Tag: Opinion
OPINION: Think before you give, or receive, a pet for Christmas
The holidays season is here, and people are searching for the perfect gifts for friends and family. We have all seen beautiful images of...
Community with Carol: Jerry Jacob of Grace Place
This week, Carol speaks with Jerry Jacob from Grace Episcopal Church’s Grace Place, a ministry for people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of memory...
Community with Carol: Rachel Bryant from Karma in Cullman
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...
Community with Carol: Katie Loyd of St. Vincent de Paul
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...
Op-ed: It’s time to get back to work in Montgomery!
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...
Community with Carol: Julie Hall from The Link of Cullman County
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...
Community with Carol: Saving Forgotten Warriors
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...
Be prepared to be impacted by ‘Nightmare on Old 69’
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...
Community with Carol: Kelsey Rice with Hope Horses, Inc.
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...
Community with Carol: Flourish of Cullman, Inc.
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...
Statement: ITC made the right call in reversing newsprint tariffs
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...
VOICES: Say no to backyard breeders, puppy mills
Anyone who has ventured into the world of animal rescue knows that the list of challenges facing them seems endless. Every day, there is...
GUEST EDITORIAL: Alabama Bicentennial: 200 ways to save Alabama for the...
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...
Op-Ed: Fight hunger in Alabama by protecting food assistance and strengthening...
The thought of a hungry child moves all of us to want to help. Alabamians are among the most generous people in the nation....
From Cheaha to Meaher, state parks diversity abounds
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...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: DA Blaylock endorses Steve Marshall for Alabama...
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...
TRIBUNE COLUMN: News from the Pond, June 30
Holly Pond Civitan Club members with their two guest speakers at their recent meeting; Julia Floyd, secretary; Kay Stewart, local club president; Megan Mindel,...
This Father’s Day bittersweet for Senator-Elect Garlan Gudger
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...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Make time for the real reason for...
Each year, a local veterans’ organization leads our county observance of Memorial Day. Since this occasion is meant to remember and honor those Americans...
TRIBUNE COLUMN: News from the Pond, students honored
Holly Pond outstanding students were recently honored by Holly Pond Civitan Club: Taylor Simmons, Caleb Knedlik, Josie Harbison, Makayla Fields, Andre McCaffrey, Kaytlin Abbott,...
OP-ED: Gov. Kay Ivey: 1 year in, serving Alabama
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...
TRIBUNE COLUMN: News from the Pond, Easter Weekend
These adults are members of the Holly Pond Senior Center at the Lions Club Park in Holly Pond at their Easter Celebration. Front row,...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Protect access to health coverage for cancer...
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...
TRIBUNE COLUMN: News from the Pond
Dripping Springs NSDAR members at the 120th annual conference at Auburn University. Back row, (left to right) are Linda Kuykendall, Pam Reid, Brenda Scott...
Commentary on Sunshine Week
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...
Foxgloves & Fireflies: whatnots
I’ve been constantly reminded of my grandparents’ house this morning. First, I got up way before daylight, about 4:15 a.m., which they always did,...
OPINION: Paws for Frosty
After hearing countless versions of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” during this Christmas season, I couldn’t help but think of the poor four-footed friends left...
Foxgloves & Fireflies: glitter in the cornbread
Since when did everything switch from rushed to warp speed? Christmas and other holidays are always a hectic time, but this is just ridiculous!
Even...
Foxgloves and Fireflies: the moral of the Thanksgiving story
You know it’s going to be a bad day when you get up and start preparing your Thanksgiving dinner at daylight and you pour...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: The Naked Emperor and church in Cullman...
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...
GUEST EDITORIAL: Plan ahead to stay fit during the holidays
Tis the season for homemade sweets that only come around one time of the year. These tempting treats usually come with obligatory attendance to...
TRIBUNE COLUMN: The importance of honoring all veterans
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....
OP-ED: In Alabama, we have our veterans’ backs
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...
Foxgloves & Fireflies: Decorating for fall, y’all!
Candles always give a space a warmth and coziness; use your plaid throws to enhance the feeling and to prolong your time spent on...
10 unconventional Halloween flicks
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...
Letter to the Editor: Fighting together for a better Alabama
Hi, my name is Spencer Sandlin. I’m 30 years old and have lived in Cullman for three years now, and I love it out...
Honoring our Vietnam veterans Nov. 4
On Saturday, Nov. 4, the citizens of Cullman County will honor their military veterans at a daylong event at Cullman Regional Airport in Vinemont....
Plant It: Georgia Peach Heuchera, or ‘Coral Bells’
Georgia Peach Heuchera, or ‘Coral Bells’ perform well in Southern humidity. / Loretta Gillespie
This charming little plant will soon become part of a heuchera...
This year’s Veterans Day celebration is for our Vietnam veterans
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...
County fair still something special
The Cullman County Fair started the year that I was born. At the time, people were getting back a sense of normalcy after the...
Plant It: Lilacs
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...
Opinion: My ride along: on the road with area law enforcement
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...
“Thank you. You have some good people living in your area.”
Letter to the Editor
Wanted to say thank you to the people that came out to the rest area on I-65 on Saturday night.
I was...
“Our family could not be more grateful”
Letter to the Editor
We live in central Florida. I have two little boys so we decided it was best to evacuate. My 85-year-old grandmother...
Plant It: preserving hydrangeas
Dried hydrangeas make beautiful centerpieces. / Loretta Gillespie
If you want to preserve your hydrangeas you must bite the bullet and cut them now, while...
University degree not the only pathway to great careers in Alabama
Josh Laney, Ed.S., sr. director for workforce development with the Alabama State Department of Education:
Many of us grew up with the idea that the...
Bosom Buddies Foundation helps cancer patients in need
Judy Grissom shared the following letter she received:
Hello, my name is Reda Legg. I would like to tell you my story and my experience...
AL physicians express grave concerns about Better Care Reconciliation Act
MONTGOMERY – We, the undersigned Alabama organizations, representing not just physicians but the thousands of low-income Alabamians served by them, want to express grave...
Foxgloves & Fireflies: Broken hearts and ‘a little thought with eyes’
Image credit: Prime Magazine
There is just no good answer to the age-old question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”
Many have tried to...
Foxgloves & fireflies: propagating mums
I just read an article about how people waste money. There were a lot of things in the article like bottled water, expensive clothes...
Letter to the editor: open letter to district attorney
Editor's note: Below is a letter to the editor sent to The Tribune. The letter is a copy of a letter reader Emily Hayes...
Foxgloves & fireflies: Throwing a simple graduation party
Fruit kabobs are an easy dessert or snack for a simple graduation party. Image: Pinterest
There are graduation parties, and then, there are graduation parties....
Guest Editorial: Part 2 of 3: The American Church – What...
Following is an opinion/guest editorial piece- Part 2 of 3: The American Church – What are the causes of decline?- submitted by Pastor Tom...
A special day to honor our mothers
Perhaps you’ve never heard of Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis, but because of her, we celebrate Mother’s Day. She was born in Culpepper, Virginia, on...
Foxgloves & fireflies: About to be the mother
Her first Mother’s Day…
As I write this, my daughter is in a holding pattern, waiting for that first little twinge that is like nothing...
Local veterans preparing for Memorial Day- learn the true meaning
Letter to the Editor
Cullman area military veterans will be having a busy month in May as we prepare to remember and to honor our...
Guest Editorial: Part 1 of 3: Where is the American Church?
Following is an opinion/guest editorial piece- Part 1 of 3: Where is the American Church?- submitted by Pastor Tom Fillinger, IgniteUS Ministries- info@igniteus.net.
There are...
Letter to the editor: Please don’t approve Warehouse District street closure
Editor's note: The Cullman City Council, in their meeting on March 20, OK'd a trial run for a pedestrian park on First Avenue in...
Morning music: “Rock the Boat”
When I worked at Saturn on an assembly line for 10 hours a day, we used to play games that we made up to...
Container gardening
Containers flank the sides of this gazebo. Planted with prolific "Marguerite' sweet potato vine and hot pink and white impatiens, they add height as...
Morning music: “Glory, Glory, When I Lay My Burden Down”
At first you might think you are listening to another version of "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" and it is very similar, but "Glory,...
Moving forward
Moving forward...
CullmanSense was launched on Dec. 31, 2010 as a daily e-publication and quickly grew into Cullman's only Monday print publication in less than...
Letter to the editor: East Elementary students create Little Free Library
Good morning!
I have a HUGE project that needs publicity within our Cullman community. I am the librarian at East Elementary and I have a...
Morning music: “Roll with It”
This song literally helped us make it through the night...the first time I ever heard it was about middle way through the 90s. I...
Morning music: “You Make My Dreams Come True”
Good morning, Cullman! If this song doesn't make you feel good, you should make an appointment with your doctor because something is wrong! It's...
Notes from the road: Tribune sports editor one of many to...
(Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News via AP). Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs guard Morgan William, right, is mobbed by guards Blair Schaefer (1) and Dominique...
Morning music: “I Feel for You”
Anyone know who wrote this song? No cheating! Listen and you can hear the way his other songs sound...
"I Feel for You" is a...
Morning music: “River of Dreams”
Hey Morning Music fans! We are back and ready to rock and roll you on your way to work this morning!
Today's song is one...
Morning music: “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”
Happy first day of spring, y'all! Here's "Can't Stop the Feeling!" by Justin Timberlake.
I knew there was something extra special about Justin Timberlake when...
Morning music: “Macarena”
"Macarena"
This song had the longest climb ever to no. 1 in the history of the charts, but it was worth it. “Macarena” held that...
Morning music: “Put Your Records On”
One of the best singers Britain has produced in decades, Corinne Bailey Rae is a breath of fresh air. She's gonna guide you right...
Morning music: “Here Comes the Sun”
I was in the ninth grade when this song hit the airwaves, It was such a happy song that you'd have a hard time...
Attention all nerds: Happy Pi Day!
Welcome to March 14, or 3.14, commonly known in math geek circles as “Pi Day.”
“Pi” or π is the Greek letter that represents the...
Morning music: “Oh Happy Day”
"Oh Happy Day" is a spiritual song that will move you for many reasons...the beat is astounding, the heart and soul of the song...
Morning music: “Young Hearts Run Free” by Cullman County’s Candi Staton
We have a very special edition of Morning Music today! A native of Hanceville/ Colony, Candi Staton is a hometown girl who made good,...
Foxgloves & Fireflies: A little thought with eyes
I have a friend who was revived after being coded, and later on her sister, who is a nurse, looked up the hospital records to...
Morning music: “Happy”
"Happy" is a song written, produced, and performed by American singer and record producer Pharrell Williams, from the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack album. It...
Morning music: “I Will Survive”
Ready for the number one dance song ever?
Lauded as the no.1 song of the 100 Greatest Dance Songs in 2000, "I Will Survive"...
Morning Music: “Don’t Leave Me This Way”
This song was one of the biggest hits of the disco era. With a driving, rhythmic beat that will have you longing for those...
Letter to the Editor: Suicide
Jeremy L. Kilpatrick, Cullman County Coroner
Suicide: an act of self-harm that results in death.
There are many reasons a person might have suicidal ideations (thoughts). ...
Morning music: “Everybody Plays the Fool”
Morning listeners! This morning's selection also has a trivia question...Anyone know whose father was the lead singer of this 1973 hit song by the...
Morning music: “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”
This morning's feel good song makes it almost impossible to be sad..."Don't Worry, Be Happy" is one of those tunes that just plain makes...
Part 5: There but for fortune: a mother’s story
This is the true story of heartache, physical, sexual and alcohol abuse, love, hate, financial burdens and finally, finding joy, happiness and hope.
We trust...
Morning music: “I Can See Clearly Now”
Good morning! What more perfect song for today than this 1972 chart buster by the guy who discovered Bob Marley! Open your sunroof, put...
Morning music: “Good Morning”
Good morning ! We got ‘cha rolling this morning with Mandisa’s “Good Morning” requested by reader Becky Lee. Thanks for listening and spreading the...
Morning music: “You Make Me Feel Like Dancin’”
This is the third installment of a new weekday morning post called "Morning music." From The Tribune's Loretta Gillespie: "We are about to make...
Morning music: “Heaven”
This is the second installment of a new weekday morning post called "Morning music." From The Tribune's Loretta Gillespie: "We are about to make...
Morning music: “Love Train”
As Thursdays, yesterday was one of the best. Mainly, I think, because before daylight yesterday I heard “Love Train” on the soundtrack of a...
Part 2: There but for fortune: a mother’s story
This is the true story of heartache, physical, sexual and alcohol abuse, love, hate, financial burdens and finally, finding joy, happiness and hope.
We trust...
EDITORIAL: ATRIP2 and how it will affect Cullman County
The following editorial was submitted by Association of County Commissions of Alabama Executive Director, Sonny Brasfield:
Tomorrow morning millions of folks in Alabama will turn...
Why I’m pro-life
The following is an opinion piece submitted to The Tribune by U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Alabama. The opinions expressed are Aderholt's.
Our beliefs, our ideals...
ALGOP statement on Sen. Jeff Sessions’ nomination for U.S. attorney general
Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Alabama
MONTGOMERY - On Friday morning, President-elect Donald Trump announced that U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Alabama will serve in his cabinet as...
Foxgloves & Fireflies: rumor has it
Remember the game we all played in elementary school called, “Telephone?” I’m not sure why, since it had nothing to do with a telephone...
Hunting season 2016
Crisp autumn mornings. Guns and ammo on sale in the sporting goods stores. This can only mean one thing- hunting season is upon us. ...
September 11- have you forgotten?
New York City Firefighter Tony James cries during a funeral service for New York Fire Department Chaplain Rev. Mychal Judge, Sept. 15, 2001. Judge...
To the young girl thinking of becoming a nurse…
To the young girl thinking of becoming a nurse...
The world will speak at you in many ways. You will read how the medical world...
OPINION: First Source for Women
Photo: Members of First Baptist Church of Cullman giving a check to First Source with funds they raised through our Baby Bottle Boomerang program.
Have...
Letter to the Editor: true meaning of Memorial Day
This month, our nation will observe Memorial Day. This is the one day each year that we pause to mourn those Americans who have...
OPINION: Aderholt Statement on Confederate Flags at National Cemeteries
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala. (AL-04) today released the following statement regarding a push by Democrats to make it illegal to...
OPINION: An Open Letter to the Citizens of Cullman, regarding the...
The following is an opinion piece submitted by a member of the community. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author....
