Every procedure feels big when you’re little.
From our pediatric-trained doctors and nurses to our kidsized equipment, every surgery we perform is designed around one thing – your child. That’s why moms trust us to perform more pediatric outpatient surgeries than anyone in Georgia. ©2017 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Inc. All rights reserved.
choa.org/surgery
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CONTENTS VOLUME VIII • ISSUE 1
COVER STORY
Forsyth’s Healthcare Landscape Page 31
FEATURES
Forsyth County Government Update Page 9
Forsyth Women Making their Mark Page 22 Paula Stewart Page 23 Penny Penn Page 24 Laura Retana
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LIFESTYLE 13 Caliente! Strong, Radiant and Full of Energy 14 Rotary Club’s Down & Derby 16 Downsizing? Great Tips for Empty Nesters 18 GFCI Outlet Troubleshooting Guide 20 Tax Reform: Winners and Losers 26 A Girl’s Night Out with Alice’s Table
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FORSYTH FOODIE 28 Casa Nuova Turns 20 FROM THE HILL 30 How the Georgia Tennessee Border Dispute Began HEALTH & WELLNESS 36 Hearts Under Pressure: Redefining Hypertension 38 Daily Disposable Contact Lenses 40 Natural Ways to Boost Your Immune System GOOD THINGS 42 Start Your Engines 44 Reading at the Dinner Table 47 Leadership Forsyth’s Grape Escape 48 Exploring Columbus, GA FAITH 52 An Open Door
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IN EVERY ISSUE 10: Forsyth County News 11: News Around Forsyth 15: Book Review: blink by Malcolm Gladwell 46: The Lighter Side 55: The Country Preacher
“don’t miss a thing” we’re mobile...
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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 8
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
ACCOUNT MANAGERS Deidre Turk deidre.myforsyth@gmail.com 404-932-9553 Julie Owens julie.myforsyth@gmail.com 770-508-6000
Rebecca Dumas is the owner and color consultant at Gregory’s Paint & Flooring. She may be reached at rebecca@ gregoryspaintandflooring.com,
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.
Rev. David Hill is a Cumming resident and frequent guest preacher at Antioch Baptist Church. He may be reached at davidkhillhpm@ comcast.net.
WEB CONTENT STRATEGIST Matt Coutu matt@marketcomplete.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
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.
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.
Christine Roberts is an author, speaker, consultant, and certified child advocate. She may be reached at christine@ cmrobertsllc.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.
Hannah Testa is a 15 year old student at West Forsyth High School. She may be reached at hannah4change@gmail.com. www.hannah4change.org
Rachael Walkup is the owner of CummingLocal. com, wife, mom and blogger. She may be reached at info@cumminglocal.com.
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Representative Marc Morris, GA House District 26, is the President of The Talmadge Group, Inc., a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business. He may be reached at marc.morris@talmadgegroup. com. or 678-325-2301.
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.
PHOTOGRAPHY Adam Pendleton 678.208.7077 • www.adampendleton.com 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 Phone upgrade. Furniture upgrade. Kitchen upgrade. Wardrobe update. This new year has been .
all about upgrades! At least it has been for me.
My upgrade is focused and veracious; it’s not an “out with the old, in with the new.” It’s more of a simplification by elimination. Clothes I have not worn in years, books that have laid in shelves waiting to be read by someone else; and stuff. The stuff that seems to move from one closet to another – from one drawer to another – from inside the house to the garage. Why? Because I tell myself that maybe, just maybe, I may need that wooden spoon or that pair of lined black pants at some point. There are times when I think that I should get a dumpster that can be parked outside my garage where I can just toss things into – deep enough that I couldn’t go back and retrieve. Toss and go. Simplification – that most complicated challenge that delves in my mind as a friendly reminder that every day offers the opportunity to let go of things. The barrage of books and lists, the how-to and don’ts complicates the simplification process. I recently found a storage bin filled with old pictures and albums. A walk down memory lane through the eyes of my grandparents, my parents and my friends. Baby pictures, family vacations, carnivals and beach outings. I smiled when I came across a picture of an old station wagon. Riding in the old station wagon with Ms. Jackie and the other kids she would take out on rides through town and to the beach is as vivid now as it was then. The wagon didn’t have a floor board on the passenger side: I remember once sliding from it onto the garage floor when I eagerly ran to get on the front seat. Leslie, Ms. Jackie’s daughter and my sister by love, ran to help me up and, though all the kids were laughing, I was still allowed to ride shotgun, as Leslie held me tightly in her arms. Come to think of it, she’s held me tightly in her arms for many years - through good times and bad, I found pictures of my kindergarten graduation, where my mates Wanda, Gustavo (Tavito), Luis Enrique (Papo), Michael (Caco) and I performed the graduation play, dressed as an old lady, soldier, policeman, and young lady in a yellow dress, respectively. I recall one song “Alto el policia daba la señal, a todos los carros que
van a parar… (Stop is the signal that the policeman is giving to all the cars that are going to stop…)” We were the stars of our graduation—and our lives to come. Perhaps my greatest memory is that of spending time with people. Once I focused on the task of getting rid of stuff after looking at pictures for hours, I realized that even stuff is a fond reminder of good times – of life as we’ve lived it, thus far. Reminding myself of my task to simplify, clean and upgrade, I became thankful for the stuff I had kept. History is not just some stuff that happened to dimly- remembered and unimportant people. It is a part of who we are, and we a part of it. It is natural and all too human to feel that nothing important happened before the day of one’s birth. We are but a link in the chain of human events, and the study of our own history gives us not only some idea of whence we came, but also allows us to gain a perspective on the trajectory of the future. I believe there is no sense of self without history. Arthur Conan Doyle advanced the idea that a man’s intellectual and moral make-up were just as much a sum of his family tree as his physiology. So, I returned to the task at hand – upgrade my life as I spend time revisiting my history.
I also started taking more pictures, with my upgraded phone!
Julie Brennan JULIE BRENNAN Publisher julie@marketcomplete.com VOLUME VIII | ISSUE 1 | MYFORSYTHMAG.COM 8
MY FORSYTH | GOVERNMENT The Board of Commissioners has also been focused on enhancing the county through our overlay districts – which are defined geographic areas that encompass one or more zoning districts and impose additional requirements above and beyond those required by the underlying zoning district. The board adopted the new Coal Mountain Overlay District in northern Forsyth County in July to elevate design quality and visual unity. We also extended several existing overlays – the Atlanta Hwy-McFarland Pkwy-Mullinax Road Overlay District, Peachtree Parkway-Bethelview Road Overlay District, Campground-Castleberry-Kelly Mill-PittmanPost-Shiloh Road Overlay and Buford Highway Overlay District. In addition to development, transportation is a major focus for the county. Over the next six years or so, we anticipate that between the county and the state we’ll do more than $600 million in transportation improvements! Also, we are nearing the end of the process of updating our comprehensive transportation plan. Again, we are grateful to everyone who has taken the time to participate in this important process. With regards to finances, Forsyth County’s financial condition remains strong. In November, the board adopted the 2018 operating budget, funded with no increase in the county’s property tax millage rate. We continue to have millage rates among the lowest in metro Atlanta,
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FORSYTH COUNTY GOVERNMENT UPDATE
By Todd Levent Chairman, Forsyth County Board of Commissioners District 3 Commissioner Forsyth County’s tag line is ‘Your Community. Your Future.’ I cannot convey to you how seriously your county commissioners take that statement. Rest assured that each day the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners listens to our constituents and makes strides to ensure our county is as wonderful a place to call home for our grandchildren as it is for us today. To that end, this past year the board approved a number of amendments to the county’s Unified Development Code, all aimed at reducing residential density to preserve and enhance our community. In order to give us ample time to properly develop and review these amendments, the board implemented a number of moratoriums in 2017. Another major accomplishment for our community from the past year was adoption of the Comprehensive Plan in July. This process included extensive public engagement and we appreciate everyone who took the time to be involved. Thanks to the community’s input and collaboration, the county has an excellent plan guiding us forward for the next 20 years.
It’s no secret that Forsyth County is known for the wonderful quality of life and strong sense of community we enjoy here, and the Board of Commissioners remains committed to working hard to continue to earn that reputation.
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while at the same time providing outstanding amenities and services. Forsyth County also maintains the best bond rating possible. In fact, we are one of only three governments in the entire state to have this rating, which is the equivalent to an individual’s credit score being 850! And November 2017 saw the swearing in of a new county commissioner. Please join me in welcoming our new District 2 Commissioner Col. Dennis Brown. I look forward to working with him as well as all of the members of the board. It’s no secret that Forsyth County is known for the wonderful quality of life and strong sense of community we enjoy here, and the Board of Commissioners remains committed to working hard to continue to earn that reputation. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to serve you.
VOLUME VIII | ISSUE 1 | MYFORSYTHMAG.COM 9
F ORSYTH COUNTY NEWS
Your Input Is Needed on the Proposed Continuation of the SPLOST Sales Tax Program
Forsyth County wants to hear from citizens regarding the types of projects they would like to see funded by the proposed continuation of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax program – SPLOST VIII. A series of public input meetings – two in each commission district – are being held through early March, giving residents the opportunity to weigh in on how funding from the proposed continuation of the penny sales tax program should be allocated. The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners is currently discussing plans to schedule an eighth SPLOST referendum to be voted on in November 2018. SPLOST VIII would be a continuation of the one percent voterapproved sales and use tax already in place. To see a full schedule of the public input meetings and to learn more about SPLOST, visit forsythco.com.
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PEND YOUR SPRING SATURDAYS AT SAWNEE MOUNTAIN PRESERVE Get outside and enjoy nature this spring at Sawnee Mountain Preserve! Forsyth County Parks & Recreation is offering Saturday programs to residents of all ages during the months of March, April and May. • Free family fun crafts will be offered every Saturday in the Visitor center. • Free guided hikes up Sawnee Mountain will be available on the fourth Saturday of each month. • ‘Climb and Zip’ experiences will take place the first and third Saturday of each month. • Belay clinics will be hosted the first and third Saturday of each month for climbers. • ‘Adventurefit’, a unique fitness program that uses outdoor adventure to provide the ultimate fitness experience, will be held every Saturday.
To learn more about all spring events and activities, and to sign up for programs requiring registration, visit www.forsythco.com/parks. 10 MYFORSYTHMAG.COM VOLUME VIII | ISSUE 1
tay up-to-date on the issues that matter to you by connecting with Forsyth County government online, on air and on social media.
Online: Visit the county website at forsythco.com, where you can find the latest county news and information, meeting agendas, videos, event details and more. By email: Visit the county website to sign up and receive information on the latest county news, programs and services, as well as the county’s monthly newsletter, The Current. Subscribe under ‘Latest News’ on the home page at forsythco.com. On air: Tune in to TV Forsyth on Comcast channel 23 and AT&T channel 99 to see live and rebroadcast county meetings plus original programming all about Forsyth County. You can also watch TV Forsyth live and on demand at forsythco.com. On social media: Get social with Forsyth County government! Follow Forsyth County on Facebook to stay informed about important county news, events, programs, activities and more. Find us at Facebook.com/ForsythCountyGovernment. District-by-district news: Did you know that you can get the latest district-by-district news updates direct from your county commissioners? Visit www.forsythco.com/ commissioner-news and then select your district (or use the user-friendly search function to locate your district) to read the latest information about your district. You may also subscribe to receive district commissioner updates by email.
N EWS AROUND FORSYTH
Thoroughbred Design Group Turns 20 Congratulations to Peter Carpenter, founder of Thoroughbred Design Group (TDG), on celebrating 20 years in business. The Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce 2016 Small Business of the Year award recipient, TDG is a creative agency providing a wide range of services, including brand development, communications planning, project management and web design. Carpenter brings proven creative solutions to every project; in the end, producing an effective piece of communication. If you’re looking to create your brand or rebrand contact Thoroughbred Design Group today.
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ORSYTH COUNTY MASTER GARDENER PLANT SALE & EXPO Spring’s just around the corner. Pursuant to their mission of Building Community through Gardening, the Forsyth County Master Gardener Plant Sale & Expo invites everyone to their plant sale and expo. Peruse through the items that vendors will offer during this year’s event. A wide range of plants and garden products suited for this climate, hard-to-find native plants, annuals, shrubs, veggies and herbs, soil amendments, birdhouses, hand-crafted artisan wares, gourmet food items, fountains and pottery, garden décor, and more will be available. Master Gardener Extension Volunteers will be on hand to assist you with plant selection and provide gardening advice and clinics. Call 770-887-2418 or visit us at
http://UGAmg.org for more information. Friday, April 13, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 14, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
2018 BYOT BENEFIT EVENTS ANNOUNCED
Since 2013, Forsyth BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology) Benefit has raised funds for Forsyth County Schools to provide devices and internet to homes of students without access to them. The yearly events hosted by the Morrow Family Foundation, along with a host of volunteers and sponsors, has raised over $200,000 since its inception. Peggie and Dr. Jim Morrow, foundation creators and leaders, recently announced the 2018 events. The 6th Annual Golf Tournament is slated for May 14th at Polo Golf and Country Club; the 4th Annual iRun for BYOT 5K and Fun Run takes place on October 6th at Shiloh Point Elementary School.
The Barn at the Cumming Fairgrounds,
For information on the events, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, contact Peggie Morrow at peggiemorrow@gmail.com.
235 Castleberry Road, Cumming, GA 30040
www.forsythBYOTbenefit.org VOLUME VIII | ISSUE 1 | MYFORSYTHMAG.COM 11
CALIENTE! STRONG, RADIANT & FULL OF ENERGY By Rebecca Dumas
The Benjamin Moore Color of the Year for 2018 is “Caliente” a vibrant red, festive and powerful. The color red invokes many emotions and feelings of excitement, it’s a POP color for sure and better used in small doses. With such a powerful, perhaps overwhelming to some, it is important than extra caution is taken when choosing red for a room. This leads me to why one would may need some guidance on how to incorporate color on your interior walls or on the exterior of your home. No one wants to make a mistake and the with the labor costs of painting you want to go through the ordeal of a major remodel no more than every five to seven years. Every year, all the paint companies announce their version of what the trend is or should be. As Color Consultants our clients continually probe us with questions: • What is the most popular color? • What are people using now? • What is on trend? • (And my personal favorite) What is the next trend after gray? My answers to all of these questions are almost always: “it depends”.
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The power of red revs up warm weathered woods and misty ocean grays and greens of a serene seaside retreat.
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I’m not trying to be evasive, but it really depends on several things that will influence the color: the lighting in your space, your current trim/ ceiling color, the fabrics in the room, the color of your floor, etc. I strive to get the best plan based on each individual space to make every plan custom. We are seeing a lot of white and gray lately, but not everyone is on board with that trend. Trends coupled with personal taste, combined with a truthful review of all aspects of a room, and the expertise that a color consultant can bring, will provide you with a better overview of how colors will look in your room. After all, you want every room to be perfect!
Rebecca Dumas: Owner/Color Consultant | Gregory’s Paint & Flooring Johns Creek & Cumming | rebecca@gregoryspaintandflooring.com 12 MYFORSYTHMAG.COM VOLUME VIII | ISSUE 1
DOWN
&
DERBY
ROTARY CLUB OF LANIER FORSYTH CELEBRATES A SOUTHERN TRADITION Amidst colorful and unique ladies’ hats, bright jackets and mint juleps, the splendor of a North Georgia afternoon and the sounds of music and laughter serve as the backdrop to the Rotary Club of Lanier Forsyth’s Down & Derby Fundraising event, held at The Luberon Estate in Cumming, GA. Prior to the start of the race, attendees feast on various culinary treats and refreshments while listening to tunes being played on the piano, as they eagerly await for the running for the running of the 144th Kentucky Derby. “Proceeds from the Down & Derby help to support several local charities including the Bald Ridge Boys Lodge, Eagle Ranch, L.E.A.D.E.R., and Mentor Me North Georgia,” explained Logan Butler, President of the Rotary Club. “Rotarians from our club along with their spouses and volunteers work arduously to put together a fun-filled event.” This year’s sponsors include Hogan Healthcare, Northside Hospital Forsyth, Patterson Moore Butler, LLC, American Proteins, Inc., Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Data Media Associates, John Heath & ReMax, Minuteman Press, Christian Brothers Automotive, Tam’s Backstage, McDonald Family Funeral Homes, AVX, My Forsyth magazine, State Farm, Morrow Family Medicine and Outside In Design & Renovations, to name a few.
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Weep no more, my lady, Oh! Weep no more today! We will sing one song for the old Kentucky Home, For the old Kentucky Home far away. -My Old Kentucky Home
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For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, and more information visit www.forsythdownandderby.com or www.facebook.com/lanierforsythrotaryclub
MY FORSYTH | BOOK REVIEW
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In blink Malcolm Gladwell
challenges that notion. He encourages us to trust our instincts, to believe our brains and our senses process data even when we do not realize it, that we truly are the World’s Greatest Supercomputers.
blink
by Malcolm Gladwell Review by Jacqueline Thompson Graves
We’ve all had the experience where we just knew something but couldn’t explain how. Sure enough, turns out we were right, but we still could not explain how we knew that we knew. Making a split-second decision based on a tiny amount of data is called “thin-slicing”. Generally we all agree more information leads to better decision making. In blink Malcolm Gladwell challenges that notion. He encourages us to trust our instincts, to believe our brains and our senses process data even when we do not realize it, that we truly are the World’s Greatest Supercomputers. Gladwell begins with an illustration from the J. Paul Getty Museum. The museum had the opportunity to purchase a rare kouros (a nude sculpture depicting a male youth). Very few of these statues exist, most in poor condition. The one offered stood seven feet tall, almost perfectly preserved. It seemed too good to be true, even at its $10 million price. Not wanting to get taken for a fool, the Getty called in experts who took samples and verified the marble’s age using an electron microscope, electron microprobe, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence. Word came back: the rock was quarried from the island of Thasos and covered with a layer of calcite that would take hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years to develop. The museum bought, then presented the statue to the public with great pomp and theater.
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As art critics and experts arrived to enjoy it, they began, first quietly, then openly, to express dismay. After all, who wants to challenge the Getty? Evelyn Harrison thought it just didn’t look right, but could not say why. The only explanation Thomas Hoving, former director of the New York Met, could give was “it looks too fresh”. Another museum curator from Athens declared he felt “intuitive repulsion”. The Getty then dug into the paperwork that supposedly certified the statue and discovered fraud upon fraud. Eventually they tracked it to a very good forger who sculpted in Rome. His secret to the thousand years old calcite? Potato mold. blink is about how these experts could take one look and say “no” when others had done scientific work and said “yes”. The book shows how we all thin-slice all the time. We don’t have time to deeply analyze every little thing. We thin-slice, make assumptions, then decisions. Usually that works for us. Sometimes it doesn’t work. Gladwell discusses the case of Amadou Diallo, a black immigrant in New York City shot 41 times by police officers who ran him down. “We asked to speak to him and he ran, then he pulled a gun on us,” was their explanation. There was no gun on Diallo’s body, just his outstretched hand holding his black wallet. Their cop brains, experts on dealing with violence in a “bad” part of town, saw a man pull something black out of his pants and extend it toward them. In the country from which Diallo immigrated, when the cops come after you, they want a bribe, so you pull out your wallet. He did that in South Bronx in the wee morning hours, and the American police thin-sliced a decision that cut him down. So, when can you trust your instincts, your brain’s thin-sliced data point? The cops were experts as were the art critics. Gladwell discusses this. He talks about our innate biases (tall men make more money) and how Warren Harding had nothing to recommend him to politics except that, like Johnny Bravo, he was extremely good looking and confident. Then he helps us overcome our prejudices. I would recommend blink to everyone, even those who normally prefer a sit down with a storybook. Gladwell sprinkles his text with real life tales, so it is engaging. It also can explain why you didn’t like your last dog walker when you first met him even before you found out he was just taking the dog around the corner, then sitting on the park bench with his smart phone. Jacqueline Thompson Graves exhibits her thin-slicing ability when she walks into a shoe store and immediately finds the half-off rack. She writes about books, food, travel, God and business, sometimes all in the same sentence. VOLUME VIII | ISSUE 1 | MYFORSYTHMAG.COM 15
MY FORSYTH | LIFESTYLE
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No matter your plans, you are at a pivotal point in your life where you get to design the look of your life all over again. It’s exciting!
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you know that downsizing is what’s best for you and is something that needs to be done, do it while you still have the choice instead of waiting until something happens and you’re forced into it. Trying to move after a major health event or the death of a loved one is traumatic at best, and so instead of remaining complacent and assuming that you have all the time in the world to downsize, start making rational plans and take it step-by-step.
DOWNSIZING? Great Tips for Empty Nesters By Pam Evans
Your home, which was once a bustling hub of soccer cleats, sleepover giggles, and the remnants of Star Wars costumes, has suddenly become—quieter. Children, eager to embark upon their own lives, often leave behind a wake of emptiness that can be difficult for parents. During the toddler years, many of us find that we can’t wait to put away the masses of toys, so our homes can go back to having some semblance of order, but often, what’s left is a house that’s too big and too much work. While the thought of downsizing may be appealing and downright liberating, it’s not uncommon for empty nesters to lose their way during this phase. Starting over can be daunting, after all, but there are some things that can be done to keep the process moving forward. Like the song, “Let It Go!” Moving is a pain for everyone, but it’s even more difficult
when you have a lifetime of belongings—read: memories—that truly mean something to you. The problem, however, is that they mean something to you. While you may think certain items have immense value to your children, they may not feel the same. Conversely, something you might classify as disposable may have intrinsic value to your loved ones. Therefore, the important part of de-cluttering before a move is all about identifying what’s truly worth the effort to move and what isn’t. If it helps, consider hiring a professional organizer who can go through the process with you. The good news is that, while often emotionally challenging at first, letting go can be incredibly liberating. Avoid Staying Too Long. It’s easy to get into a routine and even easier to convince ourselves that said routine will be constant, but life has a funny way of abruptly disrupting our routines. If
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Have Tough Conversations Early. While talking about estate planning or illness is difficult for everyone involved, these types of conversations need to happen, especially when all parties are healthy and the topic is still hypothetical. It’s much easier to make rational, effective decisions before an illness presents itself. Once it does, not only is the topic more difficult to address, but it’s more emotionally charged. Take time to consider your current lifestyle and ask yourself whether it’s maintainable. Talk to your loved ones and share your thoughts on the matter. After all, the decision to downsize doesn’t just impact you and your life—it has lasting impacts for your whole family so talk it out and decide what works best for you. This is NOT an Ending. It’s easy to get bogged down by the potential for doom and gloom after the children leave, but even though things like estate planning and de-cluttering are important, that doesn’t mean that downsizing is about an ending. Being an empty-nester opens you up to a whole world of possibilities that simply weren’t conceivable with children at home. Perhaps you’re looking to travel the world and only need a small space to come home to before your next adventure, or perhaps you’re interested in finding an active living community for seniors. No matter your plans, you are at a pivotal point in your life where you get to design the look of your life all over again. It’s exciting! At the end of the day, if you need some help or assistance, consider bringing in an experienced Realtor who can help you along the way. I have a wealth of knowledge for empty-nesters and would love to be of service during this important time in your life. Please call me.
PAM EVANS
Hello Pam Evans Real Estate www.HelloPamEvans.com 678-778-6551
VOLUME VIII | ISSUE 1 | MYFORSYTHMAG.COM 17
MY FORSYTH | LIFESTYLE If this is the case, replacement is the only option. • The circuit breaker connected to the outlet may have tripped. If you notice other plugs, lights, and appliances in the area have lost power, go check out your breaker box to see if one of the switches needs to be reset. • There could be a short in the lines somewhere between the outlet and the breaker box. This situation definitely calls for a qualified electrician. • The GFCI outlet’s wires may have been installed incorrectly. This is another job for an electrician. Problem: Device Plugs Fall Out of the Outlet Possible Cause: • Outlets rely on tension to keep plugs inside the socket and maintain connection between metal parts. If a plug falls out of a socket with no effort, the outlet is old and worn out. Time for a replacement.
QUICK GFCI OUTLET
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
A common project for homeowners everywhere is GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlet troubleshooting. A ground fault circuit interrupter outlet prevents electric shocks by sensing power surges and shutting down the flow of electricity to the plug accordingly. New homes have GFCI outlets installed in every room. Older houses may have none. In this case, it’s vital to your home and family’s safety that you at least replace the outlets in the kitchen, bathroom, basement, and outdoors with GFCI plugs. But if you already have GFCI plugs, what should you do when one of them stops working correctly? How can you tell if the problem is in the plug, the appliance, the wiring inside your wall, or the circuit breaker box outside? It can be scary and confusing trying to figure out what’s really going on with an electrical receptacle. Here’s a quick GFCI outlet troubleshooting guide to help you get to the bottom of things: Problem: GFCI Outlet Frequently Trips Possible Causes: • Just like so many other devices around your home, GFCI outlets can wear out over time. So, if your house is getting up there in years, you may simply have a worn-out plug that needs to be replaced. • The problem could be within a device you have plugged into the outlet. Unplug everything, reset the outlet, and then plug each device into the outlet and see if it trips again. • There are typically three wires connected to a GFCI plug: they are white, black, and a bare metal grounding wire. If the black wire touches bare metal, it can cause the outlet to trip almost constantly. Problem: Tripped GFCI Outlet Will Not Reset Possible Causes: • The outlet may be worn out to the point where it no longer functions. 18 MYFORSYTHMAG.COM VOLUME VIII | ISSUE 1
Problem: GFCI Outlet is Singed, Buzzing, Smoking, or Smells Acrid Possible Causes: • All of these are additional symptoms that the GFCI outlet has failed for the last time. Turn off the circuit breaker corresponding to the affected outlet, and call an electrician to replace the receptacle. If the smoke or smell persists, call the fire department to make sure there isn’t something more going on inside the wall. • Smoke or an acrid smell could also be caused by melting wire insulation. If you can remove the plug plate and take a look inside, examine the receptacle for melted wiring. If affected wire is white in color (as opposed to copper), it could be aluminum wire, which can create all sorts of problems for you. Call an electrician if you see white-colored wires (or their insulation) melting. GFCI outlets were made to prevent electrocution, but they provide us with a measure of protection against a range of unfortunate events. You may not recognize how important these devices are to you and your home’s safety until you need a GFCI plug to swing into action. Appliances can short out without warning, but a GFCI outlet will quickly protect you and your home from shock and damage. A GFCI plug will immediately recognize that excess current is flowing and stop it before serious damage can be done. GFCI outlets work around-the-clock to keep your home safer.
DO YOU NEED ATLANTA’S GFCI EXPERTS?
Arc Angel Electric specializes in all residential electrical needs. From rewiring an existing home to replacing a single electrical outlet, our expert electricians have you covered. We only use the best materials and proven professional methods. This provides our satisfied customers with unmatched satisfaction and peace of mind. We are proud to be in our 16th year of serving homeowners all over the Atlanta area. With our professional experience in the electrical industry and our knowledge of the local area, Arc Angel is the logical choice for your home improvement needs.
For your next house generator installation,
call Arc Angel at 770.889.9243.
VOLUME VIII | ISSUE 1 | MYFORSYTHMAG.COM 19
TAX REFORM: WINNERS AND LOSERS By Kurt Arseneau
Last year, Washington passed the first major tax law changes since 1986. As you try and figure out how this new law may change your life, know that none of these new laws will be applied to your 2017 taxes. Below are just a few changes to our U.S. tax code: • The standard deduction has basically doubled. Single fliers get a $12,000 deduction and married filing jointly folks get a $24,000 deduction. • The personal exemption is gone. You won’t be able to claim a personal exemption for yourself, spouse, or any of your dependents. • Mortgage interest deduction is now lower. If you own a home today, you are grandfathered in. However, if you don’t own a home, try and keep it below $750,000 going forward. • Student loan interest. Congratulations! There are no changes to the deduction for student loan interest is safe. • Estate tax. The estate tax exemption has been doubled to over $20 million for married couples. • Health insurance. In 2019, you won’t be penalized for not having health care insurance. • Corporate tax rate. The corporate tax rate has gone from 35% down to 21%. • Pass-through companies. Small business owners will see a deduction on their personal income taxes with a new tax deduction. • US deficit. Will increase by $1.46 trillion over the next 10 years
TAX BRACKETS SINGLE FILERS: CURRENT LAW
FINAL PLAN
10%
$0 - $9,325
10%
$0 - $9,525
15%
$9,326 - $37,950
12%
$9,526 - $38,700
25%
$37,951 - $91,900
22%
$38,701 - $82,500
28%
$91,901 - $191,650
24%
$82,501 - $157,500
33%
$191,651 - $416,700
32%
$157,501 - $200,000
35%
$416,701 - $418,400
35%
$200,001 - $500,000
39.6%
$418,401 or more
37%
$500,001 or more
Standard Deduction: $6,350 • Standard Deduction: $12,000 Personal Exemption: $4,050 • Personal Exemption: Eliminated
TAX BRACKETS MARRIED FILING JOINTLY: CURRENT LAW
FINAL PLAN
10%
$0 - $18,650
10%
$0 – 19,050
15%
$18,651 - $75,9000
12%
$19,051 - $77,400
25%
$75,901 - $153,100
22%
$77,401 - $165,000
28%
$153,101 - $233,350
24%
$165,001 - $315,000
33%
$233,351 - $416,700
32%
$315,001 - $400,000
35%
$416,701 - $470,700
35%
$400,001 - $600,000
39.6%
$470,701 or more
37%
$600,000 or more
Standard Deduction: $12,700 • Standard Deduction: $24,000 Personal Exemption: $8,100 • Personal Exemption: Eliminated
If you don’t do tax planning, tax preparation really doesn’t matter. At Arseneau Advisory Group we want to provide a one-stop shop organization. In keeping with our holistic approach, we serve our client’s needs by providing tax preparation and tax planning for as little cost as possible. By partnering with a national tax preparation firm, HAPPY TAX, we can provide tax preparation by a national network of CPAs. 20 MYFORSYTHMAG.COM VOLUME VIII | ISSUE 1
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P AULA STEWART
Pilates With Paula Taking her passion for a better understanding of the mind-body connection led Paula Stewart, a horse trainer and riding instructor in the dressage discipline (a highly skilled form of riding performed in exhibition and competition) to start her own pilates studio. Pilates With Paula has been in Forsyth County for 12 years. When asked why she chose Forsyth as the place for her business, Paula was very clear. “Forsyth County is amazing. I love the relaxed and friendly feel along with incredible growth, smart and successful people, wonderful school system for my 4th grade son, and the weather is perfect,” Paula stated. “What’s not to love!” The studio offers private and semi-private classes.
Photo by Sweet Tooth Photography.
“I also offer BioCored, which is suspension training,” Paula explained. “I am also certified by the Institute for the Psychology of Eating as an Eating Psychology coach.” “I chose suspension training because it paired perfectly with pilates. It is very effective in retraining muscle firing patterns and awakening inhibited muscles like the core abdominals, and gluteals,” Paula added.
Paula’s Top 5 Benefits of Pilates 1 . There is a powerful connection between the body, mind
and spirit. We are so much more than a body and our body is often a reflection of our inner world. 2. Pilates is more powerful as a tool for being happy in your body than I even realized when I started teaching. You become a student of your own body and learn to support it in ways you weren’t even aware existed. 3. Conscious movement makes you feel awesome! The benefits are very similar to the benefits of meditation (conscious movement is meditation in a way) but you give the mind something to do and move your body in a way that feels like a massage from the inside out. 4. I have discovered about myself a sensitivity and empathy that are wonderful additions to my tool kit. There was a time when being a sensitve felt like an annoying weakness, but I have learned to use it to serve my clients so much more effectively.
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5. The key factor for effectiveness and sustainability in a movement practice is that we
enjoy it. Enjoyment will bring us into our body. If we force ourselves to do something we don’t enjoy because we think it will burn more calories we are missing out on a great embodiment opportunity. Embodiment is the key to shape shifting.
PilateswithPaula.com 678-367-7565 paula@pilateswithpaula.com 309 Pirkle Ferry Rd Ste A400 | Cumming, GA 30040
P ENNY A. PENN
District Attorney, Bell-Forsyth Judicial Circuit
Board Member of the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), Congressional District 7 President of the North Georgia Chapter of Altrusa Member, The Rotary Club of South Forsyth
Photo by Sweet Tooth Photography.
In 1998, Penny Alane Penn became the first woman to serve as the Chief Assistant District Attorney for the Forsyth County Judicial Circuit. Prior to 1998, the counties of Forsyth and Cherokee had a combined judicial circuit. Ms. Penn has been practicing law for 30 years, with twenty-five of them as a prosecutor. “I have been part of the Forsyth County District Attorney’s office for 20 years,” Penn explained. “To practice this area of the law is always to be learning something; it is an ongoing education. There are also changes in the law, made routinely by the legislature and courts, which affect prosecution.” When asked what she’s learned over the years, Penn had no hesitation admitting she was, in the early years, challenged by having to delegate.
“I learned early on that I did not like to ask for help,” Penn stated.
Over time, that changed. “I work alongside a remarkable group of men and women whose job is to assist in the prosecution of felony offenses committed in Forsyth County,” Penn added. “The criminal justice system may change, but the individuals going through it do not and we always have to be mindful of the impact it can have on them, especially victims.” Penn earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts and a juris doctor degree from the Emory University School of Law. As for lessons learned over the years, Penn said, with a smile, “Just when you think you have seen it all….”
Penny A. Penn, District Attorney Bell-Forsyth Judicial Circuit 101 E. Courthouse Square | Suite 2075 | Cumming, GA 30040 770-781-2125 | papenn@forsythco.com VOLUME VIII | ISSUE 1 | MYFORSYTHMAG.COM 23
L AURA RETANA
Malvi Marshmallow Confections
Photo by Sweet Tooth Photography.
Marshmallows bring memories of fun days camping, smores and hot chocolate to most. For Laura Retana, a research and development chef, marshmallows were more than that. Laura’s Malvi began five years ago. Laura chose Forsyth County as the place for her unique business to call home. “Forsyth County offers great work-life balance. I love taking a break from work to paddle on the lake or take a quick hike up Sawnee Mountain. I’ve also loved working with local artists from Forsyth County and Atlanta,” Laura stated. “There’s so much good creativity and energy here!”
So what is Malvi?
Simply stated, “Malvi marshmallows are amply fluffy cubes of joy hand made with love and amazing all-natural ingredients.” “Marshmallows were a satisfying way to end the long days full of recipe testing, and I loved playing with different flavors and s’mores combinations,” Laura explained. “And I’m never tired of eating them!”
Top 5 Lessons Learned 1. There will always be challenges, mistakes, and frustrating
situations. Success is not achieving perfection but handling the inevitable difficult moments of life with clarity and grace. I’m still working on it. 2. Do what you love but be prepared to put up a fight. I’m grateful that I get to make a living doing something as awesome as making marshmallows! It’s not all fluff and sweetness though. There has been a lot of sacrifice behind the scenes, and if I wasn’t absolutely committed - if I didn’t have the support of my husband and family - I would have quit a long time ago.
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3. Ask for help. I’ve always been independent and an introvert. Running a business like that
will suffocate it. I’ve had to reach out of my comfort zone to ask for help on photo shoots, last minute production, social media collaborations, and the list goes on. It’s amazing to realize how supportive and awesome people are and to see the results of teaming up with wonderful collaborators. 4. You need to have a great team! We’ve been so lucky to work with amazing team members who share Malvi Joy through our store and our Malvi Truck. They are a big part of my motivation, and I’m so thankful for and humbled by all they do. 5. I will never get tired of eating marshmallows! I get a hit of childlike glee every time.
Malvimallow.com @malvimallow on Instagram facebook.com/malvimallow 3040 Keith Bridge Rd A5 | Cumming, GA 30041
HOW THE GEORGIA TENNESSEE BORDER DISPUTE BEGAN By Representative Marc Morris, GA House District 26
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the event which caused the Georgia vs. Tennessee border dispute. In 1788, when Georgia was admitted into the union our northern border was fixed as the 35th parallel – which made a nice straight line across northern Georgia. Later in 1796 when Tennessee was created by an Act of Congress, its southern border was specified as the 35th parallel – another nice straight line. These were specific boundaries, so why are we still arguing about such a clearly defined border? It seems the birth of the issue occurred in 1818 when James Camack and James S. Gaines were commissioned by both states to survey the 35th parallel. Their task was to fix the boundary between the two states. In hindsight their project was doomed from the start. Not only did Camack and Gaines use faulty equipment, they started in the wrong place. Their error established our border approximately one mile south of the congressionally mandated line. Although the state of Georgia did pay Camack and Gaines for their service, to this date we have never accepted or proclaimed the inaccurate survey as our true boundary line. Now before we judge Mr. Camack too harshly, it is important to point out that he discovered and noted the error in 1826 while surveying the Alabama border. Later Tennessee even used his information to demand that Mississippi correct a similar error, which it did in the Mississippi Constitution of 1890. This border issue is indisputable – the 35th parallel hasn’t moved since 1788. Georgia has been engaging Tennessee to the resolve the border issue since 1887. It is time the two states put an end to this issue and begin dealing with real issues facing our respective communities. So, I’m asking the good people of Tennessee to engage with Georgia and bring this issue to a closure that benefits all concerned.
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“
A
...a one-on-a-kind Girls Night Out experience.
Girl’s Night Out with Alice’s Table
A rainy Sunday afternoon suddenly became brighter when, along with 14
other women, a gathering at Sugarboo & Co. at The Collection Forsyth was filled with flowers, fun and fellowship.
Jenna Lee with Alice’s Table, a lifestyle brand dedicated to empowering women to build their own business through the art of flower design, happily taught us all about arranging flowers while allowing us to simply be happy. A beautiful combination of flowers – pink roses, white spray roses, eucalyptus and wax flowers – were the items chosen for our creativity to flow. And that it did. Perhaps the best part of the class was the women I met – ladies from Cumming, Acworth, Canton and Johns Creek, most of whom had never met before. Yet during the 2-hour class we all became friends. The company, recently featured on Shark Tank, named Improper Bostonian’s 2016 Best Boozy Class and one of Boston Globe’s best new services in 2016, prides itself on creating a one-on-a-kind Girls Night Out experience.
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For more information on Alice’s Table, contact Jenna Lee at jennaquigleylee@gmail.com or 843.455.2690. alicestable.com/host/profile/jenna-lee
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Casa Nuova Turns 20
One of Forsyth County’s most recognized Italian restaurants is celebrating its Silver Anniversary. For the past twenty years the family-owned and operated restaurant has shared its unique service and culinary treats with its guests. “People come to our restaurant for various reasons – forget their problems, celebrate a special occasion, after a sad event, or simply to take a break,” explains Maria Fundora, the Fundora family matriarch. “The reason doesn’t matter. What matters is that they feel special when they are here.” The family chef and patriarch, Antonio “Tony” Fundora, is no stranger to the restaurant business. “Cooking and serving great food is in my blood,” explains Chef Tony. Since 1962 he has been part of the restaurant business, starting out as a server, cook, pastry chef, and eventually restaurateur. Completing the Fundora family are Pepe, Cari and Alex. All of the Fundora kids worked at one time or another at the restaurant. Pepe, the eldest, is now the co-owner of the popular restaurant. “After completing my degree at Georgia Tech I realized I really enjoy the restaurant business and took the necessary steps to become a partner and co-owner,” explained Pepe. Most recently Pepe earned his Level I Master Sommelier Certification. His wine blog can be found online at casanuovarestaurant.com. “This certification is one where wine and hospitality professionals study the world of wines and spirits at the highest professional standards, including wine and
spirits knowledge, proper wine service, and deductive tasting” Pepe explained. Casa Nuova features a wide range of wines from wineries all over the world. Over the years, many customers have enjoyed the wine dinners that featured the pairing of wines with a five or six course meal. “Our wine dinners are a lot of fun and allow our patrons to enjoy a culinary treat along with a myriad of wines,” Maria stated. Servers and staff at the restaurant know that their job includes making sure every person feels special and is taken care of with utmost respect and grace. Casa Nuova is also known for its involvement in the community. Schools, non-profit organizations, theater groups, little league teams, and a host of other entities have counted on Casa Nuova for their fundraising efforts. “We decided early on that there’s no business without community, and being part of a community includes being involved. A few years ago, we decided to close for lunch, making it easy for organizations to host a fundraising lunch at the restaurant,” explained Maria. In May 2007, Maria’s mother, Iluminada, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Her passing left the family with sadness yet gave them the passion to begin a yearly event to raise awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer research. “Purple Pansies Pancreatic Cancer Organization began as a tribute to the memory of my beloved mother,” Maria explained. Since its inception, the fundraiser has raised over $500,000 for T-Gen’s pancreatic cancer research efforts. The group is a 501 (c)3 registered non-profit organization.
D id You Know?
Nearly all wine dinners follow a similar format starting with lighter, more delicately flavored wines (and food) and ending with bolder, more intense wines. The reason for this is because our sense of taste becomes duller over the course of the entire meal. It’s also why popular desserts are so rich and intense!
A gala is hosted by Casa Nuova every year, where exquisite food is paired with a silent auction featuring numerous items donated by businesses in the area. The event has been a sellout every year. “We’ve added a pre-gala party to accommodate the folks who couldn’t tickets to the dines but wanted to help with the fundraiser,” Maria added. “Hundreds of patrons participate in the event, making it one of our most successful fundraisers of the year.” Whether you are looking for a quiet dinner, a fun-filled gathering with friends, or wish to help your favorite charity, Casa Nuova is without a doubt the place you’ll want to visit. Reservations are suggested from Thursday through Saturday. Happy 20th anniversary Casa Nuova!
Visit www.casanuovarestaurant.com for daily specials and special events, including wine dinners and special fundraisers. 5670 Atlanta Hwy 9. Suite A1 Alpharetta, GA
770-475-9100 Closed Sunday
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The hospital provides a variety of healthcare services to North Georgia communities including Forsyth County and neighboring counties, as well as individuals who come to the hospital from other states and even other countries. “Last year we treated some patients who were transferred to our facility because of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Folks who were displaced by the lack of medical care were evacuated and treated at our hospital. We were able to take care of them and their families,” Jackson explained. When presented with the opportunity to be part of the medical staff at NHF, Dr. Ryland Gore, a board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeon in breast surgical oncology, accepted without any hesitation. Dr. Gore specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of benign and cancerous breast cancers, as well as breastrelated disorders. “Forsyth County is a thriving community. To be part of this community and the healthcare facility that has always been associated with excellence was a great opportunity,” Gore explained. As a member of North Atlanta Breast Health, along with Dr. Kim Lairet, MD, FACS, Dr. Gore has seen first-hand the growth of the county and the number of patients that are seen at Northside Hospital Forsyth. “I am honored to serve this community,” Dr. Gore added. “I am happy to take care of this community’s breast care and breast cancer needs. There’s no reason to leave your own neighborhood. There is quality healthcare right in your own back yard.” The medical staff at NHF continues to increase as more physicians are opening offices in the area. With over 3,000 physicians on their medical staff, Northside Hospital Forsyth provides a wide range of expertise in the treatment of cancer, vascular
conditions, orthopedics and numerous other medical conditions. The hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is now under the dedicated guidance of its own medical director, Dr. Anthony Kimani, a certified Pulmonary Disease Specialist with over
Northside Hospital Forsyth
BY THE NUMBERS
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28 years of experience in pulmonary disease and critical care. The numbers speak for themselves, as a comparison of the data from 2016 and 2017 clearly demonstrates the increase in hospitalprovided services.
2016 2017 Licensed Beds 247 304 Employees 2,700 3,094 Admissions 14,251 14,976 Outpatient Visits 336,837 340,536 Births 3,152 3,200 Surgeries 13,087 14,367 ER Visits 58,815 61,462 Volunteers 335 360 *FY 9/2016-10/2017
Slated to open in early spring, a new medical building, MOB (Medical Office Building) 2000, will house the offices of Arthritis and Total Joint Specialists as well as Northside Forsyth’s Outpatient Physical Therapy and Rehab offices. “We are looking forward to having more space to accommodate our patients,” said Dr. Ken Kress, Medical Director of the Short Stay Total Joint Replacement Program at NHF. Dr. Kress will be joined by his colleagues, Doctors Charlie DeCook, Jeff Garrett, and Jon Minter at the new offices of Arthritis and Total Joint Specialists. As leaders in the same-day treatment of orthopedic conditions and joint replacement surgery, the group offers the latest in imaging, conservative and non-surgical care and minimally-invasive surgery to reduce joint pain and return patients to their regular activities. Patients and visitors will also be glad to note a new dining option at the hospital with the recent opening of a new café in the area adjacent to the cafeteria, which, Jackson noted, was the last of the locations unchanged from the former Georgia Baptist Hospital building. “We’ve seen a lot of changes over the years, and as we continue to grow and add to our existing facility, we realized that the cafeteria had not grown to keep pace with our needs,” Jackson stated. Café One52, named after the area depicted on the Forsyth County Land Map as being the site of the hospital, opened its doors the last week of December 2017. The café offers a variety of choices to all who visit the hospital including salads, cook-to-order choices, soups, hearth, and Italian favorites. In addition, the café also offers the ever-popular Starbucks products that many folks had been asking for over the years. “I will say this is one of the nicest hospital cafeterias I’ve seen, and am proud of the work that the team has done to ensure that the offerings are varied and better reflect the choices that our guests and our employees have asked for over time,” Jackson added.
“With over 3,000 physicians on their medical staff, Northside Hospital Forsyth provides a wide range of expertise in the treatment of cancer, vascular conditions, orthopedics and numerous other medical conditions.”
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“Cumming and Forsyth County are consistently ranked among the most desirable communities in the nation. World class schools, nationally recognized parks, over 200 miles of lake shore line, the lowest property taxes in the region and a vibrant business community are the primary factors that earn the community accolades year after year.” - Cumming Forsyth Chamber of Commerce
LEADERS IN NURSING Led by Dr. Carolyn Booker, Director of Nursing Services at NHF, the nursing staff is now comprised of an ever-expanding number of registered nurses, LPNs, CCAs, Patient Care Coordinators and unit secretaries. Dr. Booker is one of a growing trend in nursing professionals who have earned a doctorate degree in nursing practice. The Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) is recognized by the American Academy of Colleges of Nursing as a terminal degree. The degree is designed to support the implementation of nursing practice changes that are developed by nursing researchers (PhD RNs). “Northside Hospital Forsyth’s nursing division is led by a team of highly experienced, tenured nurses. These nurses represent specialties that span the outpatient and inpatient arenas of care, from Labor and Delivery, Family Centered Care, Neonatal Intensive Care, and Medical Surgical Nursing to Pain Services, Emergency Services, Surgical Services and Critical Care,” Dr. Booker explained. “The patient and family’s experience of care is of great importance to the nursing staff. The approach to care delivery is evidence-based, yet individualized to meet the needs of each patient. With the healthcare environment constantly changing, Northside Forsyth takes pride in its organizational values that have remained consistent over time. Providing compassionate support to the community, being a regional leader in the provision of high quality care are tenets that resonate to the staff and can be felt by the patients and families.”
HEALTHCARE FOR CHILDREN Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is dedicated to making the kids of Forsyth better today and healthier tomorrow by offering outpatient services, including urgent care, audiology, endocrinology, general surgery, neurology, orthopedics, orthotics and prosthetics, rehabilitation and sports medicine. When your child has a minor injury
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or illness and your family’s pediatrician is not available, Children’s Urgent Care is there for you especially on evenings, weekends and holidays. Broken bones in children and teens can sometimes be difficult to spot. Children’s boardcertified pediatric radiologists are trained to diagnose injured bones in children and teens. With specialized staff and imaging equipment, Children’s is able to reduce a child’s exposure to radiation during X-ray procedures. Children’s at Forsyth offers fracture care with fast access to pediatric orthopaedic surgeons who understand how to treat growing bones. The pediatric orthopaedic surgeons at Children’s use minimally invasive treatments that allow fractures to heal quickly and properly.
GEORGIA HIGHLANDS MEDICAL SERVICES Since 1979, Georgia Highlands Medical Services (GHMS) has provided healthcare services to the communities of Forsyth County and North Georgia, regardless of income level, insurance status or language spoken. Recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a Patient-Centered Medical Home at the highest level of recognition (Level III), GHMS’ services include family practice, pediatrics, women’s health, geriatrics, and a full-service pharmacy.
HEALTHCARE AND BUSINESS The healthcare industry is one of the fastestgrowing most influential industry sectors in Forsyth County. To further support this business unit and aspect of quality living, the CummingForsyth County Chamber of Commerce created the Healthcare Association of Forsyth County (HCA) as a dedicated extension of Chamber initiatives. The HCA is a collective voice for current healthcare issues affecting Forsyth County and provides a conduit for information
and resources to ensure the highest quality of healthcare is available to meet the needs of those living and working in our community. “The mission of the HCA is to expand and strengthen local healthcare commerce through the combined efforts of physicians, healthcare professionals, organizations and community leaders. We promote healthier lives in Forsyth County through advocacy, leadership, education and service which has contributed to Forsyth County’s ranking as the healthiest county in Georgia for the past five years,” explained Tony Peters, Vice President of Community Development for the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce. Great access to healthcare is only one of the many assets our community enjoys. Cumming and Forsyth County are consistently ranked among the most desirable communities in the nation. World class schools, nationally recognized parks, over 200 miles of lake shore line, the lowest property taxes in the region, and a vibrant business community are the primary factors that earn the community accolades year after year.
Top 10 Communities in America (& #1 in Georgia) for Incoming Investment - Smart Asset
Top 20 Fastest-Growing Counties in America (& #1 in Georgia) - US Census
Top 20 Affluent Counties in America (& #1 in Georgia) - US Census
Most Innovative Community in Georgia - Innovation Index: Technology Association of Georgia Top 10 Cities to Start a Business - NerdWallet.com # 1 Community in Georgia for Incoming Investment - SmartAsset.com
1200 Northside Forsyth Dr, | Cumming, GA 30041 Follow @NorthsideHosp on social media. www.northside.com
Top Five Communities to “Get Ahead”
- Forbes.com
Healthiest County in Georgia
- University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute
410 Peachtree Parkway | Cumming, GA 30041-7407
Highlands Medical Plaza 475 Tribble Gap Road | Cumming GA
Top 10 Most Charming Towns in Georgia - Travel Magazine Top 10
Fastest-Growing Counties in America - CNNMoney.com
Top 20 Wealthiest Counties in America - Forbes.com
Top 100 Best Communities for Young People - America’s Promise/Alliance for Youth VOLUME VIII | ISSUE 1 | MYFORSYTHMAG.COM 35
MY FORSYTH | HEALTH & WELLNESS
HEARTS UNDER PRESSURE: REDEFINING HYPERTENSION By Narendra Singh, MD
On November 12th, 2017, thirty two million more Americans, by definition, became hypertensive. Our national medical societies, on a mandate from the NHLBI (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute), redefined hypertension. A normal blood pressure is now a systolic (top number) BP < 120 mm Hg and a diastolic (bottom number) of less than 80 mmHg. Elevated blood pressure is now a systolic BP between 120-129 mm Hg or a diastolic BP between 80-89 mmHg. Stage 1 hypertension is now a systolic BP (Blood Pressure) between 130-139 mm Hg or a diastolic BP between 90-99 mmHg. Stage 2 hypertension is a systolic BP greater than 140 mm Hg or a diastolic BP greater than 100 mmHg. Taking an accurate BP reading is very important. Make sure your doctor’s office uses calibrated equipment. Proper cuff size is important. Home blood pressure readings are recommended to confirm the diagnosis—as long as the equipment quality is accurate. Masked hypertension and white coat hypertension should be ruled out. There are a number of secondary causes of hypertension that include excess alcohol, sleep apnea, kidney disease and
endocrine hormone disorders. Your health care professional will do blood, urine and imaging tests to identify how much damage has occurred from high blood pressure. Hypertension is known as the silent killer. It is the leading risk factor for heart and stroke disease worldwide. It can also damage the kidney, eyes, and limbs. In most cases, the goal of treatment is to get the BP < 130/80 mmHg. The first steps with hypertension management are lifestyle changes. Every 2 pounds of weight loss on average will reduce your blood pressure by 1 mmHg. The DASH diet (rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low fat) can drop by 11 mmHg. Reducing sodium intake to < 1500 mg/day will drop BP 6 mmHg while increasing potassium intake to > 3500 mg/day will drop BP 5 mmHg. Reducing stress with deep breathing exercises, yoga and meditation will also help. No one likes to be on medications but the good news is that these drugs work and are inexpensive. All the lifesaving BP meds are now generic and therefore affordable by all. The decision to treat hypertension with drugs will depend on your BP reading, the extent of damage already and your 10-yr. estimated
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cardiovascular risk. First line therapy is usually with a thiazide diuretic (e.g. HCTZ), calcium channel blocker (eg. Nifedipine, amlodipine, diltiazem), ACE inhibitor (eg. lisinopril, ramipril) or an ARB (eg. losartan, valsartan). Other BP lowering drugs that can be used in special circumstances include beta blockers (e.g. heart disease), aldosterone (eg. heart failure), alpha agonists (e.g. Prostate enlargement) and vasodilators (e.g. hypertensive crisis). A staggering 46% of Americans are now defined as hypertensive … so you are not alone! Controlling this risk factor has the potential to dramatically improve the health of this nation. Let’s not falter under pressure! 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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MY FORSYTH | HEALTH & WELLNESS are made from silicone hydrogel materials that contribute to greater benefits and higher cost. If you’re considering daily contact lenses, remember that the higher lens cost is offset by the money you’ll save on lens care products, since they won’t be needed. Also, if you have ever experienced a lens that tore before its time, you lost a significant chunk of money right there. With a daily lens you will have lost the cost of only that one day. Despite the higher price tag daily disposable lenses are often more affordable than many people expect, and a fresh pair of lenses that provide comfort and good vision all day long is priceless.
DAILY DISPOSABLE CONTACT LENSES: A Healthy and Convenient Choice By Mira Sivan, Optometrist
Daily disposable contact lenses are single-use lenses that are removed and discarded at the end of each day. Daily contact lenses are gaining in popularity among patients of all ages for their health and convenience benefits. 99% of kids we see are fitted with daily contacts, and most of our adult patients prefer the dailies over their prior contact lens choices. So, Why Throw Out Lenses At All? The more frequently you replace your contact lenses, the healthier and more comfortable your eyes. Protein, calcium, lipids and other substances found in your tears, build up on your lenses. That makes your contacts less comfortable than when they were new, which increases the risk of eye infection. Since cleaning is not 100 percent effective, deposits will remain and continue to accumulate over time. Daily Contact Lenses: Convenience and Health Are you following your eye doctor’s cleaning instructions? If not, you might be better off with daily disposables. There are two ways to avoid contact lens care. One is to wear extended wear lenses continuously for several days, and then discard
them when you remove them. Unfortunately, overnight wear of contact lenses is not a good idea for everyone. And for many people, wearing contact lenses during sleep increases the risk of eye problems i.e. dryness. The other alternative is daily disposable contact lenses. Many of my contact lens wearers feel that those offer the best of both worlds: They are convenient because no lens cleaning is required. They are much more comfortable and healthy because they are moister and allow extra oxygen through them, since there are no deposits to block it. How Different Are Daily Contact Lenses From Regular Lenses? It is well known that replacing lenses often is a healthy thing to do. Until now the problem was that contacts were too expensive to discard very often — so various cleaning solutions were used to prolong their lives. Contact lens manufacturers developed new methods to produce high-quality lenses in greater volume at lower cost. That led to lower lens prices making it affordable to replace lenses more often. How Much Do Daily Disposable Contacts Cost? In general, they are more expensive than lenses used for longer periods of time. They
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Can I Wear Daily Contact Lenses? Yes, you probably can. After a complete exam, I’ll be able to determine it for sure. In addition to standard single vision designs, some daily disposable brands are available in colors, in designs to correct astigmatism, and in multifocal designs to correct presbyopia. If your prescription is outside the range in which daily disposable lenses are offered you may have to stick with traditional lenses. I would be happy to conduct a thorough evaluation and help determine whether daily disposable contacts or another replacement frequency is right for you. Call to schedule your eye exam today, and don’t forget to ask about daily contacts.
For Your Eyes Only- Eye Care 5851 S Vickery St Cumming, GA 30040 Dr. Mira Sivan fyeo-eyecare.com | 678-648-5185
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NATURAL Ways to Boost Your Immune System
Dr. Kristin Marchman
ALONG WITH THE CHILL OF WINTER COMES THE SEASON OF SORE THROATS, FEVERS, AND SNIFFLES. As a chiropractor and mom to two little boys
and a baby girl, natural health is my passion and I am constantly researching the best ways to keep my family well, especially this time of year. The key to health is creating a foundation that allows the body to express pure wellness, which in turns helps increase immunity to fight disease. Staying active, eating well, drinking plenty of water, and getting adequate rest must come first. If our bodies are not being cared for properly, anything we put into them will not work as effectively. On the next page is a list of my best found natural ways to boost your immune system any time of the year.
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ANTIOXIDANT DRINK
My newest obsession for wellness is Young Living’s Ningxia Red drink. My kids ask for this “juice” on a daily basis and since it has the highest number of antioxidants of any drink currently on the market, I’m happy to oblige. Antioxidants protect the body against free radicals and support immune function, cardiovascular health, and even healthy eye function. I feel that it gives me a natural boost of energy without sugar, caffeine or other artificial stimulants, so I don’t miss my daily shot of this bottle of goodness. There you have it, my most trusted natural immune boosters for any season but especially winter. Here’s to staying healthy all year long, naturally.
and even. It is safe for children as well. As with essential oils, not all colloidal silver is created equally and I recommend Argentyn 23 .
ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils have amazing therapeutic benefits to our bodies. We use essential oils for everything in our home from sleep support to keeping our skin “forever young,” but I first started using oils for their immune boosting properties. Young Living essential oils are the oils I recommend and trust for my family. We get our immune support from Thieves oil, our respiratory support from RC (respiratory care) oil, and our digestive support from Digize oil. I take an oil infused supplement called Inner Defense anytime I start to feel run down, and it always kicks whatever I am fighting to the curb. My family has been able to completely revamp our medicine cabinet thanks to essential oils and oil infused supplements. Oils were also our first step to a chemical free home (we’ve switched out all our cleaning products, bath products, beauty products, etc) and I can honestly say we are much happier (and healthier) now because we took that first step. If you are interested in starting your journey toward a chemical free home or if you just want to obtain oils and supplements at a discounted wholesale cost, go to www.drmarchman.com/ essential-oils for more information.
HOMEMADE ELDERBERRY SYRUP CHIROPRACTIC CARE
Chiropractic care is a great way to keep our immune systems functioning at their optimal level. It is common knowledge that chiropractic helps with back pain and headaches, but it goes much beyond that. The spine and nervous system are in direct correlation with the immune system, so keeping our spines aligned helps to keep us healthy. It’s as simple as that. Adjustments are safe and effective for babies, children, and adults.
COLLOIDAL SILVER
Bio-active silver hydrosol is colloidal silver at the purest form. This natural antibiotic is the first thing I reach for when I wake up with a sore throat (along with my Inner Defense I mentioned above). Unlike pharmaceutical antibiotics, it does not lead to resistance and has none of the negative side effects. It can be taken orally as well as through the ears, nose,
Homemade elderberry syrup is another great addition to your winter wellness regimen. Black elderberries contain high levels of vitamin A, B, C, and antioxidants, which increase the effectiveness of the immune system. When mixed with other natural immune boosting ingredients, elderberries have been shown in research studies to effectively fight the flu and other diseases. My favorite homemade elderberry syrup recipe is: • 2/3 cup black elderberries • 3 1/2 cup water • 2 T fresh ginger root • 1 tsp cinnamon • 1/2 tsp cloves • 1 cup raw honey
Pour water into medium saucepan and add elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce to a simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until liquid has reduced by almost half. Remove from heat and let cool enough to be handled. Pour through mesh strainer into glass jar or bowl. Discard elderberries and let liquid cool to lukewarm. Add 1 cup of honey and stir well. Pour syrup into mason jar or 16 ounce glass bottle. Store in refrigerator. Take 1 teaspoon daily for children and 1 tablespoon daily for adults. Take weekends off. If sick, take normal dose every 2-3 hours until symptoms are gone.
WHOLE FOOD SUPPLEMENTS
Since it is impossible to eat a perfect diet and get the nutrients we need every single day, I recommend a base multivitamin catered to your gender and age group. During the colder months, it is especially important to add extra vitamin D3 and vitamin C to our daily intake. Wellness starts in the gut, so a quality probiotic is vital to ensure we are getting the good bacteria that we need to help fight off whatever may come our way. Be sure to choose whole food supplements so they are properly absorbed and easily digested. My daily regimen of immune boosters consists of Baby & Me Multi (even though I’m not pregnant, I’m still nursing my baby girl so those extra nutrients are key) and Vitamin D3 from Innate Response as well as Super C, Multigreens, Life 9 probiotic, and Super B from Young Living. My boys take Young Living’s MightyVites and Klaire Labs probiotics. Dr. Kristin Marchman is a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association and Georgia Birth Network. She is certified in the Webster Technique for pregnant women, a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment that reduces interference to the nervous system and balances maternal pelvic muscles and ligaments. Her office is located at 5830 Clarion Street, Suite 101, Cumming, GA 30040. You may reach her at 470-522-7801.
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START YOUR ENGINES! SUPPORTING A GREAT CAUSE IN A UNIQUE WAY By Tom Burgess
One of the major issues often facing families in need of help is unreliable transportation, which makes securing and holding a job very difficult. Our team at Christian Brothers Automotive, along with other business in our community, have been working with Family Promise to assist in servicing and repairing the vehicles of these families to ensure transportation does not become the limiting factor in holding a job. Our technicians often donate their time to repair the cars, and our suppliers will often donate parts or provide them at cost. Family Promise of Forsyth County is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support local families with children under 16 who are experiencing homelessness. We at Christian Brothers Automotive are big supporters of this organization because we love how they work to assist and support these families and ultimately enable them to become financially solvent and independent again. Each week, hosts from their thirteenmember churches provides a place to stay and
volunteers provide employment assistance, meals, childcare and transportation to the families enrolled in the program. The families are also given weekly goals in the areas of financial empowerment, parenting, self-health & well-being and sustainable independence. This is a hand-up, not a hand-out, because if the family does not follow the get-well plan they are disenrolled in the program. Last year, a 2004 Dodge Neon was donated that needed thousands of dollars of work to make it viable for a family. Rather than spend a sizable amount to make just one car reliable, Stephen, one of our Service Writers, suggested we turn it into a race car to generate revenue for Family Promise for years to come. He suggested we race it in the 24 Hours of Lemons held at Road Atlanta and solicit sponsors for all the laps we completed. Great idea, but where would we possibly come up with the money to upgrade the car and make all the modifications required to pass the stringent safety requirements - including a roll-cage, race seat and harness, not to mention
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all the personal safety gear required? As usual, wonderful organizations from around Forsyth County rallied to the cause and provided the funds necessary to turn what seemed like a crazy idea into reality. American Protein, no stranger to helping many causes throughout this community, agreed to be our naming sponsor – thus the team name and car theme became ‘Big Chicken’. Advance Auto and AutoZone donated parts, OPM motorsports donated eight used race tires, and the law firm of Patterson, Moore and Butler stepped up with a sizable donation towards the personal safety equipment. In-Depth Wraps designed and installed a customized wrap of charge, making the ‘Big Chicken’ the bestlooking car on the track. And just like that, a crazy idea was suddenly turning into reality. The ‘Big Chicken’ team was now ready to compete. The 24 Hours of Lemons is an unusual race where cars cannot be worth more than $500 and are often theme-based. I was supposed to leave for the track at 11:00 AM on Friday. Despite having nearly three months to build the car, we finished all
the last-minute fixes at 1:15 that same day. After an 800-foot test drive down the icy street (yes, there was ice on the road due to weather conditions at the time) Randy declared the car ready to race. It took three of us pushing to get the car on the trailer due to lack of traction in the snow. Fun? Let’s say challenging, to say the least. We left the garage at 1:30 PM, during a snow storm, and joined the other 88 cars at the track hoping to pass technical inspection. We passed tech, and at 9:00 on Saturday morning, with the temperature just above freezing and snow falling, the green flag dropped for 15 hours of racing. Road Atlanta is a world-class track, with 12 turns including blind turns and a diving, downhill, off-camber right turn just prior to the front straightaway. Driving a relatively slow Dodge Neon on this track in the snow, with the sun in my eyes and my glasses and helmet visor fogging up, riding on race tires that could not heat up due to the wet track and freezing temperatures was quite an experience to say the least. There is no heater in the car, and after a while I couldn’t feel my left foot – wedged against the firewall. I spun out once but did not hit anything and nobody hit me which was very good. Randy took the second hour and drove the car without incident, then Richard was in the
seat on track when one of the rear springs came out of its mount and shredded the left rear tire. He did a great job bringing the car back in onepiece. Nicki and Randy made a temporary repair and ‘Big Chicken’ went out on track again. Stephen had his time in the seat but also spun once without damage, and as that was our second spin we had a one-hour penalty – but we had bigger problems, unless we fixed the rear springs, they were not going to let us back on track. Nobody had one anywhere Stephen called, so it looked like we were done for the weekend. But not so fast, Randy and Nicki figured out if we heated and bent the springs we could get them to stay in their mounts. I found a fellow racer with MAP Gas in a bottle and there was just enough gas left to heat the springs and bend them into the proper shape. The tech inspectors agreed, and we were back on the track! When we finished the first day of racing at 5:00 PM on Saturday it seemed like there were only about 30 cars still running. We were not fast, but we were making laps! The car did amazingly well – we could get her up to about 110 MPH on the back straight, and about 90 going in to turn one. Not bad for a stock Dodge Neon with 140K miles on the engine that was never meant to be a race car!
We all had seat time on Sunday, Randy spun once but they didn’t penalize us, and the trusty Neon made it to the final checkered flag without once complaining – incredible job by all the guys to make the car reliable. There were a lot of smiles after the race was complete! In the end we finished 68th out of the 88 teams that made it to the track (slow and steady!), completed 240 laps or roughly 600 miles of racing, and brought the car back in one piece. More importantly, we raised several thousands of dollars for Family Promise, and each event we now enter we will be able to do the same all over again. Thanks again to all that contributed to make this a fantastic event for everyone.
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What’s the last story you read and really enjoyed? These days, I live a stationary life. I’ve lived in Forsyth County for the past nine years and have only moved once in that time. I have no plans to move again for the next twenty-nine, or so. But that doesn’t mean my life is any less full of adventure. Why might you ask? Because I write fantasy stories for children. I am confident that my love for writing adventure stories can be traced back to all those nights my dad spent reading to his girls at the dinner table. Oh, to have a life without cell phones again (wink, wink)! I read or tell stories to my children every night because I want their minds to thrive. I want their creativity and imagination to be challenged, molded, and free to explore. What kind of life do you imagine for your family today?
R eading at the Dinner Table BY J.S. WOOD
In 1989, my family moved to a new city.
I wasn’t 10 yet, but I remember feeling grieved over having to start my life all over again. We’d moved around quite a bit. In fact, by the time I was 9-years-old I’d attended four different schools. However, the one positive during my (sort of) chaotic nomadic existence had been my family. My parents had a strong sense of values that they wished to impart on myself, and my two sisters. So, my dad began reading chapter books at the dinner table each night. These books weren’t long, but the time my dad took to read was invaluable. The stories he read cause my mind to open up to the wild adventures of life and fantasy. Some of the precious stories he shared with us were The Boxcar Children, The Cricket in Times Square, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs.
Basil E. Frankweiler, and Bridge to Terabithia. Do your children love to read? My daughter craves stories and my son could care less. But, then I wonder, has he just not read something to capture his imagination? I confess, it’s hard for me to enjoy reading when I can’t connect with the characters or storyline. I read mostly fantasy adventures because I can escape from what I read in the news and enter a place where magic can happen. Do you ever feel that way? Famed author Beatrix Potter once said, “There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they’ll take you.” But, I think this statement can very easily be adapted to a reader: “There’s something delicious about reading the first words of a story.”
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J.S. Wood is the author of a new book series for tween adventure readers (ages 10-14). The “Elena Ransom” series chronicles the lives of Elena Ransom and her friends at Grimsby School of the Republic. Learn more about this new book series at www.jswood.me.
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Why is Lee getting her hustle on in her sixties when she could be relaxing? She explains that her mind never quits and if she didn’t have an outlet for her creative energy, she would drive herself and those around her, crazy. Growing up, Lee wanted to be Mary Tyler Moore’s character, Mary Richards. She did make it to the newsroom, writing her for high school and hometown newspapers. She attributes her Scottish DNA and Southern upbringing for her gift of storytelling. Although Lee sings every Sunday at church and attends bridge club, she can be scandalous. Trying to be hospitable towards two, recently recovered from being kidnapped, geriatric family members, she asked: “What kind of comfort food should I prepare for kidnap victims?” The correct fare for a kidnapping was not in her playbook: she decided on Chinese delivery. During a beach trip with girlfriends, Lee, the driver, was pulled over for speeding five times although not ticketed. No topics are off limits in Lee’s books, but she does cloak the names to protect the guilty. When Lee is not offending kidnapped victims and speeding, she’s busy writing a Greatest Hits manuscript based on her books and columns she’s written for the Newnan Times-Herald. Her advice to people approaching retirement: “Don’t hold back, pursue your passion and go for it.”
SECOND ACT By Amy Lyle
Author Lee St. John is a self-proclaimed rogue southerner. It suits her. After thirty years as a public school teacher, she has poured her life experiences into material for her five self-published books. She’s A Keeper!: Confessions From A Southern Girl’s Closet - The Stories Begin, ranks number one in Kindle Short Reads. She can be seen monthly on WAXC’s Charter Cable television show, The Front Porch, discussing everything from what utensils are necessary to host a formal dinner party to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day sipping Irish coffee and writing limericks on the fly with host Kenny Dean.
Check out Lee’s upcoming speaking events and book signings visit www.leestjohnauthor.com/ book-signing-dates Facebook: www.facebook.com/leestjohnauthor Twitter @leestjohnauthor Lee St. John books are available on Amazon http://ow.ly/FhR330fL5vr Amy Lyle lives in Forsyth County with her husband, lots of teenagers, and two dogs. Her book, The Amy Binegar-Kimmes-Lyle Book of Failures, is available on Amazon. http://ow.ly/yGx930fcA3l
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Photos courtesy of Mike Powell, In & Out Photos
The Grape Escape
2018 THE GRAPE ESCAPE Sponsors
Leadership Forsyth’s signature event, held at The Reid Barn and catered by Tam’s Backstage and Talk of the Table, brought together members of Leadership Forsyth classes of various years for a fun-filled evening. A selection of wines from various wineries, and beer from local award-wining brewery Cherry Street, were available for those in attendance. A silent auction was also held. The purpose of Leadership Forsyth is to provide a masters level leadership training and inspire a network of emerging leaders through an educational experience that increases participants’ knowledge, awareness of our community and involvement with community leaders, volunteers and business community. Since 1989, the organization has empowered and connected diverse leaders who serve as catalysts for a vibrant community. And for one night, they all come together to celebrate!
Advanced Disposal Atlanta Gear Works Caliber Transport + Care Cherry Street Brewery Co-Op Class Cadillac Creatively Clark Eric Caldwell Forte Data Systems Investment Planning Advisors Jon R. Brockman My Forsyth Magazine Pamela Bowman Piedmont Bank Pure Barre Cumming ServPro Talk of the Table Tam’s Backstage Woolard Construction
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Just an hour and half south of Atlanta, is the city of Columbus, GA with a delightful arts and culinary scene, and warm weather most of the year, it’s worth a short visit. Here’s how to make the most out of 48 hours in Columbus.
EXPLORING COLUMBUS: How to spend two action packed days in this Georgia city By Malika Bowling
701 Front Ave, Columbus, GA 31901 www.ccssc.org
Next up is the National Infantry Museum. With nearly 200,000 square feet and over 70,000 artifacts, it is surprising there is no admission cost (though a $5 donation is suggested). Here reallife soldiers posed as molds for the soldiers you’ll see in each of the many displays. Visitors can also go inside a mock Vietnam war era jungle and relive actual experiences via audio recordings from soldiers. Warning: some service members have been known to break down once inside the “jungle” as it gets astonishingly real.
Arrive at lunchtime and head to the Wicked Hen for their new southern cuisine. Enjoy one of their specialty salads or for something heartier, get the lamb gyro. If weather allows, sit outside, as the outdoor patio is much livelier than the interior. 1350 13th St, Columbus, GA 31901 www.wickedhenrestaurant.com
After lunch it’s museum time. But not just any museum, the Coca-Cola Space Science Center. It’s especially fun if you’ve got kids, but adults can still have a blast too. Experience what it’s like to be in a spaceship inside
the museum’s simulator. There’s even real pieces used on space ships on display that visitors can touch and feel. For team building activities, companies employ the museums activities to work a real space mission. Admission is $6 and children (4-12) are $4.
1775 Legacy Way, Columbus, GA 31903 www.nationalinfantrymuseum.org
Take the short drive to the Marriott to check into your hotel. Make sure to ask for a room as far away from the railroad tracks as possible. Trains come through at least once in the middle of the night. But it’s worth staying in this historic building, once a mill.
Pasaquan Grounds
Columbus Art
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Meritage Food & Drink
Wicked Hen
800 Front Ave, Columbus, GA 31901 www.marriott.com/hotels/ travel/csgmc-columbusmarriott/
After getting spiritually awakened at Pasaquan it’s time to get your heart pumping at Blue Heron. Here you’ll be able to zip line across state lines. That’s right! Zip line across the river going from Alabama to Georgia. You’ll zip at about 40 mph and for a length of 1200 foot. How many people can say they’ve done that? If zip-lining isn’t your thing, another way to get your heart pumping is white water rafting on the Chattahoochee. Prices vary. http://www.whitewaterexpress. com/blue-heron-adventures/
After getting settled in, walk around Main Street and check out the unique sculptures and specialty stores. From here you’re just steps away from dinner at Meritage. Though the restaurant is known for their outstanding wine selection, you’ll want to have one of their expertly crafted Manhattans. Indulge in creamy pimento cheese balls to start your meal too.
For a night on the town, head to the Springer Opera House for a theatre performance. Broadway shows like Dreamgirls, Some Like It Hot and West Side Story are featured in this intimate playhouse. It’s much easier to score great seats here in Columbus than in Atlanta, so don’t pass up the opportunity to take in a show. 103 E 10th St, Columbus, GA 31901 www.springeroperahouse.org
1039 1st Ave, Columbus, GA 31901 www.meritageonline.com
After a restful evening, head to My Boulange to carb up at breakfast. You’re doing it wrong if you don’t get a croissant: almond or ham and cheese. Plus, the Lavender Latte is a must. Make sure to arrive early, or you’ll have to wait in line
as this is quite the popular hangout on weekends. 111 12th St #101, Columbus, GA 31901 www.myboulange.com
From here make the short drive to Buena Vista and discover the eclectic Pasaquan grounds. As the story goes, it was founded by self-proclaimed prophet and guru, Eddie Owens Martin, later known as St. EOM. The part time male escort / fortune teller built the Pasaquan community after having a vision from future beings that Pasaquanism would be a huge religion. His colorful artwork on walls, masonry fencing, and pagodas are on display all over Pasaquan. 238 Eddie Martin Rd, Buena Vista, GA 31803 www.pasaquan.com
Head back to the Marriott to freshen up before heading to dinner at 7th Street provisions. The co-owners have taken great care to design the entire restaurant space themselves. Get. The. Mushroom. Turnovers. They have a bold cocktail list and if you like peanuts get the Orgeat cocktail. If you’ve been saving your calories for a splurge night this is it with ice cream flavors like butternut squash and more! 222 7th St, Columbus, GA 31901 www.7thstreetprovisions.org
Before departing Columbus, fuel up for breakfast at Plucked Up Chicken and Biscuits. Decorated with chicken characters of all kinds throughout the restaurant, allow for time to just take it all in before placing your biscuit order. I’d recommend the Wilbur, with sausage and blackberry mustard. 1208 1st Ave, Columbus, GA 31901 Malika Bowling is a freelance food and travel writer based in Atlanta and Editor at Roamilicious.com. She’s the author of Culinary Atlanta: Guide to the Best Restaurants, Markets, Breweries and More! and Food Blogging 101. She has been featured on HGTV and The Huffington Post and has been a contributing writer to USA Today. Malika has also served as a judge at various culinary competitions and food festivals, including Taste of Atlanta.
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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
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MY FORSYTH | FAITH
"The day is fresh – full of opportunity. It ’ s the perfect time to talk to the Lord about the hours ahead."
By Millicent Thiltgen
An Open Door By Maria I. Morgan
Are you an early riser? There’s something about the stillness
of the morning, when darkness gives way to daylight that whispers encouragement to me. A great time to talk The day is fresh – full of opportunity. It’s the perfect time to talk to the Lord about the hours ahead. But I’m not the first one to make this discovery. Before David became king of Israel, he spent several years running from King Saul who wanted to kill him. David was an early riser. He made good use of the early morning hours: O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; Psalm 63:1, KJV He poured his heart out to the Lord and sought His direction. Although it was a difficult time in David’s life, he took the opportunity to draw near to God.
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Jesus’ example The New Testament gives us a glimpse of Jesus’ early morning hours: And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. Mark 1:35 Jesus Christ himself, took time to pray to His Father. He was determined to do the will of God, even if it wasn’t convenient. An opportunity Whether you’re an early riser or not, do you recognize the wonderful opportunity you have to spend time with the One who created you? The door to His throne room is always open: Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for creating me to have a relationship with You. Help me take advantage of every opportunity I have to talk to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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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
MY FORSYTH | FAITH
THE COUNTRY PREACHER By Rev. David Hill
February is a month of flower bouquets, chocolate hearts, the excitement of cute and witty cards shared by grade school children and romantic cuddling in front of a noisy fire. What’s left behind when pleasant memories fade, the flowers wilt and the empty candy box is discarded? Love is more than a once a year Valentine Day celebration. Children develop their images of love from us. The way we treat our mate, how we treat our parents and the kindness shown to those who can’t do anything beneficial for us influences how our children develop meaningful patterns of love in their lives. Loveless marriages and acts of unkindness are often passed from generation to generation. Many of the problems that are seen in the lives of today’s children are the result of their search for emotional relationships that they haven’t found in the family where they grew up. Love is who we are as much as what we do. I John 4:8 “God is love.” Colossians 3 offers the guidelines for 6 relationships which most people experience:
In verse 18 “Wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands”. Women who have a husband who loves his wife “even as Christ also loved the church” (Ephesians 5:25) should not find this difficult. Generally, wives find a way to let the rooster do the crowing, causing him to love them enough to give them whatever they want! In verse 19 “Husbands, love your wives and be not bitter against them.” encourages us men to be understanding. What you didn’t understand about her was cute when you dated. Think about those things the way you use to! In verse 20 “Children, obey your parents in all things”. Authority in the home belongs to the parents. My way or the highway is a parental option. Get over it. Some day you’ll be the parent and will require the same obedience. In verse 21 “Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, less they be discouraged.” Good people are always reasonable. If you demand the impossible from your kids you will raise kids that are impossible.
In verse 22 “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye service, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God”. If you don’t follow when you are not the boss God may make you a boss that no one follows. God is as interested in how you behave at work as He is in how you behave in church. In verse 23-24 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing . . . ye shall receive the reward . . . for ye serve the Lord Christ.” When we serve only if others are watching it is not rewarded just as prayers prayed only to impress listeners aren’t heard (Matthew 6:1-7). In each of these relationships we have a chance to leave some love behind. Reflecting the love that God has shown to us is evidence that our relationship with Jesus Christ is real. I John 3:18 “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” I John 4:11 “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” February is a great time to resolve to leave love behind.
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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
ART
ANGELA PHOTOGRAPHY-PG. 51 www.angelaphotography.com 404-314-4789
JEWELER/JEWELRY STORE
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AUTOMOTIVE -PG. 51 470-253-7376 | www.cbac.com/cumming
GEMS IN ART – PG. 5 770-844-8005 www.gemsinart.com LANCE’S JEWELRY –BACK COVER 770-781-5500 www.lancesjewelry.com TONY RIXOM – PG. 46 678-549-9200
BREW PUB/TAPROOM
MORTGAGE BANKER
AUTOMOTIVE/CAR REPAIR SERVICES
CHERRY STREET BREWING CO-OP – PG. 7 678-456-8189 www.cherrystreebrewing.com
DANCE ACADEMY/ INSTRUCTION
CUMMING DANCE ACADEMY – INSIDE BACK COVER 770-781-4922 www.CummingDanceAcademy.com
DENTIST
JORDAN DENTISTRY – PG. 30 770-888-6262 | www.JordanDentistry.com NORTH GEORGIA SMILES – PG. 45 770-888-8282 www.northgeorgiasmiles.com
ELECTRICIAN/ELECTRIC SERVICES ARC ANGEL ELECTRIC – PG. 19 770-889-9243 www.arcangelelectric.com
FINANCIAL PLANNING ARSENEAU ADVISORY GROUP – PG. 21 470-839-9005 | www.arseneauadvisory.com
HEATING/VENTILATION/ AIR CONDITIONING
SHELNUTT HVAC – PG. 61 706-265-5854 www.shelnutthvac.com
PAM WRIGHT – PG. 17 770-883-2015 http://lionbank.com/pwright
OPTOMETRIST/ EYE CARE FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – PG. 39 678-648-5185 www.fyeo-eyecare.com
ORAL/FACIAL/IMPLANT SURGERY THE ORAL, FACIAL & IMPLANT SURGERY CENTER – PG. 45 Dr. Joseph W. Ducksworth 770-312-1544 www.ofisurgerycenter.com
PAINT & FLOORING
NARENDRA SINGH, MD – PG. 37 Atlanta Heart Specialists 678-679-6800; 770-622-1622 www.heartdrsingh.com OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY OF ATLANTA – PG. 30 404-252-1137 www.obgynofatlanta.com
REAL ESTATE
HELLO PAM EVANS REAL ESTATE – PG. 17 678-778-6551 www.hellopamevans.com 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. 25 678-947-0336 Fax orders: 678-947-5343 PALAPA’S BAR AND GRILL – PG. 27 770-889-1002 www.palapasbargrill.com S&W SEAFOOD – PG. 44 770- 674-2353 www.sandwrestaurantjohnscreek.com TAM’S BACKSTAGE | TAM’S TUPELO CATERING – PG. 29 678-455-8310 www.backstage.com
RUNNING/RETAIL STORE
GREGORY’S PAINT & FLOORING – PG. 13 770-887-1363 Cumming 770-476-9651 Johns Creek www.gregoryspaintandfloowing.com
NORTH GEORGIA RUNNING COMPANY – PG. 57 678-771-8270 www.northgarunningco.com
PHYSICIANS/MEDICAL SERVICES
TRANSPORTATION/ NON-EMERGENCY
CHILDREN’S AT FORSYTH – PG. 3 404-785-3100 www.choa.com/urgentcare CLEAVER MEDICAL GROUP – INSIDE FRONT COVER 770-800-3455 www.cleavermedicalgroup.com
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CALIBER CARE+TRANSPORT – PG. 57 404-906-4647 www.forsyth-gwinnett@caliber.care.com
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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 =ISSIONERS R.J. (Pete) Amos, District 1 (R) O: 678.513.5881 | E: rjamos@ forsythco.com
Cumming City Council Members Lewis Ledbetter, Linda Ledbetter. Christopher Light, Jason Evans, Chad Crane
Windermere Park 3355 Windermere Parkway 770. 781.2215 GOLF CLUBS
COMMUNITY NUMBERS
Chestatee Golf Club 777 Dogwood Way, Dawsonville |06.216.7336
EMERGENCY — 911
Country Land Golf Course 6560 Mayfield Drive | 770.887.0006
Senator David Perdue, (R)
Todd Levent, District 3 (R) Commission Chair O: 770.781.2101 E: tlevent@forsythco.com
Washington DC 20510 O: 202.224.3521 www.perdue.senate.gov
Cindy Mills, District 4 (R) O: 678.513.5884 E: cjmills@forsythco.com
Congressman Doug Collins, (R), District 9 1504 Longworth H. O. B. Washington DC 20515 O: 202.225.9893
Laura Semanson, District 5 (R) O: (678) 513-5885 E: LOSemanson@forsythco.com
Poison Control Center (Atlanta) 404.616.9000 Outside Metro Atlanta 800.222.1222
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Senator Johnny Isakson, (R) Washington DC 20510 O: 202.224.3643 www.isakson.senate.gov
Congressman Rob Woodall, (R), District 7 1724 Longworth HOB Washington DC 20515 O: 202.225.4272
Open Seat, District 2
Forsyth County Tax Commissioner Matthew C. Ledbetter O: 770.781.2110
HOTLINES — 24 HOUR HELP LINES Battered Women Hotline 770.479.1703
Rite-Call (Child Medical Problems) 404.250.KIDS Sexual Assault & Family Violence Ctr. 770.428.2666 MEDICAL
FORSYTH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Georgia Highlands Medical Services 770.887.1668 | 260 Elm Street ww.ghms-inc.org
STATE GOVERNMENT
475 Tribble Gap Road, Suite 200 Cumming GA 30040 O: 770.781.3045 | Dispatch: 770.781.3087
Northside Hospital — Forsyth 1200 Northside Forsyth Drive 770.844.3200 | www.northside.com
Governor Nathan Deal (R) O: 404.652.7003 | F: 404.652.7123 Website: gov.state.ga.us
FORSYTH COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM
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 FORSYTH CO. GOVERNMENT 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
1120 Dahlonega Highway, Cumming O: 770.887.2461 www.forsyth.k12.ga.us BOARD OF EDUCATION Ann Crow, District 1 (R) O: 770.490.6316 E: ACrow@forsyth.k12.ga.us 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 Nancy Roche, District 5 (R) District 5 (R) 770.889.0229 E: NRoche@forsyth.k12.ga.us CITY OF CUMMING Mayor Troy Brumbalow Cumming City Hall 100 Main St., Cumming, GA 3040 O: 770.781.2010
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Neighborhood Healthcare Center 2825 Keith Bridge Road 770.844.7494 | 770.886.7135 Health Department 428 Canton Highway | 770.781.6906 FIRE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT City of Cumming Police Department 301 Veterans Memorial Boulevard 770.781.2000 | www.cummingpd.net Forsyth County Fire Department 3520 Settingdown Road 770.781.2180 | forsythco.com 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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