Happy Thanksgiving!
Mayor Andy Betterton
November 25, 2020
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect on our blessings, especially during a year that has given us many challenges.
We are thankful for our differences. We celebrate our diverse heritage and unite in gratitude to give thanks.
We are thankful that we live in a community that cares. Many organizations across our city work hard for our neighbors, businesses, and visitors.
We are thankful for our police, fire & rescue, emergency responders for serving and protecting our community.
We are thankful for our employees who do an exceptional job meeting our citizens' needs and enhancing our quality of life.
We are thankful for our religious and faith-based organizations that provide spiritual leadership, pastoral guidance, and extensive outreach ministries.
We are thankful that we live in a nation that is free and at peace. We are grateful to our Veterans for their brave and selfless service to our country and the many sacrifices defending our liberty and preserving our freedom.
We are thankful for you, our residents, who make this city a wonderful place to live.
Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving.
Andy Betterton, Mayor
Toys for Tots Registration: Saturday, December 5
United Way and Marine Corps League of the Shoals is holding our make-up registration for Toys for Tots on Saturday, December 5, 2020. This is your last chance if you missed our other registration days! Registration will take place at the Tractor Supply Store parking lot in Muscle Shoals, and the Academy parking lot in Florence. Registration will be held every Friday and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Please call 211 to schedule your appointment. Learn more..
I Give Because...
The Shoals Nonprofit Center has partnered with the Shoals Chamber of Commerce to extend the "Keep the Cheer Here" initiative to promote local charitable giving for the remainder of the holiday season. As important as it is to shop local this season, it is equally as important to give local!
Find an organization in the list to donate to or volunteer with this holiday season! Learn more...
Firehouse Subs is OPEN!
Firehouse Subs celebrated their opening with a Shoals Chamber ribbon cutting. Thank you for choosing to locate in Florence bringing thirty new jobs. Make sure you check out their delicious menu and community mural when you visit.
FLORENCE: A CITY OF PARKS
As late as the 1950's, locals referred to what is now Veterans Park as, simply, "The TVA Park on this side of the river" (a favorite swimming place at the time, by the way) because there was another "TVA Park on the other side of the river." A group of modest-sized houses stretched along the outer edge of the park facing Wilson Dam Road, all of them owned by TVA and serving as homes for some of its employees. Clyde Anderson and B.F. O'Steen partnered to purchase these houses - and others owned by TVA -- and moved them to the west side of Wilson Dam Road, where they remain today. The City of Florence acquired the 80-acre park from TVA, thus creating Point Park -- later renamed Veterans Park. It's the home of the very impressive Veterans Museum and has, among its amenities, sports fields, picnic shelters and a spectacular view of the beautiful Tennessee River.
More about other parks -- Deibert, Wildwood and Martin -- will come in later columns.
--Billy Warren, City Historian
Florence Exchange Club Pecan Sale - $10 per bag mbevis@florenceal.org
NEXT COUNCIL MEETING
The Mayor and Council members will hold the next council meeting on
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
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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- 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 media@florenceal.org or call Rachel Koonce with questions at 256-760-6494.
Connect with Us!
Email: abetterton@florenceal.org
Website: florenceal.org
Location: 110 West College Street, Florence, AL, USA
Phone: (256)760-6400