Cultura Garden Club celebrates America 250
Cultura Garden Club members gathered in red, white and blue for their May meeting at the scenic home of Ann Marie Bucholtz in Phil Campbell, and welcomed guest speaker Cassie Medley, executive director of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.
The meeting marked the conclusion of our 2024-26 administration, which focused on celebrating America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
One fact that caught my attention was that Franklin County predates the state of Alabama.
Medley said the Alabama Territorial Legislature established Franklin County on Feb. 6, 1818, making it older than Alabama, which entered the Union on Dec. 14, 1819.
Named for Benjamin Franklin, the county originally covered more than 1,200 square miles and extended north to the Tennessee River.
I especially enjoyed learning more about the people, places and attractions that have helped shape our county’s history.
Medley highlighted several attractions, including Dismals Canyon and the Red Bay Museum, which houses the largest public collection of Tammy Wynette memorabilia.
She discussed Bear Creek Lakes, the Roxy Theatre in downtown Russellville, and the Franklin County Watermelon Festival.
We learned about National Travel and Tourism Week and the people and attractions recognized during the celebration.
Among those recognized were Grammywinning songwriter and producer Billy Sherrill of Phil Campbell, singer and songwriter Sherry Bryce of Phil Campbell, and former U.S. Rep. Carl Elliott of Vina.
The honorees also included actor and producer Anderson Lawler of Russellville, and country music legend Tammy Wynette of Red Bay.
President Cheri McCain thanked Medley for her presentation and presented her with a potted plant on behalf of the club.
As an affiliate of National Garden Clubs and in support of America’s 250th birthday celebration, club members have planted red, white and blue potted gardens in downtown Russellville and in our own gardens.
Brenda Oliver provided each member with a small patriotic arrangement featuring flowers, an American flag and red, white and blue decorations.
We welcomed new members Deanna Holliman, Kloe Sweeda and Pat Davis.
We enjoyed a potluck meal featuring casseroles, barbecue, potatoes, baked beans, salads, fruit and a variety of desserts.
Before concluding the meeting, we recognized outgoing officers and thanked them for their service and dedication during the past administration.
Debra Spillers presented McCain with a decorative bowl in appreciation of her service as Cultura Garden Club president during the 2024-26 administration.
McCain then installed the club’s officers for the 2026-28 term and presented each officer with a porcelain bird in remembrance of the occasion.
New officers are President Debra Spillers, First Vice President Debbie Nale, Second Vice President Diana Wilson, Secretary Susie Malone, Treasurer Ann Marie Bucholtz, Historian Carrie Hovater, and Parliamentarian Advisor Cheri McCain.
