Editorial

Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary with books, films & podcasts

Lori Skinner and her family live in Hamilton. She has been the head librarian for Northwest-Shoals Community College for five years. We were beyond delighted when she volunteered to pen this special column for America’s 250th Anniversary.

By Lori Skinner
NWSCC head librarian

July 4, 2026, is an exciting day in America’s history. We are celebrating the Semiquincentennial (try saying that out loud) of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of our nation.
If you would like to refresh your understanding of this founding event in American history, check out a book, podcast or film. I’ve listed a few for you below and hope there is something that will catch your interest.

It’s official! Hamilton’s Ronnie (Gene) Avery VFW Post 12245 approved!

Ronnie Avery

We are extremely excited to share the news that the movement to form a new Hamilton VFW Post has been successful!
Just a few days before Veterans Day, local officials were notified the post had been approved at the state and national levels, with the designated number of 12245 and the dedicated name of Ronnie (Gene) Avery.

Hunt alumnus, family member memorialized; organizer grateful for continued calling

Special guest columnist Jeff Carter is shown with his grandson, Easton Lane Carter.
We had a young man who came on our hunt in 2019 by the name of Jack Plowman from Gordo, Ala. His family was not able to be with us on Friday night for the supper due to previous plans. But I shared how Jack came on our hunt and killed an 8-point buck. He killed ducks on a duck hunt. He killed a doe one afternoon. And he killed rabbits on the rabbit hunt.

A question which has echoed through the years — answered!

Warren Davis, George Malone and Charles Patrick, part of “The Monotones,” in 1957 recorded a song they had written. Their song asked a question, “Who Wrote the Book of Love?” Also called “Book of Love,” the doo-wop song would be a hit and is still familiar to many in 2025.
With so much said, sung, written and recorded, the idea and curiosity about love might lead us to ask the same question. Who did write the book of love?

Preston Headrick - ‘We are Valuable To Him’

Matthew 6:25-26 states, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

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