Community News

David Rogers Auction Raises Funds for Children's Center
The 7th Annual David Rogers Charity Auction recently was held at the Cherokee Arts Center in Canton.  The evening included drinks and light fare from De'Grouchy's on Main Street as well as silent and live auctions.  The event raised $18,000 which benefited the Anna Crawford Children's Center.  The auction is named after the late and former mayor of Woodstock, David Rogers, who always supported and believed in the Anna Crawford Children's Center.

Left to right: Julie Brennan, Rena Rogers and Anna Crawford enjoy the annual David Rogers auction.

Local Election Yields New Mayor
The City of Woodstock recently held a Municipal General and Special Election.  The office of Mayor and Council Seats for Wards 1 and 5 were up for re-election.  Donnie Henriques defeated incumbent Mayor Bill Dewrell by 31 votes.  In Ward 1, incumbent Randy Brewer defeated challenger Steve Kimmons, and in Ward 5, Bud Leonard defeated incumbent Susan Jones.  A referendum authorizing "Woodstock to exercise redevelopment powers under the 'Redevelopment Powers Law' as it may be amended from time to time" passed.

Cherokee Photography Club Allows Photographers to Share and Learn
The Cherokee Photography Club was established in 2004 as a social club with the goal to provide a forum for photographers of all levels to share with others their passion for photography.  The Club is open to anyone and offers a lot of great opportunities for all photographers, regardless of experience.  Meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at the Cherokee Arts Center in downtown Canton from 7 — 9 p.m.  The first meeting of the month is a competition meeting where members can choose to submit an image, based on a designated theme, to be critiqued by a professional in the industry.  The second meeting of the month typically involves a guest professional speaker.  The Club has exhibited their work at several local venues including an ongoing one at the Cherokee Arts Center and one at the Woodstock Public Library through the end of January.  For more information on the Club, please call Kim Bates at (770) 617-7595 or visit www.cherokeephotographyclub.com.

Moose Lodge Presents Public Safety Awards
The Canton Moose Lodge recently honored local fire and emergency service personnel and local law enforcement officers during its annual Public Service Awards Banquet.  The following awards were presented: Volunteer Firefighter of the Year, Todd Intermill; Haz Mat Team Member of the Year, Sgt. Keith Benny Plott; Honor Guard Member of the Year, Stuart Vaughn; Firefighter/EMT of the Year, Brian Ward; Firefighter/ Paramedic of the Year, Shane Bonebrake; Administrative/ Support Person of the Year, Dana "Boo Boo" McPherson; Dive Team Member of the Year, Leo Schrader; Search and Rescue Team Member of the Year, Susan Stackhouse; and Rope Team Member of the Year, Jason Lamanac.  Congratulations!

Community Forum Held on Crystal Methamphetamine
The first annual Cherokee County Right Choices Community Forum recently was held in Canton.  The forum was organized by Mary Wilhite from the Faith Center for Community Development.  The focus of the forum was the drug crystal methamphetamine and how to keep the youth of today safe.  Speakers included Commissioner Albert Murray from the Department of Juvenile Justice as well as other leaders in the community.  Those who attended the seminar learned how to recognize the signs of crystal methamphetamine use as well as the prevalence of the drug in Cherokee County. 

Several community members attended the forum on crystal methamphetamine.  Left to right: Woodstock Mayor Bill Dewrell; Agent John New with Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad (CMANS); Paul Pursell, Acting Director Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Cherokee; Mark Kissel, Chief of Police Cherokee County Schools; Gina Carr, business owner; Albert Murray, Commissioner of DJJ; Mary Wilhite, DJJ Vice Chairman of the Board; Preben Heidemann, Regional Administrator DJJ; Steve Heardon, DJJ; Sonia Carruthers, Cherokee FOCUS; and Lynn Linton, Mothers Against Meth.

Salon Raises Funds for Children's Emergency Shelter
Jyl Craven Hair Colour Studio recently held a cut-a-thon with proceeds benefiting the Cherokee County Children's Emergency Shelter.  A raffle also was held with prizes that included Air Tran airline tickets, Body Plex membership, L'Oreal gift baskets and much more.  The event raised $6,000, $2,500 of which was donated by L'Oreal Professional.

A check for $6,000 was presented to the Cherokee County Children's Emergency Shelter.  Left to right: Jyl Craven Hair Colour Studio co-owners Sharon Elkins and Jyl Craven, Cherokee County Children's Emergency Shelter representative Julie Brennan and co-owner Jason Craven.

Rick Steiner Selected to Cherokee County School Board
It started with Jesse Ventura, the former professional wrestler turned Governor.  Now, Cherokee County has its own former professional wrestler in the political arena — Rick Steiner.  Steiner recently was appointed by the Cherokee County School Board to fill the vacancy resulting from Fred Larson’s resignation.  Steiner will fill the position until Larson's term expires in December, 2006.

Steiner was one of five candidates who applied to fill the seat.  The others included Randy Minter, John Williams, Kevin King and Leslie Frappier.  Frappier, however, withdrew for consideration the day of the decision making meeting. 

Steiner is originally from Bay City, Michigan and received his Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Michigan.  He is married to Jamye, and they have three children, Hudson, Maveric and Bronson.  Steiner's education experience includes working as a substitute teacher in St. Paul, MN.  He also is a volunteer with the Etowah Junior Eagles Touchdown Club and a member of the E.T. Booth Middle School PTSA. 

On why he wanted to be a member of the School Board, Steiner said, "My main focus has always been to improve our community for the future of children, and working on the Board would give me that opportunity." 

Steiner will be sworn in at the December 1, School Board meeting.