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AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

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December 2014

Volume 2, Issue 2

16 The Experts Weigh In

So THAT’s how Santa fits down the chimney!

18 Santa Tim

This Santa’s magic has made the national news.

46

30 139 Christmases

Historic Dean House has seen its share of holidays.

33 Everyday Angels

Freak accident changes life of Air Force Reserves member.

44 SORBA Season Finale

Duathlon participants enjoyed a warm day at Rope Mill Park.

39 Bread Pudding

Woodstock chef shares recipe for a special holiday dessert.

55 Greenprints Trail

The map is now a standing feature in your Around Woodstock resource pages.

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Contributing Writers Chantal Adams Patti Brady Dr. Angelina Cain Michael Caldwell G. Lora Grooms Dr. Scott Harden Dr. Jan Henriques Beth Hermes Jenna Hill Dan Jape Sean Kaufman Mark Kissel Ann Litrel

20 30 49 36 14 50 52 31 19 42 37 45 38

In Every Issue Dr. Mike Litrel

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Around Woodstock

4

Rob Macmillan

43

Community News

8

Matt Neal

25

Celebrations

12

Premier Group

13

Lisa Randall

44

Community Calendar

18

Lynne Saunders

40

Dining Guide

40

Susan Schulz

21

Everyday Angels

29

David Silverman

39

School News

46

Jodi Tiberio

26

Recent Home Sales

53

Lynne Watts

22

Parking Map

54

Ross Wiseman

28

GreenPrints Trail Map

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Contact us and view the magazine online at

www.AroundWoodstock.com

32 & 33 On the Cover Leaning Ladder Premium Olive Oils and Vinegars. Sue Hasslinger and Bridget Griffin. Photo by Kim Bates.

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

Join the Around Woodstock magazine fan page

www.facebook.com/AroundWoodstockMagazine

www.twitter.com/AroundWoodstock

Patty Ponder, ALM President and Marketing & Advertising Sales.

Contact her at (770) 615-3322 or Patty@aroundaboutmagazines.com.

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It’s time to take care of yourself.

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Lung Cancer Screenings

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Digital Mammography Screenings *

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Give yourself or a loved one a gift of health with a heart screening, digital mammography screening or lung cancer screening. Or treat yourself by using your Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

For more information or to schedule your screening today, please call 770-956-STAR (7827).

770-956-STAR wellstar.org

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*Prices are available for a limited time. Screenings are self-pay only and not covered by insurance. To qualify for a screening, certain criteria must be met via our screeners at 770-956-STAR (7827).

AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

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Community

AROUND WOODSTOCK The People, The Places and The Pleasures that make Woodstock Merry Christmas, Woodstock!

The downtown area has been transformed into a Christmas wonderland with hundreds of silver, red, turquoise, green and orange Christmas balls dangling from the lighted trees downtown.

We can thank the volunteers with GROW for creating such a fun and festive vibe downtown. GROW (Green Reaps Opportunity for Candi Hannigan is the Woodstock) is a nonprofit design executive editor of Around committee that works to improve Woodstock. She has lived in Cherokee County for 25 downtown Woodstock through years. Send your comments design, beautification and green or questions to Candi@ projects.

AroundAboutMagazines.com Renee Gable, GROW’s marketing and publicity chairman, said more decorations were added this year to include areas in the city park and gazebo, and along Chambers Street — in collaboration with Woodstock parks and recreation department. It takes a team of 21 volunteers and laborers a total of 364 hours to complete this project from start to finish. And if you tend to feel sad when Christmas is over and the decorations are packed away, take heart. The festive white lights on the trees will stay year round!

Another GROW initiative that’s in the works will be funded with the $2,700 raised by voting in the Scarecrow Invasion.

Volunteers are working on plans to add outdoor sculptures in the Main Street area of downtown. Renee said the next step is to formalize a location recommendation and design plan and present it to city council within six months. Installation could begin as soon as city officials approve the project.

What’s Changed Chad Atkinson has joined Hennsler Financial as an insurance specialist. The Cherokee County resident is active in the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce, on the board of directors for Cherokee FOCUS and Give a Kid a Chance, and helps numerous nonprofits in the county. Atkinson is a U.S. Navy veteran and earned a bachelor of business administration in finance from Kennesaw State University. catkinson@henssler.com.

In the Works The community development department of the city of Woodstock received an application for 8722 Main St., to construct a restaurant/recording studio/live music hall. The application will be on the agenda of the January Planning Commission meeting.

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

Chanukah Celebration The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta will host a menorah lighting that begins at 5 p.m. Dec. 16 with an ice carving of a menorah and a performance by the Atlanta Jewish Male Choir. Chabad of Cobb in Kennesaw is leading the festivities.

Rabbi Zalman Charytan with Cherokee County Commissioner Buzz Ahrens at last year’s menorah lighting.

What’s New The Pampered Peacock Party Palace, now open at 7031 Main St. in Woodstock, is a special events venue that hosts birthday and holiday parties, bridal showers, ladies night out events and large group spa parties. (678) 540-7601. www.thepamperedpeacock.com.

Mike the Mechanic has opened a location at 3155 Parkbrooke Circle in Woodstock. (770) 928-2828. The automobile repair and service center accepts foreign and domestic cars, offering routine checkups, tuneups, brake replacement or repair. www.mikethemechanic.com.

Letters to Santa!

It’s time to drop off your letters to Santa in the North Pole mailbox! The mailbox is in the gazebo at The Park at City Center (101 Arnold Mill Road) until Dec. 18. Kids who send a letter will get a personalized letter back from Santa just before Christmas.

OB/GYN Offices Located in Canton and Towne Lake

Get back to living your life.

For heavy periods, cramps, bladder leakage, fatigue, mood swings, pelvic discomfort and vaginal rejuvenation, we can help.

Contact us for simple solutions that will get your life back on track.

770-720-7733 www.cherokeewomenshealth.com www.facebook.com/cherokeewomenshealth AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

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Woodstock

COMMUNITY BOARD

AROUND

The Around Woodstock Community Board consists of well-respected community leaders, from different walks of life. Our Board assists us in many ways including contributing to our magazine, judging our annual Trailblazer award and providing valuable feedback.

Publisher AroundAbout Local Media, Inc. ALM President Patty Ponder Patty@AroundAboutMagazines.com (770) 615-3322

Kris McKeeth, Team Leader and Visionary - Kris is very active in the Cherokee/Cobb Counties as well as the local community. As a resident of Woodstock for many years, she has the experience and relationships in the area to be an excellent real estate advisor. Her 25+ years of experience in real estate has opened the door for endless opportunities in addition to providing direction and vision to TPG from her location’s base in downtown Woodstock. Serving on the Business Board of downtown Woodstock and as the President of Etowah Foundation are a couple of her current commitments to the community.

Darleen Prem is a photography artist specializing in natural light portrait photography, and she enjoys working dog, pet and family photography. Darleen learned her craft from her late father, who served as a NAVY photographer. Darleen’s studio is in downtown Woodstock, where she spends much of her time photographing local events for the city of Woodstock, and serves as the official “unofficial” photographer for both the Woodstock fire and police departments. She volunteers for many local community charities and is the proud mom of an Army Military Police Officer serving overseas.

Ross Wiseman is a father of four, the husband of one, and a pastor and friend to many. He has served as the founding and current pastor of Momentum Church since 2005. The joys and struggles of over 21 years of ministry and 19 years of marriage have given Ross a broad perspective of the human condition. With humor and subtle depth, Ross loves to challenge, inspire and instruct people in what it takes for better living, loving, and laughter. ross@momentumchurch.tv.

Beth Hermes is a graduate of Auburn University’s School of Journalism, and a professional writer for more than 26 years. Her work has appeared in magazines, newspapers and online publications. She also has created award-winning marketing campaigns for corporations and non-profit organizations. beth@eirismarketing.com Suzanne Litrel is a Young Adult historical fiction author and doctoral student in GSU’s graduate history program. Suzanne resides with her family in downtown Woodstock, which she is very happy to call home. slitrel@aol.com.

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

Marketing Support Associate Christie Deese Christie@AroundAboutMagazines.com (770) 615-3324 Executive Editor Candi Hannigan Candi@AroundAboutMagazines.com (770) 615-3309 Assistant Editor Jackie Loudin Jackie@AroundAboutMagazines.com (770) 615-3318 Art Director Michelle McCulloch Michelle@AroundAboutMagazines.com (770) 615-3307 Graphic Designer Laura Latchford Laura@AroundAboutMagazines.com Around Woodstock, 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 Woodstock and surrounding area by providing residents with positive stories and timely information. It distributes a total of 16,300 free copies. Approximately 15,000 are direct mailed to homes and businesses and an additional 1,300 are placed in racks around the community. See page 61 for a distribution map. Around Woodstock also has many digital viewers of the magazine online each month.

Around Woodstock welcomes your comments, stories, and advertisements. The deadline is the 5th of the previous month.

Subscriptions are available for $24 per year. Send check or money order to the address below.

The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the editor/ publisher and the publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned.

Around Woodstock is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher.

All rights reserved. © Copyright 2014.

Around Woodstock 2449 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, GA 30189 Advertising: Patty Ponder, (770) 615-3322 Website: www.AroundWoodstockMagazine.com Powered by TrustWorkz, Inc.

Volume 2, Issue 2

AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

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Community

YOUR LOCAL NEWS Countywide Art Ramble an Open-Studio Tour The 3rd annual North Georgia Art Ramble, set for 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 6-7, is a free self-guided tour of 30 studios, galleries and art centers situated in seven North Georgia counties, specifically in the towns of Woodstock, Canton, Ball Ground, Waleska, Milton, Roswell, Calhoun, Cartersville, Marietta, Ellijay, Rydal, Jasper, Cumming and Buford.

More than 50 artists are participating and will demonstrate their unique techniques, talk about what inspires them and how that spark finds its way into their art. For a map of the locations and more details, call (770) 605-9915, email ngaartramble@gmail.com or visit www.ngaartramble.com.

This year, the Cherokee Arts Center is hosting a month-long Ramble exhibit that will end in mid December. Each participating artist has a sample of his or her work in the exhibit. Hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday at the Center, located at 94 North St. in Canton. www.cherokeearts.org.

AARP Members Donate Food Members of the Woodstock chapter of AARP donated 15 boxes of canned goods to the St. Vincent DePaul food pantry at St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church. Each year members take a collection for the pantry, and this year Featherstone’s Restaurant contributed to the collection. The group meets at 11:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the Towne Lake Hills golf club restaurant.

For more info, contact Rich Sanford at (770) Rich and Marge Sanford make the food delivery.

926-1944.

Northside Hospital Expands Pediatric Imaging Services Northside Hospital has added pediatric sedation for MRI and CT imaging at the Northside/Cherokee Towne Lake Imaging Center in Woodstock. Dr. Tanya Fields and Dr. Kavitha Bareddy lead the center’s pediatric team alongside PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)-certified sedation nurses. After each exam, Northside’s PACS (Picture Archiving and Communications Systems) allows the radiologist and the child’s referring physician to view images simultaneously from their own offices and computers. This enables them to directly discuss each child’s case and determine an accurate diagnosis much faster. Both parents and referring physicians are always kept in the information loop and results are typically available in less than 24 hours.

Northside/Cherokee Towne Lake Imaging and the Northside Cherokee/Towne Lake Medical Campus are located at 900 Towne Lake Parkway. www.northside.com.

Scarecrow Invasion Results The winners in Woodstock’s Scarecrow Invasion - A New You Skin & Body Clinic finished first, followed by second-place Arnold Mill Elementary School Garden Club and third-place Thomas Eye Group. Rounding out the top 10 are Cherokee Christian High School Art Guild in fourth place, Oasis Hair Salon in fifth, Dentistry of Olde Towne in sixth, Curves of Woodstock in seventh, Animal Hospital of Towne Lake in eighth, Bark Station in ninth, and Woodstock Elementary School Bus Drivers in 10th.

This year’s competition featured 72 scarecrows, which were displayed along Main Street during October. Winners were determined by votes from the public, cast for $1 each. The fundraiser netted $2,500, which benefit the city’s GROW committee, which is the design and beautification committee for First Place: Main Street Woodstock.

A New You 8

AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

Second Place: Arnold Mill Elementary

Third Place: Thomas Eye Group

AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

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Community

YOUR LOCAL NEWS A Quiet Year for Run for Erin Run for Erin supporters gathered at Hobgood Park on Oct. 18 for a modified version of the annual fundraising event for the National MPS Society. Close to $2,000 was raised in honor of Erin Peters, who suffers from MPS III, a life-threatening, debilitating disease. Due to extenuating circumstances (the death of Erin’s grandmother), the 15th annual event was postponed to either the last Saturday of September or the first Saturday of October in 2015

From left: Stacy and Tom Peters (Erin’s parents), Erin’s sister Kelly on Facetime on the phone, Erin Peters, Jim Murphy (Erin’s grandfather) and Ben Peters (Erin’s brother).

Athletes Compete to Raise Funds for Bert’s Big Adventure The Strongside Competition, held recently at Strongside on Hwy. 92 in Woodstock, raised $600 for Bert’s Big Adventure, a charity that raises money to take chronically and terminally ill children and their families to Disney World. This year’s event attracted 60 athletes, 30 volunteers and 100 spectators. Athletes ages 20 to 54 participated in beginner through elite divisions designed to find the most fit individuals. Plans are underway for the 2015 event. www.the-strongside.com.

Educators Honored for Military Service The Gamma Eta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma in Cherokee County honored teachers who are also veterans at the meeting held on Veterans Day. Honorees were Brenda Guyer of Creekview High School, Beverly Murphy of Teasley Middle School, Jessica Carter of R.M. Moore, Kathy Ford of Hasty Fine Arts Academy, Susan Costa and Julie Ziemecki of Carmel Elementary, and Judy Bonnell of Woodstock High School. Delta Kappa Gamma’s mission is to promote professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.

Next Steps Moves to New Location Next Steps Ministries, a nonprofit that helps individuals with special needs and disabilities and their families in a loving and safe Christian environment, has moved to a new location on Turner Road off North Arnold Mill Road. The ministry offers a variety of programs that includes therapeutic day care, job skills, Saturday respite and school break and summer camps for schoolage clients.

The new 2.3-acre site offers wide open spaces, two kitchens, a sensory room, better flooring and bathrooms for mobility needs.

The job skills program has expanded, and a washer and dryer have been added for training purposes. The new facility will accommodate more clients, especially in the summer, when there are waiting lists. The land will give ministry leaders a chance to expand the building as needed.

For more information, call (770) 592-1227 or visit www. nextstepministries.net 10

AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

Children’s Center Has New Resource Development Director The Anna Crawford Children’s Center, a program of the Cherokee Child Advocacy Council, Inc., has named Tabatha Martin as the new resource development director. Her focus will be to generate funding, garner community support and increase awareness for the center. She will work with community leaders and partners to achieve ongoing Tabatha Martin funding strategies that will allow the nonprofit organization to continue to expand the treatment and preventative services for child abuse victims and their families.

Tabatha has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Reinhardt University and a background in marketing, event planning, and customer relations. Tabatha can be reached at (678) 504-6388 ext. 113 or tmartin@cherokeechildadvocates.org. www.cherokeechildadvocates.org.

Swim Coach Earns Special Honor Stingrays swim coach Kim Seaman has been named Coach of the Month for USA Swimming’s “Women in Coaching” publication. Coach Kim is the Stingrays LAPS Program Director Kim Seaman for the 12 and under age group. “I believe our LAPS program is so valuable for this generation of youth as we seek to encourage health, fitness, and a love for sport in general through the avenue of swimming,” she said. www.stingraysswimming.com

WE VOLUNTEER AND DONATE TO CHEROKEE SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZATIONS. BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT NEIGHBORS DO. Northside Hospital-Cherokee has given more than 10,000 volunteer hours and donated millions to Cherokee schools and charitable organizations. Because Cherokee County is not only the location of our hospital, it is our home. Most of our physicians and staff live right here.

Our children go to school with yours and we shop at the local grocery stores with you. Since becoming part of the community in 1997, Northside Hospital-Cherokee is committed to keeping this county great. Because, after all, it’s our home, too.

Cherokee’s community hospital.

Northside.com AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

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Community

Citizen of the Year Named Jim Drinkard has been awarded the 2014 Barbara G. Ingram Citizen of the Year award, given annually

by Preservation Woodstock, Inc., previously Woodstock Centennial Commission, to a Woodstock area citizen who has made notable contributions toward the preservation of the city’s heritage.

The presentation ceremony will take place at the gazebo in the Park at City Center after the Dec. 6 Christmas parade.

Jim’s connection to the city goes back a few generations.

“I am the grandson of Linton Dean, who opened Dean’s Store in 1906 with his father. Dean’s Store serves as the City’s Visitor Center. I assisted my aunt Alice Dean Felton, several years ago in the renovation of the store, while preserving its historic charm. My father served as mayor of Woodstock from 19601963.”

Jim is the current chair of Preservation Woodstock, which works with the city and the Downtown Development Authority to promote preservation of the older structures in town, maintains a website that highlights the city’s history and historic structures, has bought and installed plaques on these structures and promotes exhibits and programs that call attention to the history and heritage of Woodstock.

Happy Birthday!

Isabella Cloete Age 2 on Dec. 10 You complete us!

Love, Mommy, PaPa and Hanna

Luke Daniele Age 6 on Dec. 2 We love you Lukeeeee!!!

Love, Daddy, Mommy and Kate

Hudson Lear Turning 2 on Dec. 25 Happy birthday to our Christmas miracle.

Mommy and Daddy love you so much!

Celebrations!

Chloe Dobson Age 13 on Dec. 15 Happy birthday, Sweetheart!

Love, Mommy, Daddy and Owen

Austin Tobias Wheeler Riddle Age 5 on Dec. 15 Happy Birthday, Austin!

Your family loves you so much!!

Love, Mommy, Daddy, Allison and Evan

Wedding, Birthday and Anniversary Announcements are Free!

E-mail to: Candi@ AroundAboutMagazines.com January deadline is Dec. 5.

Cindy & Jay Troxel Married October 4, 2014 From cap and gown, to wedding gown, and happily ever after

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

Sondra Calhoun & Greg Cordak Will be married Dec. 31, 2014 “You are the sweetest man I know. I look forward to a lifetime of love and laughs with you.

Home Buyer Tip: Always Get a Survey

BY THE PREMIERE GROUP

The number one rule of buying a home is this: know what you’re getting. Buying real estate is one of the biggest investments most people make, so it pays to know exactly what you are getting. Most people know that you should have a home inspection before buying property; what purchasers often miss are the actual boundaries and limitations of that property. Fortunately, you can easily find out by getting a residential property survey.

What is a residential property survey?

A property survey is a sketch or map of a piece of land showing the home’s placement on the property as well as the property’s boundaries and other physical features, such as roads, creeks and adjoining plots. Residential property surveys usually include the locations of houses and other structures like storage sheds, fences, driveways and guest houses. Depending on the extent of the survey, it may also include information like property easements.

When arranging for a survey, make sure you ask for the property corners to be staked. Some land surveyors include this in their service, while others charge extra. Having stakes demarcate the end of your property can be useful for things like installing a fence. It is important to note that the wooden stakes placed by the surveyor are not the property markers and could be off by a few feet. The actual property markers are rebar stakes driven into the ground with metal or durable plastic caps on the end.

Why do you need a survey when buying a house?

Having a survey done before buying a home is a smart choice that will give you a fuller understanding of the property. There are many situations when a survey can come in handy, including: • Building constraints. If you have plans to add on to the home with a deck, porch, or room addition, a survey is crucial. There may be building restrictions that are not immediately visible to a homeowner that a surveyor would detect. Even minor issues, like utility easements, can dictate where a fence or shed can be built.

• Property disputes. If you think a neighbor is encroaching on your space, you’ll need a property survey to prove it. A survey will also help you avoid accidentally invading your neighbor’s property with your home improvement projects.

Preventing sale issues. This is especially important with new construction homes. If a prior survey was done on the unbuilt land, it’s important to know where the home is situated on the lot. While it may seem far-fetched, it’s not unheard of for a home to be partially built on a neighboring plot.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

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Community

Experience Elm Street A Lucky 13 Years

BY G. LORA GROOMS

CITY CENTER • WOODSTOCK

DECEMBER

12, 13, 19, 20 AT 7:30PM 6 & 24 AT 2:00PM

Call or visit us on the web to learn about our

WINTER CLASSES ELMSTREETARTS.ORG 678.494.4251

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

December 2011 … that’s when I purchased the domain name for the Towne Lake Arts Center. The official opening was in February 2002. Some of you may even remember our old location off Bells Ferry Road. I took whatever savings I had from teaching drama and music since 1990 and poured it into starting a new venture. This means we’ve been in business in Cherokee County and Woodstock for a very lucky 13 years.

G. Lora Grooms is the During that time we’ve gone director for the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village. from holding one week of She has been teaching, summer camp to eight weeks. writing, directing and We’ve gone from producing one performing in the Atlanta show per month to sometimes area since 1990. You can two or three per month, not reach her at director@ to mention additional events elmstreetarts.org such as concerts, recitals and pageants.

In 2005 the TowneLaker and Sixes Living magazines began a partnership with us, donating ad and editorial space, which continues to this day. No doubt many of you found out about us because of this generous, long-term sponsorship.

In 2011 we changed our name and moved from a small 120-seat venue with minimal facilities and parking to the very heart of downtown Woodstock, thanks to Mayor Donnie Henriques and the city council. We added a wonderful outdoor stage in 2014 thanks to Resurgens Orthopaedics, the Woodstock DDA and the Main Street Association.

Walton Homes has provided infrastructure to the Village site at the corner of Elm and Market streets. Mondo Land Planning, Austin Outdoors and Highland Waterworks have created our Event Green. The Greenprints Alliance completed the Downtown Trail Spur which starts at the Village.

We are so incredibly fortunate as an arts organization to benefit from these creative, insightful partnerships.

Sadly, we’ve also watched a handful of nearby theater groups disappear during the economic downturn. How have we managed to survive when some did not? How did we get so lucky?

Certainly the above-mentioned partnerships have had a lot to do with our continued existence.

So, maybe it hasn’t all been 13 years of incredibly good luck. There have been many long work days and tons of community and civic support. Our volunteers are the best you’ll find anywhere - and that includes a working board of directors. And for all of that, we are truly grateful as we move into 2015 with vibrant new programming and a sincere appreciation for our patrons and the community we serve.

Feature

Holiday Highlights 16 - So THAT’s How Santa Does It! 18 - A Festive Calendar 22 - Light Up Your Christmas 25 - Cherokee’s Famous Santa “Santa At Rest” painting courtesy of Ann Litrel, annlitrel.com

AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

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Feature

So THIS is how Santa does it!

At this magical time of the year, we thought it would be helpful to get a little insight from students at Woodstock, Johnston and Mountain Road elementary schools to help us understand the mysteries of the season.

How does Santa get down the chimney?

Quinton Z.

William C.

Nolan L.

Brendan M.

He climbs up your house, then falls in the fireplace!

—Caroline McLain, first grade, Woodstock The thingy in your house - the hole.

—Jose Burgos, Kindergarten, Mountain Road Powers.—Quinton Zomer, first grade, Johnston He walks with his feet down the chimney.

—Nina Beale, Kindergarten, Woodstock He uses his nose, he just touches his nose and that makes him slide down the chimney.

—Nicholas Colon, Kindergarten, Mountain Road He uses magic cuz he can’t fit in the chimney cuz he is fat. —William Candler, first grade, Woodstock Shrinks - my mom always tells me he shrinks like magic. —Reese Ploeger, Kindergarten, Mountain Road He climbs down it like a ladder. —Dillon Talley, Kindergarten, Woodstock He magically makes himself tinier.

—Aiden Faber, Kindergarten, Mountain Road He doesn’t. He’s too fat. He just drops the presents down the chimney.

—Nolan Lester, Kindergarten, Woodstock He probably just uses the front door.

—Bailey Greene, Kindergarten, Mountain Road Puts his feet on a rope and drop down with his legs.

—Cole Harvey, Kindergarten, Mountain Road He jumps and climbs down with his hands .

—Kamren Toth, first grade, Woodstock He brings the presents down the chimney but I don’t know. —Brendan McGuffey, Kindergarten, Mountain Road I don’t really stay up that late. I don’t really know. I don’t go downstairs. —Marlow Chastie, Kindergarten, Mountain Road

What do the elves do while the children are sleeping?

Laila B.

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They sit on the shelf.

—Bailey McGuffey, Kindergarten, Mountain Road They go fly out and sit and watch to see if the kids are being bad.

—Laila Beale, first grade, Woodstock They go and move places.

—Evie Basting, Kindergarten, Johnston Write the names on the presents.

—Rebecca Tirado, Kindergarten, Mountain Road

AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

They put toys in Santa’s sled.

—Gregory Gherbaz, first grade, Woodstock Well, no elves ever come to our house.

They just stay in the sleigh. —Daniel Price, Kindergarten, Mountain Road Go different places and mine moved from a shelf to the tree! How did it get there?

—Jack Robinson, Kindergarten, Johnston They are hiding while we sleep.

—Ben LeClaire, Kindergarten, Woodstock They go tell Santa how the children are acting. —Garrett Hendrix, Kindergarten, Johnston They make tip toe sounds.

—Emily Ruiz, Kindergarten, Woodstock They play with the toys.

—Lucas Rigsby, Kindergarten, Woodstock They help Santa arrange the presents under the tree. —Tate Butka, first grade, Woodstock They are making toys like stuffed bears.

—Abigail Peppers, first grade, Woodstock They make cars for little kids.

—Cash Blair, first grade, Woodstock

What do reindeer eat?

These little corn bits. They are like seeds.

—Logan Robinson, first grade, Woodstock Little bites of a vine.

—Caleb Donaldson, Kindergarten, Johnston Magic food.

—John Allen Graham, Kindergarten, Mountain Road They eat deer, bushes and trees.

—William Candler, first grade, Woodstock They drink water and sometimes they like to eat fruit. —Marlow Chastie, Kindergarten, Mountain Road Magic reindeer food.—Dylan Hdasek, Kindergarten, Johnston Spaghetti and meatballs.

—Donovan Guerrero, Kindergarten, Woodstock Carrots. I know because I watched Frozen and Sven eats carrots. —Sara O’Brien, Kindergarten, Mountain Road Pancakes.

—Niko Diaz, first grade, Woodstock Mac and cheese.

—Grace Lobrano, Kindergarten, Woodstock

Gregory G.

Garrett H.

Tate B.

John Allen G.

Dylan H.

Grace L.

How does Santa travel the world in just one night?

He stops time. —Andrew Tyson, Kindergarten, Woodstock He rides on rollerblades.—Bailey McGuffey, Kindergarten, Mountain Road He stirs the wheel fast. —Chloe Tate, Kindergarten, Woodstock Because his sleigh goes so fast with reindeer having pixie dust and flying away.

—Ashlyn Kilgore, Kindergarten, Johnston With the reindeers flying.

—Luis Nieves, first grade, Woodstock Because by his elves helping. He has 1,000 elves. —Eddie Davis, first grade, Woodstock Ashlyn K. With his big sled or whatever it’s called.

—Regan Trlica, Kindergarten, Mountain Road Because the reindeer run super-fast around the sky.—Tristan Roberts, Kindergarten, Woodstock He goes through the time tunnel and delivers the presents. —Eli Speer, first grade, Woodstock His sleigh has super speed powers.

—Noah Garner, first grade, Woodstock Eli S. He has a sled and on the back there are some deers. —Brendan McGuffey, Kindergarten, Mountain Road

Why is Rudolph’s nose red?

Langston L.

Sara O.

Kathlyn M.

Davis M.

Cuz he’s Rudolph the RED NOSED reindeer!

—Langston Lowry, first grade, Woodstock Because his name is Rudolph and his name starts with r like red. —Jose Burgos, Kindergarten, Mountain Road It’s hot.—Ayden Lavery, Kindergarten, Johnston He drank lots of fruit punch.

—Eric Jacinto, Kindergarten, Woodstock It’s his favorite color.

—Sara O’Brien, Kindergarten, Mountain Road Cuz he eats magic reindeer food.

—Dylan Hdasek, Kindergarten, Johnston Because he’s Rudolph.—Maggie Barfield, first grade, Johnston Because that’s how God made him.

—Abi Santarone, Kindergarten, Mountain Road Because he knew he was going to fly with Santa and that’s why he got a red nose.

—Kathlyn McClure, first grade, Woodstock Because he eats a lot of sparkly stuff!

—Toryn Guevara, Kindergarten, Johnston Because it’s itchy. —Zach Muir, Kindergarten, Woodstock Because Santa’s shirt is red. —Landen Long, Kindergarten, Woodstock His nose is hot. —Blake Jensen, first grade, Woodstock He didn’t put cream on his nose.

—Kaylee Wood, Kindergarten, Woodstock Maybe because he’s special.

—Davis Manwaring, Kindergarten, Johnston He itched too hard.

—Michelle De Alba, Kindergarten, Woodstock

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

She makes dinner. Cookies and milk.

—Luis Nieves, first grade, Woodstock Be lazy.

—Haley Gibbs, Kindergarten, Johnston Kisses Santa Claus (with giggles!)

—John Allen Graham, Kindergarten, Mountain Road To fly around with Santa.

—Alex Tobias, first grade, Woodstock She makes sure Santa gets lots of sleep.

—Cameron Bennett, Kindergarten, Johnston To stay home with the elves and make sure they are building toys.

—Alaina Bond, first grade, Woodstock To clean Santa’s clothes.

—Logan Robinson, first grade, Woodstock She eats.

—Kara Meadows, Kindergarten, Woodstock Celebrate with Santa.

—Jackson Sutton, Kindergarten Mountain Road She does everything for Santa, like wash his clothes. But not get him dressed!

—Grace Ferrell, Kindergarten, Mountain Road To rule the North Pole Kingdom!

—Krish Patel, first grade, Woodstock Gets milk for reindeer to drink and she flies on a broom.

—Monica Jorczak, Kindergarten, Mountain Road She’s staying at home watching her children play outside.

—Declan Creaden, Kindergarten, Woodstock She wraps up the presents and tells Santa where to go.

—Bradyn Aldrich, first grade, Woodstock Watches Christmas movies.

—Saiya Patel, Kindergarten, Woodstock She has to make all the clothes.

—Avery Sligh, first grade, Woodstock Looking after the elves. It’s like the elves are Santa and Mrs. Claus’ children.

—Max Butera, Kindergarten, Mountain Road To wake him up.

—Bella Tison, first grade, Woodstock To make Santa laugh.

—Mekhi McCray, first grade, Woodstock She sits at home and waits and sits in her chair and reads.

—Annika Dinescu, Kindergarten, Mountain Road

Alex T.

Kara M.

Grace F.

Declan C.

Avery S.

Annika D.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

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Feature

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Dec. 2

A Visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus: 5:50-7 p.m. at the Ball Ground Public Library. 435 Old Canton Road, Ball Ground. Children are invited to make their own special Christmas craft to take home. Cookies and punch will be served. For more information, call the library (770) 735-2025.

Dec. 4

Surviving the Holidays: Hillside United Methodist Church is offering a 7 p.m. seminar designed to equip those facing a first Christmas alone after a divorce or family death. Among the topics: how to be prepared for surprising emotions that may hit over the holidays, what to do about family traditions, how to survive potentially awkward moments, how to help your children and where to find comfort, strength and hope. Presented

by DivorceCare. A $5 survival guide will be available at the seminar.

Registration is helpful but not required. Free drop-in childcare available.

The church is at 4474 Towne Lake Parkway. www.hillsideumc.org.

A Visit from Santa is planned for 5:30-7 p.m. at the Rose Creek Library, 4476 Towne Lake Parkway in Woodstock, with refreshments and crafts for the little ones to create.

Dec. 4, 11, 18

Financial Counseling Workshops will be held 7-8:30 p.m. at Hillside United Methodist Church, 4474 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock. Budgeting workshop on Dec. 11, debt elimination workshops Dec. 4 and Dec. 18. Free childcare available. (770) 924-4777. www.hillsideumc.org.

Dec. 5-7

All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast with Santa: Bring the kids, friends and family members and let the River Ridge High School baseball players serve you pancakes and get a picture of the kids with Santa from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the cafeteria at River Ridge High School (parking and entrance on the back side of the school). $5 tickets available at the door. www. riverridgebaseball.org.

The Woodstock Christmas Jubilee and Parade of Lights will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Woodstock Elementary School, with a gathering at the Park at City Center after the parade. www.woodstockga.gov.

The Mystery of the Manger: 6:30 p.m. at Woodstock Christian Church, 7700 Highway 92, Woodstock. The children’s choir will perform a free musical exploring the truth of the Gospel and the good news of God’s love. www.woodstockchristian.org.

Holly Springs Christmas Parade begins at 1:30 p.m., winding through downtown Holly Springs on Holly Springs Parkway and ending at the Train Depot. After the parade, visit with Santa and receive a complimentary photo. Outside the Depot enjoy entertainment, hot cocoa and treats and participate in a children’s craft. www.hollyspringsga.us.

Breakfast with Santa 9-11 a.m. in the fellowship hall at Bascomb United Methodist Church, 2295 Bascomb Carmel Road, Woodstock. A Christmas Cantata will begin at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7 in the sanctuary.

Appalachian Bicycle/Toy Give-away: 10 a.m.-noon Sunnyside Church of God, 2510 E. Cherokee Drive, Woodstock. Dec. 6 is the deadline for donations of bicycles brought to Sunnyside to be delivered to residents of Oceania, W.V., one of the poorest counties in that state.

The Promise: 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday at Woodstock First Baptist Church, 11905 Highway 92, featuring a cast of more than 500, 200-voice choir and 80-piece orchestra. Tickets are $10 and $20. Doors open one hour prior to each performance. Childcare (infants through pre-K) provided. Tickets available at www.fbcw.org.

Dec. 5

Second Annual March of the Toys Parade for Toys for Tots: Beginning at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Ball Ground. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. The parade’s grand marshall will be “Hee Haw” television show personality Diana Goodman. Also included will be the Atlanta Falcon Cheerleaders, the Twilight Twirlers of Marietta, a replica of the 1966 Batmobile, floats, tractors and more. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on stage at City Park for free photos. For more info visit the event’s Facebook page: 2014 March of the Toys Parade for Toys for Tots.

Holly Springs Tree Lighting starts at 6:30 p.m at the train depot with carols and light refreshments. The city is partnering with the Volunteer Aging Council for the Tree of Hope. To order an ornament to be placed on the tree in memory of a friend or loved one, visit www.hollyspringsga.us/ treelighting for more details.

Dec. 6

Swim With the Grinch at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1-5 p.m.

Register in advance to swim and take a photo with the Grinch. Each child receives a Christmas treat. Cost is $7 per child. www.crpa.net.

12th annual Reindeer Run: 8 a.m. fun run followed by the 5K at 8:30 a.m. Races begin and end at the gazebo in Cannon Park. Sponsored by the Service League of Cherokee County; proceeds benefit needy children in Cherokee County. A $1,000 cash prize will be awarded to the school with the most race participants. Anyone can register as a school affiliate to help a school win the award. Santa will pose for photos after the race.

Registration fee is $30. For more details email runforthechildren@yahoo. com. To register, visit www.serviceleague.net or www.active.com (keyword Reindeer Run).

Dec. 7

Canton Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Canton Optimists Club, begins at 6 p.m. A day filled with festivities begins at noon and includes music, vendors and holiday fun. www.canton-georgia.com.

2014 Holiday Lights of Hope: Opens 6 p.m. nightly at Hobgood Park in Woodstock. Admission is $10. Children ages 14 and younger are free.

Features light displays, children’s play area, shopping, concessions and

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

Jesus is Christmas Cantata: 6.p.m. at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 6069 Woodstock Road, Acworth. For more info, visit www.hbcacworth.org.

Motorcycle ride to benefit Child Protective Services: Leave at 12:30 p.m. from the Kroger in Macedonia on Highway 20 with a police escort. Ride ends at the Moose Lodge in Holly Springs. Riders are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy for a child in protective services.

Dec. 11-21

Last Minute Ideas for Shopping and Relaxing

BY JENNA HILL

By the time this article comes out, many of you may have already done all of your holiday shopping. For those of us, me included, who wait until the last minute to do their shopping, there is still time! Downtown Woodstock is the perfect place to finish up your last minute shopping.

You can find something for everyone at the stores in downtown Woodstock: clothing, art, jewelry, olive oil, home décor, cigars, beer, wine, antiques Jenna Hill is a Tourism and more. Make a full day of your Information Assistant shopping excursion by including lunch at the Woodstock Visitors Center. or dinner at one of the downtown jehill@woodstockga.gov restaurants. If you need a gift for the person who has everything, stop by the Woodstock Visitor’s Center and buy Downtown Dollars, which serve as a gift certificate at many of the stores downtown.

While you’re in the Visitor’s Center, check out the new line of merchandise - The Downtown Woodstock Collection. This line offers hoodies, shirts, bumper stickers, water bottles and hats all proudly displaying the Downtown Woodstock logo. Any of these items would make great and unique gifts.

If you are finished with shopping and you’re ready to relax, we have some ideas for you. On Dec. 5, you will be able to enjoy the last Friday Night Live of the season - Christmas in Downtown. It’s a perfect chance to have some fun and visit with Santa - he already has sent his RSVP. Another great tradition is the Christmas Jubilee Parade of Lights at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 6. The parade route has changed this year. The new route will start and end at Woodstock Elementary School. It will travel down Rope Mill Road and onto Main Street. The parade will then turn right onto Towne Lake Parkway and turn left on Mill

Street and right on Market Street. It will then turn left on Fowler Street and make another left on Main Street. The parade will then travel back to Rope Mill Road and end at Woodstock Elementary.

Even though the route has changed, the fun is still the same.

a chance to visit Santa. Proceeds benefit the Anna Crawford Children’s Center. www.cherokeechildadvocates.org.

Drive, Woodstock. Family night of fun. Bring your kids, camera, lawn chairs, enjoy hot cocoa, s’mores, and sing Christmas carols around the campfire.

Dec. 11, 17

CASA Volunteer Advocate Orientation: 6:30-8 p.m. Dec. 11, 9-10:30 a.m.

Dec. 17, CASA Training Room, 100 North Street, Suite G-12, Canton.

Dec. 12

Visit with Santa 5-8 p.m. at Salon 3:16, 97 Grove Park Lane, Woodstock. Get a free photo of your child with Santa. Details: call (770) 485-9791.

Dec. 13

Canes & Cocoa: Pre-register by Dec. 5 for this fun event at the playground at J.J. Biello Park. The cost is $5 per child and children receive a special holiday bag and are sent by age groups to hunt for candy on the field, small playground and large playground. After the hunt, families can enjoy hot cocoa and holiday snacks in the pavilion and “sleigh” rides on a tractor. You never know what special guests may appear! Maybe the Grinch? Santa’s helpers? Santa? Check-in is at 9:30 a.m. Candy hunt starts at 10 a.m.

Dec. 20

S’mores with Santa: 7-9 p.m., Sunnyside Church of God, 2510 E. Cherokee

Dec. 21

Build a gingerbread house with Santa: 6-9 p.m., Sunnyside Church of God, 2510 E. Cherokee Drive, Woodstock. Bring a camera for a photo with Santa and enjoy hot cocoa, cookies and more.

Dec. 24

Christmas Eve service at the Elm Street event green, next to the Walton apartments, will begin at 5 p.m. The 30-minute service will include candlelight, familiar tunes, cookies, coffee and hot chocolate. www. sojournwoodstock.com.

Christmas in Woodstock sponsored downtown by Momentum Church. 4-6 p.m. featuring snow with sledding, cocoa, roasted marshmallows, live music, Santa and photo opportunities. www.christmasinwoodstock.com.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service: 6:30 p.m., Woodstock Christian Church, 7700 Highway 92, Woodstock. www.woodstockchristian.org.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

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Feature

A HOME THAT SAYS

Welcome:HOLIDAY EDITION

BY CHANTEL ADAMS | CHANLYNNADAMS@GMAIL.COM

If our homes reflect our personalities, then the holiday season of parties and open houses is the perfect opportunity to share who we are with our neighbors and friends.

This new storefront on Bells Ferry Road near Towne Lake features handmade wood pieces created by local artists. A variety of holiday themed trees are showcased, but I’m especially partial to the family names crafted from wooden blocks and embellished with twine and burlap. $10/letter. Willow Tree Cottage, 6745 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock.

I can’t do a holiday themed shopping guide without stopping in to visit a favorite local toy store. Learning Express has an entire section devoted to vintage toys. These oldies but goodies will tickle the fancy of both young and old. Set them out for guests to enjoy. Learning Express, 2295 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock. Raggedy Ann & Andy, $34.99 each. Tin Drum $14.99.

Even if you don’t have time to fill your kitchen with the homemade smells of gingerbread and mulled cider, you can purchase one of these Scentsy warmers and wax melts. The soft wax is easily removed, the scent is longlasting and realistic and the price is affordable. Warmers match any decor.

Shop early for limited edition, holiday-themed warmers. Plugins start at $20 ,and fullsized warmers at $35. Visit www.wickfreecandles.com to purchase from a local sales rep.

At Linden, which is now located on Towne Lake Parkway behind Wendy’s, you’ll find an assortment of curated European finds, handcrafted items by local artisans and stunning natural tablescapes. These hand-painted wooden blocks feature beautiful textures and gold leafing. It’s a delightful surprise on a side table in a guest bedroom or perched on a mantle.

Small heart, cross, or angel, $38.

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

This Santa’s Magic Has Made National News

BY SUSAN SCHULZ

While Tim Cavender serves as public featured sharing secrets of the trade on a information officer for the Cherokee County video clip at the USA Today website. http:// Fire Department, he also concerns himself usat.ly/1zAt81o. with Santa’s reputation. It’s important for Being a part of that special reunion was him to do this, since he spends a portion of just one of many of Santa Tim’s precious each year walking in Santa’s boots. moments, like the time a sick little girl When I met Santa Tim in his delightful missed Santa’s visit because she was toyshop, I discovered a man who strives to live up to Santa’s stellar image. Tim admitted to a hospital. After his event, Tim has a generous heart full of love for took the trek to visit her. children and the joy of the true meaning of “When her eyes became wide with Christmas. He credits his dad, who made wonder the moment I walked through sure the magic of Christmas sparkled in the door, I knew I had made the right the Cavender household. His father also choice,” Tim said. “That visit changed me conveyed the value of a life of integrity to forever. Words cannot describe the thrilling his children.

Tim has held onto this honor since age satisfaction God blesses me with when I 15, when he was asked to portray Santa in experience encounters like this.” high school. He almost declined because When I asked Santa Tim for his Christmas he thought the other teens would poke fun, wish, he said, “I hope everyone would make but he learned that even teenagers love an effort to spend some quality time with Santa. Since then, Tim has donned a Santa their loved ones. This is what Christmas is suit for 40 years, and for the past 15 years about.” he has spread the joy of Christmas with Mrs. Claus, Pam Cavender.

And to the naysayers who say Santa takes One of Tim’s favorite memories as Santa away from the true meaning of Christmas, was the year a little girl sat on his lap and Tim answers: “Who’s to say the legend of Santa and Mrs. Claus are regulars at the governor’s asked, “Will you bring my daddy back Santa wasn’t dreamed up to bring love, mansion. from Afghanistan?” Through a series of laughter and a sense of joy back to children? circumstances, Tim was asked to be present at her home when the In a world full of misery and chaos, Santa helps the world focus girl’s father returned home. This moment was captured by a local on the most important day in history: the day the Bethlehem star television station and aired on CNN. View the clip at: http://bit.ly./1uM5NJP Santa and Mrs. Claus also have been pointed to where our Savior was born.”

Santa’s Schedule A quick Santa nap revives him for a busy schedule.

Dec. 5:

Dec. 5: Dec. 6: Dec. 7: Dec. 13:

Dec.14:

Dec. 21:

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Channel 11 Can-A-Thon with Mrs. Claus, at Publix off Barrett Parkway in Kennesaw.

6:30-10 p.m., Ball Ground Christmas parade with Mrs Claus.

5-7 p.m., Canton Christmas parade with Mrs. Claus.

5-8 p.m., Georgia Governor’s mansion with Mrs. Claus.

7-9 p.m., Daily Bread concert with Mrs Claus at the Canton Arts Center.

7-8 p.m., County Line Baptist Church in Pickens County.

7-8 p.m., Oakdale Baptist Church in Canton

www.timandpamcavender.com AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

21

Destinations: Holiday Nights, Magical Lights

BY LYNNE WATTS

Christmas Open House December 6th from 6-10pm

Best Gift Boutique in North Atlanta Your Christmas Headquarters

Giſted Ferret Wine  Giſts  Gourmet

The

www.thegiftedferret.com 770-693-5889 1910 Eagle Dr. Suite 400 Towne Lake - Woodstock

Christmas Light Show Nightly 6pm - Midnight Tune to 92.5FM November 28th - December 31st

Letters To Santa Drop Off Your Letters To Santa At Our Woodstock Secret Santa Workshop Mailbox Santa Will Reply To All Letters With Return Addresses Locally Owned - Support Small Business Open 7 Days A Week

Always get your 13th Bottle Free* *Up to 19.95, restrictions apply

Join Us Saturdays from 6-8pm for Free Wine Tastings 22

AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

One of my favorite things about the Christmas season is the holiday lights. When my children were little, we would load them up in the car and spend hours driving around looking for neighborhoods that went all out in a magical fantasy display. We would even vote for the tackiest lighting display, as well as the most awe-inspiring one.

Many venues today vie for your Lynne Watts is an author, attention with holiday lights that speaker, coach, mom and counselor for Cherokee will amaze and astonish you with County schools. Follow her at their creative brilliance. Venture http://acalledwoman.com/, over to Centennial Olympic http://lynnewatts.com and Park’s Holiday in Lights, a yearly http://wyatthewonderdog.com. tradition. Thousands of sparkling lights transform the park into a winter wonderland. You might even brush a snowflake off your shoulder as you ice skate under the stars. www.centennialpark.com Garden Lights, Holiday Nights is the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s fourth annual extravaganza. It features all-new color schemes and the one-time-only appearance of giant butterflies, a unicorn and frogs from imaginary worlds. You won’t want to miss the orchestral orbs, the glittering galaxy, the radiant rainforest and the model train exhibit. atlantabotanicalgarden.org Travel north to visit Rock City, located on Signal Mountain just six miles outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Enchanted Garden of Lights has more than 30 holiday scenes and a million lights. Children will enjoy gingerbread cookie decorating, hot cocoa and a visit with St. Nick and his busy elves. You might even catch his helpers harvesting candy canes and building toys. www. seerockcity.com/events/entry/enchanted-garden-of-lights A longtime traditional light show, Callaway Garden’s Holiday in Lights, opened in 1992 and today boasts more than a dozen lighted scenes, many with music and animation. Ride the shuttle through the lighted forest and stare in amazement at the displays created just for Callaway Gardens by a team of professionals who formerly worked for Disney’s Imagineering department. After the shuttle ride, visit the Christmas Village where you can shop, have your picture taken with Santa or drink a cup of cocoa. www. callawaygardens.com/events/signature/fantasy-in-lights Closer to home is the Marietta Life Chiropractic College’s Lights of Life. This holiday tradition dates back to 1989 and was always one of my children’s favorites. Families can enjoy the lighting displays as well as a petting zoo, train rides, pony rides and a visit with Santa. www.life.edu/index.php/info/info-visit-life/info-lightsoflife Put the magic in your family’s holiday season and create your own special holiday tradition by visiting one of the many magical lighting displays

Helping Hands

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

Cherokee County Senior Services www.cherokeega.com Volunteers are asked to “adopt” a senior who is currently receiving services through Cherokee County Senior Services and provide him or her with a robe, gown or pajamas, grocery store gift card and a book of stamps. Sizes and gender information will be assigned when volunteers register. Deadline to receive gift packages is Dec. 12. Sponsored by the Volunteer Aging Council and the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency.

To participate, call Frankie Sanders at (770) 924-7768 or email fsanders@ cherokeega.com.

Cherokee Family Violence Center www.cfvc.org Items are needed year-round for the emergency shelter. A few special toys have been added to the list: lapadoodle lap desks for children and Crayola Color Wonders. The center has a transitional housing complex with 72 apartments and emergency shelter that accommodates 12 women and children. Officials are asking for donations of hygiene and paper products, cleaning supplies, batteries and over-the-counter medications for adults and children, feminine products, band-aids, new pajamas and underwear for women and children, and other baby supplies. For delivery details, call (770) 479-4641 or email wendy@cfvc.org.

Cherokee FOCUS www.cherokeefocus.org The agency, which works to improve the lives of children and families through collaborative programs and initiatives, has a wish list that focuses on education. Donors can give a gift to cover the cost of GED testing, college entrance fees, interview clothing, transportation, childcare, etc.

(770) 345-5483.

Feed My Lambs www.feedmylambs.net The nonprofit, which offers free Christian preschools - including a location in Canton - holds Happy Birthday Jesus parties each year for the young students. Individuals or groups can sponsor a child: $10 gets a Happy Birthday Jesus shirt, $25 gets the child a shirt, gift bag, balloon, cake and drink. Groups may be interested in sponsoring a party by providing a portion of party needs (new unwrapped gifts, cupcakes, drinks or T-shirts) or show up to volunteer at the party. For more details, call Maggie Bridges at (770) 795-9349.

Forever Fed www.foreverfed.org The mobile food ministry needs non-perishable food donations for the Food4U/Cans 4 Kids food boxes that are distributed to children at risk of food insecurity in Cherokee County. Each box contain seven meals and seven snacks for one child. For details, call (678) 883-3314 or email susan@foreverfed.org.

Goshen Valley Boys Ranch www.goshenvalley.org Christmas is a time when Goshen Valley Boys Ranch can use extra help feeding the young men who live on the Waleska ranch. “Frozen casseroles are a huge blessing for our house parents who are having to prepare three meals a day when the boys are out of school,” said Zach Blend, residential director. Individuals or small groups are encouraged to donate frozen meals, deliver them in person and take a tour of Goshen Valley. Another holiday need is hooded sweatshirts and warm jackets in sizes from youth XL to adult XXL. Gift cards help fill last-minute Christmas wish lists. Desserts also are needed for the boys’ Christmas party. For more info, email Zach at zblend@goshenvalley.org or call (770) 796-4618.

Healing Hands Youth Ranch www.hhyr.org The ranch has a unique wish list. Founder Jennifer Simonis is asking for donations of hay and gift certificates to Tractor Supply to help the animals during winter months. She also needs scarves, hats, gloves and boots for the at-risk children who come to the ranch to work with the rescue horses.

The program pairs the children and horses in a safe, peaceful environment to facilitate hope and healing. (770) 633-4451.

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) 5174450. www.babyandmorethriftstore.com MUST Ministries - Cherokee www.mustministries.org A Christmas Toy Shop will be open for MUST clients 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 8, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 9-10, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 11, 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 12, 9 a.m.5 p.m. Dec. 16-17, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 18, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 19-20, Dec. 22. Secret Santa Shop will be open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 13. Appointments can be scheduled between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 23 for folks who missed the other shopping opportunities. The toy shop will be held at New Life Church, 154 Lakeside Dr., Canton. To register to receive toys, or get details on making donations, contact Ranettia Beasey at (770) 576-0359 or cherokeeholiday@mustministries.org.

Never Alone www.neveralone.org The Woodstock nonprofit, which helps area residents in need by distributing food, clothing and home repair, is providing Christmas hams and meal boxes. Cost to sponsor a family is $25. Make a tax-deductible donation online or mail a check, payable to Never Alone, to P.O. Box 1904, Woodstock, GA 30188.

North Georgia Pregnancy Center www.ngapregnancy.org The center, which serves Cherokee, Bartow, Pickens and Gilmer counties, helps young girls and women with an unplanned pregnancy or who need counseling. Donations are being taken for a Baby Bottle Boomerang program, where individuals or groups are asked to pick up a baby bottle from the center and return it filled with money. Baby furniture, diapers, wipes, toys, blankets and clothing are always needed.

For details, (706) 253-6303.

Papa’s Pantry www.papaspantry.org The Papa Noel program gives local families a chance to sponsor a child or another family for Christmas. The pantry also is accepting donations for holiday meals, including turkeys, hams, produce and non-perishable food items. A list of seasonal needs is kept up-to-date on the website. Papa’s Pantry is a food and stability training organization for Cherokee residents.

For details, call (770) 591-4730.

Secret Santa www.cherokeesanta.com The Secret Santa program of the Department of Family and Children’s Services for Cherokee County offers a way for individuals, businesses or larger groups such as Sunday school classes or scout troops to help the more than 350 children in foster care this year. Sponsors can donate as much or as little as they can. All size donations are appreciated. For more details, call the Secret Santa phone line at (678) 427-9393 or email cherokeesanta@yahoo.com SERV International www.servone.org SERV operates the House of Hope orphanage in Africa, sponsors a clean water program in Dominican Republic and distributes meals worldwide.

Holiday needs include making sure each of the 40 orphans has a sponsor.

Another holiday goal is to feed 100,000 people through SERV 1, Feed 1, before Christmas. The program can feed an individual for a day for a nickel.

A $5 donation feeds 100, and $50 feeds 1,000, locally and globally. For details, call (770) 516-1108.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

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There’s More than Seafood at Reel

8670 Main St., Woodstock 30188 • (770) 627-3006 • www.reel-seafood.com • www.facebook.com/reelseafood Hours: 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Bar open late.

Sunday Brunch

Sunday brunch hours are 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., and the menu includes specialty dishes such as New England lobster roll, bananas foster crepes with caramel drizzle, spiced apple mascarpone stuffed French toast, coffee-crusted steak and eggs, and buttermilk fried chicken and waffles. Sunday brunch always features bottomless mimosas and a 24

AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

Bloody Mary bar.

Fans of outdoor dining won’t have to worry about cooler weather. The Silvermans plan to build an arbor over the patio area and include heaters to keep diners warm.

a meal that will meet their dietary restrictions,” said David. “We can meet everyone’s needs, from gluten free, lactose intolerant and vegetarians. My cooks are trained to prepare special items when needed.”

Private Room, Upscale Bar

Experience Counts

Business men or women looking for a private dining area with media capabilities can reserve a room at Reel.

The curtain enclosure creates privacy, and guests can choose a special package that includes a three- or fourcourse meal with house wine.

A large flat-screen television with media connections is mounted to the wall, offering an easy display for business presentations. The area can also be used for birthday, anniversary or just about any type of celebration.

A fully stocked premium bar, flanked by two large-screen TVs, offers an upscale environment for watching sports. Sports fans and others who visit the bar will be greeted by highly trained male and female bartenders.

Both David and Karen were involved in the food industry at age 15. David, who had his first culinary apprenticeship at 19, spent seven years at Ray’s on the River and eventually became executive chef of Prime and

photos by Kim Bates

When Reel Seafood opened in downtown Woodstock in May, owners David and Karen Silverman knew they were offering a new option for south Cherokee diners: a menu that featured fresh seafood.

After being open not quite a year, they’ve also learned that area residents are hungry for a Sunday brunch destination, an upscale venue for watching sports or holding corporate meetings, and outdoor dining options.

Meeting and anticipating the needs of their guests—regulars and new diners—is a priority as the Silvermans work to offer a full-service dining experience for the community. They have also expanded their menus to increase entrée selections at lunch and appetizers at dinner. David and Karen are involved owners, and spend time getting to know their guests.

“Karen and I enjoy being in the dining room and making a connection with our guests,” said David. “I’m grateful with how the neighborhood has embraced and welcomed us. We want to be here for many years to come.”

Beyond Seafood

Reel is a seafood concept restaurant, but there is plenty on the menu for meat lovers. David prepares NY strip Au Poivre with shallot brandy cream, aged coffee crusted ribeye and marinated skirt steaks, as well as chicken from a natural poultry program. While gluten free and vegetarian items aren’t listed on the menu, he encourages diners to make their requests known. “I want people to be confident and challenge the kitchen, so to speak, to prepare

opened Strip in Atlantic Station as executive chef. Karen has worked in many roles, including server, bartender and manager, across the U.S. Most recently, she was a server at Capital Grille.

“When you visit Reel, you are my guest, and I want you to feel at home,” she says. “David and I want to blow our guests away with the food and the service, not just one or the other.”

Bikes Come From Santa

BY MATT NEAL

Matt Neal is a freelance writer who has lived in Woodstock with his wife since 1999. He has a daughter who turns shoeboxes into dollhouses, a son who fights those stealthy ninjas, and a wife, Diane, who provides patience, compassion and a kick in the pants when needed. mattnealwriter@yahoo.com

If my kids decide in June that they need new bikes, it’s going to be a long wait. By October I’ve raised the seats as far as they will go. The kids’ knees are awkwardly sticking out like Ichabod Crane’s on his horse, and their friends are getting a good laugh. Why? Because bikes come from Santa.

When my kids first see the tree on Christmas morning – stockings filled to overflowing, gifts all around – to them, that’s where a new bicycle should be.

My son was so adamant on this point that even when he knew he wasn’t ready for a new bike, he took his own bike from the garage and placed it under the tree on Christmas Eve, just to give that effect on Christmas morning.

Every family has certain traditions they go through each year. We may not realize it, but

we are building nostalgia for the next generation. The things we do become their memories and traditions when they have their own families. Because my dad, a model railroad enthusiast, always set up a Christmas village each year, I now feel it’s not Christmas without doing so myself.

So my wife and I decided to build our own traditions to pass on to our kids. When I was growing up, we didn’t have much money. We were more likely to be the recipients of charity than the donors. I remember how that felt.

That’s why we now try to show our kids how to participate in some way toward helping the needy. Whether it’s buying gifts for underprivileged children, helping out at local churches with community service, or just dropping a handful of change into the pot when we walk past the bell ringer in a Santa hat, serving in small ways helps others and teaches our kids about the true meaning of Christmas. Hopefully, that’s something they will continue. I figure if I’m going to pass some traditions on to the next generation, it might as well be more than that bikes come from Santa.

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Community

A New Look For College-Bound Student

BY JODI TIBERIO

Emily Hart is a new employee at Brooklynn’s. She is a recent graduate, a motivated gogetter, and will soon be attending college where she plans to study film production. Emily had a cute style already, but as she is about to go to college, she seemed ready to step into a look that fit her goals and personality. She had never owned a pair of designer jeans, so we started there. The new Miss Me skinny jeans are super cute, and this pair is not as flashy as some others. We paired them with this season’s bootie. Rolled-up jeans with a short boot can be casual or dressy, depending on the boot. These jeans still look great with your favorite riding boots, which are still very popular and on-trend.

The best way to get a put-together look is layering pieces; this cardigan is one of my faves. I love the earth tones with the turquoise accents. It is soft and comfy but chic and stylish.

Cardigans with tribal patterns, stripes and solids are a staple in any wardrobe, but the styles this season are the best we have seen in years.

There are lots of options for the foundation top to wear under the cardigan, but we chose this adorable faux suede rust tank with laser cut lace detailing. Next we added accessories for the finishing touch. Accessories can make the outfit, but young people often leave them out because of budget restrictions.

We hooked Emily up with a new watch — one that has a Michael Kors look at a fraction of the cost — that will go with everything.

The watches are great gift items. We chose a bangle stack of bracelets from Bourbon and Boweties, our hottest sellers at Branches, and made in the South in all your favorite colors and stones. We added a turquoise agate necklace from Brooklynn’s to complete the look.

After a thorough consultation with Tim Timmons, Emily made it clear that she wanted to maintain the length of her hair but was open to layers. Tim added layers to Emily’s length to create bounce and shape and finished the haircut with a strong bang designed to Jodi Tiberio owns Branches Boutique for women in Towne Lake as well as a second Branches location and Brooklynn’s boutique in Downtown Woodstock.

Contact Jodi at jodi@jodi. tiberioretail.com.

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beautifully frame her eyes. Her hair color was changed to a rich chocolate brown shade that complements her skin tone and works with the fall color trends. Emily’s makeup was completed by hairstylist and makeup artist Will Clemons. Will picked tones that would work best with Emily’s new hair color and shared tips with her on how to to complete her look at home.

I really love Emily’s new bangs. Her hair color is so much richer and the new outfit picks all the tones in her hair and makeup. I know Emily had a great time doing this and I am glad we could help a young woman reach her for her goals.

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Community

Rubber Boots and Jesus

BY ROSE WISEMAN

Amie and I had been married for less than six months and we were drinking in all the holiday fun of Christmas as newlyweds. We had one last stop to make on Christmas Eve before heading home and settling in for the night. At my folks’ home, my mother took me aside to ask if I had remembered to prepare Amie a stocking to open in the morning. Well, of course I hadn’t. I thought Santa did that, right? For 21 years the stockings were always filled and I never gave Ross Wiseman is a father it much thought. Of course they of four, the husband of one, don’t fill themselves, but I had and a pastor and friend to many. He has served as the never filled a stocking for anyone founding and current pastor before and I had simply forgotten of Momentum Church it. It wasn’t something I had since 2005. The joys and planned on doing. So, I snuck out struggles of over 21 years of the family party and I took off to of ministry and 19 years of marriage have given Ross make some purchases in a pinch. a broad perspective of the Twenty years ago, my hometown human condition. With didn’t have a big box store that humor and subtle depth, was open 24 hours a day. The only Ross loves to challenge, place open at 11:15 p.m. was a gas inspire and instruct people in what it takes for better station. Yep, it was going to be a living, loving, and laughter.

Moto-Mart kind of Christmas for ross@momentumchurch.tv. my Amie for sure. Ten minutes later I had enough goodies to sufficiently fill a stocking and I was on my way home, for what would end up being a very memorable Christmas morning.

That morning, with the smell of firewood and hot cocoa in the air, we began to open our stockings. “You first,” Amie said. So I opened my stocking and it held the usual fare of candies and small thoughtful items, complete with a bottle of my favorite cologne. I could tell she had taken note of my needs and likes throughout the year and had planned to make this moment very special with every little thing she placed in that green and red crocheted stocking. Now it was Amie’s turn. Before she opened it, I told her that I really wanted to be practical and give her things that she would really need in the coming year. She looked a little disappointed as she began to pull items out.

She wasn’t disappointed because she is spoiled, or doesn’t know the real meaning of Christmas. She was disappointed because she knew I had 28

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snuck out on a last-minute run and had put little to no planning or thought in what I was offering her as a gift. She pulled out some chapstick and that was good. Then came the candies and I still had her. Then came a can of gas additive and bottle of transmission fluid. I could tell she was putting two and two together. Back then gas stations weren’t mini shopping centers. Finally she pulled out a pair of rubber pull-overs for shoes that looked like something a postman would use to keep his boots dry in the snow. This was just too much and she knew that with the craziness of the season, I had too many things on my mind to make her a priority. My gift just didn’t say much because there wasn’t much planning to it.

I’ve matured a lot since that first Christmas, and I’m thankful that Amie gave me a little bit of a reprieve, since she knows the real reason for the season. I’m so glad that Christmas wasn’t an afterthought in the mind of God. The gift of Jesus to the world wasn’t a consolation prize thrown out at the last minute to make do. Great thought and planning was involved to meet the needs of humanity through the most perfect gift ever given. God could see by your inability to maintain your composure at times that you needed peace, so He sent you the Prince of Peace. He could see by your desire to feel connected and rooted that you needed family ties, so He gave you one that would be your Everlasting Father. He saw us in our weakest moments and sent the Gift that we could call our Mighty God. God recognized our need to not go through life alone without direction, so he sent Jesus as a Wonderful Counselor.

That’s what Christmas is all about. The thoughtfulness of God to plan ahead and to provide for those He loves the greatest of all gifts — Jesus Christ. May we never treat Jesus like a pair of rubber shoe pull-overs and may we always strive to be thoughtful in our gifts to others as a reflection of the heart of God.

EVERYDAY

“Take each day as a new day to do something you couldn’t do yesterday. You can be physically strong but you don’t find out how strong you truly are until that is taken away and all that you have is your mindset.

The mind is what allows you to become truly great, successful, stronger, unstoppable, unbeaten.” ~ John Lemoine

John Lemoine, 24, grew up in Woodstock and graduated from Etowah High School in 2008. After graduation, John received a lacrosse scholarship to Tennessee Wesleyan University. Then John made the decision to enter the Air Force Reserves at Dobbins Air Force Base and was training in San Angelo, Texas, to become a firefighter. On July 5, 2014, just three weeks before graduating from tech school, John was involved in a freak diving accident. On his day off, he was horsing around at the lake with his buddies and in an attempt to avoid falling on a small child, John dove backward into shallow water and shattered his sixth cervical vertebra. John drowned and went into cardiac arrest until his firefighter buddies rescued him, saving his life. Today, John is a quadriplegic.

Since that July day, John has spent his time in trauma centers, VA hospitals and The Shepherd Center. John’s injury is “Incomplete,” giving him hope of walking again but not without time, hard work and intensive therapy. He has had positive increments of movement after using Lokomat, a robot-assisted walking therapy. Lokomat Therapy has an 80 percent success rate. On Nov. 21, John returned to Woodstock after several months of therapy at Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta.

His hope is to continue his progress through Shepherd’s Beyond Therapy program for another year of treatment and use of the Lokomat machine. This timeline overreaches insurance and

benefits; use of the Lokomat machine alone costs approximately $100 per hour. His therapy will require nine hours per week.

Lori, John’s mom, has taken leave from her job as a nurse to care for John. Their family has had to modify their home to accommodate his new lifestyle. “John is determined to walk again and spends all of his time and energy working hard,” says Lori. “I am proud of his strong determination and will.” The family is most concerned about funding John’s therapy treatments.

It is imperative that he continues the course he is on since he is already making progress.

Everyday Angels asked John to compile a Christmas list for our readers. His only request was an Xbox controller for quadriplegics. He doesn’t want to be distracted from working as hard as he can to walk again. Everyday Angels would like to ask members of our community to contribute to allow him to continue the Lokomat treatments.

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Community

139 Christmases . . . and Counting!

BY PATTI BRADY

Christmas began with the greatest miracle of all—“God with us”—and everything those words signify. Ever since, new unmerited wonders happen regularly. Some miracles are certainly more personal and more important than others, but don’t discount the less obvious, awe-inspiring elements scattered throughout the background of your world.

One quiet marvel is practically in your backyard—the Dean house, Patti Brady is author which has been present through 139 of the “The Heart of a Christmases. Built in 1875, the brick Child” and “The Power home on Main Street across from of Her Smile” from City Chambers is often overlooked as the Woodstock Novels series. Learn more about hundreds of vehicles drive by it every our town through her day. The Dean house may be the blog – pattibradynovels. oldest surviving structure for half a blogspot.com. Email dozen miles around. The little abode Patti at plbradygeorgia@ has withstood Reconstruction-era bellsouth.net taxation, nearby fires, the fall of the cotton market, the Great Depression, area windstorms, the 2009 flood and modern-day development.

For this article, I’ve digitally retouched the antique photo of the Dean house, ridding it of scratches, stains and creases that might distract you. Computer technology, another surprising gift, easily fixed the problems. The splendid endowment from which the image was sourced - the online photo collection called Vanishing Georgia - is a miracle itself. Visit the website and enjoy images from a bygone era.

Vanishing Georgia enables you to study these old photos through a special digital scan that enlarges the image for closer viewing of historic details; you can witness more unexpected, delightful phenomena. My careful search uncovered a few aspects not illuminated in the 5 by 7 tintype. I’m guessing this post-Civil War picture was taken in autumn. The leaves are still holding onto the trees, but the man in the foreground, grasping a sapling, is dressed for cool weather.

He wears a nice hat and frock coat. Woodstock is beginning a period of prosperity as a cotton trade center. The man is dark skinned, and so are the two little girls who hold The Dean house was built in 1875.

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what appear to be dolls on the front porch. The highlighted fellow must have been important to the family. Did he help G.A. Merritt, the retired doctor-turned-farmer who constructed the home?

Was he in charge of Merritt’s cotton crop? A white woman sits in a rocker, and a young boy in overalls gazes out from his chair beside her. An older lad is perched on the porch rail. Two riders pose on their chestnut and palomino horses. In the background (toward the spot where a line of modern shops are located today) a white latticework form rises. Perhaps the airy structure served as a sitting room on the lawn, or the slats were meant to support vines of scuppernong or pole bean. Most noteworthy is the absence of an important Woodstock feature. I cannot detect the railroad which would have dominated the edge of the dirt lane (Main Street) in front of the house. Train tracks first cut through Woodstock in 1879. If my observation about the missing rails is correct, this photo was taken in 1879 or earlier, well before the 1890 date suggested by the website (which erroneously shows the house reversed).

The second owner of the residence, Dr. W.L. Dean, moved in with his bride in 1884. The beloved physician tended the sick and the dying in the Woodstock locale. In 1906, illness claimed the doctor’s life. His wife was left with six children to support. The oldest son, Linton, took up the responsibility. He turned the family’s new but suddenly-defunct drugstore into a successful general store.

Disaster averted. Another happy wonder.

Now I hope you find yourself recalling the instances of supernatural grace in your own life. And here are my parting words for 2014: may we recognize all the blessings offered us, and may we joyously receive what is so freely given. Merry Christmas, Woodstock!

Spread Holiday Cheer by Shopping Local

BY BETH HERMES

I feel like I just finished packing away the Christmas decorations from last year, and here we go again!

We experienced significant changes in 2014: our son graduated from high school, our daughter is about to graduate from college, we completed major house renovations (thanks, in part, to a flood in March), I’ve mourned the loss of several people close to me, and I’ve welcomed new Beth Hermes is a graduate of Auburn University’s friends and new opportunities.

School of Journalism, and a I’ve met each of those changes professional writer for more with gratitude, even the losses, than 26 years. Her work as I am grateful to have had those has appeared in magazines, people in my life. Now I am ready newspapers and online publications. She also has to face another season of sharing created award-winning positivity and gratitude with marketing campaigns for others by continuing the holiday corporations and nontradition of supporting local profit organizations. beth@eirismarketing.com businesses by purchasing gifts of books, food, toys, one-of-a-kind items, even specialty services for those on my shopping list.

Because I write and enjoy books myself, friends and family anticipate receiving books from me each Christmas. I match the subject and genre to the recipient, often meeting the authors at book-signing events in town.

Several members of my family are foodies, so gifts purchased at the farmers’ market or one of the specialty food shops are always well received. The best thing about food gifts is that they are enjoyed – often moments after they are opened!

My nephews have practically every Lego kit and wooden train set ever made, but they also enjoy unique or unusual toys. In addition to books, I seek puzzles and toys crafted by local artisans that inspire their imaginations, and my nephews look forward to seeing what Aunt Beth has discovered for them each Christmas.

For my family members who enjoy spending time in their yards, hand-crafted birdhouses, planters, and yard art make exceptional gifts, and I love seeing the items in a place of prominence in their gardens when I visit.

And I am grateful for colleagues who provide specialty services such as organizing, rug-cleaning, health improvement, and more. Those are often the best gifts, because they show that I’ve listened to a need and introduced a much-appreciated solution.

When we buy from local merchants, we also give back – in our own small way – to our community, forging relationships with business owners, and encouraging our friends and family to think “outside the box-store” when they shop throughout the year.

Merry Everything, and Happy Always!

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Feature

A Love of Cooking is at the Heart of Tasting Boutique LEANING LADDER

Premium Olive Oils and Vinegars 105 East Main Street, St. 126 Woodstock 30188 On Woodstock City Park directly behind the gazebo

(678) 401-2609 Open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon. - Sat., Open Sundays 12-5 p.m. Nov. 30 - Dec. 28

www.leaningladderoliveoil.com www.facebook.com/ LeaningLadderPremiumOliveOilsandVinegars

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Although Leaning Ladder owner Sue Hasslinger loves to cook and has always wanted to own her own business, opening a restaurant didn’t appeal to her.

Sue’s challenge — how to successfully marry her passions for fine food and entrepreneurship — resulted in her opening Leaning Ladder Premium Oils and Vinegars in August 2013, now a popular destination in downtown Woodstock and a staple in the community.

Leaning Ladder offers specialty olive oils, vinegars and other food items, gift baskets, and cooking classes featuring guest chefs. With a license to pour wine, Leaning Ladder also hosts private events for any occasion, including ladies’ night out events and wine and cheese parties.

“I worked in the corporate world for many years and had always longed to own my own business. Along with the oils and vinegars, I was able to incorporate the kitchen, hire chefs, and educate customers on a myriad of uses for these healthy oils and vinegars,” said Sue, who counts her sister Bridget Griffin as a major asset and huge contributor to Leaning Ladder’s success. The store comes alive with Sue’s vision and Bridget’s creative and artistic abilities.

December Class Schedule

Photos by Kim Bates

7-9 p.m. Dec. 8

The rows of shelves at the heart of Leaning Ladder are stocked with 35 of the freshest olive oils from around the world and more than 35 balsamic vinegars from Modena, Italy. Each variety has a sample bottle, with plenty of small cups available for tasting. Sue and Bridget say the store concept is “try before you buy,” and they make it easy by offering samples of brownies, fudge, crusty bread and dips displayed on the store’s kitchen counter. The kitchen area, which takes up most of one wall in the store, features a six-burner stove and a large counter where participants in the cooking classes can watch the guest chef in action. Class size is limited to 12 and can include handson participation. Guests eat the meal that is prepared and are given custom recipes incorporating the store’s oils, vinegars, and other gourmet items.

Displays of gift items, pastas (including a gluten free selection), and kitchen and entertaining accessories are scattered throughout the store. Selections include boutique wines, salts, spices, rubs, bread, soups, honey, soaps, custom cutting/bread boards and more. The website is a wealth of information, offering recipes and online ordering. Blogs posted on the site offer cooking tips, such as how to substitute olive oil for butter and making the most of festive fall flavors.

Leaning Ladder features ultra premium olive oils that exceed national standards for extra virgin olive oil imports into the United States. Custom or ready-made gift baskets are available for all occasions, and are especially popular for the holidays.

Sue and Bridget chose downtown Woodstock as the location for Leaning Ladder because it’s a quaint walking community that’s family-friendly, fun and is busy with community events.

“There isn’t a better place to be!”

Holiday Cookie Decorating with Chef Dawn

7-9 p.m. Dec. 11

Fall Favorites II with Chef Melissa

7-9 p.m. Dec. 16

Christmas Breakfast with Chef Melissa

Classes are limited seating, $35 and up, and BYOB. Call (678) 401-2609 to reserve your spot.

“Leaning Ladder is a BLAST! Whether it is a work event or a night out with girlfriends, it is sure to be a fun time. I worked with Susan and Bridget at Leaning Ladder Beth Choppa, Be and planned th Ferguson, Kris McKeeth, Cindy Anthony, Tracy Ba a private chman and Kath leen Zwolinski. fall retreat for The Premier Group at Leaning Ladder. We worked with Chef Melissa and came up with a delicious menu to highlight healthy eating and the flavors of fall. It was great as our office is located in downtown Woodstock, so we wanted to have our event downtown and it was PERFECT! Because we had so much fun at our private event, Kris McKeeth and I got our neighborhood girlfriends together and attended a regular class offered at Leaning Ladder and we ALL learned how to make sushi. So having attended two different types of events I would HIGHLY recommend Leaning Ladder!”

Beth Choppa, Director of Community Relations for The Premier Group Real Estate Firm

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Community

Downtown Woodstock PHOTOS COURTESY OF DARLEEN PREM

Art & Wine Festival

Hollywood Nights

KidsFest

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Rock Bottom

BY MIKE LITREL, MD

One patient I’ll never forget from my days of medical residency was a homeless cocaine addict. Beaten and raped by multiple attackers, she’d been found half buried — left for dead — in a parking lot behind a crack house. The police report estimated she had been buried for two days.

When I saw her she still had fragments of gravel embedded in her skin.

Dr. Mike Litrel has authored I was called in to consult hundreds of articles and when her pregnancy test two books on the faithhealth connection. He is came back positive. She had a board certified OB/GYN stabilized from her injuries, and specialist in pelvic but her eyes were empty like reconstructive surgery something inside her had died. at Cherokee Women’s She submitted to an exam.

Health Specialists in Roswell and Woodstock. Dr. Litrel Ironically, the ultrasound can be reached at www. showed a new life – a fetus cherokeewomenshealth.com the size of a fingertip, heart beating rapidly. I took an extra photo for the patient. She looked at it with apathy. As I was leaving the room, I saw she’d dropped it on the floor. I didn’t bother picking it up for her.

It had been three years since I’d delivered my first baby as a third year medical student. The moment I delivered my first baby, I knew I wanted to be an obstetrician. The hospital seemed holy ground, a place where people gathered to help to those in need, where new life was born.

But since then, I had delivered hundreds of babies and treated

thousands of patients. I’d seen the flood through Grady’s doors — the drug addicts, the HIV positive, the unwed pregnant teens.

Little by little, my joy in witnessing the miracle of birth was taken away by my realization that the newborns I was delivering did not have promising futures. Treating patients at Grady was like trying to stop the tide from coming in. No matter how hard you tried, patient after patient continued to wash up on Grady’s

“The moment I delivered my first baby, I knew I wanted to be an obstetrician. The hospital seemed holy ground, a place where people gathered to help to those in need, where new life was born.” shore. And I felt like I was beginning to drown myself. I realized God had left our hospital for places with more promise.

It was toward the end of my second year that He sent a lifeboat to save me from my misconceptions.

I was seeing patients in the postpartum clinic when a young mother wheeled her baby into my office. Her smile brightened the room. She looked too healthy to lay claim to her medical chart, thick as a telephone book.

I flipped to her “footprint” sheet, dated 20 years before, the day she was born. She had been coming to Grady literally her entire life. I waded through the chart until I came to the past year, where a long stay in intensive care accounted for its thickness. Suddenly I realized I knew her. She was the patient continued on page 60

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Community

Preserving the Great American Heritage for Oliver

BY STATE REP. MICHAEL CALDWELL

By the time this article finds your mailbox, my wife Katie and I should be just a few short weeks from the birth of our first child, a boy we plan to name Oliver.

As you can imagine, we are very busy preparing our surroundings and ourselves for the arrival of the newest Caldwell. As we put together a nursery, rush to a few thousand doctors appointments and try our best to guess what parenthood will be like, I find myself reflecting on a question Michael Caldwell is the that I have been asked more state representative for District 20, which times than I can count since covers Towne Lake and my start in the political and Woodstock. He can legislative arenas. be reached at (678) “What made you want to run 523-8570 or email for office?” One of my largest him at Michael@ CaldwellForHouse.com. motivators has always been a “cheesy” one, but not for the reasons one might expect. I have always prefaced my explanation by noting that I have never had a family member in public office. I wasn’t a political science major in college. I didn’t spend my high school or college years volunteering on political campaigns. I got involved originally for my children. As a young married guy without kids, I think that often translates as: “I’m doing what I do for the next generation,” which is true, but it isn’t what I’m intending to say.

For nearly a quarter of a millenium our nation has stood as the sole beacon of liberty on the globe. For reasons that many of you have read in my articles before, I truly believe that the United States of America is the greatest nation in the history of the world. We set forth a great American experiment in self government by recognizing that human rights belong to the individual, unlike any government before or since. As our government at every level has swelled and grown into the behemoth

that we see today, the fundamental differences by which our great union has always defined itself are becoming less and less identifiable. The American perspective is rapidly changing away from that which makes us unique.

If we continue on our present track, I fear that one day Oliver or his children won’t experience the same individual freedoms and liberties that we enjoy today. I ran for office because I fear the day my son asks me what I did to protect his liberties. Win or lose, I want desperately to say that I did my part in defense of the great American heritage that has been passed down from generation to generation. If that legacy is lost with my generation, then the fault belongs to each and every one of us.

When I’m long gone and America has chosen her course, I hope Oliver knows that I devoted the time I had to maintaining that which was given to me: liberty and self government incomparable to anything else humanity has ever seen.

I’d like to ask you to take some time in prayer over our nation, our General Assembly and my family as we embark on this new adventure.

Please feel free to reach out to me on my cell phone at (678) 523-8570 or email me at Michael@caldwellforhouse.com. If you have any other questions or concerns, contact me or come meet me at one of my Weekly Coffees with District 20 nearly every Saturday at Copper Coin Coffee in downtown Woodstock.

Thank you again for allowing me the honor of representing your family in Georgia’s General Assembly!

The Caldwell family, including pets Liberty (left) and Justice.

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Moses and Maybelline

BY SEAN KAUFFMAN

Sean Kaufman lives in Woodstock with his wife, two sons and daughter.

He specializes in intrinsic coaching/motivation, owns a behavioral-based consulting business and is an internationally recognized trainer. He can be contacted at sean@seankaufman.com.

His name is Moses. Her name was Maybelline. On the frontline of the Ebola outbreak in Liberia, I entered my first Ebola clinic - an abandoned hospital with only one patient, a woman named Maybelline. There were no nurses, no doctors, or anyone who would go in and care for her because she was sick with something everyone feared.

It was hot, really hot, and I put on my gloves, my mask and eye protection – making sure the virus could never find a way into my body.

As I walked down the long abandoned hallway, I was scared of what I was about to see. Death here, from Ebola, is very ugly. I was afraid I would yet again see

pain, agony and suffering. I turned the corner and there was Moses, with no mask, no eye protection, only an old pair of gloves with holes in them. The first thought that entered my mind was, “This guy is crazy – he is in here with someone sick and has no protection!”

Through my mask, I asked, “Who are you?” He said, “I am Moses and she is Maybelline.” She was a small woman, laying on her back, clearly in pain but praising God that she was having a better day than yesterday. I asked, “Are you a nurse?” He smiled and replied, “I am her husband.” He then walked over and put a cool towel on her head, sat down next to her and began singing softly to her.

His touch comforted her, his voice lifted her, his love treated her. No medicine, no technology, just a man with his love and wife in a tiny room. I asked Moses, “Is there anything you need?” He turned around and said, “Her. I need her.” Right there, in that moment, I witnessed the compassion, courage, and commitment of a husband for his wife.

I wish there was a happy ending to this story, but there wasn’t. Maybelline died, leaving behind Moses and his three children. I visited him and apologized to him for his continued on page 60

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Lifestyle

A Midwinter Visitation As a chilly rain falls, I remember a bitter-cold December day over a decade Ann is an artist and writer whose nationally published ago. The cold made for a dreary work includes decorative jailer, and the hours passed art, paintings for private and slowly for me and the boys, corporate collections, and Tyler and Joseph, who were just writing and illustration for a 8 and 5. Around midmorning range of publications. Ann lives with her husband and an unfamiliar sound outside co-author Dr. Mike Litrel and became noticeable. Barely their two sons in Woodstock. audible at first, it grew, seeming Ann@annlitrel.com to draw nearer until it became a distinct twittering and chirping, a swelling of voices – birds singing!

“Mommy, come see!” Joseph pressed his finger against the window pointing. Tyler and I followed. The sky was alive – electrified with birds. Flitting from tree to tree – birds, and more birds, circling tree trunks, probing bark, poking through the leaves.

Scores of chickadees and titmice filled the yard, along with birds I had never seen before – small brisk woodpeckers, a nuthatch with a brown head, a little warbler with a flash of yellow at its tail.

Tyler brought forth the bird guide, and we repeated each name for Joseph as we found it: downy woodpecker, brown-headed nuthatch, yellowrumped warbler.

Our visitors moved on long before we tired of the show. The yard emptied like Ann Litrel with her boys, Tyler and Joseph a sieve, leaking life and song.

For hours the boys talked about the birds. Why had they come? Where had they gone? And they lamented – why did they leave so soon?

A field guide dispelled the mystery: “…continuing throughout fall and winter into early spring, mixed foraging flocks patrol forests and fields…mostly insectivorous species…a forest will appear empty of birds in winter, only to suddenly 38

AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

Painting by Ann Litrel, annlitrel.com

BY ANN LITREL

have the trees How do birds survive the swarming with winter? Many small birds have vocalizing an average body temperature chickadees, titmice, of 107 degrees, and can forage and other species.” with no apparent discomfort.

All our feeders The typical chickadee has filled with seed, all 2000 feathers, with muscular the fruiting shrubs control over all of them. It planted just for birds “fluffs” these feathers to gain – and our visitors better insulation. Some were after plain old species actually roost together insects. I couldn’t in tree cavities to conserve help but laugh. heat. These include the Brown The birds never Creeper, the Winter Wren, the returned. Yet they White-breasted Nuthatch, and sang in my memory the Eastern Bluebird. all winter long, a Drawing birds closer: To attract bright song in that foraging birds, you can try dark season. And making a thin “pssh pssh” sound one day as I sadly looked upon my cold or kissing the back of your hand silent yard it came to – sounds which mimic distress me – their visit was calls. not just a memory, it A good nature guide for was a promise – a reading: John Krichner’s promise that even in “Ecology of Eastern Forests: The the cold of winter, Peterson Field Guide Series.” life would endure; a promise that one spring morning the silence would end and we would hear the songs once more.

Bread Pudding

FROM REEL SEAFOOD OWNER AND CHEF DAVID SILVERMAN

Mix the following ingredients 1 gallon of brioche, challah or desired soft spongy bread (I dice the bread into 1 inch x 1 inch cubes and measure a full packed gallon) 1/3 lb. dark brown sugar 1/3 cup bourbon

1 tbsp. vanilla extract 3 whole eggs 2 tsp. cinnamon

In a separate saucepan, heat 3 cups of milk and â…“ lb. cream cheese, just enough to dissolve the cream cheese.

Does not need to boil steadily.

Mix all ingredients together thoroughly.

Photo by Kim Bates

Lightly brush oil or use food spray in desired ceramic dish; ramekins or pot pie dishes will work. Fill container with mixture and place into large pan with enough water bath to go about halfway up the sides of dishes. Bake in a conventional oven on 325 degrees for 40-45 minutes. You can slide a skewer in at an angle to the center to verify doneness.

Bread pudding should come out fairly easily or you can serve out of the same dish you cook them in. Scoop salted caramel or your favorite ice cream and drizzle caramel sauce on top. Enjoy!

AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

39

Lifestyle

The Best Custom Graphics on Screen Printed & Embroidered Apparel are Finally Available Direct to you and your Organizations!

Don’t Put Job Search on Hold During Holidays

BY LYNNE SAUNDERS

Lynne is the director of Papa’s Pantry and the MastersTrainingCenter. com, and she is an author. She can be reached at (770) 5914730 or visit www. papaspantry.org.

Cooler temperatures and changing weather are ushering in the holidays at a fast pace.

There’s no doubt your to-do list and event calendar are already growing. If you have been looking for a job recently, it is easy to allow holiday tasks to crowd your schedule and reduce your momentum.

Many job seekers take a break from looking for work during this time of year, assuming that most hiring will begin again in January. While this may be true for some companies, it certainly is not true for most. Businesses need qualified and productive employees to achieve their financial goals. They cannot afford to put their hiring needs

on hold for months at a time.

Staying on track with committed focus is the challenge this month. An important part of employment training for job seekers is time management. For people who need an income, their job is to get a job. It is important to schedule work hours to perform job-seeking tasks. Utilizing a weekly calendar to prioritize and manage necessary tasks is often the missing link to achieving success. Schedule your daily start time, lunch time and quitting time. This not only allows for productive hours, but it also paves the way for guilt-free time off that can be used for personal tasks.

What sets you apart from others who may be qualified for the job you seek? It may simply be that you are the one diligently going through the detailed process, from identifying open job positions to customizing a resume that speaks to the needs of the company. Staying focused and on task may get you noticed by employers when there is a reduction in the number of resumes and applications received.

Perhaps you have recently been on an interview but have not received a response as promised. Make the time to investigate and follow up. Overcome the fear of rejection. Many times employers face unexpected extensions in the hiring process and welcome a phone call or handwritten note from a qualified candidate. Anything you can do to make yourself stand out during these few weeks of reduced competition will bring you closer to achieving your goals.

Keep making progress!

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

DOWNTOWN WOODSTOCK DINING GUIDE RESTAURANT Canyons 335 Chambers St. 678-494-8868 canyonsburgercompany.com

CUISINE

BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SUNDAY

SPIRITS

RESERV.

American

no

$

$

open

Beer/Wine

no

Century House Tavern 125 E Main St. 770-693-4552 centuryhousetavern.com

Modern American

no

$$

$$$

open

Full bar

8 persons +

Fire Stone 120 Chambers St. 770-926-6778 firestonerestaurants.com

Wood-fired Pizza & Grill

no

$$

$$$

open

Full bar

yes

Southern

Sat./Sun. Brunch

$$

$$$

open

Full bar

no

American

no

$

no

open

no

no

Tapas/Sushi

no

Fri./Sat. only

$$

open

Full bar

yes

Ipps Pastaria & Bar 8496 Main St. 770-517-7305 ippspastaria.com

Italian

no

$$

$$

open

Full bar

no

J Christopher’s 315 Chambers St. 770-592-5990 jchristophers.com

Diner

$-$$

$ - $$

no

open

no

weekdays only

J Miller’s Smokehouse 150 Towne Lake Pkwy.

770-592-8295 jmillerssmokehouse.com

BBQ

no

$ - $$

$ - $$

open

Beer

no

Magnolia Thomas 108 Arnold Mill Rd. 678-445-5789 magnoliathomas.com

Southern

Sunday Brunch

no

$$$$

open

Beer/Wine

yes

Pure Taqueria 405 Chambers St. 770-952-7873 puretaqueria.com/woodstock

Mexican

Sat./Sun. Brunch

$$

$$

open

Full bar

6 persons +

Seafood

Sunday Brunch

$$

$$-$$$

open

Full bar

limited

English Tea room

no

$$

no

closed

no

yes

Italian

no

$$

$$$

closed

Full bar

yes

Freight Kitchen & Tap 251 E Main St. 770-924-0144 freightkitchen.com Hot Dog Heaven 8588 Main St. 770-591-5605 Ice Martini & Sushi Bar 380 Chambers St. 770-672-6334 icemartinibar.com

Reel Seafood 8670 Main St. 770-627-3006

More info on page 24

Tea Leaves & Thyme 8990 Main St. 770-516-2609 tealeavesandthyme.com Vingenzo’s 105 E Main St. 770-924-9133 vingenzos.com

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$ = most entrees under $10 • $$ = most entrees $10 - $15 • $$$ = most entrees $15 - $20 • $$$$ = most entrees over $20

Casual and Upscale Dine-In Restaurants

Lifestyle

Drain Cleaner — Friend or Foe?

BY DAN JAPE

Are you thinking about using drain cleaner to attack a clog in your Woodstock home? Turning to an over-the-counter chemical shouldn’t always be your first move; it’s certainly not the best move. To break up certain types of clogs, a drain-cleaning product uses elements that generate a chemical reaction, essentially creating heat and movement inside the pipes to dislodge or eat away at clogs. The problem with these products is that Dan Jape is the owner or Reliable Heating & Air. He they don’t help homeowners know can be reached at (770) the cause of the clog.

594-9969 Using a drain cleaner on a serious blockage may make you think that you’ve solved the problem. What you’ve really done, however, is delayed the inevitable: a costlier, messier plumbing fix.

The Solution Damages Your Toilet When you pour it into the toilet bowl, the product just sits there.

Because toilets are full of water and slow-draining, the liquid starts

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

to damage the bowl. The solution generates heat, which can cause the bowl to crack. Worse, the chemical reaction that occurs under water can lead to an explosion. Either way, these two outcomes are much more expensive than one service call to a plumber. A plumber will use a drain snake to get to the clog—wherever it may be—and safely clear out the pipes.

The Solution Corrodes Pipes Drain cleaner is caustic, meaning it will eat away at your pipes— even the tougher types such as metal. If your home has plastic pipes, use the solution sparingly, if at all. Use the solution once to break up a clog and you could be safe. Use it repeatedly, however, and you’re asking for trouble. Most pipe materials are unable to withstand repeated use of the chemicals.

When Should You Use It? Homeowners should avoid frequent use of the product. You’ll be safe with an occasional use to break up a hairball clogging a shower or sink drain, or suspected soap buildup. Take good care of your plumbing and avoid putting grease and food scraps down the drains. If you do get a clog, it is likely a sign of a more serious problem. Get help from a pro with the right tools to identify and reach clogs, and the experience to detect a serious problem.

Rob’s Rescues

I’m Rob Macmillan and I’m on a mission to help shelter dogs and cats. Every month I’m going to tell you about two pets that need homes and give some useful information! These animals are at the Cherokee County Animal Shelter at 1015 Univeter Road, Canton.

This dog is Choco. He is black and three years old. He doesn’t play fetch. He likes to be fed, he does not like to sit, but he loves hugs. He does not like pictures.

He is a Lab mixed with a Greyhound which are the fastest dogs on earth. Choco has been at the shelter a long time. When I first saw him in October he had bad cuts on his face. This was because someone tied him up outside the shelter during the night with a muzzle over his face.

This cat is called Timmy. He has black rings on his tail. He has blue eyes. He is not a scaredy cat. He is about 3 years old.

Here I am with Frankie and his dog. He works at He is a Domestic Bridgemill Animal Hospital. We did a food drive for Pet Medium hair mix. Buddies Food Pantry and we collected a lot of pet food.

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Lifestyle

Duathlon a Successful Farewell to 2014

BY LISA RANDALL

Each year Rope Mill Park in Woodstock hosts the SORBA Woodstock season finale: an offroad duathlon and 5K trail run.

The 2014 edition was blessed with dry weather and warm temperatures leading up to the race, so participation was at a record high. Participants chose to enter the duathlon—a 6-mile mountain bike ride, a 3.3-mile Lisa Randall is a mom, run, and then a second 6-mile small business owner and athlete from Canton. She bike or a is owner of Mountain trail run Goat Adventures, LLC, slightly which organizes local trail longer running and mountain than a bike events. traditional 5K. Some participants were up to the ultimate challenge, running the 5K and then participating in the duathlon as part of a team. More than 280 competitors participated, and many walked away with glory and their share of $10,000 worth of merchandise and prizes, provided by several generous event sponsors.

This event and three others hosted in 2014 at either Rope Mill Park or Blankets Creek have helped raise $14,000 this year for SORBA Woodstock, which will use part of the money to help pay for constructing a new mountain bike trail at Rope Mill Park.

SORBA Woodstock has been very fortunate to have tremendous community support through sponsorships and trail volunteers. If you are a business owner with a passion for supporting the trails you enjoy, please consider becoming an event sponsor or volunteering your time to help work on the trails. Those interested in sponsorship or volunteer opportunities can contact lisa@ mountaingoat adventures. com for more details.

Max McAllister, owner of Traxxion Dynamics in Woodstock, on his way to a podium finish in the team division.

Winners are: in first place Avery Glass of Canton and Christopher Oswald of Johns Creek; in second place, Dale Serge and Shane Schreihart; in third place, Max McAllister of Woodstock and Steven Davis.

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School & Sports

Cell Phone or Digital Device?

BY MARK KISSEL

The term “cell phone” is misleading, as today’s “smartphone” is a minicomputer with immense capacity capable of storing personal information, millions of pages of text, thousands of pictures or hundreds of videos. The device could just as easily be considered a camera, video camera, library, diary, address/phone book, calendar or road map.

As we enter the holiday season, Chief of Police Mark please consider the consequences Kissel has served the Cherokee County School if you leave your phone in your District since 1999 and car, leave it unattended as you has more than 35 years shop for that special gift, or of law enforcement give it to your child to play with experience. while you shop. All three of these potential occurrences will happen to someone, and the criminal element is looking for that opportunity!

The sum of your personal and private life is likely stored in your digital device, and within minutes after being stolen, the thief knows where you live and may even have accessed credit card information stored in Key Ring or a similar application. It’s also likely that you have an application for your favorite airline that holds your frequent flyer number and your passport number to make it easier when booking a flight.

It is no exaggeration to say that as many as 90 percent of adults who own a cell phone keep a digital record of their life stored in their phone, and, according to the Electronic Privacy Information Center, the average smartphone user has installed 33 applications.

Making matters worse, many of the users have no idea if the information is stored in the device or is “in the cloud.”

As an adult, it can be difficult to protect your privacy. More importantly, as you shop to buy your child their own smartphone, consider what steps you will take to ensure the information stored in your child’s phone will be protected.

“The sum of your personal and private life is likely stored in your digital device, and within minutes after being stolen, the thief knows where you live and may even have accessed credit card information.”

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School & Sports

Chattahoochee Gold Swimmer Commits to LSU

Alarii Levreault-Lopez

Local swimmer Alarii Levreault-Lopez has accepted a swim scholarship to Louisiana State University.

Alarii has been a member of the Chattahoochee Gold club team since he was 5 years old. He broke his first Gold team record at the age of 12 and in 2013 Alarii won his first state championship—the 400-yard individual medley at the Georgia Short Course Senior State Championships.

Swimming for Woodstock High School, Alarii was named Cherokee Tribune Boys Swimmer of the Year in his sophomore and junior years. He ranks sixth academically in his graduating class and is on the executive board of the Student Government Association.

Alarii will study petroleum engineering while swimming for the LSU Tigers. “Swimming is the greatest experience I’ve ever had in my life, and I’m excited to continue to do it at Louisiana State for the next four years.”

Woodstock Volleyball Player Makes Phenom List

Freshman Emilee Harris and eighthgrader Parker Hines.

The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) recently announced the addition of Emilee Harris to the 2014 Phenom List. Emilee is a freshman at Woodstock High School, where she is a member of the varsity volleyball team. Her other accomplishments include 2014 MVP 14-1 Cobb Atlanta, 2014 USA High Performance Girls’ Select A2 Invitational, and 2013 USA High Performance Girls’ Future Select National Training Program.

The athletes on the AVCA Phenom List have received some type of honor (All-State Team, AVCA/Max Preps Players of the Week, etc.) identifying them as a top player in their region or country. In order to be eligible for the AVCA Phenom List, the student-athlete must be a high school freshman, sophomore or junior and her high school head coach, club coach or club director must be an active AVCA member in good standing with the association. Those players included on the AVCA Phenom List will receive a formal invitation to participate in the AVCA Phenom College Preparatory Program, which is an invitation-only weekend for unsigned student-athletes and their parents.

Volleyball Teams Compete in State Championship Sequoyah High School varsity volleyball team defeated Columbus to win the Class AAAAA State Volleyball Championship match on Nov. 1 at Marietta High School. During an earlier match against Sequoyah during the state playoffs, River Ridge High School won the Area 7AAAAA title. As a result of their win, the River Ridge team entered the state competition as the No. 1 seed and Sequoya entered as the No. 2 seed.

Sequoyah eventually defeated River Ridge in one of the final four games on the way to the state championship.

Sequoyah players (from left): Kayla Morris, Mallory Lawson, Kali Jones, Lane Lauletta, Kyli Schmitt, Lauren Hartman, Marcelle Butler, Kelley Hartman, Logan Page, Deja Goss, Ashlyn Brandon, Kate Mann, Annika Lanning, Karen Morris and Rebecca Dillon. Not pictured: Head Coach John Edwards, Assistant Coaches Stephen Pate, Lorri Little, Matt Roberson and Morgan Little.

River Ridge Varsity Volleyball team, back row, from left: Head Coach Deb Lea, Britany Castro, Coach Jeff Kirk, Sophie O’Hare, Leonore Nickell, Gabby Zonsa, Cristina Peterson, Taylor Casey, Coach Jenna Wilt, Coach Julie Wilt-Winfield, Molly Herring, Ashley Hessman, Angel Cornista, Katie Popp and Olivia Stasevich.

Not pictured are team managers Luis Roman-Jimenez, Joseph Chadwick and Andrea Peterson 46

AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

First Tri-M Music Honor Society in the County River Ridge High School Fine Arts has established the Cherokee County School District’s first chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, an international music honor society that recognizes musical achievement, academic excellence and community service. Members must maintain a 3.0 GPA in courses and a 4.0 GPA in music classes and are dedicated to extracurricular musical achievement.

Members are: from band, Lisa Alvarez, Camilo Arango, Evan Bennett, Greer Blackmon, Taylor Boardman, Nicholas Busson, Audrey Cobb, Lola Fayemi, Leslie Flores, Brent Chorus Director Allison Baccala and Band Director Daniel Gray pictured with the Flynn, Christian Gaines, Ben Gonzalez, Kristina Gonzalez, Springer Herdt, Joshua Isaksen, Brennan Kellner, Emma first class of inductees of the school’s Tri-M Music Honor Society chapter.

Norris, Emmy Perez, Nikki Perez, Amelia Smith, Maddi Smith, Andrew Stegenga, Olivia Webb and Wes Zimmermann; from chorus, Matthew Ainsley, Hannah Auriemma, Josh Butler, Alyzzia Fitzpatrick, Abby Domantay, Brent Flynn, Ally Goddard, Jesse Huskey, Patrick Janda, Miranda Lemal, Megan Lerner, Alyssa McCollum, Emily Moore, Callie O’Bryant, Saxon Olson, Bridget Radatz, Olivia Resendez, Nate Sahlberg and Rachel Woods; from orchestra, Katie Brown, Katie Eritano, Becky Fisher and Sean Whelan.

The Marching Wolverines Bring Home Superior Ratings The Woodstock High School Marching Wolverine Band recently competed at the Jacksonville State University’s Contest of Champions in Jacksonville, Ala. The students received all superior ratings in the areas of drum majors, color guard, percussion and band. The competition included 26 bands from two states.

The Woodstock marching band won second place in drum majors, first place in color guard, first place in percussion, and first place band in their class. They were also awarded overall best band, best visual and second place overall—just one point behind the first-place band.

Woodstock Marching Band wins multiple awards.

Cherokee County Teacher of the Year Ball Ground Elementary School STEM Academy teacher Joy Silk has been chosen as the Cherokee County Teacher of the Year. The self-described nerd says she found her dream job with the district’s creation of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Academies and her role as a STEM lab and AIM gifted program teacher.

The county teacher of the year is selected by a panel of community leaders, who evaluate applications from each school’s winners, chosen by their peers. Silk will be honored at a December banquet and will be entered as the county’s nominee for 2016 Georgia Teacher of the Year, to be announced in the spring.

Cherokee County Teacher of the Year, Joy Silk

Student Earns Medal at Cycling Championship

River Ridge High School senior Diana Ramos recently competed in the Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships and earned a silver medal in the time trial event on Oct. 4. She finished fourth in the road race on Oct. 5.

Diana Ramos after earning a silver medal at the Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships

Senior Project Becomes a Published Novel

Cindy Chen with her novel “Sounds of War.”

River Ridge High School senior Cindy Chen wrote a novel for her senior project and now is on a school book tour. Her novel, “Sounds of War,” is a young adult historical fiction set in 1941 Leningrad during the Nazi occupation. Cindy did extensive research for the setting of this novel, and arranged for it to be published. The book can be found on Amazon: www.amazon.com/Sounds-WarCindy-Chen/dp/1500660035 AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

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13 Reinhardt College Parkway Canton, GA 30114 (770) 427-0368 www.nw-ent.com Mon.- Fri. 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

Patient Care and Technology Are Top Priorities As Cherokee County continues to grow, so does the need for comprehensive medical care. The doctors and medical professionals at Northwest ENT and Allergy Center are providing that care, using a patient-centered approach that allows them to form strong relationships with patients and build customized treatment plans.

Reviews on the practice’s website reveal the high level of patient satisfaction with individual doctors as well as the office staff. “All staff members were polite, informative and helpful beyond what I have experienced in other offices,” said one patient. After years of searching, another patient was happy to find “a doctor that took time to get to know my unique situation, as well as provide sufficient time to quell my fears and concerns after years of hearing loss.”

Located in a newly remodeled space, the Canton office is one of six metro

MEET THE DOCTORS Dr. Ryan Kauffman is board certified and specializes in allergy, nasal surgery, endoscopic sinus surgery, chronic ear surgery and pediatric otolaryngology. He was born and raised in Carrollton, Ga., and received his undergraduate degree from the University of West Georgia. He attended medical school at Vanderbilt University and completed his residency in otolaryngology head and neck surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

Atlanta locations, including Buckhead, Cartersville, Marietta, Windy Hill and Woodstock. In addition to the six office locations, there is an ambulatory surgery center in Woodstock. Northwest ENT and Allergy Center has eight physicians on staff and all are board certified or board eligible by the American Board of Otolaryngology. Three of these doctors see patients in the Canton office: Dr. Mark Van Deusen, Dr. Avani Ingley and Dr. Ryan Kauffman.

Northwest ENT and Allergy Center has the ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients of all ages for a wide range of conditions involving the ear, nose, throat, head and neck. Patients are greeted at the new Canton location with a spacious waiting room and a friendly, professional office staff. Complete care is available through the most up-to-date technology, including diagnostic testing with a licensed audiologist. Northwest ENT provides in-depth evaluation and Dr. Mark Van Deusen grew up in upstate New York. He graduated from Binghamton University summa cum laude and attended medical school at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, N.Y. He went on to graduate with honors before heading south to pursue his residency training in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. Dr. Van Deusen is trained in all aspects of otolaryngology, including treating patients with sinus disease, nasal obstruction and allergies.

management of hearing loss, then determines the specific hearing needs for a patient’s individual lifestyle.

Complete allergy testing and treatment also are available at Northwest ENT and Allergy Center. Each physician has specialized training in the medical management of seasonal and year-round allergies. In addition to traditional allergy shots, sublingual immunotherapy is offered as an alternative treatment for patients who cannot tolerate injections or make frequent office visits.

The comprehensive services provided

by Northwest ENT and Allergy Center range from office-based exams to skilled surgical care. With a growing county in need of wide-ranging medical care, Northwest ENT and Allergy Center continues to meet those needs with highly trained and specialized doctors and staff who care about the community they serve.

Dr. Avani Ingley grew up in Vidalia, Ga., and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia. She completed her medical studies and residency in otolaryngology at Emory University in Atlanta. Dr. Ingley has experience in all routine ENT procedures with special interest in pediatric otolaryngology and nasal/sinus surgery. She is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and is also a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery.

Health & Wellness

Routine is Key to Holiday Health

BY ANGELINA CAIN, M.D.

Turkey, stuffing, eggnog—these are a few dishes I love. While many people look forward to holiday treats this time of year, they also dread expanding waistlines. Sugar cookies don’t have to cause this internal battle!

I’ll share ideas on maintaining your health while making the most of the season.

Most importantly, stick to your routine. The way we eat, sleep and exercise is a result of our Dr. Angelina Cain is the routines, which, if followed, can medical director of bariatric medicine for WellStar save us from unhealthy habits.

Comprehensive Bariatric For example, people often Services. She earned her skip lunch to save calories for bachelor’s degree from a holiday party, but our bodies Florida State University don’t work that way. We process and medical degree from the Ross University School calories differently when eating of Medicine in Dominica, is paced throughout the day as West Indies. opposed to processing thousands of calories at once. Instead, follow your routine and eat healthy meals throughout the day.

Holiday foods are significantly higher in calories than everyday meals. I don’t recommend forgoing your grandma’s pumpkin pie, but I do recommend filling up on a healthy plate before heading to that holiday party. You’ll have stronger willpower and will approach calorie-packed foods as small snacks rather than meals.

Don’t allow exercise to take a backseat to the festivities.

Exercise allows us to maintain our weight without starving ourselves. It helps us care for ourselves and prevent disease.

I recommend pedometers to stay accountable, despite a full calendar. If you’re counting steps, take that neighborhood walk or do an extra lap around the mall.

Stay moving by planning quality time with your family and friends, since that’s what the holidays are really about. Plan a hike, play a pickup game of basketball or take the kids to the playground. Plan fun activities and get away from making eating an all-day event.

Finally, if you’re burning the midnight oil more often, you’re producing ghrelin—the hunger hormone—at higher levels.

It’s your body’s way of getting more energy from food since it didn’t get energy from sleep. Stick to your sleep routine to help avoid cravings that lead to binge eating.

As an Italian who comes from a family of volume pasta eaters, I know the temptation of food well. It is possible and rewarding to maintain a healthy routine with well-balanced nutrition and exercise while enjoying rich foods in small packages. Most importantly, enjoy your family and friends this holiday season!

Never Alone reaches out daily, to Cherokee County families who are in need of food, diapers, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products, and clothing.

Our outreach center located at: 291 Rope Mill Road is open MondaySaturday 10 am until 5 pm. To our knowledge we’re the only full time food and clothing outreach center located within Woodstock.

With your help we have provided assistance to 1,501 Cherokee County citizens in need so far this year. Distributing a total value of $42,789.15 in food, personal care items and clothing.

How can you help? We operate on private financial donations received from people with kind hearts just like yours. We are currently in great need of financial donations. Can you please help to meet our financial need so we can continue reaching out to families daily within our community?

Two Donate securely online using any major card ways to give: by visiting our website: NeverAlone.Org

Or you can write a check payable to: Never Alone and mail to: P O Box 1904 Woodstock, GA 30188.

Donation receipts will be mailed to you for your tax records. Donations to Never Alone are tax deductible as we’re a 501 (c) 3 non profit.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

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Health & Wellness

Choosing the Best Toothbrush: Manual vs. Electric

BY DR. SCOTT R. HARDEN

Dr. Scott Harden is a dentist at Fountain View Family Dentistry and has served the Woodstock area for more than 21 years. You can reach Dr. Harden at (770) 926-0000 or visit FountainViewSmiles.com.

It can be tough to choose between an electric toothbrush and a good old-fashioned manual toothbrush. Each has its pros and cons, and I’ve learned during my years in clinical dentistry that some patients have more success with electric while others get the best results with the manual variety. It’s literally a case of different strokes for different folks.

My recommendation is to use a combination of the two: a manual brush in the morning when you’re in a rush and an electric one at night.

Keeping in mind that the purpose of a toothbrush is to remove plaque from your teeth and tongue and to stimulate the gum tissue, let’s take a closer look at how each method works.

Manual: A Classic Technique for Good Hygiene We have been using this type of toothbrush for years with

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

good success. The advantages include: • Low cost and availability. Manual toothbrushes are inexpensive and accessible, while the electric versions can be expensive. This is the toothbrush the majority of dentists give away.

• Easy to use while traveling. A manual toothbrush isn’t as bulky as its electric counterpart. You’ll be more likely to maintain good dental care habits while traveling with a toothbrush that you can easily bring along.

• Less pressure on teeth and gums. Because it’s easier to determine how much pressure you are using when you brush with a manual toothbrush, you’re less likely to cause “toothbrush abrasion,” a condition that can wear away tooth enamel and cause sensitivity and increased risk of tooth decay. Judging the pressure you use when brushing isn’t as easy with an electric toothbrush.

• Easy for kids. Even young children can use manual brushes safely and effectively once they learn how.

Electric: Recommended in Some Cases An electric toothbrush has clear advantages for people with limited manual dexterity caused by conditions such as continued on page 60

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Health & Wellness

Breaking Down Barriers to Affordable Hearing Solutions

BY JAN HENRIQUES

Just take a moment, close your eyes and listen, really listen.

The fan is running. Birds are chirping. Is it raining? Can you hear the rain fall? Is the heater on? Can you hear it? While good hearing is one of life’s greatest pleasures, we often take it for granted. Imagine not being able to hear the laughter of loved ones or important words spoken in a business meeting.

Our senses are priceless. We Dr. Henriques is a board certified audiologist and use them every day to connect us lead provider at North with ordinary things. If just one of Georgia Audiology in your senses falters, such as your Woodstock. She has been hearing, consider for a moment practicing since 1985, how much value you would put after earning a doctorate in audiology from the on hearing better. Would you University of Florida and a go around without glasses or master’s degree from LSU contacts if your vision was poor?

Medical Center.

Of course not. Yet every day millions of people head off to work or play without the ability to hear well.

Loss of hearing can affect an individual, and those who are closest to that person, in so many ways. Loss of hearing that affects communication can put undue strain on relationships.

It isn’t that difficult to restore the ability to participate fully in social situations with loved ones, or improve hearing in school or the workplace. While many affordable solutions exist, not everyone has the means to pay for hearing devices. Depending on your needs and qualifications, here are a few sources available: The Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation provides hearing aid assistance for low-income individuals through more than 150 providers across the state and four manufacturers. Assistance is available for those who qualify through the Georgia Department of Labor and Vocational Rehabilitation, and for veterans who’ve lost hearing from military service through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Many people aren’t aware of their insurance benefits; more and more insurance plans now cover all or part of the cost of hearing devices. However, beware of the plans that say you must buy the recommended brand. This is often not a true benefit, but some agreement between your insurance provider and a particular company. Some are even owned by the insurance company. Have an insurance specialist verify continued on page 60

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

WOODSTOCK AREA HOMES SOLD IN OCTOBER

AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

53

Reference

WOODSTOCK CITY GUIDE

City Manager Jeffrey S. Moon (770) 592-6001, jmoon@woodstockga.gov Rhonda Smith, exec. assistant (770) 592-6001, rsmith@woodstockga.gov

Stay Connected on Facebook

City of Woodstock: www.facebook.com/WOODSTOCKGAGOVT

City Council Representatives

Woodstock Fire: www.facebook.com/woodstockfireandrescue

For minutes and agendas of meetings, visit www.woodstockga.iqm2.com.

Woodstock Main Street: www.facebook.com/MainStreetWoodstock

Ward 1: Warren Johnson Ward 2: Chris Casdia

Woodstock Parks and Recreation: www.facebook.com/woodstockparks

Ward 3: Bob Mueller

Woodstock Police: www.facebook.com/woodstockpolicegeorgia Woofstock Dog Park: www.facebook.com/woofstockpark

Ward 4: Liz Baxter

On Twitter

Ward 6: TBD

Ward 5: Bud Leonard

www.twitter.com/woodstockpd www.twitter.com/woodstockfd www.twitter.com/woodstockparks www.nixle.com Sends alerts, advisories and community notifications from the city of Woodstock and Cherokee County Sheriff Department. www.cherokeega-sheriff.org A resource to check for registered sex offenders in your neighborhood. Click on Georgia Sexual Offender Registry then click on Register for Email Alerts for updates.

City of Woodstock government (770) 592-6000

Council appointed committees: Downtown Development Authority and Convention & Visitors Bureau; Ethics Board; Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

Economic Development

Downtown Development Authority Convention & Visitors Bureau Brian Stockton, Director (770) 592-6056, bstockton@woodstockga.gov Woodstock Visitors Center/Dean’s Store Kyle Bennett, Tourism Manager, (770) 924-0406 kbennett@woodstockga.gov

City Officials

Mayor Donnie Henriques (770) 592-6001, dhenriques@woodstockga.gov

Mitzi Saxon, Administrative Coordinator, (770) 592-6056 or x-2250 msaxon@woodstockga.gov

Community Development Jessica Guinn, direct (770) 592-6050 ext. 1600, jguinn@woodstockga.gov

Public Safety

Finance Robert Porche, CFO (770) 592-6003, rporche@woodstockga.gov

George Williams, community outreach, Fire Marshal’s office (770) 5926000 ext 1845, gwilliams@woodstockga.gov.

Woodstock Police Department (770) 592-6030 Woodstock Post Office (770) 591-0364

Parks and Recreation Preston Pooser, (770) 517-6788, ppooser@woodstockga.gov

The Outlet Shoppes

T at Atlanta at Saks

Fifth Avenue Off Fifth

- park in marked spaces only - parking in Woodstock UMC lot is M-Sa only - Chatt Tech parking is limited until early 2015

T

Trolley Routes outlined in red

Chattahoochee Technical College

Parks Cir

Trolley Stop

Public Parking Lots

Rope Mill Rd

dt

Dobbs Rd

Kyle St

On-Street Parking - park in marked spaces only

T

Woodstock UMC (M-Sa)

Arnold Mill Rd

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

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Download the Visit Woodstock App for info on downtown businesses and events!

GR EE NPR I N T S T RAI L SYST E M WOODSTOCK, GA

Town to Creek Trail - This 0.57 mile paved trail begins at Market Street in downtown Woodstock one block west of Main Street. It continues downhill toward Noonday Creek where it intersects with the Noonday Creek & Towne Lake Pass trails.

Noonday Creek Trail - This 0.86 mile paved trail is a continuation of the Town to Creek trail meandering along Noonday Creek. It intersects the future Towne Lake Pass trail and the bridge to Woofstock Park.

Trestle Rock Trail - This 0.40 mile paved trail is located in Olde Rope Mill Park and is an easy flat trail on the banks of Little River.

Towne Lake Pass (2015) - This approx. 1.2-mile trail will connect the Towne Lake community to downtown along the banks of Noonday Creek.

It will begin at the interesection of Towne Lake Parkway and Towne Lake Hills South.

Rubes Creek Trail (2015) - This 1-mile paved trail runs along Rubes Creek and will ultimately connect into a larger run of trails.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

55

Reference

WOODSTOCK AREA CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS Cherokee Area Business Connection Meets Every Wednesday at 7:15 a.m.

Marci Zied, (770) 345-8687 Empowered Women Through Synergy Meets third Thursday at 8.30 a.m. at J Christopher’s in downtown Woodstock Shahida Baig (678) 445-3900 Main Street Woodstock Meets Last Friday of every month at 8 a.m. at 8534 Main St. at City Center www.mainstreetwoodstock.org No Fee Referral Network Woodstock Meets Every Monday morning at 7:30 am at IHOP 8979 Hwy 92. www.meetup.com/No-Fee-ReferralNetwork-Woodstock North Georgia Referral Network meets Every Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. at J. Christophers, 315 Chambers St., (770) 592-5990 The Joy of Connecting Networking for Women Meets Third Thursday at 6:45 p.m.

Edeline Dryden (678) 789-6158 www.thejoyofconnecting.com Cherokee Toastmasters Club meets noon-1:15 p.m. Wednesdays at the Bank of North Georgia, 200 Parkway 575, Woodstock. Contact: Richard Stacy at (843) 697-5189, richbstacy@gmail.com. www.cherokeetoastmasters.com.

Together We Rise meets Second & Fourth Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. at Featherstone’s at Towne Lake Hills, Pat Snipes, (404) 569-5280 Towne Lake Business Association meets Third Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills, (770) 615-3350, www.tlba.org

24-hr, (404) 452-6248, Info (404) 496-4038 www.ahimsahouse.org Angel House Girls Home is a residential facility for girls 12-18 to learn self-sufficiency.

(770) 479-9555, www.angelhousega.com Anna Crawford Children’s Center a child abuse and prevention program for children and adults.

(678) 504-6388, www.cherokeechildadvocates.org Bethany Place transitional home for single women, unwed mothers.

(770) 479-9462, www.bethanyplacehome.org CASA for Children promotes the health & happiness of children impacted by abuse through programs that increase their safety and improve their educational, social and emotional functioning. Volunteers and partners welcomed!

Contact: Deidre Hollands (770) 345-3274. www.casacherokee.org CCHS Thrift Store located at 5900 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth, (770) 592-8072. Accepts donations and sells used household items to raise money for Cherokee County Humane Society.

Cherokee Child Advocacy Council, Inc. Anna Crawford Children’s Center and Parents HELP at 319 Lamar Haley Pkwy., Canton Amy Economopolous, (770) 592-9779 www.cherokeechildadvocates.org Cherokee County Animal League Contact: Steve Monahan at CherokeeAnimal League@gmail.org or (770) 712-4077 Cherokee County Family Violence Center offers emergency shelter and crisis intervention, affordable housing, education, support services.

(770) 479-1703, Spanish (770) 720-7050 www.cfvc.org

Towne Lake PowerCore Team meets every Friday at 7:15 — 8:45 a.m. at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills, Marc Replogle, (770) 952-5000, X20 or (404) 816-3377, www.powercore.net

Cherokee County Humane Society (CCHS) (770) 928-5115, admin@cchumanesociety.org www.cchumanesociety.org

Women of Woodstock meets First & Third Wednesday at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills, info@womenofwoodstock.com www.womenofwoodstock.com

Cherokee FOCUS works to improve the lives of children and families through collaborative programs and initiative.

Sonia Carruthers (770) 345-5483 www.cherokeefocus.org

Woodstock Business Networking Group meets: 7:30 a.m. Tuesdays at Atlanta Bread Company, 180 Woodstock Square Ave., Woodstock. Lee West (770) 591-7101 Woodstock Community Business Association Meets Second Monday at noon at Tuscany Italian Restaurant, 250 Cinema Way WCBusinessAssoc@aol.com

CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS Ahimsa House helps victims of domestic violence who need help getting their pets to safety.

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Cherokee County Senior Services offers educational, social, leisure and recreational activities for senior citizens looking for socialization. Located at 1001 Univeter Road, Canton, (770) 345-2675 www.cherokeega.com Community Veterinary Care provides professional veterinary care for pets whose owners have limited financial means. (678) 640-3512, www.communityveterinarycare.com

Everyday Angels offers financial assistance for local families in need. Email aaeverydayangels@ gmail.com Funds 4 Furry Friends helps those in need with food, spay/neuter and medical attention for their pets.

Gina Jeter, (770) 842-8893, www.funds4furryfriends.com Georgia Animal Project offers high quality, lowcost spay and neuter services for dogs and cats throughout North Georgia. (770) 704-PAWS (7297) www.theanimalproject.org Give a Kid a Chance – Cherokee sponsors a yearly back-to-school bash. www.giveakidachance.org Goshen Valley Boys Ranch offers care and counsel to young men in the DFCS system.

(770) 796-4618, www.goshenvalley.org Green Pets America Rescue animal rescue group (770) 712-4077, SteveMonahan777@gmail.com www.GPACharities.US Habitat for Humanity North Central Georgia (770) 345-1879, www.habitat-ncg.org Harvesting Hope Ministries gives surgery care packs to children facing liver and kidney failure.

Contact: dawn@harvestinghopeministries.org. www.harvestinghopeministries.org.

Healing Hands Youth Ranch offers safe, peaceful environment where abused and at-risk children are paired with rescue horses for hope and healing.

Jennifer Simonis (770) 633-4451 www.hhyr.org Hearing Loss Association of America meets 2-4 p.m. on the last Sunday of the month at the William Long Senior Center in Woodstock.

HopeQuest Ministry Group helps people who struggle intensely with life dominating issues related to alcohol abuse, substance abuse and/or sexual brokenness.

(678) 391-5950, www.hqmg.org HOPE Center offers support for unplanned pregnancy.

(770) 924-0864, info@TheHopeCtr.com www.hopectr.com HOPE Center — Baby & More Thrift Store (770) 517-4450 www.babyandmorethriftstore.com Hospice Advantage needs volunteers.

(770) 218-1997, www.hospiceadvantage.com Iron Hearts is a therapeutic horsemanship program for children and adults with special needs.

(678) 493-5775, www.ironhearts.org MUST Ministries offers groceries, hot meals, emergency shelter, supportive housing, clothing, employment services, summer lunch and more from five locations in eight counties, including the Canton office at 111 Brown Industrial Pkwy.

Never Alone Outreach provides food and clothing assistance to Cherokee Co. families in need. Apply for assistance at: NeverAlone.Org

Woodstock Midday Optimist Club Meets Every Wednesday at noon at Folks, 180 Parkway 575, Johnny Young, (770) 345-6158

Next Step Ministries offers a therapeutic day program, Saturday Respite, camps and special events for people with special needs.

(770) 592-1227, www.nextstepministries.net

Woodstock VFW Post 10683 Meets Second Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Woodstock Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road Andrew Yrabedra, (404) 663-4663

Papa’s Pantry is a year-round local food ministry.

Lynne Saunders, (770) 591-4730, www.papaspantry.org

POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS

Pet Buddies Food Pantry has pet food collection bin at TowneLaker offices, 2449 Towne Lake Pkwy.

(678) 310-9858 www.petbuddiesfoodpantry.org Safe Kids Cherokee County — Call for an appt. for free child safety seat inspections.

(770) 721-7808, www.cherokeesafekids.org Volunteer Aging Council, a non-profit that helps to raise funds for our seniors of Cherokee County. www.vac-cherokeega.org

CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS AARP Woodstock Chapter is for anyone 50+ Meets Second Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Rich, (770) 926-1944 American Legion Post 316 Meets Third Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road Irma Martin, (678) 662-2366 Cherokee County Service League (770) 704-5991, http://serviceleague.net Cherokee County Historical Society (770) 345-3288, www.rockbarn.org Junior Service League of Woodstock (770) 592-3535, http://jslwoodstock.org/ Rotary Club of Woodstock Meets Every Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. at IHOP on Highway 92.

(770) 480-4179 South Cherokee Optimist Club Meets Every Friday at 7:30 a.m. at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills (770) 926-3522 Towne Lake Optimist Club Meets Every Wednesday at noon at Eagle Watch Golf Club, Charlice Byrd, (404) 557-2218 www.townelakeoptimists.com Woodstock Jaycees Meets First Tuesday & Third Thursday at 7 p.m. at 216 Rope Mill Road (404) 690-4452 Woodstock Lions Club Meets Second & Fourth Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, (770) 906-2958 Woodstock Masons Lodge #246 F. & A.M., Inc. Meets Second & Fourth Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. at Corner of Air Acres Way & Arnold Mill Rd. lodge.info@woodstocklodge246.org

Cherokee County Democrat Party meets Second Thursday at 7 p.m. at Holly Springs Train Depot, www.cherokeedems.com

William G. Long Senior Center 223 Arnold Mill Road , (678) 445-6518

SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS Adoption/Infertility Support Group Meets First Wednesday at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Woodstock Cindy Braddock, (678) 445-3131 Alzheimer/Dementia Support Group Meets First Thursday at 7 p.m. at Atria, 1000 Professional Way, (770) 926-0119

Cherokee County Libertarians meet 7:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday at the Cherokee Co. Board of Realtors Training Center, 1600 River Park Blvd., Suite 104, Woodstock. http://cherokeelp.org

Breast Cancer Support Group Meets First Thursday of each month at 10 a.m.

— noon at Northside Hospital — Cherokee, Diabetes Classroom, Educational Center (404) 843-1880

Cherokee County Republican Party Meets Second Saturday at 9 a.m. at Winchesters Woodfire Grill, Canton, (678) 809-1411

Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered recovery program. www.celebraterecovery.com

Cherokee Tea Party Patriots meet at 4 p.m. the third Sunday at Latimer Hall in Woodstock.

Conrad Quagliaroli (770) 592-6545

Cherokee County Republican Women affiliated with The Georgia Federation of Republican Women. Meets monthly in Woodstock/Canton.

(770) 592-7811. jkconkeygmail.com Republican Women of Cherokee County (678) 520-2236, www.rwccga.com

RECREATION & HOBBIES Allatoona Gold Panners. Periodic events and outings to pan the creeks in the Dahlonega Gold Belt along the Lake. Contact Rob Kelly, rrkelly@ bellsouth.net Arts Alliance of Georgia, Inc. Meets Second Saturday at 10 a.m. at Studio 101, 101 Emma Lane, www.artsalliancega.org

Canton-Cherokee TRIAD/S.A.L.T. (Seniors & Law Enforcement Together) Meets Second Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at G.Cecil Pruitt YMCA in Canton (Hall of Fame Room) Dale Walz (404) 375-8193 Cherokee County Lupus Support Group Meets Second Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at New Light Church Hall, Pam Bennett, (404) 975-7580 C.H.O.O.S.E. of Woodstock Meets first Monday at 7 p.m. mailbox@chooseofwoodstockga.org Diabetes Support Group Meets Third Tuesday at 9:30 & 11 a.m. at Emeritus Assisted Living, 756 Neese Road, Woodstock, Linda Watson, (770) 793-7818.

Georgia Canines for Independence www.gcidogs.org, (404) 824-4637

Blue Skies Laughter Club Meets Every Wednesday 7 — 8 p.m. at Northside-Cherokee Medical Offices, 100 Stoneforest Dr., first floor conference room Craig Whitley (404) 520-0221 www.addlaughter.com

Grand parents Raising GRANDchildren Meets Second & Fourth Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Transfiguration Catholic Church, Marietta (nursery available) , Jeannie, (770) 919-9275

Cherokee Community Chorale (678) 439-8625, www.cherokeechorale.org

La Leche League of South Cherokee Meets First Tuesday at 10 a.m. and Third Wednesday 7 p.m. at Bascomb UMC Marguerite, (678) 315-7686 Megan, (770) 517-0191

Cherokee County Arts Center 94 North St., Canton (770) 704-6244, www.CherokeeArts.org Cherokee County Master Gardeners (770) 479-0418, www.caes.uga.edu/extension/ cherokee/mastergardeners/ Cherokee Photography Club www.cherokeepc.org

Jewish Havurah call Marcia, (770) 345-8687

MOMS Club Towne Lake — 30188-30189 https://sites.google.com/site/ momscluboftownelakewoodstock/ Email: momscluboftownelake@gmail.com

Christian Authors Guild Meets 7-9 p.m. first and third Monday at Prayer and Praise Christian Fellowship, 6409 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock, www.christianauthorsguild.org

MOPS — Mothers of Preschoolers (birth — K) Meets Second & Fourth Mondays at 9:30 a.m. at Hillside UMC, 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy (770) 924-4777

Les Marmitons is for men interested in culinary arts. Meets Third Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Chattahoochee Tech, Larry Lodisio, (770) 516-5197

Spirit of Success Career Clothing Connection Provides professional business attire at no cost.

(770) 956-0711.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

57

Reference

COMMUNITY OF FAITH ADVENTIST

Cherokee 101 Rope Mill Rd., Woodstock, (770) 591-7304 http://cherokee.netadvent.org/

AME

1415 Old Canton Rd., Marietta, (770) 973-3533 www.kolemeth.net

MESSIANIC JEWISH CONGREGATIONS

Congregation Beth Hallel, 950 Pine Grove Rd., Roswell (770) 641-3000, www.bethhallel.org

Allen Temple AME 232 N. Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock, (770) 926-6348 www.allentempleame.org

Tikvah l’Chaim 4206 N. Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock, (678) 936-4125 www.tlchaim.com

St. Paul 390 Crisler St., Canton, (770) 479-9691 www.stpaulame-canton.org

LUTHERAN

BAPTIST

Cherokee Baptist 7770 Hickory Flat Hwy., Woodstock, (770) 720-3399 www.cherokeebaptistchurch.org Crossroads Community Church 2317 Bascomb-Carmel Rd., Woodstock, (770) 592-7007 Crossroads Primitive Baptist Church 3100 Trickum Rd., Woodstock, (770) 710-1068 www.crossroadspbc.org Faith Community 659 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock, (770) 516-1996 www.faithcommunitychurch.org

Good Shepherd 1208 Rose Creek Dr., Woodstock, (770) 924-7286 www.gslutheran.org Timothy Lutheran (LC-MS) 556 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock, (770) 928-2812 www.TLCWoodstock.ctsmemberconnect.net

ORTHODOX

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

PRESBYTERIAN

Cherokee Christ Covenant (PCA) Cherokee County’s South Annex Rec Center, 7545 Main Street, Bldg. 200, Woodstock www.cc-pca.org

First Baptist of Woodstock 11905 Hwy. 92, Woodstock, (770) 926-4428 www.fbcw.org

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

Hillcrest Baptist 6069 Woodstock Rd., Acworth, (770) 917-9100 www.hbcacworth.org

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

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

ROMAN CATHOLIC

South Cherokee Baptist 7504 Hwy. 92, Woodstock, (770) 926-0422 www.cherokeebaptistchurch.org

CHURCH OF GOD

Bells Ferry 6718 Bells Ferry Rd., Woodstock, (770) 592-2956 www.bellsferry.com

EPISCOPAL

St. Michael the Archangel 490 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock, (770) 516-0009 www.saintmichaelcc.org Transfiguration Catholic Church 1815 Blackwell Rd. NE., Marietta, (770) 977-1442 www.transfiguration.com

UNITED METHODIST

Bascomb 2295 Bascomb-Carmel Rd., Woodstock, (770) 926-9755 www.bascombchurch.org

Christ the Redeemer Charismatic 6488 Hickory Flat Hwy., Canton, (404) 395-5003 www.ctrcec.com

CITY ON A HILL 7745 Main St., Woodstock, (678) 445-3480 www.coahumc.org

Episcopal Church-Annunciation 1673 Jamerson Rd., Marietta, (770) 928-7916 www.annunciationepiscopal.org

Hickory Flat 4056 East Cherokee Drive, Canton (770) 345.5969 www.hickoryflat.org

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

Hillside 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy., Woodstock (770) 924-4777 www.hillsideumc.org

JEWISH

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

Chabad Jewish Center 4255 Wade Green Rd. NW, Suite 120, Kennesaw (678) 460-7702, www.jewishWoodstock.com Congregation Ner Tamid Reform Jewish Congregation, (678) 264-8575 www.mynertamid.org Congregation Etz Chaim 1190 Indian Hills, Marietta, (770) 973-0137 www.etzchaim.net Temple Kehillat Chaim 1145 Green St., Roswell, (770) 641-8630 www.kehillatchaim.org Temple Kol Emeth

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

Little River 12455 Hwy. 92, Woodstock (770) 926-2495 www.littleriverumc.info Mt. Gilead 889 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock (770) 591- 0837 www.ngumc.org Sixes 8385 Bells Ferry Rd., Canton, (770) 345-7644 www.sixesumc.org Woodstock 109 Towne Lake Pkwy., Woodstock, (770) 516-0371

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST

Emerson 4010 Canton Rd., Marietta, (770) 578-1533 www.emersonuu.org

OTHERS

Awakening 180 Pkwy. 575, Suite 140, Woodstock, (770) 924-4150 www.awakeningwoodstock.com Branches of Christ 5946 Jacobs Rd., Acworth, (770) 917-4964 www.branchesofchrist.com BridgePointe 233 Arnold Mill Rd. Ste. 400, Woodstock, (770) 517-2977 www.bridgepointechurch.org Christian Praise Center 1358 Sixes Rd., Canton, (770) 924-7532 www.christianpraisecenter.com Church at North Gate 9876 Main St., Ste. 250, Woodstock, (678) 494-2193 www.ngca.org Cornerstone Community 503 Hickory Ridge Tr., Ste. 160, Woodstock (678) 439-5108, www.ccchurchonline.org Dayspring 6835 Victory Dr., Acworth, (770) 516-5733 www.dayspring-online.com Empowerment Tabernacle 507 Industrial Dr., Woodstock, (770) 928-7478 www.EmpowermentTabernacle.com Faith Family 5744 Bells Ferry Rd., Acworth, (770) 926-4560 His Hands 550 Molly Ln., Woodstock, (770) 405-2500 www.hishandschurch.com Momentum 110 Londonderry Ct., Ste. 130, Woodstock (678) 384-4919, www.MomentumChurch.tv Prayer & Praise Christian Fellowship 6409 Bells Ferry Rd., Woodstock, (770) 928-2795 www.prayerandpraise.org Resurrection Anglican 231 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock, (770) 591-0040 www.rezwoodstock.org Sovereign Grace 471 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock, (678) 494-2100 www.sgcatlanta.org Towne Lake Community 132 North Medical Pkwy., Woodstock, (678) 445-8766 www.tlcchurch.com Watermarke 2126 Sixes Rd., Canton, (678) 880-9092 www.watermarkechurch.com Woodstock Christian 7700 Hwy. 92, Woodstock, (770) 926-8238 www.woodstockchristian.org Woodstock Church of Christ 219 Rope Mill Rd., Woodstock (770) 926-8838 www.woodstockchurchofchrist.org Woodstock Church of the Nazarene 874 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock (770) 924-4499 www.wcnga.com Woodstock Community Church 237 Rope Mill Rd., Woodstock

(770) 926-8990 www.wcchurch.org

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 (678) 523-8570

Rep. Scot Turner (R) District 21

(678) 576-2644

Rep. Sam Moore (R) District 22

(404) 656-0220

scot@turnerforhouse.com

Rep. Mandi Ballinger (R) District 23

mandi.ballinger@house.ga.gov

(404) 656-0254

(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

Judge Keith Wood (R)

Ray Gunnin (R) District 2 Brian Poole (R) District 3 bpoole@cherokeega.com jnelms@cherokeega.com

Cherokee County Coroner Earl W. Darby

(770) 735-8055

Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office

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

Superintendent, Dr. Frank Petruzielo

(770) 479-1871 fax: (770) 479-1236 (678) 493-8088

kyla.cromer@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

(770) 516-1444

janet.read@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Magistrate Court

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

hjohnston@cherokeega.com

Kyla Cromer (R) District 1

Superior Court

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

Harry Johnston (R) District 1

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

Cherokee County Courts

Chief Judge David Cannon Jr. Judge Jackson Harris

Judge Ellen McElyea

Jason Nelms (R) District 4

Rep. Michael Caldwell (R) District 20

michael@CaldwellforHouse.com

L.R. “Buzz” Ahrens (R) Chairman

lbahrens@cherokeega.com

rgunnin@cherokeega.com

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

Rick Steiner (R) District 4

(770) 721-4398, x4370

rick.steiner@cherokee.k12.ga.us

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

Juvenile 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

(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

AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

59

Rock Bottom

continued from page 35

– the patient who had been brutalized and buried alive. In disbelief, I saw the ultrasound photo I’d taken almost a year ago.

Her smile broadened at my expressions of shock. She told me about her life. The youngest of seven children, all with different fathers, she grew up in a series of foster homes.

She ran away at 15, living on the streets, prostituting herself for money. She remembered only some moments from her attack, her assailants throwing her into a hole and covering her with dirt. The next thing she remembered was the moment she awakened at Grady Hospital a month later. But things had changed since then, she said. She was off drugs; she was getting her G.E.D. And she was happy.

How did this happen? I wanted to know.

She pulled a wrinkled photo out of her wallet, eager to share her secret. “This SAVED my life. When I looked at this, I JUST KNEW, no matter what I done, that God loved me.”

It was the ultrasound photo.

She cradled her baby like a treasure in her arms. She looked down at her daughter and cooed, playing with the pink ribbon in the little girl’s hair. “I am…a Mother.” Her voice cracked on the word “Mother.” It was her answer to everything that had come before. She had given life to a newborn, and her newborn had given life back to her.

All of a sudden the Sacred entered the room, the Holy returned to the hospital. What was this sensation I was feeling?

It was Hope, it was Faith, and it felt wonderful. I knew then that I would survive. I would be grateful again to be a physician in this privileged place.

The patient hugged me when she got up to leave, and then paused. “Guess my baby’s name,” she said, smiling expectantly.

She held up her baby, all soft brown eyes and curls, but a reminder forever of her suffering, the rock bottom of her life – a child who was the product of a brutal attack. I waited.

Finally she relented, and her eyes glowed with a light I will never forget.

“Miracle. I named my baby Miracle.”

Moses and Maybelline continued from page 37

loss. Moses said, “I made sure she did not die alone. That was what she feared more than Ebola, the pain, more than anything.”

Expecting to see suffering and ugliness on the frontline of this devastating outbreak – I turned the corner and witnessed one of the most beautiful acts of kindness and love I have ever seen. All of us need to experience the same love and commitment I witnessed that day.

The happy ending is Moses never got sick while caring for his wife. He treated her with courage and compassion – certainly not the cure for Ebola, but definitely a beautiful treatment for it.

60

AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

Breaking Down Barriers to Affordable Hearing Solutions continued from page 52

what insurance covers so you can understand your options and make the best choices. You may discover 12-month, interest-free payment plans or assistance through third-party payers can make seeking treatment—and paying for it—much easier. Don’t let financial barriers stop you or a loved one from reconnecting to the sounds of your world.

Choosing the Best Toothbrush: Manual vs. Electric continued from page 50

arthritis. The motion of an electric toothbrush can help people compensate for inadequate brushing with a manual toothbrush.

The larger handles found on powered toothbrushes are also easier to hold.

The features of electric toothbrushes can vary. Newer models have pressure sensors that alert you if you’re brushing too hard and timers to keep you on track for an ideal twominute brushing session. Manufacturers have also developed different functions for the bristles: some rotate together in one direction and then switch and rotate in the opposite direction, a process known as rotating-oscillating. This appears to remove plaque more effectively than manual brushes and electric brushes that spin in only one direction. If you want to try an electronic toothbrush, choose a model with rotating-oscillating bristles.

How Often Should You Change to a New Toothbrush?

Whether you choose a manual or an electric toothbrush, choose one with soft bristles and be sure to change the bristles on the electric brush when they wear down. Manual brushes need to be replaced every three months or when the bristles are no longer straight and firm.

The Downtown Buzz is held at the Chambers at City Center (8534 Main Street) on the last Friday of the month and begins at 8 a.m. unless otherwise noted.

For more information on the Downtown Buzz program or to suggest a topic for consideration, please contact Mitzi at (770) 592-6056.

Business Membership Information: $80 investment per year (2 reps) + $30 investment per year for each additional rep Subscription to email newsletter Main Street Woodstock decal Downtown Buzz meeting (monthly) Individual and nonMember appreciation event profit memberships Access to workshops also available Directory listing on website Ribbon cutting or groundbreaking Hobnob - a social event (quarterly)

Since 1996, we have brought relevant, uplifting and reader-driven content to the residents of Towne Lake, Canton and Woodstock. We look forward to serving you, our readers and advertisers every month. Thank you for your continued support and participation in making this truly your community magazine.

Candi Hannigan Executive Editor

Jackie Loudin Assistant Editor

Patty Ponder ALM President Marketing & Advertising Sales

Christie Deese Marketing Support Associate

Michelle McCulloch Art Director

Denise Griffin Controller

At AroundAbout Local Media, we believe the world functions at the community level: diverse groups of people living in close proximity; sharing commonality of culture, values and local pride; developing safety nets for those in need; and helping each other to live richer lives.

It is our heartfelt desire to contribute to the fabric that helps make a community happen.

Through our magazines, we aim to provide everyone in the communities we serve with uplifting, interesting information about the community they are proud to call home.

Karen & Jon Flaig Owner/Publisher

We encourage you to send us your photos, ideas, stories or anything else you think the community would like to know about. It’s your community. It’s your magazine.

Around Woodstock Distribution Map Circulation: 16,300

AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

61

Reference

CHEROKEE COUNTY CONTACTS Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce

(770) 345-0400

Cherokee County Government

www.cherokeega.com Building Permits, Business Licenses (770) 721-7810 Commissioners (678) 493-6001 Engineering Office (Traffic Signals) (678) 493-6077 Environmental Health (770) 479-0444 Extension Office (770) 479-0418 Jury Phone (770) 479-9011 Justice Center (Courts, Judges, etc.)

(770) 479-1953 Planning & Land Use (678) 493-6101 Senior Services (770) 345-2675 Sheriff’s Office www.cherokeega-sheriff.org (678) 493-4100 Voter Registration (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 Bethesda Community Clinic (678) 880-9654 Cherokee County Boys & Girls Club (770) 720-7712 Cherokee County Foster & Adoptive Parents Assoc.

www.ccfapa.com (770) 560-2624 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 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 (770) 427-3390

Cherokee Hockey In Line League (CHILL) roller hockey

www.cherokeehockey.org Cherokee Outdoor YMCA, 201 E Bells Ferry Road

www.ymca.net Cherokee Senior Softball Association www.cssasoftball.com Cherokee County Soccer Assoc. www.csaimpact.com (770) 704-0187 62

AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

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 Tennis Association, www.cherokeetennis.org (678) 909-0252 Cherokee Youth Lacrosse Assoc., http://cherokeelacrosse.uslaxteams.com South Cherokee Recreation Association (SCRA)

(770) 928-5917

Cherokee Youth Football Association, www.cyfa.org

(770) 710-2835

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

Cherokee County Animal Shelter & Pet Adoptions www.cherokeega-animals.org

(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

Utilities Atlanta Gas Light Co. Canton Water

www.aglc.com

(770) 907-4231

www.canton-georgia.com

(770) 704-1500

Cherokee Water & Sewerage Auth. www.ccwsa.com

(770) 479-1813

Cobb EMC

(770) 429-2100

www.cobbemc.com

Georgia Power

www.georgiapower.com

Woodstock Water

www.woodstockga.gov

Recycling Center

(888) 660-5890 (770) 926-8852 (770) 516-4195

Free, Reduced-Price Health Care Bethesda Community Clinic www.bethesdacommunityclinic.org

(678) 880-9654

Cherokee County Health Department www.nghd.org/CherokeeHealth

(770) 345-7371

Urgent Care Facilities American Family Care, 6440 Bells Ferry Rd. Woodstock, (770) 200-1220 Northside Cherokee Urgent Care, off exit 11 at I-575

(678) 426-5450

Physician’s Express Care at Towne Lake 900 Towne Lake Pkwy. #104 Woodstock

(770) 693-5880

SHEFA Urgent Care 2000 Village Professional Dr. #110, Canton

(678) 661-3166

Wellstar Urgent Care 120 Stonebridge Pkwy. Woodstock (off exit 8)

(678) 494-2500

CLASSIFIED

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You can view the Around Woodstock magazine on your mobile device

CLEANING SERVICES

Penny Clean “One Woman Show” moving and deep cleaning available on weekends. Over 25 years experience, reasonable rates. Licensed, bonded and insured. Free estimates. 678-4943602.

FOR RENT

Scan this QR code and flip through the magazine

Basement Apartment. Utilities included on the lake. $500. Call 770-337-2170.

GARAGE FLOORS

Join the Around Woodstock magazine Facebook fan page

Call Deluxe Finish today and transform your garage with a lifetime epoxy floor and custom enhancements! A Dream Garage would make a great Christmas Gift for him! www.deluxefinish. com 404-219-1590.

www.facebook.com/AroundWoodstockMagazine

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PET SITTING

JoAnn’s Pet Sitting. Reliable pet care service since 2004. Bonded and insured. 770-617-0221. www.joannspetsitting.com

www.twitter.com/AroundWoodstock

Contact us and view the magazine online at w w w. Around Wood stoc kM a g azin e. com

PUPPIES FOR SALE

AKC Doberman Puppies. Black/Rust and Red/Rust. Born 10-6-14. $800. Call 770-337-2170.

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ADVERTISERS DIRECTORY For advertising rates and information please contact Patty Ponder, 770.615.3322, Patty@AroundAboutMagazines.com.

ATTORNEYS/LEGAL SERVICES Hartman Imbriale Attorneys (678) 445-7423, www.hartman-imbriale.com 145 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 200

40

AUTOMOTIVE

HOME & GARDEN

Frankfurt Foreign Automotive 45 (678) 505-8907, FrankFurtAutomotive.com 9817 Main Street, Woodstock BEAUTY, MASSAGE & SPA Bambu Salon and Spa 150 Prominence Point Pkwy., Suite 700, Canton 30114, (770) 345-0027 Main Street Nail Studio (770) 928-2662

52

7

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

27

Downtown Buzz

60 Inside front 49

31

DENTAL (Cosmetic, Family, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics and Pediatric) Advanced Dental Restorations, LLC (678) 810-0881, www.BringBackSmiles.com 1505 Stone Bridge Pkwy., Ste. 220, Woodstock Fountain View Dentistry (770) 926-0000 www.fountainviewsmiles.com 1816 Eagle Drive, Bldg. 200, Suite A Dr. Jeff Kincaid Orthodontics Woodstock: (770) 516-5773 355 Parkway 575, Ste. 200 Roswell: (770) 518-5180 540 W. Crossville Rd., Ste. 205 www.KincaidSmiles.com Spillane Orthodontics (770) 928-4747 www.SpillaneOrtho.com 335 Parkway 575, Suite 200, Woodstock Park Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock (770) 926-9260 www.PediatricWoodstockDentist.com 1816 Eagle Drive Suite 200-C

5

51

7

AROUND WOODSTOCK | December 2014

25

Grout Doctor, The (678) 383-1311, www.GroutDoctor.com

52

Image Maids (770) 627-4670, www.imagemaids.com

22

Mr. Junk (678) MR-Junk1, www.mrjunk1.com

31 9

Reliable Heating & Air Inside back (770) 594-9969, ReliableAir.com Cherokee County Animal Shelter (770) 345-7270, cherokeega-animals.org 1015 Univeter Road, Canton Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists (770) 720-7733 www.cherokeewomenshealth.com

43

35

5

North Georgia Audiology 1 and Hearing Aid Center (770) 560-4775 203 Woodpark Place, Ste. B-100, Woodstock www.NorthGeorgiaHearing.com Northwest ENT & Allergy Center 48 (770) 427-0368, www.nw-ent.com 13 Reinhardt College Pkwy Canton, GA 30114 Northside Hospital – Cherokee (770) 720-5100, www.northside.com 201 Hospital Road, Canton

11

The Kaufmann Clinic 7 (770) 926-7411 www.TheKaufmannClinic.com 900 Towne Lake Pkwy., Ste. 300, Woodstock Wellstar (770) 956-STAR (7827) www.wellstar.org

3

Woodstock Pediatric Medicine 1 (770) 517-0250, www.woodstockpeds.com 2000 Professional Way, Bldg. 200, Woodstock

PHOTOGRAPHERS 9

Werner Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock 13 (678) 224-5722 www.ChildrensDentistWoodstock.com 250 Parkbrooke Place, Ste. 250, Woodstock

64

EM Universal Construction, LLC Reese, (678) 773-2804

PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL SERVICES

CHIROPRACTIC Colby Family Chiropractic (770) 592-1915 10917 Hwy. 92, Suite 160, Woodstock www.colbychiropracticlifestyle.com

45

PETS/ANIMALS

CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS Never Alone P.O. Box 1904, Woodstock, GA 30188

Atlas Garage Door Company (770) 592-6217

Rejoice Maids (678) 905-3476, www.rejoicemaids.com

BUSINESS

Holiday Lights of HOPE

Williams Orthodontics 43 (770) 592-5554 145 Towne Lake Pkwy, Suite 201, Woodstock (770) 345-4155 205 Waleska Road, Suite 1A, Canton www.DrWilliamsOrthodontics.com

J King Images (404) 384-2794, (404) 200-0881 www.JKingImages.com

13

Kim Bates Photography www.KimBatesPhotoArt.com

50

Raw Vintage Photography & Cinematography 25 8855 Main St., Woodstock, (404) 822-1402 www.daretobephoto.zenfolio.com

REAL ESTATE & RELATED SERVICES Atlanta Communities Real Estate Brokerage, Tara Daigle, Realtor (404) 925-6351, tara@keatingbrs.com

5

The Premier Group, Keller Williams (678) 494-0102 Back cover 8604 Main St., Woodstock www.TPGsells.com RECREATION/ENTERTAINMENT Elm Street Cultural Arts Village (678) 494-4251, www.elmstreetarts.org

14

RESTAURANTS/FOOD aCacao Affair 825 Jamerson Rd., Ste., 527, Marietta www.acacaoaffair.com, 678.903.4534

31

Blue Sky Barbecue 9 295 Molly Lane, Ste. 100, Woodstock (770) 485-0503, www.BlueSkyBarbecue.com Leaning Ladder Premium Olive Oils and Vinegars Cover, 32, 33 (678) 401-2609 www.leaningladderoliveoil.com 105 East Main Street, St. 126, Woodstock Reel Seafood (770) 627-3006 www.reel-seafood.com 8670 Main St., Woodstock,

24

RETAILERS/SHOPPING Branches Boutique 5 (770) 517-1505 2295 Towne Lake Pkwy. #140, Woodstock 370 Chambers St., Wodstock (678) 540-5483 Just Jerald Graphics, LLC (404) 247-0851, art4tees@comcast.net

40

Max Video Games & More 49 (770) 924-9300 6424 Bells Ferry Rd., Ste. 124, Woodstock www.facebook.com/maxvideogames Moops 105 E. Main St., #116, Woodstock (770) 592-2609

9

Rudi Fine Jewelry 42 (678) 445-2626, rudifinejewelry@yahoo.com 6790 Hwy. 92, Acworth Spirited 8670 Main St., Ste. 2, Woodstock (678) 214-5304, www.spritlala.com

37

The Gifted Ferret 22 1910 Eagle Dr., Ste. 400, Woodstock (770) 693-5889, wwwthegiftedferret.com Wild Birds Unlimited 39 (770) 928-3014, www.woodstock.wbu.com 1025 Rose Creek Dr., Woodstock