Helena City News by Dave Smith

Serving the City of Helena and surrounding areas

Holidays 2020

HELENA Meet our new Mayorâ&#x20AC;¦

Christmas Tree Lighting, Helena Festival & the 49.5 Christmas Parade details inside starting on page 3!

J. Brian PUCKETT

OWN A COLLECTIBLE HELENA CHRISTMAS 2020 ORNAMENT See page 4 ALSO INSIDE THIS EDITION: NEW EATERY IN OLD TOWN HELENA MIDDLE SCHOOL HELENA FOR LUNCH & DINNER HUSKIES UNDEFATED IN 2020! Refined to go open WednesdaySaturday & Soul Food Sundays!

Both 7th & 8th Grade Teams finish with unblemished records under new coach

A CONVERSATION WITH SHELBY COUNTY SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT Dr. Lewis Brooks shares how the school board makes decisions during the days of Covid

www.MyHelenaCityNews.com / www.CityofHelena.org

From the Mayor’s Desk

What a year it has been. For all the good, bad and ugly that 2020 has brought us, one thing is for certain… Helena is a community as one. We will be able to look back at this year for many to come and say to ourselves, “Remember 2020.” Still, this year can be highlighted with so many good things that happened during a global pandemic. From teachers juggling distance “Zoom” learning with a smile to small business owners still serving others even with a lot of restrictions placed on them. Everyone has had to adapt to the changes in our ‘new normal’ lives to get things done. Slowly but surely, we are starting to get back to some of the things that make Helena what it is, and Helena has so much to be proud of. Friday night lights are shining again, people are going out to shop at our local businesses, and new roads are being paved for our future. As I begin my term as your mayor, I want to always inform you of some of the highlights happening around town. Driving past the 261 and 52 intersection, dirt continues to be moved to improve Helena with the new retail development that includes a sought after Chick-fil-A and Dollar Tree. These along with the other retail areas will give us more options to stay local. Additional turn lanes are on target to finish up soon as well to make it easier

to navigate the intersection. At Helena Elementary School, we welcomed a new principal in Mary Anderson and a new assistant principal in Brooke Dunham. Helena Middle School welcomed two new assitant principals to its staff: Christi Martin and Henry Long IV—what a privilege it is to have a Helena native come back and serve here as an administrator. Welcome to all our new school administrators! Just in the past few months, we have watched as a one-day-a-week business evolved into a five-days-a Helena’s new first family: Mayor Brian Puckett and wife, Ashley, are parents to five week eatery. If you have not children: Mallory and Alana, both 11, Bryanna 10, Ross 7, and Abby 6. “There is yet tried Refined to go and the cooking of Chef James never a dull moment in our house and definitely not many quiet ones,” said Brian. Washington, do yourself a favor and do so at your earliest football teams this fall. Both of Coach out, but know that we stand behind convenience. The food is outstanding. Lee’s teams went undefeated, and the our Helena athletic teams 100 percent The annual Christmas Tree Light8th grade team ended its season by and wish them all lots of success. ing, hosted by the Helena Beautificataking down its rival, Pelham Park Finally, it was great to see Cub tion Board, is again coordinating with Middle, by the score of 48-0. Scout packs from all over this area the Helena Business Association’s HelThe High School football team, converge on the banks of Joe Tucker ena Festival to stage these much anticicoached by Richie Busby, is in the Lake last month for a fishing rodeo. pated annual family events. They will state 6A playoffs once again, and We hope this can become an annual both be held the Friday night before defeated Carver Montgomery in the event that sees us welcoming more the 49.5th annual Helena Christmas first round, which they hosted at and more come to visit our little slice Parade, which takes place on Saturday, Husky Stadium. In a nail biter, the of Heaven here in Helena. December 5 this year. (The parade Huskies prevailed, 22-19. As this goes As we all move forward together I committee decided against calling this to press, they are set to head south to want to humbly say thank you for alone the 50th, because in these days play Spanish Fort in Round two. Best lowing me to serve you as your Mayor. of Covid, it was thought it might be of luck to the Huskies! My door is always open. better to hold the 50th til next year Also at the high school, both boys Together As One, in hopes by then that they’d be better and girls basketball is in play. Tickets able to give “the 50th” its proper due.) must be purchased online at the Congratulations are in order for gofan.com site. Try and make it out to new Helena Middle School Coach support our Huskies this year. David Lee and his 7th and 8th grade I’m sure there is a lot I am leaving

MAYOR Brian Puckett

CITY COUNCIL Alice Lobell Council President Leigh Hulsey, Pro Tempore Laura Joseph Chris VanCleave Hewy Woodman 2 Holidays 2020 / www.CityOfHelena.org

Brian

CITY CLERK

Amanda Traywick

IMPORTANT CITY 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

Go Huskies!!!

Helena’s 4th Annual

Christmas tree lighting

Please come and help us celebrate the Helena Beautification Board’s 4th Annual Tree Lighting ceremony, Friday, December 4th at 7p.m. There will be Christmas carols and special guests to help us all ring in the holidays. It’s the city’s most festive night of the year!

TO ADVERTISE, CALL the Publisher at 746.1188 / MyHelenaCityNews.com / Holidays 2020

An outdoor festival in Old Town & the Amphitheater Performances by Old Towne Music Craft Vendors and Food Trucks Live Nativity by Gospel Light Baptist Church And a visit from old Santa himself! Friday, December 4th from 5:30-9:00 p.m.

FOR MORE INFORMATION… visit helenafestival on Facebook! 2020 Pewter Helena Christmas Ornaments for sale!

Own a piece of Helena history—order your Helena Christmas pewter ornaments now! Priced at just $20, these will make perfect gifts & stocking stuffers. (A limited number of 2019 ornaments are also still available.) The 2020 editions, depicted here, are available now—order yours TODAY at hbahelena,com. The HBA will contact you to let you the pickup locations. A limited number of ornaments may be available after December 1st at the Helena Festival, by George, and other HBA retailers.

4 Holidays 2020 / www.CityOfHelena.org

JOHN HODGE

PROUDLY PRESENTS

PRESENTING HELENA’S

Christmas annual Parade 1 2

“A CHRISTMAS MASQUERADE”

Parade is Saturday, December 5th, and starts promptly at 1 p.m. If you are planning to be in the parade, it is important that you arrive before 11 a.m. for lineup and judging which begins promptly at 11:30 a.m. The parade may begin as early as 12:30 p.m. if everyone is ready and judging is complete. The parade route starts at Hwy 261/Helena Road at CVS and ends in Old Town Helena. See you there! TO ADVERTISE, CALL the Publisher at 746.1188 / MyHelenaCityNews.com / Holidays 2020

Meet Helena’s new mayor

BRIAN

Puckett

The votes were in and tallied quickly after the polls closed in August, and the results were a resounding victory for our new mayor, Brian Puckett. Brian becomes the first Auburn fan to hold the office in at least 52 years, but being as how he was born there, we’ll give him a pass on that one. (Insert smile.) Our newly elected mayor is the youngest son of John and Lynn Puckett. “My dad owns a wholesale car dealership and my mom is a retired financial administrator in commercial real estate,” said Brian, who added, “She retired to care for my brother, two years 6 Holidays 2020 / www.CityOfHelena.org

older than me, who developed a brain tumor as a teenager. He was cured, but is wheelchair bound today due to damage from the tumor. We have always been competitive as brothers,” he smiled, “and to this day, I am careful not to get within arm’s reach of him, because he can still take me down!” Brian says the example Brian was able to see growing up taught him his work ethic, character, and competitiveness. Brian has an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and a master’s in Business Administration. It was with his master’s degree that he really

started to gain a passion for learning about different leadership styles with a concentration in organizational leadership and theories. “I started my financial career by working as a mortgage broker for Fairway Mortgage until 2008 when the economy started to crash. I decided I still needed to earn a steady paycheck, however, and I went to work for Regions Bank. Starting out as a branch associate, I was promoted to branch manager within six months and held that position for about six years managing multiple locations.” After that, he moved to ‘back office operations’ and worked there as a business analyst in branch systems design. “From my time as a branch manager, I knew what various banking systems should be able to do, and I would create mockups for our programmers who would in turn ‘make the magic happen.’” From there, Brian became project manager for consumer lending over Regions’ 15-state territory. At the time he resigned his position at the bank in order to become Helena’s full-time mayor, Brian held the title of vice president and was over the bank’s eSignature program. Brian says it has always been his passion to give back to others. With the combination of that

passion, his love for Helena, and his experiences in leadership, he will bring new energy to Helena. “I know where we have come from, where we are right now, and where we are all going to go together,” said Brian. Brian is married to Ashley. Helena’s new first lady works as a medical assistant at an OB/GYN office while also making things run smoothly with a family of seven. The couple lives in Hillsboro with their blended family of five children: Mallory and Alana, both 11, Bryanna 10, Ross 7, and Abby 6. “There is never a dull moment in our house and definitely not many quiet ones,” said the proud father. Brian says his top three priorities for Helena as mayor include: 1. “Grow as a city in a smart manner which allows us to maintain that ‘small town’ feel for which Helena residents have become accustomed.” 2. “Focus on enhancing our infrastructure which will help us maintain that small town feel and prepare us for the future.” 3. “Advocate for the City of Helena wherever I go. I feel like we need to do more marketing and promoting Helena to the outside world. We have something special to share here.” “We are going to continue to grow as a city, so we need to prepare ourselves, especially in terms of infrastructure, for the inevitable growth that is to come, not just for here and now, but for the future, as well. Welcome to our new mayor, Brian Puckett, and to our new first family!

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After serving as Chairman of the Helena Beautification Board the past eight years, Chris said he is happy he finally decided to throw his hat in the ring and take a stab at the city council. “I’ve come close to running twice before,” said Chris, “but for whatever reason, the timing just didn’t seem right. This time, though, I just decided that it was now or never.” Chris was born in Detroit, Michigan, but his family soon moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where his dad was a policeman. Chris grew up in the household of Adrian and Barbara VanCleave, and was the younger brother to two sisters. “Those were happy times,” said Chris, “but then when I was 12, my dad and I were involved in a terrible automobile accident. My dad did not survive.” Chris barely escaped the crash with his life, and the loss left a gaping hole that is still felt to this day. “My dad always preached to us kids that we had to ‘bloom where we were planted,’ and I have always tried to live by that and do some good wherever I was.” Chris went to work for First American National Bank in Nashville and soon enrolled in the Owen School of Banking at Vanderbilt University. First American merged with AmSouth Bank in 2000 and Chris was offered a job in Birmingham. AmSouth subsequently merged with Regions in 2007, and Chris oversaw all deposit systems for the entire Regions’ 17-state territory. Now entering his 28th year with Regions, Chris was promoted on the anniversary of his hiring to Senior Vice President. Chris said he first moved to Helena in 2005, when he bought a house in Chadwick. “I actually sold that house this past May. I had run out of room for gardening,” he said, “so I bought one in Hillsboro that doubled my available garden space. I bought the house with one of the largest lots in Hillsboro,” laughed Chris. You might figure the chairman of the beautification board would be into gardening, but Chris has taken his love a step further. A contributing writer for various gardening publications such as Southern Living and Fine Gardening magazines, he is known as the Redneck Rosarian for his breadth of knowledge

Meet Newly Elected

with regard to roses. Chris has even elena designed a line of gardening tools for the international garden tool firm Dewit Garden Tools. “After lots of communication with the company, they actually flew over here from their home base in Holland, and over a BBQ lunch, I actually sketched one tool idea I had in mind for them on a Jim N Nick’s napkin,” he laughed. “A few weeks later, they shipped me one they had crafted and asked me if that is what I had in mind. The tool is called a scoop shovel. It’s a soil scoop with an inverted point that is good for transplanting all sorts of garden plants,” said Chris. In keeping with his father’s admonition to ‘bloom where you’re planted,’ Chris says he has worked hard alongside other members of the beautification board to do just that these past eight years. Chris says the top three things they have tried to accomplish have been: 1. HANDS ON EDUCATIONWe have tried to educate beginning gardeners about the science of gardening in an attempt to elevate the quality of life in Helena through horticulture. 2. OVERALL BEAUTIFICATION-“Our annual basket planting program has helped to beautify Old Town. It’s wonderful to see volunteers returning each year and sharing ideas they took home and used there, often with spouses and children involved.” 3. CLEAN UP DAYS-“We have two annual clean up days, one in spring and one in fall. We clean up in Old Town and also around city hall and have even done projects at the library. This is a great opportunity for students to participate, and we always see a huge turnout for these events. We are grateful for their continued

City Councilman

Chris VanCleave

participation. The Helena Beautification Board also sponsors the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony which features performing artists from local schools and is held in conjunction with the Helena Business Association’s Christmas Festival. “The tree lighting was actually the idea of Mayor Brian Puckett. We spend months planning, and this will be our 4th year to host this on the Friday before the annual Helena Christmas Parade. This year, Chris worked alongside Public Works Director Jason Poe and brought a pumpkin house to Old Town. It was built on the arbor across from the Depot Grill to liven up the area and give the community the perfect place to take seasonal photos and to get folks in the mood for Thanksgiving despite all the trouble going on around the country in both politics and the global pandemic. Chris says his top three areas to focus on during the next four years on the council include: 1. Revising the city’s comprehensive plan to assist in creating a road map to propel us into the future. “These days, if you’re not growing, you’re dying, and we’ve got to be prepared for the future.” said Chris. 2. Preserving Helena’s current quality of life, from festivals and events to work projects and increased beautification efforts. 3. Beginning a comprehensive compensation review for city employees

and its first responders. “Are we paying them an adequate wage to retain our most competent or are we satisfied being a stepping stone, training them for a year or two only to lose them to neighboring cities who might be offering a better salary and benefit package? We need to know this,” said Chris. Chris says he enjoys traveling when he gets the chance and has traveled all over the world both for pleasure, on mission trips and for business. Chris is a sought-after speaker, and he shares his knowledge of gardening at Home & Garden Shows around the country. “Wherever I travel, I always share photos of Helena, and you’d be amazed at all the people who tell me that they’d die to live in a place like this! These comments are a great reminder to me that though we get caught up in the trains and our growing pains, we often forget just how lucky we are to live in a town like Helena. Whenever it’s time to head home, Chris says that he truly can’t wait to come home to Helena. Chris has two grown children: Christina 28, lives in Pelham and works for a physical therapist in Homewood, and Tyler, 26, who lives in West Palm Beach, Florida and works in the construction industry. Welcome to the Helena City Council, Chris. We look forward to watching you ‘bloom in place’ and learning all the good things that encompasses for Helena!

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YOUR HELENA CITY LEADERS FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS

Monday, November 3, 2020, the City of Helena swore in its new city council and its new mayor, all of whom will serve as our city leaders for the next four years. Four incumbent city council members were sworn in and also its newest Mayor: J. Brian Puckett Councilmember Place 1: Leigh Hulsey, Pro Tem Councilmember Place 2: Chris VanCleave

member, Chris VanCleave, former chairman of the Helena Beautification Board. Our new mayor, J. Brian Puckett, stood with his wife, Ashley, and the coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s five children while taking his oath of office. Congratulations and good luck to all our councilors and our new mayor!

Councilmember Place 3: Laura Yates Joseph Councilmember Place 4: Alice Arrington Lobell, President Councilmember Place 5: Hewy Woodman

Photos clockwise from top left: Mayor J. Brian Puckett with wife, Ashley, and the new first family; Laura Joseph takes the oath, administered by Freddy Ard, as husband T.J. and family looks on; new council president Alice Lobell is accompanied by son and daughterin-law Jonathan and Brooke; Hewy Woodman is accompanied by wife, Kyra; City Clerk Amanda Traywick, Interim Police Chief Brad Flynn and family; new councilman Chris VanCleave is accompanied by daughter, Christina; Leigh Hulsey, with husband, Dennis and family. In addition to the mayor and council, a new police chief was sworn in on an interim basisâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;veteran Helena Police Officer Brad Flynn. Not pictured: Fire Chief Pete Valenti will also serve another four year term.

10 Holidays 2020 / www.CityOfHelena.org

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Eagle Scout creates infomation board at Joe Tucker for his Eagle project Hats off to Jacob Strickland for finishing his Eagle Scout Project and becoming the latest to achieve the rank of Eagle in Helena’s Troop 532. Jacob created the concept and raised the funds to build a permanent information board between the walking track and the lake at Joe Tucker Park recently. Jacob says he created a go-fund-me page to raise the money, and added that his goals were met in just over a week by contributors who donated to the cause. In addition to the info board, Jacob also built and installed four monofilament fishing line recycling receptacles placed at strategic locations around the lake. “Spare line left on the ground by fishermen are dangerous to wildlife in the area,” shared Jacob. He also illustrated the various types of wildlife that inhabit our area in a page on the information board along with other

12 Holidays 2020 / www.CityOfHelena.org

info of interest to those using the park. Jacob is the son of Dustin (Troop 532 Scoutmaster) and Jenny Strickland (Director at the Day School at Cahaba Bend) and is a junior at Helena High School. He plays trumpet in the Husky marching band and plays lacrosse for the Hoover Bucs. “Since Helena doesn’t have a lacrosse team, I was allowed to join the Hoover team,” he told us. Asking him what he planned to major in when the time for college rolled around, Jacob said he is leaning towards attending the University of Montevallo and working towards a major in Wildlife Management. Congratulations to Jacob on his most recent accomplishment—it’s not just anybody who earns the rank of Eagle Scout. Famous names such as President Gerald Ford, Astronaut Neil Armstrong and Walmart founder Sam Walton were also Eagle Scouts. That is pretty good company!

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The Husky volleyball team before boarding the bus for Super Regionals in Montgomery. Back row, l-r: Coach Amanda Lewis, Cammi Pugh, Leanna Jenkins, Brianna Wilson, Madison Martin, Mia Johnson, Stella Reynolds, Allie Graydon, Rylee Tuech. Front row, l-r: Katie Guittierez, Kenzie Sipper, Maddie Rasmussen, Izyriah Kenney, Miah Rosener, Presley Lively.

Husky Volleyball team makes it to the Top 16

Competed with the ‘best of the best’ this season

The Husky Volleyball team wrapped up its 7th season of Volleyball October 21. “We made it to the top 16 where we faced St. Paul’s,” said head volleyball coach and assistant athletic director, Amanda Lewis. “We competed with the best of the best this year. After taking Spain Park to 5 games in the season opener, (who ended up being the 7A State runner up), the team never backed down from any challenge.” “We never play a padded schedule, so wins and losses really only dictate our development. We have five seniors (Maddie Rasmussen, Brianna Wilson, Izyriah Kenney, Mia Johnson and Kenzie Sipper) one Junior (Leanna Jenkins) two sophomores (Allie Graydon and Katie Gutierrez) and two Freshmen (Presley Lively and Madison Martin) on the varsity team. Every other year 14 Holidays 2020 / www.CityOfHelena.org

we are heavy on Seniors, this just happens to be that year. In regards to development of the program, we opted out of having a freshman team this year and stacked our JV team full of freshmen and a couple of sophomores. This allows us to have more quality instruction time with the younger players in hopes to develop them faster.” “Covid has definitely maintained it’s disturbance this season, but we are happy to be able to play every point we are allowed! We used Gofan.com as our primary way to sell tickets to games which cuts down on contact at the gate. We also sanitize benches and separate home and visitors on opposite sides of the gym while using separate gym entrances for home games. The bench seats are farther apart, and the players play with face masks at their chin and

have to ‘mask up’ for time outs and between games. We did have to persevere against the odds the last two weeks of the JV season when we had an outbreak and in one day, five of my girls had to be sent home due to contact tracing. When that obstacle arose, we chose to shut down the JV program for the remainder of the year and bring up those who were still able to participate to the Varsity. It was a great experience for those younger players to get high level contacts and practice as well as game experience. Again, you have the choice to have this pandemic affect your attitude, or you can roll with it and be grateful for your good days, and we chose to be grateful! I love coaching, and I can’t imagine what my fall would be like if I wasn’t able to experience the battles and victories with these girls. There are highs

and there are lows in every season, but both develop character and perseverance. We have a program full of tough girls who endure the daily grind, and I am so blessed to be their coach. I look forward to Winter and Spring where we can watch these girls carry over their athletic abilities to their next sport!” Helena is fortunate to have Coach Lewis in a leadership role at our high school, where she is not only an excellent coach, but also the type role model any parent would be proud for their child to emulate. Congratulations on a terrific season, girls!

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A hearty Helena welcome to new Helena Elementary Principal

Mary Anderson

We’d like to welcome new Helena Elementary principal, Mary Anderson. Born and raised in the Mississippi Delta in Cleveland, Mississippi, she attended Delta State University where she earned both her undergraduate and master’s degrees. With a master’s degree in educational leadership, Mrs. Anderson began her career in her hometown, teaching 2nd through 5th grades before becoming principal for three years at the same school. “I’ve known since I was a kid that I wanted to be a teacher; I just really love working with children. I’ve always enjoyed leader-

ship roles, even as a student, and when a former principal of mine suggested early on that I get into educational leadership, I decided I’d like to pursue that. I took a year off work to go through Delta State’s educational leadership program where we worked side-by-side with principals at all levels of education across four school districts in Mississippi. I’m certified in educational leadership in K-12, but my heart and my calling is at the elementary level,” said Mrs. Anderson. Arriving in the Birmingham area in December of 2013, she worked as a substitute teacher for both Alabaster City and Shelby

County Schools (which included Helena Elementary), in order to get her foot in the door. “I always thought that there was just something special about Helena,” she said. After a successful interview with the Shelby County School System, Mrs. Anderson was hired as assistant principal for Chelsea Park Elementary School for six years. After an opening for a principal’s position became available here in Helena, Mary applied and was soon offered the job. She began her duties as Helena Elementary School Principal July 1, 2020, right in the heart of the Covid-19 global pandemic.

“It’s been very challenging, but I am blessed with a staff here that has a can-do attitude; they really do their best here every day. Mary’s husband, John, works for Dollar General stores as the IC (inventory control) / WMS (warehouse management systems) senior manager. The couple lives in Chelsea off Highway 11 with their two sons, Holt, 9, and Brody, 4. We are pleased to have this young and nurturing new principal leading our elementary school students during this time in our history. Welcome to Helena, Mrs. Mary Anderson!

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Helena Elementary School welcomes new Assistant Principal New Helena Elementary Assistant Principal, Brooke Dunham, grew up in the Oak Mountain community of Shelby County. At a young age, Brooke developed many talents including singing and playing both the guitar and piano. She says she was never an athletic child but was always musically inclined. Brooke graduated from Oak Mountain High in 2001. During her high school years, her accomplishments ranged from being crowned homecoming queen to being elected class president. Brooke attended college at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. There, she studied music education and earned her undergraduate degree. Aside from college classes, Brooke recorded her own music album. Brooke says that she loves to travel. She has been all over the world to countries like France, Germany, Russia and Italy among others. She has also visited 46 of 18 Holidays 2020 / www.CityOfHelena.org

Brooke Dunham

our 50 states. She graduated from Belmont University in 2005, and then took her education a step further earning her master’s from Samford University in 2009. In 2011, Brooke earned her National Board Certification for teaching. Brooke says she pursued a career in education because she felt she had a gift for teaching and a love for children; she considers herself a very nurturing person. Brooke is capable of expressing things in a more simple and understandable way, which makes it easier for younger children to grasp new concepts. She possesses qualities that make her an outstanding teacher and a leader in her community. After finishing her education, Brooke got her first teaching job at Chelsea Elementary when she was just 21-years-old. She remained a teacher for 15 years before becoming the assistant principal at Helena Elementary. Mary Anderson, Helena Elementary

School’s new principal, and Brooke actually worked together her last six years of teaching there with Mrs. Anderson her serving as her assistant principal. Mrs. Dunham loves her new job at Helena, but she faces many new challenges as a new assistant principal. Due to Covid, new policies are now in place in all school settings. Mary, Brooke and the Helena staff work hard to keep the school as sanitary and as safe as possible and to keep everyone healthy during these difficult times. Now that she has been in Helena a few months, Brooke and her family have found a few local spots that they enjoy. Brooke says they like eating lunch at the Depot or Beef O’Brady’s overlooking the Buck Creek Dam in Old Town. “Helena seems like a charming ‘old-school’ community,” she said. Brooke noticed that even though Helena is a small city, the caliber of the people here make it feel much larger than it actually is, though.

Brooke and her husband, William, both pursued careers in education—he is an anatomy teacher at Oak Mountain High. The couple has two biological sons and an adopted daughter, all of whom attend Oak Mountain schools. Will is 8, Walter is 4, and daughter, Cecilia Judith (CJ), is 10. CJ was adopted when she was four-and-a-half years old from China. Brooke says that she had always wanted to adopt a child, and after attending a church event with her sister about the process of adopting with Lifeline Adoption Agency in Birmingham, she saw it as a sign. After that event, Brooke and her family decided it was time to add a new member to their family. We’d like to welcome Brooke to Helena. As the second in command at Helena Elementary, she will be a valuable asset to the young students who call Helena their home.

Helena’s most distinctive neighborhood With generous rolling landscapes, beautiful public areas, old hardwood shade trees and spacious, executive style homes, Riverwoods is the place you want to be. For more information on making Riverwoods your home, contact Greg Arcara on his cell at (205) 566-1426 or his office at

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8th Grade Huskies football team demolishes its rival, Pelham Park Middle, 48-0, in exciting undefeated season finale! Congratulations to the HMS 8th Grade Huskies who capped off their undefeated season tonight with a 48-0 shellacking of arch rival Pelham Park Middle School! New Head Coach David Lee and staff, including Trent Posey, offensive coordinator, Logan Brasier, defensive coordinator, Ricky Granger, secondary and Thomas Hammock, OL/ DL, did an excellent job in taking a 7th grade team that went 3-4 in last year and turning them into unbeaten and unblemished 2020 Champions. And the cupboard wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be bare for next season, either. The Huskies 7th grade team went undefeated this season, too. The final game between HMS and PPMS took on a festive air as Helena High brought its marching band and visual ensemble to perform in a pregame show, and a lot of its members stayed and joined the middle school band in the stands to play during throughout the night. The halftime show featured both the dance teams and cheerleaders from Helena and Pelham Park with their dance and acrobatic cheerleader routines. The cheerleaders tumbled across the end zone after each Husky score, and this night found the girls working overtime with all the scoring. As selected by their coaches, here are your Helena MiddleSchool Husky Impact Players for 2020â&#x20AC;Ś TOP 3 OFFENSE: Braydon Kendrick #1 QB Micah Pleasant #21 RB JT Alvis #2 WR

TOP 3 DEFENSE:

Brock Wise #53 LB Grant Vines #71 DT Brett Berry #63 DE

Impact Players of the year pictured clockwise from right top left photo.

As always, Go Huskies! Look for more HMS football photos on the Helena City News Facebook page.

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There is a fantastic breakfast, lunch and dessert place out CR52W next to Golden Rule BBQ and they just celebrated their one year anniversary. It’s a family owned and operated bakery called Brown Sugar Desserts by Renea. Renea sells a variety of desserts and pastries including single slices of cake, parfaits, cinnamon rolls, muffins and cupcakes that melt in your mouth. She also bakes and decorates specialty cakes for birthdays and other events. Additionally, she offers delicious homemade breakfast items—our favorites are her egg & sausage bowls and lunch items like chicken and pasta salads. With the seasons changing, Renea says she’ll be offering up a variety of warm and delicious homemade soups, too. In the short time Brown Sugar Desserts has been open, they’ve become one of our favorite spots to eat or grab something to go. Renea and John Spear are originally from Montgomery, Alabama, 22 Holidays 2020 / www.CityOfHelena.org

Satisfy your sweet tooth with a little Brown Sugar!

where Renea was raised by her grandparents. She attended Jeff Davis High School and graduated in 2002. Throughout her younger years and even in high school, Renea says she had many hobbies, not the least of which was fishing, but her main love was always baking. After high school, Renea attended Auburn University in Montgomery before transferring to Troy. Later, she transferred to Faulkner University, where she graduated in 2015 with a degree in Human Resource Management. After graduating college, she went to work for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama. Renea worked there several years but eventually, she says she just started losing interest in her job there. During this time, with her love of baking, she would bake cakes and sell individual slices to co-workers. Soon, they started ordering whole cakes. One day she says she just got fed up, and out of the blue,

she asked her husband, John if she could open her own bakery. To her surprise, he said “yes!” Renea was ecstatic and turned in her twoweek notice. She resigned her job at Blue Cross in 2017, and after a stint where she rented space to sell her baked goods in a local Helena covenience store, she and John opened Brown Sugar Desserts by Renea in its current location near Golden Rule BBQ last August. Today, Brown Sugar Desserts has a great following, but she confesses she faced some challenges initially. When she first opened, there were times when she got there at three or four in the morning and didn’t even leave at night. With those kind of crazy hours, she said she had no time to spend with her family. It wasn’t long though, before she learned how to balance family time with the demands of operating a full-time bakery. Renea and John first met back in high school, but they were not high school sweethearts and in

fact, they never even dated. However, John moved to Birmingham for college and that is when they reunited through social media. One date led to another, and they soon married. Today, the couple has four children: Caleb,15, Christian, 12, and a five-yearold nicknamed “JT.” (His given name is John after his father.) Their youngest, a little girl named Zaniyah, turned six-months-old in October. Renea says she has a wonderful, caring family who supports her in every possible way, and now an outstanding business, too, which allows her to do what she is passionate about (and we are the beneficiaries—yum). The next time you’re looking for something to satisfy your sweet tooth, or want to grab some breakfast or lunch on the go, check out Brown Sugar Desserts, and tell them you saw their article in the Helena City News!

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THE MARKET IS STILL HOT & INTEREST RATES ARE AT ALL-TIME LOWS! Let us help YOU take advantage of this!Â Call for a free Market Analysis ofÂ your home - you may be surprised how much equity you have. You may also be surprised how much you can afford to purchase with these rates. We have spent many years volunteering for Helena schools and are dedicated to giving back - with any closed home we will give $250 to the Helena School of your choice when you mention this!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS REGULAR WEEKLY/BIWEEKLY EVENTS Mondays Police Explorers, Explorer Training Facility, 4:00-7:00pm Fire Explorers, Station 2, 5:00pm

Tuesdays Virtual Storytime–Jane B. Holmes Library, 11:00am

www.facebook.com/Helena.Public.Library.Friends/

Thursdays Virtual Storytime–Jane B. Holmes Library, 11:00am

www.facebook.com/Helena.Public.Library.Friends/

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic we’re experiencing dates/events may be subject to change and/or cancellation.

December

January

1st - New Year’s Day—Municipal Offices Closed, Library Closed thru Jan. 3 Santek will run one day behind rest of week 4th - Shelby Co. Schools, Prof. Dev/Teacher Workday–NO Students 5th - Shelby Co. Schools, Students Return—2nd Semester begins 11th - Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm 16th - Respite Care-special needs 0-21, free but must reserve, Alabaster Methodist’s Restore Bldg, 4:00-8:00pm, aaronsstaffrespite.org 18th - Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday—Municipal Offices, Library & Shelby Co. Schools Closed Santek will run as usual 21st - Helena Planning & Zoning, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm 25th - Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 5:00pm

February

4th - Tree Lighting at Helena Caboose in Old Town, 7:00pm 5th - 49 1/2th City of Helena Christmas Parade, Theme: A Christmas Masquerade, Lineup/Judging 11:30am, Parade begins at 12:30pm 8th - Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm 14th - Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm 15th - Presidents’ Day—Shelby Co. Schools Closed Santek will run as usual 17th - Shelby Co. Schools early dismissal at 1:00pm 18th - Helena Planning & Zoning, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm - Helena Planning & Zoning, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm 20th - Respite Care-special needs 0-21, free but must reserve, Alabaster 18th - Shelby Co. Schools, Christmas Break Dec. 18-Jan. 4 Methodist’s Restore Bldg, 4:00-8:00pm, aaronsstaffrespite.org - Shelby Co. Schools, Teacher Workday—No Students 22nd - Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 5:00pm 19th - Respite Care-special needs 0-21, free but must reserve, Alabaster Methodist’s Restore Bldg, 4:00-8:00pm, aaronsstaffrespite.org 21st - Evening Virtual Storytime, Jane B. Holmes Library, 4:00pm www.facebook.com/Helena.Public.Library.Friends/ 24th - Christmas Eve—Municipal Offices Closed, Library Closed Diesel and Automotive Repair Dec. 24-27 Santek will run as usual www.bcsouthda.com 25th - Christmas Day—Municipal Offices Closed, Library Closed (205) 230-7306 thru Dec. 27 Santek will run one day behind rest of week Owned locally by Brian Edmonds, a skilled mechanic who grew 28th - Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 5:00pm up in the business. “I will work on your car where it is most convenient for you—at your home, business or wherever you are. 31st - New Year’s Eve—Municipal Offices Closed, Library Closed Keep this ad handy, and the next time your car needs some work, Dec. 31-Jan. 3 Santek will run as usual

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Helena’s Hometown Florist Call Lee Lee or Kayla today!

Brian works on all makes and models of cars and trucks, from transmissions to A/C and heaters. All work performed by Brian carries a 12-month warranty on parts and installation (when parts are supplied by Brian and except for normal wear issues).

Open 7 Days a week from 7am-6pm

Happy Holidays! 24 Holidays 2020 / www.CityOfHelena.org

Call Brian the next time you find yourself with an ailing vehicle, and then sit back as he works his BC South magic!

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Greetings from the Library! Holiday Season is upon us, and the library is excited to feature new programs, as well as the latest books, movies, and electronic resources. December is always a great month at the library, beginning with the Helena Christmas Parade on December 5th. The library plans to participate, so we hope to see everyone there. The featured children’s author for December is Jan Brett. She is a talented illustrator that many of you will recognize. The library will have a Jan Brett display in the children’s area all month. Activity sheets will be available December 7th-11th. A special Holiday Evening Storytime (held virtually) is scheduled for December 21st at 4:00 PM. Speaking of which, the library has a great virtual Storytime every Tuesday and Thursday at 11:00am with the very talented Mrs. Erin! As many of you know, the

10-6 Thursday -5 Friday 10 Closed y a Saturd losed Sunday C

New Hours!

library features a craft each month. Check out Crafty Friday on December 18th with a take home Santa ornament. (While supplies last) Families with younger children can participate in the new library initiative called 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten. This free program is a fun way to develop a love of reading and prepare younger children for school. Visit the library or check out the website for more information. Several young readers have already read their first 100 books! The library will be closed for the Holidays on December 24th, 25th, and 31st, as well as January 1st. The library would like to thank the City of Helena and the many employees and Departments that have assisted in our efforts to keep staff members and the public safe. The library has new plexiglass barriers provided by the city, and they have been a very welcome and helpful addition. The library

lds! ftey shie a s s s la ig New plex

is open with access to books, movies, magazines and audiobooks. Don’t forget e-books and digital titles. Please visit https:// www.shelbycounty-al.org/162/ Downloadables for info. As for visiting the library, hours of operation are Monday through Thursday 10AM to 6PM. Friday, 10AM to 5PM. Please wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines. Most of all, stay safe and READ! New Books:

When calls the Heart: Season 6 Cats and Dogs 3 – Paws Unite Blumhouse’s Fantasy Island

Daylight by David Baldacci The Noel Letters by Richard Paul Evans The Law of Innocence by Michael Connelly Marauder by Clive Cussler Fortune and Glory by Janet Evanovich Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella Three Women Disappear by James Patterson

New Movies: Mulan

Tremors: Shrieker Island Bill and Ted Face the Music Outlander: Season 5

Families with younger children can participate in a new library initiative called 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten. Ollie Nicholson has already read 200 books—sign your child up today!

205-664-8308 • Visit us @ www.cityofhelena.org

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

SGT Jon M. Aaron USA; 4/14 K Co (DET B), Unit 43671, FPO AP 96426-3671; Al Anbar, Iraq; Karen Dickinson’s son E-3 HTFN Alex Avery USN; USS Frank Cable, Guam; Phil & Deana Avery’s son, Maria Avery’s brother, Ken & Mary Penhale’s grandson PFC Zachary Barr USA: 7th Special Forces Group; Eglin AFB, FL Cynthia & Mark Barr’s son SGT Steven M. Bennett USA; Paratrooper/ Rigger; Fort Benning, GA Clara & Ken Lorino’s son SFC Eric Bond USA; 82nd ABD, 1-504 PIR; Baghdad, Iraq; Paul Zimmerman’s cousin Captain Joshua Bowen USA; 1st Brigade, 4th Inf. Div.; Fort Carson, CO Tom and Susan Bowen’s son, Fallon’s husband Captain Fallon Bowen USA; Aviation Brigade, 4th Inf. Div.; Fort Carson, CO, Tom and Susan Bowen’s daughter-in-law, Joshua’s wife LT Sarah Bowen USN; USS John Stennis Aircraft Carrier; Bremerton, WA; Tom and Susan Bowen’s daughter LT Jordan Bowen USA; 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Div., Ft. Hood, TX; Tom and Susan Bowen’s son SRA Mitch Braswell USAF;16th EMS, 16th Special Op. Wing; Afghanistan; Mike & Judi Braswell’s son

Cpl Tyler A. Franklin USMC, 2nd Battalion, SPC, Alexander Palmer 6th Marines Camp Lejeune, NC, Julie Franklin’s Combat Medic, Schofield, O’ahu, Hawaii son, Christina’s brother, Alynna’s husband, CPO Termaine J. Pruitt USN; NAS Pensacola, Carson’s dad FL; Termaine Jr, Trevorn, Chelicia & Tristin’s father, Janice & Austin Pruitt’s son Petty Officer 3rd Class Justin D. Gilbert USCG, Machinery Technician; Mobile, AL, SGT Peter J. “Pete” Reese ARNG; 152nd MP Leslie’s husband, Cohen & Kerrigan’s dad, Co.; Lauren’s husband; Kai, Sam, Dalton, Brook Annette & Dan Duffy’s son-in-law & Kaiti’s father SSG Jay Gortney ARNG; 20th Special Forces; Iraq; April’s husband SGT Brooks Gray USA; Ranger; Scofield BKS, HI; John Gray’s son, Lauren & Ryan Gray’s brother SRA Brad Hubbard USAF Fort Gordon - Augusta, GA Rod & Susan Hubbard’s son SPC Michael Hubbard USA; Camp Liberty, Iraq; Ruth Meadows grandson, Kimberly’s husband, Bonnie Hubbard’s brother SPC Eric Hunley ARNG; 1/167 Inf. Bn Co. B, Operation Enduring Freedom; Afghanistan; Mike & Barbara Hunley’s son; late Chris Hunley’s brother CPL Michael Jeffries ARNG; 1/167 Infantry Battalion Company B, Operation Enduring Freedom; Afghanistan; Amy’s husband, Colin & Gavin’s father

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

MC1 Andrew “AJ” Johnson USN; Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU); Dam Neck Annex, NAS Oceana; Virginia Beach, VA.

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

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

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

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

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

SRA Tanner McGinnis USAF; 90th SFS Tactical Response Force; FE Warren AFB; Cheyenne, Wyoming Ken & Jo McGinnis’ son

Captain Jon P. Darrenkamp USA; Schofield Barracks, HI; Carol Darrenkamp’s son, Stephen & Eric’s brother AEAN Benjamin Lee Doaks USN; NAS Jacksonville, FL; Joe & Tammy Williams’s son, Rev. Clifton & Mattie Taylor’s grandson

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

CPL Casey B. Reitz USMC, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, Camp Lejeune, NC, Tom and Suzi Reitz’s son, Tommy, Joey, and Emily’s brother SPC Dwight A Rosse Jr. USA; 1-32 Cav 1st Bct, Fort Campbell, KY; Dwight & Michelle Rosse’s son, Britney & Carlton’s brother Kenneth R. Russell USMC, 123 Beaufort, South Carolina, Carolyn Russell’s son 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 Capt John M Traylor, Jr USAF; 64th Aggressor Squadron; Nellis AFB, NV; 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 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 FC3 William J. Welch USN; USS Lake Erie, Pearl Harbor, HI; Devinne Brooks’ husband PFC Nathaniel Wilkins USMC; Naval Air Station, Pensalcola FL; Son of Vicki and Derek Wilkins

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

SSgt Phillip Hembree USAF Police, Japan Deborah Hembrees’s son, Joann Pilato’s grandson, Jessica’s husband and Emily Faith’s daddy.

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

LCPL Jared M. Fitzgerald USMC; 9th Communication Battalion; Camp Pendleton; CA; Rosemarie Butler’s son and Jeff’s stepson, Justin and Tyler’s brother

Commander Kimberly A. Oelschlager USN; US Navy Hospital-Physician’s Asst., Beaufort, South Carolina Ted & the late Sara Oelschlager’s daughter

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!

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SMART PLANS FOR HOME AND AUTO INSURANCE At Farmers, we’re committed to making you a smarter and safer driver, homeowner, and saver. That’s why we reward your safe habits and smart planning with a variety of insurance discounts that lower your rates, not your coverage quality. Call today to get smarter about available discounts in your area!

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28 Holidays 2020 / www.CityOfHelena.org

Left to right above: Angel Johnson, Stacy Ricafort, Jaime Adams, Denise Graham (sitting)

205-663-6673

WWW.GRAHAMANDASSOCIATES.NET 5 Brown Circle • Alabaster, Alabama 35007

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.

New Elam Baptist Church

BAPTIST CrossBridge Community Church

1919 Highway 52 W • 426-1910 Pastor Chris Wilson • rbchelena.org Sunday Bible Study 9:15 am Sunday Worship 10:30 am

Highway 261 • 201-5531 Rev. Wilma Merriweather Sunday School 10:00 am Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 am

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 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 Gary Bohman • glbcbham.com Sunday Bible Study 9 & 11:30 am Sunday Worship 10 am & 6 pm Wednesday Prayer Service 7 pm

Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church

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

Cunningham Drive • 663-2230 Rev. Lester Sunday School 10:00 am Morning Worship 11:00 am

Riverside Baptist Church

Shiloh Baptist Church

6700 County Road 13 • 424-4539 Pastor Randy Keef Sunday School 10:00 am Sunday Worship 11:00 am

CHRISTIAN—DISCIPLES OF CHRIST Grace Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 869 Highway 52 • 426-1233 Rev. Brad Henderson gracechristianchurch.org Sunday School 9:00 am Sunday Worship 10:00 am

CHURCH OF CHRIST 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

EPISCOPAL Lamb of God Charismatic Episcopal

New Vision Christian Church

Worship 9am Traditional, 11am Contemporary Sunday School 10am

PRESBYTERIAN Christ Community Church

2383 Highway 95 • 664-4333 Pastor Van C. Houser, Sr. • nvcc4god.org 5140 County Road 17 • 919-7932 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 Voice of Faith Int’l Ministries 1560 Cunningham Drive • 663-7396 METHODIST Rev. Franklin L. Kirksey Helena United Methodist Church Sunday Worship 7:00 & 10:00 am 2035 County Road 58 • 663-0111 Thursday Bible Teaching 10:00 am Dr. Mary Henley • helenaumc.org

The Church at Cahaba Bend 3721 Highway 52 W • 621-8060 Rev. Keith Elder • cahababend.org Sunday School 9:15 am Contemporary Worship 10:30 am

Member Presbyterian Church in America 2222 Hwy 52 • 881-4222 Pastors: Phil Chambers & David Cunningham www.cccbham.org Sunday Worship 10:30 am

NAZARENE Helena Cumberland Presbyterian Trinity Church of the Nazarene 3396 Helena Road • 663-2174 Laurel Woods Dr. & Hwy 58 • 664-4659 Rev. David Shirer • nazarene.ch/trinity/ Sunday School 9:00 am Morning Worship 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

Pastor Mike Ensminger helenacpchurch.com Sunday School 9:00 am Morning Worship 10:00 am 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.

During the days of Covid, please contact the church of your choice for current worship options. During Covid, Helena Kiwanis gets together on Google Meet the first Tuesday of the month at 7:45 a.m. Please join us! We plan to resume our inperson meetings as soon as possible. Part of the mission of Kiwanis International is to help the children of the world. Helena Kiwanis Club has for the past few years supported Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child by packing shoeboxes which are sent to children around the world. This is done by the Helena Kiwanis Club members and our sponsored youth at Helena Middle School. In spite of Covid-19, our group packed 22 boxes this year. Our next project will be ringing the Salvation Army bells to help fill their red kettles. Won’t you please consider joining Kiwanis?

The following members gathered outside the Helena Senior Center to label and pack boxes: Daniel Dearing, Camille Maier, Molly Clark, Alice Brown, Coke Clark, Ron Eddings, Claudia Deason, and Gene Maier.

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Dr. Brooks stops to chat with the Lively family at the Depot Deli & Grill.

We sat down recently with Shelby County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Lewis Brooks, and asked him if he’d share some of the steps taken by Shelby County Schools at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing shutdown which saw everything from the school year to the local and national economy come to a screeching halt last March. Realizing that nobody had 20/20 vision when it came to dealing with this scourge, we are thankful for the concrete steps taken by our school leaders here in Shelby County. We also asked Dr. Brooks if he could share some of what went into the school board’s decision to start out the 2020-2021 school year with a split schedule as opposed to some who decided to go all virtual. He was gracious in sharing the school systems steps with us. “I spent a lot of time with leaders in our school district, and also the leaders in District Five, which is a group of superintendents that serve the Birmingham metro area.” Brooks said. “Recognizing where we were with the closing of schools in March, with all of the unanswered questions and the uncertainty about the future, we knew that we would be making decisions unlike any we had ever made before. We wanted to make sure that we had a way for our students to have an in-person learning experience. There were a lot of competing dynamics that we had to take into account, which made every decision challenging. We tried to take into

32 Holidays 2020 / www.CityOfHelena.org

A Covid conversation with

Dr. Lewis Brooks

Shelby County Schools Superintendent account all the health data, while studying and analyzing all of the information (and misinformation) that was out there. Information can change in this kind of situation, and often on a daily basis.” “I lean very heavily on our assistant superintendents and coordinators, my most trusted group of advisors. I also seek input from principals, teachers and parents as decisions are being made. There are challenges that present themselves because our demographics and our needs are varied, even though we may be in close proximity to one another.” “We tried to provide the best opportunity that we could for our teachers and students based on the information and guidance provided.” Q. Do you also consider any professional medical input? Do you confer with the infectious disease department at UAB, for instance? A. “Absolutely. I speak with the head nurse of our district every day. I was also involved with several Zoom meetings with Dr. Mark Wilson, who is the head of the

Department of Health in Birmingham and Dr. Scott Harris, our State Health Officer, and our State Superintendent, Dr. Eric Mackey. I have also met with local pediatricians who provided medical advice. There are numerous opinions about this crisis, but we have focused on the best information we could find to drive our decision-making. The bottom line has been about studying health, safety, and what’s important in educating our students right now. Overcoming this tremendous educational gap that we have experienced since March comes down to realizing that this is a marathon, not a sprint. Much like any course that you’re running, the dynamics change. Sometimes you’re going uphill. Sometimes you’re going around a curve. Sometimes you’re stepping over a puddle. There’s something new around every turn.” “There is no question that our students deserve the best as it relates education. We had to consider the community norms, the medical and legal implications, economics, and childcare options, but more importantly, how the education of our

students is being impacted. This medical crisis has certainly been overwhelming, and we are all desperately seek some sense of normalcy. Nothing that we’re doing right now is normal to anyone. These competing dynamics have to be fleshed out every day. I am proud of all of our employees and students who have made the best of a difficult situation.” Q. I understand that you and your advisors make decisions, but how much leeway do you give to your various principals in their schools in terms of decisions they make on a day-to-day basis? Must they rely totally on the board’s decisions or are they given some flexibility? A. “Our principals are remarkable. As instructional leaders, they have latitude in making decisions to meet the needs of our students and teachers. The size and scope of our district is quite diverse, therefore local school leadership is imperative. Knowing that each zone is unique, with a variety of community needs, our principals have flexibility, but we also operate as a school system. We are still committed to being ‘A model of excellence in education,’ that’s our vision. We try to live out that vision for all of our students because they deserve it.” Q. I think I was thinking more in terms of certain populations, for instance, certain segments of the county may embrace protections such as mask wearing, frequent hand

sanitizing. Does that have any bearing on your decision making? A. “There are hotspots, but I am not sure that there is an area where the expectation is different nor does that impact spread rates. We study the data every day. We study what happens in the county as a whole, but we also study what happens in our school system and in our school’s communities. We’ve had students who tested positive as we have opened for in-person instruction and there were students who tested positive before the doors were open. We are following the guidelines instituted by the Alabama Department of Public Health as well as any health orders as outlined by the governor’s office. Our goal has been to make the best decisions possible to allow our students as normal an education as we can, including extra-curricular activities. We’ve had three football teams that have had to shut down: Vincent High School and Montevallo High School shut down for two weeks early on, and then Helena had to shut down its football program for two weeks.” Q. Was the Shelby County School System prepared financially for a crisis like Covid? It had to require a lot of additional funds. Have you been given enough help from state and federal governments to date? A. “Our school district has to maintain a one month’s operating budget in reserve, that’s a state requirement. Right now, we’re at about 1.8 month’s, so we were in good shape when this hit us. We are in a good financial position as a school district. We were able to do some of the things that we wanted to do. And certainly, some of the federal dollars have helped us with cleaning, PPE, technology and instructional support.” Q. I just wondered with regards to the cost of implementing all this new technology with the Zoom learning, for instance, that has to be an expensive proposition, and with all the extra cleaning supplies and labor needed and being able to source those cleaning supplies. A. “We got a lot of support from the state and federal government, so that has been really helpful to us, and it helps us to maintain a good position. Dave, I will tell you too, that sales tax revenue has continued to do really well. I know one of the challenges with COVID is how we maintain an economy. We have an outstanding Chief School Financial Officer, and we have worked tirelessly to keep ourselves on a sound financial footing.” Q. What many may not know, but during all this, you were hospitalized with double pneumonia. Are you OK now?

A. “Yes, I am much better. I did not have COVID 19, but I was actually hospitalized twice. I am well and fully recuperated. While I was not able to attend the Helena graduation in person last spring, I was able to watch via live stream. That was important to me because of the graduates that I had gotten to know so well over the years.” Q. Off topic a bit, but what drove you to seek the office of Shelby County School Superintendent in the first place? A. “That is a great question. There were many leadership influences but ultimately, I want to serve students and my community. My family always emphasized the importance of education and being a leader. When I was running for this office, I spoke often about my grandmother, God rest her soul. She died in 1989. She was a single mom to three girls during her time. She worked hard and earned a college degree in 1951. But not only did she do that, she went back and got her master’s in 1968. I think quite often about my grandmother, because she understood the importance of an education. Opportunities were there, even back then, and she took advantage of them. My grandmother’s name was Bertha Williams, and she ended up getting her undergraduate and master’s degrees in social work. She worked as a social worker in the Birmingham area and then went on to do some other things, including becoming an associate pastor, one of the early female pastors, in the Methodist Church. And she is the reason I am here today, continuing in the tradition she laid out for her children and grandchildren.” “I think about the perseverance that she had in those times, and I say to myself and others, ‘Persevere. Don’t get discouraged.’ I try to communicate this message to our faculties, staff members and leaders. Yes, these times are hard, but let’s not get discouraged, let’s continue to move forward with what we’re doing. The education of our students is too important to do anything short of that.” “Our future is bright here in Shelby County, and I take the responsibility for educating today’s generation with the same perseverance my grandmother modeled for her grandchildren all those years ago.” We thank Dr. Brooks for sitting down with us and explaining a little more of the inner workings behind the care with which our Shelby County School Board is putting into the decisions they make to educate our children during these trying times of Covid.

Helena Husky baseball has most preseason commits in program history

Coach P.J. Guy stood before a packed cafeteria at Helena High School Monday evening in November and said that he is preety sure he has never had this many commits before the season started before. He added that more importantly, these baseball players of his are all good people, too, but telling them that this night is for their parents, all of whom have spent countless hours driving them all over for practice and games, feeding them and sacrificing their time in an effort for the young men to be in this position. The Huskies signing were: Brody Moss—Auburn University Landon Leake—Southern Union Jacob Peters—Southern Union Brock Sisson—Lee University Griff Minor—Stillman College Hats off to these young men (and their parents), and best of luck as they take to the diamond to prepare for another exciting season of Husky baseball—Go Huskies!!!

Young Helena artist’s work on

display at Hoover Library Virtual Art Show Beck Unnoppet, a third grade student at Prince of Peace Catholic School in Hoover, has been selected to have his artwork displayed at the 2020 Hoover Library Virtual Art Show. Beck was one of only 14 students to have his art chosen to represent the entire Prince of Peace Catholic School in the Hoover Library Student Art Gallery. Works of art from private schools in the area will be showcased online for the Virtual Art Show. Congratulations to this young artist! Beck Unnoppet is the son of Dr. Nop and Sonya Unnoppet of Helena.

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Meet Husky National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist

SASHA

ZANNIS Hats off to Alexandra Zannis for being recognized as Helena High School’s sole 2020-2021 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist. “Sasha,” as her friends and family call her, has taken art classes all four years at Helena High School, and her artwork expresses her individuality and personal interests. “I love art, especially acrylic, and lately, I’ve been working in water color. Last year in AP Art and this year in AP Drawing, I did several portraits of musicians I listen to and one self-portrait.” “I enjoy portrait work,” she offered, showing two of the pieces she created depicting a couple of her favorite musical performers. One, in a piece she calls “Red Sufjan,” is of Sufjan Stevens, an indie folk artist, and the other piece, called “Cowboy,” is a likeness of Orville Peck, a country musician based in Canada. This senior artiste says she plans to major in chemistry in college and hopes to eventually work in research. She says she always enjoyed Science Club during intermediate school and was a member of the Chess Club in 6th grade in middle school. She admires her chemistry teacher, Mrs. Justement and her sophomore English teacher, Coach Phillips. Additionally, 36 Holidays 2020 / www.CityOfHelena.org

Sasha was president of the APAA Honor Society and a member of almost every other honor society. She is still weighing her options as far as college choices go, but those became wide and varied with this latest academic recognition along with her score of 33 on the ACT. “I wasn’t happy with the 33,” said Sasha, who adds that she plans to retake the test in an effort to improve upon it. Born in Birmingham, Sasha and her family moved to a house off Highway 13 in Helena when she was only 4, so she has attended all the Helena schools and says she is proud to be a Husky. Sasha has a twin sister named Niki. “Niki and I have four classes together this year. We’ve had a few together in high school but were separated during the elementary, intermediate and middle school years.” Their parents are Douglas and Tamara Zannis. Douglas works for Patterson Dental, repairing dental equipment, and Tamara works for a catering company. Congratulations to Sasha Zannis on this most recent acknowledgment of her academic prowess! Is it appropriate to say “Go Huskies” to cheer on academic prowess? I think so! So, Go Huskies!”

Three of Sasha’s paintings above: two of her favorite recording artists, indie folk artist, Sufjan Stevens, in a work titled “Red Sufjan,” one titled “Cowboy,” a depiction of Canadian country musician Orville Peck, and a self portrait. We predict this Zannis lady is going to go far in whatever she sets her mind on accomplishing.

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Meet New HMS Assistant Principal

HENRY LONG IV Henry Long IV grew up in Helena. He attended Helena Elementary, Riverchase Middle, and Pelham High School in the days before we had all our own schools. He grew up in the youth group at Helena United Methodist Church. After graduating from Pelham High School, Henry continued his education at Mississippi State University where he earned an undergraduate degree in meteorology. “I initially planned to pursue a career with the National Weather Service after completing 38 Holidays 2020 / www.CityOfHelena.org

a shadowing opportunity with the National Weather Service in Calera,” said Henry. Instead, he decided to follow in the footsteps of his mother who was a teacher for 30 years in both the Birmingham and Shelby County School Systems. Henry earned his master’s degree in secondary science education plus an EDS in instructional technology, a certificate for school administration. He started at Montevallo 11 years ago and has three years of teaching experience under

his belt: teaching physical and environmental science at Valley High School, pre-AP chemistry and physics at Thompson High School, and 8th grade science at Chelsea Middle School. He eventually became an assistant principal at Chelsea High School. “Even though I went into administration, I still have a passion for teaching and being in the classroom,” said Henry. Henry is married to June, who was raised the child of a military family. She was born in Tuscaloosa but lived in Helena when she

was in high school. The two were high school sweethearts at Pelham who ended up dating throughout Henry’s college days. The couple has now been together for 16 years; married for the last 10. They have two daughters and a son: Olivia, 6, Hannah, 3, and Henry V, 3-months-old. Welcome back home, Henry. It seems like only yesterday you were in middle school yourself! Helena is blessed to have you return in a leadership position at our middle school.

Meet New HMS Assistant Principal

CHRISTI MARTIN

Christi Martin, originally from Boaz, is one of the new Helena Middle School assistant principals this year. After graduating from Boaz High School, Christi earned a scholarship to play basketball for the University of Montevallo, where she played for the Falcons from 1993 to 1996. Christi transferred to Kennesaw State University in Georgia, a Division II team where she earned her undergraduate degree in exercise science in 1998. Christi says she has wanted to coach since she was in the fourth grade. She attended basketball camps at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, every year as

a child and saw it as a challenge. “It also made me the player I was,” said Christi, who starred in the sport at the high school and collegiate levels. Christi’s first coaching job was at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. She stayed there and coached for a year, before moving on to Emory University. While there, an opportunity arose at UCF in Orlando, Florida. After that, she moved back home and decided to return to school, earning a master’s in PE from UAB in 2004. With her master’s in hand, Christi got an opportunity to work in the Shelby County System for the first time. She worked at Chelsea

Elementary and helped open Mount Laurel Elementary. She also worked at Chelsea High School, teaching PE and coaching girls basketball. After that, she coached women’s basketball at Spain Park High, in Hoover from 2007 to 2009. When a friend called with an opportunity to coach for the largest high school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, she took it and spent three years there before deciding it was time to come home. Christi got a job at Homewood High, teaching PE and coaching girls basketball and volleyball. She also served as associate athletic director. Her last

year there was 2015, after which Christi says she realized it was time for her to head in a different direction. She went back to school, this time at the University of West Alabama, where she obtained her administration certificate. With this, she was offered a job opportunity in Hueytown as assistant principal for the Golden Gophers before the chance to return to Shelby County just this past summer as an assistant principal at Helena Middle School. Please welcome Christi Martin as one of our two new assistant principals at Helena Middle School!

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6!!!

And triplets make

A love story unfolded after Natalie Hollis met Eric Hollis while they were both teaching in Hoover schools. “And I wouldn’t have to change my name or anything,” laughed Natalie. The two got married, and knowing they wanted that ‘small, hometown feel’ with good schools for their new home, the couple looked at the Hillsboro neighborhood and eventually bought a house there. When we first sat down with Natalie in February, she was mom to two-year-old Adeline, ‘Addie Jo,’ with rose gold ringlets and bright blue eyes, and she was also

pregnant with triplets. At her first ultrasound, she told us that the tech saw two babies ‘and a sac,’ but just two weeks later, ‘the sac’ had turned into a third baby. “So we had wrapped our minds around twins, and now it’s triplets! There are no words, you know,” she exclaimed. Natalie estimated that the cost of diapers alone would be close to $900 each month! Not only did they have to consider that extra expense, but they knew they would also have to purchase a larger vehicle for their outings with a budding family of six. While all of that is hard enough

Meet the Hollis family from Hillsboro. If three is three, could six be twenty? No, but it might seem so at times! to prepare for as a pregnancy progresses smoothly, it is a whole different ball game when there are complications. Natalie was put on bed rest early on in this pregnancy. She even underwent a surgical procedure to prevent a ‘too early’ delivery. Her doctors wanted the triplets to make it as close to twenty-two weeks gestation as possible. After multiple trips in and out of the hospital, Natalie was unable to walk and was admitted to the hospital 10 weeks early. She gave birth on February 19, 2020, at Brookwood Hospital. Ellie Marie was born first and is named after Natalie’s

mother. Named for his dad, Eric, Dalton Ray was born next, and little Gracie Kate was the caboose and is the namesake of both Natalie’s grandmother and sister. (Big sister Addie Jo has said from day one that Dalton is her favorite.) When the triplets were seven months old, we sat down with Natalie again, and life with four littles at home has kicked into high gear. Natalie describes herself as a very schedule-oriented person, and from all accounts, she has it perfected. “We don’t go anywhere if it is going to interrupt our schedule,” she said calmly but firmly.

As we watched the dynamic in their lovely new home, it was warm, inviting, kind and considerate. Addie Jo played with little sister Ellie while Dad dressed Gracie and Mom held Dalton. Natalie spoke patiently with us while Eric dutifully changed each baby from their nap clothes into their outfits for pictures. Even when Natalie offered to step in, Eric dotingly said, “I’m almost done. You talk with them.” The warmth of their home was visible in their team work, the sweetest host, played by ‘Miss Addie Jo’ and the calm and quiet of all three triplets. We got the feel that they’ve got this parenting gig down pat. In an effort to save some money, Natalie has opted to stay home with the triplets for a while. Eric began a new job over the summer as assistant principal at Gardendale High School. Natalie said that as far as timing went, they were lucky, because even though they couldn’t have the hands-

on help that they had originally anticipated since Eric was still teaching during the Covid-19 quarantine, he was able to be home to help her. “I don’t know what I would have done without Eric,” she said. These days, the triplets’ personalities are becoming more and more apparent. Ellie is very social. “Ellie’s a nut!” said Eric. Dalton is ‘very concerned’ and more reserved. Gracie is observant. “She doesn’t necessarily want to participate in all the activity, but she definitely wants to watch,” said Natalie. Ellie was the only one who had mastered sitting when we met them, but as we followed their Instagram account, we saw that now Dalton and Gracie are sitting, too! You can follow Natalie, Eric and the kids at LoveyouFOURever on Instagram and see the many adventures of the Hollis family for yourself! Best wishes to the Hollis family as they navigate life with four under the age of three.

CUB SCOUT FISHING RODEO Boy Scout Leader Jay Elliott

held recently at Joe Tucker Lake Chris Gonzalez, Shelby County District Commissioner for the Boy Scouts of America, reports that this was a first ever event for Joe Tucker Lake in Helena. “In the past, we’d have larger rodeos at places like Oak Mountain State Park for a much larger group of fishermen, but this year, due to Covid, the scouts are using smaller rodeo venues so that scouts can, for the most part, fish near where they live and stay socially distanced. Scouts participating in the Helena rodeo were mostly from Shelby

County, Birmingham, Hoover and Bessemer,” said Chris. “We had about 85 cub scouts turn out plus their parents or guardians.” And not all were boys now that girls are allowed into the Boy Scouts. The event was hosted by the City of Helena, who stocked the lake a few days before the event with 400 lbs of varying sizes of catfish. Fun was had by those in attendance who caught not only catfish, but also bream and bass. “The largest fish caught measured about 19 inches,” said Chris.

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778 2nd Street, Helena, Al 35080

(205) 624-4440 It is our pleasure to welcome Chef James and Starnisha Washington, their family and Helena’s newest restaurant, Refined to go, to Helena. James trained under some of the finest chefs in Birmingham, among them award-winners like Frank Stitt and Chris Hastings, but says he first developed his love of good home cooking after watching his mother, the late Elizabeth Washington cook up victuals for the family. “I was one of 13 kids brought up in Norwood,” shared James, “but my parents were from the country—I’m talking Sumpter County and Eutaw,” he continued, “and we were raised on mouth-watering soul food goodness.” James said his favorite dish from his childhood was what his mom called “smothered chicken” with rice and cat head biscuits. “She’d fry up the chicken, pour off a little of the oil and add some flour, make it into a chicken-flavored gravy and pour it over the chicken. She’d serve it up with rice and those big cat head biscuits. Man, that was some good eating!” James said the family raised their own chickens and remembers going out and ringing the neck of one or more of them for a meal. “You can’t get much fresher than that.” James started out with Frank Stitt at Highlands Bar & Grill as a dishwasher. “My parents instilled in us kids that we should strive for excellence in everything we did,” he said, “and I have always tried my best to bring that into everything I’ve done, be it dishwasher, salad prep or whatever my job was. I guess Frank noticed that and before long, I worked in various capacities in Frank’s kitchen.” While with Frank, James eventually became the employee the multi-award winning chef looked to prepare his own station each shift, and during this time working in close proximity to the legend, he began to share some of the lessons he’d learned at home. “Eventually Frank had me fetching fig leaves from my old homeplace in Norwood, which I still owned, and Frank would smother those fig leaves in butter and roll them around fresh Gulf grouper and serve it up with a compote he’d make from figs from those same trees to achieve a locally sourced addition to some of the dishes for which Highlands Bar & Grill would offer to diners who came for a 5-Diamond din-

ing experience. From there, James was eventually promoted to Sous Chef where his own experience in the culinary world would grow while he worked for years at both Highlands Bar & Grill and Frank’s Bottega Dining Room. Not long after, another Birmingham restaurant legend offered James a chance to own a part of his own restaurant in the Roebuck section of Birmingham. Marvin Ratcliffe, the man who founded the famous Pioneer Cafe in Roebuck decided to buy a building not far from the Pioneer location and together, they opened O’Brien’s Seafood. It was there that James first met his wife Starnisha. “She worked as a hostess. It’s interesting that we didn’t actually get together as a couple until a few years later,” said James, but that part of the story will continue in just a bit. O’Brien’s lasted a couple of years, but less than perfect employees and a situation with mud sliding down from a hill behind the building that inundated the parking lot on a continual basis spelled doom for O’Brien’s. In the meantime, James went to work for his church, where he served as their executive chef. Fast forward a few years, James and Star had not seen each other since their days of working together at O’Brien’s. “Star saw my brother on the street one day and mistook him for me,” said James, who shared that he and his brother look an awfully lot alike. “When she learned it was my brother, she passed along her phone number and asked him to give it to me. Man, I was excited to talk with her again. We had been great friends.” And the rest, as they say, is history. James and Star began seeing each other and were married in 2010. “She had three children and I had one, and now we have been blessed with four of our own. We call our bunch ‘The Great Eight,’” said James who added that the family could not be happier since moving to Helena six years ago. The couple’s school-age children attend all four Helena Schools. James said the move to open his own restaurant this time was “all God.” “I was doing some catering on the side and working at the church when I met Joe Habshey, the owner and developer of much of Old Town Helena.

This was when the Coal Yard restaurant was in operation. “Joe kept encouraging me to apply for the chef’s position at the Coal Yard, but I already had a full time job. One day, my son Devin and I decided to grab a bite to eat at the Depot Grill, but they were closed. We decided to take a walk through Old Town. When I passed by the building on 2nd Street that housed Living Waters, an adult daycare business, God put a vision in my head for a to-go restaurant in that building. When I shared my vision with Star, she was ready to go, but I’ll admit, I was a little scared. After talking with my pastor though, he gave me his blessing and I began to get excited at the possibilities!” I came to an agreement with Joe Habshey and Ms. Beverly, owner of Living Waters, and we began planning in earnest. After James and Star settled on a name, Refined to go, James decided he would keep his executive chef position with Faith Chapel as a safety net and start out offering Sunday lunches only from his new Old Town location. “Star told me though, that God didn’t give me this for me to keep working for somebody else,” and it wasn’t long before Star’s insistence and diners’ popular demand had James resigning his position with the church and expanding Refined to go’s offerings to five days a week. “I pay my tithes and keep the Word in me,” said James, “so I just prayed and jumped off the cliff. I believe it’s all going to work out. My goal since I was a child has always been to bring excellence to everything I do, and I believe in serving that excellence in every dish I prepare.” Refined to go is open for lunch from 11am-2pm and dinner from 5-8pm Wednesday-Saturday. “And then we have “Soul Food Sundays” from 11am-5pm,” said James. “For now, it’s all to go, though we do have limited patio seating available on these nice fall afternoons and

evenings.” Future plans are to expand into a full service, sit down restaurant, but for now, James said he is happy to offer his food mainly as take out. “My goal is to give diners a 5-Star experience at an affordable price. My customers will taste the type of dishes they’d pay $35-$40 a plate for at one of Uptown Birmingham’s finest restaurants at a price most anybody can afford. After sampling some of James’ Down Home Flavors with an Uptown Flair, we urge you to make haste to his Old Town Helena 2nd Street location to try it for yourself. You’ll find dishes fit for the most discriminating tastes at a price you can afford and with a heart that’s pure soul!

TO ADVERTISE, CALL the Publisher at 746.1188 / MyHelenaCityNews.com / Holidays 2020

2020 HELENA HIGH SCHOOL 9

Friday, October 16, Helena High presented its 2020 Homecoming Court before the Huskies hosted a hard fought victory over Stanhope Elmore to provide the perfect ending to the evening. Congratulations to all the lovely homecoming attendants, including four very special ladies, and to the new 2020 Helena High School Homecoming Queen, Miss Daisy Capps.

Introducing the 2020 Homecoming Courtâ&#x20AC;Ś Freshmen attendants: 1. Leiloni Greer

Leiloni is escorted by her father, Leldon Greer. 2. Karley Smelser

Karley is escorted by her father, Brad Smelser. 3. Grace Wilkins

Grace is escorted by her father, Rick Wilkins.

Sophomore attendants: 4. Macie Flynn

Macie is tonight by her father, Brad Flynn. 5. Sadie Henderson

Sadie is escorted by her brother, Rhett Henderson. 6. Mackenzie Myrick

Mackenzie is escorted by her father, Michael Myrick.

Junior attendants: 7. Kaylee Armstrong

Kaylee is escorted by her father, Chase Armstrong. 8. Reese Tew

Reese is escorted by her father, Tragg Tew. 9. Maddie Ware

Maddie is escorted by her father, Scott Ware.

Senior attendants: 10. Miss Kya Gardner

Kya is escorted by her father, Keon Gardner. 11. Monse Gonzalez

Monse is escorted by her father, Cesar Gonzalez. 12. Maddie Hart

Maddie is escorted by her father, David Hart. 13. Jordyn Hunter

Jordyn is escorted by her father, Bill Hunter. 14. Deya Simone Parker

Deya is escorted by her brother, Cazpian Carter. 15. Kennedy Schlueter

Kennedy is escorted by her father, David Schlueter. 16. Taylor Souers

Taylor is escorted by her father, Chad Souers.

Beautiful floral bouquets were presented by four special football players to four very special attendants after the 2020 queen was crowned.

17. DAISY CAPPS

Daisy is escorted by her stepfather, Anthony Regina.

Assisting Helena High School Principal April Brand with the crowning of the 2020 Homecoming Queen were Mayor Mark Hall and 2019 Homecoming Queen, Alison Tanner, escorted by her father, Dean Tanner. And the 2020 Helena High School Homecoming Queen ISâ&#x20AC;ŚMiss Daisy Capps! Daisy is a member of the Helena High

School softball team. At school, she is involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, the Green Club, and the Music Appreciation Club. Daisy says that she loves to work with kids and hang out with her friends. After graduation, Daisy plans to attend UAB. There, she will major in Psychology and work on a minor in Business. Congratulations to Miss Daisy Capps!

Huskies

Football 2020

46 Holidays 2020 / www.CityOfHelena.org

In a year most would like to forget, the Huskies provide some bright spots under the Friday Night Lights at Husky Stadium This year’s Helena High School football season just wrapped up its campaign with a loss in the 2nd round of the State 6A Playoffs when they came up against their toughest foe to date in the Spanish Fort Toros. Head Coach and Athletic Director, Richie Busby, said the Toros had four Division 1 college commitments on their defense alone. The deeper you go in the playoff rounds, the more you meet that kind of competition. We’re a young program though, and the future looks bright indeed. All in all, this was a successful season for the Huskies in just their seventh campaign. They finished the year 7-5 (2 losses by forfeit due to Covid), and return a talented group for next year. In a first for the Huskies, one of their players, offensive tackle Seaburn Hines, was selected to play in the annual Alabama vs Mississippi AllStar game in December, an event that features elite talent from both states to compete in a friendly rivalry game. Players who participate in this game have gone on to have tremendous careers at the next level and beyond. Congratulations to Seaburn on this outstanding accomplishment. Throughout the year, this Huskies team pulled victory from the jaws of defeat. Teams that would have success against the Huskies in the first half would see the Huskies roar back in the second half and own the fourth quarter. It certainly has something to do with second half adjustments made by Coach Busby and his superb staff of assistant coaches, but judging from opponents’ hands on their hips near the end and the Huskies jumping around as if they had just started playing, it has just as much to do with the Huskies’ conditioning program. The Huskies seemed stronger in the second half this

season than they did in the first. “You can credit that to Coach Elgin,” said Coach Busby, who echoed what we had already heard from some of the players about the Huskies’ defensive coordinator. Credit also goes to strength and conditioning coach Scott Lowery for keeping the Huskies in tip-top shape. Coach Busby said he is excited to have both on his staff, and this strength and conditioning emphasis is sure to pay dividends down the road. This season had more ups than downs, and strong play by Huskies’ Impact Players had much to do with them being on the plus side in the wins column. We’d like to recognize a few of them in this edition:

Huskies Impact Players for 2020 Defense

Top Tackler with 97, #8 LB Iceberk Cave 2nd in Tackles, tops in TFL at 20, #44 LB Brock Sisson Sack master-7 Sacks and 14 TFL, #28 DE Joel Logan Alternate Sack master with 4 Sacks and 12 fumble returns, #18 LB Connor Pugh Defense Honorable mention: True Freshman #16 Joseph Roberto: 3rd leading tackler with 66 total #24 Damien Hines, 4th highest in tackles with 61

Offense

#26 RB Kobe Hughes, 136 carries for 800 yards and 12 TDs, avg. of nearly 6 yards per carry #2 QB Mac Turner, 77 of 159 for 780 yards passing with 5 Tds

All Purpose

#6 Kaysn Bustamento, RB, DB and K/PR, Kasyn had a knack this year for making big plays when needed. Hats off to the Huskies and Coach Busby and his staff on a great year!

See lots more football pics including the band and visual ensemble on the Helena City News Facebook page!

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