Hele H elena Ciitttyy New elen Newwss Serving the City of Helena and surrounding area
Holidays 2017
Helena’s 47th Annual Christmas Parade
“A Christmas Movie Memory”
The Helena Beautification Board
PRESENTS
THE CITY OF HELENA’S
OLD TOWN
CHRISTMAS TREE
LIGHTING FRIDAY DECEMBER 1ST
8 P.M.
AT THE CABOOSE
HOLIDAY FIRST FRIDAY CHRISTMAS EDITION Friday, December 1, Old Town Helena, Starting at 5pm
CITY’S OLD TOWN HELENA CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
At the Caboose Friday, December 1, 8pm by the Helena Beautification Board
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE “A CHRISTMAS MOVIE MEMORY” Saturday , December 2, lineup at Walmart, Parade starts at 1pm sharp
www.MyHelenaCityNews.com / www.CityofHelena.org
FROM THE MAYOR
Greetings! I hope this edition of the Helena City News finds you all well! We are headed into the holidays full speed as we get ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas activities in the City. Speaking of events, First Friday returns to kick things off December 1st, then the annual Christmas Parade will be set to go Saturday, December 2nd. I hope everyone can come out to enjoy these festive and fun family events. The City Youth League football, soccer, cheer and fall ball sports have enjoyed a great season and a couple of the teams have brought home top honors in their divisions. Director Bill Miller has opened the new parking spaces at the Sports Complex, which has been a great help with much needed additional parking. Additional lighting is set to be installed as well for lot safety. The low bid for new the new
youth soccer field was approved last month; the field is set to be built at the Sports Complex in the next few months. Congratulations to the many athletes at Helena High School who have signed baseball, softball and volleyball scholarships this Fall, I’m sure the list will grow as the year progresses. You know I love our Huskies and enjoyed being at football games this season, and in particular, the award winning Helena High School Marching Band. They are absolutely tremendous to listen to and see perform on the field. I was very happy to announce a few weeks ago that the Regional Planning Commission has approved over $500K in funding for initial engineering on the turn lane and intersection improvements on Hwy. 261 at Helena Elementary School. I am still very optimistic about the lane expansion project on State Road 261 which will go all the way to I-65. We have worked hard to form partnerships with ALDOT, the Shelby County Highway Department, Hoover and Pelham to put together a funding mechanism to help make this happen. It will certainly benefit everyone com-
MAYOR
Mark R. Hall
CITY COUNCIL Mike Jones, Council President Hal Woodman, Pro Tempore Leigh Hulsey Laura Joseph Alice Lobell
CITY CLERK Amanda Traywick
2 Holidays 2017 / www.CityOfHelena.org
muting from Helena to Birmingham and the surrounding areas. I am very pleased that work is set to begin on turn lane additions at County 52 and County 13, and other improvements are being planned that will help traffic keep moving at busy intersections. It is always great to welcome new businesses to the City. In particular this month we welcomed the Waffle House and the All Original Pizzeria. Please remember to patronize ALL our local businesses and eateries as your purchases directly impact the well being of the city with
tax dollars staying here to support schools, public safety and public improvement projects that benefit everyone. Lastly, a big thanks to all our hard working City Council members for their dedication and support as we work to make Helena the place you want to be! Have a blessed and wonderful Holiday season and a very Merry Christmas! Best Wishes,
Mark Mark
Public Safety Officers Recognized
Two of our Public Safety Officers were recognized at the November 13 council meeting after being honored by the Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce. Our heartfelt thanks to them for the dedicated service they provide our community. Helena Police Officer of the Year – Mike Taquino Helena Fire Fighter of the Year – Craig Sykes Seen above with Chiefs Pete Folmar, Pete Valenti and Mayor Hall.
Happy Holidays! IMPORTANT CITY PHONE NUMBERS City Hall: 205-663-2161 Fire Dept.: 205-663-5809 Police Dept.: 205-663-6499 Utilities: 205-663-1670 Sports Complex: 205-620-2877 Library: 205-664-8308
Go Huskies!
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Helena Teen Council has fun Halloween Costume Party Helena Teen Council members and Councilwoman Alice Lobell and Kristi Scozzaro, Adult Liaison, spent an afternoon getting to know each other enjoying games, food and costumed fun. The Fall 2017 Membership Drive invited 9th-12th graders with a GPA of 2.75 in area high schools to apply by answering a questionnaire and submitting an essay about the qualities of a leader and ‘what it takes to be a leader in your community.’ Now in its fourth year, the Teen Council was founded by Kylie Woodman and requires 25 hours of community service such as working at First Friday or the HBA or Miracle League events. 4 Holidays 2017 / www.CityOfHelena.org
Members of the Teen council are available to any service organization that needs their help. The Teen Council attends most Helena City Council work sessions and remains afterward for the city council meeting. Current Teen Council board president is Lola Decroes; vice-president is Taylor Causey; secretary is Kirsen Gardner; membership coordinator is Jacob Bradford; courtesy chair is Madison Laney; and social media chair is Will Rogers. “I first joined Teen Council my sophomore year and was nervous about joining a program that I did not know anyone in,” said Lola Decroes. “I quickly
grew really close to everyone, and Ms. Alice has been such a mentor to us all. We love and appreciate her so much.” “Starting my junior year, Ms. Alice brought in Mrs. Scozzaro who helped us form a board and organize our group much better.” “I was graciously nominated and voted in as president and I’ve loved every minute of it.” Decroes, who is also active in the HHS Theater program and recently portrayed the character Fairy May in “The Curious Savage” with great charm and elegance, added, “I look forward to every Teen Council meeting and spending time with such a diverse and amazing group of
individuals who are building civic knowledge and leadership skills and who work to bridge the gap between the city’s youth and adults.” The Teen Council anticipates a trip to Montgomery in February joined by Daniel Dearing, the other Adult Liaison, State Representatives Al Farley and Matt Fridy, and State Senator Cam Ward. New members photographed were Max Burch, Eli Tilton, Chris Miller, Davis Humphrey, Clara Atchley, Carmelina Dichiara, Jayanna Cameron, Claire Gray and Haleigh Beard.
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Helena student to sing with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra Chorus Recently, Mary Carol Dassau was accepted to sing with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra Chorus (ASOC) making her the youngest current member. The ASOC partners with the
Alabama Symphony Orchestra in jointly presenting treasured choral/orchestral masterpieces. This season the ASOC repertoire will include Faure’s Requiem, Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloe Suite No. 2, Bach’s Magnificat, and the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah. Mary Carol is also a member of the Birmingham Girls Una Voce Choir (BGC), the HHS Chamber Choir as well as representing the City of Helena as a Helena Belle. She credits her initial love of music to Mrs. Angela Duke at Helena Elementary School and her growth in her craft to Mrs. Karen Morgan (HIS), Mr. Frank Andrews (HMS) and Mrs. Cissy Johnson (HHS) as well as Mrs. Margaret Heron (BGC). Her first performance with the ASOC will be October 27th at the Alys Stephens Center and she is slated to sing the National Anthem at the Helena Christmas parade on December 2nd.
NEW store in Old Town
J n S Treasured Creations held the Grand Opening celebration for their new store September 26 and announced Tuesday through Saturday store hours of 10am til 5pm. Owners Jen and Scott Newman invite everybody to come in and place their Christmas orders as early as possible for special items they’d like to have made as gifts. Scott is very handy at building everything from coat hangers to wine racks to what have you? If it’s made from rustic wood, Scott can probably build it for you. And all at prices so low they’ll take you back to a time when great value didn’t cost you an arm and a leg. If you haven’t yet been by the store, you owe it to yourself to go and check them out at your earliest convenience. In his spare time, Scott heads up the Fall Farmer’s Market each Saturday morning with his loyal volunteers in the Old Town Amphitheater. A big thanks to Scott for all he does in our community.
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Garrett Langer’s HMS 8th Grade Huskies finish undefeated season with thrashing of rival Pelham Coach Garrett Langer is a young coach who is in his 3rd year at Helena. Hired to be a defensive coordinator, he did that for a year before taking over the reins as head coach two years ago. A graduate of Clay-Chalkville High School and the University of Alabama, Garrett says he’s known he wanted to be a coach since he was in the 10th grade and never waivered. “I had a high character defensive coordinator in high school (former Bama punter Hayden Stockton) who taught the benefits of hard work and how working hard in practice translated to game day.” “In our school’s short history, it has won four Southern Conference Championships: ’09, ’12, ’15 and this year. When you’re number one, the challenge comes to not allow yourselves, both as coaches and players, to become complacent. You’re always going to get everybody’s best shot. A turning point in this past season was the Briarwood game when we were down 16-0 in the 4th quarter. We had some things go our way though and finished the game with a 23-16 win. Briarwood is usually our toughest game every year, and you could sense a little more spring in our players’ steps after we pulled this one out, you could see it in the players’ faces.” The team’s final game of the season saw a tremendous effort from the team. Even though the conference championship had already been clinched, the Huskies put on a clinic, thrashing Pelham 48-21.
Coach Langer singled out three players on offense and three on defense who stood out this season and are MVPs: OFFENSE McGuire (Mac) Turner, QB Kayson Bustamento, RB Skyler Stevens, LG DEFENSE Peyton Woodall, LB Iceberk Cave, LB Joel Logan, DE Coach Langer attributes his 8th grade team’s success to the way they attacked the offseason program. I have never seen a group who collectively worked as hard as this group did last spring and summer, and it showed up in the following team stats… Scoring defense: 10.2 points per game. Scoring Offense: 30.4 points per game. The team’s season total scoring was 213-72. Congratulations to Coach Langer and the entire Husky 8th grade team. We look forward to watching your careers as you add talent to the Helena Huskies High School team!
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Come check out the “new” Golden Rule BBQ in Helena! he worked part time while in high school and college. He then took a job as assistant manager for Applebee’s in Pelham and was promoted to manager of the Applebee’s in Tuscaloosa. He met Ramon Arias, now his financial partner, when Arias, also a UA graduate, owned a chain of Little Ceasar’s and Dunkin’ Donuts stores. “I worked for Mr. Arias a few years before taking a job in food services for my alma mater, the University of Alabama. One of my duties while there was to deliver Coach Nick Saban’s food everyday. There was nothing difficult about it—he eats the exact same thing everyday—two of the small sized Little Debbie Oatmeal snack cakes with coffee in the morning and a turkey salad with a special honey mustard dressing, the kind he grew up eating in West Virginia, for lunch. And he always chews Dentyne Ice, the cubes, never the sticks,” he laughed. “He is not the cold, rude person the media sometimes makes him out to be. He is just a very busy person who is extremely focused on whatever task is before him. I’d heard he was this mean guy and decided I would do my job and not speak to him until one day early on, he asked me how I was doing. He told me, ‘I’m a person,
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Stop in soon and say hello to new Golden Rule BBQ operating partner, Jason Rice, the next time you’re in the mood for some of the best BBQ around or some ‘fresh from the garden’ vegetables. Golden Rule has offered delicious BBQ with their famous sauces for over 100 years now, but many may not be aware of the emphasis the “new” Helena store’s operating partner has for food quality. Jason has a degree in restaurant management and hospitality from the University of Alabama and has always been interested in cooking. When you come in, you won’t find Jason in the role most restaurant owners play, walking around socializing or sitting in his favorite booth. You’ll more than likely see him over the stove cooking or preparing plates to serve up to hungry guests. It’s that hands-on approach that makes the biggest difference when it comes to food quality. Jason grew up in nearby Vance, Alabama. After graduating from Brookwood High School, he studied hospitality and restaurant management from the University of Alabama and graduated from there in 1998, as stated earlier. His background in the restaurant field began at Morrision’s in Tuscaloosa, where
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you can talk to me, you know?’ After that, we talked often. I didn’t bother him when he was obviously doing something, but he is a nice and generous a person to work for. My problem came with (strength and conditioning coach) Scott Cochran always trying to knock Coach Saban’s salad out of my hands,” Jason said with a laugh.“I guess he mistook me for a running back and the salad for a football.” (Coach Cochran is notorious for trying to sneak up on Bama running backs and knocking the ball out of their hands anytime they’re holding one.) “I asked coach Saban one day why he didn’t ever change up his menu selections.” He told me without hesitation, “It’s one less decision I have to make each day.” Jason shared another tidbit about Coach Saban’s longtime assistant, Cedric Burns. “Cedric, the guy you see following behind Coach Saban on the sidelines holding the cords to his headset and his drink, etc. also serves as his driver. Cedric also did this for Coach Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant, and was given the job of personal assistant to the head coach at Alabama for life by Coach Bryant,” shared Jason. “After a couple of years working at the Capstone,” Jason said, “Mr. Arias called me and asked if I was
ready to get back into the restaurant business with him? After selling his approximately 60 Little Ceasar’s franchises and five Dunkin’ Donut stores, he said he had purchased a Golden Rule BBQ restaurant in Helena. He asked me if I would like to come in as an operating partner. I thought about that for about two seconds before jumping at the opportunity!” Jason took over operation of the restaurant last April, and is in the process now of rejuvenating the restaurant’s offerings and business philosophy. “Today, we make most of our vegetable selections from farm fresh vegetables and use dried beans rather than canned,” he said. We have added $5 lunch specials through the week, and make most of our desserts here from scratch, too.” “I plan to get more involved in the community—we’ve already done several fund raisers with local schools and are looking to do more; we just want to be better corporate citizens,” he said. Jason has two children: Jacob, 15 and Morgan, 13, both of whom attend schools in Hueytown. The next time you’re hungry for a meat and three with garden fresh veggies, check out the menu board at Golden Rule on Hwy 52W in Helena. (And hey, the BBQ’s absolutely terrific, too!)
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9
s p i h s r e n t r a P In Bloom
On October 14, 2017, the Helena Beautification Board embarked upon a three-year study of 24 different types of roses in partnership with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Helena Beautification Board Chairman, Chris VanCleave, was joined by Board Vice Chairman, Brian Puckett, and other members of the board along with Mayor Mark Hall, State Senator Cam Ward, State Representatives Matt Fridy and Allen Farley, State Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries John McMillan, and Jon Corkern, from the American Rose Society, for the ground breaking ceremony along the drive leading up to the Helena Sports Complex. “The Helena Earth-Kind trials mark a significant investment in the future of garden roses across the United States,” said nationally known rose expert, Chris VanCleave. “People want beautiful roses in their gardens to enhance the beauty of their yards and enrich their lives. What they don’t want are roses that require a lot of care and upkeep. This rose trial is a first step toward identifying cultivars that provide a beautiful garden presence, are disease resistant, and drought and pest tolerant. We are proud to be the first municipality in the United States to participate in a trial of this caliber.” During the ceremonies Jon Corkern, of Shreveport Louisiana, representing the American Rose Society at the event, presented Mayor Mark Hall, Beautification Board Chairman Chris VanCleave and Vice Chairman Brian Puckett a Presidential Citation from ARS President Pat Shanley: “On behalf of the American Rose Society, I would like to extend my congratulations on the establishment of the Earth-Kind™ Rose Confirmational Trial in The City of Helena, Alabama.
The future of the Rose, the Rose Industry and the American Rose Society is dependent upon giving our members and the general public roses that they can grow successfully, where they live. The future of our children, our grandchildren and all the generations to come is dependent on preserving and protecting our environment. The creation and trialing of disease resistant roses that can be grown sustainably, with respect for our environment, is crucial to this mission. We commend you for recognizing the importance of this effort and for taking the steps that led to the establishment of these trials, and we wish you great success.” “Mr. VanCleave, along with Vice Chairman Brian Puckett, were instrumental in bringing a research trial of this magnitude to Helena, and we were proud to partner with Texas A&M in this effort. Planning and preparation are everything, and the collaboration and planning efforts of board members VanCleave and Puckett is something that is rarely seen today, and they executed this plan with excellence,” said Mayor Hall. What exactly does Earth-Kind™ mean? It is the result of research as a means to determine sustainability. It’s a certification that ultimately brings beautiful, no hassle roses and plants into the forefront of home gardeners’ minds so that they, too, can experience no-hassle plants. It all started at Texas A&M back in the early 1990s where research started to learn what types of roses would be able to withstand the heat and drought conditions of a summer in the deep south, be disease and pest tolerant, and most of all bloom repeatedly. Hundreds of different varieties of roses were planted and studied for up to five years by Texas A&M
Helena Beautification Board Members: John Hodge, Christie Hodge, Peggy Holly, Tina Lovvorn-VanCleave, Board Chairman Chris VanCleave, Vice Chairman Brian Puckett, Genetter Smith, Christian Levio, Ana Baker and City Council Liaison Laura Joseph.
Agri-Life Extension. The best of the best are granted the highly esteemed Earth-Kind™ Certification. There are currently 21 different roses that have this certification. The Helena Beautification Board has partnered with Texas A&M to conduct a 3-year confirmational trial to determine the next generation of roses that will be bestowed the Earth-Kind™ Certification. The list that started out as hundreds is now down to 24 cultivars that Texas A&M feels might have Earth-Kind potential. Our research will consist of planting each plant three different times and then observe the growth of each plant. The best scores will win! Still think roses are too hard to grow? Think again. “Earth-Kind™ roses do not require any pesticides, chemicals, or watering and during this trial,
these roses won’t receive any either. Yes, you read that correctly, no watering other than what falls from the sky. No need to be a mad scientist either; trying to figure out what needs to be mixed and applied to the plant. These plants are sustainable on their own,” said Puckett. It is so simple that anyone can do it. The end result is a rose that anyone who knows how to dig a hole can enjoy roses in their own landscape. As the trial progresses, the public is invited to stop by and check out how our Earth-Kind garden grows and discover for yourself just how easy it is to grow beautiful roses. For a full list of cultivars growing in the garden, visit the Helena Beautification Board website at www.helenabeautiful.com/ekhome.html
Current Earth-Kind™ Roses • Marie Daly – Dwarf Shrub • Souvenir de St. Anne’s – Dwarf Shrub • The Fairy – Dwarf Shrub • Caldwell Pink – Small Shrub • Cecile Brunner – Small Shrub • Perle d’Or – Small Shrub • Belinda’s Dream – Medium Shrub • Carefree Beauty – Medium Shrub • Ducher – Medium Shrub • Duchesse de Brabant – Medium Shrub • Else Poulsen – Medium • Georgetown Tea – Medium Shrub • Knock Out – Medium Shrub • La Marne – Medium Shrub • Madame Antoine Mari–Medium Shrub • Mutabilis – Medium Shrub • Spice – Medium Shrub • Climbing Pinkie – Climber • Sea Foam – Climber • New Dawn – Vigorous Climber • Reve d’Or – Vigorous Climber Current Earth-Kind™ Roses • Marie Daly – Dwarf Shrub • Souvenir de St. Anne’s – Dwarf Shrub • The Fairy – Dwarf Shrub • Caldwell Pink – Small Shrub • Cecile Brunner – Small Shrub • Perle d’Or – Small Shrub • Belinda’s Dream – Medium Shrub • Carefree Beauty – Medium Shrub • Ducher – Medium Shrub • Duchesse de Brabant – Medium Shrub • Else Poulsen – Medium • Georgetown Tea – Medium Shrub • Knock Out – Medium Shrub • La Marne – Medium Shrub • Madame Antoine Mari–Medium Shrub • Mutabilis – Medium Shrub • Spice – Medium Shrub • Climbing Pinkie – Climber • Sea Foam – Climber • New Dawn – Vigorous Climber • Reve d’Or – Vigorous Climber
Beautification Board Vice Chairman Brian Puckett, Helena Mayor Mark Hall, Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries John McMillan, Beautification Board Chairman Chris VanCleave, State Representative Matt Fridy, State Senator Cam Ward and State Representative Allen Farley were all on hand to kick off the Helena Earth Kind Rose Trials.
Jon Corkern, representing the American Rose Society at the event, presented Mayor Mark Hall, Beautification Board Chairman Chris VanCleave and Vice Chairman Brian Puckett a Presidential Citation from ARS President Pat Shanley.
Photos courtesy of: John Hodge Photography, Helena Alabama
Ryan Isiche HES Character in Action
HES Boosterthon Fun Run a hit! The Fun Run at HES this year was the most successful yet. This is the 10th year that Helena Elementary has done the Boosterthon Fun Run. It’s the biggest fundraiser that the school’s PTO does each year. The Boosterthon team comes on campus for 10 days and does character lessons with the students about virtues like patience, perseverance, teamwork and respect. At the same time, students are encouraged to ask family and friends to support them and pledge a certain amount per lap that they complete. Then on October 25, they had the Fun Run. Most students ran 35 laps around a smaller, special track set up on the playground field. The students had fun, and the PTO and the students raised over $46,000 for the school. Parents came out and cheered on the students as they ran. Thanks to all who pitched in to help!
Moving to Helena with his family in 2015, this is Ryan’s 2nd year to attend Helena Elementary School. We asked him what he likes best about Helena Elementary. “I like recess and that we get to take water bottles to our desk when we’re thirsty.” Ryan says he has enjoyed playing soccer since he was 5 years old, and that he plays striker on his Alabaster team. In his time off, Ryan says he enjoys playing with his friends. Ryan is the son of Florence and Abraham Isiche. His teacher, Gina Miller, had this to say: “Ryan is honest, hardworking, compassionate, caring, and has a persevering attitude. I have observed him always willing to help others and me when needed. He is always quick to tell the truth. He comes into my classroom daily with the determination to work hard and complete his work. He is a student that does not give up when the task gets hard. Ryan exemplifies good character with his actions each day. He is a joy to have in class.” Ryan says he is a Bama football fan and his favorite player is #2, Bama QB Jalen Hurts. “He’s a decision player,” said Ryan. “He knows when to run and when to pass. I try to do as he does in my role on the soccer team.” Congratulations to a fine young man with lots of promise on his recognition as a Character in Action for his school.
Message from Police Chief Pete Folmar As 2017 is winding down, most families in Helena will be busier than usual. Football season is coming to a close; Halloween has come and gone and the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are coming up fast. This time of year always brings an increase in local traffic as people are buying gifts and
spending time in our stores and restaurants with family. We urge all Helena residents to drive carefully and defensively and to remember to allow a little more time to get where they are going during this time of year. The holidays also bring an increase in out of town travel as people make trips to see family. I encourage those of you who will be out of town to utilize the Helena Police Department’s new interactive and updated website to request extra patrols of your home or business. You will find it at www.helenapolice.org. You can also use the action center of the website to report suspicious activity, traffic or parking issues or other common issues to us. The Helena Police Department is committed to doing our part to make the end of 2017 an enjoyable and safe season for all of our citizens.
Helena Husky Kopeland Rosser named Character in Action A senior this year, athlete Kopeland Rosser was selected by his teachers as this year’s Character in Action, an annual recognition given to a student who exhibits high character in their daily interactions with both fellow students and teachers. Kopeland was born and raised in Helena with three older sisters and an older brother. The youngest son of Jonnica and Ken Rosser, Kopeland says he grew up on the family farm on Hwy 13. He remembers a time when they raised horses, goats and chickens, but says these days, the only animals around are chickens, dogs and cats. Kopeland plays strong safety on the football team and shortstop for the baseball team, and maintains a 3.2 GPA in his schoolwork. He is a member of the H Club (that stresses leadership) and also is a member of the Husky Bass Fishing team. “I skipped the fishing team last year when we were on our state championship run in baseball, but I intend to fish this year,” he said. “Fishing is my favorite thing to do.” Kopeland has been offered a scholarship to play football in college at the University of South Alabama. The Jaguars play in the Sunbelt Conference. Kopeland says his greatest influence during his Helena High School days has been from his football coach, Watt Parker. “He has helped me to become a better person,” said Kopeland. “You can ask him anything, and he’ll always tell you the truth straight up.” Congratulations to Kopeland Rosser for being named the Husky’s 2017 Character in Action!
Husky Chamber Choir performs The Helena High School Chamber Choir performed on Sunday, October 22, at Helena United Methodist Church. The choir is under the direction of Cissy Johnson, a member of Helena UMC. The group sang several anthems throughout the service and concluded with a beautiful joint choral performance of How Can I Keep From Singing by Bradley Ellingboe with HUMC’s Adult Chancel Choir. 14 Holidays 2017 / www.CityOfHelena.org
Several Huskies sign scholarships Several Helena Huskies signed this month with local colleges and universities to continue their athletic careers. Congratulations to all! Nick Ragsdale Nick signed to continue his baseball career next fall at Shelton State Community College. Last year, his batting average was .340 with 4 homeruns, 10 doubles and 34 RBIs. Nick was named All County First Team and was named All State Honorable Mention. He has played outfield and catcher for the varsity baseball team since his sophomore year. Nick snagged the last out to win the State 6A Title last May. Richard Fitts Richard will be continuing his baseball career at Auburn University next year as a pitcher. He suffered an arm injury, so was not able to play his Junior season. He pitched in in the World Wood Bat Association Championship game in 2016 with his East Coast Sox travel ball team. Richard played left field his Freshman year for the Huskies during their first trip to the state playoffs and in the state championship game and then played 2nd base his sophomore year. Landon Green As stated in our last issue, Landon is going to the University of Alabama as a pitcher next year. After his Junior year with the Huskies, he made the 2017 All-Birmingham Baseball Team and was named Second Team All State Pitcher. He was 11-0-1 on the mound with a 1.44 ERA. He finished the season with 44 strikeouts in 48 1/3 innings pitched and a 6A State Championship. Katie Lively Katie, who has played pitcher and outfielder for the Huskies varsity since 9th Grade, signed to continue her softball career as an outfielder for Troy. As a Freshman, Katie made All-State Second Team. Her Sophomore year, she earned All-State Second Team honors and was selected to the State Tournament Team at the State Play-offs. Her Junior Year, she made All-State First team and was named to the Birmingham All-Region First Team. Last year, Katie had a .412 batting average with 54 hits, 47 RBIs, 5 homeruns and scored 32 runs. Madison Rhodes Madison signs with Wallace State Nov. 28, 6:30pm, at the Helena Sports Complex. A 4-year starter for the Husky Volleyball Team, she is a team captain and has earned All Region honors. She has been named to the All County and All Area Teams. She had 973 assists and 31 aces this year, along with 57 kills and 11 blocks. She is also on the Junior Volleyball Association Watch List.
Helena’s most distinctive neighborhood With generous rolling landscapes, beautiful public areas, old hardwood shade trees and spacious, executive style homes, Riverwoods is the place you want to be. For more information on making Riverwoods your home, contact Greg Arcara on his cell at (205) 566-1426 or his office at
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Chase Learning Center & Daycare is a child daycare and learning facility that offers a nurturing Christian environment for your precious children. We strongly believe that encouragement and compassion foster a productive and healthy learning atmosphere, and we are proud to offer that for your children. Call us at 620-1616 to speak with one of our staff members, or stop by anytime to tour our facility and meet some of our teachers. We provide after school pickup in Alabaster, Helena and Pelham and offer reasonable rates for after school care, summer care and holiday programs for children kindergarten through 12 years of age. We also provide infant care, preschool and private kindergarten. Call us today!
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Helena native back building houses in his hometown Whit Winford grew up on the private lake that sits on Hwy 17 in front of the Sunnybrook subdivision. “We lived in the house beside the lake that was built by Bill Strickland, who owned the Chevrolet dealership many years ago in Pelham.” Whit attended all the schools
most Helena kids did at the time, Helena Elementary, Riverchase Middle and Pelham High School. He says his favorite memories growing up include attending Friday night football games at Pelham High School and weekend bonfires on the lake in his back yard with friends.
Whit worked for his dad, Brett Winford’s Authentic Building Company during high school and decided to pursue a degree from Auburn University in Building Science after graduating from high school. Along the way, he met his wife, the former Kelly Gfeller. The two were married soon after Whit graduated Auburn in 2011. The couple moved to Huntsville soon after where Whit worked for a commercial contractor, Yates Construction, as assistant project manager for two years before taking a job as project manager in Columbus, Georgia. They stayed in Columbus two years before Whit got a job offer to oversee residential construction for a company who built in Birmingham and on Smith Lake,
a position he held for three years before hanging out his own shingle by forming Winford Homecrafters this past January, working once again on projects with his dad, Brett. Whit specializes in custom homes from 2,000 to 6,000 square feet. Whit says he has several lots now available in Helena. The lots are in Creekwater, Riverwoods and the new Dearing Farms on Hwy 95, which is where he has his own lot with plans to build his own home starting this spring. Whit and Kelly have one son, Whit Jr, 1. Whit Jr’s birthday is Halloween, a date he shares with Nick Saban, Whit shared with a smile. (Just what an Auburn fan wants, right?) In their spare time, the family enjoys spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing and playing golf. Kelly enjoys fishing with me and going to the golf course. They also enjoy attending Auburn home football games as often as possible.
TO ADVERTISE, CALL the Publisher at 746.1188 / MyHelenaCityNews.com / Holidays 2017
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PELHAM’S NEWEST SWIM COMMUNITY! Donovan Builders, LLC, is an established, high quality homebuilder. You expect more in a Donovan home. Jack Donovan stakes his reputation on every home he builds, and it shows in the craftsmanship on display. From elegant, coffered ceilings to traditional, old world wood cabinetry and flooring, tile showers, granite tops and elegant fixtures throughout, features in Donovan homes are usually only found in homes with a much higher price.
New sector open! Huge, wooded basement lots! Come pick out your dream lot TODAY!
Huge lots are trademarks of Donovan’s premiere development—Grey Oaks. Surrounded by hills and trees, residents have the best of both worlds—only 5 minutes from I-65 at the County Road 52 interchange and about the same to all the shopping and dining opportunities found along the Hwy 280 corridor. Add in a swimming pool and community pavilion, Pelham schools, proximity to all of Pelham’s other amenities such as Alabama’s largest state park, Pelham’s Racquet Club and golf course, and you have the perfect place in North Shelby County to call home. We’re open 7 days a week, so stop in today and let our team of Realtors® (over 50 years combined experience) assist you today. We have an on-site full time decorator to help you with your selections and make your dream home a reality.
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How to ward off the most common challenges of aging—and feel better doing it! Research shows there is ONE THING you can do to effectively ward off the most common challenges of aging—fatigue, loss of mobility and weight gain. Not only that, but it reduces the risk of: Diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Kidney problems, Stroke, Heart disease and Cancer. Best of all— Benchmark Physical Therapists are experts in this! The Answer: EXERCISE. According to the study, participants in the top 20 percent for fitness level were less likely to develop any chronic disease, less likely to have multiple chronic diseases and were older when problems did develop. What’s preventing you from exercise? Ask for a complimentary screening to determine what might prevent you from exercising. During your screening, your therapist will evaluate pains or injuries and give you a recommendation for self-care and further medical attention. Physical therapists are experts in the way the body moves and can improve your quality of life by helping you move better and do more of the things you want to do without pain or discomfort. Besides exercise there are five things you can do to ward off aging as long as possible…
1. Protect your skin Anyone can get skin cancer, but exposure to sun through work and play can put you at higher risk. 2. Eat right According to a study published in the British Medical Journal, eating seven “super” foods daily (red wine, dark chocolate, fruits, vegetables, garlic, fish, and nuts), in the appropriate portion sizes can reduce your heart disease risk by 75 percent and add an average of six years to your life. 3. Drink water Water makes up about 60 percent of your body weight and every system in your body depends on it. Lack of water can lead to dehydration, drain your energy and make you tired. Hydrating will help you beat that groggy feeling and make your skin look its glowy best. 4. Sleep 7 hours People who live the longest say they snooze about that much nightly. In one study, researchers found that if people slept less than 7 hours a night or more than 8 hours a night, they had an increased risk of death. 5. See your doctor annually 94 percent of doctors agree that annual physical exams improves the doctor-patient relationship and provides valuable time for counseling patients in health prevention.
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TO ADVERTISE, CALL the Publisher at 746.1188 / MyHelenaCityNews.com / Holidays 2017
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YOU FOR YO K U AN
VICE R E RS
HONORING ARMY WAR VETERAN
JAMES SIDES
TH Salute to James Sides, Army veteran who served at Camp Zama, Japan, just 11 years after the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima James “Bubba” Sides was born in Clay County, in the small community of Barfield, Alabama, where his father, James Oscar Sides, worked at the powder plant in Childersburg making gunpowder for the war effort during WWII. The family, older sister Jeannine and mom, Voncille, moved with 5-year-old James to Helena when Dad took a job with TCI in Ensley. Jeannine tried to call James “Brother,” but it came out “Bubba,” and the nickname stuck to this day. James attended school at Helena Elementary (grades 1-9 at the time). He met his future wife, Marion Davidson, before he started first grade there. He remembers spending every spare minute on Buck Creek and the nearby Cahaba River fishing as a boy. “I would carry food with me and would often spend the night, fishing until I got sleepy and then wetting my hook the next day, too, before returning home. I had an old homemade boat I kept tied up to a tree, and I liked to fish for bass with artificial lures.” James says his favorite lures were River Runts and Jitterbugs. “Later, I saw an ad for a fly rod and saved up the money to buy one,” he shared. “I caught many fish using that old fly rod,” he reminisced. James attended Thompson High School in the day when most of
North Shelby County attended school there, too. He played QB on the Warriors football team, was president of his senior class and was given the Outstanding Athlete Award for his play at guard on the basketball team. “Even though most of the team was a head taller than he was,” shared Marion. At 5’5” and 140 lbs as a senior, he was a mere shadow of the athlete he would later become. James wanted to attend college after high school, but didn’t have the money. “I went to the draft board in Columbiana and told them to move me up, so I could join the army. I don’t think my mother wanted me to do that, but I figured if I were to get drafted, she wouldn’t be able to say anything,” he said with a sly smile. “Mother was still upset about them drafting me and me only being 18,” he laughed. James said he was inducted into the Army in Montgomery and rode a bus to basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Next he went to cryptography school at Camp Gordon, near Augusta, Georgia, where he became a member of the signal corps. He was shipped off to Camp Zama, Japan, where he was a member of the 8th Army, Rear, and worked as a cryptographer. James remembers that he had to
Army veteran James Sides today in his easy chair at home beside the tracks in Old Town Helena.
be cleared for a top secret security clearance and the FBI created quite a stir back home in Helena when they began their investigation. “The rumor mills were ripe,” he laughed. “There wasn’t much in the way of news in Helena back then, so you can imagine the way things got to stirring when the FBI began questioning locals about my past.” The base at Camp Zama, Japan, had been Japan’s equivalent of our West Point prior to WWII, according to James, and was the HQ for the 8th Army. James got to see much of Japan while he was stationed there, and says that the sight of the areas where the U.S. dropped the atomic bombs left an eerie feeling. “I spent three days in Hiroshima, and all I can say is it felt like something out of a bad dream. The trees that were left grew weird, it’s like they were bent and only had a little foliage at the tops. A lot of the destruction was still very much evident; it was an eye opening experience. I remember seeing
the imprint made on some stairs where a man had been standing as the blast went off. You had the burnt stairs everywhere except that part where his body had shielded them, like a sort of photo made by the flash. The Japanese people were not hostile to us in any way,” he continued. “I rode the trains to many parts of Japan. You could buy a ticket for one price and ride anywhere you wanted to go. I went to the other city where an atomic bomb had exploded, Nagasaki, as well.” James made friends with the post commander, a full colonel, and every Monday, he remembers that Colonel Maring would cancel James’ assignments so the two of them could play golf. “He was the commander’s pet,” chimed in wife and retired school teacher, Marion. James just smiled and said the Colonel and his wife often invited him to tag along with them, “and they fed me like I was a king.” When it was time for him to be
discharged, James made a request of his friend, the commander, to not make him take a ship home. “So he delayed my discharge until a time when they wouldn’t have been able to get me home on time by boat,” he laughed, “and I was able to take a plane back home.” “Lots of people complain about Army food, but I actually liked it,” said James. And it must’ve liked him, too, as the 5’5” 140 lb former high school athlete grew to 6” tall and 220 lbs during his stent in the service. James went out for the football team that represented Camp Zama. “The post commander there was a football enthusiast and funneled a lot of talent from the states to Camp Zama,” said James, “so there were lots of good athletes there.” James played QB and made the All Star team for all bases in Japan. “I befriended a captain there who contacted Georgia Tech Coach Bobby Dodd on my behalf after I was discharged. I called Coach Dodd, visited the campus in Atlanta for a weekend, and was
offered a scholarship to play QB. James majored in industrial management at Georgia Tech and was a member of the football team for four years (three as a letterman). “Colleges in those days all had freshmen teams, and I played on the freshman team my first year there. James’ oldest sister, Jeannine, had become Marion’s best friend back home, “and was the most brilliant person I’d ever met,” said Marion. “James and I had become serious,” she said, “and we were married when James had about a year left in college. In those days, players had to get permission from the coach to marry. He got it, and we were married August 20, 1960, at 8p.m. The reason we had the wedding at 8p.m.? That was the time the grocery store closed in Helena, and that meant everybody could be there,” she smiled. The two took an abbreviated honeymoon trip to the Smoky Mountains, as school was about to start back and they had to be back in Atlanta.
“We found a small, furnished apartment that we could afford. It didn’t have air conditioning, so went to Sears and bought a fan to make the August heat bearable. I taught school in Atlanta while Bubba finished school at Georgia Tech. He got a $15 per month stipend that helped us make ends meet.” A funny story Marion shared was that when she went on her teaching job interview, she was decked out with hat, white gloves and a suit, and it turned out that the superintendant was a former Thompson principal, so needless to say, she got the job. Marion had earned her teaching degree a few years before from Alabama College, now the University of Montevallo. After James graduated, he and Marion moved to McCormick, South Carolina. James worked for a textile plant there and Marion became a full time mom when oldest daughter (and now Helena Elementary teacher) Andrea (Burk) was born. The couple actually came back home
to Helena for Andrea to be born, then went back to South Carolina. A couple of years later, Marion’s mother, who lived alone in Helena, was stricken by Alzheimer’s disease, and the family moved back home to be near her. Shortly thereafter, Mrs. Davidson had to be moved into a nursing home. “They said she wouldn’t last long, but she fooled them all, living 13 more years,” said Marion. Today, Marion and James live in the home she grew up in. The stately well kept white house beside the RR tracks on 2nd Street in Old Town. The couple have four daughters: Andrea, Kim, Michelle and Allison. They have eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren (with two more on the way). Thank you to James Sides for your service and for taking the time to share a bit of your life with us this month as we celebrate our Veterans around the world!
The Sides family after moving to Helena c.1930s (James was the oldest boy). James’ wife Marion at home in Helena with her mother, Emmie Davidson, who War memorial with destruction still visible 11 years after the was Helena’s first city clerk (and teacher at HES) and sister-in-law, Carolyn bomb was dropped (in Hiroshima, Japan). Davidson Knowles. (Notice the train depot in the background which was still in use by the railroad at the time, c. 1960s.)
James and Marion with daughter, Andrea, in South Carolina after James graduated from college at Georgia Tech.
James as QB at Georgia Tech, where he played under legendary Coach Bobby Dodd.
James and Army buddies ready to hit the town while stationed in Japan.
James played baseball and football while stationed at Camp Zama, Japan. Both teams were known as the Zama Ramblers.
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Husky Volleyball finishes terrific season with Elite 8 appearance
The 2017 Helena Varsity Volleyball team capped off a very successful season with an appearance at the Elite 8 State Volleyball Tournament. Although the season did not end with a state title, having a record of 33-11 is definitely something to be proud of! Under the direction of head coach Amanda Lewis, the Lady Huskies won two tournaments this season at Chelsea and Briarwood Christian, and the team also advanced to the Gold bracket at the Juanita Boddie tournament at Hoover and the Dig in the Park tournament at Spain Park. At these tournaments, the Lady Huskies had impressive wins over much larger 7A schools, including Spain Park and Sparkman. They also beat area competitor, Chelsea, on four separate occasions. With a team of six seniors: Madison Rhodes, Hallie Smith, Laurel Ling, Katie Lively, Lindy Long, and Abby Moore and 7 Juniors: Emma Johnson, Meghan Fortson, Anna Claire Hulbert, Savanna Cutchin, Morgan Simmons, and Gracie Hughes, this team finished the season with a ranking of 6th in the state in the 6A division. With seven Juniors returning and promising seasons at the Junior Varsity and Freshman levels, the future looks bright for Helena Husky Volleyball team. Congratulations on a great season, girls!
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New manager Chelaine Wright trains Snap Fitness client, Karen Hurd. We invite you to check out Snap Fitness; Come in now for a FREE week! (For a $20 deposit, we’ll even give you a 24/7 all access key card to try!) And remember, with us, there is NEVER a long term contract to sign. Snap Fitness Helena welcomes new manager, Chelaine Wright. Her partner,Tom Bolding, is also a new face Snap members will get to know. (Tom has been working out at Snap about a year and already counts many members as friends.) Chelaine grew up in Birmingham and graduated from UAB with a degree in Health Promotion with a sub-track in Fitness Leadership.“I have always been interested in fitness,” she said.“I’m an avid runner and I’ve been teaching group
Chelaine & Tom
exercise classes since I was a 16-year-old high school student.” Chelaine has been working as a personal fitness trainer, mainly in people’s homes, for the past 20 years, but also worked several years at the YMCA, and is excited at the prospect of bringing her hands on, personalized approach to Snap Fitnessw. One of Chelaine’s fitness clients since July, Karen Hurd, added her thoughts.“I’m retired and recently widowed, and one of my neighbors, Roberta, encouraged me
to check out Snap Fitness in Helena. She told me about the family atmosphere that she had found there, and once I came in, it was evident what she meant. Chelaine gave me my new member orientation, and I felt at ease from the start. She is my personal trainer now, and has me on a routine that fits me perfectly. Chelaine makes it fun, changes it often so you don’t get bored and has become a friend.And that gives me the motivation to come in and work out regularly! She works out with me as opposed to standing there just giving commands,” said Karen.“You can tell that she truly cares.” Chelaine and Tom are working on exciting new workout classes and programs that they can bring to Snap Fitness while keeping many of the most popular classes they now offer, like Cardio Burn, Fit ’N Feisty, Pound, Zumba,Yoga and others. “We have a wonderful staff of trainers and instructors,” said Chelaine.“Jackie, Merri,Anna, Cindy,Tracy, Denise,Audra and Bailey are all here and we work as a team. All are ready to meet clients where they are in terms of fitness, and will design plans to slowly but steadily help them improve
until they are fit and enjoying their much healthier selves.” Snap Fitness is the only gym in Helena that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. As an introductory special, Chelaine would like to offer a one week FREE gym pass to everyone.“Try us out for a week to see if we are what you have been looking for,” said Chelaine enthusiastically. (Pass good during staffed hours. She’ll even offer a one week all access pass with key card with a $20 deposit.) “We’re also planning to do more community outreach than Snap has done in the past, like participating in career days at local schools and being involved in local festivals and that type thing,” added Tom. The new management team is also planning to increase their social media presence. Check out their new social media Facebook page. If you have been sitting around thinking that you just need a little motivation to get started, give Chelaine a chance to get you going—don’t delay, call or visit Snap Fitness Helena today!
JANE B. HOLMES
PUBLIC
Close-Out Party for Adult Patrons
Student Appreciation Event
LIBRARY
Good Day to Everyone!
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
The Jane B. Holmes Public Library encourages you to visit soon. As many of you know, the library has great Holiday decorations, materials, and events. Begin planning those New Year’s resolutions by checking out some books about improving your health, your brain, or choosing a new way to spend free time. Also, reading for pleasure is IMPORTANT! Find a best seller, a Classic, or a favorite from the past. It is a great idea to have a book to escape to when dealing with the stress of the Holidays. Remember, a library card is FREE if you live or work in Shelby County. If you are under the age of 18, ask your parent to sign you up for a library card. There are great resources for people of all ages available at the library. Stop by to browse the shelves, or “shop at home” using the online catalog! When you select items to be held for you, they are shipped here from other Shelby County libraries. You receive an e-mail, phone call, or text that your items have arrived. It is a simple process, and we hope you will take advantage of it. The library is fortunate to have a great community supporting it. Organizations and private citizens volunteer and donate time and resources that help our library thrive. Recently, The GFWC Helena Juniorettes held a book drive for the library. The members and leadership worked hard on this project, and the library received some great books. We would like to thank the Juniorettes and their co-advisors, Cathy Barker and Jan Greer for providing a great example to young people in our community. (Pictured are the Helena Juniorettes and Assistant Library Director, Tracy Arnold. ) Finally, SANTA CLAUS will be visiting on Thursday, December14 at 6:00 PM. Bring your phone or camera for pictures!
JANE B. HOLMES PUBLIC LIBRARY • 230 Tucker Road, Helena AL 35080
Great New Books!
205-664-8308 • Visit us @ www.cityofhelena.org NEW MOVIES
Upcoming Events and Activities: Story Time EVERY Tuesday and Thursday at 11:00 AM. Mon., December 4 – Holiday Book Sale! Books suitable for giving, at great prices! Thurs., December 14 – @ 6:00PM Visit with Santa Claus! Bring your phone or camera Tues., December 19 – from 4:30 to 5:45 – Cookies and Coloring – Holiday Edition Sat., December 23 – Tues., December 26 – Library closed – Christmas Sat. December 30 – Tuesday, Jan. 2 – Library Closed, New Year’s Check out our calendar at www.cityofhelena.org (click on library) for more events and additional info. Make sure to bring your library card!
NEW RELEASES
Hot Off The Press Books Out Now or Coming Soon: FICTION: Merry And Bright - Debbie Macomber Holly and Ivy - Fern Michaels Snow Country Christmas - Linda Lael Miller Sleeping Beauties - Stephen King Sleep Like A Baby - Charlaine Harris Haunted - James Patterson To Be Where You Are - Jan Karon Y is for Yesterday - Sue Grafton Crime Scene - Jonathan Kellerman Any Dream Will Do - Debbie Macomber Need to Know - Fern Michaels The Store - James Patterson Barely Legal - Stuart Woods Grand Opening 2 - Carl Weber NON FICTION: Astrophysics for People in a Hurry - Neil DeGrasse Killers of the Flower Moon - David Grann Desserts LaBelle - Patti LaBelle The Last Love Song - Tracy Daugherty
Spider-Man: Homecoming Pirates of the Caribbean – Dead Men Tell No Tales The Beguiled – Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman Wonder Woman - Gal Gadot, Chris Pine Empire: The Complete Third Season DC’s Legends of Tomorrow - Seasons 1 and 2 Gotham - The Complete Third Season The Flash - The Complete Third Season Supergirl - The Complete Second Season Alien Covenant - Michael Fassbender Boss Baby The Case for Christ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - Chris Pratt; Bradley Cooper Descendants 2 The Wall - John Cena
Be sure to check out our children’s ACTIVITY CENTER!
NEW MUSIC
Road Less Traveled - Lauren Alaina Kidz Bop 36 Bus Songs - Toby Keith All the Light Above It Too - Jack Johnson Life Changed - Thomas Rhett Did It For The Party - Big $ Rich Guardians of the Galaxy – Awesome Mix 2 Now That’s What I Call Tailgate Anthems Now That’s What I Call Music 63 Words - Sara Evans Miley Cyrus – Younger Now Fergie – Double Dutchess Pink – Beautiful Trauma Concrete and Gold - Foo Fighters Feel the Real - Musiq Soul Child
205-664-8308 • Visit us @ www.cityofhelena.org (click on library)
Ma r
ine Collins r e th a yC
SENIOR ATTENDANTS
Johnson y e l y Ha
ly Otis Emi
Ca itlin R
2017
Homecoming
rcy Garcia e M
d lan t u
2017 Homecoming Court Presentation a Highlight of Homecoming Week Freshmen attendants • Miss Chloe Cyphers, escorted by her father, Matthew Cyphers. Chloe is on the freshman cheer team and has been cheering for nine years. She is a member of Church of the Highlands and enjoys being a part of the Field of Angels. • Miss Lexi Partin, escorted by her father, Tyler Partin. Lexi is a member of the Helena High School Track team. She volunteers at the Sanctuary Animal Rescue and with the Field of Angels. • Miss Gracey Thornton, escorted by her father, Jonathan Thornton. She plays on the Varsity Soccer Team and coaches Helena Rec Soccer with her dad. Gracey leads worship for Kingwood Student Ministries.
Sophomore attendants
• Miss Jillian Daugherty, escorted by her father, Michael Daugherty. She is a Helena High School JV Cheerleader and she serves as an HHS Ambassador. Jillian attends Riverchase United Methodist Church. She is a member of the Helena Juniorettes. • Miss Abigail Ford, escorted by her mom, Ms. Amy Ford and her cross country coach, Jon Russell. She is a member of the cross country and track teams. She is an HHS Ambassador and a member of the Key Club. Abigail
enjoys volunteering in the children’s ministry at her church. • Miss Jenna Winter, escorted by her father, Mark Winter. She serves as the Sophomore Class President. She is a member of the Helena JV Volleyball team and is an HHS Ambassador. Jenna attends Southminster Presbyterian Church. She is involved in the Helena Juniorettes.
Junior attendants
• Miss Laney Bruner, escorted by her father, Tim Bruner. She is a member of the Helena High School Basketball team. She is a Peer Helper and a member of the National Honor Society and the Key Club. Laney is a member of First Baptist Church of Pelham. • Miss Lauren Caver, escorted by her father, Jason Caver. She is on the Helena High School Dance Team. She is a Peer Helper and a member of the National Honor Society and Rho Kappa. Lauren is a member of First Baptist Church of Pelham. • Miss Cassidy Purkapile, escorted tonight by her father, Scott Purkapile. She is in the Helena High School band and serves as the Majorette Captain. She twirls competitively with the Shelby Starlets. Cassidy is an active member of First Baptist Church of Pelham.
Senior attendants • Miss Mary Catherine Collins, escorted by her father, Jeff Collins. She is an HHS Ambassador and a member of the Chamber Choir. She was selected as the 2017 Miss Amazing Teen Alabama. She attends Prince of Peace Catholic Church. After graduation, Mary Catherine plans to attend Mississippi State University or Jacksonville State University. • Miss Mercy Garcia, escorted by her father, Benny Garcia. She is the HHS Dance Team Captain and on the Band Council. She is a member of the English Honor Society and the Environmental Club. She is a member of Church of the Highlands and serves on the Events team. After graduation, Mercy plans to attend college. • Miss Hayley Johnson, escorted by her father, Keith Johnson. She is the Senior Class Vice President and an HHS Ambassador. Hayley is a Varsity Cheerleader and serves as a co-captain. She is a member of First Baptist Church of Pelham youth group. After graduation, Hayley plans to attend Auburn University as a pre-med student. She then plans to transfer to UAB for med school to become a pediatric oncologist. • Miss Emily Otis, escorted by her fa-
HOMECOMING COURT 2017
ther, Jason Otis. She is a member of the Helena High School Dance Team and a member of the Yearbook staff. She attends Church of the Highlands. After graduation, Emily plans to attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham and pursue a medical career. • Miss Caitlin Rutland, escorted by her father, Scott Rutland. She is the Vice President of the SGA and President of the National Honor Society. Caitlin is an HHS Ambassador, Peer Helper, and a Varsity All-American Cheerleader. She is involved in her youth group at First Baptist Church of Pelham. After graduation, she plans to attend Auburn University to study pharmacy. Assisting Helena High School Principal, April Brand, with the crowning of the 2017 homecoming queen, was Mayor Mark Hall and the 2016 homecoming queen, Miss Kennedy Lenz. Kennedy attends the University of Alabama at Birmingham and is part of the predental program. She performs at UAB football and basketball games as a member of the Golden Girl Dance Team. And the 2017 Helena High School Homecoming Queen is Miss Mary Catherine Collins. Congratulations on your special night, Mary Cat!
Huskies select a very special Homecoming Queen this year
“Mary Cat,” as she is known to friends, is a member of the Class of 2018, the first group to have attended Helena High School from start to finish. A Helena resident for the past six years, Mary Catherine moved here with her family from Montgomery. She was diagnosed at the age of 2 with Autism, and her family says she was not able to get what she needed in terms of academic and social support in the small Montgomery private school she attended. “It was a sheltered environment. We treated and disciplined Mary Catherine like we would any other kid,” said Jeff, her dad. “But we wanted to challenge her. She didn’t start speaking until she was 8 years old. A family member involved in the school system here suggested we move from Montgomery to Shelby County,” he continued. “Helena Middle School was recommended as being very forward thinking, nurturing and supportive.” “We began driving around Helena and Mary Catherine fell in love with the look of Hillsboro,” said mom, Ashley. So the family bought a house there and the relative’s advice to move here proved prophetic, as 28 Holidays 2017 / www.CityOfHelena.org
Mary Catherine has thrived in both Helena Middle and Helena High School. “Recently, her friends got together and decided they wanted to give Mary Catherine a lasting memory from high school, and they voted her the 2017 Homecoming Queen,” said Ashley with a beaming smile you’d expect from a loving mother. “Mary Catherine loves choir and has been involved in the choir program the entire time she has been in high school,” said Jeff. Mary Catherine is in the Chamber Choir, and performs a solo each year. Her choir teacher is Cissy Johnson, who has nominated Mary Cat for the Tri M Honor Society.Her gifted voice was first noticed when she came here as a 7th grader. During a talent show at the middle school, she sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow. “You could have heard a pin drop when she started singing,” said Jeff. A teacher present for the performance said that there wasn’t a teacher in the audience with a dry eye. She sings for other groups and organizations whenever she gets a chance. She has performed for Autism Society fund raisers and enjoys singing the National Anthem at sporting events like Helena Volleyball games. She just tried out for the part of “Annie” in the school’s spring production of the play. “She has participated in the previous three spring plays,” said Jeff.
Mary Catherine works hard and maintains a 3.75 GPA. She says she has to outwork everyone to overcome her challenges. Lakeshore has a program to teach special needs students driving skills, and Mary Catherine is on their waiting list. We asked Mary Catherine what kind of car she wanted and without blinking an eye, she said “a pink Cadillac.” (Could Mary Kay be in her future?) Mary Catherine plans to attend Mississippi State University next year and be a part of its ACCESS program, an inclusive and comprehensive program to provide for the academic as well as the daily living needs of its students. She worked in a coop program here last year that saw her gain valuable workplace experience at two Helena businesses: Home Plate Cooking and Skull Girl Soaps. Mary Catherine says that she wants to someday have a bakery with a gift shop and plans for her and mom, Ashley, to run it. Mary Catherine won Miss Amazing Teen Alabama this year in a pageant for special needs students and adults, and went on to represent the state at their national pageant in Chicago last August. After winning Homecoming Queen recently, Mary Cat, with Mom, Dad and sister, Anna Grace, celebrated with a dinner at Beef O’Brady’s. “I was so excited, and mom told me I could have anything I wanted,” said Mary Cat. “So I chose dinner out and to watch whatever I wanted to on TV.” Helena High School’s Teacher of the Year for 2017, Tiffany Crumpton, said she first met Mary Cat as the school’s 9th
grade special eduction inclusion teacher during Mary Cat’s first year of high school. “I had the opportunity to work with her up until this year,” said Tiffany. “This year, we have evolved from teacher/student to friends,” she said. “She is always the bright spot in my day. No matter what she deals with on a daily basis, she is always positive. It has been so rewarding to watch her journey. The changes I have witnessed in her from the time she first got here until now are nothing short of amazing,” said Tiffany. “I know the sky is the limit for Mary Cat.” Mary Cat had a birthday bash to celebrate her 18th birthday (which was November 4th) at another of her favorite Helena restaurants, The Depot Grill. “She loves Matt, and he shut the place down for a private party and cooked hamburgers and hot dogs to celebrate the big day,” said Jeff. After being crowned at the Homecoming game, she was presented as the Homecoming Queen at the dance that followed on Saturday night with her good friend, Kopeland Rosser, as her escort. Kopeland is the safety on the football team and has been a friend since 7th grade. Kopeland says that he and Mary Cat really became good friends in the 8th grade when they started changing classes. “Mary Cat’s hilarious. She’s as nice as can be, but she can also show a mean streak if you make her mad,” he laughed. “But she’s the kind of person you can talk to and she’ll always make your day better.” “The key to helping a special needs child reach his or her full potential is early intervention,” said Jeff, who wanted to encourage any young parents whose child has been diagnosed with Autism to reach out to him for advice from a parent who has been there and done that. “I can be reached on Facebook.” Hats off to this beautiful and talented young lady with a heart of gold on all her accomplishments to date, and best wishes on her continued academic career as a Mississippi State Bulldog next year!
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS REGULAR WEEKLY EVENTS
Alabaster First Methodist, 5:00-9:00pm, aaronsstaffrespite.org
MONDAYS Police Explorers, Explorer Training Facility, 4:00-7:00PM Fire Explorers, Station 2, 5:00PM TUESDAYS Kiwanis, Helena Senior Center, 7:00AM; 3rd Tues. 5:30PM Story Time, Jane B. Holmes Public Library, 11:00AM Helena Lions Club meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday, Helena Senior Center 7:00PM, Visit Helena Lions Club Facebook page for more information THURSDAYS Story Time, Jane B. Holmes Public Library, 11:00AM
november
23rd - THANKSGIVING Municipal Offices/Library closed Nov. 23-24 NO garbage collection—Syntec will run one day behind Thursday & Friday wasteservices-helena.com
18th - Shelby County Schools Christmas Holidays Dec. 18-Jan. 1 21st - Winter begins 24th - Christmas Eve 25th - Christmas Day City Hall & Library closed; No Garbage Collection — Syntec will collect trash one day behind through Saturday 25th - City Hall & Library closed in observance of Christmas; 27th - Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm
january
31st - New Year’s Eve—Don’t Drink and Drive
1st - New Year’s Day Municipal Offices/Library closed NO garbage collection—Syntec will run one day behind through Saturday wasteservices-helena.com 2nd - Shelby County Schools, Teacher Workday–No Students
27th - Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm
december
- Helena Business Association Meeting, 8:00 am, for meeting site visit hbahelena.com or their Facebook page 3rd - Back to School Shelby Co. School Students, 2nd Semester Begins
1st - Helena’s First Friday (presented by the HBA), don’t miss this chance to purchase unique Christmas gifts, enjoy great food, a tree lighting and much more, Old Town, 5:00-8:00pm - A Christmas Tree Lighting will be presented by the Helena Beautification Board following First Friday, the Caboose, 8:00pm
2nd - City of Helena’s 47th Annual Christmas Parade, 1:00pm sharp Theme: A Christmas Movie Memory; Grand Marshal: Cris Nelson, former City Council President; Parade line up begins at 9:00am; Floats must be in place by 11:00am for 11:30am judging; Parade route begins at the intersection of CR52E, Hwy 17 & Helena Road (Hwy 261), it will travel down Helena Road and end in Old Town; For more info or to obtain a form contact kym@cityofhelena.org or questions call Joy Childers at 663-2158
8th 9th 11th -
Emergency Siren Test, 10:00am Friends of the Library meeting, Jane B. Holmes Library, 5:45pm Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm Helena Utility Board meeting, Community Services Bldg, 5:00pm Helena Planning & Zoning, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm
15th - Martin L King Jr Birthday Municipal Offices/Library/ Shelby County Schools closed Syntec will run garbage collection as usual wasteservices-helena.com 20th - Respite Care-special needs 0-21, free of charge but must reserve, Alabaster First Methodist, 5:00-9:00pm, aaronsstaffrespite.org
5th - Helena Business Association Meeting, 8:00 am, for meeting site visit hbahelena.com or their Facebook page 6th - Emergency Siren Test, 10:00am - Friends of the Library meeting, Jane B. Holmes Library, 5:45pm 11th - Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm 12th - US Senate Special Election, Helena Community Building, Polls are open 7:00am-7:00pm (Don’t forget to bring a photo ID.) For more information visit alabamavotes.gov
United States Senate Special Election
US Senate Special Election: Tuesday, December 12, 2017 Democratic nominee Doug Jones or Republican nominee Roy Moore are vying for the US Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions following his - Helena Utility Board meeting, Community Services Bldg, 5:00pm appointment to US Attorney General. 14th - Helena Planning & Zoning, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm Polling Place: Helena Community Center* 15th - Shelby County Schools-First Semester Ends, Dismiss at 1:00pm Polls Open: 7:00AM to 7:00PM
16th - Respite Care-special needs 0-21, free of charge but must reserve
Voters must show a photo ID. *Voters residing in the 35080 ZIP Code.
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31
Wendy Wood, 2nd grade
Helena Elementary School’s 2017 Teacher of the Year Helena Elementary’s Teacher of the Year for 2017, as selected by her peers, is 2nd grade teacher, Wendy Woods. Wendy grew up in Hueytown, Alabama, a dyed in the wool Golden Gopher. She says she grew up watching football with her family and she loved cheerleading and dancing. “And riding her bike around the neighborhood with friends in the days when nobody gave it a second thought,” she said. Wendy’s dad, the late Buddy Whitfield, bought her a playhouse during her elementary school days that she remembered with tears in her eyes, and she remembers playing “schoolhouse” in it as one of the fondest memories from her childhood. “I played the part of a teacher way back then,” she laughed. “My mom, Pat Whitfield, was a stay-at-home mom and made a wonderful home for my older sister and me.” Wendy says she has always
Wendy Woods
had a love for children, teaching vacation bible school at her church and later serving as a Sunday School teacher as she grew older. After graduating from Hueytown High School, she went on to the University of Alabama, at first with the intent to major in fashion design. After a semester of that though, she decided that teaching was in her heart, so she changed her major to Elementary Education, which is what she earned her degree in from the Capstone. Now in her 11th year of teaching, (her 3rd at HES), Wendy says she feels a renewed vigor for doing what she loves. “I had no idea they were doing this,” she said, “but during our teacher’s conference Monday, October 2nd, Ms. Cooper called me up and presented me with this gorgeous vase of flowers. It is such an honor,” she said. Wendy started her teaching career at Oak Mountain
Elementary before taking a few years off to stay home with 2nd child Riley, now 8 and a 3rd grader at Helena Intermediate School. “During this time, I subbed some at HES while my oldest, Reed, 11 and a 6th grader at Helena Middle, attended school there. Finally, Ms. Cooper called and offered me a full time position here teaching 2nd grade, and I jumped at the opportunity. It’s nice teaching in the school my children attended,” she said. “My students keep individual data binders and are always reflecting on their learning. Students take ownership of their learning when they can reflect and discuss their strengths and weaknesses with their peers, teacher and parents,” she said. Wendy listed spending time with her students and observing their growth as the most rewarding parts of her job, and also serving with a dedicated team of coworkers. “We all learn from each other,” she said.
Wendy is married to Kyle, who is over property adjusters in the State of Alabama for AllState Insurance. The family calls South Cove Estates, in unincorporated Shelby County, home. “Helena is our closest town and since we lived in Sugar Creek off of Hwy 95 seven years prior to our moving out here eight years ago, so Helena is home for us.” The family attends Church of the Highlands, Riverchase Campus. They enjoy beach trips to Panama City Beach, Florida. “Kyle’s parents have a beach home there, and we spend a lot of our beach time there. We love the outdoors and go fishing as often as we can when we’re there. My own favorite pastime though— my guilty pleasure—would have to be shopping,” she laughed. Our heartfelt congratulations and thanks go out to Wendy Woods, Helena Elementary School’s 2017 Teacher of the Year!
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PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL… We’re the Home of the Free Because of the Brave!
SGT Jon M. Aaron USA; 4/14 K Co (DET B), Unit 43671, FPO AP 96426-3671; Al Anbar, Iraq; Karen Dickinson’s son
Petty Officer 3rd Class Justin D. Gilbert USCG, Machinery Technician; Key West, FL; Leslie’s husband, Annette & Dan Duffy’s son-in-law
E-3 HTFN Alex Avery USN; USS Frank Cable, Guam; Phil & Deana Avery’s son, Maria Avery’s brother, Ken & Mary Penhale’s grandson
SSG Jay Gortney ARNG; 20th Special Forces; Iraq; April’s husband
PFC Zachary Barr USA: 7th Special Forces Group; Eglin AFB, FL Cynthia & Mark Barr’s son SGT Steven M. Bennett USA; Paratrooper/Rigger; Fort Benning, GA Clara & Ken Lorino’s son SFC Eric Bond USA; 82nd ABD, 1-504 PIR; Baghdad, Iraq; Paul Zimmerman’s cousin Captain Joshua Bowen USA; 1st Brigade, 4th Inf. Div.; Fort Carson, CO Tom and Susan Bowen’s son, Fallon’s husband Captain Fallon Bowen USA; Aviation Brigade, 4th Inf. Div.; Fort Carson, CO Tom and Susan Bowen’s daughter-in-law, Joshua’s wife LT Sarah Bowen USN; USS John Stennis Aircraft Carrier; Bremerton, WA; Tom and Susan Bowen’s daughter LT Jordan Bowen USA; 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Div., Ft. Hood, TX; Tom and Susan Bowen’s son SRA Mitch Braswell USAF; 16th EMS, 16th Special Op. Wing; Afghanistan; Mike & Judi Braswell’s son PVT Vincent Brown USMC; Chesapeake, VA; Leonetta Prevo’s son SGT Dallas C Caviness USAF; 172 Inf. Brigade; Germany; Rebecca’s husband, Norah’s father, Rhonda’s son & Devin’s brother 1st LT William B. Cofer USA; Fort Campbell, KY; Dorothy & Jim Cofer’s son, Deborah’s brother CPO Austin C. Daniel USN; Norfolk, VA; Mike & Claudia Daniel’s son, Justin, Tatum & Autumn’s brother Captain Jon P. Darrenkamp USA; Schofield Barracks, HI; Carol Darrenkamp’s son, Stephen & Eric’s brother
SGT Brooks Gray USA; Ranger; Scofield BKS, HI; John Gray’s son, Lauren & Ryan Gray’s brother SRA Brad Hubbard USAF Fort Gordon - Augusta, GA Rod & Susan Hubbard’s son SPC Michael Hubbard USA; Camp Liberty, Iraq; Ruth Meadows grandson, Kimberly’s husband, Bonnie Hubbard’s brother SPC Eric Hunley ARNG; 1/167 Inf. Bn Co. B, Operation Enduring Freedom; Afghanistan; Mike & Barbara Hunley’s son; late Chris Hunley’s brother CPL Michael Jeffries ARNG; 1/167 Infantry Battalion Company B, Operation Enduring Freedom; Afghanistan; Amy’s husband, Colin & Gavin’s father MC1 Andrew “AJ” Johnson USN; Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU); Dam Neck Annex, NAS Oceana; Virginia Beach, VA. LT Commander David Kang USN; White House, Washinton, DC; Stanley & Sue Kang’s son, Sunny Kang’s brother CW3 Corey Lefebvre USA; Fort Rucker, AL.; Tom Lefebvre’s son SGT Jacob S. Lenoir USA; Sniper Unit of 1-64 Inf; Fort Stewart, GA; Beth Eades’ son, Caitlyn’s husband SRA Tanner McGinnis USAF; 90th SFS Tactical Response Force; FE Warren AFB; Cheyenne, Wyoming Ken & Jo McGinnis’ son 2nd LT Jacob Allen Meins USAF, Special Operations Command; Kathy Meins Martin’s son MSG Jacqueline M. Moore USA, 387th; Wichita, KS; Leroy E. Lucas’ wife, Cameshia, Shaun, Chibukia & Chris’ mom
AEAN Benjamin Lee Doaks USN; NAS Jacksonville, FL; Joe & Tammy Williams’s son, Rev. Clifton & Mattie Taylor’s grandson
SSGT Christopher S. Murphy USMC; MWHS 3, San Diego, CA; Jack & Karen Murphy’s son, Alyssa’s husband
LCPL Jared M. Fitzgerald USMC; 9th Communication Battalion; Camp Pendleton; CA; Rosemarie Butler’s son and Jeff’s stepson, Justin and Tyler’s brother
LT Commander Kimberly A. Oelschlager USN; US Navy Hospital (Balboa)-Physician’s Asst., San Diego, CA; Ted & the late Sara Oelschlager’s daughter
E-mail Helena active duty military personnel’s name, address and where they’re stationed to helenacitynews@aol.com. If your loved one has returned, PLEASE let us know so that we can keep our prayer list current. Thank you! 34 Holidays 2017 / www.CityOfHelena.org
SPC, Alexander Palmer Combat Medic Schofield, O’ahu, Hawaii Chief Petty Officer Termaine J. Pruitt USN; NAS Pensacola, FL; Termaine Jr, Trevorn, Chelicia & Tristin’s father, Janice & Austin Pruitt’s son SGT Peter J. “Pete” Reese ARNG; 152nd MP Co.; Lauren’s husband; Kai, Sam, Dalton, Brook & Kaiti’s father CPL Casey B. Reitz USMC, MCSF Battalion, King’s Bay Naval Base, King’s Bay, GA; Tom and Suzi Reitz’s son, Tommy, Joey, and Emily’s brother Personnel SPC Second Class William T. Rice USA, USS Ronald Reagan, San Diego, CA. Son of Ginger Hamilton SPC Dwight A Rosse Jr. USA; 1-32 Cav 1st Bct, Fort Campbell, KY; Dwight & Michelle Rosse’s son, Britney & Carlton’s brother SPC Patrick D. Sharp USA; 82nd ABD; Al Asad, Iraq; Shawn Sharp’s son SPC Ashley Bruce Squires USA; 3rd Inf. Div., 1-30 Inf.; Ft. Stewart, GA; Jesi Mason Squires’s father, Bruce & Tammy son, Aubrey & Austin’s brother Cpl Rodney Stephens ARNG; 152nd Military Police Task Force 382nd, Iraq; Andrea & AnnaBelle’s father Capt John M Traylor, Jr USAF; 64th Aggressor Squadron; Nellis AFB, NV; Mark & Karole Traylor’s son SGT John Christian Vansant USMC; VMMT 204 Flightline, MCAS; New River, NC; Keith & Sherill Vansant’s son Major Maxwell B. Ward USAR; Afghanistan; Kathie’s husband, Maggie’s dad, Bette Ward’s son, Michelle (Lin) Saville’s brother PFC Zachary Walton USA; 3-1 Cav. Regt. Delta Troop; Ft Benning, GA; Becky Click’s son, Alex Walton & Sydney Mollica’s brother, Amber’s husband FC3 William J. Welch USN; USS Lake Erie, Pearl Harbor, HI; Devinne Brooks’ husband
HELENA BOYS BASKETBALL 2017-2018
DAY, DATE
OPPONENT
SITE
9 TH
JV
V
Mon, Nov 27 Thur, Nov 30 Fri, Dec 1 Mon, Dec 4 Tue, Dec 5 Wed, Dec 6 Fri, Dec 8 Mon, Dec 11 Thur, Dec 14 Sat, Dec 16 Mon, Dec 18 Tue, Dec 19 Wed-Fri, Dec 20-22 Wed-Fri, Dec 27-29 Tue-Sat, Jan 2-6 Mon, Jan 8 Tue, Jan 9 Fri, Jan 12 Sat, Jan 13 Mon, Jan 15 Tue, Jan 16 Thur, Jan 18 Fri, Jan 19 Tue, Jan 23 Thur, Jan 25 Fri, Jan 26 Tue, Jan 30 Wed, Jan 31 Thur, Feb 1 Fri, Feb 2 Sat, Feb 3 Thur, Sat, Feb 8-10 Mon, Feb13 Fri-Sat, Feb16-24 Mon-Sat, Feb 26-Mar 3
Mountain Brook Away 4:30 7:30 Cornerstone Home 5:30 7:00 Chilton Co. Away 4:30 7:30 McAdory Home 3:30 4:30 7:30 Oak Mountain Home 4:30 7:30 Leeds Away 3:30 Shelby Co. Home 5:30 7:00 McAdory Away 3:30 4:30 7:30 Chilton Co. Home 4:30 7:30 James Clemens Wallace St. 2:30 Hueytown Away 4:30 7:30 Montevallo Helena 6:15 Fort Payne Tournament Fort Payne TBA Big Orange Tournament Hoover TBA TBA JeffCo-Shelby Tournament TBA TBA Oak Mountain Home 6:15 Pelham Away 6:00 4:30 7:30 Montevallo Away 4:30 5:30 7:00 Central Tuscaloosa Huffman 12:00 Chelsea Home 5:30 Chelsea Home 4:30 7:30 Pelham Home 6:15 Pelham Home 4:30 7:30 Hueytown Home 3:30 4:30 7:30 Chelsea Away 5:30 Chelsea Away 4:30 7:30 Thompson Away 4:30 7:30 9th/JV Tourney Mt Brook TBA TBA Oak Mountain Away 5:00 Oak Mountain Away 4:30 7:30 9th/JV Tourney Mt Brook TBA TBA AREA TOURNAMENT TBA TBA SUB-REGIONAL TBA 7:00 REGIONAL ASU TBA FINAL FOUR BJCC TBA AREA GAMES IN BOLD Head Coach: Chris Laatsch Assistant Coaches: Tyler Blackwell (JV), Jason Johnsey (9th) William Sexton and Adam Burgess Trainers: Michael Shields and Gina Gonzales Driveway Pressure Washing
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H E L E N A’ S C O M M U N I T Y O F FA I T H A.M.E. New Bethel A.M.E.
Highway 261 • 201-5531 Rev. Wilma Merriweather Sunday School 10:00 AM Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM
BAPTIST CrossBridge Community Church Starkey Street (off 261) • 621-2695 Pastors Harris Cook & Bruce Squires crossbridgehelena.com Sunday Worship 10:00 AM Wednesday Prayer Service 6:30 PM
First Baptist Church Helena
815 Highway 52 E • 663-7879 Sr Pastor Greg Walker • fbhelena.org Sunday Bible Study 9:30 AM Sunday Worship 10:30 AM & 6:00 PM
Gospel Light Baptist Church
5781 Roy Drive • 685-0772 Pastor Gary Bohman • glbcbham.com Sunday Bible Study 10:00 AM Sunday Worship 11:00 AM
Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church
Highway 261 • 663-5257 Rev. Edwin D. Dinkins • mpbchelena.com Sunday School 10:00 AM Morning Worship 11:00 AM
New Elam Baptist Church Cunningham Drive • 663-2230 Rev. Lester Sunday School 10:00 AM Morning Worship 11:00 AM
Riverside Baptist Church
1919 Highway 52 W • 426-1910 Pastor Chris Wilson • rbchelena.org Sunday Worship 9:00 AM Sunday Bible Study 10:30 AM
Shiloh Baptist Church
6700 County Road 13 • 424-4539 Pastor Randy Keef Sunday School 10:00 AM Sunday Worship 11:00 AM
CHRISTIAN—DISCIPLES OF CHRIST Grace Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 869 Highway 52 • 426-1233 Rev. Brad Henderson gracechristianchurch.org Sunday School 9:00 AM Sunday Worship 10:00 AM
CHURCH OF CHRIST
Church of Christ at Helena 2499 Highway 58 • 620-4575 Evgs Curtis Flatt & Bryan Moody church-of-christ.org Sunday School 9:30 AM Morning Worship 10:30 AM
EPISCOPAL Lamb of God Charismatic Episcopal
New Vision Christian Church
2383 Highway 95 • 664-4333 Pastor Van C. Houser, Sr. • nvcc4god.org 5140 County Road 17 • 919-7932 Sunday Corporate Prayer 9:00 AM Rev. Glenn E. Davis • lambofgodcec.org Sunday Worship 10:15 AM Children’s Church 10:00 AM Sunday Worship 10:00 AM
METHODIST Helena United Methodist Church 2035 County Road 58 • 663-0111 Dr. Mary Henley • helenaumc.org Worship 9AM Traditional, 11AM Contemporary Sunday School 10AM
The Church at Cahaba Bend 3721 Highway 52 W • 621-8060 Rev. Keith Elder • cahababend.org Sunday School 9:15 AM Contemporary Worship 10:30 AM
NAZARENE Trinity Church of the Nazarene Laurel Woods Dr. & Hwy 58 • 664-4659 Rev. David Shirer • nazarene.ch/trinity/ Sunday School 9:00 AM Morning Worship 10:00 AM
NON-DENOMINATIONAL Cornerstone Church 2694 Highway 58 • 663-9332 Rev. Tim Trimble cornerstonechurchhelena.org Sunday School 9:30 AM Morning Worship 10:30 AM
Voice of Faith Int’l Ministries 1560 Cunningham Drive • 663-7396 Rev. Franklin L. Kirksey Sunday Worship 7:00 & 10:00 AM Thursday Bible Teaching 10:00 AM
PRESBYTERIAN Christ Community Church
Meets at Helena Intermediate • 621-6248 Pastor Phil Chambers • cccbham.org Sunday Worship 10:30 AM
Helena Cumberland Presbyterian 3396 Helena Road • 663-2174 Pastor Mike Ensminger helenacpchurch.com Sunday School 9:00 AM Morning Worship 10:00 AM
Our community of faith offers many services and programs year-round. Please visit the church’s website for additional information about upcoming events and programs.
Attend the Church of Your Choice This Sunday!
Lauri Williams, DMD, PC Charles Bordenca, DMD
2490 Valledale Rd • Birmingham, Alabama 35244 205-982-0222 • www.clcbham.com Service times: Sunday 10AM • Wednesday 6:30PM
219 North First St. Alabaster, AL 35007 Phone 205.664.2130 After Hours 205.941.0631
www.AlabasterSmiles.com No representation is made that the quality of dental services provided is greater than those provided by other dentists.
36 Holidays 2017 / www.CityOfHelena.org
Helena Husky Marching Band earning awards and making plans Katy Burnside
After many long hours of practice, the Helena High School Marching Band competed in two competitions showing off their show Beyond the Emerald Curtain, featuring music from the Broadway Musical Wicked. From the green flags of Oz to the yellow brick road ending, the band entertained the audiences with the songs No One Mourns the Wicked, Dancing Through Life, and Defying Gravity. At the Covered Bridge Marching Festival competition on Oct. 7, the
band brought home many awards. Receiving all superior ratings, they won best in Class 4A Band, Drum Majors, Majorettes, Color Guard, Dance Team and Percussion. The color guard and majorettes earned the Amanda Marks Memorial trophy for highest scoring visual teams. They were also recognized with the Sonny Tolbert Award for Excellence in recognition of superior performance and recognized as the best band in Division II. On Oct. 14, they traveled to
the Mud Creek Marching Festival. They earned a total of 14 awards at this competition. They received all superior ratings for drum major, band, percussion, dance team, majorettes, and color guard. The guard was recognized as highest guard score of the day and awarded the Tam Easterwood Memorial Award. The drum majors were awarded the Vanessa Watts Memorial Award for highest drum major scores of the day. The band, guard, majorettes, dance team, and drum majors won
best in class. The HHS band was also recognized as the Gold Division Overall Champions. The band will be traveling this spring to New York City to perform in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade where they will proudly represent Helena High School. While in NYC, they will have the opportunity to see the sights of the city along with getting to see the broadway versions of Wicked and Lion King.
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Meet Helena’s own Master Mechanic, Doug Melton, and his family Born in Perry, GA, Doug Melton moved to his parents’ hometown of Birmingham, AL from North Augusta, SC, when he was 13 years old. His mom and dad, Gale and Martin Melton, are retired and still live in Hoover, AL. Doug graduated in 1988 from Berry High School (forerunner to Hoover High School) and earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University. Doug met his wife, Kim, while both were attending Auburn. After graduating in 1993, Kim and Doug both went back to their hometowns. Kim working in Atlanta, GA as an information technology analyst at BellSouth, and Doug working as an engineer for BE&K, the same company that brought his dad back to Birmingham a decade earlier. The distance between the couple did not last long. Kim transferred to BellSouth’s branch in Hoover, they were married in 1995 and lived in Hoover before moving to Helena’s Dearing Downs neighborhood in 1997. After several years working a traditional desk job, Doug 38 Holidays 2017 / www.CityOfHelena.org
decided his real passion was working on cars. So he left his job at BE&K and went back to school at Bessemer State Technical College (now Lawson State) to pursue an associate degree in the Toyota T-TEN program. After graduating from Bessemer State and becoming an ASE Certified Mechanic, Doug began working full time for Hoover Toyota in 1998. His new career was taking off, and so was his new family. Their son, Bill was born in 2000, followed by their daughter, Hope in 2003. In 2001, less than a year after becoming a dad, Doug decided to take a chance and go into business for himself. “I knew the Alabaster/Helena/Pelham area was destined for growth, and so we officially opened Melton Automotive in April 2001 on Fulton Springs Road (CR 26) in Alabaster, AL. Now, 16 years later, the family business is thriving. Melton Automotive is proudly serving a growing customer base. While the majority of Doug’s business still comes from the Birmingham area, the reputation of Melton
Automotive’s skilled mechanics and Doug’s honest approach to business have gained a much wider appeal, and they now have customers from all over central Alabama. These days Doug manages the day-to-day work at the shop, and Kim helps with payroll and office work while also being a full-time mom to Bill and Hope and the family’s beagles, Buddy and Baby. Bill is a senior and proud to be a member of the 2018 graduation class at HHS, the first class to attend all four years as a Helena Husky. Bill is visiting colleges to decide where he will pursue his chemical engineering degree. Hope is a freshman at HHS and will be running track at HHS this winter and spring. Doug and his family enjoy travelling to the beach a couple times a year and love attending home football games at the loveliest village on the Plains to cheer on the Auburn Tigers. Asked what he’d like to see in Helena’s future, Doug is looking for the city to continue adding to the retail sector as the population grows so that more people can stay in Helena to do
all their shopping. “This adds to the city’s income and brings the revenue needed to give residents more, and even better, services,” he said. Though his first love is working on Toyota and Lexus vehicles, Doug and his team are happy to service MOST makes and models. In addition, in 2011 Doug was approached by Alagasco (now Spire) and the City of Trussville about converting vehicles to run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Doug and his team now also convert vehicles and perform inspections and repairs on CNG vehicles as well. The Melton Family loves living in Helena, AL and are so happy to be a part of this wonderful community, so if you are looking for a good, honest mechanic, we invite you to give Doug a call at Melton Automotive, (205) 663-6088. He is a Helena neighbor, and you won’t find a more knowledgeable and honest individual when it comes to diagnosing your vehicles’ needs and keeping you and your family safe on the roads.
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6th Grade Husky Blue ▲ Husky Black ▼ Several Helena Husky Youth Football Teams head to Championships as this goes to press…
Congratulations to all the Helena Youth League Husky Athletes and Cheerleaders on a great season!
Shown are the two 6th Grade teams who will battle it out!
The Helena youth league competes in the Jefferson Shelby Youth Football League (JSYFL). The regular season has come to an end and several Helena teams are headed for post season play. As this goes to press, the 3rd Grade team, coached by Shane Harris and the 5th Grade team, coached by Brad Moore, are set to compete in the league championship games against the 3rd and 5th Grade teams from Homewood. Helena had so many young 6th Grade athletes sign up this year, they divided the group into two teams, 6th Grade Blue and 6th Grade Black. Both the 6th Grade teams only lost one game the entire regular season—to each other! As this goes to press, they meet each other again to decide who will have bragging rights this year. Coach Eric Bouler, 6th Grade Blue, had this to say about his team, “This group of boys has shown up to every practice ready to work and every game ready to play. They’ve fought their way through a competitive season and have not only grown as athletes, but as young men. Their hard work and dedication has been un-
touchable this season. I’m proud of both Helena teams and excited for them to come together as one team for middle and high school. The next six years will be fun to watch this group play together.” Coach Jamie Cummins, 6th Grade Black, had this to say about his team, “It has been a great season for the Helena 6th grade black team. This is a special group that I have been fortunate to be a part of. We lost our first game of the season and have won nine straight games. These kids play as a team, give all they have and leave it all on the field. I’m proud of everyone of these kids and look forward to watching them as they get older.” This one should be an old fashioned “Barn Burner.” The girls cheerleader squads from 2nd, 5th and 6th Grade all participated at the state level in the UCA competition held recently at Vestavia High School. Each squad took home 3rd place honors. Congratulations, girls! Congratulations to all the coaches, student athletes, cheerleaders, parents and volunteers for all they have done for our kids this season!
2nd Grade Husky Cheerleaders
5th Grade Husky Cheerleaders
6th Grade Husky Cheerleaders
HAYDEN BEATS CANCER! Hayden was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. After being in remission for two years, Hayden’s leukemia had relapsed. Karen Miller Agency is on a mission to help raise funds to help the Qualls family cover Hayden’s medical expenses. Just recommend a friend or family member and we’ll donate $10 on your behalf to Ha Hayden’s medical expenses!
Montevallo Professor Jim Day honored as Hometown Hero University of Montevallo Professor of History, Dr. Jim Day, of Helena, was honored as a Hometown Hero at the Montevallo Mayor’s Hometown Heroes Breakfast on Friday, Oct. 13. Day also served as keynote speaker of the event. Day, who was raised in Montevallo, graduated from Montevallo High School in 1975. He went on to earn a B.S. in engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an M.A. in history from the University of Georgia. After 16 years of active duty service in the United States Army, Day earned the title of executive officer, chief of staff and operations officer of a 682-man infantry battalion. Day began teaching history at the University of Montevallo in 1997, and received his Ph.D. from Auburn University in 2002. During his tenure as a professor, he has served as chair of the Institutional Effectiveness Committee, the Library Committee, and currently serves as chairperson for the UM Representative to the Alabama Historical Commission and the UM Representative to the Alabama Historic Ironworks Commission.
He has been involved in more than 25 professional organizations including the Alabama Association of Historians, the Alabama Higher Education Partnership and serves as the founding president of the Montevallo Historical Society. His book, “Diamonds in the Rough: A History of Alabama’s Cahaba Coal Field,” won the Alabama Historical Association’s Clinton Jackson Coley Award for best work on Alabama local history in 2014. In addition to being honored at the Hometown Heroes Breakfast, Day has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Quilt of Valor and Military Service Medal from the Alabama Society Sons of the American Revolution, the National Collegiate Education Award and the title of University Scholar from the University of Montevallo. During his acceptance speech at the breakfast, Day shared 12 paradoxes of everyday life that he experienced during his lifetime. His final point stated that, in order to plan as if we’ll live forever, we must act as if we’ll die tonight. “Relationships are key. Therefore, it’s imperative to make a positive impact everyday,” said Day in conclusion.
Carson Moore, HIS Character in Action Carson is the son of Tammy and Brad Moore. Tammy teaches 2nd grade at Helena Elementary School. The modest Carson says he was surprised that the teachers picked him. The award is given each year to a student who shows kindness to others, stays on task with their school work and displays good character in dealing with their teachers and classmates. Carson says he enjoys playing tackle football on the 5th grade Helena Youth League team. This is Carson’s 4th year to play. “I played wide receiver and tight
end in the past, but this year, I am playing QB. “I hand it off and run a lot,” he said. Carson said so far this season, he has scored every touchdown but one on his team (at the time of the interview). “My favorite play is where I fake it to my wide receiver who runs a jet sweep, and I keep it. I’ve scored several like that,” he said with a smile. Carson says his favorite athlete is Cam Newton, who is also a running QB and a former Auburn Tiger. Congratulations to Carson Moore on his Character in Action Award!
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October 2017 Helena Beautification Award Winner The Helena Beautification Board is excited to announce that the Helena Beautification Award for October for fall decorations has been awarded to 850 Old Cahaba Drive, Kathy and Jo Sciarrotta. Fall is in the air and the Sciarrottas have been busy decorating for the season. This month’s beautification award winner includes some fall themed items, a shout out to the Helena Huskies and a sentimental journey. Kathy, who also loves pottery, placed her turquoise pieces on the front steps. They make a pretty accent filled with seasonal
November 2017 Helena Beautification Award Winners The Helena Beautification Board is excited to announce that due to an overwhelming number of nominations, we are awarding two beautification winners for the month of November; one residential, and one business. This month’s residential award goes to Alexia and John Furr at 160 Rowntree Path. Driving by, you are treated to a mixture of all things that make this time of year so special. From rocking chairs on the front porch to hand decorated pumpkins mingling in with the fall annuals; great uses of both hard and soft scape can be found at the blink of an eye. Moving to Helena two years ago from North Carolina, Alexia, a landscape designer, quickly realized that just because the zones for North Carolina and Alabama were the same didn’t mean the same plants would take hold. The front of the home is graced with a mixture of pansies, ornamental cabbage and sky blue violas. “One of the best ways I have found to optimize color with annuals is to mingle both summer annuals and
flowers. Nothing says autumn like yellow mums, and the Sciarrotta’s placement of yellow mums on their “Husky Blue” bench near the front walk, accented by pumpkins, makes a charming display. Along the fence, a row of corn husks anchored at the base by colorful mums round out the display. “My grandmother was a gardener,” says Kathy. “The watering can in one of the display beds was hers. It’s a reminder to me that she is always with us.” For more pictures of the Sciarrotta’s home, visit www.helenabeautiful.com/award.html The Helena Beautification Board is an appointed board of the Helena City Council. The Board believes that people and places are profoundly connected and thriving
communities are rooted in individual responsibility and action. They host a variety of opportunities for the community to come together and serve each year. Events are posted on the Helena Beautiful Facebook page and announced via Twitter at @TweetHomeHelena.
fall annuals together until the first frost,” said Alexia. The beautification award for business goes to 4094 Helena Road, Mayer Insurance. As the temperatures drop, Laura and Brandon Mayer at Mayer Insurance have been heating up Old Town with their festive fall displays. This month’s beautification award winner includes fall themed items surrounding a beautiful garden bench that catch the eye of all who pass by in Old Town. The Mayer family has called Helena home for the last 13 years and has made a name for themselves with their ability to keep the storefront always looking beautiful on the main commercial stretch of Helena. Brandon is quick to point out that “all of the hard work keeping the Mayer Insurance building looking as beautiful as it does is all Laura.” Whether you are walking through Old Town or stopped at the train tracks; be sure to look over and take in all of the great fall colors at Mayer Insurance. For more pictures and a list of plants used at Mayer Insurance and the Furr’s home, visit www. helenabeautiful.com/award.html The Beautification Award for December will be two categories;
the Most Elegant Decorated Home and the Most Overthe-Top Decorated Home. Nominations will be accepted until the 15th December with the winner being selected and notified by December 23rd. The winner will be able to proudly display a yard sign for the month, have their picture and house published on the Helena Beautification website, Helena Beautiful Facebook page and in the local press. To nominate a home to receive the Helena
all photos courtesy of john hodge photography, helena, alabama
Beautification Award on December 23rd, go to www.helenabeautiful.com/award.html and submit the address.
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HIS Teacher of the Year Natalie Landrum Natalie Landrum was honored as the school’s Teacher of the Year for 2017, as voted by her peers recently. Natalie was born and raised in Pleasant Grove, a bedroom community of Birmingham. Her mother, Roxanne Hayes Crane, taught first grade in nearby Hueytown for 30 years. Natalie laughingly says she remembers “faking sick” at school as a child so she could go hang out with her mom and observe her reading groups. After graduating from Pleasant Grove High School, Natalie moved on to Auburn University, where she pledged Alpha Omicron Pi. She met her husband, David, in high school. They started dating when she was a senior at Pleasant Grove and he was enrolled at Jeff State Community College. He transferred to Auburn after she completed her 44 Holidays 2017 / www.CityOfHelena.org
freshman year there. Natalie earned a bachelor’s degree from Auburn in early childhood elementary education. She went back to UAB to obtain her masters in the same field. She began her teaching career at Pleasant Grove Elementary, teaching beside many of the same teachers who had taught her there years before. She stayed at Pleasant Grove Elementary for four years before moving to Helena. Having married her high school sweetheart after graduating college, the couple moved to Helena in 2003. “The drive to Pleasant Grove each day to teach was not so pleasant,” she said. “I knew I wanted to teach where my children would be going to school,” she continued, “so when the opportunity presented itself to teach here at Helena Intermediate School, I jumped at the chance.”
Natalie and David, who works in IT, have three sons: Hal, 12, is an HMS 6th grader; Hayes, 8, is in 2nds grade at HES; and Sam, 7, is in the first grade at HES. “All our boys play football,” said Natalie. “Hal is on the 6th grade youth league team where David is an assistant coach, and the younger two play on NFL flag football teams at Veterans Park in Alabaster. Natalie and David serve as children’s coordinators at Church of the Highlands, Riverchase campus. She mentioned a new program they are involved in at the church, a Monday church service for parents involved in sports who are overloaded with weekend obligations. In their spare time, the family enjoys visiting a friend’s place on Lake Martin and watching their sons play ball. “We also enjoy going to Auburn football games whenever we get the chance,”
she finished. Hats off to Natalie Landrum for being recognized as this year’s Helena Intermediate School Teacher of the Year!
Natalie Landrum, 4th Grade Pleasant Grove Elementary
The first Husky Wrestling Team, 2014
Nathan Dunaway, left and Alex Miller are both preseason state contenders
Helena High School Wrestling kicks off in November The Huskies wrestling team had a good season last year with two of its wrestlers placing in the state tournament: William Cummings as a senior and Nathan Dunaway, who was the state runner up as a freshman. “We lost some strong seniors, but we have lots of good wrestlers back this year,” said Coach Keith Maple. “We have two feature wrestlers in our program, one of which should have done well at state, but last year, he had a medical issue come up that prevented him from competing. Senior Alex Miller developed a skin infection that did not allow him to compete in sectionals, so he missed going to state. He should be on early watch lists for the state tournament this year, though. The other is Nathan Dunaway. Nathan is a sophomore this year and competes in both wrestling and football. He finished second in the state last year as a freshman. Nathan is one of those unique kids who really gets after it each and every day in practice, and it really shows.” Both Alex and Nathan are longtime members of the Warriors Wrestling Club in Alabaster and travel all over the country wrestling during the offseason, which really gives them a leg up during the school season. “We expect big things from both of these wrestlers
this season,” said the coach. Other wrestlers of note on the Husky team this year are: • Will Miller, 106 lb freshman • Michael Moran, 113 lb soph. • Blake Barnett, 120 lb junior • William Miller, 128 lb junior • Davis Cummings, 142 lb soph. • Tucker Knight, 195 lb soph. • Cole Pugh, 220 lb soph. • Scott Yunke, 220 lb senior • Seaburn Hines, 290 lb senior Wrestlers can win as individuals but also as a team, which makes wrestling both an individual and a team sport. The team’s first meet is November 22. Good luck and Go Huskies! FEATURE WRESTLERS Alex Miller is a senior who will wrestle in the 138 lb class this season. A lifelong Helena resident, Alex is the son of Kevin and Penny Miller, and is one of the first students to have attended Helena High School from start to finish. With a record last year of 37-4, Alex says he has had one medical issue or another keep him from competing when it came time for sectionals the last two years, but he plans on doing whatever it takes to stay healthy this year. “I’ve wrestled since the third grade,” said Alex. “My mom grew up with Norman Latona, the man who started the Warrior Wrestling
Club, and he asked me to join them back then. I did, I loved it, and I have been wrestling ever since.” Starting as a 106 lb wrestler in 9th grade, Alex was the first Husky to place at the state tournament when he took 5th place his freshman year. He was undefeated his sophomore year before tearing his rotator cuff preventing him from competing at state and then a skin infection caused him to miss the post season last year even though he was 37-4 in regular season competition. “I’m planning to quarantine myself after practice this year,” he grinned. “I have wrestled all over the country,” said Alex, “from Fargo, North Dakota to Disney World and many points in between, I have been fortunate to keep my talents sharp in the off season each year with Warrior Wrestlimg Club. Several of our wrestlers are also members: Will Miller, Mike Moran, Davis Cummings and Chris Miller join me and Nathan Dunaway in off season wrestling.” Alex plans to wrestle in college. “Right now, I’m still looking at my options as to where,” he said. He currently has offers to wrestle at Greensboro College in Greensboro, NC and King University in Bristol, TN. Alex says he enjoyed spending time with his older brother, Zach
King, in October while Zach was home on leave from the Army Airborne division he is part of before he deploys overseas to his new duty station in Italy. His younger brother Will joins him on the team as the 106 lb. Will is coming up from the middle school with an impressive 2 year record with only 1 loss. He also wrestles with Warrior Wrestling Club and started in kindergarten. Nathan Dunaway, a sophomore, is also a lifelong resident who won 2nd place in the state last year as a freshman. Nathan has been wrestling with the Warrior Wrestling Club since he was in 2nd grade. My youth football coach, Craig Knight, talked me into coming out for the Warriors Wrestling Club and I’ve wrestled ever since. Nathan won 5th in the state as an 8th grader at Helena Middle School and then was runner up last year in the 170 lb class. He says he’ll wrestle at 182 lb this year. Interestingly, Nathan actually wrestled last year in the 160s and moved up before sectionals, a rare feat. Nathan is the son of Shane and Melissa Dunaway. Nathan currently is a linebacker for the Huskies football team and plans to play football in college, where he should project as a 6’2” 220 lb outside linebacker.
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METRO GOALS
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Metro Goals sits in the back of the Helena Industrial Park just off CR 52 in Helena. Current owners, Chris Weas and Melissa Knight, pictured above, bought the company from its founders, Ron Jones and Dewayne Wood, in 2015. “The company has been here 44 years,” said Chris, “and has installed basketball goals all over the state of Alabama.” “When the founder started the company, he tried selling his
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quality basketball goals in big box stores like Sears and others, but soon learned that his niche was in residential sales, municipal parks and recreation departments, and schools and churches,” said Chris. Chris said that in addition to basketball goals, Metro also builds football goal posts, bleachers, batting cages, soccer goals and volleyball systems. Metro also has a division that fabricates aluminum corona rings for electrical substations.
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Owners Chris Weas and Melissa Knight invite you to shop local this Christmas On the personal side, Chris’ wife, Liz, is the debate coach at Mountain Brook Junior High and High School. The couple have two children: Alyssa, 27, is a stylist at Cahaba Heights Salon and Russell, 17, is a senior at Mountain Brook High who is planning to study engineering in college. Melissa is married to Kevin, who is a police sergeant with the UAB Police Department. Son Barron, 6, attends nearby Pelham
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Ridge Elementary School. With the Christmas holidays upon us, Chris and Melissa encourage anybody who is looking for basketball goals or other sports equipment to take a look at their website at metrogoals.com. They have quality equipment to fit most any budget, and the products they sell are all manufactured to stringent standards in the good ole U.S.A. (Helena, to be exact.) Check them out at metrogoals.com.
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