Mountain View
April Killian
Will Rogers' Great-Grandfather Founded This Hidden Gem in North Alabama
This mountain lake community, one of the most picturesque towns in north Alabama, was founded by the great-grandfather of American humorist Will Rogers. Keep reading to find out more about this interesting and beautifully quaint Alabama town. It's definitely a must-see!
Movies That You May Not Know Were Filmed in Mississippi
Mississippi may be a long way from Hollywood, but with it's beautiful countryside and friendly towns, many directors and producers have discovered that Mississippi is a great state for movie making! These are a few of the movies that you may not know were filmed in Mississippi.
Movies That You May Not Know Were Filmed in Georgia
With it's beautiful and diverse landscape, the state of Georgia has been a favorite destination for vacationers for decades. It's also been discovered as a great destination for making movies! Here's a list of well-known movies that you might not know were filmed in Georgia.
History in Hattiesburg: The Farlow Family Tragedy
Larry Farlow left for work at 5 a.m. on the morning of Monday, March 7, 1983. He had a business meeting later that morning in Louisiana, approximately a three-hour drive from his home in Petal, Mississippi, a suburb of Hattiesburg. He left behind his 35-year-old wife, Jo, and their three boys: 12-year-old Jeff, 10-year-old Jason, and 4-year-old Judd. After that morning, Larry Farlow would never see his wife or his three sons alive again.
Take a Rare Look Inside These Historic Homes in North Alabama
*The author of this article does not receive any kind of compensation from zillow.com or the realtors featured on the website. Have you ever driven past an historic old home and wondered what it looks like inside? Wouldn't you love to take a tour of the whole house? Thanks to real estate websites such as Zillow.com, it's easy to take a virtual tour of any house that goes on the market. Recently, I found several very old and beautiful homes that are currently listed for sale in north Alabama. Keep reading for a rare a peek inside these historic homes!
What This Lumber Company Did Will Make You Smile!
When a lumber company or paper mill harvests a forest, they begin the process of replanting trees. This is called reforestation - and it's what makes lumber such a renewable resource. In Alabama, for example, pine trees are one of the most renewable resources in the state. This story is about a lumber company in Oregon....and what they did during reforestation will make you smile!
Did the 'Bell Witch' Once Terrify a Small Community in Lauderdale County, Alabama?
An interesting article appeared in several newspapers across Alabama in 1912. The article reported that the residents of a small community in Lauderdale County of north Alabama were frightened by a "strange animal." Even more peculiar, many residents who heard the beast's haunting screams at night claimed that this was no ordinary animal. They believed the infamous Bell Witch had come to terrorize their small community.
North Alabama Landmark is the Best Place in the World to See This Bioluminescent Wonder
Under the thick canopy of one of the oldest forests in the United States, a rustic trail winds among giant trees, lush waterfalls, ancient mossy boulders and towering rock formations. Although the beauty of the trail by day is enchanting, it's what appears there at night that's truly magical. That's when the mossy rock walls come to life with small specs of glowing vivid blue. It's caused by a rare bioluminescent wonder and this one place in north Alabama is the best place in the world to see it!
Alabama Workers Met with Inspiring Example of Southern Hospitality!
There's been some bad news coming out of Texas, recently. In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, millions of homes were left without power. When Alabama Power, the largest utility company in Alabama, sent crews to help restore electricity, the Mayor of Houston announced that the linemen were often met with hostility as temperatures and frustrations soared. In the spirit of southern hospitality, however, one small town in Texas set a great example for the rest of the state. Not only were they grateful for the help from Alabama Power, they let the Alabama linemen know in a very creative way! Here's how a small town in Texas raised the bar on southern hospitality for Alabama Power!
Is There a Chupacabra on the Loose in Huntsville, Alabama? Mysterious Photo Has People Talking!
In late June, a photo shared online caught the attention of a lot of cryptid fans in north Alabama. The photo was taken just outside Huntsville and showed a very strange-looking animal standing on the roadside. Several people speculated that the Rocket City might have a Chupacabra on the loose! Do you think this could be true? Before you hide the chickens and livestock, let's see what we can find out about this mystery animal. Keep reading; the actual photo appears later in the article!
Lost Landmarks of Alabama that You'll Wish Still Existed
Alabama has an abundance of historic landmarks. They stand as reminders of bygone eras—treasures built with materials and craftsmanship that would be hard to duplicate today. For every century-old building that survives to this day, however, there are dozens more that are gone forever. Whether by neglect, a tragic fire, or destruction for the sake of "progress," these are a few lost landmarks of Alabama that you'll wish still existed.
Alabama's First Miss America: Her Inspiring Story of Defiance and Staying True to Her Own Values
Her name was Yolande Betbeze. She was known by her friends and family as funny, smart, and beautiful. Most of all, she was a young woman who remained true to her own convictions. After she won the title of Miss America 1951, she refused to make public appearances wearing only a swimsuit. Her defiance and determination to be valued for more than just her physical beauty carved out a unique place in history for the Alabama native and changed the pageant world forever.
Rare Natural Phenomenon Seen on Alabama Coast Only Occurs in Two Places on Earth
"They came right up to the beach, at the edge of the water. I've never seen anything like it and probably won't ever again." That's what Huntsville resident, Dee Johnson said after a recent trip to the Alabama Coast. Dee and his family witnessed one of the most rare coastal phenomena in the world.
Man Drowns on Alabama Coast: Identity Remains Unknown
With the drowning deaths of three young men from Alabama in the news, the dangers of ocean swimming have been in the spotlight. Dangerous rip currents, that occur often off the beaches of Alabama and the Florida panhandle, kill dozens of people each decade. That was the case almost 20 years ago, when it's believed that a rip current claimed the life of a young man in Gulf Shores. Sadly, his identity remains unknown. Renewed interest in the case, however, may finally help find the man's identity.
The End of an Era: Remembering Regency Square Mall
The author has not recieved any kind of compensation from Florence Mall or any of the retailers included in this article. Florence Mall recently announced plans to demolish the retail spaces that once housed Sears and JC Penney. For many of us who grew up in the Shoals, this marks the end of an era. Sears and JC Penney were the two largest anchor stores. They were there when the mall first opened as Regency Square Mall. Regency Square Mall was a big part of our lives growing up in the Shoals. It was the place where we shopped, ate, and spent countless hours with friends. Let's hang out at the mall one more time and look back at the era of Regency Square Mall.
'I Thought a Bomb Had Gone Off!' Florence Woman's Ordeal and Warning to Local Drivers
"I thought a bomb had gone off!" That's what one Florence resident said after a deer struck her car on Sunday afternoon and shattered the side window of her car behind the driver's seat. Luckily, no one was in the back seat. It happened on Veterans Drive, one of Florence's busiest roads. That's not the only busy road in Florence where drivers have had "run ins" with deer in the past week.
How the Government Brought Alligators to North Alabama
Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you're probably aware of the growing number of alligators spotted in the Tennessee Valley. Exactly how those alligators got here is a hot topic of debate. While many conservationists argue that they've been here all along, some people claim that the government brought them here. That may sound like a wild conspiracy theory, but it's not. This is the true story of how the federal government brought alligators to north Alabama.
How to Add an Emergency Contact to Your Alabama Driver's License
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) has made it easy for first responders or police to quickly find and notify an emergency contact if you carry an Alabama Driver's License. It's a free service, and it only takes a few minutes to add an emergency contact to your license information online. Here's how the service works and how to add an emergency contact to your Alabama driver's license.
Places in Alabama with Fatal Dog Attacks Since 2020
Officials warn that fatal dog attacks have become more common across the country. In Alabama alone, 10 people have been killed in dog attacks since 2020. We've compiled a list of the places in Alabama where those fatalities occured.
April Killian
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April Killian is a native of Florence, Alabama and writes about the unique people, places, and history of the south. She is the mom of three adult children and many pets. In her spare time, she fosters animals and enjoys the beautiful nature and biodiversity of Alabama. She is a lifelong supporter of charity work and has done public speaking for Safeplace, a local women's shelter in the Shoals. Most of all, April tries to be a positive force in this world in everything she does. Her favorite quote is from Pablo Picasso: "The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away."
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