Each fall all of us here at the newspaper spend lots of hours deciding what we want to feature in our annual Progress Edition. This year was no different, and all of us want to be sure we provide a quality product for you our readers. We also work hard as well to provide a venue for our advertisers to promote their businesses. Without the support of our advertisers none of the media products we publish here would be possible. We do not thank those who spend their advertising dollars with us enough, most days.

This year we decided to do something a little different and something we have not done in the past. I for one enjoy going through the old bound files here at the office. Since I am a bit of a history buff I enjoy reading old stories about how things got started as well as the current status of people, places and different things that make up our city and our community.

The old saying that “the only constant in life is change” comes to mind when you see how so many things have changed in the last 50 or more years. The front cover of this year’s edition shows how Mains St. facing east looked in 1917, while below there is a current photo of the same view in 2016, 99 years later. If Hartselle is still here in 2115 maybe whoever is publishing the newspaper will update from where we left off in 2016.

We have also filled this section with stories from days gone by, including the beginning of Sparkman Park including what is offered through the park and recreation today, compared to the humble beginnings.

We also covered an old favorite, the Santa that was in the store window each Christmas season at E.R. Roberts. The history of the original F.E. Burleson building, and how the building is still in use, after standing 100 years, is included in this section as well. The beginning of public housing in Hartselle and how the folks who live there consider this home, and not the projects, is featured also. Find out how J.P. Cain Stadium got its start and enjoy then and now in photos throughout this section.

You can also see how far the county and city has progressed in taking care of abandoned and stray animals. From a drab, cold building at the landfill, to an inviting building where the floors in the kennels are heated. The animals that wind up in the animal shelter have a much better chance at finding a forever home than they ever did in the previous shelter.

We always welcome your opinion about all of our media products, in print and online. Always feel free to let us know how you feel about our stories and editorials. Also, if you ever have an idea, or something you feel would make a good fit in the newspaper, or Hartselle Living, please feel free to share this with me.

Our goal at the newspaper is to promote Hartselle and Morgan County in the most positive way possible. This is our city and community that we love and call home; together, we can all work to make it even better. Thanks for your support and God Bless.

Randy

Randy Garrison is president and publisher of the Hartselle Enquirer.