1-22 Townelaker webfinal.pdf by Aroundabout Local Media, Inc.

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Contents January 2022

Contributors

Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists

57 Christopher Brazelton 44 Donna Broadus

On the Cover

PHOTO BY MANIAC AGENCY

Success stories show the depth of care and concern that doctors and midwives have for their patients moms and newborns.

Pages 32 & 33

Cover photo of Jessica Gomez and baby Daxtin by Shelly Mac Photography.

40 Charlice Byrd 29 Michael Caldwell 47 Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists 38 Greg Fonzeno 35 Harry Johnston 46 Ann Litrel 21 Susannah O. MacKay 42 Rob Macmillan 48 John Rodgers 28 Gail Roos 22 Susan Schulz 20 Teddy the Spaz Man 36 Rhiannon Turner 24 Ashley Velez 18 Laine Kirby Wood

Give Blood, Save Lives

A list of local Red Cross blood drives to help you participate in National Blood Donor Month.

In the Limelight

A mother-daughter duo and theater directors share how the school district’s theater program helps students find their passion.

One Dance at a Time

Local nonprofit improves the health and wellness of community members and spreads joy through its Special Olympics dance team, the Warrior Cats. 2

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

In Every Issue

4 Around Towne 8 Local News

26 Everyday Angels 34 Celebrations 42 Rob’s Rescues 48 Library Events 50 Community Calendar 54 Recent Home Sales 58 School News 60 Cherokee Photo Club 62 Directory of Advertisers

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Around Towne Letter From the President

There is just something special about a new beginning — a new calendar year, a new school year, a new career, and more. This year brings a double dose of newness for me — a new career at the beginning of a new year. As each new year begins, I imagine myself on a game board of a 12-month calendar. This year will be the 2022 edition of the game of life, and what does this new edition have in store? The Lord has led me on many exciting journeys, and I look forward to what this edition of life holds, especially with this wonderful, new career. As the new president of Aroundabout Local Media, I look forward to continuing my active participation in the community with a new outlook. Aroundabout Local Media has a two-fold mission. We strive to provide hyperlocal, positive, relevant information for our readers and help local businesses grow and prosper by providing affordable advertising opportunities. With these two missions in mind, listening when I am “around and about” has become a fun part of the job. Listening to business owners, learning more about what they do, and finding those businesses that provide the services our readers want and need has become a new daily goal. Listening to our readers share ideas about what they value and would like to read about has provided for many interesting conversations. What a joy to be a part of this two-fold mission and be of use to our readers and advertisers. I would like to thank Jennifer Coleman and Patty Ponder for seeing something in me that led them to believe I could take on this new role. After having a conversation with these two dynamic ladies, I was introduced to our owner, Jon Flaig, who decided I would be a good fit for the role. Much trust is involved in these decisions, and I am honored to be trusted in this way. For our readers and advertisers, thank you so much for your continued loyalty to your magazine, your community. We are happy to play a part in your game of life as we show up in your mailbox each month. Check out the “Around & About” upcoming events, and let’s play!

Kim Dahnke is the president of Aroundabout Local Media. Send your comments or questions to kim@aroundaboutmagazines.com.

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

READERS’

CHOICE 2022 What’s New

Aroundabout Local Media, publishers of Around Acworth, Around Canton, Around Kennesaw, Around Woodstock and the TowneLaker magazines, is using Second Street to create a new platform for our 2022 Readers’ Choice contest. The opportunities to support and promote local businesses will be greater than ever in this new format. Stay tuned for more details to be revealed on Jan. 15 at townelaker.com.

Lucky Cat has opened at 8632 Main St. in Woodstock. The casual bar and restaurant spot has a contemporary, globally inspired food and cocktail menu catered to adult guests. https://eatatluckycat.com.

Towne Lake Pediatric Speech has opened at 1700 River Park Blvd., Suite 101, in Woodstock, providing early intervention speech services in the areas of language delay, articulation disorder, fluency and autism. 850-228-8139. www.townelakespeech.com.

What’s Coming

The developers of Adair Park have announced Apricot Lane Boutique is the first retail shop to open in the

Woodstock development. The boutique will carry clothing handpicked by the owner, Katie Koudele, a Woodstock native.

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Managing Partner TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Publisher Aroundabout Local Media, Inc. www.aroundaboutlocalmedia.com

Around Acworth | Around Canton | Around Kennesaw Around Woodstock | TowneLaker

Our Mission

Helping local businesses grow and prosper by offering affordable advertising opportunities in a quality publication that provides positive, relevant information to our readers.

Get Results With Us

“ If any businessman/woman wants the most bang for their buck, advertise with Aroundabout Local Media! Every person involved in this magazine is a top-notch professional, and such a joy to work with.” - Teena Regan, 22one Realty Co.

Advertise With Us

ALM President Kim Dahnke 770-615-2779 kim@aroundaboutmagazines.com Vice President Jennifer Coleman 678-279-5502 jen@aroundaboutmagazines.com Executive Editor Candi Hannigan 770-615-3309 candi@aroundaboutmagazines.com Managing Editor Katie Beall 770-852-8481 katie@aroundaboutmagazines.com Assistant Editor Jessica Forrester 770-615-3318 jessica@aroundaboutmagazines.com Production Manager Michelle McCulloch 770-615-3307 michelle@aroundaboutmagazines.com Page Designer Laura Latchford laura@aroundaboutmagazines.com Graphic Designer Savannah Winn savannah@aroundaboutmagazines.com Controller Denise Griffin 770-615-3315 denise@aroundaboutmagazines.com Social Media Manager Kathryn Holt kat@aroundaboutmagazines.com Market & Advertising Specialist Michelle Smith michelle.smith@aroundaboutmagazines.com Copy Editors Bill King, Eliza Somers

Jennifer Coleman, Vice President 678-279-5502 jen@aroundaboutmagazines.com

Get Social With Us! E Q

TowneLakerMagazine townelakermagazine

TowneLaker, a publication of Aroundabout Local Media, Inc., is a community magazine with 16,400 free copies distributed monthly. Approximately 15,800 are direct mailed to homes and businesses and an additional 600 are placed in racks in the community. TowneLaker welcomes your comments, stories, and advertisements. Editorial deadline is the first and advertising deadline is the fifth of the previous month. Subscriptions are available for $24 per year. Send check or money order to: TowneLaker, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, PMB 380, Suite 620, Woodstock GA 30189. The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the Editor/ Publisher and the Publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. TowneLaker 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 2022. Volume 26, Issue 8

www.townelaker.com TOWNELAKER | January 2022

America’s Community Magazine

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Local News

New Signs Mark Adopt-A-Mile Sites

The county’s Keep Cherokee Beautiful (KCB) organization is replacing current signs that mark the areas where volunteers are working to keep the county clean. KCB officials replaced signage for Peggy Simpson and Bo Wallace, who recently adopted a section of roadway in the Sutallee area, and currently are planning their third roadside cleanup event. Simpson, who had participated in the old program with her children, Rocky and Ree, was given the old road signs by KCB officials. “I plan to give the old signs to my children for them to have as keepsakes, because the signs have their names on them,” she said. The new Adopt-A-Mile program began earlier this year, and several local families and organizations have committed to keeping sections of roads across Cherokee clean. Those interested in adopting a mile will need to identify a section of county road they want to adopt and sign an agreement committing to maintain the section for 12 months and hold a minimum of four roadside cleanups. Once a cleanup has been scheduled, volunteers will be provided with cleanup supplies from Keep Cherokee Beautiful and Cherokee County, which include safety vests and grabbers. Trash and litter retrievals can be scheduled with the Cherokee County Recycling Center, or volunteers also can arrange for the disposal of the litter in private dumpsters. For additional information on adopting a mile, email cleancherokee@gmail.com.

Commissioner Benny Carter presents a sign to volunteers. 8

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Students and instructors take a minute out of the water.

First Responders Earn Open Water Certification Six Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES) personnel recently were certified as Scuba Diver International (SDI) open water divers. The new divers are Capt. Jeff Adamek, Fire Apparatus Operator (FAO) Brad McDonald, FAO Drew Turner, Lt. Joe Ray, FAO Brandon Watkins and Lt. Philip Carlisle. “The open water certification course is the initial step in becoming a CCFES public safety diver. This is the first time this course has been instructed in-house by fire department personnel. This new program will increase the number of trained divers available to respond to water emergencies,” said dive instructor chief Ricky Collett. The course also consisted of online learning and more than 20 hours of in-water skills. The pool and classroom portions of the class were conducted at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center. The final certification dives were completed in Williston, Florida at the Blue Grotto Springs.

Retirement Ahead for Library System Director

Anita Summers, executive director of the Sequoyah Regional Library System (SRLS), has announced her plans to retire on Feb. 1. The new executive director, who is chosen by the board of trustees, will be named this month. Summers joined the Sequoyah system in July 1989 as branch manager of the Gilmer County Library in Ellijay. She was named assistant director of the library system in Anita Summers 2008, and executive director in 2014. As executive director, she oversaw all aspects of public library operations in the three-county system, covering Cherokee, Pickens and Gilmer counties. Under her leadership, the system experienced growth in circulation and program attendance, expanded service hours and digital resources, increased staff pay, expanded staff development and training, increased library outreach and visibility, established new partnerships, began the growth of a Library of Things collection, and added new library technology. During her tenure, the library system obtained state capital outlay grants to supplement special-purpose local-option sales tax funds for the upcoming expansion/renovation of the Hickory Flat Public Library. In 2020, Summers led the system’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which included virtual programming, outdoor Wi-Fi, sidewalk service, and a phased approach to the restoration of full library services and hours. “I am very blessed to have been part of a forward-thinking system with supportive trustees, dedicated staff and library-loving communities,” Summers said.

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Local News

Cherokee County Resident Appointed to ARC Lifelong resident Steve Stancil will serve as Cherokee County’s citizen representative on the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), beginning Jan. 1. He will succeed Dennis Burnette, who has served as the District 15 representative for more than decade. “Cherokee County greatly appreciates Dennis Burnette’s 14 years of faithful and diligent service as our citizen representative on the ARC Board. In particular, Dennis served on the Senior Services Committee of that board and ensured that Cherokee’s Senior Services programs have continued to be mostly funded through the ARC,” said County Commission Chairman Harry Johnston. Burnette began his service on the ARC Board in 2008. His professional life included 45 years in the banking industry, with more Steve Stancil than 30 years as a bank president. Before fully retiring, he worked as a certified mediator and arbitrator for businesses. Stancil retired from the state of Georgia in 2019, following 11 years as a state property officer. Previous to that, he oversaw the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority Board, as its executive director, and served as a representative in the Georgia House of Representatives, including minority house leader. Cherokee County is part of the 11-county Atlanta Regional Commission, a metropolitan planning organization that spearheads longrange planning from a regional perspective, disperses federal funding for transportation projects that impact the region, promotes a skilled workforce through training and skills development, and more. Also during the November meeting of the ARC board, an updated at-large district boundary map was adopted that takes into account the population growth since the 2010 Census. District 15 includes the majority of Cherokee County and a portion of Fulton County. District 14 includes a small portion of Cherokee County and one-third of Cobb County. 10

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

A Cool Community Effort

Members of the Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program recently stepped in to help a local veteran who has had no heat or air conditioning in his home for six years. Coming to his rescue were veterans program volunteers and members of the St. Vincent De Paul organization at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Woodstock. Vito LaSelva, owner of Mercury Control Heating and Air, donated his services and a unit at cost. To learn how to help veterans through this program, contact Jim Lindenmayer at jimlindenmayer80@gmail.com.

Marshal’s office representatives present statement of support to Chief Tim Prather.

Agency Workers Bond After Tragedy Representatives with the Cherokee County Marshal’s Office recently visited the offices of Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services to show their support for Jacob Hicks, the 2-year-old son of Justin and Amber Hicks, who tragically were killed by a shooter last month. A letter from the Marshal’s Office was presented to Cherokee County Fire Chief Tim Prather: “We cannot put into words how heavy our hearts are for the loss of Justin and Amber Hicks. Nothing we say or do would ease your pain, but we wanted each of you to know that you have our support. The loss of two precious lives has changed our community forever.” “In October of each year we make a donation to one charity or foundation in Cherokee County, but this year we were uncertain about where we wanted the money to go, so we held onto it,” Deputy Marshal First Class Renae Goggans said. “However, when this tragic incident took place, we all came together and decided the money should go to Jacob’s trust fund.” The representatives from the Marshal’s Office told Prather that Cherokee County Probation, Animal Control and the Marshal’s Office made a donation of $1,050 to the LGE Credit Union trust fund for Jacob Hicks.

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Help Save Lives

Blood from Black donors is needed urgently to help patients with sickle cell disease.

Resolve to Give Blood at a Red Cross Location Near You National Blood Donor Month has been observed in January since 1970, and recognizes the importance of giving blood and platelets while honoring those who roll up a sleeve to help patients in need. The community is invited to help save lives by donating blood at the Cobb Red Cross Blood, Platelet and Plasma Donation Center at East Lake Shopping Center, 2145 Roswell Road in Marietta, or at another community blood drive scheduled in the area. The winter months can be especially difficult to collect enough blood and platelets to meet patient needs. Inclement weather can result in blood drive cancellations, and seasonal illnesses, like the flu, can prevent some donors from making or keeping appointments to give. Blood donors with all blood types are encouraged to make an appointment to give. Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions — including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status — have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.

How to Help

To make an appointment, or to learn more about blood drive locations, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire is encouraged to speed up the donation process. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass, or use the Blood Donor App. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at checkin. Individuals who are 17 years old (16 with parental consent), weight at least 110 pounds, and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood, according to Georgia’s regulations. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters, supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood, teaches skills that save lives, distributes international humanitarian aid and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, visit redcross.org  or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.   The Red Cross follows the highest standards of safety and infection control.

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Key Messages

• If you’re feeling healthy and well, your blood donation is needed now to help meet the needs of hospital patients. • The Red Cross continues to address a nationwide blood shortage. Donors of all blood types are needed to give now, to ensure blood is available when patients need it. • A diverse blood supply is important. Donors of all ethnicities are needed. A patient is more likely to find a compatible blood match from a donor of the same race or a similar ethnic group. • Help ensure blood is available to those with sickle cell disease when they need it. Blood donations from individuals who are Black are needed urgently to help meet the needs of patients with sickle cell disease. Find more information at RedCrossBlood.org/OurBlood. • Eligibility questions? Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org.

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Local Blood Drives

Jan. 3

Northstar Church

3413 Blue Springs Road, Kennesaw 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Jan. 4

Hillside United Methodist Church 4474 Towne Lake Parkway Woodstock 2:30-7:30 p.m.

Jan. 6

Cherokee Presbyterian Church 1498 Johnson Brady Road, Canton 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Jan. 7

Orange UMC

220 Orange Circle Road, Canton 2-7 p.m.

Jan. 8

Good Shepherd Lutheran

1208 Rose Creek Blvd., Woodstock 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Jan. 10

Woodstock First Baptist 11905 Highway 92 2-7 p.m.

Jan. 11

Wellstar Cherokee Health Park 1120 Wellstar Way, Holly Springs 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

DO, MPH, FACR

Kennesaw First UMC 1801 Ben King Road 2-7 p.m.

Jan. 13

Hickory Flat Fellowship Church 5301 Hickory Flat Highway 2-7 p.m.

Jan. 14

Canton City Hall 110 Academy St. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Jan. 18

Canton American Legion 150 McClure St. 12:30-5:30 p.m.

Jan. 20

Hickory Flat Fellowship Church 5301 Hickory Flat Highway 2-7 p.m.

Jan. 22

Woodstock Christian Church 7700 Highway 92 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Legacy Park

St. Clements Episcopal Church

4201 Legacy Park Circle, Kennesaw 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

NAVEEN T. RAJ,

Phone: 770-284-3150 Fax: 770-284-3170 Medical Record Fax: 404-905-5424 300 Parkbrooke Place, Suite 170 Woodstock

Jan. 12

Kennesaw First Baptist 2958 N. Main St. 3-8 p.m.

SAME-DAY AND NEXT-DAY APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE

Jan. 24

2795 Ridge Road, Canton 2:45-7:45 p.m.

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

The Cu Magic of Theatre Inspires Students Cherokee County School District (CCSD) high schools present shows throughout the school year, as well as select middle schools and the districtwide Academy Street Theatre Group program for elementary through high school students. With the help of CCSD staff, and a student and parent, we learned how the theater program inspires students and further connects them to the community, and included a list of theater productions for the spring semester. “The theater is a magical place for students to grow and learn, trying their hands at many different aspects. They can learn tech and be the magicians behind the scenes, learn to build sets, become a prop master, help make or resource costumes, learn music and choreography, manage the stage, or completely transform into a different character and act! There is a place for everyone who desires to be a part of something bigger than they can imagine, a place where magic actually does exist.” — Jodi Burn, director of the Cherokee High School theater program

Ava Grace performs in “The Dragon King,” February 2019. Right, Ava Grace in the spring 2019 production of “Newsies,” her favorite show with the Academy Street Theatre Group. 14

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

rtain Rises for 2022 What a Difference a Play Makes

Kristi Roberts and daughter Ava Grace share their experiences with the Academy Street Theatre Group. Now a student at Sequoyah High School, Ava Grace has been a part of ASTG since second grade.

Kristi and Daniel Roberts with Ava Grace at the performance of “Something Rotten” last spring.

Onstage With Academy Street Theatre

The Academy Street Theatre Group (ASTG) is an arts in education extension of the Cherokee County School District, offering students in grades 2-12 onstage and offstage opportunities in theater production. ASTG has staged more than 50 productions, including 30 presentations of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” as well as “Music Man,” “Newsies” and “Singin’ in the Rain,” to name a few. “Live theater requires an extremely diverse set of skills. My favorite part about theater is that the stage is where written word, music, dance, movement and visual arts come together with science and technology, to create something new every single time the curtain rises. It’s a space full of potential that allows students to gather together, to tell stories and learn about life. It’s a place where, regardless of your strength or strong suit, there is a way for you to shine and learn. As the director of the ASTG, a countywide program, I am unbelievably fortunate in that I get to work with students from every public school in the county. I get to see unlikely friendships forged and skills developed as students share what they’ve learned from their school directors and take some new ideas and skills from ASTG back to their home stages.” — Reed Christian, director of Academy Street Theatre Group

As a parent, it is a wonderful thing when your child finds his or her “thing,” or passion. My daughter, Ava Grace Roberts, fell in love with acting and performing onstage at a very young age. We have been so blessed that the Cherokee County School District has an arts in education program like ASTG! Ava Grace has been a part of ASTG since the second grade, and she has been able to perform in approximately 20 productions, so far. ASTG and the amazing director, Reed Christian, have given our daughter a creative outlet to explore and build on her talents and do what she loves. All the experiences and wonderful opportunities she has had with ASTG have given her the confidence and helped catapult her into exploring acting and theater professionally. Ava Grace recently played Louisa von Trapp in “The Sound of Music” with City Springs Theatre Company, where she shared the stage with several Broadway actors, and was directed by Tony Award-winner Shuler Hensley. We are incredibly grateful to CCSD, Reed Christian and ASTG for providing such an amazing opportunity for our daughter, and all the CCSD theater-loving kids! — Kristi Roberts I discovered that I loved acting when I was 5 years old, after I took a local children’s theater class. I couldn’t wait to get into second grade, so that I could start auditioning for productions with ASTG. I have learned so much from our awesome director, Reed Christian, our talented choreographer, Cindi Bekas, and so many others. Most elementary and middle schools do not have drama programs, and that is why I am so grateful that our school system has ASTG. I have been able to perform in two to three productions a year with ASTG, and I have met so many friends from all over the county who love performing, too. ASTG is like a family to me, and I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had to do what I love with them. — Ava Grace TOWNELAKER | January 2022

March 25-26

“The Drowsy Chaperone”

Etowah High School. There also is a 2 p.m. matinee on March 26. General admission tickets are $12. Tickets are $10 for senior citizens and children, age 12 and younger. Tickets are $8 for thespians and drama club members.

“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” Creekland Middle School. 5 p.m. on March 26. Ticket price to be determined.

April 21-23

“Big Fish”

The Academy Street Theatre Group 2020 production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”

The Curtain Rises Productions in 2022

For many shows, advance tickets will be for sale online. Whenever there is a link, it will be posted to www.cherokeek12.net/ news/ccsdtheatre2122. Otherwise, anyone interested in purchasing tickets can contact the school front office for information. Performances are at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

Feb. 10-13

Jan. 21-22, 24-26

Feb. 16-17

River Ridge High School. There also is a 3 p.m. matinee on Jan. 22. Tickets are $7.

Cherokee High School. Tickets are $5.

“G2K Footloose”

Jan. 28-29

“James and the Giant Peach”

Woodstock High School. There also is a 2 p.m. matinee on Jan. 28. Ticket price to be determined.

Feb. 10-11

“The Last Day of School”

Academy Street Theatre Group performs at River Ridge High School. Tickets are $5. 16

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

“Xanadu Jr.” and “Legally Blonde Jr.”

Creekview High School. 7:30 p.m., and a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Feb. 13. Adult tickets are $15; student tickets are $12.

“The Magic Treehouse: Pirates Past Noon”

March 24-26

“Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella” Sequoyah High School. Adult tickets are $15; student tickets are $12.

March 25-26 “Lost Girl”

Cherokee High School. Tickets are $5.

Cherokee High School. There also is a 2 p.m. matinee on April 23. Tickets are $10.

“High School Musical”

Woodstock High School. There also is a 2 p.m. matinee on April 23. Ticket price to be determined.

April 22-23

“Sister Act, Jr.”

Dean Rusk Middle School. There also is a 1 p.m. matinee on April 23. Tickets are $5.

April 22-23, 25-27 “The Butler Did It”

River Ridge High School. There also is a 3 p.m. matinee on April 23. Tickets are $10.

May 6-7

“Puffs: Or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic” Etowah High School. General admission tickets are $10. Tickets are $7 for thespians and drama club members, senior citizens and children, ages 12 and younger.

June 2-4

“Shrek the Musical”

Academy Street Theatre Group performs at Cherokee High School. Tickets are $5.

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

This River’s Roots Run Deep Protecting the Etowah Through Education and Action BY LAINE KIRBY WOOD

A Native American fish weir (an obstruction placed in rivers to direct the passage of, or trap, fish) is located on the Etowah near Cherokee High School in Canton. 18

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

The Etowah River flows from its headwaters near Dahlonega, through Allatoona Lake, past Cartersville and on to Rome, where it joins the Oostanaula River to form the Coosa River, which eventually makes its way to Mobile Bay. This ancient Appalachian watershed is one of the most diverse river ecosystems in the nation. The most recent count recorded 92 native species, five of which are endemic (native and restricted to a certain place). And there are 17 species that are state and federally listed for protection. A new species of river darter, a very small and colorful fish, was discovered last summer by Bud and Mary Freeman, ecologists at the University of Georgia. The Etowah bridled darter, also known as Percina freemanorum, is the latest endemic species added to the list. (Read more about the Etowah bridled darter at https://news.uga.edu/new-fishspecies-named-for-uga-ecologists. ) Our watershed is worth protecting, and you can help.

The Upper Etowah River Alliance The Upper Etowah River Alliance (UERA) has been keeping an eye on the Etowah River since 1999. The mission is to provide regional leadership, resources, consultation, education, training materials and events to protect and enhance the natural and economic resources of the watershed for present and future generations.

From left, Laine Kirby Wood, Nolton Johnson and John Steinheimer with some of the bags of trash collected during the river cleanup in October.

Laine Kirby Wood kayaks the Etowah River, Dawson Forest section.

Covering five counties — Cherokee, Dawson, Forsyth, Lumpkin and Pickens — UERA began as a forum for dialogue among watershed stakeholders, and soon developed a strong, volunteer-run program with Georgia Adopt-A-Stream (AAS). UERA provides training, equipment and chemicals for citizen scientists to test the river and tributaries, at selected sites, at regular intervals, returning the results to the state’s online AAS records. These records form an important database for environmentalists and local governments for water utilities planning, as well as commercial and residential developers and other businesses, including recreation outfitters. Free workshops are offered to train adults and kids (grades 6-12) in the scientific protocols and methods required to collect and record accurate results from standardized biological, chemical and macroinvertebrate tests. If you’re interested in becoming a citizen scientist, contact UERA at EtowahRiver.org to arrange for training you, your classroom or club. Volunteers always are needed for the river cleanups throughout the year. The latest was Oct. 24 of last year,

where volunteers scoured 3 miles of the Etowah River, and 1 mile of Canton Creek. More than 100 volunteers pulled trash and debris off the riverbanks and out of the water. Paddle trips on the Etowah and other local rivers, as well as informative hikes with naturalists, botanists, environmentalists and foresters during the warmer months, are among the UERA offerings. Board members always are available to share their diverse talents, knowledge and experience. UERA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates entirely on grants, donations and membership dues. The next annual membership meeting and dinner, featuring a keynote speaker and silent auction, is set for April 20 at the Rock Barn in Canton. Those interested in becoming a member, citizen scientist or participant in a river cleanup are encouraged to attend the annual membership meeting. Visit the website for more details. Laine Kirby Wood, Canton resident and the executive director of The Upper Etowah River Alliance, is a writer, wildlife enthusiast and grandmother to seven. TOWNELAKER | January 2022

A Straight-Faced Photo Shoot BY TEDDY THE SPAZ MAN

My face talks a lot. I roll my eyes, I sneer, I side eye. In fact, it’s been known to get me in trouble from time to time, ’cause when I’m grossed out, I just can’t hide it. So, this year, I decided I want to be like other dogs. Maybe a bulldog who just kinda sits there. Or a Lab who smiles at everything. Yeah, I bet Labs never have to run for their lives for looking all judgy. When I told Mom my New Year’s resolution was to become a more stoic Teddy, she rolled her eyes and muttered, “When pigs fly.” I looked at her and said, “A) thanks for the support and B) let’s have a photo Gee, shoot, and I’ll prove that I can do this!”

He. Is. The.

thanks Mom.

And, I had to do this, because as New Year’s resolutions go, I don’t have a great track record. There was that time I vowed not to howl for an entire week. I folded four minutes in. Then, I was going to learn how to speak Cat-onese so I could talk to Mama Kitty, but her mean meows told me everything I needed to know. Then, there was that time I vowed to stop counter surfing but, let’s get real ... The photo shoot was going great, and my face revealed nothing. Not a smirk, smile nor sneer. I was killin’ it! But, then, a Shih Tzu came by and squatted a couple feet in front of me, demonstrating why her breed was given that unfortunate name. Utterly disgusting. I mean, I tried not to react, but my face said it all. The audacity. Then, Mr. Johnson appeared — in all his tutu and halter top glory. Mr. Johnson, the bane of my existence. My No. 1 nemesis. And, hey, don’t get me wrong. I don’t care what he wears. Live and let live, right? The problem is that he’s undergarmentWorst. averse, and his tutu manages to blow up at the most inopportune times. Which is exactly what happened. Yep, I got the full monty. The whole shebang. The whole kit and caboodles. My face lost it! It said everything I was feeling! I had no control, so through dry heaves and fried retinas, I cried, “You were right, Mom, I can’t do it! I’ll never be like other dogs!” Mom turned to me and, instead of gloating, she leaned down, snuggled my neck and said, “Of course not Spaz Man, and that’s why we love you.”

Teddy the Spaz Man is a social media dog and not-so-humble Hallmark star living in downtown Woodstock. Facebook/ Instagram: @teddythespazman.

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Sign Me Up!

1. MUST Ministries Mobile Pantry.

Bridging The Gap to Volunteers BY SUSANNAH O. MACKAY

The events of the last few years have touched every member of our community. From isolation and loneliness to job loss and hunger, we have all come through this difficult time in need of encouragement and support. There is one answer to this challenge that can strengthen everyone: service. The simple act of serving helps those in need, and heals those who serve. There is something each of us can do, individually or with our families, clubs or faith-based organizations. But, sometimes, it’s hard to know how to get started. If you’re looking for service opportunities in our area, JustServe.org is a free nationwide website and app that works to match volunteers with nonprofit organizations. The goal of JustServe is to unify and strengthen communities, and the tool’s popularity recently has grown in the metro Atlanta area. By providing organizations with another resource for recruiting volunteers, and allowing volunteers an easy way to identify opportunities, JustServe is helping communities pull together and meet needs where they are happening. In our area, JustServe has partnered with

nonprofits including MUST Ministries, Simple Needs Georgia (SNGA) and more. “MUST Ministries is so grateful for the JustServe platform, which helps us find amazing volunteers to serve our neighbors in need,” said Angel Radford, MUST Ministries’ director of volunteer services. “We can always depend on the JustServe volunteers to come with a servant’s heart and work hard. We love being able to partner with them to advance the work in our community.” A partnership with Aroundabout Local Media will showcase different service opportunities monthly. If you run a nonprofit or are looking for ways to make service a regular part of your life, check out JustServe.org. You can sign up for regular updates and learn more about nearby organizations, too. JustServe makes it easy to just go out and serve. Susannah MacKay is a local JustServe specialist. She grew up in Marietta and loves helping strengthen her community through service! Follow her on Facebook @JustServeGeorgia.

The MUST Ministries Mobile Pantry bus visits locations throughout Cherokee and Cobb counties for pop-up food pantries. Volunteers, ages 12 and older, meet the bus at the location and help set up the pantry, assist clients with food needs, and tear down the pantry at the end of the event. https://bit. ly/3djfE5K.

2. Simple Needs Georgia Comfort Kits. When new guests arrive in local homeless shelters, they often do not have much with them. To help them feel more comfortable, SNGA provides them with a duffel bag containing toiletries and other items they will need during their stay. You can help by purchasing items, donating money toward the project or putting the bags together. https://bit.ly/3doampn.

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

The Warrior Cats dance team performed the “Fancy Like” dance at the Woodstock Applebee’s.

Paying It Forward Through Fitness BY SUSAN BROWNING SCHULZ

Fitfully Forward founder, Laura Mikszan, with Special Olympics DanceSport Ambassador Louis Van Amstel. 22

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

As the founder and former owner of World of Gymnastics, Laura Mikszan spent her career focused on physical fitness. After selling her business, she decided to turn her attention to helping those less fortunate and founded the nonprofit Fitfully Forward. “Since I was a little girl, I remember having a burning desire to help others and make them feel good about themselves,” Mikszan said. “I launched Fitfully Forward with the sole purpose of improving the health and wellness of our community members. We center our efforts on the under-resourced, those who do not have access to facilities or resources — individuals with special needs, underprivileged children and families, the aging and veterans. We exist to ensure these populations receive opportunities for fitness and dance to improve overall health, physically, mentally and emotionally.”

Mikszan gained 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in April 2021, and she and her team developed three main programs to achieve Fitfully Forward’s mission.

1. Warriors of Wonder (WOW).

The WOW program uses fitness as a mechanism to stimulate discussions for future planning and goal setting for high-functioning adults on the autism spectrum.

2. Pay it Forward.

The Pay it Forward peer facility program is for individuals on the autism spectrum who are aging out of high school.

3. Outreach.

Partnering with community organizations through the Outreach program, Fitfully Forward staff members serve local children, seniors and veterans to bring fitness programs to their location.

Fitfully Forward also is involved with the Special Olympics, and has gained team status under the umbrella of the DanceSport division. Mikszan’s connection with Louis Van Amstel from “Dancing with the Stars” inspired this involvement. Van Amstel is the creator of the renowned dance fitness program, LaBlast. Van Amstel created LaBlast after seeing dramatic body transformations that some of his dance partners achieved while on the show. Mikszan, a certified LaBlast instructor, was named 2020 Instructor of the Year and uses this method of dance in her fitness programs. Van Amstel held open LaBlast classes at Madlife Stage and Studios in Woodstock, as well as the Cherokee Recreation Center, with Mikszan before her nonprofit gained official status. He came to Cherokee County to help implement a pilot program in Georgia and to help raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics DanceSport. “Dance is such a powerful way to unify people across age, fitness level and abilities,” Mikszan said. “The LaBlast fitness program works great with our participants. It is easy for them to catch on and, at the same time, provides a great workout.” Van Amstel, three-time World Dance Champion, has been named the Special Olympics Dance Ambassador. He joined forces with celebrities such as Arnold Schwarzenagger, Jason Mraz and Princess Charlene of Monaco to celebrate the world’s largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. “I’m so proud of all the athletes involved in the Special Olympics. They might be diagnosed with a disability, but they sure focus on their abilities!” Van Amstel said. He is returning to Madlife on Jan. 28 to raise funds for the Special Olympics DanceSport team. Fitfully Forward’s Special Olympics Cherokee County dance team, led by Cora Browning, is called the Warrior Cats. “I love the Special Olympics dance

The Warrior Cats perform at the Great Pumpkin Fest in Cherokee Veterans Park.

Members of the Warrior Cats enjoy Canton Christmas Parade fun.

team, because it offers the opportunity for individuals in my community to express themselves through movement,” Browning said. “I also love being a captain. I have never been one before. Many girls like me, on the spectrum and with Turner syndrome, don’t get the opportunity to be a captain, so it is really cool that I got the chance!” For more information and volunteer opportunities, visit fitfullyforward.org. Stay tuned for details on the visit from Van Amstel, Dance-A-Thons, 5Ks and more.

Susan Schulz is a Bible teacher and mentor who lives and plays on the Etowah River in Canton. Connect with her on social media or at susanbrowningschulz.com.

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Boost Your 2022 Marketing Strategy BY ASHLEY VELEZ

Search engine optimization (SEO) isn’t a new marketing component, yet strategies for it evolve daily. It’s difficult to keep up, even for marketing professionals. As the needs for SEO strategies continue to change, companies of all sizes seek experts to help them improve their user experience and rankings. Here are four SEO components that may help you:

1. Keyword optimization. Are the keywords on your website written in a way designed to create or update your Google ranking? Optimizing your content on landing pages, and in blog posts with search-driven keywords, is a strategy that consistently can boost new visitors. Tools like SEMRush or Ahrefs help you conduct keyword research related to your business and products, and improve your content with keyword-optimized titles, headings, descriptions and text.

2. Video SEO. According to Cisco, an estimated 82% of internet traffic will be video in 2022. You can create video content with a phone if you don’t have a large video budget. Create and embed a video into your blog post to boost SEO. The titles and descriptions of your videos are equally important, often ranking separately from a post itself. Optimize the titles and descriptions of your videos on YouTube or Vimeo for an added boost.

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

3. Image SEO/tags. Images on your site and blog posts represent your brand, and help readers better understand the context. You want Google to recognize the photo without even looking at it, so be descriptive in your title. For example, an exterior shot of a beautiful home with a for-sale sign in front could read: home-exterior-with-real-estate-sale-sign.jpg. Additionally, image file format, such as JPEG versus PNG, and file size affect your SEO, as the wrong file format or file size can cause a page to load slowly. Your overall user experience and ranking can be affected by slow-loading pages.

4. Repurpose old content. Take control of older content on your site, and optimize it for the present, instead of coming up with new ideas. Regarding SEO, keeping your website’s content up to date and full of content, beneficial for visitors and for Google, will outperform older blogs and landing pages. Try creating a video featuring old blog content and embedding it within the post to boost relevancy on YouTube and on your own site.

Ashley Velez is a digital marketing strategist, freelance writer and company culture advocate. She's a proud resident of Woodstock, where she lives with her family.

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facebook: elonsalon | instagram: @elonsalon1 TOWNELAKER | January 2022

EVERYDAY

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”

- Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Happy New Year, beautiful people! Everyday Angels begins 2022 by helping our South Cherokee Recreation Association (SCRA) softball community help one of their own: Coach Christina Kirby, and her youngest daughter, Bella. May her story serve as a reminder of the importance of community when you are faced with the unthinkable. “I knew something wasn’t right. For a month, my little girl wasn’t feeling well. She had been seen by several doctors who treated her symptoms, but nothing was making her better. She had been vomiting for a month, and it was getting more frequent. Deep down, I knew something was off. Before sending Bella home with a feeding tube, I insisted that an MRI be performed. My gut suspicion was confirmed when the MRI revealed an 8-centimeter tumor on my little girl’s brain,” Christina said. On Oct. 25, 2021, Bella Kirby, 2, was diagnosed with grade 2 ependymoma. Ependymoma is a very rare form of Bella Kirby cancerous tumor that starts in the brain or spinal cord. It can happen in children and adults. The symptoms of this tumor depend upon the area of the brain that is affected. In Bella’s case, the tumor is located in the area of the brain that controls eating, talking and swallowing. Two hours later, emergency surgery was performed to relieve fluid on Bella’s brain. Several days later, a 10-hour surgery was performed to carefully remove her tumor. Because her tumor wrapped around her brain stem, surgeons were not able to remove all of it. Following surgery, Bella developed pneumonia and was in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), with respiratory issues, for four weeks. Bella has yet to return home. “We knew the recovery from the tumor recession surgery wasn’t going to be easy, but nothing could ever prepare us for the reality of it. I watched my spunky 2-year-old little girl go from full of sass and energy to not being able to walk, or talk, or even hold her head up. I felt like I was back to having a newborn. But let me tell you what: this strong little warrior has taken this bull by 26

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

the horns and is overcoming all the obstacles,” Christina said. “As we finally moved from PICU to the AFLAC floor for children with blood disorders, it hit me that I am a mother with a child with cancer. We haven’t really used that word, because it’s such a sad and nasty word. But that word is now our reality,” she said. Christina has spent the past three years involved in the SCRA softball program, where she has coached her 5-year-old daughter Sophia’s team. Last year, Bella began playing T-ball. From the beginning, the SCRA softball family has rallied behind Christina and her daughters, praying and fundraising. “They even created a GoFundMe account that has allowed me to solely focus on Bella, since I am unable to work. Their love and support has meant so much to me and my girls,” Christina said. Christina has not left Bella’s side since this nightmare began. “I am thankful for my husband, who has been there since the beginning, and for my family, who has helped with my older daughter. There are many unknowns ahead and, most days, it is overwhelming. We take it day to day now, not looking too far ahead, and remain thankful for each one of them. We are excited to get to a place where we can return home as she recovers,” she said. We ask our readers to simply send a small amount to Christina through Everyday Angels or GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/7c155eaf. If the SCRA family can help, imagine what an entire community can do for them. Please keep Bella and Christina in your prayers.

Everyday Angels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Cherokee County since 2000. To make a tax deductible donation, 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. If you know of a special need in your community, email aaeverydayangels@gmail.com.

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Winter Planting

Bare-Root Rose BY GAIL ROOS

Winter is a great time to purchase and plant rose bushes, available as bare-root plants or potted in containers. Those in containers can be planted at other times of the year, but, for the bare-root plant, winter is the time. The health and beauty of mature rose bushes depends on proper planting technique, subsequent care and the health of the plant you purchase. When buying a rose bush, consider a local, reputable nursery, a rose grower or a trusted online source. Before purchasing, ask or research how the rose will perform here, in U.S. Department of Agriculture Zone 7. Don’t panic when you get your plants, and they look like a bundle of dead sticks. Bare-root is an accurate description. They are not dead, only dormant. To give your roses the best chance of a long, healthy life, protect the roots if you are not planting immediately. Soaking the roots in a bucket of water for 12 hours keeps them from drying out and replaces moisture lost during transportation and storage. Here are six planting considerations that will help you get your roses off to the best start.

Proper planting ensures bare-root rose bushes bloom, healthy and beautiful.

After you have chosen the best plant, pick a site. Roses require a minimum of six hours of sunlight each day. If some shade during the day can’t be avoided, pick a site with the most morning sun. Morning sun helps dry dew from foliage and reduces leaf diseases.

Dig a hole 12-18 inches deep and 24 inches wide. Clean out any rocks and debris. The hole has to be large enough to accommodate the root system without crowding. Trim away any dead and diseased roots.

When preparing the soil, our red clay must be amended. Roses require a well-drained, moderately fertile soil with a neutral pH. A soil test in advance of the season will ensure that you have the right pH, and, if not, you’ll have an opportunity to prepare the planting site and correct the soil. If you’re planting multiple rose bushes, it’s a good idea to prepare the soil in an entire bed, and plan spacing of 3-4 feet between plants, depending on the expected size of the mature bush. Mix 3 inches of organic matter, such as composted pine bark or manure, thoroughly into the hole or the bed.

To set the plant at the correct depth, and make it easy to spread out the roots in the hole, make a conelike mound of soil in the middle of each space where a plant will go. The top of the mound should position the plant so that the bud union (where the root stock is grafted to the upper portion of the rose) is at or above ground level. Place the rose on top of the mound, making sure the bud union is positioned correctly; then, spread the roots out and down into the hole. Add soil, shaking the soil down to settle it. Then, add water. Continue to alternate the soil mixture and water, but don’t pack the soil.

Prune to three to five canes, and cut each cane back to about 4-6 inches, to an outward facing bud.

The last task, especially if there is a chance of frost, is to mulch around your new plant for a week or two. As any threat of frost passes, remove the mulch. With a good-quality plant and proper planting, your rose bushes will reward you with their beauty.

Gail Roos, lifetime Georgian and Woodstock resident since 1978, has been a Cherokee County Master Gardener volunteer since early 2007.

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

A Message from the

epresenting our families in Georgia’s House of Representatives for eight years was an honor I never will be able to describe. I truly am humbled that you have chosen me to serve as the 31st mayor of the city of Woodstock. During my time as a representative, we built an accessible, transparent elected office with weekly coffees, more disclosure than ever before and a new standard for campaign finance and ethics reform. I am dedicated to leading our city as mayor with the same high standards of accountability and excellence in government that our community has led with at the state level for years. Our city consistently is named one of the best places in America to live. Just this past year, both Money magazine and Homes.com recognized Woodstock in the top tier of places to move to and raise a family. We have benefited from great leadership, tremendous cityplanning, and the effects of a government that allows entrepreneurs and citizens the freedom to build. The result has been a genuine sense of community. While our nation and our world feel increasingly divided, Woodstock has become a place where I trust a passerby on the street will pick my son up when he scrapes his knee. It’s not that we’re small. We’re now among the top 30 largest cities in the state. We left the days of “middle of nowhere” some time ago, in favor of a thriving arts scene, great local restaurants and bars and a genuine sense of place. We’re a destination, but we still don’t believe in strangers.

Our challenge moving forward is to build on these gains. We have built a place worth having, and our burden will be ensuring it’s a place our children will want to inherit. Today, we endeavor to lean in together. We’ll build a more connected city by focusing on trails and grid streets. We’ll build a forward-looking city by ensuring our home-ownership rates remain high and our plans for the future are transparent and readily available. We’ll build an accountable city by maintaining some of the lowest taxes in Georgia, and ensuring our staff and elected leaders are accessible to all of our citizens. We have great work ahead. It’s a call worth heeding. Woodstock calls itself “a city unexpected.” Let’s make sure we’re ready for whatever the next chapter in this surprising city holds, and let’s leave our children a city worth having. If I can ever be of help to you, please don’t hesitate to call me on my personal cellphone, 678-523-8570, or email me at mcaldwell@ woodstockga.gov. Go make it an outstanding day!

Mayor Michael Caldwell

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

NEW YEAR, NEW SERVICES,

SPONSORED CONTENT

NEW LOCATION G

overnors MedSpa and Concierge Medicine is relocating in Acworth in 2022, to better serve its patients and growing business. The growth will make possible more services and appointments. Governors treats the entire family, offering immuneboosting therapies, wellness exams for children and adults, sports physicals, and vaccines for everyone. Same-day sick appointments are available for established patients, inhouse or via telemedicine. Telemed visits are offered with all concierge plans and provide flexibility for patients. Other perks and discounts are offered with the Governors and Senators cash-pay concierge plans. The practice also provides primary care services for patients with insurance. Governors accepts all PPO insurances in Georgia.

STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY

NEW MEDSPA SERVICES

Cough and cold season Ready IV memberships are available. IV fluids assist in hydrating and infusing high doses of essential vitamins that help fight off infections.

InstaLift threads. Unlike PDO threads, InstaLift threads have Sculptra crystals on each thread that stimulate natural collagen, so patients will get an instant lift in their upper cheeks, nasolabial folds and/or jowls and upper neck, and a collagen filling in that area for a natural result that lasts up to two to three years.

Hormone replacement therapy. Balancing hormones is a great way to boost an immune system and assist in regulating sleep patterns. Natural supplements. The clinic offers a customized vitamin and probiotic regimen, based on patients’ needs, such as a need for Vitamin B12, sleeping issues, anxiety, inflammatory gut issues and general health. Medical weight loss. Explore options, including oral medication, injectables, phentermine, HCG and Lipo-B.

Plasma pen. This FDA-approved plasma device uses low frequency wavelength and is highly effective at tightening and skin lifting. TCA peel for face and body allows patients to see results immediately. The treatment penetrates into the deep dermal layer of skin, so it doesn’t sit on the surface, which can cause redness, scaling and downtime. Tetra CO2 CoolPeel is highly effective in reducing sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles, and it helps patients have an even skin tone, with improved texture. With one laser, patients get the benefits

Above, rendering of the new facility opening at 3105 Loring Rd., Kennesaw, GA in 2022.

of a IPL treatment and a TCA peel. VI peel removes texture issues, while simultaneously stimulating collagen, brightening the skin and reducing small lines and pigment. VirtueRF is able to remove unwanted fat pads directly under the eyes and other smaller areas of the body. Permanent fat reduction. CoolSculpting is a targeted therapy that provides zero downtime, while Vanquish ME is a touchless technology and allows reduction of inches in less than 90 days for abdomen, flanks and thighs. Kysse allows patients to be confident, while puckering up this year. Designed with the latest XpresHAn technology, Galderma created a Restylane product that, according to the doctors, moves and bends naturally, and is soft enough to be kissed, in addition to making lips more pink.

Doctors Heath and Ashley Trowell Governors MedSpa & Concierge Medicine 678-888-5181 | www.GovernorsMedicine.com 4900 Ivey Road NW, Suite 1201, Acworth, GA 30

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

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

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Expert Care T

When it Matters Most

he doctors and midwives at Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists wholeheartedly believe bringing new life into the world is an honor and privilege. Their mission is to protect the health of mothers-to-be and their unborn babies by providing top-notch expertise.

Generations of grandmothers, moms and babies have trusted Cherokee Women’s for the past 27 years – and continue to return for expert care. With eight physicians, four midwives and a physician assistant who work in the Canton and Woodstock offices, thousands upon thousands of healthy babies have been safely delivered. These success stories are best told by the women and families who experienced firsthand how Cherokee Women’s Health makes a difference in so many lives.

PHOTO BY MANIAC AGENCY The providers enjoy some time with a few of the healthy babies they’ve delivered.

Sarah

A High-Risk Pregnancy

Sarah and her baby boy, Alfie.

“Without the knowledge and experience of Cherokee Women’s Health, my little boy would not be the thriving little bundle of joy he is right now. I am eternally grateful for their care!” -Sarah

Sarah was diagnosed as having a high-risk pregnancy, so her doctor at Cherokee Women’s Health advised her to receive frequent scans. At 16 weeks into her pregnancy, a scan identified a placental abnormality called circumvallate placenta, which can increase the risk of complications such as preterm delivery, placental abruption, or even infant death. To monitor her more closely, her appointments were increased to two times per week. Bradycardia (Slow Heart Rate)

During one of those appointments,

Dr. James Haley became concerned when he noticed a dip in her baby’s heart rate. Immediately, he instructed Sarah to go to the hospital. The baby’s heart rate continued to be low, which can result in serious medical conditions for the baby, even resulting in stillbirth in some cases. Dr. Peahen Gandhi, who was on hospital shift that day, continued to monitor her, but ultimately made the decision to do a C-section to ensure the safest outcome. A Preemie is Born!

After being born at just 2 pounds, 11 ounces, baby Alfie remained in the NICU for four weeks, until he was healthy enough to go home.

Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists, PC 770-720-7733 | cherokeewomenshealth.com E cherokeewomenshealth D atlantaobgyn 32

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Q cherokee_womens_health A cherokeewomenshealth

SPONSORE

Laci

A Placental Abruption Scare After a journey of upsetting miscarriages, Laci was pregnant with her rainbow baby girl, but at 36 weeks, she noticed her baby wasn’t moving as much. Dr. Lisa McLeod discovered the baby’s heart rate was abnormal and sent Laci to Northside HospitalCherokee for closer monitoring. At the hospital, the fetal monitor showed no worrisome signs, but Dr. James Haley had a gut feeling that things were not quite right. He decided to keep Laci in the hospital. Still not assured the baby was safe, he felt it best to proceed with delivery. Then, at the time of the

C-section, he discovered a placental abruption had occurred. This is when part of the placenta shears off from its attachment to the uterine lining, resulting in loss of blood and oxygen to the baby. If undetected or left untreated, it can readily lead to death of the baby, and result in serious problems for the mother. Meaning, if Laci had been discharged to go home, she and her baby may not have survived. After this life-threatening emergency, Laci and her husband, Luke, welcomed their healthy baby girl, Livian Joan, into the world.

Luke, Laci and baby, Livian Joan.

“I’m so thankful for Dr. Haley and his expertise. He has this light about him which put me at ease. This truly was a God thing. We could have had a bad outcome with the abruption, but God was there through it all, especially with Dr. Haley and his midwife Rachelle Denney. My family is forever grateful.” -Laci

Mary

Umbilical Cord Prolapse Results in Life-Saving Emergency A first-time mom, Mary was ecstatic to learn she was pregnant. Nine months later, it was time to give birth to her baby boy.

Mary and her baby, Dane.

“I was scared, but I completely trusted the doctors and the care I received throughout my entire pregnancy. What could have ended in tragedy resulted in my beautiful baby boy!” - Mary

After 21 hours of laboring, Dr. Leah Goodson-Gerami (known by her patients as Dr. G.G.) could finally feel the baby’s head, but there was a serious problem; the umbilical cord was coming down as well. She knew this was an umbilical cord prolapse, a condition that occurs when

the cord drops down before the baby, cutting off the baby’s oxygen supply, which can result in stillbirth. Dr. G.G. calmly but firmly instructed, “We have to do an emergency C-section — we have a cord prolapse. It’s going to be OK, but we have to get this baby out right now!” Immediately, several nurses and staff were in the room and began assisting. Within moments, baby Dane was born perfectly healthy.

LOCATIONS

AWARDS

Canton

Towne Lake

227 Riverstone Drive

100 Stoneforest Drive, Suite 200

Best OB/GYNs and Surgeons in Canton and Woodstock Readers’ Choice

Best OB/GYNs in Cherokee County Cherokee Life Magazine

Canton, GA 30114

Woodstock, GA 30189

Top Doctors Atlanta Magazine

Mom-Approved OB/GYNs Atlanta Parent Magazine

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TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Celebrations! ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE FREE!

Email: Edit@AroundaboutMagazines.com February deadline is Jan. 5. Please specify TowneLaker.

Steele

Happy eighth birthday, Steele! We love you! Dad, Mom, Slade and Eevee

Dominick James Bruley Emilee

Happy 15th birthday, Emilee! We love you! Mom and Dad

Age 6 on Dec. 25 Happy birthday! You are growing up too fast. We are so proud of you. Love, Daddy, Mama, Nana and Linda

Evelyn

Shaw-Lingerfelt

Scott and Kristi Lingerfelt and Hugh and Heather Shaw of Woodstock proudly announce the engagement of Andrew Shaw and Georgie Lingerfelt. An October 2022 wedding is planned. 34

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Age 11 on Jan. 31 Happy birthday, Evelyn! You are such a joy, and we love you so much! Mom, Dad, Olivia, Avery, Isabelle, Stanley, Mosley and Lucy

Leon Brinson Jr.

Age 56 on Jan. 11 Happy birthday to the sweetest husband, father and Papa on this side of glory. We love you to life!

Baker Kirk

Age 8 on Dec. 31 Son of Melissa and Mason Kirk and grandson of Cathy and Billy Tomlinson and Kim and Gary Kirk. Happy, happy birthday! We love you!

Olivia

Age 14 on Jan. 27 Happy birthday, Olivia! We love you so much, and we are so proud of you! Mom, Dad, Evelyn, Avery, Isabelle, Stanley, Mosley and Lucy

Levi Bridgers

Age 8 on Jan. 14 Happy birthday big guy! Keep swinging for the fences! Love, Dad, Mom and Landon

Audrey Anne

Happy first birthday, AudieBoo! You are so loved! Grammy and Papa Smith, Grandpa and Mimi Chastain, PopPop Levenglick, and Gigi and Papa Cox

A Year in Preview: Plans for 2022 BY HARRY JOHNSTON

Happy New Year! Let’s pray and work together to make it a great one. Last month, I covered what the board of commissioners completed in 2021. Now, let’s look at the 2022 to-do list. First, voters approved renewal of the school SPLOST, and we expect to put the renewal/continuation of the county SPLOST for nonschool projects, for 2024-2030, on the November ballot. That’s the last scheduled election before the current six-year SPLOST expires. At least half of the proceeds will go to county road improvements. The Cherokee County Justice Center, which seemed huge when it was finished 27 years ago, now is packed to the rafters and also must be expanded. Remaining funds largely will go to parks and public safety facilities and equipment. Next, state funding for the Bells Ferry widening and bridge work has been delayed, postponing those projects at least a year. We must make sure there are no further delays to those projects. We need to line up funding for the rest of our planned interim improvements to Highway 140, to allow it to function acceptably until the state can widen it in the mid 2030s. We must make the most of the update to our Comprehensive Transportation Plan, our long-term guide to road work, and the funding necessary for it. It’s time for a state-mandated update to the county’s Land Use Plan (the guide for managing the county’s growth and development during the next 25 years, and the template for future zoning decisions). We need to join with the cities to make it a true countywide plan. Full citycounty cooperation on growth will be far more effective than our often-disjointed efforts of the past. Additionally, we need to figure out how best to leverage available federal dollars to help the homeless people in our county, and get that work started. We need to determine the best location for the courthouse parking deck, building it to make way for the main expansion. We need to implement a planned adjustment to the county’s pension plan for new employees, to lower its long-term cost.

Overall, we must never let up and continue to pursue our triple goals: 1. Manage the county’s growth to preserve quality of life. 2. Keep infrastructure and services up with the growth. 3. Keep taxes among the lowest in Georgia. As always, I’m interested in your thoughts. Email me at hjohnston@cherokeega.com.

Harry Johnston is chairman of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners. He's a retired CPA and accounting manager, and a former district commissioner.

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

1. Work out to feel good.

Working out is therapy. It makes you feel good. And, when you feel good, you do good. When I haven’t had a good workout because I got lost in my work, my mood changes. I feel lazy, grumpy and sometimes depressed. It is very easy to trick ourselves into thinking we are entitled to skip a workout, because we don’t feel great. But, more often than not, that workout will snap us out of a depressed mood. Working out is a brain booster. It produces all those feel-good hormones that keep the blues away.

2. Work out to fight off sickness.

If I put fitness first, even if I just get out and walk, I know I am putting my best foot forward, literally, to battle sickness. People who prioritize fitness position themselves to stay healthier. The little things do matter; daily walks add up. If you walked only 1 mile per day, you would have a 31-mile month. The small things we do each day build better habits.

3. Don’t focus on the number on the scale.

You can have positive health outcomes without the number on the scale moving. People give up on fitness when they don’t see weight coming off. Fitness and weight loss are not the same thing. You can be fit and not be where you want to be on the scale, yet. But, if you make small changes in your life, that snowball effect will get you closer to where you want to be.

Stretching during workouts can prevent future injuries.

Ways to

Change Your Fitness Mindset

BY RHIANNON TURNER

Over the years, personal definitions of fitness have evolved, and I think too much importance has been placed on how we look over how we feel. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that our overall state of health must come first. We need to re-evaluate how we look at fitness to have better outcomes for our health. I don’t mean to devalue wanting to look better, but that happens as a natural byproduct of reworking priorities. Here are five mindset changes that help me maintain fitness, and you can implement them this year.

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

4. Work out to prevent future injuries.

I am 43 years old, and I have thrown my back out a couple of times. Let me tell you, I never want to feel that pain again. I could not move. It was awful, and when I hurt my back, I was not working out. I was stationary at a desk, and then, when I got home, I was stationary on the couch. Now, with every workout I do, I make sure to work in some stretching. Or, I follow a 15-minute yoga video to stay limber. “Use it or lose it” is very much real and applicable to the condition of our bodies.

5. Change the all or nothing mentality.

I know one piece of cake won’t make me fat, and one workout won’t make me healthy. It’s what I do for most of the time that wins out. As we start a new year, you can do this. No matter where you are in life, no matter what age you are, you can do this. Let’s go!

Rhiannon Turner, mom to five, is married to Dr. Daniel Turner, a Canton chiropractor. She is chief operating officer of Lightyear Funding and a fitness instructor at Onelife Fitness Holly Springs.

e h t Be t x e N

READERS’

CHOICE Award 2022

New THIS YEAR! Get an early start in promoting your business to be the next Readers’ Choice winner. Our contest will look a little different this year. Our goal is to maximize publicity for your business; we’ll provide tools to help you promote your business.

Dates to Remember January 15 Learn more about our 2022 contest at townelaker.com.

March 1-31 Nominations accepted. Top 5 in each category will move on to the voting phase.

May 1-31

Want to dominate your category? Visit townelaker.com on Jan. 15 to learn how to win your category!

Voting!

July Winners announced. (Top vote-getter and two finalists.) TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Safe Boating: A Gift That Keeps on Giving BY GREG FONZENO

Coast Guard-certified instructors. Unlike the conventional class, Did you purchase a new boat last year? If so, you are among the which is completed in a single day, the virtual class divides the thousands of people across the country who sought the calm of chapters into three sessions. Regardless of the mode, auxiliary our waterways to escape the chaos of COVID-19. Coast Guard members present the material, answer your statistics show a dramatic increase in new questions and demonstrate boating safety. boat sales during the past year. Unfortunately, 2022 Boating In-person classes will be at the Roberts they also show a dramatic increase in School Community and Education Center boating accidents and fatalities, as well. Safety Class Dates (4681 School St., Acworth). Program This increase in sales and accidents brings In-person materials are $30, and family discounts are with it the clear need for increased boater Feb. 12 • March 5 • April 2 • May 7 available. Gift certificates for safety classes are education. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary June 11 • July 9 • Aug. 13 • Sept. 10 available, and make great stocking stuffers. has scheduled safe boating classes for 2022, For more information, email Greg Fonzeno which include such topics as know your Virtual at flotilla22pe@gmailcom. Registration boat, before getting underway, navigating the April 21, 23, 24 • May 26, 28, 29 forms are available at https://tinyurl.com/ waterways, operating your vessel safely, legal June 23, 25, 26 • July 28, 30, 31 cgaux0700202. Scroll down and click on requirements and boating emergencies. Boating Course Info on the left side, then Individuals who successfully complete select Online Registration. Let’s keep our families and friends safe the course and exam meet the Georgia boating certification on the water. requirements and earn certificates and wallet cards. Boaters born after Jan. 1, 1998, must complete a boating safety class approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) to operate a boat or personal watercraft legally in the Greg Fonzeno is the public education officer and vice state of Georgia. commander of the local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers face-to-face classes and (Flotilla 22) at Allatoona Lake. virtual classes via Zoom. The classes feature live presentations by

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

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Learn more about our services at northside.com

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2022 Regular Session, A New Chapter Begins BY CHARLICE BYRD

At the end of November, the Georgia General Assembly convened for the final day of the 2021 special legislative session. The adjournment of the last day of a legislative session is commonly referred to as sine die, a Latin term that means without assigning a day for further meeting. On this session’s final day, the Georgia House of Representatives voted on Senate Bill 2EX. The House Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Committee held a public hearing and approved Senate Bill 2EX, which updated the map of Georgia’s 14 congressional districts. After being scheduled for a vote on the House floor, the bill, which was the last piece of legislation that the General Assembly needed to pass to complete this special session, was passed. The House adjourned shortly after the bill’s passage. All legislation related to the redistricting process that passed in the House and Senate was sent to the governor for his signature. If the bills for the legislative and congressional maps are signed into law, they will be implemented by election officials for the next election cycle in November 2022. The redistricting process saw some big changes for Cherokee County’s legislative representation. You can view the new legislative and congressional district maps on the nonpartisan Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Office’s website (legis.ga.gov/ joint-office/reapportionment), under the Proposed Plans section.

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Our focus turns to the 2022 regular legislative session, beginning Jan. 10. There still is unfinished business from the last session, such as House Bill 228, the election integrity bill I introduced last year. Additionally, I will push to pass House Bill 290, the Patient and Resident Representation and Visitation Act, which seeks to restore and protect visitation rights for patients in hospitals and long-term care facilities. During the past year, these facilities implemented policies that keep Georgia families apart, and it was proved through the pandemic that we need each other more than ever. The legislation passed the House overwhelmingly, and currently sits in the Senate for final passage. I will meet with constituents throughout our district during the holiday season, and spend time with family ahead of the 2022 regular session. I encourage you to email me at charlice@ charlicebyrd.com regarding legislative issues important to you and our community. As always, thank you for allowing me to serve as your representative in Cherokee County.

Rep. Charlice Byrd represents District 20 in the Georgia House of Representatives.charlice.byrd@house.ga.gov

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Be the Best You in Chef Margaux Is Doing Her Part to Provide a Solution to Healthy Eating Margaret Baston is a Good Food Fanatic. She’s passionate about helping others eat healthfully, and learn to fuel their bodies properly to achieve their goals, whether it’s gaining or losing weight, following a vegetarian or keto lifestyle, or other customized dietary needs.

“Everybody is a fan of good food, and we have already cooked, so you don’t have to. I want to help you save time in the kitchen and add balanced nutrition by offering prepared meals and meal plans,” she said. Serving others is in her DNA. The chef ’s foray into food started at age 7, when her grandpa taught her to make biscuits. Her grandpa's best friend also predicted that she would grow up to be someone who cares for and nurtures others, which currently is through food. In 2019, Margaret left a corporate 9-to-5 job to open this business, which operates 24/7. In addition to the meal plans, she enjoys serving manufacturers, warehouse personnel,

PHOTO BY J. KING IMAGES

So, it makes sense that she named her business GO.FO.FA. Heat & Eat Meals, a unique abbreviation of GOOD FOOD FANATICS.

hospital employees and employees of other 24-hour facilities, to help those who work odd hours maintain a healthful diet. Her corporate event planning experience kicks in when she caters corporate functions, fundraisers and special occasions. She recently earned an executive MBA degree from Kennesaw State University; her experiences in consulting abroad during that program motivated her to fulfill her desire in a full-time food service position. “I love to serve people,” Margaret said. She does that using a variety of prepared foods, fundraising capability and event planning — all services that “involve spreading a pinch of love to everyone I serve.”

On the Menu 770-285-3600 www.gofofa.com 6380 Bells Ferry Road, #103 Corner of Bascomb Carmel Road

Find us on: Q E SPONSORED CONTENT

Customers’ needs vary within each of the five areas of service offered at GO-FOFA Heat & Eat Meals: meal plans, family meals, corporate luncheons, fundraisers and meeting/event space/planning. Chef Margaux (Margaret’s professional name) enjoys helping her customers follow a sustainable eating plan that doesn’t involve hours of planning, shopping and preparing

healthy meals. While there’s a focus on healthy eating, GO.FO.FA. also offers comfort classics for the feel-good meals everyone loves. Prepared meals and subscription plan options range from the more popular beef Philly panini wrap, chicken Parmesan, ground turkey spaghetti and breakfast parfaits, to Philly and Tex-Mex chicken salad, peppercorn chicken breast salad and crustless chicken pizza for Keto fans. The 10 Meal Starter Pack offers a jumpstart to a healthier lifestyle and includes turkey spaghetti; personal Southwest quiche; barbecue chicken strips; chicken fajita bowl and black bean turkey soup.

In the Community This month, Chef Margaux is working with a Girl Scout troop near her store to teach culinary life skills and kitchen safety. While the girls will earn badges for these sessions, the benefits are immeasurable for the chef. During one service project, she discovered that 85% of the children she served had not been exposed to healthful foods. Fruits and vegetables often are overlooked for fast foods and quick meal choices. “I’ve had the pleasure of serving the Boys & Girls Club of Atlanta, Etowah Eagles football program, and other nonprofits in surrounding counties,” she said. “I enjoy offering classes for the youth called Culinary Life Skills Training, and investing in the community.” Call 770-285-3600 and let Chef Margaux know how GO.FO.FA. Heat & Eat Meals can be of service to you. TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Warm-colored accents and layered bedding provide cozy touches.

Get Cozy

Tips for a Simple Winter Bedroom Refresh BY DONNA BROADUS

Donna Broadus is a 28-year resident of Woodstock and the owner of Broadus Realty Group. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook for design/staging tips. broadusrealtygroup.com.

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

elcome to my first bimonthly article, filled with tips on staging and decorating your home. I’m all about making my home cozy, especially in the fall and winter. When the holidays are over, there are usually great sales on bedding in January, which makes the new year a perfect time to do a bedroom refresh. My go-to for bringing in that cozy feel is incorporating comfy, layered bedding, pillows and candles. I love creating a layered bed by using a nice set of sheets, a lightweight blanket or two, a comforter, a cozy throw at the end of the bed and lots of coordinating pillows. I recently refreshed my bedroom to get ready for the colder months. I started by changing my off-white curtains to a velvety set of burnt orange panels. I have tall, vaulted ceilings in my bedroom, so I used 120-inch curtains to create a more dramatic look. Try using clips on your curtain rod, so changing out curtains with the seasons is simple. For the bed, I put on flannel, floral pattern sheets, and placed a white, lightweight quilt (which I reuse every season) over the sheets. Then, I placed a mustard-colored, double-cloth quilt on top of the white quilt and folded it back. For the final touch, I folded a white quilt at the end of my bed, added matching pillows and a furry matching throw, and changed out my wall décor. An inexpensive trick for decorating the walls is to use different hats to make a feature wall above your bed. I use a bunch that I got from the dollar spot at Target, along with some wide brim summer hats. To change back for the spring and summer months, swap the curtains for a neutral color, such as white, beige or light gray. Then, add white or cream-colored sheets. Swap out the warm-colored, lightweight blanket for a different color, such as green or blue. Change your throw pillows, and you will have a different look for the new season. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to update your home. Shop sale events, like the after-Christmas sales going on now. Look for unique and vintage pieces on Facebook Marketplace, or visit Goodwill or the local big box retailers.

food, drink, music & more!

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TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Winter Snapshots

5 Elements of a Certified Wildlife Habitat ART AND TEXT BY ANN LITREL

In 2021, more than 140 Eagle Watch residents joined efforts to certify their yards and create Cherokee County’s first certified wildlife habitat community through the National Wildlife Federation. What makes a yard a wildlife habitat? To be certified, homeowners work through a checklist of five basics needed to help wildlife in a suburban yard, including food sources, cover and water. Here are a few winter snapshots from my yard that illustrate the elements of a certified wildlife habitat:

4. Dense shrubbery at the front of my house Places to Raise Young

Goldfinches and sparrows flit through the delicate stems and dried leaves of native coneflowers and sunflowers in my back garden, feasting on plump seed heads. Squirrels and blue jays chatter nearby, stripping pine seeds from the cones under my pine trees, now that the acorns mostly are gone.

provides a prime nesting spot for the summer catbirds (who like to be close to the blueberries). Several beds of native flowers and grasses shelter the young of butterflies and moths, who have made their respective chrysalises or cocoons to survive the winter. Dormant eggs among the dried leaves will hatch as caterpillars, the primary food for baby songbirds, who cannot digest seeds.

2. A pair of resident chickadees alights on the

5. There are two things I do in my yard that are

Food Sources

Water Sources

edge of my small, backyard pond for a sip of water. A fox from the woods across the street appears ghostlike in the early morning, as his usual source of water has frozen solid. Next door, my neighbor keeps a birdbath with a little heater to keep her song birds happy when temperatures dip below freezing. In the quiet, I can hear their songs some days.

3. Cardinals fluff

Places for Cover

their feathers against the cold in the branches of Carolina hemlocks at the corner of my house. There, they hide from the sharp eyes of the hawk, who patrols overhead. A brush pile at the edge of the yard harbors countless small creatures, from insects to salamanders.

The liquid song of the Carolina wren tells me he has found this cache — for him, a breakfast buffet of bugs. At the bottom of my pond, waterlogged leaves hide the three bronze frogs who have made their home there. During winter, their heart and respiratory rates slow, but, come spring, they will hop back up on the rocks to bask in the sun.

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Sustainable Gardening Practices

the most important for making it healthy for wildlife: nontoxic weed control and increasing mulch. I’ve found practical, nontoxic solutions for weed and insect control, such as organic slow-release fertilizer for healthy grass, a pedestal fan to blow away mosquitos and picaridin mosquito lotion for outside activities, so that birds, bees and butterflies can thrive here safely. Turf grass is no man’s land when it comes to feeding wildlife. I’ve shrunk turf areas and enlarged natural mulched islands. Dead leaves in the naturalized areas under my trees not only act as fertilizer and mulch, but also as butterfly nurseries. The leaves of an oak tree feed the caterpillars of more than 500 species of moths and butterflies.

Ann Litrel is an artist and certified Master Naturalist. She instructs nature journal workshops and paints in her studio, Ann Litrel Art, in Towne Lake.

6 Tips to Improve Bladder Control BY JAMES HALEY, MD, FACOG, FPMRS

According to the American Urological Association, the definition of urinary incontinence (UI) is the involuntary loss of urine. It’s common in women of all ages and is typically caused by childbirth, aging, hormonal changes or even a persistent cough. Incontinence can have a profound impact on a woman’s life, causing sufferers to avoid social situations and shy away from their favorite activities. Some of the simplest things can trigger bladder leakage, such as laughing, coughing, sneezing, jogging or picking up your baby. Fortunately, there are some simple tips that can be implemented to help you stay in control, so you can enjoy a stress-free life.

1. Drink up (but not too much). Drinking enough fluids is important to avoid concentrated urine, which can be irritating to the bladder. But, drinking too much water can wreak havoc if you have UI. Aim to drink about two quarts (eight cups) of water daily to keep your bladder and kidneys healthy. 2. Skip the caffeine. Cola, chocolate and coffee, oh my! Yes, we do love our caffeine, but you’re doing yourself no favor by drinking products with caffeine. It can be hard to avoid altogether, so try to cut back. 3. Stick to a schedule. You may not feel like you have to go, but you should try to head to the bathroom on a regular, more frequent schedule, because empty bladders can’t leak. Shoot for every two hours and adjust as you go to fit your schedule. 4. Squeeze before you sneeze. Kegel exercises can help strengthen your pelvic muscles and, in turn, help prevent accidents. Aim to do them regularly throughout the day; the more you do, the stronger you’ll make your muscles. 5. Discuss medication side effects. The medication you are taking may have diuretic effects, and you may not know it. Talk with your physician to make sure you’re not taking any prescription or over-the-counter drugs that could be making your UI worse. 6. Lose weight. Extra weight on the abdomen means more pressure is applied to the bladder; losing weight can help control UI. If you are affected by UI, talk to your doctor. UI is more common than people think, so don’t be shy! Your doctor can help you find the best treatment, and the solution may be simpler than you think.

DirecteD by NaNcy JeNseN February 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 SHOWS/SHOW DATES (TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

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cHecK OUr Website FOr ticKets & MOre iNFO ON OUr

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Friday/Saturday - 8 p.m. • Sunday - 2:30 p.m.

Adults – $18 | Member Discount – $15 Groups 10 or more - $13 | Senior/Student/Active Military – $15 P l ay i n g at Canton Theatre • 171 E. Main St., Canton, GA

James Haley, MD, FACOG and FPMRS, is an OB-GYN and urogynecologist with Cherokee Women’s Health in Canton and Woodstock.

Box Office 770-591-0282 | info@cherokeetheatre.org Cherokee Theatre Company PO Box 5885 • Canton, GA 30114 TOWNELAKER | January 2022

@ the Library

Sequoyah Regional Library System www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org

Holiday programming began at Cherokee County libraries with open house events featuring games, refreshments and Santa Claus himself.

Valuable Resources to Help You Start The New Year BY JOHN RODGERS

Happy New Year from Sequoyah Regional Library System (SRLS)! The public library should be the first destination for anyone looking to make a New Year’s resolution. With countless titles dedicated to hobbies, selfhelp and do-it-yourself projects, in addition to items like musical instruments and sewing machines to borrow, it’s never been easier to discover a brand new passion

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

without paying a cent. The newest addition to our Library of Things is mobile Wi-Fi hotspots, which can be connected to a laptop, smartphone or tablet. Use your SRLS library card to borrow a mobile hotspot, and connect your device to the internet nearly anywhere. No device? No problem! Chromebooks can be borrowed from the library as well. Work on

any project at home, school or your local coffee shop, at no cost to you. Anyone looking to grow their book collection in 2022 won’t want to miss the next big Friends of the Cherokee County Public Libraries book sale. Visit the R.T. Jones Memorial Library in Canton, Jan. 21-22. A preview sale, 3-5:30 p.m. Jan. 20, will be open to members of the Friends of the Cherokee County Public Libraries; become a member at the door! Library Friends also are accepting donations of new and gently used materials, 2-5 p.m. Jan. 7 and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 8. Items accepted for donation include books, DVDs, books on CD, puzzles and games. To make donation arrangements, email staff@cherokeefol.org. And, remember to stop by the Woodstock Public Library’s book store on the second Friday and Saturday of each month for a “live” sale featuring special items. From “The Polar Express” storytimes to festive parties, to appearances from Santa himself, library staff was honored to help keep the holiday season merry and bright for thousands of families across Cherokee County. Readers of all ages, who aren’t quite ready to bid farewell to December, still can participate in the library’s winter literacy challenge through Jan. 31. Download the Beanstack app or visit sequoyahregionallibrary.org. There’s still plenty of time to curl up with a warm book and win special prizes along the way. Happy reading! John Rodgers is the community engagement manager for the Sequoyah Regional Library System.

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Around & About JANUARY

Through January

Cherokee County Senior Services in Canton is requesting donations of gently used, large-print books for its Side of Books program. Mystery, fiction and nonfiction are the most requested genres. Drop off books in the office, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., or drop them off after hours in the book container, located behind the building. Email jnmceuen@ cherokeega.com with questions.

8 Bring one for the chipper,

9 a.m.-4 p.m., to Olde Rope Mill Park in Woodstock. Trees should be unbound and free of decorations. They will be recycled into mulch or used for fish habitats. For more information, visit www.kgbf.org.

10, 12 Woodstock Winter Cornhole Leagues The seven-week, Monday and Wednesday

, beginning Jan. 10 and Jan. 12, will be held at the Elm Street Event Green. Play times to be scheduled for 6:30, 7:10, 7:50 or 8:15 p.m. Registration for both leagues ends Jan. 3. https://bit.ly/3lmPZ0s.

Join Wreath Removal and Clean Up Day, 9 a.m. at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton. Everyone is welcome to help remove the wreaths that were laid in December for Wreaths Across America. Signing up is not necessary. https://bit.ly/3G4CYka.

19 Wednesdays

Join Northside Hospital experts for Wellness , a virtual health presentation every Wednesday at noon. This week’s presentation is led by Dr. Hira Kohli of Suwanee Primary Care. For registration, visit www.northside.com/community-wellness/classes-events.

An electronics recycling event is set for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Woodstock. The fundraiser will offset technology costs for purchasing equipment to enhance the church’s live streaming capabilities during worship services and events. For a list of accepted items, visit https://gslutheran.org. The annual Day of Fire tradition involves Scouts burning driftwood 8 a.m.-8 p.m. at Camp Allatoona Aquatics Base in Woodstock. Christmas trees also will be repurposed as fish habitats. Scouts can earn conservation service hours in 3-hour increments, or stay the entire 12 hours. Keep an eye out for registration details. https://bit.ly/3cJLIPL.

27 The 2022 Cherokee Film Summit,

hosted by the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, is set for 5-9 p.m. at the Yanmar Evo Center in Acworth. More than 12 instructional partners will lead breakout sessions and panels to inform and inspire. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite, or by visiting cherokeega.org.

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

FEBRUARY

Feb. 11-13, 18-20

“Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” directed by Nancy Jensen, will be performed at the Canton Theatre. This long-running absurdist comedy places Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso in a Parisian cafe in 1904, just before the renowned scientist transformed physics and the celebrated painter set the art world afire. www.cherokeetheatre.org/shows.

WOODSTOCK ARTS www.woodstockarts.org

Through Jan. 2

“Small Town: Small Works” is an open-call exhibit in

the Reeves House for local artists, set around small works and the theme of small towns.

Jan. 6-Feb. 13

“Creative Kids” celebrates and places a spotlight on the next generation of local artists, grades K-12, through an open-call exhibit in the Reeves House.

Jan. 22

The Lasting Laugh is a comedy series that brings in Atlanta-based comedians monthly, with Jessica It’s All Good as the host. Recommended for ages 12-plus (content).

Jan. 21

iThink Improv is back and ready to get its audiences

rolling down the aisles with laughter. Recommended for ages 10-plus (content).

Feb. 4-13

“A Chorus Line — High School Edition” is a full-length version of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, adapted for performance by high school students with family audiences. Recommended for ages 8-plus (some language).

CHEROKEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.cherokeechamber.com

Good Morning Cherokee breakfasts are held at 7

a.m. monthly.

Power Hour Networking, 10-11 a.m., is held at the Chamber office, 3605 Marietta Highway, Canton.

WOODSTOCK PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS

CHEROKEE RECREATION AND PARKS AGENCY

woodstockparksandrec.com // 770-592-6000, Ext. 1955 Registration is required for all programs.

www.playcherokee.org Recreation Center: 770-924-7768, Aquatic Center: 678-880-4760

Jan. 15

Essential Gardening: Planning a Successful Garden. Join University of Georgia Cherokee County

Extension Agent Josh Fuder and the Cherokee Master Gardeners, 10 a.m., at 223 Arnold Mill Road, for a garden planning session that will supercharge your garden with fruits, vegetables and herbs that thrive in our North Georgia growing zone. Cost is $5.

Jan. 19

Discovering Pickleball. Ages 18 and older. This hour

long class gets you ready to play pickleball, and you will by the end of the session! Equipment is provided. The class is taught at 6:30 p.m. at the Dupree Park pickleball courts. Cost is $5.

Jan. 20, Feb. 17, March 26

Bee Hive Maintenance. Learn how to manage your beehive in a real-time, hands-on way, 7 p.m., at 223 Arnold Mill Road. Meet with Woodstock Community Garden beekeeper Shannon Sorescu to cover what you should be doing to ensure a healthy, well-maintained hive. From record keeping to swarm management and honey harvesting, the course is for new and established beekeepers. Bee protective clothing/gear is required. Registration fee is $50; it covers the January, February and March classes.

Jan. 27

Discovering Beekeeping. Ages 10 and older. Join

Shannon Sorescu, 7 p.m., at 223 Arnold Mill Road, to learn what you need to know before committing to beekeeping. Cost is $5. For more information, email jsnyder@woodstockga.gov.

Jan. 29

Essential Gardening: Seed Starting. Get a head

start on the gardening season by starting seeds early. Join Josh Fuder and the Cherokee Master Gardeners, 10 a.m., at 223 Arnold Mill Road, for a class to give you the tools and information to advance your seed-starting techniques. Cost is $5.

COFFEE WITH A COP: WOODSTOCK woodstockga.gov/police

Jan. 11: 8:30-10 a.m., Leaning Ladder Feb. 8: 8:30-10 a.m., Circle of Friends at the Circuit

Through Feb. 7

Donations for Project Valentine, an annual collection of items for Empower Cherokee (a nonprofit social services organization that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities), can be dropped off at the Recreation Center. Items requested include chapstick, lotion, sticky notes, pens, markers, word searches, any art or music activities, sugar-free and regular candy, and holiday-related items. For more information, email bbjohnson@cherokeega.com.

Feb. 12

The 16th annual Guns & Hoses 5K, a certified race for the Peachtree Qualifier, benefits charities selected by the Cherokee Sheriff ’s Office and the Cherokee County Fire Department. This year’s race benefits Sheriff Frank Reynolds Charities, which is dedicated to raising money to help fulfill the needs of the people of Cherokee County, and the Goshen Valley Boys Ranch, a nonprofit home serving young men in the foster care system. Registration is open; when registering, the runner can select which team (charity) he or she wants to represent.

LANTERN SERIES At the Elm Street Event Green in Woodstock; shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Check for updates at www.woodstockarts.org.

March 19: The National Parks May 14: Naughty Professor May 28: Aditya Prakash Ensemble July 2: Sub-Radio July 16: Kyshona Armstrong

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES Fresh Start Cherokee @ The Circuit 1 Innovation Way, Woodstock, 770-345-0600 www.circuitwoodstock.com/events.

1 Million Cups Cherokee (1MC) Cherokee

Held in person, and on Facebook Live. The free, biweekly coffee gathering helps build startup communities on a grassroots level. For upcoming events, visit the Fresh Start Cherokee Facebook page.

WOODSTOCK BUSINESS CLUB Meets weekly, 8:30-9:30 a.m. Thursdays at Reformation Brewery, 105 Elm St., Woodstock. Follow on Facebook. TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Rob’s Rescues These animals are waiting for homes at Cobb County Animal Services, 1060 Al Bishop Drive, Marietta. This cat’s name is Nadine. She is 5 years old and a small, soft and furry cat. She is an owner turn-in. She would be the perfect cat to have, because she just wants to be with you, and does not complain about anything.

Rob with Malissa Birchall of Kitty Up Cat Rescue.

I interviewed Malissa Birchall, who is the founder of Kitty Up Cat Rescue (kittyupcatrescue.org), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Dallas, Georgia.

What is the focus of Kitty Up?

To save as many cats as we can. We arrange transports north, for dogs and cats, and we work with other cat rescues to find placements for stray cats. Spay and neuter is a huge part of what we do; it takes up 80% of our budget. We pull cats from everywhere, especially the Bartow County shelter. Every month, I send five feline leukemia cats to Austin Pets Alive in Texas. We help wherever we can, and foster a couple of dogs, too. This dog’s name is Willie. He is a 4-year-old beagle. He was a stray. He is a very mellow dog, so he would be easy to have as a companion or a family dog. He loves being outside and is easy to handle.

When did you start Kitty Up and why?

August 2018. I am a vet tech and have worked with many rescues. I live in Paulding County, and I realized there was no cat rescue in the county, and it was desperately needed. There is a lot of education needed about TNR (trap-neuterreturn). Many people regard cats as pests, as opposed to friends.

What is a story that you like to tell?

I like to tell people about a cat called Catra. She was found in Bartow County in a dumpster, hanging by a rope around her neck, with her arm trapped in the rope. We rescued her and had to amputate the arm (her arm between the rope and her neck was the only reason she didn’t die in there). She was adopted by an amazing family.

How many cats have you helped since you started? More than 3,000. Last year we transported 1,400.

What do you want the community to know about Kitty Up, and how can they help you?

We are here to help. We have a food closet with cat and dog food for people that need it. We provide TNR and vaccines. We do a lot of networking in the rescue community. We are 100% donation based. Food donations always are needed, especially Friskies paté and Purina cat food. We always need blankets, sheets and towels, too.

Rob Macmillan is on a mission to help shelter dogs and cats. On Facebook @robsrescues. www.robsrescues.com.

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

IN WDSTK PRESENTS

STATE OF THE CITY FRIDAY JANUARY 2 1 , 2022 7:45 AM

MARK YOUR CALENDER FOR THE MAYOR'S ANNUAL PRESENTATION + BREAKFAST. Ticket and location info at inwdstk.org

CHUNKY SOUP · CHILI PASTA SAUCE · BEANS CORN · CANNED Meats CANNED Pasta · Rice Ramen Noodles Peanut Butter Cereal · Oatmeal Our urgent food supply is disappearing quickly! Can you donate today?

MARIETTA · 1280 Field Pkwy CANTON · 111 Brown Ind. Pkwy

www.mustministries.org TOWNELAKER | January 2022

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Woodstock Arts: A Look at 2022 BY CHRISTOPHER BRAZELTON

What a roller-coaster of a year 2021 was, right? From talking with many of you, it seems like everyone had some big ups and downs throughout the year. After such a wild ride, I wanted to take a moment to share what Woodstock Arts is looking to focus on this year. Every January, the board of directors and staff goes on a retreat to review Woodstock Arts’ strategic plan and make adjustments to best positively impact our community. I believe in transparency, so I wanted to share where we plan to make these adjustments during 2022.

1. Stabilize operations.

In January 2021, Woodstock Arts had four staff members. By the end of this month, we will have 17 staff members, plus three yearround contractors. Whoa. To say things have changed is an understatement. Our culture, communication and operations have all evolved (or must evolve). With explosive growth, we want to make sure that we honor your support. You have made that growth, and the positive impact through the arts, possible.

NEVER MISS A BEAT!

A CHORUS LINE: TEEN EDITION

FEB 3-13, 2022

Reinforce community engagement. After

having to retreat a bit in 2020, and growing last year, we wanted to audit ourselves and ensure we are maximizing community engagement. During the past seven years, we’ve focused on engagement through volunteerism, community partnerships and involvement in community-wide activities. We love it all, and are looking forward to reinforcing our involvement in 2022 so you all know how much we love this community.

long-term financially. 3. Think UNDER THE STARS

Did you know that the August 2022-July 2023 season is our 20th Lantern Series anniversary? Don’t worry; we will let you know more soon. But, this organization has truly had a generational impact through the arts. This community (you) are so generous with your time and money. You make this organization amazing and so worthwhile. We always strive to show good stewardship of funds, but as we recover from COVID-19, we want to ensure that it isn’t just a recovery; it isn’t just a reaction. We want to be proactive, so we continue to make an impact for generations to come. After the retreat, when we finalize our adjustments to our strategic plan, you’ll be able to see all of our hopes and dreams for the next few years. Until then, know how grateful we are. It is because of you that we are able to have these goals and plan for the arts to thrive in our community.

PLUS... Christopher Brazelton, a Florida State University graduate, is the executive director of Elm Street Cultural Arts Village.

NEW MEDIA EXHIBIT

FEB 17 - APR 17 COME EXPLORE THE INTERSECTION OF ART + TECHNOLOGY

UPCOMING: Theatre Classes

The tradition returns onstage Winter/Spring Registration Now Open

Visual Arts Classes

Sweat

60+ local artists in the Gallery

Theatre | Mar 4-20, 2022

Sister Act

The tradition returns onstage 60+ local artists in the Gallery

Ceramics | Painting | Mixed Media Ongoing

A Divine Musical Comedy Apr 22 - May 8, 2022

WOODSTOCKARTS.ORG | 678.494.4251 TOWNELAKER | January 2022

School News

Chattahoochee Tech Board Receives Role Model Award

For the seventh consecutive year, the Chattahoochee Tech Foundation Board of Trustees received Role Model Foundation Board Certification from the Technical College Foundation Association. The Chattahoochee Tech Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that partners with businesses, alumni and community leaders to support higher education for students through initiatives like scholarships and emergency funding. Board members provide valuable insight with respect to community engagement, management and strategic planning. In order to achieve Role Model Board Certification, all members of the Chattahoochee Tech board must be actively engaged in the work of the board through participation in organizational meetings, college events, leadership activities, fundraising initiatives and professional development.

Front row, from left: Advancement Coordinator Amanda Henderson, Vice Chair Rick Kollhoff, Susan Stephens, Vice President of Advancement Jennifer Nelson, Board Chair Mark Goddard, Darion Dunn and Robert Stephens. Back row: Henry Molient, Snehal Doshi, Chris Mosley, Jeff Butterworth and Marty Hughes.

Oak Grove’s Jones Honored by Governor

Gov. Brian Kemp honored Oak Grove Elementary STEAM Academy School Nurse Nadia Jones with the Georgia RISE (Recognizing Inspirational School Employees) Award. As a 2020-21 winner, Jones is one of Georgia’s two nominees for the national RISE Award. Each year, Georgia schools and districts are invited to nominate a full- or part-time school support staff employee, who provides Nadia Jones. exemplary service to students in pre-kindergarten through high school, for the state-level process of selecting nominees. Representatives from the Georgia Department of Education and numerous advocacy groups choose a panel of judges to present the highest-scoring applications to the governor, who makes the final selection of two nominees. In July, Jones, who is in her fifth year as a Cherokee County school nurse, also was named the winner of the inaugural Cherokee County School District School Nurse of the Year award, sponsored by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. A former pediatric nurse, Jones earned her practical nursing diploma from Chattahoochee Technical College and is obtaining a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing from Indiana State University. 58

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Cherokee County School Board Chair Kyla Cromer accepts the Georgia Leading Edge Award.

Social and Emotional Learning Initiative

For the third consecutive year, the Georgia School Boards Association awarded the Cherokee County School Board its Leading Edge Award for innovation practices that make a significant impact on students. This year, the district-wide Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) initiative earned the honor. SEL services and support were created in response to an alarming trend among students: rising rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidal ideations and suicide. Since the initiative was implemented in 2019, additional phases of services and support have been rolled out, including bringing recently retired top educators in part time to work with the mental health counselors and school counselors in developing SEL curriculum unique to Cherokee County schools, and the development of a district wide employee wellness committee with representatives from all schools and central office operations. “As a superintendent, my top job target on paper is to graduate students who are prepared for college or to begin their career. The real top job target, for me and for all of us as educators, is to help prepare every child we serve for a purposeful, successful and joyful life. When the days are dark, this is the light that carries us through to the next challenge — this is the ‘why’ in our hearts. This is what SEL does and is,” Superintendent Brian V. Hightower said.

CCSD Earns State’s Highest Honor

The Cherokee County School District has earned the 2021 Governance Team of the Year Award for large districts, which are those with more than 10,000 students. School districts are invited to apply for the award based on high scores on the state’s system that measures how well students are prepared for college and career success. The judging committee reviews the application, supporting evidence and the impartial review team’s report, made up of national educational experts and leaders. Cherokee County School Board members accepting the award are, from left: Patsy Jordan and Kelly Poole, Chair Kyla Cromer and Superintendent Brian V. Hightower.

Clark Creek Students Learn About Careers

From left, Modern Woodmen partners, Garth Gherardini and Gabi Barros, present the award to Valle.

Principal Penny Valle Named Hometown Hero

Oak Grove Elementary STEAM Academy Principal Penny Valle has been named a 2021 Hometown Hero award winner. Sponsored by Modern Woodmen, the annual Hometown Hero awards recognize community members for outstanding service to others. Valle was honored for being a servant leader who prioritizes the needs of her students, their families and the school’s overall success. “Principal Valle is a hero for her staff, her students and for the community,” Assistant Principal Ashley Polito said. “She is a hero for the children, and anyone who knows her knows that she genuinely cares for the success and happiness of her students and staff.”

Clark Creek Elementary STEM Academy recently presented its annual career day during Red Ribbon Week. Each grade welcomed guest speakers, for virtual or in-person visits, including civil engineers, Georgia Farm Bureau members, medical trainers, police officers and more. Students created and tested STEM projects related to their career presentation, and dressed up, representing their future careers, and wrote about how they will be world-changers in that role. Clark Creek also hosted Georgia author Danny Schnitzlein, thanks to efforts by Cobb EMC and Gas South, to bring local authors into schools through their 12th annual literacy week. The goal is to inspire students to appreciate the value of literacy in their education and personal lives. Students create STEM projects on career day. Georgia author Danny Schnitzlein and Cobb EMC’s mascot, Wattson the Red-Tailed Hawk, visit Clark Creek.

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Cherokee Photography Club Congratulations to the winners of the November Competition “Nature’s Beauty!”

Color Print

1st Peter DenBoer “Blue Ridge Beauty”

2nd Daylon Thomas “Misty Sunset” 60

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

3rd Chastain Kendrick “Painted Hill Sunrise”

Monochromatic

1st Martin Longstaff “Elephant Hiding Behind a Tree”

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 7-9 p.m. and held at the Cherokee County Arts Center, 94 North St., Canton. Please contact Kim Bates at 770-617-7595 or email him at kbphotoart@ comcast.net for more information. 2nd Mike Voeltner “Emerging Sunflower #2”

3rd Jim Kirk “White Lily” TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Advertisers

For advertising rates and information Jennifer Coleman 678-279-5502 jen@aroundaboutmagazines.com

January 2022

ACCOUNTING & TAXES Denson Pepper, CPA 678-797-5241 www.densonpeppercpa.com Treasure Tax 678-888-4829 www.treasuretax.com

CHIROPRACTIC 35

ANIMAL/PET SERVICES 21

Cherokee County Animal Shelter www.cherokeega-animals.org

ATTORNEYS/LEGAL SERVICES

Imbriale Injury Law 678-445-7423 www.imbrialeinjury.com

AUDIOLOGY North Georgia Audiology & Hearing Aid Center 770-726-8948 www.YourHearingLink.com

AUTOMOTIVE Chloe's Auto Repair 770-575-8800 www.chloesautorepair.com

Woodstock Quality Paint & Body 770-926-3898

BUSINESS SUPPORT Towne Lake Business Association www.tlba.org

IN WDSTK www.inwdstk.org

CLEANING SERVICES Maid Eco-Friendly Cleaning Services 678-789-9342 www.maidecofriendlycleaning.com

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Towne Lake Family Chiropractic 770-592-1877 www.townelakechiro.com

FITNESS/RECREATION R2 Total Fitness 678-809-7833 www.r2totalfitness.com Poole Funeral Home 678-932-2097 www.poolefuneralhome.net

(Cosmetic, Family, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics & Pediatric) Baird & Baird Family Dentistry 770-517-0444 www.bairdfamilydentistry.com Dentistry for Woodstock 770-926-0000 www.dentistryforwoodstock.com Gentle Dental Care and Georgia Dental Implant Center 770-926-2784 www.georgiadic.com

FUNERAL SERVICES

DENTAL

Animal Hospital of Towne Lake 770-591-9500 www.townelakevets.com

Debranski & Associates, LLC 770-926-1957, ext. 306 www.debranski.com

Ribley Family Chiropractic 770-592-2505 www.ribleychiro.com

Woodstock Arts woodstockarts.org

Inside back

Woodstock Funeral Home and Cremations 770-926-3107 www.woodstockfuneralhome.com

HAIR SALON/ BARBER élon Salon 770-427-8698 www.elonsalon.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT & REPAIR

Park Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock 17 770-926-9260 www.pediatricwoodstockdentist.com EDUCATION & RELATED SERVICE

Bryan Plumbing Services 770-826-5277 CFM Electrical Services 678-614-9661

5 11

Brookwood Christian School 678-401-5855 www.brookwoodchristian.com

Coleman Home Services 770-294-9667 www.colemanhomeservices.com

Chattahoochee Technical College 770-528-4545 https://www.chattahoocheetech.edu

Eastridge Plumbing 770-516-2977 www.eastridgeplumbing.com

KennedyMathews Educational Consultants 24 765-721-1212 www.kennedymathewsconsulting.com EVENTS/ENTERTAINMENT Cherokee Film Summit www.cherokeega.org

Cherokee Theatre Company 770-591-0282 www.cherokeetheatre.org

Georgia Food and Wine Festival 45 www.georgiafoodandwinefestival.com

Exact Comfort Air Conditioning & Heating 770-912-0552

Findlay Roofing 770-516-5806 www.roofroof.com

Handy Handyman, The 404-316-1490 www.thhmga.com

Mr. Junk 678-Mr-Junk1 [675-8651] www.mrjunk1.com

DELIGHTING READERS SINCE 1996

AROUNDABOUTLOCALMEDIA.COM

PebbleStone 45 678-807-8618 www.pebblestonepros.com Pike’s Professional Painting 770-516-0045

Serious Tree Services 770-200-4989

Towne Plumber 770-257-7503 www.towneplumber.com

Governors MedSpa and Concierge Medicine 678-888-5181 www.governorsmedicine.com

Northside Hospital www.northside.com

REAL ESTATE & RELATED SERVICES

LANDSCAPING RPM Landscape and Pavers 770-597-5175 www.rpmlandscapeandpavers.com

OPTOMETRY Pearle Vision 770-790-0000 www.pearlevision.com

PHOTOGRAPHY J. King Images 404-384-2794 www.joyfuldayphoto.com

Maniac Agency maniac.agency

PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL SERVICES AbbyCare 404-549-6886 www.iloveabbycare.com

Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists, PC Cover, 32-33 770-720-7733 www.cherokeewomenshealth.com

Inside Cover

Arthritis & Rheumatology Center, PC 770-284-3150 www.arcenterpc.com

Atlanta Communities, Shonna Sherrill C: 678-634-5581 O: 770-240-2005 www.shonnasherrill.com Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Tomlinson Team, The 770-365-6193 www.thetomlinsonteam.com

Brighton Townhomes 470-656-1642 www.homeatbrighton.com

Broadus Realty Group 404-583-8856 www.broadusrealtygroup.com

Keller Williams, Ursula and Assoc. Direct: 678-569-4044 Broker: 678-494-0644 www.townelakeexperts.com

Back Cover

RE/MAX Town & Country Sarah Terrell 770-928-6525 www.realestateagent.net

RETAILERS Cotton Mill Exchange 770-992-9294 www.cottonmillexchange.net

Southern Sky Home 404-909-2526 www.southernskyoutlet.com

SENIOR SERVICES Life Balance Personal Care Home 31 C: 706-224-2125 O: 678-426-8187 www.lifebalancepersonalcarehome.com St. George Village 404-558-6108 www.stgeorgevillage.org

SPECIALTY FOOD/CATERING The Butcher and A Baker 770-517-2225 Go. Fo. Fa. 770-285-3600 www.gofofa.com

9 43

SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS MUST Ministries www.mustministries.org

Next Step Ministries 770-592-1227 www.nextstepministries.net

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Since 1996, we have brought relevant, uplifting and reader-driven content to readers. We publish Around Acworth, Around Canton, Around Kennesaw, Around Woodstock and TowneLaker. 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.

Kim Dahnke

Karen Flaig

Denise Griffin

Laura Latchford

Katie Beall

Jessica Forrester

Michelle Smith

Savannah Winn

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,

Kat Holt

Jennifer Coleman

Candi Hannigan

Michelle McCulloch

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. It’s your community. It’s your magazine. Look on page 6 for our contact information.

OUR PHOTOGRAPHY PARTNERS We work with some of the best professional photographers in the business.

Jerry King J. King Images 404-384-2794 jkingimages.com 64

Beth Fornuto Beth Fornuto Photography 770-846-3848 bethfornuto.com

TOWNELAKER | January 2022

Heather Stevens Joyful Day Photography 678-947-1200 joyfuldayphoto.com

Abigail Peyton apeytonphotography.com

Brian Nejedly Photography 470-437-9339 briannejedlyphoto.com

1-22 Townelaker webfinal.pdf

Articles inside

School News

Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists

Ann Litrel

Donna Broadus

Greg Fonzeno

Charlice Byrd

Rhiannon Turner

Harry Johnston

Celebrations

Pages 32

Michael Caldwell

Laine Kirby Wood

Susan Schulz

Gail Roos

Susannah O. MacKay

Ashley Velez

Local News

Everyday Angels

Teddy the Spaz Man