Home: Living in North Georgia January 2019

JANUARY 2019

SETTING GOALS FOR A NEW YOU THIS NEW YEAR

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JANUARY 2019 6 8 10 16 26 32 36 40 44

BUSINESS PROFILE An individualized approach is key to successful weight loss.

YEARS PAST A couple chronicles their courtship started in Gainesville.

HOME & GARDEN Find out about those beaks in your backyard.

NEW YEAR NEW YOU Explore resolutions, and incentive to keep them.

GET TO KNOW Spa owner presses restart on life, love and career.

BRIDAL

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The importance of capturing the day in pictures.

RECREATION Climbing the walls can be fun for the whole family.

AROUND TOWN Photos and recaps of holiday happenings.

CALENDAR A plethora of local events to plug into your weekend.

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DIRECTOR OF REVENUE Leah Nelson DIGITAL DIRECTOR Michael Beard GENERAL MANAGER Norman Baggs

32 ON THE COVER: Emilie Cook

by Scott Rogers

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THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jennifer Colosimo

Jennifer is a creative writer who enjoys telling the unique stories of her community to readers across Georgia. Whether exciting new finds or classic topics, she writes about everything from food and fashion to travel and health, beauty, the arts and more with an enthusiastic yearning to truly know her neighbors.

Alison Reeger Cook

Alison Reeger Cook resides in Gainesville and works in the College of Fine Arts & Humanities at Brenau University. A novelist, playwright and screenwriter, she also enjoys wall climbing, hiking and being out in nature with her husband David and their husky, Daisy.

Pamela A. Keene

Pamela A. Keene is a journalist who writes for about a dozen publications across the Southeast and nationally. She frequently writes about travel, gardening and business. She is also an accomplished photographer. She lives in Flowery Branch.

ADVERTISING SALES Bernadette Mastracchio Jenna Wellborn Megan Lewis Trent Sexton Debra Cates CREATIVE SERVICES Kerri Ivie, Manager Katerina Laskowski, Magazine Design Indigo Whatley, Ad Design Allie Nunnally, Ad Design PHOTOGRAPHY Scott Rogers David Cook HOME MAGAZINE, A DIVISION OF The Times Gainesville, GA A Metro Market Media Inc. property Manuscripts, artwork, photography, inquiries and submitted materials are welcome. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by an information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Metro Market Media Inc. Although every precaution is taken to ensure accuracy of published materials, Metro Market Media cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. HOME: Living in North Georgia reserves the right to refuse advertisements for any reason. Acceptance of advertising does not mean or imply the services or product is endorsed or recommended by HOME: Living in North Georgia.

/HOMELivinginNorthGeorgia

Emilie McGrath

Emilie McGrath is a wife, mother and nurse. She is an aspiring author, an advocate, and will always be an athlete at heart.

@Homemagazinenorthga 345 Green St. | Gainesville, GA 30501 | 770-532-1234

Not pictured: J.K. Devine & Carrie Jean

www.homemagazinenorthgeorgia.com January 2019 | HOME | 5

BUSINESS PROFILE

MAKE A CHOICE TO A LIGHTER, HEALTHIER YOU STORY BY PAMELA A. KEENE  PHOTOS BY DAVID COOK

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s New Year’s resolutions go, weight loss is often at the top of the list. And, today, more than ever, the options are plentiful.

From losing weight through diet modification and exercise to choosing to undergo surgery, many more factors affect a person’s success over the long term.

Whether you want to lose 10 to 20 pounds or undertake a weight-loss program to shed 50, 100 pounds or more, experts recommend that it’s best to work with a medical professional on your journey.

Dr. Alex Nguyen, director of the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute at Northeast Georgia Physicians Group, says that creating an individualized approach for each of the institute’s patients is the key to success, no matter their goal.

“We consult personally with each patient to evaluate their health issues and risks, medications, lifestyle, prior surgeries and medical history,” he says. “A patient can come to us for a variety of weight-related issues. It’s important to consider each case individually.”

He says that patient education is primary in weight loss so that they can make informed decisions, in partnership with their medical professional, about the option that’s right for them.

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in Bethesda, Md., today’s body mass index classifications generally break down as follows: underweight

LEFT: Dr. Alex Nguyen explains to a patient the process by which the intragastric balloons are placed and how they work in helping curb hunger and lose weight.

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are generally below 18.5, normal from 18.5 to 24.9, overweight from 25.0 to 29.9, and obese from 30.0 and above.

“But within these ranges, other factors are relevant to developing the individual’s approach to weight loss,” he says. “For instance, a person with a BMI of 35 and a history of medical issues may be a candidate for surgery, while someone with a BMI of 40 without medical problems may not be.

We consider all factors and develop a game plan that may include surgery or alternative treatments.”

The Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, with offices in Gainesville and Braselton, offers a wide range of non-surgical choices, such as dieting or pre-arranged meal programs.

“Dieting is generally our first line of treatment,” Dr. Nguyen says. “With dieting and lifestyle medication many of our patients who want to lose 15 to 25 pounds find success.”

With lifestyle modification, patients may have an eating plan with caloric guidelines and regular monitoring and education with a dietitian. Accountability is a key component.

Another possibility is the institute’s OPTIFAST program, using meal replacements and a medically managed and supervised process that combines lifestyle education, counseling and personalized support.

“However there may be underlying metabolic issues that take losing weight out of the patient’s control,” he says. “If they have exhausted their options, we can help as well.”

One such non-surgical alternative is the intragastric balloon, medical-grade salinefilled balloons inserted into the stomach.

“The intragastric balloon, a more robust approach than just dieting, can be a bridge between medical treatments and surgery,” he says. “The balloon is placed in the stomach, with no surgery, and occupies space in the stomach to work as a built-in portion control for six months. Then, the balloons are removed and the patient receives six more months of coaching to support their success.”

Surgical options may include a laparoscopic adjustable gastric band, a sleeve gastrectomy or a gastric bypass. Details of these procedures can be discussed with a physician.

“Not all patients need surgical interven-

“Our goal is to help our patients be successful, even if they’ve struggled with these issues for decades.”

— Dr. Alex Nguyen tion,” he says. “Sometimes they can lose weight through diet and exercise. It’s our role to help them understand their choices and determine the best possible scenarios for each person.”

Obesity is a growing concern. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, obesity is on the rise. In 2015-16, obesity affected nearly 40 percent of all US adults, about 93.3 million people. Health risks from obesity include heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer. The CDC also reported that the annual medical cost of obesity in 2008 was $147 billion.

Medical costs for people who are classified

as obese were $1,429 higher than those of normal weight.

“Being obese or even overweight can shorten your life span and complicate health issues,” Dr. Nguyen says. “Our goal is to help our patients be successful, even if they’ve struggled with these issues for decades. But remember, in many cases it has taken years to reach your present condition, and it will be a process to reach your goals, a process that requires education, research and knowing your choices.”

For more information about the Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, visit https://www.ngpg.org/bmi or call 770-629-0205. H January 2019 | HOME | 7

YEARS PAST

‘SWEET ON EACH OTHER’ LOVE STORY GREW IN GAINESVILLE STORY BY EMILIE McGRATH

“It has only been a week since I was home, that magic place, but it does seem much longer.

You are doubtlessly my other and better half.”

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he year was 1971. My father, John Latty, had enlisted in the Army. He wrote these words to my mother, Beckie Latty, back home in Gainesville, in one of dozens of letters sent during his time away. He was 19. She was 17. And as I read through letters written almost 48 years ago, I could sense his longing for two things: To come back home to Gainesville and to start his life with my mother. It was a love story as old as time: Small town boy and girl make a small-town life for themselves in a time and place where handshakes settled deals and church gatherings formed the backdrop of daily life.

As if designed by fate, the intersection of my parents’ lives began before either of them was born. In the late 1940s my paternal grandparents bought land on Candler Highway from my maternal great-grandparents, and both my maternal and paternal grandfathers grew up together. Setting my ancestral anchors in the “magical” place of Northeast Georgia, my paternal grandparents started their family farm on the land they purchased, and my maternal grandparents lived right outside of what was then the Gainesville Mill village.

My mother and father were in the same Sunday School class at church and by the time my mother was 13 and my father was 15, they were what my mother refers to as “sweet on each other.” She vividly remembers being on a youth group outing, looking at my dad, and thinking to herself, “I will marry him one day.”

In July 1971, shortly following the death of my paternal grandfather after a long battle with spinal cancer, my father left his childhood home on Candler Highway and enlisted in the United States Army. Throughout his first year in the service the letters poured in to my mother, where my father repeatedly expressed to her how much he missed her, and how much he missed “home.” In one letter, written April 10, 1972, my father wrote: “I am in a period of suspense and waiting... for you, our home, perhaps one or two little ones.” Then, in early November of that same year my father proposed from a telephone booth in Virginia where he was stationed. Needless to say, she said yes.

On Jan. 5, 1973, they were married in a small ceremony at my mother’s childhood home, which was then on Route 3. They LEFT: Becky Latty at age 18.

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John and Beckie Latty celebrate their 46th anniversary this month.

returned to Virginia for the remainder of my father’s time in the service. During 18 months there as newlyweds they both state they missed being away greatly and, in 1975, they returned home to Gainesville.

Back in Georgia they rented out a home owned by my paternal grandfather, worked different jobs to make ends meet and, by the fall of 1975, my father began college, majoring in criminal justice. He graduated in 1979 and began what would be an impressive and successful 30-plus-year career in law enforcement. In 1981, they built a home where they raised three children, the “little ones” my dad hoped for. They live in the same house today.

On Jan. 5 my parents celebrate their 46th wedding anniversary. Three children, one daughter in-law, two sons-inlaw, and six grandchildren later, they are still best friends.

They travel together, surprise each other with gifts at Christmas, and sing duets at the same church they met at more than three decades ago. A few years ago, I had a photo of my mother when she was 18 framed for my father and other two siblings. As our family gathering came to an end that day I saw my father, in his chair in the living room, gazing at that picture, much like I am sure he gazed at that same girl he first fell in love with so many years ago.

My parents’ friendship and marriage did not just happen but is the result of much faith and commitment exhibited by both of them. Their longing to be together when my father was in Virginia writing to my mother was at a time when there was no Facebook, texting, Instagram or Skype. They could not instantly see or speak to one another. They had to wait. They had to wait for each other’s letters and for my dad’s few short visits home. And it was in the waiting where they secured being “home” together — home with each other and home in Gainesville, the backdrop of their true love story. H

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HOME & GARDEN

NATURE’S ENTERTAINMENT WINTER BIRDWATCHING STORY BY PAMELA A. KEENE

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ven though the January weather is chilling, you can still enjoy the outdoors and all it has to offer from the warmth and comfort of your home.

Put up a couple of bird feeders near your windows and watch nature unfold. From bright-red cardinals to tiny black-capped titmice, nature’s fine feathered friends are more than happy to entertain you on a cold winter’s day.

“In the winter, there are plenty of birds to see, some of which are year-round residents and others that are considered shortrange migrants,” says Peter Gordon, education director at Elachee Nature Center. “By putting out a few bird feeders near windows, you can easily be entertained by the variety of visitors.”

A full range of feeder types are available, made from plastic, wood or metal.

Some look like little houses; others are sold as squirrel-proof, designed to deter squirrels. The Spruce website, www.thespruce. com, rated the top squirrel-proof feeders and lists these brands among the top-rated: Brome, Perky-Pet Squirrel-Be-Gone, Roamwild PestOff Cardinal Feeder and Heritage Farms Woodlink. Birding supply and garden stores and websites also sell Droll Yankees and Squirrel Buster brands that are popular.

“Our favorite is the Eliminator because it’s squirrel-proof,” says Yvonne Bombardier, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited, www. wbu.com, in Dawsonville. “It is an excellent choice, not only because it helps keep the squirrels away, but because it can accommodate both small and large birds, and we offer a lifetime warranty. It’s made by Brome and it’s a Wild Birds Unlimited exclusive.”

TOP: Brown-headed Nuthatch. Photo credit Denise Massie/Audubon Photography Awards.

BOTTOM: Northern Cardinal male. Photo credit Kelly Sandefur.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Birder during the Great Backyard Bird Count in Georgia. Photo credit Karin M. Markey/Great Backyard Bird Count.

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The Great Backyard Bird Count Is Coming For the past 21 years, people across the United States and around the world have come together for the Great Backyard Bird Count to help study the habits and habitats of birds around the globe.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is a project of the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

It’s simple — and free — to participate. Just

register at gbbc.birdcount.org and then print out the bird checklist associated with your ZIP Code. Then on the weekend of Feb. 1518, spend at least 15 minutes during those four days to count kinds and numbers of birds you see. You’ll be helping create a snapshot of the number of birds in your area.

Who knows? You might just find yourself a new hobby!

Bombardier explains that choosing the right type of seed is important. While black oil sunflower seeds are a good go-to, she suggests adding some shelled feed-quality sunflower seeds to attract even more varieties of birds.

“In addition to purchasing feeders, consider the type of seed you’ll provide for the birds,” Gordon says. “Black oil sunflower seeds are a great go-to for many types of birds and there’s less waste than with lessexpensive seed mixes. Buy in bulk from box retailers for the best prices.”

As for the types of birds you can expect, Gordon says that several varieties of woodpeckers are fairly active during the winter.

While most of them perch on trees, a suet cake is a good way to lure them closer for a good look.

“The most prevalent woodpeckers in the winter include the Red-Bellied Woodpecker, with a thick red vertical band on its head and some red on its belly, the RedHeaded Woodpecker, which has a solid red head, and the Yellow-Bellied Sap Sucker, that has red on its head and some yellowgreen on its stomach,” he says. “They are all delightful birds that are fun to watch.”

Other common birds include the Blackcapped Chickadees and Tufted Titmouse.

Both are resident birds of the Southeast, so they will be at your feeders all year long.

“Both are very easy to identify and provide plenty of activity at the feeder,” he says.

LEFT: House finch. BOTTOM: Pine warbler.

Photo credit Laurie Gross.

“Whether you bird-watch for fun or as a serious hobby, you can certainly enjoy watching nature this winter from the warmth and comfort of your home.”

— Peter Gordon 12 | HOME | January 2019

LEFT: Birders during the Great Backyard Bird Count in Georgia. Photo credit Joan Condon / Great Backyard Bird Count.

“House finches, with a smattering of dull burgundy on their heads around their beaks and purple finches, that have raspberrycolored feathers further down their backs, are both common. It’s easy to confuse the two until you’ve seen them together.”

Cardinals, both males and females,

are easy to spot. Males are the distinctive bright red; the females are more of a muted brown with red undertones. Both have crests on their heads. Mockingbirds and Brown Thrashers also live here year-round.

In fact, the Brown Thrasher is the official state bird of Georgia.

“Three kinds of nuthatches are common in Georgia, the Red-Breasted Nuthatch, the White-Breasted Nuthatch and the BrownHeaded Nuthatch,” he says.

Gordon suggests purchasing a bird identification book that features birds of the Southeast as a way to learn more about birds, their habits and habitats. Binoculars will also help you see the finer details of feathers, patterns and colors.

“Fifty million people in the United States regularly watch birds,” Gordon says.

“Whether you bird-watch for fun or as a serious hobby, you can certainly enjoy watching nature this winter from the warmth and comfort of your home.”

To get started as a backyard birdwatcher, Bombardier says that her staff can help with the basics, from helping select specific seed to attract various varieties of birds, to answering questions about birdwatching.

The store’s phone number is 706-429-0077 and the website is www.wbu.com. H

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new year NEW YOU expo Join us at the

Saturday, January 19, 2019 | 9AM-12 NOON Lakeshore Mall, Gainesville | (Next to Books-A-Million)

Learn how to GET FIT

STAY HEALTHY ELIMINATE STRESS

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PROTECT YOUR FUTURE SELF SPEND MORE TIME WITH FAMILY

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Join the 13 week Healthy Lifestyle Challenge for a chance to win $1,000!

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Champion Sponsor:

For more information, or to find out how to become a vendor, contact Dana Erwin at 770- 535- 6380, or derwin@gainesvilletimes.com

NEW YEAR

NEW YOU

STORY BY J.K. DEVINE

“I want to lose weight and get fit this year.” “I want to eat healthier this year.”

“I want to have less stress this year.” “I want to put more money in my retirement fund this year.” “I want to spend more time with family this year.”

ABOVE: Find Your Center instructor Emilie Cook’s yoga class. Photo by Scott Rogers.

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On January 19, Northeast Georgia Health System is champion sponsor of the

NEW YEAR NEW YOU EXPO at Lakeshore Mall from 9A – 12 Noon.

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very Jan. 1, Americans declare these statements or similar ones as their New Year’s resolutions.

They want to improve their health, wealth and personal goals. Every year, some succeed while others do not. The difference between the two is a simple one, said Liz Fabiny, a national board-certified health and wellness coach.

“The main thing is people struggle with their New Year’s resolutions because they tend to overestimate their goals and then they become frustrated with them and they give up,” said Fabiny, who owns and operates Five Seasons Health in Flowery Branch.

The ability to overcome the frustration and failure and succeed is as easy as being kind to oneself and accepting “you are human.”

For example, Fabiny said if a person decided to change his or her diet and stuck to that resolution one day but failed the next, that does not mean he or she should quit.

Fabiny said the person should recognize he or she stumbled and fell off the wagon, and then straighten up and climb back on the wagon.

“Realize that you go forward a few steps and move back a step, then you go forward a few more steps and go back step,” she said. “I tell people ‘You do the best and forget the rest,” and “Don’t wallow around in the misery.”

To help people achieve their New Year’s resolutions, Fabiny offers some tips to follow.

• Determine what you want your resolution to be, why you want to achieve it and what makes it meaningful to you.

“Whatever goal you set, whether it is large or small, it needs to be for you because it is important to you,” Fabiny said.

“If what you choose what makes you a better person and it is what your values are and what you want to be in the future, then that’s the way to go.”

• Formulate a plan.

For example, it is not realistic to decide to train to run a marathon in a month’s time. But training over several months to

New Year New You expo is designed to match health and lifestyle experts with attendees, and will kick off a 13-week Healthy Lifestyle Challenge.

The Healthy Lifestyle Challenge engages participants on a 13-week challenge to adopt a healthier lifestyle, and presents an opportunity to win $1,000.

Whether the goal is physical fitness, financial fitness, or lifestyle balance, each participant has the potential to be a winner! Pick the challenges you are most interested in and get started!

Beginning January 20, there will be a Healthy Lifestyle Challenge checklist in The Times.

Participants have seven days to complete their weekly challenge and return the checklist.

There will be weekly prizes, announced Thursdays in The Times.

Participants will be eligible to enter our $1,000 Grand Prize Drawing when they return their completed checklists all of the 13 weeks of the Healthy Lifestyle Challenge.

Businesses interested in becoming a vendor at the New Year New You event, or anyone that has a question about the event or challenge, is welcome to call Leah Nelson at 770-535-6330 or email Leah at lnelson@ gainesvilletimes.com. run a half-marathon is possible.

“Set achievable goals throughout the year to meet the big picture,” Fabiny said.

“Once you have a habit of setting goals and making it part of your path, it starts to become a way of life.”

• Be aware of your triggers or excuses.

Fabiny said knowing your weaknesses of not meeting goals, can help a person devise a way to avoid them. Fox example, if a person plans to walk a mile or two ev-

“Set achievable goals throughout the year to meet the big picture.

Once you have a habit of setting goals and making it part of your path, it starts to become a way of life.”

— Liz Fabiny

ery day outdoors, then he or she needs a contingency plan for when it rains.

“If it rains, then run your errands and park as far as from the store and bring an umbrella,” Fabiny said. “Or go to the mall and walk there.”

• Steer clear of a BHAG — Big Hairy Audacious Goal.

“Don’t set one monster BHAG,” Fabiny said. “That’s the one most people set.”

Instead, she advises setting smaller goals to achieve the long-term goal, or BHAG. • Remind yourself of your goal or goals and offer yourself encouragement.

For example, if your goal is to walk five miles on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, then send yourself a reminder about your progress on Thursday.

• Establish a support structure.

“I keep my goals on 3x5 cards in my wallet,” she said. “I can give myself the reassurance that I can do it.”

• Recognize that you are not perfect, but you are on your way to becoming a better version of yourself.

“When you recognize that you are successful and have support, then you start to love the feeling of being successful along a path that’s difficult.” H January 2019 | HOME | 17

SETTING REALISTIC WEIGHT LOSS AND FITNESS GOALS STORY BY J.K. DEVINE  PHOTOS BY SCOTT ROGERS

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hen Tommie Griffith was in her 20s, she was diagnosed with a thyroid problem. One side effect was weight gain.

To combat the added pounds, Griffith hit the gym. And, like most people who have ever made a New Year resolution to lose weight and get fit, she has her ups and downs.

“I’ve had the same issues as everyone else,” she said. “I like to eat and go out with my friends. We are all human and fall of the wagon. We just have to pick ourselves up and get back on the wagon.”

That testimony comes in handy when Griffith, who owns and operates Limestone Personal Training in Gainesville, encourages her clients to stick with their exercise and diet plan. She also tells her clients to set achievable goals, especially new ones who plan to begin a workout regimen for

the new year.

“A lot of people want instant results,” she said. “But with changing habits and working out, it is not instant. We coach clients to give themselves time to reach their goals.”

Griffith said some people arrive wanting to lose 20 pounds in four weeks for a special occasion such as a wedding. But

“We are all human and fall of the wagon.

We just have to pick ourselves up and get back on the wagon.”

— Tommie Griffith

that is highly improbable.

“You can lose a pound or two in a week through diet and exercise,” she said.

“Twenty pounds in a month is unrealistic.”

She advises her clients to make small incremental changes such as committing to working out a couple of days a week for 30 minutes. She also recommends clients take the stairs or walk a lap around the building to help them become more active during the workday.

“It’s about starting small,” Griffith said.

“That way you are not overwhelmed.”

While some people become overwhelmed and stop exercising, others have a fitness goal but lack of knowledge to achieve it.

“It’s as if they are given the keys to the space shuttle, but don’t know how to fly it,” said Greg Supianoski, vice president of operations at Georgia Mountains YMCA.

ABOVE: YMCA members workout in the gymnasium of the Gainesville facility. Holli Lee leads a power muscle class through their workout.

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LEFT: Liz Stephens uses the gym’s ActivTrax system to tailor her workouts and keep track of her goals.

The YMCA instituted an online trainer program called ActivTrax to help members start and maintain an exercise regimen.

The program begins with a one-time onehour appointment with a personal trainer to discuss goals and determine a person’s strengths and limitations.

“Everyone comes from different backgrounds and are different shapes and sizes,” said Emily Young, wellness coordinator at the J.A. Walters YMCA in Hall County.

To that end, ActivTrax plans each person’s workout with different exercises for

cardio and strength along with sets and repetitions.

“It tracks your workout and your ability,” she said.

After the program began in November 2016, 93 percent of those who registered with ActivTrax remained with the program 12 months later. By February 2018, 86 percent of members still participate. “When compared to the rest of the pool of people who didn’t get involved, there is only a 60 percent chance that they are still with us,” Supianoski said.

Young said the YMCA also offers monthly challenges for members to compete with each other, giving members the opportunity to try different exercises.

Changing the workouts help keep exercise interesting, Griffith said.

“The more you change the exercises, the more your body has to adapt,” she said.

Supianoski said having a support system helps with member success. Therefore, the YMCA focuses on providing exercise programs for families. Young explained the YMCA offers a family-focused event every Saturday.

“We also have children in an area called childwatch and put them in a program to get them moving,” Supianoski said. “It’s getting them out and moving in a fun environment.”

YMCA trainers as well as Griffith reevaluate their clients or members every six months to ensure they are getting results.

“My passion for working out is to help people with weight loss,” she said. H

DRINK MORE WATER AND WATCH YOUR MEAT INTAKE STORY BY J.K. DEVINE

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fter the holiday ham is no longer leftover, the eggnog is drained and the Christmas candy is eaten, many people look to better their daily diets in the new year.

Carin Booth, family and consumer sciences extension agent at the University of Georgia, said people can follow some easy steps to make better food choices.

“The No. 1 thing is to stay hydrated,” she said. “Even if you are eating well, the lack of water consumption can throw us off.”

The typical recommendation for the average person’s daily water consumption is eight 8-ounces glasses of water.

The second step is more whole grains.

Booth suggested swapping white rice for brown rice and switching to whole grain

cereals instead of sugary ones.

“That’s heart healthy and it benefits your waistline,” she said.

Booth also advised paying attention to the ingredients to ensure the food is, in fact, whole grain. Or look for the whole TIPS FOR EATING BETTER • Drink more water • Eat more whole grains • Limit consumption of red meat • Pay attention to your food portions grain stamp on the product.

The third element to starting or maintaining a healthy diet is to limit the amount of saturated fat found in red meat. Substituting beans in a dish instead of ground

beef is a practical way to eliminate saturated fat. Choosing fish as a main dish four times a week is a heart-healthy recommendation, too.

“If you do not cut out meat, then focus on lean meats such as turkey and chicken,” Booth said, adding consumers should pay attention to portion sizes. “An accurate portion for meat is 3 to 4 ounces, which is the size of a deck of cards.”

She said typically restaurants serve a double portion size. Booth suggested cutting the portion in half and taking it home.

Of course, eating at home is better for a person’s diet and their wallet.

“When we cook at home, we can control what’s going into the food such as the amount of salt, sugar and fat,” Booth said.

H

January 2019 | HOME | 19

TAKING PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO STAY HEALTHY STORY BY J.K. DEVINE  PHOTOS BY SCOTT ROGERS

D

uring a routine health screening, Dave Palmer’s doctors spotted something unusual. Polyps were in his colon.

Surgery removed them along with a portion of his colon. A dissection revealed the polyps were cancerous.

“Screenings can really save people a lot of heartache,” he said. “I’m a walking testament. They caught my cancer before it became an issue.”

Now, Palmer is an advocate for annual screenings and other preventive medical

procedures for young and old in the new year. He is the public information officer for District 2 of Public Health, which encompasses the 13 counties in northeast Georgia including Hall County.

Palmer said the average person should speak with his or her doctor about correct screenings for his or her age. Men should be screened for prostate cancer while women should have annual mammograms to detect breast cancer.

Screenings aren’t the only preventive measures the average individual should

schedule in 2019. Many people should get a flu shot.

“The flu is a virus that can occur anytime in the year,” Palmer said, adding the flu season in Georgia typically runs from October to May. “There are still several months in flu season. If people have not gotten the flu shot, now is a good time to get it.”

Along similar lines as the flu shot, a person should also consider getting pneumonia vaccine depending on the person’s health condition. Palmer explained pneumonia is one illness that can be prevented.

ABOVE: Giselle Contreras, lab tech for Hall County Health Department, records the vital signs of patients.

20 | HOME | January 2019

“Contracting pneumonia could be detrimental to a person’s system and could possibly result in death,” he said.

Palmer also encourages parents of children from birth to kindergarten develop a plan for them to be vaccinated in the spring. This early planning allows the children to be up-to-date on their vaccines before school starts in the fall.

“It’s easier for children to have them scheduled early than for them to have catch up,” he said.

Children who play sports in school will also need to undergo sports physicals, allow doctors to catch any problems earlier.

The same logic applies to adults. Palmer said they need to schedule annual physicals to maintain a healthy body.

Having a healthy body includes maintaining good oral care, and dental hygienist Lamara Moore could not agree more.

“As simple as it sounds, brushing and flossing your teeth are the greatest tools in your toolbox,” she said. “The mouth is the gateway to keeping your entire body healthy.”

Moore, who works at Great Expressions Dental in Gainesville, explained the bacteria

PREVENTIVE HEALTH ACTIONS • Wash your hands after eating and using the restroom • Get plenty of rest to give your body time to reset from the day’s activities • Exercise regularly.

• Eat fruits and vegetables and manage your food portions

in a person’s gums is linked to the bacteria found in patients suffering from heart disease. Poor mouth health is also linked to cancer.

“Oral cancer is almost at epidemic portions,” she said. “One person every hour is dying from cancer of mouth.”

The simple way to prevent dental problems is to brush after each meal and floss daily.

“But we live in the real world and don’t carry a toothbrush around with us at all times,” Moore said. “So if you are out for a meal, you can rinse your mouth with water after your meal.”

She said the water will neutralize the acid building up on the food in the mouth.

Visiting the dentist for an annual checkup and cleaning can alert a person to any other periodontal issues, too.

“Bleeding gums is never OK,” she said.

“It’s first sign of infection or inflammation.

And if you have bleeding gums, you need to see a dental provider.” H ABOVE: A patient has their blood pressure tested at the Hall County Health Department.

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THERAPEUTIC TOUCH & DEEP BREATHING CAN REDUCE STRESS ON BODY STORY BY J.K. DEVINE  PHOTOS BY SCOTT ROGERS

S

uffering the ups and downs of adolescence is never easy. Abigail Robertson seemed to have a harder time than most.

“I started getting anxiety and depression in middle school,” she said.

The then-teenager did not know what to do, but her sister had an idea. She took her for her first massage.

“There was something about the physical touch and the nurturing that made me feel more at ease,” Robertson said. “I felt relieved of my anxiety about future things.”

Robertson signed up for regular mas-

“It gives you time to figure out what your body is telling you. It can help you physically and mentally.”

— Abigail Robertson

sages and found a way to survive the trials of middle school. Now, she shares her story and the healing power of massage as a salesperson at Massage Envy Spa in Flowery Branch.

“Massage is a way people can alleviate stress,” she said. “It gives you time to figure out what your body is telling you. It can help you physically and mentally.”

On the physical side, a massage can even alleviate the tension by working out tightness in a person’s muscles. On the mental side, the massage helps the body release endorphins, which trigger a

ABOVE: Abigail Robertson, right, and Hannah Wells are sales associates at Flowery Branch’s Massage Envy Spa.

22 | HOME | January 2019

positive feeling in the body.

Robertson explained all massages are customized for clients.

“The therapist takes time to get to know you and consult with you about the best wellness plan for your body,” she said.

Robertson said many customers sign up for the wellness program have access to a facial, massage or stretch once a month.

Massages are not the only low-impact activity that helps ease stress.

Emilie Cook, owner and operator of Find Your Center Yoga in Gainesville, said practicing yoga helps people switch their bodies from the “fight, flight or freeze” actions of the day to “rest and digest.”

“I can say ‘you are peeling off your day and its stresses like layers of clothing that you can set aside,” the certified yoga teacher said.

Cook explained she first asks her clients to pay attention to their breathing. Next, she encourages them to exhale longer than they inhale. This action switches the body into a mode of stopping and being still.

“Some of my students say there is also something about someone speaking nice to me for an hour-and-a-half and someone

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who cares about me,” Cook said.

Caring for her students and helping them find relief to stress is why Cook became a yoga teacher.

“I’m addicted to helping people feel better,” she said. “It makes my day when

someone comes in emotionally hurting and leaves feeling a tiny bit better.” H

ABOVE: Find Your Center instructor Emilie Cook’s yoga class.

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January 2019 | HOME | 23

BRINGING THE FUTURE INTO THE PRESENT STORY BY J.K. DEVINE

W

hile many people focus on their health for the new year, resolving to improve one’s wealth should be on a person’s to-do list.

“It is critical to set a financial plan and make it a priority,” said Scott Moore, founder and president of Moore’s Wealth Management in Gainesville. “Make sure you put an emphasis on saving more money and spending less to reach short-term and long-term goals.”

Moore recommends utilizing the advice of a fiduciary to help an individual reach his or her goals and setting a plan that works. And the first step to meeting a new year’s financial resolution is to set a realistic budget and stick to it.

Of course, not all plans and budgets are the same. People need to devise and revise financial strategies according to their lifestyles. For example, a single person in their 20s will have different financial goals from a married retired couple in their 60s.

Moore offered the following suggestions: • For a single individual in his or her 20s, begin saving now.

“The concept of compounding interest is critical and that can’t begin until you start setting dollars aside, even if it is $50 or $100 a month,” Moore said.

A person should ensure he or she has three to six months’ worth of income saved in the bank in case of any emergency. Next begin funding a Roth IRA and max out contributions if possible.

• For a married couple in their 30s with children: “Again, if you haven’t started saving, save now,” Moore said.

He also advised funding the correct vehicles to put themselves in a good financial position for when children begin college and when retirement nears.

“If your work has a group plan, contribute as much as you can, but only up to the match,” Moore said. “If you have more that can be put away, and your eligible, fund a Roth.”

24 | HOME | January 2019

He said if the person doesn’t have access to a group plan, he or she should fund an individual retirement account.

“All these are great vehicles to prepare us for retirement. But remember, the most important thing, is to save,” Moore said.

• For a married couple in their 40s or 50s with children in college: “This is a critical stage in which if your financial assets are not positioned correctly, could cost your kids substantial free money or scholarships that they would have otherwise been eligible for,” Moore said.

“Make sure you put an emphasis on saving more money and spending less to reach short-term and long-term goals.”

— Scott Moore All money positioned in retirement accounts such as are 401K, IRA and Roth are not counted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form. It must be filled out to have a child qualify for grants, scholarships, work study or loans. If a person has a substantial amount of taxable dollars in checking or savings accounts, money market, brokerage accounts, CDs, repositioned them so they don’t hurt a child’s ability to received financial help.

“Along with that, these dollars are the least efficient when it comes to taxes,” Moore said. “So you need to make adjustments if you are in this position.”

• For individuals in their 60s and looking to retire soon: Individuals are going from accumulating to preserving income phase. Sit down with a financial professional and create a plan tailored to your financial needs in retirement.

“It is critical to understand certain key risk that can drastically impact the outcome of your retirement,” Moore said. “Market risk, inflationary risk, sequence risk, and longevity risk are just a few areas that need to be addressed.”

Moore advises working with a fiduciary licensed advisor who specializes in these areas to ensure a successful retirement.

Life insurance and medical care costs also needs to become a factor in a person’s financial plan. Any individual with a family and working also need to consider term life insurance.

“It is the most cost-efficient way to insure financial security if anything tragic where to happen,” Moore said.

If nearing retirement, consider long term care.

“The one event that can significantly impact one’s retirement is a critical illness event if there is no coverage for this,” Moore said, explaining Medicare only covers individuals for up to 90 days in a facility. “After that, you are on your own. Make sure you talk to a financial professional about your options.”

Overall, Moore said by simply living within a person’s means and saving money is a good way to ensure financial stability for the new year. H Advisory services offered through Moore’s Wealth Advisory, A Member of Advisory Services Network, LLC. Insurance products and services offered through Moore’s Wealth Management. Advisory Services Network, LLC and Moore’s Wealth Management are not affiliated.

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GET TO KNOW

FINDING A NEW VILLAGE PRESSING RESTART ON LIFE, LOVE AND CAREER STORY BY JENNIFER COLOSIMO  PHOTOS BY DAVID COOK ABOVE: (Back row left to right) Virginia Williams, Teryl Worster, Savannah Burns and Emily Duncan, (bottom row) Alicia Davis and Kayla Johnston.

26 | HOME | January 2019

I

f there’s one thing Teryl Worster knows, it’s that it takes a village — to raise a child, or run a business. That’s what her life in Ft. Myers was missing, and what she packed it all up for, including her three daughters, in search of a fresh start. It’d be a risk, personally and professionally, but she wanted that village. And the reward — warm hospitality, renowned healthcare, good schools, friendly neighbors and fresh air — would be worth it.

She was already a certified personal trainer and owner of several gyms in South Florida, so it wouldn’t be hard to continue that profession in Georgia; but she knew she wanted to do more with her expertise and felt called to exercise her passion for wellness when a call came to join the team at Gainesville’s The Spa on Green Street in 2004. Gainesville would provide the community support she needed to refresh her career, live better as a family and put down roots. She made the move at the start of the next year, joining the spa’s talented group of medical and wellness professionals and marrying her husband, Erich Worster, one of the spa’s original founders.

“We’re a group of people who just really want to help other people feel good.”

— Teryl Worster

TOP: The Spa on Green Street offers a number of products from Farm House Fresh, a company that offers many farm to table products.

ABOVE: Owner Teryl Worster greets long time customers Bill and Marsha Dickey.

January 2019 | HOME | 27

TOP: Once known as The Dunlap House, this 1911 former single family residence is now home to The Spa on Green Street. Photo by Scott Rogers.

BOTTOM: Owner Teryl Worster shares some headlines of Gainesville’s history, and how it became known as “The South’s ‘health resort’”.

Spa on Green Street is its finessed services with microscopic attention to detail.

Whether warmed beds with top-quality linens in the massage treatment rooms, nutrient-enhanced flavored water in the lobby or the homebrewed natural teas and warm, neck wraps offered to waiting customers, a patient can immediately see results that feel incredibly good, but that are also good for them.

In fact, they’re results that will last a lifetime. Whatever physician or therapist you see, those individuals work together to deliver the kind of service that will complement and enhance the other. It’s a welloiled machine, if you will — one that uses natural, organic oils to nourish a client’s specific needs and make their life, simply, better.

✽ Hitting Refresh

✽ The Spa on Green Street Celebrating 15 years this year, Worster works daily toward a new goal of putting Gainesville on the map as the healthiest town in America. They meet each patient with precise, personalized care, service and encouragement completely unlike any other spa in the area.

“We’re a group of people who just really want to help other people feel good,” said Worster. “I’ve got an incredible team of talented, passionate people who work cohesively to provide an unmatched level of care. We’ve helped people fight major diseases and we’ve seen people completely turn their lives around healthwise.”

Those results come from a unique continuum of care for any kind of client. Both men and women of all ages can consult with registered dietician and traditional 28 | HOME | January 2019

naturopath Ricardo Boye, to determine what his or her body needs most, and start fulfilling those needs naturally and organically. Patients also have the opportunity to work with renowned chiropractor Dr. Michelle Fehmel, to address how healthy the body is on the inside, and relieve stress, realign physicality and start feeling better from a movement and posture standpoint.

The in-house natural pharmacy lets clients shop top quality homeopathics, botanicals and nutritional supplements to choose items that are suited to their own bodies and individualized wellness plans.

Additionally, a private yoga instructor and expertly trained (voted Best of Hall County 2018) massage therapists and estheticians help match that level of care on the outside of the body.

The difference in the experience at the

Worster knows that it took taking a risk on deciding to hit refresh to make this dream a reality.

“It’s important for anyone to get a restart,” said Worster. “It is so easy in life to get into a rut and become wedded to habits that no longer serve you. Many of us don’t even know that our health is riding subpar. We just disconnect and go along as if all is well because we don’t have time to deal with taking care of ourselves. We need help! We need support and encouragement to be brave enough to see the truth

“I’ve got an incredible team of talented, passionate people who work cohesively to provide an unmatched level of care.”

— Teryl Worster

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January 2019 | HOME | 29

TOP: The Spa on Green Street showcases many products from their energetix line to serve most any need, whether that is their homeopathic line of pain relieving Bio Catalin lotion (Left), or their rehydrating and dietary supplement Spectramin formula (Right).

BOTTOM: Teryl Worster with daughter Savannah Burns.

wanted to open a spa that would compete with the medical industry. Instead, she wanted to offer people a place that would complement it.

“With the products we use in our treatments and sell in the natural pharmacy, with the practices we teach and the services we offer our clients, we can help them maximize what their doctors are saying,” Worster said. “We can help them to set their bodies up to do what they do best.

When you’re at your best, you can fight disease, you can get better. It’s what our bodies are meant to do, but we just need the tools and the starting place to do it. The experience here can help patients find that starting point.”

✽ A Better Kind of Business

regarding our physical state of mind, body and soul. Then, we need to be willing to do something about it before our bodies literally shut us down. Whether that’s personally, or professionally, with something big or small, it’s never too late to start fresh.

It can be life changing, empowering and

“When it comes to health and wellness, I want [good health] to already be an ongoing habit for our community.”

— Teryl Worster

30 | HOME | January 2019

help you live better.

“The decision to move to Gainesville was the best one I ever made — both for me, and my family. Moving allowed me to find some peace and feel supported relative to raising my children and being a woman in business.”

Gainesville’s family oriented community quickly moved to support Worster when her daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia, even though they barely knew her. It’s the kind of town that also offered Worster the chance to evolve professionally, into the kind of person whose career is working toward the greater good.

“I get to help [people] be healthier versions of themselves,” said Worster. “And because of the kind of community we live in, I get to see how they’re doing, because they keep coming back and telling me how much better they feel.”

Worster emphasized that she never

Worster knows that her goal of putting Gainesville on the map expands beyond her four cozy walls at The Spa on Green Street. That’s a big reason why she continually mentors and supports other businesses in the neighborhood.

“For anyone running a business, be willing to take risks and go with your gut when you know some kind of a change is needed,” said Worster. “Do your homework! Research trends that continue over time and look to find areas of need that could be supplied by your business.”

Specifically, for spa owners, Worster encourages her mentees to remain flexible with the services offered, and always be willing to open your mind to what those who work one on one with the clients tell you.

With an incredible team by her side, and inspired clients both new and returning, this year Worster’s biggest hope is to help people find a new kind of New Year’s resolution.

“This is my passion!” said Worster.

“When it comes to health and wellness, I want [good health] to already be an ongoing habit for our community. That way, resolutions can be fun, like traveling more, spending time with friends, etc.”

Now that’s refreshing. H

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BRIDAL

CAPTURING MEMORIES WITH

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY STORY BY CARRIE JEAN ďƒŞ PHOTOS BY CARRIE JEAN PHOTOGRAPHY

A

ll that matters at the end of a wedding day is the couple. At the end of the wedding day, all that remains are memories, hopefully captured and crafted into a beautiful story by a quality wedding photographer.

When it comes to planning the big day couples will speak to a lot of suppliers, from florists and bridal boutiques to caterers and stationery designers, for example.

All will emphasize how important it is to get it right. Get-

32 | HOME | January 2019

ting the right flowers, having the best food, finding the dream dress, and securing the perfect wedding photographer are all high priorities when planning a wedding.

I read and hear about a lot of couples who only have a small budget left for their photography, couples who are struggling last minute to find a photographer and couples who just cannot afford a photographer. When it comes to wedding planning, it is more than just one day, it is about a lifetime of memories.

When it comes to wedding photography, a couple is paying for something it won’t see until after the big event, and the best wedding photographers will go unnoticed during the event.

Why is wedding photography so important?

Is wedding photography the most important thing when it comes to a wedding? Perhaps not; however, when it comes to planning their special day, photography should be a priority for couples to budget for and book.

Wedding photography is important because it captures the day, preserves memories, and, when done right, tells a beautiful story of the most special day in most couples’ lives. Through photographs, this story can be shared with friends and family and treasured by children and grandchildren, forever.

Flowers will wilt, cake will quickly be eaten, invitations may be thrown away, a tux returned, and a dress worn once. Consider focusing a portion of your budget on wedding photography.

January 2019 | HOME | 33

Things to consider

One day, and a lot of memories When it comes to wedding photography, a couple is paying for something it won’t see until after the big event, and the best wedding photographers will go unnoticed during the event.

What are you paying for?

The best photographers capture emotion, and provide a way to relive the day. Often couples, when reviewing their wedding photos, smile at moments they never knew happened, tear at seeing emotion on faces of family and friends, and most importantly of all, are thankful to have a story that will be treasured forever.

34 | HOME | January 2019

Maximize the photography budget. Will the guests notice if you saved a little money on your flowers? Will they notice if the cake isn’t five tiers high? Couples should save a little where they can and maximize their photography budget.

Find the couple’s style. There are hundreds of wedding photographers to choose from, and most will travel all over the country and even abroad. Take time to decide on a style and find a photographer that reflects that style. View the photographer’s work and complete albums because a couple doesn’t want just one or two beautiful photos, a couple wants a beautiful story high quality throughout, from beginning to end.

Book quickly. The best wedding photographers get hired and booked up to one year in advance, so once the wedding date is set, a couple should find its perfect wedding photographer and get them booked. H

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RECREATION LEFT: Adrenaline Climbing’s Sean Patrick, a route setter and assistant coach, reaches for his chalk bag as he prepares to lift himself to the end of a 25-foot wall climb.

A

ll he wanted for his birthday was to go wall climbing. When my husband and I started getting in shape together a few years ago, wall climbing was at the top of his list of new activities to try. While my fear of heights confined me to being a spectator, I was determined to at least see what it was all about.

Indoor wall climbing, originating in the United Kingdom about 60 years ago, has been in the United States for about 30 years. There are more than 400 climbing gyms across the U.S., and climbing has been approved as a new sport for the 2020 Olympics. Some high schools even have rock climbing teams and participate in competitions where the sheer speed and agility these students display would make Spider-Man look sluggish.

FACING THE

WALL

STORY BY ALISON REEGER COOK  PHOTOS BY DAVID COOK

36 | HOME | January 2019

My husband and I had our first foray into wall climbing at Adrenaline Climbing.

Located in Suwanee, its unassuming exterior belies the space within: 12,500 feet of climbing surface speckled with climbing holds in an array of Skittles colors. To see people of every age, from child to adult, gave me confidence I could do this — although that confidence was battled by my acrophobia.

Nathan Steele, owner of Adrenaline Climbing, sees climbers of all shapes, sizes and physical health. “We have gym members from 2 to 77 years old. They all climb.

We also see people who are very physically fit and can have a hard time with this. It’s like learning to walk or dance than anything else. So it can take time to get good at climbing. The biggest thing is don’t let your fear stop you from coming in the door. This is a safe, fun activity.”

“If your kids are stuck inside and are climbing up your walls, they could be climbing up mine instead. It’s a great way for the whole family to come in and enjoy a day of healthy activity.”

— Nathan Steele After signing a liability waiver came my first introduction to the equipment: a harness, which straps around each leg and your waist; a carabiner, a metal loop that looks like a large D-clip keychain; a bag of hand-chalk to help one’s grip; and the shoes, the first I had ever worn with the toes curved downward, as they were de-

signed to hook the holds.

The most well-known method for wall climbing is belaying, or climbing with a rope tied to your harness to secure yourself to the wall. For the beginner, there are automated belay ropes on some of the walls — you just hook yourself onto the rope and, if you miss a step, the retractable rope locks so you won’t fall. I started on the beginner wall, and found my initial climb much easier than I expected.

I was quite proud of myself for getting all the way to the top on my first attempt.

When I came back down my husband said, “Good, now try doing it following a single route.”

A single route? Then I noticed the numbers written next to the yellow holds, a different number next to the pink ones and so on. The colors signified the grades, or difficulty levels, of each climbing route. I had

climbed willy-nilly all over the wall, on any color. Climbing the wall again and sticking to one route proved to be far trickier than I thought, but also forced me to think more strategically.

When my husband and I discovered Stone Summit in Atlanta, it was like entering a theme park for climbers. It offers 30,000 feet of climbing space, another 5,000 feet of bouldering area and 60-foot walls that literally wrapped around onto the ceiling in an overhang.

My stomach flips just watching some climbers dangling upside down from the overhang.

Stone Summit requires any participant to take a 1.5-hour class about rope tying (a figure 8 knot, coincidentally, takes eight steps to tie accurately), the ABCs of belaying and practicing with a partner.

This proved to be a humorous experience January 2019 | HOME | 37

LEFT: Adrenaline Climbing owner Nathan Steele stays grounded, a firm grip on the belay rope as he helps a visitor reach for the top of the beginners 25ft. wall.

for my husband and me. He was climbing the practice wall and I was holding the other end of the rope at the bottom, with the rope looped through my carabiner attached to my harness.

If he fell off the wall, I was to hold the rope fast so it would stop his fall. My husband, being more muscular than I, had a weight advantage on me. When he slipped and let go of the wall, I lifted three feet off the ground. Thankfully, I stuck my foot out against the wall to keep from ascending further until my husband regained his foothold. Even the “easy” role in a belay exercise isn’t so easy.

We also enjoy bouldering — a ropefree climb where the walls and artificialrock formations (called “boulders,” thus the name) are shorter and focus more on unique ways to traverse the terrain. But bouldering challenges your dexterity, and the routes rarely follow a linear course so you really need to think about your moves.

Wall climbing is an excellent form of exercise, testing both your strength and your endurance, and a great activity you can do year-round.

Steele noted that winter is a perfect time to take up the sport: “Climbers prefer the winter. This is when we want to go, because we need friction to go outside to go climbing. Cold and no humidity work best for us. For lots of other folks, this is a great thing to do when you can’t control the weather. If your kids are stuck inside and are climbing up your walls, they could be climbing up mine instead. It’s a great way for the whole family to come in and enjoy a day of healthy activity.”

Climbing gyms offer classes for beginners and well-seasoned climbers, are great places for birthday parties (children and adults alike), and some even offer summer camps for kids.

If you’re looking for a fun challenge this winter that will help burn some of the holiday meal calories, try reaching for new heights. H 460 Brogdon Road, Suite 100, Suwanee, GA 30024 770-271-1390 www.adrenalineclimbing.com 38 | HOME | January 2019

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AROUND TOWN CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK

The city of Lula said it would host its Christmas in the Park celebration “rain or shine,� and despite the cold rain, the community still came together to celebrate the upcoming holiday season. Among the attractions were booths headed by local businesses, churches, and the closing parade which acts as the headlining moment of the celebration. Each booth handed out free food, from baked goods to hot beverages. While the event came together as a Christmas celebration, including churches, a Santa for the kids and performers singing Christmas carols, businesses were also present.

40 | HOME | January 2019

SHOP WITH A COP

Flowery Branch Police officers held a “Shop with a Cop” event at the Mundy Mill Road Walmart on Dec. 8, 2018.

Chief David Spillers said each kid had a soft limit of $300, with some going over or under. Around 10 a.m., the chief said he expected the grand total to be around $6,000 between 18 children, though not everyone was aiming for toys and games. “The little guy I was with wanted to get groceries for his mama for Christmas,” Spillers said.

January 2019 | HOME | 41

AROUND TOWN CHRISTMAS PHOTO BOOTH

A visit to The Times’ photo booth is a popular spot during the annual Christmas on Green Street event. For years Christmas on Green Street has been organized by members of the Hall County Historical Society. This year, the group and its committees worked with Main Street Gainesville to get the event rolling. Some 27 properties along Green Street participated with multiple events and attractions, including a parade and live music acts.

42 | HOME | January 2019

‘THE NUTCRACKER’

The Gainesville Ballet Company twirled into the Christmas season with its annual production of “The Nutcracker.” Four performances took place at Brenau University’s Pearce Auditorium in Gainesville. “It’s the opening door to Christmas,” said company artistic director Diane Callahan. “It’s all about Christmas and a little girl having a Christmas dream.” The company’s rendition is adapted from the original, but changes include incorporating more dancing for the children. “I keep adding dances, and we keep adding dancers,” she said.

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Honestly Local January 2019 | HOME | 43

JANUARY 1

Helen First Day Hike

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Valentine’s Card Workshop.

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Knit One, Crochet Too!

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Rivers, Rock and Reflections with Judy Bynum George.

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10-11 a.m. Hardman Farm Historic Site, 143 Ga. 17, Sautee Nacoochee. 706-878-1077, scarlett.fuller@dnr. ga.gov. Free.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hall County Library System, Gainesville Branch, 127 Main St. NW, Gainesville. 770-532-3311, ext.

114, gkoecher@hallcountylibrary.org. Free.

5-7 p.m. Jan. 15, Jan. 22 and Jan. 29. Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green St. NE, Gainesville. 770-536-2575, paula.lindner@quinlanartscenter.org. $50-145.

Pickup Line. Today’s country hits.

9:30-11:30 p.m. 37 Main Rock Cafe, 212 Spring St., Gainesville. 678-696-8829, Customer_Care@37main. com.

15

Toddler Tuesdays.

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Studio Workshop in Oils or Pastels.

Coloring Week for Adults: Time for Tea.

10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 7 and 10. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 8-9.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 11-12. Hall County Library System, Gainesville Branch, 127 Main St. NW, Gainesville. 770532-3311, ext. 114, gkoecher@hallcountylibrary.org. Free.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hall County Library System, Gainesville Branch, 127 Main St. NW, Gainesville. 770-532-3311, ext.

114, gkoecher@hallcountylibrary.org. Free.

Story time and interactive art activities. 11 a.m. to noon.

Jan. 15, Feb. 12, March 12, April 16 and May 16. Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green St. NE, Gainesville. 770536-2575, info@qvac.org. $5.

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green St. NE, Gainesville. 770-536-2575, paula@qvac.org. $350.

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Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.

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Stealing 3rd.

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Elachee Science Nights at Recess

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Play in the Clay Mondays with Mary Hull.

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Departure.

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Boogilicious. Funk, disco and dance.

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4-H Chili Bowl.

12

“Cats.” Presented by ALICATS

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Sweaty Litanies.

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Alcohol Ink and Acrylic Pouring Classes with Joan Darflinger.

4-5 p.m. Jan. 7, Jan. 14, Feb. 4, Feb. 11 and Feb. 25.

Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green St. NE, Gainesville.

770-536-2575, musesroost@gmail.com. $150-175.

Environmental education and discussion. 6:30-8 p.m. Jan. 8, Feb. 12, March 12 and April 9. Recess Southern GastroPub, 118 Bradford St. NE, Gainesville. 770-535-1976, elachee@elachee.org. Free.

9:30-11:30 p.m. 37 Main Rock Cafe, 212 Spring St., Gainesville. 678-696-8829, Customer_Care@37main. com.

1-2:30 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Riverside Military Academy, Carlos and Sandra Cervantes Theater for the Arts, 2001 Riverside Drive, Gainesville. 678-989-0333, alicatsdancenews@yahoo.com. $15.50-20.

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Madame Vega

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Stars Over Elachee

From reggae to alternative rock. 9-11:30 p.m. 37 Main Rock Cafe, 212 Spring St., Gainesville. 678-696-8829, Customer_Care@37main.com.

Guided tour of the night sky. 5:45-7:45 p.m. Jan. 12, 6-8 p.m. Feb. 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m. March 9 and 8:1510:15 p.m. May 11. Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. 770-535-1976, elachee@ elachee.org. $5-10.

44 | HOME | December 2018

Alternative, southern and grunge rock. 9-11:30 p.m. 37 Main Rock Cafe, 212 Spring St., Gainesville. 678-6968829, Customer_Care@37main.com.

4:30-6 p.m. Jan. 21, Feb. 18, March 4, April 15 and May 6. Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green St. NE, Gainesville. 770-536-2575, info@qvac.org. $25-30.

The ultimate Journey tribute. 9-11:30 p.m. 37 Main Rock Cafe, 212 Spring St., Gainesville. 678-696-8829, Customer_Care@37main.com.

2-5 p.m. East Hall Community Center, 3911 P Davidson Road, Gainesville. 770-535-8291, jspage@uga.edu. $5.

Presented by Zoetic Dance. 5:30-7 p.m. Brenau University Galleries, Sellars Gallery, 500 Washington St. SE, Gainesville. 770-534-6263, alauricella@brenau.edu. Free.

9-11:30 a.m. Jan. 30, Feb. 20, March 20, April 17 and May 15. Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green St. NE, Gainesville. 770-536-2575, info@qvac.org. $50-75.

FEBRUARY 9 16

Aunt Betty.

‘80s hair rock. 9-11:30 p.m. 37 Main Rock Cafe, 212 Spring St., Gainesville. 678-696-8829, Customer_ Care@37main.com.

Larry Scroggs Band.

Outlaw country, rock and blues. 9-11:30 p.m. 37 Main Rock Cafe, 212 Spring St., Gainesville. 678-696-8829, Customer_Care@37main.com.

Elachee Birding Hike: Great Backyard Bird Count.

Collect data on local wild birds. 8-11 a.m. Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. 770-5351976, elachee@elachee.org. Free.

16 17

The Regulators.

The ultimate classic rock party band. 9-11:30 p.m. 37 Main Rock Cafe, 212 Spring St., Gainesville. 678-696-8829, Customer_Care@37main.com.

Spring Center for the Arts and Design Open House.

1-4 p.m. Brenau University Galleries, Sellars, Presidents and Castelli Galleries, 500 Washington St. SE, Gainesville. 770-534-6263, alauricella@brenau.edu. Free.

23

26

A Frozen Ballet Mini-Camp.

Dance, crafts, refreshments and “A Frozen Ballet” singalong. 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Gainesville School of Ballet/Brenau Fitness Center, 800 Brenau Lane NE, Gainesville. 770-532-4241, gbcinfo@gainesvilleballet.org. $30.

Capturing Color and Light — Florals Still Life with Sharon Farkas.

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 26-28. Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green St. NE, Gainesville. 770-536-2575, info@ quinlanartscenter.org. $300.

JANUARY2019 SUN

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Dawsonville Bridge Club. 12:30-4 p.m. Mondays.

Dawson County Senior Center, 201 Recreation Road, Dawsonville. 770-722-5852, techmgr@windstream.net.

Open Pottery Studio. 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays. 2-4 p.m. Wednesdays. Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green St. NE, Gainesville. 770-536-2575, paula.lindner@ quinlanartscenter.org. $20.

Cruise-In Car Show. 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays. Varsity Jr, 73 Bethel Drive, Dawsonville. 706-265-7273.

Sing music with The North Georgia Barbershop Singers.

7-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Cumming Baptist Church, 115 Church St., Cumming. 770-609-9853. Free.

Chattahoochee Woodturners. Live demonstrations and show and tell. 7-9 p.m. second Tuesdays. Baxter’s Wood Shop, 3726 Anglin Drive, Gainesville. 770-654-4723, goodchoices4@yahoo.com. Free.

Arrowheads Through the Ages. 10 a.m. third Tuesdays.

Hardman Farm Historic Site, 143 Ga. 17, Sautee Nacoochee.

Board Game Extravaganza. third Tuesdays. Dawson County Library, 342 Allen St., Dawsonville.

Lanier Dance. 7-10 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays.

American Legion Post 7, 2343 Riverside Drive, Gainesville.

770-789-3523, davefsu@bellsouth.net. $8.

Watercolor classes with Becky Threlkeld Peebles. 1-4 p.m.

Wednesdays. Sautee Nacoochee Center, 283 Ga. 255, Sautee Nacoochee. 706-878-3300. $35.

Trivia @ Johnny’s. 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Johnny’s, Style Pizza, Dawsonville.

Abrakadoodle. 1:30-2:30 p.m. Thursdays. Hobby Lobby, 1146 Dawsonville Highway NW, Gainesville. 470-2525108.

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