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1

Contents

May 2020

VOLUME 7 | ISSUE 10

16-17 On the Cover

Mosquito-Free

10-11

Georgia Film Industry Growth Means More Jobs

20-21

[16-17]

Meet

Lizz Kuhn Candidate for Judge

[10-11]

26-27

Financial Investments Advice for the Current Market

[26-27] [20-21] Follow Us >>>

2

Family Life Publications

North Fulton Family Life | MAY 2020

04

.......................... Perspective

06

................... Senator Speaks

08

........................... Senior Life

23

........................ Book Review

25

............... Community Photos

28

............... Community Partner

30-31

familylifepublications

.................. Artist Profile @FamilyLifeMags

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3

Publisher’s Perspective

EDITORIAL Julie Senger Julie@FamilyLifePublications.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Cyndi Braun ART Stephanie Bolton Stephanie@FamilyLifePublications.com Tiffany Corn Tiffany@FamilyLifePublications.com

Of course, being a product of decades of nerdiness (to which many of my childhood friends may attest), I understood that those stars did not suddenly grow or emerge in the blankness of space, beckoned into existence by my renewed sense of wonder.

Those luminous objects were there long before the beginning of man’s time on Earth.

“

As I pondered that thought, my mind turned to the "stars" who have shown Only in the darkness, brighter during the recent dark times can you see the stars in our communities — good-hearted ~ Martin Luther King, Jr people, many who have known pain and failure and have pushed through it, choosing to live a life of kindness, forgiveness, and love. No longer fearing the dark, these individuals became their own light and found ways to help illuminate the path for others who may have had a difficult time adjusting and functioning while sheltering in place under the cloud of COVID-19.

”

Using positive actions and goodwill to build each other up, we make our communities stronger — one good deed, one kind word, one smile at a time. To all our friends and neighbors, first responders, health care workers, grocers, cashiers, stockers, and leaders in business and government who are on the front lines, we salute you and are praying for you. To each and every person reading this — stay strong, healthy, and shine.

Candice Williams Candice@FamilyLifePublications.com SALES Janet Ponichtera Janet@FamilyLifePublications.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS John Albers, Michael Consoli, Lisa Ethridge, Gregory Flail, Georgia Film Office Staff, Kevin Head, Tim Henderson, Veronica Jucknies, Mike Looney, Chris Miller, Jim Morrow, Vishant Nath, Christy Noll, Julia Padgett, Ellen Samsell Salas, Jack L. Shampine, Bridgett Skelton, Anna Teal

Family Life Publishing Group, Inc. 630 East Main Street Canton, GA 30114

770-213-7095

FamilyLifePublications.com Family Life publications have the largest monthly circulation of direct-mailed community magazines in our area. North Fulton Family Life is a monthly community magazine with a total print count of over 30,000, direct mailing over 28,000 copies to Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton.

The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists, and submissions are not necessarily those of the editor/publisher, and the publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. The cover and its accompanying magazine content are a paid advertisement. North Fulton Family Life magazine is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher.

TH

© 2020 All rights reserved.

AS

IS

E R EC Y C LE

Subscriptions are available for $25 per year. Please contact us for payment options.

E

everal weeks ago, while enjoying a nighttime walk in the yard amongst the scurry of rabbits and the night frogs singing, I looked skyward. Eventually, my motionsensing floodlight went back to sleep, and as my eyes adjusted to the darkness, the stars seemed to change. The bright ones got brighter and seemingly larger while others that had been barely visible before became more prominent. What had once been a large, black space became a rich, deep blue arena of twinkling celestial bodies.

M AG A ZI

N

S

Stars Are Always Shining

PLE

The

PUBLISHER/PHOTOGRAPHER Jack Tuszynski Jack@FamilyLifePublications.com

Jack Tuszynski, Publisher

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North Fulton Family Life | MAY 2020

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Grace

By Kevin Head, Ph.D.

[InGoodFaith] Several years ago, I had a conversation with a non-Christian friend, and he said, “Here’s what I don’t understand. Christians believe people could live their entire lives doing anything they want, and then, on their deathbed, they could profess faith in Christ — and you believe that person would go to heaven?”

I said, “Well, yes. The Bible says Jesus told a thief dying on a cross that he would be with him in paradise. So, yes — most Christians believe that could happen.”

My friend responded, “That doesn’t make sense to me. I believe you have to EARN heaven — you can’t just ask for it and get it — especially if you’ve done nothing to deserve it.”

So, I said, “That’s a great point, but that’s not how we believe God works. Christians believe we cannot earn salvation — we just have to receive it. Honestly, I think it all comes down to grace.”

And he said, “Yes, that’s it! I do not believe in grace. People should get what they deserve.”

Over the years, I’ve reflected on that conversation. The more I’ve thought about it, the more important grace has become for me. In grace, we find the very essence of what Christians believe about God. Philip Yancey, in his book entitled What’s So Amazing About Grace, writes, “The notion of God’s love coming to us free of charge, no strings attached, seems to go against every instinct of humanity. Only Christianity dares to make God’s love unconditional.”

It makes sense that God would want us to have more than what we deserve. What parent doesn’t want their child to have life better than they had it? That’s the essence of grace — we get much more than we deserve.

The Bible encourages us to share grace with others. Hebrews 12:15 reads, “See to it that no one misses grace.”

What might happen if we, as Christians, decided that our primary purpose in life was to make sure that no one misses God’s grace? What might God do in our churches? In our community? What might God do through us? L

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5

SenatorSpeaks

O

n March 16, elected representatives were called into a special legislative session to ratify Gov. Brian Kemp’s executive order to declare a public health state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, I sent updates to those on my email list, posted to my website and social media accounts, and hosted telephone town hall meetings to inform citizens of the important updates and resources available. Specific updates included best practices from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health care access, the Small Business Administration, unemployment, federal stimulus, charities, schools, etc.

On March 13, the regular 2020 legislative session was temporarily suspended.

Before that, we approved $100 million to be added to the amended 2020 fiscal year budget to address coronavirus issues. In addition, we passed many important bills in the Senate, all of which will remain active when we return to normal business.

the late Max Gruver and championed by his parents, Rae Ann and Steve Gruver, this legislation increases the penalties, transparency, and accountability for hazing. Senate Bill 423 will protect and save lives.

At the time of this writing, I do not know what the circumstances regarding the coronavirus will be when you read this column.

What I do know is America is strong and will overcome. Georgia is prepared and will help lead the way. Throughout history, our great nation has always risen to the occasion, and I am confident our best days are yet to come. Be safe, be smart, be gracious, and God Bless America!

2020 Legislative Session Update

Senator John Albers represents the 56th Senate District, which includes portions of north Fulton County.

404-463-8055. SenatorAlbers.com, John.Albers@Senate.Ga.gov

I am very proud of our work to end surprise medical billing as well as all

By State Senator John Albers the bills I wrote that passed, including Senate Bill 302, the Tax Credit Return on Investment Act of 2020. This legislation creates the process for economic analyses detailing the return on investments of tax incentives offered by the state. With generous tax credits to encourage business growth, it’s important that communities see new jobs and investment as a result of the credits offered. This legislation provides the necessary transparency to ensure Georgians in every ZIP code see the benefits of our tax credit infrastructure.

I also wrote two bills that will provide greater retirement benefits for Georgia’s firefighters and peace officers. Senate Bill 248 and Senate Bill 249, both of which received favorable passage in the Senate, would increase the monthly retirement benefits payable to members of the Georgia Firefighters Pension Fund and the Georgia Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund, respectively. Additionally, Senate Bill 248 would include correctional officers as eligible members of the fund and would increase the monthly contribution amount. Neither pension fund utilizes any state tax dollars.

Last, but not least, was the unanimous passage of Senate Bill 423, the Max Gruver Act, which I wrote. In honor of

6

North Fulton Family Life | MAY 2020

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Senior Life

Social Distancing for Seniors

By Bridgett Skelton, MBA, BSN, RN, RNC-OB

A

s many already know, adults ages 65 and older are at higher risk for severe illness caused by COVID-19, which is the virus that changed most of our lives back in March due to the necessity for social distancing/quarantining.

While it is important for all Americans to implement social distancing, it is especially important for those who fall in the high-risk population. Here’s why:

 Older adults are more likely to have underlying health conditions that prevent their bodies from being able to fight off and recover from such an illness.

Underlying health conditions include obesity, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and heart disease.

 COVID-19 affects the part of the lungs where gas exchange takes place, which is in the deepest part of the lungs where the delivery of oxygen to the bloodstream and the removal of carbon dioxide occurs. As we age, our lungs become less resilient.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines social distancing as “the practice of maintaining a greater than usual physical distance from other people or of avoiding direct contact with people or objects in public places during the outbreak of a contagious disease in order to minimize exposure and reduce the transmission of infection.”

 Our immune response changes as we get

Due to COVID-19 being transmitted through the air, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and government officials recommend social distancing of at least 6 feet in order to stay safe.

older, which makes it harder to combat diseases and infections. Additionally, since this virus is novel (new), we haven’t developed antibodies to attack it.

Families can remain in touch during a time of physical separation. Daily phone and/ or video calls are great ways to check in on

8

North Fulton Family Life | MAY 2020

loved ones. Video apps like FaceTime or Skype provide opportunities to play games, tell stories, and read aloud.

Book and movie groups also help people connect with others, by offering an opportunity to talk via phone or video chat about common interests. Many churches provide online services and activities for families. And more recently, many organizations, senior centers, gyms, and community groups have developed a virtual format to host classes, events, and meetings online.

All these options provide opportunities that help everyone avoid feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression. However, if you still struggle with these issues, please contact your physician for advice.

Bridgett Skelton is a registered nurse and vice president of business development at CaraVita Home Care. 648 Mimosa Boulevard, Roswell. 770-643-1712.

Caravita.com

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Dental Safety Tips for Summer Fun

By Vishant Nath, D.M.D. However, it’s still important for your child to be seen by a dentist, so that he/she can check for damage to any adjacent teeth.

[HealthyLife] The summer months allow for lots of fun playtime, which can often lead to accidental injuries. To respond appropriately, tt’s important to become familiar with the best way to react to certain injuries.

If your child’s tooth is knocked out, contact your pediatric dentist immediately. If it’s a primary/baby tooth, the emphasis will probably not be toward saving the tooth.

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton

If your child loses a permanent/adult tooth, it’s much more critical to save the tooth. Find the tooth and gently rinse it in cool water — do not scrub it with soap. If possible, replace the tooth in the socket and hold it there with clean gauze or a washcloth. If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a clean container with milk, saliva, or water. The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.

If your child chips or fractures a tooth, contact your pediatric dentist immediately.

Quick action can save the tooth, prevent infection, and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Rinse your child’s mouth with water and apply cold

compresses to reduce swelling. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, bring it with you to the dentist.

Also, if you do not already have a pediatric dentist for your child, selecting one should be a priority. Most pediatic dental offices have off-hour emergency call services, which can provide access to much needed help and advice should accidents occur outside of regular business hours.

All of the previously described emergency scenarios require the immediate attention of a dentist. Time is truly of the essence.

Having a pediatric dentist who is familiar with you and your child can greatly assist you in nursing your child back to great dental health. L

Dr. Vishant Nath is the owner of Canton/Alpharetta/Roswell Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics.

678-352-1090. KidsHappyTeeth.com

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9

Growth in Georgia’s Film Industry

By the Georgia Film Office Staff

Development, celebrated Film Day at the Capitol.

Governor Brian P. Kemp, top legislators, and industry partners joined the Georgia Film Office to celebrate the stories of the numerous individuals who make the industry work, launching a new website at Georgia.org/FilmWorks, to tell the personal stories about the impact the industry has made on the lives of Georgians, small businesses, and communities.

G

eorgia has been named the No. 1 state in which to do business for seven years in a row, and Georgia’s film industry has been an important part of our state’s years-long success story. Film has spurred investment, empowered local small businesses, and put Georgians across the state to work.

The industry continued to smash records in fiscal year 2019. The 391 film and television productions that were made in Georgia created another record year of $2.9 billion in direct spending, supported 3,040 motion picture and television industry businesses, and delivered $9.2 billion in total wages.

No state has seen the kind of investment that Georgia has seen in the industry, especially in the number of soundstages that have been built — from 45,000 square feet of stage space in 2010 to more than 3.3 million today. These facilities enable the state to attract tent pole projects, which provide thousands of jobs in the state each year.

That’s why in March, the Georgia Film Office, which is a division of the Georgia Department of Economic

When people think of screened entertainment, the first careers that usually come to mind are actor, director, and producer. But it takes thousands of people to support the film, television, commercial, and music video industry in Georgia, and training individuals to fill those critical positions is increasing — and paying off.

Aside from the small businesses that supply air conditioners, generators, catering, specialty costuming, and prop decor, for every red carpet “starring role,” many more behind-the-scenes roles are required to create “movie magic.”

The Georgia Film Office, which has worked diligently to ensure residents fill jobs up and down the production ladder, maintains numerous resources for people who are interested in pursuing a career in the film industry.

The Film Office help wanted hotline includes details on industry jobs at Georgia.org/industries/ film-entertainment/georgia-film-tv-production/helpwanted-hotline. The office’s production directory provides a comprehensive resource for individuals and companies to list their services and skills, as well as to find classes, local filmmaking links, and much more at Georgia.org/film.

In 2016, the state created the Georgia Film Academy (GFA) to build the workforce pipeline necessary to fast-track workers into the industry.

Rep. Terry Rogers with Gov. Brian P. Kemp at Film Day at the Capitol.

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North Fulton Family Life | MAY 2020

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Means More Georgia Jobs This first-of-its-kind collaborative effort between the University System of Georgia and Technical College System of Georgia will have enrolled more than 7,000 students from 25 partner institutions across Georgia by fall of 2020.

The GFA curriculum consists of three semesters — the final of which can be a paid, on-set internship.

Classes include introduction, scenic construction and painting, grip and rigging, special effects makeup, lighting and electric, post-production, production accounting, and office management. All classes are related to critical, high-demand industry careers.

The GFA prepares students for entry-level positions both on-set and in production offices; set construction and scenic painting; set dressers and props; hair, make-up, and wardrobe procedures; sound, including mixer, boom operator, and utility; camera operators and first and second assistants; on-set lamp operators; on-set grips and dolly grips; location managers; script supervision procedures; video assistants; post-production editors; and production accountants. For more information, visit GeorgiaFilmAcademy.org.

The Atlanta Film Society also regularly offers production assistant training classes as well as indie filmmaking classes. To learn more, visit AtlantaFilmSociety.org.

Many people call the film office about opportunities as “extras” for local productions.

Casting companies have information on Facebook and Twitter, as well as email alerts.

Helpful links to these resources are

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton

available at Georgia.org/ industries/entertainment/georgia-film-tv-production/ film-and-tv-casting-crew-jobs-classes.

High school students can even start training and planning for a career in the industry through programs in local college and career academies though the Georgia Department of Education.

More programs are being offered each day, so check with your local Board of Education.

Thanks to stronger demand from students, independent and private colleges are also helping fill this need, so be sure to check course offerings at any higher learning establishment you are considering. New education, jobs, and opportunities abound with options specific to the film industry, and more local talent is filling these highly paid positions every day.

Georgia Film Office Technology Square 75 5th Street N.W., Suite 1200 Atlanta, GA 404-962-4000 Georgia.org/film

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11

To the

Graduating Seniors of the

F

Class of 2020

irst, I want to congratulate you. You have put in the hard work, dedication, and tireless effort to reach this important milestone. Many people will tell you that these are the best years of your life. In many respects, they are right. The lessons you have learned up to this point, the friends you have made, and the journeys you have experienced will stay with you forever. However, this is not the end. I challenge each of you to continue to learn about the world, seek knowledge, and make connections with people, as you begin your next chapter.

As the first graduating class in my tenure as the superintendent of Fulton County Schools, you will always hold a special place in my heart. I am profoundly saddened that these unprecedented circumstances have taken away opportunities to experience so many of the cherished moments associated with your senior year. Know that the decisions made during this extraordinary pandemic were made to ensure your continued safety and well-being as well as that of your families, friends, and teachers. We have learned much and will continue to understand more about how we manage situations like this, as we navigate this crisis. Fortunately, despite the grim circumstances, you have provided a shining light that motivates all of us to demonstrate empathy, poise, and positivity in the face of adversity.

Due to the level of risk and uncertainty at this point, I have asked principals to begin consulting with members of the Class of 2020 regarding alternate plans for this year’s graduation ceremonies. More specifically, I have asked principals to begin making plans for a modified ceremony to be held at your high school. This might include a blend of virtual and in-person participation while adhering to social distancing requirements, or it could be more of a virtual, nontraditional ceremony. While our plans for a normal conclusion to the school year have come to a halt, I call on you and your collective wisdom to devise solutions that allow us to replace traditional ceremonies with new ways to honor you in the manner each of you deserves. I ask you to reach out to your friends, classmates, and school leaders to develop inventive approaches to graduation that will both pay tribute to you and prioritize everyone’s safety.

Now, more than ever, I ask that you come together to define your legacy. Show our district, state, nation, and the world how special you are by leaning in and helping us find a solution. In order to facilitate and support your planning, I am making Friday, May 1, 2020, the last official day of school for graduation-eligible seniors. #FCS2020Seniors Relationships Matter,

Dr. Mike Looney Superintendent Fulton County Schools

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North Fulton Family Life | MAY 2020

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Staying Healthy in 2020 [HealthyLife] At the time of this writing, the north Fulton community is practicing social distancing to stop the spread of COVID-19. In addition, here are a few other ways you can maintain good health and boost your immune system every day:

2. Consume more omega 3 fatty acids.

Cod liver oil is a great choice because not only is it rich in omega 3 fatty acids, it is also a natural source of vitamins A and D. Vitamin A is important to help maintain the health of your skin, eyes, and brain.

1. Go outdoors as much as possible.

Sunshine is vital to good health because it helps your body to produce vitamin D, which is critical for optimum immune function, bone health, and performance.

Many Americans are vitamin D deficient, often due to long indoor work hours or fear of getting a sunburn. Early morning and late afternoon are ideal times to go outside and reap health benefits, just be careful not to stay out too long.

3. Avoid sugar.

Sugar can promote inflammation. Many bacteria and viruses can also thrive in a sugar rich environment. Since we are now getting into ice cream weather, try to keep these treats to a minimum.

Consider eating fresh berries instead, as they are naturally low in sugar and rich in antioxidants.

By Dr. Veronica Jucknies

4. Protect your nervous system. Your nervous system is the master control system of your body. One way to keep your nervous system healthy is through regular chiropractic care. If you are a patient at Code V Performance, then you have likely experienced the dramatic change in function that can occur with a simple atlas (first vertebra) adjustment.

Hopefully, these tips will help you maintain (or even improve) your health in 2020! L Veronica Jucknies is owner, chiropractor, and physical therapist at Code V Performance, 12600 Deerfield Pkwy, #100, Alpharetta. 678-687-8023.

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Find the complete picture that corresponds to each “piece” shown to the right. Each “piece” belongs to a different advertisement within this publication.

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13

WELCOME TO ADDINGTON PLACE Rest Assured,

We’re Here To Help.

At Addington Place, our first priority continues to be constant protection of the health and well-being of our residents, families, and employees. We realize that during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, seniors and their families are looking for reassurance if they are considering making a move.

We can help.

PROACTIVE, PREVENTIVE STEPS As a result of our proactive efforts, we have secured on-site COVID-19 testing kits through our partnership with two private labs. Along with screening residents twice a day and our employees when they arrive for work, we can now administer testing to residents or employees who show symptoms, and results are available within 24-48 hours.

In addition to this important access to testing and our ongoing preventive measures, we are closely monitoring and implementing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines as well as federal, state, and local coronavirus guidelines for health and safety.

EXPERIENCE THE ADDINGTON PLACE DIFFERENCE At Addington Place, we provide person-directed care, taking the time to know and work with residents as individuals and providing them with care that’s as unique as they are. Our experienced and dedicated staff, firstrate amenities, charming communities, and welcoming, supportive atmosphere make Addington Place a secure, enriching place to live.

Here, individual attention is reflected in almost everything we do. You can see it in the wide array of engaging, tailored activities. Hear it in the warm interactions between our compassionate staff and our residents. Taste it in a special dish prepared by our chef from a resident’s favorite recipe. And feel it in every apartment, every homey living room, and every lively gathering space.

EmpowerMe Wellness provides pharmacy and one-on-one therapy services, and is designed to deliver comprehensive emotional, physical, and intellectual care right in the Addington Place communities. These services are fully integrated, a part of daily routine, and personalized for each resident by our expert team. This integration of care provides a holistic approach, customized to the needs of each individual. The EmpowerMe Wellness team is full-time, so they’re available whenever someone has a question or just wants to say hello.

With exceptional staff, food, amenities, comfort, and care, you can rest assured that Addington Place will provide all life’s necessities, and more.

Other Steps to Protect and Support Our Residents:  Connective Technology ­— Our partnership with Caremerge assures that families and residents stay digitally connected and informed about their loved one’s ongoing care and wellness.  EmpowerMe Wellness Therapy — ­ Important physical, occupational, and speech therapy services have been adjusted, using in-room therapy and social distancing practices.  Adjustments to Dining ­— Our meals continue to be fresh, healthy, and delicious, but we have changed our dining practices to align with CDC guidelines regarding social distancing. Activities have been adjusted as well.  Caring, Supportive Staff ­— We are fortunate to have ample resources and dedicated employees. Our Addington Place Response Team vigilantly monitors the safety of our communities around the clock.

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North Fulton Family Life | MAY 2020

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15

COVER STORY

By Gregory Flail

Mosquito-Free Makes Backyards Home Again Local Businessmen Taking It to the ‘Skeets

F

ew places are as dear to the hearts of north Georgia residents as their backyards. Backyards are more than just a plot of land; they are an extension of the home — a place for children to play, pets to roam, and families to enjoy good weather with friends and neighbors.

The only serious threats to this lush paradise are the harmful insects that favor Georgia’s long summers. The mosquitoes in Georgia are notorious for loving backyards, picnics, and parties as much as homeowners do. Considering that a bottle cap’s worth of water can breed 150 mosquitoes in just three days, it’s no wonder that residents often feel overwhelmed by bugs long before summer begins.

Jody Wheeler and Chad Woodall are lifelong, local area residents who grew up knowing what a nuisance these insects can be.

Throughout their years of fishing and spending time outdoors, they experienced the state’s growing mosquito problem firsthand. With every pesky sting and bite they suffered, they began to see an opportunity.

By the summer of 2016, they decided to take matters into their own hands.

16

North Fulton Family Life | MAY 2020

Together, Wheeler and Woodall started Mosquito-Free and Spider-Free, two locally owned and operated companies on a mission to ensure that backyard and dockside gatherings remain invitation only. As local business owners, they have taken a big picture approach to their small business. There is much more to being Mosquito-Free and Spider-Free than one might think. It’s not just making insects disappear.

“Our goal is to protect families and pets,” Woodall said. “Mosquito bites are always painful, but the diseases that mosquitoes carry can also be deadly — to people as well as animals. And certain spider bites can be every bit as lethal.”

According to the World Health Organization, mosquitoes and the diseases they carry will cause more than a million deaths this year alone.

Given Georgia’s summery climate and coastal border, the state has been suffering from mosquitoes since the yellow fever epidemics of the 1800s when physicians were still unaware of how the disease was transmitted.

“Today, we have a clearer understanding of how to combat mosquitoes, and how to do it safely,” Woodall said. “There’s no reason that the treatment should also be a danger.”

Mosquito-Free and Spider-Free offer a variety of solutions, all of which are completely biodegradable. They also offer an all-natural Mosquito-Free solution that is both biodegradable and safe for vegetable gardens. In addition to traditional treatments, automatic MosquitoFree misting

“Mosquitoes are one of the most dangerous animals in the world,” said Wheeler. “Historically, they’ve proven to be more deadly than all wars combined.”

To learn more about Mosquito-Free and Spider-Free, including their customer referral program, please visit the websites or give the staff a call. Mosquito-Free and SpiderFree are now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, too.

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systems are available, as well as allnatural Mosquito-Free traps that require no spraying whatsoever. Each of these innovative, eco-friendly approaches is quickly making Mosquito-Free one of the area’s best choices for mosquito control solutions that are safe for people, pets, gardens, and wildlife.

“We take our work a little more seriously than many franchises would be able to do,” Woodall said. “Because we own our business and our clients are our neighbors, friends, and friends of friends, we always guarantee that our products are not only effective against pests, but also safe for everyone who shares that environment.”

Whether the occasion is a special event or a season full of outdoor gatherings, Mosquito-Free offers reasonably priced solutions for residential or commercial properties of all sizes. The company’s state-certified technicians can establish a mosquito-free zone that repels insects and disrupts their breeding cycle for three weeks. The zones help repel other harmful insects as well, including fleas, ticks, ants, and spiders. With recurring treatments every 21 days, the great outdoors can truly become great again.

The staff at Mosquito-Free provides seamless, trouble-free service throughout the year — sending a notice via email,

text, or phone call before their visit and another notice upon completion. MosquitoFree now accepts online payments for customers’ convenience as well.

Satisfaction is always guaranteed, and being local means that the Mosquito-Free team can resolve almost any issue within 48 hours or less. Typically, the mosquito season begins in March and ends in October, but changing weather patterns often extend the season without warning.

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17

X Marks the Spot

The Importance of Knowing How To Read a Map in the Age of GPS

By Christy Noll [HomeLife] May 25-31 is Map Reading Week, which is a great fundamental skill for everyone to have for multiple reasons.

In the age of GPS and Google Maps, it is still important to know how to look at and read a physical map and not rely on our phone or car navigation for guidance.

Why Use a Map? Reading a map requires us to interpret the geographic information portrayed on it. We derive important information from the map such as direction, distance, natural and man-made features, and topographical features, which helps us to understand and acknowledge our surroundings. Maps integrate aspects of the physical world, which requires us to read signs and notice landmarks or topography to know where we are.

Reading and drawing maps helps children build spatial reasoning skills, allowing them make sense of their surroundings.

Spatial skills encourage children to develop a mental picture of where they are in the world as well as how physical locations and objects relate to one another.

Sometimes, computer guided navigation can be wrong, especially if your destination is very new. Knowing how to read a map and having a good understanding of your surroundings can help you navigate GPS errors.

Map Activities for Children  Plan a day trip with your children.

Pick a location you would like to travel to and look at a map together before you leave. Which direction will

you be driving? How far away is your destination? Will you be driving near any lakes or mountains?  Draw a map with your children. Use crayons or markers and draw a map of the inside of your house. Shapes can be used to label objects like furniture.  Find the hidden “treasure.” Hide an object in your house or yard and then create a map for your children to follow to find the special goody.

Christy Noll is founder of AlpharettaMoms.org, a resource that connects North Fulton families with community organizations, programs, and events.

unintended consequences can cause hurt feelings and resentment among family members that lasts for decades.

Building Consistency in Your Estate Plan

By Chris Miller, Esq.

[StrategicLife] After the initial shock and sadness of losing a loved one, families ask questions about the mechanics of asset transfer. What happens to the house? What happens to the life insurance and retirement accounts?

The answers to those questions are sometimes found in a will that the decedent has signed and stored in a safe place, but they are more often determined by planning steps outside the will.

Beneficiary designations and asset titles play a big role in how property is dealt 18

North Fulton Family Life | MAY 2020

with at death. That is because a will only controls probate assets. Probate assets are resources owned by an individual without a beneficiary designation at the time they die.

A house, for example, might transfer to a joint owner without claim of any other family member if the deed was written as “joint tenants with rights of survivorship.”

Likewise, a retirement account or an insurance policy gets paid to the beneficiary designated on that account, even if a will signed later tries to steer those assets to someone else. These

Avoiding those hurt feelings means expressing an intent in consistent and multiple ways. In addition to having an updated will, it helps to double-check your beneficiary designations and review the language of the deeds to your properties.

A will can provide big picture instructions to an executor you know will be fair and professional. Beyond the will, though, you should also guide your executor about how to distribute your personal effects and who to call after you die. That guidance is best done in a separate letter that does not become part of the public record when the will gets filed for probate. L

Chris Miller is an attorney in Alpharetta. 678-746-2900.

NorthFultonWills.com

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Serving Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton

WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

19

Meet

LIZZ KUHN

The New F.A.C.E. for Judge, Fulton County Superior Court

By Anna Teal Attorney Lizz Kuhn is on the June 9, 2020, ballot. She is running for judge of the Superior Court of Fulton County. Kuhn wants to share her story of overcoming obstacles, so that voters can look ahead to more prosperous times. She is no stranger to challenges. Her strong drive is something to be admired and respected. During tough times, she not only survived — she thrived.

“It took me a long time to not be ashamed of where I came from,” said Kuhn. Her past includes living in a battered women’s homeless shelter at the age of 8, food stamps, clothes from Goodwill, and a

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North Fulton Family Life | MAY 2020

broken family unit. “I don’t even want to tell people about the types of places I’ve lived.”

Society often doesn’t consider people like Kuhn to be college material. Despite this, through hard work and perseverance, she was awarded a full tuition scholarship to West Liberty State University, West Virginia, to become a music teacher. She played jazz alto saxophone and double tenor steel drums while at West Liberty and graduated cum laude.

In 2000, Kuhn packed up her Dodge Dynasty and moved to southern Connecticut

How a Global Pandemic Is Impacting Voting Method Options on June 9 COVID-19, a global pandemic, reared its ugly head and forever impacted our nation. On April 9, Brad Raffensperger, Georgia’s secretary of state, took steps to curb the spread of COVID-19. In an effort to put the health and welfare of voters and poll workers first, Raffensperger established alternative voting methods and mailed absentee ballot request forms to all Georgians. For more information about safe voting practices, please visit SOS.Ga.gov/ index.php/Elections/absentee_ voting_in_georgia.

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where she taught inner-city youth how to sing. A year later, she became the conductor of an award winning chamber choir.

“The school was rough, but I loved those kids.” And while teaching music in an innercity school was challenging, nothing was tougher than being in school with children whose parents worked in New York City on September 11, 2001, when the World Trade Center buildings fell.

Kuhn is currently in good standing with the Atlanta Bar, Georgia Bar, Georgia Court of Appeals, Supreme Court of Georgia, and Federal Northern District of Georgia. She is also a member of the Cobb Bar, Blue Ridge Bar, Stonewall Bar, North Fulton Bar, and the Women’s Bar of Georgia.

In addition to a successful legal career, Kuhn is very active in her community. She coaches Upward basketball, is a wrestling team mom, and is an active member of her children’s Parent Teacher Organization.

She fundraises for family violence shelters, serves as a foster mom for pets, supports her college alma mater and Georgia Tech, and donates to her local synagogue, as well. Kuhn also supports many local schools through her firm, Hait & Kuhn, which has a wall of plaques showing this support.

After two years, Kuhn felt the need to help more people in society. “Leaving my kids was the hardest thing I could do, but I wanted to do more.”

LIZZ KUHN FOR JUDGE,

Fulton County Superior Court.

For endorsement, campaign contributions, or to learn more about Kuhn, visit her website or contact her via email.

If you’re looking for someone with a work, family, and community balance, Kuhn is your candidate for Judge of the Fulton County Superior Court. She stresses the importance of “Fairness, Access, Commitment, and Ethics.”

Her personal experiences guide her to be evenhanded and fair. “Every case is different, and I will listen to the evidence,” says Kuhn.

Paid for by Lizz for Judge, LLC.

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton

She believes everyone is entitled to an affordable court system and is committed to her community by being on time for trials and staying until business is finished. Lastly, her ethical nature serves as a compass for fairness.

Please Vote

Kuhn attended law school at New England School of Law in Boston. During her time, she was the business managing editor of the New England Law Review and organized a symposium on stem cell research and human cloning. She also interned at the Massachusetts Family and Probate Court.

Much to Kuhn’s surprise, her law school peers nominated her as the “Most Likely to Succeed.” After graduating magna cum laude, she packed up her car and moved to Atlanta. After passing the bar in November 2005, Kuhn entered the courtroom to practice family law, personal injury, appeals, and bankruptcy. She also handled criminal defense work for innocent citizens.

Access is attained by running a calendar efficiently, so lawyers are not being paid for sitting around. “Paying lawyers to sit around makes attorneys cost-prohibitive,” Kuhn says.

ElectLizz@lizzforjudge.com LizzForJudge.com Facebook.com/Lizzforjudge

June 9th WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

21

Support Your Local Businesses

By Michael Consoli

[Lifestyle] There is no better time to make sure you are supporting small businesses than right now. Under normal circumstances, small businesses make a large impact in our local economy and overall well-being. Small businesses bring us together. They provide a better economy for us by paying for advertising, employing our neighbors, and making contributions to our local schools and charities. When small businesses suffer, we all suffer in one way or another.

I am grateful for being a small-business owner of over 18 years in our community. I attribute my success to my knowledgeable and diligent team and to our loyal clients. Not only are we committed to our clients, my team and I extend our loyalty to the community by consistently supporting local schools and charitable organizations. The relationships, solidarity, and respect the residents and business owners have for one another create this thriving place we call “home.”

“When small businesses suffer, we all suffer in one way or another.”

My team and I pride ourselves on providing attentive, uncompromising, personal service that helps us build lasting relationships with our clients, all while ensuring the best price when planning a vacation.

With that in mind, there is no better time to plan ahead and book your travel. Many major cruise lines and tour operators are waiving penalties for customers wishing to change, postpone, or cancel their trips due to current circumstances. They are pushing back final payments and offering risk free cancellations up to 24 hours in advance.

Not only are cruise lines diverting from their typical policies, they are also offering persuasive incentives. My team and I have inner access to these deals. We can help you navigate the best way to select a

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North Fulton Family Life | MAY 2020

trip during this advantageous time, benefit from the great savings, and show you how to protect your vacation investment.

We can even help you work through the new policies provided by the cruise and tour operators as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, so you can save on the trip you book now for future travel. You can trust we have insider knowledge of how cruise lines are masters at dealing with unforeseen developments — cleanliness and sterilization are standard and routine.

You can rest assured when the time comes to reawaken your senses and renew your inner travel cravings, cruise lines will be prepared to pamper and indulge your needs while continuing to make your health and safety a top priority.

Let us help you save time, money, and the frustration of planning a trip. We NEVER charge a fee — there is no cost to you, the client. Whether today, tomorrow, or next week, we will eventually return to normalcy. It is important to re-embrace many things, like travel, that we may have once taken for granted. L

Michael Consoli is a professional travel and cruise specialist and owner of Cruise Planners. 770-650-7667. PlanMyCruise.com

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Book Review

BY JULIA PADGETT

The Celestine Sibley Sampler During the uncertainty of recent times, the wit, warmth, and honest brilliance of author Celestine Sibley will bring much needed comfort to readers. For those who may be too young to remember her writing in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution or her popular books, The Celestine Sibley Sampler is a great place to start. Snippets from Sibley’s books easily pull you into her world, which will be like visiting a childhood friend with every turn of the page for those who are familiar with her work.

Even the authors who introduce each section are an impressive reminder of Sibley’s influence, but yes, especially in the South. Where else can you find an author who wrote about murder as easily as she wrote about gardening? Sibley has many devoted readers who enjoy the range of emotions that her work elicits.

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When Sibley lost her “Muv” (mom), it was felt keenly by some Georgia readers — people who may have walked the same streets, taken the same MARTA train, and had the same appreciation for turnip greens, but never met her. That is why another visit shows how her voice still rings true after all these years.

It would be wonderful for new readers connect with Sibley and her sense of place. So, pull up a chair and sit a spell with this lovely book.

Julia Padgett is a librarian at Roswell Library, 115 Norcross Street, Roswell, 770-640-3075. AFPLS.org

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23

Teaching Teens To Be

Smart With Money Part Two of a Three-Part Series

By Tim Henderson [StrategicLife] If you’re like most people, you wish you had learned about good financial habits at an earlier age. In this series, we’re exploring ways to help your children get off to a better start. Last month’s article discussed the importance of teens making their own money and creating a budget. Here are some more things to think about, as you prepare your child for a smart, successful future:

were added to the policy. You can also discuss the cost of gas and maintenance.

In just a few minutes, you’ll have opened their eyes quite wide about the cost of car ownership, and that’s just the beginning.

you with a place to call home, and a way to grow wealth over the long run. But young adults can be tempted to run up credit card debt and find themselves overextended with a poor credit rating.

Another good lesson is to let them watch you pay bills. This will not only help them understand the high cost of living, but also the importance of living within their means.

Learning early can help them make smart choices and avoid pitfalls.

1. Teach teens about the beauty of compounded interest.

3. Demonstrate the difference between good and bad debt.

The more money you have, the more you make. There is no better lesson to learn at this age because saving early can mean big returns later in life. After all, $10,000 earning 5% compounded interest will earn $1,576 in just three years – that’s free money!

For most adults, debt is simply a part of life. It’s great to have good debt, like a low-interest mortgage loan that provides

In 10 years, that same $10,000 will now be $16,288, a 62% increase! Show your kids the math and help them figure out how much money they’d have for retirement if they began saving at age 18 versus age 40.

2. Introduce teens to the real cost of life.

4. Have teens save (or help pay) for college.

If your teen can start his/her life without a large student loan, all the better. Start early discussing options with your child.

Some of the alternatives are community colleges, in-state universities, working part-time during school, and applying for scholarships.

The more your kids understand at an early age, the more successful they will be financially. And if they don’t currently have a good savings account, there’s no time like the present. Some financial institutions offer as much as 5% on savings accounts for young people. So, help teens research different accounts and find one with low or no fees and strong rates. It’s the first step to a great start in life. L

These days, young people don’t use much cash. That makes it harder for them to understand what the necessities in life really cost. Start by walking them through your expenses.

For instance, many teens will begin driving on their 16th birthday. Show them your auto insurance bill before and after they

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North Fulton Family Life | MAY 2020

Tim Henderson is the Alpharetta Financial Center manager at LGE Community Credit Union.

2855 Old Milton Parkway, Suite 104, Alpharetta. 770424-0600. TimothyH@ LGEcuu.org. LGEccu.org

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HOW BEING APART HAS BROUGHT US TOGETHER Check out the creative ways our readers adapted their lives to continue to work, learn, and play while following social distancing guidelines! Though unable to come together in person, most have discovered that our shared desire to keep COVID-19 from spreading has united us in purpose.

To all essential employees who continued showing up to work at some risk to their own health, the Family Life Publications staff would like to extend a very special “ ”

Thank you.

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton

WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

25

Should I Shelter

MY INVESTMENTS in Place?

By Jack L. Shampine, Jr., LPL

R

ecent financial reports provide a catalog of the stock market roller-coaster ride starting at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic:

This chart highlights the magnitude of the market’s fall:

February 19 — S&P 500 at an all-time high March 23 — Dow Jones down almost 40% since Feb 19, fastest drop in history March 26 — S&P 500 on track for best week since 1938 and Dow Jones on track for best week since 1931 March 31 — Dow Jones on track for worst first quarter ever Besides dramatically altering our way of life, COVID-19 has taken a toll on our economy and markets. Sheltering in place was recommended to avoid exponential spread of the disease, but how can you protect your retirement savings and investments? Shelter your money in place? Take it out of the stock market? Move it to “safe” investments? Stop contributing to retirement accounts?

But now, let’s zoom out and look at this dramatic drop in the context of market history:

Before answering these questions, let’s look at where we are, how we got here, and what clues history offers as to where we might be headed. On February 19, the S&P 500 was at an alltime high — 3,386 points.

As you can see in the second chart, beginning in 1928, the index went from 17.66 points to 2,526 points. Even though those 90 years were fraught with world wars, natural disasters, pandemics, and more, you can view the overall trend. Notice how the COVID-19 pandemic looks fairly typical on this chart.

But for clarity’s sake, let’s put it in terms of dollars. One thousand dollars invested in the S&P 500 on January 1, 1928, and left alone with dividends reinvested would be worth roughly $3.6 million today. So, as horrible and unprecedented as this pandemic is, it too shall pass, and the positive long-term trajectory of the stock market will likely continue.

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North Fulton Family Life | MAY 2020

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The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results.

All indices are unmanaged and may not be invested into directly.

No strategy assures success or protects against loss.

All investing involves risk including loss of principal.

to have most of your money in the stock market. The tradeoff is that you must sometimes endure the discomfort of periodic (occasionally, drastic) fluctuations in your account balance.

Against that backdrop, here are answers to some questions you may have:

1. SHOULD I GET OUT OF THE MARKET AND PUT MY MONEY IN CASH? When people get spooked enough to withdraw all their money, they rarely become confident enough to reinvest as the market falls further. However, some people pull out of the market near the low and wait to get back in when it is significantly higher, thus locking in a huge loss.

2. SHOULD I MOVE ALL MY MONEY TO SAFE INVESTMENTS FOR NOW? If you’re currently invested in the stock market, moving to “safe” investments (like bonds) would be ill-advised because you’d be selling stocks low and likely buying bonds high. The portion of your money invested in stocks should have a relatively long-term horizon. So, wait — things will improve.

3. SHOULD I STOP ADDING TO MY 401(K) OR INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT (IRA)?

If your personal financial situation dictates that you need more cash flow right now due to reduced wages, Serving Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton

stopping your contributions is understandable, but you should not stop adding to your 401(k) or IRA due to market downturn. If you’re able, consider increasing your contributions to stock-oriented funds, since you’d be buying low (relatively speaking).

4. WITH ALL THESE FLUCTUATIONS AND UNCERTAINTIES, WHY INVEST AT ALL? WHY NOT JUST PUT MONEY IN THE BANK? If you put money in the bank, your number of currency units (dollars in our case) won’t decrease at all.

But guess what? It won’t increase much either. On the other hand, your living expenses will increase.

Historically, the cost of goods and services inflates at a rate of about 3% annually. This means that during 30 years of retirement, your costs will rise by about 2.5 times.

So, if your bank account doesn’t keep up with increasing costs, you’re going backward in terms of purchasing power.

Historically speaking, the only way to stay ahead of inflation is

5. I’M RETIRING SOON, AND I DON’T HAVE A LONG-TERM HORIZON. WHAT SHOULD I DO? Even when you retire, you won’t withdraw all your money at once.

You should keep a portion in the stock market to have any hope of outrunning inflation. A proper withdrawal strategy designed with your financial adviser should account for difficult periods like this one.

6. SHOULD I INVEST NOW? If you have cash with a long-term purpose, and you’re confident you won’t need it for several years, you should strongly consider it.

Consult your financial adviser first.

To summarize, don’t be lured into doing something with your investments when you probably should do nothing.

Reacting emotionally could negatively affect your financial future.

Jack L. Shampine, Jr. is a financial planner and president of J. Lyndon Financial, LLC. 185 West Main Street, Suite F, Canton.

678-880-6267. Jack@jlyndonfinancial.com. JLyndonFinancial.com WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

27

Community Partner

B

ack in 1975, when CURE Childhood Cancer was founded at Emory University, the survival rate for children with cancer was less than 10%.

Since then, research has improved the survival rate to above 80%. While that is great progress, it’s not enough when you consider that one in five children with cancer is still lost to this disease, which remains the No. 1 cause of death by disease for children.

CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer by funding targeted research and supporting patients and their families.

Research is the key to unlocking breakthroughs that save the lives of children diagnosed with cancer. Besides helping children survive their diagnoses, research leads to the development of safer and less toxic treatments that help survivors experience fewer harmful side effects and live their lives to the fullest.

In the past 10 years, CURE has invested $25 million in innovative research at leading pediatric cancer research institutions across the nation.

The highest priority is precision medicine, which is individualized treatment that targets tumor-driving genes and is already yielding significant results for children with recurring and hard to treat cancers.

Another way to describe precision medicine is personalized medicine.

Today, children’s cancers are treated by disease type — one size fits all. But a chemotherapy that works for some children might not be effective for others because of genetic differences.

Through genetic testing, doctors look at the genetic change in a tumor to determine how a child’s cancer will behave and the best way to treat it. By isolating the specific gene that is causing tumor growth, doctors can identify medications targeted at the tumordriving gene, which can then slow down or shut off the gene’s activity. This can potentially slow, stop, or reverse the tumor’s growth.

CURE’s hope is that the research it funds will lead to a safe and effective treatment for all children diagnosed with cancer.

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North Fulton Family Life | MAY 2020

Until there is a cure, there’s CURE. The second part of the organization’s mission is to support families devastated by a childhood cancer diagnosis through programs designed to meet a family’s emotional, practical, and financial needs quickly and appropriately.

CURE is in hospitals serving meals several days a week. The organization also provides emergency financial support to ease the burden of families in the fight, as well as offering professional counseling to patients and family members. CURE also gives bereavement support to families who must deal with unimaginable loss.

These are only a few of the ways the organization serves cancer patients and their families. CURE’s goal is to be an ever-present help during crisis by encompassing dozens of services designed to lighten the load of families and make sure they know they aren’t alone. CURE’s unwavering support is available from diagnosis until it is no longer needed.

CURE Childhood Cancer 200 Ashford Center North Suite 250 Atlanta, GA 30338 770-986-0035 CureChildhoodCancer.org More through the door!

Colorful Coleus [HomeLife] During May, many gardeners work to refine the look of their beds and add containers for accents. In recent years, the easy-care coleus has evolved and deserves attention. There is a vast array of colors, sizes, and leaf shapes available at nurseries.

a water-soluble fertilizer. Use snippers to remove flower spikes as they appear.

This encourages better growth and dense branching. Removing the flowers makes the plant use its energy to produce dramatic foliage instead of the lackluster flower/seed combination it generates.

Several new varieties of sun-tolerant coleus are on the market. Besides their striking foliage, many options are deeply lobed and have cut margins. Some of the trailing varieties are perfect “spillers” for containers. With all these improvements, coleus deserves the resurgence it is experiencing.

Garden magazines feature the adaptable coleus options in beds, borders, and containers. One color planted en masse makes a bold statement. Using a foliage color to echo or unify surrounding plants is a good trick. Planting bright varieties with splashes, blotches, or streaks can really lighten up a shady area.

In Zone 7, coleus plants are annuals that do best with morning sun and afternoon shade. They are not picky about the soil, but good drainage is critical. They perform best when watered and fed regularly with

Propagating coleus plants is simple. Take cuttings of your favorite varieties and place them in a jar of water. Be sure to clip any submerged leaves. The plants will quickly root and thrive. Change the water

Doctor’s Orders

By Jim Morrow, M.D. [HealthyLife] During the COVID-19 pandemic, here is a list of doctor recommendations you should follow:

2. Do not touch your face, including eyes, nose, and mouth if you can avoid it. This is the main entryway for this virus to get into your system.

3. If you are sick, stay home. If you feel you need to go to the doctor, please call him/her first, so he/she can be prepared for you.

4. When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with the crook of your elbow. When you use a tissue, use it once then throw it away. Then, refer to No. 1 and WASH your hands!

1. Spend time washing your hands. Take 20 seconds out of your day, several times a day, and wash them thoroughly with soap and water. When this is not available, use a hand sanitizer that is more than 60% alcohol. The novel coronavirus is very susceptible to that concentration of alcohol.

Serving Roswell, Alpharetta, and Milton

5. Use disinfectant to wipe down surfaces that are frequently touched.

Then, that’s right, throw it away and WASH your hands.

6. If you know people who are sick, avoid them. If they are loved ones and need your help, frequently WASH your hands and wipe down surfaces. Try to stay at least 6 feet away from others right now.

By Lisa Ethridge

if it gets cloudy. The cuttings will easily overwinter in a sunny location indoors and flourish when planted outdoors after April 15 the following spring.

Be bold this year — add the hardy coleus to your landscape and experiment with propagation. Look for information about these versatile performers at Extension.

UGA.edu/publications, “Landscape Basics: Color Theory Bulletin 1396,” “Flowering Annuals for Georgia Gardeners Bulletin 954,” and “Gardening in Containers Circular 787.”

Lisa Ethridge is a member of the award-winning Roswell Garden Club and a certified master gardener with North Fulton Master Gardeners, part of the UGA Cooperative Extension Service. 404-613-7670, NFMG.net

7. Stay at home. Unless you need groceries, medical care, or work in an essential field that requires you to work outside your residence, stay at home.

8. Wear a cloth face covering to cover your nose and mouth in a community setting. Based upon new information, this is the current recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Visit CDC.gov often and follow the latest advice.

9. Get a flu shot. Influenza A is still around and active, so avoid that.

And, when the coronavirus vaccine is available next year, for heaven’s sake, GET IT!

Jim Morrow is a family medicine physician at Morrow Family Medicine.

12970 GA-9, Milton. 770-781-8004.

MorrowFamMed.com

WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

29

ArtistProfile

BY ELLEN SAMSELL SALAS

Lacking “natural flexibility, extension, and range of motion,” Jamie Trial didn’t see herself as a dancer. In fact, she says she hated ballet as a child. Only after she switched dance studios when she was 13 did she discover that dance is her passion.

“Suddenly, at the new studio with teachers who encouraged me, I wanted to dance every day,” Trial remembered. “I dove in, and there was no going back!”

Discovering that passion motivated her to earn a bachelor’s degree in dance with a concentration in ballet at Kennesaw State University, followed by becoming the co-owner of a Canton dance production company and adjunct professor of dance at Reinhardt University, where she teaches dance technique classes and choreographs the university’s musicals.

While Trial loves performing, she knew early on that she wanted to choreograph.

“It’s fun for me. I think in choreography. I hear music, and I picture bodies moving. I think God wanted me to be a choreographer,” she said.

Starting in high school, Trial has choreographed all varieties of dance from the Nutcracker Suite ballet, to popular musicals including Annie, Little Shop of Horrors, Hairspray, The Sound of Music, and — most recently — Reinhardt’s production of the classic, Cabaret.

As a teacher, Trial emulates her past instructors, whom she credits with being demanding but encouraging. Remembering that ballet was initially difficult for her, she empathizes with students who are facing challenges.

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North Fulton Family Life | MAY 2020

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Photo courtesy of KVC Photography.

Jamie Trial with Allison Gupton, co-owners of DanceFest Productions, Inc.

“Dance can be highly critical. You’re always looking at yourself in the mirror and critiquing,” she said. “I try to keep that in mind with my students. They have to believe in their progress, to know that they might not see the end result that day, but they will (eventually).”

This year, a longtime dream of Trial’s will become a reality, as her production company’s DanceFest is launching DanceFest Reach, a program that will award dance scholarships to children and teens who are in the Georgia foster care program.

“ I love what

I do.

I have a passion for dance and a belief in the goodness of art.”

Last year, DanceFest sponsored one teen for a full year of dance instruction. With proceeds from a fall benefit gala, Trial hopes to offer dance to dozens of students.

“I have a heart for kids in need,” Trial said.

“Several years ago, I worked with kids in group homes, and I got this idea. They don’t have the opportunity for activities; I started going and teaching them dance. Through DanceFest Reach, we will be able to take dance to the kids.”

While Trial has performed professionally, she says that being a wife, mother, teacher, and business owner keep her too busy — and too fulfilled — to seek professional performance opportunities.

DanceFestInc.com Photo courtesy of Hunter Redman with R3ddy Photography

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