2022 Franklin Living November-December

BY

What a year it has been. It’s hard to be lieve we are entering the final days of 2022.

As you pack away the Halloween costumes and prepare for the holiday season, we hope our November/December edition of Franklin Li ving will bring a cup of good cheer to get you in the spirit.

It’s often the sights and sounds of the season that make it real for us, so our cover story this month is about the Bells and their drive-through Christmas light display. We love that there are families in the community who go to such len gths to put together a spectacle to be enjoyed by friends and neighbors, and we hope you’ll go see their beautiful contribution to shining a light in a time that – despite its joyful reputation – can be filled with stress and sorrow, as well. Take a moment, take a breath, and take time to soak in the happiness of Christmas at the Bells.

When you need a break from the cooking and shopping, gift wrapping and party-going, you just might be in the mood for a cozy corner and a good book. Did you know the library at Northwest-Shoals Community College in Phil

Features

Campbell can help you with that? No, it’s not just textbooks and scholarly volumes, and it’s not just for students. Head libra rian Lori Skinner stands ready to help you find a good read – and she even shares a few suggestions in this issue of Franklin Living.

This issue we also share a few thoughts from Sherry Hutcheson. Sherry recently re tired from the Red Bay High School FACS program, and she is a wealth of information and an inspiring artist, whether she’s quil ting or, this summer’s project, painting a mural at the elementary school playground.

Of course, we also have cookie recipes from Amy McCollum, financial and faith advice from Emily Mays and Philip Goad, kitchen safety tips from the Extension and more.

It’s all inside.

I hope this magazine can be a small part of your festivities this year.

Alison James

Check out all the upcoming community events!

Submit community events for future issues of Franklin Living to alison. james@franklincountytimes.com. Requests must be received by the first of the month for consideration for the next edition. All events are subject to change or cancellation.

Veterans Day Parade

Nov. 6

American Legion Post 64 will host its annual Veterans Day Parade Nov. 6 in downtown Rus sellville. The pa rade will begin at 2 p.m. Veterans who wish walk or ride in the parade will start gathering a little after 1 p.m. at the A.W. Todd Centre in downtown Russellville.

BTCPA’s “Murder Me, Murder Me Not”

Nov. 10-13

The Bay Tree Council for the Performing Arts will start its 2022-23 season with the intriguing comedy, “Murder Me, Murder Me Not.” Performances will take place Nov. 10-13 at the Weatherford Centre in Red Bay. Tickets are $8. Dinner will be available for an additional $17 prior to the Nov. 10 and Nov. 13 shows. For more information visit the BCPA Facebook page or call Beth Hammock, 256-668-0045, for information on group ticket sales.

Rockin’ at the Roxy

Nov. 12, Dec. 10

The second Saturday night of each month at 7 p.m. brings the Kerry Gilbert Band concert at the His toric Roxy Theatre in Russellville. The KGB will be joined by a special guest for each show. Doors open at 6 p.m. Cost is $15 for adults, $5 for children 6-12 and free for children younger than 6.

Free Thanksgiving Meal

Nov. 24

To provide a meal for those in need, Mountain View Baptist in Phil Campbell will offer dine in, carry out or delivery (within a 15 mile radius) of Thanksgiving Day dinners. Plates will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 24. Delivery limit is five meals. Those who plan to take part should call the church to and give their name, phone number and address (if requesting delivery).

Hodges Memory Tree Lighting

Nov. 27

The Town of Hodges will converge on the town park Nov. 27 at 5:30 p.m. for the annual Memo ry Tree Lighting. Local churches will be involved, and there will be a children’s choir. Community members can have the name of a friend or loved one included on the tree by contacting Town Hall by Nov. 22; cost is $5, and all proceeds go toward park upkeep.

Christmas Parades

Dec. 1, Dec. 5, Dec. 6, Dec. 8

Russellville, Red Bay, Vina and Phil Campbell will get in the spirit of the holidays with their annual Christmas parades, each star ting at 6 p.m. Rus sellville will kick off parade season Dec. 1. Red Bay’s parade will follow Dec. 5, and Vina’s parade will be Dec. 6. Phil Campbell will wrap up parade season Dec. 8. All local businesses, churches, school groups and community organizations are invited to be part of the parades.

Garden Club’s Every Light a Prayer for Peace and Tree Lighting

Dec. 1

Dec. 1 starting at 4:15 p.m. will be the Cultura Garden Club’s Every Light a Prayer for Peace program on the Franklin County Courthouse steps. The event will feature songs and speakers en couraging peace. Veterans, active military, front-line workers, first responders and EMS will be honored. The official tree lighting, across the street in front of the Byars Building, will wrap up the event, immediately preceding the Christmas parade.

Falling Into Winter Concert

Dec. 3

Northwest-Shoals Community College’s will host a Falling Into Winter concert, featuring a mix of fall and winter music, at 7 p.m. Dec. 3. The concert will be held at the Lou B. Bevill Center for Fine Arts on the Phil Campbell campus and will feature the show choir and jazz band. Tickets are $8 or free for faculty, staff, students and children 12 and younger. Purchase tickets on eventbrite.com.

Holly Day

Dec. 3

The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to meet Santa at Holly Day Dec. 3. Children of all ages are invited to enjoy a fun hour of cookie decorating, ornament making, Christ mas coloring, Letters to Santa, goodie bags and pictures with Santa! Holly Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the A.W. Todd Centre in Russellville. Groups will be admitted at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. Admission is $5. Call the Chamber to reserve a time slot: 256-332-1760.

The Roxy’s Christmas Spectacular

Dec. 8-11

The Roxy’s Christmas Spectacular takes the stage once again this year as a highlight of the holiday season in Russellville. Shows will be Dec. 8 and 9 at 7 p.m., Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. Fred the Elf and Gaspar the conductor return with new friends and new songs to share. Tickets are $15 for the first 10 rows or $10 for rows 11-19. To purchase tickets or for more information call 256-460-8988 or message the show’s Facebook page.

A Night in Bethlehem

Dec. 11-13

Mountain View Baptist Church in Phil Campbell will host A Night in Bethlehem, a drive-through nativity scene, for the community Dec. 12-13 from 6-8 p.m. The event is free. The church is located at 2110 County Road 81.

SOMETHING SWEET TO EAT SOMETHING SWEET TO EAT

Whether attending a cookie swap, creating goodies for friends and neighbors or preparing for San ta’s imminent arrival, cookies are bound to be on the menu at some point this sea son. While the classic chocolate chip is always an option, Amy McCollum has a festive selection of recipes to choose from that might help you whip up a new sweet treat for your holiday table – or else revive a long-forgotten favorite. It’s baking season in Franklin County.

“Gigi’s little helpers” – Brooklyn, Shanea and Shaylee – help bake up some tasty Christmas fun.

Photos and recipes by AMY DOLAN MCCOLLUM

SANTA’S RED COAT COOKIES

AKA: Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies

I am sure Santa would love these left out for him on Christmas Eve!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

• 2 eggs

• 15.25 oz. box of red velvet cake mix

• 3/4 cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together oil, salt and eggs until well combined.

3. Add the cake mix and mix until fully combined, about 2 minutes. Add cho colate chips.

4. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.

5. Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.

6. Portion out heaping tablespoons of dough and roll them in your hands to form round balls.

7. Place the balls about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. The cookies will spread out considerably, so it’s impor tant to leave plenty of space.

8. Extra chips – To make your cookies look even prettier, after scooping the dough onto the baking sheets, lightly press a couple extra chocolate chips on top.

9. Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, just until the edges begin to brown slightly.

10. Allow the cookies to cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheet before removing them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

PECAN SNOWBALL COOKIES

Ingredients

• 2 cups finely chopped pecans

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room tempera ture

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• Powdered sugar for coating

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Place chopped pecans in a 9x13-inch metal baking dish. Roast in the oven until the pecans are lightly toasted, 6-8 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool.

3. Beat butter and sugar together until light and creamy.

4. Add vanilla extract and salt; beat to combine.

5. Add flour and cooled toasted pecans and mix on low until thoroughly com bined.

6. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

7. Scoop and shape dough into 1-inch balls, pressing the dough in your hands. The dough will be very crumbly, so you will be pressing the dough balls into spheres instead of rolling them between your palms.

8. Place cookies a 1/2-inch apart on baking sheets.

9. Bake until lightly browned, about 15 mi nutes.

10. Allow cookies to cool until just cool enough to handle but still quite warm. Roll each cookie in powdered sugar, putting the cookie back on the baking sheet after it’s coated in sugar. Allow cookies to cool completely before rolling them in powdered sugar again and then serving or storing in an air tight container.

BUDDY THE ELF COOKIES

If you have seen the Christmas movie “Elf,” you know Buddy loved candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup. He loved to add these to his food – especially his spaghetti. Here is a cookie that represents all the things Buddy loved. I think these cookies would the great to leave for Santa on Christmas Eve to take back to his elves – after all, they do all the hard work of making all the toys!

Ingredients

• 12-oz. package of white almond bark

• 3 cups crispy chow mein noodles

• 1/2 cup marshmallow bits

• 1 cup M&M’s

• 1 cup Christmas edition “candy corn”

• Rainbow sprinkles

• Chocolate syrup

Instructions

1. Melt white chocolate in 30-second in tervals in the microwave, stirring in between, until melted, about 2-5 mi nutes.

2. Pour melted chocolate into a large bowl and toss the chow mein noodles until well coated.

3. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

4. Place candy corn, M&M’s and marsh mallow bits on each cookie.

5. Sprinkle each with rainbow nonpareils/ sprinkles.

6. Drizzle chocolate syrup over each one.

7. Refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes.

PEANUT BUTTER REINDEER COOKIES

Ingredients

• 1 stick salted butter, softened at room tem perature

• 1 egg

• 1 tsp. vanilla

• 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural)

• 2 tbsp. plus 2 tsp. granulated sugar

• 1/4 cup light brown sugar

• 1 cup plus 2 tbsp. self-rising flour

• Decorations: 40 mini pretzels, 40 semisweet chocolate chips and 20 red or brown M&M’s

Instructions

1. Start by placing your softened butter in a large mixing bowl and cream together with the creamy peanut butter using an electric mixer.

2. Add in both sugars and mix together until creamy.

3. Add egg and vanilla and mix until com bined.

4. Next, begin adding in your flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until fully incorporated and cookie dough has formed.

5. Cover cookie dough with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for a minimum of two hours or overnight to chill.

6. Remove chilled cookie dough from refrige rator and preheat oven to 350 degrees.

7. Using a small cookie scoop, form cookie dough balls. Roll each ball until smooth and pinch the sides to form an hourglass shape.

8. Press down slightly on the top of each cookie with the palm of your hand and

place, spaced evenly, on a large cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

9. Gently place the chocolate chips for eyes, pretzels for the antlers and brown or red M&M’s for the nose.

10. Bake in a preheated 325-degree oven for 8-10 minutes until the bottoms are lightly golden brown. Do not overcook. This will cause the “eyes and nose” to melt. Be sure to not use chocolate-covered pretzels or milk chocolate chips, as they will melt.

11. Once fully baked, remove cookies from the oven and let cool on the pan for 5 mi nutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool for 10 minutes.

Option: You can use Red Hots or similar for the nose and candy eyes in place of chocolate chips. Also, if you do not have time to make your own cookie dough, you can make these with slice and bake pre-packaged dough.

NAUGHTY COAL COOKIES

Yields three dozen cookies

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

• 1 1/4 cups black cocoa powder

• 1 tsp. baking soda

• 1/4 tsp. kosher salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Instructions

1 Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2 Line a rimmed sheet pan with a silicone liner or parchment paper.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt, then set off to the side.

4 In the bowl of your stand mixer, mix the but ter and sugars on low to medium-low until combined.

5 Add one egg at a time and mix after each addition.

6. Scrape down the sides of the bowl before gradually adding the dry ingredients. Mix until thoroughly combined.

7 Add in the chocolate chips and mix until in corporated.

8 Using a 2-tablespoon scoop, place rounded dough onto prepared sheet pan.

9. Bake in preheated oven for 6-8 minutes. If still soft after 8 minutes, bake for 1-minute increments.

10 Allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

CHOCOLATE OATMEAL COOKIES

Yields approximately three dozen cookies

Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar

• 1/4 cup cocoa

• 1/4 cup real butter

• 1/2 cup milk

• 2 1/2 cups quick oats

• 3/4 cup peanut butter

• 2 tsp. vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Combine sugar, cocoa, butter and milk in a heavy sauce pan. Stir well.

2 Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Boil for one minute. Remove from heat.

3 Stir in oats, peanut butter and vanilla.

4. Drop cookie mixture by heaping teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper.

5. Cool thoroughly.

MRS. CLAUS’ THUMBPRINT COOKIES

These cookies have been around for years and are said to be one of Santa’s top favorites. You can make them with any flavor of jam; I have used raspberry!

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 tsp. baking powder

• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt

• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

• 1/3 cup assorted jams, for filling cookies

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Line two baking sheets with parchment.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.

4 In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about three minutes.

5 Beat in egg and vanilla.

6. Add dry ingredients in two batches until incorporated.

7. Using a small cookie scoop, scoop 1-inch balls onto prepared ba king sheets.

8. Press a thumbprint into the center of each ball, about half an inch deep.

9 Fill indentation with a small spoonful of jam.

10 Bake until edges of cookies are golden, 13-14 minutes. Cool on baking sheets before serving.

TEA CAKES

Ingredients

• 3 cups self-rising flour

• 1 1/2 cups sugar

• 1 stick of margarine, melted 3 eggs

• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup oil

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine all ingredients.

3. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.

4 Bake approximately 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.

5 Remove immediately from pan and allow to cool.

FROM THE EXTENSION

Create lifelong memories with safe kitchen fun

Teaching does not always hap pen in the classroom; it can take place right in your kitch en. The kitchen can be the site for numerous lessons and skills for children, such as vocabulary and read ing, math, science, decision-making, comparisons and social skills. Helping with a holiday meal can give children a sense of responsibility. Cooking can also help children learn about nutri tious foods, budgeting and cleaning.

During the holidays, the action is found in the kitchen, and we all know children love to be where the action is.

Even though the smell and the noise of food sizzling and baking can be captivating to children, it can also create a high risk of harm. By using simple safety techniques, however, children can still take part in holiday meal preparation.

WAYS TO KEEP CHILDREN SAFE AND HAPPY IN THE KITCHEN DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Remember, no kids in the kitchen until rules are established. Have a talk with them about kitchen safety, handwashing and why only an adult can handle certain items.

Confidence is important. Start with simple skills and gradually build up to larger tasks. When children are confident, they will move forward with other tasks in the kitchen and not back away from them.

Look for tasks children can easily help with – without a lot of extra help from an adult. Even the simplest jobs, like measuring and mixing in gredients, can build a child’s confidence and help create a sense of pride.

Assign tasks of a holiday recipe based on abilities. This will help keep your children enthusiastic about cooking. For example:

• 5- and 6-year-olds can stir instant pudding, snap green beans, prepare lettuce for a salad, press cookie cutters and pour liquids into batter.

• 7- and 8-year-olds can rinse vegetables, shuck corn, mix and shake ingredients, beat eggs and measure dry ingredients.

• 9- and 10-year-olds can knead bread dough, stir hot mix tures, blend batters, broil foods in a toaster oven and cut foods with a table knife.

• 10-year-olds and older can slice or chop vegetables, boil po tatoes, microwave foods, bake foods in the oven and simmer ingredients on the stove.

Cooking has so many benefits. Preparing this year’s holiday meal can help children learn through a broad range of learning styles such as tasting, feeling, smelling, observing, reading and listening. Remem ber to praise your child and let everyone know what dishes he or she helped with during the food preparation.

This is a great family fun time that allows a parent and child to bond and create life long holiday memories.

Katernia Cole-Coffey is director of the Franklin County Cooperative Extension. To reach the Extension call 256-332-8880.

FAITH FOCUS

Praying through dark times

In dark and troubling times, how do we respond? Do we remember to pray, and if so, how do we lift our cares and concerns in a God-honoring way?

In Mark 14 Jesus knows the cross is looming ever closer. It is Thursday evening, and he will be hanging on a cross the following day.

Arriving at Gethsemane, he becomes distressed. In verse 34 he says to Peter, James and John, “My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death.” How unsett ling it must have been for these men to experience their leader in such an emotional state. Jesus asks them to watch, moves a short distance away and then through “loud crying and tears” (Hebrews 5:7), he prays.

Through this prayer, he teaches us how to pray through the dark times.

First, we learn it is appropriate to be honest with God. In verse 36 Jesus prays, “All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me.” He understands the pain, abuse and separation from God that awaits.

If the valley seems unfair, vocalize that to God. If the pain seems to be too much, say so out loud. There is nothing we can bring before God that will surprise him, shock him or cause him to love us any less.

Second, Jesus shows us that honesty with God must be accompanied by a willingness to yield to him. Mark 14:36, “All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.”

Why do we struggle with yielding to God? Is it difficult to yield because we are concerned God might not know what is best or that he might somehow make a mistake in answering? Remembering Jesus should remind us that God has a clarity of vision that we lack. He can see the big picture. When I yield, I am acknowledging that God can take any situation and work to accomplish his purpose.

Finally, from Jesus we see a commitment to obedience no matter the cost. His prayer seems to have provided the mental reset he needed to face the hours ahead. As the arresting party arrives, he is resolved to follow through and face the agony that awaits him, as noted in Mark 14:42.

All of us will face dark times and valleys. No matter when the dark times come, will we remember to pray like Jesus did?

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

Ring-a-ling

Christmas at the Bells brings smile after smile

Story and photos by MARÍA CAMP

Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas!

It’s a merry Christmas indeed at 101 Kennerly Road in Phil Campbell, with the ring-a-ling-ling of Christmas bells, Santa’s laugh and countless sparkling lights. Christmas cheer is everywhere, visitors get the opportunity to experience the magic for free, and there’s plenty of it as far as the eye can see.

Christmas at the Bells is a drive-through Christmas dis play hosted by Kristie and Charles Bell and their family.

“I just wanted something for everyone to be able to come see and enjoy together,” Kristie explained. She said she was inspired to create the special lighting and decoration extra vaganza in homage to memories from her childhood, visiting the Wrights’ house in Tuscumbia every Christmas – a large display many families made the tradition of visiting each year until it was discontinued a few years ago.

In addition to the festive fun with family, friends and guests, there’s a lot of sentimental value for Kirstie in bringing holiday merriment to their homeplace.

The place belonged to her grandfather, Doug McAllister, who passed away in 2018. Kristie and Charles, a youth league basketball coach, bought it a few years ago and even got married there, in a little white gazebo si tuated near the house.

Kristie’s father, Tony McAllister, said it’s really mea ningful that Kris tie and her family wound up living in the house and on the property where his father and step mother lived for so many years.

It’s something we can enjoy as a family with our friends and neighbors and others in the community.

“This is what it’s all about,” he explained. “The meaning of Christmas and everybody coming together with family and friends … Kristie and Charles do this out of the goodness of their hearts. They don’t ask for anything in return. They’re just giving a little joy back to the people around them.”

McAllister said his father always had lights for Christmas. “He and his wife lived out here for several years. They would

love seeing what’s it become. It helps bring people together, and that’s something we need a whole lot more of these days.”

Festive spots along the way include Candy Cane Lane, the North Pole Post Office, a gingerbread house on Gingerbread Street and, of course, Santa’s Workshop. Snowmen and reindeer dot the path.

Be prepared to wait and enjoy taking it all in as you follow the lights and meander your way around the circular drive to witness the magic for yourself. Countless folks in the commu nity come to see Santa and celebrate Christmastime in a truly memorable way. On a regular night, Kristie estimates they have 20-30 cars – “One night, we had been out of town, and when we got back, we had to wait in line to get back to the house,” Kristie said with a laugh – but they have even more on a special night when she and her family stay out for a meet and greet with visitors.

For Charles, although the grand display was his wife’s idea, it’s something he’s now equally passionate about.

“The first time I saw a kid pull into the driveway, and they were laughing and giggling and smiling, that was what real ly pulled me into everything,” he explained. “We love every thing about it. It’s something we can enjoy as a family with our friends and neighbors and others in the community.”

Charles said the main Christmas tree started out as a “mere” 12 feet with 300 lights, but his wife and kids loved it so much, he has kept growing it each year, adding 10 more feet at a time and additional lights.

“There are 2,900 lights on each section of the tree now, and there are three sections,” he explained, “so about 12,000 lights as of last year.” They had to rent a lift to decorate the tree, and it took Charles all day to complete it.

Decorations and displays cover an estimated three acres out of the 10 acres the Bells have.

“It’s wonderful to see everyone enjoying it all so much,” Kristie said. “This place has really grown to be special, for all of us, and we’re so proud to be able to share it, not only with our family and friends but with the community.”

To find out more, join the event’s Facebook group, Christ mas at the Bells.

Kick off financial resolutions with these tips

The end of the year brings on all kinds of resolutions. As exciting as the holidays are, this is typically the time of year most of us overspend; thus, at the year’s end, we have a mindset for making changes in our financial life.

Making an actual plan is the key to success. It’s easy to say you want to work on your finances only to end up in the same place this time next year. Making a real plan and setting actionable steps, however, will help get you to your goal.

First, you have to ask yourself, “What do I want to achieve?” Save more? Spend less? Reduce debt? Establish this goal first and foremost, then start laying out the actionable steps that make the most sense.

Here are five tips to help you get started, stay on track, be more money-minded and help get you to your financial finish line:

1. Keep in mind some money goals take longer than others. Maybe you have long-term goals like saving for retire ment, paying off student debt or buying a vacation home. Those can take a little longer than saving $10 here and there.

2. Spend less money. Simple, right? Believe me, if it was, everyone would do it. No matter your goal, you’ll take money from one thing and put it into another. The hard part is not putting it toward short-term “fun stuff” – like eating out or shopping – but intentionally putting it toward your goals instead. Start by taking small steps you can manage, like not eating lunch out, then move on to larger savings goals, like saving a specific dollar amount by a certain date.

3. Start following some financial gurus to learn about fi nancially-healthy habits. Numerous blogs, podcasts and social media groups specialize in creating smart money habits; go follow some. Seeing those notions in your newsfeed will keep your goals front of mind.

4. Believe in the budget! Whether you use an app or simply old-fashioned pen and paper, laying out your budget is a cornerstone to any financial resolution you’ve planned.

5. Set yourself up for success by having an open mind as you start. Financial changes aren’t all or nothing; like any health plan, they take time to fine tune. So have patience and grace when mistakes happen and hit the reset but ton as often as you need to get back on track.

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.

BY THE BOOK

Northwest-Shoals head librarian shares love of reading

Story by ALISON JAMES Photos by MARÍA CAMP

“I

’m passionate about libraries. This is very much a cal ling for me.”

As the head librarian at Northwest-Shoals Community College, Lori Skinner is living her passion by helping people connect with books and other resources that will open the world to them. While people might picture a college library as being full of dusty textbooks and scholarly tomes, designed only for studious academic types, this vision is far from the truth – at least at NW-SCC, where libraries on both campuses stand ready to serve the public as well as student populations.

“I don’t know that commu nity members realize we are here for them also,” said Skinner. “It’s important to me, having that access to literacy.”

Skinner, who earned her own associate’s degree at NWSCC before going on to com plete her bachelor’s at the Uni versity of North Alabama and her Master of Librarian and Information Science at The Uni versity of Alabama, said she be came enamored with reading as a child when she realized every thing she could learn about the world just from reading about it in a book. After college she wor ked in libraries in Shelby County, Alabama, Washington state and South Carolina, as well as at Mis sissippi State University, before returning to her local alma ma ter – first working in adult edu cation at Northwest-Shoals and then taking the head librarian position in August 2021.

Skinner works on both campuses, and she said she feels a particular draw to serve the community in Phil Cam pbell, as the community deals with being in something of a “library desert.” Although she praised the libraries in Rus sellville and Red Bay, as well as the books-by-mail program coordinated by the Northwest Regional Library – of which the Weatherford Library in Red Bay is a part – she said she is eager for the community to know the NW-SCC library is here to serve its needs.

The James A. Glasgow Library, on the Phil Campbell campus, boasts fiction titles as well as a small children’s collection. The library can also be a resource to help people connect with the Alabama Vir tual Library or obtain a certain title through interlibrary loan.

“We do have regular com munity patrons,” Skinner said. “I love to see people come in and talk about what they’ve en joyed and not enjoyed.”

In addition to more than 60K volumes plus 30K e-books, Northwest-Shoals libraries

HOLIDAY READING RECOMMENDATIONS

“Eliza Starts a Rumor”

By Jane L. Rosen

In “Eliza Starts a Rumor” by Jane L. Rosen, agoraphobic Eliza has forced herself to visit the market to pre pare for Thanksgiving. While shopping, she overhears a group of young moms call her online neighbo rhood group boring. In a moment of weakness, she starts a rumor to spice things up. Featuring both humor and deep emotional storylines, the ripple effects of the rumor are revealed during Thanksgiving dinner.

By Janet Evanovich

If you enjoy Hallmark movies, you might want to pick up an oldie-but-goo die by Janet Evanovich, author of the popular Stephanie Plum series. “Thanksgiving” is set in Williamsburg, Virginia, and features a love-shy potter and historical re-enactor who meets her match when she rescues a silly rab bit that belongs to a new-to-town pediatrician. This one was first published in 1988 and shows a bit of age, but it will thrill those looking for a happily ever after during the Thanksgiving season.

If you have fans of “Captain Underpants” or “Dog Man” in your household, you will de finitely want to share “’Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving” by Dav Pilkey with your young readers. When a group of children visit a turkey farm before Thanksgiving, they discover the fate that awaits the birds they have met. Taking matters into their own hands, they smuggle the birds to their homes. This one is a beloved classic and will make the reader laugh along with the audience.

By Truman Capote

Beloved author Truman Capote revisits his boyhood spent with his elderly cousins, three spinsters and a bachelor, in rural Alabama through the character of Buddy. Through three short stories, “A Christmas Memory, One Christmas and the Thanksgiving Visitor,” Capote explores themes of humanity, home and love. Definitely pick up this classic collection to capture the spirit of the holiday season.

“‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving”

By Dav Pilkey

“Thanksgiving”

“A Christmas Memory, One Christmas and The Thanksgiving Visitor”

For those who are ready to cozy up with a good book this season, Lori Skinner has a few holiday-themed titles to recommend:

also offer a selection of DVDs and audio books. Updating and adding to those collections has been a priority for Skin ner since she took the job. Community members who wish to be library patrons can obtain a library card online or in per son by presenting a photo ID, and they can check out seven items at a time for two weeks; items can be renewed by phone, online or in person, Skinner added.

For Skinner, the goal is to make connections and get books in people’s hands. Having grown up in Hodges, Vina and Hamilton, Skinner said living in an area with fewer resources has made her value them that much more. “It’s im portant to me for people to know the library is theirs, and we are here for their success,” she said. She loves to help people find titles they will love.

As she looks to the future, Skinner said she hopes the library can also reach the community through hosting spe cial events, like spea kers who will appeal to students as well as the public – presen ting academic topics with wide appeal.

One way the library reached out to Phil Campbell this year was with a book giveaway in conjunction with Read Across America festivities in March. Her staff and the NW-SCC nursing program teamed up to offer up “what felt like 1.2 million books” free to the community.

Skinner and her husband Eric, who works in law enforcement, have one

For more information about Northwest-Shoals Community College library services, visit https://nwscc.edu/patriot-central/ library or call the Shoals branch at 256-331-5283 or the Phil Campbell branch at 256-331-6271.

Lori Skinner’s Favorites

son, Gabe, who is turning 10. The fa mily lives in Hamilton.

• “All Over But the Shoutin’” –Rick Bragg

• “A Land More Kind Than Home” – Wiley Cash

• Anything by Linda Howard

View from retirement

Red Bay FACS teacher embraces life after high school

Franklin living

Story by ALISON JAMES Photos by MARÍA CAMP

In May Red Bay High School’s Sherry Hut cheson retired from teaching Family and Consumer Sciences – but she hasn’t been sitting around gathering dust since then. Retirement has proven to be as busy a time as ever, packed with mural painting, table runner quilting, thrift store treasure finding, world trave ling and family caretaking.

“I’m finding I’ve got more time to do stuff I actually want to do instead of just the stuff I have to get done,” said Hutcheson – little things, like getting the laundry washed when she wants to and run ning errands to the Shoals. Al though Hutcheson has found a little more margin for life on her own terms, however, she’s also continued to be a force to be reckoned with when it comes to her many hobbies and passions.

As the first day of school approached, for example, the East Franklin native – who now lives in Spruce Pine – got an unexpected call from her former assistant principal, Dr. Jacqueline Parsons. Parsons had been spending some time bringing new life to the elementary playground – the stage was rebuilt, the basket ball court got new goals and concrete – and she wanted to see a storage building turned into a work of art. That’s where Hutcheson came in. “She called me one day, and she said, ‘Do you want to paint the side of this buil ding?’ And I said ‘Sure, why not,’” Hutcheson recalled.

The catch was, Parsons wanted it done by the first day of school. That gave Hut cheson precious little time –barely two weeks. With help from her husband Toby and from Parsons, the new mural was finished in 10 days time. They were short days, too, given that Hutcheson would start early and break off be fore it got too hot – which

happens early in the day in a sweltering Alabama August.

The Peanuts-themed mural has brought plenty of joy to the school play ground. “I said, everybody likes Charlie Brown. Let’s do Charlie Brown,” Hutcheson said. The colorful scene fea tures all the main characters – Linus with his blanket, Sally jumping rope with Lucy and Peppermint Patty, Snoopy, Woodstock, Schroeder and, of course, Charlie Brown him self. “Mrs. Parsons said every body likes it who drives by.”

“I enjoyed it. I like to paint,” Hutcheson added. “Seve ral years ago my husband couldn’t think of anything to get me for Christmas. I said, ‘Get me some paint and a couple canvases, and I’ll try my hand at painting again,’” – intending to revive a childhood talent she hadn’t picked up in several years. Al though Hutcheson received her requested gift, after the holidays she became busy helping with dress altera tions during prom season –and her husband, anxious to see the new supplies put to use, wound up turning into an artist himself, self-taught from Youtube and creating his own works of art with her Christmas gift. Now it’s a hob by they share.

Being retired has given Hutcheson more time for other projects, too, like hel ping her sister make quilted table runners for the Moun tain Top Homemakers Club’s annual charity bazaar. She’s also been busy taking care of her aging mother, staying with her overnight as her mother’s short-term memory has gone.

Despite closing the book on her 30-year career, Hut cheson is still involved in lo cal FACS curriculum, as well. She’s on the advisory com mittee for the Belgreen FACS teacher, Mimi Wood. “We’re there to support and advise

the teacher if they need help coming up with speakers or people to give demons trations in class or to help raise money or anything.”

“I kind of miss teaching, but I’m trying to keep away from butting in on the new teacher,” added Hutcheson, whose replacement Leslie Thorne was a former

student of Hutcheson’s. “I’m letting her do her own thing. I told her if she needed me to call me.”

It’s probably not surprising that someone who has spent so many years teaching students everything from sewing and quil ting to cooking, soap-making, budgeting, babysitting, personal care and more would be tapped for a statewide award recogni zing her contributions – not surprising to anyone except Hutche son herself, the 2022 winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alabama Association for Career and Technical Education, selected from all career tech teachers in the sate.

“I was amazed. I was not expecting to get that at all,” said Hut cheson, who received the recognition in July. “It makes me feel good. You work your whole life, and you never get recognition – and then to get it at the state level – I said, ‘OK, this was worth

Christmas

working for 30 years.’ To be recognized at the state level was a big honor.”

Hutcheson knew she had received the FACS award, thanks to the nomination from friend Kim Mitchell at Jacksonville State, but the overall Lifetime Achievement Award was one she knew nothing about until she attended the ceremony in Mobile.

For Hutchseon, it goes perhaps even deeper than being a personal honor. It’s a welcome nod to the value FACS teachers and programs provide. Hutcheson said she has seen a noticeable drop in such programming throughout her tenure in education.

“It’s something all the kids need to know. It’s stuff they need to know how to do,” Hutcheson said. “I’m afraid before too long, we’re going to become extinct.”

When she hasn’t been busy cooking or canning or painting or advising, traveling has also become a mainstay of retirement. Earlier this fall Hutcheson spent a week in Costa Rica with her hus band, youngest daughter and her husband and a family friend. At the end of October, she was planning a trip to Las Vegas to ac company her daughter traveling for a conference. “We’re staying at Caesars Palace,” said Hutcheson. “I’ve been to Vegas, and I’ve stayed at the Rio and the Stratosphere, but I’ve never stayed at Caesars Palace.” They had plans to go see Donnie Osmond as well as the Blue Man Group.

In future years, Hutcheson said she hopes to travel to Ar gentina, Alaska – her husband’s never been – and the Scottish Highlands, and her husband wants them to visit Iceland.

The “yours, mine and ours” couple has three children: Tommy, 39, Savannah, 36, and Alyssa, 26. All three are married, and the Hutchesons now have five grandchildren – a 1-year-old, a 7-yearold, and three teenagers.

RussellvilleCouncilmen:City

RussellvilleCouncilmen:City

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

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

Contact Russellville City Hall at 256-332-6060 304 Jackson Ave. N Russellville, AL

Contact Russellville City Hall at 256-332-6060 304 Jackson Ave. N Russellville, AL

SPIRIT OF HODGES FESTIVAL

This annual festival brings the community to downtown Hodges en masse for live music, vendors, food, fellow ship and more.

Photos by MARÍA CAMP

Buford Parker

Kandace Isom

Cody and Alivia Bowen

Taylor Wilson and Jeff Dunaway

Aubry Woods, Lily Knotts, Freida McKay, Sophie Knotts, Amanda Knotts, Ruby Knotts, Isaac Knotts and Isaiah Knotts

Lonnie and Julia Suggs

Brenda Davis and Judy Harden

Missy Miles and Marcy Williams

Teresa Brown

FACES

SPRUCE PINE DAY

An annual favorite, the Spruce Pine Day was held mid-October in the community’s downtown area. With food and music, vendors and plenty of other fun, the community enjoyed a nice fall day together.

Photos by MARÍA CAMP

Minnie Taylor Clay Herring, Christian Sherrod and Rhonda Herring

Megan Brockway and Shannon Murray

Josie Kimbrough and Davis Strickland

Jona Welborn, Frances Welborn and Dianne Ozbirn

Blanche Curtis

FACES OF

PUMPKIN PALOOZA SCARECROW TRAIL

The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce’s Scarecrow Trail brings frightful fun to City Lake Park in Russellville in October. Business and organizations created each scarecrow display, and on opening day they were on hand to greet visitors and give out treats.

Photos by MARÍA CAMP

Lisa Stidham and Magen McClemore

Ayla, Trevor and Christian Prince

Emmett, Kassie and Jaston Franks

Jason, Meletha and Elijah Walker

Lane, Rebecca and Lane Brooks

Jabontae and Andrea Johnson

Wilson Mann

721 South Jackson Avenue • Russellville

EDUCATION CORNER

Strategic plan guides RCS’ next five years

Every five years, the Russell ville City School System de velops a strategic plan that outlines the goals, strategies and vision we have for the next five years. This summer, it was time once again to form our committee and work on our new RCS Strategic Plan, and I’m proud of the finished product and where our system is headed.

One of the things I love most about our strategic plan is the input we receive from our students, faculty, staff, parents and other community stakeholders. Our stakeholders have valuable insight, and we want to make sure we take that insight into account.

Earlier in the year we sent out surveys to parents, teachers and community members to find out they perceived RCS was doing well and in what areas RCS could grow.

Some of the strengths identified by survey respondents were our academic and athletic programs, the way we celebrate suc cess, our partnerships with colleges and universities, our fine arts programs, positive student/teacher relationships, school pride and tradition, student diversity, teacher quality and community support.

I absolutely agree these things are strengths for our system, and we plan to make sure these areas remain strengths.

The challenges RCS faces – as identified by respondents – in cluded student motivation, student attendance, course alignment across grade levels, social etiquette and ability to balance time and programs. These were all discussed by strategic plan committee, and plans were made to address these challenges.

The final area where we received stakeholder input was regar ding priorities for RCS in the next five years. These included pre paring students for life after high school; developing students of character; providing safe and secure facilities; building student resi lience; and supporting social-emotional well-being. I believe these are all important priorities, and I’ve been excited to see how some of them are already being addressed – such as through implemen ting our new RCS Core Values.

Our RCS Core Values is a list of eight positive character traits we will emphasize in our classrooms, with one core value being focused on each month: respect, integrity, kindness, responsibility, self-control, positive attitude, determination and honesty. It’s been great to see the ways our classrooms teachers and administrators have embraced teaching these values.

We appreciate everyone who has helped shape our new RCS Strategic Plan. It is great to have a community that cares so deeply about our schools and wants us to succeed.

Heath Grimes is the superintendent of Russellville City Schools. He and his wife Amy have three daughters: Leah, Halle and Erin.