Hele H elena Ciitttyy New elen Newwss Serving the City of Helena and surrounding area
Winter 2018
Kiwanis Annual $5 All You Can Eat
PANCAKE BREAKFAST SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Helena Elementary Lunchroom 7am til Noon
HUSKIES NAME NEW HEAD FOOTBALL COACH Richie Busby takes over; former head man at 3A power Fultondale
HELENA TIME CAPSULE TO BE BURIED THIS SPRING
Get your mementos included; Submit items by Feb. 28 using submission form inside.
HELENA ELEMENTARY HAS A NEW FACE AT THE HELM
Jeff Norris, former assistant principal at Inverness Elementary, assumes the reins
www.MyHelenaCityNews.com / www.CityofHelena.org
FROM THE MAYOR
Greetings! I hope this edition of the Helena City News finds you all well as we speed into 2018! The start to 2018 has presented a few obstacles in the form of winter weather that has been a quite a challenge for commuters with some snow and ice. I would like to personally thank our dedicated staff. Public Works as well as the Police and Fire Departments all worked diligently to make sure they did everything possible to mitigate these events in order to maintain services for our citizens. These dedicated public servants always go the extra mile to make sure we are safe, and they are always there for us when needed. Park and Recreation Director Bill Miller and I finalized the agreement, with the City Council’s approval, to accept a $75K grant provided through the ADECA Land Water Trust Fund program for parks and recreation
improvements. This grant will make it possible to complete the final phase of the new youth soccer field project without delay, which may not have been able to happen without this additional funding. I am grateful to Governor Kay Ivey and ADECA officials for selecting Helena to receive this much needed assistance through the awarding of this grant. I have begun to meet regularly with engineers and ALDOT regarding the initial engineering on the turn lane and intersection improvements on Hwy. 261 at Helena Elementary School. I will also continue meeting with ALDOT about the widening and lane expansion project on State Road 261 which will go all the way to I-65. I am very pleased that work will finally begin on the previously announced turn lane additions at County 52 and County 13. Please watch for construction there and drive carefully as this improvement moves forward. It is always great to welcome new businesses to the City. I am very optimistic that a major brand name auto parts and accessories store will be breaking
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
competition this season. ground soon here in Helena. Many of the players on both A new Mexican restaurant has these teams came up playing in opened called El Tejano on the programs at Helena Middle County Rd 52W. I look forward School where they learned to to the proposed new seafood compete and were prepared to restaurant opening in Old Town play competitively at the high where the Coal Yard was once school level. Congratulations and located. Look for more on these and others as the business owners thanks to all our coaches and volunteers who play a positive role make their official announcein the coaching and mentoring ments. I appreciate the commitof our young athletes. From our ment and the investment that youth leagues and middle school business owners make in our to our high school—all the dedicommunity and hope everyone cation and hard work is certainly will support their efforts. paying off. Go Huskies! I would like to congratulate Please remember to patronthe HHS Boys Basketball team, ize ALL our local businesses and Coach Chris Laatsch and his staff on this historic Helena High eateries, as your purchases directly School Boys basketball season. At impact the well being of the city with tax dollars staying here to this writing the team is 24-2 on support schools, public safety and the season. Those of you that follow AHSAA basketball know that public improvement projects that benefit everyone. Thank you for it is not an easy task to win 24 your continued support! games in a regular season in this very competitive area of 6A clasBest Wishes, sification of play. I hope we see the team continue their success in the playoffs. I have thoroughly Mark enjoyed watching them and the HHS Girls team play this season. Coach Skinner and the varsity girls team have posted some impressive victories over some tough area Excavating a new youth soccer field
Mark
IMPORTANT CITY PHONE NUMBERS City Hall: 205-663-2161 Fire Dept.: 205-663-5809 Police Dept.: 205-663-6499 Utilities: 205-663-1670
Go Huskies!
Sports Complex: 205-620-2877 Library: 205-664-8308
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$5 ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT
PANCAKE BREAKFAST!
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The Kiwanis Club of Helena will hold their annual All-YOUCAN-EAT Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, February 24, from 7:00 am until 12 noon. Come out and enjoy savory sausage, crisp bacon, hot syrupy pancakes and beverage of your choice all for just $5 at the Helena Elementary School cafeteria, 187 3rd Street. Tickets may be purchased from any member of the Helena Kiwanis Club, Helena Elementary School office or PTO, local Key Clubs or Boy Scout Troop 2. You may also pay at the door. This event supports the Helena Elementary PTO, Boy Scout Troop 2 and local Key Clubs. For more info, call Luther Jarmon Jr. at (205) 960-6529.
4 Winter 2018 / www.CityOfHelena.org
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Sonya King, Director of 2x2 Rescue, brings us these tips from the American Veterinary Medical Association to keep your pets safe during cold weather… Winter wellness: Has your pet had his/her preventive care exam (wellness exam) yet? Cold weather may worsen some medical conditions such as arthritis. Your pet should be examined by a veterinarian at least once a year, and it’s as good a time as any to get him/her checked out to make sure (s)he is ready and as healthy as possible for cold weather. Know the limits: Just like people, pets’ cold tolerance can vary from pet to pet based on their coat, body fat stores, activity level, and health. Be aware of your pet’s tolerance for cold weather, and adjust accordingly. You will probably need to shorten your dog’s walks in very cold weather to protect you both from weather-associated health risks. Arthritic and elderly pets may have more difficulty walking on snow and ice and may be more prone to slipping and falling. Long-haired or thick-coated dogs tend to be more cold-tolerant, but are still at risk in cold weather. Short-haired pets feel the cold faster because they have less protection, and short-legged pets may become cold faster because their bellies and bodies are more likely to come into contact with snow-covered ground. Pets with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or hormonal imbalances (such as Cushing’s disease) may have a harder time regulating their body temperature, and may be more susceptible to problems from temperature extremes. The same goes for very young and very old pets. If you need help determining your pet’s temperature limits, consult your veterinarian.
Stay inside: Cats and dogs should be kept inside during cold weather. It’s a common belief that dogs and cats are resistant than people to cold weather because of their fur, but it’s untrue. Like people, cats and dogs are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia and should be kept inside. Longer-haired and thick-coated dog breeds, such as huskies and other dogs bred for colder climates, are more tolerant of cold weather; but no pet should be left outside for long periods of time in belowfreezing weather.
TO ADVERTISE, CALL the Publisher at 746.1188 / MyHelenaCityNews.com / Winter 2018
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Vounteer of the Year 2017
RON HOLLY
Councilman Hal Woodman hosts December luncheon to thank city vounteers In December, there was a Helena Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at Beef O’Brady’s in Old Town. The volunteers honored represented Helena Farmer’s Market, History Preservation Council, Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustment, Helena Museum and the Caboose Welcome Center. The event was hosted by Helena City Councilman Hewy Woodman, who serves as the Council Liaison, for all the volunteers honored. Mr. Woodman thanked them for their service and said, “Volunteerism is at the heart of what makes Helena so special.” Each group was recognized for their past year achievements. Scot Newman and his volunteers were recognized for not only saving the Farmer’s Market but also for being recognized as the Best Market of the Year for 2017 in Shelby County by Shelby Living Magazine. Ken Penhale was praised for single handedly saving 8 Winter 2018 / www.CityOfHelena.org
and preserving Helena History and starting the museum which is named to honor his efforts. Special consideration was given to Ron Holly who was named Volunteer of the Year. For 20 years, Ron has volunteered and helped organize events in Helena like historic reenactments, the Buck Creek Festival, Western Days, the Farmer’s Market, Movies in the Park and more. He can be found most mornings at the Red Caboose in Old Town, where he volunteers his time to man the Helena Welcome Center. He hands out maps, pamphlets and puzzles in addition to offering good coffee and conversation. Every volunteer received a specially made brass coin which has the Seal of Helena engraved on one side and a special design on the other to honor volunteers in Helena. The flip side features the Amphitheater Caboose and a portrait of Helen Lee, namesake of the City of Helena. The event was totally paid for by Council-
man Woodman and no taxpayer money was used. Below are the members who were recognized though not all could attend: Helena History Preservation Council Kara Barr, President Ken Penhale, Museum Curator Linda Wurstner Jason Redd Brandon Hamilton Frankie Fulghum David Rice Jay Riley Chris Weaver Matt Brown Jerran Hill Hewy Woodman, Council Liaison Helena Farmer’s Market Board Scot Newman, Chairman Mark Brady Jason Pruitt Scott Ford Jen Newman Robert Ohnich Kim Ford Jiles Burgines Jen Newman
Lola Burgines Melissa Ohnich Zulfi Merchant Hewy Woodman, Council Liaison Board of Adjustment Jim Wathen, President Chris Copeland Sean Dassau Scott Hassler Jeff Lathan Josh Johnson Hewy Woodman, Council Liaison Planning And Zoning Commission Jack Gray, President Jackson Knox Luther Jarmon Brian Crumpton Bob Van Loan Robert Caliento Tom Lefebvre Mark Hall, Mayor Hewy Woodman, Council Liaison Special Recognition Ron Holly, Helena Welcome Center
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Helena MIddle School picks three “Teachers of the Year” Helena Middle School teachers selected three of its teachers for its annual “Teacher of the Year Award” recently. Principal Andrew Gunn said that the vote was so tight between these three, all of them are being recognized. The teachers are: Stephanie Horton, Bobby Cummings and Christine Hoffman. Stephanie Horton Stephanie Horton was born and raised in Hueytown, Alabama, to Robert and Helen Hartley. She was an elementary student at St. Aloysious, attended Junior High at Pittman and was a Golden Gopher in High School at Hueytown. Stephanie remembers that when she was growing up, her father was good friends with NASCAR greats Bobby and the late Davey Allison. Stephanie says that as a 6th grader (the grade she teaches now), she enjoyed reading and singing in the choir. “All I did was read,” she said. “And I always wanted to work in actuarial science.” 10 Winter 2018 / www.CityOfHelena.org
After graduating from the University of Montevallo with a BA in Business Administration in 1991, Stephanie worked in the corporate sector for a time and then was a full time mom for 15 years. It was during this time that she returned to UM taking a couple of courses at a time, and she earned her Masters of Education in 2008. “I had worked as a long-term sub for Columbiana Middle School which is where we lived and then was hired by by then Helena Middle School Principal Jenni Goolsby in 2009. Asked what her most rewarding thing is about teaching, she said that when former students return to tell her how much she helped them by helping them build a good foundation in math, it is very gratifying to her. “I am very honored to be one of the co-teachers of the year. Very caring parents and the closeness of the Helena community in general make Helena Middle School a very special place,” she finished.
Stephanie is married to her college sweetheart, Kerry who works for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama. The couple have three children: Katie Frew, 25, graduated from the University of Alabama and married to a U.S. Air Force Captain; Sarah Horton, 22, will graduate from UA this May and majoring in engineering; and Nicholas, 19, and an engineering major at UAB. In their off time, Stephanie says the family enjoys attending Bama football games and enjoys snow skiing in Colorado. Congratulations to Stephanie Horton on being recognized as one of HMS’s co-teachers of the year! Athletic Director, coach and P.E. teacher Bobby Cummings Bobby Jr. grew up in Sylacauga the son of Bobby and Cheryl Cummings. Bobby Senior worked for Ebsco Industries and Cheryl was a middle school math teacher while Bobby was growing up. As a youngster, Bobby enjoyed playing sports with his dad
coaching him in baseball. “I also enjoyed playing soccer,” said Bobby. He played first base from his T-ball days through his last days playing in college. “Hitting was always what I was best at,” said Bobby. He said he has known he wanted to be a coach since he was in middle school. “I always admired and looked up to my coaches, and that has been my career path as long as I can remember,” he said. “It was an easy choice.” Bobby graduated from the University of Montevallo in 2002 with a degree in kinesiology. He earned his Masters in Education a few years laster from UAB. Bobby began his coaching career as a baseball grad assistant at UM, and served as co-assistant coach for a year. “I supplemented my income as a private hitting coach with Jarrod Kingrey at his facility, Strike Zone. (Jarrod played at the University of Alabama and for the Toronto Blue Jays organization.)
Bobby got into coaching in a school system again when Jeff Mauldin gave him an opportunity as an assistant coach when he was the head man for Pelham High School. He was there for a year when then Helena Middle School Principal Jenni Goolsby hired him as head baseball coach under then athletic director, Ryan Brewer in 2008. Bobby continued under Principal Scott Knight and was promoted to Athletic Director after Ryan moved on to another school. Bobby spoke highly of Administartor and friend, Lewis Brooks; Lewis spoke to me early on about how important it is to develop relationships with not only student athletes, but also their parents and the community as a whole. “It is rewarding to work with and watch as these growing young people develop their skills and to hopefully affect them in a positive way. I appreciate Helena High School Coach P.J. Guy giving me the opportunity to continue what was started at the middle school by naming me an assistant on the varsity high school team as well.” (On a side note, when we asked seniors from the state high school championship baseball team last May to name the coach who had the biggest influence on their baseball careers, a majority named Coach Cummings.) “Helena has a lot of people who care about the kids and foster a sense of belonging to the great community we serve. Bobby is married to Jessica, a kindergarten teacher at Chelsea Park. They have two children: Anderson Ray is 5 and plays baseball with the Helena Youth League (Bobby serves as asst. coach), and Carson Ruth, 2. In the family’s time off, they enjoy visiting both their parents’ homes on Lake Martin. “Time with family on a pontoon boat mis our enjoyment,” Bobby finished. Congratulations to Coach Bobby Cummings on this well deserved recognition! Christine Hoffman The third member of the trifecta named as Helena Middle
School Teachers of the Year for 2017 is Christine Hoffman. “I grew up in Boone County, Kentucky,” she said. “I remember that Shaun Alexander, former Bama great running back, played for our cross town rival,” she said. Christine is the daughter of Jim and Linda Powers, now retired and living in nearby Chelsea. “Growing up, I was a social butterfly who wanted to be a hair stylist,” she said. “I was also a Tomboy and played lots of basketball, as you might expect being from Kentucky,” she laughed. “I’m still a big Kentucky basketball fan.” After her dad moved the family to Alabama with a job change, Christine got an associates degree in science from Central Alabama Community College. “From there, I tried the architecture program at Auburn but realized that I missed the math—the art part threw me,” she said. “I wasn’t a big artist.” Christine met her husband, Edward, while she was at Auburn and he was in the Army stationed at Ft. Benning. A month later, Edward was assigned duty in Germany, and the two wrote each other letters for a year. Then he was moved to Ft. Knox, Kentucky, and we continued our letter writing, visiting some, before deciding to get married. “I watched him babysitting a friend’s children and thought, what a great guy!” It wasn’t long before the newlyweds were assigned to a base in Alaska. “I continued to work towards my degree at the University of Alaska,” she said. Christine says they were in Alaska for three years and says she remembers it being so cold, buts said the beautiful auroras made it all worth it. “An ecology course I took while working on a degree in civil engineering had me studying statistics following moose on a pipeline,” she laughed. “I found that I was leading study groups and enjoyed watching as fellow students had those aha moments. I just
thought that if I could figure out the math, that anybody could,” she said. “I decided then that I’d become a teacher, the end of my junior year,” she continued. “When we got out of the Army, we moved back to Birmingham. Ed said he had kept me away from my family long enough with the Alaska tour,” she said. “I finally got my degree in 2008 at UAB with a major in mathematics and a minor in education.” She would go on to earn her masters in secondary math education from there in 2010. Christine started her teaching career at Kingwood Christian, teaching 9th-12th grade math, before being hired as an 8th grade math teacher by then Principal Scott Knight at HMS. Today she teaches 8th grade pre-Algebra and Algebra I and is the Robotics Club sponsor, started by she and Lindsey Minton in 2014. “We will compete at a robotics competition sponsored by Vex Robotics and held in Enterprise in February. We have 60 students
interested in this program but only have 25 spots available,” said Christine, “it’s so difficult whittling the numbers down. Our students work on projects that are college freshman level in their complexity. Christine and husband Ed have two children, Alexis, a Junior at Troy who is majoring in American Sign Language, and Son Seth, who is a Junior at Kingwood, where he is the Lion mascot. The family are members of Christian Life Fellowship in Calera. When they are not hanging out at their Columbiana home enjoying the family pond, they enjoy playing disc golf at Veterans Park in Alabaster or camping in Navarre Beach, Florida. “Ed is a big Bama fan, and let’s just say I follow basketball,” Christine finished. Congratulations to Christine Hoffman on her most recent recognition as the final member of the Helena Middle School Teachers of the Year!
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Tiffany Crumpton Helena High School’s 2017 Teacher of the Year Helena High School’s Teacher of the Year for 2017 is 9th grade special education inclusion teacher, Tiffany Crumpton. Tiffany hails from Warrington, Virginia, where she grew up with a brother and two step-siblings (a brother and a sister). During her years at Fauguier High School, she remembers working two jobs at once; IHOP and also at a daycare. “Working with children has always been my passion,” said Tiffany. “My high school had a daycare program where we actually operated a Mothers Day Out,” she remembered. “It allowed special needs children, 12 Winter 2018 / www.CityOfHelena.org
and one of my favorite students had Downs syndrome,” she continued. “He’s 17 now, and we still stay in touch.” The first in her family to complete college and become a teacher, Tiffany says she has always been drawn to children who were a little different. “I’ve enjoyed working with children who have special needs since I was a child, both at church and at school. Tiffany has been at Helena High School from the beginning, moving from Pelham High School to be a part of the new high school here when it started. She is married to Ryan, who is a regional loss prevention
investigator with Academy Sports and Outdoors. The couple are big Atlanta Braves fans and attend games whenever they get the chance. Being raised in Virginia, Tiffany says she was never a big fan of college football, rooting instead for the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning. But she said that if you ask her daughter, 3-year-old Kendall, what an elephant says, she’ll tell you, “Roll Tide!” Kendall attends pre-school at Chase Learning Center in Pelham. “Owners Lori and Chuck P’Pool have been a blessing to our family. We are so thankful for them,” said
said. “I guess you’d have to say I am an Alabama fan since my husband had it written into our wedding vows that the only college team I could ever pull for was Alabama and the only cheer I could make was Roll Tide,” she chuckled. Tiffany was about to celebrate her 29th birthday and plans were for a birthday trip to Tupelo, Mississippi. “One of the stores Ryan is responsible for is there, and he wanted to take me there,” she said. Congratulations on your 29th, Tiffany and also on your special recognition as the Husky’s 2017 Teacher of the Year!
HERE’S TO A BETTER TAX SEASON! Tax tips from your local tax and accounting team at Jones & Associates, LLC With tax season upon us, we are all ready to sweat bullets, crunch numbers, and pray for lower taxes and higher refunds. No one can make any promises for the latter, but there is no reason your tax season should be frenzied and stressful. Here are five tips to help out taxpayers: Tax Tip #1: File ON-TIME or file for an extension if you know you won’t have all of your documents by April 17th! Even if you are a dependent of taxpaying age, you should file as a “dependent of another” if you worked in 2017 and had state and federal taxes taken out of your paycheck(s). More likely than not, you will get every cent back in your tax refund. Jones & Associates files all dependents’ returns for free. Take what the government owes you; don’t just let them keep your money. It is YOUR money. If you’re unsure of what documents you need to file taxes, here is our list for both Individual and Business Tax Returns: INDIVIDUAL W2’s 1099’s Interest Statements Social Security Benefits Stocks/Bonds Statements Mortgage Statements Retirement Account Information Contributions/Donations Health Insurance Out of Pocket Medical Expenses: (Medical, Vision, Dental, Prescriptions) Mileage to and from doctor Parking Child Care Proof of child residency: (Doctor bill, school or child care statement) Car Tags Tuition Statements/Interest Statements Prior year tax return (if new client) State Tax Refund Driver’s License or State ID
14 Winter 2018 / www.CityOfHelena.org
Tax Tip #2: Find a tax preparer who will work WITH you and not against you. Here at Jones & Associates each person who walks through our door is treated like a part of our very large family. We won’t sugarcoat the bad news, but we will work our hardest to support you in your tax endeavors. You should be treated like a person, not a number. Research local tax services in your area, call them, ask for quotes, and ask your friends for recommendations. It is very easy to overlook a missed check mark or wrong number when filing your own taxes, and having an extra set of eyes can be helpful and prevent you from owing more taxes than you ought. Tax Tip #3: E-File! E-Filing is the way to go. Mailing a tax return can be VERY risky. Your information and anyone’s information on your return could be at risk. Protect your information by filing using an online tax software or at a local tax firm who pays to use specific tax services. We use Drake tax software at Jones & Associates to e-file returns. It makes everything much easier. Also, e-filing your BUSINESS FEIN (IRS Tax ID number) Type of Business Income Expenses Mileage (for business related trips) Car Make & Model Date put into service Balance Sheet Profit & Loss
taxes is faster and more efficient than mailing them to the IRS, and you will receive your refund quicker. If you’re a DIY kind of person, consider e-filing through the IRS. They offer a free e-filing service called IRS Free File. Tax Tip #4: Missing a W-2 and don’t know what to do? Here are three steps to help you out: 1. Contact your employer. Ask your employer—or former employer—to send your W-2. Make sure to verify that your address on the W-2 is correct. Jim Bob does NOT need to receive that pertinent information. 2. Contact the IRS. The IRS can provide you with a wage and income transcript based on the Federal tax information your employer reported to the Social Security Administration. Have your social security information ready along with all information regarding your employment. If you are trying to retrieve a W-2 that you attached to your return, the IRS can provide you with a copy of the return for a fee. 3. File Form 4852. This form is a substitute for Form W-2. Use the Form 4852 to estimate your income and withholding taxes as accurately as possible. It is a good idea to have your last pay stub on hand with the Year-to-Date earnings and withholding amounts. IMPORTANT: If you receive your W-2 later and notice that the information is different from what you reported on the Form 4852, you must file an amended return. This can be done by filing Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. This, however, will
slow the process of receiving your tax refund. Forms and instructions are available at IRS.gov or by calling 800-829-1040. Tax Tip #5: If you receive a letter from the IRS, don’t panic. Read it carefully. Ask yourself “what is the purpose of this letter?” Highlight or underline the objective of the letter. Consider, if you sent in an amended tax return within the last week, this letter might be old and outdated, but compare it to your tax return and make sure anything addressed in the letter has been amended in the return. If you do not agree with the letter, respond to it. If the letter doesn’t warrant a response, do not reply to it. The IRS suggests that you only call IF it seems absolutely necessary. This is because you could be on the phone for 45 minutes or longer. If you filed with a tax service, call them and let them know you received something in the mail from the IRS. They will most likely know exactly how to handle it and interpret the letter for you to better understand what the IRS is telling you. And lastly, even if the problem is solved, save the letter in your records. You should keep tax records for up to seven years! Do not depend on your tax service to keep your records that long though, because they are only required to keep the records for three years. Wishing all a good tax season, Jones & Associates Accounting and Tax Team
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t buried a e b l l i w e e capsul pril— • A tim ST FRIDAY this A ! the FIR ved NOW get invol
What Should Go in the Time Capsule? • Descriptions about life in 2017. What is school like? What is daily life like? What are people like and what do they do for fun? What are issues of concern in the city, state, nation and world? • Predictions about what 2040 will be like. How will life be different, better or worse? What advancements in science, technology or other fields will have taken place? How will schools and learning be different than now? What will people in 2040 be proud of or concerned about? • Artifacts – small items that are commonly used now that might seem curious or ancient when people in 2040 see them. • Your choice. Perhaps you have a different idea about what should
go in the time capsule. If so, contact Hewy Woodman at hwoodman@cityofhelena.org
Guidelines for Time Capsule Contents
Any technology included, though, should have instructions for use along with support materials such as power cords, USB cables, etc. Do not leave batteries inside the device.
Things to avoid
• Paper Items such as writing assignments, letters, essays, magazines, documents, newspaper stories, etc. should be created on or photocopied onto archival quality paper. • Photographs should be printed on photo paper, not copy paper. • Fabric should be clean, dry and insect free. Cotton and polyester are preferable as they are stable. • Paper copies are the best way to share text and images with the future. Technology and electronics, including computers, tablets, phones, memory devices and so on, will likely be obsolete by the time the capsule is opened.
• Newsprint and yellow tablet paper. These papers deteriorate more quickly than other paper. • Lamination or dry-mounting of paper items. • Writing with gel ink and felt tip markers, which tend to fade. • Objects made of rubber, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), vinyl and polyurethane foam, which deteriorate and release sulfur that damages other items. • Wood items, especially oak, give off acid vapors. • Nylon, silk, and wool, as
these items easily breakdown and release sulfur. • Traditional alkaloid batteries, as these have a tendency to leak acid. • Food stuffs of any sort, including canned food, freeze dried food, etc.
Submissions Time capsule submissions should go to Hewy Woodman. It’s possible that not everything submitted for the capsule will end up in it. Some things may not fit. Some items may be deemed a risk to other materials from fumes they will emit as they deteriorate. In case decisions need to be made about whether items will be included, please complete the time capsule submission form below. All submissions for the time capsule should be accompanied by a form. Questions? Contact Hewy Woodman at hwoodman@cityofhelena.org
Helena History Preservation Council Time Capsule Submission Form Class, Group, Individual/Name of School: Contact person: Email: Phone number(s): Submission Description: Dimensions (inches): Description: Why you think the item(s) should be included?
Waiver: I, ____________________________, am submitting the above-mentioned item to the Helena History Preservation Council. I understand the committee will make the decision whether to accept the submission. If the submission cannot be included in the time capsule, the committee will notify me by email and I will pick up the submission by Feb 28, 2018. If I do not pick it up, the district has no obligation to keep it and can dispose of it at any time. Signature
Date TO ADVERTISE, CALL the Publisher at 746.1188 / MyHelenaCityNews.com / Winter 2018
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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.
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Volunteer Reader Mickey Stevens brings smile to students’s faces over the holidays! Twelve years ago, Mickey Stevens (father of Holly Laney, now Assistant Principal at HIS), came and read “The Polar Express” to her third-grade students at Valley Intermediate School. The next year, he came and read to every third-grade class at the school. This tradition continued the entire time Holly worked as a classroom teacher. Even though Holly is no longer a classroom teacher, Mickey continues to go and read to classrooms of delighted students around the Birmingham area during the holidays. He dresses up as a train engineer in overalls and a conductor’s hat and begins the story by blowing a train whistle to engage the children and get them on the edge of their seats. Then he reads the story of the Polar Express and the First gift of Christmas all the while ringing a bell and checking his pocket watch. This past Christmas season, he started at Pelham Ridge Elementary and read to the Kindergarten students. The next day he went to Tarrant City Elementary reading to Preschoolers and Kindergarten-second grade students and then finished up the following day reading to third graders at Helena Intermediate School. In three days he read to roughly 750 students. “He loves doing this—it has become his favorite holiday tradition,” said Holly. He is still working for a living and doesn’t get any compensation for doing this other than the joy he sees in the students’ faces. He looks forward to it every year. A speical thanks to Mickey Stevens for helping to make the season bright! TO ADVERTISE, CALL the Publisher at 746.1188 / MyHelenaCityNews.com / Winter 2018
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A life well lived… 97 and going strong Meet Ms. Wyllene Fausett
At 97, Wyllene Fausett is still very active in her church and community. Until recently, she was living at the Gardens of Pelham and going strong. Her daughter, Charlotte has moved her to the Atlanta area to be nearer to her and to also be nearer her granddaughter, Caroline and her new great-grandson, Xander. She lived in Helena for many years, where she was an active member of First Baptist Church, Helena. At 94, she joined the Ladies Ensemble, a group of ladies that sing for nursing homes, churches, etc. She has a beauti-
ful alto voice. At a time when most people shy away from any activity, Ms. Wyllene is still going “full throttle.” While living at the Gardens of Pelham, her friends picked her up and took her to church, shopping, the beauty shop, the Y and any other activity that she wanted to be involved in. She was known to comment if her driver went even slightly over the speed limit that she was paying for the gas, but they would have to pay their own speeding ticket! The Ladies Ensemble decided to meet and practice at
the Gardens of Pelham so that she wouldn’t have to get out in bad weather to come to practice. She is such a joy to be around that there was never a shortage of people available to take her wherever she wanted to go. She grew up in Birmingham, graduated from Ensley High School (as valedictorian) and later from Birmingham Southern College (Cum Laude). She then went on to get her Masters in Education from Samford University. She taught school for many years and also worked at Alabama Power for a time.
She married Robert Fausett in 1946. After 61 years of marriage, Robert died in 2007. Robert and Wyllene have 2 children, Charlotte, who lives in Atlanta, Georgia and Bobby, who lives in Eastaboga, Alabama. Currently, she loves to study her Bible, solve crossword puzzles and read Christian fiction. She keeps up with her friends and relatives through her Facebook and email accounts. We salute a special Christian lady who is an example and inspiration to all who come in contact with her.
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Keep your New Year’s Resolution this year at Snap Fitness Helena. We invite you to check out Snap Fitness Helena—Come in now for a FREE week! New Interval training class added—try out TABATA for yourself this week. At Snap, there is NEVER a long term contract to sign! Right: Manager Chelaine Wright works with Snap Fitness client, Karen Hurd. You know it. I know it. We ALL know it. Nearly everyone’s New Year’s resolution is to lose weight or to get in shape. Why not do BOTH? That can seem like a daunting task, but Snap Fitness Helena is here with one goal in mind—to assist you in achieving all of your fitness goals! We will be with you every step of the way. Our elite team of instructors and trainers are here to provide you with safe, effective workouts and nutritional guidance at very affordable rates to help you become that healthy, fit person you aspire to be. Step one: Realize that it’s time to address the problem. If you find that you’re less active (i.e sitting more and moving less), and indulging in an unhealthy diet, it’s time for a positive change. Medical studies have proven that a sedentary lifestyle is as harmful to your health as smoking cigarettes. But once you take the first step, you’ll see positive results that will keep
you motivated as you incorporate a regimen of daily exercise and healthy eating into your life.After just one week of exercise and healthy eating, you will see positive changes in energy levels, alertness, and your mood and attitude. Step two: Talk to an expert. At Snap Fitness Helena, we not only offer our extensive expertise in exercise and fitness, but also in nutrition and weight loss. Manager and certified personal trainer, Chelaine Wright, has advanced degrees and certifications and can help you with any specialized needs with regards to your workout plan. She has worked with a broad range of individuals with various hardships and challenges to overcome. She will confidently design a program to help you meet your health and fitness goals, with a strong emphasis on injury prevention, rehabilitation and flexibility as well. She brings
a superior level of experience and expertise as the new manager at Snap Fitness Helena. Chelaine is surrounded by a staff of equally qualified class instructors who are also trainers, including Jackie Droxler, Anna Reimers, Cindy Dobbins and Merri Gwin. We’re also excited to introduce new classes like Tabata, a training method based on small segments of high intensity training and recovery intervals—more effective in burning fat than steady-state training! Step three: Find a place to work out regularly. Snap Fitness Helena offers that, and a great environment for making social connections, too. It’s a friendly, non-threatening atmosphere that will allow you to make new friends who can help hold you accountable for reaching your goals. Research has proven that those who join a gym, and especially those who employ the services of
a personal trainer, have far greater success in the long run. When you join Snap Fitness Helena, you become part of a family focused on the most important aspect of any fitness program—positive results. They are dedicated to helping you achieve your fitness goals and making sure that you have fun in the process. If you are looking for a gym to join, Snap Fitness Helena offers experts who are dedicated to helping you move forward with your fitness goals in 2018! We offer access to the gym for our members 24/7/365, so timing is never a problem for you to get in your exercise. Curious and want to learn more? Call us today to schedule an appointment to come in, look us over and talk to us! We offer a FREE WEEK for you to try out our gym, and there is no better time than NOW to take advantage of that. WE’RE WAITING FOR YOU!
Helena Rd
C I L B U Y R P A y hwa Hig
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52 E
MES
L . HO B E JAN
A R LIB
52
281 e Roy Driv
52
ker Joe Tuck Par
Greetings from the library in 2018!
The New Year is a great time to visit the library. Beat those winter after-the Holidays blues with some great books, movies, or music. In recent news, the library held a small holiday book sale in December, and area residents got some great deals on books to read and give as gifts. The Friends of the library continue to meet on the first Tuesday of the month at 5:45 PM. Our library is fortunate to have some dedicated community members who are our Friends. At the December meeting, we discussed what they have accomplished in 2017. Highlights include setting up and promoting book sales and programs, representing the library at community events, organizing and holding trivia nights, and helping with publicity overall. Please consider attending a meeting, and thanks to our Friends Group! Speaking of our community, local business and frequent library supporter Vulcan Materials recently presented a check for $500.00 to assist the library. Vulcan Materials has been generous over the years, and it says a lot about them that they support the library, as well as many other local organizations. Special thanks to Helena Plant Manager Ricky Duffy for helping the library receive this contribution.
The library Christmas Float was again a big success and lots of FUN! The library staff helped out with ideas, planning, and decorations, while staff member Julie Lawson and her family took on the challenge of getting our float on the road! Special thanks to Julie, Zach, Alexis, and Chloe for their hard work on this project. We received lots of complements, and people loved the library float! Please visit the library soon, and we hope to see everyone in 2018!
Upcoming Events and Activities: Story Time: EVERY Tuesday and Thursday at 11:00 AM Lego Fun: Date TBD – Check our calendar or call the library The library has new events added all the time: Check out our calendar at www.cityofhelena.org (click on library) for more events and additional info. Make sure to bring your library card!
JANE B. HOLMES PUBLIC LIBRARY • 230 Tucker Road, Helena AL 35080
Y Left to right: Zach, Chloe, Alexis, and Julie Lawson — they built the library float and rode in the parade.
New Releases: Hot off the Press
Books out Now or Coming Soon: Fiction: Death at Nuremberg by W.E.B. Griffin You’re Gonna Love Me by Robin Lee Hatcher Out of the Ashes by Tracie Peterson House of Unexpected Sisters by Andrew McCall Smith American Drifter by Heather Graham Past Perfect by Danielle Steel People VS Alex Cross by James Patterson Sunset Lullaby by Robin Jones Gunn Thunder Horse by Eve Bunting Whispering Room by Dean Koontz Robicheaux by James Lee Burke You’re Gonna Love Me by Robin Lee Hatcher The Boy by Tami Hoag The Secret Partner by Steve Martini Non Fiction: Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans by Brian Kilmeade
Martin Luther K ing Day observed in He lena and at the JHPL Martin
Luther King Day was observed at January 15 holid the JHPL severa ay. On display w l days before the ere books and m of this iconic figu official ovies for all ages re in history. th at te ll the story Two examples on view that were ey e-catching were King, Jr. and a la My Daddy, by M rge book called sim artin Luther ply, Coretta Scott, hand illustrated written by Ntoza by Kadir Nelson. ke Shange and Also on display w as a basket contai ning MLK quot to take home to es that patrons w discuss and reflec ere encouraged t on further. Som “I have a dream e of these were: that my four little children will one will not be judged day live in a natio by the color of th n where they eir skin but by th “Darkness cannot e content of their drive out darkne character.” ss; only light can hate, only love ca do that. Hate ca n do that.” nn ot drive out “Our lives begin to end the day w e beco All these books ar e available any tim me silent about things that matte r.” e at the JHPL.
Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit by Chris Mathews Grant by Ron Chernow Leonardo Da Vinci by Isaacson, WalterSisters First: Stories From a Wild and Wonderful Life by Jenna Bush New Movies: Dunkirk Cars 3 Despicable Me 3 Kingsman: The Golden Circle Game of Thrones : The Complete Seventh Season Westworld: Season OneThe Maze Home Again starring Reese Witherspoon Leap – Animated Wizard of Lies starring Robert De Niro
205-664-8308 • Visit us @ www.cityofhelena.org
Hitman’s Bodyguard Glass Castle starring Brie Larson New Music: Jake Owen - Greatest Hits The Rest of Our Life - Tim McGraw & Faith Hill Meaning of Life - Kelly Clarkson I Knew You When - Bob Seger reputation - Taylor Swift Texoma Shore - Blake Shelton Now That’s What I Call Music! 64 The Thrill of It All - Sam Smith A Brand New Me - Aretha Franklin
Coach Laatsch celebrates milestone 350th win Huskies on a tear in 6A basketball! Helena High School Basketball Coach and Athletic Director, Chris Laatsch, was honored prior to a home game November 30, 2017, after reaching a milestone in his coaching career. The game before, Coach Laatsch recorded his 350th career win. And this happened with his team ranked number one in Alabama 6A basketball! Principal April Brand presented Chris with a commemorative plaque and a basketball marking the milestone. Chris said it was all a big surprise to him. “I never expected anything like this,” he said following the impromptu pre-game ceremony. Brand thanked Coach Laatsch, saying, “You’ve worked incredibly hard to establish our basketball program here at Helena High and also taken on the athletic director’s role. You are so valuable not only to our school but to this 26 Winter 2018 / www.CityOfHelena.org
community. Congratulations, because you mean a lot to a lot of people.” Surprising Chris were a few of his former players, all of whom spoke about his great coaching and positive influence on them. “It was special, I had no idea they were doing that or that they had a plan to keep that a secret, but it’s just special,” Coach Laatsch said. “It’s just a reminder of all the great people that I’ve had the blessing to be a part of. I’ve been at three schools and have loved all of them and have loved the people that I’ve had the opportunity to coach. Helena is a special place, and they’ve embraced me and my family, and they’ve embraced what we’re trying to do. It makes it special to be able to have something like that here, because Helena just feels like home.” Helena is off to a great start in
year four under the direction of Coach Laatsch, as the Huskies are 27 -2 at press time, having recently defeating its arch rival, Pelham High, on the road by a commanding score of 66-43. Best of luck to Coach Chris Laatsch and his Huskies as they compete in the playoffs— Go Huskies!
“Congratulations, because you mean a lot to a lot of people.” –Principal April Brand to Coach Chris Laatsch
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Trey Harless is HMS Character in Action Trey Harless, an eighth grader at Helena Middle School, was chosen by the middle school administration and faculty to receive the 2017 Character in Action Award for the school. This award was presented last Fall by the Shelby County Juvenile Judge, the Shelby County Board of Education and Helena Middle School Principal, Andrew Gunn. Trey moved to Helena when he was 6-weeks-old. Trey is the son of Larry and Kim Harless and has an older brother, Tyler, who graduated from Helena High School and now attends the University of Montevallo. He is a member of Church of the Highlands and loves his friends, family and God. He tried baseball and then played soccer for years with the city league. He was a member of the cross-country team for HMS and is a second year HMS golf team member. Last summer he played on the Bent Brook Junior PGA All-Star team. Trey also played in the HMS Band for two years and was chosen as the Outstanding Percussionist for the beginner band in the 6th grade. Trey was chosen to represent the middle school as one of the 8th grade school ambassadors and was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society this year. He says he wants to be a dentist when he grows up. Congratulations to Trey on being selected as HMS Character in Action, and best of luck as you complete your time at HMS! TO ADVERTISE, CALL the Publisher at 746.1188 / MyHelenaCityNews.com / Winter 2018
27
Helena Parks and Recreation
The new dedicated soccer field is now being excavated (pic bottom right). Plans are for it to be ready for use this spring. This comes after much discussion and a growing love for the sport of soccer by Helena youth, their parents and supporters.
Helena Youth Football 2017 final results The following teams had an outstanding year, having won their divions or taking the ruuner-up spot in the YSYFL 6A Championships: 3rd Grade: JSYFL CHAMPIONS Coach Shane Harris 5th Grade: JSYFL Runners up Coach Brad Moore 6th Grade Black : JSYFL Runners up Coach Jamie Cummins 6th Grade Blue: JSYFL CHAMPIONS Coach Eric Bouler
Cheerleading As stated in the last issue, the 2nd, 5th and 6th Grade Cheer squads each placed 3rd in state competition recently. Members of two of the squads appeard at council and had their pictures taken with the Mayor. Pictured at right are a few members of the 2nd and 6th Grade squads. Bill Miller, Director of Parks and Recreation (205) 620-2877
3RD GRADE JSYFL CHAMPS
Dedicated youth soccer field on its way! 6RD GRADE BLUE JSYFL CHAMPS
5th GRADE JSYFL RUNNERSUP 28 Winter 2018 / www.CityOfHelena.org
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS REGULAR WEEKLY EVENTS MONDAYS Police Explorers, Explorer Training Facility, 4:00-7:00PM Fire Explorers, Station 2, 5:00PM TUESDAYS Kiwanis Club of Helena, Helena Senior Citizens Building, each 2nd, 3rd & 4th Tuesday, 7:00 AM For more information visit kiwanisclubofhelena.com Storytime at Jane B. Holmes 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 Storytime at Jane B. Holmes Library, 11:00AM
february
3rd - Helena Middle School Band’s Silent Auction, HMS Cafeteria, 8:00am-10:00pm 6th - Helena Business Association Meeting, 8:00 am, for meeting site visit hbahelena.com or their Facebook page - Friends of the Library meeting, Jane B. Holmes Library, 5:45pm 8th - Helena Planning & Zoning, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm
12th - Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm 13th - Helena Utility Board meeting, Community Services Bldg, 5:00pm 14th - Valentine’s Day 16th - Shelby Co. Schools Data Assessment/Instructional-NO Students 17th - Respite Care-special needs 0-21, free but must reserve, Alabaster Methodist’s Restore bldg, 5:00-9:00pm, aaronsstaffrespite.org 19th - Presidents’ Day: Municipal Offices & Library Closed - Full day for Helena students to makeup for weather day used
6th - Helena Business Association Meeting, 8:00am, for meeting site visit hbahelena.com or their Facebook page - Friends of the Library meeting, Jane B. Holmes Library, 5:45pm 8th - Helena Planning & Zoning, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm 9th - Shelby Co. Schools Teacher Workday, NO Students 10th - Helena High Prom, 7:00pm-11:00pm 11th - Daylight Savings Time begins, spring forward 1 hour 12th - Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm 13th - Helena Utility Board meeting, Community Services Bldg, 5:00pm 16th - Helena Elementary PTO Spirit Day: Pay $1 and wear green 17th - St. Patrick’s Day - Respite Care-special needs 0-21, free but must reserve, Alabaster Methodist’s Restore bldg, 5:00-9:00pm, aaronsstaffrespite.org 20th - Spring begins
- ACT for Helena High Juniors, 8:00am-3:30pm 26th - Shelby Co. Schools Spring Break March 26-30 - Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm 31st - Helena Easter Egg Hunt, Old Town Amphitheater Look out for signs around town with times
april 1st - Easter
3rd - Helena Business Association Meeting, 8:00 am, for meeting site visit hbahelena.com or their Facebook page - Friends of the Library meeting, Jane B. Holmes Library, 5:45pm 4th - Shelby Co, Schools Kindergarten Preregistration, 7:00-11:00am
20th - Helena High Honor Society Inductions, TBA
5th - Shelby Co, Schools Kindergarten Preregistration, 12:00-6:00pm
23rd - 2018 Severe Weather Preparedness Tax Holiday Feb. 23-25, Both Helena and Shelby Co. are participating
6th - Helena First Friday, arts, crafts and food in Old Town, 5:00-9:30pm
- Helena Elementary PTO Spirit Day: Pay $1 to wear your PJs 24th - 14th Annual Kiwanis/HES Pancake Breakfast only $5, Helena Elementary Cafeteria, 7:00am-12:00pm 26th - Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm
march
1st - Helena Elementary Belmont Spring & Group Photos
- Spring Fling including carnival rides, Helena Elementary, 5:00-10:00pm 7th - Spring Fling including carnival rides, Helena Elementary, 10:00am-4:00pm and 5:00-10:00pm 8th - Spring Fling including carnival rides, Helena Elementary, 5:00-10:00pm 9th - Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm 10th - Helena Utility Board meeting, Community Services Bldg, 5:00pm
2nd - Helena Elementary Read Across America Day in honor of Dr. Seuss
11th - Helena High Late Start Day, 9:10am
3rd - Miss HHS pageant, Auditorium, TBA
17th - Helena Elementary PTO 1st Grade Performances, 6:15pm & 7:15pm
30 Winter 2018 / www.CityOfHelena.org CityOfHelena
12th - Helena Planning & Zoning, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm
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Aligon Pharmaceuticals celebrates 20 years in Helena Many in Helena probably use this skin care product without realizing a Helena man owns the company that produces and markets it. (It says so on the bottle, but most don’t read the fine print.) John Bryan was born and raised in nearby Vestavia Hills where he graduated from the old Berry High School. (He joined classmates in celebrating their 50th class reunion recently.) While in grad school at Samford, he says he created a marketing plan for a product called Lubriderm. It was then that he initially had the idea to create a similar but better product. After school, he worked for Warner Lambert’s military division calling on base commissaries and exchanges, when the company sold out to Pfizer, who decided to eliminate its military sales group. He was 45, with two children to support, and he knew he had
to do something. “I remembered the work I had previously done in an entrepreneurial course at Samford University, and I decided I’d put my old school project into action.” “I called on a few dermatologists, and a group of them had developed a superior formulation. I was so impressed that I took the money I had gotten from a severance package and bought the formula. I found a company I trusted to formulate and bottle it for me and began calling on independent pharmacies to sell the product. After a few months, I decided to call on a distributor who was able to help me get the line into Winn Dixie Pharmacies.” The first chain pharmacy to carry the product John was selling was the Winn Dixie Pharmacy in Clanton, Alabama. Success there opened the door for John to get it into other Winn Dixie stores.
He related that until then, many of the independents he had called on were skeptical of the new product, but at his request, they had accepted a tester bottle and when people tried it, they liked it, so it wasn’t long before orders came rolling in from them, too. Today, John says Aligon Skin Care Lotions are available in Publix and CVS Parmacies, too. John celebrated 20 years of his Aligon Skin Care products in 2017. “I’m getting to the age where I am contemplating retirement, but my daughter, Caroline, who taught English in South Korea, decided to move back home this year and assume the reins of the company.” Caroline evidently inherited John’s entrepreneurial genes; she markets a successful lingerie line on the Internet that she created while in South Korea. She says she has enjoyed her travels but is absolutely looking forward to
the possibilities for expansion with the Aligon line and life back home in Alabama. We asked John, a longtime resident of Helena, what he does in his leisure time these days, and he said he enjoys keeping his granddaughter, Brooklyn, who turned 2 in November. Brooklyn is the daughter of his son, Chase and his wife, Liz. As an after Christmas present, the couple just added a little sister to the family named Estelle. “I just want to spend more time with family and grand babies and focus on being there for them,” said John. “I’d also like to get down to Orange Beach a little more often, too.” Congratulations to John on 20 years of successfully marketing his Aligon Skin Care Lotion, and best of luck to Caroline as she takes over and carries the Helena company to new and lofty heights.
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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 E-3 HTFN Alex Avery USN; USS Frank Cable, Guam; Phil & Deana Avery’s son, Maria Avery’s brother, Ken & Mary Penhale’s grandson PFC Zachary Barr USA: 7th Special Forces Group; Eglin AFB, FL Cynthia & Mark Barr’s son SGT Steven M. Bennett USA; Paratrooper/Rigger; Fort Benning, GA Clara & Ken Lorino’s son SFC Eric Bond USA; 82nd ABD, 1-504 PIR; Baghdad, Iraq; Paul Zimmerman’s cousin Captain Joshua Bowen USA; 1st Brigade, 4th Inf. Div.; Fort Carson, CO Tom and Susan Bowen’s son, Fallon’s husband Captain Fallon Bowen USA; Aviation Brigade, 4th Inf. Div.; Fort Carson, CO Tom and Susan Bowen’s daughter-in-law, Joshua’s wife LT Sarah Bowen USN; USS John Stennis Aircraft Carrier; Bremerton, WA; Tom and Susan Bowen’s daughter LT Jordan Bowen USA; 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Div., Ft. Hood, TX; Tom and Susan Bowen’s son SRA Mitch Braswell USAF; 16th EMS, 16th Special Op. Wing; Afghanistan; Mike & Judi Braswell’s son 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 AEAN Benjamin Lee Doaks USN; NAS Jacksonville, FL; Joe & Tammy Williams’s son, Rev. Clifton & Mattie Taylor’s grandson SSgt Phillip Hembree USAF Police, Japan Deborah Hembrees’s son, Joann Pilato’s grandson Jessica’s husband and Emily Faith’s daddy.
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
Petty Officer 3rd Class Justin D. Gilbert USCG, Machinery Technician; Key West, FL; Leslie’s husband, Annette & Dan Duffy’s son-in-law
SPC, Alexander Palmer Combat Medic Schofield, O’ahu, Hawaii
SSG Jay Gortney ARNG; 20th Special Forces; Iraq; April’s husband SGT Brooks Gray USA; Ranger; Scofield BKS, HI; John Gray’s son, Lauren & Ryan Gray’s brother SRA Brad Hubbard USAF Fort Gordon - Augusta, GA Rod & Susan Hubbard’s son SPC Michael Hubbard USA; Camp Liberty, Iraq; Ruth Meadows grandson, Kimberly’s husband, Bonnie Hubbard’s brother SPC Eric Hunley ARNG; 1/167 Inf. Bn Co. B, Operation Enduring Freedom; Afghanistan; Mike & Barbara Hunley’s son; late Chris Hunley’s brother CPL Michael Jeffries ARNG; 1/167 Infantry Battalion Company B, Operation Enduring Freedom; Afghanistan; Amy’s husband, Colin & Gavin’s father 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 SSGT Christopher S. Murphy USMC; MWHS 3, San Diego, CA; Jack & Karen Murphy’s son, Alyssa’s husband
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!
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, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, Camp Lejeune, NC, Tom and Suzi Reitz’s son, Tommy, Joey, and Emily’s brother SPC Dwight A Rosse Jr. USA; 1-32 Cav 1st Bct, Fort Campbell, KY; Dwight & Michelle Rosse’s son, Britney & Carlton’s brother 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
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588-5860 Logan Marie Lewis born November 14th, 2017 7lbs 8 oz - 21” long Parents are Helena High Volleyball Coach Amanda Lewis and her husband, Blake. She is very loved by her big brothers, Fischer and Griffin, who give notice above! 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.
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36 Winter 2018 / www.CityOfHelena.org
Helena’s Best Decorated House Contest Winners The Helena Beautification Board is excited to announce the winners of the 2017 Helena’s Best Decorated House Contest. The winner of the Most Elegant Decorated Home category was Dr. Tim and Kendall Ansley at 574 Rosebury Road; with Honorable Mention being 109
Riverridge Drive and 792 Rosebury Road. For the Most Over the Top category, the winner was Alexia and Johnathan Furr at 160 Rowntree Path; with Honorable Mention being 176 Rowntree Path and 105 Sunbury Terrace. Congratulations to the winners and all entrants for their hard work and dedication to make Helena a bright place to be. Signs were placed at the winners’ homes to be on display through the holidays. A map of the city marking all entries was posted
on the Helena Beautiful Facebook page for the enjoyment of all going out to look at Christmas lights. 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 page and announced via Twitter at @ TweetHomeHelena.
Most Tastefully Decorated Home
Dr. Tim and Kendall Ansley 574 ROSEBURY ROAD
Clark Griswold Award MOST OVER THE TOP
Alexia and Johnathan Furr 160 ROWNTREE PATH
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Brandi is seen in these promo shots with the show’s star, Randy Fenoli.
Helena native Brandi Hill grew up going to school in Helena and Pelham (in the days before Helena had its own high school). Brandi is a 2011 graduate of Pelham High. While in High School, Brandi was on the PHS Cheer squad. She was captain for three of her four years there and was also voted Homecoming Queen her senior year. After graduation, Brandi went to the University of Alabama and majored in Fashion Retailing. For her degree fulfillment, she interned at Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City. For more than 70 years, thousands of brides have traveled to Kleinfeld Bridal in New York to find their dream wedding attire. “From the moment you walk through their doors, you feel the magic of Kleinfeld!” said Jo Hill, Brandi’s mom. “Not only do they have 30,000 square feet filled with the largest selection of wedding dresses in the world, they also have a wonderfully professional staff of over 200 employees each dedicated to finding and perfecting that ‘perfect look.’” At the end of Brandi’s intern38 Winter 2018 / www.CityOfHelena.org
ship, the owners, Mara and Ronnie Kleinfeld, offered her a position with the company… and Brandi said, “YES to the Request.” Brandi has worked as a consultant with Kleinfeld Bridal since 2012. Early in the spring of 2017, they asked her if she would like to audition for their TV series, “Say Yes to the Dress,” shown on the TLC Network. She did and then forgot about it. Fast forward to a day in August, 2017; the couple reminded her on Wednesday that she would be filming that very Friday. (She didn’t even realize she had passed the audition!) Brandi has filmed six episodes that will be shown during Season 16 (the first episode aired January 6, 2018). We caught up with Brandi recently and asked her a few questions. (The internet makes for a very small world these days, you know.) Q. How did you go about getting the internship in New York with Kleinfeld’s after graduating UA? A. One of my professors had connections to one of the directors at Kleinfeld, Joan Roberts and she
sent her my resume and Joan sent back and told me to come up to NYC to interview. So I did! Q. Give us your first impressions upon arriving in New York. A. The lights are mesmerizing. I never visited NYC before my interview. I never expected to be in a city that big. Q. What’s the biggest misconception people here might have about New York? A. I think the biggest misconception people have about New York would be that everyone is rude or mean. And that’s not the case at all! New Yorkers can be kind and respectful. Q. In which part of the city do you live? A. I live in Brooklyn. It’s such a quiet and family oriented neighborhood, and only a 30 minutes commute by subway to work. Q. What has been your favorite and least favorite things about New York so far? A. I think my favorite thing about New York is meeting all different types of people. Wait, can I have 2 things?! Because… the food!! The restaurants here are
amazing! My least favorite is the weather. I’m getting used to it, but it’s not easy trekking to work in snow! Q. With you having a job in New York, do you consider yourself a New Yorker now, or do you plan to come back home anytime soon? A. I don’t think I consider myself a New Yorker yet. I’m still very much a Southerner. You can take the girl out of the South but you can’t take the South out of the girl! I don’t plan on staying in NYC forever, but I will be here for awhile. Q. Besides friends and family, what’s the thing you miss most about home? A. I would say I miss being able to go grocery shopping and driving it home. Now I go to the grocery store and I have to carry it all the way home. Also, BBQ!! NYC has amazing food but no one has perfected BBQ like the south. Q. Do you know the dates you will appear on Say Yes to the Dress? A. I don’t know the dates yet, but a new episode airs every Saturday!
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Helena Elementary names new principal Jeff Norris takes the helm Jeff Norris grew up in Jasper, Alabama. On a bus trip to Atlanta for high school seniors to attend the Coca Cola Foundation’s annual Scholarship Weekend event, he met a girl who would later become his wife, Sarah, who was from Monroeville, Alabama. Lifelong Auburn fans, both would go to school at the University of Alabama. “We attended one football games while there. It rained on us, so we took that as a sign that being raised Auburn fans, we weren’t supposed to be there,” laughed Jeff. Married in 2005 after graduating college, Jeff took a job teaching third grade at Chelsea Elementary and Sarah took a position at Oak Mountain Middle School. Sarah decided to switch careers after the couple had children, when she joined the worship team at their church, Shades Mountain Baptist. They call the Meadowbrook community home with their two
children: Maggie, 11, a student at Oak Mountain Intermediate and Miller, 9, a student at Inverness Elementary. Jeff was assistant principal at Inverness Elementary prior to being named the new Principal here at Helena. “We are familiar with Helena, as I attended graduate school at the University of Montevallo with HES’s assistant principal, Kara Burleson.” “We’ve attended Movies in the Park and several of the city’s weekend festivals and the farmer’s market as a family. I love the close knit feeling in Helena and have heard from Kara about the tremendous amount of community support the school receives as well as the many ways in which the school and city cooperate for the shared goal of nurturing and educating the students,” said Jeff. To that we’d just add welcome to the neighborhood, Jeff!
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What’s Happening in Paradise? Featuring Cool Things to See and Do while at the Famous Alabama Beaches of GULF SHORES and ORANGE BEACH Check out the Facebook Site by Helena Expatriate
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40 Winter 2018 / www.CityOfHelena.org
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Byrd, department head for biology, chemistry and mathematics, has been a member of UM’s faculty for 23 years.
Houston Byrd recognized with 2017 Faculty Service Award
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During the celebration of the University of Montevallo 121st Founders’ Day on Oct. 12, the University honored deserving UM staff, faculty and alumni for their service. The Faculty Senate recognized Helena resident Dr. Houston Byrd with the Faculty Service Award for 2017. Byrd joined the University of Montevallo faculty in 1995 as an instructor, and now serves as the department chair for biology, chemistry and mathematics. He received his Ph.D. in inorganic/materials chemistry from the University of Florida in 1994, after which he spent a year at Princeton University as a post-doctoral research associate. “As a Chair, Houston not only wants input from his faculty but actively requests that we all sit down with him individually to discuss our department’s future, which includes planning our path for the next five years,” said Assistant Professor of Game Studies and Design, Dr. Cathlena Martin. “He is a mentor to untenured faculty and helps us well beyond what is expected of a department chair. The way in which he has fully committed himself to the growth and development of our University is fully apparent in his long tenure of service. Montevallo is truly a better place thanks to Houston.” In addition to his role as department chair, Byrd has also served as chair for numerous committees on campus including the Committee on the Review and Revision of General Education, the Quality Enhancement Plan Steering and Development Committee, the Undergraduate Research Day committee and the Local Arrangements Committee of The Alabama Academy of Sciences. Byrd is the former recipient of the Outstanding Commitment to Teaching Award presented by the University of Montevallo National Alumni Association in 2002, and received the title of University of Montevallo Scholar in 2006. He has nearly 40 publications in prestigious journals and has presented across the United States. “It may sound a bit simplistic, but I think it’s true: Houston is simply a wonderful department chair,” said Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Dr. Scott Varagona. “He works hard to support his department, and he is even-handed, conscientious, efficient and profoundly professional in all his interactions with students and faculty. I believe he sets a good example not just for his own faculty, but for other administrators on campus as well.”
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Call Dave @ 205-746-1188 TO GET STARTED TODAY!!! Mary Cooper Assumes new Position… Named Supervisor of Federal Programs New Principal announcement made January 25 Helena Elementary School Principal Mary Cooper was appointed by the Shelby County Board of Education recently as its Federal Programs Supervisor. Ms. Cooper has over 42 years experience in education, 23 of which have been as an administrator. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Iowa State University, a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Oakland University and an Ed.S in Educational Leadership from Wayne State University.
“It doesn’t matter where you where you are coming from. All that matters is where you are going.” —Brian Tracy
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Retired Helena Deputy Police Chief Tim Carter 1960-2017 Retired Helena Deputy Police Chief, Tim Carter, passed away Saturday, January 27, 2017. He was 57 years old. Mayor Mark Hall said, “Tim was a great man and a great police officer. He worked over 25 years in law enforcement before retiring from the Helena PD. He continued to work part time with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department at the county court house.” Tim was hired by the Helena Police Department in 1987. He served as the city’s first D.AR.E. officer (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) at what was back then the city’s only school, Helena Elementary, which went through Grade 5. While there, he was promoted to sergeant. In 2000, he was promoted to Lieutenant over the Patrol Unit. He was a graduate of the FBI’s national academy while a lieutenant. Well liked and proving to be an exemplary officer, Tim was promoted to Captain in 2004 and in 2004, he was appointed Deputy Chief. He retired from the Helena Police Department in December of 2013. Tim leaves behind a wife, Angela Carter, and three daughters Autry, Kasey and Shannon. Please keep Tim’s wife, Angie, his daughters, and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Driveway Pressure Washing
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Helena Athletic Association hosted a meet and greet with new Husky Football Coach, Richie Busby, Sunday, January 28 in which fans, students and others had a chance to speak to the coach one-on-one and welcome him to the school.
Huskies welcome new head football coach, Richie Busby “We had over 300 applications submitted for the job of head football coach,” said Chris Laatsch, in his capacity as Athletic Director for Helena High School. They say the cream always rises to the top, and school administrators feel like they picked a winner in 12 year Helena resident, Richie Busby. Richie is an offensive minded individual who coached the likes of Ardarius Stewart, UA great and now wide receiver for the New York Jets, when Stewart played for the Fultondale Wildcats. Richie started at a Fultondale as an assistant coach in 2000. Head coach of the Wildcats for the past five seasons, his teams went 40-17 in that time period and earned five straight state playoff berths. Last season, the Wildcats won 11 straight games for the first time in school history and scored 527 points, the most in a single season in school history (an average of nearly 44 points per game). “I am still getting numerous calls and messages from friends in the business who know Richie,” said Coach Laatsch, “and they all say the same thing, that we have not only hired a great football coach, but we have also hired a great man to coach and mentor our student athletes.” Richie says that after driving to work each day in Fultondale, it will be nice to work in the same city that his family calls home. Richie and wife Shana call the Timberlake community home. The couple has two daughters: Avery, 15 and Kate, 11. Congratulations on the new job, coach—and welcome home!
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The 47th Edition of the Helena Christmas Parade went off without a hitch. Floats, many of which were weeks in the making, paraded through Helena to the delight of onlookers young and old alike. The parade was timed to give sports fans time to get home to watch the SEC Championship game, which sent the Georgia Bulldogs to the College Football Playoffs for their first appearance there, much to the delight of Parade organizers Joy Childers and Kym Rollan. These ladies and their crew of volunteers deserve all our thanks for keeping the parade moving smoothly once again this year. Thanks also to the emcee, Brian Peters, and the judges who selected three winners from the parade entrants from their reviewing stand in the parking lot of First Baptist Church of Helena. This year the winners chosen were: 1st Place — Tap, Toe and Twirl 2nd Place — Second grade cheerleaders 3rd Place — Studio V salon Congratulations to all who participated, and thanks to all who came out to enjoy Helena’s 2017 Christmas Parade!
Grand Marshal for this year’s parade was Cris Nelson, former City Council President
CHRISTMAS
44 Winter 2018 / www.CityOfHelena.org
Parade
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Helena diners are all smiles after a fun evening out with family and friends at el Tejano Mexican Restaurant Bar & Grill!
Former Bama great Antonio Langham posed with El Tejano owner, Antonio Cruz and gave the new Mexican restauraunt a big thums up!
New flavor in Helena—El Tejano! We went to try the new Mexican restaurant on Hwy 52 West recently. It’s located in the old Frankie’s location, and is called El Tejano (no relation to Senor Chef or the restaurant formerly known as El Tejano). El Tejano means “The Texan” in Spanish, by the way, which is where the owner, Antonio Cruz, is from. Even though it was a Tuesday night, every table inside was filled, and there was about a 15-minute wait for a table. I took the opportunity to quiz diners leaving as to how the food tasted, and every single one of them gave me an enthusiastic thumbs up, so we felt like we’d made a good choice even though we’re not used to waiting on a table in Helena on a Tuesday night. Antonio was running the show in the dining room as servers hurried to get people’s orders and deliver their food. We were seated and given menus and shortly were sampling a basket of their fresh, light chips brought to us with a bowl of their homemade salsa. I loved the salsa. (It’s got a bit of a bite, but I’ll bet Antonio will be offering a 46 Winter 2018 / www.CityOfHelena.org
milder version as an option soon, as several diners around us made similar comments to the one made by my 4-year-old granddaughter, Vanna—she prefers it with a little less kick.) An easy remedy though, and the folks at El Tejano seem eager to please. To give Kim and Vanna something to nibble on before we ordered dinner, we asked for a bowl of guacamole made our way, and the waiter was soon back at the table delivering a bowl made perfectly for our taste without onions or jalapeños; just avocado, tomato and cilantro with a little salt and lime. It went very fast! I like eating it with just a touch of their spicy salsa on chips; it’s so good. The menu is extensive, offering special dishes like Steak Tampiqueña, Steak Albañil, several shrimp dishes, Carne Asada, and so much more, but we were in the mood for the more moderately priced traditional combo dinners. (Antonio says he is very proud of his pork carñitas, so this will be my choice on a return visit soon.) I ordered the D2, which
consisted of a chicken tamale (house-made), chicken enchilada and a chicken quesadilla. All were made using fresh and moist shredded chicken. The quesadilla was made from flour tortillas that they make in house—light, flaky and delicious—and made a quesadilla as good as any I’ve eaten. The tamale was THE BEST I’ve ever eaten, and the enchilada was the perfect compliment for the other two items on my plate. I had refried beans, and it’s worth noting that you can get either the traditional refried beans or refried black beans, a side dish a lot of Mexican restaurants don’t offer, but something that my family really enjoys. El Tejano serves Mexican rice that is light and flavorful and cooked with small quantities of English peas and diced carrots. It’s perfect for eating the way I like it, with some of that tasty salsa tossed in with it. Kim had the Tejano Beef Chile Relleno and gave it a two thumbs up gesture of appreciation saying that it might be one of the best she’s ever eaten. It’s her go-to dish whenever we try a new Mexican place, and this one did
not disappoint. A large order of black refried beans made her dish complete. Vanna ordered the child’s chicken quesadilla plate with rice and beans, and for $4.95, it looked like enough for an adult to be satisfied with, to be honest. El Tejano’s food reminds me of good homemade Mexican cooking the way I used to enjoy in my Air Force days back in San Antonio in south Texas. I’m eager to go back to this new Helena eatery and sample some more of their menu items soon. It definitely scored with our family and earned a spot on the Smith family’s most liked restaurant rotation! Try it for yourself the next time you get a taste for some good Mexican food. (Several who were leaving talked about how good the Margaritas were, too, but we’ll have to sample those when we don’t have the grandbaby with us, lol. Their house Margaritas were cheap and the top shelf ones were only a couple dollars higher.) As Arnold Schwarzenegger once said, “I’ll be back.”
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