A little bit about a lot of outstanding Oconee County contributors



Outstanding Oconee County Contributors – winners for 2013 inaugural class


  • Miss Vinnie Williams – publisher of the Oconee Enterprise, lifelong Democrat, columnist, author, reporter, mother to Maridee Williams, done many things for Watkinsville and Oconee County over the years, 90 year old female newspaper owner; one of the few female newspaper owners in the nation
  • Chuck Horton – former member of the Oconee County Board of Education and Board of Commissioners, recent Republican candidate for Chairman of Board of Commissioners, former Chief of Police at UGA, works for Athens Downtown Development Authority working on parking matters
  • Peggy Holcomb – head of Oconee County Tourism and Welcome Center in Watkinsville, formerly worked for the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation, lifelong Democrat, Art Masters, daughter ran for City Council in Watkinsville recently, founding member of OCAF
  • David Shearon and Mario Castro – co-owners of both Ashford on Main and Ashford Manor Bed and Breakfast, moved from Chicago and spend a small fortune hosting many concerts, weddings, plays, meetings and always quite accommodating and never afraid to try something new and different.
  • Lawrence Stueck and Kathleen McQuiston – own the Sanctuary at 13 Barnett Shoals Road – have hosted many events there including Moore’s Ford Memorial Committee events and Grady Thrasher’s film recently – Lawrence painted Rocket Field dugouts and Kathleen ran for Watkinsville City Council and maintains plants at Kumquat Mae. Founding members of OCAF;
  • Kathy and Jerry Chappelle – started Happy Valley Pottery, many ways responsible for the burgeoning Oconee County arts scene, opened Chappelle Gallery, supportive of many artists in the area, always willing to take a chance. Very supportive of downtown businesses and all things Oconee and Watkinsville in general. Also founding members of OCAF.
  • Melissa Steele – blogger, artist, can help with windows, blinds and curtains, cleaner of streams, works with Girl Scouts, organized several large litter pick ups of less populated south end of the county, married to great musician, always willing to contribute and support music and art.
  • Lee Becker – University of Georgia journalism professor, blogger for Oconee County Observations, champion of streams and water in and around Oconee County, has given tours and talks in Watkinsville, covers government better than anyone, unable to attend this evening.
  • Sgt. Courtney Gale – once a member of the Bishop town council, received her badge again yesterday from the A/CC police after six years recuperating from near fatal knife attack at Kroger, champion of Athens Dancing with the Stars, always willing to take on any challenge, my bet for being next Chief of Police in Athens
  • Bill and Lyn Yarbrough – oldest continual business owners in Oconee County with Elizabeth Ann florists, Lyn is cancer survivor, strong supporter of Relay for Life, outstanding Grandmother and mother; Bill is member of Oconee County Planning Commission, former chair of Oconee County Democratic Committee, Board of Registrations and Elections, current football referee and home pet care specialist and Grandfather. Very supportive of local politics and businesses.
  • Krimson Black – local restaurant owner, always willing to open her place to any function, bicycling enthusiast, very cheerful, youthful, fed Rita for every lunch she has been open
  • Jeannette Rankin Foundation – Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund honors the name and legacy of an American woman of incredible spirit and determination by providing much needed aid to women with the same attributes. Jeannette Rankin was a proponent of women's rights and was the first woman to be elected to the United States Congress in 1916. Upon her death, Rankin left a portion of her Georgia estate to assist "mature, unemployed women workers." Rankin's personal assistant, Reita Rivers, along with friends Sue Bailey, Gail Dendy, our own Margaret Holt, and Heather Kleiner, established a foundation to help adult women who face difficulties returning to school. The $16,000 from Rankin's estate was the seed money for Jeannette Rankin Foundation, which has been helping mature, low-income women succeed through education since it was chartered in 1976. We welcome Pat Reagan, Development Director.

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