This Place is Special

(Cullman, AL)

Okay. I am impressed.

Big time.

Take it from someone who has visited more towns than you can shake a stick at. This place is special.

It’s big enough to have things to do and small enough for everyone to be family.

Located between Birmingham and Huntsville off Interstate 65, it is a town of about 16,000. It is absolutely gorgeous in Cullman Alabama.

And the people are first class. I’m sure there must be some thugs around but I didn’t see any yesterday.

I was in town for a couple of speaking engagements.

I stopped first at the Merchant’s Bank. Steve Glasscock, who is the Chairman and CEO of the privately held Merchants Bank, heard me speak on the coast of Alabama a couple of years ago and asked me to speak to his employees while I was in town. While there I connected quickly with a bank director, David Moss, who is a local businessman and former owner of the local funeral home. Imagine that. The employees gathered (about 70 strong) in the lobby of the main bank yesterday afternoon after the bank closed. I’m not sure exactly what I said but the 30 minutes I had went by in a hurry. Not sure what it is about banks but I think this is the fourth bank lobby I have spoken in since I started doing this.


I left there with Raymond Williams, who is a senior Vice President of the bank and also on the Farm City committee, and headed to the civic center for the annual Farm City Banquet. This is a huge gathering where the community honors on alternate years the farm family of the year and the city family of the year.

There were several standing ovations as this group of close knit townspeople honored a couple of families they love and appreciate. They also awarded and honored individual school children for contests this group sponsored.

As I was taking it all in, I was wondering if the people in this town really appreciate what they have. I really think they do. It reminded me of a large Mayberry. And I say that with the utmost respect.


I spent some time with the obviously popular mayor, Donald Green, who everyone addressed as Mayor. I couldn’t help but notice he was wearing a green sports jacket. I don’t think that was a happenstance. I was very impressed with Sheila Brock who was the chairperson and mistress of ceremonies of this event. She is one of those gracious southern ladies who are the rocks for communities such as this and I would bet one who is always called upon if someone wants something done right. I sat next to and exchanged stories with local veterinarian Dr. Tom Williamson who also happens to be on the board of Merchant’s Bank. Everyone knows him as “Big Doc” and it was obvious to me he is a mover and shaker in the community. I could go on and on.

Every town is made up of key people who make things happen. I have a strong feeling that this town has more than their share of those kinds of people.

Cullman County ranks #1 in Alabama in hay acreage and tons produced. #2 in sweet potatoes produced. #1 in total cattle and beef cows. #1 in broilers produced. #2 in dairy cows. And #1 in total farm receipts.

In my opinion, they also rank #1 in community spirit.

Recently this group sponsored a contest for the local school. They let balloons go and gave awards to the child whose balloon was found the most miles away. The winner’s balloon landed in Augusta, Georgia. The runner up’s balloon landed in Thomson, GA.

I was in Augusta earlier this week. And I even stopped in Thomson for a cup of coffee.

I can tell you I connected with the people of Cullman Alabama last night.

It’s a wonder the balloons didn’t hit my windshield as I was riding down the road.