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AROUND CANTON | January 2017

January 2017 Volume 4, Issue 10

14 Readers’ Choice

It’s almost time to vote for your favorites.

16 Canton’s Future

A glimpse into 2017 shows new projects, renovations.

20 Hospital Update

Northside Hospital Cherokee on schedule for tours, opening.

22 Just for Women

New gathering offers support, encouragement for local residents.

24 New Year, New Leaders Transitions, new businesses in the mix in Holly Springs.

28 In the Know

Parents should include kids when creating family budget.

Contributing Writers

42 Art & Wine Walk

Andrea Addington 52

Rev. Joe McKechnie

Around Canton

Don Akridge

Dr. Scott Merritt

Chad Atkinson 28

Steve Miller

Community News 8

Siobhan Brumbelow

Matt Neal 35

Jonathan Chambers 44

Dr. Sarah Obarowski 52

Bonnie Clark

Dr. Jonathan Gilvarry Delia Halverson Ann Litrel

Gary Mullet offers photo tour of favorite Canton holiday event.

46 Seniors on the Go

County releases latest selection of day, overnight trips for 2017.

In Every Issue

Birthdays

Canton Dining Guide

Billy Peppers 16

Community Calendar

Premier Group 62

Library Events

Christopher Purvis

Susan Schulz 57

Everyday Angels

School News

58 64

Rob Logan 24

Robert Tidwell

Rob Macmillan

Scot Turner

Recent Home Sales

Sandy McGrew

John Veith

Directory of Advertisers 70

www.AroundCantonMagazine.com

36 & 37 On the Cover

Poole Funeral Home, owner Brian Poole Photo by J. King Images 2

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

ADVERTISING Market Manager Christie Deese 770-615-3324 Christie@AroundAboutMagazines.com

We are on social media!

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AROUND CANTON | January 2017

AROUND CANTON The

People, The Places and The Pleasures that make Canton/ Holly Springs/ Sixes

From the Editor

Happy New Year everyone! You don’t have to look far to see the signs of change in Cherokee County - just look at this magazine for starters. We have a fresh new look on our cover and within the pages of Around Canton. We’re excited about our new look and hope you like it! It seems that there are changes on every corner, no matter where you live in the county. On my drive to church from our home in Holly Springs, I pass five new subdivisions in a 12-mile stretch that up to this point has been mostly rural with only two stoplights. New homes and businesses are easy to spot. What may not be so evident is the change in our county’s population, although you could argue that increased traffic is a good sign of that growth. Here’s what we can expect over the next five years, according to a recent Cherokee County demographics report. By 2021: • Population will increase by 28,189 to 268,528. • The growth will occur in the following age groups: 20-29, 60-64 and 65+. • Number of households will grow by 8,118 to 94,459. • Incomes of those households will increase the most in the $100,000-plus category, growing from 32.9 percent to 38.25, followed by a small percentage in the $60-$75,000 range. • Labor force will increase by 18,168 to 144,462, with 96.28 percent of those individuals employed. • Total number of dwellings increases 8,027 to 97,493. Special thanks to Heath Tippens and Misti Martin at the Cherokee Office of Economic Development for creating this report for us. This month we asked local leaders to write about the changes they expect to see in the area this coming year. On page 16, Canton City Manager Billy Peppers gives us a rundown of new businesses coming our way. The folks at Northside Hospital say they are in the homestretch and plan to start tours and open the doors within a few months. See the latest photos and info on page 20. Between our special 2017 calendar feature on page 54 and a reminder on page 28 to bring your kids in on the budgeting discussions in your household, we’re doing our best to help you with your New Year’s resolutions. As always, we want to hear from you! Please don’t hesitate to send me an email with your thoughts, ideas and suggestions. I especially want to hear from you if you can explain why time goes by faster the older we get. Time is still measured the same way - clocks haven’t sped up. What’s changed?

Candi Hannigan is the executive editor of Around Canton. She has lived in Cherokee County since 1987. Send your comments or questions to Candi@AroundAboutMagazines.com.

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

What’s Coming

STEEP Tea House at 198 North St. in downtown Canton is a full service tea house with a “lite fare” of breakfast and lunch of homemade soups, salads and sandwiches on fresh baked breads, scones, sweet breads, jams, pies and chocolates. Thursday and Friday afternoons will feature “High Tea” with a tea of the day, finger sandwiches, scones and chocolates. Also offering coffee, beer and wine. A private area can be reserved for special events on Saturdays. Owners anticipate an early 2017 opening. Lyn@moyetea.com. www. moyetea.com

Who’s New

Longtime community volunteer, Canton resident (and Around Canton community board member) Pat Gold has filled a newly created position of public outreach manager for Canton. Pat is responsible for coordinating all Canton Main Street programs and events, managing Canton’s events permitting program and all city-hosted special events, as well as being liaison to city tourism partner organizations. “Pat is uniquely qualified … from her combination of extensive experience and community knowledge gained while serving on so many civic boards in Canton, including the Cherokee Arts Center, Canton Tourism, the Canton Planning Commission and the Canton Main Street Program,” said Angela Thompson, Canton’s communications and outreach director.

What’s New

Owner Ange Alex describes Revolution Holistic, a new business in Holly Springs, as a wellness house that she opened to provide wellness, hope and peace to the community through nutritional testing, yoga, massage, reflexology, workshops, lectures and cooking demonstrations. Yoga classes are small and tailored for individual needs, including seniors, cancer recovery, PTSD and eating disorders as well as prenatal, beginners and level 1/2. Ange is a board certified holistic health practitioner who will soon receive a medical degree in naturopathic medicine. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.noon Saturday. 770-383-5338, ange@revolutionholistic.com, www.revolutionholistic.com

Kudos!

Three Holly Springs city employees received awards for their service during the final city council meeting in 2016: Officer Jeff Lance was named the 2016 Officer of the Year; Erin Honea, Main Street Director, was named 2016 Employee of the Year and City Manager Rob Logan was presented with the Bob Fuller Leadership Award.

Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting

Revolution Holistic 2766 Holly Springs Parkway Canton 30115

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AROUND CANTON | January 2017

COMMUNITY BOARD The Around Canton Community Board consists of well-respected community leaders who assist us as contributors to the magazine, judges for the annual Trailblazer award and advisors who offer valuable feedback.

Pat Gold moved to Canton 33 years ago when she

married Dr. Homer (Nugget) Gold. After 18 years with Delta Airlines and another 12 working for the Cherokee County School District, Pat began volunteering. She was recently named the public outreach manager for the city of Canton, and continues to volunteer on numerous boards and committees. Pat and her husband have four children and four grandchildren. Pharmacist Dale Coker owns Cherokee Custom Script Pharmacy in Holly Springs and lives in Woodstock with wife Susan. The University of Georgia graduate is vice president of the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists. His community involvement has included Cherokee County Habitat for Humanity, youth league coaching and church leadership. Dale’s latest achievement is co-inventing the patented TopiCLICK, a topical metered dosing device.

Cindy Crews is a longtime Cherokee County educator. She joined the Sixes community as assistant principal of Sixes Elementary School in 2011 and is now principal. Cindy and her husband, Andy, have lived in Woodstock for more than 20 years, and they have two young adult daughters. Her motto: Children are the future of the human race; teach them well. Dr. Joe McKechnie senior pastor of Sixes United Methodist Church, grew up in Cobb County. After earning a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Georgia, Joe spent six years as a television sportscaster. He has a master’s degree from Asbury Theological Seminary and a doctorate of ministry from Southern Methodist University. Joe and wife Catherine have two children, David and Grace Ann. Sonia Carruthers is the executive director and CEO of Cherokee FOCUS and the Cherokee Youth Works program, based in Holly Springs. The Cherokee County native grew up in Canton and lives in Woodstock with her son and daughter. She is very active in the community and currently serves with local and regional organizations to strengthen families and children. Chantel Adams is the founder and CEO of Forever We, Inc.,

a socially responsible toy company that believes every child deserves a forever family, safe housing and a healthy body. She has a biology degree from the University of Evansville, serves on the Executive Board of Highland Rivers Health, and volunteers with the Cherokee County Juvenile Court. Chantel and her husband, Gavin, live in Canton and have four children. 6

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Publisher AroundAbout Local Media, Inc. ALM President Patty Ponder Patty@AroundAboutMagazines.com 770-615-3322 Market Manager Christie Deese Christie@AroundAboutMagazines.com 770-615-3324 Executive Editor Candi Hannigan Candi@AroundAboutMagazines.com 770-615-3309 Managing Editor Jackie Loudin Jackie@AroundAboutMagazines.com 770-615-3318 Art Director Michelle McCulloch Michelle@AroundAboutMagazines.com 770-615-3307 Page Designer Laura Latchford Laura@AroundAboutMagazines.com Controller Denise Griffin Denise@AroundAboutMagazines.com 770-615-3315 Marketing Support Associate Terri Spencer Terri@AroundAboutMagazines.com

Around Canton, a publication of AroundAbout Local Media, Inc., is a monthly magazine created to build a sense of community and pride in the Canton, Holly Springs and Sixes areas by sharing positive stories and timely information. A total of 16,500 free copies are distributed monthly; approximately 15,400 are mailed to homes and businesses, with an additional 1,100 placed in racks around the community. Many readers catch the latest edition online each month. Around Canton welcomes your comments, stories and advertisements. The deadline is the 15th of each month. Yearly subscriptions are available for $24. Send a check or money order to the address below. The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher and the publisher makes no claims about the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. Around Canton 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. All rights reserved. © Copyright 2017. Around Canton 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 620, PMB 380 Woodstock, GA 30189 For Advertising: Christie Deese, 770-615-3324 www.aroundcantonmagazine.com

Volume 4, Issue 10

America’s Community Magazine

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Community

YOUR LOCAL NEWS County Agency Wins State Award Cherokee County Farm Bureau (CCFB) was recognized for its outstanding member programs during the 2016 Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) annual meeting. Georgia Farm Bureau President Gerald Long, right, presents the GFB McKemie Award for the organization’s 2,220 plus-member division to CCFB President William Grizzle. The McKemie Award is the highest honor awarded to a county farm bureau in recognition of its efforts to promote agriculture in its local community.

Auxiliary Offers $1,000 Scholarship Northside Hospital Cherokee Auxiliary will accept applications for the 2017-18 Sally M. Johnson $1,000 scholarship beginning Jan. 15. Information and applications can be found on the Northside Hospital Cherokee Auxiliary Gift Shop or at the auxiliary website: http:// nhcherokeeauxiliary.com or contact scholarship chairperson, Carole Alvaro at nhcasmj@gmail.com.

Donations Needed for totes 2 tots Georgia Cancer Specialists (GCS) and Northside Hospital are hosting the 15th annual totes 2 tots drive to collect backpacks and suitcases for foster children in Georgia. Donations of new or nearly new backpacks, duffel bags and suitcases will be accepted 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 13 at the GCS location at 228 Riverstone Drive in Canton. More than 13,000 children, from infants to teenagers, are currently in the foster care system in Georgia. Many only have garbage bags to transport their belongings when they are removed from their homes. The goal of totes 2 tots is to give every foster child in Georgia a new or gently used backpack, duffel bag or suitcase. Since totes 2 tots launched in 2003, the annual volunteer event has collected and distributed more than 48,000 bags. GCS and Northside Hospital partner with the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) to distribute the bags in the counties in which they’re collected. Bobby Cagle, director of DFCS, praised those who support the program, which helps to bring a measure of comfort and respect to Georgia’s foster children. For more details, visit fb.com/totes2tots. To make a secure online donation, visit give.northside.com/ totes2tots.

Students Design Nursery for Expectant Mom A Canton woman’s smile got a little brighter recently after a volunteer workforce of Chattahoochee Technical College (CTC) Interiors students unveiled the nautical-themed nursery they spent nearly an entire semester planning and designing. Jennie Chamness was expecting her second son, Asher, when she received the surprise. Interiors students Kelsey Terwilliger of Acworth, left, and Heather The completely furnished Bedo of Alpharetta add finishing touches to a wooden ship wheel. nursery is a dream come true for the mom, who has a few challenges. CTC student Michelle Kay of Marietta was the mastermind behind the nursery overhaul; it was her connection with a pregnancy support center in Woodstock that made the entire project possible. “Really, it was a collaborative effort,” she said. “I had a connection at The HOPE Center and when we approached them with the idea, they loved it. It was a little bit of everyone networking and us putting it all together.” While attending college three years ago, Chamness learned that she was pregnant with her oldest son, Adley, and turned to The HOPE Center for support when resources became tight. Chamness said she has continued to utilize the services offered by the center, such as discounted diapers and wipes, and it was there she learned the students were looking to decorate a nursery for a mother in need. Chamness put her name in the drawing and was selected in September. 8

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Project Valentine Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency is accepting donations for Project Valentine through Feb. 11. Requested items include: chapstick, lotion, sticky notes, pens, markers, word searches, any art or music activities as well as candy (sugar free and regular) and any holiday related items. These items will be made into goody bags and delivered to the Cherokee Training Center, and Eagle Pointe. The training center offers training services, recreational activities and community-based employment opportunities for Cherokee County residents with developmental disabilities. Eagle Pointe is a branch of the center. Donations may be dropped off at the Recreation Center, 7545 Main St., Building 200, Woodstock. For more information, email Lindsey Collett at lcollett@cherokeega. com or call 770-924-7768.

YOUR LOCAL NEWS Chatt Tech Lands Spot on Top 25 Chattahoochee Technical College was named ninth largest college in the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “Area’s 25 Largest Colleges and Universities,” and will be featured in the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s annual Book of Lists. The ranking, based on 2016 fall enrollment numbers, boosted the college from last year’s 10th-place rating. “Our ranking is truly a testament to the quality education more than 14,000 students receive annually,” President Dr. Ron Newcomb said. On the first day of the 16-week fall semester, Tech’s enrollment totaled more than 10,000 students, an increase over last year’s 9,955 students. The college also saw a record-high 1,027 participants in its Move on When Ready program, which permits high school students to enroll in college classes for credit at no cost.

Snack Drive for Hospital Patients Members of Junior Girl Scout Troop 12411 earned their bronze award by collecting individually wrapped snacks for the nonprofit ALL for a Purpose, which supports children and families affected by blood cancer. The snacks were sent to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Troop 12411 members involved in the drive are Hailey P., Haley D., Alaina U., Megan G., Abby C., Ellie S. and Carson M.

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AROUND CANTON | January 2017

YOUR LOCAL NEWS Lieutenant Receives Leadership Award

WWI Exhibit Opens in Cherokee The exhibit “Doughboys and the Home Front: The Great War in Cherokee County” is open at the Cherokee County History Museum and Canton Visitors Center at 100 North St. in Canton. The exhibit focuses on the United States entry into World War I and the effect on Cherokee County and Georgia. The exhibit will highlight the efforts of citizens both on the front and at home. It will draw attention to our soldiers who valiantly served, as well as women and Henry Gibbs of Ball Ground in his World families at home. War I uniform. Gibbs survived the war, As part of the exhibit, but died from tuberculosis at age 26. the museum will offer an in-depth look at the United States School Garden Army, which was created in 1917 in order to encourage children to garden as a way to avoid a food crisis during wartime. Our educational outreach program through the museum will offer students a chance to learn about Liberty Gardens (later Victory Gardens) as well as how to start their own garden at home. The museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free. www.rockbarn.org

Over the past year, Assistant Support Services Bureau Commander Lt. Matt Baldwin has attended the FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association’s (LEEDA) Supervisor Leadership Institute, Command Leadership Institute and Executive Leadership Institute program. He recently completed the intense program and was awarded the FBI/LEEDA Trilogy Award. “I am extremely proud of Lt. Baldwin for the commitment, dedication and hard work he put into finishing such a very important training program. All of our employees are vital to the success of this organization so we must invest in their career development, which not only improves their skill sets but also continues to develop our department into a premier professional agency that supports our employees and the community we serve,” said Canton Police Chief Mark J. Mitchell. Chief Mitchell added, “One of our training goals for the new fiscal year is to continue to send our supervisors to this vital program with the objective of having all of our leaders obtain the Trilogy Award in the future.”

#PlayinCanton Day Mark your calendar for the City of Canton Parks and Recreation’s #PlayinCanton Day on March 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Etowah River Park (located at 600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton, GA 30114). The event is planned for families to realize the benefits of being active in Canton parks. Activities will include yoga, adult fitness, soccer, t-ball, adult kickball, basketball, lacrosse, baseball, girls softball, flag football and tackle football programs. Also featuring music, food trucks and free bounce houses. This event is also BYOB (Bring Your Own Bike!) to encourage families to get outdoors and be active.

Party at the Rock Barn Each year the Cherokee County Historical Society holds a holiday party for members and guests to learn more about the society. The event is held on the first Tuesday of December at the Rock Barn. Other annual events include Derby Day in May, an American Girl Tea Party in June and a historic homes tour in the fall. For more info on the society, call 770-345-3288 or visit www. rockbarn.org.

Party guests Cory Wilson, John Clark, Brenda Satterfield and Ann Fincher of Canton, and Mary and Bill Johnston of Woodstock.

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Mary and Oscar Fleckner, Canton

WHERE CAN YOU FIND A NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL -CHEROKEE DOCTOR? AT A PTA MEETING. The physicians and staff of Northside Hospital-Cherokee are some of the most talented and professional individuals the world of medicine has to offer. They are also your neighbors. Most of our team lives right here in Cherokee County. Northside HospitalCherokee is devoted to supporting local community organizations, venues and schools. It’s because we live here, too.

Cherokee’s community hospital. Northside.com AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Celebrating January birthdays at The Lodge at BridgeMill

are, back row from left: Royce Breedlove, Paul Santinelli, Jerry Morgan and Willis West. Front row from left: Ava McLeod, Cleo Von Kuster, Betty Meredith and Anna Ostergaard. Camera shy celebrants are Elizabeth Brim, Helen Churella, Del Eichers, Bob Gillman, Floanna Long, Janice Morgan, Bill Nabers and Ed Stelling.

Kylie Madison Roe

Happy 13th birthday! We love you so much! Love, Mom, Dad, Presley and Finley

Lexie-Anne

Age 14 on Jan. 8 So very proud of you! Love you always, Mommy and Daddy

Walker Collins Smith

Happy third birthday Walker Man! We love you very much, Mommy, Daddy and Big Brother Grayson

ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE FREE! Elsie and Grady McGraw, also celebrating at The Lodge.

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

E-mail to: Candi@AroundAboutMagazines.com February deadline is Jan. 10. Please specify Around Canton.

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Readers’ Choice 2017

Presented by AroundAbout Local Media Our local business owners bring so much value to our community. They offer restaurants where we can grab a delicious meal, service centers to keep our cars in tune, individuals who help educate our children and care for our pets, and medical facilities with physicians we trust to treat our families. Here is your chance to thank them. On Feb. 1, we will open Readers’ Choice 2017. Visit www. aroundcantonmagazine. com and with a click of your mouse, you will be directed to the voting site. Follow the prompts and cast your votes for your favorite SMALL businesses.

Here are the categories you can expect to find.

Happy voting! Recreation & Entertainment Dance Studio Gymnastics Center Theater Golf Course/Club Music Venue

As you vote, please keep in mind: 1. Most of us spend a fair amount of time in big-box retailers. Let’s keep the focus of Readers’ Choice on local small businesses and celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit. 2. If you don’t see the name of your favorite business, feel free to write it in. Please include the location of the business if there are multiple sites. For example, many restaurants have three or four locations. Help us know which one you’re voting for by giving as much information as possible, such as a street or community name. 3. Voting begins Feb. 1 and ends at 5 p.m. March 10. 4. Winners will be announced in the April issue. Businesses will not be notified ahead of time. Everyone will find out at the same time. 5. Vote in as few or as many categories as you’d like. There isn’t a minimum number of votes required for your votes to count. 6. No more than five votes per category will be accepted from each IP address.

Restaurants American Asian Bakery Barbecue Breakfast Coffee Shop Dessert Fine Dining Italian Kid-Friendly Mexican Pizzeria Seafood

Retailers Bicycle Sales Boutique Florist Garden Center/Nursery Gifts/Home Décor Jeweler Music Animal/Pet Supplies Liquor Store Pharmacy Specialty Foods Tires

Services Attorney Audiologist Automotive Bank/Credit Union Business Support Chiropractor Counseling Day Care/Preschool Day Spa Dentist Private School Equestrian Financial Adviser 14

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Funeral Home Hair Salon Health/Fitness Home Cleaning Home Improvement/Repair Insurance Interior Design Landscaping/Lawn Care Music Lessons Nail Salon Optometrist/Ophthalmologist Orthodontist Pediatric Dentist

Pest Control Pet Grooming/Boarding Physician - General Physician - Specialist Photographer Physical Therapist Realtor Senior Living Facility Travel Agency Tutoring Veterinarian

Wishing you a

Happy New Year! rs’ Cho ice ade Re Award

2016

Sixes Living

Dr. Scott Merritt

Dr. Michael Cox

(770) 704-1812 3682 Sixes Road · Canton bridgemilldentistry.com

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

A Look Ahead at Canton in 2017 BY BILLY PEPPERS

It’s hard to believe 2017 is here. Time truly flies when you’re working as hard as Canton is to build a better, brighter future. The coming year is going to be huge for our community, and I am really proud of where we are and where we are headed. New facilities and planning: Our community will see a lot of projects in 2017: renovations to the exterior of our treasured Jones Building in downtown Canton, bringing back the historical character of the structure; new bathrooms and parking improvements to our parks; and the opening of the new Northside Hospital-Cherokee. In addition, fire and emergency services will be fully provided through a partnership with Cherokee County starting in 2017. As part of this, Cherokee County will take the lead on developing a station in the Laurel Canyon area to better serve our city. We will also be working to develop a water and wastewater treatment master plan for Canton’s future. An important note here: all of our improvement projects and normal everyday operations are happening in 2017 with the third year in a row of tax reductions. This is something we are very proud of and is only happening with the excellent leadership of our mayor, city council and dedicated staff. Leading the standard in local government: We continue to strive for innovation in the ways we connect with you daily and provide services, and 2017 will be no different. In 2016, we increased our social media presence and began sending city-wide e-blasts to share city news. We will be enhancing this by implementing a new branding and marketing program with a new website that will provide our residents, business community

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

and visitors the ability to access information about Canton quickly and easily. We will implement more payment options and features for utilities − text to pay, voicemail reminders and overall striving to be more customer oriented. We are very excited about the new ways to connect with everyone. Roads in Canton: Last year we undertook the largest streets rehabilitation project in the city’s history and paved almost 12 miles of our streets. This year, we plan to use $1.5 million dedicated from SPLOST funding to pave more than 12 miles of streets and perform infrastructure improvements. We are committed to keeping our infrastructure progress the most aggressive in Cherokee County. We have a lot of great projects in store for 2017, but one thing will never change — Canton’s city hall is your city hall. This staff is your staff. We are here to serve you. Do not ever hesitate to contact us to find information or let us know what you think. If you do not see a project or issue you care deeply about mentioned here, make sure to connect with us socially. We use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and our city e-blast to bring you nearly anything you’d ever want to know about your hometown. Check it out some time — you’ll be glad you did.

My Own Book: A Citywide Effort BY SANDY MCGREW

The City of Canton is holding a book drive to put a book in the hands of every child at Hasty Elementary by spring break 2017. The initiative is called My Own Book. There are six Cherokee County schools in the City of Canton and we’ll be doing a book drive for all of them. It’s my belief that we have a responsibility to do whatever we can to participate in the education process in a way that complements the work of the board of education and teachers. A book drive is just one way we can lend a hand to the children of the city. This will be an ongoing process; as we complete a drive for one school, we’ll begin collecting for the next one. We are asking for new or very gently used books, pre-K to middle grade levels to be donated for the Hasty Elementary students. Hasty Elementary is a Title One school with a diverse population of about 950 students. Many speak English as a second language and having books at home is a great help with learning the language skills they need to succeed. Council Member JoEllen Wilson and I met with Principal Rodney Larrotta and later Lori Brackett, media specialist, to talk about what the city could do to help the school. It was decided, along with Susan Stanton, Canton city clerk, that a book drive is a great way

to start helping schools right now. As an only child, I read constantly while growing up. Ms. Wilson and Ms. Stanton also are voracious readers. We want to share our love of books with the students because we know that reading takes us to places we’ve never been, introduces us to people we’d otherwise never meet. We have exhilarating adventures in the comfort of our easy chair and learn about cultures, entertainment, and sometimes just lose ourselves in a saga spanning decades. Dropoff points are located throughout the city at Canton First United Methodist Church, Bank of North Georgia – Canton branch, Masterpiece Framer, CupUp Coffee located inside Audio Intersection, Hamilton State Bank – Riverstone and South Canton locations and Canton City Hall. If you have 20 or more books, we can pick those up from you! Please call Stanton at 770-704-1507 or email susans@canton-georgia.com to arrange pick up.

City Council member Sandy McGrew has lived in Canton 10 years and is on the board of directors of the Cherokee Arts Center.

Little Free Library at City Hall We asked Canton City Clerk Susan Stanton to tell us what motivated her to create a free library just inside the front door at Canton City Hall at 151 Elizabeth St. “After reading several articles about Little Free Libraries, I decided to build one and Canton City Hall seemed like the place for it because there’s a lot of foot traffic there. The library has an eclectic adult collection and plenty of children’s books.” Stanton constructed the library out of two bread boxes, “one for adult books and one on a lower shelf for kids books. All I had to do was build the frame. There seems to be pretty good use of it because I’m always replenishing books. It’s supposed to be take one, return one, but if people take one and read it, I really don’t care if they bring one back. I also keep an eye on the library to make sure that no inappropriate books are put in it. I always have a few boxes of books at home and a couple at city hall which are stocked from the Friends of the Library book sales. “My objective is just to encourage reading. Reading increases vocabulary, inspires new thinking, takes us places we’ve never been, and generally expands our horizons. There’s no downside. So just read.” AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Diamond Awards

Marguerite Cline, former school teacher and Cherokee County Superintendent of Schools, thanked the foundation for her award.

Woodstock resident and founder of The Not Alone Foundation, Mark Dodd, shared his passion for finding a cure for kidney disease.

The Not Alone Foundation raised $25,000 during its annual Diamond Awards Charity Gala last month at the Northside Hospital Cherokee Conference Center. Honorees were recognized for their contributions in the entertainment, corporate and creative industries at local, state and international levels. Honorees included: William “Billy” Hasty, Jr., Marguerite Cline, Jerry Cooper, the Rev. Jerry D. Black, Matthew King, Donald R. Hoffman and Ty Pennington. Dionne Warwick was recognized with a lifetime achievement award as well as the key to the City of Canton. She sang several of her top hits, even encouraging the guests to sing along on “What the World Needs Now Is Love.” The Not Alone Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the awareness and prevention of kidney disease and enhancing the quality of life of sufferers by providing educational and medical resources and financial assistance for chronic kidney disease and endstage renal disease patients and their families.

City council member Bill Grant, presented Dionne Warwick with a key to the City of Canton. Photos by: @erinkylephotographylife

Matt Thomas, economic development manager for the City of Canton, welcomed guests to the event.

Billy Hasty got emotional during his acceptance speech.

Ty Pennington, former host of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and Atlanta native.

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Emmy-award winner Dionne Warwick entertained guests at the black-tie event.

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Northside Hospital Cherokee

New Facility On Track for Tours, Opening SUBMITTED BY NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL

Northside Hospital Cherokee by the numbers: • 10,000 light bulbs will be used, with 50 percent utilizing LED technology. • 500,000 cubic yards of dirt were moved to shape the new site. • 700,000 yards of concrete have been poured. • 508 tons of steel were used to build the facility. • 952 miles of cable were used to wire the building. • 1,440 doors and 1,320 windows were installed. • 3,700 trees planted on campus.

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

You’ve probably seen it under construction. Now the home stretch is here. Northside Hospital Cherokee is developing a new hospital off I-575 at the Ga. 20 exit in Canton. A lot of hard work has gone into this spectacular project, and the grand opening is around the corner. The new Northside Hospital Cherokee is scheduled to open in 2017. The new facility sits on more than 50 acres that includes a medical office building and a 900-space parking deck, with 600 additional surface parking spaces. A new street was built – Northside Cherokee Boulevard – a collaboration between the Georgia Department of Transportation, City of Canton and Northside’s development team. Northside Hospital Cherokee has invested millions of dollars to maintain the high level of healthcare excellence the Cherokee County community expects. Northside is committed to the Cherokee County region and gives back to local outreach efforts, education and charitable organizations that keep this community strong. The existing Northside Hospital Cherokee at 201 Hospital Road, just north of Riverstone Boulevard, has

84 licensed beds, 1,700 employees and 600 physicians on staff. Over the past several years, the facility has been updated and expanded to its current state. However, there is no room for growth and the hospital must relocate in order to continue providing the highest possible levels of care. The new hospital will have more than double the square footage and will open with seven floors (the potential for 10) and 105 inpatient beds. As part of the Northside healthcare system, Northside Hospital Cherokee offers the community expertise that delivers more babies per year than any other hospital in the country, diagnoses and treats the most cancer cases in Georgia and ranks in the top 1 percent of all robotic surgery programs in the country. Major features of the new hospital will include an advanced surgery center, a Cancer Institute, as well as a distinct Women’s Center. Many other services are already offered at Northside Hospital Cherokee and will continue at the new hospital, including robotic surgery, a sports medicine program, 24-hour adult and pediatric emergency services, Heart and Vascular Institute / cath lab, access to clinical trials and radiology services. continued on page 62

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

The Exchange: For Women Only BY BONNIE CLARK

Ever feel like you’re drifting away from what you desire? The Exchange is a monthly gathering of women in the Canton/Woodstock community that exists to inspire women to live on purpose and with intention. This environment encourages women of all backgrounds and beliefs to explore a topic, enrich our relationships and ourselves, and then engage it in our everyday lives. Elizabeth Pehrson of Cumming started The Exchange. Elizabeth has eight kids, has read a zillion books, and has been a guest speaker for multiple organizations. She is highly involved in her community and is a passionate communicator who hopes to see women live intentional lives. Elizabeth noticed a trend; women drifting away from things that are good for them concerning intentional marriage, friendship, parenting, work, health, etc. We simply get busy with life, and soon we start to feel like we’re drifting, with no plan, next steps or purpose. So, she invited some women to chat about the power of vulnerability and being intentional. Jan. 12: Your true identity: That was last What makes you tick? January and 125 Feb. 2: Winter blues and dealing ladies showed up. with seasonal depression By September, more March 9: Let’s talk about sex, baby than 250 women April 13: Save the Date – topic TBD were attending monthly meetings. This idea of Website: TheExchangeGa.org inspiring women Facebook: The Exchange Woodstock to live on purpose

Coming Up

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Bonnie Clark, center, with Alison Martin, left, and Rachele Bruu.

absolutely resonated with a group of ladies in Woodstock, so in March, we joined forces with Elizabeth to bring The Exchange to Woodstock. We launched in August and it has been an incredible ride. Already we have seen life change as women take brave steps to being the best version of themselves. We are excited about the rippling impact this could have on the women and families in our community. Join us each month as Elizabeth and other guest facilitators explore topics like entitlement, serving our community, seasonal depression, our personalities and more. The Exchange Woodstock hosts events at Venue 92 in Woodstock on the second Thursday of each month from 7−9 p.m. This is a free event open to all women in the community.

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

New Year Brings New Leadership, Businesses BY ROB LOGAN

Just like each of you, elected officials and staff at the City of Holly Springs take the opportunity the new year brings to look at all the good things the past year brought us, and to look forward to what the coming days will bring. In addition to the election of a new mayor in Steve Miller, the Holly Springs Police Department saw a change in leadership: Michael Carswell was sworn in as police chief on Dec. 5. Chief Carswell has been with the department since 2009, and served under former Chief Ken Ball as deputy chief since January 2014. Chief Carswell brings more than 25 years of experience to his new role. Council member Dee Phillips, chair of the city’s Public Safety Committee, is confident Chief Carswell is right for the Holly Springs Police Department and the residents of Holly Springs. “He has been nothing but a positive force since joining the city. He has shown immense leadership Right, Cindy and Tommy Keheley. Below, The Carswell family, from left: daughter Kati, Chief Carswell, daughter Kali, and wife Gwen.

Above, Sutherlin Nissan is expected to open this spring. Right, an AT&T store opened in December; Starbucks is set to open by month’s end.

skills, and has acquired the respect of all city employees and his fellow police officers,” she said. Taking over as deputy police chief is Tommy Keheley, who was sworn in Dec. 2. Keheley comes to the city with more than 45 years of experience in law enforcement and 25 concurrent years in the military. Most recently, he worked as an investigator with the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, attorney general and governor. In addition to changes in leadership, the city will continue to grow throughout 2017. Holly Springs Parkway Community is a proposed 97 townhome community along Holly Springs Parkway at Edmonson Lane, just south of the Publix at East Cherokee Drive. The Holly Springs City Council will consider the request for this property to be rezoned from general commercial and light industrial to traditional neighborhood development for the townhome community at its council meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 19. Travelers along Holly Springs Parkway and Sixes Road can enjoy the convenience of the new AT&T store that opened in December. The attached Starbucks is scheduled to open by the end of January, with the nearby Taco Bell not far behind. Sutherlin Nissan located on Holly Springs Parkway across from Walmart is under construction and should open by spring 2017. From the City of Holly Springs, we wish you all a healthy and prosperous 2017!

City Manager/Finance Director Rob Logan has been with the City of Holly Springs since 2011.

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

A Message from Holly Springs’ Mayor BY STEVE MILLER

I first want to thank the people of Holly Springs for electing me mayor. I am honored and humbled to be chosen to represent all of you. I am looking forward to working with the city’s excellent staff and council members. I want to thank God and my family for supporting me during my campaign. My wife, Heather, is truly the most patient woman I have ever known. I would be lost without her love and support. I would like to thank all of you who supported me financially and otherwise. Tim Downing, thank you for your outstanding service and leadership over the past 15 years as a city councilman and mayor. I have some big shoes to fill. You have seen the population more than double during your tenure and have faced some tough decisions concerning growth. You have been very gracious during this transition and I look forward to consulting with you in the future. I am pleased to provide an update on several of the infrastructure projects currently under way in Holly Springs. The Rickman Industrial Drive and Turn Lane I am honored Realignment Project is under construction near and humbled the intersection of Holly Springs and Hickory Road/Holly to be chosen Parkway Street. Phase I of the Livable to represent Centers Initiative (LCI) Streetscape Project along Holly Springs Parkway all of you. and Hickory Road was substantially completed in December. Phase II of the LCI Project is scheduled to begin in the fall 2017 and will provide pedestrian connectivity to Pine Crest Road upon completion. The Palm Street Sidewalk and Drainage Project is on target for completion in the spring 2017. The Industrial Connector Scoping Project is also under way. Traffic counts and data collection were completed in December. A public information open house will be conducted to receive input from city residents and business owners regarding the proposed route of the Industrial Connector from Hickory Road to Holly Springs Parkway. The city of Holly Springs recently sent out a request for proposals for a master developer for the construction of the Town Center Project. The city council and I will be evaluating the proposals during the first quarter of 2017 to determine the most advantageous approach for Holly Springs to consider in the development of our downtown. I am looking forward to serving all of you for the next four years. I humbly ask for your prayers and support as our city enters into a new era. God bless.

Mayor Steve Miller takes office this month. He and his wife, Heather, along with their two children, have lived in Holly Springs for 10 years. AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Rangers and volunteers drop bamboo structures.

Anchoring trees at Galts Ferry.

Turning Christmas Trees Into Fish Habitats BY CHRISTOPHER PURVIS

Have you ever wondered why there are Christmas tree drop-off points on Allatoona Lake? And why are the trees put in the lake? The trees are part of a program that is geared toward improving fishing on the lake. Creating and sustaining suitable fish habitats has always been an ongoing challenge on Allatoona Lake, considering the substantial 17-foot seasonal change in the lake level for flood risk management. Over the past decade, several projects and partnerships have been developed to help create fish habitats and to improve fishing on the lake. In 2006, a popular partnership between Keep Bartow Beautiful, Georgia Department of Natural Resourcesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Fisheries Management section, Boy Scouts of America, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and volunteers was

developed, not only to recycle Christmas trees but to create fish structures. Every January, agency staff and volunteers from Marietta BassMasters take donated trees from the public and businesses and cable them to pre-constructed anchoring systems in the lake bed. When the lake level rises a few months later, the trees create underwater habitats for small fish. Most of these structures are situated next to Corps-operated fishing jetties, but a new location was developed last year by an Eagle Scout in the Cooper Branch area near the Corps offices. Other structures are also located in areas managed by the City of Acworth and by Cherokee County at Fields Landing. This program was recently awarded second

place in the state from the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation for outstanding contributions to protect and preserve the environment. Marietta BassMasters has also been instrumental in another habitat program. Members have planted several coves on the lake the last few years with buttonbush, a native plant species that provides cover for small fish in addition to food for other wildlife. Other groups have also worked with Corps rangers and DNR to implement best management practices for shoreline management by felling trees for fish habitat before they erode out and cause greater destabilization. Â Another innovative Corps ranger-led program involved the creation of deep water fish attractors made of golden bamboo. Rangers cut and remove the bamboo, an invasive non-native species, from Corps property and utilize volunteers to create structures from the durable bamboo culms. Then staff and volunteers use a small barge to drop the structures in deep water near popular fishing areas. If you would like more information or would like to participate in one these programs, please contact the Allatoona Lake Operations Project Management Office at 678-721-6700.

Christopher Purvis is the lead ranger at Lake Allatoona over Partnerships, Volunteers and Project Security. He has been a ranger on Allatoona Lake since 2005.

Marietta BassMasters planting button bush. 26

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

DOWNTOWN CANTON DINING GUIDE Your complete guide to casual and upscale sit-down dining in downtown Canton

RESTAURANT CUISINE BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER SUNDAY

SPIRITS RESERV.

R&M Sandwich Shop 117 W. Main St. 770-479-4413 Look for R&M on Facebook.

Custom-made sandwiches

closed

Downtown Kitchen 140 E. Marietta St. 770-479-1616 thedowntownkitchen.com

Steak & Seafood

$$$

closed

Full bar

yes

Seafood

$$$

closed

Full bar

yes

$$$

open

Full bar

yes

Sun. only

$$$

open

Full bar

yes

Goin’ Coastal 125 W. Main St. 770-479-3737 goincoastalseafood.com

The Snug Gastro Pub Gastropub 190 E. Main St. 770-213-4814 thesnuggastropub.com

Mancini’s Italian Tradition Italian no 250 E. Main St. 678-880-7770 mancinisitaliantradition.com

$ = most entrees under $10 • $$ = most entrees $10 - $15 • $$$ = most entrees $15 - $20 • $$$$ = most entrees over $20

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Budgeting BY CHAD ATKINSON

Start With A Plan And Include Your Children

Subtract the total expenses from your Budgets … we either love them income, and keep revisiting No. or hate them, and according to 2 until you end up with $0. This recent statistics it looks like there is what Dave Ramsey refers to are a lot more of us that hate as a zero-based budget. The them. Why? important part is to give every According to DaveRamsey.com, dollar a name and tell it where to 68 percent of Americans don’t go. If you get a negative number, budget every month, 62 percent you need to work on cutting/ have less than $1,000 in savings, reducing something in the budget and 78 percent of households are or earning more money. If you living paycheck to paycheck. Do have excess, decide where you you think there might be some are going to spend that money: correlation between these? savings, movies, clothes, debt, etc. If the majority of us are From left: Chase Chitwood, Sonia Carruthers, Dave Ramsey, Katie Bishop, Chad Atkinson and Jeff Mitchell. Start tracking your not using a budget, then who spending (all of it). You is teaching our kids how to can do this by hand or using a free app service called Mint. This will eventually manage their money properly? Are we really certain allow you to see where your hard-earned money is going and where that a few hours of glossing over personal finance topics in an you could adjust. It’s your spending plan, make it work for you. economics class is going to prepare them to be financially literate? Tracking your spending will help you be more precise and accurate I don’t think so; it sure didn’t work for me. My family never with No. 2 and gives you back control. discussed money. I had to learn the hard way. Another thing that helped me was using a printed monthly I now teach the Foundations Course by Dave Ramsey to the calendar and tracking the exact day that income came in and participants of Cherokee Youth Works at our Cherokee FOCUS expenses went out. It’s amazing the clarity that (Families of Cherokee United in Service) office these small steps will grant you. in Holly Springs. (The mission of the nonprofit is It’s a lot easier That’s really all you need to get started. After a to strengthen families, children and individuals to tell them NO couple of months, you begin to see where your of Cherokee County through collaboration of money is going, I guarantee that you will start community resources, skills and expertise.).These when they want making smarter financial decisions. youth (ages 16-24) are learning about debt, something if they Recently, a couple of Cherokee FOCUS budgets, savings, purchasing, investing, staff members, one of our students, and a insurance, etc. We rarely find a youth who has a are aware of and representative from South State Bank, which budget or has been exposed to one. They come participate in sponsors our class, had lunch with Ramsey at one to us to help them find jobs/careers, and it only of his Atlanta radio affiliates. After a great general makes sense to teach them how to manage the budgeting. discussion and a few questions and answers, money that they earn. Ramsey really wanted our student to understand If your household does follow a budget, are how important it is to get in the habit of budgeting and being you including your kids and explaining why things are done a intentional with his money, stressing the sooner the better. Starting certain way? Get them involved with the process and make it often now would ensure that he would be able to retire when he wanted so they can see the process, the good and the bad. It’s a lot easier to and with dignity. Ramsey also told some stories of how freeing to tell them NO when they want something if they are aware of it is to get out of and stay out of debt … it would keep him from and participate in budgeting. On a side note, if using the word making desperate decisions down the road. budget makes your skin crawl, then just call it a spending plan like If you need a budget template to use with your teenagers we do. It’s a way to plan where to spend our money. at home, just email me and I will be glad to send one to you. What steps do you take if you have never done a budget? You If you don’t know where to start on your own budget and feel don’t need anything fancy or some high-tech program. Just grab a overwhelmed, I would be glad to help you as well, just email or pencil and a pad of paper and follow these steps. call … I have nothing to sell you. Write down all of your expected after tax take-home pay for the month.

1. 2.

Now list all of your regular monthly expenses followed by any irregular expenses (quarterly/annual payments) that you might have. 28

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Chad Atkinson is a Navy Veteran and holds a finance degree from KSU. He works for Cherokee FOCUS as the Resource Development Manager/Financial Coach. chad@ cherokeefocus.org 770-345-5483

New Year, New Session in the Legislature BY SCOT TURNER

As I write this, the leaves on the tree in front of my office window at the Capitol in Atlanta have nearly abandoned their branches. Not only is this a sign of the season, it also means that the Georgia legislature is about to be back in session. By the time you read this, in fact, the legislative session for 2017 has probably just gotten under way. When the old oak regains its leaves in the spring, we will be leaving the Gold Dome to return to our normal, every-day lives as citizens of Georgia. The election of Donald Trump as president has created the need to readjust legislative priorities in Georgia. It seemed that most politicos had begun developing a legislative agenda that would have been in reaction to at least four more years of a Democrat in the White House. When Trump was elected, a lot of those agenda items became instantaneously superfluous and were either abandoned or shelved to see how the federal government addressed some of the most pressing issues under new leadership. Two items I am certain will not be discussed as a result of the presidential election will be expanding Medicaid (a significant aspect of ObamaCare or the Affordable Care Act, which is likely to now be repealed) and altering the Electoral College to favor a national popular vote. What we are certain to take up is the state budget, which

will set a record for total dollars spent, but once adjusted for inflation and per capita, will be in line with budgets from the 1990s. An important aspect of the budget will be educational funding for grades K-12, which is guided by a formula called Quality Basic Education (QBE) and makes up nearly half of the state budget. It appears that we are poised to fully fund QBE for the first time since 2002, or at least get close. One item I will be tackling along with Rep. Joyce Chandler from Grayson, will be legislation that will close the loophole that allows some school employees that have supervisory authority over students to engage in sexual misconduct with students. You may be familiar with a local case of a para-pro that had his conviction overturned because of this loophole. Rep. Chandler has agreed to allow me to assist with her legislation and has already done a great deal of work toward its passage. I will be working on civil asset forfeiture reform once again, which is the practice of the government taking permanent possession of a citizenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s property without a requirement for continued on page 62

Scot Turner is a small business owner and the State House Representative for District 21. He can be reached at 678-576-2644 or www.facebook.com/turnerforhouse.

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Around & About Jan. 20

JANUARY

Jaimee Paul will perform “Always and Forever” at 7:30 p.m. at the Falany Performing Arts Center at Reinhardt University. Jaime and her jazz combo, led by husband Leif Shires, present a 1940s jazz club style in the tradition of Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Rosemary Clooney. Tickets are $35-$40 for adults, $30-$35 for ages 55 and older, $10-$15 for children ages 12 and younger. To purchase tickets, call 770-720-9167 or go to www.reinhardt.edu/fpac.

Jan. 8, Feb. 12

Sunday Wibit Days at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1-5 p.m. Price

of daily admissions. Open Wibit days are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 15 and 17. Children must be able to pass a 25-yard swim test to use the Wibit. The center is at 1200 Gresham Mill Parkway, Holly Springs. 770-924‐7768. www.crpa.net

Jan. 13, Feb. 17

Parents Night Out is 5:30-10 p.m. at

the Cherokee County Aquatic Center. $15 per child for early registration. The center is at 1200 Gresham Mill Parkway, Holly Springs. 678-880-4760. www.crpa.net

Jan. 14

The 19th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast will be held 9-11 a.m. at the Northside Cherokee Conference Center, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton. This year’s theme is “Inspiring Unity Amongst Division.” The keynote speaker will be Shirley Franklin, former mayor of Atlanta and the first African American female mayor of a major southern city. Free admission; arrive early to get a seat. For information, contact Cynthia McClure at mrscdmm@hotmail.com.

Jan. 14

Jan. 28

Twain and Samuel Clemons Tonight!” starring Kurt Sutton on

offered noon-3 p.m. for ages 15 and older. For details, call 678-880-4763 or email cagordon@ cherokeega.com. www.crpa.net

Spend an evening with “Mark

his farewell tour at the Canton Historic Theatre, 141 East Main St. See Mark Twain come to life in this historical presentation. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $5 for students with identification. 770-704-0755. www.cantontheatre.com

Jan. 16

Splish Splash Break Camp will be held 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1200 Gresham Mill Parkway, Holly Springs. Cost is $50. www.crpa.net

First Aid, CPR and AED class is

Jan. 28, Feb. 25

Dive-In Movie begins at 6 p.m.

at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center. The center will provide floats or you can bring your own noodle or clear inner tube. The center is at 1200 Gresham Mill Parkway, Holly Springs. Price of daily admissions. 770-924‐7768. www.crpa.net

Jan. 29

The Handsome Little Devils will present “Squirm Burpee” at 3 p.m. at the Falany Performing Arts Center at Reinhardt University. The production specializes in original, American comedy and storytelling with an emphasis in vaudeville-style routines. In 2010, the company made its off-Broadway debut at the New Victory Theater with a production of “The Squirm Burpee Circus.” Tickets are $35-$40 for adults, $30-$35 for ages 55 and older, $10-$15 for ages 12 and younger. To purchase tickets, call 770-720-9167 or visit www.reinhardt.edu/fpac. Wibit at the Cherokee Aquatic Center 30

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Feb. 25

FEBRUARY

Guns and Hoses 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run hosted by the Cherokee

Feb. 4, April 7

American Red Cross Babysitting Course

for boys and girls ages 11-15 interested in babysitting will be held 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the recreation center. The course teaches childcare skills such as first aid, feeding, food preparation and safe play. It also teaches teens about interviewing and business basics. Interactive, hands-on experience. Cost is $55. 770-924-7768 or www.crpa.net

Feb. 17-26

“Dearly Departed” a comedy presented

by the Cherokee Theatre Company, will be performed at the Canton Historic Theatre, 141 East Main St. Tickets are $18. 770-591-0282. www.cantontheatre.com

Feb. 20-22

CCAC Lifeguard Training (American

Red Cross) will give participants lifeguard, first aid and CPR for Professional Rescuer nationally recognized certification. Must be age 15 by last day of class and be able to swim 300 yards continuously, tread water

(legs only) for two minutes and retrieve a 10-pound brick from 7 feet of water. The class is 9 a.m.-6 p.m. for three days. Call 678-880-4763, email cagordon@ cherokeega.com or visit www.crpa.net.

Feb. 20-24

February Break Camp for ages 5-12

will be held at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency. Daily field trips are planned. Children will need two snacks and a drink daily. Hours will be 7-9 a.m. drop off, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. camp activities, 4-6 p.m. pickup. Cost is $150. To register, call 770-924-7768. www.crpa.net

Recreation and Parks Agency, and participants can choose the team they wish to support: the Cherokee County Fire Department (Hoses), which will give proceeds to the Goshen Valley Boys Ranch; or the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department (Guns), which will donate to the Cherokee Sheriff’s Foundation. Call Kate Borden at 770-924‐7768 or email kborden@ cherokeega.com.

MARCH March 10-11, 17-18

“PARADISE” by Tom Rieser is an original

comedy/drama about finding friendship and experiencing loss in an assisted living center. The play will be performed by Broadway Bound Productions at 7:30 p.m. March 1011, 17-18, with 2 p.m. matinees on March 12 and 19. Performances will be held at the historic Canton Theatre, 171 E. Main St. www.broadwayboundproductionsinc.com.

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Rob’s Rescues This dog’s name is Nugget. He is a mixed spaniel. He is 7 years old and was an owner surrender. He needs a home. He is 37 pounds and is loving and awesome and would be a great dog. He needs to lose some weight and be groomed. This cat is Hilda. She thinks that she is the Queen of Everything. She is 1 year old. She is a bit feisty but would make an awesome pet. She is a black cat with white paws.

I went to Rochester, Minn., to interview Roo Yori. He is an American Ninja Warrior and was a world champion with his rescue dog Wallace in Frisbee dog competitions. The first part of my interview with him was in the December issue. This is the second part of the interview. If you could describe a pit bull in one word what would it be? A dog. If you could describe Wallace in one word what would it be? Driven. Complicated would work, too. When did you start doing Frisbee tournaments and what was your best part of it? We started with Ajax, our first rescue dog, because we thought he would enjoy it. My favorite thing was competing with Wallace and seeing everyone cheering for him. Seeing Wallace in real life changed perceptions of what people had heard about pit bulls and helped to open lines of communication. Pit bulls are often seen as “different” but I am educating people that they are dogs first and foremost.

Above: World champion Wallace shows off his Frisbee skills. Right: Rob with Roo Yori.

Blanket and Pet Food Drive! There will be a Rob’s Rescues collection bin at the new YUMSA International Market, 106 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock, Jan. 7-21. Please stop by and drop off any food, treats or blankets that will help needy animals in our greater community. There will also be pictures of shelter pets waiting for forever homes on display. Thank you!

Rob’s Rescues 32

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

How do you want to grow Wallace the Pit Bull Foundation? Operationally I need volunteers to further the cause and increase fundraising efforts for the dogs. What did Wallace struggle with? He had a lot of health problems. Lots of allergies and autoimmune issues. It never really fazed him too much; it was more of a concern for Clara and I. We had to work with his diet a lot. His ideal diet turned out to be venison, rabbit, elk, bison and a raw diet. What advice do you have for me? Keep doing what you are doing. Dogs and cats don’t have a choice in the circumstances they end up in. They are not in a shelter because they are “bad.” They need people like you and I to step up and help spread the message of shelter awareness and educate people that they are there through no fault of their own. What do you want people to know about pit bulls? They are just like other dogs and should be judged on their own merits and who they are as individual dogs, not just because they happen to have a big head and wide chest. Don’t act just on others’ opinions. For example, Hector (a former Michael Vick dog adopted by Roo and Clara). Everyone said he needed to be put down because of where he came from. You have to take the time to find out if the opinions out there are true or not. Educate yourself.

Follow Rob on Facebook!

I’m Rob Macmillan and I’m on a mission to help shelter dogs and cats. These animals are at the Cherokee County Animal Shelter at 1015 Univeter Road, Canton. Contact me at robsrescues@gmail.com.

Healthier Heart

Each Know Your Heart participant receives a personalized report with test results, reviewed with a WellStar Medical Group, Cardiovascular Medicine provider. The consultation also includes risk factor education, diet, weight and exercise recommendations.

Heart Screen â&#x20AC;&#x201C; $99 or $149 per couple

Basic Risk Assessment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; $49

Offered in Acworth, Austell, East Cobb, Marietta & Woodstock.

Call 770-956-STAR (7827) to determine eligibility and to schedule an appointment. AROUND CANTON | January 2017

@ the Library R.T. JONES 116 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton, 770-479-3090

Tuesdays

Family Storytime and craft activity at 10:30 a.m. is for families with children of all ages. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult.

Wednesdays

Lap-Sit Storytime is designed for children ages 1-3 to learn about the storytime experience and encourage early literacy by including books, songs, rhymes and physical activity. Sessions at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Saturdays

Family Storytime and craft time is for families with children of all ages. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult.

Jan. 8

DIG: Drop-in Genealogy meets 2-4 p.m. in the computer lab.

Grow your family tree through genealogy. Join this monthly group to learn and work on genealogical research. Topics will vary each month but will include how to use Ancestry.com, using your smartphone to scan documents, and how to use local newspapers on microfilm. Sign up for email reminders at the adult services desk or call 770-479-3090 ext. 228.

Jan. 8, 28

LEGO Club meets 3-4 p.m. Children can work alone or in teams

Sequoyah Regional Library System 770-479-3090 www.SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Technology Act Grants to States Program.

Jan. 18

Elephant and Piggie Party 4 p.m. Celebrate the popular Mo Willem’s characters Elephant and Piggie with songs, games and activities, including a story and special craft. Ages 3-8; registration is required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Jan. 21

Cherokee County Friends Annual Meeting is 1 p.m. The public is welcome to attend this annual meeting. The guest speaker will be Michael K. Brown, president of the Atlanta Writers’ Club.

Jan. 24

Tech Tuesday offers help downloading eBooks and audiobooks to your computer or mobile device (phone or tablet), assistance setting up and using email, flash drives, and posting photos to Facebook. Staff members can’t repair or set up computers. Bring your device and/or laptop and power cords. Appointment needed.

Jan. 26-28

Friends of the Cherokee County Public Library Book Sale will be 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 27 and 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Jan. 28. Preview sale is 3-5:30 p.m. Jan. 26 for Friends members. Membership available at the door.

HICKORY FLAT 2740 East Cherokee Drive, Canton, 770-345-7565

to make their special creations. All ages are invited. Ages 9 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Tuesdays

Jan. 9

storytime experience and encourage early literacy by including books, songs, rhymes and physical activity. Begins at 10:30 a.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

The Canton Eclectic Readers is a new book club for

unconventional readers. Meets at 6 p.m. Discussing “The Martian” by Andy Weir. Call 770-479-3090 ext. 228 to add your name to email list. Light refreshments will be served.

Jan. 10

Tech Tuesday offers help downloading eBooks and audiobooks

Lap-Sit Storytime is for children ages 1-3 to learn about the

Thursdays

Family Storytime and craft activity at 10:30 a.m. is for families with children of all ages. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult.

to your computer or mobile device (phone or tablet), assistance setting up and using email, flash drives, and posting photos to Facebook. Staff members can’t repair or set up computers. Bring your device and/or laptop and power cords. Appointment needed.

Jan. 11

Jan. 23

Consumer Protection: Learn how to prevent senior scams at 11

a.m. Learn how to fight back against scams and identity theft. What is a credit freeze and how can it help protect your credit? Whether you are a senior citizen or are worried about protecting your parents from scammers, this is the class for you.

Jan. 12, 25

Mindstorm Robots with iPads for Bluetooth control will be

available and fully assembled, 2 p.m. Participants will play battle bots and other games including a maze to test robot navigational skills. Registration is required; for ages 7 and up. Ages 9 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. This project was made

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Minecraft Crafting Party from 4-6 p.m. Crafting and playing

games based on Minecraft. Children under 9 must be ccompanied by an adult.

Learn to Code with Sphero Robots, 4 p.m. Learn the basic principles of coding in a fun way with round robots. This program is designed to introduce children to the basics of coding in a handson and creative fashion. Registration is required and begins Jan. 9. Call 770-345-7565. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Technology Act Grants to States Program. Hear from Pie Bar at 6:30 p.m. Pie Bar, located in Woodstock, will demonstrate how to make their signature all-butter pie crust. The event will include a Q&A session with Pie Bar owners Lauren and Cody Bolden. Oh, and there will be free pie!

Spend Time Reading in the New Year BY MATT NEAL

Imagine, if you will, a beach. You are alone. Before you, clear blue water laps upon the sand. Heavy white clouds clash against a cerulean sky, and a stiff breeze comes to you from far away across the sea. To your right is a tiki hut. Behind you are palm trees and a green, tropical jungle. A coconut lies at your feet. Warm rays cascade down on your tanned skin. It’s time to stroll along the shore and see what the tide brought in. Now, you look up from this article and glance out the window. The January sky is gray and cold. The trees are bare, and a chilly wind whips a few stray leaves across the ground. Behold, the magic of words, transplanting us from our boring, humdrum lives to someplace far away. That’s the joy of reading. If I could recommend one New Year’s resolution, it would not be to get more exercise and lose weight … come on, we all know that’s a pipe dream anyway. No, it would be to spend more time reading. It would be to pick out at least a few good books, curl up on a cold January evening in front of a warm fire, and let yourself sink into the story. Back in my younger days when I was manager of a retail store in downtown Atlanta, our district manager stopped in for a visit. She saw I had a library book sitting on my desk, and she frowned.

“You know,” she said, “we’re not in college anymore. You don’t have to read.” I thought that was a sad commentary on our generation. I actually found it a little bit depressing. But I eventually realized she didn’t speak for everyone. In fact, as I grew older I found that most people still like to pick up a book now and then and read a good story. I’ve started a list of books I plan to read this year, some classics and some modern. I’m also determined to finish writing at least one of the many books I’ve been working on. Whether it’s eBooks, audiobooks or the old fashioned paper kind, reading is not only entertainment, it can expand your mind. My wife is a non-fiction person, but I love an adventure. I love the spies, the mysteries and the exotic settings. Whatever you like, come up with your own list of at least 10 books to read this year. Email me and let me know your progress. I love to hear from readers, and I know of a few book clubs I can recommend.

Matt Neal is a freelance writer who has lived in Woodstock with his wife since 1999. He can be reached at mattnealwriter@outlook.com.

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Poole Funeral Home and Cremation Services

Serving and Giving Back to the Community PHOTO BY J KING IMAGES

From Left, Lou and Gerald Lee, Brian and Amy Poole and Pete Castello.

hen Brian Poole opened the doors of Poole Funeral Home and Cremation Services five months ago, he was excited about the opportunities to serve Cherokee County by providing compassionate care at a time of need and giving to local churches and charities. It’s a profession he’s devoted his life to starting 25 years ago when he got his first job in a funeral home.

As he looks back to that day, he admits that he has been blown away by the response he received. “I never dreamed we would have done as well as we have,” he said. Wife Amy adds: “We’ve been blessed to have the privilege of caring for numerous families in 2016.” The family-run business offers a few unique extras that Brian hopes will drive

the point home that he is all about serving others. • U.S. military veterans receive a 10 percent discount. • A 10 percent tithe will be given to the church where the deceased member worshipped. For non-church members, a 10 percent donation will be made to a local charity. • Basic services and arrangements for the loss of children younger than 16 will be performed at no charge. • Pre-arrangements from other funeral businesses will be honored. Consideration of previously discussed requests or wishes will be handled with the utmost detail. The idea of giving to charities came from an acquaintance who, after 10 years, had donated $1 million to churches and charities. It’s a lofty goal, but Brian has a solid start. An end-of-year donation was made to Papa’s Pantry, MUST Ministries and a grief camp for children through Gentiva Hospice. Poole Funeral Home is a 12,000-squarefoot building with a rustic, craftsman style exterior. Just inside the front doors, running the width of the building, is a large hallway that serves as a

1970 Eagle Drive, Woodstock 30189 678-932-2097 • www.poolefuneralhome.net www.facebook.com/PooleFuneralHome

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Sponsored Content

The beautifully appointed vestibule (top left), visitation room (top right), lobby (above), and chapel (right).

gathering area. The space is well lit and decorated with contemporary furniture. Modern furnishings, soothing colors and decorative touches create a space that feels more like a living room than a funeral home. Attention to detail was important to Brian, who said he didn’t want it to look like a traditional funeral home. The 12foot, coffered ceilings add to the spacious feel. A 230-seat chapel is equipped with audio-visual capabilities for any type of music or video presentation. Family members who aren’t able to attend a service will be able to watch it live through the website. Other amenities include easy access to

large restrooms, three viewing rooms, and a dining area where family members can have food brought in or catered. While the parking lot offers 140 spaces, more spots are available in the grassy areas surrounding the building. Funeral and memorial services are available in Woodstock; the crematorium is in Ball Ground. Brian employs a staff of eight, which includes wife Amy, a registered nurse, who will work with the administrative staff. It’s important to Brian to make sure each family experiences a dignified service, regardless of the family’s circumstances. “At a time of grief and loss, people shouldn’t be burdened with

financial difficulties, too,” Brian said. “We will help all families who come to us. Families and individuals deserve to be treated with sincerity, concern and respect.” Brian believes the best way to serve the community is neighbor to neighbor. “Sometimes there is much to be gained by being under the umbrella of a large corporation, but after spending 25 years working with families, I believe the best way to serve is when a funeral home is locally owned,” Brian said. “We can give back to the community we know and love. That is what we will do here in North Georgia.” AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Women’s Wealth Growing Faster Than Men’s Two major factors may be influencing the trend.

DON AKRIDGE, MBA, CFP®, CPA/PFS U.S. MARINE CORPS VETERAN – EMORY UNIVERSITY ALUMNUS

Picture the women of the world growing wealthier. It’s happening right now. Research from the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) affirms this development. BCG, a leading business strategy adviser, says that as the world grew 5.2 percent wealthier between 2015 and 2016, women’s wealth grew 6.6 percent. In total, women own about $39.6 trillion in assets worldwide, and possess a 5 percent greater share of global wealth in 2016 than they did in 2011.1 What are some of the reasons behind this shift? One reason is that more women are becoming successful business owners. Census Bureau data from 2012 (the most recent available year, at this writing) shows women owning 36 percent of U.S. businesses, a 30 percent leap from the levels of 2007. As the ranks of middle market companies rose 4 percent from 2008 to 2014, the number of women-owned or women-led middle market firms soared by 32 percent.2 This has all taken place even though female entrepreneurs typically start a business with 50 percent less money than their male peers, according to research from the National Women’s Business Council. Perhaps most impressive has been the growth of businesses owned by Latina and African-American women. American Express OPEN found that from 1997 to 2015, the number of U.S. firms owned by Latinas increased by 224 percent. Simultaneously, the number of businesses owned by black women rose by 322 percent. African-American women started up companies at six times the national average during those 18 years.2,3 Beyond the business world, there is a second major reason for the increased net worth of women. They are acquiring or inheriting significant wealth from parents, spouses or relatives, some of whom are millionaire baby boomers or members of thriving

business-class households in emerging economies.1 In reference to the latter phenomenon, the net worth of women who live in Asia-Pacific nations other than Japan has risen by an average of 13 percent a year since 2011. Globally, assets under management owned by female investors grew 8 percent per year in that time.1 The BCG white paper projects that women may grow even wealthier by 2020. It forecasts that by then, women will control $72.1 trillion of assets around the globe, thanks to their collective wealth increasing by about 7 percent a year.1 This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. This information has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. Please note - investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty. This is neither a solicitation nor recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insurance product or service, and should not be relied upon as such. All indices are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular investment. Citations. 1 - time.com/money/4360112/womens-wealth-share-increase/ [6/7/16] 2 - forbes.com/sites/geristengel/2016/01/06/why-the-force-will-bewith-women-entrepreneurs-in-2016/ [1/6/16] 3 - blackenterprise.com/small-business/black-women-business-ownersoutpace-all-other-startups-six-times-national-average/ [3/4/16]

Don Akridge is president of Citadel Professional Services, LLC, an independent firm, founded in 1994 and conveniently located off Chastain Road between I-575 & I-75 in Kennesaw. 770-952-6707.

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AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Time to Prepare:

The Taxman Cometh BY JOHN VEITH

The calendar has turned and 2016 is now in the rearview mirror. As you put together documents for your 2016 tax returns here are few reminders along with some tips. For taxpayers receiving EIC (Earned Income Credit), refunds will be held until mid-February to help prevent fraud and identity theft. Health care penalties have increased to $695 per adult or 2.5 percent of income up to a family max of $2,085. Forget to fund your IRA? You have until April 15 to fund for 2016. Just remember to tell your banker/broker to state it is for 2016 not 2017. Personal exemptions increased $50 from $4,000 to $4,050. Head of household standard deduction also went up $50. All other standard deductions remain the same as last year. Estate tax threshold increased to $5.45 million with a 40 percent maximum rate. For employers, all W2s must be filed by Jan. 31. In the past, employees received their W2 by Jan. 31, but employers had more time to officially submit to the IRS. Extensions are available I recommend for employers under certain using at least circumstances. Beware of tax scams! I a simple tax receive phone calls each year planner to make from people stating the IRS is calling them and about to sure you have have them arrested if they covered all don’t send money. This is just one example. There are more. your bases and Please keep in mind, the IRS have all needed will not call you out of the blue. If you have tax issues with the documents. IRS, you will know long before any phone calls. Please contact your tax preparer if you are unsure of a possible scam. I recommend using at least a simple tax planner to make sure you have covered all your bases and have all needed documents. Every year I have some clients that forget to bring in all documents and it leads to a tax surprise later in the year or the following year. This normally comes with additional penalty and interest. Also, reviewing last year’s return may help in remembering which statements you may need. They could include dividends, brokerage, mortgage, property tax, charitable giving, and of course W2s and 1099s. Finally, it’s a good idea to keep a current year tax folder and when documents come to you throughout the year, just put them in the folder. This will save you time, stress and headache.

John Veith CPA, CMA, MBA is owner of North Georgia CPA, Inc., conveniently located across from Holly Springs City Hall. 770-924-4990. www.northgeorgiacpa.com AROUND CANTON | January 2017

On a Volunteers from Allen Temple AME Church and the community were busy with mission projects in the weeks leading up to the Martin Luther King holiday. The annual MLK Unity Breakfast set for Jan. 14. The CommUNITY Service Project Serve 2 for Cherokee County provides yearlong service opportunities to help area residents. Volunteers were asked to serve a minimum of two hours at various agencies and nonprofits. The current partners in this effort include Forever Fed, the Salvation Army and MUST Ministries, represented in the photos on this page.

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Making Sense of Uninsured Motorist Coverage BY ROBERT TIDWELL

People typically do not wonder how much uninsured motorist (UM) coverage they have, until they need it. In fact, 90 percent of the people who come into our office do not even know if they have UM coverage, let alone how much and which type. If you are wondering about yourself, don’t fret. Georgia has some of the most complicated and complex UM laws in the country, so you can blame it on that. Uninsured motorist coverage is insurance that you can purchase to protect yourself from being left holding the proverbial bag if someone without proper car insurance injures you in a car wreck. There are basically two ways UM coverage comes into play. Under Georgia law, an at-fault driver is “uninsured” if he or she: 1) does not have any automobile liability insurance, or 2) does not have enough automobile liability insurance. The first instance is not complicated. If the at-fault driver does not have liability insurance, you call upon your UM carrier to answer for his or her negligence. After your UM carrier pays the claim, it can pursue repayment from the at-fault driver through subrogation if the at-fault driver’s identity is known. Looking to your UM carrier when the atfault driver does not have enough insurance is when Georgia law gets tricky. There are two basic types of UM coverage

available for purchase in Georgia and they are both tied to the amount of liability insurance you carry. The first type is known as “set off” UM and the second is known as “add on” UM. Assume you have a claim worth $150,000 and that you have $100,000 of UM coverage while the at-fault driver has only $50,000 of liability insurance. If you have “set off” UM, the at-fault driver’s insurance would pay its $50,000 and then your UM carrier would pay $50,000. In other words, the $100,000 of your UM coverage is “set off” by the $50,000 of liability insurance carried by the at-fault driver. In this example, you would be left coming out of pocket for the remaining $50,000 of your claim as there is not enough insurance to cover it. However, if you had “add on” UM coverage, the outcome would be different. Add on UM coverage does just that; it is coverage that adds on to the available liability insurance. So in this example, the at-fault driver’s insurance would pay $50,000 and your UM coverage continued on page 62

Robert Tidwell is a personal injury trial lawyer at The Tidwell Firm, LLC in Woodstock, where he lives with his bride Lori, and their two daughters. www.thetidwellfirm.com

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Art & Wine Walk

Participants in Cantonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Holiday Art & Wine Walk last month enjoyed great weather for their stroll through the city. They were given a map to help plan their route to the participating businesses, where they were able to meet artists and enjoy a taste of wine at each location. Photos by Gary Mullet.

Murphy, in training to be a therapy dog, enjoyed the festival with his owners.

An exhibit of pottery by Fred and Laura Ellis.

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Elaine Roberts (left), wife of Ball Ground Mayor Rick Roberts and Elly Hobgood, artist and wife of Canton Mayor Gene Hobgood.

Artist Amanda Pilcher with some of her oil paintings. She also creates jewelry.

Enjoying the afternoon are, front from left: Jeff Brown of Canton; Amado Grabiel of Blue Ridge; Bill Grant of Canton and Steve Martin of Blue Ridge. Behind them, from left, are Rebekah and Jane Shelnutt of Canton.

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Entrepreneurship Can Transform a Community BY JONATHAN CHAMBERS

strategy of TechSquare Labs in Midtown Atlanta, Building something from an innovative tech hub nothing takes guts. It’s risky. and investment firm. From It’s bold. It’s not for the these adventures I learned faint-hearted. that local community is key Being an entrepreneur is to local success, and that not always all it’s cracked having mentors can be the up to be. Very few people difference between success become a Bill Gates, Steve and failure. FSC, through The Jobs or an Elon Musk. Circuit, will offer relevant Many fail, fail often, and programming, a network of often fail big. But there mentors and a collaborative is something that nearly community to help Cherokee every entrepreneur has in County entrepreneurs common: a stubborn and The 3,000-square-foot space is located at the Woodstock campus of Chatt Tech. launch and grow their relentless pursuit to never Photo by Todd Hull businesses. give up. Also important is establishing a dynamic place where people It’s in this same spirit of entrepreneurial perseverance that want to live and work close to home. Nearly 80 percent of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED) has Cherokee County residents commute out of the county to launched a five-year strategic plan called Opportunity Cherokee. work. I used to be part of that statistic; I was living in Cherokee The plan creates Fresh Start Cherokee (FSC), an initiative of County while working in Midtown. I wanted to be able to COED designed to encourage entrepreneurship and empower build an innovative community closer to home. FSC will seek growth in Cherokee County. One of the inaugural launches to foster homegrown entrepreneurship in Cherokee County of FSC is a new coworking space located at Chattahoochee to build a strong community, grow the economy and create a Technical College’s Woodstock campus called The Circuit. The more dynamic sense of place. I am honored to join the team to Circuit, set to launch early this year, is a 3,000-square-foot transform our local community and never give up. Will you join innovative space designed to pair as the college’s student us? Sign up for tours at calendly.com/tourcircuit. center and coworking space for local business professionals and founders who will have access to office space, events, programming and a collaborative community of support. I have been an entrepreneur and have had wins and losses. I have successfully launched, grown and sold a local business. Jonathan Chambers is the community manager of entrepreneurship for the Cherokee Office of Economic I have also founded and led a tech startup that crashed and Development. Cherokega.org, freshstartrcherokee.com burned in six months. I have even led the marketing and growth

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Squirrels In the Attic BY ANN LITREL

ART BY ANN LITREL, ANNLITREL.COM

Last month a couple of squirrels moved into our attic. I called them Cody and Caitlyn. I thought of them as Squirrel “millennials.” They were young. They were in love. And they were not quiet. THUMP!! Scratch, scratch. Russsstle russstle russssstle. Ba-dum-ba-dum-ba-dum-dum-dum-dum-dum, DUM!!! Running across the floor all through the wee hours of the morning. It was a party every night - right above our bed. On the third night, after an especially loud THUMP, I heard my husband Michael throw off the covers in the dark and stomp downstairs. The hall light came on. Michael stalked past and pulled down the trapdoor to the attic. Squirming in his arms was Horus, our cat. Up went Horus into the attic. Instantly, there was a mad scramble overhead. For a full minute came the sounds of frantic running and scrabbling across the rafters. And then quiet. Horus came back down meowing and empty pawed (so to speak). We surmised that Cody and Caitlyn decided to vacate. In the following days, we sent Horus back up a few times to patrol. But we haven’t heard Cody and Caitlyn since. I sometimes see them in the backyard, outside my kitchen window. They’ve made themselves a new home – a big leafy nest in an oak tree. Now that they’re not waking me up, I enjoy watching their acrobatic, death-defying leaps from treetop to treetop. Cody and Caitlyn - along with every squirrel I’ve ever known - act as though they’re employed by the National Forestry Service. When they’re not eating nuts, they’re planting them - although not according to any observable plan. I guess I find them cute, but mostly a nuisance. Yet, when I thought about it, I realized I didn’t know much about squirrels except that they eat nuts. So I did a little research.

Squirrel Hordes Make Their Mark on History Gray squirrels are common, but in colonial times they were so numerous they threatened crops. In 1750, explorer Peter Kalm described a squirrel invasion in Pennsylvania so massive the state offered a bounty on every squirrel, three pence a head. Kalm wrote that 640,000 squirrels were killed, necessitating a payment of 8,000 pounds sterling from the treasury of the state. Nowadays, gray squirrels are not a significant threat to crops. Historic invasions were probably caused by deforestation and loss of food. Squirrels eat seeds, nuts, fruit, buds, leaf, bark, fungi, and occasionally even bird eggs, earthworms and beetles. Squirrels have one famous trick that helps them through the winter: they bury nuts – up to 25 an hour. They locate the nuts later by scent, but of course some remain undetected to sprout in the spring.

Jan. 21: Somebody Named It Squirrel Appreciation Day We may think of squirrels as pests. But the truth is our forests would not be the same without them. My small backyard holds two types of hickories and three kinds of oaks. If it were not for generations of squirrels burying their winter stores, I imagine my little grove would be thinner and poorer. When our children’s children look on the giant canopy trees of next century’s forests, it will be due to the efforts - not of humans - but of gray squirrels, planting nuts every fall, year after year. So I guess I owe Caitlyn and Cody a little respect. Those scatterbrained millennials – it turns out we really do need them.

Ann is an artist who lives in Towne Lake with her husband Dr. Michael Litrel and their two sons. Ann can be reached at Ann@annlitrel.com.

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Making Silver Roamers stay active with day, overnight trips

The Cherokee Recreation and Parks Department offers an active group for senior citizens called the Silver Roamers. For a $24 yearly fee, members can attend monthly gatherings for fellowship and to discuss upcoming events. Members get discounts on trips and events, and win prizes through the Roamers Mileage Club. Non-members can take part in day and overnight excursions, but the cost is a little more. For details and costs, call Frankie Sanders at 770-924-7768, or go to www.crpa.net.

Dave Perkey at th e Waffle House M useum.

Jan. 12

World of Coke/Legal Seafood On a boa t

ride.

A self-guided interactive tour discovering multiple exhibits at The World of Coca-Cola museum at Pemberton Place in Atlanta. The museum showcases the history of The Coca-Cola Company and contains a host of entertainment areas and attractions. You can spend the day sampling more than 100 beverages at The World of Coca-Cola. Then a short walk to Legal Seafood for lunch. $60 members, $70 non-members.

Jan. 24 IKEA

Day trip to IKEA, a Scandinavian chain selling ready-toassemble furniture, plus housewares, kitchen, bedroom, bath, etc. in a warehouse-like space. Lunch on your own in IKEA. Â $10 member, $20 non-members.

Feb. 9

Mystery trip!

$55 member/$65 non-members. Cost includes transportation, tour and lunch. Handicap accessible. Center. ntiquity A e th t A

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Feb. 28

Booth Western Art Museum/Appalachian Grill

A guided tour at the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, a large museum devoted to art of the American West and all things cowboy, stagecoach and butte related. Then a short walk to Appalachian Grill for lunch. $20 member/$30 non-members.

tion. ey Planta ll A k a O at The crew

e ll and at th George Ha d n a is rr a Luella H . se Museum Waffle Hou

s. es Knee ss at Be la c g in Cook

Visiting the WWII Museum.

March 13-17

Columbus, LaGrange, Pine Mountain and Warm Springs overnight trip

April 20

Chattahoochee Nature Center

March 30

Enjoy a theater show, hiking trails, exhibits, wildlife, Creature Feature show encountering a wild animal with a naturalist, and much more. Bring your own sack lunch and enjoy a picnic lunch at the pavilion. $20 members/$30 nonmembers.

$70 members/$80 non-members.

May 4

April 2

Travel to Conyers to explore the beautiful grounds at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit. After a 20-minute video, visitors will get a map for a self-directed tour of the museum, gardens and more. Visitors can join the monks in prayer, if desired. Includes boxed lunch. $25 member/$35 nonmembers.

$700 double room/$1,050 single room. Cost includes transportation, admissions, dinner and lunch.

Mystery trip!

“Don Pasquale” at Cobb Energy Performing Arts/Rays on the River

In this modern production from director Chuck Hudson set in the golden era of Hollywood, Don Pasquale is an aging silent film star at the sunset of his career. The protagonist sets off to find a wife and heir to his future. He gets hitched to the devious Norina, a widowed gold digger who conspires with Ernesto, Don’s nephew. Supported by a chorus of servants dressed as Hollywood film stars, Don Pasquale is an uproarious evening of theater. This marks the first production of Donizetti’s bel canto jewel in The Atlanta Opera’s history. Bass baritone Burak Bilgili, last seen in Atlanta in 2013’s “The Italian Girl in Algiers,” returns in the title role. The play lasts 2 hours with one intermission; dinner at Ray’s on the River (pay your own) will follow. $60 members/$70 non-members.

Monastery of the Holy Spirit

May 18

Barnsley Garden/Woodland Grill

The 3,300-acre destination is a storybook setting. A gift for his beloved bride, Godfrey Barnsley poured his heart and soul into this grand, Southern country estate two centuries ago. Tales of chivalry, dream-like appearances and royalty add to the legend of this special destination. $50 member/$60 non-members.

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Senior Sense

Time to Think BY DELIA HALVERSON

We recently had two trees cut down. One was splitting and one had roots lifting our driveway. After the tree company drilled out the stumps, we had two piles of wood chips. As I moved buckets of chips to go under the shrubs in back, my mind wandered from my grandchildren, to death, to people who are lonely and those who are simply alone. It’s amazing how physical labor frees the mind to think. Perhaps we are too busy reading the thoughts of others on social media or the internet to really take time to think Welcome that our own thoughts about our chance to dust real world. I don’t advocate throwing a table or sweep away the washer and the sidewalk, dishwasher, but I do think that a few physical jobs here and free the and there help clear the mind to really mind. With today’s fabrics in clothing, I do much less think ... ironing than I did when I was younger. When I iron, I like to turn off the TV and any other noise in the house. That’s a good time for private thoughts. I belong to a Sunday school class that gives its members a chance to discuss and share interesting thoughts. But I need personal time to rehash what we’ve discussed on Sunday. Are we afraid to think about life and about why we are here? Are we afraid to think about the neighbor whose son is struggling with drugs? Are we afraid to think of how we can help another person? Are we afraid to think of reality? We awake in the morning to a clock radio or music on our

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

phones, struggle to the TV set for the “TODAY Show,” and fill our day with thoughts that run our world. If we’re retired, it’s making doctor appointments or maybe playing cards or games on the computer. If we’re not retired, it’s the business of a job or scolding kids. The evening glides from the news, through a ballgame, and back to the news and perhaps a late night show. Or perhaps we substitute a party or a meeting in the evening schedule. All through the day our mental computer is receiving information. Important thoughts reach us through TV, the internet, reading, and person-to-person communications. Yet, we are so busy giving our minds the cultural advantages, we never give them a chance to mull the thoughts. That’s when a good non-mental, all-physical job comes in handy. A job that’s automatic allows room in the mind for thoughts. Welcome that chance to dust a table or sweep the sidewalk, and free the mind to really think about all that’s stashed away in the corners. We need time to mull things over, or we become very stale.

Delia writes books and leads workshops internationally. She and her husband settled in Woodstock after living in eight states. Their children and grandchildren live nearby.

Faith

Cherokee Gold Rush More Than a Dream BY DR. JOE MCKECHNIE

For many, Cherokee County is the perfect place to live. Topnotch schools, an interstate easing the traffic flow, an assortment of shopping experiences and land that is still affordable. Atlanta is close enough to catch a Falcons game, but Cherokee County is far enough away to have our own charming way of life. As one may gather from the name of our county, the Cherokee Indians occupied this area for hundreds of years. Even after the formation of the United States (and the state of Georgia, for that matter) very few settlers or pioneers ventured into “Indian Country.” Historical records show that by 1825, modern day Cherokee County was home to 13,000 Indians, 1,277 slaves owned by the Indians and only 225 people of European descent. But all of that changed in 1828, when gold was discovered in north Georgia. While the Cherokee Indians had spoken about gold in the Appalachian Mountains for centuries, the first “white” man discovered gold in late 1828 near modern-day Dahlonega (that city’s name comes from the Cherokee Indian word that means gold.) This began what would be known as the first American Gold Rush. Dahlonega is often credited with being the home of the Gold Rush in Georgia, but there are many who claim that the Sixes community was actually home to the first gold mines in Georgia. There’s a historic marker in downtown Canton that states that the Sixes Mine was the first place in Georgia to mine gold. There’s evidence that the Sixes Mine was operational by 1820, pre-dating the Dahlonega gold rush by nearly a decade. The gold from the Sixes Mine was noted as some of the purest in Georgia. The gold rush attracted new settlers, many of whom established roots and whose families remain here today. Conspiracy theorists note that the Cherokee Indians were knowledgeable gold miners, and that, amid rumors that they would soon be expelled from the land, spent two years building a tunnel near the Sixes community, in which they hid gold. Even today, you can find occasional treasure hunters from various parts of the United States converging on our community to find clues that they hope will lead to gold that was stashed away in tunnels. The gold rush in Georgia lasted for nearly 20 years, but by the late 1840s, most of the “easy” gold had been mined, and word arrived that gold had been discovered in California, so many of the miners in Georgia packed up and headed west. Before they were removed from Georgia, the Cherokees gained enough gold-mining experience to participate in later gold rushes in California in 1849 and Colorado in 1859. continued on page 62

Dr. Joe McKechnie is the senior pastor of Sixes United Methodist Church, and a member of the Around Canton community board. Email him at joe@sixesumc.org. AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Health & Wellness

You Have a New Puppy or Kitten: Now What? BY DR. JOHNATHAN GILVARRY

Congratulations on the new puppy or kitten you got during the holidays. The holiday season is a great time to bring home a new four-legged addition to the family. Pets have the uncanny ability to bring joy, laughter and warmth into our lives. But what do you do next? It is extremely important to start your pet out right to make sure that it will be as healthy as can be. One of the first decisions for owners is what to feed their new puppy or kitten. This can be daunting considering the number of commercial pet food diets on the market. It’s best is to decide on a quality puppy or kitten food and stick with it. If the diet is different from what the breeder or kennel was feeding, slowly transition to the new food by mixing the old and new diets together for about five to seven days to prevent intestinal upset. Typically, multiple feedings per day are recommended during the growing phases of puppy-hood. Once your new puppy or kitten has settled into your household, have it checked over by a veterinarian who will perform a thorough physical exam to detect any potential problems. A vaccination protocol will be set up to protect against serious diseases and a feces analysis will be done to test for intestinal parasites such as worms. Also based on the weight and age of the pet, preventative care for heartworms,

fleas and intestinal parasites can be started. This is also an excellent time to ask questions or voice concerns. Socialization and training are huge during this time period. It is extremely important to introduce your new pet to other pets, people and social situations to prevent fear and anxieties later in life. Bring your new puppy to pet-friendly places and encourage visits from friends and family to interact with your new pet. Potty training is also started during this time. Potty training has to be a positive, reinforced learned behavior. Take your pet outside frequently and have a small piece of a tasty treat in your pocket. Once your pet has performed properly, be sure to reward your pet with that small treat right away to cement the concept of eliminating outside equals a tasty reward. Kittens prefer litter boxes with fresh and odor-free litter. Please make sure that each cat has its own litter box. Congratulations again on your new arrival. I hope you have a fun and blessed New Year.

Dr. Jonathan Gilvarry has been an associate veterinarian of the BridgeMill Animal Hospital Team since 2015.

Five Reasons to Focus on Dental Health BY SCOTT V. MERRITT, DMD

As we prepare to take on 2017, it’s a great time to spend a few minutes setting goals for your overall health. For dental care, it is important to remember that what you do – or don’t do – will have an enormous impact on your teeth later in life. We see many patients in our office who are healthy overall, but have weak teeth or are losing them because they didn’t do everything they could have earlier in life. In fact, studies Below is a reminder of the have shown that important role teeth play. We encourage you to use tooth loss can them as extra motivation lead to anxiety, to brush, floss and see your dentist regularly in 2017. depression and Aesthetics. A toothless low self-esteem. grin isn’t appealing. For the person without teeth, it’s rarely pleasant as well. In fact, studies have shown that tooth loss can lead to anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. Additionally, career experts suggest that a great smile is as important as a great résumé when it comes to your job search. Eating. One of the primary purposes of teeth is to aid in chewing food. Without teeth, a person will need to alter 50

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his or her diet to include softer foods. This can lead to poor nutrition as well as other serious medical problems. Speaking. Teeth are a key element in speech. The teeth, lips and tongue work together to form certain letters and sounds. Even misaligned teeth can cause lisping, whistling and difficulty pronouncing certain words. Pain. When you bite or chew, your jaw exerts force on your teeth. If you are missing any, the remaining teeth absorb that force. This force causes stress and damage, potentially leading to movement of your remaining teeth. All of these problems may ultimately lead to jaw pain and additional tooth damage. Aging. One of the most significant visual effects of tooth loss is the look of premature aging. Teeth stimulate the jawbone. As you lose teeth, the bone no longer receives that stimulation so it begins to deteriorate. A reduced jawbone results in less support to your face, resulting in saggy skin and a hollowed appearance.

Dr. Scott Merritt founded BridgeMill Dentistry in 2002. The office is located on Sixes Road between Ridge and Bells Ferry roads.

Find the people living in poverty in these pictures. That’s right. You can’t. Poverty isn’t always easy to spot. In fact, people at the end of hope are just like you.

Donations needed now Financial donations New socks and Underwear · Blankets www.mustministries.org 1407 Cobb Parkway N. Canned meat Marietta, GA 30061

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Treatment Plans Can Tackle Tinnitus BY DR. SARAH OBAROWSKI

Have you ever heard a ringing or buzzing sound in your ears and wondered where it was coming from? If you have searched your house high and low without locating the source of the sound, you are most likely experiencing tinnitus. This auditory phenomenon is produced and heard internally, in the absence of external noise. It can be described as hissing, ringing, whooshing and even musical tones. Tinnitus can occur in one or both ears and may be constant or intermittent throughout your day. According to the American Academy of Audiology, nearly 40-50 million U.S. residents have experienced tinnitus, with close to 2.5 million feeling debilitated by the symptom. Tinnitus is not considered a disease itself, but it is a symptom of some other underlying health condition. Though there are many unanswered questions regarding the specific cause of tinnitus, what we do know is that it is most often associated with sensorineural hearing loss. However, there are many other health disorders that can generate tinnitus as a symptom. Some other causes are head and neck injuries, traumatic brain injury, sinus pressure, high blood pressure and ear infections. Tinnitus can also be triggered or made worse by stress, loud noise exposure, medications, and diet and lifestyle choices.

Untreated tinnitus can be associated with sleeping difficulties, concentration problems and mood disturbances such as stress and irritability. There is no cure for tinnitus, only treatment options. For many people, tinnitus can be reduced significantly with the use of amplification. One theory behind the mechanism of tinnitus suggests that if the auditory cortex (where we process sound) is receiving a degraded signal from the ear (i.e. hearing loss), then the brain will start to generate its own sound which can be perceived as tinnitus. Once we supply the brain with a strong, high-integrity signal, the tinnitus will often become less noticeable and bothersome. Doctors of audiology are trained specialists to evaluate and quantify the sound you hear through tinnitus evaluations. Treatment plans are personalized and can range from something as simple as a sound generator to hearing aids to cognitive behavioral therapy. If tinnitus affects you, it is worth scheduling an evaluation with a doctor of audiology to customize a treatment plan.

Sarah Obarowski, Au.D. is a Doctor of Audiology and provider at North Georgia Audiology in Woodstock. She has been practicing since 2016.

Develop Healthy Eating Habits for Your Child BY ANDREA ADDINGTON, RD, LD

With busy schedules, fast food convenience and picky eaters, figuring out how to get your child to eat healthy foods can be a big challenge. Developing healthy eating habits early helps children maintain a healthy lifestyle when they are older. Know “why?” Encourage questions and be sure to have an answer. For example, “Milk makes your bones strong” or “Peanut butter has protein, which is good for your muscles.” Go grocery shopping together. Get your child involved in shopping decisions. Teach him or her about the nutritional values of different foods, how to choose fruit and vegetables, and how to read food labels. Get children involved in the kitchen. Whether it is washing fruits and vegetables, cracking eggs or mixing ingredients, children are more likely to try foods that they “made.” Older children can assist in planning the menu for a particular night. Add in healthy food. Find ways to add healthy foods into foods your child already likes. For example, use turkey meatballs in pasta sauce. Carrots, apples, oranges and zucchini can be grated and used in casseroles, pancakes, muffins and bread. Sit down for a family meal. Though this may not be possible 52

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every night, try to set aside time for family meals on a regular basis. At the dinner table, you can lead by example by filling your plate with healthy foods in moderate portions. Encourage your children to eat slowly to better detect hunger and fullness. Limit junk food. Limiting the junk food in your house and keeping your pantry stocked with healthy snacks will guide your child in developing a taste for nutritious snacks. Try creating a dried-fruit mixture with ingredients such as apricots, apples, cherries, figs and dates. Be smart about eating out. When eating at a restaurant, teach your child to search the menu for words such as grilled, fresh, lean, roasted or steamed. Though it is important to limit fries, burgers and pizza, it won’t do any harm to occasionally eat these foods.

Andrea Addington, RD, LD, is the system clinical nutrition manager at Northside Hospital. For a full range of outpatient weight management and nutrition services, visit northside.com/nutrition or call 404-236-8036.

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If getting organized is one of your new year’s resolutions, this comprehensive calendar should help. We’ve included the dates for school breaks, city festivals and community events as well as national holidays.

JANUARY Jan. 16: Martin Luther King Day Cherokee County school holiday Jan. 21: SAT at Sequoyah High School

FEBRUARY Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb. Feb.

1: Readers’ Choice voting begins 2: Groundhog Day 5: Super Bowl 11: ACT at Creekview, Etowah, River Ridge, Sequoyah, Cherokee high schools 14: Valentine’s Day 17: Woodstock’s Arbor Day Celebration, Seedling Giveaway 20: President’s Day 20-24: Winter Break 22-24: Inclement Weather Makeup Days 25: Guns and Hoses fundraiser

MARCH March 1: Ash Wednesday March 3: Friday Night Live begins in Woodstock March 10: Last Day of Readers’ Choice voting March 11: SAT at Cherokee, Creekview and Etowah high schools March 12: Daylight Saving Time Begins March 12: Purim March 17: St. Patrick’s Day March 20: First Day of Spring

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APRIL April April April April April April April April April April

3-7: Spring Break 7: Canton First Fridays begin 8: ACT at Cherokee High 9: Palm Sunday 11-18: Passover 14: Good Friday 16: Easter Sunday 18: Tax Day 22: Greenstock Day & Recycling Event 26: Administrative Professionals Day

MAY May May May May May

5: Cinco de Mayo 6: Derby Day at the Rock Barn 6: Trailfest in Woodstock 6: Woodstock Farmers Market opens 11-14: Cherokee Indian Festival and Pow Wow

SEPTEMBER

MAY May 12: Relay for Life May 12: Charlie Daniels Band performing in Woodstock May 14: Mother’s Day May 25: Last Student Day & Early Release Day for Middle and High school only May 25: Creekview High graduation 4 p.m. May 25: Etowah High graduation 8 p.m. May 26: Woodstock High graduation 4 p.m. May 26: Cherokee High graduation 8 p.m. May 27: Canton Farmers Market opens May 27: Sequoyah High graduation 9 a.m. May 27: River Ridge graduation 1 p.m. May 29: Memorial Day

JUNE June June June June June

3: SAT at Woodstock High 10: ACT at Woodstock High 14: Flag Day 18: Father’s Day 21: First Day of Summer

JULY July 4: Independence Day July 8: Give a Kid a Chance

AUGUST Aug. 1: First Day of School Aug. 1: Police Night Out in Woodstock

SEPTEMBER Sept. 4: Labor Day & School Holiday Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28: Brown Bag Concerts in Woodstock Sept. 10: Grandparents Day

Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept.

11: Patriot Day 18-22: Fall Break 21-22: Rosh Hashana 23-24: Riverfest 30: Great Lake Allatoona Cleanup 30: Yom Kippur

OCTOBER Oct. 3: Scarecrow Invasion in Woodstock Oct. 5-6, 7-11: Sukkot Oct. 7: Holly Springs Autumn Fest Oct. 9: Columbus Day Oct. 14: Woodstock Fire Station 14 Open House Oct. 21: Georgia Zombie Fest Oct. 24: First Game of World Series Oct. 31: Halloween KidsFest in Woodstock

NOVEMBER Nov. 5: Daylight Saving Time ends Nov. 7: Election Day. No school. Nov. 11: Veterans Day Nov. 11: Canton Main Street Inferno Chili Cook-off Nov. 11-12: JSL of Woodstock Tour of Homes Nov. 18: Recycling event in Woodstock Nov. 20-24: Thanksgiving break Nov. 23: Thanksgiving Nov. 24: Love Lights a Tree in Canton

DECEMBER Dec. 2: Canton & Woodstock Christmas parades Dec. 8-9: Main Street Canton’s Art and Wine Walk Dec. 13-20: Hanukkah Dec. 22-Jan. 5: Christmas break

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EVERYDAY

Last January, Tarrah and Nick Zomer, both Cherokee County middle school teachers, returned from a wonderful Christmas break filled with dreams and goals for 2016. One goal was to take their three children, ages 8, 6 and 20 months, to Walt Disney World. “Little did we know what we would be facing. In hindsight, I now recognize my symptoms: fatigue, weight loss and skin issues. They didn’t happen all at once so I just blamed it on our busy life with kids,” Tarrah said. “In July, a routine annual physical exam resulted in concern over my bloodwork and follow-up appointments. A week before my follow-up appointment, I had noticed a lump under my arm. On July 18, a mammogram and ultrasound were performed, followed by a biopsy. Biopsy results would take three to four days. As teachers, my husband and I were just beginning the new school year on July 25. I have to say that this was the hardest work day I have ever had. I was not able to pay attention to anything, cried at the drop of the hat. The day went on and no word from the doctor. Tuesday came, another work day and another day of worry, fear and more tears. Finally, at 3 p.m. while in a meeting at school, my phone rang and my doctor informed me that I did indeed have classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma. “I was shocked and speechless, and all I wanted was to see Nick. Thankfully, we work at the same school [Mill Creek Middle School], so I immediately left the meeting and headed toward his classroom. We stepped inside an empty cafeteria, I didn’t even make it until he closed the door and I began to cry uncontrollably. I had cancer. Certainly, a diagnosis that no one ever expects to hear, especially at age 35. It seemed surreal. I have cancer, but I am a young mother with all the world ahead of me. How can this be? “I met with the oncologist on July 29 and within a week, I had a PET scan, bone marrow biopsy, surgery to put my port in place and a lung capacity test. I had not even begun to fight this and I was already mentally and physically exhausted. Testing revealed a 10 cm mass in my chest that had spread to other nodes in the lymph system — Stage 4! Treatment needed to begin immediately and would include 12 chemo treatments, every two weeks over six months. “Prayers from family and friends were being offered up, literally around the world. My family and I believed those prayers would be answered and I would be healed completely. Praise to God that after four treatments, I had a PET scan which revealed NO CANCER. As they said, nothing lit up in the scan, but the treatment would continue as insurance against any return in the future. “Currently, I have three more treatments left in this regimen, which will be followed by another PET scan to make the final determination of cure. This has been a grueling experience. I have been weak, dehydrated, nauseous at times and a tired that 56

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Tarrah and Nick Zomer with their three children.

surpasses any tired you can imagine. I have lost time with my family — time that cannot be replaced. But, I have faced this disease with dogged determination and a positive attitude. I work when I should not, but I must — life and bills go on and so must I. “As the Christmas season ends with a new year before us, my favorite time of the year is clouded with the details of having cancer. I try not to get down when looking at the piles of medical bills and try to stay focused on my many blessings. I have a godly, wonderful husband who has been my rock. He has had to be everything while I am totally useless most of the time. I have three beautiful and amazing children; they keep me focused on the future and all those things a young mother dreams of for her life. We are blessed to have my parents, who moved nearby to help care for all of us. I have felt God’s touch through hundreds of friends and family members who have brought food and made donations to help with the medical expenses. This has been the beautiful part of such an ugly disease, that God has made good out of what Satan meant as evil. (Gen. 50:20). “I am hoping that my story touches the heart of someone who needs a word of encouragement and hope in the future. My life has changed and the way I will forever view it. I am grateful for every single day that I have it.” Everyday Angels will accept donations in support of this sweet family who have dedicated their lives to teaching and caring for our children. May we begin this new year with a serving heart filled with compassion and love for others.

Everyday Angels is a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving Cherokee County since 2000. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, please visit www.everydayangels.info to donate via Paypal or send your donations to: Everyday Angels, PMB 380, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 620, Woodstock GA, 30189. One hundred percent of your funds will go to the family you specify. Also, if you know of a special need within your community that you would like to share, please send an e-mail to aaeverydayangels@gmail.com for consideration and qualification.

Happy Caps

Gifting Soft and Beautiful to the Beautiful and Strong BY SUSAN SCHULZ

Kathy DeJoseph is a grateful lung cancer survivor who tries her best to make sure that when someone hears the diagnosis “you have cancer,” he or she meets someone who has made it through such adversity. She makes this happen by volunteering twice a week at the WellStar STAT Cancer Clinic where she was diagnosed and treated. “I understand the shock and fear that they feel and can share my experience and answer questions as someone who has been in that earth-shattering situation,” DeJoseph said. “One day when I arrived for chemo treatments, I was given a hat by the nurse. It was made by a woman named Margaret. Margaret had taken the time to write a sweet handwritten note to whoever would receive it. It meant a lot to me. I never forgot the kindness of receiving this special gift from a complete stranger that day and the way her present made me feel. I started Happy Caps Atlanta as a way to pay it forward and it has grown exponentially in just a year,” she said. With 101 regular cappers, Happy Caps has gifted close to 3,200 soft, stylish hats since October 2015 to cancer patients or anyone suffering hair loss due to medical conditions. Their mission is to remind those who receive the caps that there are people who care and to make sure that if people stare, it is because the wearers have such cool hats! They also gift caps to children who are hospitalized for any reason. Today, they serve 12 infusion centers in Cherokee, Cobb, Paulding and Pickens counties. Each cap is tagged with a personal message from the person who lovingly made the cap. DeJoseph, a capper herself, has made and donated more than 300 caps since her diagnosis and healing (check out the Star Cappers tab on the website where many cappers are highlighted). “I learned

A few of the 101 regular Happy Cappers.

quickly how calming knitting can be. It is a scientifically proven de-stressor and attributed to my healing,” said DeJoseph, who is now cancer free. The testimonials keep coming in. One Facebook friend wrote: “Happy Caps, you rock! My friend was thrilled with her new cap and she especially loved the big red heart on her cap. Thank you so much for blessing my friend. She felt the love!” Happy Caps Atlanta became a 501c3 organization in March 2016, making all donations tax deductible. The nonprofit welcomes anyone who would like to make caps. Please contact Happy Caps Atlanta for guidelines. DeJoseph has a few things on her wish list: someone to organize the donations, deliver the caps (preferably a survivor), yarn and website support. For more information and inspiration, visit HappyCapsAtlanta.org, email: contact@ happycapsatlanta.org or call 770-653-9448. Also on Facebook as Happy Caps Atlanta.

Susan Schulz is a Bible teacher, author, wife, and mom of three grown children. She lives and plays along the Etowah River and loves serving at Woodstock City Church. AROUND CANTON | January 2017

School & Sports

YOUR SCHOOL NEWS Kudos & Congratulations Join us in giving a “shout out” to the groups and individuals who have gone above and beyond to earn our recognition. If you know a student, teacher, parent volunteer or school group who deserves a pat on the back, send their picture and the details to jackie@ aroundaboutmagazines.com.

Principal Cindy Crews congratulates members of the winning teams, from left: Ryan Heiter, Roy Shewmake, Kailey Autry, Reese Thomas and Rachel Blanchard.

Congratulations to the winning teams in Sixes Elementary School’s recent video production contest promoting the school’s #BeKind initiative. Teams of students from fourth and fifth grades developed their own two- to three-minute videos highlighting the importance of being thoughtful and sharing kindness.

Reinhardt sophomore biology major Michael Dubuc earned first place at the Georgia Music Educators Association piano competition (college division). He is pictured performing with his sister, Hannah, at the Falany Performing Arts Center.

Front row, from left: Jessica Bobe, Katie Kirkland, Maddie Bruce, Hanna Palmer and Sydney Neubert; back row: Tatum Ussery, Kari Palmer, Gavin Black, Hunter Steng, Jacob Poole, Cammie Cox and Saigim Garcia.

Sequoyah High School DECA club members recently placed at regionals and qualified for state competition.

Thanks to Nike at The Outlet Shoppes of Atlanta in Woodstock for donating sneakers and hoodie sweatshirts to more than 25 students at Canton Elementary School STEM Academy to help make their Christmas a little brighter. Pictured, from left are: Nike Manager Sue Ann Miller, Assistant Principal Valerie Lowery, Kimberly Bland, Paul Ojo and Kady McWhirter of Nike, Principal Beth Long, Zak Moon of Nike and Assistant Principal Tammie Anderson. 58

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Creekview athletes and parents teamed with members of the Cherokee High School baseball team to clean up debris and do yard work for a disabled senior adult. The event was sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Students at Cherokee Charter Academy in Canton raised nearly $500 for the Center for Children and Young Adults “Every Child Deserves a Safe Place to Sleep” campaign. Students were allowed to wear pajama pants to school for a day with a $1 donation to support homeless kids in the community.

A combined unit of Junior ROTC members from the district presented the colors on the field prior to kickoff.

2016 Varsity Brands Senior Bowl

Clark Creek Principal Joey Moss, left, with fourth-grade teacher and contest organizer Lauren Abrams on the new bench.

Clark Creek Elementary School collected 28,813 plastic bags to win the two-day Plastic Bag Recycling Competition sponsored by the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce’s Going Green and Education committees, in partnership with Waste Management. The school was awarded a bench made out of recycled plastics.

Football players and cheerleaders, along with members of marching band and JROTC from the class of 2017, had one last night under the high school gridiron lights at the 2016 Varsity Brands Senior Former rivals work together as a new team. Bowl. Seniors from the district’s six high schools participated to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Research. Coach Tyler Wynn from River Ridge led the South team of seniors from the Woodstock schools of River Ridge, Etowah and Woodstock against Creekview High School’s coach Terry Crowder and the Canton (North) squad from Cherokee, Creekview and Sequoyah. While the team from southern Cherokee prevailed on the scoreboard, the night was about fun and charity. “The game keeps getting better and better each year,” Crowder said. “We as coaches are so lucky to have one last week to spend time with our seniors.” Winn agreed. “It is always a pleasure to get together with the coaches from the county and celebrate these seniors one last time. It’s a great experience to learn from the other coaches and watch these kids compete while having fun.”

Anaya Bhatti and Madison Prien bag donations from the food drive.

The Cherokee High School Beta Club organized a canned food drive as a holiday charitable project.

Cheerleaders from all six schools cheer on the players. AROUND CANTON | January 2017

CHEROKEE PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB

Congratulations to each of you who entered images in the November competition “Groups of Three!” If you placed in either the color or monochromatic print category, please send a digital file of your image to: deankelley@windstream.net

Monochromatic:

1st Peter Kilpo “Trio”

3rd Eillene Kirk “Monotone Mums”

2nd Martin Longstaff “Gold, Silver & Bronze”

HM David Ferguson “Three Faucets”

Color Prints:

1st Peter Kilpo “Three Mangoes” 60

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2nd Becky Sapp “Popies”

The Cherokee Photography Club meets on the fourth Monday of the month, and for those participating in the monthly contest, that meeting is held on the second Monday of the month. Both meetings are from 7-9 p.m. and held at the Cherokee County Arts Center, 94 North Street, Canton. For more information, please contact Kim Bates at 770-617-7595 or email him at kbphotoart@ comcast.net. 3rd Eillene Kirk “Trinity”

HM Peter den Boer “Dunes”

Digital Projection:

1st Vicki Sellers “Mountain View”

3rd Eddie Myers “Pear Queen”

2nd Dean Kelley “Spilt Milk”

HM Sam Tidd “Fork Noir” AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Tips When Purchasing New Construction It’s important to have an agent represent you if you have your sights set on a newly built home. When you get to a new construction neighborhood, let the onsite agent know you are working with an agent. As a buyer, you need to understand that the onsite agent represents the builder, not you. You deserve the same advantage as the builder, which means having a skilled representative negotiating on your behalf. When you are buying a new construction home, it may be possible to negotiate on the sales price. There are a few factors to consider. For example, how quickly In most cases, are homes selling in that the builder neighborhood? If properties are selling faster than the will negotiate builder can build them, you with regards to probably won’t have a lot of room for negotiation. However, upgrades. if there is a lot of standing inventory, the builder may be more willing to negotiate. Keep in mind, builders don’t like to reduce the sales price because they don’t want to devalue the neighborhood. If the builders sell you a home at a lower price, and that sale is recorded, then the next buyer will see

that sales price. Ultimately, giving you a discount will affect the builder’s profit moving forward. Look at it this way: if you own a house in a new construction area and you find out that your neighbor got the same house for less money, how would you feel? That is another reason why builders want to protect the neighborhood value. With this in mind, how can you get a deal? Your agent will help you negotiate incentives or upgrades. You might still have to pay asking price, but for example, you may can get hardwood floors all throughout the main floor, or a stacked fireplace. Don’t be discouraged if a new construction agent says he or she won’t negotiate. In most cases, the builder will negotiate with regards to upgrades. It is typical for a builder to give you some money toward upgrades no matter what. There are also lender concessions. A lot of builders will help pay some closing costs if you use one of their preferred lenders. Make sure you do your homework and acquire a truth in lending statement from two or three lenders so you know you are getting the best financing terms possible. When looking at new communities, you can build a home or buy one already built. It can take approximately six months for the builder to complete a home from the ground up. Make sure you take this timeframe into consideration if you have a home to sell.

New Facility On Track for Tours, Opening

Making Sense of UM Coverage

SUBMITTED BY THE PREMIER GROUP

continued from page 20

There’s no question about it − this is an exciting time for Northside and the Cherokee County area. Up next: installation of equipment and staff training are currently taking place. Stay tuned for more details in the spring about community tours and grand opening of the hospital. For construction updates, a live-feed camera of the new hospital and additional videos and information, visit northsidecherokee.com.

New Year, New Session in the Legislature continued from page 29

that citizen to be convicted or even charged with a crime. I will introduce legislation that will require a conviction prior to the government taking permanent possession of your property. Lastly, but most important, I am here to represent your interests during the legislative session. If you have an idea for a bill or especially want to see a law repealed, please contact me so that I may serve you. My cell phone number is 678-576-2644, and my house email account is scot.turner@ house.ga.gov. I look forward to hearing from you, and thank you for allowing me to serve. 62

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continued from page 41

would pay $100,000. With “add on” UM coverage, your entire claim would be covered in this example. If you do not know which type of UM coverage you have, call your insurance agent and find out. The price difference is negligible and the benefits are great. Not having enough insurance to cover a car wreck claim could literally add insult to injury. Hit and run drivers fall under category 1, as do phantom drivers who “run you off the road.” However, if a phantom driver causes a wreck without actually “hitting” your vehicle, you must have testimony from a third party witness corroborating the phantom vehicle’s involvement.

Cherokee Gold Rush continued from page 49

In the 1850s, a group of miners and Cherokee Indians from this area formed and named the town of Cherokee, Calif. Thomas Edison had a mine in that community. Psalm 19:10 declares that the ways of the Lord “are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold…” While it was gold that drew so many settlers to the Sixes area, how are we, as followers of Jesus, able to draw people into a deeper walk with Christ? A life that may not be perfect in the eyes of the world, but a life that is more valuable than gold!

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

CANTON AREA HOMES SOLD IN NOVEMBER                                                   

                                                  

                                                  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Downtown Woodstock

Elm Street

The Health Benefits of Humor BY SIOBHAN BRUMBELOW

Laughter really is the best medicine. So we decided you should start 2017 off the right way - with some laughter. Here’s to a new year full of cheer and some interesting facts about laughing. • We laugh up to 30 times more when we are in the company of others than when we are by ourselves. Laughter is contagious. • Frequent and wholehearted laughter helps your body to fight off harmful diseases. Laughing lowers our levels of stress. • Laughing is a pretty good workout. When you laugh, you are strengthening muscles in your face, stomach and diaphragm. Every 15 minutes of solid full-body laughing you do, you can burn up to 40 calories! • Some studies have reported that laughing for at least 15 minutes can add around two days to your overall lifespan. Live long and … laugh! • Not a coffee drinker? That’s OK. Laughing shortly after you wake up can have similar effects to drinking a cup of coffee. Believe it or not, there is a science to laughing. In fact, the science of laughing and its effects on the body is referred to as gelotology. • In studies that looked at laughter in adults versus children, it was found that kids tend to laugh about three times more than adults. Think like a kid and learn to enjoy yourself a little. • The average person laughs around 13 times a day. Oddly enough, we laugh at chance happenings or things that were never intended to be funny. • Laughing can create an instant bond between individuals. When you laugh as a group or with someone else, we feel a natural connection to those people and it can alleviate some of the social stress that being around new people might create. • Just as children laugh more than adults, surveys have shown that women tend to laugh slightly more than their male counterparts. • Laughter is contagious. Ever wonder why television shows often play a laugh track after a funny moment? Even when we do not see where the source of the laughter is, simply hearing laughter can be contagious. Elm Street is hosting a month packed with comedy events. “Whose Line Is It, Woodstock?” is a family-friendly improv show and “Last Laugh!” is a stand-up comedy competition (Jan. 20-28). Visit elmstreetarts.org for tickets and information.

DOWNTOWN WOODSTOCK

JAN 20-28

WHOSE LINE IS IT, WOODSTOCK?

JAN 20, 21, 26, 27 - 7:30PM

LAST LAUGH JAN 28 - 7:30PM Call or visit us on the web to learn about our

SPRING CLASSES ELMSTREETARTS.ORG 678.494.4251

Siobhan Brumbelow is on staff at Elm Street. She currently holds a BA in Theatre from Brenau University and toured with Missoula Children’s Theatre. AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Reference

CANTON AREA CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS Forever Fed is a mobile food ministry that addresses physical hunger and hopelessness in North Georgia by providing meals and sharing the gospel. www.foreverfed.org

North Georgia Pregnancy Center offers help and care to young girls and women with an unplanned pregnancy or who need counseling. 706-253-6303 www.ngapregnancy.org

Angel House Girls Home is a residential facility to help girls ages 12-18 learn self-sufficiency. 770-479-9555 www.angelhousega.com

Funds 4 Furry Friends helps those in need with food, spay/neuter and medical attention for their pets. Gina Jeter 770-842-8893 www.funds4furryfriends.com

Papa’s Pantry is a year-round local food ministry, which also includes the Masters Training Center to help individuals and families in crisis get back on their feet. Lynne Saunders 770-591-4730 www.papaspantry.org

Anna Crawford Children’s Center is dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect, and protecting and serving children and families through prevention and intervention services. 678-504-6388 www.cherokeechildadvocates.org

Georgia Animal Project, based in Ball Ground, offers high quality, low cost spay and neuter services for dogs and cats throughout North Georgia. 770-704-PAWS (7297) www.theanimalproject.org

Pet Buddies Food Pantry helps families in need by providing pet food, supplies, spaying and neutering, and education through community outreach programs. 678-310-9858 www.petbuddiesfoodpantry.org

Give a Kid a Chance – Cherokee sponsors a yearly backto-school bash, giving children in need filled backpacks to free haircuts. www.giveakidachance.org

Safe Kids Cherokee County provides free child safety seat inspections by appointment. 770-721-7808 www.cherokeesafekidscherokeecounty.org

Goshen Valley Boys Ranch offers a home, care and counsel to young men in the DFCS system. 770-796-4618 www.goshenvalley.org

SERV International operates the House of Hope orphanage in Africa, sponsors a clean water program in Dominican Republic and meal distributions worldwide. Also offers mission trips. 770-516-1108 www.servone.org

CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS Ahimsa House helps victims of domestic violence 24-hours a day who need help getting their pets to safety. 404-452-6248 www.ahimsahouse.org

Bethany Place is a transitional home for single women, unwed mothers. 770-479-9462 www.bethanyplacehome.org CASA for Children promotes the health and happiness of children impacted by abuse through programs that increase their safety and improve their educational, social and emotional functioning. 770-345-3274 www.casacherokee.org CCHS Thrift Store accepts donations and sells used household items to raise money for Cherokee County Humane Society. 5900 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth. 770-592-8072 Cherokee Family Violence Center offers emergency shelter and crisis intervention, affordable housing, education, support services. 770-479-1703, Spanish 770-720-7050 or 800-334-2836 option 2. www.cfvc.org Cherokee Fellowship of Christian Athletes challenges professional, college, high school, junior high and youth level coaches and athletes to use athletics to impact the world for Christ. Bill Queen 404-441-3508 www.cherokeefca.org Cherokee County Humane Society (CCHS) 770-928-5115 or admin@cchumanesociety.org www.cchumanesociety.org Cherokee FOCUS works to improve the lives of children and families through collaborative programs and initiatives. Sonia Carruthers 770-345-5483 www.cherokeefocus.org Cherokee County Senior Services offers educational, social, leisure and recreational activities for senior citizens. 770-345-5312 or 770-345-5320 www.cherokeega.com/senior-services Collins Dixon Foundation: Bend Your Knees, Inc. raises awareness and helps children with pediatric brain tumors. Contact: Bob Dixon, 678-922-1560. Community Veterinary Care provides professional veterinary care for pets whose owners have limited financial means. 678-640-3512 www.communityveterinarycare.com Companion Animal Connection 678-493-9847 www.adoptapet.com

Green Shelters America animal rescue group. 770-712-4077 or GreenSheltersAmerica@gmail.com www.GreenSheltersAmeric.com Habitat for Humanity North Central Georgia 770-587-9697 www.habitat-ncg.org Healing Hands Youth Ranch offers safe, peaceful environment where abused and at-risk children are paired with rescue horses for hope and healing. Jennifer Simonis 770-633-4451 www.hhyr.org HopeQuest Ministry Group helps people who struggle intensely with life dominating issues related to alcohol abuse, substance abuse and/or sexual brokenness. 678-391-5950 www.hqmg.org HOPE Center offers support for unplanned pregnancy. 770-924-0864 or info@hopectr.com www.hopectr.com HOPE Center — Seeds Thrift Store offers men, women & children’s clothing, furniture & other homegoods. 770-517-4450 www.seedsthriftstore.com Life Connection Ministries helps empower and provide humanitarian relief in the form of wells and greenhouses to impoverished communities. Mission trips offered. Florine Russell 678-234-1798. www.lcm-ga.com Matthew E. Russell Foundation works to establish literacy and libraries in rural areas worldwide. Florine Russell 678-234-1798. www.mattrussell.org MUST Ministries offers groceries, hot meals, emergency shelter, supportive housing, clothing, employment services, summer lunch and more from five locations in eight counties, including the Canton office at 111 Brown Industrial Pkwy. www.mustministries.org National Alliance for Mental Illness is the nation’s largest grassroots organization in America working to build better lives for the millions affected by mental illness. www.nami.org

Everyday Angels offers financial assistance for local families in need. aaeverydayangels@gmail.com

Never Alone Outreach provides food and clothing assistance to Cherokee families in need. www.neveralone.org.

Feed My Lambs, Inc. provides free Christian preschools in the U.S. and around the world. 770-795-9348 office@feedmylambs.net www.feedmylambs.net

Next Step Ministries offers a therapeutic day program, Saturday respite, camps and special events for people with special needs. 770-592-1227 www.nextstepministries.net

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

The Blue Ribbon Foundation fosters a national dialog toward finding the cause, cure and prevention of ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis), CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome), fibromyalgia and Lyme disease. Tom Prior 478-397-5542 www.theblueribbonfoundation.org Volunteer Aging Council is a nonprofit that helps raise funds for the seniors of Cherokee County. A list of current needs is available. 770-310-3474 www.vac-cherokeega.org

SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS AA Meetings Canton Meets: 9:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday, 7 p.m. Monday at Canton First United Methodist, 930 Lower Scott Mill Road. Woodstock Meets: 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at Hillside United Methodist, 4474 Towne Lake Parkway. www.aageorgia.org/14c-meetings.html Al-Anon and Al-A-Teen Canton Meets: 8 pm Thursday at St Clements Episcopal Church, 2795 Ridge Road. Woodstock Meets: Tuesday Al-anon and Alateen 8 pm Thursday Al-anon at Hillside United Methodist Church, 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy. Reba 770-516-3502 www.ga-al-anon.org/district-number.hp?district=17 American Heart Association - Cherokee Division 678-385-2013 American Red Cross metro chapter 770-428-2695 Caregivers Alzheimers Support Group Meets: 6:30 p.m. first Tuesday of Every Other Month at Benton House of Woodstock, 3385 Trickum Rd. 678-494-4500 woodstockinfo@bentonhouse.com Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered recovery program for all types of habits, hurts and hangups. Meets: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at Woodstock Church of the Nazarene. 770-366-7515 Meets: 6:30 p.m. Mondays at Sixes United Methodist. 770-345-7644 www.sixesumc.org Meets: 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Ministry House 678-459-2347 www.MinistryHouse.org Meets: 6:15 p.m. Thursdays at 411 Scott Mill Road, Canton. 678-764-8660 www.celebraterecovery.com

Cherokee County Support Group provides support for people with autoimmune conditions. Meets: 6:30 - 8 pm second Thursday at New Light Baptist Church, 1716 New Light Rd, Holly Springs. Stacie Collett 404-402-0571, jhmom88@comcast. net and Christy Stephenson 770-337-0294 christystephenson@msn.com Cherokee County Special Olympics provides yearround sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. www.cherokeecountyspecialolympics.org Cherokee Christian Ministerial Association for pastors and ministry leaders of all Christian denominations. Meets: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. last Wednesday at Dayspring Church, 6835 Victory Drive, Woodstock. www.cherokeeministers.org Diabetes Support Group Meets: 9:30 and 11 a.m. third Tuesday at Emeritus Assisted Living, 756 Neese Road, Woodstock. Linda Watson 770-793-7818 Georgia Canines for Independence. 404-824-4637 gcidogs@aol.com www. gcidogs.org Grace Valley Ministries connects pastors by offering small group meetings, free counseling and a place to retreat. 727-251-7690, info@gracevalleyministries.org www.gracevalleyministries.org Grandparents Raising GRANDchildren Meets: 7:15 p.m. second Tuesdays Transfiguration Catholic Church, Marietta (nursery available). Jeannie 770-919-9275 Hearing Loss Association of America NW Metro Atlanta Chapter for people with hearing loss looking for support and resources, holds free and informative quarterly meetings at the Senior Center on Arnold Mill Road. nwmetroatlantahlaa@gmail.com La Leche League of South Cherokee Meets: 10 a.m. first Tuesday and 7 p.m. third Tuesday at Bascomb United Methodist Church. Marguerite 678-315-7686 or Megan 770-517-0191 MOMS Club of Woodstock-TowneLake momsclubofwoodstocktl@gmail.com www.sites.google.com/site/ momscluboftownelakewoodstock MOPS — Mothers of Preschoolers (birth — K) Meets: 9:30 a.m. second and fourth Mondays at Hillside UMC, 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy. 770-924-4777 Unlimited Possibilities, support group for stroke and brain injury survivors. Meets: 7 p.m. first Tuesday of each month at Kennestone Outpatient Rehab Center. Kelly 678-677-2589

BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS Canton Cherokee Business and Professional Women’s Club Meets: Noon on third Thursdays at Canton IHOP Glenda Hinton 770-345-1751 Canton Communicators Toastmasters Club Meets: Noon-1:15 p.m. Thursdays at the Canton YMCA. Steven Van Schooten 770-366-8224 www.toastmasters.org The Joy of Connecting Networking for Women Meets: Various times and locations. Edeline Dryden 678-789-6158 www.xperienceconnections.com/spotlight/woodstock/

CIVIC, COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS American Legion Post 45, Meets 7 p.m. fourth Thursday at 160 McClure St, Canton, GA 30114 770479-4405

AARP Woodstock Chapter is for anyone age 50+ Meets: 11:30 a.m. second Tuesdays at Tuscany. Cost is $15. Rich Sanford, 770-926-1944.

Republican Women of Cherokee County 678- 520-2236 www.rwccga.com

BridgeMill-Sixes Service League Marlyn Patouillet 770- 345-7941 www.bssl.org Canton-Cherokee TRIAD/S.A.L.T. (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together) Meets: 8:30 a.m. first Tuesday at G.Cecil Pruitt YMCA in Canton (Hall of Fame Room) www.saltcherokee.com

RECREATION & HOBBIES

Canton Lions Club 678- 224-7878, www.lionsofcanton.org

Allatoona Gold Panners Periodic events and outings to pan the creeks in the Dahlonega Gold Belt along the Lake. Rob Kelly rrkelly@bellsouth.net Cherokee Amateur Radio Society Meets: 10 a.m. on the second Saturday at William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road. www.cherokeehams.com

Canton Optimist Club Meets: 7:30 a.m. Fridays at Canton IHOP. canton_optimist@hotmail.com www.sites.google.com/site/cantonoptimistclub/home

Cherokee Community Chorale A community of singers from all walks of life who love the art of choral singing. 678-439-8625 www.cherokeechorale.org

Canton Rotary Club Meets: Noon Tuesdays at the Cherokee Conference Center at the Bluffs www.cantongarotary.org

Cherokee County Arts Center 94 North St., Canton 770-704-6244 www.CherokeeArts.org

Cherokee County Historical Society 770-345-3288, www.rockbarn.org Cherokee County Service League 770-704-5991

Cherokee County Master Gardeners 770-721-7803 www.caes.uga.edu/extension/cherokee/ mastergardeners

Pilot Club of Cherokee County Meet: 6: 30 p.m. second Mondays at IHOP on Hwy 20. Lynda Goodwin, 770-393-1766 or Lynda@edgoodwinassociates.com www.pilotinternational.com

Cherokee County Saddle Club Hosts monthly meetings and group rides. www.cherokeesaddleclub.com

Cherokee Photography Club www.cherokeepc.org

Rotary Club of Cherokee County Meets: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at IHOP on Highway 92 770-480-4179

Cherokee Hockey In Line League (CHILL) Roller hockey. www.cherokeehockey.org

Service League of Cherokee County 770-704-5991, www.serviceleague.net

Cherokee Music Teachers Association Linda Lokey 770-720-1701 www.cherokeemta.org

VFW Post 5262 Meets 7 p.m. second Thursday at 278 Moose Loop Canton off Marietta Highway 404-275-2066

Cherokee Soccer Association 770-704-0187, www.csaimpact.com

POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS

Cherokee Youth Lacrosse Association www.cherokeelacrosse.com

Cherokee County Democrat Party Meets: 7 p.m. second Thursdays at Holly Springs Depot, 164 Hickory Road, Holly Springs. 8:30 a.m. first Saturdays at IHOP, 3010 Northside Parkway, Canton 30014. 770- 345-3489 www.cherokeedemocrats.com/d2.

Christian Authors Guild Meets: 7-9 p.m. first and third Monday at Prayer and Praise Christian Fellowship, 6409 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock. www.christianauthorsguild.org

Cherokee County Libertarians Meets: 7:30 p.m. third Tuesday at the Cherokee County Board of Realtors Training Center, 1600 River Park Blvd., Suite 104, Woodstock 30188. www.cherokeelp.org. Cherokee County Republican Party Meets: 9 a.m. third Saturday at 210 Main St. Canton. 678-882-0915 or connect@cherokeecountygop.com Cherokee Republican Assembly Meets: 6:30 p.m. first Tuesday at Holly Springs Train Depot 164 Hickory Road Kevin Wright 502-649-0089 or kevinwwrightenterprises@gmail.com Cherokee Tea Party Patriots Meets: 4 p.m. third Sunday at Latimer Hall in Woodstock. Conrad Quagliaroli 770- 378-8232 Grassroots Conservatives of Cherokee Meets: 7- 9 a.m. Fridays at the Chick-fil-a on 951 Ridgewalk Parkway, Woodstock by the Outlet Mall. Bill Dewrell 770-294-0922

Kingdom Riders A forming chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association in Canton. Meets: 8 a.m. fourth Saturdays at Family Tradition restaurant in Hickory Flat. All makes of motorcycles welcome. Les Marmitons Is for men interested in culinary arts. www.lesmarmitons.org Wildlife Action, Inc. Is a conservation organization on Allatoona Lake at 2075 Kellogg Creek Road, Acworth. 770-924-7464, www.wildlifeactiongeorgia.com Cherokee Senior Softball Association www.seniorsoftball.com Sons of the American Revolution - Cherokee Meets: 7 p.m. second Tuesdays at the Rock Barn, 638 Marietta Hwy., Canton. www.cherokeechapter.com William G. Long Senior Center Offers activities for seniors at 223 Arnold Mill Road in Woodstock. 678-445-6518 AROUND CANTON | January 2017

COMMUNITY OF FAITH ADVENTIST

Cherokee 101 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock 770-591-7304 http://cherokee.netadvent.org/ Canton 411 Scott Mill Road, Canton 678-880-0106 www.cantonadventist.org

AME

Allen Temple AME 232 N. Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-926-6348 www.allentempleame.org St. Paul 390 Crisler St., Canton 770-479-9691 www.stpaulame-canton.org

BAPTIST

Carmel 2001 Bascomb Carmel Road Cherokee 7770 Hickory Flat Highway, Woodstock 770-720-3399 www.cherokeebaptistchurch.org Cornerstone Community 4206 North Arnold Mill Rd, Woodstock 678-439-5108 www.ccchurchonline.org Crossroads Community Church 2317 Bascomb-Carmel Road, Woodstock 770-592-7007 Crossroads Primitive Baptist Church 3100 Trickum Road, Woodstock 770-710-1068 Faith Community Office: 110 Village Trail, Suite 110, Woodstock Sunday Services: 230 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock 770-516-1996 www.faithcommunitychurch.org First Baptist of Woodstock 11905 Highway 92, Woodstock 770-926-4428 www.fbcw.org First Baptist Canton One Mission Point 770-479-5538 www.fbccanton.org First Baptist Holly Springs 2632 Holly Springs Parkway 770-345-5349 www.fbchollysprings.com Heritage Fellowship 3615 Reinhardt College Parkway, Canton 770-479-9415 www.HeritageCanton.com Hillcrest 6069 Woodstock Road, Acworth 770-917-9100 www.hbcacworth.org Hopewell 78 Ridge Road, Canton 770-345-5723 www.hopewellbaptist.com

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Mt. Zion 4096 East Cherokee Drive, Canton 770-479-3324 www.mtzb.org New Victoria 6659 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock 770-926-8448 www.newvicbaptist.org River Church 2335 Sixes Road, Canton 770-485-1975 www.riveratlanta.org Shallowford Free Will Baptist Church 1686 Shallowford Road, Marietta 770-926-1163 www.shallowfordchurch.com South Cherokee 7504 Highway 92, Woodstock 770-926-0422 Sutallee 895 Knox Bridge Highway, White 770-479-0101 www.sutalleebaptistchurch.com Toonigh 4999 Old Highway 5, Lebanon www.toonightbaptistchurch.com

CHURCH OF GOD

Bells Ferry 6718 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock 770-592-2956 www.bellsferry.com New Life Church 154 Lakeside Drive, Canton 770-345-2660 www.newlifecanton.com

Congregation Etz Chaim 1190 Indian Hills, Marietta 770-973-0137 www.etzchaim.net Temple Kehillat Chaim 1145 Green St., Roswell 770-641-8630 www.kehillatchaim.org Temple Kol Emeth 1415 Old Canton Road, Marietta 770-973-3533 www.kolemeth.net

MESSIANIC JEWISH CONGREGATIONS Congregation Beth Hallel 950 Pine Grove Road, Roswell 770-641-3000 www.bethhallel.org

LUTHERAN

Celebration of Grace 411 Scott Mill Road, Canton 770-503-5050 www.celebrationofgrace.org Good Shepherd 1208 Rose Creek Drive, Woodstock 770-924-7286 www.gslutheran.org Timothy 556 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-928-2812 www.tlcwoodstock.org

ORTHODOX

St. Elizabeth 2263 East Cherokee Drive, Woodstock 770-485-0504 www.stelizabethga.org

PRESBYTERIAN

Sunnyside 2510 East Cherokee Drive, Woodstock 770-693-1018 www.sunnysidecog.org

Cherokee 1498 Johnson Brady Road, Canton 770-704-9564 www.cherokee-pca.org.

Toonigh 4775 Holly Springs Parkway, Canton 770-926-3096 www.toonighcog.org

Covenant South Annex Rec Center 7545 Main St., Bldg. 200, Woodstock www.cc-pca.org

EPISCOPAL

Christ the Redeemer Charismatic 6488 Hickory Flat Highway, Canton 404-395-5003 www.ctrcec.com Episcopal Church-Annunciation 1673 Jamerson Road, Marietta 770-928-7916 www.ecamarietta.org Saint Clementâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2795 Ridge Road, Canton 770-345-6722 www.stclementscanton.org

JEWISH

Chabad Jewish Center 1480 Shiloh Road, NW, Kennesaw 770-400-9255 www.jewishwestcobb.com Congregation Ner Tamid Reform Jewish Congregation 1349 Old 41 Highway NW, Suite 220, Marietta 678-264-8575 www.mynertamid.org

Faith 3655 Reinhardt College Parkway, Canton www.faithpc.us Grace Church 1160 Butterworth Road, Canton 678-493-9869 www.gracecanton.org Heritage 5323 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth 770-926-3558 www.heritagepres.com Woodstock 345 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-926-0074 www.woodstockpcusa.com

ROMAN CATHOLIC Our Lady of LaSalette 12941 Sam Nelson Road, Canton 770-479-8923 www.lasalettecanton.com

St. Michael the Archangel 490 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-516-0009 www.saintmichaelcc.org

Transfiguration Catholic Church 1815 Blackwell Road NE., Marietta 770-977-1442 www.transfiguration.com

UNITED METHODIST

Bascomb 2295 Bascomb-Carmel Road, Woodstock 770-926-9755 www.bascombumc.org Canton First 930 Lower Scott Mill Road 770-479-2502 www.cantonfirstumc.org CITY ON A HILL 7745 Main St., Woodstock 678-445-3480 www.coahumc.org Fields Chapel 1331 Fields Chapel Road, Canton 770-479-6030 www.fieldschapel.org Hickory Flat 4056 East Cherokee Drive, Canton 770-345.5969 www.hickoryflat.org Hillside 4474 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock 770-924-4777 www.hillsideumc.org Holly Springs 2464 Holly Springs Parkway 770-345-2883 www.hollyspringsumc.com Liberty Hill 141 Railroad St., Canton 678-493-8920 www.libertyhillumc.org Little River 12455 Highway 92, Woodstock 770-926-2495 www.littleriverumc.info Mt. Gilead 889 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-591- 0837 www.mtgilead-umc.org Sixes 8385 Bells Ferry Road, Canton 770-345-7644 www.sixesumc.org Woodstock 109 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock 770-516-0371

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST Emerson 4010 Canton Road, Marietta 770-578-1533 www.emersonuu.org Unity North Atlanta 4255 Sandy Plains Rd. Marietta, GA 30066 678-819-9100 www.unitynorth.org

OTHERS

Action Church 271 Marietta Road, Canton 770-345-3030 www.actionchurch.tv Antioch Church 9876 Main St., Suite 250, Woodstock

678-494-2193 www.antiochchurch.life Awakening 180 Parkway 575, Suite 140, Woodstock 770-924-4150 www.awakeningwoodstock.com Branches of Christ 5946 Jacobs Road, Acworth 770-917-4964 www.branchesofchrist.com BridgePointe 233 Arnold Mill Road, Suite 400, Woodstock 770-517-2977 www.bridgepointechurch.org Christian Praise Center 1358 Sixes Road, Canton 770-924-7532 www.christianpraisecenter.com Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 2205 Bascomb-Carmel Road, Woodstock 770-529-9572 www.mormon.org Church of the Messiah 4115 Charles Cox Drive, Canton 770-479-5280 www.churchofthemessiah.net Dayspring 6835 Victory Drive, Acworth 770-516-5733 www.dayspring-online.com Dwelling Place Church 110 Londonderry Court #130, Woodstock www.dwellingplacemovement.org Empowerment Tabernacle 507 Industrial Drive, Woodstock 770-928-7478 www.EmpowermentTabernacle.com The Factory 9872 Main St., Woodstock, 770-517-7265 www.thefactoryministries.org Faith Family 5744 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth 770-926-4560 www.ffcacworth.com Fivestones Church 155 P Rickman Industrial Drive, Canton 770-720-2227 www.fivestoneschurch.com Fresh Springs Worship Center 1910 Eagle Drive, Suite 100, Woodstock 678-557-9841 www.freshspringsworship.com Fuente de Vida (Fountain of Life) 205 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 678-880-3135 www.fdvida.org Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rolling Thunder Latimer Hall, 103 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock www.godsrollingthunder.org His Hands 550 Molly Lane, Woodstock 770-405-2500 www.hishandschurch.com Life Church 300 Adam Jenkins Memorial Drive, Suite 108, Canton 770-847-0170 www.lifechurchcanton.com Love Community Church 5598 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth Ministry House

347 Holly St., Canton 678-459-2347 http://MinistryHouse.org Momentum 659 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 678-384-4919 www.MomentumChurch.tv New Covenant Bible 1095 Scott Road, Canton 770-479-6412 www.newcovenantcanton.org North Atlanta Church 6233 Old Alabama Road, Acworth 770-975-3001 www.northatlantachurch.org Oak Leaf 151 East Marietta St., Canton 678-653-4652 www.oakleafcanton.com Prayer & Praise Christian Fellowship 6409 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock 770-928-2795 www.prayerandpraise.org Resurrection Anglican 231 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-591-0040 www.rezwoodstock.org Revolution 125 Union Hill Trail, Canton 770-345-2737 www.therevolution.tv Sojourn Woodstock 231 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-769-7495 www.sojournwoodstock.com Sovereign Grace 471 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 678-494-2100 www.sgcatlanta.org Thrive Chapel 400 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-835-5795 www.thrivechapel.com Towne Lake Community 132 North Medical Parkway, Woodstock 678-445-8766 www.tlcchurch.com Victory 4625 Highway 92, Acworth 770-794-7366 www.victoryga.com Woodstock City Church 150 Ridgewalk Parkway, Woodstock 678-880-9092 www.woodstockcity.org Woodstock Christian 7700 Highway 92, Woodstock 770-926-8238 www.woodstockchristian.org Woodstock Church of Christ 219 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock 770-926-8838 www.woodstockchurchofchrist.org Woodstock Church of the Nazarene 874 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-366-7515 www.wcnga.com Woodstock Community Church 237 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock 770-926-8990 www.wcchurch.org AROUND CANTON | January 2017

AROUND CANTON DIRECTORY OF ADVERTISERS ACCOUNTING/FINANCIAL SERVICES

CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS

Citadel Professional Services, LLC Inside front 770-952-6707 Hill and Hill Financial

770-672-0402 www.hillandhillfinancial.com Jeffrey L. Jackson, CPA

678-919-1250 www.jjacksoncpa.com North Georgia CPA

770-924-4990. 770-361-6703 www.northgeorgiaCPA.com ANIMALS/PETS BridgeMill Animal Hospital

770-479-2200 www.bridgemillvet.com Cherokee County Animal Shelter

www.cherokeega-animals.org ATTORNEYS Law Office of William H. Turner

678-610-5990 www.lawyerturnerga.com Limbocker Law

678-401-6836 www.limbockerlawfirm.com Nelson Elder Care Law, LLC

678-250-9355 www.NelsonElderCareLaw.com Tidwell Firm, The

678-999-8500 www.thetidwellfirm.com AUTOMOTIVE Bavarian Repair

770-310-2381 www.bavarianrepair.com BridgeMill Auto Care Canton location: 770-720-0765 East Cobb location: 770-641-9906

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Must Ministries www.mustministries.org

EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION 51

CHIROPRACTIC Towne Lake Family Chiropractic 770-592-1877 www.townelakechiro.com DENTAL (Cosmetic, Family, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics and Pediatric) BridgeMill Dentistry 770-704-1812 www.BridgeMillDentistry.com

Dentistry at Hickory Flat 770-213-8166 www.HickoryFlatDentist.com

Park Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock 41 770-926-9260 www.PediatricWoodstockDentist.com Russell Family Dentistry 770-345-2010 www.RussellSmiles.com Williams Orthodontics Canton: 770-345-4155 Woodstock: 770-592-5554 www.DrWilliamsOrthodontics.com

Hillside Preschool & Academy 770-924-4776

North Cobb Christian School 770-975-0252 www.ncchristian.org

Poole Funeral Home & Cremation Services Cover, 13, 36, 37 678-932-2097 www.poolefuneralhome.net HOME IMPROVEMENTS & REPAIR

Gentle Dental Care and Georgia Dental Implant Center Inside back 770-926-2784 www.georgiadic.com Kragor Orthodontics 770-485-8827 www.kragorortho.com

FUNERAL SERVICES

Canton Dental Town 770-627-7260 www.dentaltownsmiles.com

Fountain View Dentistry 770-926-0000 www.FountainViewSmiles.com

Grant Academy, The 770-926-7827 www.thegrantacademy.net

Bryan Plumbing Services 770-826-5277

ClearView Window Cleaning & Pressure Washing 31 770-926-1960 www.ClearViewAtl.com Hammockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s A/C, Inc. 770-794-0428 www.hammockshvac.com

JD Kitchens Baths & More LLC 770-516-1602 www.JDKitchens.com

Mr. Junk 678-675-8651 www.mrjunk1.com

Reliable Heating & Air 770-594-9969 www.ReliableAir.com

MASSAGE/SPA 38

Massages by Megan 678-787-8833 www.massagesbymeganinc.com

PHOTOGRAPHERS

www.YourHearingLink.com

J King Images Inside front 404-384-2794, 404-200-0881 www.JKingImages.com

Northside Hospital – Cherokee www.northside.com

PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL SERVICES Cherokee Internal Medicine 678-238-0301 www.cherokeeim.com Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists 770-720-7733 www.cherokeewomenshealth.com Natural Medical Solutions, LLC 770-674-6311 www.natmedsol.com

North Georgia Audiology & Hearing Aid Center 7 770-726-8948

Northwest ENT and Allergy Center 770-427-0368 www.NW-ENT.com

11 9

Plastic Surgery Center of the South 40 770-421-1242 www.plasticsurgerycenterofthesouth.net WellStar Cardiac Network 770-956-STAR (7827) www.wellstar.org

Back cover

RECREATION/ENTERTAINMENT Canton Historic Downtown www.CantonHDL.com

Elm St. Cultural Arts Village 678-494-4251 www.elmstreetarts.org

RESTAURANTS/FOOD

REAL ESTATE Magnolia Cottages by the Sea Linda B. Lee, 850-319-8050 www.magnolisdreamcottage.com

Premier Group, The — Keller Williams 678-494-0102 www.TPGsells.com

Yumsa International Market 770-757-6835 www.yumsa.com

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

Since 1996, we have brought relevant, uplifting and reader-driven content to readers. We publish TowneLaker, Around Canton, Around Woodstock and Around Acworth. We look forward to serving you, our readers and advertisers, every month. Thank you for your continued support and participation in making this truly your community magazine.

Seated, from left: Patty Ponder, Jon and Karen Flaig and Jackie Loudin. Standing, from left: Katherine Amick, Denise Griffin, Susan Rodney, Michelle McCulloch, Carla Caldwell, Laura Latchford, Candi Hannigan and Christie Deese. Not pictured Terri Spencer. Photo by J King Images

Distribution Map Circulation: 16,500

AROUND CANTON | January 2017

At AroundAbout Local Media, we believe the world functions at the community level: diverse groups of people living in close proximity, sharing commonality of culture, values and local pride, developing safety nets for those in need, and helping each other to live richer lives. It is our heartfelt desire to contribute to the fabric that helps make a community happen. Through our magazines, we aim to provide everyone in the communities we serve with uplifting, interesting information about the community they are proud to call home. We encourage you to send us your photos, ideas, stories or anything else you think the community would like to know about. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your community. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your magazine. Look on page 6 for our contact information.