Helena City News

Helena City News Winter Edition

Serving Helena and Surrounding Communities

Helena adds a

Crown Jewel to its schools — moving mountains

to build Helena High!

Also Inside...

PAPA SAIA’S COMES TO OLD TOWN HELENA!

Tammy Casteel plans all kinds of fun and good food on the creek!

SLIM DOWN CHALLENGE CONTESTANTS GET STARTED Snap Fitness showing this year’s challengers new ways to get fit!

OLD MINING SITE REDO… SOON TO BE HELENA HIGH! Mine reopened after nearly 100 years, old relics found.

WWW.MYHELENACITYNEWS.COM • HELENACITYNEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM

From the Mayor’s Desk Got Real Questions? Get Real Answers! Call 663-9301 or Email: sonny@sonny-penhale.com Thanks to Representative Spencer Bachus for his assistance in obtaining a grant for us in the amount of $90,000!

This money will be used to purchase advanced heart monitoring systems for our emergency response teams.

Representative Bachus has been very good to the City of Helena over the years and can always be counted on to help when we have a need.

Hillsides are being levelled in preparation for our new Helena High School! (See picture below.) This has been a longtime dream of mine, and there are many people to thank who have not only helped bring this about but are also working to make our schools here the best that they can be. From our Helena Schools Foundation to the Helena Athletic Association, so many people are volunteering their time and skills, it is humbling to watch. My gratitude to them all for what they are doing to improve the opportunities of our children.

Another that deserves our thanks for helping with the needs of Helena students is Shelby County Schools Superintendent Randy Fuller. Not only are we getting our new high school, but expansion projects are underway at both our elementary and intermediate schools which will add much needed additional classroom space.

Many have wondered if we’d ever get a new restaurant to open in the old Incahoots building. It is my pleasure to report that Keith Mitchell has purchased the building and Tammy Casteel, owner

of Papa Saia’s in Alabaster, has signed a lease and is in the process of relocating her operations from Alabaster to Helena.

She plans to open the restaurant in early March. Be sure to read about Helena’s newest eatery elsewhere in this magazine and watch out for announcements of upcoming events planned there such as crawfish boils and other fun happenings.

Welcome to Helena Papa Saia’s!

Alabama’s primary elections are March 13—polls are open from 7a.m.

-7p.m. Be sure to exercise your right as an American and get out to vote! Voting in Helena is done at the new community building in the athletic complex off Hwy 261. If you are not registered to vote in Helena, call Joy Childers at 663-9301 or come by city hall, and Joy can tell you what you need to do. Absentee ballots are also available.

Our annual Easter Egg Hunt is March 31 this year. A dedicated group of volunteers holds this for city youngsters each year, look inside for full details.

Baseball and Softball season is about to begin, and Brian Hayes tells me that over 600 children have registered to play in our leagues this season! Here’s to a safe and successful year. Thanks to all the adult volunteers who make this possible.

Our Hwy 261 Bypass project’s Environmental Impact Study is finally approved and is at city hall should anybody want to look at it. We should be within a month or so of the state selecting an engineering firm to begin the design phase of this much needed project. The wheels of progress

sometimes seem to drag on forever, but when you depend on state and federal funds for a large project such as this, that is just the way it is. I have been working on this project for more than 12 years now and am doing everything within my power to move it along as rapidly as is humanly possible. I know you are too, especially when you get caught by a train trying to get into or out of the city.

In other news, the Buck Creek Trails project is coming along. This project, which will add walking/biking trails extending from the Old Town Amphitheater that will tie in with the trails at Hillsboro. An exhaustive soil testing and bridge study was undertaken recently by the State Department of Transportation. When complete, this multi-mile trail will be a wonderful addition to the recreational opportunities for this whole area and especially for citizens of Helena. The trail will meander along beside the historic coke ovens, and the scenery along the way will allow anyone using them to find a bit of serenity and will provide an in town get-away for all looking for some backto-nature time. We have been working to bring this project to fruition for more than 10 years.

The Boy Scouts, who currently meet in the old Masonic Lodge along with the Helena History Museum, are getting ready to move into their new home at the location of the former Shelby Cleaners across from Publix. There is talk of expanding the Helena History Museum into the space left behind.

Charles W. “Sonny” Penhale

More on this as it develops.

Helena Hometown Pharmacy is about to celebrate its one year anniversary. It was a tragedy when its founder, Scott Arledge, died suddenly just after opening last year, but it is heart warming as his wife, Jan, and daughter, Emily, along with her husband, Blane, and their dedicated staff have worked hard to keep Scott’s vision alive to provide an independent drug store with personal service and even home delivery to our residents. Emily, in her last year of pharmacy school at Auburn, announced that she and Blane have just bought a house in Old Cahaba and plan to move here just as soon as this term is finished.

Welcome! Be sure to watch for signs of their anniversary celebration in March.

Spring is just around the corner and I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait!

As always, the lines of communication with me are always open. Call or email me with any questions you might have if you think I can be of assistance.

Sincerely,

Charles “Sonny” Penhale

Its location is perfect, sitting just across Hillsboro Drive from Helena Middle School. When complete, its 225,000 square feet will encompass 39 classrooms (eight of which will be science labs) and two large underground reinforced storm shelters on each end of the building which state law now mandates for all new schools. One of the shelters will house the band/choral room and the other will be used by the drama and health sciences departments. Some of the stone on the front of the building will be taken from the old Eureka Mines, which formerly existed on the same site. The two-story building is designed for up to 1,400 students with room to expand. The school will feature a stadium and athletic complex which will be shared by the middle school and the Helena youth athletic programs. See architectural drawings of campus and info on the old mines on page 5.

2 Winter 2012 ● Helena City News ● www.CityOfHelena.org ● Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com

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elissa, a graduate of the University of Montevallo, told us the story recently of how she got started on her journey to better health at Snap Fitness. “I was at a job and needed a change in my life. I’ve been overweight forever. I worked in a field that was high stress. One day, I knew that I would need to make a change. I took a job that offered flexible work time which allowed more time for myself. This newly found time finally gave me an opportunity to focus on myself.

I started my ‘life change’ January 2011 at a weight of a little over 300 pounds. I began by changing my diet and making better choices about what I put into my body. Next, in April, I began walking with friends. I knew then that I needed to move to the next level in my physical fitness, but first, I needed to pick gym that was right for me.

Helena Snap Fitness was first on my list. I came in and the staff was really personable

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attending most of the classes they offered. In doing so, I have much more energy and feel so much better!

I decided to look around at some others gyms, but it only took me five minutes in another one to realize where I belonged.

So back to Helena Snap Fitness I went that very same day! I joined Helena Snap Fitness in July 2011.

Since joining, I have had four friends join and made a few along the way, too. I have also become close with the staff, who have all become great friends and helped keep me focused and goal-oriented. With all the continued positive support, I remain motivated on my weight loss journey.

I started my orientation and began my training on weights and cardio machines. In the beginning, I started by going to the gym three times a week. After a couple of months, my friend joined, and we began working out together. With a friend, I became more motivated to be at the gym. I began going to Snap Fitness in Helena 5 to 6 times a week and

To date, I have lost 73 pounds and am working to lose the remaining extra weight I carry. Helena Snap Fitness has become my second home. I feel that at any other gym, I would not have been as successful. I want to challenge everyone out there who wants a change in their life to take the first step TODAY—and to know that you CAN do it!”

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Top, workers extract a headstone at the Eureka No. 4 mine that could be used in the architecture of the new high school. Bottom left, Mayor Sonny Penhale looks at artifacts discovered at the site, pictured as a group at bottom right.

History unearthed at 1917 Eureka No. 4 mine As the next stage of the Helena High School building site progresses, those driving by will see the grading process

that removes up to 70 feet of elevation from the kudzu-covered hillside. Thus Helena bids farewell to the 1917 Eureka

No. 4 mine.

Historian Ken Penhale, Brian Hinds and Brian Wallis have spent many hours exploring, digging, identifying and cataloguing artifacts that will be on display at the history museum.

Early in the excavation of Eureka No. 4, Hal Woodman posted this great description on his blog, “This unique piece of Helena and Alabama history was buried under Volkswagen-sized boulders intentionally placed to keep people out. Pulling away the boulders revealed the carved stone mine portal and when sunlight finally reached the barred entrance, after decades of darkness, rats scurried out and flashlights revealed a stone hallway covered with the little glowing eyes of spiders.” (Sounds a little like the beginning to a Clive Cussler novel, Hal!) The headstones removed in December are on view at the side of the museum. The smaller of these is expected to be incorporated into the design of the school.

Adjacent were some foundation remains from the miner’s homes and the Baptist Church of what was once called the Roebuck community.

More recent excavation unearthed a wagon wheel, an ax head, metal rails, an insulator from No. 4 Eureka, a metal

tube of salve, cooking pots and spoons, knives and one fork. They found pieces of pocket watches, pottery shards and a bounty of glass bottles — quite a few still intact — and several variously shaped fossils, mainly from plants.

Several miner lamps and miner tags have turned up. The tags each are inscribed with an assigned number linked to a particular mine worker.

This number would have been used to identify which miner received credit for the load of coal when it arrived at the unloading station.

The bottles, of many shapes, represent medicine bottles and some that probably contained cooking oil or flavoring. The very recognizable Coca Cola bottles found were stamped Birmingham on the bottom and varied in subtle tints of greens. The bottles are on display at the museum as is the recently mounted fullsize quilt of Helena provenance.

The brown and yellow quilt was likely a prize in a local Methodist Church raffle from the 1930s and was donated by Jane Naish. It is made up of blocks embroidered with dozens of names, many still recognizable as local families — such as Mullins, Harris and Davidson, for example. Hopefully, both them and all that have moved here since are proud of the project illustrated below!

IN MEMORIAM

Saying goodbye to old friends in Helena

G

. Morrell Aldridge, known to everyone in and around Helena as “Bro. Mo,” passed away December 29. Bro. Mo was the founding pastor of both Riverside Baptist and CrossBridge Community Church in Helena. He was serving as Co-Pastor at CrossBridge at the time of his death.

Bro. Mo came to Helena in 1996 when God called him to begin Riverside Baptist Church on Hwy. 52 West, and immediately fell in love with the town and its people. Before Riverside had its own facility, the church met in several temporary locations including the old Acton Hardware Building (now The Storage Place). Bro. Mo never met a stranger. He genuinely loved people and would do anything to help anyone. In those early days, he didn’t have an office and often joked that the Village Market & Deli was his office. He met many people there who later came to be his church members.

any job was beneath him. He led his people by example.

Bro. Mo was a family man. He and his wife, Deanna, were married for 41 years and were usually seen together working and serving the people of Helena. He will be greatly missed not only by his wife and his daughter, his son-in-law and his precious grandchildren, but also by the many friends in Helena who he loved just like his family.

G. Morrell ‘Bro. Mo’ Aldridge If Bro. Mo could give us one last message, it just might be the one he Bro. Mo worked tirelessly building shared with his daughter, Jennifer, churches and relationships along the as he lay in the hospital the last week way. Both Riverside and CrossBridge of his life.

“My daddy opened his eyes and were built, for the most part, using said, ‘I was almost home … but volunteers that were solicited and I came back to be with you for a organized by Bro. Mo. During those days he could be found from little while longer.’ Then he told me morning to night at the church, up to stand up and turn around 360 on a ladder, running a bobcat or degrees and tell him what I saw. I some other piece of equipment, a thought this strange but trying to hammer in his hand and always a do as he instructed, I stood up and smile on his face. He never thought turned slowly observing everything

I saw: a closet, a Christmas bag, etc.

Daddy replied, ‘No! Those things aren’t important. Do it again. And this time tell me what you really see.’

“In tears, I tried again, this time really seeing, ‘I see Mama here by your side and see how much she loves you. I see Gracie’s drawing she made for you straight from her heart. I see the love of our family and friends.’

Daddy smiled and said, ‘That’s right, good. Now you really see what’s important. Always remember to look around and really see what’s there.’ “ Bro. Mo’s final message to us might be for us to look around and see what’s really important. Find someone who needs to experience the love of Jesus. That’s what Bro. Mo’s life was all about and there are many people in Helena who are forever changed because he cared enough to look around.

measures was impressive. His love of fishing was well known. The way he worked didn’t allow lots of time for these hobbies, but when he could sneak off to the lake or river he was happy.

“Harold was one of the funniest persons I have ever known, always making droll, but never hurtful observations. And he was respectful of all people, but didn’t tolerate fools well. And he was caring, especially for children and others in need.”

Even after committing to “slowing down” and selling Incahoots, Harold kept busy from 2009-2011 working as a Vista (Volunteers in Service to America) Volunteer. Harold put on job fairs and helped find some 400 jobs for workers over 50.

Dr. Mary Cooper, one of the four charter members of Helena Kiwanis, along with Harold and Callie and Gerald Waldrop, says in remembrance: “There was only one Harold.

When I first met him, I wasn’t quite sure how to take him, but it wasn’t long before I realized what a faithful Christian, loyal American

and dedicated family man that he was. Now Harold could be a bit of a pill, but he was a lovable pill. He did not hesitate to share his opinion but he could always back it up with research and reasoning.

“Harold lived a life of service to others, not just as a member of the Kiwanis Club of Helena, but in all that he did. He wanted to make a difference for others and he accomplished that in so many ways.

Harold loved children. He and Claudia’s grown boys, Dennis and Keith, have added four beloved grandchildren to the family. Just this past Halloween, Harold was enthusiastically receiving trick-ortreaters, Claudia recalls, joking with the kids and even inviting one family inside to see his trophy heads in the living room.

“Harold read his Bible every morning and we would often discuss the passage. He would then say his prayers,” Claudia remembers. “He always prayed that he would not ever be a burden on his family, and when his time came, it came fast, as he would have wanted.”

H

arold Deason was born in Arkansas, but grew up on Sand Mountain where his dad was killed when he was just 14.

His work ethic, forged early, served him well on the football team at Woodlawn High School and then at Samford, where he attended on a scholarship. It was at Samford he met his wife, Claudia. After coaching one year at Jess Lanier High School, Harold went to work for her father, Denny Kakoliris, at his King’s Inn Restaurant in Homewood. There he learned all sides of the business, including butchering.

Claudia says it would have pleased him to know his funeral was attended by a group of his former high school and college coaches.

“Harold would have been grinning ear-to-ear to see them all walk in together.”

Those who knew him well — and anyone who came to eat at the former Incahoots in Helena — were acquainted with Harold’s love for hunting and fishing.

He made hunting trips to Africa, British Columbia, New Zealand,

s

Harold Deason Mexico, New Mexico, Colorado and Montana. In their home hangs the mounted head of an African Kudu and a Tar from New Zealand as well as deer. A brown bear skin from Alaska and a zebra skin adorn their floors. Harold’s award-winning moose was an Incahoots icon, but was sold when it closed, being too large to fit through the door.

Callie Waldrop recalls, “We once asked Harold to do a Kiwanis program on his big game hunting and it was fascinating. His knowledge of the animals, hunting regulations and conservation

6 Winter 2012 ● Helena City News ● www.CityOfHelena.org ● Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com

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HEALTH OF T TIP

MONHTE H

FAST WEIGHT LOSS USUALLY NOT PERMANENT Slow, steady reduction in calories and exercise is best

This time of year, many people are either working hard on that New Year’s resolution to lose weight or have given up on the idea. Some resort to the latest “lose lots of weight quickly” scheme and do great in the beginning. The problem comes in maintaining that weight loss when they are “finished” with their diets.

Unless you are using an eating plan that causes you to lose weight slow and steady, it might not be the best plan. When it comes to weight loss, there are no quick fixes.

Your doctor may be your best resource when it comes to weight loss. There are many medications they can prescribe you to help you stay on an eating plan that is both healthful and designed to make you drop the weight slowly without drastically dropping your energy level. An exercise plan in addition to diet is always best, as it will help boost your energy level and your metabolism enabling steady progress.

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WE LOVE HELENA! That’s why we put it in our name!

At Helena Hometown Pharmacy, you will always feel appreciated. There are lots of choices for you when it comes to filling your prescriptions. We realize that and pledge to offer you our very best in customer service and will always look for ways you can save on your prescriptions!

It’s a myth that independent pharmacies are more expensive than big chains. The opposite is often true. Come see for yourself, and give us the chance to earn both your confidence and your business!

If you’re having trouble with your current pharmacy accepting your INSURANCE, come see us!

Helena Hometown Pharmacy accepts ALL MEDICAL INSURANCES!

Watch for our Money-Saving Circulars in the Mail!

Hometown Pharmacy owners buy home in Helena

F

ounder Scott Arledge had a dream that one day his daughter, Emily, a pharmacy student at Auburn University, would move to Helena and help him operate the family business.

His goal of offering an independent, home owned and operated drug store for the residents of Helena might have been cut short when, only a little over a week after opening, Scott tragically died following a brief illness.

Emily was still in pharmacy school. But Jan and Emily, along with Emily’s then fiancé and now husband, recent Auburn graduate Blane McPeake, were determined to keep Scott’s dream alive.

To further cement that determination, Emily and Blane recently purchased a home on the lake in Old Cahaba in Helena.

“We plan to move in as soon

as Emily finishes this semester at Auburn,” said Blane. “As a senior next year, Emily will be doing rotations, similar to what a medical doctor does during his residency. Fortunately, she was assigned to the Birmingham area. Our new home in Helena will be a convenient base for her to work her assigned pharmacies, and it will mean I can be here in Helena as store manager 24/7.

“It will be a relief not to have to drive back and forth from our current home in Auburn each day. Four to five hours round trip has gotten to be a bit much,” he said. “Emily will work at Helena Hometown Pharmacy this summer and when her rotations start next year, she will work here on Saturdays until she graduates in May and comes to work here full time.”

“We love Helena!” said Emily.

“You have a nice city here with a true hometown feel to it,” said Blane. “Everybody has been

so helpful and we have found Helena customers to be very loyal customers. There are just really, really nice people here.

“Helena has great schools with outstanding reputations and with the new high school coming, we’re just excited to get up here and be a part of it!

I grew up in the area around Oak Mountain High School and remember how that area just exploded with growth after the high school was built. I look forward to watching the same thing happen here in Helena!”

Helena Hometown Pharmacy has been an outstanding addition to the local business community.

Blane would like to remind people that Helena Hometown Pharmacy accepts most of the insurances that many of the chains have now stopped taking.

Count on Helena Hometown Pharmacy for all your prescription and pharmacy needs. Or just stop in to say “Hi.”

Emily and Blane McPeake have bought a home in Helena and plan to move in this summer.

8 Winter 2012 ● Helena City News ● www.CityOfHelena.org ● Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com

IN MEMORIAM

Saying goodbye to old friends in Helena

I

had no blood relation to George Dennis Yawn, or “D,” as many of his family members called him. But it didn’t matter. Dennis treated me like family, anyway. And that wasn’t surprising, because that’s how Dennis’ wife, Martha, their son, Russell, his wife, Angie, and Dennis’ daughters, Gail and Laura, and their families have treated me over the years as well. s The Yawn family’s yearly New Dennis Yawn Year’s Day celebrations — complete with Dennis’ homemade chili — through the house. became a tradition for me, starting roughly ten years ago, when I was One year, when invited to invited to join them at their home in an upcoming New Year’s chili Helena. gathering, I mentioned to Dennis that — as much as I appreciated the Dennis would sometimes start invitation — I didn’t want to invade work on the chili days in advance, on what I’m sure was intended to be trying various mixes of spices and a family gathering. ingredients. During a few chili Dennis was quick to correct my gatherings, you even had your thinking. I was expected to show up. choice: spicy or not so spicy. There was always plenty of other food, The chili was always good, but it football games to be watched on wasn’t just Dennis’ culinary efforts CahabaDentalAd8.11A 7/25/11 7:39 PMNew Page 1 Day that helped each Year’s television and lots of kids running

draw me into the Yawn family. It was Dennis and the Yawn family. Every one of them.

Honesty and a willingness to help others was a big part of how Dennis was wired. If you needed help, he was there, no questions asked.

Dennis lived a modest, quiet life, working every day to excel as a husband, father, grandparent and friend. He was neither flashy nor extravagant. And he served his country, as well, in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, prior to working in the private sector.

Dennis’ spiritual strength was unmatched. Despite the loss of a son many years ago, he never held what happened against anyone. One day, I had to ask how he and Martha coped with such a devastating loss, so I stopped by to visit. When I pulled up, Dennis and Martha were outside, pulling weeds from in front of their home. I explained what had been going through my mind. “How do you do it?” I asked. Wasting no time,

Dennis pointed his finger upward and, with a tone of total confidence, answered, saying, “He’s in control.”

Dennis was a well known face around the Helena community, having served 17 years with the City’s Utility Board. If you had questions or problems involving water, Dennis was the go-to man.

In the pre-dawn hours of December 13, after 83 years, George Dennis Yawn quietly slipped away but not before his family had a chance to let him know, one last time, what he means to them.

“D” leaves behind a family including twelve grandchildren he had a ball spending time with.

For me, the sadness is heavy, but I must confess to feeling some joy. I am so blessed to have known this man and his family, and to have spent time around him, enjoying the fellowship and wry humor that were such a regular part of life in the Yawn household.

David Black

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Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com ● www.myhelenacitynews.com ● Helena City News ● Winter 2012 9

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HELENA VETERINARY CLINIC COMPANION VETERINARY CLINIC Drs. Possien (Dr. P), Cherry, Kerins, Dunaway, Abbitt and Lynch

Serving the needs of pets in the Helena, Pelham and Alabaster areas since 1988” We understand how badly the economy is affecting everyone, including our pets.

We want to help you and your pets beat the economy!

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Includes an examination, Includes an examination, 3-year intestinal parasite check, heartworm Rabies vaccine, 1- or 3-year “Feline and tick disease testing, 3-year Rabies Distemper” (FVRCP) vaccine, Feline vaccine, 1- or 3- year DistemperLeukemia vaccine and a Feline Parvo (DA2PP) vaccine and a Bordatella/Kennel Cough vaccine.

Bordatella Kennel Cough Vaccine We highly recommend deworming cats who go outside. We use PROFENDER as a dewormer for the cats and kittens. Profender is applied to the skin on the back of their necks and is an excellent intestinal parasite dewormer for our feline companions.

Also, be sure to ask about our specials on cleaning teeth for dogs and cats.

Visit us online at www.helenavet.com

Dr. James Lynch is now part of the team! Helena Veterinary Clinic Companion Veterinary Clinic Serving the North Shelby County area with quality veterinary care for the past 25 years, Dr. Lynch is available now practicing at Helena Veterinary Clinic.

1888 Highway 95, Helena 621-2021 Across from Gobbler’s Knob

4690 Highway 17, Helena 664-9633 In front of Publix in Helena

New Families Need a Family Dentist.

We’d like to apply for the job!

Dr. Stacey DeFranco and staff would be proud to serve all your family’s dental needs. His practice has expanded to accommodate the area’s growing demand. Helena Family Dentistry offers a wide range of state-of-the-art dental services from our office just south of Publix on Hwy 17.

Dr. DeFranco invites you to call and schedule an appointment. He is affordable, and at his office, you’ll always find friendly, smiling faces eager to serve you. Call today and schedule an exam and cleaning for you and your family!

Boys have fun counting their eggs at the City of Helena’s 2011 Easter Egg Hunt.

Easter Egg Hunt March 31!

1001 Ashley-Brook Lane Helena • 621-3100 No representation is made that the quality of dental services to be provided is superior to the quality of services provided by other dentists.

The City of Helena’s 2012 Easter Egg Hunt will take place on Saturday, March 31, at Old Town Amphitheater Park.

The first hunt begins at 9:30 a.m. and is for age 2 and under.

At 10 a.m., a hunt starts for children ages 3 to 5. Finally, the hunt for 6 to 8-year-olds begins at 10:30 a.m.

Get there early and bring your basket!

10 Winter 2012 ● Helena City News ● www.CityOfHelena.org ● Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com

Hometown boy Austin Squires does ‘Sweet Home Alabama’

I

Helena’s Austin Squires is a reality star on CMT’s “Sweet Home Alabama.”

f you’re a fan of the reality series “Sweet Home Alabama,” you probably already know a thing or two about Helena’s Austin Squires, the guy who gave up the girl for a good job.

Austin, 26, now lives in Mobile and works as a fire medic with the Mobile Fire and Rescue Department.

So how does the son of a preacher from Helena end up in front of the camera on one of the CMT network’s most popular shows? Social media, of course. “They found me on Facebook through mutual friends,” Austin says.

The filming took place in Fairhope, he says.

Why appear on a romantic reality series?

“I chose to do the show because I’m looking to find love with a true Southern Belle,” Austin says. And according to his series bio, he’s looking for true love and wants to start a large family with at least 3 children.

Unfortunately, Austin had to cut his stay on the show short.

During the Feb. 10 airing of the show, he pulled Paige aside and told her that he had to leave the show as he had just been offered a job as a fire fighter in Mobile and was required to report there as soon as possible.

Austin is the son of Bruce and Tammy Squires. He has two brothers, Aubrey and Ashley.

Best of luck to Austin, the “country boy” from Helena, as he pursues his career in fire fighting. And remember Austin—all roads lead home!

Grave sites in need of volunteers

D

alton Sparks, the local Eagle Scout who did such a magnificent job in leading the project to restore the abandoned graveyard that sits on a hill next to the post office, is asking for groups to volunteer a little time once a quarter to maintain it — weed eating, leaf blowing, sweeping and just keeping it neat and clean.

This is a perfect community service opportunity for Sunday Schools, school organizations or any group looking to serve.

For information on his latest project, look at Dalton’s website at www.helenacemetery.com.

For more information contact Dalton Sparks at 664-9836 or 470-5218.

The graveyard behind the Helena Post Office needs volunteers to help keep it clean.

Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com ● www.myhelenacitynews.com ● Helena City News ● Winter 2012 11

Cheryl Bell, Emily Colburn, Roxanne Taylor and Luke Gray in the media center at HES.

HES’ Cheryl Bell retires Beloved Helena Elementary School media specialist, Cheryl Bell, retired in December.

Cheryl served HES for 21 years and is highly regarded by the faculty as well as by media specialists throughout Shelby County. This was much more than a job to her — her passion has always been to instill a love for learning and reading in the boys and girls.

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Cheryl developed an exemplary library media instructional program, one that received a commendation when HES went through a SACS accreditation visit in 2004.

Cheryl will be much missed at Helena Elementary School.

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12 Winter 2012 ● Helena City News ● www.CityOfHelena.org ● Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com

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Hudson Pennington, Cassidy Malott and Forrest Heacock work on the smartboard while Bryleigh Morton, Bennett Plowden and Aiden Earley work on an iPad.

Helena Elementary School keeps it high tech Helena Elementary School kindergarten teacher Anna Morris uses the latest technology to engage her students in learning activities.

With the use of an iPad and an interactive white board, Mrs. Morris helps students learn reading, writing, mathematical skills and multiple learning strategies. Many of the teachers have recently received a smart board in the classroom due to a technology grant awarded to HES.

Mrs. Morris won the iPad2 for her class through the school’s latest fund raiser, Boosterthon. HES puts students on the fast track to learning how to use technology for academicbased activities.

State senator Cam Ward helped the school get a technology grant last year. Those funds, combined with proceeds from PTO fund raisers, were used to purchase the other technology equipment.

14 Winter 2012 ● Helena City News ● www.CityOfHelena.org ● Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com

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BACK PAIN? NECK & SHOULDERS TIGHT? HIP & LEG PAIN? SPORTS INJURIES? INJURED IN A WRECK? Major David Rigg and his parents, Shirley and Rusty Rigg.

National Guard soldier spends holidays at home in Helena Lowell Holmes enlisted in the Navy in 1946 and served two years aboard the Big Mo (USS Missouri).

He traveled to Pearl Harbor for the dedication of the USS Missouri, the site of the surrender that ended WWII, as a museum in January 1999.

A.P. (Pete) Holmes arrived for training in Pearl Harbor, June 1945.

Then at age 20, he was assigned to be a chauffeur for officers and dignitaries who were making Honolulu a very busy place after WWII. Rusty and Shirley Rigg found their appreciation of WWII veterans rekindled when they visited Pearl Harbor on a cruise in 2011. They fly the Stars & Stripes year round in their yard in honor of all those who have served our country.

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At left, Major David Rigg’s uncle Lowell Holmes and friend on a ship in WWII. Above, Rigg’s other uncle Pete Holmes in the same war.

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ajor David Rigg, who serves in the Alabama National Guard, enjoyed a family Christmas at home this year.

Rigg served in Afghanistan from Dec. 2009-Oct. 2010 as part of an international mission. He gifted to his mother and father, Shirley and Rusty Rigg, a U.S. flag flown at Kandahar Airfield in 2010 during Operation Enduring Freedom.

This U.S. Flag flew in an A-10C Warthog, MQ-9 Reaper, MQ1B Predator and C-130J Super Hercules and is one of a collection of commemorative flags made available to those who serve.

The Rigg family, including daughter Kimberly, was joined by two of Maj. Rigg’s great uncles, both of whom enlisted at the end of WWII.

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Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com ● www.myhelenacitynews.com ● Helena City News ● Winter 2012 15

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Living Waters Senior Adult Activity Center is located at 776 2nd Street, in Old Town Helena, Alabama, and provides an affordable, comfortable, safe, homelike environment with friendly, reliable staff to help adults in need of some supervision during the day to maintain their vitality. While you are at work or running errands, the highly trained staff offers activities that enhance cognitive abilities and interaction with others helping seniors to feel good, both physically and emotionally.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: Table Games • Community Outings • Arts and Crafts Entertainment (Music, Plays, etc.) • Group / Individual Exercise Shopping Trips • Dining at Local Restaurants • Current Events Baking and Crafts • Gardening (Seasonal)

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APPLICANTS TO THE PROGRAM are first interviewed at the center, or over the phone, after which the applicant and/or family will decide whether the program is suitable.

Beverly Thedford, the owner, is a registered nurse and retired from the Birmingham Fire Department as a battalion chief. There is no one more competent, nurturing and capable then Beverly when it comes to looking after your loved ones while you are away. Prices start at just $40 a day including hot meals and snacks. For Beverly, a recent widow, it is truly a calling.

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16 Winter 2012 ● Helena City News ● www.CityOfHelena.org ● Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com

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Pantherettes win state title

T

he Pelham High School Pantherettes recently participated in the Alabama Dance and Auxiliary State Competition held at Samford University’s Wright Auditorium. When the competition was over and done, the ladies walked away with a state title!

The team also placed first in the Jazz, High Kick, Prop Novelty, and Ensemble categories.

Pantherettes are: Meagan Aenchbacher, Hayley Barber, Katie Belue, Shelby Bradford, Maddie Gathings, Kierra Hiatt, Karli Lawson, Abby Lindley, MerryMichael Ramsey, Tristin Sharp, Presley Sherer, Katie Thomas, Marissa Wilkins, McKay Wilkins and Savanna Windham. Their sponsor is Laura Cochran, and her daughter, former Miss Alabama Liz Cochran-Morgan serves as the dance team’s choreographer.

Team members that placed in the individual competition included: 1st place Savanna Windham; 2nd place - Megan Aenchbacher; 3rd place - Tristin Sharp; and 5th place - Shelby Bradford.

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Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com ● www.myhelenacitynews.com ● Helena City News ● Winter 2012 17

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he Helena Elementary School 1st grade class of Ms. Washburn did a wonderful community service Christmas project in December.

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The children were all so excited about learning the meaning of giving and serving our community.

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18 Winter 2012 ● Helena City News ● www.CityOfHelena.org ● Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com

Adult activity center offers restful, enjoyable day for seniors

Y

ou either need this service or you don’t — no in between. But if you need it, Beverly Thedford brings a business to the area that is invaluable. A retired registered nurse and batallion chief for the Birmingham Fire Department, Beverly has opened an adult day care and activity center in Old Town Helena called Living Waters.

A resident of the Silver Lakes community off South Shades Crest Road in Helena and a recent widow, Beverly is licensed for just 12 adults. With the persona of a favorite aunt or a trusted friend, says she has a passion for seniors and considers her new venture a true calling.

Her rates reflect that sentiment. For just $40 per day, Beverly says families can drop off the adult who lives in need of some daily care with her and count on them to be occupied with interesting, challenging things to do throughout the day in addition to being treated to snacks and a home cooked meal.

“We design a program for each individual’s specific needs,” she says. “We have the resource of a coffee shop just a few steps up the road, a beautiful park less than a mile away and a library on the way there. We have tried to make our facility as close to home as possible.”

Living Waters occupies the space that was most recently home to the restaurant 223 Tree Lane on 2nd Street in Old Town. She has re-

done the interior with recliners, a big screen TV, board games, tables, chairs and other touches to create a warm, welcoming environment. But the real draw is Beverly herself.

As a former batallion chief and registered nurse, Beverly is skilled in advanced life saving skills and is more than capable of monitoring medications and meeting other specific needs of individuals who need a little help.

“I do not limit my facility to the elderly either,” says Beverly. “There may be a situation where a family deals with a member who has had head trauma or other afflictions that require some monitoring. I would like to be a respite for these families as well. I hope to create a family atmosphere where each individual knows they are valued and cared for as a human being.”

For a family with a relative in this situation, this is a true blessing. Beverly has a brochure online at www.issuu.com/helenacitynews/docs/ livingwatersbrochure.

Contact Beverly for a personal visit at 685-8863.

When you want the very best for a beloved family member but have daytime obligations to attend to, trust Beverly Thedford to stand in the gap!

CrossBridge on a mission to help children

I

magine hearing the diagnosis, “It is leukemia.”

Your heart drops and your life changes. Every day is filled with worry, doctor visits, bills and dread.

The sky may be cloudless but you feel the thundercloud over your family.

What else could happen today?

Doesn’t my child deserve an opportunity to run, laugh, play and just be a kid?

For the Acton family, that was a reality.

As a young child, grandchild Hannah was diagnosed with leukemia, and it changed everything for her family. After battling the disease and going into remission, Hannah and her family were given a chance to throw aside the doctors, medicine and worries and Hannah allowed to “just be a kid.”

They traveled to Orlando where they spent a week at Give Kids The World Village.

Give Kids The World is a non-

profit organization that exists only to fulfill the wishes of all children with life-threatening illnesses and allow their families from around the world to experience a memorable, joyful, cost-free visit to the Central Florida attractions and to enjoy the magic of Give Kids The World Village for as long as there is a need. It takes 1,500 shifts a week to keep the Village operating. With a staff of 150, this leaves a gap that is filled by volunteers.

After the Acton family’s week at the Village, they vowed to return to give the peace and joy to others that they had received while there.

In 2011, that dream became a reality when 23 students and adults at CrossBridge Community Church in Helena and 12 from Friendship Baptist Church went on a mission to Give Kids The World. These volunteers spent their time serving meals, ice cream, providing entertainment and sharing their lives with others.

It was difficult to determine who

had received the bigger blessing, the wish families or the volunteers.

When the students returned from the mission trip, parents saw a change. It didn’t matter if they got the Playstation or Xbox game, something else was more important. The students had experienced what it meant to give of themselves. It is said we are never more like Christ than when we are serving others. The plans to return next year were started

as soon as they returned.

CrossBridge and Friendship will be returning to Give Kids the World in June. They have started fund raising to reduce the cost of the trip. To help you can go to www.funpastafundraising.com/ shop/crossbridgecommunitychurchyouth where they are selling theme shaped pasta. For more information about Give Kids the World, go to www.gktw.org it can change your life.

Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com ● www.myhelenacitynews.com ● Helena City News ● Winter 2012 19

Martha Giffen—Social Media expert and digital diva—pens book

Martha Giffen uses her social media expertise to help clients with their marketing goals.

‘B

aby talks to self.”

That’s what Martha Giffen’s mother wrote about her daughter in Martha’s baby book. As she recalls that telling family tale about herself, the cheerful blonde woman laughs, then admits, “Not much has changed. I’m a people person. I still love to talk.”

The longtime Helena resident would rather describe herself now as a communicator, however.

For more than two decades, Martha supported her husband Jim as he established his successful Little Tyke community playground franchise. She happily stayed at home to raise the couple’s three sons, making sure the household ran smoothly at the Giffens’ beautifully decorated home just off Highway 95 near Gobbler’s Knob Swim and Tennis Club. Although it’s convenient to town, the setting boasts gorgeous views and a place-inthe-country feel.

“I had collected my share of college degrees,” Martha says. She jokes that she got a degree in history with a minor in music from the University of Alabama at Birmingham because those areas held classes during the times she was free from her mom job. The energetic wife and mother also has taught piano, earned a degree from the Birmingham School of Law and sold real estate.

Once her sons became adults, she knew she needed a fresh career — but she still wanted to stay at home.

Enter the Internet.

Martha describes her current calling as “an entrepreneur, motivator extraordinaire, social networking diva, online biz consultant,” and, oh, yes, a continuation of her former job as “wife, Mom, and All-Around Happy Person.”

Her journey to becoming a digital diva started with an eye-opening 2008 marketing seminar.

Soon she created online friendships and business relationships with people who helped her learn and develop her expertise. She became a cowriter of a bestseller, “Money from Anywhere.”

Her smiling face landed among those of other well-known online gurus in “Fast Company” magazine. She was listed as one among the 100 women bloggers to watch in 2010 by “We” online magazine for women. She is a frequent radio guest and makes presentations to far-flung audiences in states as distant as Texas, Florida and California.

Most recently she penned her own Amazon bestseller, “Be Social Be Rich: Social Networking Your Way to Endless Profits!”

Through all of her endeavors, she helps guide clients through the “maze of online marketing”

as she describes her work on her website at www. marthagiffen.com. “My business is deep and wide.”

Martha’s mentor, Internet marketing expert and author Pat O’Brien, has said of her: “I’ve watched her go from a complete newbie to an Internet Marketing superstar. When there’s a question about Social Media marketing, I usually defer to Martha because that’s where she lives.”

“Social media is really my thing,” she agrees.

Much of her business concentrates on teaching clients how to effectively market themselves and their products through three main online entities: Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. “Social networking is not the future,” she tells her clients.

“It’s the now.”

With her warm personality and Southern charm — which comes through in person and in her writing — she coaxes even those terrified of the big bad Internet.

“My niche is helping people and encouraging them,” she says. “It’s still communicating, whether I’m talking or typing.”

Her clients either have a business they want to expand through the Internet or they want to start a business and think the Internet is the way to do it.

“My clients look a lot like me. My age is a plus,” says the 50-something year old. “The Boomer folks are the ones who want my help.

Many of them have either lost their job or they retired too young and need another career. But Baby Boomers are vibrant,” she says, “and they’re not afraid.”

She adds, “What I’m passionate about is helping others achieve online business success so they can enjoy the freedom that comes from doing so. My goal is to empower as many as possible to take the plunge, get started and just DO IT!” That last, by the way, counts as the best advice she’s been given.

“It’s one thing to have the education or to know something,” she says. “It’s another thing to take action.”

Still, Martha muses, “No matter what I achieve, I hit road blocks, too.” One way to get around them, she advises, is to tell yourself about a goal, then tell other people your goals. “You commit verbally and that helps you achieve it,” she explains.

That being said, perhaps Martha’s baby book needs an addendum: “Talks to self — and others.”

Martha’s Tips for Online Marketing

» Use your own name

for your social media presence. Don’t hide behind a logo. You’re marketing yourself, along with the product.

» Use a current

photograph and use the same one for all your online venues: web, Twitter, Facebook, Linked In.

» Ask questions in the

field in which you want to excel. » Cultivate friendships and relationships in person and online among

experts related to your field. » Take action. » For more information, see www.martha giffen.com.

20 Winter 2012 ● Helena City News ● www.CityOfHelena.org ● Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com

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New HMS head a principled educator, administrator there is nothing like seeing the light bulb that goes off when you teach kids something they get for the first time,” Scott said.

He would eventually make his way to HMS. After Jenni Goolsby made the decision to step down as principal to accept a job as professional development supervisor in the central office, Scott applied and was named principal of HMS in the Fall of 2011. Scott says that Jenni has been a big help in his adjusting as she is his mentor and he learned a lot from her in their years together cott Knight grew up in South Dothan High School where he was at HMS. for 12 years.

Alabama in a small town called In becoming principal, Scott’s Opp. He received his BS Degree Just as Scott started looking to biggest adjustment has been giving in Physical Science from Auburn get into administration, he noticed University, Comprehensive Science Shelby County was growing and felt up the interaction with the kids Education and Masters Degree there would be a lot of opportunities and turning his focus over to the for him here. In 2004, he accepted a instructional side. He prides himself in Administration from Troy University. His first teaching job was position at Riverchase Middle School on being the type of principal that if a parent comes to see him, even as a Science teacher as well as a at Beauregard High School in Lee County in Opelika, right outside of football and track coach. After only though they may have to wait a bit, he will always make that time for a year, Scott was named assistant Auburn. In 1992, he was given the them. principal. opportunity to come back home to “It was hard leaving the classroom, South Alabama to teach and coach at “Parental support in Helena

S

is second to none,” Scott said. Through the PTO, parents have raised $7,500 of the necessary $10,000 putting HMS that much closer to becoming a completely wireless facility. Scott feels it says a lot about our parents in Helena, what they want, their expectations and the confidence they have in what we are doing.

Scott is excited about the new Helena High School and what it means for Helena.

“When our students leave HMS, it will be nice to know they are just across the street,” Scott said.

He is looking forward to the whole town going to Helena High School football games on Friday nights, no matter whether they have a kid playing or not.

“I have always wanted HMS to be a community school, a place where the people of Helena come to meet. I want the town to always feel welcome at HMS. Our door is always open for them,” Scott said.

Helena Business Association news

Holiday Wreath Contest Winner: The Bead Biz won the wreath contest sponsored by the HBA. Congratulations!

Helena Market Days: The 4th season for the Helena Market Days begins Saturday, June 2. Volunteers are needed for setup/takedown, Chef Demonstrations, and grower organization. If you are interested in helping this summer, please call 296-6153 or email helenamarket@ gmail.com. This is a great community event.

Buck Creek Festival’s official Art Contest has kicked off. Information is on the festival website at www. buckcreekfestival.com. Get busy and be sure you submit you entry by the deadline. The winning design is featured on T-shirts given to purchasers of ducks at the duck race which raises money for local charities.

Buck Creek Festival’s sponsorship drive has started.

Information is also on the festival website. Without the sponsors, the

event doesn’t happen. Because of our sponsor’s support, however, the first 10 years of the festival has raised over $159,000.00 for area non-profits and charities. Cris Nelson says this is huge compared to other events in the Birmingham metro area.

Vendors applications are available on the website. Don’t delay in signing up, as spaces are limited for certain crafts and informational booths.

Prices go up after April 1, too!

The Helena Business Association is having elections for new board members and officers at their April 3 meeting.

For anyone that has been interested in becoming more involved in the association, now is the time.

If you own or operate a business in Helena, you should join our Association!

Meet with your fellow Helena business owners each month to share valuable advice and get to know each other.

Come visit us at our next meeting held on the first Tuesday of each month at La Reunion Coffee & Café in Old Town at 8:00 a.m.

Membership fee is only $50.00 per year. For more information, contact association president Cris Nelson at cris@ hbpa.biz.

22 Winter 2012 ● Helena City News ● www.CityOfHelena.org ● Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com

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Millsap signs with CACC Senior pitcher, Tyler Millsap, signed a letter of intent to play baseball for Central Alabama Community College. Athletic Director and Head Coach Wynn Fletcher was on hand last month for a signing ceremony where both Tyler and teammate Tanner Jackson signed to play for the Trojans next year.

Coach Mauldin says Tyler will be expected to contribute his southpaw pitching skills as a reliever but will also get some starts for the Panthers this season. “Tyler is almost 100% recovered from an injury sustained while training this fall.” he said.

At the reception, Tyler gave thanks to his coaches and parents, Steve and Michelle Eliis, and also his teammates for giving him the support and encouragement needed for him to achieve his goal of playing baseball at the next level.

Best of luck to Tyler as he continues his pitching career!

Helena represents at Disney

Davis signs with UWA

Peyton Blickenstaff, who is on the Tap, Toe & Twirl dance team, performed at Disney World on December 30th. She has danced with Tap, Toe & Twirl for 10 years and clogs, taps and twirls baton.

Peyton performed in 5 of the 6 numbers performed in Downtown Disney.

Helena was represented beautifully!

Helena’s Jennifer Davis, a senior pitcher at Pelham High School, has signed a softball scholarship with the University of West Alabama.

Believe it or not, Jennifer was cut from her middle school team. But with a little perseverance, she eventually went on to pitch for the PHS Junior Varsity and earned 10 wins that season. What a great success story!

24 Winter 2012 ● Helena City News ● www.CityOfHelena.org ● Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com

Old Cahaba homeowner prepares for tornadoes

W

hen Susan Legate moved into her home in Old Cahaba last year, she began researching a storm shelter for her new location.

She was accustomed to having a basement, but her new home was built on a slab. Susan was trapped in her car during the 1994 Palm Sunday tornado and survived though her car was totaled.

“You can’t be flippant about your safety. I’m definitely a weather watcher,” LeGate says. “And I believe in James Spann. When he says take cover and names your area, you better do it.”

LeGate says she spoke with storm shelter companies from Tennessee to Oklahoma before choosing Supercell Shelters Inc. based in Decatur.

“I am impressed with their work and found them to be very

Susan Legate chose Decatur-based Supercell Shelters to install a 4-foot by 8-foot safe room bolted to the floor of the garage in her Old Cahaba home.

The unit weighs 2,500 pounds and can protect up to eight people.

professional.”

Supercell general manager Carlton Guyse says Supercell Shelters Inc. is a licensed business in the residential shelter market whose products meet all FEMA and ICC criteria.

LeGate says Guyse has gone the extra mile to fit her home with the right product. Her original choice was to have an in-ground unit installed in the floor of her garage.

After the wet saw cut down about two feet and the backhoe began to dig further though, they ran into solid rock. It was necessary for LeGate to instead go with a 4-foot by 8-foot ‘safe room’ that is bolted to the floor of her garage.

The interior is constructed of 4-inch structural C channels (a design element impressively evident when one looks inside) and the solid ¼ inch metal floor is lightning proof. LeGate’s unit weighs about 2,500 pounds.

Supercell Shelters can be built into new or existing construction.

Inside is a battery-powered fan and a light that will run for 24 hours.

Optional are electricity, TV, phone, cable, A/C and back-up power.

The Lifetime Manufacturer’s Warranty against floating and leaking is transferable if you sell your house, however LeGate says she will take her shelter with her if she ever moves.

As LeGate succinctly put it, “You can’t put a price tag on safety.”

She and her two teenage sons, plus two dogs and a cat will be feeling secure when the warning sirens sound again.

Rep. Spencer Bachus helps city obtain grant Chief John Wilder is pleased to announce that the Helena Fire Department has received a $90,000 grant to purchase new cardiac monitor/defibrillators. The grant comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighter Grants program.

According to Capt. Chaed Agee, Emergency Medical Services Officer for the department, approximately 250,000 people die of sudden cardiac arrest in the United States yearly.

These new cardiac monitor defibrillators will have the latest technology including biphasic defibrillation, 12 Lead interpretation, end tidal carbon dioxide monitoring and carbon monoxide detection. The carbon monoxide detection will be a valuable tool for determining exposure to carbon dioxide either to citizens of Helena or to firefighters during various types of emergencies. This new equipment will allow the department to meet the latest recommendations of the American Heart Association and requirements from the Alabama Department of Public Health Office of EMS and Trauma.

According to Chief Wilder, seventy percent of the calls handled by the Helena Fire Department are medical in nature and these cardiac monitor/defibrillators will be one of the most used pieces of equipment within the department.

The City of Helena would like to thank U.S. Rep. Spencer Bachus for his support and assistance with this grant.

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Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com ● www.myhelenacitynews.com ● Helena City News ● Winter 2012 25

Please Pray for the Safety of Our Military Personnel and Remember throughout the Year— We are the Home of the Free Because of the Brave!

SGT Jon M. Aaron

LT James Brooks Dickey

4/14 K CO (DET B), UNIT 43671, FPO AP 96426-3671; Al Anbar, Iraq; Son of Karen Dickinson

PFC Jonathan R. Barnett

US Army; Calvary Scout-3rd Brigade-1st Armor Div.; Fort Riley, KN; Son of Susan Barnett

1999 Stephanie Ct, Auburn, AL 36830; Son of Charlie & Janie Brooks and Janet & Dennis Dickey

AEAN Benjamin Lee Doaks

US Navy; NAS Jacksonville, FL; Son of Joe & Tammy Williams, grandson of Rev. Clifton & Mattie Taylor

PFC Matt Barnett

SSG Jay Gortney

US Army; Delta Co.-232nd Medical Battalion; Fort Sam Houston, TX; Son of Susan Barnett

Alabama Army National Guard 20th Special Forces, Iraq; Husband of April

SPC Michael Hubbard

SGT Steven M Bennett

US Army; Paratrooper/Rigger; Fort Benning, GA; Son of Clara & Ken Lorino

SFC Eric Bond

US Army; Camp Liberty, Iraq; Grandson of Ruth Meadows, husband of Kimberly, brother of Bonnie Hubbard

Lt. Commander David Kang

US Army;, 82nd Airborne, 1-504 PIR; Baghdad, Iraq; Cousin of Paul Zimmerman

US Navy; Japan; Son of Stanley & Sue Kang, sister Sunny Kang

SRA Mitch Braswell

US Army; Fort Rucker, Ala.; Son of Tom Lefebvre

PVT Vincent Brown

US Army ; Ft Stewart , Ga, Son of Beth Eades. husband of Caitylyn McClesky-Lenoir

CW3 Corey Lefebvre

USAF; 16th EMS, 16th Special Op. Wing; Afghanistan; Son of Mike & Judi Braswell USMC; Stationed in Chesapeake, VA; Son of Leonetta Prevo

PVT 1st Class Jacob S. Lenoir

Petty Officer 3rd Class Erik B. McKenzie

SGT Paul Bushnell

US Navy; USS Curtis Wilber, Yokosuka, Japan; Son of Bond & Lisa McKenzie, Brooke’s brother, Megan’s husband

SGT Dallas C Caviness

USAF, Air Force Special Operations Command; Son of Kathy Meins Martin

USMC; Expeditionary Unit deployed from 29 Palms, CA; Son of Bill & Julie English, Sarah’s husband

2nd Lt. Jacob Allen Meins

US Army; 172 Infantry Brigade; Germany; Husband of Rebecca, Father of Norah, Son of Rhonda & brother of Devin

HM2 Daniel Mills

2nd Lt. William B. Cofer

US Navy; Marine Corp Training & Advisory Group; Helena Fire Department Firefighter/Paramedic

US Army ; Fort Benning, GA; Son of Dorothy & Jim Cofer, brother of Deborah, boyfriend of Kristen Beam

LCPL Roberto M Conde

USMC; Expeditionary Unit deployed from Camp Lejeune, NC; Son of Robert & Aurette Conde

Petty Officer 1st Class Austin C. Daniel

MSG Jacqueline M. Moore

US Army, 387th; Wichita, KS; Wife of Leroy E. Lucas, mother of Cameshia, Shaun, Chibukia & Chris

SSgt Christopher S Murphy

US Navy; Norfolk, VA; Son of Mike & Claudia Daniel, brother of Justin, Tatum & Autumn

USMC; MWHS 3, San Diego, CA; Son of Jack & Karen Murphy. husband of Alyssa

US Army; Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI; Son of Carol Darrenkamp, brother of Jon & Stephen

US Navy ROTC Unit-University of Pennsylvania; Daughter of Ted & the late Sara Oelschlager

2nd Lt Eric C Darrenkamp

LT Kimberly A. Oelschlager

Petty Officer 1st Class Termaine J. Pruitt US Navy; Guam; Husband of Loretta, father of Termaine Jr, Trevorn, Chelicia & Tristin, son of Janice & Austin Pruitt

PVC Dwight A Rosse Jr.

US Army; 1-32 Cav 1st Bct, Fort Campbell, Ky; Son of Dwight & Michelle Rosse, brother of Britney & Carlton

SPC Adam T. Saulters

US Army; 82nd Airborne Division, Iraq; Son of Patty Saulters, brother of Casee Saulters

SPC Patrick D. Sharp

US Army, 82nd Airborne; Al Asad, Iraq; Son of Shawn Sharp

SPC Ashley Bruce Squires

US Army (3rd Inf. Div., 1-30 Inf.); Ft. Stewart, GA; Father of Jesi Mason Squires, son of Bruce & Tammy, brother of Aubrey & Austin

CPL Rodney Stephens

Army National Guard; 152nd Military Police Task Force 382nd, Iraq; Father of Andrea & AnnaBelle

COL John “Mark” Traylor

Deputy Commander; 11th Aviation Command, Fort Knox, KY; Husband of Karole, father of John, Zach & Ashley

2LT John M Traylor, Jr

US Air Force; 325th Air Control Squadron; Tyndall AFB, FL.; Son of Mark & Karole Traylor

RCT Zachary S Traylor

USMC; Marine Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC; Son of Mark & Karole Traylor

SGT John Christian Vansant

VMMT 204 Flightline, MCAS New River, NC; Son of Keith & Sherill Vansant

Major Maxwell B. Ward

Army Reserve; Afghanistan; Husband of Kathie, dad of Maggie, son of Bette Ward, brother of Michelle (Lin) Saville

Adam Walton

US Navy; USS Nimitz; Son of Randy & Peggy Walton, brother of Annalee

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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26 Winter 2012 ● Helena City News ● www.CityOfHelena.org ● Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com

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Yard of the month: 1025 Bridle Lane

I

n 1985, Lou and Deborah Elliott moved into the original Dearing family home (as in Dearing Downs) tucked back on 3.5 acres at a dead end surrounded by huge oak trees and woods.

They brought with them a potted Japanese maple that they called their “marriage tree,” and soon added several other “twig-size” Japanese maples to keep it company. Today some 13 Japanese maples, including a Butterfly Japanese Maple and Acer palmatum ‘Orido Nishiki’ bring various shades of red, orange, gold and even pink to the yard throughout the season.

Deborah has divided her garden areas with paths and given each a name. The Front Garden offers an aquamarine bench for quiet observation of nature. The Lady Garden is named for a weathered statue, and its path meanders through the Hydrangea Walk.

There, Deborah honors her mother, Annabelle, with the large white flowering Hydrangea arborescens Annabelle. Nearby

contrasts Lady in Red, which has distinctive red stems and reddish purple foliage.

The Woodland Garden to the right of the front drive is introduced by a Deodar Cedar ‘Feelin’ Blue’, an eye-catching specimen of bluegreen that sets off the warmer plant colors. Interspersed are spreading yew and Heuchera macrorhiza ‘Autumn Bride’, a hardy shade plant that also provides cut flowers.

Here, also, Indigofera tinctoria is used as a ground cover that flowers with clusters of pea-like blooms in spring. Deborah has established lush moss-covered pathways and installed a small bridge painted a cool, but contrasting accent color.

Deborah says Autumn Fern is her choice for durability and the best growing fern she has found. And she has great hopes for her Hosta Empress Wu, hoping for a five-foot spread next summer.

In the Woodland Garden, also, resides the Dinosaur Egg. The Elliotts’ son, Josh, now grown,

found it (a rock) as a boy and enthusiastically announced, “I’m going to let it hatch!”

It’s fairly evident that the yard is Deborah’s project, although Lou is allowed to help with raking and watering — the bulk of its lowmaintenance requirements.

Deborah has been writing a blog about her yard since October 2009.

Check it out at http://debsgarden. squarespace.com.

Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com ● www.myhelenacitynews.com ● Helena City News ● Winter 2012 27

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Churches

New Bethel A.M.E. Church Highway 261 • 201-5531 Pastor Rev. Wilma Merriweather Sunday School 10:00 a.m.

Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.

METHODIST

Helena United Methodist Church 2035 County Road 58 • 663-0111 Pastor Rev. Michael Edmondson • helenaumc.org Worship 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.

Modern Worship Sunday 7:19 p.m.

The Church at Cahaba Bend BAPTIST 3721 Highway 52 West • 621-8060 CrossBridge Community Church Pastor Rev. Lyle Holland • cahababend.org Starkey Street (off Hwy 261) • 621-2695 Sunday School 9:30 & 10:45 a.m.

Pastors Morrell Aldridge, Harris Cook & Bruce Squires Contemporary Worship 9:30 & 10:45 a.m. crossbridgehelena.com Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m.

NAZARENE Wednesday Prayer Service 6:30 p.m.

Trinity Church of the Nazarene Laurel Woods Dr. & Hwy 58 • 664-4659 First Baptist Church Helena Pastor Rev. David Shirer • nazarene.ch/trinity/ 3616 Helena Road • 663-7879 Sunday School 9:00 a.m.

Senior Pastor Dr. Mark DeVine, Pastor Greg Walker Morning Worship 10:00 a.m. fbhelena.org Sunday Bible Study 9:30 a.m.

NON-DENOMINATIONAL Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.

Celebration Church Gospel Light Baptist Church Meets at Helena Intermediate • 602-0805 5781 Roy Drive • 685-0772 Pastor David Bradford • hiscelebrationchurch.com Pastor Steve Kilpatrick • glbcbham.com Small Groups/Bible Study 9:15 a.m.

Sunday Bible Study 10:00 a.m.

Contemporary Worship 10:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m.

Cornerstone Church Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church 2694 Highway 58 • 663-9332 Highway 261 • 663-5257 Pastor Rev. Tim Trimble Pastor Rev. Edwin D. Dinkins • mpbchelena.com Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School 10:00 a.m.

Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.

New Vision Christian Church New Elam Baptist Church 2383 Highway 95 • 664-4333 Cunningham Drive Pastor Van C. Houser, Sr. • nvcc4god.org Pastor Rev. Lester Sun. Corporate Prayer 9:00 a.m.

Sunday School 10:00 a.m.

Sunday Worship 10:15 a.m.

Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.

SNS@HIS Riverside Baptist Church Meets at Helena Intermediate 1919 Highway 52 West • 426-1910 Teacher/Leader Dr. Wayne Williams Pastor J.J. Stanbridge • e-mail: jj@rbchelena.org Sunday Night Service 6:00 p.m.

Sunday Worship 9:00 a.m.

Voice of Faith International Ministries Sunday Bible Study 10:30 a.m.

1560 Cunningham Drive • 663-7396 Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Rev. Franklin L. Kirksey 6700 Highway 13 • 424-4539 Sunday Worship 7:00 a.m.

Pastor Rev. Randy Keef Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m.

Sunday School 10:00 a.m.

PRESBYTERIAN Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.

Christ Community Church Meets at Helena Elementary • 621-6248 CHRISTIAN-DISCIPLES OF CHRIST Pastor Phil Chambers • cccbham.org Grace Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m.

869 Highway 52 • 426-1233 Pastor Tommy Morgan • gracechristianchurch.org Helena Cumberland Presbyterian Sunday School 9:00 a.m.

3396 Helena Road • 663-2174 Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m.

Pastor Rev. Tommy Johnson • helenacpchurch.com Sunday School 9:00 a.m.

CHURCH OF CHRIST Morning Worship 10:00 a.m.

Church of Christ at Helena 2499 Highway 58 • 620-4575 Evangelists Curtis Flatt & Bryan Moody church-of-christ.org Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

Attend the Church of Your Choice This Sunday!

28 Winter 2012 ● Helena City News ● www.CityOfHelena.org ● Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com

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Bonnie Elliott holds the paintings of the Jones Griffin Cabin she donated to the Kenneth R. Penhale Helena History Museum

Paintings donated to Helena History Museum The Kenneth R. Penhale Helena History Museum has recently added two paintings to the collection of historic buildings displayed in its entrance foyer.

Bonnie Elliott, a Helena resident, brought her grandchildren to the museum when it first opened and during a conversation, it was revealed that she has come to enjoy painting and has taken classes for the past few years since her husband, Jack, passed.

Bonnie says she was excited to have the opportunity to recreate the Jones Griffin Cabin in a winter scene

that was originally painted by an itinerant French artist around 1818. A photo of that painting introduces the Early Families chapter in Penhale’s book, Images of America, Helena Alabama, written with Martin Everse.

Descendents of the Griffin family still live in Helena.

The larger canvas shows the Robert Dunnam house that was first built around 1845. This farm, purchased

by Dunnam (1824-1896) around 1867, was then a part of the Hillsboro community. A jug from the Dunnam farm can be seen at the museum.

Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com ● www.myhelenacitynews.com ● Helena City News ● Winter 2012 29

Happy in Helena—PHS Baseball Coach Jeff Mauldin and family as a graduate assistant at UAB, two years at Clay-Chalkville Middle School, then seven years at ClayChalkville High School where he worked with Jeff Schrupp, in the same positions they now both hold at Pelham High School.

During that time, CCHS were State Champs in 2003 and state finalists in 2005 and 2006.

“We weren’t looking to leave Clay-Chalkville, but when the offer came, we prayed about it and when God told us to go, we went on blind faith. Now our kids love it, and we oach Jeff Mauldin and his wife, Chrissy, love our friends and the community here. We have son Tyler and daughters Sara Grace and grown as a family and as Christians.”

Caroline, are happy to call Helena home.

After taking a few years off while their kids After serendipitously spotting their current were preschoolers, Chrissy returned to teaching home in Fieldstone Farms, they lost little time in first grade at Clay-Chalkville this past fall. This settling in in January 2008. Jeff, a Virginia native, has added a new regimen to the family’s day with and Chrissy, who is from Trussville, met at UAB. Jeff now responsible for getting the kids up and on They were introduced by mutual friends who the bus and picking them up in the afternoon. sought to make Chrissy’s desire to “date a baseball The Mauldins admit they are a sports-loving, player” a reality. competitive family. Tyler, now in 5th grade, “Back then, I was clueless about baseball, aspires to be an NFL quarterback or MLB but now I can hold my own in any sports shortstop. He plays basketball, football and conversation,” Chrissy laughs. shortstop on the Panthers’ 11-year-old travel team and is the bat boy at PHS. Jeff’s baseball coaching career included a year

C

Sara Grace, who received an Auburn digital camera for Christmas, is practicing on her video clips and hopes be the next Erin Andrews. “This is Sara Grace reporting,” she says. Or she may decide to be a teacher. Both she and Caroline enjoy playing school and with American Girl dolls.

The family also enjoys playing cards and board games. “At our house, you spell fun: W-I-N,” Sara Grace says.

A lot of family time is spent at PHS baseball games from January to June, with the girls of the family on hand for every game cheering for the Panthers. Jeff and Chrissy both feel that God has given them baseball as an avenue to share their faith with others.

“The work ethic of the PHS baseball team is unmatched. But the fact is, baseball is going to end. I believe my job is also to prepare these boys to have a good job and be great parents,” Jeff says.

“As we gather in our home,” Chrissy says, “Jeff mentors the team members by modeling his additional roles as father and husband. We see the boys on the team then model inclusive behavior with our children.”

The Mauldins say they are grateful to have the opportunity to live here in Helena with its own special brand of small town America.

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30 Winter 2012 ● Helena City News ● www.CityOfHelena.org ● Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com

Slim Down Challenge’s Team Helena goes to work Slim Down Team Helena members have been selected and are busy learning new ways to toggle their eating habits and exercise routines to reshape their bodies and minds. Snap fitness trainers Jackie Droxler, Stefanie Phillips and Michael Adams are giving the contestants their workout routines and helping them learn how to be efficient with their workouts to maximize the benefits they get from the time they put in at the gym and also teaching them new ways to get exercise in almost every aspect of their lives.

Members of the 2012 edition of the Slim Down Challenge include, above, front row, l-r: Trainer Stefanie Phillips, Gayla Peeples, Ashley McDuff, Terri McIntosh and Sharon Edmondson. Back row: Trainer Michael Adams, Dr. Charles Oerhlein, Brian Hayes, Snap Manager Sam Stuart, Kim Cato and head trainer, Jackie Droxler.

Wish them luck and offer a bit of encouragement to team members when you see them out, and watch as they change from their former selves into healthier, happier individuals with the knowledge and confidence to stay that way!

Special thanks to Sam Stuart and Snap Fitness for their sponsorship of the Slim Down Challenge, trainers Jackie Droxler, Stephanie Phillips and Michael Adams for volunteering their time, Shelby Baptist Medical Center dietician Miriam Pittman for working up customized eating plans and talking to the contestants about nutrition and to Tejano Mexican restaurant for providing a place for the contestants to meet.

Slim Down is truly a team effort! Thanks to all involved and especially to our contestants for agreeing to participate in the program in front of you, our readers!

FIRST WEIGH IN RESULTS: Congratulations to Brian Hayes for winning the first weigh-in challenge–15 lbs lost! Brian wins a Snap Reward Card, which is a $35 gift card redeemable at a wide variety of establishments from Macy’s and Walmart to Subway and Panera Bread. Congratulations to Brian and keep up the good work!

Helena’s Michael Adams working as trainer for Snap Fitness

Buy advance tickets now from any member of Helena or Pelham Athletic Assoc.

Known for his time on the Hannah Montana show and now with several big hits on the radio, IYAZ will sell out quickly. Concert benefits both Helena and Pelham youth athletic associations. Email helenaathleticassociation@gmail.com for more info.

Snap Fitness’s newest trainer is Michael Adams. Born and raised in Helena, Michael was a star defensive end for the Pelham Panthers in high school.

Boasting scholarship offers from Clemson, Georgia, Ole Miss and UAB, Michael chose the University of Louisville to continue his playing career. At 6’4” and 250 lbs., he had the size, speed and determination to compete at the division I level. However, after three years in UL’s program, too many concussions forced Michael to give up the sport he loved.

“I moved back home and finished college at UAB, graduating with a degree in Justice Administration. Originally intending to go to law school, Michael did an internship with the Jefferson County Family Courts.

Being a lifelong athlete, though, Michael said coaching began calling his name. “I worked as a defensive assistant at Pelham High while finishing my degree at UAB,” he said, “and was then offered the job of defensive coordinator at Helena Middle School by head coach Ryan Brewer. Judging by the recent success of Helena Middle school program, he was a perfect fit.

Michael recently began working as a trainer at Snap Fitness. “I have spent most of years participating in athletics and working towards optimal wellness. Fitness has been an avenue for me to help motivate others to reach their personal goals,” he said. “As an ex-athlete, I’ve learned how beneficial exercise is to teach self-descipline, self-acceptance and emotional balance. I believe it is never too late to get where you want to be, and I live by the slogan, ‘It’s not how you start, but how you finish.’”

Michael urges anyone wishing to get into shape to call the gym at 664-2600 and set up an appointment with him. He has the professional experience to get you into shape no matter what your current level of fitness.

Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com ● www.myhelenacitynews.com ● Helena City News ● Winter 2012 31

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32 Winter 2012 ● Helena City News ● www.CityOfHelena.org ● Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com

Jane B. Holmes Public Library — News and Notes

From the Desk of Library Director Daniel Dearing

Young gymnast reaches high You might say Helena’s Robyn Beeman, 8, is an aspiring gymnast.

OK, there’s no might about it.

In December, Robyn took first all around and landed gold on bars, beam and floor events at the 2011 Alabama Levels 1-6 State Championships. She claimed the silver medal on vault.

She missed sweeping the competition by .025 point, as a Mountain Brook gymnast slightly edged past her.

Robyn is a third grader at Helena Intermediate School. Her teacher is Ms. Frances Hayes.

Robyn is a member of the Legacy gymnastics team in Pelham. Her coaches are Brianna Mitchell, Bethany Buchanan, Sarah Lewis and CJ Laird.

Robyn aspires to compete internationally or at the collegiate level. Her parents, Jacqueline and Robert Beeman, have been residents of Helena for 16 years.

Good day to everyone!

The Jane B. Holmes Public Library hopes everyone is having a great 2012 so far.

As most of you know, winter is a great time to visit the library and check out some books. Curling up with a good book about the winter season is a fun tradition. To put a new spin on things, maybe you could even try reading a book about the beach! The library also has great movies and audio books for those cold winter days and nights.

Another great reason to visit us is for our fun programs. Please check out the calendar section of our website below for upcoming events. For parents of younger children, remember we have Storytime every Tuesday and Thursday at 11:00 a.m.

The library received some exciting news from a local company. Our perennial friend, Vulcan Materials Company, was kind enough to donate $2,000. This funding will be of great value to the library, enabling us to purchase some great new material. On behalf of the library, we extend a special thank you to Rickey Duffey, the Helena plant manager, and all of the fine folks at Vulcan Materials.

Finally, for anyone interested in the Friends of the Jane B. Holmes Public Library, please contact the library at 664-8308 and ask for Daniel Dearing.

Please stop by soon, and remember to bring your library card!

We have some great new items waiting for YOU—Come by and check them out!

NEW DVDs: The Help, Rise of Planet of the Apes, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, The Smurfs, One Day, The Double, Dream House, Disney Treasure Buddies, The Thing, Mildred Pierce , Scorpion King 3, The Ides of March, Abduction, Killer Elite, JustifiedSeason 2, Boardwalk Empire-Season 1, Courageous.

NEW BOOKS: Private #1 Suspect by James Patterson, Down the Darkest Road by Tami Hoag, Love in a Nutshell by Janet Evanovich, Locked On by Tom Clancy, D.C. Dead by Stuart Wood, 77 Shadow Street by Dean Koontz, Red Mist by Patricia Cornwell, Covert Warriors by W. E. B. Griffin, Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson.

NEW MUSIC (In Now or Coming Soon): Now That’s What I Call Music! 40, The Black Keys El Camino, Taylor Swift Speak Now World Tour Live (CD/DVD), Kellie Pickler 100 Proof, 2012 Grammy Nominees, The Awakening of Le'Andria Johnson, Seal Soul 2, The Doors L.A. Woman, Amy Winehouse Lioness: Hidden Treasures.

Upcoming Dates Mar. 11 Apr. 6

Daylight Saving Time begins (Spring forward one hour) Library Closed in observance of Good Friday

HOURS: Mon. 10-7, Tues. 10-6, Wed. 10-6, Thurs. 10-7, Fri. 10-5, Sat. 10-2, Closed Sun.

www.shelbycounty-al.org • 664-8308

Hockey team takes Canada to the crease

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13 and 14 year old hockey team based out of Pelham won the International Silver Stick Hockey Tournament in Pelham, Ontario, Canada. For the 13-year-olds on the team, this is their second Championship in a row. Helena is represented by Philip Parker.

ENROLL NOW in our 8 Week Kindermusik Class for ages 0 - 1.5—Classes start in March!

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Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com ● www.myhelenacitynews.com ● Helena City News ● Winter 2012 33

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The following students from Helena have made the President’s and Dean’s Lists at the University of Alabama: UA Dean’s List Brittany N Allums Rahni Jeneane Argo-Bryant Andrey Bombin Shawn Michael Carter Angela C. Cater Jessica A Dillon Ashley N. Earnest Emily J Fields Meredith L Foster Wesley P Gulledge Erin M Gurley Margaret A Holland Mary Katherine Jones Hayley A. Leuch Lisa Marjorie Mitchell BreAnna J. North Emily S Sarvis-Hill Brooke E Shoemaker Benjamin C Sigmon

Wesley A Smith Gifford D Usher Amanda N. Vindel Victoria A Vining Kelli E. Wilbanks UA President’s List Kristen N Hurley Jessica A Mays William Theodore McKnight Jessica A Moore Nathan Andrew Mosley Shane R Powell Caroline Elizabeth Usher Congratulations to everyone!

The following students from Helena graduated during the Fall semester from the University of Montavallo: Kimberley Rae Herum, MED Bruce Howland, MED Kimberly D. Miller, MED Holly D. Parker, BA John A. Whiten, BS Congratulations to everyone!

XYZ (eXtra Years of Zest) Club weekly activities held at the Helena Senior Citizens Center Located at 222 Tucker Road, behind city hall and next to the library MONDAY 10:00 am Chair Aerobics: Fun & gentle workout TUESDAY 11:00 am-3:00 pm Cards & Games: Bring a sack lunch & join the fun THURSDAY 10:00 am Chair Aerobics Fun and gentle workout FRIDAY 5:00 pm Social Time: Come see what fun is in store For more information, contact Liz Morris at 664-1946.

BUY 2 GET 1* PRE-PLAYED GAMES FREE! *Game of Equal or lesser value. Up to $30.

Expires April 14, 2012

Helena 685-1661 • Chelsea 678-2900 34 Winter 2012 ● Helena City News ● www.CityOfHelena.org ● Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com

Calendar of Events REGULAR WEEKLY EVENTS Mondays Fire Explorers at Station 2, 5 p.m.

Tuesdays Storytime at Jane B. Holmes Library, 11 a.m.

Tuesdays Kiwanis Club at Helena Senior Citizens Center, 7 a.m.

Thursdays Storytime at Jane B. Holmes Library, 11 a.m.

Thursdays Police Explorers at Helena Explorers Post, 4 p.m.

March

6th - Helena Business Association meeting, La Reunion, 8:00 a.m.

7th - Emergency Siren Test, 10:00 a.m.

11th - Daylight Savings Time begins, Spring forward one hour before retiring Sat. night 12th - Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00 p.m.

- Girl Scouts Open House, Helena United Methodist Church, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

17th - Aaron’s Staff Respite Care (special needs ages 0-21), Linda Nolen Learning Center, 5:00-9:00 p.m. Free but must reserve 261-9914 or aaronsstaffrespite.org 19th - Shelby Co. Schools Spring Break March 19-23 22nd - Planning & Zoning Commission, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00 p.m.

26th - Shelby Co. Schools Teacher Workday - No Students - Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00 p.m.

31st - City’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt, Old Town Amphitheater Park, Age Group Hunt Times: 2 & under 9:30 a.m., 3-5 10:00 a.m., 6-8 10:30 a.m.

April

3rd - Helena Business Association Meeting, La Reunion, 8:00 a.m.

- Helena Elementary 5K Preregistration, 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. More info 682-5540 4th - Helena Elementary 5K Preregistration, 7:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. More info 682-5540 - Emergency Siren Test, 10:00 a.m.

6th - Good Friday - Municipal Offices Closed No Garbage Pick-Up: Friday’s garbage route will be collected Thur., Apr. 5th 8th - Easter 9th - Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00 p.m.

13th - Helena Elementary Spring Fling 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

14th - Helena Elementary Spring Fling 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

- Shelby Co. Free Landfill Day 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Call 669-4169 for more info 15th - Helena Elementary Spring Fling 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

20th - Shelby Co. Schools 2nd Inclement Weather Day, Closed Unless Needed 21st - Aaron’s Staff Respite Care (special needs ages 0-21), Linda Nolen Learning Center, 5:00-9:00 p.m. Free but must reserve 261-9914 or aaronsstaffrespite.org 23rd - Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00 p.m.

26th - Planning & Zoning Commission, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00 p.m.

KINDERGARTEN PRE-REGISTRATION Tuesday, April 3 • 12:00 pm–6:00 pm Wednesday, April 4 • 7:00 am–11:00 am Important documents to bring to your child’s registration: . Certified birth certificate . Social security card . Current Alabama (blue) immunization form . Two of the following current proofs of residence: mortgage, lease, rent receipt, power, gas, or water utility bill with service address . AND Any applicable divorce decree or court-ordered custody documents Visit http://www.shelbyed.k12.al.us/enrollment/hes.htm to complete registration paperwork online. For more information contact Helena Elementary at 682-5540.

Andrew Hill, Wes Rich, Chris, Ross and Austin Dubberly are all graduates of Pelham High School

Falcon Baseball Team features local All Americans The University of Montevallo’s 2012 baseball team certainly has the bases loaded when it comes to talent and honors. Several players have been named to impressive lists and won incredible honors. Head Coach Chandler Rose commented, “Each year and each team features a unique group of guys. We will start to see how their identity forms as they begin playing games.”

Two of Rose’s hardworking players, Austin Dubberly and Chris Ross, not only shine on the field, but also carry an impressive resumé and together have won a number of honors. We sat down with each of these players as they gave us a closer look at Montevallo’s baseball program and how influential it has been in their lives.

Helena’s Austin Dubberly shared that Montevallo has been an awesome experience.

“I’ve really enjoyed it and loved that it had that small town feeling much like Helena. I want to finish strong and win some championships,” he said. Austin chose Montevallo for its “winning tradition in baseball, as well as for scholarships and its location.” Austin was named to the PBC-All Academic Team and is a Bronze Scholar on the PBC Presidential Honor Roll. Not only excelling in the classroom, but on the field as well, Austin was also named ABCA Second Team All-Region and All-PBC First Team and had a batting average of .352 last season.

With a baseball career that started early, some of Austin’s fondest memories growing up in Helena are playing little league baseball. “I loved just being a kid and not really having a care. Little league was something fun to do with all my friends,” he said. As a junior this year, Austin is a business major and is currently undecided about what the future holds. “If going pro is an option—I’ll take the shot, but if not, I’ve got a few options in my degree or perhaps going overseas,” he said.

Another Helena kid, Andrew Hill, is also on UM’s squad this spring.

Senior Chris Ross, also a Pelham High School graduate, was named ABCA Second Team All-Region and All-PBC Second Team and led his team with a team high batting average of .405 for the Falcons last season. With graduation approaching Chris admits, “I would love to play pro ball, but I’ve got a really good degree (Kinesiology) if it doesn’t happen. I would like to maybe even be a coach myself someday.”

With guys like these on the team, it is easy to see where Coach Rose gets his enthusiasm for this season. About the team as a whole, Coach Rose commented, “They give us great effort and a great attitude. We’ve got a lot of talent and have continued to get better.” Coach Rose emphasized that his team was extremely hard working and that they had done everything asked of them. “They deserve a fun and successful season. If they continue to play hard and do the things they have been taught, then they will have success,” he said.

Fellow PHS grad, senior Wes Rich, rounds out the Pelham High contingent on the Falcons this season.

Good luck to these young men as they pursue their conference pennant in 2012!

Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com ● www.myhelenacitynews.com ● Helena City News ● Winter 2012 35

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Thinking of becoming a Girl Scout?

On March 12, 1912, Juliette Gordon Low met with a group of 12 girls at her home in Savannah, GA, and started a movement that would sweep the nation! Girl Scouts are celebrating 100 years of service and leadership and we invite you to join the party!

Girl Scouts 100th Birthday Open House March 12th 6pm - 8pm Helena United Methodist Church Free and open to the community!

Come learn about Girl Scouts throughout history, see what Helena Girl Scouts are doing today and enjoy some entertainment and refreshments!

Juliette Gordon Low , Girl Scouts founder, as a young girl

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April Weaver named Outstanding Legislator

R

epresentative April Weaver Alabama nurse and business woman has been named Outstanding in the legislature as both a role Alabama Legislator of the model and friend,” said ASNA Year for 2011 by The Alabama State Executive Director Joe Decker.

Nurses Association.

Weaver is a Republican who Weaver received her award at the represents the 49th District, which ASNA annual awards banquet at includes Shelby County. She has the Auburn University Hotel and Dixon Conference Center, the highlight event at ASNA’s annual statewide convention.

In her freshman year as a state representative, Weaver has been very quick to assume leadership and involvement in a number of important issues. She was an active participant in Alabama District 49 Representative April Weaver last December’s special session that passed a historic package a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of of ethics reform bills, she was the Alabama, is a licensed Registered sponsor of one of the “Handshake with Alabama” bills that was signed Nurse and has also completed an MBA. She has worked in healthcare into law this year that provides tax credits to small businesses who management for more than 16 years provide health insurance for their and is the Director of Business employees, and she aggressively Development at Shelby Baptist pursued a nursing scholarship bill Medical Center in Alabaster. and scholarship funding during the The Alabama State Nurses regular legislative session.

Association is a professional Weaver was also a primary association for Registered Nurses speaker at the ASNA “Nurses at the in Alabama. The ASNA Legislator Capitol” rally last April on the steps of the Year Award is given annually of the Alabama State House. to a seated legislator who has been an active proponent of healthcare “Although new to public office, issues in Alabama and has supported Rep. Weaver has already had a nurses and nursing issues during the positive impact in the Legislature. legislative session.

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36 Winter 2012 ● Helena City News ● www.CityOfHelena.org ● Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com

A letter to all HAA Members and the community

T

he year 2011 is behind us and the Helena Athletic Association wants to take a moment to say “Thank You” to all who have made the Helena Athletic Association what it is today. The support and encouragement that has been given to us has made all the hard work worthwhile. We would like to reflect on what has taken place since February 2010 and to share a vision for what is coming in 2012.

What has been accomplished?

• Structure • Regular published and open meetings • By-Laws created • Financial Accountability • Regular Communication — published minutes • Membership Structure — personal and corporate • Built / filled a 9 member board– members are a cross section of the community.

• Completed and submitted 501c3 applications.

• Completed two major fund raisers generating over $11,000.

• Sponsored T-Shirt design contest for the Panther Prowl Run. • Established a working relationship with our city and county leaders.

• Social media established — Website and Facebook page by Charnita Kirby • Logo and Shirts designed — Binding Commitment • Letterhead and Signs designed and created — Alpha Graphics • Membership launch and growth • Committees established — Partner Cultivation, Fund Raising, Technology We approved funding to meet the following needs in 2011…

• 6 Dozen 12” Softballs • 3 Dozen Personal Pitcher Pro Balls • 1 Personal Pitcher Pro Pitching Machine • 10 Volleyballs • 1 Volleyball Sling-stlye Ball Cart • 10 Basketballs — Wilson Wave 28.5 • 10 No. 5 Soccer Balls • 1 Soccer Ball Bag • 1 Plyometric Box • 4 6 ft. Barbells • 4 Renegades for 6’ Barbells • $2,800 for refinishing the gym floor • $650 to finish the trophy case • $1,200 to cover AD expenses.

• $2,800 to finish the floors.

• 2 Portable Tents • 3 Hurdles As exciting as 2011 was, this is no time for us to rest. The momentum is building, the high school is coming, and the needs are great. This year we will continue to lay the foundations for our student athletic programs. Our desire

is to have two fund raisers (spring and fall) that will become traditions within the community and are so good that people outside our community will want to participate. We have a concert in the spring (see ad page 31) and a dinner in the fall. In between we will have fund raisers such as the dance before the last basketball game. We will continue to have pancake breakfasts several times a year. We will support the Chick-fil-A coupon sales. We will also have another T-shirt design contest for next fall’s Panther Prowl.

We want to thank the HMS Administration—Coach Knight and Parents Joe and Summer Watts and siblings Brayden, Kinsley and Tristan welCoach Brewer—for their support. We are all taking a step of faith that this will come with joy Katelyn Sophia who was born Dec. 29 at 1:16 p.m. all work out and that both organizations Katelyn came into the world at 6 lbs, 14 oz and 19 ½ in long. will be better off having moved to a Congratulations to the Watts family!

501c3 organization.

We need more members. Our membership is critical to our success.

We have a goal of reaching 300 members. We hope that everyone will take the time to consider joining the HAA. Without support from the community, we will never be able to accomplish all the things we need to in order to provide our athletes with the necessary tools to train, compete and be successful within an environment that promotes leadership, team spirit and sportsmanship, both in the classroom and at athletic events. Our ultimate goal is to build a stronger Helena community, where all of us (parents, friends, students, teachers and corporate citizens) work together as valued partners to keep Helena Schools the best in Shelby County. We have made it simple, all the forms are on our website– www.helenaathleticassociation.org. You can make a pledge and pay for it over time, you can write a check, and you can even use Paypal.

We want to encourage you to support our corporate members. Their logos are on our website and there are hot links to The Friends of Helena Schools Foundation is an independent nonprofit their business website. They have been a organization founded in 2011 to provide funding support to schools located in the huge help in getting us off the ground.

Helena School Zone of Shelby County, Alabama. School funding has become We are open to suggestions and ideas. Please send them to increasingly challenging over the years and the foundation exists to help bridge helenaathleticassociation@gmail.com. the gap so that Helena schools can continue to offer an environment of academic Finally, We want to thank those who excellence. Our fundraising goal for 2012 is $100,000.00. All our board members have made significant contributions to their Charter Memberships. Your live in Helena. They have a vested interest to help provide the resources to our generosity and willingness to work will schools so the the children of Helena can be challenged and empowered to learn certainly enhance the impact the HAA and be successful. Board members: Samy El-Feraly (President), Missy Brooks has on the community.

Let’s all be a “part of something (Vice President), Paul Icolano (Treasurer), Kym Rollan (Secretary), Kate Cleveland bigger than ourselves” and join the (Fundraiser Co-Chair), Alan Thomas (Fundraiser Co-Chair), Jeff Chapman, Ashley HAA. Together we can make a positive Gassner, Scott Hassler, Dennis Hulsey, and Nikkie Pittman. For more information impact on our community and student athletes. on the foundation, visit http://www.friendsofhelenaschools.org/ and sign up to receive Sincerely, our upcoming newsletters and for ways to support the foundation, or you can contact The Helena Athletic Association Board

Introducing Katelyn Sophia Watts

Friends of Helena Schools Foundation forms to enhance the educational opportunities of our children—sets goal for 2012

the foundation directly at FriendsofHelenaSchools@gmail.com.

Email Helena Mayor Sonny Penhale: sonny@sonny-penhale.com ● www.myhelenacitynews.com ● Helena City News ● Winter 2012 37

Coming in March to

Helena!

On the Banks of Buck Creek

HELENA

Papa Saia’s is moving from Alabaster to Helena, and with it comes all the great things that have made Papa Saia’s a household name in Shelby County the past 15 years! Only now throw in a Tiki Bar, million dollar view, karaoke, live music, crawfish boils, all-you-caneat wings every Friday and much, much more…

LOOK FOR US IN MARCH!!!

Quesadillas • Potato Skins • Loaded Nachos Wings • Draft and Bottled Beer • Pizza Calzones • Bacon Cheeseburgers • Sliders Hoagies • Seafood and so Much More!

Crawfish Boils!

New Seafood Items on Menu!

Live Entertainment!

Karaoke!

All-You-Can-Eat Wings Every Friday for Lunch!

Papa Saia’s Opens in March in Old Town Helena!

Papa Saia’s owner Tammy Casteel and building owner Keith Mitchell of BCR Holdings take a break from renovations to Helena’s newest eatery slated to open next month.

Tammy promises lots of fun-- live entertainment, crawfish boils, and much more!

Former Incahoots location in Old Town Helena gets a new restaurant!

With its location on the banks of Buck Creek and its dam, and the huge deck overlooking it, I’d have never imagined it would sit empty the past few years.

But on the heels of the deepest recession this country has seen since the Great Depression, not much was happening in the way of new businesses opening the past few years.

Enter Keith Mitchell of BCR Holdings, who looked at the site two years ago and recognized its potential.

Keith, whose company specializes in rental properties, bought the building and land and set about the task of finding the right tenant to fill it.

“I knew it needed to be something special to work here,” said Keith, who acknowledged the selling point for him was a July 4th celebration in the Buck Creek Amphitheater that sold him. “I didn’t know what kind of folks lived in Helena,” said Keith, who lives in Greystone off of Hwy 280. But after that visit, I knew this was a great place to be. It was just a fun, family atmosphere. I knew this was a winner.” After a false start with a gentlemen who had some great ideas for a restaurant but in the end, lacked the finances to carry them through, Keith said he was thankful that he was able to work out an arrangement with Tammy Casteel, owner of Papa Saia’s in Alabaster, who saw the potential of this site, too. She heard about it from her food broker at Sysco. After going

to look at it and talking to Keith, she made the decision to relocate Papa Saia’s from the Alabaster Promenade to Old Town Helena.

alive again this spring. We’re adding new seafood items to our menu with oysters on the half shell, shrimp and Po-boys.

Having first opened Papa Saia’s in Alabaster 14 years ago for founder Norman Saia and working as his manager, she bought the business from him two years ago and has not looked back.

Keith and Tammy were busy painting the day we stopped by to take a picture, but stopped long enough for us to get to know them a bit. There were about 15 inside working hard on the renovations, which call for all wood floors, new paint and granite counter tops on the bar. They are putting in new seating and redoing all the booths to give a homey feel to the place.

Originally from the Pittsburgh area, Tammy says she first moved to the Birmingham area 16 years ago when her father, a coal miner, was transferred here. A single mother with two daughters, Dacota, 10 and Olivia, 7, Tammy looks forward to opening Papa Saia’s Helena location sometime the first part of March and plans lots of exciting activities to entertain customers.

“We’ll have crawfish boils when the weather warms up and offer an entertaining lineup all week long. We have Karaoke Wednesdays, Acoustic Thursdays and live bands on Fridays.

We offer all you can eat wings every Friday for lunch and plan to have no smoking on the restaurant side with an air curtain between the bar and restaurant to keep out the smoky smell. And of course, the TIKI BAR will come

Keith wanted to let us know how helpful the folks at city hall have been to help get them up and running. “It has been a pleasure to do business here,” he said.

Papa Saia’s will be open seven days a week. Watch their Facebook page, or if you drive past the new location, watch for signs telling exactly when they’re open. Welcome to the neighborhood!

Spring’s just a month away—see you at the Tiki Bar!

City of Helena Please Do Business in Helena!

P.O. Box 613 Helena, AL 35080

Whenever it is possible, please make your purchases here—our merchants need your business! You’ll save gas and time, and your city NEEDS your sales tax dollars! RECYCLE, and always patronize our hometown grocery and drug stores! Buy your gas here, too. YOU CAN HELP IMPROVE YOUR city services!

PRESORT STD. U.S.POSTAGE PAID PERMIT 26000 HELENA, AL

POSTAL PATRON

GOOD FRIDAY GARBAGE NOTICE…

Apr. 6th - Good Friday - Municipal Offices Closed. No Garbage Pick-Up: Thursday AND Friday’s garbage will be collected Thur., Apr. 5th

Mayor

Charles W. “Sonny” Penhale

City Clerk Amanda Traywick

City Council Leigh Hulsey Barbara Hyche Cris Nelson Jerry Deon Pate Katherine Ennis

Have A Question For The Mayor?

Contact Him By E-mail: sonny@sonny-penhale.com

IMPORTANT DATES

Mar. 11 - Daylight Savings Time begins, Spring forward one hour before retiring Sat. night Mar. 12 - Girl Scouts Open House, Helena United Methodist Church, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Mar. 19 - Shelby Co. Schools Spring Break March 19-23 Mar. 26 - Shelby Co. Schools Teacher Workday - No Students Mar. 31 - City’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt, Old Town Amphitheater Park (times inside) Apr. 3 - Helena Elementary 5K Preregistration, 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. More info 682-5540 Apr. 4 - Helena Elementary 5K Preregistration, 7:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. More info 682-5540 All household garbage must be curbside by 6:00 a.m. on designated collection day!

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