About Jackie After seven years producing car parts at an automotive parts factory beginning when she was a senior in high school, Helvey moved south in search of a better life. A stint walking the picket line when they went on strike resulted in threats of prosecution, so there was no tearful goodbye when she walked out the door of Switches in the summer of '79. It was a layoff that, gratefully, never ended, a stroke of luck that eventually landed Helvey in Carrboro. Her part-time job as a bartender in Indiana served her well when she moved to NC, where they had only recently gotten "liquor by the drink," and knowledgeable barkeeps were in high demand. In June, 1980, Helvey was hired by UNC as the one and only state-employed bartender in North Carolina, a position she held until 1993. This not only gave her a decent living wage and her family health insurance, it also gave her a unique perspective on her community. While managing the bar at the Carolina Inn, she received a higher education that money couldn't buy. She also gave birth to her two daughters during these years. Helvey purchased her house in Carrboro in March of 1985, moving back from Chatham County after having resided in a less than desirable apartment complex in Carrboro for a year in 1980. She came back anyway. She was meant to be here. In 1996 she taught herself graphic design and website development and started her business, UniqueOrn Enterprises. Helvey picked up her camera again, a longtime love, and began documenting the history of Carrboro in photos and stories. It's the hope of Jackie to make a difference in the community where she lives, works, plays, and has raised her daughters, Amber and Teresa Hayes. Both are graduates of East Chapel Hill High School and continue to live & study in North Carolina. Living in this area for nearly 30 years makes Helvey an old-timer in the eyes of some folks, an "almost native." Carrboro is Amber and Reese's home town and they've participated in Carrboro events since they were born, and continue to work and volunteer at various community gatherings with their Mom. In April 2008, Jackie was named a "Hometown Hero" by WCHL Radio Station in Chapel Hill, and given a Village Pride Award. In February 2008, Helvey was featured in Our State Magazine in an article about Carrboro. In March 2007, Helvey was selected Volunteer of the Year by the Town of Carrboro, and recognized in Women Who Shine in the Raleigh News and Observer. Also in 2007, Jackie published the children's book that she wrote for her daughters 15 years earlier, Wiggley Waggley Woo. Helvey has a weekly radio show focusing on the arts in and around Carrboro (available as podcasts) on WCOM, 103.5 FM, Carrboro's all volunteer community radio station, on Friday nights at 6 pm, called the West End Report on the Arts. Over the years she has been a member of many committees and boards in Carrboro and Chapel Hill, always striving to make her community a better place. Home | Overview | About Us | Ads | Art | Businesses | Carrboro and Area Stuff | Carrboro Map | Downtown Carrboro Map | Events | Prices | Restaurants | UniqueOrn Enterprises