Try something new in Franklin County
EDITORIAL -- FEATURE SPOT, Editorials, Opinion, Z - TOP HOME
 By  Staff Reports Published 
10:34 am Monday, January 29, 2024

Try something new in Franklin County

With the onset of a new year often comes the commitment to new things. For many folks, these come in the form of “New Year’s Resolutions.” Even for people who eschew the concept of resolutions – for whatever reason – the start of a new year still presents itself as an auspicious time to make plans, set goals and find ways to add a little extra spice to life.

Maybe you’re trying a new workout routine. Maybe you’ve opened a new savings account or set a new career goal.

Whether or not you’re making these kinds of changes in your life, we want you to make this the year you try something new right here in our county.

Franklin County has so much to offer, and none of us can say we’ve embraced every bit of it. There’s always something new to try.

There are new restaurants to dine at, new programs to sign up for, new shops to patronize, new people to meet. Additionally, what about those places or opportunities that aren’t new in the county but are nevertheless new to you?

Have you ever hiked through Dismals Canyon? Gone to a Rockin’ at the Roxy show? Cheered on a high school volleyball team? Played pickle ball at the Red Bay Rec Center?

Maybe you’ve never seen a production by the Bay Tree Council or by the RHS Fine Arts students. Maybe you’ve never watched a Marching Hundred halftime show. Maybe, even though you’ve lived here your whole life, you’ve never competed in a contest at the Franklin County Watermelon Festival.

When you live and work in a smaller, mostly rural county like ours, it’s easy to sometimes feel like you’ve done and seen it all – but we’d challenge you to set that notion aside and seek out those new opportunities you’ve never pursued before.

Visit the Red Bay Farmers Market or the Northwest-Shoals Library. Watch the fireworks at Sloss Lake or in Vina this July. Dance in the street at Spruce Pine Day. Schedule a hunting weekend at a local lodge.

Sign your children up for Russellville Public Library’s summer reading program. Develop your own fried pie recipe to enter at the Red Bay Founders Day contest.

Join your volunteer fire department. Become a foster parent. Help with animal rescue. Become a familiar face at your city council or school board meetings.

If you need some more ideas, hit us up for suggestions. We’re all about promoting all the great things about Franklin County, and there is always something new to enjoy.

Also on Franklin County Times
Meeting on Flock cameras is Aug. 17
Main, News, Red Bay
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 22, 2026
RED BAY — City councilmembers voted July 15 to table a proposed policy governing the city’s Flock Safety automated license plate reader (LPR) system. ...
Bonding beyond the music
Main, News, Russellville, ...
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
July 22, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE—For most people, the opportunity to meet their favorite musician is one that will most likely never come. However, 11-yearold Keifer Bond...
90 earn diplomas, GEDs at NWSCC adult education graduation
News
By Ella Seaton For the FCT 
July 22, 2026
MUSCLE SHOALS — Returning to school wasn’t always easy for Laprasia Smith. Raising five children, she recalls attending their sporting events with one...
Blood donations fall, straining local supplies
News
By Ella Seaton For the FCT 
July 22, 2026
As summer vacations and outdoor activities pull residents away from donation centers, local blood banks are facing one of their most difficult times o...
Decorated colonel offers tutoring help to NWSCC students
News
By Brinley Murray For the FCT 
July 22, 2026
MUSCLE SHOALS — Ed Yeilding is known for crossing the country faster than any known man. What you may not know about the highly decorated retired Air ...
Wholesale nursery opens retail market in Vina
Franklin County, News
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 22, 2026
VINA — After spending five years supplying independently owned garden centers across the region, The Nursery at Hurricane Creek has added a new chapte...
Man, 23, faces charge of attempted murder
News, Russellville
POLICE NEWS
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
July 22, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — A 23-year-old man is facing an attempted murder charge following a Friday night shooting on the 500 block of Carroll Avenue Southeast. ...
3 face drug charges
News, Russellville
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
July 22, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Three people are facing drug trafficking charges following two separate events last week. Members of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Offi...

Leave a Reply

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