2010 progress
DESCRIPTION
progress magazineTRANSCRIPT
PPrrooggrreessss22001100
TThhee CCiirrccllee ooff LLiiffee
LLiivv iinngg iinn FFrraannkklliinnCCoouunnttyy
2 PROGRESS 2010
Royal Furniture
256-332-6721Hwy. 43 • Russellville • Franklin Shopping Center
HUGE SELECTION OF ASHLEY, HENRY MARCUS,
HICKORY MANOR and SEALY PLUS MANY MORE!
QUICK DELIVERY • HOME TOWN SERVICEEASY IN STORE FINANCING • EVERYDAY LOW PRICES
3PROGRESS 2010
Contact Russellville City Hall at 256-332-6060
Fine recreational opportunities that
include a city swimming pool,
tennis courts, ballfields and
beautiful parks
Highly acclaimed cityschool system
situated on one ofthe most beautiful
campuses in the state
Working to providebetter services with
a new fire station, industrialpark with spec
building and a renewedeffort to
revitalize downtown
AA cciittyy tthhaatt’’ss pprroouudd ooff tthhee ppaasstt……..aanndd bbuuiillddiinngg ffoorr tthhee ffuuttuurree
4 PROGRESS 2010
Madden’s ultrasound offers first glimpse of babyBy Melissa Cason
You’ve just discovered you are expectinga new baby. It could be your first, secondor third child — it really doesn’t matter.
The excitement grows every day as thebaby begins to develop, but it will still bemonths before you hold your little bundleof joy in your arms.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t see yourbaby grow.
Decades ago, expecting mothers wereoverjoyed just to hear their baby’s heart-beat, but today, as technology has evolved,so has the way mothers, and fathers, bondwith their unborn child.
Angelique Madden has been an ultra-sound technologist for 17 years, and inthat time, she has introduced countlessparents to their unborn baby via ultra-sound.
While Madden is trained to conductultrasounds for everything, she openedLittle Blessings 3D Imaging for expectantparents.
“I’ve been open here for about a year,”Madden said. “It’s going very well. It’samazing to see the excitement the parentshave.”
Madden said her patients come in forgender determination and for the 3D ultra-sound later on in their pregnancy.
“I do a lot of gender determination,”Madden said. “Expectant parents justcan’t seem to wait to find out if they arehaving a boy or a girl.”
Madden said gender can be determinedby 16 weeks gestation, but obstetricianswait until the 20 week mark to perform asecond ultrasound.
“The ultrasound is done at 20 weeks tomeasure the baby’s growth so it’s reallymore than just to determine the baby’sgender,” Madden said. “But, learning thebaby’s gender is what parents look for-ward to the most.”
Madden said her 3D ultrasound is alsovery popular with parents.
“A lot of times grandparents and great-grandparents accompany the moms and
dads for the ultrasound and everyone’sreaction is amazement.”
Madden said the new parents are amazedby their baby’s growth and the excitementof seeing the baby for the first time eventhough birth is still months away. Thegrandparents and great-grandparents area different story.
“Decades ago all parents got to do is hearthe baby’s heartbeat,” Madden said.“Ultrasounds were rarely done even asrecent as 30 years ago. So grandparents
are just amazed they can see the baby’sgrowth instead of just hearing the baby’sheartbeat.”
Madden said she enjoys introducing newbaby’s to their parents and grandparentsbefore birth.
“Having the ultrasounds done is some-thing parents can’t put off because oncethe baby’s born, the opportunity to getpre-birth pictures is over and can’t bereproduced, and I’m happy to be a part ofthat,” Madden said.
ContributedThis 3D image from Little Blessings offers parents a glimpse of their child’s facemonths before it leaves the womb.
In Business Since 1975 One of the largest SteelFabricators in the U.S.
GG&&GG SStteeeell,, IInncc..
SSppeecciiaalliizziinngg iinn aallll ttyyppeess ooff SStteeeellFFaabbrriiccaattiioonn oonn llaarrggee ccoommppoonneenntt ppaarrttss ooff
BBrriiddggeess,, LLoocckkss aanndd MMiinniinngg EEqquuiippmmeenntt..
Hwy. 243, Industrial Park • Russellville, AL(256)332-6652 www.ggsteel.com
5PROGRESS 2010
Nurse finds satisfaction with labor and deliveryBy Melissa Cason
Childbirth is considered one of the mostdifficult experiences a woman can face.
With a good support system and a calmatmosphere, however, many women meettheir newborns with tears and a joyfulheart.
In most cases, the labor and deliverynurse is the centerpiece of a new mother’ssupport system.
Registered Nurse Tina Law is one of fourlabor and delivery nurses at RussellvilleHospital. In her 19 years of nursing, shehas assisted with thousands of deliveries.
Law said she knew she wanted to becomea labor and delivery nurse as soon as shemade the decision to enter nursing school.
“I knew I wanted to work in labor anddelivery because of my nurses I had whilehaving my own children,” Law said.“Having been through childbirth twicebefore becoming a nurse, I understoodwhat a difference having a good nurse canmake for the mothers and the rest of thefamily.”
Since earning her nursing degree fromthe Northwest Shoals Community CollegeNursing Program in 1990, Law began work-ing at Russellville Hospital and doesn’tplan to make any changes in her employ-ment.
“I really enjoy working with the doctorshere, and I really love working inRussellville,” Law said.
“It’s a really good place to work.”Law assists with 300 to 500 deliveries each
year, and finds working with new momsrewarding and very satisfying.
“It’s mostly happy stuff,” Law said.“When things go bad, it’s devastating, butthank God those occasions are very fewand far between.”
Law said she enjoys being a part of some-thing so special for each family.
Law said there is really no specific job forlabor and delivery nurses because eachnurse has to jungle different duties such astending to the new babies in the nursery,assisting mothers with their recovery, car-ing for the babies after cesarean sections,and helping them nurse their new babies.
“My favorite part is helping with thebreastfeeding,” Law said.
“It’s a real satisfying feeling helping newmoms nurse their babies.”
Law said the new babies are so special andsweet. But, it’s a big job keeping themhappy when the nursery is full.
“Sometimes you can walk in the nurseryand see us holding a baby and charting atthe same time,” Law said. “Trust me; thosebabies get plenty of attention from uswhile they are with us.”
Helping new dads is also a part of helpingthe families during the childbirth process.
“One guy hit the floor right on his face,”Law remembers.
“It’s usually the big guys that do the faint-ing. The ones you wouldn’t expect.”
While Law loves her job, it’s not all funand games. She said once a mom is inactive labor, it’s a fulltime job being withher and helping her through everything,whatever happens.
“Knowing what to do and when to do it isa big part of our job,” Law said.
Law said if there is a situation with ababy, the hospital has a pediatrician attendthe delivery, but in uncomplicated deliver-ies, the nurses provide the baby’s initialcare.
“The first two minutes of a baby’s life isthe most critical,” Law said.
Law said she feels like the babies are intotal shock when they come into the world.
“Imagine having a confined space, andsuddenly, you can move your arms and legsout, “ Law said.
“I’m sure it shocks them. It would any-body.”
Law said the nurses work quickly to getthe babies evaluated, bundled up and givenback to mom as soon as possible.
“About 95 percent of our births arehealthy babies,” the nurse said. “It’sbecause our obstetricians work hard todetect problems before delivery. It reallymakes a difference.”
Law said after 19 years of nursing, shestill runs into family members or formerpatients who remember her for her careduring the birth a new baby.
“It’s amazing the people who come up toyou and say ‘you helped me deliver mybaby’ or ‘you were my sister’s labor anddelivery nurse’. There’s just no better feel-ing in the world.”
Jonathan Willis/FCTLabor and delivery nurse Tina Law tends to one of Franklin County’s newest res-idents.
Little Blessings 4D ImagingAngelique S. Madden
Sonographer/Owner
Phone: 256-627-1385944B Ronnie McDowell Dr.
Russellville, AL 35654littleblessings4dimaging.com
Your Independent Pharmacy!
14001 Hwy 43, Franklin Shopping Center • Russellville(256) 331-1919 • Fax (256) 331-1960
RRuussssee ll llvvii ll ll ee PPhhaarrmmaaccyyRRooddnneeyy LLooggaann,, PPhhaarrmmaacciisstt
WWiilllliiaamm ((BBiillll)) WWeeaatthheerrffoorrdd,, PPhhaarrmmaacciissttTTiimm AAaarroonn,, PPhhaarrmmaacciisstt
HHaarrrryy MMaattttooxxHHaarrrryy MMaattttooxxAAiirrppoorrtt MMaannaaggeerr//FFlliigghhtt IInnssttrruuccttoorr
RRuusssseellllvviillllee MMuunniicciippaall AAiirrppoorrttCCFFII//CCFFIIII
BBiieennnniiaall FFlliigghhtt RReevviieewwssDDiissccoovveerryy FFlliigghhttss
���������� HHwwyy�� ������RRuusssseellllvviillllee AALL ����������
EEmmaaiill:: bblluueeddiiaammoonndd����qq@@ccss��ccoomm
AAiirrppoorrtt �������������������� FFaaxx �������������� ���� CCeellll ������ ������ ����
BBaassiicc && AAddvvaanncceedd FFLLTT TTrraaiinniinngg
6 PROGRESS 2010
Birth date:November 11, 2009
Parents:Chris & Jennifer Hill Whatley
Grandparents:Jim & Vickie Hill,
Kerry & Judy Whatley
Birth date:October 16, 2009
Parents:Bradley & Melanie Malone
Grandparents:The Late Ralph Malone &
Joyce Malone,Stratton & Judy Barnes
Birth date:July 4, 2010
Parents:J.B. & Jennifer Nelson
Grandparents:Lloyd & Machelle Williams,
Connie Sears
Birth date:July 30, 2009
Parents:Tyler & Sarah Fretwell
Grandparents:Ronald & Renee Fretwell,
John & Kim Boston
Birth date:September 8, 2009
Parents:William & Sena Mixon
Grandparents:Deb & John Holland,Dolly & Dan Lyon,
David & Nancy Mixon
Birth date:October 15, 2009
Parents:Megan & Drew Moses
Grandparents:Roger Hooker & Robin
Childers, Jill & Gary Harrisand the Late Phillip Moses
Birth date:July 28, 2009
Parents:Brandon “Booper” & Tonya
JamesGrandparents:Ray Yocom &
the Late Gladys Yocom,Kenneth & Sandra James
Abigail VictoriaWhatley
Olivia Rae Mixon Ava Claire Moses Chloe Rayne James
Isabella Rose Malone Brayden AndrewNelson
Madison Fretwell
Colton David Martin
Birth date:September 27, 2009
Parents:David & Leanne Martin
Grandparents:Sammy & Barbara Stults,Wade & Sherry Martin
Babies of 20092009 Welcomes Several New Additions to Franklin County
7PROGRESS 2010
256-332-5440
All Lighting
ON SALE!New Shipment
Of LampsGREAT VALUES!!
SShhooaallss LLiigghhttiinngg 22330088 WWooooddwwaarrdd AAvvee.. MMuussccllee SShhooaallss •• 338833--11443377MMoonn..--FFrrii.. 88 ttoo 55 •• SSaatt.. 99 ttoo 55
Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there®
State Farm®Providing Insurance and Financial ServicesHome Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710
Sam A. CantrellAgentP.O. Box 728, 15480 Hwy. 43 N., Suite H Russellville, AL 35653 Off. 256-332-0121 • Home 256-332-5577
Hwy. 43 South Tuscumbia, AL • 256-381-9054
A Home for every budget!! With over 60 years experience In the
Manufactured Housing Industry.
2244--HHOOUURRIIff yyoouu nneeeedd aa ttooww........
RReeqquueesstt MM && NN TToowwiinngg
MM && NN TToowwiinnggaanndd SSeerrvviiccee
1111883333 HHwwyy.. 4433 SS.. RRuusssseellllvviillllee,, AALL225566--333322--77227799
EEDDDDIIEE’’SS CCOOLLLLIISSIIOONNRREEPPAAIIRR,, IINNCC..
21441 Hwy. 24 W. • Russellville • 256/332-9090
All Types of Bodywork • Glass Free estimates • Insurance Work Welcome
DEATONFUNERAL HOME
“Our Family Serving the Community for over 43 years”
1966-2010919 4th St. NW • Red Bay, AL
356-4907
120 Clark DriveRussellville, AL 35653
256-332-4981 1-800-331-7855
www.clarkpulley.com
Phil Campbell
Investing Toward A Difference
A town with a Historic Past and a Growing Future!
Please call City Hall for more information 205-993-5313
We welcome business and industries and invite everyone to comebe a vital part of our growing community.
(L-R) Councilmen Danny Brown, Mayor Jerry Mays, Councilmen Dewey Cooper, Roy Nagle, Jim Cartee & Eddie Barton
Recreational OpportunitiesBaseball Complex, Dismal Cayon, Close proxinity for area lakes
Great SchoolsKindergarten - 12th grade school, part of Franklin County System,Home of the Northwest-Shoals Community College, the state first
public junior college.Building for the Future
The City is curently working with state and local officials to develop a new 80-acre industrial park to attract jobs to the area.
A Town GoingForward
(256)767-6699 www.hospiceoftheshoals.org
JIM ALVERSONBROKER
(256) 332-2622 HOME(256) 412-2016 MOBILE
(256) 332-6700 FAX
109 Cotaco StreetRussellville, AL 35653
8 PROGRESS 2010
Breaking the bank: newborns are expensiveBy Melissa Cason
While new babies don’t really need awhole lot, anyone who’s welcomed home anew baby can tell you making room foryour new baby takes more work thanimaginable.
Making the room for the new baby can bea daunting task. What does the baby reallyneed? What will you, as a new parent, real-ly need to care for your infant?
These questions are harder to answerthan you think. Just visit your local babyaisle if you have any doubts.
Let’s start with the nursery.The baby’s room should be a welcoming
environment.According to national retailers, each
piece of baby furniture will cost at least$150 each.
Of course, if you’re a thrifty shopper,deals can be found. On the other hand,there are higher-end baby furnishings,and there really isn’t a price cap on theamount that could be spent on these fur-nishings.
The main piece of furniture for this roomis the baby’s crib.
While several other pieces of furniturecan go into this room, the crib is the focalpoint of the room, since it is where yourbaby will sleep.
The most popular cribs are the convert-ible cribs that grow with your child. Thesecribs turn into a toddler bed and then intoa full sized bed for you older child.
These cribs begin at about $250, but canbe used throughout your child’s life.
Some families opt to use older cribs. Ifyou plan to use an older crib, be sure toresearch current safety guidelines tomake sure the crib is as safe as possible.
Now on to the other furnishings your
baby might need.Will you need a changing table, and other
baby furnishings? Only the individual parent can answer
this question, and depends on how muchtime you plan to spend in your baby’sroom. Most parents don’t spend a largenumber of hours in there, so it may bemore economical to use the crib as achanging table.
Another major purchase for your newbaby is the car seat and carrier system.
Many stores stock travel systems, whichcombine a carrier car seat and a strollerlarge enough to get your child through hisor her toddler years.
While many parents opt to purchase thetravel systems, carriers and other carseats can be purchased separately. Travelsystems run about $200 for each systemwhile car seats or carriers cost around $90depending on the model.
Again bargains can be found, but it willtake a thrifty shopper to find them.
Now that the major purchases have beentaken care of, now it’s time to find clothingfor your new baby.
Babies do a lot of sleeping in the earlymonths so sleepers, onesies, and othersleep-time clothing are more economicalfor the first few months.
If parents look closely and research dif-ferent stores, a new baby can be outfittedfor about $150, which includes severalreceiving blankets, towels, washcloths andother needed items.
Again, there is no real price cap on babyitems. Parents can spend a fortune inpreparation for the new baby, or they canget by with the neccessities for about $600.This price does not include diapers, feed-ing items, or the smaller items.
It only includes the furnishings, travelsystem and clothing.
DIAPERS
The first thing we associate with babies isdiapers. Over the course of the next year, theaverage child will go through thousands ofdiapers.
On average, regardless of brand, most dia-pers cost about $10 per pack. How manypacks a baby goes through per week dependson the baby’s size.
Experts say that parents change about six toten diapers per day on average. So, parentscan expect to spend about $15 per week ondiapers.
Expect to pay around $1,000 for diapers thefirst year.
FORMULA
While breast milk is considered by experts tobe the best, and most economical choice, manyparents opt for formula to feed their baby.
On average, formula costs about $5 per dayto feed a new baby, which totals $1,840 for thefirst year.
Assistance is available for families that qual-ify to help offset the cost of formula.
When the baby gets older, solid foods will beadded to your baby’s diet. Since, there are dif-ferent types of baby food, and introducing softtable foods is an option, there is really no wayto get an approximate cost of feeding otherthan formula costs.
OVERALL COST
So with the basic cost of diapers and formu-la, the average cost of a baby’s first year, notincluding medical expenses and clothingexpenses, the tab can add up to about $3,000.
Now that you have welcomed your new bun-dle of joy, parents will find that the baby’s firstyears will cost more than some would expect.
DD && DD BBuuiillddiinngg SSuuppppllyy
Check With Us On All Your New HomeConstruction and Home Improvement Needs
201 W. Lawrence Russellville, AL (256)332-3663
Thank You For Letting Us Serve You Since 1997& Paint Center
DD && DD BBuuiillddiinngg SSuuppppllyy & Paint Center
KKaammeeoo SSaalloonn
350 Cross Ave. SE • Russellville
DDaannaa AAyyccoocckk,, SSaammaanntthhaa SSttoonnee && SSuussaann GGooddsseeyy
225566--333322--44448855
Specializing in cuts, colors, highlights,pedicures, manicures, waxing
Gift Certificates Available
We appreciate your business!
2936 Hwy. 237 • Phil Campbell(next door to Phil Campbell Medical Clinic)
(205) 993-4123
• We Accept All Insurance Drug Plans• Refills By Phone • In-town Delivery
• Fast, Easy Prescription Transfers• We Accept Visa & Mastercard
Phil Campbell Drugs
L-R Tish Benford, Tamara YanceyOwner/R.Ph. & Dana Copeland
Byars Building N. Jackson Ave. Suite 1 • Russellville
See us for all yourVision & Dental
Insurance256-331-9595
[email protected] JamesRenee JamesOur Closet Competitor is in Dalton, GA
100 Pioneer Drive • Killen, AL • Hwy 72 East(256)757-9600
Closed on Thursdays
• Astroturf • Residential & Commercial Carpets • Vinyl Tile• Hardwood • Ceramic Tile • Laminates • Porcelain Tile
• Sheet Vinyl • Auto & Boat Carpet
9PROGRESS 2010
Betty Sibley & Jim SibleyFamily Owned Since 1919
Sibley Oil Company
(256) 332-1911 P.O. Box 86 • Russellville, AL
BEST DEALERS --- BEST LOCATIONSPhil Campbell Food Mart
Cedar Creek ChevronLegacy
Gas Mart North Pace Superette Gas Mart West
OPENING SOONRussellville’s NEWEST & LARGEST
most convenient stationHwy. 43 (next to Pizza Hut)
Downtown Chevron
State SenatorState Senator RogerRoger BedfordBedfordYour Hard Working Senator
Still Working For You!Paid for by Roger Bedford, P.O. Box 669, Russellville, AL 35653
10 PROGRESS 2010
There is much to consider in choosing child careBy Melissa Cason
Most families in our country today are twoincome families, which means that whenfamilies add a new baby into the mix, a deci-sion about childcare has to be made.
There are several options to explore whenit comes to who will look after your littleone. There’s daycare, babysitters andpreschools.
Becky Barnett is the director of Mars HillPreschool in Russellville. For nearly 20years, she has seen children come throughher program before they enter kinder-garten.
“We try to give each student age-appropri-ate activities, and everything is structured,”Barnett said. “It seems the children thrivebetter under a structured environment, andI believe the structure helps them in ele-mentary school because they know what toexpect.”
Mars Hill accepts children at age three,and Barnett said the average child goes tokindergarten at five or six.
“We have several children now who areturning six this year, but we also have par-ents who have opted not to send their chil-dren to school until age six,” Barnett said.“In the older classes, we help give themskills needed for kindergarten.”
Barnett said contrary to popular belief,every child who attends preschool cannotread when they enter school.
“We help them with their sounds and other
important skills, and some children canread when they leave here, but not everychild will be able to read when enteringkindergarten,” Barnett said.
Preschools are different from daycares andbabysitters. According to nationally pub-lished information, daycares offer a struc-tured environment as well, and some doteach the children with different lessons.Babysitters, on the other hand, are just that-someone to watch your child while youwork.
Some babysitters do make a conscienceeffort to teach the children skills, but thatwould be up to the individual sitter.
As for the cost, babysitters’ rates varyfrom sitter to sitter. Some work at very eco-nomical rates while others may chargemore.
Another thing to consider when choosing acaregiver is the number of children thatwill be there with your child. Are thereenough caregivers to ensure all of the chil-dren are cared for?
On the other hand, daycares andpreschools cost about the same. Expect tospend about $100 per week in childcare ifyou opt to use these facilities.
Regardless of what form of childcare youchoose, experts say it’s important for theparents to do their homework and thorough-ly check out the facility or caregiver.
Melissa Cason/FCTPre-schools offer affordable and educa-tional opportunities for young parentsin Franklin County.
Don Hastings, Greg Smith, Probate Judge Barry Moore,Howard Hutcheson, Stratt Byars
Allan C. Walls MD, FACS
General Surgeon
523 Gandy St. N.E., Suite E • Russellville, AL256-331-1449 • 256-331-5182 (fax)
42030 Hwy. 195, Suite A • Haleyville, AL205-485-7281 • 205-485-7212 (fax)
Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery Fellow American College of Surgeons
Specializing in:Laparoscopic Surgery, Reflux Surgery,Endoscopy and Surgery of the Breast,
Thyroid, Colon and Rectum
ssee hhaabbllaa eessppaannooll
11PROGRESS 2010
Franklin County offers several pre-school optionsBy Kellie Singleton
For the FCT
In today’s society, and especially in today’seconomy, it is a growing trend for youngmothers to pursue the careers they hadbefore having children.
The declining market and rising costs havemany families feeling the need for twoincomes instead of one. This is even moretrue for those who are trying to manage as asingle parent.
But when this situation presents itself, thenext thought on parents’ minds is usually,“What will our children do while we’re atwork?”
Franklin County Juvenile ProbationOfficer Kevin Strickland and his wife foundthemselves asking that same question.
“We both work and had to have some formof reliable childcare,” Strickland said. “Ithad been our experience in using privatedaycare that sometimes the daycare workerwould not be available to keep our child dur-ing the workday, and we would have to findour own care for that day.”
So what does a parent do when he or shewants to provide for their children by pro-viding a sufficient income, but they areuncertain of how those same children willbe cared for in the mean time?
The answer for many parents is preschool.“Reliable childcare was our number one
reason for enrolling our child in preschool,”Strickland said. “But in speaking with sev-eral kindergarten teachers, we learned thatchildren who are in a structured preschoolprogram performed better and had lesstrouble adapting to the public school set-ting.”
To a parent, it almost seems too good to betrue that your child can be adequately caredfor while also learning important lessonsand skills to prepare them for their future.But this is exactly what preschool offers.
“We felt preschool gives the child a chanceto learn socialization skills without usmicromanaging their behavior,” Stricklandsaid. “They learn to interact independentlywith other children, and they are more com-
fortable and relaxed at school and thus ableto learn better.”
Even with the advantages, a parent’s deci-sion to send his or her child to preschoolcan still be a big decision to make.According to Strickland, he and his wifeconsidered factors such as class size, loca-tion, price and consistency in staff beforethey chose a preschool for their child.
Franklin County has a few options forpreschools right here in the county.
Mars Hill is located on N. Lawrence St. inRussellville. They are open Mondaythrough Friday from 6:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.For more information and pricing call (256)
331-0766.Little Tigers is also located on N. Lawrence
Street in Russellville, just a stone’s throwfrom Mars Hill. They are open Mondaythrough Friday from 6:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.They can be contacted at (256) 331-2731 foradditional information about the facilityand prices.
Another option for low-income families isHead Start, located in Russellville onHighway 80. This preschool program is freeto those who qualify. They are in operationMonday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until2 p.m. For more information call (256) 332-9370.
Melissa Cason/FCTPreschools offer Franklin County residents an opportunity to give their childrena head start on elementary school. There are several preschool options inFranklin County.
NorthStar Emergency Medical Services
256-331-9790www.northstar-ems.com
“Covering Russellville & Red Bay”Team Members + Patient Care +
Customer Service + Financial Stability =NorthStar’s Culture of Success
“WE ARE DEDICATED TO PROVIDINGPERSONALIZED AND PROFESSIONAL CARE TO
OUR COMMUNITY”
RedhawkRedhawkTTechnicalechnical
Services, LLCServices, LLC
Specializing in high quality, costeffective solutions in contracting,business improvement, project
management and nuclear safety
www.redhawkts.com256-331-3432
“Your First Choice forQuality and Integrity”
SPRY MEMORIAL CHAPELOF RUSSELLVILLE
906 South Jackson Ave. • Russellville256-332-1122
sprymemorialchapel.com
Ric Chambless and
Jackie Peoples
12 PROGRESS 2010
By Nathan [email protected]
Ambitious and fearless are the two wordsthat best describe Taylor Jo Tapp.
Even though this bright and enthusiasticyoung lady is only 11 years old, the sixthgrader believes she has already figured outher life’s journey.
“I want to go to Alabama and be on theCrimson Cabaret and graduate with a busi-ness degree so I can open up my own dancestudio,” she said.
Tapp describes herself as “bubbly” and“hyper” compared to most students herage.
“At my old school my nickname was bub-bles because of my personality,” she said.“I’m hardly ever down or sad, I try to havefun, I don’t like to be bored.”
The sixth grader is very involved in extra-curricular activities. As a member of acompetition dance team, Tapp spends sixhours each week concentrating on perform-ing routines for future events.
Even though she is at a young age, thereare already things Tapp misses from herchildhood.
“Man I wish we still had naptime,” shesaid. “I use to hate naptime, but now bysixth period I’m like lets take a nap.”
Tapp transferred from Colbert Heights toRussellville to, according to her, follow herdreams. “I really love it over here better,”she said. “It’s a whole lot different fromwhat I’m use to.”
But when she takes a look at where shecame from, there are some things she miss-es.
“We had a playground at my old schooland we got to do whatever, I had my aunt asa teacher so it was fun,” she said. “I missmy friends the most, but we still get to keepin touch.”
Russellville Middle School drama teacherPatrice Smith said Tapp has the personali-ty to overcome any situation.
“It's difficult for any student to changeschools, but the middle school years areespecially trying,” Smith said. “She had tomake new friends, although with her outgo-ing personality, I am not too sure how diffi-cult that really was for her.
“Also she had to get used to a new schoolsystem. Russellville carries a distinctiveexpectation for its students. We value a richtradition of excellence that I am sure she picked up on the minute she stepped into
our school,” Smith said. “It's just all aboutbeing able to get used to a new environ-ment. Frankly, I think she did quite well.”
Smith said Tapp could probably be any-thing she wants to be when she grows up.
“She is quick to give help to others in herclass and cares nothing for status or ability.She will be one of those kids that no matterwhat she chooses to do, she will be success-ful,” Smith said. “She is well mannered andpolite; in the South we call that being‘raised right.’ I know her parents are so
proud of her.”Tapp’s brother, Thorn, is in the third
grade at RES and, according to her, wantsto be an Auburn football player one day. Shesaid her parents, Katrina Latham andJimbo Tapp, believe that Russellville willhelp her and her brother achieve the goalsthey have set for themselves.
“Since Russellville is a bigger school andhas a dance line my parents believe that Iwill have a better chance at getting recog-nized and it will help me do what I reallywant to do,” she said.
Tapp is dancing into her future at a young age
Nathan Strickland/FCTTaylor Jo Tapp moved from Colbert Heights to Russellville to help her persue herdream of becoming a dancer.
WWee aarree wwoorrkkiinngg ffoorr yyoouu.. .. ..
225566--333322--330000001133883311 HHwwyy.. 4433
RRuussssee ll llvvii ll ll ee ,, AALL
wwwwww..aallaabbaammaacceennttrraall ..oorrgg
13PROGRESS 2010
Moving on: RES student tackles switch to RMSBy Nathan Strickland
Many grade-level school systems are set-up differently. Some are strictly kinder-garten through 12 in one single building;others may have two buildings to hold theload of students.
But when people go to visit Russellville’sschool system, some have been known tomistake it as a college campus.
Russellville city schools are spaced outinto four separate institutions. Each ofthem has their own rules and methods onhow to run the school.
John Pierce, 10, is a fifth grader atRussellville Elementary. He wants to be aprofessional baseball player when he growsup.
But before he can do that, he must con-quer switching schools. Next year, Piercewill have to switch buildings and head toRussellville Middle so he can attend thesixth grade.
“I’m a little bit nervous, but I’m kind ofexcited too, just to get over there and try toget to trade classes,” Pierce said. “Wealready trade here into two classes, butover there you get to trade into like six dif-ferent classes.”
Pierce says there are things he will miss,but he will be glad to have other opportuni-ties.
“I will probably miss all the parties we getto have here, because you won’t get to haveas many over there,” he said. “But I amlooking forward to more freedoms I get tohave.”
Russellville Elementary fifth gradeteacher Monica Balding said she has a fewfears about her students moving up.
“My greatest fear for them is being able tohandle the responsibilities of six differentteachers, six sets of expectations of class-room procedures, remembering lockercombinations and dressing out for P.E.class,” she said. “I am encouraged thoughbecause we swap classes here now so theyat least have the experience of getting fromone place to the other.”
Overall, Balding believes the campusblueprint teaches students things they willface in the future.
“ I think what we have here is special inthat they go to the middle school with thesame 200 kids that they have spent kinder-garten through fifth grade with, so at leastpersonalities that are around them arenothing new,” Balding said. “ I love the factthat they have to transition to somewherenew and have to learn the lay of the landagain, where the restrooms are and whatthe lunch rules are. This prepares them for
going out to the real world and figuring outtheir way around.”
Balding said children who have stayed inone building their entire grade schoolcareer are at a disadvantage.
“If they had spent all of their career inone facility, I think a transition to a collegesituation where each class you take is in aseparate building on most campuses, thatlearning to find your way around experi-ence, I don’t think others have had as muchexperience as our kids have, so I see that asa positive,” Balding said.
Nathan Strickland/FCTRussellville fifth-grader John Pierce is eager to move to Russellville MiddleSchool and tackle the challenges that await him there.
315 Linden St. • Russellville • 256-332-4253
Owner: Van Lawson
Thank You for another progressive year
FAMILY & GENERAL DENTISTRYLarry W. Cox, DMD
Braces • Bonding • White BondedFillings • Dental Lasers • Implants
• Gum Disease • Oral Surgery
No representation is made that the quality of the dental services performed is greater than the quality of dental services performed by other dentists.
www.larrycoxdmd.com
160 McClung St. Phil Campbell(205) 993-5341
571 Bexar Ave. Hamilton (205) 921-7443
Dr. Larry Cox
CCEENNTTEERR FFOORR CCOOSSMMEETTIICCDDEENNTTIISSTTRRYY AANNDD OORRTTHHOODDOONNTTIICCSS
14 PROGRESS 2010
The Franklin County DevelopmentAuthority
SSuuppppoorrtt iinngg EExxiisstt iinngg IInndduussttrryy
16109 Hwy. 43 Suite C • Russellville, AL 35653 (256) 332-8726
[email protected] • www.franklineda.com
AAccttiivveellyy RReeccrruuiitt iinngg NNeeww IInndduussttrryy
FranklinHomes Inc.
On-SiteManagement
AndMaintenance
For 62 Year Of Age Or Older Or Mobility Impaired
Move In Today and Receive a $100Wal-Mart Shopping Card
• Rent is based on income, less all your medical expenses!
• You can qualify with NO income! • You can qualify even if you still own a home or land!
TTOO PP DDOOLLLLAARRFFOO RR SSCCRRAAPP,, UUSSEEDD,, OO RR BBRROOKKEENN
GGOOLLDD!!
Serving you for
20 years!
� CUSTOM JEWELRY � GOLD CASTING �
� RING SIZING � SPECIAL ORDER � REPAIRS �
ARTISTIC JEWELRY AND REPAIR15357 HWY. 43 BYPASS • RUSSELLVILLE
CALL (256)332-9199 FOR DETAILS!
BBaacckkssttrreeeettHHaaiirr SSaalloonn
Stylist & Mgr. - Keyla McKinney, Stylist - Anna Greenhill Owner - Sarah Willis, Stylist - Kristie Uptain
Walk ins welcome
Hours: Tues - Fri. 9 -5 • Sat. 8 - 1
FFuullll lliinnee ooff SSccrruupplleess PPrroodduuccttssSpecializing in all your hair care needs.
1168 Ronnie McDowell Ave. Russellville
332-6003
Progressbegins with
Conservative ValuesVote Republican
www.fcrexc.orgPaid political advertisement by
Franklin County Republican Executive CommitteeP.O. Box 743 Red Bay, AL 35582
For Your AnimalsSafety & Yours
Please keep youranimals confinedto your property.
Spay or NeuterColbert County
Animal Shelter
Garrett WeldingServices, Inc.
Metal Fabrication & Repair910 Walnut Gate Road • Russellville, AL
256-332-2272
15PROGRESS 2010
Hill sees varsity football, driving in his teen yearsBy Nathan Strickland
nstrickland @franklincountytimes.com
Stepping into the teen yearscan be scary. A little thing calledpuberty starts to set in and therealization of responsibilitiesbecomes more real.
But there are always advan-tages and disadvantages in thecircle of life relating to situa-tions that contribute to one’sgrowth as a person.
Russellville eighth graderChris Hill said hopefully his pas-sion for football would take himplaces.
“I like playing football, that ispretty much all I play,” he said.“I’d like to go pro in footballsomeday. I also play a little bit ofbasketball here and there and Ilike to ride my bike.”
Hill, 13, comes off as a realmodest character when hemeets someone for the first time.Hill thinks of himself as beingquiet, but willing to help anyoneif they need it.
Once he gets to know a personand sheds his nervousness heopens up and acts just like anyother kid his age. Hill will headto Russellville High School nextyear with hopes to play on thevarsity football team.
“I might get to play with thevarsity next year,” Hill said.“Coach Gilmer told me I wasgood enough to go ahead andplay at the varsity level, but thatdecision is totally up to thecoaches. If not then I’ll just playfor the ninth grade team.”
The soft-spoken teenagerwould like to have a Ford truckwhen he becomes old enough todrive. Hill said he believes hewill be a good driver when itcomes time for him to get behindthe wheel.
Hill’s father, William, is a mili-tary man and has been a greatinfluence in his life.
“My dad serves as a chaplin inthe military,” he said. “He goesaround and preaches to anyonewho might want or need it. Hemight get sent over toAfghanistan pretty soon. Therehe will be working in hospitalswhere he will be fixing air con-ditioning and refrigerationunits.”
Hill said he has had to grow upfast and take care of the familysince his dad has been away.
“It’s like I have to act older andtake care of my mom and little
brother since my dad isn’there,” he said.
Hill’s father got to come homefor two weeks during Christmasand New Year’s, but headed backafter the short visit. Hill said heis glad his father got to comehome, but wishes he could stayhome for a little while longer.
Hill’s father is scheduled toreturn sometime in February.
Hill’s mother, Malina, believesher son is in a class of his own.
She said even though she waspartial because Chris is her son,she believes he is one of themost respectful kids around.
“I am proud of him. He is just areal good kid,” she said. “Fromthe time I was pregnant with myyounger son, Dion, Chris hasalways just been smart andpicks things up real easy.”
Malina said since her husbandhas been gone, Hill has reallymatured for his age.
“It means a lot to me that Chrisis here, if it would have justbeen me then there would havebeen a lot of things not get donethat I was not able to do bymyself.”
In 2007, a drunk driver hit Hill,his mother and his little brother.The wreck was a head-on colli-sion, which pinned Malina andHill inside the car.
Malina said that event broughtChris and his younger brothercloser.
“Dion did everything he couldto get me and Chris out of the
car,” Malina said. “Since then,Chris has seen how much Dionloved him and since that time,Chris has taken it upon himselfto take care of the family.”
Hill said the event changed hisway of looking at things.
“We were hurt pretty bad.Chris was in a wheelchair and Icouldn’t walk, but we gotthrough it,” Malina said. “Onetime, well this will show youwhat kind of kid he is, eventhough he was in a wheelchair— he had a broke ankle and bro-ken right arm — he knew Icouldn’t do anything and I amusually up doing all sorts ofthings.
“I tried to get up and do some-thing and Chris turned to meand said not to worry about it.He knew he was going to be ableto walk before me, and he saidonce I get out of this wheelchairyou won’t have to worry aboutanything anymore and that isjust what kind of kid he is andhe is still that way today,”Malina said.
Hill said if football didn’t workout he would like to work in achurch or be a surgeon.
For now, Hill takes things oneday at a time and anxiouslywaits for the day to come whenhe will be able to drive.
Nathan Strickland/FCTChris Hill, 13, looks forward to the day he can swap his bicy-cle for a car.
16 PROGRESS 2010
Kamri Sears gets taste of big life at young ageBy Scot Beard
One of the lessons learned as we growolder is that some things are not as easy asthey once were.
Tharptown eighth-grader Kamri Sears isfinding out that holds true for basketball.
Sears dominated the youth leagues ofFranklin County and spent her seventh-grade season playing for the ninth-gradeteam.
This year the 13-year-old made the moveto the varsity squad and found out it is amuch different game.
"We didn't run, lift weights or work out (inyouth league)," Sears said. "When we ran it
was because we wanted to."She said not only has the work load
changed, but the level of competition is bet-ter.
"In seventh grade I wasn't used to gettingmy shots blocked," Sears said. "AgainstR.A. Hubbard I had my shot blocked threeor four times."
Sears' size - she is the tallest player on theTharptown varsity squad - was an advan-tage for her in youth leagues because shecould establish herself under the basket toscore and grab rebounds.
Unfortunately she is not very tall com-pared to players on other varsity teams -she is only five-foot-six-inches tall.
Sears got a good taste of what she used to
do to youth league opponents when sheplayed against Belgreen earlier this sea-son. Belgreen has several players who arebigger than Sears and she said the playerthat intimidated her most was six-footerBrooke Davis.
"I looked up at her and thought she wouldkill me," Sears said. "I knew the only way Iwas going to score was by out runningthem."
Sears said even the fans are different.She was a member of the county champi-
onship youth league team last season andfew people outside of friends and familypaid little attention to the accomplishment.Sears said even her time on the ninth-gradeteam was spent in relative anonymity.
When Tharptown won the area title, shesaid everybody noticed.
"On varsity everybody knows you," Searssaid.
Of course, that recognition comes with aprice.
She said it is more difficult to plan vaca-tions during the summer because of work-outs and summer games. Even her schoolday has changed a bit.
"When you come up to varsity, yourfriends might be in P.E., but you have tocome up here and work," Sears said. "I don'tget to see them very much."
That street goes both ways.The age difference between Sears and her
teammates means she did not have theopportunity to forge strong friendshipswith them in the classroom. That lack offamiliarity occasionally makes Sears feellike an outsider.
"I feel awkward being in my grade," Searssaid. "It feels different because I don't hard-ly see (her teammates). When we’re at prac-tice we don't talk as much."
In time, however, Sears' classmates willcatch up with her on the varsity squad. Bythen she will no longer be the outsider try-ing to find her place on the squad.
She will be the skilled veteran that willtry to lead the program - and her friends -deep into the playoffs.
"By my senior year I will be a lot better,"Sears said.
Until then, Sears will have to endure thegrowing pains that every young teenagermust endure. Her skills might have earnedher an early slot on the varsity squad, buteven this young phenom can't jump aheadin time.
Scot Beard/FCTTharptown’s Kamri Sears is a seventh grader who just finished her first season ofcompetition at the varsity level.
Morgan Chiropractic
256-332-494915255 Hwy. 43, Suite 3 • Russellville
Dr. Tom Morgan I have enjoyed serving as your Doctor of Chiropractic for the last
15 years in Russellville. It has been a joy and a privilege. Come and see what LOW FORCE ACTIVATOR INSTRUMENT
adjusting can do for you!
PROFESSIONAL TAX SERVICEOF RUSSELLVILLE
15812 HIGHWAY 43RUSSELLVILLE, AL 35653
256-331-1454CHARLES & PEGGY HIPPS (OWNERS)
ELECTRONIC FILING, FAST REFUNDSBANK PRODUCTS OFFERED BY REFUND ADVANTAGE
Shoals Auto Glassand Accessories
760-1050 • 1202 Helton Dr., Florencewww.shoalsautoglass.com
Over 50 years combined experience“Give us a Break”
17PROGRESS 2010
Area teens find old, new ways to pass the timeBy Nathan Strickland
A few years ago, teens that had just gottentheir license could not wait to “Ride theStrip” or “Kick the Loop” while hangingwith friends and having a good time.
These days, rules have been enforced indowntown Russellville and speed bumpshave been installed at theChevron/McDonalds in Red Bay.
The video game and Internet revolutionshave seemed to take over the lives of teensthroughout Franklin County. With the rise ofsocial networks like MySpace, Facebook andTwitter, teens stay either glued to their com-puters at home or to their high-tech cellphones.
But there are those who like to get out everyonce in a while.
Tyler Medina, 15, attends Belgreen HighSchool. He said there is just not a lot to do inthis area.
“We usually just hang out, travel toFlorence or just stick around Belgreen orRussellville,” he said. “We mostly just playball and occasionally roll yards and that’spretty much it.”
Medina is involved in several BelgreenHigh School sports including basketball,baseball and track.
“There is really not much to do around hereother than school sports,” Medina said.
Red Bay High School senior Brooke Woodheads to another state to hang out with herfriends.
“A lot of people around here like to go shop-ping in Tupelo, Miss.” she said. “We also justlike to ride around and stay in town. Most ofthe people I go to school with like to stop atBig Star and hang out.”
Wood, 17, has gotten to the point in her lifewhere relationships play a factor in a teenag-er’s life.
“Most of my friends have boyfriends so weare mostly with them,” Wood said. “We don’thang out as often as we use too.”
Some teens get involved with organizedgroups to have fun.
Russellville High School sophomore KadinPounders hangs out with his church family.
“I like being involved with my youth groupat church,” he said. “We usually go to WorldChangers every year. I have been four yearsin a row and it is really fun.”
Pounders, 15, likes to go on mission trips tohelp the less fortunate.
“I have been on a lot of mission trips, but Igot a chance to go to Costa Rica last sum-
mer,” he said. “I got to help a missionarybuild a building for children in the area. Wealso dug out a water well so the kids couldhave clean running water to drink.”
In Russellville, Pounders plays for theRussellville Golden Tiger football team. Hesaid some of the kids he goes to school withdo different things.
“My friends and I hang out and go to basket-ball games in the winter. We also like to playvideo games, get on the computer and play alittle football at ‘Porkchop’ during the offsea-son,” he said. “I know of some guys and girlswho hang out in the Wal-Mart parking lotbefore going home at night.”
Nathan Strickland/FCTRussellville’s Kadin Pounders spends his down time helping out with churchactivities. He even goes on mission trips, like the one pictured above in CostaRica.
Dr. O. Woloschuk M.D.
976 Ronnie McDowell Ave., Russellville, AL 35654
“Servicing Franklin County since 1995”
◆Home Oxygen ◆CPAP/BIPAP andSupplies ◆Diabetic Supplies andShoes ◆Power Mobility Devices
◆Wheelchairs ◆Total ParenteralNutrition ◆Beds ◆Commodes◆Walking Aides ◆Nebulizers
◆Orthopedic Soft Goods
We accept Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross, and most privatepay insurances. Our goal is 100% customer satisfaction.
Office (256)332-3222
Toll Free (800)396-6229
Fax (256)332-0055
256-331-0832
14460 Hwy. 243Russellville, AL 35654
23314 Hwy. 72 West Tuscumbia, AL 35674
CCrruusshheedd LLiimmeessttoonneeBuffalo Rock - Tuscumbia Division
98 Hwy 43 SouthTuscumbia, AL 35674
256-383-2842 256-383-6828 (fax)
Barry Moore
Probate Judge∑∑
Proud to be part ofthe Progress of
Franklin County
18 PROGRESS 2010
Teens look to trade buses for personal vehiclesBy Nathan Strickland
There are many transportation methodskids use to get to school.
Parents that have to be at work early usu-ally resort to putting their kids on theschool bus.
Other parents take their own kids toschool, dropping them off as they head towork or back home.
Once children hit the age of 16, parentshave a big decision to make — bus or car.
Parents seem to be very cautious when itcomes to handing over the keys these days.There have been many tragic accidents
involving teen drivers happen in the past,so parents have a right to be hesitant to lettheir child behind the wheel.
Tharptown High School sophomoreBreaden Sellers, 16, just passed her driverstest in December.
Her mother, Susie, is a teacher atTharptown High School and, according toBraeden, she is very cautious about givingher child the keys.
“We live in Tuscumbia and she won’t letme drive to school yet, but every now andagain I get to drive by myself,” Sellers said.
She said her mom has her reasons.“My mom says the worst part of my driv-
ing is when I’m in parking lots,” Sellerssaid. “She thinks there are just too manycars that are likely to get hit by me.”
There was a time when Sellers had nochoice but to take the car on her own.
“There was a time where I forgot my bas-ketball shirt and had to drive to my houseto get it,” she said. “It was scary and mademe nervous because I had to drive throughthe construction in Littleville.”
Sellers said people make crack jokesabout her driving ability.
“I took my test in Sheffield and passed it,”she said. “But my friends and some teach-ers get scared about the idea of me driv-ing.”
Even though her dream car is a Mercedes,Sellers hopes her parents will get her aFord Mustang with a pink racing stripesomeday. Sellers said she lets people’s com-ments toward her slide.
“Their comments just makes me want todrive even more and prove to them that Iam a good driver. I figure the more I drivethe more practice I’ll have and the more Iwill learn,” she said.
Sellers said her friend Chloe Lane wastrying to get her license too. Lane, also asophomore, turned 16 in October and hopesto get her license soon.
Lane rides the bus to school in the morn-ings. She said it’s not as bad as people makeit out to be.
“There are other kids who are 16 that ridethe bus,” Lane said. “So it’s not like a badthing, I’m just ready to experience driv-ing.”
She is excited about someday getting herlicense so she won’t have to ride the bus.Even though she is anxious about driving,Lane said there are things she is going tomiss about riding the bus.
“I’ll miss having fun with the friends Imade on the bus,” she said. “Some of thosefriends I have on the bus I don’t get to see atschool as much, so yeah, I’ll miss hangingout with them.”
Lane’s parents come and get her and takeher home in the afternoons because she isinvolved in after-school activities.
Once Lane decides to go and get herlicense and Sellers gets a little practiceunder her belt, both should be hitting theroad comfortably pretty soon.
Nathan Strickland/FCTTharptown students Chloe Lane, above, and Breadon Sellers, below, use differentforms of transportation to get to school. Lane rides the bus and Sellers uses a car.
19PROGRESS 2010
Reaching future goals requires planning in high schoolBy Kellie Singleton
For the FCT
The bright lights of the stadium. Regalmusic being played by the band. Camerassnapping pictures. Families smiling andwaving. Speakers droning on about thefuture.
Your name being called. Walking acrossthe field. Holding the result of over 12 yearsof work in your hands. Hats being thrown.People giving hugs.
You’ve done it. You’ve graduated.Graduation is a very exciting time in the
life of an 18-year-old. Your whole futurestretches out before you with, what seemslike, endless possibilities: college, jobs,careers and families.
But, before a high school senior can get tothis pivotal point in his or her life, there aremany, many steps, plans and preparationsto go through.
Jesley Godsey, 18, a senior this year atRussellville High School, started planningfor her future early on in her high schoolcareer.
“I started thinking about my future andgraduating when I was a sophomore,”Godsey said. “That’s when I realized that inalmost all the classes you take, there are alot of things you will need in your careerand in college.
“As far as classes go,” Godsey continued,“my Algebra and English classes will be themost beneficial to me. Those are two majorsubjects that you will need in life.”
Joseph Stanford, 17, also a senior at RHS,felt that high school has prepared him forwhat he faces ahead.
“The most useful thing was learning howto interact with different kinds of people,”Stanford said. “The computer classes anddual-enrollment classes I took will also helpme adapt to the college classroom.”
In addition to classes, Godsey also feelslike her extracurricular involvements haveprepared her for different life situations.
“I’ve been part of the RHS Color guard forthree years and served as a captain thisyear,” Godsey said. “It’s never easy being a
leader among your friends. That was a bigresponsibility, and I feel like I learned a lotfrom it.”
Godsey also participated in the youthgroup at First United Methodist Church inRussellville and the mission team there.
“I’m still in the process of deciding what Iwant to do as soon as I graduate,” Godseysaid. “But in 10 to 15 years, I hope to havegraduated from college and be working. Mygoal is to be successful and make enoughmoney to be able to support myself.”
After graduation in May, Stanford has
made the decision to pursue college in thefall and has similar long-range goals.
“In several years, I see myself as a collegegraduate with a stable job,” Stanford said.“That seems like the right path for me.”
Juniors and seniors in high school shouldutilize resources like their guidance coun-selors so that they can gather informationabout potential paths for their future.
Whatever a high school senior’s plans maybe, the most important part is to be ade-quately prepared for their future that liesahead.
Nathan Strickland/FCTJesley Godsey, left, and Joseph Stanford, right, get help from Russellville HighSchool guidance counselor Donna Goodwin as they plan for life after graduation.
20 PROGRESS 2010
District District Attorney’Attorney’s Ofs Officefice• Collected more than $193,573.75 in
worthless checks and fees last year alone! • Prosecutes parents who fail to pay child support • Handles all felony offenses committed in Franklin County • Represents crime victims and collects restitution for
victims of criminal activity • Restitution Recovery Unit in its first year of operation
collected over $63,000 in money owed to the court, including unpaid restitution to victims.
We’re here for you!
Serving Franklin County
(Seated l-r) Ann Woodruff, Mandy Cummings, Kellie Singleton & Tasha Harris Zills.(Standing l-r) Doug Evans - Asst. DA, David Hester,
Joey Rushing - District Attorney, David Singleton, Mike Mayfield & Terry Zills
Franklin CountyCattlemen’sAssociation
Congratulations to allCattle Farmers!
We appreciate your support.
GGrreegg,, KKaatthhyy && EErriinn MMaasstteerrssoonn
Pa Paw’s Market, LLC
DELI • GAS • GROCERIESPLUMBING SUPPLIES • HARDWARE
DIESEL ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES
Open 7 days a Week • Breakfast & LunchMon.-Sat. 5am-8pm, Sun. 7am-7pm
Stop by& see Karen,
Monica,Brittany &
Tonya256-332-3505 • 12131 Hwy 48
Russellville, AL 35654In the curve at the intersection of Hwy 48, County Line Rd & Flat Rock Rd (Hwy 131)
SSaalluuttiinngg FFrraannkklliinn CCoouunnttyy FFaarrmmeerrssBay Implement Co.
• New Lawn & Ground Care Equipment• New & Used Farm Equipment • Used Construction Equipment
SEE US FOR ALL YOURFARMING & LAWN NEEDS
1005 4th Street NW • Golden Rd. • Red Bay256-356-2485
21PROGRESS 2010
Career goals begin at Northwest Shoals for NixBy Melissa Cason
Attending college is one of the most mem-orable events in a young person’s life.
Some students go to a four-year institu-tion just after high school, but many stu-dents in Franklin County begin their col-lege career closer to home at NorthwestShoals Community College.
Hannah Nix, of Phil Campbell, is one ofthose students who began their formal edu-cation at Northwest, but transferred toWallace State Community College inHanceville after obtaining her basic corecredits.
“I went to Northwest all last year, and Istarted at Wallace State this fall in theDiagnostic Imaging Program,” Nix said.
Nix said she plans to earn her credentialsto become an x-ray technician, and willcomplete her certification at Wallace Statein May 2011.
Nix’s career goals include working in ahospital after graduation, specializing inMRI and CT imaging.
Nix became interested in diagnostic imag-ing after receiving a back injury whileplaying softball and cheerleading while inhigh school.
“I had to have x-rays, MRI and a bonescan,” Nix said. “I remember thinking ‘this
would be cool to do’.”Now Nix’s days are filled with attending
class, completing clinical, working andstudying.
“It’s hard to keep up with the course-work,” Nix said. “It seems all I do is study.”
Nix currently lives with her parents in
Phil Campbell, but realizes she will proba-bly have to move once her education iscomplete.
“I’m in no rush to move out,” Nix said.“I’m going to live with my parents as longas I can, but I do realize I may have to moveoutside of the county in order to get a jobin my field. But, I definitely want to stayclose to home.”
Nix said she was thinking of maybe livingin Decatur or Huntsville after completingher education.
Outside of school, Nix is an average 20year old with a passion for fashion.
“I love to shop,” Nix said. “I especiallyhave a thing for shoes. I buy a pair of shoesevery time I go shopping.”
Nix admits she is not just a social shopper.She has no problem with shopping alone.
“I like to shop with other people, but I doshop by myself, too,” Nix said.
While Nix definitely enjoys her favoritepastime, she is smart enough to not becomeburied in debt.
“I don’t really have credit cards so myshopping is usually done with cash or mydebit card,” Nix said. “So at least I don’thave a really big bill after I get my shoes.”
Nix said she estimates she shops at leasttwice per month. To finance her passion,she works part time at Russellville tansalon, Pro Tan.
Hannah Nix
Sports injuries • Employment Physicals • On-the-job injuries or Work Comp • Immunizations
• Routine Check-ups •Bladder Infection • Ear Infections • Influenza • Sinus Infections • Respiratory Infections
• High Blood Pressure
No Appointment NeededMon.-Fri. 8:00a.m. -7:30p.m. • Sat. 10:00a.m.-6:30p.m. • Sun. 1:00p.m.-5:00p.m.
256-331-2092 • www.russcare.comLocated at the intersection of Hwy. 24 and Hwy. 43
13150 Hwy. 43 S. Suite 10 • Russellville, AL
22 PROGRESS 2010
Russellville, AL—The company traditionsof reliable petroleum products, excellentservice and superb value live on in Webb OilCompany, Inc. Harold R. Webb first openedthe company’s doors in 1947 as a wholesalefuel distributor.
He strived to deliver quality fuel to theindustrial and agricultural sectors ofFranklin, Marion & Colbert Counties atcompetitive wholesale prices. In 1974Harold’s son James H. Webb, Sr. (‘Jim’ as hewas affectionately known) joined the ranksof Webb Oil and together they grew thecompany exponentially by diversifying intothe convenience store business.
Following the deaths of Harold Webb in1992 and Jim Webb in 1996, the companycontinued it’s growth trend under the leader-ship of Jim’s wife, Sibyl P. Webb. Sibyl sin-gle-handedly increased the company’s reachby leaps and bounds.Among the many accomplishments, shebuilt the Webb Oil Truck Stop on Highway24 in Franklin County—the largest fuelstop/convenience store in the area. Sibylcontinues as President of the corporationtoday.
Sibyl’s son James H. Webb, Jr. joinedWebb Oil Company in 2003 after receivinghis Business Management Degree from theUniversity of Alabama. James is currentlyserving as Vice President of the corporation.In April of 2009, James implemented aLoyalty program as a way of giving back tothe community and rewarding the con-sumers for their continued dedication toWebb Oil Company. In the ten months sincethe program’s inception, Webb OilCompany, Inc. has given over $15,000 backto the loyal customers that have helpedmake the company what it is today.
FUELPlus, as the program is called, hasallowed Webb Oil Company, Inc. to stay inbusiness through one of the most tryingyears in our nations economic history. Jamesis also in the process of launching their web-site—www.webboil.com—where businesswill be able to order their products and con-sumers can get all the information they needconcerning our products and services.
The website will also allow customers tomanage their FUELPlus account, as well assee upcoming specials.
Webb Oil has sold petroleum products
under a variety of brand names—fromTexaco to Parade—but the quality of theproducts and services has not waivered. Thelatest change that you may have seen isWebb Oil Company’s new ‘Webb’ brandedfuel and “WebbSite’ convenience stores.
More and more petroleum marketers aremoving toward creating their own independ-ent brand in an effort to bring a more com-petitive price to the end user—you, the con-sumer. With the introduction of the hyper-mart superstores, the small petroleum jobberhas had to try to adapt to a changing market.Webb Oil Company, Inc. is no different.
“If the customer stays true to the locallyowned businesses which have sustained ourlocal economy for over half a century, thenthose companies will continue to be able togive back for years to come,” said JamesWebb—adding, “every single penny spentwith a giant super-company goes back tothat company’s home office and the revenuenot only goes out of our county, but out ofour state as well, and is to never be seenagain.”
Webb Oil employs approximately twenty-five residents of Franklin County and has 6WebbSite c-stores in the area. “Our employ-ees are the face of our business,” saysWebb—adding, “There have many keyemployees in the past that have made atremendous positive impact on the company,and especially the current crew--I thankyou.”
Webb Oil Company Inc. was founded inRussellville and continues to be a staple inthe petroleum industry today. They also con-tinue to deliver fuel, oils, and lubes to farms,poultry houses, jobsites, industrial plants,and retail convenience stores to name just afew.For a list of stores where you may purchase
quality Webb Oil Company, Inc. products oryour own personalized quote for your farmor business, call (256) 332-0925.
A Family Tradition - 63 Years and Counting
Webb Oil Company, Inc.
Keep buying from locallyowned businesses for yourfamily’s future.
23PROGRESS 2010
24 PROGRESS 2010
Warren realizes dream of owning bakery shopBy Nathan Strickland
Angie Warren has always dreamed of tak-ing her creative food ideas and incorporatingthem into her own restaurant type businessone day.
Warren said she has been involved in thefood world since she was 16 years old, with anexception of plant work here and there.
Later on in her life she got a job decoratingcakes for Piggly Wiggly grocery in Red Bay.There, Warren said she fell in love with bak-ing.
“I had to leave Piggly Wiggly to pursue a jobthat paid a little more because everyonewants to better themselves,” she said. “I
enjoyed the world of cakes so much that Idecided to bake decorated cakes on the side. Isold them to people around town then peoplebegan to ask me to cater events for them.That business began to grow and got to thepoint where it was taking over my home.”
On November 18, 2009, her dreams to openher own business became a reality.
Warren partnered up with Deb Smith andLisa Reese to open up a dual business consist-ing of flowers and food. Warren said it wasfate the way it all came to be.
“I was approached by Deb and Lisa andasked if I wanted to go into business withthem,” she said. “Several doors began toopen up for me. It had to be the good Lordbecause I didn’t really have the money to geta building, but he just opened up the doorsand we got one.”
Warren and her partners were able to find abuilding located at the corner of Highway 19and Highway 24 in Red Bay.
The next step was naming the business.After giving it some thought they had amoniker — Devine Creations featuring KatieKakes Bakery and Deli.
The name “Katie Kakes” representsWarren’s side of the business. The namewould bring a significant meaning to thebusiness.
In 2003, Warren was pregnant with a babygirl that her and her husband had namedKatie.
Katie Warren was born on November 17,2003. She lived for a few seconds, and then
passed away shortly after being born.Warren said the tragic event pushed hertoward food.
“After I lost her, I began to lose myself in thekitchen,” she said. “I turned to food, not toeat but to cook and it has become a form oftherapy for me. My satisfaction comes whenI set a plate of my food in front of someoneand they eat it and say ‘man that is good’ thatis an ultimate high for me. That’s when Ismile and say OK I have done my job.”
Warren said her little girl was the inspira-tion that pushed her toward this career.
“My husband John and I were at the busi-ness one night because I had to finish somecakes or something. I was tired and didn’tfeel well, but I turned to him and said ‘youknow what keeps me going, when I have beenhere for 12 or 13 hours at a time’, it is becauseI know this is all for Katie. She is the one whobrought this passion to cook in my life and Iam thankful for it all.”
At the beginning, Warren said her side ofthe business was just going to be bakery typedeal, but the demand for her food became rel-evant.
“I figured we would do a few sandwicheshere and there, but the baking was supposeto be the big thing,” Warren said. “I still bakecakes and cater events and I will continue todo that, but when the word got out about usopening people began asking if I was goingto do a plate lunch.”
People who had tried food at events Warrenhad catered were eager to taste a full menu.
“I just decided to sale a few plate lunches aday to kind of help ends meet,” Warren said.“The plate lunch has really taken off and sowe will continue to meet the demand of thepeople.”
Warren said the business is divided up intotwo sections, a flower/gift shop on one side,and a café/bakery on the other side.
Warren’s food side, with the help of herpartners and husband John, has been verysuccessful since its doors opened.
“The public has really responded well to thefood and I am really proud,” Warren said. “Iwas humbled by the fact that people wantedto eat my food. Most people around here havebeen able to try my food at one time or anoth-er and were willing to come here. I meanfrom day one we have been swamped.”
Warren said it still feels like she is dream-ing because she never thought it could hap-pen.
“I sat down one day outside my mother’shouse and I had tears rolling down my face,not sad tears but happy tears because thiswas something that I thought I would neversee,” she said.
Warren appreciates her hometown of RedBay for the support they have shown herthrough the years.
Devine Creations featuring Katie KakesBakery and Deli is open Monday throughThursday from 5:30 a.m. until 6 p.m., Fridaysfrom 5:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Saturdaysfrom 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Nathan Strickland/FCTAngie Warren, left, takes money from acustomer at the Devine Creations fea-turing Katie Kakes Bakery and Deli,pictured below, in Red Bay.
25PROGRESS 2010
Local offices look to help job market, employeesBy Kellie Singleton
For the FCT
Finding gainful employment can be achallenge during any type of economy, butin hard economic times such as these, itcan be near impossible.
Just ask Franklin County resident, MikeyHovater. Hovater has been searching for ajob since he graduated from college in May.
“No jobs are available here for my [socialservices] degree or they all require a mini-mum of two years,” Hovater explained.“How can you get a job to get experiencewhen every job you look into requires aminimum on experience? It gets frustrat-ing.”
When it comes to jobs, the economic situ-ation isn’t the only obstacle FranklinCounty has to overcome. With a populationshort of 10,000, Russellville is FranklinCounty’s largest city. And when comparedto cities like Florence, Huntsville andBirmingham, Russellville seems to fallshort where employment is concerned.
Hovater feels that more variety in thetypes of jobs available would benefit thecounty.
“It seems as if Franklin County is mostlyskilled labor or low-wage retail and fastfood oriented,” Hovater said. “If moreindustry could come in to mix things up, I
believe it would help. This may not help mefind a job but it could help others out ontheir job searches.”
But there are those in Franklin Countywho want to see a change in the economyand the perspective people have of jobhunting in a smaller community. One ofthose people is Mitchell Mays, ExecutiveDirector of the Franklin CountyDevelopment Authority.
“We continue to develop our industrialparks,” Mays said. “One of the biggestdevelopments that we think will give us thebest shot at recruiting a new industry isthe Russellville Spec Building # 1 whichwas just completed in November 2009.
“Even though the economy has been veryslow the last couple of years, since we havecompleted the Spec Building, we have hadinterest from prospects,” Mays said.
But when it comes to getting the economyback on track here in Franklin County,Mays and others at the DevelopmentAuthority don’t just sit back and wait forindustries to come to them.
“We continue to aggressively market ourbuildings and sites at tradeshows and con-sultant events,” Mays said. “And we assistour existing industries as they considerexpansions.”
Even with the hopefulness that theDevelopment Authority provides, many
Franklin County citizens are still havingdifficulty with their personal searches foremployment. But according to Mays, thereare tools available to help the unemployed.
“A tip I would give to anyone who is look-ing for a job is try to acquire a skill thatemployers will desire, and sometimes thatmay mean going back to school,” Mayssaid. “Job seekers may also want to visitthe Hamilton Career Center. They are atNorthwest Shoals Community College –Phil Campbell Campus each Wednesdayfrom 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.”
Other tips Mays gave included visitingcompany websites to check for job open-ings, visiting the community college toearn a Career Readiness or CertifiedWorker certificate, and visiting websitessuch as www.alabamajoblink.com andwww.alabama.jobs.com.
256-332-1996 • www.russdiag.comLocated at the intersection of Hwy. 24 and Hwy. 43
13150 Hwy. 43 S. Suite 11 • Russellville, AL
High Field Open MRIHigh Field Open MRI• Brain - Neck - Spine
• Upper and Lower Limbs and Joints Plus
Nuclear Imaging• Cardiac Stress Testing
• Bone Scans X-ray
Ultrasound
15480 Hwy. 43 Bypass Russellville
26 PROGRESS 2010
Martin’s acting career takes off in the Big AppleBy Nathan Strickland
January marks two and a half years sinceRussellville native Sonequa Martin movedto New York to pursue her acting career.
Martin, 24, attended Russellville HighSchool and graduated in 2003 as the classSalutatorian.
She said in the beginning she wanted to gointo psychology, but in tenth grade she gotinvolved in the theater program where shetook part in the thespian festival and decid-ed that was what made her “soul happy.”
Martin said the director of the production“Play On” her junior year in high schooltold her what to do.
“He was the first person to tell me I need-ed to continue with acting,” she said. “And Iwas like, ‘How do I do that?’ He told me firstof all I need to go to college, major in the-ater, get classical training and then move toNew York or L.A. I can remember where Iwas standing and right then I decided OK,that’s what I’ll do then. That’s what I do.”
Martin chose to attend the University ofAlabama because it is well known as one ofthe best theater universities in theSoutheast. There, Martin auditioned for ascholarship and, according to her,“flubbed” the audition. She got the scholar-ship and began working towards a career intelevision and film.
“I performed my head off in college,” shesaid. “I was taking these classes with thesewonderful professors, and by my junioryear I was doing shows at night.
“I had also joined the Individual EventsSpeech Team, which is like a competitiveacting and public speaking. You put a lot ofdifferent materials together and performthem by yourself,” Martin said. “We trav-eled all around the country and competedwith different colleges and universities. Ihad a scholarship from that as well.”
Martin’s university team was in the topten in the nation.
“It really broadened my craft and helpedme to widen my ability as an actor,” shesaid. “I ended up getting two national cham-pionships out of it and I got to see a lot ofdifferent places.”
Martin graduated with a Bachelors ofArts degree in theater with a minor in busi-ness management and obtained a 3.5 GPAthrough graduation. Martin said she wasset, initially, on heading to Los Angelesuntil right before the spring season of hersenior year.
“I was L.A. bound and there wasn’t anyonethat could tell me differently,” she said.“But I had a mentor that was really pushingme towards New York or to take on gradschool.”
He told her that Los Angeles might not bethe best career choice right out of school.
“My mentor said that with my type, L.A.was only going to want one thing from me,and that was not what he wanted for me. He
said go to New York where they will appre-ciate your training and your craft.”
Martin then switched directions and start-ed considering the Big Apple.
“The university actually sets up theseevents called showcases for all the graduat-ing seniors. They rent out a space andinvite industry professionals to the event,and they had set up one in New York City. Idid not want to go, I said to myself whywould I want to go there when I was head-ing to L.A.”
Professors from the university ended upconvincing Martin into acting in the show-case and that is ultimately what convincedher New York was the place to be.
“Honestly God just kind of stepped in andchanged my mind. I had never been to NewYork, so I felt like it was really fast pacedand I thought everyone was mean,” Martinsaid. “But once I arrived God just took overand opened all of these opportunities forme. I got an agent from the showcase and Iwas just like whoa, this is amazing.”
Warner Brothers also picked her to readfor one of their pilot shows.
“I looked at my situation and decided topick up and move to New York on July 20,2007, two months after I graduated.”
Once Martin arrived, her agent startedsending her to auditions one after another.Martin said the first gig she landed was acommercial for ABC’s “Good MorningAmerica.”
Martin said the thing that really kicked off
her career was when she got cast in an inde-pendent film titled “Toe to Toe” in Februaryof 2008. The film is currently featured onNetflix and is set to hit theaters in NewYork and Los Angeles soon.
“They had gone with someone else at firstand I was upset for a bit because I reallywanted that part, I just knew that part wasmine. But you know they say rejection hap-pens about 97 percent of the time in thisbusiness, so I got over it because that’s whatyou have to do,” Martin said.
“One day my agent called me and said theywanted me to read again for the part ofTosha (the lead role in the film) and I waslike huh? I thought they had cast thatalready? He said they did but the personthey cast had a scheduling conflict so theylet her go,” Martin said. “I went and readfor it and got the part.”
The film sent her to Maryland for abouttwo months.
Martin said there were some “heavy hit-ters” that had roles in the film and she evengot to know one “legendary” actor duringthe production. Martin said taking on alead role was really draining, but worth it.
“There were times where I would comehome and really evaluate if this was what Iwanted to do, because it is really hard workand there are long, crazy hours and it justtakes so much out of you. But of course Iwas like yes, this is what I want,” Martin
ContributedRussellville’s Sonequa Martin, right, has built a successful acting career in NewYork City, appearing in a handful of television shows and the independent film“Toe to Toe” pictured above.
SSeeee MMAARRTTIINN,, 2277
27PROGRESS 2010
said.Right after she finished the
film, Martin jumped into the tel-evision world where she got arole on USA Network’s “Lawand Order.”
Not long after that, work start-ed rolling in for the inspiring,young actress.
Martin got involved in anotherindependent film then hit theT.V. world again with a ratherlengthy part on LifetimeNetwork’s smash hit “ArmyWives” where she played therole of a teenager who wasbeing recruited by the Army.
As Martin climbed the ladderof success, she continued onand booked another spot on CBSNetwork’s “The Good Wife.”
Within two years in New York,Martin had gone from smalltown Russellville girl to show-ing up on the latest televisionseries, hitting such networks asUSA, Lifetime and CBS.
Currently, Martin is in a pro-duction titled “Fetch Clay MakeMan” which is based on the truestory of the unlikely friendshipbetween Muhammad Ali andHollywood’s first black moviestar, Stepin Fetchit.
Martin is playing the role ofAli’s first wife. The play openedJanuary 15 in Princeton, NewJersey.
Martin hopes the future will beas good to her as the past coupleof years have been.
“I want to keep going and pur-sue career advancementbecause you know, my wholereason for doing this is very spe-cific. I just want to be a vessel…Iwant to help people, inspire peo-ple, change people. Those arethe reasons that shape mydreams for the future,” she said.
“It’s not about the red carpet,fame or stardom. It is more soabout having those things sothat I can be a positive influ-ence, so I can use my voice tohelp someone. I would love to bea regular on T.V. and be involvedin more independent films ormainstream films.”
Martin believes God has a planfor her life and will point her inthe right direction.
“I used to plan things out andthey never went how I planned,”she said.
“My hope for the future is justthat I can work consistently. Ithas been consistent since lastspring and I hope it keeps going,that’s all I really want.”
Martin’s advice to youngerpeople who are thinking of acareer in the arts is to be sure.
“Make sure your heart is in theright place, if your heart saysyou are meant for it then just go.Concentrate on your craft andmost importantly, you musthave a firm foundation becausethis industry will rip you apartif you’re not grounded,” Martinsaid.
Martin’s parents still live inRussellville and, according toher, have gotten used to the ideaof their daughter living in NewYork.
Martin said she has created afamily type unit where she lives.
“Nothing can compare to myreal family, but it is nice to havean alternate support system tobe with you through your jour-ney,” she said.
Martin said her family hascome to visit a couple times so itis not bad.
Martin plans to continue herlife up north and hopes tobecome a big-time star someday.
MMaarrttiinn CCoonnttiinnuueedd ffrroomm 2266
705 N.E. Gandy St. • Russellville(256) 332-3773
Russellville Health Care, Inc.Russellville Health Care, Inc.COMMUNITY WITHIN A COMMUNITY
Phil Campbell Rescue SquadWhen you or your loved one
needs an ambulance call Phil Campbell Rescue. We are a paramedic service that provideshighly trained and professional
paramedics for all your emergencyor non-emergency needs.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
(205) 993-4242
We are just a phonecall away...
28 PROGRESS 2010
FFrraannkkll iinn CCoouunnttyy CChhaammbbeerr ooff CCoommmmeerrccee103 Jackson Ave. N. • Russellville, AL
((225566)) 333322--11776600www.franklincountychamber.org
FFeessttiivvaallss ooff FFrraannkklliinn CCoouunnttyy 22001100
PPhhiill CCaammppbbeellll HHooeeddoowwnn -- JJuunnee 1188--1199 VViinnaa FFeesstt -- JJuullyy 3311
3300tthh WWaatteerrmmeelloonn FFeessttiivvaall -- AAuugguusstt 2200--2211 RReedd BBaayy FFoouunnddeerrss FFeesstt -- SSeepptteemmbbeerr 1188
SSppiirriitt ooff HHooddggeess -- OOccttoobbeerr 22 SSpprruuccee PPiinnee DDaayy -- OOccttoobbeerr 1166
AA GGrreeaatt PPllaaccee ttoo LLiivvee,, WWoorrkk aanndd PPllaayy
CCoommmmuunniittyy AAccttiivviittiieessEgg Hunts, Job Shadow Program,
Ribbon Cuttings, Jr. Leadership, Scholarships,Partnership Banquet
LLooccaall AAttttrraaccttiioonnssBear Creek Lakes, Red Bay Museum,
Dismal Canyon, Roxy Theater,Northwest Shoals Community College
FFrraannkkll iinn CCoouunnttyy
Photo by Scotty Kennedy
MMaayyoorr BBoobbbbyy FFoorrssyytthhee
CCoouunncciillmmaann MMiikkee KKeennnneeddyy
CCoouunncciillmmaann MMiikkee SSttoocckkttoonn
CCoouunncciillmmaann DDaavviidd TTiiffffiinn
CCoouunncciillwwoommaann CChhaarrlleennee FFaanncchheerr
CCoouunncciillmmaann BBrraadd BBoollttoonn
Welcome to the
City of Red Bay
ReduceGLARE, FABRIC FADING,
EXCESSIVEHEAT OR COLD
SAVE UP TO40%
ON YOURCOOLINGCOSTS
29PROGRESS 2010
Mid-life crisis is not as common as people thinkBy Nathan Strickland
The fear of not knowing what the futureholds can have an affect on almost anyone,and once a person reaches the age of 40,thoughts of a mid-life crisis start to creepup into their brain.
A mid-life crisis is defined as a difficult,turbulent period of doubts and reap-praisals of one’s life.
The condition, which some might call adisease, produces a period of looking backin an attempt to try and figure out how onehas arrived at this point in life.
In 1978, psychology researchers RogerGould and Daniel Levinson concluded thatthe mid-life crisis is just a normal transi-tion experience by a majority of people.
Northwest Shoals Community Collegepsychology professor Kenneth Brackinssaid the studies have changed since then.
“More recent studies have failed to detectan increase in emotional turbulence at themid-life stage,” he said. “Studies foundthat two to five percent of the total popula-tion believe it has long been a part of asort of folklore. It is clear that the fabledmid-life crisis is not typical.”
Some people may fall into a proverbialtrap, conducting some mid-life question-ing such as: Who am I? What am I? Where
am I going? It can be unsettling for some one to lose
their way as their biological clock keepsticking.
According to Levinson a mid-level, mid-aged businessperson looking ahead 10 to20 years and seeing a life spent in a WallStreet cubbyhole, may suffer from severedepression.
A homemaker with two kids leaving thehome and a 40 year-old birthday on its waymay feel that he or she is unraveling at theseams.
Both persons feel a lack of self-worth andloss of purpose.
Some people at this point can be throwninto extra marital affairs, which is com-mon these days, by the desire to prove tothemselves that they are still attractive.
Brackins said those people might resortto those things but many take the highroad.
“Many folks find that these years presentopportunity for new direction and fulfill-ment,” he said. “Many people are at theheight of their productive powers duringthis period. Most of today’s robust 45-50year-olds can look forward to another 30-40healthy years. Yet some people in this agegroup experience what researchers referto as a mid-course correction.”
Brackins said the key to coping with the
mid-life crisis is to deal with it and moveon.
The bottom line is that people do havechoices, but the best decision would be forpeople to handle each situation to the bestof their ability then pick up and keep liv-ing life.
256-332-2052 • 12805 Highway 43 • Russellville, AL
iinn bbuussiinneessss
CCeelleebbrraattiinngg oouurr
TThhaannkk yyoouu ffoorr yyoouurr SSuuppppoorrtt!!
WWOOOODD--TTHHOOMMPPSSOONN IINNSSUURRAANNCCEE SSEERRVVIICCEE,, LLLLCC
130 N. Jackson Ave., • Russellville, AL 35653((225566)) 333322--11338811 [email protected]
SShheeiillaa EE.. UUnnddeerrwwoooodd,, AAggeenntt//CCIISSRR
HHoommee •• AAuuttoo •• LLiiffee •• CCoommmmeerrcciiaall
Davis Realty & Assoc., Inc.
DDaavviiss AAuuccttiioonnss
115 N. Jackson Avenue, Russellville, Al.Office 256-332-9920 Toll Free 1-888-692-6622
wwwwww..ddaavviissrreeaallttyyaannddaassssoocc..ccoomm
Nancy WarrenAssoc. BrokerC/ 710-4900
Falon TaylorSales Assoc.C/ 324-0210
Stratt ByarsSales Assoc.C/ 710-1020
Patricia SmithSales Assoc.
C/483-0890
Ginger ThorneSales Assoc.C/ 436-2696
•• SSeelllliinngg-- hhoouusseess,, ccoommmmeerrcciiaall pprrooppeerrttyy,, llaakkee pprrooppeerrttyy,, ffaarrmm,, ssuubbddiivviissiioonnss •• BBuuyyiinngg-- wwoorrkkiinngg wwiitthh yyoouu tthhrroouugghh tthhee wwhhoollee
pprroocceessss ooff oowwnniinngg yyoouurr oowwnn hhoommee
Brad ChampionAuctioneer S. L. #1867Ellis Davis
Auctioneer S. L. #956
Willodean DavisAuctioneer SAAL. #2053
WWee sseellll aannyytthhiinngg uunnddeerr tthhee ssuunn!!
Hello! We are the Davis Auction Company. We will be more than happyto handle all of your auction needs. We do real estate, commercial
properties, farm equipment, and personal property. We have 34 yearsof experience in the auction business, license, and bonded to serve you.
Contact us for your free market analysis on anything we can be ofservice for you today!
Willodean DavisOwner/BrokerC/ 762 - 5671
ManagerMadison Fite
ManagerTanner Fite
State RepresentativeJohnny Mack Morrow
District 18(Colbert & Franklin County)
30 PROGRESS 2010
RHS’ Lier trades combat zones for the classroomBy Melissa Cason
It isn’t too uncommon for professionals tochange careers during their 40’s in an effortto accommodate family schedules or otherpersonal and professional responsibilities.
But, one Russellville teacher took his careerfrom the battlefield to the classroom by retir-ing from the armed forces after 22 years ofservice and becoming a ROTC instructor.
Lt. Col. Norman Lier said he loved servingas an officer in the United States Army, butsays teaching really isn’t that different fromhis role in the military.
Lier began his military career in UNA’sROTC program.
Under the program, Lier was obligated toserve three years in the Army after gradua-tion.
“I loved Army life,” Lier said. “I was obli-gated to stay for three years and I stayed for22. I stayed because I loved the military life.”
Lier said his career in the military hasgiven him and his family more opportunitiesthan the average civilian.
“When you’re working, you are working,but when you get time off, you have time tosee the sights,” Lier said.
“When I was stationed in Germany and gottime off, boom I saw Europe in three days. Itwas great.”
During his career in the Army, Lier spenthis days training soldiers. His days began at6:30 a.m. and ended around 7 p.m. unless hisunit was completing field training, whichlasted around the clock until the unitreturned to the base.
“Military life is twenty-four seven,” Liersaid. “And I loved it.”
Lier said his decision to retire from theArmy came with the death of his wife.
“I had three children still at home, and Idecided to retire and move to Florence to benear her family,” Lier said.
After relocating to North Alabama, Lierbegan substitute teaching, and the rest is his-tory.
Lier returned to UNA, and completed hiseducation in secondary education in history.He completed his student teaching at ColbertHeights High School.
“Believe it or not, teaching really isn’t thatdifferent than what I was doing in the Army,”Lier said.
“In the Army, I taught adults, and now Iteach younger students. It’s still teaching. Itaught for 22 years before leaving the Army.”
Lier was hired to head the new ROTC pro-gram at Russellville High School, which hasbeen successful with the students.
“This semester, I have 45 students, which isa little more than the 30 we started with,”Lier said. Lt. Col. Norman Lier
31PROGRESS 2010
Early planning can lead to earlier retirementBy Kellie Singleton
For the FCT
Retirement — that elusive timesomewhere in the future thatmost people begin thinking aboutthe day they start to work.
That time when trips can betaken, hobbies can be pursuedand relaxation can finallybecome a reality.
And retirement already is areality for many of FranklinCounty’s citizens. However, whilethey enjoy the relaxation andvacations, they have discoveredthere are a few more realitiesthan they originally thoughtabout.
This may seem like an articlefor the middle-aged, but accord-ing to one Franklin County citi-zen, Jan Page, the thought thatretirement should be consideredon the first day of work is righton the money.
“Retirement should be the firstthing you ask your employerabout,” Page said. “There are somany benefits out there, and thesooner you start to take advan-tage of them, the better it will befor you.”
Page retired from teaching after36 years of service to this county.She spent the majority of thoseyears teaching first grade at RedBay School.
Page, however, did not take herown advice to start planningearly.
“Retirement wasn’t really onmy mind until I had been teach-ing almost 25 years,” Page said. “Iknew I could receive benefits atthis point, but I didn’t reallyknow how to go about it.”
Thanks to a friend, Page learnedthat (AEA) had excellent retire-ment counselors that could guideher step by step through theretirement process. She signedup for one of the workshopsimmediately and started learn-ing how to plan for her future.
Retirement sounded great, likeit does to most people that havebeen working hard for 25 years.But there were some things toconsider.
“I could have retired from teach-ing after 25 years and foundanother job to keep me occu-pied,” Page said. “But after goingthrough the [retirement] work-shop, I realized that I should prob-
ably just stay where I was until Iwas absolutely ready. I loved myjob, and the benefits would be bet-ter if I waited.”
Unlike Page, Franklin CountyAssistant District Attorney DougEvans is still working full-time.
“I haven’t started thinkingabout [retirement] yet,” Evanssaid. “But when I turned 65 andstarted getting Medicare materi-al in the mail, it hit me – I can’twork forever.”
But Evans, like most people whoare considering retirement, wor-ried about what he will do withhis free-time. Being the AssistantDistrict Attorney is a very time-consuming occupation and nothaving those responsibilitiesanymore could leave him morefree-time than he might want.
“I like to go and do things,”Evans said. “I don’t like stayingat home all the time.”
Page felt the same way about theexcess free-time she would haveon her hands.
“Being a first grade teacher is abig responsibility and somethingthat keeps you going constantly,”Page said. “So my biggest con-cern at first was what I would doto make up for it.”
Another major concern forthose considering retirement istheir financial situation.
“I was worried about living onjust my husband’s salary and mypension,” Page said. “I was toldthat for the last year that Iworked, I should put the paycheck I received into a savingsaccount and not touch it. Then,my husband and I were to try liv-ing off just his salary.
“We did this for almost a yearand realized that our financialsituation would be fine,” Pagesaid. “That was such a relief toknow. I recommend trying this
strategy out if you or your spouseis concerned about living on onesalary.”
Evans also said as he thinksabout the future, his financial sit-uation is something major thathe must consider.
“It’s hard for me to save money,”Evans said. “Therefore, the stateretirement system helped me,and I put extra money in it to sup-plement my retirement.
“When you think about yourfinancial situation when youretire,” Evans said, “you have tokeep inflation and the cost of liv-ing in mind. You have to think,‘Can I continue to live as I havebecome accustomed?’ and ‘IsSocial Security going to last?’These are all things you have toconsider and things you muststart planning for.”
Evans said that he still plans towork after he makes the decisionto retire. This is also a decisionPage shared with him.
“I have the privilege of doingcontract work one day a week forthe Franklin County SchoolSystem at the CommunityEducation Center in Belgreen,”Page said. “I work on curriculumand enjoy still being a part of theschool system.”
Retirement does not have to beas daunting as many mightthink. According to Evans, sim-ple steps like not getting intocredit card debt or avoiding tak-ing out second mortgages arecrucial. Above all, the best thingyou can do is to just make up yourmind now to get mentally andphysically prepared for yourfuture.
“If there are workshops, takethem. If there is a counselor, talkto him or her,” Page said. “Do allthat you can, because your futurestarts today.”
207 4th Ave. SE
Red Bay
(256) 356-8771
15347 Hwy. 43Russellville
(256) 332-1108
310 Jackson Ave. N
Russellville
(256) 332-3220300 E. Limestone St.P.O. Box 298 Russellville, AL [email protected]
FFRRAANNKKLLIINN CCOOUUNNTTYY AARRCCHHIIVVEESSaanndd RREESSEEAARRCCHH CCEENNTTEERR
Mary C. (Chris) Ozbirn Director
32 PROGRESS 2010
First-time grandparents enjoy new additionsBy Kellie Singleton
For the FCT
Each parent can distinctlyremember the feeling thatwashed over them as theylooked on their first-born childfor the very first time.
Pride, joy and amazementprobably don’t even come closeto capturing those emotions.
But, as wonderful as thatmoment was, there also seemsto be something special, in a dif-ferent kind of way, when some-one becomes a first-time grand-parent.
Russellville Water BoardManager Doug Clement experi-enced these feelings when hefirst laid eyes on his grand-daughter.
“Things with a grandchild canbe different,” Clement said.“When my children wereyounger, I didn’t seem to havethe time. I was always busy. Butwith my grandbaby, I seem toalways have time to do whatev-er she wants to do.”
Nancy Cooper, RussellvilleCity School’s Safe and DrugFree Schools counselor, alsodescribed having a grandchildas being different from having achild.
“I was thrilled when we foundout and cannot wait to playwith the baby,” Cooper said.“It’s different with a grandchildbecause I can have a lot of funwithout all the responsibility.”
The feelings are still fresh forCooper who just found outrecently that her oldest daugh-ter and her husband wereexpecting their first child, andit will be a boy.
While the feelings that first-time grandparents experiencecan be different than being a
parent, Clement still feels likesome things are the same forchildren and grandchildren.
“I never believed that lovecould be different,” Clementsaid. “The love of your ownchild and the love of a grand-child – there is no difference.”
Clement’s granddaughter isjust 20 months old, so the feel-ings are still fresh for him aswell. He remembers what it waslike to hear that he was going tobe a grandfather.
“Well, I felt a lot older whenthat announcement came,”Clement joked. “Before that Ididn’t feel that old. But when Ikeep her all day and amexhausted, that tells me timehasn’t forgotten me!”
Still, at the end of the day,albeit a tiresome one, Clementcan’t deny how he feels aboutthe new addition to his family.
“At the end of a work day, com-ing home and walking throughthe door and hearing from theother room ‘Pa Pa’s home,’ myheart melts and my soul is full,”Clement said. “You can’t wipethe smile off my face.”
Nathan Strickland/FCTSoon-to-be first time grandparents Nancy and RandyCooper, right, show the sonogram of their daughter and son-in-law, John and Charlotte Millard.
256-974-1658 • Fax 974-240012467 Hwy. 157 • Moulton, AL
Congressman Robert Aderholt & Family
Paid for by Aderholt for Congress
Proud to work for the Economic Growth forthe 4th Congressional District for Alabama.
Congressman Robert Aderholt & Family
33PROGRESS 2010
•••••• EEvveerryy ppeerrssoonn iinn FFrraannkklliinn CCoouunnttyy wwaass pprraayyeedd ffoorr bbyy nnaammee..
•••••• EEvveerryy ppeerrssoonn iinn FFrraannkklliinn CCoouunnttyy ccoouulldd hheeaarr hhooww mmuucchh GGoodd lloovveess tthheemm..
•••••• EEvveerryy ppeerrssoonn iinn FFrraannkklliinn CCoouunnttyy wwaass iinnvviitteedd ttoo aann EEaasstteerr wwoorrsshhiipp sseerrvviiccee oonn SSuunnddaayy,, AApprriill 44..
IMAGINEWHAT IF...
TTOO SSHHAARREE GGOODD’’SSLLOOVVEE
FFiirrsstt BBaappttiisstt CChhuurrcchh RRuusssseellllvviillllee PPaarrttnneerriinngg wwiitthh tthhee FFrraannkklliinn CCoouunnttyy BBaappttiisstt
AAssssoocciiaattiioonn aanndd tthhee AAllaabbaammaa BBaappttiisstt CCoonnvveennttiioonn
First Baptist Russellville Downtown Across from the Roxy
IIssbbeellll CChhuurrcchh ooff CChhrriissttSunday Morning
Bible Study - 10:00 a.m.Sunday Worship - 11:00 a.m.Sunday Evening - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday Night - 7:00 p.m.
Located at the Southof town on Hwy 36 256-331-0909Everyone Welcome!
TharptownFriendship Holiness Church
SSeerrvviicceessSunday School - 10:00 a.m.Sunday Worship - 11:00 a.m.
Sunday Evening Worship - 5:30 p.m.Tuesday Night Worship - 6:30 p.m.
Singing, 1st Sat. of Every Month - 7:00 p.m.
Pastor: Brother William Mears 256-685-34411613 Hwy 80 • Russellville
(1.5 miles past Tharptown High School)For more information Call Marilyn at 256-577-4319
996 Village Wood Dr. • Russellville256-331-3700 • 256-668-3733
If you don’t have a church home, give us a try!
Sunday:Bible Study - 9:00 a.m.
Worship - 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday:Bible Study - 6:30 p.m.
VViinnaa FFiirrsstt BBaappttiisstt CChhuurrcchh110066 CChhuurrcchh SSttrreeeett •• VViinnaa,, AALL 3355559933
Pastor Jerry Swimmer would liketo invite you to visit our Church.
• Morning Service@ 10:00 & 11:00
• Evening Service@ 5:00 & 6:00
• Wednesday Night@ 7:00
Exodus 20.8 Remember theSabbeth day, to keep it holy.
Vina 1stBaptist
TThheessee FFrraannkklliinn CCoouunnttyy CChhuurrcchheess wwoouulldd lliikkee ttoo iinnvviitteeyyoouu ttoo vviissiitt tthheeiirr cchhuurrcchh..
Everyone Welcome!
16241 Highway 43 • Russellville
Nursery Provided (256) 332-2804
Early Morning Services 8:30 am
Late Morning Services 10:30 am
34 PROGRESS 2010
Retirement coming soon for Goggans, McAlisterBy Kellie Singleton
For the FCT
Many of Franklin County’s citizens arenearing the time when they can retire, andthis means they have begun to think aboutwhat they will do with the free time theywill suddenly have.
That day is getting closer for SusanGoggans, Special Education and Inclusion
teacher at Russellville Middle School.“I’m in my 33rd year of teaching and plan
to retire after three more years,” Gogganssaid.
After such a fast-paced career filled withso much responsibility, Goggans is lookingforward to slowing down a bit – but notcompletely.
“I really enjoy doing things for mychurch, First Presbyterian in Russellville,”
Goggans said. “When I retire, I want to beable to devote even more of my time toservice there and to other service organiza-tions. I enjoy doing things for others.”
And even though she loves to help others,Goggans also looks forward to the time shecan have for herself and her family.
“Of course I look forward to spendingmore time with my family and my grand-children,” Goggans said. “I also want tofocus on some of my hobbies and interests.I would even love to learn some new things,like learning to play the flute. That is some-thing I’ve always wanted to do, and now I’llhave the time.”
Goggans added that traveling to a fewplaces would be on her list as well.
“I’ve always wanted to visit Mt. Rushmoreand the Northwest,” Goggans said. “I’mhoping I can find the time to have that expe-rience.”
Fifth grade teacher Gayle McAlistershares more with Goggans than her cur-rent profession of teaching.
She is nearing retirement as well and hassimilar hopes for the way she will spendher time.
“I know I will spend a lot of my time tak-ing care of my family and being a carpoolfor my grandchildren,” McAlister said.“But I also look forward to the fun activi-ties we will do. My husband and I want totravel to the Dakotas, the Great Lakes andup the East coast.”
Like Goggans, McAlister also looks for-ward to the moments where she can taketime to focus on some of her interests.
“I hope to get back to cross stitching,”McAlister said. “That was one of myfavorite hobbies, but when teaching I didn'tseem to have time. I’m also looking forwardto enjoying that second cup of coffee.”
Retirement seems so promising with timefor self and family, but the green grass onthe other side still has its drawbacks.
“I’m going to miss seeing my friendsevery day,” McAlister said. “We have somuch fun when we are together. They havemeant so much to me, and I plan to go backand visit them often.”
Nathan Strickland/FCTGayle McAlister enjoys cross stiching in her spare time and looks forward toenjoying the craft more when she retires in three years.
Front L-R; Vicky, Dr. Morissette, VickieCenter; Kathy & Bengie
Back L-R; Rhonda, Bonnie, Durinda & Patty (256) 332-7137
816 Franklin St. N.E.Russellville, AL
UURROOLLOOGGYYTT..AA.. PPRRIITTCCHHAARRDD,, MM..DD..
552233 GGAANNDDYY SSTT.. SSUUIITTEE EE RRUUSSSSEELLLLVVIILLLLEE,, AALL
((225566)) 333322--55111122
664466 CCOOXX CCRREEEEKK PPWW SSUUIITTEE BB FFLLOORREENNCCEE,, AALL ((225566)) 776644--99999944
•• TTeessttoosstteerroonnee PPeelllleett TThheerraappyy
•• KKiiddnneeyy SSttoonneess •• VVaasseeccttoommyy
•• EErreeccttiillee DDyyssffuunnccttiioonn •• UUrriinnaarryy IInnccoonnttiinneennccee •• PPrroossttaattee//BBllaaddddeerr
KKiiddnneeyy CCaanncceerr
Skilled Nursing Care and Rehab• Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy
• Speech Therapy • Wound Care • Dementia Care • Trach Care
Most insurance accepted
Call Kandy Lundy RN at 256-356-4982for more information or stop by for a tour!
Rehab within your reach!
GGEENNEERRAATTIIOONNSSof Red Bay, LLC
35PROGRESS 2010
Stancils’ enjoying life without the daily grindBy Nathan Strickland
Lonnie and Dorothy Stancil of SprucePine use to have a set routine every morn-ing before they hurried off to work.
Dorothy would wake up a little after 4 a.m.to fix breakfast and lunches before her andher husband’s busy workday began.
Lonnie would stumble out of bed an hourlater, helping himself to a well fixed break-fast then helping his wife make the bedevery single morning.
“I married one of the oldie goldies whogets up early in the morning and likes tocook breakfast for their husband and Ithank God for her,” Lonnie said.
Dorothy said being home with her hus-band doesn’t bother her at all.
“I enjoy it,” she said. “I do it most of thetime anyway, I mean he was at work and Iwas at work and then we would come hometo one another. Now our most time aparthappens when he cleans outside in thegarage and I clean inside the house. That isjust how we do things.”
Lonnie said he has all day to do thingsaround the house.
“A lot of times now, I will start cleaningthe bathroom, then we may get called to govisit someone from our church who is inthe hospital, whenever we get back I may gotake a nap and it might be right before I goto bed before I finish cleaning that bath-room,” he said. “I would do that because Iknow I don’t have to worry about time likeI use to and I have the time to waste orspend doing whatever.”
Almost one year into their retirement,both Lonnie and Dorothy are amazed atwhat a relief it is not to have to hurry any-more.
“I love it,” Lonnie said. “Since we haveboth retired, our usual day consists of get-ting up, making the bed, going to thechurch and walking, coming back and eat-ing some breakfast then waiting for one ofthe kids to call to see which direction weneed to go in.”
Both Lonnie and Dorothy retired onDecember 31, 2008. Both believe they arevery fortunate to be able to finish at thesame time.
“I hardly ever go anywhere withoutDorothy,” Lonnie said. “We have alwaysdone everything together; we cut grasstogether, work in the garden together, do
chores together, we have just always done ittogether.”
Some days the Stancils reflect on the oldworkdays.
“I got up the other morning and lookedout the window and it was raining anddreary outside, then I turned to Dorothy,who use to deliver the mail for a living, andasked her ‘Don’t you miss working on dayslike this.’ And she turned to me and said‘No,’ then we just laughed about it,” Lonniesaid.
After 22 years of service, Lonnie, 66,retired from the Wrangler plant located inHackleburg. He said the thing he missesmost is the social environment.
“I miss the people that I worked with themost,” Lonnie said. “I thought I might misswork entirely just as far as getting up andgoing to work, but I really don’t.”
He said retirement is something to lookforward too.
“What I like about it is I can pretty well dowhat I want to, when I want to and how Iwant to. And if I don’t want to then Iwon’t,” he said.
“I guess I like the freedom from the pres-sures of punching the clock and the reliefof not having to hustle to get things done
when I get home. I can do it at my own pace.“I also like the fact I get to spend lots of
time with my grandkids now.”Lonnie said having the time to plan trips
with the family is another great perk ofretirement.
“The difference of being retired, if themoney lasts, is that you can pick up and goand take trips with your family, but if youare working it is hard to schedule those sortof trips together,” Lonnie said.
These days the Stancils have createdanother routine. They have taken the oldsaying, ‘An apple a day keeps the doctoraway,’ seriously.
Every evening the Stancils escape to theircozy den and enjoy a sliced apple whilecatching the latest news on the television.
“I have never stayed awake long enough tocatch the ten o’clock news cast, because Iknew I had to go to bed early for work thenext day,” Lonnie said. “I don’t have toworry about that anymore.”
The most important thing to the Stancilsthough is their faith.
“God has blessed us in that we have livedlong enough to see retirement and we havewonderful kids and grandkids. We have justenjoyed every aspect of retirement so far.”
Nathan Strickland/FCTLonnie Stancil, left, and Dorothy Stancil, right, enjoy a sliced apple every daywhile watching the news.
256-332-0026 69 Clark Drive & Highway 243 • Russellville, AL
Located in Russellville Industrial Park
36 PROGRESS 2010
If I could change one thingBy Kellie Singleton
For the FCT
There are always those fewthings that you inevitably wishyou had done differently whenyou were younger - those fewtimes where it would be helpfulif you could step into your ownversion of Back to the Future.
Everyone has looked backwith a pang of remorse andthought, “Man… I wish Ihad______.” These are just a fewsuch instances from someFranklin County citizens.
“Instead of spending everypenny I had from age 8 through18 on baseball cards, I wouldhave spent money on somethingthat took up a lot less space inthe attic.”
— District Attorney JoeyRushing, Russellville
“I would have saved moremoney and not spent it onunimportant things.”
— Teresa Seal,Russellville
“I wish I would have learned toswim.”
— Marilyn Stout,Phil Campbell
“I wish I had learned a lot ear-lier that my mother really didknow what she was talkingabout when she gave meadvice.”
— Nikki Trapp Tutich,Russellville
“I really wish I would havecontinued with my piano les-sons.”
— Carol Ann Hardy,Russellville
“I wouldn’t change anything.Everything I did made me who Iam today.”
— Kathy Hovater,Russellville
“I wish I had gone into photog-raphy right out of high school.”
— Kenneth Clark,Russellville
“I wish I would have continuedon with college when I had theopportunity.”
— Karen Blevins,Spruce Pine
“I wish I had married my sec-ond husband first!”
— Rebecca Thomason,Russellville
“I only want to live in the pres-ent and prepare for the future.”
— Circuit Judge TerryDempsey, Belgreen
“I would have finished college.I went to college full time fortwo years and then worked fulltime at Ole Miss. Whileemployed, I could have takentwo free classes each semester.Had I done that, I could havegotten a degree for free.”
— Paula Mullens,Russellville
“I would have been moreinvolved in church when I wasyounger.”
— Susan Godsey,Russellville
“I would have learned how toplay the piano and the banjo.And I also believe that I wouldhave said some things that I did-n’t, and not said some thingsthat I did.”
— Pat Seal,Russellville
“I would’ve liked to have had abig family instead of just onechild.”
— Ida Elliott,Russellville
“I wish that I had gone to col-lege and gotten into lawenforcement at a younger age.”
— Sherri Hubbard,Red Bay
“I would have gone to nursingschool, built a new home, andhad a child with my husband.”
— Elaine Christian,Russellville
“I’ve really enjoyed the sport-ing events that I’ve gone to withmy girls, so I wish I would haveplayed sports when I was inhigh school.”
— Shelia Woods,Russellville
“Looking back I wish I hadbeen able to stay home with mychildren when they were little.Children grow up so fast. Everyday with them is precious.”— Circuit Clerk Anita Scott,
Phil Campbell
Your Home Away From Home!
PPlleeaassee ccaallll oorr ccoommee bbyy oouurr ffaacciilliittyy ffoorr aa ttoouurr ooff oouurr rreehhaabb rroooommss,, aanndd aann eexxppllaannaattiioonn ooff oouurr sseerrvviicceess aanndd hhooww tthheeyy ccaann bbeenneeffiitt yyoouu aanndd yyoouurr ffaammiillyy..
As well as meeting the long-term carehealth needs of the elderly of our
community, we also offer short-termrehab services. This program consists of intense nursing services as well as
physical, occupational, and speechtherapy as required by the patients'
needs in conformance with their physician’s orders.
Hospital admissions are usually onlyfor a very limited stay. Patients are
frequently discharged before they arefully able to stay by themselves. Stays
in our facility covered by Medicareinclude joint replacements, strokes,
and even before generalized weaknessrelated to their hospital stay.
The 20-day stay at our facility gives thepatient time to regain their strength and independence and helps insure
their continued recovery.
Medicare or private insurance maycover these short-term stays. If a stayis Medicare covered, the first 20 days
are covered in full resulting in no out ofpocket expenses for the Patient or theirfamily. If additional therapy is required,Medicare may also cover the 21st thru100th days, but there is a co-payment
during this period that my be paideither thru a supplemental insurance
policy or by private funds.
The rooms in our facility for short-termadmissions have many amenities notfound in other facilities in Russellville
and even in the Shoals area. Large private rooms, which include telephones,patios with furniture, television, electricbeds, tables, chairs for in room dining,
and large bathrooms with showers.
TTeerrrraaccee MMaannoorr NNuurrssiinngg && RReehhaabbiilliittaattiioonn CCeenntteerr,, IInncc..
390 Underwood Rd.,Russellville
256-332-3826Phillip & Sherene Wade
37PROGRESS 2010
Families have many choices for elderly careBy Nathan Strickland
When age takes a turn for the worst andfolks are unable to take care of themselves intheir later years, there is an option for help.
Assisted living and nursing homes are sim-ilar, but extremely different at the same time.The best-case scenario is that everyone willbe able to take care of him or herself and livein the place they have lived for years andyears until age takes them into the next life.
But when elderly family members become aburden to other relatives, there are placesthat offer care for them.
Lawrence Place assisted living inRussellville was shut down in January 2008.Fortunately, Southern Rural Home Healthpurchased the building and re-opened asSouthern Manor assisted living. The build-ing has been newly renovated and has 34 spa-cious rooms to offer.
Southern Manor is home to only 10 patients,so there is plenty of spots available. SouthernManor administrator Tammy Trapp saidthere are definitely differences betweenassisted living and nursing homes.
“In assisted living we just assist patientswith their daily activities. They have theirown private room and they can come and goas they please. If they want to go and spendthe night with family they can,” she said.“It’s really like an apartment for them. Theycan bring their own furniture and decoratetheir room how they want to. We just assistwith their baths if they need it or we do theirlaundry its just like home really.”
Trapp admits to having never worked at anursing home, but she said she has an idea ofhow they work.
“Nursing homes provide skilled nursingcare, assisted living does not,” she said.“Now, home healthcare can come in here andprovide care if the doctor has ordered it, butwe just assist them with things like theirmedication and stuff only if they need it. “
Burns Nursing Home in Russellville main-tains a high quality of service, caring for 57patients with 74 employees.
Burns Nursing Home administrator LarryDeArman said there are over 1,000 waysnursing homes differ from assisted living.
“The safety code is different. Regulationsare different. There are a number of thingsthat are different,” he said.
“We have licensed nurses and aids on hand24 hours a day, seven days a week to help withour patients needs.”
DeArman said some families have to find aplace for their elderly to stay and have assis-tance 24/7.
“We are not a military or anything likethat,” he said. “We do have regulations wehave to follow, but we don’t have strict rules.People still have their rights here.”
DeArman said most of the patients areadmitted by a doctor, but there are instanceswhere that has changed.
“In some cases, if a doctor has admitted a
spouse of someone, that someone can movein too,” he said. “As a matter of fact we havea husband and wife team where one is livinghere and the other is staying in an assistedliving. The wife gets her caretaker to bringher over to the nursing home to see her hus-band every week. It seems to be rough onthem, but they stay on the phone a lot talkingback and forth until one of them fallsasleep.”
“Some people refer to us as an old folkshome, but we see it as we are just taking careof the people who need to be cared for,”DeArman said.
Nursing homes and rehabilitation centershave come together as one in recent years.
Terrace Manor Nursing and RehabilitationCenter administrator Phillip Wade said therehabilitation aspect of nursing homes has-n’t been a part of the business long, but ithelps older citizens make a transition fromthe hospital to home.
“A lot of facilities are doing rehab now, butsome are still hesitant about incorporating itinto their business,” he said.
“Changes in regulations has helped us offera 20 day rehab program for patients who, forexample, have hip replacement surgery anddon’t want to stay in the hospital. They cancome here to our facility, finish their rehab,and slowly make the transition back to theirhome life. It is a really efficient program.”
Terrace Manor’s facility has been around
since the 1960s and has been an independent-ly owned, hands-on operation for every yearsince its establishment, Wade said. They areequipped with 75 employees and operate with63 units.
“The government has went to a five star rat-ing and I believe it is safe to say we are theonly five star rated nursing home in thecounty,” Wade said.
Nathan Strickland/FCTGlenda Brackin, an aide at Southern Manor Assisted Living in Russellville, helpslong-time resident Thomas Evans. Franklin County has several assisted livingand nursing home options available.
38 PROGRESS 2010
Franklin County citizens remember simpler timesBy Kellie Singleton
For the FCT
With all the modern conveniences oftoday, it sometimes seems like it couldn’t beany better than it is right now.
The vast knowledge contained on theWorld Wide Web can be just a click awaythanks to cell phones.
That friend that no one has heard fromsince high school can be found onFacebook.
When you want a hamburger for lunch,you don’t have to kill your own cow to pre-pare it yourself. You can just drive right onover to McDonald’s and order one – in adrive-thru.
Times certainly have changed, but thereare those in Franklin County who remem-ber the way things used to be in the “goodol’ days.”
Franklin County residents Bill and RhodaJackson have fond memories of their child-hood and the way they used to do thingsback then.
Bill grew up right here in FranklinCounty. His parents were farmers, and heand his friends found some interestingways to entertain themselves on the farm.
“One of my most vivid memories of mychildhood is of corn cob fighting,” Bill said.
“We’d gather up old corn cobs that werelying around the barn and pick teams. Oneteam would be in the loft and the otherwould be on the ground. The goal was tomake it either down or up the ladder to theother team without getting knocked downby a corn cob.”
“I think that was mean,” Rhoda said whilelaughing. “My pastimes were much tamerthan that. I played basketball at the gym atmy school.”
Rhoda, who grew up in Green County,Ark., played on her school’s basketballteam for five years.
“Transportation was much different backthen,” Bill added. “Riding around in myToyota is much different than ridingaround in a horse-drawn wagon.”
“Yes,” Rhoda joked. “The horse power was
slightly different back in those days.”Lanny McAlister also grew up right here
in Franklin County, and he rememberswhat it was like to be a teenager duringsimpler times.
“I remember football at the old ThomasStadium, good times at the old RussellvilleHigh School and sock hops,” McAlistersaid. “I miss those carefree high schooldays.”
Carefree days and simpler times seem torank close to the top of the list of thingspeople miss about the way things were.
“When things were simpler,” Bill said,“families could spend more time togetherbecause things weren’t so rushed backthen.”
According to McAlister, the rushedlifestyle and the new technologies havecaused the family dynamic to change.
“The children are no longer children,”McAlister observed. “They are small adultsand are required to perform as such. Thereis no time to be a child.”
Thanks to the new technologies, childrentoday have plenty to keep them occupied.But back then, children were still able tofind plenty to entertain themselves with.Bill spent many an afternoon climbingtrees.
“These weren’t big trees,” Bill said. “Theywere saplings, really. We would climb onone and then swing it over to one next to it.We’d keep going like that to see who couldmake it the farthest without falling off.Now that was fun.”
Even though technology has been causefor many of the changes that have takenplace over the years, it still has its rightfulplace in society.
“I enjoy things like e-mail and my cellphone,” Rhoda said. “I can keep up with myfamily that lives far away, so it’s nice tohave that. I’m not very familiar with all thetechnology, but I do like to use what Iknow.”
“I don’t get into technology much,” Billsaid with a smile. “I was raised simple, andI’m still simple.”
“While I enjoy and use [different technolo-gies], I long for a simpler time when adultsand children can get to know each otherand enjoy life,” McAlister said.
McAlister is grateful for the small townupbringing he experienced and attributesthat for the way he feels about simplertimes and a strong family life.
The Jacksons are grateful for the upbring-ing they experienced, as well.
“Everything I went through as a childhelped me go through things as an adult,”Bill said. “It made me strong. I could dowithout things now because I went withoutthings then.”
“My father taught me that your word wasyour bond,” Rhoda added. “You don’t seemuch of that anymore, and I’m thankful forthe morals and integrity I learned backthen.”
Nathan Strickland/FCTLanny McAlister scrolls across the screen of a new cell phone, but he vividlyremembers using the old rotary phones for years.
39PROGRESS 2010
256-331-97001369-A George Wallace Ave.
(Hwy. 43) • Littleville
Family Practice & PediatricsWeight Loss
Clinic8-5 Mon. - Fri.
Saturday byappointments only
Most Insurances Accepted
Family Medical Clinic, LLCKathy Blasingame,
CRNP
Kathy Blasingame, CRNP Sheree Canida
Shellie Stockton Patricia Gargis
Member FDIC
Red Bay Russellville • Vina
1908
1976
1920 1879
1961Joe M. TuckerCertified Public Accountant, P.C.Income Tax Preparation • 41 Years Exp.
Free E-File • Business & Payroll Services
509 North Jackson Ave., Russellville, ALTelephone (256)332-2004 • Fax (256)332-8254
email: [email protected]
1975
One of the oldest sign shops in the state!
RUSSELLVILLETRANSMISSION
SERVICEServing RussellvilleFor Over 30 Years
256-332-6660208 Carroll Ave. SE
When you say it withflowers, say it with ours.
Years In Business
Working for the future of Franklin County to provide an adequate source of good drinking water and future
industrial development for good jobs and county growth
40 PROGRESS 2010
256-277-0700
41PROGRESS 2010
Burial customs evolve, but do not go out of styleBy Scot Beard
The death of a loved one can be a trying timefor many families.
One of the ways of dealing with the stressand sorrow is through a funeral service,which allows families and friends the oppor-tunity to get closure.
Time changes everything, but when itcomes to customs dealing with the dead,many practices have evolved but not disap-peared.
Jackie Peoples of Spry Funeral Home inRussellville has long been fascinated with thehistory of burial customs through the ages.
“I could talk about the history for hours,”Peoples said.
He said the ancient Roman custom of hiringprofessional mourners has fallen out of style,but many of the events surrounding deathhave survived to this day.
“Flowers are now used as a sign of empa-thy,” Peoples said. “Many years ago theyhelped musk the odors of death.”
Some practices were forgotten for severalthousand years but came back into populari-ty about 150 years ago.
Egyptians were the first culture to embalmthe dead. They had four different techniquesand the one applied to the deceased dependedon his or her social rank.
The poorest were drug out into the desertand left for several weeks. The high salt con-tent removed the moisture in the body, leav-ing a very well preserved corpse.
“Actually, the embalming the poorest peoplegot was a little better than the ruling class,”Peoples said. “They weren’t going to drag theking in the desert and leave him there for awhile.”
Eventually the practice ended, but a revivalbegan during the American Civil War.
Many families had their sons embalmed sothey could get the body home for burial.
Peoples said many people have a misconcep-tion about embalming.
“A lot of people think embalming will makethe body last forever,” Peoples said.
“The goal is to slow down the process.”Other parts of the funeral industry have
also evolved over time.The job of the modern funeral director is
derived from two occupations – sexton andfurniture maker.
Sextons were caretakers at cemeteries andthe furniture makers also built caskets.
“You would go to the furniture store and buya casket and they would deliver it to yourhouse and decorate your parlor for the wakeand funeral,” Peoples said.
“Just about every home had a parlor in it forsuch occasions.”
That is why the rooms funeral homes use for
visitations are called parlors.Over time wakes – where family would sit
with the recently deceased overnight –became less popular in the traditional sense.The modern version of the wake is called vis-itation.
“It is a lot more personal, but less formalthan a funeral,” Peoples said.
“It allows people to visit with each other andshare their thoughts.”
Another tradition that has evolved is bury-ing loved ones in family plots.
In some areas in Alabama, it is not unusualto find a small cluster of graves outside ofcemeteries where a few generations of a fam-ily are buried.
These are few and far between Peoples saidbecause the most popular place was thechurch cemetery.”
“Everybody wanted to be buried at thechurch,” Peoples said.
“The areas around the churches were theclosest places to God.”
He said it is still possible to create a familycemetery, but the state rules and regulationspeople have to go through to get the siteapproved are usually more hassle than mostpeople want to deal with.
He said now many people get a section ofplots close together in the church cemetery orpurchase a grouping of plots at commercialcemeteries for their families.
Burns Nursing Home offers professional medical care in a home-based environment.A place where residents are given the care and support they need to achieve and
maintain the best quality of life.
Our staff is trained to assist each new resident in any and every waypossible - whether it’s for short-term rehabilitation or a long-term residency.
Our nurses and staff provide professional care with compassion and respectfor each individual’s dignity. Each resident’s designated physician prescribes all
care and treatment provided by our around-the-clock licensed nursing staff.
•
For more information about Burns Nursing Home or to apply for admission,give us a call today at (256)332-4110 or fax inquiries to (256)332-4163.
•
42 PROGRESS 2010
Atkins creates lasting memorials from graniteBy Scot Beard
Throughout the existence of mankind aselect few have made a big enough impres-sion on the world that they have left a lastinglegacy in the history books.
Many others are forgotten in the vast sea oftime.
Grant Atkins of Atkins Marble & GraniteWorks, Inc. in Russellville is helping the aver-age person in Franklin County from avoidingthe same fate of all of those forgotten souls.
His craft keeps the memory of individualsaround long after they have died — he buildsstone memorials.
“It’s rewarding work,” Atkins said. “I get tohelp a troubled family by providing a needand (the tombstones) will be there for hun-dreds of years.”
He is the fourth generation Atkins to workat the business, which dates back to 1926. Hestarted when he was 16 years old and now hisson, John, works at the company.
In addition to making tombstones, Atkinsalso makes pet markers and marble signs forsubdivisions, parks and churches.
Atkins said the process of making memori-als and the materials used have changed overthe years, but today’s stones are more intri-cate and last longer.
“The first step is to sit with the customerand decide what they want,” Atkins said.“Through a process of elimination, the stoneis selected.”
There are several options at every step.First customers decide if they want a flat
stone or an upright. This usually depends onthe regulations of the cemetery in which thestone will be placed.
Some cemeteries only allow flat stones withbronze plaques while others have no restric-tions.
Atkins said there is one unwritten restric-tion that is enforced at every cemetery.
“You can’t have more stone than you haveproperty to set it on,” Atkins said.
Once the type of stone is selected, the cus-tomer then chooses the stone’s look.
Different types of rocks are used for memo-rials, but granite and marble are the two mostcommon. Atkins said, however, that a rock isnot a rock.
Granite cultivated from Georgia will have adifferent look from granite cultivated fromItaly.
One of the biggest differences in the graniteis the size and types of grains that give therock its speckled look. Some granite mighthave red grains while another has black.
The tightness of the grains also affects thelook. Small grains packed tightly togethermakes the stone look more like a single, uni-form color while large, loose grains offer amore spotted stone.
Atkins said even two pieces taken from thesame quarry might not have the same designwhen it comes to natural grains in the rocks.
“Many people are used to manufactured
products where everything is identical, butthese stones were made by nature.”
Once the color is picked out, customers thendecide what kind of design they want.
Atkins said the combinations of possibili-ties are nearly endless. The sides and top ofthe memorial can be left rough or polished.
Images can be carved into the stone or thestone can be shaped into hearts, angels, cross-es or other shapes.
If the stone is a dark color, Atkins can evenput a multi-color scene on the stone. The dis-play at the business is a black stone with a fallscene with red, yellow and orange leavedtrees.
“It has to be a dark stone for contrast,”Atkins said.
Atkins said he could even carve personal-ized photos into the stone.
After the customer approves the informa-tion and design of the memorial, Atkins saidthe stone could be at the gravesite in six toeight weeks.
The first step of the process uses a plotter tocreate a stencil.
The stencil is then applied to the stone andthey use an abrasive powder to cut into theface of the stone.
The powder can alsobe used to contour theimages in the stone,which gives designssuch as leaves a life-like look.
Dyes are used to pro-vide contrast to lettersand the outlines ofdesigns to make themmore visible.
Once the memorial isat the gravesite,Atkins said it wouldlast for several hun-dred years. He saidthere are no preserva-tives to keep the stone
from weathering, but better tools used todayhelp the stone survive the years.
“Older stones were made with steel tools,”Atkins said. “We now have carbide tools fordeeper cuts. They also used softer stonesyears ago.”
He also said the surfaces of today’s stonesare polished much better than older stonesand that helps prevent weathering.
Atkins said the job does not get old becauseeach tombstone is as unique as every personis unique.
He also likes to see his diverse work at localcemeteries.
“The cemetery is my art gallery,” Atkinssaid.
Scot Beard/FCTAtkins displays several available memorial stones in front of his business, above.A stencil, left, is placed on the stone to help Atkins design the memorial.
332-650024 Hour Service • Licensed & BondedFree Estimates • Free Second Opinion
Specialize in Any TypePlumbing Repairs & ServiceResidential or Commercial
In Business Since 1975
256-332-0198 • 3001 Hwy. 77 • Russellville 256-760-3392 • 122 N. Royal Ave. • Florence
www.hlasp.com
2244 HHoouurr EEmmeerrggeennccyy SSeerrvviiccee
43PROGRESS 2010
Russellville Utilities
Proud to provide the citizens of Russellville and surrounding community with water and sewer services.
Board Members:Joe Graham - Chairman,
Dan Terry, Curtis Grissom, Dick Tutich, Wanda Myrick, Doug Clement - Manager
1296 Walnut Gate Road • Russellville • 256/332-2020 • Fax 256/332-3592
Proud to Provide Utility Services to Russellville
721 South Jackson Avenue • Russellville • 332-3850
Russellville Electric Board
Russellville Water & Sewer Board
Charles CanidaChairperson
Jerry McDuffaVice-Chairperson
Tom Pace - Board Member
Steve DeFoorChief Executive Officer
Bill Jackson -Board Member
Dexter HamiltonSecretary/Treasurer
Taking great pride in serving the power needs of itscustomers and the community.
