Enjoy Cherokee Magazine - March / April 2022

VOL. 10 | ISSUE 2 | MARCH/APRIL 2022

The Science & Art of

GARDENING with the Masters

pg 6

The Sound of Appalachia—

BLUEGRASS is Heritage at Home

pg 10

Little Libraries,

BIG IMPACT in Our Community

pg 20

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[table of contents]

Contents

Advertisers Index Art Jewelers . . . . . . . . . outside back cover Buck Jones Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Busy B Plant Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Charlice Byrd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Chattahocchee Tech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Cheshire Heating & Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Cloud Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Cobb EMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Darby Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Debranski Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Falany Performing Arts Center . . . . . . . . 51 Georgia Medical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Goshen Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 33 History Cherokee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Homewatch CareGivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 J. Thompson Ross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Kitchen Tune-Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Magnetize Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Mileshko . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Northside Ask the Doctor . . . . . . . . . . 26-27 Northside Hospital . . . . . inside front cover Page Relocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Senator Brandon Beach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Senator Kay Kirkpatrick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Swing Into Their Dreams . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Tutton CDJR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Woodstock Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Woodstock Waltz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Copyright 2022 by Enjoy Magazine Inc. (EMI).

All rights reserved. Every effort is made to ensure the contents of this publication are true and accurate.

EMI assumes no responsibility for misinformation.

Correction requests are always welcome at SimplyTheBest@EnjoyCherokee.com. Reproduction in whole, or in part, without permission of Enjoy Magazine, Inc., is strictly prohibited.

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Love of Gardening Deep-Rooted

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Little Libraries, Big Impact

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Bluegrass music and Appalachian culture are more than straw hats and hillbillies. Reinhardt University professors share their interest and knowledge of the genre through its Bluegrass Festival.

Jim Gibbs, creator of Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground, has a “deep-seeded” love of gardening that is evident to the thousands of visitors to the gardens each year. Jim’s years of landscape experience led him to create his own garden oasis.

The Little Free Library movement is making a big impact in Cherokee County.

Found in city parks, schools, and personal front yards, the little libraries give everyone access to great books.

Enjoy Cherokee Team Randy Gravley, CEO/President Byron Dobbs, Vice President Jodi Drinkard, COO/Publisher Katie Wheeler, Managing Editor Bobbie Christmas, Senior Editor Laurie Parente, Designer Rebecca Johnston, Writer Leana Conway, Writer Shannon Sickmon, Writer Michael Mullet, Writer Meghan Lindstrom, Writer Bill West, Vice President of Sales Jennifer Allen, Account Executive Cheryle Schoeneman, Account Executive Will Cooper, Account Executive

The Sound of Appalachia

6 Master Gardeners

Cherokee’s Master Gardeners want to help you cultivate a love for gardening. This masterful group helps you learn the science and art of gardening.

40 Hayden’s Review

From bangers and mash to Guinness gravy, Donovan’s Irish Cobbler serves authentic Irish foods in a classic pub environment.

EnjoyCherokee

36 Coach Conway

Dennis Conway, former lacrosse coach and fighter of MS, shares how his community rallied around him when life got tough.

34 Gardening Locally Shop Local

As the growing season begins, check out these local shops for everything you need to create a yard or garden you won’t want to leave.

[special feature]

28 Grow Community Community Gardens

Lacking space for a beautiful garden?

Community gardens allow those without enough space to create the garden of their dreams.

46 Recipes

The best part about spring recipes are homegrown ingredients. Check out these farm-to-table recipes perfect for Georgia’s early spring veggies. [www.EnjoyCherokee.com]

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canton • woodstock

Jim Brown jbrown@kitchentuneup.com 470-808-9905

Each franchise locally owned and operated.

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Gardening

Planting seeds of knowledge that cultivate a love for gardening comes naturally to Cherokee County’s Master Gardeners. Whether you are looking to find the perfect flowers for your garden spot, identify weeds and get rid of them, or attract birds, bees, and butterflies, local Master Gardeners can help you get growing.

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Mastering the Artand Science of

g n i n e d G ar

By Rebecca Johnston, Canton Resident

“To stimulate the love for and increase the knowledge of gardening and to voluntarily and enthusiastically share this knowledge with others” is the stated mission of the dedicated gardeners in the local chapter of the University of Georgia Extension Service program. Since 1995 UGA Extension has trained volunteers in Cherokee County in the science and art of gardening as part of a nationwide education and service program.

Barbara Schirmer, president of the group, says the rewards are many for Master Gardeners and the hundreds of local garden enthusiasts they help each season. “All of us join this program because we sincerely have a love of gardening. We enjoy what we do and enjoy the camaraderie that comes from working with others who share the same passion. I personally enjoy working with kids in the garden and watching the joy they experience in planting seeds and watching things grow. Gardening offers the chance to be active, get exercise, and learn new skills. Overall it improves your mood and relieves stress in your life. Working with plants can totally improve your mental and physical well-being.”

Right now there are around eighty-two Master Gardener volunteers with the program in Cherokee County as representatives of the UGA Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program. Barbara explains that people turn to these local experts for

knowledgeable information about organic gardening, landscape and tree maintenance, plant diseases, pest control, composting, and fruit production, as well as flower gardening.

Master Gardeners provide the public with the latest research-based information using a variety of programs and projects. Education is provided to the public through workshops, seminars, plant clinics, demonstration gardens, school programs, fair exhibits, newsletters and newspaper articles, and a helpline that answers consumer questions.

Master Gardeners and Extension staff write weekly newspaper articles that address multiple topics related to best gardening practices. These gardening experts also address topics related to plant science, weed identification, and environmentally conscious ways to control plant diseases and pests.

Master Gardener Nancy McCarthy, coordinator of the Plant a Row program, works with volunteers to maintain garden beds full of produce for the food pantry program with Encompass Ministries.

The volunteers host a free fresh-greens wreath-making class in December.

Master Gardeners contribute 4,500 hours annually to special programs and projects. Their volunteer service to Cherokee County is a contribution worth more than $104,000 and helps improve the quality of life for county residents. These gardeners focus on plants as an avenue to human and community well-being and are committed to sharing the value of gardening with all segments of the community, including children, families, and seniors. uuu

Master Gardeners have worked tirelessly to create their beautiful demonstration garden at Cherokee Veterans Park, set to open in March.

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Many varieties of vegetables and flowers are available to check out at the Master Gardeners' seed libraries. If possible, harvest your seeds and return them as a community effort. These libraries are found at the Hickory Flat, Ball Ground, and Rose Creek libraries.

People line up to taste test delicious home grown tomatoes at the Senior Center.

uuu A demonstration garden maintained by Master Gardeners at

the Cherokee County Senior Center on Univeter Road in Canton provides hands-on learning opportunities for residents. Plants grown at the garden are offered for sale, providing revenue to expand educational programs.

In addition to the demonstration garden at the senior center, Cherokee County Extension Agent Josh Fuder is excited about plans for the Backyard Agricultural Education Station, a new food, fruit, and vegetable demonstration garden set to open to classes this spring at Veterans Park on Highway 20 in the Macedonia community. He says, “I have always wanted a demonstration garden where residents can learn about fruits and vegetables, and we are finally going to have one this spring. The County Extension Office will oversee the fruit and vegetable garden with help from the Master Gardeners, a program of the Extension Service.”

A ribbon cutting is planned for March 22, and vegetable gardening will start in the spring. The orchard is already being planted, and the first class on fruit trees is planned. The first part of the class will be indoors at the R. T. Jones Regional Library in Canton, and the hands-on portion will be on-site.

“

I talked with county arborist Shannon Fitzgerald and Stephen Shrout, the arborist with the parks people, and started looking around at some of our parks,” Josh explains.

“In 2019 Stephen offered us a place at Veterans Park right next to the parking lot. The site is two-tenths of an acre. We followed up with Master Gardeners, planning and zoning, and others to see what we could dream up.

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”

Imp ct

After reaching an agreement with the county, the agency had fundraisers, got some grants, and received in-kind donations from Cloud Landscaping and Cowart Mulch to get the project going.

Statement

The Cherokee Master Gardeners program influences the lives of more than 260,000 Cherokee residents by providing information about horticultural practices and techniques. As trained representatives of the University of Georgia, Master Gardeners provide the public with the latest research-based information using a variety of programs and projects. Many times Cherokee County residents make their first connection to UGA when they seek out the expertise of a Master Gardener.

“It took everyone to get us where we are, including a Home Depot grant,” Josh offers. “The Boy Scouts have been great.

Trent Daniel, an Eagle Scout, helped raise funds and got raised beds built. Apple and pear trees have already been planted in the orchard. Eventually it will have figs, a trellis for muscadines, and probably some blackberries and blueberries, all things that will be easy for people to grow in their own landscape.” Eventually the produce grown will be donated to those in need through MUST Ministries.

Master Gardener applications are available from the UGA Extension Office in Cherokee County. With limited spots, applications in Cherokee are currently being accepted only every other year. A new class will start in 2023. Once accepted into the program, volunteers will be required to attend training as prescribed by the UGA State Master Gardener Program. During the training, participants have the opportunity to learn about every aspect of gardening. After passing the final exam, volunteers become interns in the local program, where they work with a mentor to guide them through their first year. Interns are required to complete fifty hours of service in a variety of approved programs and events.

Upon completion of all the requirements, the participant becomes a certified Master Gardener.

For information visit CherokeeMasterGardeners.com or Extension.uga.edu.

Veronica Steffensmeier, a Master Gardener from Canton, leads Plant Clinics that are offered at the Farmers Markets in Canton and Woodstock throughout the spring and summer months.

remembering

A LIFE WELL LIVED...

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Bluegrass

By Michael Mullet, Ball Ground Resident

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As

Although its upbeat reverberations may be recognized as distinctly American, bluegrass is actually an amalgamation of musical traditions, song styles, and instruments brought to the Americas from Europe and Africa. The joyful interplay of acoustic string instruments—banjo, mandolin, guitar, fiddle, and bass— evolved over generations in the Eastern U.S. region of Appalachia, and the music continues to be celebrated at bluegrass festivals all over the U.S. and right here in Cherokee County.

The sounds of acoustic guitars, fiddles, and banjos radiate across the grounds during this outdoor event.

much as Appalachia is recognized as the birthplace of bluegrass music, it also continues to be stigmatized by negative myths and stereotypes of hillbillies, moonshine, and feuding family clans. That’s one reason many people are surprised to learn that Cherokee County, a generally affluent county with a diverse and growing population, is part of Appalachia.

“Not only do you have a lot of people moving into Cherokee County who don’t know that history, but people who grew up here also don’t identify themselves as Appalachian,” says Dr. Mark Roberts, president of Reinhardt University in Waleska and an expert on Appalachian history and culture. “People don’t want to be stigmatized and associated with the Appalachian stereotypes, even though most of the stereotypes are not accurate.”

Look at a map of Appalachia, perhaps on the website of the Appalachian Regional Commission, and you will find that Cherokee County is one of thirty-seven counties in North Georgia considered part of the Appalachian region.

Mark offers one other fact most people don’t know: “Bluegrass music, as it was popularized, was a commercial venture, but because it is an older music form from a region that already has its own mythos, we tend to romanticize it.”

It is true that bluegrass has long and deep roots—roots that extend across the Atlantic and back to the pub songs, traditional dance songs, and ballads of Scotland, Ireland, and England. As immigrants from these regions settled in the U.S., often in the Appalachian region, these old songs embraced local traditions and were passed down through generations of family members, comingled with old-time music.

It became the music that community members played for events such as weddings, dinners, and dances.

“In the early 1920s a man named Ralph Peer, who was a talent scout and record producer, traveled the Appalachian region and began recording many types of music,” says Mark. Ralph Peer pioneered field recording with a series of sessions in Atlanta in 1923. “In 1927 Peer organized another series of recording sessions in Bristol, Virginia, which have become known as the Bristol Sessions or as the Big Bang of Country Music. It was one of the first times the Carter Family was ever recorded.”

Mark continues, “It was during these times that the Carter family patriarch, A. P. Carter, took many of these traditional songs—some of which were really quite long—and worked to shorten them to about three minutes so they could be played on the radio.

In my onion, A. P. Carter created country music.” uuu [www.EnjoyCherokee.com]

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Members of the band Kings Highway brought traditional bluegrass tunes to the Reinhardt campus during the 2021 festival.

A distinguished lineup of professional bluegrass bands is planned for 2022. You don't want to miss these talented acts.

Bring folding chairs or blankets for an afternoon spent on the green listening to terrific music. Food trucks and other vendors will also be there to enjoy.

uuu What Mark makes clear is that Peer’s

Reinhardt University Bluegrass Festival On May 14, 2022 Reinhardt will host its second annual Bluegrass Festival. The event will kick off with a jam session at 10:00 a.m., followed by the schedule of professional performers starting at noon. The festival will feature performances by Mountain Heart, Jakobs Ferry Stragglers, Kings Highway, Dirty Grass Players, and Deeper Shade of Blue. The AF7 Barbeque Food Truck will be serving up delicious lunches and kids can play in the kids’ activity area while parents enjoy the shows. Tickets for this event are $50 for adults, $45 for seniors, and free for children under fifteen. Purchase your tickets at Reinhardt.edu/Falany.

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recordings were done to make records that could be played on the radio and earn money.

“He believed there was a market for this type of music, and he was right.”

Planning the Hootenanny Dr. Wayne Glowka, a professor of English and dean of the School of Arts and Humanities at Reinhardt University until his retirement in 2020, knows a great deal about music, and like Mark Roberts, he is a musician himself.

He can tell you about the instruments used in bluegrass music. “You’ve got to have a banjo for bluegrass,” he says. “You can go without a fiddle or a mandolin, but you have to have a guitar and a banjo, and if you can afford it, a bass.”

Wayne continues, “Banjos started out as a gourd instrument brought over from Africa. In the 1800s banjos started being used in minstrel shows and in jazz in the 1920s. But those are four-string banjos. In bluegrass it’s always a five-string banjo and either the clawhammer strum or the Scruggs style of finger picking.”

Banjo is one of the instruments Wayne plays, along with guitar, mandolin, fiddle, upright bass, and keyboard. He can also tell you the difference between a violin and a fiddle, even though they are the same instrument. “If you’re a classically trained violinist, you’re taught to add vibrato to almost everything you do,” he explains, “but when you play fiddle, you ‘saw’ on it with the bow. If it starts to sound too sweet, you’re doing something wrong.”

One thing Wayne does right is plan what he calls a hootenanny—an informal gathering of musicians who play together for fun, dances, or entertainment. He planned his first hootenanny while he was in graduate school in Delaware and has continued to do so at each college that employed him. “When I got to Georgia College in Milledgeville, the Women’s Club used to plan one, but eventually that club went away as the times changed,” Wayne recalls. “I kept on and played for student orientation in the summer. When I became an acting co-chair of my department, the other co-chair and I decided to put together another hootenanny.

We did three of those down there.”

When Wayne came to Reinhardt in 2007, he organized half a dozen more hootenannies but kept kicking around the idea of organizing a professional bluegrass festival, something Mark also supported when he became acting president of the university in 2020. Jessica Akers, who works in development and marketing at the university, helped plan the festival and secured performers.

“We were planning to do the first bluegrass festival in 2020, but it didn’t happen,” Mark recounts. “Since we couldn’t hold indoor events, we bought an outdoor stage and set it up in the middle of the campus, and in 2021 we had a three-day bluegrass festival. People really liked it, so we are going to do it again and make it a tradition.”

Tradition keeps bluegrass music alive and gaining new audiences all the time. Bluegrass is the sound of authenticity, the sounds of Appalachia. Even if we feel removed from that region, the music still touches us in a unique way. Acclaimed bluegrass musician Alison Krauss explains our connection best: “For most of its life bluegrass has had this stigma of being all straw hats and hay bales and not necessarily the most sophisticated form of music. Yet you can’t help responding to its honesty. It’s music that finds its way deep into your soul because it’s strings vibrating against wood and nothing else.”

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Gibbs Gardens

By Rebecca Johnston, Canton Resident

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H Jim Gibbs, pictured here, smiles brightly among the colorful flowers in his garden.

The creator of Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground believes some people are born with gardening genes and that those genes grow and flourish when planted in the right environment.

ow deep the love of gardening runs in Jim Gibbs is evident to the thousands of visitors each year to Gibbs Gardens, chosen in 2020 as one of the top botanical gardens in the country. The northeast Cherokee County property is 336 acres, and the house and gardens include more than three hundred acres, making it one of the nation’s largest residential estate gardens.

Even as a young child Jim was drawn to the beauty of the outdoors. From his childhood days when his love of gardening was first awakened by his family, to his teen years running his first lawn business, through his college days studying horticulture at the University of Georgia, Jim immersed himself in the pageantry of nature.

As a boy Jim often visited his grandparents on their thousand-acre farm, where he walked the land with his grandfather and learned about plants and how they grow, but it was Jim’s two grandmothers and his great aunt who were his greatest inspiration for his first steps toward the creation of Gibbs Garden.

Jim’s Aunt Cat had gardens surrounding her home filled with evergreens, flowering shrubs, annuals, and perennials, imaginatively designed to enhance the beauty of the land and offer a showcase of color and vibrancy.

“

It starts with the genes.

Then it is about nurturing, allowing those genes to flourish.

My gardening relatives encouraged me, telling me I was creative,” Jim explains. “I would listen to them talk about plants, their favorite flowers, and gardening tips. That is when I realized I wanted to go into design of gardens.

”

Jim often visited his Aunt Cat and her expansive gardens as a college student at the University of Georgia, building on what he was studying in the classroom with the real-life example of what a welldesigned and tended garden could offer in stunning visual beauty. uuu [www.EnjoyCherokee.com]

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Each December Gibbs Gardens plants over thirty thousand tulip-bulbs of early, mid, and late blooming varieties. By spring the tulip beds that wind around the property are bursting with color.

Water features can be found throughout the gardens, and the plants of different seasons add new beauty over the year.

After college graduation in 1965 with degrees in landscape design and horticulture, Jim began designing clients’ gardens for the well-established Green Brothers Nursery in Atlanta. The masterful garden designer quickly built a reputation for the exquisite gardens he designed. Within a short time he was the owner of the northwest Atlanta location of the company he helped make successful, and soon he renamed it. By the mid 1970s Gibbs Landscape Company was firmly planted as a leading garden design and landscape business, and Jim’s reputation continued to grow and blossom. Jim went on to design gardens for other people for the next thirty-five years.

“

I have been fortunate to design so many beautiful gardens over the years, some of them large gardens where I could use all my talents,” Jim offers. “One of the most memorable was the gardens of Dorothy Fuqua, whose Japanese garden was well-known.

”

Jim was a founding member of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens and originally helped clear the land for the important gardening attraction and resource. While serving on the board of trustees at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, he also helped find donors, two of whom were the Fuquas.

Dorothy Fuqua and her husband, J. B. Fuqua, a politician and businessman, were two of Atlanta’s most prominent philanthropists, and the Dorothy C. Fuqua Conservatory and Orchid House at the Atlanta Botanical Garden bears her name.

Her private garden, which Jim helped create, drew visits from many of her close friends, including First Lady Lady Bird Johnson, as well as visiting dignitaries such as the Dalai Lama, who visited Dorothy in the Japanese gardens she created over the years at her Atlanta home.

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One of the institutions Fuqua helped establish, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Research Center in Austin, Texas, was named for her friend, the former First Lady.

Jim’s work on the Japanese garden for Dorothy Fuqua inspired him, and when he created the Japanese Garden for Gibbs Gardens, he named it in dedication to her for her encouragement of him and his career. “I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Dottie Fuqua. She was a kind and wonderful woman and taught me a lot about garden design,” he recalls.

Another favorite client of Jim’s is Dee Day Sanders, an avid gardener and leader in the Garden Clubs of Georgia and the honorary life president of the National Garden Clubs. She also donated the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center to Calloway Gardens.

Jim worked with her on her personal gardens at her beautiful home, Belle Mere, in north Atlanta.

Another favorite private garden for Jim was that of Atlanta real estate developer Jeff Small and his wife, Eileen Small, whose home included thirty acres of gardens along the Chattahoochee River.

Jim also recalls designing all the Chick Fil-A headquarters gardens as a special project.

Realizing His Dream Jim Gibbs is a self-described dreamer. Even as his career unfolded in Atlanta, his dream grew to have his own botanical garden that he would personally design. That dream led him on a forty-year journey to create Gibbs Gardens.

Jim’s journey toward his dream began when he returned from a visit in 1973 to Kyoto, Japan, a city known for its gardens.

“I had the great fortune in my life to be able to visit some of the most outstanding gardens in the world. Those gardens inspired me and laid the foundation. But I knew gardens such as those took time to build and cost a lot of money. They also needed abundant water.”

By 1980 Jim knew that he wanted three hundred acres for his plan and that it would take thirty-five years to build. He started on his journey to find the perfect spot to plant his garden. He had been searching for land for several years, but that spring as he was driving along Yellow Creek Road in Cherokee County, he finally found his paradise.

When Jim saw a man burning debris by the side of the road, he pulled over to ask if he knew of any land for sale in the area. The man told Jim that he had some acreage to sell and invited him back in a few days to tour the land.

“What I found was land that met all my search criteria. The land is so beautiful, it took my breath away. There were natural springs on the property, which would supply the water needed, and the location was close enough to Atlanta to allow easy access,” Jim recalls. “After seven years of searching I had found the land I The stunning manor house is surrounded needed. I thought, ‘This is it.’”

By 1981 initial work on the garden infrastructure began and continued for the next seven years. Meanwhile plans for Jim and his wife Sally to build their home on the property got underway, and in the spring of 1986, the Gibbs family broke ground on what would become the Arbor Crest Manor House.

by landscaping that will take your breath away.

The grounds surrounding the home are truly a garden oasis.

The magnificent five-thousand-square-foot home was inspired by manor houses in France and England. A twelve-foot-high fourteenth-century limestone fireplace imported from France, antique heart-of-pine beams from a warehouse in Savannah, and brick floors are just some of the features in the interior of the home. uuu

The manor house grounds include a large pool surrounded by seasonal plants and flowers.

CONSERVATIVE. EFFECTIVE.

Senator Kay Kirkpatrick, MD Senate District 32 404.656.3932 | Kay.Kirkpatrick@Senate.GA.gov SenatorKayKirkpatrick.com

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During July and August over five hundred crepe myrtle trees bloom throughout the gardens.

uuu Jim and his wife continue to live in the manor house. It is not

open to the public, but visitors to Gibbs Gardens are able to walk up to the house and enjoy the beautifully landscaped grounds surrounding the dwelling.

“The gardens in Europe allow people to walk up to the house and see what the owners see. When we began planning Gibbs Gardens, I told Sally that when we open the gardens people will come up to the house, and she understood from the beginning how important that is,” Jim explains. “We visit with them, we let them see what we see each day, and we enjoy it. People say they don’t see how we do it, but it was always in the plan.”

The Manor House Gardens provide visitors with seasonal floral displays such as the daffodil, azalea, rhododendron, and hydrangea gardens, the Rose Arbor, the Woodland Shade Gardens, and the Nature Canopy Walk.

Gibbs Gardens opened to the public in 2012, and in the ten years since, hundreds of thousands of visitors have enjoyed the lovely experience of walking the property.

Jim continues to expand and enhance the experience, though.

There are pops of color at every turn as you stroll through the gardens, with new flowers and plants to see each season.

More than one thousand hydrangeas of 150 varieties are interspersed with rhododendrons along gentle sloping walkways. Hydrangea blossoms appear in May and continue until October.

Butterflies and Nature – the Dream Continues In 2021 Jim planted cosmos in eight acres of the wildflower garden. “One of my main reasons was to attract the monarchs to visit Gibbs Gardens in September, October, and early November on their migration to Central Mexico,” Jim offers. “We want to attract them again on their return trip north during March, April, and May with spring flowers.”

Jim points out the striking monarchs must find plentiful and nutritious food to fuel their flight and propagation. “One day last fall I was standing in the midst of the cosmos, and I looked up and saw what looked like a yellow cloud. I realized it was the butterflies, and suddenly they descended to the gardens.”

Children especially were delighted to see the thousands of butterflies.

“This spring on their return flight, Gibbs Gardens will be ready to entice and nurture them again with fields of bright poppies, larkspur, milkweed, and more goldenrod,” he says with enthusiasm. “As a child I was fascinated by butterflies. Children who come to our gardens love to see the monarchs just as much. People are mesmerized watching butterflies hover and land on the flowers.”

The Inspiration Garden is another new addition, where visitors can find plants to inspire ideas for their personal gardens.

“When Hurricane Irma came through and took down trees, I had to be creative. I decided to install a lot of plants that will inspire future generations of gardeners,” he explains enthusiastically.

Compassionate Home Care with a Personal Touch

The Inspiration Garden includes 215 species of dwarf conifers and thirty-three varieties of Encore Azaleas, for a total of 1,200 of the popular bushes. The garden also includes Drift Roses, Knockout Roses, rare Japanese maples, and 1,800 native azaleas.

Jim recently purchased an additional fifty-six acres overlooking the Hollis Q. Lathem Reservoir to add to the gardens, where visitors will be able to enjoy a native Southeastern plant collection.

“They can experience a natural ridge with a stream on each side and huge trees of mountain laurel. It offers a wonderful experience.”

Jim says his greatest joy is to walk through the gardens and talk with visitors and hear what they love about Gibbs Gardens.

“I have received so much joy over the years from those who have visited us here.”

678-753-9114 | HomeWatchCareGivers.com/Canton 18 [www.EnjoyCherokee.com]

Gibbs Gardens is located at 1987 Gibbs Drive, Ball Ground, Georgia. For information visit GibbsGardens.com.

Allow at least one and a half hours to tour all the many gardens at Gibbs Gardens.

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Little Libraries

< Painted with a colorful and whimsical design, this little free library outside Ball Ground Elementary School makes it fun for students to "Take a Book. Leave a Book."

<

Many of the library designs take inspiration from popular books and characters, making them eye-catching and amusing.

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BigIMPACT Little Libraries,

By Shannon Sickmon, Woodstock Resident

To boost both kindness and literacy, Todd H. Bol founded the Little Free Library, a nonprofit organization.

About a dozen years ago Bol built a birdhouse-like structure with a clear glass window and installed it in front of his home with the simple direction, “Take a book. Leave a book.” Today similar small structures can be placed anywhere—in front yards, in front of churches or businesses, in parks, and in the case of the City of Los Angeles, in police stations. The idea is that no matter a person’s circumstances, everyone can have access to great books.

Todd, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2018, said about his pet project, “I really believe in a Little Free Library on every block and a book in every hand. I believe people can fix their neighborhoods, fix their communities, develop systems of sharing, learn from each other, and see that they have a better place on this planet to live.”

Since its inception in 2009 the modest little project has become a worldwide movement, with some 100,000 Little Free Libraries (LFLs) in all fifty states and in more than 108 countries throughout the world. Some of the boxes are simple, but other people have created LFLs that are a testament to imagination. Some LFLs look like miniature churches. One is an exact replica of a Volkswagen bus, another is shaped like a canoe, and yet another resembles Oscar the Grouch, complete with trash can. If creativity isn’t your strong suit, the organization has kits you can purchase to build your own LFL with only a few basic tools.

Thousands of stories have come from people who took the time to build a LFL, but one of the most heartwarming is from an older gentleman in Sherman Oaks, California. He placed the library in his front yard and noticed an immediate response. “[The library] turned strangers into friends and a sometimes-impersonal neighborhood into a community. I met more neighbors in the first three weeks than in the previous thirty years.”

In Cherokee County Cristin Bell, Justine Beckebrede, and Beth Cronan, three teachers from Hasty Elementary, spearheaded a project to get two LFLs in Canton city parks.

They contacted Canton City Councilman Shawn Tolan, who loved the idea, but thought they could do even more. He put a post on the Cherokee Connect Facebook page. The response was instantaneous and overwhelming. Within six hours of the post going live, the city had enough sponsors to put LFLs in all eight city parks. uuu

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<

<

Cherokee High School teacher Alison Hendrix felt honored to sponsor the library to be placed at Boling Park, right down the hill from Cherokee High.

n the middle of 2019, Pie Bar in Downtown Woodstock unveiled its newest addition, the Little Free Pie-brary.

Decorated to match the storefront and built by cofounder Cody Bolden, the pie-brary has served as a fun conversation piece and functional library for many residents of Woodstock.

Lauren Bolden, cofounder, shares that the idea started during small conversations about books.

Dr. Susan and Becky Buice donated a library to Harmon Field in Canton and collected hundreds of books to be placed in the library as well.

“We had a guest who would walk to our store from her home just behind Main Street and chat with our team members about the books she was reading, the books they enjoyed, and all things reading. Our wheels started turning as more of our team talked about how much we all loved to read, how we’ve worked with the library system, and how we could bring that concept to Pie Bar,” Lauren shares.

One of Pie Bar’s values is community, and its goal was to share the Pie Bar values outside of the business’s four walls. Lauren’s husband and co-owner Cody took on the task of constructing their pie-brary from scratch and outfitted it to mimic the store’s white shiplap exterior. The team members then took to painting it.

The pie-brary receives new book donations almost daily, including many books from local authors. The Pie Bar team curates the library with rotating themes, such as children’s books, young adult novels, and nonfiction. This way there’s always a new variety of books to stick your nose into.

Lauren shares that some customers have used the pie-brary to Pay it Forward by placing Pie Bar gift cards into the middle of some books. The Pie Bar team hopes its little free library brightens someone’s day and engages the community with its local business. Besides, what goes better with pie than a good book?

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uuu Shawn says that while volunteers built most of the libraries

from kits the website provided, some volunteers made others from scratch. “The Little Free Library Project was a labor of love.

It clearly demonstrated how people will gladly raise their hand whenever there is a worthy cause. Most of the sponsors pulled money out of their own pockets to fund the libraries, and the City of Canton staff bent over backwards to help bring it to life.

Kudos to everyone!”

Thanks to the volunteers’ efforts, residents and visitors alike now can take a book or leave books in any of the eight Canton city parks.

In addition, Cherokee County School District, with funding from the Credit Union of Georgia, sponsored a project to build more Free Little Libraries at a number of elementary schools throughout the county. The best part about this project is that the libraries were built by Cherokee County high school students in the construction career pathway program.

Scott O’Bryant, the construction careers teacher at Cherokee County High School, was responsible for building eleven of the twenty-two libraries.

<

The Heritage Park library, decorated with colorful polka dots, will reach many Canton residents.

The library was donated by Todd and Ashley Dickerson.

< Downtown Canton's Cannon Park library was donated

by Mike and Shelly Farrar, owners of Riverstone Corner Bistro and J. Michael's Prime.

“

It was a great project,” Scott says.

“My students loved building them. They enjoy projects where they can drive by and say, ‘I built that.’ They loved that the little libraries were going to be put up at Cherokee County schools. One of the libraries went to Clayton Elementary, where a lot of my students went.

”

Scott continues to boast of his students. “In particular they loved the challenge of building the little libraries.

There were so many steps and stages, and they really enjoyed that part of it. The paintings on each of the boxes were done by the art class, and the scenes are amazing. They created Dr. Seuss scenes or other scenes out of their favorite children’s books. It was a really cool project, and I hope we get to do something like that again. It seems like the students turn it up a notch for anything that involves giving back to where they came from.” uuu

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uuu Elsewhere in metro Atlanta, a nonprofit based in

Morrow called Family Literacy of Georgia and Little Free Library have together launched an initiative called Read in Color.

The program has built twenty new LFLs and distributed more than 3,500 diverse books in hopes to promote understanding, equity, and inclusion.

<

Three teachers, Cristin Bell, Justine Beckebrede, and Beth Cronan, pictured here, donated Little Free Libraries to both Burge and Etowah River Parks as part of their specialist degree programs.

<

Shavawn Simmons, the executive director for Family Literacy of Georgia, is excited about the project. “What an honor to be selected to partner with the Little Free Library organization and Read in Color, a program to intentionally place book-sharing structures in communities of color. For me the cherry on the top is the fact that each of our stewards will receive a year of free new diverse books: diverse authors, diverse topics, and characters centered on people of color.” The program also serves communities where lower-income children may not have access to books of their own.

There are a million reasons to build and promote the Little Free Library movement, but the biggest reason might be to inspire further action. The good people who run the Little Free Library organization have started a new venture—LFL Action Book Clubs. Here’s how it works: Select a group of friends. Read a book together, discuss it, and then, inspired by what you read, volunteer to do something good for the community. The concept is simple but powerful: ideas for books and then ideas for action.

It’s about combining reading and community service.

< Angela and Mark Whitaker were proud to present their Little Free Library at McCanless Park as a gathering place for both children and adults to explore reading.

Find One Near You

To find a Little Free Library near you, go to LittleFreeLibrary.org and put your location in the Search box. LFLs will probably pop up all around you. Some even include interesting details. Here’s an example from one of the LFLs in Woodstock, this one on Main Street: The Little Free Pie-Brary is located outside a cozy little pie shop in a growing Georgia town. This Pie-Brary came to be with the simple, kind gesture of a customer who shared some books with the employees.

They thought about making a little library for the office, but instead decided to make one for the community to share. This library became a part of our “30 Days of Kindness” Project, where Day 5 celebrated “Take A Book, Leave A Book.”

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To join go to the website, sign up, and it’s free. You can choose a book from the vast selection on the website or pick your own. It even has choices tailored to specific age groups. Your group reads the book, discusses it, and then the book club hopes the book inspires you or your group to start a community project of your own. If your team is stumped for service ideas, the website lists many. The only thing the organization asks is for your group to share its story on the organization’s website, in hopes it will inspire others.

Margaret Aldrich, the director of communications and media relations at the Little Free Library, explains about the voluntary activity. “It can be something very small or more ambitious.

You might read A Man Called Ove and decide you’re all going to shovel sidewalks for your elderly neighbors. It might be something as simple as that. Or read The Underground Railroad and explore social justice issues in a deeper way. Whatever speaks to you.”

The Little Free Library has blossomed from one man and a small box in a yard in rural Wisconsin to a worldwide movement that speaks to everyone.

Placing one of the tiny boxes anywhere means something. You are part of something bigger. You are part of the Little Free Library network. Your box gets a number, a plaque, and a place on the official map. You therefore become a steward, a caretaker of literacy, and an integral part of a larger international alliance.

The books in the Little Free Libraries are the stories that bind us. In an era where we have become increasingly disconnected, erecting a Little Free Library gives us a sense of community, something we all need.

To learn more, get involved, or build your own Little Free RepCharliceByrd Library, go to LittleFreeLibrary.org or call 715-690-2488.

Authentic Conservative

THE STATE SENATE

Outspoken leader and award-winning, effective legislator fighting for Georgia.

About Charlice

Charlice Byrd has been a political activist for years, having donated her time and resources to conservative causes and candidates throughout the country and right here in our community. In 2015, Charlice was recruited to join the paid staff of Donald J. Trump for President.

Charlice has represented our community in the Georgia House of Representatives for nearly a decade in total. She is a proven and outspoken conservative voice and an award-winning effective legislative leader.

Charlice played a key role in helping the Republican Party secure their first legislative majority in Georgia’s history since Reconstruction.

Charlice is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and spent the early portion of her career as a classroom educator. Charlice and her husband Michael are longtime residents of Woodstock and members of First Baptist Church of Woodstock.

Stop Critical Race Theory in Schools Repeal Covid Vaccine Mandates Insist on Voter ID and Election Integrity Protect Our Quality of Life Protect the Unborn Defend the 2nd Amendment

Byrd for Senate | 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 620-165, Woodstock, GA 30189 | 404-557-2218 contact@charlicebyrd.com RepCharliceByrd charlice_byrd Byrd for Senate | 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 620-165

[www.EnjoyCherokee.com] 25 Paid for by Byrd for Senate.

THORACIC SURGERY

MEET THE DOCTOR Dr. Andrew Helms Northside Thoracic Surgery Dr. Andrew Helms is a board-certified thoracic surgeon that practices out of our Canton, Blairsville, and Marietta offices. He completed his fellowship in thoracic surgery at the University of California in San Francisco. He has over a decade of extensive experience helping patients and performing minimally invasive surgeries including lung resections, decortications, as well as robotic-assisted mediastinal surgery, and esophagectomies.

Before beginning his medical education, Dr. Helms earned his Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and went on to complete his Master of Science in aeronautics and astronautics at Stanford University. As an engineer, Dr. Helms was fascinated by the technology used for minimally invasive surgery. This led to him to his passion, becoming a thoracic surgeon.

At Northside Thoracic Surgery, we are experts at minimally invasive surgeries and specialize in general thoracic surgery.

We treat diseases like esophageal cancer and many cancers that may spread to the lungs. People who are heavy smokers or are exposed to second-hand smoke are at high risk of developing lung cancer. That’s why it’s important to receive a chest CT scan if you are considered high risk. If cancer is found in the lungs, common treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of all three.

Listen to

ASK THE DOCTOR on WLJA 101.1 FM First & Third Wednesday of each month at 5:15 pm

Northside Thoracic Surgery Canton - 460 Northside Cherokee Blvd, Suite 140, Canton, GA 30115 • 404-252-9063 northsidethoracicsurgery.com

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ASK THE DOCTOR What is thoracic surgery?

What is the Lung Nodule Clinic?

Thoracic surgery is surgery of the chest and all structures within the lungs, heart, ribs, esophagus, etc. It’s generally broken down into two main specialties for adults, general thoracic and cardiac. Here at Northside Hospital, we specialize in general thoracic surgery.

The Lung Nodule Clinic is a clinic in which patients are seen by pulmonologists who review their CT scans, labs, and do a pertinent history and physical exam. Then they make recommendations on the next steps to take. This could be anything from getting a new chest CT scan in a few months to doing a lung biopsy. The patients are all reviewed by another group of physicians including a thoracic surgeon, radiation oncologist, and medical oncologist who also give input on what next steps should be done.

What kind of diseases do you treat?

At Northside Thoracic Surgery, we treat diseases of the chest that don’t involve heart surgery like lung cancer, esophageal cancer, infections of the chest, and any cancers or diseases that may spread to the lungs. This also includes surgery on the ribs and muscles of the chest and diseases that cause a buildup of fluid around the lungs or heart.

Who is at risk of getting lung cancer?

Smoking is the number one risk factor for getting lung cancer. Other risk factors are exposure to radon, exposure to asbestos, second-hand smoking exposure (being around someone that smokes), and a family history of lung cancer. In general, if a person has been smoking a pack or more a day for twenty or more years, they are considered to be at high risk of getting lung cancer.

Is there a way to screen for lung cancer?

Yes. People who are at high risk for lung cancer can get a chest CT scan which is a special X-ray that looks for abnormalities in the chest. If a significant abnormality is found, they are referred to the Lung Nodule Clinic here at Northside Cherokee Hospital.

What if someone is found to have lung cancer?

If lung cancer is found, a group of physicians meet to decide what is the best treatment plan. This can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of two or all three.

If someone needs surgery, can it be done without a large incision?

Yes! All the thoracic surgeons at Northside are experts at minimally invasive surgery including VATS (Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery) and RATS (Robotic-Assisted Thoracic Surgery). Most cancers can be treated surgically with a few very small incisions.

How long do people stay in the hospital after thoracic surgery?

The hospital stay all depends on what is done, but most people can leave the hospital after one to three days.

NEXT ON: ASK THE DOCTOR Dr. Cheney Wilson and Dr. Edward Kang Send your questions to: nswellness@northside.com

[www.EnjoyCherokee.com]

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Planting

re's a ow! Theients. r g s r e pp ed wn ingr hose pe Watch trowing your o g joy in

Almost th is watchinere! Part of the fun g those flo of gardenin wers bloom g .

Plant a Garden, Grow Community

By Meghan Lindstrom, Canton Resident

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ble

d vegeta r fruit anrvest. u o y r a e ers n nefit your ha e ting flow ow? Planpollinators and b n k u o y t c Did ra tt ill a plants w

C

ommunity gardens allow even citizens without space to garden to dig in the dirt and grow flowers and vegetables, all while growing a stronger community.

Gardening is a popular pastime, but what happens when you don’t have the space to create the garden of your dreams?

Community gardens is the answer.

“Anyone in an apartment or townhome who doesn’t have a large enough spot to garden now has the opportunity to do so,” explains Jamey Snyder, recreation operations manager for Woodstock Parks and Recreation.

The benefits of community gardens are bountiful.

While gardening itself is great for mental and physical health by allowing an escape from daily hassles and promoting physical activity and healthy eating habits, community gardens also offer a social aspect by bringing locals together to bond over their love for gardening.

For some folks gardening is a pastime that provides solitude and relaxation. For others, like Diane Geeslin, it is a way to stay rooted in nature while also being a part of a greater community. Diane is a Master Gardener who has been making full use of the Woodstock Community Garden for around nine years. “I love gardening because it is a pleasure and so rewarding,” Diane says. “Being a part of a community of other gardening people and sharing our knowledge, laughs, and company is really nice.”

Cherokee County residents have access to two productive community gardens: one in Canton and one in Woodstock. uuu

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Community Garden Etiquette Don’t Overwater

Overwatering your plants can be detrimental as underwatering plants.

In addition, overwatering can seep through to neighboring garden plots and affect them too.

Don’t Shade Your Neighbor’s Plot

Be courteous of your neighbor by avoiding tall plants that might shade their plants. Community gardens often have height limits or recommended plotting patterns to prevent this problem. Share the sunshine!

Use Natural Pest Control

Support the ecosystem by using natural fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides instead of harsh chemicals. Natural repellants can be found easily through a quick internet search. Organic forms of pest control protect Mother Nature and your neighbors’ plots.

Variety is Key

Plant a variety of vegetables and flowers for added benefits to your garden. Flowers attract pollinators to your plot, spread pollen, and help increase the harvest of your vegetables.

Turn Off the Water

Community gardens are all about shared resources as well as conservation.

Always turn the water off before leaving for the day, to keep resources available for your fellow gardeners. Utilizing natural water sources, such as rain, can help conserve water as well. Consider installing a rain barrel that stores water for sunny, dry days.

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The Canton Community Garden uuu Just south of Downtown Canton sits the Canton

Community Garden, teeming with life. This garden is located at the four-way stop of East and West Marietta Streets.

Long time gardener and Canton Community Garden organizer Roy Taylor and his wife purchased the land the garden sits on as an investment property. They live close to the property and found that their yard was not ideal for growing a garden. “It came to me that maybe there were others around who, for similar circumstances, couldn’t garden in their backyard, or maybe they didn’t even have a backyard,” Roy says. “We could offer this opportunity to the community.”

The original slogan for promoting the garden was “Plant a Garden, Grow Community.” Roy and the helping hands who volunteered to help make the garden what it is today have accomplished those things in a variety of ways.

About twenty plots range in size at the Canton Community Garden, but most are fourteen by four feet. When plots are available, anyone who asks can use the garden to plant flowers and vegetables.

At no cost gardeners are assigned plots to use for the growing season; however, contributions are welcome in forms of cash, labor, or materials. All fruits of the gardeners’ labor are theirs to keep, although they are asked to follow

The Canton community garden is full of plots waiting to be filled. By springtime, it will be teeming with plants of all kinds.

Contact Roy Taylor to reserve a plot.

HBCU CHARITY

GOLF TOURNAMENT

an experience that is truly one of a kind.

ppers, owing tomatoes, pe .

Try your hand at gr ies gg ve rn he ut So on okra, or other comm

the garden rules. No petrochemical fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides are allowed, and always turn off the water before you leave.

The garden bustles with opportunity and love for the community. It is also a location for a Little Free Pantry, which offers food to locals in need. A growing Facebook group called The Canton Pantry Angels keeps it stocked.

As a celebration of the garden, the Tomato Sandwich Festival was started and is held annually as part of the Canton Farmer’s Market each summer and serves delicious sandwiches featuring locally grown tomatoes.

Roy comments, “The past two years have been hard for the garden. Weather issues, COVID, and encroaching development have taken a toll. Every January when the seed catalogs come out, there is renewed hope of what the next year will bring. We are looking forward to it.”

If you wish to get involved, there is always work to be done.

The Canton Community Garden accepts contributions of all kinds. For more information about the garden or to reserve a plot, contact Roy at wrldpeas@mindspring.com or 678-451-8602. uuu

Providing scholarships to students enrolled at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

DATE

Tuesday, April 5, 2022 TIME

8:30 AM Registration | 10 AM Shotgun LOCATION

Atlanta National Golf Club 350 Tournament Players Drive Milton, GA 30004

CRE ATE YO UR FO URS OME AND REGISTE R TO DAY! [www.EnjoyCherokee.com] 31 www.swingintotheirdreams.com

en unity gard ur comm at? Community o y s y a s Who pe fe a landsca eslin's plot is a can't be e G e n ia rD Gardene ollinator garden. p certified

The Woodstock Community Garden uuu The ever-growing Woodstock

Community Garden is located on Arnold Mill Road and has a total of fifty-five plentiful plots for community members to reserve. This growing season is the fourth at this location after moving from the Woodstock Chattahoochee Tech location three years ago.

The initial purpose of this city-funded garden was to give a place to garden to the citizens of Woodstock who don’t have that opportunity.

“It’s a good program, and it’s nice to be able to offer different avenues of outdoor recreation as opposed to the traditional options,” says Jamey.

The garden is full of a variety of plants and wildlife.

Some gardeners focus on growing vegetables for themselves or for donating to food pantries, while others grow flowers to attract pollinators.

“

My garden is a certified pollinator garden that helps our bees and butterflies, which is very important,” explains gardener Diane Geeslin. She stocks her garden full of butterfly weed, catmint, and moon flowers for pollinators of all kinds.

“We have another gardener who plants vines that attract hummingbirds.

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”

For twenty-five dollars you can get you a ten-by-ten plot at the Woodstock Community Garden for a year. Plot registration opens for new gardeners on March 15, 2022, to residents of Woodstock first and to those who are outside the community after two weeks. Existing-member gardeners may sign up starting March 1, 2022.

If you don’t get a plot in time, don’t fret! Many other Woodstock Parks and Recreation programs invite you to get involved, such as Take a Plant, Leave a Plant and educational classes, including Discovering Beekeeping.

Additionally, Woodstock Parks and Recreation has big plans to expand the garden and provide more opportunities for locals. “We are looking at another piece of land to turn into a garden and a food forest,” explains Jamey with excitement. “This plan has been pitched to City Council but will take more planning and support before getting approved.”

Bee careful!

The Woodstock community gardens often host beekeeping demonstrations and classes on the importance of a healthy bee population.

Peas, please! Won't it be fun to cook up some homegrown peas this summer?

Compassion Value

&

Some gardeners use structures to grow their vines and distinguish their plot from their neighbors'.

The food forest would show the progression of food growing and gathering from Native American times up to now. It would include signs showing original foraged foods, such as mushrooms and nuts, to imported foods, such as fruit trees, to the farming and gardening we have today. It will provide the opportunity for more gardeners to take root and also allow for more educational purposes, such as field trips.

go hand-in-hand to meet your family’s needs.

Location Manager Paige Fowler Ogle.

Paige was born and raised in Cherokee County.

To learn more about the Woodstock Community Garden or find more ways to get involved, visit Woodstock.recdesk.com.

The Canton and Woodstock Community Gardens are overflowing with opportunities. If you have been on the fence about participating in your local community garden program, dig in and plant some seeds, not only in your plot but also in your community.

Have fun!

WOODSTOCK FUNERAL HOME • CREMATIONS 8855 South Main Street, Woodstock

770-926-3107 WoodstockFuneralHome.com [www.EnjoyCherokee.com]

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shop local

Join Busy B’s Loyalty Program

gardening locally

Busy B Plant Supply For tropical plants, exotic houseplants, and other unique garden elements, look no further than Busy B Plant Supply in Acworth. Owned and operated by husband and wife duo Brandon and Caitlin Robinson, Busy B is a family-focused gardening destination.

On the property you’ll find a wide variety of topiaries, yard art, and pottery in addition to an impressive collection of plants. Along with Brandon’s fourteen years of industry experience, the couple works with a network of companies all over the Southeast to curate an excellent mix of flora. In addition to more than one thousand houseplants ranging from common to rare, you will find fruit trees, seeds, and garden products such as soil and fertilizers. Busy B also offers many other goods, including Adirondack chairs, local honey, and locally made candles.

Busy B is a place where the family can gather, especially on weekends, when you’ll often find coffee or food trucks there in nice weather. Kids can pet the chickens that roam the grounds while parents search for their perfect plants.

Brandon and Caitlin strive for superior customer service and pride themselves on the community connections they’ve made in just two years of being in business.

Hours of Business: Monday–Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Sunday: 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Stop by Busy B at 5721 Bells Ferry Road in Acworth or call 404-710-0848. Keep up with these Busy B’s on Facebook@BusyBPlantSupply.

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Celebrate the 50th Anniversary

Ask About Our Free Delivery Offers

Buck Jones Nursery

Cloud Supply

Buck Jones Nursery is happy to be celebrating its fiftieth anniversary in 2022. While the fifteen-acre landscape-supply nursery in Hickory Flat opened in 1992, owner Arthur A. “Buck” Jones and his wife, Mary Jane Jones, began their company in 1972 from the headquarters located in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Celebrating its twenty-fifth year of business, Cloud Supply is the local supplier of all things feed and seed and lawn and garden.

A family business, Cloud Supply was started by father and son Sam and Walker Cloud in 1997. Emphasis on family has never slacked, and Walker’s sons now work at the business too.

The company is still family-owned with several members of the Jones family taking active rolls. Buck was a man everyone admired, sadly passing away in 1999. He was dedicated to helping his customers become successful and inspiring them through plants.

He instilled principles of respect for customers that are carried on today by a dedicated staff of experienced horticulturalists.

Located at in Canton, Cloud Supply works with both homeowners and gardeners as well as landscapers, offering a variety of mulch, soil, stone, and gravel.

As the spring planting season begins, the staff at Buck Jones Nursery invites you to visit the Hickory Flat location. By working with high-quality growers from across the United States, the nursery supplies the newest and highest quality plants on the market.

Homeowners and landscapers alike will find an variety of large and small trees and shrubs, fresh sod cut to order, groundcovers, perennials, native and edible plants, soil amendments, natural stone, mulch, seed, and much more.

Calling all gardeners! In spring you’ll find vegetable plants such as tomatoes and peppers, as well as bulk seeds sold by the scoop.

Beautiful hanging baskets of ferns and mixed flowers will be available in the spring season as well.

For landscaping Cloud Supply has a large selection of power equipment, from Snapper and Simplicity lawnmowers to handheld Echo products like blowers and chainsaws.

Buck Jones Nursery is grateful for the generous support the community has shown the nursery over the last fifty years. If you haven’t visited lately, make a point to stop in to see what you’ve been missing.

A major draw for many customers is Cloud Supply’s delivery service. The ability to deliver any amount of mulch, soil, sand, or gravel to your project makes Cloud Supply a versatile business. Walker Cloud encourages you to stop by. He says, “Family business is what we are and it’s what’s kept us going in this community for twenty-five years.”

Hours of Business: Monday–Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (March 5 – June 11)

Hours of Business: Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Closed on Sunday)

Buck Jones Nursery is located at 7470 Hickory Flat Highway in Hickory Flat. Call 770-345-5506 or visit BuckJones.com to learn more about its offerings.

Visit Cloud Supply at 450 Marietta Road in Canton, call 770-479-0929, or go to CloudSupply.net for all your landscaping needs.

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Inspiration

Coach Conway: How He Keeps Rolling

By Leana Conway, Woodstock Resident

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Dennis and his wife Leana

Dennis Conway, a proud Georgia boy, grew up in Rome but has called Cherokee County “Home Sweet Home” for most of his adult life. Dennis says the county deserves its reputation as a place where folks take care of each other. He credits it for keeping him going when his life came apart.

D

ennis jokes that in 1998 with the exception that his dog didn’t die, his life turned into a country and western song. Eight years after his being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, the disease took a turn for the worse and sank its teeth into him. Dennis was forced to use an electric wheelchair and trade his cowboy truck for a handicap minivan. His marriage then fell apart, his mom got cancer, and he had to close the business that was his pride and joy, Camp’s Sporting Goods. The cherry on top of his sundae of misery was his neurologist putting him on an entire course of chemotherapy in an attempt to tear down his immune system in the hopes it would come back stronger.

Dennis says he was “bald and broke with a busted heart.”

1

Dennis reflects, “I wish I could say I never doubted I would make it out of that horribly dark time, but at times I did. What made the difference were friends and my family members who would not let me quit.” The community raised the funds for Dennis’s first handicap van. Friends invited him over for dinners, kept an eye on him, brought him meals, and helped him take care of his daughters when he was sick but had joint custody of them.

All the love and assistance helped Dennis find a new normal. He was reluctantly retired at forty, in a wheelchair, and saw his children only part-time, but his rapid decline slowed.

After such a traumatic period no one could have blamed Dennis if he had chosen to live a small life, resting in his recliner and staying close to home because the world is an unfriendly place to the handicapped. However, that lifestyle simply is not who Dennis Conway is. Dennis knew he needed to start being helpful. “I was raised by parents who lived a life of service. Once I was feeling better, I needed to help others. I began by serving on the board for the Anna Crawford Center, a children’s advocacy center. I also organized a Christmas fundraiser for kids in need—the Conway Reindeer Roast and Toy Drive.”

He organized the yearly toy drive at his house. His friends helped, and everyone had the name of a child to buy shoes and a toy for.

2

Around this time, Dennis met his wife-to-be, Leana, a massage therapist hired to work on his frozen and aching muscles. Leana says, “I realized quickly it was far more than his body that was broken. We began a friendship, and although he says he dated me long before I dated him, eventually I couldn’t help but fall in love with this amazing man.”

Dennis still seems surprised when he says, “My life started over when I met my to-be wife, Leana.” With a smile he credits God and the prayer warriors from West Rome Baptist Church. “My mother prayed with her group of prayer warriors at church that someone would come along who loved me enough to marry me and commit to taking care of me.

I never thought someone would come along who would, but those women believed and had faith for me.” Together Dennis and Leana blended a family and started a new life.

3

Part of a partnership, Dennis felt strong enough to return to work in a modified capacity.

Dennis says, “I started out by substitute teaching and found out quickly I had an affinity for working with special-education students. Both my mother and my sister taught special education, so it seems to run in the family.”

Dennis found a spot as a paraprofessional in the Severe Behavioral Disorder Room at Woodstock High School. At that time Dennis’s stepson Kyle Teasdale attended the same school and played lacrosse. When the school asked Dennis to help coach, Dennis jumped at the chance to hang out with Kyle and get involved with coaching.

Dennis, who went to college on a football scholarship, says one of the hardest things about having a disability has been that it has slowly stolen his ability to participate in athletics.

“

When I was growing up, my life revolved around church and sports. The lessons I learned attending and playing gave me the strength to endure life’s tests.” By coaching Dennis had an opportunity to pass those lessons along. Dennis’s favorite quote comes from the most influential coach he ever had, Nick Hyder.

“Never. Never. Never. Quit. uuu

”

4

1 Dennis is pictured running the Peachtree Road Race on July, 4 1993.

2 Reagan Smith, former player of Dennis's, has

become a close friend, with Dennis attending his police academy graduation.

3 The kids love Coach–bringing fun and laughs to church activities.

4 Dennis and Leana love sharing in ministry with the college-aged kids at Woodstock City Church. [www.EnjoyCherokee.com]

37

uuu Before coaching lacrosse, however, Dennis had to learn the

game. He laughs when he says, “The first lacrosse game I saw, I was coaching. I just kind of watched the other coach out of the corner of my eye and mimicked him.” He fell in love with the fast-paced game in no time. “I cannot say if I added a huge amount of knowledge of the game, but what I did offer was a relationship with these kids. I got to know them all every day at school, and many of them came into my classroom and ate lunch with me.”

Over the ten years Dennis coached the Woodstock lacrosse team, he saw the team double in size, make it to the state playoffs three times, and advance to the Sweet Sixteen and then the Elite Eight.

Most importantly, Dennis says, “We coaches were able to watch boys becoming men. We hope we helped guide them to be men of strong character.” He says it was a great ride full of beautiful memories and a few tough ones. When asked for standouts in all the different personalities that came through the program, Dennis laughs again. “It’s like asking who your favorite child is. They all are, for differing reasons.”

Some of Dennis’s former players had great words to say about him as their coach and friend. Reagan Smith, a current City of Atlanta police officer, says, “Coach Conway taught me patience, mental strength, life lessons, and so much more. I would go to Coach for almost everything. He never asked for anything in return. He helped me with my senior project, which was having a fundraiser.

We held the event at his beautiful home and raised almost two thousand dollars to donate to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Coach is a friend, a mentor, a wealth of knowledge, and to me, he’s family.” Reagan continues to visit Dennis and Leana to catch up whenever he gets a chance.

Conor O’Sullivan, M.D., recalls, “Coach Conway was beloved by all us guys who were lucky enough to be on a team with him. Learning about the struggles he had to deal with daily and setbacks we saw him go through was a big motivation for me to go into medicine.”

Like many of the other lacrosse players, Conor spent many of his lunch hours in Dennis’s special-education classroom. The effects of those lunches were felt on many levels. Dennis and the boys were bonding and the players were also exposed to students they would not have met otherwise. Seeing their coach treat with dignity and respect kids who had been separated by society made the players see the kids in a new light. As Conor put it, “The positivity through adversity that Coach Conway demonstrates is something too powerful to be verbally taught.”

Hunter Forbes is another of Dennis’s players who went on to play Division One lacrosse with the Jacksonville University Dolphins.

He graduated in four years with an MBA and has a successful career in sports management. Hunter has a close relationship with Dennis, not only as a player but also as an employee. Hunter worked for two summers as Dennis and Leana’s personal assistant, or as Leana calls it, “the house elf.” Hunter did laundry, took Dennis to physical therapy, and worked at the Fair Trade Coffee stand, Coach’s Corner, that Dennis started at the farmer’s market in Woodstock. He was basically Dennis’s hands and feet.

Hunter says, “For two summers I was with Coach pretty much every day. What stands out in my mind is that I never remember thinking once, “’Oh, Coach is having a bad day’ or ‘Coach must not be feeling good.’ Coach was always the same nice, joking guy

Apply to College Month Application fee waived for applications started and submitted in March 2022

Business

Computers

Media

Health

Technical

ChattahoocheeTech.edu I 770-528-4545

A Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia. Equal Opportunity Institution.

38

[www.EnjoyCherokee.com]

Dennis, pictured left, first started coaching lacrosse to spend time with his stepson Kyle Teasdale, pictured right.

A Note From The Author

Former player and current friend Conor O'Sullivan, M.D., often swings by to spend time with his old pal Coach Conway.

everyone knows. There must have been many days when his illness caused pain, tiredness, and frustration, but he didn’t show it.”

Hunter has since moved to Denver, Colorado, and comes by to visit Dennis and Leana whenever he’s in town. Dennis and Leana say he is the ginger-haired son they always wanted—sort of.

When asked to reflect on his life story so far, Dennis says, “Samer Masaad, our lead pastor at Woodstock City Church, told us we must keep the faith during our setbacks. Our setbacks may be the setup for the most important part of our lives. This has been true in my life. All the pain, struggles, and loss have worked together to bring me to my greatest love and my most significant role in furthering the Kingdom of God.”

Coach Conway had to quit coaching in 2020 because the cold temperatures had become too hard on him. MS and cold are not friends. Now an “indoor cat,” he volunteers at Woodstock City Church in its special-needs Sunday school class and leads a small college-aged group called Coach’s Corner.

Dear Readers, you probably noticed I share the same last name as Dennis Conway. Indeed, he is my husband. When I was asked to write this article, Dennis’s biggest worry was that he be made to sound like a much better person than he is. While he is a great inspiration and great guy, he is no saint. I have lived with and taken care of him 24/7 for the last twenty years.

There are days when we are very frustrated with each other and days when I have refused to plug in his wheelchair until he smartens up.

That said, I know no one else as determined as my husband to do something useful with his life all the while having fun. Dennis has the heart of a lion, and I love him fiercely.

–Leana Conway

[www.EnjoyCherokee.com]

39

hayden’s review

40

[www.EnjoyCherokee.com]

d

donovan's (Top Left) Chef Ira's Chicken Ciabatta, paired with crispy fries, is a perfect lunch or dinner item. Light, fresh ingredients make this sandwich sing.

(Top Center) Donovan's has an extensive list of ales and others for you to choose from.

(Top Right) Cheesy goodness is the best way to describe the buffalo chicken dip at Donovan's.

(Bottom Left) This savory basket of chicken tenders and french fries will surprise you with outstanding flavor.

(Bottom Right) The cozy and unique pub-style atmosphere at Donovan's makes customers feel at home.

Irish pubs are known for their dive-bar environment, stout beers, and traditional bar food. Donovan’s Irish Cobbler in the heart of Towne Lake follows that tradition; however, the owners have gone many steps further and crafted a neighborhood pub with a delectable menu.

The family-friendly pub often cited as the local hangout for friends and families is rated five stars by newcomers and regular customers. Head Chef Ira Thompson uses signature Donovan’s recipes, fresh ingredients, and special techniques to create authentic Irish dishes. Early on, Chef Ira discovered a passion for cooking and creating. His passion matched perfectly with what restaurant owners Jim Donovan, Jacob Donovan, and Brandon Poteet had in mind, and they have all worked together since the business began twelve years ago.

Jim explains, “Our food is excellent and our staff is top notch, which is why our customers continue to come back.”

With many of its dishes made from scratch, the pub created a more compact menu last year to focus on using only the highest quality recipes and the best and freshest ingredients.

The restaurant feels like a true Irish pub with its dark wood, dim lighting, and Jameson whiskey bottles on the bar. The intimate booths are perfect for a night out, while the bar seating welcomes all who want to enjoy drinks and appetizers. The Ales and Others drink menu offers a variety of staple cocktails, cordials, mules, bourbons, and whiskies to choose from. In addition the Irish Cobbler’s Beers of the World menu educates customers on the many beer styles. You simply must stop in and sip an Irish ale! uuu

[www.EnjoyCherokee.com]

41

Donovan’s Irish Cobbler

uuuThe covered outdoor patio buzzes on

gamedays, weekends, and warm sunny days.

Jim explains that the outdoor seating adds an atmosphere that makes Donovan’s a destination for families and friends to enjoy time together. An outdoor television means you don’t have to miss any of the game by sitting outside while enjoying a cold brew.

Donovan’s isn’t simply a late-night spot, though. It serves an elegant and tasteful brunch menu on Saturday and Sunday. Eggs benedict, walnut-encrusted French toast, and of course the traditional Irish breakfast are just a few of Donovan’s delectable brunch dishes.

Visiting Donovan’s Irish Cobbler feels like stepping into an elevated yet casual Irish bar. The friendly staff, superior food, and great environment have kept people coming back to Donovan’s for a dozen years.

Celebrate Irish traditions with the staff on Saint Patrick’s Day and enjoy the authentic grub and exceptional atmosphere all year round.

Menu Says: Fish & Chips Hayden Says: The beer-battered cod comes in with a crisp crunch and melts in your mouth with a buttery finish. A golden-brown exterior opens to a warm, flaky filet inside.

The fries are battered in rice flour, giving them a crunch that doesn’t dissipate while you enjoy them. Tangy house-made tartar sauce complements each bite.

(Top) Fish and chips is a tradition that deserves excellence—exactly what Donovan's delivers.

(Center Top) Comfort food is taken to new heights with the mac and cheese with sweet and spicy chicken tenders dish.

(Center Bottom) Sweet-heat nachos are perfect for sharing around the table with friends and family.

(Bottom) Save the best for last and dive into Donovan's delicious blueberry cobbler.

42

[www.EnjoyCherokee.com]

Menu Says: Mac & Cheese with Sweet & Spicy Chicken Tenders Hayden Says: A classic combination is taken to new heights in this dish. The chicken tenders are covered in a sweet and spicy Thai sauce, creating beautiful blend of salty, sweet, and spice. The tenders sit atop a bed of penne pasta covered in Donovan’s own cheese sauce.

Menu Says: Guinness Bangers & Mash Hayden Says: It wouldn’t be an Irish Pub without serving traditional, authentic Irish

brats. The old-fashioned mashed potatoes with Guinness gravy features mushrooms and fried onions. The traditional Irish flavors of this dish round out the dining experience.

Menu Says: Sweet-Heat Bleu Cheese Chicken Nachos Hayden Says: This appetizer is made with house potato crisps, bleu cheese crumbles, green onions, freshly diced tomatoes, jalapeños, and sweet-heat grilled chicken. The sweet-heat nachos are balanced well, and the salty crisps and the tangy bleu cheese tame the spice of the chicken.

Menu Says: Buffalo Chicken Dip Hayden Says: A crowd favorite, the buffalo chicken dip is made of cheesy goodness that makes it impossible to turn down another bite. It comes out of the kitchen bubbling, and the buffalo spice entices you as soon as the plate is set down.

The dish is made with Donovan’s signature sauce and cheese blend and served with traditional Irish chips and grilled flat bread.

Menu Says: Crispy Chicken Strips Hayden Says: The golden-brown handbreaded chicken strips are savory and perfectly juicy. Served with Donovan’s signature crispy fries, this staple entrée is far from ordinary.

Spice it up a bit and ask for buffalo strips for only a small extra charge.

Menu Says: Ira’s Chicken Ciabatta Hayden Says: The grilled chicken sandwich, a new menu item, is served on warm ciabatta bread with mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, arugula, and spinach. Chef Ira’s creation has taken a classic sandwich a notch above, with the inclusion of basil pesto aioli that adds a delightful aroma and taste.

Menu Says: Blueberry Cobbler Hayden Says: If there’s a menu item that is sure to cap off your dining experience, it’s Donovan’s blueberry cobbler.

The mouthwatering recipe comes from the Donovan family and feels complete with its dusting of powdered sugar and delicate dollops of fresh whipped cream.

Donovan’s Irish Cobbler

SENATOR

BRANDON

BEACH Widening Highway 20 from I-575 to County Line

Northside Hospital Parkway Expansion

Working

for Cherokee

“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.”

—Benjamin Franklin Office: (404) 463-1378 Email: Brandon.Beach@senate.ga.gov

Capitol Address: District Address: 303-B Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg.

3100 Brierfield Road Atlanta, GA 30334 Alpharetta, GA 30004 [www.EnjoyCherokee.com] 43

Your Favorite

LOCAL AUTHORS

1

K

H t d

Lily

Making the Big Move

Lily, the first book from Jon Pirtle, is centered on Ms. Lily Rood, an unmarried English teacher in an ostensibly Christian school.

Lily has recently moved to a new town. Her plans are simple: find new friends and a biblical church, teach literature and writing, and discover if marriage is in her future. But she discovers her plans are part of a vastly larger web of plans in which evil often appears to triumph.

She discovers that facades are far more prevalent than the genuine, especially amid the veneer of cultural religiosity.

When surfaces are peeled back, Lily discovers depths of human depravity, but also experiences the blessings of true friendship and the sovereignty of a God who both allows evil and uses it for covenantal reasons of redemption.

Moving to a new house and neighborhood can be a bit overwhelming for some.

There is so much to think about and do to prepare for such a huge move. Morgan faces many emotions as they prepare to move. Let’s see how she handles it.

by Jon Pirtle

by Morgan & Alicia Adamson

Waleska resident Jon Pirtle is an avid hiker, kayaker, and lover of literature. He serves as a full-time Army chaplain in the Georgia Army National Guard. Lily is his apprentice novel, and he hopes to release a book of short stories in the coming year. You can purchase Jon’s book on Amazon.

Making the Big Move is one of four books in a series that takes readers on a journey with the Adamson family. Enjoy family chronicles, values, and adventures.

Mom, Alicia, and daughter, Morgan, write entertaining stories for audiences of all ages.

The Adamson Crew has a coloring and activity book for readers as well. The end of each book concludes with two quotes Morgan and Alicia teach and use as positive affirmations. They would love to share their positivity with you.

Morgan and Alicia are a mother-daughter duo from Woodstock. Morgan is a vivacious, sassy, loving, and talented young writer who enjoys telling the stories of her family. Alicia is a devoted mom and wife who enjoys sharing the many life lessons and adventures of her family.

Interested in submitting recommendations for Your Favorite Bookmark?

Local authors are encouraged to submit a book summary, personal photo, and book cover image.

Contact Katie@EnjoyCherokee.com for more information.

Staying Coachable

by Sean Glaze

Ready to move from complacent to committed? Want to make 2022 your best year yet?

Discover the four engaging questions that inspire personal improvement and help you navigate change—a proven process you can share with your team to apply those same positive steps to ensure their development.

Staying Coachable is about wanting to be better and being willing to change. It is a story about a father and son who are both experiencing the challenges of change.

What they learn from an unlikely mentor about a commitment will empower and equip you for relentless growth. Sean Glaze has taken the same lessons that helped his teams enjoy their most successful seasons and turned those insights into a relevant and actionable story.

By applying the insights that Staying Coachable shares, you will gain clarity about the steps required to keep yourself and your team moving forward and growing through whatever challenges you experience.

Sean is a resident of Waleska. As a basketball coach for two decades, he kept teams motivated. Now a speaker and author, Sean helps corporate leaders transform their leadership to build a more positive team culture.

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F a a b o

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D t ( n h

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[www.EnjoyCherokee.com]

J. Thompson Ross Investments: 11 Ways to Stay Sane in a Crazy Market Keep your cool when the market goes on a periodic roller-coaster ride.

Have strategies in place that prepare you financially and psychologically to handle market volatility. Here are some ways to keep from making hasty decisions that could make it more challenging to achieve your financial goals.

1. Have a game plan Having predetermined guidelines that recognize the potential for turbulent times can help prevent emotion from dictating your decisions. For example, you might use diversification to offset the risks of specific holdings with those of others. Diversification doesn’t guarantee anything, but it can help you understand and balance your risk in advance. And if you’re an active investor, a trading discipline can help you stick to a long-term strategy. For example, determining in advance to take profits when a security rises by a certain percentage and buy when it has fallen by a set percentage.

2. Know what you own and why you own it Remembering which securities you purchased and why you purchased each is critical when the market goes south. These details help you understand how your portfolio fits together and help to clarify if it makes sense that these pieces continue to stay together. This knowledge is essential if you are considering a change in investments.

3. Remember that everything is relative If you’ve got a well-diversified portfolio with multiple asset classes, compare its overall performance to relevant benchmarks. If your investments are performing in line with those benchmarks, you may feel better about your strategy. Diversification means that just because the S&P 500 might have dropped 10% or 20%, it doesn’t necessarily mean your portfolio is down by the same amount.

4. Tell yourself that this too shall pass Financial markets are historically cyclical. Even if you wish you had sold at a market peak or regret having sat out a buying opportunity, you may get another chance. Even if you’re considering changes, a volatile market can be an inopportune time to turn your portfolio inside out. A well-thoughtout asset allocation is still the basis of good investment planning.

5. Be willing to learn from your mistakes Anyone can look good during bull markets; savvy investors emerge during the rough patches. Even the best investors make poor choices. Sometimes the best strategy is to take a tax loss, learn from the experience, and apply the lesson to future decisions. Expert help can prepare you and your portfolio to weather and take advantage of the market’s ups and downs— but there is no guarantee.

6. Consider playing defense During volatile periods in the stock market, many investors re-examine their allocation to such defensive sectors as consumer staples or utilities (though, like all stocks, those sectors involve their risks and are not necessarily immune from overall market movements). Dividends also can help cushion the impact of price swings.

Topics 7-11 to be presented in the May/June edition of Enjoy Cherokee Magazine.

The information contained in this article does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Judy Thompson Ross and not necessarily those of Raymond James.

This material is being provided for information purposes only. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Investing involves risk and investors may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected. Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. J. Thompson Ross Investments is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial [www.EnjoyCherokee.com] Services.

45

Grandma's Recipes Farm to Table Sweet Potato Soufflé

Squash Casserole

from Dorothy Layne Howard Partain Crowe

Garden Vegetable Soup

from Leona Hardman Wheeler

from Mrs. J.C. Youngblood

Ingredients

Ingredients

Ingredients

3 ½ ½ ½ 2 ½ ½ ½

1½ 1 1 ½ 2 ½-1 1 1

1 2 4 1 1 1 1 1 1½ 1 4 1

medium sweet potatoes cup white sugar cup brown sugar cup butter or margarine eggs cup milk teaspoon vanilla teaspoon allspice Pinch of salt

pounds squash carrot, thinly sliced onion, chopped stick margarine, melted cups bread crumbs cup sour cream can cream of chicken soup small can pimento, finely chopped

Begin the Fun

Topping 1 ½ cups corn flakes crushed into crumbs (will reduce to about ¾ cup crushed) ¼ cup melted butter or margarine ¼ cup brown sugar 1/3 cup chopped pecans

Begin the Fun 1.

2.

3.

4.

Peel, slice, cook, drain, and mash potatoes.

Cream in butter and sugars.

Add eggs, milk, vanilla, spice, and salt.

Pour into baking dish and cook at 400 degrees for forty minutes.

5. Meanwhile, mix together the crushed corn flakes, melted butter, brown sugar, and chopped pecans.

6. Add topping and reduce heat to 250 degrees and lightly brown topping. It takes about ten minutes.

1. Cook squash, carrots, and onion until soft and season to taste with salt and pepper.

2. Add pimento and mash to right consistency.

3. Line bottom of casserole with half of the bread crumbs, add the squash mixture, and pour soup on top. Do not stir.

4. Sprinkle remainder of bread crumbs on top.

5. Pour the melted margarine over top.

6. Bake at 350 degrees until it bubbles and browns.

Begin the Fun 1. Place soup bone in water and simmer one hour. (If using bone broth, you may skip this step.)

2. Add all ingredients to stock and cook until vegetables are tender.

3. Serve hot with corn muffins.

Late April is the perfect time to plant your summer squash.

Sweet potatoes have a long growing season, starting in March.

The three recipes on this page come from the Cherokee County Recipes & Recollections book published by the Cherokee County Historical Society. This book can be purchased online at HistoryCherokee.com.

46 46 [www.EnjoyCherokee.com] [www.EnjoyCherokee.com]

soup bone or store-bought bone broth quarts cold water tablespoons water green pepper, chopped cup potatoes, cubed cup shredded cabbage cup okra, sliced large onion, chopped cups celery, sliced cup carrots, chopped cups canned tomatoes tablespoon Worchestershire sauce Salt and pepper to taste

Vegetable soup can be made with a variety of seasonal veggies.

s Southern Style Collard Greens Ingredients

Strawberry Mixture Ingredients

2 tablespoons bacon fat, lard, or vegetable oil 1 medium onion, sliced 1 ham hock 2 garlic cloves, smashed 4 cups chicken stock 1-2 cups water 8-10 cups collard greens, stemmed and chopped Salt to taste Vinegar and hot sauce to taste

6 cups fresh strawberries, sliced ½ cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Shortcake Ingredients

Begin the Fun 1. Heat the bacon fat in a large pot set over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion in the bacon fat, stirring often, until the edges begin to brown, about five minutes.

2. Add the ham hock, smashed garlic, chicken stock, and water. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook for one hour.

3. Add the collard greens and cook, partially covered, until they are tender, another forty-five minutes to an hour.

4. To serve remove the ham hock, pull the meat off the bone, and chop.

Mix the meat back in with the greens.

5. Taste and season with salt, if needed. Serve with vinegar and hot sauce at the table.

f

bles

Strawberry Shortcake

Collard greens are a Southern staple. They start growing in March!

3 5 3 1 ½ ¾ 1¼ 2

cups all-purpose flour tablespoons sugar, divided teaspoons baking powder teaspoon baking soda teaspoon salt cup cold butter, cubed cups buttermilk tablespoons heavy whipping cream

Begin the Fun

Strawberry season starts in early March.

Get those seeds sprouting!

1. Combine strawberries with sugar and vanilla; mash slightly. Let stand at least thirty minutes, tossing occasionally.

2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

3. For shortcakes whisk together flour, four tablespoons sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly.

Add buttermilk and stir until just combined (do not overmix).

4. Drop batter by 1/3 cupful, two inches apart, onto an ungreased baking sheet.

5. Brush with two tablespoons of heavy cream and sprinkle with remaining one tablespoon sugar.

6. Bake until golden, about 18-20 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

7. To serve cut shortcakes in half and spread the strawberry mixture over the cakes. Lastly, top with whipped cream, either store bought or homemade.

770-735-2724

[www.EnjoyCherokee.com] 47 cheshire hvac.com

[calendar of events]

MARDI GRAS

Some Bunny Special

1

Music Triva Fundraiser

4

Lewis Park Night Hike

Sweat

Essential Gardening

Pottery Wheel Class

Breakfast Buddies

Arts and Crafts

10

Cherokee Film Summit

Bubbles & Bubbly

Trivia Night

11

Lunch & Learn

Business is Blooming

Red Cedar Review

12

Spring Yard Sale

CASA Superhero 5K

Shamrock Stroll .5K

16

Discovering Pickleball for adults!

18

Art on the Spot

19

Essential Gardening

Discovering Pickleball for kids! BeeGees Gold Tribute

20

Mozart's Requiem

Grace Scott Band

Tuesday

Friday

5

Saturday

8

Tuesday

Thursday Friday Saturday Wednesday

Friday

March 17 is St. Patrick's Day

March 2022

Saturday

Sunday

22

Tuesday

RockSolid Brewing Co. 345 Gilmer Ferry Road, Ball Ground 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. | $10/person BallGroundBusinessAssociation.com

Cherokee Recreation & Parks 4466 Bells Ferry Road, WDSTK 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. | $10/person PlayCherokee.org

Woodstock Parks & Recreation 4476 Towne Lake Pkwy, WDSTK 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. | FREE SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org William G. Long Senior Center 223 Arnold Mill Road, WDSTK 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. | FREE WoodstockParksandRec.com Cherokee Off. of Economic Development 5889 Old Alabama Road, Acworth 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. | $50 CherokeeGA.org/Film-Media William G. Long Senior Center 223 Arnold Mill Road, WDSTK 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | FREE WoodstockParksandRec.com Cherokee Recreation & Parks 7345 Cumming Hwy, Canton 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | FREE PlayCherokee.org Woodstock Parks & Recreation 513 Neese Rd., WDSTK 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | $5 WoodstockParksandRec.com Reeves House 734 Reeves Street, WDSTK 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. | FREE WoodstockArts.org/Events Woodstock Parks & Recreation 223 Arnold Mill Road, WDSTK 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. | $5 WoodstockParksandRec.com Cherokee Chorale 171 East Main Street, Canton 4:00 p.m. | Cost TBA CherokeeChorale.org

Acting for Stage I

Woodstock Arts (Grades 6-8) 8534 Main Street, WDSTK Eight-week course | $189/person WoodstockArts.org/Classes

48 48 [www.EnjoyCherokee.com] [www.EnjoyCherokee.com]

March 1 – 29

Woodstock Arts 8534 Main Street, WDSTK Showing Mar. 4 – 20 | 7:30 p.m. | $15.75–$20 WoodstockArts.org/Events Woodstock Arts (Ages 14+) 734 Reeves Street, WDSTK Eight-week course | $180/person WoodstockArts.org/Classes William G. Long Senior Center 223 Arnold Mill Road, WDSTK 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | $5 WoodstockParksandRec.com Made Mercantile 8636 Main Street, WDSTK 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. | $60 MadeMercantile.com

Downtown Canton 351 West Main Street, Canton 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | FREE MenagerieOnMain.com

The Children's Haven 600 Brown Industrial Pkwy, Canton 8:00 a.m. | Registration from $15 CherokeeChildrensHaven.org

Reformation Brewery Canton 225 Reformation Pkwy, Canton 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. | FREE EtowahMill.com/Events

Laugh Lines & Stretch Marks MadLife Stage and Studios 8722 Main Street, WDSTK 8:00 – 9:30 p.m. | $19.50–$22.50 MadLifeStageandStudios.com

Falany Performing Arts Center 7300 Reinhardt College Pkwy, Waleska 7:30 p.m. | $30–$35 Reinhardt.edu/Falany/Tickets Reinhardt Univ. Scholarship Fundraiser Main Street, Jasper 4:00 p.m. | Registration is $25 Reinhardt.edu

Woodstock Waltz

Chattahoochee Technical College 8371 Main Street, WDSTK 10:00 a.m. | Registration is $25–$35 ChattahoocheeTech.edu

Sequoyah-Con! All ages are invited to the R.T. Jones, Woodstock, and Gilmer libraries for the Sequoyah Regional Library System annual convention. Canton will host D&D fans, Woodstock will have a Star Wars experience, and Ellijay will be home to all things anime.

Woodstock Parks and Recreation 513 Neese Rd., WDSTK 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | $5 WoodstockParksandRec.com

Falany Performing Arts Center 7300 Reinhardt College Pkwy, Waleska 3:00 & 7:30 p.m. | $35–$40 Reinhardt.edu/Falany/Tickets

Rootstock 8558 Main Street, WDSTK 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. | FREE RootstockNow.com/Events

Day Trip – Anna Ruby Falls Celebrity Book Club William G. Long Senior Center 223 Arnold Mill Road, WDSTK 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | $5 WoodstockParksandRec.com

Help the Easter Bunny deliver baskets full of happiness to children living in poverty. Cherokee Recreation and Parks will collect donations through the month of March. More details can be found at PlayCherokee.org.

Hickory Flat Public Library 2740 East Cherokee Drive, Canton 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. | FREE SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

All Day March 19

The National Parks

Woodstock Arts – Lantern Series 111 Elm Street, WDSTK 7:30 p.m. | $19, VIP Tickets Available WoodstockArts.org/Events

Read the article on page 6 Demonstration Garden Ribbon Cutting Master Gardeners 7345 Cumming Hwy, Canton Time TBA | FREE CherokeeMasterGardeners.com

ch 9 29

ks

24

Acrylic & Oil Painting Class Leave No Trace Awareness Bubbles & Bubbly

25

iThink Improv March '22 The Landscape of Guitar

Thursday Friday

26

Saturday

Woodstock Arts 734 Reeves Street, WDSTK Four-week class | $180/student WoodstockArts.org/Classes

Woodstock Arts 8534 Main Street, WDSTK 7:30 p.m. | $8 online, $12 at door WoodstockArts.org/Events

Falany Performing Arts Center 7300 Reinhardt College Pkwy, Waleska 7:30 p.m. | Tix for Patron Members Reinhardt.edu/Falany/Tickets

Queen of Diamonds

The Lasting Laugh

Cherokee High School Baseball 930 Marietta Hwy, Canton Various Times | $50 Registration CherokeeBaseball.Square.Site

27

Discovering Disc Golf

31

Butterfly Gardeners

Sunday

Thursday

Cherokee County Aquatic Center 1200 Wellstar Way, Canton 5:30 – 10:00 p.m. | $15/child PlayCherokee.org

Made Mercantile 8636 Main Street, WDSTK 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. | $60 MadeMercantile.com

Trivia Night

Reformation Brewery Canton 225 Reformation Pkwy, Canton 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. | FREE EtowahMill.com/Events

MARCH 26 & 27

Woodstock Arts 8534 Main St., WDSTK 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. | $10 – $14 WoodstockArts.org/Events

Woodstock Parks & Recreation 513 Neese Rd., WDSTK 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. | $5 WoodstockParksandRec.com Woodstock Parks & Recreation 513 Neese Rd., WDSTK Various Times | FREE WoodstockParksandRec.com

Introduction to Birding Cherokee Recreation & Parks 7545 Main Street, WDSTK 6:45 – 8:00 p.m. | $24 PlayCherokee.org

Trivia Night

Reformation Brewery Canton 225 Reformation Pkwy, Canton 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. | FREE EtowahMill.com/Events

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[calendar of events]

1

Hall & Oates Tribute

2

Yoga on Tap

Rumours

Flashlight Egg Hunt

4

Splish Splash Camp

Lifeguard Class

DJ Bingo

5

Swing Into Their Dreams Market at the Mill Atlanta National Golf Club 7345 Cumming Hwy, Canton 8:30 a.m. | Ticket cost varies SwingIntoTheirDreams.com

The Mill on Etowah 225 Reformation Pkwy, Canton 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. | FREE EtowahMill.com/Events

6

Workout Wednesday

Unwind Wednesday

8

iThink Improv April '22

9

Reckless Tribute

The Lasting Laugh

Grain Free Cooking

Market at the Mill

13

Workout Wednesday

Easter Scavenger Hunt

15

Art on the Spot

16

Amped in the Park

21

Stacie Rose – Solo Exhibit Trivia Night

Friday Saturday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Friday Saturday

12

Tuesday Wednesday Friday Saturday Thursday 50 50

April 2022

April 22 is Earth Day

MadLife Stage & Studios 8722 Main Street, WDSTK 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. | $24.50–$34.50 MadLifeStageAndStudios.com Reformation Brewery 105 Elm Street, WDSTK 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. | $20 ReformationStore.com/Events Cherokee County Aquatic Center 1200 Wellstar Way, Canton Mon. – Fri. 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | $230 PlayCherokee.org

Cherokee Recreation & Parks 7345 Cumming Hwy, Canton 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. | $25 PlayCherokee.org

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting their annual recycling event in honor of Earth Day. This event is free to the public. For more information visit CherokeeChamber.com/Programs

Falany Performing Arts Center 7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.| Cost TBA Reinhardt.edu/Falany Cherokee County Aquatic Center 1200 Wellstar Way, Canton Apr. 4–6 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | $225 PlayCherokee.org

Cherokee Recreation & Parks 7345 Cumming Hwy, Canton 6:00 p.m. | $10/child PlayCherokee.org

Matthew West Concert First Baptist Woodstock 11905 Hwy 92, WDSTK 7:00 p.m. | $26 – $103 BrandNewTour.com

Woodstock Beer Market 240 Chambers Street, WDSTK 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. | FREE VisitWoodstockGA.com/Events

Cherokee Recreation & Parks 7345 Cumming Hwy, Canton 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. | FREE PlayCherokee.org

Woodstock Arts 8534 Main Street, WDSTK 7:30 p.m. | $8 online, $12 at door WoodstockArts.org/Events MadLife Stage and Studios 8722 Main Street, WDSTK 7:00 p.m. | $24.50–$29.50 MadLifeStageandStudios.com Cherokee Recreation & Parks 7545 Main Street, WDSTK 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. | $25 PlayCherokee.org Cherokee Recreation & Parks 7345 Cumming Hwy, Canton 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. | $25 PlayCherokee.org

Woodstock Arts 8534 Main St., WDSTK 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. | $10 – $14 WoodstockArts.org/Events

The Mill on Etowah 225 Reformation Pkwy, Canton 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. | FREE EtowahMill.com/Events Cherokee Recreation & Parks 4466 Bells Ferry Rd., WDSTK 6:30 p.m. | $10/person PlayCherokee.org

See article on page 10!

Reeves House 734 Reeves Street, WDSTK 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. | FREE WoodstockArts.org/Events Strongside 101 Arnold Mill Road, WDSTK 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. | FREE WoodstockParksandRec.com Reeves House 734 Reeves Street, WDSTK Gallery House | FREE WoodstockArts.org/Events

[www.EnjoyCherokee.com] [www.EnjoyCherokee.com]

Yoga on Tap

Reformation WDSTK 105 Elm Street, WDSTK 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. | $20 ReformationStore.com/Events Reformation Brewery Canton 225 Reformation Pkwy, Canton 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. | FREE EtowahMill.com/Events

Eggs-traordinary Eggstravaganza Cherokee Recreation & Parks 1200 Wellstar Way, Canton 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. | $10/person PlayCherokee.org

Restorative Yoga

Horizon Healing Center 182 North Street, Canton 7:15 – 8:30 p.m. | $30 HorizonHealingCenter.com

Happy Easter April 17

22

Faith County

Violet – University Theatre Sister Act Falany Performing Arts Center 7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska Various Dates at 3:00 & 7:30 p.m. | $12.50 Reinhardt.edu/Falany

Woodstock Arts 8534 Main Street, WDSTK April 22 – May 8 | 7:30 p.m. | $10–$14 WoodstockArts.org/Events

Dave & Buster's Trip

23

Birding Field Trip

Street Dog Dash 5K

Farm. Fresh. Market.

Spivey Hall Children's Choir

26

Market at the Mill

Social Friends: Braves Game

Friday

Saturday Tuesday

28

Thursday

30

Saturday

Cherokee Theatre Company 171 East Main Street, Canton Various Dates & Times | $15–$18 CherokeeTheatre.org/Shows Cherokee Recreation & Parks Roberts Lake Rd., Ball Ground 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. | $24 PlayCherokee.org The Mill on Etowah 225 Reformation Pkwy, Canton 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. | FREE EtowahMill.com/Events

Cherokee County Animal Shelter 600 Brown Industrial Pkwy, Canton 8:00 a.m. | From $25 StreetDogDash5K.org Cherokee Recreation & Parks 7545 Main Street, WDSTK Time TBA | Cost TBA PlayCherokee.org

Wine Tasting

Trivia Night

Farm. Fresh. Market.

Spring Plant Sale

Leaning Ladder Olive Oil 105 E. Main Street, Suite 126, WDSTK 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. | $49/person LeaningLadderOliveOil.com Market Street, WDSTK 8:30 a.m. – Noon (Every Saturday) FREE VisitWoodstockGA.com

Reformation Brewery Canton 225 Reformation Pkwy, Canton 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. | FREE EtowahMill.com/Events Cherokee Master Gardeners 1001 Univeter Rd., Canton 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | FREE CherokeeMasterGardeners.com

Market Street, WDSTK 8:30 a.m. – Noon (Every Saturday) FREE VisitWoodstockGA.com

CRPA Leisure Roamers 7545 Main Street, WDSTK 4:30 – 7:30 9.m. | $27 PlayCherokee.org

Falany Performing Arts Center 7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska 7:30 p.m.| $20–$25 Reinhardt.edu/Falany

Farmer's Markets are BACK!

Stock up on fresh Georgia produce at the Woodstock Farm. Fresh. Market.

Garland Mtn. Day Hike

Cherokee Recreation & Parks 1411 Garland Mountain Way, Waleska 10:00 a.m. | $10/person PlayCherokee.org

Cooking Barramundi

Leaning Ladder Olive Oil 105 E. Main Street, Suite 126, WDSTK 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. | $75/person LeaningLadderOliveOil.com

y r [www.EnjoyCherokee.com] 51 51 [www.EnjoyCherokee.com]

“

Still Obsessed.

“

136 Woodstock Square Avenue, Suite 400 Woodstock, GA 30189 | 770.924.3133 Next to Target on Hwy 92 at I-575 in WDSTK

Thank you Art Jewelers for making my little sticky note drawing come to life.

Where Custom is Common.

52

[www.EnjoyCherokee.com]