Front covers 1994

EAST COBBER Front Covers 1994 January 1994: Sunny Walker February 1994: Shawn Rivers March 1994: Brownie Troop 3253 April 1994: Bob Crutchley May 1994: Donna and Morgan Caldwell June 1994: Ron Mitchell July 1994: Souksy Keosoukahn August 1994: Arika Urich September: 1994: Cyndy Stephens October: 1994: 1st Anniversary Issue November 1994: Claudia McQuillen December 1994: Johnny Johnson

Cover Photos taken by Michael Drewitz

January 1994: Sunny Walker East Cobb Citizen-of-the-Year, Sunny Walker. Sunny Walker is the 1993 recipient of the East Cobb Citizen-of-the-Year award. This award is co-sponsored by the East Cobb Division of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, the East Cobb Civitans, East Cobb Kiwanis, East Cobb Optimist, East Cobb Rotary Club and East Cobb Lions Club. The award winner has made some impact on the East Cobb area and must live and/or work here.

An Eastcobber for 16 years, Sunny has enjoyed working in “our public school system through Partners in Education, America 2000 Task Force, and the art program at Tritt Elementary.”

Dedicated to the arts, Sunny explains why she has committed herself to this cause, “…we must make a concerted effort to join together and fund the programs that enrich our lives.

Cultural development is essential to a civilized society.”

Ms. Walker has been co-owner of Frameworks Gallery for 20 years. She is married to Alan Walker, and has a son, 18 and a daughter, 12.

February 1994: Shawn Rivers Eastcobber, Shawn Rivers, defenseman for the Atlanta Knights. Born in Ottawa, Canada, Shawn Rivers, 23, is a defenseman for the Atlanta Knights, a member team of the International Hockey League. After a rigorous – and sometimes violent – workout on the ice, Shawn comes home to East Cobb (along with his dog “Blizzard”) because the “yards, nice neighborhoods … and its real quiet.” His home in East Cobb is also convenient to Parkaire Olympic Ice Rink where he practices with his teammates from 10 am to 11 am everyday they’re in town.

From October to April, the Atlanta Knights play 82 games at the Omni in Atlanta and throughout North America. He “counts his blessings … playing on a professional sports team is something special.” He attributes his success to “staying focused on a goal and the support of his family.”

Shawn will be sharing his love for the sport by building a Roller Hockey Rink at the corner of Franklin and Cobb Parkway. He calls it “Hockey Southern Style.” Opening in late March, the rink will form in-line hockey teams for kids’ age 7 through adult.

March 1994: Brownie Troop 3253 In honor of Girl Scout Week March 6-12, the EAST COBBER photographed Brownie Troop 3253 from Shallowford Falls Elementary School. The eleven third grade girls photographed on the front cover are Katie Franke, Ashley Joiner, Beth Hammond, Jenna DeNigro, Megan Lewis, Sarah Thompson, Kathleen Cimino, Taylor Shurtz, Jennifer Harp, Galen Colling and Lauren Hoffman. Many thanks to Sherrie Hoffman and Gretchen Collins, the troop’s co-leaders for coordinating the photo shoot.

The girls help the East Cobb community by recycling cans and newspapers for their school.

They have also planted trees and flowers to beautify their school grounds. The girls visit the residents at Lovelace Residential Center on a regular basis.

As Brownie leader, Sherrie Hoffman observes, “we have a great time together.”

April 1994: Bob Crutchley Mr. Baseball, Eastcobber Bob Crutchley. To state that Bob Crutchley has been involved with the East Marietta National Little League since 1965 is an understatement. He has participated and contributed to his local Little League club in every possible way: parent, coach, manager, corporate sponsor, grandparent, board member, vice president and president. His team won the League championships in 1980. He has developed the Sewell Senior League, a division of Little League for ages 13-15, nurtured the growth of the challenger program for physically and mentally challenged children, as well as fostering the Fall Ball program.

What first started out as a way to get involved with children, Bob has dedicated his life to bringing baseball to East Cobb youth because he “likes to see kids play... and the sport helps them learn about the ups and downs in life.�

As owner of Bob & Sons Upholsterers, he credits his family in helping him juggle his busy schedule. The father of four grown children and 3 grandsons, Bob lives in East Cobb with his wife Annette.

May 1994: Donna Caldwell and Morgan Caldwell Eastcobber, Donna Caldwell and her daughter, Morgan. In honor of Mother’s Day, we feature Donna Caldwell, 41, and her daughter Morganj, 12, on the EAST COBBER cover. Married for 21 years to Chip, Donna also has another daughter, Cali, 18. The Caldwell family moved to East Cobb 7 years ago. Donna observes, “We moved to East Cobb because we liked our house and because of the quality schools. East Cobb is a friendly place for transients which is a real bonus.”

Like a lot of East Cobb moms, Donna has dedicated her life to raising her two girls. “Having kids can humble you … it also strengthens and challenges you,” says Mrs. Caldwell. Her favorite part of parenting is, “seeing their (Cali and Morgan) successes.” She also tries to teach her girls, “to never be afraid of trying anything … (they) may not succeed but they can learn a lot in the process.” Overall, Donna says being a mom “has been fun.”

June 1994: Ron Mitchell In celebration of Father’s Day, the EAST COBBER this month spotlights Ron Mitchell, 41. An East Cobb resident for 6 years, Ron is making a difference as a father to his 4 children, 2 stepchildren, and currently, 4 foster children! His favorite part of being a father – in every sense of the word—is “watching kids have fun.” As someone who has a lot of paternal experience, we asked Ron how he defines a father. His response: “someone who sacrifices for their kids.”

A professional painter, Ron got involved in becoming a foster dad because he “had room in the house … and he wanted to make a difference in kid’s lives.” Although it is difficult to part with his foster children, he recommends becoming a foster parent because you can “learn more about yourself … there is a lot of joy and satisfaction.”

Ron is also involved in his subdivision’s community club, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, East Cobb Rotary Clun, Adopt-A-Mile program as well as volunteering at his children’s schools for a variety of projects. He credits his wife, Terri, for keeping him organized.”

July 1994: Soukay Keosoukahn Eastcobber Souksy Keosoukahn celebrates his citizenship. To commemorate the Fourth of July, the EAST COBBER selected Souksy Keosoukahn, 20, to be on its cover. Souksy recently became a United States citizen.

Fifteen years ago, Souksy Keosoukahn, 20, had to leave his native country, Laos, because “it was no longer safe under the communist rulers.” Since 1984, Souksy has been living in East Cobb with his family.

Souksy credits East Cobber Louise Hellman, his Wheeler High School ESL teacher, with untangling the bureaucratic maze that a U.S. Citizen applicant goes through. Louise helped him understand requirements and study for the citizenship test. As Souksy quips, “I would not have become a citizen without her encouragement.”

Souksy looks forward to fulfilling his American dream, “to go to Chattahoochee Tech, get married, have children, buy a nice house and enjoy my freedom.”

August 1994: Arika Ulrich Arika Urich, 17 swims her way to a college scholarship. For most of us summertime is the time for swimming. Not so for East Cobber Arika Urich, 17, she’s been swimming year-round for the Cobb Stingrays, Pope High School, and her subdivision’s swim team. This summer, Arika has been coaching the Bishop’s Green’s swim team.

Arika holds Pope High School’s swimming record for the “500 freestyle”. She also distinguished her athletic career at Pope by being honored with the Coaches Award. A recent graduate of Pope High School in East Cobb, Arika is headed to Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina. She received a partial swim scholarship. Arika reveals her secrets to success” I was willing to make sacrifices and put in a lot of hard work.”

September 1994: Cyndy Stephens Principal Cyndy Stephens leads East valley Elementary to Excellence. Under the leadership of East Cobber Cyndy Stephens, principal of Eastvalley Elementary School, this school has been designated a National School of Excellence. Cyndy believes in shared decision-making, views the entire staff as the professionals of a school, invites and encourages parental involvement, brings an entrepreneurial spirit and regularly asks the question, “Is this in the best interest of students?”

Entering her 24th year in the educations field, Cyndy is full of energy and enthusiasm for the challenges of a new school year. She states, “in addition to setting goals for the school, we are always reevaluating and reprioritizing them.” (Note: the “we”). An Eastvalley teacher states, “Cyndy is the best principal I have ever worked with, I really want to emphasize the word with, because that is how it is with Cyndy.”

Cyndy lives in the Fox Hills subdivision with her son, Grant, a senior at Wheeler High School.

October 1994: 1st Anniversary Issue The EAST COBBER features those East Cobb County residents that are contributing to our community and remind us about what is important in life. Although these people don’t seek the spotlight the EAST COBBER enjoys giving them some well-deserved attention.

This month, as part of our special birthday edition, the EAST COBBER cover features your favorite cover people. There must be a lot of hockey fans down here because we got a lot of phone calls about the cover photo of Shawn Rivers of the Atlanta Knights. Many of you called in to compliment our May Cover girls: Donna Caldwell and her daughter, Morgan.

Souksy Keosoukanh’s story and struggle to become an American inspired us all. East Cobb “old-timers” Dorsey Hill, and his wife, Sarah (now deceased) remind us of the green pastures and slower pace that preceded East Cobb we now know.

November 1994: Claudia McQuillen East Cobb equestrian, Claudia McQuillen. Before there were subdivisions galore, East Cobb County was known for its horse farms.

Claudia McQuillen, 42, is owner of one of the last horse farms in East Cobb County, Fox Hollow Farm. For the past 17 years, Claudia has been training horses as show “hunters” as well as training people to ride horses for competition. With 37 horses, stables, and an indoor arena, Fox Hollow Farms is the only training facility of its kind in Atlanta. An equestrian for most of her life, Claudia is also a registered judge for American Horse Shows Association.

Although she no longer competes, she enjoys “working with someone who can barely trot to becoming a champion.”

December 1994: Johnny Johnson Johnny Johnson Celebrates Christmas. Ever since Johnny Johnson moved to East Cobb County 19 years ago, he has been involved in its economic development and volunteered in a myriad of clubs and project. Johnny Johnson has contributed his time and money to Open Gate, Red Ribbon Week, Kiwanis Club, to name a few of his causes. His business, Edward Johns Jewelers, is a partner in Education with Simpson Middle School. He has been named Citizen of the Year by the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, “Work Horse of the Year” a statewide award of the Kiwanis Club, and most recently the “Golden Rule Award” from United Way/J.C. Penney. His next volunteer assignment places him at Mt. View Elementary School where he has played Santa Clause for many years.

Johnny’s main motivating factor is “making a better environment for our children.”