2010 Solutions for North Carolina Cherokee Res. - Pat Oocumma

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The Cherokee Reservation -- For somebody who's supposed to be retired, Pat Oocumma, 55, is a busy woman. Make that businesswoman.
Retired after 31 years as a registered nurse, with a master's degree in education, Oocumma specialized in maternal and child health -- particularly the hard cases that involved domestic abuse.
Three years ago she and a partner started NativeScapes landscaping and nursery, specializing in what Oocumma describes as "hardscapes" -- building rock gardens, walls and fencing. Oocumma is also a partner in Maney's Clean-up Crew, which handles maintenance for residential and commercial property.
With her husband Wilson Oocumma, she is also a partner in Double O Enterprises, through which they purchase and rent mobile homes and cabins. Two new businesses, Native Energies and Environmental Remediation, are also on her horizon.
It's no wonder that she needed Cooperative Extension to help her keep track of her finances. For years now, through volunteer work and becoming a master gardener, Oocumma has been involved with Extension. But she became a bonafide client when she took a QuickBooks software bookkeeping class offered through Cooperative Extension. Oocumma uses the software to do accounting on at least two of her businesses.

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Nonprofits & Activism

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• Cooperative Extension