We’re not just Georgia. We’re Georgia just for you.
Celebrating the first century of Cook County’s past. Assuring the next century of Cook County’s future.
CONGRATULATIONS COOK!
Cook Medical Center - New rural healthcare facility opening October 2019
Messer/Linde - New industry opened 2019
Grimmway Farms - New industry opened 2018
Cardinal CT - New industry opened 2013
Custom AG Formulators - New industry opened 2016
Existing industry expansion 2018
Existing industry expansion 2017
160 Airport Road Adel, Georgia 31620 229.896.2575 | www.cookcountyedc.com
CONTENTS -------- August 2019 -------6
Matt Griffin Launches first business
8-9
My Talent
10
Camm Kapilla Faith, Family, and Baseball
11
April Garrett Her mission as Superior Court Clerk is to help others
12-13
Jessica Ogletree A hometown hero who helps so many in need
14
Steven Meadows An awesome young business man
15
Pat Bush Leave it better than you found it
17
Gavin Merwin Launches RCN Cares
18-19
My Centennial
20
Zoe Myers A leader for community improvements
21
My Kids
22
My Boys & Girls Club Cover Photo by: Maria Hardman
A PUBLICATION OF THE ADEL NEWS TRIBUNE 131 S. HUTCHINSON AVE. ADEL, GA 31620 General Manager: Maria Hardman Editor: Charles Shiver Advertising: Deborah Farmer Graphics & Composition: Brandi Sellars and Carmen Statham
Matt Griffin launches first business, benefits our community Brian Matt Griffin recently opened his own restaurant, M&E Wingz and Thingz, in his hometown of Adel, where he graduated from high school in 2007. In nominating Matt Griffin for a feature article in My Cook magazine, a county resident said Matt’s “passion for what he does is above and beyond. I’ve supported his business before he was given the opportunity to open his first restaurant, which is still thriving and growing. The care and attention he gives each customer and order is what our community needs.” M&E Wingz & Thingz, 103 S. Hutchinson Ave., Adel, hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony sponsored by the Adel-Cook County Chamber of Commerce on Friday morning, May 24, 2019. Matt; his wife Eveny; their two sons Kyler, 2, and Kage, 1; and Matt’s sister and business co-owner, Erica Deberry, were joined by friends, family members, and community leaders for the ribbon cutting event. Chamber of Commerce President Heather Green said M&E has been a great sponsor of downtown events since the business opened on Nov. 30, 2018. Matt is son of Carol Griffin and the late Bobby Griffin. Matt grew up as a member of Christian Fellowship Church of Adel. Matt says his father was a great influence in instilling an entrepreneurial spirit within Matt at an early age. Matt’s dad got his son busy mowing lawns and washing cars in high school. Matt continued to do those jobs after graduating from Cook High. Bobby Griffin, an employee of the City of Adel, passed away at age 58 in 2008. Matt furthered his education at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.
6 My Cook
• August 2019
Being a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce program while a high school student got Matt interested in joining the Chamber later in life and one day opening his own business in Cook County, to give back to the community. “My wife encouraged me to get into the restaurant business,” Matt said. “She helped me with our outside catering business.” Matt was involved with the outside catering business, focusing on chicken wings, for a year and a half, before the opportunity became available to reopen the closed storefront on South Hutchinson Avenue as M&E Wingz and Thingz. Matt came up with the restaurant’s delectable signature sauce. Matt says he is proud to have been able to open his first business where he grew up and to give local customers another dining choice in Adel. Matt adds that M&E has been very successful and he plans to eventually expand to other communities. In addition to hosting downtown events, M&E has helped sponsor local athletic teams, including the Cook High School Hornets baseball team and Lady Hornets softball teams. Matt and his family are members of The Victory Church of Hahira. M&E offers dine-in with indoor seating or carry-out. The buswiness hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday (with soul food), and closed on Monday. For more information, please call (229) 896-3998, or look for M&E Wingz & Thingz on Facebook.
August 2019 •
My Cook 7
My
Demi Downing
Chuck Day
Brent Exum
Henry Mcgill
Ray McKinnon
Shawn Hopper
The Proclaimers
8 My Cook
• August 2019
Page Brothers
Alacia Reynolds
Steven Meders
Timmy Guthrie
August 2019 •
My Cook 9
a ll i p a K m m a C Baseball>
By Emily Densmore
Faith, Family, and
Known by many as “G-Pa” or “Coach Camm,” Camm Kapilla is known in the community for his work coaching and umpiring baseball and enriching the lives of his players on and off the field. Camm is a devoted husband, father, and proud grandfather of seven grandchildren. Nominator and fellow umpire Ed Farmer states, “Camm helps kids realize their dreams to play ball, excel in the sport, and in everyday life.” Growing up in Southern Illinois, Camm’s appreciation for baseball was kindled by his father, Clifford “Cliff” Kapilla. Camm and his father attended St. Louis Cardinal games together, fueling his love for the sport. He started playing baseball when he was 5 years old. “I just fell in love with the game,” he said. “My dad was a big baseball fan. He taught me the game, and I’ve tried to pass that on to my grandkids and the kids that I work with.” Camm’s family moved to Ocala, Fla., in 1969 after his father transferred while working for Jackson Cookie company. Camm graduated from St. John Lutheran School where he played football, basketball, baseball, and golf. He later attended the University of Central Florida and the University of Florida with the goal of becoming a coach. Camm played baseball at the University of Central Florida as a catcher and also umpired the local recreational baseball leagues. Not only did Camm play a multitude of sports on land, he also enjoyed his time on the water. While his father was fostering his love for baseball, his uncle, George Hubbard, taught him how to water ski. Camm became a competitive water skier and later became a judge and a boat driver in the American Water Skiing Association. His favorite place to water ski was Lake McMeekin outside of Hawthorne, Fla. As a student, Camm worked part time for UPS, and then later began working full time. In his 35 years of working for UPS, he met his wife of 20 years, Lydia Alley-Kapilla. Camm and Lydia have three children, Will, Alley, and Marah and seven grandchildren, Landyn, Trace, Adilynn, Mason, Kamden, Jayden, and Gannon. “He’s always supported [our kids], he’s a big family man,” Lydia added. Whether it was wrestling,
10 My Cook
• August 2019
golf, cheerleading, or tennis, Camm always enjoyed watching and supporting his children in their athletic endeavors. Even after long nights at work, he always made sure that he made it to the stands to cheer them on. Camm began coaching Cook County recreational baseball and travel ball after he retired. He has coached for six teams. Some of the rec. teams he has coached for include the Rangers (two years), the Braves (two years), and the A’s (one year) in addition to travel ball teams (five years). In his time coaching rec. baseball, Camm has had the privilege of coaching some of his own grandchildren. Once he started coaching rec. baseball, he coached for the team that his grandson, Trace, who was 10 years old at the time, played on. Their team won first place in their league. Two years later in 2017, Camm had the opportunity to coach two of his grandchildren at the same time. The Rec. Department called him one day, in need of a coach for their 10 and under team, the A’s, to which Camm obliged. Both teams won first place at their league championships that year, and the 12 and up Cook All-Stars, another team Camm was coaching at the time, won fourth place at their State Tournament. “The trophies that we won, they’re not mine, they’re the kids’. The kids won those trophies. We might win first place and they’ll all get medals and stuff, but once they’ve played for me, they’ll always be one on my team, one of my kids, and all of those kids have a really big place in my heart.” Camm says that his experiences of coaching ball with the rec. teams as well as travel teams would not have been possible without the help of Jarod Myers, Heath Sellars, Jace Bates, and Michael Dixon. He believes that his greatest achievement is having wife and best friend, Lydia, as his partner by his side through it all. He says that his second greatest achievement is seeing kids that he’s coached make middle school and high school teams. Camm always tries to teach his players lessons that will benefit on and off the baseball diamond. “I always tell them it’s just faith, family, and baseball in that order. Be the best person you can be every day and treat people how you want to be
treated.” Camm has been umpiring with the Deep South Umpire Association for four years, and since has umpired for both Cook Middle and Cook High School games. The sense of community and sportsmanship among players is evident in Camm’s recollection of umpiring the Berrien-Cook game. “The Berrien and the Cook kids all know each other. I used to coach the Cook boys, and so then [the Berrien boys] called me Coach Camm too,” he explains. His grandson, Trace, is on the junior varsity baseball team at Cook High School. Camm’s lasting impact on his players is evident more now than ever. He and his wife are known as “G-Pa” and “G-Ma” by some of his players. “Whenever they see us it’s G-Ma and G-Pa, they’re our grandkids [too].” His love for the sport and dedication to coaching can be seen and heard from his own backyard. In early morning hours, his wife Lydia has heard the ding of a baseball bat from players getting their extra practice time in with Coach Camm. The Kapillas have a pitching mound in their yard open to the kids he’s umpired or coached who wish to come and refine their pitching skills. He says that the best part of it all is seeing the kids get better and seeing the kids realize they can do it. Camm has instilled within his players lessons that will remain with them long after the game is over and their jerseys are put away.
April Garrett
By Charles Shiver
April M. Garrett is a native of Cook County. She has been happily married to her husband Michael Garrett for 15 years now. They have one son named John, who just turned 21 in April. They live on their family farm where April grew up. April graduated from Cook High School in 1994, and she started working in the Clerk of Superior Court’s Office right out of high school in June of 1994 as a part-time position. “I have always wanted to help people and make a difference in the world,” April said. “My heart was set on becoming a nurse, but God had a different plan for my life.” In 2008, April was appointed by operation of law to serve out the former Clerk of Superior Court Chlois Lollis’s remaining term, after Mrs. Lollis retired. In 2009, April was elected by the citizens of Cook County to the Clerk of Court’s position, where she is now serving her third term. April has worked in the Clerk of Court’s Office for 20 years, having served 11 of those years as Clerk. She served in a leadership position as district chair for the 2nd District Superior Court Clerks from 2014 to 2016 and received the Clerk of the Year Award, voted on by her peers, in 2014 and 2015. April is currently serving on the legislative committee and the conference committee for the Superior Court clerks. “Being the Clerk of Superior Court is more than a job; it’s a mission,” April said. “Every day is a new challenge. Over my past 25 years in office, I have learned you have to show compassion. You truly have to love people for who they are, no matter what season of life they are going through. Sometimes helping people is just having a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on.” April actively serves on the CASA advisory board (Court Appointed Special Advocate for children). She is very active in her church at New Life Baptist, where she serves on various committees, which include Vacation Bible School coordinator. She serves as assistant missionary director for her ladies’ WMU group. Within her church, she helps in organizing and working with Toys for Cook Kids during Christmastime. She has been on several mission trips out West with her church family. April says she has a heart for missions, whether she’s serving in her hometown or serving wherever God leads her to go. In nominating April for an article in My Cook, Angela Fountain wrote, “I think I most admire her down-to-earth demeanor. She is not pretentious and is kind. She gives without considering receiving anything in return, except the joy of seeing her efforts to witness heard or welcomed. I think what I admire most is her ability to take on a high profile career as our Cook County Clerk of Superior Court and still dedicate endless hours to various areas of our community where she sees needs, not just in our church, but in the Adel/Cook area.” April’s hobbies are going to the beach, reading, traveling to new places, cooking, and, most importantly, spending time with her family. “I am truly grateful for my job and I love serving the citizens of Cook County,” April said. “I consider it a high honor. “I first want to thank God for leading me down a path I never saw coming, and for the people who nominated me for the feature and for the support of my community, I am truly humbled.” April did an exclusive interview in June 2014 with clerk tv. The interview can be found on https://www.gsccca.org under featured clerks.
Her mission as
Superior Court Clerk
is to help others
August 2019 •
My Cook 11
“I would like to give her a personal thank you because without her love and support, there is no way possible that I could do all that I do!” - Jessica Ogletree, expressing appreciation for her wife Brandy
Jessica Og letree By Charles Shiver
Jessica Ogletree, an Adel Police Department Patrol Supervisor, is very modest about the assistance she has provided over the years to the less fortunate in our community. “I feel like I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to be in a good position, to have the connections to help people,” Jessica said, explaining that she coordinates and facilitates charity efforts among many kind and giving citizens. “There are enough wonderful and generous people in this community that I can reach out to them and then help others. It is an honor to me for people to trust me enough to coordinate.” In nominating Jessica for the person to be featured as the cover article in My Cook magazine, Adel Police Cpl. Raheam Perry remarked about Jessica: “Not only is her work ethic and commitment shown in the line of duty, but also in the support and generosity she gives to her community, friends and family. In order to better equip her department with the necessary skills in the field and within the community, Jessica serves as an asset to all those who encounter her; sharing a positive influence as an inspiring role model and Sergeant.” Among Jessica’s many accomplishments over the years, the Cook County Civitan Club named her Citizen of the Year for 2018; she received the first American Hero Award in the State of Georgia from the National Society of Daughters of Colonial Wars; and the Adel Police Department recognized her as Training Officer of the Year for 2017 and 2018. She was founder of the Toys for Cook Kids Chili Cook-Off, held annually in 2016, 2017, and 2018. So far, the cook-off has raised more than $15,000 for Toys for Cook Kids.
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• August 2019
Another fundraising project Jessica started at Christmastime 2018 was Elf Grams. Jessica dressed up like an elf and delivered holiday message orders along with homemade cookies, flowers, and balloons. The proceeds helped needy local families with Christmas. Elf Grams allowed Christmas gifts to be provided for 23 children, Jessica said. “We made sure every mother of the kids had a gift also.” Jessica plans to continue with Elf Grams during the 2019 holiday season. Jessica also coordinates a community clothes closet. A storage shed is full of clothes, shoes, bedding and linens, and comforters for families and children who have lost their belongings to fire or are in emergency need. “So far this year, we have helped three families who lost their belongings to house fires,” Jessica said. “We helped an elderly lady whose clothes and personal property were stolen.” Additionally this past school year, Jessica started a fundraiser for feminine products that were provided to girls in need at Cook Elementary School, Cook Middle School, and Cook High School. Sometimes the nurses run short on the supplies they need, and the students’ home situation doesn’t provide them with those items, Jessica explained. She wants to have the fundraiser again for the upcoming school year. Jessica tries to be available as much as possible to speak to local clubs and community organizations. For example, she recently spoke about personal safety with senior citizens at the Delle Beamguard Community Center. “For everything I do, all the fundraisers, the Adel Police Department and Cook County Sheriff’s Office are
always the very first supporters,” Jessica said. She expressed special appreciation to Police Chief Chad Castleberry and Sheriff Doug Hanks. Jessica said she is very honored to serve with the local law enforcement officers: “I just try to uphold the values I would want to see in other officers. I want to do good because I’m representing everybody, not just myself. “I expect higher of myself. When you put on this uniform, you’re not just ‘you.’ You’re all law enforcement.” Born in Valdosta, Jessica is the daughter of Ray and Judy Ogletree, both deceased. Jessica said the biggest influences in her life have been her parents, who would give much to help others in need. “They were a huge influence for me to set a good example for my kids, to help others when you can,” she said. Jessica lived in Hahira until she was 8 years old, and the family moved to Cook County when she was in the third grade. She has resided here ever since, except during her military service. Jessica graduated from Cook High School in 1999 and then attended Valdosta State University. She served in the United States Army from 2001 to 2003. She was in basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, when the 9-11 terrorist attacks occurred. She said she and the other recruits didn’t learn about 9-11 until three days later, because they were closed off to the rest of the world during training, no access to phones or to news. Her job in the military was Chemical Operations Specialist. She took new soldiers through a simulated chemical attack and showed them the correct way to wear gas masks and how to detect airborne toxins. Jessica was not deployed overseas because she was pregnant with her daughter, Haley Shaffer. Jessica decided to return to civilian life after her two years of service and came home to Adel in December 2003. Haley, 15, is now a sophomore at Cook High School. Jessica’s son Kolton Ogletree was born a year later. Kolton, 14, is a freshman at Cook High School. “My biggest accomplishment is my kids,” Jessica said. “They’re good kids, polite and helpful. They make good grades, receiving multiple awards in school, and have side jobs.” Kolton, a young entrepreneur, owns a seedling business, Ogletree’s Seedlings. He mainly grows vegetables for customers. He is considering a career in agriculture, landscaping, or (following in his mother’s footsteps) as a DNR enforcement officer. Haley is undecided at this point. The Adel Police Department hired Jessica in April 2004. Jessica graduated from the Georgia Public Safety Training Center Academy in Tifton. She started out as a patrol officer. She then served as School Resource Officer at Cook High School from 2006 to 2009. In 2009, Jessica’s mom passed away. Jessica worked for the next three-and-a-half years with the City of Valdosta as a Water Treatment Analyst. The job gave her the schedule she needed as a young mother raising two young children. In February 2013, Jessica rejoined Adel Police as a patrol officer. She was promoted to corporal and then to sergeant, the rank she holds now. Jessica serves as a Field Training Officer, working
with new recruits after they graduate from the Police Academy and join the department. She is a Certified Instructor teaching classroom classes on such matters as new policies and procedures and legal updates. The State requirement is 20 hours of training per year for a police officer to retain his POST certification. However, “our department is very proactive with training” and the hours of training for Adel officers are well above the 20-hour minimum, Jessica said. She has earned Supervisory Certification, which requires a total of 120 hours training. Jessica is married to Brandy Ogletree, originally from Fitzgerald. Brandy has resided in Cook County for five years. The Ogletrees celebrated their third-year wedding anniversary on April 23, 2019. “She supports everything I do for the community, and I couldn’t do it without her support,” Jessica said. “She does more of the background work.” As examples, as Jessica sells tickets for a fundraiser, Brandy organizes them for her; Jessica collects items for the community clothes closet, and Brandy goes through them and organizes them. As for her professional and community service goals, Jessica would like to set up a program in which the Police Department would have current photos, descriptions, and fingerprints on file of autistic or mentally disabled children and elderly residents with Alzheimer’s disease. Those means of identification would help find the children and elderly with those issues and bring them to safety much more quickly when they go missing, Jessica said. The Police Department hopes to work with family members on compiling the documentation. Jessica said she would like to meet with the kids involved in the program and establish trust with them so they would respond positively to police. Jessica and Brandy have extended their caring for human beings to animals. They have three “very special” Shih Tzu dogs and two outside dogs that had been strays. The mother dog had rejected one of the Shih Tzus as a three-day-old puppy: “We tube-fed (the puppy) every three hours up to the age of six weeks.” The Ogletrees also rescued a bearded dragon that had lived in a meth house. The 1 1/2-foot-long lizard was very sickly when rescued and had to shed its skin and build up its calcium levels. The family has two cute rescue Testudo tortoises, too. “I love animals,” Jessica said. “I try to go above and beyond what I can for animals … Except for snakes. If you call me about a snake, I’m sorry, but I can’t help you there.” Jessica’s hobbies include fishing; scalloping; gardening, helping with her son’s plants (she especially likes succulents); and, of course, spending time with her family. Jessica’s scalloping hobby led to a positive local impact. She is friends with the owner of Marker One Flats Charters in Steinhatchee, Fla. Marker One agreed to offer a trip as a prize for the recent fundraiser to benefit a fellow officer and his family while he battles a major illness.
‘A hometown hero who helps so many in need’
August 2019 •
My Cook 13
meadows
By Charles Shiver
steven
An awesome young businessman who graduates from high school in August Steven L. Meadows Jr., an 18-yearold high school student, has already made his mark in the Adel business community. The young entrepreneur recently opened a store at 150 Old Quitman Road, Adel, for Meadows Concession Inc. The products sold include root beer and Coke floats, Cajun and regular boiled peanuts, shaved ice with multiple flavors, hand-dipped ice cream with many flavors available, hand-dipped milkshakes, cotton candy, popcorn, candy apples, chocolate-covered strawberries, Twix bars, and more. Meadows Concession also offers a breakfast menu with sausage biscuits, sausage, egg, and cheese biscuits, bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits, homemade muffins, and coffee. Steven and Mike Jordan (owner of Dough Boys next door) plan on bringing back the doughnuts Dough Boys used to sell. Steven started the business in August of 2017, selling snow cones, food items, and beverages as a vendor at several community events, such as Adel Downtown Days and Cook County Centennial events. Many of his employees have helped out as Steven’s businesses are set up as vendors at the community events. The business will still rent out concession equipment including a chocolate fountain for birthdays, weddings, and more. The business had a contract with Wild Adventures to offer concessions at the
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• August 2019
theme park. Steven also owns Meadows Avon and is associated with Susie Cakes (an online bakery). Steven and his grandma Judy Meadows started S&S Collectibles Inc., his first business (which sells antiques online). Steven works 15- to 16-hour days (the business is open seven days a week) and employs 20 full-time staff. The vice president of Steven’s company is his sister Lindsey Meadows. He said he made her vice president because he wants her to learn about business and one day take this business over when he goes to follow his next dreams. His employees for the Meadows Concession Inc. store are: Lindsey Meadows, Shelby Sexton, Alexis Schofill, Montana Harrell, Tommy Dampier, Atlanta C, Jaylyne Harris, Victoria Carter, Haley Womack, Victoria Carter, Robin S, Kamren Harris, Tymaria Walton, Brock Bailey, and Annabelle Giddens. Steven says he hires high school students to give them job opportunities. While a student at Cook High School (he served as class president for two years), Steven was founder and CEO of Cook High School News, which videoed events and interviewed local and state dignitaries. As a video journalist, he met Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and his wife and Gov. Brian Kemp and his wife. So he could focus on his business pursuits, Steven left Cook High School
in December of 2018 and began taking online classes with James Madison High School, based in Norcross, Ga. He will graduate from James Madison in August with a College Prep Diploma. He plans to earn a doctorate degree in business from Grand Canyon University, and own and operate his own businesses for his career in Adel. The person who nominated Steven for a feature story in My Cook magazine said, “He is very enthusiastic, very polite and well mannered. Very hardworking, always helping Cook County. He is always looking at new ideas to improve his business. Awesome young man.” Steven is a member of Maranatha Baptist Church in Sparks. Steven got started in business when he was just 10 years old, as a partner in a thrift store. Steven says that as a little boy, he was not only interested in having his own business but also helping people and the community. Having his own store front has been his dream for years. His goals are to expand his businesses and hire more people. By November or December, he plans to open Meadows Bistro, an upscale restaurant offering steaks and fine wine, at the former Blarney Cup location on South Hutchinson Avenue. This will be a unique dining experience and fill a real need for the restaurant experience in this community, Steven says.
Steven’s proud parents are Linda Baker, who worked with the USDA for more than 30 years and is the president of Meadows Concession, and Steven Meadows, owner of S&R Construction. Steven’s grandpa is Bennie Shivers, owner of Shivers Utility Trailers Inc. Steven’s grandma Sue Wilkes owns Susie Cakes Inc. Steven has learned a lot about cooking cakes and so much more from her. Steven also said he has learned a lot and helped a lot at his grandpa’s company. The younger Steven said helping his dad and grandpa and grandma instilled in him the entrepreneurial spirit. “I want to be able to do so much for my hometown,” Steven said. “I didn’t get into business to get rich. I started it to help people and employ people who don’t have a chance.” Steven has donated to the Boys and Girls Club, St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Atlanta, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Steven expressed appreciation to several people who have helped him over the years, including Tammy Bobo, Jim Long, and Mike Jordan with Dough Boys Pizza next door to Meadows Concession. As for Steven’s longterm goals, he would like to run for a seat on the Cook County Board of Education and serve as a high school principal. For more information about Meadows Concession, please call (229) 585-8466.
‘Leave it better
than you found it’
In nominating Pat Bush for My Cook magazine, Sharon Harnage stated: “She works so hard! She is dedicated to whatever project that is set before her. I have had the honor of serving on the Centennial Committee with her. She was voted our chairman. She has worked so very hard on organizing, and promoting, our events. … I don’t think she has ever been recognized publicly for all she does for our community.” Pat Bush is known for her hard work and dedication to the growth and development of Cook County. Pat moved to Adel when she was in the first grade and her parents were transferred by the telephone company. She graduated from Cook High School in 1963. She dreamt of being a first grade teacher and put her plan into action by attending community college at South Georgia State College. Pat earned her bachelor’s degree, majoring in Early Childhood Education, at Georgia Southwestern State University, where she later returned to pursue her master’s degree. After graduating with her master’s degree, she married her husband, William Bush, in 1965, and they later moved to Atlanta. While William was working in the United States Secret Service, Pat and her family moved to Woodbridge, Va., Colombia, S.C., and Americus, Ga. They moved back to Cook County in 1985. Pat began her first teaching job in South Carolina after her children Chad, Brad, Lara, and Clint had started school. Pat taught in Cook County for many years before her retirement in 2005. She taught at Lenox Elementary for 10 years, Cook County Pre-K for 12 years, and Cook Elementary School part-time for three years. Pat’s influence and love for the community is apparent through her work as Chairman of the Board for the Adel-Cook County Chamber of Commerce and her work with various organizations such as the Cook County Arts Council, the Cook Centennial Committee, Alpha Delta Kappa, and the Boys and Girls Club of the Greater Cook County Area. “My goal is to work for my community to make the community better, and that’s what I’ve tried to teach my children as well as my grandchildren,” she said. Pat has served in the Chamber of Commerce, with positions including Community Development Committee Chair and Chairman of the Board, for more than 15 years. She was nominated for the Chamber’s Woman of the Year in 2014 in recognition of her service to the community. “It was quite an honor. You don’t do things for recognition. You do things because it’s in your heart and you love it. But it is nice to be recognized.” In her time away, Pat realized one thing Cook County was missing: A medium for performing arts. She and Sallye Bennett worked alongside Carolyn Harris and others, and later founded the Cook County Council for the Arts in 1993 to showcase local talent and bring theatrical entertainment to the community. The Council for the Arts
Pat Bush By Emily Densmore
raised money to help build the Carolyn Harris Performing Arts Center at Cook High School. “We have been around for many years. We are very active and do performances; we bring in performances. It gives the people here the opportunity to be here right at home and enjoy a quality production.” Pat is also Chairman of the Cook Centennial Committee, planning and organizing events for the county’s 100th anniversary celebration. The Cook Centennial Committee has orchestrated many different events such as “100 Years of Progress” in January to showcase innovative and technological advances in vehicles and agriculture over the 100-year span. They have also hosted an “old-fashioned” softball tournament and a Fun Festival at Reed Bingham State Park. The Cook Centennial Committee has also received recognition from Governor Brian Kemp. Another organization that Pat is involved with is Alpha Delta Kappa, an invitation-only sorority for educators. She has helped organize events and fundraisers, such as “The Christmas Tour of Homes” with the Alpha Rho chapter of Cook County, to raise money for their scholarships to assist graduating seniors from Cook High School hoping to pursue careers in education. Pat has been involved with the Boys and Girls Club of thew Greater Cook County Area long before it received its charter. Being in the school system and working with the children of the community directly, Pat believed that the Boys and Girls Club was essential to improve the lives of the students. The Boys and Girls Club provides a safe space for kids to grow and learn outside of school. She attended meetings at the old middle school, and they worked hard to meet the criteria in order to receive the charter from Atlanta. Today, there are over 130 members of the Boys and Girls Club. The inexpensive tuition for the club provides the children with three meals and snacks every day during the summer and a positive environment that promotes growth and education.
Pat notes that, “Every child who has attended the Boys and Girls Club passed their grades this year.” On top of all her work in the community, she is also a business owner. Her family currently owns Adel Pawn & Gift and the Gorgeous Goose, and formerly owned Adel Outfitters for 29 years. There are traces of Pat’s influence all over Cook County from Adel Pawn & Gift and Gorgeous Goose to the Boys and Girls Club and the Carolyn Harris Performing Arts Center. She has made a lasting impact on the community through her service and hard work. “That’s what it’s all about, giving back to your community so that you can make it a better place. Leave it better than you found it.”
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16 My Cook
• August 2019
1/25/2019 4:46:34 PM
Merwin Gavin By Charles Shiver
Chief Operating Officer of RCN Financial Advisors
In his early 20s, Gavin Merwin is one of the youngest, but also one of the most successful, company executives in Adel and the South. Gavin serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of RCN Financial Advisors on South Burwell Avenue in Adel. Gavin grew up in Adel and has resided here all of his life. He is a 2013 honor graduate of Cook High School and a 2015 Leadership Cook grad. He went to work for RCN Financial Advisors during the summer of 2013. Gavin graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree of Business Administration in Finance on May 7, 2016, from Valdosta State University. He started at VSU in the fall of 2013 and finished a four-year degree in three years. He finished in the top 10 percent of the business school. He was accepted as a lifetime member of Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society at VSU. Gavin married the love of his life Jess Griner in May 2016. Jess, a 2014 graduate of Cook High School, works as a Registered Nurse at South Georgia Medical Center. “Gavin loves photography, his church, and stays so busy doing all the things that he can and enjoys,” says his grandmother Barbara Merwin. Gavin was nominated for the second year to be featured in My Cook magazine. Gavin was promoted as RCN Financial Advisors COO in 2017. RCN is owned by Terry Moore, who has more than 30 years of experience in that business field. RCN is a private wealth management, estate planning, and business and corporation financial advisory company that serves clients in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. The RCN team has about 20 financial advisors and support personnel. Gavin has launched RCN Cares, a community service outreach program of RCN Financial Advisors. The team at RCN is dedicated to giving back to the local community and is excited to assist with local needs. “Corporate responsibility is something we’re very passionate about, and to have the opportunity to continue to support and give back to our local community is something we’re very much interested in,” Gavin said about the program. For the inaugural project in 2018, RCN provided boxed dinners to less fortunate families in the community. RCN invited and challenged other local businesses to partner and pledge to participate
with the Thanksgiving Meal Project. As a community project, RCN encouraged more than 200 students at Cook Elementary School (CES) and Community Christian Academy (CCA) to design the Christmas windows for the business, as part of the Adel-Cook County Chamber of Commerce’s “Deck Your Business” Holiday Decorating Contest. RCN chose two winning designs from Kylee Mathis, a fourth grader at CCA, and Madison Young, a fifth grader at CES. Kylee and Madison each received a $50 gift card. The schools’ teachers and administrators raved about how much the children enjoyed making the designs and were “super-appreciative” about the business involving the kids, Gavin said. He noted that Kylee gave the $50 gift card to her mother for her mom’s birthday. Some of the RCN team recently volunteered at Grace Community Church for their monthly food bank. They brought groceries and cooked dinner for people in need who are served by Grace Community. Have a project you need assistance with? Drop them a note at RCNCares@RCNAdvisors.com, or call (229) 896-3436, extension 227.
launches RCN Cares, serves with Cook Mentors Kids Gavin also has joined the Cook Mentors Kids program as a mentor. He currently encourages a Cook High School student/athlete to excel in school. The mentors provide guidance to the students on life skills, how to be good citizens, and influence them to make good decisions. Gavin serves on the Board of Directors for the Adel-Cook County Chamber of Commerce and the Boys and Girls Club of the Greater Cook County Area. He also is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Adel. Gavin is a very active member of Cornerstone Christian Church in Sparks. He plays drums for the song services. Gavin emphasizes that faith in the
Lord drives his and Jess’ lives and is the foundation of his business ethics. Gavin enjoys golf, reading, and traveling overseas with Jess. During his college years, he did a study abroad in Russia. He and Jess have visited the beautiful countries of Ireland and Costa Rica. August 2019 •
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My Centennial 100th Birthday for Cook County at Reed Bingham VVA Members
Black History Month
Dr. Ruby Roberts, Linder Miller, Addie Woods Mitchell
Time Capsule Opening Eric Postell gets letter from grandmother
100 Years of Progress at Peripheral Mowers Cole Southerland, Brylee Meadows, Dwight Purvis
Georgia Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals with PACES program students
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My Centennial
Centennial Event in Lenox Old-Fashioned Ball Game
Time Capsule Opening
Centennial Event in Lenox May Pole Dance
August 2019 •
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a leader for community improvements
Zoe Myers
Zoe Myers has served as Executive Director of Cook County Family Connection since 1999, and has been instrumental in building and directing a collaborative partnership that includes over 60 local, regional, and state partners. Under her direction, these partners work as a collective team to improve literacy and education, to create healthier environments, and to increase access to health care services. As an experienced grant writer, Zoe has generated millions of dollars through federal, state, and private grants to support Cook County projects that improve the quality of life for children, families, and senior citizens. She has been recognized for her local accomplishments on the state and national level by receiving the Georgia Family Connection Collaborative Achievement Award and the National Pacesetter Literacy Award. She also received a Distinguished Alumnus Award from Valdosta State University where she earned her Bachelor and Master Degrees in Sociology and also served as an Adjunct Professor teaching graduate-level courses in Sociology and Community Development. Recognized as a leader in community collaboration, Zoe frequently conducts training sessions for regional and state partners such as the Governor’s Office, Healthcare Georgia Foundation, Georgia Family Connection, Get Georgia Reading, and others. In addition to her work with Cook County Family Connection, she also serves on the Board of Directors for the South Georgia Nonprofit Network, a regional collaborative comprised of diverse nonprofit organizations from across South Georgia. Candace Horne, who was featured in a previous cover story for My Cook magazine, nominated Zoe to be featured in this year’s issue. Mrs. Horne says Zoe wears many hats in our community and she represents Cook County Family Connection well.
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Michael Purvis and Zoe Myers
Family Connection offers leadership training at Cook Medical Center Cook County Family Connection would like to thank the Adel-Cook County Chamber of Commerce for inviting Family Connection to co-lead the Leadership Cook 2019 gathering at Cook Medical Center on June 14, 2019. Family Connection Director Zoe Myers presented a three-hour workshop on Building Community through Collaboration to 13 leaders from Leadership Cook and the Chamber of Commerce. The leadership training was hosted by Michael Purvis (CEO of Cook Medical Center) and his team, who provided fabulous food, meeting facilities, and a tour of the new hospital for the leadership group. After this training session, the members of Leadership Cook 2019 made a group decision to focus their community service project on improved literacy, and they will soon be creating lending library projects across Cook County.
My Kids Lily Young, daughter of Lindsay and Nick Young
John Bryan, son of Kristy and Trey Bryan
Front Row: L –R Adrian Mateo, Julian Mateo. Back Row: L – R Victoria Mateo, Brianna Mateo. Children of Selena Diane Mateo.
Front Row: L – R Meri McDaniel, Jackson McDaniel. Back Row: L– R Marlee McDaniel, Landon McDaniel, Children of Lydia and Jonathan McDaniel
Logan Bryan, son of Kristy and Trey Bryan
Canaan Dingler, son of Heather and Caleb Dingler
Brayden Dunn, son of Hunter Dunn and Brooke McBrayer
Graysen Dingler, son of Heather and Caleb Dingler
Annalea Dingler, daughter of Heather and Caleb Dingler
Jude Tillman, son of Liza and Jason Tillman Bowen Shiflett, son of LaNae’ and Ben Shiflett
L –R Lyla Marulanda and Landon Marulanda children of Manny and Jessica Marulanda Luna Garcia, daughter of Brenda and Saul Garcia
Jaelee Hayes, daughter of Suzanne Hayes and Bradley Williams
Nolan Young, son of Lindsay and Nick Young August 2019 •
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My Boys
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&
girls club
Cook County’s Healthcare Leader
The Future of
COOK
Medical Center
Rural Healthcare Starts Here
The new $40 million Cook Medical Center facility in Adel. Coming in Fall 2019. • Family Medicine and Convenient Care • Diagnostic Services • Physical Therapy • Sylvia Barr Center • Cook Senior Living Center
• Ambulatory Surgery Center • General Surgery • Orthopedics • Urology & More…
706 N. Parrish Avenue, Adel 229-896-8000 CookMedicalCenter.com July 2019 • My Cook 23
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