Helena – The Magazine, November 2022

A HIDDEN OASIS NEW RESTAURANT OWNERS FOCUSING ON COMMUNITY

PAINTING A PICTURE

IN THE HALLWAYS

CLARK, MURCHISON OPEN UP ABOUT THEIR LOVE FOR HELENA SCHOOLS

A CLOSER LOOK

DEJAY JONES ENJOYS MAKING

IS

THE

DANIELLE LANG SHOWCASES HELENA THROUGH HER

Thankful for Helena

As we near Thanksgiving, it’s time reflect on our special town

The cool air has quickly appeared as we gear up for family, food and giving thanks. The month of November ushers in leaves falling, an ending to fall sports and the leap into the holiday season. This month, I would like to share a few things that I am thankful for in our great city.

I will start off with the obvious, and well, I think

the most important to be thankful for is the small town feel and culture we still embrace. Community is the bedrock of Helena that each of the more than 22,000 residents pour into each day.

Being able to go out and talk to neighbors, kids playing with friends in the front yards, knowing we have each other’s backs when times are tough and

I will start off with the obvious, and well, I think the most important to be thankful for is the small town feel and culture we still embrace. Community is the bedrock of Helena that each of the more than 22,000 residents pour into each day.

all coming together as one makes is what makes Helena the community we strive to be yesterday, today and tomorrow.

I am thankful for our schools and teachers that walk the halls, teach our kids and for giving their hearts to our next generation. We are truly blessed with the public schools we have in Helena as well as the Hillsboro School.

I am thankful for the planning and partnerships the city has been able to gain over the last year.

First, for the comprehensive plan for the city was released and shows the importance of our foundation and the guardrails to continue moving forward in a strategic way that is not only best for us now, but also 50 years from now.

I’m thankful for partnerships and grant funding picking up drastically in the last year to include $1.6 million in funding by the state to add a lane on Highway 261 between Helena Elementary School and the main intersection.

I’m thankful for the more than $160,000 from the Rebuild Alabama Act funding to add a turn

from Highway 17 to Highway 58, while I am also grateful for the private, public and federal funding partnership with US Steel, AML funding and the city on the Helena Forward project.

I could go on and on with these blessings we have received this year.

I am thankful that the city team and our leadership are by far and beyond the best around. These men and women work each day to keep us all running.

From the Parks and Recreation employees giving up evenings with their family to make sure the youth programs run at night to the five ladies who run the entire administrative side of the city. The city council challenges each other and myself to make sure we don’t operate in the mentality of status quo, but always wanting to put what is best for the whole city first.

I will wrap this up with my thankfulness to you. To each one of you, I am thankful for what you contribute to our community—Our Helena. Have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving.

Together As One, Brian Puckett, mayor of Helena

Mayor Brian Puckett

In this

Lizzie Bowen Meg Herndon Anna Grace Moore

Lauren Sexton Noah Wortham

Jamie

Connor Martin-Lively Briana Sansom

Jeremy Raines

Rhett McCreight Jessica Caudill Tori Smith Michaela Hancock Viridiana

Utilities and Services

Cable, Internet and Phone

uAT&T Uverse – 1-888-708-0934

att.com

uSpectrum 1-855-707-7328 spectrum.com

uC-Spire, Fiber Internet – 1-855-277-4735 cspire.com

uSpire – 1-800-292-4008

spireenergy.com

Gas

Power

uAlabama Power Company – 1-800-245-2244 alabamapower.com

Trash Services

uRepublic Services – (205) 631-1313 republicservices.com

Water and Sewer

uHelena Utilities City Water Service (205) 663-1670

LOCAL SCHOOLS

uShelby County Board of Education – (205) 682-7000 shelbyed.k12.al.us/

uHelena Elementary School (205) 682-5540 shelbyed.k12.al.us/schools/hes/index.htm

uHelena Intermediate School – (205) 682-5520 shelbyed.k12.al.us/schools/his/index.htm

uHelena Middle School – (205) 682-5300 shelbyed.k12.al.us/schools/hlms/index.htm

uHelena High School – (205) 682-3650 shelbyed.k12.al.us/schools/hhs/index.html

uHillsboro School - (205) 864-7330 thehillsboroschool.org

We want to hear from you!

Do you have an issue that City Hall needs to know about?

Please use the City Action Center at cityofhelena.org to get a resolution to your neighborhood issue.

City Government

Brian Puckett Mayor

bpuckett@cityofhelena.org

alobell@cityofhelena.org

Place

ljoseph@cityofhelena.org

auhulsey@gmail.com cvancleave@ cityofhelena.org

Amanda Traywick

City Clerk and Treasurer

hwoodman@ cityofhelena.org atraywick@ cityofhelena.org

Departments

City Hall (205) 663-2161

Fire Department (205) 663-5809

Sports Complex (205) 620-2877

Library (205) 664-8308 Police (205) 663-6499 Utilities (205) 663-1670

Leigh Hulsey Christopher VanCleave

Alice Lobell

Laura Joseph Hewy Woodman

Place 3, Council President Place 1 Place 2

THE GUIDE

HPD VETERANS HONOR RUCK

SATURDAY, NOV. 12 10 A.M.

Helena High School

The annual Veterans Honor Ruck, held by the Helena Police Department, will take place on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 10 a.m. The event is a short, weighted hike that allows people to pay their respects to those who served and sacrificed in the armed forces. The event will be begin at Helena High School, and the ruck will be approximately 4 miles in length. All ruckers will walk the Hillsboro Trail to Helena Parkway and return on the same trail.

FRIDAY, DEC. 2

Christmas in Helena: Tree lighting and holiday market

5:30 P.M.

Old Town Helena

Old Town Helena It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas as the Helena Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Market fast approach! Join members of the Helena Beautification Board as they kick off the Christmas season by the Red Caboose in Old Town. The Holiday Market will feature local vendors and businesses highlighting their work, with performances from the Helena High School Choir and nationally known band Act of Congress as well as our annual lighting of the Christmas tree lighting.

TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS

Storytime at the library

11 A.M.

Jane B. Holmes Library

Join members of the Jane B. Holmes Public Library for Storytime hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays every month at 11 a.m. Storytime aims to encourage children’s love of reading and remind them that the library is a place for their imaginations to run wild.

NOVEMBER

NOVEMBER 3 | 11 A.M. Storytime at the Library

NOVEMBER 10 | 11 A.M. Storytime at the Library

NOVEMBER 12 | 7:30 A.M. – 1:30 P.M.

Helena Old Town Car Show at The Church at Old Town

NOVEMBER 12 | 10 A.M. Helena Police Department Veterans Honor Ruck

NOVEMBER 14 | 4 P.M. Helena Utility Board meeting at City Hall

NOVEMBER 14 | 6 P.M. City Council meeting at City Hall

NOVEMBER 17 | 10 A.M. Bingo at the Helena Sports Complex Community Center

NOVEMBER 17 | 10 A.M. Mah Jongg at the Helena Sports Complex Community Center

NOVEMBER 17 | 11 A.M. Storytime at the Library

NOVEMBER 24 Thanksgiving Day

DECEMBER

DECEMBER 1 | 11 A.M. Storytime at the Library

DECEMBER 2 | 5 P.M. Helena Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Market

DECEMBER 3 | 10 A.M. Helena Christmas Parade

DECEMBER 8 | 11 A.M. Storytime at the Library

DECEMBER 12 | 4 P.M.

Helena Utility Board meeting at City Hall

DECEMBER 12 | 6 P.M. City Council meeting at City Hall

DECEMBER 15 | 10 A.M.

Bingo at the Helena Sports Complex Community Center

DECEMBER 15 | 11 A.M.

Storytime at the Library

DECEMBER 15 | 6 P.M. Planning and Zoning Committee Meeting

DECEMBER 18 Hanukkah Begins

DECEMBER 22 | 11 A.M. Storytime at the Library

DECEMBER 25 Christmas Day

SATURDAY, DEC. 3

Helena Christmas Parade

1 P.M.

Old Town Helena

Helena’s favorite Christmas tradition returns on Saturday, Dec. 3 with the annual Christmas parade. Line up on the sidewalks of Old Town and watch the many decorated floats of Helena organizations make their way down the street while tossing candy and serving well wishes of Merry Christmas. Make sure you arrive early to grab a good spot, and prepare the children for a special appearance from the man in red himself, Santa.

Brooke Dodson

Brooke Dodson is no stranger to the people of Helena, and he is certainly not a stranger to the various outdoor trails the city has to offer. Dodson and his wife first moved to Helena back in July 1999, and they immediately fell in love with the community. As an avid runner, Dodson couldn’t get over the various trails available in the area. Since moving to Helena, Dodson has become a member of the Helena Planning and Zoning Commission, and he and his family are active members of Helena United Methodist Church. In April, he completed his long-time

goal of competing in the Boston Marathon. When asked what he loves most about the city, Dodson said he loves the connectivity of the community. “I love the people and sense of community, but I also love the Hillsboro Trail and how it connects runners to plenty of runnable miles,” he said. In his spare time, Dodson loves to explore Helena’s outdoor resources, starting with the Hillsboro Trail and Lee Springs Park. He also loves spending time with his wife and children, whether that’s at home, the beach or at a track and field meet.

Helena Middle School will host veterans on Thursday, Nov. 10 for special Veterans Day events. All Helena veterans are encouraged to attend. Contact Alan Wilson at the middle school for more details.

Helena High School students spent the afternoon of Wednesday, Sept. 21 decorating their floats for the annual homecoming parade. Students of various organizations assembled elaborate floats to celebrate their favorite thing–Husky Pride.

HELENA WINS PHYSICAL TEST AGAINST JACKSON-OLIN ON HOMECOMING

It was another thriller that went down to the wire, but the Helena Huskies felt right at home on Friday night, Sept. 23, fresh off back-to-back overtime wins. The Huskies trailed 13-6 early in the second half, but they never panicked on homecoming night, scoring 10 unanswered the rest of the way to pull off a 16-13 victory. Judy Higgins was crowned the school’s Homecoming Queen during the game.

A “Thank you volunteers” event was held to honor those in the Helena area who have volunteered their time to help make the city a better place. The city of Helena named Helena resident Tom Lefebvre as this year’s Lifetime Volunteer. Lefebvre is the founding member of the Helena Civitan, Buck Creek Festival, Movies in the Park and the Helena Business Association.

HELENA MIDDLE SCHOOL HOSTING VETERANS DAY ACTIVITIES

TOM LEFEBVRE NAMED LIFETIME VOLUNTEER OF HELENA

HELENA CELEBRATES HUSKY PRIDE AT HOMECOMING PARADE

Looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season, the Helena Huskies trailed Chilton County 28-9 in the third quarter of a Class 6A, Region 3 battle on Thursday, Sept. 8. The Huskies, however, flipped a switch midway through the third quarter and scored 19 unanswered points to end regulation and then the first touchdown of overtime to pull off a thrilling 35-28 overtime victory.

Headlining this year’s Christmas in Helena event will be popular musical performers Act of Congress. They have performed in venues around the globe serving as U.S Cultural Ambassadors, led by the U.S. State Department. A recent concert performance at the Newgrass Festival is airing on Public Television Stations around the nation. This lively group will have us all in the holiday spirit!

HELENA

19-POINT

CHRISTMAS IN HELENA, ACT OF CONGRESS CONCERT SET FOR DEC. 2

In the News

BRAGGING RIGHTS: HELENA WINS OT THRILLER AGAINST RIVAL PELHAM

The saying goes that rivals know each other better than anyone else does, and that held true for the Helena Huskies and Pelham Panthers on Friday night, Sept. 16 in a thrilling overtime game. The teams went blow-for-blow all night, and it took overtime to separate the sides, with Helena closing out the 31-24 win at home.

HELENA MEN CAPTURE 450-POUND ALLIGATOR

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM THE HELENA DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION BOARD

All cultures have common celebrations. Harvest festivals are often celebrated in churches by partaking in food to give thanks to God. People enjoy singing, praying, listening to stories and decorating the church. The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, is a traditional festival celebrated in Chinese culture, usually celebrated in September. It is one of the most import holidays in Chinese culture second to New Years. We as a group have more in common even though we are diverse and have individual beliefs.

HELENA HIGH SCHOOL SELECTED AS COLLEGE SUCCESS AWARDS WINNER

Helena residents Chris Copeland and Kyle Woods along with their sons Parker Copeland and Reed Woods, respectively, captured an 11-foot, 450-pound alligator from Lake Eufaula on Sept. 20.

Helena High School was one of 66 schools selected in the state of Alabama as a College Success Award winner. HHS stands among 1,742 schools nationwide to earn the accolade.

HHS BAND SHOWS PRIDE AT 18TH ANNUAL SHOWCASE OF BANDS

Shelby County bands displayed their pride as they performed their shows to a crowd at this year’s Shelby County Showcase of Bands. The seven bands that participated in the event were Montevallo High School’s Marching Troubadours, Shelby County High School’s Pride of Shelby County Marching Band, Vincent Middle/High School’s Yellowjacket Marching Band, Calera High School’s Soaring Sound of Dixie, Chelsea High School’s Marching Hornet Pride Band, Helena High School’s Husky Marching Band and Oak Mountain High School’s “Spirit of Cahaba” Marching Band.

Select students from Helena schools were honored with a special recognition at the Character in Action Awards on Wednesday, Sept. 21. The Character in Action Awards are presented to exemplify students who have been handpicked by teachers, counselors and administrators for displaying respect, courage, responsibility, friendship and kindness toward others. The following students were recipients of the 2022 edition of the awards: Brodie Godwin – Helena Elementary, Bentley Reynolds – Helena Intermediate, Elizabeth Stokes – Helena Middle, Adam Thomason – Helena High School.

STUDENTS RECEIVE CHARACTER IN ACTION AWARDS

FABYANNA

What brought you to Helena High School?

Truly, I found out about Helena High School by driving by from Clanton to visit my best friend who used to live in Old Cahaba. As I drove by many times and they were preparing the land to build it, I would say a little prayer, and I would think of myself already working at Helena High. When the hiring process started, I had a friend who taught French at Chelsea and knew former Principal Jay Peoples well. She put in a good word for me, as well as coach Amanda Lewis as she wanted me to come coach at Helena and be part of her staff. After an interview, I was hired to teach Spanish and coach with coach Lewis... and the rest is history.

How did you become a volleyball coach?

Volleyball has always been part of my life since a very young age. I have played in college at Miami Dade and the University of Montevallo. I have coached club and team camp for many years. I have also coached at Prattville High School, before coming to Helena in 2014 to join coach Lewis’s coaching staff.

What makes volleyball stand out against all other sports?

Volleyball has opened many doors for me, even the door to come to this country. It’s an intense and fast moving sport which requires great athletic ability as well as discipline and ball control. It teaches teamwork, communication, toughness, decision making and accountability.

How would you describe your coaching style?

My coaching style is rooted in fundamentals and mental toughness. If you can’t control the ball, it makes it hard to have success. However, you have to have the mental toughness to quickly recover from an error and make a mental adjustment to make a recovery from that mistake by having a positive mindset and believing in yourself and your teammates. I also try to keep an upbeat and positive attitude and encourage my fellow coaches and players to do the same.

What do you love about working for Helena High School?

Helena is a great community to live and raise a family in. We absolutely have the best students, and I am so grateful to be part of the Huskies’ family and be part of my students’ and players’ lives at school daily. Lastly, we have great support from our administration and parents which makes our job as coaches very enjoyable.

What is a key component in having a successful volleyball team?

Fundamentals, teamwork and winning mentality. Ideally on each possession, there is a pass, a set and a kill. If any of the three fail to accomplish the task at hand, it is hard to win that particular point. We each have a job on every point and if we don’t do our individual job, the team can’t have the success we want to have.

(7472) 205- 638 - PIRC

Helping navigate the mental health system for teens and children.

Services are FREE and confidential. Services provided by phone are not medical advice and should not be considered as such.

Services are provided via telephone by licensed mental health professionals who recommend the most appropriate mental health resources.

PIRC is available seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

PIRC is NOT a crisis or suicide hotline. Call for mental health resources.

The PIRC is generously supported by funding from the Anne B. LaRussa Foundation of Hope, United Way of Central Alabama, the Daniel Foundation of Alabama, and the Walker Area Community Foundation.

Update from THE COUNCIL

Hewy Woodman PLACE

In 1620, pilgrims left persecution and strife in search of freedom when they came to these shores. Their first Thanksgiving was celebrating the goodwill and cooperation between people. In 1789, President George Washington made Thanksgiving the first national holiday under the new Constitution. This uniquely American holiday is not measured by the gifts you receive, but one where you reflect on what you have and have been given. This Thanksgiving in 2022 comes after years of travel restrictions and turmoil. We are truly blessed to have an opportunity to see loved ones and family.

As the trees change to their beautiful shades of red, gold and orange, I am grateful to live in a city whose natural beauty is breathtaking. We are blessed with rich woodlands around a river valley, and soon we will be able to enjoy it even more. Helena has plans, as part of a united and connected community, to expand its current trail system. Phase two of the Helena greenway will connect the Hillsboro trail, the Helena Sports Complex, Old Town and even to the edge of the historical Billy Gould mine area. The trail will feature a bridge over the creek, an overlook and a tunnel under the railroad. Future phases would connect even more neighborhoods and locations. This trail will be a special attraction that you will love sharing with your friends and family.

This ambitious program started as an idea by Tom Lefebvre who worked to secure the Federal grant to make this happen. The project was kept alive by the efforts of Katherine Ennis and Cris Nelson. I am so thankful for their efforts and the current Mayor and City Council for their continuing support. Now we can finally see this project coming true in the near future. Have a joyful Thanksgiving and see you around town.

FULL SERVICE

IMPROVEMENT

GREETINGS FROM THE JANE B. HOLMES LIBRARY

AA very busy fall season is underway at the library.

Fall is a great time to curl up with a good book, and what better place to find something to read than the public library? In addition to the great selection of books, the library features and displays new books and special collections throughout the year that make finding items an easy process.

Another neat section of the library to explore is the holiday department. Over the years, holiday and seasonal books have become favorites, and new ones are being added all the time. Also, for older kids and grown-ups, classic holiday movies and music are popular choices.

For parents with younger children, the library has the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program. This simple program encourages parents to read to their kids frequently to instill a love of reading and a familiarity with books and learning. The program is free, and a library staff member will give you everything you need to get started.

For all you game lovers out there, the library is your source for board games. Games are available to check-out for one week at a time, and they must be returned inside the library to the circulation desk. This is a great way to try out a new game or an old favorite.

The library has some great programs going on all the time, and November has some fun options:

uTuesday, Nov. 1 at 5:45 p.m. check out The

Friends of the Library meeting to get an update on what’s new on their calendar.

uMonday, Nov. 7 from 6- 6:45 p.m. enjoy family Bingo with fun for all.

uWednesday, Nov.16 check out 10 books and get a prize.

uMonday, Nov. 21 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. enjoy Happy Harvest Craft.

uMonday, Nov. 28 from 5:30-6:30 p.m., Lego Fun will take place for all ages.

The Jane B. Holmes Public Library is also excited to announce that it has been awarded an LSTA grant in the amount of $12,000. Library Services and Technology Act federal funds are provided to the Alabama Public Library Service by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This funding will be used to address the needs of the entire community. Materials to be updated include college prep, business and career, parenting and many more. Special thanks to our Library staff, Helena City Hall and the Public Libraries of Shelby County for their hard work on this project. Everyone affiliated with the library is looking forward to these new books, audiobooks, documentaries and other items. Look for these items to arrive in the coming months.

Remember to READ, and we hope to see you soon!

Jane B. Holmes Public Library

Phone:

Library Director Dan Dearing

November’s Top Picks

ESSENTIAL HOME SKILLS HANDBOOK

By Chris Peterson | Adult Non-Fiction

Inside this book you’ll find directions for 100+ common home repairs and maintenance tasks, with an eye toward the most common issues people have in their home.

THE BOYS FROM BILOXI: A LEGAL THRILLER

By John Grisham | Adult Fiction

The riveting story of two sons of immigrant families who grow up as friends, but ultimately find themselves on opposite sides of the law.

LUCY BY THE SEA

By Elizabeth Strout | Adult Fiction

From Pulitzer Prize–winning, #1 New York Times

bestselling author Elizabeth Strout comes a poignant, pitch-perfect novel about a divorced couple stuck together during lockdown—and the love, loss, despair and hope that animate us even as the world seems to be falling apart. Rich with empathy and emotion, Lucy by the Sea vividly captures the fear and struggles that come with isolation, as well as the hope, peace and possibilities that those long, quiet days can inspire.

THE GIRL IN THE CASTLE

By James Patterson | Young Adult

A thrilling novel about a teen caught between two worlds and the truths that could set her free—or trap her forever.

REAL PIGEONS FIGHT CRIME

By Andrew McDonald | Juvenile

Meet the crime-fighting pigeons secretly flying around chasing bad guys in this hilarious illustrated series perfect for fans of BAD GUYS and DOG MAN.

GOODBYE AUTUMN, HELLO WINTER

By Kenard Pak | Easy/ Picture

Join a brother and sister as they explore nature and take a stroll through their twinkling town, greeting all the signs of the coming season.

City Hall Faces

DeJay Jones

City Building Official

DeJay Jones said he never sits still. It’s something even his wife jokes with him about. As the city’s building official, Jones has his hand in all aspects of Helena’s growth, making sure everything is working efficiently and done correctly. Jones moved to Helena in 2011, and he has been working for the city since February 2017. When Jones first started, he was the city inspector, where he did all of the residential inspections for buildings. He then became the building official last year, so he’s now over all inspections whether residential, commercial or industrial. He also sprays for the mosquitos around town before he comes into work. While Jones works as the building official during the day, he said he really works 24/7. When he isn’t working, however, Jones said his favorite downtime is being with his family. He and his wife have seven children, all of whom have graduated high school. Jones describes himself as a very family-oriented person. He loves taking his family out to dinner and teaching his kids how to work on cars when he’s able to. “I want my kids to grow up to be good people who don’t take stuff for granted,” he said. “When I take my time off, I like building hot rods when I have the chance, and I get my kids in to help me work on the vehicles. I want to teach them the trades so they don’t have to rely on somebody else.” Jones said he loves the city of Helena because there are so many family-oriented things to do. He loves the peacefulness of Helena, which you can’t find in other cities. His favorite thing about his job is simple: he loves making sure things are done right. “The one thing I love about my job, is making sure the people who come through town to build here, I love making sure that they are going by the book and doing what they’re supposed to do and not cutting corners,” he said. “I want to make sure what gets built is built right.”

Helena Church Directory

ANGLICAN

Lamb of God Church

Head Pastor: Caron Glenn Davis 5140 Highway 17 (205) 919-7932

Lambofgodcec.org

BAPTIST

The Church at Old Town Head Pastor: Josh Knierim 815 Highway 52 E (205) 663-7879

Thechurchatoldtown.org

Gospel Light Baptist Church

Lead Pastor: Gary Bohman 5781 Roy Drive (205) 685-0772

Glbcbham.com

Mount Pleasant Baptist Church

Head Pastor: Edwin Dinkles 5320 Helena Road (205) 624-3323

Mpbchelena.com

Riverside Baptist Church Senior Pastor: Chris Wilson

Worship Pastor: Kyle Ziglar 1919 Highway 52 West (205) 426-1910

Rbchelena.org

Crossbridge Community Church Lead Pastor: Cody Brister 1455 Starkey Street (205) 358-3500

Crossbridgehelena.com

CHURCH OF CHRIST

Church of Christ at Helena 2499 Highway 58 (205) 620-4575

Helenachurch.com

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST

Grace Christian Church

Lead Pastor: Rev. Brad Henderson 869 County Road 52 (205) 426-1233

Gracechristianchurch.org

METHODIST

Helena United Methodist Head Pastor: Rev. Rusty Tate 2035 Highway 58 (205) 663-0111

Helenaumc.org

Church at Cahaba Bend Lead Pastor: Rev. Patrick Friday 3721 Highway 52 West (205) 621-8060

Cahababend.org

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Open Door Independent Church 120 Laurel Woods Drive (205) 482-5963

Opendooral.com

Cornerstone Church Life Christian Fellowship

Lead Pastor: Rev. Tim Trimble 2694 Highway 58 (205) 663-9332

Cornerstonechurchhelena.org

New Vision Christian Church

Senior Pastor: Van C. Houser 2383 Highway 95 (205) 919-6678

Nvcc4god.org

The Rock Church

Head Pastor: Bryan Van Gieson 501 2nd Avenue West (205) 358-7625

Rockofbirmingham.org

The Voice of Faith International Ministries

Head Pastor: Franklin Kirksey 1560 Cunningham Drive (205) 663-7396

PENTECOSTAL

Helena Pentecostal Worship Center

Head Pastor: Rev. Joel Wayne Pate 2nd Ave. & Branch St. (205) 663-1697

PRESBYTERIAN

Harmony Church of Helena

Head Pastor: Mike Ensminger 3396 Helena Road (205) 663-2174

Helenacpchurch.com

Christ Community Church

Pastors: Phil Chambers and David Cunningham 2222 Highway 52 (205) 881-4222

ChristCommunity.net

Helena United Methodist Church

Grace Christian Church

How long have you been with Helena High School?

This is my second year at Helena High School.

What do you love about teaching English?

English became a favorite subject for me when I saw the power of writing. For me, I love the aspect of giving students the tools to express themselves through written words and helping them see the value in the skill. English is constructed around speaking, listening, reading and writing, which I feel naturally enables my students to have a voice and a creative space to learn. I think mostly, I enjoy teaching it because I interact with the subject outside of school by reading and writing and I express my passion for it to my students.

How do you balance teaching English and also all of the other organizations you head?

I am the JV Cheerleading head coach, I sponsor Emerge Freshman Leaders Club, The Baking Club and The Lettermen Club. Teaching students in the classroom has brought me so much joy, but there is also something special about watching a student be involved in something they are passionate about. I am able to form relationships through these organizations that help me better understand my students in the classroom, as well as students I do not have the opportunity to teach. To help with balancing it, I have learned that having a plan and taking preparation steps is key to not feel constantly scattered. There are certainly days that I struggle to keep up with everything that needs to be done, but ultimately the reward of seeing our students grow in becoming better leaders is worth it.

How would you describe your approach to teaching?

My approach in the classroom models what feels most true to my students in each individual class period. I try to approach the academic content of our class with intentionality and express to students the importance and/or reasoning behind what they are learning, because sometimes they struggle with seeing the big picture. I incorporate ways for them to creatively express their learning where possible because I believe, especially in 9th grade, that engagement is crucial and finding ways for them to learn in diverse ways is what will ultimately cultivate a positive learning experience for them.

What is a highlight for you as a teacher? This can be a student’s achievement or a moment that particularly stands out to you in your career with HHS.

Although I have been at Helena for a short period of time, I have a large number of incredible memories. The one that stands out to me the most is Freshman Orientation that was hosted by Emerge and Peer Helpers. Our former Assistant Principal Jennifer Lowe spent countless hours sketching out what this experience would look like for our new students, and she was so intentional about every little detail. We both wanted their first encounter with our school to be one that they remember fondly but also information that would ease their stress and nerves for the first day of school.

ARTFUL GRATITUDE

BY MICHELLE LOVE PHOTOS BY JEREMY RAINES

Helena’s Danielle Lang shares her passion for the city through personalized murals.

IIt’s been a busy year for Danielle Portera Lang. The Helena artist has not only flourished in her career, she and her husband Joseph found out in April they’re going to be parents.

“We’re over the moon,” Joseph said about the baby, as Danielle nodded in enthusiastic agreement.

Some Helena residents may not know Danielle personally, but they definitely know her work. In the past year, she’s painted murals around the city’s various businesses. Her first mural was the now-beloved Cahaba lilies outside Oversoul

Brewing in Old Town. Once the lilies debuted, other local businesses reached out to Danielle to give their buildings a more colorful aesthetic. She now has murals outside Helena Hardware, Skull Girl Soaps, a canvas inside Brown Sugar Desserts and, arguably the most popular, the Helena Husky mural on the side of Tire Doctor, Inc.

Danielle said the Husky mural received considerable attention on social media, leading to her and Joseph wanting to take a big step in expanding her art platform.

“We wanted to branch out a little bit and see if

we could get to the Birmingham area,” Joseph said. “Cahaba Brewing took us on, and it’s very fitting with Cahaba Brewing and the Cahaba lilies. It was a very smooth transition. We have a lot to be grateful for.”

Danielle said the local recognition for all of her work has been tremendous.

“The reception has still been so strong, even like a year later,” she said. “I had never done a mural before last year, so to keep working publicly is so different.”

Danielle got her degree in art from Samford in 2019, but she said she hadn’t pursued her artistic career full-time until fall 2021. While working a series of odd jobs to pay the bills, it was once the pandemic hit that she decided to take the leap.

“It was a little scary at first, but the other jobs I was working weren’t fulfilling that creative need I had,” she said. “I couldn’t really balance doing commissions part-time when the other jobs I had were pretty draining, so I just realized that’s what makes me happy at the end of the day.”

She was commissioned to do the mural outside Oversoul, and the rest is history.

Through everything, Danielle said Joseph has been supportive every step of the way, and it means everything to her. They first met in 2016 and got married in 2020. They moved to Helena from Hoover in 2019 and fell in love with the area. Joseph works full-time at Publix currently. In his free time, he’s working with Danielle to try to recruit clients and helping her with her art

shows. On occasion, he even holds the projector steady for her.

“I’m no artist, but I’m the money man, mover, motivator, I’m in the background cheering her on,” he said.

“It’s hard in this day and age to take a chance on something that’s such a risky and traditional way of working,” Danielle said. “Like, a lot of stuff is digital now, but I think it still means something to have hand-painted images on a building versus a sticker that you roll out.”

Working on outdoor murals has its share of challenges, including the infamous ever-changing Alabama weather. Danielle said while she was working on the Tire Doctor mural, the main reason it took so long to finish is due to the unpredictable weather.

“I’d work on it one day and the weather be fine and the next day I can’t do anything because it’s raining,” she said. “It really gets in the way sometimes.”

“With every mural we learn something new,” Joseph said. “Whether it’s the material, texture or if they want to try something new. It’s fun.”

As far as future projects go, Joseph said they’re in talks with another local restaurant in Helena and working on wrapping up Danielle’s

commission pieces. After everything is finished, they plan on taking a break to focus on the baby and adjusting to parenthood. With the next coming months filled with various milestones, Joseph and Danielle said they can always lean on each other for support and balance.

“In any relationship you have your good days and bad days,” he said. “It’s all about finding the give and flow with each other. She has her strengths and I have mine, and I think we’ve found a good balance with that. At the end of the day, being there for each other is half the battle.”

“He has been so supportive, and I’m so thankful for that,” Danielle said.

Danielle also sells art prints of her work on her website, in addition to art commissions. A few years ago, she started doing pet portraits for people, which are particularly popular around the holidays. Danielle said of all her work they mean the most to her customers. A lot of them, she said, are memorials for pets who have recently passed.

“Giving them the finished picture and seeing the look on their face, it’s pretty special,” Danielle said. “It’s what keeps me doing the pet portraits.”

Danielle said her art has been a great way to get to know the people in their community. She’s even had some people honk as they drive past her

- JOSEPH LANG

“We can’t thank Helena enough for taking a chance on us. It’s nice to be able to put your own personal touch on your town. And it will be so fun in future generations being able to, like, drive Gio around town and he say, ‘My mom did that!’”

while she’s working. It’s that connection through art that she said makes certain pieces so special.

“I feel like this has been a good way to get to know everybody,” she said. “The local business owners, I consider them friends, now. It’s been a great way to know people on a different level that you wouldn’t necessarily have otherwise.”

In late August, they found out they were having a boy, who they plan on naming Giovanni. They’re due in December, and they couldn’t be more excited. Joseph said he is particularly looking forward to being able to share Danielle’s work with Giovanni and future generations.

As they prepare for the next few months, both Danielle and Joseph said they are so grateful for what this past year and the city of Helena has provided them.

“We can’t thank Helena enough for taking a chance on us,” he said. “It’s nice to be able to put your own personal touch on your town. And it will be so fun in future generations being able to, like, drive Gio around town and he say, ‘My mom did that!’”

To view Danielle’s art, visit Dplfineart.com, and make sure to drive through Helena to see her murals.

FOOD IS PEACE

BY MICHELLE LOVE PHOTOS BY JEREMY RAINES

Getting to know the owners of Dondi and Shell’s Food Oasis.

WWalking up to Dondi and Shell’s Food Oasis in Old Town Helena, the smell of good food hits you almost before you reach the building. The owners, couple Dion Williams and Shelley McDaniel, are hard at work preparing that day’s menu. As you approach the door, either Williams or McDaniel greet you with a smile and a friendly, “How are you?” before taking your order.

It’s an experience that combines quality customer service with equally high quality food, and the restaurant owners have been making a name for themselves in both aspects of the Helena community since they opened in July.

It’s a journey, however, that Williams said has been going on their whole lives. Williams began cooking with his mother and grandmother when he was young, staying up late to be a part of their culinary endeavors, and McDaniel had a similar background.

Their background in the restaurant industry is an

impressive resume. They both worked for Jim ‘N’ Nicks BBQ collectively over 20 years, Williams being there for 12 and McDaniel for 17. They met at the Jim ‘N’ Nicks location on U.S. 280 while they were servers before going into management positions shortly after and handling all of the chaos that comes from managing a restaurant. They’ve worked almost every role that goes into a restaurant from front-of-thehouse to back-of-the-house positions.

“When COVID hit, we had no staff, really,” McDaniel said. “We were doing the work of like five people. So, when we left we were like, ‘We’re going to take a sabbatical for a while.”

They took three months off to decompress and recover, but the feeling of wanting to do something for themselves as a business hung in the air.

“We figured if we were going to work long and crazy hours we may as well do it for ourselves,” McDaniel said.

When the location became available at the spur of the moment, they jumped on the opportunity. They spent two months getting the building painted and ready for operation.

The setup of the restaurant is simple: Their menu is updated daily online with fresh, made from scratch items. Guests order at the door, and everything is made to order right then and there. The kitchen space is small, but the food that comes out of it is reflective of a Michelin star restaurant. Menu items range from chicken alfredo pasta, ribs, roasted turkey and bread pudding. They both said they love southern food.

“We would drive over an hour to get food like this,” McDaniel said. “You can’t find stuff like this in this area anywhere. A lot of people like southern, homecooked food, so that’s what inspired us to do this type of setup. People can call us, we’ll bring it to the car.”

McDaniel said in the short time they’ve been open, they’ve already garnered a following of faithful patrons.

“We have our regulars who wait every day for us to

post our specials so they can see what we have that day,” she said. “And on weekends we do like the ribs, turkey, smoked chicken so you can get a bit of our original barbecue background.”

All of the dishes that come from their kitchen are their own. While some restaurants take time before they open to formulate a menu plan, Williams and McDaniel already had their recipes established. All recipes are a culmination of their own that they’ve carefully crafted and perfected over the years and family recipes passed down. Their Mama’s cornbread dressing is Williams’s cornbread dressing that she makes herself.

“This is how we cook at home every day,” Williams said.

“We just came up with the stuff that we love to eat,” McDaniel said. “Things our family and friends love that we cook, so we just combined all of that together and broke it up into days. We’re revamping the menu right now, because trial and error as you go along you see what people like and respond to along the way.”

Regular guests not only become fans of the food,

but of Williams and McDaniel themselves. They’ve been together for 12 years, and it shows. They have the rapport of a couple who work together like a finely tuned machine, through good times and bad.

“We can always count on each other,” Williams said.

Within a few minutes of first meeting with the couple, you feel as if you’ve known them for much longer. That’s one of the ultimate goals for Dondi and Shell’s, according to Williams. Guests who come up to their door quickly become friends.

“That’s why we always tell people at the end of our Facebook posts, smiles are free,” Williams said. “Ninetynine percent of the time, we’re in a great mood, so the smile is going to be there anyway, because that’s both of our personalities. That’s one of the reasons we’ve been together so long. We can always find the humor in things, and we want to make you smile too even if it’s for a minute. We want to change someone’s day.”

Williams credits his partner for being particularly skilled at sensing when people need some extra care.

“McDaniel is really good at this, she’ll be able to tell if someone’s spirits are down or if they need a hug,” he said. “She can read a person like that then have a conversation with them, and by the time they walk away from the door, they’ve got a smile on their face. That means a lot to a lot of people. I know we’re not big yet, but we think personal interaction is huge. It’s more than just, ‘Hey, here’s your food.’”

Sometimes if it’s slow, the two of them will stand out on the sidewalk and talk to passersby as they pass out free samples. They both said they want to interact with people and share what they love doing.

Making sure their menu’s price point was reasonable was another top priority. Williams said they wanted to provide good food for the community without charging them an arm and a leg as many people are on a fixed income. They run $9.99 specials every weekday so people can come grab dinner for their family and not feel like anything was overpriced. Even the drinks are complimentary.

“If you can stay within someone’s budget, while you may not be making as big a profit as you want, at the end of the day you sleep better and your heart is happier because you helped somebody,” Williams said.

While the prices are affordable, Williams said he wants people to understand that does not reflect the quality of the food. He and McDaniel strive to always provide the best meal possible for everyone who comes to Dondi and Shell’s.

“We choose great, high-quality ingredients, and that comes through in our food,” Williams said. “Same with our desserts. It’s the love into the food.”

“I’m determined with my desserts to have things that you can’t find anywhere else,” McDaniel said.

Williams reiterated McDaniel’s thoughts, saying the food you get at Dondi and Shell’s can’t be matched anywhere else – not that they haven’t tried.

“At the end of the day, I’ve looked at so many places for things like what we have on our menu, and I’m usually disappointed,” Williams said. “If we go on vacation and we pass a sign that says, ‘Something smoked,’ we get off at the next exit. Doesn’t matter how big or small the place is, from coast to coast, I want to try it. I don’t always leave with a good feeling, but whenever I prepare ribs and give them to other people, I see the excitement in their eyes, and I know I’ve succeeded.”

He said they’ve even had people drive in from Jasper to come get some Dondi and Shell’s classics. McDaniel recalled a recent occurrence when a 7-yearold told her mother she wanted to end her day with a cup of Mama’s Punch.

“The mother called up here to see if we were still open,” she said. “They came down here on their golf cart from the Hillsboro neighborhood just for a cup of Mama’s Punch.”

As chefs, both Williams and McDaniel wanted to marry good mains and good sides so that the entire meal is delicious from start to finish. Williams said they don’t believe in placing all their focus on the main entrée and letting the side dishes suffer, and they enjoy turning people onto food they may not have been a fan of before.

“People who call themselves food snobs, like they say they don’t like bread pudding or they don’t like ribs, we watch them take their first bite and (to) see that excitement at tasting something that changes their whole perspective on a dish means everything.

We convert people,” Williams said.

McDaniel said to be able to provide good food and comfort to the community makes her heart happy, though she hopes people will also stop to get to know her and Williams not just as people who feed them, but as fellow members of the community.

“For me, what’s huge is we want people to get to know us, not just our food,” she said. “Everybody knows today’s society – we don’t judge. Come meet us and get to know us. We want to break all the barriers around here. We just want people to understand us and what we’re about, which is kindness and good food.”

They both emphasized how supportive the Helena community has been toward their business. McDaniel said several of the local businesses have helped spread word of Dondi and Shell’s through positive word of mouth marketing, and she said they’re incredibly grateful for that community.

“Helena has been so supportive,” McDaniel said. “I would say 95 percent of our customer base already has been phenomenal. So accepting of us and our place. We’ve had a lot of support already. We were nervous at first with being on the back street here and not being visible, but in these eight weeks we’ve been opened, it’s amazing to see the transformation and the growth that we’ve gotten.”

“Even the local businesses, more than half of them in the immediate area are patrons,” Williams said. “They come by and say hello or they want to help us market our restaurant on their side. They’ve been really nice. They all send us business because they love our food.”

Eventually, they want to grow the business to a

larger location where they can offer inside dining on a smaller scale, though Williams is adamant they will never “go corporate.”

“Never,” McDaniel agreed. “We just want to have that fast casual atmosphere and reach as many people as we can. Give good food to people who need it and

A good meal, that’s healing. That’s comfort, and it’s comfort we’re happy to provide. Food is peace.

- DION WILLIAMS

appreciate it.”

“I want people to know that even though we don’t have a lot of places for them to sit, it doesn’t take anything away from the food that we’re making,” Williams said. “We’re proud to serve them excellent food, and it’s honestly better than a lot of places you can put your feet up in.”

Whether you’re stopping by Dondi and Shell’s Food Oasis for a meal, a smile or a hug, both Williams and McDaniel said they’ll be there ready and waiting.

“A good meal, that’s healing,” Williams said. “That’s comfort, and it’s comfort we’re happy to provide. Food is peace.”

Dondi and Shell’s Food Oasis is located at 778 2nd Street in Old Town Helena and is open from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Wednesday through Monday. For more information and to view the menu, visit Facebook. com/DSfoodoasiss.

A DIFFERENT WAY TO EDUCATE

Evangel Classical Christian School (ECCS), a ministry of Evangel Presbyterian Church (PCA) and located in Alabaster, Alabama, provides a unique approach to education that seeks to develop leaders who are equipped to transform the culture for Christ. All ECCS classes are taught through the lens of Scripture to support an integrated Christian worldview and to shape students’ minds as well as hearts. Students are not expected only to memorize facts for tests, but they are also encouraged and taught to think critically and logically about the world around them and to apply what they are learning to benefit themselves and others.

Evangel seeks to partner with parents to prepare students for their lives through a unique, three-

phased approach to their education that includes the schools of Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric. Designed with a child’s developmental stages in mind, Grammar School is grades K3 through 5th, Logic is 6th through 8th, and Rhetoric is 9th through 12th. Subjects are not approached as individual disciplines, but rather as a holistic way to look for God, His work, His purpose, and His glory in all creation and through all that they are studying. The classical approach to learning helps build the foundation for students to express themselves thoughtfully to reflect truth with precision, conviction, and clarity.

Parents who are looking for an educational option where their children are nurtured spiritually

and intellectually can find a perfect fit at ECCS. “Classical education is, I think, the only educational system that really gives kids something beautiful to want,” Julie McGuffey, a Rhetoric school faculty member said, “because I want them to love the God who created them and who created all of these subjects.” The “something beautiful” that Mrs. McGuffey speaks about is a love of learning that is fostered by a sincere love of God, His creation, and His will for their lives, for “in Christ, all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17).

Students are not only prepared to have a successful career in college and in the workforce, but they are also guided as a whole person, educated to pursue a life glorifying to God. The school aims for each child to flourish in wisdom, courage,

justice, self-control, faith, hope, and love. Bible classes at every grade level and chapel services further promote spiritual maturity. Student life is also an integral part of ECCS. With clubs like drama and scholar’s bowl, athletics, and a unique house system, students have many options to be involved in various activities.

Ultimately, ECCS seeks to glorify God by shaping the hearts and minds of covenant children through a distinctively classical and unapologetically Christian education with the goal of raising up ambassadors for Christ. If you value a partnership with a school that provides a classical Christian education, then you should consider Evangel Classical Christian School. For more information, please visit the school’s website at evangelclassical.com.

“Classical education is, I think, the only educational system that really gives kids something beautiful to want.”

-Julie McGuffey, faculty

HELENA HOMECOMING

BY MICHELLE LOVE

Students flocked to the Helena High School parking lot to prepare their floats for the 2022 Helena Homecoming Parade on Wednesday, Sept. 21.

1. Gavin Vansandt, Sophia Howell and Nick Spears

2. Shelby Carter and Anna Tyler Williams

3. Anntwinette and Allison Ragland with Christie Yunke

4. Stella Reynolds and Emmi Klawitter

5. Madi Saville, Amber Powell, Hannah Steele and Grace Freeman

Kayla Woods, Katie Brooks and Clayton Lancaster

Mark Walker

DeLeesa Lowery and Beth Flynn

Ben Williams and Tracy Williams

10. Gavin Vansandt, Ryan Spann and Josh Johnson

11. Peter Haywood, Sydney Risch, Harrison Franks, Nick Spears, Amy Knight, Spring McKinney, Emily Channell, Kiley Avery, Trace Barnett, Sophia Howell, Derek Dupuis, Stephanie Fowler and Thomas Kines

12. Sophia Hudson, Sophia Howell, Nick Spears, Kyle Scoggins, Kyle Hosey and Lilly Wehby

13. Jacob Satterfield and Jonah Cob

HELENA HOLLOW PUMPKIN PATCH OPENING WEEKEND

BY MICHELLE LOVE

Shelby County residents flooded the Helena Hollow pumpkin patch on Saturday, Oct. 1 at the patch’s premier weekend.

1. Jonathon and Nicole Zaucha with their two sons along with Lori Hernandez, AJ, Christina, Jesse, Victoria and Alex Blount

2. Jessica, Justin, Ollie and Teddy Buckner

3. Jodie, Mark, Ben and Claire Dean

Morgan, Robert and Oliver Maples

Cam, Jessica, Abigail, Amelia, Lillian and Josiah Stevens

Jennifer and Jermaine Thigpen

Evan, Katie, Zoey and Sofie Laird

Nick and Charlie Baldwin

April Keller, Grelier Wilkerson and kids

10. Sandra and Greg Tope and Rick Davis with Sawyer the baby

Brook Walker, Bella Gray and Caroline Tucker

12. Adraine and Ashton Speights

Shelley Schimkus and Bethany Rose

Ra’Netta and Markiyah Underwood

15. Alex Thompson and Tara Jones

Carrie and Alex McDowell

17. Tyler and Baylor Fasnacht with Brittany Bortz

HELENA

PELHAM FOOTBALL GAME

BY JEREMY RAINES

HELENA NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

BY MICHELLE LOVE

visited Helena High School on Tuesday, Aug. 2 to support first responders at National Night Out. The event promotes community engagement with the Helena Police Department.

Jamie Schollian with Scout from Associa McKay Management

Mandie, Justin, Stephen, Samuel and Abigail Baker

Clay and Joy Berish and Eli Turner

Natalie Smith and Amy Dorsey

Brittany, David, Slade and Cannon Farris

Leigh Hulsey with Lily and Brett Boley and their baby

Jennifer and Tanner Newhouse

Kyler, Nico, Luna and Jacqueline Kirk with Khalil Sabbah

Ella Updegraff and Anna Tyler Williams

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A bit of small town history

Old Town Helena

My wife and I love driving through Old Town and seeing the historic buildings and just having that small town feel. The creek running through it, the community-oriented businesses, etc. It’s one of Helena’s many treasures.

MY HELENA

RAYME BRYSON Owner of The Tire Doctor, Inc.

Nature boy

Joe Tucker Park

My wife and I love the walking track with the view of the pond and the kids playing on the playground. The old steel slides bring back childhood memories, and we can’t resist but to relive our childhood and slide down the slide. We’ve rented the pavilions there for birthday parties for our granddaughter Mary Katherine. Just a great place overall, and we look forward to many more years enjoying the park.

To market we go Helena Market Days

Supportive neighbors

Coosa Mart Exxon

I know this one may sound off the wall, but Greg Wolf, the owner, and his staff are a staple of the community. Greg takes the time to talk to his customers and gets to know them and their families. He runs a family friendly business, and he’s the reason Tire Doctor is in Helena. He took a chance and rented me the building I’m in, even though he’ll admit, he wasn’t too sure my idea to open a tire shop in an old carwash building would work. After he saw it in action, he thought it was a great idea! Greg is a great guy and after a few months, offered to sell me the building I’m in, even though it would have been more beneficial to him to keep collecting rent. I can’t say enough about Greg and his business!

Seeing our neighbors, customers, and friends on a Saturday morning stroll through the market looking at all the unique items from local artists and vendors is a nice little distraction from everyday life. Look for the Helena Historical Society’s booth to find some great treasures with pictures of all the historical buildings dating back to the 1800’s and Danielle Portera Lang Fine Art for fantastic local artwork! Danielle is the artist that designed and painted the Husky mural on my building, and we love it.

A sweet treat

The Creamery in Old Town

We love stopping by after events or dinner at The Helena Steakhouse and getting some local homemade goodness to cool off on a hot summer night. Family owned, this little gem is fantastic with all of the old favorite flavors and new unique flavors to tempt the taste buds! Ice cream is a weakness for me.