End of an era on Big Piney Creek

[T Yamashita]

I was up doing the Helton's run on the creek and learned from her son that she had broken a hip a while back and is now in a nursing home. It really bummed me out as it was Yoshio's first run on the upper section and I was telling him a little of the history of treat and how Ms. Helton was an established part of going up there.

I always enjoyed visiting with her for a few minutes every time we'd run the creek and the put in just aint the same without running up to the house and giving her the parking fee. It was also odd to run the shuttle afterwards and see her house up on the hill dark and empty.

If I get my act together this week, I'll get a card and bring it to canoe school for folks to sign. If you have an idea which nursing home she's in. let me know and Ill make sure it gets there.

ty

[canoe]

She is in Stella Manor NH.

[anthony]

That is very sad. Is there still a tin on the front porch to put the money in???

[ckuntz]

I will miss seeing her during my shuttles. The shuttle was half the experience(and half the time it seemed). Sad to hear the news.
Chris K

[Fish]

Man, that is bad news. She will be missed.

- Fish

[SteveGabbard]

Her son has been there collecting money the last few times we have been there.

[Jim Krueger]

Thanks Ty. I also enjoyed those times when I was able to visit with Mrs. Helton for a few moments. I was pretty apprehensive about my first trip on the Piney, and that long 'woodsy' shuttle gives one time to think about what lays ahead. Then I entered the clearing that's the Helton's. Pulling up to Mrs. Helton's house, I was greeted with all the Irises and other perennials arranged in old country fashion around her yard and I immediately felt more at ease and more confident it would be a great day. Best wishes to Mrs. Helton!

Best Regards
Jim

[whudson]

I was also sad to learn that Mrs. Helton was in the nursing home. I really thought she would live out her days at home, although I understand the realities of that may be unrealistic. I believe she was raised on that farm that we know as the "put-in."
Over the years she has shared many stories with us as we visited before our floats. She told me one time that those pastures were planted totally in corn. She also related a time that she swam across a rain swollen Piney to rescue some livestock.
I recall the days when Delmer, her husband, was still alive. The floating business was in full swing. They charged $1 as the boat launch fee and $10 for a vehicle shuttle. The Ledford family(Bobby, Grandpa, Momma, kids, etc.) would do it for $8. Then the Helton's started charging the Ledfords a $2 fee to even the playing field. Anyway, there would be cars and trucks lined up along the road in the pasture waiting to be shuttled by any of their available drivers. I am not sure that they were all of driving age. It seems that some could barely see over the steering wheel. I heard that during that time the Heltons bought a new truck. They paid cash, all $1 bills.