"Remembering Florence"

Whether you live in Florence or not, we encourage you to share your memories of this beautiful river city on a new Facebook page. Our friend Larry Fisher launched his homage to this wonderful town only two days ago, and the site already has well over 600 members. Let's see if we can get it to 1K by the end of the week.

Remembering Florence

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While on Facebook, be sure to become a fan of Mr. Fisher himself. Larry is not only a strong supporter of his former hometown, he doesn't shirk when it comes to speaking up for the truth. We hope all those who become members of the Remembering Florence community will also become fans of Larry.

Larry Fisher Fan Page

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Here's an update on Maisie: Link

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Pictured at top is a Florence scene from 1922. If you have any photos to share, please send them to Larry via Facebook.

Shoalanda

Red Faces & Pink Slips at the Rail Car Plant

Red Faces & Pink Slips at the Rail Car Plant

A Guest Commentary By

J. J. Ray

Where else in the world could we have Government Motors in Detroit and Alabama Railcars right down the road from Cherokee? That almost seems like poetic justice. There is no doubt the rest of the world, with maybe Venezuela as an exception, is envious.

Think about it folks with only a pittance of just one billion (1,000,000,000,000) we are now in the same category as Barry Obama. Imagine the excitement of the taxpayers and retirees to find out they are now the proud owners of the largest white elephant in the world. A mile long building where nothing happens. Obama I am sure is salivating that we have the audacity to play in the same league as the federal government.

Where is the speech from Governor Riley? After all, he sold us this bill of goods, or was it that swampland in Arizona we bought. Where are our leaders now? They are probably out buying another country club to turn into a dump. When are we going to wise up and quit listening to these snake oil salespeople? There is an old adage that goes, “When do you know a politician is lying to you? When his lips are moving."

Congress is now at eleven percent approval, what about our state leaders when do we hold them accountable? Is there any possibility that something good can come out of that one billion (1,000,000,000,000) hole in the ground. Let’s look at the possibilities, how about the largest car or tank wash in the world or maybe an indoor exercise spa for a herd of white elephants? Don’t like these suggestions? Why don’t we have a contest, name the building, and pick the best use for the facility. The winner will win an all expenses paid trip to the golf course in Ford city that we pay two cents a gallon for every day until the Good Lord comes back.

Yes, it is disheartening to see those sixteen hundred jobs go bye bye. Now we must know how the citizens of Iuka feel. Remember that debacle? How come the phones are not ringing off the wall in our leaders offices? How much longer do we let them drain our life’s blood from this area with their nonsense? Remember the definition of a politician? Poli meaning many and tics meaning blood sucking insects. That is what we have today--many bloodsucker politicians. Stand up for Alabama. Hold them accountable. Vote in November. Send them a message they will understand. Pink slips to all, and to all a good night.

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J. J.'s commentary is right on the mark. We would suggest that every retiree covered by the Retirement System of Alabama (RSA) contact David Bronner and inquire about the status of this project. No squeaky wheels indicate satisfaction. Anyone out there satisfied with National Alabama so far?

We would also suggest those affected by this mile-long albino pachyderm contact local news media to inquire why the lack of coverage on this royal mess. We no longer expect the TimesDaily to offer any honest input, but surely the Huntsville television stations would be interested in doing an investigative piece on this massive malfeasance.

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Maisie the Beagle has become something of a local celebrity. She's also the namesake of a new charitable cause. Read about it here: Maisie's Fund.

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Are you following the adventures of the Naked Baby? Why not suggest new destinations for Naked Baby? We're pretty sure it doesn't need a passport, so how about: Naked Baby Joins the Canadian Royal Mounted Police or Naked Baby Infiltrates a Mexican Drug Cartel?

The possibilities are endless. If you haven't been following, you can catch up here. Link


Shoalanda



Prepare to Get Connected!

Maisie: Thank You So Much for Helping Me!

Trader came by to see me yesterday. The last time he saw me, I had just undergone surgery and was not feeling too good. I am afraid I was not a real good host that day. As I lay there, I heard Dr. Cobb telling Trader he was real concerned that he might have to take my leg off if infection started to set in. Dr. Cobb showed Trader the X Rays of my left hip where the bone was not only snapped in two completely, but I had bone splinters which were hard to pin and wire back in place. To make matters worse my pelvis was broken in several places. He could only allow Mother Nature to put it back together and that would take time.

It has been a few weeks now and I am so tired of being confined to a cage. They told me I had to stay confined for a little while longer to allow my hip and pelvis to continue to heal. Everybody here loves on me, and Dr. Cobb told Trader I was getting spoiled.

According to Trader, Dr. Cobb told him the danger of infection has now passed and he has taken me off of the antibiotics. Now! It’s just a matter of gradually allowing me to walk to get my hip strength back. They took me out today so Trader could take some pictures of me. He said he wanted everyone to see what the result of kindness can produce when so many human beings pitched in to help me survive. Trader told me my injuries would normally have been a death sentence without someone like Dr. Cobb willing to go the extra distance to save my life.

I could not believe my ears and my hope soared when Trader told me of the checks that were starting to come in from as far away as New Hampshire, Michigan, Georgia, Maine, and from the humans who live in this area. I especially want to thank Asst. Chief Bobby Inman of the Leighton Police Department who helped get the information out about me needing help. I was told yesterday he was involved in a car accident and he is going to be confined to a cage for a while until he can move better. Hang in there, Bobby! The days go slow but you will be out sooner than you think!

This is the first time in my life that I have received so much kindness from so many human beings. It is because so many that showed kindness to me knowing that I could not pay them back that I am still alive.

Dr. Cobb said I have about another 6 weeks of convalescence before they can even think about finding me a family. It would be nice to be able to love on some humans just like I have been loved on these past few weeks. Whoever is interested in adopting me into their family I hope will allow me to stay indoors as Dr. Cobb said, that due to my injuries, extreme cold, dampness, etc., would cause me a lot of pain if I was placed out in it all the time.

Again! Thank You So Much For Giving Me My Life Back!

Maisie

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Trader has a list of everyone who has contributed to Maisie's surgery and convalescence. Donations are still needed, but we are almost there. After she has completely recuperated and been placed, he will be in contact with each of you. Thanks to everyone who made Maisie's new life possible.

Shoalanda

Prepare to Get Connected!

Who Needs Air Conditioning? Good Question...

From a local forum, we've learned there's currently no air conditioning in the Lauderdale County Detention Center and apparently hasn't been for some time. So...do they really need it there, of all places?

We probably won't change anyone's mind with our opinions, but let's give it a shot anyway. Not everyone incarcerated in the Detention Center is Osama Bin Laden. Some are truly innocent, some were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and some have made a singular mistake they will never repeat.

If you don't care about these unfortunate people now, perhaps you will when your wife's brother loses his job, gets drunk for the first time in his life and winds up in jail. Or it may be when your son or grandson accidentally runs a stop sign and decides to run from the police officer he sees in his rear view mirror because his friend sitting next to him has some dope in his pocket. Or...it may not be until the next life when you're asked why you didn't care in this one.

We already know that we can't leave cash for inmates because it has a way of disappearing--this says a great deal about the staff at the center. This does not speak well of our society, but since we don't seem to care about our schools, why should we care about our prisons--you know, the place our citizens go when they drop out of our oh so well funded schools.

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There are many caring people in the Shoals, and many of them have seen fit to help Maisie, the injured Beagle. Here's an update from Firenze: Link

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Any Cuppy's Coffee victims out there? Some interesting news for defrauded franchise owners: Link

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This Milner's photo postcard from 1900 is currently on eBay. It depicts the First Baptist Church building on the corner of Tombigbee Street and Wood Avenue with the Poplar Street Church of Christ building in the background.

The post card has slightly over a day left on the auction block if you'd like to bid: Link


Shoalanda



Get connected in September!