JACK ALLISON It doesn't take long for local resident Jack Allison to get involved into telling one of the many stories he's heard during his lifetime in Cherokee County.

Included is one of a youth forced to leave school in 8th grade in order to help his family make ends meet.

Though it was bringing home some sort of income, not having a formal education would become a handicap as he reached adulthood.

Realizing that it took knowledge to unlock the keys to his future, he would do as much as possible in order to make sure neither he or his family would have to struggle again.

While compiling dozens of poems and other documents for his scrapbook entitled "From The Millhouse to The Courthouse," Allison hoped to give readers hope in the midst of troubling circumstances.

After all, leaving school at the age of 13 and having to scratch and claw his way to become a Cherokee County Magistrate Judge doesn't happen everyday.

Prayers, poems and words of wisdom are among the things found in Allison's new book, his third in a series of publications.

Since 1969, Allison has submitted columns for publication in The Weekly Ledger.

However, he had been writing many years before. Collecting his work through the years, Allison and his wife, Juanita, decided to put a scrapbook together for publication in 1977.

Giving neighbors and friends a glimpse into their lives felt good, but being able to give back meant more.

"We wanted to purchase a color TV for the local senior center," Allison said, "this wasn't for us at all."

They duplicated the feat 14 years later, using funds to buy a video recorder for local senior citizens to give an oral history of their time in the county.

While Allison uses much of the same formula in his new book as that of his previous works, he said "From The Millhouse to the Courthouse" has a slightly different approach.

"I show a little bit of what growing up around here was like," Allison said. "We love football, and I showed that in a poem. Other interests around town are also included.

"A lot of folks from around here can relate to many of the things in the book."

Important to Allison is bringing a smile to the face of readers, but he feels getting an education is essential to success in today's world.

"Everyone can do anything they put their mind to," Allison said, "all they have to do is believe they can do it."

Proceeds from the book will go to a Gardner Webb endowment fund established by Allison to give a local student the opportunity to further their education.

"An education is important, and this can go a long way to helping someone," Allison said.

'From The Millhouse to The Courthouse" is being sold for $5 at Buford Street Drugs & Ace Hardware and The Gaffney Ledger.