2023 Franklin Living July-August

July/August 2023

Countians abroad

From Italy to Korea, locals are on the move

For many folks, summer is a time to travel and to learn new things, so we have plenty to inspire you along those lines in this July-August edition of Franklin Living.

Learning has been a continual pursuit for Russellville High School alumnus Magda Francisco-Lopez. Her studies at Northwest-Shoals Community College and UNA eventually led to her teaching English – first in South Korea and now as an English language learner aide back at her alma mater. Find out about some of the sights she saw and memories she made during her years abroad starting on page 11.

Some other Franklin Countians have recently embraced the “when in Rome” mindset with a whirlwind tour of Italy. RHS teachers Susan DeArman and Beth Gilmer, along with 21 others, spent time seeing landmarks like the Trevi Fountain, Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Vatican and soaking up unique experiences like riding a gondola and a funicular and eating Italian classics

including pizza and pasta – all in the space of 10 days. Read all about it starting on page 20.

If jet-setting isn’t in your immediate future, perhaps you’d enjoy some imagined travel through the pages of a good book. Lori Skinner has several suggestions for you; just turn to page 17.

Maybe you’d like to learn some watermelon-themed recipes, in honor of Russellville’s iconic festival coming soon. Maybe you’d like to learn about becoming a Master Gardener, improving your financial literacy or understanding the omnipresent God. We’ve got all that and more.

On a personal note, this summer I’ve been both traveling and learning something very precious. In mid-April my husband and I flew out to Utah to adopt a baby girl. Our sweet Chloe was born April 18, and she is everything I could have ever hoped for and then some. We didn’t anti-

cipate our six-week NICU stay, plus two more weeks in the children’s hospital in Salt Lake City, but Chloe was worth it all – and she took the plane ride home like a champ. She’s learning about her world, and I’m learning how to be her mom – something I’ve been dreaming about and praying for for years.

In my absence, staff reporter María Camp has also been learning a new thing or two, too. She has taken on most of my responsibilities during my leave of absence and has handled the extra workload with amazing acuity, and I appreciate her stepping up to the challenge.

Whether you’re traveling or staying put this summer, may you find it a time for memorable experiences all around.

Alison James

What’s Happening

Check out all the upcoming community events!

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.

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.

Jam on Sloss Lake

Watermelon Festival Pageant

Franklin County Basketball Tournament

July 15

Jan. 14-18

The annual Franklin County Watermelon Festival Pageant will crown the 2023 Watermelon Queen and younger queens, too, as the reigning royalty of this year’s festival. The pageant will be held at the Russellville City Schools Auditorium, starting at 10 a.m. With entry categories for ages birth through 21 years old, the pageant provides the opportunity for local young ladies to draw accolades for qualities like prettiest smile, prettiest hair and prettiest dress. The Watermelon Queen, from the 18-21 division, will cut the Opening Ceremony watermelon and award watermelon contest prizes at the Watermelon Festival in August. She will also ride in the Russellville Christmas parade.

at Red Bay in this annual competition among county teams.

Vina JulyFest

July 4

Spring Sports Registration

Jan. 1 through Feb. 1

Jan. 29 through March 7

July 29

Scale Back Alabama: Weigh-In Week

Jan. 20-26

The City of Russellville hosts this annual event at Sloss Lake Park on Highway 24 in Russellville. Everyone is invited out to enjoy a fun-filled day of food and entertainment to celebrate the nation’s birthday. A full slate of live performance will take the stage throughout the afternoon, and this special event ends with a dazzling fireworks show.

Rockin’ at the Roxy

The Russellville Parks and Recreation Department will begin spring sports registration with soccer signups Jan. 1 through Feb. 1. Youth soccer is for boys and girls ages 3-12, and cost is $35. Teams will play their games at the soccer fields by the Chucky Mullins Center. Youth softball signup for girls ages 6-12 will begin Jan. 29 and continue through March 7, with a cost of $35. For more information call 256-332-8870, ext. 14.

July 8, Aug. 12

Rockin’ at the Roxy

Jan. 11 and Feb. 8

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. Admission is $15 for adults, $5 for children 6-12 and free for children younger than 6.

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

July Fest is an annual opportunity for friends and neighbors to enjoy a time of fun and fellowship, all while supporting the local Vina Rescue Squad/Volunteer Fire Department. Set for July 29, this year’s festival will start at 10 a.m. and feature live music along with a variety of vendors, including those selling food and handcrafted items. Festivities will also include a car show and crowd-favorite Draw Down raffle. To top it all off, a fireworks spectacular will end the day. Festivities will wrap up at 9 p.m.

Watermelon Festival

The Weigh-In Week for teams participating in Scale Back Alabama will be Jan. 20-26, kicking off the two and a half month program. SBA is a free statewide weight-loss campaign designed to encourage Alabamians to get healthy and have fun doing it. Since the first challenge in 2007, Alabamians have lost more than 1 million pounds. For more information, to sign up or to find a local weigh-in site, visit www.scalebackalabama.com.

Aug. 18-19

LifeSouth Blood Drives

The two-day Franklin County Watermelon Festival, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, boasts non-stop musical entertainment, watermelon contests and more, like the presentation of the Watermelon Queen, arts and crafts vendors, an antique car and truck show, free wedges of juicy watermelon, youth performances, themed festival T-shirts for sale and more in downtown Russellville.

Commit to growing family financial literacy

We have a lot of difficult conversations with our kids. Money can be one of the most trying! That’s mostly because it’s a constant lesson in teaching them money does not come easy. To kids, everything seems just a swipe of the debit card away.

One thing is for sure: It’s much easier to spend money when you’re not making it yourself yet. That’s why it’s good to start having financial discussions early on. The problem is, sometimes these conversations can seem awkward and stressful – for us and the kids both. With that being said, here are five tips to help you get started with these conversations. Keep in mind, these do not have to be sit-down, “formal” discussions. These can happen anywhere, anytime there’s an opportunity to chat with your kids.

1. Encourage saving. Encouraging your child to save is one of the easiest and most important fiscal lessons. This doesn’t mean save their money and spend yours! Do teach them to save a little and spend a little; to look for values instead of buying the first thing they see; and to challenge themselves with savings goals.

2. Set the example. Let your kids see you being fiscally responsible. This can be anything from discussing with them how you budget to having them help you keep a running tally on what’s going into the buggy at the grocery store. Letting them know money is most definitely not in an unlimited supply is important. My go-to line is, “Be a good steward of your money.”

3. Define wants versus needs. This one is technically easy to grasp, but for some reason we all have trouble sticking to budgeting our wants verses ours needs. The key to teaching this one is having a continual conversation. Always be identifying and discussing the difference. Show examples and talk about them together.

4. Identify opportunity costs. This one gets a little bit deep, but teaching our kids and ourselves that money is finite is key. Breaking this down: The money we use to buy one thing is no longer available for something else. Trade-offs are indeed a real part of life. Teaching our kids early on that we don’t get to have “all the things” will help them to be money smart as they grow up.

5. Emphasize that patience is a virtue. Living in this fast-paced world, it’s difficult to make ourselves wait for anything; however, delayed gratification helps teach not only the real value of money but also self-discipline! We can teach our kids they can’t purchase everything they want all the time and teach ourselves to avoid impulse purchases. Not only is it a surefire way to save, but we actually end up valuing what we’ve bought more. Plus, we get to have a sense of accomplishment to top it off.

Emily Mays is vice president/chief administrative officer at Community Spirit Bank in Red Bay, working in finance for 15 years. She is an enthusiastic social media marketer, financial literacy advocate and go-local supporter.

BUILT to SERVE. HERE to STAY.

It’s frustrating when the bank you trusted with your financial relationship no longer exists. That’s what happened in Leighton in 1947, and Bank Independent was born to fill the void.

Over the past 75 years, we have been “Built to Serve, Not to Sell!” And, we are here to stay! Let us welcome you home and show you the award-winning Bank Independent difference.

TASTE OF FRANKLIN

MAD FOR MELONS

Recipes by AMY DOLAN MCCOLLUM

Photos by LARA GUNDERMAN

August is Watermelon Festival time in Franklin County! As Russellville’s quintessential community event approaches, try a recipe that just might inspire a new love for the festival’s namesake fruit.

WATERMELON ALL–STAR MILKSHAKE

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups chopped, refrigerated watermelon; remove all seeds

• 4 large scoops vanilla ice cream

• 3 Tb. Watermelon Starburst gelatin granules (Jell-O)

• Whipped cream

Instructions

1. In a blender, add the watermelon first, then ice cream, then gelatin granules.

2. Blend well.

3. Top with whipped cream.

WATERMELON LIMEADE

If you are not familiar with agave, it is found on the baking aisle with the sugar and artificial sweeteners. If your watermelon is not very sweet, you might want to add more agave.

Ingredients

• 6 cups cubed watermelon

• 1/2 cup lime juice

• 3 Tb. agave or more to taste

• Mint and sliced limes, for garnishes

Instructions

1. Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

2. Strain into a large pitcher filled with ice.

3. Garnish with lime wedges and mint (optional).

TASTE OF FRANKLIN

TASTE OF FRANKLIN

WATERMELON RIND QUICHE

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups matchstick-size julienned watermelon rind – white part only, no green skin

• 5 large eggs

• 2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce

• 1 cup sour cream

• 8 oz. shredded Swiss cheese

• 1/4 tsp. paprika

• 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper

• 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

• Cherry tomatoes, if desired

• Dash salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk eggs, teriyaki sauce and sour cream until evenly blended.

3. Stir in watermelon rind, chopped peppers and half of the cheese. You can also add sliced cherry tomatoes, if you desire.

4. Coat a 9-inch pie plate with non-stick cooking spray.

5. Pour mixture into pie plate and sprinkle with cheese and paprika.

6. Bake 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

7. Allow to cool before cutting into six wedges. Serve warm or at room temperature.

WATERMELON RIND CAKE

Ingredients

• 2 cups grated watermelon rind

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 cups sugar

• 2 tsp. baking soda

• 1/2 tsp. baking powder

• 3 tsp. cinnamon

• 1 tsp. salt

• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

• 4 eggs

• 1 cup of chopped pecans

• Small watermelon wedges, for decoration

• Cream Cheese Icing: 8 oz. cream cheese, 1/2 cup salted butter, 1 Tb. vanilla and 3 cups powdered sugar (recipe below)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Sift together dry ingredients in a large bowl.

3. Cut the red off the watermelon rind. Grate 2 cups of white watermelon rind.

Some people prefer the green left on; that is your own preference. Make sure all red is cut off.

4. Combine the grated rind with eggs and oil in a large bowl.

5. Pour rind mixture into dry ingredients and combine well.

6. Add pecans. Stir well.

7. Divide into two 9-inch pans, greased and floured.

8. Bake 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

9. Remove from oven. Let sit five minutes then remove from pans onto cooling racks. Let cool completely before icing.

10. Make icing: Let cream cheese and butter come to room temperature. Mix together with vanilla until smooth. Mix in powdered sugar and beat until smooth.

11. Frost the top of the first cake. Carefully place second cake on top of first. Ice top of second cake. Add small watermelon wedges as decoration, if using.

WATERMELON GLAZED MEATBALLS

Ingredients

• 2 Tb. vegetable oil

• 24-36 frozen prepared meatballs

• 1 cup prepared barbecue sauce

• 1 cup watermelon puree

Instructions

1. To make the watermelon puree, remove seeds from fresh watermelon and cut into large chunks. Place in a blender and process until smooth and well pureed.

2. Heat the oil in a large heavy sauté pan over medium high heat or electric skillet set on 325 degrees.

3. Sauté the meatballs until browned and hot. Reduce heat to low.

4. Mix together the barbecue sauce and watermelon puree. Pour over the meatballs and simmer for a few minutes.

5. Serve hot.

He’s always watching

n today’s world of video cameras being seemingly everywhere, it is normal to feel like someone’s always watching. And while video cameras can increase our sense of security, we don’t always like that so much of our lives is captured on video, since we never know who might be on the other side of the camera.

In a much more substantial way, God our Creator is always watching. One of the amazing and difficult-to-understand things about God is that he’s always present everywhere. The “churchy” word we use for this quality is God’s omnipresence.

With God, not only is he always present everywhere right now, he is bound by neither space nor time. Not only does his presence fill his creation, he transcends it. As the eternal God who has always been, he exists outside the timeline he created for us to live within (Psalm 90:2; 93:2; 102:27). He is as present in the past and in the future as he is in this moment.

His omnipresence combined with his omniscience – the fact that he is all-knowing – are the reasons he can know where you will spend eternity even though he loves you so much that he’s given you freewill to choose to either obey Him or reject him. He knows the ending because he’s already there – even though he’s also right

In Psalm 139, David praises God for both his omniscience and his omnipresence. With the poetic language of the psalms, David acknowledges there is nowhere he can go where our all-knowing

We should highly value both God’s knowledge and presence every single day, but because we are human, there are times when we might be tempted to try to flee from God or pretend he isn’t present. Most preachers pretty much hate it when folks clean up their speech or their actions simply because the preacher happens to be present. Each time it happens, the preacher is thinking, “God always knows! God is always present! Please be self-aware and God-aware enough to show respect for our great and powerful God – not for me because I happen to be a preacher!”

We should see God’s knowledge and his presence for the blessing that it truly is – but do we? Psalm 139 concludes with an inspired plea from David: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

The reality of God’s knowledge and presence can either be alarming or a source of strength and confidence. Which is it for you? Like David, can you confidently make a plea to God for his open examination of your life?

Philip Goad has been serving as the minister at North Highlands Church of Christ in Russellville since March 2020.

HAVE FUN • PLAY GAMES • LEARN AMAZING MAGIC TRICKS

From Russellville to Korea and back

RHS alum travels world to find her place in it

Story

by MARÍA CAMP

Photos by MARÍA CAMP AND CONTRIBUTED

Since graduating from Russellville High School in 2011, Magda Francisco-Lopez has logged quite a few travel miles and gained new experiences and stories along the way.

Like many of her fellow RHS graduates, Francisco-Lopez attended Northwest-Shoals Community College and then the University of North Alabama, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 2016 in the area of entertainment business. “I really enjoy music, and I hope one day I can be an artist manager,” Francisco-Lopez explained. As she well knows, however, “music is a really hard industry to get into.”

While working a part-time job and trying to figure out her next steps in her career, she began learning about a program her sister was interested in: the EPIK program, English Program in Korea, which was – as the name suggests – seeking people to teach English in Korea.

“I had a couple of friends that were thinking about going to do it, and so I started hearing more about it and decided to jump on board as well,” Francisco-Lopez said. “After applying and being accepted, I went to Korea in February 2018.” She taught English in public and private schools, to mostly elementary-age children ranging from 5-12 years old.

Although she describes living in Korea as “a big culture shock,” with society and mannerisms “totally different from here,” she said people were also “really respectful and friendly.”

During her first year, she stayed in a little town close to the North Korea border, Hwacheon. She lived in an apartment complex where the other seven program workers also stayed. “We talked to each other and became friends,” Francisco-Lopez said.

The city “was very quiet and kind of reminded me a little bit of Russellville, but it was very different because there were a lot of Korean soldiers there,” The town was one of the training areas for the military. “They were just there practicing, and it was really interesting to see,” she added. “Nobody spoke English there, and I had to learn the language just to help me get by.”

Francisco-Lopez said it wasn’t too difficult for her to learn the language –though while some people say they can learn the alphabet in a day, it took her about a week. “It was easy enough for me to learn, but I still feel I’m not advanced, though I can get by.”

A fellow UNA student, from Korea, had returned to his home country and was a big help to Francisco-Lopez. “He helped me a lot, and that made a difference. I didn’t know anybody else, and I had to open up and become more friendly and try to make friends because it does get lonely, and you get homesick sometimes.”

Francisco-Lopez said she initially only expected to stay for around a year, but her feelings changed after experiencing what

it was like. “It went really well, and I really fell in love with their culture and decided I wanted to stay a lot longer.” After finishing her year-long contract, she came home for two months to visit family before returning. The second time, she stayed for three years, living the first two and a half years in a bigger city, Anyang, located closer to Seoul.

“That’s when COVID hit, and that’s why I stayed a lot longer,” she explained. “I was hearing, and my parents were saying, that I should come back home, but I decided to wait it out.” After a while, travel bans made it difficult to get permission to return home.

Francisco-Lopez said transportation options in Korea included public buses,

subways and trains. “It’s convenient and cheap, and you get places in no time. It’s really easy to understand once you get a map, especially after getting used to it with a couple hours of practice,” she explained. “I wish we could have more transportation options over here.” Though she enjoyed making use of the public transport options, Francisco-Lopez also spent a fair bit of time walking.

Apart from enjoying living in a different country and meeting a lot of new people, Francisco-Lopez said she discovered she really enjoyed teaching English. “It made me smile just to help,” she explained. “I really love helping people and working with kids, and I love teaching them and watching them grow.”

While teaching in public school in Korea, she taught 22 hours of English per week. At her first assignment, the school was small, and she taught no more than four children at once, with the smallest class having only two.

“The students were very engaged, and they always had a lot of fun and were very interested in new people,” Francisco-Lopez said. “During recess, they would ask me to play with them. They were really respectful and fun to teach. They liked trying to talk to me more and practice their English.” Francisco-Lopez described her time in Korea as “very rewarding,” adding she’s glad she took advantage of the opportunity when it came her way.

While in the second school, a private school in Anyang, she helped students with preparing speeches. “I had one

Magda Francisco-Lopez, Stephanie Mayfield, RHS teacher Alma Martinez at the 2023 RHS Hispanic heritage day event.

The Sensō-ji temple in Tokyo is one of the many sites Francisco-Lopez visited in her travels.

student, a little girl in fifth grade, and she had a big speech coming up,” Francisco-Lopez said. “She was really feeling down, and she was really shy and didn’t want to speak in front of people.” Francisco-Lopez said she encouraged her, telling her she could do it and to keep trying. “I helped her after hours and also just let her practice,” and she wound up doing really well, placing second. “It felt amazing getting to see her do that. She really smiled, and it was wonderful to be part of helping her make all that happen.”

Francisco-Lopez said she also enjoyed going on field trips with the children, including to a strawberry farm. On another occasion, she learned to ski while on a field trip. The children were practicing and asked her to learn with them.

While in Korea, Francisco-Lopez also got to take advantage of opportunities to travel to other countries, including Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong. She spent about two weeks in Japan and around four days each in the other places.

While she admires the beauty of the Japanese language, Francisco-Lopez said she doesn’t really speak it. Despite the language barrier, she said she managed well. “Everyone was really friendly, and people would always try to help me if I got lost,” she added. She said the best part of her time in Japan was getting to experience the food. “They have really cute cafés, and I noticed there a lot of coffee drinkers over there. I also noticed this in Korea.”

Another of her favorite things about her time in Japan was getting to see old shrines. “It was really interesting,” she said. “They have a lot of mountains, and I had to climb, and I’d get tired a lot, but I told myself I had to push through, and it was worth it.”

She also visited Vietnam, noting she got to see what it was really like during the rainy season – which involved a lot more rain than she realized. While there, she visited the capital city, Ho Chi Minh.

She said she decided to come back home toward the end of her contract in 2021. She hasn’t been back to Korea since. “It was a hard decision for me because

I really enjoyed it,” Francisco-Lopez explained. “It was really rewarding helping the kids learn English, and the culture is amazing, but I had to think about my future here as well – consider settling down with a secure job and being closer to my family.”

When she got back to Russellville, it was time to think about possible next steps. The daughter of Guatemalan immigrants, Francisco-Lopez was born in Florida. Her family background, along with her recent experiences teaching English, made her a good candidate for a role in the Russellville City Schools system, where she now works as an English language learner aide.

“I felt like education is really what I know, so I’m glad I was able to find a position in that field,” she explained. Primarily, Francisco-Lopez works at Russellville High School, helping translate for students and assisting with communicating with families and helping them with paperwork and other issues. In the summer, it also involves helping with school registration. Francisco-Lopez said she’s glad to be able to use her Spanish and English skills to help students and their families.

While she’s not sure what she might do in the future, for now, she’s enjoying

where she is and what she’s doing. Being part of the school system provides other opportunities, such as helping with the annual Hispanic heritage program.

“We all appreciate getting to show the community more about our cultures in Central America,” she said. “I saw all the students commit to working hard and shine when they did their amazing performances. It was a wonderful show. When I was in Korea, we had something similar where the kids got to show traditional dances, and I enjoyed that a lot, too.”

Stephanie Mayfield, a Spanish teacher at Russellville High School, said Francisco-Lopez is great to work with. “As a bilingual paraprofessional, Magda has been instrumental in helping the English language learners at Russellville High School,” Mayfield said. “She connects with students and helps them feel at ease with being in a new country.” Mayfield said Francisco-Lopez provides real-world examples for them and pushes them to strive to be successful and become college- and career-ready as they begin preparing for graduation. “She’s a wonderful friend and colleague, and we are blessed to have her at Russellville High School.”

Fellow RHS EL aide, Edmund Martinez, described Francisco-Lopez as “an inva-

luable asset to our EL program at RCS,” citing her ability “to bring comfort, relatability and a strong sense of cultural identity to our students” as “truly remarkable.” He said her impact really makes a difference. “She embodies the qualities of an exceptional role model, and her dedication and contributions make a significant difference in the lives of our students.”

RHS science teacher Heather Boyd echoed these sentiments. “Magda works really well with our students,” Boyd said. “She has helped me with labs and translates for my ELL classes and assists with lessons. That’s a big asset for my classes, and she has a very good rapport with students. She genuinely cares and wants to help our students.”

RHS principal Dr. Jeremy Madden said Francisco-Lopez does “an excellent job,” confirming her impact. “She not only works as a paraprofessional with our EL students but also assists with their acquisition of English, interprets for families and helps in lots of other ways. We’re very fortunate to have her at our school. She knows the struggles and understand what our students are facing as they try to learn the language, and we appreciate everything she does to help.”

Students in Korea celebrate Halloween.

Let armchair travel titles transport you

Although summer for many presents a time for traveling, a great book can provide a way to traverse the globe without ever leaving the comfort of home. Northwest-Shoals Community College library director Lori Skinner has these titles to recommend:

“The Lost City of the Monkey God”

By Douglas Preston

“The Lost City of the Monkey God” by Douglas Preston recounts Preston’s journey with a group of scientists to attempt to discover a fabled lost city of immense wealth. Using groundbreaking scientific methods, the team identifies a sprawling metropolis and battles hazardous conditions, predators, ancient curses and the weather to physically visit the ruins. Full of suspense, history and adventure, “The Lost City of the Monkey God” is an enthralling visit to the deepest interior of Honduras.

“Island of the Lost: An Extraordinary Story of Survival at the Edge of the World”

By Joan Druett

Joan Druett’s “Island of the Lost: An Extraordinary Story of Survival at the Edge of the World” examines the extraordinary events of 1864 when two separate ships wrecked on opposite ends of the same island. Auckland Island, 285 miles sough of New Zealand, is considered one of the most inhospitable places on the face of the earth. Separated by only 20 miles, each ship’s crew embraces a different method of survival, which shows the power of leadership and the fine line between order and chaos.

“Sophie: The Incredible True Story of the Castaway Dog”

By Emma Pearse

For many of us, our pets are irreplaceable members of our family. For Jan and Dave Griffith, an Australian family, a pet parent’s nightmare came true when their beloved Australian cattle dog was lost overboard while on a weekend sailing trip. Sophie, their beloved pup, became an international sensation when she was discovered five months later having swam through six miles of shark-infested waters and managing to survive on an uninhabited island. “Sophie: The Incredible True Story of the Castaway Dog” explores the unbreakable bond between pets and their people.

“Arabia: A Journey Through the Heart of the Middle East”

By Levison Wood

Renowned explorer and adventurer Levison Wood details his 5,000-mile expedition around the Arabian Peninsula, from Iraq to Lebanon, in “Arabia: A Journey Through the Heart of the Middle East.” Specializing in documenting people and cultures in remote regions, Wood offers a more humane and complex picture of the region than is often portrayed. Fans of this book will enjoy exploring his extensive backlist.

Lori Skinner is the head librarian for Northwest-Shoals Community College. She can be contacted at 256-331-6288 or lori.skinner@nwscc.edu. NW-SCC Libraries are open to the public and look forward to serving your library needs. The library now has an app, Librista, available on android and Apple devices.

Summer Fun

Area children share favorite activities

Photos by MARIA CAMP

Ice cream and swimming in pools.

Playing in the sun.

— Maximus White

Cherry Ice cream. Splash pad. Outside play. Finding snails.

— Jordan Melding

Going to the splash pad and going to the park.

— Avery Berry

Playing in the pool. Splash pad. Ice cream.

Playing with friends.

— Jaselinn Isbell

Swimming in the pool and playing outside with friends.

— Brooklyn Berry

Playing in the pool. Going to the splash pad and having ice cream. Playing with friends.

— Alyssa Berry Water balloons. Fourth of July. Water parks.

— Emma Bonds

Hanging out with friends and sleeping in.

— Paula Mestas

The Russellville Splash Pad is a hotspot for cool refreshing fun in the heat of summer. “Franklin Living” asked a few splashers – what are your favorite things about summertime?

When in Rome

Local group visits historic sites across Italy

Story by MARÍA CAMP Photos CONTRIBUTED

The Spanish steps attract tourists from all over the world, having been the backdrop to notorious films, important events and fashion shows. Its Italian name is “Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti,” and it is composed of 12 ramps and 135 travertine steps. It is considered the widest and longest staircase of Europe, welcoming millions of tourists and Romans.

Agroup of Russellville High School students, as well as one student from Belgreen, along with teachers and parents, finally got to take their “senior trip” to Italy this summer. Delayed because of COVID-19 and other issues causing travel restrictions, the trip spurred high excitement among the travelers, some of whom had never been out of the country before.

RHS teacher Susan DeArman organized the adventure. While the trip involved doing and seeing a lot in a short amount of time – a span of 10 days – she said it was 100 percent worth it. “My favorite town we went to was Assisi. We didn’t really know what to expect, but when we got there and saw all the medieval houses and buildings and churches on a hillside and started climbing up the hill to get there – it was just amazing to see,” she explained. Another favorite for her was visiting Vatican City and seeing the Sistine Chapel, even though it was much more crowded than anticipated. Another favorite experience was visiting a small bakery and interacting with the family running it.

The trip was organized through a company called Education First, and DeArman and others who went on the trip said they learned a lot – way more than they can remember, both from their main tour guide, Gesualdo, and their bus driver, Mossimo, as well as the individual tour guides they had in the various city they visited.

The group toured Murano, known for its glass; Burano, known for its lace; the Leaning Tower of Pisa; Florence; Rome; Assisi; the Vatican, including the Sistine Chapel; Capri; and a number of other cities and sites, including some via a boat tour.

For 2022 RHS graduate Nelly Valdez, Venice was the ultimate site. “It was beautiful, just like all the pictures and videos you see,” she said. “The churches there were just beautiful. They don’t make buildings like that anymore. Even with the language barrier, we found a way to communicate.” Valdez said her background in speaking Spanish helped because of similarities with Italian. “I got to ride a gondola, and all the guides knew each other,” she added. “Many of them were family.”

Valdez said walking into the plaza at the Leaning Tower of Pisa was “breathtaking,” and she enjoyed seeing everyone try to make the expected “holding up the tower” pictures. “I had never been out of the country before, and I was nervous but also excited for this trip,” she said. “I’m thinking of joining the Greece trip in 2026.”

RHS English teacher Beth Gilmer said the trip was a wonderful experience for all. “I enjoyed going to Verona because that’s where the Romeo and Juliet story is set, and the city has em-

braced that as part of its legacy,” she explained. While Gilmer said she loved the beauty of Venice, she was surprised to find her favorite place to be Assisi. “I didn’t know the village itself was so beautiful,” she said. She also “saw enough of Florence to make me want to go back there, and I got to throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, a traditional way to make a wish.”

Another favorite Gilmer noted was taking the boat ride to Capri, which boated beautiful scenery, including old architecture. “We rode a funicular, a type of cable car, and we got to go to some very exclusive shops at the top.”

Gilmer said while a few of the tour group members tried to learn some Italian ahead of time, nobody knew too much, but friendly guides and native Italians meant their lack of language wasn’t a problem.

“There were 23 of us on this trip,” Gilmer continued, “and that included students from several recent classes because of the trips being delayed more than once.”

RHS teacher Beth Gilmer visits the Colosseum.

Assisi is best known as the birthplace of St. Francis, one of Italy’s most famous patron saints.

For Zakery Colburn, a member of the RHS Class of 2021, it was a trip that did not disappoint. “It was wonderful to get out of town and experience somewhere new,” he explained. “It was really interesting to see how the culture differed from what we are used to in the states, not to mention trying new food. It was mind-blowing to actually get to see so many places I had heard about, with my own eyes, and experience it for myself.”

“People in Italy were very friendly, and they made us feel welcome,” he added. “My favorite food from the trip was the margherita pizza.” He wasn’t alone in citing this as a favorite. “I learned that’s what you want if you’re looking to experience a true Italian pizza.” Colburn also said he particularly enjoyed getting to see the Sistine Chapel. “That was one of my favorites, and it was really incredible to see. Another favorite was seeing the Pope’s summer residence. We saw so many beautiful areas.”

Miranda Haithcock, also a member of the RHS Class of 2021, said she had never even flown on a plane before. “I loved going to the island of Capri and the boat ride we took for a tour,” she said. “It’s just beautiful there. It’s so blue, and the islands are so pretty. I really enjoyed seeing the Leaning Tower, too.”

While the good times were too many to recount them all, one thing the group shared in common was that it was a truly memorable experience – something they will carry with them from now. Some remarked it sparked a love for travel, and they hope to be able to plan trips to other places.

“I try to encourage students every year to go on whichever trip we’re planning at the time,” DeArman said. “For the students

Student participant Nelly Valdez goes for a gondola ride in Venice.

who choose to go, getting to see them be just absolutely amazed by what they see – I love that because I know they’ve made a choice that’s going to have an impact on them for the rest of their lives.”

DeArman said that’s always the goal: to foster a love of traveling that will enrich their lives by experiencing new places and cultures and meeting different kinds of people, not just for the enjoyment of it but also to help expand their views and help them appreciate the similarities and differences of people living in other places in the world.

One thing that required adjustment for the group was making sure to be in line with mandatory dress codes to visit churches.

St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City is one of the many sights the group enjoyed.

RHS teachers Beth Gilmer and Susan DeArman steady the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The Basilica di Santa Croce is the burial place of some of the most illustrious Italians, such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli and more. it is also known as the Temple of the Italian Glories.

ROXY’S SALUTE TO BROADWAY

The Historic Roxy Theatre hosted its Salute to Broadway show May 7.

Photos by MARÍA CAMP

Lillian Ritter

Mark, Jamie and Avery Wells

Delilah Landers

Anne Tyler Zills, Drue Thomas and Nyla Thomas

Tinsley Pierce

Kayden Headlee, Hannah King, Micco Sleso, Faith South, Maddie Mouser and Cameron Hall

Amanda and Ella Mowser

Nicole Britton

FROM THE EXTENSION

Become a Master Gardener

What is the Alabama Master Gardener program?

The Master Gardener program is a partnership among the land grant universities of this state – Alabama A&M University and Auburn University – Alabama Extension agents and motivated volunteers interested in educating their communities.

The concept of the Master Gardener volunteer program began in 1972 in King County, Washington. Extension Agent David Gibby was being overwhelmed with requests for gardening information. Partially in self-defense, he developed the idea of providing training for avid gardeners who would then share the acquired knowledge with others through community service.

Mary Lou McNabb, a Cornell Extension Master Gardener, brought the Master Gardener concept to Alabama in 1981. She asked Madison County Extension Agent Gary Murray if he would help get a Master Gardener program started in Alabama. These two individuals, along with Dr. Caula Beyl and Dr. Govid Sharma of Alabama A&M University, organized the first Alabama Master Gardener training program in Huntsville. Mary Lou McNabb is still active with MGNA today!

Who are Alabama Master Gardener Volunteers?

They are Extension-trained volunteers who connect Alabamians to reliable gardening information and educational opportunities. Master Gardener volunteers have completed a 50-hour horticulture training course and contribute their time and expertise as volunteers to various community projects. All Master Gardeners represent the Extension as educational resources for their communities. Their overall mission is to improve the quality of life where they volunteer.

Become a Master Gardener Volunteer

Do you love plants? Do you love to volunteer your time? Then you are a great candidate for Master Gardener Intern Training! You do not have to be a garden expert; simply come with a desire to learn and grow.

For those interested in becoming a local Master Gardener, the next class is set for Aug. 10 through Nov. 9, 2023. Master Gardner training class will be held in Russellville at the Ralph Bishop Center, 201 Ash Avenue. Cost of the program is $150 – $50 for the textbook, $50 for the class and $50 for the background check. The class is a hybrid; therefore, the lecture will be online using the platform Canvas, and the lab will be once a week on Thursdays.

For more information on becoming a Master Gardner volunteer, contact the Franklin County Extension Office at 256332-8880.

KATERNIA COLE COFFEY Extension Director