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AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

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January 2015

Volume 2, Issue 3

16 A Warm Place to Sleep

Canton church opens its doors to the homeless.

18 Senior Sense

Accentuating the positives of growing older.

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19 Woodstock Flashback

Don’t overlook the past in excitement for the future.

22 Meet the New Director

Greenprints Alliance head shares thoughts on travel.

23 The World of Nonprofits

New monthly features brings updates, opportunities.

27 Getting Rid of Gluten

Simple tips for going gluten-free.

28 Everyday Angels

Needs are great after death of young husband, father.

31 A Haven for Children

New facility offers a safe place for foster kids, families.

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Contributing Writers Chantel Adams Kyle Bennett Michael Caldwell Brett Campbell Dr. Cathy Wendland-Colby G. Lora Grooms Delia Halverson Dr. Scott Harden Dr. Jan Henriques Beth Hermes Deidre Hollands Dr. Travis Jones Mark Kissel Lorre Lamarca

25 19 34 42 48 14 18 50 46 35 31 50 43 40

In Every Issue Gary Lamb Ann Litrel Dr. Mike Litrel Rob Macmillan Gary Moore Matt Neal Premier Group Lisa Randall Lynne Saunders Jessica Leigh Smith David Silverman Nekeidra Taylor Jodi Tiberio Tim Timmons

16 38 29 39 22 23 13 26 40 27 36 30 20 41

Around Woodstock

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Community News

8

Birthdays

12

Community Calendar

30

Dining Guide

37

Everyday Angels

28

School News

44

Recent Home Sales

52

Parking Map

53

Ward Map

54

Trails Map

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Contact us and view the magazine online at

www.AroundWoodstockMagazine.com

32 & 33 On the Cover Hait & Kuhn North Metro Litigators Photo by Kim Bates.

Join the Around Woodstock magazine fan page

www.facebook.com/AroundWoodstockMagazine

www.twitter.com/AroundWoodstock 2

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

Patty Ponder, ALM President and Marketing & Advertising Sales.

Contact her at (770) 615-3322 or Patty@aroundaboutmagazines.com.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

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Community

AROUND WOODSTOCK The People, The Places and The Pleasures that make Woodstock What’s New

Candi Hannigan is the executive editor of Around Woodstock. She has lived in Cherokee County for 25 years.

Send your comments or questions to Candi@ AroundAboutMagazines. com

The walls of the new Applebee’s at The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta are covered with individual framed photos, taken by Woodstock photographer Darleen Prem, and several large murals depicting scenes in Cherokee County (below). The design company worked closely with local artists in compiling the images that make up the murals. The largest - called the Community Mural - measures 268” by 80” and shows snippets of life from Holly Springs to Woodstock. Local residents may want to take a closer look and see if they’re part of these artistic collections.

Gary Moore is the new executive director of the Greenprints Alliance, appointed in December to succeed Jennifer Stockton, who served as the group’s volunteer director for the last three years. See Gary’s article written exclusively for Around Woodstock on page 22. The Foundation Partnership with Premier Energy, completed in 2014, provided funding for the position.

Spirited boutique has expanded to include an art gallery, which will feature a new local or regional artist each month. The clothing store is at 8670 Main St. Little River Family Dental has opened a second location at 12201 Hwy. 92, Suite G in Woodstock. The first location is off Trickum Road. The two dentists on staff schedule two late days a week, open to 7 p.m., and are open all day each Friday.

Construction is underway on Salt Factory Pub at 8690 Main St. An opening date hasn’t been determined for this location, Salt’s third in the metro area. The menu will include shepherd’s pie, pizzas, sandwiches and salads, among other Salt favorites.

NY Style Deli and Pizza has opened in the Towne Lake Shopping Center at 2340 Towne Lake Parkway. Open 11 a.m.9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. Delivery available. (678) 426-7004.

What’s Coming?

An 18-pump RaceTrac gas station and convenience store will be built at the corner of Rope Mill Road and Ridgewalk Parkway, in front of The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta. There’s no word about when it will be completed.

Reliable Heating & Air will be moving headquarters across Hwy 92 from their current location to a new 10-acre tract of land. Look for groundbreaking some time in February. The current address is 11075 Hwy. 92.

Orangetheory Fitness, which will be opening in April, is preselling memberships at the new location, 200 Parkbrooke Dr., Suite 140 in Woodstock. For information, call (770) 833-4550. www.orangetheoryfitness.com.

Cherokee Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cuttings Cherokee Tennis Center, 155 Brooke Blvd., Woodstock. www.cherokeetenniscenter.com.

Connect Hearing, 2230 Towne Lake Pkwy., Building 800, Suite 100, Woodstock.

Little River Family Dental, 12201 Hwy 92, Suite G, Woodstock. www.littleriverfamilydental.com

COURTESY GATE 3 DESIGN, INC.

Dr. Kirk Hewling, a board certified physician in family

medicine, has joined Towne Lake Primary Care, the practice of Dr. Robin Loe and Dr. Noreen Mercando, on the fourth floor of the Northside Cherokee/Towne Lake Medical Campus in Woodstock. Dr. Hewling is a graduate of the Howard University College of Medicine, and completed his residency at the Emory University School of Medicine. He has practiced in the Atlanta area for more than 10 years.

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

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COMMUNITY BOARD The Around Woodstock Community Board consists of well-respected community leaders from different walks of life. Our board assists us in many ways that include serving as contributing writers, judging our annual Trailblazer award and providing valuable feedback.

Kris McKeeth is team leader and visionary for The Premier Group Keller Williams Realty on Main Street in Woodstock, and has more than 25 years experience in real estate. She’s active in many community efforts that include her position on the Business Board of downtown Woodstock and as president of Etowah Foundation.

Photographer Darleen Prem specializes in natural light portrait photography and enjoys dog, pet and family photography. She spends much of her time photographing local events for the city of Woodstock and is the official “unofficial” photographer for Woodstock’s fire and police departments. Darleen’s son serves overseas as an Army Military Police Officer.

Ross Wiseman started Momentum Church in 2005 and still serves as head pastor. The father of four draws from his experiences in more than 21 years of ministry and 19 years of marriage to challenge, inspire and instruct people in what it takes for better living, loving and laughter.

Renee Gable, a sales and marketing executive for Window Expert Tinting, volunteers for many committees that work to improve downtown Woodstock. She is an avid cyclist who aligned herself with Greenprints Alliance because of her desire to help create safe and natural trail riding experiences.

Beth Hermes is a graduate of Auburn University’s School of Journalism, and a professional writer for more than 26 years. Her writing has appeared in magazines, newspapers and online publications, and she has created marketing campaigns for corporations and nonprofits.

Suzanne Litrel is a young adult historical fiction author and doctoral student in GSU’s graduate history program. Suzanne resides with her family in downtown Woodstock, which she is very happy to call home.

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

Woodstock AROUND

Publisher AroundAbout Local Media, Inc. ALM President Patty Ponder Patty@AroundAboutMagazines.com (770) 615-3322 Marketing Support Associate Christie Deese Christie@AroundAboutMagazines.com (770) 615-3324 Executive Editor Candi Hannigan Candi@AroundAboutMagazines.com (770) 615-3309 Assistant Editor Jackie Loudin Jackie@AroundAboutMagazines.com (770) 615-3318 Art Director Michelle McCulloch Michelle@AroundAboutMagazines.com (770) 615-3307 Graphic Designer Laura Latchford Laura@AroundAboutMagazines.com Around Woodstock, a publication of AroundAbout Local Media, Inc., is a monthly community magazine. The magazine’s goal is to build a sense of community and pride in Woodstock and surrounding area by providing residents with positive stories and timely information. It distributes a total of 16,300 free copies. Approximately 15,000 are direct mailed to homes and businesses and an additional 1,300 are placed in racks around the community. See page 61 for a distribution map. Around Woodstock also has many digital viewers of the magazine online each month.

Around Woodstock welcomes your comments, stories, and advertisements. The deadline is the 5th of the previous month.

Subscriptions are available for $24 per year. Send check or money order to the address below.

The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the editor/ publisher and the publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned.

Around Woodstock is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher.

All rights reserved. © Copyright 2015.

Around Woodstock PMB 380 1025 Rose Creek Dr., Ste. 620, Woodstock, GA 30189 Advertising: Patty Ponder, (770) 615-3322 Website: www.AroundWoodstockMagazine.com Powered by TrustWorkz, Inc.

Volume 2, Issue 3

The Best Custom Graphics on Screen Printed & Embroidered Apparel are Finally Available Direct to you and your Organizations!

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

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Community

YOUR LOCAL NEWS County Leaders Part of Graduating Class Mitzi Saxon, Woodstock Downtown Program Manager, and Meghan Griffin, Canton Main Street Director, recently graduated from the 2014 Region 3 multi-day training program, held by the Board of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development.

Participants represented a Graduates include (from left) Georgia EMC’s Carrie Barnes, number of professional and Woodstock Downtown Program Manager Mitzi Saxon, nonprofessional economic Canton Main Street Manager Meghan Griffin, and Johnna Robinson and Steve Foster of Georgia Power. development fields, including elected officials, public servants, business leaders, educators and social service providers from 10 counties in metro Atlanta. The academy provided each graduate an opportunity to gain a unique understanding of the complexities of economic and community development on the local, regional and state levels.

“One of the goals for the multi-day regional academies is to encourage multicounty cooperation,” says Corinne Thornton, director of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development. “Many times the participants discover the issues facing their community are the same as those facing other communities in their region, and can then combine limited resources to address the issue.”

The next Region 3 Georgia Academy for Economic Development will begin in August 2015. For more information contact Corinne Thornton at 706-340-6461 or by email at corinne.thornton@dca.ga.gov.

Donate a Tote for a Tot On Jan. 16, Georgia Cancer Specialists (GCS) and Northside Hospital will collect backpacks and kid-sized suitcases for foster children in Georgia as part of the 13th annual Totes 2 Tots suitcase drive. Approximately 8,500 children, from infants to teenagers, are currently in the foster care system in Georgia. Many of these children shuffle their belongings in garbage bags when they are removed from their homes. Since Totes 2 Tots was first launched in 2003, the annual volunteer event has collected and distributed more than 37,000 bags.

Donations of new or nearly new backpacks and suitcases will be accepted between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at GCS offices across Georgia, including the Canton location at 228 Riverstone Drive. GCS partners with the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) to distribute the bags in the counties in which they’re collected. For more info, visit www.gacancer.com, find Totes 2 Tots on Facebook, or call 877-716-CARE (2273).

Cherokee Firefighters Promoted

Cherokee Lifeguards Victorious

Five Cherokee County firefighters were promoted during a recent ceremony at Cherokee County Fire Training Complex, located south of Holly Springs. Adam Dierdorff was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Dierdorff came to the department in 2005 and was promoted to Sergeant in August of 2008.

The following firefighters were promoted to the rank of Sergeant: David Burnaugh, Cheri Collett, David Miller and Nate Sullivan. Burnaugh, Collett and Miller came to work for the fire department in 2007 and Sullivan joined the ranks in 2010.

Cherokee County lifeguards defeated their Cobb County counterparts in the second annual Cherokee versus Cobb Lifeguard Training Challenge. This year’s competition featured one team from the Cherokee Aquatic Center, which defeated three Cobb teams from the Cherokee lifeguard Mountain View, Cobb Central and West Nathan Pelletier.

Cobb aquatic centers. The event gives lifeguards a change to gather with guards from other agencies in a friendly competition to test their skills and swimming ability.

The summer version of the competition is in open water at the statewide Georgia Recreation and Parks Association Lifeguard Competition at Lake Oconee. The events in this winter challenge included silly races like the Lost and Found Relay to serious training like the Deep Passive Submerged Rescue and Removal, which is to be performed to the Red Cross Standard.

The promoted firefighters were (left) Sgt. David Burnaugh, Sgt. David Miller, Lt. Adam Dierdorff, Sgt. Nate Sullivan and Sgt. Cheri Collett.

Attending the ceremony were (left) Cherokee County Fire Chief Tim Prather, Assistant Fire Chief Eddie Robinson, Chief of Operations Greg Erdely, Cherokee County Fire Marshal Barry Gibson and EMS Chief Danny West.

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The competition is a chance to practice and show off life-saving skills.

Special Olympics Gets a Special Donation The BridgeMill Men’s Golf Association donated $20,200 to the Cherokee County Special Olympics program, money raised from a recent golf tournament. The funds will be used by the Cherokee County Special Olympics to provide year-round sport opportunities for community members with intellectual disabilities in Cherokee County. Adaptive physical education teachers Amy Aenchbacher and Dave Martinez accepted the contribution.

Adaptive PE Teachers Amy Aenchbacher and Dave Martinez, front row third from left, accept a donation for the Cherokee County Special Olympics from the BridgeMill Men’s Golf Association.

Police Department Honors Officers, Residents The Woodstock Police Department recently announced the 2014 honorees for service to the community. Winners were: Officer Max Karneol for Rookie of the Year, Cpt. Jeremy Cochran for Officer of the Year, Darleen Prem for Volunteer of the Year, Scott O’Meara for the Tessa Basford Community Service Award, Nancy Petersen for Civilian of the Year and Sgt. John Steelman for Supervisor of the Year.

Darleen Prem, a member of Around Woodstock’s community board and regular photography contributor, was honored “for her countless hours of service to not only us but the fire department, the Woodstock Public Safety Foundation and the city. Darleen never misses an event where her photography captures moments that can be shared for all to enjoy. Through her work, the professional image our department strives to uphold is only enhanced by her professional photography,” said Brittany Duncan, administrative coordinator and public information officer for the Woodstock Police Department.

From left: Officer Max Karneol, Cpl. Jeremy Cochran, Chief Calvin Moss, Darleen Prem and Scott O’Meara.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

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Community

YOUR LOCAL NEWS New Playground Open to Public The old playground at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Center in Woodstock has been replaced as part of a project that renovated parts of the JJ Biello The new playground also has a new fence around the Park and the area. recreation center.

Improvements include updating the playground and adding a fence around it for increased safety during the summer camp program, a new water fountain, new restrooms inside and outside the center and renovations to the existing pavilion. For details about the facility, call (770) 924-7768 or visit www.crpa. net.

Trail Run Registrations Open Registration is open for the 2015 Trail Run Series, which includes a lengthened series finale. Both of the Rope Mill courses will utilize new trails that are under construction on the north side of Little River.

• March 7 Assault on Garland Mountain, a four-mile and nine-mile trail run.

• April 18 Battle of Allatoona Creek, a four-mile and 10-mile trail run.

• May 23 Sutallee Trace Trail Challenge, a 4 ½ and 10-mile trail run.

• June 13 Rope Mill Half Marathon, a 10K and 13.1-mile trail run.

Additional trail runs that aren’t part of the series include the April 11 Blankets Creek Spring Sports Festival - Dirty Duathlon and 5 Mile Trail Run, the Aug. 8 6-Hour Race to Sunset at Blankets Creek, and the Oct. 24 Rope Mill Dirty Duathlon and 5K Trail Run. For more details and to register, visit www.mountaingoatadventures.com.

Historical Society Earns Award, Gains New Collection

The Historical Society’s Lisa Tressler and Stefanie Joyner with their awards.

The governor-appointed Georgia Historical Records Advisory Council (GHRAC) recently honored the Cherokee County Historical Society and 14 other individuals and projects. The Cherokee County Historical Society was chosen to receive the Award for Excellence in Documenting Georgia’s History for the documentation and education effort titled “Unearthing the Past: Archaeology in Cherokee County.”

The project was designed to meet four recognized needs: to educate the general public on the archaeological sites in the county, the various cultures associated with those sites, the archaeological surveys performed in the county, and to document and display privately held artifacts in a secure manner. The project entailed obtaining original scholarly articles, interviewing archaeologists, identifying and interviewing local collectors, conducting a public artifact identification program, a museum exhibit (January- April 2014) and an accompanying booklet, “Native Americans in Cherokee County and the Archaeological Surveys that Revealed Them,” which is available for purchase for $5.

The Georgia Historical Records Advisory Council established the Outstanding Archives Awards Program in 2003 to recognize excellence in archival work in Georgia in hopes of inspiring others to action in the interest of preserving, using, and sharing the original record of Georgia’s and the nation’s history.

Members of the Cherokee historical society have announced the acquisition of the Lamar and Mary Fowler Holcomb Native American collection, which contains a significant number of artifacts from the Long Swamp archaeology site in Ball Ground. Long Swamp’s peak Native American occupation occurred from A.D. 1100- 1200, when the site included a mound, palisade wall and village. Receipt of the collection was made possible by grants from Bank of North Georgia, Marshall and Kathy Day,

and Skip and Helen Spears.

The Lamar and Mary Fowler Holcomb collection is unusual in its scope, containing 16 pottery bowls and jars, earspools, pipes, carved pottery figurine fragments, beads and many other items. Due to limited space, a select portion of the collection will be on permanent display at the Cherokee County History Museum beginning in mid-January. The historical society and the Georgia State University Anthropology Department will collaborate to use the identification and classification process as a teaching tool for archaeology students.

For more information, contact Stefanie Joyner at (770)345-3288.

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Six of the pottery bowls and jars in the Lamar and Mary Fowler Holcomb collection.

NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL-CHEROKEE IS WORKING TO KEEP CHEROKEE GREAT. BECAUSE, IT’S OUR HOME,TOO. Northside Hospital-Cherokee has served the residents of this county for many years. And our commitment to bring you the very best possible care goes well beyond our walls.

BEING NEIGHBORS Most of the people who work at Northside Hospital-Cherokee live in Cherokee. They’re not just your doctors or nurses, they’re your neighbors.

INVESTING

VOLUNTEERING

We’ve invested more than $100 million to bring the best the medical world has to offer right here to Cherokee.

Our employees and physicians have volunteered more than 10,000 hours to Cherokee County schools and organizations.

CONTRIBUTING We contribute to Cherokee County schools and support local venues and community activity centers.

Cherokee’s community hospital.

Northside.com AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

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Community

Happy Birthday!

Joey Miller Age 10 on Nov. 23 Welcome to double digits!

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Gemma Catherine Breeland Age 1 on Jan. 20 Happy birthday sweet girl!

Love always, Mama and Dada

Charlotte Grace Parker Age 1 on Jan. 8 Happy Birthday little princess!

Love, Mommy, Daddy, and Raylan

Skylar Wallace Age 15 on Jan. 4 Daughter of Lynn and Kim Wallace, sister of Cullen

Chloe Widner Age 5 on Jan. 12 Happy Birthday Love Bug. We love you bunches! Love Mom, Dad, and Carley!

Thomas Ferguson Happy birthday on Jan. 14 Enjoy all of your blessings!

Julie and family

Liliana Grace Berrio Age 5 on Jan.10 Happy Birthday Lili! Love, Daddy, Mommy, Joscie, TJ & Christian

Maria Nicole Meyer Age 15 on Jan. 19 Daughter of Bob and Terry Meyer Happy birthday, sweetheart!

All Our Love, Dad, Mom and Tucker

Alba Laureano Happy birthday on Jan. 26 Happy birthday to my amazing wife and best mom ever!

Enrique, Valerie and Enrique jr.

Lydia Van Demark Age 1 on Jan. 11 Happy 1st birthday pumpkin! You have brought so much joy to our lives, we love you so much!!

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Lulu Paccasassi-Horton Age 3 on Jan. 15 Three years ago I finally found the treasure at the end of the rainbow, and I named her Lulu. Happy birthday!

Love you, Mommy.

Celebrations!

Sgt. Kevin Henson From fiancee Rosemary and stepchildren Sieto and Ricky Sanchez

Announcements are free!

E-mail to: Candi@ AroundAbout Magazines.com February deadline is Jan. 5.

Becca and Tanner Romine Married Oct. 24, 2014 Becca, daughter of Ron & Leeann Desprez.

Tanner, son of Kathy Daly & Steve Romine.

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

Alex and Maggie Hilliard Married Nov. 8, 2014 at Proctor Farm in Rome, GA

Thomas and Julia Ferguson Celebrating 12 years on Jan. 13

Home Buyer Tip: Do I Need Title Insurance?

BY THE PREMIERE GROUP

Buying a home is exciting but it can also be a little intimidating, especially if it’s your first home purchase.

Home ownership is a big financial commitment, so it’s important to take every precaution—from hiring a home inspector to getting a property survey—to be sure you are making a wise decision. One of these necessary precautions is owner’s title insurance.

What is title owner’s insurance?

Also known as an owner’s policy or title insurance, this protects you from financial loss as a result of problems with the title or deed to the house you’re purchasing. The types of problems covered by an owner’s policy often don’t come to light until after the closing, making it especially important to be covered by insurance.

The owner’s policy is usually for the same amount as the sale price of the home, and is paid in full at the closing. If a covered issue does arise, the title insurance company will either pay the monetary costs to settle the matter or provide legal representation to do the same.

Top reasons for title insurance claims Before closing, the title professional will do a search to

determine problems that need to be fixed. About one third of all title searches find an issue, which the title insurance company will require to be fixed before closing. The most common types of title insurance claims include: • Errors in the deed. This could include anything from a simple typo to a serious mistake.

• Intentional fraud or forgery. For instance, an identity thief assuming a false identity to sell property that doesn’t belong to him or her.

• Will disputes. Say sibling A claims that a home was promised to him by the parents. After selling the property, sibling B appears with proof that the parents actually intended the property to go to sibling B, not sibling A. Title insurance would protect you, the innocent buyer, from financial loss due to the will dispute that you never even knew about.

• Missing heirs. You never know who can appear from nowhere to claim a house was their inheritance.

• Previous owner’s debts. This could include unpaid local taxes or unpaid bills from a contractor or remodeler, though usually these issues are found during the title search stage.

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

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Community

Experience Elm Street Humor - a difficult concept!

BY G. LORA GROOMS

G. Lora Grooms is the director for the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village. She has been teaching, writing, directing and performing in the Atlanta area since 1990. You can reach her at director@ elmstreetarts.org

The subtitle of this article is a line from a droid in a sci-fi TV show when he doesn’t understand a joke spoken by a human. Even human to human, a particular joke may be funny to one person and not at all to another.

Ask any stand-up comedian or actor.

Performance to performance, you never know if the same joke or sight gag is going to get a laugh.

And certainly, modern humor has changed a great deal in the past several decades. From Bob Hope to Jerry Seinfeld, from Phyllis Diller to Tina Fey, what is deemed funny by both comedians and audiences is not what it used to be. The style and content is very different.

At Elm Street, we offer a wide variety of comedy intended for different audiences. The iThink Improv Troupe is wellknown in the county for its student-friendly school tour programming, which is wildly hilarious while keeping it clean.

CITY CENTER • WOODSTOCK

JANUARY

16 & 17 - PRELIMINARIES 24th - FINALS AT 7:30PM

Fortunately, for the grown-ups who like comedy with a bit more kick to it but don’t want to drive all the way to Atlanta, the iThink Improv Troupe is versatile enough to also provide mature humor. As downtown Woodstock attracts more out-of-county visitors to its fabulous restaurants, the ability to present after-dinner-and-drinks programming for those folks becomes important. And who doesn’t enjoy great comedy?

Call or visit us on the web to learn about our

Better yet, how about a comedy/stand-up competition?

ELMSTREETARTS.ORG 678.494.4251

It’s happening in January: Elm Street and iThink’s first comedy competition - “Last Laugh.” There will be judged preliminaries on Jan. 16 and 17 and the final showdown for cash prizes on Jan. 24. Comedic talent from all over metro Atlanta will be right here in town. Perhaps you or someone you know might like to be up there trying out fresh material. Come have a laugh or two at Elm Street this month!

WINTER CLASSES

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This often surprises people, as modern improv is rarely considered appropriate for children. But it really can be appropriate with the right folks in charge. Troupe Founder and Director Siobhan Brumbelow has proved that over and over again since 2008. Teachers, staff and administrators really appreciate the students’ interaction with the troupe as it offers an opportunity for them to be creative and have fun.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

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Community

A Warm Place to Sleep on a Freezing Night

BY GARY LAMB/ACTION CHURCH SENIOR PASTOR

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year of building trust, we have seen record numbers this year.

It is one of the most rewarding things I have ever been a part of.

We are constantly getting questions from people asking how they can help. We can always use help. The biggest need we currently have is people willing to provide hot meals on the nights the shelter is open. We normally ask for people to make a meal (something easy) that will feed up to 25 people. We also always need winter coats, gloves, hats and hygiene products. Action Church recently acquired space to expand the church from 7,500 to 32,500 square feet, offering more room for the shelter next year. For more information on how you can partner with us, you can like us on Facebook at www.facebook. com/actionchurch.tv or email info@ actionchurch.tv.

Action Church is at 271 Marietta St., Canton. Church doors open at 6 p.m. when temperatures are 32 degrees or lower. Overnight guests are given breakfast before they leave around 8 a.m.

Photos by Darleen Prem

Last December I received a phone call from one of our councilmen here in Canton, asking if I was aware of how bad the weather was going to be that night. After talking for a few minutes about the cold front that was moving in, he got to the point of the phone call and asked if the church I pastor, Action Church, would be willing to open our building as a temporary warming shelter for the night.

Without hesitation, I answered yes. We intentionally started Action Church three years ago in the older part of town because of the huge needs there for people down on their luck. To have the city give us permission to use our building in this fashion was Winter came early in 2014. something we had prayed about since we had our first service. find a hot meal and a warm bed.

Within four hours of the phone call, we The stories have been amazing and had cots, blankets, clothing and a hot heartbreaking at the same time. We’ve meal in place. We were ready to serve, had alcoholics who have chosen their and no one came that night. addiction over their family, married Even though no one came, a fire couples who lost their jobs and were was ignited in us to serve people in living in their van, disabled veterans this area. After much discussion with and people just out of prison with no representatives of the city, police, place to go. We have hosted families fire and various other non-profits, we with children who have come in decided we would open the church because they have no place to go as doors whenever the temperature they try and keep their family together. outside dropped below 32 degrees.

Some of the people who stay the Night after night we opened last year night with us have no place because and slowly but surely the misplaced in they chose not to have a place by our community started trickling in to their actions. Some who stay with us have mental disabilities that have forced them to live in the woods, and some are people just like my family who are one missed paycheck away from homelessness. The reasons why they are misplaced really isn’t my concern. My concern is that when the temperature gets dangerously low, they have a place to get warm—no strings attached.

Winter is here again and the warming shelter is open. Winter actually came Guests get a hot meal for dinner. early this year and we had to open several nights in November. After a

Action Church member Tommy Simmons volunteers in the shelter.

Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery AT W E L L S TA R W I N D Y H I L L H O S P I TA L Leading orthopedic surgeons and fellowship-trained pediatric anesthesiologists are offering surgery options for pediatric patients up to age 21. Our pediatric patients are treated in a child-friendly setting with the following areas of specialty: •

Pediatric Anesthesia

•

Specialized Nursing

•

Pediatric Imaging with Pediatric-Trained Radiologists

•

Pediatric Physical Therapy

For more information, please call 770-956-STAR (7827).

WELLSTAR WINDY HILL HOSPITAL | 2540 Windy Hill Road | Marietta, GA 30067 The WellStar Pediatric Network offers a range of services for children of all ages. These include emergency care, urgent care, after-hours care, primary care, orthopedic surgery, anesthesia, imaging, lab, physical therapy and a child-life specialist to help ease your child’s fears in a clinical setting. Through a collaborative partnership with pediatric subspecialists such as orthopedics, neurology and GI, children have access to physician experts close to home. For more information about WellStar’s pediatric services and locations, go to wellstar.org.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

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Community

Senior Sense: Dwelling on the Positives

BY DELIA HALVERSON

This column may be titled Senior Sense, but those who aren’t seniors can find some interest in it too. Since this is a new column, I’ll introduce myself. I’ve written columns in two other communities where I’ve lived, and I’m excited to meet you through this magazine. Yes, with a husband who was employed by the U.S. Forest Service and a father who was a Methodist pastor, I’ve had my share of moves. When moving to a new place, I Delia has written more than 25 books, usually hit the ground running. In 2002 leads workshops and when we moved here, that was my plan. has trained teams in the Congo and However, our single daughter decided to Mozambique. She and adopt a child and I told her I would take her husband have lived in eight states, but now care of the baby when she taught. The reside in Woodstock, adoption turned out to bring us four-dayand have a daughter, son, daughter-in-law old twins, double blessings in our lives. and four grandchildren Consequently, most of my running was living in Cherokee County. with two sweet girls.

The twins have kept me young, but I guess I have to admit that I’m a senior now. I remember that when I had my 50th birthday, I told everyone that I was middle age. If I was to live to 100, then 50 had to be middle age. Of course I was

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happy to accept the price of a senior coffee from McDonald’s!

My stepmother used to revel in being a senior. She said that she could blame forgetfulness on her senior-hood. I find that I’m blaming falling flat on my face on my senior-hood - literally falling flat on my face. I’ve been figuratively falling flat on my face most of my life!

Last month I had my second cataract surgery, and I told my doctor that he gave me wrinkles overnight. When I looked in the mirror, I suddenly saw wrinkles in my face that hadn’t been there the night before. But there is an advantage to the surgery too. The people on television no longer have four eyes.

We are fortunate in this area. We have doctors and hospitals nearby. Most of my doctors are within 15 minutes of my home, and all I have to do is hop on the interstate and be at a hospital in 25 minutes. For 13 years, I lived in the Dakotas. One town had a population of 92, and we traveled 75 miles of gravel road to the doctor and hospital. The other two towns had a bustling population of 2,000. One had a doctor when we moved there, but he retired, and although we had a small hospital, we had trouble getting a doctor to move to our town. They must have heard that we wore our other doctor out.

Yes, senior-hood has its faults and advantages. Personally, I’d rather dwell on the advantages. We’ll see what next month’s advantages come to be.

Don’t Overlook the Past in the Excitement for the Future

BY KYLE BENNETT

Downtown Woodstock has seen a tremendous amount of change in recent years. Seemingly every month the excitement builds over the latest stores and restaurants to open their doors for business, a new festival debuting, a new trail opening, and so on. But with most eyes focused on the Kyle Bennett is the director of tourism exciting future, it can be easy for the Woodstock to overlook Woodstock’s Downtown Development fascinating history.

Authority. He can be For instance, Woodstock reached at kbennett@ woodstockga.gov. was home to two Rhodes Scholars: Dean Rusk, secretary of state under presidents John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson, and Eugene Booth, an atomic scientist involved with the Manhattan Project and the development of the atomic bomb. It is amazing to think that a small town like Woodstock produced two winners of this prestigious honor!

Traffic is a topic that’s often discussed, but a look back in time Dean Rusk offers a great perspective. Did you know that Woodstock’s Main Street wasn’t paved until 1929? Go back farther and you will witness a time period where Main Street was traversed by cars, riders on

The train depot opened in 1912.

horseback and horse-drawn carriages and wagons. That doesn’t even factor in pedestrians and the train passing by. Now that sounds like one historic traffic jam!

You can see the history of Woodstock in the buildings downtown.

The current Woodstock Train Depot, which is now home to the restaurant Freight Kitchen & Tap, opened in 1912. The original depot sat a few yards north of today’s structure on the west side of the tracks, and was probably built in 1879, the year railroad construction reached Woodstock. The Woodstock Train Depot is the only building located in Woodstock that is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Another building in Woodstock of historic note is the Dean House. Built in 1875 this is the oldest residential house in Woodstock. The Dean House, located next to the Park at City Center in Downtown Woodstock, is now home to the offices of the Cherokee Ledger News.

If you are interested in the history of Woodstock, please consider becoming involved Eugene Booth with Preservation Woodstock, Inc., an organization dedicated to preserving the history of Woodstock for future generations. For more information, call (770) 9240406 or attend the next meeting, set for 7 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Woodstock Visitors Center at Dean’s Store.

Horse and buggy and pedestrian traffic is shown clogging Main Street in this photo featured on page 14 of “Georgia’s Woodstock,” a history of the city written by Felicia Whitmore in 1997.

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Community

A Look Back

BY JODI TIBERIO

Over the past 11 months, we have been fortunate to provide makeovers for many deserving women in our area. We are so proud of them that we wanted to feature them one more time before we begin our 2015 makeovers!

And speaking of makeovers, if you are interested in participating in one of our makeovers and being featured in this magazine, please contact me at jodi@tiberioretail.com.

Jodi Tiberio owns Branches Boutique for women in Towne Lake as well as a second Branches location and Brooklynn’s boutique in Downtown Woodstock.

Contact Jodi at jodi@tiberioretail.com.

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February: Erika Tipper

March: Amy Walker

April: Jesse Champion

May: Vikki Frost

June: Cassie Fainter

July: Ann Findlay

August: Dana Draper

September: Tammy Owens

October: Kelly Pate

November: Madonna Mezzanotte

December: Emily Hart

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

21

Looking Forward to a Better Option for Travel

BY GARY MOORE

Gary Moore was just appointed executive director of Greenprints Alliance, a privately funded nonprofit organization that works with the city of Woodstock, businesses and community partners to raise awareness and support to help realize the Greenprints Master Plan developed by the city of Woodstock in 2008. See page 55 for a map of the trails.

A few weeks ago, I had a 5:30 p.m. appointment to meet with a Greenprints Alliance volunteer on the other side of downtown Woodstock.

Normally a 10-minute trip from my home off Eagle Drive, I headed out early knowing that the traffic during the evening rush on Towne Lake Parkway has grown substantially in recent years. But I quickly learned that I had significantly underestimated the volume of traffic waiting.

Sitting idle near the Towne Lake Hills South intersection, I noticed a female cyclist moving along the shoulder next to the stationary cars. Two thoughts immediately presented themselves: I bet she gets to the interstate before I do, and I wish she had a better way to make her trip. The first thought, in fact, proved to be the case, and it wasn’t even close. This left me with plenty of time to consider the second thought.

Shop with a Hero

Woodstock policemen and firefighters shopped with children during the December Shop With a Hero, a program sponsored by the Woodstock Public Safety Foundation to make sure children of families have presents for Christmas.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DARLEEN PREM

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Bike lanes along the shoulder of the road offer a bit more safety and cyclist-accommodating paths next to roadways move bikes even further from the traffic. But trails that run their own path through green corridors and along waterways provide a new environment that is far more appealing than the streets.

The good news is we will soon have a trailhead for the Greenprints Trails right in that area. The trail segment is called Towne Lake Pass and is due to start construction this year. Soon cyclists will have the chance to leave the tight confines next to the rows of cars and trucks and disappear into the woods, exchanging the sounds of traffic for the burbling of Noonday Creek and the chirping of birds.

It’s a side of Woodstock that too few of us have had the opportunity to enjoy. Our town is blessed with a great natural beauty and experiencing it along a trail, removed from the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, brings that beauty to bear in a whole new way. I’ve experienced this firsthand, spending hours in the woods around Woodstock mountain biking on our stellar natural surface trails.

That’s an experience that I want more Woodstock residents to have. The multi-use trails being planned and built by the city of Woodstock—a network connecting homes and schools, parks and businesses—bring this opportunity. Our mission at Greenprints is to ensure and hasten the building of these trails.

A Resolution with Style

BY MATT NEAL

Matt Neal is a freelance writer who has lived in Woodstock with his wife since 1999. He has a daughter who turns shoeboxes into dollhouses, a son who fights those stealthy ninjas, and a wife, Diane, who provides patience, compassion and a kick in the pants when needed. mattnealwriter@yahoo. com

Okay people, it’s time we had a serious discussion. We need to talk about something we all keep in the back of our closets. Behind those boxes of old photos and that stack of Southern Living magazines you just can’t part with because of the recipes - there lies that hidden bundle. You know what I’m talking about – those clothes you bought that were too small, and you kept them for years hoping one day you would lose enough weight so they’d fit.

It’s okay, it’s me. We can talk. Those clothes have been hiding there for years, holding hope and promise of a better you, a better life. But let’s face it, they’re getting out of style. I’ll admit, my own secret stash contains brand new shirts from eons past.

You remember the kind – blue with that white half-collar that was trendy

back in the 90s. Now I don’t even know what to do with them. If they ever did fit again, wearing them would certainly get people’s attention, but not in the way I’d once hoped.

Sure, it’s a new year, time for resolutions. Many of us want to lose weight so those clothes can fit again, so we can finally take the tags off (we certainly can’t return them after 10 years). Many of us lament not being able to wear them when they were still in style.

So I’m here to encourage you, to encourage all of us. We can do this.

First, we must admit the clothes are out of style. This step is a catharsis. We need to cleanse our minds of our need for these remnants of unstylish garb. Second, gather them all up and donate them to charity, tags and all. Blow the dust off those shoulderpadded blouses. Dig out those high-waisted jeans, and trade them all in for a tax write-off. Now the way is clear to replenish your secret stash of unwearable clothes with something more trendy.

We each need to go out and buy more fashionable clothes that are just a little too small to replace the ones we just purged from our lives. Once completed, you are now ready for another decade of hoping and dreaming they will one day fit.

Happy New Year!

Nonprofit Roundup Our community has many nonprofits that work hard to help folks in need. Each month Around Woodstock will run an update to share news of activities and events. We’re hoping our readers will find plenty of opportunities to volunteer to help others, or use this page as a resource to reach out for assistance.

Director and CEO of Cherokee Focus, says, “We are very proud of these young people for taking on this initiative to reach the adults of the community.”

This effort is spearheaded

by Kristina Meyer, CYC youth chairperson and senior at Cherokee High School as part of her senior project to educate the community and diminish alcoholism in our community. For more information, visit www. drugfreecherokee.org.

Cherokee Youth Council Cherokee Youth Council (CYC), members of Cherokee Youth Works, Never Alone a division of Cherokee Cherokee Youth Council members, front row from right: Dane Viker, Cory Smith, From a full-time outreach FOCUS, spent a few days Gideon Ojo, Caleb Ductant, James Lindsay and Jasmine Lewis. Back row: Gabi Latimer, Logan Struchtemeyer, Kristina Meyer, Zach Rider, Sarah Logan and Molly Perkins. Not center at 291 Rope Mill Road last month visiting stores pictured: Terry Williams, Hope Mainieri and Jennifer Gomez. that sell packaged alcohol in Woodstock, Never Alone serves more than 60 families to distribute information a week who are in need of food, personal hygiene products and reminding adults that it’s illegal to provide alcohol for minors. This diapers. Through a partnership with the Atlanta Community Food is a misdemeanor that will require the offender to appear before Bank, $9 worth of food can be bought for every $1 donated, which a judge and could result in up to 12 months in jail and a $1,000 helps the outreach meet the goal of providing clients with enough fine. This effort is part of an initiative by Cherokee Youth Works to curb alcohol use among minors. Sonia Carruthers, Executive continued on page 60

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Community

Come for the Scratch Cooking and Stay for the Music When a restaurant has a true “scratch kitchen,” it means almost everything is prepared in house and that chefs avoid processed and prepackaged foods. It also means the kitchen is able to source and serve the freshest food possible.

That’s what you will find at Jump Kitchen, where the beef is ground fresh, salad dressings are made on site, spice blends are custom-created, and fish and steaks are hand-cut. “We take pride in making sure you get the finest ingredients in order to make a better product,” said owner Matthew McGehee.

The University of Southern Mississippi graduate received a degree in hospitality management with an emphasis on food service. After graduation he worked for 12 years with Pappas Restaurants,

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known for Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen and Pappasito’s Cantina. “Knowing the social impact food has is what helped me make the decision to open Jump Kitchen,” said McGehee. “Plus the romantic notion of owning my own restaurant was a powerful one.”

When Jump Kitchen opened in December 2012, McGehee saw potential in what he described as a “fixer upper” space. He says the charm of it was a factor in choosing the location – not to mention the fact that it felt like home.

Jump Kitchen provides a familyfriendly restaurant thanks in part to the kids’ menu, high chairs and an atmosphere that welcomes families with children of all ages. Seating in the restaurant is designed to accommodate large groups and sports teams.

If you are looking for a new place to have lunch, Jump Kitchen is a great choice. The lunch menu has discounted items that allow the busy lunchtime customer to get in and out as quickly as needed. It’s also a wonderful place to celebrate special occasions. McGehee said, “We take great pride in making sure that if it’s a meeting after work or a 50th birthday party, we make it a great time for all.”

Jump Kitchen also provides a taste of the night life to Woodstock residents. Live music is provided every Thursday, Friday and

Saturday night with no cover charge.

The entertainment begins after the conventional dinner hour so customers can enjoy their meal before the music starts. Several recording artists have made Jump Kitchen a stop on their tour, and the goal is to continue to book high quality bands and singing acts. Visit the events page on the Jump Kitchen website for information about upcoming musical guests.

Since opening, Jump Kitchen’s goals have remained the same – make a great product, take care of the community that supports it, and give back when it can. Giving back to the community that has supported the business is important to McGehee and his staff. “We have held fundraisers for members of our community and if we can help in some small way, then those are definitely success stories for us.”

PHOTOS BY JKING IMAGES

KEEPING IT

Cozy

BY CHANTEL ADAMS | CHANLYNNADAMS@GMAIL.COM

It’s no surprise that many Southerners don’t love winter. While we might be counting down the days until spring arrives, we don’t have to be down for the count. This month’s shopping guide can help you stay cozy and warm, inside and out. January is your opportunity to shine a light that will warm the hearts of the people you love most.

1. I heard the founder of Krochet Kids speak at a conference two years ago and was instantly “hooked.”

Krochet Kids began when four high school kids started crocheting for fun. After a mission trip to Uganda, they felt compelled to begin a nonprofit that employs and empowers people from around the world. The beautiful head wraps will warm your head and your heart. Each one is handcrafted and signed by a real person in a developing country. B. Loved offers an assortment of unique beanies, scarves and wraps from Krochet Kids. Downtown Canton. Prices start at $17.

2. Shauna Niequist is the

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Queen of Cozy. I devoured this book because of the beautiful prose and the delicious recipes.

Shauna says, “People aren’t longing to be impressed; they’re longing to feel like they’re home. If you create a space full of love and character and creativity and soul, they’ll take off their shoes and curl up with gratitude and rest.” Come on in. Wrap up in a warm blanket. Let’s get cozy.

Available at Foxtale Book Shoppe in Woodstock or Books-a-Million at the Canton Marketplace. $15.

3. Keeping it cozy is often about the

atmosphere you create at home. When people visit me, I want them to feel like they can take a seat at my table and stay awhile. The sweet, embroidered message on these tea towels lends a cheery vibe to the kitchen. I was also pleased to discover that the towels are handmade by women pursuing freedom in southern India.

Downtown Canton. $17.95.

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4.

I will never take this off. It’s a wrap, but oh so luxurious. Wear it at home, wear it out. Rub it against your cheek, close your eyes and imagine your own Barefoot Dreams. Barefoot Dreams Calypso Luxe Wrap, $94. B. Loved, Downtown Canton.

5.

Don’t want to leave the house? You don’t have to! These tasty mixes will fill your kitchen with the heavenly aroma of a three-course meal. Prepared mixes often lack flavor or harbor a lingering aftertaste, but Plentiful Pantry’s line of artisan food products is perfectly seasoned, delicious, and maybe best of all, easy to prepare. A wide variety of flavors is available. Try the tortilla soup and cornbread. Willows Gift Shoppe, Canton Marketplace (next to Target). Prices start at $6.95.

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Community

Get Out and Run, Cherokee!

BY LISA RANDALL

Lisa Randall is a mom, small business owner and athlete from Canton. She is owner of Mountain Goat Adventures, LLC, which organizes local trail running and mountain bike events.

With the beginning of the new year, many decide to make positive changes in their lives that include getting more active. We are blessed to be surrounded by many beautiful city and county parks where outdoor recreation opportunities abound.

One of the easiest ways to get active is hiking or running. Hiking or running on trails is very relaxing and eliminates the noise and potential dangers of vehicles that you find by running on roadways. If you are looking for a new adventure, check out some of these local parks the next time you want to get away from the hustle, bustle and noise.

Rope Mill Park

690 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock, GA 30188 Trails built and maintained by SORBA Woodstock. Rope Mill Park offers nine miles of hilly, wooded singletrack trails suitable for bike and foot travel. Nearly all the trails at Rope Mill Park were purpose-built for mountain bikes, so the tread is fairly narrow and there are a lot of ups, downs, twists and turns. Rope Mill Park is a good destination for runners and hikers, as it is much less crowded than nearby Blankets Creek Bike Trails, especially during the early morning hours. Trails are well marked and there is a map at the trailhead. Five additional miles of trail are planned and scheduled to be built on the north side of Little River by this spring.

Boling Park

1098 Marietta Highway, Canton, GA 30114 Trails built and maintained by Boy Scout Troop 241. Boling Park offers nearly 15 miles of rugged, wooded trails suitable for foot travel. Trails range from narrow, rocky singletrack to wide wooded roadbeds. The hike along the Etowah River (white blaze trail) is quite flat, while other trails can have half-mile sustained climbs. Trails are blazed, but a trail map is recommended as there are numerous trails but no map at the trailhead. Hikers can also park near Hightower Church for easier access to the more remote sections of the Etowah trails. You can print a map from this link: http:// mountaingoatadventures.com/forms/EtowahTrailMap.pdf

Garland Mountain Horse and Hike Trails 1411 Garland Mountain Way, Waleska, GA 30183

Trails built and maintained by the Cherokee County Saddle Club. Garland Mountain offers roughly 11 miles of wooded trails suitable for horse or foot travel. Trails are wide, well marked and offer spectacular views of Pine Log Mountain during winter months. All trails meander through rolling hills, but the layout of the park allows for trail loops of various distances.

There is a userfriendly map at the trailhead and the park is seldom crowded, making it well worth the drive to Waleska.

Views from the trails at Garland Mountain.

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Living Gluten-Free Doesn’t Have to be Difficult

BY JESSICA LEIGH SMITH

Jessica Leigh Smith lives in Cherokee County with her family. Jessica is also an actress and producer. www.

JessicaLeighSmith.com and Facebook.com/ NotFinishedInc.

With the new year comes resolutions to be healthier. For many, that means eating gluten-free (GF). No longer a foreign concept, the GF lifestyle is seen by many as too difficult to maintain.

My GF trial started over three years ago. Within weeks, I no longer got sick with every bite, my skin cleared up, and I had an abundance of energy (I dropped a full minute on my mile!). Now, when I am tempted to cheat, I only need remind myself of the consequences.

Feeling good is the reward.

Going gluten-free doesn’t have to be a final decision. If it doesn’t provide the results you want, you can simply quit.

Just remember that you need to commit to three months of strict GF eating to

see accurate results.

I’d like to share a few things I learned that will make your new venture a little easier.

1. Stick to the perimeter. The key to eating healthy is to shop the perimeter of the grocery store. The same is true for eating GF. All fruits, meats, and vegetables are inherently gluten-free; therefore, you can eat as much as you want.

2. Bake at home. Cooking at home saves money and is healthier. Our favorite guilty-pleasure foods have been manufactured GF, but tend to be expensive, unhealthy, and taste like cardboard. I have learned what I make at home tastes better than anything I can buy. I actually prefer my GF cookies and cake to their gluten-filled counterparts!

3. Use a flour blend. The key to yummy desserts is to use a flour blend. No single gluten-free flour can do what you need.

However, they are designed to complement each other—where one yields flavor, another provides moisture, etc. There are many recipes out there for the “best” blend, but a simple one I use in a pinch is this: sorghum flour, rice flour, and tapioca starch. Use equal parts of each and substitute cup for cup in any of your old recipes. Also, don’t forget the xanthan gum!

For reference, you’ll need about a teaspoon in a batch of cookies. Bake GF without xanthan and you’ll never forget it again.

4. Buy in bulk. You’ll save money buying your flours in bulk from Amazon. It is really easy to reach the $35 threshold for free shipping and you’ll have your flours in no time.

Here’s to a healthy 2015!

“Just remember that you need to commit to three months of strict GF eating to see accurate results.”

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Community

EVERYDAY

Everyday Angels is a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving Cherokee County since 2000. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, please visit www. everydayangels.info to donate via Paypal or send your donations to: Everyday Angels, PMB 380, 1025 Rose Creek Dr., Ste. 620, Woodstock GA, 30189. One hundred percent of your funds will go to the family you specify. Also, if you know of a special need within your community that you would like to share, please send an e-mail to aaeverydayangels@gmail.com for consideration and qualification.

When 38-yearold Chad O’Laughlin died in his sleep on Nov. 5, he left behind a growing young family, a burgeoning business and a heartbroken community.

He and his wife of six years are expecting a baby girl, Jayce Ryan, in April, a new sister for their 4-year-old daughter. Chad has lived in Cherokee County for more than 15 years. He’s one of seven boys of the O’Laughlin/Cull family, and was a devoted husband, son, brother, uncle, friend and Daddy to JoAnna Ruth. At 6-feet-6, Chad had a larger-than-life presence and he adored his 23 nieces and nephews. He was a big kid at heart and could always be found on the floor or in the yard playing games with them.

Chad had recently started TurnTable Billiards, a pool table consignment and repair business that was beginning to thrive. “He worked his full-time job and moved tables nights and weekends until it was busy enough to require his attention full time. It was amazing to watch him create this thriving business. They were doing so well that they decided to expand their family, and are expecting their second child in April. We were so proud of him,” Chad’s mother said.

Chad’s life wasn’t always easy and he spent many years learning by trial and error, but he always made 28

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

a point to openly share his personal experiences and hope with others to help them when they lost their way. He even provided jobs for those in need. Friends credit Chad with saving their lives as he honestly shared his past struggles with them, giving them the hope and strength they needed to get them through. He was a devoted Christian who believed that all blessings come from God and made certain that before big life decisions were made that he was truly ready to accept their challenges. He was finally at a very happy place in his life and was a doting husband and smitten with his baby girl.

No one is ever ready to lose a spouse, dad and son at such a young age. Chad’s sudden passing, resulting from unknown causes, has been very difficult to understand and accept because he was a very healthy young man. He was the sole provider for his family and the small amount of insurance they he had was used for funeral expenses. Today, Chad’s wife works part-time and plans to work full time after their baby is born. Her hope is to remain in the family home, but she has many fears of what lies ahead. Everyday Angels would like to help this sweet mom by assisting with utility expenses and baby needs to help her get through the rest of her pregnancy. There is so much more we can do with community support. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to this family, please see the directions in the box on the upper left.

Untitled

By Chad O’Laughlin I know a little bit about the back of the line, missing the bus, and always fighting with time.

And I kinda got a feeling that I’m not alone, we can’t be living this life just to hold up our bones!

I’m afraid of heights ‘cause how far I could fall.

Rather be on the ground then crashing down from it all.

I have a small suspicion you’re a lot like me.

We don’t have far to fall if we just stay on our knees.

My old man told me once how things turn around, the end’s a new beginning, what goes up comes back down!

And if I’m not mistaken, this ol’ back of the line can’t hold me back forever when my God says “it’s time!”

My greatest moments aren’t when things go my way, it’s when I learn to let go, and just live for the day.

I know a little bit about the back of the line and when it all turns around I’ll come in first and on time!

New Year’s Resolutions: Don’t Be a Spiritual Couch Potato

BY MIKE LITREL, MD

My office schedule was packed with patients one day when a colleague called me into an exam room to see her patient. The situation was urgent, and I tried not to think about the delays our patients would experience because I was making time for someone else.

This patient was a 30-year-old woman who had been bleeding Dr. Mike Litrel has heavily for almost two years. Her pain authored hundreds of had increasingly become worse, so articles and two books on the faith-health severe that today that she had arrived connection. He is a at the office without an appointment, board certified OB/GYN and specialist in pelvic insisting on being seen. Our nurse reconstructive surgery practitioner had made time for at Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists in her, but it turned out her problem Roswell and Woodstock. was complicated, too complicated Dr. Litrel can be reached at www. to be diagnosed without a surgical herokeewomens perspective. health.com I could clearly feel the large mass in her pelvis: it was obvious she needed surgery. We performed the ultrasound and necessary biopsy to line her up for the help she needed.

Unfortunately, the patient didn’t have health insurance.

For a doctor or anyone in the healing profession, it’s heartbreaking to see patients who need help but can’t afford care. The patient glared at me with a mixture of pain and anger, and asked what she was supposed to do. I suggested going to the health department to see if she was eligible for Medicaid— or perhaps to the hospital, to see if she could get charity care.

“I already tried that!” she snapped. “And it didn’t work!” She angrily held out her hands in a gesture that seemed to offer up her problems for me to take on. The tone of voice clearly conveyed that this was someone else’s fault.

I pointed out that she had been suffering with this problem for years—she needed to take some responsibility for not having health insurance. She was very capable. If she had begun looking for a job with benefits a year ago, instead of staying at home, she would not be in this situation, and we could perform the surgery.

Whose health problem is it?

I try to be as honest and open with patients as possible about how I can help them—and how I can’t. Sometimes maybe I am too honest, and I began thinking this was one of those times. I’d tried to communicate in a non-judgmental way, but I wondered as I went back to my waiting patients if I had not just been a big jerk. continued on page 60

We owe our unprecedented growth to a special group of financial strategists.

(Our customers.)

Bonnie, Woodstock

Gwen, Buchanan

Calvin, Dawsonville

Alicia & Matthew, Marietta

Gabriel, Brookhaven

More important, they are our friends and neighbors. At Community & Southern, we take the time to get to know every customer. Then together, we design a financial solution that helps them reach their goals.

This year, we will be celebrating our fifth anniversary. And, thanks to our customers, we’re also celebrating being one of Georgia’s fastest-growing banks. Stop by one of our 40 offices and work with a bank that’s obsessed with growth. Yours.

My Community. My Bank.

800.901.8075 myCSBonline.com

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

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Community

Girl Scout Volunteers Needed to Meet the Need in Cherokee County

BY NEKEIDRA TAYLOR / GIRL SCOUTS OF GREATER ATLANTA

In Cherokee County, more than 1,000 Girl Scouts rely upon roughly 500 adult volunteers and members to effectively run programs, but there are still girls on waiting lists because of a need for volunteers.

The rewards are great for the leaders who step up to guide the scouts in diverse curriculum and creative activities formed around the interests of the girls.

Volunteers are essential to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. A Girl Scout volunteer is giving, dedicated, and genuinely interested in mentoring future leaders. The essence Activities like camping are fun for all ages. of a Girl Scout volunteer is leading by example and devotion to a 102-old institution whose mission is to “build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.“

“Without our committed volunteers, we wouldn’t be the organization we are today. They lead our girls, who eventually become leaders in their communities,” stated Kirby LewisHobba, membership specialist in Cherokee County.

Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta encourages more than 42,000 girls to “follow the fun” and do what they love with the help of 16,000 volunteers.

Every day is different in Girl Scouting, requiring volunteers to be easily adaptable. The reward is invaluable. Whether learning about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), making s’mores, or embracing natural camp environments, girls learn new skills.

“Seeing how important Girl Scouting is in providing new continued on page 60

JANUARY CALENDAR Jan. 3

Bring One for the Chipper: Bring your Christmas tree, pick up free tree seedlings while they last, and enjoy coffee, hot chocolate and doughnuts between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Olde Rope Mill Park off Ridgewalk Parkway near The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta. Sponsored

by Keep Georgia Beautiful, Home Depot, Davey Tree Expert Co., and WXIA-TV.

Jan 9, Feb. 13

Parents’ Night Out: 5:30-10 p.m. at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1200 Gresham Mill Parkway, Holly Springs. Price is $10 per person for advance registration, $15 at the door (678) 880-4763. www.crpa.net.

Jan. 10

Friends of the Library annual meeting 1-3 p.m. at the R. T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton, featuring local historian and author Juanita Hughes as guest speaker. Open to the public, refreshments will be served.

Jan. 17

Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast: 9-11 a.m. at the NorthsideCherokee Conference Center, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton. The winner of the annual Unity Award will be announced during the breakfast. The honor was established in 1999 by the Rev. Carl A. Moore, Sr., pastor of Allen Temple AME Church in Woodstock, to recognize the contributions of an individual who has made a positive impact on the community by fostering harmonious racial and cultural relations.

Jan. 22-24

Book Sale at R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton, 4-6 p.m. Jan. 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 23 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Jan. 24. Gently used adult paperbacks are $1, hardbacks are $2.

Proceeds benefit the library’s purchase of children’s books and media.

30 AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

Jan 23, Feb. 6

Teen Night at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1200 Gresham Mill Parkway, Holly Springs. Price is $10 per person for advance registration, $15 at the door (678) 880-4763. www.crpa.net.

Through Feb. 1

“Images of the Atlanta Campaign and the March to the Sea” photo exhibit on display in Hill Freeman Library and Spruill Learning Center at Reinhardt University through Feb. 1. From the private collection of Gordon Rich Elwel. Free and open during library operating hours. http://library.reinhardt.edu/.

Feb. 7

Ladies’ tea fundraiser for Camp Gideon, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. featuring guest speaker Elizabeth Weatherby, founder of Feed My Lambs. The event raises money to help local, underprivileged “at risk” girls attend a weekend of Princess Camp in the spring. $20. Details at www.camgideon.com/ladiestea.

2nd Time Around Dinner sponsored by Win2ition, 7:30-11 p.m. at Bradshaw Farm Golf Club. Proceeds from the fundraiser will support single caregivers and their children. Cost is $50 per person. Includes dinner, dancing and entertainment, silent auction and photo booth.

Cash bar. For reservations, email W2i@Win2ition.org or call (404) 2293840.

March 13-15, 20-22

“The Dining Room,” directed by Myrna Feldman, will be performed at the Canton Historic Theatre, 171 E. Main St., by the Cherokee Theatre Company. $15 general admission, $12 seniors or students, $10 group rate for 10 or more seats. www.cherokeetheatre.org.

New Children’s Haven a Safe Place for Foster Kids

BY DEIDRE HOLLANDS/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CHILDREN’S HAVEN, INC.

The old state patrol building across from Cherokee High School has been transformed to become The Children’s Haven, a place where the health and happiness of children impacted by abuse and neglect can be promoted. The safe, child-friendly facility will offer foster youth the opportunities and support they need to fully realize their potential, pursue their dreams and become productive members of our community.

Kids enter foster care through no fault of their own. All have experienced abuse and/or neglect due to a crisis of parenting.

Family stress factors such as poverty, substance abuse, incarceration, mental illness and homelessness have forced the state to intervene in the lives of families to protect children from abusive and neglectful situations. In Cherokee County, hundreds of kids are touched every day by the emotional suffering caused by abuse, neglect and placement in the foster care system.

Kids in foster care are just like any other child you know.

They have the same needs, dreams, and unique potential as all children, and seek the same opportunities that all kids equally deserve to build a bright and promising future, and to be responsible and contributing members of their community.

But life in foster care can be extraordinarily challenging and disruptive for kids and teens, emotionally and developmentally.

Separated from their family, foster youth face tremendous obstacles due to changes in home placements and caregivers, school transitions, lack of basic services and emotional turmoil. The impact can be profound, and it can last a lifetime, unless we intervene.

The mission of The Children’s Haven is to give kids the opportunity to succeed by making sure that every child has access to the following programs, integrated under one roof.

Foster Kids in Cherokee County On any given day there are approximately 390 children in foster care in Cherokee County. Region 3 (Bartow, Cherokee, Floyd, Polk, Haralson, Paulding and Douglas Counties) leads the state in the highest number of children in foster care. Of all these counties, Cherokee County has the largest number of kids in care.

• Safety. Supervised visitation offers a safe, comfortable environment for a child to visit with parents, siblings and extended family while they are separated by child welfare involvement. This allows for bonded attachments to be kept intact while maintaining the safety and well-being of the child.

• Advocacy. Focused court appointed child advocacy so that no child lingers in the foster care system without the security of a safe, nurturing and permanent family. Advocates work with parents to access services they need to stabilize their lives and improve their parenting skills so that families can be reunited.

But when reunification is not appropriate, advocates help to quickly find relatives or adoptive parents who can provide a permanent and stable home.

• Support. Children need guidance and compassion to prevent trauma and loss from defining their lives through later destructive choices. Here a child’s social, emotional and educational health is supported through goal-setting for education and tutoring, mentoring to focus on character development and esteem building, grief support groups and an emergency supply closet filled with essentials.

The Children’s Haven will provide children with the support every young person deserves, no matter their circumstances.

For more information, visit www.cherokeechildrenshaven.org.

Donations can be mailed to 100 North St., Ste G22, Canton, GA 30114.

The exterior of the new facility (top), which includes a covered patio area (above) for outdoor gatherings.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

31

Feature

HAIT & KUHN Tough and Compassionate P

family-friendly with a kids’ room stocked with toys, a train set, TV and videos.

“We try to make it comfortable for our clients who are going through such a hard time,” said Alex. “The goal of our firm is to treat people with compassion, vigorously represent our clients and help the community.”

Several clients shared their experiences with Hait & Kuhn.

ersonal experience is a driving force for Alex Hait and Lizz Kuhn, partners in the Woodstock law firm Hait & Kuhn, North Metro Litigators. Lizz witnessed domestic violence as a child and saw the difference a good attorney made for her mother. Alex is a divorced father of three children who knows first-hand the trauma that comes when a marriage breaks up.

Practicing law is as much of a personal mission as a career choice for Alex and Lizz, who married in 2008. The couple practices family law, bankruptcy and personal injury, and their unique experiences give them a compassion that propels them to fight for positive results for clients who are going through lifechanging trauma.

“One of the biggest benefits we offer our clients is both a male and female viewpoint,” said Alex. “We also give people realistic expectations. We don’t promise the world just to get people to sign up with us. We will tell them the pros and cons.

We don’t look at their checkbook or pocketbook.”

Hait & Kuhn has grown from a one-person practice that Alex started in his basement in 2000 to a busy firm with locations in Woodstock and Alpharetta. Alex and Lizz work hard to keep costs affordable by offering free initial consultations and monthly payment plans. They’ve designed the office to be

Teaming Up on Two Cases: Jerry worked with Alex and Lizz on different cases. Lizz represented him in a domestic case that went before a jury, and he worked with Alex on a federal case.

“As good as it was to work with Alex and Lizz, their behind-thescenes staff was awesome. They have some incredible people in their office. It’s a team. They make you feel like yours is the only case they are working on when you’re working with them.

As bad as my situations were, it was a great experience to work with them. They made it as good as possible. I recommend them every chance I get.”

Great Communication Skills: Rita was especially impressed with the communication between members of the firm. “They were all on the same page at all times. Lizz was pregnant during my case, and when she went on maternity leave, Alex and the rest of the crew picked up where she left off. They were all in sync. I don’t know how they do that, but they do.

Everyone was very personable, making me feel comfortable from the first time I stepped foot in their office. And they were up-front and honest about costs from the beginning. I was very impressed with the whole situation - they made it very easy. I thought they were very creative in the outcome of my case and I’m happy with it.”

photos by Kim Bates

Invested Personally, Emotionally: Financial concerns initially drew Melissa to Hait & Kuhn. “I had heard they work with you financially and they were easy to approach. I wanted a female attorney, but I like that they are a good team. Lizz is a go-getter and really passionate about helping people. I consider them family because they know the most intimate details of my life, and Lizz has shared with me some personal episodes from her past. I feel like I’m in a situation that’s just a nightmare, but Lizz reassures me that others are dealing with the same issues.

They’ve been really supportive and are always there when I need them. They are on my side and always looking out for me.”

Alex Hait and Lizz Kuhn with their dogs, Lightning (left) and Turbulence.

32 AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

Timely Responses, Great Teamwork: Justin appreciated the quick attention paid to his questions, among other things. “I would send an email and get an immediate response, even while they were on vacation. Lizz is a crazy good litigator. She was really impressive, quick, on her toes. Alex and Lizz work together - she takes the lead on the litigation side, and Alex navigates the court system. With Alex and Lizz, you have a team on your side. They all have a full working knowledge of the legal

system and the ins and outs of putting in requests at the right time. They had so much good advice for me, telling me things I didn’t realize were important so I was able to focus on the things that mattered, which made a difference at every turn.”

Alex stresses that divorce and bankruptcy frequently intertwine. “There are a lot of things we can do to help people in the bankruptcy arena,” he said.

“In one case, we got rid of our client’s $100,000 second mortgage, about $150,000 of IRS debt and about half a million dollars that he would have owed his wife. Another one of my clients also is in a bankruptcy/domestic situation.

He would be in jail right now, had he not come to us. The judge had ordered him to pay $50,000 and he didn’t have it.”

Bankruptcy is a viable option for someone who may be facing jail time if they’re unable to pay child support or alimony.

“Everybody knows you can file for bankruptcy if you have too much credit card debt, get sick and lose your job, but a lot of people are not aware that you can file bankruptcy on your second mortgage, or if you have back taxes that you owe. The same thing applies with domestic obligations,” Alex said.

There are options for people who aren’t eligible for Chapter 7. It’s possible to consolidate all credit card debts into one payment at zero percent interest and frequently only have to pay back a portion of the debt.

Education that Backs Up Experience

Law wasn’t the first career focus for Lizz, a Pennsylvania native. She enrolled in the New England School of Law in Boston, after earning a bachelor of arts degree from West Liberty State College in West Virginia and teaching music to middle schoolers. After passing the Georgia Bar in 2005, Lizz joined Alex in the Woodstock office and became an equity partner in 2009, a year after the two married. Alex is a Georgia Tech graduate who also earned his law degree at New England School of Law. He was admitted to the Georgia Bar before he finished law school, and subsequently practiced law in New York and New Jersey before moving back to Georgia and hanging out his own shingle.

In the area of personal injury, the firm has recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. A wide range of circumstances qualify for personal injury cases, from auto accidents to medical malpractice. Injuries caused by truck, car or boating accidents can be severe – and deadly.

“Alex and I have been victims of car wrecks and had our cars totaled, so we understand not just the physical and emotional pain but how difficult it is to get your life back and get back in the swing of things,” said Lizz.

Family law cases handled by Alex and Lizz have covered child custody, grandparent custody, child support, visitation rights, domestic violence, adoption, and paternity and legitimation. For bankruptcy cases, the attorneys represent clients under Chapters 7 and 13 of bankruptcy law, and work closely to make sure that bankruptcy is the best option before filing. They address issues like collections and repossessions, credit card debt, debt discharge, foreclosure, garnishment, reorganization and restructuring, and workouts. Cost of these services is kept reasonable, and a payment schedule can be worked out. Often it costs no more than $200 or less in attorney’s fees, plus court costs, to get started.

To schedule a free consultation, call (678) 944-0000. Hait & Kuhn has offices in Woodstock and Alpharetta.

For more details, visit www.northmetrolitigators.com.

185 Stockwood Dr., Ste. 100, Woodstock, GA 30188 11545 Park Woods Cir., Ste. C, Alpharetta, GA 30005 Free Consultations: (678) 944-0000 • Existing Clients: (770) 517-0045 www.northmetrolitigators.com AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

33

Community

Restoring a Protection You Thought You Already Had

BY STATE REP. MICHAEL CALDWELL

Georgia’s General Assembly meets for 40 staggered legislative days each year, prescribed by our Constitution to begin on the second Monday in January. This year our legislative session will convene on Jan. 12 when the 153rd General Assembly of Georgia is sworn into office. The 236 legislators (180 in the House and 56 in the Senate) will propose and debate thousands of pieces of legislation Michael Caldwell is the over our two-year term. Some of state representative for District 20, which these will be vitally important to the covers Towne Lake and preservation of Georgians’ natural Woodstock. He can be reached at (678) rights and the future prosperity of 523-8570 or email our state. Others will not be. For this him at Michael@ CaldwellForHouse. month’s column, I’d like to highlight com. what I consider to be one of the most important pieces of legislation our General Assembly will consider in the coming year.

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act, or RFRA (pronounced rifra) is a piece of legislation modeled after current federal statute and is codified, or in effect, in 30 states. Historically, the Supreme Court of the United States interpreted the First Amendment’s guarantee that “Congress shall not pass laws prohibiting the free exercise of religion” to mean that any law passed burdening the exercise of religion should be prohibited.

In the 1980s, the U.S. Supreme Court began allowing laws that prohibited mandatory religious practices as long as those laws were generally applicable to all citizens.

In 1993, in response to this new interpretation, the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act was introduced and passed.

It cleared the House unanimously and the Senate with only three dissenting votes under a Democratic majority in both chambers. It was then signed into law by President Bill Clinton, also a Democrat, who made a passionate signing statement describing the importance of the bill. He included mentioning that we should “fight to the death to preserve the right of every American to practice whatever convictions he or she has.” This law simply provided that “Government shall not substantially burden a person’s exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability.” It forces the government to prove a “compelling governmental interest,” and that the law in question is the simplest way of providing for that interest, before it can be upheld. The catch? This federal law applies only in federal court cases, meaning questions based on state law are left without protection. Georgians deserve the same constitutional protection in state courts as they see in federal courts. That’s where Georgia’s RFRA comes in.

How about a real-world example. Just a few years ago, the city of Philadelphia passed an ordinance prohibiting the 34

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

distribution of free food to more than three people within city limits. The city made it illegal to feed the homeless. Many outreach missions in Philadelphia saw this as an abridgement of their religious conviction to feed the poor. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania had a RFRA in place that prevented the prohibition, and the missions were allowed to continue their work of caring “for the least of these.”

During the course of this debate, you are going to hear numerous arguments in favor of the measure and why it is crucial to protecting the Christian faith. Though the measure will certainly protect Christians, we must remember that it is intended to protect people of all faiths. For example, many who practice Judaism believe it inappropriate to disturb a body after death. This makes the mandatory autopsies that are currently required under state law an issue for those practicing this belief. What stops a coroner from conducting a mandatory autopsy on a member of the Jewish faith who died of natural causes? Under current state law, absolutely nothing.

Georgia’s RFRA would serve as a protection from unnecessary government interference in anyone’s faith whether Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist or any other, unless a compelling governmental interest can be identified and proven.

“Just a few years ago, the city of Philadelphia passed an ordinance prohibiting the distribution of free food to more than three people within city limits. The city made it illegal to feed the homeless. Many outreach missions in Philadelphia saw this as an abridgement of their religious conviction to feed the poor.”

This protection is fundamental to the American system of government. It is also vital to the freedoms of our people. I look forward to advocating for the measure during my time serving our families this legislative session.

Please feel free to reach out to me on my cell phone at (678) 523-8570 or email me at Michael@caldwellforhouse.com. If you have any other questions or concerns, contact me or come meet me at one of my Weekly Coffees with District 20 nearly every Saturday at Copper Coin Coffee in downtown Woodstock.

Thank you again for allowing me the honor of representing your family in Georgia’s General Assembly!

Re-imagining Resolutions

BY BETH HERMES

Beth Hermes is a graduate of Auburn University’s School of Journalism, and a professional writer for more than 26 years.

Her work has appeared in magazines, newspapers and online publications. She also has created awardwinning marketing campaigns for corporations and nonprofit organizations. beth@eirismarketing. com

A resolution is a firm determination to do something, a commitment.

When we make resolutions in the new year, we are doing so at a time when we’re recovering from intense emotions of the holidays, dealing with the extra pounds, debt, mess (you pick which ones apply) of holiday revelry, and putting a lot of pressure on ourselves to improve or correct something that took more than a day or a month or even a year to build.

Commitments are hard to make, and even harder to keep, and fresh starts don’t always have to begin on the first day of the year (or the month or the week).

I offer you a fresh perspective on resolutions. Feel free to choose one or two, or make up some of your own:

• Say something kind to yourself in the morning. Find something you love about yourself – your eyelashes, your smile, your big toe... and say to yourself, “I have AWESOME eyelashes!”

(Or whatever you choose.)

• Ditch the bathroom scale. Can you zip your pants?

Hooray! No? Wear something else today, and try the pants again after a few days of making necessary adjustments to unhealthy habits.

• Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Did you know that the first phase of breathing – the inhale – is known as “inspiration?” And clinical studies indicate that there is a direct correlation between optimum health and longevity and how well you breathe!

• Choose a word, not a list. Rather than a resolution, choose a word or attribute you admire or aspire to, then use that word to help make better decisions all year long. Last year, I chose the word “authentic,” which made it easier to choose which projects, activities, etc. for me to participate in.

• Baby steps. Set small, attainable goals instead of tackling an entire project all at once. If eating healthier is a goal, for example, indulge in one less fast food meal or dessert each week until you meet your goal.

• Be gentle. Let go of guilt. If you backslide, start again.

• Celebrate every win. I’m training a 7-month-old horse, so I don’t expect every session to be perfect. What I do is end our sessions when she does something right, so we both feel a sense of accomplishment.

For 2015, make a commitment to be kinder to yourself.

Ditch the resolutions, be positive, and celebrate your wins!

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

35

Lifestyle

Truffle Cream Corn

BY DAVID SILVERMAN, EXECUTIVE CHEF/OWNER OF REEL SEAFOOD

1 qt. steamed corn off the cob Allow corn to cool before removing from the cob - it is easier to handle.

1.5 cups cream sauce

(recipe below, make sauce while corn is cooling.)

1 tbsp. thinly sliced lightly sauteed shallots

2 tbsp. chopped chives 2 pinches ground white pepper 2 pinches salt 1.5 tbsp. white truffle oil Mix the ingredients thoroughly in a bowl, and heat to serve.

1 cup equal parts diced onions, leeks, celery 3 oz. (wt) unsalted butter 4 oz. (wt) all-purpose flour 3/4 cup white wine 2 oz. rice wine vinegar

2 qts. heavy whipping cream 1/2 tbsp. salt 2 pinches ground white pepper garnish with aged parmesan (also good with sauteed jalapeĂąos, if you like the heat)

Photo by Kim Bates

Cream Sauce

Cream sauce directions: Lightly sautĂŠ vegetables until soft, add flour and half of the salt and white pepper. Cook vegetables and roux together for 4-5 minutes. Add heavy cream and bring to a steady boil. Add remaining seasoning. Bring wine and vinegar to a boil in a separate sauce pan and then add to cream. Stir well to dissolve all flour lumps and simmer for 10 minutes.

Blend cream sauce smooth with a hand immersion blender or countertop blender. Strain through a china cap or fine mesh strainer.

Cool sauce until ready to use. Save unused sauce. Can be versatile and used for many applications.

36

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

DOWNTOWN WOODSTOCK DINING GUIDE RESTAURANT Canyons 335 Chambers St. 678-494-8868 canyonsburgercompany.com

CUISINE

BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SUNDAY

SPIRITS

RESERV.

American

no

$

$

open

Beer/Wine

no

Century House Tavern 125 E Main St. 770-693-4552 centuryhousetavern.com

Modern American

no

$$

$$$

open

Full bar

8 persons +

Fire Stone 120 Chambers St. 770-926-6778 firestonerestaurants.com

Wood-fired Pizza & Grill

no

$$

$$$

open

Full bar

yes

Southern

Sat./Sun. Brunch

$$

$$$

open

Full bar

no

American

no

$

no

open

no

no

Tapas/Sushi

no

Fri./Sat. only

$$

open

Full bar

yes

Ipps Pastaria & Bar 8496 Main St. 770-517-7305 ippspastaria.com

Italian

no

$$

$$

open

Full bar

no

J Christopher’s 315 Chambers St. 770-592-5990 jchristophers.com

Diner

$-$$

$ - $$

no

open

no

weekdays only

BBQ & Southern Sandwiches

no

$ - $$

$ - $$

open

Beer

no

Freight Kitchen & Tap 251 E Main St. 770-924-0144 freightkitchen.com Hot Dog Heaven 8588 Main St. 770-591-5605 Ice Martini & Sushi Bar 380 Chambers St. 770-672-6334 icemartinibar.com

J Miller’s Smokehouse 156 Towne Lake Pkwy.

770-592-8295 jmillerssmokehouse.com Magnolia Thomas 108 Arnold Mill Rd. 678-445-5789 magnoliathomas.com

Southern

Sunday Brunch

no

$$$$

open

Beer/Wine

yes

Pure Taqueria 405 Chambers St. 770-952-7873 puretaqueria.com/woodstock

Mexican

Sat./Sun. Brunch

$$

$$

open

Full bar

6 persons +

Seafood

Sunday Brunch

$$

$$-$$$

open

Full bar

limited

English Tea room

no

$$

no

closed

no

yes

Italian

no

$$

$$$

closed

Full bar

yes

Reel Seafood 8670 Main St. 770-627-3006 Tea Leaves & Thyme 8990 Main St. 770-516-2609 tealeavesandthyme.com Vingenzo’s 105 E Main St. 770-924-9133 vingenzos.com

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

37

$ = most entrees under $10 • $$ = most entrees $10 - $15 • $$$ = most entrees $15 - $20 • $$$$ = most entrees over $20

Casual and Upscale Dine-In Restaurants

Lifestyle

The Safari Stick

BY ANN LITREL

My 5-year-old nephew Jackson arrived for a visit on a dreary winter day, forlorn because he’d left behind his favorite toy truck. I suggested an alternative: a safari.

Curious, he followed me outside.

We rummaged in the brush pile at the side of the house. Here it is!

He was disgusted. ”That’s just a stick.”

Oh, no, I say. “It’s a SAFARI Stick.

Ann is an artist and writer whose nationally We need this for protection. And it published work includes decorative art, paintings does other things, too.” I put my for private and corporate finger to my lips. “Shhh! There’s wild collections, and writing and illustration for a animals everywhere!” range of publications.

We crouch behind a stump. Sure Ann lives with her husband and co-author enough, a huge ruckus erupts in the Dr. Mike Litrel and their leaves at the end of the yard. Mind two sons in Woodstock.

Ann@annlitrel.com you, it’s not a big yard. The typical suburban handkerchief: three eighths of an acre.

The alarming rustling increases. Is it a bear? A deer? A wild coyote?

We creep close, keeping low. Dry leaves rattle and fly into the air. Then we see it. A small black bird brushed with red, furiously scrabbling in the leaves. “A rufous-sided towhee!” I keep my eyes wide. “He looks small, but he’s HUNGRY. Hold on to your stick—just in case.”

“What’s he eating?”

Out comes the Safari Stick, now Scientific Investigative Tool.

We poke at the leaves and unearth two specimens: a beetle

and an earthworm. We agree the bird is eating bugs. But how come he’s in the ratty old leaves, not the nice green grass?

We march to the small strip of lawn in front. I get a spade; Jackson has the Stick. We pry up the edge of grass, manicured per association standards. It lifts like a doormat, unattached to the earth. Underneath is dry, compacted construction dirt, unchanged from 25 years ago.

No wonder the towhee is in the leaves. The grass is green, but it’s as barren as any desert.

Jackson heads for the tiny pond in the back, a hole with a black liner to hold water, edged with rocks. Jackson spears the leaves floating on top. They layer on the Stick like a shish-kabob. I tell him about the four frogs that lived here this summer. Plop, plop, they would jump into the water when I walked by. Jackson peers into the water. They sleep in the winter, I say.

In goes the Stick. Now it’s a ruler. He pulls it out to look.

It’s wet up to, maybe, 18 inches.

“Okay; we have a demolition project!” The Stick can whack things. We walk down to the remnants of field weeds and flowers in my butterfly garden. The bare stems are lovely with textured seedheads. “Let’s knock these seeds out!”

Enthusiastically Jackson begins whacking at the dry stems.

This is Stick as Demolition Equipment. Fluffy bits of seed drift to the ground. I explain we have to stomp them in so they have good contact with the soil. Stomp, stomp.

Jackson stomps with vigor. We’ll check back in the spring, I promise, and see what comes up.

As we go inside, we leave the invaluable Safari Stick propped by the back door.

Giving children an experience with nature doesn’t have to be a once-a-year vacation, or even a weekend outing at the park. The best gift you can give a child—and yourself—is learning to see what is right in front of our eyes. It’s so easy to miss the gifts just under our noses.

Winter safari with a Stick. Right in the backyard.

The book to read: “Noah’s Garden: Restoring the Ecology Of Our Own Back Yards” by Sarah Stein. It’s a story about becoming an advocate for nature in one’s own yard, and offers a captivating vision for transforming the landscape of American subdivisions.

Ann Litrel - www.annlitrel.com 38

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

Rob’s Rescues This dog is Princess. She’s OK with other dogs and she knows how to sit. She walks well on a leash. Her owner could not afford to keep her. I wish they had known about Pet Buddies Food Pantry.

Princess likes laps and treats. She is 7-years-old and a bit chubby. She is a Chihuahua mix. She does not play much.

I’m Rob Macmillan and I’m on a mission to help shelter dogs and cats. These animals are at the Cherokee County Animal Shelter at 1015 Univeter Road, Canton.

Contact me at robsrescues@ gmail.com www.robsrescues.com

This cat is named Nicholas. He doesn’t like being carried, probably because he is a baby at the shelter and probably because he is nervous.

He likes to lie on his blanket. He is grey with white paws. He is a domestic short hair mix.

Party people – moms and party places – get a Rob’s Rescues Pet Food Collection Bin for your party and ask friends to bring a can or bag of pet food for the bin. I will send a thank you note to the birthday kid. I will also put places that have a birthday bin on my web site: www.robsrescues.com.

The shelter has cool calendars. They show some of the dogs and cats and guinea pigs that have been adopted. I am on the October page.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

39

Lifestyle

There’s Renewed Hope in the New Year

BY LYNNE SAUNDERS

“Congratulations, you’ve made it this far!” These are some of the most encouraging words when you learn that your application/résumé has been forwarded to the next level.

Now that we are in the new year, be encouraged! Companies that have been holding off on making hiring decisions will be filling key open positions. The first week of December, our training center Lynne is an author and the director of celebrated with four employment Papa’s Pantry and the students who landed new jobs!

MastersTraining Center.com. She can Hopefully, the economic atmosphere be reached at (770) will brighten, giving employers 591-4730 or visit www.papaspantry.org. confidence.

With that said, time is of the essence. As you begin to shake off the holidays and refocus on your job search, others who are applying for the same jobs are also getting into gear. They are your competition.

Approach your job search as if it was a race. Here’s a game plan to get you on the right track.

1. Set big goals. I learned an acronym when working in the corporate world years ago: BHAG. Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals!

Don’t be afraid, and certainly don’t limit yourself to settling for what may come quick and easy. If you must earn an income right away, go ahead and accept the immediate offer. Keep looking for the job that fulfills your dreams.

2. Train to gain a strategic advantage. Most everyone thinks they know how to apply for jobs and write a résumé.

If you have experienced frustration because the process is taking longer than expected, you might consider training. The Master’s Training Center in Woodstock is a great option, or try one of the local churches that offer employment guidance.

3. Strengthen relevant skills to be the best in your field.

The phrase “use it or lose it” applies here. Skills can weaken when not regularly implemented. Take time to improve in areas that you think may be a barrier to employment. Most businesses require computer knowledge. Speaking a second language, especially Spanish, is quite attractive.

4. Manage time and tasks efficiently. Be sure to have a 2015 calendar/ organizer. I find that having a tool in which to plan tasks and schedule blocks of time on a daily basis is most continued on page 60

The Dogs’ New Year’s Resolutions

BY LORRE LAMARCA

Now that the new year is here, many of us are full of resolutions for self improvement. Since I own a large doggy resort, I sat down with a few of my furry clients to discuss how they resolve to be better doggies in their own universe.

1. While on a walk, I will be more accepting of other dogs that wish to use my sidewalk.

Lorre LaMarca is the owner of the Bark Station, 240 Arnold Mill Road. www.barkstation.com. (770) 517-9907

2. Make peace with the birds, chipmunks, squirrels and lizards that squat in my backyard.

3. Baths are not the enemy.

Baths are not the enemy.

4. Get more naps in during the day.

5. Keep my nose above the belly button when greeting a new human.

6. The mailman is not the enemy. The mailman is not the enemy.

7. Re-organize the pantry. Dog treats always go on bottom.

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

8. Help take out the trash, piece by piece, occasionally.

9. Be courteous to my stuffed animal toys.

10. Instead of hogging the bed and covers from my human, sleep on his or her head.

11. Counter surfing is not a sport I need to improve on.

12. Pass gas without shame.

13. When I feel the sudden urge, run outside and scream.

14. Car window nose art is not really necessary.

15. Not every bite of my human’s food should be mine.

16. Vacuum my own dog hair.

17. Get my business done fast on rainy days.

18. The cat is not the enemy. The cat is not the enemy.

19. Treat a nail trim like a manicure, not an amputation.

20. Every night before I got to sleep, pray that all my homeless friends left behind in the shelter find a home just like mine.

To The Rescue with Seasonal Hair Remedies

BY TIM TIMMONS

Summer sun and heat take their toll on your hair, but did you know that Old Man Winter wreaks hair havoc with his arsenal of storms, snow and cold spells as well?

Artificially heated air also adds a lot of extra stress to hair. There is a wide selection of hair care treatments to repair and protect hair through the seasons. They will also help prevent hair damage in the Tim Timmons is first place. the owner of Salon Gloss. Tim has been a It is best to weatherize your hairstylist for 13 years hair before the summer or winter and has extensive industry experience. seasons start to take their toll.

Tim can be reached at Dry heated air is particularly hard (678) 483-8900. on hair; hats and caps rank a close second in terms of ruining hair cuticle and style. Hair needs tender loving care to protect it against extreme environmental conditions. Convenient hair treatments come in the shape of deeply penetrating oils and elixirs, designed to restore hydration, elasticity, strength and luster.

Although there are several at-home remedies and over-thecounter treatments to choose from, professional salons offer the most concentrated ingredients and the latest technology for all hair types and textures. Salon experts can choose from added boosters containing moisture, ceramides, protein, and even collagen. In-salon professional treatments can be customized to the client’s specific needs and often include a stimulating massage of the head, neck, and scalp for a spa-like experience.

Another popular salon option is a hair mask treatment under a special microsteamer that lasts for approximately 15 minutes. The steam opens up the hair cuticle, allowing the product to travel deep down, sealing it for better moisture results and maximum concentration. You can even indulge in a spa color. Adding treatment technology directly into your hair color formula can result in longer-lasting vibrant pigments, luster and softness.

Many of us let our hair define us. We let it dictate how we feel about ourselves. If we are having a bad hair day, chances are the rest of our day follows suit. We wear our hair everydayit’s our most important accessory. Take a moment to give it some love!

“ It is best to weatherize your hair before the summer or winter seasons start to take their toll.”

The Downtown Buzz is held at the Chambers at City Center (8534 Main Street) on the last Friday of the month and begins at 8 a.m. unless otherwise noted.

For more information on the Downtown Buzz program or to suggest a topic for consideration, please contact Mitzi at (770) 592-6056.

Business Membership Information: $80 investment per year (2 reps) + $30 investment per year for each additional rep Subscription to email newsletter Main Street Woodstock decal Downtown Buzz meeting (monthly) Individual and nonMember appreciation event profit memberships Access to workshops also available Directory listing on website Ribbon cutting or groundbreaking Hobnob - a social event (quarterly)

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

41

Faith

This Year, I Promise...

BY BRETT CAMPBELL

It’s January, and the unique position of this month always ushers in fresh opportunities for new beginnings. The crowds that packed the local shopping malls just weeks ago have now relocated to the various fitness centers around town. This is the year that the gym membership is finally going to pay off!

Those with productivity apps on their smart phones have wiped the to-do lists clean. Full of fresh confidence, Brett serves as an they eagerly create new lists, assured associate pastor at that this year there will be fewer items Sovereign Grace Church of Woodstock. in the red and more in the completed Originally from section. Some will commit to flossing Philadelphia, Brett and his family regularly, others will plan to change their relocated to Cherokee oil more than once a year, and a few County in 2011.

He can be reached will promise to limit themselves to one at bcamp@ dessert a week. January is the time of sgcatlanta.org. year we resolve to install the upgrade of ourselves—Me 2.0.

Having performed this annual ritual for years, the truth that

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

many of us have come to realize is that most of our New Year’s resolutions are faded memories by the time the lion of March blows in. Why is it so hard to fulfill the vows that will benefit us personally? It could be our perspective. Maybe it is because we actually experience our greatest personal growth when we give our lives away for the benefit of others.

The Jesus of the Bible reveals two important guardrails for directing us down the highway of this life. His words in Matthew 22:37-39 declare, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

In other words, it’s not about us—it’s about others. What if this perspective formed a watermark on your list of New Year’s resolutions? You might consider becoming actively involved in a local church. How about volunteering with an organization in our community such as the Jaycees, the American Legion, or the Red Cross? Imagine the impact you could make as a mentor at one of our Boys & Girls Clubs of America? An awareness that others are depending on us provides a great incentive for perseverance.

Hope to see you around town this year!

School & Sports

Be Alert to Risks of Social Media

BY MARK KISSEL

Smartphones, tablets, notebooks: When you give these amazing devices to your child, do you have a plan for dealing with the inevitable drama created in the world of social media? Many parents may not be adequately informed of the inherent risks associated with the software applications (apps) that can be downloaded.

A recent online article, “Seven Chief of Police Mark dangerous apps that parents need to Kissel has served the know about,” addressed applications that Cherokee County School District since seem innocent at first glance. The first, 1999 and has more Yik Yak, is a GPS-based app that allows than 35 years of law enforcement the user to send a 200-character text experience. message that will go to 500 people, also known as Yakkers, who are closest to the sender. SnapChat allows users to send photos that disappear within 10 seconds on both the sender’s and the receiver’s device, but the receiver can “capture” the photo and send it to others.

More information on these and the other apps can be found at www.checkupnewsroom.com/7-dangerous-apps-that-parentsneed-to-know-about/.

Develop a game plan for your child’s safety: • Start an ongoing conversation with your child. Explain that you own the device (you paid for it and are likely paying the monthly bill) and, as a result, there will be periodic inspections.

If that seems unreasonable, think about the phone or computer given to you by your employer for work purposes. At any time, the employer can inspect it, put filters on it and monitor the software.

• Enable parental controls. On Apple devices, go to settingsgeneral-restrictions where you can manage the apps that came with the device, the iTunes store and in-App purchase. Next, go to allowed content and create basic filtering options on music, movies and Internet sites. Finally, go to location services. If enabled, the device allows various apps to use GPS antenna; if GPS is enabled for the camera, every photo taken by the user will be imprinted with the GPS location where it was taken. When the photo is posted online, anyone who knows how to find this data will know exactly where it was taken. This could raise security concerns with regards to stalking and abduction. Finally, always protect the restriction’s password and iTunes password.

• Social Media. Facebook, Instagram and Kik Messenger tend to be used predominantly by teens to connect to their friends. Many social media sites do not allow children younger than 13 to have social media accounts. Do you set up the account even though the media site restricts access? If you decide to allow your child access to social media, have a discussion on cyberbullying and make sure your child has a clear understanding that every post, picture and comment made on social media is permanent, it is a reflection of the child as a person and it can be unforgiving. More importantly, personal information is to be kept private!

Happy New Year!

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School & Sports

Basketball Players Read to Preschoolers

The River Ridge High School Knights varsity basketball boys’ team members regularly visit the Little River Preschool Center to read to children who attend there.

Video Wins Students Second Place in Statewide Contest

River Ridge High School students Raven Anthony and Logan Case teamed up to win second place in the “We’re Not Gonna Take It” statewide video contest sponsored by the office of State Attorney General Sam Olens.

More than 200 entries were received for the contest, which was aimed at preventing prescription drug abuse among teens and was open to all Georgia high school students. A panel of TV reporters from around the state judged the entries.

The video produced by Raven and Logan promoted a healthy lifestyle by showing the contrast of life with and without prescription drug abuse. The winning videos can be viewed at www.law.ga.gov/videocontest.

Basketball player Joseph Chadwick reads to preschooler Hayden Curtis.

Basketball player Evan Bing reads to students.

Attorney General Sam Olens congratulates Logan Case, left, and Raven Anthony for their second-place win.

Academic Bowl Team Headed to National Championships

The River Ridge High School Academic Bowl Team has been invited to compete at the May 29-31 National Academic Quiz Tournaments high school championships in Chicago.

Varsity team members are: Josh Carver, Josh Isaksen, Garrett Johnston, Rishab Kaup, Brandon Perez, Alex Soderstrom and Chetan Velivela. Junior Varsity team members are: Julia Boll, Brantley Holland, Mukthi Kaup, Alex McMath, Kelly Mayes, Bethany Norman, Chloe Phillips, Chris Soderstrom, Jordan Sollie, Will Stauts, Emily Wilcox and Felicia Williams.

Varsity team members Josh Isaksen, Josh Carver, Chetan Velivela, Garrett Johnston and Alex Soderstrom with a trophy they won recently. Not pictured: Rishab Kaup and Brandon Perez.

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River Ridge Senior Nominated for U.S. Naval Academy River Ridge High School senior Christopher Taylor has received a nomination from U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey to the U.S. Naval Christopher Taylor Academy.

Christopher wants to major in political science and linguistics and earn a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps.

He comes from a family with a long line of military service since World War I, including his father, who is an enlisted veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Board Bids Farewell to Departing Members Vice Chair Robert Wofford and school board members Michael Geist and Rob Usher recently served in the last meeting of their four-year terms on the Cherokee County Board of Education. Each was presented with a plaque and words of appreciation from board Chairwoman Janet Read.

All three members completed one four-year term and did not seek re-election. Wofford’s service on the board followed a long career with the school district, which—including his education as a student in the system—totals 60 years.

Student Food Drives Help Families in Need Students from Woodstock and throughout Cherokee County participated in holiday food drives to provide for families in need. The Woodstock Elementary School Student Council conducted a holiday canned food drive, which collected more than 1,000 cans. The donations were given to Mt. Zion Church Food Bank.

Student council members Yang Hui Bowen, Aiden Briggs, Ellie Entrekin, Anthony Gentile, Braxton Ghetti, TJ Huston, Andrew Hyman, Kyle Motsiff, Jessica Sow, Manov Tilca and Ashlyn Utley count cans.

Woodstock High School students donated more than 5,000 pounds of canned food for needy families, winning second place in the Atlanta Falcons “FalCan” Food Drive School Challenge, sponsored by Publix supermarkets. Players and cheerleaders from the Atlanta Falcons visited the school to thank students for their efforts, including Falcons players Corey Peters and Sean Baker, who answered questions and signed autographs.

Senior Parsh Patel gets a football signed, while Hope Nuttall, also a senior, waits for her autographs.

Clubs, students and families from Sequoyah High School and its feeder middle and elementary schools collected food for the annual MUST Ministries Thanksgiving Food Drive and Program. Enough donations were collected to complete 269 holiday food boxes, with another eight large boxes of assorted nonperishable food donations.

The Sequoyah High School Junior ROTC program and teacher John Futral coordinated packing and distributing the food boxes.

Cadets from the program donated 798 hours over three days to complete the work, which included manning distribution stations that were visited by 925 families (totaling more than 3,700 individuals).

Each family was provided Sequoyah HS Junior ROTC cadets, from left, David Miller, Jamie Davis and Nicholas Gentile peek over donations as they with a holiday food box, a prepare for distribution. turkey, bread and a pie.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

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Health & Wellness

Don’t Forget to Exercise Your Brain

BY JAN HENRIQUES AU. D.

We can all benefit from exercising our brains. Studies show a strong link between hearing loss and dementia.

Research also supports that there is more brain shrinkage in older adults who have hearing loss. According to the Johns Hopkins Medicine website, these findings include a growing list of health issues associated with hearing loss that result in diminished physical and mental health.

Dr. Henriques is Did you know that we actually hear a board certified audiologist and lead with our brains? The eardrum, bones provider at North and cochlea carry sound to the brain, Georgia Audiology in Woodstock. She has but it’s the brain that makes sense of been practicing since it all. If your brain is not receiving the 1985, after earning a doctorate in audiology whole message due to hearing loss, then from the University of giving your brain improved sound will Florida and a master’s degree from LSU help. Hearing aid manufacturers are Medical Center. incorporating brain hearing technology into their latest devices.

You have heard of the expression “use it or lose it.” That goes for physical exercise to maintain strength and stability, and also for brain function for understanding and balance. Stimulate the brain with sound, and you might possibly be preserving

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brain tissue. According to Frank Lin, M.D., Ph.D, there may be some urgency in treating hearing loss rather than ignoring it. “If you want to address hearing loss, well, you want to do it sooner than later. If hearing loss is potentially contributing to the differences we are seeing on MRI, you want to treat it before these brain structural changes take place.” He also states that we place stress and strain on the brain in an effort to hear and understand. “If you put a lot of effort just to comprehend what you’re hearing, it takes resources that would otherwise be available for encoding [what you hear] in memory,” says Arthur Wingfield, who leads neuroscience at Brandeis University. He goes on to say that getting clearer speech signals to the brain might allow the brain structures to grow back to their previous size and function.

In addition to stimulating your brain with sound, there are many exercises available to improve understanding. How do we exercise our brains? The first step is to be evaluated by a licensed doctor of audiology to find out if you have hearing loss and to see if hearing aids might be recommended for you.

One exercise audiologists use is called LACE (Listening and Communication Enhancement) - a system that can be used at home. Another one we recommend is Lumosity, computerbased brain games and brain training. Of course you can take out pen and paper and do crossword puzzles and Sudoku as well - all are good ways to keep your brain sharp!

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

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Health & Wellness

Attainable Goals for 2015

BY DR. CATHY WENDLAND-COLBY

Make this the year you reach your goals. Small, manageable changes are the key to long-term success.

If you’re like most people, you’ve probably made the same New Year’s resolutions every year for the past umpteen years. “I’m going to eat right, exercise, get out of pain and feel better.

I will cut out junk food and sweets and I will finally lose those 10, 20, 30, 40 Dr. Wendland-Colby pounds—or more.” Sound familiar? is an international The reason you—and most other speaker, writer, chiropractor, wife and people—have not been successful in mother to two. She can the past is because humans are, by be reached at www. nature, creatures of habit. We get into ColbyChiropractic a routine and we tend to stick with Lifestyle.com or by it, whether it’s working for us or not. calling (770) 592-1915.

When we try to make changes, our old routines pull us right back in with their familiarity and comfort.

And even though we realize we are getting sidetracked from our goals, we convince ourselves that we will skip just one workout, eat just one dessert or have only one cheat day. And sooner or later, our old habits have taken over and we are right back where we started—or worse.

Knowing why we’ve failed is the key to future success. In the past, your changes were too drastic, you made decisions that weren’t designed for longevity, or your choices led you right back to the place you said you wanted to leave.

This year, rather than having general goals, get more specific.

Make small changes this week, and then add another small change next week, followed by another small change the week after, and so on. By the time six weeks have passed, you’ll have developed two or three new healthy habits that will stick. You will have lost weight, you’ll have more energy and the new vitality you feel will encourage you to keep moving forward.

Six healthy habits you should include are: • Begin each day by drinking two glasses of room temperature water.

• Add 10-20 minutes of activity to your daily routine. Walk, jog, bike, lift weights or swim.

• Add fruit and vegetables to every meal.

• Reduce stress, decrease pain and help your body function better with regular chiropractic adjustments.

• Relax, meditate, stretch, try a yoga pose and turn off the TV and cell phones so you can get some sleep.

• Think positive thoughts, speak words of encouragement and give thanks for all you’ve been given.

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

The Focus is Compassionate Care Thomas Eye Group physicians and staff recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of the practice, signifying a solid history of helping metro Atlanta residents maintain healthy vision. It’s a chance to celebrate past achievements and dig deeper roots in communities like Woodstock that are served by the well-established practice.

The Woodstock office, which opened in 2001, is one of eight metro Atlanta locations and treats patients from birth to the golden years. The services offered include treatment of cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration, as well as pediatric care, LASIK, Oculoplastics and access to a modern surgery center. The staff of 17 , which includes four physicians, clinicians and administrative employees that work from the Towne Lake Parkway location, has won the Consumer’s Choice award for the past eight years.

“We try to cultivate our team so that everyone feels they are an important member of the team,” said retina specialist Dr. Paul Kaufman. “In Paul Kaufman, MD is a retina specialist and the Woodstock office, chief of ophthalmology for Northside Hospital. the morale is high and the team is happy. The patients benefit because they don’t just see me - they see other team members too, so we have created an experience where people feel well cared for by everyone who works here.”

Dr. Kaufman’s patients range from premature babies to seniors age 100 and older. On a recent morning, Dr. Kaufman performed surgery that prevented blindness in a 15-week premature infant. The day before, his surgical techniques restored vision in a diabetic woman who was losing sight in her only good eye, and corrected macular holes in the eyes of a woman who only had peripheral vision, restoring her sight to near perfect vision. “These are the kind of rewarding things that a retina Mark Berman, MD is a glaucoma specialist and treats patients for general ophthalmic care, with an emphasis on cataract surgery.

Thomas Eye Group 149 Towne Lake Pkwy Suite 102 Woodstock,GA 30188

770.928.4544

Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. specialist gets to witness,” said Dr. Kaufman. “While it’s nice to be reminded of how much of an impact you can make, that’s probably why all of us went into medicine in the first place: to make an impact.”

As a child, Dr. Mark Berman was actually a pediatric patient of Dr. Stephen Levine, co-founder of Thomas Eye Group. “Not many people can say that they practice for a group that treated them when they were young,” he said. “It was my lifelong dream to become a doctor and return here to practice medicine.” Dr. Berman is a glaucoma specialist and treats patients for general ophthalmic care, with an emphasis on cataract surgery.

Pediatric opthalmologist Dr. Jerry Berland has treated many conditions in his young patients including cataracts. If the cataract isn’t removed in time, the brain may never learn to see, even if the cataract is removed later in life. “I met one such infant when he was five days old,” says Dr. Berland. Jerry Berland, MD is a pediatric ophthalmologist, chief of ophthalmology “By the time he was a for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and month old, both eyes had was named Top Doctor 2012, 2013, 2014 the necessary surgery.

by Atlanta Magazine and US News and Eight years later he is World Report. excelling in school and enjoying playing football.

It was quite an honor when he named me as his ‘hero’ when completing an assignment for school.”

Dr. Lakhvir Singh is an optometrist specializing in comprehensive eye exams, with a focus on contact lens fittings.

Dr. Singh, who knew as a teen that he wanted to enter the medical field, said he is filled with “overwhelming joy” when he witnesses someone - especially a child - see the world as they should be seeing it with the help of glasses or contacts.

“We care about all of the people we’ve come to know over the years, and we will continue to be here to treat them, their friends and their family members,’ said Dr. Berman. “We’ve been in the suburbs of Atlanta for 40 years, and we’re here to stay.”

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Health & Wellness

Focus on a Clean, Sterile Environment

BY DR. SCOTT R. HARDEN

Infection control, proper instrument sterilization and surface disinfection are at the foundation of dental care and the responsibility of each clinical staff member. It’s evident at each visit, where patients see dentists and clinicians wearing gloves and masks, opening sterile instrument packs and using a sterile water supply and drills.

Chairs and computer keyboards also are Dr. Scott Harden is a dentist at Fountain covered in plastic.

View Family Dentistry Patient safety must remain a top and has served the Woodstock area for priority for every staff member, and each more than 21 years. office should have a written protocol You can reach Dr. Harden at book outlining Occupational Safety and (770) 926-0000 or visit Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines FountainViewSmiles. com. that is followed by the dental team.

Dental offices have rooms designated for cleaning, sterilizing and storing instruments, setting aside space away from the treatment rooms to avoid contamination.

While sterilization of instruments is carefully regulated, the cleaning process can vary widely, from scrubbing by hand to cleaning in a machine. Modern cleaning techniques

involve minimum handling to reduce the risk of cuts and needle punctures. Instruments are placed in a perforated metal cassette, which is transferred to an instrument washer and disinfector that looks like a dishwasher. High water temperatures and chemical additives clean and disinfect the instruments to prepare them to be sterilized.

Packaging instruments before sterilization helps prevent contamination by airborne bacteria. The sterilization packing is specifically designed to allow penetration of heat, steam or vapor and then to safely seal the instruments inside for sterile storage. The FDA regulates the method, and computerized sterilization ovens make sure the process is accurate. Indicator strips that change color when the proper temperature is reached ensure that the packets are properly sterilized. The use of biological monitors placed in the instrument packs during a sterilization cycle is the most reliable method to make sure the sterilizer is working effectively.

Modern computerized machines have made the sterilization process efficient and reliable with many levels of confirmation.

At the heart of this process is properly trained dental staff that must follow FDA and OSHA guidelines, deliver quality dental care and ultimately ensure optimal patient safety.

Ankle Replacement Puts You Back On Your Feet

BY TRAVIS JONES, D.P.M., NORTHSIDE CHEROKEE ORTHOPEDICS AND SPORTS MEDICINE

Most people have heard of knee or hip replacements, but there’s another aging joint being replaced that’s gaining ground. By replacing arthritic or injured ankles with artificial joints, foot and ankle surgeons help get people back on their feet.

Ankle replacement surgery relieves debilitating pain and discomfort caused by arthritis, and also restores and maintains ankle motion in people Dr. Travis Jones is a foot and ankle surgeon with compromised ankle function. at Northside Cherokee During the two- to three-hour surgical Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. procedure, the ankle joint is exposed, www.northside diseased cartilage and bone are cherokeeortho.com. removed, and a metal and lightweight plastic bearing is inserted.

In general, healthy, non-diabetic older patients—who also have exhausted non-surgical treatment and continue to experience painful and disabling ankle arthritis—are ideal candidates for ankle replacement.

Ankle arthritis is the progressive loss of the smooth gliding 50

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

surface that lines the ends of the bones that form the ankle, causing pain, stiffness, swelling and warmth at the joint. These detrimental effects lead to discomfort and a lack of endurance for everyday activities such as standing and walking.

Many people might not have heard of ankle replacement surgery because when compared to the other major joints, arthritis of the ankle is uncommon. About 50,000 people a year experience end-stage ankle arthritis, when the ankle cartilage wears away completely, causing bone-on-bone contact.

How long an ankle replacement lasts depends on many factors, including the type of implant used and the patient’s physical condition, activity level and lifestyle. While prosthetic joints can provide increased mobility and pain relief for many years, most patients can expect their ankle replacement to last 10 to 20 years.

As with any surgery, there is always a risk of infection or complications, including nerve, vessel, tendon or bone injuries and persistent pain.

A surgeon specialized in foot and ankle surgery can best evaluate your condition and determine if an ankle replacement is right for you.

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51

Reference

WOODSTOCK AREA HOMES SOLD IN NOVEMBER List Price 125,000 289,900 287,000 150,000 214,085 299,900 222,000 139,900 285,000 200,000 349,900 149,900 300,000 132,000 189,900 174,900 215,000 179,900 325,000 164,900 342,000 244,900 387,900 292,000 180,000 189,900 249,900 104,900 98,000 218,000 464,451

Address 150 Pioneer DR 109 Normandy DR 138 Cornerstone PL 331 Creekbend DR 423 Village VW 202 Cornerstone DR 227 Abercorn WAY 3011 River Station DR 200 Morning Mist LN 1046 Dunedin TRL 324 Melrose CIR 1401 Anona PL 520 Pinchot WAY 1228 W Wiley Bridge RD 1024 DUNEDIN TRL 706 WINDING RIVER WAY 405 Westchester WAY 131 River Marsh LN 504 Osprey LN 520 Carrington CT 4011 Hickory Fairway DR 433 Coolsprings CV 405 Bluff Creek WAY 502 Osprey LN 538 Arden Close 217 Highland Village LN 232 Allison DR 543 S Holly Springs RD 325 Ranchwood TRL 1036 Walnut Creek DR 307 Waters Lake CT

Subdivision None Woodlands Enclave Cornerstone Park Creekview Woodstock Village Cornerstone Park Cottages of Woodstock River Oaks Serenade Kingsgate Wynchase Regency at Kingsgate Woodlands Colemans Bluff PARK AT KINGSGATE RIVER OAKS Waverly Park River Plantation Bradshaw Park Carrington Farms Bradshaw Farms Springfield Place none Bradshaw Park Montclair at Ridgewalk Highland Village Copper Ridge None Other Walnut Creek Waters Lake

Beds 3 4 3 3 4 4 2 3 5 3 4 3 4 3 3 4 4 4 5 3 3 3 4 5 2 3 5 4 3 3 5

Full Baths Yr Built 2 1980 2 2003 2 2013 2 1986 3 2014 2 2008 2 2005 2 1992 3 2002 2 2000 2 2007 2 2000 2 2005 2 1992 2 2000 3 1992 3 1995 2 1999 5 2005 2 1998 2 2000 3 1993 4 1994 4 2005 2 2005 2 2012 3 1997 2 1971 2 2000 3 1998 4 2014

FMLS SF Detached residences data provided by The Premier Group, Keller Williams Realty Partners, W Data believed to be accurate, but not warranted.

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WOODSTOCK CITY GUIDE

City Manager Jeffrey S. Moon (770) 592-6001, jmoon@woodstockga.gov Rhonda Smith, exec. assistant (770) 592-6001, rsmith@woodstockga.gov

Stay Connected on Facebook

City of Woodstock: www.facebook.com/WOODSTOCKGAGOVT

City Council Representatives

Woodstock Fire: www.facebook.com/woodstockfireandrescue

For minutes and agendas of meetings, visit www.woodstockga.iqm2.com.

Woodstock Main Street: www.facebook.com/MainStreetWoodstock

Ward 1: Warren Johnson Ward 2: Chris Casdia

Woodstock Parks and Recreation: www.facebook.com/woodstockparks

Ward 3: Bob Mueller

Woodstock Police: www.facebook.com/woodstockpolicegeorgia Woofstock Dog Park: www.facebook.com/woofstockpark

Ward 4: Liz Baxter

On Twitter

Ward 6: TBD

Ward 5: Bud Leonard

www.twitter.com/woodstockpd www.twitter.com/woodstockfd www.twitter.com/woodstockparks www.nixle.com Sends alerts, advisories and community notifications from the city of Woodstock and Cherokee County Sheriff Department. www.cherokeega-sheriff.org A resource to check for registered sex offenders in your neighborhood. Click on Georgia Sexual Offender Registry then click on Register for Email Alerts for updates.

City of Woodstock government (770) 592-6000

Council appointed committees: Downtown Development Authority and Convention & Visitors Bureau; Ethics Board; Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

Economic Development

Downtown Development Authority Convention & Visitors Bureau Brian Stockton, Director (770) 592-6056, bstockton@woodstockga.gov Woodstock Visitors Center/Dean’s Store Kyle Bennett, Tourism Manager, (770) 924-0406 kbennett@woodstockga.gov

City Officials

Mayor Donnie Henriques (770) 592-6001, dhenriques@woodstockga.gov

Mitzi Saxon, Administrative Coordinator, (770) 592-6056 or x-2250 msaxon@woodstockga.gov

Community Development Jessica Guinn, direct (770) 592-6050 ext. 1600, jguinn@woodstockga.gov

Public Safety

Finance Robert Porche, CFO (770) 592-6003, rporche@woodstockga.gov

George Williams, community outreach, Fire Marshal’s office (770) 592-6000 ext 1845, gwilliams@woodstockga.gov.

Woodstock Police Department (770) 592-6030 Woodstock Post Office (770) 591-0364

Parks and Recreation Preston Pooser, (770) 517-6788, ppooser@woodstockga.gov

The Outlet Shoppes

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Fow le

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Download the Visit Woodstock App for info on downtown businesses and events!

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

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Reference

WOODSTOCK CITY GOVERNMENT Mayor and Council Members Mayor Donnie Henriques dhenriques@woodstockga.gov Ward 1 - Warren Johnson wjohnson@woodstockga.gov Ward 2 - Chris Casdia ccasdia@woodstockga.gov Ward 3 - Bob Mueller bmueller@woodstockga.gov Ward 4 - Liz Baxter lbaxter@woodstockga.gov Ward 5 - Bud Leonard bleonard@woodstockga.gov Ward 6 - TBD

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

GREENPRINTS TRAIL SYSTEM WOODSTOCK, GA

Town to Creek Trail - This 0.57 mile paved trail begins at Market Street in downtown Woodstock one block west of Main Street. It continues downhill toward Noonday Creek where it intersects with the Noonday Creek & Towne Lake Pass trails.

Noonday Creek Trail - This 0.86 mile paved trail is a continuation of the Town to Creek trail meandering along Noonday Creek. It intersects the future Towne Lake Pass trail and the bridge to Woofstock Park.

Trestle Rock Trail - This 0.40 mile paved trail is located in Olde Rope Mill Park and is an easy flat trail on the banks of Little River.

Towne Lake Pass (2015) - This approx. 1.2-mile trail will connect the Towne Lake community to downtown along the banks of Noonday Creek.

It will begin at the interesection of Towne Lake Parkway and Towne Lake Hills South.

Rubes Creek Trail (2015) - This 1-mile paved trail runs along Rubes Creek and will ultimately connect into a larger run of trails.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

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Reference

WOODSTOCK AREA CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS Cherokee Area Business Connection Meets Every Wednesday at 7:15 a.m.

Marci Zied, (770) 345-8687 Empowered Women Through Synergy Meets third Thursday at 8.30 a.m. at J Christopher’s in downtown Woodstock Shahida Baig (678) 445-3900 Main Street Woodstock Meets Last Friday of every month at 8 a.m. at 8534 Main St. at City Center www.mainstreetwoodstock.org No Fee Referral Network Woodstock Meets Every Monday morning at 7:30 am at IHOP 8979 Hwy 92. www.meetup.com/No-Fee-ReferralNetwork-Woodstock North Georgia Referral Network meets Every Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. at J. Christophers, 315 Chambers St., (770) 592-5990 The Joy of Connecting Networking for Women Meets Third Thursday at 6:45 p.m.

Edeline Dryden (678) 789-6158 www.thejoyofconnecting.com Cherokee Toastmasters Club meets noon-1:15 p.m. Wednesdays at the Bank of North Georgia, 200 Parkway 575, Woodstock. Contact: Richard Stacy at (843) 697-5189, richbstacy@gmail.com. www.cherokeetoastmasters.com.

Together We Rise meets Second and Fourth Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. at Featherstone’s at Towne Lake Hills, Pat Snipes, (404) 569-5280 Towne Lake Business Association meets Third Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills, (770) 615-3350, www.tlba.org

24-hr, (404) 452-6248, Info (404) 496-4038 www.ahimsahouse.org Angel House Girls Home is a residential facility for girls 12-18 to learn self-sufficiency.

(770) 479-9555, www.angelhousega.com Anna Crawford Children’s Center a child abuse and prevention program for children and adults.

(678) 504-6388, www.cherokeechildadvocates.org Bethany Place transitional home for single women, unwed mothers.

(770) 479-9462, www.bethanyplacehome.org CASA for Children promotes the health and happiness of children impacted by abuse through programs that increase their safety and improve their educational, social and emotional functioning. Volunteers and partners welcomed!

Contact: Deidre Hollands (770) 345-3274. www.casacherokee.org CCHS Thrift Store located at 5900 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth, (770) 592-8072. Accepts donations and sells used household items to raise money for Cherokee County Humane Society.

Cherokee Child Advocacy Council, Inc. Anna Crawford Children’s Center and Parents HELP at 319 Lamar Haley Pkwy., Canton Amy Economopolous, (770) 592-9779 www.cherokeechildadvocates.org Cherokee County Animal League Contact: Steve Monahan at CherokeeAnimal League@gmail.org or (770) 712-4077 Cherokee County Family Violence Center offers emergency shelter and crisis intervention, affordable housing, education, support services.

(770) 479-1703, Spanish (770) 720-7050 www.cfvc.org

Towne Lake PowerCore Team meets every Friday at 7:15 — 8:45 a.m. at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills, Marc Replogle, (770) 952-5000, X20 or (404) 816-3377, www.powercore.net

Cherokee County Humane Society (CCHS) (770) 928-5115, admin@cchumanesociety.org www.cchumanesociety.org

Women of Woodstock meets First and Third Wednesday at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills, info@womenofwoodstock.com www.womenofwoodstock.com

Cherokee FOCUS works to improve the lives of children and families through collaborative programs and initiative.

Sonia Carruthers (770) 345-5483 www.cherokeefocus.org

Woodstock Business Networking Group meets: 7:30 a.m. Tuesdays at Atlanta Bread Company, 180 Woodstock Square Ave., Woodstock. Lee West (770) 591-7101 Woodstock Community Business Association Meets Second Monday at noon at Tuscany Italian Restaurant, 250 Cinema Way WCBusinessAssoc@aol.com

CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS Ahimsa House helps victims of domestic violence who need help getting their pets to safety.

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Cherokee County Senior Services offers educational, social, leisure and recreational activities for senior citizens looking for socialization. Located at 1001 Univeter Road, Canton, (770) 345-2675 www.cherokeega.com Community Veterinary Care provides professional veterinary care for pets whose owners have limited financial means. (678) 640-3512, www.communityveterinarycare.com

Everyday Angels offers financial assistance for local families in need. Email aaeverydayangels@ gmail.com Funds 4 Furry Friends helps those in need with food, spay/neuter and medical attention for their pets.

Gina Jeter, (770) 842-8893, www.funds4furryfriends.com Georgia Animal Project offers high quality, lowcost spay and neuter services for dogs and cats throughout North Georgia. (770) 704-PAWS (7297) www.theanimalproject.org Give a Kid a Chance – Cherokee sponsors a yearly back-to-school bash. www.giveakidachance.org Goshen Valley Boys Ranch offers care and counsel to young men in the DFCS system.

(770) 796-4618, www.goshenvalley.org Green Pets America Rescue animal rescue group (770) 712-4077, SteveMonahan777@gmail.com www.GPACharities.US Habitat for Humanity North Central Georgia (770) 345-1879, www.habitat-ncg.org Harvesting Hope Ministries gives surgery care packs to children facing liver and kidney failure.

Contact: dawn@harvestinghopeministries.org. www.harvestinghopeministries.org.

Healing Hands Youth Ranch offers safe, peaceful environment where abused and at-risk children are paired with rescue horses for hope and healing.

Jennifer Simonis (770) 633-4451 www.hhyr.org Hearing Loss Association of America NW Metro Atlanta Chapter, for people with hearing loss looking for support and resources, holds free and informative quarterly meetings in the Woodstock area. Contact: nwmetroatlantahlaa@gmail.com or 770-517-2941 HopeQuest Ministry Group helps people who struggle intensely with life dominating issues related to alcohol abuse, substance abuse and/or sexual brokenness.

(678) 391-5950, www.hqmg.org HOPE Center offers support for unplanned pregnancy.

(770) 924-0864, info@TheHopeCtr.com www.hopectr.com HOPE Center — Baby & More Thrift Store (770) 517-4450, www.babyandmorethriftstore.com Hospice Advantage needs volunteers.

(770) 218-1997, www.hospiceadvantage.com Iron Hearts is a therapeutic horsemanship program for children and adults with special needs.

(678) 493-5775, www.ironhearts.org MUST Ministries offers groceries, hot meals, emergency shelter, supportive housing, clothing, employment services, summer lunch and more

from five locations in eight counties, including the Canton office at 111 Brown Industrial Pkwy.

Never Alone Outreach provides food and clothing assistance to Cherokee Co. families in need. Apply for assistance at: NeverAlone.Org Next Step Ministries offers a therapeutic day program, Saturday Respite, camps and special events for people with special needs.

(770) 592-1227, www.nextstepministries.net Papa’s Pantry is a year-round local food ministry.

Lynne Saunders, (770) 591-4730, www.papaspantry.org Pet Buddies Food Pantry (678) 310-9858 www.petbuddiesfoodpantry.org Safe Kids Cherokee County — Call for an appt. for free child safety seat inspections.

(770) 721-7808, www.cherokeesafekids.org Volunteer Aging Council, a non-profit that helps to raise funds for our seniors of Cherokee County. www.vac-cherokeega.org

CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS AARP Woodstock Chapter is for anyone 50+ Meets Second Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Rich, (770) 926-1944 American Legion Post 316 Meets Third Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road Irma Martin, (678) 662-2366 Cherokee County Service League (770) 704-5991, http://serviceleague.net Cherokee County Historical Society (770) 345-3288, www.rockbarn.org Junior Service League of Woodstock (770) 592-3535, http://jslwoodstock.org/ Rotary Club of Woodstock Meets Every Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. at IHOP on Highway 92.

(770) 480-4179

at Corner of Air Acres Way & Arnold Mill Rd. lodge.info@woodstocklodge246.org Woodstock Midday Optimist Club Meets Every Wednesday at noon at Folks, 180 Parkway 575, Johnny Young, (770) 345-6158

POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS Cherokee County Democrat Party meets Second Thursday at 7 p.m. at Holly Springs Train Depot, www.cherokeedems.com Cherokee County Libertarians meet 7:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday at the Cherokee Co. Board of Realtors Training Center, 1600 River Park Blvd., Suite 104, Woodstock. http://cherokeelp.org Cherokee County Republican Party Meets Second Saturday at 9 a.m. at Winchesters Woodfire Grill, Canton, (678) 809-1411 Cherokee Tea Party Patriots meet at 4 p.m. the third Sunday at Latimer Hall in Woodstock.

Conrad Quagliaroli (770) 592-6545

Cherokee County Republican Women affiliated with The Georgia Federation of Republican Women. Meets monthly in Woodstock/Canton.

(770) 592-7811. jkconkeygmail.com Republican Women of Cherokee County (678) 520-2236, www.rwccga.com

RECREATION & HOBBIES Allatoona Gold Panners. Periodic events and outings to pan the creeks in the Dahlonega Gold Belt along the Lake. Contact Rob Kelly, rrkelly@ bellsouth.net Arts Alliance of Georgia, Inc. Meets Second Saturday at 10 a.m. at Studio 101, 101 Emma Lane, www.artsalliancega.org Blue Skies Laughter Club Meets Every Wednesday 7 — 8 p.m. at Northside-Cherokee Medical Offices, 100 Stoneforest Dr., first floor conference room Craig Whitley (404) 520-0221 www.addlaughter.com Cherokee Community Chorale (678) 439-8625, www.cherokeechorale.org

South Cherokee Optimist Club Meets Every Friday at 7:30 a.m. at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills (770) 926-3522

Cherokee County Arts Center 94 North St., Canton (770) 704-6244, www.CherokeeArts.org

Towne Lake Optimist Club Meets Every Wednesday at noon at Eagle Watch Golf Club, Charlice Byrd, (404) 557-2218 www.townelakeoptimists.com

Cherokee County Master Gardeners (770) 479-0418, www.caes.uga.edu/extension/ cherokee/mastergardeners/

Woodstock Jaycees Meets First Tuesday and Third Thursday at 7 p.m. at 216 Rope Mill Road (404) 690-4452 Woodstock Lions Club Meets Second and Fourth Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, (770) 906-2958 Woodstock Masons Lodge #246 F. & A.M., Inc. Meets Second and Fourth Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.

Cherokee Photography Club www.cherokeepc.org Christian Authors Guild Meets 7-9 p.m. first and third Monday at Prayer and Praise Christian Fellowship, 6409 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock, www.christianauthorsguild.org Les Marmitons is for men interested in culinary arts. Meets Third Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Chattahoochee Tech, Larry Lodisio, (770) 516-5197 William G. Long Senior Center

223 Arnold Mill Road , (678) 445-6518

SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS Adoption/Infertility Support Group Meets First Wednesday at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Woodstock Cindy Braddock, (678) 445-3131 Alzheimer/Dementia Support Group Meets First Thursday at 7 p.m. at Atria, 1000 Professional Way, (770) 926-0119 Breast Cancer Support Group Meets First Thursday of each month at 10 a.m.

— noon at Northside Hospital — Cherokee, Diabetes Classroom, Educational Center (404) 843-1880 Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered recovery program. www.celebraterecovery.com Canton-Cherokee TRIAD/S.A.L.T. (Seniors & Law Enforcement Together) Meets Second Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at G.Cecil Pruitt YMCA in Canton (Hall of Fame Room) Dale Walz (404) 375-8193 Cherokee County Lupus Support Group Meets Second Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at New Light Church Hall, Pam Bennett, (404) 975-7580 C.H.O.O.S.E. of Woodstock Meets first Monday at 7 p.m. mailbox@chooseofwoodstockga.org Diabetes Support Group Meets Third Tuesday at 9:30 & 11 a.m. at Emeritus Assisted Living, 756 Neese Road, Woodstock, Linda Watson, (770) 793-7818.

Georgia Canines for Independence www.gcidogs.org, (404) 824-4637 Grandparents Raising GRANDchildren Meets Second and Fourth Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Transfiguration Catholic Church, Marietta (nursery available) , Jeannie, (770) 919-9275 Jewish Havurah call Marcia, (770) 345-8687 La Leche League of South Cherokee Meets First Tuesday at 10 a.m. and Third Wednesday 7 p.m. at Bascomb UMC Marguerite, (678) 315-7686 Megan, (770) 517-0191 MOMS Club Towne Lake — 30188-30189 https://sites.google.com/site/ momscluboftownelakewoodstock/ Email: momscluboftownelake@gmail.com MOPS — Mothers of Preschoolers (birth — K) Meets Second and Fourth Mondays at 9:30 a.m. at Hillside UMC, 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy (770) 924-4777 Spirit of Success Career Clothing Connection Provides professional business attire at no cost.

(770) 956-0711.

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Reference

COMMUNITY OF FAITH ADVENTIST

Cherokee 101 Rope Mill Rd., Woodstock, (770) 591-7304 http://cherokee.netadvent.org/

AME

1415 Old Canton Rd., Marietta, (770) 973-3533 www.kolemeth.net

MESSIANIC JEWISH CONGREGATIONS

Congregation Beth Hallel, 950 Pine Grove Rd., Roswell (770) 641-3000, www.bethhallel.org

Allen Temple AME 232 N. Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock, (770) 926-6348 www.allentempleame.org

Tikvah l’Chaim 4206 N. Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock, (678) 936-4125 www.tlchaim.com

St. Paul 390 Crisler St., Canton, (770) 479-9691 www.stpaulame-canton.org

LUTHERAN

BAPTIST

Cherokee Baptist 7770 Hickory Flat Hwy., Woodstock, (770) 720-3399 www.cherokeebaptistchurch.org Crossroads Community Church 2317 Bascomb-Carmel Rd., Woodstock, (770) 592-7007 Crossroads Primitive Baptist Church 3100 Trickum Rd., Woodstock, (770) 710-1068 www.crossroadspbc.org Faith Community 659 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock, (770) 516-1996 www.faithcommunitychurch.org

Good Shepherd 1208 Rose Creek Dr., Woodstock, (770) 924-7286 www.gslutheran.org Timothy Lutheran (LC-MS) 556 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock, (770) 928-2812 www.TLCWoodstock.ctsmemberconnect.net

ORTHODOX

St. Elizabeth 2263 East Cherokee Dr., Woodstock, (770) 485-0504, www.stelizabethga.org

PRESBYTERIAN

Cherokee Christ Covenant (PCA) Cherokee County’s South Annex Rec Center, 7545 Main Street, Bldg. 200, Woodstock www.cc-pca.org

First Baptist of Woodstock 11905 Hwy. 92, Woodstock, (770) 926-4428 www.fbcw.org

Heritage 5323 Bells Ferry Rd., Woodstock, (770) 926-3558 www.heritagepres.com

Hillcrest Baptist 6069 Woodstock Rd., Acworth, (770) 917-9100 www.hbcacworth.org

Woodstock 345 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock, (770) 926-0074 www.woodstockpcusa.com

New Victoria Baptist 6659 Bells Ferry Rd., (770) 926-8448 www.newvicbaptist.org

ROMAN CATHOLIC

South Cherokee Baptist 7504 Hwy. 92, Woodstock, (770) 926-0422 www.cherokeebaptistchurch.org

CHURCH OF GOD

Bells Ferry 6718 Bells Ferry Rd., Woodstock, (770) 592-2956 www.bellsferry.com

EPISCOPAL

St. Michael the Archangel 490 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock, (770) 516-0009 www.saintmichaelcc.org Transfiguration Catholic Church 1815 Blackwell Rd. NE., Marietta, (770) 977-1442 www.transfiguration.com

UNITED METHODIST

Bascomb 2295 Bascomb-Carmel Rd., Woodstock, (770) 926-9755 www.bascombchurch.org

Christ the Redeemer Charismatic 6488 Hickory Flat Hwy., Canton, (404) 395-5003 www.ctrcec.com

CITY ON A HILL 7745 Main St., Woodstock, (678) 445-3480 www.coahumc.org

Episcopal Church-Annunciation 1673 Jamerson Rd., Marietta, (770) 928-7916 www.annunciationepiscopal.org

Hickory Flat 4056 East Cherokee Drive, Canton (770) 345.5969 www.hickoryflat.org

Saint Clement’s 2795 Ridge Rd., Canton, (770) 345-6722 www.stclementscanton.org

Hillside 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy., Woodstock (770) 924-4777 www.hillsideumc.org

JEWISH

Liberty Hill 141 Railroad St., Canton (678) 493-8920 www.libertyhillumc.org

Chabad Jewish Center 4255 Wade Green Rd. NW, Suite 120, Kennesaw (678) 460-7702, www.jewishWoodstock.com Congregation Ner Tamid Reform Jewish Congregation, (678) 264-8575 www.mynertamid.org Congregation Etz Chaim 1190 Indian Hills, Marietta, (770) 973-0137 www.etzchaim.net Temple Kehillat Chaim 1145 Green St., Roswell, (770) 641-8630 www.kehillatchaim.org Temple Kol Emeth

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Little River 12455 Hwy. 92, Woodstock (770) 926-2495 www.littleriverumc.info Mt. Gilead 889 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock (770) 591- 0837 www.ngumc.org Sixes 8385 Bells Ferry Rd., Canton, (770) 345-7644 www.sixesumc.org Woodstock 109 Towne Lake Pkwy., Woodstock, (770) 516-0371

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST

Emerson 4010 Canton Rd., Marietta, (770) 578-1533 www.emersonuu.org

OTHERS

Awakening 180 Pkwy. 575, Suite 140, Woodstock, (770) 924-4150 www.awakeningwoodstock.com Branches of Christ 5946 Jacobs Rd., Acworth, (770) 917-4964 www.branchesofchrist.com BridgePointe 233 Arnold Mill Rd. Ste. 400, Woodstock, (770) 517-2977 www.bridgepointechurch.org Christian Praise Center 1358 Sixes Rd., Canton, (770) 924-7532 www.christianpraisecenter.com Church at North Gate 9876 Main St., Ste. 250, Woodstock, (678) 494-2193 www.ngca.org Cornerstone Community 503 Hickory Ridge Tr., Ste. 160, Woodstock (678) 439-5108, www.ccchurchonline.org Dayspring 6835 Victory Dr., Acworth, (770) 516-5733 www.dayspring-online.com Empowerment Tabernacle 507 Industrial Dr., Woodstock, (770) 928-7478 www.EmpowermentTabernacle.com Faith Family 5744 Bells Ferry Rd., Acworth, (770) 926-4560 His Hands 550 Molly Ln., Woodstock, (770) 405-2500 www.hishandschurch.com Momentum 110 Londonderry Ct., Ste. 130, Woodstock (678) 384-4919, www.MomentumChurch.tv Prayer & Praise Christian Fellowship 6409 Bells Ferry Rd., Woodstock, (770) 928-2795 www.prayerandpraise.org Resurrection Anglican 231 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock, (770) 591-0040 www.rezwoodstock.org Sovereign Grace 471 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock, (678) 494-2100 www.sgcatlanta.org Towne Lake Community 132 North Medical Pkwy., Woodstock, (678) 445-8766 www.tlcchurch.com Watermarke 2126 Sixes Rd., Canton, (678) 880-9092 www.watermarkechurch.com Woodstock Christian 7700 Hwy. 92, Woodstock, (770) 926-8238 www.woodstockchristian.org Woodstock Church of Christ 219 Rope Mill Rd., Woodstock (770) 926-8838 www.woodstockchurchofchrist.org Woodstock Church of the Nazarene 874 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock (770) 924-4499 www.wcnga.com Woodstock Community Church 237 Rope Mill Rd., Woodstock

(770) 926-8990 www.wcchurch.org

ELECTED & APPOINTED OFFICIALS United States Government

President Barack Obama (D)

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20500 www.whitehouse.gov

(202) 456-1414 fax: (202) 456-2461

TBA TBA 1 Overton Park, Suite 970 3625 Cumberland Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30339 http://isakson.senate.gov Rep. Phil Gingrey, M.D. (R) District 11 100 North Street Suite 150, Canton, GA 30114 http://gingrey.house.gov

(202) 224-3643 GA: (770) 661-0999

(202) 225-2931 GA: (770) 345-2931

Sen. Jack Murphy (R) District 27 Rep. Michael Caldwell (R) District 20

michael@CaldwellforHouse.com

(404) 463-1378 (770) 887-1960 fax: (770) 205-0602 (678) 523-8570

Rep. Scot Turner (R) District 21

(678) 576-2644

Rep. Sam Moore (R) District 22

(404) 656-0220

scot@turnerforhouse.com

Rep. Mandi Ballinger (R) District 23

mandi.ballinger@house.ga.gov

(404) 656-0254

Cherokee County Courts (678) 493-6270 (678) 493-6260 (678) 493-6240

State Court

Chief Judge Clyde J. Gober, Jr.

Judge W. Alan Jordan Judge A. Dee Morris

(678) 493-6480 (678) 493-6490 (678) 493-6480

Ray Gunnin (R) District 2 Brian Poole (R) District 3 bpoole@cherokeega.com

Jason Nelms (R) District 4

Cherokee County Coroner Earl W. Darby

(770) 735-8055

Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Roger Garrison (R)

www.cherokeega-sheriff.org (678) 493-4100 fax: (678) 493-4228

498 Chattin Drive Canton, GA 30115 rdgarrison@cherokeega.com

Cherokee County Tax Commissioner Sonya Little

2780 Marietta Highway, Canton, GA 30114 slittle@cherokeega.com

Cherokee County School Board Superintendent, Dr. Frank Petruzielo

221 West Main St., Canton, GA 30114 drp@cherokee.k12.ga.us

(678) 493-6400 fax: (678) 493-6420 www.cherokee.k12.ga.us (770) 479-1871 fax: (770) 479-1236

Kyla Cromer (R) District 1

(678) 493-8088

Patsy Jordan (R) District 2 patsy.jordan@cherokee.k12.ga.us

(770) 893-2970

John Harmon (R) District 3

(404) 462-4950

Janet Read (R) Chair

(770) 516-1444

janet.read@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Rick Steiner (R) District 4

(678) 493-6431 (678) 493-6431

Probate Court

Judge Keith Wood (R)

hjohnston@cherokeega.com

john.harmon@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Magistrate Court

Chief Judge James E. Drane III (R) Judge Gregory Douds

Harry Johnston (R) District 1

kyla.cromer@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Superior Court

Chief Judge David Cannon Jr. Judge Jackson Harris

Judge Ellen McElyea

lbahrens@cherokeega.com

jnelms@cherokeega.com

Governor Nathan Deal (R) (404) 652-7003 203 State Capitol, 206 Washington St. Atlanta, GA 30334 www.gov.georgia.gov

jack.murphy@senate.ga.gov

Commissioners

rgunnin@cherokeega.com

State Government

Sen. Brandon Beach (R) District 21 brandon.beach@senate.ga.gov

www.cherokeega.com (678) 493-6001

L.R. “Buzz” Ahrens (R) Chairman

Sen.-elect David Perdue (R)

Sen. Johnny Isakson (R)

Cherokee County Board of Commissioners

1130 Bluffs Pkwy., Canton, GA 30114

(678) 493-6160

Juvenile Court

Chief Judge John B. Sumner Judge Anthony Baker

District Attorney Shannon Wallace

(678) 493-6250 (678) 493-6280 (770) 479-1488

Clerk of Courts Patty Baker

(678) 493-6511

(770) 721-4398, x4370

rick.steiner@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Clark Menard (R) District 5

(770) 928-0341

Mike Chapman (R) District 6 mike.chapman@cherokee.k12.ga.us

(770) 345-6256

clark.menard@cherokee.k12.ga.us

City Government City of Woodstock Mayor Donnie Henriques

www.woodstockga.gov (770) 592-6001

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

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New Year’s Resolutions: Don’t Be a Spiritual Couch Potato continued from page 29

About six months ago, a patient arrived at the office unannounced, with a plate full of home-baked cookies. She asked if I remembered her. I didn’t. It was the same patient.

She had come in to thank me. Three months after I had examined her, she had gotten health insurance, and one of my partners had performed her surgery. She felt better than she had in years. She just wanted me to know she had made changes. And she thanked me for my honest words.

“All these years I felt like my problems were somebody else’s fault,” she said. “I think you were the first person to tell me I had to help take care of myself.”

She said she felt feel better physically, but she was most surprised that she actually felt better spiritually and emotionally. “I feel like my life is finally on the right track.”

Health is not what someone does for you, and it’s not just about your body. It’s about your soul, and what you do for yourself. To be healthy and happy, you have to assume responsibility for your life. And as we come to the time of year for making new resolutions, it’s important to know that God doesn’t smile on the Spiritual Couch Potato.

Nonprofit Roundup continued from page 23

Girl Scout Volunteers Needed to Meet the Need in Cherokee County continued from page 30

experiences and developing leadership skills in our girls makes you want to volunteer and do more,” said Leslie Wagner, service unit director of Cherokee Rose Service Unit. “I find that our adult volunteers often get as much out of the experience as the girls they mentor. It’s exciting to see that you can have a positive impact on individual girls and in the community. Whether that impact is big or small - it’s valuable.” Wagner is also the executive director at Southern Peanut Growers and devotes her time to Girl Scouts by leading an 8th grade Girl Scout Cadette troop and providing support to the troops in her Service Unit.

Volunteer opportunities are available, either short or longterm. “There is always a demand, especially for troop leaders.

We look for people who are interested and excited about the difference they can make,” said Lewis-Hobba. “For our volunteers, it’s always about making a positive impact in our community and a girl’s life.” To learn more and volunteer with Girl Scouts, visit GirlScoutsATL.org.

There’s Renewed Hope in the New Year continued from page 40

effective. Plan to “work” your job search during the work hours you hope to gain. Take guilt-free time off evenings and weekends.

Plan your work, and work your plan. Keep making progress!

food to feed a family for one month. Currently, more than 17,000 pounds of food are distributed to the community through Never Alone. A $50 tax-deductible donation to this nonprofit will feed a local family for a month. Sign up online at www.NeverAlone.org.

Serenade Heights This ministry for single mothers is beginning a free workshop series this month to cover a series of topics that includes cooking, basic car mechanics, organizational ideas and financial education.

The meetings are set for Jan. 29, Feb. 12 and 26, March 12 and 26, and April 9 and 23. Dinner and childcare provided. Serenade Heights is a supportive transitional housing ministry that bridges the gap between homelessness and permanent housing for singlemom families in Cherokee County through housing assistance life coaching and mentoring. www.serenadeheights.org MUST Ministries - Cherokee County The strongest need during these cold winter months is gloves, hats, coats, mittens and scarves, as well as blankets, sheets, pillows, washcloths and towels. Other items requested are men’s shoes and work boots and winter clothing for boys and girls, sizes 5 through teens. They are also accepting donations of heavy-duty 33 gallon garbage bags, paper towels and 13-gallon kitchen trash bags.

Over Thanksgiving, MUST provided food for more than 3,000 individuals in 932 families. MUST is a faith-based nonprofit that serves our neighbors in need with food, clothing and job and housing assistance. www.mustministries.org

One Stop Family Solutions

Food Assistance AND / OR “Get on Your Feet” Training Life Stressful?

Let us help.

Benefits/Training:

          

Budgeting Computer Couponing Employment FOOD ASSISTANCE UNTIL STABLE Goal Setting Healthy Eating on a Budget Life Coaching Mentoring Organic Gardening Time Management

770-591-4730 / 770-591-9588

Papa’s Pantry Woodstock & MTC: 6551 Commerce Pkwy - Mon-Sat/ Canton Tues & Thurs / ASK about Special Church Distribution Boxes / Papa’s Pantry is a non-profit ministry that operates solely on private and church donations; no government funding. Please donate today to give real help to a neighbor.

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

Since 1996, we have brought relevant, uplifting and reader-driven content to the residents of Towne Lake, Canton and Woodstock. We look forward to serving you, our readers and advertisers every month. Thank you for your continued support and participation in making this truly your community magazine.

At AroundAbout Local Media, we believe the world functions at the community level: diverse groups of people living in close proximity; sharing commonality of culture, values and local pride; developing safety nets for those in need; and helping each other to live richer lives.

Candi Hannigan Executive Editor

Michelle McCulloch Art Director

Jackie Loudin Assistant Editor

Laura Latchford Page Designer

Patty Ponder ALM President Marketing & Advertising Sales

Denise Griffin Controller

Christie Deese Marketing Support Associate

Karen & Jon Flaig Owner/Publisher

It is our heartfelt desire to contribute to the fabric that helps make a community happen. Through our magazines, we aim to provide everyone in the communities we serve with uplifting, interesting information about the community they are proud to call home.

We encourage you to send us your photos, ideas, stories or anything else you think the community would like to know about. It’s your community.

It’s your magazine.

Around Woodstock Distribution Map Circulation: 16,300

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

61

Reference

CHEROKEE COUNTY CONTACTS Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce

(770) 345-0400

Cherokee County Government

www.cherokeega.com Building Permits, Business Licenses (770) 721-7810 Commissioners (678) 493-6001 Engineering Office (Traffic Signals) (678) 493-6077 Environmental Health (770) 479-0444 Extension Office (770) 479-0418 Jury Phone (770) 479-9011 Justice Center (Courts, Judges, etc.)

(770) 479-1953 Planning & Land Use (678) 493-6101 Senior Services (770) 345-2675 Sheriff’s Office www.cherokeega-sheriff.org (678) 493-4100 Voter Registration (770) 479-0407

Taxes

License Plates/Tags, Property Tax – Canton office (678) 493-6400 Woodstock office (770) 924-4099 Renewals online https://mvd.dor.ga.gov/tags/ Tax Assessors/Evaluation (678) 493-6120

Children and Family

Anna Crawford Children’s Center (770) 345-8100 Bethesda Community Clinic (678) 880-9654 Cherokee County Boys & Girls Club (770) 720-7712 Cherokee County Foster & Adoptive Parents Assoc.

www.ccfapa.com (770) 560-2624 Cherokee Family Violence Center (770) 479-1804 Cherokee FOCUS (770) 345-5483 Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA)

www.casacherokee.org (770) 345-3274 Division of Family & Children Services (770) 720-3610 Goshen Valley Boys Ranch www.goshenvalley.org (770) 796-4618 Hope Center www.hopectr.com (770) 924-0864 MUST Ministries - Cherokee www.mustministries.org (770) 479-5397 Never Alone www.neveralone.org (770) 363-5272 Next Step Ministries www.nextstepministries.net (770) 592-1227 North Georgia Angel House www.angelhousega.com (770) 479-9555 North Georgia Pregnancy Center www.ngapregnancy.org (706) 253-6303 Papa’s Pantry www.papaspantry.org (770) 591-4730

Hospitals

Kennestone North Fulton Northside Hospital — Cherokee

Hotlines — 24-hour help lines

Battered Women Hotline Drug Tip Line (Cherokee Co. Sheriff) Poison Control Center Poison Control Center (outside metro Atlanta) Probate Court Information Line Sexual Assault & Family Violence Center

Parks and Recreation

(770) 793-5000 (770) 751-2500 (770) 720-5100 (770) 479-1703 (770) 345-7920 (404) 616-9000 (800) 222-1222 (770) 704-2610 (770) 427-3390

Cherokee Hockey In Line League (CHILL) roller hockey

www.cherokeehockey.org Cherokee Outdoor YMCA, 201 E Bells Ferry Road

www.ymca.net Cherokee Senior Softball Association www.cssasoftball.com Cherokee County Soccer Assoc. www.csaimpact.com (770) 704-0187 62

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency www.crpa.net. (770) 924-7768 (Includes Aquatic Center, Barnett Park, Blankets Creek, Cherokee Mills, Field’s Landing Park, Kenny Askew Park) Cherokee Tennis Association, www.cherokeetennis.org (678) 909-0252 Cherokee Youth Lacrosse Assoc., http://cherokeelacrosse.uslaxteams.com South Cherokee Recreation Association (SCRA)

(770) 928-5917

Cherokee Youth Football Association, www.cyfa.org

(770) 710-2835

North Atlanta Soccer Association: www.nasa-ga.org

(770) 926-4175

SCRA Baseball www.scrabaseball.com Wildlife Action, Inc. www.wildlifeactiongeorgia.com

(770) 924-7464

Pets Animal Control

(678) 493-6200

Cherokee County Animal Shelter & Pet Adoptions www.cherokeega-animals.org

(770) 345-7270

Cherokee County Humane Society www.cchumanesociety.org

(770) 928-5115

Emergency Veterinary Clinic

(770) 924-3720

Funds 4Furry Friends

(770) 842-8893

Lost Pets:

www.townelaker.com.

(click on lost and found pet button to report missing pet) Pet Buddies Food Pantry

www.petbuddiesfoodpantry.org

Community Veterinary Care www.communityveterinarycare.com

(678) 640-3512

Utilities Atlanta Gas Light Co. Canton Water

www.aglc.com

(770) 907-4231

www.canton-georgia.com

(770) 704-1500

Cherokee Water & Sewerage Auth. www.ccwsa.com

(770) 479-1813

Cobb EMC

(770) 429-2100

www.cobbemc.com

Georgia Power

www.georgiapower.com

Woodstock Water

www.woodstockga.gov

Recycling Center

(888) 660-5890 (770) 926-8852 (770) 516-4195

Free, Reduced-Price Health Care Bethesda Community Clinic www.bethesdacommunityclinic.org

(678) 880-9654

Cherokee County Health Department www.nghd.org/CherokeeHealth

(770) 345-7371

Urgent Care Facilities American Family Care, 6440 Bells Ferry Rd. Woodstock, (770) 200-1220 Northside Cherokee Urgent Care, off exit 11 at I-575

(678) 426-5450

Physician’s Express Care at Towne Lake 900 Towne Lake Pkwy. #104 Woodstock

(770) 693-5880

SHEFA Urgent Care 2000 Village Professional Dr. #110, Canton

(678) 661-3166

Wellstar Urgent Care 120 Stonebridge Pkwy. Woodstock (off exit 8)

(678) 494-2500

CLASSIFIED CLEANING SERVICES

The Dynamic Clean Team. Let us put the *SPARKLE* back in your home! Weekly or Bi-weekly cleaning. Also move-in and moveouts! 10% off 1st service. 15 years experience, pet friendly, references available, bonded & insured. CALL TODAY Melissa Jones, 404-414-7743.

We are mobile!

You can view the Around Woodstock magazine on your mobile device Scan this QR code and flip through the magazine

FOR RENT

Basement Apartment. Utilities included on the lake. $500. Call 770-337-2170.

Join the Around Woodstock magazine Facebook fan page

HYPNOTHERAPY

www.facebook.com/AroundWoodstockMagazine

STOP SMOKING WITHOUT WITHDRAWAL www.georgiahypnotherapy.com or 678-938-7274 for more information

Follow us on

LOSE WEIGHT WITHOUT DIETING with hypnosis www. virtualgastricbandgeorgia.com or 678-938-7274 for information PUPPIES FOR SALE

AKC Doberman Puppies. Black/Rust and Red/Rust. Born 10-614. $800. Call 770-337-2170.

www.twitter.com/AroundWoodstock

Contact us and view the magazine online at w w w. Around Wood stoc kM a g azin e. com

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Around Woodstock Classifieds is a monthly feature. All ads are accepted and placed under categories at the discretion of the publisher.

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63

ADVERTISERS DIRECTORY For advertising rates and information please contact Patty Ponder, 770.615.3322, Patty@AroundAboutMagazines.com.

ATTORNEYS/LEGAL SERVICES

Hait & Kuhn North Metro Litigators Cover, 32, 33 (678) 944-0000, (770) 517-0045 11545 Park Woods Cir., Ste. C, Alpharetta 185 Stockwood Dr., Ste. 100, Woodstock www.northmetrolitigators.com Hartman Imbriale Attorneys (678) 445-7423, www.hartman-imbriale.com 145 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 200

18

AUTOMOTIVE Frankfurt Foreign Automotive 3 (678) 505-8907, FrankFurtAutomotive.com 9817 Main Street, Woodstock BANKING Community & Southern Bank 400 Chambers St. (800) 901-8075, myCSBonline.com

29

Bambu Salon and Spa 150 Prominence Point Pkwy., Suite 700, Canton 30114, (770) 345-0027

35

Salon Gloss (678) 483-8900, www.SalonGloss.biz 220 Chamber Street, Woodstock

21

BUSINESS 41

CHIROPRACTIC Colby Family Chiropractic (770) 592-1915 10917 Hwy. 92, Suite 160, Woodstock www.colbychiropracticlifestyle.com

43

Ribley Chiropractic 2453 Towne Lake Pkwy., Woodstock (770) 592-2505, www.ribleychrio.com

46

(Cosmetic, Family, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics and Pediatric)

Dr. Jeff Kincaid Orthodontics Woodstock: (770) 516-5773 355 Parkway 575, Ste. 200 Roswell: (770) 518-5180 540 W. Crossville Rd., Ste. 205 www.KincaidSmiles.com

Depression Recovery Program 35 (404) 394-3940 Cherokee Seventh-day Adventist Church, 101 Rope Mill Rd., Woodstock Compass Prep Academy 874 Arnold Mill Rd., (404) 643-9424 www.compassprep.org

7

HOME & GARDEN Atlas Garage Door Company (770) 592-6217

7

EM Universal Construction, LLC Reese, (678) 773-2804

27

Grout Doctor, The (678) 383-1311, www.GroutDoctor.com

48

Image Maids (770) 627-4670, www.imagemaids.com

35

Mr. Junk (678) MR-Junk1, www.mrjunk1.com

43

Rejoice Maids (678) 905-3476, www.rejoicemaids.com

9

PETS/ANIMALS

5

7

Cherokee County Animal Shelter (770) 345-7270, cherokeega-animals.org 1015 Univeter Road, Canton

47

PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL SERVICES

Park Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock (770) 926-9260 www.PediatricWoodstockDentist.com 1816 Eagle Drive Suite 200-C

18

North Georgia Audiology 1 and Hearing Aid Center (770) 560-4775 203 Woodpark Place, Ste. B-100, Woodstock www.NorthGeorgiaHearing.com Northside Hospital – Cherokee (770) 720-5100, www.northside.com 201 Hospital Road, Canton The Kaufmann Clinic (770) 926-7411 www.TheKaufmannClinic.com

900 Towne Lake Pkwy., Ste. 300, Woodstock Thomas Eye Group 46 (770) 928-4544 149 Towne Lake Pkwy, Ste 102, Woodstock www.thomaseye.com Wellstar Windy Hill Hospital Pediatric Orthopedics 2540 Windy Hill Rd., Marietta (770) 956-STAR (7827) www.wellstar.org

17

Woodstock Pediatric Medicine 1 (770) 517-0250, www.woodstockpeds.com 2000 Professional Way, Bldg. 200, Woodstock

PHOTOGRAPHERS

DEPRESSION RECOVERY

Bark Station 240 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock (770) 517-9907, www.bark-station.com

15

AROUND WOODSTOCK | January 2015

Williams Orthodontics 48 (770) 592-5554 145 Towne Lake Pkwy, Suite 201, Woodstock (770) 345-4155 205 Waleska Road, Suite 1A, Canton www.DrWilliamsOrthodontics.com

51

Hickory Flat Dental 7840 Hickory Flat Hwy., Woodstock (770) 479-8654

64

Werner Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock 5 (678) 224-5722 www.ChildrensDentistWoodstock.com 250 Parkbrooke Place, Ste. 250, Woodstock

Reliable Heating & Air Inside back (770) 594-9969, ReliableAir.com

DENTAL

Fountain View Dentistry (770) 926-0000 www.fountainviewsmiles.com 1816 Eagle Drive, Bldg. 200, Suite A

39

EDUCATION

BEAUTY, MASSAGE & SPA

Downtown Buzz

Spillane Orthodontics (770) 928-4747 www.SpillaneOrtho.com 335 Parkway 575, Suite 200, Woodstock

11

3

J King Images (404) 384-2794, (404) 200-0881 www.JKingImages.com Kim Bates Photography www.KimBatesPhotoArt.com

13

Inside Front

REAL ESTATE & RELATED SERVICES Atlanta Communities Real Estate Brokerage, Tara Daigle, Realtor (404) 925-6351, tara@keatingbrs.com

3

The Premier Group, Keller Williams (678) 494-0102 Back cover 8604 Main St., Woodstock www.TPGsells.com RECREATION/ENTERTAINMENT Elm Street Cultural Arts Village (678) 494-4251, www.elmstreetarts.org

14

RESTAURANTS/FOOD & DRINK Jump Kitchen (678) 388-7717, jumpkitchensaloon.com 1085 Buckhead Crossing, Woodstock

24

RETAILERS/SHOPPING Branches Boutique 3 (770) 517-1505 2295 Towne Lake Pkwy. #140, Woodstock 370 Chambers St., Wodstock (678) 540-5483 Just Jerald Graphics, LLC (404) 247-0851, art4tees@comcast.net

7

Max Video Games & More 41 (770) 924-9300 6424 Bells Ferry Rd., Ste. 124, Woodstock www.facebook.com/maxvideogames Moops 105 E. Main St., #116, Woodstock (770) 592-2609

9

Rudi Fine Jewelry 42 (678) 445-2626, rudifinejewelry@yahoo.com 6790 Hwy. 92, Acworth Spirited 8670 Main St., Ste. 2, Woodstock (678) 214-5304, www.spritlala.com Trickum Wine (678) 503-2269, www.TrickumWine.com 3333 Trickum Road, Woodstock

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