HELENA, Ala. —

A dart, a map and a little bit of curiosity. That’s how I find stories, and this time, the dart landed on Helena, Alabama. What followed was a journey through small-town charm, colorful shops and a story waiting right behind the barber’s chair at Old Town Barber Shop.

Driving through Helena, the streets are lined with sidewalks and local shops that exude a welcoming, historic charm. Among the shops, one in particular caught our eye: a classic barber shop.

With enough hair to justify a trim, my cameraman Andrew and I stepped inside Old Town Barber Shop. I introduced myself: "I’m Brittany, I work for the news. I do a segment where I throw a dart at a map of Alabama, and wherever it lands, I find a story."

From that introduction, ideas and leads came from every direction. W

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