By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist

Sometimes life throws you unplanned, hard curveballs. Debra Hughes, owner of Debra’s Barber Shop on Main Street next door to Davis Drug in Columbiana, recently was thrown a major curveball.

Diagnosed with lung cancer, Hughes recently had extensive surgery to remove the malignant tumor at Shelby Baptist and is faced with months of chemotherapy. Unfortunately, Hughes did not have medical insurance.

Hughes is a member of the Columbiana Merchants and Professional Association, a non-profit corporation organized to support the business community in Columbiana. Working under the radar and behind the scenes, the CMPA does so much for our community.

Each year, the CMPA sponsors Monster Walk, which will be Oct. 31, from 4-5:30 p.m. on Main Street, where businesses will provide candy and treats to all who come. The CMPA is also involved with: Cowboy Day (the weekend before the rodeo in February); Music on Main (Friday nights June 1 –Aug. 31 from 7-9 p.m.); fall and Christmas decorating of Downtown Columbiana; Merchants’ Christmas Open House (Nov. 29 at 6 p.m.- Dec. 1); Christmas Tree decorating and lighting (Thursday, Nov. 29, at 6 p.m.); Find the Elf beginning Nov. 9 in Columbiana merchants’ businesses (“finders” will draw for gift basket); Last Dash to Christmas (Nov. 22, discounted sales in Columbiana). And, there are two new Christmas events. One is a free event — Cookies and Cocoa with Santa (Saturday, Dec. 15 from 10-2 p.m., bring your own camera to the heart of town, Main and College). The other is Breakfast with Santa (Saturday, Dec. 8, Bernie’s, three seating’s: 8, 9 and 10 a.m. with crafts station, $15/child and $7.50/adult. For info to purchase tickets using PayPal, go to Columbianamerchants.org.)

To help Hughes with her mountain of medical expenses, the CMPA is hosting a Breakfast at Bernie’s on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 7-11 a.m., where CMPA members will volunteer as servers. All proceeds from the breakfast will go to help pay Hughes’ medical expenses. Additional donation bottles will be on the tables. Please come and enjoy a great breakfast to support one of our own who greatly needs our help.

 

Phoebe Donald Robinson can be reached by email at phoeberobinson@bellsouth.net.