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The Lindsey Haas Real Estate Team

A REAL ESTATE SELLING EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER

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LINDSEY HAAS, REALTOR® 678-933-1962 | lindsey@thehaasteam.net www.thelindseyhaasteam.com Data comprised from FMLS 2020.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Contents April 2021

Contributors

Capital Mortgage Solutions

22 Don Akridge 16 Stacy Brown

On the Cover

34 Charlice Byrd

Ben and Candice Thornton lead a team that’s ready to help homebuyers navigate the current housing market, through multiple choices at competitive prices.

36 Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency 49 Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists

Pages 28 & 29

50 Barbara P. Jacoby

Cover photo by Brian Nejedly

35 Harry Johnston 41 Tyler Kerley

51 Saanvi Lamba

Celebrate Spring

Woodstock officials introduce a new lineup of activities that maximize time spent outdoors.

Inspiring Women

Part two of our interviews with women who inspire others, like Cindy Nelson, in honor of Women’s History Month.

47 Ann Litrel

30 Rob Macmillan 40 Susan Schulz

27 Dr. Mary Swantek 18 Ashley Velez

In Every Issue

4 Around Woodstock 8 Local News

24 Celebrations

26 Everyday Angels 30 Rob’s Rescues 32 Noteworthy

42 Library Events

44 Community Calendar 45 County Commission Highlights 48 Recent Home Sales

52 Cherokee Photography Club 54 Directory of Advertisers

From Spring to Summer

If you’re thinking about enrolling your children in camp, consider the advice from these experts.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Around Woodstock Letter From the Editor

I hope you’re enjoying this beautiful time of year! The days are longer and the weather is warmer, but not too hot. If you’re like me, you’re looking forward to a spring that, hopefully, offers a little more freedom. Remember a few months ago when I wrote about the skills I picked up during our year of isolation? I was sure I could remodel and flip a house with the best of the HGTV stars. Well, I’ve learned that’s not the case. As demo is being done right now on a wall that we’re having removed in our living room, I wasn’t offered a hammer, and probably for a very good reason. I was sad that, when I mentioned helping, our contractor didn’t take me up on my offer. He didn’t need to look twice to know that wouldn’t be a good idea. Smart man. One skill I know I’ve sharpened over the last year is livestreaming our church services through Facebook. Although, last Sunday I admit I accidentally hit the reverse camera button and, all of a sudden, you see a closeup of my hand, which looked more like a spider than anything. I quickly corrected my mistake, typed “Oops!” in the comments and kept going. Mistakes happen! A year of virtual church and meeting outdoors under a tent, has been enough. We’re planning our first in-person service that will take place a year to the day that we shut down for the pandemic. I am afraid our members will forget that they shouldn’t hug each other; we have a very loving and huggy congregation. Maybe I’ll bring my little water gun and squirt them if they get too friendly. It works on the cats when they try to scratch the furniture. Ebenezerites reading this, consider yourselves warned! During the past year, we’ve become more aware of the needs in our community, and our church has embraced a year-long mission project that focuses on a different nonprofit each month. So far, we’ve donated more than 700 pounds of food to Forever Fed, collected toiletries, chocolate and flowers for single moms, and are learning ways to help homeless veterans in Cherokee County. I’d like to challenge you to find out for yourself something I learned long ago: It’s a blessing to be a blessing. Maybe April’s kindness challenge will give you some ideas.

April

Get Crafty. Paint or color pictures or cards and send to the residents of a local nursing or assisted-living home, or tuck a positive note into random places, like under the wiper of your neighbor’s car or on the shelf in a retail store.

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

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Cherokee Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting

Nothing Bundt Cakes Woodstock

285 Ridgewalk Parkway Suite 104, Woodstock 404-383-0357 www.nothingbundtcakes.com

What’s New

The Plaid Picnic Company is open, serving Woodstock, the Atlanta metro area and North Georgia, offering luxe, styled pop-up picnics. For more information, contact Ella Blake at plaidpicniccompany@gmail.com and on social media @theplaidpicniccompany. Rossi’s Gluten Free Market at 8265 Highway 92 in Woodstock is a grocery store stocked with only gluten free products, as well as dairy free and vegan options. 770-779-7142. www.rossisgfmarket.com.

What’s Coming

Your Pie Woodstock will open at 285 Ridgewalk Parkway, Suite 100, offering brick oven pizza, pasta, paninis and fresh chopped salads, along with local craft beers and wine. Targeted opening date is early April. Check Facebook for updates. Eden Woodstock is coming to 470 Chamber St., and will offer juices, smoothies and bowls, as well as soups and salads. Follow the progress on Facebook. www.edenwoodstock.com.

Skilled attorneys who are dedicated to helping injury victims maximize their recovery.

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

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

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Results With Us

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www.aroundwoodstockmagazine.com AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Around Woodstock, a publication of Aroundabout Local Media, Inc., is a monthly community magazine. The magazine’s mission is helping local businesses grow and prosper by offering affordable advertising opportunities in a quality publication that provides positive, relevant information to our readers. It distributes a total of 16,500 free copies. Approximately 16,000 are direct mailed to homes and businesses and an additional 500 are placed in racks around the community. Around Woodstock also has many digital viewers of the magazine online each month. Around Woodstock welcomes your comments, stories, and advertisements. The deadline is the 10th of the previous month. Subscriptions are available for $24 per year. Send check or money order to the address below. The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the editor/publisher and the publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. Around Woodstock is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. Copyright 2021

Around Woodstock

1025 Rose Creek Drive, PMB 380, Suite 620, Woodstock, GA 30189 Volume 8, Issue 6

America’s Community Magazine

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Local News

Lions Club and St. Michael volunteers work together to meet the needs of the food insecure.

St. Michael Food Pantry Awarded Grant The food pantry at St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in Woodstock has been awarded a $14,600 Hunger Pilot Grant from the Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF). The grants support Lions projects focused on alleviating hunger. Ranging in amounts from $10,000 to $100,000, the grants require a 25 percent contribution from local Lions Clubs and must be used for capital improvements, including construction or expansion, kitchen equipment, or vehicles used for transporting food. The Woodstock Lions Club became aware of equipment and construction needs at St. Michael’s pantry last year, when the club partnered with St. Michael and other local food pantries to distribute approximately 6,000 boxes of food to Cherokee County families under the Farmers to Families Food Box program. In the fall of 2020, the Woodstock and Ball Ground Lions Clubs jointly applied for the LCIF grant to address those needs. With donations from each club, and the church, grant requirements have been met, and the partnership between the church and the clubs will continue. “As a longtime partner agency of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, we have been fighting hunger within our community for 18 years,” Food Pantry Director Patrick Arko said. “The funds received from this grant will enable us to replace equipment at its useful service life, increase frozen food storage capacity by 20 percent (purchasing two new commercial grade refrigerator and freezer units), and will protect our refrigerated truck from accelerated degradation due to weather exposure” with a new canopied carport. Currently, 400 Cherokee County families are served each month with frozen meat, produce, dairy, bakery and nonperishables. The pantry is open 10-11:45 a.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; no appointment is needed. The location is 490 Arnold Mill Road in Woodstock. For more information, call 904-468-0945. 8

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Texas Transplant a New Hire at Elm Street Elm Street Cultural Arts Village has hired an events and volunteer coordinator, Camille Whitlow. The position focuses heavily on volunteer efforts for the nonprofit arts organization, as well as the variety of events offered throughout the year. “Camille has an immense amount of experience in both the arts, large events, and volunteer support,” Executive Director Christopher Brazelton said. “As the organization grows, Camille is going to bring a wealth of knowledge to help our volunteers in that growth, and welcome more people to our volunteer community. It is fun to see some of her ideas already come to fruition!” Whitlow moved recently from Texas, where she received her masters degree in nonprofit management and worked on staff with the National MS Society and the American Heart Association. At both organizations, her primary role was helping volunteers and programs manage some of the biggest events those organizations produce nationwide. “I choose to work with volunteers, because I believe they are the greatest humans on the planet, and I work in the arts, because our existence would be meaningless without them,” Whitlow said. “I’m so glad I can now combine my passion for both of these things into my work.” Those interested in volunteering with Elm Street can learn more and sign up to receive additional information at the following link: https://elmstreetarts.org/ get-involved.

Camille Whitlow

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Local News Chatt Tech Recognized as Military Friendly For the fourth consecutive year, Chattahoochee Technical College has been designated as one of the nation’s top military friendly schools by Victory Media, a national leader in connecting the military community to educational and career opportunities. Chattahoochee Tech received a 2021-2022 silver-level military friendly ranking, exceeding the standards for all areas in which the college was evaluated. Areas of assessment included: military student support and retention; financial aid and assistance; culture and commitment; and graduation and career success. “Given the new and certainly different challenges brought by the pandemic, I am thrilled to know that we are still able to provide services to meet the needs of our students who are either veterans or military family members,” Veteran Services Coordinator Barry Munday said. He said enrollment numbers have remained strong during the pandemic for students who are veterans or veteran family members. Munday credited school staff for earning this title. Chattahoochee Tech employees, like Kay Paul, who is financial aid specialist/VA certifying official, have worked tirelessly to serve hundreds of veterans or military family members enrolled at the college. Paul spent many long hours to recertify benefits for hundreds of students who are veterans or military family members. For more information, visit www.ChattahoocheeTech.edu. 10

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Field Operations Chief Shane West, right, with his son, Andrew at the Guns and Hoses Run.

Fire Chief Tim Prather, right, with Goshen Valley representative Evan Ingram.

It’s Hoses, for the Win! Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services won the 2021 Guns and Hoses Run, the seventh year they’ve taken the victory. The fire department had the most runners sign up for the 15th annual event. A representative with the parks and recreation department said that this year’s race was close, because there was only a difference of 26 runners between the Hoses team and the Guns team. Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services (Hoses) and the Cherokee County Sheriff ’s Office (Guns) solicit registrations from runners to raise money for their charities. The event was open to the public, and runners were asked to pick the team they wanted to run for, Guns or Hoses; part of their registration fee was donated to an area charity. The fire department donated $2,244 to the Goshen Valley Boys Ranch, and the sheriff ’s office gave $1,932 to Sheriff Frank Reynolds Charities.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Local News

2021 Races Boost Wreath Program Wreaths Across America, which provides Christmas wreaths for the graves of veterans at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, has begun a race program with virtual and in-person options. The 737-mile virtual Escort to Arlington Challenge includes two virtual Running for Wreaths options (5K and 10K) in May and September, and one in-person Stem to Stone Remembrance Run in July, with a virtual option. This year’s race program is the result of an expanded partnership with event-management and timing company CompetitorME, after a successful inaugural year in 2020, where eight virtual road races were held across the country. The options for supporters provide an opportunity to build community awareness and understanding of WAA’s yearlong mission to remember, honor, teach. The list of race options and registrations can be found at competitorme.com/wreaths-acrossamerica. Each individual race registration sponsors a fresh balsam wreath that will be placed on the headstone of an American hero on Dec. 18, as part of National Wreaths Across America Day. www.wreathsacrossamerica.org. 12

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

MUST Welcomes New Board Members MUST Ministries has added five members to its board of directors. MUST has served Cherokee, Cobb and surrounding counties for 50 years, and particularly has been active during the pandemic, serving more clients in every area of service. MUST typically serves 33,000 people in a year, but, since March 2020, it has fed almost 173,000 people 2 million pounds of food. “As we look back at the last 50 years and particularly 2020, a great part of the success and significance that MUST Ministries has experienced is due to an amazing group of board members,” said MUST President and CEO Ike Reighard. • Angelo Brown is the CEO of Shepherding Leaders and a business professor at Chattahoochee Technical College. He also is on the boards of Center of Children and Young Adults, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Drawchange. • Ellen Hill is a Realtor with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty. She also serves on the board for the Marietta Visitors Bureau. Hill volunteers with the Junior League of Cobb Marietta and is a Leadership Cobb alumna. • Milton Overton is the director of athletics at Kennesaw State University. He is a member of the Cobb Chamber, and Acworth and Kennesaw business associations. • Ellen Pugh has been on the board of Cobb Fellowship of Christian Athletes and has volunteered at Calvary Children’s Home, Safepath, American Cancer Society, Mount Paran Christian School and MUST Ministries. She serves in the children’s ministry, Vacation Bible School and teen ministries of Burnt Hickory Baptist Church. • Dan Styf is president of DS Healthcare Strategies and a former MUST Ministries board member and chairman of the board of directors. During his time with MUST, Styf helped establish a 5-year strategic plan that was the cornerstone of Build Hope a Home, the new homeless shelter that will open in 2021.

Angelo Brown

Ellen Hill

Milton Overton

Ellen Pugh

Dan Styf

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

April 3

Essential Herb Gardening

10 am.-noon at the William G. Long Senior Center extension, 223 Arnold Mill Road. Join Cherokee County UGA Extension Agent Josh Fuder to learn how to grow and incorporate common and unique culinary herbs into the garden, deck and landscape. Registration required.

April 11

Discovering Disc Golf

in Woodstock

The Woodstock Parks and Recreation Agency has planned activities for area families to enjoy. For more information, contact Jamey Snyder at jsnyder@woodstockga.gov. Register for the following events at www.WoodstockParksandRec.com. Aroundabout Local Media would love to see photos from your outdoor excursions! Let us know how you’re spending time around Woodstock with your family. Send your favorite pictures to candi@aroundaboutmagazines.com to be considered for future photo features.

April

Visit the Towne Lake Pass Trail during April for Trailstory, which combines the healthy activities of walking and reading “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle. Created by Sequoyah Regional Library System and Woodstock Parks and Recreation, TrailStory is a project aimed at giving elementary school aged children and their families a fun, active and socially safe way to enjoy reading and Woodstock’s trails. Along the trail from Woofstock Park toward Woodstock High School, 15 signs will feature pages from the book on one side, and interactive/QR code questions about the book on the other side. Children and their families can enjoy reading those pages and the trail at their own pace, anytime, as many times as they like throughout the month.

2-3:30 p.m. at Prodigy Par 2 Disc Golf Course in Dupree Park. Participants will learn a basic level of the sport of disc golf so they can walk away from the class and be able to play a fun round. Each session of Discovering Disc Golf will cover the basics and, in addition, April’s session will focus on the technique for tee shots and long drives. Equipment for the class is provided. In addition to learning what equipment is necessary, participants will learn stance, throwing and scoring. The official rules also will be discussed. Registration required.

April 17

Discovering Gold Panning, 1-3 p.m., at the William G. Long Senior Center extension, 223 Arnold Mill Road. Led by Woodstock resident Rob Kelly, a longtime recreational gold panner, and his team from Allatoona Gold Panners Association, this activity will be a historical and functional introduction to panning for gold. Participants will learn about the history of the Georgia Gold Rush, the geological origin and properties of gold, the gold mines of Georgia, and how to locate an authorized gold creek that may be in your backyard. Also discussed will be how to “read” a gold creek to spot potential pay streaks and, finally, the steps of panning the gravel for flakes of Georgia’s 23-karat, placer gold, some of the purist in the world. Participants will be panning in troughs salted with gold in order to practice the skills required for panning in authorized creeks in North Georgia. Registration required.

April 23

Discover Rucking

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater. Learn about rucking (walking with weight). Participants wear a weighted backpack (or better yet, a rucksack) and hike a course. Discovering Rucking is an introductory ruck led by an instructor in a Woodstock Park or on a Woodstock Trail to help participants learn the basics of rucking and its health and social benefits. With a goal of a 20-minute mile, the ruck will include a few light physical training components to get the sweat flowing. Your weighted rucksack (backpack) should be between 10 and 20 pounds. Weighted rucksacks are encouraged, but a limited number will be made available. Bringing your own reflective clothing and safety lights are encouraged as well. Registration required.

Other Activities Disc Golf

The Prodigy PAR2 Disc Golf Course is a full 18-hole short course located in Dupree Park. This course is perfect for practicing your short game or playing a round with the family.

Mountain Biking

The Taylor Randahl Memorial Mountain Bike Trail system consists of

three trails providing more than 14 miles of single track: Explorer (Intermediate), Avalanche (Intermediate) and The Mill Trails (Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced). Avalanche opened in 2010, Explorer in 2011 and The Mill in 2015. Woodstock partners with Sorba Woodstock for the management and maintenance of this trail system. Information and current trail status are available at www.sorbawoodstock.org/olde-ropemill-park

Dupree Park is home to a series of mountain bike trails that are perfect for beginner biking and hiking. Come to the park to perfect your riding on one of several trails: Lions, Tigers and/or Bears, and learn new skills on Oh My! Participants in a past session of AMPED in the Park.

April 24

AMPED in the Park

Get ready to work out with the folks from Strongside, at 9 a.m. at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater. Part of a free, monthly fitness series presented by Woodstock Parks and Recreation. All workouts are fitness friendly (meaning you don’t have to be super fit to participate). Participants will adhere to social distancing guidelines and restrictions from the office of the governor and the CDC. Registration required.

April 24

Storytime Live! With Cinderella

Cinderella will be at the Park at City Center gazebo at 11 a.m. to read a story and pose for photos. Presented by the FoxTale Book Shoppe and Woodstock Parks and Recreation. Free admission and socially-distanced.

Fitness Station at Dupree Park

The Dupree Park outdoor fitness station is located adjacent to the walking path. This equipment utilizes body weight as resistance, providing a great, full-body workout. Please inspect each piece of equipment before use and contact the Woodstock Parks and Recreation office immediately if you find any issues. Remember to take two minutes of rest between exercises and stay hydrated.

Fishing

Olde Rope Mill Park has several opportunities to fish from the banks or docks along the Trestle Rock Trail.

Little River and Lake Allatoona are known to have bass, catfish, bream, crappie and other species. For a fishing forecast, search for Lake Allatoona at www.arcgis.com. Dupree Park has a pond that is stocked for fishing and includes a boardwalk and fishing pier to cast from.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Events Reimagined In Downtown BY STACY BROWN

Staff members of Visit Woodstock GA, the city’s official destination marketing organization, have been brainstorming and planning a series of fun new events for 2021. The events are intended to help participants move through the city, enjoying Woodstock’s thriving business community, while remaining safe and distanced. Past events, such as Friday Night Live, will not take place this year, and will be replaced with less congested, more purposeful programming. Be sure to follow Visit Woodstock GA, Downtown Woodstock and the Woodstock Visitors Center at Historic Dean’s Store on social media, or go to visitwoodstockga.com to learn more about these events as details are released throughout the year.

Sip + Shop

Aug. 19, Back to School Nov. 18, Holiday Preview

This is a late evening ticketed shopping event, where participants receive specials and goodies offered by downtown retailers. The visitors center will help promote shopping and service establishments, and create a lively atmosphere, by booking sidewalk musicians. Food establishments will offer to-go or quick-service specials for participants, so they can keep moving and maximize their deals.

Saturday Afternoon Pub Crawls May 1, Cinco de Mayo July 3, Independence Day

These themed Saturday events will feature food and drink specials at downtown food establishments. Participants are encouraged to visit all of the participating restaurants.

Walking Tours

Dates to be determined

Free small-group tours, focused on a particular topic of interest (history, trail system, architecture/ development, ghost tour, etc.), will be hosted by the visitors center. Tours are under development, and will be announced on visitwoodstockga.com and Downtown Woodstock social media. Top, Funk Cake performed for pub crawlers earlier this year. Photo courtesy of Prime 120. Left, shoppers look for Christmas treasures during December’s Sip + Shop. 16

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

n Woodstock

Earn College And High School Credit At The Same Time @ C H AT TA H O O C H E E T E C H

The Dual Enrollment Program allows eligible high school students the opportunity to maximize their education and career training by taking courses that earn college and high school credit at the same time! www.ChattahoocheeTech.edu/deadmissions I 770-528-4545 A Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia. Equal Opportunity Institution.

Taste of Woodstock Target date is Fall

This event, held on the Elm Street Event Green at Market Street, is being reimagined in a new way, to ensure social distancing measures.

Farm. Fresh. Market. Mid-April through December

Located on Market Street in downtown Woodstock, this year’s market will include occasional chef demos from local restaurants.

Oktoberfest Sept. 18-Oct. 3

Look for a multi-week celebration for Oktoberfest, occurring at the same time as the traditional celebration in Germany.

Stacy Brown is the marketing and communications manager for the city of Woodstock. She can be reached at 770-592-6056 or sbrown@woodstockga.gov.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Cindy Nelson

Attorney at Nelson Elder Care Law Firm

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

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

Last month’s feature on some of the inspiring women of Cherokee County was so well-received that I was asked to write a continuation, featuring a few more women who make our community great. Again, I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed listening and learning from them. To finish off this two-part feature, I was invited to share my own responses. I’m delighted to share some of my own snippets and inspirations to include alongside the others, and hope that if you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting any of the women included here, ask them about their incredible lives. These conversations were an important reminder that despite everything going on in the world, connection is there, and women are so often at the center of it. Ashley Velez is a digital marketing strategist, freelance writer and company culture advocate. She's a proud resident of Woodstock, where she lives with her family.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

My mother was my first role model. She was always a professional woman with a keen sense of business. As I entered my adult life, I was fortunate to work at Hewlett Packard, a company known for including and encouraging diversity. Anne Livermore, an Executive Vice President at HP until 2011, was one of the only female executives of a Fortune 100 company at the time. Throughout my career at Hewlett Packard I worked for great female role models. I started my career working in IT. At the time, there were not very many women working in t hat area of business, and it was not uncommon for me to be the only female at the table as I was promoted. This instilled a sense of responsibility in me to mentor women. I’ve spent my life helping women to live their best life, whatever that means to them. I have always believed that a woman can achieve any goal she sets for herself and is not restricted because of her gender.

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

Look for a female and a male mentor. Choose someone you admire and respect who is willing to give you honest guidance and feedback. Throughout your life, you should have many mentors who can offer you assistance in a variety of different skills and strengths.

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

Carol Tome, the CEO of UPS, is a wonderful inspiration. I worked with her when she was the CFO of The Home Depot. She has created her own style and maintains her individuality while still effectively working at the executive level in Fortune 100 companies. She is a brilliant woman who has the skills to lead large international companies and make it look easy. If you have not heard Carol on an earnings call, I would encourage you to make a point of listening to her. She is also an inspirational speaker.

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

Ruth Bader Ginsburg has always been a woman I admired. She had to put forth the extra effort to be seen beyond her gender and her looks. She was able to show the world that it didn’t matter whether she was a female, wife and mother. What mattered was she was an intelligent attorney who was interested in focusing her energy on making positive changes in the United States. She was effective making significant strides for women and people in general because of her brilliance and dedication.

Continued on page 20

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Inspiring Women

Lori Baker

Executive Director, Next Step Ministries, Inc.

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

Ashley Velez

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

My maternal grandmother, Evalyn Pierce, has had an enormous impact on my life. Meemaw, as she’s affectionately known, taught English and history for 35-plus years. We share a love of the written word, world history and traveling. As a small child (and the only granddaughter), we shared a love of makeup, fresh-picked flowers, and playing dress up. I owe so much to her during my formative years. I’m very lucky to have other women in my family who encourage and inspire me daily, including my Mom, my mother-in-law, my stepmom, my other grandmother and my Aunt Angie. I also have a close group of female friends, many of whom I’ve known for 20-plus years. I am a better wife, mother, daughter and friend because of their love and guidance.

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

Take some time to figure out who you are and what you want to do with your life early on. Travel! Try new things and be open to the self-discovery process.

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

My friend, Paige Reid. She is kind, caring and a bright light for Cherokee County, and has started a special needs day program, Limitless Disability Services, for underserved special-needs families. She’s a friend, an influencer and supporter of small businesses and organizations that make up our wonderful community.

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

Jen Pastiloff, writer, podcast host, retreat leader - I’ve met many amazing women through Jen’s retreats and work, and they’ve become my extended family. Her retreats and workshops are a way for me to re-center and re-focus, and get back to the heart of being human. One of my favorite quotes of hers is: “When I get to the end of my life, and I ask one final ‘What have I done?’ let my answer be: ‘I have done love.’”

Favorite women to learn from?

There are so many women I gravitate toward for inspiration these days. I love Ann Handley, Tonya Ingram, Anne Lamott, Brené Brown, Maya Angelou, Jen Hatmaker, Austin Channing Brown, Elizabeth Gilbert, Morgan Harper Nichols and Byron Katie, to name just a handful.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

My mother has probably made the biggest impact. She was very physically disabled, which led me into physical therapy and ultimately to founding Next Step Ministries. She taught me what it was like to live with a family member who was very disabled, as well as perseverance in life. Another very impactful woman was Sally Washburn, one of my Sunday School teachers from FBCW?. Although older (in her 70s and 80s), she had such a zeal for life and new adventures. She also taught us about depending on the Lord and keeping our priorities straight. A very wise woman who now resides in heaven!

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

Find a job that you are passionate about doing – do it well – and the rewards will come.

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

Cindy O’Leary, the Executive Director at The Hope Center. Cindy has an amazing ability to see God’s work and presence in all situations, and to encourage people to see what God is doing in their lives.

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

Lynne Saunders, the Executive Director at Encompass Ministries. Lynne has a compassionate heart for people in need, and the ability to address those needs. From the food bank (Papa’s Pantry), helping people become more competent with life skills, working on affordable housing solutions, helping develop the Recovery Organization of Cherokee County, to writing an inspiring magazine – she has made a huge impact on the lives of people in Cherokee County.

Favorite women to learn from? Christian business leaders.

Lynne Saunders

Founder and Executive Director, Encompass Ministries (Papa’s Pantry) The Master’s Training Center, My Community Spirit magazine

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

Stefanie Joyner

Executive Director Cherokee County Historical Society Which women have made the biggest impact in your everyday life?

I would say that my mother and sister have had the biggest impact on my everyday life. My mom was nurturing, yet inspired me to reach out of my comfort zone and try new things. My older sister, Diana, led by example, and has shown me how to be a good leader and business manager.

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

Just do it. Learn to be self-reliant, but don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Set ambitious goals and take small steps if necessary to keep moving in the right direction.

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

I am fortunate to be working with an amazing team of women on the new Cherokee County History Center. Many are volunteers, including Lisa Hillhouse Tressler, who is our building chair and Rebecca Johnston, the fundraising chair. They inspire me every day by their dedication and passion to this project. My staff, Jessica Gordy and Kaylee Johnson, are young museum professionals, who have an unending curiosity and enthusiasm to share history. They understand museums have the power to bring people together and change communities. And that is our goal - to build something bigger than ourselves that will have a lasting impact on the people around us.

The first woman who comes to mind is my Auntie Ruthie, my mother’s older sister. She knew how to laugh and love BIG. When I was young, we would visit her in upstate New York. No matter what the season, she made sure I was dressed properly for the weather and was exposed to experiences way outside my daily life in south Florida. In the winter, her friends helped provide me with head-to-toe snow gear. We would ride snowmobiles and hike through the most ridiculous of terrains. In the summer, I learned to sail and race 32-40 foot sailboats, assigned to various boat owners (captains) through race seasons. I was fearless as a teenager, and when it came to navigating treacherous passes, my captains would put me at the helm. I never had a mishap and always kept time. The second woman who comes to mind is my Grandmother, Granny Helen, my mother’s and Aunt Ruth’s mother. She worked all the time, as the post office general (I think) for the small town of Sodus Point, and was a nurse at the community hospital. Granny Helen loved to garden, which is probably the root of my passion. Behind the Encompass/Papa’s building, there is an organic garden today, which produces fresh seasonal produce 12 months out of the year. She had a heart for serving the community, no matter what it took or the role it required.

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

I am a Christian, so biblical principles guide my life and decisions. I would absolutely encourage young women to seek the God of Christianity if they haven’t already. I have had some very real personal encounters with God that have propelled me into the ministry world I live in each day. There is no way I could achieve all that on my own. Secondly, I would say, “trust your gut.” There are many voices in the world encouraging and promising great things. The easiest path is generally the wrong one. It’s better to take more time in making big decisions than feeling pressured to make quick ones.

Who’s one local female who has inspired you?

I have a very good friend, Holly Hill. She and her husband, Morgan, own Hill and Hill Financial with offices in Woodstock and in Tennessee. I met Holly when she reached out to me about a food drive as the recipient of a birthday celebration many years ago. I took a donation barrel to their house, then proceeded to have a long conversation about the ministry. She seemed to really enjoy connecting with people in need. I appreciated her professionalism in her approach to every situation and solution. Over the years she has served a few terms on our Board of Directors as well as launching her own non-profit, The 2:10 Foundation, that helps students financially finish their education.

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

Condoleezza Rice, because she is a woman of great grace, intelligence, talent and influence. Growing up, she was a prodigy, spending hours playing and perfecting the piano, advancing in school quickly, and learning several languages. She grew up in the 1950s and ’60s in Birmingham--a very segregated time--and experienced discrimination firsthand. In 1963, two of her schoolmates and friends were killed in the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing that killed four young black girls. Condoleezza had every reason to grow up hating the America she experienced at a young age. Instead, she worked hard in all she took on, including becoming the U.S. National Security Adviser under President Geroge W. Bush in 2001. Working in ministry for so many years, I appreciate her determination and hard work to never let circumstances get the best of her. That takes work and great courage. Now, in regard to playing the piano, that is a project I personally began last year… Sadly, I don’t ever expect to get very good any time soon. However, I’m proud to play Happy Birthday to my grands! AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Today’s Spotlight is Shifting to Bonds BY DON AKRIDGE, MBA, CFP®, CPA/PFS U.S. MARINE CORPS VETERAN – EMORY UNIVERSITY ALUMNUS

One time-tested principle of investing is, “when bond yields move higher, bond prices tend to move lower.” Investors are doing a double-take on the 10-year Treasury yield, which recently topped 1.5% — its highest level in about a year. With the increase in yield comes a drop in price.1 For some, the first time they experience a change in bond prices is when they open their monthly statement and review their investments. But, before you check your February statement, here is some background that may help put the most recent move in longterm rates in perspective. The interest rate on the 10-year Treasury dropped steadily in the first half of 2020 and bottomed at 0.54% in late July. While rates remain at low levels, the yield on the 10-year Treasury has nearly tripled in the past seven months. That’s a significant increase in a relatively short period.2 Bond yields may increase for several reasons — some of them good (strong economic growth) and some of them concerning (accelerating inflation). Bond investors are anticipating a pickup in economic growth, and appear concerned about inflation due to the Federal Reserve’s easy monetary stance and federal fiscal spending in response to the pandemic. The question is, at what point do stock investors begin to worry about higher bond yields? The answer may be if 10-year Treasury yields start to rival the dividend yield on the S&P 500.3 Remember, the Federal Reserve has reiterated its support for its zero-interest-rate policy, but much of the Fed’s influence is on short-term interest rates. Market forces play a larger role in determining long-term rates like the 10-year Treasury.4 Bonds can play an important part in any portfolio, but, like any investment, periods of volatility are expected.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Securities offered through registered representatives of Cambridge Investment Research Inc., a broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc., a registered investment adviser. Cambridge is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of Peter Montoya Inc. or MarketingPro Inc. The market value of a bond will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. As rates rise, the value of existing bonds typically falls. If an investor sells a bond before maturity, it may be worth more or less than the initial purchase price. By holding a bond to maturity, an investor will receive the interest payments due, plus your original principal, barring default by the issuer. Investments seeking to achieve higher yields also involve a higher degree of risk. Asset allocation and diversification are approaches to help manage investment risk. Asset allocation and diversification do not guarantee against investment loss. This material was prepared by MarketingPro Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. This information has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. Please note: Investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalty. This is neither a solicitation nor a recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insurance product or service, and should not be relied upon as such. All indices are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular investment. Citations. 1. U.S. Department of Treasury, Feb. 26, 2021 2. CNBC.com, Feb. 26, 2021 3. Multpl.com, Feb. 26, 2021 4. The Wall Street Journal, Feb. 24, 2021

Don Akridge is president of Citadel Professional Services, LLC, an independent firm, founded in 1994 and conveniently located off Chastain Road between I-575 & I-75 in Kennesaw. 770-952-6707.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Celebrations! ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE FREE!

Email: Edit@AroundaboutMagazines.com May deadline is April 10. Please specify Around Woodstock.

Dwight and Tracey Alcala

Wedding anniversary April 4. Happy one-year anniversary to my wonderful husband! I love you, Sweetheart. Love, Tracey.

Patrick, April 8, and Cameron, age 15 on March 30.

Happy birthday to my heartbeats! Patrick, my King of Hearts and Cameron, my Jack of Hearts. Wishing you both a year filled with unlimited happiness and blessings! Love, hugs and kisses, Donna/Mom.

Michael F. Pratt, M.D.

Retired after 20 years of practicing in Cherokee County. Congratulations! Hope you enjoy your retirement. We will miss you, Trina Bonner, Blake Bonner and Jenny Chaban.

Caroline Kidd

April 19 Happy fifth birthday! We love you, Mom and Dad. 24

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Saanvi

Congratulations on your first two-digit birthday! May all your wishes come true and all the happiness of the world bestowed upon you! Love Dada, Dadi, Veer, Papa, Mummy, Bua and Phupha.

Hudson Alger

Happy fourth birthday, Hudson! We love you so much! Love, Mommy and Daddy.

Aubree Bedoya

April 12 Happy fifth birthday! You are the sweetest little girl! We love you, Mommy, Daddy, Alexa and Luna.

Knightley Kerrington

April 16 You’re more than wonderful, more than amazing! Happy fourth birthday, sweet girl of mine. Mommy loves you for life!

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

EVERYDAY

Throughout 2020, Hillary Foster, 40, began experiencing different health concerns. For a young mom, hormones are usually to blame. “It began with common gynecological complaints, then urology. Everything checked out normal. Until August, I was hospitalized with severe abdominal pain and diverticulitis, an infection in one or more small pouches in the digestive tract. Never had I experienced gastric issues. There was a small abscess and perforation in my colon and, once healed, it was recommended that I have a colonoscopy. In October, my colonoscopy confirmed that the pressure of an aggressive mass was the cause of all my issues. On Oct. 22, I was diagnosed with stage 3b adenocarcinoma of my rectum. My diagnosis came on the same day the U.S. Prevention Services Task Force lowered the colon cancer screening age from 50 to 45. Still not early enough for me and many others,” Foster said. “Ten years ago, I lost my dad - my hero, my person - from esophageal cancer. Little did I know that his brutal journey prepared me for what was ahead for me. Since my diagnosis, I can tell you cancer changes you immediately. Your faith becomes everything while you love deeper and appreciate all that

Hillary Foster 26

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

A Christmas photo of the family, from left: Jarae, Addison, Hillary, Brendan, Jermaine and Cannon.

you may have once taken for granted. Every sight and view are seen with beauty and felt with deep emotions,” she said. “I share my journey in hopes that it may save just one person. Your family’s health history should not be private. Everyone needs to be aware of cancers in their lineage as well as recurring colonic polyps. If your parents have a history of polyps, then their children must become diligent and not wait until the government’s recommended age to get tested,” Foster said. Studies estimate by 2030, colon cancer rates in 20- to 34-year-olds will increase by 90% and rectal cancer rates will rise by more than 124%. The National Cancer Institute also states 10% of colon cancers and 22% of rectal cancers diagnosed in the United States are expected to be in patients younger than 50. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death in men and women. Foster just completed her first aggressive phase of treatment. Thankfully, her body has responded positively, and she will move onto her

next phase of 28 rounds of radiation and chemo five days a week before surgery is scheduled. “I want people to see the beauty in my struggles throughout my journey. To see God’s work through me and let others see that cancer can make you better instead of bitter. “I fight because I have so much to live for and so many to love. I am a wife, mother and grandmother, sister and daughter. I did not ask to be placed on this journey, but God has a plan and I have a calling. Be diligent, stay connected with family and openly share. Your story has purpose. It does not make you weak, it makes you human,” she said. Everyday Angels loves this strong young lady. Her faith and light are an inspiration. It is our hope that her story will help someone and inspire everyone. We want to help her by relieving some of the financial burdens. Foster continues to work during her treatments when she is able, but she does not get paid when she misses work. Friends have created a GoFundMe page, or you may give through Everyday Angels.

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

Understanding the Ringing in Your Ears BY DR. MARY SWANTEK

Tinnitus is a common problem in the United States, with approximately 25 million Americans, or 10% of the adult population, experiencing this phenomenon. Generally pronounced in the medical field as TIN-uh-tis, the word also is referred to in lay terms as tin-NIGH-tus. This term refers to the perception of sound in the absence of external noise (Moller, 2011)1. Tinnitus is derived from the Latin word tinnere, or to ring. However, the sound perceived may instead be a clicking, hissing or buzzing. Some cases of tinnitus may involve multiple sounds, hearing music or voices. Patients report varying degrees of tinnitus, ranging from nonbothersome tinnitus, mainly occurring at night, to symptoms that hinder their ability to function each day. The main reason patients experience tinnitus typically is related to the ear, with the most common cause being hearing loss (Baguley, David, Don McFerran and Deborah Hall, 2013)2. Permanent hearing loss, often caused by aging, noise exposure, and/or genetic components, causes damage to the cells inside the inner ear. Other frequent causes of tinnitus include excessive ear wax, heightened stress, medications or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). When you experience tinnitus, the first step is to rule out hearing loss. Almost 80% of tinnitus cases are related to hearing loss. It is imperative to see an audiologist for a comprehensive hearing evaluation, preferably one who specializes in tinnitus management. Also, it may be recommended that you see an otolaryngologist, to rule out possible medical problems related to tinnitus. Contrary to popular belief, there are many different treatment options to aid in the management of tinnitus. However, there is not a scientifically validated cure. Treatment options may consist of hearing aids, sound therapy, lifestyle changes or cognitive behavioral therapy. The American Tinnitus Association recommends treatment plans involving masking the tinnitus with a pleasant sound that retrains the brain to disregard tinnitus. Masking may consist of programs integrated into a hearing aid, a sound generator, or apps that are available on smartphones. Dietary changes, such as limiting salt, caffeine or alcohol, may help. Stress management, through yoga or exercise, also has shown benefits. Protecting your hearing is equally as important in the treatment of tinnitus, by using hearing protection while around loud sounds. 1. Møller, Aage R. “Epidemiology of tinnitus in adults.” Textbook of tinnitus. Springer, New York, NY, 2011. 29-37. 2. Baguley, David, Don McFerran, and Deborah Hall. “Tinnitus.” The Lancet 382.9904 (2013): 1600-1607. Dr. Mary Swantek joined North Georgia Audiology in 2019. She earned her doctorate degree from the University of Florida and her bachelor’s degree from Valdosta State University.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Clients Have More Choices

Competitive rates for purchasing or refinancing Capital Mortgage Solutions recently moved closer to Woodstock’s business district to fulfill a professional and personal commitment to the city. That’s just one way owners Ben and Candice Thornton are positioning themselves to help their neighbors in the current housing market. Another way is working closely with realtors to thoroughly preapprove buyers and to help their mutual clients win multiple offer situations. Navigating the industrywide shortage in available homes

can be challenging, so it is more important now than ever for buyers to have a team of people dedicated to helping them. “Many houses are selling for top dollar with multiple offers. We want our buyers to win, and we have developed an approach to help them and their realtors in this hyperaggressive seller’s market,” Candice said. “We work closely with realtors on the terms of a buyer’s offer. We are a team advocating and working for our buyers.” Capital Mortgage Solutions handles residential purchases and refinances in Georgia and Florida, serving the standard programs — conventional mortgages, FHA, VA, jumbo and high-balance mortgages are their focus. The extra measures taken to help clients in this current climate are a natural extension of the philosophy at Capital Mortgage Solutions. The firm offers a unique, boutique oneon-one approach in which all clients — from someone who’s purchased 10 homes to the first-time homebuyer — are treated the same. “The goal is to help clients understand the process, from A to

Z,” Candice said. “We know it can be an emotionally stressful time, so we want to take off any added stress. Clients, to us, are not just units or numbers,” she said. “We hand-hold people through the process, and we celebrate with them.”

Clients Save Time, Money

Ben has worked in all areas of residential lending, from large banks to direct lenders to small brokers, before deciding to open Capital Mortgage Solutions. After their success and experience working for other companies, Ben and Candice realized they could offer more flexibility and savings to clients within the framework of a small, local business, and so they opened Capital Mortgage Solutions. “We opened so we could have control on the pricing we offered our clients. We wanted to have control over the process, from beginning to end,” Ben said, describing their business model as one in which they keep their overhead low so they can pass savings on to their clients. “We save people money, because

Capital Mortgage Solutions | 8255 Main St., Woodstoc

Benjamin Thornton NMLS # 279007 | Candice Orman Thornton NMLS # 1507325 | C 28

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Sponsor

PHOTOS BY BRIAN NEJEDLY

Candice and Ben Thornton shop multiple lenders to find the best fit - and the best prices - for their clients.

we shop multiple lenders to find which lender the client fits best with, and we shop the best prices,” Candice said. “Also, because our overhead is less, the cost to the client is much less. Our goal is to get you the best rate and the best cost, while providing the best service and experience.” For existing homeowners, Capital Mortgage Solutions offers highly competitive interest rates that can save clients tens of thousands of dollars in interest. For clients interested in home improvements or debt consolidation, a cash-out refinance is an option. “Interest rates are still at historic lows,” Candice said. “We firmly believe now is a great time to take advantage of these low rates by refinancing.”

A Part of the Community

Ben and Candice opened Capital Mortgage in 2015, bringing their 25-plus years of combined experience to a community that reminds them of their roots. They both grew up in a small town in Alabama and, when they relocated their family from a neighboring city to Woodstock, they knew they wanted to move their business here as well. “It’s so great to literally live, work and play here in Woodstock. The city is booming, and we are thrilled to be right in the middle of the growth,” Candice said. The Thorntons believe that being part of a live-work-and-play community means supporting activities and outreach that make life better for all residents. They enjoy being involved in sports with

their son and daughter — through coaching for Cherokee Youth Football Association (CYFA) football and cheerleading, and East Cobb baseball — and want to help other families do the same. That’s why they set aside proceeds from each closing to donate toward youth sports programs. When clients work with Capital Mortgage Solutions, Candice said they are, in turn, contributing to these great causes. The firm has grown exponentially over the past six years, and plans include opening small branches in surrounding cities while maintaining that local-company feel. “When members of the community think of buying or refinancing,” Candice said, “we want to be the mortgage company that comes to mind.”

ck GA 30188 | 770-450-9717 | w w w.cmshomeloans.com

Capital Mortgage Solutions NMLS # 1407612 | Georgia Residential Licensee # 47419

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AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Rob’s Rescues This cat’s name is Pebbles, and is at Cobb County Animal Services. She is 10 months old. She was a stray and is very sweet. She doesn’t mind being picked up and likes to be petted. Cobb County Animal Shelter doesn’t have a huge amount of cats at the moment, but that always changes.

Linda Hunt, Rob and Act2Pups intern Alex Barnett with dogs Queenie and Chelsea.

Act2Pups

This month’s interview is with Linda Hunt, founder of Act2Pups Senior Dog Rescue.

Where do you get your dogs from? How long have you been doing this?

Around 80% come from Cobb County Animal Services, and I also get requests from other rescue organizations who get senior dogs in. I’ve been in rescue since 2010 and started Act2Pups in 2013.

Why did you start doing this?

There was a need. A lot of the time I get old dogs in that have outlived their owners. The owner passes away and I step in. And a lot of the time, dogs get old and owners surrender them, which is really terrible.

What is the oldest dog you have ever found a home for? A 17-year-old. He lived about seven months. He was mostly blind, mostly deaf and had terrible teeth (this is a big problem with senior dogs). Poppy was his name. He was part of a bonded pair. Bonded pairs should always be taken together from a shelter.

What is the average age of dogs that you help? The average is 8 to 12 years old. We take younger, but only if they are in horrible condition.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

What are the best things about adopting old dogs?

This dog is Rick. She is an Act2Pups dog looking for a home. She is a little Chihuahua who is 6 years old. She spent three weeks abandoned in an apartment with no food or water, but she is fine now. She is just 5 pounds and will be a great dog to have.

In most cases, they are already used to living in a home. They are housetrained, have manners, and know what it is like to live happily in a home with people.

What should people know about adopting older dogs?

They are often more expensive. At Act2Pups, we do blood work and dentals. We get in dogs with tumors. Sometimes limbs have to be amputated. The dogs we take in are usually health-challenged.

Rob with Pebbles.

What is a story you like to tell? Older dogs can be so loving. Even having an old dog for a few months can be wonderful. We also take in hospice dogs that may only have a few days, but they are loved and feel loved for their remaining time.

How can the community help Act2Pups?

We always need donations for medical expenses. That’s where 95% of our donations go. We do rigorous background checks and trial adoptions. We make very sure the dog is going to a good home.

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

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Realtors Issue a Challenge to Local Residents

At the beginning of 2021, members of Ursula & Associates, a Woodstock real estate team, took time from work to organize a food drive. The response was so positive, they’ve been inspired to challenge others to do the same. Seven team members spent several days distributing full-size grocery bags with instructions for collection, and included a list of needs from Never Alone Food Pantry. They collected the bags later in the week. “When we delivered 105 overflowing bags to Never Alone, we were met by the staff with deep gratefulness. We saw in their eyes that each bag, each can, each box of cereal represented an amazing family that wouldn’t have otherwise eaten. We saw how much of a need was truly being met.” Inspired by their experience, Ursula & Associates is issuing a challenge to other businesses and residents in the area. Here are a few of their suggestions. Contactless: Through Instacart or AmazonPantry, put together a cart of food to be delivered to a local food bank. Send “Thinking of You” cards to residents of local nursing homes. In-person: Join volunteers at Never Alone to assemble food boxes. Volunteer at a nearby animal shelter. “We are honored to lock arms with you, Towne Lake, in supporting the betterment of this amazing community that we are all proud to call home,” Wilson said. “Each act of kindness or service may feel small, but, we can assure you, is making a difference beyond that moment. We’ve seen it — and so can you.” Ursula and Associates collected 105 bags of groceries for local food pantries.

Sean Bloomer has volunteered for more than a decade.

Volunteer is Honored for Decade of Service

Canton resident Sean Bloomer was awarded the G. Cecil Pruett Family YMCA Volunteer of the Year award recently at the virtual YMCA of Metro Atlanta’s 2021 Celebration of Community Champions, honoring his volunteer work with the community center. Bloomer has been volunteering at the YMCA in Canton for more than a decade. In the early 2000s, Bloomer was looking for a place where his oldest son could participate in a positive sports environment, which inspired him to join the organization and start his journey of volunteerism. “My main volunteer role at the YMCA is to serve as a youth sports coach,” Bloomer said. “I believe that a coach’s role is not only to teach a young athlete about a particular sport, but also to instill confidence, discipline, self-respect and respect for others. I also want to create a fun environment.”

Kudos to a First-time Author Deborah Corrao, author of “Once Upon a Chicken,” grew up loving to read and write stories, has worked in the children’s department at the RT Jones Memorial Library in Canton, and served as a coordinator for homeschool groups. Since her retirement, Deborah and husband John live on a farm and grow vegetables, fruit trees and raise chickens for eggs. As an experiment about three years ago, she chose one of the baby chicks to raise to adulthood, named her Miss Buttercup, and made her the subject of a children’s storybook. Published by Yawn’s Publishing in Canton, it is available on Amazon.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Scout Creates Golden Opportunity Local Girl Scout Ambassador, Alanis “Laney” Broussard is one of the latest scouts to be awarded the 2021 Gold Award, an accomplishment that less than 6% of Girl Scouts from across the country achieve. The ceremony took place on March 7, which is International Women’s Day and the first day of Girl Scout Week. Laney, a Woodstock High graduate, is a freshman at Boston University, and began a website called Soul to Speak (www. soultospeak.org). The site gives students a safe space to “unleash their soul” while building their oratory skills to create testimonies of change. “Students will be equipped to engage any audience, present themselves with confidence, and truly speak their soul,” according to the website. “Girl Scouts allowed me to truly find my voice and to help others find theirs,” Laney said. In addition to her website, Laney also created a podcast, in which she interviewed Condace Pressley of Cox Media and Brian Hightower, superintendent of schools for Cherokee County. To tune in to the Podcast or book a session for public speaking, please visit her project website at http://soultospeak.org.

Laney Broussard recently earned her Gold Award.

Cherokee County Fire Educator Beth Elder, left, with Tammy Dorsten.

CPR Training Comes in Handy In 1907, Robert Baden-Powell, an English soldier and the founder of Scouting, devised the Scout motto: Be Prepared. Baden-Powell wrote that to Be Prepared means “you are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your duty.” Cherokee County resident, Tammy Dorsten, understands the meaning of those two words even more after an incident a couple of weeks ago at a local Kroger store. “I was in a Kroger at approximately 7:30 that night, and I had just made my purchases. As I turned to leave, I heard something fall. I turned and it was a gentleman that had collapsed and hit his head in the self-checkout line,” Dorsten said. “I realize that nobody’s taking control of the situation. So, I just said, I know CPR and I just started directing the way that I had been taught to do. So, you call 911, you go meet the ambulance and you get me the first aid kit. Do you have an AED (automated external defibrillator)? You know, those kinds of things.” As director of the Holdheide Academy in Woodstock, Dorsten had taken a class taught by Cherokee County fire educators. Childcare workers in the U.S. are required to take CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) certified classes. The course teaches critical skills needed to respond to and manage a first aid or sudden cardiac arrest emergency until help arrives. The class also shows how to treat bleeding, sprains, broken bones, shock, choking, and other first aid emergencies. “I think Tammy is a great director of her daycare. She knows her employees well and she helps them and drills them in the CPR skills before they take their test. I also think the good Lord knew that Tammy was going to need all those skills to use later on,” Cherokee County Fire Educator Beth Elder said. The 55-year-old gentleman who fell was unconscious for approximately 6 minutes. Paramedics from Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services arrived on the scene minutes later and transported the man to an area hospital to be evaluated. “You just can’t describe that feeling of being able to help somebody else in a minute when they are completely helpless and nobody else was willing to help, knowing you stepped up and did the right thing,” Dorsten said. “I made a difference and there’s no better feeling than that.” For information on upcoming first aid and CPR classes, visit www.cherokeecountyfire.org. Classes are taught once a month and cost $25. AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Election Reform Increases Integrity, Security BY CHARLICE BYRD

The sacred right to vote in a free and fair election is a fundamental building block to our civil society. If we take this right for granted, the confidence in our electoral process, and the democracy that blossoms from its practice, are eroded away into a slippery slope of chaos. From 2003 to 2020 (18 sessions), the Legislature passed elections-related legislation each of every year, approving a total of 59 bills. We learned many lessons going back to the 2018 elections, and certainly following the implementation of a new voting system last year and an unprecedented pandemic revealed stresses in our elections system. This is why I supported HB 531, a comprehensive election reform package that passed the House. The legislation aims to shore up Georgia’s election laws in a number of ways. The bill will strengthen absentee ballot requirements by revising the period to address unnecessary burdens on elections staff by changing the time requirements for voters to request an absentee ballot from 180 days to 78 days before the election and modifies the request deadline from three days prior to an election to 11 days prior to the election. These changes will reduce the number of canceled ballots, which lead to longer voter lines and an increased burden on election officials. The bill requires at least one drop box in every county to be housed at registrars’ offices or inside early voting locations. It also

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

requires one early voting Saturday, and a second weekend day of early voting, either Saturday or Sunday. It revamps the state elections board by replacing the secretary of state as chair with a designee appointed by the Legislature to ensure a broader oversight of the elections process. Lastly, the legislation eliminates private funding directly to county election offices, bringing additional uniformity in elections in all 159 counties. The legislation will increase confidence in the elections system by reducing the prospect of undue partisan influence and unlevel private funding for county election activities. While working to implement a very strong election reform package, my colleagues and I are committed to ensuring every Georgian legally eligible to cast a ballot is able to do so. We are committed to removing barriers to access and providing all voters with critical election resources and information. We can — and will — enhance election security while increasing voter access legally and fairly.

Rep. Charlice Byrd represents District 20 in the Georgia House of Representatives. charlice.byrd@house.ga.gov

Local Sales Tax to Reduce Property Tax BY HARRY JOHNSTON

Property taxes may be the most despised form of taxation, even more than income taxes. People often say they’d like to shift the tax burden toward sales tax, and away from property tax. We have two 1% Special Purpose Local Option Sales Taxes (SPLOSTs) in Cherokee County, as do almost all Georgia counties. One pays for school facilities. The other is for local road work and other county facilities and equipment. Those taxes must be renewed by voter referendum every five to six years. Both will come up for renewal in the next two years, and it’s important that they are renewed. Without them, property taxes would have to increase substantially to continue to fund roads, schools and other facilities. What we don’t have in Cherokee is an additional 1% Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) to help fund county operations and directly reduce the county’s maintenance and operation (M&O) property taxes. All but three Georgia counties have a LOST or similar Homestead Option Sales Tax (HOST). In spite of that, our county M&O tax rates are in the lowest 20% of all Georgia counties, at 5.216 mills. But, they could be even lower. A voter referendum is required to enact a LOST or HOST, and those taxes are permanent unless removed by a referendum. Either could make a big reduction in the county M&O tax. Proceeds from a LOST must be used to roll back the county M&O tax rate equally for all types of properties. In Cherokee, the county M&O is about $600 on a property valued at $300,000. A LOST would reduce it by about half. Homeowners get first priority for tax rollbacks from HOST proceeds, so a HOST could eliminate fully the M&O tax for them. But, business and investment properties would get a much smaller reduction. Neither a LOST nor a HOST helps with the school, fire or park bond property taxes. Those add up to about $2,700 per year on a $300,000 property. So, the current total tax bill of about $3,300 on that property only would drop to $2,700 to $3,000. It’s not such a big help when you look at it that way. Households typically spend about 30% of their gross income on purchases subject to sales tax. Real estate and most services are exempt. Vehicles are now subject to a separate Title Ad Valorem Tax that’s not affected by a LOST or HOST. A family with $80,000 in gross income probably would pay about $240 more per year in sales taxes. That yields a small net savings with a LOST. The difference is made up by people from outside the county who make purchases in Cherokee. For homeowners, the net savings is more significant with a HOST. I’m neutral on the LOST/HOST issue, not trying to persuade anybody either way. But, as always, I’m very interested in your opinion on this or other county issues. Please email me at hjohnston@cherokeega.com. Harry Johnston is chairman of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners. He's a retired CPA and accounting manager, and a former district commissioner.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

1. Start with your child.

Assess if the camp will fit your child’s interests and needs. There are many options, from day camps to overnight residential camps, where campers can stay for a week or longer. Check the facility to see if the camp takes place indoors or outdoors. Numerous specialty camps also offer unique themes such as robotics, horseback riding, and even a week of fishing. Options also include inclusive therapeutic camps. The possibilities are endless – you just have to find the right one that fits your camper’s interests and needs.

the safety of the overall environment. 2. Check

For 2021, make sure the camps have the required COVID-19 protocols in place. Assess the facility to see if it appears safe and maintained. Check if the staff is required to have first aid/CPR certifications, and if they go through adequate training prior to the beginning of summer. Ask for recommendations from the community about the camp. If you read a lot of negative reviews, it might be best to look for another location.

sure it benefits your family. 3. Make

Picking the Perfect

SUMMER CAMP

SUBMITTED BY THE CHEROKEE RECREATION AND PARKS AGENCY

Trying to decide where to send your child for summer camp sometimes can be overwhelming! Here are the top five things we suggest you look for when deciding the best place for your future camper.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Review how much it costs to attend, and determine if it is financially achievable. If not, ask if they have scholarship assistance. Research the hours of operation and the dates that are available to ensure they work for you and your family, especially if you are utilizing the camp for childcare. Look at the camp’s mission statements, and see if their overall philosophy matches your family’s.

the activity schedule. 4. Consider

Ask about a day in the life of the camper so you know what your camper will be doing each day. Do they remain stationary all day, are they constantly rotating through activities, or are they going out on field trips within the community? Does the schedule seem extremely repetitive or do their campers get to experience new things and opportunities each day? Decide what works best for your camper and make sure it fits his or her needs.

Archery, left, and kayaking are great outdoor activities to seek in an outdoor camp.

5. Weigh the benefits for your child.

Camp should be a time for fun and allow kids to be kids. Make sure the camp looks like an environment where your child will thrive socially, and will have opportunities to grow independently or leave camp having gained a new skill. Ensure the camp can accommodate any specific needs your camper requires, supporting them in any way. Another good resource for parents is the American Camp Association (ACA), www.acacamps.org, which has the following recommendation for camper/counselor ratios. “ACA standards require different ratios for varying ages and special needs … At day camps, the ratios range from: one staff member for every six campers ages 4 and 5; one staff member for every eight campers ages 6 to 8; one staff member for every 10 campers ages 9 to 14; and one staff member for every 12 campers ages 15 to 17.” Whichever camp you and your family choose, get ready for your campers to have fun, make a ton of memories, and for them to beg you to be on the lookout for registration dates for the summer of 2022! Cherokee Recreation and Parks staff members Lauren Voss, Jarron Amburgey and Adam Fussell collaborated on the article.

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New Program Provides Transportation for Veterans

A museum visitor examines one of the detailed exhibits.

Cherokee Nation Stories Brought to Life The Funk Heritage Center’s Buffington Gallery is home to the stories of Cherokee natives who lived in North Georgia during the early 19th century. The current exhibit, “Resistance and Resilience: the Cherokee Trail of Tears,” opened a little more than a year ago, when members of the Fourkiller family, Melanie Fourkiller and Paislee Raby, cut the ribbon during the center’s 20th anniversary celebration. The Fourkillers were the Cherokee family living nearest to what now is the Reinhardt University campus during the Cherokee removal in 1838 and were friends of the Reinhardt family, the university’s namesake. “This exhibit fills in an immense gap in the Native American story. Previous exhibits focused primarily on the Woodland and Mississippian Native Americans, who preceded the Cherokee. The new exhibit focuses squarely on the people and events leading up to the forced removal of 1838,” said Jeff Bishop, director of the Funk Heritage A play table holds Cherokee syllabary Center. wooden blocks and there is a scale “Twenty-four interpretive panels model of the reconstruction of the were developed, touching on everything original Cherokee Nation Court House. from early Cherokee history to the formation of the Cherokee Nation in Georgia. Topics also include traditional Cherokee lifeways, Sequoyah and the development of the Cherokee syllabary, early Cherokee communities and families living in or near Waleska, and Cherokee roads and commerce, along with the Cherokee struggle to remain in their Southeast homeland and the events leading up to the Trail of Tears.” www.reinhardt.edu/funkheritage. 38

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The Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program has finished a memorandum of understanding with the United Way 2-1-1 program to provide access to a new pilot Lyft program that will provide veterans with rideshare capability — up to $600 — to get to and from their jobs. “Transportation continues to be a large issue for our homeless veterans, as well as those veterans who are disabled, or veterans who do not have access to public transportation that would take them to and from their jobs,” said Jim Lindenmayer, director of Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program. The funded program from Lyft initially was announced in January to help veterans get into and remain in the job force. United Way 2-1-1 was one of the two organizations selected by Lyft to roll out this program. The original program in Georgia was focused on covering veterans in need from the eight counties centered around Atlanta, and ended last June. For more information, call 678-9837590 or email jlindenmayer80@gmail.com.

Chamber Announces Teen Leadership Class Members of the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce 20th annual Teen Leadership Cherokee (TLC) class have been selected. Students are: Bethany Akinola, North Cobb Christian; Nandita Bipin, River Ridge; Ryan Britt,Sequoyah; Lilly Carter, Creekview; Eli Cook, Creekview; Miriam Cousin, Woodstock; Madison Hawthorne, Cherokee; Isaac Martin, Creekview; Jay McCord, River Ridge; Summer McCoy, Cherokee; Deesha Panchal, Etowah; Ila Prabhuram, Etowah; Haley Roberson, Cherokee; Andrew Solano, Cherokee; Clay Tucker, Sequoyah; Jack Tucker, Sequoyah, and Milan Yadav, Woodstock. The mission of TLC is to develop the knowledge and leadership skills of young people in Cherokee County, so they confidently can become our leaders of tomorrow. For more information, visit www.CherokeeChamber.com.

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Opportunities for Adults With Disabilities BY SUSAN BROWNING SCHULZ

While employers struggle to find qualified talent, nearly 80 percent of people with disabilities are unemployed, and nearly one in four lives in poverty, according to statistics from the Department of Labor. The Georgia Bridge Academy (GBA) works to solve these problems, and bring hope and confidence to that population by focusing on job training. A partnership between the North Georgia Autism Foundation, Three Talents and Genesis Elevator Co. was formed to create the academy. The GBA is an innovative postsecondary training program in which students with disabilities, ages 18-38, from North Georgia and surrounding areas can earn industry-recognized Cisco skills and certifications in network security. Classes are scheduled to begin June 7 at the Kennesaw (Georgia Elevator Co.) and Blue Ridge (North Georgia Autism Foundation) locations. “We are passionate advocates for people with disabilities who are committed to transforming lives through employment,” said Patrick Romzek, founder and CEO of Three Talents and parent of a special-needs child. “We see the profound impact people with disabilities contribute to culture, brand, business and workforce, and the transformative impact it has on their lives.” Three Talents launched a hiring program for people with disabilities at a global information technology company. They found the people they hired worked harder, had lower error rates, lower turnover and higher productivity than their typical worker. To increase the talent pool, they started training candidates for specific entry level IT roles, which led to the development of the academy program currently being used worldwide. “By providing free training for Cisco certification for network security, we hope to level the playing field for access to a meaningful career and economic empowerment for people with disabilities in Georgia,” said Peg Nicholls, board member of North Georgia Autism Foundation and senior sales director at Cisco. “The Bridge Academy has enrolled over 200 students worldwide, tuition-free, and has a 96% graduation rate. Of those who graduated, 92% are employed. We expect that number to double in 2021. In addition to the academy here in Georgia, launches are planned in Florida, 40

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Detroit, Bangalore and Nairobi,” Nicholls said. Jay Arntzen, president of Genesis Elevator, is excited about the first GBA classroom training session at his Kennesaw office. “I believe employment provides everyone a pathway to reach their full potential,” Arntzen said. With training sessions on the calendar, the search is on for qualified students. To apply, visit ngafinc.org and complete the GBA interest form under the programs tab. Here are a few important details about the program: • Eligible students receive free full tuition, fees and equipment lending. • Nine months of classroom training in the Genesis Elevator classroom in Kennesaw. • A three-month internship is available. • Classes are 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. • Learning format includes online, in-person, or a combination. “This is the beginning of the beginning here in Georgia,” said Tripp Ritchie, executive director of North Georgia Autism Foundation, which was formed to help fill the significant gaps in autism spectrum disorder services, with a focus on early detection. The mission has expanded to support individuals with disabilities from birth through life. “At the GBA we strive to seamlessly match ability, education and opportunity to change many lives,” he said. The greatest need for the launch is funding for the student scholarships and internships within companies in IT fields. Approved students will receive a full scholarship, at the cost of approximately $15,000 per student. One graduate, Nigel Floris, beamed when he shared, “Now, I not only have a job, but a career.” Companies interested in participating should contact Tripp Ritchie at 706-946-0499 or Tripp.ritchie@ngafinc. org. To learn more or donate tuition funds, visit North Georgia Autism Foundation at ngafinc.org.

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

Focus on Faith That Dances With God BY TYLER KERLEY

“Train yourself for godliness. For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” — 1 Timothy 4:7-8 There is a great scene in the movie “Saturday Night Fever.” At the movie’s climax, John Travolta’s character, Tony Manero, cuts a rug. No choreography. No company. No preparation. Just pure spontaneity. All by himself on the dance floor, Tony dances without a script in complete self-expression, and he sets the crowd on fire. Many voices today tell us to be like Tony Manero: “You do you.” Be an influencer. Set yourself apart from the crowd. Express your inner self. Social media platforms and plastic surgery offices hold out the promise of creating our best selves, being the best version of ourselves, or even re-creating ourselves as someone entirely new. But, trying to create the best version of ourselves only leaves us more dissatisfied. Worship often can feel the same way. As a pastor, there is the temptation for me to make my services more attractive, more creative, to set them apart from the rest of the crowd, to emphasize an individual’s personal style or giftedness, and to lower the biblical requirements for following Jesus. Even as a pastor, there are times when someone asks me to pray publicly, and I feel the pressure to be creative.

But, worship is more like a ballet than "Saturday Night Fever." Paul tells his ministry apprentice, Timothy, “Train yourself for godliness.” The Christian life requires a lot of rehearsing. Practice. Training. Effort. My wife dances ballet professionally. Unlike Tony Manero, my wife loves ballet’s structure, tradition, language and choreography. Ballet requires that she rehearse her steps repeatedly. Spontaneity, creativity and personal style only come after a ballerina has so internalized the choreography that she can bring the script to life. If a ballerina is really good, you hardly notice her personal style. The same is true of the church. Worship is less about expressing how I feel and more about conforming my life to the image of Christ. Our personal styles are brought to life, the more we rehearse the choreography of the Bible in corporate worship. Church gatherings are not about being entertained; they are about the worship of God. Worship is less about how I feel and more about what God has said. Tyler Kerley oversees the youth and young adult ministries at Resurrection Anglican Church near downtown Woodstock. He enjoys F3 workouts, tennis, connecting over coffee and reading.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

@ the Library Sequoyah Regional Library System www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org

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

April 26

Paint-A-Pot. 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Get ready for spring and summer planting. Morning and afternoon sessions are offered. To register for this event, contact the Rose Creek Public Library.

Celebrating National Library Week with Fine Forgiveness Program.

Sequoyah Regional Library System is offering a fine forgiveness program in honor of National Library Week (April 4-10). During this week only, visit any Sequoyah library to be forgiven up to $15 in overdue fines per library card. To participate, visit or contact your local Sequoyah library April 4-10, tell a staff member you wish to take advantage of fine forgiveness, and they’ll waive up to $15 from your account. Some fees may be excluded. For more information and a list of frequently asked questions, visit www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org/fine-forgive.

Explore Your Local Trails While Reading

Read a book and enjoy Woodstock’s trails with Trail Story. As you walk through Hobgood Park and Towne Lake Pass Trail this month, look for signs with storybook pages and discussion questions. Enjoy a book and the trail at your own pace, anytime, as many times as you like, all month long. Trail Story is a collaboration between Sequoyah Regional Library System, Cherokee Recreation and Parks, and Woodstock Parks and Recreation.

Pick Up Library Crafts

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

April 20

Super Chicken Storytime. 11:30 a.m. Spring has sprung,

and it’s the perfect time for a patio storytime! Join us for an outdoor, socially distanced storytime all about chickens. To register for this event, contact the Woodstock Public Library.

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

April 15

Among Us. 4 p.m. Join in and play the fun sci-fi deduction murder mystery game, Among Us! This program is open to teens and adults. To register for this event, contact the R.T. Jones Memorial Library.

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

April 14

American Red Cross Community Blood Drive.

10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Giving one pint of blood may save three lives! Appointments are available. Visit redcrossblood. org and enter code: Hickorylib, or call 1-800-Red-Cross. For ages 18 and older.

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All Sequoyah Regional Library System locations are offering make-and-take crafts during April, while supplies last. Pick up materials to create a superhero mask, Play-Doh Infinity Stones, crafts, poetry journals and much more. View the full pickup schedule at calendarwiz.com/sequoyahreglib.

Suit Up for Super Sequoyah-Con!

Sequoyah Regional Library System presents a month-long celebration of fandom featuring superheroes, gaming, cosplay, take-home crafts and virtual programs; all free. First hosted in 2016, Sequoyah-Con invites families to join the fun in 2021 by participating in online events on the library’s Facebook and YouTube pages. View the full schedule of events at calendarwiz.com/ sequoyahreglib.

Upcoming Events for Local Entrepreneurs

In April, Sequoyah Regional Library System is providing a series of virtual events in partnership with Grow with Google to support local entrepreneurs, small business owners, and veterans seeking employment. Attendees will be able to learn from local entrepreneurs, explore career services offered by the Georgia VECTR Center, and discover how free library resources can help your business succeed. To register for these events, visit calendarwiz.com/sequoyahreglib.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT • The business.

Cotton Mill Exchange is an exceptional collection of 200 local artisans, designers and merchants providing new and handmade furniture, antiques and primitives, home goods, handcrafted and new jewelry, distinctive gifts as well as a variety of new sophisticated clothing. Cotton Mill Exchange occupies 48,000 square feet of space within the 120-year-old cotton mill, located in the historic district of downtown Canton. The store consists of a multitude of shops where worn wood finishes, architectural salvage and vintage industrial pieces blend seamlessly with modern design.

• The difference. 225 Reformation Parkway, Suite 100 Canton 30114

770-992-9294

www.cottonmillexchange.net On Facebook and Instagram “Cotton Mill Exchange is a fantastic place to shop for all things. It’s every boutique shop, in every small historic town square, in one location.” - Michael W.

Cotton Mill Exchange is a unique retail shopping experience with its 120-year-old brick walls and wooden floors and ceilings. The store has the largest footprint in the old Canton Cotton Mill #1, which set the standard for high quality denim being produced in our country. The store connects with its historical past with huge black-and-white photos and other historical items on display throughout the interior. The Cotton Mill Exchange logo also pays tribute to its denim-producing past with the color blue. The store is part of a mixed-use development that includes a brewery, restaurants, a bridal venue, office suites, hair salon and other retail shops opening later this year. The large video board and green space outdoors is home to concerts, game-day viewing and family time throughout the year.

Sponsored Content

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Around & About APRIL

Evening egg hunt at Woodmont Golf and

Country Club, 3105 Gaddis Road, Canton. Open to the public. The night before Easter, bring the little ones to search for eggs on the driving range. There will be a bounce house, free popcorn and music on the outdoor lawn area beginning at 6:30 p.m. Egg hunt begins at dusk or approximately 7:30 p.m. For more information, contact robert.gilbreath@ woodmontgolfclub.com.

3, 4

Sojourn Woodstock will hold Easter services at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday in the Elm Street Theater, 8534 Main St. www.sojournwoodstock.com.

Wellness Wednesdays at Northside Hospital

Cherokee is a virtual series, beginning at noon, offering health information on a variety of topics; April 7, occupational therapy month, maintaining fine motor skills, with Bob Breingan, occupational and physical therapist; April 14, TBD; April 21, infertility awareness week, with Dr. Mike Hulse of North Georgia OB/GYN; April 28, world immunization week with Dr. Beatrix Ohienmhen of Northside Cherokee Pediatrics. Register through email at nswellness@northside.com or call 770-224-2424.

The Reinhardt University Wind Ensemble

will perform a concert that will be livestreamed on social media, beginning at 7 p.m. on the Falany Performing Arts Center Facebook page. For more information, call 770-720-5600. www.reinhardt.edu.

Storytime Live! With Cinderella at 11 a.m. at the Park at City Center Gazebo. Cinderella will read a story and pose for photos. Presented by the FoxTale Book Shoppe and Woodstock Parks and Recreation. Free admission and socially distanced. AMPED in the Park at 9 a.m. with Strongside at

the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater. Part of a free monthly fitness series presented by Woodstock Parks and Recreation. All workouts are fitness friendly (meaning you don’t have to be super fit to participate). Participants will adhere to social distancing guidelines and restrictions from the office of the governor and the CDC.

Greenstock Day, a recycling and paper shredding event, takes place 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Woodstock Elementary School, 230 Rope Mill Road. A citywide yard sale will be held downtown April 24-25. Details available at www.woodstockparksandrec.com.

MAY

The Lasting Laugh is a new hybrid comedy series, sponsored by Elm Street Cultural Arts Village, that features two Atlanta-based comedians monthly with Jessica It’s All Good as the host. Streaming through April 24 at 11:59 p.m. Recommended for ages 12 and older (content). www.elmstreetarts.org.

The Acworth Art Fest returns, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. This art-buyers destination will feature more than 50 artisans from around the country. Their creative booth displays will decorate Main Street with paintings, pottery, folk art, jewelry and more. www.splashfestivals.com.

10-11

The Market at Menagerie will be open to the

community, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Menagerie on Main, 351 W. Main St., Canton, featuring music and art. www. menagerieonmain.com.

A skin cancer screening, open to the community, will be held 6-8 p.m. at Northside Hospital Cancer Institute Radiation Oncology - Cherokee, 460 Northside Cherokee Blvd., Suite T10, Canton. Pre-registration is required. To schedule an appointment or for information about other upcoming cancer screenings, call 404-531-4444.

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Cinco de Mayo pub crawl throughout downtown Woodstock. These themed Saturday events will feature food and drink specials at downtown food establishments. Participants are encouraged to visit all of the participating restaurants. www. visitwoodstockga.com.

7-8

The North Cobb Rotary Club, city of Acworth and the Georgia Barbecue Association will hold the Smoke on the Lake BBQ Festival, presented by Superior Plumbing, at Logan Farm Park. Hours are 5-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. All proceeds are distributed among local charities. www.smokeonthelake.org.

& Rock Fest returns to Etowah 15-16 Wing River Park, 600 Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton, noon-7 p.m. Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Details available at www.wingandrockfest.com.

For the full minutes and a schedule of upcoming meetings, visit www.cherokeega.com/ BOC.

FARMERS MARKETS Woodstock’s Farm. Fresh. Market. opens April 17 for the season on Market Street. Hours are 8:30 a.m.noon. Saturdays through Dec. 18. Details available at www.visitwoodstockga.com.

Farmers Market at River Church opens April

27, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays at 2335 Sixes Road, Canton. On Facebook.

Canton Farmers Market opens June 6 in Brown

Park. Continues weekly, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays, through Oct. 16. Details available at www.cantonga.gov.

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

May 8: Christopher Cross June 12: Black Jacket Symphony will perform

Tom Petty’s “Damn the Torpedoes”

July 9: The Ultimate Queen Celebration

with Marc Martel Aug. 14: Steep Canyon Rangers Sept. 18: Rumours, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band

CHEROKEE RECREATION AND PARKS AGENCY 770-924-7768 www.playcherokee.org

Cherokee County Aquatic Center

May 29: Oasis Outdoor Pool opens June 14-18: Water Safety Week at the Oasis June 20: Dad’s Day at the Oasis- Buy one kid’s

admission and get dad’s admission FREE! July 2, 30: Family Fun Night at the Oasis (on the 30th donate a school supply and receive $2 off admission) July 18: Mom’s Day at the Oasis- Buy one kid’s admission and get mom’s admission FREE! Dec. 11: Swim with the Grinch 10 a.m.-noon, $10 per child

Board of Commissioners A public hearing related to amendments to the Bells Ferry Community Design District Regulating Plan drew a crowd from Bells Ferry Road-area residents on March 2. Residents of the Cherokee Estates neighborhood spoke about changes to the plan related to a possible development near their neighborhood. The board reviewed the plan during its 3 p.m. work session and made changes based on previous communication from area residents. Nearly a dozen residents spoke, sharing their thoughts on through traffic in their neighborhood, possible townhomes in a new development adjacent to their neighborhood and water runoff. The amendment affects Heritage at Towne Lake, Prescott at Wade Green, Buice Lake and Hunter Trail at Forest Drive. The amendment called for adjusting the regulating plan to designate as Neighborhood Edge to correct a mapping error at Eagle Drive at Brolley Woods Drive. A piece was previously identified as right of way instead of a parcel. See the full minutes on the county website for more details on changes made to the neighborhood designations. Additionally, the Board included additional language that reflects the concerns of the Cherokee Estates residents. The language includes adding a boundary line between Land Lot 1114 and 1115, allowing no townhomes to the west. “Part of this change is saying from that line to the east will be the possibility of townhomes. That is no different than what is allowed today. From that line to the west, no townhomes, only single-family detached residential will be allowed,” said District 4 Commissioner Corey Ragsdale. “The through-traffic access, connecting these proposed neighborhoods, that’s not happening. We discussed that at the work session, but we need to discuss making the connections for gated emergency access or not making the connection.” Following the discussion, the commissioners opted to have the developer deed land to the county for future emergency access. Ragsdale made the motion to approve the amendments with the additional language, which was seconded by District 2 Commissioner Richard Weatherby. The board voted 5-0.

Commissioners also:

• Appointed former District 2 Commissioner Raymond Gunnin to fill an unexpired term on the Board of Tax Assessors. • Approved a resolution in support of House Bill 599 to de-annex property located on Arnold Mill Road. • Approved the purchase of a pontoon boat for the Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services Rescue Dive Team for $81,953.38. The cost includes lights and radios for the boat. AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

CHUNKY SOUP · CHILI PASTA SAUCE · BEANS CORN · CANNED Meats CANNED Pasta · Rice Ramen Noodles Peanut Butter Cereal · Oatmeal Our urgent food supply is disappearing quickly! Can you donate today?

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www.mustministries.org 46

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Lantern Series Nights Etched into Memory BY ANN LITREL

“The Lantern Series has been a surprise to me,” says Lane Wilson. “Bluegrass and Americana are my favorite genres – but I’ve enjoyed the diversity of the Lantern [Series] music in a huge way. That was a surprise.” Lane is a season subscriber to Elm Street’s Lantern Series, an outdoor concert series that brings worldrenowned artists to the heart of Woodstock. I spoke with several season patrons to find out why these concerts are such a community favorite. In a town where live music sounds from every bar and street corner on a weekend summer night, what makes the Lantern Series special? “One really special quality is the Event Green being small and cozy,“ Lane added. “It just has a different feel from any other outdoor concert. It’s intimate. We’ve used our table as a way to bring many old friends back together, sometimes even people we haven’t seen in twenty years. It’s a special place.” “These concerts are a BIG thing on the company calendar,” commented another patron, Katie Caldwell. “With our company subscription, everybody looks forward to the concerts, and the table is full every concert. It’s a chance to slow down, have dinner and drinks, relax together… What I personally love is the feeling I get of being connected to the community – to see all the faces, everyone coming together for the same purpose ... to enjoy the music and the arts experience.” I think back to my own favorite Lantern Series memory: the magical August night in 2019 when The Lone Bellow came to Woodstock. The artist, Zach Williams, is a Georgia native – a local boy, now famous, returning to his hometown. The crowd was joyous. The waves of applause and love from the audience washed over the Green again and again, as Zach returned their gratitude with a passionate and almost missionary performance. After intermission, the sunset beauty of the venue began to dazzle, as though to honor the heartbreaking beauty of the music. We listened as the sun sank slowly behind the stage, the sky glowing rose-gold between the shadows of the old trees ringing the stage. A trio of little girls in flowered dresses, among them Zach’s daughters, waved glow sticks and danced around the base of the stage, little figures flickering in the twilight. A Lantern Series night among so many, etched into the memory of our community.

Ann Litrel is a co-founder of Elm Street Cultural Arts Village. She is a visual artist and serves on Elm Street’s Board of Directors.

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Recent Home Sales in February

List Price Address

Subdivision

563,110 725,000 615,000 475,000 415,000 269,900 551,240 575,000 435,000 309,900 649,000 448,000 415,000 229,900 534,900 225,000 369,900 245,000 260,000 330,000 315,000 275,000 450,000 245,000 335,000 269,900 259,990 290,000 525,000 290,000 380,000 255,000 329,000 364,900 469,800 275,000 299,000 295,000 324,900 649,000 274,900 289,000 275,000 225,000 365,000 698,500 250,000

Inwood 3 Private Arces Estates At Wiley Bridge Bradshaw Estates Woodhaven Court NONE Inwood Longleaf Woodstock Woodview Enclave Bramble Oak Bradshaw Farm Oakhurst Wynchase Creekview Sweet Briar Farms Ansley Forest Springfield Place Carrington Farms Regency at Kingsgate Kingsgate WOODLANDS none Arbor View Lebanon Place Glen at Kingsgate River Oaks Colemans Bluff Woodlands Oakhurst Highland Village Woodview Court Regency at Kingsgate cardinal woods Cornerstone Park Ph 2 Arbor View na Woodlands Southern Oaks Montclair at Ridgewalk Woodstock Knoll None Southern Oaks Little River Crossing Riverchase Woodlands Bradshaw Farm LITTLE RIVER NORTH SUB

121 Meadow Mill Road 1105 Wiley Bridge Road 100 Estates Avenue 806 Ashley Lane 126 Wood Hollow Drive 124 Riverchase Drive 123 Meadow Mill Road 305 Little Pine Lane 422 Spring View Drive 802 W Bramble Oak Drive 4077 Hickory Fairway Drive 1708 Grand Oaks Drive 540 Rokeby Drive 426 Creekside Lane 238 Sweetbriar Club Drive 328 Justin Drive 154 Springwater Trace 259 Carrington Way 920 Floral Bank Point 702 Verneer Court 605 Sorrell Way 4025 N Arnold Mill Road 810 Brookside Court 923 Lebanon Place 126 Nocatee Trail 2108 Tranquility Court 113 Colemans Bluff Drive 213 Persimmon Trail 2201 Fall Drive 242 Highland Village 123 Riverside Lane 1403 Anona Place 312 Cardinal Drive 116 Cornerstone Circle 210 Woodview Lane 6025 Turner Hill Road 810 Plaintain Drive 211 Prissy Lane 205 WINTHROPE Drive 128 Johnston Farm Lane 157 Chickasaw Run 328 Scarlett Lane 501 Oconee Court 186 Riverchase Drive 705 Aroura Drive 4071 Hickory Fairway Drive 112 N River Drive

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Beds Full Baths Yr Built Sales Price Days On Market 4 5 5 5 3 3 4 3 5 4 7 6 4 3 4 4 5 3 3 3 3 3 6 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 4 4 4 3 3 3 6 3 4 3 3 4 6 4

4 4 4 5 2 2 3 3 4 2 4 3 2 2 3 3 3 2 2 3 2 1 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 4 2 2 2 2 2 5 2

2020 1997 2001 2005 2017 1983 2020 2016 2015 1979 1995 2010 2016 1983 2018 1988 1990 1998 2000 2000 2004 2009 2003 1986 1999 1990 1990 2003 2016 2012 2015 2000 1973 2013 2003 1984 2004 1985 2004 2011 1976 1984 1979 1985 2006 1998 1975

549,870 703,500 625,000 456,000 415,000 259,000 551,490 550,000 410,000 299,000 649,000 420,000 405,000 235,000 534,900 230,500 394,000 238,000 264,000 330,000 314,000 275,000 440,000 250,000 345,000 297,500 250,000 303,000 500,000 310,000 390,500 260,000 305,000 365,000 459,000 275,000 299,000 305,500 315,000 630,000 284,900 293,000 290,000 227,000 383,000 698,500 255,000

75 86 6 41 29 20 76 48 90 11 119 11 2 2 2 2 2 7 0 2 3 2 2 3 5 3 3 1 3 4 2 3 52 19 2 26 4 1 25 1 5 3 7 2 2 0 4

Two Pairs of Twins Doubles the Fun BY CHEROKEE WOMEN’S HEALTH SPECIALISTS, PC

Being told you are expecting twins can be quite shocking for most couples, but hearing it again four years later is an even bigger shock. That’s exactly what happened to Bethany and her husband Zach. With no family history of twins, and no infertility treatments, the thought of having twins never crossed their minds. But, having twins is not as uncommon as you might think. It is estimated that 1 in 250 natural pregnancies will result in twins. And, if you have had twins once, you are much more likely to have them again. If your first set of twins were fraternal, then your chances of having another set of fraternal twins is multiplied by four! Some of the factors that increase the odds of having twins are: • A family history of twins. • Having a body mass index greater than 30. • Being taller than 5 feet 5 inches. • Getting pregnant while you are still breastfeeding. • Being older than 35. Twins, on average, are born sooner and smaller than a single birth. A single pregnancy is considered full term at 40 weeks, but, for twins, it is considered 38 weeks. Premature birth — delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy — is the most common complication when you are pregnant with multiples. According to the March of Dimes, about 60% of twins are born early. In Bethany’s case, she delivered both sets of twins right around 37 weeks, and all four weighed more than 6 pounds. Identical twins are always two babies of the same sex; fraternal twins can be a boy and a girl, two boys, or two girls. Bethany first gave birth to a boy and a girl, the most common fraternal twins. Then, two boys, the least common fraternal twins. Having two sets of twins can be lots of fun, but it also is a lot of work. Bethany’s advice to help other twin moms: “Put your pride aside and ask for help. It’s OK to admit you can’t do it all.” Though there was no family history of twins in Bethany or Zach’s family, about 3½ years after they had the first set of twins, Bethany’s brother and his wife also had twins. These days, when asked if twins run in the family, Bethany replies, “I guess they do now.”

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

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

Cherokee Theatre Company PO Box 5885 • Canton, GA 30114 AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Time to Start Thinking About Kindergarten BY BARBARA P. JACOBY

Trigger warning: Parents of little ones, you may want to get a tissue. It’s time to talk about kindergarten. Registration for Cherokee County School District’s (CCSD) outstanding kindergarten program is underway, as we prepare to welcome the Class of 2034 in August! While the thought of your little one getting on a bus for a full day of school may make your eyes water, know that they will come home filled with joy from learning and making new friendships. CCSD’s kindergarten program balances important early academic steps such as learning to read and write sight words, and count numbers, with the art, music, movement and fun that have always been a part of the experience. Kindergarten is for children who are turning 5 on or before Sept. 1. Exceptions for children who will turn 6 on or before Sept. 1 are considered on a case by case basis after an assessment, and a meeting between parents and school staff to make the best placement decision together. The first step in the registration process is completing the online Registration Gateway form at https://registration.cherokeek12. net. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to enter information, such as emergency contacts. Once you complete the online process, call your child’s school to set up a follow-up appointment, at which you will need to present required documents (birth certificate, proof of residency, etc.). A list of those documents, as well as a helpful guidebook and a “day in the life of a kindergartener” video, are at http://bit.ly/CCSDkindergarten. Our Office of Curriculum & Instruction is creating resource 50

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Kindergarten students at Liberty Elementary in 2019.

webpages for parents to learn more about each grade, with pages for kindergarten (http://bit.ly/ CCSDresourcesK) and first grade (http://bit.ly/CCSDresources1) completed. These webpages not only outline skills that will be covered, but also how parents can help prepare their children with links to online resources and printables, such as flashcards and handwriting templates. As a parent of four children in CCSD elementary schools, I know deciding when and where to enroll can be difficult. We enrolled all of our children, who all have second semester birthdays, in CCSD kindergarten on time at age 5. We felt they were well prepared by CCSD’s Pre-K program, which we strongly recommend (learn more at https://bit.ly/CCSDPreK). The first decision was the hardest, as our oldest has special needs, but there truly is no better place for

a special-needs child to be served than in a CCSD school. Our schools have the trained teachers, paraprofessionals, therapists and nurses, as well as the instructional resources, equipment and technology, to provide them with the highest quality special education possible — and the opportunity to learn alongside typical peers in regular education classes. Through the mutually beneficial inclusion practices of CCSD, special-needs children benefit from the role modeling of their typical peers, and those peers learn valuable lessons in empathy and kindness. And that benefit should make all of us need a tissue.

Barbara P. Jacoby serves as chief communications officer for the Cherokee County School District, and is a CCSD parent with four children.

Little River Faculty, Students Work Together BY SAANVI LAMBA

I read somewhere, "Ultimately, the greatest lesson that COVID-19 taught humanity is that we are all in this together." This statement stands true for our Little River Elementary (LRE) school, as well. In the last few months, I had a chance to talk to my teachers, principal, management and students at my school about this period of hard times and the rest of the school year. Our school, like many others, closed for in-person learning March 2020 and remained closed the rest of the school year. It was amazing to see how quickly, with short notice, teachers adapted to this change and moved lessons online. They came up with creative ways to teach students remotely from home. Many of us went back to school in-person when the new session began August 2020. We were lucky to have the choice to go back, unlike many other kids in different states. My cousins in Texas did not have that option, and could only do virtual school all year round. Not only did students go through challenges while learning from home, but parents also had to adjust their schedules because of virtual school. LRE opened its doors August 2020 for in-person learning; most of us returned to school but 18% of students decided to continue digital learning from home. Several changes were implemented for safety, such as wearing a mask, regular handwashing, using water bottles instead of water fountains,

eating lunch in smaller groups, holding special events online (Boosterthon, Doughnuts with Dads, etc.). Our principal, Matt Freedman, and school management made sure the school was cleaned more often and thoroughly. Many activities had to be canceled, such as field trips, soccer, PTA gatherings and school-wide assemblies. Even though the academic bowl was canceled, our teachers continued with the Science Olympiad virtually, and found creative ways to engage students. As Mr. Freedman suggested, “For the rest of the school year, LRE will continue to celebrate classroom special occasions and any school wide events online.” LRE, along with everyone else, cannot wait to start back to normal life. It has been one year already, and one of the most challenging. No matter what the rest of the year brings, we are in this together, and as we say at LRE, “Together we soar.” I want to give a special thanks to our principal, Mr. Freedman, for helping me with this report.

Saanvi Lamba is a Girl Scout and a student at Little River Elementary. She enjoys reading, writing, singing, dancing, swimming, taekwondo and playing violin.

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Cherokee Photography Club Congratulations to the winners of the February Competition “Abstract!”

Monochromatic

1st Martin Longstaff “Ice Age”

2nd David Johnson “Oculus 1” 52

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

3rd Dayle Geroski “Tulip Detail”

Color Print

1st “Aroun 1st Martin Longstaff “Woody”

2nd Don Newton “Lost Highway”

3rd Eddie Myers “Fall Reflections”

The Cherokee Photography Club meets on the fourth Monday of the month, and for those participating in the monthly contest, that meeting is held on the second Monday of the month. Both meetings are 7-9 p.m. and held at the Cherokee County Arts Center, 94 North St., Canton. Please contact Kim Bates at 770-617-7595 or email him at kbphotoart@comcast.net for more information. AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

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For advertising rates and information Patty Ponder 770-615-3322 Patty@AroundaboutMagazines.com

April 2021

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

BUSINESS SUPPORT 27

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

Express Vets 678-397-7377 www.expressvets.com

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

Williams | Elleby 833-LEGALGA (833-534-2542) www.gatrialattorney.com

North Georgia Audiology & Hearing Aid Center 770-726-8948 www.YourHearingLink.com

AUTOMOTIVE Hardline Customs 770-675-8115 www.hardlineind.com

Polished Peach Car Wash 770-592-8102 www.polishedpeachcarwash.com

Woodstock Quality Paint & Body 770-926-3898 54

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

INWDSTK 49 inwdstk.org/events Woodstock Business Club

DENTAL/ORTHODONTICS Dentistry for Woodstock, Dr. Bruce Fink 770-926-0000 www.dentistryforwoodstock.com

Gentle Dental Care/Georgia Dental Implant Center Inside back 770-926-2784 www.georgiadic.com EDUCATION/TRAINING/TUTORING

AUDIOLOGY At Home Hearing Dr. Jan Henriques, 770-325-3763 www.athomehearing.com

Express Pack N Ship 678-504-5676 www.expresspacknships.com

Chattahoochee Technical College 17 770-528-4545 www.chattahoocheetech.edu/deadmissions Georgia Trade School www.georgiatradeschool.com

Splash Summer Camp 770-591-1998 www.goldswim.com

St. Joseph Catholic School 770-428-3328 www.stjosephschool.org

ENTERTAINMENT

Men of HIllside Golf Tournament www.menofhillsideorg

Pork & Torque www.pamahfoundation.org

Wing & Rock Fest www.wingandrockfest.com

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

Edward Jones Sarah K. Kendall 19 770-720-6245 www.edwardjones.com/sarah-kendall FUNERAL SERVICES Woodstock Funeral Home and Cremations 770-926-3107 www.woodstockfuneralhome.com

HOME AND GARDEN AML Digger Services 404-403-9330 www.amldigger.com

Bryan Plumbing Services 770-826-5277

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

Dayco Systems Heating & Cooling 770-336-7888 www.daycosystems.com

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

Mr. Junk 678-MR-Junk1 (675-8651) www.mrjunk1.com

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

Myst Power Washing 770-546-6028 www.mystpowerwashing.com

PebbleStone 11 678-708-7894 www.pebblestonepros.com

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Tomlinson Team, The www.thetomlinsonteam.com

RPM Landscape & Pavers 770-597-5175 www.rpmlandscapeandpavers.com

Capital Mortgage Solutions Cover, 5, 28-29 770-450-9717 www.cmshomeloans.com

PHOTOGRAPHY LuxRe Photography 470-437-9339 www.luxrephoto.net

PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL SERVICES Governors MedSpa and Concierge Medicine www.governorsmedicine.com

31, 43

REAL ESTATE& RELATED SERVICES Atlanta Communities, Hornes Group Dianna Hornes, 404-793-3312 www.hornesgroup.com

Atlanta Communities Lindsey Haas Team, The Inside front C: 678-933-1962 www.thelindseyhaasteam.com

Homeowners Financial Group The Dean Team 13 470-863-7070 www.homeownersfg.com/location/canton Keller Williams, The Premier Group 678-494-0102 www.tpgsells.com

Back cover

REMAX Town & Country, Sarah Terrell 19 770-928-6525 www.realestateagent.net RESTAURANTS J.D.'s on the Lake 770-213-4127 www.jdsbbq.com

Susto's Taco Bar Restaurant: 678-400-8131 Catering: 678-400-8160 www.sustostacobar.com

Your Pie Woodstock 770-627-2072

RETAILERS Cotton Mill Exchange 770-992-9294 www.cottonmillexchange.net

Wild Birds Unlimited 770-928-3014 www.mywbu.com/woodstock

SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS MUST Ministries www.mustministries.org

Next Step Ministries 770-592-1227 www.nextstepministries.net

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

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

Since 1996, we have brought relevant, uplifting and reader-driven content to readers. We publish Around Acworth, Around Canton, Around Woodstock and TowneLaker. We look forward to serving you, our readers and advertisers, every month. Thank you for your continued support and participation in making this truly your community magazine. At Aroundabout Local Media, we believe the world functions at the community level: diverse groups of people living in close proximity, sharing commonality of culture, values and local pride, developing safety nets for those in need, and helping each other to live richer lives. It is our heartfelt desire to contribute to the fabric that helps make a community happen. Through our magazines,

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

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

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

AROUND WOODSTOCK | April 2021

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