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
Tiffin Motorhomes to produce new line
Main, News, Red Bay, ...
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
February 18, 2026
RED BAY — Tiffin Motorhomes is slated to open a new production line in Red Bay, according to Tiffin’s parent company, THOR Industries. Beginning May 1...
Dealer: Gold content not suitable for everyday use
Main, News, Z - News Main
By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
February 18, 2026
The push for a new $2.50 anniversary coin is raising logistical and economic questions, particularly about whether such a coin could be used in everyd...
Red Bay approves $3.6M budget
Main, News, Red Bay
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
February 18, 2026
RED BAY – City officials are expecting a slight decrease in sales tax revenue for the upcoming fiscal year but anticipating a larger general fund budg...
$5K TVA grant to bring student podcasting program to RES
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
February 18, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Elementary School students will soon be recording podcasts, interviewing community members and exploring career paths in a program bein...
State is overlooking qualified local leaders
Columnists, Opinion
February 18, 2026
When I was elected to the Alabama State Senate in 1978, I was 39 years old. Now at the age of 87, when I go out in the community, I meet people who re...
Opinion: Here and Now – White to perform March 7 at the Roxy
News, Russellville
HERE AND NOW
By Susie Hovater Malone Columnist 
February 18, 2026
By Susie Hovater Malone Columnist There is something special about a night out in a small town. People run into neighbors. They make a plan instead of...
Accessible basketball completes year 2
News, Russellville, Sports
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
February 18, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Fifteen players took the court over four Saturdays at the Ralph C. Bishop Center for this year’s round of accessible basketball games. ...
Belgreen team wins Spark Tank contest
News, Russellville, Russellville Golden Tigers
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
February 18, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE Fourteen teams from three high schools pitched business ideas and competed for cash prizes during the second annual Franklin County Spark...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.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