Local arts and culture is on display once a month among the memorabilia at Historic Dean's Store in downtown Woodstock.

The Woodstock Downtown Development Authority at 1 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month presents a free Main Street Sessions program. The programs range from local authors and artists to musical groups and drama troupes. The series now is in its fourth year.

Dean's Store is at 8588 Main St. For information, call Kyle Bennett at (770)?924-0406 or e-mail kbennett@ oldetowne woodstock.com.

Upcoming performances include:

Feb. 20, James Riley

Author James Riley is considered to be a foremost authority on the Negro Baseball Leagues.

He is the author of six books, including his landmark volume, "The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues," and has contributed to many compilations and periodicals, including "The ESPN Baseball Encyclopedia" and the official program of Major League Baseball's All-Star Game.

He and his wife, Dottie, live in Woodstock.

March 20, Dick Dowis

Author Richard "Dick"?Dowis has written eight books, including the new novel, "The Tender Leaves of Hope."

Dowis had a long career as an editor, writer and public relations executive until retiring in 1991 as senior vice president of the international PR firm of Manning, Selvage & Lee.

He served for 10 years as president and executive director of the Society for the Preservation of English Language & Literature. Dowis and his wife live in Lake Arrowhead.



April 17, Jimmy Drinkard & Friends

Bluegrass musician Jim Drinkard, born in Atlanta, moved to Woodstock at age 3. His grandfather, Linton Dean, owned and operated Dean's Store.

He attended Cherokee County public schools and graduated from Georgia Tech. While living in North Carolina and working for the state Department of Transportation, he developed an interest in bluegrass music.

A Vinings resident, he is the assistant general manager for planning and development at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

May 15, Delia Halverson

Author Delia Halverson has penned 25 nonfiction books including devotional books on the sea, gardening, teaching and being a grandparent.

She will talk about several of her books, including "The Gift of Hospitality," "Living Simply," "How Do Our Children Grow?" For information, see her Web site at www.deliahalverson.com.

June 19, Stories of Woodstock Past

Five prominent longtime Woodstock residents will present their views on Woodstock and share stories that sum up what Woodstock means to them.

July 17, Frances Patton Statham

Author Frances Statham is a three-time winner of the Georgia Author of the Year in Fiction award.

The author of 16 novels, with "The Roswell Women" now in its eighth printing, she has won numerous regional, national and international awards in music, art and literature.

A lyric-coloratura soprano, she also has given voice recitals and lectures in such cities as Vancouver, Madrid, Budapest and Singapore, and is listed in a number of reference books.



Aug. 21, River Ridge High School Drama Department

Cherokee County's newest high school has established its own drama department. At the program, the audience will be treated to a mix of monologues and group pieces.

Sept. 18 and Nov. 20, Cherokee Theatre Company

The Cherokee Theatre Company was founded in 1989 by a group of theater-lovers who wanted to bring the arts to Cherokee County. Then called Cherokee Little Theatre Players, the group began performing in various venues in the county and sponsoring events for local schools. The company now performs at the Canton Theater. For information, see the Web site at www.cherokeetheatre.org



Oct. 16, Towne Lake Arts Center

The Towne Lake Arts Center was founded in 2002 by Executive and Artistic Director Gay Grooms.

The center offers children's theater and evening theater productions as well as drama classes and camps, teen arts nights, art exhibits and a variety of other programs.

Dec. 18, Christmas Celebration

An old-fashioned Christmas celebration at Historic Dean's Store is scheduled for December's program.

Christmas stories will be read, special refreshment will be served and Santa Claus will make an appearance.