Newsletter

May 23, 2024

Date: Monday, May 27, 2024

Time: 11:00 a.m.

Location: Veterans Memorial Park, 301 Veterans Park Drive, Florence, AL
(Alternate location in case of inclement weather: Florence-Lauderdale Coliseum, 702 Veterans Drive, Florence, AL)

Event Description: Memorial Day is a federal holiday commemorated each year on the last Monday in May to honor the American service members who sacrificed their lives to defend our country. The 2024 Florence-Lauderdale Memorial Day Ceremony theme is "Freedom is Not Free, Some Paid All."

Attendance: This event is open to all. Seating is limited, but standing room is available. Attendees are encouraged to bring their chairs.

Program Highlights: Wreath-laying ceremony, Playing of Taps, Prayer and other special remembrances, Pledge of Allegiance, and Singing of the National Anthem and "All Gave Some, Some Gave All"

Special Recognition: Veterans and Gold Star family members will be collectively recognized and thanked for their service.

Ceremony Brochure: A special brochure outlining the program events and featuring colorful Memorial Day pictures will be distributed.

Fallen Heroes Memorial: Attendees are invited to visit the Fallen Heroes Memorial after the ceremony.

Viewing Options: The ceremony will also be streamed live on the City of Florence's Facebook page for those unable to attend in person.

Note: This event is a significant opportunity to express gratitude to our fallen heroes and their families. Family members of fallen heroes and veterans are especially encouraged to attend and honor the memory and service of their loved ones.

Join us in paying tribute to those who have given their all for our freedom.

The Second Annual Make Music Day Florence Is Set For June 21, 2024

Make Music Florence is a free, citywide day of music to be held annually on June 21, the longest day of the year.

Our Second Annual Make Music Day festival is part of the larger Make Music Day, an international summer solstice music celebration occurring in 1,000+ cities across the globe. This year, coffee shops, restaurants, retail shops, centers of worship, front porches, parks, and other locations across Florence will fill with music for everyone to enjoy!

What?

• Music "Performed by Anyone, Enjoyed by Everyone" across Florence.
• Open to music makers of ALL ages, skill levels, and musical persuasions.
• Venues, including businesses, parks, and churches, can register and request performers.
• Performers can register to match with possible venues.
• Do you have a venue and a performer? Register your event.
• As events are scheduled, they will be listed on makemusicday.org/Florence/

When?
Annually, on June 21st

Where?
Throughout the City of Florence!

Make Music Day is presented by Mayor Betterton & Council, Florence Academy of Fine Arts, Florence Public Library, Florence Arts & Museums, Florence Parks & Recreation, UNA, Shoals Chamber of Commerce, and the Downtown Florence Alliance.

We are thrilled to introduce the newest members of our fire department. Let's get to know these dedicated individuals who are ready to serve and protect our community.

Luke Harper

• Hometown: Meridian, Mississippi
• Education: Graduate of Northeast Lauderdale County High School
• College: Played baseball at Pearl River Community College and UNA, where he earned his bachelor's degree
• Professional: Played professional baseball in the independent Frontier League
• Personal: Married last year after attending UNA together as student-athletes

Christian Irons

• Hometown: Waterloo, AL
• Education: Graduate of Waterloo High School
• Volunteer Work: Active with Waterloo Volunteer Fire Department
• Studies: Nearing completion of his bachelor's degree in biochemistry

Will Jangaard

• Education: Graduated from Mars Hill Bible School; holds a degree in economics from Birmingham Southern
• Professional Background: Experience with TNT Fireworks and in the insurance business
• Family: Married to Rebecca, a speech pathologist at Forest Hills; father to 4-year-old Owen, with a baby girl on the way in October

Jerry Neese

• Hometown: Lexington, AL
• Education: Graduate of Lexington High School
• Family: Proud father of 3 children
• Hobbies: Enjoys running his kids to their various sporting events

Carson Terry

• Hometown: Florence, AL
• Education: Graduate of Wilson High School
• Personal: Engaged to Kailey; proud father of a 6-month-old daughter named Wrenley
• Excited: Eager to start his career and serve the community

Please join us in welcoming these outstanding individuals to our team. We are confident they will make a significant impact in keeping our community safe.

Council Member Kaytrina Simmons proudly presented a proclamation from Mayor Betterton, declaring May 21, 2024, as Daughters of the American Revolution Day in Florence. This honors the 100th anniversary of the Alamance Chapter, NSDAR, and their commitment to preserving American history and fostering patriotic citizenship.

Happy 100th Birthday, DAR!

Thank you to the artists and food vendors for braving the weather, our community for showing up and supporting the arts, the sponsors for believing in the power of art, and, most importantly, to our incredible Kennedy-Douglass volunteers. We are so grateful for your time and dedication!

We are offering a Free Summer Pet Program! If you are looking for something Rewarding this Summer, we have several things for kids to do while they learn about Responsibility, Kindness, and Compassion. Volunteers of every age are welcome to come and participate:

• Doggie day outs
• Walking dogs
• Helping with laundry and dishes
• Playing with the cats
• Filling the treat buckets

Also, beginning Wednesday, June 5 at 11:00 am, we will have Story Time for all children 10 years and under. Come and join us for some fun this Summer!

In the February 2, 1896, issue of the Florence Times, this ominous headline appeared: “Alarm in East Florence.” The article raised the fear that dye-water from the Cherry Cotton Mills, which emptied into Sweetwater Creek, had killed several animals that had drunk the water and also had killed all of the fish in what the article terms “the classic stream” [Sweetwater Creek originates today, as it did in 1896, on the Sweetwater Plantation and forms a creek through east Florence, ultimately emptying into the Tennessee River.] The article then included a short report to Col. N.F. Cherry, owner of Cherry Cotton Mills, penned by Doctor W.M. Price, a physician in Florence, who states that he had conducted an investigation into the matter. In part, the report states: “There is one ingredient which might be injurious to animal life. It would, however, have to be taken in large quantity to be dangerous.” Dr. Price goes further to say: “The substance cannot possibly affect the healthfulness of Sweetwater Creek, as it is insoluble in water and hence entirely harmless.” For emphasis, he adds, “All other ingredients are, likewise, entirely harmless.” In his attempt to be even more convincing, he concludes with: “This opinion is endorsed by one of our best chemists and pharmacists.” Curiously, he didn’t identify the “chemists and pharmacists,” so it is supposed that emission of dye-water into Sweetwater Creek went on unimpeded in the Cherry Cotton Mills.

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

Administrative Assistant to the City Council

Laborer Part Time

Lifeguard Part Time

Maintenance Worker

Multi Equipment Operator Welder

Police Chief

Truck Driver

The Mayor and Council members will hold the next council meeting

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

4:00 pm Work Session

5:00 pm Council Meeting

The council meetings are held at 109 South Pine Street, Florence, AL 35630.

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

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• Send your information to rmansell@florenceal.org or call Rachel Koonce with questions at 256-760-6494.