HONORING VETERANS Detection at an early, curable stage can save lives! Donors to the WellStar Foundation are sponsoring responsible screening and care for veterans at risk for lung cancer. Veterans who meet criteria for being at risk for lung cancer, due to smoking or exposure to certain chemicals, will be offered a low-dose lung CT scan at a reduced rate of $11 (regularly $199*). In addition, veterans will receive a FREE Pulmonary Risk Assessment to test for COPD as well as possible sleep disorders, compliments of WellStar Medical Group, Pulmonary Medicine. Screening spaces are limited. To register or for more information, please call 770-956-STAR (7827).
This screening is made possible thanks to support from the WellStar Pulmonary Network, WellStar Cancer Network and generous donors to WellStar Foundation.
To help with a donation, please visit wellstar.org/kellfund. * Offer only valid for baseline screening exam. Prices are available for a limited time. Screenings are self-pay only and not covered by insurance. To qualify for a screening, certain criteria must be met via our screeners at 770-956-STAR (7827).
WellStar Acworth Health Park Saturday, Nov. 22 | 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 4550 Cobb Parkway | Suite 109 Acworth, GA 30101 WellStar East Cobb Health Park Wednesday, Nov. 19 | 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 3739 Roswell Road | Suite 100 Marietta, GA 30062 WellStar Douglas Imaging Center Friday, Nov. 14 | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. 6002 Professional Parkway | Suite 120 Douglasville, GA 30134 WellStar Kennestone Imaging Center Friday, Nov. 21 | 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. 55 Whitcher Street | Suite 150 Marietta, GA 30060 WellStar Kennestone Imaging Center at Towne Lake Friday, Nov. 7 | 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. South Cherokee Medical Center 120 Stone Bridge Parkway | Suite 300 Woodstock, GA 30189 WellStar Paulding Imaging Center Saturday, Nov. 15 | 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 148 Bill Carruth Parkway Suite LL20 | Hiram, GA 30141 TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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November 2014
Volume 20, Issue 7
14 Saluting Our Veterans
A shared passion and shared past unite local vets.
19 Helping Hands
26
A list of ways to help others this holiday season.
26 Homecoming Finery Photos from Woodstock and Etowah
high school events.
30 Everyday Angels
The unique challenges of grandparents raising grandchildren.
40 Thankful Treasures
Ideas for Thanksgiving hostess gifts to keep on hand this month.
14
48 70
48 Woodstock vs. Etowah Contributing Writers
Pictorial highlights of the game between Towne Lake rivals.
50 Protect Your Pets
Stuff your turkey, not your dog if you want a healthy holiday.
Chantel Adams Don Akridge Michael Caldwell Caron Catalon Claire Frost Linda “GG� Gibson G. Lora Grooms Delia Halverson Dr. Scott Harden Dr. Amy Hardin John Harris Jan Henriques Jenna Hill Kurt Johnson Mark Kissel
40 34 18 42 52 46 80 16 54 60 68 58 78 22 62
In Every Issue Lorre Lamarca
50
Around Towne
4
Joe Lemmo
63
Community News
8
Ann Litrel
72
Dr. Mike Litrel
41
Birthdays
Rob Macmillan
43
Matt Neal
20
Northside Hospital
61
Lisa Randall
38
Bill Ratliff
68
Susan Schulz
14
Parking Map
71
Jodi Tiberio
74
Recent Home Sales
90
Van Tran
56
Classifieds
91
Casey Zack
57
Advertisers Directory
94
12
Calendar 24 Everyday Angels
30
Restaurant Guide
36
School News
64
Faith 68
Contact us and view the magazine online at w w w.Town eLaker.com
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44 & 45 On the Cover Reliable Heating & Air. Dan and Daniel Jape with their sales team. Photo by Kim Bates. 2
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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Patty Ponder, ALM President and Marketing & Advertising Sales. Contact her at (770) 615-3322 or Patty@townelaker.com.
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
3
Community
AROUND TOWNE
The
People, The Places and The Pleasures that make Towne Lake
What’s New
Nutn’ But Fun, a kids’ play center that offers birthday parties and walk-ins, has opened at 9533 Main Street, Woodstock. The center offers a bounce house, arcade, laser tag and video gaming with large screen televisions. www.nutinbutfun.com. Dr. Roz Coleman recently opened Envision Therapy located at 177 Mirramont Lake Drive, Candi Hannigan is the Woodstock. She specializes in executive editor of Around Woodstock, TowneLaker diagnosing and treating vision and Sixes Living magazines. problems related to learning She has lived in Cherokee disabilities, brain injuries, strokes, County for 25 years. etc. Dr. Coleman works with Send your comments patients of all ages to create a or questions to candi@ aroundaboutmagazines.com vision development therapy and rehabilitation plan to help with the visual skills needed for school, work and sports. (678) 540-6680. www.envisiontherapycenter.com. To accommodate the needs during a busier ministry season, Papa’s Pantry will be open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays to help folks who are unable to come to the Woodstock ministry for help during the week. The outreach center is at 6551 Commerce Pkwy. Suite 200, off Bells Ferry Road. www.papaspantry.org. On Oct. 7 the newest branch of Community & Southern Bank opened in downtown Woodstock inside of Copper Coin Coffee located at 400 Chambers St. The grand opening celebration included a ribbon cutting along with appetizers, drinks and prizes. myCSBonline.com Village Market & Cafe located in downtown Woodstock at 490 Chambers St. is officially open. The deli, bakery and gourmet market is open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday. (678) 831-2707. www.villagemarketwoodstock.com.
What’s Moved
Linden has moved from downtown Woodstock to 2340 Towne Lake Pkwy. Suite 120b, next to the Wild Orchid Salon. Linden offers seasonal and everyday decorating items, gifts, custom florals, in-store workshops, wedding and event flowers. Linden’s is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. (770) 928-2222. www.lindenwoodstock.com. Elite Nail Spa has moved to Suite 1326 at 1105 Parkside Lane, Woodstock,doubling the space of their previous location. 4
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
What’s Coming
At press time, renovations were underway on the former Monti’s Food Express at 2340 Towne Lake Pkwy., Suite 180, and the Monti’s sign was replaced with N.Y. Deli & Pizza. No other details were available. We have quite a bit of news to share from The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta. The Christmas tree lighting will be held at 7 p.m. Nov. 13 in center court, with performances by the Cherokee High School band, a chorale group from Hillside United Methodist and the Atlanta Ballet Centre Youth Ensemble. A menorah lighting will begin at 5 p.m. Dec. 16 with an ice carving of a menorah and a performance by the Atlanta Jewish Male Choir. Black Friday shopping fans can prepare to hit the outlets between 6 p.m Nov. 27 and 10 p.m. Nov 28 for Black Friday shopping. New to the Outlet Shoppes is Chaps, which will open next to Isaac Mizrahi in time for Black Friday, and a Johnny Rockets will open in the food court sometime in December. A Marlow’s Tavern will open sometime next year. Construction has begun but a specific opening date wasn’t available at press time. Ridgewalk Chiropractic and Massage recently purchased Northside Spinal Center located in Canton. Doctors will be at both clinics to serve the needs of clients for chiropractic care and massage therapy. Ridgewalk Chiropractic and Massage is located at 1000 Woodstock Pkwy, No. 160 in Woodstock. (678) 388-7788. http://ridgewalkchiro.com.
Chamber Ribbon Cuttings 9 Round 1426 Towne Lake Pkwy., (678) 483-6044 Blue Sky Barbecue 295 Molly Lane, Ste. 100, (770) 485-0503
CONTEST CORNER Sponsored by Papa P’s Mexican/Irish restaurant
November Finds: Be the first to find the phrase: “Beacuse Cherokee is our home, too”
Find the hidden picture:
If you know the answer to the contest question or find the hidden picture, be the first to e-mail candi@AroundAboutMagazines.com. Please provide your name, contact phone number or email address. Contest rules: A winner is eligible once every 12 months. One prize per household
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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Townelaker COMMUNITY BOARD The TowneLaker Community Board consists of well-respected community leaders from different walks of life. Our board members assist us in many ways, including contributing to our magazine, judging our annual Trailblazer award and providing valuable feedback. Ann Litrel — Ann is an artist and writer whose nationally published work includes decorative art, paintings for private and corporate collections, and writing and illustration for a range of publications. Ann lives in Towne Lake with her husband and co-author Dr. Mike Litrel and their two sons. Ann can be reached at Ann@annlitrel.com
Dee Locklin — Dee is a Georgia State University retiree who moved to Towne Lake in 1998. She and husband Lewis are the proud parents of KSU student Taylor. Dee joined the TowneLaker as a contributing writer in 2011 and now is focusing her energy on caring for her beloved husband as he battles late-stage cancer.
G. Lora (Gay) Grooms — Gay has been teaching, writing, directing, and performing in the Atlanta area since 1990. She opened the Towne Lake Arts Center — now the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village — in 2002. She credits her four now-grown children for teaching her almost everything she knows about working with creative young minds. Gay can be reached at director@elmstreetarts.org
Dr. Scott R. Harden — Scott is a family dentist at Fountain View Family & Cosmetic Dentistry serving Woodstock and Cherokee County for 25 years. During this time, he has lived in the Towne Lake area with his wife, Kathy, and two children.
Publisher AroundAbout Local Media, Inc. ALM President Patty Ponder Patty@AroundAboutMagazines.com (770) 615-3322 Executive Editor Candi Hannigan Candi@AroundAboutMagazines.com (770) 615-3309 Art Director Michelle McCulloch Michelle@AroundAboutMagazines.com (770) 615-3307 Assistant Editor Jackie Loudin Jackie@AroundAboutMagazines.com (770) 615-3318 Marketing Support Associate Christie Deese Christie@AroundAboutMagazines.com (770) 615-3324 TowneLaker, a publication of AroundAbout Local Media, Inc., is a monthly community magazine. The magazine’s goal is to build a sense of community and pride in the Towne Lake and surrounding area by providing its residents with positive stories and timely information. It distributes a total of 16,000 free copies. Approximately 14,900 are direct mailed to homes and businesses and an additional 1,100 are placed in racks around the community. It also has 2,000+ digital viewers of the magazine online each month. TowneLaker welcomes your comments, stories, and advertisements. The deadline is the 5th of the previous month. Subscriptions are available for $24 per year. Send check or money order to the address below. The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the Editor/ Publisher and the Publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. TowneLaker is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the Publisher. All rights reserved. © Copyright 2014.
TowneLaker 2449 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, GA 30189 For Advertising: (770) 615-3322 Website: www.townelaker.com Powered by TrustWorkz Inc. Publisher’s Website www.AroundAboutLocalMedia.com Volume 20, Issue 7
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TOWNELAKER | November 2014
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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Community
YOUR LOCAL NEWS County Farm Bureau Earns District Awards Cherokee County Farm Bureau Ben and Vicki Cagle, (CCFB) has been recognized for its CCFB members, earned the outstanding member programs. First District Young Farmer The young farmer committee, Achievement Award. The chaired by Molly Childs, received Cagles raise beef cattle, operate the 2014 Georgia Farm Bureau a you-pick garden and host First District Outstanding educational farm tours. Their Young Farmer Committee agritourism activities include award. Activities hosted by the a corn maze and hay rides in committee include a June farm the fall - in 2013, more than safety camp attended by 69 65,000 people visited their farm. children ages 8-12. The county’s CCFB Office Manager Shirley legislative committee, chaired by Honorees are (from left) Len Cagle, Shirley Pahl, and Molly Childs, who Pahl received the First District Outstanding Office Manager Len Cagle, received the GFB First also accepted an award for Ben and Vicki Cagle. award. She coordinates the District Outstanding Legislative organization’s agriculture advocacy activities in the county and Program Award for a political forum featuring 35 candidates serves as the liaison for the general public. attended by more than 400 county residents.
Cotillion Classes Begin in January The next season of the Lakeside Cotillion begins Jan. 22, a dancing and manners program for seventh and eighth graders that’s held Thursdays at Bascomb United Methodist Church. The seventh-grade program offers instruction on traditional (waltz, fox-trot) and modern (shag, swing, freestyle, etc.) dances. Etiquette lessons cover first impressions, handshakes, eye contact, common courtesies for girls and boys and technology etiquette. The program has five weeks of lessons and culminates with two parties.
The eighth-grade program advances the dances learned in seventh grade and adds latin dancing. The manners portion focuses on job interview skills, making conversation, and table manners. The five-week program ends with a dinner-dance. Attendance as a seventh-grader isn’t a prerequisite for the eighth-grade program. Tuition is $275. Registration opens early November. For information, contact Valerie Macdonald at (770) 781-5580 or Valerie.cotillion@yahoo.com. www. thecotilliongroup.com.
Nonprofit Director Gets Statewide Honor Zach Blend, residential life director of Goshen Valley Boys Ranch in Cherokee County, has been named one of 40 Under 40: Georgia’s Best and Brightest by Georgia Trend magazine. The Waleska nonprofit offers a family-model residential environment for more than 40 foster children. He and the other honorees were recognized at a ceremony at the Fox Zach Blend Theater last month. “This speaks to the growth and achievement of our organization over the last few years,” said Blend. “Any recognition that I’ve been given speaks to the excellence of the entire Goshen Valley team as well as our partners within the Cherokee County community. Striving each day for the very best outcomes possible for our young men.” Zach works closely with the county school district to provide education and care for the young men and with United Way of Greater Atlanta in fundraising capacities. The annual golf tournament chaired by Zach has raised more than $500,000 for Goshen in eight years. Zach has led more than 20 mission trips and serves as host to more than 2,000 guests annually at the ranch. He is a graduate of Leadership Cherokee and a member of the Cherokee County Juvenile Court Foundations Board. www.goshenvalley.org. 8
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
Etowah Student Places in Pageants Sylvia Dye placed second runner up at North Georgia State Fair pageant and first runner up plus prettiest hair and prettiest eyes at the Miss Cherokee County Fair pageant. Sylvia, a sophomore at Etowah High School, is the Sylvia Dye daughter of Danny and Melissa Lord, granddaughter of Charles and Sylvia Hulsey, and niece of Corliss Schwaller all of Towne Lake.
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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Community
YOUR LOCAL NEWS Firefighters Participate in Memorial Weekend Four firefighters with Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services participated in the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend that honored 107 firefighters who died in the line of duty. Ninetyeight of those firefighters died in 2013 and nine others died in previous years. Four members of the Honor Guard participated in the event this year: Battalion Chief Ricky Collett, Stuart Fleming, Terrell Long and Sgt. Chris Brauda.
Stuart Fleming, Sgt. Chris Brauda, Battalion Chief Ricky Collett and Terrell Long.
Just in Time for Shopping The Woodstock Trolley is up and running 6-10 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and noon-10 p.m. Saturdays. The route is approximately 30 minutes and stops at locations that include the city’s parking lots, and points east to Reformation Brewery and north to The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta. Dates and times
are subject to change - check www.downtownwoodstock.org or the downtown Woodstock Facebook page. See page 71 for an updated downtown Woodstock parking map that includes the trolley routes. The trolley is sponsored by the Woodstock Downtown Development Authority.
Riverfest Has Record-Breaking Year Riverfest, the cornerstone of the Service League of Cherokee County’s fundraising efforts, raised $94,579.45 this year. Proceeds will benefit children in need in Cherokee County by providing assistance with everything from health care and eyeglasses to rent and utilities assistance for their families. The 30th annual arts and crafts festival was held at Boling Park in Canton. Vendor applications for next year’s event will be available in January at www. serviceleague.net.
Riverfest Committee Chairwoman Stephanie Bagwell (left) and Melissa Whatley, service league president.
Scouts Lead Flag Retiring Ceremony
Georgia Gives Day is Nov. 13
Girl Scout Troop 2819 is collecting American flags from noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 9 at BridgeMill Fire Station #22, 9550 Bells Ferry Road. Any flag that is torn, ripped, faded or otherwise damaged must be retired honorably and properly. Girl Scouts is one of three organizations that can conduct a flag retiring ceremony. All flags will be retired properly with the help of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter. For details, email troop2819@yahoo.com.
The Cherokee Family Violence Center is taking part in the Georgia Gives Day, an online opportunity for residents to give back to nonprofit organizations that are working to help others in our community. A $10 donation provides a hot meal to a shelter resident, $50 funds a facilitator for a support group, and $100 gives a survivor of abuse a safe place to stay for a night. To donate, visit www.GAgivesday.org and search for Cherokee Family Violence Center.
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TOWNELAKER | November 2014
WE SUPPORT LOCAL SCHOOLS, ORGANIZATIONS AND VENUES. BECAUSE CHEROKEE IS OUR HOME,TOO. Northside Hospital-Cherokee offers more than the latest medical treatments. Since becoming part of Cherokee County in 1997, we’ve been a devoted member of the community. We contribute to Partners in Education in Cherokee County schools and our physicians and staff have donated more than 10,000 hours of volunteer work to local organizations. In all, we’ve invested millions in local community centers, academic institutions and charity organizations in Cherokee County. We will continue to invest and support Cherokee. Because it’s our home.
Cherokee’s community hospital. Northside.com
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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Community
Happy Birthday!
Lyla Dennis Age 10 on Nov. 16 Welcome to the double digits :-) I love you oh so very much. Mom
Davis Ranson Happy 12th birthday! We love you and are proud of your accomplishments. Love Mom, Dad and Brooke
Maddison Griggs Age 1 on Nov. 28 Mommy and Daddy love you so much!
Adlee Kate Lear Age 2 on Nov. 14 Daughter of Jeff and Samantha Lear Happy Birthday to our Addie Bug!!
Holland Pinkerton Age 5 on Nov. 23rd We love you!
Madison Dodd Age 9 on Nov. 21 You light up this world! Love, Mommy, Daddy and Madeline!
Andrew Micah Mulvihill Age 1 on Nov. 27 Happy birthday, Mighty Micah! Love, Daddy, Mommy and Annie
Finn Church Age 1 on Oct. 11. Happy Birthday to our little man. We love you so much!! Love Mommy, Daddy, Lily and Kate.
Raynah Neal Age 8 on Nov. 30 We love you! Mom, Dad, Hayden and Marlee
Evan Alexander Riddle Age 3 on Nov. 10 Happy Birthday,Evan! Your family loves you very much! Love, Mommy and Big Bubba Austin!
Celebrations! Engagement
Wedding
Anniversary
Anniversary
Congratulations to Gail Brandt and Andy Copeland on their engagement! Lots of love from the Childers family
Ryan and Jenni Revalski Married Sept. 19, 2014 A beautiful beach wedding at Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Jason and Jenn Himstedt Celebrating two years on Nov. 17 The past two years with you have been amazing! Here’s to many more! I love you!
Michael and Diane McCulloch Celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on Oct. 7.
Wedding, birthday and anniversary announcements are free!
Email to: Candi@AroundAboutMagazines.com. Please specify TowneLaker when sending in your announcement. December deadline is Nov. 5. 12
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
Is your child struggling with • Poor reading comprehension • Poor handwriting • Letter and word reversals • Skipping words, losing place while reading
An eye coordination problem can make reading difficult Please join us for an
Open House
Vision and Learning • Tuesday, Nov. 11th @ 6:30 pm • Tuesday, Nov. 18th @ 12:00 noon
678.540.6680
117 Mirramont Lake Dr. Woodstock, GA 30189
envisiontherapycenter.com
Rosalyn Coleman, OD
Quality Pediatric Care, Close to Home Northside Cherokee Pediatrics provides compassionate, comprehensive medical care for patients from birth to 18 years of age. Dr. Jamie Rollins and Dr. Shalini Shah offer the quality one-on-one care you demand to keep your child happy and healthy including, short wait times, same-day appointments and personalized care at a location convenient for your busy lifestyle. Northside Pediatrics offers: • Board-certified in Pediatrics. Northside Cherokee Pediatrics provides attentive, complete care to children in every stage of development from infancy to adolescence. • Timely Access. For sick patients who require immediate attention, we offer same-day appointments whenever possible. • Continuous Care. Patients are able to see the same provider at each visit to ensure continuous and seamless care for your child.
684 Sixes Road, Suite 220, Holly Springs, GA 30115 I-575, Exit 11
Call (678) 388-5485 to schedule an appointment Shalini Shah, MD
Jamie Rollins, MD
northsidecherokeepediatrics.com
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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Feature
H O NOR ING OUR VETE R ANS Shared Past: Shared Passion BY SUSAN SCHULZ
For years soldiers have been welcomed home from war with parades and celebrations, with one exception—the Vietnam War. Here is the story of three lifetime Cherokee County residents who are Vietnam veterans. All three are bonded together by a war in a faraway country and a passion for old things. May we honor the tremendous sacrifice of all veterans, despite the controversy that surrounds their battlefields. While speaking to these three men, I was struck by the fact that even after more than 40 years they still remember without a doubt the moment they received the notification of draft. When called, each one answered and served our country with bravery.
Carroll Bishop “We went because it was the right thing to do,” said Carroll. Even so, being shipped to fight in a small country in Southeast Asia, a land polar opposite from country life in Georgia, was quite a shock. “Since I didn’t know whether or not I would be coming home, I asked my sweetheart, Dianne, to marry me. She said, ‘yes,’ and we tied the knot in February 1966.” Carroll served in the 18th and 20th Combat Engineer Brigade responsible for sweeping mines and regular duties until his safe return home to Canton in November 1967. Born and raised in a Cherokee County farming community, a passion sparked to recover and restore what Carroll considers rusty gold—antique hit-and-miss engines. Soon after returning home from his tour of Vietnam he bought his first hit-and-miss from his best friend and fellow Vietnam veteran, Mike Richey. Often named “hired man,” hit-andmiss engines are a type of four-stroke internal combustion engine. They were a staple on farms from the 1890s through the 1940s, used to shuck corn, mill corn and flour, run washing machines, saws, concrete mixers and more. There 14
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
Mike Richey (left), Bob Nealey and Carroll Bishop at the Big Springs Farms Antique Farm Equipment show last month.
were even attachments for the washing machine engine that made ice cream, ground coffee and churned butter. The sound made when the engine is running without a load is a distinctive “POP whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh POP.” Over the years Carroll has restored, sold, and bartered countless engines. An impressive collection of 35 engines fills his workshop today. He travels around the Southeast demonstrating his engines at antique farm equipment shows and running them for fascinated onlookers. When he talks about hit-and-miss engines his eyes light up. Mike Richey When I met Mike he was wearing a broad smile and a Vietnam cap embroidered with the words, 18th Combat Engineer Brigade. Serving in one of the same units as Carroll, he was also in charge of sweeping for mines. He proudly wore his red, white and blue T-shirt that boldly proclaimed, Home of the Free Because of the Brave! The Canton native served in Vietnam from Oct. 10, 1966, until he returned home
Carroll served in the 18th and 20th Combat Engineer Brigade responsible for sweeping mines and regular duties until his safe return home to Canton in November 1967.
Carroll Bishop
Serving in one of the same units as Carroll, Mike was also in charge of sweeping for mines.
Mike Richey
in 1968. He remembered, “In my sleeping quarters I had a small light and a transistor radio. I would listen to the Grand Ole Opry at night. It was hard to wrap my mind around the fact that I could hear a station in Nashville all the way in Vietnam through that little radio!” A love of history is quite evident in Mr. Richey’s life. He is involved in Civil War re-enactments as well as the antique engines. “We all should start asking the elders in our families questions now, because when they are gone, we lose the knowledge they hold.” Mike’s children and grandchildren can learn a lot from him; we can too. Both Carroll and Mike are members of the Georgia Antique Engine Club with the motto: “Preserving the Past for the Future.” Bob Nealey Bob was born in Woodstock and drafted into the Vietnam War on April 5, 1966. He served in the 200th Assault Support Helicopter Unit, which was responsible for bringing soldiers and supplies on and off the battlefield. He returned to Woodstock 11 months and 29 days later.
Bob served in the 200th Assault Support Helicopter Unit, which was responsible for bringing soldiers and supplies on and off the battlefield.
Bob Nealey
He has collected farm equipment since 1999. “My first tractor was a pile of junk and beyond repair.” This did not deter his passion, however, and he purchased another tractor he had his eye on. The 1955 Massey Harris Pacer is special because it came from the farm he grew up on. He has restored it, and now he has three show tractors, two working tractors and a bulldozer. Bob’s infatuation with old tractors led him to start a show three years ago in Woodstock at the Big Springs Farms. His annual Antique Farm Equipment show is held on the last weekend in September and launches the pumpkin patch season of hayrides, bounce house, farm animals, and more on the Big Springs Farm on Sugar Pike Road. He travels the show circuit across the Southeast. As we take the time to honor those who have served in the military this month, we can also take Mr. Richey’s advice and start asking more questions. Those who know their history are less likely to repeat mistakes. I’m forever grateful today for the freedom we possess because of the brave men and women in our military. TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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Community
Loyal for Life BY DELIA HALVERSON
Each morning you can see Chet Reeve walk down his driveway and pick up the paper. Then he turns back to the house and salutes the flag hanging by the garage before going inside to prepare his breakfast. Chet is a World War II veteran who is loved in our Brookshire neighborhood for who he is today. However, I recently read his journal, which is in the Library of Congress, and learned just how he’s contributed to our nation. Delia has written more Now I have even more love and than 25 books, leads workshops and has trained respect for him. teams in the Congo and Chester Harvey Reeve was born Mozambique. She and her Dec. 29, 1919, and joined the U.S. husband have lived in eight Army Air Corps (before it became states, but now reside in the Air Force) on Jan. 21, 1941. Woodstock, and have a daughter, son, daughter-inAccording to his journal, he endured law and four grandchildren the crowded trip across the ocean living in Cherokee County. to Bombay (now known as Mumbai) with 15,000 men. Then he joined 1,000 of the men traveling by a narrow gage open train, then an old flat bottom boat, and then marching into the jungles of the poorest part of India. There they found rice paddies, woods, and lots of bamboo. He spent years moving from place to place in the jungle, working to keep the U.S. airplanes flying in the face of Japanese attacks. Chet wrote of the screams of hundreds of baboons acting as alarm clocks at dawn and lasting all day. They encountered tree leopards, snakes, tigers, and panthers. They also endured tree leeches that got into their ears and noses, and spiders as big as soup bowls. Chet and several others formed a hunting party and brought in boars and deer, enjoying fresh meat after many months of C-rations. Their last assignment was in Burma (now Myanmar), in the jungles at the base of the Himalayas. Although it was lovely to look up to the snow-covered mountains, Chet and his fellow soldiers were very close to the front, keeping those planes in good running condition. When our television shows us scenes of soldiers on the front lines, we often forget about those behind the scenes who sometimes live in an old plane fuselage and must use limited materials and their own ingenuity to keep the war going. After completing his service, Chet used the G.I. Bill to take a course on airplane engines at Roosevelt Field on Long Island, N.Y. Then he worked at Grumman in Riverhead, N.Y. When the space program was in full swing, he worked on the lunar landing pads for Apollo 11. Some of his work is still on the moon. During the war Chet’s unit received some books, and one of them had the name and address of a woman in it. After 4½ years of service he returned to the States, and looked up the young woman. She became his wife, and they had three children, seven 16
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
World War II veteran Chet Reeve was asked to place a wreath at the Woodstock Veterans’ Memorial.
grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Chet and Phyllis moved into our community in 2002. They had been married for 66 years when Phyllis died last spring, not only saddening the family, but also our neighborhood. Chet has carved out a place in Woodstock. Every Memorial Day since 2006 he has placed a wreath on the veteran monument in the City Park, and last July Fourth he was honored to be grand marshal of the parade. On Sept. 17 of this year Chet was selected to go on The Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., which allows World War II and Korean War veterans to see the new memorial. Chet’s trip was paid for by a group of Afghanistan and Iraq veterans called the Black Widows. It was a momentous experience that will live with him forever. Chet’s place in our community is prominent. Two of his favorite pastimes have been fishing and gardening. We neighbors particularly benefited from his gardening. Until a couple of years ago, we answered our doors to a smiling face and a bag of vegetables all summer. Chet certainly knew how to make the vegetables grow! After some medical problems, Chet now has companions who spend several hours with him each day. His two companions are from a program called Seniors Helping Seniors (www. seniorshelpingseniors.com/). They not only help him with meals and light housework, but take him to the grocery store and the senior center to play pool. Now we often see Chet walking up and down our street, using a crutch and cane. And we still see him salute the flag after he picks up his paper in the morning. Chet is an honored part of our community, and we’re proud to call him our friend!
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Community
Caring for Those in Need BY STATE REP. MICHAEL CALDWELL
Michael Caldwell is the state representative for District 20, which covers Towne Lake and Woodstock. He can be reached at (678) 523-8570 or email him at Michael@ CaldwellForHouse.com.
Government is not always the answer. If you have been reading my column for any length of time, you have likely noticed that this is a theme I repeat rather often. I am a firm believer that the private sector can deliver better results in a more effective and efficient manner than government in most circumstances. For my Thanksgiving column, I thought I would highlight a few wonderful organizations right here in Cherokee County that are doing so in an area we too often consider a responsibility of the government: caring for those in need.
achieved a $1,000 emergency fund. Papa’s Pantry currently supports two locations in Woodstock and Canton. MUST Ministries Marietta MUST Ministries was started in 1971 by Rev. Wayne Williams and exists to “connect people who have a desire to help with those who need help the most.” Though MUST is based in our neighboring county to the south, it has a tremendous Cherokee presence with a location in Canton. In fact, 46 percent of the total Cherokee County citizens in poverty were served through MUST’s Canton location last year. Services in Cherokee include grocery distribution, daily breads and sweets, job training, computer labs, workshops, summer lunches, Thanksgiving boxes, Toy Shop, supportive housing, rapid rehousing and clothing distribution. MUST Cherokee served 31,000 in need last year, including 19,000 children.
The consistent theme that one should notice as they look at the phenomenal work being done by these selfless servants in Cherokee County? They are striving to do more than meet Never Alone Ministries temporary needs. They are working to make a lasting change Woodstock in lives; to provide families with the education, means and Never Alone is a ministry/ confidence to truly change their futures and stand on their charity right here in our backyard own two feet. Sometimes government services get this part of that was started by Lamar Green in 2006. Their self-stated the equation right. All too often they don’t. purpose is to “attend to a legitimate request of need while It’s because of this significant difference and the adding these encouraging words: ‘You are Never Alone when tremendous work these groups (and many others) are doing in things are not so good.’” Never Alone supports an outreach Cherokee County and Georgia that we must each do our part center that is styled much like a grocery store, allowing families to support them. This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for all those in need to choose what they would like, and they strive to who give of themselves to better the lives of others. I would provide enough food and personal hygiene products to support also ask that you join me in praying over those who take part each family for a month. At the close of Q3 2014, the center in these organizations and the thousands that they serve each had provided food, personal hygiene products, baby diapers and and every day. clothing to 352 families (1,962 individuals) this calendar year. If you wish to support any of these groups financially, you can do so by Papa’s Pantry Woodstock visiting their websites: Papa’s Pantry is another homegrown www.neveralone.org. ministry/charity founded by Lynne www.papaspantry.org. Saunders in 1998. Papa’s Pantry www.mustministries.org/ styles itself as a “whole-istic program Please feel free to reach out designed to work with families at to me on my cell phone at their immediate point of need.” In (678) 523-8570 or email me at addition to a food assistance program, Michael@caldwellforhouse.com. If it focuses on “stability training.” This you have any other questions or comes in the form of classes and concerns, contact me or come meet coaching to help make a lasting change me at one of my Weekly Coffees with in a family’s life to ensure they regain District 20 nearly every Saturday at the ability to support themselves. Copper Coin Coffee in downtown They say that those participating in Woodstock. employment training can expect to Thank you again for allowing me the find work within a “few weeks,” and honor of representing your family in that those involved in budgeting Georgia’s General Assembly! training graduate when they’ve Lynne Saunders of Papa’s Pantry. 18
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Helping Hands
Because many of our friends and neighbors struggle financially every day, there are many charities that work hard to help people in need. Here’s a list of local nonprofits that have additional needs for the holidays. To learn about many other ways to help throughout the year, visit www.volunteercherokee.org. Cherokee County Senior Services | www.cherokeega.com The Volunteer Aging Council and the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency are working together on the annual Adopt-A-Senior 2014 program. Volunteers are asked to “adopt” a senior who is currently receiving services through Cherokee County Senior Services and provide him or her with a robe, gown or pajamas, grocery store gift card and a book of stamps. Sizes and gender information will be assigned when volunteers register. Deadline to receive gift packages is Dec. 12. To participate, call Frankie Sanders at (770) 924-7768 or email fsanders@cherokeega.com. Cherokee Family Violence Center | www.cfvc.org The center has a transitional housing complex with 72 apartments and emergency shelter that accommodates 12 women and children. The Thanksgiving wish list includes: turkey or ham, fresh or boxed potatoes, gravy mix, corn or other canned vegetables, yams, marshmallows, pumpkin pie mix, instant coffee, hot chocolate mix, fresh fruit and rolls. For delivery details, call (770) 479-4641 or email wendy@cfvc.org. Cherokee Thanksgiving | www.cantonfirstumc.org Volunteers will prepare approximately 2,000 meals, with about 1,800 to be delivered in Cherokee and the rest served at Canton First United Methodist Church, 920 Lower Scott Mill Road. Volunteers also smoke 130 turkeys. This is the event’s 10th year, and each event involved about 125 volunteers of all ages from across the county. The dressing is made from scratch, and fresh-baked spice cake is the dessert. Breadbeckers donates 2,000 fresh whole-wheat rolls from their bakery. Volunteers are needed to deliver meals - email ctdrivers2014@ gmail.com to sign up. Volunteers for other roles should email ctvolunteers2014@gmail.com. To order dinners, call (770) 877-2601.
Forever Fed | www.foreverfed.org
The mobile food ministry needs non-perishable food donations for the Food4U/Cans 4 Kids food boxes that are distributed to children at-risk of food insecurity in Cherokee County. Each box contains seven meals and seven snacks for one child. For details, call (678) 883-3314 or email susan@foreverfed.org.
Goshen Valley Boys Ranch | www.goshenvalley.org
Thanksgiving and Christmas are times when Goshen Valley Boys Ranch can use extra help feeding the young men who live on the Waleska ranch. “Frozen casseroles are a huge blessing for our house parents who are having to prepare three meals a day when the boys are out of school,” said Residential Life Director Zach Blend. Individuals or small groups are encouraged to donate frozen meals, deliver them in person and take a tour of Goshen Valley. Another holiday need is hooded sweatshirts and warm jackets in sizes from youth XL to adult XXL. Gift cards help fill last-minute Christmas wish lists. Desserts also are needed for the boys’ Christmas party. For more info, email Zach at zblend@goshenvalley.org or call (770) 796-4618.
Harvesting Hope Ministries | www.harvestinghopeministries.org A Christmas toy drive and meeting with Santa and Mrs. Claus is
planned for 10 a.m.-noon Nov. 29 at the Cherokee County Recreation Center, 7545 Main Street, Building 200. Bring a toy and get a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus (Tim and Pam Cavender). The toys will be put in Christmas baskets that will be delivered to families of transplant and cancer patients through Ronald McDonald House Charities of Atlanta. For a list of requested toys, visit www.harvestinghopeministries.org. Also sponsored by www.thegoodneighborproject.net, www.timandpamcavender.com, www.crpa.net and www.armhc.org.
MUST Ministries - Cherokee | www.mustministries.org
Thanksgiving baskets will be given to more than 1,000 families this year. The agency is looking for donations of cans of corn, green beans, cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes, boxes or packets of mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, cornbread mix and stuffings; cans or packets of gravy mix, and frozen pies and turkeys. Non-perishable items can be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Nov 3-14 at MUST’s Canton location at 111 Brown Industrial Parkway. Frozen turkeys and pies can be delivered 8-9 a.m. Nov. 24-26. It helps to let MUST know what items you’ll be bringing, so please call Karen StrongSmith at (770) 721-2925 or email kstrong-smith@mustministries.org. Additional volunteers also are needed through the holiday. Call Melissa Hall at (770) 721-2927 or email her at mhall@mustministries.org if you’d like to help.
Never Alone | www.neveralone.org
The Woodstock nonprofit, which helps area residents in need by distributing food and clothing and offering home repair, is collecting turkeys and nonperishable food items to fill Thanksgiving boxes. For details, call (770) 363-5272.
Operation Christmas Child | www.samaritanspurse.org
Representatives will be collecting donations of filled shoeboxes Nov. 17-24 at Canton First United Methodist Church, 930 Lower Scott Mill Road. Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse, collects boxes filled with toys and hygiene items and ships around the world to children in need. Collection times are: noon-2 p.m. Nov. 1721, with an additional time 5-8 p.m. Nov. 19; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 22, noon-3 p.m. Nov. 23 and 11 a.m.-noon Nov. 24.
Papa’s Pantry | www.papaspantry.org
Donations of turkeys, hams and produce are needed, as well as nonperishable food items. A list of seasonal needs is kept up-to-date on the website. Papa’s Pantry is a food and stability training organization for Cherokee residents. For details, call (770) 591-4730.
Secret Santa | www.cherokeesanta.com
The Secret Santa program of the Department of Family and Children’s Services for Cherokee County offers a way for individuals, businesses or larger groups such as Sunday school classes or scout troops to help the more than 350 children in foster care this year. Sponsors can donate as much or as little as they can. All size donations are appreciated. For more details, call the Secret Santa phone line at (678) 427-9393 or email cherokeesanta@yahoo.com. TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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Community
Cold, Flu and Obsessive Hand Washing BY MATT NEAL
Matt Neal is a freelance writer who has lived in Woodstock with his wife since 1999. He has a daughter who turns shoeboxes into dollhouses, a son who fights those stealthy ninjas, and a wife, Diane, who provides patience, compassion and a kick in the pants when needed. mattnealwriter@yahoo.com
Between myself, my wife and our two kids, one of us has a thing about washing hands. When we come home, wash hands. Before we eat, wash hands. After handling money, wash hands. I’ll admit, I get sick one or two times every year. So do my kids. My wife, on the other hand, rarely even has a cold. Can you guess which of us is the obsessive handwasher? She even uses those little bottles of hand sanitizers when we go to a restaurant. We learned firsthand how important it is to keep germs away. A few years ago my daughter was airlifted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, where she stayed for three weeks. She had the flu, strep, sinus infection, double pneumonia and—drum roll—bacterial meningitis. Yes,
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TOWNELAKER | November 2014
all those fun diseases at the same time. After an experience like that, it’s hard not to take seriously how dangerous germs can be. They took her out of ICU only because she was the only child not on a respirator. Many of those kids on respirators had the flu. Yes, it’s that serious. Back when my kids were 4 or 5 and had started going to school for the first time, I started getting sick several times every year. I went to the doctor. Surely I had some rare syndrome. The doctor asked me a simple question: “Do you have kids who recently started school?” “Yes,” I told her. Bingo. Those little germ carriers were going to school, playing with other little germ carriers, sticking their fingers in their mouths, passing germy little toys back and forth, and generally doing all the germy little things kids do. Then they came home to dear old dad and gave me big, germy hugs and kisses. A week later I would try to explain to my boss that, once again, I had a cold and wanted to stay home. I could hear his thoughts over the phone: “What a weenie.” Now, every year we get the flu vaccine, and we boost our immune system by taking extra vitamins. But one of the simplest, most effective ways to fight unwanted germs is to wash your hands. On our recent vacation, both my kids and I got sick. But my wife, the hand-washing queen, did not.
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Community
Should I Have My Home on the Market in the Winter Months? BY SHEILA & KURT JOHNSON
This time of year we are often asked, “Does it make sense for me to have my home on the market in the winter months?” We know from experience that there are only a few absolutes in real estate and this isn’t one of them, so we have pulled together sales data going back to January 2013 to provide you with an Kurt and Sheila are top informed opinion. Keller Williams agents and Homevestors (We Buy Ugly The chart illustrates that Houses) franchisees. Call throughout 2013 and into Kurt for more information 2014, the average dollars about IRA investing and per square foot for homes lending opportunities. sold in Cherokee County (404) 954-2486 have been steadily rising. Since the chart shows us sales for each month, it is a trailing indicator of what the offer activity looked like in the prior month. Accordingly, you see that demand must have been high in October and November of last year, resulting in an increased price per square foot on homes
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that closed in November and December of last year. We typically see a noticeable drop in the number of homes sold in December and January, but what isn’t taken into account continued on page 82
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Community
NOVEMBER CALENDAR Nov. 4
Jazz ensemble fall concert at 7:30 p.m. at Reinhardt University’s Falany Performing Arts Center, under the direction of Rob Opitz. The musicians will focus on the history and evolution of the jazz ensemble and pay tribute to the great songs in jazz. All seats $12.50. (770) 720-9167. www.reinhardt.edu/fpac.
Nov. 7
The fourth annual Senior Expo 2014, sponsored by the Cherokee County Senior Services, is 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. at the Cherokee County Administration Building, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton. Featuring guest speakers, demonstrations and vendors that will provide seniors citizens and their families with products, services and activities that enhance life. Including representatives from Wellstar Kennestone Hospital and the Cherokee County Animal Shelter, plus a chance to get flu shots and screenings and a plant sale by Master Gardeners. For details, call (770) 345-6730 or (770) 345-7515. www.cherokeega.com/senior-services.
Nov. 8
Craft fair 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Bascomb United Methodist Church, 2295 Bascomb Carmel Road, Woodstock. Booth spaces available for $30 each. For more info, contact Linda, (770) 974-4676. Cardiovascular screening 9 a.m.-noon at Northside/Holly Springs Imaging, 684 Sixes Road, Suite 100, by Northside’s heart and vascular institute. Free screening determines risk of heart and blood vessel disease. Call (404) 845-5555 and press 0 to make an appointment. Little River Elementary Fall Festival 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 3170 Trickum Road, Woodstock. Students can purchase $20 armbands for non PTA members or $15 armbands for prepaid PTA members. Includes petting zoo, hay ride, hair paint, carnival games, face painting, unlimited use of inflatables, rock climbing wall and more! Adults and children age 2 and younger are free. Basket drawing and cake walk tickets are $1 each. Hamburgers, hotdogs, chips, drinks, popcorn, cotton candy and snow cones available for purchase. Proceeds from sales will help Little River soccer and basketball programs. Tickets and armbands can be purchased online at www.lrepta.org. For more info, email amylrepta@comcast.net.
Olivia Kieffer, the ensemble will present its fourth full-length concert that includes a world premiere by composer Karl Henning. Free, no tickets required. www.reinhardt.edu/fpac.
Nov. 13
Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds concerts at Reinhardt University under the direction of David Gregory, featuring a 55-member wind ensemble and 90-member symphonic ensemble. All seats $12.50. (770) 720-9167. www.reinhardt.edu/fpac.
Nov. 14
Jingle Bell Shop 11 a.m.-8 p.m. at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Conference Center, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton. Presented by the Bank of North Georgia and the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, the shop will offer gifts and handcrafted items and photos with Santa. Children’s craft area. Free admission. www.cherokeechamber.com. Project SEARCH par 4 golf tournament at Towne Lake Hills Golf Club. Scramble format, shotgun start at 9 a.m. Registration is $125 or $400 for a foursome. Project SEARCH teaches skills to prepare young adults with disabilities for employment. (770) 330-0291. www.projectsearchcherokee.com
Nov. 15
Holiday Mart 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at 2126 Sixes Road. The fourth annual event will feature photos with Santa, kids’ craft area, music, raffles and Atlanta food trucks. holidaymart@live.com. The Drama Ministry at Bascomb United Church will hold a family comedy night beginning with a spaghetti dinner at 6 p.m. and the show at 7 p.m. Cost is $10 per person, or $25 per family. Bascomb UMC is at 2295 Bascomb Carmel Road in Woodstock. (770) 926-9755. www.bascombchurch.org. 5k Walk/Run to raise money for The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund begins at 9 a.m. at the Eagle Watch park. Organized by Etowah High School senior Bridget Hammond in memory of her mother. Registration is $20. T-shirts are $15 for anyone who can’t participate but wants to support the cause. For more info, look for Walk for the Win - Senior Project on Facebook.
Nov. 27
Luncheon and fashion show fundraiser for Goshen Valley Boys Ranch begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Country Club of Roswell, 2500 Club Springs Drive, Roswell. Featuring fashions by Barami from Phipps Plaza. Tickets $50, or $450 for a table of 10. Details at www.goshenvalley.org.
12th annual Gobble Jog benefitting MUST Ministries at the historic Marietta Square. 10K, 5K, 1K and Tot Trot. Prequalifier for the Peachtree Road Race. Register at www.gobblejog.org.
Nov. 8-9
Nov. 29
18th annual Tour of Homes, sponsored by the Junior Service League of Woodstock, will feature seven professionally decorated homes in the Woodstock area, all accessible by the city’s trolley. Tickets available at House and Garden Boutique, Fun Finds & Designs, Ivy Manor Interiors, Christine’s Creations, BP gas station in Towne Lake, Linden, and Creative Interiors & Craftworks. www.jslwoodstock.org. Holiday Open House at House and Garden Boutique, 103 Bowles Drive, Woodstock. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, noon-5:30 p.m. Sunday. Seasonal specials, giveaways and refreshments. (678) 494-5800. www.houseandgardenboutique.com.
Nov. 11
Percussion concert by Reinhardt University’s percussion ensemble begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Falany Performing Arts Center. Under the direction of 24
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
Artisan Arts and Crafts, a sister show to Latimer Hall, will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at His Hands Church, 550 Molly Lane, Woodstock. www.mainstreetcraftshow.com.
Dec. 5-7, 12-14
“The Unexpected Guest” by Agatha Christie will be performed by members of the Cherokee Theatre Company at the Canton Theatre, 171 E. Main St. Tickets are $12 and $15. www.cantontheatre.com.
Dec. 6-7, 12-13
Bethlehem Walk at Mountain View United Methodist Church, 2300 Jamerson Road, Marietta. Open to the community 7-9 p.m. nightly. Reservations accepted for preschool groups 9:30 a.m.-noon Dec. 12. Free, donations are accepted. https://sites.google.com/site/ bethlehemwalkatmvumc.
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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WOODSTOCK Homecoming
Freshmen Weston Kilgore and Ashley Bloom.
Christian Staton, Jacob Borland, Zach Went, Cole Keenum, Nathan Peace, Ben Vickrey and Ethan Schenck.
Will Garrett and Sarah Jones get in the spirit of the Star Wars theme.
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Varsity cheerleaders prepare their float for the parade.
Scott Waters and Emily Shelton.
Freshmen Anthony Van De Ryt and Natalie Grompone.
Peyton Ellington and Ryleigh Harris.
Tiffany George, Isabella Vahle, Stella Atsma and Kasey Lawton.
Peyton Joiner, Ryleigh Harris, Nicole Frazier, Kelly Maloney and Jordie St. Pierre.
Courts Sophomore
Homecoming King & Queen Jelani Regan and Silvana Bravo
Freshmen
Junior
Senior TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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Community
ETOWAH Homecoming
Homecoming Queen Brooke Ferris.
Junior court members Elizabeth Hale and escort Walker Mauldin.
Senior Court members Tom Walner and Savannah Arnold.
Brooks Newton is being carried by Laura Varley, Savannah Arnold, and Paul Guebert.
Caroline Groce, Sawyer Gibson, Kaelen Kiefer, Jack Ryan, Anna Sleeman, Autumn Kealy , Jairus Romano, Samantha Forbes, Shay Fu and Alex Bruggerman.
Nicole Booth, Meghan Hines, Rashay Amarath, Lillie Russell, Spencer Hayes, Josh Minturn and Jake Pollack.
Brooke Lancaster, Kennedy Pulliam and Lizy Hoepfinger.
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The student section wears pink to honor Breast Cancer Awareness month and prepares for kick off.
Etowah band in the homecoming parade.
1st row: Sam Daniel, Emily Rensel, Sean Waldren. 2nd row: Kyla Resnick, Jakob Daniel, Shelby Rensel. 3rd row: Spencer Folsom, Madie Moore,
Will McGonigle.
4th row: Anthony McCauley, Suada Barlov,
Justin Bishop.
5th row: Bryce Matlock, Espen Indrisano,
Andino Rochon.
Marlee Neal, Randall Martinez, Ansley Froman, Devin Gilley, Tori Dollar, Elias McCall, Kimberly Turner, Colin Mitchell, Maddie Mewett and Hunter Jenson.
Kelsey Keith, Katherine Morawa, Gabi Goodman, Michaela LaDuca, Elyse Anderson, and Sophie Spencer.
Drum Major Shaina Futch prepares to lead the band.
Laura Farley, Katelyn Jepson, Kylah Busby, Savannah Arnold, Brooke Welsh.
Rylan Lavery, Alexis Neuhoff, Jessie Cohen, and Reese Lavery. Lauren Talele and Trent Barbaree.
Junior court members (from left) Bailey Burks, Zeke Durham, Madeline Gilmer, Walker Mauldin, Emily Keeton, Briggs Darrah, Elizabeth Hale, Chris Hughes, Lauren Etzler, Kyle Brady and Alyssa Borgschulte.
Freshmen Andrew Shaw and Abby Heath.
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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Community
EVERYDAY “I am blessed. I can bless.” — Ann Voscamp, “A Thousand Gifts”
Everyday Angels is a 501 c (3) nonprofit serving Cherokee County since 2000. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, please visit www.everydayangels. info to donate via Paypal or send your donations to: Everyday Angels, 2449 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock GA, 30189. One hundred percent of your funds will go to the family you specify. Also, if you know of a special need within your community that you would like to share, please send an e-mail to aaeverydayangels@ gmail.com for consideration and qualification.
“You are changing the world when you are changing one person’s world.” —Ann Voscamp, “A Thousand Gifts”
“You were made to make more than a living. You were made to make a difference.” — Ann Voscamp, “A Thousand Gifts”
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Eucharisto - to give thanks. Gratitude puts everything in a fresh perspective; it enables us to see the many blessings all around us. And the more ways we find to give thanks, the more things we find to be grateful for. Let’s begin November with a simple, deliberate intention to be thankful for all things, while sharing our blessings with others, because we can! For November, Everyday Angels would like to share a story that has become very familiar. We were recently introduced to a sweet elderly couple who are now raising their grandchildren. We asked them to share their story, anonymously, with our readers.
My husband and I are 66 and 68 years old. We have two grown children and five grandchildren. We live comfortably—not lavishly—and are content and grateful. We have lived through many economic phases and have learned the importance of living conservatively. Today, my husband is retired and has early signs of COPD; yes, he smoked like most people our age back in the day. He and I have always put our family first and have said we would always be there for them. Unfortunately, my daughter made a few too many misguided mistakes and her two kids—our precious grandchildren—were removed from her care. We never questioned whether or not we should take them, but how? Our fixed income was just enough for a comfortable conservative lifestyle and retirement. The past two years we have managed okay but today we find ourselves barely making ends meet. Our savings have dwindled to nothing and we struggle to provide the necessities for all of us. The added stress is unfair, but life is unfair so we don’t dwell upon that. We are hoping that my daughter will get her act together and become a fit mother again, but until she does, we continue to tirelessly (and we are tired) provide security and love to two innocent children who deserve that and more. Friends worry about us, which is why they shared our story with your organization. My husband’s health isn’t improving and medical costs are growing, as are all of our bills. We are concerned about the upcoming holidays and the new season approaching. We are doing our best but a little help could ease the stress. Until you are in this situation, you don’t understand how much the small things matter. Thank you for anything you are able to assist us with.
Everyday Angels will provide Christmas for their grandchildren as well as grocery cards for the upcoming months. We have served several seniors this past year who suddenly find themselves now raising their grandchildren—some temporarily and some permanently. We could not make a difference without the support of our readers, especially during the holiday months.
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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Community TOWNE LAKE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
On Saturday, Oct. 11, the Towne Lake Business Association (TLBA) hosted the TLBA Bowl-A-Thon at the AMF Marietta Lanes. Thanks to the generosity of the bowlers and sponsors, the TLBA once again raised the funds necessary for the annual TLBA Entrepreneurial Scholarships. Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded, one each to a graduating senior at Etowah and Woodstock high schools. The topic of our October workshop was “Eat the Frog.” We want to thank Michael Caines of Marietta Business Coach for the presentation.
Lunch ‘N’ Learn Workshop
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 12:15 — 2 p.m. Tax Planning for Your Business, presented by Kristi Cobb, CPA, of Paragon Accounting & Tax Solutions, LLC.
Annual Holiday Gala
Tuesday, Dec. 16, 6:30 — 9 p.m. Annual Holiday Gala at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills. Please RSVP to gjsnyder@bellsouth.net no later than Dec. 9. All workshops are held at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills. Please RSVP to all events by email to danny.branom@cbauto.net. As always, thank you for supporting our community by Keeping Towne Lake Dollars in Cherokee. Visit us at tlba.org.
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TLBA SPOTLIGHT Stunning Ladies, LLC What do you carry for self-defense? That’s what Tammy Jensen, owner-operator of Stunning Ladies, LLC, wants to know. One in three women will be assaulted in their lifetime. Unfortunately, many women don’t think about self-defense until it is too late. Stunning Ladies provides a variety of defensive weapons for every situation. Among the many products offered at www. stunningladiesllc.com are stun guns, mace, keychain weapons, steel batons and bedside Tammy Jensen holsters for firearms. Tammy became a staunch advocate of women’s self-defense after surviving an attack herself. Although she chose to move beyond the nightmare, Tammy never forgot the feeling of helplessness she experienced when it happened. “I never want anyone else to go through what I did,” she said. “Stunning Ladies came out of that resolve.” Licensed to carry a firearm, Tammy is a member of the NRA (National Rifle Association) and Georgia Carry. The mother of two has lived in the Woodstock area since 1995. As the holiday season is fast upon us, the Stunning Ladies website is a great place to shop for a gift that tells your wife, daughter, sister or friend next door that you care for their safety. Self-defense is the gift that says don’t be a victim. Be VICTORIOUS! For more information contact Tammy Jensen and ask about hosting a “Weapons & Wine” party. (770) 262-0919 or www.stunningladiesllc.com.
Making Math Make Sense with a customized learning plan and personalized instruction that assures each student fully understands key concepts before moving on to the next. The Mathnasium Method™ includes a number of approaches to make math fun and interesting. The unique combination of mental, verbal, visual, tactile, and written techniques has been developed over more than 40 years of practical experience with thousands of students. Carrie, Dori and their highly trained staff of caring instructors are excited to work with students in the Woodstock area to help foster a learning environment in the community. “Mathnasium focuses solely on math,” said Carrie, “so we know how to teach it in a way that really connects with kids.” Mathnasium offers unlimited monthly membership programs, giving parents the flexibility to bring their child at a time that is convenient for them. Rather than sending children home with additional piles of homework, Mathnasium of Woodstock focuses on teaching children what they need to know while they are present at the center. Unlike many learning centers, students can get help with their school homework at the center and can also use their time to prepare for important standardized tests. The center is open year-round to help students catch up, keep up, and get ahead in math.
Mathnasium of Woodstock 2265 Towne Lake Parkway, Ste. 102 (next to Panera)
(678) 214-5544 Hours of operation:
2:30-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday
www.mathnasium.com/Woodstock www.facebook.com/mathnasiumofwoodstock TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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Photos by Kim Bates
The words fun and interesting are not often used to describe the subject of mathematics, but those are exactly the words that Carrie Sousa Minicozzi, owner of Mathnasium of Woodstock, uses to describe the variety of techniques she uses to help children understand Dori Sousa and Carrie Minicozzi math. ”Children at Mathnasium quickly learn that math can be fun and interesting as well as extraordinarily useful, both in terms of succeeding in school and for the valuable life skills it provides. We are thrilled to be able to bring our Mathnasium Method™ to the parents and children of Woodstock,” said Carrie who opened the center in August. Carrie and her mother, Dori Sousa, who works with her, have more than 40 years of combined experience in teaching. Dori has a Master’s Degree in Education, and Carrie is a Georgia certified teacher for grades Pre-K through 12. She has eight years of experience as a special education teacher and has a Certificate for Behavior and Learning Disabilities as well as a Degree in Behavioral Science from Barry University, Miami, Fla. Carrie said she was inspired to open the center because her daughter was a Mathnasium student. “Watching her grow in ability and confidence through the program inspired me to want to open my own center to help others gain the same growth, development and confidence in their math abilities and educational experience,” she said. Children begin their Mathnasium experience with a highly detailed assessment of strengths and weaknesses which is used to create a customized learning plan. Mathnasium of Woodstock operates on the core belief that virtually any child can become great at math. The Mathnasium Method™, implemented at more than 500 Mathnasium centers in the U.S. and abroad, is a unique program that provides each child
Lifestyle
Gauging Your Financial Well-Being Six signs that you are in good shape. DON AKRIDGE, MBA, CPA/PFS, CFP® U.S. MARINE CORPS VETERAN – EMORY UNIVERSITY ALUMNUS
How well off do you think you are financially? If your career or life takes an unexpected turn, would your finances hold up? What do you think will become of the money you’ve made and saved when you are gone? These are major questions, and most people can’t answer them as quickly as they would like. It might help to think about six factors in your financial life. Here is a sixpoint test you can take to gauge Don Akridge is president of Citadel your financial well-being. Professional Services, Are you saving about 15 percent LLC, an independent firm, of your salary for retirement? founded in 1994 and That’s a nice target. If you’re conveniently located off earning good money, that will Chastain Road between I-575 & I-75 in Kennesaw. probably amount to $10,000Phone 770-952-6707. $20,000 per year. You are probably already saving that much annually without any strain to your lifestyle. Annual IRA contributions and incremental salary deferrals into a workplace retirement plan will likely put you in that ballpark. As those dollars are being invested as well as saved, they have the potential to grow with tax deferral. If your employer is making matching contributions to your retirement account along the way, you have another reason to smile. Do you have an emergency fund? Sadly, most Americans don’t. In June, Bankrate polled U.S. households and found that 26 percent were living paycheck-to-paycheck, with no emergency fund at all.
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TOWNELAKER | November 2014
A strong emergency fund contains enough money to cover six months of expenses for the individual who maintains it. (Just 23 percent of respondents in the Bankrate survey reported having a fund that sizable.) If you head up a family, the fund should ideally be larger—large enough to address a year of expenses. At first thought, building a cash reserve that big may seem daunting, or even impossible, but households have done it, especially households that have jettisoned or whittled down debt. If you have done it, give yourself a hand with the knowledge that you have prepared well for uncertainty. Are you insured? As U.S. News & World Report mentioned this summer, about 30 percent of U.S. households don’t have life insurance. Why? They can’t afford it. That’s the perception. In reality, life insurance is much less expensive now than it was decades ago. As the CEO of insurance industry group LIMRA commented to U.S. News & World Report, most people think it is about three times as expensive as it really is. How much do you need? A quick rule of thumb is 10 times your income. Hopefully, you have decent or better insurance coverage in place. Do you have a will or an estate plan? Dying intestate (without a will) can leave your heirs with financial headaches at an already depressing time. Having a will is basic, yet many Americans don’t create one. In its annual survey this spring, the budget legal service website RocketLawyer found that only 51 percent of Americans aged 55-64 have drawn up a will. Just 38 percent of Americans aged 45-54 have drafted one. Why don’t more of us have wills? A lack of will, apparently. RocketLawyer asked respondents without wills to check off why they hadn’t created one, and the top reason (57 percent) was “just haven’t gotten around to making one.” A living will, a health continued on page 82
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
35
Towne Lake Area Dining Guide CUISINE
BKFST LUNCH DINNER SUNDAYS SPIRITS
RESERV.
Barbecue
no
$
$$
11 a-9 p
beer/wine
no
Cheeseburger Bobby’s, 2295 Towne Lake Pkwy. (678) 494-3200, cheeseburgerbobbys.com
American
no
$
$
open
no
no
Chili’s Bar & Grill, 1460 Towne Lake Pkwy. (770) 592-7676, chilis.com
American
no
$
$-$$
open
full bar
call ahead seating
Chinese
no
$
$-$$
open
no
no
Soup/Salad Sandwiches
no
$
no
closed
no
no
American Irish
no
$
$$
open
full bar
6+
Mexican
$
$
$-$$
open
full bar
no
Homestyle Cooking
$$
$$
$$
closed
no
no
American Casual
no
$
$-$$
open
full bar
special events
GAMEDAY Fresh Grill, 2990 Eagle Dr. (770) 693-6754, gamedayfresh.com
American/Burgers
no
$
$$
open
full bar
yes
Izumi Asian Bistro, 2035 Townelake Pkwy. (678) 238-1899, iloveizumi.com
Thai/Sushi/Chinese
no
$
$$
open
full bar
JD’s Barbeque, 6557 Bells Ferry Road (678) 445-7730, jdsbbq.net
Barbecue
no
$
$-$$
open
no
Jersey’s Sports Bar, 6426 Bells Ferry Rd. (770) 790-5740, jerseysgrille.com
American
no
$
$$
open
full bar
Pizza/Pasta/Salad
no
$
$-$$
open
full bar
Country Scratch Cooking
Sun. brunch
$-$$
$$
open
full bar
Kani House, 2455 Towne Lake Pkwy. (770) 592-5264, kanihouse.com
Japanese Steak/Sushi
no
$-$$
$$-$$$
open
full bar
La Parilla, 1065 Buckhead Crossing (770) 928-3606, laparilla.com
Mexican
no
$
$$
open
full bar
American Casual
no
$
$
open
full bar
Steakhouse
no
$
$$
open
full bar
call ahead seating
Marco’s Pizza, 6424 Bells Ferry Rd. (678) 213-2100, marcos.com
Pizza/Pasta/Salad
no
$
$-$$
open
beer/wine
no
Mellow Mushroom, 2370 Towne Lake Pkwy. (770) 591-3331, mellowmushroom.com
Pizza/Pasta/Salad
no
$-$$
$-$$
open
beer/wine
no
Bakery/Soups/ Sandwiches
$
$
$-$$
open
no
no
Mexian/Irish
Sat.&Sun. brunch
$
$
open
full bar
large groups call ahead
Chinese/Japanese
no
$
$-$$
open
beer/wine
no
Song’s Garden, 2068 Eagle Dr. (770) 928-8387, songsgarden.com
Chinese
no
$
$-$$
open
no
no
The Place, 1105 Parkside Ln. (770) 928-8901, theplacebargrill.com
Bar/Grill
no
$-$$
$$
open
full bar
no
Town Lake Diner, 2290 Eagle Dr. (770) 675-3390
American
$
$
$-$$
open ‘til 3
no
no
Italian
no
$-$$
$$-$$$
open
full bar
10+
China Fun, 1075 Buckhead Crossing (770) 926-2671, chinafun88.com Corner Bistro, 2360 Towne Lake Pkwy. (770) 924-1202, cornerbistrotl.com Donovan’s Irish Cobbler, 1025 Rose Creek Dr. (770) 693-8763, donovansirishcobbler.com El Ranchero, 1025 Rose Creek Dr. (770) 516-6616 Family Tradition, 4379 Towne Lake Pkwy. (770) 852-2885, familytradition.net Featherstone’s Grill, 1003 Towne Lake Hills Golf Club (770) 592-9969
Johnny’s Pizza, 1105 Parkside Lane (770) 928-9494, johnnyspizza.com Jump Kitchen Saloon, 1085 Buckhead Crsng (678) 388-7717, jumpkitchensaloon.com
Locals Bar & Grill, 6380 Bells Ferry Road (770) 627-5121, LocalsBarAndGrill.net LongHorn, 1420 Towne Lake Pkwy. (770) 924-5494, longhornsteakhouse.com
Panera Bread, 2625 Towne Lake Pkwy. (678) 813-4809, panerabread.com
*Papa P’s, 2295 Towne Lake Pkwy. (770) 592-3100, papa-ps.com
d *see a 7 . g p
Peking & Tokyo, 200 Parkbrooke Dr. (770) 591-8858, pekingandtokyo.com
Tuscany, 250 Cinema View Dr. (678) 453-0888, mytuscanyrestaurant.com
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TOWNELAKER | November 2014
yes no yes no yes yes no no
* Denotes Advertiser
*Blue Sky Barbecue, 295 Molly Lane, Ste 100 *see ad (770) 485-0503,www.BlueSkyBarbecue.com pg. 9
$ = most entrees under $10 • $$ = most entrees $10 - $15 • $$$ = most entrees $15 - $20 • $$$$ = most entrees over $20
RESTAURANT
Casual and Upscale Dine-In Restaurants
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
37
Lifestyle
Kids and Adults Celebrate Special Day at Dupree Park BY LISA RANDALL
Dupree Park
513 Neese Road • Woodstock, GA 30188 | www.woodstockga.gov
One-third Mile Paved Fitness Path:
The one-third mile paved fitness path, located on the northern section of the park surrounding the open greenspace, offers a family- and pet-friendly location to walk and bicycle near parking and a restroom facility
Photo by Lisa Randall
Rated as Easy, the three main loops are beginner friendly with a wide, smooth trail tread. The grades are very low, and the trails are meant to be fun at slower speeds. Also features a short bike skills trail that provides technical features designed to teach balance, control and bike handling. These are excellent trails for kids and for novice off-road riders, as well as those getting back on the bike after a long hiatus. The three main loops are named Lions, Tigers and Bears. The skills area is named Oh My!
Park Amenities ● Large playground ● Two covered pavilions that are available for use on a first-come, first-served basis. ● Two restroom buildings ● One-third mile paved walking path ● Family mountain bike trails ● Four tennis courts ● Two basketball courts ● Quarter-mile walking trail ● Pond / fishing ● Picnic areas
Family Mountain Bike Trails:
Jayden Randall enjoying the downhill on Tigers Trail, Dupree Park.
Photo by Lisa Randall
Above: Kids start the slow race. Left: Skylar Wilkes of Canton participates in the bike limbo. Right: Official ribbon cutting at Dupree Park Family Mountain Bike Trails.
38
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
OutSpokin’ Bicycles was at the event and provided demo bikes and mechanical support, while Woodstock officials grilled hot dogs and burgers for the kids and adults to enjoy after the morning’s festivities. Dupree Park’s new trails feature three loops that total approximately one mile. The grades are very mellow and while the trails are dirt, they are relatively smooth to make it easy for kids and their parents to ride comfortably. The short, gradual climbs on the trails are followed by flowing, twisty downhills that kids seem to really enjoy. The stackedloop nature of the trails also keeps the ride back to the trailhead relatively short, so that kids and parents are not in danger of getting out too far. All trails at Dupree Park can be ridden on a hybrid style bike, so don’t let not having a “real” mountain bike keep you from exploring these trails. The trails also aren’t just for kids. Adults looking to try mountain biking can also ease into the sport using the trails at Dupree Park to build skills and confidence.
Photo by Lisa Randall
Lisa Randall is a mom, small business owner and athlete from Canton. She is owner of Mountain Goat Adventures, LLC, which organizes local trail running and mountain bike events.
On Oct. 4, the Woodstock Parks and Recreation Department, Greenprints Alliance and SORBA Woodstock hosted Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day, an annual event when parents are encouraged to get their kids out on bikes. This event features a day filled with kid-centered bicycle activities, including kids’ group rides, skills clinics and bicycle games such as the bike limbo and slow race. This year the event was held at the new Dupree Park Family Mountain Bike Trails and served as the official ribbon cutting for this new family-friendly trail system.
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
39
Lifestyle
A FEW TOKENS OF
Thankfulness
BY CHANTEL ADAMS | CHANLYNNADAMS@GMAIL.COM
Fall is a time to gather a harvest and to gather friends and family. Southern hospitality lives in Georgia yearround, but November’s bounty makes sharing a natural part of entertaining. A thoughtful guest arrives with something special for the host or hostess. This month, I share some of my personal favorites with you.
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2
4
6
5
3
1. These beautiful flameless candles are made by the Habersham Candle Company in Cornelia, Ga. They release the fragrance of a candle without the danger of an open flame. Perfect for homes with kids and pets, dormitories, nursing homes and hospitals. (Where were these when I was in college?) Fragrance lasts up to a year. Prices range from $11.50-$24 at The Gifted Ferret, 1910 Eagle Drive, Woodstock.
2. Tuesday Morning is one of my favorite places to go for nearly every kind of gift. I always keep Herbes de Provence in my pantry, but you could keep this beautiful jar on a countertop. It makes everything delicious - vegetables, roast chicken, or even mixed with olive oil and used as a dip for bread. This little jar even comes with its own wooden spoon! Additional spice blends available. $9.99 at Tuesday Morning, 1430 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock. 3. Another local artist showcases Georgia pride with canvas art. Modernly Vintage Designs features different colors and patterns, but the one thing they all have in common is pure Southern charm. This original painting sells for $25. Discover more at www. etsy.com/shop/ModernlyVintageGifts. 4. The owner of Three Sisters in Hickory Flat wasted no time showing me this line of exotic hand soaps and lotions from Neroli. They smell delicious and feel indulgent but don’t cost a fortune. They’re a perfect combination of loveliness and whimsy. Prices range from $9.50-$23.50 at Three Sisters Gifts, 6205 Hickory Flat Highway, Suite 106, Canton.
5. The heartfelt sentiment in this little sign - simple lettering on weathered wood - stopped me in my tracks and made me smile. I think I’ll bring it to my mom’s house on Thanksgiving day because there’s no place I’d rather be than “together.” How about you? $22 at Three Sisters Gifts. 6. Creative people thrive here in Cherokee County, so if you’d rather do some shopping from your computer, you can shop local at www.etsy.com. I found this listing for a rustic photo frame by Woodstock artist Southern Poise. It sells for $45. Check out her Etsy store at www.etsy.com/shop/SouthernPoise for more unique designs.
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TOWNELAKER | November 2014
A Little Learning BY MIKE LITREL, MD
During the years of my medical training, I sometimes flipped to a poem quoted in the front of one of my textbooks. A line from Alexander Pope, it was a warning to the overconfident:
Dr. Mike Litrel has authored hundreds of articles and two books on the faithhealth connection. He is a board certified OB/GYN and specialist in pelvic reconstructive surgery at Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists in Roswell and Woodstock. Dr. Litrel can be reached at www. cherokeewomenshealth.com
“A little learning is a dang’rous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian Spring; There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, And drinking largely sobers us again.” Toward the end of my eighth year of training, I began to feel I had finally turned a corner, and I allowed myself to fall into the deep sleep of the self-satisfied. At last, I knew exactly what I was doing. A phone call later that month
proved how wrong I was. The caller was Ife Sofola. Ife (pronounced Ee-fay) was a classmate from medical school. A tall, muscular Nigerian, Ife was not only a brilliant student, but a man of compassion and charisma. His easy smile, booming laugh, and lilting Nigerian accent endeared him to friends and patients. At the time, he was a flight surgeon at the renowned Bethesda Naval Hospital, where our presidents receive their medical care. Ife had called to let me know that his mother had died. But it wasn’t the tragedy of her death he wanted to share with me.
He wanted to talk about the miracle. Months earlier, Ife’s family had learned that his mother was dying from liver failure. Brought to the Bethesda Naval Hospital, she fell into a coma. She was put under orders, “Do Not Resuscitate.” These words are the final acknowledgement that modern medicine has failed. Death is coming. But Ife and his siblings were not ready to let go. Already they were bitter from the loss of their father, who had died earlier that year. The looming loss of their mother was more than could be borne. Ife’s sister launched a desperate search. A friend of a friend of a friend was reputed to be a “healer” – someone who could save life where others had failed. Ife’s sister flew the healer to America from Nigeria, keeping it secret from her family until the healer arrived at Bethesda. A student of medical science, Ife especially among the family was agitated and unbelieving. But agreeing that there was nothing to be lost, he and his siblings permitted the healer’s presence. The healer directed them to hold hands around the dying woman’s bed. They prayed in silence for five minutes. Then the healer announced, “It is done.” And with that, he took a taxi to the airport. Twenty minutes later, Ife’s mother awoke. She smiled and greeted her family, and got up to take a shower. Ife said there were no words to describe the utter bafflement of the physicians. And Ife himself, exuberant and believing, had run and leaped joyfully down the hallways in his white coat, proclaiming in his deep voice for all to hear, “A miracle has occurred! Here, at Bethesda! A MIRACLE!” Within a few weeks of this incident, Ife’s mother had again succumbed to her disease and died. But not before she had left the hospital and spent precious days with her children, saying good-bye. Her explanation was both simple and profound. “I continued on page 82
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
41
Lifestyle
Pumpkin Cheesecake with Cream Cheese Frosting
I never ate pumpkin till I moved to the United States. I actually never remember seeing many pumpkins in Ireland, though they do grow there. In fact, there is a huge pumpkin festival in Virginia, County Cavan, Ireland, every year around Halloween. Several years ago, Alberto made the most wonderful pumpkin cheesecake – I thought I was in heaven! Enjoy! ~ Caron and Alberto
Crust
Filling
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin
1½ cup sugar
8-oz cream cheese
4 eggs
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ cup sour cream
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ cup butter room temperature
1 stick of butter, melted ¼ cup brown sugar
3 8-oz cream cheese packs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract room temperature
½ teaspoon cinnamon Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Press crust into a 9-inch springform pan.
Beat cream cheese, pumpkin, eggs and sour cream in a mixer until well blended. Add sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla and mix again. Pour mixture in crust pan. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour. Remove from oven and let cool. Place in refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours until completely cooled and set.
Frosting
1 cup confectioners sugar ½ teaspoon vanilla extract a little milk Blend cream cheese and butter together, add sugar and vanilla and mix together slowly. Add a little milk to make consistency spreadable, if needed. Spread on top of cooled cheesecake. Drizzle with a little caramel, if you like.
Caron and Alberto Catalán are the owners and managers of Papa P’s – Mexican with an Irish side, located in the Towne Lake Kroger shopping center. They have lived in Towne Lake since 2008. They have four children, Conor, Ciara, Derek and Fiona. Visit them online at www.papa-ps.com or call (770) 592-3100.
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TOWNELAKER | November 2014
Rob’s Rescues This cute cat is named Rambles. He is a tabby. He is quiet and peaceful and friendly. He might be playful and he likes attention. He is quite tall but only six months old.
I’m Rob Macmillan and I’m on a mission to help shelter dogs and cats. Every month I’m going to tell you about two pets that need homes and give some useful information! These animals are at the Cherokee County Animal Shelter at 1015 Univeter Road, Canton.
The dog is named Matthew. He is six years old. His face is pretty interesting. He walks well on a leash. He is very gentle and calm. He got picked up by the police so he’s probably a stray.
Rob’s Rescues and Child’s Play Preschool did a food drive for the shelter. Here I am with Ms. Misty Clark and her class and the food they collected.
I am doing a food drive for Pet Buddies Food Pantry with BridgeMill Animal Hospital. Pet Buddies helps people who need help to feed their pets to keep them out of the shelter. Please drop pet food off before the middle of November at BridgeMill Animal Hospital, 9560 Bells Ferry Road, Canton. There is a bin inside.
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
43
Feature
Reliable Heating & Air
is at the Forefront of Growing Family-Owned Business
Left to Right: Sales manager Jeff Moulder, Owner Dan Jape, President Daniel Jape and Lowe’s sales manager John Zent.
Long-term relationships are important at Reliable Heating and Air. It’s evident when you look at the tenure of employees, some who’ve been with the Woodstock-based company for as long as 20 years. The sense of loyalty and connection is extended outside the walls of the building. Customers who turn to Reliable to purchase new heating or cooling systems can expect the relationship to continue – even as long as the lifetime of the units. Reliable is in it for the long haul. Sales Manager Jeff Moulder, who has been a Reliable employee for 19 years, explains that the connection with the customer doesn’t end at the point of sale. “Long-term peace of mind is our main goal. We want to make sure our customers know that whatever happens, we are here to take care of it,” said Moulder. “If it’s a new customer that we are dealing with, I will tell them that we are here to develop a 50-year relationship.” Reliable is the largest distributor of Trane products in North America. It’s a distinction that, no doubt, is made possible by continued customer satisfaction as well as access to all products that Trane manufactures, ranging from furnace and air conditioning systems to thermostats and indoor air quality products. Technology has progressed so much that homeowners can access their thermostats through smart phones. Machines run so quietly that you almost can’t hear them running, and they burn less electricity than older models. When a customer purchases a heating or air conditioning unit, the product is protected by a 10-year parts and labor warranty, at a minimum. Reliable offers a reasonable rate on yearly inspections, and as long as the customer maintains those checkups, Reliable extends the warranty on the system. It’s an incentive for the customer to maintain the system and keep the warranty active, and a way for Reliable to nurture customer relationships, and service the equipment they represent. “In our sales department, we have 14 sales people in the field and five office support staff on hand at all times,” said Jeff. “And we have the support of our installation staff. We have no downtime on delivery because our products are warehoused on our premises.” Over the last 36 years, Reliable Heating and Air has morphed from the small business that owner Dan Jape started in his basement to a 24-hour operation with 320 employees, a fleet of more than 300 trucks and a year-old satellite location in Fayetteville. Reliable
24 -hour call center 44
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
Photos by Kim Bates
Personal Service
Left to Right: Mike Grayeski (Electrical), Jason Bouchard (Home Performance), Daniel Jape (President), Chris McKinney (Plumbing), Steve Hallock, CIO, Mark Wall (Sales & Customer Service) and Alex Pelaez (Duct Cleaning)
serves a 26-county territory that stretches north to Jasper and Flowery Branch, west to Villa Rica, east to Loganville and south toward Warner Robbins. Customer service doesn’t end when the day shift leaves for home at 8 p.m. That’s when the overnight crew comes in – three employees who take service calls throughout the night. “Water, plumbing, heating and air conditioning problems can’t wait,” said Dan. “Our customers do not have to leave a message with an answering service. We have someone answering the phones 24 hours a day, seven days a week.” Another way to extend that customer relationship is to offer a variety of services beyond the basic heating and air. The newest division is duct cleaning, just another in a lengthy menu that includes plumbing, electrical and home performance. The company’s growth in these divisions has been guided by customer requests. We found that more and more of our customers were asking us for referrals for their plumbing, electrical and other needs because they trusted us,” Dan said, “but, oftentimes, the work performed by those outside vendors didn’t meet our standards.” Ultimately, Dan made the decision to bring those areas in-house. “Many customers asked if we could become
their ‘one-stop’ service provider, and we finally decided it was time.” Quality products and experienced professionals also play a large part in Reliable’s 36 years of success, according to Dan, who said he has hired the best in each industry to lead successful divisions in plumbing, electrical and home performance. A solid staff and reliable equipment allow Reliable to comfortably offer a 100 percent customer satisfaction guarantee. Dan believes customers also choose Reliable because the company has been family-owned for decades and will continue to be around for many years to come as Dan’s son, Daniel, prepares to take over the business one day. “Customers seem to like knowing the faces behind the business,” Dan said. “Many of Reliable’s customers have been with us since the beginning. They know who they’re dealing with and who they’ll be dealing with in the future. Customers can’t build that kind of relationship and familiarity with corporations or a large retailer like they have with us at Reliable.”
On-Call 24 hours a day (770) 594-9969 11075 Highway 92, Woodstock www.reliableair.com
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
45
Lifestyle
A Taste of Creole for the Holidays Linda “GG” Gibson is a survivor. The New Orleans native chef and restaurant owner fled her hometown with her family when Hurricane Katrina struck, and they started over in Georgia. Then the recession hit. “That was my second loss, our second storm. I don’t think I ever really grieved Katrina, but after this recession hit, I did.” But GG is resilient, and she has bounced back with GG’s Real New Orleans Creole Cuisine Fine Foods, which offers her famous crawfish pie, original seafood gumbo and other specialty foods and products from a storefront in Roswell, online at www.ggsfinefood.com or for heat & eat dishes made to order for pick-up at her new Woodstock location 501 Hickory Ridge Trail, Suite 130. “This is a part of my destiny to carry on and share my culture with people,” said GG, who learned to cook from her grandmother. “I never went to culinary school. I learned by holding on to her skirt tails.” The chef has brought many of her favorites from New Orleans, including this holiday salad - always a big hit on the menus in her restaurants. “It is light but very filling with a mixture of fruits that give it an exotic taste. It is the only way my grandmother could get us to eat fruit, by putting it in something. That is why I put it in all my salads today. Wasn’t she smart?”
Holiday Salad ½ lb fresh shrimp (peeled, deveined and washed) 1 tsp. of GG’s Creole Seasoning (available at www.ggsfinefood.com)
Mixed greens and romaine lettuce
½ cup fresh strawberries
½ cup of cherry tomatoes
¼ cup walnuts
½ cup mandarin oranges
Olive oil
Preheat grill or skillet. In a separate bowl, add shrimp, GG’s Creole Seasoning and just enough olive oil to coat the bottom of your pan to pan fry the ingredients. Cook shrimp until lightly pink or to your liking. Create the salad in a bowl by adding mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, mandarin oranges, strawberries, walnuts and your favorite dressing. Remove shrimp from skillet and add to salad. Chicken can be used instead of shrimp, or you can use a little of both.
quality unique creations by art students and professional artists
Sale includes gift items such as pottery, jewelry, hand-pulled prints, small sculptures, small drawings, and paintings
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TOWNELAKER | November 2014
im ax M
Thursday, Nov. 6 Friday, Nov. 7 Saturday, Nov. 8 KSU Center 3333 Busbee Drive Kennesaw (I-75 Chastain Rd. exit 271)
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5 p.m. - 8 p.m. 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at
os
Funding Scholarships for Students
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School of Art and Design
arts.kennesaw.edu
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
47
Feature
WOODSTOCK September 26, 2014
48
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
Photos courtesy of Skip Daugherty. www.skipdaughertyphotography.com
v
vs. ETOWAH
Woodstock 47, Etowah 44
Photos courtesy of Marguerite White.
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
49
Lifestyle
Stuff Your Turkey, Not Your Dog BY LORRE LAMARCA
Thanksgiving is that wonderful time of year where we want to sneak our dog just a little taste here and there of all the goodies that we enjoy. How could you resist those big eyes staring up at you while you are stuffing the big bird? Did you know that the holiday season is the busiest time for emergency veterinary clinics? Foods you would not even think could harm your dog could possibly Lorre LaMarca is the cause a serious illness and even owner of the Bark take the dog’s life. Here are some Station, 240 Arnold examples. Mill Road. 1. Turkey bones. Bones of all www.bark-station.com. (770) 517-9907 sizes can splinter easily once bitten. They can choke or harm the digestive tract while passing through. 2. Raw or undercooked turkey and cake or pie dough. These items could be contaminated with salmonella or other bacteria. Cake and pie dough actually can expand in your pet’s stomach, causing bloating and painful abdominal issues.
3. Turkey skin, gravy and ham. The danger to dogs lies in the extreme amounts of fat and salt that are difficult to digest. A dog who consumes high levels of fat can develop pancreatitis, an inflammatory problem in the pancreas that can require overnight care at the vet’s office and lead to other major complications. 4. Nutmeg and sage spices. Pumpkin and sweet potato recipes that contain nutmeg are toxic to dogs, leading to seizures and other disorders. Make sure you read all food labels or ask the cook if any of the items were made with nutmeg or sage before giving to your pet. The oils in sage also have been known to cause severe stomach upset. 5. Baker’s chocolate, cookie and cake batter, macadamia nuts, walnuts, onions, garlic and alcohol. All are all toxic to digestive tract and other systems. If you have guests in your home, make sure everyone— including small children— understands NOT TO FEED THE DOG! Remember that pups can be sneaky. The minute someone drops food on the ground, they will grab it. It is best to keep your pup in a secure area during meal time, dessert time and cleanup to avoid any emergencies that can ruin your Turkey Day.
Congratulations!
Woodstock Wolverine Seniors
2014
Justin Agner Reagan Amos Garrett Atkinson Daniel Benitez Donovan Brand London Demetriou Miles Dickey Chaz Dunn Sharonne Gates Caleb Jacqua Sage Jordan Josh Loud Zach Nani
“What lies behind us, and what lies before us, are small matters compared to what lies within us.” Ralph Waldo Emerson 50
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
Noah Manzella Eric Monroe De’artae Pernell Matt Platko Joey Purpura Spencer Reed Jelani Regan DeAnte Robinson Quintay Scott Jacob Schoeb Tripp Stephens Gregg Vernet Andrew Woodyard
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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Lifestyle
Cornbread and Gossip: Good for All That Ails You BY CLAIRE FROST
I feel lucky that my grandmother has never lived farther than 20 minutes from me. It is because of this that I am still able to stop by her house on the way home from work, just to see what she’s up to, get the skinny on what is happening on “her stories,” hear about family news, listen to neighborhood gossip, vent about my stressors and get tips for my sewing projects. Claire is the editor of House We always have a lot to cover, of Frost, a blog that juggles so to keep ourselves replenished family, fashion, food, and for the chatter, we need furnishing with a little sparkle. sustenance. Where do we turn for She lives in Woodstock with her husband, Sean, and their two that? Well, there’s almost always dogs. housefrost.com. freshly baked cornbread waiting for me. When I was kid, she would say, “It’s good for all that ails you.” She was right. Still is. I firmly believe that there is no problem that can’t be fixed by cornbread. (Carbs solve all of life’s hardest problems, don’t they?) There are plenty of cornbread recipes out there, of course. I would
Same Great Staff! Same Great Location!
encourage everyone to try as many as possible until you find the cornbread that fits you just right. (Yes, like Goldilocks.) I’ve had jalapeño cornbread, for example, that is wonderful served with chili on a cold fall day. I’ve had cornbread with corn kernels “floating in it,” as my Dad would say. (He’s not a fan of that.) There’s dense cornbread, fluffy cornbread, whole wheat cornbread. All of it delicious. My favorite style of cornbread is Mimi’s basic cornbread, fresh out of the oven, crumbled into an ice cold glass of milk. Cornbread and milk. Nothing says down-home comfort like cornbread and milk.
Mimi and Claire’s Cornbread & Milk Ingredients: 1 cup cornmeal 1 cup plain flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda 2 tablespoons melted butter 1 beaten egg 1 ½ cups buttermilk
Combine all ingredients and bake at 425 degrees for 29 minutes—not 28, not 30—in an iron cornbread skillet that’s used only for cornbread. Once it’s cooled down enough to crumble it with your hands without wincing, loosely crumble into a glass and pour ice-cold milk over it. Devour with spoon.
DOES EVERYONE MUMBLE?
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TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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Health & Wellness
Crowns Can Resolve a Variety of Dental Problems BY DR. SCOTT R. HARDEN
Many questions may come to mind if your dentist tells you that you need a crown on one of your teeth. It may help to better understand crowns and their benefits. A crown, also called a cap, structurally restores a tooth after a root canal, a large fracture or multiple fractures, extensive decay or history of a large filling. A crown can also aesthetically correct the Dr. Scott Harden is a poor appearance of a front tooth dentist at Fountain that has turned dark and can’t be View Family Dentistry bleached. and has served the Woodstock area for If a crown has been recommended more than 21 years. You and the patient agrees to the can reach Dr. Harden at procedure, the dentist prepares (770) 926-0000 or visit the tooth and makes a mold or FountainViewSmiles.com. impression of it. The dentist sends this impression to a dental lab and a technician fabricates the crown, which involves more than 100 steps. Crowns can be made of porcelain, metal, or porcelain fused to metal. Crowns that are visible in the smile zone are always made to match the natural color of the patient’s teeth and are beautifully artistic. Crowns on very back teeth, which are out of the smile zone, can sometimes be made of metal to provide additional strength, especially if a patient has a grinding habit. Placing a permanent crown typically takes two office visits. During the first visit, the dentist will numb the tooth, and shape the biting surface and sides of the tooth to allow space for the
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new crown. An impression of the prepared tooth is made for the lab and a temporary crown is placed over the tooth and worn for the next few weeks while the crown is made. During the second visit, the permanent crown is fitted to the patient’s bite and cemented onto the tooth. Crowns cannot be removed like dentures, and they typically last for 10 to 15 years. The crown is just one of several ways to treat decayed and fractured teeth. Fillings can correct small to moderate tooth decay and fractures, but there is a limit on how much a tooth can be repaired with a filling before a crown is needed. When fillings occupy more than 50 to 60 percent of the tooth, the remaining tooth structure around the filling is thin and typically fractures, requiring a crown. The crown covers the entire tooth, including the large filling and fracture, and diverts biting forces, which protects the tooth from additional trauma. Another factor that often requires crowns is grinding of the teeth, also called bruxism. A patient who grinds his or her teeth at night can generate significant bite forces, exceeding 300 pounds per square inch, and cause teeth to wear and break. Even a normal tooth can break with grinding. In rare cases, when a person grinds his or her teeth with very intense force and frequency, the teeth will wear through the enamel layer and down into the soft yellow dentin underneath the enamel, requiring a crown to restore the teeth back to a normal level and protect the exposed dentin and the pulp (nerve) of the tooth. Another factor that can be controlled by the patient is the consumption of soft drinks, which can cause extensive erosion of enamel. The destruction can be so serious, fillings cannot correct the problem and crowns are needed to protect the tooth from oral bacteria. These patients must stop drinking soft drinks immediately.
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Health & Wellness
A Closer Look at Whiplash BY DR. VAN TRAN
What is a whiplash? Whiplash is not a true medical term but is more of an expression used to describe an injury to the spine that occurs when unexpected movement of the neck comes to an abrupt halt. There are numerous scientific terms for a whiplash injury; the best is cervical acceleration/ deceleration injury or CAD, which describes what happens during a whiplash. It is the rapid Dr. Van Tran is a board certified chiropractor with acceleration of the head and Discover Chiropractic in neck followed by a sudden stop Towne Lake. He can be of all movement. This action reached at (770) 516-9900. simulates a snapping whip, thus the term whiplash. The result is injury to the local soft tissues, such as ligaments, muscles, tendons and discs, along with injury to the vertebrae. The soft tissue structures are stretched beyond their elastic limit and tear. The vertebrae are damaged from excessive compressive forces jamming them together. The most common motor vehicle accident that causes whiplash injuries is when one vehicle is struck from behind by another vehicle. The energy of the collision passes through the vehicles to the passengers. Although whiplash injuries are most commonly caused by automobile collisions, they can also occur from sports related activities and falls. Some of the common symptoms of a whiplash injury are neck pain and stiffness, headache, shoulder pain, fatigue, jaw pain, arm pain, and mid and lower back pain. More severe whiplash injuries include dizziness, visual disturbances, ringing in the ears, insomnia, disorientation, depression, anger, frustration and anxiety. There are ways to prevent or minimize whiplash injuries: • Learn to properly adjust the head restraints for each individual in your vehicle. • Always wear your safety belt. • Don’t tailgate. • If you sense you are going to be rear-ended, place your head back so it is touching the head restraint and position your head and body looking straight forward. Proper positioning of the head restraint is very important. The center of the head restraint should be at the level of the top of your ear. The idea is for the back of your head to hit the restraint in an accident, not your neck. The distance between your head and the head restraint should be no more than three inches, so if the restraint can be tilted forward, move it so that it is no more than three inches from your head. Whiplash injuries can be effectively treated with a combination of chiropractic care to realign the vertebrae and physical therapy to speed up healing of the damaged soft tissues. 56
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Get in Shape Without the Gym BY CASEY ZACK
Did you know you can get in shape without ever stepping foot inside a gym? While most of us think having a gym membership means we will get in shape, we tend to fall short of actually making it to the gym to do a workout. With the right tools, a few pieces of equipment and a good mindset, you can work out in your own living room. Casey Zack is a group All you need to get started trainer who has a passion are a few sets of dumbbells, for helping others live a a resistance band and a fit and healthy lifestyle. She can be reached at kettlebell or medicine ball, 678.637.3162 or through which can be purchased at www.HealthyTips411.com. your local supercenter. You can use dumbbells for a variety of exercises such as bicep curls, overhead tricep extensions, shoulder presses and even squats. Use resistance bands and wrap them around
a tree to perform rows or flys. Medicine balls can be used for challenging pushups and sit ups. Kettlebell swings and deadlifts are great for the lower body. Use chairs and tables for bench dips or one-legged lunges. Between sets you can add bursts of cardio with jumping jacks, high knees, squat jumps, or, if you’re really up for a challenge, burpees. Set a timer on your phone and go for one minute, then go back to your set of exercises. For example, start with 15 bicep curls, 15 squats, 15 tricep kickbacks, 15 walking lunges per leg, and 15 sit-ups. Then do a minute of jumping jacks. Repeat this sequence for two more rounds, and you have yourself an awesome workout done right within your own home! As your strength increases, increase the number of repetitions or purchase new dumbbells that are a bit heavier. Alternate between using lighter weights for higher repetitions and heavier weights for lower repetitions each week. This will help your muscles stay confused, which means you won’t be stuck at a plateau. The options are endless when it comes to working out at home. You don’t need tons of machines or barbells to get fit. Always remember, fitness takes time. Eating healthy also helps you see results faster.
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Health & Wellness
It’s Not Your Grandpa’s Hearing Aid BY JAN HENRIQUES
Dr. Henriques is a board certified audiologist and lead provider at North Georgia Audiology in Woodstock. She has been practicing since 1985, after earning a doctorate in audiology from the University of Florida and a master’s degree from LSU Medical Center.
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Hearing aids have come a long way, from ear trumpets to microprocessors that are virtually invisible. Some people are still stuck with the notion that hearing aids are big and bulky, “like my granddad used to wear!” When I started practicing more than 30 years ago, body-style hearing aids were worn by deaf children and severe to profoundly hearing impaired adults. A cord connected the hearing aid to a bulky box worn in a pocket or strapped on a harness to be worn across the chest. Those of us who remember that bulky device have a preconceived notion about hearing aids. I’ve had patients tell me, “I don’t want one that goes over my ear like _____ used to wear. I’m not that old!” I can safely say that these are obsolete!
Even today’s miraculous cochlear implant technology fits all behind the ear. Hearing aids come in a variety of shapes and sizes, most of which are discreetly worn. The tiniest devices are available now and can be wirelessly connected to your phone or TV. Some are even as small as the tip of your little finger. You will be amazed at how helpful and transformative better hearing can now be. • Wireless devices, known as assistive listening devices (ALDs) or hearing assistance technology (HAT), connect to a variety of situations such as media, live performances, church services, telephone and television. Not all devices require the user to wear hearing aids and can work independently like wireless headphones for television or personal FM systems for theaters. • There’s a resurgence in a system called looping, where hearing loops transmit the audio from a PA system directly to telecoil-equipped hearing aids and cochlear implants. The telecoil functions as an antenna, relaying sounds directly into the ear without background noise. • The Lyric is a hearing aid that’s virtually undetectable because it’s placed in the ear canal and can be worn while showering or exercising. It is replaced every three to four months. • Modern hearing devices offer extended wear, are invisible continued on page 82
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Do you remember the Vioxx scandal? It was a medication designed to relieve arthritis pain…but like all drugs, it had side effects. After years of use worldwide, the makers withdrew it from the market because of the overwhelming evidence it caused heart attacks and strokes. There’s a time to use pain medications, BUT not before seeking a natural way to correct the CAUSE of the problem! Ask yourself … after taking all these pain medications…maybe for years…are you any better off?
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I sought out care at North Cobb Spine and Nerve for the pain and stiffness in my Have you had one doctor after another telling you Knees. The pain had been bothering me this is just the natural process of the body getting for about 4 months. Making day to day older - that you should expect to have arthritis. life hard. Before seeking treatment I had Sure, if you don’t take care of your damaged joints tried pain medicines and antinow, as you get older they will be worse (which is inflammatory medications. Since starting why you shouldn’t wait any longer to see if I can my care I have improved 100%. The pain help you.) in my knees is gone and I am now able to However, old age is not the cause of your arthritis. walk with no pain. The staff here has I’ll venture to say all 360 joints in your body are treated me great and always show the same age, yet arthritis and joint degeneration genuine concern about my well -being. has not affected every one of them – only your Thank you, previously injured joints that never healed Martha Wann- Teacher properly. Pain Is Not Just ‘Old Age’
My name is Dr. Amy Valente owner of North Cobb Spine and Nerve Institute. Over the past seven years since we’ve opened the doors, I’ve
I came to North Cobb Spine and Nerve Institute with terrible knee pain. Since being treated here, I no longer have pain in my knee. I can now climb up and down the stairs without feeling pain. I can get on with my busy life with far less pain and stiffness! Thanks, Donna Adams With my “Arthritis Evaluation”, we can find the problem and then correct it. Think of how you could feel in just a few short weeks. See and feel your life change for the better. Start your body on the way to pain-free, normal living. Feel tight joints rest, relax, free up. Feel muscles tied in knots become suppler. Feel strength in your muscles increase. As you begin to see motion returning to your joints, you’re preventing and reducing chances of disability and a crippling future. You’re playing Golf again -- hitting longer drives, smoother putts, and lower scores…without pain.
Arthritis can be successfully treated. Healthy, pain-free living should be yours. Please call our 24 Help Line at 678-5745678 and tell the receptionist you’d like to come
in for the Special Arthritis Evaluation before Nov. 15th. We can get started with your consultation, exam and x-rays as soon as there’s an opening in the schedule. North Cobb Spine and Nerve Institute is located at 3451 Cobb Pkwy. Suite 4 in Acworth. (On the corner of Mars Hill Rd. and Cobb Pkwy) I look forward to helping you get rid of your pain so you can start living a healthier, more joyful life. Sincerely, Dr. Amy Valente, D.C. P.S. The only real question to ask you is this… Life’s too short to live in pain like this. Call us today and soon I’ll be giving you the green light to have fun again!
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TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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Health & Wellness
Parents: Take a Timeout From Anger BY DR. AMY HARDIN
If you ever meet one of my daughters, feel free to ask if her mom ever got really angry with her. The answer will be an emphatic yes! Parents get angry with their kids. Grumpy, hungry kids mixed with a parent who had a bad day at work is like pouring gasoline on an open flame. So what is a parent to do? First, let’s think about anger, which is part of a hormonal fightor-flight mode that our bodies Dr. Amy Hardin is a go into when we’re stressed. We pediatrician in Towne Lake can’t run away because we are the at Northside Pediatrics. parents, so our body is telling us Check out Northside to strike back, either verbally or, Pediatrics’ new website at sadly, physically. Your child may www.northsidepediatrics. com and follow them on be pushing your buttons (and you Facebook at Northside theirs), but they aren’t causing Pediatrics. your response. Parents and kids can trigger each other like no one else. Even your own parents can sometimes make you act like a sullen teenager under the right circumstances. If we get angry enough, the hollering starts. Name calling takes a high personal toll because our kids look to us for their sense of self. Physical abuse is even worse, and that is why spanking is outlawed in 38 countries. Spanking is hitting, and hitting any adult is assault, which is an offense that can land you in jail. Spanking reduces self-esteem, interferes with learning, victimizes kids and stimulates their anger and physical aggression. We spend countless hours teaching kids to use their words, count to 10, or shake it off and take deep breaths when angry. Why would we show them how we deal with anger with physical punishment?
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The first step to dealing with our anger is to take a pledge with me: We will not hit, scream, swear, call names or punish on the fly while angry. Let’s set rules BEFORE the meltdowns occur. If your kids are old enough to read, write down family rules and the consequence of breaking the rules. Having those rules established when things are starting to escalate allows you to stop making dinner, remind them of the rules and redirect their bickering. You and your kids can calm down by reviewing a list of non-physical ways to decrease anger: breathing, shaking your hands and arms, or even forcing yourself to smile or laugh, which short circuits anger centers in your brain. Saying “this is not an emergency” out loud can help you remember just that. If you’ve tried everything on your list and you’re still angry, give yourself a timeout. A quick walk out to the garage where you can close yourself in the car and scream really can be a release. Tell your kids what you are doing by saying, “I’m very angry so I need to give myself a timeout to help calm down.” This shows your kids how they should calm themselves in tense situations. They will see if it works for mom, it could work for them. If your kids are too young to leave or understand, walk to the kitchen sink and splash some cold water on your face. Physically removing yourself helps you not physically act out. Discipline is really never best meted out while angry. First, these edicts thrown out often aren’t backed up, so your kids know that your discipline doesn’t count and undermines your authority. Also, if you tend to discipline while angry, you are more likely to physically punish your child. Tell your child that you are too angry to decide what to do, and that you will make dinner and sit down and decide later. The fear of anticipation is sometimes worse than the discipline. This also gives you a chance to calm down and use a calm tone, which often gets a more calm response from your kids. continued on page 82
Ready, Set, Quit Give your health a boost by giving up smoking once and for all. COURTESY OF THE NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL SMOKING CESSATION PROGRAM
It’s true. An occasional piece of cake or glass of wine isn’t going to kill you. But a once-in-a-while cigarette does more harm than you may realize. Smoking is the primary cause of preventable death in the U.S. According to the American Cancer Society, no cigarette is without risk. Smoking even as few as five days out of the month can lead to more shortness of breath and coughing. Smoking just one to four cigarettes a day can increase the risk of dying from heart disease and all causes, like cancer. The bottom line is – if you don’t smoke, don’t start. And if you do, quit. There are no ifs, ands or “butts” about it. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health. You begin to experience the health benefits of quitting almost immediately, within minutes of your last cigarette. Quitting while you are younger will reduce your health risks more, but quitting at any age can give back years of your life that would be lost by continuing to smoke. It’s not always easy. If at first you don’t succeed, keep trying. The benefits of not smoking will make your efforts worthwhile. So you’ve decided to quit once and for all. Now it’s time to make a quit plan. Try these strategies to help ensure your success: ● Set a quit date for within the next month. You’ll have time to prepare, but not change your mind. This year’s Great American Smokeout is a good quit date – November 20. ● Tell family, friends and colleagues about your plans to gain support. ● Anticipate challenges. Keep a journal to figure out smoking
triggers. Learn how to avoid them and withdrawal feelings. ● Plan ahead to deal with cravings with replacements such as peppermints, carrot sticks or toothpicks. ● Throw away all of your cigarettes, lighters and ashtrays from your home, car and workplace. ● Talk to your doctor to get help quitting. Ask about medicines that can control your nicotine cravings or withdrawal symptoms. ● Start taking other steps to improve your health and wellbeing, such as getting adequate sleep, drinking plenty of fluids and exercising. ● Avoid situations where you will feel tempted to smoke. For example, get up from the table immediately after meals and dine at restaurants that prohibit smoking. Make smoking inconvenient. Need more help? Just ask. You’re not alone in trying to quit – or struggling to quit. Join a support group or telephone counseling program. The Northside Hospital Smoking Cessation Program offers a comprehensive program to help meet your individual needs. For many smokers, the structure and support of a group program are helpful in quitting tobacco use. To find out about additional stop-smoking programs in your area, contact the local chapter of the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association or American Heart Association. For more information, contact 404-780-7653 or smokingcessation@northside.com.
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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School & Sports
Parents Be Aware of New Dangerous Drug BY MARK KISSEL
“It’s just wax!” The latest drug challenge for parents, school administrators and law enforcement officers is a potent new drug often called “wax,” and it has found its way into Georgia high schools. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s fact sheet, the drug is made from oils in marijuana plants (THC) and is far more potent than dried marijuana leaves. Wax also is Chief of Police Mark Kissel known as BHO (short for butane has served the Cherokee hash oil), and states with legalized County School District marijuana can easily sell the since 1999 and has more product. than 35 years of law enforcement experience. The substance looks like lip balm and is frequently kept in small tins or similar containers, making it easy to hide “in plain sight.” According to officers familiar with the substance, a drop or two of the oil can be several times stronger than marijuana that is smoked, and a recent article published by the progressive news website www.AlterNet.org compared the difference between wax and a marijuana joint to the
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difference between 100-proof and 50-proof vodka. During a recent drug investigation, police found approximately 80 grams (3 ounces) of wax at a Georgia residence, and more recently, officers in the metro Atlanta area have received complaints from parents whose children were approached at school by others trying to sell it under the pretense that it was easy to hide. Schools in the Cherokee County School District (CCSD) are considered drug-free zones, and the 2014-15 CCSD Discipline Code prohibits a student from possessing, using, offering for sale, or transferring any drug while on school property, on school buses, at bus stops or while attending school functions. As a parent, please take the time to talk with your child about the potential health risks associated with wax and other drugs and remind them of the potential school discipline and legal consequences if they are found in possession of these substances.
The substance looks like lip balm and is frequently kept in small tins or similar containers, making it easy to hide “in plain sight.”
NOVEMBER CREATIVE WRITING FINALISTS Thanksgiving Turkey Takeover: What would happen if your Thanksgiving Dinner started a rebellion?”
November 29th rolled around quickly this year. Thanksgiving was a huge deal to Maggie’s family. Every year the feast got bigger and bigger. The foods were always interesting and never tedious. Maggie ran downstairs to set the table, because her Melissa family was coming over soon. She was Alvarenga setting the mash potato bowl down when she heard the most peculiar sound in the kitchen. She ran to the kitchen with a worried look on her face. She looked around and there it was, the turkey sitting upright, eating the mac and cheese. She gasped and called out to her mom, “Mom! The turkey is eating the mac and cheese.” She didn’t respond so Maggie ran upstairs, but by the time she got back the turkey was out the door. She wanted to chase it, but instead she gave up and said, “I guess we won’t be having turkey today.”
It was two days before Thanksgiving and the turkeys at Wilford’s Turkey Farm were frantic. They were running all over the barn gobbling, “What do we do?!” “I don’t want to die!” “Help! Help!” The biggest, oldest turkey grew tired of this nonsense so he quickly thought of a plan. “Attention! I have a plan that will save us all!” By now Chloe every turkey was giving him their undivided Sanders attention with desperate eyes. “When farmer Wilford comes in to pick out the Thanksgiving turkey, we’ll hide until I signal…Attack! They need to know what it’s like to be a turkey.” Everyone loved the plan and the next day they were ready. Farmer Wilford walked into an empty barn when all of a sudden the turkeys popped out and started pushing him down on the hay. They tied him down with ropes and started pouring gravy on him. They put fruits and veggies around him and made poor Farmer Wilford look like a nice turkey dinner. “Ok! Ok! I get it! No turkeys for Thanksgiving!” he cried out. The turkeys freed him and he never tried to eat a turkey for Thanksgiving again.
It was Thanksgiving Day at the Wysocki house and everyone was rushing around setting the table. When everything was finally ready, we all sat down to enjoy our feast. We were passing around containers of food and putting the contents onto our Hannah plates. It wasn’t until my mom was about to Wysocki carve the turkey that we noticed. The turkey was worse than undercooked, it was alive! We all screamed as everything came to life. The mashed potatoes were using the forks as hands and building themselves into mashed potato-men. The cranberries were growing arms and legs. The stuffing was building itself up like the mashed potatoes, and finally the turkey. It had jumped up and was leading the rebellion. “Onward my tasty treats, march to the door!” it exclaimed. And at that, our Thanksgiving dinner opened the front door and fled into the night.
It was a sunny afternoon in Santa Monica, California. The crisp, warm air blowing against the warm sand on the beautiful beach. The pacific coastal waves crashed onto the rocks with its crystal clear water. The weather was just right, almost…perfect. All of the stores were occupied with busy people scurrying around for last-minute Thanksgiving gifts and treats. Santa Monica was home to one of the biggest festivities in the country, the Santa Monica Thanksgiving Turkey Cook-off. Over 300 people would be there, just to Bailee watch and enjoy good quality family time. Day The day before the cook-off, Connor McClendon, the 4-time annual winner, had found a special spice that might make his turkey better than he ever imagined. Now, this spice was a one-of-a-kind spice that nobody else had heard of, so he was guaranteed a great result. As he started roasting his turkey, he added the given amount of spice to the rest of his ingredients. Finally, the turkey was done, and he was on his way to the contest. It was almost time for the judges to taste Connor’s turkey. As they arrived to his station, they picked up the fork. All of a sudden his plate started to shake. The shaking kept growing, and a live turkey popped out! There was a gasp in the audience, and then some chatter. Then everyone’s turkeys started shaking. Pop! Bang! Everyone’s turkeys became real! Consequently, even the judges who had eaten the turkeys turned into turkeys! Everyone started to evacuate until only Connor was left wondering what could have caused this crazy turkey disaster.
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School & Sports
Woodstock Elementary Thanks Cub Scouts for Work Day Members of Cub Scout Pack 4900 recently held a work day at their school, Woodstock Elementary School, where they added woodchips to the playground and cleaned school grounds. “We value the partnership and appreciate their service to the school,” Principal Kim Montalbano said.
Participating Scouts included first grade Tigers Diego Breaux, Nicholas Steiner and Wyatt Williamson; second grade Wolf Riley Drake; third grade Bears Ashton Frame and Stephen Welch; fourth grade Webelos 1 Keegan Williamson; fifth grade Webelos 2 Dylan Hoffacker and William Pannell.
Cherokee Students Continue to Earn Top SAT Scores The Cherokee County School District continues to rank in the top five school districts in Georgia for average SAT scores, based on data recently released by the Georgia Department of Education and the College Board. The school district’s Class of 2014 earned an average total score of 1563, which is the fifth highest score out of 180 school systems in the state of Georgia. Graduates from the Class of 2014 beat the national
average by 66 points and the state average by 118 points on the curriculum-based, college entrance and placement exam, which is the most commonly recognized measure of achievement for high school students. All Cherokee County high schools scored above the national and state average on the test, which measures critical reading, mathematics and writing abilities that are related to successful academic performance in college.
Boston Elementary Participates in Operation Graduation Boston Elementary School students recently showed their Etowah Eagle spirit as part of the Operation Graduation zone initiative. The initiative encourages students at all of Etowah High School’s feeder schools to become a part of the high school’s family at an early age by participating in events such as Etowah High School football and basketball games and other Innovation Zone initiatives. From left, front row: Robe Hammons, Aiden Beaver, Kaden Powell; second row: Hayden Bresler, J.C. Hooper, Memphis Sorrels, Zachary Buchanan, Brendon Forrester, Spencer Gayton; and back rows: Mallory Maynard, Maggie Maynard, Kennedy Metcalf, Emily Myers, Emma Stapleton, Ashlyn Forrester, Jasmine Weatherspoon and Abbie Smith.
Super Swimmer! Lauren Case of the Chattahoochee Gold swim team has been chosen for the USA Junior National swim team. Lauren is 16 years old and a junior at Woodstock High School. She’s been a swimmer for Chattahoochee Gold for nine years. Lauren is a USA Swimming Junior National (18 and younger) top three finisher and competed in the 2012 Olympic trials. She’s the first Chattahoochee Gold swimmer chosen for the Junior National team. 64
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Lauren Case
High School Athletes Serve as Guest Readers initiative. The visits not Oak Grove only benefit the younger Elementary School students, they also help Fine Arts Academy the Etowah students regularly welcomes learn valuable life skills Etowah High School from speaking to the student athletes to classes, answering the serve as guest readers children’s questions and in its classrooms. acting as role models. Some of the Etowah Participating Etowah students have been student athletes, who participating in the represent a variety of program their entire teams, include: Caleb high school careers Barden-Street, Abby and not only provide Bishop, Kylie Blanton, additional reading Leah Brown, Cory comprehension Burdett, Sarah Carter, activities for students, Jessica Cohen, Mahala but also inspire them to Etowah football player Patrick Oliver reads to students. Cornette, Abby Davis, succeed academically, Josh Fulenwider, Joel become student leaders and to graduate from high school. All of the schools in the Etowah Happel, Sydney Hotaling, Katelyn Jepson, Stanley Logue, John Maxwell, Patrick Oliver, Carlyle Rechsteiner, Kenneth Reibly, Dante Innovation Zone (an Innovation Zone includes a high school Richitelli, Nick Searcy, Alex Smith, Jules Turbyfield, Laura Varley, and its feeder middle and elementary schools) work together Ben Vicznesky and Brooke Welsh. to encourage graduation through the Operation Graduation
Cherokee No. 2 in AP Passage Cherokee County School District high school students not only continue to exceed national and state averages on rigorous Advanced Placement (AP) exams, but the school system as a whole has earned the second highest passage rate in Georgia. The school district, with a passage rate of 76 percent among the 3,424 tests administered in the spring of 2014, ranks second out of Georgia’s 180 school systems, according to new data released by the Georgia Department of Education. The district’s 2014 test administration passage rate of 76 percent exceeds both the nation at 59 percent and the state at 56 percent.
Queen of the Quarter Beauty Pageant Etowah senior Ally Franke will host the Queen of the Quarter Beauty Pageant at 7 p.m. Dec. 3. The pageant is a fundraiser for the football team - each varsity player will escort a young lady in the pageant - and Ally’s senior project. The winner gets a $500 scholarship. The competition will consist of three parts: interview, spirit wear and formal wear. Tickets are $5. For details, contact allygator8888@gmail.com.
Etowah Cross Country Team Has Strong Showing at County Meet The 2014 Cherokee County Cross Country Championships were held Oct. 11. Varsity boys and girls teams ran in the morning but heavy rains, lightning and thunder caused the junior varsity races to be postponed until the Sam Daniel (left) and Jeremy Loudin run in following Monday. the rescheduled boys’ junior varsity race. Etowah High School placed first, as a team, in the varsity boys’, varsity girls’ and junior varsity boys’ races. The junior varsity girls’ team placed third. Boys Varsity: First place as a team Michael Perona - fourth place Parker Wall - sixth place Blake Beavers - seventh place Girls Varsity: First place as a team Kingsley Green - first place Shelby Rensel - fifth place Madison Fowler - eighth place
Boys JV: First place as a team Dylan Simpson - first place Austin Stephan - second place Sam Jones - fourth place Kevin Tillery - fifth place Nathan Kapscos - ninth place Girls JV: Third place as a team Beth Haynes- first place TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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Cherokee Photography Club - “On
The Road”
Congratulations to the September competition winners. Digital Projection:
1st: Martin Longstaff — “47 Miles Per Hour”
2nd: David Ferguson— “Taking the Curve”
3rd: Danielle Wimmer— “Sight-Seeing Selfie”
HM: Jay Minor— “Fly Me to the Moon”
Color Prints:
1st: Martin Longstaff— “Silver Buckle” 66
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2nd: Jason Heib— “Because Not All Roads Are Paved”
Color Prints:
3rd: Kim Bates— “Under Water”
HM: Naomi Shively— “Driving to Mt. Hood”
Monochromatic:
1st: Eillene Kirk— “Detour Ahead”
3rd: Naomi Shively— “Highway 66 - Ashland, Oregon”
2nd: Allen Quandee— “The Road to Victoria”
HM: Karen Beedle— “Icy Conditions”
The Cherokee Photography Club meets on the fourth Monday of the month, and for those participating in the monthly contest, that meeting is held on the second Monday of the month. Both meetings are from 7-9 p.m. and held at the Cherokee County Arts Center, 94 North Street, Canton. For more information, please contact Kim Bates at (770) 617-7595 or email him at kbphotoart@comcast.net.
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Faith
Changing Times and Changing Lives
Marriage Moments: No Winners in Blame Game
BY JOHN HARRIS
BY BILL RATLIFF
I love this time of year! I love the changing of everything, from the chill in the air to the color of the leaves; it is such a beautiful time of year. I know that with this change of season also comes a change in the speed of our lives. Our schedules just seem to get out of control and our lives just get really busy. But what I want to call your attention to, in all of the John Harris is the senior beauty and busyness of this pastor at New Victoria Baptist Church on Bells time of year, is the unspoken Ferry Road. John and his need that is all around us. wife, daughter and two For many, this time of year sons live in Woodstock. is more painful than pleasant, He can be reached at either because of a current johnharris@newvicbaptist. org. circumstance or because a painful experience from the past has brought them to a place that can seem like a “prison.” There are no iron bars around them, nor is there a jailer keeping watch over them, but the isolation and depression are just as real and just as dark. In II Timothy 1:8, Paul is in a prison cell in Rome and he writes to Timothy “…do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings…” Paul is writing out of his prison and is expressing a powerful message that I believe we need to listen to. Yes, Paul was imprisoned, not for something done wrong, but because of what he did that was right. Many had distanced themselves from Paul and were ashamed of him. Sometimes we do the same; the more we know of people, the less we like them. Sometimes their “chains” are too heavy for us. I have always been blessed by the fact that the One who knows me the best chooses to love me the most, and that One is the Lord. In verse 17 of that same chapter, we hear of a man that “… diligently searched...” for Paul just to be an encouragement to him. Paul’s life was changed because someone took time for him. I challenge you today to take time during this season to reach out to those who you know are hurting, and be a source of encouragement to them. It might only take a minute of your time, but it can change a life.
Recently, I was contemplating the games that husbands and wives play with each other. One of those is called the Blame Game. The only equipment needed for this game are a critical spirit, an unwillingness to accept any blame, a prideful attitude and a big mouth. The point of the game is to pin the blame on one’s spouse for all of the bad, wrong and undone Bill Ratliff is the Senior things in your life together. The Pastor at Towne Lake winner of this game is no one, Community Church. because nobody wins when we He can be reached at (678) blame each other. 445-8766 or bratliff@ Please note that the very tlcchurch.com. first couple on the planet, Adam and Eve, played this game. The blame of each other is pointed out in Genesis 3:12-13, which states, “the man said, ‘The Woman whom you gave to be with me, she forgave me of the tree, and I ate.’ God said to the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ The woman said, ‘the serpent deceived me and I ate.’” The problem is that they were both guilty and worthy of blame. I believe couples in unhealthy marriages are notoriously fond of playing the Blame Game. Healthy couples almost never play this game. They are about good communication, solving issues, and not pointing the finger. A number of years ago my wife and I decided to stop pointing the finger at each other. We started a new game called the Somebody Game. Instead of blaming each other we blame SOMEBODY. It sounds like this: SOMEBODY forgot to take out the trash, SOMEBODY forgot to load the dishwasher, SOMEBODY left the garage door open, and SOMEBODY backed over the mailbox. In this game by blaming SOMEBODY, nobody gets hurt, and everybody wins. What games are you playing in your marriage that provide a win-win outcome?
“I challenge you today to take time during this season to reach out to those who you know are hurting . . .”
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“I believe couples in unhealthy marriages are notoriously fond of playing the Blame Game.”
Date Your Mate Take your mate to the Movie Tavern. It is a fresh idea. The seats are large and comfortable, the food is good and the atmosphere’s relaxing.
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Faith
Congregation Ner Tamid holds Tashlich Service at Rope Mill Members of Congregation Ner Tamid held a Tashlich service at Rope Mill Park in Woodstock recently, where they tossed their sins into the water. Congregants drove to the park at the conclusion of Rosh Hashana services at their first permanent location, 1349 Old Hwy 41, Suite 220, Marietta, in the Kennesaw Mountain Business Park.
Photos from the Tashlich service at Rope Mill Park.
The event was organized by Joel Landsberg, a Woodstock resident and congregation board member. Of the 60 families at Ner Tamid, five are from Cherokee County. For more information, call (678) 264-8575 or visit www.mynertamid.org.
Camp Gideon offers leadership event Youth and young adults will gather at Camp Gideon, on Lake Allatoona, for Fall Connection beginning 7 p.m. Nov. 14, for a 24-hour session that connects the leadership community through discipleship, fellowship and worship. Whether or not you’ve been a part of this event in the past, participants can enjoy meeting like-minded leaders and hearing how to impact the community through Camp Gideon’s IMPACT program. Participants must be at age 12 or sixth-grade graduate by June 2015. Cost is $24. For more details, call (770) 974-7744. www.campgideon.com.
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Crowns4Christ a New Venture Since being crowned the 2014 Ms. Wheelchair USA, Cherokee county resident Yvette Pegues has been involved in the formation of Crowns4Christ, a venture that organizers hope will be a movement on par with the popular Women of Faith. The event will feature Yvette and four former Ms. Wheelchair USA titleholders. “What sets us apart from other faith-based conferences is that we’re sharing scripture Yvette Pegues, Ms. Wheelchair USA and testimony from our wheelchairs wearing our crowns for Christ. It’s a family event that we want to take into as many cities as will sponsor and host our platform,” said Pegues. For more info, email Yvette@ MsWheelchairUSA.org and follow Ms. Wheelchair USA on Facebook.
Casting Crowns in Concert Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. at First Baptist of Woodstock, doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $18. For details visit www.fbcw.org.
Welcome to
DOWNTOWN WOODSTOCK
photo by Darleen Prem
Photo coming
The Outlet Shoppes
T at Atlanta at Saks
Fifth Avenue Off Fifth
- park in marked spaces only - parking in Woodstock UMC lot is M-Sa only - Chatt Tech parking is limited until early 2015
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Trolley Routes outlined in red
Chattahoochee Technical College
Parks Cir
Trolley Stop
Public Parking Lots
Rope Mill Rd
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Dobbs Rd
Kyle St
On-Street Parking - park in marked spaces only
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Arnold Mill Rd
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CSB Bank (after 5PM)
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Reformation Brewery
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Download the Visit Woodstock App for info on downtown businesses and events!
As the business district of Woodstock continues to grow, so does the need for parking! Here’s the most up-to-date parking and trolley map for your shopping ease. TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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Downtown Woodstock
Guerilla Gardening
Landscape architect creates gardens and events to seed a spontaneous arts community BY ANN LITREL
Painting by Ann Litrel, annlitrel.com
Ann is an artist and writer whose nationally published work includes decorative art, paintings for private and corporate collections, and writing and illustration for a range of publications. Ann lives with her husband and co-author Dr. Mike Litrel and their two sons in Woodstock. Ann@annlitrel.com
Melissa Casteel is a landscape architect and principal of Mondo Land Planning+Design. In 2012 she partnered with community advocate Pat Tanner to co-found GROW, a volunteer organization for enhancing the downtown area and promoting community arts and activity. Melissa serves on the board of Main Street, and is the site designer and donor for Elm Street Cultural Arts Village.
Melissa Casteel speaks in measured tones, her voice often serious. At first she seems an unlikely advocate for arts and spontaneity. We sit at the Crossings in downtown Woodstock, where the morning sun illuminates her dark hair against the bright flowers, fruits of GROW volunteer labor, all around us. Ann: What is landscape architecture? How does it relate to GROW? Melissa: One definition of landscape architecture could be “designing the human experience.” It means people interact in a public space based on how it’s designed. People usually aren’t aware of that. A small example might be the color of these chairs [the bright periwinkle chairs outside PURE]. People don’t think much about the color. But it sends out a subliminal message. If these were plain wood, the space would feel more ordinary. A bright color says, this is urban, this has energy. GROW stands for “Green Reaps Opportunity for Woodstock.” The original impulse was to improve the downtown area. We do most of the plantings, and we coordinate the watering and adoption of the planters by the businesses. A different GROW project made Woodstock one of the first two cities in Georgia to participate in International PARK(ing) Day. It’s a movement to take a piece of land the size of a parking space and transform it for one day into a public park. The first year we created a public garden, but the second year we did a live re-enactment of the painting “Sunday Afternoon in the Park” by Seurat. That got a lot of attention. Groups in other places have made parking spaces into free health clinics, built art installations, done free bike repair shops, even hosted a wedding. The vision of PARK(ing) Day is to challenge people’s ideas about public spaces and inspire them to participate in the civic processes that shape it. Ann: What do you envision for GROW in Woodstock’s future? Melissa: My big wish list is urban art - murals and sculptures. Chattanooga has done a great job of that. The Beltline in Atlanta is another model. They have art and events that create 72
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a sense of community. I’d like to experiment with guerilla gardening. You go into a public space at night, transform it with plants, art, whatever. People react in the morning by using the space in a totally different way. An example of a guerilla project might be to tape out a huge hopscotch grid on a street during the night. Ann: What GROW projects have received the most notice? Melissa: The Christmas balls! These were huge, multicolored balls we put up in the trees downtown. They had a Dr. Seuss feel, and the trees came to life. The public response was overwhelming. People driving through were so excited, they would stop to tell us these were the most beautiful decorations they had ever seen. Ann: What do you want people to know about GROW? Melissa: We’re not just a gardening group! We’re open to all ages, men and women. You can bring kids. There are social activities. The common interests of the group are garden enthusiasts and public art. I moved to Woodstock because we wanted to live in a small community where our daughter could walk to school, where I could make a difference. In her quiet way, Melissa is shaping this town with a unique vision. For more on Melissa’s story and the accompanying portrait, visit www.annlitrel.com. You can e-mail the artist at ann@annlitrel.com
DOWNTOWN WOODSTOCK DINING GUIDE RESTAURANT Canyons 335 Chambers St. 678-494-8868 canyonsburgercompany.com
CUISINE
BREAKFAST
LUNCH
DINNER
SUNDAY
SPIRITS
RESERV.
American
no
$
$
open
Beer/Wine
no
Century House Tavern 125 E Main St. 770-693-4552 centuryhousetavern.com
Modern American
no
$$
$$$
open
Full bar
8 persons +
Fire Stone 120 Chambers St. 770-926-6778 firestonerestaurants.com
Wood-fired Pizza & Grill
no
$$
$$$
open
Full bar
yes
Southern
Sat./Sun. Brunch
$$
$$$
open
Full bar
no
American
no
$
no
open
no
no
Tapas/Sushi
no
Fri./Sat. only
$$
open
Full bar
yes
Ipps Pastaria & Bar 8496 Main St. 770-517-7305 ippspastaria.com
Italian
no
$$
$$
open
Full bar
no
J Christopher’s 315 Chambers St. 770-592-5990 jchristophers.com
Diner
$-$$
$ - $$
no
open
no
weekdays only
BBQ & Southern Sandwiches
no
$ - $$
$ - $$
open
Beer
no
Freight Kitchen & Tap 251 E Main St. 770-924-0144 freightkitchen.com Hot Dog Heaven 8588 Main St. 770-591-5605 Ice Martini & Sushi Bar 380 Chambers St. 770-672-6334 icemartinibar.com
J Miller’s Smokehouse 156 Towne Lake Pkwy. 770-592-8295 jmillerssmokehouse.com Magnolia Thomas 108 Arnold Mill Rd. 678-445-5789 magnoliathomas.com
Southern
Sunday Brunch
no
$$$$
open
Beer/Wine
yes
Pure Taqueria 405 Chambers St. 770-952-7873 puretaqueria.com/woodstock
Mexican
Sat./Sun. Brunch
$$
$$
open
Full bar
6 persons +
Seafood
Sunday Brunch
$$
$$-$$$
open
Full bar
limited
English Tea room
no
$$
no
closed
no
yes
Italian
no
$$
$$$
closed
Full bar
yes
Reel Seafood 20 ad on pg. 8670 Main St. see 770-627-3006 Tea Leaves & Thyme 8990 Main St. 770-516-2609 tealeavesandthyme.com Vingenzo’s 105 E Main St. 770-924-9133 vingenzos.com
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$ = most entrees under $10 • $$ = most entrees $10 - $15 • $$$ = most entrees $15 - $20 • $$$$ = most entrees over $20
Casual and Upscale Dine-In Restaurants
Downtown Woodstock
Misfortune Opens the Door to a Change in Style BY JODI TIBERIO
Jodi Tiberio owns Branches Boutique for women in Towne Lake as well as a second Branches location and Brooklynn’s boutique in Downtown Woodstock. Contact Jodi at info@ shopthreads.net.
The past few months have been a whirlwind of change for Madonna Mezzanotte, a school counselor at Little River Elementary. Several months ago her house was hit by lightning, which destroyed 85 percent of her home. She lost everything: her clothes, her shoes, even her makeup. While insurance is currently covering a portion of the damage, and construction is about to begin, there are many stressful situations that arise every day. Several of Madonna’s friends nominated her for our makeover, and after thinking about it Madonna said she realized she was “in a rut and needed a change.” She explained that she needed to understand how to dress and style herself for her age and she wanted an objective opinion on clothes, hair and makeup. She stated that her whole life and house were changing and she needed to change, too. After committing to the makeover, Madonna visited the downtown location of Brooklynn’s where she met with manager Mari. She and Mari spent several hours combing through the store. Madonna tried on many different outfits with Mari’s objective eye assisting her with the creation of a whole new style. With Mari’s encouragement, Madonna settled on a pair of leggings and boots, paired with a figure flattering, classic gray wool dress with detailing. After picking out an outfit, she 74
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headed to Salon Gloss for hair and makeup. Salon owner Tim Timmons talked with Madonna about her current styling habits, lifestyle and comfort level. He determined that Madonna would look best with a style that frames her face with bangs and a length that falls just below her shoulders. Her hair color was too dark for her skin tone and features, so Tim decided to lighten her color to a warm brown base with scattered highlights, creating a more youthful look. Makeup artist Will Clemons worked with Madonna to teach her which colors and techniques would best work for her lifestyle, age and skin tone. Madonna says that she is very happy with her hair and makeup and that everybody loves it. It’s such a transformation for her that she said no one recognizes her. While the changes going on in her life are not all her choosing, it is wonderful to see someone with such a positive attitude who chooses to look past her circumstances and find joy in the moment. We enjoyed being a part of Madonna’s transformation and we wish her all the best.
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Downtown Woodstock
A Celebration of Woodstock’s Art Community The recent Glow: A Gallery on the Green inaugural event was an outdoor celebration that attracted city officials, art patrons and Cherokee County residents who wanted to take part in a noteworthy project. Guests were able to review and bid on the 35 works of art donated by artist Kristina Laurendi Havens. Twenty original paintings from the Woodstock Vignettes were sold at the auction, with proceeds going to the Reeves House Restoration Project. The historic Reeves House, built in 1891, is part of the Elm
Street Cultural Arts Village property and will be restored and transformed into a permanent art gallery for the Woodstock community. The second level of the house will be transformed into artist studios. Local teacher and improv actor Joe Lemmo was the event’s emcee and live music was provided by Taryn and the Wednesday Trio. For more information on the project or current Elm Street Cultural Arts Village productions, visit www.elmstreetarts.org or call (678) 494-4251
Vocalist Taryn Newborne Chidebelu-Eze and Joe Lemmo on the Resurgens Orthopaedics Community Stage on the Elm Street Green. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Carter)
Susan and Phil Fauver unveil their first-pick vignette with artist Kristina Havens (right) looking on.
From left, Mark and Patty Ponder with Jan and Mayor Don Henriques.
Renee Gable, David and Stephanie Boyington.
Christopher and Morgan Brazelton.
Artist Kristina Laurendi Havens.
Ben Reeves of the original Reeves family with his wife Amy. 76
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Photos courtesy of Susan Bryg, WhiteFlowerPhotography.com
Volunteers Stephanie Maxim (left) and Katie Swartz assist with Glow necklaces to raffle participants.
Downtown Woodstock
Downtown Woodstock
Photos by Darleen Prem
Touch-a-Truck
Miss Cherokee Rose pageant
Elizabeth Buckalew, Miss Cherokee Rose 2015, is being crowned by Patricia Ford, 2014 Miss Cherokee Rose. Elizabeth is a junior at UGA majoring in finance with a minor in French. With this win, she received several thousand dollars in scholarships and she is now qualified to compete in the Miss Georgia pageant next June.
A gathering of winners includes, (from left): Abby Hayman, Teen Miss Cherokee Fair; Reagan Hawthorne, Young Miss Cherokee Fair; Lauren Debranski, 2015 Miss Cherokee Rose’s Outstanding Teen; Elizabeth Buckalew, 2015 Miss Cherokee Rose, and Maxine Allen, Junior Miss Cherokee Fair. TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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Downtown Woodstock
There’s More to November than Turkeys and Football BY JENNA HILL
While November is well known for Thanksgiving and football, downtown Woodstock has a little more to offer. The month will kick off with Friday Night Live: Hollywood Nights on Nov. 7. Dress up as your favorite movie star or don your best red carpet glamour outfit and head downtown, where there will be live music on the streets and in a few restaurants. You might even see a few “famous” Jenna Hill is a Tourism faces. Stop by the Woodstock Information Assistant Visitors Center and have your at the Woodstock picture taken by the paparazzi and Visitors Center. jehill@woodstockga.gov enter our Famous Faces costume contest. The streets will be filled with people and the stores will be open late with some great sales and specials. Another wonderful November event is the sixth annual Woodstock Art and Wine Festival, set to take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 8 and 9 in the Park at City Center. This event
The Downtown Buzz is held at the Chambers at City Center (8534 Main Street) on the last Friday of the month and begins at 8 a.m. unless otherwise noted. For more information on the Downtown Buzz program or to suggest a topic for consideration, please contact Mitzi at (770) 592-6056. Business Membership Information: $80 investment per year (2 reps) + $30 investment per year for each addn’l rep Subscription to email newsletter Main Street Woodstock decal Downtown Buzz meting (monthly) Member appreciation event Access to workshops Directory listing on website Ribbon cutting or groundbreaking Hobnob - a social event (quarterly)
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Individual and non-profit memberships also available
is a free, family-friendly outdoor festival that features a juried art and crafts show, wine tastings, live entertainment, a handson interactive activity area for kids and plenty of great food. The festival showcases more than 50 talented artists from the Southeast, representing a variety of media including painting, photography, sculpture, pottery, jewelry and more. Patrons can purchase a wine tasting wristband to learn about and enjoy unlimited samples of more than 40 types of wines. To learn more, visit www.woodstockartandwinefestival.com. If football is your favorite thing about November, enjoy the game on big screen televisions in many of our restaurants. Bring friends and try tailgating in the Keeping Room at Reformation Brewery, 500 Arnold Mill Road. Reformation offers brewery tours and beer tastings from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Many restaurants offer catering if you feel like staying in to watch the game. Speaking of catering, remember that some of the restaurants in downtown Woodstock offer their own versions of Thanksgiving dinner. Whether you’re planning for a crowd or just an intimate dinner for two, there are plenty of options for dining in or take-out. To learn more about events and specials, visit www.facebook. com/mainstreetwoodstock.
Nov. 7
Friday Night Live-Hollywood Night: 6 -9 p.m. Merchants will stay open late and live music will be featured on the sidewalks around downtown. For every $10 you spend at a downtown business during Friday Night Live you will be entered into a drawing for a $100 Downtown Dollars gift certificate. Bring your receipts to the Woodstock Visitors Center to enter the drawing.
Nov. 8-9
Woodstock Art and Wine Festival: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The Park at City Center. Free family-friendly festival. www.woodstockartandwinefestival.com.
Nov. 11
Veterans Day Celebration: 7 p.m. candlelight ceremony in The Park at City Center to honor America’s veterans. Dirty, torn, and retired flags can be dropped off for proper disposal at collection boxes located in the parking lot of the Woodstock Senior Center and next to the memorial at the park.
Nov. 12
Community spaghetti dinner open to guests between 5 and 7 p.m. at Woodstock United Methodist Church in Latimer Hall, 103 Towne Lake Parkway. The first of a series of meals open to the community. No charge, donations welcome. RSVP by Nov. 10 by calling (770) 516-0371.
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Experience Elm Street
If you talk about something long enough .... BY G. LORA GROOMS
....sometimes it finally happens. Or, in my case, you finally write it. As a young ballerina in the late 1960s, I danced with the Mercury Ballet Company in Rochester, N.Y. One of the many ballets we performed was “Peter and the Wolf” with music and narrated story by the Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev. I played the Duck, a challenging role requiring G. Lora Grooms is the one to dance in what was director for the Elm Street essentially a sitting position. I Cultural Arts Village. am not making this up. To this She has been teaching, day I love the music, made up writing, directing and of short sequences featuring performing in the Atlanta area since 1990. You can sections of the orchestra reach her at director@ playing melodies representing elmstreetarts.org each character as they underscore the story. A couple, ahem, decades, later, I came up with the notion to write a funny one-act version of “Little Red Riding Hood” to pair up with “Peter and the Wolf.” The character of the Wolf would be the same actor/dancer in both stories, as if he was responsible for the villainy depicted in each. But, a funny villain. Somehow actually writing this piece kept being put off in favor of other projects, other ideas and scripts. Then came the time to devise the 2014-15 season, and we wished to present as much new, fresh material as possible. I had my opportunity at last. With some brainstorming during a brief visit from my grandsons Eden and Jude, this general concept of mine began to take shape. We talked about other stories with wolves, such as “The Three Little Pigs.” What if the pigs lived near Granny’s house? What if they kept interrupting the Wolf’s attempts to get Granny and Little Red? Trust me, it gets pretty crazy. Nothing like bouncing around ideas with an 11-year-old and a 14-year-old who are excellent readers and thinkers! The result is the impending, long-awaited (at least for me) premiere of “Little Red and Peter & the Wolf” this month, directed and choreographed by the incredible Taryn Chidebelu-Eze with a talented young cast. We’ve been asked to perform three daytime school shows, but there are also four public performances at 2 p.m. Nov. 8, 9, 15 and 16 on the City Center Stage. So, yes, if you talk about something long enough, sometimes you finally can make it happen. 80
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Should I Have My Home on the Market in the Winter Months? continued from page 22
is the fact that there are typically fewer homes on the market in December and January. The lack of supply last winter explains why we didn’t see a noticeable drop in the average dollars per square foot for homes sold in those months. The demand remained balanced with supply. Since buyer demand continues to outpace supply (in homes priced lower than $350,000) we are optimistic that home prices should not significantly decline this winter in this segment. With interest rates on the rise and the lack of a true broad based economic recovery, we are growing concerned that prices may start to retreat in the higher price ranges where supply currently exceeds buyer demand. Our advice to our clients would be to take advantage of this market, winter or not.
Parents: Take a Timeout From Anger continued from page 60
After the anger has been diffused, it’s time for self-reflection. Was I angry at the kids or myself because my method of parenting wasn’t working? Was I mad because my spouse is out of town again and I’m left behind? If you are unable to deal with your anger, it may be time for counseling, especially if you find your anger increasing instead of decreasing as weeks go on. If all is said and done and you’re still angry, it’s time for deep soul searching. Anger is a defense mechanism. It shields us from vulnerability. Is your daughter’s obsession with her friends and rude behavior toward you hurting your feelings, or reminding you of your awkward middle school years? Does your son’s incessant screaming and yelling and general destructiveness make you worry that something could be wrong psychologically with him? Figuring out these feelings can help you calm your anger. Choosing the appropriate battles helps decrease the number of outbursts on both sides. The jacket on his bedroom floor is not as important as him being mean to his siblings or friends. What works for my family may not work for yours, and what worked for your toddlers may not work for your teens. Discipline evolves over time and thinking ahead really does help. Pediatricians and counselors also can help. There’s no reason parents should have to go through this alone.
It’s Not Your Grandpa’s Hearing Aid continued from page 58
to others and have no batteries to change. Extended-wear devices can be worn around the clock and are placed by your hearing professional and changed about every two to three months when the battery goes out. So forget what you may have thought about hearing aids up to now. Even the younger patients have fun picking out cool colors and love being able to connect their phones and iPod to the hearing aids. 82
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Gauging Your Financial Well-Being continued from page 34
care power of attorney and a double-check on the beneficiary designations on your investment accounts is also wise. Not everyone needs an estate plan, but if you’re reading this article, chances are you might. If you have significant wealth, a complex financial life, or some long-range financial directives you would like your heirs to carry out or abide by, it is a good idea. Congratulate yourself if you have a will, as many people don’t; if you have taken further estate planning steps, bravo. Is your credit score 700 or better? Today, 685 is considered an average FICO score. If you go below 650, life can get more expensive for you. Hopefully you pay your bills consistently and unfailingly and your score is in the 700s. You can request your FICO score while signing up for a trial period with a service such as TransUnion or GoFreeCredit. Are you worth much more than you owe? This is the No. 1 objective. You want your major debts gone, and you want enough money for a lifetime. You will probably always carry some debt, and you can’t rule out risks to your net worth tomorrow—but if you are getting further and further ahead financially and your bottom line shows it, you are making progress in your pursuit of financial independence. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of Peter Montoya, Inc. or MarketingPro, Inc. This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. This information has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. Please note—investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalty. This is neither a solicitation nor recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insurance product or service, and should not be relied upon as such.
A Little Learning continued from page 41
came back,” she said to her children, “so you would have faith.” Ife’s story left me dumbstruck. I considered what it meant. The power of modern medicine is an illusion. A surgeon’s sense of mastery, the gratitude of the patients and their families – they form a thin veneer over what is really happening, something that is forever beyond our reach. It is in the realm of the Unknowable, of God - the Source of Life. The other day a patient said she was confident in her upcoming surgery, “because I have faith in you.” A decade ago I would have enjoyed that kind of comment. The trust and respect of patients is a blessing. But the truth is that we are all participants - patients and physicians alike - holding hands in a circle of healing, and praying for a miracle. And we are blessed with this miracle of healing everyday that we live. Ife ended his call in a tone not of grief, but of awe. “Michael,” his voice trembled, “how many hours did we spend in the lecture hall? How many books have we read? How many operations have we performed? We think we are doctors so we must know something about life and death? I tell you this, Michael -” He paused for a moment and then laughed. “We know nothing. Nothing.” ©Copyright 2014
Have you lost your best friend?
Check the Cherokee County Animal Shelter 131 Chattin Drive Canton Tues-Sat 10 am - 4 pm Fill out a Lost & Found report at www.cherokeega-animals.org
or call us at 678-493-4387 *pets must be identiĂžed in person
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Reference
TOWNE LAKE AREA COMMUNITY OF FAITH Baptist
Jewish
Carmel Baptist Church 2001 Bascomb Carmel Road Sunday Service 11 am Pastor: Stanley Pruitt
Chabad Jewish Center 14255 Wade Green Rd NW, Ste 120 Kennesaw, GA 30144, (678) 460-7702 Introductory Service: 1st Shabbat monthly at 11 a.m. Traditional Service: 3rd Shabbat monthly at 10:30 a.m. Rabbi: Zalman Charytan www.JewishWoodstock.com, www.Facebook.com/ JewishCenter
Crossroads Community Church 2317 Bascomb-Carmel Road, (770) 592-7007 Sunday Services: 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. Sunday Morning Bible Study: 9:30 a.m. Pastor: Bob Goodner Crossroads Primitive Baptist Church 3100 Trickum Road, Woodstock, (770) 710-1068 Pastor: Elder Larry White www.crossroadspbc.org First Baptist Church of Woodstock 11905 Highway 92, (770) 926-4428 Sunday Services: 9:30 & 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. Pastor: Dr. Johnny M. Hunt www.fbcw.org Hillcrest Baptist Church 6069 Woodstock Road, Acworth, (770) 917-9100 Sunday Alive Groups & Worship Service: 9:30 & 11 a.m. Sunday Evening Worship Service: 6 p.m. Wednesday Services: Youth 6:30 p.m., Adults 7 p.m. Pastor: Mike Maxwell
Congregation Ner Tamid A Reform Jewish Temple (770) 345-8687, Marci, call for information Serving the Northwest Suburbs Temple Kehillat Chaim 1145 Green Street Roswell, GA 30075 (770) 641-8630 www.kehillatchaim.org Temple Kol Emeth 1415 Old Canton Road, Marietta, (770) 973-3533 www.Kolemeth.net
Lutheran
New Victoria Baptist Church 6659 Bells Ferry Road, (770) 926-8448 Sunday Services: 11 a.m Sunday Bible Study: 9:45 a.m. Wednesday Awana/Youth: 6:30 – 8 p.m. Pastor: John Harris www.newvicbaptist.org
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 1208 Rose Creek Drive (770) 924-7286, sheeptalk-gslc@comcast.net Sunday Services: 8, 9:30 & 11 a.m. Sunday School: 9:30 & 11 a.m. Thursday Youth Activities: 6:30 p.m. Pastors: Paul Baumgartner & Justin Ask www.gslutheran.org
South Cherokee Baptist Church 7504 Highway 92, (770) 926-0422 Sunday Services: 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7 p.m. Pastor: Steven Lambert
Timothy Lutheran Church (LC-MS) 556 Arnold Mill Road, (770) 928-2812 Sunday Services: 8:30 & 11 a.m. Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. Pastor: Stephen Constien
Episcopal
Orthodox
Christ Episcopal Church 1210 Wooten Lake Road, Kennesaw, (770) 422-9114 Sunday Services: 8 & 9 a.m. (family service) & 11 a.m. Sunday School: 9:15 a.m. Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. praise music, 7 p.m. Eucharist Rector: Doris Graf Smith
St. Elizabeth Orthodox Church 2263 E. Cherokee Drive, Woodstock, (770) 485-0504 Sunday Divine Liturgy: 10 a.m. Priest Matthew Dutto www.stelizabethga.org
Christ the Redeemer Charismatic Episcopal Church 411 Scott Mill Road, Canton, (770) 479-1778 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Morning Prayer: Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Rector: Kurt Wheeler Christ the Redeemer Charismatic Episcopal Church 6488 Hickory Flat Highway, Canton, (404) 395-5003 Saturday Service: 5:30 p.m. Priest: Stephen Hunter Saint Clement’s Episcopal Church 2795 Ridge Road, Canton, (770) 345-6722 Sunday Eucharist Services: 8, 9 & 11 a.m. Christian Education: 10 a.m. Wednesday Eucharist Service: 6:30 p.m. Rector: James B. Stutler
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Presbyterian Christ Covenant Presbyterian of Woodstock (PCA) Meets in the Rec Center of Cherokee County’s South Annex, 7545 Main Street; Bldg. 200, Woodstock Pastor: Ted Lester www.cc-pca.org Geneva Orthodox Presbyterian Church
Meets at Hope Presbyterian Church 4101 Sandy Plains Rd., Marietta Sunday Services: 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Pastor: Matthew Holst www.genevaopc.org
Heritage Presbyterian Church 5323 Bells Ferry Road, (770) 926-3558
Sunday Services: 9 & 11:10 a.m. Sunday School: 10 a.m. Pastor: Dr. Sid Gunter www.heritagepres.com Sixes Presbyterian Church Meeting at our Fellowship Hall at 2335 Sixes Road, Canton, (770) 485-1975 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Dr. Lucas Pina www.sixeschurch.org Woodstock Presbyterian Church 345 Arnold Mill Road, (770) 926-0074 Adult Sunday School: 10 a.m. Traditional Worship Service: 9 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Don Esa
Roman Catholic St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church 490 Arnold Mill Road, (770) 516-0009 Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:30 p.m. Sunday Masses: 7:30, 9 & 11 a.m. & 12:45 & 5:30 p.m. Sunday Spanish Mass: 2:30 p.m. Pastor: Rev. Larry Niese www.saintmichaelcc.org Transfiguration Catholic Church 1815 Blackwell Rd. NE., Marietta, (770) 977-1442 Saturday Vigil Mass: 5 p.m. Sunday Masses: 8 & 10 a.m. & 12 noon Sunday Spanish Mass: 2 p.m. Pastor: Monsignor Patrick Bishop www.transfiguration.com
United Methodist Bascomb United Methodist Church 2295 Bascomb-Carmel Road, (770) 926-9755 Contemporary Service: 9 a.m. Traditional Service: 11 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Harden Hopper www.bascombchurch.org CITY ON A HILL United Methodist Church 7745 Main Street, (678) 445-3480 Sunday Service: 9:30 & 11:15 a.m. Pastor: Chris Bryant www.coahumc.org Hillside United Methodist Church 4474 Towne Lake Parkway, (770) 924-4777 Traditional Services: 8:25 & 11 a.m. Contemporary Services: 9:25 & 11 a.m. Sunday School: 9:30 & 11 a.m Pastor: Dr. John Beyers www.hillsideumc.org Liberty Hill Church at the Mill 141 Railroad Street, (678) 493-8920 Sunday Service: 11 a.m. Nursery available Pastor: Jamey Prickett www.libertyhillumc.org Little River United Methodist Church 12455 Highway 92, (770) 926-2495 Sunday Service: 11 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Bill Coady www.littleriverumc.info
Sixes United Methodist Church 8385 Bells Ferry Road, Canton, (770) 345-7644 Sunday Services: 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday School: 10 a.m. Pastor: Dr. Joe McKechnie www.sixesumc.org Woodstock United Methodist Church 109 Towne Lake Parkway, (770) 516-0371 Sunday School: 10 a.m. Worship Service: 11 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Claude T. Herbert
Unitarian Universalist Emerson U U Congregation 4010 Canton Rd., Marietta, Georgia 30066 (770) 578-1533 Services: 9 & 11:30 a.m. August – May www.emersonuu.org Rev. Jeff Jones
Other Churches Allen Temple, AME Church 232 N. Arnold Mill Road, (770) 926-6348 Prayer Time: Friday, 7:14 p.m. Sunday Services: 8 & 11 a.m. Sunday Church School: 9:45 a.m. Pastor: Carl A. Moore, Sr. www.allentempleame.org Awakening Church 180 Parkway 575, Suite 140 next to Folks Restaurant, (770) 924-4150 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. www.awakeningwoodstock.com Lead Pastor: Jeff Whitmire Bells Ferry Church of God 6718 Bells Ferry Road, (770) 592-2956 Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Service: 11 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7 p.m. Pastor: Ted Wooldridge www.bellsferry.com Branches of Christ 5946 Jacobs Road, Acworth, (770) 917-4964 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7 p.m. Pastor: Steve Pettit www.branchesofchrist.com BridgePointe Church 230 Arnold Mill Road, Suite 400, (770) 517-2977 Sunday Service: 9 & 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Mat Garcia www.bridgepointechurch.org Catalyst Church 9872 Main Street, Woodstock (678) 463-6330, catalystonline.tv Sunday Services: 10 a.m. Cherokee Seventh Day Adventist 101 Rope Mill Road, (770) 591-7304 Saturday Worship: 11 a.m. Sabbath School: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7:30 p.m. Pastor: Jonathan Williamson Christian Praise Center 1358 Sixes Road, (770) 924-7532 www.christianpraisecenter.com Church at North Gate 9876 Main Street, Suite 250 (behind NAPA) (678) 494-2193
Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Program: 7:30 p.m. Pastor: Marc Lawson www.ngca.org Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Allatoona Ward, 2205 Bascomb-Carmel Road Sacrament Meeting: 9 a.m. Auxiliary Meeting: 10:20 a.m. Bishop Phil Karski Woodstock Ward Spanish service: 9 a.m., English service: 1 pm. Bishop Phillip Hailstone Church of the Messiah (Non-denominational) 415 Charles Cox Drive, Canton, (770) 479-5280 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Pastor: Fred L. Goodwin Cornerstone Community Church 503 Hickory Ridge Trail, Suite 160 (678) 439-5108, dlkight@comcast.net Sunday Service: 11 a.m. Pastor David Kight www.ccchurchonline.org Dayspring Church 6835 Victory Drive, Acworth, (770) 516-5733 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Tony Crawford www.dayspring-online.com Empowerment Tabernacle Church 507 Industrial Drive, Woodstock, (770) 928-7478 Sunday Worship: 10 a.m. Pastor: A.D. Hinton www.EmpowermentTabernacle.com Faith Family Church 5744 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth, (770) 926-4560 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7 p.m. Pastor: Tommy White His Hands Church 550 Molly Lane, Woodstock, (770) 405-2500 Party on Sunday: 10 a.m. www.hishandschurch.com Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church 3431 Trickum Rd., Marietta, (770) 924-8080 Sunday Orthros: 8:30a.m., Divine Liturgy: 10 a.m. Rev. Fr. Panayiotis Papageorgiou, PhD Love Community Church 5598 Bells Ferry Rd., Acworth, (404) 663-1828 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Donna T. Lucas Momentum Church 110 Londonderry Court, Suite 130, Woodstock, on Hwy 92 — ½ mile east of Hwy 5 (678) 384-4919 Sunday Service Times: 9:30 & 11:15 a.m. Pastor: Ross Wiseman www.MomentumChurch.tv Northern Hills Church of Christ 4563 Hickory Flat Highway, Canton (404) 579-0885 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Pastor: Ronny West www.northernhillsfamily.org Prayer & Praise Christian Fellowship Church 6409 Bells Ferry Road, (770) 928-2795 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Christian Living Class: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Youth Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Pastor: Larry H. Baker www.prayerandpraise.org Resurrection Anglican Church
231 Arnold Mill Road, (770) 591-0040 Holy Communion: Sunday 10 a.m. Christian Education (all ages): Sunday 9 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Gene Prince www.rezwoodstock.org Sovereign Grace 471 Arnold Mill Road, (678) 494-2100 Sunday Service: 9:30 a.m. www.sgcatlanta.org Sunnyside Church of God 2510 East Cherokee Drive, (770)-693-1018 Sunday service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Lance Turner www.sunnysidecog.com The Church at Acworth 6464 Highway 92, (770) 924-9161 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Jason Tomczak www.ctkatlanta.com Towne Lake Community Church (TLC Church) 132 North Medical Parkway, (678) 445-8766 Contemporary Family Style Worship: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Sr. Pastor: William S. Ratliff www.tlcchurch.com Victory Church 4625 Highway 92, Acworth, (770) 794-7366 Sunday Service: 9:00 & 10:45 a.m. Pastor: Jeff Hidden www.victoryga.com Watermarke Church Meeting at Cherokee Charter Academy 2126 Sixes Road, Canton, (678) 880-9092 Sunday Services: 9 & 11 a.m., 5 p.m. www.watermarkechurch.com Woodstock Christian Church 7700 Highway 92, (770) 926-8238 Sunday School: 9 a.m. Sunday Worship Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Lynn Eynon www.woodstockchristian.org Woodstock Church of Christ 219 Rope Mill Road, (770) 926-8838 Sunday Services: 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. Servico En Espanol Domingo: 10:30 a.m. Ministro: Rafael Uzcategui, (770) 926-8271 Pastor: Matt Amos www.woodstockchurchofchrist.org Woodstock Church of the Nazarene 874 Arnold Mill Road, (770) 924-4499 Sunday Services: 10:45 a.m. & 6 p.m. Pastor: Lewis Stark www.wcnga.com Woodstock Community Church 237 Rope Mill Road, (770) 926-8990 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Greg Michael TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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Reference
TOWNE LAKE AREA CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS Business Organizations
Charitable Organizations
American Business Women’s Association, Cherokee Eagles Charter Chapter Meets Third Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Contact: Jacqueline Miller Van Hook, (678) 493-3618
Ahimsa House help for victims of domestic violence who need help getting their pets to safety. Contact: 24-hr, (404) 452-6248, Info (404) 496-4038 www.ahimsahouse.org
Cherokee Area Business Connection Meets Every Wednesday at 7:15 a.m. Contact: Marci Zied, (770) 345-8687 Cherokee Financial Women International Contact: Mitzi Saxon, (770) 479-3400 Cherokee Toastmasters Club Meets noon-1:15 p.m. Wednesdays at the Bank of North Georgia, 200 Parkway 575, Woodstock. Contact: Richard Stacy at (843) 697-5189, richbstacy@gmail.com. www. cherokeetoastmasters.com. Empowered Women Through Synergy Meets 3rd Thursday at 8.30 a.m. at J Christopher’s in Downtown Woodstock Contact: Shahida Baig 678-445-3900 Facebook: Empowered Women Through Synergy No Fee Referral Network Woodstock Meets Every Monday morning at 7:30 am at IHOP 8979 Hwy 92, www.meetup.com/No-FeeReferral-Network-Woodstock North Georgia Referral Network Meets Every Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. at J. Christophers, 315 Chambers Street Contact: (770) 592-5990 The Joy of Connecting Networking for Women Meets Third Thursday at 6:45 p.m. Contact: Edeline Dryden (678) 789-6158 www.thejoyofconnecting.com Together We Rise Meets Second & Fourth Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. at Featherstone’s at Towne Lake Hills Contact: Pat Snipes, (404) 569-5280 Towne Lake Business Association Meets Third Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: (770) 615-3350, www.tlba.org Towne Lake PowerCore Team Meets Every Friday at 7:15 — 8:45 a.m. At Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: Marc Replogle, (770) 952-5000, X20 (404) 816-3377, www.powercore.net Women of Woodstock Meets First & Third Wednesday at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: info@womenofwoodstock.com www.womenofwoodstock.com Woodstock Community Business Association Meets Second Monday at 12 noon at Tuscany, 250 Cinema Way Contact: WCBusinessAssoc@aol.com
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CASA for Children Inc. provides child advocacy to abused and neglected children through trained community volunteers. Contact: Deidre Hollands, (770) 345-3274 www.casaforchildren.org Chance Afrika Contact: Eric Mwangi, Exec. Dir., ericm@chanceafrika.org, (770) 256 2280, www.chanceafrika.org Cherokee Child Advocacy Council, Inc. Anna Crawford Children’s Center and Parents HELP 319 Lamar Haley Pkwy., Canton Contact: Amy Economopolous, (770) 592-9779 www.cherokeechildadvocates.org Cherokee County Animal League Contact: Steve Monahan at CherokeeAnimalLeague@gmail.org or (770) 712-4077 Cherokee County Humane Society (CCHS) Contact: (770) 928-5115 admin@cchumanesociety.org www.cchumanesociety.org CCHS Thrift Store 5900 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth, (770) 592-8072, accepts donations and sells used household items to raise money for CCHS. Companion Animal Connection Contact: (678) 493-9847 www.cacadopt.petfinder.com Everyday Angels offers financial assistance for local families in need. Email aaeverydayangels@ gmail.com Feed My Lambs, Inc. Contact: office@feedmylambs.net www.feedmylambs.net Funds 4 Furry Friends helps those in need with food, spay/neuter and medical for their pets. Contact: Gina Jeter, (770) 842-8893 www.funds4furryfriends.com Green Pets America Rescue animal rescue group (770) 712-4077, SteveMonahan777@gmail.com www.GPACharities.US Habitat for Humanity North Central Georgia Contact: (770) 345-1024, www.habitat-ncg.org Harvesting Hope Ministries gives surgery care packs to children facing liver and kidney failure. Contact: dawn@harvestinghopeministries.org. www.harvestinghopeministries.org. Hope Center offers support for unplanned pregnancy. Contact: (770) 924-0864, info@TheHopeCtr.com www.hopectr.com
Hospice Advantage needs volunteers. Contact: (770) 218-1997 www.hospiceadvantage.com iCOR helping orphans, seeks volunteers. Contact: Lily Colgate, (404) 992-8155 www.iCORorphans.com MUST Ministries offers groceries, hot meals, emergency shelter, supportive housing, clothing, employment services, summer lunch and more from five locations in eight counties, including the Canton office at 111 Brown Industrial Pkwy. Next Step Ministries provides day programs Monday through Saturday for special needs kids, teens, and young adults. Contact: (770) 592-1227 www.nextstepministries.net Papa’s Pantry is a year-round local food ministry. Contact: Lynne Saunders, (770) 591-4730 www.papaspantry.org Pet Buddies Food Pantry has pet food collection bin at TowneLaker offices. www.petbuddiesfoodpantry.org Safe Kids Cherokee County — Call for an appointment for free child safety seat inspections. Contact: (770) 721-7808 www.cherokeesafekids.org Volunteer Aging Council, a non-profit that helps to raise funds for our seniors of Cherokee County. www.vac-cherokeega.org
Civic Organizations AARP Woodstock Chapter is for anyone 50+ Meets Second Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: Rich, (770) 926-1944 American Legion Post 316 Meets Third Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road Contact: Irma Martin, (678) 662-2366 Junior Service League of Woodstock Meets 3rd Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Tuscany Contact: 24 hour info line: (770) 592-3535 http://jslwoodstock.org Pilot Club of Cherokee County Contact: Lynda Goodwin, (770) 393-1766 Lynda@edgoodwinassociates.com Rotary Club of Towne Lake Meets Every Thursday at 12 noon (lunch)at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: Ivan Garcia (770) 926-0105 Rotary Club of Woodstock Meets Every Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. at IHOP on Highway 92 Contact: Gary Floyd, (404) 506-6878 glfloyd@southernco.com Sewrifics of Cherokee Meets Third Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Sixes United Methodist Church, Canton Contact: Sheri Torch, (770) 591-8335
South Cherokee Optimist Club Meets Every Friday at 7:30 a.m. at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: (770) 926-3522
Cherokee Amateur Radio Society Meets Second Saturday at 10 a.m. at William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road www.cherokeehams.com
Towne Lake Optimist Club Meets Every Friday at 7:30 a.m. at Eagle Watch Golf Club Contact: Charlice Byrd, (404) 557-2218
Cherokee County Arts Center At 94 North Street, Canton Contact: (770) 704-6244 www.CherokeeArts.org
Woodstock Jaycees Meets First Tuesday & Third Thursday at 7 p.m. at 216 Rope Mill Road Contact: (404) 690-4452
Cherokee County Saddle Club www.cherokeesaddleclub.com
Woodstock Lions Club Meets Second & Fourth Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Contact: (770) 906-2958 Woodstock Masons Lodge #246 F. & A.M., Inc. Meets Second & Fourth Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. at Corner of Air Acres Way & Arnold Mill Rd. Contact: lodge.info@woodstocklodge246.org Woodstock Midday Optimist Club Meets Every Wednesday at 12 noon at Folks Contact: Johnny Young, (770) 345-6158 Woodstock VFW Post 10683 Meets Second Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Woodstock Senior Center Contact: Andrew Yrabedra, (404) 663-4663
Political Organizations
Cherokee Co. Social Adventures Group www.TCCSAG.org Cherokee Hockey In Line League (CHILL) roller hockey, www.cherokeehockey.org Cherokee Music Teachers Association Contact: Linda Lokey (770) 720-1701 www.cherokeemta.org Cherokee Soccer Association CSA Impact Soccer, 157 Railroad St., Canton Contact: (770) 704-0187 www.csaimpact.com Cherokee Youth Lacrosse Association www.cherokeelacrosse.com Christian Authors Guild is a writing support group open to both experienced or inexperienced writers. Meets 1st and 3rd Mondays 7-8:30pm at Prayer and Praise Church, 6409 Bells Ferry Rd. www.christianauthorsguild.org
Cherokee County Democrat Party Meets Second Thursday at 7 p.m. at Holly Springs Train Depot www.cherokeedems.com
Kingdom Riders, a forming chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association in Canton. Meets: 8 a.m. fourth Saturdays at Family Tradition restaurant in Hickory Flat. All makes of motorcycles welcome.
Cherokee County Libertarians Meet 7:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday at the Cherokee Co. Board of Realtors Training Center, 1600 River Park Blvd., Suite 104, Woodstock. http://cherokeelp.org.
Les Marmitons is for men interested in culinary arts. Meets Third Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Chattahoochee Tech Contact: Larry Lodisio, (770) 516-5197
Cherokee County Republican Party Meets Second Saturday at 9 a.m. at Winchesters Woodfire Grill Contact: (678) 809-1411 Cherokee Tea Party Patriots Meet at 4 p.m. the third Sunday at Latimer Hall in Woodstock. Contact Conrad Quagliaroli, (770) 378-8232. Republican Women of Cherokee County www.rwccga.com Contact: (678) 520-2236
Recreation & Hobbies Allatoona Gold Panners. Periodic events and outings to pan the creeks in the Dahlonega Gold Belt along the Lake. Contact Rob Kelly, rrkelly@ bellsouth.net. Arts Alliance of Georgia, Inc. Meets Second Saturday at 10 a.m. at Studio 101, 101 Emma Lane, www.artsalliancega.org Blue Skies Laughter Club Meets Every Wednesday 7 — 8 p.m. at Northside-Cherokee Medical Offices 100 Stoneforest Dr., 1st floor conf. room Contact: Craig Whitley (404) 520-0221 www.addlaughter.com
Neighbors & Newcomers of Towne Lake Contact: Ellen Kayton, (678) 494-6005 www.nntl.org Wildlife Action, Inc. is a conservation organization, 2075 Kellogg Creek Contact: WLA Office, (770) 924-7464 www.wildlifeactiongeorgia.com
Support Organizations Adoption/Infertility Support Group Meets First Wednesday at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Woodstock Contact: Cindy Braddock, (678) 445-3131 Autism Parent Support Group Meets Second Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Cherokee County Community Service Center, BridgeMill Fire Station, Canton Contact: Sharon Jones, (770) 345-6551 Breast Cancer Support Group Meets First Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. — 12 noon at Northside Hospital — Cherokee, Diabetes Classroom, Educational Center, Contact: (404) 843-1880 Canadian Women’s Club Contact: Lesley Frappier, cwcatlanta@yahoo.com Canton-Cherokee TRIAD/S.A.L.T. (Seniors & Law Enforcement Together)
Meets Second Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at G.Cecil Pruitt YMCA in Canton (Hall of Fame Room) Dale Walz (404) 375-8193 Cherokee County Family Child Care Association Contact: Brenda Bowen, (770) 926-8055 Cherokee Co. Foster & Adoptive Parents Assoc. Contact: Marie Blackwell, (770) 378-0759, mblackwell@fosteroradopt.org www.fosteroradopt.org Cherokee County Lupus Support Group Meets 2nd Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at New Light Church Hall Contact: Pam Bennett, (404) 975-7580 C.H.O.O.S.E. of Woodstock Meets First Monday at 7 p.m. Contact: mailbox@chooseofwoodstockga.org Diabetes Support Group Meets 3rd Tuesday at 9:30 & 11 a.m. at Emeritus Assisted Living, 756 Neese Rd., Woodstock Linda Watson, (770) 793-7818. Georgia Canines for Independence www.gcidogs.org, Contact: (404) 824-4637 GRANDparents Raising GRANDchildren Meets Second & Fourth Tuesday at 7 p.m. (nursery available)at Transfiguration Catholic Church, Marietta Contact: Jeannie, (770) 919-9275 Hearing Loss Association of America meets 2-4 p.m. on the last Sunday of the month at the William Long Senior Center in Woodstock. Jewish Havurah Contact: Marcia, (770) 345-8687 La Leche League of South Cherokee Meets First Tuesday at 10 a.m. & Third Wed. 7 p.m. at Bascomb UMC Contacts: Marguerite, (678) 315-7686 Megan, (770) 517-0191 MOMS Club Towne Lake — 30188-30189 https://sites.google.com/site/ momscluboftownelakewoodstock/ Email: momscluboftownelake@gmail.com MOPS — Mothers of Preschoolers (birth — K) Meets Second & Fourth Mondays at 9:30 a.m. at Hillside UMC, 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy Contact: (770) 924-4777 NW Metro Atlanta Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America holds free, informative quarterly meetings in the Woodstock area for people with hearing loss. For more information, contact nwmetroatlantahlaa@gmail.com Spirit of Success Career Clothing Connection Provides professional business attire at no cost. Contact: (770) 956-0711. Tender Hearts Caregivers Support Group Meets Second & Fourth Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Hillside United Methodist Church Contact: Robin Galloway, (770) 517-5899 Towne Lake Area Moms Group www.TowneLakeArea.com Unlimited Possibilities, support group for stroke and brain injury survivors meets First Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. at Kennestone Outpatient Rehab Center Contact: Kelly (678) 677-2589 TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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Reference
ELECTED & APPOINTED OFFICIALS United States Government President Barack Obama (D)
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20500 www.whitehouse.gov
Senator Saxby Chambliss (R)
100 Galleria Parkway, Suite 1340, Atlanta, GA 30339 http://chambliss.senate.gov
Senator Johnny Isakson (R)
1 Overton Park, Suite 970 3625 Cumberland Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30339 http://isakson.senate.gov
Rep. Tom Price (R) District 6
85-C Mill St., Suite 300 Roswell, GA 30075 http://tom.house.gov
Rep. Rob Woodall (R) District 7
75 Langley Dr., Lawrenceville, GA 30046 http://woodall.house.gov
Rep. Phil Gingrey, M.D. (R) District 11
100 North Street Suite 150, Canton, GA 30114 http://gingrey.house.gov
State Government Governor Nathan Deal (R)
203 State Capitol, 206 Washington St. Atlanta, GA 30334 www.gov.georgia.gov
Sen. Bruce Thompson (R) District 14
Sen. Brandon Beach (R) District 21 brandon.beach@senate.ga.gov Sen. Jack Murphy (R) District 27
jack.murphy@senate.ga.gov
(202) 456-1414 fax: (202) 456-2461 (202) 224-3521 GA: (770) 763-9090 (202) 224-3643 GA: (770) 661-0999
(202) 225-4501 GA: (770) 565-4990 (202) 225-4272 GA: (770) 232-3005 (202) 225-2931 GA: (770) 345-2931
Rep. Sam Moore (R) District 22
State Court: Chief Judge Clyde J. Gober, Jr.
Judge W. Alan Jordan Judge A. Dee Morris
(404) 463-1378 (770) 887-1960 fax: (770) 205-0602
(404) 656-0220
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
rgunnin@cherokeega.com bpoole@cherokeega.com
Jason Nelms (R) District 4 Cherokee County Coroner Earl W. Darby Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Roger Garrison (R)
(770) 735-8055 www.cherokeega-sheriff.org (678) 493-4100 fax: (678) 493-4228
(678) 493-6400 fax: (678) 493-6420
2780 Marietta Highway, Canton, GA 30114 slittle@cherokeega.com Woodstock Annex 155 Towne Lake Pkwy, Woodstock, GA 30188
Cherokee County School Board Superintendent, Dr. Frank Petruzielo
(770) 924-4099 www.cherokee.k12.ga.us
221 West Main St., Canton, GA 30114 drp@cherokee.k12.ga.us
Kyla Cromer (R) District 1
(770) 479-1871 fax: (770) 479-1236 (678) 493-8088
kyla.cromer@cherokee.k12.ga.us
Patsy Jordan (R) District 2 Michael Geist (R) District 3
(678) 493-6270 (678) 493-6260 (678) 493-6240
(770) 893-2970
(678) 493-6480 (678) 493-6490 (678) 493-6480 (678) 493-6431 (678) 493-6431
(678) 493-6160 (678) 493-6250 (678) 493-6280
(404) 462-4950
michael.geist@cherokee.k12.ga.us
Janet Read (R) Chair
(770) 516-1444
janet.read@cherokee.k12.ga.us
Rick Steiner (R) District 4
Juvenile Court:
88
Ray Gunnin (R) District 2
patsy.jordan@cherokee.k12.ga.us
Probate Court:
Chief Judge John B. Sumner Judge Anthony Baker
Harry Johnston (R) District 1
Cherokee County Tax Commissioner Sonya Little
Judge Keith Wood (R)
lbahrens@cherokeega.com
(770) 546-7565
Magistrate Court: Chief Judge James E. Drane III (R) Judge Gregory Douds
(678) 493-6000 fax: (678) 493-6001
Commissioners: L.R. “Buzz” Ahrens (R) Chairman
498 Chattin Drive Canton, GA 30115 rdgarrison@cherokeega.com
Cherokee County Courts Superior Court: Chief Judge David Cannon Jr. Judge Jackson Harris Judge Ellen McElyea
www.cherokeega.com
1130 Bluffs Pkwy., Canton, GA 30114
(404) 652-7003
(678) 576-2644
Cherokee County Board of Commissioners
jnelms@cherokeega.com
Rep. Scot Turner (R) District 21
(678) 493-6511
Brian Poole (R) District 3
(678) 523-8570
scot@turnerforhouse.com
(770) 479-1488
hjohnston@cherokeega.com
Rep. Michael Caldwell (R) District 20
michael@CaldwellforHouse.com
District Attorney Shannon Wallace Clerk of Courts Patty Baker
(770) 721-4398, x4370
rick.steiner@cherokee.k12.ga.us
Rob Usher (R) District 5
(770) 928-0341
rob.usher@cherokee.k12.ga.us
Robert Wofford (R) District 6 (Vice-Chair) robert.wofford@cherokee.k12.ga.us City of Woodstock Mayor Donnie Henriques
dhenriques@progressiveaudiology.com
(770) 345-6256
(770) 592-6017
Towne Lake Residential and Commercial Owners’ Association
(Covenant enforcement issues — all Towne Lake common areas) Douglas Properties (770) 926-3086 117 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, GA 30188
SCHOOL INFORMATION Public Schools Ace 3921 Holly Springs Parkway, Holly Springs (770) 345-2005 Principal: Mr. Richard Landolt www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ aceacademy Bascomb Elementary School 1335 Wyngate Parkway, Woodstock (770) 592-1091 Principal: Ruth Flowers www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ bascomb-es Carmel Elementary School 2275 Bascomb-Carmel Road, Woodstock (770) 926-1237 Principal: Keith Bryant www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ carmel-es Cherokee Charter Academy 2126 Sixes Road, Canton (678) 385-7322 Principal: Dr. Scott O’Prey cherokeecharter.org E. T. Booth Middle School 6550 Putnam Ford Road, Woodstock (770) 926-5707 Principal: Dawn Weinbaum www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ etbooth-ms Etowah High School 6565 Putnam Ford Road, Woodstock (770) 926-4411 Principal: Keith Ball www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ etowah-hs Kleven Boston Elementary School 105 Othello Drive, Woodstock (770) 924-6260 Principal: Ms. Joey Moss www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/boston-es Oak Grove Elementary School 6118 Woodstock Road, Acworth (770) 974-6682 Principal: Les Conley www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/oakgrove-es Polaris Evening School 2010 Towne Lake Hills South Drive, Woodstock (770) 926-1662 Administrator: Dr. Curt Ashley www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/polaris Woodstock Elementary School 230 Rope Mil Road, Woodstock
(770) 926-6969 Principal: Kim Montalbano www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/woodstock-es Woodstock High School 2010 Towne Lake Hills South Drive Woodstock, (770) 592-3500 Principal: Dr. Paul Weir www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/woodstock-hs Woodstock Middle School 2000 Towne Lake Hills South Drive Woodstock (770) 592-3516 Principal: Mark Smith www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/woodstock-ms
Private Schools Cherokee Christian Academy and Cherokee Christian High School 3075 Trickum Road, Woodstock (678) 494-5464, www.cherokeechristian.org Middle & High School Principal: Richard Goff Elementary School: Robert Lester Compass Prep Academy Director: Laura George www.compassprep.org info@compassprep.org (404) 643-9424 Cornerstone Preparatory Academy 4310 Moon Station Lane, Acworth (770) 529-7077 Administrator: Jeanne Borders www.cornerstoneprep.org
Furtah Preparatory School 5496 Highway 92, Acworth (678) 574-6488, www.furtahprep.org Headmaster: Fred Furtah Harvest Baptist School 3460 Kellogg Creek Road, Acworth Principal: Jamie Smithey (770) 974-9091 www.harvestbaptist.org Holdheide Education K-3 5234 Old Highway 5, Woodstock Principal: Tammy Dorsten (770) 516-2292, www.MyGiftedKids.org Lyndon Academy 485 Toonigh Rd., Woodstock (770) 926-0166 Headmaster: Linda Murdock www.lyndonacademy.org
North Cobb Christian School 4500 Lakeview Drive, Kennesaw (770) 975-0252 Headmaster: Todd Clingman www.ncchristian.org Northside Christian Academy 303 Hickory Ridge Trail, Suite 180 Woodstock, GA 30102 (770) 334-0648 Principal: Jill Trout http://nca4hope.com
Omega Academy (770) 792-7431 www.omegalearningcenter.com Shiloh Hills Christian School 260 Hawkins Store Road, Kennesaw (770) 926-7729 Administrator: John D. Ward www.shilohhills.com St. Joseph Catholic School 81 Lacy Street, Marietta, (770) 428-3328 Principal: Patricia Allen www.stjosephschool.org
Homeschool Homeschool Community Classical Conversations Woodstock Director: Cari Lingerfelt carinwoody@bellsouth.net
Cherokee County School District Calendar at a Glance No School No School Dec. 22-Jan. 2 No School Cafeteria account information: www.mypaymentsplus.com Nov. 4
Nov. 24-28
Aspen: https://sis.cherokee.k12. ga.us/aspen/home.do School District Website: www.cherokee.k12.ga.us
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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Reference
TOWNE LAKE AREA HOMES SOLD IN SEPTEMBER
Towne Lake Sales for September 2014
List Price
Address
Subdivision
1202 Trout DR 406 Belmont WAY 2022 BRITLEY PARK XING 578 Ashland PKWY 215 Ashland DR 142 Wallnut Hall CIR 521 Wallnut Hall CV 308 Ashland CT 104 Harrison CIR 616 Evergreen DR 424 Shoni LN 3999 Dream Catcher DR 4222 Moccasin TRL 3994 Dream Catcher DR 4285 MOCCASIN TRL 327 Horseshoe BND 3988 Dream Catcher DR 425 OLD DEERFIELD LN 636 WEDGEWOOD DR 4010 Bent Willow LN 3606 Broken Arrow LN 1309 Amberwood DR 3702 Broken Arrow LN 511 Deer Run WAY 1746 Indian Ridge DR 1742 Indian Ridge DR NW 1307 Amberwood DR 437 Etowah Valley WAY 327 Etowah Valley TRCE 104 Garden ST 1487 Heritage WAY 1985 Kellogg Creek RD
Allatoona Woods Belmont Trace Britley Park Brookshire Brookshire Brookshire Brookshire Brookshire Centennial Lakes Cherokee Forest Cherokee Mils Deer Run Deer Run Deer Run Deer Run Deer Run Deer Run Deer Run Eagle Watch Eagle Watch Eagle Watch Eagle Watch Eagle Watch Eagle Watch Eagle Watch Eagle Watch Eagle Watch Etowah Valley Estates Etowah Valley Estates Garden Street Heritage Place Kellogg Creek
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
169,900 170,000 129,900 169,900 169,000 165,000 187,500 186,900 268,509 89,000 186,900 184,900 204,500 207,000 219,900 250,000 240,000 279,900 144,900 165,000 169,900 200,000 225,000 268,500 289,900 310,000 320,000 165,000 175,000 395,000 165,000 75,000
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
188,500 164,900 175,000 144,000 164,900 223,910 145,000 225,000 269,900 299,900 144,900 239,900 175,000 375,000 425,000 449,000 425,000 260,000 196,900 200,000 124,900 284,900 65,000 144,300 189,000 235,000 129,900 399,900 166,900 204,900 190,000 249,900 249,000
1821 Yorkshire DR 126 Lexington Parke DR 127 Lexington Parke DR 303 N Briar RDG 402 Towne Valley DR 224 Creek View LN 180 Stoneforest DR 2007 Providence WALK 1047 Legacy WALK 212 Sable Ridge WAY 203 Southfork WAY 2149 Summerchase DR 317 Summerchase LN 3518 Vintage TRL 3529 Vintage TRL 111 Village Green AVE 3024 Towneside LN 2017 Towne Lake HLS W 2055 Township DR 127 Little Victoria RD 102 Victoria STA 3008 High Vista WALK 2486 W Wind TRCE 2558 New Mill WAY 517 Quinn DR 4949 Willow Creek DR 112 Woodglen DR 221 McAffee ST 5111 Staplehurst LN 3987 Fox Glen DR 1003 Braelin CT 1500 Shadow Ridge CIR 4030 Watkins Glen DR
$
216,496
AVERAGES IN SEPT 2014
Beds Baths Yr Built 4 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 4 3 4 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 3 3 3 4 4 5 4 5 5 3 4 3 3 3
2.5 2.5 2 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2 3 2 2 3 2.5 2.5 2.5.5 3.5 2 2 2 2.5 2.5 3.5 2.5 3.5 3.5 2 3 3 2 2
1992 2005 1995 2001 2001 2002 2003 2002 2013 2007 1987 1996 1998 1996 1999 1995 1997 1999 1989 1989 1989 1991 1989 1989 1990 1992 1991 1992 1993 2013 1987 1977
Days on Market 67 43 24 62 8 79 67 48 217 195 46 144 19 1 37 16 92 5 46 20 5 57 11 119 11 64 8 27 1 13 32 267
Sales Price $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
160,000 170,000 121,000 159,000 163,000 165,000 173,000 186,900 249,990 100,000 180,000 178,000 196,900 198,000 216,000 244,500 245,000 270,000 137,000 160,000 168,000 200,000 225,000 255,000 283,600 307,000 320,000 167,500 171,500 395,000 165,000 115,000
$$/sq ft $ 75 $ 101 No data $ 81 $ 91 $ 92 $ 88 $ 105 No data No data $ 74 $ 77 $ 91 $ 62 $ 100 $ 106 $ 109 $ 79 No data $ 117 No data $ 84 $ 106 $ 93 $ 91 No data $ 108 $ 96 $ 77 $ 153 No data $ 82
See all the photos and details of these sold listings at http://TLSEPT2014.KurtandSheilaTeam.com Kingston Square 5 3.5 1988 Lexington Parke 4 3 2002 Lexington Parke 4 2.5 2002 Magnolia Walk 3 2 1985 North Towne 5 3.5 1997 Parc at Kellogg Creek 4 2.5 2014 Parkview 2 2 1998 Providence Place 4 2.5 1995 Providence Place 4 3.5 1997 Sable Trace Ridge 3 2 2013 South Fork 3 2 1983 Summerchase 5 4.5 1994 Summerchase At Towne Lake 4 3 1991 The Fairways 4 4.5 1995 The Fairways 5 4.5 1999 The Village At Towne Lake 4 3 2006 Towne Lake Hills East 6 4.5 1993 Towne Lake Hills West 4 2.5 1993 Township Place 4 3 1996 Victoria Cottage 1 1 1973 Victoria Station 4 2.5 1984 Wellesley 4 3.5 1994 Westland Mill 3 2 1987 Westland Mill 3 2 1988 Whitfield at Ridgewalk 4 2.5 2004 Willow Creek 4 2.5 1986 Woodglen 3 2 1971 Woodstock Downtown 3 2.5 2012 Wyngate 4 2.5 1996 Wyngate 4 2.5 1990 Wyngate 4 2.5 1992 Wyngate 4 2.5 1992 Wyngate 5 3.5 1990 We are starting to see longer days on market, but homes that are in excellent upgraded condition are in limited supply and sell quickly. If you need to sell in the next 24 months, get on the market now and price it right! Rates can only go up from here which will make homes less affordable for buyers using financing.
11 64 22 16 10 20 14 52 32 281 26 21 17 82 37 59 107 71 118 56 118 43 10 8 3 70 22 8 51 48 9 50 131
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
190,000 160,000 174,000 144,000 164,900 216,530 146,000 225,000 260,000 293,620 144,900 228,500 176,000 340,000 415,000 440,000 408,000 254,000 195,000 192,000 120,000 280,000 66,000 144,300 189,000 230,000 125,000 397,400 156,000 189,000 190,000 242,000 249,000
$ 66 $ 95 $ 90 $ 101 $ 58 $ 88 $ 117 $ 94 $ 64 No data $ 82 $ 81 $ 73 $ 70 $ 77 $ 132 $ 85 $ 93 $ 100 $ 222 $ 63 $ 66 $ 46 $ 103 $ 82 $ 79 $ 97 $ 167 $ 68 $ 80 $ 69 $ 87 $ 80
54.43
$
212,170
$
Data compiled by the Kurt & Sheila Team / Keller Williams Realty Partners / www.KurtandSheilaTeam.com Sales Data derived from the FMLS (Area covered by Townelaker)
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CLASSIFIEDS
HOLIDAY VENDOR SHOW
One Stop Holiday Shopping! Saturday, November 22nd The Fairways Clubhouse in Towne Lake, 10 AM-4 PM Thirty-One Gifts, Scentsy, Jamberry, Usborne, Nerium, Saving Grace, & more!
CATERING
Holiday parties, family gatherings, life celebrations — we do it all! Gastronomique Catering 404-401-7225 www.gastronomiquecatersatl.com
LAWN SERVICE
CLEANING SERVICES
Leaves will fall. Fall is here yard clean up free estimates aeration and overseed. Complete yard and plant service by Dennis 470539-1122.
The Dynamic Clean Team. Let us put the *SPARKLE* back in your home! Weekly or Bi-weekly cleaning. Also move-in and moveouts! 10% off 1st service. 15 years experience, pet friendly, references available, bonded & insured. CALL TODAY Melissa Jones, 404-414-7743.
PET SITTING
JoAnn’s Pet Sitting. Reliable pet care service since 2004. Bonded and insured. 770-617-0221. www.joannspetsitting.com
Penny Clean “One Woman Show” moving and deep cleaning available on weekends. Over 25 years experience, reasonable rates. Licensed, bonded and insured. Free estimates. 678-4943602.
PRESSURE WASHING
The Cleaning Dame Weekly or biweekly housecleaning, 25 years experience. Excellent references. Karen 770-366-8399 http:// www.thecleaningdame.com.
Reeny’s Pressure Washing licensed and insured. Call today for driveway specials! 770-329-7640
FOR RENT
Basement Apartment – $500, utilities included, minutes to lake. Call 770-337-2170. $
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91
Reference
COMMUNITY INFORMATION Emergency — 911 • TowneLaker • (770) 516-7105 Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Cherokee County Government:
(770) 345-0400
Animal Shelter Business Licenses Clean & Beautiful Commission Commissioners Courthouse Engineering Office (Traffic Signals) Extension Office Jury Phone Justice Center (Courts, Judges, etc.) Planning & Zoning Senior Services Tax Assessors/Evaluation
(770) 345-7270 (770) 721-7810 (770) 517-7650 (678) 493-6000 (770) 479-1953 (678) 493-6077 (770) 479-0418 (770) 479-9011 (770) 479-1953 (678) 493-6101 (770) 345-5312 (678) 493-6120
License Plates/Tags, Property Tax Woodstock Office Voter Registration
(678) 493-6400 (770) 924-4099 (770) 479-0407
Taxes:
Children/Family:
Anna Crawford Children’s Center (770) 345-8100 Bethesda Community Clinic (678) 880-9654 Cherokee County Boys & Girls Club (770) 720-7712 Cherokee Family Violence Center (770) 479-1804 Cherokee Focus (770) 345-5483 Child Support Enforcement (770) 720-3581 Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) www.casacherokee.org (770) 345-3274 Department of Family & Children Services (770) 720-3610 The Hope Center (770) 924-0864 MUST Cherokee Ministries (770) 479-5397 Papa’s Pantry (770) 591-4730
Driver’s Licenses (Tues — Sat)
(678) 413-8400
Fire Department (District 1, Station 20)
(770) 926-7155
Georgia State Patrol
(770) 205-5400
Health Department
(770) 345-7371
(770) 793-5000 (770) 751-2500 (770) 720-5100
Hospitals:
Kennestone Hospital North Fulton Hospital Northside Hospital — Cherokee
Hotlines — 24 Hour Help Lines:
Battered Women Hotline Drug Tip Line (Cherokee Co. Sheriff) Poison Control Center — Atlanta Outside Metro Atlanta Probate Court Information Line Sexual Assault & Family Violence Center
Libraries:
Rose Creek R.T. Jones Woodstock
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TOWNELAKER | November 2014
(770) 479-1703 (770) 345-7920 (404) 616-9000 (800) 222-1222 (770) 704-2610 (770) 428-2666
www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org (770) 591-1491 (770) 479-3090 (770) 926-5859
Non-Emergency 911
(770) 479-3117
Parks and Recreation:
BridgeMill Athletic Club (770) 345-5500 Cherokee County Outdoor YMCA (770) 591-5820 Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency (770) 924-7768 www.crpa.net Cherokee Soccer Association (770) 704-0187 www.cherokeesoccer.com Eagle Watch Golf Club (770) 591-1000 Hobgood Park (770) 924-7865 North Atlanta Soccer Assoc. (770) 926-4175 www.nasa-ga.org SCRA Park (770) 926-5672 Towne Lake Hills Golf Club (770) 592-9969 Wildlife Action, Inc. (800) 753-2264
Pets:
Animal Control (678) 493-6200 CatSnip (low cost spay & neuter) www.atlantaanimalalliance.com Cherokee County Animal Shelter — Adoptions (770) 345-7270 www.cherokeega-animals.org Cherokee County Humane Society (770) 928-5115 www.cchumanesociety.org Emergency Veterinary Clinic (770) 924-3720 Funds4Furry Friends (770) 842-8893 Lost Pets Go to www.townelaker.com. click on lost and found pet button to report missing pet Pet Buddies Food Pantry www. petbuddiesfoodpantry.org SPARE (Sterilizing Pets And Reducing Euthanasia) (770) 928-5120 Second Chance Dog Rescue www.secondchancedogs.org
Post Office (Woodstock) www.usps.com
(800) 275-8777
Recycling Center
(770) 516-4195
Sheriff’s Department
(678) 493-4100 www.cherokeega-sheriff.org Georgia Sex Offender Registry www.cherokeega-sheriff.org/offender/offender.htm
Utilities:
Atlanta Gas Light Co. (770) 907-4231 www.aglc.com A T & T (404) 780-2355 www.bellsouth.com Cherokee Water & Sewerage Authority (770) 479-1813 Comcast (770) 926-0334 Cobb EMC (770) 429-2100 www.cobbemc.com Georgia Power www.georgiapower.com
Urgent Care Facility
American Family Care, 6440 Bells Ferry Rd., Woodstock (770) 200-1220 Northside Cherokee Urgent Care, 900 Towne Lake Pkwy (404) 851-6577 SHEFA Urgent Care 2000 Village Professional Dr. #110, Canton (678) 661-3166 Wellstar Urgent Care (678) 494-2500
Woodstock, City of:
(in Towne Lake, only applies to Avonlea, Deer Run,
ParkView, Paces and certain annexed commercial parcels) . www.woodstockga.gov City Hall (770) 592-6000 Fire Department (770) 926-2302 Police Information (770) 592-6030
Since 1996, we have brought relevant, uplifting and reader-driven content to the residents of Towne Lake, Canton and Woodstock. We look forward to serving you, our readers and advertisers every month. Thank you for your continued support and participation in making this truly your community magazine.
Candi Hannigan Executive Editor
Jackie Loudin Assistant Editor
Patty Ponder ALM President Marketing & Advertising Sales
Christie Deese Marketing Support Associate
Michelle McCulloch Art Director
Denise Griffin Controller
At AroundAbout Local Media, we believe the world functions at the community level: diverse groups of people living in close proximity; sharing commonality of culture, values and local pride; developing safety nets for those in need; and helping each other to live richer lives. It is our heartfelt desire to contribute to the fabric that helps make a community happen. Through our magazines, we aim to provide everyone in the communities we serve with uplifting, interesting information about the community they are proud to call home. Karen & Jon Flaig Owner/Publisher
We encourage you to send us your photos, ideas, stories or anything else you think the community would like to know about. It’s your community. It’s your magazine.
TowneLaker Distribution Map Circulation: 16,000
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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Townelaker
ADVERTISERS DIRECTORY For advertising rates & information please contact Patty Ponder, 770.615.3322 • Patty@AroundAboutMagazines.com ATTORNEYS/LEGAL SERVICES Debranski & Associates, LLC (770) 926-1957, ext 306 321 Creekstone Ridge
9
AUTOMOTIVE
Christian Brothers Automotive (770) 926-4500 1930 Eagle Dr., Woodstock Joe’s Auto Service (770) 517-2695 6957 Hwy. 92, Woodstock
39
CHIROPRACTIC
Hartman Imbriale Attorneys 39 (678) 445-7423, www.hartman-imbriale.com 145 Towne Lake Pkwy., Suite 200
Aspen Falls Auto Spa 6390 Bells Ferry Rd. (770) 591-3630
Papa’s Pantry www.papaspantry.org
51
Discover Chiropractic & Rehabilitation 32 (770) 516-9900, www.discoverrehab.com 2295 Towne Lake Pkwy.
Werner Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock 21 (678) 224-5722 www.ChildrensDentistWoodstock.com 250 Parkbrooke Place Suite 250, Woodstock
North Cobb Spine & Nerve Institute (678) 574-5678 3451 Cobb Pkwy, Ste. 4, Acworth
Williams Orthodontics (770) 592-5554 www.DrWilliamsOrthodontics.com 145 Towne Lake Pkwy., Ste. 201
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CHURCHES 60
Woodstock First Baptist Church FBCW.org, christmasatwoodstock.com
35
Carpet Dry-Tech (678) 368-5991
Towne Lake’s Carwash & Detail 37 www.townelakescarwashanddetail.com (770) 592-8102, 1490 Towne Lake Pkwy. BANKING/FINANCIAL SERVICES Citadel Professional Services, LLC 69 (770) 952-6707 225 Town Park Dr., Suite 440, Kennesaw BEAUTY, MASSAGE & SPA Azure Salon & Spa 53 (770) 345-8280 1359 Riverstone Pkwy., Ste. 110, Canton Pampered Peacock, The 35 (678) 540-7601, 7031 Main St., Woodstock Salon Gloss (678) 483-8900, www.SalonGloss.biz 220 Chambers St.
75
The Sundance Massage Center (678) 591-5066 www.SundanceMassageCenter.com
39
22
Rejoice Maids 53 (678) 905-3476, www.rejoicemaids.com COMPUTERS Cherokee Computer Guys (678) 889-5900, www.ccrguys.com 10511 Bells Ferry Rd., Canton
3
DENTAL (Cosmetic, Family, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics & Pediatric)
9, 33
North Cobb Christian (770) 975-0252, 4500 Lakeview Dr. Kennesaw, GA, ncchristian.org Park View Montessori School (770) 926-0044 6689 Bells Ferry Rd.
3
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EVENT PLANNING
Fountain View Dentistry 55 (770) 926-0000, www.fountainviewsmiles.com 1816 Eagle Dr., Bldg. 200, Suite A
HOME IMPROVEMENT/REPAIR & SERVICE
Park Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock (770) 926-9260 www.PediatricWoodstockDentist.com 1816 Eagle Dr., Suite 200-C
37
32
Spillane Orthodontics 41 (770) 928-4747, www.SpillaneOrtho.com 335 Pkwy. 575, Suite 200, Woodstock
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Thad Baird & Tyler Baird, DMD 69 (770) 517-0444, www.BairdFamilyDentistry.com 4595 Towne Lake Pkwy.
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
Mathnasium (678) 214-5544 2265 Towne Lake Pkwy., Ste. 102
Brooks Personal Training 7 (678) 665-6021, BrooksPersonalTraining.com 1432 Towne Lake Pkwy., Ste. 120
Towne Lake Business Association
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KinderCare 23 3051 Parkbrooke Circle, Woodstock (678) 445-3820, www.kindercare.com
Byrd Dental Group Inside front (770) 926-8200 2035 Towne Lake Pkwy., Ste. 130
78
Junior Service League Tour of Homes
37
Kelly’s Creations (678) 503-8843, KellysCreations.net
Downtown Buzz
CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS
Bascomb UMC Preschool (770) 926-0397 2295 Bascomb Carmel Rd.
Advanced Dental Restorations, LLC 31 (678) 810-0881, www.BringBackSmiles.com 1505 Stone Bridge Pkwy., Ste. 220, Woodstock
S. Bruce O’Neal, DDS 58 (770) 924-8848 2230 Towne Lake Pkwy., Bldg. 100, Ste. 100
BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
22
EDUCATION / INSTRUCTION 17
CLEANING SERVICES
Frankfurt Foreign Automotive 51 (678) 505-8907, 9817 Main St., Woodstock FrankfurtForeignAutomotive.com
Towne Lake Family Dentistry Inside Back (770) 591-7929, www.RayMorganDMD.com 120 N. Medical Pkwy., Bldg 200, Ste 100
21
FITNESS
Atlas Garage Door Company (770) 592-6217 AquaDoc Plumbing (770) 516-9000 Bryan Plumbing Services (770) 826-5277 Coleman Home Services (770) 294-9667 www.colemanhomeservices.com Dr. Fixit, Ph.D. (770) 974-2390 Drainage First John Brodbeck, (678) 525-589 Grout Doctor, The (678) 383-1311, www.GroutDoctor.com
31 25 5 7
25 23 20
Hammocks Heating & Air (770) 794-0428
23
Handy Handyman, The (404) 316-1490
3
Mr. Junk (678) Mr-Junk1
53
Nelson Exteriors (678) 283-8171
56
Pike’s Professional Painting (770) 516-0045
25
Precision Painting & Remodeling (678) 234-9668
5
Reliable Heating & Air Cover, 44,45 (770) 594-9969, ReliableAir.com Uptronix (770) 928-0260, www.uptronix.com
17
HOME INTERIORS Atlanta Prestige Flooring 61 (770) 516-3227 www.atlantaprestigeflooring.com 1105 Parkside Lane, Suite 1338, Woodstock INSURANCE The Clarke Agency (Farmers Insurance) 2360 Towne Lake Pkwy., Suite 105 (678) 400-6725 mclarke@farmersagent.com
31
Landscape Matters (770) 403-5813 www.landscapemattersinc.com
25
Overstreet Lawn Care (770) 861-7272
21
RPM Landscape & Pavers (770) 597-5175 www.rpmlandscapeandpavers.com
37
PET/VETERINARIAN SERVICES & SUPPLIES Animal Hospital of Towne Lake 70 (770) 591-9500, www.townelakevets.com 3105 Parkbrooke Circle South Cherokee Veterinary Hospital 31 (770) 924-6746, www.southcherokee.net 513 Sharp St. 83
PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL SERVICES Cherokee Internal Medicine (678) 238-0301, www.cherokeeim.com 1192 Buckhead Crossing, Ste. C
North Georgia Audiology & Hearing Aid Center, Dr. Jan Henriques 57 (770) 726-8948, NorthGeorgiaHearing.com 203 Woodpark Place, Ste. B-100, Woodstock Northside Cherokee Pediatrics 13 (678) 388-5485, northsidecherokeepediatrics.com 684 Sixes Rd., Holly Springs Northside Hospital – Cherokee www.northside.com
17
Connect Hearing 52 1-888-694-0655, www.connecthearing.com 2230 Towne Lake Pkwy., Bldg. 800, Ste. 100 Envision Therapy, Dr. Rosalyn Coleman 13 (678) 540-6680, envisiontherapycenter.com 117 Mirramont Lake Dr., Woodstock
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Northside Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine 42 (770) 928-0016 Plastic Surgery Center of the South 34 (770) 421-1242 www.plasticsurgerycenterofthesouth.net 120 Vann St., Ste. 150, Marietta Psychologist John R. Lutz, PhD 35 (770) 592-9065, www.johnromanlutz.com Rausch Family Practice (678) 384-7305, judithrauschmd.com 1000 Wyngate Pkwy., Ste. 210
5
Thomas Eye Group 35 (770) 928-4544, www.thomaseyegroup.com 149 Towne Lake Pkwy., Ste. 102 Towne Lake Family Pharmacy (770) 635-7697 2045 Towne Lake Pkwy., Ste. 110
LANDSCAPING & LAWN MAINTENANCE
Cherokee County Animal Shelter www.cherokeega-animals.org
Graham Pediatrics, Fitzroy Graham, MD, FAAP 58 (770) 485-9670, www.grahampediatrics.com 105 Mirramont Lake Dr.
Wellstar Cancer Network (770) 956-STAR (7827) www.wellstar.org
47
1
Woodstock Wolverines Football
50
Woodstock Art & Wine Festival
81
RESTAURANTS/FOOD & DRINK Blue Sky Barbecue 295 Molly Lane, Ste. 100, Woodstock (770) 485-0503 www.BlueSkyBarbecue.com Butchers Block (770) 517-2225 1025 Rose Creek Dr.
9
25
GG’s Fine Foods 46 (678) 499-0511, www.ggsfinefood.com 501 Hickory Ridge Tr., Ste. 130, Woodstock 34 Webb St., Roswell Papa P’s 2295 Towne Lake Pkwy. (770) 592-3100, papa-ps.com
7
Reel Seafood 8670 Main Street, Woodstock (770) 627-3006
20
Small Cakes — A Cupcakery 2035 Towne Lake Pkwy., Suite 110 (678) 324-1910
9
RETAILERS/ SHOPPING Branches Boutique 2295 Towne Lake Pkwy. #140 (770) 517-1505 370 Chambers St., (678) 540 5483
5
Diamonds R Forever 43 4200 Wade Green Rd., Ste. 212, Kennesaw (770) 422-0845, www.diamondsrforever.net
PHOTOGRAPHERS Kim Bates Photography www.KimBatesPhotoArt.com
62
Skip Daugherty Photography www.skipdaughertyphotography.com
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REAL ESTATE & RELATED SERVICES Berkshire Hathaway The Tomlinson Team (770) 365-6193, (678) 494-2953
39
Homeowner Management Services Tracy Henson, (770) 710-1895 Tracy.Henson@HMS-inc.net
7
Kurt & Sheila Team, Keller Williams Back Cover (404) 954-2486, (678) 494-0644 www.kurtandsheila.com Ursula & Assoc., Keller Williams Inside front (678) 569-4044, TowneLakeExperts.com RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT Elm St. Cultural Arts Village (678) 494-4251
80
Etowah Eagles Basketball
53
Gifted Ferret, The 51 (770) 693-5889, www.TheGiftedFerret.com 1910 Eagle Dr., Ste. 400 KSU Community Art Sale
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Max Video Games & More 21 (770) 924-9300 6424 Bells Ferry Rd., Ste. 124, Woodstock www.facebook.com/maxvideogames Rudi Fine Jewelry (678) 445-2626 rudifinejewelry@yahoo.com 6790 Hwy. 92, Acworth
47
Spirited 23 8670 Main St., Ste. 2, Woodstock (678) 214-5304, www.spritlala.com Urban Renewal Consignment Shop (678) 398-7691 www.urcwoodstock.com 1085 Buckhead Crossing, Suite 120, Woodstock
53
Wild Birds Unlimited 54 (770) 928-3014, www.woodstock.wbu.com 1025 Rose Creek Dr., Woodstock TOWNELAKER | November 2014
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COUPONS & SPECIAL OFFERS! These local businesses have special offers just for you!
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Aqua Doc Plumbing
25
Park View Montessori School
56
Aspen Falls Auto Spa
51
Plastic Surgery Center of the South
34
Atlanta Prestige Flooring
61
Reel Seafood
20
Butchers Block
25
Rejoice Maids
53
Carpet Dry Tech
22
Rudi Fine Jewelry
47
Christian Brothers Automotive
60
Small Cakes
Hammock’s Heating & Air
23
The Gifted Ferret
51
Joe’s Auto Service
35
The Grout Doctor
20
Landscape Matters
25
Towne Lake Family Dentistry
Max Video Games & More
21
Towne Lake’s Carwash and Detail
37
Mr. Junk
53
Werner Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock
21
TOWNELAKER | November 2014
9
Inside Back
770.591.7929
www.TowneLakeFamilyDentistry.com
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Botox® $10 per unit / Juvéderm Treatments
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120 N. Medical Pkwy | Building 200, Suite 100 | Woodstock, GA 30189
In the interest of promoting good dental health for our neighborhood children Towne Lake Family Dentistry will be offering a Candy Buyback Program for all unexpired candy. Candy Buyback Program - November 3rd –13th We will offer $1.00 per pound for all candy surrendered to our office. All candy collected will be sent overseas to our military troops, who will distribute candy to the local children in the area. This offer applies to children under twelve years of age.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!