April Showers Bring...
Mayor Andy Betterton
April 14, 2022



17th Annual Salvation Army Empty Bowl Luncheon


The UNA Athletic Easter Egg Hunt Was An EGGstravgansa!


One Place Of The Shoals
It was an honor to have One Place Of The Shoals present to our Florence Department Leaders. Elizabeth Moore, Victim Service Officer and Certified Dog Handler gave an overview of the facility and introduced Athens, the program's support pup. Athens brings his brand of therapy to One Place by providing calming support to clients who are overcoming difficult situations. Athens is there to give love and support to One Place clients from intake to court appearances. Learn more...


Painting by Local Citizen
This painting by local artist and Florence resident, Kurt Vetters, showcases The Florence Street Department removing a fallen tree from the street after a storm on Wood Ave. Mr. Vetters moved back to Florence from Greenfield, Indiana, in 2021. Florence is blessed to have an array of wonderful artists who bring joy to our community.




FLORENCE ARTS AND MUSEUMS SPEAKER SERIES: Dr. Marie Taylor
This month, Dr. Marie Taylor will deliver her presentation, “Exploring the History of Indigenous Missions in the Tennessee River Valley” at 2pm on Sunday, April 24th, at the Florence Indian Mound Museum.
This program is sponsored by the City of Florence Department of Arts and Museums and the Kennedy-Douglass Art Center Volunteers.
The Florence Indian Mound Museum is located at 1028 S. Court St. Florence, AL and is open, Tuesday - Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Call 256-760-6427 for more information.
For more information about membership and events, go to: https://www.florencealmuseums.com/.
"On behalf of the City of Florence Department of Arts and Museums and the Kennedy-Douglass Art Center Volunteers, thank you for bringing this program about the history and culture of north Alabama to our community. What a wonderful contribution from you and your department." - Dick Jordan, Council President

YOUNG LEARNER’S SERIES: Astronomy
The Florence Indian Mound Museum is hosting a series of children’s programs where students can explore the early history of the Shoals through hands-on learning exercises. The programs will cover a wide range of topics within Native American history and culture and are aimed at an elementary level age group. Each program will have a creative component with hands-on learning, and all events are free.
Our program on Spring will take place Saturday, April 23rd at 10 am. April’s program will focus on astronomy of the southeastern Native Americans. Students will learn about how the first residents of the Shoals understood the stars and planets, and work to create an exhibit that will stay at the Museum. Visit https://www.florencealmuseums.com/young-learners to sign up.

Stop Judging; Start Healing Stigma Summit
Please join us for the Stop Judging; Start Healing Stigma Summit. This all day event is 1 conference in 7 locations all over the state of Alabama.
Please tell your colleagues or forward to a friend. Click the postcard below to register for only $25. 5.75 CME/CEUs will be provided.
Overview: When people with addiction are stigmatized and discarded, it only promotes the vicious cycle that is embedded in their disease. This summit will focus on the impact of stigma, MAT stigma, strategies for reducing stigma, communication, and much more.
Who Should Attend: Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, pharmacists, dentists, social workers, counselors, educators, first responders, and any professional who is interested in developing compassion and an understanding of stigma around mental illness and substance use disorders.
Feel free to contact us with any questions. More information about the speakers can be found if you click the “Register Now” on the registration page. Don’t forget to register here!





ANOTHER GENEROUS GIFT FROM CAMILLA MADDING COFFEE
The headline for an article that appeared in the November 7, 1918, edition of the Florence Herald made this newsworthy announcement to the citizens of Florence: “Moving Picture Machine for Coffee High School.” The contents of the article reveal that Mrs. Alexander Donelson Coffee (nee Camilla Madding), after donating the land a few years earlier for the construction of Coffee High School, had now donated the funds for this wonderful motion picture machine. The still-new Coffee High School at the time was named for Mrs. Coffee and her late husband and was located on Hermitage Drive [known as Jackson Highway then] where the UNA varsity tennis courts are today. The article goes on to say that a Mr. Lytell, the manager of the Theato Amusement Company, “kindly offered his assistance and instruction” for the installation and operation of Mrs. Coffee’s generous gift. The article ends by stating, “Professor F.T. Appleby considers this gift a long step to his desire” to make Coffee High School the very best in the state. Truthfully, outside of such large cities as Birmingham and Mobile, there probably weren’t many schools in Alabama at the time that could boast of owning such a modern example of advanced technology.
--Billy Warren, City Historian



Laborer Electricity Part Time New
- Electricity Department
- Part Time - $11.08 Hourly
- Park and Recreation 2830 Darby Drive Florence
- Part Time - $11.08 Hourly



A little funny...

How to Submit Your Event, News, or Announcement:
- 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.