2012 Spring Franklin Living

Franklin LIVING SPRING 2012 . VOL. 2 ISSUE NO. 1

Horton making mark on tour Local church youth groups unite for common mission

Terrace Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Inc. Dedicated to Hope, Healing and Recovery

• Short-term rehab • Long-term care • Physical therapy • Occupational therapy • Speech therapy Quality Care from a staff who respects your health care needs.

Offering: Activities and enjoyable social programs.

Large private rooms for short term care.

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Medicare or private insurance may cover these stays.

390 Underwood Rd. • Russellville, AL

256-332-3826 FRANKLIN LIVING

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pring is now upon us, though it seems we just skipped right through winter, with relatively little cold weather and no snow to mention.

This time of year is always special and this year should be no different.

With the variety of outdoor recreational activities available to us all right here in Franklin County, we have no excuses as to why we don’t get out and enjoy the gifts we’ve been given.

Whether it’s the scenic lakes, the beautiful trails at the Dismals Canyon or just a road trip down the back roads of Franklin County, there is plenty to enjoy.

Franklin Living is a snapshot of the great people and places that Franklin County features and we hope we offer you a glimpse into the lives of Franklin Countians that you might not know about.

And as we mark the one-year anniversary of the deadly tornado that forever altered our county, it is more important now than ever that we recognize just how special this “home” is to us and just how wonderful our neighbors really are.

Take the time to enjoy it because, as we have learned, nothing is promised to us.

The past year has shown us the good in ourselves and our neighbors and we do not need to forget that.

S

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What’s happening?

See the Calendar of Events for can’t miss spring activities

What’s hot?

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View some of the hottest spring decorations and fashions

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Horsin’ around

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Harbin designs one-of-a kind nursery for first child

Making disciples

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Debunking some medical myths

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Local youth groups gather for Discipleship ministry

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Hodges equestrian trail to aid county tourism

Spring health tips

Nursery dreams

Memorial Day memories

Dishes you must try for your Memorial Day cook out

Big catch

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Local angler making a splash on professional tour

Atkins Marble & Granite Works, Inc.

(256) 332-2332

403 E. Lawrence Street Russellville, AL

Headstones • Grave Markers • Monuments • Cremation Urns • Memorial Benches • Memorial Portraits • Granite Marble • Bronze Markers Cemetery Vases • Lettering Cutting and all services we do at our local shop Owners: Grant & Beverly Atkins atkinsmarble@bellsouth.net

Redhawk Technical

In Business Since 1975

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Assistance With Knitting & Crocheting Projects

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Anna Carbine - Owner Classes Available - Call For Class Schedule 215 North Court Street • Florence 256-349-2533 www.unraveledyarn@comcast.net www.unraveledyarn.net

Franklin

LIVING

Franklin Living is published four times per year by Franklin County Newspapers, Inc. Copyright 2011 by Franklin County Newspapers, Inc.

P.O. Box 1088 • Russellville, AL 35653 256-332-1881 • fax: 256-332-1883 www.franklincountytimes.com 6

Specializing in Any Type Plumbing Repairs & Service Commercial or Residential

If it don’t Drain call Lane

Specializing in Sewer Replacement & Repairs • Sewer & Drain Cleaning • Water Heater Repairs & Installation • T.V. Sewer Line Inspection Equipment • Specializing in Finding Leaks under Concrete Floors • Field Line Installation / Repairs • Septic Tank Installation /Repairs

24 Hour Emergency Service 256-332-0198 • 3001 Hwy. 77 • Russellville

Publisher Jonathan Willis Editorial J.R. Tidwell and Kellie Singleton Photography Heather Mouser Sales Peggy Hyde and Nicole Pell Composition Karen McAfee Circulation Thomas Douglas FRANKLIN LIVING

WHAT TO DO 10th Annual Walk a Mile for a Child

lost during the April 27 tornado.

Dedication of East Franklin Memorial

Relay For Life

Safeplace, Inc., will host the 10th Annual Walk a Mile for a Child event on Friday, April 20, at 12 p.m. at the Franklin County Courthouse.

The purpose of the event is to bring awareness to child abuse and neglect. Everyone in the area is encouraged to attend.

April 22

May 4

The East Franklin Community will dedicate a memorial at the site of the old statue in the East Franklin community on Sunday, April 22, at 2 p.m., to honor the memory of the East Franklin residents who were lost during the April 27 tornado.

The Franklin County Relay For Life will take place Friday, May 4, at the RHS Stadium. Opening ceremonies will start at 7 p.m. and the event will last until 7 a.m. Saturday.

Rockin’ at the Roxy

Spring Break

April 20

April 14 The Franklin County Arts and Humanities Council hosts the Rockin’ at the Roxy concert series the second Saturday night of each month featuring the popular KGB band and special musical guests.

Visit the historic Roxy Theater for a night filled with great live local music.

1st Annual Relay For Life Concert and Carnival April 21 Russellville Civitans’ Relay For Life team will host a concert at Sloss Lake on Saturday, April 21, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Local talent will provide the entertainment.

Other Relay For Life teams will also be available hosting various fundraisers such as bake sales, food and drink sales, games for children and more. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students, $15 for families of 4 or more, and free for children under 6.

Come out and have a night of family fun while supporting a great cause.

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April 23 – 27 Russellville City Schools and Franklin County Schools will observe their Spring Break holidays April 23 – 27.

Relay For Life Survivor Dinner April 24 The Relay For Life Survivor Dinner will be Tuesday, April 24, at 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Russellville. To sign-up, contact Megan Lovelace at 256-767-0825

by Thursday, April 19.

Rockin’ at the Roxy May 12 The Franklin County Arts and Humanities Council hosts the Rockin’ at the Roxy concert series the second Saturday night of each month featuring the popular KGB band and special musical guests.

Visit the historic Roxy Theater for a night filled with great live local music.

Graduation Ceremonies May 24 – Phil Campbell High School May 24 – Tharptown High School May 25 – Belgreen High School May 25 – Red Bay High School May 25 – Russellville High School May 25 – Vina High School

Dedication of Phil Campbell Memorial Park Rockin’ at the Roxy April 28

The dedication of the Phil Campbell Memorial Park in downtown Phil Campbell will take place on Saturday, April 28, at 10 a.m. Gov. Robert Bentley will be in town for the dedication and several members and officials in the community will speak at the event to honor the memory of the Phil Campbell and Franklin County residents who were

June 9 The Franklin County Arts and Humanities Council hosts the Rockin’ at the Roxy concert series the second Saturday night of each month featuring the popular KGB band and special musical guests.

Visit the historic Roxy Theater for a night filled with great live local music.

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OUT & ABOUT Some of the winners at the 2012 annual Partnership Awards Banquet included: 1. Barry Pounders 2. Red Bay Mayor Bobby Forsythe 3. Hodges Mayor Ed Crouch 4. Phil Campbell Mayor Jerry Mays 5. Russellville volunteer firefighter Mark Wilson 6.

Tamara Yancey and Dana Copeland of Phil Campbell Drugs

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OUT & ABOUT The 2011-2012 high school basketball season was a special one for several local teams including the Belgreen boys who rolled through the regular season with just two losses and the Red Bay and Tharptown girls. The Lady Wildcats made their first trip to the regional tournament while the Lady Tigers capped the season as the 2A state runner-up.

(Right and below) Tharptown’s Lady Wildcats prep for regional play at Wallace State. Red Bay’s Lady Tigers accept their trophy as Regional Champions.

SPRY MEMORIAL CHAPEL OF RUSSELLVILLE Ric Chambless and Jackie Peoples

“Caring People, Caring for People”

256-332-1122 906 South Jackson Ave. • Russellville sprymemorialchapel.com FRANKLIN LIVING

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OUT & ABOUT The Russellville Book Lovers Club spent an evening with residents at Country Cottage.1. Mary Beth Burleson and Clara Burleson 2. Gladys McAlister and Elree Randolph 3. Helen Chambless and Juanita Hipp

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OUT & ABOUT The Russellville Book Lovers Club spent an evening with residents at Country Cottage.1. Club member Susie Malone and Mayme McAlister 2. Margie Martin and Audrey Beck 3. Brenda Oliver and Lola Hamilton 4. Leon Hester 5. Rogers Hester 6. Susie Malone and Lois Lynn

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WHAT’S HOT

Your little girl will be decked out in the latest springtime style with the black and pink ruffled-trim dress by Mud Pie.

Spruce up your front door with a brightly colored mixed spring arrangement wreath.

Ava’s China & Gifts $100

Ava’s China & Gifts $29.99

Wipe off the mud from those springtime showers on a festive doormat by Jellybean.

Accessorize any outfit this spring with a necklace and earring set from the Elegant Instinct collection by Brighton.

Audrey’s Gifts & Décor $32.99

Spring is here but summer is just around the corner.

Get ahead of the game and pick up a swimsuit for you child today. These sharkembellished swim trunks

by Mud Pie are available in lime green and assorted sizes.

The Cottage Necklace $92 Errings $54

What better way to remember your Spring Break memories than with a picture placed in this lime green and pink flower-patterned picture frame by Glory Haus.

Who ever said little boys couldn’t dress cute, too?

Dress your little man to impress this Spring in this lime green and white patterned john-john with elephant detailing by Mud Pie

Audrey’s Gifts & Décor $24.99

Ava’s China & Gifts $28.99 April showers bring May flowers like the ones on this decorative black and white picture frame by Mud Pie. Ava’s China & Gifts $21.99

Ava’s China & Gifts $21.99 12

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Hop into springtime decorating with rabbitthemed home décor.

Ava’s China & Gifts $34.99

The weather is warm and that means one thing: time to break out the flip-flops! Shed some light on the season with this lime green and turquoise flip-flop lamp by Dennis East.

The Cottage $35

Get your little puddle duck some rain boots

by Baby Deer to keep her feet nice and dry.

Assorted sizes.

Show off your toes this spring in brightly colored flip-flops by Oka. Assorted styles and sizes available.

Audrey’s Gifts & Décor $30

Audrey’s Gifts & Décor $30

Make sure your little girl is dressed in her Sunday best with this sleeveless, rosettetrimmed dress by Bonnie Baby.

Show up looking your best in this floral print dress by Hot & Delicious Designs.

The Cottage $42

Audrey’s Gifts & Décor $34.99

Ladies, nothing brightens up your day quite like a new purse like this “Lime’s up” purse from the Laura line by Vera Bradley..

The Cottage $60

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Take the party outside this spring with colored wooden lanterns

by Dennis East.

Available in light pink and light green. green The Cottage $35

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Festivals • Phil Campbell Hoedown - June 15 & 16 • Vina Fest - July 28 • Watermelon Festival - August 17&18 • Red Bay Founders Fest - September 15 • Spirit of Hodges - October 6 • Spruce Pine Day - October 13

Other Activities & Attractions First Saturday of each month in April thru December - Farmers Market • Bear Creek Canoe Run • Bear Creek Lakes • Red Bay Water Park • Red Bay Museum • Cypress Cove Farms - Frontier Days 3rd Saturday of each month • Kings Drive In • Roxy Theater - Live entertainment 2nd Saturday of each month • Dismals Canyon • Bay Tree Council of the Performing Arts - next play in November

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Tiffin Motorhomes WHEREVER YOU GO, WE GO.

Focusing on Quality Ricky Coats loves his job at Tiffin Motorhomes.

It’s easy to see why as he gets ready to mark his 35th year with the company this summer.

“It’s always been a great place to work and it’s close to home,” the Franklin County resident said.

“Bob Tiffin has always been honest and good to us. It’s great to have a job you can count on to raise your family and a job you can enjoy. The Tiffins mean a lot to this entire area.”

Coats is a utility specialist at the Red Bay company and has filled that role for the past 17 years. That means he fills in wherever he’s needed, whether it’s in the mill shop, solid surface or in the main plant performing whatever task is required.

“My job is just to help anyone who

may need help on a given day,” Coats said before taking a call requesting his help at another location in the plant. And working in different areas of the plant is one thing that Coats enjoys most about his job.

“Everyone just gets to be friends because we’re all willing to help each other with whatever is needed, and do whatever we can to help b u i l d the best motorhomes on the road today.”

Before settling into his role in utilities, Coats worked in a number of different areas in the plant. He’s worked with everything from countertops and solid surface to installing appliances. He has seen a lot of changes at the plant

– watching it grow from just over 100 employees to one of the area’s leading employers today. Two of his sons, Chase and Josh, also work at Tiffin Motorhomes.

Other changes include the way the motorhomes are built with a much more complex process. One thing that hasn’t changed, according to Coats, is Tiffin’s dedication to quality.

“We take pride in seeing a new motorhome lined up and ready to go,” he said, noting that Tiffin builds most of the components that go inside each coach.

“Everyone focuses on quality and trying to do the best work we can. We work at that every day – from our woodwork to all of the small parts for each new motorhome, we want to make the best product we can.”

105 2nd Street N.W. • Red Bay, AL • 256-356-8661

Pictured with Ricky Coats is Jacob Green

Horsin’ around

Hodges equestrian trail could pay dividends for county tourism

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T

hose who live in Franklin County are probably familiar with the abundance of natural beauty that can be found right inside the county’s borders.

Those outside the county may not realize the treasures to be found here, but the town of Hodges is hoping to change that very soon.

At this moment, crews are working STORY BY in the town of Hodges and the surKELLIE SINGLETON rounding area on the Rockbridge PHOTOS BY Canyon Trail and Campground, HEATHER MOUSER which is an equestrian trail project that has been years in the making.

“Several years ago we had an economic development study done in our town to see how we could revitalize the area,” Hodges Mayor Ed Crouch said. “The study showed that we had all the assets right here to have a trail and we thought this would be a great opportunity not just for Hodges but the whole county as well.”

Thanks to several grants from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs; the Resource, Conservation and Development Council; Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow; and Sen. Roger Bedford, the town began to move forward with the project four years ago.

Crouch said the purpose of the trail would be two-fold.

“We started this project to provide jobs for county residents and to give residents and tourists more opportunities for recreational activities,” he said. “We think the trail will have a big impact on the economy here and the amount of tourists we attract.”

They currently have 10 miles completed of the 30-mile

(Above) Kyle Palmer, a certified police officer and member of the trail’s mounted patrol, and Tina Lawler, (below), ride the Rockbridge Canyon Trail around Hodges. Town and state officials have been working to develop a trail and campground that is expected to draw tourists from throughout the region once completed.

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Hodges Police Chief Mike Franklin and his horse, Goldie, pass near one of the waterfalls along the Rockbridge Canyon Trail in Hodges.

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trail and Hodges Police Chief Mike Franklin, who has worked closely with the project, said he hopes to be finished with the actual trail in a little over a month.

“I don’t think we’ll ever really have a time when we’re ‘finished’ with everything,” Franklin said. “There are so many things we want to do with this trail that it will be an ongoing project for some time.”

Even though the trail itself is near completion, it will take several more years to complete the long list of features to go with the trail.

Franklin said the next projects on the agenda include the trailhead facilities in Hodges that will house an equestrian center, restrooms and park ranger offices and the campsites.

“We’re hoping to have these two stages of the trail completed by our Spirit of Hodges Festival in October,” he said.

“We’ve set our sights high for this project,” Crouch added. “A representative from the ADECA horse trail committee came here two years ago and said we had a gold mine if we do it right and that’s what we plan to do.”

While it will mainly serve as an equestrian trail, Crouch said the trail would be multi-use and would suit the needs of many types of people looking for outdoor recreation.

“There is a large amount of RV owners who come through the area on their way to and from the Tiffin Motorhomes plant in Red Bay,” Crouch said.

“Sometimes these people are in town for a week so we plan to have pull-through type campgrounds for RVs with water, sewer and electricity hook-ups.”

Crouch said whether you’re an RV owner just passing through or a lifelong resident looking for something to do, the trail will have something for everyone.

“There will be 25 campsites and the trail would be good for hikers or walkers, there will be access to canoeing and we hope to have a bike trail coming from Red Bay eventually,” he said.

“The trail also has a lot of historical significance for people who are interested in that sort of thing.”

Franklin said the site of an old Indian post office could be found along the trail as well as

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oak slabs where an old saw mill used to be.

“We’re hoping to get some historical markers to place along the trail that will give people information about what they are seeing,” Franklin said.

Eight different waterfalls are spread throughout the course as well as an overlook area that has a two to three mile view and a tour through the scenic Rock

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Bridge Canyon.

“This trail is just absolutely beautiful,” Franklin said. “There are times when you won’t even believe you are still in Franklin County.”

Crouch said there will also be opportunities for entertainment in the future that will be coordinated by the trail’s activities director, Tina Lawler.

“We want to have an entertain-

Bradley Long, a certified police officer and member of the trail’s mounted patrol, gives two year-old Dalton Mouser a ride on his horse along the Rockbridge Canyon Trail. Several creeks and waterfalls adorn the landscape of the trail, making it an ideal place for nature and outdoors enthusiasts.

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ment hall where we can have live music and feature local talent,” Lawler said. “We also want to have an arena that will be good for recreational as well as educational purposes.”

The entire trail will also be a safe place for families to go since the town has hired three full-time mounted police officers to patrol the trail who are also working on the construction of the trail.

“We really believe we’re going to have a lot of people on this trail once it’s completed,” Franklin said.

“We have already received tremendous interest from all the border states and we had people from Birmingham want to book campsites before the facilities have even been built.

“This will be a great thing for this area and we’re proud to be a part of it.”

Hodges Mayor Ed Crouch and Police Chief Mike Franklin look over plans for the Rockbridge Canyon Trail that is being developed along the old railroad path in Hodges.

“We started this project to provide jobs for county residents and to give residents and tourists more opportunities for recreational activities,” Hodges Mayor Ed Crouch said.

“We think the trail will have a big impact on the economy here and the amount of tourists we attract.”

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FRANKLIN LIVING

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WELLNESS

Popular health myths debunked

Well-meaning parents or grandparents often tell children not to do something with the warning that a serious health implication could result.

Kids often take their elders at their word. But some of these warnings bear more truth than others.

Here’s the scoop on some of the more common misconceptions.

Myth: Swallowed chewing gum stays in the stomach for seven years.

The muscles in the eye are just like any muscles elsewhere in the body. Although they may tire and get sore, they are relatively resilient and can take a lot of wear and tear.

Crossing your eyes may tax these muscles, but you won’t do any permanent harm.

Rest assured that crossing the eyes will not leave them stuck that way.

While chewing gum cannot be digested and is meant to be chewed and not swallowed, accidentally swallowing a piece here and there won’t cause major issues. That’s because the gum will simply pass through the digestive system whole and come out with stool. If a large amount of gum is swallowed in a short period of time, then there could be issues, including constipation and intestinal blockage in children.

Although you will feel colder stepping outside with a part of your body wet, it won’t make you more susceptible to catching a cold.

Researchers at the Common Cold Research Unit in England once tested a group of volunteers who were given the cold virus.

One half of the group stayed in a warm room, while the others took a bath and stood wet in a hallway for a half hour.

The wet group didn’t catch more colds than the dry.

Myth: If you keep your eyes crossed too long, they will get stuck that way.

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Myth: Going outside with wet hair will make you sick.

Myth: Covering your head is most important

because you lose 75 percent of your body heat through it.

This calculation is more for an infant whose head makes up a greater percentage of his or her body. In an adult, the figure is closer to 10 percent.

Heat can escape from any exposed area of the body. Therefore, it is helpful to bundle up all areas of the body when spending time outdoors in the cold weather.

Myth: Don’t swim right after eating.

The basis of this mantra is that when digesting food, the digestive system pulls blood away from the muscles and the idea is that you could cramp up and drown.

While you may have less energy to swim vigorously, chances are you won’t be so weak as to drown.

Although many health myths prevail, knowing the truth can help parents educate their children better about which behaviors are safe and which are risky.

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A city that’s proud of the past‌. and building for the future.

Contact Russellville City Hall at 256-332-6060

Kevin G. Kelly, M.D. Serving your Family for over 30 years

FAMILY PRACTICE Pediatrics • New Born Care

256-332-5901 and

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Addie Harbin, of Russellville, relied on her taste in modern style when decorating the nursery for her little Ruby.

H

ave you ever noticed a room in someone else’s home that just makes you take a step back and wonder, “How did they do that? How did they make this room look so flawless?”

The home of Russellville residents Aaron and Addie Harbin will have this effect on you, with its brightly-colored walls, multiprinted rugs, eclectic furniture and cheery décor at every turn.

With such bold choices permeating their house, it comes as no surprise that when the couple discovered in December of 2010 that they were expecting their first child, Addie knew right away she didn’t want the nursery to be an exception to the home’s bubbly atmosphere.

“I love bold and bright colors and I just knew I wanted the nursery to be fun and funky,” she said. “If we had gone with muted colors or pastels, it wouldn’t have gone with the rest of the house at all.”

After discovering in March 2011 that they would be having a girl, the

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Nursery dreams STORY BY KELLIE SINGLETON PHOTOS BY HEATHER MOUSER

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couple started making plans to turn the nursery into a girly assortment of bright orange, hot pink, lime green and zebra print, for their now six-month-old daughter, Ruby Gist.

“I didn’t have any specific inspiration for how we ended up decorating the room,” Addie said.

“As long as it was bold and bright I knew it would probably work.

“I also really wanted the room to be able to grow with her. If we had gone with something very babyish, we would have just been changing it out in a couple of years, so I wanted to pick colors and patterns that would work for now and later on.”

Addie said she received some guidance from Kim Perdue at Thompson’s Drapery and Interiors on the colors and patterns for the fabric for Ruby’s bedding and curtains,

and even though the rest of the room looks like it’s been professionally designed as well, most all the work was completed

by Addie and Aaron.

“We painted the walls and I did the personalized wall hangings around the room,” Addie said.

“Because of Aaron’s background, he was able to do the carpentry work like the trim and the framing around the mirror over her dresser.

“I also did the striped trim around the room. Each little rope is exactly four inches apart and I told Aaron when we move, that trim is coming with us,” Addie joked.

“But really, even though it was a lot to do, all the work was worth it when we got done and saw how everything turned out. I knew it would be a special room for Ruby.”

The room underwent a major transforma-

tion before it was actually finished and ready to welcome Ruby, who arrived on Aug. 30, 2011.

Addie said tackling such a major project may seem daunting, but anyone who set their mind to it could come up with creative ways to turn a child’s room into a fun and unique place to play.

One big factor in re-doing Ruby’s nursery was re-purposing things that might have seemed useless, but with Addie’s creative eye, they were turned into special pieces to accent the room.

“The dresser in the room was my greatgrandmother’s,” Addie said. “We had it refinished and painted to match the room.

The chandelier was already in the dining room in the house when we bought it and we just cleaned it up and added the decorative lampshades, and the picture frames

(Above and below) Decorative picture frames and chandeliers are some of the personal touches Addie Harbin has added to her daughter’s nursery to make it unique. The dresser in the photo to the right belonged to Harbin’s great-grandmother. She had the dresser painted to match the rest of the nursery.

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Customized drapes and bedding from Thompson’s Drapery and Interiors in Russellville, as well as hand painted frames and the door hanger add personality to the nursery. Harbin wanted to add a mix of colors and bright patterns in her daughter, Ruby’s, nursery.

Pictured below is Ruby Gist Harbin inside her brightly adorned nursery.

were just ones I got at Hobby Lobby and spray painted the color I wanted.

“The good thing about making a lot of the stuff in Ruby’s room or re-purposing

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things we already had is that it makes it unique.

“I found myself going shopping with a specific thing in mind and I just couldn’t

ever find what I was looking for, but when you make it yourself, you get what you want every time, and that’s something anyone can do.”

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FAITH MATTERS

“Being a teenager can be one of the most difficult times because you’re finding out who you are and that can go so many ways. There are temptations and opportunities to really fall in with the wrong crowd, especially if you don’t have your faith to keep you strong.”

— Ryan Mouser Calvary Baptist Church youth minister

Making F disciples

inding your faith and actually being able to hold onto it through the crazy, turbulent timeframe known as the teenage years is something many of today’s youth find to be a difficult task.

Oftentimes, holding fast to what you believe in becomes a constant battle and STORY BY sometimes you feel alone.

KELLIE SINGLETON Ryan Mouser, youth minister at Calvary Baptist Church in Russellville, PHOTOS BY remembers clearly the kinds of trials Christian teenagers are often faced HEATHER MOUSER with. At 25 years old, those personal obstacles are still fresh memories and he knew the youth members he ministers to each week needed support and encouragement during this season in their life.

“Being a teenager can be one of the most difficult times because you’re finding out who

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you are and that can go so many ways,” he said. “There are temptations and opportunities to really fall in with the wrong crowd, especially if you don’t have your faith to keep you strong.”

This knowledge led Mouser and several other youth ministers in the area, including Russellville Church of God’s James Dancer, to begin discussing the ways they could help their youth groups continue to grow in their faith and be encouraged.

“Several of the local youth ministers began discussing the ways we could intermingle our youth groups and come up with something that was bigger than just one church alone,” Dancer said, “because really, the church isn’t our church – it is a kingdom that stretches far beyond four walls.”

What the group finally decided on was a weekend event known as Disciple Now or DNOW that took place February 24-26 and was open for students in the 7th through the 12th grades.

Mouser said 11 churches from three denominations participated in this year’s DNOW and during the weekend, the students gathered for small group Bible studies in the homes of members of their own churches to discuss the weekend’s theme: “Elevate.”

Mouser said the discussions centered around four areas of their life that could be elevated: their prayer life, their service to God and others, their worship, and their lifestyle and morals.

The Bible studies were interspersed with worship services held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and mission projects held on Saturday.

“I think the small group studies were particularly important for us because we’re a smaller youth group,” Dancer said. “It was really a time of bonding for us and a time for youth to see that youth group is more than just a social gathering and church is more than just something your parents make you do.

“I think this weekend reinforced the things that they were already hearing on Sundays and Wednesdays and they were able to join forces with other kids in the area to live those things out.”

Cai-Cai Smith, a junior at Russellville High School and a member of Calvary’s youth group, said she could hardly even describe what the DNOW weekend meant to her both personally and spiritually.

“This weekend really helped me grow spiritually and made me look deeper into my prayer life and the ways that I can really elevate the Lord’s name in my actions and in my everyday routines,” Smith said. “Whether it’s at school, with friends,

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with family, when I’m singing or cheering, I can find ways to lift Him up and take the focus off of me and put it where it needs to be.”

Mouser said the day of service on Saturday consisted of sending groups of participating teens out into the community to perform different projects.

“We mixed up the group of students participating in DNOW so that each group had someone in it they might not know,” Mouser said. “These groups did things like cleaning the gym at Calvary that’s being renovated, cleaning the Russellville city schools’ campuses, cleaning City Lake Park, singing at different nursing homes, cleaning up at a house in Phil Campbell, doing some work at a house in Hackleburg, and a ‘Serve the Servants’ mission in Russellville, Phil Campbell and Hackleburg where the kids served meals to firemen and other city officials who serve us all year long.”

Dancer said the day of service on Saturday was important to show how they should be the hands and feet of the Lord.

“This event really showed that this wasn’t about one specific church or one specific denomination,” he said. “It was about building momentum in the city of Russellville and in other areas.”

Smith said she hoped the DNOW event as a whole was as beneficial to the other participants as it was to her.

“We have a purpose in life to praise the Lord in all we do,” she said. “We’re in a battlefield every day and we’re fighting for the One who created us. It’s nice to know there are others in the battle with you and that you’re not alone in wanting to do the right things.”

Mouser said he felt like the weekend was a great success and he is already looking forward to next year.

“Our students have really elevated their devotion to the Lord and many of them are getting real and getting honest before the Lord,” he said. “They have grabbed onto the concept of being obedient and faithful before the Lord and I can’t wait to see what God continues to do in their lives and where they are at this time next year.”

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FOOD

Make the most of Memorial Day To many Americans, Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of summer.

Though summer does not actually begin until later in June, Memorial Day weekend has become synonymous with backyard barbecues and trips to the beach.

Backyard barbecues, in particular, have become a staple of Memorial Day weekend and the focus of many people’s festivities.

This year, consider the following tips to make your Memorial Day barbecue safe and memorable.

Place the grill in a safe spot. Before any guests arrive or any fires are lit, make sure the grill is safely located on flat ground. Ideally, the grill should not be on the grass and should be away from trees or shrubs and any other flammable materials.

If you need lighter fluid to start a fire, promptly put the fluid back in storage, away from the grill, once the fire has been lit.

Clean the grill. Memorial Day marks the opening of grilling season for many grillmasters. Make sure the grill has been thoroughly cleaned and that there are no leftover ashes from last season clogging the vents.

Even if you thoroughly cleaned the grill at the end of last season, give it a once-over with a soapy sponge at the start of the season to clean any cobwebs, or dirt and grime that might have accumulated over the winter.

Stock up on charcoal. Falling short in the charcoal department is a backyard barbecue faux pas that can bring the festivities to a halt. Because the weather in late May can sometimes be unpredictable, make sure you have extra charcoal on hand should strong winds or colder temperatures make it difficult to build a strong fire.

Spice things up. Why not use this year’s Memorial Day barbecue to add a little extra flavor to traditional barbecue fare?

Soak some dried herbs like rosemary, bay leaves or oregano in water and add them to the grill. These flavorful herbs will make the food taste better, and the grill will likely emit a more pleasant fragrance as well.

Prepare foods for guests with varying palates.

Vegetarians and vegans love a good backyard barbecue FRANKLIN LIVING

just as much as their carnivorous friends and family members. Cook some vegetable kabobs and prepare some salads for guests who don’t eat meat.

Consider purchasing a smaller grill for veggies only, as vegetarians and vegans might not prefer to eat kabobs grilled on the same grill as meat.

Keep the forks in the utensil drawer. Never use a fork to do a spatula’s job. Poking foods on the grill with a fork allows the juices that make grilled foods so delicious to escape, resulting in drier fare that’s not nearly as flavorful. Use a spatula or tongs to flip foods, including burgers, steaks, chicken, and even hot dogs.

Make sure foods have completely defrosted before placing them on the grill. When cold meat is placed on the grill, it reduces the grill’s temperature and prevents juices from getting seared in the food.

So make sure all foods have been defrosted to ensure your foods are flavorful and the grill stays hot.

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Spring Salad with Grapes and PistachioCrusted Goat Cheese 1/4 cup shelled dry-roasted pistachios, finely chopped 1/2 cup (4 ounces) goat cheese 1/4 cup Easy Herb Vinaigrette 1 (5-ounce) package gourmet salad greens or spring lettuce mix 1 cup seedless red grapes, halved 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Preparation 1. Place pistachios in a shallow dish. Divide cheese into 12 equal portions, rolling to form 12 balls.

Roll each ball in the pistachios until well coated.

Set pistachio-crusted cheese balls aside.

2. Combine Easy Herb Vinaigrette and greens in a large mixing bowl, and toss gently to coat evenly.

Divide greens mixture evenly among 4 salad plates.

Top each serving with 1/4 cup grapes and 3 cheese balls. Sprinkle salads evenly with pepper, and serve immediately.

The Perfect steak Mouth-watering, flavorful steaks have made the steakhouse a family favorite. Now, you can re-create those same savory steaks at home with this easy recipe and grilling guide.

Serves: 4 Preparation Time: 5 minutes 4 steaks (preferably New York Strip), 1� thick 2 cloves garlic minced or pressed 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar Freshly ground pepper 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons olive oil Trim excess fat from the steaks. In a glass dish or heavy plastic bag combine the remaining ingredients.

Marinate the steaks for 1 hour at room temperature or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator. If refrigerating, bring steaks close to room temperature 1/2 hour before grilling for more even cooking.

Preheat the barbecue on HIGH. Brush grids with olive oil

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Fruit soup 1/2 cantaloupe, seeds removed 1 cup fresh pineapple 1 cup peaches 1 cup Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced 2 cups strawberries 1/4 cup sugar 2 tablespoons honey 2 cups water 1/4 cup pineapple juice 1/4 cup lemon juice 1/4 cup orange juice Sour cream, for garnish Orange rind, for garnish

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Directions Combine all the fruit: cantaloupe, pineapple, peaches, apples, strawberries in a large mixing bowl, along with the sugar and honey.

Add fruit mix to the pot on the stove

and add your liquid ingredients of water, pineapple, lemon and orange juice.

While the fruit mix is simmering on the stove, cut the bottom of your cantaloupe half (so as to not rock) and with your fruit baller, dig out 2 cups cantaloupe adding it to the rest of the fruit in the pot. Reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes or until fruit is soft.

Allow fruit to cool down. When ready pour half of fruit mixture into blender.

Blend until smooth. Repeat with the remaining mixture and chill until ready to serve.

Spoon into bowls, garnish each serving with a dollop of sour cream and orange rind.

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THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Horton making R mark on pro tour STORY BY J.R. TIDWELL

ight down Highway 43 in Muscle Shoals lives a Franklin County native who has had a good measure of success in his professional career.

Tim Horton, a Russellville native, has been a Bassmaster pro angler for 14 years. He lives in the Shoals with his wife Mel and two daughters, 12-year-old Lauren and nine-year-old Leah, who are both “going on 20.”

“I started fishing as a guide service there on Pickwick Lake in ’97 as soon as I got out of college and started competing on the state and regional circuits,” Horton said. “Then I jumped to the national scene in ’99.”

Horton grew up in Franklin County. He lived in Spruce Pine early on before moving to Russellville when he was in the third grade. Horton lived in Russellville before moving off to attend Itawamba Community College in Fulton, Miss., where he played baseball. He then went to the University of North Alabama, where he graduated in 1996.

PHOTOS BY CHRIS DUTTON

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FRANKLIN LIVING

Horton found a love for fishing early on, so making a career out of a hobby seemed natural for him.

“I went fishing in my grandfather’s farm pond a lot when I was a kid at seven, eight or nine years old,” he said.

“I really got a passion for the outdoors and fishing, and it just became a part of my life. It was something I enjoyed more than anything as far as a hobby, so I wanted to pursue it as a career. I didn’t have to work hard at it because I enjoyed it. It wasn’t work; it was fun. One thing led to another, and I was very fortunate early on.

In 2000, on my very first pro tour, I won Angler of the Year. That really got me associated with some good companies and was my biggest blessing as far as my fishing goes.”

Horton’s love of fishing got him started as a guide and then a Bassmaster pro, but it was an event that occurred soon after he started on the circuit that solidified his chance at making his hobby into a career.

“My favorite tournament memory would have to be my first win on the river in October of ’99,” he said. “My wife Mel was four months pregnant with our first daughter, Lauren. We were struggling, living in a $250 a month apartment driving 10-year-old vehicles. My wife was working a full-time job while I was a fishing guide, and we won $100,000 at that event. I think that alleviated so much pressure that it gave me time to get sponsors and get my feet on the ground in the sport.”

Horton’s favorite fishing method is offshore deep cranking with a lure he designed for Bass Pro Shops, the Bomber Switchback Shad. He also does well fishing around grass.

Tim Horton fishes in a grassy area in a professional tour.

Horton has become a regular on the leaders stage at professsional tour events.

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Catching big bass has turned from a weekend hobby to a professional career for Spruce Pine native Tim Horton.

When it comes to what keeps Horton on the boat out on the lake fishing, he cannot completely describe it.

“There’s something unexplainable about figuring it out,” he said. “I don’t know. It’s the whole science of it. All of the factors that go into it: water temp, time of year, water clarity; all of the different things to be able to catch a bass.

A bass is the most sought after game fish in the United States. It’s an unexplainable passion that happens with it. I don’t know if it’s because you really can’t see it, that everything’s underwater. You’re creating a hypothesis based on past experience. I think that’s a big thing for me, the challenge of figuring out how to be successful at it.”

Horton has definitely figured out how to be successful at the sport he loves. He has fished in 10 Bassmaster Classics and has netted over $1 million over the course of his pro-

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Horton has designed lures that he now sponsors and uses on tour events.

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fessional career.

Horton says his favorite fishing spot is Cedar Creek because it’s “home.”

“You never forget home,” he said. “It’s where I learned to fish with friends like John Thornton and Ashley Stanford and all of the guys I grew up fishing with.

That you just never forget. I always go back and fish in evening tournaments on Cedar Creek there in Belgreen at least once a year in the summertime. My next favorite would have to be Pickwick Lake. It’s such a hot lake right now, and we’re so fortunate to have it here so close to us.”

While angling takes up much of his time, Horton does find time to do things outside of fishing on lakes across the country.

“When I am not fishing I spend time on our farm in Spruce Pine,” he said. “I commute to it daily when I’m at home. My wife and the girls just love being out here. It’s a place to get away from the computer and the phones. I enjoy managing the property for whitetail deer and turkey. I enjoy the peacefulness of it.”

“All of the factors that go into it: water temp, time of year, water clarity; all of the different things to be able to catch a bass. A bass is the most sought after game fish in the United States. It’s an unexplainable passion that happens with it.”

— Tim Horton, professional angler 42

FRANKLIN LIVING

Franklin County Business & Service Directory

GUARANTEED PEST CONTROL Termite & Pest Control Commercial & Residential

with VISTA

without VISTA

ADJUSTABLE FLOOR SUPPORTS 256-436-6660

Owner: Luke Waldon

SAVE ENERGY & REDUCE HEAT AND GLARE, ASK US HOW? FREE ESTIMATES

Locally Owned & Operated Tommy Orrick John Felix 256-710-1401 256-324-1268

Gann’s Discount Siding

256-383-5217 • cell: 256-248-5362 1501 Broadway • ShefÀeld

• Metal RooÀng • Vinyl Siding • Gutters Jerry & Chad Gann 256-446-9767 • Leighton

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

LOOKING BACK

Photos courtesy of the Franklin County Archives and Research Center

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Do you know these faces?

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PARTING SHOTS

Members of the Alabama Army National Guard’s 115th Signal Battalion have been deployed since late 2011, including many Franklin County residents. Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with all of these brave men and women and their families until they all return home.

46

FRANKLIN LIVING

Located in Franklin Shopping Center Hwy 43, Russellville, AL

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Hours of Operation:

Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Sat 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

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Years of experience, Friendly Staff with fast Friendly Service

Still your local compounding Headquarters for Franklin County