences I’ve had and the life I’ve led,” she said. “I feel like traveling has really helped me grow as a person and has allowed me to have a more open and accepting mind frame.” Foster said at the end of the day, she finds comfort in the borders of her hometown and the familiarity of drinking sweet tea and seeing her family, but the itch to pack her bags and set off on another adventure never really goes away. “It’s just hard to be in Kansas when you’ve been to Oz.”
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FOOD
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Light and savory sandwich for summertime meals Many people prefer smaller portions during the warm weather, choosing food that will not sit heavily in the stomach. As a result, finger foods, salads and vegetables are especially popular in the summertime. Roasted or grilled vegetables can be delicious and filling. Whether served over rice or the “meat” of a sandwich, vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini and eggplant make versatile additions to any recipe. This summer, add more versatile veggies to your diet with the following recipe for “Roasted Vegetable Focaccia Sandwich.” Roasted Vegetable Focaccia Sandwich
Patriotic Trifle perfect for the Fourth of July Makes 12 servings 1 tub frozen whipped topping, thawed 1 homemade or storebought plain pound cake, cut into cubes 1 cup cherry pie filling 1 cup blueberry pie filling In a large clear bowl or trifle dish, put a layer of cake cubes on the bottom. Top with a layer of blueberry filling. Then put a layer of whipped topping. Follow with a layer of cherry filling. Repeat with the cake again and layer until you reach the top of the bowl. Allow to set in the refrigerator for an hour or two and chill before serving. Scoop and serve into small bowls.
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1 medium eggplant 1 large zucchini 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 garlic cloves, pressed Salt and coarsely ground black pepper 2 balls fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced 1 medium tomato, sliced 1 loaf focaccia bread, about 12 ounces 1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves 1. Preheat oven to 450 F. Cut eggplant and zucchini crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Combine eggplant zucchini and oil in a mixing bowl. Press garlic into mixing bowl using a garlic press; toss to coat. Season with salt and black pepper. 2. Arrange vegetables in a single layer on a stoneware pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender and deep golden brown. Remove from oven to a cooling rack. 3. Meanwhile, cut mozzarella and tomato into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Cut bread in half horizontally. Spread mayonnaise on cut surfaces. 4. To assemble sandwich, arrange basil leaves, vegetables, tomato slices and mozzarella slices over bottom half of bread. Top with top half of bread. Cut into slices and serve six. Enjoy on a picnic or on the patio.
FRANKLIN LIVING
Thai sweet and sour ribs
softened, about 5 to 10 minutes.
Grillmasters relish the return of warm weather, which not only signals the return of sunny skies, but also marks the return of grilling season. Devoted grillmasters might not be deterred by cold weather, but many people put the grill away at the onset of winter and anxiously await their first opportunity to fire up the grill once winter has finally ended.
Add pineapple juice, fish sauce, tomato paste, lime juice, honey and 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce. Bring to a boil. Simmer gently until thick, 10 minutes. Let cool completely. Brush the sweet and sour mixture over the ribs. Grill according to instructions below, basting with the remaining chili sauce throughout. Serve hot.
Serves 4 4 pounds pork spareribs 1 red onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger 1 tablespoon peanut oil 1/2 cup pineapple juice 2 tablespoons fish sauce 1/4 cup tomato paste 1/4 cup fresh lime juice 2 tablespoons honey 1/3 cup Thai sweet chili sauce Separate ribs by slicing the bones with a large knife or cleaver. Simmer separated ribs in large pan of salted water until just tender, about 30 minutes. Drain. Rinse under cold running water and rinse again. Let cool completely. Place onion, garlic, ginger, and oil in a small pan. Stir fry over medium heat until FRANKLIN LIVING
When using an outdoor grill: Grill over medium-hot coals, turning frequently and basting, until brown and crusty, 15 minutes. When using a broiler: Preheat broiler. Broil, removing from under the broiler every 5 minutes to baste, until brown and crusty, 15 minutes. Think ahead: Precook the ribs up to 1 day in advance. Cool completely. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Make glaze up to 1 day in advance. Cover and refrigerate. Note: Precook the ribs in simmering water to remove the layer of outer fat. This not only prevents flare-ups during cooking, but also allows the rib meat to stay tender and juicy inside and crispy on the outside. 35
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THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Tom McLeod, of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., practices on the driving range at Red Bay’s Redmont Country Club.
County provides P options for golfers STORY BY J.R. TIDWELL
eople living in Franklin County have a couple of options available in order to find entertainment during the summer months and the rest of the year. Two great places to visit here in Franklin are Redmont Country Club in Red Bay and Twin Pines Country Club in Russellville, both of which have been around since the 1960s. Redmont Country Club, located at 1400 Redmont Drive NW in Red Bay, is a semi-private course with a local man named Kevin Barker as its Course Manager. Redmont was built in 1964-65, with former Red Bay Mayor Ed Bullen, Jim Page, Fred Bostick, Jr., and Neal Page acting as the driving force behind its construction. Barker, a native of Belmont, Miss., has been the manager at Redmont for three years but has “always” been a member there. “Here at Redmont we’re a traditional-style golf course,” Barker said. “We have tree-lined fairways and Bermuda greens. We’re a par
PHOTOS BY J.R. TIDWELL
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72, 18 holes, and from the blue tees we’re around 6,600 yards in length.” Redmont is a semi-private club, meaning that the course is open to anyone for most of the week, but some days are reserved for country club members. “We’re open to the public Monday through Friday for play,” Barker said. “On the weekends it’s usually for members only, but there are some exceptions. For people interested in becoming a member here, they can call the Pro Shop and inquire about an application for membership and fill it out. Bring it back to us, and the board of directors will vote on the membership.” Amenities include golf carts and a Pro Shop on site. “The Pro Shop is strictly a golf shop,” Barker said. “We have basic necessities like balls, tees, gloves and range balls. We have a range facility. We have drink machines and snacks, stuff like that for the public.” One aspect of Redmont that makes it so accessible to the general public is its lack of tee times needed to play the course. “Here at Redmont you don’t really have to have a tee time,” Barker said. “If you show up, we don’t schedule tee times for anybody. We’ll just try to get you set on No. 1 or No. 10. We don’t have any cart paths, so you can drive straight from your tee to your ball without having to stay on a cart path.” The condition of the course also helps its playability. “Our golf course is in great shape this year,” Barker said. “The last couple of years it’s been getting better and better every year.” Some of the people playing the course on any given day One of Twin Pines’ signature marks is the giant golf ball located outside the clubhouse.
The clubhouse at Red Bay’s Redmont Country Club offers several amenities.
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Tyler Sparks, of Red Bay, practices putting at Redmont Country Club.
may include Tyler, Kurt and Tanner Sparks, who played at Southern Miss, Meridian Community College and Blue Mountain College respectively. Having a local club benefits the golf team at Red Bay High School. The course also attracts some out-of-town players, like Tom McLeod and family from Pigeon Forge, Tenn. The McLeods came to Red Bay to have maintenance done on their Tiffin motorhome. While they were parked at the campground, McLeod decided to take full advantage of the local course. Another great local feature available for recreation is Twin Pines Country Club, located at 1855 Country Club Drive in Russellville. It is a semi-private club with around 190 members, mostly locals, with a few from Muscle Shoals and Haleyville.
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One of the scenic fairways found at Twin Pines Country Club.
The General Manager is Howard Beall, who has worked at the course for 23 years. “We are a semi-private club,” Beall said. “We allow guests to play Monday through Friday morning. An individual from out of town [or otherwise] that wants to be our guest Monday through Friday morning just needs to call ahead for a tee time. The rates are very reasonable. From 7:30-11:30 every morning it’s $25 for 18 holes and includes a cart. After that it’s $32. The members have the facility Friday afternoons, Saturday and Sunday. It’s primarily a member’s club those days. Twin Pines is a par 71. We’ve got great grass greens, smooth and fast. We’ve got Bermuda fairways and Bermuda tees. The course is in great shape. We’re playable for both the average golfer and the really good golfer. We don’t have any sand traps, but we’ve got enough water to make up for it. We have a PGA professional on staff.” Other amenities include cart rentals and an on-site tennis court, pool, playground and clubhouse. There is also a driving range available, up to 250 yards long. The process to become a member is not a complicated one for those interested. “Simply fill out an application,” Beall said. “We do have an initiation fee. Dues are very reasonable on a monthly basis. We do offer an annual membership, and there is a discount for that. That’s just a matter of coming in the clubhouse and asking for a little information. We’re more than happy to take care of it.” Twin Pines golf course has been a staple of recreation to people from Franklin and Colbert Counties for the past 50 years. “The club was built by the Jaycees in the early ‘60s,” Beall said. “They named it. This used to be nothing more than a pine thicket. The additional property we built the back 9 on we purchased from Champion back in ’93.” Twin Pines also has a couple of features that might not be found at every course. “We have an island green,” Beall said. “That area’s beautiful. We have long par 5s, which are reachable but testy, and five really good par 3s. We’ve got an old
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area and a new. The older part of the course, we added the back 9 from ’93-’95. The older part has the old timber on it, the old oak trees. The newer side has a majority of pine borders and pine trees in the roughs.” The country club also has a Pro Shop with a golf pro on hand named Jud Stockard, who has been at Twin Pines for 28 years. Stockard runs the driving range and the Pro Shop, which is stocked with everything from tees and golf balls to Auburn and Alabama golf bags and different clubs. According to Stockard, running a pro shop is never the same from day to day. “It varies,” he said. “Weather is the main factor in the golf business. The driving range is the main thing we handle out here. The number of people we see varies a lot. People come in and out. They may come in just to grab a bag of tees or to get a 75-cent golf ball. They may come in trying to find something bigger. You just never know. You never know one day to the next what it’s going to be like. Saturdays are our busiest day. I like the freedom I have here. I take care of this little shop and the driving range. When I first came down here I had to do everything.” Being the golf pro means that Stockard also helps out with some of the tournaments held at the course each year. “We just got through with our biggest tournament of the year, the Jim Bishop Tournament,” he said. “We had 173 golfers. That’s a big deal for us there. There’s a lot of work involved in that; trying to get 173 players around and keep everything organized. One of my main jobs is to run the bigger tournaments like that. We have the Jim Bishop and our club championship, and we have two big scrambles every year and our junior tournament and the Don White Memorial Tournament. He was one of the partners in the club years ago, but he died about four years ago. We raise money for the UNA golf team on that. We get people from all over the Shoals in that tournament.” Speaking of schools, having a local course so close to the high school is a major advantage for the golf team at Russellville High and other local institutions. “It’s a big advantage to the high schools,” Stockard said. “We had to set up a committee in the ‘90s to help keep the golf team going at UNA because they almost did away with golf. We had two tournaments down here and raised a pretty good bit of money and kept them going. Russellville is the main high school that utilizes the course. Some of the teams play a lot of matches here because a lot of places won’t let them play.” If a member of Franklin County or the surrounding area likes to play golf or would like to pick up the sport, look no further than Redmont and Twin Pines to fill your recreational needs.
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LOOKING BACK
Clyde Petree’s Store across from Belgreen school
1954 Belgreen Tom Thumb Rhythm Band
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Do you know these faces? Wilson Mercantile Co. in Russellville about 1930
Laying of the cornerstone of First Presbyterian Church in 1947
Mars Hill School near Frankfort in 1916
Large baptismal service held by Bro. W.I. Love FRANKLIN LIVING
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PARTING SHOTS
You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. -Eleanor Roosevelt
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A city that’s proud of the past‌. and building for the future. Contact Russellville City Hall at 256-332-6060
Located in Franklin Shopping Center Hwy 43, Russellville, AL
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Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sat 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
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256-331-1919
Years of experience, Friendly Staff with fast Friendly Service
Still your local compounding Headquarters for Franklin County