Easter 2024

 

Anyone out there celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility? No? We thought not. Joe Biden doesn't really want to be re-elected, does he?

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.



Happy Easter!

All of Us at Shoalanda Speaks

Why Are Florence Government Addresses So Wrong?

 

Looking for an address? You can't consult the Big Yellow Book anymore. According to one tracker, of those who look up information on a desk or laptop, 82.74% use the Google search engine. Of those who consult their phones, a whopping 95.16% turn to Google for guidance. 

Let's say you need to discuss something with the Florence mayor in person, how would you find his office? Let's look at Google:

His office is in the Florence Board of Education? Where is that? How is that possible?

No, the Florence BOE hasn't been in the Richards Center for quite some time, and, according to one of our readers who works at Florence Utilities, the mayor's office hasn't been in the Municipal Building since Betterton took office. (We have never heard of it being in the Richards Center.) How is the general public to know this with no help from any reputable online source? If you ask a Google Home Assistant, you get the same answer of Riverview Drive.

Over the years, we've seen office holders not updated, but, until now, we've never seen such a lack of information about locations. Could it be that some like it that way? After all, someone was initially instructed to input the addresses into Google. Now we know which local office wins the award for lack of transparency.

*****

Hello. I'm Evelyn, a six month-old female. My bio says I'm a Lab mix, but my ears indicate some possum in my lineage. Come see me at the Florence shelter on Roberson Road:

An Electric Council Meeting on Tuesday

 

 

Florence - The 5:00 p.m. City Council meeting on Tuesday will discuss raising the electric rates. Have problems with that? Go to the council meeting. Just remember, this is a council issue; many other issues are solely Andy's. Think some city employees are worthless? You need to see Andy about that..if you can find him.

Muscle Shoals - Tired of the mayor's over spending? He's learned a lot from Andy. Try catching him in his office. You may have to look behind the door or in the cloak closet. Better yet, have some fun. Take a detour by Gattman Park some afternoon and see how many on the Trojan baseball team are actually out there practicing.

Sheffield - Disappointed in weak management? Go to a council meeting and ask about Inspiration Landing - now in year 10! Then ask about the lawsuits. Okay, that might make the meeting drag on until Midnight. Perhaps you should just pass out pamphlets on Office of Justice training programs to ensure the police department isn't being sued every week.

Tuscumbia - Has anyone checked on the muskrats lately?

Russellville - Demand that the City build an animal shelter. Ask the Electric Department for a donation if you have to.

After everyone does that, report back on how much of an impact you made. You may have to do a rinse and repeat.

*****

Hey, Guys! I'm Fox Glove. If you can't tell, I'm a three month-old girl and I'm wearing red gloves...uh, sorta. I'm what you call a mutt, but I want to call you Ma and Pa. Come meet me at the Florence shelter on Roberson Road:

Get up to Date, Andy!

 

We had several readers tell us that Andy Betterton regularly popped in and out of the Florence-Lauderdale Government Building because that's where his office has moved. Interesting.

First, that would simply reverse our question. If his office is in the Government Building, why is he frequently prancing over to the Municipal Building? Doesn't he have a phone in his current office?

Second, why do most Google listings still indicate his office is in the City Hall Building on East Tennessee Street? Or better yet, in the "Board of Education?" If a jeweler or pharmacist or any other businessman moved one block to the east, we're pretty sure he would make certain all listings referenced his exact new address.

Remember that City employee who said Andy was incapable of leading: The Truth About Andy Betterton? We agree; we're pretty sure his main talent is hiding.

What to Get Andy (or Mike or Steve) for his Birthday

Florence Doctor Sues Sheffield Police

 

Just when you think it can't get any worse for the City of Sheffield, it does. A Florence chiropractor is suing the City, the police chief, three officers (whose names are unknown to us) and Ofc. Kaegan Cook for the sum of 15 million. 

Pictured above is Dr. Alexander Sayas, owner of Sayas Chiropractic Center on East Tennessee Street. On the night of October 9, 2023, Dr. Sayas and his wife dined at a Sheffield eatery where Mrs. Sayas dropped her phone in the parking lot. Dr. Sayas alleges that when he returned in an attempt to locate the phone, he was attacked and Tased by Sheffield officer Kaegan Cook, pictured below (we think he's the one on the right).

Dr. Sayas required medical treatment for several barb wounds and has filed suit for use of excessive force, negligence, assault and battery, emotional distress, and false imprisonment. This is the fourth such suit that Sheffield has faced in the past two years, according to the TimesDaily.

Assuming that Sheffield should lose all four suits, would the City be in any position financially to meet its legal and other obligations? How much liability insurance does it have? This is a question Mayor Stanley and the city council should be asking themselves.

Would the State see fit to take over the town if it feels Sheffield government is unable to provide financial leadership? It's happened in cities across the country, but some towns choose simply to give up their charter. If Sheffield did the latter, Tuscumbia and Muscle Shoals could annex much of what is now Sheffield...if they choose.

At this rate, we're not sure who would even want to run for mayor and council in 2025...

Let's All Play "Where's Andy?"

 

Readers regularly ask us why Handy Dandy Andy spends so much time at the Florence-Lauderdale Government Building. We imagine that at least part of it is business. Three floors of the building are dedicated to City of Florence offices.

Yet that begs the question: Why doesn't Andy just use the phone? Several who work for the City say that Andy likes to escape whenever he can. Surely that couldn't be the main reason for the trips across the street...could it?

If you see our mayor out of his pew during work hours, feel free to report it to us. In the interim, we'll be designing a countdown clock until the next municipal election.

*****

Hi ya, mates! I'm Sally, a 13 week-old mixed hound. I'm available for dates or adoption, so come up and see me sometime at the Florence shelter in the industrial park:

"Rumors...These Are Only Rumors"

 

Our title today is taken from a news conference once held by former Florence police chief Rick Thompson. How do you gauge rumors?

You're a 911 operator answering a call when you hear: An elephant just came flying through my living room window. Would you immediately hang up or would you take down the information on the off chance that it could be true? What would be the chance that it did happen?

Don't say zero. Imagine a circus truck becoming lost while traveling to a new town. The truck enters a residential area where its brakes and steering simultaneously fail. As the truck hits a home, a small elephant is ejected and flies into a family's living room via a window.

Now you're thinking: What are the odds that all these things could happen? We would say so minuscule that they're almost non-existent, but they are never zero.

Therefore, knowing that almost anything is possible, how much support would you put behind a city employee who raves about those "flying elephants?" Remember, his salary is paid by you. Don't you expect at least lucid thoughts concerning his job description and plans for his future work?

That being said, many city employees serve at the mayor's pleasure. New mayor? You can bet heads will roll.

To be continued...

Nuts...Nuts All Around Us

 

 

Most of you reading this reside in Alabama where the State spends hundreds of thousands of dollars defending laws that will be struck down by courts...and no one seems to object. Now we're facing several expensive problems with embryos that will never develop into fetuses.

For those who may have forgotten their high school biology, a fertilized egg must implant in the uterine wall for conception to be complete. If the egg doesn't implant, it begins to dissolve and is passed from the body during a woman's monthly cycle.

What about IVF? Usually more eggs are fertilized than used. What happens to extra eggs? They're discarded. Remember: If not implanted in a uterus, they're just a group of cells.

Now more than one group wants the State to take custody of abandoned embryos which would have ordinarily been discarded (destroyed). How much this would cost is anyone's guess.

We doubt that such a law would pass, but if it does? Welcome to Alabama!

The Other Side of the Hathorne Debate

 

Unless there's some great moral debate on the table, we attempt to remain neutral and publish both sides of any issue. We do not name the names of any who send us information or opinions.

We recently received some criticism on Facebook from a woman who works for the Salvation Army and who wanted names of those who criticized Lexington coach Samuel Hathorne. Since the woman uses a name other than her own to post these comments, we find her demands comical. What can you expect from the Salvationists?

Now, we have received some positive comments about Coach Hathorne, and will publish them here:

2 administrators sat in their office the morning before the hearing, "coming up with" things this coach has done since arriving at Lexington. None of these items were what the board was there to discuss.   To all of us normal people this screams that they are trying to set him up to get fired.  By the way, absolutely none of those items were ever documented when they happened which I find interesting. If they were so terrible, then why didn't they document these instances and have Coach Hathorn to sign then.  I heard that one of the board members told the administrators that these items were not worth the paper they were written on.  

Coach Hathorn took over as head baseball coach last year and I believe they ended the year with a 20-4 record.  The year prior to that I think they won 2 or 3 games.   It's the same story in football.  Before Coach Hatorn came to Lexington, they were averaging winning less than 4 or 5 games a year.  After Coach Hathorns arrival Lexington has made the playoffs every year he has been there and won 8-9 games each year.  Amazing stats for both sports.  But when Coach Lard retired last year, the administrator hired someone outside the program even though Coach Hathorn was more qualified.  Another point made that there is a vendetta against this awesome coach.  I guarantee that if we took a vote of who loves Coach Hathorn at the school or in the community, Coach Hathorn would win hands down.  I would not say the same for 2 of our administrators.

There was a great deal more to this rebuttal that we may publish later. In the interim, we'd like to know why these admins despise the coach?

ATTENTION: CRIME VICTIMS

 

Since 2011, Alabama had been using its second incarnation of victim notification for paroles, releases, and transfers. This month, a third system has been launched. Now, instead of literal street addresses, the State will notify you via e-mail or phone message. You may move ten times, but you will still be notified when the person who hurt you or your family has a parole hearing.

Alabama Victim Notification

Your old registration will no longer work. You'll need to register at the above link. It's simple and easy!

*****

Hello, I'm Rafferty. I'm a seven year-old male Retriever mix. I would really love to come live with you. Please come see me at the Florence shelter in the industrial park:

Do You Know What it Means to Miss St. Florian?

 

EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN

According to Blake Edwards in his “councilman remarks to the public”, “Youth in Government” day for the Florence City council has been going on since his senior year at Bradshaw High School in 1972. There was not even the Internet then, much less a “Google machine” so we will just have to take his word on it. The meeting on 03/19/2024 of the council this year was held at the Florence Lauderdale Coliseum. The cell reception is very bad in that building so it could not be live streamed, but the city recorded it and put the entire meeting on the City of Florence government Facebook page. It seemed to be a “run of the mill” meeting with little on the agenda that would merit controversy. 

There were some fireworks though. Apparently, even Bernie Delinski from the TimesDaily was in the audience for this meeting. His article in the newspaper covering the meeting of course focused on the reactions of the children in attendance but what was surprising was that the kids seemed most impressed with the “remarks from the public” portion of the meeting. The speeches made seemed to cover what is important to not only these young people, but most of the city of Florence presently. AND the city of St. Florian to the north too! 

Topics covered the city becoming involved again with Project Say Something in their bid to place a plaque next to the Confederate statue in front of the courthouse. Mr. David Carson was totally against this and vowed to fight this action any way he could. River Zurinsky brought up the missing live streams of meetings on the city FB page and how this was another example of the lack of transparency on the City’s part. Mr. Matt Eckl asked the question to the council of how landowners in St. Florian could opt out of the annexation if they desired to. He stated they were told by Senator Tim Melson this could be done and wanted to know if the council was aware of this procedure. No  one responded. 

Then there was Mr. Michael White who seemed to just throw the kitchen sink of grievances at those on the dais. He started by wishing the kids good luck when they graduated and stated that the current council has not recruited any jobs they could get where they would be able to pay ALL their rent with their meager salary. Then he brought up the transparency issue by reminding everyone that those who were being annexed into the city of Florence in St. Florian found out about it by reading the newspaper. He finished with the high retail sales tax rate that is paid in Florence. He stated that it is the citizens' money being spent by the council, not the opposite. Tax money should be spent wisely and with the input and approval of the citizens. The kids applauded each speaker.

All in all, it was an entertaining meeting. Not very much city business was handled of importance, but this was a good chance for the kids to see how government operates. It made me wonder how much things have changed and how much has remained the same since the first “Youth in Government” day Blake Edwards brought up that happened in 1972. Back then, it seemed like this area was truly destined for greatness. Good jobs with union pay at several facilities and there was even talk of building something called a “mall” with a city of shopping under one roof out on the new Outer Loop. Makes me think of a version of a campaign ad: Are we better off now than 50+ years ago?

Parents Condemn UNA for Using Hathorne

 

When the Lauderdale County Board of Education gave Samuel Hathorne a permanent position, many parents weren't happy. Recently, they believed the cussin' coach would learn from his ten-day suspension without pay.

Not so fast. The University of North Alabama has hired Hathorne to "call plays" at their Spring exhibition game on Thursday. Look at it this way: Perhaps this is a tryout for bigger things? Lexington parents can only hope.

For those who are still really upset, perhaps some boos are in order at the game?

Samuel Hathorne: Not Standing Tall in Lexington

 

Before his arrival at Lexington High School, Samuel Hathorne coached in several towns, mainly in Mississippi. His LinkedIn profile shows only Ripley, where he toiled for eight years. In 2020, he was at Tishomingo coaching offense.

By 2023, he was at Lexington. At least he was coaching at Lexington High School. Credit reports show the 38 year-old residing in Muscle Shoals. Perhaps he has designs on a position as that school's baseball coach? After all, he would be a step up.

It seems Hathorne has been using some interesting words at work, and not for the first time. Now the founder of Standing Tall Ministries in Corinth has been suspended without pay for continued use of profanity.

If any parents have more complaints about the coach, now is the time to contact the board:

"Brian Murphy Has No Credibility?"

 

Yesterday we mentioned that the latest committee to attempt to save the Gov. Patton Home included City of Florence employee Brian Murphy. We soon received a short missive from peafarm:

Brian Murphy is going to save the Gov Patton Home? The same Brian Murphy who wrote this:  The Southern Cross of Honor: how insurrections become legitimized | National Council on Public History

The Southern Cross of Honor: how insurrections become legitimized | Nati... Katie Owens-Murphy and Brian Murphy Editor’s Note: This post is part of a series of reflections from winners of NCPH awards in 2023. Katie Owens-Mur...

Brian Murphy has no credibility. Those who professionally associate with him have lost any respect within the community that they may have once had. 

Just wait until the next election. Every elected official within the city of Florence will be removed from office. They will have Brian Murphy to thank for their early retirement as career politicians. 

If Bill Jordan is elected (or appointed) to take his father's place the city of Florence will officially be doomed.

We agree that it's odd that now Murphy wishes to save a historical home with strong ties to the Confederacy. We've also been asked why refer to it now as the Gov. Patton Home? Since that is the registered name of the old home, this will make it easier for historical groups to find records relating to the manse.

Do we have hopes for saving the Gov. Patton Home and associated cemeteries? Sadly we do not, but it's not as if the public hasn't been told for almost 15 years. Apparently George didn't show up to do it.

Florence's Very Own Performance Artist Brian Murphy

Two Groups Failed - Will Third Save Gov. Patton Home?

 

Two groups have already failed to save the Gov. Patton Home. First, William McDonald and the Florence Historical Board failed. They instigated the group that formed a 15 person committee which failed miserably in its efforts.

The committee suffered one robbery, announced the presence of a werewolf, and after two years ended in a disarray. The second group was anonymous, but apparently failed in its attempts to find a buyer for the old house: Ripples.

Now, it's been announced that a third group has formed:

Katie Randall of Aforepreservation (and formerly on the City Historical Commission). She's chairman. Dr. George Makowski, of UNA's Public History Dept., Brian Murphy of the City Museum Board and MSNHA, and City Historian Billy Warren.

Can these four succeed where at least a score of others failed? Who will be the final word on the location of a possible African-American cemetery?

We've already had one member of Project Say Something post that the old home should be razed. (We blocked the poster since she also gave her opinion of Jews.) Will the former officer in PSS be committed to saving the home of erstwhile Confederates? Is there time for anyone to make a difference?

*****

Does everyone remember the Chrighton Leprechaun outside Mobile? Any recent sightings? Perhaps he's moved to the Patton estate to join Sweetwolf?

Gov. Patton Home

 

Since our last article on "Sweetwater," several things have come to light. We'll address only one today. What is the official name of the old home? It's seems not Sweetwater Mansion or the Weeden Home.

On June 17, 1976, the edifice was registered with the Alabama Historical Commission as the Gov. Patton Home. Is that what we should now call it? Should the name be changed? Since this is the official name, that is the name we'll use from this point on.

What is being done to save the Gov. Patton Home? Either very little or quite a lot. We'll let you decide tomorrow.

*****

Hello, Peeps! I'm Oakley, a 10 month-old male Hound mix. Come see me at the Florence shelter in the industrial park:

Self Says Jamy Poss Told Him It Was All Right

 

One of the most damning charges against Lauderdale County Circuit Judge Gil Self is hiring his son as a law clerk. The County paid the younger Self over 50K for the work he did with the approval of local attorney Jamy Poss who served on the law library board.

Yet according to newly released court documents, last September Self testified that he hadn't asked anyone for approval. So which is it?

As of now, there's no trial date set for Self. All his cases have been assigned to others, but Lauderdale's trial docket has to have been dramatically slowed.

Readers frequently ask us why this or that defendant hasn't come to trial. Obviously, those seeking justice will have a much longer wait.

Roy Moore Is Getting the Band Together Again?

 

Remember Roy Moore and his lovely wife Kayla (that was sarcasm)? His Foundation for Moral Law is still alive and kicking and asking for money. Its chief counsel is one Col. John Eidsmore. Colonel of what? Is this man helping to run our military? Heaven help us!

Now Eidsmore has proclaimed IVF is wrong. He's worried that discarding frozen embryos is murder. Never mind the eight million people now alive in the U.S. due to this procedure.

In case there's any doubt, embryos can't grow outside a woman's body. That hasn't deterred Eidsmore who says science is working on implanting human embryos in sheep. Well, we certainly had to look that one up.

Guess what! We couldn't find that. We have found where certain organs may be cloned inside sheep at some point. Now, be honest, if your parent, spouse, or child needed that organ, you wouldn't object at all. 

We're pretty sure Col. Eidsmore would object...in his finite wisdom. If you hear of anyone planning on giving money to Roy Moore's subversive group, please tell them not to.

****

Hello, peeps! I'm Storm, a two year-old female Retriever mix in need of some TLC. Come see me at the Florence shelter on Roberson Road in the industrial park:

The Truth about Andy Betterton

The following inside complaints against Andy Betterton have been edited to preserve anonymity:

1. Many, if not all, were very surprised at the lack of the Mayor’s understanding how the City operates, including the rules and policies. For someone new coming in, it is common, but not someone who has served as a Councilman for over a decade. The problem is, he doesn’t seem to want to learn, or is not capable of learning.

2. The Mayor has a difficult time making tough decisions, and many times simply hopes the problems will solve themselves, or go away.

 
3. All politicians want, consciously or unconsciously, to please their donors, constituents, and prominent citizens, but Mayor Betterton seems to have a tendency to give these wants a higher priority than most, even after being advised that such actions are not advisable due to a negative appearance of being inappropriate, whether true or not. Mayor Betterton on more than one occasion has openly made in clear that his decisions are made based on the fact that the decision made would affect someone that was a campaign donor. Decisions should not be based in this way, especially openly.

 
4. You can’t be everyone’s friend 100% of the time. You have to make hard decisions and stick to them. Even when Mayor Betterton makes a decision, there is no confidence that he won’t change his decision due to pressures from someone else that has other motives.

*****

It's sad when a Dollar Tree can't make it. From a press release:

Dollar Tree plans to close about 600 Family Dollar stores in the first half of this year and 370 Family Dollar and 30 Dollar Tree stores over the next several years.

Why Did City of Florence Delete the Videos?

 

For all the faults of the Florence City government (most related to its current mayor), it has for years presented its council meetings to the general public in some manner. For the past few years, Facebook users could see the exploits of council president Dick Jordan without having to dress and drive downtown twice a month. 

Now some of this has changed. From a reader:

All the city council meetings between August 2023 - January 2024 appear to be completely gone off of Facebook, that is 11 meetings that the public can no longer go back and watch. Those meetings include several important votes such as the Air Bnb vote. By the way, the videos for the work sessions are also gone, so that is at least 22 videos that have been removed from the City Of Florence, Alabama - Government Facebook page.

We suggest creating a Facebook page called "Archived Florence Council Meetings." The 22 missing videos, as well as any others, will have a new home. Florence needs the transparency...and a new mayor.

*****

Hi, I'm ZZ, a two year-old mixed breed male. Come see me at the Florence shelter in the industrial park:

The Fate of the Weeden Home (Sweetwater)? - Part II

 

Who sold Sweetwater? It had remained in the Brahan/Patton/Weeden family until the mid-1970s when it was sold. Apparently Florence didn't have large enough disco balls for the family at that point. Then Jesse and Edith Cavell Smithson purchased the home. The title was later passed to their daughter Susan Leigh Smithson (she currently spells her name Suzan).

Susan then passed the title to her son Jesse Cullen Jacques. By 2023, the entire property was in disarray and waiting for a buyer to reclaim it (see photo below). But as what?

Enter a hospitality group from Nashville. The hotel moguls officially took possession of the land on May 28th of last year. Reportedly, Mr. Jacques moved to Henderson, Nevada, with a cool 1.3 million of proceeds in his pocket. The hospitality group now has a mortgage of almost .9K that requires regular payments. You can bet your paws and whiskers that the owners will begin some kind of construction soon.

It's been 14 years since Susan Smithson attempted to turn the Weeden Home into a money-maker. When her attempts suddenly ended after two years and after a group threw in the towel on raising money to purchase the building and land, no one in the community made a real effort to purchase the former governor's home.

Will the hospitality group be allowed to pour asphalt over a cemetery (possibly two cemeteries)? We expect more legal actions in the next few weeks. At that time, you can expect Part III of this two hundred year-old saga.

Look Closely at the Black Line

The Fate of the Weeden Home (Sweetwater)? - Part I

 

Recently we've seen several ask where or what is Sweetwater Mansion. Why don't they know? For years, everyone referred to the old manse as the Weeden Home. Did calling it a real mansion help save it? It would seem that it has not.

First a little about the edifice from Ripples:

Part I - Genesis

Where does the history of Sweetwater Mansion begin? Certainly the land on which the venerable home sits has a much longer history, but for the purposes of this account we'll begin with the foundations of the building itself. John Brahan, who served as a major general in the War of 1812, owned the land the Indians had called Sweetwater and began construction of the two story, eight room house in 1828. When Brahan died of pneumonia six years later, the house had risen only to the sills of the first floor windows.

Despite a historical marker adjacent to Florence Boulevard, and despite what publicists for the current owner Susan Leigh Smithson have reported, John Brahan never lived in the home before his death. Brahan willed the property to his son Maj. Robert Brahan. The younger Brahan chose not to reside on the plantation and traded the estate to his sister's husband, Robert Miller Patton. Robert and Jane Patton finished the home in 1835 and became the first family to reside there.


Part II - The Pattons & Weedens

Gov. Robert Miller Patton and his wife Jane Locke Brahan Patton lived in the plantation house at Sweetwater for many years. After their deaths, the mansion passed to their daughter Martha Hayes Patton and her husband Col. John David Weeden.

John David Weeden and Martha Patton Weeden resided in the home until their demise, at which time their son John Dowling Weeden and his wife Jessie Ora Earthman Weeden took possession of the mansion, now almost universally known as the Weeden Home. John, who died in 1960, and Jessie, who followed in 1972, had one child. Their daughter Elizabeth married James Minton and chose not to live on the family plantation.

Now the home that had sheltered the Patton-Weeden families for 138 years became part of what was known as the John D. Weeden Estate. In 1976, the Patton-Weeden home was added to the National Register of Historic Places, a distinctly different designation than that of a Federal Landmark.


In today's world, the eight room home with no kitchen and only the smallest of bathrooms is hardly a mansion. That hasn't stopped many from calling the Weeden Home such a grandiose structure.

In 2009, several interests collided. The caretaker had died, the Florence Historical Board was looking into ways of saving the home, and several rushed in to provide their brand of salvation to an owner who was mainly interested in money. The asking price had risen to nine million dollars.

A board was formed, with several of the members being high school students. In fact one of these former students is reclining in a jail cell as you read this. Others on the board soon saw how little was being accomplished and left. Only one attempted to inform the public.

The entire circus devolved into art lessons for children with a convicted rapist assisting. That rapist is currently doing his third stretch in the state prison system. Does anyone see a trend here? The engine that pushed the renovations was quickly running out of fuel and produced only sputters.

Then the sputtering stopped. Nothing was happening. In 2019, there was a new realtor and new ghost hunters. The Ghost Girls from Cullman briefly entered the picture, but to no avail:

With no buyer on the horizon, things remained quiet for several more years until last Spring. By then, magician Robert Simone was calling himself the caretaker, but what did the old home look like after four more years of decay? Snaps from April 2023:

Then the property sold.

To be continued...