Woodstock Family Life | May 2024

Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

DECISIONS, Decisions

Every day, each of us must make multiple decisions that affect various parts of our lives and/ or the lives of others. For instance, this month, our staff had to choose the best short story to publish out of dozens of worthy submissions from local creative writers for our annual Short Story Contest (see pages 26-27 to read the winning story!).

We make major and minor decisions about everything from career changes or investment opportunities that affect our financial livelihoods to what we will wear to work or make for dinner. And since this is an election year, those of us who are old enough to vote will be educating ourselves about the candidates who are running for various political and public service positions, so we can make informed decisions about who should fill those important roles (see pages 16-17 and 22-23 to get a jump on learning about two local candidates, one is running for Cherokee County Sheriff and one is running for the Georgia House of Representatives).

But sometimes, we must make a choice about something that seemingly doesn’t present us with any good options, often forcing us to select “the lesser of two evils” or to choose something that requires us to do something that is out of our comfort zone. These are the types of situations that can render us immobile or even frozen in fear, so occasionally, we procrastinate or simply refuse to decide at all.

But what is lost when we leave things up to chance or fate when we have a choice in the matter?

Marcus Tullius Cicero said, “More is lost by indecision than wrong decision.” In essence, if we don’t make a choice when options are available to us, whether what we choose ends up being the best decision or not, we are depriving ourselves of a chance to learn. And actually, deciding not to choose is still a choice. So, why not select an option that will either be beneficial to you and/or those you care about or will at least teach you something that will help you avoid future undesired outcomes? The choice is yours. Choose wisely.

Happy May!

Calendar

MAY

1-26 Serving Up History

This exhibit illustrates historic foodways in Cherokee County and the broader South through cookbooks, recipes, kitchen implements, and food cultivation practices. 10:00am-5:00pm Wednesdays-Saturdays and 12:00-5:00pm Sundays, Cherokee County History Center, 221 E. Marietta Street, Canton. 770-345-3288. HistoryCherokee.org

3-12 One Man Two Guvnors

Fired from his skiffle band, Francis Henshall becomes assistant to Roscoe Crabbe, a small-time East End hood, now in Brighton to collect £6,000 from the dad of his fiancée. Tickets are $19-$23. 7:30pm Fridays/Saturdays and 2:30pm Sundays, Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. WoodstockArts.org

4 Cherokee County Master Gardeners

7 Skilled Professions Signing Day

Similar to national signing days for athletes, this event celebrates seniors representing all six CCSD high schools for their commitment to pursuing one of Be Pro Be Proud Georgia’s 15 skilled professions, which include automotive, computer programming, construction, electrical, healthcare and welding. 6:00-8:00pm, The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way, Woodstock. 770-345-0600. CherokeeGa.org/skilledprofessions-signing-day

Plant Sale — A variety of plants, shrubs, trees, garden accessories, and garden art will be available as well as expert advice on how to help your selections thrive. All plants are accustomed to our growing climate. 9:00am-12:00pm, Cherokee County Senior Center, 1001 Univeter Road, Canton. CherokeeMasterGardeners.com

1-6/2 Exhibition: Life In Miniature — This exhibit is devoted to the tiny yet vast world of miniature art. These works occupy only a few inches of space, some of which are so tiny they can only be seen through a magnifying glass or microscope. Admission is FREE. Regular gallery hours, Reeves House Visual Arts Center, 734 Reeves Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. WoodstockArts.org

2-30 Brown Bag Concert Series — Each Thursday in May, a local musician or musicians will play an hour-long FREE concert to enjoy during your lunch break. 12:00pm, The Park at City Center gazebo, 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1955. WoodstockParksAndRec.com

Downtown Woodstock Walking Tour

On the last Thursday of the month through October, guided tours will be offered, and each month’s walk will cover a unique topic such as the history of the area, public art, or weird and unusual downtown facts. $5 per person. 6:00-7:30pm (a new tour starts every half hour), Woodstock Visitors Center, 8588 Main Street, Woodstock. 770-924-0406. VisitWoodstockGa.com

4 21st Annual Kentucky Derby Day

Enjoy History Cherokee’s signature fundraising event, supporting all historic preservation and education programs for the society. Gather to watch the race, sip mint juleps, and dine on gourmet food. Ladies are encouraged to wear their finest chapeaux to qualify for entry in the Hat Contest. There will also be a pony pull and a silent auction. Visit the website for tickets. 4:30-7:30pm, The Mill on Etowah, 225 Reformation Parkway, Canton. 770-345-3288. HistoryCherokee.org

ONGOING

Adults With Aging Parents Seminar

Third Thursday of each month, 6:30pm, Covenant Presbyterian Church (KappermanWilliams Hall), 2881 Canton Road, Marietta. CobbCherokee@acapcommunity.org, ACAPCcommunity.org/events

Woodstock Farm Fresh Market — Saturdays through 12/28, 8:30am-12:00pm, Market Street, Woodstock. VisitWoodstockGa.com

Community Yoga Classes — Mondays, 10:00-11:00am, The WREC, 7545 Main Street, Building 200, Woodstock. PlayCherokee.org

11 Woodstock Summer Concert

Series Presents Night Ranger

Enjoy a FREE concert by this chart-topping 80s rock band in downtown Woodstock. 7:30pm, Northside Hospital Cherokee Amphitheater, 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. WoodstockConcertSeries.com

11-12 Mother’s Day Powwow & Indian Festival

This north Georgia tradition features a Native American dance exhibition, tipis and living Indian village, Cree and Creek encampments, primitive skills and wildlife displays, and other fun activities. Tickets $5-$15. 10:00am7:00pm Saturday and 11:00am6:00pm Sunday, Boling Park, 1200 Marietta Highway, Canton. 770-735-6275. RThunder.com

Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group

Second Thursday of each month, 11:00am1:00pm, Little River United Methodist Church, 12455 Highway 92, Woodstock. 615-293-1670.

The G.O.D. Squad (Grandparents On Duty) — Second and fourth Thursdays of each month, 10:30am, Hickory Flat United Methodist Church, 4056 East Cherokee Drive, Canton. 770-345-5969.

YPOW AM — Thursdays, 7:00-8:30am, The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way, Woodstock. 770-592-6056. InWdstk.org

4

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes — This event raises awareness and proceeds to stop rape, sexual assault, and gender violence. Money raised will be donated to Cherokee Family Violence Center. The entry fee is $50/walker, which includes a T-shirt and a free beer at Reformation Brewery. 9:30am, Reformation Brewery, 105 Elm Street, Woodstock. 678-909-7709.

11-12 Spring Art on the Green North Georgia artists will gather to display their art, which includes paintings, mixed media, photography, hand-crafted jewelry, eccentric gifts, and more. Attendees can also enjoy live music. 10:00am-6:00pm Saturday and 11:00am5:00pm Sunday, Woodstock Arts Event Green, 111 Elm Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. WoodstockArts.org

12 Artist Meetup

Amateur and professional artists gather to discuss upcoming opportunities for artists at the Reeves House and other local galleries and art centers, share their work, ask for feedback, or just hang out. 2:00-4:00pm, Reeves House Gallery, 734 Reeves Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. WoodstockArts.org

15 Fresh Start Mornings — This program features entrepreneurshipgeared educational discussions along with presentations from startups seeking crowdsourced feedback on challenges they are facing as new business owners. FREE! 9:00am networking and 9:15am program begins, Reformation Brewery, 225 Reformation Parkway, Suite 500, Canton. 770-345-0600. CherokeeGa.org

15 Work Readiness Wednesday

At this FREE program sponsored by the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce, experts will help you create or update your resume, provide job searching tips, and prepare you for future job interviews. 12:30-3:30pm, R.T. Jones Memorial Library (116 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton) and Woodstock Public Library (7735 Main Street, Woodstock). 704-345-0400. CherokeeChamber.com

16 Family Fun Night: Fairy Tale Night

17 Stand Up For Seniors Volunteer Aging Council’s (VAC) Fundraising Luncheon — Support VAC programs and get a delicious lunch for $10. All proceeds support local seniors and senior veterans. 11:30am-1:00pm, Benton House of Woodstock, 3385 Trickum Road, Woodstock. VAC-CherokeeGa.org

Local’s Night — First Friday of each month, 6:00-9:00pm, The Reeves House, 734 Reeves Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. WoodstockArts.org

American Legion Post 316 South Cherokee County Meeting — Third Thursday of each month, 7:00pm, William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 706-726-2754. ALPost316Ga.org

MilVet Meetup — First Monday of each month, 6:00-8:00pm, Reformation Brewery, 105 Elm Street, Woodstock. MilVetCommunity.com

18 AMPED in the Park With Twisted Cycle — This FREE monthly fitness series features a class taught by a local fitness expert. All workouts are fitness friendly (meaning you don’t have to be super fit to participate). Participants must register. 9:00am, Northside Hospital Cherokee Amphitheater, 103 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1955. WoodstockParksAndRec.com

Every third Thursday during summer months, enjoy FREE themed activities and fun for all ages, which culminates with a movie on the Woodstock Arts Event Green. This month’s movie will be Shrek. 5:00-9:00pm, downtown Woodstock, Main Street, Woodstock. 770-924-0406. VisitWoodstockGa.com

17 Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Golf Tournament

Every putt and drive supports the brave veterans of our community, honoring their service and sacrifice. 10:00am, Lake Arrowhead Golf Course, 2297 Lake Arrowhead Drive, Waleska. 678-983-7590. CherokeeHomelessVets.com/events

Marine Corps League Detachment

1311 Meeting — Third Saturday of each month, 9:30am, Rally Point Grille, 9770 Main Street, Woodstock. 561-213-5699. Harry123130@gmail.com

Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

Memorial Day is May 27

Cherokee Veterans Community Monthly Meeting

First Thursday of each month, 6:30-8:00pm, First Baptist Church Woodstock (“A” Building/Chapel Building, Room A250), 11905 Highway 92, Woodstock. 678-570-5828.

CherokeeVeteransCommunity.org

18 BINGO! — Win prizes at this family friendly event. Proceeds support Hickory Flat Optimist Club initiatives, Sonlight Food Pantry, and youth scholarships. 6:00pm, Hickory Flat Gym, 4835 Hickory Road, Canton. 678-409-5940.

[continued on page 8]

LIBRARY EVENTS

LIBRARY EVENTS Calendar

SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

ROSE CREEK

4476 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock 770-591-1491

WOODSTOCK

7735 Main Street, Woodstock 770-926-5859

ADULT CRAFTERS CLUB

May 7, 1:00pm, Rose Creek

Bring your own project to work on while enjoying the company of other crafters.

LEGO LAB

May 9, 4:00pm, Woodstock

continued from page 7

18

Woodstock Arts Lantern Series: Alex Cuba — Cuba takes apart the complex arrangements, mixing them with North American influences, adopts the melodic simplicity of pop music, and looks to Cuban folk traditions for inspiration. Tickets are $12-$200. 7:30pm, Woodstock Arts Event Green, 113 Elm Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. WoodstockArts.org

The library will provide LEGOs to build your own amazing creation. This is for all ages and skill levels. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

YOGA AT THE LIBRARY

28 Chalk in the Walk

22

What’s Up Wednesdays — This monthly program is designed for children between the ages of 3-7. 11:00am, Cherokee County History Center, 221 E. Marietta Street, Canton. 770-345-3288. HistoryCherokee.org

25

May 11, 11:00am, Woodstock

Instructor Michael Wakefield will guide attendees to a state of total relaxation in this FREE, hour-long, slow-flow, Vinyasa yoga session for adults. Please bring your own mat and any assists (blankets, blocks, etc.) you may need.

TABLETOP RPG

May 14, 6:00pm, Woodstock

Pathfinder and Dungeons & Dragons players of all ages are welcome, but this program may be too advanced for younger children. Registration is required.

FARM BUREAU VISIT

May 29, 10:30am, Rose Creek

Join the Farm Bureau for story time and a craft! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

TEEN WRITING GROUP

May 29, 4:30pm, Woodstock

Teens who love to write are invited to this safe, accepting space to get their creative juices flowing. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

BARELY BALANCED ONE MAN CIRCUS

May 30, 12:00pm and 1:00pm, Rose Creek

Cameron Tomele of Barely Balanced will perform acrobatic stunts and jokes to make attendees gasp and giggle. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

Folks gather to draw in the sidewalk blocks. Chalk is provided. The event is FREE, but registration is required due to limited space. 11:00am, Northside Hospital Cherokee Amphitheater, 103 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1955. WoodstockParksAndRec.com

28 Tuesdays in the Park

Enjoy an evening in the park. There will be vendors, food trucks, and games. 5:00-8:00pm, Patriots Park, 1485 Kellogg Creek Road, Acworth. 770-924-7768. PlayCherokee.org

24

Memorial Day Tribute — The ceremony will be immediately followed by flag placements by the public on all headstones and niche columns. Parking will be at Sutallee Baptist Church (895 Knox Bridge Highway, White, GA) with continuous shuttles to and from the cemetery. 9:00am, Georgia National Cemetery, 1080 Scott Hudgens Drive, Canton. 770-479-9300 (Johan Flores). GaNationalCemetery.org

27 Memorial Day Ceremony — Gather with fellow citizens to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. 10:00am, The Park at City Center, 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. WoodstockGa.gov

WIT! – The Woodstock Arts Improv Troupe will have the audience rolling down the aisle with laughter! Tickets are $10-$14. 7:30pm, Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. WoodstockArts.org

25 The Lasting Laugh — Hosted by Jessica It’s All Good, this comedy event features Atlanta’s favorite comics for a family friendly show. Tickets are $10-$14. 7:30pm, Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. WoodstockArts.org

26

Oasis After Hours Party

Experience the Oasis water park at nighttime to enjoy swimming, waterslides, food trucks, music, and glow sticks. The fee is $10/child. 7:30-9:30pm, Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1200 WellStar Way, Canton. 678-880-4760. PlayCherokee.org

31 Jazz Night — Sway to some live jazz music and unwind for the weekend with a glass of wine in hand. 6:00-9:00pm, The Reeves House Garden, 734 Reeves Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251.

WoodstockArts.org

JUNE

1 Mermaid Pool Party

Ariel from The Little Mermaid will be at this annual event! Enjoy arts and crafts as well as dancing and singing with Ariel. The fee is $10/child. 6:00-9:00pm, Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1200 Wellstar Way, Canton. 678-880-4760. PlayCherokee.org

Woodstock Arts Announces 2024-2025 Season of Wonder

Wonder stems from the feeling of surprise, from the unexpected, the unfamiliar, and the beautiful. This 2024-2025 season at Woodstock Arts will explore all the possibilities of magic, mystery, admiration, and heartbreak that we experience in our lives. You’re invited to explore the desire to know and learn more about yourself and the world around you through these music, theatre, and visual arts offerings.

Lantern Music Series

• August 3, 2024, Sounds of Georgia

• August 17, 2024, Royal Wood

• September 28, 2024, The Arcadian Wild

• October 19, 2024, Alexander Star

• March 22, 2025, Carolina Sound

• April 12, 2025, Las Guaracheras

• May 17, 2025, Jumaan Smith

• June 7, 2025, Luciane Dom

• July 19, 2025, Collision of Rhythm

Theatre

• August 16-September 1,

2024, Dial M for Murder

• September 20-21, 2024, Woodstock Arts

Cabaret Series

• October 4-20, 2024, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

• November 8-17, 2024, Youth Spotlight: The Many Disguises of Robin Hood

• December 6-24, 2024, A Christmas Carol

• January 17-26, 2025, Teen Spotlight: Twelfth Night the Musical

• February 7-23, 2025, Pride and Prejudice

• March 7-23, 2025, Constellations

• May 2-18, 2025, Once on This Island

• June 4-18, 2025, How I Became a Pirate

• July 9-23, 2025, Digging Up Dessa

• July 11-27, 2025, Rock of Ages

Visual Arts

• August 15-October 19, 2024, Cabinet of Curiosities

• October 24-December 21, 2024, small town: small works 24

• March 13-May 10, 2025, Mended

• May 15-July 12, 2025, All the Fixins 2025

• July 17-September 14, 2025, Critical Mass: Comics/Toys/Pop Culture

Lt. David Miller Recognized at GEMSA Awards Reception

The 2024 Georgia Emergency Medical Services Association (GEMSA) Awards Reception honors the remarkable dedication of EMS professionals committed to serving their communities selflessly. Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services' Lt. David Miller received the esteemed Tim Peebles Champion of Children Excellence & Advocacy Award. This accolade pays tribute to the legacy of Capt. Tim Peebles, a longtime advocate for delivering top-tier prehospital care, particularly focusing on the prevention of injuries and illnesses in children. Peebles dedicated his efforts to safeguarding the future generation of Georgia, exemplifying excellence in training, patient care, public education, and advocacy. This award acknowledges individuals or groups who embody Peebles' commitment through their innovative ideas, actions, and goals to pursue and reinforce the exceptional benchmarks he established.

During the recent Georgia Emergency Communications Conference, the Cherokee County E 9-1-1 team was bestowed the 2024 Call Center of the Year in Georgia. The conference is a joint effort of the Association of Public Safety Communications Professionals (APCO) and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA). The Call Center of the Year Award recognizes a 9-1-1 Center in Georgia that exhibits professionalism, leadership, innovation, and service to not only the community it serves but also the region and state.

Cherokee E 9-1-1 Named Call Center of the Year

Front row (L-R) Jason Jenkins, radio technology director; Aaron Schwabb, accreditation manager; Andrew Stitt, operations manager; Heather Bradberry, training coordinator; Chief Marshal Dana Martin; Linda Miller, E 9-1-1 deputy director; Shane Bonebrake, E 9-1-1 director; Alice Fennell, E 9-1-1 deputy director; Jennifer Lasenyik, outreach coordinator; Selia Self, lead communications officer; Tammy Dodd, quality assurance manager; and Larry Stidham, VP of sales and marketing for InDigital Communications. Back Row (L-R) Jason Elsworth, radio technology; Georgia APCO President Jonathan Jones; Georgia NENA President Lisa Kendrick; Corey King, APCO board member; and Amanda Maddox, GECC Awards Committee chair

(L-R) Capt. Ric Mitchell, Lt. David Miller, FAO Beau Witcher, and firefighter Josh Meeks

Over $50,000 Awarded to Local Entrepreneurs

The Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED) awarded more than $50,000 to their first LaunchPad Bootcamp Series graduates, with more opportunities to come.

The first LaunchPad Bootcamp Series kicked off in January with 14 participants. The free four-week series comes as a partnership between COED and Kennesaw State University’s HatchBridge Incubator. It is designed to guide emerging Cherokee County entrepreneurs in launching their business ideas or new products to help them grow in Cherokee’s entrepreneurial space.

Each participant had the opportunity to earn up to $5,000 to advance their venture. Out of 13 graduates, 11 were eligible to apply for the mini grant. COED awarded $51,935 among those 11 for its inaugural session, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) distributed by the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners.

Each week, participants researched, refined, and prepared their ventures for launch. Participants walked away from the series with an idea deck, business model canvas, and go-to market.

To be eligible for funding, applicants had to complete the full four-week series and all assignments, be a resident of or have a business located in Cherokee County, and submit a completed mini-grant application.

COED is collaborating with HatchBridge Incubator, a service born from Kennesaw State University that helps grow startups in the Atlanta suburbs. HatchBridge also offers a coworking space to help entrepreneurs kickstart their ventures. Learn more at HatchBridge.com.

This program is offered as part of COED’s Fresh Start Cherokee initiative, which aims to create a culture of entrepreneurship in Cherokee County. Visit FreshStartCherokee.com to learn more.

Marshal's Office Reorganizes With New Chief Marshal and Deputy Chief Marshal

After celebrating 30 years with Cherokee County, Chief Marshal Jamie Gianfala has retired, and former Public Services Agency Director Dana Martin has become the new chief marshal, overseeing the Public Services Agency. Former Marshal’s Office Capt. Dwayne Casteel was promoted to deputy chief marshal of the Marshal’s Office.

“Having served Cherokee County for 30 years, I have been fortunate to witness its growth and contribute to its success. I am grateful for the opportunities and experiences that have shaped my professional journey,” Gianfala said.

Following Chief Gianfala’s retirement, the Marshal’s Office structure has undergone a reorganization to enhance enforcement efforts countywide. The Public Services Agency director position was eliminated with the role and its duties being assumed by the chief marshal, and two new deputy marshal positions were added with no increase to the department’s budget.

One deputy marshal will be assigned to the Code Enforcement Unit, and one will be assigned to the Truck Compliance Unit. Truck Compliance is the newest unit, which focuses on truck traffic across the county to ensure loads are covered and trucks stay on marked truck routes. The mission of the unit is to decrease traffic crashes and incidents related to debris coming from trucks not properly covered and to help minimize litter on Cherokee County’s roadways.

Chief Marshal Martin will oversee the Marshal’s Office, E 9-1-1, Emergency Management, Animal Shelter, Probation Services, and Radio Technology. Martin has nearly 30 years of experience in law enforcement.

Deputy Chief Marshal Casteel will manage the Marshal’s Office's daily operations. Casteel has 23 years of experience working in both the Animal Control and Code Enforcement units.

Graduates of COED’s first LaunchPad Bootcamp Series holding their certificates.

Chief Marshal Jamie Gianfala (retired)

Chief Marshal Dana Martin

Deputy Chief Marshal Dwayne Casteel

Community

Cherokee County School District Announcements

Students

Selected for Governor's Honors

The statewide summer honors program for Georgia’s top rising high school juniors and seniors offers four weeks of college-level instruction at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. Students are selected based on overall excellence in academics, extracurricular activities, and leadership as well as exceptional skills and talents in a specific area of study. Those tapped for the competitive program receive academic instruction in a specific area of study as well as cultural and social enrichment focused on helping them become the “next generation of global critical thinkers, innovators, and leaders.”

Etowah HS

Alexis Cua, Engineering Design

Woodstock HS

(L) Katie Bean, Visual Arts

(R) Caroline Toole, Communicative Arts

Five Students Advance to State Writing Competition

The annual Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition is open to students in grades kindergarten through 12 and provides an opportunity for schools to encourage writing in a variety of genres. Each CCSD school submits a top entry for each grade level to compete at the district level. District first-place winners then advance to the regional North Georgia Regional Education Service Agency contest for the opportunity to compete statewide.

These CCSD students won first place in the regional competition and are advancing to the state competition:

Grade 1 - Eve Alsobrook of Clayton ES for “The Lost Dog”

Grade 2 - Wren Argo of Boston ES for “My Sport in Time”

Grade 5 - Elli White of Clark Creek ES STEM Academy for “Reflection Collection”

Grade 8 - Ellie Cosgrove of Woodstock MS for “Excerpt from ‘To the Stars’”

Grade 9 - Monica Ramirez of River Ridge HS for “I Admire the Leaves”

Whitney Morberg Named 2024 Counselor of the Year

An 18-year school counselor and three-time Innovation Zone Counselor of the Year award winner, Morberg has served at Etowah HS for the past decade. She’s known for her expertise in guiding students to college acceptance and scholarship wins, but she’s equally known for her efforts to provide students access to career success (even coordinating students’ transportation to advanced training programs and assisting with applications), and her ability to support students experiencing emotional or mental health crises. She also serves on CCSD’s crisis team made up of the district’s most experienced counselors and uses her extensive training to respond to schoolwide crises, such as the death of a student or teacher, as well as to crises in individual students’ and colleagues’ lives.

Woodstock Adopts New Public Art Plan

Woodstock's elected officials approved a Public Art Plan that was created in collaboration with the City of Woodstock, the Woodstock Public Art Plan Steering Committee, and Designing Local, who engaged residents and visitors in conversations about public art and the role it will play Woodstock’s future. The plan outlines projects according to the types of art to be incorporated in various areas. Scan the QR code to see the full plan, which begins on page 174 of the agenda packet.

Burn Ban Now In Effect

Each summer, an outdoor burn ban takes effect in 54 Georgia counties including Cherokee County. The burn ban is in effect from May 1-September 30, 2024. The ban prohibits citizens and businesses from burning yard- and land-clearing debris during this period. This is in addition to the rule that prohibits the burning of household garbage, which is never allowed in Georgia.

More information can be found on the Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services website at CherokeeCountyFire.com.

Whitney Morberg is congratulated by Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis.

Mayor’s Message

Woodstock Named Among the Most Tech-Forward Cities in the World

By Mayor Michael Caldwell

In March of this year, I was invited to attend Taiwan’s 2024 Smart City Summit & Expo to speak on two panels. The first was a panel of Taiwanese and American city leaders, speaking about how our cities think about technology and planning for a successful future. The second panel was on “Best Practices Using AI” in the public sector. I am very proud to report that during the conference, the City of Woodstock was named one of the Intelligent Communities Forum’s SMART21 cities. This lists us among the 21 most innovative cities in the world in utilizing technology to deliver results for our citizens.

Woodstock is a “smart city” because we leverage technology and utilize data to drive our policy decisions. For those in the private sector, that’s nothing new. You would never make a decision or an investment without the data to back it up, but it can be a real differencemaker for cities delivering results to constituents.

As an example, we don’t repave all 110 miles of roadway spanning the City of Woodstock every year. There isn’t a need for annual repaving, but there also could never be enough funding to do so. Instead, we must choose which roads are prioritized and how we can best stretch available funds to have the largest impact on our city.

To do this, we utilize a third-party service to drive over all 110 miles, use an algorithm to analyze wear and tear, usage, and traffic flow, and then rank our streets by priority for repaving. We don’t repave the road that looks the worst first. We don’t repave the road in front of the most popular councilman’s house first. We prioritize the road that will benefit drivers the most based on this data-driven approach.

For a second example, let’s look at the Hub Transformation Project in downtown Woodstock. Years ago, there was a bypass planned to help improve traffic flow in downtown. Before making any decisions, the City engaged a third party to conduct a traffic study and prioritize available infrastructure projects. After analyzing Woodstock’s traffic patterns, the data showed that by building a new roundabout and converting Mill Street to a two-way street, the city could see

improvements on seven major arteries and better traffic flow than with a bypass.

What’s the difference for you? Aside from the easier drive, there are major savings. The bypass was projected to take more than a decade to construct and cost more than $20 million. The Hub Transformation Project came in at roughly $5 million. Data-driven decisions save taxpayers money and deliver better results.

Woodstock citizens have so much to be proud of, and I was so glad to represent our city and state in Taiwan this year. The City of Woodstock has maintained a Smart Master Plan since 2020, and we will continue to relentlessly pursue new, innovative solutions to the problems facing our community in the years to come. It’s what we would do in the private sector, and it’s how we’ll pass down a bold, authentic, collaborative community to future generations.

Michael Caldwell is the mayor of the City of Woodstock. 678-523-8570. WoodstockGa.gov

On Being

Self-Aware

By Elaine Scott

[InGoodFaith] Self-awareness is defined as the ability to recognize and understand your emotions, strengths, weaknesses, needs, and motivators as well as their effect on others. Do you know someone who lacks self-awareness? Maybe it’s your passive-aggressive friend or your “always must be right” boss. Perhaps it’s the highly sensitive person gazing back at you in the mirror.

We’ve all experienced tension when there’s a gap between how we perceive ourselves and how others perceive us. Though we may want to change, we don’t always know how. An easy place to start is by answering the following three questions.

What do I know about me?

We should be lifelong students of ourselves to understand our wiring, what energizes/saps us, how we navigate conflict, etc. There are many tools to help you learn such as the Myers Briggs, Right Path, and Spiritual Pathways assessments.

Questions to consider: What’s my temperament? What are my top three spiritual gifts? What drives/drains me?

What do others know about me?

The truth is that others know a lot about us that we don’t see. There’s a reason they’re called blind spots. And when we aren’t willing to acknowledge and address them, we do a disservice to ourselves and others. We must invite others to see in us the things we cannot see in ourselves.

Questions to consider: Who has permission to speak candidly to me about my life? Who knows my struggles and weaknesses and will ask me about them?

What does God know about me?

We can only learn so much from others and ourselves. Only God knows us completely. Because of this, it’s wise to ask God to reveal to us the truth about ourselves. Only God can give us the grace and ability to overcome our self-distortions and delusions.

Questions to consider: Am I regularly connecting with God? Am I prayerfully reading his word? When was the last time I invited God to examine my heart?

While these questions aren’t the only way to increase our self-awareness, they do provide a great place to start. Happy growing! L

Elaine Scott is the director of Womens Groups at Woodstock City Church, 150 Ridgewalk Parkway, Woodstock. 678-525-4851. WoodstockCity.org

SHERIFF

Frank Reynolds Remains Committed to Excellence and Community Support

Commitment to service, training, and excellence is tantamount to ensuring one is a good leader. Over the course of my two terms as your sheriff, I have remained steadfast in the commitments I made to you: being accessible, keeping you and your family safe, making our community one of the safest places to live despite being one of the fastest growing counties in metro Atlanta, and being a good steward of your tax dollars.

Our priority at the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office (CSO) is to ensure that you, your family, and your businesses are safe. We maintain one of the lowest crime rates in metro Atlanta by staying ahead of the criminals and investing in our community and our employees.

We do that through increased presence, good community policing, implementing investigative technology, and providing modern law enforcement training to our employees.

Growth

In recent years, here are ways we’ve grown the CSO to serve you better:

• Created an Intelligence Division to combat criminal activity and hold accountable those who have violated the laws of our county, state, and/or country. We want to do everything we can to deter criminals from coming to Cherokee County to victimize our citizens as well as bring to justice those who do.

• Expanded the Adult Detention Center. Despite our crime rate being one of the lowest in metro Atlanta, overall population growth and average daily inmate count proved the need for additional space in the facility. The expansion was 100% paid for with Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) dollars.

• Most recently, our new Special Operations facility on Chattin Drive brings the countywide Traffic Enforcement and K-9 Units to a more central location for better response and better service. This facility was also paid for with SPLOST dollars.

Community Connection

One of the most important aspects of our jobs is remaining connected to our community. I serve in volunteer roles across several organizations such as the Rotary Club of Canton and Reinhardt University’s President’s Advisory Council, and I encourage the CSO command staff and precinct commanders to do the same. Our community support programs,

Thank you for allowing me to serve you and our community. I humbly ask for your vote on May 21, 2024. I look forward to continuing to serve and protect you in my role as your sheriff. “ ”

such as RUOK?, Project Lifesaver, and Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (S.A.L.T.) remain strong, providing services to those who need them and allowing us to connect with our citizens.

We have continued to provide these programs and increase our level of service while remaining under budget every year.

Persistence and Dedication

Our persistence and dedication have allowed us to be recognized as one of the leading agencies in the nation. We continue to be one of fewer than 100 sheriff’s offices in the country to maintain the Triple Crown designation through the National Sheriff’s Association. We earned that distinction in

2019 by maintaining high standards through multiple accreditations.

Other CSO Accreditations

• Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)

• American Correctional Association’s Commission on Accreditation for Corrections (ACA)

• National Commission on Correctional Healthcare (NCCHC)

Training, Commitment, and Accountability

It's important to note that a sheriff is not a figurehead — a sheriff is a leader who is trained, committed, and accountable. My career in law enforcement began in 1994 right here in Cherokee County, a community I know and love. I have taken the opportunity to gain more law enforcement training and experience and, in 2005, I traveled overseas to work as an independent contractor with the Department of State’s High-Threat Protection Program. I was charged with providing close personal protection for United States diplomats, foreign dignitaries, and the U.S. military.

After returning home, I gained additional experience with Pickens County by serving as the field operations commander, overseeing uniform patrol, investigations, and school resource officers. I also hold a bachelor’s degree from Reinhardt University and a Master of Public Administration degree from Columbus State University. I am a graduate of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College, the FBI National Academy, the National Sheriffs Institute, and the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange to Israel. Over the course of my career, I have amassed more than 5,000 training hours through the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.

It was through my education, training, and work in Georgia and overseas that I learned what it takes to lead a 21st-century sheriff’s office. Additionally, I learned the importance of collaboration with other agencies. My experience combined with the guidance of a well-trained and community-invested CSO Command Staff has delivered one of the best sheriff’s offices in the nation.

I am honored to lead the CSO, one of the largest full-service sheriff’s offices in the State of Georgia. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the nearly 500 dedicated men and women employed with the sheriff’s office who play an integral role in the success of our agency and county. Because of them, the cooperative relationship with our local board of commissioners, district attorney, solicitor-general, judges, and of course, my wife Dr. Jennifer Reynolds and our three children, that the last seven years have been so successful.

Sheriff Reynolds, right, receives a donation from the Service League of Cherokee County for the Cherokee Sheriff's Office Foundation.

Sheriff Reynolds meets Blue, the CSO's new K9

Clockwise from top left, Dr. Jennifer Reynolds, Sheriff Frank Reynolds, their Irish Setter Nora, and their three children

2024 Legislative Session Wrap-Up

By State Senator John Albers

During the final days of the 2024 Legislative Session, the Georgia Senate members diligently worked within both their respective committees and on the Senate floor to propel House bills forward.

Senate Republicans attended the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame Unveiling Ceremony, paying tribute to Georgia’s veterans for their selfless sacrifices to our nation. Year after year, this profoundly moving ceremony is one of the highlights of the session. I am proud to support legislative

initiatives that positively impact those who have devoted their lives to protecting freedoms that we often take for granted.

I was honored to support House Bill 880, which furthers our commitment to enhancing Georgia’s workforce development by enabling military spouses to utilize an existing license in good standing from another state to secure employment at a Georgia business. Georgia’s military spouses often lose valuable working time between relocations. This game-changing legislation would expedite their journey into the workforce, simultaneously easing their overall transition into our great state.

Senate members also joined Gov. Brian P. Kemp on the steps of the Capitol, as he signed Senate Bill 332 into law. This legislation empowers the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission to begin its crucial task of holding district attorneys accountable if they fail to uphold the law.

Regarding our committee work, House Bill 1185 passed favorably out of the Senate

Committee on Finance. This bill aims to reduce inflated homestead taxes, thereby easing the burden on working Georgians. It offers our citizens the opportunity to reinvest in our economy now or save for the future.

I am especially grateful to my House colleagues for their passage of Senate Bills 334 and 335. Titled the “Helping Firefighters Beat Cancer Act” and the “Safeguarding Adopted Children From Sexual Violence Act” respectively, these pieces of legislation will go to the governor’s desk. I am proud to have authored and advocated for these bills, designed to protect our firefighters and adopted children.

Please never hesitate to contact my office if I can assist with legislative matters.

John Albers represents the 56th Senate District, which includes portions of Woodstock. 404-463-8055. SenatorAlbers.com. John.Albers@Senate.Ga.gov

Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

BY BARBARA P. JACOBY

CRYSTAL BENNETT

Crystal Bennett’s Ball Ground ES STEM Academy classroom is a transformer and time machine rolled into one.

Winning the 2024 CCSD Teacher of the Year award, Bennett is known for creating immersive learning experiences for her fifth graders. She designs inquiry-based, hands-on, leveled stations embedded with learning standards, STEM enrichment — and fun. Her favorite is Harry Potter Day, but her students love Operation Day best.

“Students transform into their doctor attire and perform ‘operations’ to save patients. This immersive experience not only captivates student interest, but also integrates crosscurricular learning through interactive centers,” said Bennett, who teaches science, math, and social studies. “It is a dynamic way to elevate learning and relate to the students while maintaining high standards.”

During her childhood, Bennett was transformed by inspirational Ball Ground ES teachers who helped her overcome a speech delay and reading challenges.

“It was not just one teacher who changed my life, it was several who saw my potential even when I did not,” she said. “They gave me encouragement and matched every ‘I can’t’ with ‘You can.’ They nurtured a growth mindset beyond academics. I became a teacher to be that inspiration to my students to set high goals, where accountability in failure is matched with positive leadership that encourages resiliency.”

Now in her 13th year as an educator, Bennett inspires her own students.

“I encourage my students by creating a positive learning environment and finding new ways to make learning engaging and relevant. I also try to inspire my students to become agents of their own learning by setting goals and having a voice in our classroom. The biggest obstacle students face is a lack of confidence, patience, and perseverance when it comes to learning,

especially when faced with something new,” she said. “I encourage a growth mindset in my classroom, so that students gain confidence to conquer anything they set their minds to by using the class motto, ‘You are capable of amazing things.’”

Bennett’s daughters both attend Ball Ground ES, and she’s active as a “mom volunteer” in addition to her role as a teacher. One of her favorite events to support is the school’s Veterans Day program, as it “brings joy to our local heroes” including her husband, a current firefighter and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

What can parents do to help their child be as successful as possible at school?

“I believe allowing children a handson experience fosters real-world connections and sparks curiosity,” she said. “Parents can encourage curiosity by allowing children to play with various items. Each time the child is exposed to something new, they are expanding their vocabulary and building a natural love of learning. Curious minds often create messes, but it trains the brain to think, wonder, and ask questions. Parents can help their child by reading together, engaging in play, and asking questions to further enhance curiosity. Let your child solve problems. True success lies in their discovery of the answer.”

CONGRATULATIONS TO CRYSTAL BENNETT ON BEING NAMED CCSD’S 2024 TEACHER OF THE YEAR!

Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

“My WORK Is NOT COMPLETE Yet.”

By Jennifer Paire

Georgia Representative Charlice Byrd (R – Woodstock) is not the kind of elected leader who brings talking points to an interview, even on the eve of the Republican primary on May 21, 2024.

Rather, her 12 years at the Capitol have strengthened her commitment to the same conservative principles she has always used to create and evaluate thousands of bills, resolutions, and amendments — many of which expand the government’s role and spending. She votes “no” more than any legislator in the House.

“I am doing the job that you duly elected me to do. I was elected for the primary purpose, according to the Constitution of the State of Georgia, of passing the budget, passing laws or repealing those that are no longer needed, and providing constituent services,” said Byrd, who is known for supporting constituents within and beyond District 20.

A self-described constitutionalist, Byrd has become a firebrand in the House; a warrior often fighting both sides of the aisle and challenging colleagues influenced by special interests, government affairs and lobbyist groups, and thousands of state employees vying for tax dollars for their programs.

Byrd said she still fights the progressive left to safeguard election integrity, combat illegal immigration, protect the born and unborn, and uphold the right to bear arms. She is a charter member of the Georgia Freedom Caucus (GAFC) and has served as chair since 2021. GAFC is part of a rightwing network of state-level freedom caucuses modeled after and supported by the U.S. House Freedom Caucus’ principles and policies.

Members vote for proposed legislation based on how it stacks up against the GAFC’s four pillars: Does it grow government? Does it raise taxes? Does it increase regulation? Does it infringe on personal liberties?

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” then Byrd votes “no.”

“Many representatives are not listening to the citizens of Georgia, and they are giving away our tax dollars on a range of issues in the form of housing, healthcare, and more to secure votes in the next election. Our society cannot continue to afford these handouts,” said Byrd.

Byrd also said she considers whether a bill is the proper role of government. In most cases, a bill that becomes law takes away someone’s right, whether others agree or not.

“Georgia is still a sovereign state. Our local and state governments are far more important than what happens at the federal level,” she explained. “The federal government really cannot come into our state to tell us what to do, although our state government continues to take money from the federal government, which gives them the power to highly influence and direct our decisions.”

Byrd’s legislative priorities line up with her commitment to fight for conservative values and liberty. These include:

The Income Tax Reduction Bill (HB 1047), which would “eliminate the state income tax within six years,” said Byrd. “It is time for us to eliminate our state income tax, if we are bringing in so much so-called ‘new revenue’ every year.”

Byrd fought for years for a “sunset” bill that could have eliminated duplicate state agencies — part of the $16 billion state budget that has mushroomed to more than $36 billion since 2012. The legislation was vetoed by the governor.

The Medical Freedom Act (HB 266), which was introduced in 2023 to prevent state and local governments and private businesses from mandating vaccinations, vaccination passports, and wearing facial coverings.

“This is where personal responsibility comes in. If you so choose to take every jab that the CDC is requiring, have at it, but do not tell me or my family or my children you can’t come to school because you didn’t get your jab,” asserted Byrd.

The Second Amendment Preservation Act (HB 293), also introduced last session, instructs Georgia law enforcement to exclusively enforce Georgia laws when it comes to firearms, ammunition, and accessories, prohibiting enforcement of federal gun laws and gun control measures passed by Congress or executive order.

“Again, I’m fighting hard for this bill, and I may get a hearing. But if not, it gives me the ability to go and talk louder about it,” said Byrd who has been endorsed by the National Rifle Association and Georgia Gun Owners.

Byrd also supports legislation to protect election integrity (HB 974 and HB 976) as well as the Georgia Criminal Alien Track and Report Act (HB 1105), which would require local law enforcement to report and track anyone living in the country illegally and grant power to arrest suspected illegal aliens with probable cause.

“Courage is the root of change,” said Byrd, citing the quote by author Bonnie Garmus in her book, Lessons in Chemistry “If the rest of us don’t stand up and make change, we’re going to remain where we are now — underwater and numb to everything that is happening.”

“I’m truly honored and humbled to be the state representative in the General Assembly from the 20th District. Thank you for your continued support and remember to vote for Charlice Byrd in the May 21 primary election,” she said.

To find your legislator or legislation, visit legis.ga.gov

For more information about elections, visit sos.ga.gov

Cherokee County firefighters at the Capitol for Firefighters Recognition Day

Reading during Read Across America Week

Parliamentary Inquiry on a House Bill

Easter with family

Got a Cold Sore?

By Steven Anderson, DMD

[Healthy Life] Is this scenario familiar to you? You feel a slight tingle on your lip, then a small, red, hard spot begins to emerge. A day or two later, a red blister appears on your lip that only seems to get worse.

Cold sores (fever blisters), which are caused by the herpes simplex virus, are highly contagious. They are sometimes confused with “canker” sores. In short, canker sores are a completely different type of ulcer that occurs on the soft tissue inside your mouth — a place where cold sores don’t occur.

Cold sores are fairly common, so don’t feel you are suffering alone. You can take steps to lessen the frequency and duration of outbreaks as well as prevent transmission to others.

Usually appearing on your lips, cold sores are very visible. Occasionally, they occur on your nostrils, chin, or fingers. Sometimes, they occur inside your mouth, but only on the hard tissue like your gums or roof of your mouth.

The signs and symptoms may not start for 20 days after exposure to the virus and usually last a week or two. The blisters form, break open, and ooze a little. Then, a yellow crust forms and eventually falls off to uncover the pretty pink skin that will usually

heal without a scar. Once you’ve had a cold sore, the virus lies dormant in the nerve cells in your skin, waiting to reemerge and show its true form, usually near or at the original site.

Triggers of recurrence may be sun, stress, or even menstruation. Cold sores generally clear up (eventually) without treatment. Treatment regimens vary greatly from doing nothing, applying creams, or taking medication. Is there another alternative? Yes!

So, where does your dentist come in? Dentists effectively treat cold sores all the time, sometimes with drugs and creams, but more amazingly with lasers.

Increasing numbers of doctors are using lasers for surgery in the hospital as well as surgery in the dental office. Numerous patient clinical research studies strongly suggest laser treatment of a cold sore can prohibit it from ever blistering, so it will simply remain a small red spot that disappears in a few days. However, not just any laser will work. A special type of laser licensed for use by a doctor is required. (Sorry, the flashlight you use to play with your cat won’t work.)

The procedure is safe and noninvasive. The lip is never touched with the laser. Not all dentists perform laser treatments, so be sure to ask your practitioner. After all, great dentistry should be all about you. L

Dr. Steven Anderson practices cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentistry at Anderson Dental of Woodstock and East Cobb. 650 Claremore Professional Way, Suite 200, Woodstock, GA 30188. 770-384-8505. DrStevenAnderson.com

Poké Tag Poké Tag

By Janice Owens

Myeight-year-old, Jasper, and I have been distant the last couple of weeks. He’s been edgy and shut down. Second grade hasn’t been great so far. He really doesn’t want to talk about it, especially with me.

I had corralled two-year-old Stella into her highchair to keep her from underfoot while I made dinner. I stirred the pasta and sent the last email proposal of the workday with my thumbs. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my sneaky little kindergartener going for some cookies.

“Felix! No snacks! Dinner is almost ready.”

“But Mom…”

“No ‘but moms.’ Now go wash your hands.”

“Eat! Eat!” came the cry from the highchair, as Stella fed the dog who sat beneath her waiting for the droppings.

Into the chaos of the kitchen flew a paper airplane. I managed to catch it before it landed in the spaghetti sauce. Feeling my aggravation meter on the rise, I almost admonished the boys, but something caught my eye. I unfolded the airplane. It was Jasper’s handwriting.

“Today I had a 50% day. Half good. Half bad.”

Whoa, this is important, I thought. I grabbed the first thing I could find that would actually write and responded.

“What was good? What was bad? Tell me.”

I refolded the airplane, sent it flying back into the family room, and turned back to the stove. By this time, Stella was using her newfound, high-pitched-scream ability to alert me that Felix had helped himself to food on her highchair tray that she hadn’t already fed to Pompeii, our dog. The airplane came sailing back into the kitchen.

“Good, I made s’mores. Bad, nobody would play with me on the playground.”

Later, I discovered that the school has a “buddy bench” on the playground for lonely kids who need a friend. It broke my heart to think of my sensitive little boy taking himself over to the buddy bench to find it broken on this beautifully crisp autumn day.

Taking a deep breath to clear my mind, I looked for an empty space to write.

“S’mores sound yummy! Who would you like to play with more?”

The airplane flew, banking through the little hallway separating the kitchen and the family room, and skidded under the sofa. I returned to my stove top and reduced the heat on all burners to low. This might take a minute. I handed a prized banana to Stella. I knew she would not share that with anybody, let alone the dog.

The airplane shot back with big, bold, black letters saying, “I don’t know!”

This beautiful, spontaneous way of communication continued. I validated his feelings, commented on one of his strengths, and made a suggestion.

“I know that feeling. It’s lonely. But you are so good at making friends. Why don’t you come up with a game and invite friends to play it until someone says ‘yes?’”

Jasper flew the airplane back, grazing the top of Stella’s head. Savoring her banana, she didn’t even flinch.

“POKÉ TAG!” he had excitedly written.

Running low on writing space, I grabbed a sheet of paper from the kitchen desk drawer.

“Great game idea! Who in your class likes Pokémon? Ask them until someone says ‘yes.’”

I folded the fresh plane into a pointy jet and threw it.

“Everyone!” came the reply that landed on the garbage can.

“OK, what are the rules of Poké Tag?” Whoosh went the airplane over the sofa.

A return countertop landing missed the plate of garlic bread. “If you get tagged, you’re caught, aka out.”

“OK, that’s cool. Maybe tell a friend before recess about your new, cool, fun game. Get everyone excited. This is a great plan! What do you think?”

I whisked the airplane, crashing it unintentionally into the ceiling fan where it dropped to the floor. I heard a snicker coming from the family room.

“I think it will work,” came the response skidding across the floor.

“This is going to be fun. I can’t wait to hear about it on Monday after school. When you ask kids to play, be brave and confident. I’m proud of you!”

Paul, my husband, arriving from work and without missing a beat, leaned back just in time to avoid a paper airplane whizzing by his face.

“DA DA!” A happy Stella raised her arms for a hug and a get-out-of-the-high-chair-free card. I had held dinner off as long as I could. The pasta was, shall we say, softer and plumper than usual but would still be tasty. “Dinner’s ready!”

Another airplane flies by and lands on the table. Paul picks it up. It unfolded into a picture. Paul and I exchanged looks that silently said, I’ll explain later

So right then, we came up with a new game plan to invite kids to play rather than sadly waiting to be invited.

Monday afternoon, an anxious me with Stella walked up to the bus stop to wait for both boys to bounce off the bus. My heart was hoping. Jasper’s poker face hid his emotion.

Walking home from the bus stop, I asked my articulate kindergartener, Felix, “Who did you play with on the playground today?”

After much indulgence for Felix’s detailed doctoral, I then floated the same question over to Jasper. I crossed my fingers, waiting for his answer.

“Everybody,” he said skipping away.

As the story goes, kids on the playground loved Poké Tag. In fact, they huddled together a few times to modify the rules to see how the new game could evolve. A major win for Jasper! A major win for Mom!

I wasn’t aware then that I was teaching my young son positive, proactive, problemsolving strategies to build upon for a lifetime. I simply took the time to follow my heart. It is those little things hidden in the daily grind that make all the difference. Congratulations to Our Winner, Janice Owens Thank You to All Who Shared Short Stories With

We received an entertaining assortment of thoughtful, well written submissions that covered a variety of topics, and we appreciated reading each one. We truly enjoyed “visiting” the succinct worlds you created, which inspired us to feel a wide array of emotions.

Public Safety

Preventing Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke

By Lisa M. Grisham, CPSTI

Sometimes, babies sleep so peacefully in the car that busy parents can forget they are even there. Other times, parents might be tempted to leave kids in the car to run into the store to pick up an item or two. Children may also unknowingly climb into cars if the doors or trunks are left unlocked. However it happens, an average of 39 children die from pediatric vehicular heatstroke (PVH) each year while unattended in a vehicle.

Even though PVH deaths, also known as hot car deaths, are 100% preventable, they continue to happen every year. In 2023, there were 28 nationally. There have been 40 in the state of Georgia since 1998. Young children are particularly at risk because their bodies heat up three to five times faster than adults’ bodies. The inside of a vehicle

can be 50 degrees hotter than the outside temperature, and 80% of the rise in temperature occurs in the first 30 minutes.

It’s easy to say, “This will never happen to me,” but the sad truth is that 52% of these cases were children who were not dropped off at childcare. Sometimes your brain is going in one direction on overdrive, and it skips a step. Or your routine is changed from what you normally do. Sadly, this has happened to even the most conscientious parents and caregivers.

Locking your vehicle every time you get out is the smart way to ensure children cannot gain access at any point and be sure to store your keys out of reach. Kids are curious. They want to do what you do, and cars are not a place to play. When children gain access, many times they cannot get out — especially if they are in the trunk. Teach them the trunk is for cargo, and cars are not a play place.

Help reduce PVH by remembering A.C.T.

• A – Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by NEVER leaving a child in a car — not even for a minute.

• C – Create reminders. Keep a stuffed animal or memento in your child’s seat when they aren’t in the car and move it to the front as a visual when they are. Place your phone, briefcase, purse, or shoe in the backseat when traveling with your child. Set up reminders with your childcare provider to call you if your child isn’t there at the expected time. This can be done on your phone as well.

• T – Take action. If you see a child alone in a vehicle, call 911. Emergency personnel want you to call. They are trained to respond to these situations and can direct you on what to do.

These simple steps can help save lives. These steps can also be applied to pets. For more information, visit SafeKidsCherokee.org or NoHeatStroke.org.

Lisa

M. Grisham is the senior fire safety educator for Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services and the coordinator for Safe Kids Cherokee County. 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton. 678-493-6296. CherokeeCountyFire.org

Book Review

BY SARAH CHILDERS

The COMFORT of CROWS: A Backyard Year

Join Sequoyah Regional Library System as we kick off Summer Discovery 2024 with Science Heroes! Go on an interactive STEM adventure that combines the magic of stories with the wonders of science.

Summer Discovery 2024 Kick-Off Schedule

• R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 1:00pm, June 3

• Woodstock Public Library, 3:00pm, June 3, and 11:00am, June 5

• Ball Ground Public Library, 11:00am, June 7

• Rose Creek Public Library, 2:00pm, June 7

Beginning June 1, earn badges and win prizes by participating in our Summer Discovery Beanstack challenge. The Beanstack app helps you log your reading while completing fun challenges with your local public library.

As spring ends and summer approaches, readers can find solace during the changing of the seasons in Margaret Renkl’s book The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year. A collection of essays, Renkl’s book follows the life of the creatures in her backyard, as the seasons change throughout the year. Paralleling their actions and struggles to our own as humans, Renkl emphasizes the importance of empathy for our backyard companions. The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year will leave readers noticing the little changes in the environment of their everyday lives and the big impact that those little changes can have.

Find The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year and other summer titles at your dynamic destination for discovery: the Sequoyah Regional Library System. Our library cards are always free for those who live in Cherokee, Pickens, and Gilmer counties. Visit SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org to learn more about our collection and available services. We look forward to spending another wonderful summer with you and hope to see you soon at the library.

Sarah Childers is the marketing manager for the Sequoyah Regional Library System. ChildersS@seqlib.org. SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

Artist Profile

BY ELLEN SAMSELL SALAS

WILKES

Singer and songwriter Jason Wilkes, known as Wilkes, says as long as his songs are authentic and true to his core values, his commitment to God and his family, he’s OK with them.

Hearing his lyrics along with the drawl and grit in his voice, many peg Wilkes as country.

“There are some southern elements in my songs, but my music is somewhere between country and rock, kind of left of center,” he said.

It is Wilkes’ emotionally flexible voice, his quiet tenderness combined with powerful crescendos, that wins the listener’s attention. Transitioning easily from a lyric tenor into an expressive upper range, he conveys vulnerability as well as strength. Most often accompanying himself with an acoustic guitar, sometimes adding a subtle keyboard, he complements his vocals without overpowering them.

A native of Cedarhill, Georgia, now a longtime Woodstock resident, Wilkes has always had music in his life. As young children, he and his sister sang in church. At six years old, he started playing drums. His brother knew guitar, bass, and piano well enough to share his knowledge with him. Quickly, they could “just play off of each other,” Wilkes said.

Later, as a member of two bands, he toured in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Then for

CREATING MUSIC AND SINGING FROM THE HEART

three years, he wrote songs for a Nashville publishing company. In 2014, he appeared on The Voice.

Now, his days begin by making sure his wife, Chelsey, and daughter, Linley, get breakfast each morning. He then heads to his basement studio to write, record, or mix a song, or to make a video to accompany a song.

Sometimes, he kick-starts his writing with an idea he finds in the hundreds of notes he has cataloged on his phone. Once he begins writing, he lets the song “go where it needs to go.”

“I LIKE WRITING INSTINCTIVELY, THEN LOOKING AT THE SONG LATER,” HE EXPLAINED. “YOU’RE ALMOST OPERATING OUTSIDE OF YOUR BRAIN. IT’S NOT EVEN A DECISION-MAKING PROCESS. IT JUST HAPPENS.”

Although the process might sometimes be slow, it is never formulaic, and the results are always authentic.

Today, believing in himself, he not only writes his songs but also plays all the instruments, mixes the tracks, and masters his recordings. He will turn to someone else

only if he wants to add an instrument that he doesn’t play. What started as a business decision has resulted in, “making my music more me. I’m only releasing songs that I connect to,” he said.

Wilkes said he doesn’t need affirmation or applause, but that he probably wouldn’t write songs if he couldn’t perform.

“The end product,” he said, “once it’s done, it’s for people who need it. I hope people care. I hope it impacts them.”