OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF THE COMEBACK SPORTS MEDICINE FOR GROWING ATHLETES 8 Sports Medicine Doctors and Surgeons 25+ Locations 40+ Sports Physical Therapists 50+ Certified Athletic Trainers 40+ High Schools and Club Sports Affiliations
Three Locations in Alpharetta and Cumming
©2018 Children’s Healthcare of Atla nta Inc. All rights reserved. Sports Medicine Physical Therapy is a department of Children’s at Scottish Rite hospital.
Nick Hassan, Femur Fracture
choa.org/sportsmed
MY FORSYTH
TABLE of CONTENTS VOLUME VIII • ISSUE 2
33 39
49
Lifestyle
Health & Wellness
12 BYOP: BRING YOUR OWN PAINT 14 HOW TO CHECK A BREAKER 16 A PLACE CALLED HOME 17 CONSIDERING A NEW BUILD? 18 MY UNCLE SLICK 19 AN INTERVIEW WITH RAQUEL SMITH 20 STEWARDS OF CHILDREN 21 MAGIC MOMENTS BREAKFAST 22 CHILDREN AND FAMILY PROGRAMS AT KSU 23 CREATIVE SPOTLIGHT 24 5 COMMON FAFSA MISTAKES 30 HEALTHIER HABIT? 31 CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP 32 GRIEF + LOVE LANGUAGES
39 BLISS: FINDING HARMONY WITHIN 42 WEIGHT LOSS STRATEGIES 44 THE GREAT OUTDOORS CALLS 46 ORTHOKERATOLOGY 47 SURRENDER & EXTRAORDINARY
COVER STORY
33
CREATING ART Features 28
THE PLACE OF FORSYTH
40
WHEN TRAGEDY TURNS INTO A CALLING
48 “DON’T MISS A THING” WE’RE MOBILE... myforsythmag.com
FORSYTH COUNTY LIBRARIES
52
HANDS FREE GEORGIA
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Youth View 49 SAVING CHIMPANZEES
Faith 56 PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF
In Every Issue 9 COMMISSIONER’S UPDATE 10 FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS 11 NEWS AROUND FORSYTH 26 BOOK REVIEW 50 BURGESS BLOG 59 THE COUNTRY PREACHER
CONTRIBUTORS
Larry Brown is a retired journalist. Larry is a member of the Cumming-Forsyth Optimist Club and a mentor with Mentor Me North Georgia. A community volunteer and sought-out writer, he may be reached at browntrust@bellsouth.net.
Tom Burgess is the owner and operator of Christian Brothers Automotive in Cumming. Tom retired from the United States Air Force in 2009, after serving his country for over 22 years. He may be reached at Tom.Burgess@cbauto.net.
VOLUME VIII • ISSUE 2
MY FORSYTH Ava Clavijo, age 13, is a student at Otwell Middle School. She enjoys trying new foods and restaurants. Ava may be reached at ava. myforsyth@gmail.com.
PUBLISHER Market Complete LLC julie@marketcomplete.com 678.614.8583 EDITOR Kimberly Bond kimberlytbond@gmail.com
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Ken Malone 770.597.4414 WEB CONTENT STRATEGIST Matt Coutu matt@marketcomplete.com
Rebecca Dumas is the owner and color consultant at Gregory’s Paint & Flooring. She may be reached at rebecca@ gregoryspaintandflooring.com.
Pam Evans is a Realtor with Century 21 Results. She may be reached at 678-778-6551.
Jacqueline Thompson Graves is a freelance media developer, writer, and the author of the book review blog The Book Buffet. She may be reached at thegraves@yahoo.com.
STAFF WRITER Katielee Kaner katielee.myforsyth@gmail.com PRODUCTION INTERN Wendy Corona info@myforsyth.com GRAPHIC DESIGN Samantha Angeli samantha.angeli74@gmail.com 770.310.4486 PHOTOGRAPHY Adam Pendleton 678.208.7077 • www.adampendleton.com
Rev. David Hill is a Cumming resident and frequent guest preacher at Antioch Baptist Church. He may be reached at davidkhillhpm@ comcast.net.
Jennifer Paire is a freelance writer. She may be reached at jenpaire@yahoo.com.
Hannah Testa is a 15 year old student at West Forsyth High School. She may be reached at hannah4change@gmail.com. www.hannah4change.org
Amy Lyle lives in Forsyth with her husband, four teenagers and a large dog. Her first book, The Amy Binegar-Kimmes-Lyle Book of Failures is a top eBook on Amazon.com.
Narendra Singh, MD, FRCP(C), FACC, FAHA is the Director of Clinical Research, Atlanta Heart Specialists LLC, Atlanta, GA. He may be reached at DrSingh@ahsmed.com or www.heartdrsingh.com.
Rachael Walkup is the owner of CummingLocal. com, wife, mom and blogger. She may be reached at info@cumminglocal.com.
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Maria I. Morgan is an inspirational writer and speaker. She is the awardwinning author of Louie’s BIG day! She may be reached at maria@mariaimorgan.com.
Mira Sivan is a family practice optometrist with an emphasis on ocular disease, contact lenses fitting and pediatrics. She may be reached at 678-648-5185.
PRINTING Rick Smith 678.910.0347 rsmith@newpointmediagroup.com MAILING SERVICES Chris Cawthon 404.379.6878 chris@mediamakergroup.com
The mission of My Forsyth magazine, a publication of Market Complete LLC, is to provide readers with stories and information about their communities and its people. 22,000 copies of your community magazine are distributed via direct mail and throughout local businesses as part of our rack distribution. We welcome your comments, stories and advertisements. Subscriptions are available for $25 per year. The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists, and submissions are not necessarily those of the MarketComplete LLC. The Publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. My Forsyth is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without written permission from the Publisher. All rights reserved. ©Copyright 2018 My Forsyth • www.myforsythmag.com 5485 Bethelview Road, Suite 360-135 Cumming GA 30040 (p) 678.614.8583 | (f) 770.888.1511
A Note From the
PUBLISHER My Day in the Pool I love the water! Being an island girl, the beach has always
been my second home. Riding my bicycle to my favorite beach, Sun Bay, was normal. Sundays were spent with families and friends at the beach. We played games and enjoyed the culinary treats cooked at the beach by our parents and friends - from rice and beans to island-style BBQ chicken. We relaxed for the entire day basking in the sun and splashing in the water. Living in Georgia, I’ve had to adapt to not having Sun Bay within a bike ride from home. Thank goodness for my friends who invite me to spend time hanging out at their community pools. Water. That’s what connects me to my being. Though different in so many ways, whether the beach or the pool, I enjoy the relaxation of being in the water. I know I am not alone. The soothing feeling of being in the water is magnificent. When not completely enthralled in reading a book, focused on my napping, or simply looking at the sky without a single thought interrupting my muse, water seems to carry me to a better state of being. One where the hustle and bustle of life is non-existent, and where the sounds of silence are enjoyed and embraced. The splish-splash of my youth has been replaced with the nonmoving float of adulthood. Serenity and calmness in the perfectly manicured feel of a pool. But, as I said before, it’s really about the water.
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Whether memories of my well-spent youth, the times where a sailboat was my home, or just the need for a quiet place, spending time in the water invigorates me. Perhaps Margaret Atwood said it best in her book The Penelopiad. “Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can’t go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.” Whatever the reason may be, I find the best of me when surrounded by water. May you too find that special something that helps you find your best.
Julie Brennan JULIE BRENNAN Publisher julie@marketcomplete.com
Forsyth County
Government Update By Todd Levent Chairman, Forsyth County Board of Commissioners District 3 Commissioner Serving Forsyth County as commissioner and chairman is the greatest honor I’ve ever had. Exciting things are happening in Forsyth County—and here are just a few. Our community was once again named the fastest growing county in the state and 25th in the country. And while the rapid residential growth does present new challenges, these new statistics will give us a better opportunity to get our infrastructure, such as schools, roads, parks, sewer and water plant expansions and water independence caught-up. The question of whether residential growth is taking place or not has been replaced with how that growth is maintained to preserve what makes Forsyth County America’s best community to live in. One answers lies in an update to the county’s Comprehensive Plan. Following a multi-month update process branded as Foster Forsyth, a Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2017. The purpose of the Comprehensive Plan is to guide the intensity, location and timing of development and to ensure compatibility with existing uses. It serves as a policy guideline document for the county’s future growth and development, which plays an important role in rezoning and development decisions. The plan also establishes community goals and priorities for the county’s future. Those goals are to invest in quality of life, improve mobility, enhance community character, expand infrastructure, facilitate job opportunities and, to maintain and expand greenspace Finally, the plan seeks balance among land use, housing, economic development, and transportation needs while understanding that Forsyth County must also protect its great schools, parks spaces, and the natural environment that has made, and will maintain it as, a desirable place to live for generations.
With the implementation of the comprehensive plan, and the changes to the UDC that followed, the estimated population has been lowered by more than 25 percent over the previous plan that had projections to the year 2037 whiles still allowing for a vibrant economic future. Speaking of growth, the county’s projected year-over-year population growth is steadily slowing according to the latest research. In 2011, the growth in population from the year prior was 4.32 percent. The projected population growth for 2019 is 2.92 percent and is projected to decrease each year with a projected 1.88 percent growth in 2037 based on the changes made to the comprehensive plan in 2017. While population growth is slowing, new and expanding businesses brought over 1,300 new jobs and $167 million in capital investment to the county in 2017. And that growth looks on track for another strong year in 2018 as 477 new jobs and $62.7 million have been announced so far. Forsyth County’s focus on making transportation improvements is more or a priority today than perhaps ever before. We are excited to build upon an already strong relationship with the Georgia Department of Transportation and to usher the county through needed transportation projects. Some of the key projects that have been identified in the transportation comprehensive plan update include widening Post Road, widening McGinnis Ferry Road from Sargent Road to McFarland Parkway, widening State Route 306 from 400 to 369, and widening State Route 9 from Fulton County to the city of Cumming. I encourage you all to visit the Transportation Plan update website at www.forsythtransportationplan.com. An area of emphasis to maintain life, economic viability and a level playing field when it comes to negotiating with the City of Cumming has and continues to be a county-owned water intake. With limited reserve water supply, this will give the county and the city of Cumming the comfort of having a second intake in case the city’s fails. This type of redundancy is found and recommended in the Homeland Security manual. Without this intake, Forsyth County will pay $103 million to the city of Cumming over the next 24 years based on our contract and CPI. As much as, or more than, $250 million could be paid over the next 50 years with the same terms, CPI and population growth. All of that just to draw our water with our allocation permit through their pipe hundreds of feet which will be treated in our treatment plant. Because of these facts, a resolution was passed by the board of commissioners with a 5-0 vote to ask for our own easement into Lake Lanier. Last November, I joined Commissioners Brown and Mills on a trip to Washington DC to hand deliver the resolution to Congressman Woodall, Congressman Collins, U.S. Senator Perdue and Special Assistant to the President/Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs William H. Kirkland. All these elected officials now support Forsyth County’s easement into Lake Lanier for a 408 permit and. In fact, here is what Congressman Woodall had to say on March15, 2018 to Army Corps of Engineers Lieutenant General Todd T. Semonite. We also have a letter from the EPD supporting our easement.
On behalf of the Board of Commissioners and the Forsyth County government staff, thank you for allowing us the opportunity to serve you. VOLUME VIII | ISSUE 2 | MYFORSYTHMAG.COM 9
F
ORSYTH COUNTY NEWS Enjoy the Lake This Summer at a Forsyth County Park
From boating and camping to fishing and swimming, Forsyth County Parks & Recreation offers a range of low-cost and no-cost amenities on Lake Lanier.
FORSYTH COUNTY PARKS ON LAKE LANIER: Charleston Park, 5850 Charleston Park Road: boat ramp, picnic tables, courtesy dock and mountain bike trails.
Old Atlanta Park Spray Pad is Open Forsyth County’s popular spray pad is located inside Old Atlanta Park at 810 Nichols Road. Annual passes and private rentals are available. For more information, call (770) 205-4646. REGULAR SEASON May 26 - August 1 Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. LATE SEASON August 2 - September 3 Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. DAILY ADMISSION $2 per person (1 year old and up) – cash or check only. Free for adults entering with paying child (dry deck only)
Shady Grove Campground, 7800 Allyn Lane Memorial Way: RV and
tent campsites, restrooms with showers, playground, sand beach/lake swimming area, swing set, boat ramp and courtesy dock.
Young Deer Creek Park, 7300 Heard Road: picnic pavilion, sand beach/ lake swimming area, swing set, boat ramp and courtesy dock Six Mile Creek Park, 6020 Browns Bridge Road: boat ramp and courtesy
dock.
For more information on Forsyth County Parks & Recreation, visit www.forsythco.com/parks.
New Trails Now Open Forsyth County’s newest trails are now open! Both Lanierland Park and Matt Community Park have added a natural surface trail for residents to enjoy, and Fowler Park has added a “braille trail” for visitors with visual impairments.
Spend a Saturday with the Forsyth County Animal Shelter
To help find their adoptable pets a home, the Forsyth County Animal Shelter is providing animal adoptions at Beaver Toyota (1875 Buford Highway) on the second Saturday of each month. The events are held at the dealership from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. and allow for the community to meet many of the shelter’s adoptable dogs and cats. During the May adoption event, the shelter’s longest K-9 resident was adopted by an employee of Beaver Toyota! This summer, stop by Beaver Toyota on the second Saturday of each month to adopt a new pet or visit the Forsyth County Animal Shelter, located just off of GA 400 at 4065 County Way in northern Forsyth County, Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 10 MYFORSYTHMAG.COM VOLUME VIII | ISSUE 2
The trail at Matt Community Park (6555 Wallace Tatum Road) features stacked loops that total 3.06 miles allowing for walking, running and mountain biking. The trail at Lanierland Park (6115 Jot-Em-Down Road) is an out and back route that is 2.6 miles long allowing for walking and running. Fowler’s Park braille trail, located near the entrance to the Big Creek Greenway, is approximately 200 yards in length with guide ropes. The trail features two sensory gardens and eight braille signs for visually impaired individuals. By adding these new trails, the county now has just under 50 total miles of trails.
N EWS AROUND FORSYTH Forsyth Student Orators Recognized by Optimists
2018 Optimist oratorical winners: (from left) Arnav Rao, South Forsyth High School; Arnav Hande, South Forsyth Middle School; Shreya Mishra, South Forsyth Middle School; and Kate O’Rourke, Pinecrest Middle School.
Four young orators will represent Forsyth County in the 2018 Optimist International Oratorical Contest. They were the winners in the county-wide competition that began with students from throughout the county. The top two girls and top two boys move on to compete in the zone competition. The local event is sponsored by the Sawnee-Cumming and ForsythCumming Optimist Clubs. Winning the county competition were Shreya Mishra, in eighth grade at South Forsyth Middle School; Kate O’Rourke, eighth grader at Pinecrest Middle; Arnav Hande, seventh grader at South Forsyth Middle; and Arnav Rao, a sophomore at South Forsyth High School. They each won $500 awards. Winners in the zone competition move on to the area, then district (Georgia and eastern Tennessee) contests. Winners at the district level receive $2,500 college scholarships. The competition is open to sixth through 12th-grade students from all Forsyth middle and high schools. A separate competition in Forsyth County allows fifth-grade students to gain experience. Speeches cover a variety of subjects. This year the students spoke on “Where Are My Roots of Optimism?” The Oratorical contest is the longest running Optimist program, established in 1928, according to Gene Valde, oratorical committee chair of the Sawnee-Cumming club. “We had over 4,800 students participating in the Forsyth County competition,” she said. “Our local competition is the largest in the Optimist organization. And for the last two years, a Forsyth student has advanced to the regional finals in St. Louis - we expect no less this year! Our heartfelt thanks to the school coordinators, principals, and parents for their support of these remarkable students!”
Gwyn Hanie (left) presented a certificate and $500 check to Jenna Newcombe for winning the 2018 Sawnee-Cumming Optimist Club Essay Contest.
North Forsyth High School Student Wins Optimist Club Essay Contest “Respect. It’s a simple seven-letter word, and an even simpler concept . . . it is one of the things that make us human. We must respect our institutions, our brothers and sisters, and everyone’s rights.” Jenna Newcombe was reading an essay to members of the Sawnee-Cumming Optimist Club. A junior at North Forsyth High School, she was the winner of the club’s 2018 essay contest. The contest is an annual essay competition sponsored by the Sawnee-Cumming club. It is open to all Forsyth County students. This year’s theme was “Can Society Function Without Respect?” Jenna is a straight A student and is active in musical theatre, drama, and several service-based honor societies. She enjoys creative and reflective writing. Her advisor is Elizabeth Smith, the essay coordinator at North. “Jenna did a compelling job articulating this year’s theme,” said Gwyn Hanie, committee chair of the Sawnee-Cumming club’s essay contest. “She expressed herself clearly and coherently, and we congratulate her on winning first place. Thanks to all the students and teachers who participated in this year’s outstanding competition.” Jenna was awarded $500. Her essay will be forwarded to the zone level to compete with winners from other Optimist Clubs in northeast Georgia. If a winner at that level, her essay will go to the district level that includes Georgia and east Tennessee. VOLUME VIII | ISSUE 2 | MYFORSYTHMAG.COM 11
BYOP BUY YOUR OWN PAINT By Rebecca Dumas We hear it every day… unhappy clients upset at how their walls and trim look due to the low-quality paint that was originally used. Often, this is because they purchased a new home and to upgrade the paint seemed like a low priority at the time. You are buying a nicer home ($500K+) and with so many decisions to be made and the up charges adding up you didn’t make the choice to upgrade the quality level of the paint, because you assumed it wouldn’t be an issue. Or we hear that they entrusted the contractor to buy the color mixed in the product they wanted but your instructions may not get followed completely. The contractor decides they want to save money and time and purchase what they feel is adequate. Often this may work out for the contractor and no one is the wiser. This change of your plan may not be discovered until much later when you experience a lack of durability or the color seems off. By this time the contractor is long gone and has been paid in full. Another scenario is not knowing the attributes of a good quality paint; you just assume paint is paint. Now you live in the home for a bit, start experiencing the performance of the paint. You realize after less than two years of purchasing your new home that you need to paint the walls and some trim. The exterior paint has faded considerable or the interior paint has no durability and rubs off when you try to clean areas that have gotten marked up. This scenario happens more often than you think: you go to the paint store to purchase a quart of paint for touch-up. When you bring home your HC-172 Revere Pewter in Regal Eggshell (that you specified to the contractor), it doesn’t match what is on your wall. After investigating why there is a difference, you learn that the contractor matched your color in another brand and used a watered-
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down version in flat contractor-grade paint that was sprayed on your new drywall. You now have visible touch up areas and you go back to the paint store to buy gallons because now the whole wall has to be painted. The best way to remedy this situation is to buy your own paint. You can ask the paint store to give you a contractor price because you are using a contractor but want to ensure you get the product you want. Most stores will comply if you are purchasing more than a couple of gallons. If you do not want to haul paint in your car, have the contractor pick it up on the way to your house. Most of the time, they are happy to not have to outlay the funds to buy the paint. And using a better-quality paint makes their job easier. If the contractor has already included paint in their bid, have them back out the materials and you just pay for the labor. This can provide some transparency of what they planned on using, if they are honest. When the 10 gallons of paint cost $400 and they back out $200 for paint, you are not getting the best quality paint. Buying your own paint helps you later as well for touch up; you know what is on your walls and will last for years to come. Rebecca Dumas: Owner/Color Consultant
Gregory’s Paint & Flooring Johns Creek & Cumming rebecca@gregoryspaintandflooring.com
How to Check a Breaker
THE SAFE WAY Knowing how to check a breaker is something that should be common knowledge for every adult. But you would be surprised by how many service calls result in an electrician simply driving out to the house and flipping a switch! Circuit breakers are designed to protect our homes from damage. Think of it this way: it takes heat to cause a tripped breaker. Excess heat in your house’s electrical wires would be a bad thing to happen. THE MOST COMMON CAUSE OF TRIPPED CIRCUIT BREAKERS What kinds of things can cause a circuit breaker to trip? If more power is drawing from the circuit than it’s designed to handle, the circuit becomes overloaded, and the breaker will trip. This is the most common cause of tripped circuit breakers. Imagine having a bunch of family and friends over for a party. There could be half a dozen people cooking in the kitchen. The range and oven are cranked up. Crock pots, food processors, and stand mixers are working away. There are almost certainly one or two tablets or smartphones charging in the room. Having all those appliances drawing from your kitchen circuit is the perfect setting for an overloaded circuit. Spread out your appliances and electronics to other circuits, reset the breaker, and you should be good to go. And once in a while, you will have a circuit breaker wear out and quit working. Just like everything else in life, these gizmos will eventually expire. Call an electrician to swap it out for you. WHAT ELSE CAUSES TRIPPED BREAKERS? There are some circumstances when the cause of the tripped circuit breaker is not so obvious. Some of these scenarios can pose a real danger to your house – and everyone in it. A short circuit is a serious house fire hazard. It’s a serious house fire hazard. When two black (hot) wires or a black wire and a white (neutral) wire touch, it can cause the circuit to short. A damaged wire within the circuit will have the same effect. These wiring problems could be occurring in an appliance’s wiring, or in the wiring inside your home’s walls. To check out a possible short, unplug all the appliances on the circuit. Then, reset the breaker. If it doesn’t trip again, the issue is probably with the appliance’s wiring. Plug those back in one by one to identify the one with damaged wiring. 14 MYFORSYTHMAG.COM VOLUME VIII | ISSUE 2
If the circuit does trip with nothing plugged in, there isn’t an easy or safe way for the average person to diagnose a wiring problem inside the walls. Time to call an electrician. TRIPPED BREAKER DUE TO GROUND FAULT Still another possible cause of a tripped circuit breaker is a ground fault. A ground fault is technically another kind of short circuit. It happens when the black wire touches either the copper ground wire or the metal box attached to the ground wire. Yes, fixing this issue can be as easy as moving the hot wire away from the ground wire or box. However, it’s crucial that you take some basic precautions to avoid hurting yourself. First, leave the circuit breaker tripped so that power does not flow to the hot wire. Second, to be safe, move the hot wire away from the metal box or ground wire with a nonconductive tool. Definitely don’t move it with your fingers! WHAT IF ONE OF MY BREAKERS TRIPS ALL THE TIME? This is a common problem in older homes. An average modern household’s electronics and appliances draw far more power than old electrical systems were built to handle. Historic or retro homes look cool, but it can be frustrating when your daily habits are restricted by your house’s electrical capacity. Repeated tripping can also be a sign that a circuit breaker is starting to fail. Whatever the cause of the constant tripping, frequently resetting a circuit breaker can put your home and devices at risk. A better course of action is to ask an electrician to assess your electrical panel and advise you on the best way to upgrade it to meet your needs. Let Arc Angel Check Your Circuit Breakers Our team of pros will be glad to assess your breaker box and any other electrical concerns you may have. For over 17 years, we have committed ourselves to total customer satisfaction for our Atlanta-area customers. We work hard to surpass your expectations and deliver a level of service you won’t find elsewhere. For more tips on how to check a breaker, call Arc Angel at 770.889.9243.
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A Place Called Home By Pat Murphy
Homes in the Polo Fields are sold every week, and families come and go. But one family has seen it all, having moved in when the roads weren’t even paved. Now, after 31 years, Bobby and Lynn Mashburn have decided to sell their home and move to a nearby retirement community. Recently the couple took time to recall their wonderful time that has spanned the entire history of the large golf club development. “I would do it all over again,” Bobby said. “We made some good friends up here.” Bobby and Lynn had just seen their last child leave home in 1986 and were facing the question many empty nesters face. “We had this big three-story house in Roswell,” Lynn said, “and me and Bobby are wandering around in the den and the bedroom and the kitchen. It was like, ‘what in the world are we doing in this big old house.’” To make matters worse, Roswell was growing, and congestion was hindering their quality of life. They made the decision to move to a new golf community in Forsyth County called The Polo Fields. In those days, south Forsyth truly was a respite from the growth of Roswell. For the Mashburns, moving to Polo was a
little bit of a leap of faith. “We were the fifth family in,” Bobby said. At the time there were only three streets, and their cul-de-sac had not even been paved. The Atlanta telephone exchange ended at Vickery Creek. “If you had children in Midway,” Bobby said, “it was a long-distance call.” But being early has its rewards. Selecting what many in the area agree is the best lot in Polo, Bobby and Lynn’s home site backs up to the Bagley property, an expanse of farm land then used for grazing cattle and currently occupied by horses. Beyond the pasture is a picturesque view of Sawnee Mountain. The Mashburns moved in to their new home in August of 1987, and it wasn’t until the following year that Polo Golf and Country Club opened its golf course. The Mashburn’s’ membership number at Polo is #1. In the beginning there were just six holes. Bobby recalled that you had to play holes 1 thru 5, jump across the street to what is now hole #18, then play that circuit two more times to get in a full round. But golf was a big reason Bobby and Lynn moved to Polo. Without the club, Bobby said, there is no way they would have moved there. Bobby, who carried a low single digit handicap, recalled that they would almost always play 36
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holes every Saturday and Sunday — and he has a special memory of a hole in one on #5. One swing with a 4 iron was all he needed. In those days, the club kept a pot that everyone contributed to for the occasional hole in one. With his winnings, Bobby said, he was able to buy Lynn a new set of clubs. The Polo Fields was named for an actual polo field at the corner of Post Road and Majors Road developed by Pat Dominicone for use by his Atlanta polo club. In those days polo matches were held on the field that today houses multiple soccer fields. People in the area would often come watch the matches. “We didn’t know what we were watching,” Bobby recalled. But it was an event nonetheless. Lynn enjoyed the tradition of letting the spectators stomp the field flat between periods, but Bobby recalls you had to be careful what you stomped on. In the early years, Lynn recalls that there was no cable television. “We put a TV antenna in our attic so we could watch Atlanta stations,” she says. “Sometimes, I could go up there and turn it and we could get Chattanooga,” she said. Lynn also remembers the march in Cumming led by Oprah Winfrey. They had put money down on the lot just a week before the march. It was an unfortunate event, they both concede, giving Forsyth County a “black eye” that took 15 or 20 years to heal. Bobby worked in Atlanta and said he was scared to display the Forsyth County license plate on his car for fear of it being keyed. Instead he opted for a University of Georgia plate, thus both concealing where he lived and supporting his beloved Bulldogs. But perhaps the best memories Bobby and Lynn have are the many family events they have hosted. Their son was married in the backyard with Sawnee Mountain presiding over the ceremony, and Lynn’s parent celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary there. They even threw an authentic Hawaiian Luau complete with sandy beach, pig roast, and grass skirts when Lynn’s mother could no longer travel to Hawaii. All good things come to an end, and now it is time for Bobby and Lynn to say goodbye to this wonderful home, and the community they saw grow from infancy to maturity. No doubt the Polo Fields will miss this special couple.
Considering a New Build? Why it’s Best Not to Use a Builder’s Agent
In many aspects, the internet has drastically changed the way the real estate industry functions. Gone are the days of endless open houses and viewing appointments as the only means of seeing homes. In today’s world, all it takes to peer inside every for-sale home is a computer and a bit of Wi-Fi. However, this unprecedented access into the housing market has created a conundrum for home shoppers who may feel that they don’t need a buyer’s agent to find the home of their dreams. This is particularly true when it comes to new construction homes since builders work hard to make the buying process as appealing and simple as possible. Not only will you find beautiful,
professional photos online, but you’ll find a smiling seller’s agent posted in an impeccably decorated home within the community ready to answer all of your questions. While it may look easy, be careful—it’s the builder’s agent’s job to sell homes quickly and for the highest price. They are there to serve the interests of the builder. As a result of this, a builder’s selling agent is obviously interested in getting you to pay topdollar for their property, which is where a good Realtor, working for you comes in. If you’re represented by a buyer’s agent, they can help counteract the builder’s goal of getting you to spend more money by assessing similar sales in
the area and making sure you aren’t paying too much. In essence, your buyer’s agent is there to not only provide a buffer for you if you’re not sure of current market trends, but to negotiate on your behalf so that, by the time you close, your house has not only been properly inspected but has also been placed in perfect condition. Similarly, while the agent employed by the builder may also come ready with closing costs and financing incentives through a partnered company, it’s important to remember that they may not be looking to help you find the best solution. It’s best to cross-check this information with a lender recommended by your Realtor to ensure there are no hidden costs and you are truly getting an apples-to-apples comparison. Sometimes the incentives are truly great, but sometimes they aren’t. You’ll want to be certain, and your Realtor can help you. The best part of all of this, which many people don’t realize – there is NO COST TO YOU to have a Realtor represent you as a Buyer! Why would you go it alone? If you are considering a new build and want to make sure you’re protected throughout the process, please call me. It’s always important to have someone in your corner who will make sure your interests are placed first and I’d love to help. Pam Evans | Hello Pam Evans Real Estate www.HelloPamEvans.com | 678-778-6551
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My Uncle Slick By Jennifer Paire
I forget not everyone can claim an uncle Slick among their relations. When I first met mine, it was probably 1978 or 1979 and he was the apple of my aunt Linda’s eye, an unassuming and seemingly shy fellow with an impressive mustache. I don’t remember how he was introduced to me, just that I’d heard my long-single aunt was “in love” and that we could call her fellow “Slick.” Only nine or 10 years old at the time, I feel certain I puzzled over this pair. My aunt, who was my mother’s youngest sister, was a groovy, strong-willed extrovert whose creative energy made her one of my favorite people. She gave me her Saturday Night Fever LP, for goodness sake. She was tough, too. Linda survived childhood polio that left her with a profound case of scoliosis and a compromised lung capacity that would limit her life. The play-by-play of our early relationship is fuzzy now, but I think Slick established street cred with me quickly because he seemed equally starstruck by my aunt’s independent spirit. Of course, there’s a lot I didn’t know yet. My aunt teasingly called him a “Marietta redneck”’ although he was a consummate gentleman and somewhat of an intellectual when it came to sports, music and books. I would learn he was a phenomenal listener and developed loyal, lifelong friendships. He had decades of adventures in Atlanta area sports stadiums, concert arenas and the North Georgia woods where he and his buddies camped in the dead of winter. He
would walk so many miles on the Silver Comet Trail that his body would shed the equivalent of another adult human. You see, no matter what my uncle was up to he was doing it with friends, and not just the kind you see now and then. He had the ability to be whatever a friend needed, and to enjoy the moment he was in. “There’s not a day goes by that I don’t think about Slick,” said Ned of Woodstock, who met my uncle at a party at West Georgia College in the late 1960s. “At the drop of a hat you could ask Slick if he wanted to do something and he was right with you.” He was right with me, too, and such a good listener that I relied on our conversations. I could not have known how unprepared I would be to lose him in 2017. His health had been declining for some time, but both he and my aunt seemed to have nine lives when it came to health scares. I can’t count how many times they defied the odds, and for those times I’m thankful. I am most curious about young Slick, the funny sociology major and party reveler. I hadn’t known much about this man until we began to go through my uncle’s belongings. Somehow, I didn’t know about his college worklife in the campus cafeteria with Ned and a host of other characters. While my uncle was not athletically inclined, the cafeteria crew had an intramural football team and they called themselves I Eta Pi, in jest, to irritate the
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growing fraternities who retaliated by labeling them the “Kitchen Folks.” Uncle Slick didn’t play on the team but he never missed the games. “Slick would stand on the sidelines during our games and cheer for us and talk to us when we were not in the game, rain or shine,” Ned said. “Yes, he was our number one and only fan.” Clearly there were lots of good times, but my uncle didn’t dodge the bullet of misfortune. It was the way he weathered the storms that taught me the most about his goodness. When he married my aunt, my uncle Slick knew he would become her caregiver and it would not be easy. They were married for 29 years and he did all he could for her. His health would decline despite his best efforts, and when he passed away at 68 he suffered without complaint, always hoping for another day and another good time. Maybe you knew my uncle Slick, or you have someone like him in your life. The vibrant reminders of the man I still want to know abound. Whether it’s his iPod playlist, his ticket collection or his college photos, I have these bits and pieces of his life to question and share. Maybe we can write his story together. Jennifer Paire is a freelance writer. She may be reached at jenpaire@yahoo.com.
An Interview with
Raquel Smith By Ava Clavijo
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing a lady of many talents, Raquel Smith, stylist for singer Beyoncé’. Raquel chooses what you see Beyoncé wearing on the red carpet and in concert and, as part of her job, has traveled around the world twice! She realizes how blessed her life is, so she gives back by delivering inspirational talks and doing charity work. Raquel lives in New York but grew up in Georgia, so I got to interview her when she was in town on a break. She loves to inspire kids and wanted to do some charity work at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Raquel hosted a t-shirt decorating party for kids at Scottish Rite hospital and then did an interview which was broadcast to all the patients at Children’s. Raquel wasn’t always into fashion – a while back, she completed a radiologic technology program and was student of my mom’s. She and my mom have kept in touch, so that’s how I got to meet her. She finished the radiography program, but she discovered it wasn’t for her. She always had a desire to work in fashion, so she bravely went to New York to pursue her dream of attending fashion school. She took it upon herself to call the House of Dereon, which happens to be the fashion house founded by Beyoncé’ and her mom. Raquel asked for an internship and, after being turned down, she kept pursuing and was finally given a shot after letting them know what an asset she would be to the company. Once given the opportunity, she found a great mentor in Heather Thomson, the creative director at House of Dereon, who was impressed with her determination and taught her the business. Raquel worked hard when she was getting started, and it payed off because she now has her dream career. According to Raquel, “You should love your career because it’s your passion, not your pay check. Don’t just work for a paycheck, love what you do.”
“
You’re going to have to do more and expect more from yourself. Be the best you can. Dream big. It can happen.”
When I asked what people get wrong about her job, she replied, “People think my job is all glamorous and fun and shopping, but it’s really 50/50 it’s not all fun and easy”. Some of Ms. Raquel’s role models include her parents and sisters, Miss Tina Lawson (Beyoncé’s mom), Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, and my mom. She says her most life-altering event has been traveling around the world because it makes you humble. Her favorite place to visitv was the pyramids in Egypt, and she even got to snorkel in the Red Sea.
Although she is super busy, Raquel created “Let’s Talk” and uses this time to inspire people to pursue their dreams. She started off unknown in the fashion world and built her career because it was her passion. One of her key messages is that beauty comes from within. Her life shows how much you can accomplish with hard work and believing in your dreams no matter who you are. She feels everyone should know that when doing a task, do it right for yourself, not others approval. Her words are, “Don’t worry about your competition because your only competition should be your own self.” Another thing that she and I find very important is your attitude and your outlook on life. Having a good attitude and treating others the way you would want to be treated is important. Raquel also recommends staying around positive people. Even when negative situations occur, you need to keep your character and stay positive. It’s a small world and you never know who knows who, so making good impressions and staying positive it important. Overall Raquel’s main message is to believe in yourself, work hard, stay humble, and, most importantly, don’t take no for an answer. She sees becoming a mom, having a career she loves, and achieving her goals as her biggest accomplishments and would like to be known as a person who works hard and shares her talents to help others. Speaking of her talents, Raquel is currently working on a line of sunglasses for kids (KidRaq), a jewelry line, and her autobiography called Solid as a Raq! I didn’t know what to expect when I met Raquel, but she was very humble and down to earth – a role model and someone I am happy to know! Remember, life is what you make it, so make it yours!
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Stewards of Children When a group of determined individuals come together to focus on a community need, actions for change take place. Child sexual
abuse continues to plague our communities. The Forsyth County Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Initiative is a partnership between the Forsyth County District Attorney’s office and Forsyth Community Connection along with over 15 other community agencies. The goal of this initiative is to train adults on how to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. When District Attorney Penny Penn was told of the need to bring forth a more concerted effort to educate individuals on this initiative, there was no hesitation on her part that something needed to be done. “The sexual abuse of children can be prevented. If we can stop it, why wouldn’t we?” stated Penn. Steve Collins, Regional Coordinator for the Georgia Office of Child Advocacy for the initiative, informed Penn that the initiative in Forsyth County was disengaged and without leadership. Penn asked Beth Ready, Director of the Victim Witness Assistance Program for the Forsyth County District Attorney’s Office and Sarah Pedarre, Executive Director of Forsyth Community Connection, to co-chair the initiative. Members of the initiative hope to train community members on improving child protective behaviors and help prevent child abuse.
“The curriculum used to train our initiative partners is Stewards of Children, designed by Darkness to Light,” explained Ready. The curriculum is a two-hour, evidenceinformed training program. The program, used throughout the state, is designed for parents, youth serving organizations, and other concerned individuals. Program outcomes include: • Increased awareness of the prevalence, consequences, and circumstances of child sexual abuse. • New skills to help adults prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. • Positive change to organizational policies and procedures. • Individual empowerment through a personal prevention plan. “Stewards of Children is for anyone who wants to make a difference in their community by educating adults about the protection of children,” Ready added. The program can also be used by youth serving organizations, businesses, and corporations that wish to: • Train staff and volunteers in child sexual abuse prevention. • Enhance child protection policies and procedures, or respond to insurance requirements. • Lead a community-based prevention initiative and offer training to people in their area .
For more information about Stewards of Children and how to become involved, contact Beth Ready at jbready@forsythco.com, 770-205-2268 or Sarah Pedarre at sarah@forsythconnection.org, 404-985-7796.
Join the movement to end child sexual abuse! 20 MYFORSYTHMAG.COM VOLUME VIII | ISSUE 2
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Did you know?
• One in 10 children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. • 90% of children who are sexually abused know their abusers (fewer than 10% are abused by strangers). • 30-40% are abused by family members. • The CDC estimates the lifetime cost for one victim of child abuse is more than $200,000. • The US spends $124 billion annually for the cost of child abuse. • Except for murder, child sex abuse is the most expensive victim crime in the US. • 60% of first teen pregnancies are preceded by an incident of child sex abuse. • Young girls who are sexually abused are 3x more likely to develop psychiatric disorders and/or substance abuse problems. • Male survivors of child sex abuse are 70% more likely to seek psychological treatment for issues such as substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, and attempted suicide. • There are an estimated 39 million survivors of sexual abuse in America (compared to 18 million cancer survivors).
“ Consider volunteering as a mentor and make a difference in the life of a child.”
Mentor of the Year Barbara Banke (right) with Giselle.
Mentor of the Year Virgilio Perez-Pascoe (right) and Jaime.
Forsyth Central High School Principal Mitch Young, Magic Moments Breakfast speaker.
Mentors Honored at Magic Moments Breakfast By Larry Brown
“Time. Talent. Treasure. Every individual here has
generously given all three to the kids we serve. It is because of you that we can make a difference. And while we may not impact every person we meet, we can and have made a difference in the lives of many.” It was the message of Mentor Me board chair Ken Martasin to those attending the organization’s recent Magic Moments Breakfast. Mentoring was celebrated, and mentors honored at the 2018 edition of the breakfast. The annual event is sponsored by Mentor Me North Georgia, a non-profit organization that provides mentoring relationships between volunteer adults and local children who need role models in their lives. It was held at the Cumming Recreation Center. Barbara Banke and Virgilio Perez-Pascoe received the 2018 Mentor of the Year Awards during the breakfast. Barbara mentors Giselle. “Thank you for believing in me,” Giselle expressed to Barbara. “You are an inspiration to me, and I hope to inspire others in my life as you have inspired me.” Virgilio mentors Jaime. “I would never be where I am today without you,” Jaime shared as he described his mentoring relationship
with Virgilio. Jaime, a high school junior, expressed his gratitude to Virgilio for supporting and encouraging his aspirations, including his ambition to graduate high school and go on to college and study to become an engineer. Mitch Young, Forsyth Central High School principal, was a featured speaker at this year’s breakfast. “I can’t begin to tell you what your mentoring means to the many students at my school who work with folks from this great organization,” he said. “We may never know how their trajectory in life has changed because of the investment of time each of their mentors has made. But I promise you, it is a better direction, a safer direction. We should never doubt that a small group of thoughtful and committed citizens can change the world.” Martasin told the audience of more than 200 that Mentor Me has a waiting list, so there are still Forsyth County children who need a caring adult in their lives. He encouraged everyone to support mentoring and to consider volunteering as a mentor and “make a difference in the life of a child.”
Mentor Me is a Forsyth County United Way agency. However, the organization depends on private donations for much of its funding. To volunteer or donate, contact executive director Sylvia Cardona at 678-341-8028, sylvia@mentormenorthga.org or visits their website www.mentorGA.org. VOLUME VIII | ISSUE 2 | MYFORSYTHMAG.COM 21
My name is Allison Garefino
and I am the Clinical Director of the Children and Family Programs at Kennesaw State University. I wanted to take a moment to let you know a little bit about our services provided by the Children and Family Programs (CFP). The CFP at Kennesaw State University’s School of Conflict Management, Peacebuilding and Development is a prevention, intervention, and treatment center where community members receive state-of-the-art evidence based treatments for childhood disorders.
This includes the most widely diagnosed childhood disorder in the country: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. There are only 3 evidence based treatments for ADHD: Behavior modification, stimulant medication, or the combination of the first two. Unfortunately, most children receive treatment that has zero evidence supporting its effectiveness (ex. talk therapy, play therapy, changes in diet, etc.). The CFP is one of the few centers in the area offering Social Skills Groups and parenting strategies (i.e. behavior modification) that has been shown to work in over 175 research studies. We now offer our parenting strategies and school consultation services via teletherapy (eg via FaceTime). In addition, the CFP offers inservices, treatment, and prevention services to parents and teachers working with children with other symptoms that put them at risk for behavioral, social, and academic failure. These include children diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (HFASD). As a member of the Coalition of Treatment Professionals by the Cobb County School District (CCSD) we are a Recommended Site by the Prevention Intervention Coalition of Cobb County. Most recently, we lead a workshop for CCSD school counselors about how implementing behavior modification techniques in the
classroom can prevent future bullying. Classroom-wide Social Skills strategies focusing on Communication, Participation, Cooperation, and Validation were discussed, concentrating on their relationship with coping strategies and Social-Emotional Development. Both Reactive and Proactive physical and relational aggressing can be decreased when strategies are implemented effectively. We are happy to travel so that more school districts can receive our inservices. Myself and Dr. Patti Agatston, a Licensed Professional Counselor with the Cobb County School District’s Prevention/Intervention Center and President of the Board of Directors for the International Bullying Prevention Association, will be presenting at KSU’s upcoming Summer Institute at Callaway Gardens. The Summer Institute is the premier convention of professionals, practitioners, and scholars in mediation, K-12 education, higher education, social work, counseling, legal and courts, individuals who work in restorative practices, or anyone who could benefit by learning conflict management skills in these rich, interactive sessions. With continuing education credits available, we welcome participants from all over the country. For more information please visit childrenandfamilyporgrams.org
ABOUT US
CHILDREN & FAMILY
PROGRAMS
AT THE CENTER FOR CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
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We are a multidisciplinary center committed to improving the lives of children and families struggling with social and mental health concerns. Our evidence-based interventions and workshops are intended for children between 4 and 12 years old. Visit our website for more information.
childrenandfamilyprograms.org For Questions, Contact: (470) 578-2233
Poison Bottles She puts her lipstick on And laces her boots up tight She finishes curling her hair And goes out for the night Always staring in the windows Of closed up shops primping her reflection and missing her stops by the time she gets to her destination she looks a perfect doll but no one else notices and it drives her up the wall. Wasn’t she good enough? Did she need more makeup? She repeats this process night after night. Until one day she’s eighty And that was her strife Primping her reflection Instead of living her life
Haley Shea Barfield Artist
Red lipstick And perfect application Buried in the products Of our nation Five products for hair Three for her torso Four for her legs And for her face even more-so She covers every inch of skin As if she were trying to hide her sin Because to be human is not good enough She needs to look perfect She needs to look done up. Because if she didn’t then who would she be? Long ago her personality washed away by the sea Of product after product Lotion after cream She knows it’s too much And she wants to scream But it’s all that’s left As it’s taken over her life Staring into the mirror every day and night She needs to look perfect to get ahead But now that she’s older she’s made her bed She traded in happiness for a perfect face instead. Society is poison But not in the way we think
by Alexis Abbott
It comes in bottles It comes in boxes It ends up washed off and down the sink It poisons her mind Through the pressures that she feels The pressure to look perfect The pressure to kneel Her mouth is meant for explicit things Not to communicate her mind her looks are the pass to being happy not her success and fulfillment in life she ignores that which should be dear to her her own flesh and blood just to get a few more minutes layering on the crud. She becomes self centered and self serving And no longer cares the least The worst part is that she looks the same Everyday and doesn’t compliments receive. She’s spurred on and on By the ingrained thought That beauty can from a bottle be bought When the truth has been known so much longer Beauty can’t be bought: it’s in the eye of the beholder. But what is beauty if not perfect complexion Perfect symmetry and perfectly mentioned What is beauty if its not staying young Not wearing heels and holding your tongue? Beauty is kindness Love, hope, and more Beauty is what the whole world searches for It comes in many shapes and sizes And many forms as well It comes in a ray of sunshine Or a coin sparkling in a well It comes from rainbows Thunderstorms, rivers It comes from the inside A message to deliver It comes from what is truly good and whole with this world It comes from loving your family and your baby girl. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder And what that means is this Beauty is more than skin deep Instead of with a bottle It comes within bliss. Alexis Abbott is a student at the University of North Georgia. And avid writer, her blog can be found at alexiseabbott.wordpress.com.
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5
Common FAFSA Mistakes That Could Cost You
Free Application for Federal Student Aid By Kurt Arseneau
As tax season come to and end, a new season begins in our office. It is college FAFSA season, and boy does it get busy quickly. Now that everyone has their taxes done (unless you filed an extension), it may be to your advantage to use your current year tax return rather than your 2016 return. To make sure you get the most out of your FAFSA avoid these common five mistakes.
There are many other mistakes to be cautious of as you prepare your application. As we head into this new season, education is key in determining the correct way to handle the FAFSA forms.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
We will respond with the upcoming events in your area.
Missing Financial Aid Deadlines – Make sure that you are aware of the federal, state, and college deadlines. All of these may have different deadlines, which could hurt you dramatically. Filing the Wrong Year’s FAFSA – Do yourself and your college bound child a favor, check that you have the correct academic year on the form you are filling out. Not Including a Step-parent’s Income or Assets – It isn’t always the case, but you may have to include your new wife or new husband’s income when filling out the FAFSA forms. Including Retirement Plans as Investments on FAFSA – You don’t have to report your 401(k), 403(b), pension, or IRA as an investment on the FAFSA. However, watch out for your brokerage accounts, they do need to be reported. Not Reporting Unusual Circumstances – If you have something that you feel may change the outcome of the financial aid package, it doesn’t hurt to call and alert them. I’ve seen it happen when someone becomes very ill and by reporting it to the school the financial aid package was substantially more.
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If you would like to learn more or attend one of our College Planning Educational Workshops drop us a quick email at info@arseneauadvisory.com.
Till next time, stay well! Kurt
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Phillip Barlag
The Leadership Genius of Julius Caesar
by Phillip Barlag Book Review by Jacqueline Thompson Graves
“Beware the Ides of March!” That may be all you recall
about Julius Caesar from your high school Shakespeare. Perhaps you’ve wondered if he invented the Caesar salad (no). It’s doubtful you would list him as a resource for today’s business leader. Phillip Barlag would advise you to examine Julius Caesar if you’re running a business. Barlag’s book The Leadership Genius of Julius Caesar offers insight into eight principles Caesar utilized to build and hold an empire, and even influence it after his death. “The history of civilization, after all, is the history of leadership. It might seem strange to imagine Julius Caesar strutting into a boardroom or developing a human capital strategy, but his actions and abilities can and should inform us in such endeavors today,” Barlag insists. The Leadership Genius of Julius Caesar begins: There are two ways to lead an organization: by power or by force. The first way creates the shortest distance between leaders and their goals – but it is much harder. For this reason, many leaders default to the use of force. Who came to your mind as you read those words? Your previous boss and how you dreaded work every day? Your dad when you were growing up who bellowed, “because I said so”? Or maybe you remember the teacher who made you want to learn, the sales manager who persuaded everyone to work unpaid overtime, the Scout leader who charged into the scary woods head first? Barlag defines power as “the ability to intrinsically motivate people to act in the way you want them to”. He tells a fascinating story of Caesar’s army, ready to revolt and refusing to fight, then quieted and turned around by a one-word speech from Caesar. 26 MYFORSYTHMAG.COM VOLUME VIII | ISSUE 2
One of Caesar’s principles “lead from the front” is demonstrated by our Scout troop leader charging into the woods, reassuring campers they can handle whatever Nature hides. Caesar’s archrival Pompey refused to lead his troops into battle at Pharsalus and sneaked away, leaving his soldiers to soldier on without their captain. Julius Caesar gave chase, boarded an enemy flagship, then convinced the crew to switch sides when they learned their leader had deserted them. One of my favorite quotes is this: “There is no limit to what can be accomplished if it does not matter who gets the credit.” This quote is attributed in one version or another to a dozen different people. Ronald Reagan framed it and sat it on his desk. In our world of “building your brand” and managing your image, Caesar’s life teaches Reagan’s lesson. “If a leader seeks change, then they would do well to follow Caesar’s example: put aside the glory and focus on the mission,” Barlag writes. He relates the story of Caesar passing up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to star in his own parade in order to fulfill the necessary requirements to run for Consul. While the parade would have been an amazing thing (think Super Bowl Champions homecoming parade), it would not have advanced Caesar’s goal of effecting change for his fellow Roman citizens. In today’s polarized political atmosphere, perhaps no lesson could be better applied than chapter 5: Keep the Lines of Communication Open. Barlag writes, “Caesar’s modus operandi was to ‘move people up a level’: neutralize vocal critics, turn neutrals into supporters, and turn supporters into advocates and proselytizers. Wherever people fell on this continuum, Caesar engaged with them with the goal of advancing his relationship. He was pragmatic enough to know that
not everyone could be won over. For these people, lessening their resistance was a victory.” Today our politicians and leaders take delight in publicly nailing their detractors, tweeting a mean thought, landing a soundbite that gets air time and YouTube replays. Caesar knew little is gained by creating haters and, while everyone can’t be a raving fan, mutual respect and a polite nod hold more promise than a snarl. Often people are just ambivalent about your passion. Julius Caesar recognized this and used it to his advantage. Barlow calls it “co-opting the power of others”. “Sometimes, people just don’t have a side in the fight, and forcing an either/or choice alienates these poor souls who would have been useful regardless of the outcome.” A demand is made “you are either for us or against us” – it makes a great line in a movie – but in real life it is often ineffective. They may flee the organization altogether leaving you lurching. On and on the examples and stories go, eight principles illustrated by Julius Caesar’s life, principles we can co-opt and incorporate into our own life strategies. Phillip Barlag works with leaders from the world’s largest companies. He sits in conversation with people solving huge problems. Yet he writes in the forward to the book, “The challenges that executives address are always the same things, over and over. Executives are always seeking ways to build better teams and be better leaders.” His lessons are applicable to our teams, to wherever we lead. Barlag’s book is a short one, about 100 pages. He doesn’t say things three times, then recap it. He gets to the point and gets on. He respects your time. You can read it in an evening or two, a few lunches. You’ll be glad you did and besides, as Barlag himself points out, “and there are pirates, and who doesn’t love pirates?” The Leadership Genius of Julius Caesar is available for sale at www.bkconnection.com or via Amazon. It is available in print and as an audiobook. There are also copies at the Forsyth County libraries.
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The Place of Forsyth Providing Social Services since 1975 Forsyth County residents that find themselves needing assistance due to job loss, death, or other life-changing occurrences, have relied on the assistance provided by The Place of Forsyth (The Place).
Since 1975, The Place of Forsyth (The Place) has been providing emergency basic needs to individuals and families during difficult times. The Place offers a variety of programs including Food Program, Focus on Forsyth, Financial Assistance, Thrift Store and Workforce Development.
The Food Program
A market located onsite provides supplies to those needing food. Donations from local businesses and grocery stores, community organizations, churches and individuals keep the shelves of the pantry stocked with everyday items. When the market needs items, a call is made, and donations pour in. “The generous spirit of our community is remarkable, and keeps our pantry open to help,” remarked Ashley Carroll, Food Services Coordinator. “The Noon Day meal is a nutritious meal provided each Wednesday to our community by churches, civic groups and families,” added Smith. “Hot meals and needed items are delivered to area seniors each week.” Food drives are held regularly to keep the pantry stocked. Items collected are donated to the MarketPLACE and Mobile Pantry at The Place. “It is a ‘client choice’ pantry and grows daily,” Carroll added. A mobile pantry was recently added to the program as part of the Leadership Forsyth Class of 2018 project.
Focus on Forsyth
For over eight years, Forsyth County seniors and families in need have been served by Focus on Forsyth. All referrals come from either senior services providers or school social workers. “Through this program we can help provide beds for children that are currently sleeping on the floor or help a senior with a wheelchair ramp or yard work,” explained Jerry Dupree, program coordinator.
Workforce Development
Realizing the need to assist individuals looking for work, The Place sought funding and interested individuals who wished to help others find work. From training to wardrobe, the program has aided under-employed and unemployed residents with job search assistance, work readiness training, and career and life coaching and to ensure they attain sustainable employment. Career opportunities are presented to job seekers during the popular job fairs hosted at The Place. “Businesses from all over Forsyth County are available during the fair to answer questions from job seekers and to take applications,” explained Lynn Sennett, program coordinator. In collaboration with a coalition of workforce development community partners, The Place Workforce Development can help: • Job Search Assistance • Job Leads • Resume Preparation • Access computers • Interview Preparation • Career Closet
Emergency Financial Assistance
The Place of Forsyth can provide direct aid for rent, utilities, medical, transportation and other basic needs on an emergency basis. To qualify for this assistance, individuals must meet with a case worker. Volunteers are an integral part of the success of the services provided at The Place. A variety of opportunities are available. “Our programs would not be as effective if not for the help from our wonderful volunteers,” explained Sue Meyer, volunteer coordinator. We are grateful to the many supporters that have helped us through the years,” explained Smith. “Our partnership with United Way of Forsyth, corporate and community sponsors, non-profit agencies and our government officials keep our organization alive,” Smith added. For more information on The Place of Forsyth, its programs and opportunities to help, contact 770-887-1098.
Youth Services • Orange Duffel. A 12-week program that teaches high school students at risk life skills to give them the inspiration, motivation, and tools to realize their potential and achieve their dream. Participating students received an orange duffel bag and laptop computer at the end of the program. Program Cost $1,400 per child and includes program cost, meals,transportation, leaders, facility and Laptop. • Youth/Young Adult Internships. A 6-month paid internship program that provides 20-hour work week, counseling, life skills, and job training. Program cost $200 a week. • The Place for Kids Summer Camp. A 6-week camp for elementary school age children. The camp provides breakfast, lunch, transportation, and fun activities. The camp cost is $200 a week per child For information on all programs and services, contact 770-887-1098 or visit www.theplaceofforsyth.org
Mission: The Place assists people of the Forsyth County area with essential needs and to be self-sustaining. Vision: Our vision is to improve lives in a compassionate and collaborative manner using the resources in our community. Values: Accountability and Stewardship • Compassion and Hope • Dignity and Respect • Collaboration and Coordination
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Just 15 minutes of laughter can burn 40 calories!
Healthiest Habit? Add More Laughter to Your Life! Feeling guilty for watching the Funniest Cat Compilations on YouTube? Don’t. You’re improving
your health. An authentic laugh evokes the same euphoric response as pain-relieving drugs. Study after study proves that engaging in activities that make you laugh boosts the immune system and reduces physical tension. Laughter also activates something in our brains that helps our memories. That explains why you can remember funny lines from a movie but not the items on your grocery list. Watch less of the violent, stressinducing world news, and add sillier to help you recharge. Movies: Netflix offers a monthly list of their Best Comedies. Search online for “Netflix Best Comedies.” Videos: Search YouTube for thousands of hours of your favorite funnies: from hilarious animal clips to the World’s Greatest Falls. Books: Amazon has a large selection of funny books. Search your preferences
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By Amy Lyle
from funny books for women to funny books by stand-up comedians. Apps that you use in your everyday life are embracing the funny. Wake up to Jimmy Fallon’s voice on his alarm clock app, add a funny ringtone and select Kevin Hart to bark directions at you on the WAZE navigation app. Laughter diffuses anger, increases energy levels, enhances teamwork and improves relationships; but the best reason for laughter is the experience itself. When you lose yourself in a funny movie or are laughing so hard with a friend that you lose your breath, it can only be described as magical. Be healthier… one laugh at a time! Amy Lyle lives in Forsyth County with her husband, lots of teenagers, and two dogs. Her book, The Amy Binegar-KimmesLyle Book of Failures, is available on Amazon. http://ow.ly/yGx930fcA3l
Corporate Citizenship By Matt Coutu
One of the benefits of living in a community such as Forsyth County is the overwhelming amount of corporate citizenship. Corporate citizens are businesses who benefit the town socially, culturally, environmentally, or any other way. Being involved in the community not only helps bolster the image of the business, but also boosts civic involvement. Most consumers are willing to pay more for products from socially conscious businesses, and almost all the world’s largest 250 companies now publish their Corporate Social Responsibility reports publicly online. It’s no secret that doing good work attracts and retains investors to the company, which is positive for the business. A corporation’s overall public image is at the mercy of its social responsibility programs and how aware consumers are of their work. A business that is not involved in the community will have a much more difficult time creating a positive public image. In the past, some corporate citizens have helped to raise millions of dollars for local charities. One such business was Norman’s Landing, which recently closed its doors for good after 22 years. The seafood restaurant, located on Peachtree Parkway, raised over $2.5
million for charities through its bi-annual pingpong tournaments and a host of other events. UPS, Advanced Disposal, American Proteins, Automation Direct, Palapas Mexican Grill, Cherry Street Taproom and Tanner’s Restaurant, and Casa Nuova Restaurant, to name a few, have joined several businesses and community leaders in the area in assisting local non-profit organizations fulfill their mission. Tim Sanders, a former executive at Yahoo! has told employees that “you’re never going to see headlines that say ‘Eco-concerns are dead’ or ‘Communities no longer need help.’” The success of a business is almost destined by how much it gives back to the community, because companies that give back, attract the most talented workers. Corporations that prove they are helping the community have been proven to attract and draw valuable, reliable, and engaged workers. Thus, philanthropically minded job-hunters are much more likely to apply and interview for available positions. After being hired, these individuals are more likely to stay with a company longer, be more productive, and have more creative ideas than disconnected workers. Being a good corporate citizen starts with how one treats their employees. Having the most eco-
friendly facilities in town doesn’t make much of a difference if people despise going to work there. A common theme of corporate culture is being limited to interaction within one’s own department but holding company-wide meetings that bring all departments together for a common good, is one way to boost positive hormones in the brain, as well as raise energy levels. Sales people are likely to make more calls and executives are less likely to leave their positions if they know that the work they’re doing affects more people than just their customers. Corporate citizenship also creates partnerships and chances to work alongside other businesses. These partnerships are incredibly important to the work a corporation can do in the local community and can also assist nonprofits that may not have the resources for larger marketing campaigns. Another key benefit is the fact that this partnership will likely curate consciousness for the nonprofit’s cause. By balancing focuses between the people, the planet, and the ‘profits entrepreneurs can be confident that the work they are doing will be beneficial to everyone involved.
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Grief + Love Languages By Allie Burdett
I’ve had something on my heart lately.
Grief + Love Languages Society teaches us that experiencing grief is not okay... that we must avoid these feelings and immediately “be strong”. We do this through a number of ways to distract ourselves, many of which I don’t have to name. Truthfully, we need to feel every bit of pain in order to heal...then we can be strong. When we’re experiencing grief, we all want to receive love and sympathy in different ways. This is where knowing someone’s love language comes into play. For those who don’t know, my love language is quality time. Nothing makes me feel more loved than when a family member/friend visits with me, giving me their undivided attention. No matter what we’re doing, I’m grateful just to spend time with them. This explains why my friend group is small but very close, because time is the most limited asset we have. When I’m experiencing grief, I simply want people to be there for me. I encourage you to remember love languages when your friend or family member is experiencing grief. How do they receive love? Below are a few ways to help your friend or family member heal during a difficult time. 32 MYFORSYTHMAG.COM VOLUME VIII | ISSUE 2
{
Love Languages 1. Words of Affirmation. Tell them you love them and that you’re there for them. 2. Acts of Service. Help them with household chores or buy them groceries 3. Receiving Gifts. Buy or re-purpose gifts for them that have special meaning 4. Quality Time. Visit with them or take them somewhere special 5. Physical Touch. Hug them or hold their hand while you talk with them
}
If you’re ever unsure how someone wants to receive love while they’re grieving, it doesn’t hurt to ask, “How can I help you during this difficult time?” Never assume. Find out your love language at www.5lovelanguages.com
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OVER STORY
by Julie Brennan
Expressing one’s passion with brushes, stencils, photography, or writing is a formidable and rewarding exercise. When
that passion can be taught to others, transformed into a therapeutic form, or used to deliver a message, it truly becomes something more than the sum of its parts.
Meet a few of the creative forces that are taking art into their own hands. Continued on next page VOLUME VIII | ISSUE 2 | MYFORSYTHMAG.COM 33
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OVER STORY
Alexis Litsch PEACE ALIEN
A young, dynamic, and focused entrepreneur, Alexis Litsch has cleverly combined her passion for painting and drawing with her wish to create “good vibes and fun” into a business like no other. Alexis is a freshman visual arts major at Kennesaw State University with a concentration in painting and drawing, where she made a 4.0 on her first semester and made the president’s list of the university for her grade point average. Peace Alien’s blue mascot, Ziggy, was born a few years ago from Alexis’ sketchbook and was used as the foundation of the brand. Alexis began by creating a few shirts for her own personal wardrobe at age 17. After several comments from friends and followers on Instagram, Alexis slowly built her style and passion for art into a brand she could share with others. Now, The Peace Alien brand is taking flight, and t-shirt sales are on the rise. To Alexis, the tie-dye colors represent PEACE and harmony between all, while Ziggy the ALIEN represents the fun and weird side of everyone. Alexis said, “We all have a little fun and weird side to us, and Peace Alien lets everyone express themselves and have fun.” Peace Alien is a brand that is meant to have fun, chill out, and encourage others to “Get Ziggy With It!”
Alexis finds motivation in her dad, the owner of Direct Refrigeration Sales. She recalls her dad referring to her original drawings as the “peace alien shirts.” “Having a role model in my life that exemplifies what hard work, ambition, and time can result in has been really grand. I am lucky to have someone so great to look up to as an example and a business mentor so close to my heart. My parents are both really encouraging - they are my cheerleaders and are really proud of what I do,” Alexis explained. “I just want to do well in life and accomplish all that I can with this brand. Many people think that success happens down the road, but I realize that the time to thrive is right here and now and to just take advantage of the moment we are in,” she added. As for Peace Alien, Alexis hopes to expand and keep working hard. “Maybe one day I will have a huge Peace Alien van and travel to different states and branch out from just Georgia,” Alexis added. Along with her dad, Alexis soon hopes to travel to the UFP Festival in Roswell, New Mexico. Alexis has a few more goals for her business. “I want to have Peace Alien grow enough by the time I finish college that I will be able to depend on it financially, then get my own studio where on one side I am able to create and sell art and on the other side I have my Peace Alien office and inventory/packaging center.” Alexis’ tenacity, disposition, and artistry are contagious. Spending time with her and her Peace Alien Ziggy can inspire anyone to shoot for the moon! Peace Alien www.peacealien.com
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Steven Willford PAINTER
For over 25 years, Steven has worked with different media, bringing his artistry to life on canvas. “Art is my world of euphoria. I get lost in my creative mind. I don’t need vacations to distant places or to attend concerts to reach a state of joy. Art is my escape like being pulled into a good book and being transported to another place,” Steven explained. “To give a voice or feeling or trigger a memory in someone and create something in a silent and visual medium is what I am after. Because I am in love with the process. I really don’t want the creative process to end and say I am finished.” Steven finds it hard to let go of a painting, as it is letting go of the exhilaration he experiences when creating his pieces of art. “When I finish a painting, it is very hard to push to say ‘I can do no more. It is done.’ The motivation is there waiting to find the inspiration to drive me to create. Motivating myself to finish and leave my world of euphoria is always tough,” Steven added. To date, one of the hardest paintings Steven recalled working on a commission for a client who was planning to give the painting as a gift to a friend. The painting was to depict a certain picture of Martin Luther King, Jr. After obtaining permission to use the photo for the painting, Steven’s creative process began. The historical importance of the photograph that inspired his painting, along with Steven’s
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Art brings us to a heightened awareness of what lies within us and provides an escape from every day stresses.” knowledge of the significance of the picture itself, made his work daunting yet exhilarating. “I researched, created, started over, and retouched my work as often as I needed to until I felt comfortable in knowing that I had depicted Dr. Martin Luther King’s picture into canvas with the clarity and vision it deserved,” Steven explained. Some paintings take longer than others, but it is obvious that Steven’s passion for bringing his subjects to life on canvas is remarkable. “From adding snow to a roof or running water through a river, my goal is to bring reality to a flat surface,” he added. Steven’s Facebook fans lovingly call him Painter Man & Mural Master. And that, he truly is.
Jayme Teague
ARTISTIC ADVENTURES
Steven Willford www.cheshireartisan.com
How you deal with life’s unexpected challenges is a matter of time and tenacity – and about how you manage your options. Since 2002, Jayme Teague has been creating art in various forms from clay to canvas as the owner of Artistic Adventures. The Artistic Adventures studio provides an environment where teachers and students create their favorite pieces of art in an interactive instruction format with limited interruption from the “outside world.”
Jayme describes art as a journey into the soul. She experienced working with clay for the first time over 25 years ago. After “playing in the mud” for two hours, she was hooked. She discovered that the lump of clay in front of her had transported her into a place of relaxation and peace. Further, she realized she had begun a journey into her soul. “After crashing several pots, I learned patience I had never had before. I was reminded of how little control we have over anything in this world, and that if we surrender we move to a level of peace and contentment too often overshadowed by life,” Jayme explained. “I learned that if I can take a crashed vessel and turn it into something of great beauty, I can also take a bad day or a life challenge and find many positives.” Further, she overcame her inner beliefs that she had no real artistic talent. “Art brings us to a heightened awareness of what lies within us and provides an escape from everyday stresses,” Jayme stated. The studio offers a variety of classes throughout the year, including summer camps; pottery wheel, glass fusion, drawing, and painting classes, and private lessons. Birthday parties and special celebrations can also be accommodated.
For questions about classes or parties, contact 404-642-6564, visit www.artistic-adventures.com.
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OVER STORY
Angela Murray PHOTOGRAPHY
From ballet and tap to theater and music, Angela has been creating art in one form or another since she was a toddler. “By the time I was seven, I had my first plastic pink le clic film camera. When I brought my pictures in from our third-grade field trip to downtown Atlanta, my teacher told me I should be a photographer. Like any good student I didn’t listen until 16 years later when I decided to go back to school for photography,” Angela
recalled. “In photography I was inspired by fashion photographers Erwin Blumenfeld and Matthew Rolston. At the beginning I loved to photograph anything, but I especially enjoyed highlighting people. I feel that everyone has beautiful features and it is my job to highlight those.” After 13 years as a photographer, Angela had the itch to create in a new medium. As an outlet and a stress reliever, she turned to painting. She found inspiration in her grandmother, a portrait artist. “I enjoy my work and I want others to enjoy the process as well. I am open to collaboration with my clients, and I always hear from clients that they had a great time,” Angela explained. “I am lucky to work in a field I am passionate about, and I want to share that passion and joy with others. I think it’s important to share your knowledge (I’ve had many interns) and to give back to your community in whatever you are good at. I find that attitude catches on, not that my life hasn’t been without its road bumps. Everything isn’t as perfect as it looks on Facebook. And I have learned to
share that with others too in my personal life. As an artist you use those experiences, the heartache, and the joy in your work,” Angela added. “My work is mainly about beauty. Both in my paintings and my photography. I tend to want to focus on that rather than the negative, and I hope that others will too.”
Angelaphotography.com aphoto@angelaphotography.com
We live in a cognitively-overloaded world, where the volume of information supply— from images to words—seems to exceed and even overwhelm the information processing capacity of the individual. Yet, when we set our minds to do so, we can find the time and space to enjoy the beauty within those images and words. Whether through pottery, photography, painting or writing, expressing the beauty of nature and life with art can reinvigorate our minds and souls.
Alexis Litsch Peace Alien
Steven Willford Painter
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Jayme Teague Artistic Adventures
Angela Murray Photography
IF YOU DON’T SEE HOPE AND WILL,
IT’S NOT CHILDREN’S
ORTHOPAEDICS AND SPORTS MEDICINE
We would like to welcome the more than 30 orthopaedic and sports medicine physicians, surgeons and advanced practice providers formerly of Children’s Orthopaedics of Atlanta to the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta family. Remember, if you don’t see Hope and Will, it’s not the Children’s expert orthopaedic care.
©2018 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Inc. All rights reserved.
CHILDREN’S AT FORSYTH
410 PEACHTREE PARKWAY, STE 300, CUMMING
CHILDREN’S AT OLD MILTON
3300 OLD MILTON PARKWAY, STE 310, ALPHARETTA
choa.org/ortho
Bliss
FINDING HARMONY WITHIN By Jennessa Sabella
Caretakers, givers, lovers, healers, mothers, daughters, sisters, friends...most women fill their time taking care of the people around them.
Yet they feel selfish taking the time to care for themselves. We spend our resources of time, money and energy on everyone else, and often end up feeling depleted and empty. How does that really help us serve those we love? Wouldn’t it make more sense to serve ourselves first, so we can take better care of those we love. Like on the airplane, you must place your own air mask on yourself first, then assist your child or loved one. Could it be more selfish to neglect yourself than to spend time or money taking care of yourself? If your self-care efforts could help you feel more energetic and more well-rested, while reducing things that slow you down, like chronic pain or illness, how much more available could you be to the people you love? Take note of your overall energy during times that you’ve felt nurtured vs. times that you’ve felt exhausted. That energy affects everyone you meet. One of my favorite songwriters, Brandi Carlile, said, “Do I make myself a blessing to
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Make yourself a priority in your life. Commit to things that are valuable to your wellbeing.” everyone I meet?” Those lyrics hit my heart. Spending personal resources to keep your body healthy and your energy positive will make you feel better. When your cup is full, you have more to pour out to your friends and family. Make yourself a priority in your life. Commit to things that are valuable to your well-being. Get a monthly massage. Take regular yoga classes. Start a journal. Paint, draw or sculpt. Go to a concert or enjoy a live performance at a theater. Spend quality time with friends who make you laugh and smile. Find things that stir your passion and increase your health and vitality. I challenge you to adopt a new perspective. Neglecting yourself is selfish. Taking good care of yourself is not. Jennessa Sabella is a massage therapist, yoga instructor, selflove and body confidence coach, and the owner of Bliss Mama Wellness. She may be reached at info@blissmamawellness.com
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When Tragedy Turns into a Calling By Jessica Jimenez I lost my only son eight and a half years ago. After losing Jacob, I struggled to understand why. I didn’t understand, but I chose to trust what God promised; he doesn’t allow something bad to happen without birthing something good out of it. At that pivotal moment, it became my mission to prevent any mother from ever burying her child over a needless death, and drowning is a needless death. Drowning does not discriminate; it crosses all barriers of race, income, age or class in life. Drowning is also silent and only takes seconds. In 2017, Georgia ranked #5 in the nation with fatal drownings for children under the age of 15 that were related to pools or spas.* A sobering statistic released for 2017 by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPCS), stated that From Memorial Day through Labor Day 2017, at least 163 children younger than age 15 fatally drowned in swimming pools or spas, according to media reports compiled by the USA Swimming Foundation. Of the 163 reports, 112 of the victims -- nearly 70 percent -- were children younger than age five.1 What parents fail to realize, is that one of the biggest reasons children drown is due to the mindset and improper use of floatation. Floatation is the enemy and the sooner we get that message out there, the better. Relying on floatation gives both parents and children a false sense of security about safety in and around the water and that is not something easily removed from a young child’s memory. Children are not capable of understanding 40 MYFORSYTHMAG.COM 40 MYFORSYTHMAG.COM | VOLUME VOLUMEVIII VIII• ISSUE | ISSUE22
that they cannot swim without something holding them up. There are only two things that can prevent a child from drowning; one; consistent, unwavering supervision in and around the water and two, a child learning how to roll to their back and float. I have been teaching survival swim lessons to babies and little children for over 30-years and have witnessed for myself, children as young as 6 months rolling and floating! SwimKids training is solely dedicated to teaching babies and children under 10 to self-survive in the water, once this is accomplished it time to have fun and learn new water skills. Our motto is safety first! The swim-float-swim, or swim-float-survival program can begin as early as 6 months of age. We also have a specialized program for younger babies as young as 4 months of age, called Little Splashers. We feel that if your baby can roll over on land, we can teach them to float and swim in the water. SwimKids’ lessons are not limited to babies; we teach the method of self-survival to any aged child and then move them into our
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The only thing that will prevent drowning, is knowing how to float! If SwimKids can save one child from drowning, I have done my job.
other programs, such as stroke development. SwimKids has a dedicated pool that is a 90-degree climatecontrolled environment for the comfort of small children and babies. We also use three forms of sanitation; salt, ozone, and UV-C. Pool Safety and water safety is more than a necessity; however, it doesn’t prevent drowning. The only thing that will prevent drowning, is knowing how to float! If SwimKids can save one child from drowning, I have done my job. **While our lessons do cost money, we understand that not everyone can afford the cost of the survival swim lessons. As mentioned, drowning doesn’t discriminate and SwimKids feels that every child should learn this life-saving skill, so we began J.A.C.O.B., Just a Couple of Bubbles; a non-profit designed to give scholarships to those families who cannot afford the cost of private lessons. No child should ever drown because the family could not afford to pay for swim lessons. https://www.cpsc.gov/Latest-Pool-Safely-Stats-AtLeast-163-Children-Fatally-Drowned-in-Pools-andSpas-This-Summer
1.
“SWIM-FLOAT-SURVIVE”
SwimKids of Georgia, Inc 1505 Redi Rd | Cumming, GA 30041 770.330-6164 Swimkidsofgeorgia.com VOLUMEVIII VIII| ISSUE • ISSUE | MYFORSYTHMAG.COM 41 VOLUME 2 |2 MYFORSYTHMAG.COM 41
Weight Loss Strategies: Diets, Drugs or Doctors By Narendra Singh, MD
Without a doubt the most common question I get asked is how best to lose weight. If there was a simple answer I would not be writing this article! Recently, TIME magazine writer Amanda MacMillan offered eight strategies that work best for weight loss. I have covered many of these topics in other articles but here is a quick summary; 1. Eat a big breakfast. Data suggests a big breakfast reduces plaque buildup in arteries and reduces the release of hormones that make you want to eat more later in the day. 2. Drink at least one less soda per week. Sugary beverages increase waist size which in turn causes diabetes and heart disease. 3. Eat a Mediterranean-style diet. This means more fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grain, olive oil, and lean sources of animal protein. Avoid processed foods and drink alcohol in moderation like a glass of wine with dinner. This diet is rich in phytochemicals that have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. As a result you have less heart and stroke disease, less diabetes, cancer and kidney disease. 4. Exercise to keep the weight off. Food choices and portions cause weight loss but exercise helps keep it off by burning excess calories. 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise a week is considered a minimum.
5. Get a good night’s sleep. Sleep has many benefits but increasing sleep time and the quality of sleep actually helps lose weight by reducing subsequent sugar intake and improving food choices. 6. Eat more slowly. Chewing food longer allows the body to release stomach hormones that give you a feeling of fullness and satiety. Eating beyond fullness leads to excess calories and weight gain. 7. Dump fake sugar. Artificial sweetners actually increase weight gain. The mechanisms are not clear but these agents can interfere with sugar metabolism. In addition, they create a taste for and craving for real sugar resulting in carbohydrate binge eating. 8. Don’t worry about workout weight gain. Good workouts often shift weight so muscle mass and water weight goes up while fat weight goes down. Waist circumference may be a better measure than the weight scale. Low fat and low carb diets are equally healthy but low carb diets tend to produce better weight loss. When diet and exercise fail, there are drugs that can help reduce weight. Avoid weight loss supplements that often have stimulants that can cause heart rate and blood pressure to go up. Avoid diuretics and thyroid pills unless you need them for other reasons. Orlistat (Alli and Xenical) is an over-the-counter weight loss aid that prevents absorption of food but often has unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects.
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There are three FDA approved prescription oral drugs. Lorcaserin (Belviq) works on serotonin brain receptors and creates a feeling of fullness. The combination of Phenteramine and topiramate (Qsymia) or the naltrexone and buproprion (Contrave) work to control hunger and increase satiety. All three agents appear to level off after an average of 15-20 lb weight loss. The last approved agent in a daily injection is liraglutide (Saxenda), which is also used in lower doses for diabetes management and has favorable effects on the heart. Finally, if all else fails and your BMI (body mass index) is in the morbid obese (>40) category, then a visit to a specialized doctor known as a bariatric surgeon is recommended. They can perform various operations such as a lap band procedure, gastric sleeve procedure or a full gastric bypass surgery. These procedures cause the greatest weight loss and, in well-motivated patients, can reduce diabetes, lower blood pressure, lower bad cholesterol and actually improve survival. So what are you weighting for? Lets shed those pounds!
NARENDRA SINGH, MD, FRCP(C), FACC, FAHA
Clinical Assistant Professor – Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University Director, Clinical Research, Atlanta Heart Specialists LLC, Atlanta, GA
DrSingh@ahsmed.com www.heartdrsingh.com
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The Great Outdoors Calls
PREVENT ANKLE SPRAINS
As the warmer weather continues, so does our desire to spend more time outdoors. From sports and gardening, we will spend more time doing things that may, without prevention, cause ankle sprains. According to Dr. Brian Harley, DPM, FACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon, ankle sprains are one of the most common sports injuries he treats this time of year. “As people emerge from their winter hibernation and start to get active again, they can injure their ankles playing sports such as basketball, baseball, tennis and soccer,” Dr. Harley explained. “Anyone who injures an ankle requires prompt medical treatment, whether it’s their first sprain or their fifth.” We asked Dr. Harley a few questions about ankle sprains and prevention tips. What are your recommendations for the treatment of sprains? A Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries that I see in my office this time of year, especially with athletes. As people emerge from their winter hibernation and start getting active again, they can injure their ankles. Simply tripping or stumbling on uneven ground is enough for anyone, athlete or not, but I most often see sprains in those who play basketball, baseball, tennis and soccer. Pain, swelling, bruising and difficulty walking on the affected ankle are some of the most common symptoms of a sprain. If you’ve injured your ankle, whether you think it’s just a sprain or not, get prompt medical treatment. A sprain may not always be a sprain; the ankle could be fractured. Rest, ice, compression and elevation (R.I.C.E.) can reduce swelling and pain until the ankle can be Q
evaluated and treated by a qualified foot and ankle surgeon familiar with sports medicine. What is chronic ankle stability? What are available treatment options? A Many athletes develop chronic ankle instability from repeated ankle sprains, which causes their ankle to frequently give way. In some cases, these players may require surgery. Proper rehabilitation of an ankle sprain reduces the likelihood of developing chronic ankle instability. Q
Please give a few tips for preventing an ankle sprain. A There are three tips I recommend for preventing ankle sprains: • Always warm up with stretches and exercises before any activity. • Wear the right shoes for the sport. For example, don’t wear running shoes for sports that involve a lot of side-to-side movement, such as tennis and basketball. • If you’re recovering from an injury or have repeatedly sprained your ankle in the past, wear an ankle brace for added support. Q
Whether a master gardener or a weekend warrior, experience the great outdoors carefully.
Brian Harley
DPM, FACFAS Alpharetta Foot & Ankle Specialists 2000 Howard Farm Dr., Suite 340 Cumming, GA 30041
770-667-4410
alpharettafootandankle.com
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Orthokeratology: Specialized lenses to improve vision
Information provided by Mira Sivan, OD from www.orthokacademy.com
A revolutionary non-surgical procedure that eliminates the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses, Orthokeratology, Ortho-K for short), is a safe and effective treatment can correct nearsightedness or Myopia. It is a great alternative to LASIK for those who don’t want the risk or are not ready for surgery. It improves vision by gently reshaping your eye while you sleep using specially designed therapeutic contact lenses. You just put the specially-fitted lenses in at bedtime, and when you awake, you will have clear, sharp, natural vision for your waking hours, without the need of glasses or contacts. How does it work? A therapeutic lens is created based on the mapping of your eyes using a high-tech instrument called
a topographer. This allows for the creation of a custom lens specifically designed for your eye and its unique visual problems. The lens is made from advanced highly oxygen permeable material which allows your eye to breath overnight and maintain excellent health. This corneal reshaping lens has several specialized curves that reshape your cornea (the front surface of your eye). The tear film beneath this therapeutic lens continuously flows across the corneal surface, resulting the shape. This improved shape focuses images directly on the retina. The result is crisp, clean vision upon waking and removing your lenses. How long does it take? It can take from one to four weeks to achieve excellent vision. However, some people achieve this in as little as one day. The speed depends in part to your initial prescription. During the first few days of the Ortho-K process, you may be fitted with a temporary soft contact until excellent vision is achieved. Is Ortho-K safe for children? Studies have shown that Ortho-K lenses can slow the progress of myopia. Numerous published studies have documented that children wearing Ortho-K lenses experience little to no myopic progression during treatment. Visit www.okglobal.org for details.
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In the most basic of terms Accelerated Overnight Orthokeratology or Ortho-K is the science of changing the curvature or shape of the cornea to change how light is focused on the retina at the back of one’s eye. Am I a Good Ortho-K Candidate? • Are you unable to wear contacts due to allergies? • Do you suffer from dry eye, making contact lenses impossible to wear? • Are you tired of getting debris under your oxygen permeable lenses? • Would you like to enjoy sports, work, hike, swim or ski without wearing glasses or daytime lenses? • Do you want to wake up and see? • Do you dislike wearing glasses or contact lenses? • Are your child’s eyes getting worse every year? Unlike the age limits imposed on refractive surgery, Ortho-K has no age limit. A thorough examination of your eyes will take place, including an evaluation of their health, prior to deciding whether Ortho-K is right for you. For more information on Orthokeratology, contact our office at 678.648.5185.
Surrender
& Extraordinary: A STORY OF MAGNIFICENT GROWTH IN FOUR DAYS By Rachael Walkup
For the last couple of years I’ve chosen a single word to focus on for the whole year. I believe this makes it simpler
and more achievable than to write out a bunch of New Years’ resolutions that most likely won’t be met. But I have to say that when I chose the word “surrender” for 2018, I had no idea what that was really going to mean. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines surrender as “to yield to the power, control, or possession of another upon compulsion or demand, to give up completely or agree to forgo especially in favor of another.” I’ll admit that I’m a Type A personality and I thrive by being in control. Hence why I picked the word surrender for 2018. I knew I needed to yield to the power of God who is fully capable of trusting and following. Fast forward to last month… What comes to mind when you think of being in the hospital? When I think of just the word ‘hospital.’ I think of sickness, pain, dreary hallways, and rooms empty of bustle. I think of just ordinary days, emergencies rushing in and surgeries working in the back. After my 4-day stay at Northside Hospital Forsyth on the 8th Tower, I found much more. In fact, it’s safe to say, I experienced extraordinary. What led to my hospitalization started earlier in the week. I came down with a high fever, headache, and a 200-bpm resting heartrate. I was rushed to the emergency room early on a Sunday morning. I have an auto-immune disease that causes my body to attack different organs. It’s been my adrenal glands in the past and now my thyroid was taking a serious hit. When I arrived at the ER, I was rushed back and given meds to help with the fever and pain from a migraine that had taken root. Soon after I was admitted and rolled up to one of the newest floors referred to as “8 Tower.” And that is where my story really begins. I had round-the-clock nursing care, which was divided into 12-hour shifts. My first nurse was extremely helpful because I was still in so much pain. She sat with me and even put a cold cloth on my head to help with my fever, which was still raging. Soon it switched to the night shift where another nurse was even better. It seemed with every shift change I was being introduced to these angels who were there to lift my spirits and serve me in a way I have never experienced before. Towards the end of my stay I encountered several nurses who shared a piece of their story with me. One was a war refugee. She had to flee her home with nothing but her sweet child and a few diapers and a bottle. Another one was an executive and high on the totem pole in his country for years yet when he moved here he started at the bottom. He was a medical tech and simply took my stats. Every time he entered my room, he would bring me ice water. He also was always smiling and to
me that makes such the difference. Other staff I experienced was just out of medical school or in the medical field for over 25 years. The point is, no matter who I met, their eyes were always in contact with mine. They looked for a way to make me laugh, smile, or be encouraged. And they served me however they could. My hospital stay was less about my diagnosis and more about my personal state of mind. I spent 4 days in pain. I spent 4 days missing my family. I spent 4 days longing for the comfort of my home. I spent 4 days afraid for my life. Yet on the bright side...I spent 4 days being cared for by an extraordinary team. I spent 4 days in the presence of angels who encouraged me deeply. I spent 4 days learning that my suffering was creating character in me. I spent 4 days healing from the inside out. I recently had surgery to remove my thyroid, which we discovered was completely toxic. I’m still in recovery. But I’m so grateful for the care I received from the extraordinary staff at Northside Hospital Forsyth. We are so blessed to live in a county with excellent schools, outstanding medical care, and marvelous people. I hope you realize how fortunate you are to live in the great county of Forsyth! Rachael Walkup has lived in North Georgia all her life. Since 2006 – The Walkup family has made Forsyth County their home. Along with being a wife and mom, Rachael is an avid blogger, social media expert, and owner of CummingLocal.com. Her time is spent promoting local events and small businesses in North Georgia.
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Records indicate that there was some library service in Forsyth County in the 1920s, when “Aunt Laura” Hockenhull made her private library available to others. She had a private library where young and old could mingle and browse among the books. She also borrowed books and magazines from the Atlanta Public Library, for which she charged a small fee to cover the cost of the forty-mile drive into Atlanta.
Forsyth County Libraries: CHAMPIONS OF LITERACY & LIFELONG LEARNING
While there are more than 400,000 books on the shelves, Forsyth County Public Library (FCPL) and its four branches offer so much more to residents of Forsyth County. “We are champions of literacy and lifelong learning, offering personalized service to all patrons,” explained Anna Lyle, Library Director. In addition to traditional library services like audiobooks, eBooks, and public computers, FCPL also provides access to hundreds of research, financial, and health databases and even provides free, online tutoring from The Princeton Review’s Tutor.com service to help students with dozens of subjects from elementary school to college-level, as well as SAT/ACT test preparation and career education for adults. All of these services can be accessed for free at the Cumming, Hampton Park, Post Road, and Sharon Forks Libraries. With a library card account, patrons can also access the resources from home or mobile devices. “FCPL is a vital participant in the Forsyth County community, striving to improve the quality of life for everyone,” stated Stephen Kight, library deputy director.
The Library is well on the way to achieving that goal with more than 600,000 people visiting branches, checking out more than 2,420,000 books and materials, and working with library staff to answer more than 250,000 questions last year. In fact, Forsyth’s libraries are so popular with residents that the Sharon Forks Library even outgrew its building. With funding from SPLOST VII, Forsyth County Impact Fees, and a construction grant from the State of Georgia, the Sharon Forks branch completed a major expansion and renovation project earlier this year that almost doubled the size of the building. “The expansion of the Sharon Forks Library was desperately needed,” Lyle added. “We needed the space to meet the needs of our patrons; we were simply running out of room.” Sharon Forks isn’t the only thing at FCPL to receive a makeover. With more local schools encouraging students to read for pleasure this summer, FCPL revamped its summer reading program to appeal to different learning styles and inspire extended learning in music, art, languages, physical activity, and helping others. Students can track their reading to earn points online that can be used for up to three new books or other prizes, such as treats from local restaurants and game cards from Stars & Strikes. Participants can also earn extra raffle entries for grand prizes like a mountain bike, movie gift cards, or eReaders. Over the summer, the Library will present more than 400 storytimes, puppet shows, theatrical and musical performances, workshops, and science-themed programs for children, teens, and adults. Admission to all programs is free and it’s not necessary to have a library card to participate. There’s something for patrons of all ages at each of Forsyth’s libraries this summer. Adults can enjoy a free series of fishing workshops with local celebrity angler Ken Sturdivant, an Irish or Sikh musical performance, or join a summer book club for parents of elementary and middle school students. Each branch offers programs just for tweens and teens, and even the youngest patrons can join weekly storytimes. A complete schedule of programs, registration for Summer Reading Fun, and information on supporting the library by volunteering with the FCPL Friends & Advocates is available on the Library’s website. Forsyth County Public Library: www.forsythpl.org
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I imagine it costs a lot to feed, house, and provide medical care for all of these beautiful creatures. What are your expenses and how much is supported from outside donors? Q
A Each chimpanzee costs us about $20,000 per year to take care of, and we are 100% supported from donations from the caring public. Q What does a typical day look like at the property?
Saving Chimpanzees in Nearby Morganton GA By Hannah Testa When I was 10 I discovered a local horse sanctuary here in Cumming called Save the Horses and fell in love with the horses and the sanctuary so much so that I led a huge fundraiser for the rescue that was featured on CBS News Atlanta. That was my first big
foray into volunteerism. Did you know there is a chimpanzee sanctuary not far from Forsyth County? Project Chimps, America’s newest, private sanctuary for chimpanzees retired from medical research is located just over an hour away in picturesque Morganton, GA. They are a nonprofit organization that relies solely on donations in order to fulfill its mission of providing chimpanzees with the highest quality of sanctuary care for the rest of their lives. I had the honor of visiting the Project Chimps facility after I led a fundraising effort, working with our generous Forsyth County community, to furnish toys, food, and other supplies for the sanctuary. I also had the opportunity to interview Ms. Ali Crumpacker, Executive Director and wanted to share the interview here.
How did all of this get started? What was behind the idea for Project Chimps? Q
Chimpanzees have unfortunately been used in medical research for a very long time and back in 2015 the general public came together with some very strong animal advocates and won the right to free chimps from biomedical research. The problem was there were still several hundred chimps living in laboratories in America and they had no place to go. So Project Chimps was created to give them a beautiful place to live for the rest of their lives. A
Who decided on this location in Georgia and this particular property? Q
A The organization’s founders looked at several different locations. They were looking
for a property with several hundred acres, in a location that wasn’t too cold, and they discovered this facility which used to house gorillas. Interestingly, in this small town of Morganton, GA there used to be a gorilla sanctuary and we were able to refurbish a lot of the enclosures and make them chimp friendly. Q
When did the facility open?
The organization came about in 2014 and the first group of chimpanzees arrived in 2016. A
Q How many chimps do you currently have and what are your forward-looking plans?
A We have 40 chimps now and our goal is to house about 60 by the end of 2018. There are still 170 more to bring here, and bringing them here is dependent on how fast we can raise funds to build facilities for them. We are hoping to raise enough funds over the next 4-5 years to bring all of the chimps to Project Chimps. Q Are there other facilities like this one in the US?
There are several sanctuaries throughout the country, but everyone is pretty full. A
Q
Where are the chimps coming from?
All of the chimps are coming from a research center in Louisiana. A
Q
How long can chimps live in the sanctuary?
The ones we have now are between eight and 27 and we anticipate they can live to 50-55 years old. A
Q
What do the chimps typically eat?
In the wild they spend 75% of their time foraging in the forest, looking for leaves, nuts, seeds, berries, and occasionally rodents and other small primates. Here at this facility we are focusing on whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains, and they get a daily snack that contains all of their vitamins. A
A The chimps look forward to their morning meal, they get fresh fruit and they get a physical check-up. Then after a stimulating puzzle or activity, they are given lunch and another stimulating activity, and then they get dinner.
Tell us something that no one in the public would know about working here. Q
A A little secret, if you work here you will never ever mistake an owl hoot from a chimp hoot. At night, the neighbors here mistake chimpanzee noises for other animals. Q Tell us some of the highlights of being part of Project Chimps.
A It is absolutely amazing to see the chimps getting to know us, and having them relax into a new lifestyle, as they are experiencing all new things for the first time. Q What challenges do you expect as you continue to grow and add more chimps?
A The hardest part is that they will eventually get older, when they’ll have illnesses and ailments, and we’ll still want to make their days as happy as possible. Q What are your biggest needs right now? How can the public help?
Our biggest needs are getting the word out about helping chimpanzees, whether it is helping our facility or one of the others and making sure that members of the public that can donate do so. This way, we can expand our operations and get chimpanzees out of the lab as soon as possible. A
Q
Will the sanctuary be open to the public?
We will open for a few limited tours in 2018 we are not a zoo and these chimps will never be on exhibit - but we do have some opportunities for supporters to see the chimps. People should join our mailing list or go to our website to learn more. A
Q What message do you have for kids like myself?
Learn as much as you can about as many species as you can, because the more you learn the more you’ll appreciate what you don’t know and that’s the only way we can help the world. A
If you want to help this amazing organization, they are gladly accepting donations and supplies, and they are interested in dedicated volunteers as well. Please visit www.projectchimps.org to find out more.
VOLUME VIII | ISSUE 2 | MYFORSYTHMAG.COM 49
Auto Repair? No Problem ‘Mon!
By Tom Burgess, Owner, Christian Brothers Automotive, Cumming GA
My wife, a newly vetted travel agent, surprised me with a ‘free’ trip to Jamaica last month (have you ever heard the saying that nothing in life is free?). Being a car guy, I was amazed at what we saw as we travelled the 90 minutes via van between the Montego Bay airport and our resort. The busy two-lane ‘main’ road we travelled on was interesting, to say the least. It was very narrow, very poorly maintained with large potholes the driver would do his best to swerve around when he could, and frequently there was no barrier to stop you from plunging off the cliff that lay just a few feet beyond the edge of the pavement. This did not deter some motorists from passing in the turns to get just one car ahead, and even the public transit van sped past us, full of passengers, horn blowing and one brave (foolish) man standing in the open sliding door with a big grin on his face. Evidence of past poor decisions could be seen in the car-sized broken gaps in the blocks that were in place in some turns. I have often heard about “island roads” from this magazine’s publisher, an Island-girl herself. Julie often reminds me, “roads and car care are not the same in the islands as they are here.” She has been right all-along! When I asked about the homes still under construction, I was told they do not give home construction loans in Jamaica; if the owner runs out of money all construction ceases. The
standard of living we take for granted in the United States, even among the poor, appears to be far superior to what we saw down there. Another thing we often take for granted in mainland USA is the quality of auto repair facilities. From what I saw in Jamaica, it is a wonder they can keep cars running at all. Shocks and struts are subjected to constant abuse due to the poor condition of the roads, and I wondered how any newer car with significant issues was being repaired. With computers controlling nearly every aspect of the modern automobile or truck, how were the mechanics in the more rural areas of Jamaica troubleshooting issues without the required sophisticated scan tools? A quick Google check revealed that residents cannot bring in vehicles more than five years old, and there were plenty of more modern cars on the road. The shops we passed certainly did not look capable of diagnosing any vehicle with a computer (all vehicles past 1996 have On Board Diagnostic software), and when I spoke to the locals working at the resort they confirmed they normally took their cars to a mechanic who worked out of their home. Yes, another thing Julie has reminded me off regularly.
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We saw many of these ‘shops’ on the way to and from the resort. As most everything you touch in a modern-day vehicle passes through the computer, it is nearly impossible to diagnose issues without a scan tool and the manufacturer’s diagnostic troubleshooting guides. Without the ability to confirm signals are travelling to and from the vehicles many computers, mechanics often resort to replacing parts and hoping the new part solves the issue. It is sad to think that Jamaicans, or any other islander, is spending money on unnecessary parts. I often thought of the irony of living in such a beautiful tropical paradise, where tourists pour year-round to enjoy the ocean breeze and treats that only an island can bring. Despite the challenges they confront, Jamaicans always seem to be in a good mood and smiling! Upon returning home I was grateful for the time away, for the folks I met and areas I visited. I was also grateful for having the ability to provide car maintenance and services for all…right here in Cumming GA. We had a wonderful vacation and would certainly go back again – although my wife would prefer a resort a bit closer to the airport next time!
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Hands Free Georgia By Logan Butler
The Hands Free Georgia Act became effective on July 1, 2018. This law substantially changes the manner in which we can utilize our cell phones, GPS navigation, digital music players, and other similar devices while operating a motor vehicle in Georgia. The goal of the Hands Free Act is to greatly decrease the number of accidents, injuries, and fatalities on Georgia roadways that are caused by distracted driving. Here is what you need to know in order to comply with the new Hands Free law. First, the law prohibits any activity which would distract a driver from the safe operation of their vehicle. This could include looking at your children in your backseat, reading a book, or putting on makeup while driving. It could also include simply looking down at your phone in your console even if you are not touching the phone. The law gets more specific regarding the use of “stand-alone electronic devices,” which are your digital music and video players, and “wireless telecommunications devices,” which are your cell phones, text messaging devices, digital assistants, stand-alone computers, GPS receivers, and substantially similar portable wireless devices. The law does not apply to radios, CB radios, subscription-based emergency communication devices, prescribed medical devices, or in-vehicle security, navigation, or remote diagnostic systems. Under the new law, while operating a motor vehicle you: 1) Cannot physically hold or support, with any part of your body, a wireless telecommunications device or a stand-alone electronic device. You may utilize your vehicle’s Bluetooth connection, an earpiece, headphone
device, or wrist device to conduct voicebased communications. You cannot use an earpiece or headphone to listen to music. Cannot write, send, or read any textbased communication which includes text messages, instant messages, emails, social media, and internet data, such as a webpage. This prohibition does not apply to a voice to text communication where the device automatically converts the spoken word to text. The law also does not apply to the use of the device for navigation of the vehicle. But remember, if you look too long at the navigation screen you could be in violation of the general prohibition against distracted driving. Cannot watch a video or movie but you can watch data related to the navigation of your vehicle so long as you are not distracted. Cannot record or broadcast a video from your device. This means no FaceTime, Skype, or Vlogging while driving. This does not apply to devices used for the sole purpose of continuously recording or broadcasting video, such as a dashcam that continuously records. Commercial and school bus drivers have some additional restrictions.
emergency, fire, unsafe road condition, or to report a criminal act. There are also exceptions applicable to law enforcement officers, fire fighters, emergency medical services, public safety, and utility service providers who may use their devices in the performance of their jobs. There is no grace period for this law, so tickets can be issued immediately if you are found in violation. The penalty for violating the Hands Free Law depends on how many prior offenses you have. For a first violation you will receive one point against your driver’s license, for a second you will receive two points and for a third, or subsequent, you will receive three points. Additionally, for a first violation in the past 24 months you will be fined a maximum amount of $50.00. A second violation in the past 24 months carries a fine of up to $100.00. And for a third violation in the past 24 months you will be fined a maximum amount of $150.00. There are no additional fees or surcharges associated with these fines. However, for your first offense of holding or supporting a device while driving you may appear in court with proof that you have purchased a hands-free device so that you will be in compliance with the law in the future and the charge will be dismissed. You may only use this provision once and the court will require you to swear under oath that you have not utilized this provision in the past.
However, there are some exceptions to these prohibitions. You may use your device while your vehicle is lawfully parked. Lawfully parked does not include being stopped at a traffic light, stop sign, or in heavy traffic. So, you cannot use your device in a prohibited manner while stopped at a red light. You may also use your device to report a traffic accident, medical
Logan Butler is a partner at Patterson Moore Butler Attorneys and Mediators. For more information visit www.pattersonmoorebutler.com. Butler specializes in criminal defense and business and civil litigation.
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MY FORSYTH | SCHOOL DIRECTORY
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Midway Elementary 4805 Atlanta Highway 770.475.6670 Principal: Jan Munroe jmunroe@forsyth.k12.ga.us
North Forsyth Middle 3645 Coal Mountain Drive 770.889.0743 Principal: Todd McClelland tmcclelland@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Brandywine Elementary 15 Martin Dr. Alpharetta Principal: Todd Smith tsmith@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Sawnee Elementary 1616 Canton Highway 770.887.6161 Principal: Dr. Eileen Nix ecnix@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Otwell Middle 605 Tribble Gap Road 770.887.5248 Principal: Steve Miller stmiller@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Brookwood Elementary 2980 Vaughan Drive 678.965.5060 Principal: Tracey Smith tsmith@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Settles Bridge Elementary 600 James Burgess Road 770.887.1883 Principal: Saran VonEsh svonesh@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Chattahoochee Elementary 2800 Holtzclaw Road 770.781.2240 Principal: Barbara Vella bvella@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Sharon Elementary 3595 Old Atlanta Road 770.888.7511 Principal: Amy Bartlett abartlett@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Big Creek Elementary 1994 Peachtree Parkway 770.887.4584 Principal: Laura Webb lwebb@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Chestatee Elementary 6945 Keith Bridge Road 770.887.2341 Principal: Polly Tennies ptennies@forsyth.k12.ga.us Coal Mountain Elementary 3455 Coal Mountain Drive 770.887.7705 Principal: Kimberly Davis kdavis@forsyth.k12.ga.us Cumming Elementary 540 Dahlonega Street 770.887.7749 Principal: Lee Anne Rice lrice@forsyth.k12.ga.us Daves Creek Elementary 3740 Melody Mizer Lane 770.888.1223 Principal: Eric Ashton eashton@forsyth.k12.ga.us Haw Creek Elementary 2555 Echols Road 678.965.5070 Principal: June Tribble jtribble@forsyth.k12.ga.us Johns Creek Elementary 6205 Old Atlanta Road 678.965.5041 Principal: Alyssa Degliumberto adegliumberto@forsyth.k12.ga.us Kelly Mill Elementary 1180 Chamblee Gap Road 678.965.4953 Principal: Ron McAlliste rmcallister@forsyth.k12.ga.us Mashburn Elementary 3777 Samples Road 770.889.1630 Principal: Carla Gravitt cgravitt@forsyth.k12.ga.us Matt Elementary 7455 Wallace Tatum Road 678.455.4500 Principal: Charlley Stalder cstalder@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Shiloh Point Elementary 8145 Majors Road 678.341.6481 Principal: Derrick Hershey dhershey@forsyth.k12.ga.us Sliver City Elementary 6200 Dahlonega Highway 678.965.5020 Principal: Paige Andrews pandrews@forsyth.k12.ga.us Vickery Creek Elementary 6280 Post Road 770.346.0040 Principal: Kristan Riedinger kriedinger@forsyth.k12.ga.us Whitlow Elementary 3655 Castleberry Road 678.965.5090 Principal: Dr. Lynne Castleberry lcastleberry@forsyth.k12.ga.us
MIDDLE SCHOOLS DeSana Middle School 625 James Road, Alpharetta Principal: Terri North tnorth@forsyth.k12.ga.us Lakeside Middle 2565 Echols Road 678.965.5080 Principal: Kim Head khead@forsyth.k12.ga.us Liberty Middle 7465 Wallace Tatum Road 770.781.4889 Principal: Cheryl Riddle criddlel@forsyth.k12.ga.us Little Mill Middle 6800 Little Mill Road 678.965.5000 Principal: Connie McCrary cmccrary@forsyth.k12.ga.us
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Piney Grove Middle 8135 Majors Road 678.965.5010 Principal: Pamela Pajerski ppajerski@forsyth.k12.ga.us Riverwatch Middle 610 James Burgess Road 678.455.7311 Principal: Pam Bibk pbibik@forsyth.k12.ga.us South Forsyth Middle 4670 Windermere Parkway Cumming, GA 30041 Principal: Sandy Tinsley stinsley@forsyth.k12.ga.us Vickery Creek Middle 6240 Post Road 770.667.2580 Principal: Scott Feldcamp sfeldcamp@forsyth.k12.ga.us
HIGH SCHOOLS Forsyth Central High 520 Tribble Gap Road 770.887.8151 Principal: Mitch Young myoung@forsyth.k12.ga.us
PRIVATE SCHOOLS Cornerstone Schools 4888 Browns Bridge Road 770.205.8202 Head of School: Angela Martin www.cornerstonesch.com Covenant Christian Academy 6905 Post Road 770.674.2990 Headmaster: Jonathan Arnold www.covenantrams.com Fideles Christian School 1390 Weber Industrial Drive 770.888.6705 Director: Carla Rutherford www.fideleschristianschool.com Friendship Christian School 3160 Old Atlanta Road 678.845.0418 Head of School: Dr. Rick Johnson Elementary Principal: Dianne Gormley www.friendshipchristianschool.us Horizon Christian Academy (K-6) 2160 Freedom Parkway (7-12) 433 Canton Road 678.947.3583, 678.947.0711 Headmaster: Heather Marshall www.horizonchristian.org Ivy League Montessori School 1791 Kelly Mill Road 770.781.5586 School Director: Becky Carty www.ilmsnet.com
Lambert High School 805 Nichols Road 678.965.5050 Principal: Dr. Gary Davison gdavison@forsyth.k12.ga.us
McGinnis Woods Country Day School 5380 Faircroft Drive 770-664-7764 Principal: Mary Johnson www.mcginniswoods.org
North Forsyth High 3635 Coal Mountain Drive 770.781.6637
Montessori Academy at Sharon Springs 2830 Old Atlanta Road 770.205.6277 www.montessoriacademygeorgia.com
jcheney@forsyth.k12.ga.us South Forsyth High 585 Peachtree Parkway 770.781.2264 Principal: Laura Wilson lwilson@forsyth.k12.ga.us West Forsyth High 4155 Drew Road 770.888.3470 Principal: Karl Mercer kmercer@forsyth.k12.ga.us Forsyth Academy Forsyth Academy at Night Rudy Hampton | 770.781.3141 Gateway Academy Betty Pope | 770.781.2299 Forsyth Virtual Academy Susan Atkins | 678.965.4970
Montessori at Vickery 6285 Post Road 770.777.9131 www.montessorivickery.com Montessori Kids Academy 3034 Old Atlanta Road 678.208.0774 School Admin., Maureen Danbury www.montessoricumming.com Pinecrest Academy 955 Peachtree Parkway 770.888.4477 Headmaster: Dr. Edward J. Lindekugel www. pinecrestacademy.com
SCHOOL INFORMATION
www.forsyth.K12.GA.US
WHAT CAN I RECYCLE?
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
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Tips to Make a Difference
There are little things each of us can do to help preserve and protect the environment.
Here are some ideas on how you can make a difference every day: • • • • • • •
Reduce paper waste by using both sides of the paper and using scrap paper whenever possible. Reduce lunch waste by buying snacks in large bags and putting them into small, reusable containers. The small bags cost up to 30 percent more and create 10 times as much garbage. Use a reusable lunch box instead of disposable paper bags. Whenever possible, purchase products with minimal packaging. Reuse canvas, paper or plastic bags to bring home purchases. Share magazines, books, movies and CDs with friends and family instead of buying new. Buy recycled products — the greater the demand, the more products will be made with recycled materials.
Wanting to know more about the Life Cycle of Trash or Learn About Landfills will not only help you be more environmentally educated but will also help keep our world Clean & Green. For more information about recycling, visit www.advanceddisposal.com.
TOP 10 IN BIN
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1. CARDBOARD 2. PAPER 3. FOOD BOXES 6 4. MAIL 5. BEVERAGE CANS 6. FOOD CANS 7. GLASS BOTTLES 8. JARS (GLASS & PLASTIC) 9. JUGS 10. PLASTIC BOTTLES & CAPS
ALSO RECYCLABLE
5 4. MAIL
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9
10
BUT NOT IN CURBSIDE BIN PLASTIC BAGS AND WRAPS
ELECTRONICS
TEXTILES
Find out ab recycling o
VOLUME VIII | ISSUE 2 | MYFORSYTHMAG.COM 55
Persistence Pays Off By Maria I. Morgan
What gets your attention? In the last 24 hours, has anything
made you stop what you were doing, shift gears and do something else? It happened to me today. The morning routine began as usual—then I noticed him. Joe, our Chesapeake Bay retriever, was trotting around on the back deck. He came to the door with a toy in his mouth and looked up at me, inviting me to come out and play. Cute, but I was busy. A couple minutes went by and I noticed he was back at the door. This time he held a rubber ball in his mouth. His expression was a little more forlorn. I laughed out loud. The third time he approached the door with a different toy, I gave in. I couldn’t resist heading out to play with Joe. He wouldn’t give up, and he got what he wanted.
A change of heart
I’m reminded that persistence pays off. Remember the parable Jesus told about the judge and the widow? Apparently, the widow had been mistreated and went to the judge pleading with him to bring justice on her behalf. The judge’s initial response was to ignore this lady. She continued to ask for justice. Take note of his change in position: Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. Luke 18:5; KJV
An open invitation
The Lord wants us to persist in prayer. His Word is full of invitations to communicate with Him: • He tells us to come boldly to Him and assures us that we’ll find mercy and grace when we need it (Hebrews 4:16). • He tells us to pray for our enemies (Luke 6:28). • We’re told to cast our worries on Christ because he cares about us (1 Peter 5:7).
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• • • •
We’re to have a prayerful attitude & realize we need the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) We can pray for wisdom. (James 1:5) We’re to be on guard and talk to God when we’re tempted. (Matthew 26:41) We’re instructed to ask the Lord to send missionaries around the world. (Luke 10:2)
Sometimes God responds to our prayers immediately. Oftentimes we experience a period of waiting before we get an answer. During that time, we can keep praying and looking to Him. Talking to God in prayer develops our relationship with Him. Take the opportunity to talk to the Lord today. Persistence in prayer will pay off.
Your turn
Do you persist in prayer if your request isn’t answered right away? How will you respond to the Lord today?
Can I pray for you?
Heavenly Father, Thank You for the privilege of talking to You. Help us persist in prayer during the waiting periods. Forgive us for doubting that You’ll answer. Help us remember that Your thoughts and ways are much higher than ours and You will give us what is best. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF TRUESPEED PHOTO
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MY FORSYTH | HOUSES OF WORSHIP
NON-DENOMINATIONAL Eastgate Church 2820 Brookwood Road | O: 770.888.8852 Sunday Morning Worship Times: 9:15 & 11:15am Pastors: Ron & Charla Nelson http://eastgatechurch.org Browns Bridge Church 3860 Browns Bridge Road Cumming, GA 30041 678.965.8000 Pastor - Andy Stanley Services- 9am, 11am, 4:30pm http://brownsbridge.org/
BAPTIST Antioch Baptist Church 2465 Antioch Road O: 770.887.6900 Sunday School: 10am Sunday Service: 11am and 6pm AWANA: Sunday at 6pm Wednesday Bible Study: 7pm Pastor: Travis Bridgeman www.welcometoantioch.org Berean Baptist Church 7110 Majors Road | 770-889-1302 Sunday Worship Service: 11:00am Classes for all ages: 10:00am Evening Service: 6:00pm Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00pm Children’s Clubs: 7:00pm Bob Baines, Pastor www.bbc-cares.org Cumming Baptist Church 115 Church Street | 770.205.6699 Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Worship service: 10:50am Pastor: Dr. Barry Crocker www.cummingbaptist.net First Baptist Cumming 1597 Sawnee Drive | 770.887.2428 Sunday Services: 9:30am Contemporary Worship Service & Bible Fellowship Groups 11am Traditional Worship Service & Bible Fellowship Groups Wednesday: 6:15pm AWANA Pastor: Dr. Bob Jolly www.firstbaptistcumming.org
First Redeemer Church 2100 Peachtree Pkwy. | 678.513.9400 Sunday Services: 9:15am – Contemporary Service (Auditorium) 10:45am – Blended Service (Auditorium) 9:00am & 10:45am; 6:30pm Bible Fellowship
Greater Heights Baptist Church 3790 Post Road | 770.887.4802 Sunday School: 10am | Sunday Worship: 11am Sunday Evening: 5pm Wednesday Evening & AWANA: 7pm Pastor: Chris Grinstea www.ghbcc.org Longstreet Baptist Church 6868 Campground Road 770.889.1959 Sunday School: 10am Worship Service: 11am Wednesday night adult and youth activities www.longstreetchurch.com North Lanier Baptist Church 829 Atlanta Highway | 770.781.5433 Bible Studies: 9:00am and 10:30am Celebration Worship Service: 11am (main auditorium) Hispanic Service: 10:30am (Activities Center) Refuge Baptist Church 3525 Pilgrim Mill Road 678.807.7746 Sunday Bible Study: 9:30 a.m. Sunday Services: 10:45 a.m., 6 p.m. Wednesday Prayer Service: 7 p.m. www.refugebaptistchurch.org
EPISCOPAL St. Columba’s Church 939 James Burgess Road770.888.4464 Wednesday Services: 6:30 pm Saturdays Service: 5:30 pm Sunday Service: 7:45, 9 & 11:15am Rector: Father Tripp Norris Curate: Father Daron Vroon www.saintcolumba.net The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit
724 Pilgrim Mill Road | 770.887.8190 Services: Thursdays 12 noon Sundays: 8:30 and 10:45am Rector: Keith Oglesby www.ecohs.net
GREEK ORTHODOX Saint Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene Greek Orthodox Church 3074 Bethelview Rd., 770.781.5250 Divine Liturgy every Sunday at 10 AM Pastor: Fr. Barnabas Powell www.stsrni.org
JEWISH Chabad of Forsyth 600 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 110 404-594-2092 Rabbi Levi Mentz www.jewishforsyth.com
www.firstredeemer.org
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LUTHERAN
NewSong Community Church 433 Canton Road, Suite 306 770.888.5212 (Located across from Ingles, behind Sun. Worship: 10:15am, 12:30pm (Korean) the National Guard in Building 300) Sunday Worship Service: 10:30am Wednesday Evening Fellowship Meal: 6:00pm | Bible Study: 7:00pm (all ages) Pastor Case Koolhaas www.newsongweb.org Bible Study: 7:00pm (all ages) Pastor Tim Droegemueller Rameshori Buddhist Center 130 Allen Road, Unit B www.livingfaithlutheran.com 404.255.1585 facebook/livingfaithlutheranchurch Living Faith Lutheran Church, LCMS 1171 Atlanta Highway | 770.887.0184 Sunday School: 9:00am (all ages)
Christ The King Lutheran Church (Evangelical Lutheran Church In America) 1125 Bettis-Tribble Gap Rd., Cumming, Ga. 30040 O: 770.889.5328 | www.ctklutheran.com Sunday Worship Services: 8:30 am (Blended) 11:00 am (Traditional) Discipleship Hour: 9:45 am (Sunday School)
OTHER Baha’is of Forsyth County 1-800-22-UNITE www.forsythbahais.org www.ghbcc.org Canvas Christian Church 3560 Browns Bridge Road, 770-887-5542 Pastor Stan Percival www.canvaschristian.org Crossroads Church of the Nazarene 6160 Southard Trace | 678.807.9392 Sunday School: 10am Worship Service: 11am www.mycrossroadschurch.net Castle Christian Church 3149 Old Atlanta Rd. | 678.648.5248 Sunday Worship: 10am Wednesday Bible Study: 7pm Senior Minister: Jason Rodenbeck jason@castlechristian.com www.castlechristianchurch.com Family By Faith Worship Center 4805 Atlanta Highway 678.230.4800Midway Elementary School, Nursery available) Small Groups: 9:30am | Worship: 10:30am Pastor: Randy Grimes www.familybyfaith.com The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 510 Brannon Road | 678.455.5290 (Hall Phone) Worship Service: 9am, 11:30am & 2pm LifePoint Christian Church 3140 Old Atlanta Road Sunday Small Groups: 9:00am Sunday Service: 10:30am Childcare available Pastor: Chris Stovall www.lifepoint.org
PRESBYTERIAN Deer Creek Shores Presbyterian Church 7620 Lanier Drive | 770.887.6801 Sunday School: 9:45am (all ages) Sunday Worship Service: 11am (Traditional) Childcare available Pastor: John S. Martin www.deercreekshores.org email: dcspres@comcast.net Chalcedon Presbyterian Church 302 Pilgrim Mill Road 770.205.9390 www.chalcedon.org | www.rpcus.com Sunday Worship: 11:00am Pastor Tim Price Parkway Presbyterian Church 5830 Bethelview Road 678.889.8694 Sunday: 8:45 am Traditional Worship 11:00 am Contemporary Worship Pastor Mike Austin www.parkwaychurch.org The Vine Community Church 4655 Bethelview Road 678.990.9395 Sunday Services: 9 & 10:45am Wednesday: Middle and High School youth meet at 7:15 – 8:30pm Jon Adams, Pastor www.thevinecommunitychurch.com
ROMAN CATHOLIC Church of Good Shepherd 3740 Holtzclaw Road | 770.887.9861 Mass: Saturday Vigil: 5pm, Sundays:,7:30, 9 & 10:30am & 12 noon; 5:30pm, Spanish Mass: 1:30pm, Weekdays: 9am Father Frank, Pastor www.goodshepherdcumming.com St. Brendan Catholic Church 4633 Shiloh Road | 770.205.7969 Mass: Saturday Vigil: 5pm Sunday: 7:30, 9 & 11am & 5pm, Spanish Mass: 1pm, Weekdays: 8:30am Fr. Matthew Van Smoorenburg, LC, Pastor Parochial Vicars: Fr. Joseph Ramos, LC and Fr. Juan Guerra
The Country Preacher By Rev. David Hill
Many older American homes displayed the Gospel message with four-panel doors often referred to as “cross and Bible doors”. The top panels formed a cross which like a giant plus sign welcomed us to God’s family. The lower panels resembled an open Bible that reveals our way to eternal life. According to Unger’s Bible Dictionary, divine forgiveness is the most complicated and widely misunderstood doctrine of the Scriptures. The cross and the empty tomb are reminders that the gifts of forgiveness and salvation are not free. A person is not forgiven because they deserve to be. Approaching an intersection that calls for a decision is called a crossroad. If your life is headed the wrong way changing its direction is what the Bible refers to as “conversion” (Acts 3:19). To show genuine sorrow for sin is described as “repentance” in II Corinthians 7:10. We are responsible for changing our direction or conversion but changing the heart is the work of God. The “new birth” in John 3:5-7 is a replacement, not a repair, of who we were. It is called forgiveness when God puts our sins of yesterday, today and the future as far as the east is from the west and behind His back (Psalm 103:12; Isaiah 38:17).
Years ago I became the friend of a psychiatrist with whom my company had business dealings. I asked him what he felt was the source of most of his patient’s mental difficulties. He said most were troubled by their violation of what they considered right or wrong and their concept of God. The 51st Psalm is about King David’s prayer for forgiveness and his plead to be pardoned for adultery and murder. The last seven verses of this chapter deal with David’s thankfulness for the restoration of his relationship with God and His mercy. I first thought of how awful David’s actions were but the lesson is David’s forgiveness was based on how God forgave him not what was done. All sin is against God. He is the lawgiver and sin violates His laws. There is no sin too great for His forgiveness unless we neglect His offer of salvation, Hebrews 2:3. In His earthly ministry Jesus illustrated forgiveness: Marital – John 8:3–11 Jesus listens to the evidence of unfaithfulness and offers forgiveness to perhaps the most difficult of sins for us to forgive.
Children – Luke 15:11 The prodigal son was bad, mean, rebellious, greedy and immoral. God’s forgiveness isn’t based on our goodness. The ring on his finger, his father’s embrace and his father’s kiss didn’t mean he deserved them. Divine forgiveness is something you can ask for but not earn. Friends – John 18:15-27 Peter’s denial, Thomas’s doubting (John 20:27) and the betrayal of Judas (John 18:2) were wounds which represented the wounds of the unrepentant world (Zechariah 13:6) Jesus died for. He understood unfaithful friends. These are perhaps the most painful offenses hurting us the most and for which forgiveness may be the most difficult. My psychiatrist friend, though not religious, discovered his patients lacked a way to deal with their guilt and find mental peace. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1 “Cleanse me from my sin. I acknowledge my transgressions. Against Thee only have I sinned. Create in me a clean heart. Cast me not away from my presence.” From Psalm 51.
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MY FORSYTH | HOUSES OF WORSHIP // CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS
UNITED METHODIST Bethelview United Methodist Church 4525 Bethelview Rd. | 770.887.4888 Sunday School: 9:15am Sunday Worship Service: 10:30am (child care available) Check website for Bible study classes Pastor: Rev. Mark LaRocca-Pitts www.bethelview.net Cumming First United Methodist Church 770 Canton Highway | 770.887.2900 Sunday Services: 8:45 & 11am (Traditional) Worship Services: 9:51am (Contemporary) 1:30pm ( Hispanic/Latino en Español) 9am (Lake Service (May-August) Lanier United Methodist Church 1979 Buford Highway | 770.887.0615 Sunday Traditional Service: 8:45am Sunday School: 10am Sunday Contemporary Praise Service: 11am (Nursery available for both services) Ted Miller, Pastor www.lanierumc.org Midway United Methodist Church 5025 Atlanta Hwy. | 770.475.5230 Sunday: 8:30am – Historic Chapel (Traditional) Sunday: 9:45am – Sanctuary worship Sunday: 9:45am – “BLAST” Kids’ worship Sunday: 11:00am – Sanctuary worship www.midwayumc.org Piedmont United Methodist Church 1170 Dahlonega Highway 770.887.0770 Bible Study: 10am & 5pm Traditional Service: 11am www.PiedmontUMC@bellsouth.net
CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS BUSINESS NETWORKING Central Forsyth Leads Group Meeting: 2nd & 4th Tues: 11am—1pm Location: The Columns at Pilgrim, Mill Apartments Contact: Nancy Wright 770.886.0500 or nancyw@ecigroups.com Info: No fees. Open to all Forsyth Network for Business Professionals Meeting: Thur: 11:30am – 12:30pm Location: Jim’N Nick’s at The Collection 3180 Ronald Reagan Blvd Contact: David Fountain 770-627-2121 www.fn4bp.org
The Inspiration Network of Cumming Meeting: 3rd Wed: 7 – 8:30pm Location: The Nurturing Nook, 205 Pilgrim Mill Road Contact: Leanne Temple 678.965.5969 Kiwanis Club of Cumming Meeting: Wednesdays 12pm – 1pm Location: Golden Coral 2025 Marketplace BLVD Cumming GA 30041 www.cummingkiwanis.org Member Power Networking Lunch Meeting: Every Tues. at 12 Noon Location: Various chamber member restaurants Contact: 770.887.6461 www.cummingforsythchamber.org Info: $15 for members & $30 for non-members South Forsyth Leads Group Meeting: 2nd & 4th Wed: 11:30am (No fees) Location: Starbucks-141 & Ronald Reagan John’s Creek, 435 Peachtree Pkwy. Cumming, GA 30041 Contact: Robin Grier | 770.887.2772 rgrier@harborfs.com Women Who Mean Business Meeting: 1st Tues. Registration: 7:30am Location: Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce Event’s Facility, 513 W. Maple Street Contact: 770.887.6461 Info: Free for members, $30 for nonmembers Register online at cummingforsythchamber.org.
CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS Health Center (CHC) Serving the medical needs of North Georgia since 1979. Horse Rescue, Relief & Retirement Fund, Inc. Contact: 770.886.5419 www.savethehorses.org Humane Society of Forsyth County No-Kill Shelter Location: 4440 Keith Bridge Road Contact: 770.887.6480 Info: Non-profit, no-kill shelter for cats/dogs. www. forsythpets.org There’s Hope for the Hungry Contact: 678.513.9400 Info: Non-profit organization partnering with churches across North Georgia to feed those in need. www.thereshope.org
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Rotary Club of South Forsyth Meeting: Wed: 12:15pm Location: Forsyth Conference Center 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd www.southforsythrotaryclub.org Piecemakers Quilt Guild Meeting: 2nd Tues, 4th Tues is “sewcialbee” (community quilts, classes or just getting together) Location: Christ the King, Lutheran Church 1125 Bettis-Tribble Gap Road, Cumming www.piecemakersga.netw The Place of Forsyth County Location: 2550 The Place Circle Contact: 770-887-1098 Info: Non-profit, serving the Forsyth community with financial emergency assistance, clothing, food and many additional support services.
SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS AA Cumming Meeting: Meets four times daily Location: Ingles Shopping Center at 432 Canton Highway (Hwy 20) Second suite on far left. 24/7 Line: 770.886.0696 Info: Group of Alcoholics Anonymous located in Forsyth County www.aacummingga.org Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) Caregiver Support Group First Wednesday of each month 7:00pm Northside Forsyth Hospital 1200 Northside Forsyth Dr 1400 Building, Bennett Classroom B Contact: Sharonhall419@yahoo.com Holistic Moms Network – Forsyth County Monthly meetings with informational speakers, yoga group, play groups Meeting: 2nd Tues: 6:30pm Location: Land of a Thousand Post Road, Cumming Contact: Ann Linke parkway-chruch.org holisticmomforsyth@yahoo.com www.holisticmoms.org Labrador Friends of the South, Inc. Location: PO Box 933, Cumming Contact: labfriendinfo@gmail.com www.labradorfriends.com
Moms Club of Cumming – North Monthly meetings with informational speakers, park play days, holiday parties, fieldtrips, playgroups and a monthly MOMS Night Out. Contact: momscummingnorth@yahoo.com www. momsclub.org Moms Club of Cumming – Southwest Meeting: Last Tues. of each month Contact: www.momsclub.org NAMI Forsyth Dawson Lumpkin Meeting: 2nd & 4th Thursday 6:45 pm - 8:15 pm (support meetings for consumers and family members) Location: Forsyth County Senior Center, 595 Dahlonega Hwy, Cumming, Ga. 30040 Educational meeting: 3rd Tuesday 7 pm Location: United Way of Forsyth County, 240 Elm Str., Cumming, Ga. 30040 Contact: namifdlga@gmail.com Website: www.namifdl.org Single Mom Meeting Connect with other single moms, learn about paths to higher education and get links to community resources. Light dinner provided and free on-site childcare/ homework help provided. Meeting: 2nd Thurs: 6:30pm Location: 210 Dahlonega St., Suite 203, Cumming Contact: Valerie Daniel Faith’s House, Inc. 770.205.6311 www.faithshouseinc.org SMART Recovery Meeting: Every Tues: 6:30 p.m. Location: Professional Recovery Counseling, LLC. 107 W. Courthouse Sq., Suite 274 www.smartrecovery.org
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A
DVERTISER DIRECTORY
AERIAL MEDIA
Norton Aerial Media – pg. 55 770-540-9210 www.nortonaerialmedia.com
AUTOMOTIVE/CAR REPAIR SERVICES Christian Brothers Automotive -pg. 51 470-253-7376 www.cbac.com/cumming
BOUTIQUE/CLOTHING/DÉCOR Bohemia – pg. 51 770-754-4455 www.bohemiausa.com
BREW PUB/TAPROOM Cherry Street Brewing Co-op – pg. 7 678-456-8189 www.cherrystreetvickery.com
DANCE ACADEMY/INSTRUCTION Cumming Dance Academy – Inside Back Cover 770-781-4922 www.CummingDanceAcademy.com
DENTIST
Jordan Dentistry – pg. 45 770-888-6262 www.JordanDentistry.com
ELECTRICIAN/ELECTRIC SERVICES Arc Angel Electric – pg. 15 770-889-9243 www.arcangelelectric.com
FINANCIAL PLANNING Arseneau Advisory Group – pg. 25 470-839-9005 www.arseneauadvisory.com
JEWELER/JEWELRY STORE Gems In Art – Inside Front Cover 770-844-8005 www.gemsinart.com Lance’s Jewelry –Back Cover 770-781-5500 www.lancesjewelry.com The Jewelry Vault – pg. 61 404-805-4069 www.thejewelryvault.com Tony Rixom – pg. 30 678-549-9200 www.tonyrixom.com
OPTOMETRIST/EYE CARE For Your Eyes Only – pg. 46 678-648-5185 www.fyeo-eyecare.com
PAINT & FLOORING Gregory’s Paint & Flooring – pg. 13 770-887-1363 Cumming 770-476-9651 Johns Creek www.gregoryspaintandfloowing.com
PHYSICIANS/MEDICAL SERVICES
Children’s at Forsyth – pg. 3, 38 404-785-3100 www.choa.com/urgentcare Cleaver Medical Group – pg. 37 770-800-3455 www.cleavermedicalgroup.com Narendra Singh, MD – pg. 43 Atlanta Heart Specialists 678-679-6800; 770-622-1622 www.heartdrsingh.com Obstetrics & Gynecology of Atlanta – pg. 45 404-252-1137 www.obgynofatlanta.com
PRINTING SERVICES Brandywine Printing – pg. 53 770-772-6136 www.brandywineprinting.com
HEATING/VENTILATION/AIR REAL ESTATE CONDITIONING Shelnutt HVAC – pg. 65 706-265-5854 www.shelnutthvac.com
Hello Pam Evans Real Estate – pg. 17 678-778-6551 www.hellopamevans.com
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The Dinsmore Team – pg. 61 770-712-7789 www.dinsmoreteam.com
RESTAURANTS /FOOD SERVICES/CATERING Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant – pg. 29 770-475-9100 www.casanuovarestaurant.com Lenny’s Subs – pg. 29 678-947-0336 Fax orders: 678-947-5343 Palapa’s Bar and Grill – pg. 27 770-889-1002 www.palapasbargrill.com S&W Seafood – pg. 65 770- 674-2353 www.sandwrestaurantjohnscreek.com Tam’s Backstage – pg. 27 678-455-8310 www.tamsbackstage.com Tam’s Tupelo– pg. 27 470-839-2024 www.tamstupelo.com
RUNNING/RETAIL STORE North Georgia Running Company – pg. 66 678-771-8270 www.northgarunningco.com
TRANSPORTATION/ NON-EMERGENCY
Caliber Care+Transport – pg. 66 404-906-4647 www.forsyth-gwinnett@caliber.care.com
WASTE DISPOSAL/RECYCLING Advanced Disposal – pg. 5 www.advanceddisposal.com
WELLNESS
Bliss Mamma Wellness – pg. 39 770-722-2711 www.blissmammawellness.com
Businesses to Watch For the love of life, family and coffee!
Tiffany and Jeff Evans have taken their passion for coffee to the next level by creating flavorful coffee blends worth trying. “For many, morning coffee is more than a stimulant—it’s a ritual, and a very important one at that. A soothing habit we can operate on auto-pilot when the days are long, and nights are even longer,” Jeff explained. “Eyes dreary and body sulky, we drift to the coffee. It’s this beautiful elixir that brings us to life and revives the morning zombie mom within us.” According to the Evans, “coffee can be so much more than just an aromatic stimulant. Coffee loosens our tongues, ignites our imagination, and invigorates our bodies.” A variety of single blends and single origin coffees can be found on their website, with names like Bootleggers Blend, Southern Magnolia, 8 Second Ride, Sunday Morning and Ramblin Joe, the desire to taste something new and creative is bound to make coffee lovers want to check out the blends.
Southeastern Coffee Company
Boosting Self-esteem: One t-shirt at a time By Sharon Rich
Southeastern Coffee can be purchased online at Southeasterncoffee.com.
Today, your physical image has a lot to do with your selfesteem. Take a look around. We’re constantly comparing ourselves to everyone else and putting ourselves down. As early as the age of five, characteristics of self-esteem start to develop. With healthy self-esteem, a person is more likely to succeed in life. If you have healthy self-esteem, you’ll have more confidence in believing you can achieve your goals in life. Some of the ways to develop your self-esteem is to give yourself credit where credit is due. Be proud of who you are and of your accomplishments. Don’t compare yourself to others because there’s only one amazing you. Appreciate the qualities about yourself and don’t be afraid to share them with others. One of my favorite motivational speakers is Les Brown. I listen to him every morning and every evening. His definition of fear is false dreams appearing real. Don’t allow fear to change your vision of who you are and who you are becoming. Speak daily affirmations to yourself and to your children. Tell yourself how amazing and intelligent you are. Tell your children how special and smart they are because words are powerful. It takes courage to live and we all have gifts to offer the world. My gifts are promoting self-esteem in young girls and women. I started a company called I’m Pretty designer apparel. The I’m Pretty brand prides itself on the concept that all girls need to love themselves for who they are. Our products are made of this mission and proudly display words of inspiration on each custom made tee-shirt. We’re boosting self-esteem one tee-shirt at a time.
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MY FORSYTH | ELECTED/APPOINTED OFFICIALS // COMMUNITY NUMBERS
ELECTED/ APPOINTED OFFICIALS
County Manager Eric Johnson O:770.781.2101 | F: 770.781.2199
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Senator Johnny Isakson, (R)
Assistant County Manager Garrin Coleman I
Washington DC 20510 O: 202.224.3643 www.isakson.senate.gov Senator David Perdue, (R) Washington DC 20510 O: 202.224.3521 www.perdue.senate.gov Congressman Doug Collins, (R), District 9 1504 Longworth H. O. B. Washington DC 20515 O: 202.225.9893 Congressman Rob Woodall, (R), District 7 1724 Longworth HOB Washington DC 20515 O: 202.225.4272
Deputy County Manager Tim Merritt
R.J. (Pete) Amos, District 1 (R) O: 678.513.5881 | E: rjamos@ forsythco.com Open Seat, District 2 Todd Levent, District 3 (R) Commission Chair O: 770.781.2101 E: tlevent@forsythco.com Cindy Mills, District 4 (R) O: 678.513.5884 E: cjmills@forsythco.com Laura Semanson, District 5 (R) O: (678) 513-5885 E: LOSemanson@forsythco.com Forsyth County Tax Commissioner Matthew C. Ledbetter O: 770.781.2110
Lt. Governor Casey Cagle (R) O: 404.656.5030 Website: gov.state.ga.us Senator Michael Williams (R), District 27 O: 404.656.7127 e-mail: michael.williams@senate.ga.gov Sen. Steve Gooch (R), District 51 O: 678.341.6203 | F: 770.844.5821 e-mail: steve.gooch@statesenate.ga.gov Rep. Sheri Gilligan, (R), District 24 O: 404.656.0325 E: sheri.gilligan@house.ga.gov Rep. Marc Morris (R), District 26 O: 404.656.0254 E. marc.morris@house.ga.gov Rep. Kevin Tanner (R), District 9 O: 404.656.0152 E: kevin.tanner@house.ga.gov
Battered Women Hotline 770.479.1703 Poison Control Center (Atlanta) 404.616.9000 Outside Metro Atlanta 800.222.1222 Rite-Call (Child Medical Problems) 404.250.KIDS Sexual Assault & Family Violence Ctr. 770.428.2666 MEDICAL Georgia Highlands Medical Services 770.887.1668 | 260 Elm Street ww.ghms-inc.org
Health Department 428 Canton Highway | 770.781.6906 FIRE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
1120 Dahlonega Highway, Cumming O: 770.887.2461 www.forsyth.k12.ga.us
City of Cumming Police Department 301 Veterans Memorial Boulevard 770.781.2000 | www.cummingpd.net
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Forsyth County Fire Department 3520 Settingdown Road 770.781.2180 | forsythco.com
Kristin Morrissey, District 2 (R) O: 678-250-4047 E: kmorrissey@forsyth.k12.ga.us Tom Cleveland, District 3 (R) O: 770.657.0810 E: TCleveland@forsyth.k12.ga.us Darla LightLight, Chairperson District 4 770.887.0678 E: DLight@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Website: forsythco.com Forsyth County Board of Commissioners 110 East Main Street, Suite 210 Cumming, GA 30040 O: 770.781.2101 | F: 770.781.2199
Mayor Troy Brumbalow Cumming City Hall 100 Main St., Cumming, GA 3040 O: 770.781.2010
CITY OF CUMMING
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Country Land Golf Course 6560 Mayfield Drive | 770.887.0006
HOTLINES — 24 HOUR HELP LINES
Neighborhood Healthcare Center 2825 Keith Bridge Road 770.844.7494 | 770.886.7135
Nancy Roche, District 5 (R) District 5 (R) 770.889.0229 E: NRoche@forsyth.k12.ga.us
FORSYTH CO. GOVERNMENT
EMERGENCY — 911
475 Tribble Gap Road, Suite 200 Cumming GA 30040 O: 770.781.3045 | Dispatch: 770.781.3087
Ann Crow, District 1 (R) O: 770.490.6316 E: ACrow@forsyth.k12.ga.us
GOLF CLUBS Chestatee Golf Club 777 Dogwood Way, Dawsonville |06.216.7336
Northside Hospital — Forsyth 1200 Northside Forsyth Drive 770.844.3200 | www.northside.com
FORSYTH COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM
Windermere Park 3355 Windermere Parkway 770. 781.2215
COMMUNITY NUMBERS
FORSYTH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
STATE GOVERNMENT Governor Nathan Deal (R) O: 404.652.7003 | F: 404.652.7123 Website: gov.state.ga.us
Cumming City Council Members Lewis Ledbetter, Linda Ledbetter. Christopher Light, Jason Evans, Chad Crane
Georgia State Patrol | 770.205.5400 LIBRARIES 770.781.9840 | www.forsythpl.org Cumming Public Library 585 Dahlonega Road Hampton Park Library 5345 Settingdown Road Post Road Library | 5010 Post Road Sharon Forks Branch 2810 Old Atlanta Road PARKS AND RECREATION City of Cumming Main Number 410 Pilgrim Mill Road | 770.781.2030 | 770.781.2215 Central Park Recreation Center 2300 Keith Bridge Road | 678.455.8540 Cumming Fairgrounds 235 Castleberry Road | 770.781.3491
Polo Golf & Country Club 6300 Polo Club Dr. | 770.887.7656 Windermere Golf Club 5000 Davis Love Dr. | 678.513.1000 FORSYTH COUNTY MARINAS Bald Ridge Marina 1850 Bald Ridge Marina Road 770.887.5309 Habersham Marina 2200 Habersham Marina Road 770.887.5432 Port Royale Marina 9200 LanMar Road, Gainesville | 770.887.5715 YMCA 6050 Y Street | O: 770.888.2788 POST OFFICE 525 Tribble Gap Road O: 770.886.2388 UTILITIES City of Cumming O: 770.781.2020 Forsyth County Water & Sewer Department 110 East Main Street O: 770.781.2160 www.forsythco.com AT&T Res: 888.757.6500 Bus: 866.213.6300 www.att.com Georgia Power (Electric) O: 888.660.5890 Sawnee Electric Membership O: 770.887.2363 SOLID WASTE Advanced Disposal/Eagle Point Landfill 8880 Old Federal Road, Ball Ground O: 770.887.6063 | www. advanceddisposal.com Olde Atlanta Recycling LLC 2535 Ivy Street East O: 770.205.6912 Waste Management, Inc. 774 McFarland Road, Alpharetta 770.751.1304 | www.wm.com RECYCLING Keep Forsyth County Beautiful O: 770.205.4573
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