Phillips Follies

Thoughts, Opinions, Experiences, Fun and More...

Welcome To Our Pages

We live in a subdivision named Pine Lake on the outskirts of the small town of Arab, Alabama. The pictured view of Pine Lake is from the end of the lake opposite our house.

This site is designed for use by Jack and Barbara Phillips plus family and friends. However, some content may be of interest to others.

"A lake carries you into recesses of feeling otherwise impenetrable." William Wordsworth

Arab, Alabama Information

Arab was incorporated in 1882 and for years was a small isolated city, but explosion of growth created by the "space race" in the 1950's brought Arab to the point where it is today. Arab, like its sister cities of Boaz, Albertville and Guntersville, has some of the lowest property taxes in the nation and favorable utility rates from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).

Arab, Alabama is a town that has maintained its southern charm while embracing the future. Located in western Marshall County, Arab has easy access to Huntsville with the 25 mile commute made easier by the four-lane Highway 231, which has access to the Marshall Space Flight Center and Redstone Arsenal. And Huntsville is also the location of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, a major attraction and well worth a visit.

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City Government, Utilities, Police

Arab City's site: Numbers and locations of city offices; 586-8128.
Arab Water Works: 586-3159.
OTELCO, Inc., phone & DSL internet: 586-1627.
Arab Electric Cooperative, email: arabelectric@mindspring.com: 586-3196.
Spectrum, our internet provider (also has TV & phone available): 800-226-2146.
Marshall County Gas District: 586-8303.
Republic Services,(trash pickup: 1-800-810-6601. Backups are: Arab City Hall, 586-8128 and Councilman Ronny Shumate, 586-5449.
Marshall County Sheriff's Office

Civic, Service, and Hobby Clubs

Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, Lions, Rotary, AARP,
Historic Village, Masonic Lodge, Garden Club, Christian Women's Club, Friends of the Library.
Hospital Auxiliary, Athletic and Band Booster Clubs, PTA,
Civil Defense and Rescue Squad, United Way, Boy and Girl Scouts, Red Cross,
RSVP (Marshall County RSVP) and several extension clubs.
Downtown Arab promotes the merchants in Arab's center.
A very active Customs and Classic Car Club.
The Annual Poke Salat Festival is a unique community event.
A great, private domestic animal shelter, Happy Paws Haven.

General Information

The Arab City School system is a cut above the norm with a K through 12 enrollment of approximately 2,700 students.
Marshall Medical Center North, located about 8 miles east of town, provides medical care for the area.
There is a nice city park with a swimming pool, ball fields and an area of restored historic buildings.
Arab also has two, public 18-hole golf courses and we have over a dozen different eating establishments.
The Arab Tribune - The local newspaper with all the need to know news.
Arab City - Statistics and location.
Marshall County Visitors Bureau is full of great information about our lovely area.

Local stores of interest

Marvin's Building Materials; lots of good hardware items.
Tractor Supply is a good store to have with lots of wild life items.
Wal-Mart; yes, we know everybody has one, but it's still a great place to shop.
Dollar General: every town has them also, but they have lots of stuff at good prices.
Dollar Tree where everything really is $1 and they have lots of necessities.
Staples office supply store is about 12 miles away in Guntersville, but is a fine source with good prices.
CVS/pharmacy, a free-standing location.

Our Home

We live in an older, medium sized house on a one acre lot with frontage on the upper end of Pine Lake, where the creek empties into the lake. (Click on any picture for a larger image.)

The front of the house in May 2001.

This picture was taken in October 1999. Barbara is standing by a basement door while a neighbor dog, Noah, watches.

A fall view from the back deck looking toward the north. When this picture was taken in October 1999 the lake was at its lowest level in memory.

This is the same view in April, 2009, from the middle of the back deck.

In January 2006, we refaced the cabinets in the kitchen and replaced the countertop; it made a huge difference!