Pageant winners inside!
Watermelon Festival
42nd annual Aug. 18-19
Franklin Electric Cooperative
J T Ray Company
Miss Watermelon Queen
Silvie Kaye Miller
Crimson Sweet $500
Oliver Creamery
Country Cottage
Econo Lodge
Tri-Green Equipment | Leighton
Valley Credit Union
Franklin County Times
Community Spirit Bank
Franklin Co. Development Authority
Listerhill Credit Union
Twisted Performance & Machine
Russellville Florist & Gifts
Morgan Chiropractic
Rhett Bradford State Farm
Vulcan Materials Company
Franklin County Commission Bank Independent
First Metro Bank
Tennessee Valley Pediatrics EXIT River City Realty
Harmony $150
Babes and Tots Group Home Daycare
Eye Care Professionals
Russellville Civitan Club
Red Bay Pharmacy
Franklin
Pinkard Funeral Homes, Inc.
Hester & James
Redmont Pharmacy
Russellville Water & Sewer Board
Sinclair Lawrence & Associates City of Red Bay
County Chamber of Commerce
103 Jackson Ave N. Russellville, AL 256.332.1760 www.franklincountychamber.org
Russellville High School graduate Silvie Miller was named Queen of this year’s Watermelon Festival pagean. She also won Most Photogenic, Best Dress and Prettiest hair. She will be awarded a $500 scholarship.
Now a junior varsity assistant cheer coach at Belgreen, Miller is also attending Northwest Shoals Community College to pursue an Associate’s degree in science. She plans to attend the University of North Alabama after that, to earn a Bachelor’s in secondary education, after which she will teach math. She is involved with Souls for the Homeless, an organization which helps provide shoes.
The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce plans and directs the pageant and festival. Chamber director, Cassie Medley, said this year saw the largest number of contestants yet – 158 girls across 26 categories.
The queens will be presented at 6:45 p.m. Friday evening (Aug. 18) at the Watermelon Festival in downtown Russellville. Stay tuned for our annual special newspaper section with more photos and information about the queens, as well as a map and other information about the events.
2 2• Franklin County Times • www.franklincountytimes.com August 14, 2019 Watermelon Festival Sponsors 2019 Strickland & Barksdale, CPAs Russellville Water & Sewer Country Cottage Assisted Living G & G Steel Clark Pulley Industries Eyecare Professionals Sinclair Lawrence & Associates Insurance Campbell Vision Center Hester & James City of Red Bay Dismals Canyon Redmont Pharmacy Mar Jac Poultry, LLC Foster & Foster, CPAs Cottontails Children's Boutique, Inc. Terrace Manor Farmers Home Furniture 1st Franklin Financial Joe M. Tucker, CPA, P.C. Lift Services, Inc. Morgan Chiropractic Franklin County Commission Lee Nickels State Farm Franklin Electric Cooperative Community Spirit Bank Diana Lockmiller State Farm Franklin County Times Window World McDonald's Northwest Shoals Community College City of Russellville Employees Best Western Russellville First Baptist Church Rhett Bradford Miss Franklin County Watermelon Queen Miss 18-21-year-olds Queen: Anna Benford First alternate: Abby Swinney Second alternate: Peyton Reynolds and Allison Woods Category winners – Most photogenic: Anna Benford; Prettiest dress: Peyton Reynolds; Prettiest hair: Abby Swinney; Prettiest smile: Abby Swinney ON THE COVER: Dalton and Connor Gardner, sons of Jeremy Gardner and Constance Fretwell of Russellville, are among the many watermelon-lovers of Franklin County. They are students at Belgreen. August 11, 2023 ON THE COVER: Rhett Parker, son of Drew
PHOTO BY IT IS WELL PHOTOGRAPHY,
STANCIL RICE. 42nd Annual Franklin County Sponsors American Champion $5,000 Royal Jubilee $2,500 Legacy $1,000 Senator Stutts & Representative Kiel Buffalo Rock Russellville First Baptist Church City of Russellville Franklin Co. Arts & Humanities Window World Best Western CB&S Bank Clayton Russellville Liberty $300 Big Star (Red Bay & Russellville) Green's Dependable Hardware Strickland & Barksdale, CPAs Town of Hodges G & G Steel NWSCC
and Sarah Aycock Parker.
SERA
3 August 14, 2019 Franklin County Times • www.franklincountytimes.com • 3 August 11, 2023
4 2• Franklin County Times • www.franklincountytimes.com August 14, 2019 August 11, 2023
5 August 14, 2019 Franklin County Times • www.franklincountytimes.com • 3 August 11, 2023 cbsbank.com | 877-332-1710 All loans subject to credit approval. Since 1906, we’ve been here for all your banking needs. Checking | Loans | Savings | Digital Banking
18-21-year-olds
First
Russellville High School graduate Silvie Miller was named Queen of this year’s Watermelon Festival pageant. She also won Most Photogenic, Best Dress and Prettiest Hair. She will be awarded a $500 scholarship.
14-17 Years
6 2• Franklin County Times • www.franklincountytimes.com August 14, 2019
Queen: Anna Benford
alternate: Abby Swinney
Second alternate: Peyton Reynolds and Allison Woods
August 11, 2023
Category winners – Most photogenic: Anna Benford; Prettiest dress: Peyton Reynolds; Prettiest hair: Abby Swinney; Prettiest smile: Abby Swinney
Queen: Annie Clair Willis
First alternate: Raegen L. Misner
Second alternate: Gracie Anne Key
7 August 14, 2019 Franklin County Times • www.franklincountytimes.com • 3 Connect with us! Category winners – Most photogenic: AnnaFaye Prince; Prettiest dress: Baker Franklin; Prettiest August 11, 2023
Trevor Prince, Ayla Jane Prince and Christian Nelson enjoy the Friday evening fun at last year’s festival.
8 2• Franklin County Times • www.franklincountytimes.com August 14, 2019 Watermelon Festival Sponsors 2019 Strickland & Barksdale, CPAs Russellville Water & Sewer Country Cottage Assisted Living G & G Steel Clark Pulley Industries Eyecare Professionals Sinclair Lawrence & Associates Insurance Campbell Vision Center Hester & James City of Red Bay Dismals Canyon Redmont Pharmacy Mar Jac Poultry, LLC Foster & Foster, CPAs Cottontails Children's Boutique, Inc. Terrace Manor Farmers Home Furniture 1st Franklin Financial Joe M. Tucker, CPA, P.C. Lift Services, Inc. Morgan Chiropractic Franklin County Commission Lee Nickels State Farm Franklin Electric Cooperative Community Spirit Bank First Metro Bank Bank Independent IHP Diana Lockmiller State Farm Franklin County Times Window World McDonald's Northwest Shoals Community College Alabama Central Credit Union Valley State Bank Southern Homes CB&S Bank Valley Credit Union Franklin County Arts Council City of Russellville Employees Best Western Russellville First Baptist Church Rhett Bradford Miss Franklin County Watermelon Queen Anna Benford Miss 18-21-year-olds Queen: Anna Benford First alternate: Abby Swinney Second alternate: Peyton Reynolds and Allison Woods Category winners – Most photogenic: Anna Benford; Prettiest dress: Peyton Reynolds; Prettiest hair: Abby Swinney; Prettiest smile: Abby Swinney ON THE COVER: Dalton and Connor Gardner, sons of Jeremy Gardner and Constance Fretwell of Russellville, are among the many watermelon-lovers of Franklin County. They are students at Belgreen. August 11, 2023 Scotty Wood - Agent AUTO • HEALTH • LIFE scotty.wood.vacp8h@statefarm.com 13760 Highway 43, Suite 6 Russellville, Alabama 35653 Business: 256.332.0052 Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. 256-221-2553 Keep up with all the community news! Subscribe today... terri.haston@tnvalleymedia.com Call Terri Haston County Extension Coordinator Katernia Cole Co ey Franklin County 4-H Regional Extension Agent: Austin Blankenship Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Agent: Shirley Jimenez Franklin County Extension Office P.O Box 820 Russellville, AL 35653 Located in the basement of the Frank in County Courthouse 256-332-8880 Visit our website at: www aces edu W e h e l p m illi o n s o f A l a b am i a n s . W e p r o v i d e r e s e a r c h - b a s e d e du c a ti o n a l p r o g r a m s i n a g r i c u l t u r e; f o r e s t r y , w il d li f e , a nd n a t u r al r es o u r c e s ; f a m il y a nd c o n s u m e r s c i e n c e s ; e c o n o m i c a nd c o mm un i t y d e v e l o p m e n t ; 4 - H a nd y o u t h d eThe A abama Coopera ive Exten ion Sys em A abama A&M Un ve s ty and Auburn Un ve sity) s an equa opportun ty educa o and emp oyer www aces edu Animal Science & Forages Agent: Ali Gotcher
9 August 14, 2019 Franklin County Times • www.franklincountytimes.com • 3 Connect with us! Category winners – Most photogenic: Lauren Sturdivant; Prettiest dress: Lauren Sturdivant; Category winners – Most photogenic: AnnaFaye Prince; Prettiest dress: Baker Franklin; Prettiest August 11, 2023 Contact Russellville City Hall at 256-332-6060 304 Jackson Ave. N Russellville City Councilmen: David Palmer, District 1; Darren Woodruff, District 2; Gary Cummings, District 3; Dexter Hamilton, District 4; Jamie Harris, District 5; Mayor David R. Grissom A Great Place to Live, Work & Raise a family
102• Franklin County Times • www.franklincountytimes.com August 14, 2019
Miss Franklin County Watermelon Queen
Queen: Anna Benford
First alternate: Abby Swinney
Second alternate: Peyton Reynolds and Allison Woods Category winners – Most photogenic: Anna Benford; Prettiest dress: Peyton Reynolds; Prettiest hair: Abby Swinney; Prettiest smile: Abby Swinney
August 11, 2023
ON THE COVER: Dalton and Connor Gardner, sons of Jeremy Gardner and Constance Fretwell of Russellville, are among the many watermelon-lovers of Franklin County. They are students at Belgreen.
11 August 14, 2019 Franklin County Times • www.franklincountytimes.com • 3 August 11, 2023
122• Franklin County Times • www.franklincountytimes.com August 14, 2019 Watermelon Festival Strickland & Barksdale, CPAs Russellville Water & Sewer Country Cottage Assisted Living G & G Steel Clark Pulley Industries August 11, 2023
13 August 14, 2019 Franklin County Times • www.franklincountytimes.com • 3 Category winners – Most photogenic: AnnaFaye Prince; Prettiest dress: Baker Franklin; Prettiest August 11, 2023
142• Franklin County Times • www.franklincountytimes.com August 14, 2019
Miss Franklin County Watermelon Queen
Queen: Anna Benford
First alternate: Abby Swinney
Second alternate: Peyton Reynolds and Allison Woods
Category winners – Most photogenic: Anna Benford; Prettiest dress: Peyton Reynolds; Prettiest hair: Abby Swinney; Prettiest smile: Abby Swinney
August 11, 2023 Town of Hodges PO Box 87 Hodges, AL 35571 Phone 205-935-3445 http://hodgesal.com Brian Scott – Mayor Danyel Guth – Clerk Council Members Tim Atkinson Mandy Bryant Tim Gentz Marty Guidry Judy Harden
ON THE COVER: Dalton and Connor Gardner, sons of Jeremy Gardner and Constance Fretwell of Russellville, are among the many watermelon-lovers of Franklin County. They are students at Belgreen.
15 August 14, 2019 Franklin County Times • www.franklincountytimes.com • 3 Connect with us! Category winners – Most photogenic: Lauren Sturdivant; Prettiest dress: Lauren Sturdivant; Category winners – Most photogenic: AnnaFaye Prince; Prettiest dress: Baker Franklin; Prettiest August 11, 2023 541286-1 www.facebook.com hillsideweddingsandevents www.hillsideweddingsandevents.com (256) 826-4455 2185 Lynwood Ave., Russellville, AL 35654 Hillsidecanaccommodate approximately100+people indoororoutdoor. ChairsandTablesareavailable. CateringandMusicoptionsavailable uponrequest,askusforaquote! Available365daysayear. WeAlsoBook: •GraduationParties •Anniversaries•Birthdays •Showers•Reunions (Callfordetailsonavailabledates)
162• Franklin County Times • www.franklincountytimes.com August 14, 2019
Miss Franklin County Watermelon Queen
Queen: Anna Benford
First alternate: Abby Swinney
Category
ON THE COVER: Dalton
Russellville,
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Second alternate: Peyton Reynolds and Allison Woods
winners – Most photogenic: Anna Benford; Prettiest dress: Peyton Reynolds; Prettiest hair: Abby Swinney; Prettiest smile: Abby Swinney
and Connor Gardner, sons of Jeremy Gardner and Constance Fretwell of
are
among the many watermelon-lovers of Franklin County. They are students at Belgreen.
17 August 14, 2019 Franklin County Times • www.franklincountytimes.com • 3
August 11, 2023
Category winners – Most photogenic: Lauren Sturdivant; Prettiest dress: Lauren Sturdivant;
Tripp Cleveland, Keyli Hargett, Ella Copeland and Tristan Ray enjoy hanging out at the 2022 Watermelon Festival.
A 2022 contest contender in the Best Dressed category.
182• Franklin County Times • www.franklincountytimes.com August 14, 2019
Miss Franklin County Watermelon Queen
Queen: Anna Benford
First alternate: Abby Swinney Second alternate: Peyton Reynolds and Allison Woods Category winners – Most photogenic: Anna Benford; Prettiest dress: Peyton Reynolds; Prettiest hair: Abby Swinney; Prettiest smile: Abby Swinney
August 11, 2023
ON THE COVER: Dalton and Connor Gardner, sons of Jeremy Gardner and Constance Fretwell of Russellville, are among the many watermelon-lovers of Franklin County. They are students at Belgreen.
19 August 14, 2019 Franklin County Times • www.franklincountytimes.com • 3 Connect with us! Category winners – Most photogenic: Lauren Sturdivant; Prettiest dress: Lauren Sturdivant; August 11, 2023 1-833-RELI-NOW Save yourself time and headaches with ReLi Energy, the new way of living with propane. $$$ $$$ JA N FEB MA R APR MA Y JUN JU L AU G SE PT OC T NOV DEC $$$ $$$ THE OLD WAY JA N FEB MAR APR MAY JU N JU L AU G SE P T OC T NO V DE C $ $$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Propane Bill Propane Bill Schedule an appointment online to install your worry-free wireless meter at no cost. Your propane is monitored as you use it. The future of propane is here. Your customer’s monthly bills will be significantly smaller and more consistent compared to a traditional fill. All bills are visible through the Customer Portal. Your new wireleses meter will automatically track your propane use on a daily basis. Your customers will have full transparency, and never run out of gas again. Free Installation Reliable Bills Never Run Out Scan to learn more. Visit us online at relienergy.com With ReLi Energy, you pay for what you use.
Many members of the community watch the Velcro Pygmies perform at the Watermelon Festival Friday night.
Many members of the community watch the Velcro Pygmies perform at
the
Watermelon Festival Friday night.
202• Franklin County Times • www.franklincountytimes.com August 14, 2019
August 11, 2023 Proud to represent the Watermelon Capital of Alabama. Happy 41st Anniversary Franklin County Watermelon Festival! Franklin County Commission
ON
THE COVER: Dalton and Connor Gardner, sons of Jeremy Gardner and Constance Fretwell of Russellville, are among the many watermelon-lovers of Franklin County. They are students at Belgreen.
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L to R: Chris Wallace, District 1; Jason Miller, District 2; Joseph Baldwin, District 3; David Hester, District 4; seated Barry Moore, Chairman and Probate Judge.
Members of the 2022 Junior Leaders help with the opening ceremony preparations in last year’s festival.
21 August 14, 2019 Franklin County Times • www.franklincountytimes.com • 3 Connect with us! August 11, 2023 A Skilled Nursing & Rehab Facility Offer ing Shor t Ter m & Long Ter m Care (662) 423-9112 • 230 Kaki St. • Iuka, MS (Just minutes away from AL state line on Hwy 72 W) 530486-1 1016 Maddox Road, Phil Campbell, AL 256-668-0781 • 205-486-6409 Lic# 95067 BAMA AIR CONDITIONING
2022 Watermelon Festival Pageant
Queen Sophie Hill cuts the first watermelon during the opening ceremony last year.
One of the 2022 Watermelon queens, Elizabeth Ann Marecle, gets ready for the presentation of the queens with her mom, Lindsey.
222• Franklin County Times • www.franklincountytimes.com August 14, 2019 Campbell
Hester
Vision Center
& James City of Red Bay
Dismals Canyon Redmont Pharmacy Mar Jac Poultry, LLC
Category winners – Most photogenic: Anna Benford; Prettiest dress: Peyton Reynolds; Prettiest
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Dalton and Connor Gardner, sons of Jeremy Gardner and Constance Fretwell of Russellville, are among the many watermelon-lovers of Franklin County. They are students at Belgreen.
start last year.
advantage of a fun
opportunity at last year’s
Gracelyn Tubb and Alicia Bowen play while waiting for the opening ceremony to
Festivalgoers take
photo
festival.
for
year’s
Bobby Leopard stands next to his 1930 Plymouth during the car show at the 2022 Watermelon Festival on Saturday.
Oliver
Morris enjoys
watermelon while he waits
this
Watermelon Festival.
23 August 14, 2019 Franklin County Times • www.franklincountytimes.com • 3
August 11, 2023
Category winners – Most photogenic: Lauren Sturdivant; Prettiest dress: Lauren Sturdivant; Prettiest hair: Katie Thomas; Prettiest smile: Katie Thomas
