I am a creationeer and maker of things of metals. A cyclist, traveler, codger cook whom has somehow arrived intact into my eighth decade. Design, Art and Engineering along with the: study, models, prototypes and travel related to the furtherance of my ideas. I lived many places as a child till 18 and the engagement my parents nurtured with each community gave me a broad education and respect for our wide variety of mores, art and thought of my fellow Americans. I am better for it.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Two toddler grandsons to take some of my DNA to the next century. Two determined career mother daughters that love their boys. Two bold, smart, strong sons with complimenting wives. Two Beautiful accomplished mothers that made it possible.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I don’t have a traditional career. I have a passion for making things that are unique and desired. From 14 as a bagger at a grocery store I was buying tools with my money. I designed and made parts for my car, I worked in go kart factory to learn metalwork skills, I went to Ga. Tech – DNF, designed and built bicycles. Received a Dept. of Energy grant for a vehicle prototype for International Design Competitions. Designed solutions for production problems. Cast bronze in my own Foundry. Designed/produced metal furniture, gardens and loft offices, etc.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Bare Bones and Rico’s World Kitchen
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
15 years
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Kim at the corner of Little Mill and Jackson St.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
To visit Vietnam to see the homeland of my daughter-in-law’s parents. To see how the tragedy and destruction of the tragic war has been replaced with the dedicated hardworking immigrants to our country and the success of those who remain.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Are you Being Served/ Cosmos A Personal Voyage – Carl Sagan
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Only one life – Follow your muse.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
To emulate my friend Carol Howie Cherry and circumnavigate the continental USA on my evos bicycle design.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Whatever Rojene Bailey is playing on his “Blues Time in the City” Show on 89.1 Brenau University Radio.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Bare Bones Steakhouse because the vegetables are like the ones at reunions and camp meetings on the stone topped tables I enjoyed in Lithonia, GA.
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?
Lunch with a random chosen immigrant that has come to this country to do as millions have done for 400 years to improve their prospects and ours. Lunch would be a walk along Main St. to sample the specialties.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The acceptance and inclusiveness.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Hopefully on this side of terra firma.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I was at Stonehenge in 1976, the last time you could get close to the stones for Summer Solstice with the Druids to see the Service at Dawn.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Austria: Linz, Bregenz, Salzburg, Villach, Bischofshofen
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
May – bicycle month, Thanksgiving, December 22nd.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Buford
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My family, but I fail like a truant a lot.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
The various roasting fragrances on Main and Moreno. The fragrance of the disgorgement running down gutters in Etoges, France. Champagne Traditionelle.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Commitment, Community, Creation