11-22 Around Canton webfinal.pdf by Aroundabout Local Media, Inc.

FALL HIGHLIGHTS ArtsKSU, close to you!

Dr. Bobbie Bailey School of Music

AMERICANA FESTIVAL Nov. 7-11 | $5-$15 ea/$45 all

Celebrate our great nation with a series of concerts, culminating in a thrilling Veteran’s Day Concert, featuring the Wind Ensemble, paying tribute to the people who serve (and have served) our great nation.

Department of Theatre & Performance Studies

THE BROADWAY BOYS

Department of Dance

CARTE BLANCHE

Nov. 11-12 | $15-$20

Enjoy contemporary and classical choreography, featuring four original dance works by faculty and guests, highlighting KSU’s diverse artistic voices.

School of Art and Design

Dec. 1-3 | $12-$20

RECOLLECTIONS OSCAR MUÑOZ

With songs from Hamilton, Wicked, Jersey Boys, The Lion King, The Phantom of the Opera and more, the Broadway Boys rearrange traditional tunes with elements of pop, funk, gospel and rock for an exciting new take on Broadway’s greatest hits.

Colombian artist Oscar Muñoz uses temporary materials to question the stability of the photographic image, equating its fragility with the fallibility of memory and life’s precariousness.

Now through Dec. 10 | FREE

Buy tickets and view full season at ArtsKSU.com

transformed

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

10 30

Contents On The Cover

22 November 2022

Features

10 Thanksgiving Traditions

Community leaders share their favorite memories, photos and Thanksgiving traditions.

22 Lend a Helping Hand

During this season of giving, our special section starts with a list of ways to lend a helping hand.

30 A Forever Family

Kaitlin Morgan describes her family’s adoption journey through the Cherokee County foster care system.

In Every Issue 4 Around Canton

8 Downtown Events

16 Shop Local Map

Page Relocation

Justin Page is thankful for the success of his Canton-based moving company, which has grown from three employees and two trucks to 32 employees and 10 trucks.

Pages 28 & 29

Cover photo by Red Baryl Portraits. 2

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

38 Everyday Angels 39 Celebrations

50 Library Events

52 Community Calendar

54 Directory of Advertisers 56 Rob’s Rescues

Contributors 46 Charlice Byrd

46 Cherokee Women’s

Health Specialists

45 Michael Collopy 42 Karen Garland 51 Jason Gerdes 26 Lauren Johnson 18 Harry Johnston 25 Susannah MacKay 56 Rob Macmillan 41 Margaret Miller 30 Kaitlin Morgan 50 John Rodgers 34 Susan Schulz 44 The Wanderer

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Around Canton Bridal 2023 BEST FOR

Letter From the Content Editor

My family usually starts putting up Christmas decorations the week of Thanksgiving. But, this year, we decided to put our decorations up on Sept. 23, bypassing Halloween and Thanksgiving. I’m joking, but that is when I first noticed the garden section in Walmart had been completely transformed with Christmas trees and decorations. As content editor, I work on planning and editing articles, as well as compiling events for the calendars, a few months in advance — but September? — that’s still too early for me to be in the Christmas spirit! Even if Christmas wasn’t getting earlier and earlier each year, Thanksgiving has looked different for me (and my husband) the past few years. The pandemic certainly disrupted many family gatherings — including our wedding! — but getting married has brought our Thanksgiving events to a total of four. Sure, most of us wear stretchy pants each year, but we go from one parents’ house to another for back-to-back meals on Thanksgiving Day, as well as get together with 30-plus people on my mom and dad’s sides the weekends before and after. Skinny jeans are NOT an option … I’ve never doubted that my husband loves me. Going to three of my family’s Thanksgiving gatherings (and the same at Christmas) says it all. Yes, I know. It sounds like a lot. But, I’m a Canton native, and 90% of my family lives in a 40-mile radius, so it’s not as crazy as it seems. This year, on the other side of the pandemic, I’ll be shaking things up again in Lima, Peru, with my husband and his family on Thanksgiving. I’m excited to see the city his mom was born in, and I’m looking forward to celebrating and making new memories, even if we aren’t eating turkey and dressing. To read about our city and county leaders’ Thanksgiving traditions, flip to Pages 10-12. We may not make it to all four Thanksgiving gatherings this year, but I’m sure we’ll squeeze in at least two. I’m thankful to have grown up with my family so close by. My grandparents passed away before I started kindergarten, but my aunts and uncles filled a huge role in my life growing up. Family is important, no matter what form it comes. On Pages 30-31, meet Kaitlin Morgan and Skyler Mize, a couple who adopted a pair of siblings from the Cherokee County foster care system. I’m also thankful for each of my family members who served our country, as well as all of the veterans in our community and the organizations that serve them (Page 40). If you’re interested in volunteering or donating to nonprofits serving our families and neighbors in need this season, turn to Pages 22-25, for a list of ways to lend a helping hand. No matter where you are, or how you celebrate, I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

Jessica Forrester

Jessica Forrester is the content editor of TowneLaker, Around Woodstock and Around Canton magazines. She grew up in Cherokee County and graduated from Sequoyah High School.

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

Do you want to take part in an online poll to find the best wedding service providers in Northwest Georgia? Get ready to say, I do! Our poll is open through Nov. 15 at www.aroundaboutlocalmedia. com. Results will be posted Jan. 1 and will be included in the January issue of Around Canton.

Kudos!

Heath Tippens, vice president of Cherokee Office of Economic Development, and Rajpal Sagoo, managing

partner of MDD Holdings, have been named to Georgia Trend Magazine’s 40 Under 40 class of 2022.

What’s Coming

Cherokee County is using the first propane-powered public transit buses in Georgia. Cherokee Area

Transportation Service (CATS) purchased three propanepowered buses from Coach and Equipment Bus Sales Inc. in February to replace aging buses in the fleet that provide service for the fixed route service by CATS. “We are excited to bring in three new vehicles that use a cleaner fuel source and have expected lower maintenance costs,” Community Services Agency Director Bryan Reynolds said. “With the purchase, we were able to secure increased federal transportation support and a Federal Transit Authority fuel subsidy, saving our taxpayers money.”

County officials held a ribbon cutting in mid-October.

At press time, the opening date for the Cherokee County History Center at 221 E. Marietta St., in Canton, was Nov. 5. Hours of operation will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m. WednesdaysSaturdays and noon-5 p.m. Sundays. The center will be closed Mondays and Tuesdays. https://historycherokee.org.

KPOP BBQ and Bar, an all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue restaurant with three metro Atlanta locations, will occupy space in a building being constructed off exit 19, in The Canton Exchange shopping center, which houses Hobby Lobby and Home Goods. www.kpopbbqandbar.com.

Forgive Our Error

In a story we ran in October about the Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services honoring the legacy of Justin and Amber Hicks, who were tragically killed, their son Jacob Hicks was found unharmed.

You’re invited!

Celebrate the joy of this beautiful Christmas season.

Brenda Tustian

welcomes you to her solo exhibition of ‘mostly Christmas’ fine art.

Nov. 15 - Dec. 15 Falany Performing Arts Center at Reinhardt University For more info, visit www.reinhardt.edu/falany.

K brendaharristustian.com m770-843-6981 k info@brendatustian.com

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

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

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

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AROUND CANTON | November 2022

President Kim Dahnke 770-778-5314 kim@aroundaboutmagazines.com Vice President Jennifer Coleman 678-279-5502 jen@aroundaboutmagazines.com

Executive Editor Candi Hannigan 770-615-3309 candi@aroundaboutmagazines.com

Managing Editor Donna Harris 770-852-8481 donna@aroundaboutmagazines.com Content Editor Jessica Forrester 770-615-3318 jessica@aroundaboutmagazines.com

Production Manager Michelle McCulloch 770-615-3307 michelle@aroundaboutmagazines.com Page Designer Laura Latchford laura@aroundaboutmagazines.com

Graphic Designer Savannah Winn savannah@aroundaboutmagazines.com Controller Denise Griffin 770-615-3315 denise@aroundaboutmagazines.com

Social Media Manager Kathryn Holt kat@aroundaboutmagazines.com

Market & Advertising Specialist Michelle Smith 770-615-3324 michelle.smith@aroundaboutmagazines.com Copy Editors Bill King, Eliza Somers

Around Canton, a publication of Aroundabout Local Media, Inc., is a monthly magazine created to help local businesses grow and prosper by offering affordable advertising opportunities in a quality publication that provides positive, relevant information to our readers. A total of 17,000 free copies are distributed monthly; approximately 16,600 are mailed to homes and businesses, with an additional 400 placed in racks around the community. Many readers catch the latest edition online each month. Around Canton welcomes your comments, stories and advertisements. Editorial deadline is the first, and the advertising deadline is the 10th of the month prior to publication. Subscriptions are available for $24 per year. Send check or money order to: Around Canton, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, PMB 380, Suite 620, Woodstock, GA 30189.

The viewpoints of the advertisers, writers and other submissions do not necessarily reflect those of the editor/publisher. And the publisher makes no claims to the validity of any opinions expressed by charitable, business or civic organizations mentioned, or statements made within the editorial content. The cover and inside related article, and other editorial-type submissions labeled SPONSORED CONTENT, are paid content. The publisher neither guarantees nor supports any product or service mentioned in this magazine, nor does it guarantee any assertions made by the manufacturers or providers of such products or services, or claims regarding the status of such businesses. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. Copyright 2022. Volume 10, Issue 7

America’s Community Magazine

Apply Now

Spring Semester Priority Application Deadline Nov. 18

The Right Course for You Spotlight Video Interiors Program Lab on the Woodstock Campus

ChattahoocheeTech.edu I 770-528-4545 A Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia. Equal Opportunity Institution.

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

IN town

NOVEMBER

The inaugural Never Alone Lantern Festival will be at Etowah River Park. There will be a petting zoo, bounce houses, face painting, spin art and more, culminating with an organized lantern parade at dusk. https://bit.ly/3B5jRFJ.

11-12

The downtown Canton Art and Spirits Walk will be filled with art, shopping, wine, beer and spirits, 5-9 p.m. Friday and noon-6 p.m. Saturday. For tickets, visit https://bit.ly/3rNsEYz.

The fourth annual LoveLikeReed 5K begins at 2 p.m. in Etowah River Park. https://bit.ly/3TTR8wd.

DECEMBER

The Service League of Cherokee County will hold the 19th annual Reindeer Run for the Children 5K and 1-mile Fun Run at Etowah River Park. To register or volunteer, visit https://bit.ly/3ymlLkO. For more information, email serviceleaguerunforthechildren@gmail.com.

Cherokee Theatre Company

Performances are at the Canton Theatre. www.cherokeetheatre.org. Participants celebrate as they cross the finish line at the 2021 LoveLikeReed 5K.

R.T. Jones Memorial Library www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org

Nov. 5

The Local Author Market will feature a children’s storytime, author panel and market, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Nov. 7

Join the Red Cross Blood Drive, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Giving one pint of blood can save up to three lives! To make an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and enter code: RTJones, or call 1-800-Red-Cross.

Nov. 9

Adult Art Class: Paving Stones begins at 5 p.m. Registration is required.

Nov. 14

The Adult Eclectics Book Club is meeting to discuss “Empire of the Summer Moon” by S.C. Gwynne, 6-7:30 p.m., in the community room. Registration is not required.

Nov. 18

How to 3D Print will teach teens and tweens

about the parts of a 3D printer and how to print, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Children younger than 12 must be accompanied by an adult. 8

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

Dec. 9-11, 16-18

Kudzu Players present “A Christmas Carol.” Directed by Wally and Jeannie Hinds.

Feb. 3-5, 10-12

“Faith County II: The Saga Continues.” Directed by Becca Hogue.

The Mill on Etowah www.etowahmill.com.

Nov. 3

Trivia Night on the Green begins at 7 p.m. Thursdays. Gather your dream team and compete for first-, second- and third-place prizes.

Nov. 5

Game Day on the Green begins at 7 p.m. Chairs are available, but feel free to bring chairs and blankets. Visit the website for more live football game showings.

Nov. 19

The Cruise In Car Show is 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Come out and see classic cars, trucks, exotics, imports and SUVs. Free to attend.

Nov. 20

Shop locally made goods at Maker’s Mash, a pop-up shop featuring local artisans, 1-6 p.m. every third Sunday, at Reformation Brewery.

Nov. 25-26

Save the date for the annual Christmas at The Mill celebration on the green. There will be kid-friendly activities and live music.

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SHARING

Barbara’s son, J. Henry Jacoby, in kindergarten.

TRADITIONS

“I was born on Thanksgiving Day, and my mother has made me a pumpkin pie for my birthday for the last 50 years.”

— Jamey Snyder, Woodstock’s recreation operations manager

“Some of my most favorite Thanksgiving memories come from our children’s school celebrations. Our oldest, who now is in middle school, played a turkey in his kindergarten pageant. When he saw all of us in the audience, he could not hide his excitement. As he pointed, stood up, laughed and grinned at us through the song, I’m sure I heard a man behind us laugh and say: “There’s a ham in the turkeys!”

— Barbara Jacoby, Cherokee County School District’s chief communications officer

“For me, Thanksgiving means family, shopping and quality time with loved ones. When I was growing up, our large gatherings included extended family (grandparents, aunts, uncles and many cousins). While the adults cooked, the cousins played outside. Such fun memories! After I got married, the tradition changed little except for alternating years between my husband’s family and mine. Another tradition that started when I was a child but has continued into adulthood is Black Friday shopping, something I now enjoy with my daughter. This year, I’m especially looking forward to Thanksgiving, because it will be the first time my daughter, who is a freshman at University of California, Berkeley, comes back home for a visit. We’re all looking forward to a long weekend of enjoying time with her!” The Wallace family enjoys time with cousins and grandparents.

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

— Shannon Wallace, district attorney of the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit

“We are originally from Venezuela, and Thanksgiving Day is not a tradition there; however, we adopted the tradition here. Because it’s important to live thankful lives, we are grateful for everything that God gives us — life, family, friends, provision. We know Thanksgiving is not about just one day; it must be every day. But we do stop to say, ‘Thank you, Lord.’ “We prepare a special dinner and eat the traditional turkey, but we complement it with hallacas and pan de jamon, which are traditional Venezuelan foods. Usually, we have dinner with family and part of the congregation. Some of them don’t have family here, so we open our home to share with them the beautiful tradition that we learned to enjoy here.”

— Eduardo Brando, senior pastor of Iglesia Pentecostal Unida (UPCI Canton)

“My favorite Thanksgiving tradition and memory is cooking Thanksgiving dinner with my mom and grandmother. Whether we are all together in Georgia or at my mom’s house, in my hometown of Tampa, Florida, the three of us will be in the kitchen the night before and the morning of Thanksgiving making our family favorites. In addition to the turkey, ham and sides, the showstopper always is my grandmother’s cornbread dressing. She passed down the recipe to me, but it always is better when we make it together.”

“We always enjoyed a great Thanksgiving feast with extended family growing up. We rotated the Thanksgiving location so as not to put the burden on any one household year after year. There always were clear assignments given prior to confirm what each family was bringing to fill the table. The host house for the holiday would only worry with the turkey, and possibly a ham, if requested. The rest of the family brought assigned sides and appetizers for the meal. Our family usually was assigned the green bean casserole and sausage balls for an appetizer. All items were to be prepared ahead of time and simply needed to warm up to be ready for the Thanksgiving feast, EXCEPT for the coveted turkey gravy. The gravy was the rite of passage of sorts for the women in the family. It was looked to be a responsibility given only to the older generations. The only way to learn how to make it was to watch it being prepared right before the meal was served. There was no written recipe for the gravy, but more of a hands-on, peek in from the side of the kitchen to see the recipe secrets. I can proudly share that I have been asked to prepare the turkey gravy and have passed the test! It’s something I hold onto dearly, as it is a great accomplishment and compliment to be asked to do so within our family.”

— Tina Farmer, Cherokee County School District’s executive director of school nutrition and procurement services

— Angie Busby, Canton’s manager of economic development and tourism

Tina Farmer with her mom and grandmother in the kitchen Thanksgiving morning.

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

“Each year, we go to my parents’ house in Jasper for Thanksgiving dinner. My nieces are in charge of baking desserts, and I look forward to what they bake each year. Their creativity always tops the previous year. Last year, we had chocolate cupcakes that looked like little turkeys. It was very cute. As my son grows older and his desire is constantly to be where his cousins are, I have no doubt we will find William in the kitchen baking with them this year. And, I can’t wait to see what they all create together.”

— Brittany Page, Woodstock Police Department’s crime analyst and public information officer

Brittany’s son, William Page, with her nieces, Tatum, Kaitlyn and Jocelyn Bleisath.

“Cooking a big Thanksgiving meal is a tradition in our family. The smell of homemade dressing filling the kitchen brings back memories of grandmothers that have passed away, but recipes that live on. In our home, Thanksgiving also means two kinds of cranberry sauce. While I prefer a well-made cranberry salad, with whole berries and other fresh fruits, my father-in-law must have the can-shaped congealed cranberry side that makes the unmistakable “shloop” sound as it slides ceremoniously from the can after being unwedged by a butter knife. At least the indentions from the can make it easier to slice evenly!”

— Billy Peppers, Canton’s city manager

“Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays! We always put up our Christmas Tree the day after, so after we eat (we're from Louisiana, so we usually switch it up with a gumbo instead of a traditional meal), boxes and boxes of decorations start making their way to the living room. We're also pretty competitive, so Thanksgiving also marks the start of the holiday competitions. I'm determined to win the gingerbread house making contest this year! Last year was a super special Thanksgiving because my mom graduated with her master's degree. She's always been my therapist, but now she can be everyone else's, too! The Cherokee County History Center will be open this year, so I'm looking forward to showing my family around the museum and making a new tradition.”

— Harvee White, History Cherokee’s education manager 12

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

Harvee White with her mother, Tonya, and her siblings, Chelsea and Dillain.

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AROUND CANTON | November 2022

What is your background?

I started as the city manager of Canton in June 2015. My background is community and economic development. I previously served as the state’s downtown development director and the economic development director for the city of Woodstock, and I started my public service career as the appropriations analyst for the Georgia Senate.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Summerville, Georgia, and attended the University of Georgia’s School of Public and International Affairs.

What do you like most about your job?

Get to K n ow

Billy Peppers Canton’s City Manager

What is your main responsibility?

My main responsibility is to provide for the execution of the policies and procedures outlined by the City Council while supervising the operations of the city, including finances, utilities, public safety, infrastructures and development.

Describe a typical day on the job.

Every day brings a unique set of experiences, meetings, concerns and troubleshooting. I am in the office shortly before 8 a.m. and spend the first part of the day reviewing correspondence and meeting with members of our team to go over projects and operations. Most days include a couple of meetings with developers looking at investing in new projects in Canton, seeking to understand local zoning matters, or working through permitting processes on active construction sites. I spend time reviewing certain data, such as financial reports, ordinances, case files for public hearings, incident reports from public safety, or studies related to housing trends, transportation projects or economic concerns. Canton has 14 boards or commissions of citizen volunteers, and there generally is a meeting of two to three of these groups weekly, which entails reviewing agendas and understanding their business to consider. While our City Council meets twice monthly, there is a good bit of correspondence, phone calls or meetings to review items of importance for upcoming meetings. While our offices close at 5 p.m., I tend to be reviewing and responding to emails up until I close my eyes at night. 14

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

I enjoy the people the most. Canton residents, business owners, our elected officials, visitors to our community and, of course, Team Canton. We have wonderful people in our community and seeing them work together to build the hometown they want to see is very rewarding. We are a family and, like a family, we do not always agree on everything. But, when we work together on communicating our thoughts, focusing on areas where we do agree and leaving the community better than we found it, there is nothing we cannot accomplish.

Describe memorable job experiences.

I have had requests to fix traffic tickets. I have no authority over those matters! Also, the city built a cat house for a group of felines that live around City Hall when we began building the downtown parking deck (https://bit.ly/3UuoQIY ).

What projects are you excited about?

I love to see our parks and trails system expanding. In 2015, a resident could not get between Heritage and Etowah River parks. By next spring, all of our major parks will be connected by trails along the river. Not many cities can offer that. We are wrapping up a Transportation Master Plan, and I am excited about the redevelopment of the Jones Building downtown. The city also hired a consulting firm to look for opportunities for a hotel and conference center along the reservoir. Most important, I am excited about the implementation of our Roadmap for Success.

What goals do you have?

The average city manager spends between two and three years in their role in a city. I have had the opportunity to be in Canton for more than seven years now, and I hope there are many more in the future. I love to continually learn from others.

How do you spend your free time?

I enjoy cooking, reading and Georgia football. My wife, Julie, is the principal at Free Home Elementary. My 12-year-old son, Turner, is a sixth-grader at Creekland Middle and plays basketball and baseball. My 9-year-old son, Jennings, is a thirdgrader at Free Home Elementary and enjoys basketball, baseball and flag football.

UN R R

REIN

e Childr

The Service League of Cherokee County ❆ Presents The 19 annual th

❄

REINDEER RUN FOR ❅ THE CHILDREN ❆

p o h S

LOCAL!

5K AND 1 MILE FUN RUN

❄

Saturday, Dec. 10 at Etowah River Park

❅

$1,000 cash prize to the Cherokee County school with the most participants! Prizes to the top three in each group and overall male and female!

❅ REGISTER AT ❄

SERVICELEAGUE.NET

This year’s official AJC Peachtree Road Race qualifying event.

AROUNDABOUT LOCAL MEDIA’S

MISSION STATEMENT

Help local businesses grow and prosper by offering affordable advertising opportunities in a quality publication that provides positive, relevant information to our readers. We know that shopping must be on your mind, now that Black Friday and the Christmas season are upon us; it’s definitely on our radar! To be helpful to our readers and our local merchants, we are bringing a holiday focus to our Shop Local map by making it more prominent in our November and December issues. You’ll find the map of downtown Canton businesses with ideas for places to shop, eat, pamper yourself, and play and explore.

You may want to tear out the map pages to keep handy as you venture out into the community to go shopping. After so many challenges in recent years, now is a perfect time to take advantage of this beautiful fall weather and visit our local retailers. They’ll be happy to see you, and you can leave with the satisfaction that you’ve been a part of contributing to the economic development of our amazing community. We hope you will share the love, shop local and support our community businesses. Have a blessed holiday season!

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

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Shop LOCAL! DINE & SIP 1. Panera Bread 2. Branchwater 3. Local on North 4. Bizarre Coffee 5. M amma Onesta’s Italian Restaurant

SHOP 36. Chamberhouse Fine Gifts & Home Decor 37. B. Loved 38. Simply Ola’s 39. Fowler’s Florist & Gifts 40. Masterpiece Framer

6. Q ueenie’s Southern Restaurant

41. Indulgence Fine Jewelry

7. Goin’ Coastal Seafood

43. Southernite Interiors

8. Downtown Kitchen

44. Cotton Mill Exchange

9. Stout’s Growlers 10. Green Line Brewery

45. Menagerie on Main Fine Art & Gifts

11. The Oak House

46. Golf Cars of Canton

12. Reformation Brewery

47. The Be Brand

13. Bananas & Beehives

48. Whole Soul Shop

14. A Cone To Pick

49. 89th & Autumn Flower Shoppe

15. The Salty Mule 16. Magnolia Villa 17. Nava Taqueria 18. Whitetail Coffee Company

42. Mid-City Pharmacy

50. Mayberry Acres @ The Mill 51. M&M Mercantile Co. 52. Alpine Leather Co.

19. New Georgian Hills 20. G iggle Monsters Craft Donuts 21. F ermented - A Wine Boutique

PAMPER & RELAX

22. Sweet Joy Ice Cream Bar

25. Bus Stop Barber Shop

23. Atomic Biscuit

26. BreeZe Salon on Main

24. Community Burger

27. Studio 5

PLAY & EXPLORE

This ad space could be yours! For details, contact Michelle Smith 770-615-3324 michelle.smith@ aroundaboutmagazines.com

28. Revive Day Spa and Boutique 29. Autumn Joy Salon 30. Ping Segars Salon 31. Osvaldos Hair Salon

53. Canton Theatre

32. Fringe Hair Salon

54. Nomadic Flow Outﬁtters

33. Horizon Healing Center

55. Cherokee Arts Center

34. Practically Perfect Day Spa & Salon

56. History Cherokee 57. Strongside

35. Restoration Spine & Sport Chiropractic

58. Fury Volleyball Club 59. T heodora Dance Conservatory

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

Giving Thanks for Cherokee County BY HARRY JOHNSTON

We truly are blessed in Cherokee County. Starting with God-given blessings, our geography is gorgeous, with rolling hills in the south growing to mountains in the north. We have abundant rainfall that supports beautiful natural forests, and a reliable water source in the Etowah River, from which the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was able to create Lake Allatoona. Our weather is just about perfect, with four distinct seasons. Three are fantastic; the fourth is mild and short, a taste of winter that makes us appreciate the other three. In real estate, location is everything. Ours is our greatest asset, literally where the metro meets the mountains. We’re right in the shadow of a big and thriving city, close enough to take advantage of all those economic benefits, yet far enough away to enjoy a safe and comfortable small-town, and even rural, lifestyle. Of course, that attractiveness threatens its existence. Over the last 30-plus years, we’ve become increasingly protective of our precious lifestyle. The protection hasn’t been perfect. The short-term economic benefits of growth are a powerful force. We only gained a consistent responsiblegrowth majority on the county’s Board of Commissioners about 15 years ago. The tools available to manage growth have natural and legal limits. City leadership understandably continues to want their cities to grow. But, the county started working on it earlier in our growth cycle and has managed it better than other fast-growth counties, like Gwinnett, Clayton, Henry, Douglas and Forsyth. I am thankful we’ve been able to cut our growth rate in half and put ourselves in the position to remain a rare jewel, retaining our great lifestyle as we continue to grow moderately. We also enjoy the best “value proposition” of excellent

county services and low taxes. The property tax rates controlled by the Board of Commissioners are the 29th lowest of 159 counties in Georgia, and our sales tax rates are in the lowest four. Combined, we have the second lowest overall tax rates in the state. We enjoy some of the best public safety and other services in the state, and even the nation. The Cherokee County Sheriff ’s Office achieved advanced national accreditation with honors, putting it among a handful of the nation’s most elite agencies. Every three years since its initial accreditation in 1996, the Sheriff ’s Office has been re-accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Our fire service has come from being mostly volunteers, just 24 years ago, to one of the state’s best today, especially in the critical area of training. Our E-911 Center and Marshal’s Office are nationally accredited models that others follow. There’s always work to do on roads. But, except for some state highways that now are being addressed, our road team has kept up with the growth admirably. Our school system, managed separately by the Board of Education, is one of the state’s best. There are a lot of great places in the world to visit, but truly none better to come home to than Cherokee County. I’m so thankful for what we have here, and that I get to be part of it. Harry Johnston is chairman of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners. He’s a retired CPA and accounting manager, and a former district commissioner. Email him at hjohnston@cherokeega.com.

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Owner Is Grateful for Support of Community, Customers

age Relocation’s owner, Justin Page, wants to take time, during this Thanksgiving season, to share how thankful he is for the support of Canton, especially, and the rest of Cherokee County. In two years, his Canton-based moving company has grown from three employees and two trucks to 32 employees and 10 trucks. His growing fleet ranges in size to accommodate any move, including semis to manage long-distance moves. Page Relocation was voted the Best Relocation Service in the 2021 and 2022 Around Canton Readers’ Choice contest, but Justin doesn’t take his company’s success for granted.

Justin Page wants to provide customers with a stress-free move.

READERS’

CHOICE WINNER 2022

BEST Relocation Service 28

PAGE RELOCATION, LLC 620 Waleska Road Canton, GA 30114

770-224-8184

PageRelocation.com E PageRelocation

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

PHOTO BY RED BARYL PORTRAITS

“I, and all of us at Page Relocation, have been truly blessed for the support of our Canton community, helping us grow over the past two years,” Justin said. “Without this, Page Relocation would not have flourished, enabling us to make every move our customers’ simplest move ever. Thank you for your continued support, as we only become better to serve you and all of greater Atlanta and North Georgia.” Giving back to the community is important to Justin and his team. Through supporting charities, growing community partnerships and developing ways to better serve even the youngest customers, Page Relocation is making a positive impact.

SUPPORTING CHARITIES

Serving the community is at the core of Page Relocation’s mission statement. Justin and his team are focused on giving back to the community that has taken care of them so well. Since January, donations of time and money have been made to the following nonprofits: Woodstock Public Safety Foundation, the Service League of Cherokee County, The Children’s Haven, the Cherokee Sheriff ’s Foundation, Reinhardt University Athletics, Goshen Valley and Empower Cherokee. Through these donations, Page Relocation is dedicated to making a positive impact in its community for all those who work tirelessly to make Canton and Cherokee County such a great place to live. You can learn more about these great charities at www.pagerelocaiton.com/ communityimpact.

kful Heart

Perks of Moving With Page Relocation 1. TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES. The latest technology makes it possible to offer walk-through estimates and inventory checks through the artificial intelligenceenabled web platform. Page representatives can connect clients to it through a livestream connection on the phone.

Trucks of all sizes can accommodate any move.

GROWING PARTNERSHIPS

Page Relocation is building relationships with Cherokee County businesses, and is proud to be the official moving partner of several real estate companies in Atlanta and North Georgia — recently adding RE/MAX Town & Country as their preferred moving partner. These partnerships make the homebuying and moving process even simpler. “I’ve worked hard for over 15 years to build personal relationships with hundreds of top-rated Realtors, and I’m blessed that they trust me enough to refer Page Relocation to their clients,” Justin said.

EDUCATING CHILDREN

Another initiative involves the younger members of families in transit. “We Are Moving” is an activity and coloring book that explains the basics of the moving process, in an effort to reduce the stress children might feel during what can be a major event in a family’s life. The free publication introduces Boxer, the new ambassador for Page Relocation. With Boxer’s help, children get excited about the process. Meet him at www.pagerelocation.com/boxer, where free coloring pages can be downloaded.

2. NO STRESS. As a Christian company, clients can rely on their experience being based on leadership principles of integrity, compassion, caring and service. 3. A LARGE, VERSATILE FLEET. With multiple sizes and categories of trucks, Page Relocation can take care of any size commercial or residential move, whether it’s across town or across the country. “We have the experience, dedication and equipment to make this your simplest move ever,” Justin said. 4. PROPER PROTECTION. Preparation begins by applying padding to doors, hallways, floors and anything else that needs to be protected. Each piece of furniture is wrapped, so clients know their belongings are safe. 5. RELOCATION SPECIALISTS. Have peace-of-mind knowing the specialists in your home are full time, background checked, drug tested and properly trained. This is just another way Page Relocation differs from the competition.

6. CLEANING SERVICES. Whether it’s cleaning the old house or the new home or business, it’s another way the company works to make each move as simple as SPONSORED CONTENT Whether it’s to another street or possible for the client. another state, Page Relocation is

dedicated to making your next move your simplest ever. With stress-free quotes and dedicated teams of full-time, trained employees, Page Relocation is Canton’s best and award-winning choice for your next move.

7. JUNK REMOVAL SERVICES. This is just another way Page Relocation makes moving simple. Clearing out that garage or basement has never been so simple as with our junk removal services during your move.

“In this time of thanks, I am truly thankful for our community support. We are excited and looking forward to 2023, as we know Page Relocation will only continue to prosper thanks to our great community,” Justin said.

8. STORAGE SERVICES. From shortterm to long-term storage, Page Relocation can help you move and settle into your new home on your timetable. AROUND CANTON | November 2022

Building a Forever Kaitlin Morgan and Skyler Mize moved to Cherokee County in 2011. They began the adoption process with the Cherokee County Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) in 2017. This month marks the one-year anniversary of the adoption being finalized.

Kaitlin and Skyler with Aiden and Sahara. 30

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

Home BY KAITLIN MORGAN

With November being National Adoption Month, Skyler and I are so excited to be able to share our story. We got married in October 2016, and we always knew adoption was going to be how we started our family. I grew up in Florida, and Skyler grew up in South Dakota. Prior to moving to the Hickory Flat area, we lived in downtown Woodstock. We settled on Cherokee County because of the amazing school system and family culture. Our adoption journey started while we were traveling to Portugal, waiting in an airport terminal for a delayed flight. I came across an online catalog of all the children in Georgia who needed forever families. After looking into several options, adopting through the Cherokee County foster care system seemed like the best fit for us. As soon as we landed back home, we attended an informational session at the DFCS office, led by Sylvia Freeman. That session led into our home study, which consisted of eight weeks of classes, as well as a ton of paperwork, a few home visits and a CPR and first-aid class. Fast forward two years, and we received Aiden and Sahara’s biography as a match. (Matches are determined by your home study and how you fill out your paperwork.) Aiden was 6 and Sahara was 5 at the time, and they are biological siblings. We spent many weekends getting to know them, and we started to plan a move-in date. Then, the pandemic hit. We were told our kiddos were moving in sooner than expected. In March 2020, Aiden and Sahara moved in, the same week schools went virtual. We were new parents trying to conquer the world of digital learning, as well as getting to know Aiden and Sahara, who had previously spent three years in foster care. We were in survival mode the first week, but then we settled into a routine.

Aiden and Sahara celebrate the day their adoption was finalized.

One of the best parts of becoming parents has been showing Aiden and Sahara all of their “firsts.” First time at the beach, first time skiing, first time on a plane, at a theme park, even their first time at a restaurant. With two kids, traveling looks different these days, but our trips are even more special sharing them with Aiden and Sahara. Our adoption was finalized via a Zoom meeting in November 2021. And although we considered Aiden and Sahara ours long before that, it was a very exciting day. The kids couldn’t stop telling everyone their new last name and how they were officially adopted. It brought tears to our eyes. From the time they first moved in to now, one of the biggest personality changes in Aiden and Sahara is their confidence. They know who they are and understand this is their forever home. Their confidence is undeniable. I encourage all who have a heart for adoption to consider adopting in our community through the foster care system. Kaitlin Morgan is a master hairstylist who specializes in blondes and extensions at Volume Hair and Lash Co. in Canton. She is an adoption advocate and mom of two.

Foster Care, Adoption Resources and Support

• Cherokee County DFCS. https://dfcs. georgia.gov/locations/cherokee-county. To attend an information session, complete an inquiry form at https://fostergeorgia.com. • Wednesday’s Child — Georgia is a media campaign that helps children in foster care find permanent, loving and safe adoptive homes. https://wednesdayschild. dhs.ga.gov.

• Georgia’s adoption photo-listing website, It’s My Turn Now Georgia, features children who are looking for forever families. https://itsmyturnnow.dhs.ga.gov/ WebForms/Home.aspx. • The Goshen Valley Foundation partners with families who are interested in becoming primary caregivers or respite caregivers, to ensure siblings in foster care are not separated. https://goshenvalley.org.

• The Foster Care Support Foundation, based in Roswell, serves all Georgia counties. www.fostercares.org/take-action.

• The Children’s Haven programs,

including Chin Up, a site-based mentoring program, and the Caregiver's Closet, help build happy, healthy children. https://cherokeechildrenshaven.org. AROUND CANTON | November 2022

Shoppers were able to browse the tents of 150 vendors and concession stands.

A photogenic fall backdrop for family photos. 32

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

Among the many volunteers were members of Reinhardt University’s

Members of Cherokee County’s Fire and Emergency Services were on standby.

Riverfest 2022

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE SERVICE LEAGUE OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.

More than 25,000 patrons attended the 38th annual Riverfest Arts and Crafts Festival. The two-day event featured 150 vendors, concessions, live entertainment and a children’s area. Held by the Service League of Cherokee County, the event’s proceeds help change the lives of children in need in our community. For information about next year’s event, visit https://serviceleague.net/fundraisers/riverfest.

softball team. AROUND CANTON | November 2022

Santa

Teams Up With

BY SUSAN BROWNING SCHULZ

The March of the Toys Parade in downtown Ball Ground has become a Cherokee County tradition. Ten years ago, our local Santa and Mrs. Claus, Tim and Pam Cavender, launched the parade, to join Toys for Tots (TFT) and help children in need. This holiday season marks the 75th anniversary of the Marine Corps Reserve TFT Program. Maj. Bill Hendricks started the charity in Los Angeles in 1947 after a nudge from his wife, Diane. She was the real inspiration, and had a few handcrafted dolls that she asked Bill to deliver to an agency that supported underprivileged children. Bill could not find such an organization.

Santa Tim and Pam Claus with Lulu Roman, this year’s grand marshal of the parade. 34

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

After Bill’s unsuccessful search, Diane instructed him to start one. Hendricks and the Marines in his reserve unit collected and distributed 5,000 toys in 1947. Seeing the great success of this first community engagement, the commandant directed all Marine Reserve sites to implement a TFT campaign, transforming the program into a national community action in 1948. At the time, Hendrick’s civilian job was director of public relations at Warner Bros. Studios. Friends with many celebrities, he asked them to help support the newly created program. As a personal friend and as a favor to Bill, Walt Disney designed the first TFT poster, which included a miniature three-car train. This image was subsequently adopted as the official logo. Toys For Tots has grown exponentially since. In 1991, The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was established at the behest of the Marine Corps to help run and support the program. The foundation raises funds, purchases toys, distributes donations and handles day-to-day operations. To date, 627 million toys have been distributed, supporting 281 million happy children.

Local Support for a National Effort

The ninth annual March of the Toys Parade is Dec. 2. The vendor market will open at 4 p.m. in Ball Ground’s City Park and the parade will begin at 7 p.m. Last year, it was estimated 5,000 people attended the parade. “I can’t stand the idea of a child going through Christmas without toys,” Tim Cavender said. “The toys we collect are distributed through the TFT branch in Marietta. Besides collecting unwrapped toys for TFT, we celebrate the season with vendors, and lots of superheroes, princesses and ‘Star Wars’ characters, who

come from all over the Southeast.” Santa and Mrs. Claus will bring snow with them as they travel down Main Street. After the parade, a meet-and-greet with free photo opportunities will feature Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as all of the children’s favorite cosplayers (participants who wear costumes and accessories to represent a character). The cosplayers will gather in City Park, and Santa will be available on the stage. “Our 2022 grand marshal is Lulu Roman from the famed TV sitcom, ‘Hee Haw.’ Lulu will be doing a meet and greet prior to the parade, from 4-6 p.m., at Barrel House Coffee on Main Street (275 Gilmer

Ferry Road),” Cavendar said. Don’t forget to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the parade for TFT. Collection boxes for toys will be available along Main Street (the parade route) and at City Park. For more information, visit marchofthetoysparade.com or contact Tim Cavender, parade chairman, at tmcavender@ cherokeega.com or 770-735-4263. Susan Schulz is a Bible teacher and mentor who lives and plays on the Etowah River in Canton. Connect with her on social media or at susanbrowningschulz.com.

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

Ponche Mexicano de Mi Abuela BY TRACY GARCIA, 7 TEQUILAS

Ponche is a traditional Mexican hot drink, made in most Hispanic countries. It has been passed down from generation to generation, and I got this holiday recipe from my mom. Ponche is mostly served in October through February, for all festivities. Some of these ingredients are not easy to find; try your local Latino store for the best outcome. Fresh ingredients always are preferred, but for hard-to-find ingredients like sugar cane sticks, tejocotes and guava, frozen or canned ingredients are just as tasty. Don’t stress yourself out; it will be delicious either way.

Ingredients

Recipes to Fall in Love With

As the weather gets cooler, cravings for warm, comforting foods grow stronger. Here are some recipes from your neighbors — sweet, savory and perfectly spiced — to help tide you over until Thanksgiving.

Fresh Apple Cake BY JANIS FORRESTER

Ingredients

• 3 cups apples of choice, chopped (about 3 apples) • 3 cups self-rising flour • 1 cup white sugar • 1 teaspoon cinnamon • 1 cup brown sugar • 1¼ cups canola oil • 2 eggs • 1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Chop apples. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Spray tube pan with baking spray and add batter. Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes. 36

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

• • • • • • • • • • •

4 liters distilled water 1 large piloncillo cone (also known as penole) 3 sugar canes 3-4 cinnamon sticks 12 tejocotes (stone fruit) 12 guavas 2 apples 2 pears ¾ cup of chopped prunes ½ cup raisins 1 cup hibiscus flowers

Directions

Clean produce thoroughly. Chop your apples, pears and prunes. Put fruit to the side. In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add piloncillo, cinnamon sticks and sugar canes. Let it boil for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the piloncillo has dissolved. Add all fresh or frozen fruit: guavas, apples, tejocotes and pears. If you have canned guavas and/or tejocotes, add them after 20 minutes, or after your fresh fruit has tenderized. Place a lid on your pot, set heat to low and simmer for 40 minutes. Add raisins, prunes and hibiscus flowers. Simmer on low for 15 minutes, and turn off heat. Remove pot from stove. Let sit for 20 minutes. (If you leave the hibiscus flowers simmering for too long, it will make the punch sour.) If you prefer your ponche cold, let it sit out for 2 hours so the fruit reaches 70 degrees fahrenheit. Pour into a pitcher with a lid, and refrigerate for 4 hours for the coolest fruit punch. Note: For a citrus flavor, add 1 large orange, sliced in fourths, and 6 peeled tamarindos when you add fruit to the pot. Serve with fruit in the cup for added flavor and a yummy snack.

7 Tequilas 21-plus Tip: Whether you drink it hot or cold, add a shot of cinnamon rum or tequila to your cup for a delicious cocktail.

Stuffed Mushrooms BY JOY OWEN

Ingredients • • • • •

½ cup butter, melted ¾ cup Parmesan cheese ½ teaspoon garlic salt 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 60-80 small mushrooms (about 3 packages)

2022-2023

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Wash and remove stems from mushrooms. Reserve ½ cup of stems, finely chopped. Dip caps in melted butter and place on a baking sheet. In a medium bowl, combine Parmesan, mushroom stems, garlic salt and cream cheese. Blend well. Fill the caps with the mixture. Bake for 15 minutes. Serves 20-25 people.

*** Special Pricing *** *** Show Not Included In 2022-2023 Season Ticke

Directed by Wally and Jeannie Hinds

December 9, 10, 11 | 16, 17 2022 *** Special Pricing *** OUR WEBSITE CHECK *** Show Not Not Included IncludedInIn2022-2023 2022-23 Season SeasonTickets Tickets*** ***

WW W.byCWally Hand ER OK E E T H E AT R E Directed Jeannie Hinds FOR TICKETS & MORE INFO ON OUR

December 10,1111 | 17, 16,1817, 18 Dec. 9,9,10, | 16, 2022-2023 season!! 2022 ALL WEBSITE SHOWS CHECK OUR

Friday & Saturday, 8 8pm p.m. & W W W. Saturday C H E Friday RO K E Saturday, E T2:30 H Ep.m. AT R E.ORG Saturday & Matinee &Sunday, Sunday, 2:30pm Matinee FOR TICKETS & MORE INFO ON OUR

Reeves House Pumpkin Spice Syrup BY WOODSTOCK ARTS

Ingredients

• 1½ cups dark brown sugar • 3 cups granulated sugar • 4½ cups water

Directions

• • • •

1 can pumpkin puree 12 cinnamon sticks 1½ teaspoons ground ginger 1½ teaspoons ground cloves

In a large pot, combine dark brown sugar, granulated sugar and water. In a medium bowl, combine pumpkin puree, cinnamon sticks, ground ginger and ground cloves. Bring water and sugars to a boil, and stir until the sugars are fully dissolved. Add your bowl of pumpkin and spices to the pot. Stir to combine, and reduce heat to medium-low. Let simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring constantly, and don’t let it boil! Once the syrup has thickened, turn off the heat, and let it rest on the burner while it cools for 25 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve, and transfer to the bottle of your choice.

Tickets $20 2022-2023 season!!

Becau non-p your

Box Office 770-591-0282 FOLLOW US Friday & Saturday, 8pm | info@cherokeetheatre.org ALL SHOWS

Saturday & Sunday, 2:30pm MatineeCHECK

OUR WEBSITE

All performances will be held at the Downtown Canton Theatre Because CTC is a 501(c)3 171 E. Main Street, Canton, GA 30114

Tickets $20

Box Office 770-591-0282 | info@cherokeetheatre.org All performances will be held at the Downtown Canton Theatre 171 E. Main Street, Canton, GA 30114

non-profit organization your donations are tax deductible.

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CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR TICKETS & MORE INFO ON OUR

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ALL REGULAR SHOWS

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

At the Door, All Tickets | $20 Advance and Online | $18 Adults, $15 Seniors & $13 Groups 10+ A l l p e r f o r m a n c e s w i l l b e h e l d at t h e Canton Theatre • 171 E. Main St., Canton, GA

Box Office 770-591-0282 | info@cherokeetheatre.org Cherokee Theatre Company P. O . B o x 5 8 8 5 • C a n t o n , G A 3 0 1 1 4 AROUND CANTON | November 2022

EVERYDAY

Since 2006, Orlando Quick has lived, worked and served our community, schools and youth sports selflessly. Along with coaching the seventh-grade Etowah Junior Eagles football team, he serves in the PTA, leads school councils and volunteers whenever a need arises. “He means so much to our family and our community. He has a servant heart and never leaves anyone on the sidelines,” said Dayna Kinney, family friend. In September, Orlando tragically was struck from behind and dragged by a vehicle. “Sept. 25th was a good Sunday. It was a beautiful day and our family woke up, set aside our excuses and went to The Factory Church — our home of worship,” Orlando said. “We watched our youngest son, Dalton, condition at Velocity, a training center in Canton, and then had the coaches over to the house to discuss our strategies before next week’s game. When they left, I still had time to get my daily two-mile walk in — Day 28 of a 66-day challenge I had committed to. I asked Dalton if he wanted to walk with me, and he declined — thankfully. I told my wife, Resa, that I’d be back shortly, but that didn’t happen.” When Resa noticed Orlando had been gone longer than usual, she decided to call him. “There was no answer. I knew his walking routes, so I asked my son to try calling him as I got in my car. Still no answer. As I approached our subdivision entrance, there was traffic and police cars in the distance. I was unable to enter Rose Creek Drive, so I decided to go the back way to see if I could get closer to the scene. Fearful and frustrated, I called 911 and explained that I could not reach my husband and there was a lot of police and ambulance activity along his walking route. They said that someone would be calling me, and I should accept a call from an unknown number. I finally received a call from an emergency room doctor from Kennestone, who said that they had my husband. He had been hit by a car, and he was in pretty bad shape. When I arrived at the ER, Orlando was in a four-hour surgery, as they tried to save his legs. It wasn’t until 4:30 a.m. that I was able to see him. He was in intensive care,” she said. “I was just walking on the sidewalk of Rose Creek Drive, outside our subdivision in Towne Lake and, the next thing I knew, I was laying on the street unable to move,” Orlando said. “I felt the presence of the Lord and a voice that said, ‘Do you want to live or do you want to die?’ And I knew that my family needed me, so I remained calm. “Miraculously, the first person to the scene was a former EMT and current administrator for Kennestone’s EMT training program, Dave Crosby. Did you hear that? The one person who knew what to do to save me happened to be right there at that very moment before medics arrived. He is my angel.” 38

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

Orlando and Resa Quick, with their sons, Jalin and Dalton.

Orlando remains in the hospital, as surgeons work to reconstruct both of his legs. He will require more surgeries, rehab and extensive physical therapies, but a full recovery is possible. However, it will require a year of hard work and patience. Orlando and Resa have two sons, Jalin, 20, and Dalton, 12. Orlando is a Realtor for Keller Williams in Woodstock, and Resa works full time for Comcast in human resources. “We are so blessed, but the year ahead will be difficult,” Resa said. “We live in the most wonderful community. We are grateful for all who have reached out and have supported us and prayed for us — our church, neighborhood, football families, schools and strangers. I don’t know why this happened, but I can’t be mad about it. I am here, and I am thankful for that. I will be back better and stronger than ever. My work here is not done,” Orlando said. During this season of giving, let us rally around this sweet guy and show him how much our community loves and appreciates him. May he allow us to give back a small portion of all he has given. Everyday Angels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Cherokee County since 2000. To make a tax deductible donation, visit www.everydayangels.info to donate via Paypal, or send your donations to: Everyday Angels, PMB 380, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 620, Woodstock, GA 30189. One hundred percent of your funds will go to the family you specify. If you know of a special need in our community, email aaeverydayangels@gmail.com.

Celebrations! ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE FREE!

Email: edit@aroundaboutmagazines.com December deadline is Nov. 10. Word limit: 25.

Please specify Around Canton.

Happy birthday, Jessica!

Rowan

Nov. 12 You’re an amazing mother, friend and person. We love you! Kathy, Joe, Michelle, Nick, Xavier and Novalee

Happy 40th birthday, Nick!

Nov. 10 You are a wonderful husband and father! We love you! Michelle, Xavier, Novalee, Kathy and Joe

Happy fifth birthday, Rowan! We love you so much! Mommy and Daddy

Harper Grace

Happy ninth birthday, Harper Grace! We all love you so very much. Hope it’s the best one yet!

Fenton Hobson

The oldest member of Hopewell Baptist Church (78 Ridge Road, Canton), Fenton Hobson, is celebrating his 100th birthday after the morning service on Nov. 6.

Ashlyn and Bryce

Celebrating the engagement of our daughter, Ashlyn, to her wonderful fiance, Bryce. Their wedding will be April 15, 2023. Love to the happy couple, Mom, Dad, Austin and Kyle

Happy birthday, Scarlett! Turned 3 on Oct. 24

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

V eterans Support for

in Cherokee County The Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program is a 501(c)(19) nonprofit and part of the American Legion in Cherokee County, Georgia. The focus is assisting homeless veterans in our community who need help with food, limited housing, clothing, claims, home of record and other support. Visit the Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program Facebook page or email Jim Lindenmayer at jlindenmayer80@gmail.com.

Nov. 11

Veterans Day Candlelight Ceremony

honors veterans at The Park at City Center in downtown Woodstock at 7 p.m. A coffee and cookie social will follow. www.woodstockparksandrec.com.

A Veterans Day Luncheon, presented by the Rotary Club of North Cobb, will be held at the Ben Robertson Community Center in Kennesaw, noon-2 p.m. https://bit.ly/3fPlaRX. The city of Acworth is honoring veterans by hosting a Veterans Day Ceremony. Stop by the Veterans Memorial at Patriot's Point at Cauble Park at 2 p.m. https://bit.ly/3RK5QDH.

The Cherokee Veterans Community is a military ministry at First Baptist Church Woodstock, serving all branches of the military community in and around Cherokee County. www.cherokeeveteranscommunity.org. veteransministry@fbcw.net.

Chapter 1030 of the Vietnam Veterans of America will hold the annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the Cumming Veterans War Memorial, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The event will feature a traveling replica of the Tomb of the Unknown at Arlington National Cemetery. https://bit.ly/3MimV6B.

American Legion Post 45 in Canton and Post 316 in Woodstock are part of the largest

Nov. 12

veteran support group in the United States, with posts in 14,000 communities around the country and 2.4 million members. www. galegion45.org, www.alpost316ga.org.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5262 in Canton is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping veterans, military, their families and our community. www.facebook.com/ VFWPost5262.

Cherokee County Suicide Coalition: Veteran Suicide Awareness is working to

prevent deaths by suicide in Cherokee County by bringing awareness and education to the community. Visit https://bit.ly/3Bn2jnn or the Cherokee County Suicide Prevention Facebook page.

Marine Corps League Detachment 1311 of Woodstock is for veterans of the Marine Corps to meet, maintain camaraderie and perform community service. The Woodstock chapter serves Marines, their families and the children of our community. www.facebook.com/ MCLWoodstock. 40

VETERANS DAY EVENTS

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

Cherokee Veterans Community will hold a free Veteran Appreciation Breakfast, 9-11 a.m. at First Baptist Church Woodstock. All military members, past and present, as well as spouses and children, are welcome. Register at www.cherokeeveteranscommunity.org/events by Nov. 6. Join the American Legion for a Veterans Day Parade in downtown Canton at 2 p.m. The eighth annual Veterans Memorial 5K, presented by American Legion Post 29,

is open to runners and walkers of all ages, and is wheelchair- and stroller-accessible and petfriendly. The 5K begins in Marietta Square, 7:30 a.m. https://bit.ly/3fQRDHH. The Georgia Veterans Day Parade, Observance Ceremony and Festival will

be at The Battery Atlanta, beginning at 11 a.m. There will be veterans speaking, a performance from the 116th Army Band, more than 20 exhibits, as well as equipment displays from the National Infantry Museum. The festivities are free and open to the public. For more details, including a parade route map, visit www.georgiaveteransday.org/events-1.

Local Couple United in Air Force Thompsons Boast Nearly 50 Years of Combined Service BY MARGARET MILLER

Nov. 11 is a national holiday designed to honor the veterans who have and are so tirelessly serving our country. “Thank you for your service,” is an expression one hears often. There is a local couple, retired Air Force Senior Master Sgts. (E8) Tommy and Robernetta Thompson of Canton, who say the opposite: “Thank you for allowing us to serve. It is such an honor to have the opportunity to protect our families and our country.” They agreed that if our country needed them today, they would reenlist. The two have more than 24 years of service each in the Air Force. Tommy, a native of Pittsburg, Texas, followed in his older brother’s footsteps by enlisting in the Air Force after high school. During his tenure, he served in the Vietnam War and completed three tours in Saudi Arabia, supporting Desert Storm/Desert Shield. His job was that of crew chief of several B-52

Tommy and Robernetta Thompson get ready for dinner on a cruise.

aircraft models. Later, he became maintenance manager on RC-135, KC-135, EC-135 and U-2 aircrafts. Robernetta’s first attempt to join the armed forces failed because she was too small, but once she gained the pounds, she enlisted in the Air Force and was off to a successful career. First, this Chattanooga, Tennessee, native was assigned to vehicle operations. From there, she went into training administration. She also served in the Vietnam War, Desert Storm/Desert Shield and at

different bases around the world. Tommy and Robernetta first met in England at Mildenhall Air Force Base. Later, they met again when they were assigned to Osan Air Force Base in Korea. They were married in July 1994, creating a blended family. Now, they are enjoying retirement. “We spend our time playing games, watching TV, cruising, traveling, enjoying the grandkids and looking forward to the next day.” Tommy added: “The military allowed us to see the world, and we would like to continue that journey.”

Margaret Miller has been a resident of Cherokee County for the past decade. Her writing hobby led her to become a columnist for community and daily newspapers.

Tommy and Robernetta in their Air Force uniforms. AROUND CANTON | November 2022

A Berry Good Garden for Winter Birds BY KAREN GARLAND

The only thing better than a beautiful landscape is one that naturally attracts local wildlife, especially birds. Yet, with winter looming, you might be feeling down, as you observe many of your favorite species heading south. Don’t fret. Others, in search of a steady and varied food supply, will take their place. Most gardeners select trees and shrubs for their showy blossoms, fall color or attractive form. However, additional considerations can provide an invitation to your garden for winter visitors. Foraging birds require a regular diet full of sugars and fats to thrive during chilly months. Including trees and shrubs that hold onto their fruit throughout the winter provides a significant food source, ensuring regular visits. A bonus is the birds will reward you by adding song, color and flight to your landscape. Shrubs are a vital component of effective birdscaping, which is all about choosing and planting the type of plants that will attract different birds to your garden. But, which ones are best for our feathered friends in winter? Hundreds of birds find shrubs useful, and they make the landscaping as inviting as possible. Consider natural diversity in fruit availability throughout the season, since some berry-producing shrubs fruit earlier, and others persist deeper into the winter months, when food is exceedingly scarce. It is commonly thought that bird feeders should suffice for your winter visitors. While they are a great addition, they are only part of the solution. Native trees and shrubs provide things that these feeding stations cannot. Some species, such as cedar waxwings, cannot eat seeds. And, berries provide high levels of beneficial fats needed for winter survival. Providing a variety of trees, shrubs and vines with natural food sources and shelter can double the number of bird species that visit your yard. This winter, if you already have fruit-bearing shrubs, pull out your binoculars and enjoy your feathered guests who have an appetite for berries. If not, check your favorite plant catalog or visit a nursery, since spring is a great time to start birdscaping your yard. Adding a couple of berry-producing natives is a significant first step in feeding birds naturally. Here are eight native plant options:

1. American beautyberry

bears tiny spring flowers that produce clusters of magenta, purple or white fruits that remain on the spreading understory shrub after the leaves drop. The fruits become a good food source for many birds, including mockingbirds, robins, towhees, catbirds and brown thrashers.

2. Mountain ash

is a small, deciduous tree with leaves that turn bright golden orange on red leaf stalks in the fall. The small, white flowers in spring are held in flat-topped bundles and are followed by broad clusters of bright, coralred berries. 42

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

Red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia). Photo by Marcia Winchester.

Red chokeberry is a multi-stemmed shrub with

four-season interest. In spring, flat-topped clusters of white flowers with red anthers appear. They give way to dark green, glossy leaves that turn a rich, orange-red in fall. Also appearing in fall are the bright red, pear-shaped berries that remain throughout winter.

4. Sparkleberry

is a large, deciduous shrub that produces small, white, urn-shaped flowers. Once pollinated, the flowers produce small berries, which turn from green to a shiny black, like blueberries. The fruit attracts a wide range of birds, including brown thrashers, tufted titmice, mockingbirds and American robins.

5. Spicebush

is a deciduous shrub with clusters of tiny, aromatic flowers blooming along the branches in early spring, before the foliage emerges. Its leaves turn a colorful golden yellow in fall.

6. Strawberry bush

, or hearts-a-bustin’, has leaves that turn to various shades of yellow, orange and red before they drop in winter. The bright red fruit matures in early autumn, and is enjoyed by thrushes, eastern bluebirds, warblers, mockingbirds and wild turkeys.

7. Viburnum

bears dark green, ruffled foliage that turns bright yellow to red in fall. Creamy white, flat-topped umbels (flower clusters) give way to large clusters of showy blue-black berries that will be enjoyed by robins, bluebirds, thrushes, vireos, kingbirds, juncos, cardinals and warblers.

8. Winterberry

is a dense, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub with dark green foliage throughout the season. A variety of birds love the vibrant red fruits of this common holly, especially in late winter, when food is scarce.

A master gardener for more than 20 years, Karen Garland is a national award recipient and educator in the Cherokee County School District.

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Languages Live On

The Maskoki and the Aniyunwiya People BY THE WANDERER

Etymology is the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history. Words are interesting, in that they far outlive the voices that first spoke them; they manage to survive centuries — even millennia — though their meanings often are lost or changed. For instance, at age 41, my sixth great grandfather, Hans Jerg Hag, arrived at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia, aboard a ship called the Hampshire, from Rotterdam, on Sept. 7, 1748. The letter “g” at the end of a surname in German is pronounced as a “k,” and it comes as no surprise that, while he signed his name plainly enough, upon speaking it, the registrar recorded it as Hawk rather than Hag. And, when his son Konrad Hag was born, in what was to become Pennsylvania (literally, Penn’s Woods), it was recorded as Conrad Hawk. The family has been Hawk ever since. Bluntly, the English settlers decided what the German emigres were to be called. Anyone familiar with history knows better than to think of someone as European; there are French and English and German, but they speak different languages, are culturally distinct, and have fought against one another many times. The same is true in North America; the term Native American is all but meaningless. There were hundreds of culturally distinct peoples encompassed by such a definition, and they warred with one another far more often than living in peace. But, is there anything left of these people in our county? There is — their words have outlived them. In some cases, the spellings have been changed, but the words remain. The first descendants of the moundbuilding cultures in Cherokee County were the Creeks. It’s worth noting that Creek is the name used by their enemies; 44

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

A Cherokee fish weir (an obstruction placed in rivers to direct the passage of, or trap, fish) is located on the Etowah near Cherokee High School in Canton. Photo courtesy of Laine Kirby Wood.

they called themselves Maskoki, which we today refer to as Muscogee. A confederacy of several tribes in the Southeastern U.S., it is to them that we owe the names of the oldest features in our state — the rivers that served as the interstate highways of their day, such as the Chattahoochie (painted rock) and Etowah (town). An entirely different people, the Aniyunwiya, who in their later writings called themselves Tsalagi, were being pushed from the Carolinas into Georgia by the incursion of Europeans. The Creeks referred to them as Cherokee, meaning the people who speak a different language. The Cherokee, likewise, had no choice but to begin invading Creek lands, ultimately leading to the Battle of Taliwa, which was fought near modern day Ball Ground in 1755. There, a band of 500 Cherokee warriors overwhelmed a much larger Creek contingent. The Creeks retreated to south of the Chattahoochee, and never came back. By the time European settlers began mingling among the native population,

it was the Cherokee that lived here, and many of their village names survive in Georgia today, including Oconee (the place of springs), Dalonige or Dahlonega (yellow) and Sutali or Sutallee (sixth or six). Additionally, the city of Waleska was named by Lewis Reinhardt in honor of the daughter of a Cherokee chief, Warluskie. The voices of the Creeks and Cherokee may have gone silent in our county a century ago, but many of the words spoken by those voices remain here to this day. • https://bit.ly/3UPmO64 • https://bit.ly/3SkA1m0 • https://bit.ly/3So748z • https://bit.ly/3RjJmZR • https://bit.ly/3Ch8HiM • https://bit.ly/3ULdMak • https://bit.ly/3fvkDop The Wanderer has been a resident of Cherokee County for nearly 20 years, and constantly is learning about his community on daily walks, which totaled a little more than 1,800 miles in 2021. Send questions or comments to wanderingga@gmail.com.

HSAs Can Triple Your Tax Advantages BY MICHAEL COLLOPY

It’s health care open enrollment season for many U.S. companies. This may be a time when we can adjust our elections to take better advantage of the benefits our employers offer. It’s wise to have discussions with colleagues, who are experienced with your company’s benefits, or your financial advisor, so you are not overlooking or misunderstanding any of your benefits. One benefit that continues to grow in popularity is the health savings account (HSA), which allows individuals and families to save for health care expenses, while taking advantage of three tax benefits: 1. Contributions to HSAs are tax-deductible. 2. If you plan to save money for future health care costs, you can invest the money in your HSA, which will grow tax-free. 3. If you spend your HSA on qualified health care expenses, you do not have to pay taxes on the distributions. This creates an incredible tax incentive for those who have extra savings for an HSA. Like all great benefits, there are some nuances and concepts to be aware of, several of which are listed below. • You must be part of a high-deductible plan, which means the deductible for an individual is $1,500 or $3,000 for family coverage. • Contribution limits to HSAs are $3,850 for individuals and $7,750 for those with family insurance coverage. • Many times, employers will make contributions or matches on your behalf, if you are making contributions to your HSA. For example, if you enroll in your HSA, your employer may contribute $500 on your behalf. • If you take a distribution before the age of 65 for nonqualified expenses, you may owe a Lantern 20% penalty and be Series taxed on the withdrawal. • At age 65, you can treat your HSA like an individual retirement account or 401(k), taking retirement distributions for any reason, not just healthcare. Distributions that are not used for qualified medical expenses will be taxable.

UNDER THE STARS

If you have access, extra income and qualify for an HSA, it’s certainly worth looking into. Younger savers who have minimal health care costs can use an HSA to save for when they have children or unexpected health care expenses. Others, past that stage in life, can use it for their healthcare costs or as secondary savings for retirement.

NEVER MISS A BEAT!

THEATRE |dec. 2-24

small town: small works UNTIL dec. 23

UPCOMING:

Family-friendly Improv

W.I.T.

Lasting Laugh Stand-up Comedy

v. 4, 7:30 p. m. Nov

Nov v . 5, 7:30 p . m .

Advisory services offered through Veracity Capital, LLC, a registered investment advisor. The information listed above is sourced from www.irs. gov and www.kitces.com, and should not be considered investment advice.

PLUS... Michael Collopy, CFP, CIMA, is a partner and financial advisor with Veracity Capital, LLC.

Visual Arts Classes Ceramics | Painting Mixed Media

Acting Classes

Act | Sing | Improv For all ages!

WOODSTOCKARTS.ORG | 678.494.4251 AROUND CANTON | November 2022

Preemie Mom Gives Birth to Preemie Babies BY CHEROKEE WOMEN’S HEALTH SPECIALISTS, PC

Prematurity Awareness Month is observed in November, to raise awareness of preterm birth, which occurs in roughly 12% of women in the United States. Any birth before 37 weeks is considered premature. It’s important to see your doctor as soon as you are pregnant, and at scheduled times throughout your pregnancy. The earlier the delivery, the higher the risk for the baby. Though, now, with modern information and technology, babies born as early as 23 weeks have been saved.

Krystina’s Story

Krystina was all too familiar with premature birth. Two of her grandparents, multiple family members, her mom and Krystina herself were born prematurely. Krystina was born seven weeks early, and her mom almost died in the process. Krystina weighed in at only 3 pounds, 3 ounces and spent a couple of months in the neonatal intensive care unit. At 11 months old, Krystina weighed only 11 pounds. Now, more than 30 years later, Krystina is a healthy adult who has had two preemies of her own. Her son was born four weeks early. Her daughter’s birth happened even earlier. Krystina had a textbook pregnancy with her son, up until the last trimester when she developed high blood pressure. Because of this, during her pregnancy with her daughter, she began monitoring her blood pressure at home.

Once again, all was fine — until the third trimester when her blood pressure started rising again. One morning, Krystina’s blood pressure was much higher than usual. She called her doctor, who told her to go to the hospital. Once there, she was diagnosed with preeclampsia, a complication of pregnancy that can be very dangerous; high blood pressure is one of the signs. After being admitted, her blood pressure stayed elevated, so the decision was made to deliver her baby. Her daughter was born seven weeks early and weighed only 3 pounds, 8 ounces. She spent the next 13 days in the NICU. Overall, though, she was strong and doing well. Krystina was released after two days. Going home without her baby was one of the hardest things she has ever done. “My doctors played such a crucial role in making sure my babies were fine. They were fantastic,” she said. Krystina and her husband are so grateful that their preemies are doing so well. Those babies, and Krystina, are great examples of how premature babies can go on to live happy, healthy lives.

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

Do ESGs Threaten Economic Growth? BY CHARLICE BYRD

ESG is an acronym for environmental, social and governance standards that companies are increasingly adopting, to expand their goals from making money to accomplish social and environmental goals, such as having climate-friendly and sustainable practices. I am looking for ways to address ESGs at the state level to protect Georgians. In the meantime, we could all benefit from researching and raising awareness about the standards. ESGs are a social credit scoring system designed to measure compliance on environmental and social issues; they have come into vogue in today’s cultural awakening (https://bit.ly/3V4zk1X). The ESG platform scores according to metrics, including purchase history, charitable contributions, travel, energy use, etc. The purpose of the grading system is so that lenders will use the scores to choose whom they extend credit to. In other words, businesses that do not comply will have a tough time doing business. With banks and governments holding so much power in the private sector, this is economic survival for businesses and their owners, according to an article in the National Review. (https://bit.ly/3fSxq4o). So, why should we care about ESGs in Cherokee County? ESG compliance will drive up costs of consumer products. 46

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

According to econlib.org, the costs of food and energy will continue to grow if this issue is not addressed (https://bit.ly/3CGu90V ). The idea, with origins in the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and the World Economic Forum, could impact small business owners and individuals in Georgia, as well. How? The large corporations targeted by ESGs are graded on who they buy from and to whom they sell. If a manufacturing company takes on a supplier with a low score, then the manufacturing company’s rating goes down, and their profits follow. As the compliance costs of ESGs trickle down to individual consumers, so will the pressure on our individual behavior patterns. Additionally, many companies who score ESGs do not have consistent standards, and, according to a Wall Street Journal report, serve to profit by helping their clients score higher (https://on.wsj.com/3RI7qFR).

Rep. Charlice Byrd represents Georgia House District 20. If you have any feedback, call 404-557-2218, email charlice.byrd@house.ga.gov or engage on Facebook.

ADOPT FOR FREE!

Fees waived on every adoptable all-black, blackspeckled, black-spotted & black-striped dog, puppy, cat or kitten.

FRE

After-Thanksgiving Sale

Saturday, Nov. 26 FR

Doors Open at 10 a.m. **Limit ONE FREE adoption per household. Adoptions will include spaying or neutering, microchipping, initial vaccinations, ﬂea/tick treatment, deworming, heartworm or FeLV test, a sample bag of Hills Science Diet pet food and other services.

FRE

cherokeega-animals.org

J o i n u s fo r o u r 10th a n n u a l

Titan Tidings

Christmas Gift Show

Blessed Trinity High School 11320 Woodstock Road, Roswell, GA 30075 Saturday, Nov. 12 - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13 - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. - More than 110 vendors with a large variety of unique and beautiful gift items - jewelry, wreaths, pottery, fine art, holiday and home decor, accessories, knits, children’s items and much more! - Tons of parking and all booths are indoors. - Enter our Titan Tidings raffle to win prizes. - Huge bake sale. Concessions will be available. - $3 admission. No strollers please. AROUND CANTON | November 2022

Photo by John and Cyndee Perry.

Photo by Curt Gould.

Photo by Curt Gould. 48

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

Photo by Curt Gould.

Great Lake Allatoona Clean Up The 1,586 people registered for the 37th Great Lake Allatoona Clean Up (GLAC) enjoyed nearly perfect weather after forecasted rains from Hurricane Ian missed the area. Notable groups include 40 volunteers at Pine Acres Resort, who picked up 40 bags of trash, 16 tires and several large pieces of styrofoam, and nearly 100 participants at YMCA Camp High Harbor. Following the event, picnics were held for volunteers at Galt’s Ferry and Riverside day-use areas. https://lakeallatoonaassoc.com/ great-lake-clean-up.

Photo by Curt Gould.

Photo by Allatoona Lake Lead Ranger Chris Purvis. AROUND CANTON | November 2022

@ the Library

Sequoyah Regional Library System www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org

Staff members lead a library craft at Sequoyah Regional Library System’s booth at Riverfest in Etowah River Park.

What’s Happening at Your Library? BY JOHN RODGERS

Did you know that between July 2021 and June 2022, more than 1 million items were checked out from the Sequoyah Regional Library System? It's no small feat, and it’s all thanks to our incredible community — including readers like you! — for continuing to support the local public libraries year-round. That number comes from the SRLS 2021-2022 Annual Report, which highlights important library milestones and success stories from the past year. Next time you visit sequoyahregionallibrary.org, take a peek at the Annual Report booklet to see heartwarming tales of the impact of public libraries, a breakdown of how much money you save by using your library and more. So, if you’re one of the 114,520 community members with a SRLS library card, or one of the hundreds of thousands of visitors welcomed through our doors, give yourself a pat on the book! With a library card, readers can experience their library even from home by enjoying e-books and audiobooks for all ages, via services like eRead Kids and OverDrive/Libby, as well as popular digital magazines, with Flipster. If you’re looking for a place to start, the eBook and audiobook versions of “A Snake Falls to Earth” by Darcie Little Badger will be available to anyone with a library card, Nov. 2-16, without any limits (in other words, no holds or wait 50

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

lists!) as part of the Big Library Read. To check the status of a library card, set up a PIN or ask about checking out titles online, contact your library by phone, social media or on the SRLS website. To check out digital books and more, visit sequoyah.overdrive.com. You won’t want to miss the SRLS programming lineup this month, which includes tabletop gaming, cybersecurity tips for teens and small business owners, a local author market, 3D printing and more. With Veterans Day just around the corner, SRLS is once again participating in Operation Gratitude, to thank our military service men and women for their service. Between Nov. 1 and Nov. 15, visit your local library to create or drop off letters for our troops to be included in care packages. Can’t find the right words? Consider drawing a picture instead! All materials for writing and drawing are provided; all you need to bring is some spirit and good will. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and we’ll see you soon at the library!

John Rodgers is the community engagement manager for the Sequoyah Regional Library System.

Live Purposefully, Solve Problems Upstream BY JASON GERDES

In recent years, there has been a lot of focus on the role of first responders and how they have responded to crisis after crisis. I am grateful for the men and women in law enforcement and health care, firefighters and civic leaders who have put their lives on the line for our communities. They play a pivotal role in our county, and we are right to celebrate them. However, I wonder if there is another group of people we should start to recognize in our communities. Instead of calling them first responders, let’s call them first preventers. Who are these people, you ask? They are far more hidden, harder to identify and don’t get the attention they should. What I am talking about is described in the proverb, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It’s easier to stop something from happening in the first place than to repair the damage after it has happened. First responders are downstream from the problems we face, and they are there to rescue people who either have jumped into or have been thrust into life-threatening situations. We need first responders, or we will have a community in chaos. But, how can we support our first responders while simultaneously going upstream and working

on the issues that lead people to wind up in the stream in the first place? As a pastor, I have realized it is one thing to have a crisis, but a whole different thing to constantly live in a state of crisis. That is a choice. When we live reactively to everything that comes our way, we live downstream. If we never go upstream and think strategically about our lives, we could live in a perpetual state of crisis. If the circumstances of the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that first responders can do only so much to keep our communities safe and healthy. We need first preventers to step up and start solving problems. How can you go upstream in your own life, and start living more strategically and purposefully? What issues are you facing downstream that you need to address? Let’s give our first responders a break by starting upstream in our own life. And, then, show others how to do the same!

Jason Gerdes is the lead pastor of Revolution Church (www.revolution.church). He is married to Lindsey and has two children, Jackson and Natalie.

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

Around & About 10

An Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group meets the second Thursday of each month, 11 a.m., at Little River Methodist Church in Woodstock. Wheelchair-accessible. 770-926-2495.

12 Rope Mill Dirty Duathlon and Trail Run

will be at Rope Mill Park in Woodstock. Packet pickup begins at 7 a.m., and the race brief is at 8:30 a.m. Entries must be received by 5 p.m. Nov. 10. http://mountaingoatadventures.com/ropemill. Shop small at Hillside United Methodist Church’s Holiday Market, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., in the church celebration hall. www.hillsideumc.org/women. The Caffeine and Gasoline Cruise In is the second Saturday of each month, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m., in the Riverstone Walmart parking lot. https://bit.ly/3uuYZVR.

Lights on the Lake is back at Allatoona Lake, beginning The 2020 Lights on the Lake boat parade winner in the cabin cruiser category.

NOVEMBER

04 Tournament

The seventh annual Glowball Golf will be at Towne Lake Hills Golf Club, 5-11 p.m. There will be a raffle event and an auction. Proceeds will benefit Cherokee County charities, including Never Alone, Goshen Valley and more. https://rotaryglowball7.eventbrite.com.

at the Atlanta Yacht Club, 6 p.m. The sixth annual boat parade benefits Bartow Advocates for Children, and can be viewed from Gatewood Park/Bartow Beach or Cooper Branch No. 1 Boat Ramp. www.lakeallatoonaassoc.com.

The Holiday Preview Sip and Shop will be in downtown Woodstock, 5-9 p.m. Your favorite shops will have special deals and provide light bites and festive beverages. Tickets are $10 per person. At the start of the event, pick up your tote bag at the Woodstock Visitors Center. https://bit.ly/3CbTzlH.

05 5K

New date! The ninth annual Run, Walk or Roll starts at 8 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Woodstock. Register at www.runwalkorroll.com. Stop by Burning for a Benefit, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Cherokee County Fire Training Complex, 3985 Holly Springs Parkway. The event, with live firefighting demonstrations, kids activities and barbecue plates for sale, will raise money for firefighters David Burnaugh and David Gray, both of whom are battling cancer. https://bit.ly/3T8SPoC. The Woodstock Farm Fresh Market is 8:30 a.m.noon, Saturdays through Dec. 17. The market is located downtown, on Market Street and in Reformation Brewery’s backyard. Details available at www.visitwoodstockga.com.

Charity Golf 08 TournamentAmbassador for Goshen Valley Boys Ranch The annual

held at the Golf Club at Bradshaw Farms, begins with registration and breakfast at 8 a.m. https://goshen-valleyboys-ranch.perfectgolfevent.com. 52

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

Woodstock’s Holiday Preview Sip and Shop. Photo courtesy of Stacy Brown.

19 Event,

Join Woodstock’s Recycling and Paper Shredding 9 a.m.-1 p.m., in the Woodstock Elementary School parking lot. Visit www.woodstockparksandrec.com for a list of accepted items. The Holiday Lights 5K, benefitting SERV International, will be at Cherokee Veterans Park, 6 p.m. There also is a virtual race option. For more details, visit https://bit.ly/3eeYY3o.

DECEMBER

The March of the Toys Parade begins in downtown Ball Ground, 7 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots campaign. Visit www.marchofthetoysparade.com or the March of the Toys Parade Facebook page for more details.

Timothy Lutheran Church youth are holding the annual Christmas Craft Fair at 556 Arnold Mill Road, in Woodstock, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Shop local arts, crafts and more. For more information, call 770-928-2812 or email timothycraftfair@gmail.com. Cherokee County Homeless Veterans’ Breakfast With Santa is set for 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the American Legion Post, 160 McClure St., in Canton. The breakfast is free, and all veterans are welcome to share the holiday cheer with other veterans and their families. The 26th annual city of Woodstock Christmas Jubilee and Parade of Lights starts at Woodstock Elementary School on Rope Mill Road, 5:30 p.m., and travels down Main Street to Sam’s Club on Highway 92. After the parade, walk over to the Park at City Center to visit Santa, participate in kids activities, check out holiday and food vendors, and more, 6:30-9:30 p.m. https://bit.ly/3imwC66.

Little River Methodist Church in Woodstock is holding Dinner With Santa at 6 p.m. The event is free for children kindergarten-aged through 12 years old, and includes candy, goody bags and games with Santa.

Join the Wreaths Across America Ceremony and lay wreaths at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton. Families with loved ones at GNC will place wreaths, 9-11 a.m. A public memorial ceremony will follow, and volunteers will place the remaining wreaths, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ganationalcemetery.org.

THEATER

Cherokee County School District

https://bit.ly/3CeUdPf. Contact the school front office for information. Performances are at 7 p.m.

Nov. 4-5

“Sense and Sensibility” (one act). Creekview High School. Tickets are $5.

Nov. 11-12

“Game of Tiaras.” Cherokee High School. Tickets are $7.

Nov. 17-18

“Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” Performed by Academy

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

RECREATION Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency

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

Through Dec. 5

Children’s letters to Santa can be dropped in the North Pole mailbox at the Recreation Center. Santa personally will reply to each letter and mail it back to your child from the North Pole on Dec. 12. Parents, leave a special note for Santa deciphering the letter if your child’s handwriting is not legible. For more information, contact jhallman@cherokeega.com.

Dec. 2

Supper With Santa gives guests time with Santa, a delicious

meal, music and holiday crafts. There are three seating times between 5 and 7 p.m. Cost is $25 per person. Email alnielsen@ cherokeega.com or srcox@cherokeega.com for more information.

Dec. 10

Swim With the Grinch is at the Aquatic Center, 9-10:30 a.m.

or 10:30 a.m.-noon; $15 per child. Decorate a tree with underwater tree lights, create crafts and take pictures with the Grinch.

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

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November 2022

ACCOUNTING & TAX Denson Pepper, CPA 678-797-5241 www.densonpeppercpa.com

ANIMALS/PETS Cherokee County Animal Shelter www.cherokeega-animals.org

The Nutcracker www.dancecentresouth.com/ nutcracker

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Gentle Dental Care and Inside back Georgia Dental Implant Center 770-926-2784 www.georgiadic.com EDUCATION/TRAINING Chattahoochee Technical College 770-528-4545 www.chattahoocheetech.edu

ENTERTAINMENT/EVENTS Art & Spirits Walk www.cantonga.gov

Brenda Harris Tustian Art Show brendaharristustian.com 770-843-6981

Credit Union of Georgia 678-486-1111 www.cuofga.org

Edward Jones, Sarah Kendall 1 770-720-6245 www.edwardjones.com/sarah-kendall Medicare Insurance Advisors & Guided Medicare Solutions 678-849-9513

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Veracity Capital 678-685-3265 www.veracitycapital.com

HOME & GARDEN Bryan Plumbing Services 770-826-5277

Service Wise Electric 404-704-4903 www.servicewiseelectrical.com

Sundance Pressure and Seal 53 O: 770-720-2303 C: 404-771-0071 www.sundancepressureandseal.com MOVING SERVICES

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

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Page Relocation 770-224-8184 www.pagerelocation.com

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PHOTOGRAPHY Red Baryl Portraits 815-540-0936

REAL ESTATE & RELATED SERVICES Cherokee Association of Realtors www.cherokeerealtors.org

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7 Tequilas Mexican Restaurant 43 www.7tequilasmexicanrestaurant.com Dive Southern Coastal Kitchen 770-224-8816 www.divecoastalkitchen.com

Eggs Up Grill 678-990-3447 www.eggsupgrill.com

RETAIL/SHOPPING Cotton Mill Exchange 770-992-9294 www.cottonmillexchange.net Golf Cars of Canton 678-880-1156 www.golfcarsofcanton.com

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Back cover

River Fine Jewelry 678-880-0400 www.riverfinejewelry.com

Titan Tidings Christmas Gift Show

SENIOR LIVING/SENIOR SERVICES Camellia Place 770-296-1513 www.camelliaplace.com

Lodge at BridgeMill, The 470-863-2690 www.bridgemillseniors.com

Manor Lake BridgeMill 678-990-5055 www.manorlakebr.com St. George Village 678-987-0409, 678-987-0410 www.stgeorgevillage.org

SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS 55

Next Step Ministries www.nextstepministries.net

For advertising rates and information | Jennifer Colem 54

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

We have a place in the homes of our community.

man 678-279-5502 | jen@aroundaboutmagazines.com AROUND CANTON | November 2022

Rob’s Rescues

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

I interviewed Tori Reibel, education and communications coordinator of Appalachian Bear Rescue (ABR), an organization dedicated to caring for orphaned and injured black bear cubs. www.appalachianbearrescue.org. This interview is the first of two parts.

How did ABR start?

ABR started in 1996, just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), after a hard mast failure, in which there were no acorns, and bears were starving. The National Park Service, Wildlife Services and volunteers came together, and ABR grew from that. We have helped more than 360 bears to date – cubs and bears under 2 years old, per our permit. Currently, we have 13 at the rescue.

What was the first bear you rescued?

Zero Bear in 1996. He was a yearling that was starving and injured. He was successfully released back into the GSMNP.

Tori Reibel holds a baby bear at the Appalachian Bear Rescue facility.

How do you tell the difference between bears?

In our part of the world, we only have black bears. Physically, black bears also can be brown. The best way to differentiate between black bears and grizzlies is grizzly claws are longer and straight (to shovel and dig). Black bear claws are 1 to 2 inches long and are curved for climbing. Grizzly bears also have a very muscular hump on their shoulders. This dog’s name is Becca. She is quite a hyper 11-month-old stray. She is a very loving and friendly dog. Becca would be a great dog for a family, with some training.

How do you find the bears that come to ABR?

Mostly from calls from the public. People out hiking sometimes report cubs by themselves. Mom might be close by, so we monitor the situation for 24 to 48 hours before we deem help necessary. Mother bears are sometimes hit by cars, and the police will call us to help cubs on the roadway. We also take bears in from surrounding states that need help.

What is the usual age range of bears you help?

The typical age range is 3 weeks to 2 years. In hard mast failure years, a lot will be yearlings fending for themselves for the first time. If the food mast is good, we usually get more cubs.

What types of problems are bears facing?

In some cases, mother bears are poached, and we get lots of orphaned or abandoned bears. Most often, we deal with malnutrition and parasites, as well as injuries as a result of being hit by a car. One bear recently needed a blood transfusion. We worked with the University of Tennessee Vet College, and a bear from the Knoxville Zoo gave blood needed for the injured bear’s transfusion. We named him Summit. Humans and trash create a huge problem for bears. Mother bears often will have to be euthanized because they get into trash and get aggressive. Her cubs then come to ABR.

Have you always wanted to help bears?

My dad works for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and I grew up loving wildlife. I enjoy outreach and educating people about wildlife, and I do a lot of ABR interviews. I also host educational programs about bears and coexistence. This cat’s name is Callie. She is 8 years old. She is a domestic short-haired cat and is super sweet. She is an ownersurrender, which doesn’t make a lot of sense, but I guess people have their reasons. Anyone would love this cat. 56

AROUND CANTON | November 2022

What is an interesting thing about bears?

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

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

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