40 minute read
Inspiring Women
Meet Some of Our County’s Influential Women
Advertisement
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.
Cindy Nelson
Attorney at Nelson Elder Care Law Firm
Which women have made the biggest impact in your everyday life? 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.
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.
Inspiring Women
Ashley Velez
Digital marketing strategist
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.
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. Executive Director, Next Step Ministries, Inc.
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!
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.
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.
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. Founder and Executive Director, Encompass Ministries (Papa’s Pantry) The Master’s Training Center, My Community Spirit magazine
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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!
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
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.
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
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.”
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. What are the best things about adopting old dogs?
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.
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’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.
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.
Rob with Pebbles.
Rob and Rick the Chihuahua.
Rob Macmillan is on a mission to help shelter dogs and cats. www.robsrescues.com. On Facebook @robsrescues.
Drs. Heath & Ashley Trowell
Spring Break Specials
1Spring Break travel? Covid Testing available: Rapid, PCR, and Antibody tests appt. only. Avoid dehydration and or altitude sickness. IV Fluids $70
2Fit into that swim suit! 30/60/90 day weight loss plans (phentermine, lipo b shot, ov), HCG Program as low as $365/ mo. Call for details.
3Downtime During Spring Break? Plasma Pen eye rejuvenation $750 Vampire Facial $400- Sculptra add on $100
4Spring Break in a bag! Get Spring-ready with a Home Beauty Kit: exfoliating facial/ hydrating eye mask/ lip mask / 2 body wraps $125 add on Lash and or Brow Brush $60
5Smoother skin before Summer. Botox $10/unit Restylane Products $75 off Sculptra $150 off /vial Photofacial $100 Blu Light Facial $650 Laser Hair Removal 50% off
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
