2022 Franklin Living May–June

LINDSEY FAMILY | NORTHWEST-SHOALS ATHLETICS | JOSHLYN BOWEN

May/June 2022 Vol. 13 Issue No. 3

Hub of Belgreen Justin Boyles shares experience operating CJ’s Bait and Tackle

ROOT FOR THE HOME TEAM Meet the coaches for NW-SCC’s relaunched baseball and softball teams

FRANKLIN FARM LIFE Lindsey family enjoys peace of rural living

SCRUMPTIOUS SUMMERTIME Amy McCollum shares recipes to savor this summer

Contact ContactRussellville RussellvilleCity City Hall Hallatat256-332-6060 256-332-6060 304 304Jackson JacksonAve. Ave.NN Russellville, Russellville,ALAL

AAGreat GreatPlace Place to toLive, Live,Work Work&& Raise Raiseaafamily family Russellville Russellville City City Councilmen: Councilmen:

David David Palmer, Palmer, District District 1; 1; Darren Darren Woodruff, Woodruff, District District 2; 2; Gary Gary Cummings, Cummings, District District 3; 3; Dexter Dexter Hamilton, Hamilton, District District 4; 4; Jamie Jamie Harris, Harris, District District 5; 5; Mayor Mayor David David R. Grissom R. Grissom

FROM THE MANAGING EDITOR

H

ave you heard the saying, “Kind people are my kind of people”?

Of course you have. I’m not sure it can really even count as a saying, but boy, do I connect with it. It was a sentiment that came to mind more than once in putting together this edition of Franklin Living.

Franklin folks just continue to be the most genuine, gracious and friendly people. I love getting the chance to meet new friends from across the county, talk with them and share their stories, and I never cease to be grateful for the unique and special opportunity I have to take a peek into their lives.

From getting to know the new Russellville library director through our Why I Love Franklin County Q&A, to spending a long spring evening with the sweet Lindsey family, to making a trip up to Northwest-Shoals Community College to meet the coaches for the newly-revived Patriot baseball and softball teams, I was just so

delighted while working on the features for this issue. Staff writer María Camp also lends her expertise to this edition with a story about Justin Boyles, owner of CJ’s Bait and Tackle, and they had a great chat about life in Belgreen.

Do you know some Franklin folks who would be my kind of people? We want Franklin Living to be representative of our our community – all of our communities, from east Franklin to the Mississippi line, from Hodges up to Frankfort. If you have a story suggestion for us, don’t hesitate to reach out.

In the meantime, enjoy these tales from great folks across the county, along with the always-excellent contributions from Philip Goad, Emily Mays, Heath Grimes and Amy McCollum – more kind people who help us make Franklin Living happen.

Alison James

Features Editorial ALISON JAMES MARÍA CAMP Contributors PHILIP GOAD HEATH GRIMES EMILY MAYS Marketing

4 5 6 9 10 17 22 25 26

What’s Happening Money Matters Taste of Franklin Faith Focus Root for the home team Franklin farm life Happiness down home Education Corner Why I Love Franklin County

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SHELLEY OZBIRN Administrative

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SOMMER MORRIS

____________________

Franklin Living is published bi-monthly by the Franklin County Times.

Copyright 2022 by TN Valley Media Inc. P.O. Box 1088 Russellville, AL 35653 256-332-1881 fax: 256-332-1883 www.franklincountytimes.com

Franklin Living

ON THE COVER: Justin Boyles operates what is arguably one of the hotspots of Belgreen, CJ’s Bait and Tackle. To read his story, turn to page 22.

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What’s What’s Happening Happening

Checkout outall allthe the upcoming upcoming Check community events! events! community Submit community events for future issues of Franklin Living to Submit community events for future issues of Franklin Living to alison.james@franklincountytimes.com.

Requests must bereceived received Submit community events for future issues of Franklin to alison.james@franklincountytimes.com.

Requests must beLiving by theby first of the month for consideration for the next edition. alison.james@franklincountytimes.com.

Requests must be received the first of the month for consideration for the next edition. events subject to change or cancellation. by theAll first of theare month for consideration for the next edition.

Farmers Markets Opening Spring Spring Sports Registration Sports

May and June The Red Bay Farmers Market, located at 652 Second St. NE, in the Family Jan. Fun Park, Feb. will1 1 through open for seasonMarch in 7 Jan. the 29 through May, with sellers present Jan. 1The through Feb. 1 Russellville Tuesday, ThursdayMarch and Jan. 29 through Parks and Recreation7 Saturday each week from Department will The to Russellville 7 am.

1 p.m., through begin spring sports Parks and The Recreation September. registrationFranklin with soccer Department will County Farmers signups Jan.Market, 1 through begin spring sports Youth soccer is for boys and girls ages 3-12, and cost locatedFeb. in 1.the pavilion registration withwill soccer is $35. play their games at the soccer fields by next to the Teams A.W. Todd signups Jan. 1 through Chucky Mullins Center,the 202 Green Ave. Center. Youth softball signup for girls Feb.inages 1.Russellville, Youth is for andcontinue girls ages 3-12,March and cost 6-12 soccer will begin Jan.boys 29 and through 7, SW, will with a costwill of $35.

For more information call 256-332-8870, is $35.

Teams play their games at the soccer fields by open for the season in ext. 14. Mullins Center. Youth softball signup for girls the Chucky June, with sellers Monages 6-12 will begin Jan. 29 and continue through March 7, day, Wednesday, Friday with a cost of $35.

For and Saturday from 6 more information call 256-332-8870, ext.to14.noon., through a.m.

October. For more information call the Franklin County Extension.

Registration

Rockin’ at the Roxy Jan. 11 and Feb. 8

Rockin’ The secondat Saturday Rockin’ at theatRoxy night of each month thep.m.Roxy is11the monthly May 14,7 June

Jan. 11 and Feb. 8Band Kerry Gilbert The second Saturday concert at the Historic The of second Saturday night each month at Roxy Theatre in of month at will be joined by a special guest for 7 night p.m.Russellville. is each the monthly The KGB 7 p.m. is the monthly Kerry Gilbert Band coneach show. Doors open at 6 p.m. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 Kerry Gilbert Band cert at for the Historic Roxy children 6-12 and free for children younger than 6. concertinat the Historic Theatre Russellville.

Roxy Theatre in joined The KGB will be KGBfor will be joined by a special guest for byRussellville. a special The guest 6show.Doors each Doorsopen open at 6 p.m. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 each show. children and at for 6 p.m.

Cost 6-12 is $10 forfree for children younger than 6. adults, $5 for children 6-12 and free for children younger than 6.

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Franklin County

Franklin County Basketball Tournament Basketball Tournament Jan. 14-18 Jan. 14-18

Red Bay,

Red Bay, Tharptown, Vina, Tharptown, Vina, Belgreen Belgreen andand Campbell PhilPhil Campbell basketball teams basketball teams off on willwill faceface off on thethe court for for court thethe Franklin Franklin County Varsity County Varsity Tournament.

May 27 Tournament.

Teams will play Russellville City Schools and Franklin County Schools will host Teams will play at Red Bay in 2022 graduation ceremonies May 27. For times and entry reat Red Bay in this annual quirements, contact the schools this annual competition among county teams.

Commencement Ceremonies competition among county teams.

Scale Back Alabama: Scale Back Alabama: Weigh-In Week

Weigh-In Week

Jan. 20-26

TheJan. Weigh-In 20-26 Week for teams The Weigh-In participating in Scale Week for teams Back Alabama will be participating Jan. 20-26, kickingin Scale offBack the two and a half Alabama will be month SBA Jan. program.

20-26, kicking is aoff free statewide May 31, June 23,a 30 the two14, and half weight-loss month program.

SBA The LifeSouth bloodmobile will be in Russellville May 31 at campaign designed is a free statewide O’Reilly Auto Parts from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; June 14 at Russellto encourage weight-loss ville Hospital, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; June 23 at Russellville Utilities, Alabamians to get campaign designed 9 a.m. to p.m.; healthy and4:30 have fun and June 30 at Listerhill, 10 a.m. to 4:30 to For encourage p.m. morethe information visit www.lifesouth.org. doing it. Since Alabamians get Alabamians have lost more than 1 first challenge into 2007, million pounds. more healthy and For have funinformation, to sign up or to find a local weigh-in site, visit www.scalebackalabama.com. doing it. Since the

LifeSouth Blood Drives

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.

LifeSouth Blood Drives Jan. 22 and Feb. 1

The LifeSouth bloodmobile will be in Jan. 22 and Feb. 1 Russellville Jan. 22 LifeSouth at The IHPbloodmobile and Feb. 1 at Cricket will be in Wireless. The bloodmobile will be at IHP from 9 a.m. to 4 Russellville p.m. and at Cricket Wireless from noon to 7 p.m. For more Jan. 22 atvisit www.lifesouth.org. For additional questions information IHPappointments, and Feb. about eligibility and more call 1-888-7951 atLifeSouth Cricket supplies blood needs at Russellville Hospital.

2707.

LifeSouth Blood Drives

Phil Campbell Hoedown

June 17-18 The bloodmobile will be at IHP from 9 a.m. to 4 Wireless.

The 2022 Campbell Hoedown betoheld June p.m. andPhil at Cricket Wireless from will noon 7 p.m.

For17-18 more at Franklin living theinformation Phil Campbell Park. ThisFor year’s festival will ofvisit Memorial www.lifesouth.org. additional questions ferabout all theappointments, fun attendeeseligibility have come expect the Hoeandtomore callfrom 1-888-795down, music,blood contests, treats, vendors 2707.including LifeSouthlive supplies needsfestival at Russellville Hospital. and more.

Franklin Living Franklin living

MONEY MATTERS

Cybersecurity state of mind

J

ust when you think cybersecurity couldn’t become a hotter button issue, recent socioeconomic unrest proves otherwise. Malicious actors, account takeovers, malware, ransomware – unfortunately, these are terms we all know too well. Here are a few critical reminders for keeping yourself and your finances 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 and bank account number.

• Secure your SSN. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write it on your checks. Only give it out when absolutely necessary.

• Review your credit report once a year to be sure it doesn’t include accounts you have not opened. You can order one free per year at annualcreditreport.com • Enable security features on mobile devices, especially if you have contacts, banking apps and websites saved.

• Never use public wi-fi.

ONLINE SAFETY TIPS • PASSWORDS: A long password is a strong password. Using a mixture of numbers, letters – upper and lowercase – 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: Beware of 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, company or government agency.

• FAKE NEWS: The internet can be a blank canvas for anyone to put out any information they desire – whether it’s accurate or not. If reputable news sources are not reporting on the story, then it’s likely fake. Only visit sites you trust to verify accuracy. Watch for bad grammar; this always warrants caution!

One of the easiest ways to stay safe from this barrage of attacks is to listen to your gut. If someone asks for information, heed any feeling of hesitation and do your research first. If something makes you feel “panic,” stop and don’t go any further. Panic is one of fraudsters’ most used tactics; they want you to react before you have time to think.

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

Thank you for allowing us to take care of your family.

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Franklin Living

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TASTE OF FRANKLIN

Sweet summertime Recipes and photos by AMY DOLAN MCCOLLUM

POOLSIDE COOKIES For those who do not like to bake, you can buy already baked sugar cookies in the deli and pre-made frosting. Many frosting manufactures make blue icing. This would be great shortcut for busy moms.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened • 3/4 cup sugar • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract • 2 large eggs, room temperature • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg For the frosting: • 1/4 cup butter, softened • 3 cups confectioners’ sugar • 1 teaspoon almond extract • 2-4 tablespoons hot water • Blue food coloring Optional decorations: • Bear-shaped crackers

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• • • • •

Fish-shaped graham crackers Airheads candies Gummy sour rings White sugar pearls Palm tree party picks

Instructions: 1.

2.

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4.

5.

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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes.

Beat in extracts and one egg at a time.

In another bowl, whisk together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt and nutmeg. Gradually beat dry mixture into creamed mixture.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoons 3 inches apart onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Flatten slightly with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar.

Bake until edges begin to brown, 8-10 minutes.

Remove from pan to wire racks; cool completely.

For frosting, beat butter, confectioners’ sugar, extract and enough water to reach desired consistency. Tint blue with food coloring. Spread over cookies.

Decorate as desired.

Franklin Living

INDIVIDUAL SEVEN LAYER SALAD With everyone being more concerned with germs and “double dipping,” this is a great recipe to have when serving guests. The seven layer dip always starts out beautiful, but after everyone starts “digging in,” it looks less appetizing. When creating these, it is easiest to place the wet ingredients like sour cream and guacamole in a Ziploc bag and snip of the corner for easy piping.

Ingredients: • • • • • • • • • • •

16-ounce can refried beans 1-ounce package taco seasoning 1 cup guacamole 8 ounce container sour cream 1 cup chunky salsa or pico de gallo 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese 2 Roma tomatoes, diced 1/2 bunch of green onions, sliced 2.25-ounce can of sliced olives, drained 9-ounce plastic cups Tortilla chips

Instructions: 1.

2.

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In a small bowl, mix taco seasoning with refried beans.

In each plastic glass, layer about 2 tablespoons of the beans.

Layer on 2 tablespoons of sour cream.

Layer 2 tablespoons of guacamole.

Drain salsa or pico de gallo to remove excess liquid, then layer on 2 tablespoons.

Layer 2 tablespoons of cheese.

Top with 1-2 teaspoons of tomatoes, olives and green onion. If making ahead of time, wait to add these toppings until shortly before serving.

Garnish with one tortilla chip.

Store in the refrigerator until serving and serve with chips. Makes around eight individual dips.

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SOUTHERN FRUIT TEA Ingredients: • • • •

2 quarts water 3 family-size tea bags or 8 standard size bags 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed • 1/2 cup frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed • 1/2 cup pineapple juice • Optional garnishes: mint sprigs, orange slices, lemon slices, pineapple wedges or maraschino cherries

Instructions: 1.

2.

3.

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5.

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In a large saucepan, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil.

Once boiling, remove from heat and add tea bags.

Tie the strings together for easy removal later.

Allow to steep for 8-10 minutes. Remove tea bags.

Add sugar and stir to dissolve.

Stir in orange juice and lemonade concentrates, as well as the pineapple juice.

Pour fruit tea into pitcher. Chill until cold.

Pour fruit tea over ice and garnish as desired.

PINEAPPLE CHEESE BALL To make ahead, prepare as directed except do not coat with pecans. Wrap securely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to three days. Coat with pecans just before serving.

Ingredients: • • • • • • •

16 ounces cream cheese, softened 8 ounches crushed pineapple, very well drained 1 2/3 cups chopped pecans, divided 1/4 cup minced green bell pepper 2 tablespoons minced sweet onion 2 teaspoons seasoning salt, such as Lawry’s 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, to garnish

Instructions: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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Stir together softened cream cheese, crushed pineapple, 1 cup of chopped pecans, green bell pepper, onion and salt in a large bowl.

Transfer mixture to a serving plate and form into a ball.

Coat with remaining 2/3 cup of chopped pecans.

Wrap securely in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Sprinkle with parsley when serving, if desired.

Serve with crackers or pretzels.

Franklin Living

FAITH FOCUS

Love your enemies?

H

ave you noticed Jesus often challenges would-be followers in some astoundingly difficult ways?

A prime example is found in Matthew 5:43-44, when Jesus states, “You have heard it said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies.”

How are you doing with living out that commandment?

Perhaps you have an enemy or two. That’s certainly not unheard of in this easily-offended world. However, I suspect most of us are in a more common situation: True enemies tend to be few and far between. So, we obviously have this teaching from Jesus fully implemented in our lives, right? Maybe not.

In his book “Living Jesus: Doing What Jesus Says in the Sermon on the Mount,” retired theology professor Randy Harris observes that loving his enemies is not the most challenging task – because he has so few of them – but pinpoints the more difficult task. He talks about the challenge of loving the irritants in his life.

Irritants. Just reading the word likely bring specific people to mind. There’s no hatred.

These aren’t enemies, per se.

These people just rub you the wrong way and maybe bring out less-than-the-best in you.

They might be customers, co-workers, classmates or even members of the church you at-

tend – and they are people Jesus wants us to genuinely love. Let’s face it, if Jesus wants us to love our enemies, he certainly wants us to love those who irritate us.

Whether enemies or merely irritants, how can we proactively live out this divine teaching to love them? Hear the entirety of Matthew 5:44: “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”

Bless them? Really? Yes! Find something commendable to say about your enemy or irritant. Yes, Jesus is going beyond Grandma’s good advice, which was to “say something nice or don’t say anything at all.” Jesus says, find a way to bless them.

Do good to them? Absolutely! This idea existed in God’s instruction all the way back in Exodus 23. Paul emphasized this concept in Romans 12:20 when he quoted from Proverbs 25.

Pray for them? Yes! It’s much more difficult to hold on to ill will when your enemy or irritant is being lifted up before God in prayer.

All of us are in the same sad condition without Jesus, according to Titus 3:3-7. That’s why it matters whether we follow him to the best of our ability.

Will we be disciples? Or will be worldly people who happen to roll into a worship service from time to time?

Bethany Ellison

Malone

Attorney at Law 503 West Main Street Tuscumbia, AL 35674 www.bethanyellisonmalone.com

• Wills • Probate • Estate Planning • General Practice

256-383-9444

Philip Goad is the minister at North Highlands Church of Christ in Russellville.

He is married to Marla, and they have a daughter, Kayla Thorne, who is married to Josh. They also have a son, Preston, and one grandchild, Greyson Thorne.

Franklin Living

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Root for the home team

New coaches take reins of revived athletics at Northwest-Shoals Story and photos by ALISON JAMES

B

udget cuts were the name of the game 10 years ago when Northwest-Shoals Community College found it necessary to suspend its athletic programs – but that wasn’t the end of the story when it comes to sports at Northwest-Shoals. It was in October 2021 that the college announced the reinstatement of baseball and softball teams. The Patriots are back in action.

The exhibition season is scheduled to begin in September 2022, with conference play beginning in March 2023. Both teams will compete against opponents within the Alabama Community College Conference, National Junior College Athletic Association and National Collegiate Athletic Association.

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Their fearless leaders, head coaches David Langston for baseball and Angel Brown for softball, were welcomed to the school in March, and the two have wasted no time getting things in gear for their inaugural season – because really, there is no time to lose.

“There’s a lot of moving parts, and everyone has jobs to do,” said Langston, “and as coaches, we have to be patient with that.” New athletic director Taylor Franks agreed – time is of the essence, and time is the challenge.

Timing also played a big role in bringing both Langston and Brown to the Shoals to take on these new roles.

Langston, 49, is a familiar name and face to Franklin County, or at least to Russellville, having worked the past several years as an assistant coach on the Golden

Tiger baseball team. He’s also no stranger to his new program at Northwest-Shoals.

“I played here on the first team they had on the Shoals campus in ’93,” Langston said. “That first year we were 39-8, so from the beginning it was a very successful program.”

His success as a Patriot was just the first step in what has been a long career in athletics. After two years at Northwest, Langston continued to Birmingham Southern College, playing for the famed Coach Brian Shoop and working with pitching coaches Butch Thompson, now head coach at Auburn University, and Daron Schoenrock, now head coach at the University of Memphis. “I was very fortunate, as a player, with who I was able to be around, and I’m very thankful for those opportunities,” Langston said.

Franklin Living

After college graduation, Langston had stops across the state, including as head coach at Minor High School in Birmingham, assistant coach at Jefferson State Community College, head coach at Muscle Shoals High, head coach at Bob Jones High, assistant coach at Florence High and assistant coach at Russellville High. The bulk of his career, though, was right back where it all started and where it has returned – the head coaching job at Northwest-Shoals, which he first took in 2001.

“It was an opportunity to get my family back home,” explained Langston, who met wife Challice when they were both students at NW-SCC; they married in 1996.

Returning to his old stomping grounds, Langston found himself in the position of many new coaches – in the middle of a major rebuilding season. “When I got here in 2001, they had won 10 games the year before, so there wasn’t a lot of excite-

Franklin Living

ment at that time. Just through recruiting, we tripled the win total – won 30 games.”

In returning to NW-SCC to restart the program, however, Langston has found a different reception than he did those 20 years ago. “Now there’s a lot of excitement. The kids around here want to be a part of that” – a part of the revival of Patriot athletics. Although restarting a team means Langston might need some time to recapture the program’s former success, “being a two-year school, where we’re all going to be competing against other teams that have freshman and sophomores – it’s not a long-term deal.

I think we can have success right away, and that’s what I’ve shared with athletes and their families. We’re going to get this thing going, but we have to have the right players, and I think we have a good plan in place for how we’re going to get them.”

Langston grew up in Jasper, graduating from Curry High School in 1991. He

was a multi-sport athlete in high school, and sports were a central part of his childhood. “Where I grew up, it’s just what we did. If I wasn’t competing in a game, we were playing in the back yard – whatever sports season it was, that’s what we would do, what me and my friends did.

I’ve always been passionate about it.” He said although he once thought his future was in basketball, he ultimately found baseball would be his path forward as both a player and a coach.

Langston said he has enjoyed his recent opportunity to be part of the state championship-winning Russellville program. “The culture Coach Heaps and the system there has created – it’s unbelievable. It’s not a coincidence they are playing for championships there every year.”

He said it’s the competition that draws him to coaching, as well as his love for preparing and organizing a program. It’s also a job that keeps him young. “Some-

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DAVID LANGSTON Baseball Head Coach

Franklin Living

one was telling me the other day, ‘Coach, you haven’t aged in 10 years,’ and I credit that to who I’m around every single day – those 17, 18, 20-year-olds.”

“I don’t really know anything else I’m good at, to be honest with you,” he joked.

For Brown, who will be heading the softball program at Northwest, the opportunity to rebuild the Lady Patriots is not her first experience reviving a suspended athletic program. The 2006 Pickens County High School graduate played softball at Bevill State Community College and later returned to the school to help reboot its once defunct program in 2016-17.

Brown, 34, said she takes pride in being a JUCO product – a pride that drove her to seek the coaching job at Northwest.

“There is something special about a twoyear program. It was probably the best two years of growing that I got to do,” she said. “The ability to come and do what I wanted to do – to impact lives and spend time helping foster better citizens – was a big pull for me to come back to this level.”

Brown played for two years at Bevill State before an injury pushed her to take a break from sports for awhile. She continued her education, keeping her desire to be a teacher and influence young people at the forefront of her mind. “I took

that time and went back to school and graduated from UAB with my undergrad in 2014,” Brown said.

From a young age, Brown said, she knew she wanted to work with young people. It began with going to church with her grandparents and teaching at Vacation Bible School during the summers. “I knew I had a call to serve people, and when I fell in love with softball, it tied together,” Brown said. “I had really great coaches who were big influences on me, and I know a lot of the decisions I made – to be a teacher, to be a coach, and just the character and integrity I have – came from them, and that’s something I wanted to pass on to another generation.

“I started playing softball when I was 12,” Brown added. “My dad played baseball at Stillman, so that kind of started me with that.” She was widely active in high school, dipping her toes into the band and groups like Beta and Rotary, but softball was a constant. “I’m pretty competitive by nature, and I like to have fun with it. I was blessed to be pretty athletic,” Brown said. “It was just something I enjoyed – spending time with my friends and teammates and being competitive.”

After earning her bachelor’s degree, she taught physical education at Maddox Middle in Jasper and at Hoover Middle

before her return to Bevill State as coach.

After two years as the Bevill head coach, Brown continued her career for two years at the University of West Alabama, followed by some time as a volunteer coach at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

For both coaches, the hiring process featured a committee – comprising a variety of program stakeholders – that interviewed candidates and decided on the right people for the job. NW-SCC public information officer Trent Randolph said the openings drew wide-ranging interest, with applicants from as far west as Nevada and as far north as Maine, as well as from the region and surrounding states.

Langston said there was never any indication from the selection committee that he had an advantage based on his history coaching for the school. He prepared and was considered for the position on a level playing field with the other candidates.

His ties to the region, of course, certainly worked in his favor and have aided him as he has begun the talent search and recruitment process. He came into the role with a list of potential players already prepared. “After I was given the job, I was able to get on the phone that night and say, ‘Hey, I’ve got the job, and you’ve got an offer,’ and kids began committing.”

Langston signed his first player in early

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Franklin Living

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April, Hayden Hawk, from Central High School in Florence. “Recruiting has been – that’s the most important thing, if you’re going to be successful, at the college level.”

Randolph said NW-SCC President Dr. Jeff Goodwin has emphasized a strong focus on pulling local talent to build a successful Patriot program. “The foundation of these programs is going to be the best local talent, from all over our five-county service area,” Randolph said. “We’re not just trying to win championships. This is a service for our community. This is an avenue for those student-athletes to be able to come and get an education that they sometimes might not have been able to get.”

The baseball program will offer 24 scholarship spots and welcome about six walk-ons. Langston said he expects to have four players from Russellville on the inaugural team and in the future will be recruiting talent from Phil Campbell, as well.

The softball program, like baseball, has 24 scholarship spots.

Brown said in their first season, the Patriots plan to bring in 1012 freshman as well as attract some sophomore transfers, with an 18-woman roster as a baseline target. She’s been traveling around the region to watch teams play and feel out her prospects.

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Franklin Living

ANGEL BROWN Softball Head Coach

Franklin Living

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TAYLOR FRANKS Athletic Director

“Success for us going to be being able to establish a culture,” Brown said. Developing responsibility, respect and strong work ethic in her players will be key in her mind. Of course, putting a few wins on the board is a goal, too. “I’m not going to put numbers out there to say we’re going to have a winning season, but what I will tell you is that we’re going to be competitive when we step on the field,” said Brown.

Brown said that, like Langston, she has been met with great enthusiasm from community stakeholders and the Patriot fanbase as well as high school programs around the region.

“Softball is growing rapidly across the board from the Division I level on down, and the more success Division I and Division II schools have, it trickles down,” said Brown, adding everyone she has spoken with seems excited to welcome this opportunity for young women locally. As of early April, she had three player commitments and expected to sign her first players mid-month.

Rehabbing the programs’ playing facilities is paramount. The teams will enjoy superior practicing and playing opportunities with the installation of artificial turf for both fields – a $1.4 million project.

Franks, who is in the unique position of having been hired as athletic director at an unusual time – after the new coaches

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were already hired – said the fields are expected to be ready by July, depending on the weather and other factors, such as supply chain issues. Site prep was underway starting in early April.

The college has recently hired a director of facilities, Dillard McCowan, who will oversee the fields’ completion. Hellas Sports, based in Austin, Texas, will do the turf installation.

Langston and his wife have three children: Landon, 23, played baseball at the University of North Alabama and is a graduate assistant at Troy University; Peyton, 20, is a freshman at UNA; Banks, 17, is a junior who plays football and baseball at Russellville.

“This is the job that I wanted. The 10 years I spent here were some of the best of my life,” said Langston. “There was one point I was tired, but I’m ready to go. I’m excited about the opportunity to build this thing back.”

“I’m really thankful for the opportunity,” agreed Brown. “I’m grateful for how the administration has been so supportive already, and the community has been so excited, so I’m just really thankful.”

Franks echoed similar sentiments, particularly her gratefulness that both Langston and Brown bring such valuable experience to the table – both having played at the community college level, Langston bringing his former experience at NWSCC and Brown bringing her expertise from restarting the Bevill State program.

“We have two stellar coaches to restart our programs.”

Franklin Living

Franklin farm life Lindsey family enjoys peaceful rural living

Story and photos by ALISON JAMES

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or Deanni and Willie Lindsey and their four children, farm life is the best life.

Lindsey Family Farm and Custom Milling, located in the Frog Pond area, is home to the Franklin natives and children Hunter, 16, Crimson, 15, Will, 12, and Wyatt, 11. They’ve dabbled in

Franklin Living

most farming ventures over the years – working cattle, cutting hay, raising sheep and goats – but these days their primary industries are chickens, horses, a vegetable garden and the sawmill.

Poultry houses have been a mainstay for the family since the 1970s, when Deanni’s father built his first chicken house in 1979 – two years before she was born. After the couple married in

2001, they worked with her father for about 10 years before taking over the poultry operation from him.

Working three chicken houses for Pilgrim’s might be the bread and butter of their farm life – or at least, it was, until Willie discovered a love for sawmill work in 2021.

“I like being able to take something raw, like a log, and turn it into some-

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thing useable,” explained Willie, a 2002 graduate of Belgreen High School.

He first purchased a sawmill in January 2021 primarily for the family’s own needs – to upkeep the barn, to rebuild the front porch, whatever they might need. But as people found out about it, that personal use transformed into a successful lumber business. He works with oak, hickory, cedar, Southern yel-

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low pine – “I do it all,” Willie said. He cuts lumber that customers have gone on to use for all kinds of purposes – to re-floor trailers, to build pergolas for outdoor kitchens, to create one-of-a-kind countertops and more.

He has since sold the first sawmill he purchased, upgrading to an electric model from his original gas model; the new one is twice as fast as the first. He

has a second, diesel-powered sawmill ordered, and when it comes in, next year, he’ll be able to operate both at once – and the next one will be twice as fast as the one he has now, marking a sizable increase in his rate of production.

“I love that he gets to do what he loves,” said Deanni, a 2000 Red Bay graduate who now works as an elemen-

Franklin Living

tary aide at Belgreen. “If he’s happy, I’m happy. He provides for us, and he loves what he does.”

Although Willie sells to numerous customers, he does still cut lumber for personal projects. His big undertakings right now are building a kiln to dry lumber and an office adjacent to the sawmill for conducting business.

It’s an endeavor his children can help

Franklin Living

in – “Hunter and I will usually dump the wood. We’ll be on the Bobcat or the tractor,” Wyatt explained, – and that’s not the children’s only involvement in the family farm. Their horse operation and their garden are largely the efforts of daughter Crimson.

“I’ve wanted horses my whole life. I like being able to teach them things – and I like being able to get away from

humans,” Crimson quipped.

When COVID-19 struck and school closed in March 2020, the time was ripe for a different kind of lesson: Deanni’s father decided to teach his grandchildren to garden. Crimson was the one who really took to it, and in 2020 and 2021 she made several thousand dollars selling potatoes, tomatoes, beans, squash, pumpkins, blueberries and more – in-

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cluding, according the Franklin County Watermelon Festival, the “best-tasting” watermelons in the county.

With her earnings, she and her parents went halves on Crimson’s first horse – not counting Poky, who was part of the farm several years ago. After buying Amos, she purchased two more horses – and two more – and another. With a white board she tracks their feeding schedule, and each day she and Will spend time working and training the horses – Amos, Apache, Big John, Cherokee, Lady, Red and the latest addition, Ghost. They also have Millie the donkey. “I like responsibility,” said Crimson. “It makes me feel older.”

What is now a good solid horse barn, complete with stalls and a tack room and – coming soon – a concrete wash pad, started out as an open-ended hay barn.

Willie put the sawmill to work and gave Crimson the space she needed to become a horsewoman.

All four of the children said they love living out in the country, from hunting and fishing to mud riding and – for Hunter – playing disc golf. It’s a rural life their parents love too.

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Franklin Living

“I wouldn’t live anywhere else. You couldn’t pay me to go live in town,” Willie said. “I love the quietness – not being able to hear vehicles ripping up and down the road. I’m an avid outdoorsman.” The whole family deer hunts, and venison is a staple at their house. Will also hunts rabbit and squirrel, and another family endeavor in its early stages is raising and selling hunting dogs.

“We are a family that truly lives on farming,” said Deanni, noting her job at the school is primarily to provide for their health insurance. For her, the joy in their farm life is also in the history and heritage of the property – their children are the fifth generation to live on their piece of land. “We’re always here together. It’s not like he’s in an office and we’re not going to see him until 5 o’clock,” Deanni said. “That’s the main thing for me – getting to be with my kids all the time.” Willie agreed. “Being here and getting to see every moment of the kids as they have grown up has been the best thing to me.”

The family attends Belgreen church of Christ and is active with Rustic Youth Camp on Cedar Creek Lake.

Franklin Living

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Happiness down home Justin Boyles finds his niche operating Belgreen community hotspot

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Franklin Living

Story and photos by MARÍA CAMP

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or me, it took living away from the area for a little while to realize what I really had here in Franklin County. When you’re 20, you think you’re grown, but you’re really still just a kid.”

Justin Boyles explained living elsewhere helped put him on the path to understanding what he really wants and where he wants to be. The Russellville native has, since 2016, been the owner of CJ’s Bait and Tackle in Belgreen – but his history in the county he loves goes back to his childhood.

Raised in Russellville, Boyles spent his time hunting, fishing and playing golf.

“If I wasn’t playing golf, I mostly hunted or fished, often at Slickrock and the Bear Creek lakes,” he said. “I spent a lot of time at Cedar Lake. I’d go hunting with my dad or my friends. Depending on the season, we’d hunt deer or turkeys or squirrels, often going before or after school. I played golf during high school.”

After graduating from Russellville High School in 2004, he spent 2005-2006 living at home and attending Northwest-Shoals Community College on a golf scholarship, taking classes at both the Phil Campbell and Muscle Shoals campuses.

“I especially loved the Phil Campbell campus; for me, it provided more of a social experience,” said Boyles, “but I also took classes in Muscle Shoals since playing

Franklin Living

golf meant spending time at Robert Trent Jones and Cypress Lakes.

“I loved my time on the Phil Campbell campus, and I got to meet a lot of people I probably wouldn’t have otherwise. I’m still in contact with many of them.”

Upon finishing his classes at NW-SCC, he had a decision to make. “It was between going to the University of North Alabama, an option that would have let me continue playing golf, or giving up golf to attend the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa.”

He ultimately chose to continue his education at Alabama, and that was his first experience living away from home. “I liked the idea of experiencing all that. It sounded exciting. We visited Tuscaloosa a lot on the weekends while I was growing up, but

it’s different when you’re there every day.”

He got roommates, made friends and enjoyed going to UA football games, parties and other places and events – but he also got increasingly homesick. After three semesters, Boyles said he realized he just wasn’t happy there. “Living in another city caused me to realize I had taken Franklin County for granted,” he said. “I’m more about the simple life, and I wasn’t even sure where to try to look for that down there.”

He said there is something going on to keep people busy every night in Tuscaloosa – which can be a problem for those who aren’t disciplined about how much time they are spending going out. “It means a lot, being able to go to the places I’ve known my whole life and being closer to

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friends and family. I wanted to be back in Franklin County.”

Boyles moved back home, worked at CB&S Bank and stayed with his parents while finishing his degree at UNA, graduating in 2011 with a major in marketing in business administration. Moving back home marked a return to free time spent hunting and fishing – which likely served as a crucial stepping stone on the path to where he is now.

After leaving his job at CB&S, he took a sales job for Parker’s Distributing, attending trade shows and then selling the merchandise wholesale. This new job was based just a few miles past CJ’s Bait and Tackle in Belgreen. “I always knew the owners, Ty and Pam Hester,” Boyles explained. In his youth, “I would go to the store a lot, especially in the evenings during summer, in between participating in bass fishing tournaments at Cedar Creek and Little Bear. My dad enjoys crappie fishing, and growing up, this is where we would stop.”

When the Hesters mentioned the possibility of selling the store one, Boyles asked them to let him know if they ever decided to follow through on the idea. It was a few years later that he got a call.

“I was in Las Vegas at a trade show for Parker’s,” Boyles said. “I got a phone call asking if I was still interested in buying the store, so I said I was but would have to see if I could get approved for a loan.” The

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bank agreed, and he bought the store in September 2016.

“I had experience in sales, but when it came to owning the store, I had to learn fast,” explained Boyles. “I love the social aspect of owning and working in a local store.”

He said frequently seeing the same repeat customers helps reinforce the feeling of community. “Although I grew up in Russellville, I’m n ow part of the Belgreen community, too, and it’s tight-knit,” Boyles said. “I like to do things such as help with the school when I can. The same year I bought the store, I also bought a house on the lake, just four or five miles from there, on Hooty Hoot Hollow Road.”

Open seven days a week, the store isn’t just a place to shop, Boyles said – it’s also a community hub. “We have a restaurant inside. People buy fishing and hunting licenses and bait. They ask about where the fish are biting and if we know what’s going on when there’s something happening in the community.

“We have a lot of regulars. There’s a group of men that comes every morning to talk and drink coffee and have breakfast. We enjoy seeing them, and they check on each other if one of them doesn’t show up.”

Another perk is getting to work with his family. Boyles said his sister, Keslie, lives in Birmingham, but his parents, Ken and Rhonda, help him run the store.

“Dad prices baits and other merchandise, and Mom helps me out if I need to leave.

We’ve always been a close family, but I like that we are working on this together,” he said. “I also have dedicated employees who put in a lot of time and effort, and I appreciate them. They take a lot of pride in what they do, and I couldn’t remain successful without them.”

What plans does he have for the future?

“I’m content with how things are,” explained Boyles, “and I don’t want to do anything like own multiple stores, but I eventually want to make some improvements, renovating and adding to this location.”

Franklin Living

EDUCATION CORNER

Data prove effective usage of COVID relief funds

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s we approach the end of the third school year to be affected by the global pandemic that began in March 2020, it is encouraging to see so many areas of life returning to the way they used to be before our worlds were turned upside down.

Socially, we’ve been so thankful for sports seasons that were largely back to normal; in-person events returning to normal; walking through the halls of our schools and being able to see the smiling faces of our students and staff; and being able to connect in ways that have been difficult the past two years.

While we are extremely excited about these things, we are also celebrating the normalcy and improvements that are being seen in academics – an area everyone in the educational community has been concerned about since the pandemic began.

With the implementation of virtual learning and the changes that had to be made to in-person learning, academic life has been challenging for the past three school years.

Teaching and learning were hindered by virtual set-ups, increased absenteeism, modified classroom settings, face coverings and other factors – and these hinderances began to affect grades and test scores and create learning gaps that needed to be closed.

RCS administration began

to discuss ways the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds could be used to bridge those gaps. Ultimately the funding was funneled into the Champ’s Camp after-school learning program to help selected high-risk students. It was also used to hire additional instructional personnel, including six teachers and 10 bilingual aides, to help students who were falling behind.

Recently data has come in showing how many of the third-graders enrolled in Champ’s Camp have made academic improvements. Out of 30 students, 24 started the school year at high risk for not meeting their end-of-the-year academic goals. Five students were at moderate risk, and one student was classified as low risk. When the second semester began, however, 12 students were still classified as high risk; eight students were at moderate risk; and 10 students were labeled low risk!

We have been encouraged to see these improvements show in the data, but we’re also encouraged by the verbal feedback from teachers about the growth they have seen in their classrooms in students enrolled in these programs.

After so much adversity from the pandemic, we are thankful to know the COVID relief funding is helping our students get back on track and finish this school year strong.

visit: www.pilgrimsusa.com

Starting wages $17.00 to $22.30 per hour with incentive.

www.facebook.com/pilgrimsrussellville.

1-256-768-3707

Heath Grimes is the superintendent of Russellville City Schools.

He and his wife Amy have three daughters: Leah, Halle and Erin.

Franklin Living

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WHY I LOVE FRANKLIN COUNTY

A little chat with

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Joshlyn Bowen

oshlyn Bowen is a product of Phil Campbell High School and studied business at Northwest-Shoals Community College. She continued her education and has led nationwide sales teams and marketing campaigns. As of May 16 she will be the director of Russellville Public Library. Her husband, Cody Bowen, is the assistant materials manager at TRU Homes by Clayton in Hackleburg and is a songwriter and recording artist. Her four children are Triston, Bailey, Jaiden and Alivia, and she also has one granddaughter, Gracelyn.

1. How long have you lived in Franklin County?

I was born and raised in Phil Campbell and have lived in the Franklin County area for most of my life. I currently reside in Spruce Pine with my husband and two youngest daughters.

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

I am the director of the Russellville Public Library, as of May 16.

In this role I am responsible for the library’s public relations, marketing the library’s services to the community and interacting with city, county and state officials. I also am responsible for the oversight of library employees and making sure the facilities and contents are up to date and accessible for patrons.

3. What do you enjoy about your job?

I began volunteering a year ago, and to be honest, my love for this library as a patron myself goes back many years. Once I came through the doors as a volunteer and encountered the patrons, my world shifted. I saw a beautiful sense of community within the walls, excitement within the eyes of visiting children and talks of the “good ol’ days” gone by from the older population. That sense of “good” I felt in my soul prompted me to want more of that in my life. To me there is just something about the art of literature that creates a desire to keep reading to find more – more drama, adventure and excitement. I knew right away that I wanted to have a permanent and impactful role. I am so blessed to have been offered the role as the new director.

4. What is your favorite place to visit in Franklin County?

Willow Oak Lodge. I have been so blessed to visit Willow Oak as if it were a second home. Not only does my husband Cody help guide hunts and provide the musical entertainment for the Lodge, but I am also the director of marketing for the facility.

From the moment you enter the gates, there is an overwhelming peace and connection to nature.

5. What are your favorite Franklin County restaurants?

I have many: 43 Grill for the atmosphere and, of course, the salad bar; Frosty Inn for the nostalgia of an old-school drivein and the memories I have made there; Rancho Viejo because Christian and the staff are always friendly and the food is phenomenal; The Grind because I am a huge specialty coffee fan, and it never disappoints; Doe’s, for fine dining at its best; Monchis, one of my favorite seasonal destinations; and finally, CJ’s – where else can you stop for fuel, snacks, tackle and the biggest, best cheeseburger and curly fires on the way to Cedar Creek?

6. Why do you love Franklin County?

My reasons for loving Franklin County run all the way back to my roots. From Friday nights spent cheering on the Bobcats as

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FAST 5 1. Favorite hobby: Gym time 2. Favorite food: Italian 3. Goal or ambition: To bring growth and excitement to the library 4. Church: Witness Outreach Ministries 5. Something people might not know about me is: I actually love to sing. Unfortunately, unlike my husband, I suffer from terrifying stage fright. a cheerleader and cruising the strip in downtown Russellville, to watching my children grow up and experience all that this wonderful community has to offer, Franklin County makes memories that last a lifetime and passes those memories on throughout generations. Those wonderful memories originate from the amazing sense of community.

Franklin Living

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