FC 19 for 2019 proves a challenge
Alison James, Columnists, COLUMNS--FEATURE SPOT, Opinion
 By  Alison James Published 
3:45 pm Monday, April 29, 2019

FC 19 for 2019 proves a challenge

At the end of 2018, as the old year died giving way to the new, I shared with you a special set of New Year’s resolutions – ones specific to Franklin County.

Although a lot of people avoid making New Year’s resolutions, I usually do make them. I guess people want to avoid the arbitrariness of Jan. 1, or maybe they don’t want to face the guilt they will feel if they don’t achieve their goals.

I can understand that. My personal resolutions aren’t going too well so far, and I haven’t made progress on my Franklin County resolutions either.

They say accountability is one of the best ways to meet your goals, so with the first third of 2019 gone, here I am with an update, and you will have to hold me accountable.

I haven’t eaten at Doe’s yet. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.

I haven’t watched a show performed by the Bay Tree Council, but I’m looking forward to the opportunity this summer.

No. 3 on my list was to go boating on the Bear Creek Lakes. The summer season is approaching and with it my chance to accomplish this goal. All I need is a boat…

Support a nonprofit effort? Not yet. Hike through the Dismals and take the Dismalites tour? Not yet.

Visit our local libraries, go to a Rockin’ at the Roxy show, take a walk at City Lake Park?

Not yet, not yet, not yet.

Are you sensing a theme?

Yes, I’ve let four months go by without accomplishing any of my goals. Yikes. It’s an old cliché but still true – time flies.

The good news is, I still have plenty of time to enjoy most of “tasks” on my 2019 list. I’ve not yet missed my chance to watch the fireworks over Sloss Lake and enjoy a picnic there; attend our community festivals; tour the Red Bay Museum; or be a costumed attendee at Trunks of Treats. There is still time to have lunch at Fourth Street Grill, shop local, visit Cypress Cove and take advantage of our wonderful farmers’ markets.

The bad news is, two of my aspirations for this year have slipped through my grasp. I won’t be spending a night at Hotel Red Bay, and I won’t be getting my photo with the Easter Bunny at a Chamber of Commerce Easter egg hunt.

There’s that twinge of regret non-resolution-makers try to avoid.

Despite my lollygagging, there’s no reason I can’t use the remainder of the year to accomplish the rest of my goals. I want to be able to look back on 2019 and say, “Yes! That was the year I ____________.”

This can be the year you ____________, too. Let’s not let the next eight months pass us by.

Also on Franklin County Times
Gray named president of Red Bay, Helen Keller hospitals
Main, News, Red Bay
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
July 15, 2026
SHEFFIELD — Red Bay hospital will soon be under new leadership as Jeremy Gray, who has been hired as the new president of the Franklin County facility...
5 properties are designated nuisance
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 15, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Five properties within the city have been designated public nuisances, and city workers soon will begin tearing down a burnedout partia...
Condemned downtown building to be demolished, replaced
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 15, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The condemned building that used to house the Faith Mission Outreach will be demolished and a new structure rebuilt in its place. In an...
Jones says he’ll listen to Alabamians
Main, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
July 15, 2026
SHEFFIELD — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Doug Jones shared a vision July 9 of an Alabama government who listens to its constituents and focuses ...
Stage being renovated for W.C. Handy Fest
News
By Ella Seaton For the FCT 
July 15, 2026
SHEFFIELD — Stage renovations at Riverfront Park face a fast-approaching completion deadline prior to the W.C. Handy Music Festival. With “Riverside J...
A $174M penalty families can’t afford
Columnists, News, Opinion
July 15, 2026
Recently, the federal government published “scores” that will determine how much each state will have to pay toward its SNAP program starting in 2027....
Friendships more precious as years pass
Columnists, Features, Lifestyles, ...
HERE AND NOW
July 15, 2026
Friends are wonderful gifts. Throughout different stages of life, friends serve as anchors, confidants and sources of strength. While many people come...
Sparks is youngest miracle worker yet
News
By Addi Broadfoots For the FCT 
July 15, 2026
For 65 years, audiences have watched the story of Helen Keller come to life on the outdoor stage behind Ivy Green in Tuscumbia. This summer, that trad...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *