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Cover photo by Brian Nejedly.

LIVING WISER IN RETIREMENT

Never underestimate the impact that a wise decision can have over time. Even in retirement, our choices can determine how well we continue to live in the future.

If you’re considering moving to a retirement community, it’s never been more important to make a wise decision — one that takes into consideration all of the aspects that contribute to a happy, healthy lifestyle. At St. George Village, we take pride in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, with a wide range of activities, services and amenities to address individual needs. Additionally, our LifePlan structure offers the peace of mind that comes with protection of financial assets, as well as the assurance of continuing care. A decision to move to St. George Village is a choice to live confidently and independently in retirement.

Learn more about how St. George Village can be a wise investment for your retirement. Call 678-987-0409 for details. (Visit us at stgeorgevillage.org, and on Facebook to get a closer look at our lifestyle of active engagement.)

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Around Towne

Readers’ Choice 2023!

Nominations open March 1. See page 24 for details.

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What’s New

Whataburger has opened at 9766 Highway 92, next to Chick-fil-A. This location is the second of nine Atlanta franchises to open this year. The restaurant opened with drive-through service only, with plans to roll out additional options, including dining room access, ordering via the Whataburger app or website, curbside and delivery. www.whataburger.com

What’s Changing

Woodstock Fire & Rescue Chief Dave Soumas is retiring. Soumas has served Woodstock’s residents as a member of the Woodstock Fire Department since 1988. He is the longest tenured chief in city history, and has contributed so much to the personal development of first responders, as well as the department’s ability to serve citizens.

Kudos

Woodstock officials have combined the city’s information technology (IT) department with the geographic information systems (GIS) and named former GIS Manager Katy Leggett as the organization’s first chief information officer. The decision was made after IT Director Jeff Smith’s retirement was announced in January. Leggett will lead the combined department in implementing a more proactive, data-driven strategy, while ensuring greater organizational efficiency.

Shannon Wallace was appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp as the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit’s newest Superior Court judge. She has served as the circuit’s district attorney for the past 10 years.

kim@aroundaboutmagazines.com

History Cherokee won two awards given by the Georgia Association of Museums. The first award recognized the documentary, “The Way it Was: Stories of Cherokee County’s Desegregation,” created in partnership with Scrapbook Video Productions. The other Special Project Award was presented for the new Cherokee County History Center exhibits. www.historycherokee.org

IN WDSTK Ribbon Cutting

www.townelaker.com

Letter From the Editor

In this issue, you’ll be reading a portion of Mayor Michael Caldwell’s State of the City address. As our leaders present plans for the future, I found the following bit of news refreshing.

Holly Springs, Woodstock and Cherokee County are coming together to carefully plan development on Sixes Road near the Interstate 575 interchange. Nearly 100 acres in the southeast quadrant of the interchange are prime for strong commercial and employment opportunities, but city and county leaders have agreed to take a collaborative look and plan together to make sure quality development comes to that area.

Cherokee County and Holly Springs officials have approved separate moratoriums to temporarily pause development in the area while a joint plan is created. Woodstock is expected to approve a moratorium as well but had not done so at press time.

On March 25, Cherokee County will hold a public hearing on the moratorium at 6 p.m. at 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton (www.cherokeega.com/boc). More evidence that our county and city leaders are keeping residents in mind as plans are made to develop our amazing county.

This news is a reminder that, while our government officials are eager to expand and grow our county, they remain mindful of the need to make choices that benefit the residents.

Because of our deadlines, we aren’t

able to include information we receive right before our press dates. That doesn’t matter, though, because our focus is to take the news and dive a little deeper to tell the story behind the story. When the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce announced that our friend Kendall Jones was chosen as the First Citizen, we wanted you to get to know him a little better and hear his heart for helping others. Meet Kendall on Pages 36-37.

In an effort to cover all the good things our youth are working on, Content Editor Jessica Forrester caught up with the Firestorm Robotics team, which started as Etowah Electric Eagles FRC 6341. Now the community team is open to all Cherokee and Cobb County high school students. Read about its current competition and the lifechanging impact it has on students on Pages 20-21.

It might be a bit of a stretch as a segue, but the long-range planning I am undertaking personally involves making better food choices. I thought you’d be happy to know I’m not eating anything as I’m writing this letter. The reality of the “heaviness” of the holidays has hit me. The truth is there are no sweets in the cupboard now, so I have no choice. In case y’all started to worry about me, never fear. The upcoming May cruise has Glenn and me in delayed-gratification mode. Here’s to the gratification that will come with that first buffet meal on the ship!

executive editor of Aroundabout Local Media. She has lived in Cherokee County since 1987. Send your comments or questions to candi@aroundaboutmagazines.com.

Aroundabout Local Media, Inc. (ALM) publishes five hyperlocal magazines serving the communities of Canton, Woodstock, Towne Lake, Acworth and Kennesaw. Approximately 16,000 free copies are distributed monthly in each community, through direct bulk mail and first class mail; approximately 500 copies are available in magazine racks placed around each community.

TowneLaker welcomes your comments, stories, and advertisements. Editorial deadline is the first and advertising deadline is the fifth of the previous month. Subscriptions are available for $24 per year. Send check or money order to: TowneLaker, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, PMB 380, Suite 620, Woodstock, GA 30189. The viewpoints of the advertisers, writers and other submissions do not necessarily reflect those of the editor/publisher. And the publisher makes no

America’s Community Magazine

Volume 27, Issue 5

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Local Athlete Leads the Way

Erica Revalski of Woodstock won two gold medals in Special Olympic DanceSport, when she represented Cherokee County and Georgia Special Olympics at the championship event in Salt Lake City, recently.

Revalski has been involved with Special Olympics for 10 years. In addition to DanceSport, the 30-year-old has participated in softball, basketball, volleyball, bowling, kayaking, golf and alpine skiing.

DanceSport is a newly sanctioned sport for Special Olympics North America and currently is in two states: Utah and Georgia. Cherokee County Special Olympics has the first competitive team in the state and is hosting a DanceSport Invitational in the spring, under the leadership of DanceSport head coach and coordinator Laura Baker Mikszan.

Revalski traveled with her coach and her parents, Stephen and Lee Ann Revalski, to Salt Lake City, where she competed with more than 50 dancers from Utah. After winning a gold medal in the solo dance category and a gold medal in the LaBlast dance category, Revalski was interviewed by Miss Utah 2022-23 Lindsey Larsen, the mistress of ceremonies. Larsen asked the dancer, “How are you feeling?” Revalski replied, “I’m feeling happy, excited, and proud of myself!”

Awards Honor Public Servants

The Woodstock Police Department (WPD) recently held its annual awards banquet, when department personnel were recognized for their outstanding achievements in 2022. While many awards and recognitions were presented throughout the night, the following received annual awards signifying their great work and contributions to the WPD:

• Supervisor of the Year: Lt. Ron Sinfelt

• Officer of the Year: Officer Josh Buckner

• Rookie of the Year: Officer Justin Hinkle

• Civilian of the Year: Valerie Williams

• Volunteer of the Year: Tori Hand

• Legacy Award: Calvin W. Moss, Woodstock’s Chief of Police, 2012-22

Distinguished Service Awards are given to employees who demonstrate consistent outstanding performance over a period of time, or through a significant act/achievement demonstrating the highest level of dedication to the department/community. Receiving this award were: Lt. Mike deCocq, Sgt. Ron Hughes, Cpl. Madeline Brown, Officer Yvonne Letzin and Officer Ledarrion Poole.

Departmental commendations went to Mary Ogg, Art Ogg, Amberly Robinette, Detective Marsha Allen and Officer JoAn Willingham.

Erica Revalski, left, celebrates with Lindsey Larsen and Laura Baker Mikszan.

From left, Capt. Matt O’Keefe, Chief of Police Robert Jones, former Chief Calvin Moss and Assistant Chief Mark Hand.

Valerie Williams

Justin Hinkle

Josh Buckner

Ron Sinfelt

From left, Capt. Matt O’Keefe, Assistant Chief of Police Mark Hand, Woodstock Public Safety Foundation board member Tori Hand and Chief Robert Jones.

Celebrations!

ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE FREE!

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Amelia

March 1

Happy seventh birthday, Amelia!

We love you so much!

Gappa and Nonnie

Nicholas Ronan Mendonca Wharton

Welcome to the world, Nicholas!

Mommy and Daddy love you so much!

Ava

Happy fifth birthday, Ava.

We love you so, so much!

Mommy, Daddy and Charlotte

Feb. 22

Happy sixth birthday, Jack!

We love you so much and are so proud of you!

Mom, Dad and Maggie

Cree

Happy fifth birthday, Cree, the driver!

We love you so much.

Mommy and Daddy

March 27, 1973

Happy 50th birthday!

We love you so much!

Love, your family

March 29

Happy birthday!

We love you to the moon and back.

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Anthony Falkowski

Jack Tucker

Kristy Giardina

A New Circle of Friends

Connecting Actors, Film Crew With Local Nonprofit

BY CHERYL MCKAY PRICE

When the opportunity came to write the freshman season of a six-episode TV series, “These Stones,” it opened the door for me to feature a variety of landmarks in Cherokee County. (If you missed last month’s article, visit https://townelaker.com/ archives. You can read more about “These Stones” at stoneimpactmedia.com.)

“These Stones” is a faith-based fictional series of half-hour episodes; each one features a present-day character being helped by a Bible character who shares a parallel experience as the person he or she is trying to help. The show gave us a chance to highlight relatable challenges like loss, grief, opioid addiction, alcoholism, how to face broken dreams and selfesteem issues.

Cast and crew with Circle of Friends staff after filming.

Cherokee Office of Economic Development’s Film Project Manager Molly Mercer, left, on set with Cheryl McKay Price.

When I first started meeting with others about the series, I had most of my meetings with actors and crew at the coffee shop, Circle of Friends. It’s nestled inside The Circuit, the co-working space at Chattahoochee Technical College in downtown Woodstock. Circle of Friends is run by adults with disabilities, and, since my first visit, I wanted to work it into a script. I talked to Glenn and Diane Keen, co-founders of Circle of Friends. Thankfully, they were very supportive of the idea of us doing a story in their cafe.

In the second episode, I wrote about a young man, Jimmy, with Down syndrome, who aches to have friends. He’s lonely because his mother is overprotective and keeps him home, for fear he’ll be made fun of or get hurt. Resistant to outsiders, she’s visited by a Bible character whose mother had to choose to give him up so he could impact the world. When a friendly 911 operator, played by Dexter Masland, shows up to do a wellness check on Jimmy, his mother finds out he’s been repeatedly calling the 911 dispatcher because he wants friends. The 911 operator tells her about Circle of Friends, suggesting her son get a job there where he will be accepted by others, make friends and have a chance to share the gift he can be to others in the world.

Out of the 25 days we filmed the series, the day we filmed the scene when Jimmy gets a job at the cafe became the favorite of the cast and crew. We had members of the Circle of Friends staff in the scene. They welcomed our actor playing Jimmy, David DeSanctis of “Where Hope Grows” and Hallmark’s “Color My World With Love,” into their fold.

Diane, Kaitie, Nick and the rest of the Circle of Friends staff were incredible and patient with all of us as we took over the space for a few hours to film.

We hung around the rest of the day to film additional scenes from the same episode. To do so, we staged the 911 call center in the Cherokee Office of Economic Development’s film office. We’re so thankful to the cafe staff, Cindy Holland of Chattahoochee Tech, Molly Mercer of Cherokee Office of Economic Development and her coworkers for their support and hospitality.

We hope featuring Circle of Friends on an episode will bring awareness to the outreach, as well as inspire others to start ventures like this all over the world.

My hope for the future is that we can make many seasons and grow our “These Stones” circle of friends — all those who are involved in our show — right here at home.

Cheryl McKay Price writes faith-based movies, TV shows and novels. She and her husband, Chris, have called Woodstock home since 2015. Their Woodstock-based production companies are Roads & Rivers Media and Stone Impact Media.

“These Stones” cast members at Circle of Friends Coffee Shop, from left: Madeline Carroll, David DeSanctis and Dexter Masland.

Cherokee Office of Economic Development’s film office is transformed into a 911 call center during filming.

Cheryl McKay Price with actor David DeSanctis, who plays Jimmy in “These Stones.”

In late January, Michael Caldwell delivered his 2023 State of the City address, outlining his top three priorities for this year — focusing on parks and trails, diversifying the commercial base and building generational wealth for citizens through home ownership. Here are some excerpts from the address. For the full transcript and a recording of the speech, visit www.woodstockga.gov/ news_detail_T15_R87.php.

A Message From the F

rom crime rates to the unemployment rate, from transportation projects to relationships with governments and the private sector, our city’s metrics are rapidly improving and continue toward record success.

We’ve built one of the most visited, attractive downtown destinations in the southeastern United States. The lives and livelihoods of a Woodstock family are better in nearly every way than ever before. The state of our city is stronger than ever, and our best days are still ahead.

Despite our city’s growth from a population of 23,000 in 2010 to more than 35,000 in 2020, I reported to you last year that our crime rate actually declined by nearly 45%. Catch that: Our population exploded, and we saw our crime cut in half. In the time since 2020, we’ve continued to see this trend. From 2019 through 2022, our crime rate has reduced by 29%, and year over year from 2021 to 2022, we saw a 12.5% reduction.

We received final approval from (the Georgia Department of Transportation) on our right-of-way acquisition to complete the connection of our existing Noonday Creek Trail to the Cobb County system, which will connect our city’s trails into the Silver Comet Trail and beyond. And, we expect to have this connection to Noonday Creek Trail completed in 2024.

In addition, Council has voiced loudly their intention to complete Little River Park. We have allocated more than $8 million of the upcoming special-purpose local-option sales tax to completing Phase 1 of Little River Park, and Council is adamant that they wish to see groundbreaking. We have finally laid the groundwork to make the “soon” on those “Little River Park Coming Soon” signs on Trickum Road actually mean soon.

The success of our local economy yielded more than 350 new business licenses in 2022, and I lost count of the number of ribbon cuttings that I took part in last year. In just the last five years, our city’s business revenue grew from $2.2 billion in 2017 to more than $3.2 billion in 2021.

To every Woodstocker who owns a business outside of town, it’s time for you to work a little closer to home. We’re working hard to bring the physical footprints and infrastructure you need to headquarter here. For both new and existing Woodstock businesses alike, we are intent on making sure that our city, like our state, is No. 1 for business. We need to hear from you. We have launched a brand new business recruitment form on our website (http://bit.ly/3HvIWg8), and I am looking forward to welcoming each of you here to our city.

We will build a deeper sense of place and connection to our community by attracting employers and jobs to allow more Woodstockers to work near home. In doing so, we will be staking out a secure, diversified commercial future for our city and reigniting the sense of community and pride of place that built an American century.

We will engage and prioritize the largest economic, wealthgenerating mechanism in human history: American home ownership. By making this appreciating asset more available to those who call Woodstock home, we will be creating a financially stable future for both our city and the families who live here, and we will be creating family treechanging wealth for our citizens.

We have built a place that people want to be, and we must now set out to build a place that will last.

— Mayor Michael Caldwell

Michael Caldwell is the 31st mayor of Woodstock, a retired state legislator, member of the Georgia Technology Authority, partner at Black Airplane, husband to Katie, and father to Oliver, Elizabeth and Charlotte.

The Songs Of John Prine

CREATING BEAUTIFUL SPACES, One Design at a Time

Stepping into DM Interiors and Design is a feast for the senses. Every corner of the bright and spacious 12,000-square-foot showroom is filled with home furnishings, fabrics, wallpaper, accent decor, artwork, rugs and more.

Owners Jared and Dawn Marcom are especially excited about the Hunter Douglas section of the store with expanded offerings of automated window coverings.

Designers and do-it-yourselfers are sure to find whatever is needed to update their homes, no matter how simple or extensive.

Want new blinds or shutters?

A 1,000-square-foot space is dedicated to Hunter Douglas products, complete with fullsize demonstration versions of customizable window-covering systems.

Need a designer to come to your home or business? The team of design professionals has more than 60 years of combined experience and works with each client to incorporate his or her individual design tastes with current trends.

Interested in wall coverings? Browse the extensive collection of more than 250 wallpaper books, with more than 50 selections in stock. Confused about fabric choices? Rows of racks loaded with colorful fabrics are easy to view; and if needed, in-store design help is available at no charge, to help you make the right selection.

“Using our designers will actually save money by helping you avoid costly mistakes and providing you high-quality products at affordable prices,” said Dawn, who opened DM Interiors with Jared in late spring 2020, at the onset of COVID-19 restrictions. “Fortunately, staying home caused lots of people to decide it was time for a change in their surroundings — and we were poised to serve them.”

™ DM Interiors is a Centurion-Level Gallery Dealer for Hunter Douglas, the world’s premier powered window -coverings manufacturer. This is the highest-level recognition in the company’s global network; Jared said there are just a few others in the Southeast with this distinction.

™ The full-service interior design studio has a team, led by Dawn, that can visit the home or office and create magazineworthy rooms. Projects range from simple room updates to full-scale renovations. Rather than steer clients to a repeated signature look, DM Interiors designers’ focus is to combine their client’s individual tastes with in-style trends.

™ In-store design assistance is available at no charge. Custom window treatments and reupholstered sofas and chairs are created in the off-site workroom.

™ With a large selection of in stock or special-ordered furniture, DM Interiors offers custom fabrics and styles from highquality vendors like Hooker, Rowe, Sam Moore, Universal, Four Hands, Dovetail, Uttermost and more.

™ One of the largest collections of wallpaper books in the Southeast, according to Dawn, features selections from all of the most notable manufacturers and several unique international providers. Wall murals, a popular option now, also are available.

™ Customers can shop from hundreds of bolts of in-stock fabrics or thousands of swatches of special order fabrics that can often be delivered within a week or two.

Jared consults with a customer in the Hunter Douglas design center.

Dawn has everything to design a home at her fingertips.

The furniture gallery has a large selection of customizable options.

PHOTO BY LARUCHE PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO BY RORIE KIRK

Women’s Professional Soccer is Coming to Canton

BY SHAWN TOLAN

Starting in May, a new metro Atlanta women’s professional soccer team, the Georgia Impact, will be competing in the largest women’s soccer league in the world, the WPSL (Women’s Premier Soccer League). Many players are current college soccer players who participate in the WPSL as a means to keep

their skills sharp and stay in good physical condition. (Current or potential college players are not paid, in order to stay in accordance with college soccer eligibility requirements.)

The WPSL is made up of more than 135 teams from 35 states. The Georgia Impact will compete in the Southeast division, along with Alabama FC, Chattanooga FC, Nashville Rhythm FC, North Alabama SC and TN Force FC. The team will play five home matches this year at the Cherokee High School stadium, aka Tommy Baker Field. (For more information on the team, visit www.gaimpactwpsl.com.)

Georgia Impact is partnering with the city of Canton, Northside Hospital and Cherokee High School, among others. The team is planning gameday events at Reformation Brewery. And, before game time, fans will be encouraged to walk across the soonto-be completed trail from The Mill

on Etowah to Cherokee High School. The team also is considering pregame events at the new Harmon Park.

Georgia Impact has a long history of supporting youth soccer in Cherokee County. Shane Moore, executive director of Cherokee Soccer Association and CEO of Georgia Impact WPSL, said: “We recently celebrated our organization’s 50th anniversary and are looking forward to launching another great program for the north Atlanta community. Our organization, along with many key partners, are excited to bring the WPSL to Canton. The Georgia Impact WPSL team will help promote soccer and be a fun family activity for our community. It will also serve to empower women by giving them a chance to play the game they love at the next level.”

The WPSL serves as a feeder league for the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League — the top division for women’s professional soccer). In the most recent college draft for admission into the NWSL, 190 players were selected, and 85 of those players were WPSL alumni. Tryouts for the Georgia Impact WPSL team were held Jan. 7 for females ages 17 and older at Cherokee High School. From that event, Georgia Impact identified the players to include on the 2023 team roster. Among the players drafted are several that have made commitments to play Division 1 soccer at universities throughout the U.S.

The National Premier Soccer League, the WPSL’s counterpart for men’s players, expanded into the area last year with Apotheos FC, which played its games at North Cobb Christian School in Kennesaw. Georgia Impact hopes to bring a men’s team to Cherokee County in the near future.

Tryouts for the Georgia Impact team were held at Cherokee High’s Tommy Baker Field.

Offering women’s professional soccer locally will have a positive impact on the community.

Shawn Tolan has served on Canton’s City Council since January 2020. He focuses on matters related to housing. He and his wife, Shari, have two adult children and three grandsons.

Building for

Firestorm Robotics Students Design, Construct, Test 120-Pound Robots

BY JESSICA FORRESTER

In January, the annual FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition season began, with 3,300 teams from 32 countries competing. This year’s challenge is to build a robot to retrieve and place cones and cubes on pegs and shelves, as well as parking robots on “charging stations” on a playing field. Since January, the Cherokee and Cobb County high school students, who make up the Firestorm Robotics team, based in Cherokee Makerspace in Acworth, have been working on strategizing, sketching ideas and creating designs and prototypes for their robot.

Teams have about two months to prepare for competitions, which end in April. Firestorm Robotics team members include Kennesaw State University dual-enrollment students Maura Zaccagnino, Elijah Wells and Tyler Clarke, Etowah High sophomore Alexis Cua, Marietta High sophomore Beatrix Bosak, junior Everette Slade (homeschooler), Chattahoochee Tech dual-enrollment student Alexander Bouchard, as well as middle schoolers who have shown an interest in the program.

During the competition season, team members put in long hours. Each team member is assigned a subteam and role, so every part of the robot is worked on. However, Firestorm is a year-round team, and, outside of competition season, students learn and expand their skills on platforms such as OnShape

Alexis Cua solders a circuit board at Cherokee Makerspace.

Alexis Cua, left, and Maura Zaccagnino prepare their robot at the 2022 Georgia Robotics Invitation Tournament and Showcase.

for the Future

CAD, MasterCAM, VCarve Pro and Lightburn. They also are trained to use the equipment in their shop (Cherokee Makerspace — also a center of innovation for community makers of all ages), which includes a manual mill and lathe, CNC router, CNC plasma table, 3D printers, laser cutters and various power tools.

“I have grown and learned so much in my time on the team. Robotics increased my knowledge of all the different aspects of STEM,” Zaccagnino said. “When I first joined the team (two years ago), I was the shy girl who barely talked. We went to a competition, and I watched on the side as my brother and other teammates drove the robot and qualified for state championships. Being at a competition inspired me.”

The current team designed and built their first robot during the offseason, for the Georgia Robotics Invitation Tournament and Showcase. At this event, the game was to design a robot to quickly pick up tennis balls, aim and shoot them at a goal 15 feet away. At the competition, the game lasted approximately two minutes, with the first 15 seconds being devoted to autonomous operation. Then, the team took control to drive the robot. During the last 30 seconds, the robot had to climb monkey bars. The team named the robot Amaurable, as a tribute to Zaccagnino, one of the lead designers.

“This was the first robot we designed and built. A year ago, we didn’t know much about building a robot. Now, we are the drivers, too! This was an amazing experience for both of us. It’s hard to imagine how far we’ve come,” Zaccagnino and Cua said.

Cua joined the team two years ago as a freshman, although she had been introduced to the team

in sixth grade. Her dad, Alexander, is one of the creators of Firestorm Robotics. And, her brother was on the team before graduating from Etowah High. Alexander is a mentor as well, and, this year, the Firestorm Robotics lead mentors are Christie Clarke and Terri Talton. Zaccagnino and Cua recognize the importance of increasing the number of women in STEM fields, and they hope to inspire other girls to become involved in robotics and engineering.

FIRST is a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators, and the Firestorm Robotics team helps drive that mission by educating students on STEM opportunities. Prior to joining the team, Zaccagnino and Cua were unsure of what they wanted to pursue in college. Now, Zaccagnino said she and her teammates want to pursue careers in engineering.

“I used to want to be a physical

therapist. But, after the build on Amaurable, I decided I wanted to be in the engineering field, too, specifically biomechanical,” Cua said. “I love this team. I have made lifelong friends and will have lasting memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

The team competes in the Peachtree (PCH) District, which encompasses Georgia and South Carolina. The events can change yearly, and this year, there are a few venues for competitions. This month, district qualifiers are in Albany, Dalton, Gwinnett, Carrollton and Macon. In April, the PCH State Championship will be held at the LakePoint Sports complex in Emerson, and the FIRST Worlds Championship will be in Houston and Detroit.

To learn more about Cherokee Makerspace, Firestorm Robotics and FIRST, visit www.cherokeemakerspace.org, www.firestormrobotics.org and www.firstinspires.org.

Terri Talton, mentor, shows the Firestorm Robotics team how to operate a drill press.

To Wallpaper or Not to Wallpaper?

BY DONNA BROADUS

After seeing beautiful new wallpaper styles on social media, in magazines and in model homes, people have asked me whether they should use it in their homes. My response involves asking five questions. If you’re wondering whether you should wallpaper your home, ask yourself these questions, and choose what’s best for you.

1. Where are you adding wallpaper? The most popular areas for adding wallpaper are dining rooms, bathrooms, bedrooms, laundry rooms, home offices and foyers. I don’t use wallpaper in kitchens, because the wallpaper can become dirty and stained from cooking. Instead, I prefer tile, brick or shiplap as backsplashes, and painted walls with paneling added. I also am not a fan of using wallpaper in full baths, because of moisture from showering.

2. What kind of wallpaper will you use? Removable wallpaper is easy to install and remove, and it is great for feature walls (think beautiful murals) or if you are in a rental home or apartment.

I’ve seen many sellers remove outdated wallpaper prior to listing their homes. Removing older

wallpaper often causes damage to walls. And, a lot of damage is caused by homeowners choosing to paint over wallpaper instead of removing it. If you have older wallpaper in your home that you wish to remove, consult a professional. They usually can save you from damaging the walls. If you’re having a professional installer apply wallpaper, ask what type of glue they will use and whether it can be removed later without damaging the walls.

dining rooms and bedrooms, but half baths are a good place for more vibrant colors. Recently, I added a removable flamingo wallpaper above black vertical shiplap in a half bath, which gave the home a pop of color. In addition, laundry rooms and kids’ bedrooms can be an area where you can add more unique styles of wallpaper.

3.

How much of the room are you wallpapering? Wallpaper trends include covering only one wall as a feature wall or installing it above board and batten, beadboard or other paneling. I advise others to do this if they want the look of wallpaper but don’t want to be overwhelmed by it. Another place for wallpaper is the ceiling. It can be somewhat controversial, but I love the look of a well-done wallpapered ceiling.

4. What colors and designs are you considering? Color and design depends on how much of the room you are wallpapering. I lean more toward neutral, moody colors for

5. Do you own your home or are you renting? If you are renting a home or an apartment, a removable wallpaper can help personalize your space. Make sure you get the go-ahead from your landlord prior to adding the wallpaper. If you own a home and are planning to sell in the next six months to a year, consult your real estate agent about your wallpaper choice and where you will be adding it. An experienced and active agent will follow design trends and know what buyers are looking for.

Donna Broadus is a 28year resident of Woodstock and the owner of Broadus Realty Group. She posts designing/staging tips on Instagram and Facebook. broadusrealtygroup.com.

Neutral wallpapers are great choices for bedrooms and home offices.

A half bath is a great room to add a pop of color, without being overwhelmed by it.

Don’t Face Income Tax Problems Alone

BY DENSON PEPPER

Do you or your company need to catch up on the required filing of income tax returns to the U.S. Treasury or the Georgia Department of Revenue? For peace of mind, reach out to a trusted tax professional, specializing in nonfiled returns. If you have a tax liability, a tax professional can represent you to tax authorities and negotiate the best available settlement.

Generally, the IRS only requires you to file the most recent six years of returns, from 2017 to 2022 this year. The IRS will not consider a repayment plan for prior years’ taxes unless all required returns have been filed.

Why Do I Have to File?

• The IRS can file your return for you and send you the bill. Usually, the tax will be greater than it would have been if you filed it yourself. Plus, if you don’t file a return, the statute of limitations never begins to run.

• People in their 50s and 60s who haven’t filed their returns, or have tax liabilities for multiple years and haven’t contacted the IRS to arrange a repayment plan, often have tax liens placed on their home.

• If you are due a refund, you must file within three years of the return’s original due date, or the IRS can keep your money.

• Once again, the IRS is using software to find nonfilers. Enforcement labor shortages will dictate more of its usage in our foreseeable future.

• The IRS can take up to 15% of your Social Security each month, and it’s possible that this attachment can extend beyond the statute of limitations.

If you’re worried about going it alone, a tax professional can help you navigate a confusing maze of laws, to protect your appeal rights after returns have been filed and assessed.

CPA Denson Pepper is your neighbor, with 30-plus years of IRS experience. He is an expert at helping people resolve their income tax problems. 678-797-5241.

3 Lessons We Can Learn From Lent

BY JOSEPH N. COUSIN SR.

This month marks the beginning of the season of Lent — the time representing the 40 days prior to Easter. This season highlights the ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus. During Lent, we focus on the ministry of Jesus and all that he does for us. In fact, there are some critical lessons we learn during this season as we focus on Matthew 4:1-11.

1. We must commit our lives to God. Throughout Jesus’ life, he endured turmoil, hardship and suffering, but he never wavered in his commitment to God. Even as the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus never wavered in his commitment to God. No matter what you are going through, remain committed to God and God’s plan for your life.

2. Trouble is persistent. Even though Jesus was fully committed to God, trouble still was persistent in his life. The trouble Jesus faced in this season came from the devil, who continued to persist. The more committed Jesus was to God, the more trouble seemed to persist. We must learn this same lesson: The more we remain committed to God, the more trouble will persist in our lives. If we continue to pray to and trust God, God will bring us through our trouble. Don’t be flustered when trouble comes your way. Instead, trust God in the midst of the trouble and remain committed.

3. God’s grace is sufficient. The reason we are able to make it through our trouble rests in the grace of God upon our lives. As the devil continued to tempt Jesus, and Jesus continued to remain committed to God, the devil finally left Jesus alone.

God gave grace to Jesus by sending angels to protect him. As we remain committed to God, even when trouble arises, we always will persevere because God’s grace is sufficient.

I don’t know your particular situation or circumstance, but I do know this: Remain committed to God, especially through your trouble, and God’s grace will see you through.

During this Lenten season, incorporate these lessons into your life and share them with others. And, most of all, Happy Easter!

The Rev. Joseph N. Cousin Sr. is pastor of Allen Temple AME Church in Woodstock and the founding president of the Cherokee County NAACP.

Southern Air Pros Owner Serves ‘Honor, Courage, Commitment’

The core values that William Lewis, owner of Southern Air Pros, learned during his time in the U.S. Navy — honor, courage and commitment — have stayed with him since his first deployment in the 1980s aboard the flagship USS La Salle (AGF-3) in the Middle East. In fact, the same values are the foundation of his heating and air conditioning company.

William, along with his wife, Zora, founded Southern Air Pros in 2014. Since that time, the business has grown at a steady pace by adding staff and vehicles, and increasing warehouse space multiple times. The company has achieved Elite Dealer status with its primary

manufacturer, Day and Night, part of the Carrier Corp. family. Southern Air Pros also is a factory-authorized dealer for Lennox, Carrier, Amana and Rheem.

Current plans for Southern Air Pros are to add at least two more team members this year, upgrade the customer service and scheduling software, and look for a new office/ warehouse space in Cherokee County to accommodate future growth.

Clean Air Matters

“What most people do not know is that your HVAC system does three things: it changes the temperature, yes, but also dehumidifies the air and, most importantly, filters or cleans it,” William said. “Therefore, the effects this one system has on the quality of air you breathe is far more important to someone’s health than most people realize.”

Improperly maintained equipment is more than just costly to operate; it can be dangerous, William said. He cites a memorable example of the effect poor air quality can have: Legionnaires’ disease.

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The team at Southern Air Pros works to provide each customer with the best possible products, service and people for your investment. “When you are comfortable, only then can we say we are done,” owner William said.

• Southern Air Pros is a registered training facility with the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER). Lewis is a Certified HVAC Craft Instructor.

• Each full-time technician is enrolled in the NCCER nationally accredited training program and placed on a path to receive a technical degree at the company’s expense.

• Technicians are not commission-based, allowing for honest assessments and recommendations.

• Their approach of maintenance first, repair second and replacement as a last resort offers the customer a longer lifespan of their equipment, healthier air to breathe and lower operating costs over time.

This outbreak got its name when an HVAC system infected more than 200 people and killed 29 Legionnaires during the 1976 American Legion convention in Philadelphia, according to www. cdc.gov/legionella/about/history. html.

A scientist isolated the bacterium that caused this type of pneumonia, which was determined to have spread through the hotel’s air conditioning system.

Why Southern Air Pros?

The team and culture of his business is what William said sets his business apart from others.

“The cheesiest, most overused answer is the truth: our team. I can teach someone to fix an air conditioning system; I cannot teach them to be a good human.

Serves With Commitment’

We try to hire the best people and train them to aboveindustry standards,” William said. “I count myself among the fortunate to be surrounded by the character and quality of people who have chosen to be a part of Southern Air Pros. “

The care that the Southern Air Pros team takes with each client extends beyond HVAC services, William said. The staff does a great job of responding to customers’ life events, whether it’s a happy occasion, such as a baby or wedding, or a sad situation, like a loss of a pet or sickness in the family.

“Hilda Westergren, our customer service manager, leads the charge in building the caring relationships that define us as a company,” William said. “When we learn about a situation, we send our customer a handwritten note or card, or make a phone call. Knowing that we truly care resonates with our clients.”

“Southern Air Pros is a community-focused company committed to do the right thing and dedicated to comfort. We believe that community starts at home and radiates outward, and by doing the right thing, our customers are not only comfortable in their home, but also in recommending Southern Air Pros.”

— William Lewis

Testimonials

“If the community that embraces your company and the people that make up that company are both happy, you have the secret sauce,” Lewis said. Here are a few examples:

“Andrew and Dakota are the nicest HVAC guys I have ever used. Bill, the owner, is incredibly friendly as well, and always takes good care of us. Thank you for cleaning up my unit and making sure it was ready for another hot summer.” — Joey O.

“This company is fantastic! After working with another local company for a week and getting no results, the Southern Air Pros team came through for my family. It was less than 24 hours from diagnosis to a fixed system and cool air for my family. I’m so glad to have a local AC partner I can count on!”— Tara J.

”Now, I am getting stellar training in a stable career … and I get the opportunity to serve others and make them happy as well.” — Team member at Southern Air Pros

the company culture.

WIlliam Lewis

PHOTOS BY BRIAN NEJEDLY

Last month, Anthony Sant’Anselmo detailed what inspired him to turn his basement into an ’80s video “store.” If you missed Part 1, read it at https://townelaker.com/ archives.

How I Transformed My Basement Into an ’80s Video Store

BY ANTHONY SANT’ANSELMO

During summer 2018, I started sketching the floor plan of my dream ’80s video store. The idea was to utilize the wall space for shelving and have standing aisle racks in the center of the room for VHS tapes. I asked myself: What about those old video stores did I miss, and how could I merge my personality into the project, so that it would be more meaningful to me? I surveyed my collection of tapes and knew that I needed a lot more to flesh out the store. I took to the local Goodwills and thrift shops in Woodstock, and on Craigslist, eBay and in VHS social media groups, and I chose films that I loved, liked or hadn’t yet seen.

I ripped out carpet from four rooms and prepped it for flooring. I chose vinyl composite tiles, for practicality. (Choosing checkered flooring was the easy part; I wanted the video store to have a certain energy.) They were peeland-stick tiles, and I also used flooring adhesive on the concrete. So, it really became part of the floor, which just made things trickier — and annoyingly stickier!

The flooring was the most tedious part of the project, along with the custom cutting of trim for the room’s perimeter. But, piece by piece, failure by failure,

I got through it. Once the main room and small hallway were done, I swore I’d never lay tile again, as long as I lived.

I placed blue painter’s tape on the floors and walls, where I visualized the shelves, the counter, future posters, etc. That was key to seeing the project through. I’d rip off the tape as I acquired certain items. Thankfully, I scored wire movie racks and grid walls from Lee’s Discount in Douglasville, when they were closing down. Once I installed the wire shelving, it was much easier to see it as a “shop.”

Initially, I had a kids shelf on one of the racks, but felt I couldn’t really celebrate it, since they were just bookended tapes. That’s when the mud room was absorbed and dedicated 100% to kids movies, ’80s toys, posters and more. It was a chance for me to build a shrine to the movies I loved growing up and introduce these gems to my kids. (Remember when I said I’d never lay flooring again?) Of course, I couldn’t allow the main video store’s checkered flooring to just stop at the threshold of Mondo Kideo! So, the flooring

nightmare began again, and I got better as I went. Still, I was done with flooring forevermore.

I knew I’d need custom shelving for the kids section, and it required a skilled carpenter to help me realize this vision. I turned to my friend, Woodstock resident Jeff McCall. This guy can build anything — and has. The shelving produced was naked wood and had to be painted. (Big shout-out to the paint department at the Holly Springs Home Depot, as I must’ve visited more than 50 times with paint orders. Morgan’s Ace Hardware also helped with any additional tools and such acquired along the way.)

I painfully pored over every detail of this project, and it became an obsession to reach my goal. (And, moving to a state where you don’t know anyone really frees up your evenings and weekends.) Faux brick paneling was installed down the stairwell and into the video store. My intention was to make it feel like you’re descending down backalley stairs under the night sky above and into a hidden video store shop. So,

The kitchen houses food-related movies, with sections like Comfort Food and Culinary Horror.

Anthony’s wife, Fabienne, also enjoys reminiscing about videos they enjoyed as children. Photo by Michael A. Martinez.

it was important for me to distress the bricks on the stairs, to appear as if they had been weather-beaten for years. As you step into the shop, the bricks show less age, due to being sheltered.

Painting various bricks different colors, smearing plaster here and there, hand squeezing mortar in between every brick — one could go on forever, giving it little touches, and I kind of did. The whole “aging” process took a few months, from pristine brick paneling to the state it’s in now. My main goals were to focus on details, never cut corners and to finish.

Once 2020 hit, I started working remotely from home, so the video store build continued! As the project was inching into other rooms, the home gym couldn’t just be a gym, of course — it had to be an ’80s gym! In all the neon glory that the ’80s brought us, we celebrate the workout craze, wrestling, skateboard films, beach movies and more.

I mentioned that I was done with flooring forevermore? (Facepalm.) The basement kitchen had laminate flooring,

which I ripped out, and, yeah, I laid more checkered tiles. The kitchen area is a fun one, as it houses food-related movies, with sections like Comfort Food and Culinary Horror. Lots of cheesy movies from yesteryear — pun intended. And, the diner-like checkered flooring doesn’t hurt for that area, either. Having a master carpenter as a friend can be dangerous, because I also asked him to build me a secret door to the kitchen, which houses VHS tapes.

As the shop was coming together, I needed genre signs for each section: Comedy, Drama, Action, Horror, SciFi, Special Interest, etc. John Hotaling at Signarama on Highway 92 helped tremendously. For the shop’s logo, I asked myself what kind of video store could even compete in today’s streaming world. So, I designed a sort of pizza delivery girl on a Pee-wee-Hermaninspired Vespa scooter, delivering VHS rentals in 30 minutes or less! My good friend Andy Bernet in Los Angeles brilliantly did the illustration off my sketch, and Signarama produced the large, color Mondo Video! logo behind

the “employee” counter.

Over the course of the project, I certainly lost a lot of sleep, probably put my health in jeopardy by overextending myself and, many a time, could be found on the floor painting quarter-round trim. There isn’t one section of this basement project that I didn’t alter in some way. Fabienne calls it “One More Thing Video!” since I’m never really done with the place. Thankfully, she really enjoys it and thinks it’s something special to reminisce about our own childhood while sharing it with our children.

Once I revealed this project online, I didn’t anticipate the level of response I’ve received. It has been pretty surreal. I’ve read some incredibly humbling comments and, thankfully, the video store has helped people remember some of their own youthful experiences a bit more. I’ve received questions asking what the operating hours are, as many people think it’s open to the public. (It’s not, as it’s not a real store. But, every now and again, I will give a tour.)

It’s kind of weird, however, to head downstairs every morning, flip on lights and there’s a functional video “store” from the ’80s just staring at me. There is one unfinished room in our basement, and I have designs on finishing it out with drywall and the like, because, of course, an ’80s Home Video Store isn’t complete without an ’80s arcade.

P.S. To anyone who wishes to donate their old physical media — VHS, Beta, CEDs, Laserdiscs or VCRs — I’d love to give them a forever home. A friend of mine calls Mondo Video! a “no-kill shelter for VHS.” And, for any local actors, producers or camera crew, if you’d like to link up on some projects and make some fun stuff in the video store together, let me know! (You can connect with Anthony via email at goondocksainter@gmail.com or on Instagram (@mondo_video) and Facebook/Twitter/Youtube: @ mondovideostore.)

Woodstock resident Anthony Sant’Anselmo works as a “South Park” animator, and he is a writer and director.

The bright, neon lighting outlining the shop is reminiscent of “Tron” or “Blade Runner.”

Annual Retreat Moves County Forward

BY HARRY JOHNSTON

The Cherokee Board of Commissioners (BOC) held its annual planning retreat in Canton in January. The meeting was open to the public. Here’s a report on some of our discussions.

Regarding taxes, Cherokee County remains conservatively managed and financially healthy. Total BOC-controlled taxes per capita remain the lowest in the metro Atlanta region and among the lowest of all 159 Georgia counties.

We believe we can reduce the county maintenance and operations (M&O) and park bond tax rates again this year to partly offset a projected 13% average increase in property value assessments. County tax assessors are required by law to keep assessments at or near market value.

Homeowners with the homestead exemption are sheltered from assessment increases for the M&O tax, so they should see a small net reduction in that element of their tax bills. We expect the park bond tax rate to decrease enough to keep that dollar amount flat or lower. We may not be able to decrease the fire tax rate, and the homestead exemption doesn’t apply to it. So, taxpayers could see an increase in that tax equal to the increase in assessed value. The BOC doesn’t control the school tax.

The updated County Transportation Plan is substantially complete, after 2,400 citizen inputs and hundreds of hours of engineering analysis. It includes all city, county and state road improvement projects the road engineers and planners believe are necessary to support a conservative growth plan over the next 30 years. The good news is, local funding over that time appears sufficient to complete all of the identified county and city road projects. The bad news

is, state funding will be short of the amount needed for state highway improvements, largely due to the year-long suspension of the gas tax. There could be some delays to state projects, but we hope they will be minor in Cherokee.

We agreed we need more workforce housing, and discussed forming a joint city-county team to look for ways to meet the need. The target would be to provide some additional housing, affordable for households with incomes less than $60,000. Those families need rent of less than $1,500 per month or a purchase price less than $270,000.

We talked about the ongoing update to the county’s Comprehensive Growth & Development Plan. I’ve been advocating for changes that would hold Cherokee’s expected population in 30 years to about 400,000 versus about 542,000, if we continue to grow at the current rate. The planners believe that with natural declines in the growth rate and sticking to the current plan, we can stay close to that reduced amount. That’s encouraging, but I’m willing to pursue changes to zoning and development regulations, if necessary, to get there.

We discussed modest strengthening to the noise ordinance to prohibit exploding fireworks after 9 p.m., except on state-designated holidays. There doesn’t appear to be an appetite on the BOC for a significantly stronger, decibel-based ordinance.

Harry Johnston is chairman of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners. He’s a retired CPA and accounting manager, and a former district commissioner. Email him

of Service 3 Ways to Sow Seeds

BY SUSANNAH MACKAY

I love this time of year. The first flowers peek up from the soil, and blossoms magically appear on trees. Color comes back into the forests as leaves fill the trees. It’s like the whole world is starting to wake up. Spring is in the air!

For people like me, it’s a time to watch for beauty and surprises, but for avid gardeners, this is a time for planning and preparation. Time to prepare soil, take care of any remaining winter debris and choose your plantings. It’s an art form that those of us with green thumbs understand, and the rest of us at least can admire.

Even if you don’t have the greenest of thumbs, you still can enjoy getting out in the garden by sowing seeds of service. There are several garden opportunities in our area; here are three to check out on justserve.org:

1. Help maintain the SmileUp! Happy Garden. Visit the G. Cecil Pruett YMCA to weed, water and tidy things up at the Smile Up! Happy Garden. Then, pick as many herbs as you would like. Come once a week, according to your availability (http://bit.ly/3DsWZlr).

2. Grow Next Step’s Butterfly Garden. Help maintain this inspiring space for those with physical and cognitive challenges. Only light manual work needed, and no expert knowledge required! Volunteer at the Butterfly Garden from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday (http://bit.ly/3Jq6fup).

3. Volunteer at the Allatoona Resource Center (ARC) Community Garden. The ARC Community Garden needs volunteers to help weed and water. And, classes and training are provided, as well. Shifts are available on Tuesday and Friday evenings, and every third Saturday morning. Volunteer groups are welcome (http://bit.ly/3Y71wSm).

Be sure to check out these great opportunities — and more! — on the JustServe website. Or, for additional ideas, join the JustServe Georgia Volunteers public Facebook group. Get out and enjoy this beautiful season while helping the community.

Justserve.org is a free, nationwide website and app that works to match volunteers with nonprofit organizations and service opportunities. If you run a nonprofit, or are looking for ways to make service a regular part of your life, check out justserve.org. You can sign up for regular updates and learn more about organizations nearby, too. JustServe makes it easy to just go out and serve!

Susannah MacKay is a local JustServe specialist. She grew up in Marietta and loves helping strengthen her community through service! Follow her on Facebook @JustServeGeorgia.

Kendall Jones

MUST Ministries

Community Liaison — Cherokee

Kendall Jones moved to Cherokee County 35 years ago. He was born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida, and he graduated from Florida State University. Jones volunteers with the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, Cherokee’s Homeless Coalition, Cherokee FOCUS and the Canton Housing Authority. He recently was recognized as the 48th recipient of the Chamber of Commerce’s First Citizen of Cherokee County Award, an annual honor given to a resident who has lived in the county for a minimum of five years and has shown significant meritorious service to the community through family, civic and/or religious involvement.

Tell us about your recognition.

Where do I even begin to express my thanks?

Receiving this award and the ensuing well-wishes and kind comments have been overwhelming, humbling, amazing and gratifying. My reaction to all of this is akin to the comment you sometimes hear from firefighters or law enforcement officers when they are commended for some heroic act — they remark, “I was just doing my job.” It is only through God’s mercy, grace and love that I am in my position with MUST, am involved in so many areas in the community, and that I have so many dear and wonderful friendships. So my “job,” my joy, my privilege is to share his mercy, grace and love with all I meet, from the heads of government and business to the people living in homelessness.

When did you begin volunteering?

I was a teacher at the time, and I volunteered in the summers of the late ’80s and early ’90s. I first volunteered at the location at the old Ford building in downtown Canton, and then in the food pantry on Marietta Street. I got to see the operations side of the organization from there, as well as have interaction with donors, volunteers and clients.

My first position with MUST was working with food as the part-time summer lunch coordinator for Cherokee County. I then spent several months as special-projects coordinator, overseeing the build out of the employment services area and helping with the administration of a financial assistance program for local flood victims. That experience helped me transition into the full-time role of volunteer/client intake coordinator, and then to program director as we moved into our new facility at Brown Industrial Parkway in 2013. Being in charge of the daily operations of the facility limited the amount of community involvement. So, in 2019, I moved into my current role of community liaison.

What is your main responsibility?

Simply put, to connect MUST to the community and the community to MUST. It sometimes involves developing resources, monetary and in-kind donations, to help MUST serve our neighbors in need. But, my role also involves enabling people to fulfill the calling they feel in their heart to serve those in need. People will say, “I want to help those in need, but I’m not sure how.” So, we provide an avenue for them to do so.

My responsibility also is to serve as a resource to the community and other nonprofits, to be a sounding board for possible initiatives to help MUST and the community. Lastly, I represent MUST in community issues that affect our clients, such as transportation, housing, medical care, etc., so that resources in those areas are available. The intent is to make sure all the tools are there and a continuum of care is in place for those who are willing to do the work it takes to move from crisis to stability.

Chamber Board Chair Trey Ragsdale, right, congratulates Kendall Jones on receiving the 2023 First Citizen of Cherokee County Award.

What do you like most about your job?

To paraphrase the old real estate adage — people, people and people! There are so many wonderful people in this community, in the volunteers and donors at MUST and in all the different groups of which I am a part. This community has an incredible capacity to care about others, to lend a helping hand and to support organizations that are ministering to those for whom life has taken a detour or a fall.

I have the best job in the world — I get to serve alongside all those wonderful people, supported by an incredible organization. MUST provides the resources to serve God’s precious children as he would serve them, and love them so that they would know his presence and leave our presence in a better place in their life than when they entered it.

What are you looking forward to this year?

Personally, I look forward to every time I can be outside in nature, so I look forward to possible trips to the beach and to Alaska, and getting to the mountains of north Georgia. I look forward to every precious time I get to spend with my family — my wife, children and grandchildren. We also hope to get together with other family members — brothers, sisters, cousins.

Professionally, I am excited about the housing projects that are in the works, being planned or contemplated in the county and cities, as well as the Canton Housing Authority expansion plans. There is such a need for housing in which people can afford to live, for their sakes and for the businesses in our community, and for the businesses that will come to our community that need workers. I also am excited to see what God has in store for MUST as it continues to expand and to find ways to serve our neighbors in need. Lastly, I look forward to every day, a new chance to celebrate, to serve, to find joy and to give joy.

Describe your hobbies and family.

I enjoy running (more walking than running these days!), hiking and backpacking. I enjoy reading, doing crossword puzzles, listening to and making music, watching Florida State University sports (go Noles!) and spending quiet time with God. I am incredibly blessed by my wife of 41 years, Carol, our two sons (of whom I am so proud) and their wonderful wives, and our five precious grandchildren. Currently, we have no pets. In the past, we had dogs we adopted and a cat that adopted us. We now have a granddog and grandcats that we can love on and be amused by.

First Citizen Kendall Jones celebrates with his family.

March is National Kidney Month, and Canton residents Jason and Meghan Brunette share their new life’s purpose as they prayerfully wait for a kidney transplant for Jason.

In 2011, Jason learned what he believed was a hernia from heavy lifting was, in fact, a symptom of the disease that took the life of his mother, aunt and grandmother. He was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a genetic disorder that causes fluid-filled cysts to grow in the kidneys.

PKD cysts can change the shape of kidneys, often making them much larger. It is a chronic disease that reduces kidney function and may lead to kidney failure.

In 90% of PKD cases, the person inherits the mutation from one affected parent. Jason, the youngest of five children, was the first to be diagnosed, until his twin brother, Josh, joined the fight several years later. However, Jason’s illness is more advanced.

Meghan is a registered nurse and knew what they needed to do to preserve her husband’s kidney function.

“Jason never drank alcohol or smoked, which is helpful, but he must adhere to a strict diet. He cannot have most of the foods he loves that are high in potassium and phosphorus, because they are hard for your kidneys to break down,” Meghan said.

In January 2021, Jason received an early-stage cancer diagnosis, which added to the young couple’s stress. “Thankfully, surgery was successful in removing the cancer, and no chemo was necessary. His kidneys could not have endured chemotherapy, and we are grateful to have dodged that bullet,” Meghan said.

“After COVID-19, I was offered a position with Lifelink of Georgia, an organ procurement organization that assists families with their loved ones who want to be organ donors. One of my managers put me in contact with a transplant coordinator at Piedmont Atlanta, to see if Jason would be a candidate for a donated kidney. The thorough evaluation determined that Jason’s kidney function was low enough to be a candidate. The stress from cancer left him with 19% kidney function,” Meghan said.

“Every 14 seconds in America, a new person is added to the list. There are over 100,000 people currently waiting for a kidney in the U.S., and 5,000 people a year die waiting for an organ. I wanted to do whatever I could to prevent my husband from being one of the 5,000 people,” Meghan said.

“I made the decision to start my evaluation process to be a living donor for Jason. I lost 25 pounds in three months to meet the necessary body mass index requirements to be a donor. I learned in January that I was approved, but I am sadly not a match for my husband. I have a rare blood type that will help someone who has probably been waiting a while for a lifesaving kidney. I will participate in the kidney swap program where I donate to a stranger, and a stranger that is a match for Jason will donate to him. As an advanced donor in honor of my husband, he will then be placed at the top of the living donor list. This program also ensures that, should I need a kidney during my lifetime, I will not have a long wait since I donated to help someone in the past,” she said.

“My passion is very personal, and it is my mission to educate others on all of the programs available to those who are in need of organ transplant and to those who may consider being a living donor. The transplant list gets longer every year, and we need more living donors to save lives.”

Jason, 37, and Meghan, 36, are facing many challenges. Due to his genetic disposition, they decided against starting a family, and are giving great purpose to their story as they advocate to shorten the lifesaving list for others. Meanwhile, Meghan will be donating a kidney this month; she will be out of work at least eight weeks. They are fundraising to help offset the loss of income and costs of deductibles, copays and medications.

“I am grateful that I can give life to someone who desperately needs my kidney, while also helping my husband,” Meghan said.

A gofundme account has been set up for this sweet couple (www.gofundme.com/f/help-support-jays-kidneytransplant). Or, you may contribute through Everyday Angels — 100% goes to the Brunette family.

To learn more about living donor programs, visit www.kidneyregistry.org.

Identifying people in need in our community.

Jason and Meghan Brunette

Fostering Change: Adoption Timeline

BY CHARLICE BYRD

In Cherokee County, we rely on the Division of Family & Children Services and many private agencies to complete open and closed adoptions and give children a more permanent living arrangement. Although the process can be lengthy and highly challenging, in simpler times finding a baby in a basket and providing it with a home was straightforward. The Bible speaks of adoption with a Hebrew woman named Jochebed, who placed her infant son in a basket and sent him down the river to save him from death. The baby was found by one of Pharaoh’s daughters, who “adopted” the child into the royal family and named him Moses.

In America, the adoption timeline began in the mid-1800s:

• 1851 – The first modern adoption law, the Massachusetts Adoption of Children Act, was passed.

• 1891 – Michigan judges began investigating before entering final adoption decrees, a practice later known as a home study.

• 1910-30 – The first specialized adoption agencies were founded.

• 1948 – The first recorded transracial adoption of an African American child into a Caucasian home.

• 1950s – Home studies became common, although investigations of potential foster and adoptive homes had been going on for many years.

• 1960s – Closed adoptions become more prevalent.

• 1970 – Twentieth century adoption peaked, with approximately 175,000 adoptions finalized annually.

• 1978 – Congress passed the Indian Child Welfare Act, designed to protect Native American children from being removed from their families by public and private agencies.

• 1979 – A gay couple in California became the first in the country known to have adopted a child jointly.

• 2000 – The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 was passed, allowing foreign-born adoptees to become automatic American citizens upon entering the country.

• Today – About 135,000 children are adopted in the U.S. each year. Approximately 95% of adoptions involve some degree of openness or contact between birth parents and adoptive families.

To learn more about adoption, visit http://bit.ly/3X1IVX4.

Rep. Charlice Byrd represents Georgia House District 20. If you have any feedback, call 404-557-2218, email charlice.byrd@house.ga.gov or engage on Facebook.

How Will I Know If I’m Really in Labor?

BY CHEROKEE WOMEN’S HEALTH SPECIALISTS, PC

Every woman’s experience with labor is different, so knowing if it’s active labor or simply false labor pains can be tricky. Being as prepared as possible will help reduce anxiety when those first signs appear. Here are tips to know when it’s time to head to the hospital.

False Labor

False labor, also known as Braxton Hicks contractions, can feel very much like active labor. But, unlike true labor, they are irregular in frequency, less intense and usually go away if you change positions.

Active Labor

Active labor can range from four to eight hours, and, sometimes, longer. Your cervix most likely will be dilated 6 to 10 centimeters, and you will notice stronger symptoms as time passes. Symptoms include back pain, leg cramps and nausea. This also is when your water will break.

You will feel strong and consistent contractions that are five to 10 minutes apart. They will become stronger and more frequent. Walking will become impossible, and changing positions to relieve the pain will not help.

This is when you should begin timing the contractions. When they consistently are five minutes apart, it is time to call your OB-GYN and/or head to the hospital. Be sure to explain all your symptoms and concerns to your OB-GYN.

Early Labor

Early labor easily can feel like active labor, especially if it is your first baby. In terms of duration, it is up to your baby and body to decide. Until you notice more consistent contractions, try your best to stay relaxed.

When early labor begins, your cervix begins to dilate, which can occur hours or even days before the onset of labor. It’s not unusual for women not to notice this. Breathing becomes easier again as it feels like your baby has “dropped,” relieving pressure on your diaphragm. Mild or irregular contractions may occur in intervals of 10 minutes, then five minutes, then two minutes, etc.

Be Prepared

Rest assured that it is unlikely that you will go into labor without warning as your body will let you know when you’re approaching the big day. Stay prepared and have your hospital bag packed, so, when the time is right, you’re ready to leave. If you’re unsure, always be safe, call your doctor or go to the hospital to be checked.

Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists, PC has seven OB-GYNs and five advanced practice providers, with offices in Canton and Woodstock.

Procrastination 4 Ways for Students to Avoid

BY BRYCE JONES

Let’s be honest; everyone procrastinates. Still, it’s important for students to take proactive steps to keep from falling behind, and build good habits at a young age. Whether it’s putting off a project, waiting until the last minute to do your homework, or realizing that you haven’t studied for a test tomorrow, there likely have been a few late nights, close calls or missed opportunities because of procrastination. Don’t put it off any longer. Here are four ways you can avoid procrastination.

1. Eliminate distractions. More often than not, we procrastinate because we get distracted by something else. The next time you start your homework, put your phone in another room. Or, better yet, give it to a parent until you finish. Getting rid of distractions allows you to stay focused on your task and be more productive. What would have taken you 45 minutes glancing at your phone every 10 seconds will take just 15 minutes without checking your phone.

2. Prioritize. If you are overloaded with assignments, you should get the most important and timely tasks out of the way first. By prioritizing what needs to be finished, you can take away the stress of being overwhelmed. Make a list, rank the items and create a plan to complete everything that you need to get done. Break everything down into bite-sized goals, so you can start checking them off.

3. Set deadlines. We’re given deadlines at school and at work, but try giving yourself earlier due dates. Tell yourself that you are not allowed to go out until you have an assignment done. Or, break your projects down into sections, setting deadlines for each part. By dividing the work into pieces, you’ll force yourself to start sooner, and keep the work from piling up.

4. Take breaks. We often believe we get the most done by sitting down and spending two to three hours working nonstop. However, taking a defined break every hour or so can help you recover your energy and be more productive when you go back to work. Try taking your dog for a walk or making yourself a snack for studying. But, be mindful that you don’t get distracted and turn your 10-minute break into an hourlong session of playing video games or scrolling through social media.

Bryce Jones is a Woodstock High honors student who plays soccer and is involved in student government. He was a reporter for Scholastic Kids Press and a 2020 TEDx Speaker.

The Not-So-Subtle Dangers of the Aggresive English Ivy

BY CAROLYN PUCKETT

After the loss of habitat, the encroachment of nonnative invasive plants is the greatest threat to our native plants and critters. One of the really nasty plant invaders is English ivy.

Not long ago, most garden books would name two primary ground covers for shade: English ivy and periwinkle. However, just as we have learned that many old health remedies really are not medically sound, old garden advice can be out of date. Far from recommending English ivy for your landscape, we now know that planting ivy is a huge mistake. In fact, some states have banned its sale.

The Georgia Exotic Plant Pest Council has designated English ivy as Category 1 invasive: “An exotic plant that is a serious problem in Georgia natural areas by extensively invading native plant communities and displacing native species.”

The problem is that English ivy is too

aggressive. Its spread is infinite, and it is very difficult to restrain, or even to kill. It covers not only the floor of forests, out-competing and smothering native plants, but also covers the canopy level in the treetops. Ivy’s evergreen foliage covers a tree’s own foliage, restricting photosynthesis and causing the tree gradually to go into decline. The added weight of the ivy foliage can cause the tree to blow over in a windstorm. In addition, the evergreen foliage catches snow or ice, which can cause the weakened tree to come down during a winter storm.

Falling trees can damage homes and other property severely. Insurance claims for such damage can be denied if the homeowner is found responsible for allowing the tree to topple by not removing the ivy.

Ivy can cause other damage to your property, as well. An ivy-covered house

might look nostalgic, but ivy can damage a structure seriously, even pulling it down. When climbing a surface, the ivy produces root-like structures that exude a glue-like substance. The ivy’s roots move into cracks and crevices, making it difficult to remove, and likely to cause permanent damage. Ivy even has been known to climb in windows.

While English ivy crawling over the ground does not bloom or produce seed, once it starts growing vertically on a surface, it will develop blooms and seeds that birds carry great distances, thus spreading the infestation to additional natural areas.

If you are unfortunate enough to have English ivy on your property already, we recommend that you get rid of it. Pull up what you can, and cut the rest back as far as possible. Apply a systemic herbicide, such as triclopyr, to the remaining ground-dwelling stems and foliage. Cut vines growing up a tree a short distance from the ground, and then apply triclopyr to the rooted portion of the stem. Be careful not to spray your tree bark. The herbicide is most effective if you apply it to the stump of the cut stem immediately after cutting it. You probably will need to make several herbicide applications over time to kill the ivy.

There are many lovely and wellbehaved alternatives to English ivy as a ground cover for shade, and also as a climbing vine. Your ground cover need not be composed of all one plant. In fact, your landscape will be healthier and less inviting to insect pests and diseases if you plant groupings of three or more plants, each of multiple species, over the area. Stay tuned for next month’s issue, where I will detail nine native alternatives.

Dig Deeper:

• www.gaeppc.org/alternatives

• http://bit.ly/3la3aEt

• https://bit.ly/3X2em3s

Trees covered in ivy. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Ruscilli.

Carolyn Puckett is a Cherokee County master gardener and a master naturalist.

One Sharp Fellow

How John J.A. Sharp Left an Education Legacy

BY THE WANDERER

John James Augustus Sharp was not only sharp in name. In fact, he left a lasting legacy of intelligence and education in Cherokee and surrounding counties. Born in South Carolina in March 1828, John was one of 14 children. At the age of 27, he and two of his brothers, Joseph and White Sharp, moved to Cherokee County. Finding a convenient crossroads in what we today know as Waleska, they opened a store, a cotton gin and a tobacco factory, and settled down. Six years later, the South seceded from the Union, and the three siblings joined the Confederate Army.

John was an intelligent man, well-read, and he possessed a large library. So, it comes as little surprise he was able to raise a company of men, known as the 23rd Georgia, and enter the Civil War at the rank of captain. The group was annexed to Colquitt’s Brigade, joining the army of Northern Virginia, and John and his men saw action in several battles, including Seven Pines, Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg and Antietam.

Antietam stands as having the single bloodiest day in the war, with 23,000 men killed or wounded, and it was there the Georgia 23rd took heavy losses. The commander of the regiment, Col. William P. Barclay, was killed, and Lt. Col. Emory Best assumed command, with John also rising through the ranks. In 1863, at Chancellorsville, while serving as the rear guard of Stonewall Jackson’s retreating column, they found themselves horrendously outnumbered by an attacking Union infantry. And, all but a handful of men were captured, including John.

Best was one of the few not captured, and he was later court-martialed for dereliction of duty. John, however, found himself the fortunate recipient of a prisoner exchange 20 days later, and rejoined his regiment. He was seriously wounded at Bentonville, North Carolina, in March 1865. So, he was not on hand a month later when his men, along with the rest of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston’s army, surrendered at Durham Station.

John, who left the war with the rank of lieutenant colonel, survived some of the bloodiest battles between the states, as well as being captured by the enemy and a very serious wound just before the war ended. He returned home to find his wife of only a few years had not survived, and to a Cherokee County that was in a very bad economic condition (as was most of the South by war’s end).

By most accounts, John was intelligent, hardworking and fair. He twice served in the Georgia state legislature.

In 1868, he remarried, and by the mid-1870s, he was editor of a Canton newspaper called The Cherokee Georgian. When Waleska received a state charter in 1889, John served as the town’s first mayor.

John and his brothers took an active role in the moral development of the young men living in their area, helping to start a Sunday school. He also saw to the education of many local young men and women, lending them books from his sizable collection. His love of learning and book collection served his community in a way that continues to this day. In 1883, John and his brother-in-law, Augustus M. Reinhardt, petitioned the North Georgia Methodist Conference to provide a teacher and a preacher for the children of Cherokee County. Then, they opened a one-room schoolhouse on Cartersville Street, called Reinhardt Normal College, which we today know as Reinhardt University. John died Oct. 16, 1896, having changed this county forever.

• https://civilwarintheeast.com

• http://bit.ly/3XyWIF9

The Wanderer has been a resident of Cherokee County for nearly 20 years, and constantly is learning about his community on daily walks, which totaled a little more than 2,000 miles in 2022. Send questions or comments to wanderingga@gmail.com.

The Sharp family bible. Photo courtesy of Jennell Bryan.

John J.A. Sharp family. Photo courtesy of Jennell Bryan.

If you are a real estate agent or rental property owner, you need to call us.

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When medical providers ask for a list of all the medications you currently are taking, it isn’t just a formality. This gives your health care team valuable insight into how, why and when you’re being treated. Unfortunately, studies have shown that about two-thirds of patients are unable to give a full medication list that matches their pharmacy-filled prescriptions. Here are tips from Dr. Daniel McMahon and nurse practitioner Dana Hickman to help you keep track of your medications and share the right information.

Managing Your Medications

Can I take my medications to an appointment?

Absolutely! One of the most direct and effective methods of completely sharing your medication list is what’s called a “brown bag review.” Simply pack up all medication bottles that you take regularly, or as needed, and bring them to your appointments. Include all prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements and herbal medicines. Don’t forget topical creams/gels, liquids/drops, injectables and inhaled medicines.

How do I ensure the most current information is with every provider?

Dr. Daniel McMahon is a board-certified family medicine physician specializing in primary care. He practices with Northside Primary Care Associates in Holly Springs. McMahon prides himself on providing long-term care to patients and their families. To him, the best approach always is a comprehensive one — promoting lasting good health and happiness through preventative strategies and control of chronic conditions.

Dana Hickman is a post-acute care nurse practitioner for Northside Hospital, focused on care for the chronically ill. She provides clinical oversight for the complex needs of patients discharged to a network of preferred post-acute care providers. To help ensure that patients continue to have their health managed most effectively, she collaborates on conditionspecific pathways for consistent, evidenced-based care post discharge.

With any medication change — new prescription, dose change or stoppage — update your list promptly. The best list is the one that you find easiest to set up and maintain. This list can be handwritten, from an online template, or created with a medication reminder app on your smartphone. When asked if there have been any changes to your medications, take the time to compare your home list with what your health care providers have on file.

What kind of details should I include in a medicine list?

You always should carry a current medication list in your wallet, purse or on your smartphone. It’s a good idea to share this list with a trusted contact in the event of an emergency. You should include the following on the list: medication name, provider name, purpose/reason for taking, dose/strength, directions (times of day and frequency), form (liquid, tablet, etc.), any special instructions (with food, etc.), drug or food allergies and the pharmacy name.

When should I reevaluate what I’m taking?

As we age, we tend to accumulate medications, as well as overthe-counter drugs, vitamins and supplements. More medications can result in higher incidence of drug interactions. To determine if there is anything you no longer need to take or can reduce dosage of, talk to your health care provider. You can ask questions about whether any symptoms are a possible side effect, if everything you’re taking is still beneficial, or if there are any milder options for medication.

What are some ways I can stay on schedule with my prescriptions?

Even with keeping a good list to reference, there can be a lot to remember. To help, you can use memory aids, medication organizers and/or blister packs to take your medicines as scheduled. If the medication schedule gets too complex to follow, alert your provider or pharmacist.

Dr. Daniel McMahon

SUBMITTED BY NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL

Dana Hickman

Rob’s Rescues

This month, I met with Sam Shelton, CEO of Furkids. Headquartered in Cumming, Furkids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that operates the largest cage-free, no-kill shelter in the Southeast for rescued cats, as well as Sadie’s Place, a no-kill shelter for dogs. Furkids also operates one of the few facilities in the Southeast dedicated to the care of feline immunodeficiency virus-positive cats.

Tell us about what Furkids does. We save lives — more than 5,000 dogs and cats each year. We get some of the most at-risk animals, the sick and injured. Animal Control (AC) often will call us before euthanasia. We seek to restore health and find loving homes.

Describe your new facility.

This dog needs urgent help, and his name is Fushi. He is a 13-year-old Shar-Pei. He was an owner-surrender, turned in with a tumor at a very old age. He is a very sweet dog who really needs a home. It would be amazing if someone would adopt and help this dog.

In 2018, we bought 9 acres in Cumming, the original Wakoola Water Gardens. We renovated the existing buildings and now have our headquarters there. The land gives us an opportunity to expand, and we are getting ready to break ground on a new medical facility and cat and dog shelter. We will also have a special events venue in our beautiful setting. We welcome the community to the campus.

How many cats get help each year?

We help more than 3,000 per year. The majority come from AC or are strays that people find. On the dog side, we help about 1,200. Our Community Cat Program helps more than 100 cats each month. We have brought the Cobb County Animal Services euthanasia rate down substantially, and are focused on making Cobb County cats non-kill.

Do you transport out of Georgia?

In 2018, we started transporting cats and dogs north to no-kill partners in Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine.

What did you do before you started Furkids?

This cat’s name is Princess. She is a medium-sized white cat. She is very friendly and very soft, as well. She was a stray and would be a very chill cat that would love you.

I have always loved animals and children. Before I started Furkids, I worked in the corporate world for Turner and Equifax. One day, I found a mother cat and kittens in my backyard. I called Fulton County AC, and they told me they had no space, and, if I brought them in, they would be euthanized. I then went to an adoption center in Buckhead, Friends of Animals. I learned so much. I started Furkids by just putting a “Volunteers Needed” sign up, and the rest is history.

What do you want people to know?

We love animals. We love placing them in loving homes. If you are looking to adopt, visit us. If you want to volunteer, we have opportunities for adults, and for kids, too. The FurTales Program for children allows them to read to cats. And, children can help their parents volunteer.

We have kids that help out in our thrift stores, too. We want to help the community. We have vaccine clinics, and we are working on a food pantry for struggling families.

You can make a difference. Apply yourself. Don’t turn your back on an animal in the street.

How can the community help you?

Fix your pets. Adopt. Support the work we do by donating and volunteering. We truly appreciate community support. Donate to one of our thrift stores based in Marietta, Johns Creek, Peachtree Corners and Lawrenceville. For more information, visit Furkids.org.

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

These animals are at Cobb County Animal Services, waiting for homes.

Rob and Sam Shelton, CEO of Furkids.

Sequoyah-Con to Feature Fandoms, Panels and Programs

BY KARA RUMBLE

March brings even more to explore at your dynamic destination for discovery — the Sequoyah Regional Library System! Whether you’re looking for your next favorite read, the perfect resource for a research project or a fun program to brighten your day, there is something for everyone.

Every March, our libraries host Sequoyah-Con — a free mini-convention featuring popular fandoms, panels, activities and programs. All ages are welcome to participate in scheduled events at the Woodstock, R.T. Jones and Gilmer libraries.

This year, each branch will have its own day of festivities. R.T. Jones Memorial Library will hold Pokemon-themed events on March 4, featuring crafts, trivia and a costume contest. Gilmer County Library will hold gaming-themed events on March 11, featuring a craft market, tabletop gaming and virtual reality. And Woodstock Public Library will hold cryptid-themed events on March 18, featuring a special Bigfoot storytime with Tracy Walker, tabletop role-playing games and a presentation from professional paranormal investigators. There will be activities that appeal to all ages, so grab a friend, or the whole family, for a fun-filled day. See the full schedule at www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org.

When it comes to early literacy, your public library continues to be a place that offers a wealth of support and resources. Community members now can check our new Launchpads, which are preloaded tablets that provide users with educational games and apps, geared toward supporting early literacy development, without the need for internet connectivity. This project was assisted through a grant from the Georgia Public Library Service, with federal pandemic funding from the Georgia Governor’s Office.

Our library system also is unveiling new digitizing equipment at the Rose Creek Public Library, free to use for any library card holder. Digitize photos or materials up to 12 by 17 inches, or digitize home videos from a variety of formats. Visit the website to find out how you can get your next digitizing project started.

Whether you’re using the library from the comfort of your home, or regularly visiting one (or more) of our library locations, we enjoy providing you and our community with what you need to explore, learn and create.

Kara Rumble is the deputy director of the Sequoyah Regional Library System.

Patrons participate in an Art Night program at Woodstock Public Library.

A child reads to George the dog at an R.T. Jones Memorial Library Reading Dog program.

Marching Into 2023 With the Arts

BY LIBBY WILLIAMS

Does it feel like this year is flying by? We already have done three shows — with a fourth show, “Company,” opening March 10 — a solo exhibit at The Reeves House and a film festival, and we are just warming up. As the seasons change, The Lantern Series returns. We are so excited to welcome back the Huntertones to the Woodstock Arts Event Green downtown. They were so nice, we are having them twice! On March 25, they will be serenading downtown Woodstock with their powerful horn-driven jazz.

We continue marching into 2023. Believe it or not, summer camp registration already is live. As wild as it seems, now is the time to grab your spot. If you are looking for a great way to help your child develop his or her creativity, self-confidence and an appreciation for the arts, Woodstock Arts’ summer camps are the perfect place to start. Your child will have the chance to try something new, make friends and learn about theater or art in a fun environment. Our summer camps are designed to help campers grow in confidence and self-expression, while making friendships and learning something new.

As you are planning your summer, we have been busy planning all of next year! Our departments are putting the finishing touches on our grand plan for 2023-24 season, and we cannot wait to shout it from the rooftops. Mark your calendars for our Season Reveal Party on April 16. Join us in the Woodstock Arts Theatre to be the first to know what we have up our sleeves. No spoilers, but next season will be our best one yet! If you are looking for a sign to get involved with the arts this year, this is it. By immersing yourself in your vibrant community of local art, you not only will support those who create art, but also grow personally with each experience.

Libby Williams is the marketing manager for Woodstock Arts. Look for @woodstockgaarts on social media.

Seffarine | Arabic Flamenco

Around & About Around & About

24 Bascomb’s Spring Carnival begins at 6 p.m. at Bascomb Elementary School in Woodstock. Keep a watch for volunteer sign-up information and details at https://bit.ly/3WL8hsq.

25 Breakfast With the Bunny begins at 10 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Woodstock. Enjoy a free pancake bar with your family and friends, then take a picture with the Easter Bunny. Email youthfamministry@gslutheran.org with questions.

MARCH

9

An Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group meets at 11 a.m. the second Thursday of the month at Little River Methodist Church in Woodstock. Wheelchair-accessible. 770-926-2495.

11 The Cherokee County Educational Foundation Gala begins with cocktails and a silent auction at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and a program at 7 p.m. www.cherokeecountyeducationalfoundation.org

The Cherokee Music Teachers Association will hold a meeting at 10 a.m. at Reinhardt’s Falany Performing Arts Center, followed by a program presented by Jerico Vasquez, professor of music at Shorter University. The public is welcome at the free event. For more information, contact Linda Lokey at linda@lokey.net.

16

The 2023 Cherokee Film Summit, hosted by the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, is set for 5-9 p.m. at the Yanmar Evo Center in Acworth. cherokeega.org/film-media

18-19

The Luck of the Pickle Tournament will be held at the Brookshire subdivision pickleball courts, in Woodstock, to benefit Never Alone. The tournament is open to all skill levels. https://bit.ly/3REH8pR

22, 29

Join Timothy Lutheran Church in Woodstock for midweek Lenten services at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Family supper at 6 p.m. preceding the 7 p.m. service. tlcwoodstock.org

23-26

The Georgia Food + Wine Festival is back at Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta. Celebrate the best of Georgia and the South, from its culinary superstars and beverage experts, to farmers, artisans, musicians and more. georgiafoodandwinefestival.com

25-26

The 16th annual Wing & Rock Fest will be held noon-7 p.m. Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday at Etowah River Park in Canton. The free, family-friendly event will feature a variety of chicken wings with bold sauces, as well as live music. www.wingandrockfest.com

The 2023 Etowah Wildlife Expo will be noon-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at The Mill on Etowah in Canton. www.etowahmill.com/events

27 Registration is open for the inaugural Golf2Grow Golf Tournament, at Fairways of Canton. Proceeds will help send four kids to summer golf camp. www.golf2grow.com

APRIL

1 Registration is open for Blankets Creek Trail Run, 5-mile and 9-mile races. A portion of the proceeds will benefit SORBA Woodstock, for the continued maintenance of the Blankets Creek and Olde Rope Mill Park trails.

http://mountaingoatadventures.com/blanketsrun

8 Little River Methodist Church’s annual community Easter egg hunt, for children in pre-K through fifth grade, begins at 10 a.m. at 12455 Highway 92, in Woodstock. The free event will feature refreshments and fun for all.

13 Save the date for the Rotary Club of Woodstock’s Imagine Rotary Gala at Rootstock, downtown. For more information about tickets and a silent auction, visit https://bit. ly/3ih3r7G.

29

The fifth annual Street Dog Dash 5K begins at 8 a.m. at Etowah River Park in Canton. Bring your dog, and put your paws to the pavement for a great cause. Proceeds from the race go to the Humane Society International and Soi Dog Foundation, with a percentage of the profits benefiting local shelters. www.streetdogdash5k.org

Alicia, Jericho and Josh Hicks at the 2021 Wing & Rock Fest. Photo by Teena Coogle Photography.

RECREATION

Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency

www.playcherokee.org // Recreation Center: 770-924-7768, Aquatic Center: 678-880-4760

March 1-April 4

Filled Easter baskets for the Some Bunny Special program can be delivered to the Rec Center during regular business hours. Baskets need to be filled with only Easter-related items — sealed candy, stuffed animals, toys, coloring books, etc.

April 8

Eggs-traordinary Extravaganza is back at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center. For ages 4-12, time slots are available for the underwater egg hunt from 2:30-4:45 p.m. For children age 3 or younger, the outside egg hunt is 2-2:30 p.m.

Flashlight Egg Hunt begins at 6 p.m. at Cherokee Veterans Park in Canton. $10 per child. Event includes food trucks, vendors, music, face painting, crafts, a kids zone and a visit with the Easter Bunny.

Woodstock Parks and Recreation Programs

woodstockparksandrec.com // 770-592-6000, Ext. 1955. Registration is required for all programs. Fees are $5, unless otherwise noted.

March 2

SKILLS: First Aid. Join the Woodstock Fire Department, 6:30 p.m., at 223 Arnold Mill Road, for practical, life-saving steps you can implement in an emergency with injury.

March 11

Essential Gardening: No-Till Gardening. Learn about several no-till gardening methods, such as deep compost mulching, cardboard gardening and lasagna beds. Join the discussion at 10 a.m., at 223 Arnold Mill Road. Cost is $10.

March 15

Discovering Pickleball gets you ready to play pickleball — and you will, by the end of the session. Equipment is provided. The class is at 6:30 p.m. at the Dupree Park pickleball courts.

March 19

Discovering Disc Golf participants will learn a basic level of the sport, 2 p.m., at Dupree Park Prodigy Par 2 disc golf course. Equipment is provided.

March 25

Essential Gardening: Container Gardens. Join the Cherokee County Master Gardeners, 10 a.m., at 223 Arnold Mill Road, to learn how to save space when gardening.

Discovering Pickleball for Kids begins at 3 p.m. at the Dupree Park pickleball courts. For ages 8-17, the hourlong class is designed to introduce kids to the sport.

William G. Long Senior Center

woodstockparksandrec.com // 678-445-6518

Minimum age for all programs is 50. Registration is required.

March 13: Live Bluegrass Jam, 2-4 p.m.

March 17: St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon, noon-2 p.m. Cost is $10.

March 22: After-Hours Activities: Karaoke, 4-6 p.m. Cost is $5.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MadLife Stage & Studios

Events listed are held monthly at 8722 Main St., Woodstock. http://madlifestageandstudios.com

March 4: The Jett HeartsA Tribute to Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, 10 p.m.

March 17: The Troubadour

Project: ’70s Rock Revival - Queen, Zeppelin, Bowie and more, 7 p.m.

March 25: R.E.M. Tribute - Dead Letter Office, 7 p.m

April 8: Cougar Town - John Mellencamp Tribute, 7 p.m.

April 11: Undiscovered Artist Showcase, 7 p.m.

April 15: Sabbath - Black Sabbath Tribute, 7 p.m..

Woodstock Arts

www.woodstockarts.org

March 2-April 23

“Art + Science” is an exhibit at the Reeves House that brings together the arts and sciences in a way that delights and excites audiences.

March 3

The Woodstock Arts Improv Troupe is ready to get its audiences rolling down the aisles with laughter. Recommended for ages 10-plus (content).

March 4

The Lasting Laugh is a monthly comedy series that brings in Atlanta-based comedians, with Jessica It’s All Good as the host. Recommended for ages 12-plus (content).

March 10-26

“Company” follows confirmed bachelor, Robert, who contemplates his unmarried state over the course of dinners, drinks and a wedding. Recommended for ages 13-plus (content).

Lantern Series

At the Woodstock Arts Event Green; shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Check for updates at www.woodstockarts.org.

March 25: Huntertones

April 15: Seffarine

April 29: Huu Bac Quintet

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