To conclude National Police Week in the City of Florence, we paid respects to the officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. As we do this we also take the time to recognize our officers and employees for their achievements throughout the year!

Congratulations a few of our employees on their accomplishments from the past year.

Congratulations to Officer Garrison for receiving Officer of the Year!

Congratulations to Desk Officer Carol Bevis for receiving Employee of the Year!

Congratulations to Dispatcher Jason Gandy for receiving Dispatcher of the Year!

Congratulations to Sergeant Graves for receiving Supervisor of the year!

You have all done great things and the City of Florence is lucky to have you!

We would also like to recognize Detective Justin Whitten. Due to his actions in May 2021, he has been able to make a direct impact in saving two lives. He was subsequently awarded the Life Saving Medal!

Finally, we will recognize Officer Blake Burress. Officer Burress was injured in the line of duty while attempting to stop a violent offender in April 2022!

Thank you all for your dedication and service!

Local 270 has teamed up with Coleman Group to create the T-shirts for the fundraiser. The T-shirts will be printed on ocean blue Bella Canvas (view attached image). All profits from T-shirt sales will be divided equally between The Autism Society of Alabama and The Arc of the Shoals!

The shirts will be available anytime at Florence Fire Station 1 downtown and at Crunch Fitness at different times throughout the month of June.

SAVE THE DATE: Autism Awareness Event, June 26, 12 pm - 3 pm (McFarland Park)

Shoals Community Theatre is doing “9 to 5 The Musical” this summer! Show Dates are August 11-14 at the Shoals Community Theatre!

Audition Time Slots For “9 to 5 The Musical”

June 4th and 5th (2:00-5:30 pm) at First Presbyterian Church in Florence Alabama.

Please pick out a time slot for either day, and fill out the audition form provided below.

Saturday, June 4th (2:00-5:30 PM)

https://www.slottr.com/sheets/18270339

Sunday, June 5th (2:00-5:30 PM)

https://www.slottr.com/sheets/18270341

Audition Form

https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSeznRkfu8FLNU.../viewform

Tickets will be available soon! Once they are available, they can be purchased on the Shoals Community Theatre website or by calling 256-764-1700.

Join us for a great week of basketball & fun!

June 20 - June 22: Youth Skills Camp

Cost: $100 | Grades: K-2nd

June 27 - June 30: Individual Camp Session I

Cost: $200 | Grades: 3rd-8th

July 11 - July 14: Individual Camp Session II

Cost: $200 | Grades: 3rd-6th

We hope to see you there!!

For more information and to register head to https://info.abcsportscamps.com/unabasketball

The Club invites kayakers to join in the fun of floating Cypress Creek every Fourth Friday during the summer (June, July, August and September). Please call The Club at 256-760-6420 the Wednesday before each float to let us know you're coming.

We would also like to thank the vendors and buyers who participated in the Community Yard Sale. The time and effort that was given to make this event a success was much appreciated!

For more information, call 256-760-6425

All trips are open to the general public

• Pigeon Forge, August 1-5, 2022. $599 double rate per person, add $149 for a private room. Final payment due 5/25/22.

• Biltmore Estate & Ashville, NC, December 12-15, 2022. $569 double rate per person, add $140 for a private room. $75 deposit due on signing up. Final payment due 10/5/22.

• Mackinac Island, May 14-20, 2023, $775 double rate per person, add $219 for a private room. $75 deposit on signing up. Final payment due 3/7/23.

• Mount Rushmore, the Badlands & Black Hills of South Dakota, Sept 30-Oct 8, 2023, $999 double rate per person, add $286 for a private room. $75 deposit on signing up. Final payment due 7/23/23.

For Information and Reservations, Please Contact:

Fran Davis

Phone: 256-760-6642

Email: fdavis@florenceal.org

“H.E.L.P.” Organization

Helping Everyone Live On Purpose

The Mental Health Symposium brought experts and community leaders together to reduce the stigma of mental health issues, improve access to care, and promote health.

Last week, the Investor Speaker Series hosted Aubrey Preston. He shared not only the idea and progress behind Nashville's Big Back Yard but also the reminder of the importance of teamwork.

It was encouraging to see so many mayors from across our own region in the room working together to create a nationally-recognized brand of “The Shoals.”

Thank you Brick & Ivy, Midtowne Butcher, Sugarbakers, Alabama's Music Hall of Fame, Visit The Shoals, and Aubrey for making this day a huge success! We are so thankful for YOUR investment in the region that is truly in Nashville’s big backyard!

Stay tuned for our announcement for our fall speaker!

Tickets are on sale now, so grab yours while you can!

(Note: The following was written in 2008 by 102-year-old Thomas A. Edwards who appears in the attached photograph with his younger sister whom the family called “Boots.”): “I was born on January 14, 1906, at 521 North Cherry Street. My parents rented the cottage from Mr. and Mrs. Zinn, who lived next door. They had a storm cellar in their back yard which we used with them a few times. On the north side of our house lived the Veids. Mr. Veid, his wife and sister lived in the large house. He owned the steam laundry in East Florence and was considered rich. He had a stable, three horses, a buggy and a surrey. He used the buggy for transportation to work, about three miles. Between our house and theirs was a vacant lot owned by Mr. Veid and planted into a vegetable and flower garden. He liked to grow vegetables and, about once a week, he would stay home to work among the plants. When he was working in his garden, I would go over and help him. We became good friends. The manure from the stable was used to grow a lot of vegetables, many more than he could use. He gave them to the neighbors and would give me many to take home to my mother.” (Mr. Edwards, the author continues his reminiscences for many pages – including family outings to see silent movies at a local theater, with adult admission @10 cents, children @5 cents and babies in carriages allowed in the aisles free.) To read his lucid writings is to experience a first-hand slice of life in Florence at the turn of the twentieth century – really interesting from start to finish!

---Billy Warren, City Historian

The Mayor and Council members will hold the next council meeting on

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

4:00 p.m. Work Session

5:00 p.m. Council Meeting

City Auditorium

103 South Pine Street