By LAURA BROOKHART / Community Columnist

August has come and gone, speeding us along past a full blue moon toward back-to-school and autumn football in all its Alabama guises.

In no time, cooler nights will be with us (knock on wood) and pumpkins and gourds will proliferate in home décor.

This is what I am going to call a “catch-all column.” I am fairly sure that while growing up and hanging around my family’s newspaper business, I heard my mother refer to just such. A bit of this, a bit of that, because August and the summer heat and multiple events swirling lately, have left my brain in a similar state.

At the final Helena Market Days, volunteer Bob Van Loan thanked the Helena Belles for their hostess duties over the summer and presented the organization with a $200 check. Accepting on behalf of the Belles were Pelham High School seniors Barkley Bullard and Erin McDonald.

“I find it a very special moment when little girls come up to you and call you Cinderella or Belle and want to be photographed with you. You can tell you have made their day!”

“One of my fondest memories occurred this past summer. I was blessed to have the opportunity to spend some time at Grace House Ministries working with girls my age who were less fortunate and were struggling to overcome obstacles in their life. Being a belle is about putting your best foot forward at all times, leading by example and being a friend to all,” said Bullard.

Save the date for Oct. 11 when Friends of Helena Schools will be hosting their 1st Annual Halloween Gala from 6–11 p.m. at Magnolia Manor in Helena. The evening includes live music, silent auction, food and cash bar. Tickets are $100 per couple and corporate sponsorships are available.

For more information visit friendsofhelenaschools.org or email friendsofhelenaschools@gmail.com

The Helena Athletic Association IDIDARUN will be held on Oct. 19 at the Helena Middle School. This is the annual 5K/1 mile fun run formerly known as the Panther Prowl. The 5K run starts at 8 a.m. and 1-mile fun run at 9 a.m.

Registration forms are available in the HMS front office or online registration at Active.com.

Let me add that the best respite from the summer heat has been down at Buck Creek. I have watched kids splashing, families sunning or enjoying tubing, and canoes and kayaks filled with all ages. The enjoyment of these waters has been a tradition enjoyed for generations!