Helena City News by Dave Smith

Hele H elena Ciitttyy New elen Newwss Serving the City of Helena and surrounding area

PETE FOLMAR NAMED NEW CHIEF OF POLICE Former Chief Doug Jones retires after 34 years in law enforcement

MAYOR HALL DONATES FUNDS FOR HHS MASCOT COSTUME To catch a glimpse of the ferocious HHS Howler, attend home football games

HIS STUDENTS RAISE $23,000 THROUGH FUN COIN DRIVE

Funds purchased a set of Chromebooks, charging cart, and other technology

WELCOME NEW ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL APRIL BAHR TO HHS Mrs. Bahr moved from a classroom to the HHS office in less than a week

www.MyHelenaCityNews.com / www.CityofHelena.org

Fall 2015

FROM THE MAYOR

Greetings to all! I hope this edition of the Helena City News finds all of you doing well! Fall activities are the talk of the town as fall festivals, youth sports and high school football are in full swing. If you have not had an opportunity to attend a youth league sporting event at our Sports Complex or a game at Helena High School, I highly recommend you try to take one in—it is a load of fun! I would like to bring to your attention some very important resolutions of support that the

2 Fall 2015 / www.CityOfHelena.org

City Council was proud to pass in recognition of several very worthy causes. Childhood Cancer Awareness Month featured the theme Going Gold again this year, and local coordinators raised over $1500 at a recent Helena Youth League football game to contribute to the cause. Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month was recognized as we participated in “The State of Teal” program, lighting up the Buck Creek Bridge and City Hall parking lot with teal lighting in September. The month of October will be recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness month. The Buck Creek Bridge will be going pink and

the Helena Fire Department will be painting fire hydrants in key locations pink as well. October is also Dyslexia awareness month, bringing attention to needed research and treatment for this condition. I hope you will help us by contributing to all these efforts to help fund continued research and treatment improvements for these conditions that affect so many right here in Helena. October also signals a new budget year for the city as we look at appropriating available funding to help improving services that are provided for our citizens. In the last budget year, the city enjoyed a slight increase in tax revenues and we are hopeful that the trend will continue. Some city improvements approved this year include adding a 75’ quint ladder truck to our Fire Department fleet. The new apparatus will replace the 1993 model that has been in service for many years, thus improving fire safety for all our citizens. I am also proud to report that our employees, who work so hard for us, will receive a 3% COLA raise as well. I appreciate the City Council’s effort and hard work each year to work out the best spending plan possible with the small amount of revenue that becomes available to us each year.

I’m happy to report the longneeded improvements at our Waste Water plant will finally be under way this month. The project is in response to ADEM and EPA required upgrades, to help the city meet new permitting regulations for our sewer system. We are even happier to report that we worked this project down from 20 million dollars to 8 million dollars, saving our customers 12 million dollars in the process. We expect that this project will last several months, with possible completion in late 2016. I am truly excited to see several new businesses choose Helena as their home. In particular, the new Jack’s Restaurant, the Helena Ranch House, a new sit down/take out Italian Pizzeria and a new Marathon Oil Convenience Center that will soon open. I’m also happy to see several new business openings in Old Town as well including Party Art and Skull Girl Soaps which are locally owned and operated. I hope this trend will continue into 2016 so that we can provide needed convenience and services to our citizens close to home. I hope you all have a great Fall! I’ll see you at Husky Stadium on Friday nights. And remember to please shop Helena businesses first! Wishing you a blessed and safe Fall season,

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Meet new Police Chief Pete Folmar

Pete Folmar and his family have lived in Helena for the past ten years, and now he finally works in the city, too. “Helena is my home,” he said. He was hired to take over the position of Police Chief, left vacant following Chief Doug Jones’ retirement in September. Chief Jones, a 34-year veteran of law enforcement, cited a need to focus on his health as the reason for his retirement. “My children go to school here, this is the police department that protects my family. I have worked with them on several cases over the years, and I am very proud to be joining their ranks,” said the newlysworn in chief. “I’m excited to work in Helena because of how fun and supportive the community is, and how we are growing,” he continued. “I am very pleased with the controlled and smart growth Mayor Hall and the city council have been cultivating in the city.” Chief Folmar was sworn in officially at the October 5 city council meeting. “I won’t be a stranger at city council meetings, and I will try to make it to as

many football games as I can,” he said. “Anytime I’m not at work, I’m at a sporting event. All my children play a sport.” He is raising three children and three stepchildren, so he knows what the meaning of ‘busy” feels like. He and his wife, Tara Folmar, live with their sons Elijah (a junior) and Ethan (a freshman) in Helena. Both attend Helena High School. Their oldest son, Drew, is currently attending college. His stepchildren, Ben (in 6th grade), Olivia (in 9th grade) and Hannah (in 11th grade) all live in Calera. “I want to thank my wife and all my children for their love and support,” the chief said. “Not everyone would put up with their husband or father being called out of bed at 2 in the morning... They put up with a lot. They are very understanding.” Even seeing the sometimes crazy schedule his dad has did not deter Drew from beginning to follow in his father’s path to law enforcement. For the past two and a half years, he has volunteered in the Helena Police Explorers program, and through

him, Chief Folmar was able to meet several of the officers within the police department much earlier. “Since Helena is my home, I am no stranger here. People know me through my son and from around the community,” and this department is a good place to go,” “I think I will be a good fit for the department—my managing style will be very participatory. I want to encourage employee and resident feedback and involvement with work the department is doing.” Once he finishes settling into his new office, Chief Folmar wants to begin cultivating interagency relationships with other police departments. “If a crime is committed in Helena, chances are, that person is committing those same crimes in Hoover, Pelham, Alabaster, Bessemer,” the chief said. “I want to make sure we share all our information and intelligence with others. Often, it’s not just one department that solves a tough case, it’s two or more working together—and I want to cultivate the idea that Helena PD is really easy to work with, and that we will always help out when we can.” Chief Folmar knows the transition will be a bit of a process, but he is up to the challenge. “I’m not much for a ‘one size fits all’ approach to managing a police department,” he said. “We will have a real focus on tailoring our law enforcement goals and priorities to what Helena and its citizens need and want.” “I’m really looking forward to working with Capt. James Penhale, Lt. Brad Flynn, the dispatchers and everyone in that good group of guys,” Chief Folmar continued. “The Helena police department has such a reputation for professionalism, and taking care of the community, I know I can build on what is already here instead of having to start from scratch.”

Chief Folmar comes to Helena from the Pelham PD, where he began working in 1996 after leaving his first job as an officer with the Anniston PD. His journey began, though, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of Phoenix. He is also a graduate of the Northeast Alabama Police Academy, and during his time as an officer he has constantly worked on bettering himself with continuing education. As such, he holds various professional certifications that help him better serve the community, including those for Evidence Technician, Fire Investigator, Hostage Negotiator and SWAT Operator. During his career in Pelham, he served in various capacities in the Patrol and Investigations Divisions—eventually being named the Patrol Sergeant and Investigations Sergeant in 2002. In 2008, he became Patrol Commander, and in 2010, he assumed command of the Investigations Division. “In 19 years at the Pelham Police Department, there’s not much I haven’t done—except dispatch,” he laughed. “Investigations is what I would consider my strongest area, but I have a well-rounded background in law enforcement,” he said, which will help him excel in his new role as Helena’s chief. “The folks at Pelham could not have been better to work with for 19 years; they are the most professional organization I have yet to be around,” Chief Folmar said in conclusion. “But Helena is a really vibrant city, it has the best civic spirit that I’ve ever been around—everything that happens in the city is kind of a big deal, and I am more than excited to be around that kind of energy.” Congratulations and welcome to the Helena Police Department, Chief Pete Folmar!

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Welcome Assistant Principal Ashley Bahr to HHS Helena High School’s new Assistant Principal Ashley Bahr has had a very interesting start to her school year. “Last month, I was in front of students talking about history, and now... Well, this is my office,” she said, gesturing around her new digs as assistant principal at HHS. “I saw the posting, decided to throw my hat in the ring, and here I am! I’m excited for the opportunity.” “I feel like my experiences at the high school level—teaching classes, being involved in Cross Country, serving as the History Department Chair, the sponsor of the Diamond Dolls and Mat Maids (diamond dolls for wrestlers) and as a participant in instructional rounds—are of a pretty good variety that allow me to be on the same page with anyone who works here,” she said. She is certainly getting the chance to prove it! As the newest addition to the HHS administrative team, joining during the school year, Ashley was put to the test her first couple weeks on the job. She said Ms. Brand and Mr. Butts taught her how the school conducts administrative observations, they walked her though meeting with students and conducting meetings with parents, among many other

things. “I’m exited!,” she laughed, “but it’s all a part of learning my new duties and responsibilities.” By the second week, she began to get the big picture of what she had signed herself up for. “I’ve definitely gotten my feet wet,” the assistant principal laughed. When she was a high school student, Ashley didn’t know what she wanted to pursue for her career, but that all changed when she got to college. “In my first history class, I just loved the way the professor presented the information,” she said. “I knew, then, I wanted to study history, and education would be my path.” Ashley achieved her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Secondary Education—Social Sciences at the University of Alabama, and came back to Shelby County to begin teaching at the high school level. Her first position out of college was as s history teacher at Oak Mountain High School. There she stayed, teaching 10th grade US History, 12th grade Government and AP Government, for nine years. “I began taking on new leadership roles last year, so striving to make the move to administration seemed like the natural progression, the next step for my career,”

Ashley said. She will achieve her Educational Leadership degree at the University of Montevallo this December to that end. “Some afternoons, I leave directly from HHS to go to class in Montevallo; and anytime I’m not at a school, I’m doing homework,” she laughed. But she knows it is worth it for her new position. “I’m excited to be here because Helena is a new school, and the city is growing,” Ashley said, echoing the thoughts of many teachers, administrators and others who are lucky enough to have become involved with HHS. “I had the privilege of getting to know Ms. Brand when we worked together at Oak Moun-

tain, so I thought this would be an exciting opportunity.” The decision to leave Oak Mountain after so many years was a hard one, but Ashley has faith in her choice. “I graduated from a Shelby County school, my teaching experience has all been in Shelby County, so it feels right that my movement into administration is here, too,” Ashley said. “I love Shelby County, I feel like I’m familiar with the way the system and the schools operate, and this is like a second family.” Helena High faculty, students and teachers are happy to welcome her into our own extended family. Welcome to Helena, Assistant Principal Bahr!

Local seven-year-old girl is raising money for colon cancer research Seven-year-old Lola Wade, daughter of Wesley and Meredith Barclay Wade, wanted to honor her Grandfather’s memory as well as raise money to find a cure for colon cancer. Ken Barclay, husband to Andy Barclay, residents of Helena since 1980, passed away from Colon Cancer last October. Lola, his granddaughter, started making rainbow loom bracelets and selling them in her driveway one Saturday morning to raise money to

donate to the Colon Cancer Alliance. Lola’s efforts spread to Facebook and she has received many requests and donations. Lola is selling rainbow loom bracelets for $1.00 each with all proceeds going to Colon Cancer Alliance. If you are interested in purchasing a bracelet, please send your request to mbw1761@gmail.com. For more information on the Colon Cancer Alliance, please visit www.ccalliance.org. TO ADVERTISE, CALL the Publisher at 746.1188 / MyHelenaCityNews.com / Fall 2015

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Thanks to Mayor Hall, HHS now has its own Howler the Husky mascot

Helena High School would like to give a huge shout-out to Mayor Hall for his recent donation to the Spirit Teams. They are the Husky Cheerleaders, Dance Team, Majorettes, and now: Howler the HHS Husky mascot! “Mayor Hall was so impressed with the Howler mascot down the hill at the middle school,” explained Kindal Jones, HHS cheer sponsor. “He wanted us to have a mascot to represent the new school, so he made a donation to fully cover the cost of our husky costume. We are very grateful to him!” While the HMS Howler (seen on page 11) is fluffy, has a large, curly tail and a cartoonish face, the HHS Howler has more realistic-

looking fur and a prominent and menacing face—a better choice for a high school mascot. The costume didn’t arrive until September, so Kindal and Angela Watson, the mascot sponsor, hosted tryouts for the coveted role after school without the costume. Hopefuls needed to prepare a twominute routine involving both props and people, and freshmen Alaynna Surcouf and Jaquan Wallace performed well enough to be selected! Alaynna recalled trying out for Howler in middle school. “I didn’t make it then, but I thought it would be cool to try again at HHS,” she said. “My parents made sure I knew how hard it would be, to make sure I really wanted to do it, but I just think it’s so cool. They are definitely supportive of me and they think it’s cool too.” The lack of costume for the tryouts didn’t phase Alaynna—she made her own minimalist costume with a tail, ears, painted nose and sunglasses. “I felt pretty silly walking down the hall in my costume, I was the only one who dressed up,” Alaynna said, laughing. “But I’ll take any chance to dress up I can get!” She recruited several of her friends in band to help with her routine. “I wanted them to play in the background, so I could run over, “steal” their instruments, mess with their music and just be silly,” Alaynna

explained. “But we had to move to a classroom next door to testing, so they couldn’t play. They just marched silently around the room!” She also brought rolled-up t-shirts from home that she threw into “the crowd,” and had them bring empty soda cans she took and pretended to drink out of, too. Because her routine was so helper-heavy, when a couple friends had to cancel, she was nervous no one would show up. That was simply not the case! “Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Watson had everyone leave the room unless they were trying out or helping with a routine. When this huge crowd stayed in the classroom with me, they were like, ‘all of you are helping her?’” Alaynna recalled, laughing again. She finished her routine with a spirited dance to the song “Bust a Move” by Young MC. “It feels really cool to be the first mascot for HHS,” she said. “I’m excited because Helena is really such a great school and it’s so cool that I get to represent it!” For Jaquan’s routine, he focused on dancing to dubstep and hip hop—he even did a little breakdancing! “I’ve been dancing since I was three years old, and I’m mostly self-taught,” Jaquan said. “I’m always dancing on my way home, coming up with new moves, and my friends encouraged me to try out. It was a lot of fun.” “Being Howler gives me a fun way to do something for the

school, rather than just sitting at home,” Jaquan explained. “I thought this would be a good experience for me.” “I’m excited I get to go to all of the home games for free, and I like to hang around with other people and make them feel good,” Jaquan said, which translates very well to a mascot in charge of keeping the crowds pumped up! And he’s had practice—he was actually the first person in the HHS Howler suit. “At my first game in costume, little kids kept pulling on my tail, and I gave out so many highfives that I just kept my hand up walking through crowds. I’ve never been in so many pictures and selfies!” Alaynna is a little sad the costume arrived so late in the football season. “I will definitely try out again next year, so I can have more chances to play Howler,” she said. And that kind of long-term legacy is what the Spirit Teams want. “Since both our mascots are freshmen, there is a chance we could have the same Howlers for four years, which would really give them a chance to perfect their performances and Howler’s legacy,” Kindal said. For a chance to meet Howler, catch any of the HHS football games, pep rallies, spirit events or girls and boys basketball games. “We would love to send Howler to other sporting or spirit events if people want to meet him,” Kindal said. “Just let us know where you need a little more Helena Spirit!”

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10 Fall 2015 / www.CityOfHelena.org

HMS student mascots have a howling good time Following the tradition set last year, three high-energy Helena Middle School kids with personality were selected to play Howler the Husky for HMS pep rallies, boys and girls basketball games, and of course—football games. For the rest of this season, Ross Tolbert, Evan Berry and Brady Benton, all 7th graders, will fill the costume’s very big shoes. Of course, we use the term “fill” loosely—all three boys are swallowed by the suit in varying

degrees. “I think the costume looks better when the legs sag,” Evan asserted, to laughter from the others. “It looks more like a middle school husky!” he said. Because of the size of the suit, the boys have to make big, exaggerated movements and plan their routines ahead of time. “We were chosen to play him because we had the most pizazz,” Brady said. “Spirit!” Ross added. “We all had what we were doing planned out,” Evan clarified. To become Howler, students must make good grades and had to perform a 1 1/2 minute dance routine in front of HMS Cheer Sponsor Michelle Saindon, a panel of teacher judges and the other hopefuls—while wearing the costume. Ross, Evan and Brady all showed up well-prepared. Ross planned out a skit, complete with props, based on the Huskies’ opponents for this season. For the Briarwood Lions, Ross as Howler said, “Heeere, kitty kitty!” He pretended to “Capture the (John Carroll) Cavaliers,” “Eat the (Calera) Eagles,”

and “Pound the (Riverchase) Panthers” with a mallet—all to the tune of the ‘90s Classic, “Who Let the Dogs Out.” Evan had a plan to turn those Husky feet into dancing shoes! “I knew everyone would do the Whip/NaeNae, so I wanted to do something older,” he explained. After donning the suit, he wandered around to “Teach Me How To Dougie,” shrugging and pretending he didn’t know the dance. Then he pulled out a sign: “Watch me While I Dougie!” and busted a move. Brady’s idea was somewhere between the other two. He put together a dance medley of six songs and danced his heart out. He incorporated props into his routine, too, like a giant flyswatter for against Chelsea Middle that said “Swat the Hornets.” “While I was dancing, I pretended the flyswatter was a guitar, too,” Brady said. It was this kind of creativity and showmanship these students showed that HMS

was looking for in the new Howlers. And they are excited to have been chosen, and eager to perform—for more reasons than one. “Howler gets all the ladies!” Evan said, eliciting a laugh from HMS Counselor April Tolbert, who is Howler’s sponsor. “Yeah, but he gets all the little kids, too,” Brady reminded Evan. They recounted how, at first performance as Howler during the September 17 football game against Chelsea, a 4-yearold followed them around, pulled on Howler’s tail and tried to come into the bathroom with them when they were swapping out between quarters. For reasons like this, the boys have to learn to look out for each other while they are in costume. This is an aspect so important that it prompted a name change for those chosen to play Howler—they are now called Howler’s

Handlers. Counselor Tolbert sat down with them the first week to talk them through tips and tricks, obstacles they may run into, and safety tips. Being Howler is serious business, and the boys understand this. “There a lot of kids on the football team, a lot of kids in the band, on the cheerleading squad and dance team, but there are only three huskies, so that’s special,” Evan said. And right he is! For a chance to see our new Howler in action, catch a Thursday night HMS football game, visit during a pep rally, attend a basketball game or come to the second Meet the Huskies event in the spring, where HMS introduces all their student-athletes to the community. Good luck, Ross, Evan and Brady, and have fun out there!

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Stacy Carden found her road to personal fitness with SNAP Stacy Carden knows the road to better health has its ups and downs. Before she and husband Lee moved to Helena, she was a member of a YMCA.“I was driving longer than I was working out at that time,” she said, explaining that she really wanted a gym closer to home. So, five years ago, she recommitted to her health by joining SNAP Fitness Helena.“It was a little hard for me to keep up with my grandkids, so I knew I needed to step up and get in shape,” she said.“And it’s so close to home that it was the perfect choice.” She started out slow, but her consistency, dedication and energy levels picked up as the years went by. “I’m always so glad that I came to work out. SNAP has become like my home away from home,” she said.“I love the classes, the instructors are great, the staff is very friendly and helpful, and the gym is always clean.” Over the summer, she joined the SNAP Fitness Color Run Team for the Birmingham Color Run May 31. “We completed the Color Run and enjoyed it so much we’re talking about doing another one, with more SNAP Fitness Helena members joining us this time,” she said. But she had some work to do even before the run.“I knew my diet was not where it needed to be, so in May, I started on trainer Jackie Droxler’s eating plan—lots of lean meats and protein, veggies, green tea, water and probiotics every day,” she explained. She has stuck with the eating plan since then, along with jogging 4-5 mornings a week around her neighborhood and coming to classes and lift weights at SNAP 3-4 days a week when she can. With this routine, Stacy has lost 33 pounds since May, which she is very proud of, and rightfully so! “My energy

is up even more, and my breathing has gotten so much better, even since the Color Run.” But she’s not done yet.“My goal is to lose another 25-30 pounds,” she said.“I’ve been able to keep it up this long because I have a cheat day once a week, which I really look forward to, and I give myself a little leeway on holidays and special occasions. I feel like that’s important.” Stacy’s best advice for people who want to get started on their own fitness or weight loss journey:“Don’t put off getting started, just do it— take baby steps, one day at a time. Don’t let setbacks weigh you down, and don’t quit!” She had about a month without exercise after pulling a calf muscle for the first time earlier this year.“I was anxious to work out, but to avoid long-term injury, I listened to my body.When I thought I could put weight on my foot again, I got back into exercising slowly, but picked it back up.” “Come join the classes at SNAP,” she also suggests. “To those who might be intimidated, thinking others will be watching you, but everyone is always too busy keeping up with themselves.And having others to work out with keeps me motivated, too.” Stacy’s favorite SNAP classes are Zumba,Total

Body and Butts and Guts. She also uses their free weights along with several machines: the Converging Chest Press, the Hip Abductor and Adductor, the Diverging Seated Row, the Pectoral Machine, the Arm Curl and the Tricep Extension. When the weather gets cold, Stacy will come to the gym for her morning runs—SNAP Fitness Helena has allnew treadmills and TVs, just brought in this year, for members to use. So call 205-664-2600 or head on up to SNAP Fitness Helena at the corner of Highways 95 and 58 for more information on classes, trainers, and starting your personal journey towards fitness today!

Residential Beautification—Fall comes to Riverwoods! The season is rolling onward to autumn—a favorite of many, as the leaves begin to create their new color palette and the air becomes more crisp, more breathable. A leisurely drive through the Riverwoods neighborhood in Helena shows us that a wellgroomed yard can survive even the fading blooms of summer’s end. Although yellow lantana and knock-out roses still linger, the architectural shapes of evergreens now play an anchoring role in many yards, as seen in the residences at 169 River Valley Road and 1013 Cedar Hollow Circle. The conic shapes of Emerald Green Arborvitae provide a strong presence that perfectly complements and leads the eye both up and down the façade. The All-American Pumpkin is making its appearance in both natural form perched on hay bales and in Halloween décor.

Nestled in the arborvitae at 127 River Valley Road are skeletons that will greet Halloween Trick-or-Treaters at month’s end. The front beds of this home have been converted to a tombstone-embellished landscape accented with the shovels gravediggers must have left behind! Grab family or friends and take a walk or drive around

any of Helena’s beautiful neighborhoods to see a mix of whimsical and scary Halloween

decorations pop up as autumn continues on. You never know what you might see!

The yard at 1013 Cedar Hollow Circle features beautiful arborvitae and whimsical Jack-O-Lantern decorations.

A close-up of the spooky Halloween decorations at 127 River Valley Road.

The family at 127 River Valley Road is ahead of many with their Halloween decorations! Skeletons, gravestones, shovels and random bones pepper the yard.

The landscaping seen here at 169 River Valley Road highlights the yard’s evergreen trees and bushes. Knock-out roses can still be seen among the bushes on the left.

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HIS brings Google Apps, Apple TV, other tech into library and classroom Since the Helena Intermediate School Coin Drop was so highly successful, the school now has the funds available to purchase their third class set of Chromebooks, along with a charging cart for the computers. Now, each grade at HIS will have its own set of laptops for use in the school’s Google Apps for Education (GAFE) program. Although the school just started this program, teachers and administrators have already been very successful in integrating the new technology into their lesson plans and projects. According to Tami Genry, the HIS Library Media Specialist and Technology Coordinator, students can log into their GAFE account on any computer and work on any project they have saved to the account. "It offers a protected and directed environment for students to work, it promotes document sharing and collaboration, and the research resources are excellent," Tami said. For example, if a student finds a photograph they want to include in a project, they can drag and drop that image into GAFE, and when the research tools are turned on, the app will automatically footnote information about where the picture came from for the student. "The software is very efficient and helps prevent mistakes in research," Tami continued.

A few students have also expressed happiness in no longer having to worry if projects done at home will work on the computers at school, since the GAFE account works on any computer they use. Tami has also already used the stipend awarded to her with the Owens-Young Technology Award to bring new technology to the HIS library. That money, plus funds from a technology grant Tami wrote earlier this year and generous donations from the HIS PTO, allowed for the purchase of a “maker space” or special table designed for collaborative learning, seen top right. The table, now ready for use, has a giant flatscreen Apple TV mounted on one end with ports in the center to plug in the Chromebooks or iPads the school owns. “We have a handful of students who test out of and skip some sections of math, and they come to the library to work on digital projects during that time,” Tami explained. The “maker space” gives Tami the opportunity and dedicated space to work with these small groups and others, casting images, videos or projects from the devices up onto the Apple TV screen. “We can customize projects in ways we were unable to do using the prior setup,” she concluded. “This new technology really promotes collaboration at HIS.”

Above: Tami Genry poses in the library’s new “maker space” collaborative table. Below: Students can be seen enjoying using the HIS Chromebooks and learning about Google Slides in the Computer Lab. They were creating All About Me Selfies using their Google Apps for Education accounts. Bottom: Mrs. Ritchey’s class can be seen using Chromebooks for research. They were creating state brochures for a Social Studies project.

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Tami Genry receives Chiquita Marbury Technology Innovation Award Readers should remember an article in the June edition that announced Helena Intermediate School Library Media Specialist and School Technology Coordinator Tami Genry was one of the Shelby County Schools Owens-Young Memorial Technology Innovation Award winners for Shelby County this year. Winners of the OwensYoung award are often nominated for the state-wide Chiquita Marbury Technology Innovation Award, and Tami was nominated for this state honor by Technology Coordinator Susan Poling. “Tami thrives on giving students unexpected opportunities to explore and encourages them develop an inquisitive mind,” Susan’s nomination read. “She arranges for virtual field trips and Mystery Quests. She is currently establishing a maker space that integrates technology so that the media center becomes a place to dig in, connect, collaborate, and create. She makes sure that students learn technology skills through purposeful challenges, ensuring that they develop their digital citizenship along the way.” “She is a constant learner who immediately designs workshops and learning resources for her school’s staff every time she finds something new and exciting that they can put to good use,” the nomination also pointed out. This award, sponsored by the Alabama Department of Education, honors Chiquita Marbury’s invaluable years of service as a technology innovator in Alabama by recognizing educators who are exemplary models of technology teachers and leaders. And we are proud to announce that Tami Genry is this year’s Chiquita Marbury Technology Innovation Award winner in the Elementary School Teacher category! “I am very humbled and honored to receive this award, because I feel like I just contribute

to a much larger work we are all doing for students at Helena,” Tami said. “I feel like I just represented the people who are doing valuable work with kids every day.” She was presented the award by Alabama Superintendent Dr. Tommy Bice at the Alabama Technology Conference in June, where she and the other winners had the opportunity to speak. “It was a special treat to have that experience,” Tami said. “My family and HIS Principal Kathy Paiml came, which was really nice.” Technology is such a huge part of Tami’s work in the library at HIS, and she is on the front lines of teaching Helena kids how to use the latest and greatest educational technologies available today, that her receipt of this award comes as no surprise to those who know her work. Shelby County Schools Network Technician Michael Hollis has been working with Tami for ten years, so he has come to know everything she does for the school. “Tami is the first line of support for technology problems at HIS and one of the better Technology Coordinators in the county,” Michael said. “She wears many hats and always does such a great job.” By working with HIS teachers’ lesson plans, Tami and the library staff are able to teach students the skills necessary for modern research using technology in a way that enhances what they are learning in the classroom, rather than distracting them from it. “I’m really blessed to have a very open, supportive and collaborative environment at Helena Intermediate,” Tami said. “I couldn’t work with kids the way I do without the flexible, open library and a faculty supporting that kind of learning.” “My goal is really to help kids prepare for not only the next level of schooling, but also the real world,” she continued. “I take

integrating technology skills and learning goals while preparing these students for the 21st Century,” she said. “I love Helena Intermediate, and I love the fact that I can make a difference with kids everyday,” Tami concluded. We hope she sticks around to teach Helena kids for a long time. Congratulations, Tami!

advantage of any opportunity to integrate technology and information skills into what students are doing in the classroom.” Moving forward, Tami wants to grow the technological goals for the county. “With all this new technology, we can give diverse learners developmentally appropriate and challenging tasks

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HIS students raised $23,000 for technology during fun Coin Drop Each year, Helena Intermediate School hosts a fundraiser for technology to bridge the gap left by government funding and bring more technology into the school, keeping Helena kids up-to-date on the latest uses of technology in the classroom, for learning and research. The fundraising goal was $15,000 for the purchase of a class set of Chromebooks and a charging cart for the computers. Once this set of laptops is delivered, each grade at HIS will have its own set of laptops for use in the school's Google Apps for Education (GAFE) program. This year's fundraiser was a Coin Drop, complete with a daily costume idea corresponding with each day's coin. At the end of each day, the students and teachers poured the collected coins into a coin machine for counting and bagging. “The

students were fascinated by the coin machine and were excited to find out their totals each day,” Principal Paiml said. It was also rather exciting that they collected enough coins to require a police escort to take them to the bank. As an incentive to bring in donations, the top coincollecting classes won things like an afternoon Coke float party, coupons for extra recess time, Top It Off and Bahama Buck’s. Principal Kathy Paiml and Assistant Principal Genet Holcomb issued a challenge to the entire school—“Raise the entire goal of $15,000 and we will wear official Helena Police Department jail attire and stay in a makeshift ‘jail’ in the front hallway of the school during lunch one day.” Several teachers issued challenges for their own classrooms—Mrs. Ashley Elliott promised her class if they brought

Pennies and Penny Loafers—50s Style

in at least $500 in donations, they could pie her in the face at school! And for every $100 that Mrs. Cindy Johnston’s class brought in for the Coin Drop, she and resource faculty Mrs. Michelle Saindon also each received a pie in the face! On Monday, September 14, HIS kicked off the coin drive by asking for Pennies and Penny Loafers, or 1950s-style clothing. On Tuesday, HIS students raised a total of $1,704.60 in nickels for Nickels, Necklaces and Neckties Day. Wednesday was Dimes and Disco, and brought some of the most outrageous and crazy costumes of the week. The theme for Thursday was Quarters, Kings and Queens, and HIS teachers were able to see just how much royalty resides in Helena. Some of the royal costumes rivaled those of the "Disco Age" just the day before.

For the final day on Friday, the theme was Show Me the Money—with really fun 80s-style clothing—and HIS accepted any coins, checks or paper money students or parents wanted to donate. A few parents were generous enough to write checks to supplement the collected coins and cash. In just five days, HIS was able to raise, and beat, their fundraising goal, for a total of $23,000! "Wow! HIS families are awesome! We will be able to purchase our class set of Chromebooks, the charging cart and a new microphone system for the cafeteria and stage with the funds raised by our kids," said Principal Paiml. "Thank you so much to our parents and the community for supporting us," Principal Paiml concluded. "We are a great team!"

Nickels, Necklaces and Neckties

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY PRINCIPAL PAIML

Dimes and Disco

Quarters, Kings and Queens

Show Me The Moneyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;80s Style

Taking Beauty to the Next Level— Dr. Denny Offers Botox and other Cosmetic Treatments

By Dr. Priscila Denny

Priscila Denny, D.M.D., M.S.

Softens Wrinkles and Expression Lines

20 Fall 2015 / www.CityOfHelena.org

Over the last ten years, Dr. Priscila Denny of Oak Mountain Orthodontics has become an established member of the North Shelby community, providing children and parents of Helena, Pelham and Hoover with braces and beautiful smiles that last a lifetime. Recently there has been an expansion in the services many doctors provide to their patients, in all types and forms of medical fields (e.g. internal medicine doctors providing weight-loss treatment or in-office pharmacies). Dr. Denny expanded her services a few years ago when she began providing laser teeth whitening, as well as braces, to her patients. While Dr. Denny is an expert in producing Hollywood Smiles via braces and laser whitening, she is now offering Botox and Derma Fill injections to help you reach the next level of beauty. Dr. Denny said, “We see these services as natural progression.” Her family has a long history of providing a wide range of cosmetic services to complement beautiful smiles. “Years ago, my brother was the first provider of Botox in his city, and my sister and brother-in-law travel the world teaching medical courses on the proper method for optimal cosmetic injection outcomes. My sister and her husband have taught hundreds of doctors, including me, how to do these injections both safely and professionally.” Dr. Denny explains that there are many reasons these type of injections are a natural fit for an orthodontic practice. “One aspect of orthodontic learning that most people aren’t aware of, is that you study the scientific and historical standards of beauty,” she said. “There are certain physical signals your face sends to others based on the relationship between the various features on your face. Orthodontists study how the alignment of your teeth affect those features. Understanding that relationship is also key to

understanding how Botox and other injections can give you an optimal youthful appearance.” Dr. Denny studied at UAB with one of the leading oral maxillofacial surgeons in the nation. “As part of our course of study, at UAB we discussed how orthodontist have a unique skill set and training that makes them a natural choice to provide Botox and other kinds of cosmetic treatment.” • Orthodontists are doctors trained to do complex non-sedation procedures. • Orthodontists understand smile architecture and the traditional proportions for facial beauty. • Orthodontists have specialized training with needles and attention to facial details. • Orthodontists are trained to have precise dexterity. Furthermore, Botox injections are used in the treatment of other problems that relate directly to orthodontics such as jaw issues including TMJ problems. Another fact many people are not aware of is that even though Botox injections wear off after several months, the benefits can be longlasting because the injections prevent the forming or deepening of new wrinkles for as long as the effects of the Botox last. “We are providing treatment to both men and women, but being a woman, I understand the desire some will have to keep a procedure such as this discrete,” Dr. Denny said. “Some people don’t want anyone to know they have had the procedure done.” “We have two offices, one in Helena and one in Pelham, and we will offer special appointment times for our Botox patients and accommodate them at the office of their choosing. Offering this service is something we have given a lot of thought to and something we are providing in both a convenient yet discrete manner. ” If you want to find out more, call and speak to Amy about how you can start looking your absolute best today!

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2015 Shelby County Band Showcase

HHS band director Jeff Burnside was excited to see every high school band in the Shelby County School System come to Husky Stadium for the annual Shelby County Showcase of Bands Tuesday, September 15. Thanks to everyone who came to watch these talented students!

calendar of EVENTS

REGULAR WEEKLY EVENTS

MONDAYS Exercise Classes, Helena Senior Center, 10:00AM Police Explorers, Explorer Training Facility, 4:00-7:00PM Fire Explorers, Station 2, 5:00PM TUESDAYS Kiwanis, Helena Senior Center, 7:00AM; 3rd Tues. 5:30PM Story Time, Jane B. Holmes Public Library, 11:00AM Helena Lions Club meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday, Helena Senior Center, 7:00PM, Visit their Facebook page Helena Lions Club for info THURSDAYS Exercise Classes, Helena Senior Center, 10:00AM Story Time, Jane B. Holmes Public Library, 11:00AM

october 15th - Helena Intermediate Spirit Night, Bahama Buck’s, 4:00-8:00pm

-Emergency Siren Test, 10:00am

11th - VETERANS DAY OBSERVED: Municipal Offices/Library/ Shelby Co. Schools Closed in observance of Veterans Day; Trash will be collected as usual. 6th - Helena Intermediate Hat Day FR-Operation Christmas Child 12th - Helena High Fall Play “Then There Were None” Nov. 12-15, Auditorium, 6:30pm 13th - Helena Elementary PTO Spirit Day fundraiser, $1 & wear your team colors 16th - Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm - Helena Intermediate Book Fair Nov. 16-20 19th - Helena Planning and Zoning, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm - Friends of the Jane B. Holmes Library Meeting, Library, 6:00pm 21st - Respite Care-special needs 0-21, free but must reserve aaronsstaffrespite.org 23rd - Shelby County Schools closed, Thanksgiving Break Nov. 23-27

27th - THANKSGIVING OBSERVED: Municipal Offices/Library/ Closed Nov. 27-28 in observance of Thanksgiving; No trash - Helena Planning and Zoning, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm will be picked up Thanksgiving Day, garbage collection will run - Friends of the Jane B. Holmes Library Meeting, Library, 6:00pm one day behind through Saturday 16th - Helena High-Sumter County (Homecoming), Home, 7:00pm - Respite Care-special needs 0-21, free but must reserve 17th - Two by Two Rescue’s Barktoberfest, Old Town Amphitheater, aaronsstaffrespite.org 10:00am-4:00pm 28th - Small Business Saturday, Please shop small - Respite Care-special needs 0-21, free but must reserve 1st - Helena Business Association Meeting, 8:00 am, for meeting site visit aaronsstaffrespite.org hbahelena.com or their Facebook page 19th - Helena Elementary Boosterthon Pep Rallies - Helena Middle-Riverchase Middle, Pelham High, 5:30pm

- Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm 26th - Helena Intermediate Red Ribbon Week Oct. 26-30 - Helena High Financial Aid Night, Auditorium, 6:00pm 27th -Helena High Band Fall Concert, Auditorium, 7:00pm 28th - Helena Elementary Boosterthon Fun Run 8:00-11:00am - Helena High College Admissions Luncheon 11:00am

december

2nd - Emergency Siren Test, 10:00am 3rd - Helena Elementary Breakfast with Santa-last name A-M, 7:00am 4th - Helena Elementary Breakfast with Santa-last name N-Z, 7:00am - Final First Friday of 2015, Old Town, 5:00pm-8:00pm

30th - Helena Intermediate Blood Drive, Parenting Day & PJ Readathon 5th - Helena’s 45th Annual Christmas Parade, Lineup at 11:00am, Parade begins at 1:00pm sharp 31st - Halloween: Please be very careful when driving and watch for little 7th - Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm trick-or-treaters - Helena Middle Band Christmas Concert, HHS Auditorium, 6:15pm

november

1st - Daylight Saving Time ends, Fall back one hour 2nd - Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm 3rd - Helena Business Association Meeting, 8:00am, for meeting site visit hbahelena.com or their Facebook page 4th - Helena High Late Start, 9:10am 24 Fall 2015 / www.CityOfHelena.org

8th - Helena High Band Christmas Concert Dinner, 5:30pm 14th-Visit with Santa, Jane B. Holmes Library, 6:00pm 17th - Helena Planning and Zoning, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm - Friends of the Jane B. Holmes Library Meeting, Library, 6:00pm 18th - Shelby Co. School students early dismissal, 1:00pm, HIS 12:45pm 19th - Respite Care-special needs 0-21, free but must reserve aaronsstaffrespite.org

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The oldest dress in Helena Now displayed in a glass showcase in the Helena Museum is a brown calico ankle-length dress with small lace edging on the cuffs, indicative of its time, the 1860s. This dress survived in a lidded-wicker basket in the Lee Family, passed down for five generations. It arrived with a handwritten note that documents: “This dress was made by my mother, Ann Lee Miller, for her mother, Nancy Wharton Lee (Mrs. Needham Lee) and was worn by her in the early sixties.” The note is signed by Lillie Lee Miller Leonard. This dress has been called Helen Lee’s wedding dress, however, the fact is that it may or may not have been used as a wedding dress over the generations. It was Ken Penhale’s intention to display the dress on a mannequin, but he soon realized it was far too fragile for such, so

it lies as the centerpiece in a showcase that also includes other Lee family acquisitions, like the sewing scissors and glass seen above right, and the pickle dish, milk glass vase and vanity tray seen bottom right. The sewing scissors and glass seen in the top right photo are circa the 1870s and belonged to Mary “Mamie” Lee Gillam, daughter of Henry R. Lee. The pickle dish seen in the background of the bottom right photo is circa 1875. Although it appears to be crystal in this photo, the glass used is known as Black Glass. The term Black Glass refers to glass that is usually in shades of dark green and amber. Often the glass is so dense that the color appears black. The pickle dish

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Time to sign up for the

45th Annual City of Helena Christmas Parade!

It’s that time of year again and we have some exciting changes! The 2015 Helena Christmas Parade will be held Saturday, December 5, starting at 1pm. The parade route officially begins at Highway 261 Helena Road and ends in Old Town Helena. Our theme this year is “We’ll Have a Blue Christmas,” to honor all of the fallen police officers across the US this year. Those who wish to participate should visit www.cityofhelena. org/Default.asp?ID=189, print out the Announcer’s Sheet, fill it out and send it in, either by e-mail to kym@cityofhelena.org

should be as brief and informative as possible. If you provide a CD, that is the music that will play when your group passes the stand. Important: PARADE ORGANIZERS WILL NOT BE PICKING UP ANNOUNCER SHEETS OR CDs IN THE LINE-UP.

or by faxing it in to 663-9276. You may also drop it off at City Hall before 9am on the day of the parade with your music CD. The information you provide on this sheet is what will be announced as your unit passes the reviewing stand. It

On the day of the parade, it is important that participants arrive before 11am for lineup and judging, which will begin promptly at 11:30am so the parade can begin at 1pm sharp. We thank you for your participation, whether along the parade route or in the parade itself, and are looking forward to having you with us. Should you have any questions, please feel free to call Joy Childers 663-2158. If you know of anyone else interested in participating in the parade, please have them call City Hall at 6632161 for additional packets.

Fire Explorers host first competition in Helena, win wildcard event The Helena Fire Explorers have amped up their presence in the community and beyond over the past few months. During the summer months, they demonstrated fire safety techniques weekly at the Helena Farmers Market. Under the leadership of Helena Fire Department Lt. Heath Bartlett, advisor for the Fire Explorers, the group hosted a competition Saturday, September 12 at the Helena Sports Complex. Ten fire departments from the Birmingham area, Georgia and Fairhope came to participate. “This competition motivated explorers to demonstrate their firefighter knowledge, performing tasks as if it were a real-life firefighting situation,” Lt. Bartlett said. Competitions included a bunker gear relay, water brigade, obstacle course, search

and rescue, last resort drill, blindfolded barrel drill and a wild card event. The Helena Fire Explorers team placed first in the wildcard competition, which was a timed drill. Explorers had to assemble a complicated hose line and then hit a target with a stream of water, with the fastest time being named the winner. “Participating in the Fire Explorers teaches teamwork, communication skills and learning to deal with problems,” Lt. Bartlett said. “Our explorers learn how to overcome adversity and

be good citizens within the community.” The Helena Fire Explorers organization is designed for those aged 14-20 who are interested in pursuing a career in fire service. For more information or to sign up, please contact Lieutenant Bartlett at

205-663-5809 ext. 7. Helena Fire Explorers compete regularly in competitions and recently received first place honors in Coweta County, Ga. for the bucket brigade, Pittsburgh drill and the obstacle course competitions. Congrats, explorers!

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PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL… We’re the Home of the Free Because of the Brave!

SGT Jon M. Aaron 4/14 K CO (DET B), UNIT 43671, FPO AP 96426-3671; Al Anbar, Iraq; Karen Dickinson’s son SGT Steven M. Bennett USA; Paratrooper/Rigger; Fort Benning, GA; Clara & Ken Lorino’s son

LCPL Jared M. Fitzgerald USMC; 9th Communication Battalion; Camp Pendleton; CA; Rosemarie Butler’s son and Jeff’s stepson, Justin and Tyler’s brother Petty Officer 3rd Class Justin D. Gilbert USCG, Machinery Technician; Key West, FL; Leslie’s husband, Annette & Dan Duffy’s son-in-law

APO3 David R. Black USN; USS Stennis; Bremerton WA.; Ruth and Perry Black’s son

SSG Jay Gortney ARNG; 20th Special Forces; Iraq; April’s husband

SPC Brad Bokenkamp USA; HHB 210 Field Artillery Brigade, 21D: Camp Casey, South Korea; Ed & Amy Bokenkamp’s son

SGT Brooks Gray USA; Ranger; Scofield BKS, HI; John Gray’s son, Lauren & Ryan Gray’s brother

SFC Eric Bond USA; 82nd ABD, 1-504 PIR; Baghdad, Iraq; Paul Zimmerman’s cousin

A1C Brad Hubbard USAF Fort Gordon - Augusta, GA Rod & Susan Hubbard’s son

Captain Joshua Bowen USA; 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division; Fort Carson, CO; Tom and Susan Bowen’s son, Fallon’s husband

SPC Michael Hubbard USA; Camp Liberty, Iraq; Ruth Meadows grandson, Kimberly’s husband, Bonnie Hubbard’s brother

Captain Fallon Bowen USA; Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division; Fort Carson, CO; Tom and Susan Bowen’s daughter-in-law, Joshua’s wife

SPC Eric Hunley ARNG; 1/167 Inf. Bn Co. B, Operation Enduring Freedom; Afghanistan; Mike & Barbara Hunley’s son; late Chris Hunley’s brother

LT Sarah Bowen USN; USS John Stennis Aircraft Carrier; Bremerton, WA; Tom and Susan Bowen’s daughter

CPL Michael Jeffries ARNG; 1/167 Infantry Battalion Company B, Operation Enduring Freedom; Afghanistan; Amy’s husband, Colin & Gavin’s father

LT Jordan Bowen USA; 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Ft. Hood, TX; Tom and Susan Bowen’s son

LT Commander David Kang USN; White House, Washinton, DC; Stanley & Sue Kang’s son, Sunny Kang’s brother

SRA Mitch Braswell USAF; 16th EMS, 16th Special Op. Wing; Afghanistan; Mike & Judi Braswell’s son

CW3 Corey Lefebvre USA; Fort Rucker, AL.; Tom Lefebvre’s son

SGT Peter J. “Pete” Reese ARNG; 152nd MP Co.; Lauren’s husband; Kai, Sam, Dalton, Brook & Kaiti’s father LCPL Casey B. Reitz USMC, MCSF Battalion, Naval Submarine Base, King’s Bay, GA; Tom and Suzi’s son, brother of Tommy, Joey, and Emily. Personnel SPC Second Class William T. Rice USA, USS Ronald Reagan, San Diego, CA. Son of Ginger Hamilton SPC Dwight A Rosse Jr. USA; 1-32 Cav 1st Bct, Fort Campbell, KY; Dwight & Michelle Rosse’s son, Britney & Carlton’s brother SPC Patrick D. Sharp USA; 82nd ABD; Al Asad, Iraq; Shawn Sharp’s son SPC Ashley Bruce Squires USA; 3rd Inf. Div., 1-30 Inf.; Ft. Stewart, GA; Jesi Mason Squires’s father, Bruce & Tammy son, Aubrey & Austin’s brother Cpl Rodney Stephens ARNG; 152nd Military Police Task Force 382nd, Iraq; Andrea & AnnaBelle’s father 2LT John M Traylor, Jr USAF; 552nd TRS; Tinker AFB, OK; Mark & Karole Traylor’s son PFC Zachary S Traylor USMC; 3-23 Inf; Baton Rouge, LA; Mark & Karole Traylor’s son SGT John Christian Vansant USMC; VMMT 204 Flightline, MCAS; New River, NC; Keith & Sherill Vansant’s son Major Maxwell B. Ward USAR; Afghanistan; Kathie’s husband, Maggie’s dad, Bette Ward’s son, Michelle (Lin) Saville’s brother

PVT Vincent Brown USMC; Chesapeake, VA; Leonetta Prevo’s son

SGT Jacob S. Lenoir USA; Sniper Unit of 1-64 Inf; Fort Stewart, GA; Beth Eades’ son, Caitlyn’s husband

SGT Dallas C Caviness USA; 172 Inf. Brigade; Germany; Rebecca’s husband, Norah’s father, Rhonda’s son & Devin’s brother

Petty Officer 3rd Class Erik B. McKenzie USN; USS Curtis Wilber, Yokosuka, Japan; Bond & Lisa McKenzie’s son, Brooke’s brother, Megan’s husband

1st LT William B. Cofer USA; Fort Campbell, KY; Dorothy & Jim Cofer’s son, Deborah’s brother

2nd LT Jacob Allen Meins USAF, Special Operations Command; Kathy Meins Martin’s son

PFC Zachary Walton USA; 3-1 Cav. Regt. Delta Troop; Ft Benning, GA; Becky Click’s son, Alex Walton & Sydney Mollica’s brother, Amber’s husband

CPO Austin C. Daniel USN; Norfolk, VA; Mike & Claudia Daniel’s son, Justin, Tatum & Autumn’s brother

MSG Jacqueline M. Moore USA, 387th; Wichita, KS; Leroy E. Lucas’ wife, Cameshia, Shaun, Chibukia & Chris’ mom

FC3 William J. Welch USN; USS Lake Erie, Pearl Harbor, HI; Devinne Brooks’ husband

2nd LT Eric C Darrenkamp USA; Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI; Carol Darrenkamp’s son, Jon & Stephen’s brother

SSGT Christopher S. Murphy USMC; MWHS 3, San Diego, CA; Jack & Karen Murphy’s son, Alyssa’s husband

E3 Spencer R. Wood USN Corpman; Balboa Hospital; San Diego, CA Rish & Christa Wood’s son, Whitney Brown’s stepbrother

LT James Brooks Dickey USN; Carmel Pacific Ridge, 5925 Linda Vista Rd Apt #1323, San Diego, CA; Charlie & Janie Brooks & Janet & Dennis Dickey’s son

LT Commander Kimberly A. Oelschlager USN; US Navy Hospital (Balboa)-Physician’s Asst., San Diego, CA; Ted & the late Sara Oelschlager’s daughter

AEAN Benjamin Lee Doaks USN; NAS Jacksonville, FL; Joe & Tammy Williams’ son, Rev. Clifton & Mattie Taylor’s grandson

Chief Petty Officer Termaine J. Pruitt USN; NAS Pensacola, FL; Termaine Jr, Trevorn, Chelicia & Tristin’s father, Janice & Austin Pruitt’s son

E-mail Helena active duty military personnel’s name, address and where they’re stationed to helenacitynews@aol.com. If your loved one has returned, PLEASE let us know so that we can keep our prayer list current. Thank you!

Adam Walton USN; USS Nimitz; Randy & Peggy Walton’s son, Annalee’s brother

Skull Girl Soaps now in Old Town

Please visit our new location in Old Town! 4044 Helena Road

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Skull Girl Soaps is a family owned business founded by lifelong Helena resident Kim Ford. Her cold press soaps take four weeks to cure, and are made with food grade coconut oil, olive oil, palm kernel flakes, Castor oil, essential & fragrance oils and natural herbs. None of her products use synthetic detergents or waxes. Kim has a vested interest in her products because they help her own skin. “I had eczema my whole life,” she explained. “I bought my first bar of natural soap at a farmer’s market—and it worked! I couldn’t find a brand I wanted to stick with, so I decided to make my own.” She gave bars out at Christmas to family and friends, who asked her to make more to sell—and the rest is history. Since 2012, Skull Girls Soaps’ products have been found in farmer’s markets and festivals across the state. Her products are sold by many Birmingham area vendors and now, in her first dedicated location in Old Town Helena! “I had been looking for a storefront to open up in Helena for a while, since this is my home, where my kids and I were born

and raised,” Kim said. This is a truly family-run business. Kim makes all her products in small batches. Her husband, Scott Ford, cuts each bar, and her sons, Aubrey and Hunter Hamilton, help her package them up for sale. Along with scented and unscented body soaps, Skull Girl Soaps also sells African Black Soap, a Laundry Soap with no synthetic detergents, and Really Rockin’ Kids Soaps, which include a toy! They make great stocking stuffers and encourage kids to keep clean. But Skull Girls Soaps sells more than just soap! Kim also has lines of bath bombs, herbal bath teas, shower oils, body scrubs, salt scrubs, lip balms, lip scrubs, lotions, candle lotions, candles, all-natural deodorants great for anyone going through chemotherapy and even throwback men’s shaving oil and kits. Check out Skull Girl Soaps at 4044 Helena Road today!

Barktoberfest— A festival that has gone to the dogs Sonya King, Executive Director of Two By Two Rescue, invites you to mark your calendar and spend the day of October 17 having a blast at Two by Two Rescue’s Barktoberfest. Load the kids in the car and your dogs, too. Yes, your furry kids are invited to join the fun. Dogs will have an off-leash area to play while you satisfy your cravings with Saw’s Bar-B-Q, funnel cakes and candy apples. There will be photo booths if you want to pose for upcoming Christmas cards or just take an exciting photo. Pictures of your family and pooch will also be available in the Hot Air Balloon lifts! Also, if your dog needs rabies, boredtella or DHPA (parvo/distemper) shots or to be microchipped, Hope Animal Clinic will have a veterinarian on-site. These services will be offered at a discounted rate. Bring chairs and a quilt and come out to enjoy Barktoberfest with us in October! 30 Fall 2015 / www.CityOfHelena.org

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Adam Short brings new art to HES “I want to try photography, which is my own passion,” he noted, “and insect rubbings and Gyotaku fish prints.” Gyotaku fish prints are a traditional Japanese method dating back to the mid-1800s used to document the fisherman’s catch. This form of nature printing has also become an artform of its own. Looking around the Art Room, one can see a poster proclaiming, “I Could Do This Forever” and “A #2 Pencil and A Dream Can Take You Anywhere.” There is also a space marked “Home of a Future Smart Board.” Adam taught middle and high school art classes previously, and at Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle 6-8, he was the International Baccalaureate Art Teacher. His own education came via Art Institutes of Atlanta, BFA in Media Arts & Animation with a concentration

in digital character design and photography. He received his Masters of Education in Visual Arts Education from the University of Montevallo. Students were working with oil pastels to color in a fish silhouette with short stokes, pressing hard, demonstrated by Adam in the above photo. They were instructed to not use any color more than once and no white. Silver and gold were in demand. The solid colors are sprinkled with salt and this overlay changes

those colors. “This project has been modified quite a bit for my own liking but is a real eye opener for kindergarteners because of how extensive it is. Most have never used so many materials all at once and it blows their mind with the watercolor resist and salt absorption.” The HES hallways are always a wonderful showcase for the work of all students from all classrooms and grades—a visually enriching experience enjoyed by everyone!

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Helena Elementary School art teacher Adam Short is finding his comfort zone in the classroom space that, for many years, belonged to Mrs. Alice Lobell. “Now that I am in my second year at HES, I feel like I have a better handle on things and am not so overwhelmed,” Adam said. “Also, I spent the summer cleaning and organizing my room to my liking, which has contributed to starting smoothly.” “The first graders from last year have accepted me as their teacher now—many have grown up and turned into wonderful second graders.” “Kindergarteners from last year were excited to come back to see me. In the new Kindergarteners this fall, I am already seeing plenty of potential for art shows for the future.” Adam says he has new ideas to bring to the table that work alongside the curriculum and also make the children think.

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HHS Cross Country Team takes four first place wins in first meet by Chloe Brown, HHS student

On September 5, the Helena High School Cross Country team attended a meet at West Blocton Tiger trails. They competed against 6 other schools including: Bibb County High School, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Holy Spirit Catholic High School, St. Clair County, Tuscaloosa County, and West Blocton High School. According to Senior runner

The Varsity Boys first place team.

Claire Vaughn, “We competed in a total of four events, the 5A7A Boys, 5A-7A Girls, JV Boys, and JV girls.” Awards were given to the top two teams in each division as well as the top ten individuals in each division. The 5A-7A Boys competed against Hillcrest, St. Clair, and Tuscaloosa; finishing with an average time of 21:34, and a

total of twenty three points. The 5A-7A Girls competed against Tuscaloosa and St. Clair; finishing with an average time of 26:21 and a total of 20 points. The Junior Varsity Boys competed against West Blocton, St. Clair, and Hillcrest; finishing with an average time of 26:14, and a total of 21 points. The JV Girls competed against Bibb

The Varsity Girls first place team.

County; finishing with an average time of 34:29, and a total of 17 points. This meant that “Helena won all four events,” said Senior runner, Erin Atkinson. The Helena high School Cross country team did extremely well, and brought home plenty of medals and trophies for their first meet of the season.

The JV Boys 1st place team.

HHS starts student newspaper called The Husky Howler by Chloe Brown, HHS student

Varsity Boys top 10: 1st Blake Vaughn, 4th Spencer Hodges, 5th Phillip Parker, 6th Carter Pierce, 7th Jacob Lackey, 8th Steven Williams.

Varsity Girls top 10: 2nd Maggie Lucas, 3rd Claire Vaughn, 4th Aszah Preuc, 6th Tamar Watts, 7th Meredith Byrd, 8th Erin Atkinson, 9th Maggie Blanton.

JV Boys Top 5: 5th Austin Folsom, 2nd JV Girls top 5: 1st Anna Lea Atkinson, James Brakefield, 1st Sam Woods. 2nd Kylie Pritchard (not pictured), 3rd Alaina Martin, 4th Dax Moody. 34 Fall 2015 / www.CityOfHelena.org

Helena High has plenty of events planned for this school year and with this many events it makes it impossible to go to everything. Luckily, the school has their own newspaper team which keeps track of who, what, when, where, and why. “The Husky Howler is run by the yearbook and publication staff,” said Mrs. Burnside the newspaper advisor. Whether it’s a football game, a parent night, or an honor society induction, the Huskie Howler will have it covered. If you do miss an event, don’t fret! “The job of the Helena High School

newspaper is to get the good word out about the school,” so details about it are online. Feel free to check the website out at www.huskyhowler.net The Helena High School newspaper writes articles on whatever event is most recent. They use words and pictures to inform you about what has happened or what will be happening next. *Not the official newspaper graphic

River & Cape Montessori Nursery School

The ﬁrst Montessori school in Shelby County to accept infants under 18 months. Monday through Friday • Exclusively for children 6 weeks through the 3rd year. Conveniently located in Helena’s Dearing Downs subdivision off Highway 95. Call us today at (205) 542-1424 to schedule an appointment and tour! “The development of the child during the ﬁrst three years after birth is unequaled in intensity and importance by any period that precedes or follows in the whole life of the child.” –Dr. Maria Montessori

OUR PROGRAM AND ITS INSTRUCTOR: • Adhere to the methods designed by Dr. Maria Montessori • Take advantage of both indoor and outdoor learning experiences • Plan menus using the “Dirty Dozen” guidelines and support our local farmers • Love and nurture every child that enters our classroom Every child wants to learn; it’s choosing the right environment that makes the difference. For more information, contact Kelly Thomson at (205) 542-1424 or Email RiverAndCapeMontessori@gmail.com.

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Helena Kiwanis Club inducted Luther Jarmon as new president Luther Jarmon was inducted as the new Helena Kiwanis Club president on September 28, succeeding Dan Dearing, who will now move onto the Board. Guest Speaker Robert (Bob) Brown, Lt. Governor of Alabama Division 5, thanked outgoing president Dan Dearing for his leadership in Helena and Kiwanis over the past year. Lt. Governor Brown moved back to Birmingham in 2014 and rejoined the Hoover Kiwanis Club, assuming their empty seat of president. He accepted his new role as Lt. Governor just recently. He spoke of his interest in Kiwanis first being nurtured as a member of Key Club and Circle K during his school years. He said believes the

smaller community clubs, such as those eight that make up District 5, Homewood, Vestavia/ Hoover, Mountain Brook, Inverness, Helena, Columbiana, Chelsea and Calera, comprise the real strength of Kiwanis today, in that they are very community-focused. The Campaign of 20152016 will challenge each Kiwanis member to make a personal, tax-deductible donation of $10 to each the National Foundation and the District. This will Helena Kiwanis Officers and Board members left to right: Claudia Deason, Mary Cooper, Camille Meyer, guest speaker Kiwanis Alabama Division 5 Lt. Governor Robert Brown, more than double the Incoming President Luther Jarmon, Gene Maier and Outgoing President Dan Dearing. financial capabilities of do not care about prestige or our children, and they keep the Alabama Foundation, recognition, Brown noted that front and center in their according to Lt. Gov. Brown. in closing, they care about motivation to serve. Kiwanis Club volunteers

Coal Yard offers elegance, ambience, taste with monthly Wine Pairings  Art is all around when you visit the Coal Yard restaurant. There is the art of ambiance, created by Jeff and Rosalie Oetting throughout this one-ofa-kind restaurant; the art of food in the dishes created by Chef Jason Shipp; the art of the wine served, both from the menu and at the once-monthly Wine Pairing evenings. And yes, there are paintings and objets d’art made by Alabamaians and other southern artists. In July, the Thursday evening monthly Wine Pairings Event was themed Italian. Those attending were introduced to six wines poured by John Gash representing International, a Birmingham family-owned wholesale distributor of wines and craft beers. Available to taste and/or buy were Rocca Sveva Soave Classico, Colterenzio Pinot Blanc, Duca Di Saragnano Rosso Toscana. Also available was, Gardofoli Marcrina, described as “straw yellow with greenish reflections. Fruity and remarkably elegant

with a predominance of aromas of ripe fruit, including peaches, apples and exotic varieties; it is intense and elegant at the same time.” Also offered was Arcangelo Salic Salentino, “a dark red violet color, with red currant, cedar, oak nose; herbal, red berry, tart berry, bay leaf, clove palate and a medium finish.” Nearby were three delectable platters of hors d’oeurves—one was a salad with heirloom tomatoes and grilled salmon; another, a flatbread topped with porkbelly, onions, mushrooms and feta. The flatbread is homemade by Chef Shipp. A casserole that combined scallops, heirloom tomatoes and spinach and topped with feta cheese and an olive tapenade on crusty bread rounded out the selections of the evening. Jeanie Dennis, a kindergarten teacher at Our Lady of the Valley who lives in Helena, brought her parents who were visiting from Somers, New York. Among others enjoying the

evening were Jack and Stephanie Gray, Greg and Tammy Eddins, Melanie Poole and Mike Jones of Montevallo and artist Barry Graham, whose original art is on view both in the former gallery and in the private dining room at The Coal Yard. “The combination of food and wine was better than either one alone,” said Melanie Poole. “I knew nothing about Italian wine before the tasting, and came away with a little knowledge and

a couple of selections I would be comfortable recommending and serving to friends.” “The beautiful collection of art work added a wonderful ambience to the room. It was like dining in an art gallery!” For future wine tastings, tickets will need to be purchased in advance; seating is limited. RSVP by calling 205.260.8913. Learn about upcoming events at: https://www.facebook.com/ coalyardinhelena/events.

TO ADVERTISE, CALL the Publisher at 746.1188 / MyHelenaCityNews.com / Fall 2015

Alabaster-Pelham Rotary Club presents the Fourth Annual

A Southern Christmas Bazaar

Christmas shoppers! Start your gift buying early at the Pelham Civic Complex on Saturday, November 7 during the 4th annual “A Southern Christmas Bazaar.” Merchants offer a variety of unique Christmas themed clothing, food, collectibles, decorations and much more. Be amazed as you browse through Candy Cane Lane, Mistletoe Drive and Jingle Bell Parkway— Rotarian volunteers have made this THE event in Shelby County for fun, shopping, decorating and celebrating. Santa will be on hand to give you an opportunity for photos in the early afternoon!

Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena Saturday, November 7, 2015 10AM-8PM Entry for adults is $7, and the donation of a canned good to Manna Ministries gets $1 off. Entry for children over six is $3. Funds raised will benefit projects of the Alabaster-Pelham Rotary Club, which serves those in need in Shelby County.

A big thanks goes out to all our sponsors: Neil Bailey Insurance and Investments; Clayton Bailey Properties, LLC; Ernest McCarty Ford; Avanti Polar Lipids; Alabama Gas Corp; Lyle Arrington, P.C.; Alabama Power Company; Southwest Water; IBERIABANK; I.H. McNeill, III, P.C.; The Roland Law Firm; & Helena and Pelham City News.

William McMeans is National Merit® Scholarship Program Semifinalist HHS senior William Cooper McMeans is one of 16,000 Semifinalists in the 61st annual National Merit Scholarship Program. He started the process last school year like nearly 1.5 million other high school juniors across the United States—by taking the 2014 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/ NMSQT®). Semifinalists, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), are the highest-scoring entrants in each state— less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors. As one of these seniors, William has the opportunity to move forward in the competition, hoping for some of the $32 38 Fall 2015 / www.CityOfHelena.org

million that will be divvied out in around 7,400 National Merit Scholarships next spring. But he has a lot of work still ahead of him! To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, William must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. “To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and his or her high school must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received,” read a press release by the NMSC. “A Semifinalist must have an

outstanding academic record, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.” William will be notified of becoming a finalist in February 2016 if he passes all the qualifying criteria. According to the press release, Merit Scholars are selected for “their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.” Around 90% of semifinalists are expected to become finalists, and about 50% of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship. Winners find out between

April and July 2016. More than 315,000 other distinguished young people have already earned the Merit Scholar® title, and William could be one of the next! Good luck, William!

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The Willises—Dealing with childhood cancer through fun and family Families handle hardship differently, especially moving forward after a traumatic event. The Willis family in the Timber Park neighborhood of Helena has learned to deal with the stress of medical issues through silliness and a strong family bond. Family pictures of Helena residents David and Kim Willis with their sons, 18-year-old Dallas, 14-year-old Trevor and 13-year-old Brandon, line the walls of their home—with goofy expressions and stuck-out tongues. That’s just the sense of humor their family has, and it has carried them through some of the hardest trials a family can face— childhood cancer. The middle child, Trevor, was first diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma when they were living in Indiana in February 2006, at just 5 years old. “He had this incredible urge to use the restroom, but couldn’t, and at first, we thought he was just being a finicky five-year-old,” Kim explained. “We tried an over-the-counter saline solution and suppository, but he still suffered, so we called his pediatrician, who told us to go to the ER.” Through a CT scan and CAT scan, doctors discovered Trevor had 600cc of urine in his bladder, more than double the normal amount a five-year-old’s body should be able to hold. They sent him immediately to the first bed available at the Univer-

40 Fall 2015 / www.CityOfHelena.org

sity of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital, and found a mass in his tailbone. Trevor spent what should have been his first day of school in the hospital. He would not be able to use the bathroom until the reduction of the mass, so for months, he had to use a straight catheter about every four hours. Doctors started him on chemotherapy by injection, using the medicine Vincristine. One possible side effect of this drug is neuropathy, which is nerve damage to the hands or feet, and Trevor’s feet were unfortunately affected. To correct the curving in of his feet caused by the toxic drug, doctors put his feet in casts for six weeks. Each week, they would stretch his feet down a little more and apply new casts. The year before Trevor’s diagnosis, the family had their first medical hardship when David fell down the stairs and shattered both ankles. Kim had to stay home with him for four months while he rehabilitated in matching casts. “The time with David really taught me how to be a caretaker, it prepared me for the following years with Trevor,” she explained. “The doctors said he would never walk again, and now he’s in the marching band,” Kim said, beaming. Nothing prepared her, though, for the intense emotions that can overwhelm you when your child

is diagnosed with cancer—feelings that showed through to the five-year old. “Whenever a doctor came into the room, he put his hands over his eyes. When I asked him why, he said, ‘I don’t like seeing mommy upset.’” She paused to wipe a tear from her eyes, laughing a little. “When you have to see your son go through all this, it’s hard. But when your sick five-year-old tells you to suck it up, you do.” In August 2006, after the toxic chemotherapy treatments reduced the size of Trevor’s tumor, a surgeon cut most of it out. Unfortunately, during that time, it had metastasized to other places in his body. Doctors took some of his own stem cells, gave him another toxic dose of chemotherapy, then reintroduced his stem cells to his body to aid in the healing process. He had a heart rate of 202 and a temperature of 104 following the procedure, and Kim wanted to put him in an ice bath to cool him down. Nurses said no, but if their process didn’t work, they would let Kim try. Kim stayed up all night with Trevor, holding her boiling son in between her legs with a cooling blanket over them and ice all around him. The nurses changed his medications back and forth a few times, but nothing worked to bring down his fever. Finally, very early in the morning, the nurses let Kim

try the ice bath—his fever broke immediately. Trevor stayed in the Comer Children’s Hospital for 177 days that first year, and Kim was right there with him. She eventually brought a suitcase, small fridge and coffeepot to keep in the room. “I moved in every time we went to the hospital,” Kim said. “I never left his side.” David and the boys would visit whenever they could, having sleepovers in the hospital—they would order pizza and play video games or watch movies on the TV in Trevor’s room. When the White Sox played a game, they could watch the fireworks over the stadium from the window. Eventually, Trevor’s health fell into such a routine that Kim knew which symptoms meant what needs to be done or what is about to happen better than the medical professionals did. “After paying for one ambulance ride from Gary Hospital, which was close to us, to the Comer Children’s Hospital, I just took him to Comer when I knew he needed it,” Kim said. Staying with Trevor and caring for him involved a lot more than knowing his symptoms. Kim especially had to take their son’s health into her own hands, keeping up with all the information the doctors told her and making sure Trevor was always being treated right.

During the course of his intravenous chemotherapy treatments in 2006, Trevor had to have three different Hickman line twolumen catheters inserted into his chest, because each one became infected. When he was diagnosed again in 2009, it was the family’s worst fears confirmed. Nodules had grown in his lungs, and an over night biopsy turned into a week-long stay that meant Trevor spent his 9th birthday in the hospital once again. But by that time, he was finally big enough to have a port installed instead, which worked perfectly with no infections. “Cancer isn’t a dirty word in this family,” Kim said. “We talk about it.” David chimed in, “We joke about it—we call him the Half Million Dollar Boy.” He laughed and looked at Trevor who, grinning, blushed nonetheless. “I mean, with all the medical bills added up, he really is. And he’s been in the band since Helena Middle School, so the name fits!” The entire family, gathered for lunch, laughed good-naturedly and looked at Trevor. “Yeah, yeah,” he said. The extracurricular Trevor really wants to play is basketball, but the strenuousness of the sport does not allow him to participate. He was sort of the HIS team’s mascot in 4th-5th grade, in lieu of playing. Kim says at times she is still astounded he is able to do marching band. The talented youngster decided

on the French Horn, which he still plays now as a freshman in the marching band at HHS. He had his work cut out for him over the summer with band camp outside from 7am-4pm every weekday for several weeks. “It is really hard sometimes, but I love it,” he said. In addition to the sarcoma, Trevor has also been diagnosed with Executive Function Disorder, which means it is very hard for him to remember sequencing. That condition, along with being in and out of the hospital so much when he was younger, placed him a little behind his classmates at first. But taking advantage of the Individualized Education Program in Helena schools has really helped him with his studies—on top of band, he is now on the A/B Honor Roll! As part of the IEP at Helena schools, HHS provides an FM radio and microphone for Trevor’s teacher. This way, their voice goes directly into his hearing aid, cutting out a lot of background noise that might normally be picked up by the device. Then, they pull out what looks like a giant necklace, nearly 11 feet long, bedecked with beads of many shapes and sizes. Some are printed with Stitch (Trevor’s favorite Disney character when he was younger) or other characters, some are striped with multiple colors, some glow in the dark, and some are bigger than the

others. Then they share with me: Each and every bead represents a procedure Trevor underwent in Chicago. Each IV, probe, scan and shot is represented. Glow-in-the-dark beads represent chemotherapy treatments, six striped ones represent the number of weeks his legs were in casts, and large beads represent having a procedure done 100 times. He has several of those. His immune system, weakened by chemotherapy, made him more susceptible to sickness—allowing him to have really bad urinary tract infections at times and even kidney stones. “What doctors don’t always tell you is that many of the antibiotics they use for cancer treatment can be toxic to the body,” Kim said. “Trevor now has to wear hearing aids because his hearing was damaged by some of the medications he has taken over the last decade.” For the past two years, he has gotten a human growth hormone injection six days a week from his parents to stimulate red blood cell growth. But later this month, a blood test will determine if his complete blood count levels are high enough to deem him cancerfree and officially in remission. In order to be in remission, a patient must be five years out from having cancer—a milestone Trevor has yet to reach. “We’re almost in remission, but in scare mode,” Kim said, turning to Trevor. “Is that fair?” He nodded in the affirmative, as a doctor’s visit in October of last year turned up “something” in his pelvic bone. “Trevor’s cancer has never been positive in a bone scan, so it’s a waste of putting radioactive dye in his body,” Kim said, explaining why they are not yet sure what that “something” is. “Even Trevor said to just biopsy it! But his doctor wanted to wait and see if it got any bigger over the past year.” Among the silly family portraits, on the front door, in the bathroom and on nearly every wall in the living areas are various

and sundry pieces of art and furniture made by all members of the family at Central Alabama’s Camp Smile-A-Mile. According to Kim, the family goes every year for the camaraderie and empathy found in the community of families with young cancer patients who attend camp too. “These children deal with more as kids than most adults do in their entire lives, especially from the after effects of chemo and other drugs,” Kim said. “But when Trevor goes to camp, he knows what everyone else has gone through, and he is able to feel normal.” “They even have a camp just for the siblings of cancer patients, so they can be a part of Camp SAM too,” Kim continued. Dallas and Brandon have gone to camp on those weeks for years— or Dallas did, before he graduated high school. In addition to summers at Camp SAM, the family has gone on trips to the White House, Disney World, the Lighthouse Family Retreat in Florida, the University of Alabama Football facilities and even a White Sox baseball game back in Chicago— where they sat in front of the actor Vince Vaughn! Bear Necessities, a pediatric cancer foundation up north, sent the family to that game. Trevor even became a young Bear Ambassador with the group, volunteering during their annual Bear Tie Ball. “Through unfortunate circumstances, we have been able to do some incredible things,” Kim asserted. They have stayed in touch with his former doctor, Pediatric Hematologist Dr. Uma Subramanian, from Comer Children’s Hospital, who says the doctors there still talk about Trevor. As funny, upbeat and bright as he is, its’ no wonder the doctors still talk about him. We are all rooting for you as you have this blood work done, Trevor! Here’s to hoping you are, and you stay, cancer-free!

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Four Helena students prove they have Character in Action Cana Brown of HHS, J.T. Watkins of HMS, Forrest Heacock of HIS and Kate Hendrix of HES were presented with Character in Action Awards in September. These awards recognize students throughout the county who have outstanding character and leadership qualities. They were presented at the Shelby County Drug Free Coalition Meeting on Thursday, September 17, at Family Connection in Alabaster. This is the second year that Shelby County Schools have had the Character in Action Awards program, which nominates students at the elementary, intermediate, middle and high school level in rotations through each school zone in the county throughout the year. Some schools, like HIS, honor Character in Action representatives from each class or each grade level, as well. To the right are photographs of the HIS Character in Action class and grade representatives. During the meeting, Shelby County Schools social worker Emily Littrell explained the purpose of the program. “What today is about is celebrating strength of character in our students. In my completely unbiased opinion, this is the highest honor that a student can receive,” she said. “Academics are extremely important, but we also take a lot of pride in produc-

ing well-rounded students that are ready to be successful in the future.” HHS administrators and teachers noted Cana’s role as an HHS Ambassador during the last school year on her nomination form. They also mentioned her generally helpful demeanor, as follows: “Cana is often observed going out of her way to help other students. She has been very welcoming, in particular to new students in our building and goes out of her way to make sure they feel welcome.” The drive that J.T. has to volunteer and help out anyone who needs it is what stuck out to HMS teachers. They are also very proud to say that he treats everyone with respect. “To watch J.T. interact with some of our special needs students is heartwarming,” a note on his nomination form said. “He cares about his classmates and takes a huge interest in helping other students. He shows great integrity and exhibits excellent sportsmanship.” Forrest’s teachers at HIS shared on his nomination form that he always strives to do the right thing. Other comments talked about how genuine he is: “Forrest is always the first student to check on someone and shows genuine concerns for other students. He follows directions always on the first time and always strives to do the

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Helena’s 2015 Character in Action Award winners, l-r: Forrest Heacock, Kate Hendrix, J.T. Watkins and Cana Brown.

right thing.” by parents’ example that many Kate, even at her young age, children learn about character is seen as a role model to other and good manners. students by her teachers at HES, “It’s also very important that especially since she is a peer we acknowledge our parents helper there at school. They also taking the time to instill the wanted everyone to know that values in their children,” she she helps with food drives for said. “As you all know as parents, Oak Mountain Missions. you’re your child’s first and most “Kate serves as a peer helper at important teacher in life.” HES and is a role model to other Congratulations, Cana, J.T., students through her words and Forrest and Kate! her actions. She helped our school collect hundreds of non-perishable food items for Oak Mountain Missions and worked diligently to inspire others to care about this project.” All the HIS Character in Action class representatives. After giving out the awards, Emily also spoke out to thank parents for the roles they play in their children’s developing sense of right and wrong. She pointed out that it is The HIS Character in Action grade representatives.

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H e l e n a’ S C o M M u n i t Y o F Fa i t H a.M.e. New Bethel A.M.E. Church Highway 261 • 201-5531 Rev. Wilma Merriweather Sunday School 10:00 AM Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM

BaptiSt CrossBridge Community Church Starkey Street (off 261) • 621-2695 Pastors Harris Cook & Bruce Squires crossbridgehelena.com Sunday Worship 10:00 AM Wednesday Prayer Service 6:30 PM

First Baptist Church Helena

815 Highway 52 E • 663-7879 Sr Pastor Greg Walker • fbhelena.org Sunday Bible Study 9:30 AM Sunday Worship 10:30 AM & 6:00 PM

Gospel Light Baptist Church

5781 Roy Drive • 685-0772 Pastor Steve Kilpatrick • glbcbham.com Sunday Bible Study 10:00 AM Sunday Worship 11:00 AM

Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church

Highway 261 • 663-5257 Rev. Edwin D. Dinkins • mpbchelena.com Sunday School 10:00 AM Morning Worship 11:00 AM

epiSCopal Lamb of God Charismatic Episcopal

New Elam Baptist Church Cunningham Drive • 663-2230 Rev. Lester Sunday School 10:00 AM Morning Worship 11:00 AM

New Vision Christian Church

2383 Highway 95 • 664-4333 Pastor Van C. Houser, Sr. • nvcc4god.org 5140 County Road 17 • 378-8022 Sunday Corporate Prayer 9:00 AM Rev. Glenn E. Davis • lambofgodcec.org Sunday Worship 10:15 AM Children’s Church 10:00 AM Sunday Worship 10:00 AM

Riverside Baptist Church

1919 Highway 52 W • 426-1910 Pastor JJ Stanbridge • rbchelena.org Sunday Worship 9:00 AM Sunday Bible Study 10:30 AM

Shiloh Baptist Church

6700 County Road 13 • 424-4539 Rev. Pete Hubhins, Jr. Pastor Sunday School 10:00 AM Sunday Worship 11:00 AM

Voice of Faith Int’l Ministries

MetHoDiSt Helena United Methodist Church 2035 County Road 58 • 663-0111 Rev. Mary Bendall • helenaumc.org Sunday Worship 9:00, 11:00AM

The Church at Cahaba Bend

CHriStian—DiSCipleS oF CHriSt Grace Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 869 Highway 52 • 426-1233 Rev. Tommy Morgan gracechristianchurch.org Sunday School 9:00 AM Sunday Worship 10:00 AM

Church of Christ at Helena 2499 Highway 58 • 620-4575 Evgs Curtis Flatt & Bryan Moody church-of-christ.org Sunday School 9:30 AM Morning Worship 10:30 AM

preSBYterian Christ Community Church

3721 Highway 52 W • 621-8060 Rev. Keith Elder • cahababend.org Sunday School 9:15 AM Contemporary Worship 10:30 AM

Meets at Helena Intermediate • 621-6248 Pastor Phil Chambers • cccbham.org Sunday Worship 10:00 AM

naZarene Trinity Church of the Nazarene

3396 Helena Road • 663-2174 Pastor Mike Ensminger helenacpchurch.com Sunday School 9:00 AM Morning Worship 10:00 AM

Laurel Woods Dr. & Hwy 58 • 664-4659 Rev. David Shirer • nazarene.ch/trinity/ Sunday School 9:00 AM Morning Worship 10:00 AM

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1560 Cunningham Drive • 663-7396 Rev. Franklin L. Kirksey Sunday Worship 7:00 & 10:00 AM Thursday Bible Teaching 10:00 AM

non-DenoMinational Cornerstone Church 2694 Highway 58 • 663-9332 Rev. Tim Trimble cornerstonechurchhelena.org Sunday School 9:30 AM Morning Worship 10:30 AM

Helena Cumberland Presbyterian

Our community of faith offers many services and programs year-round. Please visit the church’s website for additional information about upcoming events and programs.

attend the Church of your Choice this sunday!

Helena native Alvin Hines works for College Football Playoff in Texas When we last talked with former Helena resident Alvin Hines, he had just made the move from Alabama to Rhode Island for a job in the American Athletic Conference as the Administrative Fellow—during the Polar Vortex that year, to boot. Now, eighteen months later, Alvin is still pursing his career in athletic administration, but in a very different part of the country: Dallas, Texas. “The change from Alabama to Rhode Island was big, but from Rhode Island to Texas... The biggest adjustment was the climate,” Alvin laughed. “Texas is great! It definitely has aspects of the south, but aspects of the west, too. I have greatly enjoyed it here so far!” While in college, Alvin served as a facilities supervisor for Samford’s athletics department and spent the 2013 season as a student assistant for the Bulldog football team, ultimately helping

them win the 2013 Southern Conference Championship. Before leaving the Birmingham area for the American Athletic Conference, he also worked as a marketing intern with the Birmingham Blitz of the American Basketball Association, and a management intern with the Birmingham Barons. Now, Alvin is a member of the Operations and Logistics Department for the College Football Playoff. His job is mostly working out the logistics for the teams who make it to the National Championship game at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. “I’ll help coordinate finding hotels, transportation, security and other accommodations for the teams, put together their credentials, find team gifts, choose entertainment for any banquets or dinners, just anything about the championship game,” he

clarified. “We want to make it the best event that it can be for the athletes.” As a part of College Football PlayoffTeam Operations, Alvin will also assist the selection committee as they put together the end-ofyear rankings. “Just to be clear, I do not have voting privileges,” he clarified, laughing. “I will just provide the committee with any information they need to make the best decisions possible.” He hopes to one day be on the selection committee. “It was a hard decision to leave the American Athletic Conference, but I’m blessed to be in

this position with this company,” Alvin said. “I talked with a few of my colleagues and mentors and determined this was a good career move for me.” He encourages everyone to watch the semifinal games, the Cotton and Orange Bowls, on News Years Eve, as well as the National Championship game. “Thank you to all the folks back in Helena and Pelham,” Alvin concluded. “It’s great to have the support I have back home.”

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decompress, relax, and see what is new. The library is a great place to visit to meet a friend, browse the shelves, and utilize the FREE WI-FI. The library celebrated our 28th birthday with a sale and refreshments. Special thanks to the Friends of the Library for helping make our sale a success. From publicity for the book drive and sale, to setting up and helping on our birthday, our library is lucky to have volunteers and Friends who care and serve. If you love the library and are interested in helping, simply call the library at 664-8308 and ask for Daniel Dearing. The Friends also have a neat Facebook page with info, and meetings are the third Thursday of the month at 6:00 PM at the library. We would love to see you there! Parents, remember to visit the library and get a library card for your child, juvenile, or teen-ager and for yourself. The library is a great resource for young people and students. These patrons often have trouble keeping up with their card, but replacing it is as easy as visiting the library, filling out a form, and paying a $3 fee. In return, students gain access to a world of information and pleasure reading. Sincerely, Daniel Dearing, Library Director

LIBRARY DIRECTOR DANIEL DEARING

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES Story Time EVERY Tuesday and Thursday at 11:00 AM

Come by for this fun, free program every Tuesday and Thursday! Mrs. Jennie will be here to read some FUN stories and sing some songs! Tuesday, October 12 Tuesday, October 14 Monday, November 9 MONDAY, DECEMBER 14

A cool display of Football books! Check out 10 books, get a prize! Classic Literature Night A VISIT WITH SANTA CLAUS! (6:00 PM) – SAVE THE DATE!

Check out our calendar at www.cityofhelena.org for more events and additional information!

JANE B. HOLMES PUBLIC LIBRARY

230 Tucker Road, Helena 35080 • 664-8308 HOURS: Monday 10:00 AM-7:00 PM; Tuesday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM; Wednesday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM; Thursday 10:00 AM-7:00 PM; Friday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM; Saturday 10:00 AM-2:00 PM; Closed on Sunday. Good day Helena residents and patrons! The Jane B. Holmes Public Library in Helena is open and ready to serve you! We hope you will READ as the fall season begins. The library has many other resources besides books, of course, but nothing beats reading to improve your mind and stay informed. Ask the library staff about the Coming Soon List, New York Times Best Seller opportunity for hold, and borrowing books from libraries all over the County. Having books sent to patrons from other Shelby County libraries is a great service our library offers, and we encourage patrons to take advantage of it. It is FREE, and we want everyone to try it. People often say they don’t have time to read. Ideas to help with this are: Books on CD, E-audio, magazines, and frequent trips to the library to

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Stop by soon to check out a book or two, a movie and/or some tunes—we have the classics to the latest releases and everything in between!

TITLES JUST IN… Come Rain or Shine – Jan Karon; Willow Brook Road – Sherryl Woods; The Murder House – James Patterson; The Photograph – Beverly Lewis; The Hidden – Heather Graham; Glory Days – Max Lucado; Shadow Play – Iris Johansen

GREAT FLICKS… Cinderella – Starring Lilly James; Hotel Transylvania - Animated; Last Tango in Halifax – BBC Television; Furious 7 – Vin Diesel; Empire – Television – Starring Terrence Howard; The Big Bang Theory – Television – Starring Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting Ask at the library for the newest Music Titles as well! We also reserve books, music and audio materials at the Jane B. Holmes Public Library. Ask at the circulation desk or call the library at 205-664-8308 for details. Make sure to stop by the library soon.

Fall sports in full swing at the Helena Sports Complex

As the winds of Fall bring cooler temperatures to Helena, the Parks and Recreation Department is busy running a great line-up of fall sports at the Helena Sports Complex. Head over on a beautiful afternoon to check out local kids playing football, cheerleading, soccer, baseball and softball. Soccer Soccer season started on September 19th, with 180 kids signed up to participate this fall. Helena Soccer is a proud member of the Central Alabama Soccer League that consists of 270 teams across the area. You can catch a great game on Saturday mornings at the Sports complex.

Baseball/Softball The fall baseball and softball seasons are well under way. We have 12 teams playing in an interlock schedule with Pelham, Alabaster, Calera and Montevallo. Games are played through the week at Penhale Park, Joe Tucker Park and the sports complex. Spring baseball/ softball registration will begin in mid December. Football/Cheerleading The football season kicked off with youth night at the Helena High School game. This year, the football program has 144 football players and 128 cheerleaders. The program consists of 1st-6th graders. Games are played on Monday, Tuesday

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Facility Improvements New sidewalks have been added to the Football/Soccer field, creating easier access to the stadium for players and fans. A new exercise station for use by all residents is now located close to the track at Joe Tucker Park, and new bark has been added to the small playground by the lake. New turf will be added to the batting cage at Penhale Park in the coming weeks, and we are

working with Mayor Hall and the City Council to bring more improvements in the near future. For more information about our sports and activities, visit www.helenaparksandrec.org. Check out our new website, which was designed to make things easier for you to navigate and register for various activities. You can make pavilion reservations online at www.cityofhelena.org. Go to ‘Departments’, ‘Parks and Rec’ and check out the availability for a pavilion you are interested in and as fill out the reservation request form. BILL MILLER Director of Parks and Recreation 205-620-2877

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and Thursday nights. We have worked hard to create a fun and exciting experience for players and fans. Come catch a game at the Helena Sports Complex. Check www.jsyfl.net for schedules and standings.

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Helena City News P.O. Box 50, Helena, AL 35080 www.MyHelenaCityNews.com www.CityOfHelena.org

SHOP HELENA FIRST!

MAYOR

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IMPORTANT CITY PHONE NUMBERS City Hall: 205-663-2161 Fire Dept.: 205-663-5809 Police Dept.: 205-663-6499 Utilities: 205-663-1670 Sports Complex: 205-620-2877 Library: 205-664-8308

Send us your articles & pictures!

Please join us Saturday, Dec. 5, at 1PM for the City of Helena’s 45th Annual Christmas Parade through town. The theme this year is “We’ll Have a Blue Christmas.”

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Call Today for Your Free Estimate • 24 Hour Emergency Service • Financing Available • Senior Citizen Discounts • Licensed & Insured

• Prevent Wind & Storm Damage • Dangerous Tree & Limb Removal • Trimming & Pruning • Stump Removal

SUNNY CLEANERS & ALTERATIONS

205-620-4809 5135 Hwy 17 Suite D

(corner of Hwys 17 & 58, next to Exxon) • Wedding Gowns • Draperies

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