Helena City News by Dave Smith

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

Winter 2016

HMS WINS IT ALL!

8TH GRADE BASKETBALL WINS AREA TOURNEY FOR THE THIRD TIME IN FOUR YEARS SECOND ANNUAL HELENA FOUNDERS DAY IN APRIL

Join us at the Helena Amphitheatre for food, fun, art and historical skits

BUCK CREEK FESTIVAL NEARS, FIRST BANDS ANNOUNCED

HELENA STUDENTS, TEACHERS RECEIVE ACCOLADES

Jessica Meuse will kick off the fest Friday Teachers of the year, basketball teams, cheerleaders, and others acknowledged afternoon and Deputy 5 will headline

www.MyHelenaCityNews.com / www.CityofHelena.org

FROM THE MAYOR

Greetings! Let me start by saying congratulations to all the student athletes at Helena High who have recently signed scholarships to participate in men's and women's sports at the college level. As a second year program we are so pleased to see these opportunities for these young athletes begin to arise quickly and steadily. These young men and women not only represent Helena High School but will also be great ambassadors for the City of Helena as well. I am so proud for each of them and their families. Business is great in our city as several new restaurants and shops have opened and have been well received. Please remember that a percentage of the sales tax collected when you shop in Helena insures

that city services and improvements continue to be funded as a result of this income. The creation of new jobs as a result of these new retail establishments also contributes greatly to the local economic vitality. We hope to see more progress in this area as we continue to look for retail and business opportunities that will support and provide new opportunities in our community. After several months of work, the update to the City's Comprehensive Plan, Comprehensive Plan 2025, is now complete. The plan will help guide us on a path of improvement as we meet our goals and objectives for a vibrant and stable future for Helena. I would like to thank everyone who participated in the online surveys and in particular our City Council members and our Planning and Zoning Board for their contributions to this updated plan. I am happy to report that

progress on several projects continues in the City as we head into the winter season full speed. The most recent improvements are on Helena Parkway (Co. 17) and Coalmont Road (Co. 91) where a much needed resurfacing project has been underway for the last several months. I would like to thank you for your patience during the construction in this very busy area of our city; it will be well worth the inconvenience once the resurfacing is complete. I would like to thank our Shelby County Commissioner Elwyn Bearden and the Shelby County Highway Department for securing the funding from ALDOT and for making this project happen. We now have new surfaces on State 261, County 95, Helena Parkway and Coalmont Road, which are all heavily traveled routes in our city. We are well into the process of reviewing recommendations from the RPC APPLE study for future traffic improvements to Highway 261 at Helena Elementary. Once a plan is

recommended and goes through the necessary approvals, we will seek funding to see it through. In closing I would like to once again acknowledge the recent surveys in state and national news outlets reporting Helena as one of the safest cities in Alabama. Being consistently ranked as first, or in the top 10 annually, is indeed a good thing. The reason that we are a safe city can only be attributed to each and every one of our citizens who take ownership in this community, look after their neighbors and consistently support our great police officers and fire fighters every day. I would like to close by saying thank you, to each and every resident and business owner for working everyday to help our community remain safe and secure, making this the best place to live in our state so we can be proud to say, "Helena, its where you want to be!" Kindest regards,

Mark

Left: Mayor Hall poses with Eagle Scout Connor Romanowski and his parents, Beth and Brian Romanowski, at a city council meeting in December. Connorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eagle Project was the installation of a flagpole at the HHS baseball field. Right: Bradford Owens and Liam Datka were also recognized for their promotions to Eagle Scout rank in a November council meeting. Bradfordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eagle Project was the restoration of the Unit Lodge at Camp Tranquility in Oak Mountain State Park. Liamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eagle Scout Project had him working with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to help aid in the preservation of Buck Creek.

2 Winter 2016 / www.CityOfHelena.org

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Second Annual Helena Founder’s Day to be on Saturday, April 23 The Helena Historic Preservation Committee, whose mission it is to preserve, protect, and bring awareness to our city’s rich history, has once again taken the lead on Helena Founder’s Day, which will take place April 23 from 10:00am–3:00pm at the Helena Amphitheater, with the Sports Complex as the backup location in case of rain. The event will include music, artisan craft vendors and folk artists, food vendors, a children’s area and the opportunity to be photographed in the “Old Photo Booth.” Walking tours through Old Town, inflatables for children, and food trucks will be available outdoors. The Helena Belles will serve as ambassadors during the event. Helena musicians, including Steve Norriss and Thomas Trussell, will perform throughout the day, as well as Helena student choirs and bands, and performers An essay contest for students will be held,

as well as an art contest with several categories into which anyone may enter. The folk art contest is sure to be full of beautiful works of art! And there will be prizes offered to winners. 151 years ago, the Louisville and Nashville Railroad company sent Pete Boyle, a company engineer, to survey land in the area that is now Helena, Alabama. After surveying the land, L and N built the “Helena Station,” which was named after Boyle’s sweetheart Helen Lee. Like last year, actors from across the city will come together for a dramatic retelling of the founding of the City of Helena that you don’t want to miss! Funds raised by Founder’s Day Sponsorships will be appropriately shared with the Helena Historic Museum. Museum

founder Ken Penhale will be speaking at the event. For more information about being a sponsor, volunteer, folk art contestant, essay contestant, or to rent a booth for the event, pease contact helenahistory@gmail.com. For updates on musicians, vendors and special guests fir Helena Founder’s Day 2016, please visit: www.facebook.com/HelenaHistory.

The countdown to the 15th Annual Buck Creek Festival has begun! What is arguably the largest and most well-loved event in Helena will take place in and around Amphitheatre Park Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14. Are YOU ready for the 15th annual Buck Creek Festival? The festival is only a few months away, and there is much work to be done in preparation.

How can you help?

The festival committee is currently accepting applications for vendors and sponsors for this year’s event. Applications for the Buck Creek Festival scholarship are now being accepted as well. Only Helena residents who are high school seniors this year may enter, and the deadline for submissions is April 1. Applications for vendors, sponsors and the scholarship are available on the Buck Creek Festival website: www.BuckCreekFestival.com.

How does the Buck Creek Festival help our city?

The Buck Creek Festival is not only a lot of fun, but it raises a lot of money for the city each

year, too. Since its inception 15 years ago, the Buck Creek Festival has raised more than $227,000 in total funds for charities and nonprofits affiliated with the City of Helena! Last year, it was one of the most successful local festivals in nearly a decade, raising $22,640 through the famous duck race, ticket sales and other fundraising opportunities. $10,610 of that money went to the Helena High School Band Boosters, with other funds going to worthwhile projects across the city.

Who will perform at the 2016 Buck Creek Festival? 2014 American Idol contestant Jessica Meuse, who has given performances at Helena’s own Rio’s Bar and Grill in the past, will kick off the 2016 Buck Creek Festival Friday, May 13. Local band Deputy 5, which frequently plays at Papa Saia’s, will close out the night as the Friday night headliner. More performers, vendors and sponsors will be announced on the festival Facebook page as the event creeps closer. To be noti-

fied of any new announcements, search Buck Creek Festival on Facebook, and like the page. “I’d like to say on behalf of the city, the festival brings a very positive and good light to our city and puts us in a very good image,” Mayor Mark Hall said after last year’s festival. “Not to mention the extra income it brings to the city during that time and people absolutely come back and visit.” For more information, please visit the festival website: www.BuckCreekFestival.com.

TO ADVERTISE, CALL the Publisher at 746.1188 / MyHelenaCityNews.com / Winter 2016

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TO YOUR WORKOUT Instructor Merri Gwin brings new In10sity class to Snap Fitness Helena 2600 HWY 58

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Tried of the same old classes and routines? Ready for something to jump start your fitness journey? Not ready to take on a personal trainer? No problem-— Snap Fitness Helena offers a studio for group classes weekly—and it’s not only for members. Non-members can take any class for only $5 per class, or become a member and only pay $5 a month for unlimited classes. Ready for something , new? Check out the new class being offered at Snap Fitness in Helena. Dr. Holley Wiley, a Physical Education and Coaching professor in the Kinesiology Department at Mississippi State University, has worked in collaboration with her sister, Snap trainer Merri Gwin, to develop a unique routine that can be adapted to any fitness level. Beginners will be shown ways to modify the exercises or the repetitions so that they can improve their fitness level gradually and safely. Intermediate and Advanced exercisers looking for a good sweat to shake out of a training plateau will find it in this class! For the athlete, it’s a great way to improve sports performance. If you don’t really like working out and want something fun and entertaining, then Cardio Funk or Zumba may be

In10sity

just the thing you need. Snap offers five classes a week where you can dance your way to health and fitness while doing something you love. These classes are taught by a variety of great teachers, including Merri, Cindy, Traci, Marta and Nicole—who each put a little of their own different spin on the class. Jackie Droxler leads a well-rounded class for our senior citizens, disabled citizens and those who want a more gradual increase in their fitness level. This class is designed for those who want to get off the couch and have the eagerness and fitness level to do more. You will build muscular strength, improve joint mobility and increase cardiovascular endurance, all while having fun and making friends. Christine Schupp-Avery offers Yoga four times a week, and Restorative Yoga is offered twice a month. This is a great class for old and young alike and a benefit for all fitness levels. The relaxation techniques incorporated in yoga can lessen chronic pain, such as lower back pain, arthritis, headaches and carpal tunnel syndrome. Yoga can also lower blood pressure

and reduce insomnia. The stretches incorporated in Yoga can also reduce injuries. Coach and personal trainer Cindy Dobins offers a rotating variety of classes throughout the month. Hers is definitely a class that will challenge the participants and have them coming back for more. Her rotation includes classes like: Retro Robotics, a nostalgic high/low impact class; Overdrive, a high intensity interval class; Mixx, a circuit type class; and Butts and Guts, which focuses on core strength.

WIN A FREE MEMBERSHIP

Throughout the month of March, Snap Fitness Helena will be giving away prizes for

people attending their classes—Members and Non-Members alike. Every time you attend a class, your name will be entered for a chance to win. Bring friends and you will get an additional chance to win—for each! There will be several chances to win prizes weekly, with a drawing at the end of the month for the grand prize—a six month membership to Snap Fitness Helena, complete with free entrance to all classes. Make the best decision for your health and come give Snap a try today!

HMS boys basketball team: UnDeFeATeD Southern Conference champs! The Helena Middle School 8th grade boys’ basketball team as led by Head Coach Kane Peckham finished their perfect 22-0 season in the best way possible: as the still undefeated Southern Conference champions! By defeating the John Carroll Caveliers 50-14 in the first round, the Briarwood Lions 50-30 in the semifinals and the Calera Eagles 42-27 in the finals, the young huskies ran away with the title. “Of course the toughest team of the season was in the final game,” said Assistant Coach Keith Richardson, who Coach Peckham gave thanks to for stepping up this season. This is the second back-toback championship win in a row for the team, and their third win in the four years since Coach Peckham took over the program. “I got guys in my program who put basketball first, who play as a team, who have no problem passing the ball to their

teammates, who have worked hard all season long and earned this win,” Coach Peckham said. “A lot of former players came out to support us at our games, I think that means a lot to our players, and to me.” This season’s win comes from the students’ own athletic abilities, tenacity, and ability to work together as a team rather than as individuals. When one player is having an off-night, others step in to pick up the pace and keep the pressure on their opponent. And the coach said their most successful plays occurred when the athletes were attuned to one another. Daunte Cave always seems to be tuned into his team and his teammates. He has been one of the biggest playmakers for the team this season, as well as a leading scorer in the championship and the games leading up to it, so it’s no surprise the coaches named him the Southern Conference

Championship MVP. “With his point totals, free throws and leadership, there’s no way I wouldn’t give this honor to him,” the coach said. “He’s carried us this whole season.” Unfortunately,in the final two minutes of the championship game, Daunte fell on his arm and broke his wrist. We will keep up with his progress as he heals. The starting players were the ones who have given the other students on the team some of the motivation and momentum they needed to keep their streak going all season long.

In addition to Daunte, Jabe Hildreth, LaDarrius Rice, Zach Goodwin, Caden Pierce and Jabe Hildreth are those very student leaders. “This team did pretty well last year as 7th graders, but for them to come up and win it all, undefeated, is fantastic,” Coach Peckham said. “At this stage, a year really can make all the difference in a student’s athletic ability (or height).” We can’t wait to see what these up-and-coming Huskies will do when they join the basketball team at HHS. Congratulations!

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The 12th Annual Helena Kiwanis Pancake Day to be held February 27 The Kiwanis Club of Helena has announced Saturday, February 27, as the date of the 12th Annual Pancake Day of Helena. The community social and eating event will be at Helena Elementary School from

7:00 a.m. until noon. Steaming hot pancakes with butter and syrup, sausage or bacon and a beverage of choice is on the menu. Sugar free syrup will be available. Putting on such a large

community event requires many hands. Volunteering in addition to Helena Kiwanians will be members of the HES PTO, Boy Scout Troop 2 and Key Clubs of Helena, Pelham, Thompson and Evangel High Schools. Tickets are available for $5.00 from any of these folks or may be purchased at the door. Best hours to avoid crowds and be served quickly are 7:00-8:00 a.m. and 11:00-Noon. All profits from Pancake Day are dedicated to the PTO, the Kiwanissponsored groups listed above and projects to benefit youth in the community. The Helena

Kiwanis organization has used profits in the past to help build the Boundless Playground in Joe Tucker Park, sponsor scholarships for young people, provide books and read at the local Head Start Program, help provide WiFi at HES and various other projects benefitting young people. Tickets are available at the front desk. Please make checks payable to: The Kiwanis Club of Helena. The HES PTO gets 100% profit of all tickets pre-sold from the HES PTO. Tickets are also available in the office. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! For more information about Helena Kiwanis or about the 12th Annual Helena Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast at HES, please contact Callie Waldrop at 205-999-5329.

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Welcome City Councilman Mike Jones’ ovation Media, inc. to Helena The Helena Business Association held its January meeting at the new Ovation Media, Inc. location in the city. Mike Jones is a Helena City Councilman as well as the owner of Ovation Media and Event Operations Group. “We are doing our part to expand business services in Helena,” he said. “We would like to thank the local residents and other Helena businesses who have supported this move and expansion." The building remodel took over a year to complete and Jones is proud of the fact that all Helena businesses were contracted for the build: Landscaping, general contractor, painting, plumbing, sewer rebuild, electrical, and flooring. This decision evolved into purchasing 11 acres and rehabbing a former 12,000 Sq ft machine shop at 2222 Hwy 52 next to fire station #2. OMI is a full service marketing, branding and merchandising firm serving businesses, teams, large festivals, events and touring artists. OMI produces full color HD vinyl graphics, signs, banners, vehicle wraps, SCREENPRINTING, embroidery, print media, & promotional products.

With state of the art equipment and technology, in house art lab, graphic artist and production specialist, OMI has built a first class production facility right here in Helena. OMI also has a recording studio, video production suite, and a sound stage area for large scale events. Contact Kendall Nichelson, Vice President of Development, 205-6640038 for more information about all available OMI products and services.

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HHS Boys Basketball team has fantastic season, ends with 17-7 record

This year has been a blockbuster one for the Helena High School boys' basketball team. Going undefeated in area play, they had an impressive 13-game winning streak until a two-point loss on the buzzer in overtime during the January 28 home game against the Oak Mountain Eagles. “We knew the Oak Mountain game was going to be a big challenge, they are a great team,” Head Coach Chris Laatsch explained. “They don’t mess up,

they make you beat them.” In the latest Alabama Sports Writers Association ranking, the Huskies moved up to the No. 7 spot in Class 5A. The team had a 6-0 record in area play and a 17-7 record overall at the end of January. The Huskies will host the Class 5A, area 7 tournament starting February 11. “To be able to host this tournament as a second-year program is an incredible thing,” Coach Laatsch said. “It’s a tribute to the players. Hopefully we can do our part to make it a memorable experience.” Much of the boys’ success this year has come from their ability to work together as a team. “These guys are the most ‘all about the team’ team that I have ever coached,” said Laatsch. “They are all about each other, and they have a common goal; that makes it really rewarding for a coach. It has been a blessing working with them.” According to Coach Laatsch, the leadership shown by the team's seven seniors this year has had a huge effect on the other players. “They work hard, practice hard, and lead by example,” he said. “They give of themselves, they get the other kids to think about something bigger than themselves.” Those seniors are Jaylen Speight, Kendall Williams, Jaylen Harris, Paul Brown, Daniel Lawson, Landon Genry and Phildon Dublin, who just signed a letter of intent to Delta

State University February 3. But it was more than just the seniors working hard, the whole team gave it their all this season. Justin Stuckey was named to the all-tournament team at the Chelsea Thanksgiving Tournament in the Fall. Jon Brown was named MVP at the UMS-Wright Tournament in Mobile, where the team beat St. Paul’s 55-46 to win the tourney. Jaylen Harris and Paul Brown were named to the alltournament team there. The coach wants to continue bringing in this stream of talented players, so he has been meeting with the Freshman and JV teams to ensure a successful program as a whole. He wants this season’s success to carry over for many years to come with the blueprint they have set forth in the past two years. Part of that blueprint includes giving the players responsibilities and duties both on and off the court—like laundry after a game or practice. “They all gotta do their part—having responsibility helps develop each player’s overall character,” Coach Laatsch explained. “We want our players to be great men, great husbands, great fathers, a great asset to their local community or to their church. We want them to have great character.” His son William, who played basketball for Thompson during his senior year, has been able to help him with stats at HHS. “It’s been such a blessing having him around—it makes up for missing that year,” the coach said. “He has been invaluable

with the stats and things he sees during the games.” The coach, along with the overenthusiastic student section, hopes they are able to finish well this season for their seniors. “I’m excited about what the team has accomplished,” Coach Laatsch concluded. “I’ll keep on coaching, but this is it for them. I want them to succeed, reach their full potential and achieve their goals. This is all for them. They deserve it.” GO HUSKIES!!!

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elizabeth Burttram is HMS Teacher of the year Helena Middle School is pleased to announce Elizabeth Burttram is the HMS Teacher of the Year for 2015. “I was very surprised, there are a lot of great teachers at HMS, and I’m often in awe of how dedicated they are,” Elizabeth said. “It was very humbling to win this award.” Although Elizabeth’s mother’s side of the family is from the South originally, she found herself growing up in the Chicago suburb of Bartlett. A love of science focused her thoughts on college, and college brought her back South. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Auburn University, followed by a Lab Certification from UAB. She worked for a while as a cytotechnologist—someone who scans cell samples for cancerous and other problematic and harmful types of cells or growth. “You can only look at cells under a microscope all day every day for so long before you start to miss school, and learning new things,” she said, laughing. “In every job, I had parts where I was teaching or training others, and I realized I liked teaching the science to others more than the rest of the job. So she went back to UAB, where she had at one time worked in their Medical Genetics division, for school. There she earned her Masters Degree in Secondary Science Education. She also goes back to Auburn

periodically for training on how to excite more students with engineering on a younger level. In 2008, she began teaching in the Shelby County School System at Columbiana Middle. In 2013, she made the decision to move to Helena Middle School. “I had worked with teachers from HMS before, and they just seemed so nice,” she said. “Working here puts me closer to my daughters when they start school. And while there are a lot of great schools in Shelby County, none are as dedicated as the faculty and staff at HMS.” Elizabeth teaches 8th grade physical science, which includes chemistry and physics. Her students do projects like building solar-powered LEGO cars. They tested which solar panel put out more voltage, predicted what might happen, ran the experiment and even learned about the Deepwater Horizon disaster as a part of this project. “When the students were able to get the cars to work, they were so excited,” Elizabeth said. “That’s the best part. I have great students and that really helps me—I can trust my students to do what they need to do while I’m gone.” And occasionally she is gone— as the sponsor of the Science Olympiad, she has to do some traveling each year. She was placed in charge of the team her first year at HMS, three years ago, and each year they have placed in

the 3rd and 2nd place spots. “It’s a tough competition, but I’m hoping this will be our year for a first prize,” she said. The middle school Science Olympiad is almost a practice to get students ready for the high school competition—where thousands of dollars in scholarships are won each year. Elizabeth wants her kids to be prepared to compete on that level. Another way she keeps her students prepared is by using newer technology when it is available. They used the Kahoot app, for mobile devices, for pop quizzes in class. They can even compare their scores with their friends in real-time. “Learning is a lifelong thing, it doesn’t end when you walk out of the classroom. We want to prepare our kids to be lifelong learners,” Elizabeth said. “And right now that includes some teaching on how to utilize smart devices for research and collaboration. “I have fun with my middle schoolers here. I like seeing them change from 6th grade, when they are still almost babies, to the 8th grade, when they are getting ready to go to high school,” Elizabeth explained. “I love my 8th

graders. Like younger students, they still want to please their teachers—just not when their friends are watching. Besides, we have some really sweet kids in Helena.” In addition to teaching her science classes and sponsoring the Science Olympiad team, Elizabeth also serves as the Science Department Chair, and is a member of the School Improvement Team. She is also a teacher mentor, so any new teachers in the science program work with her to learn the culture, procedures and best practices of HMS. “This is just a great place to work,” Elizabeth concluded. “There are great teachers, great students, and a very involved community to support us.” Congratulations, Elizabeth!

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Come join us !March 2016 … Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University Classes at Helena United Methodist!

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The return of Helena Market Days is just around the corner—June 4! Helena Market Days, Shelby County’s “Best of the Best” farmers market, and one of our hometown’s events of pride and joy, As always, the market will run every Saturday morning during the summer, from around 8am to 5pm. Helena Market Days will kick off its 2016 season on June 4th and close on August 27th. Be sure to bring your friends and family to this annual tradition celebrating community and the outdoors. It’s a great change to see all the functional, beautiful and delicious things our hard working neighbors and local artists have produced. The Market Days will feature chef demonstrations, musicians, several local farmers selling a wide variety of produce, and more. It’s always nice to take a walk around Amphitheatre Park and Buck Creek Falls before or

after checking out the market. These are rain or shine events, so pack your umbrellas and sunscreen, just in case! For updates on chef demonstrations, performances and other information, please visit www.helenamarketdays.com. On a related note, the market’s organizing committee is now looking for volunteers (individual or organizational) to assume the day-to-day management of the event beginning with the 2017 season. The current staff will train the incoming one and will remain available to advise those who follow them. Those who are interested or have questions, please contact Bob Van Loan at bob75137@aol.com.

Snapshots from the HES Fall Sing concert

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Meet the Helena Teen Council!

New Helena Teen Council Members 2015-2016: Jack Bratina Jacob Bradford Lauren Abrams Maddie Hollon 18 Winter 2016 / www.CityOfHelena.org

Kirsten Gardner. Mary Margaret Getts Arielle Howell Ashley Goggins Kaylynn Hall Elisabeth Hulbert

Morgan Jacobs Madison Laney Olivia Stone Returning Teen Ambassadors: Chris Adams

Natalie Blocker Ashli Funches Angela Knighting Angel Sarris Trinity Scozzaro Josie Stafford

Four Helena High School senior athletes sign letters of intent Four Helena High School seniors and football players signed National Letters of Intent February 3. Phildon Dublin, Brody Rhodes, Brett Granger and Diondre Sackreiter all made the decision to continue their sports careers in college, and head football coach/Athletic Director Watt Parker could not be more proud of them. These outstanding scholarathletes were joined by family, friends and coaches in the school’s lunchroom that evening to mark the occasion with celebration. As they signed their respective athletic scholarship acceptances, stories were told and acknowledgements given to mentors, coaches, parents and others who helped these young men along the way. Phildon is not only a wide receiver for the Huskies’ football team, but was a big playmaker for the HHS Soccer Team, and one of the senior leaders on the HHS Basketball Team as well. He plans to attend Delta State University. Brody, who plays as an offensive lineman for the Huskies, pledged to the University of West Alabama.

Brett is a defensive lineman for the Huskies and will attend Samford University in the fall. Finally, talented quarterback Diondre committed to Southern Nazarene University. Each young man spoke of his personal appreciation for fellow teammates, coaches and the guidance of God within his life. Coaches paid tribute to their work ethic and ability to always be a team player. “These guys are great examples of what we want in our players, not just great athletes but great young men,” said Coach Parker. “They are going to well-represent themselves, their families, this school and this community anywhere they go in this world.”

HHS Dance Team performed well at UDA state competition On Saturday, January 23, the Helena High School Dance Team competed at the Universal Dance Association State Competition in the high kick and jazz categories. The girls received 2nd place in the high kick category and 3rd place in the jazz category. These categories are often the most competitive sections of the competition, so their high placement shows just how hard they work. On Sunday, January 24, the team competed in the American All-Star State Competition. They

received 3rd place in the high kick category and 2nd place the jazz category. These female scholar-athletes also traveled to compete in the National Dance Association State Competition February 13th at Hoover High School. Dance Team Sponsor Jenni Russell encourages friends, family and other members of the community to come out to other events like these and show their support for these talented girls. “We would love to have the support of the Helena community at competitions,” Jenni said. “These girls have worked extremely hard.”

TO ADVERTISE, CALL the Publisher at 746.1188 / MyHelenaCityNews.com / Winter 2016

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NOW OPEN IN OLD TOWN HELENA! 4161 Helena Road Hours: THUR-SAT, 11am - 7pm Sunday, 12pm - 3pm (229) 251-5626 niques, so Lazy Boy BBQ is only open while Tommy’s off duty, for now: Come by Thursday, Friday, Saturday and a few hours after church each Sunday. Tommy refers to his BBQ as “Georgia style,” owing to the technique he uses which only exposes the meat to his special pecan wood smoke for about half its cooking time, after which it is wrapped in foil and allowed to continue, offering up some of the most succulent and delicious BBQ you’ve ever

tasted. The sides are all homemade by Sherrie, and they are all as delicious as their BBQ. I had a pulled pork plate with ribs and I’m telling you, most folks couldn’t eat it all. It’s a lot of food. It’s some of the best BBQ I’ve ever put in my mouth. I tried their coleslaw and oven baked beans for my sides, both of which were very flavorful and complemented the BBQ very well. This plate, shown to the right, is served with white bread. Be sure to get down to Old Town soon to try Helena’s delicious new Lazy Boy BBQ Smokehouse—and tell them you saw them in the Helena City News! Be sure to use the coupon at left for a free homemade side dish with sandwich purchase!

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From Feral

Fabulous

How Rita Branson Bowen rescued Miss Dixie—and now uses her to aid many more kitties in need It’s a story that starts off sad—a small, cute orange-andblack kitten merely surviving in a Winn-Dixie parking lot, finding warmth behind the vending machines and eating scraps of food left by concerned grocery store customers. Rita Branson Bowen, an 8-year resident of Helena, was one such customer. “I would go get cans of food, open the cans and leave them there for her, and she would come out and eat,” Rita said. “I just said, ‘okay, I’m gonna make sure she’s fed and has fresh water every day, if nothing else.’” She asked the workers inside Winn-Dixie about a plan to capture Miss Dixie, and they said they were working on it, so Rita left it alone for a while. When she checked up on her later, Miss Dixie had given birth to kittens. Someone had picked up the kittens, but no one could catch Mrs. Dixie. The store called Animal Control to take her to a shelter, where she would have most likely been killed. Rita frantically called dozens of people and rescues who she thought might be able to help. Finally, Amanda at Have a Heart Animal Rescue answered. She explained to Rita about how she usually helps find homes for cats over the internet, but that she knew she had a home for a feral cat, and more importantly, could get Rita a trap to use. There were at least three unsuccessful attempts, even with the trap, to catch Miss Dixie. “You could tell she was hungry, and she’s so smart! She’d stick 22 Winter 2016 / www.CityOfHelena.org

her paw into the trap, get a little food, take it out and eat it off of her paw,” Rita recalled, laughing. “She would go in and out of the trap, never setting it off. Give me a break!” One day, the tables finally turned. Miss Dixie saw Rita’s car, and knew that meant food, so she came running across the parking lot. “She sniffed around the trap, went in, and as she was about to go back out with her little chunk of sardine in her mouth, her tail hit it, and she was trapped,” Rita said. “People coming out of Winn-Dixie asked if we caught her, they all knew her, you know, they were clapping and excited.” Rita fell in love with the little skittish feline, and eventually, her husband Mike came around, too. So when Miss Dixie’s new home on a horse farm—which had several large dogs around at all times—was not working out, the Bowens took her in and have loved her ever since. Several years ago, Rita started up a facebook page for Miss Dixie as a hobby. She has won a couple of awards since then: Miss Dixie was First Place Winner of Kittyland Dancing With The Stars with her partner Frankie in 2015. She was also Second Place Runner-up in the Star Cat Contest for Modern Cat Magazine in July 2015. As Miss Dixie’s fans grew, so did Rita’s awareness of how quickly you can contact likeminded people on the social media site: making it a help-

ful tool for emergency rescues. Before moving to Helena, she and Mike Above: Rita with Miss Dixie’s adoptive brother Cocoa, one of lived in South the cats from a feral colony of around 300 in South Carolina. Below: Miss Dixie on one of her favorite perches. Carolina, Opposite: The two books Rita has written about Miss Dixie. where they across the United States, Rita took care of a found the time to write two feral cat colony with more than 300 cats, so she missed being able books about Miss Dixie and her furry friends, to help raise money to help out like she once had. to save more kittens. Since being diagnosed with From Feral To Fabulous: The cancer, Rita had to dial back on Story of Saving Miss Dixie and how much she could do, but many more Kitties is a picture now she focuses all her time book that allowed Rita to tell on raising money for rescues Miss Dixie’s rescue story. through her Facebook pages for Miss Dixie and Friends: Tails Miss Dixie. of Survival features stories of The Miss Dixie’s Help for several of Miss Dixie’s furry feline Others facebook account holds friends from when they were faconline auctions to benefit Home ing formidable odds. Rita wrote Rescues and 501c3 charities. All the rescue stories of fourteen proceeds for each month’s auction goes to cat rescues. All items kittens and cats. For anyone who would like to sold in the auctions each month help Rita and Miss Dixie’s cause, are donated items. please visit their facebook pages: On top of all the work she is www.facebook.com/SavingMissdoing with the Facebook page fundraisers and keeping in touch Dixie or www.facebook.com/ MissDixiesHelpForOthers. with her contacts in shelters

Miss Dixie, continued from opposite More information and links to both books can be found on www.missdixiesadventures.com. From Feral To Fabulous can be purchased on Amazon by searching for the titleâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the first book to come up. Tails of Survival can be purchased on Amazon here:

http://bit.ly/TailsOfSurvival. Each purchase of these books helps fund the online auctions Rita runs on Facebook as she continues to help as many feral and stray kitties across the southeast as she can. Help her and Miss Dixie today!

Mark Cochran lands large lunker at Joe Tucker Lake "It's been a life long dream of mine to catch one this big and have it mounted!" said Helena resident Mark Cochran, as he held up what some are saying is one of the biggest if not the biggest bass ever caught out of Joe Tucker Lake. "Joe Tucker Park is a nice park with friendly people which has made me grow to love the little town of Helena," said Mark. "I just moved here last year, and my sister and her family may be moving up here sometime this year. She has visited, and Helena took her in to!" "Also, Joe Tucker Park is a great place to take your kids to fish, play, walk, or picnic." Mark said he took the lunker on a Bill Lewis Rat-LTrap in black and blue. I'll be 45-years-old this month, and that he'd waited his whole life to catch a big bass and have it mounted. "It happened today, and she fought hard!" He exclaimed.

The big Largemouth weighed in at a whopping 8.55 lbs. "I truly believe in catch and release, and have thrown back all of the fish I have caught except this one," Mark explained. Congratulations on your big catch, Mark!

TO ADVERTISE, CALL the Publisher at 746.1188 / MyHelenaCityNews.com / Winter 2016

get your Mustache on to Support HHS Soccer March 12 The Helena High School Soccer Program is hosting a Mustache Run/Walk on March 12, 2016. When the school opened in 2014, the program had limited resources, with much coming from players and families through fees and fundraisers. This should be a fun community event with an atmosphere for the serious runner, weekend runner or those that only run to the fridge. The events will include your choice of 8k and 5k timed or un-timed run, a fun run/ walk, and a Pet Walk. Pets are encouraged to attend and participate to keep their family

member company. There will be a best mustache contest in two categories, Fake and Real, which include entries for men, women, kids, babies, and pets. Mayor Hall and Lil’ Eddie will serve as the official starters. There is a plan for vendor booths and a silent auction as well. The soccer program is looking for both sponsors and contestants. For more information, visit www. hhsmustacherun.com. All associated activities are an effort to raise proceeds to support the Helena High School Soccer Program. The goal of this event is to support the annual cost

of uniforms, equipment, referee fees, field maintenance, team travel, tournament costs, and clinics. The program's long term goal is to relieve or significantly reduce the fee player's and their family spend to participate, upgrade the practice field with amenities such as lights, fencing, seating, and water stations, as well as

create a reserve for replacing capital equipment, including soccer goals.

HHS Mustache Run/Walk to benefit HHS Soccer

March 12, 8:00AM Helena High School The races: The Handlebar - 8K Adult: $25 The Handlebar - 8K Under 13: $15 Plain Old ‘Stache - 5K Adult: $25 Plain Old ‘Stache - 5K Under 13: $15 Peach Fuzz- Adult Fun Run/Walk: $20 Peach Fuzz - Under 13 Fun Run/Walk: $10 Baby Smooth - 0-3 year old: Free

Best Mustache Contest $5 Baby to 2 years- Fake Mustache Under 13 - Fake Mustache Adult Female - Fake Mustache Adult Male - Fake Mustache Adult Male - Real Mustache Adult Female - Real Mustache Best Pet ‘Stache

To Ofﬁcially Time any version of the race: add $5. To complete a Run or Walk with your pet: add $5. Please visit the webpage www.hhsmustacherun.com for more information.

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Miss HHS 2016

Helena High School senior Lillie Brewer won the honor of Miss HHS 2016. Tiffany Hogue is 1st Alternate, 2nd Alternate is Abigail Manasco, 3rd Alternate is Shireen Rashid, and 4th Alternate is Bailey Everett. The 2016 Freshman Elite is Lauren Caver, the Sophomore Elite is Haley Rodgers, the Junior Elite

is Katherine Barton, and the Senior Elite is Claire Vaughn. Reagan Curtis was named Miss Congeniality, while the honor or Most Photogenic went to Tiffany Hogue. Trevor Wasden was named Best Escort.

Congratulations to Lillie Brewer and all the winners!

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H E L E N A’ S C O M M U N I T Y O F FA I T H A.M.E. New Bethel A.M.E. Church Highway 261 • 201-5531 Rev. Wilma Merriweather Sunday School 10:00 AM Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM

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

First Baptist Church Helena

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

Gospel Light Baptist Church

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

Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church

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

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 JJ Stanbridge • rbchelena.org Sunday Worship 9:00 AM Sunday Bible Study 10:30 AM

Shiloh Baptist Church

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

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

CHURCH OF CHRIST

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

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

Voice of Faith Int’l Ministries

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

The Church at Cahaba Bend

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

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

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

NAZARENE Trinity Church of the Nazarene

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

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

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

Helena Cumberland Presbyterian

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

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Parks and rec Spring softball, baseball and soccer coming up in March The sun has just begun warming the air some afternoons, signaling that Spring is on its way! The successful park basketball season has just ended and there is still much to be done before the baseball, softball and soccer seasons begin. Very soon, you will be able to catch children playing these sports several days a week at the Helena Sports Complex, Joe Tucker Park and Penhale Park. Basketball The basketball season has come to its end, with 15 successful teams coming out of 200 young, talented Helena atheletes this year. They played valiantly against teams from Pelham, Calera, Alabaster and Montevallo, with the end-of season 6th grade tournament held at the Sports Complex starting February 11. Baseball/Softball Opening day for the spring baseball and softball seasons will be March 19 at 10am at the

30 Winter 2016 / www.CityOfHelena.org

Helena Sports Complex. The first day of games is March 21. We had over 300 boys sign up to participate, ages 3-14, for a total of about 30 teams this season. We had over 100 girls sign up for softball, for around 9 teams. They will play an interlocking schedule with Pelham, Alabaster, Calera and Montevallo. Home games are played weeknights and Saturdays at Penhale Park, Joe Tucker Park and the Sports Complex, and are free to attend. Soccer More than 200 kids have registered for soccer this year, for around 12 teams that will play in the Central Alabama Independant Soccer League. Since dates are set by the league, the season start date is currently unknown, but it will be in the final week of March. You can catch these great soccer games, also free, on Saturday mornings at the Sports Complex.

Football/Cheerleading The fall football program with 144 football players and 128 cheerleaders is far behind us, but this year’s will start to creep up before you know it. Please visit our new website at www.helenaparksandrec.org in April for more information about registration for the 2016 Fall season. Facility Improvements The parking lot of the Sports Complex and Community Center has been re-striped for safety; it is now easier to see individual parking spaces than it was before. Windscreens have been replaced at the complex and at Penhale Park. New tennis nets have been ordered for the tennis courts at Joe Tucker Park. The Helena High School Tennis Teams will be using these facilities for practice and home games. Please check http://podcasts.

shelbyed.k12.al.us/hlhs-athletics/ coach-parker-helena-athletics for information on their schedule. For more information about our sports and activities, visit www.helenaparksandrec.org. You can call the community center at 205-620-2877 to rent rooms there for meetings, parties or other events. You can also make pavilion reservations online at www.cityofhelena.org. Go to ‘Departments’, ‘Parks and Rec’ and check out the availability for a pavilion you are interested in as well as fill out the reservation request form. Also, don’t forget that for many residents, the Helena Community Center is your voting place. Please check www.AlabamaVotes.org to be sure of your polling place, and don’t forget to get out there and vote March 1! BILL MILLER Director of Parks and Recreation 205-620-2877

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JANE B. HOLMES PUBLIC LIBRARY

JANE B. HOLMES PUBLIC LIBRARY 230 Tucker Road, Helena 35080 • 664-8308 HOURS: Monday 10:00 AM-7:00 PM; Tuesday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM; Wednesday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM; Thursday 10:00 AM-7:00 PM; Friday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM; Saturday 10:00 AM-2:00 PM; Closed on Sunday. Greetings from the library! Do you know what FREE resource in your area gives you access to WI-FI, high speed computer service, reasonably priced printing and copy service, not to mention the latest books, movies, music, and audio books? Answer: The Jane B. Holmes Public Library in Helena! Dedicated citizens and City Officials have worked hard to provide Helena with a great library, and we are proud to be able serve as a community information center. The New Year and winter months are a great time to visit the library. Whether it is for homework, to use the computer, or simply browse the shelves for pleasure, the library is a neat place to use as an escape. Speaking of dedicated members of our community, the library is happy to announce that Vulcan Materials, a local company, has provided a donation of $500.00 toward the operation of our library. Vulcan materials has shown consistently that they support our library and our operation, and we cannot thank them enough for thinking of us year in and year out. The library has also received some very kind donations from the public this year, and we appreciate how thoughtful our community has been to our organization. In addition to monetary donations, the library also accepts books, audio books, movies, and music in good condition. These donations help keep our collection fresh and enjoyable to library patrons. The library has some great programs lined up for the coming months. Save the date for I Love the Jane B. Holmes Public Library Day on April 7! We will have a book sale and refreshments, and it is a great time to visit and see what is new! For other programs and Story Times, please visit our calendar. It is available on the City of Helena Web-Site. Look for news about the library and links to many resources such as the library catalogue. Click on the left hand side of the page, and look for library. I hope all of you saw the Friends of the Library entry into the Helena Christmas Parade! The Large Library Card Float was visible, and everyone recognized it. The Friends of the library is an active 32 Winter 2016 / www.CityOfHelena.org

organization. If you are interested in joining, please feel free to attend a meeting. They are held on the third Thursday of the month at 6:00 PM at the library. Thank you to the Friends for their hard work, and for the parade float effort! Please visit soon, and remember to bring your most valuable possession: Your Library Card! Sincerely, Daniel Dearing, Library Director

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

Come by for this fun, free program every Tuesday and Thursday! Mrs. Jennie will be here to read some FUN stories and sing some songs! Check out our calendar at www.cityofhelena.org for information on our upcoming events! Stop by soon to check out a book or two, a movie and/or some tunes— we have the classics to the latest releases and everything in between!

TITLES JUST IN… Beyond The Silence — Tracie Peterson; Brotherhood in Death — J.D. Robb; Finding Winnie — Lindsay Mattick; Keeper of the Stars — Robin Lee Hatcher; NYPD RED 4 — James Patterson; Blue: A Novel — Danielle Steel

GREAT FLICKS AND SHOWS… Hotel Transylvania 2; The Martian — Starring Matt Damon; Sherlock “The Abominable Bride;” Woodlawn; Everest; Jem and the Holograms; Irrational Man; Burnt; Goosebumps — Starring Jack Black; Downton Abbey Season 6

NEW TUNES… Grammy Nominees 2016; Star Wars – The Force Awakens Soundtrack; Sara Bareilles – What’s Inside: Songs from Waitress; Pentatonix – Pentatonix; Adele - 25 We also reserve books, music and audio materials at the Jane B. Holmes Public Library. Ask at the circulation desk or call the library at 205-664-8308 for details. Make sure to stop by the library soon.

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Teaching compassion in Helena

The teachers and students of Helena Intermediate are helping create a positive impact on the community at large by fostering a culture of kindness at school. As part of this pursuit, said counselor Renita Matthews, the school encouraged its students to participate in the Great Kindness Challenge Week, January 24-28, for the second year in a row. “After participating last year,

we got a lot of positive feedback from parents and kids,” Principal Kathy Paiml explained. The challenge is issued to schools each year by Kids for Peace Inc., an organization that says it creates peace through “youth leadership, community service, global friendships, and thoughtful acts of kindness.” There are checklists, book suggestions and other resources on their website, www.kidsforpeaceglobal.org. Some of the acts of kindness

on their checklist include: hug someone, carry a friend’s books, bring a flower to the office staff, make a nice poster for a cafeteria helper, learn how to say “hello” in another language, or pick up trash outside the school. The challenge is to try and do all 50 acts of kindness on the list during Kindness Week, but teachers and administrators are promoting the idea of doing nice things for others all the time. “We want to use the challenge as a catalyst to continue this behavior,” Renita said. “We want the culture of kindness to extend beyond our four walls and beyond this one week.” Individual classrooms had their own challenges too, including the “adoption” of another classroom in any Helena school. Students then wrote nice notes or made a cool poster for the students in that other class. Each student at HIS also had to write what happiness means to them on a slip of paper. The slips were used to make classroom paper chains, and then

all the classroom paper chains were connected. The chain was displayed in the main hall to remind everyone to encourage each other, to be kind and try to understand one another. “It’s been good for the students to see how being kind not only impacts the person they’re doing the kindness to, but also makes them feel good, too,” Renita said. The kindness activities were not restricted to students— teachers, staff and administration got in on it too. You may know of the “You’ve Been Booed!” phenomenon around Halloween: leave a package of goodies on a friend’s porch, and that person “Boos” another to pay it forward. During kindness week, “You’ve Been Mugged” popped up in a similar fashion, with cute mugs filled with candy and other goodies appearing outside teachers and administrators’ offices. What can you do to help promote a culture of kindness in Helena? Whatever you choose, get started today!

HiS hosts Family Fun night with bingo, auctions, pizza, candy

On Friday, January 30, HIS hosted its annual Family Fun Night. Pizza, soda and candy were available for $1 each. Free games of BINGO ran all during the event for various small prizes, while a silent auction with themed gift baskets helped raise money for the HIS PTO. A big thanks to all the Room Moms (or Room Dads) who helped out by volunteering their time or helping make a basket to sell.

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HeS Teacher of the year Shannon Moseley Shannon Moseley was selected as Helena Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year for 2015. “I’m honored to win, considering the people I work with,” she said. “It’s a very high honor here, because all the teachers are great. It’s just nice to be recognized.” Mrs. Cooper and Mrs. Burleson came to tell her the news with a bouquet of flowers last semester. “They kinda surprise you in the classroom, in front of

the kids so they can be involved. I really was surprised,” Shannon laughed. “The kids were very kind, very loving, with hugs.” And it’s working with those very kids that make her excited to come to work every day. “To take the kids from where they are and to see their growth and progress is phenomenal,” she said. “You just have to love them. When you love them, they can learn. And they con-

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tinually surprise me with what they are capable of, even at this young age.” Shannon knows the impression she makes on her students is even more important than the one they leave on her. In fact, it was her second grade teacher, Mrs. Gassoway, who had a big effect on her career choice. “I had great teachers growing up, and I wanted to be just like them, I really did,” Shannon explained. “I played school from the time I was a little girl, with old textbooks and chalkboards and things like that... so I’ve kinda always wanted to be a teacher.” Shannon’s parents, who were originally from Alabama, moved to Kentucky before she was born. While she finished her degree in Elementary Education from Western Kentucky University, they moved back to the state. So, after graduation, Shannon married Jerry Moseley and followed suit. Her sister also went into teaching and moved to Alabama, but three kids have her at home for the time being. This is Shannon’s sixth year teaching first grade at HES. “In first grade is kinda where you take the foundation that they

were given in kindergarten and just build on it. You see so much growth over this year,” she said. “It’s jam-packed with a lot of learning.” This is Shannon’s first year serving as the HES First Grade chairperson and her third as the English Language Arts Representative for first grade. Shannon and Jerry have twin sons, Will and Grant, who are thirteen years old and enjoy seventh grade at HMS. The family also has a lab named Champ. Shannon taught preschool part time for several years after the birth of her boys, before coming back to teach full time. “The teachers who helped me get back into the routine of being a mom and a teacher were very helpful. Everyone at HES was helpful, and I’m thankful.” Congratulations on the honor, Shannon Moseley!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Two Helenites pledge their allegiances to the country and each other when October comes, they will have a formal celebration of their marriage with family and friends in Columbiana. “You don’t realize how southern you are until you leave the sweet tea and collard greens behind,” the couple laughed. “Their love story is about the love of two people, seemingly carefree, laughing and joking— even in the rain as I took their photos,” said Leigh Bratina. “But

this love story is also about this country. Something so beautiful, so inspiring and noble.” “These two have a strong and unique bond. I couldn't be more proud of these two as young people,” Bratina said. “As soldiers. And as examples of sacrifice and love. I hope that you will join me in lifting prayers for this couple as they begin their journey of marriage and military service.”

TO ADVERTISE, CALL the Publisher at 746.1188 / MyHelenaCityNews.com / Winter 2016

Photos by Leigh Bratina

Change has been in the air for Zach and Cindy Hoang Barr, a young Helena couple with a unique story to tell. Zach Barr and Cindy Hoang were friends during their years at PHS, each dating other people along the way. Both found themselves ending relationships about the same time near the end of their junior year. “We’re both in the same boat, Cindy told me. Can we lean on each other?” Zach recalls. “We hung out as friends and by the

end of our senior year in 2013, we enjoyed a group senior prom date. The relationship had flourished and we were getting more serious.” Zach continued on to UA for two years before enlisting in the army. He completed his basic training at Fort Benning this past December 15. During that time, the couple exchanged many letters— mementoes which they will certainly someday treasure! In March of 2015 they enjoyed a most special date—a Princess Storybook Dinner at Disney World. On January 2, Zach departed for AIT (Advanced Individual Training) as an IT Specialist at Fort Gordon. Cindy departed January 12 for her basic training in Fort Sill, OK, and will next be stationed at Ft. Gordon as a Radio Operator before moving to Airborne School in July. Zach will meanwhile have attended Airborne School at Ft. Benning. “We learn to pack a parachute and then to jump. I am looking forward to it,” Zach said. “This is something I have always wanted to do.” From the time I could walk, I was interested in planes, tanks, guns and trains,” he added. Cindy says she did not choose to enlist because of Zach. “It would be easier to be a civilian,” she noted, adding with a smile, ”but I didn’t want him to have all the fun!” In a year, they will be stationed together. Meanwhile,

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HHS Teacher of the Year Lisa Essman

Helena High School English teacher Lisa Essman was chosen by her peers as the HHS Teacher

of the Year 2015. “I was humbled by the nomination, and surprised to win,” she said. “That they would choose me when we have such amazing faculty here... It is very humbling. The faculty is just so talented.” After 25 years at PHS, Lisa jumped on the chance to open HHS. She teaches seniors exclusively in her English 12 and Advanced Placement-Literature classes, but also works with a group of 10th-12th graders as the HHS Ambassador Sponsor. She loves seeing the transitions the students are making into real life situations as seniors. “It’s interesting to see the results of their studies, and

I enjoy guiding them through resume-making and interview processes,” Lisa said. “It is necessary to help them hone communication and writing skills.” As humble as Lisa is, her influence on students and faculty in and out of the classroom does not go unnoticed by others. “Mrs. Essman is one of the kindest people I have ever met,” said Mrs. Cook in the main office. “She is a constant ray of sunshine.” Several students passing by who heard the comment agreed with her. This professional and personal admiration goes both ways. “I appreciate the HHS staff beyond what we can imagine for all the support and encouragement that they give me,” Lisa said.

Several educators had an effect on her life growing up. Her great-grandmother was her first teacher, and she loved preschool and school from the very first moments. That stuck with her throughout her school career. “My twelfth grade English teacher impressed on me that the power of language was worth looking to in-depth,” she said. “Language is powerful, and I needed to learn about my own perspectives, too.” “It’s always about students needing encouragement,” Lisa asserted. “They all have things going on in their lives other than school, they need to feel successful and need that encouragement.” Congratulations, Lisa Essman!

Sharon Worthy nominated for SCCC Educator of Year Award 2016 Around Helena Middle School, Sharon Worthy is known as the Singing Math Teacher. She makes up songs, cheers and raps that go along with everything from the HMS Fight Song to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to help her students remember formulas, solve equations, memorize and utilize math rules and skills. “Middle school students have respect for teachers and an enthusiasm to learn,” Sharon said. “I feel like I can get on their level, and we can have fun. High school has to be so structured, but in middle school, we can have a lot of fun. I have a lot of songs and raps and cheers I do, so it fits that age level.” “Math, in middle school, is an important stepping stone to reach other levels of achievement in math, and higher education, and it’s very important,” Sharon continued. “Middle school education sets the foundation for higher learning, and if you miss that foundation, it’s very hard to get caught up and reach the goals you need to reach.” Her philosophy has paid off,

because in this, Sharon’s fifteenth year teaching, HMS Principal Scott Knight nominated her for the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year competition for the school. “I am honored,” she said. “I feel like I work pretty hard, and to me, it just made me feel like I was doing something right, that my efforts were not in vain.” The winners will be announced and all nominees recognized at the Chamber’s April 27, 2016 Community Luncheon. Growing up with two teacherparents had a lot to do with Sharon’s decision to become a teacher herself. “When I had my own dad for calculus, I never thought that I would go that route. But I followed in his footsteps, and even became a math teacher,” Sharon laughed. “Teaching is in my blood.” At first, her Math Education degree from Jacksonville State got her a job as a computer programmer for Bellsouth. She went to UAB for her masters in English as a Second Language, which she now uses to help the smattering of ESL students in

Helena. Sharon is glad she was lucky enough to be part of the faculty that opened HMS eight years ago. “I heard good things about the Helena community, all of which I have found to be true,” she said. Sharon and her husband Mike, who is a chemist for Alabama Power, have three children. Natalie is 28, Brittany is 26, and 18-year-old Michalyn was a member of the first graduating class from HHS back in the spring. “I think Michalyn got a good education through our Helena schools, and I feel like we have a lot to be proud of,” she said. On top of her classes, Sharon also sponsors the seventh grade math team at the school, which works well for her—she is very competitive, and pushes her

students to do well at the math tournaments. “Every year since I’ve been here, we’ve won a trophy at the Shelby County Math Tournament,” she said, proudly. “I just love it. I love coaching the math team, and we always have a good one with HMS students.” She also co-sponsors the Honor Society with Mrs. Bozeman. “Academics are really important to me, and high achievement is really important, so it’s a way to reward the students for doing well through the honor society,” she said. “We reach out to the community and do a lot of community service with the club.” Congratulations, Sharon!

TO ADVERTISE, CALL the Publisher at 746.1188 / MyHelenaCityNews.com / Winter 2016

HIS Teacher of the Year Amanda Miller When we last met with Helena Intermediate School teacher Amanda Miller, she was teaching a class of students about engineering and hydraulics over the summer. Before that, she taught her fifth graders how to design an object on a computer and print it out using a 3D printer. The Green City Challenge took over fifth grade classes this year. She also ran a LEGO Mindstorms building and coding class last summer, and just began holding quarterly “Minecraft Mania” events outside of class. As much as she does, it’s no wonder Amanda was selected by her peers for the 2015 HIS Teacher of the Year. “It’s so nice to be recognized,” she said. “I feel so special that my colleagues thought enough of me and the things that I do to even nominate me. I was just blown away.” “I have the best job in the building, I do,” she continued. “And then to get nominated for this is like icing on the cake.” Amanda is part of the Helena Intermediate School Gifted Education teacher team, and she has made it her mission to bring new, fun and exciting technologies into her classroom as often as possible. “We need to talk to our kids about what’s going to be coming up, how things are going to change,” Amanda said. And change rapidly, especially in the realm of technology.

Amanda was not always a gifted teacher, however. At first, she had no idea what she wanted to do, but she knew one thing— “I’ve always liked kids, and kids have always liked me,” she said. “I think it’s awesome to be able to shape what the future is going to be by working with them.” She achieved her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Elementary and Early Childhood Education at the University of West Alabama. In Demopolis, she became the sponsor of their Destination Imagination Team—which travelled to HIS for competition the year the school was built. “I couldn’t imagine myself teaching in such a beautiful school,” Amanda recalled, laughing in retrospect. After her DI Team won regionals at HIS, they went on to win the state competition in Huntsville and travel to Ames, Iowa to compete in the world competition. When she left Demopolis twelve years ago, her reputation as a teacher and Destination Imagination sponsor preceded her. Then-Valley Elementary School Principal Joanne Trenary suggested she would make a great gifted teacher, so she achieved a Gifted Teaching Certification from South Alabama. Four years ago, the opportunity arose to teach in Helena, and Amanda remembered the beautiful HIS from years prior. “I lived in Helena already, so this

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588-5860 44 Winter 2016 / www.CityOfHelena.org

moved me closer to home.” As a Gifted Education teacher, Amanda works with students in third, fourth and fifth grade, which comes with its own challenges. “Each grade has its own set of really great things about it. Third graders need a lot of assistance, they’re very cute and very curious and excited about what we’re doing. Fourth graders can do more things. They’re not quite as ‘what are we learning today?’ as the third graders, but they’re still pretty excited. And then fifth graders can do all sorts of things, but you also have that independent attitude that comes along with that.” Because Amanda works with technology geared for children, not everyone understands what she teaches. “We do a lot of things that you wouldn’t necessarily consider ‘education,’” she said. “Sometimes people don’t have a good idea of what we’re actually about. We are cooperating, we’re learning to work with other people... Just not in the traditional way.” Since not everyone understands the work she does with the students, she has been pleasantly surprised that her peers at

HIS have been so supportive. “The people here have been awesome, they’re like, ‘that’s so innovative!’ with each new idea. It’s really sweet.” Others are on board, too: the older sister of one of her students is studying engineering in college, and she came to check out the classroom 3d printer last semester. She said Amanda’s students can already understand some of the basic skills she is learning in college right now. In addition to teaching classes and running events, Amanda also serves on the Culture, Safety and Marketing Committees, works as the Science Festival Assistant and the Shelby County Literary Magazine Coordinator for HIS. She has also brought in nearly $12,000 in technology grants for the school and gifted program in the four years she has been here. Congratulations, Amanda! We look forward to seeing what technology and services you can bring to the classroom in your next 17 years of teaching!

calendar of EVENTS REGULAR WEEKLY EVENTS

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

february

- Helena Planning and Zoning, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm - Friends of the Jane B. Holmes Library Meeting, Library, 6:00pm 18th - Helena Elementary PTO “Crazy Hair” Spirit Day - Helena High The Music Man Musical, Auditorium, 6:30pm 19th - Helena High The Music Man Musical, Auditorium, 6:30pm - Respite Care-special needs 0-21, free but must reserve aaronsstaffrespite.org 22nd - Helena Elementary Kona Ice 23rd - Helena Intermediate Spelling Bee, 1:00pm 25th - Good Friday: Municipal Offices/Library Closed in observance of Good Friday; Trash will be picked up as usual 27th - EASTER 28th - Shelby Co. Schools Spring Break March 28-April 1 - Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm

april

15th-PRESIDENTS DAY: Municipal Offices/Library/County Schools* Closed in observance of Presidents Day; Trash will be picked up as usual 1st - Deadline for Buck Creek Festival Scholarship Applications 16th - Helena Intermediate Coupons for Classrooms Sale Ends 5th - Helena Business Association Meeting, 8:00am, for meeting site visit 18th - Helena Planning and Zoning, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm hbahelena.com or their Facebook page - Friends of the Jane B. Holmes Library Meeting, Library, 6:00pm - Helena Intermediate PTO Board Meeting, 8:00am 19th - Helena Elementary PTO “Mismatch” Spirit Day - Helena Elementary PTO Board Meeting, 6:30pm 20th - Respite Care-special needs 0-21, free but must reserve 6th - Helena Elementary 5K Pre-Registration, 7:00am-11:00am aaronsstaffrespite.org - Emergency Siren Test, 10:00am 22nd - Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm 7th - Helena Elementary 5K Pre-Registration, 12:00pm-6:00pm - Harlem Wizards Charity Tournament, HHS Gym, 7:00pm 8th - Helena Elementary Spring Fling, 5:30pm-10:00pm 23rd - Helena Elementary Kona Ice 9th - Helena Elementary Spring Fling, 10:00am-10:00pm 27th - Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, Helena Elementary, 7:00am-10:00am 10th - Helena Elementary Spring Fling, 1:00pm-5:00pm 11th - Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm 12th - VOTE, AlabamaVotes.gov, 7:00am-7:00pm 23rd - Second Annual Helena Founders Day, 10:00am

march

1st -VOTE, AlabamaVotes.gov 7:00am-7:00pm - Helena Business Association Meeting, 8:00 am, for meeting site visit hbahelena.com or their Facebook page - Helena Elementary PTO Board Meeting, 6:30pm 2nd - Read Across America Day, Helena Elementary - Emergency Siren Test, 10:00am 4th - Helena Elementary Spring Pictures 9th - Helena High Late 9:10 am Start 11th - Shelby Couty Schools Teacher Workday–No Students 12th - Helena High School March Mustache Run, 8:00am 13th - Daylight Savings Time begins, Spring forward one hour before retiring Saturday night 14th - Helena City Council, Helena Municipal Building, 6:00pm 17th - Helena High The Music Man Musical, Auditorium, 6:30pm

STATE ELECTIONS Most residents will Vote at the Helena recreational Building, POLLING PLACES OPEN 7:00AM-7:00PM DATE ELECTION March 1, 2016 Presidential Preference Primary Election Statewide Primary Election Referendum: Shelby Co. Sunday Sales of Alcohol April 12, 2016 Primary Runoff Election November 8, 2016 General Election For information about voter registration, polling place, absentee ballots, etc. visit AlabamaVotes.gov or call 1-800-274-8683.

TO ADVERTISE, CALL the Publisher at 746.1188 / MyHelenaCityNews.com / Winter 2016

HeS students dress like elders for 100th day of class When the 100th day of classes at Helena Elementary School rolls around each year, it brings a beloved annual tradition: the Kindergarten students came to school dressed in old, outdated clothing, with strange accessories. What might be going on? The school encourages the students to come dressed as themselves at 100 years old. “We saw gray hair, facial hair, glasses, old-fashioned jewelry, canes and walkers!” said HES Principal Mary Cooper of the students’ accessories. The children also brought in their own collec-

tions of 100 items to show off in their classrooms, she said. They wrote about what they have learned in their classrooms over the first 100 days of class. And some students wrote about how they think they will act when they are 100 years old. “They had a blast!” Principal Cooper said. But it wasn’t just the students having all the fun, she assured: “Most of the Kindergarten teachers also came to school that day dressed like their 100-year-old selves, much to the delight of the children and their colleagues!”

Christopher and Bethan Miller

Christopher and Bethan Miller are two very dedicated medical workers who are very involved in the Helena community. Bethan has lived in Helena since her parents moved here in 1993, while Christopher grew up in Montevallo. “I graduated from PHS, but I’m pulling for Helena High School now, since I’ve always lived here,” Bethan said. The pair were married just eight months ago on May 29 at Vulcan Park in Birmingham. Bethan graduated from UAB with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is an RN for UAB’s Cardiac Care Unit. She specializes in heart attacks and heart failures, often working in the ICU. Her driven nature at work comes from great care she received following brain surgery at age eleven. “At that point, I saw a lot of doctors and went to a lot of

appointments, and it started to interest me,” Bethan said. “I met some people who were so nice and so helpful; they made a time in my life that was crazy a little more bearable.” She brings that awareness of good bedside manner to every person whose life she touches. “On my unit, these aren’t surgery candidates, they are just trying to make the best of their health.” She calls the patients she gets to know personally her Frequent Flier patients because she sees the most often, and is able to work with them to make decisions regarding their further care. “I just want to make their situations the best for them at the end of their lives,” she said. On the other end of the spectrum, Christopher is an active Helena FD Paramedic. He earned his paramedic license from Jeff State, a Bachelor’s in

Psychology from Waldorf College, and joined the department in Helena following a time spent firefighting in Iraq. “I decided to come to Helena because there is a lot of potential for growth in the department here,” he said. “And I have loved getting to know the community. I want to make a difference here.” Knowing everyone in the community on a first-name basis and learning the history of the city and its health have been his goals from the start. “Really knowing people and what they have been through makes it much easier to care for them,” he said. He meets people who have been through all kinds of experiences. “As a paramedic, I respond to ‘all hazards,’ or any emergency,” Christopher explained. “Falls, heart attacks, wrecks, fires— people will call us with a snake, saying, ‘Come get rid of it!’” He grimaced and shook his head. But he doesn’t always meet people in crisis—or seemingly crisis—situations; he meets people after running into them off the job, too. Literally, as many of the first residents he met were at Joe Tucker Park. “I like to run on the track before or after my shift sometimes, and I’ve had to jump over geese and almost run into someone before,” he said, sheepishly. Some of the more enjoyable residents to meet are the gener-

ous souls who bring food to the station for the firefighters or their dogs. “But my favorite shifts are Friday nights in the fall,” he admitted, grinning. “We get to go up and watch the kids at the high school during football games.” Maintaining hydrants and equipment, leading training and providing fire education classes are also part of his job. Still, he estimates 90% of his job is medical and public service-related. Christopher also owns his own business, M&M Mobile Dustless Blasting, with fellow Helena Firefighter Brad Moralis. Their service, which has been in action for nearly eight months, uses a special mixture for surface preparation and graffiti removal that leaves no dust, so areas do not have to be shut down. The city was one of their first clients, contracting the company to remove graffiti on the Hillsboro Trail this past summer. Before and after pictures of the graffiti removal can be seen below. Christopher and Bethan live with their American Bulldog, Tyson, and Australian Shephard/ Chocolate Lab mix, Ralphie, in Calera, where Christopher started his career as a firefighter, but they are currently looking for a house in the city. “Helena is growing in the right direction,” Christopher said. “It’s a safe town, the parks are great; it will be a great place to raise kids.”

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STATE ELECTIONS

Most Residents will Vote at the Helena Recreational Building ALL POLLING PLACES OPEN 7:00AM-7:00PM

DATE March 1, 2016

ELECTION Presidential Preference Primary Election Statewide Primary Election Referendum: Shelby Co. Sunday Sales of Alcohol April 12, 2016 Primary Runoff Election November 8, 2016 General Election For information about voter registration, polling place, absentee ballots, etc. visit www.AlabamaVotes.gov or call 1-800-274-8683.

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