10-23 AroundWoodstock webfinal.pdf

On the Cover

CREATE. Get artsy at workshops, DIY open-tables, or book your own private group crafting events. DESIGN.

custom items for your business or organization. Perfect for gifts, meetings, or promotions.

SHOP. Find unique, handmade goods from local and global artisans.

Advertise With Us

Our business is your business. We succeed when you succeed. And our goal is to help community businesses thrive. Our marketing experts have experience on the national and international level. They’ll help you put together an advertising program that targets your market, and fits your needs, style and budget. Let us put our experience to work for you!

Why choose us?

• Publishing in Cherokee County since 1996.

• Won Excellence in Customer Service and Small Business of the Year awards from the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce.

• Marketing experts with national, international account experience.

• Editorial team with 50-plus years’ experience with major metropolitan newspapers.

Get Started Today!

Bridal

Our poll will be ready for you to vote Oct. 1-Nov. 15 at www.aroundaboutlocalmedia.com. Results will be posted Jan. 1 and published in the January issue of Around Woodstock.

What’s New

Visit Woodstock GA has promoted Ingrid Smith to marketing manager. She will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of Visit Woodstock GA, with an emphasis on communications, marketing, advertising, branding operations and events.

Lacoste has opened a 2,900-square-foot retail space at The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta. Merchandise features the brand’s signature crocodile on a range of apparel and accessory styles. Located between Crocs and Pepper Palace.

For sales inquiries, contact Jennifer Coleman, President 470-263-8414 | jen@aroundaboutmagazines.com

Ingrid Smith

Letter From the Editor

Happy fall, y’all! I might have to argue that fall is the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas is magical and beautiful and sacred, no doubt. But fall … the much-anticipated cooler weather, especially after such a brutally hot summer, is so refreshing.

I love October so much that I rescheduled knee replacement surgery from September to November because I don’t want to be hobbled during my favorite month of the year.

It’s also the month Glenn and I got married. First of all, I’m not sure why we scheduled our wedding for this time of year, even though it is the most wonderful. Glenn was an integral part of the sports department at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution at the time. And we all know what happens in sports in the fall, which is why our wedding was on a Sunday afternoon. Otherwise, we would have had none of our friends from sports in attendance, including the groom.

With cooler weather and a fall anniversary to celebrate (36 years now!), we enjoy exploring Cherokee County to regions north for apples, festivals and blazing leaf displays. Check out our comprehensive list of fall activities on Pages 32-34 to map out your own adventures.

I’m pretty sure you’ll see a few scarecrows along the way — especially if

you venture into downtown Woodstock — and a few other things as well. In this issue, we’ve done our best to prepare you for all the scary things you might encounter. It might not be lions and tigers and bears, oh my! More like, taxes and scarecrows and bears, oh my! But there’s nothing to be scared of here. In fact, we dug deep into the details on your property taxes on Page 24. You get a chance to meet Ingrid Smith, Visit Woodstock GA’s new marketing manager, as she shares her family’s first experience with the scarecrow invasion (Pages 12-13) and how this fantastic event benefits Woodstock.

With recurring bear sightings popping up across the county, we wanted to help you know how to handle yourself if you encounter one of these furry visitors. See Page 16 for advice from the experts. This might be a page you want to tear out and keep with you at all times. You just never know.

If you have successful knee replacement stories, I’d love to hear from you. Anything other than that, no thanks. I have enough fears of my own without hearing about all the possible things that can go wrong! Hopefully before long, you’ll see me out and about again, outpacing Glenn, Bertie and Ellie. Until then, enjoy this most wonderful time of the year!

America’s Community Magazine

Volume 10, Issue 12

PUBLISHER

Aroundabout Local Media, Inc. www.aroundaboutlocalmedia.com

PRESIDENT

Jennifer Coleman | 470-263-8414 jen@aroundaboutmagazines.com

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Andrew Bastuba | 770-765-7045 andrew@aroundaboutmagazines.com

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Candi Hannigan | 770-615-3309 candi@aroundaboutmagazines.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Donna Harris | 770-852-8481 donna@aroundaboutmagazines.com

CONTENT EDITOR

Mike Anthony | 770-615-3318 mike@aroundaboutmagazines.com

PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR

Michelle McCulloch | 770-615-3307 michelle@aroundaboutmagazines.com

CONTROLLER

Denise Griffin | 770-615-3315 denise@aroundaboutmagazines.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Laura Latchford laura@aroundaboutmagazines.com

Rachael Tomlinson rachael@aroundaboutmagazines.com

DIGITAL MARKETING STRATEGIST

Kathryn Holt kat@aroundaboutmagazines.com

CLIENT RELATIONS MANAGER

Michelle Smith michelle.smith@aroundaboutmagazines.com

COMMUNITY RELATIONS SPECIALIST

Amanda Bowen | 678-348-0378 amandabowen@aroundaboutmagazines.com

COPY EDITORS

Bill King, Eliza Somers

Aroundabout Local Media, Inc. (ALM) publishes five hyperlocal magazines serving the communities of Canton, Woodstock, Towne Lake, Acworth and Kennesaw. Approximately 16,000 free copies are distributed monthly in each community, through direct bulk mail and first class mail; approximately 500 copies are available in magazine racks placed around each community.

Around Woodstock 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: Around Woodstock, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, PMB 380, Suite 620, Woodstock, GA 30189. The viewpoints of the advertisers, writers and other submissions do not necessarily reflect those of the editor/publisher. And the publisher makes no claims to the

validity of any opinions expressed by charitable, business or civic organizations mentioned, or statements made within the editorial content. The cover and inside related article, and other editorial-type submissions labeled SPONSORED CONTENT, are paid content. The publisher neither guarantees nor supports any product or service mentioned in this magazine, nor does it guarantee any assertions made by the manufacturers or providers of such products or services, or claims regarding the status of such businesses.

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 2023.

Candi Hannigan is the executive editor of Aroundabout Local Media. She has lived in Cherokee County since 1987. Send your comments or questions to candi@aroundaboutmagazines.com

IN town

Woodstock

OCTOBER

Run, Walk or Roll 5K

Oct. 7, 8 a.m., First Baptist Woodstock

Next Step Ministries’ 10th annual fundraiser; registration opens at 7 a.m. For more details, visit https://www.runwalkorroll.com.

Halloween Trail of Tricks and Treats

Oct. 31, 5-9 p.m., Rubes Creek Trail, Woodstock

Collect treats (and tricks) along the trail while also enjoying music by Ronnie the DJ, Kona Ice, games, activities and crafts at this free family-friendly event. Email mstockdale@woodstockga.gov.

Woodstock Farm Fresh Market

Through Dec. 30, Saturdays

8:30 a.m.-noon, Market Street https://visitwoodstockga.com/ event-group/farm-fresh-market

Downtown Woodstock

Walking Tour Series

Tours offered every 30 minutes from 6-7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person. Sales begin two weeks before the tour date at the Woodstock Visitors Center or on the Downtown Woodstock Facebook and Instagram pages. For more information, call 770-924-0406.

Weird Woodstock - Oct. 26

MadLife Stage & Studios

Events listed are held monthly at 8722 Main St., Woodstock. www.madlifestageandstudios.com

The Georgia Satellites, Oct. 6, 7 p.m.

Lantern Series

At the Woodstock Arts Event Green; shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Check for updates at www.woodstockarts.org.

Fox Royale - Oct. 21

Dia De Los Muertos Festival - Nov. 4-5

Christkindl Market and Festival - Dec. 3-4

Woodstock Arts

www.woodstockarts.org

Local Artist Showcase

Oct. 6, 6-9 p.m., The Reeves House

Every first Friday, meet a local artist whose artwork is on display at an opening reception.

Woodstock Arts

Improv Troupe!

Oct. 6, 7:30 p.m., Woodstock Arts

Theatre

Get ready to roll down the aisles with laughter. Recommended for ages 10-plus (content).

The Lasting Laugh

Oct. 7, 7:30 p.m., Woodstock Arts

Theatre

Come get your live comedy fix, hosted by Jessica It’s All Good. Recommended for ages 12-plus (content).

Art on the Spot

Oct. 20, 6 p.m., The Reeves House In under three hours, three local artists will create a piece of art on the spot that will be raffled off at the end of the night.

Jazz Night

Oct. 27, 6 p.m., The Reeves House Unwind with live music and wine. Tables and chairs are provided.

Screen on the Green: “The Nightmare Before Christmas”

Oct. 28, 3 p.m., Woodstock Arts

Event Green

Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, stumbles upon Christmas Town and schemes to take over the holiday.

Video Game Tournament: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Oct. 29, 5 p.m, Woodstock Arts

Event Green

A $5 entry fee gives participants the chance to win a $25 GameStop gift card. Register at bit.ly/44OHY8i.

The Lantern Series continues in October. Photo courtesy of Angela Rice.

A Message From the I

n November’s municipal election, Woodstock voters will be asked to decide whether to make the largest single investment in parks and trails in the city’s history. The City Council approved a resolution that asks the voters to decide on a $24 million bond issue to complete all phases of Little River Park and expand the city’s trail networks.

Much of Woodstock’s success over the past three decades can be attributed to the city’s excellent recreational offerings. Our current offerings range from the 50-plus-acre Dupree Park just a short distance from the center of town, which offers playgrounds, walking trails and sports fields, to Woofstock Dog Park along our amazing trail system. The mountain biking trails within our city at Olde Rope Mill Park and just outside the city at Blankets Creek rank among the most utilized in the nation. Our multiuse trail system is expanding throughout the city, with the most frequented portion being the Noonday Creek Trail starting next to Reformation Brewery and continuing down to Highway 92 and westward into Towne Lake. We already have acquired the right of way and funding to extend the southern portion of this segment into Cobb County to connect with their extensive trail system, which will tie Woodstock’s trails all the way to the Silver Comet Trail into Atlanta and beyond. Construction on this extension will begin early in the fourth quarter of this year.

As the voters look to their decision on Nov. 7, the investment before them includes expediting

the completion of Little River Park, a best-in-class 106-acre offering. This will be our largest park and comprises nearly half of the city-owned green space in our 13-square-mile city. Extending from Trickum Road down to the Woodlands, the park is proposed to offer paddle launches, boardwalks, treehouses and viewing platforms, disc golf, dog park space, picnic areas and an incredible nature experience. Of course, the trail system will extend throughout the length of the park, creating significant east-west connectivity for this important recreational asset, as well as an alternative transportation option.

The investment also would include expanding the city’s robust pedestrian and bike trail system network throughout the city. Expansions would include Rubes Creek trail connectors, the Arnold Mill and Neese Road corridors, an envisioned Buckhead Crossing boardwalk and more. Lastly, the city would be investing in improvements to existing park assets.

The decision on whether to invest in these new recreational offerings for our city is yours. As you approach the Nov. 7 vote, if you have any questions regarding these projects or any of the others, please feel free to reach out to me directly at mcaldwell@ woodstockga.gov or directly to our Parks and Recreation Department. As always, thank you for the honor of serving you and our city!

— Mayor Michael Caldwell

Michael Caldwell is the 31st mayor of Woodstock, a retired state legislator, member of the Georgia Technology Authority, partner at Black Airplane, husband to Katie, and father to Oliver, Elizabeth and Charlotte.

Celebrations!

ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE FREE!

Email: edit@aroundaboutmagazines.com

November deadline is Oct. 5.

Please specify Around Woodstock. Word limit: 25.

Bryce Age 10 on Sept. 13

Happy 10th birthday, Bryce!

Love, Dad, Mom, Charlie and Bailey

Robert and Jordan Stapleton

Oct. 3

Happy third anniversary to Robert and Jordan Stapleton!

Chansia

Happy 18th birthday, Chansia!

Love, Mom, Dad, siblings and Dolce’

Isabella

The world is a better place because you’re in it! Hope you have a fun and memorable sixth birthday, Isabella!

Love, Mommy, Daddy and Andrea

Archer Pellegrino

Happy seventh birthday, beautiful child! You are so loved, and you bring us happiness every day!

All our love, Mom, Dad, Corbin and Jasper

Grayson

Happy 12th birthday, Grayson! We love you big!

Mommy, Daddy, Walker, Colton and Barrett

Invasion

The Collection of Pumpkin Heads and Hay Bodies Is a Welcome Sight Each Year

BY INGRID SMITH

I vividly remember the first time we saw the scarecrows invade Woodstock. It was late in the afternoon of a mid-October day when we’d set out to picnic at our favorite hidden spot in downtown Woodstock. We were driving along Main Street when, bang! There they were. Everywhere. The people, the scarecrows, the people dressed up like scarecrows; they seemed to be taking over the road. They had, in fact, invaded our otherwise quiet little town.

It was so unexpected; it took us by surprise. And we couldn’t stop smiling from ear to ear.

See, this was back in 2016, our first true fall in our new town. Our twins were born in October 2015, and, quite frankly, that entire month (and let’s be honest, basically that first full year) was a total blur. So now it was our mission to experience this place.

My goodness, were we pleasantly surprised. That afternoon was the start of an amazing tradition, walking along the paths and viewing all the scarecrow designs. My husband and I were like little kids ourselves, strolling along to see this so-called invasion.

We saw everything from Thing 1 and Thing 2 to Curious George’s No Noggin, and we were pretty certain our tiny 1-yearolds were giggling the whole time. Now each year, we return, not only when the displays are fully in place but also that first week of October when everyone is working on their installations. To witness the creativity at work and to see the changes taking shape; this has become a favorite of my kids and of my own.

Then once up and running, it seems we can return every week in October and notice something different.

What we’ve gradually learned through these years is the Scarecrow Invasion was started around 2010 by a small group of

of the SCARECROWS

dedicated volunteers, with only about 10 scarecrows. Over time, and as the event was transferred to Woodstock’s Economic Development Department, the otherwise fairly simple idea has been transformed into one of the largest scarecrow events in the Southeast.

Not only that, but they’ve managed to make the experience even better with each passing year, this year creating enough space for more than 260 scarecrows. This will enable even more businesses, nonprofits and individuals to participate and inevitably bring all the more smiles to so many visitors’ faces.

For our family, the connections have become even stronger as we get to know this community. Two years ago, my son’s kindergarten teacher, Nikki Mason from Woodstock Elementary School, created a scarecrow dedicated to their class. We soon learned this is a tradition she has maintained for years. “I love to see my kids’ faces when they see the completed scarecrow, knowing they helped to create it,” Mason said. “I have always chosen a children’s book to base our class scarecrow on, and this is my 10th year participating in the Scarecrow Invasion.”

My own professional connection to this heartwarming event has grown as well, as I’ve recently joined the incredible team that puts this on year after year. I am amazed by the thought and effort that goes into pulling off this event each year and feel so fortunate to be a part of it, not just as a spectator but from a behind-the-scenes vantage point.

What I’ve seen is a team that cares not only about creating the most special fall scarecrow experience around, but one that includes as much of their local community as possible. This inclusion of the community is what makes this Scarecrow Invasion extra special.

Both as a city team and as a family, we simply cannot wait to see the scarecrows invade Woodstock this October. I, for one, know that my kiddos will be asking to get out there as often as possible to view and vote, walk and smile, and enjoy this fabulous fall tradition.

The Real Winner Is …

The Woodstock Scarecrow Invasion raises funds that benefit INSeason, the design committee for IN WDSTK that imagines and implements design initiatives for downtown Woodstock. The proceeds will help enhance the beautification of our town, including seasonal landscaping and holiday decor along Main Street.

The public votes for their favorite scarecrows through October. Voting takes place at the Visitors Center, open

Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at 8588 Main St. The votes are $1 each. Businesses with scarecrow displays can accept votes as well. The winners receive bragging rights and an awesome trophy.

Installation of scarecrow displays takes place Oct. 2-6. The scarecrows will be removed by Nov. 4.

For more information on the 2023 Woodstock Scarecrow Invasion, including rules and a map of scarecrow locations, go to visitwoodstockga.com/ scarecrow.

Sierra and Gavin Smith blend into the Wizard of Oz scene.

Ingrid Smith recently joined the the city of Woodstock team as marketing manager for Visit Woodstock GA. She has worked in the travel and tourism industry for more than 15 years and lives here in town with her husband, 7-year-old twins and two dogs.

Marching Knights Enter New Era

BY BETH FORNUTO

The River Ridge Marching Knights began preparation for their 2023 season over the summer with a new director, Josh Tyree.The transition has been a smooth one for the 85-member band, as Tyree has 20 years of experience, a huge heart for the band community and a stern but friendly disposition. The ease of this change also is due partly to the student leadership, which has made sure everything goes smoothly.

What makes a band family unique is the diversity of kids who come into the fold. Practicing for 12 hours a day during camp in the summer helps

Clay Love, left, and Luke Young, right, fully embrace the Mario theme during practice with band Director Josh Tyree.

Special thanks to photographer Beth Fornuto for highlighting our high school marching bands in words and pictures. Each month through the end of the year, she will highlight a different band.

River Ridge band members are staying up to date on sunglass fashion.

to even out the playing field and encourages a community feeling among the participants. There are the veteran students, some of whom have been with the band since sixth grade, as well as newbies, who come in without expectations.

A band student doesn’t fit any particular mold, but when they are all suited up in their uniforms, they appear as one cohesive unit. What does it take to be in the band? Grit and perseverance. Many of these students are leaders in other areas, such as academics, sports and student government. There are always a few Eagle Scouts in the group because Scouting and band attract kids with similar characteristics: determination, loyalty and trustworthiness.

The Marching Knights are proud to present their 2023 production, “Pipe World.” In the show, the band relives fond memories of the original Nintendo game Super Mario Bros. More accurately, they relive the fond memories of all the staff members and parents. The music and sound effects from the games and the recent motion picture are heard throughout the program. The band transforms the football field into a level from the game, and you get to see Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Bowser. Also included are pipes, items from the game and much more.

The River Ridge band students have done an amazing job embracing the techniques introduced by their new director. You can see the band perform its halftime show at every home game, or watch all of the Cherokee County bands Oct. 9 at the Cherokee Marching Band Exhibition at Cherokee High School.

Maddie Peel keeps the color guard in step with the music.

River Ridge marching band members channel Mario for the theme of this year’s halftime show. Photos courtesy of Beth Fortunto.

Being Aware

Advice From Experts on How to Coexist With Gentle Giants

On Aug. 7, Woodstock Patch reported that a bear was spotted rummaging through a dumpster near the intersection of Hickory Road and Main Street. The report added that there have been additional recent bear sightings in the area and that the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said there is a “healthy population of black bears” here.

Apparently, bears in this area remain active until going into hibernation around mid-December. So, even if no new reports come in, it is best to be on the lookout for the remainder of 2023.

Sharing Space With Bears

The presence of black bears in Cherokee County and farther north into the Georgia mountains is not a new occurrence. In 2022, our own Rob Macmillan of Rob’s Rescues interviewed Tori Reibel, education and communications coordinator of Appalachian Bear Rescue, an organization dedicated to caring for orphaned and injured black bear cubs (www.appalachianbearrescue. org). Some tips from the interview that remain important to community members today include:

What do you do if you see a bear?

Initially, talk to it. Let the bear know you are there. Then, slowly back away. Never ever run. Clap and wave your arms. Remain calm. If it is a brown bear, almost all the time, it will get out of there. They are shy. Grizzlies can be a bit more defensive. [Only black bears are found in Georgia.]

What is an interesting thing about bears?

Bears have a really good sense of smell. Bears often are portrayed as slow-moving foragers, but they are very quick and can run at speeds of about 35 mph. They are fast climbers, too.

How do you tell the difference between bears?

In our part of the world, we only have black bears. Physically, black bears also can be brown. The best way to differentiate between black bears and grizzlies is grizzly claws are longer and straight (to shovel and dig). Black bear claws are 1 to 2 inches long and are curved for climbing. Grizzly bears also have a very muscular hump on their shoulders.

What types of problems are bears facing?

In some cases, mother bears are poached, and we get lots of orphaned or abandoned bears. Most often, we deal with malnutrition and parasites, as well as injuries as a result of being hit by a car.

Aware of Bears

Be Bear Wise

Some tips from BearWise.org, an education program developed by state bear biologists and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

• Never feed or approach bears. Feeding bears trains them to approach homes and people for more food. Bears will defend themselves if a person gets too close, so don’t risk your safety and theirs!

• Secure food, garbage and recycling. Food and odors attract bears. Don’t reward them with easily available food or garbage.

• Remove bird feeders when bears are active. Birdseed and other grains have a high calorie content, making them very attractive to bears. The best way to avoid conflicts with bears is to remove feeders.

• Never leave pet food outdoors. Feed outdoor pets portion sizes that will be completely eaten during each meal and then remove leftover food and the food bowl. Securely store these foods, so nothing is available to bears.

• Clean and store grills.

After you use an outdoor grill, clean it thoroughly and make sure that all grease and fat is removed. Store cleaned grills and smokers in a secure area that keeps bears out.

• Alert neighbors to bear activity. Share news with your friends and neighbors about recent bear activity and how to avoid bear conflicts. Bears have adapted to living near people; are you willing to adapt to living near bears?

In-Home Services for Seniors by Seniors

Like getting a little help from your friends®

•

Photo courtesy of Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Proudly serving Cherokee, Pickens and Cobb counties.

A New Era for

School Lunches

Most everyone is accustomed to reading about the Cherokee County School District (CCSD) students who excel - whether it’s on a bumper sticker or through CCSD’s communication system (read more about that on Page 50).

Apparently, it’s not only the students who’ve been receiving accolades lately.

Members of the district’s school nutrition department, which serves 5 million meals annually, have been on a winning streak. Some of the most recent honors include:

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Silver Turnip the Beet Award. To earn the award, school districts must demonstrate the highest standards in meal preparation and delivery.

• The Golden Radish Award from the Georgia Department of Education (DOE) School Nutrition Division.

The award honors school nutrition programs that excel in providing fresh, locally grown produce and ingredients in meals, promoting the importance of farm-to-school food sourcing and participating in school garden projects.

• The School Nutrition Cafeteria of Excellence Award presented by the Georgia DOE’s School Nutrition Division. Clayton Elementary School is among the inaugural class of winners for this new award. It recognizes the top schools for each region for health inspection scores, quality and variety of menus, use of Georgia Grown produce and ingredients, promotion of school nutrition programs and student meal program participation.

• The Georgia DOE’s competitive Georgia Local Food for Schools pilot program. As participants selected for this new program, CCSD will be

assisted in broadening its partnerships with local farmers and food producers to increase the fresh ingredients in school meals.

This past school year, the district also began recognizing its own “best of the best” through the newly established CCSD School Nutrition Team of the Year awards. Schools are measured in “Six Servings of Success” categories: health inspections, employee satisfaction, program participation, inventory levels, budgeting and promotions. In July, Clark Creek Elementary School STEM Academy was named the elementary division winner, and E.T. Booth Middle School was named the middle school/high school/center division winner.

Jessica Emmett, culinary specialist for the school district, develops new recipes for CCSD’s school kitchens. She’s focused on increasing fresh, locally grown ingredients and expanding students’ palates through “heritage recipes” influenced by international cuisines.

“As the culinary specialist for the school district, I am given creative freedom for recipe development as long as recipes fall within nutritional guidelines and costing,” she said. “I conduct research on food trends across the nation as well as recipe research on popular dishes within ethnic groups to help create meals that can be served to our students.

“While some of our heritage recipes may not be considered authentic, students are able to experience and taste the inspiration and love that is put into these dishes from all of the school nutrition professionals around the county. Once I have the heritage recipe conceptualized, I conduct recipe testing in our school nutrition test kitchen, and our administrative team comes together to decide the winning heritage recipe. All in all, it is a group effort consisting of our executive director, school nutrition supervisor, two registered dietitians and myself.”

District nutrition employee Dania Reed, left, and Clark Creek Elementary assistant kitchen manager Patricia Millwood prepare lunch.

Hispanic Heritage

Carnitas Tacos

Ingredients

• 4 pounds pork shoulder (pork butt)

• 2½ teaspoons salt

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• 1 onion, chopped

• 1 jalapeño, deseeded and chopped

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• ¾ cup juice from 2 oranges

Rub

• 1 tablespoon dried oregano

• 2 teaspoons ground cumin

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

Rinse and dry pork shoulder and cut into large 2- to 3-inch cubes. Rub all over with salt and pepper. Combine rub ingredients, then rub over the pork. Place pork in a slow cooker (fat cap up). Top with the onion, jalapeño and minced garlic (don’t worry about spreading it) and squeeze the juice of the oranges over the pork.

Slow cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 7 hours. Pork should be tender enough to shred. Remove from the slow cooker and let cool slightly. Shred using two forks. Optional: Skim off fat from the juices remaining in the slow cooker and discard.

If you have more than 2 cups of juice, reduce it down to about 2 cups. The liquid will be salty; it is the seasoning for the pork. Set liquid aside; there is no need to strain out onion pieces.

To crisp

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spread shredded pork out on a sheet pan and place in oven for 6-8 minutes or until pork begins to crisp up around the edges. Assemble tacos with your choice of tortillas, carnitas meat, diced onion and chopped cilantro. Pair with Apple Cilantro Slaw for the ultimate bite.

Apple Cilantro Slaw

Dressing

• ¼ cup mayonnaise

• 2½ teaspoons mustard

• ⅛ teaspoon salt

• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 1 tablespoon lime juice

Directions

Slaw

• 16 ounces bagged coleslaw mix

• 2 Gala apples, cored and shredded

• 1 tablespoon lime juice

• ½ cup washed and chopped cilantro

Whisk dressing ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Core and grate apples. Squeeze out excess juice from the apples and toss with lime juice to keep from turning brown. Store at 41 degrees or lower while preparing coleslaw salad. In a large mixing bowl, combine slaw mix, chopped cilantro and grated apples. Dress coleslaw salad and grated apples (including remaining lime juice) with dressing no more than 1 hour prior to serving. Toss until evenly coated. Cover and hold at 41 degrees or lower until served.

Street Corn Ingredients

• 32-ounce package frozen corn kernels

• ⅓ cup mayonnaise

• 2½ teaspoons lime juice

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Directions

• ½ teaspoon each of chili powder, garlic powder, salt, cayenne

• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 green onions, finely chopped

Defrost corn overnight, draining any excess liquid. Spray sheet pan with nonstick spray. Spread corn on the sheet pan and roast at 450 degrees for 13-15 minutes, allowing some corn to become charred. Make a sauce by mixing the mayo, Parmesan cheese, lime juice and all the spices. Set aside. Once corn has roasted, mix with chili-lime sauce.

Trim scallion top and bulb. Thinly slice green and white parts of scallion, and add to hot corn, mix well and transfer to a pan for serving. Top with a sprinkle of chili powder, another sprinkle of cheese and a few more green onions for color. Serve warm.

Ukrainian Heritage

Cabbage Roll Soup

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef, cooked

• 1 small green cabbage (1½ pounds, cored and chopped)

• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped

• 3 carrots, quartered and chopped into smaller pieces

• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

• 1 teaspoon vegetable or canola oil

• 1 can petite diced tomatoes with juice

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• ½ cup rice

• 2 cups chicken broth

• 3½ cups water

Directions

Preheat skillet. Add oil, cook and drain ground beef, add onions. Saute until onions are soft and translucent. Add chopped cabbage and carrots. Add salt, pepper and garlic powder. Mix well.

Add diced tomatoes, chicken broth and water. Bring to a simmer. Add rice. Allow to simmer until rice is tender. Add parsley and turn off heat.

Arabian Heritage

Chicken Shawarma

Ingredients

• 6 large tortillas or flatbread

• Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, thinly sliced onions

• 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

• ½ teaspoon each of garlic powder, black pepper, salt

• 1 teaspoon each of cumin and chili powder

• 1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil

Yogurt Sauce

• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt

• 1½ teaspoons water

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1½ teaspoons each of cumin and garlic powder Mix yogurt sauce ingredients well a few hours ahead to allow ingredients to bloom.

Directions

Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Heat oil on medium-low heat and add cumin and chili powder. Fry for 10 seconds or until fragrant. Once fragrant, add seasoned chicken thighs into seasoned oil and turn heat to medium. Allow chicken thighs to cook until an internal temperature of 165 degrees is reached. Remove from heat and allow to rest for 4-5 minutes. Slice into strips.

To make wrap, warm tortillas or flatbread in microwave for a few seconds. Add 1 tablespoon yogurt sauce to tortilla or flatbread. Add chicken, shredded lettuce, tomato and onion slices. Wrap like a burrito and enjoy! Pairs well with Israeli Cucumber Salad.

Israeli Cucumber Salad Ingredients

• 1 pound cucumbers, cut into half-moon shape

• 1 pint grape tomatoes, cut in half

• ¼ cup finely diced onion

• ½ cup chopped parsley

• 2 tablespoons canola oil

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 3 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

Whisk oil, lemon juice and salt together. Combine all ingredients and mix well. Should be made at least 3 hours in advance to allow flavors to bloom.

Chicken Shawarma and Israeli Cucumber Salad.

Inspiring Others After Cancer Journey

BY CHEROKEE WOMEN’S HEALTH SPECIALISTS, PC

During a typical visit to her gynecologist, Shelley, then 45, received news that would change her life. During the routine exam, her gynecologist identified subtle changes in her breasts that indicated she needed further testing.

It ended up being what they all feared: breast cancer. However, the early discovery was a silver lining, showing the tremendous value of consistent medical checkups. Identifying the issue early meant that Shelley had a fighting chance.

Treatment for cancer isn’t straightforward. Shelley had to endure several surgeries, which left visible scars on her body. But, beyond the physical reminders, there also were emotional challenges that she confronted daily. There were moments of fear, days filled with uncertainty and nights filled with anxiety. Yet, amid all this, Shelley’s spirit never wavered because of her strong faith.

Shelley soon realized that surrounding herself with supportive individuals was crucial. She joined groups where people shared their own cancer journey. It wasn’t just about listening; it was about understanding, sharing and feeling united in a common challenge. These connections provided her with a sense of community and understanding that helped in her emotional healing process. Along with group support, Shelley went to a therapist. Talking to a professional allowed her to process her feelings and find strategies to look at her situation with faith, hope and strength.

As the days transformed into months and then into years, an incredible shift took place. Shelley started viewing her scars not as mere reminders of pain, but as badges of courage. With newfound strength and perspective, she felt a burning desire to give back. She began volunteering actively at local cancer support centers. Listening to others, offering advice and just being there for someone became her way of healing and helping simultaneously. Shelley is still cancer-free and routinely volunteers in support groups to help others overcome the emotional trauma of cancer.

Shelley’s remarkable journey underscores a critical message: the importance of regular OB-GYN visits. For women, regular check-ins with an experienced gynecologist are not just routine appointments; they can be lifesaving. In Shelley’s case, it was this routine that turned out to be her biggest ally, helping her identify a problem early and giving her the advantage she needed.

Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists, PC has seven OB-GYNs and five advanced practice providers, with offices in Canton and Woodstock.

STRONGER TOGETHER

Through Networking

Aroundabout Local Media continues its mission to help local businesses grow and prosper. This is what it looks like when entrepreneurs in the community meet to exchange ideas and information and develop relationships by supporting and encouraging one another while opening doors to new opportunities.

Other business associations in Woodstock are invited to send photos from their monthly meetings to edit@aroundaboutmagazines.com. Please include the names of everyone in each photo, along with the date, time and location of your meetings.

Cherokee Chamber of Commerce

Power Hour Networking is held monthly, 10-11 a.m., at the chamber office, 3605 Marietta Highway, Canton. Business After Hours meets monthly (except July and August) in rotating chamber member businesses, 4:30-6 p.m. Good Morning Cherokee breakfasts are held monthly, excluding January and July, 6:30-9 a.m. at 1130 Bluffs Parkway in Canton. https://cherokeechamber.com

IN WDSTK

Meets for Morning INfluence gatherings at 8 a.m. on the last Friday of the month at the Chambers at City Center. Young Professionals of Woodstock (YPOW) meets at 7:30 a.m. Thursdays. https://inwdstk.org. Also partners with Fresh Start Cherokee, https://circuitwoodstock.com/events.

Towne Lake Business Association

Meets the third Tuesday of each month for lunch ’n’ learn sessions, noon-1:30 p.m., at The Tavern at Towne Lake Hills. https://tlba.org

Woodstock Business Club

Meets at 8:30 a.m. Thursdays at Reformation Brewery. https://woodstockbusinessclub.com

Woodstock Christian Business Network

Meets 7:30-9 a.m. Wednesdays at First Baptist Woodstock. www.woodstockchristianbusiness network.com

Karen McDonald, left, helps Jennifer Coleman welcome Andrew Bastuba to the Aroundabout team at the Woodstock Business Club.

Aroundabout Local Media’s Jennifer Coleman, left, and Amanda Bowen, right, meet with Karen McDonald and Lee Meyer during a Woodstock Business Club meeting at Reformation Brewery.

From left, Gianni Rand and Amber de Marché with Amanda Bowen during the Cherokee Chamber SchmoozaPalooza at Woodstock City Church.

Cherokee Fire & Emergency Services Continues to Grow

BY HARRY JOHNSTON

By the most objective measure, Cherokee County provides the best value of any county in Georgia. The property tax rates controlled by the Board of Commissioners (BOC) are the 28th lowest in the state. And we’re one of just three counties that don’t have an extra 1% local sales tax for operations. Combining BOCcontrolled property and sales taxes, ours are the fourth lowest of 159 counties in Georgia.

And yet our county services, primarily public safety, are among the very best in the nation! Our Sheriff’s Office holds Triple Crown national accreditation with honors, a recognition shared by just one-tenth of 1% of law enforcement agencies in the country. Our E-911 and Marshal’s offices also are nationally accredited.

But I especially want to brag about Cherokee Fire and Emergency Services. What a journey they’ve been on. Just 25 years ago, fire service in unincorporated Cherokee County was all-volunteer, except in a small strip across the south part of the county. In 1998, voters approved a fire district tax to extend paid fire services to the entire county. It began with just one firefighter per shift at each of the formerly all-volunteer stations. Their job was to get to the emergency with the fire truck and meet the volunteers there. That worked well on nights and weekends, when volunteers were available, but not as well when they were at their day jobs.

Gradually, most of the volunteers faded away, though some remain and are much appreciated. Paid staffing gradually has increased to a minimum of three per shift at each station. A first-class training center was added to bring the level of professionalism to the highest standards.

In response to a crisis with the privatized ambulance service in 2003, the service was brought in-house. All firefighters are cross-trained as medics. They’re interchangeable between ambulance and fire truck duties and can back up one another. An accredited in-house paramedic training program was added to provide a steady supply of those elite and scarce medical responders. Today, Cherokee’s ambulance service is recognized as one of the best in Georgia.

When Cherokee Fire initially sought rating by the Insurance Services Office (ISO), it was certified at Level 5 on a scale of 1 to 10, with one being the best. As staffing, equipment and, especially, training levels have improved, it’s achieved an ISO rating of 2, truly excellent for a countywide fire service covering large rural areas.

In 2016, the city of Canton merged its fire service into the county’s, leaving Woodstock as the only city with separate fire service. The ambulance service always has

covered all the cities.

Early this year, Chief Eddie Robinson reported to the BOC that Fire & Emergency Services was within 30 officers and two more staffed stations of achieving its build-out goals. We’re adding half those officers in the upcoming year’s budget and hope to add the rest the following year. They’ll need to keep growing with the county and never will stop getting better. But their incredible initial journey is almost done!

How appropriate it is that in March, Cherokee Fire & Emergency Services was awarded international accreditation, placing it among the most elite fire services in the world! Only 10 city and county fire departments in Georgia, and only 330 worldwide, have achieved that level of excellence.

Just weeks ago, at the annual Georgia Fire Service Conference, Cherokee’s two teams placed second and third in the overall statewide skills and ability competition. And Cherokee Assistant Fire Chief Shane West was named Georgia Fire Officer of the Year!

Let’s all join in congratulating the chief, those two teams and all Cherokee Fire & Emergency Services employees for providing us with truly world-class protection.

I’m always interested in your thoughts. Please 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.

Cherokee Fire Chief Eddie Robinson, left, congratulates Assistant Chief Shane West, who was named Georgia Fire Officer of the Year.

Property Taxes

Frequent Questions About Your Annual Bill

A notice for taxes owed on your property likely already has landed in your mailbox. They will be due in October.

Taxpayers often have questions about what exactly the taxes they must pay are for — especially if the total is higher than what they owed last year.

Ron Shelby serves as chief financial officer for the city of Woodstock and provided some information about property taxes that can help you understand what you’re paying for before the bill comes due.

Where do property taxes go?

Your property taxes, along with other fines and fees, are used to fund debt service and general fund expenditures, including, but not limited to, emergency services, public works, parks and municipal court.

What causes taxes assessed to change from year to year?

In general, nearby home sale prices over the previous 12 months affect the home sale value of a person’s home, and new construction affects the overall size of the city’s tax digest. The tax assessor’s office can provide further information.

Does buying or selling land have an effect on taxes that will be assessed?

Yes, a parcel’s value consists of two parts: the value of the land itself and the value of the improvements made on the land (e.g., a home). The tax assessor’s office values both separately, and they are impacted by recent nearby sales of both parcels that are only land and those that have improvements built on the land. Values are set for each portion separately. Why might rates in a nearby city or county be different?

A millage rate is proposed by a jurisdiction in order to bring in enough revenue to support services. Services vary by entity, some of which are provided by choice due to the unique needs of the residents. Others are mandatory services for a particular jurisdiction dictated by the state Legislature. As a result, budgets vary in size, depending upon the services in that jurisdiction.

Are there any exemptions or qualifications that can reduce my bill?

All exemptions are applied for at the county tax assessor’s office, not the city. The county tax assessor’s office keeps an extensive list of exemptions, which impact county, city and school district property taxes.

Is there a way to estimate how my taxes will change from year to year?

You will get some indication when your assessment notice comes out in May from the county tax assessor’s office. During the year, watching what your neighbors are offering their properties for, and ultimately selling them for, might give you some idea as to how the market is changing for homes in your neighborhood.

Should I consult my accountant with questions about property tax?

Always provide your accountant with copies of your recently paid property tax bill and proof of payment. He or she will decide how that might be incorporated into your federal income taxes.

Who do I contact with questions or to dispute my taxes?

In May, taxpayers typically receive their annual assessment from the county tax assessor’s office. It will include instructions on how to appeal your value if you think it’s gone up too much or didn’t go down as you believed that it should.

City employees always are willing to assist taxpayers who have initial questions about their bill and need direction. That representative can be contacted at 770-592-6051.

Health Care Consulting on a Personalized Level

A Lifesaving Gift

When Brianna Johnson met with 27-year-old Laura about life insurance for the first time in 2018, she was stunned to hear Laura say she wasn’t planning on living very long due to the cost of her medications. Without them, she would slowly die.

At the time, Brianna was working as a financial advisor, and Laura had a health condition that was killing her slowly. She needed medication that cost anywhere from $4,000 to $6,000 per injection. Brianna was licensed but didn’t have a lot of experience in the health insurance field.

So she got to work and started looking for assistance. She discovered most health agents worked on large groups only, but if they worked with individuals, they could work only with “healthy” ones. Brianna decided to take this matter into her own hands and was able to find a government program that would provide Laura’s medication for only $45 per injection. Laura immediately started getting better.

It has been six years, and Laura is married and lives in Kennesaw with her husband and three beautiful little boys. According to her husband, “(Brianna) saved her life, and I am forever grateful for (her) help.”

Brianna and her husband, Greg, knew they were onto something when, 3 years into their business, this dynamic duo were winning awards, speaking at conferences and helping many more people like Laura. In 2021, Brianna was awarded Agent of the Year by one of their carriers and is the only woman in the Southeast to have won that title with that carrier.

What the Company Does

It was through this experience with Laura that Good Faith Health Insurance was founded. The mission is to help guide families, seniors and individuals with their health insurance without it costing them an arm and a leg.

Greg is the operations manager of the business, and Brianna is the sales manager. They live in Cherokee County with their 1-year-old son and are expecting their second baby in January. Greg and Brianna come from very large families and are faithful churchgoers.

“Although we fail sometimes, we strive to run our home and our business on Christian values,” the couple said. “As such, we typically don’t charge anything for our services unless it’s during the open-enrollment season, but even then, it’s only a $50 fee. Sometimes, 50 bucks can make the difference between

owing thousands of dollars and saving thousands of dollars.”

Good Faith specializes in consulting with small-business owners and strategizing within their budget, whether that’s a Marketplace plan, an individual private PPO plan or a share plan. When it comes to seniors, “Good Faith works very closely to make sure folks have the right fit, long term,” Brianna said.

“With all the uncertainty in life, it’s important to have someone who can guide and direct you when it comes to your health insurance,” she said. “And making sure you have someone to review your policy annually is equally important.”

Greg and Brianna Johnson with their son.

5-Year Plan

Cherokee Aims to Transform

BY CHEROKEE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Cherokee County has been growing at a record rate and won’t be slowing down soon. This month, the Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED) is celebrating the kickoff of Cherokee By Choice 2.0 (CBC 2.0) — a five-year strategic plan that aims to nurture the county’s business sector and increase the overall quality of living.

COED developed the forerunner, Cherokee By Choice 1.0 (CBC 1.0), in 2017 to address several business community needs. Over the five-year campaign, more than 75 community investors collectively committed $2.7 million to cement Cherokee as the choice for businesses and residents. CBC 1.0 created more than 2,200 direct jobs and $450 million in new investment.

Despite the strides made by CBC 1.0, there still were barriers to Cherokee’s continued economic success. To guide the country’s economic growth, CBC 2.0 was launched in 2022. COED has been preparing to execute its initiatives. The campaign aims to create a place where employees want to live and employers want to hire.

“Cherokee By Choice 2.0 continues to build upon our current strategy for how to help businesses today but also strengthen the future pipeline,” said Misti Martin, CEO and president of COED. “We want to grow our startups here and recruit diversified companies

that will employ our people, so they can work in their home community.”

The attraction, retainment and alignment of talent is CBC 2.0’s first ambitious goal. This means curating a skilled workforce that is willing and able to work in Cherokee. To achieve this, CBC 2.0 is debuting the Work in Cherokee campaign, in which county residents are encouraged to #ForgetTheCommute and begin working in-county.

COED’s website features a Cherokee County career portal, allowing users to search for employment opportunities in the county. A Cherokee Career Expo was held Sept. 27 to connect residents with local career opportunities.

To curate a skilled workforce, CBC 2.0’s Cherokee Workforce Collaborative partners with the business community and higher education officials to strengthen the pipeline. The Cherokee Summer Internship Program will continue to be improved to match high school students with paid, real-world opportunities with local businesses.

Be Pro Be Proud Georgia is being expanded under this campaign, with the construction of an additional interactive mobile workshop. These workshops provide tours of schools in Cherokee and statewide, highlighting in-demand skilled professions, such as computer programming, manufacturing,

welding and health care.

The second goal for CBC 2.0 is increasing innovative businesses, investment and jobs. To support existing businesses, CBC 2.0 will hold roundtable meetings where business leaders are invited to provide input on pressing matters. This includes the founding of the International Business Council.

To nourish entrepreneurship, CBC 2.0 will expand the Fresh Start Cherokee initiative. Fresh Start Mornings is a new twice-monthly program for entrepreneurs to engage with one another, ask questions, learn and promote their businesses. The North Atlanta Venture Mentoring Service also will progress under CBC 2.0, providing team-based mentoring for new ventures. A free startup kit is being developed to aid local entrepreneurs.

CBC 2.0 aims to attract new businesses through the promotion of Cherokee County globally. This includes refining Cherokee’s brand and building relationships with site selection consultants and other partners.

To create a welcoming environment for global businesses, workers and residents, CBC 2.0 will cultivate infrastructure and products. This entails development of land, sites and buildings that fit Cherokee’s target sectors — technology, startup companies, advanced manufacturing, film and entertainment, headquarters and commercial developers.

To increase Cherokee’s attractiveness to residents, CBC 2.0 will promote countywide connected trails, such as Woodstock’s Green Print Trails and the Etowah River Hiking Trails in Canton. CBC 2.0 also strives to help residents understand the importance of economic development and curating a businessfriendly environment.

If you want to help shape your community, get involved as a Cherokee By Choice 2.0 investor. Visit cherokeega. org/cherokeebychoice for the detailed campaign plan and to learn how you can help make Cherokee the No. 1 choice.

The Cherokee Office of Economic Development is the leading organization for business and film recruitment as well as industry retention and expansion in Cherokee County.

STAGING With Flair

Innovative

Impressions Owner Turns Artistic Talent Into Successful Business

In an ever-changing housing market, the highs and lows of real estate continue to be a constant in 2023. Karen McDonald, owner of Innovative Impressions, understands that proper home staging adds value, giving your property a competitive advantage.

Staging is more important than ever in a housing market that is shifting. Whether a home is vacant or occupied throughout the selling process, the purpose of staging is to help buyers imagine and visualize their life in your home. According to stagedhomes.com, 88% of staged houses sell at or above list price, and they sell in 10.3 days on average versus 84.6 days for nonstaged homes.

“When I stage an occupied home, I have to see beyond the

way the homeowners live, focusing on how the home will appear in photos,” Karen said. “During the consultation, I make recommendations that highlight the features of a home. I literally have seconds to size up a room, taking into account furniture placement, lighting, paint, etc. Staging prepares a home to appeal to the most buyers.”

Branding for Business

As an artist with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of South Carolina, Karen attributes her unique perspective as a stager to her formal background in art. She often uses her artwork, along with furniture and accessories from her inventory, in the vacant homes she stages.

As a business owner, Karen recognizes the importance of diligently branding herself and has created a style that she hopes is memorable.

“As a stager, I am always thinking about highlighting the features of a home,” she said. “Before I stage a house, I stage myself. I differentiate myself. I want potential clients to remember me, and most people remember my pants –

specifically, my bell bottoms. I am very intentional about my branding, and this is an important part of my business. I stage my clients’ homes with the same flair that I use when staging myself.”

Karen prides herself on providing her clients with in-depth, thorough services that have led to 45 five-star Google reviews, a huge milestone that she chose to celebrate with the help of Laura Moog Medeiros of Giant Letters of Atlanta. Karen met with Laura to pose for photos to highlight the accomplishment. “It was a great experience and a unique way to promote my business,” Karen said.

Specialty Services

In addition to staging vacant and occupied homes in preparation for listings, Karen offers specialty services.

• Seasonal staging, especially during the holidays, is offered for residential and commercial clients, like the Kimpton Overland Hotel at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Whether staging an event hall for a large crowd or decorating a home for a small family gathering, Innovative Impressions can transform a space.

• Redesign services can personalize a space, making a client’s home reflect their style by using existing furniture and accessories to create a different look. Personalizing a space can involve reworking bookshelves, shopping for new furnishings, selecting tile, suggesting paint colors for the interior and exterior or creating custom artwork.

For either service, a consultation is the starting point to guide clients through the entire process with expertise and ease.

No Stranger to Networking

“As a way to promote my business and others, I post weekly on social media from the Woodstock Business Club, giving others a glimpse into our group. By tagging business owners, I am supporting and building relationships, and gaining referral partners in the process,” Karen said.

While the highs and lows of real estate are beyond her control, Karen continues to build her business through her commitment to networking in metro Atlanta.

“The things I can control are building relationships, growing my circle and showing gratitude,” she said. “These relationships are an important part of my business, as I

am often asked to provide referrals while staging a home. These referrals are an extension of my services, providing additional value for my clients.”

In addition to the Woodstock Business Club, Karen is a member of the Cherokee Association of Realtors and IN WDSTK. Because investing in the community also is important to Karen, she is a sponsor of Lights of Joy (the largest residential light display in Georgia) and Every Link Matters Golf Tournament (raising awareness and funds for KBG syndrome).

An Attitude of Gratitude

Karen is passionate about her business and is eager to help Realtors and homeowners alike. Her artistic background, eye for detail and commitment to excellence contribute to that passion.

“I have the privilege of identifying a home’s strengths and unique features,” she said. “My recommendations add value to the real estate process and often change the direction of a real estate transaction. Seeing the very best in a home and bringing out its potential, to ensure a more profitable, quicker sale, is the goal. I have appreciated every opportunity to help each client achieve their goal.”

Giant Letters of Atlanta supplied the props to help Karen celebrate her 45 five-star reviews on Google.

PHOTOS BY LARUCHE PHOTO

Thinking About New Window Treatments?

BY ELISABETH STUBBS

What options are there for window treatments?

The selection of window treatments includes blinds, shutters, draperies and many different types of shades, available in a wide variety of fabrics and woods.

How much does a custom window covering cost?

Depending on the style of window covering you choose, a standard 48by-60 window will run from $200 for the least expensive to more than $1,500 on the high end.

What are the trends in window coverings?

Shades that are handwoven from natural reeds, grasses and woods. Grays are still in, as well as statement colors such as bright reds, blues, etc. Textures, stripes and geometric patterns also are popular choices. Layering, pastels, and pretty and romantic fabrics are the coming trends. Simple, sleek lines, chrome decorative hardware and clean, modern looks also are trending.

What types of shutters do you have?

Shutters lend warmth and classic styling to any room. Choices include real hardwood, modern-day hybrid materials and polysatin compound for maximum strength and durability.

How long does it take to get new window treatments?

Depending on the window treatment you choose, you can expect to wait two to four weeks from order to delivery.

I do not want any cords. Is this possible?

Absolutely. From cordless and motorized operating systems, retractable lift cords, cord tensioners and wand controls, there is a wide array of lifting system options for enhanced child and pet safety.

Tell us about the motorization options.

Almost all custom window treatments are available with a motorized operating system. Convenience is a key advantage, but it is not the only one. Motorized window coverings offer enhanced child and pet safety. They can be programmed to optimize energy efficiency. You can easily operate your coverings from a remote control, a wireless wall switch or from your mobile device. Lift mechanisms like PowerRise allow you to raise/lower your coverings, PowerGlide allows for easy opening, closing or rotating the vanes of your vertical coverings, and PowerTilt easily tilts slats.

How do I let in light without sacrificing privacy?

You will like the Top-Down/ Bottom-Up operating system; you can maintain your privacy and still enjoy the natural light.

What do you recommend for a sliding glass door?

Vertical blinds are recommended for a sliding glass door. Since they draw to the side rather than lifting and lowering, they operate better on doors and windows that also slide from side to side.

What is a honeycomb shade?

This type of shade is made with multiple cells instead of a single layer. Think of the inside of a beehive. Honeycomb shades are available with single, double and triple honeycombs and are very energy efficient, as this unique cellular shade traps air in distinct pockets to help keep your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Elisabeth Stubbs is one of the owners of Enhance Floors & More, one of Atlanta’s top-rated flooring dealers, located in Marietta.

The right window shades can complement any room design.

Planning Your Next Home Improvement Project?

We are your one-stop home design center!

Enhance Floors & More is one of the most experienced flooring companies in north Georgia. Founded 38 years ago in Marietta, the flooring showroom is locally owned and staffed by a skilled team with a combined 150-plus years of experience.

Clients rave about how Enhance Floors is a “one-stop shop and made what could have been an overwhelming experience easy and fun.” Pop in to browse the large selection of flooring options and see for yourself what all the hype is about.

ü Complimentary In-Store Design Assistance

ü Interest-Free Financing

ü40+ Installed Flooring Products

Fall Festivities Plentiful This Year

After the hottest summer we’ve had in years — maybe ever — the cool, crisp air of autumn will be a welcome relief. Take advantage of the change of seasons by getting outside and enjoying some of the fall festivals and Halloween activities in Woodstock, Holly Springs and Canton, as well as in neighboring towns in Cobb County and north

IN CHEROKEE

Halloween Trail of Tricks and Treats

Oct. 31, 5-9 p.m., Rubes Creek Trail 232 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. Across from Fire Station 14. Event and parking are free. Walk along the 1.4mile trail, get candy from vendors and enjoy music, games, activities and crafts. Flashlights are encouraged.

Taste and Brews Fall Festival

Oct. 14-15, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Etowah River Park in Canton.

Sample the flavors of Georgia and listen to live music by regional acts. Admission is free, and there will be a variety of children’s activities. www. tasteandbrews.com

The Great Pumpkin Fest

Oct. 21, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Cherokee Veterans Park, Canton.

Includes DJ, craft and food vendors, hayrides, ax throwing, archery, a costume contest and more. Wear your costumes and trick-or-treat with vendors. Admission is free. www. playcherokee.org

Hiking Scavenger Hunt: Halloween

Oct. 25, 6:30 p.m., Lewis Park.

Get your costumes and flashlights handy for a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt at dusk, lasting into nightfall. Cherokee Recreation and Parks-sponsored event for all ages (minors must be accompanied by an adult). Contact: Nick Holt, nrholt@ cherokeega.com or 770-501-8002. Register through 5 p.m. Oct. 24.

Denim Fest

Oct. 27-28, 4-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday, The Mill on Etowah.

A celebration of history that includes trick-or-treating, barbecue tasting, a kids’ costume contest, an adult denim jacket contest, live music and more. www.etowahmill.com/event/denimfest

“The Tell Tale Heart”

Oct. 27-29, Nov. 3-5, Canton Theatre.

An evening of spooky adventures in “The Tell Tale Heart” by Edgar Allen Poe, “Sorry Wrong Number” by Lucille Fletcher and “Cheating Death” by Kamron Klitgaard. For tickets, contact boxoffice@cherokeetheatre.org or 770-591-0282.

Cherokee County Veteran Organizations’ BBQ

Oct. 28, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., American Legion Post 45, 160 McClure St. Canton.

Featuring live bands, a craft fair, raffles, trick-or-treating, a costume contest and more. Georgia Barbecue Association members and amateurs will compete for prizes and awards. Barbecue plates will be available for purchase, benefiting Veteran Suicide Awareness and the Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program. For more information, email jlindenmayer80@gmail.com or john_b1966@comcast.net.

Hillcrest Baptist Fall Festival

Oct. 31, 4 p.m., 6069 Woodstock Road, Woodstock.

Hayrides, caramel apples at the apple barn and tons of candy. Dress up in your costumes.

TRUNK OR TREAT

OUTSIDE CHEROKEE

Helen Oktoberfest

Through Oct. 29, weekdays, 6-10:30 p.m.; Fridays, 6 p.m.-midnight; Saturdays, 1 p.m.-midnight; Sundays, 1-7 p.m. Helen Festhalle, 1074 Edelweiss Strasse.

Take part in one of the longest-running Oktoberfests in the country and enjoy German beer, bratwurst, German-style bands, polka dances and a parade during the 53rd annual celebration. Admission for adults is $10 weekdays, $12 Fridays and Saturdays, and free on Sundays and for active and retired military. Kids 6-12 are half price, and younger than 6 are free. www.helenchamber.com/oktoberfest

Pumpkin Fest

Through Oct. 30, Pettit Creek Farms Cartersville.

Includes unlimited access to the corn maze, hayride, petting zoo, scarecrow building and more. Visit the website for hours and admission information. https:// pettitcreekfarms.com/pumpkin-fest-2

Georgia Mountain Fall Festival

Oct. 6-14, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, 1311 Music Hall Road, Hiawassee.

The annual fall festival at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds is home to arts and crafts, carnival food, educational demonstrations, rides, games and daily concerts. One-day admission is $6 for the arts and crafts festival, $16 for the festival and concert; kids 12 and younger and parking are free. https://bit.ly/3TzESAE

Taste of Acworth

Oct. 7, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Main Street downtown.

This event will include more than 150 booths from local restaurants and businesses, a live entertainment stage, inflatables, a Georgia Grown Member Village and a beer garden. Admission is free. Restaurants will be offering food samples, ranging from $1 to $10. 770423-1330; www.acworthbusiness.org

Kennesaw Fall-O-Ween

Oct. 7, 4-9 p.m., Swift-Cantrell Park 3140 Old 41 Highway.

Kennesaw Parks and Recreation will transform Swift-Cantrell into Spook-Central Park for its annual fall festival. Activities at the free event include a candy trail, a scavenger hunt, crafts, field games, music and a showing of “Hotel Transylvania” (PG) on a giant inflatable screen after sundown. Costume contests for all ages. Concessions available. www.kennesaw-ga.gov/ parks-and-recreation, 770-422-9714

Georgia Marble Festival

Oct. 7-8, Lee Newton Park, Jasper.

Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday with entertainment, a parade, kids’ zone, arts and crafts, quarry tours, chainsaw carving and more.

www.georgiamarblefestival.com

Chalktoberfest

Oct. 14-15.

A chalk and beer festival on Marietta Square is free and open to the public, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. www.chalktoberfest.com

Georgia Apple Festival

Oct. 14-15, 21-22, Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds.

Begins at 9 a.m. each day. Admission is $10; children 12 and younger are admitted free. Visitors can expect more than 300 vendors, handmade items, a parade and an antique car show.

www.georgiaapplefestival.org

Blairsville Sorghum Festival

Oct. 14-15 and 21-22, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. each day,Meeks Park, 490 Meeks Park Road.

Visit this annual festival to find sorghum syrup, arts and crafts, a parade, cloggers, demonstrations, games, activities and live music. Admission is $5; free for ages 12 and younger.

https://blairsvillesorghumfestival.com

North Georgia Fair

Oct. 19-29, North Georgia Ag Fairgrounds, 500 Legion Drive, Dalton. Enjoy rides, games, food, entertainment and agricultural exhibits at this 75th annual fall fair. Visit the website for times. www.northgafair.com

Appalachian Brew, Que and Stew Festival

Oct. 21, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds 1311 Music Hall Road, Hiawassee.

The 2023 festival brings together more than 60 craft breweries from Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama. There also will be food from area restaurants, regional arts and crafts, lots of Appalachian and Americana music and a beer garden. Advance tickets are $50; gate admission is $55. bit.ly/47rsDNu, 706-896-4191

Acworth Halloween JamBOOree

Oct. 21, 3-7 p.m., Logan Farm Park. The event features games, rides, food, music and a costume contest for kids. The park is at 4405 Cherokee St., Acworth.

Children enjoy a previous JamBOOree at Logan Farm Park.

OUTSIDE CHEROKEE

HarvestFest

Oct. 21, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Glover Park at Marietta Square.

The annual festival includes the HarvestFest Arts and Crafts Show; a pie-eating contest for ages 6 and older, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Toucha-Truck, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Scarecrows in the Square, all day; costume contest for all ages, as well as pets, 2-3 p.m.; and Halloween Happenings kids’ festival for ages 12 and younger, 1-5 p.m. www.mariettaga.gov/1258/ Harvest-Fest

Gold Rush Days Festival

Oct. 21-22, Dahlonega.

Held annually to celebrate the 1828 discovery of gold in the city. More than 200 arts and crafts exhibitors and vendors will gather around the square and historic district for this two-day festival. https://goldrushdaysfestival. com/gold-rush-days

Acworth Craft Beer and Wine Fest

Nov. 4, 1-5 p.m., Logan Farm Park. Participants can sample more than 100 craft beers and 25 wines and enjoy live music, food and college football on big screens. This event is for ages 21 and older; no babies, kids or pets will be allowed. Tickets are $40 in advance and $55 the day of the event. www.acworthbeerwinefest.com

Taste of Kennesaw

Nov. 4, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Main Street downtown.

The event, which benefits five local charities, will feature samples from more than 20 Kennesaw and Cobb County restaurants, as well as live music, local entertainment, the Georgia Grown Member Village, a beer garden and children’s activities, including a rock wall, inflatable slides and bounces. Admission is free, and food samples will range from $1 to $10. 770-423-1330, Laura@jrmmanagement.com, www.kennesawbusiness.org

Old Clarkesville Market Holiday Show

Nov. 18, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Habersham County Fairgrounds Pavilion, 4235 Toccoa Highway, Clarkesville.

Visit the market to find arts and crafts, home decor and food vendors. Enjoy live entertainment and have photos taken with Santa. Admission is free. https:// oldclarkesvillemarketcraftshows.com

Gobble Jog

Nov. 23, Marietta Square.

The 21st annual event, benefiting MUST Ministries, begins at 7:30 a.m. More than 10,000 runners will participate in the 10K, 5K, 1K and Tot Trot races. www.mustministries.org/gobble-jog

GHOST TOURS

Acworth Ghost Tours. Stroll down sidewalks in historic Acworth while listening to tour guides tell stories based on documented sightings, firsthand experiences, research and history. Tours are Friday and Saturday evenings (weather permitting) in October. www.jimmagus.com

Ghosts of Marietta. Tour guides will excite you with tales of departed spirits and mysterious residents as you walk through Marietta’s historic streets, and, if you’re lucky, you will experience them as well. Visit www.toursofmarietta. com/ghost-tours to book a tour, Fridays through Sundays year-round.

Roswell Ghost Tour. Follow experienced paranormal investigators on a 2.5-hour walking tour, operating year-round. Learn about paranormal phenomena experienced by residents, businesses and tourgoers on a hunt for haunts. View the tour schedule at http://roswellghosttour.com.

Dahlonega Walking Tours. Dive into the rich and fascinating history of Dahlonega with the Historic Ghost Tour, a 1.5-mile guided tour with approximately 15 stops. Or, for ages 21 and older, Grapes and Ghosts Wine Tour takes guests on a 0.6mile guided tour. Sample local wines while listening to stories about the town’s history. Check the calendar for tour dates.

www.dahlonegawalkingtours.com/facilities

SCHOOL FESTIVALS

Avery Elementary

Oct. 20, 5-9 p.m., 6391 E. Cherokee Drive, Canton.

Featuring food, games, face painting, bounce houses and prizes.

Ball Ground Elementary

STEM Academy

Nov. 3, 6-9 p.m., 321 Valley St., Ball Ground.

Featuring a rock wall, inflatables, games, face painting, cake walk and vendor booths. Kona Ice and other food vendors will be on-site.

Bascomb Elementary

Oct. 13, 6-8 p.m., 1335 Wyngate Parkway.

Featuring food trucks, obstacle courses, face painting, hula hoops, DJ Papa, fun run, sno-balls and candy. Funds raised will be used to help replace the back playground.

Carmel Elementary

Oct. 14, noon-4 p.m., 2275 Bascomb Carmel Road.

Featuring inflatables, petting zoo, vendors, DJ, carnival games, book fair and raffle baskets.

Free Home Elementary

Nov. 3, 6-9 p.m., 12525 Cumming Highway.

Featuring games, rock wall, raffles, chili cookoff, mechanical bull, funnel cakes, prizes, vendors, cake walk, popcorn, food truck, inflatables and cotton candy.

Holly Springs Elementary STEM Academy

Oct. 21, 4-7 p.m., 1965 Hickory Road Canton.

Including games, vendors and food trucks.

R.M. Moore Elementary STEM Academy

Oct. 20, 5-7 p.m., 1375 Puckett Road Waleska.

Featuring inflatables, food, games, cake walk, face painting, crazy hair and vendor booths.

YOU ARE INVITED!

Thursday, Nov. 2, from 6:45 - 9 p.m. at North Metro Church in Marietta!

This FREE event includes a wonderful dinner, coffee & desserts, live & silent auction, special music, testimonies and speaker Mary-Kate Burson. All proceeds benefit local youth in foster care served through Waymark.

Waymark is a 501(c)(3) that provides life-changing programming & relationships for youth in foster, adoptive and group homes through camps, skills-training and mentoring.

Georgia might be known as the Peach State, but its ranking in terms of the homeless veteran population is not so peachy. Georgia has the third-largest population nationwide of homeless veterans, with more than 750,000 calling our state home. Likewise, Georgia ranks first in the nation for female veterans living here, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Among this population of veterans, more than 40,000 live in poverty and between 3,000 and 13,000 are homeless.

These are facts, that Jim Lindenmayer knows all too well. Jim is a West Point graduate and 13-year Army veteran who still serves his country but in a different way — he has dedicated his life to supporting homeless veterans. In 2014, Jim founded a nonprofit, the Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program (CCHVP), which has a home base on McClure Street in Canton. After nine years, the program volunteers are very excited about realizing the dream of building a transitional housing center on Bells Ferry Road, establishing the only housing program north of Interstate 20.

Proud of its track record, Jim said CCHVP has come to the aid of more than 700 homeless veterans since 2014, and the number grows daily. “Our goal is to provide the help and respect our veterans deserve,” he said.

Meeting the Most Basic Needs

Jim is excited that the facility will expand the nonprofit’s reach and effectiveness by providing temporary housing, mental health services, veteran claims assistance, food, clothing and other program services. He has always been mindful about how the organization allocates its resources.

“Currently, this is one of our biggest assets,” Jim said about the nonprofit being volunteer-run, “as this is how we guarantee that more than 97% of our funds go to the veterans and the programs we have that support them.”

The volunteers also organize winter coat drives, holiday Adopt-a-Veteran events and auto donations. The newest effort is a cellphone drive, conducted in partnership with Cell Phones for Soldiers. Cellphones have surpassed socks as the biggest need for the homeless.

More than 50 veterans have received donated vehicles. Many disabled and homeless veterans and those with small children can’t afford to own cars, so seeking employment is nearly impossible in Cherokee County, where there is no mass transit system. Veterans who apply can receive a gently used vehicle after being vetted and approved; donors receive a tax credit for their gift.

Vetting is a process that applies to all veterans supported by the program.

“This may seem harsh to others when a person needs help,” Jim said, “but due to our ties to many federal programs, we must verify that the veteran is who he or she says they are and that they have been honorably discharged from the service.”

Honoring the veterans is always top-of-mind for Jim. Instead of simply offering charity, the nonprofit asks recipients to pay it forward. “Every veteran we support, whether they have been in for two years or 20-plus years, has earned our respect, and we are happy to help them,” he said. “The only catch is that sometime in the future, we will ask them to help another veteran.”

Moving Toward Mental Wellness

As the CCHVP grows, Jim seeks new ways to support the veterans. Mental health issues are among the most challenging. Many homeless veterans suffer from depression to the point of suicidal thoughts, and some act on it.

Jim works on a home repair project for World War 2 veteran Cecil Postelle.

“Today, the big issue is veteran mental health,” Jim said. “Cherokee County is not immune to veteran suicide, as we have had a number over the past couple of years. VA and other studies have shown that 40% of all homeless veterans suffer from some type of mental health issue. We are working with the VA and other groups to create a mental health coalition so that we can get veterans the help they need.”

Many veterans who need mental health support have no idea where to turn or who to talk to, Jim said. The coalition is composed of veterans eager to offer their support. Veterans are proud and do not want to be seen as weak; therefore, they seek out other veterans who have experienced similar military or conflict experience as an initial point of contact. Issues concerning mental health affect the spouses and children, as well as the veteran.

The Ability to Change Lives

Jim has witnessed plenty of suffering — and plenty of transformations. He shared the story of one female former Marine who suffered from homelessness for more than 30 years, unable to receive her claim packages from the VA.

“We pushed every button we could to help her,” Jim said, going on to explain how they packed more than 400 pages of VA treatment records, FedExed them to the intake center in Wisconsin, then reached out to the local media to have them tell her story. After more than six months of care and persistence, their efforts paid off.

The woman’s story was broadcast on the local news and seen by an executive at the VA, who called the next day to say that her claim had been approved.

“The back pay she received allowed her to get back on her feet and back into society, where she is thriving today,” Jim said. “I still stay in touch with her to find out how she is doing because once you are in our program, you are part of our family for life.”

To donate or request help scan

to visit their website.

Left, rendering of the finished transitional housing center. Above, John Baudry, left, and Jim Lindenmayer display the initial architectural drawings of the center.

Breaking ground on the transitional housing center are, from left, John Baudry, Don Watson, Josh Lear, Betty Lewis, Raymond Rollins, Mandy Crater and Jim Lindenmayer.

WeddingMemories

Photography Tips for Capturing Moments to Last a Lifetime

Brian Nejedly is a local photographer who works with Aroundabout Local Media on cover shoots. He’s been shooting weddings since 2004 and has documented the big day for more than 400 couples. Nejedly has shot weddings all over the United States and has even made the journey to Mexico and Jamaica, which he considers his second home. He shared some photography tips for couples preparing for their big day, as well as things to consider when planning a destination wedding.

Photos

What are the most popular photos requested?

I honestly get very few requests aside from particular family photos to make sure certain groups are highlighted. I think couples see my portfolio and know that I will take all of the shots expected, plus a bunch that were not expected.

What are the shots you recommend?

Get sunset photos if your location offers a sunset view. Get a natural, unposed photo of the couple laughing together. Get a photo just walking together. It’s great to see natural movement as people might appear stiff if they are all posing.

How can couples choose a great wedding photographer?

Couples need to choose someone whose work stands out to them visually and emotionally. Do you like the types of photos this photographer tends to capture? Do you like their overall lighting style and color (or black and white) treatment? Also, recommendations from past clients are essential.

Trashing your wedding dress can be much more fun than storing it away for years.

Capturing natural action brings out more personality than posing for photos.

Memories

What equipment is used at weddings?

A good photographer should have a variety of lenses to cover any scenario. Zoom lenses are convenient, but I prefer fixed lenses that offer a wider aperture. That’s how you get that nice bokeh (background blur) that really makes your subject stand out. That technique also makes flash less necessary when shooting in darker environments. I also use a mixture of off-camera flash and LED lighting. I am not a fan of using only natural light. Use what you need in order to get the best result.

How much time should you book?

My shortest shoot has been less than an hour to cover only the ceremony. My longest has been a full day of about 12 hours. I spend six to eight hours at most of my weddings.

When in the planning process should you contact photographers?

If you have a particular photographer in mind, book them as soon as possible to make sure you get them for your date. If you’re looking around, you should start looking for your photographer right after choosing your venue. Some venues offer their own, or your coordinator may have recommendations for you.

Destination

Which do you consider the most photographic wedding location?

Almost anywhere can be a great location. Beaches are nice because you have a simple backdrop of sea and sky. The background should be relatively simple and not distract from any of the subjects you’re shooting.

What should be considered when choosing a destination?

Cost is key. Destination weddings can be less expensive for the couple, but they do cost guests more to attend. Ease of travel also is important. Choose somewhere you can get to easily, with direct flights and minimal ground transportation at the destination. What may be simple with a single family may not be so simple with a large group. Finally, look at the availability of accommodations. Does your chosen location, like a resort, offer accommodations for everyone? Or is there a place nearby? And is this a place your guests would actually enjoy for a few days? It’s nice when everyone can stay together and get to know everyone better.

How do you pick a photographer for a destination wedding?

Do your homework and choose vendors with experience and multiple reviews and referrals. You may feel like you are choosing an unknown vendor far from home. The way you get to know them is by asking them questions and by reading what others have to say about their work.

How can you take advantage of local scenery and culture?

Do a day-after-the-wedding photo session at a local location or even do a “trash the dress” shoot at a nearby beach, waterfall or river.

What’s your favorite type of venue in north Georgia?

My favorite type of north Georgia venue is one that offers a scenic backdrop and is structured for holding events. It also helps when the venue provides an indoor option in case of rain. A historic home, estate or farm location usually offers a variety of backdrops to work with.

A sunset photo captures a perfect ending to a perfect day.

All photos courtesy of Brian Nejedly (briannejedlyphoto.com).

A close up shot of wedding rings is a great addition to your photo album.

Around & About

Kayak Run

Oct. 7, Location TBD

Cherokee Recreation and Parks is hosting an approximate three-hour kayak run. Snacks and drinks provided. All ages are welcome (minors must be accompanied by an adult). Contact Nick Holt at nrholt@ cherokeega.com or 770-501-8002.

Volunteer Trail Cleanup and Maintenance

Oct. 7, 9 a.m.-noon

Join the effort to clean and maintain parks operated by Cherokee Recreation and Parks. Cleaning tools provided. Register by 5 p.m.

Oct. 6. Contact Nick Holt at nrholt@cherokeega.com or 770501-8002.

Blessing of the Animals

Oct. 7, 10 a.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Bring your well-mannered pets on a leash or in a crate for a simple service of God’s creation.

Luau on the Links Golf Tournament

Oct. 12, BridgeMill Athletic Club Canton

Grab your best Hawaiian shirt and support the Woodstock Public Safety Foundation. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m., shotgun start at 9 a.m. Individual $125, foursome $500. To register and/or to sponsor a hole, contact Brittany Page at bpage@woodstockga.gov or visit bit.ly/WPSFGolf.

Taste and Brews Fall Festival

Oct. 14-15, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Etowah River Park, Canton

Taste, sample and enjoy the flavors of Georgia and listen to live music by regional acts. Admission is free, and there will be a variety of children’s activities. www.tasteandbrews.com

Optimist Club Golf Tournament

Oct. 20, Fairways of Canton

Help the SonLight Vision Food Pantry and enjoy a round of golf at the Fairways of Canton, 400 Laurel Canyon Parkway, Canton. Team registration starts at 7:30 a.m., with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. Fees are $125 for individuals, $500 for foursome. For more information, contact Hickory Flat Optimist Club at 679-409-5940.

The Great Pumpkin Fest

Oct. 21, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Cherokee Veterans Park, Canton

Includes a DJ, craft and food vendors, hayrides, ax throwing, archery, a costume contest and more. Wear your costumes and trick-or-treat with vendors. Admission is free. www.playcherokee.org

Georgia Zombie Fest 5K Walk, Run, Creep or Crawl and the Zombie Fest Costume Contest

Oct. 21, Etowah River Park, Canton Preregistration encouraged. www.GeorgiaZombieFest.com

Talent Show

Oct. 21, 6 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

A star-studded show with acts highlighting The Supremes and more. Dinner is provided. Tickets are $10.

Empower Cherokee Golf Tournament

Oct. 23, Eagle Watch Golf Club

Support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities while golfing at Eagle Watch Golf Club. Entry fees start at $125. Check in at 8 a.m., shotgun start at 9:30 a.m. For more information, contact William at 770-883-8493, william@golf2grow. com or visit https://golf2grow.com/ empower-cherokee.

Enjoy live music at the Taste and Brews Fall Festival at Etowah River Park in Canton.

Trunk or Treat

Oct. 25, 6 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Let your knights and princesses enjoy some Halloween fun and treats amongst our creatively decorated vehicles.

Denim Fest

Oct. 27-28, Friday, 4-10 p.m. Saturday, noon-10 p.m., The Mill on Etowah

An ode to history that includes trickor-treating, barbecue tasting, a kids’ costume contest, an adult denim jacket contest, live music and more. www. etowahmill.com/event/denimfest

Red, White and Blue BBQ

Oct. 27-29, American Legion Fairgrounds

Enjoy a Georgia-sanctioned barbecue event at the American Legion Fairgrounds, 160 McClure St., Canton. Music, games, a cornhole event and a pro barbecue competition are featured. For more information and to register for the amateur competition, contact Jim Lindenmayer at jlindenmayer80@ gmail.com.

“The Tell-Tale Heart”

Oct. 27-29, Nov. 3-5, Canton Theatre

An evening of spooky adventures in “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe, “Sorry, Wrong Number” by Lucille Fletcher and “Cheating Death” by Kamron Klitgaard. For tickets, contact boxoffice@cherokeetheatre.org or 770-591-0282.

Der Grosse Bären Kampf (Strongman Competition)

Oct. 28, 10 a.m., Victoria Beach Lake Allatoona

The second annual USS-sanctioned event features teens, open and masters competitions in power stairs, basket deadlift, UPS truck pull and more. For more information and athlete registration, contact Emily Bernhardt at 770-713-4594 or teambernhardtstrong@gmail.com.

Garland Mountain Day Hike

Oct. 28, 10 a.m., Garland Mountain Horse and Hiking Trails

A moderate hike along an approximate 4-mile loop to enjoy the natural beauty of the Appalachian foothills. Contact Nick Holt at 770-501-8002 or nrholt@ cherokeega.com.

BridgeMill Farmers Market

Through Nov. 1, Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 1190 BridgeMill Ave., Canton Open to the public. Watch for updates on Facebook: @bridgemillfarmersmarket. Vendors can contact bridgemillfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

NOVEMBER

Waymark Hands of Hope Gala

Nov. 2, 6:45-9 p.m., North Metro Church, Marietta

This free event will include a farm-totable dinner, live music, speaker MaryKate Burson, youth testimonials and a live auction benefiting Cherokee and Cobb counties’ youths who are in the foster care system.

https://waymarkfoster.org/gala

RECREATION

Woodstock Parks and Recreation

www.woodstockparksandrec.com

770-592-6000, ext. 1955. Registration is required for all programs. Fees are $5, unless otherwise noted.

Discovering Pickleball

Oct. 4, 11, 18 or 25, 6-7:30 p.m. Dupree Park pickleball courts

Ages 18 and older will learn how to play pickleball in this introductory class. Equipment is provided.

Chalk in the Walk

Oct. 7, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Northside HospitalCherokee Amphitheater

All ages can draw chalk art inspired by fall in the sidewalk blocks during this free event. Chalk is provided.

Discovering Fishing

Oct. 8, 2-4 p.m., Dupree Park Pavilion 2

Ages 6 and older will learn the basics of fishing in this introductory class. Equipment is provided.

Amped in the Park

Oct. 21, 9 a.m., Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater

The free outdoor fitness event will be conducted by Twisted Cycle.

Cherokee Recreation and Parks www.playcherokee.org

Unwind Wednesdays

Oct. 25, 5:30-8 p.m., Cherokee Veterans Park Come hang out with us for a fun and relaxing night with food trucks, vendors and music.

Spooky, Fun Celebrations at the Library

BY SARAH CHILDERS

This month, join the Sequoyah Regional Library System as we celebrate all things spooky! Whether you’re looking for Halloween thrills or fun contests, your local public library is ready to help you make this October one to remember.

Start the month at our Ball Ground Public Library with a GOURD-ous Gourds Craft and Contest on Oct. 3 at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Next, teens can swap scary stories on Oct. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at R.T. Jones Memorial Library. Interested in learning more about the paranormal?

Visit Rose Creek Public Library on Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. to learn all about ghost hunting with Georgia Paranormal Investigations. Finally, wrap up your October at the Woodstock Public Library Boo Bash on Oct. 27 at 4 p.m. With games, crafts, snacks and more, there will be something for everyone in the family to enjoy.

Looking for a fun way to experience this month’s solar eclipse? Look no further! Your local public library has several opportunities for the community to get excited about this solar spectacular. Eclipse programs for all ages include solar eclipse drop-in crafts on Oct. 11 at 3 p.m. and Sun and Moon Eclipse Earrings on Oct. 13 at 4 p.m. at the Ball Ground Public Library, an eclipse-themed STEAM Night at the Woodstock Public Library on Oct. 12 at 5:30 p.m. and eclipse viewing parties at R.T. Jones Memorial Library and Rose Creek Public Library starting at noon. Visit SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org to view our calendar for more information.

Whether you’re looking for your next read, your next hobby or your next storytime, Sequoyah Regional Library System is proud to be your dynamic destination for discovery. Stop by your local library to see what you might discover next. We hope to see you soon!

Sarah Childers is the marketing manager of the Sequoyah Regional Library System.

Young computer whizzes take part in Ready Set Code for Kids recently at the Woodstock Public Library.

This young patron practices her skills with the reading dog at the Woodstock Public Library.

Keeping Parents, Community In the Loop

BY BARBARA P. JACOBY

As a school district, much of our focus on communicating information is directed toward the parents of the Cherokee County School District’s (CCSD) 42,000 students.

We regularly send communications directly to parents from the district, school and classrooms via messages and newsletters.

At the same time, as a public school system, we also see it as part of our responsibility to keep our entire community up-to-date on our operations. We are funded by the community, through income, property and sales taxes, and we serve the community at large by preparing it’s future workforce and future leaders.

We share news with our community through our website at www.cherokeek12.net and through our social media:

Facebook (@CherokeeGASchools)

Twitter (@CherokeeSchools)

Instagram and Threads (@cherokeegaschools)

LinkedIn (@Cherokee County School District - GA)

YouTube (@CherokeeGASchools)

We’re also grateful to this magazine’s publisher for generously giving us space in every other issue to share news and information with our community.

Over the past year, we’ve recognized that it would be helpful to them if more of our news came directly to them instead of expecting them to seek it out on their own. We recently created a sign-up list at https://bit.ly/CCSDsignup for community members to receive our monthly CCSD Connections newsletter in their email on the same day it’s emailed to CCSD parents.

The newsletter (see the current issue at https://bit. ly/CCSDnews) rounds up the past month’s CCSD news, from updates on school board meetings to student and teacher achievements. Other monthly features include a message from the superintendent of schools, resources for parents, a recipe of the month from CCSD’s school nutrition kitchens, profiles of CCSD leaders, job openings, a calendar of events and more. It’s published the first or second Thursday of the month, depending on the school calendar.

Beyond positive feedback from parents in general, we’ve heard feedback from parents that the newsletter’s information helps them in their vocation,

such as Realtors and small-business owners. We think by expanding our distribution to the community, our news will help more people who work in these fields but don’t currently have children in our schools.

We’ve also heard feedback from grandparents who requested the opportunity to sign up to keep up with news from their grandchildren’s school district (and maybe see a grandchild highlighted!). The new signup system is open to grandparents, too, even those who don’t live in Cherokee County. If you’re a parent reading this, please share the sign-up link with your children’s grandparents if you think they would enjoy reading the newsletter.

Thank you to everyone in the community who has signed up so far. If you ever need more information about CCSD, please email us at communications@ cherokeek12.net.

Barbara P. Jacoby serves as chief communications officer for the Cherokee County School District, and is a CCSD parent with four children.

I would like to share a desperate need for my childhood friend, Lewellyn. We grew up together in Cherokee County, attending grade school through high school. I still recall the day our family home burned down when I was in fourth grade and Lewellyn and her mom were the first to come to our rescue, giving me clothes to wear to school. You never forget how it feels when people care and are there for you during times of desperation. We are still friends after 30-plus years, and Lewellyn’s heart remains the same. When I heard of her husband’s constant health struggles, I knew it was my turn to try and help them through this time.

- Marsha

Lewellyn Payne married her high school sweetheart, Anthony, after graduating from Cherokee High School. They have two sons, Christian, 18, and Alexander, 20, both Eagle Scouts and great servants of our community.

“Anthony and I have always worked full-time jobs to provide for our family. I work as a CAD designer for a local engineering firm, and Anthony has worked as an installer and IFS calibrator at Best Buy,” Lewellyn said.

“Our troubles began in 2019, when Anthony began having kidney issues followed by other health issues — one after another. Since September of 2022, Anthony has struggled with diabetes, heart failure, left-bundle heart blockage and asthma. He has had three surgeries — a stone removed from his liver duct, removal of his gall bladder and a colon resection, due to an early cancer diagnosis. He has been in and out of the hospital five times throughout this year alone and has lost 130 pounds, unable to keep food down. He has struggled through multiple transfusions, pneumonia, staph infection, cellulitis, anemia, low iron and potassium.”

Lewellyn said Anthony’s quality of life has gone downhill drastically. “He is able to stand but isn’t strong enough to walk,” she said. “He hasn’t driven in a year. In August, we finally received a hard diagnosis of pancreatic insufficiency.

“Anthony simply cannot catch a break. As his caregiver, I feel like we are in a medical nightmare, and everything is so disconnected. We have had so many different doctors and specialists these past two years. I am not sure how or when this will end.”

Additionally, Lewellyn and her son were in a car accident this year, which has made it difficult physically for them to assist Anthony. Lewellyn now is the sole provider for the family. Christian and Alexander are enrolled in local colleges but have been forced to quit their jobs to stay

home and care for their dad. The medical bills have piled up, with no relief in sight.

“I am truly overwhelmed,” Lewellyn admitted. “I have never asked anyone for help before, but I feel completely defeated. I am thankful for our sons, who have stepped up and sacrificed so much for their dad and I these past few years, as well as my mom. I truly believe God has a reason for all things and pray for brighter days ahead.”

Everyday Angels urges our community to encourage and provide relief to this sweet family. Marsha has created a GoFundMe account, https://gofund.me/ f04db389, in support of her friends, and Everyday Angels also will accept donations or gas and grocery cards.

The Paynes, from left, Lewellyn, Christian, Anthony and Alexander.

Get to Know the Artists Next Door

BY LIBBY WILLIAMS

If you truly want to understand a community, look to its art, which offers a real view of cultural identity and helps us understand the people who live there. Beyond the benefit to the economy, supporting local artists lets you see directly the impact you have. October at Woodstock Arts is focused on celebrating local artists and is full of our opportunities to support them.

Woodstock Arts is excited to welcome back Art on the Green Oct. 7-8. This is our biannual arts festival, welcoming artists from around north Georgia to gather on our Event Green and sell their art, which includes paintings, mixed media, photography, handcrafted jewelry, eccentric gifts and much more. Last spring, we expanded to include the Reeves House backyard, as well as the Event Green, and the growth will continue this year.

“Our first year of Art on the Green was just a dozen artists around the green with a table each,” said Harmony Reid, visual arts education and outreach manager. “It has been so exciting to see it grow over the years to the 80-plus artists and vendors this year.”

Also returning by popular demand for the fall is our Reeves House exhibit, “Small Town: Small Works,” running Oct. 12-Dec.

10. Featuring local artists that live within a 15-mile radius of Woodstock, this show will display artworks that are small in stature but big in impact. Limited to 15 inches or smaller, these works boast prices that are accessible to a wider audience that is looking to support local artists and makers while also finding unique and meaningful gifts for their loved ones during the holiday season.

This exhibit will continue to support and promote the incredible talent of our local artists and contribute to the growth of our vibrant arts scene. By bringing people together in a shared space to appreciate and discuss art, we hope to foster a sense of community and belonging while also providing opportunities for connection and creative exchange.

For more information, head to woodstockarts.org and join us to support the arts this month. Whether buying locally for the holidays this season or just exploring the Reeves House to learn more about your community through its artwork, our door always is open.

Libby Williams is the marketing manager for Woodstock Arts. Look for @woodstockgaarts on social media.

" This exhibit will continue to support and promote the incredible talent of our local artists.

"

History Carved

BY THE WANDERER

As you’ve no doubt discovered if you’ve been reading my column for long, Cherokee County lies within the Georgia Gold Belt. Gold has contributed significantly to the economy throughout time. In fact, mining for gold even predates the Cherokee people settling in this region.

It might come as a surprise, however, for you to discover that as valuable as it is, gold isn’t the greatest mineral wealth in this county’s history. That honor belongs to metamorphosed limestone, also known as marble. The range of marbles found and mined in Cherokee, Pickens and Gilmer counties is vast, including Creole marble (which is white and blue/ black), Etowah marble (which comes in pink, salmon and rose shades) and Murphy marble (which is white).

To give you some idea of how significant north Georgia marble is on the world stage, here is just a partial list of structures constructed with one or more of these marble types, mined right here:

• The U. S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

• The Federal Reserve Board Building, in Washington, D.C.

• The John Adams Building in Washington, D.C.

• The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland (Ohio)

• The Swan Building in New York City

• The Chicago Water Tower

• The National Aeronautical and Aerospace Museum, in Washington, D.C.

• The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

More than half of all headstones at Arlington National Cemetery and 60% of all the national monuments and memorials in Washington, D.C. were wrought from north Georgia marble. And as impressive as all this might sound, it’s estimated that, at most, only 10% to 15% of the marble available here has been quarried; the rest is still there.

Locally, you can see this same marble used as the building materials for One Georgia Center in Atlanta, the Tate House in Pickens County and the Cherokee County Courthouse in Canton. And the center of all this industry is Nelson, which sits in both Cherokee and Pickens counties. The founding of the marble industry in the area is what ultimately drove the railroads to expand from Marietta to what is now known as Nelson in 1883, and the story of the man who built the Georgia Marble Co., Col. Stephen C. Tate, is worth telling.

Tate was born in 1832 and moved to Pickens County (then still Cherokee County) at a young age. When he was 20, he left for California to mine gold, but by 1855, he was back in Georgia, operating

A group tours the Georgia Marble Co. in the 1950s. Photo courtesy of the Cherokee County Historical Society.

Cherokee County Courthouse in Canton. Photo courtesy of the Cherokee County Historical Society.

Carved in Stone

WANDERER

a business in Cartersville. In 1857, he married Eliza Buffington of Griffin.

When the Civil War started, Tate enlisted. At the war’s end, he went back to the family homestead in Pickens County, where he turned his attention to developing the marble industry.

Marble is heavy and expensive to transport; he became instrumental in bringing the railroad to Nelson in order to service his fledgling business. At the same time, he was buying out as many of the local marble businesses as he could to consolidate the industry. In 1884, he officially founded the Georgia Marble Co., and when he died in April 1901, he was vice president of the Georgia Marble Co. of Tate, the Blue Ridge Marble Co. of Nelson and the Kennesaw Marble Co. of Marietta. Not everyone was willing to sell out, however. One company, in particular, Georgia Marble Finishing Works of Canton, was operating independently well into the late 1940s.

In those days, structural stone was the material of choice for large buildings. These days, steel girders and concrete dominate the construction industry. While today’s building standards often don’t employ solid marble, marble facades on buildings remain popular, as do marble monuments and memorials.

Setting industrial economics aside, one of the proudest accomplishments of the marble industry might have been its inclusivity. It recruited immigrants from Scotland and Ireland as mining experts and employed marble workers and stonecutters from Italy and set them to work alongside white and Black Americans to share their expertise. One reason for the industry’s success, undoubtedly, was its willingness to bring in experts from all across the globe and use them to educate local residents who were willing to work to gain the expertise it had so diligently recruited.

Cherokee County flourished to a great degree due to the existence and development of cutting-edge transportation options connecting it with the rest of the world. In the days before European migration, the Etowah River served as the conduit. Thanks, in part, to Georgia marble, the railroad, which had large sections running alongside the Etowah, served as the next gamechanging transportation conduit. More recently, the development of the Interstate 575 corridor serves as the most current iteration of modern transportation options, but that is yet another story, best left for another day.

The Wanderer has been a resident of Cherokee County for nearly 20 years, and constantly is learning about his community on daily walks, which totaled a little more than 2,000 miles in 2022. Send questions or comments to wanderingga@gmail.com.

These animals are at Cobb County Animal Services, waiting for homes.

Rob’s Rescues

Hidden Acres Animal Sanctuary (HAAS) in Canton spreads hope, healing and love to rescue farm animals and human hearts. If you missed the first part of my interview with Sarah Carney of HAAS last month, you can read it at  aroundwoodstockmagazine.com. Learn more at hiddenacresanimalsanctuary. org.

Tell us about farm animals as therapy animals.

We work with each and every animal on the farm, providing them with exceptional care and love. We then help pay this forward by working with our rescues to provide animal therapy to those who need it most.

This dog’s name is Blanche. She is a medium-size gray dog who came to the shelter as a stray. She is a very calm dog who seems to just want to relax. She is very easygoing and would be a good companion. This is the most docile bully-breed I have ever met, and she really could use some affection.

We work with Cherokee County’s special-needs residents and seniors. The transformations we have witnessed have been life-changing. We work with a 14-year-old girl who has cerebral palsy. When she first came to the farm, her parents couldn’t believe how her muscles relaxed in the presence of the animals. Lying a bunny across her heart brought such calm. She feeds the animals with her feet, and it is an incredibly therapeutic experience for her.

Our Youth Empowerment program started by bringing families who had lost a child to suicide to the farm. The Core Community Empowerment School has realized how empowering animals are and brings 15 to 20 self-harming and troubled youth here to do a weekly service project and have animal immersion time. We take goats on leashes to senior centers.

The farm has a designated animal rehabilitation and care team. This group of volunteers is assigned four animals apiece that they connect with every week and take into the community to do good. Ask any of the volunteers, and they will tell you that their lives have also been completely transformed working with these animals.

Is there a story that you like to tell?

This farm was built to provide sanctuary to farm animals. I have always felt that animals are strong, powerful healers. The therapy program actually started during COVID. My grandmother was my favorite person in the world. COVID was a terrible thing for the elderly in our community. Senior facilities were completely locked down, and families could not visit. The elderly lost so much interaction with the outside world and loved ones.

When these lockdowns started happening, I took one of my goats and trained him to walk on a leash. I sent him with a volunteer who works at one of the local memory-care centers, and the goat spent a large part of the day interacting with the patients. The feedback about the transformation among the memory-care patients during the goat’s visits was incredible. The therapy program grew from there.

Can people visit the farm?

This cat’s name is Rocket. He is a 5-year-old stray. He loves to be held and is a very sweet cat. He has very long legs and seems to like people a lot. I know that he would really like a home.

We do not have a paid staff, and we are all volunteers here. There is no public access to HAAS. We do, however, have events. We have goat yoga and farm tours, as well as a privateevent space. You can sign up for these events on our website. All proceeds go straight toward caring for the animals. We also have apartments on the farm, The Goat Inn and The Horse Inn, which have been voted Atlanta’s Top Airbnb Experience.

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

Rob with Sarah Carney and Duchess at Hidden Acres Animal Sanctuary.

4 Ways to Help Others This Autumn

BY SUSANNAH MACKAY

Fall is finally in the air! There is something so exhilarating when the weather starts to cool off. It feels so much easier to get out and do something! Why not take that newfound energy and find a way to serve? There are many opportunities in the final months of the year. No tricks, just treats! Check out these easy ways to serve in October.

1. Donate Halloween costumes. The Children’s Haven will be collecting Halloween costumes through Oct. 20. Help make Halloween special for a deserving child in the area. All themes are welcome. https://bit.ly/45ttdJa

2. Halloween candy donations for troops and first responders. Plan ahead with a great way to move along unwanted Halloween candy! Support SmileUp!’s Operation Candy Grab in Woodstock. All collections go to support troops and first responders. Can you help SmileUp! beat last year’s record of 1,600 pounds? https://bit.ly/3PhJsDA

3. Treat the Troops: Make cookies for soldiers. The next collection day is Nov. 7. You can make the dough this month, freeze it and then bake the cookies in time for drop-off. Time to fire up the ovens now that it’s not so hot! https://bit.ly/3qKbONu

4. Help a neighbor with Lasagna Love. Need a break from the sugar? Make a lasagna instead! You can help feed families and spread kindness through this awesome regional project. https://bit.ly/3YWkBZ2

Be sure to explore these great projects and many others on JustServe.org. Or join the JustServe Georgia Volunteers Public Group on Facebook to see additional ideas. You can make a difference in someone’s life. Sign up on JustServe.org today!

JustServe.org is a free international website and app that works to match volunteers with nonprofit organizations and service opportunities. We have local representatives right here in our area. 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 organizations nearby too. JustServe makes it easy to just go out and serve!

Nonprofit Inspires Hope Through Good Words, Deeds

BY SUSAN BROWNING SCHULZ

The gift of encouragement does more to support others, give confidence and inspire hope than almost anything we can do. And the amazing thing about this simple action is that it benefits the giver and the receiver of the good word or deed. The ancient proverb says it best: A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

There’s a whole lot of refreshing going on at The Encouragement Project (TEP). This nonprofit has a mission to provide unique and purposeful opportunities to serve and encourage people in need in our communities.

“The heart of TEP is to encourage people to use the natural gifts and abilities God has given them to bless others in the special ways only they can,” Director Stephanie Cervantes said. “We have a number of ways to get involved and always welcome help with any of our current projects.”

How much goodness is being spread through TEP here and in 25 other counties across north Georgia? Since TEP’s beginning in 2015, more than 30,000 people have been served, volunteers have worked more than 52,700 hours, and more than 33,500 items have been shared. The organization accomplishes these kind deeds through five main projects:

• Bears and Friends: Stuffed animals can provide snuggly comfort for refugee kids and other young ones in traumatic situations. Bears and Friends accepts gently used/ new stuffed animals that are cleaned, packaged cheerfully and sent out to be encouraging, huggable, portable friends.

• Hugs and Kisses: During the colder months, many people struggle to find basic warmth. Beautiful knitted and crocheted handmade items are collected to share hugs (scarves) and kisses (hats) with those in need.

• Sew It Seams: This is a fantastic outlet for those who sew to make creative items that serve and bless people of all ages — from babies to the elderly. Sew It Seams gathers lovely quilts, adult bibs for hospice and dementia patients and a variety of other sewn items to share.

Ruth, a talented volunteer, works on a piece at one of TEP’s community Sewing Day events.

TEP Director Stephanie Cervantes, right, crochets with Betty, a volunteer who donated handmade hats until she was 101.

• Simple Gifts: The purpose of this project is to thank first responders, teachers, health care employees, nonprofit workers and others who work to help our communities. Simple gifts are created from handmade paper containers, which are artistically decorated by season or event and filled with a sweet treat.

• The Book Drop: Literacy is an incredible gift. This project provides books for kids in low-income families who have little access to them. New and gently used books are collected to give children in need access to wonderful stories and adventures. As of last year, 19,445 books had been donated and distributed.

There are many ways to help and encourage those around us — gifts of time, service, provisions and words — and you are invited to be a part of the effort, even if it’s just by cleaning out your closets or bookshelves. TEP is collecting new and gently used children’s books and stuffed animals, yarn (any kind, full skeins or leftover bits), fabric (any kind, any amount), scrapbook paper (any kind/embellishments) and scrapbook tools (dye cuts, cutters, scoring).

Sarah, a TEP volunteer, said, “I was at a stage in my life where I was looking for a way to give back. Volunteering with The Encouragement Project has given me purpose. I believe in the mission and have seen what they do, and it is good!”

Izetta, an amazing volunteer who is in her 90s, has made 4,000 hats for TEP! She humbly said, “Well, I like to crochet, and this just gives me something to do.” Do you knit, sew or crochet? If so, join TEP team. The Encouragement Project provides a place to donate where every item goes directly to children and individuals, providing help and encouragement right on time. For more information and to donate, visit theencouragementproject.org. To share your unique gift, volunteer or find drop-off/pickup locations, email Stephanie Cervantes at serve@theencouragementproject. org or call/text her at 678-951-6235. Follow TEP on social media platforms for all the latest happenings.

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.

As books are donated, they are checked, sorted, packed and delivered to children in need.

Donated stuffed animals are wrapped in bags sewn by TEP volunteers and given to kids in refugee/traumatic situations.

Izetta, who’s in her mid-90s, has crocheted hats for kids since 2017 and just passed the 4,000 mark for number of hats made.

Advertisers

This wonderful publication is brought to you by these local businesses. When using our advertisers’ services, please let them know you found out about them from the Around Woodstock magazine!

Please continue to support our past cover clients with your business and let them know you saw them in Around Woodstock.

Amur Honeysuckle: A Terrible Threat

BY MARY TUCKER

We all want easy-to-grow plants, but beware what you wish for.

Amur honeysuckle or bush honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) is a nonnative shrub in the Caprifoliaceae family that you might be attracted to at first. It’s vigorous, fast growing, tolerant of various conditions and offers lovely red berries in the fall. However, these same characteristics make it a menace you don’t want in your garden. And if you do find it on your property, eradicate it immediately!

How it Got Here

According to the National Park Service’s publication “Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas,” amur honeysuckle was imported from Asia into New York in 1898. It was planted as an ornamental shrub to provide wildlife cover and control soil erosion. Unfortunately, it was not a well-behaved shrub and began to invade natural areas, largely due to the prolific berries that it produces. It now is one of the most common invasive bush honeysuckles in the mid-Atlantic region and is found in most states on the East Coast, growing in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 8. Its adaptability makes it especially troublesome, for it grows well in sun to deep shade and in wet to dry conditions. It also tolerates various soil pHs, soil compaction and restricted root zones. This makes it a problem in a wide range of habitats, such as forests, floodplains, fields, pastures and roadsides. Where it gains a foothold, it prevents native plants from thriving, leafing out earlier and shading them out.

How to Recognize It

Since amur honeysuckle is such a problem, it’s important to recognize it, so it can be destroyed promptly. The oval leaves taper to a sharp point. The leaves are 2 to 3 inches in length and are arranged opposite one another on the stems. The leaves are a darker green on top and lighter on the underside. The deciduous foliage often lasts into the autumn months before dropping. At maturity, the shrub might grow 15 to 20 feet tall, with a similar spread, and usually has an upright, vase-shaped, arching form, with multiple trunks. It looks a bit unkempt and weedy to the eye.

The twigs are slender and smooth, with a hollow, tan or white pith on the mature stems. The bark develops long, deep ridges as it matures, another distinguishing characteristic.

The flowers are similar in form and color to those of the invasive Japanese honeysuckle vine (Lonicera japonica). The fragrant spring blooms are tubular, with two lips, and are white to cream colored, fading to yellow with age. The resulting bright-red fruits are abundant in late summer and might persist into winter. The berries are attractive to birds and small mammals, which eat them and spread the seed to new locations. Amur honeysuckle shrubs can bear fruit as young as 3 to 5 years, making the problem worse. The shrub also spreads through vegetative sprouting and can form dense thickets.

How to Eradicate

Once you know how to recognize this menace, how do you get rid of it? Fortunately, young plants are relatively easy to pull by hand, since they have a fairly shallow root system. Larger specimens can be pulled with an uprooting tool, or they can be cut repeatedly to weaken the plant. Systemic herbicides can be applied to foliage, bark or cut stems and trunks.

Native Alternatives

Now that you know about this noxious shrub, there’s not much to recommend it. It’s not very attractive; the main attraction is the red berries. And if you want red berries, there are several native hollies that should suit you (and the birds) well, such as the deciduous possumhaw (Ilex decidua) and winterberry (I. verticillata) and the evergreen yaupon holly (I. vomitoria). Other excellent native choices with red berries include red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) and parsley hawthorn (Crataegus marshallii).

For more information: The National Park Service publication “Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas” can be found online as a downloadable PDF at Amur honeysuckle, Lonicera maackii Dipsacales: Caprifoliaceae (invasive.org). The Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States has many excellent pictures of all aspects of the plant.

See this link to go directly to the page for amur or bush honeysuckle: www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=3040. Or you can go to the home page for the Invasive Plant Atlas and search for it: www.invasiveplantatlas.org.

Mary Tucker is a North Carolina native who has lived in Cherokee County for more than 25 years. She is a Lifetime Master Gardener whose special interest is gardening with native plants.