Jennifer Ruscilli

Keeping Your Pets Safe From Holiday Dangers

BY JENNIFER RUSCILLI

The holidays are here, and it’s time to deck the halls, walls, staircases and mantles. The smell of good food, colorful twinkling lights and live greenery set the scene. The most wonderful time of the year should be filled with happy celebrations, but they might not be for our pets.

According to a University of Georgia Extension Service veterinarian, Dr. Jim Strickland, chewing on cords can cause electrical shock, and leftovers, especially bones, can cause gastrointestinal distress. Holiday candies are a choking hazard, and ingestion of chocolate, which contains theobromine and caffeine, can affect your dog’s nervous system.

If your pet eats chocolate, monitor for signs of toxicity appearing within 6 to 12 hours. Chocolate poisoning begins with milder symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, increased urination and, in severe cases, muscle tremors, elevated or abnormal heart rhythms, seizures or even collapse and heart failure. Always seek medical help from your veterinarian. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3FivLji. use natural trees and shrubs as indoor decorations, familiarize yourself with the plants mentioned below in order to recognize symptoms if a potentially hazardous situation occurs, and keep these plants out of your pet’s reach.

There are other dangers that aren’t quite so obvious — live plants, branches and cuttings used as decorations in our homes. Even live trees can be a potential threat for our pets. Toxicity depends on the amount of a plant that has been eaten. According to the UGA Cooperative Extension and the Department of Urban Plant Pathology and Center for Urban Agriculture, plant toxicities can be categorized in four classes: 1. Major toxicity. May result in serious illness or death if ingested. 2. Minor toxicity. May result in vomiting or diarrhea if ingested. 3. Oxalates. Contains juice or sap with oxalate crystals that can irritate the skin, mouth or throat, and cause swelling, difficulty breathing, pain or an upset stomach. 4. Dermatitis. Contact with thorns or sap may result in a skin rash.

Adverse effects can vary from severe to mild, with even common plants causing great distress. If you plan to Hazardous Holiday Plants

• Amaryllis (Hippeastrum).

Stem, pedals, leaves, bulb (most concentrated)— toxic class 2 and 3. • Mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum).

Berries can cause gastrointestinal upset, slow pulse — toxic class 2 and 4. • Yew (Taxus). Needles, bark, fruit and cones can cause seizures, cardiac failure in some — toxic class 1. • English ivy (Hedera helix). All parts can cause abdominal pain, hyper salivation — toxic class 2.

Additionally, there are four more plants that are not good for pets, but are not as lethal as once thought: • A poinsettia’s milky sap may cause gastrointestinal upset. • The Christmas cactus may cause gastrointestinal upset and loss of coordination in cats. • Christmas holly’s leaves and berries may cause gastrointestinal upset. • Christmas tree water may contain preservatives or fertilizers that could cause a problem if pets drink the water.

This article isn’t intended to be a replacement for any medical advice; its purpose is to bring more awareness as you look for your tree or holiday plants and decorations. Most important, if you ever suspect your pet isn’t acting normally, or their behavior is odd, contact your veterinary doctor immediately. (It’s a good idea to add their phone number to your favorites.)

Dig Deeper:

• https://extension.uga.edu/county-offices/ cherokee/contact-us.html • https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/find_a_plant • www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poisoncontrol/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants

Jennifer Ruscilli is a Cherokee County Master Gardener who loves gardening, wildlife and pets. She also has previous experience as a veterinary associate.

Serving Up Coastal Dishes With a Southern Twist

Kip Lowery has taken his passion for the food and beverage industry and his 34-plus years of experience and fulfilled a lifelong dream. In June, he opened Dive Southern Coastal Kitchen in Canton.

“Our goal is to provide an exceptional guest experience with tantalizing coastal dishes with a twist of Southern cuisine, and to enlighten our guests with our good old Southern hospitality service,” said Kip, founder and CEO.

It was a natural next step for Kip, who started his food and beverage career at age 14. He said he’s gained a unique perspective, having grown up in the business. He’s been able to learn each job in the restaurant, having worked his way up from dishwasher at age 14 to owning a restaurant at age 51.

Kip has experience working for top industry companies such as Brinker, Dave & Busters, Disney and Levy Restaurants. He’s won numerous awards, including excellence in guest service from Atlanta Magazine in 2008’s Best of Atlanta contest, three guest service awards from Dave & Busters, and a BCN award for best family entertainment center in 2019 and 2020.

Dishes include fried grouper, shrimp and grits, Southern coastal salad and citrus-sauteed shrimp.

On The Menu

“We cater to dietary needs of our guests and are willing to go above and beyond,” Kip said. “We feature daily specials, tequila and bourbon tastings with food pairings, in addition to date nights featuring a bottle of selected wine with a four-course meal.”

Appetizers include Southern coastal charcuterie boards, pimento cheese and red pepper jam, and shrimp martinis. Savory shareables range from shrimp and grits, low country boil and grouper to cedar plank salmon, buttermilk fried chicken and daily specials. Sides include roasted corn, fries, mashed potatoes, smoked gouda and cheddar cheese grits, and roasted barbecue corn. Sandwiches feature catfish, fried green tomatoes, blackened shrimp and pimento cheese. The drink menu specializes in beach specialty drinks, such as the Mermaid Under the Sea and the Caribbean Sunset.

Behind the Scenes

Kip, a Marietta native, married his high school sweetheart Heather, and they have three children. Kip and Heather, along with his sister Celeste, her husband Rob and their three children, have worked together to build and design Dive’s interior, which includes tributes to their family. Celeste and Rob discovered this location after a successful restaurant moved to a newly built location.

Core values shape the culture and atmosphere that Kip hopes will ensure each diner has a great experience.

Core values are:

— To provide all guests with good, old-fashioned

Southern hospitality. — To work with integrity while listening and respecting all the people in the community, including guests and Dive staff. — To take pride and passion in all aspects of the job. — To work together as a crew for the success of Dive. — To give back to the community that supports us.

From left, Purple Rain, Mermaid on the Sea and Flamingo Rum Punch.

Customers Are Saying

“The staff was engaged, the food was excellent and the portions were generous. The menu items said shareable, and it was true. The proprietors here care and it shows.” — Dorin O.

“Overall great experience. The food was wonderful, plentiful and delivered quickly. We had an app of fried green tomatoes, a few cocktails and main courses of pimento cheeseburgers and fried grouper. Both were outstanding!” — Dave R.

“This place is great! Not only is the food fresh and delicious, but the staff is awesome. I came here on a Sunday afternoon with my grandparents, and they were willing to keep their doors open for us as we enjoyed our meal.” — Priscilla F.

Lend a Helping Hand

Many of our friends and neighbors struggle financially every day, and the holiday season is especially difficult. As Christmas approaches, the needs among local nonprofits have increased as the directors and volunteers are working to make sure everyone has a great holiday season. Here’s a list of organizations devoted to helping others. Please do what you can to help, whether it’s donating money or time.

Adopt a Senior 2022

www.cherokeega.com

Cherokee County Senior Services is collecting the following gift items for local seniors: a new bed sheet set, a $25 grocery gift card, a book of stamps and other nonperishable items, such as toiletries, word searches, candy, etc. Please place gifts in a holiday gift bag (no wrapping please). Gift drop-off is 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, through Dec. 2, and a special Saturday drop-off is 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 3. Gifts may be taken to the Cherokee County Senior Center, 1001 Univeter Road, in Canton. For more information, call 770-3453025 or email bmkiser@cherokeega.com. Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program

https://bit.ly/3lkJMlV

Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program is looking for candidates for the eighth annual Holiday Adopt a Vet program. The focus is on helping low-income veterans, those in senior living facilities, as well as homeless veterans, this holiday season. If you know of a veteran family in need, or you want to help volunteer for this program, contact Jim Lindenmayer at 678-983-7590 or jlindenmayer80@gmail.com.

Items are needed for the program’s annual drives and events, such as 10 bicycles for boys or girls for the Adopt a Vet program. Donors also can drop off gently used winter coats for the annual coat drive, Christmas cards for senior veterans (they do not have to be personalized), toiletries, flashlights with batteries, hand warmers, good gloves, emergency blankets and first aid kits to American Legion Post 45, 160 McClure St., in Canton. To schedule a donation drop-off, contact Jim Lindenmayer, or call or text Betty Lewis at 770-318-6451.

Cherokee Family Violence Center

www.cfvc.org/donate-now

Cherokee Family Violence Center has a transitional housing complex, with 72 apartments and an emergency shelter that accommodates 12 women and children affected by domestic violence. The Christmas wish list includes weekly meals through the holidays for shelter residents, canned items (like soups, meats, fruits and vegetables) and over-the-counter medications for cold and flu season. Additional donation items include unscented laundry pods, dishwashing pods, paper towels, toilet paper, paper plates, plastic utensils, new pillows, white linens for twin and full beds, white towel sets (washcloths, bath towels and hand towels) and new undergarments for all ages. Contact 770-479-1804, ext. 101, or volunteers@cfvc.org.

Cherokee Recreation & Parks Agency

www.playcherokee.org/200/Hugs-in-a-Blanket

Cherokee Recreation & Parks Agency is collecting items in support of helping seniors in need. Donations for the Hugs in a Blanket campaign will be taken through Dec. 14. Donors can bring a new warm blanket and new slipper socks to the recreation center, during regular business hours, at 7545 Main St., Building 200, in Woodstock. For more information, contact Jessica Hallman at jshallman@ cherokeega.com or 770-924-7768.

Cherokee Secret Santa

www.cherokeesanta.com

The Secret Santa program of the Department of Family and Children’s Services of Cherokee County offers a way for individuals, businesses, schools, churches or groups such as Sunday school classes or Boy and Girl Scout troops, to help the more than 375 children in foster care this year. Sponsors can be matched with specific children or collect speciality items needed to service the program. All levels of contributions are accepted. All size donations are appreciated. For more details, call the Secret Santa phone line at 678-235-5519.

Cherokee Thanksgiving

www.cherokeethanksgiving.com

The 30th annual event, on Nov. 24, was open to everyone. Organizers partnered with Williamson Bros. Bar-B-Q in Canton to serve more than 2,000 free meals, by delivery and pickup, in Cherokee and Pickens counties. Volunteers are needed beyond Thanksgiving, to help coordinate fundraising, expand the website, organize volunteers and create more awareness for the nonprofit.

The Children’s Haven www.CherokeeChildrensHaven.org

This nonprofit promotes the health and happiness of children in Cherokee affected by abuse and neglect. The group works to ensure their safety, advocate on their behalf and respond to meet their needs. Holiday needs include Christmas/holiday/winter-themed pajamas (sizes newborn to teen), as well as gift cards for Target, Kohl’s, Best Buy and similar stores. Volunteers always are needed to assist in the Caregiver’s Closet. Items can be dropped off at 1083 Marietta Highway in Canton. 770-345-3274.

Encompass Ministries https://encompassministriesinc.org

Encompass Ministries and its food pantry offer yearround food and stability, as well as life-skills training assistance. Special holiday needs: donations of turkeys, ham and nonperishable food items. A list of the Top 10 food needs is kept up-to-date on the website. Tax- deductible donations also are accepted on the website. For more details, call 770-591-4730.

Forever Fed www.foreverfed.org

Forever Fed, a mobile food ministry, hosts multiple food pantries a month in outdoor settings. There are many opportunities to partner with the nonprofit in building up our community with compassion: volunteer, donate nonperishable foods, send a financial gift or even hold a food drive. For a complete list of events and volunteer opportunities, visit the website. Goshen Valley Foundation

www.goshenvalley.org

Goshen Valley Boys Ranch attempts to provide a memorable Christmas experience for foster children, with the community’s help. This includes building traditions, talking about the true meaning of Christmas, as well as fulfilling young people’s wants and needs through gift giving, teaching them that they are loved. With 42 kids to purchase gifts for, Goshen Valley relies on the generosity of the community to fulfill these wishes. A list of gifts has been compiled on the Amazon website through a charity wish list. For details, visit http://goshenwishlist.org, email Executive Director Stacy Cooper at scooper@goshenvalley. org or call 770-796-4618 for a link to view gifts the boys have requested.

The Hope Box

www.thehopebox.org/donate

The Hope Box, a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing abandoned babies and toddlers, needs donations via gift cards for Walmart and Target to cover the costs of car seats and other needs of mothers and infants in crisis. Mail gift cards to 3330 Cobb Parkway, Suite 324-180, Acworth, GA 30101. For more information, call 770-765-6301.

Meals for Woodstock

www.woodstockga.gov/about/outreach.php

Hot cooked meals are provided for free by donations and volunteers, 4-6 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of the month at Vingenzo’s on East Main Street in downtown Woodstock. Other restaurants are encouraged to get involved in the community collaboration by contacting the Woodstock Office of Economic Development. To support the effort with a monetary contribution, visit the website; 100% of funds raised goes to the purchase of food for the program. To volunteer, visit https://bit.ly/3SWEef3 or email laynie.jones@fbcw.net.

A volunteer prepares food for a Meals for Woodstock distribution day.

MUST Ministries — Cherokee

www.mustministries.org

MUST Ministries long has been a source of help and hope to those living in poverty in Cherokee County. Christmas toy donations can be dropped off through Dec. 2, or as soon as possible (see the list of items needed below). Drop-offs are at MUST’s Canton location at 111 Brown Industrial Parkway. Please call Maurice Speaks at 770-721-2924 or email mspeaks@mustministries.org.

MUST Ministries Christmas toy needs include:

Teen Gifts

• Jewelry and watches • Adult coloring books and colored pencils • Headphones/earbuds • Sports equipment (balls, gloves, bats, skateboards) • Makeup kits • Calligraphy sets • Hair dryers/flat irons • Cologne/perfume/bath sets • Purses, wallets and belts

Toys for Ages 0-12

• Educational toys • Helmets and large bikes • Ethnic baby and Barbie dolls • Jackets and scarves • Legos • Blankets • Diapers • Hats and gloves • Hot Wheels tracks

Never Alone www.neveralone.org

The food pantry is seeking partners to help fight hunger in our community. The pantry provides more than 126,100 meals to approximately 800 households each month. Never Alone’s partnership with the Atlanta Community Food Bank allows it to purchase food at greatly discounted prices. Please consider making a taxdeductible donation online at www. neveralone.org, or by check, made payable to and mailed to: Never Alone Outreach, P.O. Box 1904, Woodstock, GA 30188.

North Georgia Angel House

www.angelhousega.com

The organization has served girls since 2006, by providing shelter, life skills, job readiness services, family support and more, for up to 40 females at a time. Current needs include: MP3 players, earbuds, gift cards for clothing or activities in the area and journals. Visit the website to donate, or shop on Amazon Smile and select North Georgia Angel House Inc as your charity to support. SERV International

https://servone.org/foodlocal

The nonprofit provides food to local families and to complex regions globally. With the help of volunteers, 800 SERV food boxes are delivered each month to families in need in Cherokee County and the surrounding areas. To sponsor a local family for $35 a month, visit the website. For volunteer opportunities, email info@servone.org.

Simple Needs GA

www.simpleneedsga.org

The Spirit of Christmas program helps school- and agency-referred families who are getting close to Christmas and were unable to register for other local programs earlier in the year. Volunteer opportunities include buying requested presents, wrapping gifts, making deliveries, sorting and organizing, and more. For more information, email brenda@simpleneedsga.org.

Toys for Tots www.toysfortots.org

Toys for Tots is a national program started by the Marine Corps. As a way of spreading joy to the less fortunate, Toys for Tots collects new, unwrapped toys year-round to distribute to children in need during the holiday season. Visit the website for an updated list of collection sites in our area, including Cherokee County fire stations.

WarAngel Farms Rescue and Rehabilitation

www.warangelfarms.com

Keep a rescued horse or donkey warm this winter with a holiday donation ($150 per blanket). There are other opportunities for sponsorship of animals, such as horses, ponies, donkeys, pigs, cows and more, on a monthly basis. The nonprofit animal rescue appreciates the community’s part in helping the animals during the winter and yearround. For more information, or to sponsor your favorite animal, visit the Sponsorship tab on the website.

Volunteers organize food items for SERV Food Local boxes.