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
Oliver wants 5% pay hike for his staff
Main, News, Russellville
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
August 12, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE – Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver hasn’t seen much turnover within his department lately and he wants to keep it that way. Oliver ...
Flock council policy faces vote Monday
Main, News, Red Bay, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
August 12, 2026
RED BAY —A second Flock Safety automated license plate reader has been installed as the city prepares for a special meeting Monday on a proposed polic...
Local water systems have security measures in place
Main, News, Russellville, ...
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
August 12, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — As cyberattacks on U.S. water systems climb nationwide, local officials say a combination of rigorous safety protocols and old-fashione...
Alabama must champion spirit of civics education
Columnists, News, Opinion
August 12, 2026
Alabama has earned some well-deserved credit for taking steps to combat civic amnesia. State law mandates that students pass a 100-question citizenshi...
AERA holds annual district meeting
Columnists, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
August 12, 2026
Retired educators may have left the classroom, but they certainly have not stopped serving their communities. That was evident at the Alabama Educatio...
Forever Wild to acquire 120 acres in Colbert
News
By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
August 12, 2026
CHEROKEE — The Forever Wild Land Trust is moving forward with plans to acquire additional property in Colbert County that would expand public hunting ...
30 years of caring for Little Tigers
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
August 12, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — When Rhonda Miller opened Little Tigers Daycare in 1996, about 15 children attended during the first two weeks. Thirty years later, the...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.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