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SIXES LIVING | December 2013

December 2013

Volume 1, Issue 10

20 20 Ho! Ho! Ho!

We visit with two special Santas.

26 In Every Issue Around Sixes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

22 Mostly Magic

So THIS is how Santa does it!

24 Helping Hands

34 & 35 On the Cover Bullock’s Wine & Spirits Warehouse

Nonprofits list needs for the holidays.

26 Traditions

Four families share holiday customs

Community News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Celebrations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Community Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . 15 Everyday Angels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Recipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 School News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Downtown Canton. . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

28 Holiday Highlights A digital version of the magazine - along with information on how to contact us, submit a story or photo, or advertise - is available at www.sixeslivingmagazine.com.

Calendar covers shopping, parades, Santa visits.

55 “A Christmas Carol”

Canned good donation is your ticket.

Clubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Churches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Community Numbers . . . . . . . . . . 59 Elected Officials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Home Sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Advertisers Directory . . . . . . . . . . 64

Contributing Writers Don Akridge .............................................16

Gary Parkes...............................................27

Betty Anderson.........................................33

Beth Ray...................................................30

Dale Coker .............................................. 37

Lisa Randall ..............................................30

Micky Eubanks ........................................ 31 Meghan Griffin.........................................48 G Lora Grooms .........................................55 Dr. Scott Harden ...................................... 38 Kurt & Shelia Johnson ..............................18 Patty Ponder is the Market Director for Sixes Living Contact her for advertising at (770) 615-3322 or AroundAboutPatty@gmail.com.

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Dr. Mike Litrel ..........................................36

Julian Reid................................................32 Susan Schulz.............................................20 Jodi Tiberio ..............................................52 Tim Timmons............................................54 Scot Turner ..............................................14

Dr. Dawn Mason ..................................... 40

Stacy Ward...............................................41

Rev. Joe McKechnie................................. 50

Lynne Watts .............................................21

Laura Mikszan...........................................41

WellStar....................................................42

Community

AROUND SIXES

People Places and Pleasures that make Sixes/Holly Springs

The , The The

BY CANDI HANNIGAN

What’s New The Bridal Exchange has moved to 10511 Bells Ferry Rd., Suite 300, from Chambers Street in downtown Woodstock. www. bridalexchangeboutique.com. ALDI is planning to open in the Riverstone Mill in Canton, filling the 17,050-square-foot space formerly occupied by Bodyplex. The other anchor for the shopping center is Dollar Tree. ALDI plans Candi Hannigan is the editor to renovate the space during the of Sixes Living. She has lived first quarter of 2014. Riverstone in Cherokee County for 25 years. Send your comments Mill, managed by Coro Realty or questions to candi@ Advisors, LLC, is at 553 Riverstone aroundaboutlocalmedia.com. Pkwy. www.aldi.us. Canton Music Shoppe has opened at 149 Reinhardt College Pkwy., Suite 11. The store sells new, used and vintage musical instruments and offers music lessons and instrument repair. The shop’s owners offer consignment and will buy instruments. www.cantonmusicshoppe.com. Northside Cherokee Boulevard is now open for travel. The four-lane road stretches 1.4 miles between Hwy. 20 at Canton Marketplace and Hwy. 140. Reinhardt University has created a new program called School of Performing Arts, a move that combines the theatre and music programs. Reinhardt has approximately 180 students in the program, which offers degrees in theatre, music performance, music education, sacred music, and musical theatre. A Master’s of Music degree is also available in the School of Performing Arts, the only program in Georgia at the college or university level. “The School of the Performing Arts combines our excellent programs in music with the University’s theatre degree program and the new musical theatre degree program,” said Reinhardt President Dr. J. Thomas Isherwood. “It brings together all the University’s performing arts and combines the resources of these programs to further support and encourage them.”

What’s Happening The Lodge at BridgeMill is having a holiday open house 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 7, with the Dickens Carolers, David Prindle, God’s Holy Land, Carillon Noel Bell Concert and The Lodge at BridgeMill’s Singing Seniors. Guests can enjoy s’mores and hot cocoa, a dozen decorated Christmas trees, Santa’s workshop and can shop from jewelry, spa and candy vendors. The Lodge is at 10451 Bells Ferry Rd. For more information, call (770) 479-4639 or visit www.thelodgeatbridgemill.com. Canton’s Taylor Griffis, who has just released her first book “The Christmas Gift” through Yawn’s Publishing, invites the community to come to Yawn’s 2-4 p.m. Dec. 8 to purchase a copy and bring books to be given to a local charity. “We wanted to give back to promote literacy in young children and to reinforce the fact that reading to your children is important,” said Griffis. “And to teach our children that Christmas isn’t about presents, but about taking all the love in your heart and delivering it to others.” “The Christmas Gift” is a children’s book about what a little boy discovers as he searches for the perfect Christmas gift for his mother. www.christmasgiftbook.org.

Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cuttings Audio Intersection specializes in audio and video integration and home automation. The business is in downtown Canton at 210 E. Main St., and offers a refreshment counter with coffee and pastries, as well as sitting areas for meetings. (770) 4791000. www.audiointersection.com. Willows Gift Shoppe has opened at the Canton Marketplace, offering general gift items with a line of wedding invitations, monogrammed gifts and custom-made jewelry. Willows is at 1810 Cumming Hwy., Suite 715. (770) 479-3301. Ivy Manor Interiors features furniture, home accessories, gifts, antiques, art, designer pearl and gemstone jewelry, and full-service interior design. The shop is in downtown Woodstock, at 105 E. Main St., Suite 116. (770) 592-1444.

What’s Coming Family Dental of Canton is building an office at 3237 Sixes Rd., next to Starbucks. Details were not available at press time. www.familydentalofcanton.com. Reel Seafood will open in Woodstock at 8670 Main Street, in the former location of the Woodstock Art and Glass shop. Details were not available at press time. Starting in January, our readers will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite business in our annual Readers’ Choice survey. The survey can be completed online, and instructions will be found in our January issue. Winners will be announced in our March issue. 4

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Would you like your child to receive a personalized letter from Santa from the North Pole? If so, have your child write a letter to Santa and drop it in the mailboxes Dec. 7-16 in the gazebo at The Park at City Center, 101 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock.

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SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Community Board The Sixes Living Community Board consists of well-respected community leaders who assist us as contributors to the magazine, judges for the annual Trailblazer award, and advisors who offer valuable feedback. Pat Gold moved to Canton 33 years ago when she married Dr. Homer (Nugget) Gold. After 18 years with Delta Airlines and another 12 working for the Cherokee County School District, Pat began volunteering. She serves on the boards of the Cherokee County Arts Center, the Canton Main Street Program, Canton Tourism, Inc., and chairs the Canton Planning Commission. Pat and her husband have four children and four grandchildren. Pharmacist Dale Coker owns Cherokee Custom Script Pharmacy in Holly Springs and lives in Woodstock with wife Susan. The University of Georgia graduate is vice president of the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists. His community involvement has included Cherokee County Habitat for Humanity, youth league coaching and church leadership. Dale’s latest achievement is co-inventing the patented TopiCLICK, a topical metered dosing device. Cindy Crews is a longtime Cherokee County educator. She joined the Sixes community as assistant principal of Sixes Elementary School in 2011. Cindy and her husband, Andy, have lived in Woodstock for 20 years, and they have two young adult daughters. Her motto: Children are the future of the human race; teach them well. Dr. Joe McKechnie senior pastor of Sixes United Methodist Church, grew up in Cobb County. After earning a degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Georgia, Joe spent six years as a television sportscaster. He has a master’s degree from Asbury Theological Seminary and a doctorate of ministry from Southern Methodist University. Joe and wife Catherine have two children, David, 5, and Grace Ann, 2. Sonia Carruthers is the executive director and CEO of Cherokee FOCUS and the Cherokee Youth Works program, based in Holly Springs. The Cherokee County native grew up in Canton and has lived in Woodstock with her son and daughter for the past 17 years. She is very active in the community and currently serves with local and regional organizations to strengthen families and children. Chantel Adams is founder of The Princess Generation, an organization raising a generation of young women focused on serving others. Chantel, who has a biology degree from the University of Evansville, serves on Highland Rivers Health community service board and volunteers with the Cherokee County Juvenile Court. She and husband Gavin have lived in Canton for five years and have four children, ages 14, 12, 9, and 5. 6

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Sixes Living Publisher AroundAbout Local Media, Inc. Market Director Patty Ponder aroundaboutpatty@gmail.com (770) 615-3322 Title Editor Candi Hannigan candi@aroundaboutlocalmedia.com (770) 615-3318 Art Director Michelle McCulloch aroundaboutadvertising@gmail.com (770) 615-3307 Sixes Living, a publication of AroundAbout Local Media, Inc., is a monthly community magazine. The magazine’s goal is to build a sense of community and pride in the Sixes, Holly Springs and surrounding areas by providing residents with positive stories and timely information. It distributes a total of 16,250 free copies. Approximately 15,300 are mailed to homes and businesses and an additional 950 are placed in racks around the community. Many readers catch the latest edition online each month. Sixes Living welcomes your comments, stories and advertisements. The deadline is the 15th of each month. Subscriptions are available for $24 per year. Send check or money order to the address below. The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher and the publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. Sixes Living is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. © Copyright 2013. Sixes Living 2449 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, GA 30189 For Advertising: (770) 615-3322 Website: www.sixeslivingmagazine.com Powered by Trustworkz Inc. Volume 1, Issue 10

For 17 years, we have brought relevant, uplifting and reader-driven content to the residents of Towne Lake, Canton and Woodstock. We look forward to serving you, our readers and advertisers, every month. Thank you for your continued support and participation in making this your community magazine.

Candi Hannigan Title Editor Sixes Living

Kara Kiefer Executive Editor TowneLaker & Around Woodstock

Patty Ponder Market Director TowneLaker & Sixes Living

Charlice Byrd Market Manager Around Woodstock

Michelle McCulloch Art Director

Denise Griffin Controller

Karen & Jon Flaig Owner/Publisher SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Community

YOUR LOCAL NEWS New Fire Training Complex One of a Kind

Firefighters are practicing and being tested on quick dress, the ability to quickly put on protective clothing. Photo by Kim Bates

Above: Firefighters practice a skill called size-up, when the true nature of the emergency is determined, hazards identified, and a decision is made on how best to manage the incident. Photo by Kim Bates

Cherokee County officials and residents recently celebrated with a ribbon cutting at the new Roger D. Garrison Law Enforcement Training Center, and will gather at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 10 to open the new Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services Training Complex at 3985 Holly Springs Pkwy. The 14.5-acre fire complex features a 2,770-square-foot live fire training structure, which is a multi-level building that resembles a one-story home with a basement on the front and a two-story home from the back. A 3,900-square-foot training tower is four stories tall and will assist with search and rescue evolutions and rope rappelling. A simulated fire station and apparatus classroom covers 7,700 square feet and contains showers, a fitness room and a small medical room. The property also has a pond for rescue dive operations, fire hydrant training and to gather storm water for training purposes. “I am so glad that we have a state-of-the-art fire training center here in Cherokee County. The citizens of our county are providing the fire and sheriff departments with first-class facilities for training,” said Brian Poole, Post 3 County Commissioner. “With our county growing at the rate we are now, we needed training facilities for future firemen and sheriff deputies. I know Chief Prather and Sheriff Garrison are thrilled to have both of these facilities for their officers.” Left: Firefighters in the foreground practice the skills to safely hoist equipment to a second-story roof. In a drill in the background, firefighters practice laddering the building. Photo by Cherokee County.

Bethesda Clinic Gets New Director

SERV International Welcomes New President

Susan Filiberto has joined the Bethesda Community Clinic staff as executive director. “Susan brings more than 15 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector and the Cherokee County community. We are all very excited to have Susan join our team. Her leadership will assist us to expand our services to more Filiberto people in need of healthcare,” said Karen Fegely, the clinic’s founder/CEO. Bethesda now offers limited dental services, including x-rays, exams, cleanings and fluoride treatment for children and x-rays, exams and extractions for adults. Clinic services are priced on a sliding scale based on family size and income. This new fee system is an important transition for patients because it allows consistency and increases accessibility for all patients. For more information, call (678) 880-9654 or visit www.bethesdacommunityclinic.org.

Jim Mroczko is the new president for SERV International and will be responsible for the day-to-day operations. The Canton resident has served on the board of directors for two years and has volunteered in mission and operations. “Mr. Mroczko will be a great addition to an already dynamic team of people. Mroczko His sense of authenticity, passion and commitment will help us to reach many people for Christ,” said SERV founder Steve Kasha. “I am excited to have him on board to help fulfill the vision and mission of SERV International.” SERV operates the House of Hope, an orphanage for 40 children in Africa, provides water filtration systems in developing countries, and distributes dehydrated food packets for people in Kenya and the Dominican Republic. (770) 516-1108. www.servone.org

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

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Community

Above left: Cheering on the Susan G. Komen walkers were (from left) Gwen H., Kate T., leader Kari Cleveland, Haley P., Emma L., Ciera H., Lily C., Carly D., Reagan J., Katelyn M., Abby C., and Ellie S. Above right: Girls enjoyed a private skating party at Hot Wheels.

Girl Scouts Stay Busy Brownie Troop 12411 and Junior Troop 6027 attended the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk on Oct. 19 in Atlanta. The troops supported the walkers by cheering for them and handing out water, tissues, wipes and “S.W.A.P.s.” More than 60 Girl Scouts from across Cherokee County got

together for a private Girl Scouts skate party at Hot Wheels Skate center. They raced and enjoyed three hours of healthy, safe fun together before the busy holiday season, according to Kirby LewisHobba. For details about scouting, visit www.gsgatl.org or call Kirby at (770) 702-9169.

Firefighter Promoted to Sergeant Cherokee County firefighter Frank Madonna was recently promoted to sergeant during ceremonies at the Cherokee County Madonna’s wife Suzy and son Maverick help Chief Administrative Tim Prather with the pinning ceremony. Offices located at The Bluffs in Canton. Madonna, who works at Station 21, came to work for the fire department in September 2007 and lives in Canton with his wife Suzy and son Maverick. Back row, from left: Kevin Jones of Teasley Middle, Kyle Jones of Cherokee High, and Reece Richardson of Dean Rusk Middle. Front row: Alivia Roberts of Freedom Middle, Emily Barbee of Dean Rusk Middle, and Erin Church of Creekland Middle.

4-H’ers Attend State Conference Five Cherokee County 4-H members - Emily Barbee, Erin Church, Kevin Jones, Reece Richardson and Alivia Roberts – were among more than 721 volunteers, teen leaders, junior participants, and 4-H staff members who gathered at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton for the annual Georgia 4-H Junior Conference, a 26-hour event filled with community service projects, classes, workshops and activities. Teen leader Kyle Jones and volunteer leaders Warren Jones and Kerry Roberts also attended. Georgia 4-H provides fun, exciting, and educational events year round for youth ages 9-19. For more information, contact Cherokee County Extension Office at (770) 721-7803. 10

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Totes 2 Tots Collecting Suitcases The Georgia Cancer Specialists and Northside Hospital are asking for donations of suitcases for foster children. They will be collected on Jan. 17 as part of the 12th annual Totes 2 Tots suitcase drive for the state’s foster children. Approximately 7,500 infants to teenagers are in Georgia’s foster care system. Many of these children shuffle their belongings in garbage bags when they are removed from their homes. Since Totes 2 Tots were first launched in 2003, the annual volunteer event has distributed more than 33,000 suitcases. Donations can be dropped off at the Georgia Cancer Specialists’ Canton location at 228 Riverstone Dr. on Jan. 17. For more details, visit www.gacancer.com.

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

Cherokee’s community hospital. Northside.com

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Birthdays

Cierra Hypes Age 12 on Dec. 27 Happy Birthday! With love, Dad, Mom, Colton and Claire

Amanda Jo Marshall Age 17 on Dec. 18 You really are a daughter who fills our home with cheer. And you grow more beautiful with each and every year. Love, Mom, Dad, and Joseph

Emma Kathleen Johnson Age 8 on Dec. 7 Happy Birthday!! Love, Dad, Mom, Payton and Grace

Jayden Sherwood Age 3 on Dec. 8 Happy birthday from Mommy, Daddy, Jackson and Lilly

Residents of The Lodge at BridgeMill celebrating December birthdays are, back row from left: Tom Roote and William Dotson. Front row from left: Betsy Meadows, Anne Doughton, and Dot Goding. Not pictured: Elizabeth Carbone, Pat Sheffer, Margaret McPherson, Phil Malone, Sadie Castardi, and Beverly Castellano.

Chase Doss Age 7 on Nov. 4 Son of Michael and Kandis, brother of Phillip. Happy Birthday Big C. We love you!

Anniversary

Celebrations Birth

Jim and Julie Keefe of Canton will celebrate 20 years of marriage (and four beautiful children) on Dec. 11.

Madison Janette born October 29, 7lbs, 3 oz Proud brothers Brandon and Braden and parents Lori and Gary Bane.

Wedding, birthday and anniversary announcements are free! E-mail: Candi@AroundAboutLocalMedia.com. January deadline is Dec. 10 12

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

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Community

Technical High School Idea Has Many Merits BY SCOT TURNER

Scot Turner, an IT professional, lives in the Sixes community with his wife and two children and is the State House Representative for District 21. You can reach him on his cell phone at (678) 576-2644 or follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ turnerforhouse.

I am a Discovery Channel junkie. I have been known to watch marathons of shows like “MythBusters,” “Man vs. Wild” and “Deadliest Catch.” But one of my favorite shows has to be “Dirtiest Jobs,” a show that features host Mike Rowe as he travels the country doing the jobs that keep our civilization going. Recently Rowe has decided to leverage the experience he has gained performing hundreds of jobs on his show to begin raising awareness about the skills gap in our country. Rowe recently claimed there are 600,000 manufacturing jobs open in the U.S. that employers are unable to fill. He attributes this in part to the lack of vocational education in public schools, and in another part because, as a society, we have denigrated skilled labor in favor of four-year degrees. While the

debate around how we value manufacturing jobs will have to be taken to a larger stage, there is at least one way for us to address the need for skilled labor in Cherokee County. Rep. Michael Caldwell and I recently had the opportunity to have meetings with the superintendent of the Cherokee County School District when the topic of a technical high school was a subject of conversation. Once the new Teasley Middle School opens, the district hopes to convert the old facility to a high school focused on giving students the skills they would need to be ready for some of those 600,000 jobs that Rowe is concerned about. The hope is that students can learn about plumbing, welding, and other skilled trades so they have a head start on beginning a career. The opportunity to support the technical high school is exciting for several reasons. It gives parents and students yet another choice in Cherokee County regarding education. It makes our community a more desirable place for employers to locate. It also represents an opportunity for many students who may feel like college is not the path for them to stay in school and develop marketable skills. Before the local school district will be able to open the new technical high school, there will be state level bureaucracy and pitfalls to navigate. And in my role as a State House Representative, I am committed to supporting the district through that process.

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EVENT CALENDAR Dec. 7, 14, 21

Aquatic Center Discount Days Location: Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1200 Gresham Mill Pkwy., Holly Springs. Info: Guests get $1 off admission with a can or box food donation. An additional discount of $2 will be given to guests who donate a toy.

Dec. 9-12

Silver Roamers Trip to Nashville Info: Sponsored by the Cherokee County Recreation and Parks Agency, this overnight trip includes three nights in downtown Nashville, visits to the Country Music Hall of Fame, a backstage tour of the Ryman Auditorium, the Hermitage, Parthenon and the Christmas light show “Shadrack Christmas Wonderland,” as well as several restaurants. For details on pricing, contact Frankie Sanders at (404) 445-6934 or fsanders@cherokeega.com.

Dec. 19

Silver Roamers Trip to Atlanta Motor Speedway Cost: $45 Info: The senior group will visit the Gift of Lights, a 1.5-mile drivable route lit with LED Christmas lights, turning the track into one of

the area’s biggest drive-through light parks. To reserve a spot, contact Frankie Sanders at (404) 445-6934 or fsanders@cherokeega.com.

Dec. 28

Dive-In Movies Time: 6 p.m. Location: The indoor pool at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1200 Gresham Mill Pkwy., Holly Springs. Info: Bring your own noodle or clear inner tube, or use one provided by the aquatic center. www.crpa.net.

Feb. 1

Spinvitational Time: 9 a.m.-noon Location: AllPoints Church 6884 Hickory Flat Hwy. Info: The Hickory Flat church will be transformed into a large spin/cycle classroom in an effort to raise money for breast cancer research. Jay Bird is preparing for his 10th year of walking in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day, and is inviting Cherokee County gyms and health clubs and their members to bring their favorite cycles to AllPoints. Prizes awarded for participants who raise the most money or dress creatively, among other awards. For details, call (770) 597-6092 or visit www.spinvitational.com.

Feb. 15

Guns & Hoses 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run Time: 7:30 a.m. fun run, 8 a.m. 5K Location: Hobgood Park, 6688 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock Fees: $25 for 5K pre-registration, $30 after Jan. 31 to race day. $10 for Fun Run preregistration, $15 after Jan. 31 to race day. Info: Registration is open for the Cherokee County Recreation and Parks Agency’s eighth annual event to raise money for charities. The charity selected by the Cherokee County Fire Department is the Goshen Valley Boys Ranch. The Cherokee Sheriff’s Office chose the Cherokee Sheriff’s Foundation. At registration, participants can pick the team they want to represent and a portion of the fee will go to the charity. To register, visit http:// gunshoses5kandfunrun.blogspot.com. For more details, contact Kate Borden at (404) 445-6931 or kborden@cherokeega.com.

ONGOING

Tuesdays Cherokee Squares Square Dance Club Classes Time: 7–9 p.m. Location: Woodstock Community Church, 237 Rope Mill Road Information: (770) 704-0875 or (770) 926-1749

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Community

Why Don’t All Affluent People Become Wealthy? Perception, hesitation and poor decisions are factors. BY DON AKRIDGE, MBA, CPA, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ U.S. MARINE CORPS VETERAN – EMORY UNIVERSITY ALUMNUS

Why do some people let their potential for lifetime wealth slip away? Some people are better off economically at 30 or 40 than they are at 50 or 60. In some cases, fate deals them a bad hand. In other cases, bad decisions and inaction are to blame. They buy depreciating assets, instead of allowing assets to appreciate. In 2012, a Federal Don Akridge is President Reserve Survey of Consumer of Citadel CPA, Financial Finances noted that only 52 Planning & Investment percent of American households Services founded in earn more money than they 1994 and conveniently located off Chastain spend. They rack up debt and Road between I-575 live on margin. What are they & I-75 in Kennesaw. spending so much on? It isn’t Phone 770-952-6707. just consumer staples – it’s not unusual for a family to “keep up with the Joneses” and buy the latest nonessential items. Contrary to the bumper sticker, he who dies with the most toys does not necessarily win, and he may leave a pile of debt and little savings behind. Today’s hottest cars, clothes, flatscreens, phones and tablets may be tomorrow’s discards. They never contribute to an IRA or qualified retirement plan. Workplace retirement plans and IRAs still provide a tremendous opportunity to save and invest. The plans are tax-deferred, which contributes to greater compounding of the assets within them. With a Roth IRA, qualified withdrawals are tax-free for the original owner. They never build up an emergency fund. Financial challenges will arise, and a rainy-day fund can help meet those challenges. Even the wealthy need cash reserves. Striving to save for that rainy day also helps to promote good lifelong saving habits. They never seek to own Who gets rich by renting? Ownership of real property or a business comes with its headaches, but it may also leave a middle-class or workingclass individual much wealthier over time. They invest without a strategy. Chasing the return at any cost, impulsive stock picking and market timing – these are behaviors that may lead to frustration instead of financial freedom. Clichés become clichés because they are true, and the financial cliché of “get rich slowly” has proved true for many. Instant wealth seldom comes from picking a hot stock or fund; indeed, that wealth may be fleeting. These truths don’t stop people from “putting it all on black” – hazardously 16

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“In 2012, a Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances noted that only 52 percent of American households earn more money than they spend.” assigning an excessive portion of their assets to one investment or market sector. They accept a forever-middle-class mindset. Some people define themselves as middle class and accept that definition all their lives. The danger is that this can amount to a kind of psychological barrier, a sense that this is it, and that getting rich is for others. With all the dire articles out there about the diminishing middle class in America, the fact is that upward mobility is much more common here than in many other nations. Yet in this land of opportunity, people have some intriguing perceptions about the middle class. Last year, the Pew Research Center conducted a poll of 2,508 American adults which had some interesting results. Only 48 percent of those earning at least $100,000 identified as upper class or upper-middle class. Amazingly, six percent of respondents at that income level actually felt that they were lower class or at least lower-middle class. Additionally, 18 percent of those with incomes from $50,000-99,000 identified themselves as lower class or lower-middle class, though 65 percent (correctly) believed they were middle class. The poll also asked how much money a family of four would need to live a middle-class lifestyle. Answers to that question varied by income bracket: while the median response across the poll was a reasonable $70,000, respondents with family incomes of at least $100,000 gave a median response of $100,000, while families earning less than $30,000 said $40,000 would do. Behavior and belief may count as much as effort. It takes some initiative to create lifetime wealth from present-day affluence, but a person’s outlook on money (and view of the purpose of money) can influence that effort – for better or worse.

Securities offered through 1st Global Capital Corp. Member FINRA, SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through 1st Global Advisors, Inc. Created by 1st Global or Peter Montoya, Inc. for use by our financial advisors.

EVERYDAY

Two years have passed since we featured the story of Tyler (Ty) Rolison, who was a 17-yearold Etowah High School junior when he was in a near fatal car accident If you would like to make during Christmas break. a donation, please visit Ty was returning from his www.townelaker.com/ grandmother’s house in everydayangels to donate via Newnan when a car that Paypal or send your donations swerved into his lane to: Everyday Angels, 2449 caused him to lose control Towne Lake Parkway, and flip five times off the Woodstock GA, 30189. One interstate. Ty was airlifted hundred percent of your to Atlanta Medical Center, funds will go to the family you where they discovered specify. Also, if you know of he had a broken neck and a special need within your spinal cord injury. He community that you would spent the next six months like to share, please send an at Shepherd Spinal Center, e-mail to aaeverydayangels@ where he now continues gmail.com for consideration outpatient therapy. and qualification. As soon as word spread of the accident, our community responded, as we do so well. Pam, Ty’s single mom, recalls, “We received encouragement and support from churches, friends, schools and strangers. I was completely overwhelmed and scared right after his accident. I could not believe all who stepped up to assist us.” They especially want to thank Jersey’s Bar & Grill, Play N Trade and the Game Truck for their fundraising efforts as well as Ty’s classmates, football team, booster clubs, coaches, and administration at Etowah. Today, Tyler is a quadriplegic. His spinal injury is considered “incomplete,” which means only part of the spinal cord is damaged, and gives them hope Tyler will walk again. When Ty was released from Shepherd, he and his mom moved into a home belonging to Pam’s dad. They built a wheelchair ramp and Ty’s room is the entire main level. “It works well, and we are grateful,” Pam said. “However Ty only has a half bath and doesn’t have a closet. I take Ty to Shepherd two times a week to shower; not ideal, but it works fine.” Shortly after Ty’s accident, Pam lost her administrative job which was devastating at the time. Pam has been Ty’s full-time nurse

and plans to return to school to become an RN. She recently began working three days a week at Shepherd as a nurse tech and uses her personal journey to encourage and inspire other parents in a similar situation. Ty was able to graduate on time with the class of 2013, thanks to assistance from Etowah’s administration, including Susan Dyer, Coach Howard, Heather Boyle, Ms. Haier, Mr. Coker, Ms. Holman, Terry Samms, and Mr. Ball. He is taking college courses and plans to study psychology in hopes of helping others emotionally. Prior to his accident, Ty had begun to enjoy photography and is hopeful he can resume that hobby in the near future. “We have learned to set short- term goals and rely on a rigid routine,” Pam said. “I have learned that you really cannot plan anything for certain after a catastrophic accident. I am proud of Tyler and his hard work and spirit. He amazes me. We continue to live by the verse that has gotten us through this far, ‘Not my will but yours be done. Luke 42:22’”

Ty has a renewed respect for EVERYTHING, especially his mom. “I also have a stronger faith in God,” Ty said. “My mom says I am funnier than I used to be, and I guess I get in less trouble than a lot of high school and college kids out there now,” he joked. There are good and bad days along with physical and emotional setbacks. Ty and Pam take life day to day, thankful for their second chance, and they appreciate all the things they used to take for granted. When asked if they had Christmas wishes, aside from Ty’s miraculous healing, Ty’s mom humbly responded (in case Santa is reading this): “If we had to prioritize, it would be to have a handicap equipped bathroom with shower, hardwood floors on the ground level or an overhead Hoyer lift. For Ty, a touch screen camera, to resume his love of photography and a quad controller for the Xbox so he could have some interactions with his friends near and far by playing games with them.” Getting to know Ty and Pam has truly been a blessing for Everyday Angels. Witnessing firsthand God’s love through this community reminds us why we love living here! We wish everyone a Christmas season filled with love, joy, peace and safety in your travels! SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Community

Top Five Buyer Turn Offs BY SHEILA & KURT JOHNSON

Yes, it is a seller’s market, but that doesn’t mean that you can expect buyers to make offers, no matter how your home is presented. To get your home sold for the most money and in the shortest timeframe you need to be mindful of what will most likely turn off prospective buyers. Below is a list of the top five buyer turn offs that you need to know. Kurt and Sheila Johnson are Licensed Realtors with Keller Williams Realty Partners and have served Cherokee County for over 10 years. Visit them online at www.KurtandSheila.com or call (404) 954-2486.

1. Price - With plenty of information available online about the details of recent sales, it’s much easier for prospective buyers to have a good sense for the value of your home and know if it is priced correctly. We have seen listings go from no showings to six showings per week with only a $5,000 price reduction. In a seller’s market, buyers are less inclined to assume they can get a home at a discount. Buyers may shy away from homes that are only slightly overpriced.

2. Poor first impression online - Almost 80 percent of homebuyers nationally, in 2012, bought a home that was found online. The first impression of a property in this market is usually made online. Professional staging and photography are more important than ever to compel buyers to call their agents for a showing of your property.

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3. Poor curb appeal - If you have a strong first impression online, the next hurdle to clear is the buyer’s first impression at the property. We have worked with plenty of buyers who could not shake a negative initial impression of the outside of a home, regardless of how nice the interior might have been. The condition of a home’s exterior is very important because the buyer is anticipating the first impression of their friends and family members. You only have one chance to make a great first impression. 4. Pet, mildew and smoke odors - Have you ever noticed how your home smells after you have been on vacation? That smell is an amplified version of what buyers will smell when they view your property. We all grow accustomed to how our homes smell over time, and sometimes it takes an objective third party to call our attention to it. Don’t be offended if your agent mentions it. Solve it. 5. Dirt and clutter - This turnoff is the most affordable to address with good old elbow grease and advice from a professional home stager. We provide our clients with an initial consultation with a stager, and the results have been astounding. With advice on what to eliminate and just a few refinements using furnishings and decorations the client already has, a room can be transformed to look larger and more inviting. Failure to have your home as clean as you can get it can cost you unnecessary days on the market and a lower selling price. You can avoid these common turn offs and many others with a little effort on your part in combination the advice and guidance of your realtor and their home stager.

Feature

Hometown Holidays Special Section

20 Local Santas reveal holiday joys 22 The mysteries of Christmas explained 24 A guide to helping others 26 Four families share holiday traditions 28 Extensive calendar of festive events

â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Hometown Christmasâ&#x20AC;? (above) and GMC (right) from an original watercolor by local artist, Elly Hobgood. www.ellyhobgood.com

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Hometown Holidays

This Santa’s Magic Has Made National News BY SUSAN SCHULZ

While Tim Cavender serves as public information officer for the Cherokee County Fire Department, he also concerns himself with Santa’s reputation. It’s important for him to do this, since he spends a portion of each year walking in Santa’s boots. When I met Santa Tim in his delightful toy shop, I discovered a man who strives to live up to Santa’s stellar image. Tim has a generous heart full of love Susan Browning Schulz for children and the joy of the is a wife, mom, author, true meaning of Christmas. He and speaker with works published in Guideposts, credits his dad, who made sure Light from the Word the magic of Christmas sparkled devotionals, and other in the Cavender household. His publications. Visit her blog father also conveyed the value of at www.thelisteningheart. a life of integrity to his children. blogspot.com. Tim has held onto this honor since age 15, when he was asked to portray Santa in high school. He almost declined because he thought the other teens would poke fun, but he learned that even teenagers love Santa. Since then, Tim has donned a Santa suit for 40 years, and for the past 15 years he has spread the joy of Christmas with Mrs. Claus, Pam Cavender. One of Tim’s favorite memories as Santa was the year a little girl sat on his lap and asked, “Will you bring my daddy back from Afghanistan?” Through a series of circumstances, Tim was asked to be present at her home when the girl’s father returned home. This moment was captured by a local television station and aired on CNN. View the clip at: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=aC-NIjBooMY. Santa and Mrs. Claus also have been featured sharing secrets of the trade on a video clip at the USA Today website. http://www.usatoday.com/videos/ news/nation/2012/12/21/santa-shares-his-secrets-ahead-ofchristmas-eve/1784709/. Being a part of that special reunion was just one of many of Santa Tim’s precious moments, like the time a sick little girl missed Santa’s visit because she was admitted to a hospital. After his event, Tim took the trek to visit her. “When her eyes became wide with wonder the moment I walked through the door, I knew I had made the right choice,” Tim said. “That visit changed me forever. Words cannot describe the thrilling satisfaction God blesses me with when I experience encounters like this.” When I asked Santa Tim for his Christmas wish, he said, “I hope everyone would make an effort to spend some quality time with their loved ones. This is what Christmas is about.” And to the naysayers who say Santa takes away from the true meaning of Christmas, Tim answers: “Who’s to say the legend of Santa wasn’t dreamed up to bring love, laughter and a sense of 20

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Demands are heavy on Santa Tim and Mrs. Claus this time of year.

Santa’s Schedule Santa and Mrs. Claus invite families to visit them at one of the following events, all open to the public. Bring donations of new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. Dec. 6: 6:30 p.m. Ball Ground parade. Dec. 7: 8-11 a.m. at O’Charley’s in Canton, and 5:30 p.m. at the Canton parade. Dec. 8: They will make their fifth annual appearance at the governor’s mansion at 6 p.m. Bring your camera. Pictures are always free. For more information about Mr. and Mrs. Claus, visit www.timandpamcavender.com. joy back to children? In a world full of misery and chaos, Santa helps the world focus on the most important day in history: the day the Bethlehem star pointed to where our Savior was born.”

Santa and Mrs. Claus Open Their Home to the Community BY LYNNE WATTS

Lynne Watts is an author, speaker, coach, mom and counselor for Cherokee County schools. Follow her at http://acalledwoman. com/, http://lynnewatts. com and http:// wyatthewonderdog.com.

‘Twas the month before Christmas and all through the house, There were children and parents visiting Mr. and Mrs. Claus! The rooms, they were filled with train sets and toys, The lighted trees winked at the girls and the boys. The children with eyes bright and hearts all aglow, Whispered wishes to Santa, who nodded, “Ho, ho!” And where in the world is this magical space? Why, in Canton of course, Santa’s Southern Style Place!

What if this Christmas season, you could step right into a homespun holiday house, Southern style, complete with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus? What if you could meet a family so kind and instilled with the true meaning of Christmas that they dedicate their entire Christmas season to bringing joy and happiness to children in the community? Welcome to the home of Ronnie and Betty Page, where the true magic of the holiday season is in the air - everywhere. For the last 21 years, this Canton couple has treated children to a look inside Santa’s lavishly decorated home and a chance to sit on Santa’s lap. Visitors to Santa’s house can wander through room after room of Christmas-inspired décor. One entire room is filled with model trains, including the Polar Express, and a miniature village of more than 100 homes and businesses. Santa’s kitchen and dining room are decorated for the Christmas meal and more than 75 animated Christmas figures can be found throughout the bedrooms. The home also features a large collection of Nativity scenes. Follow the more than 50,000 lights outside to Santa’s workshop where the jolly ol’ fellow can be found waiting to hear children’s whispered wishes and holiday dreams. This devoted Santa doesn’t want anyone to be left out and sometimes he is at work until after 11 p.m., well past his bedtime, just to make sure each child is heard. This year, take in the sights and sounds of the season and create memories that will last a lifetime with Canton’s Southernstyle Santa.

Info: (770) 345-6314. Don’t be surprised if Santa himself answers the phone.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus

Santa’s Hours: Mr. and Mrs. Santa will greet guests through Christmas Eve, 6-8:30 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays, and 6-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. There’s no charge, but donations will be accepted. Address: The festive home is in the Hickory Flat community, at 6951 Vaughn Rd., Canton 30115. SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Hometown Holidays

So, THIS is How Santa Does It!

At this magical time of year, we thought it would fun to get a little insight from students at Liberty and Sixes elementary schools to help us understand some of the mysteries of the season. How does Santa get down the chimney?

Billy H.

He holds his breath. —Millie D., Kindergarten, Liberty He uses his magic dust. —Parker M., Kindergarten, Liberty He holds his nose and does his magic. —Myles T., Kindergarten, Sixes His suit is slippery. —Egan C., Kindergarten, Sixes Magic makes the chimney bigger until he hits the bottom. —Billy H., first grade, Sixes I don’t even know, I don’t have a chimney. —Ian S., first grade, Sixes

What do the elves do while the children are sleeping?

Claira P.

Jessica H.

Reagan J.

Olivia B.

They go out to the fireplace and sit. —Cooper K., Kindergarten, Liberty They watch over the children. —Keelin M., Kindergarten, Sixes They move around to different places in the house. They even eat chips and salsa! —Egan C., Kindergarten, Sixes They stay up all night and eat Christmas cookies. — Jessica H., first grade, Sixes

What do reindeer like to eat?

They eat Christmas trees and grass. —Bailey V., Kindergarten, Liberty They eat oatmeal mixed up with Lucky Charms.—Claira P., Kindergarten, Sixes They eat chicken bones. —Zavier Q., Kindergarten, Sixes Hamburgers with ketchup and lettuce. —Cammie W., Kindergarten, Sixes Veggies and fruits all smooshed up in a little tiny bowl.—Jessica H., first grade, Sixes Seeds…well, it’s food that looks like seeds but they always make a mess on my porch.—Ian S., first grade, Sixes Reindeers eat rain and grass. —Jackson R., first grade, Sixes

How does Santa travel the world in just one night?

Some people say he has magic rocket boosters on his sleigh and then his horses pull him to give him even more power.—Billy H., first grade, Sixes 22

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He’s magical…it’s that magic sled. —Jessica H., first grade, Sixes He’s magic….that’s all we can know. —Reagan J., first grade, Sixes He has a magic snow globe that he throws and it makes him go places. —Olivia B., first grade, Sixes With his magical reindeer. —Anderson C., first grade, Sixes

Why is Rudolph’s nose red?

He just growed it that way. —Jackson W., Kindergarten, Liberty Because he is at the front and needs a light.—Lily S., Kindergarten, Liberty He ate too many red lights. —Zavier Q., Kindergarten, Sixes Santa dipped his nose in red paint. —Carlee P., Kindergarten, Sixes Um- because when his nose shines it makes Santa see.—Faith H., Kindergarten, Sixes Who’s Rudolph? Oh yeah, the one with the red nose…I guess God did it. —Zayden T., first grade, Sixes That’s his personality. —David M., first grade, Sixes

What is Mrs. Claus’ job during the Christmas season?

She decorates the trees. —Brody S., Kindergarten, Liberty To get all the wrapping paper for the presents. —Marina F., Kindergarten, Liberty She drinks coffee. —Avery T., Kindergarten, Liberty She makes sure Santa is awake. —Julie W., Kindergarten, Liberty She writes naughty and not naughty notes for Santa Claus. —Noah K., first grade, Sixes She usually helps Santa by riding on her broom. She rides it behind him to watch him because she is really his mom, I think.—Jordan R., first grade, Sixes She sews his outfit during the Christmas season. She also bakes cookies and brownies and she gets him a present while he is gone. — Lily M., first grade, Sixes

Anderson C.

Carlee P.

Zayden T.

David M.

Lily M.

A Gift for Sharing: Christmas Cookies Gingerbread Beth Ray, program director of employment services at Canton’s MUST Ministries, shares the recipe that her family uses to make Gingerbread Rocking Horses. 2 ¼ cups sugar ¾ cup water 1/3 cup dark corn syrup (Beth mixes molasses & light corn syrup) 1 ½ tbsp. ground ginger 1 1/4 tbsp. ground cinnamon 2 tsp. ground cloves 1 ¼ cup butter 1 tbsp. baking soda 1 tbsp. water 6 cups all-purpose flour Cook first six ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add butter and stir until melted. Combine baking soda and water; stir into sugar mixture. This will bubble up significantly. Pour sugar mixture into a large bowl. Gradually add flour, mixing with a wooden spoon. Toward the end of adding flour, you may need to mix by hand. Cool thoroughly. If you are not ready to work with dough, you can refrigerate, but then you will need to let it warm to room temperature. Divide dough into four sections and work with each, rolling to 1/8 inch for crisp or 1/4 inch for cake-like cookies. Use cookie cutter of your choice (our family tradition is a rocking horse). Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet – don’t overcrowd. Bake at 350 degrees for nine minutes. Cool on pan for one minute. Remove cookies to wire racks to cool thoroughly. Yields three dozen 5 ½-inch gingerbread men or four dozen rocking horses.

Pecan Sandies From Beth Ray

1 cup butter, softened 1/3 cup sugar 2 tsp. vanilla 2 tsp. water 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup pecans, chopped ¼ cup powdered sugar Beat butter for 30 seconds. Add sugar and beat until fluffy. Add water and vanilla, beat well. Stir in flour and nuts. Shape into one inch balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 18 minutes. Cool thoroughly. Gently coat with powdered sugar. Yields three dozen.

Fruitcake Cookies From Beth Ray

½ lb. butter ½ lb. light brown sugar 2 1/3 cups flour 1-2 tbsp. milk ½ tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. brandy 2 eggs 6 slices candied pineapple, chopped ½ lb. candied cherries, chopped 1 lb. dates, chopped 8 oz. apricot preserves 1 lb. pecans, chopped Mix fruit and nuts with flour. Set aside. Cream butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs to mixture, one at a time, mixing after each addition. Add baking soda and brandy. Mix well. Stir in preserves. Mix batter with fruit and flour mixture (best done by hand or with wooden spoon). Drop by teaspoon on to lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Do not overcook. Yield 3 dozen.

Reindeer Noses Makes 30 A Christmas favorite from The Soul Food Market in downtown Canton. Cookies 1 box chocolate cake mix 1 stick butter 1 package cream cheese 1 teaspoon real vanilla 1 egg Beat everything together. Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 13 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool. Topping 1/2 block almond bark 1 teaspoon vegetable or canola oil 1 cup crushed peppermint candy Melt almond bark and oil in microwave in a small bowl on high until melted, stirring every 30 seconds. Put crushed peppermint in small bowl. Dip cookies halfway in melted almond bark and then dip in crushed peppermint. Cool on parchment paper or nonstick foil. SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Hometown Holidays

Helping Hands

While many of our friends and neighbors struggle financially every day, there are many charities that work hard to help people in need. Here’s a list of local nonprofits that have additional needs for the holidays. To learn about many other ways to help throughout the year, visit www.volunteercherokee.org.

Adopt-A-Senior – www.cherokeega.com

The Cherokee County Volunteer Aging Council has 250 seniors who need to be “adopted.” These seniors currently receive services through Meals on Wheels, Congregate Meal or Homemaker programs. Participants are asked to put together a holiday-themed gift bag that will include a full-size, cozy blanket, a one-size-fits-all scarf, toboggan or hat and gloves. For more information, contact Frankie Saunders, Cherokee Parks and Recreation Agency coordinator, at (770) 924-7768 or fsanders@ cherokeega.com.

Cherokee Youth Works Gift Connection www.CherokeeFocus.org.

The wish list at Cherokee FOCUS centers on education. Donors can give a gift of education to cover costs of testing, college entrance fees, interview clothing, transportation, childcare, etc. (770) 345-5483.

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Feed My Lambs - www.feedmylambs.net

The nonprofit, which operates a free Christian preschool in Canton, Cobb and Fulton counties, will hold a Happy Birthday Jesus party for Cherokee students 6-8 p.m. Dec. 15 at the G. Cecil Pruett Community Center Family YMCA. Organizers need volunteers to help with the party, and donate toys, such as stuffed bears, balls and books, especially for ages 9-12. To organize a toy delivery or sign up, call (770) 795-9349 and ask for Casey.

MUST Ministries - www.mustministries.org

New, unwrapped toys for children, and gifts for teens, preteens and parents are needed. Gift ideas are sports equipment, cologne/perfume, jewelry, games, belts, boots, jackets, pajamas, books and school supplies. Toy and gift donations can be dropped off 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday at MUST’s Canton office at 111 Brown Industrial Pkwy. Extra volunteers will be needed for the holiday. To serve, contact Jarrod Cochran at (770) 721-2927 or jcochran@mustministries.org.

Forever Fed - www.foreverfed.org

The mobile feeding ministry is collecting gently used clean coats, children’s winter clothing and new socks. Also sought are non-perishable foods for Forever Fed’s backpack grocery program and other events. For drop-off locations, email info@foreverfed. org or call (678) 883-3314.

Goshen Valley Boys Ranch – www.goshenvalley.org

The Waleska boys’ ranch, which serves about 34 young men in the state foster system, needs gift cards for last-minute gifts and donations of non-perishable food items and paper products. Also sought are wrapping paper, tape, scissors and gift tags. Goshen is holding an open house 3-5 p.m. Dec. 7 for community members to tour the 300-acre cattle ranch that features six residences. For details, call (770) 796-4618 or email info@goshenvalley.org.

HOPE Center – www.hopectr.com

The pregnancy diagnosis and support center is asking for donations of new toys for the Christmas toy closet. Bring donations through Dec. 15 to The Baby & More Thrift Store, 295 Molly Lane, Woodstock. (770) 517-4450. www.babyandmorethriftstore.com.

Never Alone - www.neveralone.org

During December, Never Alone is reaching out to single moms by providing baby care items. Donations of diapers (any size), wipes, shampoo, wash and formula can be left in the donation bin outside Never Alone at 291 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock. Financial donations can be made securely at www.NeverAlone. org, or made payable to Never Alone and mailed to P.O. Box 1904, Woodstock, GA 30188. All donations are tax deductible. Never Alone helps families in need throughout the year by providing food, milk, personal care products and clothing.

NorthGate Church Community Meal

Volunteers are needed for the church’s eighth annual banquet, set for 7 p.m. Dec. 11, where honored guests who are

community residents in need will be served a fine meal on china and entertained with Christmas music. Needs include table hosts to decorate the 10-seat tables with their finest dinnerware, silverware and glasses, and prepare several side dishes. Table sponsors can donate $150 per table, table servers will set up, tear down and serve guests during the banquet. For more information, call (678) 494-2193. www.ngca.org.

Papa’s Pantry – www.papaspantry.org

The food ministry needs funds to purchase meat, milk and produce for Christmas meals. Turkeys, hams and produce donations also are accepted. A holiday food giveaway for families in need is scheduled for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec 19-20. Gift-giving opportunities also are available through the Papa Noel program. Papa’s Pantry works with families in need to help them gain, or regain, financial stability.

Secret Santa – www.cherokeesanta.com

The Secret Santa Program at Cherokee County Department of Family & Children’s Services needs gift sponsors for more than 200 children in foster care. Cash donations also are appreciated. To help with the program, call (678) 427-9393.

Toys for Tots – www.toysfortots.org

Donations of new, unwrapped toys can be brought to any Cherokee County fire station. Toys for Tots was founded in 1947 and is run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve, which distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas.

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Hometown Holidays

Traditions: Family Time at the Heart of Holidays

Families give us a look inside their homes at this special time of year.

“Santa” is 12-year-old Gavin, “Elf” is Aaron, 9, “Rudolph” is Christiana, 14, and “Mrs. Claus” is five-year-old Cari Jill with parents Chantel and Gavin.

Cindy Brooks, Canton branch manager for the Bank of North Georgia, created a new family tradition with husband Dennis. The couple married 11 years ago and wanted to effectively blend families and give children and grandchildren a chance to spend time with all the relatives. Her solution: hit the road early Christmas morning and join her son and his family. “We had to set up new traditions after the grandchildren were born. Often with divorced families, there’s not enough time for them to go everywhere or play with their own toys. The first Christmas, we went to their house at 5 a.m. and took breakfast. Now that they have a bigger house with extra room, we spend the night.” But timing is everything on Christmas Eve. Cindy and Dennis have to wait until grandsons Jackson, 9, and Holden, 5, are in bed before they arrive. “We come rolling up after the kids are in bed because they wouldn’t go to sleep otherwise. Our truck is usually loaded down like Santa’s sleigh. We have hot chocolate, sit by the fire, and watch National Lampoon’s ‘Christmas Vacation’ with my son Jeremy and his wife Amber. On Christmas morning, Jeremy starts the fire, puts

Chantel Adams, whose husband Gavin is lead pastor for Watermarke Church, has a creative solution to a busy season for her family. “One of our family traditions is that our family always makes homemade pizzas on Christmas Eve. We started this because my husband is a pastor, so he’s usually at church late on Christmas Eve. We wanted to have a hot meal together but I didn’t have time to cook a big dinner. We love this because the creations are always interesting, everyone has a good time, and the mess is part of the memory. My kids look forward to it every year.”

Cindy and Dennis enjoy Christmas morning 2012 with grandsons Jackson and Holden.

on coffee and we wait for the kids to wake up. We watch another funny Christmas movie – ‘The Christmas Story’ – while they’re opening gifts. It’s not anything great or different, but we have the luxury of being there to see the excitement on their faces on Christmas morning. And the best part is that we go home after that and take our long winter’s nap.” Holly Springs Mayor Tim Downing accommodates his civic duties. “We have the standard traditions like decorating the house with holiday flair the weekend after Thanksgiving, a day of baking holiday treats for family and friends, one a.m. breakfast after the 11:00 Christmas Eve service, and instead of cookies and milk for Santa, we put out a plate of holiday goodies and a Coke. “In the last few years, our traditions have adjusted with work schedules and civic duty. It would not feel right if we did not spend the first Saturday in December at the Holly Springs’ Christmas Parade. Since December 2005, if I am not working, I will ride in the parade with our children, Robert and Christina, and other council members with their families. Another tradition we have added since I joined the Sheriff’s Deputy in 2008 is that we open one gift on Christmas Eve. My first year with the department, I had to work Christmas. So on Christmas Eve, the kids were allowed to open one family present before I went to work. Every year since, we all enjoy opening one present before Santa arrives in the morning. ”

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Traditions: Jewish Holiday Celebrates Festival of Lights BY GARY PARKES

For the first time since 1888, Hanukkah and Thanksgiving are occurring simultaneously this year. Nov. 27 marks the day before Thanksgiving and the first day of Hanukkah, with the Jewish holiday ending on Dec. 5. By the time you read this, our family will have attended the menorah lighting in Woodstock, lit our home menorah nightly, exchanged gifts, enjoyed potato latkes and engaged in other family traditions. Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, celebrates the triumph of light over darkness. More than 2,100 years ago, the Holy Land was ruled by the Syrian Greeks who tried to convert the Jewish people. Against all odds, a small band of faithful Jews defeated one of the mightiest armies on Earth, drove the Greeks from the land, reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and rededicated it to the service of God. When they sought to light the templeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s menorah, they found only a one-day supply of olive oil that had escaped contamination. Miraculously, the one-day supply burned for eight days, until new oil could be prepared. At the heart of the festival is the nightly menorah lighting: a single flame on the first night, two on the second evening, and so on until the eighth night of Hanukkah, when all eight lights are kindled. Like most holidays, Hanukkah is full of rich traditions. Each year my daughters take turns lighting our Hanukkah on Ice menorah and alternatingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;okay, sometimes bickeringâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;over who

will open up their gift first that night. Our house is decorated with Hanukkah lights, window decals, an inflatable dreidel, a Hanukkah village and more. We have our dreidels (small Gary Parkes shares what the holidays look spinning tops) out like in his Jewish home. He lives in Woodstock with wife Stacie and daughters Abbie, 14, and in our living room so anyone interested Delilah, 10. can try their luck at spinning it. They can also be spun upside down with practice! Although not the healthiest, eating foods cooked in oil is traditional at this time of year. Each year I make potato latkes, also known as potato pancakes. These are traditionally served with applesauce, although I eat mine with just a little salt and pepper. Fried doughnuts are also a traditional Hanukkah food. The holiday of Hanukkah is fun and, at the same time, carries an important message, and that is religious freedom for all. Hanukkah once again reminds us that we are fortunate to live in the United States where we can observe and celebrate our own beliefs. May your holiday celebration be filled with joy.

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Hometown Holidays

CALENDAR

Dec. 6

Tree of Hope Time: 6:30 p.m. Location: Holly Springs Community Center, 163 Hickory Rd. Info: The city of Holly Springs and the Cherokee County Volunteer Aging Council (VAC) present the second annual Tree of Hope lighting. Light refreshments and entertainment. Sponsored by Holly Springs, the VAC, Northside-Cherokee Hospital and the Holly Springs Downtown Development Authority. www.hollyspringsga.us.

Dec. 6-7

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” Time: 7 p.m. Location: Hickory Flat United Methodist Church, 4056 E. Cherokee Dr. Info: Free admission. Hot cocoa and cookies after Saturday’s show. Register online for pictures with Santa before the show: 4-6:30 p.m. Friday, 2-6:30 p.m. Saturday. $20 for family session. www.hickoryflatumc.org.

Dec. 6-8

“The Promise: Creation to the Resurrection” Time: 7 p.m. Dec. 6, 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 7-8. Location: First Baptist Woodstock, 11905 Ga. 92 Info: A musical drama presented by the church’s creative arts ministry. Doors open an hour before performance time. www.christmasatwoodstock.com.

Dec. 7

Reindeer Run 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run Time: Registration begins at 7 a.m. Fun Run begins at 8 a.m., 5K begins at 8:30 a.m. Location: Races begin and end at Cannon Park gazebo, downtown Canton. Cost: $30. $15 for Fun Run. Info: Santa will lead the runners in this 11th annual event, sponsored by the Service League of Cherokee County, and he’ll hang around afterward for photos. www.serviceleague.net, www.active.com, keyword Reindeer Run.

Dec. 7

Canton Optimist Christmas Parade Time: 6 p.m. Location: Downtown Canton Info: In its 26th year, the parade is open to groups who want to participate with bands, floats, marching units, beauty queens, public officials, antique cars and more. www.canton-georgia.com.

Dec. 7

Christmas Jubilee Parade of Lights Time: 4:30-9:30 p.m. Location: Parade route on Main Street from Ga. 92 to Woodstock Elementary School. Info: Stop by The Park at City Center at 4:30 p.m. for dinner, grab a seat for the 5:30 parade and meet Santa in the park afterward. Woodstock’s mayor and Santa will flip the switch to light the park and the city’s Christmas tree. Music, moonwalk and marshmallow roast. Woodstock Jaycees will be accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys. www.woodstockga.gov.

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Dec. 7-8

“Christmas Treasures” Times: 4 p.m. Dec. 7, 3 p.m. Dec. 8 Location: Canton First United Methodist Church, 930 Lower Scott Mill Rd. Info: The performance by the Cherokee Chorale is an evening of traditional Christmas carols and songs. Charles Claiborne will conduct. The chorale is an auditioned 80-voice mixed choral group. www.cherokeechorale.org.

Dec. 7-8, 13-14

Bethlehem Walk 2013 Times: 7-9 p.m. Location: Mountain View United Methodist Church, 2300 Jamerson Rd., Marietta. Info: Free admission. The 21st annual event is an interactive re-creation of Bethlehem covering two acres and featuring a marketplace with fruit and vegetable shops, bakery, innkeeper, potter, carpenter and live nativity. www.mvumc.org.

Dec. 8, 15

Children’s, adult musicals Time: 6 p.m. Dec. 8 children’s musical “The Secret of Snowflake County.” 6 p.m. Dec. 15 adult musical “We Have Our Savior.” Location: Hopewell Baptist, 76 Ridge Rd. Info: www.hopewellbaptist.com.

Dec. 8, 15 & 22

Little Drummer Boy Time: 2 p.m. Location: City Center Auditorium, 8534 Main St. Information: All tickets $10 online or $12 at the door. www.elmstreetarts.org or call (678) 494-4251.

Dec. 8

Christmas Cantata Time: 4:45 p.m. pre-concert dinner, concert at 6:30. Location: Bascomb United Methodist Church, 2295 Bascomb Carmel Rd., Woodstock. Info: Dinner before concert for $8 adult plates, $5 children. Cantata is “Season of Wonders: Celebrating the Miracle of Christmas.” www.bascombchurch.org.

Dec. 8

Christmas Concert and Carol Sing Time: 9:20, 11 a.m. Location: Hickory Flat United Methodist Church, 4056 E. Cherokee Dr. Info: Free admission. www.hickoryflatumc.org.

Dec. 9

Create-a-Tree: Teen Christmas Time: 6 p.m. Location: R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Pkwy. Info: Help make a tree and other crafts out of recycled material. www.sequoyahregionallibrary. org.

Dec. 11

A Visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Location: Hickory Flat Public Library, 2740 E. Cherokee Dr. Info: A visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a

performance by the Avery Elementary School chorus. Also including crafts, face stamping and refreshments. www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org.

Dec. 12-21

Holiday Lights of Hope Location: Hobgood Park, 6688 Bells Ferry Rd., Woodstock. Admission: $10 per adult, free for children age 14 and under. Info: The 2nd annual event, which benefits the Anna Crawford Children’s Center, features a walk-through area lit by more than 500,000 LED lights, a 30-foot tall Christmas light tree, a 17foot tall reindeer, a 15-foot tall snowman family, a Christmas maze, free Santa photos, live carolers and a children’s area. More than 12,000 visitors attended last year. www.holidaylightsofhope. com.

Dec. 13

Christmas Movies Time: 6 p.m. Location: City On A Hill, 7745 Main St., Woodstock Info: Evening of food, fun, games and a showing of “The Polar Express.” www.COAHUMC.org.

Dec. 14

Live Nativity Time: 4-6 p.m. Location: Church of the Messiah, 415 Charles Cox Dr., Canton Info: A re-enactment of the birth of Jesus with live animals, caroling, craft vendors, bake sale and a performance by the Avery Elementary School chorus. (770) 479-5280. www.churchofthemessiah.net.

Dec. 14

“A Christmas Carol” Time: 2 p.m. Location: Elm Street Theater, 8534 Main St., Woodstock Info: Free performance with donation of nonperishable food item. Other performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20, 21 and 23, and 2 p.m. Dec. 24. $12/adults, $11/seniors and students, $10/children ages 3-12 online, or $15, $13 and $12 at the door. www.ElmStreetArts. org.

Dec. 14

Santa Visit in Woodstock Time: 1-2 p.m. Location: Visitors Center, 8588 Main St. Info: Bring cameras for pictures with Santa. (770) 924-0406. www.whatsupwoodstock.com.

Dec 15

Christmas Musical Service Time: 6 p.m. Location: Cherokee Presbyterian Church, 1498 Johnson Brady Rd., Canton. Info: The service will feature choirs, duets, solos and instrumentals. www.cherokee-pca.org

Dec. 15

“Treasures of the Heart” Time: 9, 11 a.m. Location: Sixes United Methodist Church, 8385

Bells Ferry Rd. Info: The Christmas drama was written and will be directed by Carmel Hearn. www.sixesumc.org.

Dec. 15

Info: Presented by the Cherokee Ballet Theatre. Tickets available at the Woodstock School of Ballet by calling (770) 928-3966. www.balletwoodstock.com.

Very Merry Christmas Tour Time: 6 p.m. Location: First Baptist Woodstock, 11905 Ga. 92 Info: Featuring NewSong, Audio Adrenaline, Sidewalk, Prophets, Jason Castro and Love & The Outcome. www.newsongonline.com www.ChristmasAtWoodstock.com.

Dec. 20-22

Dec. 15

Dec. 24

“’Twas the Night Before Christmas” Time: 3 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Location: Falany Performing Arts Center, Reinhardt University. Admission: $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students, $5 children age 12 and younger. Info: Christmas musical that’s complete with a jolly Santa, reindeer on the roof, moonlight on the snow, Ma and Pa in their caps and dancing sugarplums. (770) 720-9167. www.reinhardt.edu/fpac/

Live Nativity Times: 6 and 7 p.m. Location: Antioch Christian Church, 3595 Sugar Pike Rd., Canton Info: All ages are welcome to view the live nativity, and attend a birthday party for Jesus. www.antiochcanton.org. Snow in Woodstock! Time: 5 p.m. Location: The Park at City Center Info: Sponsored by Momentum Church, the evening includes snow, music, hot cocoa, marshmallow roasting, sled riding and an appearance by Santa. www.christmasinwoodstock.com or www.momentumchurch.tv.

Dec. 26-Jan. 12

Reading of “The Polar Express” Time: 4 and 6 p.m. Location: R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Pkwy. Info: Call (770) 479-3090 ext. 233 to reserve a seat. Wear your best pajamas for an evening of crafts, music and refreshment for all ages. www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org.

Christmas Tree Chip & Dip Time: 8 a.m.-dusk Info: Bring Christmas trees to Olde Rope Mill Park in Woodstock starting the day after Christmas to go through the chipper. Flocked or decorated trees not accepted. Come back a week later with a shovel to take free mulch. Free seedlings will be available at the park 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 14, with coffee and doughnuts. Sponsored by Keep Georgia Beautiful campaign and Woodstock’s Stormwater Department.

Dec. 20-21

Dec. 26-Jan. 5

Dec. 16

“The Nutcracker” Times: 7:30 p.m. Friday, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday Location: Falany Performing Arts Center, Reinhardt University.

Bring One for the Chipper Location: In Holly Springs, behind the fire station on Hickory Road. Info: Undecorated trees only. www.hollyspringsga.us.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES River Church 6 p.m. “A Bluegrass Christmas Eve.” 2335 Sixes Road. www.riveratlanta.org.

9 p.m. traditional worship with candlelight. 7745 Main St., Woodstock. www.COAHUMC.org.

First Baptist Church Holly Springs 5:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church Holly Springs, 2632 Holly Springs Pkwy. www.fbchollysprings.com.

Hopewell Baptist Church 4 p.m. service. 76 Ridge Road. www.hopewellbaptist.com

St. Clement’s Episcopal Church 5 p.m. family Eucharist, 10:30 p.m. Christ Mass preceded by organ prelude at 9:30 and hymns at 10 p.m. 2795 Ridge Road. www.stclementscanton.org. Hickory Flat United Methodist Church 5 p.m. contemporary with children’s moment and candlelight, 7 p.m. contemporary with candlelight, 9 p.m. traditional with candlelight (Holy Communion at each service, open to all). 4056 E. Cherokee Drive. www.hickoryflat.org. Sixes United Methodist Church 5 p.m. family service for young children, 7 and 11 p.m. candle and carol services. 8385 Bells Ferry Road. www.sixesumc.org. City On a Hill United Methodist Church 5 and 7 p.m. contemporary worship with candlelight,

Watermarke Church Christmas services on Dec. 22 at 9 and 11 a.m., and 5 and 7 p.m. Services held at Cherokee Charter Academy, 2126 Sixes Road. www.watermarkechurch.com First Baptist Church Woodstock 3 and 5 p.m. worship with Pastor Johnny Hunt. 11905 Ga. 92, Woodstock. www. ChristmasAtWoodstock.com. Cherokee Presbyterian Cherokee 6 p.m. candlelight service. 1498 Johnson Brady Road, Canton. www.cherokee-pca.org. New Victoria Baptist Church 6 p.m. service. 6659 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock. www.newvicbaptist.org. Timothy Lutheran Church 5 and 7:30 p.m. candlelight with Holy Communion. 556 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. http://tlcwoodstock. ctsmemberconnect.net/.

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Lifestyle

Duathlon and 5K at Rope Mill Park a Success for New Trails BY LISA RANDALL

Lisa Randall is a mom, small business owner and athlete from Canton. She is owner of Mountain Goat Adventures, LLC, which organizes local trail running and mountain bike events. In her spare time, Lisa is a competitive cyclist and competes in mountain bike, cyclocross and trail running races.

SORBA Woodstock and Mountain Goat Adventures recently hosted an off-road duathlon and 5K trail run at Rope Mill Park to raise funds for SORBA Woodstock to use for future trail development at the park. The 2013 event was the largest yet, and the recent addition of a 5K trail run gave non-bikers a chance to participate in the event. The duathlon, which consisted of a six-mile bike, three-mile run and sixmile bike, drew 165 solo and team competitors; another 70 runners participated in the trail run. All sections of the course were on the Taylor Randahl Memorial Mountain Bike Trails. Narrow and twisty, with roots, rocks and plenty of elevation gain mixed in, the course challenged both first-time participants and local pro racers who came out to represent their

sponsors and wow the crowd. The trails were in great shape for the late October race, thanks to the ongoing trail maintenance efforts of SORBA Woodstock volunteers. The leaves were at their peak, and the park was full of vibrant yellow, orange and red hues along Little River. Twenty SORBA Woodstock volunteers and bike patrollers assisted, which ensured that all aspects of the event ran smoothly and that participants had a lot of support while out on the course. The title sponsor of this year’s event was OutSpokin’ Bicycles of Woodstock, which donated $2,500 to the Woodstock Chapter in conjunction with the event. Thanks to the generosity of event sponsors, the prize table was overflowing and every participant who stayed for the awards ceremony went home with some goodies. In addition, a raffle was held for volunteers, who left with a little something extra after what was a great season finale for SORBA Woodstock and Mountain Goat Adventures. During 2013, nearly $18,000 has been raised for the SORBA Woodstock Chapter through four annual race events. These funds cover more than half of the chapter’s yearly operating expenses and make it possible for the chapter to construct and maintain trails at the very popular Blankets Creek Trails and Rope Mill Park. Local businesses interested in event sponsorship opportunities for 2014 should contact lisa@ mountaingoatadventures.com.

Highlight Your Skills with Showcase Résumé Format BY BETH RAY

If you aren’t job searching during the holidays (last month I addressed the reasons you should be), why not update your résumé? Everyone has an opinion about résumés, covering format, font and what to include. At MUST Ministries Employment Services, we suggest the Showcase format. Of the individuals we assist, 46 percent find employment, which speaks to its effectiveness. If that’s not enough, proven experts such Beth Ray serves as Program as the Georgia Department of Director for Employment Labor, Goodwill of North Georgia Services at MUST Ministries. She holds a BS in Marketing and Kennesaw State University’s from Mercer University and Résumé Writing program choose an MBA from Kennesaw this format. State University. You should consider changing because a format other than Showcase suggests that you are an older worker, and the format focuses on your wants. Employers want information about you quickly, because they have little time to spend reading each résumé. The Showcase format makes it easier for potential employers. What makes it different? This format shifts the focus from what 30

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

you want, to what you can do for the employer. The top third of the page focuses on two things: a summary statement and core skills. This is where you set yourself apart. Rather than leading with an objective statement such as, “I am seeking...,” the Showcase format summarizes your skills and abilities with a strong statement such as, “Highly competent call center specialist, able to resolve 98 percent of caller issues within allotted timeframe while providing exceptional customer care.” Underneath these details, follow up with a bulleted list of core skills. For instance, to elaborate on call center specialist, you could include: Types 50 WPM, Inbound and Outbound, Customer Centric, Multitasker. If the hiring manager likes what he or she sees, the rest of your résumé will receive a more thorough review. Next month we will focus on formatting the rest of your résumé. For now, here are some very basic tips, regardless of the format you use: • A résumé is a summary, not a life history. • A résumé is a tool to help you sell your skills. • Keep it brief (2 pages maximum). • Include 10 years of work history (older skills are probably outdated). • Arial or Times New Roman font, 10 point minimum. • Leave plenty of white space (0.7 margins at the least). If you need help now, MUST offers Back to Work classes held 10 a.m.-noon on Wednesdays and Fridays at the Canton office, 111 Brown Industrial Pkwy.

Be Diligent, Not Dormant, During Winter Months BY MICKY EUBANKS

Micky Eubanks, a six-year veteran of the US Navy, is chief operating officer of Lawnsmith, Inc. He’s a graduate of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College with a major in golf turf management and has been landscaping in metro Atlanta for 15 years. (678) 445-4283. www.lawnsmithinc.net.

If you haven’t taken advantage of the fall weather to work on your landscape, it isn’t too late. We always recommend this time of year to plant those trees to get ready for spring. You should add planting and corrective pruning to your priority list for these cooler months. Your work now will be rewarded in the spring. Since the hustle and bustle of weekly lawn mowing has slowed down considerably, you can focus on seasonal details. Leaf season should be coming to a close soon, but there are some trees that will hold leaves longer than others. On newly seeded fescue lawns, leaf removal is crucial to the lawn’s survival because the

leaves keep sunlight, water and nutrients from reaching the tender seedlings. Remove as many leaves as you can before any chemical application is made to your turf. The leaves will keep the chemicals from performing as they should. Continue working on perennials such as daylilies. Cleanup of daylilies is really a very easy chore; just pull up the dead and melted-looking leaves. Black-eyed Susans and variegated liriope are also perennials that will improve the look of your landscape once they’re cleaned up. We typically wait until January and February before cutting back knock-out roses and crepe myrtles. Since the frost has taken its toll on much of the color in our landscapes, there are still a few winter-hardy plants that offer vibrant color. Camellias have large flowering blooms that continue throughout the colder months, and your seasonal color beds should be thriving right now. Keep in mind that dead-heading your pansies and fertilizing your seasonal color plants will keep those blooms popping throughout the winter. Adding Christmas lights to your landscape is a great way to spice up your landscape this month and bring a great deal of joy to those who see it. Add lights to your trees and shrubs and enjoy a bright holiday season.

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Lifestyle

What if…You Started a Business in 2014? BY JULIAN REID

Last January, my Fortune 200 employer “facilitated” my career change. Frankly, better motivation for people to start new businesses is because they want more control over their lifestyle and financial destiny. Nevertheless ... The first step for anyone considering owning a business is to understand that running a business is not the same as self-employment of your talent. Next, a fundamental Julian Reid has a chemical decision needs to be addressed: engineering degree from Start an independent business, or Georgia Tech, a U.S. Chamber certification in invest in a franchise model? Organization Management Let’s start by reviewing what and several professional franchise opportunities provide coaching and sales franchisees. With a franchise, there certifications. Contact him are three pillars: at (770) 521-0698 or jreid@ esourcecoach.com. ◦ Brand Name. Franchisees get a brand name. That name tends to conjure up images or perceptions about quality and service that consumers already have about that particular brand. ◦ Operating System. Franchise investors get a proven operating system, which is the value of what franchising has accomplished: An institutionalized customer experience that is repeatable and duplicable. This track record mitigates risk for business owners, and their customers. ◦ Ongoing Support. Franchising provides training, education, owner fellowship, and ongoing support for performance enhancement. The franchisees are in business for themselves, but not by themselves. Now, contrast a franchise opportunity with an independent business. An independent business person does not start with an established brand name, proven operating system, training, or support. Independent business people essentially create those three components themselves, and are then challenged with startup marketing and sales. The kind of person who starts an independent business from scratch and the kind of person who invests in a franchise are typically different people. The person who invests in a franchise has the passion to control his own destiny, but wants a track to run on. This person wants to run a business, not invent one. He has no tolerance for the hassles, trials, and expensive errors common to independent startups. In contrast, the independent business owner wants to create with a blank slate, invent new systems, and defines the details of how the business is going to work. This owner has the time and resources to weather the trailblazing venture. Predictably, an independent business owner is on the extreme high-risk/high reward end of the risk-reward spectrum when compared to franchise owners. A new year is a great time for a new beginning. 2013 was mine. Is 2014 yours? 32

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Keeping It Simple Saves Money, Creates Memories BY BETTY ANDERSON

We are well into the holiday season and probably in a frenzy with decorating our homes, holiday shopping, entertaining and family gatherings. In an effort to make the season enjoyable, there is still time to keep it simple. The challenges of the last few years have made us more cognizant of budgets, downsizing, repurposing, minimizing and Betty Anderson is owner/ looking for more cost conscious designer of Interiors at ways to spend our money. Fun Finds and Fun Finds Here are a few ways to do the and Designs Home Decor Consignment in Canton, same with Christmas. Georgia. For Interiors If you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t gotten around at Fun Finds, call (678) to purchasing your tree yet, 880-9146 or email Betty@ consider a small one. You can interiors2751.com. For Fun fill the tree quickly by adding Finds and Designs, call (770) 704-0448 or email Info@ a garland of inexpensive funfindsanddesigns.com wide mesh ribbon. Add your cherished family ornaments, or pick one bold-color ornament, creating an eye-catching look that saves time and money. For the mantel, pick fresh greens out of your yard (magnolia, evergreen limbs, holly sprigs), add fresh fruit (apples/oranges) and an array of battery operated candles in different shapes to illuminate the display. For you grandparents out there who would rather decorate sparsely, choose your favorite fun-time pictures with your grandkids, mount them on small balsa wood frames and hang them with ribbon on a makeshift tree created with branches. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fun picking out those perfect pictures and the grandkids love to look and remember your great times together. When you combine family and Mother Nature, you are bound to produce something wonderful and memorable. Most of all, have fun, be creative and give yourself time to love the season and the people who mean the most. Keep it simple and enjoy a very happy holiday! SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Feature

Home of Georgia’s Lowest Prices If you live in the Sixes or Holly Springs areas and have purchased beer, wine or liquor, chances are you have visited Bullock’s Wine & Spirits Warehouse. Visiting a store is one thing — coming back again and again is another. Owner Bob Bullock’s mission is to make sure the store has what customers need at a price that beats the competition, while offering knowledgeable and friendly customer service. It’s apparent that consumers approve, because Bullock’s has won the TowneLaker Readers’ Choice award for eleven consecutive years. The wine department at Bullock’s has one of the largest selections in Georgia with the lowest prices. “We will not be undersold,” said Bob, who constantly compared prices with competitors and monitors consumer websites to make sure he is backing up his promise. Prices can be at least 25 to 50 percent cheaper than grocery and other liquor stores. Bullock’s stocks wine from the major wine regions in France, Italy, Spain, America, Germany, Chile and Argentina. “Our inventory reflects everyone’s tastes,” said Wine Manager Tom Crowe. “Customers will find great choices in all categories of wine.” Whether you’re planning a special dinner party, a wedding reception, a backyard barbecue or just a quiet night at home in front of the fire, Tom can help you find the perfect wine match. It’s a priority for the employees, who work hard to send the customer home with a wine, beer or liquor purchase that suits them. “The number one thing is to make sure you pick out something the customer is going to like,” said Bob. “We want to fit that customer with the taste he or she is looking for. That’s what we are good at; we’ve been doing that for a long time.”

Bullock’s Wine & Spirits Warehouse 1050 Buckhead Crossing, Woodstock (678) 445-5222 www.bullockswine.com Hours Monday – Thursday 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. Friday – Saturday 8 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. Now Open Sundays! 12:30 - 10 p.m.

Wine Manager Tom Crowe has more than 25 years of experience in this business.

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Bullock’s is about a mile off I-575 on Towne Lake Parkway (behind Chili’s), making it a convenient stop on the way home from work on a weekday, or while out running errands on the weekend. Some customers drive from out of state to take advantage of Bullock’s selection and prices. When it comes to the comfort of customers, Bob is especially proud of the fact that about 50 percent of his customers are women. “We have a nice store, and women are comfortable bringing their children in with them,” he said. “We want to make it comfortable for everyone.”

Wonderful World of Wine

party host. And like everything else in the store, Bullock’s will not be undersold on its beer prices.

Tom, who has been Bullock’s wine manager since 1989, is very friendly and approachable, and knows many of the customers by name. In addition to Tom, Dunn and Joanne are knowledgeable and can guide customers to the perfect wine purchase. Tom has more than 25 years of education and experience. With price points from the very low to very high end, Tom can help any customer with any need, regardless of price. “A lot of times, people are intimidated by a store’s wine expert. We don’t operate in the realm of being ‘wine snobs,’ but instead, it’s our desire to find exactly what the customer wants within his price range,” he said. “There are no stupid questions. I’m here to answer any and all questions about wine.” Tom reminds wine aficionados that Nouveau Beaujolais, a wine released annually on the third Thursday of November, is in stock. Quantities are

Happy Holidays

limited. Retailers typically scramble to get their hands on this yearly treat. Tom can tell you the interesting history of Nouveau Beaujolais the next time you visit Bullock’s. Champagne and sparkling wines at all price points are also available for the holidays.

Beer Bonanza

Bullock’s carries thousands of brand and craft beers, in both single bottles and six packs. If you want to mix it up, you can create your own six packs. Think about creating special combinations for the beer lover on your gift list, or holiday

Spirits, liqueur, pre-made cocktails and mixers are available for holiday festivities. Gift sets from Bullock’s make unique presents for friends, family members and party hosts. “We don’t up-charge for any of the gift sets. The gift sets are the same price as the same size bottle on the shelf,” said Bob. Other gift ideas include wine glasses, stoppers and charms. Two humidors are stocked with the top 100 cigar brands, again with unbeatable prices. And if you like eggnog, Bullock’s carries the popular Evan Williams brand. Bullock’s has a loyal following because of the wide selection, low prices and knowledgeable staff. With a trip to Bullock’s, you can save time, money and scratch off more than a few gifts on your wish list.

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Health & Wellness

Sophomore Slump BY MIKE LITREL, MD

I remember the first time I held a scalpel over a patient’s body. The razor’s edge gleamed against the soft skin. I was a newly minted doctor, just beginning fouryear OB/GYN training at Emory University in Atlanta. Heart pounding, I made my first incision under the watchful eye of a senior surgeon. An hour later we were done: the patient and I both survived. Dr. Mike Litrel has authored Twenty years have passed hundreds of articles and since that day, and I know two books on the faithhealth connection. He is now it was not just lessons in a board certified OB/GYN anatomy and physiology that and specialist in pelvic made that first operation a reconstructive surgery success. My most important at Cherokee Women’s lesson occurred well before Health Specialists in Roswell and Woodstock. Dr. Litrel medical school. can be reached at www. It was the year I almost cherokeewomenshealth.com flunked out of college. I had dreamed of becoming a doctor since I was seven years old. My family was on vacation in rural Vermont when I gashed my leg playing outside. I looked at the deep wound, and I began to cry in terror as I watched the blood pouring out, the yellow fat and red muscle showing through my torn skin. An hour later, I was still crying when an elderly stranger in a long white coat entered the hospital exam room. With a confident smile, he told me I was going to be okay. I watched in trembling hope as he sutured my wound closed. Twenty minutes later, he was done. The white-coated doctor was a hero. Before falling asleep that night, I looked at the stitches once again, and in that moment, I knew I wanted to be a doctor, too. I wanted to wear the white coat and take care of frightened strangers in need. But fewer than a dozen years later, I was ready to give up on the dream. I was a struggling college sophomore, completely unprepared for how difficult premedical studies would be. Or how boring! What do calculus and linear algebra

“All that studying during college never quite made sense until I held that first scalpel and experienced firsthand the intense concentration I was required to summon to perform a surgery.” have to do with being a doctor? How do you learn to suture by studying physics and organic chemistry? I wanted to be watching TV, hanging with friends, not agonizing in the library over mind-blowing stacks of textbooks. I wanted to quit. Looking for a way out, I reached my heart out in prayer: God, help me understand the consequences if I quit my dream. The answer came. You will hate yourself the rest of your life. Given no choice, I worked harder. All that studying during college never quite made sense until I held that first scalpel and experienced firsthand the intense concentration I was required to summon to perform a surgery. Without those countless hours and years in the library, I would never have gained the skill. I am blessed today to care for strangers in need. I enjoy my time in the operating room, and I know I make a difference for my patients. But I also know that most human suffering is not cured by surgery or medication. God places in our hearts a dream of who we are and who we can become. Holding on to this dream is far more important to our health than seeing a doctor, no matter how much it hurts, and never letting go.

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

The Importance of Your Adrenal Health BY DALE COKER

December is a month filled with memories and anticipation for many people. It is also a month that can have its anxious moments, like long checkout lines and vying for parking spaces. You may ask what that has to do with your adrenal health. The adrenal glands are small endocrine glands that sit on top of both kidneys. One of the main roles of these glands is to secrete hormones so the body can respond Pharmacist Dale Coker is the owner of Cherokee to stressful situations. This is also Custom Script. He also referred to as the fight or flight is a member of the Sixes response. Do I fight that angry bear Living community board. standing in front of me or run from Email him at dmcoker@ him? Chances are not too good bellsouth.net. with either decision in that case, but the adrenal glands will be responsible for making that choice for you. While running from a bear is not a situation we encounter every day, the lifestyles in affluent societies have created stressors that activate the adrenal glands on a constant basis. Adrenal exhaustion is a term that has been coined to describe the effect

on the adrenal glands from constant stimulation in response to stress. Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, and cortisol are the two main hormones produced by the adrenal glands. Adrenaline is the main hormone in the fight or flight response. Cortisol has many functions, including regulating diurnal patterns that affect energy levels and sleep. When the adrenal glands are burned out, not only are these two hormones affected, they can also lead to imbalances of the sex hormones and thyroid hormone. The good news is that adrenal issues can usually be resolved with supplementation and lifestyle changes. There are overthe-counter adrenal products available. Those that contain adrenal gland extracts function to kick-start the adrenals, and are meant only for short-term use, and can be followed with a good maintenance supplement. These contain herbs that aid in the adrenal glandsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ability to adapt to constant stress, and are named adaptagenic herbs. Ashwaganda, licorice, ginseng, rhodiola and eleuthero are effective adaptogens. B vitamins are also helpful, especially pantothenic acid. If you find yourself in the middle of stressful checkout lines and parking-lot madness, take care of yourself with supplements for your adrenal glands, relaxation techniques, meditation, and, most importantly, prayer. You will be able to deal with stress more effectively and help prevent some of the anxiety that is so prevalent this time of year. Merry Christmas!

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Health & Wellness

Should Parents Accompany Their Children During Dental Treatment? BY DR. SCOTT R. HARDEN

Here is a typical scenario with a child’s dental visit. An eightyear-old boy needs two fillings, and he’s slightly anxious because he has never had a cavity filled. The boy’s mother goes into the treatment room with the intent of being present for the entire visit. Her goal is to console and protect him. The mother tells her son that he will get a shot and feel a big pinch, because she Dr. Scott Harden is a believes telling him is helpful. dentist at Fountain Mom reaches over and holds her View Family Dentistry son’s hand as soon as the doctor and has served the walks into the room, implying a Woodstock area for more than 21 years. problem. As the dentist explains He is a dental advisor the procedure to his young for two national patient, the mom restates his dental research comments to her son, trying companies. You can reach Dr. Harden at to better explain his meaning. (770) 926-0000 or visit The child becomes distracted as FountainViewSmiles.com. both the dentist and his mother provide information. The child’s anxiety increases and often results in an unfavorable dental appointment. Learning to successfully interact with others is one of the most important aspects of a child’s development, and includes a child’s visit the dentist. The child must learn to listen to the dentist to understand the value of the dental procedure and how to cope with the treatment. The parent often wants to be present in the treatment room to monitor the dentist and ensure the child’s safety. While this is understandable, the parent’s presence undermines the dentist’s authority. The child may be scared and instinctively turns to the parent for protection instead of trusting the dentist. The parent’s presence further elevates the child’s emotional level and doesn’t allow the child to learn to gain enough strength to get through the appointment. In today’s technological society, a child’s social development is hindered by less face-to-face conversation because of cell phones, texting and social media. “Children, today, don’t know how to handle conflict face-to-face because of their involvement in technology that begins very 38

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

“Parents who are not comfortable leaving their child in the dental treatment room can wait out of sight in the hall, which will allow the child to learn independence.” young,” said Melissa Ortega, a child psychologist at New York’s Child Mind Institute. Children and teens between ages 8 and 18 spend an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes daily playing video games, going online and watching TV, and most have no household rules governing how much time they are allowed to spend doing these things, according to the 2010 study, “Generation M2 Media in the Lives of 8 to 18 Year Olds,” conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation. When you add time spent eating, sleeping and attending school, little time is left for playing, socializing and enhancing communication skills. While parents always want to protect their children, children can learn from life’s adversities to develop the character they need for the future. Children need to embrace challenging situations, such as going to the dentist, in order to grow personally. Parents who are not comfortable leaving their child in the dental treatment room can wait out of sight in the hall, which will allow the child to learn independence. I have treated thousands of children over several decades. It is evident that children are better patients when the parent stays out of the treatment room. The child is best talked to as an adult so the child will ultimately act like an adult. A show– tell–do method is best implemented to allow the child to understand the procedure. Children generally accept dental care without a problem. It is important that child’s dental care is handled efficiently and very comfortably every time so they have a positive experience. My professional advice to parents is to express your confidence in the dentist to your child and explain only the facts of any upcoming dental procedure. Avoid expressing personal dental anxieties you may have from your past experiences. Dentistry has advanced tremendously in recent years, including the use of computer anesthesia which is painless. With distractions like television and headphones available in the dental chair, children breeze through their dental appointments easier than ever.

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Health & Wellness

Prepare for Your Pet’s Season to be Jolly BY DR. DAWN MASON

Dr. Dawn Mason, an associate at BridgeMill Animal Hospital since 2006, has a special interest in small animal medicine, surgery and pocket pets. She earned her undergraduate degree in biology at the University of Louisville, and Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1999 from Auburn University.

Holidays are a hectic time of year for families and pets. This article is a guideline to help you plan ahead for your pet during this season. If you are boarding your pet, make sure your reservations are scheduled early; many boarding facilities book up quickly. Keep any items you bring labeled so they won’t get lost. Be specific to the staff about your requests. If you go out of the country, leave permission for someone to make any medical decisions necessary. Make sure your pet is current on vaccinations. Good boarding facilities require immunizations to protect your pet. Veterinarian boarding facilities have an advantage and the capability to vaccinate and perform physical exams if your pet is due. If you are planning to leave your

pet at home and have someone checking regularly or staying with your pet, please provide them with all contact information, including numbers and hotels. Some animals are leery of strangers in the house, so it is good to have a “meet and greet” prior to your trip. This allows your pet not to feel intimidated on the next arrival and allows you to go over any plans with the pet sitter. If their trip is short, many people leave cats unsupervised with extra food and water. In case the water bowl gets knocked over or the litter pan gets full, provide an abundant amount of water throughout the house and extra litter. Some cats get their feelings hurt and may use your floor or bed to take out their frustrations. Flying with a pet is complicated. Your pet must be a certain weight and size to travel on board and restrictions vary according to each airline. Plan ahead and check with your airline for pet travel requirements, such as a veterinarian signed health certificate. Ask how much time your pet will spend on the tarmac, because Minnesota can be quite cold for a Chihuahua this time of year. Don’t get caught with your tail between your legs because planning for your pet was left off the list. Sometimes pets need to be the first item on the checklist, or you might find your plans are limited to staying home.

Northside Cardiology Cherokee is a full-service cardiology practice offering complete heart and blood vessel care. Dr. Sanjay Lall and Dr. Gregory Petro are board certified in cardiovascular disease and cardiology and have more than 20 years of experience. Sanjay Lall, M.D.

Northside Cherokee Cardiology offers:

• Expertise. In partnership with Northside Hospital, patients have access to comprehensive cardiology services. • Timely access. We’ll schedule same-day appointments whenever possible. • Efficient Followup. We are committed to clear and timely communication about your progress. Two convenient locations. Call us today for an appointment (770) 924-5095. 100 Stone Forest Drive, Suite 130 Woodstock, GA 30189

210 Oakside Lane, Suite 210-B Canton, GA 30114

(Near I-575, off Townelake Parkway)

(Exit 20, off Riverstone Parkway)

NorthsideCherokeeCardiology.com

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Gregory Petro, M.D.

Exercise Positive Action to Control Weight Gain BY STACY WARD AND LAURA MIKSZAN

The season of deck-your-waistwith-extra-pounds is officially here. Will you join the masses who faithfully gain five pounds during the holidays? It is entirely possible to avoid the dreaded holiday plump by following a simple strategy. Stacy Ward (left), author, certified PT and fitness instructor, and Laura Mikszan, journalist, entrepreneur and certified group fitness instructor, are co-owners of Envision Health Studio. Contact them at (770) 926-4180. www. envisionhealthstudio.com

“Let’s create a strong belief that you won’t be powerless to holiday pounds and don’t wait until January to start improving your health.”

All About Power It’s important to approach your goal from a place of I can rather than I can’t. Most weight loss plans begin by outlining everything you can’t eat. You can’t enjoy the buffet at the holiday party. You can’t taste the fudge that auntie made. You can’t partake in the seasonal coffee

drinks. You can’t, you can’t! It shouldn’t be surprising when the diet lasts a few days before your inner rebel breaks out and defies all the rules by mowing through an entire plate of Christmas cookies. When you begin from a place of can’t, you forfeit all power. On the other hand, when you approach your goal from a place of I can, the power swings back into your favor. Use these three steps to regain your power. Focus on positive action. Rather than obsess over what you can’t eat this holiday season, take the positive action of exercising into your own hands. Every time you complete a workout, feel the surge of empowerment that comes with the accomplishment. Schedule positive action. Put a concrete workout schedule in place. Be sure to exercise even more than normal during the holiday season, since you will be taking in more calories. If you

normally exercise three times each week for 30 minutes, then plan to exercise five times each week for 45 minutes. Reward yourself for positive action. At the end of each week, reward yourself for successfully completing each scheduled workout. Don’t use food as a reward, since you’ll be taking in extra calories. Great rewards include a massage, a new outfit, a leisurely hour of reading, or even a well-deserved nap! Believe! The people who won’t gain weight this holiday season already know it. How? They’ve decided not to gain weight, and they believe it. Do you believe that you won’t gain weight this year, or are your past failures keeping you less than confident? Let’s create a strong belief that you won’t be powerless to holiday pounds and don’t wait until January to start improving your health.

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Health & Wellness

Tips For a Healthy Holiday Season BY WELLSTAR

The holidays are an exciting time of the year, but it’s important to keep your health in mind. Follow these easy tips to have a healthy holiday season. Don’t overload on treats If you are going to eat sweets or foods that contain high contents of fat or carbohydrates, eat in moderation. Also, try eating a healthy dinner before going to a holiday party to curb cravings. Drink more water If you do decide to indulge in rich holiday meals, drink extra water to flush out the excess sodium that you consume. Update your wish list Add health-related items to your wish list, such as: • A pedometer to motivate you to walk more • Workout clothes • A cookbook with healthy recipes

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

• A gourmet tea kit • A smoothie maker Manage stress Holiday spending can be extremely stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Try to remember that it’s the thought that counts, not how much you spend on gifts. Stay active Don’t let the holidays be an excuse for you to get behind on exercising. If you are busy with shopping and holiday festivities, at least take time for a short walk, or try running up and down the stairs. You don’t have to wait until the New Year to start an exercise regimen. Make an appointment with your physician Let the holidays be a reminder to make an appointment with your doctor for a yearly check-up and to update your vaccinations. Making it a yearly habit will help prevent diseases and problems with your health.

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

School & Sports

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

School & Sports

Team members are, from left, front row: Isabella Schiwy, Amee Rivera; second row: Calyx Bryant; third row: Megan Rosinko, Silvana Bravo; fourth row: teacher Sonya Breaux; fifth row: Jourdan Ramirez, Josselyn Guevara; sixth row: William Pennimann; seventh row: Josiah Gnanamuttu, Zachary Hopton; and back row: teacher Kristen Bintliff.

Students Earn Historic Win For the first time in Woodstock High Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history, its World Language Department competed in the Clemson University Declamation Contest. Students studying French and Spanish memorized two poems in the target language in order to compete in the 41st annual recitation competition. William Penniman (Spanish 4), Jourdan Ramirez-Pharr (Spanish 2), Megan Rosinko (French 1) and Isabella Schiwy (Advanced Placement Spanish) won medals. Woodstockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team also included: Zachary Hopton (French 1); Amee Rivera and Josiah Gnanamuttu (French 2); Silvana Bravo and Josselyn Guevara (French 3); and Calyx Bryant (Spanish 3). They were joined at the event by teachers Kris Bintliff and Sonya Breaux.

Above: The boys team, from left: Max Starnes, Brandon Samsury, Evan Strakes, Partick Fagan, Nate Bryan, Caleb Bass, Reed Silverstein, Graham Ashby, Jackson Zomer, Chandler Robinson, Patrick Jamison, and Adam Varady. Andrew Austin was not in the picture. Left: Cheerleaders are, back row from left: Anna Varady, Niaya Solomon, and Sasha Silverstein. Front row: Emily Hill and Ella Duke.

New Sports Program at Lyndon Lyndon Academy in Holly Springs has launched a new middle school athletic program that includes basketball, tennis, golf, and track and field. The Lyndon Academy Terriers boys and girls basketball teams, along with a cheerleading squad, are currently playing in the North Atlanta Metro League, where playoffs begin Jan. 27, 2014. The girls basketball team includes Emily Nesbit, Jolee Green, Navia Ostman, Heather Austin, Gillian Barnes, Annika Jackson, Samantha Homcy, Katy Lyn Boardman, and Danielle Samsury.

Volleyball Team Finishes Strong The Sequoyah High School Lady Chiefs are the 2013 state runners up in the AAAAA Volleyball State Championships held by the Georgia State High School Association. Team members are Emily Ryan, Jensyn Wells, Kayla Morris, McCall Allen, Kali Jones, Lane Lauletta, Kate Mann, Lauren Hartman, Kelsey Goran, Kelley Hartman, Logan Page, Kyli Schmitt, and Ashlyn Brandon. Kali Jones and Logan Page were named to the All-State Team, and Kelley Hartman was named All State Honorable Mention. Coaches are Head Coach John Edwards and Assistant Coaches Lori Little, Morgan Little, Stephen Pate and Hillary Turner. 46

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Snowflake Queen is Crowned Gracie Smith was crowned Snowflake Queen during the Snowflake Classic Beauty Pageant in Holly Springs, hosted by Crush baseball team. The players are raising funds for their trip to Cooperstown in July 2014. Surrounding Gracie are, from left: Blake Kugelman, Trevor Elliott, Cody Nelson, Leo Giannonie, Tristen Perry and Adam Love.

Students Learn About Pet Care Veterinarian Dr. Jason Haden and veterinary assistant Jaymie Cochran from the Animal Medical Center of Holly Springs visited Johnston Elementary School’s Furry Friends Pet Club. Through the club, students and teachers work with the Cherokee County Animal Shelter to learn about how to care for a pet. Students also sponsor an adoptable pet by making posters and getting the word out of their adoption. The club also holds collection drives for toys, blankets and other shelter needs.

Up, Up and Away!

Students Ayvonne Pitts (left) and Christian Rivas-Aguilar from Julie Freeze’s second-grade class show their excitement for the event with David Cornn, the school’s STEM teacher.

Canton Elementary School STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Academy students were treated to a demonstration on how a hot air balloon takes flight. Kenny and Wendy Bridle, owners and operators of the hot air balloon Windy Wendy, spoke to students about the science behind hot air balloons. “Students were excited to watch the balloon inflate and lift off the ground,” Principal Beth Long said.

Social Studies Fair Winners

Dean Rusk social studies fair coordinator Amelia Ormsby, second from left, and Principal Cindy Cooper congratulate students Rachel Renner, seated, and (from left) Anna Lynne Bennett, Jordan Weems, Alec Sunday and Ben Lowry.

Dean Rusk Middle School recently recognized five eighth-graders who advanced as first-place school winners to the Cherokee County School District Social Studies Fair. The school winners are Anna Lynne Bennett, Ben Lowry, Rachel Renne, Alec Sunday and Jordan Weems. The students completed research, wrote papers and prepared visual displays.

Teasley Earns Special Honor Teasley Middle School has been named a Distinguished Breakout Middle School, which comes with a $1,000 monetary award given to the school. The Georgia Amy Graham Association of Secondary School Principals gave the award to the school. Teasley’s assistant principal Amy Graham was nominated for the 2013 Assistant Principal of the Year award. Only six middle schools statewide were given the honor, which recognizes assistant principals who excel in educational leadership, resolving complex problems, developing self and others, and community service.

Sixes Students Get a Pizza Partner Marco’s Pizza at BridgeMill recently partnered with Sixes Elementary School to sponsor a special art project. Second and third-graders decorated pizza boxes during Students Will and Brad Bohannon, sons of Keefe and Johanna Bohannon, show off art class with designs their pizza box art. created by art teacher Susan Winchester, and pizza orders were delivered by Marco’s in the students’ own boxes. The event ended with Marco’s donating $235 to the school. Students in all grades will have the opportunity to participate in Pizza Box Art Night with Marco’s during the school year.

Cherokee Senior Wins STEM Contest Cherokee High School senior Rachel Whitman has won the national Ultimate Mentor Adventure STEM competition. She is one of 10 students selected from more than 250 applicants nationwide in the competition sponsored by Disney and Marvel. Whitman Rachel visited California, where she toured major science research facilities and spoke with women working in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields. Her week ended by attending the “Thor: The Dark World” movie premiere at the El Capitan Theatre. SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Canton

DOWNTOWN CANTON Calendar of Events Dec. 6-7

“Madeline and the Gypsies” Time: 7 p.m. Location: Cherokee Arts Center, 94 North St. Info: Directed by Tisha Gotte & STARS Community Drama Troupe. In this familyfriendly production, what looks to be the worst Christmas ever—when 12 little girls and Miss Clavel get the flu—is saved by Little Madeline. www.cherokeearts.org.

Dec. 7-8

North Georgia Art Ramble Time: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Location: 44 studios and galleries in seven North Georgia counties (Cherokee, Fulton, Forsyth, Pickens, Fannin, Gwinnett and Gordon). Info: The ramble is a free, self-guided open studio tour that features more than 70 artists who will demonstrate techniques and talk about their inspirations. For details on artists and studios on the tour, and to get a map, visit www.ngaartramble.com.

Dec. 9

Yarn Time at R.T. Jones Time: 6-7:30 p.m. Location: R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Pkwy. Info: Open house event for adult crafters will be held in the children’s activity room. No

food or drinks except bottled water. www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org.

Dec. 13

Elly Hobgood Art Show and Rebecca Johnston Book Signing Time: 5-7 p.m. Location: Chamberhouse, 145 W. Main St. Info: Benefit for the Cherokee County Historical Society. For details and to RSVP, call (770) 345-3288. www.rockbarn.org.

Dec. 14

One Act Plays Time: 7 p.m. Location: Cherokee Arts Center, 94 North St. Info: “Shoe Polish” is the story of three strangers who cross paths on Christmas Eve in a broken-down MARTA car, a reminder that sometimes it’s the small things in life that make the biggest difference. “Driver’s Test” is a comedy about 16-year-old Gail and DMV tester Margie, who urges Gail to push the speedometer to its limit and evade the police. Presented by Academy Theatre at Compass. http://atcwoodstock.bpt.me/

Through Dec. 31

“The Potters of Orange: 1913-2013” Times: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday Location: Cherokee County History Museum

and Visitors Center, 100 North St., Suite 140. Info: The temporary pottery exhibit shows the contrast of 100-year-old pieces to modern creation. www.rockbarn.org.

Through Dec. 27

Cherokee Arts Center Holiday Gallery Show and Sale Time: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturday. Closed Dec. 25. Location: Cherokee Arts Center, 94 North St., Canton. Info: Holiday shopping; 2D and 3D artwork for sale. www.cherokeearts.org.

Cherokee Theatre auditions: Jan. 5-6 for “Comedy Tonight,” an original compilation of notably funny or comedybased songs from the 1950s to 2013. Directed by Ralph Zaffino. Performance dates are March 14-16 and 21-23. March 18-19 for “Dearly Beloved,” the first of three plays about the fictional Futrelle sisters from Fayro, Texas. The two-act play tells the story of all that went wrong on this wedding day, involving the sisters and family members. Directed by Rich Goodman. Performance dates are May 9-11 and 16-18. The theater is at 171 E. Main St. www.cherokeetheatre.org.

Reflections on a Calm, Peaceful Downtown BY MEGHAN GRIFFIN

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…” Every year at this time, it seems like Andy Williams is singing straight to my heart. I love the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day and all the good cheer it brings, especially to downtown Canton. I am really wishing for a few snowy days this year, especially on Christmas, so I can take my little cousin sledding before she gets too grown to want to go. When I worked at the Cherokee County Historical Society, we enlarged and mounted some historic photographs taken by Buddy Alexander, who was Cherokee County’s photographer between the 1950s and 1970s. One in particular that I’ll never forget showed a huge amount of snow on Main Street right before the bend at John T. Pettit Street. Even in the photograph, you could tell that the snow made everything quiet and peaceful; all was calm, all was bright. I liked to imagine those families so many years ago in their homes on Main Street, spending time in the kitchen getting warm or putting on boots and gloves to go outside. Even if we don’t get snow this holiday season, I know that you will enjoy coming downtown to shop or to spend an evening with friends. As always, we are happy to have you and the Canton Main Street Program wishes you the very best this holiday season. 48

SIXES LIVING | October 2013

Credit: Cherokee County Historical Society

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Faith

Embracing Change is Important First Step BY DR. JOE MCKECHNIE

Canton Historic Downtown Loop Winter Happenings First Friday Celebration

December 6 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Cannon Park, Downtown Canton Celebrate the Holidays at First Friday! Featuring Hope Cassity of Nashville, a vintage Christmas tree lot, and a special visit from Santa!

Main Street Morning

December 10 8:00 am Oak Leaf Church, 151 East Marietta Street Join downtown merchants, residents and guests for networking and an informative presentation. Refreshments provided. Free and Open to the Public. Historic Downtown Loop Canton Main Street Program, Meghan Griffin 770.704.1500 50

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

“But Bear Bryant realized things had to change. His current course was no longer good enough.”

www.postalmuseum.si.edu

Paul “Bear” Bryant, the legendary former football coach at the University of Alabama, seemed larger than life. He earned his nickname at the age of 14, when he wrestled a bear at a traveling carnival. The following year, he tried out for the high school football team, and played in the first game he had ever seen. He developed into a hard-nosed, physical Dr. Joe McKechnie is the player and earned a scholarship senior pastor of Sixes at the University of Alabama, United Methodist Church, and a member of the Sixes where he demonstrated his Living community board. toughness by playing a game Joe is a former television with a broken leg. In 1937, sportscaster and UGA Alabama played in the Rose Bowl graduate. Email him at and while out west, Bryant had jmckechnie1@gmail.com. a screen test with Paramount Studios to become an actor. He was offered a contract, but his new wife refused to move to California.

Bear Bryant abandoned the acting bug, and followed his desire to be a college coach. In 1958, he accepted a job at Alabama, where he would remain a fixture for the next 25 years. During the 1960s and 70s, no college team won more games than Alabama. In his first nine years at the helm, his team won three national championships. By the late 1960s, however, Alabama’s football team began to falter, finishing two seasons unranked. Many fans wondered if Bryant had lost his touch. Many journalists assumed that the college game had passed him by. Even Bear was frustrated with his team’s performance, and in January 1969, he flirted with the idea of making a fresh start. While he initially accepted a five-year $1.7 million offer to coach the Miami Dolphins, he had a change of heart and decided to stay at Alabama. But Bear Bryant realized things had to change. His current course was no longer good enough. In 1971, he began a complete overhaul of the storied Alabama program, secretly switching from the more traditional pro-style offense to the newly developed Wishbone formation (many fans had called for him to do this earlier, but Bryant initially scoffed at such notions). This major transformation propelled the once-proud Crimson Tide back into the national spotlight, winning eight SEC titles in a nine-year span and amassing three more national championships. Bryant could have rested on his laurels; he could have fought the call to change. But his desire to grow was greater than his will to stay the same. The Bible speaks of God’s desire to see each of us changed. 2 Corinthians 3:18 declares that “we are being transformed into the likeness of Christ.” In other words, once we are followers of Christ, the Lord continues to stretch us, grow us, challenge us, and guide us, all in the goal of making us more like Jesus. God is in the life-changing business. He takes us, just as we are, and fixes us, heals us, and renews us. I know many folks who, unlike Bear Bryant, are satisfied with the status quo. Change can be unsettling. But God calls us to more. Better yet, He doesn’t call us to do this on our own. Rather, He is the one who provides the transformation! How are you becoming more like Jesus? Can those around you see the change? Are you willing to embrace the life, blessings, challenges, and opportunities that the Lord is offering?

The women of the Junior Service League of Woodstock were at it again in full force this November for their 17th annual Holiday Tour of Homes. This was their most successful year yet! People came out in scores to get inspired for their own holiday festivities, and ‘tis definitely the season for giving! Thanks to all of the tour-goers, designers and sponsors, the beneficiaries of this year’s tour, Papa’s Pantry, Georgia Canines for Independence, Cherokee Focus, and Bethesda Community Clinic will continue to fill hearts with cheer this holiday season! There were five homes this year, spanning from downtown Woodstock to Bridgemill in Canton, and the people coming and going from every house were simply in awe of the designers’ hard work. Designing Women, Interiors at Fun Finds, Lori North Interiors, Linden and Red Key Interior Designs all did a fabulous job of spreading holiday cheer in the chicest way possible! Speaking of the season for giving, the Junior Service League of Woodstock would like to give a huge thank you to Well Star, the tour sponsor, for making this year such a success! The weekend long event was a perfect way to kick off another wonderful holiday season!

Photos by Geurin Bailey Photography.

JSL Tour of Homes Raises Money for Local Charities

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Downtown Woodstock

Samantha’s Time BY JODI TIBERIO

Samantha Spennato grew up in Towne Lake. As a young person, she is excited about the growth Jodi Tiberio owns Branch in Woodstock, especially the Boutique for women in Towne Lake and new restaurants and shops. As a Brooklynn’s boutique teacher at a conservative school for men and women in in Roswell, Samantha has to keep Downtown Woodstock. her wardrobe simple. That puts Contact Jodi at info@ spending money on the “cute stuff” shopthreads.net. on the backburner sometimes! I had Jona, one of our clothing stylists, set up an appointment with Samantha. They had a great time trying on different outfits. Samantha brought her favorite pair of boots, so Jona really wanted to put together an outfit to go with them. They decided on one of our most popular dresses, a rust-colored baby doll dress that can be accessorized in so many ways. With a necklace, a scarf or a belt, this dress can take on many looks. The three-quarter length sleeve makes it great for many seasons. Our favorite accessory this season is boot socks. With boots still being the number one choice in winter footwear, boot socks are fun accessories that add a layer of color and texture to an outfit. Wear them with a dress, over leggings or over jeans. With Samantha fully accessorized, it was time for her hair appointment. She really wanted to make some changes with her hair, updating it while keeping her hair long. She visited Salon Gloss Master Stylist, Cora Bass for her hair and makeup makeover. During her consultation, Samantha said that she was a recent graduate looking for something a little more polished and professional. She also said that she didn’t take a lot of time for herself and wasn’t very high maintenance. Although Samantha was accustomed to being a blonde, Cora explained how a deeper, richer, multi- tonal hair color would work in harmony with her complexion and would require fewer visits to the salon. Cora performed a color correction on Samantha’s overly processed blonde ends. She chose warm medium golden brown with hints of soft mahogany and finished her color with just a few highlights to accent her face. Cora strategically layered Samantha’s hair to give it the bounce and shape that she was looking for. Make-up artist Will Clemons finished the transformation with a make-up application to enhance Samantha’s new hair color and showed Samantha a few simple techniques to repeat the look at home. Samantha looks gorgeous! Her new hairstyle and clothes give her a more sophisticated look while still being young and flirty. She can add a denim jacket to this ensemble and be ready for a cool day or evening! 52

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Downtown Woodstock

Reinvent Yourself BY TIM TIMMONS

Some women have bad hair days; others have bad hair years. Although most women go through various incarnations in life — daughter, mother, career woman, retiree — and sometimes carry the same hairstyle from season to season, year after year. To determine if you’re ready for a change, ask yourself these questions: Am I still a part of the Bon Jovi Big-Hair Brigade? Is my signature style incorporating a Tim Timmons is the owner Jheri curl? A Mullet? The Mall of Salon Gloss. Tim has been a hairstylist for 13 Claw? Did the world keep turning, years and has extensive but you stopped turning heads industry experience. when Jennifer Aniston ditched her Tim can be reached at “Rachel” and you held on to each (678) 483-8900. flip for dear life? If your answer is yes, it’s official: you’re in a hair rut. If you’ve been rocking the same look that you had in high school, or you’re finally ready to take the plunge into the 21st century, the new year is the

perfect time to try a fresh cut or color. Just look to the stars for inspiration. Here are a few trendy updates to help you start 2014 looking like a whole new gorgeous you. For short hair, try a polished pixie like Anne Hathaway’s or Rihanna’s. Bang-like pieces that fall over the forehead help soften this look and make it ultra-feminine and flattering. For medium hair lengths, look to the new, softer bob, which hits somewhere between the jaw and the shoulders. The look, as seen on Kelly Rippa, Sandra Bullock and Ciara, is all about flowing texture and movement. For longer hairstyles, you might find that blunt-cut ends make long hair look healthy and full. Try a style - like Katie Holmes’ or Kate Middleton’s - that incorporates a few thick, face-framing pieces with lengths that aren’t too shaggy or layered. If you’re still resistant to change, remember that a subtle transformation can yield as much impact as a total makeover— or at least warm you up for more dramatic changes in the future. Start with baby steps, such as face-framing highlights and soft, eye-grazing bangs. Change is always fun, but that doesn’t mean you need a complete overhaul just to get a new look. Update your cut and color just enough that you (and others) notice the difference, but not so much that you don’t recognize yourself.

December Morning Buzz meeting will be held at Woodstock Elementary School with breakfast and entertainment on December 6 at 8 a.m. Christmas Jubilee Parade December 7 at 5:30 p,m. Friday Night Live will be Dec. 6 “Christmas on Main St.” Santa will also be at the Visitors Center that night and on Dec. 14 from 1 - 2 p.m. Welcome New Members Envision Health Studio – Laura Mikszan SouthCherokee.Com – Osa Marten

Find out What’s happening Downtown by downloading the Visit Woodstock App

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Experience Elm Street Year Long Giving BY G. LORA GROOMS

Now is the time when we start making gift lists for our children, grandchildren, spouses, friends, relatives, co-workers, bosses, teachers, and etc. And, no doubt, we are being asked what we want to receive from those who care about us. (Remember to buy local!) I always give everyone in my family – including the grandchildren – new pajamas. It’s a tradition passed down from my parents, and I’m sure many of you do the G. Lora Grooms is the same. Everyone gets colorful new director for the Elm Street PJs so they look nice for the cameras Cultural Arts Village. on Christmas morning. (My dad She has been teaching, worked for Kodak, so there were writing, directing and always lots of pictures and Super 8 performing in the Atlanta area since 1990. You can film footage!) reach her at director@ My dad often talks about growing elmstreetarts.org up in the 1920s and 30s, and the concern about people who relied on the community’s help to have a nice holiday dinner. Even as a young child he would think, “But what happens to these hungry people the rest of the year? Why aren’t we worried about feeding them all the time?” Indeed. Why aren’t we? What is it about the holidays that make us suddenly think about helping others, donating to good causes and showing up at nursing homes with holiday entertainment? What do we think happens the rest of the year? In Cherokee County, many families wonder daily where they will get their next decent meal. They might have food, but often it is poor quality and small quantity. Thank goodness for Papa’s Pantry, MUST Ministries, Families of Cherokee United in Service (FOCUS) and other organizations and churches that serve the community year-round. We have placed a collection basket for Papa’s Pantry in our lobby, and we encourage theatre patrons to donate canned goods each time they attend an Elm Street show. A free live performance of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” is planned for 2 p.m. Dec. 14, as thanks for the support we receive all year long. A donation of canned goods will serve as your ticket to the performance. We hope to see many of you on the 14th, so we can tell Papa’s Pantry officials to bring a big truck to take it all away! Wouldn’t it be great to have so many food donations year-round that Papa’s had to bring a big truck to Elm Street every month?

“In Cherokee County, many families wonder daily where they will get their next decent meal.“

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Reference

SIXES AREA CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS Business Organizations American Business Women’s Association, Cherokee Eagles Charter Chapter Meets: 6:30 p.m. third Tuesdays at the Dynastic Buffet, 2800 Canton Rd., Marietta. Contact: Jackie Van Hook (678) 493-3618 www.abwa.org Canton Cherokee Business and Professional Women’s Club Meets: Noon on third Thursdays at IHOP in Canton Contact: Glenda Hinton (770) 345-1751 Canton Communicators Toastmasters Club Meets: Noon-1:15 p.m. Thursdays at the Canton YMCA. Contact: Steven Van Schooten, (770) 366-8224 www.toastmasters.org Cherokee Area Business Connection Meets: 7:15 a.m. Wednesdays Contact: Marci Zied, (770) 345-8687 customerservice@aloveoftravel.com Cherokee B2B Network Meets: 8 a.m. second and fourth Thursdays at Best Western, 705 Transit Ave., Canton 30114 Contact: (770) 781-3452 www.CherokeeB2B.com Cherokee Toastmasters Meets: Noon-1:15 p.m. Wednesdays at City On A Hill UMC, 7745 Main St., Woodstock 30188 www.CherokeeToastmasters.com Empowered Women Through Synergy Meets: Third Thursday at 8.30 a.m. at J Christopher’s in Downtown Woodstock Contact: Shahida Baig (678) 445-3900 Facebook: Empowered Women Through Synergy Woodstock Business Networking Group Meets: 7:30 a.m. Tuesdays at Atlanta Bread Company, 180 Woodstock Square Ave., Woodstock 30189 Contact: Lee West (770) 591-7101

Charitable Organizations

Contact: Deidre Hollands (770) 345-3274 www.casacherokee.org Bethany Place transitional home for single women, unwed mothers. (770) 479-9462 www.bethanyplacehome.org Hope Center offers pregnant teens, single women pregnancy testing and counseling, childbirth and parenting classes, budget counseling, provision of maternity and baby supplies. Contact: (770) 924-0864 www.hopectr.com Hope Center — Baby & More Thrift Store Contact: (770) 517-4450 www.babyandmorethriftstore.com Cherokee County Foster & Adoptive Parent Association of GA supports foster parents. Contact: Marie Blackwell (770) 378-0759 www.fosteroradopt.org Cherokee County Senior Services offers educational, social, leisure and recreational activities for senior citizens looking for socialization. Contact: (770) 345-2675 www.cherokeega.com Cherokee County Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. http://www.cherokeecountyspecialolympics.org Cherokee County Family Violence Center offers emergency shelter and crisis intervention, affordable housing, education, support services. Contact: (770) 479-1703 in Spanish (770) 720-7050 www.cfvc.org Cherokee Fellowship of Christian Athletes challenges professional, college, high school, junior high and youth level coaches and athletes to use athletics to impact the world for Christ. Contact: Bill Queen (404) 441-3508 www.cherokeefca.org

Ahimsa House for victims of domestic violence who need help getting their pets to safety. Contact: 24-hour line (404) 452-6248, Info (404) 496-4038 www.ahimsahouse.org

Cherokee FOCUS works to improve the lives of children and families through collaborative programs and initiatives. Contact: Sonia Carruthers (770) 345-5483 www.cherokeefocus.org

American Heart Association - Cherokee Division Contact: (678) 385-2013

Community Veterinary Care provides professional veterinary care for pets whose owners have limited financial means. Contact: (678) 640-3512 www.communityveterinarycare.com

American Red Cross metro chapter Contact: (770) 428-2695 Angel House Girls Home is a residential facility for girls 12-18 to learn self-sufficiency. Contact: (770) 479-9555 www.angelhousega.com Anna Crawford Children’s Center a child abuse and prevention program for children and adults. Contact: (770) 345-8100 www.cherokeechildadvocates.org CASA for Children, Inc. needs volunteers to help advocate for children in the court system.

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Forever Fed is a mobile food ministry that addresses physical hunger and hopelessness in North Georgia by providing meals and sharing the gospel. www.foreverfed.org Georgia Animal Project offers high quality, lowcost spay and neuter services for dogs and cats throughout North Georgia. Contact: (770) 704-PAWS (7297) www.theanimalproject.org

Give a Kid a Chance – Cherokee sponsors a yearly back-to-school bash where thousands of children in need are given filled backpacks, haircuts, socks, underwear, gently used clothing and health screenings to prepare them to go back to school. www.giveakidachance.org Goshen Valley Boys Ranch offers care and counsel to young men in the DFCS system. 34 young men ages 8-21 call the ranch their home. Contact: (770) 796-4618 www.goshenvalley.org Habitat for Humanity North Central GA Contact: (770) 345-1879 www.habitat-ncg.org Healing Hands Youth Ranch offers safe, peaceful environment where abused and at-risk children are paired with rescue horses to find hope and healing. Contact: Jennifer Simonis (770) 633-4451 www.hhyr.org HopeQuest Ministry Group helps people who struggle intensely with life dominating issues related to alcohol abuse, substance abuse and/or sexual brokenness. Contact: (678) 391-5950, www.hqmg.org international City of Refuge (iCOR) exists to share God’s love, hope and healing with children in need by providing loving homes with emphasis on family unification when approproiate. Contact: Lily Colgate (404) 992-8155 http://icor-orphans.org Iron Hearts is a therapeutic horsemanship program for children and adults with special needs. Contact: (678) 493-5775 www.ironhearts.org MUST Ministries offers clothes closet, employment services, GED prep classes, food pantry for Cherokee residents. Contact: Kendall Jones (770) 479-5397 www.mustministries.org National Alliance for Mental Illness is the nation’s largest grassroots organization in America working to build better lives for the millions affected by mental illness. www.nami.org Never Alone offers food and clothing assistance to residents of Cherokee County. Apply online or by calling (770) 363.5272. www.neveralone.org. Next Step Ministries provides day programs Monday through Saturday for special needs kids, teens, and young adults. Contact: 770-592-1227 www.nextstepministries.net North Georgia Pregnancy Center offers help and care to young girls and women with an unplanned pregnancy or who are in need of counseling. Contact: (706) 253-6303 www.ngapregnancy.org Papa’s Pantry partners with individuals facing a critical shortage of food or finances due to an

unexpected crisis or job loss. Offers life skills, job classes, food pantry. Contact: (770) 591-4730 www.papaspantry.org Safe Kids of Georgia offers free child safety seat inspections. Contact: (770) 721-7808 www.cherokeesafekids.org SERV International operates the House of Hope orphanage in Africa, sponsors a clean water program in Dominican Republic and meal distributions worldwide. Also offers mission trips. Contact: (770) 516-1108 www.servone.org

Civic Organizations Cherokee County Service League (770) 704-5991 BridgeMill-Sixes Service League Contact: Marlyn Patouillet (770) 345-7941 www.bssl.org Canton Lions Club Contact: (678) 224-7878 www.lionsofcanton.org Canton Optimist Club Meets: 7:30 a.m. Fridays at Canton IHOP Contact: canton_optimist@hotmail.com https://sites.google.com/site/cantonoptimistclub/ home Canton Rotary Club Meets: Noon Tuesdays at the Cherokee Conference Center at the Bluffs www.cantongarotary.org

Blue Skies Laughter Club Meets: 7-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Northside Cherokee Medical Offices, 100 Stoneforest Dr., first floor conference room, Woodstock 30189 Contact (770) 517-3363 ext. 3 www.addlaughter.com Christian Authors Guild Meets: 7-9 p.m. first and third Monday at Prayer and Praise Christian Fellowship, 6409 Bells Ferry Rd., Woodstock 30189 www.christianauthorsguild.org Cherokee Amateur Radio Society Meets: 10 a.m. second Saturdays at the William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock 30188 www.cherokeehams.com Cherokee County Arts Center 94 North St., Canton 30115 Contact: (770) 704-6244 www.CherokeeArts.org Cherokee Community Chorale, a community of singers from all walks of life including housewives, teachers, retired professionals, office managers and professional musicians who love the art of choral singing. Contact: (678) 439-8625 www.cherokeechorale.org Cherokee County Master Gardeners: (770) 479-0418 www.caes.uga.edu/extension/cherokee/ mastergardeners/ Cherokee County Saddle Club www.cherokeesaddleclub.com

Cherokee County Historical Society Contact: (770) 345-3288 www.rockbarn.org

Cherokee Music Teachers Association: Contact: Linda Lokey (770) 720-1701 www.cherokeemta.org

Rotary Club of Cherokee County Meets: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at Sidelines Grille on Reinhardt College Parkway, Canton Contact: (770) 683-1327 www.cherokeerotary.org

Cherokee Photography Club www.cherokeepc.org

Political Organizations

The Funk Heritage Center Book Club Meets: 2 p.m. second Tuesdays at the Funk Heritage Center, 7300 Reinhardt College Pkwy., Waleska 30183 Contact: (770) 720-5970 www.reinhardt.edu/funkheritage

Cherokee County Democrat Party Meets: 7 p.m. 2nd Thursdays at Holly Springs Depot, 164 Hickory Rd., Holly Springs. 8:30 a.m. 1st Saturdays at IHOP, 3010 Northside Pkwy., Canton 30014 Contact: (770) 345-3489 www.cherokeedemocrats.com/d2/ Cherokee County Republican Party Meets: Second Saturday at 9 a.m. at Winchesters Woodfire Grill Contact: (678) 809-1411 Cherokee Tea Party Patriots Contact: Conrad Quaqliaroli (770) 592-6545 Republican Women of Cherokee County Contact: (678) 520-2236 www.rwccga.com

Recreation & Hobbies Arts Alliance of Georgia, Inc. Meets: 10 a.m. second Saturdays at Studio 101, 101 Emma Ln., Woodstock 30188 www.artsalliancega.org

Cherokee Senior Softball Association www.cssasoftball.com

Sons of the American Revolution - Cherokee Chapter Meets: 7 p.m. second Tuesdays at the Rock Barn, 638 Marietta Hwy., Canton 30114 www.cherokeechapter.com

Support Organizations AA Meetings Meets 9:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday, noon Monday-Friday, 7 p.m. Monday, 4 p.m. Sunday (for women) at Canton First United Methodist, 930 Lower Scott Mill Rd., Canton 30115 Contact: (770) 479-6961 Al-Anon and Al-A-Teen Meets: 8 p.m. Thursdays at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church, 2795 Ridge Rd., Canton 30114; Al-Anon at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Al-A-Teen at 7 p.m. Thursdays at Hillside UMC, 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy., Woodstock 30189; Al-Anon at 6 p.m. Wednesdays at Studio 121, 121 Brown St., Canton

30114. Contact: (770) 516-3502 AARP Woodstock Chapter Meets: 11:30 a.m. 2nd Tuesdays at Featherstones, 1003 Towne Lake Hills E, Woodstock 30189 Contact: Rich Sanford (770) 926-1944. Alzheimer/Dementia Support Group Meets: 3rd Thursday at Emeritus Woodstock Estates, 1000 Professional Way, Woodstock 30188 Contact: (770) 926-0119 Breast Cancer Support Group: Cancer Support Community Atlanta Contact: (404) 843-1880 http://cancersupportcommunityatlanta.org Celebrate Recovery Christ-centered program for all types of habits, hurts and hangups • 6:30 p.m. Mondays at Sixes United Methodist. (770) 345-7644. www.sixesumc.org • 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at FaithPointe Church. (770) 833-7143. www.faithpointe.org. • 6:15 p.m. Thursdays at 411 Scott Mill Road, Canton, GA 30114 (678) 764-8660 Cherokee Christian Ministerial Association for pastors and ministry leaders of all Christian denominations. Meets: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. the last Wednesday of the month at Dayspring Church, 6835 Victory Dr., Woodstock 30189 www.cherokeeministers.org Grace Valley Ministries connects pastors by offering small group meetings, free counseling and a place to retreat. Contact: (727) 251-7690 www.gracevalleyministries.org Lupus Support Group Meets: 2nd Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. in the New Light Church hall on New Light Road. Contact: Pam Bennett at (404) 975-7580 MOMS Club of Canton, West GA (serving Canton, Ball Ground, Waleska and Holly Springs) http://momsclubofcantonwest.webs.com Next Step Ministries offers a therapeutic day program, Saturday Respite, camps and special events for people with special needs. Contact: (770) 592-1227 www.nextstepministries.net Northwest Atlanta Moms of Multiples for parents of multiples Meets: 7 p.m. second Mondays at North Metro Church on Barrett Parkway www.NOWAMOM.org Recovery Meetings in downtown Canton 9 a.m. Sunday 11th Step; 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays “Serenity Sisters” 6 p.m. Wednesdays “Wednesday Night Wisdom” at Studio 121, 121 Brown St., Canton 30114 Contact: (770) 479-696 Unlimited Possibilities, support group for stroke and brain injury survivors Meets: 7 p.m. first Tuesday of each month at Kennestone Outpatient Rehab Center Contact: Kelly (678) 677-2589 SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Reference

SIXES AREA COMMUNITY OF FAITH ADVENTIST

Canton Adventist 411 Scott Mill Rd., Canton 30114 (678) 880-0106, www.cantonadventist.org

AME

Allen Temple 232 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock 30188 (770) 926-6348, www.allentempleame.org St. Paul AME 390 Crisler St., Canton 30114 (770) 479-9691, www.stpaulame-canton.org

BAPTIST

First Baptist Canton One Mission Point, Canton 30114 (770) 479-5538, www.fbccanton.org First Baptist Holly Springs 2632 Holly Springs Pkwy., Holly Springs 30142 (770) 345-5349, www.fbchollysprings.com First Baptist Woodstock 11905 Ga. 92, Woodstock 30188 (770) 926-4428, www.fbcw.org Heritage Baptist Fellowship 3615 Reinhardt College Pkwy. Canton 30114 (770) 479-9415, www.heritagebaptistfellowship.com Hopewell Baptist 78 Ridge Rd., Canton 30114 (770) 345-5723, www.hopewellbaptist.com Mt. Zion Baptist 4096 East Cherokee Dr., Canton 30115 (770) 479-3324, www.mtzb.org

LUTHERAN

Celebration of Grace 411 Scott Mill Rd., Canton 30114 (770) 503-5050, www.celebrationofgrace.org Good Shepherd 1208 Rose Creek Dr., Woodstock 30189 (770) 924-7286, www.gslutheran.org Living Hope Lutheran Church 3450 Stilesboro Road NW, Kennesaw (770) 425-6726 / office@livinghopega.com www.LivingHopeGA.com

St. Michael the Archangel 490 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock 30188 (770) 516-0009, www.saintmichaelcc.org

Bascomb UMC 2299 Bascomb Carmel Rd., Woodstock 30189 (770) 926-9755, www.bascombumc.org Canton First 930 Lower Scott Mill Rd., Canton 30115 (770) 479-2502, www.cantonfirstumc.org City On A Hill 7745 Main St., Woodstock 30188 (678) 445-3480, www.coahumc.org Fields Chapel 1331 Fields Chapel Rd., Canton 30114 (770) 479-6030, www.fieldschapel.org Hillside 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy., Woodstock 30189 (770) 924-4777, www.hillsideumc.org

Liberty Hill 141 Railroad St., Canton 30114 (678) 493-8920, www.libertyhillumc.org

Sutallee Baptist 895 Knox Bridge Hwy., White 30184 (770) 479-0101, www.sutalleebaptistchurch.com

Sixes 8385 Bells Ferry Rd., Canton 30114 (770) 345-7644, www.sixesumc.org

Toonigh Baptist 4999 Old Highway 5, Lebanon 30146 www.toonighbaptistchurch.lifewaylink.com

Woodstock UMC 109 Towne Lake Pkwy., Woodstock 30188

EPISCOPAL

NAZARENE

(770) 926-6440 , www.gbgm-umc.org/woodstockumc-ga

Woodstock Church of the Nazarene 874 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock 30188 www.wcnga.com

ORTHODOX

Chabad Jewish Center 4255 Wade Green Rd. NW, Suite 120, Kennesaw 30144, (678) 460-7702 www.jewishWoodstock.com

St. Elizabeth 2263 East Cherokee Dr., Woodstock 30188 (770) 485-0504, www.stelizabethga.org

Congregation Ner Tamid Reform Jewish Congregation (678) 264-8575, www.mynertamid.org

Fivestones Church 155 P Rickman Industrial Dr., Canton, GA 30115 (770)720-2227, www.fivestoneschurch.info

Tikvah l’Chaim 4206 N. Arnold Mill, Woodstock 30188 (678) 936-4125, www.tlchaim.com Congregation Beth Hallel 950 Pine Grove Rd., Roswell 30075 (770) 641-3000, www.bethhallel.org

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Woodstock 345 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock 30188 (770) 926-0074, www.woodstockpcusa.com

METHODIST

River Church 2335 Sixes Rd., Canton 30114 (770) 485-1975 www.riveratlanta.org

MESSIANIC JEWISH CONGREGATIONS

Heritage 5323 Bells Ferry Rd., Acworth 30102 (770) 926-3558, www.heritagepres.com

ROMAN CATHOLIC

Holly Springs 2464 Holly Springs Pkwy., Canton 30115 (770) 345-2883, www.hollyspringsumc.com

JEWISH

Grace Church 1160 Butterworth Rd., Canton 30114 (678) 493-9869, www.gracecanton.org

Timothy 556 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock 30188 (770) 928-2812 www.TLCWoodstock.ctsmemberconnect.net

New Victoria Baptist 6659 Bells Ferry Rd., Woodstock 30189 (770) 926-8448, www.newvicbaptist.org

Saint Clement’s 2795 Ridge Rd., Canton 30114 (770) 345-6722, www.stclementscanton.org

(770) 833-3797, www.genevaopc.org

PENTECOSTAL

PRESBYTERIAN

Our Lady of LaSalette 2941 Sam Nelson Rd., Canton 30114 (770) 479-8923, www.lasalettecanton.com

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST

Emerson U U Congregation 2799 Holly Springs Road, Marietta, 30062 (770) 578-1533, www.emersonuu.org

NONDENOMINATIONAL

AllPoints Church 6884 Hickory Flat Hwy, Woodstock, GA 30188 www.allpointschurch.org Awakening Church 180 Parkway 575, Suite 140, Woodstock (770) 924-4150, www.awakeningwoodstock.com Christian Praise Center 1358 Sixes Rd., Canton 30114 (770) 924-7532, www.christianpraisecenter.com Dayspring Church 6835 Victory Dr., Acworth 30102 (770) 516-5733, www.dayspring-online.com FaithPointe 330 Adam Jenkins Mem. Blvd., Canton 30115 (770) 485-0891, www.faithpointechurch.org His Hands 550 Molly Ln., Woodstock 30189 (770) 405-2500, www.hishandschurch.com New Covenant Bible 1095 Scott Rd, Canton 30115 (770) 479-6412, www.newcovenantcanton.org Oak Leaf 151 East Marietta St., Canton 30114 (678) 653-4652, www.oakleafcanton.com Revolution Church 125 Union Trail Hill, Canton 30115 (770) 345-2737, www.therevolution.tv Sojourn Community Church Worship at 231 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock (770) 769-7495 www.sojournwoodstock.com Sunnyside Church of God 2510 East Cherokee Drive, Woodstock, (770)693-1018, www.sunnysidecog.com

Cherokee 1498 Johnson Brady Rd., Canton 30115 (770) 704-9564, www.cherokee-pca.org

Watermarke Church worship location: 2126 Sixes Rd., Canton 30114, (678) 880-9092, www.watermarkechurch.com

Geneva Orthodox Meets in Kings Academy Church Building, 471 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock

Woodstock Community 237 Rope Mill Rd., Woodstock 30188

(770) 926-8990, www.woodstockcommunitychurch.org

COMMUNITY INFORMATION Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Cherokee County Government Building Permits, Business Licenses Commissioners Engineering Office (Traffic Signals) Environmental Health Extension Office Jury Phone Justice Center (Courts, Judges, etc.) Planning & Land Use Senior Services Voter Registration

(770) 345-0400 www.cherokeega.com (770) 721-7810 (678) 493-6001 (678) 493-6077 (770) 479-0444 (770) 479-0418 (770) 479-9011 (770) 479-1953 (678) 493-6101 (770) 345-2675 (770) 479-0407

Taxes

License Plates/Tags, Property Tax – Canton office (678) 493-6400 Woodstock office (770) 924-4099 Renewals online https://mvd.dor.ga.gov/tags/ Tax Assessors/Evaluation (678) 493-6120

Children and Family

Anna Crawford Children’s Center (770) 345-8100 Cherokee County Boys & Girls Club (770) 720-7712 Cherokee County Foster & Adoptive Parents Assoc. www.fosteroradopt.org (770) 378-0759 Cherokee Family Violence Center (770) 479-1804 Cherokee FOCUS (770) 345-5483 Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) www.casacherokee.org (770) 345-3274 Division of Family & Children Services (770) 720-3610 Goshen Valley Boys Ranch www.goshenvalley.org (770) 796-4618 Hope Center www.hopectr.com (770) 924-0864 MUST Ministries - Cherokee www.mustministries.org (770) 479-5397 Never Alone www.neveralone.org (770) 363-5272 Next Step Ministries www.nextstepministries.net (770) 592-1227 North Georgia Angel House www.angelhousega.com (770) 479-9555 North Georgia Pregnancy Center www.ngapregnancy.org (706) 253-6303 Papa’s Pantry www.papaspantry.org (770) 591-4730

Hospitals

Kennestone North Fulton Northside Hospital — Cherokee

Hotlines — 24-hour help lines

Battered Women Hotline Drug Tip Line (Cherokee Co. Sheriff) Poison Control Center Poison Control Center (outside metro Atlanta) Probate Court Information Line Rite-Call (Child Medical Problems) Sexual Assault & Family Violence Center

Parks and Recreation

(770) 793-5000 (770) 751-2500 (770) 720-5100

(770) 479-1703 (770) 345-7920 (404) 616-9000 (800) 222-1222 (770) 704-2610 (404) 250-KIDS(5437) (770) 427-3390

BridgeMill Athletic Club Callahan Golf Links Cherokee County YMCA Cherokee County Soccer Assoc. www.csaimpact.com

(770) 345-5500 (770) 720-1900 (770) 591-5820 (770) 704-0187

Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency www.crpa.net. (770) 924-7768 (Includes Aquatic Center, Barnett Park, Blankets Creek, Cherokee Mills, Field’s Landing Park, Kenny Askew Park) Cherokee Youth Lacrosse Association www.cherokeelacrosse.com North Atlanta Soccer Association: www.nasa-ga.org (770) 926-4175 SCRA Baseball www.scrabaseball.com Wildlife Action, Inc. www.wildlifeactiongeorgia.com (770) 924-7464

Pets

Animal Control (678) 493-6200 Animal Shelter & Pet Adoptions www.petfinder.com/shelters/GA460.html (770) 345-7270 Cherokee County Humane Society www.cchumanesociety.org (770) 928-5115 Emergency Veterinary Clinic (770) 924-3720 Funds 4Furry Friends (770) 842-8893 Lost Pets: www.townelaker.com. (click on lost and found pet button to report missing pet) Pet Buddies Food Pantry www.petbuddiesfoodpantry.org Community Veterinary Care www.communityveterinarycare.com (678) 640-3512

Post Office locations Canton Holly Springs Lebanon Woodstock

(770) 720-8164 (770) 345-6318 (770) 591-9467 (770) 591-0364

Police Departments

Canton Holly Springs Woodstock Sheriff’s Office www.cherokeega-sheriff.org

Utilities

Atlanta Gas Light Co. www.aglc.com Canton Water www.canton-georgia.com Cherokee Water & Sewerage Auth. www.ccwsa.com Cobb EMC www.cobbemc.com Georgia Power www.georgiapower.com Woodstock Water www.woodstockga.gov Recycling Center

(770) 720-4883 (770) 345-5537 (770) 592-6030 (678) 493-4100

(770) 907-4231 (770) 704-1500 (770) 479-1813 (770) 429-2100 (888) 660-5890 (770) 926-8852 (770) 516-4195

Free, Reduced-Price Health Care

Bethesda Community Clinic www.bethesdacommunityclinic.org Cherokee County Health Department www.nghd.org/CherokeeHealth

(678) 880-9654 (770) 345-7371

Urgent Care Facilities

M.D. Minor Emergency & Family Medicine, (770) 720-7000 off Riverstone Pkwy, 720 Transit Ave., Suite 101 Canton Northside Cherokee Urgent Care, off exit 11 at I-575 (678) 426-5450 SHEFA Urgent Care 2000 Village Professional Dr. #110 (678) 661-3166 Canton 30114 Wellstar Urgent Care off exit 8, 120 Stonebridge Pkwy. Woodstock, 30189

(678) 494-2500

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Reference

ELECTED & APPOINTED OFFICIALS United States Government

President Barack Obama (D)

(202) 456-1414 fax: (202) 456-2461

Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R)

(202) 224-3521 GA: (770) 763-9090

Sen. Johnny Isakson (R)

(202) 224-3643 GA: (770) 661-0999

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20500 www.whitehouse.gov 100 Galleria Parkway, Suite 1340, Atlanta, GA 30339 http://chambliss.senate.gov 1 Overton Park, Suite 970 3625 Cumberland Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30339 http://isakson.senate.gov Rep. Phil Gingrey, M.D. (R) District 11 100 North Street Suite 150, Canton, GA 30114 http://gingrey.house.gov

jack.murphy@senate.ga.gov

(202) 225-2931 GA: (770) 345-2931

(404) 463-1378 (770) 887-1960 fax: (770) 205-0602

Rep. Scot Turner (R) District 21

(678) 576-2644

Rep. Calvin Hill (R) District 22 calvin.hill@house.ga.gov

(404) 463-7778

mandi.ballinger@house.ga.gov

(678) 493-6270 (678) 493-6260 (678) 493-6240

State Court (678) 493-6480 (678) 493-6490 (678) 493-6480

(678) 493-6431 (678) 493-6431

Probate Court

Chief Judge John B. Sumner Judge Anthony Baker

District Attorney Shannon Wallace

(678) 493-6250 (678) 493-6280 (770) 479-1488

Clerk of Courts Patty Baker

(678) 493-6511

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Cherokee County Coroner Earl W. Darby

Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office

(770) 735-8055 www.cherokeega-sheriff.org

Sheriff Roger Garrison (R)

(678) 493-4100 fax: (678) 493-4228

498 Chattin Drive Canton, GA 30115 rdgarrison@cherokeega.com

Cherokee County Tax Commissioner Sonya Little

(678) 493-6400 fax: (678) 493-6420

2780 Marietta Highway, Canton, GA 30114 slittle@cherokeega.com

Cherokee County School Board

www.cherokee.k12.ga.us (770) 479-1871 fax: (770) 479-1236 (770) 721-6298 x4369

kelly.marlow@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Patsy Jordan (R) District 2

(770) 893-2970

patsy.jordan@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Michael Geist (R) District 3

(404) 462-4950

michael.geist@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Janet Read (R) Chair Rick Steiner (R) District 4

(770) 516-1444 (770) 721-4398, x4370

rick.steiner@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Rob Usher (R) District 5 (678) 493-6160

Juvenile Court

jnelms@cherokeega.com

janet.read@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Magistrate Court

Judge Keith Wood (R)

bpoole@cherokeega.com

Kelly Marlow (R) District 1

Superior Court

Chief Judge James E. Drane III (R) Judge Gregory Douds

Brian Poole (R) District 3

221 West Main St., Canton, GA 30114 drp@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Cherokee County Courts

Chief Judge Clyde J. Gober, Jr. Judge W. Alan Jordan Judge A. Dee Morris

Ray Gunnin (R) District 2

Superintendent, Dr. Frank Petruzielo

Rep. Mandi Ballinger (R) District 23

Chief Judge David Cannon Jr. Judge Jackson Harris Judge Ellen McElyea

hjohnston@cherokeega.com

Jason Nelms (R) District 4

(678) 523-8570

scot@turnerforhouse.com

rgunnin@cherokeega.com

Rep. Michael Caldwell (R) District 20

michael@CaldwellforHouse.com

L.R. “Buzz” Ahrens (R) Chairman

lbahrens@cherokeega.com

Harry Johnston (R) District 1

Governor Nathan Deal (R) (404) 652-7003 203 State Capitol, 206 Washington St. Atlanta, GA 30334 www.gov.georgia.gov

Sen. Jack Murphy (R) District 27

www.cherokeega.com (678) 493-6001

Commissioners

State Government

Sen. Brandon Beach (R) District 21 brandon.beach@senate.ga.gov

Cherokee County Board of Commissioners

1130 Bluffs Pkwy., Canton, GA 30114

(770) 928-0341

rob.usher@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Robert Wofford (R) District 6 (Vice-Chair) robert.wofford@cherokee.k12.ga.us

(770) 345-6256

City Government City of Woodstock Mayor Donnie Henriques

www.woodstockga.gov (770) 592-6001

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All Together Clean 13 years experience in Towne Lake area. Owner run and operated, no teams! Call Mary at 770-294-0303. The Dynamic Clean Team. Let us put a *SPARKLE* in your home! Weekly or Bi-weekly cleaning. Also move-in and moveouts! 10% off 1st service. 15 years experience, references available. Call TODAY Melissa Jones, 404-414-7743.

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CLASSIFIED DEADLINE IS THE 10 th FOR THE FOLLOWING MONTH'S ISSUE! SIXES LIVING | December 2013

SIXES LIVING AREA HOMES SOLD IN OCTOBER Sixes Living Sales for October 2013 List Price $ 129,900.00 $ 140,000.00 $ 144,900.00 $ 150,000.00 $ 169,900.00 $ 230,000.00 $ 253,000.00 $ 325,000.00 $ 325,000.00 $ 339,900.00 $ 344,400.00 $ 579,000.00 $ 105,900.00 $ 215,000.00 $ 111,150.00 $ 265,000.00 $ 125,000.00 $ 130,000.00 $ 214,900.00 $ 230,000.00 $ 145,900.00 $ 119,000.00 $ 102,500.00 $ 377,700.00 $ 195,000.00 $ 205,000.00 $ 250,000.00 $ 265,000.00 $ 315,000.00 $ 359,900.00 $ 175,230.00 $ 243,000.00 $ 189,900.00 $ 109,000.00 $ 179,900.00 $ 150,000.00 $ 850,000.00 $ 103,000.00 $ 249,000.00 $ 155,000.00 $ 199,900.00 $ 129,900.00 $ 158,900.00 $ 159,900.00 $ 119,900.00 $ 150,000.00 $ 384,900.00 $ 125,000.00 $ 140,000.00 $ 158,900.00 $ 179,900.00 $ 219,101.57

Days on Sales Price Market 209 Lee CT Barrett Farms 3 2 2000 11 $ 129,900.00 410 Linda CT Barrett Farms 3 2 2000 70 $ 126,000.00 618 Spring TRL Barrett Farms 4 2.5 2001 68 $ 144,900.00 3087 Heatherbrook TRCE BridgeMill 3 2 2001 67 $ 150,000.00 114 Ivygreen Chase BridgeMill 3 2 1999 13 $ 169,900.00 504 Woodbrook LN BridgeMill 5 2.5 1999 44 $ 220,000.00 4045 Gold Mill RDG BridgeMill 4 2.5 2003 81 $ 252,500.00 810 Valley DR BridgeMill 5 3 1998 12 $ 315,000.00 3010 Woodbridge LN BridgeMill 6 5 2001 117 $ 334,000.00 705 VALLEY VIEW PL BridgeMill 4 3 2005 10 $ 333,000.00 1154 Bridge Mill AVE BridgeMill 5 3.5 2000 132 $ 294,500.00 330 Westbridge LN BridgeMill 6 6.5 2004 84 $ 550,000.00 409 PIERPONT CT Canton Heights 3 2.5 2005 278 $ 110,000.00 101 Carison CT Carison Preserve 3 2.5 2004 137 $ 212,000.00 120 CEDAR VALLEY DR Cedar Valley 3 2 1986 179 $ 100,000.00 305 GOLD RDG Copper Creek 5 3.5 2000 139 $ 257,000.00 206 Winterbury DR Creekside at Prominence 3 2.5 2005 3 $ 130,000.00 204 Winterbury DR Creekside at Prominence 3 2.5 2005 7 $ 130,000.00 470 CRESTMONT LN Crestmont 4 2.5 2006 30 $ 197,500.00 564 CRESTMONT LN Crestmont 4 2.5 2007 75 $ 230,000.00 174 Diamond Ridge AVE Diamond Ridge 4 2.5 2013 49 $ 145,900.00 3152 Ridge RD E W RAGSDALE 3 1 1965 93 $ 108,000.00 116 Nacoochee WAY Enclave At Holly Mill 3 2.5 2003 8 $ 110,000.00 201 Windermere Estates CT Estates At The Lake 5 4.5 2003 133 $ 365,000.00 See all the photos and details of these sold listings at http://SLOct2013.HomeSalesData.info 206 Reserve XING Harmony on the Lakes 3 2.5 2005 13 $ 190,000.00 812 Poplar TER Harmony on the Lakes 4 2.5 2009 9 $ 205,000.00 639 Lorimore PASS Harmony on the Lakes 4 2.5 2007 13 $ 243,000.00 403 Deepstream XING Harmony on the Lakes 4 2.5.5 2005 16 $ 260,000.00 180 Lake Reserve WAY Harmony on the Lakes 4 2.5 2007 91 $ 316,500.00 205 Avery CV Harmony on the Lakes 6 5 2006 104 $ 340,000.00 4 2.5 1999 71 $ 175,000.00 110 Blankets Creek WAY Highland Pointe 251 Royal Crescent TER Holly Commons 4 2.5 2006 9 $ 235,000.00 205 Holly Creek WAY Holly Creek Estates 4 3 1984 49 $ 176,000.00 218 OCONEE WAY Holly Mill 3 3 2005 10 $ 117,500.00 124 HOLLY PL Holly Place 3 2.5 2001 2 $ 182,400.00 1523 Kimberly PL Holly Springs Place 3 2 1993 10 $ 136,500.00 300 Lake Sovereign CT Lake Sovereign 5 5.5.5 2000 77 $ 830,000.00 278 Candy LN Lynn HIlls Estates 3 2 1983 56 $ 88,841.00 1014 Boxwood LN Manor at Bridgemill 4 2.5 2006 25 $ 248,000.00 121 Oak Ridge DR Oak Ridge Springs 3 2.5 1997 12 $ 155,000.00 327 Springs XING Preserve at Holly Springs 4 2.5 2005 32 $ 202,500.00 915 Tamarisk PL Prominence Point 3 2.5 2007 5 $ 133,000.00 502 Sweet Bay CT Prominence Point 4 3 2006 11 $ 156,000.00 105 Plumeria ST Prominence Point 4 2.5 2005 8 $ 152,000.00 208 Etowah WAY Rivers Edge at River Park 3 2.5 2006 3 $ 124,200.00 338 Alcovy WAY Rivers Edge at River Park 3 2.5 2007 22 $ 156,000.00 413 Morgan Falls Chase The Falls Of Cherokee 6 6 1999 6 $ 367,500.00 150 Ilex DR View at Holly Mill 3 2.5 2002 21 $ 122,000.00 138 HOLLY MILL VILLAGE DR View at Holly Mill 3 2.5 2004 11 $ 130,000.00 603 Red Oak CT View at Holly Mill 4 2.5 2003 8 $ 159,000.00 271 Villa Creek PKWY Villas at Downing Creek 3 2 2003 14 $ 172,000.00 Higher interest rates and economic uncertainty are curbing demand slightly. As a result, the market is slowly moving in the direction of a AVERAGES IN OCT 2013 49.96 $ 213,491.00 more balanced seller/buyer market. Get your home on the market now while the supply is still low! Data compiled by the Kurt & Sheila Team / Keller Williams Realty Partners / www.KurtandSheila.com Sales Data derived from the FMLS (Area covered by Sixes Living) Address

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

Subdivision

Beds

Baths

Yr Built

$$/sq ft $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

106.00 90.00 80.00 100.00 103.00 77.00 105.00 74.00 66.00 100.00 53.00 73.00 83.00 101.00 48.00 84.00 70.00 77.00 86.00 94.00 78.00 50.00 87.00 119.00

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

96.00 89.00 100.00 101.00 82.00 72.00 53.00 105.00 66.00 61.00 90.00 75.00 112.00 68.00 No data 108.00 66.00 70.00 86.00 75.00 101.00 80.00 80.00 97.00 65.00 71.00 No data

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

83.12

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

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Circulation: 16,250

SIXES LIVING | December 2013

ADVERTISERS DIRECTORY ATTORNEYS/LEGAL SERVICES Burns & Speights, PC (770) 956-1400, www.bsgalaw.com Merino & Associates (770) 874-4600

FUNERAL HOME 15

Back Cover

AUTOMOTIVE Aspen Falls Auto Spa 6390 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock (770) 591-3630

BridgeMill Auto Care Canton location: (770) 720-0765 EastCobb location: (770) 641-9906

BANKING/FINANCIAL SERVICES Citadel Professional Services, LLC (770) 952-6707 225 Town Park Drive, Suite 440, Kennesaw Gateway Funding, Brian Duncan (404) 860-1300

Back cover

Jeffrey L. Jackson, CPA, LLC (678) 919-1250, www.jjacksoncpa.com

BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS Woodstock Morning Buzz

Canton Historic Downtown Loop

DENTAL

Darby Funeral Home, Inc. (770) 479-2193

Advanced Dental Restorations, LLC 27 (678) 810-0881, BringBackSmiles@gmail.com 1505 Stone Bridge Pkwy., Ste. 220, Woodstock BridgeMill Dentistry Inside Back (770) 704-1812, www.bridgemilldentistry.com 3682 Sixes Road, Canton 30114 Fountain View Dentistry 39 (770) 926-0000, www.fountainviewsmiles.com 1816 Eagle Drive, Bldg. 200, Suite A 5

HEALTH & BEAUTY Azure Salon & Spa (770) 345-8280 1359 Riverstone Pkwy., Suite 110, Canton

Bambu Salon 150 Prominence Point Pkwy., Suite 700, Canton 30114, (770) 345-0027

Envision Health Studio (770) 926-4180, envisionhealthstudio.com 101 Victoria N. Court, Woodstock

Jyl Craven Hair Design (770) 345-9411, www.jylcraven.com

Flooring Zone 25 (855) 344-ZONE, www.FlooringZoneOnline.com Fun Finds & Designs 33 (770) 704-0448, www.FunFindsandDesigns.com 2765 Marietta Hwy., Canton 31

PHOTOGRAPHY

Kim Bates Photography www.KimBatesPhotoArt.com

Inside Back

REAL ESTATE & RELATED SERVICES Capital Property Management (678) 766-1397, www.CapitalRents.com

Keller Williams, Kurt & Sheila Johnson Back Cover (404) 954-2486, www.kurtandsheila.com

Mr. Junk (678) Mr-Junk1

Shadow EFX Lighting (404) 234-0714, ShadowEffectsLighting.com

Uptronix 27 (770) 928-0260, www.uptronix.com PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL SERVICES Georgia Neurobehavioral Associates 9 (770) 213-3594,info@georgianeurobehavioral.com 140 E. Marietta St., Suite 301, Canton Graham Pediatrics, Fitzroy Graham, MD, FAAP (770) 485-9670, www.grahampediatrics.com 105 Mirramont Lake Drive

NMotion Hand and Physical Therapy (770) 517-2288, www.nmotiontherapy.com 970 Woodstock Pkwy., Ste. 300, Woodstock

Cherokee High School Football www.cherokeewarriorsfootball.com

Sequoyah Chiefs Football

Woodstock Wolverines

Yong-In Martial Arts (770) 345-4133

RESTAURANTS/ENTERTAINMENT Elm Street Cultural Arts Village (678) 494-4251, www.elmstreetarts.org

JSL Tour of Homes

Papa P’s (770) 592-3100 2295 Towne Lake Pkwy, Ste. 160, Woodstock

RETAILERS/SHOPPING brooklynn’s 9 (770) 485-0744, www.brooklynns.com Bullock’s Wine and Spirit Warehouse Cover, 34-35 1050 Buckhead Crossing, Woodstock (678) 445-5222, www.bullockswine.com Gifted Ferret, The (770) 693-5889, www.TheGiftedFerret.com 1910 Eagle Drive, Woodstock

Rudi Fine Jewelry (678) 445-2626, rudifinejewelry@yahoo.com 6790 Hwy. 92, Acworth

We would like to thank our advertisers for making this publication possible! SIXES LIVING | December 2013

RECREATION/SPORTS

Interiors at Fun Finds 33 (678) 880-9146, www.InteriorsatFunFinds.com 2751 Marietta Hwy., Canton Ivy Manor Interior Design (770) 592-1444 105 East Main St., Woodstock

BridgeMill Animal Hospital (770) 479-2200, www.bridgemillvet.com 9560 Bells Ferry Road, Canton

HOME & GARDEN

Hammocks Heating & Air (770) 794-042

Inside front

PETS/ANIMALS

Werner Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock (678) 224-5722 www.ChildrensDentistWoodstock.com 250 Parkbrooke Place Suite 250, Woodstock

Salon & Spa Venéssa (770) 591-2079, salonvenessa.com 8516 Main Street

McLellan Excavation & Landscaping 45 (404) 520-0710, www.excavationandlandscaping.com

Towne Lake Driving School 5 (678) 494-2200, www.TowneLakeDrivingSchool.com 1105 Parkside Lane, Suite 1328

Plastic Surgery Center of the South (770) 421-1242 www.plasticsurgerycenterofthesouth.net

Wellstar (770) 956-STAR

Pearle Vision 13 (770) 479-0500, 1455 Riverstone Pkwy., Ste. 100, Canton (770) 607-1449, 239 Market Place Blvd., Cartersville

Spillane Orthodontics (770) 928-4747, www.SpillaneOrtho.com 335 Parkway 575, Suite 200, Woodstock

Holdheide Academy & Prep (770) 516-2292, www.MyGiftedKids.org 5234 Hwy. 5, Woodstock 30188

Salon Gloss (678) 483-8900, www.SalonGloss.biz 220 Chamber Street, Woodstock

LawnSmith 43 (678) 445-4283, wwwlawnsmithinc.net

EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION

Northside Cherokee Cardiology (770) 924-5095 100 Stone Forest Dr., Ste. 130, Woodstock 210 Oakside Ln., Ste. 210-B, Canton

Massage Envy (770) 928-0800 134 Woodstock Square Ave., Woodstock

S. Bruce O’Neal, DDS (770) 924-8848

Williams Orthodontics (770) 592-5554 145 Towne Lake Pkwy, Suite 201, Woodstock (770) 345-4155 205 Waleska Road, Suite 1A, Canton www.DrWilliamsOrthodontics.com

Northside Hospital – Cherokee (770) 720-5100, www.northside.com 201 Hospital Road, Canton

Shefa Urgent Care & Wellness Center 3 (678) 245-6244 shefawellness.com, shefaurgentcare.com 2000 Village Professional Dr. Suite 200, Canton

Carpet Dry-Tech (678) 368-5991

(Cosmetic, Family, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics and Pediatric)

Park Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock (770) 926-9260 www.PediatricWoodstockDentist.com 1816 Eagle Drive Suite 200-C

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