The Glass House gifts inspire
By Donna Thornton/News Editor
Many customers seem to be seeking inspiration at The Glass House in Southside, located inside Southside Pharmacy on Ala. 77, and owner Brandi Winningham is happy to oblige.
The gift shop carries gifts to fit every occasion, and a great many of those gifts bear messages and images designed to inspire.
“People love anything with angels,” Winningham said.
From an
The Factory to bring the bounce to Etowah County
By Donna Thornton/News Editor
Bethanne Browning-Staton is retrieving a piece of her family’s history and using it to bring one of the newest trends in family fun to Etowah County.
The Factory, set to open this spring, is a trampoline gym, but will offer much more to entertain its guests.
The facility will offer a trampoline arena, a trampoline dodge-ball court, trampoline basketball,
J&J Candles: A light in Gadsden area for 15 years
By Laura Ann Tipps/Staff Writer
Since 1999, J&J Candles has been providing candles to the Etowah County community and beyond.
The store began as a hobby for James and Joyce Gaylor, who started dabbling in candle making at home.
“She started making candles in their kitchen, after they retired the first time,” according to their son, Dennis, whose wife, Nicky, began working for
Merle Norman thrives in Gadsden
By Laura Ann Tipps/Staff Writer
Last year, Merle Norman Cosmetics returned to Etowah County, setting up shop on Rainbow Drive near Pruett’s Bar-B-Que and Zaxby’s.
The store opened on June 1 and celebrated with a grand opening and ribbon cutting on Sept. 20.
Towanna Robbins, who has had a lifelong relationship with the cosmetic brand, is the proud owner of a salon in
Super Bee Pharmacy: Serving customers is family tradition
By Donna Thornton/News Editor
When unexpected snow-fall shut down most of Etowah County in late January, Debbie Adams made her way to Super Bee Discount Pharmacy in Rainbow City by 11 a.m. on Jan. 29, to be there in case any of the pharmacy’s customers had an emergency need for medicine.
“If I hadn’t, I’d have been sitting at home worrying that
Attalla expects continued improvement in 2014
By Donna Thornton/News Editor
The City of Attalla experienced a good 2013, Mayor Larry Means said, and city officials look forward to more growth and improvement in 2014.
“We’ve had new businesses and seen the expansion of some existing businesses,” Means said. “Of course, we want more and more.”
City leaders have been especially pleased with progress in nuisance and abatement within the
Alaco is an institution in Glencoe community
For the past 31 years, the Alaco Discount Pharmacy building located at 544 West Main Street) in Glencoe has been as much a neighborhood institution as the old Big Chief Drive-In building. According to store manager/pharmacist tech Paulette Chandler, who has been with Alaco the full 31 years at the location, the regular patrons of the business are considered part
Harbison honored at Disney World for service
By Donna Thornton/News Editor
Disney World is known as a magical place, but during a recent visit there, Brian Harbison was treated to a very real honor.
Harbison was selected as Disney World’s “Veteran for the Day” on Feb. 13, and participated in a flag retirement ceremony and parade.
Harbison, chief building official for the City of Gadsden, spent Feb. 7-14 at Disney
Southern Cooking with Andy Bedwell
Banana Nut Bread and Blueberry Muffins
This banana nut bread has a wonderful history. Back in the 1960’s, Mary Sue Grissom, a home economics teacher at Gaston School, brought one of her classes to tour mother and dad’s home.
Mother served this banana nut bread. Years later, several students reminded me of the delicious banana nut bread that they had been served