By LAURA BROOKHART / Community Columnist

The Helena Farmer’s Market, under director Scott Newman, has evolved to a new level this summer.

Vendors are bringing a variety of veggies and fruits and, of course, the recent BBQ Cook-off was well-attended with nine teams competing.

Brother Beard’s Backyard BBQ took home the People’s Choice Award and The Que’s Brothers took home the Judges Competition Award for the third time.

BDA Farms displayed a table filled with okra, pole beans, jalapeño and habanero peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, onions, beets and squash.

Now, you can sample and purchase muscadine wine with a special label honoring Helena’s Caboose or Scenic Old Town.

Daniley’s Home-Churned Kraut pints were available and pickles, spices, jams and jellies and chow-chow were in Brady’s Natural booth.

Cake Art by Cynthia Bertolone included Italian desserts such as tiramisu and some muffalata sandwiches.

George Family Farms offers T-bone, flank and ribeye steaks, plus pork and lamb; and KC’s Seafood has shrimp, crab claws and fish.

The mother-daughter team of Lee Lee Caissert and Kayla Ellis found themselves warmly welcomed to their first Helena Market Days.

These ladies are the new owners of Helena Florist, and are preparing to open a new shop, The Petal Cart, in Old Town.

Three years ago, Lee Lee was asked to create a wreath of cemetery flowers for a friend.

“It was a God-thing,” she says. “I had planned to just create grapevine wreaths from my home, but it’s the real flowers that have kept us going.”

At the market they featured small bouquets of blooms and greenery in mason jars.

“My daughter and I make a good team. She is my only child, and it is a blessing to spend every day with her.”

The Petal Cart will close its Pelham location soon and spend the month of August moving to the new location at 4040 Helena Road.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for Friday, Aug. 31, and The Petal Cart will donate 10 percent of proceeds from their grand opening weekend to a worthy cause.

For more information, visit Helenaflorist.com.