Helberts in Shenandoah Valley of Virginia

Etc. (Family):

Paul Miller Helbert, Handyman/farmer

I have kept variety in my life. Over a period of several decades I progressed from teacher, to trout farm manager, to river guide, to handyman/farmer. (I still do some river guiding when I get the chance and our number for a private trip through Grand Canyon is finally here). My joy in learning new things has never been killed. As farmer I have raised hogs, sheep, chickens, trout and bees (all on pasture). As a handyman I tackle a wide variety of repair projects. There are many who are "Jack of all trades but master of none"; but by learning to understand their similarities, I have been able to master a few. This space may (sooner or later) show some of my repair work, but since work finds me, I do not advertise. The website reflects recent efforts to teach myself something of HTML and Linux. Nothing on this website is created with any MicroSoft product (in spite of the meta tags to the contrary). I use no proprietary software.

Chicks: Who knows what? Over the years I have raised trout commercially as well as sheep, hogs, chickens, bees and various other animals for profit and pleasure. The market for my grass fed sheep (no nothing but forage and fodder) rekindled my interest in chickens, which led me to Joel Salatin and "Pastured Poultry". Last year we raised three batches of chickens on grass. They are unbelievably more tasty than factory chickens. We sold out the whole lot and could have sold more. This link takes you to photos and discussion of recent experiments as well as to contact information (in case you would like to have us raise and dress some chickens for you). We also have a small free range laying flock for fresh eggs.

Eli Bunch Helbert, BA, 1998, Warren Wilson College.

Eli is 2x Open Canoe Whitewater Rodeo World Champion. He is on the road half the year competing, showing boats and teaching worldwide. The other half of the time is spent in or around the Smoky Mountains. He guides and teaches canoing on the rivers of the southeastern US through Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) and maintains close contacts with friends in the Asheville area. He is easily contacted through his website www.PaddleLink.com or by email eli@PaddleLink.com. It looks as if Eli will be spending more time on the road in 2002 as he takes on responsibilities as technical representative for Pyranha as they move to better serve the North American market with their world class line of canoes and kayaks.

Edith Emily Helbert Cummings, M.L.S., December 1999, University of Kentucky

This is just in from Edith:

     Subject: The search is over
     Date:   Thu, 10 Feb 2000 15:08:43 -0800
     From:   eecumm0@pop.uky.edu
     To:   phelbert@rica.net and undisclosed list of recipients
This evening--about 10 minutes ago actually--I was offered and
accepted the position of Librarian II in Young Adults' Services
at Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana, which
I interviewed for yesterday. I will probably start within the
next three weeks. I am very excited. I can hardly type straight.
You can check out the library at www.acpl.lib.in.us. Right
now I'm going to go jump up and down and run around the house
a couple of times.
Edith

That's old news now. Edith still works with Allen County Public library, but now runs a branch library somewhere on the old Southside of Fort Wayne. Lots of students use the branch for study and Edith is excited about helping to build programs for the community.

Charlie Cummings, BA, Berea College, Potter.

Charlie does beautiful things with fire and clay. Charlie's website www.claylink.com is the place to watch for upcoming workshops and shows. One of Charlie's specialties is wood fired kilns. He has built (or helped other potters build and fire) many a wood fired kiln in recent years. Charlie and Edith refurbished a building in Forth Wayne for home, studio, workshop, classroom, etc. It has storage space, a loading dock, and plenty of parking for customers and students.

19 May 2001 Update: Charlie Cummings Clay Studio in Fort Wayne is now open. Check Charlie's website for classes, shows, etc.

Dusty the cat lives in Fort Wayne.

Valerie Motlalepula Helbert, BA, Bridgewater College.

Valerie helps Eastern Mennonite University maximize the use of a new facility. Her middle name is Setswana for "One who comes with the rain". Nothing brings more joy than rain to the people of a dry land.

Sharon Bunch Helbert, BA, Radford College, MA, UVA, Teacher.

Sharon teaches students with special needs at Peter Muhlenberg Middle School, Woodstock, VA. In her spare time she just completed a Masters Degree at UVA. As president of the Shenandoah County Education Association, she has been extra busy this year. Looks like she is about to start working on that PhD. She also enjoys helping with ADK projects, church work and reading. I expect she will make her own website soon as part of some class. She will, no doubt do it with some MicroSoft product, since that seems to be what the universities are using (it's not their money).

Hollen G. Helbert, M.D., 1943, UVA.

Dad shows us daily that growing old (ninety is not THAT old) is not for sissies. His love for birds and growing things and his tolerance for others is a lesson and inspiration. The beauty of the gardens here are due to his efforts. He shares the roses from Mother's rose garden with shut-ins on his regular weekly visits to town. We are sorry that we had to take his car keys away; but he taught us about social responsibility. We are all safer now that he is in the passenger's seat!

During the mid seventies we were in Morocco as volunteers through EIRENE. When we returned home we lost contact with all the friends we had from that time. Anyone having knowledge of any of these folks, (sorry for the misspellings) please e-mail phelbert@rica.net

Heinz Scheinker (?) who was at Rabat
Josef Blattier who was at Fez
Fritz & Jacobien (?) who were at Oujda
The Knechts (?) who were at Azrou
Jean Claude and Marie Calude Clavel who were at Rabat
Danniel Jenneret who was at Agadir
Lohlou, Mohammed who was assistant to the Secretary of State for Internal Welfare
Aatmani, Rachide who went to the Spanish Saraha at the beginning of hostilities in the late seventies
Houban, Mustapha whose family home was near Safi

There were a few others who were not part of Eirene, but were friends of ours and of other Eirene folks. The family Saschlovski (?) at Sidi Yaya du Rahb (he was a chemist or engineer in a paper plant and subsequently
relocated to the west of France). The family of Dr. Rene Scherer in Grenoble.

Although we may never have the extra resources to visit europe again, the same has not been true for our children. Valerie (now over 30) has made several trips to africa, australia and europe in recent years and Eli (now 27) spent more time outside the US than at home last year as World Champion in open canoe whitewater rodeo. Watch for his updates in the "News" section of this website.

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