2 15 townelaker webfinal by Aroundabout Local Media, Inc.

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

February 2015

Volume 20, Issue 10

18 Change at Elm Street

Founding director retires, shares special memories.

20 Words from the Wise

Advice from handling in-laws to managing arguments.

28 Everyday Angels

Donations are used to help many in need.

36 Smart Shopping

Consignment sales give clothes a second chance.

54 Slow Cooker Primer

Teachers share their favorite recipes for a hearty meal.

69 Winter Break Camps

Options for parents seeking activities for their children.

72 The World of Nonprofits

New monthly features brings updates, opportunities.

74 A Day in the Sunshine

Pets enjoy carefree play time at Woofstock Park.

72 In Every Issue

Contributing Writers Chantel Adams 44 Don Akridge 30 Michael Caldwell 14 Caron Catalon 46 G. Lora Grooms 18, 80 Delia Halverson 16 Dr. Scott Harden 56 Dr. Jan Henriques 58 Jenna Hill 76 Dr. Jeffrey Hopkins 64 James Imbriale 52 Dan Jape 53 Kurt & Sheila Johnson 32

Dr. Peter Jungblut Sean Kaufman Joe Lemmo Dr. Mike Litrel Rob Macmillan Rev. Carl Moore Matt Neal O. Julius Quarcoo Bill Ratliff Lynne Saunders Jodi Tiberio Tim Timmons Van Tran

60 24 65 34 43 70 42 62 71 47 26 50 63

Around Towne 4 Community News 8 Birthdays 12 Community Calendar 40 Everyday Angels 28 Towne Lake Dining Guide 38 School News 66 Faith 70 Parking Map 71 Woodstock Dining Guide 77 Greenprints Trail Map 83 Recent Home Sales 90 Classified ads 91

EDITORIAL Contact us and view the magazine online at questions and comments www.townelaker.com Candi Hannigan (770) 615-3309 Candi@AroundAboutMagazines.com

48 & 49 On the Cover Northside Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. Photo by Kim Bates. 2

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

ADVERTISING questions and comments Patty Ponder (770) 615-3322 Patty@AroundAboutMagazines.com

Join the TowneLaker magazine fan page

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TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Community

AROUND TOWNE

The

People, The Places and The Pleasures that make Towne Lake

What’s Open Barrel and Barley Craft Beer Market has opened at 8600 Main Street, between Outspokin Bicycles and Blue Frog Imports. www.barrelandbarley. com. New SportClips Haircuts has opened at 12186 Hwy. 92, Suite 92 and Trickum Road in Woodstock. (678) Candi Hannigan is the 685-3744. It caters to men and boys executive editor of Around Woodstock, with a sports-themed interior for a TowneLaker and Sixes barbershop-style experience. http:// Living magazines. She has lived in Cherokee haircutmenhwy92trickumwoodstockga. County for 25 years. calls.net. Send your comments or questions to candi@ County Line Kennel, 10350 Main aroundaboutmagazines. Street, Woodstock, offers animal lovers a com place for their pets to socialize, exercise and play in addition to boarding, day care, training, grooming, self-service bath, pick-up and delivery, and pet adoptions. A new trail head and bridge at Woofstock Park has opened, connecting the recreation area to the from Town to Creek and Noonday Creek trails. Photographer Darleen Prem visited the park recently, where she took photos of area residents and their dogs enjoying a break in the damp and dreary winter weather. See her photos on page 34. Falany & Hulse Women’s Center opened a new location in Woodstock at 900 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 404. The practice offers healthcare, obstetrics and gynecological care and surgical procedures. (770) 720-8551. www.falanyandhulse.com.

What’s New Matthew Simmons, M.D., has joined Northside Cherokee Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Holly Springs. Dr. Simmons joins Dr. Stephanie Hsu and Dr. Travis Jones in providing full-service orthopedic medicine to patients of all ages. The practice is in the Northside-Cherokee building at 684 Sixes Rd., Suite 130. www. northsidecherokeeortho.com.

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

What’s Coming A new BB&T branch is under construction on Towne Lake Parkway, beside the Walgreens near I-575. No opening date was available at press time.

Congratulations Ball Ground resident Tim Cavender, who has portrayed Santa Claus for more than 40 years, will be inducted into the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame in April. Cavender is one of six in the world who will be inducted in 2015. The ceremony will be held at the Charles W. Howard Legendary Santa Claus Conference in Albion, NY. The hall of fame preserves the historical documentation of the many men and women who have contributed to the legend of Santa Claus, and is Pam and Tim Cavender with Gov. Nathan and Sandra dedicated to Deal. Saint Nicholas of Myra, the fourth century bishop known for his great deeds of generosity. He is the basis for the Santa Claus Legend. Cavender and his wife Pam, who portrays Mrs. Claus, have appeared at the Georgia Governor’s mansion for the past six years during the lighting of the mansion’s Christmas tree. According to Joy Forth, the mansion’s executive director, Tim “brings so much joy and delight to the thousands of children and their families. Tim looks just like the traditional Santa Claus and is so perfect to make photographs with the visitors to the Governor’s Mansion.”

Teacher Recruitment Fair Set for March 7 The Cherokee County School District will hold a Teacher Recruitment Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 7 at Woodstock High School, 2010 Towne Lake Hills South Drive, in preparation for hiring needs for the 2015-16 school year. The fair is designed for teacher candidates graduating from educator preparation programs as well as experienced educators who currently hold a professional certificate in Georgia or another state. Candidates will have the opportunity to meet with school principals and other representatives. Those interested must fill out an application on the county’s website at http://portal.cherokee.k12.ga.us/employment/pages/ employment%20opportunities.aspx.

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TOWNELAKER | February 2015

COMMUNITY BOARD

Townelaker Publisher AroundAbout Local Media, Inc.

The TowneLaker Community Board consists of well-respected community leaders from different walks of life. Our board members assist us in many ways, including contributing to our magazine, judging our annual Trailblazer award and providing valuable feedback. Ann Litrel — Ann is an artist and writer whose nationally published work includes decorative art, paintings for private and corporate collections, and writing and illustration for a range of publications. Ann lives in Towne Lake with her husband and co-author Dr. Mike Litrel and their two sons. Ann can be reached at Ann@annlitrel.com

Dee Locklin — Dee is a Georgia State University retiree who moved to Towne Lake in 1998. She and husband Lewis are the proud parents of KSU student Taylor. Dee joined the TowneLaker as a contributing writer in 2011 and now is focusing her energy on caring for her beloved husband as he battles late-stage cancer.

G. Lora (Gay) Grooms — Gay has been teaching, writing, directing, and performing in the Atlanta area since 1990. She opened the Towne Lake Arts Center — now the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village — in 2002. She credits her four now-grown children for teaching her almost everything she knows about working with creative young minds.

Dr. Scott R. Harden — Scott is a family dentist at Fountain View Family & Cosmetic Dentistry serving Woodstock and Cherokee County for 25 years. During this time, he has lived in the Towne Lake area with his wife, Kathy, and two children.

ALM President, Market Director Patty Ponder Patty@AroundAboutMagazines.com (770) 615-3322 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 TowneLaker, a publication of AroundAbout Local Media, Inc., is a monthly community magazine. The magazine’s goal is to build a sense of community and pride in the Towne Lake and surrounding area by providing its residents with positive stories and timely information. It distributes a total of 16,000 free copies. Approximately 14,900 are direct mailed to homes and businesses and an additional 1,100 are placed in racks around the community. It also has 2,000+ digital viewers of the magazine online each month. TowneLaker welcomes your comments, stories, and advertisements. The deadline is the 5th of the previous month. Subscriptions are available for $24 per year. Send check or money order to the address below. The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the Editor/ Publisher and the Publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. TowneLaker is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the Publisher. All rights reserved. © Copyright 2015.

TowneLaker

PMB 380 1025 Rose Creek Dr., Ste. 620, Woodstock, GA 30189

For Advertising: Patty Ponder, (770) 615-3322 Website: www.townelaker.com Powered by TrustWorkz Inc. Volume 20, Issue 10

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Community

Meg Rogers Wins Unity Award The 2015 Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Award was presented to Meg Rogers, executive director of the Cherokee Family Violence Center in Canton, during the annual MLK Unity Breakfast last month. Meg began as a volunteer at the center in 1993 and was named executive director in 1995. Under her leadership, the center was expanded with the creation of the Multi-Cultural Program and the implementation of the only 24-hour Spanish language crisis hotline in Georgia. The center also partnered with Meg Rogers NuRock Development Corporation to build a $6.8 million, 72-unit transitional housing apartment complex known as Hearthstone Landing that houses domestic violence victims and their children. In 2011, the Cherokee Family Violence Center became the only domestic violence program in Georgia to receive accreditation by the United States Board of Immigration and Appeals to be able to directly assist immigrant victims of domestic violence with immigration appeals and protections. And, in 2014, an extensive Positive Parenting Program titled “Triple P” was created to provide a comprehensive approach to addressing parenting skills. Additionally, Meg spearheaded an effort to expand the Cherokee Family Violence Center into the Full Frame Initiative’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Cohort Demonstration Project. This project is a multi-year endeavor bringing together 10 exemplary domestic violence organizations and allies from across the country as a learning and action community to help survivors facing complex challenges. “My role models and inspiration come from the women and men who I have worked with who had the courage to believe that there could be a world that was safe, just and free from violence and that all lives mattered,” Meg said.

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Canton Arts Festival Seeks Participants The popular Artist’s Market will be the centerpiece of Canton Festival of the Arts for 2015. Held in Canton’s historic downtown, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 16-17, the annual event will offer visitors the rare opportunity to savor the works of some of the most talented artists and craftspeople from across the South and beyond. In the past years, the Artist’s Market has included exhibitors whose fine art mediums include oil, watercolor, fine blown glass, elegant and whimsical jewelry, decorative and functional pottery, sculpture and hand turned wood, among others. For more info, call (770) 704-6244, email cantonfestivalofthearts@gmail. com or visit http://cherokeearts. squarespace.com/festival.

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Community

YOUR LOCAL NEWS Farm Bureau Finalist for State Award Cherokee County Farm Bureau (CCFB) was recognized as one of the top county Farm Bureau programs in the state during the organization’s recent 77th annual convention. The county chapter was named a finalist for the prestigious Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall McKemie Award - the (right) congratulates William Grizzle on the highest honor that a county’s honor. county Farm Bureau in the state can receive - in recognition of the activities it sponsored during the past year to promote agriculture. CCFB was one of nine county Farm Bureaus to be recognized as a finalist in the more than 2,180-member category. William Grizzle is the CCFB president. Georgia Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general farm organization, was founded in 1937. The organization has 158 county offices. Its volunteer members actively participate in local, district and state activities that promote agriculture awareness to their non-farming neighbors. GFB also has 20 agricultural commodity advisory committees that give the organization input on issues pertinent to the major crops and livestock grown in Georgia.

Honoring Vietnam Vets Vietnam Veteran Recognition Day will be observed at 11 a.m. March 7 at the Georgia National Cemetery at 1080 Scott Hudgens Drive in Canton, at the Ceremonial Wall assembly area. This event will give recognition to the veterans for their service and sacrifice for our nation. Vietnam vets are invited to attend.

Naval Reserve Officer Honored Lt. Cmdr. Arti Lamba of Woodstock received the Navy Achievement Medal on Jan. 11 at the Navy Operational Support Center Atlanta for outstanding performance in the Navy Reserve. Lamba serves as the assistant officer in charge of the Navy Reserve medical clinic at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta. She was Lt. Cmdr. Arti Lamba recognized for her diligence in the clinic’s recent relocation from mobile offices to a newly renovated and upgraded medical facility. Lamba, who works as a dentist in her civilian life, was commissioned in 2009 in the Navy Reserve. A native of Houston, Lamba moved in 2009 to Woodstock, where she lives with her husband and two children.

Service League Applications Due The deadline for membership application to the Service League of Cherokee County is Feb. 10. Members support children in need in our county with money raised through various events throughout the year. The application can be found at www. serviceleague.net. Thanks to a successful Riverfest event last year, and several other profitable fundraisers, the Service League was able to increase the amount given to local charities by $20,000. Initially the group committed to giving $30,000 to the Community Impact Grant Program, but upped the total to $50,000. Grant recipients are Bethesda Community Clinic, Inc., Cherokee High School CHOICE Program, Cherokee Thanksgiving Ministry, The Children’s Haven, Inc., Goshen Valley Foundation, House of Hope, Living Bread Ministries, Inc. and Woodstock Elementary School. Established in 1935, the Service League of Cherokee County is a volunteer group of 100 women who work year-round, collectively volunteering more than 10,000 hours per year to raise funds for local needy children. www.serviceleague.net. 10

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Accepting the grants are, front row, from left: Sonya Breaux and Mary Minicucci from Woodstock Elementary School, Sherrie Poirrier from Living Bread Ministries, Inc., Deidre Hollands from The Children’s Haven, Inc., Wendy Graham from House of Hope, Debra Murdoch from Cherokee High School CHOICE Program and Delane Stevens from the Service League of Cherokee County. Back row, from left: Chris Jackson, Jessica Ruiz and William Penniman from Woodstock Elementary School, Sharon McClurd from Living Bread Ministries, Inc., Zach Blend from Goshen Valley Foundation and Banks Brazell from Bethesda Community Clinic, Inc.

NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL-CHEROKEE IS WORKING TO KEEP CHEROKEE GREAT. BECAUSE, IT’S OUR HOME,TOO. Northside Hospital-Cherokee has served the residents of this county for many years. And our commitment to bring you the very best possible care goes well beyond our walls.

BEING NEIGHBORS Most of the people who work at Northside Hospital-Cherokee live in Cherokee. They’re not just your doctors or nurses, they’re your neighbors.

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Our employees and physicians have volunteered more than 10,000 hours to Cherokee County schools and organizations.

CONTRIBUTING We contribute to Cherokee County schools and support local venues and community activity centers.

Cherokee’s community hospital. Northside.com TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Community

Happy Birthday!

Keegan A. Ferguson Age 7 on Jan. 3 Happy Birthday! We Love You BIt! Love, Daddy, Mommy, Kinsey, Kaden and Kameron

Zoe Rose Moylan Age 4 on Feb. 15 Happy Birthday to our sweet little one! Love, Mommy & Daddy

Charlotte Jane Burns Age 1 on Feb. 20 Happy first birthday sweet girl! We love you so much! Love, Mommy, Daddy and Addie

Kameron S. Ferguson Age 3 on Feb. 4 Happy Birthday Kam-Kam! We love you! Daddy, Mommy, Kinsey, Keegan and Kaden

Kenyatta Watson Age 14 on Feb. 14 Happy birthday! Have a great day. Love, Nani and Thomas

Cam Neal Happy birthday on Feb. 16 You are our prince in a castle full of girls! We love you! Michelle, Hayden, Marlee and Raynah

Hayden and Marlee Neal Age 16 on Feb. 16 Happy 16th birthday! You both make us so proud! You are amazing girls! We love you! Love, Mom, Dad and Raynah

Lauren Aubrey Bridges Age 6 on Feb. 16 We love you lots, Mommy, Daddy and little brother Jax.

Jessica Forte Age 10 on Feb. 16 Happy 10th birthday to the most gentle, sweetest and loving girl in town!! We love you so much!! Mom, Dad and Jenna

Celebrations!

Vita Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ambrosio Age 80 on Feb. 10 Happy birthday to our kind and loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother! Amazing is an understatement. We love you!

Announcements are free! E-mail to: Candi@ AroundAboutMagazines.com March deadline is Feb. 10. Buddy and Shannon Thacker celebrating 3 years on Feb. 4

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Barb and Bruce Hinkle celebrating 14 years on Feb. 12.

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Community

Look in the Mirror and Raise Your Hand BY STATE REP. MICHAEL CALDWELL

As I was growing up, my father had a single requirement every morning for me to accomplish immediately after waking. I was expected get out of bed, walk to my mirror, raise my right hand and say out loud, “I, Michael Caldwell, am responsible for the consequences of my own actions.” This may sound like an imaginary illustration one might use to better make their point in an article, but I Michael Caldwell is the state representative assure you this was a very real part for District 20, which of my childhood. So real in fact that I covers Towne Lake and Woodstock. He can often find myself in waking hours with be reached at (678) the words waiting on my lips. 523-8570 or email him at Michael@ Now I find myself excited to CaldwellForHouse. pass down the same lesson that I com. was taught over the course of my childhood to my new son Oliver. The lesson, as my father would (often) explain it, was simple: You are not a victim. This beautifully simple recitation has in many ways shaped the way I view my world. It removed my ability to make excuses for myself. I stopped looking outward for drivers in my life and began by looking inward. If I want something to change, I can’t expect anything to happen on its own. I strive not to expect things of others that I’m unwilling to do myself. Which is another part of why I love these chosen words. The focus is set entirely on me. I’m not preaching about mankind in general or lamenting those I may not believe have tried hard enough. I’m simply setting an expectation and a standard for myself. At the beginning of my days, my father expected me to remember that my day would be filled with decisions and that decisions come with choices. Whether good, bad or ugly, my decisions would have consequences. In the same way the decision was mine to make, the consequence would be mine to bear. In many of my articles you’ve read about a love that I have for the uniqueness of our nation. One of the truly distinguishing factors America was built on was a belief in individual responsibility.

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

The understanding that a man will reap the benefits or demerits of his decisions is what our governing structure and a market system are built upon. This doesn’t mean that we don’t band together and extend a helping hand when needed. However, the more that government removes the risk/reward principle from our society, the harder it will be for succeeding generations to grasp the value of building, innovating and relying on oneself. As we drift farther from these principles, it falls to each of us to take the time to educate our children about them. This must be done above and beyond simply living a good example. An all-star baseball player’s skills do nothing to ensure their children have a passion or talent for the game. They must be taught and coached to excel when playing themselves. That’s what my father did for me through my morning recitation. It’s a habit I look forward to developing in my son. It’s a habit I’ve found friends employing with their own children after hearing our story. As silly as it may have felt to be a thirteen year old speaking to the mirror before I was allowed to brush my teeth, the life lessons I have taken from that single sentence have in many ways transformed my life. 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!

“Now I find myself excited to pass down the same lesson that I was taught over the course of my childhood to my new son Oliver. The lesson, as my father would (often) explain it, was simple: You are not a victim.”

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Community

Senior Sense: Friendship BY DELIA HALVERSON

As I considered the month of February and Valentine’s Day, my thoughts went beyond wine and roses. Actually, my husband sent me a bouquet of yellow roses on the Valentine’s Day before our wedding. It was a real surprise, and I loved them! But, especially for seniors, there can be a deeper understanding of Valentine’s Day and a focus on friendship. Many seniors move to be closer to their children and this can create the Delia has written more than 25 books, need to make new friends. With my many leads workshops and moves, I’ve often met someone who felt has trained teams in the Congo and compelled to tell me unpleasant things Mozambique. She and about another person I was about to her husband have lived in eight states, but now meet. I believe that each person brings reside in Woodstock, his or her own unique personality to a and have a daughter, son, daughter-in-law friendship or relationship. We see people and four grandchildren through the lens of our own environment living in Cherokee County. and background. Something unpleasant to one person may not be for another. In fact, I usually find myself going in the opposite direction. Once I’ve been told how terrible a person is, I make a determined effort to find something good.

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

I once read a definition that divided friendship into three distinct categories: intimate, close and casual. Intimate friends are few and far between. There may be only two or three friends in your lifetime who you could actually call intimate. Or your personality may never allow intimate friends. The more intimate the friend, the less necessity there is for talking. A common feeling and understanding flows between them, with no need to express it. Intimate friends can reveal things to each other that would kill any other type of friendship. Close friends are more prevalent, and the relationship offers great rewards. Close friends enjoy many things in common. They thrive on the give and take of conversations over mutual interests. They share their excitement and joys as well as their sorrows. A close friend may develop into an intimate friend, given the right environment. Casual friends are many. They develop in neighborhood locations, over a card table, on cruises, as business associates, or through other friends. They are the wildflower garden of life. Growth depends on the location and climate. The next time someone tries to fill you in on someone you have yet to meet, turn a deaf ear. Know that you may see the person with different eyes. Then seek out your own sparks of like interest. Enjoy a new friend for what you have in common. There may be more to enjoy than you thought.

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Community

There Was No Bus Involved…. BY G. LORA GROOMS

es, I have retired from the Elm Street Cultural Arts instructor and camp counselor who gave those children exactly Village and it happened quickly—in some ways—but not what they needed. entirely. I always ran things with the idea that if I got hit • When a skeptical patron came to see a show and walked by a bus the next day, the organization needed to survive and out saying, “I’m so surprised to see such a wonderful show in thrive. It could not logically rely on my presence. That would Woodstock! We’ll be back!’” Thank you to every volunteer who be silly. made that happen again and again: tech operators, set/prop, Fortunately, due to many of you out there reading this, Elm lighting and costume designers, actors, parents of actors—you Street is in great hands and has strong community support. It know who you are. Thank you. will go on. A lot of people have told me “The arts center won’t be The actual “bus” was my family. A several-months-long tug the same without you.” Well, that’s true, I suppose. It will of war between family and work resulted in a win for those who be different. But it is a living, breathing organization with gave me the strength and courage to work as hard as I have for incredible people and it will continue on as long as the so many years: my amazing parents. community participates Looking back at my time in Woodstock, there and supports it. I hope all “There are really no words to describe have been some remarkable moments along the of you will do just that. my time with G. Lora Grooms at TLAC/ way, including: Thank you for everything Elm Street. It’s been a whirlwind of fun, • When the father of one of our young actresses and God bless. enlightenment, mentorship, and love offered to use his legal expertise to apply for 501(c) with you the past 12 years. I’m really “Gay, you molded (3) non-profit status for the Towne Lake Arts Center going to miss you and your catch my very young shy (our first theater home). Thank you, Charles phrases. ‘If it were easy, everyone Lora into the most Robertson. would do it.’” wonderful confidant • When the parents of “A Christmas Carol” cast -Siobhan Brumbelow young woman! member kept showing up at the box office and You were always would not accept change for their ticket purchases. her mentor and They became major patrons of TLAC for many years. There gave her so many is a plaque to this day in the opportunities. We wish lobby, naming the theater after all the best for you in them. Thank you, Joe and Sharon “You are the best! I cannot thank you your future! Good luck Cunningham. enough for all you and enjoy!” • When we put “Seussical the have done for my - Roni Jacobs Musical” on the 2005 season family and for the and Gina Carr, previous owner whole community of TowneLaker, stepped in as of Woodstock. producer because she was a Every life you have huge fan of the show. From touched with your that moment forward, we talent, leadership, Grooms on the have had donated ad space and kindness is Towne Lake Arts in the magazines. Thank you, Center set for “The better for it. I hope AroundAbout Local Media, for Little Mermaid” you have many continuing the tradition. in 2007 with Ross Ruda, a student she • When we were trying so hard fun filled days of happiness and joy first worked with to find a downtown location to in your retirement.” back in the 1990s. become part of the rebirth and -Grant Garlinghouse economic development of the city and we were offered space at what became City Center. Thank “Ms. G. Lora Grooms, thank you you, Mayor Donnie Henriques, Jeff Moon, for all you have done for the Richard McLeod, Brian Stockton and the people who graced the doors Woodstock City Council. of TLAC and ESCAV. You put my Grooms in a rare appearance • When a child entered the building life on a path I never thought I would take, but on the Elm Street stage as nervous, shy and insecure but, after a slightly high Reverend I am so glad I did. The best seven years of my participating in a class or camp, walked out Mother being dragged life were spent under your guidance. Happy smiling, confident and self assured. This away by Sister Hubert (Taryn Retirement!” -Andrew Berardi happened hundreds of times, hundreds. Chidebelu-Eze) in “Nunsense,” in 2012. Thank you to every TLAC/Elm Street 18

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

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TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Community

Tips for Living Happily Ever After Partygoers at the Cherokee County Senior Center New Year’s Eve celebration shared their wisdom for happy relationships. Special thanks to Delia Halverson, Don Payne and the Woodstock Senior Center for help in gathering answers and taking photos.

Marty Greco, 53 Cindy Greco, 53 Married 33 years. One child.

Advice for newlyweds: The first year is the hardest. Make it through that, and you are good! Secret to a happy marriage: Try to understand the other person’s point of view. Advice for handling in-laws: Treat them like your own parents. Proposal story: Took her to our favorite park. To resolve an argument: Apologize, and never go to bed angry, after calmly discussing your feelings, or sides of story. What’s your most memorable Valentine’s celebration? I won a trip for two to Callaway Gardens on the radio, and it included massages. What is the most romantic thing your husband/wife has done for you? When on vacation in Hawaii, I planned a seaside wedding vow renewal, complete with his and her “Hawaiian” wedding bands and island dress.

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Lynne Singer, 72

Larry Press, 89

Married three times, seven years each. Two children, one grandson.

Married 57 years. Three sons, three grandsons, one granddaughter

Advice for newlyweds: Never go to bed angry - always say I love you. Secret to a happy marriage: Each person gives 110 percent. Advice for handling in-laws: Be understanding. He was their son before being my husband. Proposal story: My second husband took me to a pinball arcade in NYC, then to his favorite deli and asked me over dessert. To resolve an argument: Try to be reasonable about things. What’s your most memorable Valentine’s celebration? Being in Vegas and finding rose petals and 100 dollar bills all over the bed. What is the most romantic thing your husband has done for you? My third husband made me a mac n’ cheese dinner – served in pot lids, we ate them with chopsticks when we first moved into our apartment.

Advice for newlyweds: Don’t go to sleep without kissing goodnight. Secret to a happy marriage: When we argued, we each said “You can leave, but you take the kids! Advice for handling in-laws: Be yourself. Proposal story: When I got out of the Navy, she told me “either you marry me before my 21st birthday, or forget about it.” To resolve an argument: Each of you listen to the other without interruption. What’s your most memorable Valentine’s celebration? Went to a great restaurant and sat in a private room. What is the most romantic thing your wife has done for you? When I had surgery, she carried all our things to the beach across the hot sand.

Shari Valeri, 68

Married 47 years. Two children, three grandchildren. Advice for newlyweds: Be nice to one another and talk over differences. Secret to a happy marriage: Patience. Advice for handling in-laws: Be kind and helpful and respectful. Proposal story: We just agreed on a certain date and went away and did it. What is the most romantic thing your husband has done for you? Took me to Las Vegas on my 60th birthday, surprised me at a restaurant with 25 people. What’s your most memorable Valentine’s celebration? Nice quiet dinner, roses, lots of champagne.

Carole Yeske, 71 Married 39 years.

Advice for newlyweds: Never, never, never give up. Secret to a happy marriage: Read the 13th chapter of Corinthians in the Bible. To resolve an argument: Each one give 100 percent. What’s your most memorable Valentine’s celebration? When my husband was so ill, he didn’t even know it was Valentine’s Day. What is the most romantic thing your husband has done for you? Planned a romantic dinner at a very classy restaurant.

Paula Scott, 68

Kimberly Dyer, 50

Married 20 years. Two children. Secret to a happy marriage: Sharing and caring for each other. Advice for handling in-laws: Agree with them, enjoy with laughter and good meals cooked for them. Proposal story: Husband got down on one knee and asked. To resolve an argument: Let it die down and then make up later. What’s your most memorable Valentine’s celebration? Went to Gatlinburg, got a honeymoon suite. What is the most romantic thing your husband has done for you? Brought some flowers home, turned on romantic music.

Married 46 years. Two children, two grandchildren. Advice for newlyweds: It doesn’t matter who is right or wrong in an argument, because at the end of the day, it is most important that you have each other. Secret to a happy marriage: Best friends, work together, live together, love together – two people become one. Advice for handling in-laws: Treat them like your own parents. Proposal story: Found an engagement ring attached to a corsage before going to a college dance. What is the most romantic thing your husband has done for you? Every day is a romance when your husband is always thinking of you.

George J. Greco, 75 Lorene Greco, 71

Married 54 ½ years. Two sons, three grandchildren and one great-grandson. Advice for newlyweds: George: Always keep her on a pedestal and love her more than yourself. Lorene: To not give up on marriage, and try to resolve disagreements. Try to do the things that the other one likes. Secret to a happy marriage: George: To give in and love her. Lorene: To give and take. Advice for handling in-laws: George: Love them, treat them like they are your mom and dad. Lorene: Listen to them, but do what you want to do. Proposal story: George: I just told her that she was going to marry me, and she said if I don’t she would get me on breach of promise. Lorene: Went out on a second date, and he told me that we were going to get married. I told him that I would get him for breach of promise and he said, I mean it! What’s your most memorable Valentine’s celebration? George: I gave her an Elvis card with candy, and she still has it. It still plays music. Lorene: My first Valentine’s Day after we were married. He gave me a little cedar chest with candy in it. What is the most romantic thing your husband/wife has done for you? Lorene: Took me to Victoria Island and we stayed at a Victorian hotel in the King’s bedroom. It was my birthday!

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Spillane Orthodontics Offers New Technology Combined With Years of Experience

Dr. Kevin Spillane has been treating orthodontic patients for the last 25 years from his office in Woodstock. He has a successful practice where he has helped thousands of children and adults. While it may be easy for Dr. Spillane to relax a bit and rest on his laurels, that’s not what he’s doing. In fact, since attending a conference nine months ago, he has been on a mission to utilize a new 3-D technology that can have a positive impact on more than a patient’s smile. He believes in the life-changing possibilities so much that he has invested in an iCat 3-D scanner From left: Becky Davis, Sheila Oliver, Diane Pulley, Robin Mende and Doreen Dorr. In front: Dr. Kevin Spillane and daughter Rachel Spillane. to enhance his diagnostic ability. Dr. Spillane’s patients come to him for help in straightening their teeth with traditional braces or Invisalign®, a bracketfree treatment. He has learned over the years that there are SPILLANE ORTHODONTICS underlying causes of crooked teeth, and using the iCat scanner 335 Parkway 575, Suite 200 Woodstock 30188 will help him discover these problems and offer treatment that (770) 928-4747 will ensure a more successful long-term result. Hours:1-7 p.m. Mon. & Wed.,7 a.m.-2 p.m. Tues. & Thurs.

iCat 3-D Imaging

The iCat scanner creates three-dimensional images of the patient’s head, giving an in-depth view of the teeth and their roots, airways and sinus passages. Dr. Spillane is convinced that treatment with the help of 3-D imagery is essential not only for his orthodontic practice but the broader field of dentistry. His interest in sharing this knowledge with other dental professionals in the area led him to open Advanced Dental Imaging, which is located right across the hall from his orthodontic practice. Dr. Spillane is able to accurately measure airways three-dimensionally, and can detect deviated septums, enlarged turbinates in the nasal passages, and other issues that may contribute to airway obstructions. Breathing problems caused by airway obstructions can be found at the root of most orthodontic problems. In fact, studies have shown a link between breathing issues and children diagnosed with ADD and ADHD. “If a patient has a poor airway, carefully planned orthodontic treatment will maximize their airway. With 22

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www.spillaneortho.com

the iCat scan, we are able to better visualize the problems and design a treatment plan that will give health benefits in addition to a beautiful smile,” said Dr. Spillane. The difference in treatment with the 3-D imagery versus treatment without it is described by Dr. Spillane as, “I was blind but now I can see. It hasn’t been around that long but the impact of 3-D versus 2-D is incredibly powerful.”

Advantages of Invisalign®

Another fairly new treatment that’s growing in popularity is Invisalign®, a more aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional metal brackets. After a thorough initial exam and consultation, the patient receives a series of removable aligners, each labeled with information on when and how long to wear each one to gradually straighten teeth. It’s a great, flexible option for patients who can’t make frequent office visits. Dr. Spillane is excited about the future of orthodontics with the advantages of the latest technology. While so much has changed in his field, his love for the community he serves is just as strong as ever. “At the time of opening my practice, Woodstock was a new and vibrant community close to where I lived. It was the perfect environment for me to begin my practice. I still believe that today. It continues to grow as a lively, friendly, family-oriented community.” Dr. Spillane is an accredited orthodontist, certified in Invisalign®, trained in i-Cat Imaging Systems and is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists. Convenient office hours make it easy for students and working adults to find an appointment time. Contact Dr. Spillane for more information about orthodontic treatment and iCat imaging at (770) 928-4747.

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TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Community

The Challenge within the Challenge BY SEAN KAUFMAN

A cocoon has a purpose – so does a struggle. There once was a man who noticed a little tear in a cocoon. Thinking he would assist the butterfly, he gently opened the hole a little wider, allowing the butterfly to come out with little struggle and much ease. He waited for the butterfly to spread her wings – but it never happened. You see, the struggle to get out of the cocoon is what is needed Sean Kaufman lives in for the butterfly to open her Woodstock with his wife, wings and fly. The butterfly never two sons and daughter. He specializes in intrinsic struggled and as a result, never coaching/motivation, had the strength to fly. owns a behavioral-based The challenge within the consulting business and challenge is when we watch is an internationally someone we love struggle. recognized trainer. He can be contacted at sean@ Watching someone struggle is seankaufman.com. not ignoring or turning away from them. It means you are right there with them, and the minute they get frustrated, feel like they want to quit, like they have no other option, you offer them a piece of advice or a tip which can get them moving again. In the end, when someone finally figures out a solution, they learn how to cope on their own – independent of others – which ultimately means survival. The butterfly story reminds us that challenges are not always bad. In fact they can be the difference between walking and

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soaring through life. When you go to the gym, you build muscle with resistance, not by lifting balloons. Look at a challenge as a way of building muscle and think about who is the one building the muscle. If I choose to lift weights for someone else, they are not gaining any muscle watching me struggle. The one who benefits is the one who struggles. This year, try your best to move away from helping or “fixing” those you love. Instead, serve them by jumping in the trenches, being there with them and by them as they struggle. Always accept and encourage them, and remind them that you believe in them. In the end, it is your loved one who will succeed and that success will prepare him or her for the many more challenges to come. I wish all of you a happy, safe, healthy, and successful 2015!

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Community

“What Not to Wear” Star Joins Makeover Team BY JODI TIBERIO

TLC’s “What Not to Wear” was a big Jodi Tiberio owns inspiration for our Branches Boutique for women in Towne makeover articles. Lake as well as a One of the stars second Branches on the show was location and celebrity hairstylist Brooklynn’s boutique Nick Arrojo, who in Downtown Woodstock. participated in six Contact Jodi at jodi@ of the 10 seasons. tiberioretail.com. When Tim Timmons, who does the hair portion of our makeovers, told me that Nick Arrojo would be joining the Salon Gloss team, I could not have been more excited. Nick is partnering with Tim on our hair makeovers, among other things, which provides a really exciting opportunity for our participants. After all, who wouldn’t love a celebrity stylist to do their hair? We had a plethora of submissions once the word got out about Nick’s involvement. We chose Danielle this month because she has recently lost about 40 pounds! We felt Woodstock’s “What to Wear” team: Tim Timmons (left), Nick Arrojo and Jodi Tiberio. that type of determination deserved a reward. out a lace-trimmed sweater from Brooklynns that she loved. Danielle is still working on reaching her ultimate goal, but Lace-trimmed styles will continue to be a huge trend this in the meantime she needs some clothes that fit her body season in everything from tops to dresses with the new changes to socks. she has undergone. Danielle was ready for a big change with I met with Nick and her hair. After her initial consultation Tim to find out what with Tim and Nick, it was decided that the plan was for her hair. When they told they would give Danielle a retro glamour me about the color look. Nick gave her a layered cut using and style, I knew we a razor. The objective was to remove needed something weight from her hair and add shape for elegant for a date easy styling. Tim followed it up with a night. powerful red that worked beautifully This was going with Danielle’s skin tone. Will Clemons, to be easy as we from Salon Gloss, finished off the have lots of great transformation with a choices, but my makeup application and favorite for Danielle colors that worked with was a tunic from Danielle’s complexion. Emma Rose. These What a tunics are popular transformation! It is with my Branches always exciting and Boutique customers fun to work with Tim for their effortless and his team. It is fit and $32.99 price. completely surreal Simply pair them to work with Nick with leggings and Arrojo, who is such an you are good to go. inspiration! Danielle also picked 26

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Community

EVERYDAY Identifying people in need in our community. With the holidays behind Everyday Angels is a 501(c)3 us, we are left nonprofit serving Cherokee with clothes tighter, County since 2000. If you would wallets lighter and like to make a tax deductible donation, please visit www. bills higher. As we everydayangels.info to donate catch our breath and via Paypal or send your sigh with relief that donations to: Everyday Angels, the hustle and bustle 2449 Towne Lake Parkway, is behind us, it is Woodstock GA, 30189. One hundred percent of your funds important to recognize will go to the family you specify. and reflect upon all Also, if you know of a special need that was accomplished. within your community that you Focusing less upon would like to share, please send what was received and an e-mail to aaeverydayangels@ gmail.com for consideration and more about what was qualification. given: the true spirit of Christmas. So, instead of featuring one single community need this month, we feel it is important to share some of the wonderful things that your donations have allowed us to do throughout the past holiday months. While we always send 100 percent of a reader’s designated donations to whom they specify, we are thankful, too, for the funds received for Everyday Angels to use as needed. Our readers blessed us at the end of the year with funding that allowed us to help folks we otherwise would have had to turn away. December is typically the busiest month for nonprofits. Stress and despair is common for the folks who struggle to survive between paychecks, because they have the additional expenses of Christmas, higher utility bills from colder temperatures, and the costs of childcare and food for their children during an extended school break. While nonprofits assist many people throughout the county, there are some who fall through the cracks for various reasons. When Everyday Angels received last-minute desperate calls from school counselors during the days before students were released for 28

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break, we were able to put our “as needed” funds to work by providing grocery cards to make sure families had food for their children. We also paid utility bills for several families to avoid cancellation of water and heat services. During January’s bitter cold snap, your funding allowed us to fill propane tanks for several senior citizens so they had heat to keep them warm. Your support has greatly blessed many. We also send a shout of thanks to the fine folks of Dunkin Brands, Inc., who reached out to us in search of qualified families that they could help with Christmas gifts. We had just left a meeting with school counselors who had shared with us the needs of several students and asked if we could help. Miraculously, there was an email from Dunkin Brands waiting on us when we returned offering to help. Each Dunkin Brands employee spent their own time and money to purchase items from wish lists. While delivering the gifts purchased, the tears of happiness and relief were a sweet reminder of why we do what we do during the most hectic season of the year. So many people go above and beyond for others, especially during the holiday season. May we continue throughout 2015 to be selfless in all things at all times.

yo u a re e r e h w e “ You ar is, ime as th t a h c u s for pression, im n a e k a n o t to m erence.” f if d a e k b u t to m a p

-Ann Vos

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TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Community

Getting a Jump on Tax Season What should you bring to the qualified CPA? DON AKRIDGE, MBA, CPA/PFS, CFP® U.S. MARINE CORPS VETERAN – EMORY UNIVERSITY ALUMNUS

You can file your federal tax return starting Jan. 20. IRS filing season will start right on time in 2015, and there is wisdom in filing your 1040 well before April 15. You can get it out of the way earlier, and if you e-file, you can put yourself in position for an earlier refund.1 What should you gather up for your CPA? If you want to save time and possibly money along with it, come to the office ready with the appropriate paperwork. If you own a business, that list includes all W-2s and 1099-MISC forms you get from clients, any 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-B and K-1 forms displaying income, your Schedule C and P&L reports, and any and all paperwork you can round up detailing your expenses—your personal expenses too, not only business costs but also any tuition, medical and miscellaneous costs. If you have made charitable contributions Don Akridge is president of Citadel Professional Services, LLC, an independent firm, founded in 1994 and conveniently located off Chastain Road between I-575 & I-75 in Kennesaw. Phone 770-952-6707.

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

worth itemizing, that paperwork needs to reach your preparer. The same goes for documents detailing mortgage interest, other forms of interest paid, and any tax already paid.2 If you have receipt management software, your CPA will love you for using it (beats getting a manila envelope, file folder or shoebox full of receipts to sort through). If a calamity or an accident destroyed a bunch of your business records, remember that the IRS may give you a break, but your CPA needs solid proof of the misfortune to try and make a case to the IRS and get you some leniency. What are some things people too often forget to bring? Social Security numbers for new babies (and taxpayer-ID numbers and contact information for the nannies of those babies). Logs of unreimbursed mileage. Real estate stuff, too: closing letters related to a refinance, receipts for property taxes, etc.3 If you received any health insurance subsidies, you may want to wait until February. Did you pay for your own health insurance in 2014? Do you remember how you had to estimate your 2014 income when you applied for coverage? If you got a subsidy, it was based on that estimate, and an estimate is by continued on page 82

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Community

Cherokee County Real Estate Year in Review BY KURT & SHEILA JOHNSON

Kurt and Sheila Johnson are Keller Williams Top Producing Agents (over 80 deals in 2014) and have been serving Cherokee County for more than 10 years. www. KurtandSheilaTeam.com

We are pleased to report that the housing market in Cherokee County continued to show strong improvement by every measure in 2014. Homes sold faster, for more money and for more of their list price. The data are showing us though, that while we will still see improvement in 2015, the pace of these improvements will soon be leveling off for resales (homes not newly constructed) in Cherokee County. Homes sold for 8.50 percent more money per square foot in 2014 than in 2013. With the average single-family home selling for an average of 9.79

TOWNE LAKE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION Coming soon are the Towne Lake Business Association’s (TLBA) 13th Annual TLBA Entrepreneurial Spirit Scholarship Awards. Scholarships in the amount $1,000 will be awarded to two graduating seniors, one each at Etowah and Woodstock high schools. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated entrepreneurial enthusiasm and spirit, in addition to academic achievement, during his or her high school career. If you are or someone you know is a senior who attends either school, please be sure to contact your school counselors beginning in the latter part of February and ask for an application for the TLBA Entrepreneurial Scholarship. You also can email gjsnyder@ bellsouth.net to request an application. The topic of our January Lunch ‘N’ Workshop was “Motivation to Start Your New Year.” We want to thank Sharon Saffold for leading the workshop.

LUNCH ‘N’ LEARN WORKSHOP Tuesday, Feb. 17, 12:15—2 p.m. Please check our website, www.tlba.org, for further information on the topic and speaker. All workshops are held at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills. Please RSVP to all events by email to gjsnyder@bellsouth.net. As always, thank you for supporting our community by “Keeping Towne Lake Dollars in Cherokee.” Visit us at tlba.org. 32

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percent more (or $20,920 more on average). The total days on market improved by 14.58 days as well. Homes are taking an average of only 60.32 days to sell and closer to 45 days when priced correctly. We expect the exuberant demand for resales will continue to taper as new home construction resumes its pre-crash pace of 1,000-plus home sales per year. Last year, new home construction accounted for only 12.02 percent of the total homes sold. Prior to the housing crash in 2008, more than one in four homes sold were newly constructed. In effect, this will increase the overall supply of homes and move our market out of a strong seller’s market and into a more stable, balanced market. Market conditions are still ideal for sellers and should be improving even more for buyers as we move into a more balanced market, provided interest rates remain low.

TLBA SPOTLIGHT Metal Salon Cold winter weather can wreak havoc on your hair. The dry air outside mixed with the dry heat from the furnace inside can render locks lifeless and full of static. The holiday hangover from curling irons and flat irons also is sure to have left some fly-away strands. Now is the perfect time to pamper your tresses. It is a good idea to transition from a light daily conditioner to a cream-based conditioner. I recommend shampooing first thing in the shower. Then, add conditioner from a ponytail base down to the ends and clip it up. That way, the conditioner can absorb into the hair before it’s rinsed out. Worried about conditioner adding too much moisture for your hair? Swap styling products. Try trading oil-based serums for their creamier cousins, such as a hydrating styling cream. Start with a nickel-size amount and work through the ends of the strands at the nape, ending with the hair at the front of the head. I offer my clients deep conditioning treatments, which infuse the hair with moisture, add repairing ceramides, and restore shine in one session. Then you maintain your rejuvenated hair with rich conditioners and cream-based styling products. For more info, visit www.metalsalon.com.

Why Haven’t People With Shoulder Pain Been Told These Facts? If you’re over the age of 30 and have rotator cuff problems, frozen shoulder, or arthritis, there is hope. A local doctor is helping patients increase shoulder strength, improve motion, and eliminate shoulder pain. Finally, you can be pain free again – even if you’ve got the most excruciating shoulder pain you have ever felt. Does your shoulder pain build up when you move it wrong or is it a sudden sharp pain shooting from your neck into your arm? Do you have difficulty just washing your hair or even scratching your back? Have you had to give up golf because of your shoulder pain? Nothing’s worse than feeling great mentally, but physically feeling held back from life because your shoulder hurts and the pain just won’t go away! My name is Dr. Amy Valente, owner of North Cobb Spine & Nerve Institute. Since we have opened our doors I’ve seen hundreds of people with shoulder pain, frozen shoulder and rotator cuff problems leave the office pain free.

Just listen to what our patients have to say about it….. I came to North Cobb Spine & Nerve with shoulder pain, stiffness and numbness in my right arm. I had a hard time working all day without pain. Now that I have been at NCS&N, I can work at my desk and I can pick up my children without pain and numbness. The staff here is very pleasant and caring. Thanks, Tiffany Kemmitzer (Personal Trainer) I first came into the office with severe pain in my left shoulder and arm. Even after having surgery I still continued to have pain. Since, my treatment I have been able to be more active and do things I couldn’t before. The pain is so much better. I highly recommend this office! Thank you, Kittiwat Lerpenmaeta (Engineer)

Do You Have Any of the Following Conditions?

• Frozen shoulder – one of the worst maladies known to man (& woman!) • Adhesive capsulitis • Rotator cuff injuries • Arthritis • Bursitis • Tendonitis • Muscle weakness • Sharp, radiating pain • Numbness and tingling If you are suffering from any of these problems, this shoulder treatment protocol may completely eliminate all the pain.

Pain Pills Could Be Making Your Shoulder Worse If you’re taking pain pills for your shoulder, you are likely making your problem worse. Pain pills, even overthe-counter medications, just mask the problem, and don’t fix your shoulder. Pain is your body’s warning sign telling you to take it easy. If you mask the pain with pills, you are likely to do things that can prevent your shoulder from healing – maybe even damage it further. Not to mention many of the pain medications available are quite addicting and have drastic side effects.

Shoulder Pain Is Not Just ‘Old Age’ No question… if you are having shoulder pain then something is wrong. It’s not normal ageing to hurt all the time. Pain in your shoulder isn’t just a ‘sign of old age’, if that was true all 360 joints in your body would hurt since you’re whole body is the same age. Pain is your body’s warning sign telling you something is wrong. Finding the problem and fixing it has got to be a top priority!

Have A Doctor Evaluate Your Shoulder For Only $20 Just call before February, 15th and here’s what you’ll get… • An in-depth consultation about your shoulder where I will listen…really listen. • A complete nerve, muscle and spinal exam to find the “cause” of your problem. • A set of specialized x-rays to look for joint degeneration (arthritis)… (NOTE: These would normally cost you at least $200). • A thorough analysis of your exam and x-ray findings so we can fix the problem. I’ll answer all of your most probing questions about our painless shoulder evaluation and what it can do for you. The appointment will not take long at all and you won’t be sitting in a waiting room all day either. To take me up on this special offer, you must call before Feb 15th. Look, you have very little to risk and a lot to gain. Call today and we can get started with your consultation, exam and x-rays as soon as there’s an opening in the schedule. Sincerely, Amy Valente, D.C

CALL TODAY!! 678-574-5678

P.S. Why Suffer With Years Of Misery? Why wait and let it get so bad surgery becomes your only option? That’s no way to live. Call today. I may be able to help you live a normal, pain-free life again! Our office is located at 3451 Cobb Pkwy, Ste # 4 Acworth, GA. TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Lifestyle

Endless Love BY MIKE LITREL, MD

It was a typical Saturday morning. Already my wife Ann had been working for several hours, sitting ramrod straight at her computer. No doubt she was stressed out, with too many projects on her plate. It seemed like the perfect time for a surprise I had been planning. With a flourish, I invited Ann to come with me to my office. She raised her eyebrows. “Can’t it wait?” I said no. Reluctantly, Ann Dr. Mike Litrel has authored hundreds of accompanied me upstairs. Once in my articles and two books office, I moved to my computer and on the faith-health connection. He is a selected a song I had recently added board certified OB/GYN to my playlist. The music began, and and specialist in pelvic reconstructive surgery everything was ready. I asked Ann to at Cherokee Women’s dance. Health Specialists in Roswell and Woodstock. Lionel Richie and Diana Ross’ duet Dr. Litrel can be “Endless Love” was all the rage back reached at www. herokeewomens in the day. I remember dancing to the health.com song, feeling deeply in love. The piano played softly, and then the lyrics came... “My love… there’s only you in my life… the only thing that’s bright…” What a charming romantic I was! Ann rolled her eyes and reminded me she had been busy. Her reaction surprised me. I thought she would gaze adoringly into my eyes with the look I remembered from years before. But Ann’s body remained stiff. I was annoyed. Fall in love with me again, why don’t you already? Tactfully, I expressed concern that our once special memories of dancing to our song meant nothing to her now. “Our song?” Ann pulled her head back to look me in the face. “We never danced to that song. I never even LIKED that song!” Oops.

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This was an awkward revelation. Well, at least that explained why she wasn’t melting in my arms. I could feel Ann’s body tensing even more as the implication of my mistaken memory became clear to us both. Our dance became more and more stilted, until we were essentially standing still in the middle of my office. I could feel the question coming. “So, Michael,” Ann opened, “which one of your past loves did you enjoy this wonderful song with?” Funny you should ask, my dear, I thought. I was just wondering the same thing myself. A surgeon in the middle of an operation would call this “getting into unexpected bleeding.” It had started as the perfect plan: play a song of tender memories, and instantly transform Ann from the “I have too many things to do” stressed-out woman to the “I am so lucky to have you as a husband” happy wife. A beautiful Saturday afternoon would follow, with Ann gazing at me adoringly even if I was just scratching myself. Now all I wanted was to get this angry hellion out of my office. The music continued to play as I held my jealous wife in my arms. This was not “Endless Love.” This was “Endless Dance.” Would you please shut up already, Lionel? “It wasn’t that we ever danced to this song,” I explained disingenuously. “It’s just that whenever I hear it, I think about you and how much I love you.” It was the right thing to say—a good line, really—but I delivered it half-heartedly, in a perfunctory, oh-let-me-just-say-it-and-get-it-over-with sort of way. Ann surprised me by laughing out loud. She seemed delighted by my obvious lack of candor. “Oh, really?” She batted her eyelashes coquettishly. “Do you really mean it?” “Oh, yes,” I responded, smiling at her like a used car

continued on page 82

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Lifestyle

CONSIGNMENT SALE GUIDE Step into your most comfortable shoes, fill up your gas tank and head out into Cherokee and neighboring counties with this guide to help you find bargains in gently-used children’s clothes and toys.

March 6-7

Feb. 20-21

March 7

Born Again Blessings Times: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-noon Saturday Location: Riverstone Church (typically held at the Cobb Civic Center, which is being renovated), 2005 Stilesboro Rd. NW, Marietta. Info: www.bornagainblessings.com

Feb. 22-28

Pass It On Times: 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Location: Acworth United Methodist Church, 4340 Collins Cir. Info: www.acworthumc.org/passiton Tots to Tweens Times: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Location: Sandy Plains Baptist Church, 2825 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta. Info: www.nowamom.org

Rhea Lana’s of North Atlanta Times: noon-7 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Location: 1181 Hammond Dr. NE, Atlanta Info: www.northatlanta.rhealana.com

Feb. 26-28

Cumming First UMC Times: 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 5-8 p.m. Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Location: Cumming First UMC, 770 Canton Hwy. Info: http://cfumcga.com/kids-consignment-sale

Feb. 27-28

Green With Envy Times: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Location: Lakewood 400 Antiques Market (15,000-square-foot location), 1321 Atlanta Hwy. (Hwy. 9), Cumming. Info: www.greenwithenvykids.com

March 4-7

Little Saints Times: 5-8 p.m. Wednesday ($5), 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Location: St. Teresa’s Episcopal Church, 5725 Fords Road NW, Acworth. Info: Little Saints Consignment on Facebook.

March 5-7

All 4 Kids Cobb County Fairgrounds Times: 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Location: Cobb County fairgrounds, Jim Miller Park buidlings A, B and the Equestrian Center. Info: http://all4kids.com

March 6-7

The Blessing Line Times: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-noon Saturday Location: First Baptist Church Woodstock, 11905 Highway 92. Info: www.blessingline.com Canton First Baptist Kids Sale Times: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday Location: Canton First Baptist Church, 1 Mission Point. Info: www.fbckidssale.com Wildwood Kidz-Sense Times: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday Location: Wildwood Baptist Church, 4801 Wade Green Road, Acworth Info: www.kidzsense.org Roswell UMC Times: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-noon Saturday Location: Roswell UMC, 814 Mimosa Blvd. Info: www.roswellumc.org/rumck CCC MOPS Times: 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday Location: Cumberland Community Church, 3110 Sports Ave., Smyrna Info: www.cccmopssale.com 36

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

The sale at Hillside United Methodist Church in Woodstock begins March 13.

March 12-14

All 4 Kids Woodstock Times: 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Location: 299 Molly Lane, Woodstock. Info: http://all4kids.com Due West Treasure Chest Times: 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-noon Saturday. Location: 3965 Due West Rd., Marietta. Info: www.duewest.org Angel’s Attic Times: 4-8 pm. Thursday (volunteers and sellers only), 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Location: John’s Creek UMC, 11180 Medlock Bridge Road. Info: www.johnscreekumc.org

March 13-14

Hillside UMC Times: Thursday shopping for vendors, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday Location: 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy., Woodstock Info: www.womenofhillside.com Clothing Kids for the Kingdom Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-noon Saturday Location: Summit Baptist Church, 4310 Moon Station Lane, Acworth Info: www.summitchurch.org Lil’ Blessings Times: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Location: Kennesaw First Baptist Church, 2958 North Main St. Info: lilblessings@kfbc.org

March 20-21

Canton FUMC Times: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-noon Saturday Location: Canton First United Methodist Church, 930 Lower Scott Mill Rd. Info: (770) 479-2502 All 4 Kids East Cobb/Marietta Times: 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday Location: Mt. Paran North Church of God, 1700 Allgood Road, Marietta Info: http://all4kids.com

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Lifestyle BKFST LUNCH DINNER SUNDAYS SPIRITS

RESERV.

Cheeseburger Bobby’s, 2295 Towne Lake Pkwy. (678) 494-3200, cheeseburgerbobbys.com

American

open

Chili’s Bar & Grill, 1460 Towne Lake Pkwy. (770) 592-7676, chilis.com

American

$-$$

open

full bar

call ahead seating

Chinese

$-$$

open

Soup/Salad Sandwiches

closed

American Irish

open

full bar

Mexican

$-$$

open

full bar

Homestyle Cooking

closed

American Casual

$-$$

open

full bar

special events

GAMEDAY Fresh Grill, 2990 Eagle Dr. (770) 693-6754, gamedayfresh.com

American/Burgers

open

full bar

yes

Izumi Asian Bistro, 2035 Townelake Pkwy. (678) 238-1899, iloveizumi.com

Thai/Sushi/Chinese

open

full bar

JD’s Barbeque, 6557 Bells Ferry Road (678) 445-7730, jdsbbq.net

Barbecue

$-$$

open

Jersey’s Sports Bar, 6426 Bells Ferry Rd. (770) 790-5740, jerseysgrille.com

American

open

full bar

Pizza/Pasta/Salad

$-$$

open

full bar

American Casual

Sun. brunch

$-$$

open

full bar

Japanese Steak/Sushi

$-$$

$$-$$$

open

full bar

Mexican

open

full bar

Steakhouse

open

full bar

call ahead seating

Marco’s Pizza, 6424 Bells Ferry Rd. (678) 213-2100, marcos.com

Pizza/Pasta/Salad

$-$$

open

beer/wine

Mellow Mushroom, 2370 Towne Lake Pkwy. (770) 591-3331, mellowmushroom.com

Pizza/Pasta/Salad

$-$$

open

beer/wine

*NY Style Deli & Pizza, 2340 Towne Lake Pkwy., d (678) 426-7004 *see a

Pizza/Subs/Bakery

$-$$

open

Bakery/Soups/ Sandwiches

$-$$

open

Mexian/Irish

Sat.&Sun. brunch

open

full bar

large groups call ahead

Chinese/Japanese

$-$$

open

beer/wine

Chinese

$-$$

open

American Casual

$$-$$$

open

full bar

Bar/Grill

$-$$

open

full bar

American

$-$$

open ‘til 3

Italian

$-$$

$$-$$$

open

full bar

China Fun, 1075 Buckhead Crossing (770) 926-2671, chinafun88.com Corner Bistro, 2360 Towne Lake Pkwy. (770) 924-1202, cornerbistrotl.com Donovan’s Irish Cobbler, 1025 Rose Creek Dr. (770) 693-8763, donovansirishcobbler.com El Ranchero, 1025 Rose Creek Dr. (770) 516-6616 Family Tradition, 4379 Towne Lake Pkwy. (770) 852-2885, familytradition.net Featherstone’s Grill, 1003 Towne Lake Hills Golf Club (770) 592-9969

Johnny’s Pizza, 1105 Parkside Lane (770) 928-9494, johnnyspizza.com *Jump Kitchen Saloon, 1085 Buckhead Crsng see ad * (678) 388-7717, jumpkitchensaloon.com g. 52

Kani House, 2455 Towne Lake Pkwy. (770) 592-5264, kanihouse.com LaParilla, 1065 Buckhead Crossing (770) 928-3606, laparilla.com LongHorn, 1420 Towne Lake Pkwy. (770) 924-5494, longhornsteakhouse.com

pg. 30

Panera Bread, 2625 Towne Lake Pkwy. (678) 813-4809, panerabread.com

*Papa P’s, 2295 Towne Lake Pkwy. (770) 592-3100, papa-ps.com

d *see a pg. 8

Peking & Tokyo, 200 Parkbrooke Dr. (770) 591-8858, pekingandtokyo.com Song’s Garden, 2068 Eagle Dr. (770) 928-8387, songsgarden.com *Stock Bistro & Grill, 6424 Bells Ferry Road *see ad (770) 516-6779, www.stock-bistro.com pg. 7 The Place, 1105 Parkside Ln. (770) 928-8901, theplacebargrill.com Town Lake Diner, 2290 Eagle Dr. (770) 675-3390 Tuscany, 250 Cinema View Dr. (678) 453-0888, mytuscanyrestaurant.com

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

yes no yes no yes yes no

10+

* Denotes Advertiser

CUISINE

RESTAURANT

Casual and Upscale Dine-In Restaurants

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

Towne Lake Area Dining Guide

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Lifestyle

Through May 16

Out & About

Women’s Work: A Survey of Handmade Textiles from Cherokee County exhibit. At the Cherokee County History Museum in the Historic Marble Courthouse, 100 North St., Suite 140, in Canton. Celebrating the craftsmanship and artistry used by the women and men of Cherokee County to create local heirlooms. Showcasing hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.

Feb. 6

Teen Night at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1200 Gresham Mill Parkway, Holly Springs. Price is $10 per person for advance registration, $15 at the door. (678) 880-4763. www.crpa.net.

Feb. 7

Ladies’ tea fundraiser for Camp Gideon, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. featuring guest speaker Elizabeth Weatherby, founder of Feed My Lambs. The event raises money to help local, underprivileged “at risk” girls attend a weekend of Princess Camp in the spring. $20. Details at www. camgideon.com/ladiestea.

Feb. 7

Gospel Fest: At 7 p.m. at the Cherokee Arts Center, 94 North Street, Canton. Free, open to the public. www.cherokeearts.org.

Feb. 7

2nd Time Around Dinner sponsored by Win2ition, 7:30-11 p.m. at The Golf Club at Bradshaw Farm. Proceeds from the fundraiser will support single caregivers and their children. Cost is $50 per person. Includes dinner, dancing and entertainment, silent auction and photo booth. Cash bar. For reservations, email W2i@Win2ition.org or call (404) 229-3840.

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Feb. 13

Parent’s Night Out at the Aquatic Center 5:30-10 p.m., sponsored by the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency is 5:30-10 p.m. Includes pool games, crafts, dinner and a movie. Space limited. www.crpa.net.

Feb. 14

Valentine’s Night Out in downtown Canton, 6-10 p.m. A combined effort by Oak Leaf Church, the city of Canton, the Historic Canton Theatre and Stout’s Growlers, among other downtown businesses. For more details, visit valentinenightout.eventbrite.com.

Feb. 14

Coffeehouse at Woodstock United Methodist Church. A program of words and music begins at 6:30 p.m. with coffee and dessert, followed by a performance by the Buggay family (called The Dixie Jubilee}, a musical Woodstock family who performs gospel/bluegrass/traditional Irish and Scottish music that includes banjo, guitar, bass, harp, fiddle and mandolin. The evening’s speaker will be Mickey Johnston, an Air Force veteran who owned a construction business until his retirement almost four years ago when he was diagnosed with ALS. The church is in downtown Woodstock at 109 Towne Lake Pkwy. For details, call (770) 740-9186 or (770) 516-0371.

Feb. 18

American Red Cross Babysitting course. Offered by the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency, class time is 9 a.m.-2 p.m. for ages 1115 at the recreation center. Ideal for current and future babysitters, teaching important childcare skills that include first aid , feeding, interviews, food preparation and safe play. Does not include CPR. Cost $55. For details, contact Kate Borden at (770) 924-7768 or kborden@ cherokeega.com.

Feb. 20-22

“The Drowsy Chaperone:” Performance at the Historic Canton Theater at 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets $12, or $10 for children under age 12 and seniors. www. cantontheatre.com.

Feb. 28

Guns & Hoses. The 5K and Family Fun Run fundraiser will take place at Hobgood Park, with proceeds benefitting the Goshen Valley Boys Ranch and the Cherokee Sheriff’s Foundation. Runners can sign up to participate on behalf of the Guns (the Cherokee Sheriff’s Department) or the Hoses (Cherokee County Fire Department). Contact Kate Borden at (770) 924-7768 or kborden@cherokeega.com with questions.

Feb. 28

Casino Night. A fundraiser for Cherokee County’s Volunteer Aging Council is set for 6-10 p.m. Feb. 28 with dinner, dancing, casino games and a chance to win prizes. To sponsor or buy tickets, contact Adelle Mickelson at (404) 218-5930 or adellemick@gmail.com. www.vaccherokeega.org

March 7

Little Miss River Ridge High School Pageant. Open to all girls ages 0-14 both new or experienced to pageants. Beauty entry fee is $50 ($40 before Feb. 28), photogenic fee is $10 (bring a photo the day of competition), and personality is $10 (age 2 and over), which includes one on-stage question. Registration opens at 8 a.m. for 9 a.m. pageant. Divisions are Baby Miss (0-2 years) at 9 a.m., Tiny Miss (2-4 years) at 9:30 a.m., Petite Miss (5-6 years) at 10 a.m., Little Miss (7-9 years) at 10:30 a.m., Preteen Miss (10-12 years) at 11 a.m. and Junior Miss (13-14, must be middle-school student) at 11:30 a.m. Winners receive tiara, sash, trophy and flowers and can ride in the RRHS fall homecoming parade. The pageant is a benefit for River Ridge High School. For more info, contact Chelle Worrell at chelleworrell@yahoo. com or Lori Stuart at loristuart@windstream.net or (404) 735-6616. Run the River 5K Walk and Fun Run. Registration begins at 7 a.m. at Little River Elementary, 3170 Trickum Rd., Woodstock. Fun run starts at 8, 5K at 8:30. Register by Feb. 28 to get a T-shirt. To register, go to www.active.com.

March 13-15, 20-22

“The Dining Room,” directed by Myrna Feldman, will be performed at the Canton Historic Theatre, 171 E. Main St., by the Cherokee Theatre Company. $15 general admission, $12 seniors or students, $10 group rate for 10 or more seats. www.cherokeetheatre.org.

April 11

Blankets Creek Spring Sports Festival. Includes Dirty Duathlon, Dirty Thirty MTB Race and a 5 Mile Trail Run. Solo and two-person team divisions are available. Participants get a race shirt and post race snacks, among other items. For more details, visit http:// mountaingoatadventures.com/blanketsduathlon/course.

May 16-17

Shaky Boots Music Festival. Advance tickets on sale now for the Kennesaw State University festival that will include performers Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Dwight Yoakam, Dierks Bentley, The Band Perry and Sara Evans. Details at www.shakyboots.com.

Registration Open

Safety Town Summer Camp: Offering three 9 a.m.-noon sessions throughout June that cover water, fire, strangers, school bus, poison, traffic and pedestrian safety. $75 fee includes T-shirt and daily snack. Location is Bascomb Elementary School in Woodstock. To sign up, visit www.cherokeecountysafetytown.org. TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Lifestyle

It’s the Small Moments in Life BY MATT NEAL

Our first child was a girl. Then after a year and a half, having a little girl seemed so natural that we expected our second to also be a girl. We didn’t find out the sex ahead of time. The doctor pulled that squirmy little lizard out of my wife, held it up and said, “Call it, dad.” I stood in momentary shock. The words were nearly out of my mouth. “It’s…not a girl.” But Matt Neal is a freelance writer who has lived fortunately, I changed it to, “It’s in Woodstock with his wife since 1999. He a boy!” has a daughter who My son screamed back at me, turns shoeboxes into dollhouses, a son who nostrils flaring, and I realized: fights those stealthy this is a moment. This is one of ninjas, and a wife, Diane, who provides patience, those big moments in life you compassion and a kick in the pants when needed. will remember until your dying mattnealwriter@yahoo. day. com My wedding day. I blush at the memory. I walk out of the room when someone plays the tape from that event. I was choked up, I couldn’t speak, I broke down trying to say my vows. Yes, even that painful memory is a big moment in my life. But we can’t go through our lives waiting for those big events. They come far too infrequently. Life is made up

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

of little moments. It’s made up of laughing with our kids, yelling in joy as the Gators pull a victory out of certain defeat. It’s watching my daughter’s face when she held a frog for the first time. My whole life, since I was a child, is one long stream of memories of tiny, wonderful moments. I hear my dad’s laugh at some silly sitcom, I see my mom’s smile when I gave her a homemade necklace for her birthday. I remember when I was 8 and the Christmas tree fell over. All of it, every little moment was just a simple piece of our daily lives. But that’s what builds the memories we all carry with us. Today, my son helped me change a light switch. It was nothing. But years from now, that might be a memory for him. My daughter read me a story she wrote. It really was good, and I told her so. Each thing we do, each moment we spend with our children might be a memory they carry for the rest of their lives. Make it a good one.

Life is made up of little moments. It’s made up of laughing with our kids, yelling in joy as the Gators pull a victory out of certain defeat.

Rob’s Rescues

I’m Rob Macmillan and I’m on a mission to help shelter dogs and cats. These animals are at the Cherokee County Animal Shelter at 1015 Univeter Road, Canton. Contact me at robsrescues@ gmail.com www.robsrescues.com

This dog is named Blue. He is friendly and strong. He also likes attention. He is 3 years old. He is not good at pictures because he is bouncy. He is a pit bull. He likes his back scratched. He had his jaw broken before coming to the shelter. He was picked up by Animal Control. Mark who works at the shelter is in this picture, too. We have two cats, they have to go to a home together so they can’t be separated. Pebbles is a calico and she is about 4 years old. Danillo is a big boy cat, he is black and is about 3 years old. Neither of them have a tail. They seem quite shy but they like to lie next to each other.

This is at my brother’s birthday party. His friends donated food in a Rob’s Rescues Birthday Bin. Some of this food is going to Pet Buddies Food Pantry and some to the Shelter pantry.

Learn more about birthday bins at: www.robsrescues.com

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Lifestyle

Love

IS IN THE AIR!

BY CHANTEL ADAMS | CHANLYNNADAMS@GMAIL.COM

Whether you’ve got a special honey or are spending the year focusing on how to be a better you, we’ve found just the thing to ensure you and Cupid remain BFFs for years to come. These “pretty in pink” indulgences might not make you blush, but they will make you look cool.

1. I’m in love with this jacket from Dismero in downtown Woodstock. Winter is dark and

dreary enough without sporting the typical black or grey wool coat. This down-filled hot pink jacket with faux fur collar will turn heads and keep you toasty warm. It’s on sale for $137 through March.

2. Want to look glamorous but don’t want to pay for high-priced plastic surgery or age-

defying laser treatments? Welcome to Beauty Blender, the ultimate makeup sponge applicator. It seamlessly blends makeup to invisibility, leaving you with a professional finish and a flawless complexion. It’s available in three colors, and a gift set that includes a bottle of blender cleanser is just $23.95. You can find it at Be You...On Purpose, 390 Chambers Street, Woodstock.

3. Looking for something a little unique? Something with a story to

tell? You’ll find trendy art and fashion at this downtown Woodstock boutique. Mix up your wardrobe with these handmade headbands woven from a variety of beautiful fabrics. $18.50 at Spirited, 8670 Main Street, Woodstock.

4. No Valentine shopping guide would be complete without a little bit of bling. Diamonds R Forever in Kennesaw has got you covered! According to manager Jan Parrish, rose gold is all the rage this season. The fashion rings pictured start at $189. The rose gold necklace with diamonds is $975. If you’re in the market for an heirloom piece to cherish forever, splurge on this rose gold and diamond bracelet for $2,125. Diamonds R Forever, 4200 Wade Green Road, Kennesaw.

5. I was standing in line to purchase

a pair of leggings when I overheard the salesperson talking about this candle. I would have passed it by, but I’m glad I didn’t. As it melts, the “wax” turns into lotion. Yes, lotion! Can’t decide between the scented candle or the luxurious bottle of lotion? Now you don’t have to! This gift tin is just $16.99 at Fashion Cupcake, 8670 Main Street, Woodstock.

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Expert Surgical Care for the Cherokee Community

Northside Cherokee Surgical Associates is a full-service practice specializing in the wide scope of general surgery. Our board-certified physician, Dr. Grant Wolfe, uses the latest minimally invasive robotic and laparoscopic techniques to treat the full spectrum of abdominal, thyroid, and soft tissue Grant Wolfe, M.D.

disorders.

Treatments offered for: • Gallstones and gallbladder problems • Stomach, adrenal gland, pancreas and spleen • Gastroesophageal reflux disease and hiatal hernias • Hernias

• Diverticulitis and colon cancer • Thyroid and parathyroid disease • Skin and soft tissue lesions • Breast masses and cancer

(770) 924-9656 • ncsurgicalassociates.com 900 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 412, Woodstock, GA 30189 TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Lifestyle

Chocolate Margarita As a child growing up in Ireland, St. Valentine’s Day was very different for me from what it is here in the States. Usually we only gave one or maybe two cards and we did it secretly. I still don’t know who gave some of the cards that I received as a teenager. Valentine’s was really only celebrated by teenagers and adults. It wasn’t until our oldest, Conor, was in preschool for his first Valentine’s Day that I realized how different it was here. He came home with a bunch of cards and candy. He was upset because he was the only one who didn’t give anything to the other kids—yikes! We were prepared the following year and have been every year since. Nothing says Valentine’s Day like chocolate, so here’s a delicious chocolate margarita to enjoy on the most romantic day of the year!

Ingredients: 1.5 ounces silver tequila 2 ounces orange juice 1.5 ounces Kahlua 1.5 ounces half and half 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup Rim your serving glass with sugar. In a shaker or glass with a scoop of ice, add the following ingredients; silver tequila, orange juice, Kahlua, half and half, and chocolate syrup. Shake well and strain into your sugar rimmed glass with ice. Enjoy, Caron and Alberto Caron and Alberto Catalán are the owners and managers of Papa P’s – Mexican with an Irish side, located in the Towne Lake Kroger shopping center. They have lived in Towne Lake since 2008. They have four children, Conor, Ciara, Derek and Fiona. Visit them online at www.papa-ps.com or call (770) 592-3100.

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

photo by JKing Images

Method:

Increase Your Chances for an Interview BY LYNNE SAUNDERS

The New Year is now one month under way. The holidays have probably faded into your memory’s rear view mirror as the days have now been replaced with reactivating your job search. How are you doing so far? Last month I discussed a comprehensive strategy to get started with energy: 1) Set great goals. 2) Get résumé and interview training Lynne is an author to compete for the job you want. and the director of 3) Sharpen industry skills if you’ve Papa’s Pantry and the MastersTraining been unemployed for a while. Center.com. She can 4) Have great time management be reached at (770) 591-4730 or visit tools and habits. www.papaspantry.org. Let’s say that you have done all of the above. You are expecting to have been invited to an interview by now, right? Before we get into expectations of potential employers, it is worth measuring your “input” to estimate an approximate “output.” Your input is the myriad activities required to gain the output. The immediate output is the interview that you hope will lead to a job offer. Your job search is much like a salesperson trying to land the

next customer. It is all in the numbers. If you reach out to one person or company with your product (you), the chances of that one person “buying” is slim—not impossible, but to be realistic, the chances are pretty small. If the salesperson reaches out to 10, there could be a likelihood of having at least one positive response. But what if you reached out to more, perhaps 25 each week? The chances of getting to the next level of conversation greatly increase. There may be two or three appropriate responses of interest. This is a big challenge, especially when searching for qualified job openings. In today’s marketplace, there are lots of details that go into an effective job search. It can be an emotional roller coaster. It is unrealistic to expect an interview with every company to which you apply. However, if you choose to radically apply for jobs with momentum, the likelihood of multiple weekly interviews increases. Each interview is practice. If you have six to eight interviews within a few weeks without an offer, you should re-evaluate how you answer key questions. Only you know the marketplace of available jobs with your skills; highly specialized positions will take more time. Be realistic. Be optimistic. Be energized! Keep making progress!

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, consult our GYN specialists.

770-720-7733 Top Row: Mike Litrel, MD; Peahen Gandhi, MD; James Haley, MD Bottom Row: Kathryn Hale, MD; Britton Crigler, MD; Susan Griggs, CNM; Barbara Oess, NP

Canton / Woodstock cherokeewomenshealth.com

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Feature

Well-Rounded Patient Care from Crib to College The 360Care Program

A comprehensive program called 360Care, offered at Northside Pediatrics, is a concept that the physicians created and have trademarked. Patient care begins in infancy and continues through the teenage years, with a focus on the total wellness of each patient. Emphasis is placed on making regular well-care appointments as well as sick visits, so the practitioners are able to monitor what goes on with each patient. A wide range of tests is offered in house – from urine analysis, complete blood counts, strep and comprehensive metabolic tests. If testing is needed that can’t be done in the office, blood can be drawn in-house and sent to another lab. Practitioners in the group have served as head of pediatrics at both Northside Hospital and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and continue to serve on the boards of medical committees in the metro area and nationally. Each physician and nurse practitioner wants to be considered a professional resource, an advisor and a trusted advocate for parents seeking the best medical care for their children.

Starting with Prenatal Care

stay with us through college. And when our former patients bring their children, it’s an even greater compliment and very rewarding.” The Woodstock office is the second location for the practice, which began in 1982 in Sandy Springs. Currently there are eight doctors and three nurse practitioners on staff. Members of the practice place a strong emphasis on wellness and comprehensive care in addition to treating illnesses. Following a child from birth to young adulthood is not only a bonus for that patient, but peace of mind for parents as well. 48

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Expectant parents are invited to the office for a tour and a chance to talk about what to expect when the baby arrives. Tours are scheduled at 5 p.m. three times monthly with different providers. If Northside providers didn’t see the infant at birth, new parents are encouraged to bring their baby into the office the day after going home from the hospital. That early visit is to check for jaundice and record the baby’s weight, two things Dr. Hill says are key to a baby’s wellbeing. “We have an onsite lab that we’ve expanded over the years so we can check bilirubins here in the office rather than having to travel to a draw

250 Parkbrooke Place, Suite 200, Woodstock 30189 (770) 928-0016 Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.- Fri. Sat. by appointment only www.northsidepediatrics.com

station. It’s normal to have a lot of questions with newborns and kids, and one of our most important goals is to get those questions answered at this early visit as well as at future well visits.”

Adolescents

Another goal at Northside Pediatrics is to encourage adolescents to speak up for themselves about medical issues or ask questions about their health. “It’s great to see how they will ask about anything when they are 17 or 18 after they were so quiet at 13 or 14. This trains them for taking care of themselves as adults, teaching them to feel comfortable asking questions of medical professionals,” said Dr. Hill. “Much of what we discuss with the adolescents we keep confidential while at the same time addressing the concerns of their parents.”

Same-Day Sick Visits

It’s important to the practitioners that appointment times are available each day for sick patients. “We try very hard to see everyone who calls in,” said Dr. Hill. “Most appointments are made same day so if you have been up all night with a sick child, you can get in the next day.” A separate appointment line is dedicated to calls for sick visits and this

Photos by Kim Bates

Northside Pediatrics has served the Towne Lake area for 18 years - long enough that infants who were patients at the beginning are now graduating high school. A long-term relationship with patients is important to the practitioners, who welcome children from birth to age 22. Continuity of care through the college years is vital for many reasons. “We want to see our patients through all of those adolescent years, which most experts say goes to 25. The brain is still developing, growing and learning. We feel that it’s important to have a physician you can come home to and talk with rather than someone you don’t know in a clinic,” said Dr. Allison Hill. “It’s a huge compliment when our patients

line opens more than an hour before the first appointment. Another option for concerned parents is to speak with a phone nurse. One staff member is dedicated each day to answer the phone and give advice on anything from coughs and colds to behavior issues. The nurse can help the parent decide if an office visit is needed, and speak to a doctor for advice and relay that information back to the parent. If the phone nurse has concerns that can’t be addressed over the phone, she will either ask the doctor to call the parent, or make an appointment. “We understand the cost of healthcare and we don’t want to bring their kids in unnecessarily. We don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call the family to

answer questions. I try to make those calls on the same day - during lunch or after hours. We want to offer that personal touch to our patients,” said Dr. Hill.

Consultations Offer Extra Time

Practitioners are available before or after office hours or at noon to meet with parents to discuss concerns that parents are having that don’t require examining the child. This type of appointment functions under the category of a sick visit, and allows the practitioner and the parent to dig deeper. “Say we are having a learning problem or ADD, we’ll talk with a parent and older patients about their concerns and review any reports or testing done,” according to Dr. Hill. “We will typically sit down for 30-45 minutes to discuss everything, answer questions, and come up with treatment strategies.” A consultation is also helpful for

families who are new to the practice. It’s an opportunity for parents of a child with a complex medical history to get to know a specific practitioner before making an appointment.

Continuity Through Well Visits

The most important thing that parents and the pediatrician can do is to keep up with regular checkups. “We can’t emphasize enough how important it is for growing children. We get to monitor a child’s growth and development and follow up on chronic issues such as asthma or allergies, refill their medicines, and make sure they’re staying as healthy From left: in front, Dr. William Smith and Dr. Amy Hardin. In as they can be,” said Dr. Hill. back, Dr. Allison Hill and Dr. Sally Marcus “We also want to make sure the parents feel confident in their roles. Parenting, same quality from every provider you disciplining and keeping the child healthy meet here,” said Dr. Hill. “You’re not just and safe is something that changes at Dr. Hill’s patient or Dr. Hardin’s patient. every age.” You’re a patient of the Northside The pediatricians are able to Pediatrics team and we want to make monitor the child’s development with sure that you feel comfortable and well various screenings along the way. It’s cared for at every visit.” important to detect problems early so The practice follows disease that interventions can be made. When management guidelines set forth by it is necessary, the staff at Northside the American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics has a broad spectrum of An electronic medical records system specialists on the referrals list, most enables the providers to keep a of whom are affiliated with Children’s comprehensive assessment of each Healthcare of Atlanta. patient that can be accessed by each “We can be the quarterback provider. “So if I see a patient that is not for a child who has several issues someone I know backward and forward, I going on, monitoring the care and can easily review the medical history.” treatment between our office and the specialists so that nothing is missed or A Labor of Love duplicated,” said Dr. Hill. “That’s a part Dr. Hill said there’s another common of the comprehensive care we offer our bond among the practitioners at patients so we’re looking at the whole Northside Pediatrics. child and the child within the family.” “We love what we do. We love kids and we love watching them grow. It’s Teamwork Among Providers why we chose primary care because you While patients see one practitioner at really get to know the families and watch a visit, they benefit from the knowledge the children grow and develop and help and wisdom of the entire team of them through hard parts and difficult Northside Pediatrics physicians and nurse diagnoses. I tell parents that the advice I practitioners. “We all meet regularly to give them is what I would do for my own talk about clinical issues and how the child. That’s the feeling I hope they get practice runs. We want you to have the when they are here.” TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Lifestyle

The Art of Manliness BY TIM TIMMONS

Over the past decade, men have grown increasingly aware of their fashion and grooming habits. There was a time, not so long ago, when the only things men would purchase was beer, cigarettes and gas. Their grooming regime consisted of three things: Dial soap, aftershave and a comb. Man, how times have changed! Men often ask me, “Why should I Tim Timmons is go to a salon and not a barber?” The the owner of Salon answer depends on a number of factors. Gloss. Tim has been a hairstylist for 13 years Just as you wouldn’t go to a cardiologist and has extensive for brain surgery, you wouldn’t want to industry experience. Tim can be reached at go to a salon for a high and tight haircut. (678) 483-8900. Likewise, a barber isn’t likely to give you the latest, fashionable, textured razor cut that you just saw on the cover of “GQ” magazine. Deciding to venture out of the barber seat and into a salon chair for the right men’s hairstyle can be intimidating. However, many men prefer the pampering they receive from a salon versus “just a cut” at the barbershop. It is common for salons to offer more services—more of an experience—to their male clientele. Salons have responded to a surge of male clientele in recent years by offering extra perks like access to 24-hour sports channels, hot shaves, head and neck massages and frosty mugs of ice cold beer. An image-conscious male client will find that since salon stylists tend to stay on top of the latest trends, they generally have more experience cutting fashionforward styles. A male client may also find that a salon stylist will make suggestions for a style that will flatter the client’s features, including adding highlights. Most men won’t think to ask about their protruding nose hair or eyebrows that rival those of the X-Men character Wolverine, but it is something a hairstylist will most likely mention during the cut or shampooing process. Finally, stylists are well trained on the use of professional products and will help male clients by introducing them to the products and techniques used in the salon to reproduce a salon-worthy look at home. Bottom line, barber shops are great for hanging out with the guys and getting a basic cut, but if you are seeking a more modern cut and personalized service, visit a salon!

Salons have responded to a surge of male clientele in recent years by offering extra perks like access to 24-hour sports channels, hot shaves, head and neck massages and frosty mugs of ice cold beer.

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Ash Wednesday February 18

Let us worship together on this 1st day of Lent. Ash Wednesday Services Noon & 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy | Woodstock, GA 30189 770.924.4777 | www.hillsideumc.org

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Lifestyle

Basics of Personal Injury – Lawsuit and Settlement BY JAMES IMBRIALE

If you have been injured because of someone else’s wrongful behavior, you may be entitled to damages in court. To win, you must prove certain facts that entitle you to damages. You must also file your lawsuit within the statute of limitations—within two years after the injury in Georgia (it’s only one year in Tennessee). You must file a summons and complaint in the county in which the defendant resides. James Imbriale and Jeff The summons is a notice for a Yashinsky are personal defendant to answer the complaint injury attorneys at Hartman – Imbriale within 30 days of the date that LLP (along with three the suit is served upon the paralegals). They have defendant. The sheriff will deliver strictly practiced personal the summons and complaint to injury law for the past 24 the defendant, who must respond years and work and live in Towne Lake. (678) 445in writing. The complaint sets 7423. forth when and where the injury happened, what the defendant did wrong, and what injuries the plaintiff suffered as a result. Contrary to popular belief, the plaintiff does not have to state how much money he or she is seeking from the defendant. However, the plaintiff must state the amount of medical bills incurred as a result of the defendant’s actions. A personal injury case is usually based on negligence. To prove negligence, you must prove that the defendant failed to fulfill a duty legally owed to you (i.e. the duty to drive safely), that this failure caused an accident and that the accident injured you. The use of the term accident is really a misnomer because that term implies that no one was at fault. An auto

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

accident case is really a collision that the defendant could have avoided had he or she been driving reasonably or more carefully or been paying better attention. Negligence can be characterized by carelessness of a defendant, conduct that could have and should have been avoidable. In a criminal case, the standard of proof is “guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” In a personal injury case, the legal standard is only a “preponderance of evidence.” This means all you have to prove is that the defendant is more that 50 percent responsible or at fault for the collision. Once the case is filed, both parties have six months to conduct “discovery.” This is basically investigation of the facts and evidence surrounding the case. It includes depositions of both parties, witnesses and doctors. A deposition is essentially an interview of the witness of his or her background and knowledge of the facts of the case. By law, a deposition can last for up to seven hours in one day and can also continue to another day if necessary. However, most attorneys in an auto collision case usually take only two or three hours to interview someone. After the discovery period is over, the case can be set for trial by the judge for a jury trial (12 jurors generally, but sometimes only six if the plaintiff agrees to seek no more that $25,000). Now comes the waiting game. Most county courts in metro Atlanta have a waiting list of about a year to a year and a half before the case can go to trial. You can claim damages for past and future medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Pain and suffering awards can vary drastically and are decided by the “enlightened conscience” of the jury. Most injury lawsuits are resolved through private settlements rather than courtroom verdicts. If and when you settle, you accept payment and agree to withdraw your lawsuit and release the defendant from

continued on page 82

Space Heater Safety Tips Every Homeowner Should Know BY DAN JAPE

Do you run a space heater in your home to enhance the warmth? Space heater safety is critical because these handy units have a deadly side. According to experts, one out of every 20 fires that is started by a space heater results in death and millions of dollars in damages. The majority of the fires are caused by combustible items placed too close to the unit. If you’re intent on using a space heater, be vigilant Dan Jape is the owner or about using it the right way. Reliable Heating & Air. He Only buy a space heater that can be reached at (770) 594-9969 is certified by the Underwriters’ Laboratory (UL) or another reputable testing company. Certified and tested heaters will have ideal safety features that prevent fire hazards, whereas older, used heaters won’t employ necessary safety features. Follow manufacturer guidelines for using the heater. Isolate the space heater, and keep it away (at least three feet) from combustible items like carpeting, rugs, furniture, drapes and other household items.

Make sure the heater rests on a level surface, and keep it away from foot traffic so it can’t be knocked over, increasing the risk of fire. Don’t use extension cords. If you need a longer plug, only use a high-powered extension cord that can accommodate the power of the heater. Avoid relying heavily on the heater for your main source of heat. Use it only in short spurts, always while attended, and never when you’re sleeping and can’t keep an eye on it. If you have pets or children, be vigilant about safety when using the space heater in their presence. Never position a space heater near a water source, and never in a bathroom or near a utility sink or kitchen sink. Always turn the device off when you leave the room. Do not run the space heater in a room where a household member is sleeping. There’s a risk of knocking over the heater if the person turns over, falls off the couch or extends a limb. Always use kerosene with a kerosene space heater, and never gasoline or other fuel. Mixing fuels instantly raises the risk of a fire. Install smoke detectors in your home so that you are quickly alerted to a fire. Once they’re installed, or if you already have them, test them regularly to ensure the detectors are functional. You can safely operate a space heater in your home and reduce the risk of a fire by following these safety guidelines.

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Lifestyle

Slow Cooker Style

The best way to wind down on a cold February day is to sit down with your family for a hot meal. But who has time to spend hours in the kitchen cooking? Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why we reached out to local teachers: Who better to share slow-cooker recipes than teachers? They have become creative in the ways that they provide a hot meal for their family members after spending all day in the classroom.

Low Country Boil

By Kendra Hipps, Kindergarten, Bascomb Elementary

Ranch Pork Chops By Becky Waldrop, Kindergarten Paraprofessional, Bascomb Elementary

1 1/2 pounds small red potatoes (cut in half)

Five cups of water

One can of cream of chicken soup (I use fat free)

One 12-ounce bottled beer (you can also substitute broth)

One packet dry ranch dressing mix

1/4 cup Old Bay seasoning

Three to four pounds of boneless pork chops

Two stalks celery, cut into 1-inch pieces

One onion, cut into quarters

Three to four garlic cloves, minced

Two lemons, cut in half

One pound cooked kielbasa sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces

Four fresh cobs of corn, cut into 3-inch chunks

Two pounds fresh, uncooked large shrimp in shells

Optional: cocktail sauce, fresh lemon slices, Cajun seasoning Start by spraying a six- or seven-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Add in water, beer, Old Bay seasoning and garlic. Stir until well combined. Place potatoes, onion and celery in slow cooker and squeeze lemons over mixture in slow cooker. Place lemon halves in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low four to five hours. Add sausage and corn, cover and cook two hours longer. Increase heat setting to high and add shrimp. Your Crockpot will be very full, do your best to stir a little and squeeze in the shrimp. Cover and cook 30-40 minutes or until shrimp are pink. Drain contents of slow cooker using a large strainer. Serve this meal on a newspaper-covered table for easy clean-up. We enjoy ours with cocktail sauce, fresh lemon and some Cajun seasoning.

Layer pork chops, add cream of chicken soup, then sprinkle dry ranch mix all over. Cover and cook on high for four hours or on low for six hours.

Fiesta Chicken

By Nettie Mosteller, Physical Education Coach, Bascomb Elementary Y

Four to six boneless chicken breasts

One jar of salsa (your preference)

Put in slow cooker on low and cook for eight hours. Eat!

Mississippi Pot Roast

By Jeanne Coleman, Preschool Special Education Teacher, Oak Grove Elementary Y

One 2- to 3-pound pound roast

One packet of dry ranch dressing mix

One packet au jus mix

One stick of butter

4-6 pepperoncini peppers (basically a whole banana pepper out of a jar)

Place roast in crock pot. Dump everything on top. Put on lid and cook for eight hours on low. DO NOT ADD WATER. 54

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Easy Jambalaya

By Jeannine Miller, Special Education Paraprofessional, Bascomb Elementary Y

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1 pound smoked sausage, cut into 2-inch slices

One large onion, chopped

Y Y

One large green bell pepper, seeded and chopped Three stalks celery, chopped One 28 ounce can diced tomatoes with juice

Leftovers Soup

By Ann Beattie, 1st grade, Bascomb Elementary If Thanksgiving or Christmas was TOO much, I layer the leftover stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, corn casserole and turkey (chopped up) into a one-gallon freezer bag and top with leftover gravy. When itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eight degrees above zero outside, I put the contents of the frozen baggie into the crockpot with 1 quart of chicken stock and set for eight hours on low. BAM! You have soup for dinner!

Three-Envelope Roast By Donna Mihal, 2nd grade, Bascomb Elementary

Three cloves garlic, chopped

2 cups chicken broth

One envelope of dry Italian dressing

1 tablespoon Cajun or Creole spice mix

One envelope of dry ranch dressing

One envelope of dry brown gravy

Roast, Carrots, Potatoes, 1 cup of water

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 pound extra-large shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 3/4 cups long-grain rice

Parsley, optional

Combine chicken, sausage, onion, green pepper, celery, tomatoes, garlic, chicken broth, spice mix, thyme and oregano in a large (five-quart) slow cooker. Cook on low for five hours. Add shrimp and rice; raise heat to high and cook for 30 minutes more. Sprinkle with chopped parsley, if desired.

Beef Stroganoff

By Kendra Hipps, Kindergarten, Bascomb Elementary

Put roast, carrots and potatoes in the slow cooker. Mix the Italian dressing, ranch dressing and brown gravy with the cup of water. Pour mixture in the Crockpot. Put lid on and cook on low for eight hours.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

By Kendra Hipps, Kindergarten, Bascomb Elementary Y

One 10-ounce jar sweet and sour sauce

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Two cans condensed cream of mushroom soup

Two pounds frozen meatballs

Two tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

One medium red bell pepper, cubed

1/2 cup of water

One medium green bell pepper, cubed

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

One medium onion, cubed

a dash of paprika

One 20-ounce can pineapple chunks, drained

One yellow onion, chopped (one cup)

Two pounds cubed stew meat

Spray inside of slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Place all ingredients inside the slow cooker and stir gently. Place lid on slow cooker. Cook on low for seven to eight hours or on high for four to five hours. Serve over rice as a main dish or serve with toothpicks for a yummy appetizer.

(can also substitute ground beef) Y

Eight ounces cream cheese

12-ounce bag of egg noodles

Optional: eight ounces fresh mushrooms (two four-ounce cans of drained, sliced mushrooms are a good substitute) Start with the first seven ingredients listed. Place in slow cooker on low for eight to 10 hours. The last three ingredients do not need to be added until 20 minutes before serving. TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Health & Wellness

A Little Dentistry Goes a Long Way BY DR. SCOTT R. HARDEN

I learned early in my career that a little dentistry goes a long way. Just the other day, while examining a child whose teeth had significant decay, it was apparent that the child’s mother had severe dental anxiety and had imparted this anxiety to her child. The child, named Mary, did not possess a serious level of anxiety but was emulating some of her mother’s trepidation about the need Dr. Scott Harden is a dentist at Fountain for dental treatment. In order to calm View Family Dentistry the child and the mother, I shared a and has served the Woodstock area for fond memory regarding a child named more than 21 years. Bradley whom I had treated early in my You can reach Dr. Harden at career. (770) 926-0000 or visit Bradley, one of five children, had FountainViewSmiles. com. many decayed teeth. The family was struggling financially, but we worked together to help restore Bradley’s teeth. Bradley had dental fillings placed on adult and baby teeth on the right side of his mouth. He was scheduled to have the left side done a month later but did not return as planned. His father had lost his job

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

and they had moved away. Many years later, Bradley came to my office as a young adult to say hello. He thanked me for the dental care I provided him as a boy. He explained that the teeth on the right side of his mouth had remained healthy. However, the adult teeth and baby teeth on the left side did not get fixed until years later and had continued to decay. Many of his adult and baby teeth had to be extracted and left gaps between his teeth. He ended up spending thousands of dollars and many hours in the dental chair in order to correct them. He explained to me that a little dental care made a huge difference on his teeth and he would always be sure to get his kid’s teeth fixed when that time came. As Mary sat in my chair listening to this story, both she and her mother gained an understanding of the importance of getting her teeth fixed. Mary said that she wanted good teeth when she was older. We talked more about the procedure and how easy it would be. Mary’s mom showed a genuine appreciation for having her daughter’s teeth fixed. For our children and for ourselves, a little dentistry goes a long way is truly a good message. As 2015 begins, remember to contact your dentist for the twice a year recommended examination and cleaning.

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Health & Wellness

You Need a Hearing Aid - What’s the Next Step? BY JAN HENRIQUES AU. D.

Has your family been nagging you because they are tired of repeating what they say and having the TV turned up too loud? Are you afraid of poor performance at work because of hearing loss? If you answered yes, the solution might be a hearing aid. The first step is to schedule an appointment with an audiologist for a comprehensive evaluation. Dr. Henriques is Sometimes we find ear wax is the a board certified audiologist and lead problem, and once that’s cleared provider at North out, the patient can hear again. Georgia Audiology in Woodstock. She has This is not always the case, but been practicing since some hearing issues can be treated 1985, after earning a doctorate in audiology medically. from the University of Most insurance companies, Florida and a master’s degree from LSU including Medicare, will cover Medical Center. examinations performed by a licensed audiologist. Beware of the free hearing tests offered by retail stores. They do not contract with insurance companies because they do not always employ audiologists. Testing performed by an audiologist will be comprehensive and complete and may lead to the discovery of underlying health conditions. You can find an audiologist in an ENT office, private practice, or a retail hearing aid office. They may refer you to an otologist (ENT) for treatment or another specialist. Visiting an audiologist should be the first step in hearing loss because he or she holds masters or doctoral level degrees and are the most knowledgeable when it comes to ear and hearing related problems. Audiologists are trained to diagnose hearing issues and treat non-medically through

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

hearing aids and aural rehabilitation. Big box stores employ either audiologists or hearing aid dispensers, usually the latter. Make sure you know which professional is taking care of you. Hearing aids require follow up care and tuning to make them work their best. The staff member you see for follow up may have no hearing health experience. When purchasing from a big box store or other retailer, typically you cannot change to another provider to have the hearing aid adjusted. Followup care must be done only by the retailer because of proprietary software. Ordering a hearing aid online or through the mail is a very risky option. In Georgia, audiologists are not allowed to handle hearing aids that were purchased online. One size does not fit all in terms of hearing loss. The best price is not always the best value or solution to your problem.

Beware of the free hearing tests offered by retail stores. They do not contract with insurance companies because they do not always employ audiologists. Testing performed by an audiologist will be comprehensive and complete and may lead to the discovery of underlying health conditions.

New Location, Accepting New Patients

HOLLY SPRINGS WOODSTOCK

Exit 11 (Sixes Road)

sw ell R

Dr. Travis Jones

Services Offered: • Treatment of pediatric, adolescent and adult patients • Medical management of disease in the athletic setting • Diagnosis, evaluation and management of concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries • Prevention, evaluation and treatment of athletic injuries • Diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the upper and lower extremities • Fracture care

Dr. Matthew Simmons

Northside/D Imagin

NEW 900 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 320, Woodstock, GA 30189 684 Sixes Road, Suite 130, Holly Springs, GA 30115 (770) 517-6636 • northsidecherokeeortho.com

hn so n

Fe rr y

Dr. Stephanie Hsu

We are proud to announce that we are expanding to provide services in both the Holly Springs and Woodstock communities. Our family friendly practice is dedicated to providing the highestquality care possible, and offers head-to-toe physical therapy, medical management of disease in the athletic setting, concussion management, and effective minimally-invasive treatment procedures for all types of musculoskeletal conditions.

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TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Health & Wellness

New Treatments Available for Afib BY PETER JUNGBLUT, M.D., MBA

Atrial fibrillation (Afib) is an abnormal rhythm of the heart that can sometimes lead to an accelerated heart rate. Millions of Americans experience Afib every year and some are at risk for serious medical complications and even stroke, which can lead to brain damage and death. Most people who develop Afib are over the age of 65, and it is more common in men and people with Dr. Peter Jungblut underlying heart disease. is senior vice president and In Afib, the upper chambers of the medical director heart contract erratically, sending blood of WellStar Medical Group. into the ventricles in an uncoordinated way. This can also lead the lower chambers of the heart to contract at a faster rate. Symptoms include palpitations, mild chest discomfort, lightheadedness, shortness of breath or fatigue. The most serious complication associated with Afib is stroke. People with Afib have sluggish and erratic blood flow that causes blood clots. When a piece of the blood clot breaks off, it can enter the bloodstream and travel to the brain, obstructing blood flow at the end of an artery, which can cause a stroke.

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Treatments Lowering blood clot formation: The likelihood of clot formation can be lowered with the use of blood thinners, which traditionally require frequent blood testing and dosing changes. Newer blood thinners donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t require regular tests. Not all patients are candidates for these medications, which are also costly, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best to speak with your doctor to find the right medication for you. Cardioversion: Cardioversion is a treatment that attempts to return the heart to a regular rhythm with an electric current or medication. Heart rate control: Heart rate control can be accomplished with medications or minimally invasive treatments including radio-frequency ablation with or without pacemaker implantation, cryoablation or other interventions like a maze procedure or convergent care now offered at WellStar Kennestone Hospital, the only hospital that performs this highly successful new procedure in Georgia. Afib rarely goes away on its own and is often indicative of underlying heart disease. Thanks to advances in medicine and technology, patients have an increasing array of options for lowering risk for stroke and achieving a more normal heart rhythm. If you have uncontrolled arrhythmia, I encourage you to see your doctor today.

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Health & Wellness

Effective Weight Loss and Optimal Hormone Levels BY O. JULIUS QUARCOO

Many people use diets and fitness programs to help them keep their New Year’s resolution to lose weight. Shedding the pounds and keeping them off can be especially difficult for middle-aged individuals, whose hormone levels may be less than optimal. Having the right levels of hormones can make losing weight easier, because hormones control O. Julius Quarcoo, a every aspect of the weight loss pharmacist for 21 years, is owner of Towne Lake process. Hormones control our Family Pharmacy, which metabolism (the body’s calorie offers compounding and regular prescriptions. burning power), fat storage, appetite (770) 635-7697. control, and sugar and carbohydrate townelakepharmacy@ yahoo.com. cravings. High levels of estrogen, insulin and cortisol and low levels of progesterone, testosterone, DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), and thyroid dysfunction can work against any effort to lose weight through diet and exercise. An underactive thyroid can be especially problematic because the hormone it produces works to convert oxygen and calories into energy. When the thyroid gland does not operate optimally, the body’s metabolism slows down and

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

so does weight loss. A large percentage of the population unknowingly suffers from undiagnosed hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) while others receive inadequate treatment for this condition. Unusual weight gain is one of the most noticeable symptoms of hypothyroidism. When an underactive thyroid goes untreated for a long time, the sex hormones (progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, DHEA, etc.) and the adrenal hormones may also become unbalanced as they try to compensate for each other. If losing weight and getting in shape are part of your goals this year, do not let hormone imbalance stand in your way. A simple blood or saliva test can identify the problem and give clues on how to correct hormone imbalance.

Shedding the pounds and keeping them off can be especially difficult for middleaged individuals, whose hormone levels may be less than optimal.

Determining Signs and Treatment for TMJ BY DR. VAN TRAN

Have you ever experienced jaw pain while talking, chewing and yawning, or the inability to fully open or completely close your mouth? These are signs and symptoms of TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) syndrome. TMJ syndrome is a painful condition of the jaw that involves the hinge joint (TMJ) that allows you to open and close your mouth. You have two TMJ joints, one on each side of your Dr. Van Tran is a board certified chiropractor mouth or face. The muscles involved with Discover in chewing open and close your mouth Chiropractic in Towne Lake. He can be reached as well as allow you to glide or jut at (770) 516-9900. your jaw forward and side to side. Coordination of the various muscles of the jaw is essential to proper and painless jaw function. An imbalance in the muscles of the jaw can often cause jaw pain or jaw dysfunction, which may show up as clicking or popping sounds during chewing or talking. When you open your mouth, the lower surface of the TMJ glides forward. When you close your mouth, the TMJ glides back into its original position. It works like a hinge and is known as a hinge joint. To assist in the smooth operation of this movement, a soft disc of cartilage known as a meniscus lies between the TMJ and the inner surface of the joint. The discs serves to absorb and distribute shock to the TMJ from chewing, talking and yawning which are repetitive movements that occur thousands of times every day. The disc serves to distribute the forces of chewing evenly throughout the joint. There are two main types of TMJ syndrome. The first one is TMJ muscular imbalance. This condition of the TMJ occurs when one or several of the muscles of the jaw are simply too tight or are in spasm. This will cause the jaw to shift to the right or to the left during opening and closing of the mouth. The second type of TMJ syndrone is acute TMJ dysfunction. This condition typically occurs when sudden trauma to the jaw causes displacement of the cartilage pad (meniscus) in the jaw. The jaw typically locks and it becomes difficult to open or close the mouth, talk, chew or yawn. TMJ disorders can be helped through chiropractic care. They can be effectively treated through specialized massage to the muscles of the TMJ that are in spasm, which stops the pain and helps to restore normal function to the jaw. TMJ disorders can also be effectively treated through a specialized adjustment to the jaw on the affected side which often immediately corrects the condition.

You have two TMJ joints, one on each side of your mouth or face.

Send Us Your Community Easter Events to: Candi@AroundAboutMagazines.com Deadline is Feb. 10th

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Health & Wellness

Underlying Reasons for School-Related Stress BY DR. JEFFREY C. HOPKINS, M.D.

At this point in the school year, summer vacation seems years ago and holiday vacations are quickly becoming a faint memory. For many children, school is a comfortable place where they get to spend time with friends and learn new skills. These kids wake each morning with enthusiasm for what they can achieve. Other children begin their weekdays full of dread. They are the children Dr. Hopkins earned his medical degree who struggle to get through each day at The Chicago at school. Maybe they hope today is Medical School after a pediatric residency the day they won’t get called on by the at Emory University math teacher to do a problem at the in Atlanta. Areas of special interest board, or possibly today they can avoid are early childhood the embarrassment of having to read development, asthma and infectious out loud in front of their peers. diseases. Although school should be either fun or, at the very least, tolerable, there are many pupils who truly struggle to learn. This struggle can lead to problems making friends, can cause depression and self esteem issues or cause strife at home as they struggle with homework.

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Students with learning problems should be apparent to teachers by this point in the school year. The causes are numerous and include dyslexia, auditory processing, verbal processing, math disorders, reading disorders, attention deficit disorder, fine motor delay, hearing problems, vision problems and social disorders, just to name a few. All of this can be overwhelming for parents who are notified by teachers or staff that their child is falling behind. What should parents do? First, take a deep breath, and realize that the teacher isn’t calling your child dumb. Many people with the challenges listed above have exceptionally high IQ scores. We all have strengths and weaknesses in how we learn. Sometimes our weakness, if severe enough, affects our overall achievement. A plan of action should start with your child’s pediatrician. Discuss the issues with him or her to rule out medical causes. Most of the time this will not be the ultimate answer, but certainly should be ruled out early on in the process. Next, an educational evaluation should be performed to determine the child’s strengths and weaknesses. This can be done through the school or a private psychologist. Depending on the results, the child may benefit from tutoring in certain subjects. Others may need to be pulled into small continued on page 82

School & Sports

The Discovery of Chocolate CREATIVE WRITING ENTRIES SUBMITTED BY JOE LEMMO, 7TH GRADE E.T. BOOTH LANGUAGE ARTS CLASS

It has been three weeks since I left my family to go on a mission to find a substance known as chocolate. On my journey, I encountered strange creatures, each with an unusual trait. Supposedly, two animals would give me a clue about the location of chocolate on the mysterious island. The first animal had purple fur and wings. It flew me up to a mountain-top filled with a purple goo. Then it carefully whispered, “You must go to a place where water is plentiful.” I suddenly thought of where to go, and started to walk. As I reached a bay with pink water, I saw a fish walking and talking on the land. I slowly moved close to the fish and asked, “Do you have my last clue?” “Well, yes we do!” the strange fish exclaimed. I was suspicious, but didn’t bother asking. The fish placed five brown beans in my hand. “What are these?” I asked. “Those are cocoa beans. If you travel to a volcano you can drop them in and discover something more than you can ever imagine,” the fish explained. “Thank you!” I responded, and traveled in search of a volcano. It took me at least three full days of traveling through forests and grasslands to finally reach the volcano. I began to climb, and rubble fell with each step I took. When I made it to the top, the volcano was filled with rocks and dust. “What were beans going to do?” I thought to myself. Puzzled, I still dropped the beans into the pit. As the beans hit the surface, the rocks and rubble transformed into a ginormous puddle of thick brown liquid. I quickly tied a rope around my waist and carefully lowered myself into the brown pit of chocolate. “Yum, this is spectacular!” I shouted. And that is the story of my discovery of chocolate.

It was 1890, and I was walking through a jungle in Africa. There were beautiful brown beans high up in the trees. I wanted to climb up the trees and grab them. The tour guide had told us about the dangers of the trees, but still I needed those horse-brown beans! I walked up to the tour guide and asked about the beans. She answered by saying, “Mr. Choco, those are called cocoa beans. No one has ever dared to climb the trees to grab them!” She continued on and on about snakes and spiders, but I stared at the beans, not really listening. They were mesmerizing, pulling me closer and closer to the tree. I heard the tour guide yell my name and I noticed I was almost up the tree. I looked around, and all I saw were spiders, snakes, and a cheetah looming on the branch beside me. I hurried up the tree shaking spiders off my hands. Then I had done it! I was on the 127th branch of the old jungle tree! I reached forward and grabbed as many beans as I could carry, and then scurried down the tree at a rapid pace. After the tour, I sat down in my kitchen and started to make flavorless pudding. As I was walking away, I accidentally hit some of the cocoa beans into the pot. I came back and noticed the pudding was horse-brown like the beans. I stirred it and placed it in the freezer, when I should have been placing it in the refrigerator. The next day, when I found the pudding in the freezer, I was upset because it was hard. I was in a hurry though, so I grabbed it and ran out the door to a party. I was late, but cut it up into pieces when I got there. It was amazing and everyone liked it! People kept asking me what it was called. I thought for a moment, and decided I would call it choco-late, combining my last name with the word “late” since I was late. And that’s how chocolate came to be!

It was a cold wintry day, and I, Jordyn, discovered something amazing. My friends and I were walking down the street just like an ordinary day. Suddenly, we saw people crowding a street light with a poster on it. “I’ll be the first one to find it!” “No, I will!” People shouted loudly. We ran to the streetlight to read the poster. I read it out loud to my friends. It said, “There has been an extraordinary food that has been discovered called chocolate. There is no more left on Earth, but it can be found on planet Jun. The first ones to find it get a big reward!” When I finished, we all ran back to my house to figure out a plan. “How are we going to get there?” Jamie asked. Then I ran to my garage and unveiled an old spaceship. “When did you get this?” Jamie asked. “Found it somewhere.” I replied nonchalantly. Without further questioning, we got into the ship and flew to planet Jun. There were weird aliens everywhere. We asked them where the chocolate was and then quickly located a treasure box full of chocolate. We flew back to earth quickly. When we turned the chocolate in, they were amazed! Our reward was a lifetime supply of chocolate bars. Sweet!

Have you ever heard of chocolate? Whenever I think of chocolate, I think of myself, because I am the person who originally found it. You may not believe me, but here is how I discovered chocolate. It was in the middle of summer, and my parents and I went to Hawaii. They said I could wander around the beach for a little, so I did. I saw so many trees and plants that I had never seen before! There was the Dragonfly plant, a plant that lured its enemies by looking like a dragonfly, a Venus flytrap, and one that looked the most beautiful, the Cocoa tree. Its leaves were always brown and had dark brown fruit like objects growing from them. The leaves smelled amazing, a scent I had never smelled before. I picked the fruit like object off like it was food, and even though it might have been poisonous, I took the risk and bit into the unknown. It tasted sweet, but it was sticky. I picked off a couple more, and then retreated to where my parents were, sitting in our hotel room. I gave my mom one of the objects and she said I should give it to the factory for mass production. I did and they made chocolate bars with the objects I discovered. TOWNELAKER | February 2015

School & Sports

Students Complete Requirements for Certification Woodstock High School Early Childhood Development Career Pathway students are the first in the Cherokee County School District to earn adult and pediatric CPR/AED certification. Completing the requirements for both certifications is required for students who are earning career certifications to work with young children. Twenty-eight students took part in CPR and fire safety training. Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services safety educator Sgt. Babette Davis and the American Heart Association provided training and assistance. Students said it was empowering to gain lifesaving skills. “I loved getting certified because it’s made me a lot more confident in babysitting young kids,” said student Mykhalia Chepelsky. Students who earned the certification include, from left, front row: Isabel Horta, Tyler Maczko, Ashley Van De Ryt and Rachel Rhodes; second row: Rebecca Velazquez, Ciara Stowe, Ashley Casado and Marina Buromskikh; back row: Stephanie Velez, Erica Cofer, Emily Hamburg and Kayla Ousley.

Senior Project Is Successful Fundraiser

Local Student Competes in Rock Climbing Championships

Etowah High School senior, Ally Franke hosted the Queen of the Quarter beauty pageant as her senior project and fundraiser for the varsity football team. The winner of the pageant was Maya Opara-Nadi and she was awarded a $500 scholarship. The project also raised $1,000 for the football team.

Ethan Hunt, an eighth-grader at E.T. Booth Middle School and a member of Team Escalade from Escalade Rock Climbing Gym in Kennesaw, will be compete in the USA American Bouldering Series Rock Climbing Championships Feb. 15-16 in Madison, Wis. Ethan will represent Division 4 which includes the Heartland, Bayou, and Deep South Regions in competing with climbers in other divisions from around the country. Climbers will compete to become part of the U.S. Climbing Team which will compete at world events with other countries.

Host Ally Franke, left, and pageant winner Maya Opara-Nadi.

Coach Rudy Armocida, left, Ethan Hunt and Coach Keith Hunt.

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

School & Sports

EHS Wrestling Team Region 5 AAAAAA Champions The Etowah High School wrestling team recently became the 2015 Region 5 AAAAAA Champions. Facing Pope High School in the championship semi-finals and with a tied score of 32-32, Blake Wilson pinned his opponent in the second period to advance Etowah to the championship finals. The final score was Etowah 38, Pope 32. The next match was a repeat of last year’s final, and pitted Etowah against Roswell High School for the region championship. Wrestler Max Homyak won with two seconds left to go in the match. The final score was Etowah 37, Roswell 34. The team went on to compete in the state championship where they came in as the state team dual runners-up after a loss to Archer High School.

2015 Region AAAAAA wrestling champions.

Woodstock Wolverine Band Members Prepare for Trip to Ireland

Farm Bureau Seeks Entries for Art Contest

The Woodstock High School Marching Wolverines are preparing for their first international trip. Band members will join marching ensembles from around the globe to provide music for the St. Patrick’s Festival Parade on March 17 in Dublin, Ireland. Attended by more than 500,000 spectators, St. Patrick’s Festival is a four-day celebration culminating with the parade through downtown Dublin. Woodstock High will be represented by 94 student musicians in the parade and 40 chaperones and family members will join them on a week-long tour of Ireland. Band members are currently raising funds for the trip. For information about sponsorships, visit www. woodstockwolverineband.com or contact Tori Lawton at wwbbtreasurer@comcast.net.

Cherokee County students in grades nine through 12 are encouraged to enter the Georgia Farm Bureau Art Contest. Artwork should be drawn in black ink or dark soft lead pencil on an 8 ½- x 11- inch piece of white paper and artwork should be camera ready. Drawings will be judged on artistic merit and how well the art represents modern agriculture found in Cherokee County or Georgia’s agriculture industry. All entries must be received at the Cherokee County Farm Bureau office by Feb. 18. The first place county winner will receive a $100 Walmart gift card and be entered in the Georgia Farm Bureau District 1 competition. Second place will receive a $75 Walmart gift card. District winners will advance to the state competition. For more information, call (770) 479-1481 or visit www.gfb.org/programs/aic/.

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Winter Break in Woodstock Parents looking for camps and activities for their children to attend during the winter break, Feb. 16-20, may want to look into the following options. YMCA Camps: The Woodstock and Canton locations will host camps for children ages 5-12, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 16-20. Cost is $29 per day. Campers will need lunch, two snacks, a refillable water bottle, backpack, jacket, closed-toe shoes, swimsuit and towel. Register online at www.ymcaregistration.com or contact Erik Bullock at (770) 591-3502. Cherokee Recreation and Parks Association: Non-Stop Action Camp is a series of daily field trips to fun places around the area, as well as scheduled activities at the recreation center. Children will need a lunch, two snacks and daily drinks. For more details, visit www.crpa.net. Destinations are: • Skating at Sparkles Skate Center on Feb. 16. Skates are included but children can bring money for more advanced skates or bring skates from home. Lunch is provided. 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. • Trampoline fun at Sky Zone in Kennesaw. Children should

wear comfortable athletic clothing. Socks provided by Sky Zone. Lunch is not provided. 12:15-3:30 p.m. • Movies at Cherokee 16 in Woodstock. Movie times will be announced the day before the trip. Lunch isn’t provided. • Chuck E Cheese adventure will include 16 tokens per child. Lunch provided. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. • Swimming at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 10 a.m.2:30 p.m. Children need a swimsuit, towel and change of clothes and must be able to pass a swim test to play on the Wibit. Lunch provided. Elm Street Cultural Arts Camp: Campers will produce and perform “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” in five days. Hours will be 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (drop off begins at 8:30 a.m.) for ages 5-14 (current kindergarten through 8th grade students). The performance will be at 3 p.m. Feb. 20. Family and friends may attend at no charge. $5 tickets for the general public. Camp fee is $220, and includes all materials, costuming and a digital download of their final performance. Register at www. elmstreetarts.org.

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Faith

Happy New Year: More than a Superficial Greeting BY PASTOR CARL A. MOORE, SR.

Happy New Year is the overwhelming greeting of the season. It’s an expression uttered around the world. As the clock strikes midnight on Dec. 31, a New Year is born and the slogan “Happy New Year” rings forth. The slogan implies hope, desire, expectation and optimism of the future. It speaks of a better tomorrow than was experienced in days past. That universal phrase is a wish for better times and better Carl A. Moore, Sr. has things for all, a desire for favor, served as the senior pastor of Allen Temple prosperity, enjoyment and peace. A.M.E. Church in This is the timeless anticipation of Woodstock since 1993. the new year. He is married to Gloria We believe if it’s new, then Jean Ezekiel Moore. at least it has the opportunity They have three children (all married) and nine of being better. I believe this grandchildren. optimism surrounding “new” is grounded in God’s word, for Psalm 96:1 encourages, “O sing unto the Lord a new song,” implying that new is better. And Revelation 21:5 saying to us: “Behold, I make all things new.” Newness even in God’s Word suggests a hopefulness of something better. However, let’s not be naïve. Simply speaking the words “Happy New Year” does not somehow magically ensure for the speaker this reality. On the other hand, a happy new year is possible. The question then becomes, how can it be assured? Well, to have a happy new year spiritually first requires that one is in right standing with the Lord. That comes as a result of “The New Birth.” Many people have dreamed of starting

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

over again, saying “if I could just go back, I would change this or I would not do that.” While that is not physically possible, one can start over again through spiritual rebirth. Acts 16:31 states, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,” which brings new birth. And Romans 3:22 assures us that when we believe in the Lord, He accepts and forgives us, declares us not guilty and we become His righteousness. That is to say, we are made to be as though we had never sinned. Yes, that new birth makes for a happy new year. Additionally, a happy new year not only requires a new birth, but also that we plot a new direction. No one should do the same old things the same old way and somehow expect different results. We need new goals and objectives, new aims and ambitions, new purpose and resolution. We should take a lesson from Paul’s words recorded in Philippians 3:1314, where he states: “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” So, let’s not allow anything to divert our eyes from our goal of a new life and new direction. With the focus of an athlete in training, we must move away from everything that may distract us from being all the Lord would have us to become. For with the new birth and a new direction, we will be positioned for a happy, happy, “Happy New Year.” Be blessed.

Well, to have a happy new year spiritually first requires that one is in right standing with the Lord.

Marriage Moments BY BILL RATLIFF

As you think about your marriage this Valentine’s Day, I encourage you to look beyond the transitory nature of romance. There were two couples you may be familiar with who did just that: George and Martha Washington and Abe and Mary Todd Lincoln. Neither of these couples would consider themselves to have perfect marriages. They endured many Bill Ratliff is the Senior stressors as you can well imagine. Pastor at Towne Lake Pressures of the presidency, losing loved Community Church. He can be reached ones and living and governing during at (678) 445-8766 or times of war were central parts of their bratliff@tlcchurch.com. relationships. Sources revealed that George and Martha were immediately attracted to each other. They were married within three months of meeting. Having married a widow, George found himself with a ready-made family of four children. Mary made many trips to spend time with her husband at the encampments where he stayed during the war. Sources revealed that they were never unfaithful to each other and remained committed to one another until death. Abe and Mary Todd were a little different in that they were exact opposites of each other. She was very short in stature and he was unusually tall. She grew up in affluence and he rose out of poverty. Sometimes in the midst of conflicts, she would throw things at Abe and he would quietly walk away. Each of them suffered from depression, particularly in the loss of their sons. Even with all of the differences, what stands out to me is that they remained thoroughly and completely committed to each other. Research indicates that they were totally faithful to each other. Both the Washingtons and the Lincolns moved beyond romance and endured hardships together. No matter what life brought them as couples, they remained committed to each other. Certainly the Washingtons and the Lincolns epitomized this verse in Hebrews 13:4, “Marriage is honorable...”

Date Your Mate: Take your wife shopping! Husbands, you may not find exactly what you are looking for, but your wife will. Recently, I bought a Nora Fleming plate for my wife at a home décor and accessories store in Towne Lake. I did not think it was that special but she loved it and already has it decorated for Valentine’s Day.

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Helping Hands

Our community has many nonprofits that work hard to help folks in need. Each month TowneLaker will run an update to share news of activities and events. We’re hoping our readers will find plenty of opportunities to volunteer to help others, or use this information as a resource to reach out for assistance.

CASA Cherokee - www.casacherokee.org

SERV International’s Steve Kasha (left), Jim Mroczko and Jim Vinyard with boxes that include 50,000 meals that were taken to Kenya in October 2014. More than 500 local families received groceries in 2014, and SERV officials are planning to expand the local outreach program.

SERV International - www.servintl.org.

The 2014 year-end update showed progress that ministry officials call “one of the busiest and most productive years we’ve had.” Highlights reflect efforts to help the House of Hope orphanage in Kenya, support for a missionary family and church building efforts in the Dominican Republic. The mission of SERV is to provide food, water and shelter to people in need around the world. House of Hope Monthly support is provided for 90 percent of the 40 children who live at the orphanage. A new 10,000-liter water storage tank was added, as well as a new kitchen and dining hall. Maintained three greenhouses, and provided education on site and away for the children. Provided more than one million meals to the people of Kenya, and more than 200 million gallons of clean water by distributing 200 water filtration kits

The final tally of 2014 activities ranges from the SuperHero run fundraiser to local residents volunteering as advocates for children or providing leadership as a board member. Here’s a rundown for the year. Because of your support •30 new advocates were trained. •93 active child advocates were professionally supported and supervised. These child advocates •Provided individual attention and advocacy for 265 children. •Donated 5,353 hours and traveled 58,101 miles in their advocacy for the children they served. •Spoke up for the best interest of these children at 563 court hearings. Resulting in Safe, Permanent Homes for Kids •41 children were reunited with a safer, strengthened family. •17 children were adopted into a new forever family. •16 children found a permanent home through guardianship with a relative. Highlights of 2014 •One of the advocates was recognized as the National Advocate of the Year by the National CASA Association. •CASA became a program of The Children’s Haven and now has a permanent facility from which to work.

Serenade Heights - www.serenadeheights.org

Free workshops are available for single mothers and their children in Cherokee County. Participants get a free dinner (6-6:30 p.m.) and childcare while moms participate in the workshop. Workshops are 6-7:30 p.m. at New Victoria Baptist Church, 6659 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock. The Feb. 12 topic is Ask the Attorney. NeatSmart is the Feb. 26 topic

Dominican Republic Funding provided for a new church, 200,000 meals for D.R. residents, and a missionary family of four who moved from Cherokee County to serve in the D.R.

TurnAround Ministries - www.turnaroundkids.com

TurnAround Ministries received a $1,000 donation from the Towne Lake Optimist Club to purchase a mobile cafeteria table for the children’s home. TurnAround is a non-profit organization that provides a home for children whose families are in crisis by offering a family environment of nurturing relationships through a holistic approach addressing the children’s spiritual, physical, nutritional, academic and psychological health, utilizing groups and independent counseling, spiritual and devotional instruction, classroom and hands-on education, outreach and exit strategy 72

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

TurnAround Ministries representative Cheryl Anderson, front row on the right, accepts a check for $1,000 from club members Charlice Byrd, front left, and back row from left, Scott Adams, Matt Halloran and Marvin Glanzer.

Welcome to

photo by Darleen Prem

DOWNTOWN WOODSTOCK

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

Trolley Routes outlined in red

Chattahoochee Technical College

Parks Cir

Trolley Stop

Public Parking Lots

Rope Mill Rd

Dobbs Rd

Kyle St

On-Street Parking - park in marked spaces only

Woodstock UMC (M-Sa)

Arnold Mill Rd

ail

d ar Rd

r Pe

e Rd

S er

CSB Bank (after 5PM)

Dupre

Reeves St

iley

tim

Main

Mark et S t

ry St

Sat 1:45-4:15

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Fowler St

Hicko

Reformation Brewery

T Fri 6:00-8:15

T Wheel

Oak St

n St

in St

T Elm

Pade

E Ma

ek Tr

le St

To GA Hwy 140

to Cre

Map

Pinehill

Park at City Center

Pinehi ll Dr

Mill

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City Center

Pkwy

Mca ffee

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Cham bers S

To I-575 Exit 8

Wall

Town e

To GA Hwy 92

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

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Downtown Woodstock

Chasing the Clouds Away PHOTOS BY DARLEEN PREM

Pet owners took advantage of a recent sunny day to visit Woofstock Park, which is now connected to the Town to Creek and Noonday Creek trails via a trailhead and bridge that recently opened, part of the Woodstock Trails courtesy of Greenprints Alliance. The park has off-leash areas for large and small breed dogs, a shade structure, fountains, benches and restrooms.

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

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) TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Downtown Woodstock

February Celebrations in Downtown Woodstock BY JENNA HILL

February plans in downtown Woodstock this month will include both Valentine’s Day and Arbor Day celebrations. Arbor Day in Georgia is traditionally observed on the third Friday in February - which falls on Feb. 20 this year. Although national Arbor Day is in April, it’s too warm during that month to plant trees in Georgia. The recommendation is to plant trees Jenna Hill is a Tourism between November and mid-March Information Assistant at the Woodstock so they will have a better chance of Visitors Center. becoming established before the onset jehill@woodstockga. gov of summer heat. To celebrate Arbor Day, Woodstock officials will give away 800 tree seedlings of many varieties. A free booklet with very important tree care info also will be available. Seedlings and tree care guides can be picked up between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Feb. 20 at the following locations: • Woodstock Visitors Center at Dean’s Store 8588 Main Street

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

• Woodstock’s Magnolia Hall (Behind Magnolia Thomas Restaurant) 108 Arnold Mill Road • City Hall Annex 12453 Highway 92 • Woodstock Senior Center 223 Arnold Mill Road For more information, call (770) 024-0406. If you want to celebrate Valentine’s day in downtown Woodstock this year, you will not be disappointed. Stores and restaurants will be offering specials and since the holiday falls on the weekend, you can make a day of it. Start off by browsing through the stores downtown, or walk along the Town to Creek Trail. You could also take a ride on the Woodstock Trolley. For those of you who have never ridden the trolley, I highly recommend it. It is a very convenient and fun way to get around. There are plans to expand the destination stops and possibly add a stop in Towne Lake. End your Valentine’s day with dinner at a great restaurant, many of which offer special menu items just for the occasion. For more information on the trolley, visit www. downtownwoodstock.org/woodstock-trolley.

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

CUISINE

BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SUNDAY

SPIRITS

RESERV.

American

open

Beer/Wine

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

Modern American

$$$

open

Full bar

8 persons +

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

Wood-fired Pizza & Grill

$$$

open

Full bar

yes

Southern

Sat./Sun. Brunch

$$$

open

Full bar

American

open

Tapas/Sushi

Fri./Sat. only

open

Full bar

yes

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

Italian

open

Full bar

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

Diner

$-$$

$ - $$

open

weekdays only

BBQ & Southern Sandwiches

$ - $$

open

Beer

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

J Miller’s Smokehouse 156 Towne Lake Pkwy. 770-592-8295 jmillerssmokehouse.com Magnolia Thomas 108 Arnold Mill Rd. 678-445-5789 magnoliathomas.com

Southern

Sunday Brunch

$$$$

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

closed

yes

Italian

$$$

closed

Full bar

yes

Reel Seafood 8670 Main St. 770-627-3006 Tea Leaves & Thyme 8990 Main St. 770-516-2609 tealeavesandthyme.com Vingenzo’s 105 E Main St. 770-924-9133 vingenzos.com

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

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

Casual and Upscale Dine-In Restaurants

Downtown Woodstock

Cherokee Photography Club Congratulations to all the winners in the December competition, “President’s Choice”.

Allen Quandee “Frozen”

Becky Sapp “Daffidil Ripples”

Dean Kelley “Sunday Afternoon Stroll” 78 TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Allen Quandee “Pillars of Proxy Falls”

Brinda Rehrig “Artists Tools”

“Drop Dead Divas” Eillene Kirk

Eddie Myers “Camelia Tea”

Eillene Kirk “Twirling Girl”

Kim Bates “Splash”

Eillene Kirk “Orchid Bokeh”

Karen Beedle “Sophie’s Smile”

Vicki Sellers “Lotus Blossom Rebirth”

The Cherokee Photography Club meets on the fourth Monday of the month, and for those participating in the monthly contest, that meeting is held on the second Monday of the month. Both meetings are from 7-9 p.m. and held at the Cherokee County Arts Center, 94 North Street, Canton. For more information, please contact Kim Bates at (770) 617-7595 or email him at kbphotoart@comcast.net. TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Downtown Woodstock

Experience Elm Street Where Were You in 1985? BY G. LORA GROOMS

G. Lora Grooms is the director for the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village. She has been teaching, writing, directing and performing in the Atlanta area since 1990. You can reach her at director@ elmstreetarts.org

CITY CENTER • WOODSTOCK

FEBRUARY

13, 14, 20, 21 AT 7:30PM 15 & 22 AT 2:00PM

Call or visit us on the web to learn about our

WINTER & SPRING BREAK CAMPS

ELMSTREETARTS.ORG 678.494.4251

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Thirty years ago. The 1980s... Reaganomics, “Back to the Future,” Madonna, “Rocky IV,” Whitney Houston, Pictionary, Michael Jackson, New Coke... Where were you and what were you doing? I was out West raising four children between the ages of 2 and 7, baking whole wheat bread and canning bushels of tomatoes given to me by a kindly neighbor. (I am not making this up.) And sewing clothes. And running a children’s choir for an opera company. But, I digress... Due to these important activities, I kinda missed the ’80s altogether. Even disco. I’m guessing some of you with growing families also

missed it. For those who missed the ’80s or those who would like to have a nostalgic visit for a couple of musical hours, the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village has “The Wedding Singer” live on stage this month. Based on the film starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, “The Wedding Singer” does for the 1980s what “Hairspray” did for the 1960s. Robbie Hart is New Jersey’s favorite wedding singer, though he really planned on being a rock star. His fiancée, Linda, leaves him at the altar declaring she was attracted to the rock star, not the wedding singer. Devastated, Robbie can no longer put his heart into singing love songs at other couples’ wedding receptions. Along comes Julia, a sweet young waitress who turns his life around. But she’s engaged to someone else, a materialistic creep who doesn’t deserve her. Julia and Robbie have to find a way to each other before it’s too late. The lively, adult cast production is timed for Valentine’s Day weekend—Feb. 13, 14, 15 and Feb. 20, 21, 22—so if you’re looking for a creative way to pop the question we can help you with that. Conveniently, there is a song in the show called “Pop!” Call the cultural arts village’s office at (678)494-4251 for details. So, come on over to Elm Street for some ’80s sights and sounds and just say yes to the most romantic musical in years. (The show is rated PG-13, so be sure to leave the young ones at home. But be sure to bring them in March to see “The Emperor’s New Clothes.”)

The Elm Street Cultural Arts Village has “The Wedding Singer” live on stage this month.

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Reasons for School-Related Stress

Getting a Jump on Tax Season

settings to help with math or reading, or maybe they just need some extra time to complete their tests. Sometimes the child will get an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) where the school will be held accountable to be sure the child makes proper progress throughout the school year and to come up with accommodations to ensure this occurs. It is possible that medication may be the answer to the issue. Parents should discuss this with their child’s pediatrician or a child psychiatrist. No matter the issue, I can tell you from years of working with children in these situations that the best solutions come from parents who act as advocates for their children. If you or the teacher think there may be an issue with your child, don’t just hope they will grow out of it. Don’t blame it on the teacher’s style or think that your child is just being lazy. This is one of those situations where time is of the essence because many of these evaluations take weeks or months. Don’t wait until they’ve failed a couple classes in the first semester and now are failing even more classes. Wasting a year of school is nothing you or your child can afford.

definition inexact. Some taxpayers ended up earning more than the incomes they estimated to the exchanges, some less. That could mean one of two things: a big 2014 tax refund, or owing more in taxes.4 If you pay for your own health coverage, the exchange at which you bought it should send you Form 1095-A by Jan. 31. Form 1095-A will list how your household self-insures: who pays premiums, and the amount of any monthly subsidies. The CPA can plug these details into Form 8962, which explains the breakdown on insurance, subsidies and income for your household to the IRS. If you were only self-insured for part of 2014, the CPA must note any subsidy payments by the month.4

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Endless Love

continued from page 34

salesman. “I would never lie to you, my darling.” Ann laughed again. And remarkably, she rested her face against my chest with a smile on her face. Her body relaxed. “I’m sorry I’ve been so stressed out lately,” she said a few moments later. My plan had worked after all! Ann had actually melted in my arms. What a remarkable mystery is womanhood. Maybe it’s not choosing the right song that matters most. Sometimes, you get credit just for the effort.

Basics of Personal Injury continued from page 52

further responsibility forever into the future. That’s it, so you better have an idea of what kind of future medical bills you will have. Although your lawyer will give you advice, it is always your decision whether or not to settle. A lawyer cannot settle your case without your agreement. Settlements can be reached at any point in the case. Often, the auto insurance company for the defendant will make an offer to settle after reviewing the depositions, your medical records and bills. Any time you see a person sued in court for an auto injury, that person is 95 percent of the time defended by and settlement or verdict paid by an insurance company. In Georgia, you do not have the right to include the name of the defendant’s insurance company in the case. The jury is never told that the defendant is backed by insurance, but rest assured, almost every suit has a big insurance company paying the tab. 82

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

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Should you jump to a new CPA? If he or she is aloof, sloppy, or seems more like a file clerk than someone interested in properly minimizing your tax burden, maybe you should switch. There are many tax preparers who have only basic skills, and some who outsource their work to people overseas, and you probably don’t want either to happen to your return. We are early in 2015, and if you really have the itch to switch, consider taking your 2013 return to two or three candidates—not only to get a tax prep cost estimate, but to see if they have the higher skills and insights that your current preparer lacks.5 In getting a jump on tax season, you can get that bothersome item off your to-do list sooner and focus on the more exciting parts of your career, business or life. Don Akridge is president of Citadel Professional Services, LLC, an independent firm, founded in 1994 and conveniently located off Chastain Road between I-575 & I-75 in Kennesaw. Phone 770-9526707. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of Peter Montoya, Inc. or MarketingPro, Inc. This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. This information has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. Please note - investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty. This is neither a solicitation nor recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insurance product or service, and should not be relied upon as such. All indices are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular investment. Citations. 1 - forbes.com/sites/robertwood/2014/12/29/irs-announces-2014tax-return-filing-opens-startingjanuary-20-2015/ [12/29/14] 2 - outright.com/blog/what-do-you-need-to-bring-to-youraccountant-at-tax-time/ [3/18/14] 3 - foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2014/03/18/what-documentsshould-take-to-tax-preparer/ [3/18/14] 4 - money.cnn.com/2015/01/02/pf/taxes/obamacare-income-taxsubsidies/ [1/2/15] 5 - dailyfinance.com/2014/12/25/hire-cpa-prepare-taxes/ [12/25/14]

GREENPRINTS TRAIL SYSTEM 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.

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Reference

TOWNE LAKE AREA COMMUNITY OF FAITH Baptist

Jewish

Carmel Baptist Church 2001 Bascomb Carmel Road Sunday Service 11 am Pastor: Stanley Pruitt

Chabad Jewish Center 14255 Wade Green Rd NW, Ste 120 Kennesaw, GA 30144, (678) 460-7702 Introductory Service: 1st Shabbat monthly at 11 a.m. Traditional Service: 3rd Shabbat monthly at 10:30 a.m. Rabbi: Zalman Charytan www.JewishWoodstock.com, www.Facebook.com/ JewishCenter

Crossroads Community Church 2317 Bascomb-Carmel Road, (770) 592-7007 Sunday Services: 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. Sunday Morning Bible Study: 9:30 a.m. Pastor: Bob Goodner Crossroads Primitive Baptist Church 3100 Trickum Road, Woodstock, (770) 710-1068 Pastor: Elder Larry White www.crossroadspbc.org First Baptist Church of Woodstock 11905 Highway 92, (770) 926-4428 Sunday Services: 9:30 & 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. Pastor: Dr. Johnny M. Hunt www.fbcw.org Hillcrest Baptist Church 6069 Woodstock Road, Acworth, (770) 917-9100 Sunday Alive Groups & Worship Service: 9:30 & 11 a.m. Sunday Evening Worship Service: 6 p.m. Wednesday Services: Youth 6:30 p.m., Adults 7 p.m. Pastor: Mike Maxwell

Congregation Ner Tamid A Reform Jewish Temple (770) 345-8687, Marci, call for information Serving the Northwest Suburbs Temple Kehillat Chaim 1145 Green Street Roswell, GA 30075 (770) 641-8630 www.kehillatchaim.org Temple Kol Emeth 1415 Old Canton Road, Marietta, (770) 973-3533 www.Kolemeth.net

Lutheran

New Victoria Baptist Church 6659 Bells Ferry Road, (770) 926-8448 Sunday Services: 11 a.m Sunday Bible Study: 9:45 a.m. Wednesday Awana/Youth: 6:30 – 8 p.m. Pastor: John Harris www.newvicbaptist.org

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 1208 Rose Creek Drive (770) 924-7286, sheeptalk-gslc@comcast.net Sunday Services: 8, 9:30 & 11 a.m. Sunday School: 9:30 & 11 a.m. Thursday Youth Activities: 6:30 p.m. Pastors: Paul Baumgartner & Justin Ask www.gslutheran.org

South Cherokee Baptist Church 7504 Highway 92, (770) 926-0422 Sunday Services: 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7 p.m. Pastor: Steven Lambert

Timothy Lutheran Church (LC-MS) 556 Arnold Mill Road, (770) 928-2812 Sunday Services: 8:30 & 11 a.m. Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. Pastor: Stephen Constien

Episcopal

Orthodox

Christ Episcopal Church 1210 Wooten Lake Road, Kennesaw, (770) 422-9114 Sunday Services: 8 & 9 a.m. (family service) & 11 a.m. Sunday School: 9:15 a.m. Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. praise music, 7 p.m. Eucharist Rector: Doris Graf Smith

St. Elizabeth Orthodox Church 2263 E. Cherokee Drive, Woodstock, (770) 485-0504 Sunday Divine Liturgy: 10 a.m. Priest Matthew Dutto www.stelizabethga.org

Christ the Redeemer Charismatic Episcopal Church 411 Scott Mill Road, Canton, (770) 479-1778 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Morning Prayer: Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Rector: Kurt Wheeler Christ the Redeemer Charismatic Episcopal Church 6488 Hickory Flat Highway, Canton, (404) 395-5003 Saturday Service: 5:30 p.m. Priest: Stephen Hunter Saint Clement’s Episcopal Church 2795 Ridge Road, Canton, (770) 345-6722 Sunday Eucharist Services: 8, 9 & 11 a.m. Christian Education: 10 a.m. Wednesday Eucharist Service: 6:30 p.m. Rector: James B. Stutler

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Presbyterian Christ Covenant Presbyterian of Woodstock (PCA) Meets in the Rec Center of Cherokee County’s South Annex, 7545 Main Street; Bldg. 200, Woodstock Pastor: Ted Lester www.cc-pca.org Geneva Orthodox Presbyterian Church

Meets at Hope Presbyterian Church 4101 Sandy Plains Rd., Marietta Sunday Services: 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Pastor: Matthew Holst www.genevaopc.org

Heritage Presbyterian Church 5323 Bells Ferry Road, (770) 926-3558

Sunday Services: 9 & 11:10 a.m. Sunday School: 10 a.m. Pastor: Dr. Sid Gunter www.heritagepres.com Sixes Presbyterian Church Meeting at our Fellowship Hall at 2335 Sixes Road, Canton, (770) 485-1975 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Dr. Lucas Pina www.sixeschurch.org Woodstock Presbyterian Church 345 Arnold Mill Road, (770) 926-0074 Adult Sunday School: 10 a.m. Traditional Worship Service: 9 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Don Esa

Roman Catholic St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church 490 Arnold Mill Road, (770) 516-0009 Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:30 p.m. Sunday Masses: 7:30, 9 & 11 a.m. & 12:45 & 5:30 p.m. Sunday Spanish Mass: 2:30 p.m. Pastor: Rev. Larry Niese www.saintmichaelcc.org Transfiguration Catholic Church 1815 Blackwell Rd. NE., Marietta, (770) 977-1442 Saturday Vigil Mass: 5 p.m. Sunday Masses: 8 & 10 a.m., noon & 6 p.m. Sunday Spanish Mass: 2 p.m. Pastor: Fernando Molina-Restrepo www.transfiguration.com

United Methodist Bascomb United Methodist Church 2295 Bascomb-Carmel Road, (770) 926-9755 Contemporary Service: 9 a.m. Traditional Service: 11 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Harden Hopper www.bascombchurch.org CITY ON A HILL United Methodist Church 7745 Main Street, (678) 445-3480 Sunday Service: 9:30 & 11:15 a.m. Pastor: Chris Bryant www.coahumc.org Hillside United Methodist Church 4474 Towne Lake Parkway, (770) 924-4777 Traditional Services: 8:25 & 11 a.m. Contemporary Services: 9:25 & 11 a.m. Sunday School: 9:30 & 11 a.m Pastor: Dr. John Beyers www.hillsideumc.org Liberty Hill Church at the Mill 141 Railroad Street, (678) 493-8920 Sunday Service: 11 a.m. Nursery available Pastor: Jamey Prickett www.libertyhillumc.org Little River United Methodist Church 12455 Highway 92, (770) 926-2495 Sunday Service: 11 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Bill Coady www.littleriverumc.info

Sixes United Methodist Church 8385 Bells Ferry Road, Canton, (770) 345-7644 Sunday Services: 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday School: 10 a.m. Pastor: Dr. Joe McKechnie www.sixesumc.org Woodstock United Methodist Church 109 Towne Lake Parkway, (770) 516-0371 Sunday School: 10 a.m. Worship Service: 11 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Claude T. Herbert

Unitarian Universalist Emerson U U Congregation 4010 Canton Rd., Marietta, Georgia 30066 (770) 578-1533 Services: 9 & 11:30 a.m. August – May www.emersonuu.org Rev. Jeff Jones

Other Churches Allen Temple, AME Church 232 N. Arnold Mill Road, (770) 926-6348 Prayer Time: Friday, 7:14 p.m. Sunday Services: 8 & 11 a.m. Sunday Church School: 9:45 a.m. Pastor: Carl A. Moore, Sr. www.allentempleame.org Awakening Church 180 Parkway 575, Suite 140 next to Folks Restaurant, (770) 924-4150 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. www.awakeningwoodstock.com Lead Pastor: Jeff Whitmire Bells Ferry Church of God 6718 Bells Ferry Road, (770) 592-2956 Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Service: 11 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7 p.m. Pastor: Ted Wooldridge www.bellsferry.com Branches of Christ 5946 Jacobs Road, Acworth, (770) 917-4964 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7 p.m. Pastor: Steve Pettit www.branchesofchrist.com BridgePointe Church 230 Arnold Mill Road, Suite 400, (770) 517-2977 Sunday Service: 9 & 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Mat Garcia www.bridgepointechurch.org Catalyst Church 9872 Main Street, Woodstock (678) 463-6330, catalystonline.tv Sunday Services: 10 a.m. Cherokee Seventh Day Adventist 101 Rope Mill Road, (770) 591-7304 Saturday Worship: 11 a.m. Sabbath School: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7:30 p.m. Pastor: Jonathan Williamson Christian Praise Center 1358 Sixes Road, (770) 924-7532 www.christianpraisecenter.com Church at North Gate 9876 Main Street, Suite 250 (behind NAPA) (678) 494-2193

Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Program: 7:30 p.m. Pastor: Marc Lawson www.ngca.org Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 2205 Bascomb-Carmel Road (770) 733-2585 Allatoona Ward, Sacrament Meeting: 11 a.m. Auxiliary Meeting: 10:20 a.m. Bishop Phillip Hailstone Woodstock Ward Spanish service: 9 a.m., English service: 1 pm. Bishop Dave Schweiger, www.mormon.org Church of the Messiah (Non-denominational) 415 Charles Cox Drive, Canton, (770) 479-5280 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Pastor: Fred L. Goodwin Cornerstone Community Church 503 Hickory Ridge Trail, Suite 160 (678) 439-5108, dlkight@comcast.net Sunday Service: 11 a.m. Pastor David Kight www.ccchurchonline.org Dayspring Church 6835 Victory Drive, Acworth, (770) 516-5733 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Tony Crawford www.dayspring-online.com Empowerment Tabernacle Church 507 Industrial Drive, Woodstock, (770) 928-7478 Sunday Worship: 10 a.m. Pastor: A.D. Hinton www.EmpowermentTabernacle.com Faith Family Church 5744 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth (770) 926-4560 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7 p.m. Pastor: Tommy White His Hands Church 550 Molly Lane, Woodstock, (770) 405-2500 Sunday Service: 9 & 11 a.m. www.hishandschurch.com Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church 3431 Trickum Rd., Marietta (770) 924-8080 Sunday Orthros: 8:30a.m., Divine Liturgy: 10 a.m. Rev. Fr. Panayiotis Papageorgiou, PhD Love Community Church 5598 Bells Ferry Rd., Acworth, (404) 663-1828 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Donna T. Lucas Momentum Church 110 Londonderry Court, Suite 130, Woodstock, on Hwy 92 — ½ mile east of Hwy 5 (678) 384-4919 Sunday Service Times: 9:30 & 11:15 a.m. Pastor: Ross Wiseman www.MomentumChurch.tv Northern Hills Church of Christ 4563 Hickory Flat Highway, Canton (404) 579-0885 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Pastor: Ronny West www.northernhillsfamily.org Prayer & Praise Christian Fellowship Church 6409 Bells Ferry Road, (770) 928-2795 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Christian Living Class: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Youth Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Pastor: Larry H. Baker www.prayerandpraise.org

Resurrection Anglican Church 231 Arnold Mill Road, (770) 591-0040 Holy Communion: Sunday 10 a.m. Christian Education (all ages): Sunday 9 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Gene Prince www.rezwoodstock.org Sovereign Grace 471 Arnold Mill Road, (678) 494-2100 Sunday Service: 9:30 a.m. www.sgcatlanta.org Sunnyside Church of God 2510 East Cherokee Drive, (770)-693-1018 Sunday service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Lance Turner www.sunnysidecog.com The Church at Acworth 6464 Highway 92, (770) 924-9161 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Jason Tomczak www.ctkatlanta.com Thrive Chapel River Ridge H.S., 400 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Sean Jazdzyk www.thrivechapel.com Towne Lake Community Church (TLC Church) 132 North Medical Parkway, (678) 445-8766 Contemporary Family Style Worship: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Sr. Pastor: William S. Ratliff www.tlcchurch.com Victory Church 4625 Highway 92, Acworth, (770) 794-7366 Sunday Service: 9:00 & 10:45 a.m. Pastor: Jeff Hidden www.victoryga.com Watermarke Church Meeting at Cherokee Charter Academy 2126 Sixes Road, Canton, (678) 880-9092 Sunday Services: 9 & 11 a.m., 5 p.m. www.watermarkechurch.com Woodstock Christian Church 7700 Highway 92, (770) 926-8238 Sunday School: 9 a.m. Sunday Worship Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Lynn Eynon www.woodstockchristian.org Woodstock Church of Christ 219 Rope Mill Road, (770) 926-8838 Sunday Services: 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. Servico En Espanol Domingo: 10:30 a.m. Ministro: Rafael Uzcategui, (770) 926-8271 Pastor: Matt Amos www.woodstockchurchofchrist.org Woodstock Church of the Nazarene 874 Arnold Mill Road, (770) 366-7515 Sunday Services: 10:45 a.m. & 6 p.m. Pastor: Lewis Stark www.wcnga.com Woodstock Community Church 237 Rope Mill Road, (770) 926-8990 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Greg Michael TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Reference

TOWNE LAKE AREA CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS Business Organizations American Business Women’s Association, Cherokee Eagles Charter Chapter Meets Third Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Contact: Jacqueline Miller Van Hook, (678) 493-3618 Cherokee Area Business Connection Meets Every Wednesday at 7:15 a.m. Contact: Marci Zied, (770) 345-8687 Cherokee Financial Women International Contact: Mitzi Saxon, (770) 479-3400 Cherokee Toastmasters Club Meets noon-1:15 p.m. Wednesdays at the Bank of North Georgia, 200 Parkway 575, Woodstock. Contact: Richard Stacy at (843) 697-5189, richbstacy@gmail.com. www. cherokeetoastmasters.com. Empowered Women Through Synergy Meets 3rd Thursday at 8.30 a.m. at J Christopher’s in Downtown Woodstock Contact: Shahida Baig (678) 445-3900 Facebook: Empowered Women Through Synergy

CASA for Children Inc. provides child advocacy to abused and neglected children through trained community volunteers. Contact: Deidre Hollands, (770) 345-3274 www.casaforchildren.org

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.

Chance Afrika Contact: Eric Mwangi, Exec. Dir., ericm@chanceafrika.org, (770) 256 2280, www.chanceafrika.org

Next Step Ministries provides day programs Monday through Saturday for special needs kids, teens, and young adults. Contact: (770) 592-1227 www.nextstepministries.net

Cherokee Child Advocacy Council, Inc. Anna Crawford Children’s Center and Parents HELP 319 Lamar Haley Pkwy., Canton Contact: Amy Economopolous, (770) 592-9779 www.cherokeechildadvocates.org

Papa’s Pantry is a year-round local food ministry. Contact: Lynne Saunders, (770) 591-4730 www.papaspantry.org

Cherokee County Animal League Contact: Steve Monahan at CherokeeAnimalLeague@gmail.org or (770) 712-4077 Cherokee County Humane Society (CCHS) Contact: (770) 928-5115 admin@cchumanesociety.org www.cchumanesociety.org

No Fee Referral Network Woodstock Meets Every Monday morning at 7:30 am at IHOP 8979 Hwy 92, www.meetup.com/No-FeeReferral-Network-Woodstock

CCHS Thrift Store 5900 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth, (770) 592-8072, accepts donations and sells used household items to raise money for CCHS.

North Georgia Referral Network Meets Every Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. at J. Christophers, 315 Chambers Street Contact: (770) 592-5990

Companion Animal Connection Contact: (678) 493-9847 www.cacadopt.petfinder.com

The Joy of Connecting Networking for Women Meets Third Thursday at 6:45 p.m. Contact: Edeline Dryden (678) 789-6158 www.thejoyofconnecting.com Together We Rise Meets Second & Fourth Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. at Featherstone’s at Towne Lake Hills Contact: Pat Snipes, (404) 569-5280 Towne Lake Business Association Meets Third Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: (770) 615-3350, www.tlba.org Towne Lake PowerCore Team Meets Every Friday at 7:15 — 8:45 a.m. At Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: Marc Replogle, (770) 952-5000, X20 (404) 816-3377, www.powercore.net

Everyday Angels offers financial assistance for local families in need. Email aaeverydayangels@ gmail.com Feed My Lambs, Inc. Contact: office@feedmylambs.net www.feedmylambs.net Funds 4 Furry Friends helps those in need with food, spay/neuter and medical for their pets. Contact: Gina Jeter, (770) 842-8893 www.funds4furryfriends.com Green Pets America Rescue animal rescue group (770) 712-4077, SteveMonahan777@gmail.com www.GPACharities.US Habitat for Humanity North Central Georgia Contact: (770) 345-1024, www.habitat-ncg.org Harvesting Hope Ministries gives surgery care packs to children facing liver and kidney failure. Contact: dawn@harvestinghopeministries.org. www.harvestinghopeministries.org.

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

Hope Center offers support for unplanned pregnancy. Contact: (770) 924-0864, info@TheHopeCtr.com www.hopectr.com

Charitable Organizations

Hospice Advantage needs volunteers. Contact: (770) 218-1997 www.hospiceadvantage.com

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

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

iCOR helping orphans, seeks volunteers. Contact: Lily Colgate, (404) 992-8155 www.iCORorphans.com

Pet Buddies Food Pantry has pet food collection bin at TowneLaker offices. www.petbuddiesfoodpantry.org Safe Kids Cherokee County — Call for an appointment for free child safety seat inspections. Contact: (770) 721-7808 www.cherokeesafekids.org Volunteer Aging Council, a non-profit that helps to raise funds for our seniors of Cherokee County. www.vac-cherokeega.org

Civic Organizations AARP Woodstock Chapter is for anyone 50+ Meets Second Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: Rich, (770) 926-1944 Junior Service League of Woodstock Meets 3rd Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Tuscany Contact: 24 hour info line: (770) 592-3535 http://jslwoodstock.org Pilot Club of Cherokee County Contact: Lynda Goodwin, (770) 393-1766 Lynda@edgoodwinassociates.com Rotary Club of Towne Lake Meets Every Thursday at 12 noon (lunch)at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: Ivan Garcia (770) 926-0105 Rotary Club of Woodstock Meets Every Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. at IHOP on Highway 92, Woodstock (770) 480-4179 Sewrifics of Cherokee Meets Third Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Sixes United Methodist Church, Canton Contact: Sheri Torch, (770) 591-8335 South Cherokee Optimist Club Meets Every Friday at 7:30 a.m. at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: (770) 926-3522 Towne Lake Optimist Club Meets Every Friday at 7:30 a.m. at Eagle Watch Golf Club Contact: Charlice Byrd, (404) 557-2218 Woodstock Jaycees Meets First Tuesday & Third Thursday at 7 p.m. at 216 Rope Mill Road Contact: (404) 690-4452

Woodstock Lions Club Meets Second & Fourth Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Contact: (770) 906-2958 Woodstock Masons Lodge #246 F. & A.M., Inc. Meets Second & Fourth Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. at Corner of Air Acres Way & Arnold Mill Rd. Contact: lodge.info@woodstocklodge246.org Woodstock Midday Optimist Club Meets Every Wednesday at 12 noon at Folks Contact: Johnny Young, (770) 345-6158 Woodstock VFW Post 10683 Meets Second Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Woodstock Senior Center Contact: Andrew Yrabedra, (404) 663-4663

Political Organizations Cherokee County Democrat Party Meets Second Thursday at 7 p.m. at Holly Springs Train Depot, www.cherokeedems.com 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. Cherokee County Republican Party Meets Second Saturday at 9 a.m. at Winchesters Woodfire Grill, (678) 809-1411 Cherokee County Republican Women affiliated with The Georgia Federation of Republican Women. Meets monthly in Woodstock/Canton. Contact (770) 592-7811 jkconkeygmail.com. Cherokee Tea Party Patriots Meet at 4 p.m. the third Sunday at Latimer Hall in Woodstock. Contact Conrad Quagliaroli, (770) 378-8232. Republican Women of Cherokee County www.rwccga.com Contact: (678) 520-2236

Recreation & Hobbies Allatoona Gold Panners. Periodic events and outings to pan the creeks in the Dahlonega Gold Belt along the Lake. Contact Rob Kelly, rrkelly@ bellsouth.net. Arts Alliance of Georgia, Inc. Meets Second Saturday at 10 a.m. at Studio 101, 101 Emma Lane, www.artsalliancega.org Blue Skies Laughter Club Meets Every Wednesday 7 — 8 p.m. at Northside-Cherokee Medical Offices 100 Stoneforest Dr., 1st floor conf. room Contact: Craig Whitley (404) 520-0221 www.addlaughter.com Cherokee Amateur Radio Society Meets Second Saturday at 10 a.m. at William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road www.cherokeehams.com Cherokee County Arts Center At 94 North Street, Canton Contact: (770) 704-6244 www.CherokeeArts.org

Cherokee County Saddle Club www.cherokeesaddleclub.com

Cherokee County Family Child Care Association Contact: Brenda Bowen, (770) 926-8055

Cherokee Co. Social Adventures Group www.TCCSAG.org

Cherokee Co. Foster & Adoptive Parents Assoc. Contact: Marie Blackwell, (770) 378-0759, mblackwell@fosteroradopt.org www.fosteroradopt.org

Cherokee Hockey In Line League (CHILL) roller hockey, www.cherokeehockey.org Cherokee Music Teachers Association Contact: Linda Lokey (770) 720-1701 www.cherokeemta.org Cherokee Soccer Association CSA Impact Soccer, 157 Railroad St., Canton Contact: (770) 704-0187 www.csaimpact.com Cherokee Youth Lacrosse Association www.cherokeelacrosse.com Christian Authors Guild is a writing support group open to both experienced or inexperienced writers. Meets 1st and 3rd Mondays 7-8:30pm at Prayer and Praise Church, 6409 Bells Ferry Rd. www.christianauthorsguild.org Kingdom Riders, a forming chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association in Canton. Meets: 8 a.m. fourth Saturdays at Family Tradition restaurant in Hickory Flat. All makes of motorcycles welcome. Les Marmitons is for men interested in culinary arts. Meets Third Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Chattahoochee Tech Contact: Larry Lodisio, (770) 516-5197 Neighbors & Newcomers of Towne Lake Contact: Ellen Kayton, (678) 494-6005 www.nntl.org Wildlife Action, Inc. is a conservation organization, 2075 Kellogg Creek Contact: WLA Office, (770) 924-7464 www.wildlifeactiongeorgia.com

Support Organizations Adoption/Infertility Support Group Meets First Wednesday at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Woodstock Contact: Cindy Braddock, (678) 445-3131 American Legion Post 316 Meets Third Thursday at 7 p.m. at William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road Contact: Irma Martin, (678) 662-2366 Autism Parent Support Group Meets Second Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Cherokee County Community Service Center, BridgeMill Fire Station, Canton Contact: Sharon Jones, (770) 345-6551 Breast Cancer Support Group Meets First Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. — 12 noon at Northside Hospital — Cherokee, Diabetes Classroom, Educational Center, Contact: (404) 843-1880 Canadian Women’s Club Contact: Lesley Frappier, cwcatlanta@yahoo.com Canton-Cherokee TRIAD/S.A.L.T. (Seniors & Law Enforcement Together) Meets Second Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at G.Cecil Pruitt YMCA in Canton (Hall of Fame Room) Dale Walz (404) 375-8193

Cherokee County Lupus Support Group Meets 2nd Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at New Light Church Hall Contact: Pam Bennett, (404) 975-7580 C.H.O.O.S.E. of Woodstock Meets First Monday at 7 p.m. Contact: mailbox@chooseofwoodstockga.org Diabetes Support Group Meets 3rd Tuesday at 9:30 & 11 a.m. at Emeritus Assisted Living, 756 Neese Rd., Woodstock Linda Watson, (770) 793-7818. Georgia Canines for Independence www.gcidogs.org, Contact: (404) 824-4637 GRANDparents Raising GRANDchildren Meets Second & Fourth Tuesday at 7 p.m. (nursery available)at Transfiguration Catholic Church, Marietta Contact: Jeannie, (770) 919-9275 Hearing Loss Association of America NW Metro Atlanta Chapter, for people with hearing loss looking for support and resources, holds free and informative quarterly meetings in Woodstock Contact: nwmetroatlantahlaa@gmail.com or (770) 517-2941 Jewish Havurah Contact: Marcia, (770) 345-8687 La Leche League of South Cherokee Meets First Tuesday at 10 a.m. & Third Wed. 7 p.m. at Bascomb UMC Contacts: Marguerite, (678) 315-7686 Megan, (770) 517-0191 MOMS Club Towne Lake — 30188-30189 https://sites.google.com/site/ momscluboftownelakewoodstock/ Email: momscluboftownelake@gmail.com MOPS — Mothers of Preschoolers (birth — K) Meets Second & Fourth Mondays at 9:30 a.m. at Hillside UMC, 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy Contact: (770) 924-4777 NW Metro Atlanta Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America holds free, informative quarterly meetings in the Woodstock area for people with hearing loss. For more information, contact nwmetroatlantahlaa@gmail.com Spirit of Success Career Clothing Connection Provides professional business attire at no cost. Contact: (770) 956-0711. Tender Hearts Caregivers Support Group Meets Second & Fourth Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Hillside United Methodist Church Contact: Robin Galloway, (770) 517-5899 Towne Lake Area Moms Group www.TowneLakeArea.com Unlimited Possibilities, support group for stroke and brain injury survivors meets First Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. at Kennestone Outpatient Rehab Center Contact: Kelly (678) 677-2589 TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Reference

ELECTED & APPOINTED OFFICIALS United States Government President Barack Obama (D)

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20500 www.whitehouse.gov

Sen. David Perdue (R)

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

100 Galleria Parkway, Suite 1340, Atlanta, GA 30339 http://chambliss.senate.gov

GA: (770) 763-9090

Sen. Johnny Isakson (R)

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

1 Overton Park, Suite 970 3625 Cumberland Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30339 http://isakson.senate.gov

Rep. Tom Price (R) District 6

85-C Mill St., Suite 300 Roswell, GA 30075 http://tom.house.gov

Rep. Rob Woodall (R) District 7

75 Langley Dr., Lawrenceville, GA 30046 http://woodall.house.gov

Rep. Phil Gingrey, M.D. (R) District 11

100 North Street Suite 150, Canton, GA 30114 http://gingrey.house.gov

(202) 225-4501 GA: (770) 565-4990 (202) 225-4272 GA: (770) 232-3005 (202) 225-2931 GA: (770) 345-2931

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

Sen. Bruce Thompson (R) District 14

(770) 546-7565

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

(404) 463-1378

Sen. Jack Murphy (R) District 27

jack.murphy@senate.ga.gov

(770) 887-1960 fax: (770) 205-0602

Rep. Michael Caldwell (R) District 20

(678) 523-8570

Rep. Scot Turner (R) District 21

(678) 576-2644

Rep. Sam Moore (R) District 22

(404) 656-0220

michael@CaldwellforHouse.com scot@turnerforhouse.com

Cherokee County Courts Superior Court: Chief Judge David Cannon Jr. Judge Jackson Harris Judge Ellen McElyea

State Court: Chief Judge Clyde J. Gober, Jr.

Judge W. Alan Jordan Judge A. Dee Morris

(678) 493-6270 (678) 493-6260 (678) 493-6240 (678) 493-6480 (678) 493-6490 (678) 493-6480 (678) 493-6431 (678) 493-6431

Probate Court: Judge Keith Wood (R)

(678) 493-6160

Juvenile Court: Chief Judge John B. Sumner Judge Anthony Baker

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Cherokee County Board of Commissioners 1130 Bluffs Pkwy., Canton, GA 30114

Commissioners: L.R. “Buzz” Ahrens (R) Chairman

www.cherokeega.com (678) 493-6000 fax: (678) 493-6001

lbahrens@cherokeega.com

Steve West (R) District 1 Ray Gunnin (R) District 2 rgunnin@cherokeega.com

Brian Poole (R) District 3 bpoole@cherokeega.com

Scott Gordon (R) District 4 sgordon@cherokeega.com

Cherokee County Coroner Earl W. Darby Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Roger Garrison (R)

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

Cherokee County Tax Commissioner Sonya Little

2780 Marietta Highway, Canton, GA 30114 slittle@cherokeega.com Woodstock Annex 155 Towne Lake Pkwy, Woodstock, GA 30188

Cherokee County School Board Superintendent, Dr. Frank Petruzielo

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

(678) 493-6250 (678) 493-6280

(770) 735-8055 www.cherokeega-sheriff.org (678) 493-4100 fax: (678) 493-4228

(678) 493-6400 fax: (678) 493-6420 (770) 924-4099 www.cherokee.k12.ga.us (770) 479-1871 fax: (770) 479-1236

Kyla Cromer (R) District 1

(678) 493-8088

Patsy Jordan (R) District 2 patsy.jordan@cherokee.k12.ga.us

(770) 893-2970

John Harmon (R) District 3

(404) 462-4950

Janet Read (R) Chair

(770) 516-1444

kyla.cromer@cherokee.k12.ga.us

john.harmon@cherokee.k12.ga.us

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

(770) 479-1488 (678) 493-6511

swest@cherokeega.com

State Government Governor Nathan Deal (R)

District Attorney Shannon Wallace Clerk of Courts Patty Baker

janet.read@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Rick Steiner (R) District 4

rick.steiner@cherokee.k12.ga.us

(770) 721-4398, x4370

Clark Menard (R) District 5

(770) 928-0341

Mike Chapman (R) District 6 mike.chapman@cherokee.k12.ga.us

(770) 345-6256

clark.menard@cherokee.k12.ga.us

City of Woodstock Mayor Donnie Henriques

dhenriques@progressiveaudiology.com

(770) 592-6017

Towne Lake Residential and Commercial Owners’ Association

(Covenant enforcement issues — all Towne Lake common areas) Douglas Properties (770) 926-3086 117 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, GA 30188

SCHOOL INFORMATION Public Schools Ace 3921 Holly Springs Parkway, Holly Springs (770) 345-2005 Principal: Mr. Richard Landolt www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ aceacademy Bascomb Elementary School 1335 Wyngate Parkway, Woodstock (770) 592-1091 Principal: Ruth Flowers www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ bascomb-es Carmel Elementary School 2275 Bascomb-Carmel Road, Woodstock (770) 926-1237 Principal: Keith Bryant www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ carmel-es Cherokee Charter Academy 2126 Sixes Road, Canton (678) 385-7322 Principal: Dr. Scott Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Prey cherokeecharter.org E. T. Booth Middle School 6550 Putnam Ford Road, Woodstock (770) 926-5707 Principal: Dawn Weinbaum www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ etbooth-ms Etowah High School 6565 Putnam Ford Road, Woodstock (770) 926-4411 Principal: Keith Ball www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ etowah-hs Kleven Boston Elementary School 105 Othello Drive, Woodstock (770) 924-6260 Principal: Ms. Joey Moss www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/boston-es Oak Grove Elementary School 6118 Woodstock Road, Acworth (770) 974-6682 Principal: Les Conley www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/oakgrove-es Polaris Evening School 2010 Towne Lake Hills South Drive, Woodstock (770) 926-1662 Administrator: Dr. Curt Ashley www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/polaris Woodstock Elementary School 230 Rope Mil Road, Woodstock

(770) 926-6969 Principal: Kim Montalbano www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/woodstock-es Woodstock High School 2010 Towne Lake Hills South Drive Woodstock, (770) 592-3500 Principal: Dr. Paul Weir www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/woodstock-hs Woodstock Middle School 2000 Towne Lake Hills South Drive Woodstock (770) 592-3516 Principal: Mark Smith www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/woodstock-ms

Private Schools Cherokee Christian Academy and Cherokee Christian High School 3075 Trickum Road, Woodstock (678) 494-5464, www.cherokeechristian.org Middle & High School Principal: Richard Goff Elementary School: Robert Lester Compass Prep Academy Director: Laura George www.compassprep.org info@compassprep.org (404) 643-9424 Cornerstone Preparatory Academy 4310 Moon Station Lane, Acworth (770) 529-7077 Administrator: Jeanne Borders www.cornerstoneprep.org

Furtah Preparatory School 5496 Highway 92, Acworth (678) 574-6488, www.furtahprep.org Headmaster: Fred Furtah Harvest Baptist School 3460 Kellogg Creek Road, Acworth Principal: Jamie Smithey (770) 974-9091 www.harvestbaptist.org Holdheide Education K-3 5234 Old Highway 5, Woodstock Principal: Tammy Dorsten (770) 516-2292, www.MyGiftedKids.org Lyndon Academy 485 Toonigh Rd., Woodstock (770) 926-0166 Headmaster: Linda Murdock www.lyndonacademy.org

North Cobb Christian School 4500 Lakeview Drive, Kennesaw (770) 975-0252 Headmaster: Todd Clingman www.ncchristian.org Northside Christian Academy 303 Hickory Ridge Trail, Suite 180 Woodstock, GA 30102 (770) 334-0648 Principal: Jill Trout http://nca4hope.com

Omega Academy (770) 792-7431 www.omegalearningcenter.com Shiloh Hills Christian School 260 Hawkins Store Road, Kennesaw (770) 926-7729 Administrator: John D. Ward www.shilohhills.com St. Joseph Catholic School 81 Lacy Street, Marietta, (770) 428-3328 Principal: Patricia Allen www.stjosephschool.org

Homeschool Homeschool Community Classical Conversations Woodstock Director: Cari Lingerfelt carinwoody@bellsouth.net

Cherokee County School District Calendar at a Glance Feb. 16-20

No School

March 30- April 3

No School

Cafeteria account information: www.mypaymentsplus.com Aspen: https://sis.cherokee.k12. ga.us/aspen/home.do School District Website: www.cherokee.k12.ga.us

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Reference

TOWNE LAKE AREA HOMES SOLD DECEMBER Towne Lake Sales forIN December 2014 List Price

Address

Subdivision

$ 159,500.00 $ 174,840.00 $ 265,000.00 $ 184,900.00 $ 177,000.00 $ 179,880.00 $ 200,000.00 $ 217,500.00 $ 137,500.00 $ 169,900.00 $ 168,900.00 $ 239,900.00 $ 249,900.00 $ 329,900.00 $ 255,000.00 $ 275,000.00 $ 299,900.00 $ 289,000.00 $ 325,000.00 $ 329,900.00 $ 157,000.00 $ 169,900.00 $ 48,300.00 $ 139,900.00 $ 136,000.00 $ 150,000.00 $ 184,900.00 $ 192,000.00 $ 165,000.00 $ 143,000.00 $ 429,900.00 $ 199,900.00 $ 194,900.00 $ 182,500.00

414 Allatoona TRL 403 ALLATOONA TRL 718 Rosedale RD 255 Ascott LN 212 Ashland DR 620 Wallnut Hall TRL 535 Keeneland AVE 303 Ashland CT 6542 Cedar Mill CV 509 Mount Vernon LN 211 Brookhaven CT 4100 Dream Catcher DR 373 Yonah CIR 805 Lookout PTE 1523 Maplewood CT 807 Satin Wood PL 1208 Meadowbrook LN 603 Ashwood CT 831 Bermuda RUN 3901 N Seminole WAY 329 Etowah Valley TRCE 101 Willhaven DR 3001 Kellogg Creek RD 2057 Bascomb Carmel RD 330 Princess AVE 117 Bascomb DR 2123 Yorkshire CT 2119 Yorkshire CT 111 Lexington Parke DR 239 Cedar Mill LN 116 Mill Park Chase 527 Mirramont PL 313 Mirramont CT 405 Thaxton LN

Allatoona Shores Allatoona Shores Arbors Belmont Trace Brookshire Brookshire Brookshire Brookshire Cedar Mill Crossing Centennial Place Creekwood Place Deer Run Deer Run Deer Run Eagle Watch Eagle Watch Eagle Watch Eagle Watch Eagle Watch Eagle Watch Etowah Valley Estates Etowah Valley Estates Kellogg West Kings Ridge Kingsridge North Kingsridge West Kingston Square Kingston Square Lexington Parke Magnolia Walk Mill Park Mirramont Mirramont Montclair At Ridgewalk

Beds Baths Yr Built 4 4 4 4 3 3 4 4 3 3 3 4 5 4 4 5 5 4 4 5 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 3 4 3 3 2

3 3 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2 2 2.5 2.5.5 3.5 4.5 2.5 3.5 3 3.5 4.5 3.5 2 2 2 2 2 2 2.5 2.5 2 2 3.5 2.5 2.5 2

1986 1987 1989 2007 2001 2002 2002 2001 1989 1997 2007 1995 1996 1994 1991 1994 1991 1992 1989 1990 1993 1994 1988 1980 1974 1978 1987 1994 2002 1986 2013 2002 2000 2004

Days on Market 76 9 22 12 4 93 116 24 15 62 19 28 79 107 21 28 30 19 145 49 88 74 15 70 107 105 14 38 154 14 385 54 14 3

Sales Price $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

148,000.00 174,000.00 262,000.00 184,900.00 172,000.00 179,880.00 200,000.00 215,000.00 130,000.00 163,800.00 160,000.00 231,000.00 240,000.00 326,000.00 252,000.00 274,000.00 278,750.00 279,000.00 319,800.00 329,000.00 156,000.00 164,000.00 70,100.00 141,000.00 127,000.00 147,000.00 184,900.00 187,500.00 159,600.00 143,000.00 409,900.00 196,900.00 200,000.00 180,000.00

$$/sq ft $ 71 $ 67 $ 94 $ 90 $ 93 $ 98 $ 84 $ 72 $ 61 $ 107 No data No data $ 80 $ 106 $ 86 $ 73 $ 100 $ 79 $ 74 $ 86 $ 76 $ 89 $ 22 $ 97 $ 87 $ 84 $ 86 $ 75 $ 111 No data $ 120 $ 89 $ 96 $ 128

See all the photos and details of these sold listings at http://TLDEC2014.KurtandSheilaTeam.com $ 486,509.00 $ 508,620.00 $ 647,630.00 $ 139,900.00 $ 183,000.00 $ 179,900.00 $ 259,900.00 $ 169,999.00 $ 174,900.00 $ 138,000.00 $ 325,000.00 $ 384,900.00 $ 419,000.00 $ 190,000.00 $ 337,000.00 $ 395,000.00 $ 379,500.00 $ 499,999.00 $ 600,000.00 $ 116,500.00 $ 235,000.00 $ 212,900.00 $ 299,900.00 $ 300,000.00 $ 129,900.00 $ 190,000.00 $ 217,000.00 $ 239,500.00 $ 135,000.00 $ 119,950.00 $ 193,505.00 $ 160,000.00 $ 179,900.00 $ 188,000.00 $ 188,000.00 $ 230,000.00 $ 265,000.00 $ 285,000.00

507 Lodestone WAY 219 Big Rock WAY 229 Big Rock WAY 123 Stoneforest DR 705 Ketch CV 1045 Regency DR 204 Sable Ridge WAY 2038 Spicers LN 2016 Spicers LN 281 Manley CT 405 Falling Water AVE 92 Batten Board WAY 219 Twisted Timber CT 106 W Point TRL 312 Forkwood TRL 1052 Towne Lake HLS E 814 HILLCREST LN 210 Morning Mist WAY 932 Pine CIR 2022 Brittania CIR 2014 Castlemaine CIR 2032 Cresthaven WALK 1027 Wellesley CRST 3015 High Vista WALK 6492 Will Dupree LN 407 Norton XING 1624 Pine Creek WAY 1628 Pine Creek WAY 507 Wood Crest CT 114 Woodglen DR 308 Lakeside LN 1011 Chatsworth LN 1514 Shadow Ridge CIR 1026 Chatsworth LN 203 Deer Trace CT 2001 Aldbury LN 3956 Fox Glen DR 409 Sycamore TRL

AVERAGES IN DEC 2014

242,020

Overlook at Woodstock Knoll Overlook at Woodstock Knoll Overlook at Woodstock Knoll Parkview At Towne Lake Port Victoria Regency Woods Sable Trace Ridge Spicers Grove Spicers Grove Stonecroft The Village at Towne Lake The Village At Towne Lake The Village At Towne Lake Towne Lake Hills Towne Lake Hills East Towne Lake Hills East Towne Lake Hills East Towne Lake Hills North Victoria Cottages Village Of Cobblestone Waterford Wellesley Wellesley Wellesley Westland Mill Whitfield at Ridgewalk Willow Creek Willow Creek Wood Wind Station Woodglen Woodstock Village Wyngate Wyngate Wyngate Wyngate Wyngate Wyngate Wyngate

4 4 6 2 4 4 4 4 4 2 4 3 3 3 5 5 5 5 3 2 4 4 6 6 3 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 3 4 5

3.5 3.5 5.5 2 3 3 2.5 2.5 3 2.5 3 3 2.5 2.5 3.5 4 3.5 4.5 2 2 2.5 2.5 3.5 3.5 2 2.5 2.5 2.5 2 1 2.5 2 2.5 2.5 3 2.5 2.5 4

2014 2014 2014 1997 1987 1995 2014 1994 1994 1998 2007 2014 2014 1993 1993 1994 1994 2001 1990 1990 1998 1994 1994 1994 1989 2004 1985 1986 1982 1973 2014 1996 1991 1996 1995 1999 1997 2001

We have seen a surge lately in buyer activity. Seize this opportunity to sell. Rates can only go up from here which will make homes less affordable for buyers using financing.

32 143 0 67 9 0 66 43 10 12 97 42 56 105 99 56 37 42 228 3 7 140 166 163 7 2 6 154 9 23 61 6 70 29 148 6 14 5

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

472,500.00 500,000.00 647,630.00 139,900.00 183,000.00 178,900.00 248,000.00 168,000.00 174,900.00 133,700.00 300,000.00 448,117.00 455,794.00 182,500.00 337,000.00 375,000.00 379,500.00 485,920.00 545,000.00 112,900.00 227,000.00 200,000.00 283,000.00 300,000.00 127,000.00 187,000.00 210,000.00 240,000.00 130,000.00 116,000.00 212,230.00 166,000.00 166,000.00 185,000.00 185,000.00 230,000.00 263,000.00 285,000.00

59.11

238,424

$ 118 $ 154 $ 113 $ 115 $ 72 No data $ 108 $ 103 $ 84 $ 112 $ 127 No data $ 175 $ 100 $ 77 No data $ 127 $ 96 No data $ 128 $ 76 $ 60 $ 71 $ 79 $ 94 $ 81 $ 59 $ 93 $ 93 $ 58 No data $ 82 $ 77 No data $ 93 $ 99 $ 92 $ 88

Data compiled by the Kurt & Sheila Team / Keller Williams Realty Partners / www.KurtandSheilaTeam.com Sales Data derived from the FMLS (Area covered by Townelaker)

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

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Reference

COMMUNITY INFORMATION Emergency — 911 • TowneLaker • (770) 516-7105 Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce (770) 345-0400 Cherokee County Government:

Animal Shelter (770) 345-7270 Business Licenses (770) 721-7810 Clean & Beautiful Commission (770) 517-7650 Commissioners (678) 493-6000 Courthouse (770) 479-1953 Engineering Office (Traffic Signals) (678) 493-6077 Extension Office (770) 479-0418 Jury Phone (770) 479-9011 Justice Center (Courts, Judges, etc.) (770) 479-1953 Planning & Zoning (678) 493-6101 Senior Services (770) 345-5312 Tax Assessors/Evaluation (678) 493-6120

Taxes:

License Plates/Tags, Property Tax (678) 493-6400 Woodstock Office (770) 924-4099 Voter Registration (770) 479-0407

Children/Family:

Anna Crawford Children’s Center (770) 345-8100 Bethesda Community Clinic (678) 880-9654 Cherokee County Boys & Girls Club (770) 720-7712 Cherokee Family Violence Center (770) 479-1804 Cherokee Focus (770) 345-5483 Child Support Enforcement (770) 720-3581 Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) www.casacherokee.org (770) 345-3274 Department of Family & Children Services (770) 720-3610 The Hope Center (770) 924-0864 MUST Cherokee Ministries (770) 479-5397 Papa’s Pantry (770) 591-4730

Driver’s Licenses (Tues — Sat) (678) 413-8400 Fire Department (District 1, Station 20) (770) 926-7155 Georgia State Patrol (770) 205-5400 Health Department (770) 345-7371 Hospitals:

Kennestone Hospital (770) 793-5000 North Fulton Hospital (770) 751-2500 Northside Hospital — Cherokee (770) 720-5100

Hotlines — 24 Hour Help Lines:

Battered Women Hotline (770) 479-1703 Drug Tip Line (Cherokee Co. Sheriff) (770) 345-7920 Poison Control Center — Atlanta (404) 616-9000 Outside Metro Atlanta (800) 222-1222 Probate Court Information Line (770) 704-2610 Sexual Assault & Family Violence Center (770) 428-2666

Libraries:

www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org Rose Creek (770) 591-1491 R.T. Jones (770) 479-3090 Woodstock (770) 926-5859

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Non-Emergency 911 (770) 479-3117 Parks and Recreation:

BridgeMill Athletic Club (770) 345-5500 Cherokee County Outdoor YMCA (770) 591-5820 Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency (770) 924-7768 www.crpa.net Cherokee Soccer Association (770) 704-0187 www.cherokeesoccer.com Eagle Watch Golf Club (770) 591-1000 Hobgood Park (770) 924-7865 North Atlanta Soccer Assoc. (770) 926-4175 www.nasa-ga.org SCRA Park (770) 926-5672 Towne Lake Hills Golf Club (770) 592-9969 Wildlife Action, Inc. (800) 753-2264

Pets:

Animal Control (678) 493-6200 CatSnip (low cost spay & neuter) www.atlantaanimalalliance.com Cherokee County Animal Shelter — Adoptions (770) 345-7270 www.cherokeega-animals.org Cherokee County Humane Society (770) 928-5115 www.cchumanesociety.org Emergency Veterinary Clinic (770) 924-3720 Funds4Furry Friends (770) 842-8893 Lost Pets Go to www.townelaker.com. click on lost and found pet button to report missing pet Pet Buddies Food Pantry www. petbuddiesfoodpantry.org SPARE (Sterilizing Pets And Reducing Euthanasia) (770) 928-5120 Second Chance Dog Rescue www.secondchancedogs.org

Post Office (Woodstock)

www.usps.com (800) 275-8777

Recycling Center (770) 516-4195 Sheriff’s Department (678) 493-4100 www.cherokeega-sheriff.org Georgia Sex Offender Registry www.cherokeega-sheriff.org/offender/offender.htm

Utilities:

Atlanta Gas Light Co. (770) 907-4231 www.aglc.com AT&T (404) 780-2355 www.bellsouth.com Cherokee Water & Sewerage Authority (770) 479-1813 Comcast (770) 926-0334 Cobb EMC (770) 429-2100 www.cobbemc.com Georgia Power www.georgiapower.com

Urgent Care Facility

American Family Care, 6440 Bells Ferry Rd., Woodstock (770) 200-1220 Northside Cherokee Urgent Care, 900 Towne Lake Pkwy (404) 851-6577 SHEFA Urgent Care 2000 Village Professional Dr. #110, Canton (678) 661-3166 Wellstar Urgent Care (678) 494-2500

Woodstock, City of:

(in Towne Lake, only applies to Avonlea, Deer Run,

ParkView, Paces and certain annexed commercial parcels) . www.woodstockga.gov City Hall (770) 592-6000 Fire Department (770) 926-2302 Police Information (770) 592-6030

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

Michelle McCulloch Art Director

Jackie Loudin Assistant Editor

Laura Latchford Page Designer

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TowneLaker Distribution Map Circulation: 16,000

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Townelaker

ADVERTISERS DIRECTORY ATTORNEYS/LEGAL SERVICES Debranski & Associates, LLC (770) 926-1957, ext 306 321 Creekstone Ridge

Hartman Imbriale Attorneys 17 (678) 445-7423, www.hartman-imbriale.com 145 Towne Lake Pkwy., Suite 200 AUTOMOTIVE Aspen Falls Auto Spa 6390 Bells Ferry Rd. (770) 591-3630

Salon Spa Venéssa 15 (770) 591-2079, , www.salonvenessa.com 8516 Main St., Woodstock

Byrd Dental Group Inside front (770) 926-8200 2035 Towne Lake Pkwy., Ste. 130

The Sundance Massage Center (678) 591-5066 www.SundanceMassageCenter.com

Fountain View Dentistry 57 (770) 926-0000, www.fountainviewsmiles.com 1816 Eagle Dr., Bldg. 200, Suite A

BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS Downtown Buzz

Towne Lake Business Association

CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS

C & T Auto Service 35 9336 Main St.,Woodstock, (770) 926-4276 2348-B Bascomb-Carmel Rd., Woodstock (770) 928-5940

Papa’s Pantry www.papaspantry.org

Thad Baird & Tyler Baird, DMD 16 (770) 517-0444, www.BairdFamilyDentistry.com 4595 Towne Lake Pkwy.

Discover Chiropractic & Rehabilitation 51 (770) 516-9900, www.discoverrehab.com 2295 Towne Lake Pkwy.

Joe’s Auto Service (770) 517-2695 6957 Hwy. 92, Woodstock

North Cobb Spine & Nerve Institute (678) 574-5678 3451 Cobb Pkwy, Ste. 4, Acworth

Towne Lake’s Carwash & Detail 50 www.townelakescarwashanddetail.com (770) 592-8102, 1490 Towne Lake Pkwy. BANKING/FINANCIAL SERVICES Citadel Professional Services, LLC 39 (770) 952-6707 225 Town Park Dr., Suite 440, Kennesaw Michael & Company, PC (770) 420-8020 ext. 225 195 Chastain Meadows Court, Ste. 110 Kennesaw, www.MichaelCPApc.com

BEAUTY, MASSAGE & SPA

Metal Salon (678) 401-7970, www.metalsalon.com 5399 Bells Ferry Rd.

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

Optimum Health 13 (770) 516-7477, www.optimumhealthrehab.com 2360 Towne Lake Pkwy., Ste. 104, Woodstock Ribley Chiropractic 2453 Towne Lake Pkwy., Woodstock (770) 592-2505, www.ribleychrio.com

Towne Lake Family Chiropractic 24 1000 Wyngate Pkwy., Ste. 200, Woodstock (770) 592-1877, www.townelakechiro.com CHURCHES Hillside United Methodist Church (770) 924-4777, www.hillsideumc.org 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy.

CLEANING SERVICES Carpet Dry-Tech (678) 368-5991

COMPUTERS Cherokee Computer Guys (678) 889-5900, www.ccrguys.com 10511 Bells Ferry Rd., Canton

DENTAL

Pampered Peacock, The 59 (678) 540-7601, 7031 Main St., Woodstock Salon Gloss (678) 483-8900, www.SalonGloss.biz 220 Chambers St.

Rejoice Maids 16 (678) 905-3476, www.rejoicemaids.com

Azure Salon & Spa 35 (770) 345-8280 1359 Riverstone Pkwy., Ste. 110, Canton

S. Bruce O’Neal, DDS 60 (770) 924-8848 2230 Towne Lake Pkwy., Bldg. 100, Ste. 100

CHIROPRACTIC

Frankfurt Foreign Automotive 64 (678) 505-8907, 9817 Main St., Woodstock FrankfurtForeignAutomotive.com

Spillane Orthodontics 22 (770) 928-4747, www.SpillaneOrtho.com 335 Pkwy. 575, Suite 200, Woodstock

Christian Brothers Automotive (770) 926-4500 1930 Eagle Dr., Woodstock

Mike the Mechanic Auto Service & Repair 7 (770) 928-2828, www.mikethemechanic.com 3155 Parkbrooke Cir., Woodstock

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

(Cosmetic, Family, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics & Pediatric) Advanced Dental Restorations, LLC 15 (678) 810-0881, www.BringBackSmiles.com 1505 Stone Bridge Pkwy., Ste. 220, Woodstock

Towne Lake Family Dentistry Inside Back (770) 591-7929, www.RayMorganDMD.com 120 N. Medical Pkwy., Bldg 200, Ste 100 Werner Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock 50 (678) 224-5722 www.ChildrensDentistWoodstock.com 250 Parkbrooke Place Suite 250, Woodstock Williams Orthodontics (770) 592-5554 www.DrWilliamsOrthodontics.com 145 Towne Lake Pkwy., Ste. 201

EDUCATION / INSTRUCTION Bascomb UMC Preschool (770) 926-0397 2295 Bascomb Carmel Rd.

Goddard School, The 3115 Parkbrooke Circle, Woodstock (770) 516-0880, GoddardSchool.com

Mathnasium 39 (678) 214-5544 2265 Towne Lake Pkwy., Ste. 102 North Cobb Christian School (770) 975-0252, ncchristian.org 4500, Lakeview Dr., Kennesaw Park View Montessori School (770) 926-0044 6689 Bells Ferry Rd.

FITNESS Brooks Personal Training 8 (678) 665-6021, BrooksPersonalTraining.com 1432 Towne Lake Pkwy., Ste. 120 Orangetheory Fitness Woodstock 1 200 Parkbrooke Dr. Suite 140, Woodstock (770) 833-4550, www.orangetheoryfitness.com

HOME & GARDEN

PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL SERVICES

Atlanta Prestige Flooring 42 (770) 516-3227, atlantaprestigeflooring.com 1105 Parkside Lane, Suite 1338, Woodstock

Cherokee Internal Medicine (678) 238-0301, www.cherokeeim.com 1192 Buckhead Crossing, Ste. C

Atlas Garage Door Company (770) 592-6217 AquaDoc Plumbing (770) 516-9000 Bryan Plumbing Services (770) 826-5277 Coleman Home Services (770) 294-9667 www.colemanhomeservices.com Dr. Fixit, Ph.D. (770) 974-2390 Drainage First John Brodbeck, (678) 525-589 Grout Doctor, The (678) 383-1311, www.GroutDoctor.com Hammocks Heating & Air (770) 794-0428 Handy Handyman, The (404) 316-1490 Innovative Contractors (423) 421-0667, (678) 776-5202 Mclellan Excavation & Landscaping (404) 520-0710 Mr. Junk (678) Mr-Junk1 Nelson Exteriors (678) 283-8171 Overstreet Lawn Care (770) 861-7272

Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists (770) 720-7733 www.cherokeewomenshealth.com

Pied Piper Pest Control (770) 592-9814, www.piedpiperpc.com Pike’s Professional Painting (770) 516-0045 Precision Painting & Remodeling (678) 234-9668 Reliable Heating & Air (770) 594-9969, ReliableAir.com RPM Landscape & Pavers (770) 597-5175 www.rpmlandscapeandpavers.com

Uptronix (770) 928-0260, www.uptronix.com

RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT

Envision Therapy Dr. Rosalyn Coleman 39 (678) 540-6680, envisiontherapycenter.com 117 Mirramont Lake Dr., Woodstock

Graham Pediatrics, Fitzroy Graham, MD, FAAP 60 (770) 485-9670, www.grahampediatrics.com 105 Mirramont Lake Dr.

23 17 25 15 37 9

North Georgia Audiology & Hearing Aid Center, Dr. Jan Henriques 61 (770) 726-8948, NorthGeorgiaHearing.com 203 Woodpark Place, Ste. B-100, Woodstock Northside Cherokee Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (770) 517-6636 www.northsidecherokeeortho.com 684 Sixes Rd., Ste. 130, Holly Springs

Northside Hospital – Cherokee www.northside.com

Northside Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine (770) 928-0016

Northside Cherokee Surgical Assoc. 45 (770) 924-9656 www.ncsurgicalassociates.com 900 Towne Lake Pkwy., Ste. 412, Woodstock

Cover, 48, 49

Plastic Surgery Center of the South 46 (770) 421-1242 www.plasticsurgerycenterofthesouth.net 120 Vann St., Ste. 150, Marietta

Psychologist John R. Lutz, PhD 53 (770) 592-9065, www.johnromanlutz.com

31 29

PET/VETERINARIAN SERVICES & SUPPLIES Animal Atlanta 51 (770) 591-0007, www.AnimalAtlanta.com 6449 Bells Ferry Rd. Animal Hospital of Towne Lake 34 (770) 591-9500, www.townelakevets.com 3105 Parkbrooke Circle Bark Station 240 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock (770) 517-9907, www.bark-station.com

Cherokee County Animal Shelter www.cherokeega-animals.org

South Cherokee Veterinary Hospital 15 (770) 924-6746, www.southcherokee.net 513 Sharp St.

Rebound Physical Therapy (678) 445-9799, ReboundPTclinic.com 980 Woodstock Pkwy., Woodstock

Towne Lake Family Pharmacy (770) 635-7697 2045 Towne Lake Pkwy., Ste. 110

Wellstar Cardiac Network (770) 956-STAR (7827)

PHOTOGRAPHERS Kim Bates Photography www.KimBatesPhotoArt.com

Ursula & Assoc., Keller Williams Inside front (678) 569-4044, TowneLakeExperts.com

REAL ESTATE & RELATED SERVICES Berkshire Hathaway, The Tomlinson Team 41 (770) 365-6193, (678) 494-2953 Current Realty, Angela Martin, 29 (678) 540-3230, www.CurrentBrokers.com Kurt & Sheila Team, Keller Williams Back Cover (404) 954-2486, (678) 494-0644 www.kurtandsheila.com

Elm St. Cultural Arts Village (678) 494-4251

Etowah Eagles Basketball

Etowah Lacrosse

Founders Day 5K

RESTAURANTS/FOOD & DRINK Around Town Take Out www.AroundTownTakeOut.com

Butchers Block (770) 517-2225, 1025 Rose Creek Dr.

Dogwood Growlers 6215 Bells Ferry Rd., Acworth (404) 981-2739

Jump Kitchen 52 (678) 388-7717, jumpkitchensaloon.com 1085 Buckhead Crossing, Woodstock NY Style Deli & Pizza 30 (678) 426-7004, 2340 Towne Lake Pkwy. Papa P’s 2295 Towne Lake Pkwy. (770) 592-3100, papa-ps.com

Small Cakes — A Cupcakery 2035 Towne Lake Pkwy., Suite 110 (678) 324-1910

Stock Bistro & Lounge (770) 516-6779 6424 Bells Ferry Rd., Woodstock

RETAILERS/ SHOPPING Branches Boutique 2295 Towne Lake Pkwy. #140 (770) 517-1505 370 Chambers St., (678) 540 5483

Diamonds R Forever 37 4200 Wade Green Rd., Ste. 212, Kennesaw (770) 422-0845, www.diamondsrforever.net Gifted Ferret, The 53 (770) 693-5889, www.TheGiftedFerret.com 1910 Eagle Dr., Ste. 400 Max Video Games & More 64 (770) 924-9300 6424 Bells Ferry Rd., Ste. 124, Woodstock www.facebook.com/maxvideogames Rudi Fine Jewelry (678) 445-2626 rudifinejewelry@yahoo.com 6790 Hwy. 92, Acworth

Spirited 17 8670 Main St., Ste. 2, Woodstock (678) 214-5304, www.spritlala.com Urban Renewal Consignment Shop 29 (678) 398-7691, www.urcwoodstock.com 1085 Buckhead Crossing, Suite 120, Woodstock Wild Birds Unlimited 70 (770) 928-3014, www.woodstock.wbu.com 1025 Rose Creek Dr., Woodstock TOWNELAKER | February 2015

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Shop Local! 96

TOWNELAKER | February 2015

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