Enjoy Cherokee Magazine – November/December 2022Enjoy Cherokee is the premier lifestyle magazine for

©BRENDA HARRIS TUSTIAN

LADIES FIRSTCARE

Whether

Bryce Leatherwood From the Dean Rusk Middle School talent show to the stage at NBC’s The Voice, Woodstock native Bryce Leatherwood is following his musical dreams.

A Voice for Veterans

Marine veteran Glenn Wells suffered a difficult childhood, PTSD, and a traumatic brain

See how he faced these obstacles and persevered to become an advocate for veterans.

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Three outside sculptures by metal artist Huelani Mei Fogelman, each representing an important element of the county’s history, are visible on the east side of the new History Center along Marietta Street, offering a taste of what visitors to the museum can enjoy.

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By Rebecca Johnston, Canton Resident

The Cherokee County History Center, opened to the public on November 5, brings to life the rich history of the area, from prehistoric times to the present day. A 4.5-million-dollar renovation and expansion project funded through a capital campaign transformed the former city police station into the compelling space. Along with the informative museum, the 11,000-square-foot facility includes a research library, educational facilities, and archives for History Cherokee’s expansive collection of artifacts, documents, and photographs.

History Cherokee Executive Director Stefanie Joyner explains, “History Cherokee designed the History Center to be a resource for the community. It will be a place for all generations to explore Cherokee County’s history, find preservation resources, and participate in diverse programming. The History Center is a cultural asset, improving the quality of life for Cherokee County residents and visitors.”

Walk Through Time

The museum includes the Main Hall, where visitors are greeted with a video of highlights of Cherokee County’s history, and six galleries with in-depth information from each era in its history featuring compelling exhibits, interactive displays, and captivating artifacts. Each gallery opens off the Main Hall, and the galleries are also connected to allow visitors to walk from one to the next in sequential order.

The compelling history of Cherokee County is on display with the opening of a new state-of-the-art history center and museum in downtown Canton.

Artist Bryan White of Canton painted the striking mural that greets visitors as they first step into the Cherokee County History Center museum’s main hall. The letters of Cherokee contain detailed artwork to spell out the rich history of the community.

DISCOVERGROW BUILD CHANGE PRESERVE YOU ARE HERE

“The new Cherokee County History Center’s exhibits are in chronological order so that visitors can easily trace our county’s history from prehistoric times to the present. It will also make it convenient for them to find certain time periods they may be interested in,” explains Kaylee Johnson, History Cherokee exhibits and collections manager.

Highlights of the History Center include the Native American artifacts exhibit, an 1890s wagon used by the Jones Mercantile company, two theaters playing vintage videos and a documentary, and a race car simulator of Dixie Speedway. Kaylee offers, “There are also electronic touchscreens through the museum to dive a little deeper into the exhibits.”

The archaeology objects on display in the new History Center largely come from a collection donated by Lamar and Mary Fowler Holcomb, according to Kaylee. This collection contains a significant number of artifacts from the Long Swamp archaeology site in Ball Ground.

“The collection is unusual in its scope, containing several pottery bowls and jars, earspools, pipes, carved pottery figurine fragments, beads, and many other items. It is very rare to have such a large and diverse group of objects from a single site. Displaying these artifacts allows the historical society to share thousands of years of different Native American cultures in Cherokee County,” Kaylee points out.

Galleries

Gallery One includes the Paleoindian, Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian periods of local history, as well as the Muscogee/Creek peoples and Cherokee peoples. The gallery, which covers Cherokee County’s history reaching back 13,000 years and up through the 1830s, also has information about the Cherokee removal and the discovery of gold in the county.

Gallery Two picks up with the year 1828 and continues to 1879, presenting information about the earliest European settlers, the years of the Civil War, emancipation, and the Reconstruction years that followed.

Visitors to Gallery Three will learn about the late nineteenth century in Cherokee County, an era that brought growth and revitalization to the county and its towns. The arrival of the railroad system opened the county to increased commerce, and construction of mills helped establish the county’s place as an industrial asset. The era was also marked by racial tensions and the emergence of moonshine, which became a booming business in the county during the Prohibition years. uuu

Lead Edge Design Group—Cherokee Chamber’s 2022 Small Business of the Year— gifted this airport beacon light to the museum. The artifact still works and is from the Cherokee County Regional Airport, which has played a significant role in Cherokee County’s economic growth since it first opened on October 1, 1968.

Cherokee County’s rich mineral resources include various types and colors of marble that were mined in the area and led to a booming marble-finishing industry in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

As the holidays approach, siblings Michael and Alisa Garcia are on a mission to give back to disadvantaged Cherokee County students. Since 2019 the Garcias have touched the lives of nearly two hundred students. They hope to reach even more this year.

The fundraiser, The Glandorf Project, is named in honor of Michael’s fourth-grade teacher who was one of the first educators to instill in him the value of education. “She was a true champion in practicing what she preached, ensuring every student succeeded. The week before we left for winter break, she gifted [each student with] a beanie and a scarf she made herself. Her act of generosity has stuck with me my entire life,” Michael explains.

The Garcias work closely with school administrators to determine which students can benefit from The Glandorf Project. Michael and Alisa deliver the gifts in person and enjoy connecting with students and demonstrating that success outside of the classroom is possible for everyone.

Michael is studying marketing and business at UGA and Alisa is a nursing student at Chattahoochee Technical College. Both are Cherokee High School graduates.

“We are huge advocates in the belief that everyone needs a chance and a champion. Even if in the slightest way we touch the life of one student, our mission is complete,” Michael says.

Sponsorship opportunities are available, and community members can also donate stocking stuffers, toys, and essentials such as school supplies and socks.

For more information on how you can get involved, contact Michael Garcia at michael_garcia1015@yahoo.com.

Gallery Four begins with the Great Depression in the 1930s and continues through the years of World War II and the economic recovery that followed, including the poultry industry, where Cherokee County emerged as a leader in the thriving business of the 1950s and 1960s. Visitors to Gallery Four will also learn about the impact Allatoona Lake has on Cherokee County and the changes in schools, medicine, and communications that impacted the era.

Gallery Five takes visitors through the 1980s to present times, as Cherokee County emerges as a part of the metro Atlanta region with the construction of Interstate 575, a new airport, and exploding growth in population. The gallery also offers educational information on the importance and means of preserving local history. The sixth gallery will present changing exhibits and information about the history of the community.

Learning History

The Cherokee History Center will be a significant educational asset to the community, and Education Manager Harvee White is prepared for people of all ages who want to learn more about the diverse history of Cherokee County. “At the History Center we’ve tried to make history and learning accessible. If you’re wanting to roll up your sleeves and do some heavy research, you can come and use our research library. If you’re wanting something educational but fun to do on a family day or first date, walking through our galleries is perfect. My hope is that even people who don’t love history as much as we do can visit, have a great time, and learn something in the process,” Harvee explains.

The new History Center will also be a resource for Cherokee County schools and students, Harvee points out. “We will be offering field trips. Specifics will be coming soon, but schools can expect the museum experience at a discounted price, catered to the needs of their students,” she says. “Though we are a local history museum, we’ve made it a point to make sure we hit curriculum standards. If we don’t have something specific, teachers can work with me to create something that fits their needs.”

The education manager is also excited about all the History Center offers children. “There are so many different hands-on activities in the museum. Traditionally people think of museums as ‘no-touch zones’ where you have to keep your hands to yourself. We wanted children to feel welcome here, so we have a number of hands-on stations where they can touch replicas and learn through play. We’ll also be rolling out various programs made for children,” she promises.

A group of local volunteers interested in preserving the history of Cherokee County founded the Cherokee County Historical Society in 1975. In 2020 it rebranded itself to become History Cherokee, the sole organization in Cherokee County engaged in collecting, preserving, and interpreting all aspects of the county’s history.

History Cherokee is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization governed by a board of directors. Until 2004 History Cherokee was a volunteer organization, but today it employs several museum professionals dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the region.

Something for Everyone

The Cherokee County History Center offers a visitors center, bookstore, and gift shop with books about local and area history as well as an extensive collection of gifts and merchandise.

Mary Beavers, wife of Confederate soldier John T. Beavers, took care of the family farm during the years her husband was away at war. Mary used her spinning wheel to spin cotton into thread to make the family’s clothing and other items, such as quilts.

In the research library the public can use History Cherokee’s archives to research local history, genealogy, and other topics. The research library is open to the public by appointment on Mondays and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Make an appointment by email at Collections@HistoryCherokee.org or call 770-345-3288 extension 3.

For more information on hours, admission, and ways to be active with the new Cherokee County History Center, visit HistoryCherokee.org. The History Center is located at 221 East Marietta Street in Canton.

770-479-2193 Canton, Georgia

With a “voice like butter,”

according to Grammy-winner Gwen Stefani, Woodstock’s Bryce Leatherwood took the stage on NBC’s The Voice and wowed the coaches with his rendition of “Goodbye Time,” a country classic originally recorded by Conway Twitty and later by Blake Shelton, country megastar and The Voice coach for twenty-two seasons. During Bryce’s Blind Audition performance, which aired September 20, Blake was the first of the coaches to turn his revolving red chair toward the stage—a signature of The Voice’s unique format indicating a coach’s interest in the performer. Gwen Stefani and John Legend also turned their chairs during Bryce’s performance, with John later complimenting the richness of Bryce’s voice. Pop star Camila Cabello, new to The Voice coaching panel this season, praised Bryce’s “incredible voice.” On a lighthearted note, Blake Shelton joked, “Has there ever been a countrier name than Leatherwood?”

Bryce’s journey to The Voice stage began more than a year ago, when he first applied to audition for the Emmy-Award-winning vocal competition. Before auditioning, Bryce shared his dream with his parents: to pursue music professionally after years of developing his sound and style as a performer. Feeling that he had the ability, experience, and education to chase his longtime dream, they encouraged him to “go for it.”

Bryce got an early taste of the spotlight in 2012, winning the Dean Rusk Middle School talent show with a performance of Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours.” The Sequoyah grad continued to hone his talents, and while a student at Georgia Southern University, he sang during an open mic night at Statesboro’s Eagle Creek Brewing Company. Bryce received such a positive reception that he was asked to return the following Friday as a performer. He continued performing patio shows at local venues in the college town, but to be featured on the main stage, he needed a band.

Bryce met Alex Smith at Pladd Dot Music in downtown Statesboro. Alex, who played bass, connected Bryce with guitarist Logan Stephens and drummer Eric Kollars. The quartet formed The Bryce Leatherwood Band and allowed Bryce to focus on being a front man. Alex later left the band, and Jason Kollars stepped in as bassist. Bryce credits his bandmates with supporting his musical journey. “These guys continue to push me and this dream of mine further and further.”

They continued playing gigs in Statesboro and later at venues closer to home, including MadLife Stage and Studios in downtown Woodstock, where the band played its first ticketed show. The sold-out show set a MadLife record for Wednesday-night ticket sales. Bryce recognizes MadLife founders Mike and Kerrie Levi as major supporters of his musical journey.

With support from his family, girlfriend Lexie, bandmates, and hometown fans, Bryce embarked on the audition process for The Voice. In February, after three rounds

ON TO THE KNOCKOUT ROUND

of auditions, Bryce excitedly called his parents with the news: “Your son’s being flown to California.”

By Jaye Grimes, Woodstock Resident

In a whirlwind month Bryce took his final exam at GSU on May 6, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business management on May 10, played his first ticketed and sold-out show on May 18, and was on a plane to Los Angeles by May 30.

Backstage with host Carson Daly, proud parents Cliff and Hope watched their son’s audition and cheered as coaches Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, and John Legend each turned their chairs for a chance to add Bryce to their teams. After the coaches’ comments, Bryce elected to join country superstar Blake, who noted that Bryce hit “the two tough notes” early in the song and remarked that he has “excellent taste in music.” That taste in music was heavily influenced by his beloved grandfather, Jimmy McCallum.

The Voice introduced Bryce in a video showing him visiting his granddaddy’s farm in Lizella, Georgia, just outside his mother’s hometown of Macon. Bryce spent his summers visiting the family farm, where he was introduced to the music of artists such as George Jones, Travis Tritt, and his granddaddy’s favorite: Conway Twitty. Bryce’s classic country influences were unmistakable during his performance, with many fans online calling him a “young George Strait.”

During the Battle Rounds, which featured country artist Jimmie Allen as an advisor for

Watch

Team Blake, competitors perform with another act on their coach’s team, with one advancing to the next round and the other being eliminated from the competition.

Partnered with duo The Dryes for a performance of Brooks & Dunn’s hit “Red Dirt Road,” Bryce was faced with a challenge: standing out as a solo act while singing with the country duo. The panel of coaches commended Bryce’s warm vocals and “calm confidence,” with Blake noting that twenty-two-year-old Bryce performed as if he had experience beyond his years. Backstage, an emotional Bryce shared, “I’m just happy Blake saw the light in me,” after Blake declared him the battle winner.

In a surprise move, Blake then used his Save button to keep The Dryes in the competition as well. Both acts will compete in the Knockouts which feature a new twist: three-way Knockout performances. Knockout winners advance to the live shows, which begin on November 14. Fans then vote to keep their favorite performers in the competition with the grand-prize winner receiving a recording contract. The season finale airs Tuesday, December 13 on NBC.

Photo by: Dave Bjerke/NBC

By Jaye Grimes, Woodstock Resident

VESTA PAQUIN

KIMBERLY EGARIAN VARINI KADAKIA

DANIEL ROBERTSON

PATTY DELVALLE

STEVEN LESTER

ADAM SENSEL

JOEY MANGUM

KAREN MARTIN

GWEN BRAGUE

TRAVIS WALKER

MARLAN YODER

opening its doors in downtown Woodstock in January 2021, Tranquility Fine Arts gallery has operated on the belief that “art inspires hope, comfort, and purpose.” The gallery provides space for fine artists to exhibit and sell their paintings, sculptures, and photography. Shannon Barnes, who owns the gallery with her husband, Mike, is an artist in her own right, following in her father’s artistic footsteps. She is also a licensed and board-certified professional counselor and founder of Tranquility Counseling Services. With the growing prevalence of art therapy as a treatment option for people struggling with mental health, it comes as no surprise that the overarching theme of tranquility applies to both of Shannon’s professional endeavors. In her work with the gallery she has provided a platform for artists to share their original creations with art enthusiasts and collectors. In September the gallery honored twelve of its featured artists in the inaugural VIA Awards, a spotlight on Very Influential Artists in categories that included visual arts, performing arts, and written arts. Shannon says, “The artists who were honored at the VIA ceremony were chosen because they have put in the hard work and dedication needed to achieve a higher skill set while also focusing on planting seeds in the lives of others.” Among the artists celebrated during the ceremony were seven local artists and five from across the country deemed to have reached the Top of the Mountain, the theme of the year’s ceremony.

Steven Lester

After a forty-year career as an art director and creative director in advertising, Steven Lester shifted his focus to fine-art painting, for which he was recognized during the VIA Awards ceremony. As a contemporary narrative painter, Steven specializes in portraiture and figurative work, along with landscapes and stilllife scenes. He works most often in acrylics, sometimes incorporating collage into his paintings. While he has received international recognition for his talent, he acknowledges the importance of having a local outlet to feature his art and the works of other local talents. Steven says, “I have been blessed through the years to have won more than a hundred regional, national, and even international awards, but I could not seem to get much traction in the place where I lived. A little over a year ago I was invited by Tranquility Fine Arts to be represented in its gallery, and since that time, my exposure and reputation have expanded, and my work is now in four area galleries.” In addition to thanking gallery owners Shannon and Mike for reaching out to him in the early days of the gallery, Steven thanked his wife, Rosemary, for her support and for believing in him.

Patty DelValle

The VIA Awards Visual Arts category recognized abstract expressionist Patty DelValle for her work. She shares, "I'm sincerely grateful to Tranquility Fine Arts for choosing me as a recipient of its VIA award. It's my highest goal as an artist to share joy and hope through my paintings. Tranquility not only gives me the opportunity to do that [but also] honored me for doing what I love—that's really special." Patty turned her lifelong love of art into a career nearly six years ago, and her work has since been featured in galleries in Georgia and in her home state of New York, where she was born and raised on Long Island. She now works out of her home studio in Woodstock, where she uses an intuitive approach to creating. She explains that her work often features “gestural mark-making, abstracted shapes, and serene color stories.” Abstract florals are a frequent theme for Patty’s pieces. In addition to being recognized by Tranquility Fine Arts during the awards ceremony, Patty was also recently one of the gallery’s featured artists, exhibiting new works in both acrylic and acrylic mixed media.

Gwen Brague

In the Written Arts category, author Gwen Brague of Woodstock was honored for her best-selling memoir The Beautiful Ugly Truth released by Two Penny Publishing in August 2021. Gwen’s work draws on her personal experiences and centers on recovery following betrayal and loss of trust in marriage.

“The Beautiful Ugly Truth was written during a season of my life that was very difficult. There is no better feeling than to paint pictures with words in hopes to help others heal. Giving to others made all the madness of that season make sense,” explains Gwen of her motivation to share her story. Since the original book release, Gwen followed up with The Beautiful Ugly Truth Study Guide, a corresponding Bible study guide released in August, and also cofounded Reconnecting Lives Ministries with her husband, Mark. During the ceremony she was supported by Mark, whom she thanked and credited for his role in their journey toward recovery and saving their now thirty-year marriage.

Photo Credit: Audrey Grace

Daniel Robertson and Vesta Paquin

Shannon calls photography duo Daniel Robertson and Vesta Paquin, both of Woodstock, the gallery’s “power couple.” Honored at the awards ceremony for their work behind the lens, the couple runs Daniels Photography, specializing in wedding photography and portraiture. While Daniel studied commercial photography in Atlanta and has been featured in bridal magazines, Vesta’s interest in photography began as a hobby along with her love for painting, ceramics, and woodworking.

Vesta credits Dan with reigniting her love for photography. During the awards presentation, Shannon revealed that Dan and Vesta, set to tie the knot in 2023, will be their own wedding photographers.

Marlan Yoder

Woodstock artist Marlan Yoder was recognized for his work in the visual arts category of painting. Like many of the other Very Influential Artists awarded during the ceremony, Marlan’s interest in art began at an early age and was born from natural talent. At fourteen Marlan painted his first piece—a portrait of the legendary Paul McCartney—with oil paints borrowed from his older brother’s art supplies. It would be another twenty years before Marlan pursued art as something more than a hobby. In that time he discovered the works of Jackson Pollock and drew inspiration from Pollock’s abstract expressionism. This influence is most notable in his Ode to Pollock collection but also evident in his Tree of Life series and Pear de Faberge, a recent work displayed at the gallery. Of the ceremony Marlan says, “The work of an artist can be a lonely endeavor, so rubbing shoulders with my peers at the ceremony was a rare joy.” He also acknowledged the benefit of partnering with the gallery. “Shannon and Mike at Tranquility Fine Arts have been great to work with. They put the artists first, which is not always the case with galleries.”

Photo Credit: Mileshko

Photo

Joey Mangum

A highlight of the ceremony was a performance by Waleska native Joey Mangum, fittingly honored for their work in the performing arts. Singing “Someone To Fall Back On” written by musical theater composer Jason Robert Brown, Joey filled the room with their voice and captivating stage presence.

The KSU-grad is no stranger to stages both big and small, having been among a group of students selected to perform with Tony- and Emmy-Awardwinning actress Kristin Chenoweth at a gala for Atlanta’s ArtsBridge Foundation. During their acceptance speech, Joey—who identifies as non-binary—acknowledged the importance of recognition and visibility in the arts and beyond. Specifically they want to help others in the LGBTQ+ community feel represented in a way they weren’t represented while growing up. For Joey especially, the VIA Awards were a chance to quiet the little voice that says, “You’re not good enough.” While in KSU’s Theatre and Performance Studies Department, Joey was active on stage and ready to pursue a postgrad career on stage, but the pandemic rocked the world and had a devastating impact on the performing arts community.

Many artists find their voices through their art, and for performing artists like Joey, the inability to pursue their art left them struggling with their mental health. Of that time Joey reflects, “With COVID the world was holding its breath, and the suffocation started to

smother me. My mental health declined, and so did my ability to believe in myself as an artist. Within a couple of years all the confidence I had fostered in school was unlearned, and I was back at square one. Everything felt unobtainable, and it was almost as if my passion for music and acting—something I had been dreaming of doing for over twenty years—had wandered out of reach as well.” Joey cites their performance during the ceremony as “a reminder of why I enjoy performing.”

A natural introvert, Joey uses music and performing as a way to connect with others. “When I sing I get a feeling almost like brushing souls with people. I feel like on some transcendental level, regardless of how we’re the same or different, there’s a visibility. I see and understand everyone in the room, and at the same time they all see and understand me. It’s powerful stuff, and I don’t think I can properly thank Tranquility enough for believing in me and reigniting that spark."

In addition to the local artists honored during the ceremony, five artists from across the country were also recognized for their contributions to the arts: Karen Martin of Ohio, Travis Walker of Texas, Adam Sensel of North Carolina, Kimberly Egarian of New Jersey, and Varini Kadakia of California. At thirteen Varini was the youngest award winner of the evening. While several of the out-of-state honorees could not travel to attend the ceremony, painter and sculptor Karen Martin was in attendance to receive her award and thanked her family and friends for being her cheerleaders. She also spoke about the support of fellow artists and the significance of gathering with such a talented group of artists.

The gallery plans to continue spotlighting artists locally and nationwide who share the gallery’s mission of inspiring hope, comfort, and purpose in the lives of others through the arts. Shannon shares that next year’s awards “will focus on art with a purpose.” Nominees are currently being accepted for the 2023 VIA Awards on the gallery website, TranquilityFineArts.com.

By Leana Conway, Woodstock Resident

We civilians can never fully understand the life of an American soldier. We have not walked in their worn boots, we have not witnessed the horrors they have seen, and we do not carry the memories they wish they could forget.

We can only listen to their stories and attempt to grasp the sacrifices they made for our country.

The following story is of a Marine who lives here in Cherokee County. No one has given him anything in life, yet he has been to more than one hundred countries, obtained four degrees, including a law degree, performed top-secret covert missions, and served his country for twenty-one years.

Hear the story of Glenn “Flash” Wells and you’ll have a renewed sense of gratitude for him and all American military families.

GLENN has a broad, infectious smile; he seems like the kind of fun-loving guy you would want on your cornhole team.

If you coax him to tell you about his past, though, you will understand the strength of character he possesses.

Glenn Wells was born March 2, 1976, in Chicago. His home life was far from ideal. His father was gone, and Glenn lived in poverty, feeling more like a hindrance than a child. He endured stepfathers and others who came in and out of his life, and many were abusive. It was a hard start, but Glenn doesn’t dwell on it. He waves it away and points out, “If I live as a victim, I never get ahead.” That’s all he will say on that subject, which speaks volumes.

Desperate to escape the toxic environment, Glenn moved out of his childhood house at sixteen, homeless and couch-surfing, eating when and where he could. One bright spot in that dark time was the help of two teachers at school who recognized that Glenn had potential but needed a little help, so they paid for him to go to community college to study welding.

Attending high school during the day and welding classes at night, all the while with no home, soon drove Glenn to a breaking point. He dropped out of school and was on the road to nowhere. He was eighteen and knew he had to do something, so he went to the nearest recruiting center and said, “Dude, you’ve got to get me into the Marines.”

The Few. The Proud. The Marines. For most people boot camp is a living hell. Its purpose is to test recruits’ physical, mental, and moral toughness over thirteen grueling weeks. Drill instructors go to the extreme, screaming at recruits, purposefully treating them as though they are less than human. In boot camp Marine recruits are pushed to their physical and mental limits.

Glenn, however, revels in the memories.

“I loved boot camp. I had never had food security before, but I knew I would get fed every few hours. They gave me a mattress, a blanket, and a pillow. When I got disciplined, it was to correct something I did wrong. Growing up I would get beaten up for no reason. Yeah,” Glenn says with a grin, “boot camp was awesome.” In the Marines a young Glenn felt a sense of stability for the first time in his life, and he thrived.

When the San Diego boot camp ended in May 1995, Glenn reported to his first infantry unit, 1st Battalion 6th Marines at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

When Flash Met Mookie

On a weekend leave, Glenn and some buddies headed to Myrtle Beach to meet girls. But Glenn didn’t meet girls—he met the girl. On arrival at the beach, he noticed a pretty student nurse named Amy. He had caught her eye too, and she recalls thinking he was super cute. According to both, they talked and slowly drifted away from their friends. A usually reserved Amy found Glenn “so easy to talk to.” They talked all night, in fact, and ended up on the beach. As the sun rose on the Atlantic Ocean, Glenn told Amy, “One day I’m going to marry you.” In Amy’s sweet smile, Glenn saw his home. uuu

(top) After a chance meeting in Myrtle Beach in June 1996, Glenn and Amy tied the knot in August 1998. They recently celebrated their twenty-fourth wedding anniversary with a thirteen-mile hike near Amicalola Falls.

(center) The Daily News of Jacksonville, North Carolina, documented the emotional day in 2003 when Glenn returned from deployment in Iraq and met newborn daughter Gillian for the first time.

(bottom) Glenn, Amy, Allyson, and Mairin—pictured here in 2021—embrace the outdoors and enjoy family hikes, mountain biking, and kayaking in beautiful North Georgia.

An equally charmed Amy went home and told her father, “I met the man I’m going to marry.” She did just that on August 22, 1998.

In their first year of marriage, the Wellses spent a total of two weeks together. The military marriage proved challenging right out of the gate.

Glenn and Amy—lovingly nicknamed Flash and Mookie—have three daughters. Glenn adopted their eldest, Allyson, when the couple married, and as Glenn puts it, “She is 100 percent my daughter. She’s even stubborn like me.” He grins. Their second daughter, Gillian, was born in 2003 while Glenn was part of the infantry pushing coalition forces through to Baghdad, Iraq. In precious family photos, Gillian’s face shows a delightful mixture of her parents. Tragically little Gillian died of sudden infant death syndrome at just nine months old. Glenn, who makes it a practice to look only forward in life, says his one regret is that he spent only three weeks with Gillian.

“I never even got to know my baby girl, and then she passed away. I thought there would be so many years to do that.”

The heart-shattering tragedy of losing a child, the physical distance between Glenn and Amy, and the nature of Glenn’s job weighed heavily on the family. While deployed Glenn witnessed Special Operations Force Reconnaissance—often called Force Recon or FORECON—in helicopters going after high-value targets. Glenn felt it was where he could make the most significant impact and decided to pursue a future in Force Reconnaissance.

Signature Wounds and Silent Suffering

Force Recon is for the toughest and the bravest. Its motto is “Swift, Silent, Deadly.”

The training is so intense that out of eighty Marines chosen to train, Glenn was one of only three to pass. When asked how he made it through the physical and emotional exhaustion and extreme pain, he chuckles.

“Truthfully, I hated those guys who were testing us so much there was no way I was letting them win. I didn’t say it out loud, but I was thinking I will never quit in front of you people.”

The following years were a blur of deployments worldwide and tours to Iraq and Afghanistan. During his career Glenn shot hundreds of thousands of bullets from various weapons systems and says each shot felt like small explosions to the body.

In the line of duty Glenn was knocked unconscious three times. The physical and emotional tolls on Glenn were staggering. He lost numerous friends, many right before his eyes in combat and many to suicide.

Glenn grimly discusses the statistic that twenty-two U.S. service members commit suicide daily. In an attempt to explain the hopeless feeling behind the rising number of suicides, Glenn looks away and says, “Society needs to understand they pay you to be a soldier; your job is to be a brutal and violent person. Then you come back home and are expected to go back to being a person you aren’t anymore, and you don’t fit in, and you have all this pain, anger, and physical damage no one can see—and no one wants you to talk about it. I was in a lot of pain and didn’t understand I had a traumatic brain injury [TBI].”

TBIs have been called the “signature wound” of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. The symptoms include psychological problems, headaches, nausea, seizures, communication aphasia, coordination problems, vision problems, and more. Glenn was also suffering from survivor’s guilt and post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD]. Back then, mental trauma and disorders carried a heavier stigma and weren’t often discussed, for fear of backlash, discrimination, and expulsion from the military—often the one place soldiers felt that they fit in.

All these events looked different to Amy, almost as though she were an outsider looking in. Slowly Glenn had changed. He became angrier and distant. She recalls starting to look forward to his deployments, so she didn’t have to deal with his emotional state. Amy shares, “I never feared him personally, but I was afraid for the drywall. I was working and raising two kids and trying to grieve another. I just wanted things to be peaceful. It was easier when he was gone, even though I had to be a single parent.”

When talking about all the things Glenn went through on his deployments, Amy pauses and says,

Glenn saved people too, you know. I bet he didn’t tell you that.

hadn’t.

What pulled Glenn back from the brink?

Glenn credits Amy for being rock solid. He also says you need to take the help people offer you.

The military offered free college classes while he was in the service, so Glenn earned four degrees between 2013 and 2020—an associate of science, a bachelor of business administration, a master of science in organizational leadership, and a juris doctor degree. He later went on to pass the Georgia bar exam.

All of Glenn’s academic achievements were hard won. The damage he suffered from deployments had been cumulative and the changes were slow, so Amy and Glenn didn’t fully grasp how significant his PTSD and TBI were until he met the right people. He had been suffering silently, soldiering on like he was trained, despite tremendous pain.

Glenn felt comfortable enough to seek help under the colonel’s firm but compassionate leadership.

Amy recalls she could see the difference in him. “When he came home for our daughter Allyson’s high school graduation, I was surprised to find out I enjoyed his company again. He seemed different.”

The Road to Real Recovery

Upon his retirement, Glenn returned to the United States and continued his schooling. He was starting to feel better, but not great. Still challenging himself academically, he enrolled in law school. The rigor of school kicked Glenn’s TBI symptoms into overdrive. His headaches grew worse. He was dizzy and nauseated all the time. During his first exam he passed out halfway through and had to sit in a chair for four hours until he could see and stand and felt well enough to go home.

Toward the end of his service Glenn asked to be stationed without his family in Okinawa, Japan. Things at home were tense. Amy had mentally packed her bags, and Glenn felt sure the marriage was over. Luckily Glenn landed under the leadership of Battalion Commander Eric Thompson, who Glenn remembers as the best battalion commander he ever served under. uuu

Thankfully for Glenn, a fellow student—a medical doctor in a wheelchair—observed him and felt sure that Glenn had suffered a traumatic brain injury. He told Glenn, “You need to go to the Shepherd Center and go through the SHARE program.” SHARE stands for Shaping Hope and Recovery Excellence.

(above) After graduating from Georgia State University in 2020, Glenn worked as Assistant District Attorney for the Cherokee County Office of the District Attorney and served as the District Attorney’s representative at the Cherokee County Veterans Treatment Court (CCVTC). He now works as an Attorney-Advisor for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Glenn was skeptical. He didn’t have time; he was in law school. Besides, who would pay for it?

After Glenn was evaluated and officially diagnosed as suffering from a TBI, he found out the SHARE program would be paid for entirely by Shepherd’s Men, and the program was customized to fit Glenn’s schedule and needs.

The SHARE military initiative is a comprehensive eight- to twelve-week rehabilitation program that focuses on assessing and treating service members who from military service have symptoms of PTSD or who have sustained a mild to moderate TBI. The SHARE team rehabilitates injured veterans and facilitates their return to their families and communities. The program covers a wide range of care, including housing, physical and occupational rehabilitation, speech pathology, recreation therapy, nursing, case management, neuropsychology, psychology, counseling, chaplaincy, and counseling for substance abuse. Glenn is one of more than 750 service members who have benefited from the SHARE program so far.

Glenn shares a laugh with Travis Ellis, cofounder of the Shepherd’s Men organization. Since 2014 Shepherd’s Men volunteers have run over 5,000 miles and raised more than $6 million dollars for the SHARE military initiative.

The Shepherd’s Men volunteer group raises awareness and funds for the program, to help service members afford the care the SHARE military initiative provides. Made up of active and retired servicemen and civilian volunteers, the Shepherd’s Men understand the need for the program and have raised more than $6 million in their efforts to support the program.

While Glenn was working toward his juris doctor degree, volunteering, and spending much-needed time with his family, he lived at the Shepherd Center for six months. He returned for subsequent treatments after leaving the center. A life coach also often continues to work with clients after their discharge to ensure the soldiers have the resources to continue their recovery.

Home in a Hallmark Town

Today Glenn is amazed by what the SHARE program did for him, “God bless them. They took me and addressed every part of me—physical, mental, and emotional—and got me to a great place. My knees and shoulders had been badly damaged from explosions, carrying heavy weights, and jumping out of helicopters. I’m not sure what would have happened if it weren’t for them. After I went through the program at the Shepherd Center, my suicidal ideation finally went away.”

After passing the Georgia bar exam, Glenn worked as prosecutor assistant to the Cherokee County district attorney. Glenn loved the job and says he learned a great deal about ethics and morals in the role. The Veterans Administration then called and offered him a job with

too many perks to turn down, so Glenn became an attorneyadvisor at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where he works today.

When Glenn retired from the military in 2016, he and Amy could retire anywhere they wanted, and they chose Woodstock, Georgia. They call it their “Hallmark town.” It does feel like a Hallmark town while Amy, Glenn, and I sit outside on the Reformation Brewery lawn, chatting under the shade of a giant tree.

This military family’s story has a happy ending. Unfortunately the same is not usually the case, as statistics show 85 percent of marriages in the military end in divorce. Glenn makes it clear that Amy is the main reason he is still here and they are still married. He says she is the rock that held the family together.

Amy gave a speech when Glenn retired from the military, and her words best characterize their relationship with each other and the country they both served.

When you are a military spouse, you plan for the unwanted, the unexpected, and the terrifying reality that your husband could die. You know exactly what he wants in the way of a funeral.

“Being a military spouse requires mental strength you never knew you had until you deal with matters as fragile as this. And with every death that surrounds you, you are secretly grateful that it isn’t your husband that got killed, and an instant after that thought, you are ashamed you were grateful.

“But aside from all the bad that comes along with being a military spouse, there is also much good.

“Nothing beats the feeling of a homecoming when your man has been away for many months. Up through his very last deployment, I still got butterflies, knowing I was going to have those strong arms wrapped around me again. It was the best feeling in the world.

“Knowing your husband did courageous, brave, and honorable work to protect our country and our freedom is also the best feeling in this world.

Life for the Wells family is on a nice even keel these days. Amy is a registered nurse at Northside Heart, an outpatient cardiology clinic for Northside Hospital. Glenn works remotely for the Veterans Administration. The Wells girls are thriving. The youngest, Mairin, is graduating from high school in May and plans to become a pilot. Any chance they get, the family goes exploring the country in their RV.

When asked what they hoped would come from this article, their answers were similar. Glenn reflected, “Nobody owes me anything. I would just love for people to come on out to MilVet community meet-ups on the first Monday of every month, meet the veterans, and hear their stories.”

Amy says this about sharing her family’s story: “Military families and hurting veterans need to be heard.”

It is an honor to have the Wells family in our little Hallmark town. As a couple Glenn and Amy have sacrificed greatly the protect our country and all the little Hallmark towns like ours.

For more information about SHARE, call 404-603-4314 or email ShareAdmissions@Shepherd.org.

MILVET

By Jaye Grimes, Woodstock Resident

“connections between veterans and community members as well as to provide a centralized digital location for information and resources that benefit military veterans, current servicemembers, and military families. The group’s cofounders—Tim Young, Tom Stratton, Glenn Wells, and Jason Quinn—are each local veterans who recognized the need for veterans’ resources in Cherokee County and beyond.

Recognizing the Need

"We wanted to create a community where military, veterans, and their families can connect,” shares Tim Young, a former Marine who understands the importance of a team environment and brings a positive energy to his role within the group.

Elaborating on the motivation behind creating the group, Tom Stratton says the group promotes volunteerism for veterans in addition to acting as a bulletin board to coordinate events. “We allow veterans to choose their level of involvement. They can participate as much as they like, and we try to help facilitate that. There is no rank or ownership, just activism.” Like Glenn Wells, featured in our A Voice for Veterans story on page 16, Army vet Tom also suffered a TBI during his service with the military. Following the injury from an IED blast in Iraq, Tom reports, “I suffered a lot of challenges when I came home due to a very cumbersome VA and a lack of programs that supported returning veterans. I made it through the long way around.

Jason Quinn adds, “We have more than 14,000 veterans in Cherokee County. Imagine if we could get all of them in the same place at the same time. The impact would be astronomical for our community. MilVet is about connecting with fellow veterans, providing for one another, and strengthening our community.” According to census.gov, veterans make up an estimated 5 percent of the Cherokee County population. While many are still of working age, transitioning from a military career to the civilian workforce can often prove challenging. Research shows that veterans are usually strong problem solvers and critical thinkers, reliable team players, and natural leaders. MilVet provides resources to help connect veterans with employers who value their skills, character, and service.

Focusing on the Future

In addition to providing resources to veterans in their post-military careers, MilVet community also welcomes young people considering a future in the military. In 2021 more than fifty of Cherokee County School District’s graduating seniors committed to military service; in 2022 that total grew to over sixty. Several members of the MilVet Community have even watched their children follow in their footsteps and enlist in the military.

With a focus on community, the MilVet group has also made connections with other local veterans groups, including Cherokee Veterans Community

I am so proud to have the MilVet Community organizing in our city... We couldn’t ask for a better example of American exceptionalism at work.

— Mayor Michael Caldwell, Woodstock

The group meets at Reformation Brewery’s Woodstock location on the first Monday of each month. On November 7, the group hosted a Chili Cook-Off.

bottom right Lindsay Miller enjoys an animated chat with Augie Olsen.

and the Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program. “MilVet does not want to take away from other veterans organizations; our entire goal is to enhance veteran awareness and community,” explains Glenn.

Members of the group also recently met with Woodstock Mayor Michael Caldwell to discuss veteran causes, volunteerism, and leadership in the community. Mayor Caldwell shares, “I am so proud to have the MilVet Community organizing in our city. This group of decorated veterans represents the best America has to offer, and they are showing that excellence by investing back into veterans in need and their community at large. We couldn't ask for a better example of American exceptionalism at work.”

The group is in the process of applying for 501(c)(3) status and currently has the support of community sponsors Shepherd’s Men, volunteers raising awareness and funds for the SHARE Military Initiative at Atlanta’s Shepherd Center, and Reformation Brewery, which offers a 25 percent discount to veterans year-round.

MilVet Community meets at Reformation Brewery’s Woodstock location on the first Monday of each month—head downtown to join Tim, Tom, Glenn, Jason, and more local veterans for community, conversation, and a cold one.

top right

Several members of the MilVet Community, including proud dad Jason Quinn (right) with his son Joseph (left), have watched their children follow in their footsteps and enlist in the military.

Tim, Glenn, A.J., Jason, and Travis enjoy an evening on the deck at Reformation Brewery.

Jason Quinn, Glenn Wells, Don Long, Tim Young, Tom Stratton, Don Nelson, Augie Olsen, and Larry Parscale

At The Walker School in Marietta, Tara explored her passions for art and fashion. While at the school she worked on her piece what is light? of which she says:

“In this piece, light is what burns in our hearts and souls. This light provides hope that our eternal God will redeem us. The people in this piece use their inner light to create an image of a fire, even though the fire is not actually there. The power of the mind is also shown in this piece as they are creating imaginary flames to provide warmth.”

By Emma Tyler, Canton Resident

A Passion for the Arts

Tara Dietzel’s passion for fashion soared when she attended The Walker School, a private school with an award-winning fine arts department. Ardent about creativity, Tara practiced many forms of art, including sewing, sculpting, painting, and drawing. Although she enjoyed school, she dreamed bigger dreams of living in New York City.

Through determination and practice, Tara now attends the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. “The process was extremely difficult,” recalls Tara of the admissions process for the prestigious school. In addition to completing the application process, Tara submitted a detailed portfolio with original outfit designs, sewing projects, mood boards, and samples of her work.

Embracing Her Faith

From Tara’s perspective, each stroke of paint on every canvas holds a deep meaning. A specific piece titled what is light represents her devotion to the Hebrew prayer Modeh Ani, meaning “I give thanks,” which is recited every morning. The prayer states, “I gratefully thank You, O living and eternal King, for You have returned my soul within me with compassion—abundant is Your faithfulness.” Tara explains, “I interpreted the concept of light to mean many things in relation to the parallels between my religion, spirit, essence, and the concept of light. After years of battling in the darkness, I found my inner light that guides me in the right direction.”

Tara further elaborates on the importance of light in Judaism, with the cradle of her religion being the story of the burning bush and Moses. Because of the profound importance of the concept of light within Judaism, Jewish people light and bless candles every Friday night to honor the Shabbat or Sabbath, traditionally celebrated from Friday evening through Saturday evening. The lighting of the menorah is also essential in Hanukkah traditions, serving as a symbol for God’s eternal flame and for the nation of Israel’s mission to be “a light unto the nations.” Throughout Tara’s artwork, she depicts her own representation of light through flames and sunbeams.

Fulfilling your dreams may sometimes seem impossible, but perseverance and strength can push you toward your goals.

Take it from Tara Dietzel, a small-town girl from Cherokee County who pursued her desire of moving to The Big Apple.

Tara’s works have been featured at the Woodstock Arts Reeves House, the Georgia State Capitol, and the RobertKent Galleries in Marietta [pictured].

Tara attended the Haute & Holy Fashion Panel hosted by Mana Contemporary, where panelists discussed how religions are represented in fashion.

Growing Pride

Growing up in an area where most of Tara’s peers celebrated Christmas took an emotional toll on her. She often felt like an outcast, constantly judged for her beliefs and differences. At a young age she felt jealous and uncomfortable, seeing so many children dismiss her traditions in favor of theirs.

Tara expresses, “As I grow, I continue to take pride in my religion, because it plays a significant factor in who I am. I no longer feel any sense of embarrassment, but rather, I feel empowered.” Now Tara isn’t shy about expressing both her religious views and passion for art. They coincide, creating masterpieces of inspiration that range from her personal journeys to the history of the Jewish people. Other pieces of her work represent both the horrors of the Holocaust and envy that disrupts the light that Jewish people admire so deeply. Through artistic visuals, Tara brings attention to her religion and aspirations.

Tara proves that through will and growth, anyone can accomplish their dreams if they don’t cast their dreams aside.

This year Hanukkah will be celebrated from Sunday, December 18, through Monday, December 26.

The city of Acworth hosts an annual menorah lighting event at Logan Farm Park . Learn more at Acworth.org.

The Festival of Lights

The celebration of Hanukkah includes a variety of nonreligious and religious traditions . Some of the nonreligious customs include songs, games, festive meals, and gifts for children . While you may have heard of the dreidel that many children play with during this time, you might not know what the Hebrew letters on the tops represent They form the initials of the phrase nes gadol haya sham, which translates to “a great miracle happened there.”

The utmost important detail of all Hanukkah traditions is the lighting of the menorah, called a Hanukkiah, each evening It recalls the Temple lampstand and can be either a simple or elaborate candelabra with eight branches plus a holder included for the shammash, which is used to light the other eight candles from left to right, the way Hebrew text is written . Along with the importance of the menorah come the values in the daily reading of scripture, recitation of some of the psalms, almsgiving, and singing of a special hymn The liturgy includes Hallel—Hebrew for praise—along with public readings from the Torah and the al HaNissim (“for the miracles”) prayer

Much of the magic of Christmas is associated with colorful twinkling lights, from the first time a little one sees the Christmas tree all aglow to fond memories of driving around town admiring the neighbors’ light displays. Recapture that magic this year with Holiday Lights at Veterans Park, celebrating its sixth year of bringing Christmas joy to Cherokee County.

Holiday Lights 5K

The team at 112 Events will light up Cherokee County beginning November 19. The season will officially kick off with the Holiday Lights 5K event on November 19 at 6:00 p.m. when participants run, jog, or walk the 5K course through the display.

Funds raised will benefit SERV Food Local, a locally focused program of SERV International, which works together with a community of volunteers and monthly donors to change the lives of local families in need. In 2021 the SERV program served more than 33,000 individuals in ten Georgia counties, distributing a quantity of food valued at more than a million dollars.

Drive-Through Magic

Following the race the park opens to vehicles at 8:00 p.m. Along the course, just under two miles, nearly two and a half million lights will be on dazzling display, almost a quarter million more lights than last year’s display. Also new this year are fifteen new animated displays and many more trees, according to event organizer Mark Lallathin of 112 Events. Along with business partner David Pitts, Mark has been making the holidays merrier for more than a decade. The duo has been putting on the Holiday Lights of Hope walk-through light display at Hobgood Park in Woodstock for eleven years. Cherokee County officials then asked them to “share some love” with the northern part of

the county. Offering their insight and advice during the planning stages of Cherokee Veterans Park, Mark and David worked with Georgia Power and the Parks system to plan the power grid that supports the park, making it ideal for the annual display. The business partners then took what they learned through their involvement at Hobgood Park and worked together to convert the new display from a walk-through to a drive-through experience.

It Takes a (Christmas) Village

Although Mark and David have been the driving force behind organizing the annual event, it takes more than two to make it happen. Mark says that while there are days when it’s just him and David working on the displays, most often they have the help of community volunteers, including teams from SERV International and F3 Cherokee, a local division of F3 Nation, an organization that promotes free peer-led workouts for men. Mark laughs a bit as he remarks that the guys from F3 Cherokee usually handle the “heavy-lifting.” With an average of four to ten helpers a day, it typically takes about three weeks to put the entire display together and about one week to take it all down after the holidays.

Merry Motoring

Since 2016 the event has delighted hundreds of thousands of visitors from near and far. Mark says visitors from all fifty states drove through the magnificent exhibit at Cherokee Veterans Park during the 2021 season. Discover the delightful drive for yourself this holiday season! As you drive through, tune the car radio to WLJA Radio 101.1 FM for nonstop Christmas music to set the holiday mood. WLJA is an award-winning station dedicated to community service and a proud annual sponsor of Holiday Lights at Veterans Park.

J. Thompson Ross Investments:

Final Tax Saving Moves Before Dec. 31

Proactive investors know that the months before yearend can be an ideal time to make strategic adjustments.

While keeping your long-term investment goals in mind, meet with your advisor and coordinate with a tax professional to examine nuances and changes that could impact your typical year-end planning.

Mind Your RMDs

Ensure you comply with required minimum distributions (RMDs) rules, as some have changed throughout the pandemic.

Investors born before July 1, 1949, are required to take RMDs from their IRAs. A 50% tax penalty will be taken on amounts not withdrawn to meet the RMD. (Some exceptions may apply.)

To Harvest or Not to Harvest

You may benefit from tax-loss harvesting—selling a losing investment to offset gains. The first $3,000 (single or married filing jointly) offsets ordinary income. Excess losses also can be carried forward to future years. Your advisor can help examine the following for a potential decreased tax bill:

• Short-term gains are taxed at a higher marginal rate; aim to reduce those first.

• Don’t disrupt your long-term investment strategy when harvesting losses.

• Be aware of “wash sale” rules that affect new purchases before and after the sale of a security.

Manage Your Income and Deductions

If you are at or near the next tax bracket, pay attention to things that may bump you up. Reducing taxable income before December 31 may help.

• Consider accelerating deductions or defering income to minimize tax liability. Some companies may allow you to defer bonuses.

• Specific retirement plans can help defer taxes. Contributing to a traditional 401(k) allows you to pay income tax only when you withdraw money from the plan in the future, by then your income and tax rate may be lower or you may have more deductions. (Some exceptions may apply.)

• Evaluate your income sources—earned income, corporate bonds, municipal bonds, qualified dividends, etc.—to help reduce the overall tax impact.

Evaluate Life Changes

Life changes may have happened in 2022. Share these changes with your advisor and ask how they may affect your year-end planning. For example, moving to a new state with even slight taxation differences can significantly impact your taxes and estate planning. Give thought to your, and your family members’, life changes as job changes, births, deaths, weddings, divorces, etc., can necessitate changes. Also, don’t forget to update your estate documents accordingly.

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 Services.

By James Walters

the Georgia National Cemetery [GNC] in Canton, a group of dedicated volunteers assist family members of veterans to secure a final resting place for their lost loved ones. All these volunteers are veterans themselves and take great pride in serving their country again—this time by donning a uniform of blue blazer, white shirt, gray slacks, and a necktie with a U.S. flag motif. All wear a lapel pin shaped like a folded U.S. burial flag. Some travel round-trip more than a hundred miles just to volunteer their time to ensure a veteran is given proper honors at a committal shelter near one of several gardens of stone nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Of the 135 national cemeteries, none has a team of volunteers quite like the one at GNC.

Each volunteer is also a member of the Georgia National Cemetery Advisory Council [GNCAC], a group of veterans and concerned citizens who help raise funds to support the Wreaths Across America program and other patriotic ceremonies in the cemetery throughout the year, including Memorial Day. Just last June, after six years of dedicated fundraising resulting in more than $415,000, the GNCAC hosted a formal dedication for the forty-foot-tall Veterans Tribute Carillon Tower that plays music for all to hear across the hills of those sacred grounds. Installed in May 2020 on one of highest points in the cemetery, the tower serves as a beacon of appreciation for the heroic actions of America’s military service members past and present.

Every deceased veteran can receive honors, including a sharply folded burial flag. When service members are retired from service or die while on active duty, they are eligible to receive full honors during their funeral. When full honors are rendered, the precision of three rifle volleys are followed by the mournful sound from a lone bugler playing “Taps,” which gently floats across the beautifully landscaped gardens among the 775 rolling acres the cemetery spans.

The cemetery is indeed a meaningful and beautiful place made possible by a donation of land from Dallas Scott Hudgens, Jr., a Georgia native and Army veteran who survived D-Day at Normandy on June 6, 1944. He didn’t see home again until after the war in Europe ended in April 1945, by which time he had fought at the Siegfried Line, Hurton Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. After returning to the Atlanta area, Scott became a very successful businessman and philanthropist, always giving

back to his community and state. His likeness is mounted on a bronze plaque on Georgia marble just a few feet from a large American flag near the center of the cemetery. In his honor the road leading to the cemetery, once called Mount Carmel Church Lane, was renamed Scott Hudgens Drive.

Every day at Georgia National Cemetery is like Memorial Day, and I am extremely humbled and proud to be one of the volunteers serving once again. —James Walters

Sponsora

Along with the Woodstock Downtown Development Authority, Made Mercantile received the Small Redevelopment of the Year Award at the 2022 Metro Atlanta Redevelopment Summit hosted in October. The event awards industry leaders, features current projects, and spotlights revitalization trends and practices. Chairman of the Woodstock Development Authority Spencer Nix accepted the award and shared, “It’s inspiring to see the community of makers that have embraced this public private partnership. Woodstock’s makers space is the result of a lot of good planning combined with a lot of good people.”

MADE FROM THE HEART

MADE MERCANTILE

Brings Art and Craft Diversity to Cherokee County

By Meghan Lindstrom, Woodstock Resident

Made Mercantile is located at 8636 Main Street in Woodstock.

Walk into Made Mercantile on Main Street in Woodstock, and you step into a world of creative liberty. Warm greetings and a cozy, eclectic feel welcome you. Art of various media fills every nook and cranny along the walls, tables, and even the floors. Peek past the shop space, and you’ll see local artists creating new pieces at large worktables.

A PLACE TO CREATE

Made Mercantile is a distinctive gem. The brick-andmortar structure hosts many local artists and represents a steppingstone for small businesses and creative start-ups. Art businesses often begin as home-based endeavors, but Made Mercantile gives artistic entrepreneurs a place to create, experiment, and thrive. Through a membership program, the collaborative coworking space offers makers a workspace, access to the retail shop, and educational and promotional opportunities.

Madison Beaulieu, operations manager for Made Mercantile, explains, “There is a great maker community in Woodstock, but [makers] were struggling to find places to test products and get real-time feedback from customers. Pop-up shops are amazing, but they can get you only so far. We needed a community workspace, retail space to test products, and space to host classes, events, and meetings.”

A maker herself, Madison is the creator and founder of Beau Paper Co. and a longtime supporter of fellow creatives. She has been coordinating the Maker’s Mash events at Reformation Brewery since 2017. The Maker’s Mash series features local artisans in a curated pop-up shop setting. Through those experiences she saw the need for a space like Made Mercantile and dreamed for it to come to life.

After Madison brought her idea to the city of Woodstock in 2018, Director of Economic Development Brian Stockton reached out to her with plans to renovate a vacant space on Main Street to create Made Mercantile. By October 2020, Made Mercantile was ready to open for members. A month later the doors opened for customers to shop individuallycurated items made right there.

and furthers one of our city council’s main goals of attracting businesses to our city.” The program is unique to the city of Woodstock and has helped a number of makers turn their passions into thriving businesses.

Made Mercantile has been pivotal for members like Sylvia Smith, maker behind Sylvia Draws. Sylvia has been a member since July, and already the experience has exceeded her expectations. She joined because she longed for a creative community and wanted a place to take her creations to the next level. “I love that I can go into Made Mercantile and be surrounded by other makers doing what they love. Made Mercantile is the perfect platform for creatives like me to network, learn, and gain exposure to a wider audience. The ability to create a new item and test it immediately in-store is unparalleled. There is almost always someone around the workspace to ask for feedback and critique or to be a model for a jewelry photoshoot—true story!” she exclaims with a light laugh. “It is also inspiring to see what the other makers are creating and share our knowledge and experiences with each other. The studio is always buzzing with exciting creative vibes, and it makes me energized to push myself and my work.” You can find Sylvia’s work in the retail space, featuring brightly-colored laser cut jewelry, enamel pins, art prints, and stickers.

ART AND SOUL

Local creators make Cherokee a lively community. Sylvia explains, “The arts are an important aspect to any vibrant community, and it is wonderful to see that the city of Woodstock recognizes the importance of fostering the arts.” The city’s support makes Sylvia and other artists proud to call Woodstock home.

Madison adds, “Art shows the real heart and soul of a community. There’s nothing like lighting a candle and knowing who made it and where. There is something very satisfying about purchasing art and feeling like your community is represented. Local makers are one way a community can find its identity and stay true through growth.”

Made Mercantile has since flourished and continues to stick to the mission of helping local businesses grow in the community through a collaborative environment. It offers a membership program for future mom-and-pop shops and a storefront where customers can purchase items that help the businesses grow. It also offers classes and workshops to locals who want to learn new trades.

Brian explains, “The program, like any coworking-type space, provides business owners who want to test the market or are looking to grow their existing business an easy entry location to a retail market. Our hope is that once they finish the program, they move into their own retail or manufacturing space in Woodstock, which creates a win-win for all parties

Community residents can foster the diverse makerspace and show support by swinging by the retail space to shop all the new creations. The majority of the shop is filled with local handmade goods that are made on-site.

Another way to show support for the local makers is to participate in a class or workshop at Made Mercantile. The makers offer a variety of classes that include such things as make-your-own-makeup, printmaking, and making soap, candles, and jewelry. More classes will be announced soon. In August the shop introduced a new workshop series called Maker Bar offered on the second Saturday of each month. During the event attendees work with a local maker to complete a project in thirty minutes or less with several projects to choose from. Stop in to make a new lip gloss, sew a coaster, or even pour a candle. uuu

This space is for future mom-and-pop shops—makers looking to scale their production and transition to full-time in their business, says Madison.

LIVING THE DREAM

uuu

Madison has watched her vision grow into something living and breathing. Reflecting on how far Made Mercantile has come, Madison says, “This is a dream come true, and I sometimes wonder how all this happened. I love to see the collaboration among our members. I love to see our members exploring their businesses and finding ways to solve problems. I love our regulars coming in to say, ‘Hey,’ and I love showing new customers around the shop. It means a lot to see this space full and thriving. It’s an honor to be a part of it.”

With sixteen current members and a waitlist for new members, expansion plans are under consideration. For programs like

Made Mercantile to thrive, though, community support is essential. The artisans and crew at Made Mercantile have been blown away by the community’s support over the last two years.

With the holidays fast approaching, now is the time to remember to #ShopCherokee. Visit Made Mercantile to find gifts while supporting local artists. Each piece of art is as unique as the person who created it and the space it resides in.

Follow Made Mercantile on social media (@MadeMercantileWDSTK) to stay in the know about upcoming classes as well as new members and products.

APRIL RAIN ART

April Borchelt @aprilrainart

AprilRainStudios com

BAMABELLE

Karan Zielke

@_bamabelle Bamabelle Bamabelle biz BEAU PAPER CO. Madison Beaulieu

@beaupaperco Beau Paper Co BeauPaper co

BLUE ELIXIR PRESS

Dusty Beaulieu

@blueelixirpress

BlueElixirPress com

CHEROKEE ROSE CANDLE CO. Amanda Roberts

@cherokeerosecandleco

Cherokee Rose Candle Company

CherokeeRoseCandleCo com

DIRTY BEAUTY NATURAL SKINCARE Samantha Dickey

@dirtybeauty @dirtybeautyskin

Dirty Beauty Nature-based Skincare DirtyBeauty com

DIRTY UNICORN Stoney & Baz Morris @dirtyunicorn fun Dirty Unicorn DirtyUnicorn fun

DOTS AND SPOTS CO. Karla Jaramillo

@dotsnspotsco DotsNSpotsCo com

BROKEN ANKLES

Kailee Feirer

@shopbrokenankles

ShopBrokenAnkles com

HARPER & WILL Aubrey Edens

@harper and will

LOST ROOTS LEATHER CO.

Evan Gunn

@lostrootsleather

Lost Roots Leather Co LostRootsLeather com

MOMENTS WITH B Bryttany Hyde

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THE OCTOPUS & THE

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SOMETIMES THE BEST GIFTS ARE THE MOST PRACTICAL.

This year Cherokee Recreation and Parks is hosting Hugs in a Blanket, a donation drive serving Cherokee County residents in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities as well as MUST Ministries of Canton.

The community outreach program collects warm blankets and slipper socks for some of the county’s most vulnerable populations The program name, Hugs in a Blanket, represents the warmth and feeling of security a cozy blanket can bring on a cold winter night More than 15 percent of Cherokee County residents are senior citizens, including some who struggle to pay for basic needs such as housing, medical care, and heat

Cherokee Recreation and Parks has grown Hugs in a Blanket substantially within the past five years, delivering 1,500 blankets to the community last year alone

COMMUNITY OUTREACH IS A MUST

“The Hugs in a Blanket program is important to MUST Ministries because blankets are lifesaving items that our unsheltered clients need to survive,” says Greg Elder, vice president of Client Services for MUST Ministries . “New blankets are especially helpful, because we can offer those to our Christmas Toy Shop Just about every family that comes through asks for a blanket ” This year’s MUST Ministries Christmas Toy Shop is expected to serve three thousand families . “We’re so grateful for the support of this program,” Greg says

DONATE

Donations can be dropped off during regular business hours at the Woodstock Recreation Center at 7545 Main Street, Building 200 in Woodstock . Donations will be accepted from November 1 through December 14 Regular business hours at the Woodstock Recreation Center are Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 a .m to 8:00 p m , Fridays from 9:00 a m to 5:00 p m , and Saturdays from 9:00 a m . to 2:00 p m .

LEARN MORE

For updates on this event follow Cherokee Recreation and Parks on Facebook (@PlayCherokee) or visit PlayCherokee.org. Do you have questions about the program? Contact Jessica Hallman at 770-924-7768 or jshallman@cherokeega.com for more information.

By Leana Conway, Woodstock Resident

Two sweet children share a hug with their case manager during a Christmas event at Goshen Valley.

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.”

Norman Vincent Peale, author

SPONSOR one of Cherokee County’s many foster children this Christmas. Dedicated people work tirelessly year-round in Cherokee County to help innocent children in the foster care system. No matter how we may see it as outsiders, children want to be with their parents, so Christmas can create awkward and difficult situations for these kids. Marcie Smith is executive director of The Children's Haven, a nonprofit that works with foster children. She recalls one of the foster kids writing on her wish list that all she wanted for Christmas was to see her mom. Marcie explains, “Children love unconditionally. That’s who they are. Because of their vulnerability, the community must step in and as a last resort remove children when the home is no longer safe for them. All we can do is rally around them to give them the best Christmas possible under the circumstances.”

It is quite a challenge, yet year after year, Cherokee County has stepped up. The task is growing, though. Marcie says in years past the number of children in foster care has hovered around two hundred. In 2021 there were nearly three hundred, and the projection for this year looks like there will be almost four hundred children in foster care during the holiday season—twice the average of a few years ago. The rise of substance abuse in our community, which often leads to child neglect, seems to be fueling the rising number of children in need of foster care.

At The Children’s Haven each child fills out a wish list that is sent to Cherokee Secret Santa. Each one includes a profile of the child listing their hobbies, favorite colors, music, and more.

Penny DePuy, the organizer of Cherokee Secret Santa, says, “By connecting the sponsor with the child personally, they feel more like family. We are more than a toy drive—not that there is anything wrong with those—but at Secret Santa, we are trying to make the experience more intimate for the donor and the child. We want the child to feel like their gifts were chosen specifically for them. We also want the gift givers to have a good experience and feel like they made a difference to a child they have gotten to know, even though they haven’t seen their face.”

Cherokee Secret Santa allows sponsors to request the age and gender of the child they would like to sponsor.

Although this perk adds a lot of work for the elves at Cherokee Secret Santa, Penny is adamant that it is well worth the effort. “Some of our sponsors may have never had a little girl and want to buy little girl things. Or perhaps their children are a certain age, and they want to involve them in buying. Or if someone has lost a [child]—for them, it could be therapeutic to buy [a Christmas gift] for a child the same age and gender.”

Marcie and Penny shared many great examples of how sponsors have gone above and beyond for foster kids, including the story of one young man who was aging out of the foster care system and joining the military the following year. He wrote a bit of his story on his wish list and added that he would love some swag from his favorite sports team. With great care his sponsor bought a winter coat with the emblem of his favorite team with his name monogrammed on it. The sponsor also contacted a reserve member of the branch of service the young man was joining. The reservist visited the young man’s foster home and delivered his gift in person along with a prayer medallion from their shared military branch. What a special Christmas that must have been! uuu

In a crushing world, to see the community come together at Christmas and care for these kids is amazing.

Penny DePuy, Cherokee Secret Santa

THE CHILDREN’S HAVEN 1083 Marietta Highway, Canton 770-345-3274

cherokeechildrenshaven org The Children’s Haven @thechildrenshaven

GOSHEN VALLEY BOYS RANCH 387 Goshen Church Way, Waleska 770-796-4618

goshenvalley .org Goshen Valley @goshenvalley

CHEROKEE SECRET SANTA 1300 Univeter Road, Canton cherokeesanta com Secret Santa for Foster Kids and Teens

One of Santa’s helpers ensures a very important letter to Santa is handled with care during a Goshen Valley Christmas event.

Another little boy in a foster home loved pet rocks, so his sponsor got rocks and painted them with cute sayings. Yet another sponsor heard about the project and built a personalized rock box with the little boy’s name on it.

Arylessence, a corporate sponsor, made bottles of perfume for the girls in foster care. Each bottle featured a personalized label. Marcie smiles as she recollects, “Those girls were absolutely beaming. They had something no one had: a perfume made just for them. Although their Christmas was traumatic, they will never forget that special gift.”

The staff at The Children’s Haven also gives the foster children the blessing of being able to give during the holidays. With the help of volunteers from the SmileUp! Charitable Foundation, the staff set up a “Shop for Your Grown-Up” store in 2021. There the children could choose something for an adult in their life who was important to them. Marcie says,

Helping the kids be able to enjoy giving a gift is empowering for them in a time when everything in their life seems out of control and chaotic.

Marcie from The Children’s Haven says this experience is true for other kids she sees in foster care as well. While it may seem shocking to most families, some of these kids have never celebrated Christmas before.

When talking to all the people working to provide a good Christmas for children in foster care, you can hear the excitement in their voices. This task is not a duty; it is pure joy for these people. Reach out to The Children’s Haven and Goshen Valley for wish lists and make this a special Christmas for a child who is hurting. You never know the effect your kindness may have on someone’s life, but in your own heart you will most certainly feel the joy of giving.

Goshen Valley Boys Ranch, another local foundation for children in foster care, is home to around forty young men in foster care ranging in ages from eight to eighteen. The goal of the staff at Goshen Valley is for each boy to know the “safety of a home, the love of a family, and the hope of a future.” At the ranch the boys live in family-modeled homes with house parents. When Christmastime comes, sponsors can help make holiday magic possible by purchasing gifts from Amazon Wish Lists available online at GoshenValley.org/WishList. Gifts purchased from the Wish Lists will be wrapped and ready to open on Christmas. Wish Lists are available for the Goshen Valley Boys Ranch; Goshen Homes, for sibling groups in foster homes; and Goshen New Beginnings, a program that helps older youths transition from foster care to independence as young adults. Wish Lists are also available for year-round basic needs.

Josue, one of the boys at Goshen Valley, shares the story of his first Christmas at the ranch with his eyes twinkling like a child. “The first Christmas I ever [celebrated] was when I was sixteen, and it was at Goshen Valley Boys Ranch. It was amazing. Volunteers came and decorated the inside and the outside of our house. I got Christmas presents picked just for me, and the sponsors donated their time and their love with the presents and things they did for us. All the people who helped make our Christmas are godly examples for us boys at the ranch.”

It is also great for the kids to see how important giving is.

SERV Food Local, a locally focused program of SERV International, works with a community of volunteers and monthly donors to change the lives of local families in need. The program provides families with one of the most essential items one can give: food. With the help of community volunteers, SERV currently packs more than eight hundred food boxes each month at its warehouse in Canton. Each box goes to a family in need. To continue monthly pack-outs and ensure every family in need receives a food box each month, SERV relies on community funding and support.

“Providing a food box to a family is not just about the food. Each box is prayed over and includes a personal and inspirational handwritten message,” says Steve Kasha, founder and CEO of SERV International. “We see this as more than just providing a box. We see it as an opportunity to create relationships, share Christ, and build stronger communities wherever we are called to serve. We want to meet people where they are, and we can do it only with the help and support of our community.”

Sponsorship Opportunities

Individuals and organizations can sponsor a local family in need for just $35 a month through the SERV Food Local sponsorship program. Each $35 family sponsorship covers the entire cost associated with supplying a well-stocked food box designed to feed a family of four for a week. The goal is to fill all eight hundred sponsorship opportunities, with plans to increase the

About SERV International

number of packed-out food boxes if funding exceeds the initial ask.

SERV International reaches far and wide to distribute lifesaving food to children and adults, the elderly, and refugees living in complex regions. Some of the areas of operations include Ukraine, Jordan, and Kenya. Since 2019 SERV has partnered on a local level with individuals and organizations to identify and serve food

to families with the greatest needs, those in need of temporary relief, or those just needing a helping hand. With the help of local communities across the Atlanta area, SERV wants to ensure local families don’t have to choose between putting food on the table, filling the gas tank, or paying vital bills.

To sponsor local families through SERV Food Local, visit SERVone.org/FoodLocal.

SERV International is a nondenominational faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Canton. SERV International uses food as a platform to share Christ and is dedicated to physically and spiritually feeding people and developing stronger communities in some of the most remote regions in the world. SERV International has served over 41 million meals worldwide since it was founded in 2000.

GIVE LOCAL

The SERV Food Local monthly sponsorship program provides food to families across Cherokee, Atlanta, and surrounding areas.

Local volunteers gather to prepare to change the lives of neighbors in need.

Inspirational messages are often written on the delivery boxes going to people in need.

Each $35 family sponsorship provides a wellstocked food box designed to feed a family of four for a week.

bookmark Your Favorite

Veterans Day Party

by Holly Britt and Jade Britt

Illustrated by Toby Mikle, Veterans Day Party is a tale about a loving tiger family that gets excited to attend a Veterans Day party at their grandparents’ house. At the party they meet veterans from different branches of service, find respect for the American flag, and learn how to salute and celebrate the service of our United States veterans. They end the gathering by praying for our veterans.

At the age of eight, Jade Britt co-authored Veterans Day Party. Jade has been a leader in helping veterans since age four and was recently featured on Fox 5 Atlanta and Fox News Channel for raising money for homeless veterans. Co-author Holly Britt says,“the objective of this fun, colorful book is to foster a growing appreciation of our military and their veterans at a young age.”

The Christmas Story from Genesis to John by Sue McCuskerw

Experience a new and exciting appreciation for the ancient Christmas story we celebrate today as you follow along in this inspirational Christmas devotional for the 31 days of December. The story of Jesus and the meaning behind the celebration of Christmas is woven throughout the entire Bible—from the beginning of mankind in Genesis to the resurrection of Jesus as told by the apostle John some four thousand years later. See the beginnings of a promise, read the ancient prophecies, and meet the people and events surrounding the birth of Christ that led to our beloved traditions and celebrations of today. Curl up by the fire, sip some hot cocoa, and read about the greatest story told of all time: the story of God.

Sue McCusker lives in Canton and is a Bible teacher and web developer. She loves to write stories of life, hope, and faith she sees around her every day. She has published stories with Guideposts magazine and currently teaches the story of God in women’s Bible study at First Baptist Woodstock.

Hometown Holidays by Rebecca Johnston

EATS JOY LOVE PEACE

Ingredients:

10 ounces wholegrain fusilli

2 ounces arugula

7 ounces broccoli

16 ounces goat cheese

7 ounces baby tomatoes, halved

6 ounces basil pesto dip

6 ounces aioli

Begin the fun:

1. Cook the pasta in a large saucepan of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain. Refresh under cold water and drain again.

2. Spray a chargrill pan with oil and heat over high heat. Cook broccoli for one to two minutes. Transfer to a plate.

3. Combine the pesto dip, aioli and one to two tablespoons of water (enough to make a pourable dressing) in a small bowl.

4. Place the pasta in the base of a glass serving bowl. Top with layers of arugula, fusilli, tomato, broccoli, and goat cheese.

Ingredients:

1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed

½ cup fresh pineapple juice ¼ cup dark rum ¼ cup apple cider vinegar

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon ground cloves 8 whole cloves 1 6-7 pound whole leg ham, on the bone

Pineapple Relish:

½ small fresh pineapple, peeled, diced (small) ½ red onion, finely chopped ½ green bell pepper, seeds removed, finely chopped 1 lime, zested and juiced 1 small bunch of cilantro, torn

Begin the fun:

1. Preheat oven to 350º. Place an oven shelf in the lowest position and remove the other shelves. Line a large roasting pan with baking paper.

2. Place the sugar, juice, rum, vinegar, cinnamon, ground and whole cloves in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir for two minutes or until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for six to seven minutes or until syrupy. Transfer to a heatproof bowl and set aside to cool and thicken. Reserve one tablespoon of glaze.

3. Use a sharp knife to cut around the ham shank, about four inches from the end. Run the knife around the edge of ham. Gently lift rind off in one piece by running your fingers between the rind and fat.

4. Score fat in parallel lines. Pour one cup of water into the prepared pan. Place ham in pan. Wrap shank in foil. Pour two-thirds of the glaze over the ham. Brush evenly to coat. Bake, brushing with the glaze twice throughout cooking time, for 90 minutes, until golden. Cover with foil and set aside to rest for thirty minutes.

5. For the relish, combine pineapple, onion, bell pepper, cilantro, lime zest, and juice of lime—reserve one tablespoon of glaze in a bowl. Toss to combine.

6. Transfer the ham to a platter. Carve and serve with pineapple relish.

Ingredients:

Santa’s Favorite Peppermint Bark

41/2 ounces peppermint candy canes 16 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped 2/3 cup thickened cream 9 ounces chocolate, finely chopped ½ teaspoon peppermint extract

Begin the fun:

1. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.

2. Crush the candy canes with a mortar and pestle, allowing some of the candy to become finely ground and some to remain in small pieces.

3. To form the first layer, place the white chocolate in a medium bowl. Set the bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water—do not allow the bottom of the bowl to touch the water. Using a silicone spatula, stir the white chocolate constantly until it melts and becomes smooth; make sure that the chocolate is warm but not hot. Do not allow any moisture to reach the bowl, otherwise the chocolate will clump.

4. Using an offset palette knife, spread half of the melted white chocolate over the foil to form a thirty by twenty-five-centimeter rectangle. Sprinkle two tablespoons of the crushed candy canes evenly over the white chocolate. Refrigerate for about twenty minutes, or until set.

5. To make the dark chocolate ganache layer, bring the cream to a near simmer over medium heat in a small heavy saucepan. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the dark chocolate and peppermint extract. Cover and set aside for five minutes, or until the chocolate has melted. Whisk the mixture just until blended. Using an offset palette knife, spread the warm dark chocolate mixture over the white chocolate rectangle to cover it completely. Refrigerate for about forty-five minutes, or until firm.

6. To form the second layer of white chocolate, reheat the remaining white chocolate in the bowl over hot water until it is fluid again but still thick. Sprinkle the remaining crushed peppermints evenly over the white chocolate. Refrigerate for about twenty-five minutes, or until firm.

7. Remove the bark from the parchment paper or foil. Break the bark into bite-size pieces and enjoy!

Rudolph’s Rockin’ Good Pasta Salad

Caramel Glazed Ham with Pineapple Relish

November

Clays for Kids

Sporting Clay Tournament Garland Mountain, Waleska 8:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | Fundraiser Eventbrite.com

Coffee With A

Holly Springs Police Department

Alma Coffee, Canton 9:00–11:00 a.m.

MyAlmaCoffee.com

Inaugural Gala

Benefiting Circle of Friends

His Hands Church, Woodstock 6:00–10:00 p.m. | Fundraiser CircleOfFriendsInc.org

Run, Walk, or Roll 5K

Benefiting Next Step Ministries

11905 Highway 92, Woodstock 7:00–10:00 a.m. | Fundraiser NextStepMinistries.net

Hey Day

History Cherokee Grand Opening 221 East Marietta Street, Canton 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. HistoryCherokee.org

Content Crawlin’ with Moments with B. 8636 Main Street, Woodstock 2:00–4:00 p.m. | $65 MadeMercantile.com

Community Blood Drive

LifeSouth Bloodmobile Chambers at City Center, Woodstock 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Volunteer WoodstockParksAndRec.com

Veteran’s Day Ceremony

City of Ball Ground City Hall, Ball Ground 1:00 p.m. E City of Ball Ground

Veteran’s Day Ceremony

City of Woodstock The Park at City Center, Woodstock 7:00 p.m. WoodstockParksAndRec.com

Veteran’s Day Breakfast

Cherokee Veterans Community

First Baptist Church, Woodstock 9:00–11:00 a.m. | Register by 11/6 FBCW.org/Events

Maker’s Mash Reformation Brewery 105 Elm Street, Woodstock 1:00–6:00 p.m. MadAndDusty.com/Makers-Mash

Brenda Harris Tustian ART EXHIBIT Falany Arts Center On display through December 15 7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska Reinhardt.edu/Falany

Christmas Open House

Friday, 11/4 & Saturday, 11/5 M&M Mercantile Co., Canton 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. MMMercantileCo.com

Fridays at the Farm

MUSIC with Joe Gransden West Milford Farm, Cumming 6:40 p.m. | Tickets WestMilfordFarm.com

Toys for Tots Jeep Run

with Big Shanty Bassmasters Target, Woodstock Square Avenue 10:30 a.m. | Fundraiser BigShantyBassmasters.com

Ball Ground Rocks!

MUSIC BBQ & Brews Festival Downtown Ball Ground Noon–8:00 p.m. | FREE Admission E BBQ and Brews

Glowball Golf 2022 Rotary Club of Towne Lake Towne Lake Hills Golf, Woodstock 5:00–11:00 p.m. | Fundraiser TowneLakeRotary.org

Bracelets, Beads, & Bevvies with bamabelle

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

Local Author Market

R.T. Jones Memorial Library 116 Brown Industrial Pkwy, Canton 10:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

Funk Family Fun Day

Native American History Month

Funk Heritage Center, Waleska 2:00–4:00 p.m. | $9-$12 Reinhardt.edu/FunkHeritage

Community Blood Drive

American Red Cross R.T. Jones Memorial Library, Canton 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Volunteer SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

Pick & Pour Candle Class with Cherokee Rose Candle Co. 8636 Main Street, Woodstock 7:00–9:00 p.m. | $50-$65 MadeMercantile.com

Ribbon Cutting with Cherokee Chamber History Cherokee, Canton 10:00–11:00 a.m. CherokeeChamber.com

’Tis the Season Art Show ART EXHIBIT Menagerie on Main 351 West Main Street, Canton 6:00–8:00 p.m. MenagerieOnMain.com

The Rupert’s Orchestra

MUSIC Falany Arts Center

7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska 7:30–10:00 p.m. | Tickets Reinhardt.edu/Falany

Burning for a Benefit

Cherokee County Fire Training Complex 3895 Holly Springs Pkwy, Holly Springs 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. | Fundraiser E Burning for a Benefit

Be The Light Lantern Festival

Benefiting Never Alone Food Pantry Etowah River Park, Canton 4:00 p.m. | Fundraiser NeverAlone.org

MilVet Chili Cook-Off Reformation Brewery 105 Elm Street, Woodstock 6:00–8:00 p.m. MilVetCommunity.com

Marine Corps Birthday

Semper Fi Bar and Grille 9770 Main Street, Woodstock 8:00 p.m. | Open to Public SemperFiBarAndGrille.com

Christmas Market

Corner District

Gilmer Ferry Road, Ball

Charlotte’s Web

THEATRE Woodstock Arts 8534 Main Street, Woodstock 7:30 p.m. | Tickets WoodstockArts.org

Cookie Decorating with The Grinch & Cindy-Lou Who Paula's Zzerts, Canton 2:00–3:30 p.m. | $10-$15 PaulasZzerts.com

Makeup & Mocktails

Workshop with Dirty Beauty 8636 Main Street, Woodstock 3:00–4:30 p.m. | $80 MadeMercantile.com

Veteran’s Day Ceremony

City of Acworth Patriots Point at Cauble Park 2:00 p.m. Acworth.org

Twelfth Night

THEATRE University Theater

7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska 7:30 p.m. | Tickets Reinhardt.edu/Falany

Lights on the Lake Christmas Boat Parade Gatewood Park, Cartersville 6:00–8:30 p.m. | Fundraiser LakeAllatoonaAssoc.com

The Black Market Trust

MUSIC Falany Arts Center

7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska 3:00–6:00 p.m. | Tickets Reinhardt.edu/Falany

Best Christmas Pageant Ever!

THEATRE Academy Street Theatre Cherokee High School, Canton 9:30 a.m. | Tickets E Academy Street Theatre Group

Art & Spirits Walk 2022 Downtown Canton TWO-DAY EVENT Friday, November 11 5:00–9:00 p.m. Saturday, November 12 Noon–6:00 p.m. CantonGA.gov

Downtown Tree Lighting Holiday Kick-off Event Downtown Canton 6:30 p.m. CantonGA.gov

Songwriters

’Tis the Season ROCKS!

WGLSC Activity Center Expansion 223 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 6:00–7:00 p.m. | Register online WoodstockParksAndRec.com

Supper with Santa with Sensory Time until 6:00 p.m. Hickory Flat Gym, Canton 5:00–8:00 p.m. | Register online PlayCherokee.org

Christmas Craft Fair

Timothy Lutheran Church 556 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. TimothyLutheran.360unite.com

Laurie Ann Jazzwine MUSIC Listening Room

Rootstock, Downtown Woodstock Noon–3:00 p.m. RootstockNow.com

MilVet Monthly Meetup

Reformation

105 Elm Street,

p.m.

Jingle Mingle 2022 Reformation Brewery 105 Elm Street, Woodstock 6:00–8:00 p.m. | $40-$45 InWDSTK.org

March of the Toys Parade with Grand Marshal Lulu Roman Downtown Ball Ground 7:00 p.m. | Toys for Tots Fundraiser MarchOfTheToysParade.com

Christmas Jubilee & Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting Downtown Woodstock 5:30–9:00 p.m. WoodstockParksAndRec.com

Archery: Come & Try Day

Cherokee Recreation and Parks

Flat Gym, Canton 2:00–3:15 p.m.

online

Mistletoe on Main Wagon Rides + Visit with Santa Cannon Park, Canton 6:00–9:00 p.m. | FREE CantonGA.gov

A Christmas Carol

THEATRE Woodstock Arts

8534 Main Street, Woodstock 7:30 p.m. | Tickets WoodstockArts.org

Game Day on The Green

The Mill on Etowah

225 Reformation Parkway, Canton 7:00–10:00 p.m. | Football EtowahMill.com/Events

Holiday Cookie Exchange

Child + Adult Cooking Class

Leaning Ladder, Woodstock 3:30–5:30 p.m. | $35

LeaningLadderOliveOil.com

One Christmas Night in Memphis

MUSIC Falany Arts

7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska 7:30–10:00

’Que and Karaoke with Lights Up! Entertainment Choate BBQ, Ball Ground 6:00–9:00 p.m. ChoateBBQ.com

Bubbles & Bubbly with Dirty Unicorn 8636 Main Street, Woodstock 7:00–9:00 p.m. | $65 MadeMercantile.com

Christmas at Reinhardt featuring the University Choir and University Wind Ensemble Falany Performing Arts Center 7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska

SHOWTIMES

Thursday, December 1

7:30 p.m. Friday, December 2

7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 3

3:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Sunday, December 4 3:00 p.m. Reinhardt.edu/Falany

Trivia on The Green with Lights Up! Entertainment The Mill on Etowah, Canton 7:00–9:00 p.m. | FREE EtowahMill.com/Events

John Waite

MUSIC MadLife Stage & Studios

8722 Main Street, Woodstock 7:30 p.m. | Tickets MadLifeStageAndStudios.com

Reindeer Run for the Children 5K

League

Etowah River Park,

Swim with The Grinch Cherokee County Aquatic Center

7:00–9:30 a.m.

Fundraiser ServiceLeague.net

35th Annual Merry Market Canton Optimist Club Cannon Park, Canton 2:00–6:00 p.m. E Canton Optimist Club

1200 WellStar Way, Canton 9:00 a.m.–Noon | $15 PlayCherokee.org

Benevolence Brunch Swing Into Their Dreams Foundation THRIVE Coworking, Canton Fundraiser SwingIntoTheirDreams.com

Christmas Golf Cart Parade Acworth Parks and Recreation Downtown Acworth 6:00 p.m. | FREE Acworth.org

Senior Holiday Luncheon

p.m.

Tickets WoodstockArts.org

WGLSC Activity Center Expansion 223 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock Noon–2:00 p.m. | Members WoodstockParksAndRec.com

Keynote Speaker Brian Jordan

Waleska

Fincher

9:00 a.m.–Noon

Wicks

John

p.m.

p.m.

7:30 p.m.

10:30 p.m.