River Heritage Park Splash Pad Is OPEN!

River Heritage Park is located at the base of the Renaissance Tower and adjacent to the Marriott Shoals Hotel and Conference Center. The park contains scenic overlooks of the Tennessee River and Wilson Dam. Also included are picnic shelters, a playground, and an interactive fountain. The fountain operates from May to Mid-September, weather permitting.

Florence Recreations Pools

OPENING DAY – Saturday, June 4, 2022, 1:00 - 5:00 pm

June & July - Tuesday – Sunday, 1:00 – 5:00 pm

Royal Avenue Recreation Center

420 N Royal Ave
Florence, AL 35630

$4.00 per person

Handy Recreation Center
1105 Beale St.
Florence, AL 35630

$1.00 per person

The Club trips available for all ages, so join the fun

When Fran Davis, the recreation specialist at “The Club” at the Florence Senior Center, started to notice folks who were interested in travel, she decided to do something about it. As interest grew, the Diamonds in the Rough were born.

“So many people love traveling as part of a group,” Davis said. “Then, you do not have to worry about figuring out transportation and lodging — you just focus on paying for the trips.”

Davis said she started out by setting up short, localized trips, but the destinations quickly became more distant as the eagerness of those attending became apparent.

The group’s trips are planned by the company Diamond Tours, which resulted in the name “Diamonds in the Rough.”

The first long-distance trip led by Davis was to Savannah, Georgia. Since then, group members have travelled to places like Niagara Falls, New York, and soon they will take an Alaskan cruise. Continue reading...

North Alabama Medical Center recently announced that Lisa Jones has been recognized as the facility’s 2022 Mercy Award winner. The highest award a LifePoint employee can receive, the Mercy Award recognizes one employee from each of LifePoint Health’s facilities who profoundly touches the lives of others and best represents the spirit and values on which the company was founded.

Lisa has been a vital part of the Eliza Coffee/North Alabama Medical Center Family for over 15 years and has always been described as dependable, efficient, unfailingly punctual, positive, and proactive. Her willingness to take on challenging tasks while checking off her to-do list and others’ to-do lists and see them to successful completion has repeatedly impressed her directors and managers over the years. Her skills do not end with her work. She also projects a warm, cheerful attitude to our patients and employees. Lisa goes the extra mile to make sure that people feel loved and appreciated and that they matter.

“We are extremely proud to recognize Lisa for her efforts on behalf of our patients and our community. She goes above and beyond each and every day to ensure that every person she encounters receives the highest level of care and compassion.” Russell Pigg, CEO of NAMC.

On December 30, 1821 (just three years after the founding of the City of Florence), a dispensation was issued to Alexander H. Wood, Prestley Ward, William R. Wood, John Simpson, Isaac Butler, Thomas Simpson, and William George to form Florence Masonic Lodge No. 14, A.F. & A.M. On December 18, 1822, the Charter was granted, officially forming the Lodge. Its meetings were held on the upper floor in a building owned by the Lodge on the southwest corner of Court and Tombigbee Streets in downtown Florence – exactly where it meets today (though in a different building). The hall, records and furniture were destroyed by Federal Troops on May 28, 1863, but the Charter was saved. The first regular meeting – just three days following the devastating fire – was held next door in the International Order of Odd Fellows’ building. In 1914, the Federal Government paid Florence Lodge for the destruction of the hall and furniture. On May 10, 1922, the Lodge celebrated its Centennial with speeches, a parade from the Courthouse to Wilson Park, band concerts, a second parade from the park back to the Courthouse, a luncheon, and more speeches at the Princess Theater on Tennessee Street. The current building was constructed in 1952, with the ground floor leased for many years to F.W. Woolworth Five- and Ten Cent Store and the upper floor reserved, as is it is today, for the Lodge. Now, in 2022, it’s the Bicentennial of Lodge No. 14, A.F. & A.M., an organization that is almost as old as the City itself!

Billy Warren, City Historian

Monday - Friday - Lauderdale County

• Cherry Hill Housing Lunch 12:15 - 12:45
• Florendale Apartments Lunch 11:00-12:00
• Hermitage Knolls Lunch 12:30 - 1:00

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