Hey Joe!
This is your dog, Roscoe. It’s hard to believe it’s been over six years since you picked us up from the side of the highway. That’s a real long time for us, so I thought it might be a good time to tell you exactly what happened.
My sister,...
Back when I was growing up, if Mama said, “Let’s go out to eat,” we did not head for the car. We weren’t going anywhere. She literally meant out…as in outside…as in not in the house.
I could count on my digits the number of times my family went out...
For the last several years, I’ve enjoyed leading an April-in-Alabama history walking tour through Cullman. Like Martina McBride sang, “word gets around in a small, small town,” and I’ve been fortunate to attract some positive, fun buzz and good-sized crowds.
To keep it interesting for any repeats and myself, I...
Kate Quinn has done it again! After authoring numerous gripping novels about women in World War II, she does not disappoint with “Diamond Eye.” It is based on the true story of Lyudmila Pavlichenko, a sniper for the Russian Army during the German invasion. There were 2,000 female snipers...
Keeping to his word, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has initiated the re-renaming of military bases. Renaming, not to their original names, but their rightful Confederate names. Will this restoration of Southern heritage return to the great state of Alabama? Very likely. Especially now that Alabama Secretary of State (and future Lt....
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...
Fear alerts us. Courage responds. But hope, well, hope is what carries us forward when the dust settles and the long road lies ahead.
Hope is often misunderstood. Some see it as wishful thinking, a fragile feeling with no substance. But true hope is far stronger.
It is not passive; it...
There’s an extremely antiquated mindset of masculinity that was passed down by our fathers, grandfathers--including our matriarchal figures that have embraced that men have to choose what type of life to live. Men must dominate professionally where money and status often carry more importance over family, spirituality and friendships....
Obamacare or the “Affordable Care Act” continues to be highly debated four years after being signed into law. Conservatives present it as the poster child of liberal big government overreach. Liberals defend it as the reason they see for government to exist, to protect those with less, and to...
ODE TO SOLITUDE
Solitude and loneliness
Are far from the same.
Solitude is exquisite pleasure;
Loneliness, excruciating pain.
My name is Ben and…I am a GREGARIOUS HERMIT. There, I’ve said it. Every day, for as far back as I can remember, I’ve been an enthusiastic, social animal who also has a hankering for lots...
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,...
Every working-age, able-bodied person needs a good paying job.
Not too many years ago, the dominant manufacturing industry in Alabama was the textile industry. Just as Ross Perot predicted in presidential debates, the textile industry moved to other countries when Congress approved NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement).
Alabama’s textile jobs...
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...
I had never experienced anything quite like it. To say I was shocked would probably be an overstatement, but I certainly didn’t see it coming. I wouldn’t necessarily call what happened an accident, because I believe, quite frankly, that he did it on purpose. I’m not saying it was...
As we approach Christmas, I would like to send a heartfelt wish of good luck to all of you parents out there with young children. You’ll need it. If this is your first time to have Christmas when Santa Claus magically delivers all of the gifts to your house,...
In an era where social media platforms amplify voices, it is imperative to exercise discernment between constructive dialog and counterproductive complaining. As evidenced by the recently concluded Oktoberfest in Cullman, which witnessed unprecedented attendance, the potent synergy of organizations such as Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism, the City...
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...
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 that you will understand why the names and some of the circumstances had to be changed to protect the privacy and safety of some of...
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...
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 on in to work with a smile on your face this morning! Here's "Put Your Records On."
Bio from www.corinnebaileyrae.com:
From Leeds, England, artist Corinne Bailey Rae...
Continued from www.cullmantribune.com/2025/07/14/column-we-made-it-to-north-dakota
We visited two dinosaur museums on our trip. My favorite was Montana’s Glendive Dinosaur and Fossil Museum, which presents the dinosaur from a biblical perspective. There we saw a giant Tyrannosaurus rex in mid roar! Well, OK, but we did see a full-size cast of one, as...
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...
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...
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 300,000+ churches in the USA. The latest figure developed by formal research completed by Dr. Thom Rainer, president of Lifeway, indicates that we are closing...
After marching the streets of Birmingham to get their program back then watching the most successful run in school history under Bill Clark, securing a move up to the American Conference, UAB fans were treated to one of the most nonsensical hirings in sports history.
In December of 2022, after...
The first time I went to their home was for a family Thanksgiving dinner. Actually, it was the midday meal, but down here we used to call that one dinner. Besides, that’s too much food, and much too scrumptious to simply be called “lunch.” I can’t remember if that...
Dear President Obama,
I supported you in both elections, with my vote and financial giving. When you were elected, I was overjoyed that the US had a leader in the White House who was bright, articulate and honest. After the Bush years, many of us were very discouraged about our...
I became involved with World Changers about 20 years ago and through the years traveled to places like Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas, Texas and Alaska with them, repairing, painting, cleaning and upgrading homes for the elderly and needy in our country. This organization, through the years, has helped many, many...
Mark Wilson, M.D., health officer, Jefferson County Department of Health
Ray L. Watts, M.D., president, University of Alabama at Birmingham
As parts of Alabama’s safer-at-home measures relax Monday, May 11, health experts — including public health officials and world-renowned UAB infectious disease doctors and researchers — urge extreme caution.
According to...
“Overkill” is the 18th novel in J A Jance’s Ali Reynold’s series. Ali Reynolds has certainly undergone a transition from the first novel, “Edge of Evil,” published in 2005. At that time Ali is a television news anchor in California who has been fired from her job. Struggling with the loss of her job,...
When in the process of moving forward in life, do you ever find yourself gravitating toward what you ran from in the first place? Maybe not the exact circumstances or person, but the recognition of patterns you were trying to break reemerging?
Maybe you left a job due to mistreatment...
I am writing and raging. Raging because I am tired, oh so tired, of my activism being repressed or limited by bureaucratic minutia and ridiculous protocol. I am even more upset at the ways bureaucracy stifles my students who, because they are informed and outraged, want to act and...
l. His death was certain
A. Joseph of Arimathaea came to Pilate the Governor after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and requested the privilege of burying his body. Pilate wondered if Jesus was already dead. Therefore, he sent a centurion, a leader of one hundred Roman soldiers, to verify the...
Alabama doesn’t function like other states on a lot of things, but especially when it comes to public records.
Last year, my colleague Amy Yurkanin had a question: How much was the University of Alabama at Birmingham paying a private company to recruit students from foreign countries?
Her question led to...
MONTGOMERY – We, the undersigned Alabama organizations, representing not just physicians but the thousands of low-income Alabamians served by them, want to express grave concerns with the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA).
The BCRA fundamentally changes how Medicaid is funded, dismantling the program by capping its funding, shifting much of...
"Happy" is a song written, produced, and performed by American singer and record producer Pharrell Williams, from the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack album. It also served as the lead single from Williams' second studio album, Girl (2014). It was first released on Nov. 21, 2013, alongside a long-form music...
Well, I hear that mailman coming, he’s rolling around the bend, and I ain’t seen a letter, since 2010. That’s because the mail doesn’t deliver personalized letters and cards like it once did. I miss that. That’s not the mail carrier’s fault, but the mail sender’s fault.
I’m not necessarily...
There is a glaring hole in the choices being considered by the United States and the international community in response to the Syrian chemical weapons attack that left 1,400 dead. The only two options that are being seriously debated are action in the form of military engagement and inaction....
ODE TO SUMMER
My longtime favorite season is summer.
Though fall, spring nor winter is a bummer.
At 70, this thought’s not a newcomer;
It came decades ago with my first frozen rummer.
“Summer afternoon” according to American-born British writer, Henry James, are the two most-beautiful words in the...
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 the switch, throw the car in reverse and head out for the daily responsibilities. Before leaving they'll give a great deal of thought to where...
Despite rising salaries, a robust economy and a highly competitive job market that is forcing some employers to entice new workers with signing bonuses, many Alabamians continue to struggle financially and find themselves living from paycheck to paycheck.
A national study conducted just last month indicated that 57% of those...
Sonder, defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is “the awareness that other people all have their own complex set of feelings and experiences.”
As a child I had this overwhelming sadness when I saw pictures of my grandparents when they were younger. It was odd to think of them so little...
Prescription benzodiazepines can treat several conditions, including epilepsy, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. However, professionals continue to debate as to whether long-term use of these drugs is medically acceptable. As more information has surfaced regarding these drugs' addictive potential, medical professionals have shied away from prescribing them. Psychiatrists...
Over the last two years, there has been a heightened number of attacks on female runners, which begs the question — are we safe alone?
The Memphis case in which Eliza Fletcher, a 34-year-old mother and teacher was found slain after her early morning training run, was one of several...
Can you imagine being without “city water” or electricity?
Without either of those utilities readily available, life would be difficult, and our local economy would be almost nonexistent.
Certainly, the poultry industry wouldn’t be what it is in our area today.
We can’t imagine being without electricity and “city water,” and one...
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...
When Cullman was celebrating its 150th birthday, we were asked to participate in the celebration. In thinking about the best way to honor our heritage, I thought, “Why not conduct a worship service according to the structure and language of our forefathers?” Then my brain went wild with questions....
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...
I heard a rumbling noise coming from the second floor of my house. Since we almost never go up there, I thought that one of our dogs might’ve cornered a squirrel that got in through the attic. I made my way up the stairs, walked in the bedroom and...
“Death Valley Duel” is the ninth novel in Scott Graham’s National Park Mystery Series. As an environmentalist and author, Graham has created a series of mystery novels that take place in the National Parks in the west. His descriptives of the west are spellbinding. He makes it easy to visualize the terrain.
The main character...
Over the past month, changes at the Cullman Post Office have begun to show. Packages and letters are moving again, thanks in large part to the tireless work of local carriers.
These men and women are working 12-hour days to keep the system afloat.
They deserve our gratitude. When you see...
Where were you when the phones stopped ringing, that January day? That January day was Wednesday, Jan. 14. For roughly 10 hours that day, I and approximately 200,000 other Verizon cell phone users had no service.
Perhaps you recognized my question as a play on Alan Jackson’s hit song, “Where...
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 you ever felt challenged by parenting? Have you ever felt overwhelmed by pregnancy? Any parent can honestly say that parenting has its challenges! We are...
The road to a healthier you starts with your nutritionally-sound diet choices and making those choices a habitual lifestyle. Along with elevating your heart rate by exercising at least 30 minutes a day, three times weekly, your nutrition is key in your overall health and wellness. Managing your micronutrients,...
The following is an opinion piece submitted by a member of the community. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of CullmanSense, the CullmanSense staff or any other contributors to CullmanSense.
To the Citizens of Cullman:
I want...
The Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten) is the author of 13 bestselling cookbooks, a beloved Food Network personality, an Instagram sensation and a cultural icon. She shares her personal story in her memoir, “Be Ready When the Luck Happens.”
Ina survived an difficult childhood. She was physically and psychologically abused by her father. Her mother was...
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 and our very way of being are almost entirely rooted in the way we were raised. The values that are instilled in us by our...
Jennifer Garner must have asked me a thousand times, “What’s in your wallet?” The answer is always the same, “Nothing, absolutely nothing!” I keep hoping maybe she has put some money in there without me knowing, but no, it’s still nothing. A more pertinent question might be, “What’s under...
Alabama has legalized medical cannabis. That is not a debate; it is law.
Yet as the program begins to take shape across the state, a new question is emerging at the local level: what happens when a legal treatment option exists, but access to it is quietly limited before a patient ever has the chance...
First, notice my topic is not the most important state agency. My topic is the most important agency in the state.
What agency is the most important in the state?
Which agency can impact reduction in crime the most, reduce and eliminate racism, friction among our people, and even reduce and...
As I tend to the scratches and scrapes on my bare legs, I’m wondering if I should get a tetanus shot. I don’t think the ones on my leg came from the rusty barbed wire fence in the woods, but I’m not 100% sure. So, I guess I’ll just...
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...
Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen recently signed a joint letter to President Donald Trump with 19 other conservative secretaries of state urging the repeal of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA).
Below is the content of a media release issued by Allen’s office:
This repeal would cut government fees and red...
I have decided, sometime in my not-as-young-as-I-once-was years, that I don’t like cucumbers. Well, at least I don’t like raw cucumbers. I’ve given them ample opportunities to prove themselves, but they’ve come up short. I’ve even tried cucumber sandwiches. Actually, I have decided the reason I do not like...
I need to vent, so please don’t judge me — just listen. I’ve got a problem with time. And yes, I know some of you are already muttering, “Duh! Everyone your age has a problem with time — there’s not enough of it left!”
Very funny. But my issue isn’t...
