Around Woodstock

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Letter From the Editor

It may come as no surprise that this February issue is filled with love. After all, you know we love (there I go again!) themes, and this is the month to celebrate Valentine’s Day. However, there are more subtle references to love that you’ll see in these pages.

Yes, we do have a cute feature with the youngest members of our community sharing their views of Valentine’s Day (Page 12) and a mouth-watering collection of pie recipes, in honor of Great American Pie Month starting on Page 32. With baking tips from everyone’s favorite Goddess of Pie, Lauren Bolden, your family and friends will be so happy with your mad piebaking skills!

Yet, there are other less tangible ways that love is expressed throughout our county. That’s something I hope you can see in each issue of Around Woodstock - not just February - even if you have to squint hard to read between the lines.

February is Black History Month, a time we pay tribute to those who loved their fellow man and their county enough to make advancements and help others. Chuck McGhee gives back year after year through the golf fundraiser he hosts to raise scholarship money to help Black youth attend college. (Page 18)

The idea to celebrate Black History Month began in 1915 by historian Carter G. Woodston and other prominent African American figures of his day. Read more at www.history.com. And to learn more about our African American ancestors, and their achievements in Cherokee County, see Page 20. We’re grateful to Stefanie Joyner and her staff at History Cherokee for sharing such an important aspect of our county’s history.

It’s clear that Diane and Glenn Keen have tremendous love for parents and their children with unique needs, including their son Haden. The Keens founded Circle of Friends, a community that creates connection and purpose for individuals with disabilities. Read about their nonprofit on Page 44, and be sure to visit the new Circuit Cafe at The Circuit in Woodstock, staffed by the Circle of Friends.

Now that you’re feeling all lovey-dovey, here is your February challenge. Remember our mission to share kindness? This works well during the Month of Love.

Kindness Challenge of the Month

Bake and Take. Bake a pie (duh!), cookies, brownies, treats, etc. for a neighbor, elderly person, the local fire or police station. Be sure to wear a mask and gloves while you’re baking, and call ahead to make sure treats from an outside source are welcome.

Candi Hannigan is the executive editor of Aroundabout Local Media. She has lived in Cherokee County since 1987. Send your comments or questions to Candi@AroundaboutMagazines.com.

Voting begins March 1!

Read more about Readers' Choice 2021 on Page 10.

What’s Coming

Woodstock City Manager Jeff Moon reports that final tenant build-outs are finishing up in the strip center on Ridgewalk Parkway, across from Costco. Those businesses are:

Your Pie: Building 285, Suite 100

Nothing Bundt Cakes: Building 285, Suite 104

Tropical Smoothie Café: Building 289, Suite 100

Bedzzz: Building 289, Suite 108

Xfinity: Building 289, Suite 112 According to the website, Kilwins will open at 450 Chambers St., where they’ll serve original recipe ice cream, chocolate and fudge. We weren’t able to reach anyone for a timeline for the opening. www.kilwins.com/stores/kilwins-woodstock.

IN WDSTK Ribbon Cutting

Tranquility Fine Arts Gallery

9194 S. Main St., Suite 1B East, Woodstock 30188 www.tranquilityfinearts.com

Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting

The Innovation Spot

233 Arnold Mill Road, Suite 300, Woodstock 30188 770-262-3668 www.theinnovationspot.com

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

ALM President Patty Ponder 770-615-3322 Patty@AroundaboutMagazines.com Executive Editor Candi Hannigan 770-615-3309 Candi@AroundaboutMagazines.com Managing Editor/Social Media Strategist Jackie Loudin 770-615-3318 Jackie@AroundaboutMagazines.com Art Director Michelle McCulloch 770-615-3307 Michelle@AroundaboutMagazines.com Page Designer Laura Latchford Laura@AroundaboutMagazines.com Controller Denise Griffin 770-615-3315 Denise@AroundaboutMagazines.com Market & Advertising Specialist Michelle Smith Michelle.Smith@AroundaboutMagazines.com Copy Editors Bill King, Eliza Somers Community Board Rev. Dr. Joseph Cousin Sr., Donnie Henriques, Kris McKeeth, Ross Wiseman, Renee Gable, Dan Thrailkill

Around Woodstock, a publication of Aroundabout Local Media, Inc., is a monthly community magazine. The magazine’s mission is helping local businesses grow and prosper by offering affordable advertising opportunities in a quality publication that provides positive, relevant information to our readers. It distributes a total of 16,500 free copies. Approximately 15,700 are direct mailed to homes and businesses and an additional 800 are placed in racks around the community. See page 56 for a distribution map. Around Woodstock also has many digital viewers of the magazine online each month.

Around Woodstock welcomes your comments, stories, and advertisements. The deadline is the 10th of the previous month.

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

The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the editor/publisher and the publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. Around Woodstock is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. Copyright 2021