Monday, Market, Black, Balloon and Iron

Helena Market Wins
Helena Market Days, our local Summer Farmer's Market, won the Best of the Best award by voters in Shelby County. Let me sing the praises of of those  volunteers that make it happen.

Ron Holly manages the market and arranges for all the Farmers and Artisans. Cris Nelson acts as the liaison with the various governmental bodies. Mary Perko brings top local chefs to the market who perform demonstration shows and provide free samples to the audience. Bob Van Loan brings upcoming musicians to perform and coordinates charity events at the market.

 Laura Brookhart does the photography. Henry Neff does graphics and media. Also all of those above also set up and breakdown all the tents, tables, and chairs with Peggy Holly Jack Gray, Ken and Alex Penhale, Billy Dean Harris, Dana and John Perko. All of this is done free for the community. Way to go to the Helena Market Team!

Bypass Update
Marienne Thomas-Ogle article that said that final design and survey is due to start in a couple of months. Lance Taylor from the ALDOT says that a conservative start date for construction would be 3 years.  The Mayor Penhale is quoted in the article, "The city has been working for 10 years to get the bypass, first getting federal funds and then a commitment from the state," Penhale said. "It's taken a long time but the result will be very important to those who live and travel in Helena".

Back in Black
The Helena Fire Department is raising money for Breast Cancer Research. If you are interested in getting a shirt or finding out more information then contact Chase Laney at 919-8277 or Caleb Draper at 381-3581. The short sleeve are $15 and long sleeve are $20.

Much Ado
Local artist and reporter Laura Brookhart shared this story about an event that happened Sunday morning.

"Early risers may have seen the "Ado" floating gently over Helena this morning. In the basket, via the Make a Wish Foundation, were Veteran Fred West, his daughter Amy Good and great-grandson Taylor Bellew.

Certified pilot and Helena resident William Davis of Southern Balloon Journeys landed in a foggy field off Hwy 17 where cows and horses came running to check out the alien craft". Photos by Laura Brookhart.

Thanks to Laura for the story and the Make a Wish Foundation for making that happen in Helena!

Helena Central Iron Works
I saw that a waymarking website posted about one of our historic markers in Helena. It is located next to the red caboose in old town Helena. The red caboose is the Helena Welcome Center and it is manned several hours a day by Ron Holly (Major Dundee). If you ever see his Toyota Cruiser parked to the side, then stop in and check our what information he has for the city.

Here is what the Historic Marker has written on it.
"During the final years of the Civil War, Montgomery merchants, Hannon, Offutt and Company, built a rolling mill here along the banks of Buck Creek. Called the Central Iron Works, the plant’s construction was superintended by Thomas S. Alvis, a Virginia ironmaster who had recently completed a rolling mill for the Confederate government at Selma. The Central Iron Works had just begun operation when destroyed by Union cavalry under General James H. Wilson on March 30, 1865. Abandoned for 7 years, R.W. Cobb, B.B Lewis and Richard Fell bought the property at a tax sale, organized the Central Iron Works Company and began operation in 1873, primarily making Cobb’s patented Alabama Loop Cotton Tie.

Cobb later served as Alabama Governor (1878-1882) and Lewis as University of Alabama President (180-1885). Nails became the chief product in 1882 until the company’s failure. Reorganized and enlarged as the Shelby Rolling Mill Company in 189, products included bar iron and light T-rails, but within 2 years, this company also failed. The Alabama Tube and Iron Company purchased the property in 1901 and produced Wrought iron pipe. By 1910, the Conners-Weyman Steel Company operated the works making cotton ties, hoops and light bands. The Conners Steel Company acquired the plant in 1920 and dismantled the mill in 1923. Date Dedicated / Placed: 1998 "

On my 1460 list, I added repairs to the caboose. Since it is the official welcome center for the city then it could use another coat of paint and some repairs. By the way, Ron volunteers his time in the caboose so swing by and tell him thank you.