Cherry Tree Plain? Fail!

H. L. Mencken defined Puritanism as the haunting fear that someone, somewhere may be happy. Over the years, Mencken's quote has been detailed to fit other groups. Today, we will add that there are apparently those in Florence, Alabama, who fear some storefront might just stand out from the others, might develop an upwardly mobile clientele, and then might bring an undesirable element to the city--you know, anyone with flair or fashion sense. Then where would the vice-mayor's cousin be with her girdle business?

Last year, Kennedy's Bridal and Formal Wear opened on North Court Street. Immediately a reactionary few began to criticize the store's robin egg blue and sea foam green accent colors. To many, including those of us here at Shoalanda, the store was a bright spot in the cityscape that signaled new growth and, dare we say it, a modicum of artistic taste in our little area of the state. Alas, Kennedy's glow has been extinguished.

In it's place now stands Cherry Tree Lane Bridal, it's trim painted a non-descript neutral usually reserved for funeral homes, investment institutions, and prisons for the criminally insane. Like Toni Morrison's Not Doctor Street, this retail establishment shall now forever be known as Cherry Tree Plain.


Town & Gown: UNA has just announced a new head of campus security. We hope a new administration will put an end to any animosity the campus police has recently experienced from locals.

Shoalanda