I love to play tennis and golf and I enjoy stone carving as a hobby.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have been married to June West for over 31 years and we have two children. Cortland is Married to Josh Stetler and they have a 10 month old son named River. Colby teaches at Cherokee Bluff Middle School and is their Teacher of the Year. June teaches 7th grade at Buford Middle School while Cortland works in the daycare there at the school.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I taught at Buford City Schools for thirty years and was honored to be Buford City Schools Teacher if the Year in 1998 and The Star Teacher for Buford City Schools in 2000. I coached the tennis and swim teams for Buford High School for years. I also am proud that I founded The Wolfpack program for the system which is used by hundreds of students today. I retired from Buford in 2015 and now work half time in Gwinnett County at Suwanee Elementary. I love working with children and feel blessed to have been able to for so long.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I enjoy eating at Papa Jack’s and Bravos.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have lived in Buford for over 51 years. My family moved here when I was 11.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I think Nan Burge is always fascinating to talk to.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would love to take my family to Italy because I went there in 1988 and loved all the sculptures.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
It’s A Wonderful Life and any historical show.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Be kind to everyone and laugh as much as you can.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
To see the pyramids in Egypt.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
I really enjoy Josh Groban.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I used to love Puckett’s restaurant.
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?
I think it would be a blast to have lunch with Dolly Parton. She seems so honest and sincere and so talented.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
It’s good to be a part of a community that would ban together to help an individual or a good cause.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Hopefully still playing a lot of tennis and golf and traveling with my family.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I have started West Cove Gardens and grow over a thousand varieties of daylilies, irises and daffodils. I also hybridize day lilies creating my own varieties.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Probably Switzerland or northern Italy.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
My favorite month is July. Christmas is my favorite holiday and the best day on the calendar is April 27 which is the day I married June.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The job my parents did raising me. They are amazing!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My family.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Coffee and vanilla
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Happy. Safe. Inviting
