MY SHELBY LIVING BRYAN POPE
Shelby County Schools Digital Media Specialist
A Bit of Everything
Old Town Helena There is so much good in one location, but my personal favorites are: the Depot for a Philly Cheesesteak and tater tots, Buck Creek for a kayak to the Cahaba, and Brain Freeze for their special recipe Chocolate Frozen Custard (go for the large, it’s worth it).
Sunset Views
Helena High School Parking Lot So many evenings we take our four children for a walk up to one of the best views in Shelby County. My wife and I watch the sunset as our twins (13) create TikTok videos and our younger two (7 & 5) ride their bikes around the parking lot.
Cup of Joe
Adventurer’s Coffee Co. in Calera Usually, my wife and I use Keurig coffee at home (not a good cup of coffee) and it needs creamer to be tolerable. Adventurer’s dark roast coffee is the perfect cup of black coffee. The owners of the company are friendly and always quick to offer me a Danish, which I love.
Nutter Butter Popsicle
Frios in Alabaster This may be my absolute favorite dessert in all of Shelby County, maybe Alabama. Don’t tell my grandmother—her banana split pie is always waiting on me in Cullman. Frios puts actual Nutter Butters in this thing. I have actually gone in to buy one and left with two in my hands for the car ride home after eating one already.
For the Kids
Shelby County Schools This is the reason we moved to Shelby County 12 years ago, and I have worked for them for the past three. Decisions are made, goals are accomplished, and standards are raised through the power of relationships in this school system. The people make it what it is and it is amazing.
90 November/December 2020