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
Mayor updates status of downtown buildings
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
December 3, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Mayor Greg Williams told councilmembers during their Nov. 18 meeting efforts are still ongoing to get a group of downtown buildings co...
HB 65 would benefit seniors
Main, News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
December 3, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — Seniors in Franklin County could see longterm relief on rising property taxes under a proposed amendment to the Alabama Constitution th...
55-year tradition connects family
Main, News
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
December 3, 2025
SPRUCE PINE — Regina Jackson’s home has been the gathering place for her family for more than five decades. It’s where they’ve shared songs, games, an...
Dual enrollment students explore county’s history
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
December 3, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — Students from Belgreen and Vina stepped out of their online history class and into Franklin County’s past this fall as part of a dual e...
Close the crypto loophole before it hurts rural areas
Columnists, Opinion
December 3, 2025
As the state representative for a largely rural district in Alabama, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside farmers, small business owners, and f...
Making room for meaningful moments
Columnists, Opinion
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
December 3, 2025
December arrives quickly, even when we think we are prepared for it. Lights go up, schedules fill, and daylight disappears earlier each afternoon. It ...
8 place in 2 divisions
Franklin County, Sports
December 3, 2025
Franklin County Anglers teams competed recently in a tournament that included both junior and senior divisions. In the Junior Division, Eli Boyd and T...
RHS girls beat Red Bay, boys lose to Tigers
High School Sports, Red Bay Tigers, Russellville Golden Tigers, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
December 3, 2025
The Russellville varsity basketball teams opened the home portion of their seasons with a battle with the Red Bay Tigers. The RHS girls got a 75-50 wi...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.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