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Karen J. Rohr

Stories by Karen J.

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Conyers woman recovers from breast cancer with help from family, friends

Diane Reagan, senior vice president of THP printing in Conyers, said she approached her breast cancer treatments as if tackling a project at work.

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DWJ tech services aim to help small businesses succeed

If you run a small business and you don't have a computer system or the system is more than five years old, Derontay Pettigrew wants you to give him a call. It's time for you to invest in updated technology.

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Motorcycle ride, good eats focus of Miracle League fundraiser

The first annual Miracle League Wheels for Diamonds Poker Run is not only a way to support the special-needs community, it's also a pretty good deal for the cost.

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Porterdale salon offers cuts, hair color, tanning

Stylin' at the Mill owner Linda Finger is hopeful that by opening up her new full service hair and tanning salon at 2116 Main St. in Porterdale, she'll do her part to boost business in the Porterdale Mill development area along the Yellow River.

Independent film to benefit Newton Habitat for Humanity

Volunteer camera crews, actors and production staff will be busy in Porterdale over the next several weekends making a film they hope will raise thousands of dollars for Habitat for Humanity of Newton County.

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Free health screenings, family activities featured at Monastery Fall Festival

For their second annual Fall Festival, the monks at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit have decided to put into action one of their basic tenets -- service to the community.

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Master Gardener festival features hundreds of plants for sale, wildlife shows, cooking demo

You don't have to have a green thumb to enjoy the Seventh Annual Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Plant Festival and Sale. In addition to the hundreds of plants, shrubs and trees for sale, the event, set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 29 at 1400 Parker Road, features wildlife

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Conyers Wendy's transforms into a more contemporary venue

Order. Sit. Relax. That's what company officials hope you'll do at the newly renovated Wendy's in Conyers.

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Local professionals showcase artwork at Olde Town Gallery

An art exhibit opening on Friday features people known locally for their professional accomplishments -- a lawyer, a retired non-profit director, a graphic artist, and a retired insurance executive -- but not necessarily for their artistic abilities.

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FirstLight offers seniors assistance in the home

Statistics show that about 10,000 people in America will turn 65 each day, said Ed Ukaonu, owner of FirstLight Home Care, a care provider for seniors. That means greater pressure on the "sandwich generation," younger people caring for both their children and their aging parents.

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Rockdale mentor program seeking more volunteers

Mentor Harold McAdams takes his mentee, Tamarion Flemister, to places like Dairy Queen where they can get a treat. He also helps the boy with his homework and sometimes plays basketball with him. But the most important activity McAdams does with his 10-year-old mentee is to pay attention

Sheriff's department offers firearms safety course

Rockdale County Sheriff's Office offers two gun safety classes -- Sept. 15 and Oct. 13.

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Donated collection of Civil War books on display at Nancy Guinn

Before Jeff Gillespie visited a Civil War battlefield, he read as much as he could about the generals, the troops, the battle strategy, the maneuvers on the field, the terrain. When he got to the site, he'd close his eyes and describe to his wife Linda exactly what happened, down

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Breast cancer survivors encouraged to share their stories

Chris Martin nursed her husband through Alzheimer's disease for 10 years until his death in summer 2010. The day after his memorial services, doctors gave her the news that she had bladder cancer. After successful treatment of the disease, Martin had one more battle on her hands -- doctors diagnosed

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Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce holds golf tourney

It's time to tee up again for the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce. The chamber is holding its 22nd Annual Golf Tournament on Sept. 24 at Cherokee Run Golf Club, 3321 Dennard Road in Conyers near the Georgia International Horse Park.

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Kennel Club presents dog obedience event, essay contest

What does it take to be a responsible dog owner? If you're a middle-schooler and want to win a cash prize, answer that question in about 600 words and submit it to the Conyers Kennel Club.

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Retired female firefighter mentors rookie

It's not uncommon for people to express surprise when Melissa Larson pulls off her face piece, a protective fire mask, after she's responded to the scene of an emergency.. "They say 'That's a fire lady.' We get that all the time," said Larson. "That's neat. You get a

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Covington Diner specializes in Greek food but menu choices run the gamut

The Covington Diner boasts well more than 100 menu items and restaurant manger Dave Tzikas said should someone get a hankering for an item not listed, he'll do his best to fulfill the customer's request.

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Falconer set to perform flighted shows at festival

Falconer Dale Arrowood has worked with birds of prey for decades and the thrill of watching a bald eagle take flight still leaves him speechless.. "It doesn't matter how many times I've flown a bald eagle. I've spent 7,000 to 9,000 hours with eagles and I've never seen an eagle

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Shop on a budget at women's consignment shop in Olde Town

Looking for stylish ladies, clothes but don't want to pay full price? Sadie's Sister women's consignment shop could add a little pizazz to your wardrobe without breaking the bank.

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Milstead woman turns 100

Doctors recently gave centenarian Beatrice Adcock Hester an excellent report, said her daughter Laura Jean Christian, who attributes her mother's long life and good health to hard work and faith in God.

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Scale a mountain, climb a tree, hike in the moonlight at Panola Park

Scale a mountain, climb a tree, hike in the moonlight at Panola Park. With the kids back in school, it's time to schedule some outdoor fun on the weekends -- and the perfect place to do that is at Panola Mountain State Park, where families can learn about everything from

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Charmed Salon Spa Boutique opens on the Square in Covington

Amy Hill wants people who walk through the doors of her salon and spa to forget about the cares of the world and relax.

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Woman with terminal cancer holds celebration of life

Shirley Moss is dying from brain cancer, but instead of planning an elaborate memorial service in preparation for her passing, the 67-year-old mother of two chose to say her goodbyes in person. Last weekend, she and her family hosted a Christmas in July party at her home in

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Class helps parents care for children with mental illness

Diane Marinelli said she noticed symptoms of her son's mental health problems at an early age.

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Polston fulfills girlhood dream with Merle Norman store

As a child growing up in the south Georgia town of Baxley, Tammie Polston spent many days visiting the Merle Norman Cosmetic store owned by her best friend's mother.

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Veterans Information and Referral Office opens in Conyers

Muriel Whaley served in the Air Force from 1974 to 1987, and then went on to work for the U.S. Postal Service for 17 years. A back injury left her unable to continue her job at the post office, and she struggled to care for her three children, with no

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Oxford resident reaches out to single parents with magazine

Bobby Mackey grew up in a single-parent household, and watched his mother struggle to keep her family together.

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Long-time Covington pharmacist moves business to CVS

The phone is ringing off the hook at the CVS pharmacy in Covington and part of the reason for the high volume of calls is pharmacist Chip McClanahan.

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Local family returns from five-year mission trip in Cambodia

The Hatch family spent five of the last six years living in Cambodia serving as missionaries. Parents Tim and Grace Hatch, and their children, Christi, 18, Daniel 16, and Josiah, 15, dealt with health problems during their time in the developing country and learned to live without creature comforts like

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Fundraiser to benefit child with traumatic brain injury

In early April, Daniel Wheeler, 6, fractured his skull after falling out of the back of a pickup truck. He received life-threatening head injuries and spent over a month in the hospital.. Surgeons repaired Daniel's skull with titanium plates. He spent weeks on life support. After regaining consciousness, he

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Antiques/collectibles store opens in Conyers

Beverly Crutchfield and her family enjoy buying antiques and making artwork, so the clan recently decided to go into business together selling those very items.

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Softball tournament benefits child battling cancer

From her bedroom window, Olivia Pauleon enjoys gazing at the trees in her backyard. Because of her disabilities, the 6-year-old can't run and play, but there is one way she could take advantage of the fresh air and sunshine like other children -- in a swing.. One of

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See bluebirds, tupelo gum trees on GWF hikes

Staff members at the Georgia Wildlife Federation, an environmental nonprofit tucked away on 115 acres along the Alcovy River in Covington, invite the public to come walk the grounds and learn about Georgia's natural treasures.

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Monastery of the Holy Spirit 5K to benefit food bank

Looking for a change of scenery for your next 5K run? Then the Monastery of the Holy Spirit just might be the ticket.

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Astronomy club offers public the chance to view rare astronomical event

The local astronomy club is offering free front row seats to a planetary event which won't occur again until 2117.. On Tuesday, shortly after 6 p.m. Venus orbits directly between the Sun and the Earth, allowing those on the Blue Planet to view Venus as a small dark spot crossing

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Adonica's Renewal Majestic Spa opens in Honey Creek area

For Adonika Keron Dillon, the satisfaction she receives from healing people through massage is the main reason she is in the profession.

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Boys and Girls Club invites public to casino-style fundraiser

Each afternoon, about 240 students, mostly from Rockdale County, stream in through the doors of the A.R. “Gus” Barksdale Boy & Girls Club.

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Conyers woman finds joy in motherhood, riding

Patty Jo Quinn walks through the Stone Mountain Harley-Davidson showroom in Conyers after just finishing a ride on one of the motorcycle dealership's 2012 Harley Sportsters.. "See what it does? It makes you smile. It makes you happy," said Quinn, pointing to the big grin on her face

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Seniors growing vegetables, herbs for meals at center

On a recent breezy, sunny May morning Fleta Moore waters the garden at the Olivia Haydel Senior Center, while Joy Johnson checks on the health of the plants. The women comprise one of several teams of seniors from the Dirt Dabblers group enlisted to tend the newly established vegetable garden

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Insectival features giant beetles, cricket spitting contest

On May 12, the Rockdale County Government Annex building on Parker Road will be teeming with creepy crawlies, but don't call the exterminator. Instead, come on down and enjoy the bugs at the seventh annual Insectival.. Sponsored by the Rockdale County Cooperative Extension Office and the Rockdale 4-H Creepy

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New Depot Players offer tried and true comedy

CONYERS -- After presenting Tennessee Williams' weighty "The Glass Menagerie" in March, the New Depot Players decided to give audiences a less serious, more playful theater experience.. Enter the zaniness of "'Til Beth Do Us Part," a comedy about a frazzled wife, an uninvolved husband and a domineering assistant

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Conyers Pilot Club celebrates 50 years

In April, Gwen Dean, along with fellow Conyers Pilot Club members, bowled with autistic children, helped Special Olympics athletes compete in track, provided an ice cream party for Alzheimer's patients and cooked dinner for people in a brain injury support group.. The club's volunteer work yields benefits on both sides

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Grief therapy dog joins Cowan & Caldwell Funeral Home

COVINGTON -- As grief specialist Adam Cooper counseled a family after the death of a loved one, a woman in the family acted particularly distraught -- that is, until he introduced her to Jovie. Jovie isn't a fellow counselor; she's a dog that's been enlisted by Cowan & Caldwell Funeral Home

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Community invited to American Cancer Society Relay fundraising events

Doctors diagnosed Charlie Mason with cancer at seven months old. He had a tumor under his right lung the size of a man's fist, wrapped around his spine.

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Bootcamp workout program wants to help you shape up

At a recent workout session, fitness instructor Casey Robuck approached a middle-aged woman, out of breath from all the exercise, to find out if she was OK.

Handful of openings remain for Newton County Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament

COVINGTON -- With spring in the air, it's time once again for the Newton County Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Tournament.. The tournament takes place on April 12 at 11:30 a.m. at the Oaks Golf Course, 11240 Brown Bridge Road in Covington.. Cost is $110 per player and the goal

Conyers-Rockdale Chamber to honor small business person of the year

The winner of the 2012 Jerry Barboe Small Business Person of the Year Award will be announced Thursday.

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Conyers Kennel Club offers obedience, handling sessions to dog owners

When teaching your dog basic commands, it's important to remember what Gaylord Cleveland calls the three P's -- patience, persistence and praise.. A Conyers Kennel Club member, Cleveland shows cane corsos, Italian mastiffs originally bred as farm dogs, and one of his dogs is the only one of its breed

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Scan for sinus surgery leads to kidney cancer diagnosis

Doug Smith holds his 11-month old grandson Matthew Cumbie on his hip and watches his 3-year-old grandson Andrew Cumbie scramble on the monkey bars at Denny Dobbs Park in Newton County.