Newsletter
Mayor Andy Betterton
May 11, 2023
Let's Make Music Florence
The Inaugural Make Music Day Florence Is Set For June 21, 2023
Make Music Florence is a free, citywide day of music to be held annually on June 21, the longest day of the year.
Our Inaugural 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 International Affairs, Shoals Chamber of Commerce, and the Downtown Florence Alliance.
MEET ME AT THE FOUNTAIN
Check out the song for the 2023 Arts Alive Festival created by the Florence Academy of Fine Arts students! Click here to listen: https://www.alabamaartsalive.com/
YOUNG LEARNER’S SERIES: Tuscumbia
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. Students will be given a passport with the 12 figures; they will receive a stamp for each program attended. Students who collect 6, 9, or 12 stamps will receive an award.
Join us on Saturday, May 20th at 10 for a program and activity about Chickasaw chief Tuscumbia, for whom the city of Tuscumbia is named. Tuscumbia sold land to the Dickson family, considered to be the first white family in the area. Tuscumbia, or Tashka Ambi, was also a veteran of the War of 1812, having fought alongside the Americans at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. The program will include a short lesson on Tuscumbia followed by a hands-on activity.
10 DAY COUNTDOWN!!
The Shoals Storytelling Festival is only a few short weeks away. Make sure you have a seat now!
Get your tickets here:
CAMP KD: KENNEDY-DOUGLASS CENTER FOR THE ARTS IS HOSTING SUMMER ART CAMP
Summer will be here soon, and the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts is preparing for CAMP KD 2023! They are offering a choice between two 5-day sessions in June for children entering grades 1 through 6. Camp KD provides a place where children can make new friends while learning essential art concepts through fun, creative projects.
Session 1: June 5-9 & Session 2: June 12-16
Each week grades 1-3 meet from 9 am -11 am and grades 4-6 meet from noon - 2 pm.
Each class will be limited to 18 students. Tuition for the first child is $50 per Session. Tuition for each additional child is $45. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 26. Pick up an application form at Kennedy-Douglass from 9 am-4 pm daily, Monday-Friday, or click the link for the online application.
Inga's Lashes & More, located downtown, opened in Florence 16 years ago!
To celebrate the anniversary, Mayor Andy Betterton gave Inga Hardin a certificate thanking her for the professional cosmetic services she provides. Stop by and wish Inga a happy anniversary!
Congratulations to Axe Kicking on your Shoals Chamber ribbon cutting!
Axe Kicking is a new axe throwing facility located in the Sweetwater District at the end of Huntsville Road in Florence. Have a visit with some of your friends and family or book your next event here! The owner, Wade, even played in the 2022 World Axe Throwing Championship! Learn from one of the best and visit Axe Kicking for your next night out! Walk-ins welcome!
GOV. EMMET O’NEAL: PROMOTER OF GOOD ROADS
Emmet O’Neal (see attached photograph), one of several children of Olivia (Moore) and Edward O’Neal, spent most of his growing-up years in his parents’ home at 468 North Court Street. Following his own marriage to Elizabeth Kirkman, he and his family lived in Courtview, the stately mansion at the north end of Court Street. He witnessed his father as a Mayor of Florence, as an effective lawyer in town, as an officer in the Confederate Army, and, ultimately, as the Governor of Alabama. Following in his father’s footsteps, Emmet established a local law practice, as well. He grew weary of having to go to the Federal Courthouse in Birmingham on still-primitive roads whenever he was involved in a case at that level – in particular, because the roads between Florence and Birmingham were so primitive. So, he and some of his lawyer friends went directly to Washington to lobby for a Federal Courthouse to be located in Florence. The opening of the Federal Courthouse on the second floor of the Post Office on North Seminary Street occurred in 1913 as a result of the groups’ relentless efforts. Continuing to follow in his father’s career trajectory, Emmet O’Neal was also elected Governor of Alabama and carried his campaign for good roads into that office. One of his opening speeches was entitled “We Must Construct Roads that Start Somewhere and End Somewhere.” In other words, his plan was to, initially, construct good roads that connected towns and cities – not just short intra-county roads to profit local politicians; those could come later. For a full account of the “Good Roads” plan of Governor O’Neal, a revered native of Florence, read “Alabama’s First Good Roads Movement” by Marty Oliff in the Spring, 2023, issue of Alabama Heritage magazine.
--Billy Warren, City Historian (brwarren@florenceal.org)
Street Department 201 Railroad Avenue Florence
Part Time - $13.00 Hourly
Laborer Water Wastewater Part Time New
Water Department 201 Seven Mile Island Road Florence
Part Time - $13.00 Hourly
Part Time - $13.00 Hourly
NEXT COUNCIL MEETING
The Mayor and Council members will hold the next council meeting on
May 16, 2023
4:00 pm Work Session
5:00 pm Council Meeting
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.
Connect with Us!
Email: abetterton@florenceal.org
Website: florenceal.org
Location: 110 West College Street, Florence, AL, USA
Phone: (256)760-6400