b. 1901 d. 1983

What would you call a lady who liked to race her horse and buggy to school against the neighbor boys and usually beat them? How about an Outstanding Woman of Clinton County? Helen Sparks was an independent minded and creative woman who loved life.

Helen Sparks also loved books. She read all the latest ones her cousin from Rhode Island could send her. She longed to share this love with others, especially those who could not afford to purchase books and those who had never been able to read purely for pleasure.

So, in the early 1930’s, Helen created a rental library in the Blakely Hat Shop in Sabina. The rental cost three cents per day which she used to buy more books, never taking money for herself. The library was successful until the early 1940’s when the hat shop closed its doors.

Helen’s library is considered Sabina’s first library - making her Sabina’s first town librarian - the impetus for the founding of the public library. After Helen’s library closes, the loss was felt and the community rallied to create a more permanent library.

Helen set her sights next on helping the young girls of the area by bringing scouting to them. She wanted to encourage learning and thinking for themselves. So, Helen recruited the first troop leader, Amy Jones, the wife of a Quaker minister, and continued on as a member of the area Girl Scouts governing board for 25 years.

These achievements were made all while she worked along side her husband as the motor vehicle registrar and took over the job when her husband moved to another position elsewhere. The family of five raised and sold fruits and vegetables, giving away to those in need. Helen was known for her home-grown popcorn - a nightly treat - especially her chocolate popcorn.

Small towns some times lack the advantages that larger towns have, but Helen was determined that Sabina be different. With her willingness to work hard and give of herself, Helen Sparks helped her village read more and learn more, and it seems, eat more popcorn!