Newsletter

March 27, 2025

Florence Parks and Recreation enjoyed a chilly first day of spring exploring the River Heritage Trail in one of two new electric shuttles! Completed last spring, The River Heritage Trail extends approximately 1.3 miles along the scenic Tennessee River canal and connects River Heritage Park to the Patton Island Overlook. It's absolutely beautiful to walk along the river, watch the birds, and explore the history of the Tennessee River along the way.

Congratulations to Deputy Chief Ira Davis for graduating from the FBI National Academy's 293rd Session on Thursday. He is now among the top 1% of police executives in the world to receive this prestigious training and education. Welcome home Deputy Chief Davis. We are proud of you!

Chief Mike Holt said, "This was a great opportunity, not only for Deputy Chief Davis but for our department and our community. I am excited to hear what he has learned and include that in our continued improvement to our service to the citizens of Florence."

VOCAL will honor and remember crime victims by placing a white cross with their picture displayed in front of the Lauderdale County Courthouse during the week.

Keynote Speaker: Attorney General Steve Marshall.

Featured Speakers: Lauderdale County District Attorney, Chris Connolly, VOCAL State Director, Wanda Miller and representatives from the Lauderdale County District Attorney’s Office, Florence Police Department, Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department, Cramer Children’s Center, Safe Place, The Healing Place, One Place of Shoals, and VOCAL of the Shoals.

Music by Alyssa Ashley-Guin and Gary Nichols.

This is a public event open to everyone.

*RAIN SITE for Vigil*

First Baptist Church of Florence

209 N Walnut Street Florence, AL. 35630

To learn more about National Crime Victims’ Rights Week visit https://ovc.ojp.gov/ . Learn more about VOCAL www.vocalonline.org. Search for VOCAL of the Shoals on Facebook.

For more information: email vocaloftheshoals2024@gmail.com

Utility construction has begun on Rickwood Road to relocate the gas and water mains in preparation for the road-widening project. Please slow down and be aware of the workers present. Thank you!

Passengers can now book directly to Pensacola (PNS) and/or connect through Charlotte (CLT) on American Airlines. Input MSL on aa.com and/or contourairlines.com from Muscle Shoals (MSL).

BIG NEWS!! We are thrilled to announce that our Florence store will officially be opening on April 26th!!! Be sure to mark your calendar, like and share this post, and help us celebrate this new chapter for Happy Hollow!!

The impressive Florence City Cemetery was established in 1818 when the City of Florence itself came into being, and the citizenry has always made sure it receives the maintenance it needs. An interesting artifact that reflects its on-going care surfaced recently. It is dated 1897 and bears this on the letterhead: “Office of the Board of Cemetery Trustees.” The names of officers of the Board are listed as the following: H.C. Jones, President; R.L. Bliss, Treasurer; and John T. Ashcraft, Secretary – all were leading citizens of the City at the time. (See a copy of a portion of the artifact accompanying this week’s column.) The document is a kind of status report of the cemetery’s condition and a request for maintenance funding from families who owned lots within it. In part, it reads: “We need money to pay for the work that is constantly being done. Visit the Cemetery yourself and see the improvement. Can you send us your contribution, for 1897, now? If you cannot pay the sum above indicated [$10.00 per annum], send what you can. One dollar is a small sum, but it will nearly pay for two days labor.” The total collected from this appeal is not known, but it’s impressive to know that even the cemetery was not neglected as the leaders of Florence wanted everything about the town to reflect the citizens’ pride in their beloved City. Today, the City Cemetery is listed on the Alabama Registry of Historic Cemeteries.

--Billy Warren, City Historian (brwarren@florenceal.org)

The Florence Parks and Recreation Foundation invites the community to enjoy a series of Let's Go Fishing events at Deibert Park in 2025. Participants are encouraged to bring their own tackle and can choose to Catch and Keep, Catch and Release, or Catch and Share.

Upcoming Dates & Times:
🎣 March 28: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
🎣 April 25: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
🎣 June 17: 6:30 AM - 11:30 AM
🎣 September 18: 6:30 AM - 11:30 AM
🎣 October 4: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Come cast a line and enjoy the great outdoors!

The Shoals Chamber of Commerce and Shoals Scholar Dollars will team up in March for the inaugural Sweet Sounds of the Shoals event. Sweet Sounds of the Shoals will be an evening event including an indulgent sampling of desserts from our local restaurant and cafe community, a signature cocktail crafted just for the occasion, and a coffee bar. As you savor these sweet treats, enjoy live entertainment, including an exciting dueling piano performance featuring music made famous in Muscle Shoals and more surprises throughout the night. Restaurants will compete for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for the Best Dessert in the Shoals!

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. is on the move - bringing the legendary story of Aretha Franklin to life - and will be coming to Florence, AL, in just a few short weeks! Photo Credit: Vincent Bao

Grab your tickets now at www.shoalsscholardollars.com

Join us for six weeks of ballroom swing dance classes at Royal Recreation Center. Classes begin Thursday, March 20, at 2:30 PM. $60 per person, no partner necessary.

Call 256-760-6425 for more information.

New Business: Sav's Dance is a new business that provides Salsa & Bachata lessons at Royal Recreation Center. Classes are the perfect mix of fun, energy, and rhythm.

No partner? No worries! We’ll pair you up

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, April - May, 6pm - 7pm, Cost: $60

March and April are "Choose Your Own Cleanup" months—a challenge to keep Florence clean and beautiful! Gather a group, pick a location, and we’ll provide the supplies. Let’s work together to make a difference! Need supplies, call 256-760-6495 or 256-760-6498 or email: recycle@florenceal.org.

The Florence-Lauderdale Public Library brings Dr. Blake Scott Ball to discuss his book Charlie Brown's America: The Popular Politics of Peanuts. Dr. Ball's book covers how Charles Schultz used the Peanuts comic strip to comment on the rapidly changing politics of America.

Tour begins at the corner of Hermitage Drive and Walnut Street at 10:00 a.m. Parking is available at the tennis courts on Hermitage Drive. This tour is led by Billy Warren.

The Walnut Street Historic District boasts tree-lined sidewalks, diverse architecture and elegant homes. Walk by 29 beautifully restored houses that originally comprised the Walnut Street Historic District and were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

Call the Florence-Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau to register: (256) 740-4141

The Shoals Area Lions Club is bringing the magic of Easter straight to residents' yards with "Egg My Yard." Families can wake up to a delightful Easter morning surprise with colorful, candy-filled eggs scattered throughout their yards.

Participants can choose between delivery or a special pick-up option at UNA from April 14th-18th. Orders require a minimum of 20 eggs, priced at $1 per egg, with a deadline to order by April 12th.

All proceeds from this event support the Shoals Area Lions Club’s mission of vision care, disaster relief, and community service. The Lions Club will be assisting the Easter Bunny within the Florence city limits and in the Mountain Brook community in Killen. To order, visit www.zeffy.com/ticketing/egg-my-yard-11.

Join us for a 4-week country line dance class on Thursdays in April (3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th) from 6:30-7:30 PM at the Broadway Recreation Center. $40 per person. Instructor: Jan Ownby.

Limited space available. Call 256-760-6418 to register.

Students are invited to participate in the Clean Campus Poster Contest with the theme “Help The Shoals Thrive! Clean Up in 2025!” The contest is open to two categories: K-3rd and 4th-6th grade. Entries must be submitted to The Shoals Chamber (20 Hightower Pl) on a standard white poster or foam board, using any medium. The back of each entry should include the student’s name, school, grade, and parent contact details.

The Better Business Bureau of North Alabama, in partnership with Family Security Credit Union, presents Florence Shred Day on Friday, April 4, at the Florence-Lauderdale Coliseum. This free community event runs from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, offering drive-thru document shredding. Participants may bring up to three kitchen-size bags or three file storage boxes, ensuring plastic, metal, and binders are removed.

The Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts welcomes Huntsville artist Monica Yother as she hosts Cultivate Your Creativity: An Art Journal Retreat from April 4th through April 6th in the Southall House.

This hands-on retreat is designed to help creatives stay motivated, break through creative blocks, and develop personalized practices to keep inspiration flowing.

The 21st Annual Empty Bowls Luncheon to Feed the Hungry will take place on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Renaissance Shoals Hotel Conference Center. Hosted by the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, the event supports local hunger relief efforts. Tickets are available for $20 in advance or at the door. Shuttle service will be provided for convenience.

First Metro Bank locations in Muscle Shoals, Downtown Florence, Tuscumbia, and Russellville will be accepting donations for the FAME Girls’ Ranch until Wednesday, April 23rd. Needed items for the ranch include laundry detergent/pods, paper products, general cleaning products, shampoo/conditioner, soap, body wash, sunblock, aloe, lotion, hairbrushes, and fabric stain remover. Monetary donations can also be accepted at any First Metro Bank location. FAME Girls’ Ranch occupies the former home of the Rick Hall family in Russellville. The mission of the ranch is to provide a family-style residential home for abandoned and abused youth in an atmosphere where they may grow spiritually and physically into productive, responsible, and happy adults.

The 2025 Project Threadways Symposium will take place in Florence, Alabama, on April 25-26, focusing on Food, Clothing, and Shelter. This annual event explores the intersections of textiles, community, and sustainability through engaging discussions and presentations. Stay tuned for more details on speakers and programming.

The National Day of Prayer will be observed on May 1, 2025, at Wilson Park in Florence, commencing at 12:00 PM. This year’s theme, "Pour Out to the God of HOPE and be Filled," invites the community to gather in prayer and reflection. Minister Justin Pannell of Sherrod Avenue Church of Christ will coordinate the event.

Join the community for Taco ‘Bout a Fun Night on May 3, 2025, at 5 PM at 1954 Jackson Rd, Florence, AL. This exciting event benefits Holos Hope and features a silent auction, live music, and dinner provided by Lizzie’s Coffee Bar. Tickets are $40—register now to secure your spot for a night of fun and giving!

The Shoals Storytelling Festival is set to bring captivating tales and talented storytellers to Florence, Alabama. Known for its rich tradition of oral storytelling, the festival offers a unique experience filled with humor, history, and heartwarming narratives. Click for event details and ticket information!

The 2nd Annual Police Week Tournament will take place on May 16, 2025, at Blackberry Trail Golf Course in Florence, with a 9 AM shotgun start. This four-man scramble supports the Florence Alabama Police Foundation. Registration is $500 per team and includes breakfast, lunch, green and cart fees, a goodie bag, range balls, and a tournament t-shirt (if registered by May 1). Contests include closest to the pin, longest drive, and putting. Sponsorships are available. For more information, contact 256-366-5725 or jmeza@florenceal.org.

Join us in 2025 for two incredible events supporting local youth in the Shoals area. These events directly benefit the children and families served by Big Brothers Big Sisters. Stay tuned for more details! For more information, email Nicole Hall at nicole@bbbsshoals.org.

Bowl for Kids’ Sake: May 16-18, 2025

Big Little Gala: November 7, 2025

The annual Arts Alive Festival, sponsored by the Kennedy-Douglass Volunteers, is set to bring another vibrant weekend of art, music, and community to Wilson Park in downtown Florence. For over 35 years, this juried arts festival has supported art education and programs in the area.

Held every third weekend in May, the event attracts thousands of visitors who enjoy browsing and purchasing artwork from regional artists. With live music, food trucks, and a gallery exhibit, there’s something for everyone.

Mark your calendars for Arts Alive 2025 on May 17 & 18 and experience this beloved tradition!

Save the date! Join us on June 14, 2025, at the Florence-Lauderdale Coliseum for a night of music and celebration. Featuring The Soul Serenaders and The New Additions, with a special spotlight on Prince Phillip Mitchell.

Parks and Recreation
Part Time - $13.66 Hourly
Laborer Electricity
Electricity Department
Part Time - $13.66 Hourly
Maintenance Worker Park and Recreation

Part Time - $13.66 Hourly
Police Officer
Police Department
Full Time - $44,330.46 - $70,840.71 Annually
Pool Attendant
Parks and Recreation
Part Time - $13.66 Hourly

The Mayor and Council members will hold the next council meeting

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

4:00 pm Work Session

5:00 pm Council Meeting

The council meetings are held at

109 South Pine Street, Florence, AL 35630.

• Public and community events or announcements can be submitted by attaching an email, Word document, PDF, or JPG file suitable for viewing on the web. Include graphics in JPG or PNG if possible.
• Along with your information, include your name, phone number, event name, location, date and time, and a brief description.
• IMPORTANT: Please submit your information no later than Tuesday of each week (preferably sooner). Submissions after the deadline will be added to the next week's publication. The newsletter is posted on Thursday afternoon.
• Send your information to rmansell@florenceal.org or call Rachel Koonce with questions at 256-760-6494.

Email: abetterton@florenceal.org
Website: florenceal.org
Location: 110 West College Street, Florence, AL, USA
Phone: (256)760-6400