Helena Reporter, December 2, 2015

Breakfast with Santa

Taking the next step

Come meet Santa while enjoying a hot breakfast 9A

HHS senior signs HHS volleyball scholarship 10A

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

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Helena city leaders want residents’ input

By GRAHAM BROOKS

Staff Writer The city of Helena and more specifically, leaders in the city of Helena, are looking for public input from Helena residents through an online survey.

City leaders are looking to update the city’s long range comprehensive plan and will be gathering data from a 10 question survey to help evaluate where the city of Helena thrives and where the city might need to make

improvements.

Helena Mayor Mark Hall said the survey would help provide valuable input that the city can use when updating the comprehensive plan.

“We want to involve our citizens in every way possible as we look at updating the city’s comprehensive plan,” said Hall. “The survey will allow all who are interested to have input into the process. I would also encourage all who are interested to come to the public meeting as we review and

finalize updates to the plan.”

The online survey will be available for roughly two weeks, and on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. an additional public input session will be held at Helena City Hall where the results of the survey will be discussed.

A few questions from the survey include asking residents what they think are Helena’s biggest assets and weaknesses, what are the biggest challenges for the future, and what would you like to see happen in Helena

QUICK FACTS  WHAT: Public input session  WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m.  WHERE: Helena City Hall during the next 10 years, among others.

Those wishing to participate in the online survey can do so by visiting Surveymonkey. com/r/Helena2015.

FILE

The city of Helena is conducting an online survey to help update the city’s long range comprehensive plan.

Dec. 4 is city's last Helena First Friday

By GRAHAM BROOKS

Staff Writer The last Helena First Friday event of 2015 for Helena residents and business owners to explore local shops and get in the holiday spirit will be Friday, Dec. 4.

The theme for the December First Friday event will be “An Old Town Christmas” and will be Dec. 4 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

More than 30 vendors will be featured including food and clothing vendors, Christmas performances and more.

Those in attendance will have the opportunity to see Santa Claus located at Oh My Sole! In Old Town and Scozzarro Law will also have a Winter Wonderland display.

Skull Girls Soaps, who recently opened their new store in Helena, will have a theme featuring the Grinch?

The event is free to the public and parents are encouraged to bring their children to sit with Santa.

Helena First Friday is presented by The Helena

See FRIDAY, Page 2A

REPORTER PHOTO/GRAHAM BROOKS

Jack’s will be opening their newest store on Wednesday, Dec. 2 in Helena located at 4864 Shelby County 17.

Welcome to Jack's Jack's opening Helena restaurant Dec. 2

By GRAHAM BROOKS

Staff Writer Known for their tasty breakfast, burgers, crinkle-cut fries and handdipped shakes, Jack’s fast food restaurant will be opening its newest store in Helena on Wednesday, Dec. 2.

The new Jack’s location will be located at 4864 Shelby County 17 and the restaurant plans to be heavily involved in the Helena community from the start.

After the initial opening on Dec. 2, a grand opening celebration will be held on Friday, Dec. 4 from 3 p.m. to

5 p.m., with the ribbon cutting ceremony taking place at 4 p.m.

The celebration will include giveaways for The Birmingham Zoo’s: Zoolight Safari, free Jack’s for a year and University of Alabama

See RESTAURANT, Page 2A

EVENT DETAILS  WHAT: Jack’s grand opening celebration  WHEN: Friday, Dec. 4 from 3-5 p.m.  WHERE: 4864 Shelby County 17

REPORTER PHOTO/GRAHAM BROOKS

Helena High School senior Connor Romanowski is finishing up his Eagle Scout project of constructing a new flagpole at the HHS baseball stadium.

Lazy Boy BBQ opening Helena restaurant Dec. 5 HHS senior constructs new

By GRAHAM BROOKS

Staff Writer A popular barbecue food truck known as Lazy Boy BBQ has made a name for itself over the past year and will be opening a new Helena restaurant the first week of December.

Lazy Boy BBQ plans to open Dec. 5 at 11 a.m. at 4161 Helena Road, and will offer a wide range of food including freshly smoked meats, made-from-scratch sides and desserts.

The food truck will also be open on Friday, Dec. 4, during Helena’s First Friday event.

The winter hours following Dec. 5 will be Wednesday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. FridaySaturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.

Before purchasing a

REPORTER PHOTO/GRAHAM BROOKS

Tommy Pippin began selling his smoked meats via food truck and will be opening a restaurant in Helena on Dec. 4. building, Lazy Boy BBQ operated via food truck and traveled to different functions, schools and private events offering their smoked meats, sides and desserts.

Both Tommy and

Sherrie Pippin are natives of Georgia, and Sherrie said the idea for starting a restaurant came after Tommy became successful in barbecue competitions.

“Our barbecue is a very south Georgia style,” said

Sherrie. “My husband started doing competition barbecuing as a hobby and doing well, and eventually people started asking for whole butts and racks of ribs and it just grew and grew from there.”

Both Tommy and Sherrie are Shelby County residents and have been operating their food truck business since May. In just a few months, people have already taken notice of how good Lazy Boy BBQ is.

Lazy Boy BBQ smokes its meat for 14 hours, and while Tommy is in charge of smoking all the meat, Sherrie is preparing all of the fresh sides and desserts.

Since all of the food is made fresh, once all of the food runs out that is it for the day.

See BBQ, Page 2A

flagpole for baseball field

By GRAHAM BROOKS

Staff Writer Connor Romanowski, senior at Helena High School and a member of the Helena Huskies baseball team, is finishing up an Eagle Scout Project for Troop 2 that he, as well as the entire community, will be able to enjoy for years to come.

Romanowski constructed a large flagpole to be placed at the Helena High School baseball stadium that includes pavers and a plague. Fans and members of the community will now salute the large flag near the entrance of the stadium whenever the National Anthem is played.

In part because of his involvement on the baseball team playing outfield, Romanowski said it makes the project more meaningful.

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“The project will be to benefit the community and it means a little more to me since I play on the baseball team and it’s so close to something I love to do,” said Romanowski. “It will have my name on it for a long time and we’re ordering the plague next week and it will be up here for a long time and I’m excited to have it up here.”

A flag raising ceremony has been set for Saturday, Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. to dedicate the new flagpole.

“We wanted to do something extra on the side since not many people know what a retirement ceremony is and have never been a part of one,” said Romanowski. “I told the city I want more than just the troop to be out here

See FLAGPOLE, Page 2A

You can sell anything in classifieds.

See pages 5-6A

See page 6A for garage sales and a list of this week’s job openings in your area.

News 2A December 2, 2015

HELENA REPORTER

FILE

The HPD is hosting a toy drive on Dec. 12 at the Helena Walmart benefiting Toys for Tots.

HPD hosting toy drive Dec. 12

By GRAHAM BROOKS

Staff Writer

s d et ite tick le!

Lim r of ilab e va mb l a nu stil

The Helena Police Department is inviting Helena residents to the second annual Fill the Wagons Toy Drive to be held Saturday, Dec. 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Helena

Walmart Neighborhood Market.

The toy drive is being held to help gather as many toys as possible to ensure every child wakes up to presents on Christmas morning.

Along with the toy drive, there will also be police

cars and equipment, fire engines from the Helena Fire Department, the Helena Police Explorers providing community safety information and a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

Those who have a family they think would need help this

Friday

AMERICAN VILLAGE CITIZENSHIP TRUST

MONTEVALLO, ALABAMA WWW. AMERICANVILLAGE.ORG

Christmas Lunch and Tour at American Village December 8-9-10 The perfect Christmas outing for your club or group.

Tickets are just $25 Call (205) 665-3535 ext. 1031 today to make your reservation

year are encouraged to contact HPDToysfortots@gmail.com to receive an application form.

Participants can also call Lt. Brad Flynn at 663-6499.

For more information visit Facebook.com/HelenaAlabama-Police-Department332503806857199/?fref=ts.

continued from page 1A

Business Association and held the first Friday of most months in the historic district of Old Town Helena. Local businesses stay open late, area vendors set up booths, live music is played at the gazebo, and local restaurants and food vendors serve awesome food. The event is family-friendly.

For more information on Helena First Friday, visit Helenafirstfriday.com

EVENT DETAILS  WHAT: Helena First Friday  WHEN: Friday, Dec. 4 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.  WHERE: Old Town Helena  PRICE: First Friday is free to the public

FILE

The HBA will be hosting the last Helena First Friday event of 2015 on Friday, Dec. 4.

Restaurant

YOU SAVE

$ 100

YOU SAVE

$ 600

basketball tickets.

The Helena High School Band will be in attendance and will perform prior to the ribbon cutting.

As a way to kick off their involvement in the Helena community, Jack’s will be making a $300 donation to the Helena High School Band.

Also, after the grand opening celebration, Jack’s will have a booth at Helena’s First Friday event to greet the community.

On Dec. 5, Jack’s plans to donate breakfast for the police and workers helping with the city of Helena’s annual Christmas parade. Jack’s will also be making a donation to The Birmingham Pipers who will be leading the parade.

“We couldn’t be more excited about opening this

location,” said Pam Measel, marketing director of Jack’s.

“We strive to be a part of the community everywhere we go. As a family company, we’re excited to join the Helena family.”

The Helena location will be staffed by local community members. The restaurant includes a drive-thru, is handicap accessible, and can seat up to 85.

Hours of operation for the store will be Monday through Thursday from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. The store will open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays.

Jack’s features a wide range of menu items, including its signature sandwich, the “Big Jack,” fried chicken, hamburgers, salads, milk-

BBQ As far as how the restaurant got its name dates back to the barbecue competitions.

“When Tommy was doing the barbecue competitions he had very small set up,” said Sherrie. “He had smoker, a tent and a lazy boy recliner. They would be out there overnight cooking and he would just sleep in the recliner. He would be next to people with huge rigs and set ups and he would place and he eventually got the nickname ‘lazy boy’ and that became the name of the business.”

As far as choosing a loca-

shakes and the award-winning, made-from-scratch, buttermilk biscuits on the breakfast menu.

Jack’s Family Restaurants, Inc. was started in 1960 in Homewood, Ala. Jack’s has more than 130 stores across the Southeast including locations in Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and Georgia.

For more information, contact Anna Tucker Bell at 201-7006 or Anna@thesismedia.net.

continued from page 1A tion, Sherrie said they love the Helena area and frequently visit Old Town.

“We are just people persons and we enjoy all the different people we meet,” said Sherrie.

“We think Helena will be a great location because of all the events that go on near Old Town and Buck Creek. We are hoping it’s successful and can stay in Helena a long time.”

In addition to the food truck and the storefront, Lazy Boy also offers catering.

For more information and to view a catering menu visit Lazyboybbq.net.

Flagpole doing stuff. We’re thankful to have those kind of connections and be able to have all the people that made contributions to the project to have them out here.”

The American Legion Post from Pelham helped donate the American Flag to Romanowski’s project and the city of Helena helped with the actual flagpole structure and digging the hole to place the pole in the ground.

continued from page 1A

Romanowski was grateful for the donations and help he received to help finish his project.

“Without the mayor and help from the city I wouldn’t of have been able to do it,” said Romanowski. “The city had guys come out to cut the concrete for me, pick the concrete up an drill the hole for me and it’s wonderful. Helena Landscape let me have sand, finite rock and bricks as well.”

Romanowski said it took

QUICK FACTS  Lazy Boy BBQ plans to open Dec. 5 at 11 a.m. at 4161 Helena Road  The barbecue restaurant offers a wide range of food including freshly smoked meats, made-from-scratch sides and desserts  Tommy and Sherrie Pippin are Shelby County residents and both contribute to the success of the restaurant

continued from page 1A him nearly a year to figure out what project he actually wanted to do to complete his Eagle Scout rank but was glad when he figured out what he actually wanted to do.

“It can be anything you want but it needs to be passed off by the scoutmaster,” Romanowski said referring to the project. “One percent of all boy scouts get the rank of Eagle Scout so I didn’t want to do just anything easy.”

News HELENA REPORTER

December 2, 2015 3A

Marco’s Pizza grand opening

REPORTER PHOTOS/GRAHAM BROOKS

Hundreds of Helena residents attended the grand opening of the new Marco’s Pizza restaurant in Helena on Thursday, Nov. 19. LEFT: Krish, Shetal and Jay Modi. RIGHT: Julie Ciulla and Josephine Vacarella.

LEFT: Rebecca, Felix and Parket Thaggard. RIGHT: Shannon, Brandy and Morgan Jacobs.

LEFT: Teresa and Kristen Lawhorn. RIGHT: Roger Dawson and Joseph Dumas.

LEFT: Tracy, Jay and Will Elliott. RIGHT: Tyler Smith, Robby Mcdougal and Mason Smith.

LEFT: Latoya Cunningham and Korbyn Williams. RIGHT: Abby Trammell and Seth Kelosky.

Tracy Elliott, Jay Elliott and Sandra Martinez

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The Helena Reporter is published every Wednesday by Shelby County Newspapers, Inc., 115 Main Street, Columbiana, AL 35051. If you have news tips or news items, please contact the Helena Reporter by email at news@helenareporter.com, by phone at 669-3131 or by fax at 669-4217.

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We strive for accuracy. In the event of a published error, corrections will run in the next available edition of the Helena Reporter. Report any inaccuracies to Publisher Tim Prince by email at tim.prince@ helenareporter.com.

News 4A December 2, 2015

HELENA REPORTER

Davis discusses genealogical research methods at library Helena Laura Brookhart Community Columnist “Within each of us is a great American novel waiting to be told,” began Robert Scott Davis in his recent talk at the Jane B. Holmes Library on family genealogy.

Angela’s Ashes is a prime example of such, Davis said, and also brought up the fact that that much of Alex Haley’s famed 1976 “Roots” series was plagiarized from the “The African” by Horold Courlander, who later sued Haley.

When beginning your own genealogical research, always start at your own local library, Scott said, noting the information you seek may already be on file.

Scott also recommends expanding your writing skills along with genealogical research, as the opportunities to publish your work are easy to achieve, whether a simple reproduction of copies or a bound version.

Davis and his own father discussed their family history and he compiled a handout for their family reunion the year after his father’s

CONTRIBUTED

Robert Scott Davis shows his book, “Tracing Your Alabama Past,” after his presentation on genealogy. Interested audience members included Ella Bartlett, left, and Virginia Jones. death. This gave him “the comfort of knowing he had plowed the ground for his father’s generation.”

Davis also mentioned an online tool called Memory Grabber, billed as A Downloadable Life Story Workbook. Family Tree Maker is another recommendation. For Alabamians, familyseach.org includes a detailed index to death certificates.

For historic Alabama photographs and other items,

see Alabama Mosaic. http:// www.alabamamosaic.org/ At Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Davis offers several CE classes in genealogy such as Intro to Genealogy, Genealogy and the Computer, Advanced Genealogy and Book Publishing, Civil War Era Genealogy and Southern Genealogy.

For the spring class schedule or more info, contact Mandi.perkins@wallacestate.edu.

Keep in mind, too, that the genealogy collection at Wallace State has many helpful handouts.

The Birmingham Public Library’s website has the WPA Index to Alabama Biographical Sketches. It is updated to include sketches since the 1930s.

Laura Brookhart is a community columnist for the city of Helena and can be reached at brookhart.photowriter@ gmail.com

Obituaries Gunter Blake Benson Wilsonville Gunter Blake Benson, age 22, of Wilsonville, died Friday, Nov. 20.

The funeral service was held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 22 at Wilsonville Baptist Church with Rev. Richard Horton and Rev. Charles Edmondson officiating. Burial followed in Wilsonville City Cemetery.

Visitation was from 6-8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 21 at Bolton Funeral Home.

Please sign online condolences at Boltonfuneralhome. com.

Billie Gail Gardner Westover Billie Gail Gardner, age 54, of Westover, died Thursday, Nov. 19.

The funeral service was held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 21 at New Life Church with Pastor David Wooten officiating. Burial followed in Liberty Baptist Cemetery.

Visitation was from noon 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 21 at the church. Bolton Funeral Home directed.

Mrs. Gardner is preceded in death by her father, Bill Taylor and a brother, Dale Edwards.

She is survived by her sons, Kriss Gardner, Johnathan Daniel Gardner (Beth), and Jeremy Gardner; grandchildren, Aidan Gardner, Lili Gardner, and Iris Gardner; mother, Claudia Taylor; brother, Dewayne Taylor (April); and numerous other family and friends.

Please sign online condolences at Boltonfuneralhome. com.

Jim M. Hendricks Pelham Jim M. Hendricks, 57, of Pelham, passed away Sunday, Nov. 22.

He was the wo rl d ’ s g r e a t est husband and dad! He had the honor of recentHendricks ly attending his son’s wedding, and went to heaven after a brief ill-

ness. He was born on March 8, 1958. Mr. Hendricks was a member of Pembroke Baptist Church in Pembroke, Ky. He loved his work and the people at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Baptist Health System, as he was a computer programmer for 26 years.

Mr. Hendricks is survived by his wife, Charlotte Mitchell Hendricks; son, Kevin James Hendricks; daughter-in-law, Nicole Hendricks; parents, Jim and Janice Hendricks; and sisters, Diane Downey and Paula Smock.

A graveside service for Jim was at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25 at Rosedale Cemetery, Pembroke, Ky. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Pembroke Baptist Church, P.O. Box 219, Pembroke, KY 42266.

Leila Hope Shelby Leila Hope, age 89, of Shelby, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 24.

The funeral service was held at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 29 at Bolton Funeral Home with Pastor Chris DeGreen officiating.

Burial followed in Pinelawn Gardens.

Visitation was from 1:302:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 29, at Bolton Funeral Home.

Leila was a native of South Carolina. During WWII, she worked in a South Carolina Munitions factory while her husband served in the South Pacific. They brought their family to Homewood in 1960 and they retired to Shelby in 1987.

Mrs. Hope is preceded in death by her husband, James Monroe Hope; son, James Monroe Hope, Jr.; parents, Joe and Mae Collins Moseley and brothers, Wilburn Moseley, Joe Moseley, Jr. and Harry Moseley, Sr. She is survived by her daughters, Carolyn Elise Catron, Amy S. Hope, Ann Hope Jones (Earl), and Robin Hope; grandchildren, James E. Catron (Kelley), Amelia Hale (Kevin), Virginia Oleinick (Jason), Sara Diane Archibald (Skye), and Patrick Monroe Jones (Jackie); five great grandchildren; and numerous other nieces,

nephews, family and friends.

Please sign online condolences at Boltonfuneralhome. com.

Rickey Joe Jenkins

lences at Boltonfuneralhome. com.

Dorothy Southern Whitten

Tuscaloosa

Vincent

Rickey Joe Jenkins, age 62, of Tuscaloosa, died Thursday, Nov. 19.

Rickey was a US Marine Corps Vietnam veteran. His motto was: “I was born to serve; not to be served.”

He was preceded in death by his parents, Douglas and Martha Jenkins. He is survived by his daughter, Rikki “Nikki” Hamilton (Alexis) of Vance; grandchildren, Ricky Hamilton and Nicholas Hamilton; and brother, Mike Jenkins (Nancy) of Bessemer.

Visitation will be held Sunday, Nov. 22 from 2-4 p.m. at Rockco Funeral Home (Montevallo). The funeral service was at 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 23 at Rockco Funeral Home (Montevallo), with burial following at 2 p.m. at Alabama National Cemetery.

Bro. Bill Donaldson officiated.

Online condolences may be made at Rockcofuneralmontevallo. com.

Funeral service for Dorothy Southern Whitten, age 89, were Friday, Nov. 27 at 11 a.m. from the chapel of Kilgroe Funeral Home.

Interment was at Macedonia North Cemetery in Vincent.

The family received friends on Friday from 10-11 a.m. at the funeral home.

Mrs. Whitten passed away Monday, Nov. 23. She is preceded in death by her husband, Sam Whitten, and son, Kenny Whitten.

She is survived by her daughter, Kay Lenn; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and sister, Edna Flemming.

Condolences may be offered online at Kilgroefh. com.

Kilgroe Funeral Home Ð Pell City directed the service.

Larry Harold Riffe LaGrange, Ga. Larry Harold Riffe, age 58, of LaGrange, Ga., passed away Monday, Nov. 23.

The funeral service was held at 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 27 at Bolton Funeral Home with Rev. Jim Beckner officiating.

Burial followed in Pinelawn Gardens. Visitation was from 12:30-2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 27, at Bolton Funeral Home.

Mr. Riffe is survived by his wife, Karen Riffe; children, Byron Keith McDaniel (Jennifer) and Lauren Riffe Thompson (Chris); grandchildren, Travis McDaniel, Eli Thompson, Libby Grace McDaniel, and Lawton Thompson; parents, Harold and Jewell Riffe; brother, Randy Riffe (Pam); nephew, Adam Riffe (Brooke); great nephew, Aiden Riffe; great niece, Emerson Riffe; and numerous other family and friends.

Please sign online condo-

Bobby Carl Wyatt Calera Bobby Carl Wyatt, age 78, of Calera, beloved husband, father and grandfather went to be with the Lord Friday, Nov. 20.

Bobby graduated from Chilton County High School in 1956 where he was an allstar pitcher, drafted by the Cincinnati Reds. He later went to work for Alabama Power and retired after 30 years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Pelham. He loved fishing, music, children and coaching baseball.

His survivors include his wife of 34 years, Beverly Wyatt; daughter, Carla Mims; sons, Terry Wyatt, William Perry (Tina) and Mark Perry; and grandchildren, Kaitlin Mims and Joseph Perry.

A visitation was held from 1-2 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 24, with a funeral service that followed at 2 p.m., both at Charter Funeral Home.

Charter Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

OBITUARIES: Only death notices and obituaries submitted by funeral homes will be accepted. The first 100 words cost $75. Each additional word will be charged $0.50 per word. Basic death notices are free of charge. Photos may be included for a flat charge of $10 each.

News HELENA REPORTER

December 2, 2015 5A

News 6A December 2, 2015

HELENA REPORTER

News HELENA REPORTER

December 2, 2015 7A

News 8A December 2, 2015

HELENA REPORTER

CALENDAR OF EVENTS NORTHCUTT DENTAL PRACTICE GRAND OPENING: Northcutt Dental Practice has recently expanded its practice to include a fifth location in the Helena area and the grand opening is scheduled for Dec. 3 from 4-6 p.m. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held and city officials will be in attendance.

HELENA CHRISTMAS PARADE: The 45th annual Christmas parade in Helena is scheduled for Dec. 5 at 1 p.m. The theme is “We’ll Have a Blue Christmas,” and the city is planning to honor all of the fallen police officers.

The parade route will begin at Shelby County 261 Helena Road and will end in Old Town Helena. For more information or to download a participant sheet and announcers sheet, visit Cityofhelena.org.

Library Tuesdays and Thursdays: Story Time at 11 a.m.

The Jane B. Holmes Public Library is located at 230 Tucker Road in Helena. Call the library at 664-8308 for library events.

Meetings The HELENA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION meets the first Tuesday of every month at 8

a.m. at the Community Center on Ruffin Road. Attendees will enjoy meeting fellow business owners, learning about basic business issues and practices from talented speakers, and being kept up-to-date on the city’s business climate.

All storefront and home-based businesses are invited to attend. Go to Hbahelena.com for more information.

KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY INC. Ala ba ster-Pelham (Shelby County) Alumni typically meets on the third Saturdays in Helena. All members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. are invited to attend.

Business Professional attire is requested. Contact shelbynupes@gmail.com or (205) 937-3092 for more details on the exact location.

COFFEE AND CONTACTS: A Free Networking Meeting is held every Thursday at 8 a.m. at McAlister’s Deli, located at 152 Bowling Lane in Pelham.

Breakfast sandwiches and coffee will be provided for everyone to enjoy while they mingle and introduced themselves to each other. For more information, contact Wendy L. Ainsworth, general manager at McAlister’s Deli Pelham, at (205) 985-9797.

The HELENA CITY COUNCIL meets on the first and third Mondays of each month at 6 p.m.

SHELBY COUNTY VETERANS TREATMENT COURT seeks to divert eligible veteran defendants with substance dependency and/or mental illness that are charged with typical misdemeanor, and/ or some felony, non-violent criminal offenses to a specialized docket. Veterans with military active duty are sought as mentors to act as coach, guide, role model, advocate and a support person. Military experience required. The court meets on Thursday afternoon at the Shelby County Courthouse. Consider giving one or more days per month to this program. Contact Marvin Copes at 669-3837 to apply.

SAFEHOUSE: Safehouse of Shelby County provides a support group for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault living in Shelby, Coosa, and Clay Counties, and Hoover. For more information, call 669-1877 or Safehouse.org.

VOCAL SUPPORT GROUP: Victims of Crime and Leniency (VOCAL) meets the second Saturday of every month at 2 p.m. in the Owens House on Highway 25 in Columbiana.

VOCAL provides support for victims of crime and their families and educates the local community about the criminal justice system and victims’ rights. Information: 669-4238.

BLUE

STAR

MOTHERS:

Helena Parade

Blue Star Mothers of Alabama Chapter One is asking that everyone join them in prayer for U.S. troops stationed around the world “during these troubling times.” They invite visitors and people who would like to join. For meeting dates and locations, call Kathryn Howard at 902-6358.

Notices HELENA MARKET DAYS are held on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon at Old Town’s Amphitheater Park in Helena.

TWO BY TWO RESCUE in Helena is a no-kill dog rescue looking for foster homes and forever homes for rescue dogs. To foster or adopt, visit Twobytworescue.com.

NARCONON would like to remind families that the use of addicting drugs is on the rise.

Take steps to protect your family from drug use. If you know anyone struggling with drug addiction, get them the help they need. Call for a free brochure on the signs of addiction for all drugs. Narconon also offers free screenings and referrals. Call 800-431-1754 or visit DrugAbuseSolution. com. Narconon can help you take steps to overcome addiction in your family.

Northcutt Dental

WORSHIP Lamb of God Church

RiverPoint Assembly of God

APOSTOLIC

BAPTIST

Riverside Baptist Church

METHODIST

Shiloh Baptist Church

Helena United Methodist Church at Cahaba Bend

Abundant Life Church

First Baptist Church Helena Crossbridge Community Church

ASSEMBLY OF GOD

Gospel Light Baptist Church

Kingwood Assembly of God Church

CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ at Helena

Mount Pleasant Baptist Church

NEW BEACON HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS: New Beacon Hospice is looking for compassionate people who want to make a difference through volunteering. Call to find out how you can be involved in making a difference in the lives of New Beacon patients and families in the Shelby County area. For more information, contact Marcella Baker at New Beacon Hospice at 620-3508 or email at mbaker@newbeacon.org.

AMERICAN RED CROSS: The American Red Cross is looking for instructors to teach CPR/FA/AED and Babysitter Boot Camp Classes. Part-time paid and volunteer positions are available. Training will be provided for those who have not attended an instructor course. Call 987-2792 to learn how to become an instructor.

DAT TEAM: The American Red Cross is seeking Disaster Action Team volunteers to help provide relief to victims of disasters. Volunteers will serve locally. For more information, 987-2792 or Shelbyredcross.org.

SHELBY COUNTY RED CROSS: The Shelby and Bibb County Red Cross needs volunteers for various activities.

Positions available include ARCHIE team members, disaster caseworkers, health and safety instructors, community education instructors, general office help and more.

For more information, call 987-2792.

Seniors Mondays and Thursdays: Chair aerobics, 10 a.m.

Tuesdays: Cards and games, bring your own lunch (drinks provided), 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fridays: Evening social and potluck, First Friday Club provides main course, 5 p.m.

Sundays: Games and fellowship, 1 p.m.

The Helena Senior Center, 222 Tucker Road. For weekly schedule, call 664-2443.

To include your church in this directory, call 669-3131 or email worship@helenareporter.com.

in Helena

ANGLICAN

PROJECT SHARE: The Shelby County Chapter of the American Red Cross is accepting applications for Project SHARE, the energy assistance program for low-income elderly or disabled individuals. Residents of Shelby County can set up an appointment by calling 987-2792.

To qualify for assistance, the head of the household must be either 62 years old or older or be receiving a disability check.

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST Grace Christian Church

The Voice of Faith International Ministries

Helena Cumberland Presbyterian

PENTECOSTAL

Christ Community Church

NONDENOMINATIONAL

Helena Pentecostal Worship Center

Cornerstone Church Life Christian Fellowship

PRESBYTERIAN

The Rock Church

Evangel Presbyterian Church

PROTESTANT CHRISTIAN Trinity Church of the Nazarene

News HELENA REPORTER

December 2, 2015 9A

Breakfast with Santa Dec. 12

By GRAHAM BROOKS

Staff Writer The Coal Yard Bar and Grill will be giving Helena residents and families to spend a morning with Santa, while also being able to enjoy a hot breakfast.

The Coal Yard will be hosting a Breakfast with Santa event on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 9-11 a.m.

The Coal Yard Event Coordinator Rosalie Oetting said she thought the event would be a neat thing to offer to the community.

We will have Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus and their elves will be here,” said Oetting.

“Our breakfast will consist of pancakes, bacon or sausage, fruit, juice and coffee.”

Oetting said reservations for the event are strongly suggested and those interesting in attending should call the restaurant to make reservations.

FILE

The Coal Yard in Helena will be hosting a Breakfast with Santa event on Saturday, Dec. 12 beginning at 9 a.m.

The cost of the event will be $12 for adults and $6 for children. Parents will have opportunities to take pictures with Santa free of charge.

“We thought this would be a neat thing to offer to the community and I felt like we have a perfect environment for it,” said Oetting.

For more information on The Coal Yard visit Facebook. com/coalyardinhelena/?fref=ts and to make reservations call 624-3614.

HMS ranked as top middle school

By GRAHAM BROOKS

15

Staff Writer Niche.com conducted a recent ranking for the 2016 best public middle schools in the Birmingham Metro area and Helena Middle School ranked as one of the top 83 schools as well as several other Shelby County Schools, according to the website.

A list of 83 middle schools in the Birmingham area were ranked based on state test scores, student-teacher ratio, student diversity, teacher quality and the overall quality of the school district.

Helena Middle School came in at No. 15 on the list of 83 school and received a grade of an A- for academics, a B+ for district overall experience, a B- for teachers and a B- for student culture and diversity.

Niche.com claims that at the time of calculation, their database contained records for

Helena Middle School was ranked No. 15 on a list of the top 83 public middle schools in the Birmingham area according to Niche. com.

FILE

School at No. 16, and Calera

HMS hosts a Veterans Day program every year and recently HMS Middle School at No. 30. was ranked as being one of the best schools in the Birmingham area.

Helena Middle School 16,371 public middle schools.

Academic performance carried the highest weight when determining the final ranking, with a weight of 50 percent.

District overall experience and teachers grade carried a weight of 20 percent and student culture and diversity car-

ried a weight of 10 percent.

Other schools within Shelby County that received high marks include Montevallo Middle School at No. 11, Columbiana Middle School at No. 12, Chelsea Middle School at No. 13, Rivechase Middle School at No. 14, Oak Mountain Middle

is located at 1299 Hillsboro Parkway. The HMS administrative staff includes Principal Scott Knight and assistant principals Jennifer Cofer and Bakari Young.

For more information on the ranking visit K12.niche. com/rankings/public-middle-schools/best-overall/m/ birmingham-metro-area/.

Resident’s photography book depicts forgotten treasures

By JESSA PEASE

Staff Writer PELHAM – After years of collecting photographs of the overlooked treasures in Alabama, Glenn Wills, owner of G’day Vape in Pelham, is publishing his book “Forgotten Alabama.”

The book should be available in early December and features photographs of abandoned bridges, boats, houses, stores, gas stations and more from all over the state.

The idea started during Wills’ more than 30-year trek in TV news. The Helena resident said he probably drove a total of a million miles in a satellite truck for the stations.

One day, driving on U.S. 280, he noticed something.

“I just happened to glance up on the hill there and saw this really cool, rusting 1957 Chevy,” Wills said. “It’s like one of the most beautiful cars ever made.”

After pulling off to investigate, he found a salvage yard filled with acres and acres of rusting cars, none being newer than 1965. From then on, Wills started carrying a camera with him everywhere, and he

CONTRIBUTED/GLENN WILLS

“Forgotten Alabama” features a collection of photographs of abandoned treasures in Alabama, such as this old house in north Montgomery. started noticing other things.

It wasn’t until fall of 2012 that he decided to seriously pursue “Forgotten Alabama.”

He bought a good camera and started driving around to see what he could find.

As time went on, he refined his process. Wills said he spent about 400 hours on Google Maps, combing through every federal and state highway.

When he saw something of interest, he’d zoom into the street view to determine if it was worth a visit.

That summer he found about 2,000 places he could

RECORDS Police Report The following are incident and offense reports from the Helena Police Department from Nov. 18, 2015 –Nov.23, 2015: Nov. 18  Domestic violence III from 7300 block of US 13, Helena (residence/home).  Domestic violence III from 3000 block of Oakleaf Drive, Helena (residence/home).  Theft of property III form 100 block of Cedar Bend Drive, Helena (residence/ home). Stolen was a Sapphire/Diamond pendant valued at $160.

Nov. 19  Domestic incident from US 13, Helena (residence/home).

Nov. 20

 Warrant arrest from County Road 17, Helena (parking lot/garage).

Nov. 21  Miscellaneous information from 100 block of Cedar Bend Drive, Helena (residence/home).

visit, not including anything off of County Roads.

“I had so many things that I could shoot, I finally had to weed out the lesser important things,” he said. “I finally got it down to a science where I could shoot everything I needed in one day.”

He could only shoot in the winter months, when the kudzu wasn’t growing and the leaves were gone, so he’d plan his trips carefully. He said he would go out 50 or more times during the season, getting into a frenzy at the onset of spring.

In three winters, he had col-

Nov.23, 2015: Nov. 20  Michael Duane Curl, 42, Clanton, warrant arrest.

lected all the photos he needed.

He had racked up more than 25,000 miles and taken about 10,000 photos total.

“I figure I’ve seen more of Alabama than 99.9 percent of people in this state,” he said.

Of those locations, Wills said he had 20 “holy grails,” one being the Chattahoochee Valley Railroad Depot. He said it was hard to find because you have to know where to pull off the road and just hope you walk in the right direction. He found it though.

In Bon Secour, he was able to take a flat bottom boat out to the site of The Morning Star, an old shrimp boat that was beached during Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

It was another spot he said he was particularly proud of.

“It’s a beautiful, magnificent old shrimp boat,” he explained. “It got beached on the inlet a little ways from the dock and the owner tried for seven years to get that thing back in the water and he died before he could ever do it.”

In all the placed he visited, Wills said he practiced taking only pictures and leaving only footprints. He said he wants these places preserved and he protects them in his own way.

Nov. 22  Paul Bryan Dobnikar, 49, Pelham, driving under the influence of alcohol.

Nov. 23  Corey Myron Chapman, 24, Helena.

Nov. 22  Driving under the influence of alcohol from Old Cahaba Drive, Helena (highway/ street).

Nov. 23  Bail jumping II from Church Street, Pelham.

Arrests The following individuals were arrested and charged by the Helena Police Department from Nov. 18–

Everything Rotates Around YOU.®

3406 Pelham Parkway • Pelham

(205) 663-0433 www.cahabatire.com

10A

SPORTS ECTION

December 2, 2015

CONTRIBUTED

Helena High School senior Artasia Debois signed an athletic scholarship to play volleyball at Lawson State Community College on Nov. 20.

Debois signs volleyball NLI

By GRAHAM BROOKS

Staff Writer Helena High School senior Artasia Debois has decided to further her educational and athletic future by signing a National Letter of Intent to play volleyball at Lawson State Community College.

Debois signed her letter of intent on Friday, Nov. 20 at Helena High School surrounded by family, friends, coaches and teammates.

Debois was most excited that the recruiting process is finished and she now knows where she will be

playing in the future.

“It felt good and was a dream that came true,” said Debois. “Once they offered me the scholarship it took a lot off my chest and now I’m just playing for fun and don’t have to worry anymore.”

Debois plays outside hitter and focuses on playing volleyball year round and her goal has always been to play collegiate volleyball.

“I’ve always wanted to play collegiate volleyball and I’ll be graduating at 17,” said Debois. “Lawson State is a two-year school and I won’t have to stay on cam-

"Playing with the girls pushed the leadership skills in me."

— Artasia Debois pus and can live at home.

It was an answered prayer because I can play volleyball for two years and can move on to a four year school if I want to.”

Debois was thankful for

her time playing volleyball at Helena and believes it strengthened her leadership skills.

“These last two years have been my best years of playing high school volleyball,” said Debois. “Last year was the first year as a program and we were out to prove a point. The girls were sisters on and off the court and they brought out the leadership skills in me. Playing with the girls pushed the leadership skills in me.”

The Helena volleyball team reached the state tournament this year in just the programs’ second year.

FOR THE REPORTER/DAWN HARRISON

Oak Mountain defeated Helena 62-28 after Helena had a tough time scoring on the night.

Oak Mountain boys impressive in win over Helena

By JOSEPH ANTONIO

Located on Hwy 280, east of I-459

GrandviewHealth.com

Special to the Reporter

QUICK FACTS

OAK MOUNTAIN - The Oak Mountain Eagles continued to show promise this season with their fast paced defense and solid shooting against the Helena Huskies.

The combination of these two things gave the Eagles a lead right out of the gate that they never let go of.

Will Stephenson lead the way for Oak Mountain in the first quarter. Stephenson provided 11 of his team’s 20 points, which included three 3-point shots. The Eagles defense held firm on the other end of the court, allowing Helena only 12-points in the first period.

In the second quarter, The Eagles continued to stay hot. Oak Mountain outscored the Huskies 13-2, giving them a commanding 33-14 halftime lead. Ryan Hollingsworth lead the way this time for Oak Mountain, scoring 6 points in the quarter.

Helena saw its biggest surge of the game in the third period. The Huskies put up 11 points but still

 Stephenson scored 11 of Oak Mountain's 20 points in the first quarter.  The Eagles outscored Helena 13-2 in the second quarter.  Peyton Youngblood led all scorers with 14 points. could not match the Eagles.

Oak Mountain still managed to outscore them, putting up 19 themselves to lead 52-25 going into the fourth.

Kris Hutchins for Oak Mountain single handedly outscored Helena in the fourth, adding five more points for Oak Mountain.

The final tally would read 62-28 Eagles and Peyton Youngblood for Oak Mountain lead all scorers with 14 points.

Eagles Coach Chris Love was pleased with his team’s effort. “I thought we defended well and we did a much better job of rebounding the basketball on both ends of the floor.”

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