Pause to thank a successful duo

Published 9:00 am Tuesday, February 1, 2011

As the calendar turns today to the shortest month of the year, we would be remiss if we didn’t take time to say congratulations to a couple of people in our community who were honored recently for their achievements.

• Anyone who has lived in the Dalton area for any length of time has probably either eaten at or at least heard of The Oakwood Cafe, but word of its success is spreading.

Oakwood co-owner Kasey Carpenter was recognized on Jan. 23 during the second annual “Bulldog 100: Fastest Growing Bulldog Businesses.” The event is sponsored by the University of Georgia Alumni Association and recognizes the top businesses across the country owned or operated by UGA graduates. Carpenter and his wife Julie both graduated from Georgia.

To qualify for the top 100, companies must have been in business for at least five years; have verifiable revenues of $100,000 or more for the calendar year 2007; must be owned by a former UGA student who owns at least 50 percent of company or is the chief executive officer, president or managing partner; and the company “must operate in a manner consistent with UGA’s ‘Pillars of the Arch’ character statement.”

Carpenter, 32, graduated from Georgia in 2001 and from Dalton High School in 1996. He said community support of the restaurant has been the key to its success.

• Think Northwest Whitfield High School Lady Bruins basketball and the name Margaret Stockburger should immediately come to mind.

Friday, the long-time coach, who is retiring at the end of the year, was honored by her players, both past and present.

Stockburger was presented with flowers, a plaque and a blanket reading “Thanks, Coach.” Best of all, it was a surprise orchestrated by former Northwest player and current Lady Bruins assistant coach Carrie Brown.

As successful as Stockburger has been on the court, it is what many of her former players are quick to say about her as a teacher and mentor that means the most.

Mandi Cogley, a member of the first senior class of Stockburger’s head coaching tenure, remembers Stockburger’s impact well.

“Any of us who played for her were fortunate because she not only taught us things on the court, she taught us things to carry on in life,” Cogley said. “Self-discipline and class. How to win with class and how to lose with class. Those are things you can use no matter what you do after high school.”

To both Carpenter and Stockburger, congratulations on your achievements.

Both of you are ambassadors of our community who we all can be proud of.