Sunday, September 29, 2013

29 September 2013



It has been another fun and busy weekend in Canton. The Service League of Cherokee County held their 29th Riverfest Arts and Crafts Festival in Boling Park. This annual fundraiser generates a tremendous amount of proceeds to assist children in need in Cherokee County. These 90 young women do an amazing job with this event, and I am always in awe of how well they organize and choreographed this event, and all without complaining at any time. I was honored to be asked by them to serve as a judge for the artists and craftsmen this year, so I spent Saturday morning reviewing all 130 exhibitors. I was impressed by the variety of arts and crafts from across the Southeast. I had a great time, and I was pleased to provide a very small amount of assistance in their great cause.

One of the most exciting things about Riverfest was the debut of their newest cookbook, "Gatherings & Traditions." I have all of their other cookbooks to date, and they feature delicious and easy to follow recipes from the League members. So I had no choice but to select a recipe for tonight's Sunday Supper! I was immediately drawn to my friend Wanda Roach's recipe for Beef Stroganoff on page 63. Wanda's reputation for great food is known far and wide, and her recipe did not disappoint. I look forward to trying many other recipes in this book, especially over the holidays when my friends and family gather in celebration and fellowship. There are no substitutions for a wonderful family and welcoming community, and I have found both in Canton.

For dessert, we indulged in more bounty from Riverfest – rum cakes from Rumtastic. I live for these delicious baked goods at Riverfest and Canton Festival of the Arts. If you have not tried one, you don't know what you're missing.

My campaign also participated in another great cause this weekend, the Angel Walk at Soleil Laurel Canyon. We have joined our friends in Soleil for this event the past three years, and the proceeds benefit the Angel House for young ladies in the community. Unfortunately, I was double booked with Riverfest, but Jeff, Cory and John represented Grant for Canton with style and grace. The event raised over $4,000, so congratulations to the residents of Soleil for another fine showing. I look forward to climbing the hill with you next year.

A pleasing supper of comfort food is exactly what I needed to prepare me for the hectic week ahead. We have some amazing new projects and clients at Grant Design Collaborative, and I have a campaign or city related event every night this week. The election can't be over soon enough, but I am enjoying the thoughtful and meaningful conversations I am having with Canton's fine citizens. They enjoy being heard, and I cherish the opportunities to listen.

Grant for Canton!

The Menu:

- Wanda Roach's Beef Stroganoff from "Gatherings & Traditions"

- Rumtastic Rum Cakes with Rum Infused Whipped Cream

Sunday, September 22, 2013

22 September 2013





Today is the first day of Fall, and it was spectacular. After a nice slow and rainy Saturday, the sky was perfectly blue and the temperature was seasonal. We spent most of the day delivering more campaign signs all around Canton. I have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support, and I look forward to election day!

After delivering and installing more signs, we ventured out to Cherokee Market for some fresh produce for tonight's Sunday Supper. I celebrated the end of Summer and the beginning of Fall with a big pot of vegetable soup. I found everything I needed at Lisa's great store: lima beans, corn, ham hock, potatoes, green beans, tomatoes, okra, carrots and celery. I also bought some great hoop cheese there for my jalapeno and cheddar corn muffins. Of course, we had to have some of Scott Boys' delicious BBQ while we were there. Like Lisa at Cherokee Market, Russ and Ann Scott are wonderful and kind people. Ann was even wearing my Grant for Canton t-shirt again today. She makes me look good!

After a couple weekends of hectic campaigning, it was nice to get back in the kitchen for a while. I hope your Fall start was equally enjoyable.

The Menu:

- Georgia Local Vegetable Soup

- Jalapeno and Hoop Cheese Corm Muffins

- Toasted Lemon Cream Cake with Vanilla Bean Gelato

Monday, September 2, 2013

01 September 2013






It has been a great Labor Day weekend. It was nice to have three days off before the campaigning kicks into high gear. In addition to the run for Canton City Council, we are very busy at Grant Design Collaborative with existing, new and potential client projects. It is a very exciting time for me, and I look forward to the great work and challenges ahead.

The weekend began with a very nice meal on the Marietta Square. It was bustling with activity as all of the restaurants were packed, and they were setting up for the arts festival. It is nice to see a downtown area thriving, and I look forward to the day Canton sees the same level of interest.

On Saturday, we took a quick drive up to Dahlonega to drop off some Oklahoma Sooners chairs to our friend, Chauna Utterback. She is a huge fan, and we found some chairs that had been shipped to the Walmart in Canton by mistake. While there, we visited three vineyards and tasting rooms: Cavendar Creek, The Cottage and our longtime favorite, Frogtown Cellars. The Cottage is the latest addition, and it has a magnificent view. They have just opened, so check it out the next time you are in the area.

Sunday's weather was fickle at best, but the rain cleared out in time for the rescheduled Fourth of July events that got rained out. The American Legion sponsored a parade downtown. When I first moved to Canton, 17 years ago, I was happy to see a small town that still had parades! They lend so much to the charm and character of our city. The highlight event, however, was the fireworks show sponsored by Canton Tourism! They kept their word and produced a wonderful display. I have to say, it was the best show yet! I appreciate all of the work and support Canton Tourism offers to our community.

While waiting on the fireworks show at dusk, I prepared Sunday Supper. I began with what may be the last caprese salad of the season. I used heirloom tomatoes, basil from the garden, fresh mozzarella and red sea salt. It tasted like the waning days of summer! For the main course, I made a Chicago style deep dish pizza. I follow a classic Chicago style recipe, but I bake mine in a large cast iron skillet. It works every time, and the iron skillet produces a perfect, crispy crust. I topped the pizza with some delicious heirloom sausage from Mountain Valley Farm in Ellijay. We enjoyed dinner on the Side Porch at One Britt with some nice wine from Frogtown Cellars.

After dinner, we walked down the street to catch the fireworks show at the Canton Library. All in all, it was a great weekend. Now let's make some sparks fly as I begin my campaign – Grant for Canton!

I hope you all had a nice three day weekend as well. Thanks to all the men and women that work hard on a daily basis to keep our city, county, state and country moving in the right direction.

The Menu:

- Caprese Salad with Kalamata Tomatoes, Basil, Fresh Mozzarella,
  Aged Balsamic Vinegar and Crunchy Red Sea Salt

- Chicago Deep Iron Skillet Pizza with Mountain Valley Farm
  Heritage Sausage