I was born in Jacksonville, Florida, grew up in Warner Robins, Georgia, and moved to Houston, Texas in 1982 for my job.
After retirement my husband, Richard and I moved to Dahlonega. When I was growing up my parents brought our family
up to the area on many wonderful vacations, usually to stay at Vogel State Park. For the past 7 years I have volunteered
at the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau. For the past 5 years I have served on the
Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Newcomer Board. My husband and I attend Cleveland First Baptist Church in Cleveland,
Georgia. We love being in Dahlonega and have made numerous friends since we arrived in 2013. I feel beyond blessed.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband Richard is a retired Geophysicist who volunteers at the Dahlonega Gold Museum. Richard spends a lot of time in the basement, wood working or in the greenhouse with his latest veggie crop. We have 3 adult children who are married Paul (and Christopher in Chicago), Jennifer (and Mike in Sacramento) and Erin (and Mike in Gainesville). Our daughter Erin is a High School Teacher at Lumpkin County High School. We have 8 wonderful grandchildren, 3 in Sacramento and 5 in Georgia.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I worked and retired from Schlumberger Information Solutions in Houston, Texas as their Software License Distribution Manager. I was blessed during my career and did some traveling for my job. The best part was working with many wonderful people, all over the world, whom I still consider to be friends today.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Grapevines, Gustavos, Picnic Cafe, Pueblos, Shenanigans, just to name a few.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
7 years
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Jack Anthony
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Alaska (we had planned a 2nd cruise with family before Covid reared its ugly head).
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Right now my favorite movie is Interstellar (but that is always subject to change). I love Blue Bloods, Blacklist, and old Frazier episodes.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Choose Faith and Joy over Worry
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
To take a cruise down the Rhine River (closely followed by another whitewater rafting trip in Montana)
Q: What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?
This is a hard one because I LOVE music, all kinds. I would say Rascal Flatts or the Allman Brothers.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
The Holly Theatre
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?
Rick Rigsby, Rick gave a commencement address to a group of College Students out West. Rick talked about the valuable lessons he learned from his father, a 3rd Grade Dropout. I would love to hear more of his story. I think I would like to sit and have lunch with Rick at the Picnic Cafe, on the patio.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
One of my favorite things about our community is the access we have to so many waterfalls and gorgeous scenery. I believe another wonderful aspect of our community is the warmth and generosity of its people.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Still volunteering, striving to be more healthy, watching my grandchildren grow up, and improving my Calligraphy skills.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
In 2012 our family was filmed/interviewed for a documentary that was the story of my husbands Uncle who had fought in World War II. His story is quite amazing and carries on, even today long after his passing. The documentary went on to win many awards. The title translated is “Flowers for the Solidier”
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Glacier National Park (Montana and Canada)
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
My favorite month is October-December (oh wait). My favorite holiday is Christmas. The best single day on the calendar is December 25.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My Heavenly Father, My Family, Good Chocolate, and Rocky Road Ice cream (I’ve had to forego the last 2 for over 2 months as Weight Watchers frowns on these 2)
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Jesus Christ, My Husband, My Children, My Grandchildren
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Smell of wood burning in an outdoor fire pit and the smell of a balsam fir tree
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
“Home is not a place, it is a feeling”, “Bless this Home and all who Enter”, “Ill be happy when this home is paid off.”
