Newsletter

Mayor Andy Betterton

May 11, 2022

Arts Alive 2022


We're very excited to host many of the region's talented artists for a weekend full of fun, joy, food, and more! We can't wait to see you!


Saturday, May 21 & Sunday, May 22

Wilson Park, Downtown Florence

Read all the details about this year's event here.

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Shoals Storytelling Festival

Do TELL! Shoals Storytelling Festival to be held May 19 – 21, 2022.


World-class storytellers, and musicians will be in Florence at the Shoals Theatre on May 19, 20 and 21 to regale expected crowds with tales of heart, humor, and music. The Shoals Storytelling Festival continues with its 11th annual event in the North Alabama area.


https://www.shoalsstorytelling.com/

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Congratulations to our new Fire & Rescue Graduates!

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Firefighters Chandler Cole, Joshua Collier, Bradley Mifflin, Max Tsilis, and Jonathan Hill


Thank you for being willing to serve our community!

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The Florence Police Department Welcomes New Officers!

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Pictured Above: Officers Andrew Kerstiens and Tyler Barnett
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Thanks to all who came out for Florence Shred Day!

Local residents enjoyed a day of cleaning out with a little help from area businesses. Around 300 vehicles brought 12,500 pounds of documents to be shredded. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible!
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Touch a Truck—An Amazing Success!

The Junior League of the Shoals estimated attendance at nearly 1500 boys and girls who spent Saturday morning exploring their favorite large trucks and heavy equipment. Touch a Truck was a wonderful day of horns, sirens, and fun that funded various programs across the Shoals area!
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Keep the Shoals Beautiful Awards Waterloo School for Student and Faculty Litter Clean-Up Efforts!

Many schools had exceptionally clean campuses, but Waterloo students pulled ahead when they cleaned their campus, town, boat launch, and along 'The Wall.' One of our area's favorite fishing, camping, and water sports destinations is pristine and ready for summer. Thanks to Ms. Courtney Putman and her students, who put hours of effort into making Waterloo even more beautiful! Thank you, Steve Trash, who awarded Waterloo students with his fantastic show that brings magic to math and science!

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4th Annual Food Truck Festival

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Colbert County Tree Risk Workshop

Regional Forestry, Wildlife, and Natural Resource Agent Kerry Steedley and Dr. Beau Brodbeck will be hosting a tree risk assessment workshop in Tuscumbia on Wednesday, May 25th.


This event will be from 8:00-11:00 am at The Roundhouse in Tuscumbia.


Registration information is detailed on the attached flyer.

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Young Learner's Series: Sunflowers

The program on Sunflowers will take place Saturday, May 21st at 10 am. The program will focus on sunflowers and their uses by southeastern Indigenous people. Students will learn about the importance of sunflowers and work to create an outdoor exhibit for the Museum. Visit https://www.florencealmuseums.com/young-learners to sign up.


This program is sponsored by the City of Florence Department of Arts and Museums and the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area. Call 256-760-6427 for more information.

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Shoals Symphony Orchestra's 40th Season

With an amazing roster that includes Michael Bolton and Cirque de la Symphonie among other events, you won’t want to miss out!


Grab your season tickets NOW at https://shoalssymphony.org.

NOTE: Single event tickets are not yet on sale.

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NOW OPEN: Red Cow Coffee, LLC

Enjoy premium coffee at Red Cow Coffee located on Huntsville Road next to Sweetwater Bakery. Red Cow is also hiring Baristas! To apply, send your resume to hiring@redcowcoffee.com


Check out soft opening hours to the right.

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LAUDERDALE COUNTY’S FIRST COURTHOUSE

In 1818, Florence became a city, and Lauderdale was designated a county the same year. Just four years later, in 1822, the County’s first Courthouse was completed. (See attached photograph.) At a cost of $5,700, this building, located where the City-County Government building is today and constructed in grand Greek Revival style, was three stories high, with a wide portico, ten columns and a tall steeple with a cupola containing a very large clock. Ralph Hughes, a young man from Kentucky, was one of the craftsmen who helped construct the building. He wrote a letter to his brother back in Kentucky in which he described some of his work, of which he was obviously very proud. Here is a short except from the letter (the spelling and grammar are his own): “I am a working on the court house I have had a chance of working on all the best work eaver since you left here I mad two of the court house doors and helped to make the other two The four shutters come to one hundred dollars I made two of the clock faces and got out a good part of the circular cornice and hope to frame all the steeple The steeple will be finished in a few weeks It is thre story and a half high and every storey sixen feet high from the ground to the top is upwards of a hundred feet it is given up to be the best frame in the country all don by the square rule” The letter goes on to talk about the clock that was to be delivered within seven months, which would put the finishing touch on the grand structure. This first Courthouse was replaced by a second one in 1901. That one, located in the exact spot of the first one, was also razed, in 1965, and was replaced by the present Courthouse, exactly one block south of the first two.


--Billy Warren, City Historian

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NEXT COUNCIL MEETING

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

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

4:00 p.m. Work Session

5:00 p.m. Council Meeting

City Auditorium

103 South Pine Street

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A little funny...

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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.
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