Summer is Here!
Mayor Andy Betterton
Florence-Lauderdale Memorial Day Ceremony
The Ceremony featured several events, including a wreath-laying ceremony, the playing of Taps, and other special remembrances. The program also included honors to our nation, including the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of both the National Anthem and “For Freedom.”
May we all remember the American service members who gave their lives in defense of our country.
First Fridays Florence--Farm to Table
June's “Farm to Table” theme celebrates amazing local farmers and produce vendors. Come see our choice selection in the new “Farmers Market Zone” sponsored by agent Mac Judkins of ALFA Insurance! Ride your bike to First Fridays and be entered for a chance to win special prizes! See our DFA info booth at Tombigbee and Court for details.
Bands playing on the Big River Broadcasting MainStage (stage/sound brought to you by TNT Fireworks and Crunch Fitness with musicians sponsored by Coca Cola Bottling and MSNHA) will include:
Andrew’s Legend
5:30pm - 6:30pm
Katlyn Barnes
6:45pm - 7:45pm
Ed Bisqera
8pm - 9pm
The Cadillacs will also be playing throughout First Fridays June in front of 306 BBQ and Mugshots at Court and Tuscaloosa Streets.
We can't wait to see you there!
Keep the Shoals Beautiful : Cypress Creek Pickup and Paddle Event
When: Saturday, June 10 from 8am - 12pm.
Where: From Kayak Launch (802 Cox Creek Pkwy)--Wildwood Park Takeout
Return Shuttle Service: Don't have a way to get back to the launch? No problem! We will shuttle all participants back to the launch point when they takeout.
Landlubber Cleanup Option: Pick up supplies at the Kayak Launch and clean the area of your choice. Please return vests and grabbers to Wildwood Park kayak takeout area or to Florence Solid Waste and Recycling offices at 450 Country Club Dr.
Registration Link: Whether cleaning up by land or water, register with the link below so we know to expect you.
YOUNG LEARNER’S SERIES: Mary Golda Ross
The Florence Indian Mound Museum is hosting a series of children’s programs where students can explore the early history of the Shoals through short lessons and hands-on learning exercises. The programs will explore 12 Native American figures through their biographies, contributions, hopes, and accomplishments.
Join us on Saturday, June 10th at 10 for a program and activity about Cherokee engineer Mary Golda Ross. Mary was born in 1908 and is the great-great granddaughter of Principal Chief John Ross. Mary graduated college with a mathematics degree and started studying astronomy while earning her master’s degree. Ross worked for the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation during World War II and helped to develop a new fighter plane. When the space race began, Ross became the first woman engineer among a team of 40 engineers to work on a top-secret program. Mary Golda Ross is recognized as the first Native American female engineer.
This program is free and is sponsored by the City of Florence Department of Arts and Museums and the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area. 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.
Cool Off on Hot Summer Days!
Swimming Pool--Hours of Operation
Handy Recreation Pool: $1
o Open Day: Sunday, May 28, from 2-5
o Daily Hours: Tuesday-Friday, from 1-5
o Grand Opening Parties: Jun 3, from 1-5 & June 4, from 2-5
o Closed on Mondays for maintenance
Royal Ave. Pool: $4
o Opening Day: Saturday, May 27 from 12-5
o Daily Hours: Tuesday-Friday from 12-5
o Grand Opening Party, Saturday June 3, from 12-5
o Closed on Sundays for parties and Mondays for maintenance
River Heritage Splash Pad--Hours of Operation
11:30-8:00
Friday-Sunday Splashing with Music + Late Evening Light Show--No charge
11:30-9:30
Light Show from 8:30-9:15
THE HISTORIC AMPHITHEATRE AT UNA
The idea of an outdoor theatre goes at least as far back as the Romans and Greeks. They found that if a person stood far down at the base of a certain tall hill, the individual’s voice could be heard by people sitting along the sides of the hill all the way to the top. And if actors presented a play at the base, more people could attend as they took their seats up the hillside. But, they wondered, how could the viewers know they were seeing the good guys (the comics) or the bad guys (the villains)? With the same ingenuity that helped them to design conveniences such as an underground water system, they determined that larger-than-life face masks with painted-on mouth turned upward would tell the audience, “I am a good guy, a comic.” Conversely, a mask with the mouth turned downward would suggest the opposite. An added benefit was that the opening in the mask at the actor’s mouth helped the voice to be more focused in its travel up the hillside. Well, as everyone knows, the University of North Alabama has a natural spot for an amphitheater at the base of one of its hills. Long before the construction of this handsome outdoor stage, the topography where it now sits was used by students and faculty for a variety of purposes, from dramatic productions to commencement exercises. Records indicate, too, that it was used in the 1830’s by students enrolled in Locust Dell Academy. In the 1920’s, the decision was made to construct an actual stage and to do it as a memorial to all former students of the college who lost their lives in World War I. Actual construction did not take place until 1934 when the men from the Civilian Conservation Corps did their usual masterful work. So, today, it stands elegantly and dramatically, with ifs fine classical design, as a valuable resource for both the students and faculty of the University and for citizens in the broader community. (See accompanying photograph.)
Bargain Hunt: Coming August 2023
REOPENING: Bargain Hunt plans to open at 356 Cox Creek Pkwy. in August 2023. (This is the Bed Bath & Beyond former location.) Stay tuned for more details.
Park and Recreation 2830 Darby Drive Florence
Part Time - $13.00 Hourly
Campground Attendant Part Time New
Park and Recreation 2830 Darby Drive Florence
Part Time - $13.00 Hourly
Laborer Solid Waste Part Time New
Solid Waste 29485 County Road 14 Florence
Part Time - $13.81 Hourly
NEXT COUNCIL MEETING
The Mayor and Council members will hold the next council meeting on
June 6, 2023
4:00 pm Work Session
5:00 pm Council Meeting
A little funny..
How to Submit Your Event, News, or Announcement:
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- 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.
Connect with Us!
Email: abetterton@florenceal.org
Website: florenceal.org
Location: 110 West College Street, Florence, AL, USA
Phone: (256)760-6400