The Ant is Back!/So Long Sweetwater Reunion

Friday and Saturday mark the return of that celebrity ant...you know, the one on those great looking tee-shirts. Downtown Russellville will be reinventing itself as the center of all things fun once more this year. Here's a brief bio of one our favorite bands that will be performing:

Out of Northwest Alabama come The KGB entertaining crowds all around the Southeast with talented vocalists covering every genre of music. A KGB show is so diverse that it pleases all ages and all musical tastes with powerful ballads, tight harmonies and a lot of laughs. They are currently working on their first all original album which will be released soon. Kerry Gilbert is a native of Russellville and in 1986 played his first Watermelon Festival with a local band called Mountain Breeze. The KGB consists of: Kerry Gilbert, Randy Kimbrough, Mitchell Curtis, Shane Goodson, Hugh Banks, Byron Jamerson and David Jones.

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Last weekend marked the final Sweetwater Reunion. We were remiss in not reporting on it before now, but it gives us a chance to clear up some misconceptions. The Reunion has been an East Florence staple for 26 years, and event organizers felt it had run its course.

The demise of the annual reunions has nothing to do with discontinuation of work on Sweetwater Mansion. The owner of the old Weeden home has for two years been attempting to bring in tourist dollars with sporadic events. While it's unofficial, we have heard that renovation has stopped on the project due to lack of funding and interest from the local community. Sweetwater's Facebook page has not been updated in three months and the director no longer lists the mansion as among her interests. Anyone surprised?

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Where were you 35 years ago today? If you have an interesting memory of that Tuesday, be sure to leave it here:

Where Were You?

Shoalanda

The Ant at Thirty/Slugo's Revenge?

That's right. Our favorite ant is now 30, along with the Russellville Watermelon Festival. Here's a link to this weekend's events: Link

If you can't make it to the festival, you can still order tee-shirts from the address listed. Unfortunately, the Kerry Gilbert Band is not available through the mail.

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Been reading about the elusive George Earl Craig of Russellville? Craig is currently wanted on kidnapping and rape charges. It seems George is the brother of the late Slugo Craig. According to to a highly reliable source, the altercation between George and his victim began when the victim stated she was glad Slugo had been done-in by an ex-girlfriend.

Did our source have any other interesting tidbits? One could say so...it seems our informant didn't believe the charges against George. According to her, "He wouldn't have raped her. He would have just beaten her up real bad." Well, glad we've gotten that straightened out.

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To Respond or Not

A Guest Commentary By

J. J. Ray

Sometime in life, discretion is the better part of valor. Simply put, saying nothing to ridiculous allegations by individuals who have only one agenda and that is to destroy a human being they don’t agree with. The state employee in question does not have any naked pictures that he carries around with him unless they are baby pictures. He could not show it to anyone because it does not exist. He has not taken sides between the Hatfields and McCoys nor will he.

This is nothing but more character assassination by wearisome individuals that have nothing to do but gossip. I also have my sources in Cherokee that are very reliable (meaning truthful). Some have lived there all of their lives and only want to see the city grow and prosper.

Others would have the city wither, and die for no reason other than they are miserable, and want all around them to be downhearted. Mike Malone is both a respected person at work and with most of the citizens in Cherokee. I have a relative that works with him who made that comment. I do not know either Mike or his wife personally, only their reputations that are available from once again, reliable sources.

All of us in this world have shortcomings. None are or have been perfect, save one. I used a quote by Einstein in another column the other day: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Stop this self-destructive behavior and character assassination. Remember we all have to answer to a higher power someday. One of my favorite quotes is from a college professor years ago. He stated that he hated to hear the words, “I wish I had.”

Is it not time to cease and desist all of this grumbling and backbiting and put that energy to work building the town up? Cherokee can be a great and prosperous place to live. The highway access is great, crime is almost non-existent, most of the people are friendly and the schools are first-rate. All that is needed is for the Hatfields and McCoys to bury the hatchet, not in each other. Don’t fear prosperity, embrace it.

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Did you know MUG.com has relocated to Sheffield? Read Trader's review of their new facilities: Link


Shoalanda



Get connected in September!

What Next for Cheryl Bradford?

Cheryl Bradford resigned her position as Director of the Russellville Chamber of Commerce in early July after being called to a special Chamber meeting to resolve the ongoing problem of unpaid bills. On July 6th, the Chamber asked Bradford to reconsider her resignation; Bradford agreed to return to her position of Executive Director only if the current Board members resign. Bradford's demand may appear unrealistic on the surface, but according to several Franklin County sources, she has the support of the community.

When Lisa Stockton resigned as Chamber Director in December 2007, Cheryl Bradford was one of 15 applicants who sought the position. Chamber President Ken Askew announced the hiring of Bradford, a retired TVA employee, six weeks later. Askew stated at the time it was a difficult choice, but many close to the selection process privately stated Bradford's husband Jackie, Franklin County District I Commissioner, had used his influence to sway Chamber members.

Now, two short weeks before the annual Watermelon Festival, the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce is left virtually rudderless, refuses to budge in its position, and declines comment on the Chamber's current financial problems. Our sources say watch for the plot to thicken.


Congratulations to Tina Miller Parker on her appointment to the Muscle Shoals Civil Service Board--a great choice for the job!