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
Baker unseats Murray for Franklin Co. District 1 seat
Franklin County, News, Z - News Main
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
June 17, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — District 1 residents in Franklin County will have a new commissioner in November after Curtis Baker defeated incumbent Grayson Murray i...
Attempted murder is added to shooting charges
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
June 17, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — A Tuscumbia man now faces an attempted murder charge in addition to the 23 other criminal charges he faces after admitting to shooting ...
County receives $5K for 250th events
Main, News, Russellville
By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
June 17, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County will receive $5,000 in funding for events related to celebrating America’s 250th birthday. The Alabama USA Semiquincent...
New sign honors Keeton’s community service
Main, News, Red Bay, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
June 17, 2026
RED BAY — The quarter- mile Hoyt Keeton Walking Trail now has a new sign. Keeton family members, city officials and community supporters recently gath...
Franklin had 13% of advocacy center cases
Main, News, Russellville, ...
By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
June 17, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Andrea’s Arbor in Franklin County accounted for 13% of cases recorded in 2025 by Cramer Children’s Advocacy Center. Andrea’s Arbor is a...
UNA ups tuition $300 for undergrads
News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
June 17, 2026
FLORENCE — The University of North Alabama Board of Trustees is considering a tuition and fee schedule Friday that will increase undergraduate costs b...
EAST FRANKLIN ATHLETIC EVENT
High School Sports, Sports
June 17, 2026
ALL PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED/EAST FRANKLIN JUNIOR HIGH 10 For 10 Club Boys A-Team basketball awards Boys B-Team basketball awards Cheerleader awards Girls b...
Main Street hosts ‘Summer on Jackson’
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
June 17, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — People gathered downtown Saturday evening for “Summer on Jackson,” a Main Street event featuring food, shopping and family activities. ...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.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