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Pathfinder of the Month

"Do not go where the path may lead,go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Familiar Faces
Tammy Blackman

"Through rain, snow and sleet we deliver." The Postman is not the only public servant whose job requires them to be out in all types of weather. Luckily for the Postman, he/she usually can say he/she is out of harms way as far as traffic goes. However, the School Crossing Guard doesn't quite have that luxury. We are thankful for both these public servants, delivering our mail and certainly delivering our children safely to and from school. Our Familiar Face for May is Tammy Blackman, School Crossing Guard for both Bascomb Elementary School and Sixes Elementary School.

Tammy has been a School Crossing Guard for four years and said, "I love my job. I have mothers and dads waving and saying 'hi' all the time. One little boy always goes out of his way to make sure I see him waving each day. There really are good people out there."

There have been some "incidents" where drivers have been less than patient for their turn to go - one actually went so far as to drive up on the curb to get around waiting for his turn. Both schools love Tammy as much as she loves directing traffic each morning and afternoon for them. Tammy begins her day at Sixes Elementary School directing traffic from 7 - 7:45 a.m. and heads to Bascomb Elementary School to direct traffic from 8 - 8:45 a.m. Again in the afternoon, she is there again at Sixes from 2 - 2:45 p.m. and Bascomb from 3 - 3:45 p.m. She also has helped direct traffic during special events at the schools including the recent Spring Splash.

Tammy is a native Georgian. She went to Cherokee High School when instead of looking across the street and seeing a Bruster's Real Ice Cream store and Sonics Burgers, you saw a cow pasture. Tammy has grown to love Cherokee County, even though when her family first moved to Cherokee County from Smyrna, she wondered what the kids did for fun. "I have moved next door to Mom and Dad and I'm glad my kids can grow up in a friendly community," she stated. Tammy has four children, Jamey who is 19, Tara 17, Drew, 12 and Maggie, 11.

Caroline Boudreau with her Chihuahua CJ and Great Dane Elvis, both rescue dogs.

Caroline Boudreau

May is "Be Kind to Animals Month." In honor of that theme, our Pathfinder of the Month is Caroline Boudreau who has been a long-term volunteer with the Cherokee County Humane Society (CCHS) and its animal rescue program. CCHS Veterinary Technician Talima Casteel nominated Caroline for her hard work and dedication to the needy animals of Cherokee County. "The CCHS's rescue program wouldn't be what it is without Caroline," stated Talima.

Caroline has always had a love of animals. While growing up, her family always had dogs and cats. Much to her mother's chagrin, she always brought home strays. Her passion for the well-being of animals led her to volunteer for the CCHS and the Cherokee County Animal Shelter since 1997.

Caroline currently runs the CCHS off-site adoptions at PetsMart in Kennesaw - the dogs are provided by the Shelter. She is also a foster mom for dogs and cats from the Shelter. She works closely with the Shelter staff and other volunteers in coordinating foster and rescue for the Shelter dogs. She arranges transportation for rescues and, if needed, takes the animals for necessary medical procedures. For those who need medical attention, she will take them home and foster them until they are healthy enough to be put up for adoption. According to Talima, "Without Caroline's help, the rescue animals who needed medical attention and surgery would not have received it."

Caroline's dedication and commitment to needy animals runs deep. "Until people take responsibility for their animals, and treat them like family members instead of disposable property, I will keep at it," she said.

What motivates her to keep going? "Half of it is the look of a despondent dog or cat when he/she first comes into the Shelter - it breaks your heart. The second half is the look on some animals face when he/she realizes a home has been found for him/her. That's the part that makes me feel really good. It's especially heartwarming to see an animal who has been abused in the past learn to trust again," said Caroline. Every animal that comes through the Shelter is special to Caroline. And every rescued and healed dog or cat that gets a new loving home, makes it all worth it in the end.

Caroline works as a paralegal and enjoys reading, pinball and the beach in her spare time.

She commented that she couldn't do what she does without the help of a dedicated animal Shelter staff, CCHS volunteers and the staff at the Allatoona Animal Hospital. "Honor the commitment you make to your dog or cat the day you bring him/her home," said Caroline.

Thank you, Caroline, for all you do to make our community a better place to live.