This question has numerous answers, but I would like to hear your answer or answers.
I firmly believe education is important to our future. The very first economic development project during my time as mayor of my hometown was to recruit a high-quality preschool, Early Years Preschool.
Education continues to be...
At the heart of every great community are its seniors. Cullman County is no exception, and with hard-working entities such as the Cullman County Commission on Aging and Senior Outreach, the county if full of fun activities for its seniors. So much so that the Cullman’s special events often...
Local legislation is often required to authorize a local entity to do something specific that otherwise is not authorized by law or the state constitution.
Local legislation can usually be passed if all the local legislators, House and Senate agree or at least do not oppose the proposed local law.
For...
It’s been a little over a month since we learned about the death of Kamille “Cupcake” McKinney in Birmingham. That kind of violence against a beautiful child of God is just beyond comprehension. And in the weeks since, we’ve seen the tragic murders of Aniah Blanchard in Auburn and...
It’s important for everyone to understand the process for road and bridge projects.
First of all, please understand that legislators do not vote to do specific projects. We compete with every other legislator in the state for the same state funding for projects in our area.
Our job is to try...
I am thankful for faith, family and freedom! And, I am thankful for senior citizens; they’ve truly blessed my life!
I’ve just always been able to connect with seniors. I guess it goes back to the wonderful grandparents I had.
One of my proudest accomplishments in public service is the Cullman...
Governor Ivey has proclaimed Nov. 30, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, as Small Business Saturday in Alabama.
Small business really is the bedrock of Alabama’s economy. It accounts for 99.4 percent of all businesses in the state and employs about 47 percent of the workforce, according to the latest figures from the...
This is a theme I’ve been promoting since I arrived in Montgomery.
I firmly believe in the Christian principle, “We are to serve, not be served” and that should be the goal of elected officials and those working in public service.
Just like all businesses, restaurants, corporate America and even our...
Dear Supporters,
On Oct. 1, 2019, Cullman County Bosom Buddies Foundation, Inc. held the (inaugural) Little Pink Dress (LPD) Benefit. It was a huge success! From that event, and because of your contributions, the Foundation raised over $22,000.
We are very grateful to you for making this event such a big...
With any issue, finding the right balance is the key to success. The prison/criminal justice system issue is no different.
The purpose of prisons, in my view, is to keep the public safe! And, provide the opportunity for inmate rehabilitation when possible. We have to be careful with that one.
Innocent...
When I say my goal is to protect RSA, (Retirement System of Alabama), I am speaking of preventing changing the retirement of Alabama’s public employees from a defined benefit plan to 401k type retirement plans, which are at the whim of Wall Street.
I led the fight in the legislature...
Tribune Column: Funny Things from Yesterday
Today’s article is not a funny, but a sad loss of a dear friend
Rudene and I met a couple in Frankweiler, Germany, Basil and Ingrid Holmes, and they became very dear friends to us. We met in 1987 when we twinned Cullman and Frankweiler...
Right-thinking, fact-driven Americans have hit their high-water mark, frustrated with the liberal news media fabricating stories about conservatives. Every day, since the Nov. 8, 2016 election (almost three years ago), liberal Democrats and members of the counterfeit media have worked around the clock fabricating, packaging and pounding this president...
The purpose of this letter is to draw public attention and awareness statewide to a travesty concerning a profession that should command better wages. Some states, cities and counties are much more equitable than others, however, some officials need to be held accountable for the inequity they allow and...
A new Department of Homeland Security regulation published last Monday will harm the health and well-being of thousands of Alabama families. The so-called public charge rule also will threaten access to health and human services programs for U.S.-born citizen children.
When proposed last fall, the regulation drew more than 266,000 public...
More than half the time I conduct interviews, the episode concludes with the interviewee saying one of two things (actually the same thing in two different ways):
“Make me look good, now!” And yes, most of them add the “now;” this is the South, you know.
“Please don’t make me look...
I have a serious problem. Well, serious might be an overstatement, but it is as least an uncomfortable situation. I live in the deep-south, summer has arrived, and my home’s air-conditioner keeps going out. The breaker keeps tripping. The first time this happened, I didn’t realize the problem. A...
For several months there has been discussion and downright controversy surrounding the use of lodging tax dollars by the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce. It’s time for a formal audit to disclose exactly how and where the lodging tax money is spent. Secrecy and mistrust are two words you...
Here are three books to consider adding to your summer reading list, reviewed by Cullman County Public Library Director Sharon Townson.
"Daisy Jones & The Six" by Taylor Jenkins Reid
In the 70s Daisy Jones is a well-known party girl on the Sunset Strip club scene. She is a songwriter and singer,...
One turkey hunter was extremely grateful that the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Law Enforcement Section has a K9 unit, although there is little public awareness of this enforcement asset.
Of course, the reason few people have heard about it is this K9 unit does not fit the stereotype...
If you gonna write for us, I want you to write positive. Anytime the commission name is in an article, it’s all positive. No negatives.”
Cullman County Commission Chairman Kenneth Walker
Editorial- Noah Galilee, Cullman Tribune publisher
Amendment I
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free...
Farming Feeds Alabama, but our state’s farmers also help feed the world.
That’s why the Alabama Farmers Federation is urging Congress to ratify the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement.
Canada and Mexico are our first and third largest export markets. This agreement not only preserves our partnership with these neighbors, but it...
Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman is seen here with supporters in Cullman on June 5, 2018. (Cullman Tribune file photo)
On Tuesday, Governor Kay Ivey signed the Rebuild Alabama plan (House Bill 2) into law—understandably, this measure to increase Alabama’s investment in infrastructure has received a lot of attention. Alabama’s gas...
While it sounds simple, creating places where neighbors get to know neighbors is the key to growing a thriving place to live. That’s what Dr. Ray Oldenburg, an urban sociologist, describes in his book, “The Great Good Places.” If first places are our homes, and workplaces are second places,...
Alabama Republican Party Chairman Terry Lathan released an open letter to Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama on Thursday. It appears in its entirety below.
An open letter to Senator Doug Jones:
Stop it, sir. Please just stop it. The NFL referees in the New Orleans playoff game may not have thrown...
Ross Harrison, left, with Carol Berry, right (Brittany Howell for The Cullman Tribune)
This week on Community with Carol, I continued my interview with Ross Harrison, the PTO president at Sacred Heart School. The history that Sacred Heart has in our community was too much for one interview. (See part...
This is the second in a series of five. In this article we focus on Courage. Perhaps a quote from the well-known exchange in “The Wizard of Oz” provides insight into this quality. Listen in as Dorothy challenges the Cowardly Lion.
Dorothy: My goodness, what a fuss you're making! Well, naturally, when you...
This is the fourth in a series of five. The average pastoral tenure is three-and-a-half to four years. True loyalty is developed over time and is tested by a variety of circumstances. How loyal are you and how loyal are those you consider trusted friends?
It is often stated that...
This is the third in a series of five. There exists formal research data that reveals that incompetent leadership is a major cause of decline in the Evangelical Church. In my work as a church consultant my observation and research confirm this to be true.
I have often been robustly...
Martha Lawrence, left, and Carol Berry, right (Brittany Howell for The Cullman Tribune)
Martha Lawrence was my guest this week on Community with Carol. In April 2017, Martha started Cullman’s Little Pantry, the first in the state of Alabama. The pantry, a wooden box located on Fourth Street Southeast behind the...
Cullman County Human Trafficking Task Force Chairperson Kathy Wilson, left, with Carol Berry, right (Brittany Howell for The Cullman Tribune)
What is human trafficking? That is what Kathy Wilson explained this week on Community with Carol. Human trafficking is modern-day slavery and involves the use of force, fraud or coercion...
These are the winners in the Good Citizen /Essay contest held by the Dripping Springs Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. They were announced at the January meeting. From Left are: Mrs. Julia Floyd, Regent; Catherine Hoffpauir, West Point High School; Madalyn Olivia Williams, Good Hope High School; Kristen...
Left to right: Jamie Brown, Carol Berry and Barbara Whitehead (Brittany Howell for The Cullman Tribune)
Jamie Brown is my guest this week on Community with Carol. Jamie founded the Senior Outreach Organization back in April of 2018. I have personally attended the Outreach and enjoyed watching Jamie serving the...
Carol Berry with Linda Bailey (Brittany Howell for The Cullman Tribune)
My guest this week on Community with Carol is Linda Bailey with the Committee on Church Cooperation (CCC). This local nonprofit, located in the Cullman County Department of Human Resources (DHR) building on St. Joseph Street in Cullman, was...
Carol Berry with Angie Young (Brittany Howell for The Cullman Tribune)
For the Christmas edition of Community with Carol, I wanted to showcase Hope for the Homeless, a division of Cullman’s Little Pantry. The Little Pantry was installed in April 2017, but this division is brand new. Angie Young is...
Carol Berry, left, with Candace Lingo, right
Every story I have done for Community with Carol has been a joy. My guest this week is no different, Candace Lingo, with Cullman County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), shared so much wonderful information. I was so impressed with her love for...
MONTGOMERY - Final passage of a five-year farm bill by Congress today (Dec. 12, 2018) was welcome news for Alabama farmers eager to prepare for the 2019 crop year.
The House of Representatives approved the bipartisan legislation by a 369-47 vote, following Senate passage on Tuesday by an 87-13 vote....
Carol Berry, left, with Jamie Sims, right, of Victim Services of Cullman, Inc. (contributed)
I am excited to partner with the Cullman Tribune to write this weekly series, “Community with Carol.” This series is focused on community awareness.
As a lifelong Cullman resident, I love my community! I have owned and...
Residents of Cullman are likely familiar with this frustrating situation: only one or two options for internet service, and high prices for slow speeds.
Unsurprisingly, local internet speeds are 33 percent slower than the average for Alabama. According to speed test data, the average internet connection in Cullman only delivers...
Josh Swindall with his wife and children (contributed)
I was impressed with my guest this week on “Community with Carol,” Josh Swindall, the new principal at Cullman Christian School. Cullman Christian School began as a nonprofit protestant school in 2007 and accommodates children of all ages from 3 (pre-Kindergarten) through...
Carol Berry, left, with Rachel Bryant, right
My guest this week on “Community with Carol” is Rachel Bryant, founder and director of Karma in Cullman.
The organization began in 2013 after a turbulent time in Rachel’s life.
The idea for Karma was simple; Rachel was cleaning and decluttering, and thought, “I...
Carol Berry with Katie Loyd
I believe I have found the oldest nonprofit in Cullman: St. Vincent de Paul. The mission of this organization is to assist the less fortunate of our community on a confidential basis with necessities such as food and winter coats and provides some assistance for...
Alabama Rep. Randall Shedd, R-Fairview
Winning football coaches tell their teams to celebrate victory for 24 hours then get back to work.
We're ready to get back to work in Montgomery!
As I make my plans for the new legislative term, I have three number one legislative goals in no particular order;...
Julie Hall, left, and Carol Berry, right
My guest this week on “Community with Carol” is Julie Hall from The Link of Cullman County. We talked specifically about the Pure Joy program that she facilitates.
I could write a book on my love and admiration for Julie Hall and what she...
Jeremy Hogan, founder of Saving Forgotten Warriors (Carol Berry)
Saving Forgotten Warriors’ mission statement is “Advocating for the health, safety and wellbeing of our military veterans no matter the era or conflict.” This statement was exactly what Jeremy Hogan described in our interview this week.
Jeremy didn’t really set out...
Attendees gather outside Church 212's "Nightmare on Old 69" Friday evening (Maggie Darnell for The Cullman Tribune)
“We want people to think,” Church 212 Pastor Chris Harrison said Friday to a crowd of participants at “Nightmare on Old 69,” the church’s Halloween event put on to raise awareness about addiction.
Nightmare...
Carol Berry, left; Kelsey Rice, right (Photo courtesy of Carol Berry)
“Community with Carol” recently sat down with Kelsey Rice to talk about the local nonprofit, Hope Horses, Inc. Kelsey is a beautiful, soft-spoken young lady with a true love for what she does. As Kelsey began to speak...
Carol Berry, left and Flourish of Cullman, Inc.’s Melissa Dew (Courtesy of Carol Berry)
I am excited to partner with the Cullman Tribune to write a new weekly series, “Community with Carol.” This series will be focused on community awareness.
As a lifelong Cullman resident, I love my community! I...
From the Alabama Press Association:
The International Trade Commission unanimously voted today to reverse the newsprint tariffs. We will know about the commission’s reasoning when it issues a final report on Sept. 17. The cash deposits will be refunded to newsprint manufacturers, but that will take several months.
Thank you to...
Anyone who has ventured into the world of animal rescue knows that the list of challenges facing them seems endless. Every day, there is another crisis, another urgent call for help and another day of feeling desperately overwhelmed. Despite the awareness of pet overpopulation and the knowledge that scores...
Ben Johnson South (Cullman Tribune file photo)
The following is a guest editorial by local author Ben Johnson South, who offers Gov. Kay Ivey his suggestions on how to save Alabama for the next 200 years as we celebrate our state's Bicentennial. See more about the Bicentennial at www.alabama200.org.
Dear Governor...
The thought of a hungry child moves all of us to want to help. Alabamians are among the most generous people in the nation. We give generously to charities fighting childhood hunger, including food banks and food closets from which local agencies and churches distribute food to hungry families.
But...
Cheaha State Park's Callie Thornton takes in the vista at Bald Rock. (Photo by David Rainer)
By David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
From a shaded retreat on John’s Bay in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta to the boardwalk atop the highest mountain in the state, the Alabama State Parks...
A letter to the editor, submitted by Cullman County District Attorney C. Wilson Blaylock, is presented below without edits:
I agree with the NRA, Alabama Citizens for Life, and the Alabama Farmers Federation: we need Steve Marshall to continue serving as our Attorney General. Despite the “fake news” being pushed...
Holly Pond Civitan Club members with their two guest speakers at their recent meeting; Julia Floyd, secretary; Kay Stewart, local club president; Megan Mindel, membership specialist, Civitan International; Jenny Ely, director of donor relations and strategy, Civitan International; Lyndell House, Lynn Jetton and Tammy Baker.
Hello, Tribune readers and families....
Local businessman, Cullman City Council President and Senator-Elect Garlan Gudger, Jr. is first and foremost a husband and father. This year, Father's Day will be bittersweet because of the recent loss of his dad, who was a familiar face in Cullman and a hero to his children and grandchildren. (Loretta...
Each year, a local veterans’ organization leads our county observance of Memorial Day. Since this occasion is meant to remember and honor those Americans who have perished in service to our nation, this is a more subdued and solemn event.
This year, our county Memorial Day observance will be hosted...
Holly Pond outstanding students were recently honored by Holly Pond Civitan Club: Taylor Simmons, Caleb Knedlik, Josie Harbison, Makayla Fields, Andre McCaffrey, Kaytlin Abbott, Yahir Quintero, Aubrey Paige Hudspeth, Evan Rainey, Korey Butler, Molley Barnett, Jose Aguilar, Saylah Daugherty and Alana Phillips.
Good morning Tribune readers and families. Aren’t these...
Cullman Memory Gardens update from Rep. Randall Shedd, R-Fairview:
The situation at Cullman Memory Gardens has been a long and frustrating turn of events to say the least. Hopefully, this is the year families and the community will see the cemetery begin to return to the dignity all involved deserve.
I...
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey / Courtesy of "Governor Kay Ivey's First Year"
April 10, 2018, marks one year since I unexpectedly became governor. With only three hours’ notice I was called on to lead.
The tasks at hand were plentiful.
We had to restore integrity to state government. Relationships with legislators and...
These adults are members of the Holly Pond Senior Center at the Lions Club Park in Holly Pond at their Easter Celebration. Front row, left to right are: Hoyt Drake, Karen Dunn, Louise Carr, Ellen Drummond, Janice Bean and Jimmie Carnell. On the back row are Richard Burks, Martha...
My family is full of cancer patients and survivors. Access to timely treatment, affordable medications and regular screenings/doctor visits are essential and the reason why those that I love are alive today. Any breaks in coverage could mean delayed care, not just for my family, but for our entire...
Dripping Springs NSDAR members at the 120th annual conference at Auburn University. Back row, (left to right) are Linda Kuykendall, Pam Reid, Brenda Scott and Pat Kahler. Seated on the front row, (left to right) are Rhonda VanZandt, Athelia Gibbs, Julia Floyd, Linda Schiger and Julea Moats.
The Holly Pond...
Image courtesy of sunshineweek.org
Dr. Chris Roberts, University of Alabama Department of Journalism and Creative Media
Alabama Press Association
I played the role of Atticus Finch for you by taking on an unpopular cause in court. I sued Harper Lee.
But unlike the attorney in Lee’s famed “To Kill a Mockingbird,” I emerged...
"And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them." Luke 2:20
The Shepherds
Out in the fields the shepherds kept, their flocks beneath the sky.
The angel came and so afraid,
the shepherds questioned why.
Fear not,
the angel said,
I...
The Protestant Church is in greater need of reformation today than the Roman Catholic Church was in the 16th century. Absolutely true!
“The Emperor's New Clothes” is a Danish fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen and first published in 1837. The phrase “the emperor has no clothes” is often...
Vietnam veteran Jim Alderman reacts during a therapy session for combat-related stress at the Bay Pines Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Bay Pines, Fla. Oct. 29, 2015. DoD photo by EJ Hersom
It’s almost surreal that our country is at war half a world away, and we are carrying on...
Dedication. Honor. Commitment. Sacrifice.
Those are the traits that come to mind when I think about our nation’s veterans. I saw these qualities lived out every day by my dad. Boadman Nettles Ivey, my father, served in WWII as part of a field artillery division. From him I learned to...
Every year when Halloween comes around, everyone has their go-to list of movies they traditionally like to watch. Whether it’s an installment of the "Halloween," "Saw" or "Friday the 13th" franchise, you know what you're going to get and probably have them memorized by now. These are some options...
On Saturday, Nov. 4, the citizens of Cullman County will honor their military veterans at a daylong event at Cullman Regional Airport in Vinemont. Full details on the entire event can be found at www.cullmanveteransday.com. Parking and admission are free.
This year, the focus of the entire event is on...
Georgia Peach Heuchera, or ‘Coral Bells’ perform well in Southern humidity. / Loretta Gillespie
This charming little plant will soon become part of a heuchera collection, if you are anything like me. I started off with Plum Pudding and then had to have every new color the breeders developed.
Georgia Peach...
This year, the Cullman Elks Lodge will host a community-wide celebration of Veterans Day at Cullman Airport all day, Saturday, Nov. 4. The focus this year will be on honoring our Vietnam veterans. It will include helicopter rides over Cullman, provided by the Army Aviation Heritage folks from Ozark,...
Lilacs aren't very common in our area, although great strides have been made in developing more heat/humidity tolerant versions in recent years. A demand for these lovely, heavenly-scented shrubs led horticulturists to develop such lilacs as “Miss Kim,” a cultivar of Syringa patula, which has been publicized as a...
Through the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Citizens’ Academy (CA) program, I found myself on the road recently with one of the department’s night shift patrol deputies. In accordance with CA policies, I took no pictures, and will not reveal any potentially sensitive details about cases or suspects I...
Dried hydrangeas make beautiful centerpieces. / Loretta Gillespie
If you want to preserve your hydrangeas you must bite the bullet and cut them now, while they are still vibrant and have not started to turn brown. (Some of them turn a pretty copper color, that looks great in fall arrangements.)
After...
