Kids page. See page A5.
New Franklin Living issue. See page A4.
Belgreen Bulldog pageant. See pages A7-A8.
50¢ | Vol. 144, No. 20
Hometown Newspaper of Susan Harkness — Est. 1879 | Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Partnership Banquet highlights Franklin County accomplishments By María Camp maria.camp@ franklincountytimes.com Correction In the print edition of last week’s paper, the winners for the educator of the year awards were incorrectly listed, naming last year’s winners. This year’s winners are Kamri Fleming, for Franklin County Schools, and Tanya Cleveland, for Russellvillle City Schools. The Franklin County Times regrets the error. The annual Franklin County Partnership banquet, sponsored by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and the Franklin County Development Authority, took place March 7 at the A.W. Todd Centre in downtown Russellville. CHAMBER AWARDS Beautification awards • Phil Campbell Faelynn’s Place • Red Bay - Happy Hollow Outdoors • Russellville - Good Shepherd Catholic Church • Franklin County at Large - Bear Creek Collaborative Business of the Year Happy Hollow Outdoors “Sprout” Business of the Year Farmhouse Table Café Franklin County’s Best Kept Secret Northwest Shoals Community College Distinguished Service Awards • Phil Campbell - City Clerk and Magistrate, Virginia Burks. • Red Bay - retired police officer, Scottie Belue. • Russellville - youth minister and prime timer’s leader at Russellville’s First Baptist Church, Joel Davis Volunteer of the Year Phil Campbell fire chief and rescue squad chief, Andy Marbutt. Roger Bedford Unsung Hero Andy Gault of Gault Signs. Hall of Fame Award Kelly Moore (Lifelong
See AWARDS, Page A2
Index Records ........................ A3 Worship ........................ A6 Kids ............................... A7 Opinion ........................ A8 Sports ........................... B1 Classifieds ................... B6 Ak Akins k Funera ral a Home Our family has been serving Franklin County since 1949.
Offering compassionate service and advice during the most difficult of times. Staff is always available, 24/7 13455 Hwy. 43 – Russellville, Alabama
256-332-1131
PHOTOS BY MARÍA CAMP Pilgrim’s donates the money for the RPL summer reading program. (From LEFT: Wynona Oden, employment manager for Pilgrim’s in Russellville; Peyton Sammons, Pilgrim’s Russellville plant manager; Joshua Griffin, Pilgrim’s Russellville complex manager; Joshlyn Bowen, RPL director, Maria Mojica, RPL board member; Cassie Medley, executive director for the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and RPL employee Peggy Harrison.
Pilgrim’s sponsors Russellville Public Library summer reading program
By María Camp maria.camp@ franklincountytimes.com The Russellville Public Library summer reading program, fully sponsored by Pilgrim’s to the tune of $4,200, will kick off June 14. “I’m so excited to work with the team at Pilgrim’s for the third year in a row for our summer reading program,” explained RPL director Joshlyn Bowen. “Their support takes the programming limitations off of us and allows us to create a summer reading program that captivates the community in an impactful way. They are a wonderful part of this community.” This year’s events include a bounce house, face painting, the Russellville ice cream truck, a magician, a toucha-truck program, reading with dogs, a Franklin County Extension program and, for the finale, a variety of animals to see up close. “We’re very excited to have the opportunity to continue this partnership and be a part of the community,” said Pilgrim’s Russellville complex manager, Joshua Griffin. “One of our goals is to give back and provide a better future for our employees and people that are involved in the community, so we’re very thankful to be able to do that.” Griffin said the company’s vision includes working “to be the best and most respected company in the industry” while also trying to offer a better future for their employees, the children of their employees and making sure the community in general is
Pilgrim’s donates $4,200, fully funding the Russellville Public Library reading program.
the library in person. For more information, follow the Facebook Page for the Russellville Public Library or stop by the library for an event list and registration information.
Anna Tidwell reads to her children Nathan Tidwell and Noah Tidwell at the Russellville Public Library. part of that work. “We’re appreciative of the opportunity to be able to do that and to give back and to continue our vision,” he added. For Pilgrim’s Russellville plant manager Peyton Sammons, the project is something he said he looks forward to as a means of continuing the
company’s relationship with the community so they are “helping out as much as we can, for our team members, as well as for the future of youth coming up into the workforce here, being a stable jobsite for them.” Sammons said the program’s impact is important because it provides exposure to new
activities and ideas, as well as providing opportunities for education and fun. Registration for the kickoff event will begin May 31 at 10: 30 a.m. This year, registration opens to the public every Monday prior to the upcoming program for that week. Registration is free. To register, call 256-332-1535, or stop by
RPL Summer Reading Program 2024 Schedule June 14 (2-4 p.m.) • Princess and the Pirates bounce party • Obstacle course bouncy house • Face painter • Ice cream truck of Russellville June 21 (2-3 p.m.) The Magic of Reading with magician Russell Davis June 28 (2-3:30 p.m.) Touch a Truck July 12 (2-3 p.m.) Reading with Dogs. Program guests: Second Chance K-9 Advocates, PAWS. July 19 (2-3 p.m.) Franklin County Extension Office representative Austin Blankenship, details TBA. July 25 (Thursday – 2-3:30 p.m.) Finale -- Barking Cow Farms