Great News

It's a little after 8 pm on Friday, March 26th, and I have just gotten off the phone with Laura Steele, daughter of Annette Weber, our Woodvale neighbor who was swept into a storm drain during the heavy rains of March 10th.

Mrs. Weber is doing much better, Laura told me.  She has had her breathing tube reduced in size so she has gotten her voice back for the first time since the accident.  She has also been moved into a regular room and is off the ventilator.  She and the family are hopeful that she may be able to come home next week.


Mrs. Weber's sister, Carole, has been posting information on the Caring Bridge web site.  Go to www.caringbridge.org and enter 'annetterweber' as the web page you want to visit.  It is likely to ask you for an email address and to create a user name and password.  Once that is done, you can read the updates and the whole story.


This is such wonderful news.


-Brian-

Happenings

Here is a quick roundup of some things happening in and around WHOA (that's Woodvale HomeOwners Association).


Pancake Breakfast
Don't forget the FREE pancake breakfast at Helena United Methodist Church this Saturday, March 27th, from 8 to 10 am.  Come on out and enjoy some pancakes and fellowship.


New Eating Place Coming
A new dining establishment will open in late April or early May in the old Elements location at the corner of Highway 58 and 95.  It will be called "The City Grill" and will served traditional southern dishes with a few surprise dishes.  Phyllis Pickle whose family is from Taiwan will showcase her skills at southern cooking and add some Asian dishes to the menu.  I understand that they plan to be open for lunch and dinner, but they may expand the schedule.


Update on Mrs. Weber
I understand that Mrs. Weber, our Woodvale neighbor who had a harrowing experience with the heavy rain in early March, continues to improve.  Praise God for that.  No exact word on when she might be back in her own home.


American Idol at LaReunion
So, have you ever wanted to be on American Idol?  Are you willing to take a chance on fame? Helena is having its very on idol contest at LaReunion.  The auditions start today and continue until March 31st.  Here's what to do:
1. Come into LaReunion in Helena's Old Town between 5 and 7 pm.2. Sing any song a cappella for 60 seconds for the camera.3. On March 31st, the judges will pick the top ten.

After that, you are in the competition and will have your first performance on April 2nd.  Entry fee to enter is $7.  Judges are Andrew Henderson, owner of Lost n Sound Studio, and Erin Trapolino, owner of Old Towne Music.

The grand prize includes a session with a music coach, recording your own demo CD, and performing at Helena's Buck Creek Festival!


That's all for now.


-Brian-

Unfortunate Happening

In the heavy rain last week, there was a near tragedy at the front of the Woodvale subdivision.  In a nutshell, Mrs. Webber was trying to collect her garbage can in her backyard, slipped, slid into the ditch which was running fast and full, and traveled through the storm drain to the other side.  Thanks to the fast action of a nearby Helena police officer, she was successfully rescued but not before suffering a heart attack and other injuries.

Probably the best way to learn about what happened is to view the story aired by ABC 3340.  You can get it here.

Please be in prayer for the Webber family.  It is my understanding that she is improving but has a long way to go in her recovery.  Jane Peters and Tobie Quick were circulating through the neighborhood over the weekend getting a card signed for Mrs. Webber.

-Brian-

2010 - The GREAT Alabama Homecoming

If you haven't heard already, all cities in Alabama are celebrating the small town in 2010.  In Helena we will have our celebration during the Buck Creek Festival and it will be a special Helena Homecoming.  All former residents are invited to return for the celebration.

Not only will there be special events but there are also plans to open a Helena Museum and the revealing of a new historic marker.

More information can be found here - The Great Alabama Homecoming Pamphlet

-Brian-

Tornado Safety the Focus

The focus on Thursday night at 7 pm in the City Hall Council Chambers will be tornado safety.  March, April, and May are the Spring tornado season in Alabama and much of the Southeast US, so Brian Peters from right here in Woodvale will be doing a presentation Thursday evening to help everyone get ready for the upcoming severe weather season.  While the main focus will be on tornadoes, there will be pointers on keeping safe from other types of severe weather, too.

Advance preparation is an important element to keeping you and your family safe.  Do you have a plan?  Do you know where the safest place in your home is?  Do your children know the safest place?  Get information about these topics and more Thursday, March 11th, at City Hall.

-Brian-

Pancakes and Hometown

Pancakes - and FREE TOO ! ! !

Helena United Methodist Church will be serving a free pancake breakfast from 8 to 10 am on Saturday, March 27th, in the fellowship hall of the church on Highway 58.  The breakfast is open to anyone and everyone with no obligation!  So come on by for a free breakfast and a little community!

SAVE THE DATE

AND SPREAD THE WORD!

On May 7-8, 2010*

in conjunction with the annual

Buck Creek Festival,

The City of Helena will host a

“COME HOME TO HELENA”

homecoming event.

Please tell your friends, family, and

former neighbors who have

moved from Helena

to save the date for this

community-wide celebration of

Helena’s past and present.

*2010 is Alabama’s “Year of Alabama Small Towns & Downtowns”

-Brian-