Locals remember Helper's heyday

The Strand Theater and Hillcrest Hotel are owned by Don Carlow, who recently installed a new roof and who has plans to restore some of the structure and open shops. Below the theater and hotel are an old card room, a Southwestern-themed dance hall and a bar. The theater is used mostly for storage. It cannot be used for entertainment because it no longer meets codes. Baron Willison, caretaker of the theater, says it would cost less to build a new theater on the site than to restore the old one.