Welcome To December!
Mayor Andy Betterton
December 2, 2021
Friday Night Holiday Lineup: December 3, 2021
11 AM - 5:00 PM Santa Paws Christmas Market
The Florence-Lauderdale Animal Services, located on 3240 Roberson Road, will host a Christmas Market to raise funds. The market will be open Friday, & Saturday, December 3-4
4:30 PM The Christmas Tree Lighting on the Court Street Median
The Florence Beautification Board will light the Christmas Tree displayed in the median of North Court Street while Shoals Chamber Singers perform in the Christmas spirit.
5:00 PM Every Light A Prayer for Peace at Pope’s Tavern Museum
The Florence Garden Council and the Florence Department of Arts and Museums will be hosting the annual “Every Light a Prayer for Peace” program at Pope’s Tavern Museum.
5:30 - 8:00 PM First Fridays on Court Street
Florence celebrates its 15th year as an arts and crafts makers market that occurs on the First Friday in Historic Downtown Florence, Alabama. Vendors are set up on Court Street to sell their handmade merchandise!
6:00 PM Festival of Lights in Wilson Park
Mayor Betterton along with the Forest Hills Show Choir will count down to the lighting of Wilson Park!




North Wood Social: New Business
North Wood Social @ 1121 N. Wood Ave.
https://www.facebook.com/northwoodsocial
North Wood Social is open in the progressive 7 Points, which is home to local shops, restaurants, churches, and residents. Mayor Andy Betterton, Council President Dick Jordan, and Council Member Kaytrina Simmons welcomed the owners, Rob and Lindsy McFarlane, and toured their new trendy restaurant, which includes an outdoor patio. Stop by for delicious food or to enjoy socializing on the new back patio with friends.


Ringing The Bell Makes A Difference!



Florence-Lauderdale Public Library


PEACE, JOY, LOVE
Holiday Concert with Special Guest Vocalist
DEC 5 at 3 PM – NORTON AUDITORIUM
Underwritten by: CB&S Bank
Embrace the holiday season with Joy, Love, Peace as the Shoals Symphony Orchestra is joined by special guest vocalist CJ Greer. Described as “warm, lovely, powerful, emotional,” her Broadway and National Tour credits include Sister Act, Les Misérables, The Producers, Ragtime, and The Buddy Holly Story. Enjoy bringing your family back together as the Shoals Symphony Orchestra fills Norton Auditorium with the sound of holiday classics to ring in the most wonderful time of the year!


THE USS JOHN HOOD, DD-655
John Murray Hood married Cornelia Heslip and, in 1859, a son, also named John Murray Hood, was born at the family’s beautiful ante-bellum home known as “Woodlawn” – which still exists today in the Three Forks community. As young John grew up, he became very interested in the nautical life, accepting an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1875 and graduating in 1879. He served on ships in many battles in uprisings in the Caribbean, in the Spanish-American War and in the Russo-Japanese War, among others. On August 29, 1916, he was promoted to Rear Admiral, one of the highest ranks in the United States Navy. In 1944, the Destroyer, USS John Hood, DD-655, was commissioned in honor of the illustrious career of this fine young man from Florence, Alabama. Officials in the City of Florence, noting his national achievements, subsequently added Mr. John Murray Hood to the prestigious Walk of Honor located in the River Heritage Park near the Marriott-Shoals Hotel. Descendants of the Hood family still live locally.
--Billy Warren, City Historian



A little laugh...

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