3-21 Around Canton webfinal.pdf by Aroundabout Local Media, Inc.

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Contents March 2021

Contributors

The Piedmont Group

32 Don Akridge

37 Dr. Jonathan Gilvarry

On the Cover

22 Cherokee Office of Economic Development

Photographer Jerry King set the scene for our March cover photo shoot, featuring financial planner Paul Kill, who knew at an early age that he had the skills for the job.

27 Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists 14 Jeannie Cordaro

Pages 28 & 29

38 Rabbi Daniel Dorsch

Cover photo by J. King Images

50 Linda Hartsfield 16 Ashley Haynes 40 Harry Johnston 36 Rob Macmillan 15 Leslie Powell 48 Susan Schulz 16 Joy Silk 45 Justin Spainhour-Roth 24 Ashley Velez

In Every Issue

4 Around Canton

Miracle Stories in Cherokee County

Can you imagine volunteering to undergo major surgery, and giving a kidney to someone who isn’t family, or even a stranger? This selfless act is a life-changer.

Canton Represented at National Pageant

Fourth-grader, Zoe Rose Moylan, competed as Miss Canton at the National American Miss Pageant last summer.

Women’s History Month

From the past to the present, women like Frankie Shepherd, left, are in Cherokee County are inspiring and supporting each other.

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

8 Community News 12 Noteworthy 30 Celebrations 34 Everyday Angels 36 Rob’s Rescues 41 County Commission Highlights 46 School News 47 Library Events 52 Community Calendar 54 Directory of Advertisers

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Around Canton Letter From the Editor

Part of our mission is to provide positive and relevant information in each issue. That’s not hard to do in Cherokee County. You don’t have to look far or wait long to find an example of someone acting kind, generous or selfless. I may be wired to notice such things. I took a spiritual gifts inventory at least 15 years ago, as part of a class at Hillside UMC with about eight or 10 others. At the end of the study, we went around the room and revealed our strongest gift. My friend Lucy and I were the only ones whose top gift was compassion. The others tested highest in administration, exhortation, teaching, and a few more. During this discussion, one class member was leaning back in her chair, went a little too far and fell to the ground. Lucy and I the most compassionate in the room - immediately jumped up to help. But when we realized we were the only ones who reacted that way, we started laughing so hard that we left our friend to fend for herself. It was the perfect way to end the class, and gave us insight into why we do the things we do. On pages 14-17, you’ll meet two generous women who volunteered for major surgery in order to donate kidneys. I don’t believe we need a test to know they are filled with compassion. And the recipients are filled with gratitude for having a second chance at life. In honor of Women’s History Month, Ashley Velez introduces us to some inspirational women who are making an impact (Page 24). In fact, there were so many to meet, we decided to conclude this feature in the April edition. What we don’t specify in our mission statement is that we hope you are inspired by what you read on these pages each month. This issue is no exception, with story after story of kind and compassionate people. Our response? Here’s an idea from our Kindness Challenge.

March

Make a Joyful Noise. Find a way to share

your musical gifts (or even the lack thereof !) with neighbors and friends. Share a song through a text or Spotify. Have your kids form a band and march through your neighborhood, or serenade from the sidewalk if you feel bold!

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.

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Chamber Ribbon Cuttings

Pritchard Injury Firm Canton Office 250 East Main St., Suite 202B, Canton 470-420-4200

Results Inc. Weight Loss Centers

125 Oakside Court, Suite 301, Canton 706-300-2488

What’s Open

The Salty Mule has opened at 169 Church St.

in Canton. The restaurant is described as a laid-back, casual beach-style raw bar and seafood place. www.thesaltymule.com. On Facebook.

What’s Changing

Riverstone Corner Bistro will relocate to a freestanding building twice the size of the current location at 135 Reinhardt College Parkway. The new spot will include rooftop dining and a private dining room. At press time, owners were hoping for a June move-in date.

Kudos

Erin Honea is Holly Springs’ new economic development director, and will oversee the city’s marketing and communications, special events, and business attraction and retention efforts. She joined the city staff in 2014, and has earned and maintained the city’s status as an Accredited Main Street Community from the National Main Street Center and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs’ Office of Downtown Development.

With Sympathy

Our condolences to the family of Don Kyle, who passed away recently. He was co-founder of the TowneLaker, the flagship publication of Aroundabout Local Media.

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

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

Around Acworth | Around Canton Around Woodstock | TowneLaker

Our Mission

Helping local businesses grow and prosper by offering affordable advertising opportunities in a quality publication that provides positive, relevant information to our readers.

Results With Us

“Advertising with Around Canton has been the easiest and most effective way to communicate directly to my client base and attract new customers. Thank you, Around Canton, for helping me grow my business!” —Jana Rice, Owner, Your CBD Store Canton

ALM President Patty Ponder 770-615-3322 Patty@AroundaboutMagazines.com Market Manager Jennifer Coleman 678-279-5502 Jennifer@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@AroundaboutMagazin”es.com Market & Advertising Specialist Michelle Smith Michelle.Smith@AroundaboutMagazines.com Copy Editors Bill King, Eliza Somers Community Board Pat Gold, Dr. Christopher Alvey, Sonia Carruthers, Chantel Adams, Dr. Oliver "Ollie" Evans

Advertise With Us

Jennifer Coleman, Market Manager 678-279-5502 Jennifer@AroundaboutMagazines.com

Get Social With Us!

@aroundcantonmagazine @aroundcantonmag @around_canton

www.aroundcantonmagazine.com AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Around Canton, a publication of Aroundabout Local Media, Inc., is a monthly magazine created to help local businesses grow and prosper by offering affordable advertising opportunities in a quality publication that provides positive, relevant information to our readers. A total of 25,000 free copies are distributed monthly; approximately 24,100 are mailed to homes and businesses, with an additional 900 placed in racks around the community. Many readers catch the latest edition online each month. Around Canton welcomes your comments, stories and advertisements. The deadline is the 10th of each month. Yearly subscriptions are available for $24. Send a check or money order to the address below. The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher and the publisher makes no claims about the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. Around Canton 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.

Around Canton

1025 Rose Creek Drive, PMB 380, Suite 620 Woodstock, GA 30189 Volume 8, Issue 12

America’s Community Magazine

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Local News Marine Corps League, Detachment 1311, in Woodstock is holding an April fundraiser to benefit the Marine Corps League Scholarship fund for Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps ( JROTC) Cadets, Eagle Scouts, and Marine and Marine Corps League Detachment 1311 dependents in Cherokee and Cobb counties. The 11th annual MSgt. George “Rip” and Barbara Masters Charity Golf Tournament is planned for April 26 at Cobblestone Golf Course in Acworth. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 9 a.m. The scholarship is available to students who have achieved academic excellence and have demonstrated superior leadership qualities. In the past 10 years, the event has raised more than $40,000 to help local young people further their education. A continental breakfast will be provided, along with lunch, carts and range balls. There will be awards given for first, second and third place teams, in addition to longest drive, straightest drive and closest to the pin honors. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, or to register to play, visit www.mcl1311woodstockga. org or email tournament director Ron Welborn at rwwelborn@comcast.net.

MAP COURTESY OF TSW DESIGN FIRM

Golf Tournament to Boost Scholarship Funds

One Step Closer to New Parks

The next step in the Southwest Cherokee Parks and Trails Plan includes project phasing, implementation plans and report documents that are scheduled to be presented to the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Advisory Board on March 17, and to the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners at the April 20 regular commission meeting. Last month, residents viewed revised conceptual plans and provided feedback on the plan. Participants saw a map with four county-owned parcels identified as potential parks for the southwest area. The first two parcels identified make up roughly 52 acres located between Ga. 92 and Clark Creek Elementary School, the third 14-acre parcel is at the intersection of Hunt and Priest roads, and the fourth parcel is 43 acres at the corner of Old Alabama and Kellogg Creek roads. “During the development of the 2018 Cherokee Recreation and Parks Master Plan, we identified recreation needs for the southwest Cherokee area,” said Cherokee County District 4 Commissioner Corey Ragsdale. “We are excited to see these plans come to fruition and to provide our residents with several options to choose from.” Visit cherokeega.com and click on SW Cherokee Parks and Trails Plan on the homepage for more details, or contact Bryan Reynolds at bdreynolds@cherokeega. com or Sarah McColley at smccolley@tsw-design.com.

Sheriff ’s Charity Makes Donations

Donations to three charities were made recently by the Frank Reynolds Charities, using funds raised at the November Hawks Ridge Golf Tournament. The nonprofit is dedicated to creating a stronger community by uniting people to serve others. The donations this year included $10,000 to the Anna Crawford Children’s Center, $3,000 to the Children’s Haven, and $1,500 to Goshen Valley. For more details and photos, visit www.frankreynoldscharities.com. The charity also is on Facebook. Sheriff Frank Reynolds presents a donation to the Anna Crawford Children’s Center and Executive Director Amy Economopoulos. 8

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Local News

New Program Provides Transportation to Veterans

The Cherokee County Homeless Veteran Program has just finished a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Way 2-1-1 program to provide access to a new pilot LYFT program that will provide veterans with rideshare capability - up to $600 - to get to and from their jobs. “Transportation continues to be a large issue for our homeless veterans as well as those veterans who are disabled, or veterans who do not have access to public transportation that would take them to and from their jobs,” said Jim Lindenmayer, director of Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program. Because Cherokee County, like many other rural counties, does not have the funds or infrastructure to support a countywide mass transit system, creative thinking and partnerships are needed to fill in the gaps. The funded program from LYFT was initially announced in January to help veterans get into and remain in the job force. United Way 2-1-1 was one of the two organizations selected by LYFT to roll out this program. The original program in Georgia was focused on covering veterans in need from the eight counties centered around Atlanta, and ended last June. “Our program was selected last year to participate in the initial LYFT Pilot program managed by United Way 2-1-1, and, with the success we had, we were again invited to participate in this next pilot program,” Lindenmayer said. Among the Program details: • Only six slots are available for the pilot. • Veterans must be honorably discharged and provide DD214 to verify their time in service and discharge type. • Male and female veterans are accepted. • Candidates will be screened for job status prior to being selected. • Supports travel to and from work, including any pre-job interviews as well as any job related medical testing required by employers. • Initially each candidate will be given $300 for the program, with the ability to qualify for the additional $300. For more information, call 678-983-7590 or email jlindenmayer80@gmail.com. 10

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

MUST Director Named to Executive Women Post MUST Ministries’ Yvonne Byars was selected as the 2021 chairwoman of Cobb Executive Women. Byars has been the senior director at MUST Ministries for four years and, prior to MUST, worked for Procter & Gamble in IT project management with a certification as a project management Yvonne Byars professional. “After spending 25 years in corporate, I was looking for something more fulfilling, and that’s why I chose nonprofit work,” Byars said. “I think my selection as chairwoman of Cobb Executive Women shows that MUST Ministries attracts individuals from Fortune 500 companies and other corporations. We’re able to bring skills from corporate and take them into the nonprofit world.” Byars oversees MUST Ministries’ Neighborhood Pantry program, which serves more than 100 schools in Cherokee and Cobb counties, has helped more than 20,000 clients and distributed over 1 million pounds of food to students and families. “Neighborhood pantries serve at-risk students and their families, and a lot of these households are struggling with the choice of paying rent or buying food,” Byars said. She also developed the concept of MUST Ministries’ new Neighborhood Mobile Pantry. “The innovative mobile bus will take fresh fruits and vegetables, frozen meats, breads, canned goods and even dairy, when available, to people living in ‘food deserts’ where groceries are not within walking distance,” she said. “We’re able to provide healthy food options in Cobb, Cherokee and surrounding counties.” The Cobb Executive Women’s mission is to inspire women to achieve success personally, professionally and within their community. The group holds monthly luncheons and community outreach events, including one this summer when the organization came to MUST Ministries to make sandwiches to feed children in the Summer Lunch program.

Northside Hospital Offers New Cancer Therapy Northside Hospital Cancer Institute Immunotherapy Program is one of just two programs in Georgia to offer the latest chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapy. Tecartus (brexucabtagene autoleucel), from Kite Pharma Inc., is the first and only FDA-approved CAR T-cell therapy for adult patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). MCL is a rare subtype of nonHodgkin lymphoma, according to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Treatment often includes chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation. Immunotherapy essentially is strengthening and empowering a patient’s own immune system to find and attack cancer. It works by taking immune cells, genetically modifying them to be better tumor-fighting immune cells, multiplying them to great numbers (tens of thousands), and then infusing them into the patient. “We are excited to offer our patients the first and only FDA-approved CAR T-cell treatment for people with mantle cell lymphoma, whose prior treatment either didn’t work or stopped working,” said Scott Solomon, medical director of Northside’s Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) Matched Unrelated Donor Program and Stem Cell Processing Laboratory. More information is available at www.northside.com.

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Volunteers, from left, take a break: Alena Ezell, 13; Kendall Hinson, 14; Bella Walsh, 14, and Blaire Sherrer, 14.

Young Artists Share Encouraging Messages

Morgan Adamson, 7, focuses on her window designs.

During the 2021 MLK Day of Service, members of the SmileUp! Foundation adopted a service project to help seniors impacted by the pandemic. The young volunteers cleaned and decorated the outdoor windows at Woodstock Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Home with encouraging words and images. The mission of SmileUp! is to encourage volunteerism among kids, who instinctively focus on the humanity of a person. The nonprofit reinforces this character trait, and teaches empathy, compassion and tolerance for the youth to carry into adulthood. Tonya Riddick is the executive director. For more information, visit www.smileupfoundation.org.

Above, Lila Lewis, age 5, shares her artistic skills. Left, Ambassadors Olivia Jackson, 12, Macey Thomas, 11, and Aahana Karanji, 12. 12

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Creating Community Food Pantries is a Good Thing 'To Do' Late last September, Laine Wood stopped by the community garden, owned by Roy Taylor, on Railroad Street in Canton, to glean the last of her summer crop. Her grandchildren, ages 6 and 9, watched from the car as she collected about 30 pounds of roma tomatoes and pulled up the plants to clear off her plot. Before long, she learned she had other observers. “I heard someone say, ‘Ma’am.’ I turned around and a girl about 14 or 15 was standing there, holding a plastic bag out in front of her, open. I said, ‘Yes, can I help you?’ And she said, ‘We are hungry.’” With her was a man, in tears, who Laine assumed was the father, and a younger girl on a bicycle. She gave them her tomatoes, and got back in the car, empty-handed. “My grandkids asked why I gave them my tomatoes. I told them they had no food. Then Caleb, who is 9, said, ‘Gran, what are you going to do?’” What happened next set into motion a series of events that has led to the creation of the Canton Pantry Angels, and streetside food pantries popping up around Canton. The first thing Laine did was call Gary Lamb at Action Church to see if he was doing food giveaways more than once a month. He said he couldn’t because his suppliers were already stressed from need. He suggested Roy put up a table for free produce at the community garden so other gardeners could contribute. However, Roy had a better idea. “Roy, an architect, drew up plans for a pantry, but the cost of materials shot that idea down,” Laine said. “Then he told me that he had a kitchen cabinet with glass doors that he would put there. That worked and was set up with a roof to protect from the elements, and filled with goods my personal friends had brought to my house. I used some of the donated money to buy a sign pointing to it that says ‘Comida gratis/free food’. That got it noticed, and it’s being emptied almost every other day since.” Laine had posted the story on her personal Facebook page and, before long, friends nearby and across the country started sending money to buy food to fill the pantry. Local friends brought bags filled with groceries to her home. Since that time, another pantry has been set up in front of the Salvation Army store on Marietta Street. Jory Seidel Cannon got on board and created a Facebook page called Canton Pantry Angels, and people Laine doesn’t even know have volunteered to check the inventory daily, and to keep the shelves filled. “One in seven households in the U.S. is food insecure. The need is great, and I’m afraid it’s going to get worse before it gets better due to the pandemic and unemployment,” Laine said. “When Caleb asked me what I was going to do, I knew I had to do something. But, in all honesty, all I did was tell Gary and Roy about the encounter, posted it on Facebook, watched folks immediately ask how they could help, and the match was lit. Folks want to help, Roy and the rest of the Canton Pantry Angels stepped up. I’m just glad I know who to ask to get things done.”

An old kitchen cabinet serves as the food pantry at the community garden site.

A cupboard sits outside the Salvation Army store at 251 Marietta St. AROUND CANTON | March 2021

National KIDNEY Month Many lives have been changed by the selfless acts of living organ donors. Since March is National Kidney Month, we thought we’d do our part, and help raise awareness about kidney disease by sharing some of the miracle stories that have happened in Cherokee County. You may remember Michelle Nichols and Leslie White, sisters who were featured in Everyday Angels in our January issue. Currently, they are raising funds and waiting for donors. Everyday Angels also shared the story of Amber and Brian Miller in our September 2020 issue. The latest update is that Amber met the criteria to donate a kidney to her husband and, as of press time, that surgery was scheduled for Feb. 25. We hope you enjoy reading these amazing stories of need, and how — more often than not — strangers are the ones who stepped up and made the difference. We’ve been encouraged, and hope you will be, too. According to the National Kidney Foundation, 100,000 people in the United States are waiting for a kidney transplant. If you’d like to learn more about how you can help, Ashley Haynes (who tells her family’s story on Page 16) recommends the following websites: www.emoryhealthcare. org/centers-programs/ kidney-transplant-program/ living-donor.html www.kidney.org/atoz/ content/living-donation 14

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Donating without Doubt BY JEANNIE CORDARO

What some may call coincidences, I call carefully crafted plans, unbeknownst to those of us walking around in this world. This is the story of one such plan that began more than 20 years ago when, as newlyweds, my husband, Jay, and I began looking for a place to call home that would be convenient to both our places of work. At that time, we were living in Lawrenceville, and I had just gotten a teaching job in Dallas. We set out one weekend looking at homes in Towne Lake, and then drove down Sixes Road to look at a new subdivision we had read about. On the way, we turned around just before where Starbucks now sits, thinking it was too far off the interstate, and went home. The next weekend, we decided to drive back to Cherokee County to look at BridgeMill. We decided it looked like a wonderful place to raise a family, and found a home. We welcomed our first child, a son, two years after settling in BridgeMill, and a daughter two years after that. When our son was 4, we signed him up to play baseball at Hobgood Park. That was where we first met Trey and Leslie Powell and their children. Mason and Brady attended Sixes Elementary, where they often would be classmates and would play on countless sports teams together, some of which Trey coached. Sophie and Anna also were classmates, and would play basketball together, sometimes as teammates coached by Trey and, later, as opponents when I began coaching basketball. Anna and Sophie also were in the same Girl Scout Troop that I led. Later, when Trey and Leslie made the decision to move Mason and Anna to schools in the zone in which Leslie taught, our physical paths crossed less often. A baseball season here, a basketball game there, but we stayed in touch as many do, through Facebook. And, that is where I followed Trey’s battles and prayed for his recovery.

When Leslie posted that they were looking for a living donor and provided a link to a questionnaire to begin the search, there wasn’t even a thought process. I just clicked the link and filled it out. To my surprise, I was cleared to take the next step and have labs run. Then, step by step, I was approved to move through the process. A Bible verse became my mantra when I began to worry about not being cleared to move to the next step, or became overwhelmed with the process: “Perhaps this is the moment for which you were created” — Esther 4:14. When people questioned why I would put myself through an elective surgery, my answer was that God had created me and if he had created me in a way that I could help someone, then I should do it. This verse perfectly mirrored my thoughts. Nearly a year after beginning the process, I got the call that I had been approved for donation. It was just surreal. Finally, on Nov. 12, 2020, in the midst of a pandemic, I underwent a left nephrectomy and Trey received the kidney, which I named Althea, which means power to heal. I’m told she was beautiful, and she began working immediately. It is my fervent prayer that she will give Trey many, many, many more years of a full and joyful life. I would do it again in a heartbeat. In the U.S., 93,000 people are waiting on a kidney, and the average wait for a deceased donor kidney is five to 10 years. The longer a person is on dialysis, while waiting on a transplant, the more the short- and long-term success rates are negatively impacted. A kidney transplant has the potential to double the life expectancy of the recipient. When considering that a healthy person can live with one kidney, and these above statistics, if anyone reading this feels called to be a living donor, I am happy to be a resource and answer any questions.

Mason (left) and Leslie Powell, Jeannie Cordaro and Anna Powell surround Trey.

Willing to Go the Extra Mile BY LESLIE POWELL

I have been a Canton resident since 2004. We were drawn to this community as the perfect place to raise our family. We had no idea then how much the community truly would transform our lives. A community is much more than just the land, homes and stores. It is defined by the people who live there. Canton has proved to be a supportive and life-changing location for my family. It started on a baseball field at Hobgood Park, where my son played. That is where we first met the Cordaro family. Their son, Brady, played on the same team. Through the years, our families found ourselves together through Cherokee Youth Basketball teams, Girl Scout troops at the elementary school, and the same church. In February 2018, we were sitting in a gym watching our daughter’s team play in the championship for the middle school basketball league. My husband, Trey Powell, started having terrible pains in his leg. We went to a local emergency room, fearing a blood clot. He was diagnosed with cellulitis on the inside of his right foot, and was sent home with an antibiotic. Over the next week, his infection grew worse. He was admitted to the

hospital with sepsis from the infection. They aggressively treated the infection with IV medications. With no prior kidney problems, we found his situation much worse when, after six days of treatment, his kidneys went into Stage V kidney failure, as a result of the medications. This battle with infection would keep him in the hospital until July 4, 2018. He underwent more than 24 surgeries, with five of them being amputations to his right leg. When he came home, on our country’s Independence Day, his life had changed forever. Living without a limb is life-altering. You have to learn new ways to do things and how to navigate your new normal. Living with two failing kidneys also is life-changing. To survive, Trey needed dialysis three days a week for four hours each time. He got up at 4:10 a.m. to make his 5:25 a.m. dialysis seat time in Roswell. He would be fatigued and nauseated from the dialysis, and he often was hospitalized with complications. Although he had survived the health crisis, he felt he was merely existing and no longer living. That is when the doctors suggested a kidney transplant. While Trey went through the process of being placed on the organ donation list, his doctors suggested he

search for a living donor. In October 2019, we announced on social media our search for a kidney donor. We were hopeful, yet anxious. People in this community rallied around us during his health crisis. Many people provided meals and donations to carry us through the tough times. However, asking for a kidney seemed like an impossible task. Would someone actually be willing to go through the testing, endure the surgery, take the time off work to heal, and actually give an organ to someone? The answer was YES. Our community friend, whose life had been entwined with ours through activities of our children, reached out to help. Jeannie Cordaro, one of the first to volunteer, was identified as a possible match and endured months of testing to confirm. In September 2020, we were notified that she was a perfect match. On Nov. 12, 2020, at Emory University Hospital, Jeannie had surgery to have a kidney transplant that would change all our lives forever. Her kidney, which Jeannie named “Althea” (which means “with healing power”), immediately started working. Trey never needed dialysis after surgery. His bloodwork consistently has been stable. He now has energy, and no more nausea. His life truly has been changed by the gift from our friend. The Powell family is so thankful for Jeannie’s willingness to help. Such a selfless act of kindness is rare to find. She truly has the heart of Christ. She stated on social media that, “Jesus called those who follow him to be his hands and feet and love one another. I try to live my life doing what he has asked. I am blessed to have this opportunity to do that for Trey and his family who I have known for many years.” There is an Albert Einstein quote on the wall at Emory that says, “Only a life lived for others is worth living.” In a world where so many people are focused on themselves and their family, we were blessed with a friend who gave. Our lives were changed by a friend who was willing to make a difference by considering the needs of others. We were touched by an angel.

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

National KIDNEY Month

2020: The Year of a Miracle BY JOY SILK

What will you remember most about the year 2020? Perhaps it will be the coronavirus, toilet paper shortage, maybe even quarantining at home? None of those events come to mind when I think back on 2020. For me, it always will be the year I got to be a front-row participant in a miracle. Have you ever felt a nudge to do something you really didn’t understand? This miracle began with a moment that seemed so casual and normal; I didn’t realize how God was about to use me for his plan. That nudge happened last summer at the end of a Zumba class. My mother had just donated a kidney to a stranger after feeling led to do so after watching a news story. At the end of Zumba, my friend Alyson asked how my mom was recovering. I didn’t realize at the time what a monumental moment that was for us. Alyson talked about her nieces’ rare condition (Lily and Maggie Haynes) and the reality that the girls potentially would need multiple kidney transplants throughout their lives due to their condition. No one else in the family had the correct blood type to donate, so they’d have to resort to the organ swap program, where multiple donors cross-

Before this, Joy and Maggie had never met. 16

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

match with multiple recipients. I found myself asking what Maggie’s blood type was: O-positive. Without thinking much about it, I told Alyson to keep me in mind when the time came. I had the same blood type and would be happy to go through the screening for her. The time for a kidney donation came quicker than they anticipated. Maggie needed a new kidney right away, at age 14. I went through the screenings and multiple tests. My team of doctors would be at Emory University Hospital and Maggie’s team would be at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. When the kidney was removed, my team would walk the organ across the street, through an underground tunnel, to Maggie in the children’s hospital. This journey started as a way for me to help a mother who needed something for her daughter that I happened to be a match for, but I know it was part of a much bigger plan. Getting to know Maggie and her family, and being a part of the living donor program, has changed my life. Maggie and I were covered with prayers on the morning of Oct. 2. Because of COVID-19 restrictions at Emory, my husband had to drop me off at the emergency room door and pick me up two days later, when I was released. I remember everything about that morning. I never felt alone, and I was not scared. In fact, when the anesthesiologist wheeled me to the operating room, I was overcome with the feeling that God was there. He was with me and I was not afraid. I never had any doubts about the surgery. I now knew that conversation during the summer was not a mistake; it was part of God’s incredible plan. So, now, if you were to ask me if I believe in miracles, I’d have to just smile and tell you, absolutely!

Meet JoJo: A S

BY ASHLEY HAYNES

On Oct. 2, 2020, Maggie Jo Haynes, my daughter, received the best possible gift: a new kidney. And, this gift came from a person she did not know just one week earlier. Maggie Jo was diagnosed with cystinosis when she was a year old. Cystinosis is a rare disorder that causes an accumulation of the amino acid cystine within cells, forming crystals that can build up and damage the cells. Maggie’s sister, Lily Grace, had been dealing with health issues since she was an infant and, at age 4, she finally was diagnosed correctly. Since it is genetic, Maggie was tested. We were very surprised to learn she also had cystinosis. Maggie Jo just didn’t seem sick. In fact, she had a very atypical experience with cystinosis as a child. She took all of her medications and went to the scheduled doctor visits and labs, but

The Silk and Haynes families, from left: Mason, John, Amelia and Joy Silk with Maggie, Ashley, and Lily Haynes.

Special Gift That Changed a Life she had few of the complications and issues that most children have. She rarely had nausea or low energy. In fact, Maggie played softball for many years, and is an avid hunter. She was active and otherwise healthy. When Maggie was 10, she had a complication that is believed to be related to cystinosis. She needed surgery to correct her being “knock-kneed.” Within two years, Maggie Jo had three surgeries to correct her legs, which took a toll on her energy level. About a year later, when she was 13, she was admitted to the children’s hospital for dehydration. This was the first time that her labs showed an abnormality (other than the cystine level that helped her diagnosis). After this hospitalization, Maggie’s kidney function declined quickly for about a year. In February, 2020, Maggie’s doctor told her she needed an initial evaluation for a kidney

transplant. The appointment was set for late March. Unfortunately, COVID-19 changed our plans. Her appointment was postponed until May. Meanwhile, her lab reports showed a rapid decline in kidney function. We became very concerned. At Maggie’s initial evaluation, we discussed possible living donors, and the process of getting on the deceased donor list. I had given one of my kidneys to Maggie’s sister in 2011. We had no family members who were a blood match. My sister, Alyson, was willing to do a paired donor match, but that was our only family possibility. While Maggie was at her evaluation, some of her levels were “off,” and she was admitted to get those corrected. While we sat in her hospital room that night, I posted on Facebook about Maggie’s situation, and information

about being a living donor. Two minutes after I posted, I received a message from a friend of my sister, asking for contact information. Over the next few weeks, we heard from 10-15 people interested in seeing if they qualified to be her kidney donor. We were amazed. I will say that we have experienced the kindness and generosity of our community in the past. When Lily received her kidney transplant, our community rallied around us, and we definitely felt the love. But, the thought of all of these people willing to undergo surgery, and give up an organ for our sweet girl, was humbling, to say the least. Because of privacy laws, we weren’t allowed to get updates on the potential donors. But, my sister’s friend kept us informed and, in midAugust, we heard that she was in the final stages of the process. In late August, we were told that Maggie Jo would need to begin dialysis unless a transplant was scheduled in the next few weeks. We weren’t sure if the timing was going to work out. But, finally, in mid-September, a date was set. Maggie would be getting her new kidney on Oct. 2! Maggie wanted to meet the angel who was willing to give this incredible gift. On Sept. 27, Maggie met Joy. Yes, Joy. The person giving the gift of life has the most appropriate name possible. Joy has two children; her daughter is the same age as Maggie. On the day we met, gifts were exchanged and pictures taken. One week later, one of Joy’s kidneys was giving Maggie a second chance. And, Maggie named her new kidney JoJo, for Joy + Maggie Jo. JoJo is working hard and allowing Maggie to have the energy that a 14-year-old should have. We hope that Maggie and Joy’s story is an inspiration to others who might consider being a living donor. It certainly has changed our lives.

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Time to Vote! We hope you will take time out from your busy schedules to vote for your favorites in Towne Lake. Visit www.aroundcantonmagazine.com, click on the Readers’ Choice logo and you will be directed to the voting site. Follow the prompts and cast your vote for your favorite SMALL businesses.

READERS’

CHOICE Award

Here are a few things to keep in mind. 1. Voting begins at 9 a.m. March 1 and ends at 5 p.m. March 31. 2. You may only vote for businesses with 30114, 30115, 30107 ZIP codes. 3. Vote in as few or as many categories as you’d like. There isn’t a minimum number of votes required for your votes to count. 4. No more than five votes per category will be accepted from each IP address.

2021

5. Please allow 24-48 hours for your votes to be accepted. 6. Winners will be announced in the May issue. Businesses will not be notified ahead of time. Everyone will find out at the same time.

Happy voting!

Scan this QR code to access the poll webpage! 18

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

How did you get started with pageants?

In 2012, I was a finalist in the Beautiful Baby Contest at the North Georgia State Fair. From there, I have been in three or four local pageants a year just to gain confidence and poise.

What have you learned from these experiences?

I have practiced my public speaking skills while preparing for my personal introduction at competitions, and I have put those skills to good use. I ran for student council at Macedonia Elementary School and gave a speech with confidence in front of my class. I am reading my lines in school plays with emphasis and animation. I have learned a lot about my community by getting out and getting involved. I have confidence to accomplish my goals, small or big. I know I need to prepare, work hard and have fun.

Many pageant participants have a cause they support. What is yours and why?

Zoe Rose Moylan represented Canton in the 2020 National American Miss pageant in Orlando. Photo courtesy of Victoria Lee Photography.

Fourth-grader Learns Life Skills Through Pageants

Last summer, Zoe Rose Moylan, a fourth-grader at Macedonia Elementary School, entered the National American Miss Georgia three-day pageant. Based on her cumulative score from the interview, personal introduction, formal wear, résumé and community service project, she went on to win third-runner up, earning her a spot on the Queen’s Court as a City Queen. Moylan also received an invitation to compete in the National All American Miss pageant in November 2020 in Orlando, where she competed as Miss Canton. Winners from each state participate in the National American Miss pageant as State Queens, with the top five contestants from each state representing their city as City Queens. Moylan is headed back to the state pageant in July with hopes of capturing the state queen title.

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Through my love of horses, my active outreach into the community and my desire to help others, especially through the pandemic, I started volunteering at a hippotherapy ranch (BEATS in Canton), where I learn how children with disabilities can improve their balance, control and confidence all while riding a horse! I love horses, and one of my friend’s little sisters has spina bifida. I prepare items for each rider’s lesson such as balls, gloves, weights, toys, helmets - and learn how the instructor utilizes these resources to accomplish goals with each rider. I created a website, where I hope my peers can share their tips and tricks on how they stay healthy, happy and active. www.horseplayhub.com. I also donate items to The Children’s Haven. I have been inspired by my aunt, who is raising four children who were in foster care, and I see the need to help others all around me.

What advice would you give to other girls looking to participate in pageants? Believe in yourself ! You can do anything you set your mind to with hard work and confidence. Live life with a purpose!

What are your goals and future plans?

I am going to compete in the 2021 National American Miss Georgia pageant in July. I am working on expanding my résumé, brushing up on my interview and personal introduction skills, continuing my community service work and having fun. I am also working to perfect my round-off backhandspring tuck so I can try out for a full-year competition cheerleading team in May.

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Film App a Behind-the-Scenes Guide BY CHEROKEE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

We all love a good story. Whether it is an action-packed drama or an indie thriller, film brings stories to life. But, what about the stories behind the camera: where scenes were filmed; where actors dined while in town; relationships forged between the film crew and community; and why Cherokee continues to be a top filming location? All these answers can be found in your pocket. Launched by the Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED) in partnership with Black Airplane, the newly released Filmed in Cherokee app is your behind-the-scenes guide to discovering fan-favorite film locations across the county. The free app features insider stories, on-set photos and key details about why each public location was chosen. Curious about Tom Cruise’s friendship with a local restaurateur while filming “American Made,” or why film projects like the Disney+ Christmas film “Noelle,” starring Anna Kendrick and Shirley MacLaine, made a landing in our community? The Filmed in Cherokee app answers the who, what, why and how. The perfect day trip for local film enthusiasts, the custombuilt app includes an interactive map that allows users to navigate from one location to another — all while enjoying local areas of interest. Whether you dine at the Ball Ground Burger Bus like Disney+’s “Timmy Failure,” take in the views at “Ozark’s” Blue Cat Lodge, or ride your mountain bike at Blankets Creek, like the stars of “The Resident,” there is a location for the whole family to enjoy. Plan to make a weekend of it — enjoy one-of-a-kind shopping and dining, explore outdoor pursuits, and even take in a local brewery along the way. And, don’t forget to chat with the people and businesses behind each location.

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

While visiting the locations of these locally filmed productions, be sure to snap a selfie and share using the hashtag, #filmedincherokee: • “American Made” • “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk” • “Champion” • “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul” • “Doctor Sleep” • “Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings”

• • • • •

“Hidden Figures” “MacGyver” “Noelle” “Ozark” “Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made” • “The Founder” • “The Outsider” • “The Resident”

If you are wondering how your property could be featured in the next major motion picture, or how to get involved in Cherokee’s film scene, the app’s got you covered there, too. Check out the “Get Involved” section to list your property as “Camera Ready.” There, you will find tips and instructions provided by the Georgia Film Office for listing your property on the Reel Scout database. Who knows, maybe your property will be the next “filmed in Cherokee” success story. Get your all-access pass to Cherokee’s booming film industry by downloading the Filmed in Cherokee app for free on Google Play or through the Apple App Store. For information on filming in Cherokee, visit cherokeega.org. The Cherokee Office of Economic Development is the leading organization for business and film recruitment and industry retention & expansion. www.cherokeega.org.

Expert EYE CARE •

Experts WHO CARE Est. 1967

Marietta Eye Clinic - Canton 100 Old Ball Ground Hwy, Suite A Canton, GA 30114

Cataract Evaluation & Treatment Our surgeons save the sight of thousands of cataract patients every year. Cataracts can slowly deteriorate your vision without you realizing it as you age. If you are 50+, watch for the formation of cataracts with your eye doctor.

(770) 479-2195 mariettaeye.com AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Gloria Moore

Retired school nurse, Director of Preschool Programs and wife of retired pastor Carl Moore, Allen Temple AME Church Which women have made the biggest impact in your everyday life?

Inspiring Women Meet Some of Our County’s Influential Women BY ASHLEY VELEZ

Cherokee County isn’t short on fascinating women or the women who inspire them. In honor of Women’s History Month, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing a handful of local women, many of whom are born and raised here or have lived here a long time. Listening and learning from each one left me buoyed, electrified and with a tenable bond of sisterhood. This is a collection of interview-style responses from some of the amazing women who live here. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed listening and learning from them. Ashley Velez is a digital marketing strategist, freelance writer and company culture advocate. She's a proud resident of Woodstock, where she lives with her family.

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Dr. Barbara Sable, Director of the Nursing Program at the University of Kansas Nursing Center. I became an instructor for licensed practical nurses there after budget cuts eliminated the school nursing positions where I was previously working. I was married and had two small children. Dr. Sable wanted me to teach the classes I struggled with in college. I wanted the job, but I didn’t feel like I could teach the courses that I’d previously struggled with. She was so encouraging, and said to me, “You can. You’re smart, you’re prepared.” I worked there for three years, and she encouraged me the whole time. I also thought the world of my sister, Helen. She was 12 years older than me and married to a colonel in the Army. She was very well-traveled, and lived all over the world. She really inspired me in everything she did; the way she dressed, shopped, everything. She taught me how to decorate, entertain, and what to say. In fact, my husband, Carl, got so tired of me talking about my sister that he once said, “I don’t want to hear anything else about what Helen said!”

What piece of advice would you offer young women who are just graduating from school?

Life can change at any time, embrace the change. It can get better. Pray about most things. God knows what’s present and in the future in your life. Keep exploring and learning, you’re never too old to learn something new. As for me, I’m playing bridge, discovering gardening, and I started a book club! Love and respect your husband and children, if you want them to do the same.

Who’s one local female who’s inspired you?

When my husband, Carl, and I were still living in East Cobb, (before our move to Woodstock in 1999) there was a member of our church, Lula May Brownlee, who really inspired me. She was on a mission for Allen Temple and for Woodstock! I’ve never met anyone who loved the church or the community more than Ms. Brownlee. She was monumental in helping us grow the church. People would meet her in the grocery store, and then they’d come in on Sunday and say, “We met this little lady in the grocery store, and she told us about the church!” She would have an annual Christmas Tea at her home, and people from the community would come, everyone - the mayor, too - would come. It was kind of a fundraiser for the church. We loved her so much. “There’s no place like Woodstock,” she would say. She was the reason we decided to move to Woodstock, too. Allen Temple was within the city limits, and we decided we wanted to be within the city limits, too. So in 1999, we made Woodstock (and the neighborhood of Deer Run) our home. We’ve been here ever since!

Elizabeth Savage Allen CEO of Fruitful Female Entrepreneurs

Which women have made the biggest impact in your everyday life?

There is a woman from my church who has had many roles and is now part of the Outreach Ministry. At age 16, she said she saw something in me and gave me an opportunity to be part of a church child-care team that earned money. Ever since, she’s been a huge influence on my life. She has continued to invest in me and provide me with opportunities, and has always offered a word of wisdom when I needed it most. She is one of the first people in my life to truly back her words and investment in me with actions, and everyone deserves that.

What piece of advice would you offer young women who are just graduating from school? Don’t fear adulthood − you’re here, so make the most of it! Open a high-yield savings account and start saving now, even just $10 a month. No matter what you study in school to gain expertise, it’s worthless without the ability to tell stories and do it well.

Who’s one local female who’s inspired you?

Leticia Hutchins (of Alma Coffee), of course. Leticia has been not just my boss at Alma, but my friend as well. Courage is a characteristic I think we all must develop over our lives, and she is a great monument to the beautiful things it can do in your life. Leaving a career she had always wanted to take on the amazing challenge of vertically integrating their family farm was a leap of faith and an investment in the community she loves.

Who’s one female leader you admire, and why?

Nicole Walters. I found her on Instagram a few years ago, and have thoroughly enjoyed following her ever since. I started following her for her business content, but I became a real follower as I saw her authentically show up every single day. She is honest about her life, struggles, faith … and she inspires me to show up as 100% me every day, not only on social media for my business, but for my life.

Favorite women to learn from?

Definitely women in music, or female musicians. What I love is how they demonstrate a way to do business that I prefer. When a musician is working on their next album, fans often hear nothing. The musician disappears into long days and long nights, constantly working to create their next masterpiece. For the most part they work in silence, then they release what they’ve created into the world. I’m a big fan of working hard in silence and letting your work be your noise.

Susan Guda

Realtor, Atlanta Communities of Woodstock

Which women have made the biggest impact in your everyday life?

I was raised by strong, compassionate, focused and faithful women. My mother, Jean Jaynes, her mother, Etta, and my father’s mother, Katie, and my sister, Sharon. Additionally, my own adult daughters, Natassia and Jessica, leave an indelible mark on my everyday life as they challenge me, love me unconditionally, and help me grow into who they have needed me to be as their mom. These women have a profound and direct impact on who I am today and the values I hold dear.

What piece of advice would you offer young women who are just graduating from school?

Be coachable. Find a mentor who has the achievements you want to have at 10, 15 and 20 years. Focus on who God made you to be, and give that ALL you have. Those gifts will serve you and the world in the biggest way when the purpose is your passion.

Who’s one local female who’s inspired you?

There are so many amazing women in our community, and the one who comes to my mind is Lori Baker, Director of Next Step Ministries. She makes a huge impact in our community with her mission to enlighten the community about the underserved, moderately to severely disabled adults. She inspires me with her faith, focus, endurance, and perseverance to the calling God placed on her life.

Who’s one female leader you admire, and why? Brené Brown because she has humbly taken on difficult topics - such as shame - and difficult issues of social equity and diversity, and trains leaders to think differently about the people who they lead and the cultures they create in the work environment.

Favorite women to learn from?

Mary Oliver, poet; Ann Voskamp, speaker, writer; Pauli Murray, women’s rights activist, Episcopal priest; Rosalind Franklin, scientist, unsung heroine; Dr. Mae Jemison, astronaut; Mother Teresa, missionary; Tiare Smith, artist ... and so many more who may remain nameless, but who will forever change us. Continued on Page 26 AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Inspiring Women Continued from Page 25

Frankie Shepherd

Native of Cherokee County, and recently retired from the Cherokee County Board of Elections and Voter Registration

Which women have made the biggest impact in your everyday life?

Merry Quarles

Lifelong Cherokee resident, General Manager of FoxTale Book Shoppe, event planner, mother, wife, advocate

Which women have made the biggest impact in your everyday life? The women who I saw being encouragers when I was younger have always been the ones I gravitated to and wanted to emulate. Women who use what they have to promote and to nurture each other are what inspire me to do the same.

What piece of advice would you offer young women who are just graduating from school?

Listen to your inner voice. The one that says, ‘This job looks great on paper, but …’ You know more than you give yourself credit for!

Who’s one local female who’s inspired you?

Shawn McLeod. She’s been an encourager to me personally in my career, but she is that to a lot of people. Shawn genuinely cares about our community, and doesn’t care if her work behind the scenes goes unnoticed. Watching her work as a founding member of Elm Street Cultural Arts Village has always inspired me!

Who’s one female leader you admire, and why? Dolly Parton is my SHEro. It may sound cliché, but I aspire to be as kind, forgiving and generous as she is.

Favorite women to learn from?

Brené Brown is my current favorite. Especially in the last 12 months! When other women are brave enough to share their scars, I feel brave enough to share mine. She reminds me that we really are in this thing called life together, and are so much better when we are the light for one another. 26

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

My Mom was a wonderful lady. She was a terminal cancer patient, and passed away at 58, which was young. She was instrumental in helping me get my education at Tuskegee. Because even those days, it was expensive, and my Mom worked very hard at a dry cleaners for 30 years to help get me through school. (My Dad worked at Lockheed Martin and also worked hard for my education.) I offer a scholarship in my mother’s name to one deserving student every year. It’s not official and it’s not much, but I choose a student who attends my church, Hickory Log Baptist Church, every year and donate to their education. My home economics teacher, Ms. Willie B. Bennings, was another inspiring woman for me. She helped me gather my paperwork to apply to college. There were no school counselors at that time. I truly owe her a lot. She would send me cakes and cookies while I was away at Tuskegee. I’ve had more inspiring women in my life, too, including my grandmothers, and some of the ladies in my community. They all looked out for us, and our parents expected them to reprimand us if we acted out.

Who’s one local female who’s inspired you?

Margaret Cline, who was the superintendent of Cherokee County Schools for many years.

Who’s one female leader you admire, and why?

Michelle Obama. She is wonderful, and she inspired me with her service to children, especially her commitment to the meal program to assist children with getting healthy meals and plenty of exercise. I loved seeing her invite children to the White House to learn more. She really was wonderful when she was there. I also very much admire Coretta Scott King.

Favorite women to learn from?

At one time, I wanted to be an actress. Cicely Tyson, may she rest in peace, was an inspiration to me. When I came back to Georgia after graduating from college, I was in a theater group, and we did some acting and traveling around the state. However, other than some amateur productions, it never materialized.

Pelvic Pain Could Be Endometriosis BY CHEROKEE WOMEN’S HEALTH SPECIALISTS, PC

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis is a disease that occurs when the endometrial tissue, (the lining inside of the uterus), grows and attaches itself in different places outside of the uterus. It impacts one in 10 women in the United States, and often goes undiagnosed for years. That is what happened to Chelsea. It started when Chelsea began experiencing severe pain in her lower abdomen. The pain progressively got worse and became constant. She describes it as the worst pain she had ever had. Chelsea wasn’t sure what could be causing it, so she made an appointment with her primary care physician. Her doctor ran a battery of tests, including blood and G.I. tests, and even an MRI — but still, there was no answer. Chelsea felt confused and discouraged. As the years went by, and after multiple doctor visits, Chelsea was unable to get a true diagnosis, and she was still in severe pain. She decided to make yet another doctor’s appointment, this time with a different OB/ GYN. During the visit, Chelsea explained what she had been going through, and how she felt no one believed how bad her pain was. Her new doctor not only believed her, but immediately said it sounded like endometriosis. The doctor explained the only way to confirm the diagnosis was through surgery. Chelsea agreed, anxious to find an answer and hopefully alleviate the pain. During the surgery, her doctor discovered the right side of Chelsea’s pelvis was clear, however, her left side contained Stage 4 endometriosis — the most severe stage. She also found that Chelsea’s left ovary had attached to part of her intestines. The endometriosis was treated, the ovary was freed from its attachment, and a full sweep was done to make sure all else was clear. Five years later, Chelsea still feels great, and has had no reoccurring pain. She credits her doctor’s expertise and for believing her when no one else did. Chelsea is grateful she didn’t give up, and that she discussed her symptoms with her doctor. While some women have no symptoms, some may suffer a little discomfort, and others may experience extreme, debilitating effects. It’s important to discuss your symptoms with your OB/GYN to get the help needed. There’s no need to suffer in silence.

Cherokee Women's Health Specialists PC has seven physicians with offices in Canton and Woodstock. 770-720-7733. www.cherokeewomenshealth.com.

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Mapping O P

J. KING IMAGES

aul Kill takes his job as a financial professional for The Piedmont Group (Canton) very personally. He works carefully with his clients to make sure they understand the importance of having proper insurance and financial strategies in place. In fact, his desire to help people is an extension of his faith. “Faith is the foundation; everything starts with my faith. I’m thankful to the Lord that he’s guided me to where I am today, leading people in preparing for their future,” Paul said. Paul knew early-on that financial service was one of his gifts. He took a career assessment test at age 18 that specifically outlined that career for him. Despite job offers from financial firms, he had his heart set on playing professional baseball and followed that path. However, after meeting his future wife in college and realizing the demands of life as a professional athlete, he turned to financial services. Paul works in the Canton office of The Piedmont Group, a multifaceted financial planning and wealth management firm that offers insurance and investments for individuals and businesses. Paul is licensed in health, life, disability, and long-term care insurance. He also supports business owners, individuals, and families with their personal and long-term financial strategies. “Initially, I saw a need in my local community because four out of the five

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Paul Kill is a financial professional and offers insuranc Services, LLC

Out a Secure Financial Future people I met were not working with a financial professional,” he said. “I partnered with The Piedmont Group because I saw my career goals, and their business philosophy were and are aligned.”

A Personal Focus on Each Client

The Ohio native has lived in Georgia since he was four, and moved to Cherokee County five years ago. He and his wife Carlynn have four children: Luke is 10, Payton is 8, Presley is 5 and Lainey is 3. The newest addition to the family is a puppy named Hank, after baseball legend Hank Aaron. Paul said he appreciates the differences in each client and spends time focusing on their individual needs. He is careful not to put people in a box or offer a one-sizefits-all solution. “We believe each company and individual is unique, with unique issues and qualities, and we seek to meet their needs where they are in their business or life,” he said. “Our focus is in insurance and financial services, helping each client make wise choices in their finances now, and for the future.” The Piedmont Group works with more than 30,000 clients on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Collectively, the company serves small, local firms as well as large corporations, and continues to acquire new clients each year. Being part of a larger company offers a wide array of resources and experience to each client.

4 Steps to Good Financial Health Paul said working with a financial professional is important for everyone, regardless of income or wealth. The Piedmont Group even has a division that works with college graduates to help relieve student debt. His message is four-fold.

1 2 3 4

It’s important to realize that no one is bulletproof. Paul believes that exposure to social media can fool us into thinking that, but the pandemic has been an awakening to the necessity of preparing for the difficult times that might arise. The general population hasn’t been taught the value of working with a financial professional. Just as we see a doctor for annual checkups, Paul said that check-ups on our financial health are vital. “We’re on the same team; we’re just looking at things on your behalf, educationally, so that you can continue life everyday without having to wear too many hats. If your only way of protecting risks is that you have a job, once you lose that job, you lose that protection.” Paul believes a strong financial foundation is essential for peace of mind, in case of illness or a job loss. Building a strong retirement plan is another block in that foundation. Earning his client’s trust is essential to Paul. “When I sit down with a client, I want them to know me and know why they can trust me,” he said. “I stand behind the services I offer. I’m giving clients solutions based on what I would do personally.”

THE PIEDMONT GROUP | CANTON 770-757-3313 | pkill@financialguide.com www.thepiedmontgroups.com

ce and financial services. Securities, investment advisory and financial planning services offered through qualified registered representatives of MML Investors C, Member SIPC. Supervisory office: [OSJ 1050 Crown Pointe Parkway, Suite 1800, Atlanta, GA 30338 / 770-551-3400].

Sponsored Content AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Celebrations! ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE FREE!

Edit@AroundaboutMagazines.com April deadline is March 10. Please specify Around Canton.

Ella Rose Brunsman

Harper

Happy 4th birthday! We love you and are so amazed at how fast you are growing up! Love, Mommy, Daddy, and Seedy.

Kalli

Happy birthday! A sweet 10 on Feb. 27. We love you. Grandma and Dannannie.

March 17 and 25! Happy birthday, Boyz!! We love and celebrate you.

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Happy birthday! We love you to infinity and back! Love, Billy, Cella, Ada and Alex.

Happy 8th birthday to our sweet girl! Love, Mommy, Daddy and Stella.

Pastor Juan and Sammy

Daddy Bill

Emma

Happy 11th birthday. Love Mom, Dad and Rubi.

Bree

Happy 5th birthday! Love you, Gam Gam and Billpa!

Zoe Rose Moylan

Xavier Page

Happy 9th birthday! We are very proud of you! Love, Mommy and Daddy, and Nana and Pop.

Turned 10 on Feb. 15. We love you and are so proud of the wonderful young lady you are becoming! Love, Mommy, Daddy, Ziggy and Ellie Mae.

Thatcher Rivers Whitmore

Happy 3rd birthday! We love you so much, Daddy, Mommy, Teddy and Tinsley.

Kaitlyn Kelley

Turning 15 on March 8. Happy birthday!

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Be Aware of Retirement Blind Spots BY DON AKRIDGE, MBA, CFP®, CPA/PFS U.S. MARINE CORPS VETERAN – EMORY UNIVERSITY ALUMNUS

We all have our “blue sky” visions of the way retirement should be, yet our futures may unfold in ways we cannot predict. So, as you think about your “second act,” you may want to consider some life and financial factors that suddenly can arise, and sometimes can be overlooked.

You may end up retiring earlier than you expect. If you leave the workforce at “full”

retirement age (FRA), which is 67 for those born in 1960 and later, you may be eligible to claim “full” Social Security benefits. Working until 67 may be worthwhile, because it will reduce your monthly Social Security benefits if you claim them between age 62 and your FRA.1 Now, do most Americans retire at 67? Not according to the annual survey from the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI). In EBRI’s 2020 Retirement Confidence Survey, 16% of preretirees expected to retire between ages 66-69, and 31% thought they would retire at age 70 or later. The reality is different. In surveying current retirees, EBRI found that only 6% had worked into their 70s. In fact, 70% of them had left work before age 65, and 33% had retired before age 60.2

Age may catch up to you sooner, rather than later. You may stay fit, active and mentally sharp

for decades to come, but, if you become mentally or physically infirm, you need to find people you trust to manage your finances. You could be alone one day. As anyone who ever has lived alone realizes, a single person does not simply live on 50% of a couple’s income. Keeping up a house, or even a condo, can be tough when you are elderly. Driving can be a concern. If your spouse or partner is absent, will there be someone to help you in the future?

These are some of the blind spots that can surprise us in retirement. They quickly may affect

our money and quality of life. If you age with an awareness of them, you may have the opportunity to manage the outcome better.

The costs you have to shoulder later in retirement may exceed those at the start of retirement.

You may see retirement as an extension of the present, rather than the future. This is only

natural, as we all live in the present, but the future will arrive. The costs you have to shoulder later in retirement may exceed those at the start of retirement. As you may be retired for 20 or 30 years, it is wise to take a long-term view of things. You may have a health insurance gap. If you retire before age 65, what do you do about health coverage? You may shoulder 100% of the cost. Looking forward, you may need extended care, and it seems to get more expensive each year. Wealthy households may be able to “self-insure” against extended care, but many other households struggle. In Genworth’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey, the median monthly cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home is $7,738. In California, it is $9,023; in Florida, $8,803.3 Suppose you become disabled or seriously ill, and working is out of the question. How do you make ends meet?

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Securities offered through registered representatives of Cambridge Investment Research Inc., a broker-dealer, member FINRA/ SIPC. Advisory services through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc., a registered investment adviser. Cambridge 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 a 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 - Social Security Administration, Dec. 1, 2020 2 - Employee Benef it Research Institute, Dec. 1, 2020 3 - Genworth Cost of Care Survey, March 30, 2020

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. 770-952-6707.

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

EVERYDAY

In December 2018, Aden Martinez (age 8) began experiencing a headache and vomiting. Several days later, after he fell while playing with his brothers, Aden was taken to the hospital to check for a concussion. His parents were not prepared for what they heard that day. The MRI revealed that Aden had a brain tumor, and surgery was immediately performed to remove and determine its type. Aden was diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytomas (APXA — grade III), a very rare type of astrocytomas that begins in the brain. Because of its rarity, there is no standard treatment. Possible treatment options include radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapies or clinical trials. For the past two years, Aden has tried them all — including four brain surgeries. Since Aden’s diagnosis, Edgar and Sandy Martinez have been relentless in finding treatment options to save their son. They began their journey at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA), have gone to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and Dana-Farber/ Boston’s Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. Today, they are discussing an immunotherapy treatment at Duke University Hospital. “I feel I have obtained a greater understanding of gliomas than I had planned,” Edgar said. “I have learned so much, yet not enough. There is so much more research needed for this type of cancer, and we are trying everything possible.” Aden is the middle son of three boys in the Martinez family. He is in the third grade at Indian Knoll Elementary. From the beginning, the 34

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Aden rests after one of his many surgeries.

Martinez family has been embraced by their local community, church and schools. God’s comfort and love has flowed from local prayer gatherings at Revolution Church, as well as numerous events at Indian Knoll in honor and support of Aden. The outpouring of love and support has been amazing to witness. “Our family’s testimony is too weighty to hold for ourselves; it’s meant to be shared, both pain and victory,” Sandy said. “One of the most difficult times is when your son is being rolled back for surgery. ‘You can walk with him up until this point, and then past the double doors, we will take him.’ The dreaded words. Words meaning you have to let go. You have no control past this point. Watching your child being pushed on a stretcher into an area that you cannot go is the most helpless feeling. I can’t be there. I can’t comfort him. But that’s MY child. Placing him in God’s hands and saying he is yours. He is yours.” Through it all, Edgar humbly shares his strength in the Lord. “We don’t know what the future may bring, but our trust is in the Lord. We will not be defined by the consequences of cancer. God was in control before, and

He is still in control today. He gives us the strength to pick up our cross and carry it, and, when you can no more, he picks you up and the cross, and carries you,” he said. After several years of extreme highs and lows, Aden’s parents find themselves once again grasping for positive answers. “I’m still processing the news we received today. Aden’s tumor has metastasized into two other ventricles, as well as increased in size where it started. Surgery is no longer an option. They are taking him off his meds and putting him on a steroid until we have the next plan,” Sandy said. “We are praying Aden can begin a clinical trial through the Duke Cancer Institute.” When asked what Everyday Angels can do for them, and how we might provide relief, Sandy and Edgar simply asked for prayer for their son — for guidance, direction, healing and strength. We believe in the power of prayer, as they do. You can follow Aden’s story on Facebook at Aden’s Army. We are thankful to Edgar and Sandy for sharing their faith boldly through their most difficult journey. Everyday Angels is honored to share their story.

Everyday Angels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Cherokee County since 2000. To make a tax deductible donation, visit www.everydayangels.info to donate via Paypal or send your donations to: Everyday Angels, PMB 380, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 620, Woodstock GA, 30189. One hundred percent of your funds will go to the family you specify. If you know of a special need in your community, e-mail aaeverydayangels@gmail.com

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Rob’s Rescues

Rob and Carolyn O’Brien with dogs Ryker, Addison-Grace and Tobias.

Two Tailz Rescue twotailzrescue.org

This dog and cat are at Cobb County Animal Services. This dog’s name is Belle. She is a 3-year-old pitbull with a decent amount of energy. She is black and white, and was a stray. She is very curious and walked quite well on a leash when we walked her. She really likes attention, and will sit peacefully while you give it to her. She would make a really good companion. This cat’s name is Tyga. She is a large 4-year-old cat that was a stray. She will be a calm and peaceful cat in a nice home.

My interview with Carolyn O’Brien, the founder of Two Tailz Rescue, was filmed for the Dr. Good Unleashed YouTube series and can be seen at Episode 1.33 “Two Tailz … Four Eyez … Seven Feetz!” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2M46T2ZEdw)

You rescue dogs who are in a horrible state. How do you find them, and is this the type of work you wanted to do?

As I am sitting here a message has just come through about a shot and beaten dog in South Georgia. I will try and get the ball rolling. We get over 80 emails a day. We get lists of dogs going to be euthanized. Animal control officers routinely call on us when they pick up a dog with urgent needs. I can’t say it was the work I planned to do, but I have a huge heart for dogs that have been abused and neglected, which most often is the pit bull breed.

Rob and Belle.

Why do you think most of the dogs are pit bulls?

There are several reasons. The media has not helped their reputation. People don’t realize the dogs were bred to be strong and loyal. People have abused that by putting them in fights. A situation has been created that makes people scared of them, and people react differently out of fear.

What is a story that you like to tell?

Ruger is my tripod. He was dumped in a box in a dumpster when he was 8 weeks old. His leg was broken in six places,and he had cigarette burns all over his body. He had numerous surgeries to try and save the leg, but ultimately it had to be amputated. He is one of my favorite success stories – he can swim faster than most, and he can run fast. He’s the sweetest dog.

What do you want the community to know about you, and how can they help? We are not the biggest rescue, but I focus on being the best rescue – giving the best care, physically and emotionally, and finding them the best homes. We do the very best we can with the abused and neglected dogs we get. We really do need donations. We are 100% foster-based. 36

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Rob with Tyga the cat.

Rob Macmillan is on a mission to help shelter dogs and cats. www.robsrescues.com. On Facebook @robsrescues.

Thanks to the Heroes of Animal Hospitals BY DR. JONATHAN GILVARRY

Many people believe that veterinarians are the difference makers in animal hospitals. The true heroes are the support staff who work closely with the veterinarians. Members of the animal hospital team are the lifeblood of the hospital, and without their help and expertise, veterinarians would not be able to do their jobs. I would like to acknowledge and thank the members of the animal care team — not just our team, but every member of every veterinary practice nationwide.

Receptionists

Reception might be one of the hardest jobs in the hospital, and receptionists are vital. On any given day, the telephones usually are ringing off the hook, and calls can range from simple questions from pet owners to serious life emergencies. They help develop the flow of the day and work hard accommodating clients and pets.

Animal Nurses

These staff members, who are called technicians and veterinary assistants, are absolute rock stars. Their job includes assisting veterinarians in the exam rooms, collecting lab samples, taking X-rays, filling prescriptions, and even conducting anesthesia. Often, they help clients with tough decisions, and comfort people in times of loss. They are the “right hand” of the veterinarian, and, without their help, we could not do our jobs.

Boarding Staff

When you go on vacation, you want to feel assured that your pets are well taken care of and are safe and happy. The kennel staff is always on the lookout for your pet’s comfort and safety during their stays. In many instances, the boarding staff are the ones to point out problems, due to their close observation. These staff members cherish the opportunity to give some extra TLC that a dog or cat may require to make their stay more comfortable.

Groomers

In an animal hospital, groomers often are overlooked. They work hard to make sure your pets look stylish and comfortable. Often, they work alone, bathing, cutting hair and trimming nails. They are truly amazing.

Office Staff

The last group I want to recognize is the office workers and managers. They work hard “behind the curtain” to make sure inventory is stocked, and that day-to-day operations move smoothly and efficiently.

Dr. Jonathan Gilvarry has been an associate veterinarian of the BridgeMill Animal Hospital team since 2015.

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Celebrating Freedom Through Passover BY RABBI DANIEL DORSCH

If Hanukkah is the holiday constantly in flux for most Jews, Pesach (the Hebrew word for Passover) is the holiday that very much stays the same. According to recent studies, more than 70% of Jews attend a Seder, the traditional Passover dinner, each and every year. The dinner is, by design, a multigenerational educational experience, where Jews use rituals to pass down the story of the biblical Exodus from one generation to the next. The eating of matzah, translated as unleavened bread, is by far the best known ritual of the eight-day Passover celebration. According to legend, when the Jewish people left Egypt, they were so eager for divine redemption that they could not even wait for their bread to rise. Thus, to this day, matzah is made by not permitting the dough to bake for longer than 18 minutes. An alternative tradition teaches that matzah is called “the bread of poverty,” because it was low-quality food fit for slaves. With each bite of matzah during Passover, we remind ourselves of how privileged we are today to enjoy our freedom throughout the year. Throughout the Seder dinner, there are several other rituals that seek to remind us of how privileged we are to enjoy our freedom. Jews meticulously reenact these rituals, guided by a book known as the Haggadah, which is the Hebrew word meaning “to tell a story.” We dip parsley in salt water to remember the tears of the Israelites who traveled from slavery to freedom. We eat bitter herbs, usually 38

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

horseradish, to remind us of the bitterness of slavery. Observing Passover has its challenges, related to the dietary aspects associated with the holiday. To keep kosher for Passover and to refrain from the prohibition of eating leavened bread products (those baked with rising agents such as yeast), Jews clean their homes meticulously before Passover, to remove all sources of leaven. We trade out our dishes, pots and pans, for special Passover ones that we know have not been subject to leavened bread contamination throughout the year. After removing any remaining leaven, we then purchase new unleavened food items that specifically are marked as being “kosher for Passover.” These foods often come at a much higher price tag, due to the extra supervision involved in the process. In Israel, of course, these rituals are largely the same: albeit with

one significant exception: Israeli restaurants, eager not to lose their business, will turn over their kitchens and become kosher for Passover. This means that instead of cooking or eating at home all week, many Israelis will simply order takeout throughout the holiday. While, in the diaspora, we may cook from scratch for a week, in Israel there are “Seder specials,” where you can order the entire meal prepared, from soup to nuts. Ultimately, as American Jews living in the 21st century, celebrating Passover is an extraordinary privilege. Throughout Jewish history, and even today, there are communities who are not as blessed to enjoy many of the freedoms that we do. This Passover, like every year, Jews around America will raise our wine glasses to celebrate our feast of freedom. I only pray that our children and grandchildren continue to know this joy that we experience today.

Rabbi Dan Dorsch serves Congregation Etz Chaim in Marietta. He is a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary, and holds a master’s degree in synagogue education.

The Seder Plate

The Seder plate is the focal point of the proceedings at Passover. It can be an ornate silver dish or a humble napkin. The important thing is that it holds the ceremonial foods around which the Seder is based: matzah, the zeroa (shankbone), egg, bitter herbs, charoset paste, karpas vegetables and salt water. Every item on the Seder plate has meaning and symbolism. Here is a list and description of each food and why it is included.

Matzah

Three matzot are placed on top of one another on a plate or napkin, and then covered. The matzot are symbolic of the three groups of Jews: Priests, Levites and Israelites.

Roasted lamb shankbone (zeroa)

One of the most striking symbols of Passover is the roasted lamb shankbone (called zeroa), which commemorates the paschal (lamb) sacrifice made the night the ancient Hebrews fled Egypt.

Hard-boiled egg (beitzah)

A hard-boiled egg represents the pre-holiday offering (chagigah) that was brought in the days of the Holy Temple.

Bitter herbs (marror)

Bitter herbs are a reminder of the bitterness of the slavery experienced by the Jews in Egypt. Freshly grated horseradish, and romaine lettuce (or endives), are the most common choices.

Charoset

This is a mixture of apples, nuts and wine, which resembles the mortar and brick made by the Jews when they toiled for Pharaoh.

Karpas (vegetable)

Many Jewish families use parsley, called karpas in Hebrew. This vegetable alludes to the backbreaking work of the Jews as slaves.

Salt water

Salt water symbolizes the tears and sweat of enslavement. Often, a single bowl of salt water sits on the table into which each person dips their karpas during the seder.

Because CTC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization your donations are tax deductible.

Cherokee Theatre Company PO Box 5885 • Canton, GA 30114 AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Annual Retreat Moves County Forward BY HARRY JOHNSTON

For the past 18 years, the Cherokee Board of Commissioners has held a two-day planning retreat to allow in-depth discussion of important initiatives and long-range plans. The retreat is an advertised, open meeting. This year, we met in the upstairs meeting room of the new Branchwater Restaurant in Canton. Some members of the public joined us. It was very productive. We reviewed the updated long-term financial plan, and saw we will need to make some hard decisions to meet our financial objectives over the next few years. We want to hold tax rates flat, while finishing the initiatives we started this year to increase the numbers and pay of public safety personnel. To do that, we’re drawing on some of the county’s ample financial reserves this year, but we want to reduce reliance on reserves next year and end it by the following year. We discussed capital needs for facilities and equipment to include in the next six-year, one-cent Special Purpose Local Operation Sales Tax (SPLOST) renewal. To renew the SPLOST without expiring and without a special election, it must be on the ballot next year. It should produce at least $250 million over six years, but needs are great. SPLOST is the main source of funds for local road improvements. About half the proceeds need to go for roads. The county courthouse needs to be expanded. We will fund a new parking deck and other preliminary work from the current SPLOST. The main expansion project will cost about $50 million and has to come from the next SPLOST. Park facilities need another $50 million over six years for improvements and to keep up. New fire stations and equipment need about $30 million, and sheriff ’s patrol

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

vehicles will take at least $9 million over six years to replace on a 10-year cycle. As always, the needs exceed available funds. We outlined a new short-term rental ordinance to prevent regular homes from being rented out for large parties. We agreed we should amend the noise ordinance to make it apply earlier than midnight, as it does now. And, we outlined a change to the development regulations to make it easier to develop small rural subdivisions with up to seven very large lots. We want to encourage that type of development in rural areas. During the past year, we’ve been looking at ways to reduce the cost of the county pension plan. At the retreat, we agreed to initiate a new plan for new employees that will reduce costs significantly over the long run. For existing employees, we agreed only to amend the plan with some win-win opportunities that actually will improve it for employees, while moderately reducing the cost. Finally, we laid out plans to find a replacement for 20year County Manager Jerry Cooper, when he retires this year. He’s been the key to much of our county’s great success during his era. He will be missed dearly and hard to replace. I’m always interested in your thoughts. Please email me at hjohnston@cherokeega.com. Harry Johnston is chairman of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners. He's a retired CPA and accounting manager, and a former district commissioner.

Cherokee County Board of Commissioners Feb. 16 meeting highlights.

Four public hearings will be held at 6 p.m. March 16 in the ballroom of the Cherokee County Administration Building. The hearings will concern: the possible extension of the moratorium in Hickory Flat until June 15 or until the adoption of the Hickory Flat Area Plan; rural subdivisions, a topic that was discussed at the Board of Commissioners’ annual planning retreat in January; changes to the county’s development regulations, and changes to the county’s tree ordinance.

Commissioners also:

• Proclaimed Feb. 23, 2021, as Rotary Has Heart Day and Rotary Day in Cherokee County. Canton Rotary Club President Shane Moore and Towne Lake Club Immediate Past President Erika Neldner were present to accept the proclamations on behalf of their respective clubs. Feb. 23 is the Rotary’s 116th birthday. • Approved the purchase of 20 tasers along with holsters for the Cherokee Sheriff ’s Office in the amount of $28,356.20. • Adopted an ordinance related to a new seal and logo for the county. The ordinance provides guidelines for enforcement and penalties for the use of the seal and logo without approval. • Approved a proposal from GDOT for the acquisition of 1.655 acres of right of way for the Ga. 20 widening project – Ga. 369 to Ga. 371, from the county-owned library parcel at Old Mill Road in the amount of $248,300. County Manager Jerry Cooper asked commissioners to allocate the original amount paid for the property back into the SPLOST line item for the Sequoyah Regional Library System.

• Approved a new senior deputy clerk position for probate court. • Approved paying $8,881.81, to install flashing lights at the crosswalks on Ga. 140 and Ga. 108 around Reinhardt University. Reinhardt University, Cherokee County, and the city of Waleska are splitting the cost of the total project to be completed by the Georgia Department of Transportation.

During the Feb. 2 meeting, comissioners:

• Approved a $94,500 agreement for engineering design services to be provided by Kennedy Engineering and Associates Group to complete sidewalks on Hickory Road between New Light Road and East Cherokee Drive, and Stringer Road between Hickory Road and Ga. 140. The project, originally to be completed in two phases, now will be done in one phase. • Approved a request by Jonathan Grigg and Maurita Johnson for a Special-Use Permit for a woodworking shop on 3.33 acres at 5505 Bells Ferry Road with conditions that the permit was for Grigg and Johnson only, and future occupants of the property would have to complete the Special-Use Permit process if they choose this type of use. An additional condition included use of equipment to mitigate dust and fumes. • Remanded back to the planning commission a request by Manor Restorations to rezone 73.79 acres at 7351 Knox Bridge Highway from Agriculture to R-20 Single Family Residential for a residential conservation design community. • Approved appointing Buzz Ahrens to the Cherokee County Board of Health to fill the remainder of a term expiring on Dec. 31, 2022, previously held by Russ Flynn.

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

State of the City Highlights, Future Plans A positive review of 2020 and hopeful outlook for this year was presented virtually by Mayor Bill Grant last month. Grant’s address was focused on moving Canton forward with purpose and intent, primarily through guidance of the city’s newly established Roadmap for Success. View the full speech at www.Facebook.com/cityofCanton. Here are the highlights. Even while responding to the constantly changing dynamics of the pandemic, we achieved our goal of creating and adopting our Roadmap for Success at our last council meeting in December. This strategic plan will guide how our city grows and develops over the next 15 years, and the input we received from our citizens was invaluable. Now, the challenging, yet exciting, work of implementing the Roadmap begins as we move Canton forward by adhering to eight guiding tenets: • Creating Great Neighborhoods • Celebrating the Diversity of our Community • Advancing Regional Economic Success • Enhancing Historic Downtown Canton • Sustaining Our Natural Environment • Connecting Citizens to Parks and Recreation • Improving Infrastructure for Future Demand • Leading with Excellence

In the spirit of aligning our initiatives going forward, I have organized our 2020 accomplishments according to the eight tenets in our Roadmap, and I hope you will agree the state of our city is stronger than ever and growing more exciting every day.

A new corporate park is planned for 50 acres along Knox Bridge Highway by Cherokee Office of Economic Development. 42

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Creating Great Neighborhoods

Safe, attractive, connected and inviting neighborhoods are the foundation of Canton’s hometown appeal. All residents deserve quality housing that reflects our community character through thoughtful design and responsible development practices.

Celebrating the Diversity of Our Community

The diverse cultures and communities within Canton are vibrant and engaging. Economic, cultural and social diversity is encouraged throughout the city.

Accomplishments from 2020:

• The creation and adoption of Canton’s Housing Needs Assessment & Market Study by Thomas P. Miller Associates. • Councilman Shawn Tolan served as a Housing Liaison for Council to look at housing opportunities and innovation. • SPLOST funding to top-coat streets in Great Sky, Laurel Canyon, Towne Mill, Iris Park, Norton Lake and Park Village. • 481 residential construction permits. • 459 residential certificates of occupancy.

• Creation of a citizen participation application. • Launch of the Diversity & Inclusion Task Force, with members Lorraine Aragon, Carlos Hill, Shannon Rankins, Carmen Tanner Slaughter, Kathy Strom, Tiffany Bird and Patty Reveles. • Translation of key documents for our Spanish-speaking community including the city budget, Roadmap for Canton’s future and A Guide to Starting a Business. • Launch of the Public Safety Citizens Advisory Board working with Councilor Will Carlan, with members Richard Kalasky, Dwayne Waterman, Dr. Susan Padgett Harrison, Jonathan Kesler, Tracye Busbee, Jason Parham and Greg Magee.

On the horizon:

Accomplishments from 2020:

• Academy & Main’s Solis Canton will bring new residential development to downtown Canton. • Council working together to create opportunities for innovation in workforce housing. • A new-resident information package. • A code compliance sweep of the city to improve property maintenance.

• Love for Canton’s Sunnyside neighborhood, including improved recreation, community branding, and gateway improvements. • Formal launch and growth of CanTeen. • Integration of cultural opportunities into annual event planning to highlight our diversity and unique Canton experiences.

Advancing Regional Economic Success

Utilizing existing business strengths in industry, healthcare and an entrepreneurial spirit, Canton seeks to expand its economic footprint. Diverse and innovative business growth will support jobs, attract investment and create tourism opportunities.

Accomplishments from 2020:

• Continued growth by Northside Hospital-Cherokee on its medical campus. • The approved rezoning of 50 acres along Knox Bridge Highway by Cherokee Office of Economic Development for a new corporate park. • Soon-to-be delivered Tourism Study for Canton by the state of Georgia. • License to Recovery Program for locally owned small businesses; $175,000 impact to 250 businesses. • 95 commercial certificates of occupancy. • A Guide to Starting a Business in Canton. • 166 new business licensees in 2020.

On the horizon:

• Masterplan revisions to The Bluffs to make the area more attractive for regional tourism project development. • Annexation discussions for the city’s first winery village. • Masterplan revisions to Riverstone to include a crystal lagoon and residential condominiums. • A new Canton Tourism program to grow regional travel.

The Etowah River Trail Map shows existing sections and those under construction.

Enhancing Historic Downtown Canton

Sustaining Our Natural Environment

Accomplishments from 2020:

Preservation, entrepreneurship, arts and culture, and community-centric activities are cornerstones of economic development within downtown Canton. Benefiting the entire city, downtown redevelopment creates jobs, attracts investment, increases property values and generates tourism. • Opening of retail, restaurant and office spaces at The Mill on Etowah. • Launch of the Downtown Gift Card matching program to invest $40,000 into downtown businesses during the pandemic. • Growth in downtown filming, including Marvel’s “Hawkeye,” currently filming in the Jones building. • New businesses: Branchwater, Great & Plenty, Bizarre Coffee, Bananas & Beehives, Simply Ola’s, Maria Sims Group - ERA Realty, Menagerie on Main, Fury Volleyball Club, i3 Vertical, Yonder Agency, Califino, Cotton Mill Exchange, Nava Taqueria, Thrive Coworking, Click Funnels and Liberty Hill UMC/Timbers on the Etowah.

On the horizon:

• The request for qualifications and proposals this spring through a real estate adviser to redevelop the interior of the Jones building. • Construction of downtown Solis Canton residential complex. • Canton and Cherokee County will move forward with parking deck projects. • Councilor Brooke Schmidt spearheaded an effort for a new mural along Railroad Street that will start in the coming days.

Canton residents appreciate our natural beauty, proximity to the mountains, ample green spaces and the Etowah River. Projects will promote interaction with nature through sustainability, stewardship of resources, and innovative designs.

• The city has added information to its codes and websites to encourage planting native species in landscape designs for development, thanks to the hard work of Councilor Sandy McGrew. • New LAMA software for online submission of plans, licenses and permits. • Completion of plans and awarding of a bid for the construction of the water pollution control plant. Councilor Nick Estes helped lead that effort.

On the horizon:

• Construction at the water pollution control plant. • A sustainability review by Schneider Electric. • Revision to the Reservoir Management Plan at Hickory Log Creek. • Solar panels and an electric vehicle charging station within the Canton parking deck. • Integration of alternative fuel vehicles in the city fleet. Continued on Page 44 AROUND CANTON | March 2021

State of the City Continued from Page 43

Connecting Citizens to Parks and Recreation A healthy community provides access to nature. Residents should be connected with local parks through trails, sidewalks and additional transportation options. Recreational opportunities should be available to and inclusive for all.

Accomplishments from 2020:

• Completion of the Etowah River Trail eastward from Etowah River Park and under I-575. • Approval of a grant from the Atlanta United Foundation and Local Initiative Sports Corporation for a mini-pitch soccer field at Harmon Park. • Approval of a grant for an outdoor plyometric gym at Heritage Park. Purchase of parkland in the bend of the Etowah River near the bowling alley for future trail expansion.

On the horizon:

• Construction of the Etowah River Trail from Heritage Park to Boling Park. • Masterplan for Harmon Park improvements. • Trail master plan to incorporate Riverstone and The Bluffs. • Citywide sidewalk plan.

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Improving Infrastructure for Future Demand

Citizens, businesses and visitors need access to the Canton infrastructural network to succeed in their goals. Transportation, power supply, gas availability, water and sewer, and digital connectivity are part of building a great network for success.

Accomplishments from 2020:

• Continuation on improving concerns with inflow and infiltration of stormwater into the sewer system. • Booster pump stations at Laurel Canyon and Amos Road started. • New cell tower at The Bluffs. • Working with Councilor JoEllen Wilson on transportation improvements that included an award for design funding of improvements on State Route 140 at Riverstone/ Marietta Highway. • Public WiFi at City Parks using CARES Act funding.

On the horizon:

• $65M Sewer Plant Expansion begins. • Engineering on road improvements at Reinhardt College Parkway and State Route 140. • Completion of Booster Pump Stations. • Moving to Automatic Meter Reading technology for utilities.

Leading with Excellence City council, staff and citizen boards will foster civic participation and serve ethically, transparently, responsibly and efficiently.

Accomplishments from 2020:

• The Roadmap for Canton’s Future. • Virtual shift during pandemic. • Two city council retreats and a full slate of elected officials. • Hired Lauren Johnson to serve in the communications and marketing specialist position. • New assistant city manager, Nathan Ingram. • Promoted Stephen Merrifield to police chief and Wendel Turner to deputy chief. • Promoted Melissa Forrester to finance director. • Continued operations with the lowest millage rate in the area.

On the horizon:

• Eliminating the planning commission. • Achievement of solid bond ratings (Aa2 for the City, and Aa3 and AA- for the utilities). • New board and commission appointments. • A new city website. • Improving employee benefits.

A Night Out at Elm Street BY JUSTIN SPAINHOUR-ROTH

Picture it: You’re in downtown Woodstock, 2021. It’s a mild spring night with just the right amount of chill in the air, perfect for a light jacket. You’ve been invited to share a table at an upcoming Lantern Series concert on the Elm Street Event Green with seven of your favorite people. As you’re taking in the good conversation, company and delicious food, a sound piques your interest. Focusing in, you notice the pre-concert video showcasing a style of music that you’ve never heard before. Your foot starts to tap to the rhythm, and you can’t help but smile at how much fun you’re having in that moment. The sun begins to set, coloring the sky a deep and gorgeous orange; you sit on the edge of your chair, awaiting a night of music and entertainment you’ll spend the rest of your weekend thinking about. Scenes like that are the reason we offer tables at our Lantern Series concerts. Now that I’m finished being Sophia Petrillo from “The Golden Girls” (I must admit I’m more of a Rose), I want to tell you why I opened with that story. Experiences are what shape us and create memories, moments and connections. That’s why I pursued theater in my undergraduate studies - I understood just how much a musical or play could have an impact on the audience members sitting on the other side of the auditorium. That’s true for any art form, whether it be music, art, or even a comedy show. At Elm Street, our mission is centered around bringing different arts experiences to our fellow community members. We share a collective passion for empowering, engaging, inspiring, and educating through the arts. That’s something that excites us immensely, and I love getting to share that with people. By sharing your passion, you help others find their passion, or rekindle one that they might not have thought about for years. What’s something you’re passionate about? You might just find out at your next night out at Elm Street, like an upcoming Lantern Series concert with trio Time for Three or Little Texas, or our newly launched monthly comedy series, The Lasting Laugh!

Justin Spainhour-Roth, marketing manager for Elm Street Cultural Arts Village, has a bachelor of arts in communication in musical theater from Bowling Green State University.

UPCOMING AT ELM STREET

Freaky Friday

The Lasting Laugh

Musical | Theatre Season

Comedy | Theatre Season

Recommended for ages 13+

NEW!

MAR 11-14, 2021

MAR 20, 2021

Time For Three Classical Pop | Lantern Series

MAR 27, 2021

Classic Country | Lantern Series

LITTLE TEXAS

APR 24, 2021 TABLES SEATING UP TO 6 & 8

PLUS INDIVIDUAL SEATS AVAILABLE!

ELMSTREETARTS.ORG | 678.494.4251 AROUND CANTON | March 2021

School News

Online Kindergarten Registration Available

The Cherokee County School District has opened online registration for 2021-22 kindergarten students, as well as first graders new to the school district. The district’s Registration Gateway allows parents to log in from home via CCSD’s website, and get enrollment forms filled out online, rather than filling them out by hand while waiting at a school office. At this time, kindergarten registration is solely for enrollment purposes and will not include a preference for face-to-face or digital instruction; enrolling your child ensures you will be kept informed of CCSD plans for any alternative models of instruction as they are announced. Children who turn 5 on or before Sept. 1 are eligible for kindergarten, and children who turn 6 on or before Sept. 1 will be registered for first grade (registration for first grade is only necessary if a child has not attended a CCSD school the previous year). Parents of students with special circumstances may consult with their child’s principal for more information. The online registration process takes about 15-20 minutes. Required documents (birth certificate, proof of residency, etc.) will be brought to the follow-up appointment at the school for verification; once you have uploaded your documents, please contact your child’s school for next steps to finalize registration. In-person appointments began March 1. Virtual appointments will be available upon request, if needed. For more information about CCSD kindergarten, go to tinyurl.com/3ls4e32h.

Celebrating the award are, from left: Creekview High School Principal Sue Zinkil, who serves as President of GASSP; Isobel Mason, Huff with her winning design, GASPP Executive Director Alan Long and Woodstock High School Principal Mark Smith.

Senior Wins Statewide Design Contest Savannah Huff, a Woodstock High School senior, was the winner of a statewide design contest, earning a grant for her school’s graphic design program. Huff created the top design entered into the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals’ (GASSP) rebranding contest. Middle and high school students in CTAE (Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education) classes around the state had the opportunity to design a new logo for the professional association. Huff is in the graphic design program led by teacher Isobel Mason, the school’s 2020 Teacher of the Year, and earned a $1,000 grant for the program through the contest.

Woodstock - Towne Lake 145 Towne Lake Pkwy Suite 201

(770) 592-5554

Find us near you at SmileDoctors.com

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Canton

205 Waleska Rd Suite 1-A

(770) 345-4155

Michael D. Williams, DMD, MS Sunya Sweeney, DMD

Same Day Braces 0% Interest

Se habla Español Smile Doctors of Georgia - Dana E. Fender, D.M.D.

@ the Library

ROSE CREEK 4476 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, 770-591-1491

Sequoyah Regional Library System www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org

March 10

All libraries are open to the public with new service hours.

March 24-26

Each location in the Sequoyah Regional Library System - including Ball Ground, Hickory Flat and Rose Creek - has reopened with limited service hours, and new guidelines to keep visitors and staff safe. Please visit sequoyahregionallibrary.org to view the most up-to-date hours. Library holds may still be picked up with a pre-arranged appointment time from locations using Sequoyah Sidewalk Service.

2020 tax forms available.

Sequoyah Regional Library System provides limited quantities of federal tax forms as a public service. Georgia tax forms are available online, and copies of some forms can be printed at the library. A small fee is charged for printer usage. Availability of certain tax forms is not guaranteed. Please visit sequoyahregionallibrary.org/tax/ for more information.

The Women’s History Month reading challenge.

Celebrate Women’s History Month at the library by exploring diverse books, eBooks and audiobooks. During March, dive into award-winning titles by women authors and log your reading online with Beanstack. Adults, teens and children can participate by visiting sequoyahregionallibrary.beanstack.org or downloading the Beanstack app. Earn digital badges, and win prizes in the process.

Create a paper flower garden with the Flower Power Craft Take-andMake. Instructions are included. Pick up the Framed Bunny Silhouette Take-and-Make materials to make a bunny silhouette craft to enjoy all spring. For ages 16 and older.

WOODSTOCK March 9-21

Get cozy with the Hygge Felt Flower Sign Take-and-Make. Glue is not provided.

March 16-21

Celebrate Read Across America with Dr. Seuss and the Fox in Socks

Puppet Take-and-Make.

March 30-April 1

Celebrate National Craft Month with the BFG Dream Catchers Take-and-Make. Create a dreamcatcher, just like in the book “The BFG” by Roald Dahl.

R.T. JONES 116 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton, 770-479-3090

Through March 26

Let your babies and toddlers explore with this DIY sensory bag. The Lava Lamp Sensory Bags Take-and-Make comes with all of the ingredients you’ll need to make a lava lamp sensory bag at home.

Through March 31

De-stress with the Water Bead Stress Balls Take-and-Make DIY stress ball kit using water beads and latex balloons.

HICKORY FLAT March 17

2740 E. Cherokee Drive, Canton, 770-345-7565

Let your creativity swim with a St. Patrick’s Rainbow Fish Takeand-Make craft bag. Each kit contains supplies to start a colorful Rainbow Fish weaving activity, plus a few items to help decorate it. For ages 12 and younger.

Pick up library crafts all month.

All library locations are offering pickup crafts during March, while supplies last. They make the perfect family activity. Grab yours at the front desk or outside using Sequoyah Sidewalk Service. Visitors are advised to wear protective face coverings and follow social distancing guidelines. View the full pick-up schedule at calendarwiz. com/sequoyahreglib.

7735 Main St., Woodstock, 770-926-5859

BALL GROUND March 5

435 Old Canton Road, Ball Ground, 770-735-2025

Pick up the Rainbow Wind Catcher Take-and-Make materials and instructions.

March 17-19

Grab a Cubist Clover Painting Take-and-Make to create a cubiststyle painting inspired by St. Patrick’s Day and Irish abstract artist Mary Swanzy! These kits can be adapted for all ages and skill levels. AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Cherokee Family Violence Center Offers Refuge, Place of Healing BY SUSAN BROWNING SCHULZ

Kim has escaped domestic violence and shares her story. “From the very first encounter with Cherokee Family Violence Center (CFVC), I was greeted with kindness, compassion, and comfort,” she said. “At CFVC, the Lord provided a safe place, free of judgment. I began to heal in every aspect of my life:

physical, emotional and financial. I even got legal support when I needed it.” Stories like Kim’s exemplify the mission of the nonprofit center, which opened in the 1980s. Since its beginnings, the CFVC has worked to enhance “the safety of those impacted by intimate partner violence through services that empower victims while advocating for a community standard of zero violence in the home.” In 2020, more than 2,000 domestic violence survivors and their families received services through the CFVC. With that help, women like Kim are able to move on with more productive lives. “In every city, ZIP code, neighborhood, class, race and economic level, domestic violence is there,” said Andi Edwards, a volunteer at the CFVC. “It steals lives, hope and freedom from people who deserve more. Ignoring that fact just allows abusers to thrive. Speaking the truth is the key to freeing our society from this prison, but it is our responsibility to ensure that no one is left behind. I take that seriously.” Kim is a mother of eight who now enjoys a full life, thanks to the help she received from the Cherokee Family Violence Center.

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Standing among the silhouettes are volunteers, from left: Brian and Wendy Hatfield, Edythe and Cecil Miller, and John Amantea.

The CFVC provides free resources, including: • crisis hotlines for English and Spanish speakers. • safe and secure emergency shelter, and in-person crisis counseling. • support groups for adults and children. • legal services, emergency protective orders and court accompaniment. • linguistically competent services for immigrant victims provided by culturally informed staff. • income-based, supportive housing and household establishment assistance. • emergency financial assistance and public benefits application assistance. • individualized safety planning. • educational programs on domestic violence, mindfulness, intimate partner violence and financial literacy. • advocacy with other agencies like the Cherokee County School District, health care providers, legal advocates, law enforcement and the Division of Family and Children Services. “We work closely with domestic violence agencies across North Georgia to assure that anyone who needs domestic violence resources gets the support they need,” said Stephanie Villasenor, outreach and volunteer coordinator. “We have amazing volunteers, and plenty of ways to plug in.” Wendy Hatfield, leader of her church’s outreach committee, loves to serve at the CFVC. “I chose this nonprofit, because I wanted to reach those who may be passed over. My favorite projects are organizing the storage room and donations,” she said. “I also led a project to refurbish 22 silhouettes for the yearly vigil in downtown Canton during Domestic Violence Awareness month (October). Each silhouette stands as a silent witness to the event and represents Cherokee County victims who lost their lives to domestic violence. Last year, the firstever virtual vigil was held. Social media efforts reached more than 12,000 people.” During the pandemic, it hasn’t been easy balancing the ever-increasing needs of the clients while trying to keep them and the staff healthy. For example, communal cooking in the emergency shelter had to be eliminated, creating a need for restaurant gift cards to feed residents. Also, the center has seen an increase in the amounts paid to Cherokee County hotels to secure emergency shelter. Learn about opportunities to help by calling 770-479-1804, or visit www.CFVC.org. If you, or someone you know, needs help with an escape plan, please call the 24/7 Crisis Hotline: 770-479-1704 (English), 770-720-7050 (Spanish) or 800-33-HAVEN.

Susan Schulz is a wife, mom, writer and mentor who lives and plays along the Etowah River in Canton. She loves serving at Woodstock City Church. Connect with her at www.susanbrowningschulz.com.

CANNED MEATS PASTA SAUCE · BEANS CORN · GREEN BEANS CONDENSED SOUP CHUNKY SOUP · CHILI CANNED PASTA · MAC & CHEESE · BEEF STEW Our urgent food supply is disappearing quickly! Can you donate today?

MARIETTA · 1280 Field Pkwy CANTON · 111 Brown Ind. Pkwy

www.mustministries.org AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Talking Trash

Lake Allatoona Association Volunteers Wrap Up Study BY LINDA HARTSFIELD

The Lake Allatoona Association’s (LAA) Lake Warriors, established in late 2018, is a group of volunteers who collect and remove trash in and around the lake year-round, especially during fall and winter months when the lake levels are lowest. During the 2020 fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2019, through Sept. 30, 2020), the Lake Warriors volunteered 660 hours to collect and remove 805 bags of trash (8 tons) and 98 tires from the Cherokee County portion of Allatoona. The majority of the 731 bags of trash (7.3 tons) and 40 tires collected and removed was from the Little River and Noonday Creek areas. Based on several years of recorded data, the LAA, and the Lake Warriors, are confident that these two tributaries are major trash entrance points to Lake Allatoona, more so than any other tributaries. During the summer of 2020, volunteers (specifically Craig Myers, Bryan Topper and Megan Topper) began concentrating their trash removal efforts in the Noonday Creek and Little River areas, and have been very productive. A six-month trash study of Noonday Creek was launched Sept. 1, 2020, using a simple containment boom installed. The goal was to collect data, including the trash volume and contents, to determine the best ways to capture and remove the trash. 50

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

A look at debris that was collected by the weir/boom.

Other factors studied included water flow - during normal conditions and heavy rainfalls and debris content, to determine if a simple boom structure is adequate or if other methods are required. Ease, frequency of cleanout, and maintenance issues also were considered. Initially, Lake Warrior volunteers monitored the trapped litter on a daily basis, and eventually moved to a weekly schedule. More than 40 volunteers were involved, and Megan Topper has documented the volunteers’ findings. For example, Myers reported that when it rained, a bag of trash was collected daily, including hundreds of plastic bottles, Styrofoam, volleyballs, tennis balls and more. The trash study ended Feb. 28, and volunteers are analyzing the data for a future report. LAA’s long-term goal is to engage cities, counties, communities and individuals within the Allatoona watershed, to help keep the lake clean. Residents of specific communities can sponsor areas near them.

LAA and the Lake Warriors thank Woodstock’s parks and recreation department for constructing and placing an informational sign at the trash study site along the Noonday Creek Trail System off Towne Lake Parkway. The sign and the containment boom have piqued interest from trail users, and some have become volunteer monitors and recorders. Continued growth within the Lake Allatoona watershed is expected to result in more trash in the lake. A focus on educating individuals, contractors, communities and cities on proper disposal of trash should help the problem. The LAA and Lake Warriors are working to find an economically efficient method of keeping trash from entering Noonday Creek and other tributaries around Allatoona Lake. Linda Hartsfield, an LAA board member, has been retired three years from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after more than 41 years of service.

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Around & About MARCH

The Cherokee County School District’s Virtual Job Fair is set for 9 a.m.-noon, with a focus on

hiring teachers, bus drivers, school nurses and nutrition workers for the 2021-22 school year. Watch for details at www.cherokeek12.net and on social media.

2021 Celebration of Education Gala, a

black-tie event and fundraiser for the Cherokee County Educational Foundation, will be held virtually. Last year’s gala raised $80,000; all proceeds are funneled to the students and staff of the Cherokee County School District through grant programs. For more information, visit www.cherokeecountyeducationalfoundation.org.

Flashlight Egg Hunt starts at 6 p.m. at

Cherokee Veterans Park for children up to age 12. $10 per child. Event includes food trucks, vendors, music, face painting, crafts, kid zone and a visit with the Easter Bunny. Sponsored by the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency. Registration is open, contact bmbarcomb@cherokeega.com. The Cherokee Music Teachers Association will hold a meeting at Reinhardt’s Falany Performing Arts Center at 10 a.m., followed by a program on Russian Romanticism, presented by Dr. Raffi Besalyn, assistant professor of piano at Georgia State University. The program is free, the public is welcome. For more information on the association, contact Linda Lokey at linda@lokey.net.

CASA Superhero Run takes place at 600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton. Put on your cape and run, walk, fly, hop, skip, crawl or cartwheel your way across the finish line. Options for virtual or in-person runs. Register at https://racemob.com/races/210990-casa-superhero-run.

The Cherokee Chorale presents Sunrise Mass and Consider the Lilies, livestream at 4 p.m. There’s a $10 access fee. Visit CherokeeChorale.org for more information.

to Success in Summer Vegetable 25 Secrets Gardens, noon-1:30 p.m., presented by the UGA

Master Gardeners Extension Volunteers of Cherokee County. Other scheduled seminars include Cutting Gardens on April 30 and Container Gardening on May 28. All classes are free. Pre-registration is required at https:// bit.ly/3nCVNRC.

Extravaganza at the 27 Eggs-traordinary Cherokee County Aquatic Center 2-5 p.m. Cost:

$10 per child. Underwater Egg Hunt 2:30-5 p.m. (4-12 52

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

years old). Register for a 15-minute time slot. Outside Egg Hunt 2:15-2:30 p.m. (0-3 years old). There will be bounce houses, face painting, games, music, and the opportunity to take a picture with the Easter Bunny! Times and registration are on the website: www.playcherokee.org/264/Eggstraordinary-Extravaganza

APRIL egg hunt at Woodmont Golf and Country 3 Evening Club, 3105 Gaddis Road, Canton. Open to the public.

The night before Easter, bring the little ones to search for eggs on the driving range. There will be a bounce house, free popcorn and music on the outdoor lawn area beginning at 6:30 p.m. Egg hunt begins at dusk or approximately 7:30 p.m. For more information, contact robert.gilbreath@ woodmontgolfclub.com.

The Market @ The Mill continues first Tuesdays of

Unwind Wednesdays is a new event for 2021, and

each month through October. Hours are 5:30-8:30 p.m. Details available on Facebook at The Mill On Etowah page.

features food trucks and market night at Veterans Park. Continues the first Wednesdays of each month through October. For details, follow the Revival Events Group page on Facebook.

A golf tournament fundraiser for the Woodstock Chapter of the Marine Corps League will be held at Cobblestone Golf Club, 4200 Nance Road, Acworth. Proceeds go to scholarship funds that allow youth to pursue a college education. For more information, call tournament director Ron Welborn at 404-217-2246, or email harry123130@gmail.com.

Golf tournament benefitting the Malon D. Mims Boys and Girls Club begins with a shotgun start at 9 a.m., registration at 8 a.m. at BridgeMill Athletic Club. Breakfast and lunch provided, cocktail reception after play. To register, go to www.bgcma.org/cherokeegolf.

WOODSTOCK SUMMER CONCERT SERIES The free concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater. More details at www.woodstockconcertseries.com.

May 8: Christopher Cross June 12: Black Jacket Symphony will perform Tom Petty’s “Damn the Torpedoes”

July 9: The Ultimate Queen Celebration with Marc Martel

Aug. 14: Steep Canyon Rangers Sept. 18: Rumours, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band ELM STREET CULTURAL ARTS March 11-14

www.elmstreetarts.org

“Disney’s Freaky Friday: The Musical.” When an

uber-organized mother and her spontaneous teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they have just one day to put things right. Recommended for ages 13 and older (language, mild content).

March 19

iThink Improv Troupe is back and ready to get audiences

rolling down the aisle with laughter. and there will be plenty of room to do that with audience seating spaced out in the theater. Recommended for ages 10 and older (content).

March 20

The Lasting Laugh is a new hybrid comedy series that

brings in two different Atlanta-based comedians monthly with Jessica It’s All Good as the host. Streaming through April 3 at 11:59 p.m. Recommended for ages 12 and older (content).

CHEROKEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.cherokeechamber.com

Good Morning Cherokee breakfasts held at 7 a.m. monthly, except July. March 4, April 1, May 6, June 3, Aug. 5, Sept. 2, Oct. 7, Nov. 4, Dec. 2. Meeting at First Baptist Church Woodstock through June. Power Hour Networking, held at the Chamber

office, 3605 Marietta Highway, Canton, 10-11 a.m. March 9, April 16, May 4, June 17, July 29, Aug. 2, Sept. 16, Oct. 5, Nov. 10 and Dec. 16.

LANTERN SERIES At the Elm Street Event Green in Woodstock; shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Check for updates at www.elmstreetarts.org.

March 27: Time for Three April 17: VoicePlay April 24: Little Texas May 1: Crystal Bowersox May 15: Gina Chavez May 22: JigJam June 5: Swedish Jam Factory June 26: Laila Biali

WOODSTOCK BUSINESS CLUB Meets weekly 8:30-9:30 a.m. Thursdays in the lounge of Hartman Law Firm, 145 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 200, Woodstock 30188. Follow on Facebook.

FRESH START CHEROKEE @ THE CIRCUIT 1 Innovation Way, Woodstock. 770-345-0600. www.circuitwoodstock.com/events.

1 Million Cups Cherokee (1MC) Cherokee Held in person, and on Facebook Live. The free, biweekly coffee gathering helps build startup communities on a grassroots level. Visit www.1millioncups.com/Cherokee for more details.

Learning Community

Book study meets the second Thursday of the month at the Circuit, at 10:30 a.m.

IN WDSTK www.inwdstk.org.

Morning INFluence

Breakfast is served at the Morning INfluence the last Friday of every month, 8-9 a.m. Morning INfluence is a networking event, which includes a brief presentation focusing on updates given by Greater Woodstock on important issues or services offered that affect the community. RSVP is required; seating is limited.

YPOW AM

Join Young Professionals of Woodstock every Thursday, 7-8:30 a.m. at The Circuit, for coffee and networking that features an informal chat with a local leader. RSVP is required; seating is limited. AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Advertisers

For advertising rates and information Jennifer Coleman 678-279-5502 Jennifer@AroundaboutMagazines.com

March 2021

ACCOUNTING & TAX

CREDIT UNION

Denson Pepper, CPA 678-797-5241 www.densonpeppercpa.com

Treasure Tax 678-888-4829 www.treasuretax.com

ATTORNEYS Imbriale Injury Law 678-445-7423 www.imbrialeinjury.com

AUDIOLOGY At Home Hearing Dr. Jan Henriques, 770-325-3763 North Georgia Audiology & Hearing Aid Center 770-726-8948 www.yourhearinglink.com

AUTOMOTIVE BridgeMill Auto Care Canton location: 770-720-0765 East Cobb location: 770-641-9906

BEAUTY SALON & SPA Salon La Faye 678-880-0113 www.salonlafaye.com

19, 33

Innovation Spot, The Inside front 770-262-3668 www.theinnovationspot.com IN WDSTK www.inwdstk.org

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

19, 21

Gentle Dental Care and Georgia Dental Implant Center Inside back 770-926-2784 www.georgiadic.com Smile Doctors by Williams Orthodontics 46 Woodstock: 770-592-5554 Canton: 770-345-4155 www.smiledoctors.com EDUCATION/TRAINING Chattahoochee Technical College 770-528-4545 www.chattahoocheetech.edu

ENTERTAINMENT/RECREATION

Darby Funeral Home 770-479-2193 www.darbyfuneralhome.com

11, 19

HEALTH & WELLNESS JianKang Spa and Massage 770-779-9158 www.jiankangmassage.com

Your CBD Store Canton 770-704-0550 www.cantonga.cbdrx4u.com

HOME & GARDEN Bryan Plumbing Services 770-826-5277

Calvary Landscaping & Irrigation 770-720-1727 or 770-827-0346

City Painting and Construction 7 770-462-9077 www.citypaintingandconstruction.com

Cherokee Theatre Company 770-591-0282 www.cherokeetheatre.org

Mr. Junk 678-675-8651 www.mrjunk1.com

Elm Street Cultural Arts Village 678-494-4251 www.elmstreetarts.org

PebbleStone 5 678-708-7894 www.pebblestonepros.com

S3 Volleyball www.s3volleyball.com

Sundance Pressure and Seal 22 O: 770-720-2303 C: 404-771-0071 www.sundancepressureandseal.com

INSURANCE

FINANCIAL SERVICES Citadel Professional Services, LLC 770-952-6707 www.CitadelWealthCare.com

Scrappy’s Junk Removal 678-330-9282 www.scrappysjunkremoval.com

Edward Jones, Sarah Kendall 1 770-720-6245 www.edwardjones.com/sarah-kendall

The Piedmont Group Cover, 28-29 Paul Kill, 770-757-3313 www.thepiedmontgroups.com

CHIROPRACTIC DT Chiropractic Daniel Turner, DC, 770-580-0123 www.dtchiropractic.com

BridgeMill Dentistry 770-704-1812 www.bridgemilldentistry.com

Suntex /Little River Marina 770-345-2900 www.littlerivermarina.com

BUSINESS SUPPORT Downtown Canton www.cantonga.gov

18, 27

DENTAL

ANIMALS/PETS Cherokee County Animal Shelter www.cherokeega-animals.org

Credit Union of Georgia www.cuofga.org

FUNERAL HOMES

Farmers Insurance Michael Thomas 678-880-9985

OPTOMETRY Marietta Eye Clinic 770-479-2195 www.mariettaeye.com

For information on all of our titles, visit

www.aroundaboutlocalmedia.com PHOTOGRAPHY J. King Images 404-384-2794 www.jkingimages.com

Plastic Surgery Center of the South 44 770-421-1242 www.plasticsurgerycenterofthesouth.net 3

REAL ESTATE & RELATED SERVICES ERA Zack Bobo 770-876-2790 www.zackbobo.com

RESTAURANTS

PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL SERVICES

Prestige Medical Group 706-692-9768 www.prestigemedicalgroup.org

REMAX Town & Country, Charmon Young 404-538-5734 www.charmonyoung.com

Your Pie Pizza 678-880-6650 www.yourpie.com/stores/canton

RETAIL

Golf Cars of Canton 678-880-1156 www.golfcarsofcanton.com

Life Balance Personal Care Home 1 C: 706-224-2125 O: 678-426-8187 www.lifebalancepersonalcarehome.com Manor Lake BridgeMill 678-990-5055 www.manorlakebr.com

SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS

Clayton Homestead Feed & Seed 770-479-4411 www.claytonhomestead.us Cotton Mill Exchange 770-992-9294 www.cottonmillexchange.net

SENIOR LIVING/SENIOR SERVICES

9, 19

Back cover

Goshen Homes www.goshenvalley.org/homes

MUST Ministries www.mustministries.org

Next Step Ministries www.nextstepministries.net

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Since 1996, we have brought relevant, uplifting and reader-driven content to readers. We publish Around Acworth, Around Canton, Around Woodstock and TowneLaker. 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. It is our heartfelt desire to contribute to the fabric that helps make a community happen. Through our magazines,

we aim to provide everyone in the communities we serve with uplifting, interesting information about the community they are proud to call home. We encourage you to send us your photos, ideas, stories or anything else you think the community would like to know about. It’s your community. It’s your magazine. Look on page 6 for our contact information.

OUR PHOTOGRAPHY PARTNERS We work with some of the best professional photographers in the business.

Jerry King J. King Images 404-384-2794 www.jkingimages.com

AROUND CANTON | March 2021

Beth Fornuto Beth Fornuto Photography 770-846-3848 www.bethfornuto.com

Heather Stevens Joyful Day Photography 678-947-1200 www.joyfuldayphoto.com

Abigail Peyton www.apeytonphotography.com

3-21 Around Canton webfinal.pdf

Articles inside

Community Calendar

Library Events

Linda Hartsfield

School News

Justin Spainhour-Roth

County Commission Highlights

Dr. Jonathan Gilvarry

Harry Johnston

Celebrations

Rabbi Daniel Dorsch

Don Akridge

Everyday Angels

Pages 28

Noteworthy

Community News

Ashley Velez

Leslie Powell

Cherokee Office of Economic Development

Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists

Around Canton

Jeannie Cordaro