Newsletter
April 4, 2024
Online Reservation System At McFarland Campground
McFarland Campground is excited to announce a significant improvement in our reservation process, which will enhance the overall camping experience for our valued visitors. McFarland Campground now exclusively uses a user-friendly platform for all camping reservations at campatmcfarland.com. Reservations may be booked 60 days in advance.
This transition marks a shift from the traditional first-come, first-served approach to a more streamlined and efficient online reservation system. The decision to implement this change is aimed at providing our guests with a seamless and convenient way to secure their camping spots in advance, ensuring a stress-free arrival and a more enjoyable stay.
Key Changes:
1. Online Reservations Only: McFarland Campground will no longer operate on a first-come, first-served basis. All visitors must make a reservation through the dedicated Campspot portal before arriving at the campground to guarantee a camping spot.
2. User-Friendly Platform: Campspot offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easy for campers to browse availability, select their preferred dates, and secure their camping spot with just a few clicks.
3. Secure and Convenient: The online reservation system provides a secure and convenient way for campers to plan their trips well in advance. This ensures a smoother check-in process and guarantees a spot at McFarland Campground during peak seasons.
4. Real-Time Availability: Campers can check real-time availability, view campground maps, and choose an available RV camping spot. To make a reservation, simply visit campatmcfarland.com, and follow the easy steps to secure your camping spot at McFarland Campground. If needed, camp hosts are available during office hours to help with this process. Additional information and the registration link can also be found at florenceal.org.
River Heritage Trail Grand Opening May 5
SAVE THE DATE:
RIVER HERITAGE TRAIL GRAND OPENING
Sunday, May 5, 2024
Live Music & Open Tours from 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Remarks & Ribbon Cutting at 4:00 pm
Save the date for the River Heritage Trail Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting on Sunday, May 5, from 3 to 5:00 pm. Experience the beauty of the River Heritage Trail firsthand with live music. At 4:00 pm, community leaders will give remarks, followed by the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Saturday Is Community Fun Day!
In The News
Breathe and Brew Ribbon Cutting
Ribbon Cutting: 4-3-24
Breathe and Brew
210 Seville St.
256-415-8100
https://www.facebook.com/breatheandbrew
A Shoals Chamber Ribbon Cutting was held at Breathe and Brew on Wednesday. The modern, medical clinic aims to revolutionize the way patients experience sinus and allergy treatment by offering patient-centered care, personalized treatment plans, and an expert medical team. It is more than a clinic; it is a place of hope and healing for those affected by sinus and allergy issues. Thirty jobs were created by the opening of Breathe and Brew.
Florence Historian Billy Warren
STOCK CAR RACING AT SKYPARK
The word “stock” generally refers to something that is usual or ordinary. An item that can usually be found in a store or shop – as opposed to a “special order” item – is referred to as a stock item. However, when used in the context of automobile racing, a stock car is the opposite. It is a regular vehicle that has been modified for racing. This practice began during the national Prohibition era as a way to get ahead of law enforcement officers if the automobile contained illegal alcohol. Eventually, the modification of cars became common with racetracks – sometimes very primitively constructed – showing up in small towns and large cities. One such racetrack, 3/8 mile in length, was at Skypark, just a few miles east of downtown Florence. An article that appeared on October 11, 1951, in the Florence Herald described an exciting race that occurred there, “in spite of cold wind and threatening weather,” on the previous Sunday afternoon. (It seems that hardly anything could deter the excitement of an afternoon of stock car racing at the time.) During the speed trials on that Sunday afternoon, Zeke Zahnd of Sheffield set the top line at 25.18 seconds. Otis Bradley of Florence won the first heat of sixteen (16) laps and Harold “Speed” Kidd won the second heat of fourteen (14) laps. Thus, the race continued through a semi-final round, a consolation race and a 24-lap feature event. And the account went on to say that there would be a championship race on a Sunday afternoon three weeks later!
--Billy Warren, City Historian (brwarren@florenceal.org
POPE’S TAVERN JUNIOR ARCHAEOLOGY CAMP
The Pope’s Tavern Museum will host a JUNIOR ARCHAEOLOGY CAMP for students ages 9 to 18 from Monday, June 3 - Friday, June 7, 2023. The camp will be divided into two groups based on age:
Group 1: ages 9-12, 9:00 -11:30 am
Group 2: ages 13-18, 1:00-3:30 pm
The camp will introduce students to the concepts of archaeology through hands-on investigation and research. Students will learn how to research, plan, excavate, and process artifacts at Pope’s Tavern Museum. Archaeology can help children grasp concepts relating to mathematics, history, geology, chemistry, social science, and more; this camp will utilize archaeological concepts for teaching the methods of archaeology and the history of the Pope’s Tavern site, while also incorporating age-appropriate and hands-on activities that relate to these various academic subjects. Applications are available at Pope’s Tavern Museum, the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts, and online at www.florencealmuseums.com starting April 15th, 2024.
Moundville Archaeological Park’s Education Department will be facilitating this program to bring the resources and skills of archaeological practice to the Florence community. (The University of Alabama's Moundville Archaeological Park, 15 miles South of Tuscaloosa, is one of the largest and most widely-studied archaeological sites in the state of Alabama.) This program is free and is sponsored by the City of Florence Department of Arts and Museums. Pope’s Tavern is located at 203 Hermitage Drive, Florence, AL and is open, Tuesday - Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call 256-760-6439 for more information.
Upcoming Events
Outdoor Recreation EXPO
Basketball & Badges
Empty Bowls Luncheon
Inaugural Police Week Tournament
Florence-Lauderdale Animal Services
Touch A Truck
Special Olympics Celebration
Business formation Workshop
Deibert Fishing Days
Senior Appreciation Day
Florence High School
Country Line Dance
Florence-Lauderdale Public Library
Roy Orbison
Shoals Storytelling Festival
Friday, May 17
In Her Own Fashion, by Dolores Hydock: Stories of career disasters, celebrity encounters, war, peace, and reckless romance, based on the life of Ninette Griffith, a sassy, ambitious, independent woman who, at age 95, was ready to tell all.
Saturday, May 18
Intrepid Birdmen: The Pilots of World War I, by Dolores Hydock: The thrilling true story of the crazy courage of the earliest pilots who took combat to the skies in the Great War. Adapted from the story by Shoals Storytelling Festival veteran Syd Lieberman.
Job Openings
Next Council Meeting
The Mayor and Council members will hold the next council meeting
Thursday, April 4 , 2024
4:00 pm Work Session
5:00 pm Council Meeting
The council meetings are held at 109 South Pine Street, Florence, AL 35630.
A little funny ..
Connect with Us!
Email: abetterton@florenceal.org
Website: florenceal.org
Location: 110 West College Street, Florence, AL, USA
Phone: (256)760-6400
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.