2016 July/August Franklin Living

JJuly/August uly/August 2 2016 016 Vol. V ol. 7 IIssue ssue N No. o. 4

Service in flight Patriotic pride

Army action

Contact Russellville City Hall at 256-332-6060

304 Jackson Ave. N Russellville, AL

Russellville City Councilmen Jamie Harris, Lanny Hubbard, Gary Cummings, William Nale, David Palmer & Mayor David Grissom

A Great Place to Live, Work & Raise a family.

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Taking flight

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Harry Mattox treasures lifetime of military service, flight experiences

Cooking with Sam Satisfy your sweet tooth

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Patriotic spirit

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D Downtown residents line sstreets with flags

6 Faces of Franklin County 22 What’s Hot 23 Classifieds 26 Faces of Franklin County 28 Looking Back

FROM THE MANAGER

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e have so much to be thankful for in this country, and one of the reasons that we have what we have is because of the willingness, effort and patriotism of our military. We as civilians don’t know what it is like to be shot at and feel threatened while sleeping near a demilitarized zone.

FCNI General Manager Nicole Pell with her Our military protects husband, Hans. us from that.

Our military is made up of determined men and women who put their lives on the line for our country every day so that we can sleep easy.

The summer always makes me think of our veterans and military.

With the elections fast approaching, we find the country divided on so many issues, but surely we can agree how heroic our military is. We should always thank our military and our veterans. They should be honored each and every day for protecting our freedoms.

That’s what we wanted to accomplish with this edition of Franklin Living. We want our readers to know that we care about this country, we appreciate the sacrifices made by our veterans and our current military and we care about our flag and what it represents. We want to thank our veterans and our military and highlight some of our local veterans and the patriotism that we all should have.

In this edition of Franklin Living, we share the extensive and interesting career of Harry Mattox from Russellville Airport, along with Russellville Police Department’s Capt. Mike Prince and his military background. We also share the patriotism and love of our American flag shown by two Franklin County residents and their neighborhood.

We should embrace their spirit and follow their lead to take part in their love of country and community.

Thank you veterans. Thank you military. Thank you to those who love our country and our community. Thank you for your service!

ON THE COVER: Russellville Police Department’s Capt. Mike Prince spent several years in service to his country in the U.S. Army before being hired into the civilian police force. Prince is now administrative captain for the RPD. To read more of his story, see page 16.

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4617 Huntsville Rd. – Florence, AL Jared Hicks - 256-767-1900 • 1-866-767-1900 Toll Free www.alabamaawnings.com

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Franklin Living is published monthly

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

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General Manager NICOLE PELL Managing Editor ALISON JAMES Sales PEGGY HYDE Circulation TOMMY MORRIS Photography ALISON JAMES and BERNIE MOUSSAD 5

FACES OF FRANKLIN COUNTY Franklin Civic Club’s Fun Field Day is a beloved tradition in Franklin County. Attendees enjoyed food and fun June 18.

Photos by Bernie Moussad

TJ King, Larry Davidson, DeAndre Hamilton and Emily Campos

Erica Campos and Katie Chaney

Zaden Wilson and Jeremy Vasquez

Deshayla Hammoc, Tyrica Lewis

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Christopher Saxton and Elijah Suggs

Christina Chaney and Minajh Jackson

Estar Campos and Aliyah Poso

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FACES OF FRANKLIN COUNTY

Mark Wilson and Grant Tarascou

Chris Watkins and Randy Seal

McKinley Rocha and Logan jones

William Hamilton and Byron Graham

Lanny Hubbard and Donald Willingham

Michelle Nelson and Makynzie Nelson

Don’erica and Don’kyiah Ramson

Monica Graham and Adalynn

Erica, Miguelina, Manuel and Aliyah Campos

Trent Rislay, Emma Ayers, Brianna Chaney

Erica campos, Minajh Jackson

D3 Ramson and Donald Ramson

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Taking flight Harry Mattox treasures lifetime of military service, flight experiences Story by ALISON JAMES Photos by ALISON JAMES AND CONTRIBUTED

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H

arry Mattox is known to most as the Russellville Municipal Airport manager.

But Mattox’s connection to flight began long before the 72-year-old took charge of a small town airport.

Born Oct. 18, 1944, and brought up on a New Jersey farm, Mattox was the youngest of three siblings. When he graduated high school, he went to work for his stepfather’s bus company as a mechanic’s assistant for about a year.

“That really wasn’t what I wanted to do,” Mattox said. “My brother had joined the Army, and I remember him coming home on leave one time in his uniform. He had changed out of his uniform, and he had his uniform coat hanging on the back of a chair. I put that puppy on, and I said ‘Oh, yeah, I like this.’ I always had a hankering for uniforms and the military.”

An airport near the farm helped to fuel Mattox’s other passion.

“Every once in a while I would see a plane fly over or a helicopter, and I would always look up. I was fascinated with flight,” Mattox said. But it didn’t click until later how much he wanted to be a pilot.

When a recruiter came calling to the bus garage one afternoon, Mattox jumped at the opportunity.

“I was under a bus, and I saw a pair of blue pants with red stripes come walking in, with real black shiny shoes,” Mattox said. The Army recruiter, in full dress uniform, mentioned helicopter pilot as a

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potential role in the military, and Mattox was sold – even when he was told he would have to start out as a mechanic and work his way up. His parents supported his decision; his brother “thought I was crazy. He spent three years in the Army and couldn’t wait to get out,” but “he didn’t try to talk me out of it. He knew I really didn’t like farm life,” Mattox said.

He enlisted Feb. 20, 1963, and eagerly embraced basic training.

“I wanted to be a soldier. I wanted to wear that green uniform. I wanted to be a warrior for our country,” Mattox said. “I was eating it up. I adored it all.”

He graduated basic training and went on to Fort Rucker for mechanic’s training, where he got his first taste of flight in an H-13 helicopter.

Mattox shipped out with the 7th Cavalry to Schweinfurt, Germany, where he remained for his entire three-year Army commitment. He worked as an H-13 mechanic and also as part of the Aero Scouts, during which he had more opportunities for flight and flight training.

When Mattox achieved Specialist, 5th Class, he readied himself to return to the U.S. and go through Warrant Officer School to begin pursuing his pilot’s license. That’s when he got some bad news: “‘I’m sorry son. Your SAT score was too low.’ I can’t remember – I think you had to be 104 to qualify, and I was 100. Four points off,” Mattox said. All his Army buddies encouraged him to retake the test and

Harry Mattox, standing center, is pictured with fellow soldiers during his Army service.

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raise his score, but Mattox said he felt too resigned.

“I said, ‘No. The test is what it is. I’m too stupid to fly a helicopter. I can’t be a Warrant Officer.’”

In November 1965, Mattox and several others received orders to report to Fort Benning to become part of an air brigade and deploy to Vietnam. But “all of a sudden, the orders were canceled.” Mattox said he never knew, until about four years ago, that President Lyndon B. Johnson canceled orders for several whose terms of service were nearly fulfilled.

Through a series of circumstances, Mattox chose not to re-enlist in the Army. In February 1966 he returned home and back to work at the bus company – which by then was owned by his stepbrother – for a little while. But the 22-year-old Mattox just couldn’t stomach pushing a broom in a bus company after flying helicopters as an E-5 in the Army, performing many of the same responsibilities as a sergeant. He tried his hand at a few different jobs after that and had a positive experience at a glass company, but nothing quite stuck. That’s why he found himself back in the military – this time, in the Air Force.

The year was 1967 – the height of the Vietnam War. At his first wife’s encouragement, “I went down to the local Air Force recruiter … I sat down and told the sergeant, ‘I want to consider joining the Air Force. I spent three years in the Army,’ – and I was fully prepared to come in the Air Force as an E-4. But the guy said, ‘What did you do?’” Mattox said when he told the recruiter he had been a helicopter mechanic, the recruiter’s eyes “got as big as quarters.” “He said, ‘We’ll bring you right in at the same rank you held.’ I signed the paper, and I was on my way to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina.”

In 1968 Mattox – now Staff Sgt. Mattox – deployed to Nha Trang, Vietnam, in a special operations helicopter squadron, as the night shift flight line supervisor. The deployment left his wife and 1-yearold son stateside.

In December 1968 he signed up as a gunner and went to the Philippines for “snake school” –

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jungle survival training – followed by gunnery training before beginning a series of flight missions as a gunner in Vietnam with indigenous troops and Green Berets, getting behind enemy lines to procure intel for the U.S. Retrieval of troops behind enemy lines was nearly always under fire, Mattox said.

After ten combat missions, Mattox said, he would be eligible to receive his wings permanently. His ninth combat mission, however, was nearly his last.

He and his team were on a mission in an area that ground troops, after extensive reconnoiter, had pretty well determined to be deserted. But minutes after his guys had set off into the jungle, Mattox said they came running back toward the aircraft – bullets sending up sand all around their feet as they ran. “About that time a round came through the windshield and got the pilot, right in his arm,” Mattox said. The pilot’s arm jerked the plane into the air slightly, and then the enemy took out the aircraft’s communications panels. Mattox moved to return fire. “I pulled the trigger, and nothing happened,” Mattox said. “I got out there and started recharging my weapon, and about that time a round came in, hit my weapon, bounced off and hit my ammunition and blew up my ammunition in my face. It blew me back in the helicopter. Of course, I just got up, went back out there and started reloading my ammunition. I wanted to let ‘em have it.” Mattox said he gave the co-pilot “a big thumbsup” but “I had blood running all down the side of my face. I would have lost my right eye, except I had this ballistic helmet and ballistic shield, and that took the brunt of the shrapnel, but some of it did come underneath.”

ABOVE: Mattox takes break with his H-13.

BELOW: A young Harry Mattox enlists in the U.S. Army.

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The pilot was finally able to maneuver out of the landing zone. With his gun reloaded, Mattox zeroed in on some enemy lodgings as the aircraft began to fly out of the area. “If I had seen somebody in uniform, I would have popped them,” Mattox said.

“But I didn’t see anybody, so I was going to start firing into the building, but I said, “Ehh – I don’t want to do that. There might be women and children.”

The whole thing transpired in just a minute or two.

When the team made it back to the forward operating location nearly 20 miles away, “I was walking around the helicopter, and somebody had a camera, and they took a picture of me,” Mattox said. “Who that person was, I don’t know, but somebody out there has a picture of that I would like to have.”

The helicopter was in bad shape. Mattox said the flight maintenance crew stopped counting the bullet holes at 56. “I said, good. I don’t want to know any more.” It was a mission for which Mattox was awarded a Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross, and through it all, “I pride myself I didn’t fire on those buildings. To this day I don’t know who was in those buildings. It could have been their wives and children, and I had nothing against them,” Mattox said.

ABOVE: Mattox receives his Meritorious Service Medal at his retirement in 1990.

LEFT: Mattox entered the Army as an H-13 mechanic.

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Mattox’s “Ego Wall” displays his military patches, medals and other memorabilia.

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That wasn’t the only Purple Heart Mattox was awarded. In a later mission, Mattox’s aircraft was shot down. The co-pilot was shot dead, and the pilot was shot in the left leg and had to put the aircraft down in an emergency landing in an unsecured area. As it descended, “there was a hooch in that field, and I kept telling them, ‘I’m going to blow it away, just in case.’ But every time I got ready to pull the trigger, the aircraft would sway.” Finally, the aircraft crashed in the field, rolling up onto one side, nearly flipping over. “I’m hanging by my gun, and my feet are off the floor, but it finally came back down,” said Mattox. At that point he took off running through the bamboo field to check the hooch for enemy troops. “There wasn’t any kind of movement I could see at all,” he said, so he returned to the aircraft to try and help the pilot.

He didn’t find out until much later, after he retired in fact, that the flight surgeon put him in for another Purple Heart following that mission, based on the bruises and cuts he sustained from the crash.

Two months later Mattox rotated back to the United States. After a divorce, Mattox was stationed at Craig Air Force Base in Selma, where he met and married Belle, in August 1970, to whom he is married to this day. It was during this time that he trained for, and earned, his pilot’s license. From 1971-1972, he was deployed for a tour in Thailand, during which he earned a second Distinguished Flying Cross.

Mattox doesn’t like to talk about his medals and commendations. “It makes me look like a big war hero, but I’m not,” Mattox said. “I’m a survivor.”

Mattox remained in the Air Force, transitioning through several different Air Force bases and several different roles. When he made master sergeant, he found himself stuck behind a desk doing briefings – until he heard about an opportunity to be a flight engineer. His commanders were reluctant to let him go, but he finally got the go-ahead and was accepted to 141 school in 1975. At Sheppard AFB in Texas he received performance training and another AFB in Oklahoma, where he graduated as a second engineer and was assigned to McGuire AFB – back home – where he stayed from 19761995, progressing to first engineer – logging 500600 flight hours per year – and then instructor. He was promoted to senior master sergeant (E-8) and then progressed to assistant chief engineer – and landed back behind a desk. He then promoted to chief master sergeant (E-9) – “as high as you can go,” in 1982. “I was really proud of that,” Mattox said. “I remember way back at Seymour Johnson I remember sitting in the break room, back in 1967, they just came up with this new rank of chief master sergeant of the Air Force … And I told the guys, ‘That’s what I want to be. I want to be the chief master sergeant of the Air Force.’ But I was thinking in the back of my mind, ‘You big jerk; you’ll never make it. You’ll never even make E-8.’”

He also, at that time, became chief engineer – and gained the freedom and flexibility to fly whenever he wanted. In 1990 he retired, at the insistence of

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“I wanted to be a soldier. I wanted to wear that green uniform. I wanted to be a warrior for our country.” ~Harry Mattox his highest commanding officer – his wife Belle. He received his Meritorious Service Medal, and he and Belle moved to Alabama. After a few years, in 2000, he was hired on at the Russellville Municipal Airport and Bill Pugh Field, and it’s a place he has found a lot of satisfaction, making improvements and serving as a flight instructor. “I love my job. Of course, my wife is ready for me to retire again – she’s pushing Mattox and his wife Belle me,” Mattox said with a laugh. live in the Shoals.

Mattox has four children and 18 grandchildren.

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Army man to policeman Capt. Mike Prince reflects on military service Story by ALISON JAMES Photos by ALISON JAMES AND CONTRIBUTED

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ith a father who retired from serving in the military, Russellville Police Department’s Capt. Mike Prince said it felt like a natural career path for him. “My dad actually did two tours in Vietnam,” Prince said. “Of course, I always knew I wanted to do law enforcement. I knew going into the military would be following in his footsteps, but it would also give me an edge on trying to get into law enforcement.”

As a military brat growing up, Prince lived all over the country and all over the world. He moved to Russellville during his junior year of high school and, after achieving his GED, began pursuing a career in air conditioning and refrigeration but “didn’t feel a calling.”

“It felt like there was more I needed to do. I wasn’t content,” Prince said.

So, he enlisted – in 1989, at 20 years old. After visiting with a recruiter in Florence, Prince was sent to basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

“After basic, I went to Advanced Individualized training at Fort Gordon, Georgia.,” Prince said. After three or four months at AIT, he was stationed at Fort Carlson, Colorado – “which I was excited about because I had already lived there with my dad; he had been stationed there a total of eight years.”

He spent a year there before transferring to Camp Stanton, Korea – a hardship tour. His family joined him in Korea for about half of his one-year tour, including his two small daughters: Tiffany, who was 1 at the time, and Tosha, 4. “They stayed through the holidays, so they were there for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We had a different kind of holiday,” Prince said. Tosha made a Korean friend her age, and Prince said by the time his family returned to the States, she was speaking the native language.

E-4 Specialist Prince worked in intelligence in Korea. “I processed raw data we received on the North Korean threats and put it into usable reports for the commander to brief other commanders.” He also had a part-time job as the chaplain’s assistant, which involved helping make sure the chapel was ready and leading weekend religious retreats for his comrades in arms. “We had a Catholic service, a Protestant service and a full gospel service,” Prince said. “Through the week I would be responsible for going and getting the refreshments and things like

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that, and I was sort of responsible for the finances of the chapel.” The religious retreats were set in Seoul and were crucial for soldiers’ wellbeing. “You worked long days and had very little time off ; you’d go in the field a lot, go on road marches a lot – stuff like that,” Prince said. “So they had the religious retreats for some of the soldiers to get away. Once a month, I got to pick which soldiers, and I would carry them all to the retreat.” During these retreats Prince enjoyed getting to see one of the biggest churches in the world, Yoido Full Gospel Church.

Prince said life was “always on edge” while serving in Korea. Close proximity to the demilitarized zone meant periodic high tensions, requiring a constant state of readiness through frequent unannounced training.

Following his service in Korea, Prince lived in Fort Bliss, Texas, and worked at McGregor Missile Range. He wasn’t there long before deploying to Saudi Arabia as part of Operation Desert Storm.

Positioned at Riyadh Airport, Prince’s job was to keep communications up and running for the Patriot Battery, which was tasked with shooting down scud missiles.

ABOVE: Capt. Mike Prince began his military career with a hardship tour in South Korea.

BELOW, LEFT TO RIGHT: Prince stands in front of a Cobra helicopter and drives an armored personnel carrier in Camp Stanton, Korea.

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It’s not a time Prince looks back on fondly, full of training, drills, alerts and a required high level of readiness. He did enjoy a trip to Bahrain for a little R&R during that time, but “When that tour was over, I was ready to come back home,” Prince said. Despite finally being offered the role he had wanted all along – military police – Prince said he decided not to re-enlist after his first term of service commitment was ended. He cherishes the honor of serving his country. “I think the military is a good thing for all young men to do,” Prince said. “I felt an obligation, that it was something I needed to do.”

But at the end of his service, it was at last time to seek a career as a civilian police officer. “I just always looked up to and respected police officers,” he said. “And I’ve always really loved being in law enforcement.”

He signed on with Russellville in 1993 and worked one year as a dispatcher before transitioning into a

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police officer role. In 2003 he was made a sergeant, followed by lieutenant in 2004. He has worked as a captain since 2011, with duties that now include grant administration and reimbursements, maintaining the employee portal and intranet, managing resources and preparing new officers for the Police Academy.

Prince and his wife Anitra have four children: Tosha and Cyrus Swearingen, and son Riley, 4, who are expecting their second child and live in Madison; Tiffany Prince, who is in nursing school; Ashley Prince, a senior at UNA majoring in elementary education; and Alex Prince, 18, who just graduated from Russellville High School and is headed to Northwest-Shoals Community College.

In his spare time, Prince enjoys taking Caribbean cruises with his wife and hiking on the Appalachian Trail, as well as pursuing his hobby as a pilot.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Prince visits one of the world’s largest churches while in Korea.

Prince goes on a KC135 refuel-er flight. This small chapel was one of Prince’s areas of responsibility as chaplain’s assistant during his time in Korea.

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FOOD

Cooking with Sam Recipes by SAM WARF

1/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries Skip this step, if using cherries. In a small 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted microwavable bowl, combine reserved 3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar pineapple juice and dried cranberries.

Cover with plastic wrap and heat on High 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened Preheat oven to 350Ëš. Spray 1 (9-inch) for 1 minute.

1 cup plus 2 tbsp. sugar cake pan with nonstick cooking spray; Pour melted butter into bottom of 3 large eggs set aside. In a large bowl, beat butter at prepared pan. Sprinkle evenly with 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract medium speed with an electric mixer until brown sugar. Arrange pineapple slices 1 1/2 cups cake flour creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until in a single layer over brown sugar. Place 1 tsp. baking powder fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well cranberries in the holes at the center of 1/4 tsp. salt after each addition. Add vanilla. each pineapple slice. Pour batter over 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp. buttermilk In a medium bowl, combine cake flour, pineapple slices. Bake until a toothpick 1 cup chopped pecans baking powder and salt. Sift twice. Add inserted in the center comes out clean, 1 (20 oz.) can pineapple slices, drained flour mixture alternately with buttermilk to 40 to 45 minutes. Let cake cool for 10 and juice reserved butter mixture, beginning and ending with minutes in pan. Remove from pan and 1/4 cup drained maraschino cherries OR flour mixture. Fold in pecans. serve warm.

Pineapple-Cherry (or Cranberry) Upside-Down Cake

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FRANKLIN LIVING

Tiger Butter Heavenly Chocolate Layered Dessert 1 (15.25 oz.) pkg. dark chocolate fudge cake mix 1 large egg 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 (3.9 oz.) pkg. chocolate fudge instant pudding mix 2 cups cold milk 1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar 1 (16 oz.) container frozen nondairy whipped topping, thawed and divided 6 (1.4 oz.) toffee candy bars, coarsely chopped, reserving 1/4 cup crumbs for topping

1 lb. white chocolate, broken into 1-inch pieces 1 (12 oz.) jar crunchy peanut butter 1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels Line a 13x9x2 inch pan with waxed paper; set aside. Place white chocolate in a 1 1/2 quart microwavable bowl. Microwave on high until melted, approximately 2 minutes. Add peanut

Chocolate Icing

until smooth. Add vanilla. Add 5 cups confectioners’ sugar 1 cup butter, softened alternately with 6 1 cup unsweetened natural tbsp. milk until icing cocoa powder reaches a spreadable 1 tsp. vanilla extract consistency. (If icing 5 to 6 cups confectioners’ sugar is too thin, add up to 6 or more tbsp. milk 1 cup confectioners’ In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat sugar. If icing is too thick, add more milk, 1 tbsp. butter and cocoa with the whisk attachment at a time.)

Pecan-Pie Cheesecake Preheat oven to 350˚.

In a large bowl, combine cake mix, egg and butter.

Stir well. Press mixture evenly into a lightly greased 13x9x2 inch baking dish.

Bake for 15 minutes.

Remove from oven and let cool completely. In a mixing bowl, whisk together pudding mix and milk for 2 minutes. In another mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar at low speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add 2 cups whipped topping, stirring to combine. Sprinkle all except 1/4 cup chopped candy bar evenly over cake layer. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly next, then pudding layer, then whipped topping. Sprinkle with rest of chopped candy bar.

FRANKLIN LIVING

butter, stirring a little. Microwave on High until mixture is smooth and creamy, approximately 2 minutes. Stir well. Spread mixture into prepared pan. In a 2-cup microwavable measuring cup, melt chocolate morsels on High for approximately 2 minutes. Stir well. Pour melted chocolate over peanut butter mixture and swirl through with a knife, or drizzle melted chocolate on top of mixture using the fine tip of a pastry tube to make stripes. Refrigerate until set, approximately 3 hours. Cut into squares and then triangles.

crust: 1 3/4 cups vanilla-wafer crumbs 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/3 cup butter, melted pecan filling: 1 cup sugar 2/3 cup dark corn syrup 1/3 cup butter, melted 2 large eggs 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans 1 tsp. vanilla extract cheesecake filling: 3 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened 1 1/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream 1 tsp. vanilla extract Preheat oven to 350˚. In a medium bowl, combine vanilla-wafer crumbs and brown sugar. Add melted butter, stirring to combine.

Press evenly into bottom and up sides of a

9-inch springform pan. Bake for 6 minutes; let cool.

In a medium saucepan, combine all pecanf i l l i n g ingredients, stirring well. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, 8 to 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour into prepared crust; set aside. Reduce oven temperature to 325˚.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese for cheesecake filling at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add brown sugar and flour, beating until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add cream and vanilla, stirring to combine. Pour cheesecake mixture over pecan filling. Bake for one hour. Turn oven off and leave cheesecake in oven with oven door closed for one hour. Run a knife around edges of cheesecake to release sides. Let cool completely. Refrigerate for at least four hours before serving.

21

Bring a delightful scent to your home with this cheerful potpourri. Ava’s China and Gifts, $22.

WHAT’S HOT Let this little ballerina elephant dance her way into your child’s heart. Ava’s China and Gifts, $14.99.

This outfit from Mudpie is sweet as sugar.

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Monogrammed napkins add a unique touch to any dining room table. Ava’s China and Gifts, $18.99.

Raven’s Original Garden Party Mix is the perfect ingredient for all kinds of dips and sauces. Ava’s China and Gifts, $3.99.

Beautifully-etched beechwood serving utensils can bring a touch of elegance to even the most ordinary salad. Audrey’s Gifts and Décor, $16.99.

Hairbows come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Audrey’s Gifts and Décor, $2.99.

Looking for the perfect gift for the newlyweds? Give them a frame that will keep their memories shiny.

Audrey’s Gifts and Décor, $16.99.

22

This cute clutch is perfect for everything you need to carry along with you. Audrey’s Gifts and Décor, $31.99.

FRANKLIN LIVING

Classifieds To place an ad in Franklin Living, call 256.332.1881

AFFORDABLE CONCRETE •Driveways & Sidewalks •Patios, Porch’s & Garages •Pea Gravel •Decorative Concrete •Concrete Stamping & Staining •Pressure Washing & Sealing •Repairs & Restoration References & Photos upon request 256-244-6192 $25 OFF SPRING TUNEUP with this ad! $59 Service Calls FREE 1st & 2nd Opinions Military/Senior Discounts Alabama Comfort Experts, LLC Call 256-469-2415 www.al-ace.com ANN’S ALTERATIONS 600 Limestone Street, Suite #6, Hartselle, AL 256-773-4213 Welder Training Coming Soon!

Short Term Licensing Call for Details 866-432-0430 ESDschool.com First South Farm Credit Poultry House Financing for: • New Construction • Refinancing farms • Expansion • Updating facilities Muscle Shoals 256-381-0721, Moulton 256-974-1124 firstsouthpoultry.com Equal Housing Lender Educator Discounts on Home-Auto-Life Insurance Active & Retired school employees save money. Also offering retirement plans.

Greg Privett Agency of Horace Mann greg.privett@horacemann. com 256-301-3199 We repair any appliance!

We Pick up Used Appliances & Riding Lawn Mowers!

Hallmark Appliance Repair 256-773-1192 Hello Beautiful • Hey Handsome Beauty Salon Now Open!!

In Hartselle, AL 410 Main St. W, Suite D 256-778-3244 Check us out on Facebook!

FRANKLIN LIVING

From around the house clean-up to large scale waste service. We provide a complete range of waste services at competitive rates.

Pace Industries, Inc. Call & compare 205-893-7223 HUGHES NET • Gen4 High-Speed Satellite Internet Is Available Where You Live!

FREE Standard Installation Limited Time Offer!

Ask about FREE router!

Call 800-266-4409 www.pbsinternet.com Smith Motors Two locations on Hwy 31, Decatur Lot #1 256-350-9938 Lot #2 256-350-9937 smithmotorsautosales.com SURVEILLANCE CAMERA MONITORED 24 HOURS A DAY STORAGE BUILDINGS For Rent, All Sizes.

Russellville, AL. We Accept Credit Cards. Call Jerry 256-332-9253 or 256-412-5392 Mon-Fri. 8am5pm, Sat. 8am-12pm Town Hill Mini Storage 160 Units Vacancies All Sizes 256-332-9928 Become a Dental Asst. in ONLY 8 WEEKS! Please visit our website capstonedentalassisting.com or call (205) 561-8118 and get your career started!

HOMES FOR SALE Financing Available (wac) Low Down Payments Sheffield, Hackleburg, Town Creek, Courtland, Moulton & Falkville Call Matt 1-855-847-6808 Come Home to Holiday Plaza Apartments (Behind Foodland) Equal Housing Opportunity 256-332-2960 KDC Properties, Inc. 256-355-9090 P.O. Box 987 Decatur, AL 35602 kdcpropertiesinc.com J. Wesley Cain, AL #286; TN #6499 New 6’ PowerLine Tiller: $1,600 New 4’ Deep-V Bush Hog: $750

6’ Big Bee Bush Hog: $900 New 5’ Sunburst Box Blade: $450 256-565-8695 (no text) We Buy ATVs Motorcycles & Utility Vehicles Motorsports Superstore 888-880-2277 Hamilton, AL VEST FARMS U-Pick or We-Pick fresh fruits and vegetables.

Eva, AL 256-796-2070 CAGLE SOD FARM 419 Hybrid Bermuda • $1.35 sq.yd.

Meyers Zoysia • $2.50 sq.yd.

Empire Zoysia • $3.00 sq. yd.

DELIVERY AVAILABLE 662-365-3152 www.caglesod.com JOBS IN ALABAMA!! AIDT assists employers throughout AL by identifying qualified applicants by recruitment, screening & training services.

Visit www.aidt.edu/jobs for latest jobs & training!

MIXER TRUCK DRIVERS NEEDED Now hiring full-time CDLqualified mixer truck drivers. Must have good drivingrecord and pass drug-screening.

Benefits: •Highly-competitive pay •Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance •Matched 401K •Paid Vacation/Life Insurance Apply: 4200 Stringfield Road Huntsville, AL 35806 Caregivers & Nurses ALWAYS THERE IN-HOME CARE Immediate need, Flexible hours, Benefits available.

Call for more information 256-539-1400 www. alwaysthereinc.com American Proteins, Inc. Hiring Drivers Home Daily, Great benefits package (including: health/ dental/ vision insurance), paid vacation and holidays, 401K retirement plan. Need Class A CDL with tanker endorsement, one year verifiable driving experience.

Contact Jamie Sewell: 256-970-6133 or Ronnie Demonia: 256-970-6109 EOE

Now Hiring Drivers Carry Transit • Decatur, AL Good Pay • Excellent Benefits & Home Time Must Have 18mos OTR Experience & Class A-CDL w/ Tanker Endorsement Apply: www.CarryTransit. com Caregivers & CNAs: Want a job you Love?

• Competitive Wages • Flexible Schedules • Friendly Staff • Endless Opportunities Apply today at: www. homeinstead.com/250 or call 256-883-3080.

DRIVERS WANTED •Experienced Class-A CDL Drivers •Safe & Clean Driving Record Required •Competitive Salary Package Call 205-935-8668 Love Pets? Love People?

How would you like to educate pet parents about customized pet nutrition and other fun pet products?

We are looking for positive and motivated people who love pets to open up the Alabama area!

No experience necessary.

Full or Part-Time! Own your own businesswhile making profit with a purpose.

For more information, email healthypetpro@gmail.com Burger King Hiring General, Assistant & Shift Managers Top Pay/Monthly Bonus/ Vacation/ Medical Benefits.

3yrs fast food experience required. Fax resume: 334-649-1112 or apply at: www.joinbkalabama.com NOW HIRING HVAC & Electrical technicians. Competitive pay and great benefits.

Experience required.

Email resume to wendy@shoalsmpe.com or stop by to fill out an application. 15891 Hwy 43, Russellville, AL 35653 SERVICE TECH Accepting applications for service tech positions. Experience, References, Clean MVR Required.

Call 256-356-4427 Ext. #33 Sunshine Homes

NOW HIRING! •Cooks •Servers •General Manager Apply in person: The Gridiron 103 2nd Ave. SE, Downtown Decatur Hiring Installers for Decatur Location!

Responsibilities: Install according to work order and guidelines, Follow all OSHA and Company Safety policies/procedures.

Requirements: HS diploma or equivalent, Valid DL, 18+ years old, Overtime/ weekends as required, Outof-town travel as required, 0-6 months experience in Construction/Insulation/ Trades/etc., 1-3 years construction experience preferred, Pass drug/ background screenings.

Come Join Our Team Apply online: www. truteam.com or in person: 241 Beltline Drive Decatur AL 35601 OTR DRIVERS WANTED 24 years or older. Hazmat preferred but not required. Full benefit package available.

Pneumatic tank equipment.

Dry bulk hauling. $500 SIGN-ON BONUS HOME EVERY OTHER WEEKEND Apply Online: vernonmilling.com 800-753-1993 A New Career Starts Today RN & LPN Positions Available Full Time or PRN, 12 hour shifts with every other weekend off, Excellent Benefits. EOE. Apply in person!

Woodland Village Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, 1900 Olive St. SW, Cullman, AL 35056 256-739-1430 Now Leasing HALLMARK CRESTMOOR APARTMENTS 1, 2 and 3 Bedroom Units Available W/D Hookups•Pest Control Water/Garbage/Sewer Included 1060 Mountain View Road | Hartselle (256)773-7072

Madison Living231

24

FRANKLIN LIVING

Patriotic spirit Downtown residents line streets with flags Story by ALISON JAMES Photo by ALISON JAMES

T

LEFT: Chase Sparks and Hillary Hall have been spearheading efforts to bring a new aesthetic to the neighborhood streets adjoining downtown. As part of their efforts, they have begun an initiative to hang American flags from lampposts during patriotic holidays.

FRANKLIN LIVING

he residential blocks near downtown Russellville are getting new life breathed into them, and part of that effort is an infusion of patriotic energy.

Chase Sparks and Hillary Hall have been spearheading efforts to bring a new aesthetic to the neighborhood streets adjoining downtown, beginning with spray-painting the stop sign poles black and hanging flower baskets from each stop sign. With neighborhood support and participation, they have taken their beautification levels up a notch with American flags to be hung from every lamppost during each patriotic holiday.

“We have 23 American flags that she and I bought,” Sparks said.

Neighbors also contributed funds to help with the purchase.

The full-sized American flags create an impressive display as they flutter on both sides of the downtown blocks surrounding Hall’s and Sparks’ homes. The two hope that even more neighbors will join in the effort and help to spread the spectacle.

“We talked with some other residents here because the cost can get extremely high,” Sparks said. Another goal is to purchase seasonal flags that can brighten the neighborhood at other times of the year, like watermelon-themed flags, autumn flags and Christmas flags – “just to fix up the street and tie everything together.”

For Hall, who originally proposed the display, the American flags were an obvious, fitting way to show patriotism in Russellville. “I love American flags. My dad was in the military, so you just live off of that, and my mom taught me the value of the American flag. I just honor it so much … And I always love American flags in a downtown. There is nothing any prettier than driving through a small town and seeing all the American flags. So that’s the vision I had.”

Hall and Sparks spent two afternoons installing flagpole brackets on the lampposts lining Gaines Avenue and Green Avenue at Lauderdale Street. The flags made their debut for Memorial Day and reappeared for Flag Day and the Fourth of July.

Civic engagement is what fuels their drive to enhance the visual appeal in Russellville, whether that’s with hanging baskets or the Stars and Stripes.

“We just hope it’s going to carry through to other neighborhoods and streets in town. It’s up to the individuals around the streets to fix them up,” Sparks said. “It’s just important for residents to take interest and try to help the city along with the main goal: to rebuild it and make people feel welcome when they come into town.”

Along with the flags, other ideas including adding flowerpots and encouraging city cleanup days to beautify and show city pride.

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FACES OF FRANKLIN COUNTY Jam on Sloss Lake, held each Fourth of July, is one of Russellville’s biggest signature events of the year, when patriots young and old and from far and wide turn out for a day of live music topped off by an awe-inspiring fireworks display.

Kelly Rasco and Katie Wilkinson

Sheila Davis, Eddie Russell and Lexi Herring

Emily and Gaylon Tidwell

Lexie and Heaven Pearl

Zane Pounders and Kristani Webb

Destiny Jones, Mia Jackson and Kallysta Kilpatrick

Steven Parrish, Felecia Hollis and Ashleigh Thompson

Alexis Adams and Levi Adams and Masson Borden

Parker and Will Sutton

Selena Hill and Michael Robledo

Trey Hooper and Whitney Vincent

Terri Saint and Tina McCabe

Kaylee and Kathi Riley

Jewell and Charles Sherwood, Kylie Thompson and Kaden Trapp

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FRANKLIN LIVING

FACES OF FRANKLIN COUNTY

Vicky Castillo and Taylor Whitman

Amy Moore and Kaylee Gynn

Lakota and Rachel Pearl

Carol Davis and Wayne Holloway

Charlotte Hood, Cortney Smith and Jonathan Hood

Nicole Bohannon and Landyn Fisher

Matthew Brasuell and MaKayla Franks

Paige Sneed, Kailee Simpson and Sarahi Peña

Franklin County Business & Service Directory Russellville Hotel & Suites Call us today!!

For Spring Maintenance • Banquet & Conference Facilities Avail.

• 40” HD flat panel Televisions • Complimentary Deluxe HOT Breakfast • Free Wi-Fi • Large Whirlpool Suites

13770 Hwy 43, Russellville, AL

256-332-1002

Each Best Western branded hotel is independently owned and operated.

Let us Earn your Business

14404 HWY. 43 RUSSELLVILLE, AL

Custom Monogramming & Plaques plus Home Décor Books by Andrews, Keller, Braggs, Dobson, Swindoll plus Gifts & Cards Fabric by the Yard Baby Gifts & more Refurbished Furniture Open: Thursday & Friday 10 – 5:30 p.m. Saturday 10 – 3 p.m.

Want the convenience of the Franklin Living Magazine arriving right in your mailbox?

Subscriptions to the Franklin County Times

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Keep .A.L. R.E

1

LIVING

are only $42.51per year

Call the Franklin County Times 256-332-1881

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

27

LOOKING BACK

Looking back photos courtesy of the Franklin County Archives.

28

FRANKLIN LIVING

LOOKING BACK

Looking back photos courtesy of the Franklin County Archives.

FRANKLIN LIVING

29

PARTING SHOT

“I believe our flag is more than just cloth and ink. It is a universally recognized symbol that stands for liberty, and freedom. It is the history of our nation, and it’s marked by the blood of those who died defending it.” ~John Thune

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FRANKLIN LIVING

TifÀn Motor Homes

105 Second Street NW • Red Bay, AL 256-356-8661

Lenora Eaton is a purchasing agent in the new chassis shop at TifÀn Motorhomes.

She purchases metal fabricated parts from multiple vendors. Some of those parts can take up to “three months or longer to come in,” so Eaton has quite an important job. If all of the parts that are needed to assemble a motorhome are not on the lot, that can leave the engineers with nothing to do until those parts come in. There are probably thousands of parts ordered between her and her partner, Bobby Luther, at TifÀn.

Eaton has been in some form of sales for most of her life. She worked with a company that sold tools. She started as a sales rep and moved up to manager. Eaton then moved to a safety product company and eventually became a director of purchasing there.

When Eaton applied to work at TifÀn, she decided to leave one person off of her application – her father, who at the time was working there. She had listed him as a reference but not as relative, in order to prove to herself that she could get the job without his help – and so she did, and she has done great work for TMH. Eaton has now been with TifÀn for almost six years and says she “absolutely loves” what she does. “I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to work with. We work very closely with our engineers. They communicate with us on any kind of new designs. Model change is always a challenge for purchasing and engineering, but we work closely together to make sure we put a product out there that’s going to continue selling,” she said.

Recently, Eaton went through a very personal battle. She was diagnosed with breast cancer. Many people in this world know how terrifying that can be and the struggles that those who are diagnosed face. Luckily, Eaton had a great family supporting her – and not just her biological family but also her work family. They sent text messages, gifts and encouraging notes to help her get through this difÀcult time. When asked about the love she received from all of her coworkers, Eaton was nearly moved to tears.

“There was not one single day that someone from this ofÀce, or the TifÀns themselves, weren’t sending word ‘Hey! We want to know how you are’ or something like that, and they have just been great,” she said.

After she had gone through all of the treatment, Eaton’s doctor was not sure about letting her return to work, but she had a desire to come back, so the TifÀns told her that she could come work – and if she ever felt too tired to keep working, she could go home.

During her time in the hospital, she was sent a gift bag from her TifÀn family. “When I opened it up, the Àrst thing I saw was a customized TifÀn cap, but it was pink. It had the brand new TifÀn logo, and it was just great,” Eaton said.

Eaton is currently writing a book to help others Àghting cancer in an attempt to provide them with hope and maybe a sense of peace.

In her free time, Eaton enjoys writing and spending time with her family. She

Lenora Eaton has a 25-year-old daughter, Jordan Hester, a 16-year-old son, Coby Eaton, and a 3-year-old grandson, Grady Hester.

Her daughter Jordan works at TifÀn as a material handler at the door plant. Her son Coby is in high school.

Her grandson is already learning about TifÀn motorhomes. Eaton said, “He makes the comments anytime we see a motorhome – he’ll say, ‘There’s a TifÀn motorhome! Is that an Allegro or is that a Breeze?’” They are obviously getting him ready for a life at TifÀn.

www.tifÀnmotorhomes.com

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