2019 November/December Franklin Living

BETH HAMMOCK | MOUNTAIN VIEW BAPTIST | SPIRIT OF HODGES

November/December 2019 Vol. 9 Issue No. 6

Home Holidays for the

Setting your Yuletide table

GOLDEN farm life

HERE COME THE BRIDES!

Franklin Living Bridal Edition

Coming January 2020

Wedding Stories | Trends | Engagements

For story ideas and suggestions: alison.james@franklincountytimes.com For advertising information: peggy.hyde@franklincountytimes.com

FROM THE MANAGING EDITOR

I

am so proud of this year’s November/ December edition. It is just brimming with holiday cheer to hopefully fill you with the spirit of the season.

Christmas festivities are never in short supply in Franklin County, but let’s not forget Thanksgiving. Every fourth Thursday in November brings a special opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal accompanied by family and fellowship. For those who, for whatever reason, are unable to join friends or family for a Thanksgiving feast, Mountain View Baptist Church in Phil Campbell is making sure no one misses out on the tradition by offering a complete holiday dinner for eat in, carry out or delivery. It’s just one way the church tries to minister to the community.

For those hosting their own Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, we also offer some tips on creating a festive tablescape as part of your décor for the season. Actually, even if you aren’t in charge of a holiday soiree, you should definitely take advantage of Katernia ColeCoffey’s decorating advice – even if you’re the only one who will see and enjoy it.

“There’s no place like home for the holidays,” whether it’s your home or

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someone else’s. Travelers to Franklin County who need a place to stay just might be interested in Beth Hammock’s Airbnb, which we feature in this issue. Creekside Cottage has garnered straight five-star reviews in its more-than-a-year of guests.

For less than $100 per night, visitors can enjoy a quaint and comfortable home away from home in Red Bay. The home fires are also burning warmly at Golden Farm, where for more than a hundred years, Barker descendants have continued to work the same piece of land in the Newburg area of Franklin County. Marty Graham now owns the farm, holding the memories close of the years he spent learning the enterprise with his grandfather until the farm became his own this fall.

For even more holiday events, check out What’s Happening for everything you need to add to your calendar.

Tis the season to be jolly! We hope this magazine can be a small part of your holiday festivities.

Alison James

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Editorial ALISON JAMES CIERA HUGHES

Features

Contributors MONTANA HESTER

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Faith Focus

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What’s Happening

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Taste of Franklin

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Money Matters

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Holly Jolly Holiday Table

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Home Away from Home for the Holidays

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On Golden Farm

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Education Corner

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Faces of Franklin County

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Why I Love Franklin County

APRIL WARHURST EMILY MAYS TRAE DURDEN GREG HAMILTON HEATH GRIMES MARIA CAMP Marketing PEGGY HYDE TORI WAITS Administrative SOMMER MORRIS ____________________ Franklin Living is published bi-monthly

by Franklin County Newspapers, Inc. Copyright 2019 by Franklin County Newspapers, Inc.

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P.O. Box 1088 • Russellville, AL 35653 256-332-1881 fax: 256-332-1883 www.franklincountytimes.com ON THE COVER: Marty, Lacy and their sons Hudson, 9, and Hayes, 2, are the next generation owners of their family’s farm, which has been in continuous operation in Franklin County since 1824. Read their story on page 21.

Franklin Living

FAITH FOCUS

Choosing the spiritual over the carnal

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o r giveness flounders because I exclude the enemy from the community of humans and exclude myself from the community of sinners.” —Miroslav Volf Isn’t it strange how we constantly justify our actions to ourselves while at the same time harboring a spirit of superiority over others?

It’s so easy to judge others based on their actions but to judge ourselves based on our intentions.

This isn’t how Jesus teaches us to live. It’s a carnal, unspiritual and depraved soul who continues to ridicule others even in the face of their own sin – and yet, even the most pious among us slip into this way of thinking occasionally.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus points out some things He values and wants His followers to value. These things are contrasted against things that are valued by those who refuse to live in His righteousness. The things Jesus values are weakness, sacrifice, grief and exclusion.

He’s not teaching that we must desire these things, but that when they come, we recognize their value in deepening our trust and faith in God. The contrasting worldly values He notices are power, comfort, success and

recognition. Jesus isn’t teaching that His followers should refuse these things but that we should suspect them. A Christian must not allow a desire for power, comfort, success or recognition control them.

Instead, Christians must be led by the Holy Spirit. The greatest power to be found is in Christ; the most meaningful comfort is that of victory over death; the deepest success is conquering our own doubts and fears through His cross; and the only worthwhile recognition is that of being recognized by God in Christ!

These things belong to every faithful Christian.

So, when weakness is apparent, when sacrifice must be made, when grief comes into our experience and when we are excluded by those we want to be with, our strength to overcome these obstacles is found in the Lord.

Let’s all learn to give others the benefit of the doubt.

Let’s do to others what we’d want them to do to us! What a community we could build in mutual respect and in admiration of a Savior’s love for every single person.

So, as we become the love Jesus calls us to, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control will be evident in our relationships with everyone we encounter!

Grow With Us

www.alabamacentral.org Anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in any of our 28-county service area is eligible for ACCU membership.

Trae Durden has been the preaching minister at North Highlands church of Christ in Russellville since January 2013. He is married to Leann Durden, and they have a daughter, Darcy Grace, and a son, Dalton.

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What’s Happening Check out all the upcoming community events!

Submit community events for future issues of Franklin Living to alison.james@franklincountytimes.com. Requests must be received by the first of the month for consideration for the next edition.

Operation 22 Walk Nov. 9 While many people are familiar with the reality of the millions of Americans who lose their lives in foreign lands in times of war, the number of veterans who lose their lives at home is also significant. To raise awareness for these fallen, Operation 22 and the national Military Veteran Project are partnering for a local 22-mile walk Nov. 9, memorializing the 22 soldiers a day who lose their battles to suicide following trauma they experienced. This will be the second year for the local walk, which will span from Southside Baptist Church in Russellville to Harley Davidson in Tuscumbia. Participants will take rest stops along the way, accompanied by a military truck with water following behind and a police escort in front. There is no charge for people to walk, but people can pledge a dollar a mile to raise money or purchase shirts for $25. For more information or to donate, visit the Operation 22 Facebook page.

Rockin’ at the Roxy Nov. 9 and Dec. 14 The second Saturday night of each month at 7 p.m. is the monthly Kerry Gilbert Band concert at the Historic Roxy Theatre in Russellville. The KGB will be joined by a special guest for each show. Doors open at 6 p.m. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-12 and free for children younger than 6.

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Russellville Veterans Day Parade and Reception Nov. 10 The Russellville Veterans Day Parade will be hosted by American Legion Post 64 in downtown Russellville Nov. 10. All veterans and others wishing to participate in the parade are asked to be at the A.W. Todd Center by 1:30 p.m. to find seats among the military vehicles and antique cars that will be available, provided by the police department and Antique Car Club. This year’s parade will coincide with city, county and state bicentennial celebrations, with a number of people joining the parade in costume in honor of 200 years of history. The parade will start on Jackson Avenue about 2 p.m., continue to the McIntosh House, then turn the corner and go up Washington Avenue to end back at the Todd Center, where the local VFW will host the Veterans Reception. The VFW will present the Police Officer of the Year and Firefighter of the Year awards.

Refreshments will be served for veterans and other attendees.

Adult Prom Nov. 16 From 7 p.m. to midnight Nov. 16, Franklin County’s adult prom will return for another year of special memories. For $30 for singles or $50 for couples, prom-goers can enjoy a red-carpet experience complete with photos, food, door prizes and a DJ at the A.W. Todd Center, 201 S. Washington Ave., Russellville. Attire is tuxedos or suits for men and evening gowns for women; jeans, T-shirts and tennis shoes are not permitted. A portion of proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society and to cancer patient Britnee Phillips. Tickets are available on eventbrite. com or for more information check out the event’s Facebook page.

Bicentennial Birthday Celebration Nov. 21 At the A.W. Todd Center in downtown Russellville, starting at 6 p.m. Nov. 21, the Franklin County and Russellville Bicentennial Committee will host a birthday celebration for the ages. The 200th birthday celebration in honor of Russellville, Franklin County and Alabama will include dinner and entertainment – featuring the Athens Dulcimer Jam Group – at a ticket cost of $15 each.

For more information visit the event’s Facebook page or call the Franklin County Archives at 256-332-8827.

Franklin Living

Mountain View Baptist Church Community Thanksgiving

Russellville’s Every Light a Prayer for Peace

Nov. 28

Dec. 5

For years Mountain View Baptist Church, 2110 Highway 81, in Phil Campbell has been providing a free community meal on Thanksgiving Day. The church is seeking to minister to those who are unable to be with family and friends on this holiday because of being homebound, not being able to drive or perhaps being physically handicapped. Meals are available for dine-in, carryout or delivery within a 15-mile radius of the church. There is a limit of six meals per family. Those interested need to place their orders for meals by calling the church from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Monday through Friday. If calling after hours, leave a voicemail with name, number of meals and whether dining in, carrying out or needing meals delivered. Callers must leave a call-back number. No orders will be taken after Nov. 19.

Dec. 5 at 4:30 p.m. will be the time for the Cultura Garden Club’s Every Light a Prayer for Peace on the Franklin County Courthouse steps, just prior to the Russellville Christmas Parade. Every Light a Prayer for Peace is observed statewide, coordinated in Alabama

by Alabama Garden Clubs throughout the state. It has been celebrated since its inception Dec. 1, 1951, during the Korean War, instituted

by Alabamian Dorothy Parrish with a special tree lighting ceremony. The local event will feature songs and speakers encouraging peace as well as the centerpiece of the event, the reading of the “Every Light a Prayer for Peace” poem by Emma Frances Bullen.

A Vintage Christmas in the Bay

The Roxy’s Christmas Spectacular

Dec. 1-2 Although Red Bay is already known for having beautiful holiday decorations, this year the city invites everyone to gather in Bay Tree Park and be a part of Red Bay’s first Live Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 1 beginning at 5 p.m. – kicking off the A Vintage Christmas in the Bay weekend. Enjoy the sounds of the season as a children’s choir directed by Mark Gajewski and community adult choir directed by Phoebe Harrison fill the night with familiar Christmas carols. The Red Bay Garden Club will also present the annual Every Light a Prayer for Peace ceremony.

Local businesses will offer special discounts, good food, door prizes and much, much, more beginning Friday afternoon.

Shoppers are invited to come early Dec. 1 to enjoy Christmas Open House with all the participating businesses from 1-4 p.m.

Dec. 2 brings the annual Red Bay Christmas parade at 6 p.m., and Red Bay Bucks winners will be announced after the parade.

Get a Punch Card punched between Nov. 18 and Dec. 1 to be eligible for a gift basket drawing.

Christmas Parades

Dec. 5-8 The Roxy’s Christmas Spectacular takes the stage this year to highlight the holiday season in Russellville. The Franklin County Arts and Humanities Council will present multiple performances at the Historic Roxy Theatre: Dec. 5-6 at 7 p.m., Dec. 7 at 10 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Dec. 8 at 3 p.m. In this show, Fred the Elf and Gaspar the conductor board the North Pole Express on Christmas Eve for a trip around the United States. During their travels Fred learns what Christmas is really about. All main level seats are reserved, with tickets at $15 for the first 10 rows, $10 for rows 11-19 and $6 for the balcony. To purchase tickets call 256-8102711 or 256-460-8988 and pick up at Russellville Florist and Gifts.

Holly Day

Dec. 2, Dec. 3, Dec. 5 and Dec. 12

Dec. 7

Red Bay, Russellville, Vina and Phil Campbell will get in the spirit of the holidays with their annual Christmas parades, each starting at 6 p.m. Red Bay will kick off parade season Dec. 2 as part of the city’s A Vintage Christmas in the Bay. Vina’s parade will follow Dec. 3, and Russellville’s parade will be Dec. 5. Phil Campbell will wrap up parade season Dec. 12.

The sixth annual Holly Day will be Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the A.W. Todd Centre in Russellville.

Families are invited to enjoy a day of fun including cookie decorating, games, Letters to Santa, entertainment, pizza and a drink, prize drawings and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Admission is $5. For more information call 256-332-1760.

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TASTE OF FRANKLIN

Feasting and fellowship Mountain View Baptist shares love of God with Thanksgiving dinner

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Story by ALISON JAMES Photos by APRIL WARHURST

his ministry really touches my heart because there is that need there for people who are alone on Thanksgiving. They are going to be sitting at home by themselves. Why sit there when you can come visit with us?”

Sharon Loden’s words of compassion give voice to the feelings of many at Mountain View Baptist Church in Phil Campbell. It’s why the church began a Thanksgiving Day dinner ministry years ago – and why that ministry still flourishes today, serving in excess of 600 meals to families across the area every year when the November holiday of grateful togetherness rolls around.

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Sammy Taylor, who has been pastor at Mountain View for 42 years, said the ministry began as a work spearheaded by the church’s Christian Life Ministry Team. It was sparked, at least in part, when a local Civilian Club ceased a similar program in Russellville. “We really didn’t have a good location because we’re out in the country, but Donald Borden allowed us to use his restaurant – he gave us the keys that day to prepare this meal,” said Taylor, recalling how the first year’s dinner operated out of the Chat N’ Chew. “People knew where it was. It was easy to find, and they would come into the restaurant to eat or pick it up.”

The Christian Life Ministry Team coordinates the dinner each year, but the ministry involves nearly the entire church, with whole families doing their part to make it successful, children through senior adults pitching in to make it happen. “We wanted to provide a meal to those who were homebound or did not have an opportunity to have a traditional Thanksgiving meal with their family or friends,” Taylor explained. “We ask our church family to give at least one hour on Thanksgiving Day to help with this ministry – to be a blessing to someone else.”

Of course, a project that serves nearly 700 people in the community – which, for this program, encompasses Phil Campbell, Hackleburg, Bear Creek, Haleyville and Russellville – doesn’t start Thanksgiving morning. Preparations begin well in advance each year to purchase needed supplies, divvy up responsibilities and prepare and cook the food for a full turkey dinner with all the fixin’s.

“Our church strives to a be a church that reaches out to the community. We want to be known for helping other, reading out and meeting a need,” explained Loden, a church member who has helped with the dinner since its inception. “We want to focus on being a friend, listening and meeting a physical need. We want

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to be a church that will reach out in the community to share God’s love with the community. Our whole church has that desire.”

Community members who wish to take part in the Thanksgiving Day meal can eat and fellowship at the church, come pick up plates to take home or sign up to have meals delivered; church members deliver meals in a 15-mile radius. Taylor said many of the church’s families will stop in on their way to their own family Thanksgiving meals to help pack up dinners and then deliver them. The biggest delivery is to the Franklin County Jail, where Mountain View provides plates for every inmate and every employee on shift during that time.

“I think it’s a tremendous ministry because it feeds so many people,” said Carolyn Vinson, who coordinates the dressing for the meal – she and a small group of ladies prepare 16-18 large pans of dressing to meet the need. “It shows we care, and we hope it’s something they can look forward to each year. There’s a lot of people – senior citizens and all, maybe only one person in the home or two older people – and you can’t cook a big meal for two people. It’s just an outreach ministry – and we’ve had several

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people who have come into the church because of it. It’s very worthwhile.”

In assembly-line fashion. cooking and plating for delivery begins about 7 a.m. Thanksgiving morning. Turkeys are smoked the night before, and some dishes – especially those giant pans of savory dressing – are cooked by the ladies at their own homes and brought to the church building, but volunteers in the kitchen on Thanksgiving morning stay busy with large pots on the stovetop, preparing green beans, gravy and mashed potatoes. Each meal also includes a roll, cranberry sauce and a hearty slice of pound cake. “It’s a great meal. I’ve had Thanksgiving here at the church for the past 25 years,” said Taylor, explaining many of the volunteers enjoy dinner at the

Franklin Living

church, with those who come to eat in, before joining their own families for an evening Thanksgiving meal. “Everybody seems to be happy with it.”

It’s not just the intended recipients who are happy with the outreach. Church volunteers said they always enjoy being a part of it. “We have a big time when we’re making the dressing and all. I just think it’s a real neat thing to be a part of. I really enjoy it every year,” said Vinson.

“We have the best time with this dinner. It’s just a blast,” Loden agreed. “We hope we can reach even more people this year – just to be a blessing, to reach out to people and show them God’s love … There’s a need for the food, and there’s a need there for the fellowship as well – and we’re supposed to be serving people, so that’s what we want to do.”

Taylor said when delivering meals, volunteers will also chat, share tracts and pray with recipients, hopefully helping fill that need for fellowship. “We’re here to minister to the community and give to the community,” Taylor said. “We want people to enjoy and pause on that day and be thankful for what we do have and how we have been blessed by God. We just want to be a blessing to them in some way.”

To reserve a place at Mountain View’s Thanksgiving table – whether literally, at the church building, or for carry out or delivery – people can call the church office at 205-993-4610 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Nov. 18. If no one answer, Taylor said callers should leave their name, address and number of plates requested, with a maximum of six per household.

“My sincere hope is that they feel the love of God and that we can, through offering the meal, show them God’s love and that he does care about them,” Loden said. “There are people here in Phil Campbell that care about them as well.”

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MONEY MATTERS

Observe these cyber skills to help keep you safe

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e all know how important it is to keep our finances cyber secure. We continually hear about fraudulent activity. Malicious actors, account takeovers, malware, ransomware – unfortunately, these are terms we all know too well. Here I will lay out a few critical reminders in keeping yourself cyber-safe.

Preventing Identity Theft • Never respond to unsolicited requests for personal information by phone, email or online. This includes your name, birthdate, Social Security number or bank account.

• Secure your Social Security number. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write it on your checks. Only give it out when absolutely necessary. Don’t feel bad about refusing to give it out; very few people need this information.

• Review your credit report once a year to be sure it doesn’t include accounts you have not opened.

• Enable security features on mobile devices, especially if you have contacts, banking apps and websites saved.

• Never use public Wi-Fi. Online Safety Tips • Strong passwords: A long password is a strong password. Using a mixture of numbers, letters (upper and lower case) and symbols is beneficial. Never share your passwords with anyone.

• Mobile devices: Hackers love to target our devices. Practice the same proactive security as you would on your desktop.

• Vishing: Vishing, or voice phishing, is phone fraud that uses social engineering to gain access to private personal and financial information. Vishing often involves a criminal pretending, over the phone, to represent a trusted institution.

Fake News • The internet is a great thing, but it also is a blank canvas for anyone to put out any information they desire, whether it’s accurate or not. Reasons for the fake news include to influence opinion, manipulate financial markets, attack a business or competitor and to trick people into clicking links.

• What can you do to avoid falling victim? For one, if reputable news sources are not reporting on the story, then it’s likely fake.

Be sure only to visit sites you trust to verify accuracy.

One of the easiest ways to stay safe from this barrage of attacks is to listen to your gut. If someone asks for information, and you want to hesitate, do! Do your own research and verify the source.

Lastly, always think before you click – on anything! Clicking a malicious link or download opens your personal cyber windows and doors to all sorts of fraudulent activity.

Emily Mays is vice president/senior marketing director at Community Spirit Bank in Red Bay, working in finance for 14 years. She is an enthusiastic social media marketer, financial literacy advocate and go local supporter.

She lives in East Franklin and has one daughter, Lola, 11.

SPRY MEMORIAL CHAPEL OF RUSSELLVILLE

Wishing you a

Happy Holiday Season!

“Caring People, Caring for People”

256-332-1122

907 South Jackson Ave. • Russellville sprymemorialchapel.com

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Holly Jolly

Holiday Plant Care

Holiday Table T Story by and photos by ALISON JAMES

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hroughout the long summer days of picnics and cookout and into a crisp autumn of tailgates and bonfires, it can be easy to turn to paper and plastic disposal products for any party or gathering.

But in the months of November and December, as guests come by brining holiday cheer and the joy of the season, might be the time to pull out all the stops for a truly cheerful table that will elicit oohs and ahhs of admiration.

“Having a pretty table is a good way to be festive for the holidays,” said Katernia Cole-Coffey, Franklin County Extension director and professed lover of “pretty things.” “It makes you feel welcomed – that somebody put forth some effort for me. Whether it’s tablecloths or table toppers or placemats, you know they put in some effort instead of just putting a plate on a table.”

“It makes you feel full, grateful, enthusiastic – it peps you up,” her sister Patshenia Cole added.

Cole-Coffey and her sister share a love of fine place settings. In their family, all the women own sets of the same china pattern, allowing them to share amongst themselves to lay out beautiful tablescapes for each special gathering.

Whether it’s a formal Thanksgiving dinner for 15 or a small Christmas eve dinner for four, a well-laid table brings an extra note of holiday spirit to the occasion. Cole-Coffey and Cole recommend incorporating what you have combined with fresh greenery from the outdoors, bargain finds and little extra touches to spruce up your table – whether that’s a favorite candy dish, small knick-knacks or tchotchkes or a full set of candlesticks.

“It’s best to go ahead and enjoy this stuff,” Cole-Coffey said. “Whatever you have, you need to enjoy it.”

he holiday season is rapidly approaching, and it is time to shower friends, family and coworkers with gifts and gratitude.

This year you might want to consider giving something green to your loved ones – and no, I’m not talking about money. I’m talking about plants! Plants are the gift that keep giving year after year.

PLANT CARE 101 • Proper watering is crucial to keeping indoor plants alive. Plants in small pots tend to dry out quickly. However, overwatering is just as harmful as underwatering. Check water needs daily.

Protect your furniture with a saucer or a plastic lid slightly larger than the pot. It’s often best to discard water collected in saucers to ensure the potting soil has an opportunity to dry in between watering.

• Lighting is also important to indoor plants.

Put your plants where they will get high levels of indirect light, like near a well-lit window but not directly in the sun.

• Normal household temperatures, 6075 degrees, are sufficient for most plants. High temperatures can shorten the life of your plants, while cooler temperatures can lengthen their life.

TWO TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY PLANTS • Poinsettia: Poinsettias prefer bright, indirect light and must be kept from drafts and rapid temperature changes.

When the soil starts to feel dry, water it, but do not let the plant sit in water. Room temperatures should be 65-70 degrees during the day and cooler at night. While the plant is growing, apply a complete fertilizer every couple of weeks or so.

• Christmas Cactus: Christmas cacti are, in general, easier to care for than poinsettias.

These succulents like the soil moist but not soggy, so remember not to overwater.

When blooms have faded, move the plant to a cool room and reduce watering to a minimum. When buds begin to reappear, move the plant back to the warmer room, resume watering and lightly fertilize. Bud drop could indicate a draft or sudden temperature change, a need for repotting or that the room temperature is too high.

For more information contact your local Extension Office!

Taylor Reeder is a Regional Extension Agent specializing in Home Grounds, Gardens and Home Pests.

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Fresh greenery for holiday decorations

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ow that we’ve all been stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey, it’s time to transition into the final and, arguably, most ornate holiday of the year. Right now, you can hear your mantles and door frames crying out to be adorned. Your windows are begging for wreaths and giant red bows – and there might be a certain corner in your house that has been waiting all year for an evergreen or two.

As we delve into the winter holidays, our homes are being dressed to impress. There is nothing better than fresh foliage placed along a mantle or maybe a little mistletoe hanging from a previously unadorned beam. The scent of pine is in the air, and I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to get decorating.

Here is a list of several evergreen plants that make wonderful decorations for the season. You might even find some in your own backyard! Just make sure when you are removing foliage and fruit that you do it gently so as not to harm the plant. Make all cuts at a 45-degree angle so water will not pool on branch tips and rot.

THE CLASSICS • Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) – This southern staple provides foliage that will liven up any banister or door frame. After being cut from the tree, it can withstand the dryer temperatures indoors for days on end.

• Hollies (Ilex spp.) – Hollies not only provide glossy green foliage but bright red fruit that will beautifully adorn holiday arrangements and centerpieces.

• Pine/Pinecones (Pinus spp.) – Pine trees offer a wispy presence to many decorations, and their cones can give structure to wreaths and mantle pieces.

• Ivy (Hedera spp.) – This vigorous vine is readily available in many yards. The cut ends must be kept in water.

• Juniper (Juniperus spp.) – This fragrant, short, green or silverblue foliage is sometimes adorned with small berries. Eastern red cedar is a native juniper and is readily available.

NEW AND IMAGINATIVE • Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora) – Abelia are not commonly thought of when making holiday arrangements, but its texture and myriad colors can spice up traditional decorations.

• Aucuba (Aucuba japonica) – Aucuba offer a coarse texture that would pair well with the wispier pine foliage. Also, the gold dust variety will add a little more color to the mix.

• Smilax (Smilax spp.) – This evergreen vine has thick, glossy leaves. However, it does have thorns, so be careful!

Remember a few well-placed planters can liven up even the smallest spaces. Try using a small evergreen tree or shrub such as a magnolia, cypress/false cypress or arborvitae and surround them with poinsettia or pansies. You can try a smaller planter and add in pine cones, poinsettia, grasses or coleus.

As always, you can call your local Extension office for more information on plants for the holiday season!

CONSIDER THE ECONOMICS: Since a salad plate is more affordable than a dinner plate, consider choosing a set of good quality neutral dinner plates that can be paired with a variety of holiday-themed salad plates. Change out the salad plate alone for an entirely new place setting to suit any season or occasion. Find great deals at after-Christmas sales.

GO ALL OUT: Heirloom candlestick holders?

Fine silver utensils?

Delicate china teacups?

Pull it all out for the holiday season. What’s the good of owning it if you don’t take the opportunity to enjoy it?

Katernia Cole-Coffey is director of the Franklin County Extension.

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CENTERPIECE: Whether you use a traditional vase – porcelain, crystal, silver or another material – or something like a wooden bowl or ceramic pitcher, don’t be afraid to be creative when selecting your table decor.

Incorporate fresh greenery from the outdoors, from cedar and holly to magnolia, for a fresh and beautiful centerpiece that will charm the senses.

Working hard for you

Willodean Davis (256) 762-5671

Selling North Alabama

Kathy Senkbeil Assoc./Broker

(256) 483-1158

Bonnie Gray Agent Assoc.

(256) 460-8064

Scan to find Website

Thank God and you for a wonderful year!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Marty Vandiver Agent Assoc.

(256) 810-9292

Jorge Rendon Office Manager

PLACEMATS: A well-selected placemat can add more texture and an extra degree of elegance to your table setting, paying subtle homage to the truly formal dinners of yesteryear.

Franklin Living

Kaylee Rickard Office Manager

115 N. Jackson Ave. Russellville, AL

(256) 332-9920 Cell: (256) 762-5671 15

2308 Woodward Ave., Muscle Shoals 256-383-1437 Mon.- Fri. 8 to 5 •Sat. 9 to 2 16

Home away from home for the holidays Story by ALISON JAMES Photos by MONTANA HESTER

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hether coming into town for the holidays or any other time of year, visitors to Franklin County have a lodging option they might not know about. Tucked away in Red Bay is a cozy cottage rental for out-oftowners from near and far.

Airbnb, the popular online marketplace for lodging, lists just half a dozen Airbnbs in Franklin County. One of them is Creekside Cottage, Beth and Richard Hammock’s charming retreat just across from the Dixie Youth fields in Red Bay – barely a mile off Highway 24 – nestled into the quiet woods alongside a small creek. “We had some property … and we built it for this purpose. So it’s new construction, and that’s nice,” said Beth, who decided to build Creekside Cottage after six years of managing a bed-and-breakfast with her sister.

Creekside Cottage opened to guests about a year and a half ago. Beth said she recognized a great need for an additional lodging option for visitors of all types, from motorhome customers to Red Bay High School Tiger football fans and more.

“We just have so many people who come into the city,” she said.

“We get all kinds.”

The open-floor plan cottage is a two-bedroom, two-bath home, with a full-service kitchen and dining room, den and one bedroom/bathroom downstairs and a second bed and bath upstairs. A gorgeous feature is the vaulted tongue-and-groove ceiling, adding extra texture and appeal, and the concrete floor downstairs adds a trendy, modern but not-too-modern touch.

Guests can make use of the laundry room, back patio, grill and

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hammock swing, and the cottage is complete with Wifi, satellite TV, central air downstairs, a wall unit upstairs and ceiling fans throughout. A futon allows the cottage to accommodate even more guests than might appear possible at first blush. Along with the space and amenities, Creekside Cottage also offers a supply of pantry staples for breakfast, like eggs, milk, orange juice, cereal, bread, butter, jelly and pancake mix.

Richard, who works at Tiffin Supply Company, was able to handle some of the construction himself, and the Hammocks hired out the rest. Less than a year from the start of construction, the Hammocks were looking at their new enterprise.

When Beth opened reservations, she said she wasn’t sure what to expect at first, but she knew her goal: “to never ever get a bad review.” Within a week, she had her first booking, and she’s been able to achieve her goal of positive reviews ever since.

“We like being able to help people; they are tickled to death when they realize we are available and they have a place to

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Franklin Living

stay,” Beth said. “When they get in, we’ve had nothing but positive comments about it. We’ve had all five-star ratings and really positive reviews. One review – the best review we’ve ever had – she said 25 years ago, their family gave up traditional hotel stays and sought out places like this … and of all the Airbnbs they have stayed at in the past 25 years, ours ranked in the top five.”

To furnish Creekside Cottage, the Hammocks were able to use some items they already owned: The coffee table is a trunk that belonged to Beth’s grandmother, and the downstairs bedspread belonged to her grandmother as well. Other pieces were sourced from the B&B she once managed with her sister, and the Hammocks shopped frugally for the rest to provide a mix of old and new.

In addition to the cozy interior, the idyllic setting certainly gets partial credit for guests’ delighted reactions, as they rave about the peace and privacy. Even with its proximity to the Dixie Youth Fields, guests can enjoy a quiet atmosphere thanks to the sound-muffling provided by the woods around the cottage.

Hammock said she has learned a lot since hosting their first guest, from how to manage booking and payment within Airbnb’s system to the best way to clean and flip the cottage between bookings. She handles housekeeping tasks herself, and Richard takes care of outdoor maintenance. Between scrubbing the bathrooms, disinfecting surfaces, washing the linens and

cleaning the floors, plus mowing the lawn, clearing fallen sticks and taking care of the landscaping, the Hammocks have a job each time they prepare to welcome new guests. “My husband says I am way too meticulous,” said Beth, who will take about two hours to clean Creekside Cottage’s 1,300 square feet from top to bottom. “After a certain time, though, you get a system, and it goes pretty quick.”

Creekside Cottage stays booked, Beth said, with weekends booking first but long weekend and full-week stays numbering among them. They even hosted one extended stay, a travel nurse who was working in Hamilton for three months.

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“We meet a lot of people from all over the United States,” said Beth, who also serves as ticket sales coordinator for the Bay Tree Council for the Performing Arts. “It helps out people tremendously, and it’s so worth it. I like hosting people and getting to meet them … It’s been a fun endeavor.”

“It’s awesome,” agreed Richard, who said as long as Beth is happy with their little side business, that’s good enough for him. “You get to meet a lot of friends and new people from all over the states – we had a call the other day from Hawaii. It’s just a good experience.”

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Franklin Living

On Golden Farm

Franklin Living

21

O

Story by ALISON JAMES Photos by MONTANA HESTER

n more than 600 acres in the Newburg area of the county, one Franklin family is carrying on the legacy begun by their ancestors nearly 200 years ago – finding the joy in heritage and hard work on Golden Farm.

Peter M. Barker started the family farm in 1824, establishing what became the cherished family homeplace. To his son Sterling Barker, to his daughter Mattie Barker Golden, to her son Martin Golden Jr., to his daughters Patsy Golden McDuffa and JoAnn Golden Graham, to JoAnn and husband Mike’s son Marty Graham – the farm has grown and thrived through generations. “The whole thing is still in the family, and we’re hoping it continues,” JoAnn said. “We’ve had a lot of family members on this acreage out here.”

To chronicle the history of almost two centuries of family farming is no easy task, but that’s just what JoAnn set out to do when her father was in the final months of his life, to qualify the farm as an official Alabama Century and Heritage Farm. The state program honors family farms that have been in operation more than 100 years and have played a significant role in Alabama’s history. To date, more than 600 farms have been recognized across the state – a total that now includes Golden Farm.

When JoAnn’s father, World War II veteran Golden Jr., passed away in October 2017, she and her sister each inherited half of the

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farm. Now that Marty, 39, has purchased McDuffa’s half, finalizing the sale in September 2019, he’s running it with his mother as a silent partner. He’s relying on the farm skills he learned working alongside his grandfather on Golden Farm during Golden Jr.’s later years, starting in 2007.

“I went to Auburn and got my ag economics degree, and I came back home and worked in the poultry industry, but in 2007 he made me a partner,” said Marty, who worked first at Gold Kist and then at Pilgrim’s before leaving the poultry industry to take up farming. “He told me, ‘We’re either going to keep this thing running, or we’re fixing to sell out,’ because he was 84 years old at the time. He said, ‘I can’t do it by myself.’”

The Grahams had returned to the family land in 1993 after living in Russellville for 15 years; as a child, Marty had spent a couple of days a week during the summer helping out on the farm – learning the feeling of an honest day’s work with one’s own two hands – and he knew he couldn’t let the family farm leave the family. “I knew it was something I enjoyed, and as I got older, I had started seeing the love Granddad had for it.”

Golden Jr. started teaching his grandson the financial side of running a farm. “We got an operating loan, and he said, ‘Here you go. You get to handle the books.’ I had never dealt with anything over $1,000 at the time,” Marty said. “And the man never asked once to see the books” – trusting his grandson was managing well.

Franklin Living

The two worked together to grow and sell each season’s calves, retaining the heifers and paying for the best bulls they could afford to continue to improve their herd. “I had to make it financially off my part of the calf check each year,” said Marty, admitting he felt the strain of caring for his own young family – his wife Lacy who he married in 2008 and their first son Hudson – on the limited funds, especially since they had to take the loan payment off the top first. His share of the calf check was his only salary. But “we made it. We made a profit every year. It wasn’t a lot, but we made a profit. It made you a pretty good manager …

I had half the herd after he passed away, just from what we had built together.”

JoAnn harbors fond memories of her father’s work on the farm from the time she was a child, and she said it means the world to her to see it continue in the family. “I have always loved it. I love this land. I always, even when I was a little girl, wanted to build a house here,” said JoAnn, who worked 35 years for the Department of Human Resources. “It’s just something within you that you can’t explain. There’s nothing any prettier to me than right here.

I love the beach, I love the mountains, but right here – it’s almost like I feel my ancestors. This land has been good to us. We have been blessed for a long, long time.”

Mike, who married JoAnn in 1974, feels much the same; after a career in education as a principal at Phil Campbell and Tharptown and 21 years in the Franklin County School central office, he has enjoyed being able to help on the farm in his retirement. “I don’t know that I would ever want to live back in town again,” he said. “I intend, good Lord willing, to be out here until I’m dead and gone.”

The farm started its tenure as a cattle farm almost 70 years ago; as row cropping began to lose its profitability, the family traded beans, wheat and cotton for cattle and hay. At different

R E W O P MORE

U O Y O T

Franklin Living

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times Golden Jr. also painted houses, ran a mail route and served in public office, but working on the farm was his first love. His dedication was recognized with awards like Conservationist of the Year and Farmer of the Year, and the whole family was named the Franklin County Farm Family of the Year in 2017.

Marty did return to Pilgrim’s as a broiler service technician in 2014, rising to assistant broiler manager and now broiler manager, a role he holds even while running the farm. Through the fall he has stayed busy with calving season, taking care of vaccinations, feeding and marketing as he prepares to sell his newest stock.

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“It’s just stuff my granddaddy had pretty well established,” said Marty, who has no reason to reinvent the wheel. He works with Superior Live Auction to his extend his sales reach and relies on John Henderson with Superior and Johnny Little, a dear friend of his grandfather’s, as mentors in the industry.

Golden Jr. had two open heart surgeries in 1998 but remained active on the farm until his final days on earth – down to still cutting his own grass with a zero-degree mower nearly right up until he entered palliative care at Helen Keller. Mind still sharp as a tack at 94, even as his body began to betray

Franklin Living

him, Golden Jr. would ask after the cows and took pleasure in learning their family farm would be designated a Century and Heritage Farm.

“It just needed to be done,” said JoAnn. “It was something I wanted to do for Daddy. He probably never would have done it himself, but before he passed away, we had been told it had been approved. I was real happy he knew it … He was interested in it when I was researching it. He would go over stuff with me and talk to me about it.

“He was just a very unique individual,” JoAnn added. “He was always on the go. He was positive; if he worried about something, he didn’t let you know about it.”

“He was from the Greatest Generation and left a huge legacy,” Mike added.

For Marty, who was “trained by the best” in his grandfather, continuing the family farm after Golden Jr.’s passing was really his only option. “I think if I hadn’t done it, I would have regretted it,” said Marty. He said managing the family farm is a dream – albeit an anxiety-producing dream. “It’s a lot of weight just because of the history.” He’s channeling his grandfather’s positive attitude and worry-free spirit, setting his own “worrier” nature aside. He said he tries to follow his grandfather’s advice: “When you come to a fork in the road, just pick one.”

“There’s not a day goes by that I don’t think about him,” Marty added. “I think of him all the time. I had the best trainer I could ever have in him; the years with him were invaluable.”

Marty said he hopes his sons, 9-year-old Hudson Jameson and 2-year-old Sterling Hayes, will also love the family farm, just as their great-grandfather did and their father does. “It’s something where you can really see the fruits of your labor.”

“It was daddy’s heaven,” JoAnn added. “He loved it.”

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LET US CAPTURE

EDUCATION CORNER

A quick word from

Russellville City Schools

W

bluebirdredbirds.com

YOUR LOVE STORY 26

e have so many exciting things going on at RCS, but one thing we are very excited about right now is our partnership with the City of Russellville on the “Shop Russellville 1st” campaign, which encourages those who live and work in Russellville to shop at and support local businesses inside the city limits.

We chose to partner with the city on this campaign because shopping local increases sales tax revenue, and RCS receives a portion of the sales tax revenue from the city. If sales tax revenue increases, that means increased funding for our schools, which means more money for things like our fine arts department classes and organizations, our extracurricular activities, our career tech department, our athletic programs and even salaries to help employ enough people in these areas and others.

This is also an amazing opportunity for some of our students who are specifically interested in leadership and business to work on an actual project that will help our community as well as local business owners and their employees.

Our students involved in the Russellville High School Youth Leadership Academy, as well as Career and Technical Education students taking the entrepreneurship class, will be brainstorming ideas, creating graphics and promotional material and executing the campaign. The work they do will have a direct impact on the local economy as well as our city schools. It’s something they can take pride in, and it will also be something they can use on a resume to help them once they enter the business world after graduation.

We are always excited to give our students real, hands-on experience in fields they are interested in, and this was a great way to do that while also helping our city. We hope the community will step up and support their efforts in this campaign.

Please join us as we “Shop Russellville 1st” and support our city, schools and local business owners.

Heath Grimes is the superintendent of Russellville City Schools. He and his wife Amy have three daughters: Leah, Halle and Erin.

Franklin Living

EDUCATION CORNER

A quick word from

Franklin County Schools

T

he Franklin County Schools system is off to a great start in 20192020. We are excited to have many new programs to offer our students this year.

Jonathan King is the new career technical director for Franklin County Schools. He said this a great time for students to be involved in career tech education, a great avenue for students to enter the workforce in high-wage, high-demand jobs without accruing the debt that comes along with attending a college or university – but still earn the same wage or higher as those who enter the workforce after college.

The Franklin County Career Technical Center offers students eight different programs: health science, business education, collision repair, cosmetology, industrial maintenance, cabinetmaking, drafting and welding. Career Tech programs are also offered in each of the five high schools in the county: agriscience, family and consumer science, business education and health science.

All of these programs offer career readiness indicators to the students, which prepare them to enter the workforce when they graduate high school – industry credentials students earn in the program that certify they are capable of performing in their given industry.

The drafting and welding programs are dual-enrolled with Northwest-Shoals Community College. Students enrolled in these programs are receiving college credit along with their credits for high school.

The FCCTC began offering three new programs for the 2019-2020 school year. An aviation program was started at Phil Campbell High School, and students in this program are afforded the opportunity to learn about the aviation industry, where there is a high demand for employees. Students will have the opportunity to earn their drone pilot license and will be prepared to take their pilot test upon completion of the program.

Thanks to some community members, they also are to train on a flight simulator in the school.

An early childhood education program was started at Belgreen.

This program is also dualenrolled with NW-SCC. Students completing this program will hold a short-term certificate and will be qualified to be employed Pre-K auxiliary teachers.

The FCCTC also began a workbased learning program – for students who are concentrators in a program, who are allowed to leave school to work a job related to the program they’re in – and partnered with NW-SCC to offer a manufacturing skill standards council class this year. Students attaining the credential are guaranteed an interview at the new Mazda Toyota plant being constructed in Madison.

Career tech education is at the forefront in Alabama.

With all the jobs coming to our surrounding area, students can be a step ahead by enrolling in career tech programs. They will gain valuable knowledge and credentials that will make them more marketable as they enter the workforce upon the completion of their education.

Greg Hamilton is superintendent of Franklin County Schools. He and his wife Jessica have four children: Taylor, Carolyna, Dakota and Ty.

Franklin Living

FRANKLIN COUNTY Building, Connecting, and Discovering!

Events and Activities

Bay Tree Council for the Performing Arts "Southern Fried Funeral", November 7-10

Veterans Day and Bicentennial Parade, November 10, 2 p.m.

Bicentennial Birthday Celebration, November 21

6th Annual Holly Day, Todd Centre, December 7 Christmas Parades (6 p.m.) Red Bay, December 2; Vina, December 3; Russellville, December 5; Phil Campbell, December 12

Attractions

●Bear Creek Lakes●Red Bay Museum●Cypress Cove Bird Trail●Dismals ●Roxy Theatre-2nd Sat. of each month●Bay Tree Council for the Performing Arts

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ● 256.332.1760 www.FranklinCountyChamber.org ● info@franklincountychamber.org

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FACES OF FRANKLIN COUNTY The 2019 Spirit of Hodges Festival drew the community out to enjoy a fun fall day Oct. 12 in the Town Park. Live music was in great supply to provide the Saturday soundtrack. Visitors were able to shop the myriad vendors, and plenty of activities and fun were on tap for all ages.

All proceeds from the festival go to the Hodges Fire and Rescue Department.

Photos by MARĂ?A CAMP

Hannah Riley, Brianna Jackson, Brianna Fleming and Miriam Fleming

Chasity Woods and JadenLewis

Jonathan Emerson

Diane and Ray Dutton

Brandon Strickland

Auburn Hill

Christopher Hollis and Natasha Hollis

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Franklin Living

FACES OF FRANKLIN COUNTY

Sanni Spring-Kirk, Carla Estes and Joyce Saad

Nicole Mullins

Kathy and ONeal Braswell

Franklin Living

Katie Westmoreland

Dick Rowland

Kenya Lopez, Carla Woods, Esmeralda Vargas and Jessica Martinez

Josh Ward, Ken Price and Ashley Brewer

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Why I Love Franklin County

Lisa Stockton

L

isa Stockton was the director of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce for nine years. Now an employee of the Alabama Department of Commerce in the Alabama Industrial Development Training office, the mother of three and wife of Tim Stockton is a graduate of Hackleburg High School and attended Northwest-Shoals Community College. A resident of Russellville, she has lived in Franklin County almost 40 years.

Introduce your family.

I am married to Tim Stockton, who works for Proteico Consulting Group. We have three sons: Jason, Matt and Casey. Our oldest son Jason is the farmer in the family and also has cows. He is married to Laura Stockton, who is the librarian at Tharptown Elementary School. Our middle son Matt is a teacher and coach at Pleasant Grove High School. He is married to Kristin Stockton, who is the assistant manager of Aveda. Our youngest son Casey passed away in December 2012. We have four wonderful grandchildren.

Share a little bit about your background.

Lots of people in Franklin County still remember me from when I worked at the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. I worked at the Chamber for 12 years, and nine of those years were spent as the director of the Chamber.

I loved the time I had at the Chamber, and one of proudest accomplishments while there was the Junior Leadership

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Program that is still going strong today. I still see so many of the kids I had in those classes, and it is wonderful to see the accomplishments in their lives as young adults.

What is your job title, and what does your work involve?

My current position is the facilities administrator at the Alabama Robotics Technology Park located in Tanner. The RTP trains individuals who are employed by manufacturing companies across the state in robotics, plc’s, welding and safety. I love my job! I get to see firsthand many of the new companies that are coming into our state and the positive impact they make in people’s lives as they are hired by these companies. We have been extra busy this year with the announcement of Mazda Toyota coming to Alabama.

What do you enjoy about your job?

I love working with people, and I love working with AIDT! I worked a lot with AIDT when I was at the Chamber office and got to know many of the people who worked there.

When they opened up an office in the Shoals, I applied and was hired. I worked for three years with them on the railcar project and then came to work at the Robotic Park about nine years ago. It’s exciting to see all the new industries that are now making Alabama home, and no day at work is exactly the same!

We work with such diverse groups of people at AIDT, and I love working in economic development.

What is your favorite place to visit in Franklin County?

I actually have two places in the Franklin County: Red Bay is one of my favorite places to visit because I love the people there.

If you look in the dictionary for a description and picture of small town America, you will find a picture of Red Bay. They have so much to offer with the museum, the wonderful plays, the shops and the industries. It is one of my favorite towns! My other favorite place is the lakes. This was my son Casey’s favorite place in the world, so it will always be special to me.

He loved to fish, and Cedar Creek Lake was one of his favorites.

What is your favorite Franklin County restaurant,

and what do you like about it?

I have to say that Frosty Inn is one of the Stockton family’s favorite places to eat at! Our grandkids love it, and our son Matt, who lives in Birmingham, almost always has to have a Frosty Inn Big Cheeseburger before he goes home after a visit. It really is a Franklin County icon! My favorite thing at Frosty Inn after the cheeseburgers is the Fruit Flurry. It is the best!

Why do you love Franklin County?

The biggest asset our county has is the people that call our county home – always has been, always will be.

FAST 5

1. Favorite hobby: Traveling

2. Favorite food: Anything caramel 3. Goal or ambition: To be able to retire soon and travel with my hubby 4. Church: First Baptist Russellville 5. Something people might not know about me is: My husband and I are goat farmers! We currently have about 20 pygmy goats. They are the best pets ever.

Franklin Living

(256) 277-7200

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1037 Hwy 44, Russellville, AL 35654

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