Don’t miss this: Franklin Living
Alison James, Columnists, Opinion, Z - TOP HOME
 By  Alison James Published 
5:05 pm Friday, July 16, 2021

Don’t miss this: Franklin Living

Ahem, ahem! May I present: The July/August edition of Franklin Living.

Right off the bat, I have to tell you: I love this edition’s cover story. How perfect is it to feature someone from Franklin County – from little ol’ Pleasant Site – who has had such a major hand in the space program, in the middle of the most patriotic time of the year? I feel like the space program is such a critical part of America’s legacy and heritage, and I was thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to share a story of Franklin’s connection to the cosmos.

But it’s not just Keith Bates who inspired me in this edition.

As I said in my editor’s not, with each issue of Franklin Living, I find myself filled with inspiration, prompted by the amazing people we interview across Franklin County. I never fail to be amazed by your stories and delighted to have the opportunity to share them.

After this edition, I want to open my own business like Sydney Medley, be part of the space program like Keith Bates and make my own goat milk soaps like Tracy McCauley.

Of course, none of these dreams are likely to be realized. I don’t think I have the patience or business acumen to be like Sydney, I know I don’t have the intelligence to follow Keith’s path, and I’m pretty sure that to make goat milk soaps, you have to have goats.

But it’s fun to dream, to connect with these stories of amazing people doing amazing things.

In each case, the people we are featuring in this issue followed their passions and their strengths to land them where they are today – and I feel like perhaps that’s the most useful truth we can draw from their stories. Like Sydney, like Keith, like Tracy, we should bravely follow life where it leads us, embracing the opportunities that come our way.

In the end, for me that means being a journalist – a storyteller – creating and sharing this magazine and the Franklin County Times, to give our people their moment in the spotlight.

In addition to these three delightful feature stories, I’m so happy we continue to get to share great recipes and information from Amy McCollum and Katernia Cole-Coffey. Even though Amy is now retired from her role as Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Phil Campbell, she continues to graciously provide her delicious recipes, and you should definitely check them out. And even the Katernia has to be one the busiest people I know, she always makes time for Franklin Living.

Don’t miss this edition’s cookout recipes and juicy watermelon information.

Also on Franklin County Times
Sheriff: Contraband is constant battle in jails
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
January 21, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver said the county jail is not immune to the problem jail officials everywhere face: Inmates coming...
Oliver, Shackelford qualify for sheriff
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
January 21, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE – Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver will have to hit the campaign trail to seek a fifth term this year. Oliver, a Republican and Fra...
New welding shop a plus for students
Franklin County, Main, News, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 21, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — A new welding shop inside the Russellville High School’s remodeled career tech building offers students more time and space to learn th...
Vina seniors tour NWSCC campuses
News, Vina Red Devils
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 21, 2026
VINA — Vina High School seniors toured the Phil Campbell and Muscle Shoals campuses of Northwest Shoals Community College as part of career planning a...
Can the US solve its electricity crisis?
Columnists, Opinion
January 21, 2026
As America embraces a new year 2026, consumers are looking for relief from an ongoing “affordability crisis.” While prices for some key items have mer...
Book Lovers Study Club helps Safeplace
Columnists, News, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
January 21, 2026
Safeplace provides safety, shelter and practical support to people experiencing domestic violence and education aimed at preventing abuse. The regiona...
CB&S Bank announces promotion of Woodard
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 21, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE CB&S Bank will have a new chief credit officer this spring as longtime executive Jeff Daniel prepares to retire at the end of the first q...
Vaughn retires from First Metro Bank
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 21, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — After a 45-year career in the financial industry, Mike Vaughn has retired from First Metro Bank, where he spent the last three decades ...

Leave a Reply

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