Over halfway done!

I'm at page 106, over halfway there! Went to the Historical Society's annual preservation awards dinner, and got some unexpected help with some of my mystery photos. Listened to a great visitor speak on the history and possible location of Fort Buffington in Cherokee County. I've almost finished the "Community Organizations" chapter, just need some final names and tweaking. Have to visit some folks in Canton on Monday for some more info, then its time to get some more photos to pour over. Found out who the Cherokee Rhythm Rockers were, and who the "Pink Ladies Auxiliary" were at R.T. Jones Memorial Hospital. The more people I talk with, and see their enthusiasm for this photo book, the more excited I get for its publication!

96 Pages and Counting!

Well, I'm up to page 96 and things are still going well. Started on the chapters with community and social organizations such as the Boy Scouts, Little League, and the Natl. Guard. I also started a chapter with photos of old homes that are now gone, but there aren't many photos of that type that Buddy took. It may be a short chapter, but the photos are important to show everyone. Been asking for help from the African-American community with some photos from the Cherokee Cty. Training School, hope to find some names to go with the faces. Got some more photos of Buddy's life, also, and that chapter is almost done. I copied the excel file of all of Buddy's photos, and have been going line by line looking for some interesting material to add. Tedious, but I don't want to miss anything worthy of printing. I know, I know, get back to work. Wish me happy photo hunting.

Gathering More Information

Spent some time in the library finding out who the Hollywood actress was that visited Canton in the 1950s, and which Tarzan visited in the 1970s. Also spoke with Gene Moore at the Pontiac dealership about some Buddy photos taken in that area, mainly for clarification purposes. Visited Judge Pope and Ms. Smithwick last week for help with names and faces, and some stories on crime and punishment in Cherokee County. Gotta get my facts straight, or the ladies at the Historical Society will surely enjoy correcting me! I also need to pick out about 10 or more good aerial photos for that chapter of the book. I'll be chained to my computer this weekend working on the book, if anyone needs me. Don't worry, I don't mind.

Working on school photos for Chapter 3.

I've begun working on Ch. 3, which will contain photos of schools, school events, sporting events, and classroom scenes in Cherokee County. Found some great "Buddy" photos of school dances, football games, and my favorite, a photo of the Canton Elementary Halloween carnival in 1968. Had to make a few phone calls to find out when Janice Cummings won the Cherokee High School Snow Queen award (I believe it was 1957). I need to get some copies of about 6-8 photos from the Hist. Soc. to finish the chapter, mostly of the Cherokee Training School, and scenes from schools in Holly Springs and Buffington. I also found Byron Dobbs in the 1957 photo of teachers at Canton Grammar School. Need to call him, too. Onward and upward!

Research and more research

I went to the library today to look at the North Georgia Tribune newspaper on microfilm. Among other things, I found out who was in the 1961 Dean Rusk speech at Reinhardt College photo, what the "Janice Cummings Day" parade photo was all about, and why Shirley Bell was always in the 1957 Miss Cherokee County photos (hint: she was the 1956 winner). I still have to find out about the Grade Mothers basketball games in Canton during the 1950s, as well as the Jaycees Poultry Celebration in July 1958 ( the year/date may be wrong). Now that I have more information for captions, I can add some more pictures to the events chapter. Wish me luck.

The Buddy Alexander Book, and so it begins.

I have begun work on the book that will chronicle the photographic work of Buddy Alexander. I have decided that the first chapter I will tackle will contain photos of local businesses, such as restaurants, stores, car dealerships, and shops. It will be titled, "Wheels, Deals, and Meals: Stores and Businesses in Cherokee County." I have collected about 35 photos of various businesses, most of which no longer exist. They include variety stores such as Kessler's and Rosenblum's, restaurants such as the Kwik-Chik and the Barbeque Dixie Inn, and grocery stores such as Blair's Super Market and Colonial Grocery Store, all of which are no longer in business.

Now comes my favorite part, the research portion, where I have to find out what city and street these businesses were on, who owned them, what did they sell, etc. I hope you enjoy following my progress as much as I enjoy progressing along with the book.