Journal asks residents to share thoughts on their career choices

With Labor Day around the corner, we decided it would be interesting to ask some of the hard-working residents of Lincoln County what kind of profession they would choose if they had it to do all over again or what kind of job they would want if they could not do the job they were currently doing.

Some of the answers were surprising, and some quite revealing, while others were sort of what you would expect. The responses to our survey are as follows:

Dr. Michelle Mason-Woodard, physician: A teacher.

Danny Smith, paramedic and director of the Lincoln County Department of Public Safety: A radiologist.

Howie Gunby, assistant principal at LCMS: A full-time funeral director and an embalmer.

Shirley Dawkins, director of the Lincoln County Library: "Write reviews on exotic vacation destinations."

George Leverett III, president of Farmers State Bank: A fishing guide.

Eleanor Holsomback, a hair stylist at Hair Works: A nurse or a mermaid.

Eddy Turner, pharmacist at Crawford & Breazeale Drugs: A physician.

Charlie Murray, owner of Charlie's Lawn Care Service: "Since I love to talk, I would like to be a politician or operate a sport's bar and grill. I love to meet people."

Dr. Becky Barden, principal of LCHS: A cruise director.

Dennis Sanders, district attorney for the Toombs Judicial Circuit: A tennis, swimming, baseball, and football coach — basically, any kind of coach.

Brenda Goolsby, a nurse with the Lincoln County Health Department: A chef on the Food Network.

Dr. Tim Causey, veterinarian, Lincolnton Animal Hospital: "All I ever wanted to be was a vet."

Lizzy Long, musician extraordinaire: A manager/personal assistant for Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, George Jones, or Julie Andrews or an actress.

Price McWhorter, owner of McWhorter Logging: "I'm doing exactly what I want to do."

Hillyer Wright, co-owner of R&W Auto Parts: "Diagnosing mechanical and electrical problems — basically, working with my hands."

Judy Jordan Koehler, owner and photographer, Koehler Galleries: "I would be teaching ballroom dancing or I would be involved in the theater in some way."

Shawn Davis, graduation coach at LCMS and JV football coach: A park ranger.

Rev. Keith Etheridge, pastor of Double Branches Baptist Church: A middle school teacher.

Al Mooney, postmaster, Lincolnton Post Office: Own and operate a campground in the mountains.

Little Roy Lewis, banjo picker, jokester, and a member of the Lewis Family, "America's First Family of Bluegrass Gospel Music:" "Drive a bus for my brother, Talmadge, and play with my antique cars."

Christie Bryan, the 2007 Lincoln County Teacher of the Year: A child psychologist.

John David Flanigan, an engineer for CSX Transportation: "I'd retire."

Nellie McGee, realtor, Broad River Realty: A lawyer.

Dr. Greg McLeod, veterinarian, Lincoln County Veterinary Services: "One of those guys who parachutes into forest fires."

Marcene Powell, accountant, Powell & Associates, Inc.: A homemaker.

Jim Justice, chief of the Lincolnton Police Department: A farmer.

Jason Seagraves, supervisor at Nakanishi, an aeronautics plant in Athens: A fighter pilot with the United States Air Force.

Elena Ramirez, owner of El Portal Mexican Restaurant: Teaching elementary school children.

Brian Campbell, assistant superintendent for curriculum for Lincoln County Schools: "I would like to own a restaurant — I like trying different foods."

Brenda Danner McGahee, Lincoln County tax commissioner: A private investigator.

Ernie Norman, owner of Norman's Upholstery Shop: An airline pilot or a missionary.

David Montgomery, Golf de L: Drive a wrecker.

Al Dawkins, Lincoln resident and a teacher at Washington-Wilkes Middle School: Youth minister.

Howard Ellis, coach and teacher at LCHS: Coach at the college level or sell real estate.

Rev. May Jones, nurse and evangelist: "A meteorologist — that's one job where you don't have to get it right, and you still have a job."

Dr. Paul Broun, physician and congressman: "I feel that I'm in the center of God's will — there's nowhere else I'd rather be."

Paula Alexander, professional bass angler: An artist, specializing in metal work and carving.

Joe Terrell, sergeant, United States Army: Teach history and coach football at the high school level.

Kevin Beggs, co-owner of Beggs Funeral Home: A historical architect or archeologist — "Anything to do with history."

Dr. Greg Griffin, dentist: Working in the Christian music industry.

Barney Aycock III of Aycock Truck Parts, Inc.: "I would love to work for someone else and get off at 5 p.m. and kick my feet up, with no worries."

Dawn Turner, hair stylist and the owner of Hair Works: A news anchor.

Larry Campbell, athletic director and head football coach at LCHS: An attorney.

Katie Gunby, funeral director at the Norris W. Gunby, Sr. Funeral Home: Anything to do with ladies' fashions.

Willie Murray, store owner, Fast Times: "I would like to work on a golf course."

Matt Ivey, J & T Service Center: An airline pilot or a full-time firefighter.

Connie Arthur, nurse, Walton Rehabilitation Hospital: A physician.

Kenny Bonner, mechanic, R & W Auto Parts: A hunting guide.

Doug Newman, agent, State Farm Insurance: A teacher and a coach.

Dr. Delcinia Jamison, pastor of Faith Tabernacle and senior chaplain at Leath Correctional Facility: A psychiatrist or an actress.

Brett Carani, Lincoln County resident and a captain with the Columbia County Sheriff's Office: A mechanic and a farmer.

Georgia McGill, office nurse for Dr. Robert Williams: "I would own several greenhouses in Lincolnton."

Carolyn Zellars, secretary at LCHS: A nurse.

Bobby Burgess, lawn care maintenance: A law enforcement officer, a full-time firefighter, or a truck driver.

Michelle Harrison, attorney: A banker.

Bill Davis, maintenance, LCES: A law enforcement officer.

Rev. Dennis Quinn, pastor of First Baptist Church: A gospel or an R & B singer.

(Editor's note: Several people asked me what my answer would be — it's simple: an ice skater. But, since I was always horizontally challenged, and I didn't grow up remotely close to a large block of ice, I learned to live with the disappointment. Jacquelyn Johnson)