I was raised on a dairy farm in rural Northwest Ohio. I attended the University of Toledo and taught in the Northwood School District for 35 years. I was a middle school Language Arts Teacher. I married my high school sweetheart in 1980 and we have two sons and wonderful daughters-in-law.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Our oldest son, Kiel, and his wife, Ashley, live in Leesburg, VA. Our youngest son, Tyler, and his wife, Lauren, live in Pittsburg, IN. We moved to Dahlonega in 2020 and thoroughly enjoy it.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do (or did if retired)?
I enjoyed interaction with my students and helping them achieve their goals and best potentials as a teacher.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community and your favorite dishes there?
Spirits–Fried Green Beans!!!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community? And if you moved here, where were you from originally?
We moved here in 2020 and moved into our Achasta home on April 1, 2021.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community and why?
Gary Osley–our contractor. His wealth of knowledge and friends in the area is incredible.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Scotland. I enjoy reading the novel ‘Outlander.”
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Gone With the Wind, movie. North and South, TV mini-series.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Do unto others. Perhaps if we did this more often, our society would be kinder.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I would like the trilogy of my books–‘McKenna’s Crossing’; ‘McKenna’s Return–Unfair Contempt’; ‘McKenna Goes Home’–to be made into a film.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
The Oldies
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Cranberry Corners–the items in the store remind me of stores during my childhood.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant–eat lunch at Spirits.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The Christmas spirit and lighting of the tree! Incredible!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Here in Dahlonega continuing to write another series of books.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I like the Civil War era and enjoy going to antique stores and learning the history of 19th Century items.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Walking the dirt drive to Boone Plantation outside Charleston, SC.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
August, Christmas, August 9–our wedding Anniversary.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The mountains of North GA are 10/10, the beauty in the early morning.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
God
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Pumpkin spice
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Safety, loyalty, love.
