Newsletter
Mayor Andy Betterton
December 9, 2021
Thank You To All Of The Volunteers, Staff, & Sponsors That Make Christmas In Florence MAGICAL!
Friday night, the Beautification Board lit the Christmas Tree on the North Court Median while the Shoals Chamber Singers performed. The evening continued with the Florence Garden Club's Every Light Of Peace and the Festival of Lights at Wilson Park, all in conjunction with the December Frist Friday event. On Saturday night, the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library hosted the annual bike parade. Check out the video below.
Experience the lights and ambiance of the season by taking a stroll down Court Street and through Wilson Park, thanks to our Florence Urban Forestry and Park & Recreation Employees.
The celebration continues tonight with the Downtown Florence Alliance Christmas Parade presented by Bank Independent.
Tired Of Waiting On The Leaf Truck?
Drive-by Christmas Luncheon & Diaper Giveaway
Let’s get Ready to Jingle and Mingle
Mark your calendar and don't miss the Black Owned Business Expo Sunday, December 12 from 3 -7 pm. This has been a rocky year for small businesses. The event will be located at the Florence-Lauderdale Coliseum. ( 702 Veterans Drive, Florence, AL).
You Are Invited! Join Council Member Kaytrina Simmons in the College Street Bridge Corridor Meeting!
College Street Bridge Corridor Study Public Involvement Meeting
December 13, 2021 from 5:30-7pm
Burrell Slater School Gym
610 West College Street
Congratulations To Our Long-time Dedicated Park & Recreation Director, Tina Kitchens.
Thank You, Florence Police Department, for Your Generosity and Love for the Community!
North Alabama Cancer Center Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting
Photo by: @danbusey
LET'S STUFF THE BUS
Hunter Jackson is living in a bus in the parking lot of Walmart until he collects 5,000 toys for children all across the Shoals Area! Mayor Betterton has been inspired by Hunter’s dedication to our local children since he began this initiative. If you would like to donate a toy, Hunter is there 24 hours a day; just knock on the bus door to share the joy.
Talking Tourism with Rob Carnegie!
THE MULTI-TALENTED LLOYD MAFFETT
The late Lloyd Maffett was an engineer by training, but he was extraordinarily adept in so many other fields, as well. For example, he designed the Medical Arts building on North Court Street (pictured), the first commercial building in downtown Florence with a steel infrastructure. On the payroll of Florence City Schools during the years that the second Coffee High School building which faced Cherry Street was being constructed, Mr. Maffett stayed in constant communication with the contractor, making sure that everything was done exactly right. His many correspondences with the contractor still exist in the Florence City Schools Memorabilia Room at the Burrell-Slater School building. Other examples of his genius are the handsome J.W. Powell home (708 Kendrick Street) and the beautiful Buffler home in St. Florian (now that town’s Community Center). His legacy also lives on through his son, an architect in the firm that redesigned the Florence Harbor in McFarland Park; and his daughter, a gifted visual artist, one of whose paintings is in the curated collection that graces the walls of the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library.
--Billy Warren, City Historian
YOUNG LEARNER’S SERIES: Storytelling
Saturday, December 18th at 10 am.
The Florence Indian Mound Museum is hosting a series of children’s programs where students can explore the early history of the Shoals through hands-on learning exercises. The programs will cover a wide range of topics within Native American history and culture and are aimed at an elementary level age group. Each program will have a creative component with hands-on learning, and all events are free.
Students will learn about the importance of storytelling and work on a storyboard that will be left at the Museum. Students will then work to create a character from a story to take home with them. Visit https://www.florencealmuseums.com/young-learners to sign up.
FLORENCE ARTS AND MUSEUMS SPEAKER SERIES: Kurt Vetters
Confederate Winter and Freedom Spring
The Florence Arts and Museums Speaker Series is a monthly program meant to inspire conversations about the history and culture of north Alabama, with a focus on how the past shapes the present. This month, Kurt Vetters will deliver his presentation, “Confederate Winter and Freedom Spring,” at 2pm on Sunday, December 19th, at the Florence Indian Mound Museum.
NEXT COUNCIL MEETING
The Mayor and Council members will hold the next council meeting on
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
4:00 p.m. Work Session
5:00 p.m. Council Meeting
City Auditorium
103 South Pine Street
A little laugh...
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Connect with Us!
Email: abetterton@florenceal.org
Website: florenceal.org
Location: 110 West College Street, Florence, AL, USA
Phone: (256)760-6400