4-23 Townelaker webfinal.pdf

MBBCh, FNP-C

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Individualized weight management plan with proven methods so you can be healthy, feel great and look your best.

Regenerative Therapy

Regenerative therapies are a spectrum of cutting-edge therapeutic techniques used to naturally treat and heal the cause of a painful condition rather than masking the symptom.

Hormone Optimization

Hormonal imbalance occurs when a person has too much or too little of a certain hormone, such as insulin, cortisol, thyroxine, androgens, estrogen or progesterone.

Sexual Wellness

Men and women will regain their sexual performance and pleasure with treatments like the female O-Shot and male ED injections. We also treat female incontinence.

IV Therapy

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The only noninvasive laser device with FDA and IRB clearance and clincally proven results for fat and weight reduction and inch loss

Intravenous drip to introduce vital electrolytes, vitamins, minerals and amino acids directly and immediately into the body.

404.977.2026 | IRmedcenters.com

1105 Parkside L Lane, Su uite 1318, Woodstock, GA 30189

Dr. Chibuzor Steve Eke

CAMELLIA PLACE

Assisted Living & Memory Care

Well-Being • Peace ofMind • Friendship

Camellia Place is uniquely designed as a neighborhood of houses that promotes personalized support for daily living to give you peace of mind. Socialization, medication management, housekeeping, balanced nutrition, transport to doctor visits and 24/7 assistance are hidden values when considering the cost of assisted living. Contact us today and discover Live WHOLE at Camellia Place.

On the Cover

S3

Vincent (white shirt) competes in BVCA Nationals in Hermosa Beach, CA, where she ad her partner finished second out of 157 pairs. Opposite her at the net is Delany Karl from San Diego’s Wave club. Right is Caarra Sassack, former S3 player who is a freshmen at FSU.

Cover photo by Dan Duren.

LIVING WISER IN RETIREMENT

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

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

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

Advertise With Us

Our business is your business. We succeed when you succeed. And our goal is to help community businesses thrive. Our marketing experts have experience on the national and international level. They’ll help you put together an advertising program that targets your market, and fits your needs, style and budget. Let us put our experience to work for you!

Why choose us?

• Publishing in Cherokee County since 1996.

• Won Excellence in Customer Service and Small Business of the Year awards from the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce.

• Marketing experts with national, international account experience.

• Editorial team with 50-plus years’ experience with major metropolitan newspapers.

Get Started Today!

Around Towne

READERS’

2023

What’s New

Woodstock Coffee Co.’s first store has opened at 9550 Main St., Unit 190, near the Highway 92 intersection. The cafe has an in-house roastery, espresso, nitro/cold brew bar, craft coffee selections and more. On Facebook. www.thewoodstockcoffeecompany.com

Celebrate!

Representatives from the Rotary Club of Towne Lake attended a recent Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meeting to accept a proclamation commemorating Rotary’s 118th birthday on Feb. 23. Chairman Harry Johnston presented the proclamation to representatives of Towne Lake, Canton and Carpe Diem Rotary Clubs in attendance, but the proclamation recognized Cherokee’s five clubs.

“Thank you to the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners for recognizing Rotary International’s birthday and the work our club and others do in the community,” Towne Lake Rotary Club President Jim Klynman said. “Towne Lake is a small but mighty club working week after week to help those in need locally and to make the world a better place on a global scale.”

For sales inquiries, contact Jennifer Coleman, Vice President of Sales 470-263-8414 | jen@aroundaboutmagazines.com

IN WDSTK Ribbon Cutting Theory Salon 12926 Highway 92, Suite 400, Woodstock www.theory-salon.com 4 TOWNELAKER | April 2023

www.townelaker.com

Letter From the Editor

It’s time to brag on my team. Enough food talk, and how I still haven’t gotten completely on board the healthy-eating train. I’m still dragging one foot, but I’ll get there. As I sit here reviewing this month’s content, I’m struck by the strength and creativity of the editorial team: Content Editor Jessica Forrester and Managing Editor Donna Harris. Y’all get to enjoy the fruits of their labor each month, and I couldn’t be more proud of our print product! As I’ve always said and still say (say it with me): Print is NOT dead!! It’s alive and well and getting stronger here at Aroundabout Local Media.

In addition to sharing positive, relevant information with our readers through calendars and features, we’re upholding our mission to help local businesses grow and prosper. One way we do that is through our annual Readers’ Choice contest. The nomination round ends March 31, and the next step is the voting phase May 15-June 30. Go to any of our websites (all accessible here: www.aroundaboutlocalmedia. com) and click on the Readers’ Choice 2023 tab to vote for businesses in each magazine’s ZIP codes. We will announce the winners in our August issues.

I’m glad one of the categories we’ve added this year is for your favorite

America’s Community Magazine

Volume 27, Issue 6 place to volunteer. This issue includes feedback from the nonprofits we listed in our holiday Helping Hands feature. We know our readers are compassionate, caring individuals, and your response to requests for helping others is proof! Check out the blessings on Pages 16-19.

There is no shortage of positive news to share each month. On Page 32, read about a local mom who is going to make 1,000 free throws in five hours to raise awareness and funds for a genetic disorder that her son was diagnosed with in 2010.

Outdoor enthusiasts involved in the Upper Etowah River Alliance work hard to preserve our county’s river and reservoirs. Turn to Pages 30-31 to learn more about the opportunities for recreation and service on the Etowah.

And because we care about your health, we want to encourage you to get outdoors and take part in one of the fastest-growing sports in the country: pickleball (Pages 26-27).

In fact, our goal for the year is to make you aware of the recreational opportunities for adults in Cherokee County, so stay tuned.

Mike Walls, co-author of this month’s feature, is part of our church and is kind enough to host lessons for us Ebenezerites who are willing to give it a try. Hopefully, I’ll be seeing you on the pickleball courts!

PUBLISHER

Aroundabout Local Media, Inc. www.aroundaboutlocalmedia.com

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES

Jennifer Coleman | 678-279-5502 jen@aroundaboutmagazines.com

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Candi Hannigan | 770-615-3309 candi@aroundaboutmagazines.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Donna Harris | 770-852-8481 donna@aroundaboutmagazines.com

CONTENT EDITOR

Jessica Forrester | 770-615-3318 jessica@aroundaboutmagazines.com

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Michelle McCulloch | 770-615-3307 michelle@aroundaboutmagazines.com

CONTROLLER

Denise Griffin | 770-615-3315 denise@aroundaboutmagazines.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Laura Latchford laura@aroundaboutmagazines.com

Savannah Winn savannah@aroundaboutmagazines.com

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Kathryn Holt kat@aroundaboutmagazines.com

MARKET & ADVERTISING

SPECIALIST | Michelle Smith michelle.smith@aroundaboutmagazines.com

COPY EDITORS

Bill King, Eliza Somers

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

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

claims to the validity of any opinions expressed by charitable, business or civic organizations mentioned, or statements made within the editorial content. The cover and inside related article, and other editorial-type submissions labeled SPONSORED CONTENT, are paid content. The publisher neither guarantees nor supports any product or service mentioned in this magazine, nor does it guarantee any assertions made by the manufacturers or providers of such products or services, or claims regarding the status of such businesses. 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 2023.

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

Celebrations!

ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE FREE!

Email: edit@aroundaboutmagazines.com

May deadline is April 5. Please specify TowneLaker. Word limit: 25.

Happy Sweet 16th birthday! We love you and are so proud of you.

Love, Mommy, Daddy and Lauren

Happy second birthday, Miles! We love you bunches!

Grandma and Grandpa Nystrom

Happy fourth birthday to our sweet little man.

We love you very much!

Mommy, Daddy and Roxy

Welcome to the world, Ari! Papa and Mimi love you so much!

(Parents: Brian and Madi Allen)

Miles Nystrom

Clara Beth was brought into the world on Feb. 1. Mommy and Daddy are over the moon.

Ansley Giesler

Summer Internship Program Now Accepting Applications

BY CHEROKEE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Employer applications and student sign-up sheets now are available for the 2023 Cherokee Summer Internship Program. In partnership with Cherokee County School District, this program was launched in 2018 by the Cherokee Workforce Collaborative, a community-based alliance created by the Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED), to strengthen the county’s

pipeline of skilled workers and meet the needs of existing and future industry.

The Cherokee Summer Internship Program gives students the opportunity to build their resumes and earn money during their summer break. The program also assists them with making decisions about their future career plans.

“I had one of the best times of my life working as a human resources intern at Universal Alloy Corp.,” 2022 intern Bailey Hancock said. “I loved going to work every day, and I ended the summer with no regrets. I was in between human resources and therapy as career options before, but I think I may pursue a career in human resources after my internship.”

Rising juniors and seniors, as well as graduating seniors, are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible. The 2023 program includes paid positions and lasts for six weeks, from June 5 through July 14. During orientation, interns will learn about financial management and workplace communication.

“Summer is our busiest season, so it was great having an extra set of hands to help with our increased workload,” Canton Tire and Wheel owner Delease Chester said.

“The Cherokee Summer Internship Program is now in its sixth year, and offers a unique opportunity for students to gain leadership skills and explore career paths of interest to them after they graduate from high school,” said Misti Martin, president and CEO of COED. “We appreciate our local companies who continue to support this program each year, to make it a success.”

The application deadline is May 19. To learn more, or to apply to the 2023 Cherokee Summer Internship Program, call COED at 770-3450600 or visit www.cherokeega.org/ internships.

The Cherokee Office of Economic Development is the leading organization for business and film recruitment as well as industry retention and expansion in Cherokee County.

Universal Alloy Corp. 2022 intern Bailey Hancock, seated, with 2021 intern Lindsey Hobby.

Canton Tire and Wheel owner Delease Chester with 2022 intern Alex Yarber.

STRONGER TOGETHER

Through Networking

Aroundabout Local Media continues its mission to help local businesses grow and prosper. This is what it looks like when entrepreneurs in the community meet to exchange ideas and information and develop relationships by supporting and encouraging one another while opening doors to new opportunities.

Cherokee Chamber of Commerce

Power Hour Networking is held monthly, 10-11 a.m., at the chamber office, 3605 Marietta Highway, Canton. Business After Hours meets monthly (except July and August) in rotating chamber member businesses, 4:30-6 p.m. Good Morning Cherokee breakfasts are held monthly, excluding January and July, 6:30-9 a.m. at 1130 Bluffs Parkway in Canton. https://cherokeechamber.com

IN WDSTK

Meets for Morning INfluence gatherings at 8 a.m. on the last Friday of the month at the Chambers at City Center. YPOW (Young Professionals of Woodstock) meets at 7:30 a.m. Thursdays. https://inwdstk.org. Also partners with Fresh Start Cherokee, https://circuitwoodstock.com/events.

Towne Lake Business Association

Meets the third Tuesday of each month for lunch ’n’ learn sessions, noon-1:30 p.m., at The Tavern at Towne Lake Hills. https://tlba.org

Woodstock Business Club

Meets at 8:30 a.m. Thursdays at Reformation Brewery. https://woodstockbusinessclub.com

Woodstock Christian Business Network

Meets 7:30-9 a.m. Wednesdays at First Baptist Woodstock. www.woodstockchristianbusinessnetwork.com

Other business associations in Woodstock are invited to send photos from their monthly meetings to edit@ aroundaboutmagazines.com. Please include the names of everyone in each photo, along with the date, time and location of your meetings.

Chattahoochee Technical College President Ron Newcomb presents at the Chamber’s February Business After Hours meeting.

Woodstock Christian Business Network gathers weekly to create opportunities for spiritual and business growth.

Laura Lahr, left, and Maggie Grayeski connect at a February Woodstock Business Club meeting. Photo by Karen McDonald.

David Samaha and Nick Carberry at a February YPOW meeting. Photo by Bronson Kurtz.

A Message From the F

or more than 100 years, April 15 has been tax day in America. As a business owner, I share your bad feelings about the day. So, this year, I am choosing to focus on another celebration that takes place that day. Did you know that April 15 also is World Art Day? I am no artist. I can’t sing, I can’t draw, and those who have heard my Spotify playlist have been quick to tell me that I don’t have very good taste in music. I disagree, but I’ll concede that I’m not an artist.

I did marry a woman with an incredible passion for the arts, though, and she has taught me so much about the critical role that the arts play in building a sense of community. Katie has served as the president of the board of directors for Woodstock Arts for several years, and the impact this organization has made in our city truly is incredible. Community and economic advancement go hand in hand with an arts presence. As Toby Ziegler from “The West Wing” (one of my favorite shows) taught us, “There is a connection between progress of a society and progress in the arts. The age of Pericles was also the age of Phidias. The age of Lorenzo de Medici also was the age of Leonardo Da Vinci. The age of Elizabeth was the age of Shakespeare.”

We see this across history. Great things happen in amazing places when the arts are given opportunities to thrive, and Woodstock is no exception.

Woodstock Arts programs an award-winning theater in the center of our city, puts on best-in-class concerts — known as the Lantern Series — under the stars on the Event Green, offers educational opportunities across the arts, and showcases the visual arts in the impressive

Reeves House Visual Arts Center. The Reeves House is a recent statewide award winner, and well worth a visit for a coffee, or a glass of wine, while you explore its rotating art exhibits. With hundreds of events every year, the organization is making the arts accessible to every Woodstocker.

Woodstock Arts isn’t the only organization leaning into this arts presence in our city. With the Summer Concert Series, dozens of venues offering live music throughout the city, art galleries, makerspaces and an in-progress public art master plan, our city remains focused on providing room for creativity, imagination and inventiveness.

We stand on the precipice of our own golden age in Woodstock. Our city ranks as the 28th-largest in Georgia, and, with more than 3 million visits last year, our downtown shopping district is one of the most-visited destinations in the southeastern United States. We boast a thriving, growing business community. We’ve built a vibrant, walkable downtown. Our bustling shops and restaurants are among the best in the region. And, yes, our arts scene offers more than ever before. Our community’s storied past still is unfolding, and the arts always have been a critical component of our success.

Woodstock Arts is holding its annual gala on April 22. I’d encourage you to attend, or to break out this weekend and explore the countless expressions of the arts spread throughout our city.

I’ll see you there!

— Mayor Michael Caldwell

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

HEROES Our Hometown

In our November and December issues, we ran a listing of ways (Helping Hands) our readers could help local nonprofits and government agencies that work to enrich the lives of those less fortunate in our community. You — our hometown heroes — responded in a powerful way. Read on to see the good news about how you and your neighbors made a difference during the holiday season, as well as ways you can help throughout the year.

WarAngel Farms Rescue and Rehabilitation

www.warangelfarms.com

From

Casey Montana, founder

We received extra donations for blankets, some gently used horse blankets and gained new volunteers/followers! Overall, we definitely have gotten many wonderful volunteers from your magazine throughout the year. In 2023, we could use more animal lovers who want to become monthly sponsors at any level. This helps us care for the current rescues at the farm.

Goshen Valley Foundation

www.goshenvalley.org

From Caitlin Brunson, marketing and community engagement coordinator

We had incredible support from the community during the holidays. Woodstock City Church sent more than 600 volunteers to help with landscaping, decorating for Christmas and wrapping hundreds of gifts for the boys at Goshen Valley Boys Ranch. We saw huge support from the community at large helping us to purchase gifts off our Amazon Wish Lists for the 117 foster kids at Goshen during the holidays. The community rallies around our kids at Christmas, and we truly couldn’t do it without its support. We are so grateful to everyone who touched our kids’ lives! Our 2023 needs are focused around a big need for foster parents in Cherokee and Cobb counties. At Goshen Homes, we license, train and recruit foster parents to work with sibling groups in foster care. That’s because more than 75% of siblings in foster care are separated, and we believe siblings are better together. If you or someone you know might be interested in becoming a foster parent or getting involved at Goshen Homes, visit fosterwithgoshen.org to download the fostering guide.

The Children’s Haven

https://cherokeechildrenshaven.org

From Daphne Mullen, office manager

The end of the year always is crazy and heartwarming for us. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, we had people drop off holiday pajamas and gift cards for the children we serve. We had a tremendous amount of support from individual donors, local families and businesses within the community. People held drives for needed items in our Caregivers’ Closet, helped sort and organize donations, volunteered at our events and called to ask how they could best assist us. We love the generosity our community continues to show, and the support helps us serve the needs of children impacted by abuse and neglect within our county.

We were able to provide holiday gifts for more than 100 children. These were/are youth in foster care and at-risk youth served by our four programs: CASA Cherokee, WellStar Visitation, PCA Cherokee and Chin Up.

In 2023, we are in need of items to stock our Caregivers’ Closet – new sneakers for toddlers through teens, girls’ camisoles, boys’ undershirts, baby wash, etc. Contact us for an up-to-date list. Additionally, gift cards always are welcome.

Some of the sweet donors who dropped off new holiday pajamas had mentioned reading the Helping Hands article. This definitely helped us reach farther afield and spread awareness of our holiday needs.

Horse blankets donated to WarAngel Farms especially were handy during the December cold snap.

Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program

https://bit.ly/3lkJMlV

From Jim Lindenmayer, director

We had more than 50 volunteers helping us sort, pack and donate the 5,000 coats we collected on Dec. 16. Our timing could not have been better, as we provided coats to more than six veteran and military organizations and more than 15 area nonprofits — from the Atlanta area, as well as local nonprofits like MUST Ministries — in time to get them out for the cold weather that came at Christmas. We actually ran out of coats. This year, our goal is 7,500.

The Adopt a Vet program again allowed us to provide Christmas necessities to many low-income, homeless and senior homebound veterans around Cherokee County. We had a number of volunteers help with decorating, serving food, cooking and with the food pantry donations. Without volunteers, we could not do what we have done in our program. In total, our programs reached more than 5,500 people during the holidays. Community support is so important to us because all of the funds we receive are from local people and corporate entities, and the funds stay local. We always are in need of food items for low-income families and those that we house. For those we house in hotels, we are asking for microwave food, as many hotels no longer have kitchens.

We recently built 125 homeless veteran backpacks with a corporate client, and we are looking to build another 500 during the spring. Through the end of May, the following items are needed: small tarps, ponchos, white socks, foot powder, energy bars, small toiletries, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, paracord, foot warmers, flashlights, batteries, fire blankets, first-aid kits, resealable gallon bags, prepaid phone cards, wet wipes, gift cards, backpacks and small facial tissue packs. (These items were designed by two homeless veterans, one male, one female, with the goal to help a homeless veteran survive on the streets for up to 48 hours.)

The Hope Box

www.thehopebox.org/donate

Sarah Koeppen, CEO and founder

During the holidays, we held a Mommy Mart and a baby shower for mothers and infants in need. We had such a need for gift cards, baby diapers, formula, car seats, clothing and more. We are so grateful for all of the volunteers and staff that helped meet the needs of so many. In 2023, continued financial partners, gift cards, baby items and volunteers are needed.

Caring Christmas

https://caringchristmas.org

From Doug Whitney, community pastor

In December, we had a Caring Christmas event at First Baptist Woodstock, where families from the community were helped with Christmas gifts for their kids. More than 700 people attended the event, with more than 80 volunteers. Families came for a fun party with snacks, games and giveaways. As the families left, they were given the Christmas gifts donated for their children.

Our church had the pleasure of providing Christmas gifts for 505 kids, representing 176 families. Each child received at least three clothing items and three toys from their wish lists. We had more than 100 families sponsor at least one child. To watch some clips from the event, visit https://vimeo.com/780366693/109b55efec.

Resealable bags keep items dry inside homeless veteran backpacks.

During the holiday season, The Hope Box held events like baby showers to help mothers and infants in need.

Adopt a Senior 2022 and Cherokee Recreation & Parks Agency

www.cherokeega.com, www.playcherokee.org

From Erika Neldner, Cherokee County communications director

Adopt a Senior: More than 250 seniors adopted. Hugs in a Blanket: 984 items donated.

According to Cherokee County Senior Services Resource Coordinator De Gale, there definitely was an uptick in community donations for Adopt a Senior and Hugs in a Blanket. Going into 2023, Senior Services will continue to ask for help for Stand Up For Seniors to raise money for the Last Stop program, and Cherokee County Parks and Recreation will have the Some Bunny Special program running through April 4.

Cherokee Secret Santa

www.cherokeesanta.com

From Penny DePuy, Secret Santa coordinator

We sincerely appreciate all the support we receive from the community. Because of our amazing sponsors, we were able to provide an amazing Christmas to the 400-plus children in Cherokee Division of Family & Children Services custody. In addition to presents, Secret Santa provides school supplies, hygiene kits, age-appropriate stuffed stockings, books, food boxes and more. Anyone interested in sponsoring a child at Christmas, or learning about other support needs throughout the year, can visit www.cherokeesanta.com or call 678-235-5519.

Simple Needs GA

www.simpleneedsga.org

From Brenda Rhodes, founder

We had an increase in the number of volunteers; some were directly because of your publications, so thank you! We were able to help more children this past Christmas than in previous years. Overall, we provided gifts (plus board games, hats, gloves and scarves) for 307 kids in 108 families. Each mom and/ or dad also received a Walmart gift card.

And, some of the volunteers who helped at Christmas time have returned to help us! We’re hoping a few will become regulars, including one who read about us in Around Kennesaw.

Now, our greatest need is for gently used mattresses/box springs/beds as well as other essential furniture and kitchen/bed/bath items. We also need items that we give to our birthday children. We update this list about once a week with our most needed items: https://simpleneedsgablog.com/drives.

Volunteers who would like to become regulars by volunteering on Saturdays once or twice a month are needed. And, we need volunteers with pickup trucks, and those who are willing to pick up furniture donations and deliver to our clients.

Cherokee Family Violence Center

www.cfvc.org/donate-now

From Stephanie Villasenor, outreach coordinator

We are so thankful for the overwhelming response Cherokee Family Violence Center (CFVC) received from Aroundabout magazine readers over the holidays. After the publication of the November and December issues, we received more calls than normal regarding donations for our clients — about half of those callers mentioned they saw the magazine posting. We are thrilled to have received enough bed and bath linens to cover our shelter needs for six months, as well as a large number of laundry and dish detergent pods. If you called, emailed or just dropped off donations for us, we thank you!

In 2023, donations of journals and day planners to use in case management sessions and workshops would benefit our clients. We also need at least 12 new microwaves that we can add to move-in kits for new families. CFVC set up Amazon Wish Lists for some of our most-used products. You can find several lists at https://cfvc.org/donate-now. If your family or organization would like to partner with CFVC in 2023, email stephanie@cfvc.org.

2022 Adopt a Senior donations served more than 250 seniors.

North Georgia Angel House

https://angelhousega.com

From Susan Worsley, executive director and CEO

The influx of volunteers during the holiday season was heartwarming. We had sponsors for each of our girls. All of their needs were met with each item they asked for and a whole lot more.

Our friends and neighbors donated gift cards to have a supply ready when we accept new girls in our home, to purchase clothing and incidentals. One of our neighbors donated a gift card to each of the employees as a thank you for their hard work. It was unexpected and greatly appreciated.

We had sponsors for the children of our girls that come home every year for the Home for the Holidays meal. This year, volunteers donated, catered and served dinner to almost 100 former children, spouses and partners so we could spend time visiting with our former youth.

Volunteers helped decorate the home, inventory gifts and meet the needs of our kids during the most challenging time of the year. In a world where the news is filled with crimes and sad stories, we are reminded Cherokee County is filled with many kind, giving and supportive individuals who work tirelessly to help us meet the needs of our girls. Our investment in others is more than a job; it’s a ministry. We thank God every day for the good in our community.

Our needs going into 2023 include landscaping, siding, remodeling a building for our newly established school, drying in a space for a “she shed,” adding 10 more single occupancy apartments to our campus, and building a reception center at the entrance of our campus. Please let me know if you have time, talent or resources to lend a hand. We love our volunteers.

MUST Ministries

www.mustministries.org

From Katy Ruth Camp, director of marketing and public relations

Generally, we see about a 20% to 25% increase in the number of volunteers who serve during the holiday season. Not only do people want to give back more during the holidays, but events and programs like the Gobble Jog, our toy shops and holiday meals at the MUST Hope House inspire more people to give back.

Community support makes everything we do possible. Our MUST team could not begin to serve the 62,000 we now are serving annually without volunteers.

We always are working hard to serve more of our neighbors in need. Donations help provide food, housing, jobs, health care and clothing, plus a host of other resources, like toiletries, diapers, cold weather shelter and summer lunches for hungry children.

In 2023, our needs include:

• More food for the MUST Mobile Pantry.

• More volunteers to help serve more clients at every location.

• Volunteers to work in our new MUST Marketplace thrift store, opening in east Cobb this month.

• Support for the future health care clinic being established in MUST’s new facility on Highway 41.

Cherokee Family Violence Center received bed and bath linens, laundry and dish detergent, and more.

Volunteers helped meet the needs of North Georgia Angel House kids, as well as those of the children of former youth.

10 Ways to Celebrate National Volunteer Month

BY SUSANNAH MACKAY

This month is the perfect time to get involved with volunteering. There are so many needs near home, and new opportunities are available weekly. Usually, the hardest part is just getting started. After that, you won’t want to stop!

The best way to begin volunteering is to focus on finding a good fit for you. Is there a cause that is important to you, or a certain day or time you are free? Maybe you want to have a specific group of people involved? JustServe works with nonprofits and local charities — across the Atlanta area, and the world! — to make sure needs are listed on justserve. org, making it easier for volunteers to get involved. There are so many opportunities to choose from; here are some great examples to help you find your best fit.

• Families — Volunteer in the Keep Families Together Resource Center in Kennesaw. Children are welcome!

https://bit.ly/3kzcDpj

• Crafters — Join the Northside Hospital Foundation in crocheting blankets and graduation hats for babies in intensive care.

https://bit.ly/3IFsFWB

• Outdoor Lovers — Help prevent water pollution by marking storm drains in Cobb County.

https://bit.ly/3IKD2bs

• Homebodies — Become a Smithsonian digital volunteer, and help make historical documents and biodiversity data more accessible. https://bit.ly/3J4eH1I

• Performers — Share your talents, such as sewing, legacy projects, participating in programs and more, with someone in hospice.

https://bit.ly/3KOzVly

• Drivers — Deliver meals to seniors with MUST Ministries. https://bit.ly/3Zxu5Jp

• Cooks — Make dinner for the Ronald McDonald House near Scottish Rite Hospital.

https://bit.ly/3mkeajq

• Linguists — Become a Spanish translator for MUST Ministries in Canton. https://bit.ly/3kHxK8O

• Readers — Donate books for children to Cobb Collaborative.

https://bit.ly/3IJ8gzZ

• Pet Lovers — Help out at Mostly Mutts in Kennesaw.

https://bit.ly/3ZArUVo

Be sure to check out these great opportunities — and more! — on the JustServe website. Or, for additional ideas, join the JustServe Georgia Volunteers public Facebook group. Celebrate National Volunteer Month with simple acts of service!

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

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

Volunteers take Mostly Mutts dogs for a walk.

A volunteer stops to pet a Mostly Mutts rescue, while on a walk.

Celebrating Volunteers and Earth Day at Allatoona Lake

BY CHRISTOPHER PURVIS

Anyone who has been around Allatoona knows how important volunteers are to conserving natural resources around the lake. The Great Lake Allatoona Cleanup (GLAC) and the Lake Allatoona Association’s (LAA) Lake Warriors are prime examples of volunteers coming together for environmental concerns. Furthermore, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) volunteers have been instrumental in assisting with the Allatoona Lake Native Pollinator and Habitat Restoration Program.

To celebrate Earth Day this year, USACE staff, partners and volunteers will be attending a tree-grafting workshop, held by Josh Fuder from the University of Georgia Cherokee Extension, at the Allatoona Volunteer Village. Approximately 100 apple

tree rootstocks will be grafted and grown at the on-site hoop house for one season. In 2024, volunteers, staff and partners will plant the trees into a newly established research orchard, to help students and professors reintroduce different apple species into the northwest Georgia area.

This is not all that USACE volunteers and partners have accomplished in the past few months. In October, USACE rangers and volunteers joined Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) biologists and LAA volunteers in planting 1,000 water willows and 100 maidencanes in Rose Creek. The same groups came together again in February, along with volunteers from E3 Bassmasters and Marietta Bassmasters, to plant 380 buttonbushes near Sweetwater Day Use

Area. More than 300 of the plants were cultivated in USACE’s hoop house and maintained throughout the year by volunteers and park rangers. These aquatic plants not only are used for erosion control on the shoreline, but also as beneficial fish habitats for native fish species in the lake.

Another effort, now in its seventh year at Allatoona, is the Bamboo Fish Attractor Program. During late winter, USACE rangers and volunteers cut bamboo on government property to create the attractors. The environmental importance of this program is twofold. First, bamboo is an invasive species that is removed from the area. Second, the bamboo then is recycled and used in making fish structures and habitats. Additionally, small tubes of bamboo are cut and used in the creation of bee houses, produced by the volunteers, which also are used in the pollinator program.

Finally, USACE staff planted trees during late winter. The Nature Conservancy donated 250 longleaf pines that rangers were able to get in the ground in February for Georgia Arbor Day. Silky dogwoods, flowering redbuds and persimmon trees, maintained by rangers and volunteers in the hoop house through the winter, also were planted in early March. These native trees have a profound role in the environment — providing habitat and food for wildlife, bearing fruit and seeds, and harboring pollinating insects that help sustain ecosystem biodiversity.

Volunteers play a major role in helping USACE and our partners maintain a healthy environment around the lake. With the help of the community and volunteers, projects such as these will continue to thrive and grow in number.

Christopher Purvis is lead ranger at Lake Allatoona over partnerships, volunteers and project security. He has been a ranger on Allatoona Lake since 2005.

Volunteers plant 380 buttonbushes near Sweetwater Day Use Area.

How to Plant a Feast for Hummingbirds

BY ANN LITREL

In early April 2021, I walked into my yard with my nature journal and was intrigued to find three showy red flowers, native to Georgia.

1. Eastern columbine is a woodland flower that raises bright crownshaped blossoms over blue-green leaves. Self-seeding, my patch has grown over the years.

2. Crossvine, also known as trumpet flower, drapes my driveway trellis with huge red-orange blossoms in spring. A climbing vine, it needs space, and a vigorous pruning after flowering.

3. Red buckeye is a small tree with plumes of red flowers. It lights up a woodsy spot in spring and loses its leaves in late summer (normal for a young buckeye).

I keep a nature journal because I’m an artist, but even more because I am wildly curious about nature and how plants and creatures work together. My nature journal encourages me to look and ask questions.

When I saw these three red flowers in bloom, I wondered, why? Then, I spied a ruby-throated hummingbird darting in and out of the crossvine on my trellis, feeding at blossom after blossom.

Aha! This was the week the little bird had arrived on its migration from Mexico. Nature had timed her hummingbird favorites to bloom just when the exhausted little traveler needed refueling.

These three flowers don’t just feed hummingbirds. They provide a link in the food chain that hummingbird feeders do not: Their leaves are host foods for the caterpillars of numerous moths. Among them are some of our largest and most beautiful.

Eastern columbine is a larval host plant for the pink patched and looper moths. Crossvine is a host for sphinx and hawk moths. And red buckeye is a host for the huge and gorgeous luna, polyphemus and imperial moths.

I had wondered why I sometimes see

the ghostly, pale-green luna moth in my yard. Perhaps my red buckeye is the reason! Adding plants to your yard that host butterfly and moth caterpillars helps your songbirds immeasurably. Caterpillars are the most important food for baby songbirds, which cannot eat seeds. There is no need to worry about defoliation from the caterpillars; the damage is normally minimal and not noticeable.

I’ve learned to roll my eyes at the label “deer-resistant,” used for numerous plants. However, in the case of these three, I can vouch that the claims are true. Over the years, they

have continued to flourish in my yard despite Towne Lake’s roving herds.

If you’re a fan of our community’s beautiful natural environment and its songbirds, try restoring a little piece of nature to your yard with these three natives – they can bring you, your children and grandchildren many seasons of enjoyment.

Ann Litrel is an artist and certified Master Naturalist. She instructs nature journal workshops and paints in her studio, Ann Litrel Art, in Towne Lake.

Summer Camp 5Ways to Pick the Perfect

SUBMITTED BY CHEROKEE RECREATION AND PARKS

Trying to decide where to send your child for summer camp can be overwhelming! Here are five ways to help you pick the best place for your future camper.

1. Start with your child. Assess if the camp fits 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 fishing. Options also include inclusive therapeutic camps.

2. Check the safety of the environment. 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.

3. Make sure it benefits your family. 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 child care. Look at the camp’s mission statements to see if its overall philosophy matches your family’s.

4. Consider the activity schedule. Ask about a day in the life of the camper so you know what your camper will be doing. 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 repetitive or do campers get to experience new things and opportunities each day?

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.

Pickleball

In 2021, we wrote on the emerging popularity of pickleball, the game with the funny name (http://bit. ly/3ImGCIR). At that time, when we mentioned pickleball, many people we met around town would ask, “What’s that?” Now, when we mention it, we’re asked, “Where do you play?”

To best explain the growth of this sport since our last report, we sourced data from the Association of Pickleball Professionals. In January, the organization reported to CNBC that more than 36.5 million people played pickleball from August 2021 to August 2022. Earlier data estimated participation in the sport at 5 million players in 2021. We reached out to prominent members of the pickleball community in and around Woodstock to hear about their observations of the growth of the sport.

Acworth resident Antonio Pullen, cofounder of the instructional organization Dinkin’ and Bangin’, said pickleball has become more than just a sport; it has become a community-building activity that brings people of all ages and backgrounds together. Its inclusive nature, easy-to-learn rules and fast-paced gameplay make it the perfect sport for socializing, exercise and friendly competition.

One of USA Pickleball’s Cherokee County ambassadors, coach Jerry Fronger, has been working with Woodstock Parks & Recreation as the department grows the pickleball programs at Dupree Park. Jerry also is working with ALTA (Atlanta Tennis Association), which has announced its inaugural pickleball season, coming this summer. Jerry believes organized league play will be very popular with the pickleball community.

Yvonne Dewey, a coach who has been instrumental in organizing junior clinics in the community, loves the family aspect of the sport. Yvonne and her husband, Mike have two boys, and they love playing together. Whether on vacation or in Woodstock, she is seeing more and more family pickleball being played.

BY MIKE WALLS AND LIN MUMMERT

We asked coach Wendy Brown, who switched to pickleball six years ago after playing tennis for 30 years, what she sees as the future of the sport. Speaking as an instructor and competitive tournament player, she thinks pickleball will retain its recreational element. But, with it now being a professional sport, the future is the

Photo courtesy of Pickleheads.

Olympics! The process for bringing a new sport to the Olympics is quite lengthy … maybe 2030?

Nationwide, pickleball is attracting star athletes, ranging from LeBron James to Patrick Mahomes, who have invested in the purchase of Major League Pickle (MLP) professional teams. Twelve MLP teams began the 2023 season with big-name sponsors and prime-time media coverage. As pickleball commentator Brandon Mackie said, “MLP stands to increase (the) popularity (of pickleball), and launch the sport to unprecedented heights.” And, we agree. Also launching this year is the National Pickleball League (NPL), which will feature six teams from across the country, all with players over the age of 50. We just love pickleball. It truly is a great community-building sport, and we hope to see you on the courts around Woodstock, enjoying pickleball as much as we do. Pickleball? Let’s go!

Learn More:

http://bit.ly/3SnyMTM

http://bit.ly/3ZgUhb7

http://bit.ly/3IsNTH6

http://bit.ly/3kqLip

Places to Play

In addition to the pickleball courts at parks around Cherokee County, many neighborhoods have courts and programs. For more information about tournaments and places to play, join the Woodstock/Cherokee Pickleball Facebook group or visit www.pickleheads.com.

Outdoor Courts

Pickleball courts are available for free play on a first-come, first-served basis. Most courts also can be reserved, for a fee.

Cherokee Veterans Park in Canton has two permanent pickleball courts, as well as four courts lined and shared on tennis courts. They can be reserved through the Cherokee Tennis Center at 770-592-4582 or reservemycourt.com.

Kenney Askew Park in Canton has six designated courts. To reserve, contact the Cherokee Tennis Center. For open-play times, visit http://bit.ly/3kO3Q2Q.

Dupree Park in Woodstock has six courts. Woodstock residents can reserve a court at http://bit.ly/3JaQ83b. Visit http://bit.ly/3KVsh9g for Woodstock Parks and Recereation’s Discovering Pickleball, Practice and Play, and league programs. There are two permanent courts at 200 Civic Drive in Ball Ground. To reserve a court, visit http://bit.ly/3SQychx. For openplay times, visit https://bit.ly/41LiwQE.

Indoor Courts

The L.B. “Buzz” Recreation Center at Cherokee Veterans Park has open-play pickleball times in the gym. Check the calendar at http://bit.ly/3SL4I4A.

The YMCA in Canton is bustling with indoor play at designated times during the week: https://cantonfamilyymca. org/pickleball.

Future Courts

Possible additions to Cherokee Veterans Park include additional tennis and pickleball courts, a baseball/softball complex and a large community pavilion (http://bit.ly/3ZkukYI).

Pickleball courts also have been proposed in the NE Cherokee County Parks Plan, specifically in E.W. & Edith Cochran Park in Free Home. The plan was approved in May 2022 and is estimated to be fully completed by 2032 (http://bit.ly/3ZVTOf1).

Antonio Pullen teaches kids to play pickleball.

Save the Date!

The BridgeMill Sixes Service League (BSSL) second annual Pickleball Charity Event begins at 8 a.m. April 29 at BridgeMill Tennis Club. Registration is $25 per person. Proceeds benefit BSSL-sponsored charities and Cherokee County Homeless Veterans. Register by April 22 at www.bsl.org. Rain date is May 27.

Mike Walls and Lin Mummert are trying to promote a good, positive outdoor experience for the community. Visit the Pickle Brookshire page on Facebook.

Serving Up Opportunities

S3 Volleyball Setting Standards for Beach Volleyball Players

As the longest-standing, beach-only volleyball club in Georgia, S3 Volleyball is continuing to fill its trophy case while expanding programs to reach more local players.

Among the latest opportunities for players is Friday Night Lights spring tournaments for youth ages 10 through college athletes that will take place at the club’s Badger Creek Park location. These tournaments will be sanctioned by the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP), which allows players to earn points and a bid to AVP Nationals in July.

It’s no wonder the club has grown consistently through Cherokee and Cobb counties, as well as Fulton and Bartow. The newest programs have been established for younger players and high school boys. A year-round program

extends from December to July, with fall and summer leagues also available. The local club’s popularity isn’t surprising, since beach volleyball is the fastestgrowing NCAA Division I sport in the past five years.

S3 was founded as a beach-only volleyball club in the fall of 2014 by Bryan Jones. This means there are no indoor practices. At that time, there were about 45 collegiate beach volleyball programs in the United States, according to the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Currently, more than 175 schools have programs.

“While there are some obvious similarities, the skills and strategies between beach and indoor are actually very different,” Jones said. “At S3, we focus on teaching our athletes those beach-specific skills. Some other volleyball clubs are indoor clubs which also offer beach, but as far as beachonly, we are the oldest.”

Success on the Sand

While S3 players are bringing home the trophies, they are doing it in style. The club has partnered with Lululemon for new athletic wear for the year-round players.

From left: Kaylee Howell, Sophia Aleck, Becky Blaydes, Morgan Perry, Kate Weitnauer and Taryn Dickey after winning the 2023 Club vs. Club competition in Clearwater Beach, Florida.

Brynlee Smith hitting the ball.

The latest accolades include:

• S3 players Rebecca Blaydes and Kaylee Howell won the USA Volleyball American Division 18 and Under National Championship in July 2022 at the USA Volleyball Junior National Championships.

• Ashley Vincent and Carra Sassack finished fifth out of 124 pairs in the AVP National Championships, second out of 157 pairs in the Beach Volleyball Clubs of America (BVCA) National Pairs Championships and second at the AAU West Coast Junior Olympic Games. The athletes are now college freshmen and play for their universities’ beach volleyball programs; Ashley at Stanford and Carra at Florida State.

• S3 finished fifth overall in the quest to earn the National Beach Club Championship. Players and teams compete in the BVCA National Pairs Competition to earn points for their clubs; the club with the highest number of points takes the top honor.

• The club started the 2023 season strong in the BVCA Club vs. Club series, a competition that emulates collegiate beach volleyball structure. S3 won the first event; the squad won the club division tournament out of 16 nationwide competitors. The event attracted clubs from North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Texas, New Jersey and Washington state.

Beach Training, Year-Round

S3 offers year-round and seasonal programs, with two sessions in the summer and another in the fall, to work around the high school indoor season. Teams compete in tournaments in metro Atlanta and across the country.

S3 is gearing up for the Summer Elite, Summer Volley and Sand Sharks programs, which will kick off the 2023 summer season in May and June. “We would love to have some new faces join

our S3 family,” Jones said. Visit the website for registration links to these programs, which are designed for beginners through advanced, college-ready players.

Another emphasis for S3 is helping club members — at no extra charge — realize their dream of playing on a collegiate level.

“We have helped to place more players in collegiate beach volleyball programs than any other club in the state of Georgia or in the Southern Region (Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama),” Jones said.

The Owners of S3

“We love beach volleyball and wanted to share the game that has meant so much to us with others,” Bryan said of himself and co-owners Dave Woolsteen and Kevin McClure. “We also believe the game teaches our athletes some extremely valuable life lessons: how hard work pays off, communication skills, independence, working with others.”

Bryan Jones, director, has been teaching for 24 years, has more than 27 years of playing and coaching experience, and has certifications from USA Volleyball. He’s the beach volleyball chairperson for the Junior Volleyball Association. Bryan is head volleyball coach at Etowah High School; he coached the team at Pope High School for 15 years, where he led the team to three state championships.

Dave Woolsteen has been playing beach volleyball for more than 25 years, beginning in college and working up to playing in the Open division. He has traveled up and down the East Coast playing on various pro-am tours, and has won numerous Open tournament titles. He also has competed on the AVP qualifier tour.

Kevin McClure first became interested in volleyball as a student in 1976, but it didn’t take hold until he worked for IBM and played in the company league. He became one of the Southeast’s best outside hitters, playing in what eventually became the Southern Regional Volleyball Association. He is an NCAA beach and indoor volleyball referee.

For more information, email info@s3volleyball.com.

Ashley Vincent sets to her partner at the BVCA National Championship in Hermosa Beach, California.

Rolling on

Opportunities Exist

for

Recreation and Service on the Etowah

BY LAINE KIRBY WOOD

Consider yourself lucky that you live in the Upper Etowah watershed. Not only is it biodiverse, it is beautiful. The Etowah is a great source of recreation for fishers, kayakers and tubers, and new launch locations soon are coming to Cherokee County. Additionally, both reservoirs in our watershed are great for paddling, fishing or picnicking.

Hickory Log Creek Reservoir

The Etowah supplies drinking water for the five counties it flows through, as well as a significant number of Cobb County residents, by way of the partnership between Canton’s Hickory Log Creek Reservoir and the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority. Water is pulled from the river close to the I-575 bridge at Exit 20 (the red brick building) and helps to fill the reservoir, to ensure there is adequate water during drought conditions. The reservoir is open to the public for fishing, kayaking and canoeing. No motorized vessels or swimming are allowed, making it safe for novices to paddle. It encompasses 411 acres at full pool, with 15 miles of shoreline, and it is surrounded by a 15-foot buffer. It holds 5.77 billion gallons of water and supplies 44 million gallons per day.

A day-use fee of $5 is collected onsite off Bluffs Parkway in Canton, or a $50 annual pass can be purchased at the permitting office in Canton City Hall, Room 219. www.cantonga.gov/ government/departments/reservoir.

Life jackets allow residents to enjoy water activities safely.

on the River

Hollis Q. Lathem Reservoir

Yellow Creek is the tributary that fills Hollis Q. Lathem Reservoir, near Ball Ground. This lake encompasses 334 acres and holds 3.5 billion gallons of water. It is open to the public for fishing and paddling, but no motorized vessels or swimming are allowed. A short 2-mile paddle takes you to where Yellow Creek enters the lake by way of a lovely waterfall. A day-use fee of $5 is collected on-site at Cowart Road, off Yellow Creek Road. Or, an annual pass of $50 can be purchased at the reservoir office. https://ccwsa.com/reservoir.

Launch Locations

Currently, you can access the Etowah River and Allatoona Lake at Fields Landing off Highway 20, or at the Knox Bridge Corps of Engineers boat ramp. You can access the Little River and Allatoona Lake at the boat ramp at Cherokee Mills on Bells Ferry Road, across from Little River Marina.

In the next two years, Cherokee County’s newest river access point will be at Long Swamp Creek on Highway 372, across from the McGraw Ford Wildlife Management Area. This park of approximately 20 acres will have a canoe/ kayak launch and an archery range.

Another exciting addition to the county park inventory is the property on Yellow Creek Road at the Etowah. This property encompasses more than 500 acres, and it still is in the planning stage, because of its environmental sensitivity. We are hoping it will have river access, too.

Floating, paddling, fishing and swimming are excellent ways to enjoy the Etowah, but remember always to wear a life jacket and obey posted notifications about water conditions. A great source of information is the new, user-friendly app for iOS and Android users: GeorgiaRiverNetwork. This app has current information on launches, conditions, distances between take-outs and local historical information on most Georgia rivers.

The Upper Etowah River

• Encompasses 610 square miles and 390,400 acres.

• Includes five counties –Lumpkin, Dawson, Forsyth, Pickens and Cherokee.

• Has more than 100 tributaries, including Shoal, Amicalola, Yellow, Setting Down, Conn, Long Swamp and Sharp Mountain Creeks.

• Begins near Dahlonega, runs 90 miles to Lake Allatoona and continues to Rome, to form the Coosa River.

• Is only a fraction of the Etowah Basin, which drains 1,858 square miles and more than 150 river miles.

• Features two reservoirs, with fishing and paddling access, open to the public.

• Is home to 77 native fish species. (The Etowah biologically is one of the richest river systems in the world!)

Get Involved!

• Join the Upper Etowah River Alliance (UERA): etowahriver.org.

• Attend UERA’s annual meeting, 6 p.m. April 20, at the Rock Barn in Canton. Tickets can be purchased on the website, under the Events tab.

• Participate in a cleanup event (etowahriver.org).

• Participate in a Keep Cherokee Beautiful event (cherokeega.com).

• Follow the Upper Etowah River Alliance on Facebook.

Laine Kirby Wood, Canton resident and the executive director of The Upper Etowah River Alliance, is a writer, adventurer, wildlife enthusiast and grandmother to seven.

Kayakers can paddle the Etowah River, the Hickory Log Creek and Hollis Q. Lathem reservoirs.

Woodstock Mom to Shoot 1,000 Free Throws

Free Throws for Logan, an event benefiting the Mowat-Wilson Syndrome (MWS) Foundation and Woodstock Middle School’s Special Education Department, will be held April 15 in the school’s gym. Beginning at 10 a.m., Woodstock resident Jackie Arnold will try to make 1,000 free throws in five hours, to raise awareness and funds for MWS, a very rare genetic disorder that her son, Logan, was diagnosed with in 2010.

MWS affects many parts of the body. Most Mowat-Wilson children are nonverbal, and need intense medical attention and personal care. MWS was not defined until 1998, and the physical, behavioral and developmental issues associated with the syndrome still are being discovered.

The MWS Foundation works to enhance the lives of people affected by the syndrome, by providing

support, raising awareness and supporting research and education. Learn more at https://mowatwilson.org.

The idea for Free Throws for Logan was hatched around three years ago (and was delayed due to COVID-19), when Arnold was looking for a way to put her unique free throw-shooting skills to use. She shoots at about an 88% clip, which beats 90% of college and pro basketball players.

Logan is 13 years old and will attend Woodstock Middle in the fall. Some of his favorite things to do are playing soccer and baseball, and watching lacrosse and hockey. Logan also loves basketball, especially watching his mom swish shot after shot.

Just over two decades ago, Arnold

was a varsity basketball player at Roswell High School, where she was a 90% free throw shooter. To prepare for this month’s event, the 40-yearold has been practicing two to three times a week at Pure Shot Basketball in Woodstock. In early March, she was shooting at about 85%, but she is confident she can raise that percentage before April 15.

The community is invited to cheer on Arnold as she makes about 200 shots per hour. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be an opportunity for attendees to show off their shooting skills by competing in the Beat the Mom free throw contest. Then, between 2 and 3 p.m., Arnold should make her 1,000th free throw. For more details about the free event, and how to donate, visit https://bit.ly/3mlYyvF.

Jackie practicing to get her shooting percentage close to the 90% it was in high school.

Logan with his mom, Jackie.

Cherokee Fire Internationally Accredited

BY HARRY JOHNSTON

Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES) has come a long way in the past 25 years, from a mostly volunteer service to the first-class, fully professional department it is today. That journey isn’t over, but CCFES reached a new high March 1, when it joined the elite ranks of internationally accredited fire agencies. That’s the gold standard for fire departments, with only 14 in Georgia having earned that recognition.

We all owe congratulations and thanks to the fire team, led by current Chief Eddie Robinson, and former Chiefs Tim Prather and Raymond Gunnin.

CCFES grew out of the former Little River Fire District. Outside that small area in south Cherokee, volunteers provided the only fire protection in unincorporated Cherokee County through 1998. By then, the county’s population had reached about 130,000, and it was time for a change. That year, voters approved a countywide fire tax, and the journey began.

The first step was to put one paid firefighter in each of the then-volunteer fire stations at all times. All firefighters were medically trained to at least the emergency medical technician level. The firefighter on duty would drive the fire engine to the scene of any emergency, and volunteers would meet him or her there. That process worked pretty well at night and on weekends, when volunteers were available, but not as well during weekdays.

As the county’s tax digest and revenues grew, the paid staff gradually was expanded to two firefighters per shift on each engine, and more and better equipment was added. County ambulance service was brought into CCFES in 2003. Some of the smallest and oldest stations were replaced with modern structures, and more were added to fill gaps in coverage. The

volunteer units began to fade away and eventually disbanded. The county’s Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating initially was set at 5 on a scale of 1 (best) to 10 (no fire coverage). A first-class fire training center was added in 2013, helping to improve the ISO rating to 3. Medical coverage continued to improve, with advanced life support paramedics and equipment on all ambulances and most fire trucks. (Fire trucks actually respond to far more medical calls than fire calls.) The ISO rating further improved to 2 in 2018. That’s exceptionally good for a large, and still fairly rural, county.

The goal for the build-out is to staff 24 modern fire stations with at least three firefighters per engine (four on the bigger ladder trucks), with paramedics on all trucks, plus enough reserve personnel to maintain those staffing levels during normal absences. Chief Robinson reported recently the department needs just 35 more firefighters, including the staffing of one more station, to reach those goals, and he hopes to achieve that within the next two years. It will take a few more years to replace all the old station buildings, but the ones still in use are functionally adequate.

It’s fitting CCFES should receive international accreditation when on the cusp of achieving its 25-year professional build-out process. It not only recognizes the excellence the department has achieved; it provides a demanding roadmap to further excellence as a condition of maintaining the accreditation.

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

9 Alternatives to Using English Ivy as a Ground Cover

BY CAROLYN PUCKETT

English ivy, although a nostalgic ground cover, is invasive. If you missed last month’s article, read it at https://townelaker.com/archives. There are many alternatives to English ivy as a ground cover for shade, and also as a climbing vine. Here are nine native alternatives:

1. Creeping phlox is a spreading perennial that is native to the eastern U.S. It will form a dense cover under quite shady conditions. It is only about 6 inches high, with flowers extending up another 6 inches in the spring. Cultivars are available with ¾-inch flowers of blue, white, pink, lilac or purple. You can check out the performance of woodland phlox cultivars at https://mtcubacenter.org/trials/phlox-for-shade.

2. Foam flower is a semi-evergreen, low-growing, native woodland plant that has ivy-shaped leaves. In some cultivars, the leaves are highlighted with reddish veining. In addition, bottlebrush-shaped racemes of pinkish white flowers bloom in the spring. Foam flower is available in both clumping and spreading cultivars.

3. Coral bells is another low-growing native woodland plant with interesting leaves. There are many cultivars available, with colored leaves of yellow, peach, red, purple or bronze. Because of Georgia’s heat and humidity, we recommend you purchase cultivars bred with the eastern native species Heuchera villosa or Heuchera americana. Coral bells’ flowers stand high over the foliage. In many of the cultivars with colored foliage, the flowers are not especially showy. Other cultivars are bred for heavy displays of rose-colored flowers.

4. Green-and-gold or golden star is a spreading native plant of about 6 inches in height that displays gold, daisy-like flowers in the spring. Sometimes, the flowers recur sporadically. It grows well in the shade, but will tolerate some sun if it gets enough water. It can be used on a bank to stop erosion.

5. Allegheny spurge is a native form of pachysandra that is not aggressive like the more commonly sold Japanese pachysandra. Allegheny spurge’s patterned, semievergreen foliage grows 6 inches tall. Clumps may spread to create a 3- to 4-foot patch. Fragrant white bottlebrush flowers appear each spring before the new leaves emerge.

6. Another native ground cover for shade is partridgeberry , an evergreen with white flowers in the spring and red fruit in the fall. It is about 1-inch tall, with trailing stems that root at the nodes to create dense mats. The cultivar, Danny, is a particularly vigorous selection. Partridgeberry will tolerate light foot traffic.

There also are grass-like ground covers for shade. Try something other than the ubiquitous monkey grass or mondo grass.

7. Bristle-leaf or ivory sedge is a native plant that grows 6 to 12 inches high and spreads slowly by rhizomes (continuously growing underground stems). It has wiry leaves growing in a spherical clump. While it prefers an evenly moist soil, it becomes drought-tolerant, once established.

8. Another grass-like plant, Pennsylvania sedge, is indigenous to dry woodlands of eastern and central North America. It has soft arching blades growing about 6 inches tall. Spreading by rhizomes, it thrives in shade and tolerates drought.

9. There is a native plant that also sometimes goes by the name climbing hydrangea. Also known as woodvamp, it can grow 20 to 60 feet, with the dark-green leaves mixing with numerous small, white flowers that attract bees and butterflies in early to midsummer. Only mature, vertical-growing stems produce the new growth that creates the flowering stems.

With all the wonderful alternatives, there is no reason to succumb to the temptation to plant English ivy as a ground cover. You will be doing yourself and your neighbors a big favor if you go the less-traveled route to cover your shady areas in greenery.

Dig Deeper:

• www.gaeppc.org/alternatives

• http://bit.ly/3la3aEt

• https://bit.ly/3X2em3s

Foam flower’s pinkish-white flowers bloom in the spring.

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

Fostering Change: Post-Adoption Support

BY CHARLICE BYRD

Two of the most commonly reported deficiencies in adopting a child from foster care are the lack of transparency from the Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) to the adoptive family and the shortage of post-adoption support. It often is difficult for the adoptive family to know how to help without knowing what the child has been exposed to.

Often, childhood issues begin to manifest in a child when he or she begins school. If the child already is school-aged, it is important to ensure that any learning limitations are identified, by communicating often with school officials. If the child has not started school, being attentive and proactive to how a child is adjusting to school is critical.

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day often present unique challenges when children are unsure of how to respond to assignments or discussions without peer criticism. Other academic assignments that require children to write and present family dynamics can result in anxiety. Adoptive parents should communicate with school officials when these assignments are required, to ensure the child has ample support from home. It’s important to be familiar with mandatory reading assignments and use it as a time to have conversations with children.

Adoptive families are allowed to review DFCS files prior to adoption. This is a good time to read and understand what life was like prior to adoption. Look for any diagnosis that has been

identified, and ask for a copy of documents that might help get support services quickly, such as an individualized education program (IEP) or 504 plan.

Participating in social circles is a great way to meet other families who have adopted and build a strong network of friends and family who can provide the necessary support along the way. Often, families adopt and don’t realize that trauma from prior years might surface due to an unknown trigger. Pay attention to verbal and nonverbal cues, and ensure that the child has the opportunity to talk without judgment about feelings and expectations. Children can feel disloyal to their birth parents, post-adoption. Knowing this, and allowing children to talk about their prior experiences, gives them a path to healing.

Adoption is a wonderful way to give children in foster care a forever home. Be aware that challenges along the way can be minimized with open communication, a strong support system and an understanding that healing takes time.

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

Rob’s Rescues

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

This month, I interviewed Diviya Roney, who is in charge of the Furkids Community Cat program. Headquartered in Cumming, Furkids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that operates the largest cage-free, no-kill shelter in the Southeast for rescued cats, as well as Sadie’s Place, a no-kill shelter for dogs. If you missed my interview with Samantha Shelton, founder of Furkids, last month, visit https://townelaker.com/archives.

Describe Furkids’ cat program.

The Community Cat program was launched on July 1, 2022. We focus on spay and neuter and education. We also provide resources and support to the community.

If someone has cats living in their neighborhood, what should they do?

This dog’s name is Boss. He was adopted as a puppy from the Cobb County shelter. He is a 2-year-old small terrier. He is good with kids and other animals. He was turned in because his family was moving to another state and could not afford to take him.

They can email communitycats@ furkids.org. We will provide instructions and rent out traps. Feeders are the best trappers, as they know the cats’ schedules. If you can’t physically do it, we can send our volunteers to help. Contact us first to set up a plan. Please don’t trap before a plan is in place to TNR (trap, neuter, return) the cat.

What does TNR involve?

The rule is that if you are feeding outdoor cats, you must TNR them. The only way to reduce the overwhelming cat population is TNR. The cats must be returned to their colony after spay/ neuter. We train people on how to run their colony, including deworming and providing shelter.

How many cats have you helped?

We already are in 22 counties in Georgia, and we have helped more than 800 cats. We aim to help 100 cats each month. We don’t care where you live in Georgia; we will support you.

Has it been easy stepping into this role at Furkids?

Furkids has made the transition easy. This (Community Cats program) is replicating Frida’s on a much larger scale. I am still running both. The name recognition has been helpful. (Frida’s Foundation is a volunteer-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in Clayton County, committed to eliminating euthanasia of healthy pets and community cats through high-volume spay/neuter, community outreach, collaboration and advocacy. Learn more at www.fridasfoundation.com.)

How can the community help?

This dog’s name is Shadow. He was a cruelty case in his old home, but is a staff favorite in the shelter. He was only 24 pounds when he came to the shelter. Now, he weighs 31 pounds. He is friendly, playful and affectionate. One of the staff members wrote a message on his cage: “I have never met a dog more deserving of love. Everyone adores him!”

What story do you like to tell?

Frida’s Foundation is a story that is close to my heart. The reason I founded Frida’s was due to a human being getting no support and consequently committing suicide. Frida’s Foundation and Furkids’ mission is to help people struggling and lifting them up. Animals help people tremendously and keep them going. We are here to support people, keep animals in their homes or colonies intact.

Donations are a huge help to cover spay and neuter. We need traps, too, if you want to donate those. We also need food for our food pantry. We are supporting a lot of people with new colonies, and a lot of people who help community cats need ongoing help with their colonies. We provide medical assistance and food for their cats. Volunteers and trapping volunteers also are needed. And, just getting the word out about our mission and how we can assist is helpful. We help struggling families and are not county-specific.

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

Rob at the Furkids center.

Dual Enrollment: Double Credit, Half the Time

BY MICHELLE BUSH

High school students can get a jump-start on their college education and career training through Georgia’s dual-enrollment program, which gives them the opportunity to maximize their education by taking courses that earn college credit and high school credit at the same time. They can enroll as a dualenrollment student on a part-time or full-time basis and take courses on a college campus. Some of the college-level courses also might be available online, on the high school campus or at local college and career academies.

Students enrolled in the program can choose from a wide variety of courses. Among them are core academic college-freshman courses in English, math, science, social sciences and world languages that transfer easily from technical colleges to four-year University System of Georgia institutions. Students also can choose career, technical and agricultural education courses that align to a Georgia Department of Education career cluster and pathway.

Another great thing about the program is state dual-enrollment funds cover the cost of tuition for the first 30 credit hours. The dualenrollment course directory (https://bit.ly/3Zz26K0) provides a list of all approved courses at participating post-secondary institutions that are eligible for dual-enrollment funding.

Dual-enrollment students can thrive from being a welcome part of a college community and experiencing the state-of-the-

art college labs and classrooms. The program is proven to enhance student engagement and improve graduation rates for high school students. It also contributes to preparing a skilled workforce for Georgia by increasing career and post-secondary educational opportunities for students.

Students, parents and school counselors should decide together whether dual enrollment is a good fit. To participate in the program, high school students must apply for admission to a participating college or university. After applying, students can complete the dual-enrollment funding application, which is available on the gafutures.org website. A student’s individual high school or school system also might have its own deadlines for the dual-enrollment process. Students who are interested in the program are encouraged to talk with their high school counselor as early as possible in order to meet all application deadlines.

Michelle Bush is director of student outreach and recruitment at Chattahoochee Technical College. The 22-year employee works with school counselors on behalf of students entering the college.

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Put Your Paws to the Pavement

BY SUSAN BROWNING SCHULZ

Most of us would agree with actress Gilda Radner, who said, “I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me, they are the role models for being alive.”

Sadly, in some parts of the world, dogs do not have this great esteem. The Street Dog Dash is a nonprofit that exists to support the success of local rescues in Cherokee County and surrounding

areas, and to put an end to the suffering of dogs in the Asian meat trade. The nonprofit’s annual 5K is set for April 29 at Etowah River Park in Canton.

“I founded Street Dog Dash 5K (SDD5K) in 2018 as a way to serve my local community and give back to the world,” Woodstock resident Haley Williams said. “I’m a strong believer in trying to leave the world a better place than you found it. Once I learned about the dog meat trade in Asia, something inside me broke, and I knew that I had to act. SDD5K was born out of my God-given love for animals, and a belief that we must be a voice for the less fortunate, and those who can’t speak for themselves.”

The SDD5K raises funds and awareness for the fight against the dog meat trade. Its nonprofit of choice is the Soi Dog Foundation, which has been running for more than 11 years and is committed to ending this barbaric business. Headquartered in Thailand, Soi Dog has been successful in ending the trade in its own country and getting restrictive laws passed in other Asian countries. Soi Dog works toward the enforcement of existing laws, educating the public about the health risks associated with this trade, and providing farmers with alternative ways to earn income. Progress is being made.

In Cherokee and surrounding

counties, SDD5K supports animal shelters, rescue groups and smaller organizations, such as Rescue Me Georgia.

Josh and Michelle Williams stepped into the role of directors of race operations beginning in fall 2021. Even though involvement in the SDD5K is recent, their passion for pups is not. Josh and Michelle met in 2014 at Brook Run Dog Park in Atlanta, where their three rescue dogs became best friends. They soon fell in love, married, brought everyone together as one big happy family, and moved to Canton.

“I discovered SDD5K after coordinating an outdoor community event for the company I worked for at the time,” Michelle said. “Since both Josh and I love the idea of supporting rescues and dogs in need, we also participated in the race. When the opportunity arose to take on more responsibility as race directors, we happily said yes to supporting our local communities and improving the lives of animals.”

SDD5K is a fun family event to get everyone moving. Everyone is welcome, including four-legged family members. Not a runner? No problem. You can walk the 3 miles with or without your pup. Here are a few recommendations from some of your metro Atlanta neighbors:

“The SDD5k is absolutely my

favorite race! It’s so much fun to see all the dogs (and their humans) enjoying the event,” Brooke Hopkins said.

“This (year) will be my third time participating in the SDD5K! It is a great event put on in our community for runners and fur friends alike. A great course and an even better cause. Cannot wait until April 29!” Kasi Winkles said.

Katie Nix said: “Participating in the SDD5K isn’t just about testing your own limits; it’s about pushing for a greater cause. I heard about the SDD5K in the Around Woodstock magazine, and knew it was a cause I wanted to support, no questions asked. When you lace up your sneakers and hit the pavement, you’re not only supporting the health and wellness of yourself, but you’re also making a difference for dogs in need and your local community. The joy of crossing that finish line is amplified by the knowledge that your efforts have contributed to something bigger than yourself, helping to create a better future for animals and people alike. I can’t wait to see what 2023 has in store for the SDD5K!”

To learn more or sign up for this year’s race, visit streetdogdash5k.org, email info@streetdogdash5k.org or scan the QR code to register. To stay up-to-date on race details, participate in contests and more, follow @streetdogdash5k on Facebook and Instagram.

Susan Schulz is a Bible teacher and mentor who lives and plays on the Etowah River in Canton. Connect with her on social media or at susanbrowningschulz.com.

Jaime Pinedo and Juniper.

Every year, more than 2,800 kids are treated in emergency rooms after swallowing button batteries; that’s one child every three hours. The number of serious injuries or deaths has increased ninefold in the past decade. Canton resident Peggy Byess shares her story to educate families, parents, caregivers and grandparents about the dangers of button-battery ingestion.

“In February, Kenzi, our 3-year-old and youngest of seven, began having a raspy voice. I assumed it was due to her recent case of strep throat. Aside from that, she seemed perfectly normal and was eating, drinking and playing normally. Then, Kenzi became congested in her chest. The next night, I could hear high-pitched noises in her sleep, and her chest started to compress when she would breathe. I immediately drove her to urgent care in Canton. As we were in line to check-in, they could hear Kenzi’s labored breathing. (They immediately) sent someone out to check her oxygen levels, and our nightmare began.

“Kenzi and I were rushed through triage. She was given a breathing treatment and a chest X-ray. Fearing pneumonia or respiratory syncytial virus, I wasn’t prepared for what they told me. The doctor entered the room and said that an ambulance was en route. Kenzi had a quarter-sized object lodged in her trachea, and we had to be rushed to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta — Egleston Hospital, the only Level 1 trauma hospital for children. I had no idea when or what she had swallowed.

“Upon arrival at Egleston, things moved quickly. Doctors explained that they must immediately remove the lodged object, and they would attempt to retrieve it the way it went down. By the time my husband arrived, Kenzi was already in surgery. After two hours, surgeons identified the object as a button battery, but her esophagus was too swollen to remove it the easy way. They pushed the battery into her stomach and called in another surgical team to remove it. An hour or more went by, and the surgeons informed us they had successfully removed the battery and a penny that was stuck to it. The surgeon said that the penny is probably the only thing that saved her life because, instead of burning through her esophagus, the penny took the brunt of the damage.

“The next time we saw our baby girl, she was intubated and under heavy sedation. We remained at Egleston for nearly two weeks, (Kenzi) on a feeding tube allowing her esophagus to heal. Gastrointestinal specialists will continue to monitor things carefully, as scar tissue could form and create more issues down the road.

“We learned that the battery Kenzi swallowed came from a musical birthday card. A button battery can burn a hole through the esophagus within two hours of ingestion. The doctors don’t know the long-term effects, and we are praying they are minimal.

Overall, we are thankful to still have our baby girl with us.”

During this family emergency, Peggy did not leave her daughter while her husband juggled work and cared for their other six children. Now, he works 12-hour days six days a week. Peggy stays home and home-schools her children. “My salary is less than the cost of child care. Our last six months have been some of the roughest,” Peggy said. “I lost my mom to cancer, my son was diagnosed with ADHD, our HVAC unit stopped working, forcing us to heat our home with our woodburning stove all winter. And, now, this. It is so overwhelming as the medical bills are beginning to come in. I just need the universe to let me take a breath before adding more.”

A GoFundMe has been set up in support of the Byess family, to help them get through this difficult season. Everyday Angels would like to help them, as well as remind our readers of the dangers of button batteries. We will accept donations or grocery cards to encourage this sweet family.

Kenzi Byess paints a drawstring bag at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta — Egleston Hospital.

The Importance of Regular STD Testing

BY CHEROKEE WOMEN’S HEALTH SPECIALISTS, PC

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are on the rise in the United States at an alarming rate, particularly among women ages 15-24. This age group accounts for 58% of STDs in Georgia. Not only has the infection rate of STDs increased, but our state has climbed to No. 3 in the country, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC tracked gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV and chlamydia. Of particular concern in Georgia is the increase in gonorrhea and syphilis, both of which can be dangerous if left untreated. And, chlamydia can result in infertility.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and STDs are being spread because people unknowingly have STDs while they have unprotected sex. Most cases of syphilis and gonorrhea have no symptoms and only are found during routine testing. This could be the reason behind the surge of these types of STDs. “Other factors for the rise are less frequent testing, and the stigmas involved with testing and treatment,” said Alexander Millman of the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Testing for STIs and STDs is one of the most important things a people can do to protect their health, according to the CDC. It’s critical that anyone who is sexually active get regularly tested. The best time to get tested is one month after having sexual relations with a new partner.

Women suffer the consequences of sex far more than men, resulting in unintended pregnancy, sexual infections, infertility and even cancer. Sometimes, younger women may feel pressured to have sex before they are mature enough. And, sometimes, they just want to do it without thinking of all the potential consequences.

Young women often are uncomfortable talking about sex, so they may feel too embarrassed to get tested or seek treatment. Many STDs show no symptoms, and, if they do, they might not occur for a long period of time. During this time, an STD can be spread to multiple partners without the person even knowing it, and the cycle continues.

Everyone who is sexually active needs to get regularly tested, especially before he or she is with a new partner. Women of all ages need to be empowered to take control of their health. If you are sexually active, talk with your OBGYN about regular STD testing.

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

CCSD’s Career Education Program Grows

BY BARBARA P. JACOBY

The Cherokee County School District’s career education program is soaring to new heights as it prepares students for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

The school district long has offered an outstanding career, technical and agricultural education (CTAE) program. And, over the past five years, it has taken important steps to improve.

A driving force in the improvement has been participation in the Cherokee County Workforce Collaborative, made up of business and industry, economic development, technical college and school leaders.

Through this collaboration, the school district has better aligned its programs with local employer needs, as well as opportunities for continuing education at technical colleges. A recent example has been the school district’s launch of the career pathway for unmanned aircraft systems and flight operations.

The flight program is one of two the school district offers at the Cherokee College & Career Academy (C3), which was established last school year with a pathway for cybersecurity. Career programs offered at C3, which is housed on the ACTIVE Academies campus in Canton, are open to all CCSD high school students who choose to leave their campus to come to C3 for electives. Bus transportation now is available at no charge for students who cannot drive themselves.

Another highlight of the collaboration is the development of the annual Skilled Professions Signing Day, which celebrates graduating seniors who are entering the skilled workforce. The collaboration also led to the establishment of the Georgia Be Pro Be Proud initiative. It brings a

mobile classroom to high schools and middle schools across Georgia, including in CCSD, to teach students about careers through hands-on activities.

CCSD now has 38 career pathway programs, offering high school students even more opportunities to explore careers, learn job skills and earn industry certifications.

In addition to the new programs offered at C3, the school district began offering Energy and Power: Generation, Transmission and Distribution at Cherokee High School this year, with the support of a $25,000 Workforce for Georgia grant, funded by Georgia Power and the Georgia Foundation for Public Education. Other recent program additions include two new agriculture career pathways at Creekview High School: agricultural mechanics/ electrical systems and veterinary science, which complement the popular equine science program.

This year, to raise awareness about its career education programs, the school district started a new campaign. Every

week, a different career pathway is highlighted on CCSD’s website and social media. The pathway profile posts share information about each program, including potential industry certifications, extracurricular opportunities, jobs that the courses prepare students for, salary ranges and local and area employers. The pathways profiled so far are posted at www. cherokeek12.net/content2/careers.

As part of the campaign, CCSD also published its first course catalog focused solely on career pathways. The Focus on the Future guide was distributed to all eighthgraders, to use with their parents as they review elective options for high school. The guide also is posted on the CCSD website, so all students and parents can review it: www.cherokeek12.net/news/ctaehandbook-2022.

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

Creekview High School career pathways teacher Wyatt Wilke leads students, from left, Jake Turner, Emmy Sowers and Ryan Bearden, in an agriculture mechanics systems class.

Etowah High’s Newest Addition Rocks

BY AISLIN STEINER

The “spirit rock” has become a staple at institutions that feed into Etowah High School, such as Bascomb Elementary and E.T Booth Middle School, and many felt that it was about time for the Eagles to receive a rock of their own. Spirit rocks give parents, caregivers, students and staff the opportunity to paint a large rock outside schools to recognize a student’s birthday, show school spirit, thank or recognize a teacher or staff member, mark congratulatory events, etc.

The Etowah girls soccer team first announced this new fundraiser — a boulder-sized rock that could be “rented” to paint — in November. The spirit rock is located between the new gym and administration building on campus. To spread the word, a digital flyer was posted on the team’s Facebook page, Etowah HS Soccer.

The spirit rock can be rented for $40 for 24 hours. The website, http://bit.ly/3LknwpR, offers a list of available dates to reserve the rock for painting. Community members are then able to access the rock from 5 p.m. on the day before their reservation until 5 p.m. on their selected date. Etowah students or parents also may contact an established local artist, such as Danadoodles (on Facebook), to decorate the rock.

“The girls soccer team decided a spirit rock would be a fun way for people and teams to celebrate and promote events like birthdays or big games. We were very lucky to have Cherokee Stone Center donate the rock so that all proceeds are 100% profit for the team,” junior Katie Callaway said.

So far, the spirit rock has featured a send-off for the competitive cheerleaders and dancers attending their respective state competitions, birthday wishes and more.

“Seeing the rock painted for the dance team meant a lot to me and my team for many reasons, one being the fact that the school gave us recognition and support for the hard work we put in this season and showed us that our achievements do not go unnoticed,” sophomore Emily Ivers said.

As students park on the main campus, or cross from Etowah East to main, they are able to view the latest artwork and information on display. As a result of publicizing

messages on the rock, students might purchase their prom tickets as soon as the theme is announced, or become more connected with the reminder of a classmate’s birthday or local accomplishments. The basketball stands in the new gym might fill up more than ever, thanks to announcements on the rock. “As a basketball player, I thought painting the rock was a cool and innovative way to spread support for us. It made me feel supported,” senior Ryan Tipper said. Etowah’s spirit rock is an artistic and creative addition to student life and the campus. Visit the website to have an announcement present as soon as tomorrow.

Aislin Steiner has been on the Talon staff for two years. She also is on the varsity cheer team and coaches fifth-grade cheer. In the fall, she plans to attend Georgia College.

The Dancing Eagles pose with Etowah’s spirit rock, painted to celebrate the team making it to state.

Is Now a Great Time to Buy a Home?

BY MATT QUAGLIANA

As recently as last year, homes changed hands almost entirely on the seller’s terms. Today, a potential buyer gets to call more of the shots. In the past couple of years, at the peak of the market, buyers were forced to remove a lot of protections, in order to secure a new home, including paying over asking price, no contingencies to protect the buyer and little to no seller concessions, while closing in 14 days or less. Today, in most cases, buyers are able to get below asking price, contingencies to protect the buyer and some sellers are offering concessions. Additionally, during the peak of the market, cash was king and, sometimes, the only way to win a multiple-bid situation. Now, all financing types are welcome.

Buyers who have seen interest rates increase from alltime lows might think they cannot buy the home of their dreams. Even though interest rates have increased, this is a great time to negotiate with the seller to “buy down” the interest rate. (A buydown involves paying a one-time fee at closing to secure a lower interest rate for the loan term.)

The best advice for today’s homebuyers? Start with a mortgage financing preapproval. Preapprovals use today’s mortgage rates to tell you how much home you can afford and set realistic boundaries for your home search. A

mortgage adviser also can help address any credit issues and work on steps to help build your credit, if necessary.

As a borrower, it makes little sense to attempt interest rate timing (waiting to buy until interest rates fall) in this market. Regardless of current interest rates, the best recommendation is to purchase a home when you are financially ready and can afford it. You are not bound forever to your mortgage rate. When interest rates drop, homeowners can refinance, to save money. Additionally, as interest rates fall, home prices will increase, building equity.

CoreLogic reported that home prices have declined only 3% from their peak — not exactly a housing bubble (a runup in housing prices fueled by demand). CoreLogic also predicted that home prices will rise another 3% in 2023. So, don’t let a short-term circumstance get in the way of a longterm wealth-creating opportunity!

Matt Quagliana, NMLS #1937747, is a mortgage adviser with Homeowners Financial Group in Canton. He can be reached at 470-863-7072 or mquagliana@ homeownersfg.com.

Prepare for Tests 4 Ways for Students to

BY BRYCE JONES

Picture this: You just got home from seven hours of school, and all you want is to relax and decompress. You sit down on the couch, turn on the TV (or your phone) and take a moment for yourself. The next thing you know, it’s nearly 8 p.m., and you still haven’t started studying or working on your homework.

This scene is all too familiar to me. While I do believe winding down after a hard day at school is alright, it’s important to have a plan in place to create good study habits that will help you stay on top of your classes.

1. Make a schedule. At some point, most high schoolers have stayed up late, or pulled an allnighter, for a test or exam. I am just as guilty, and every time, I promise not to let it happen again. However, a week later, I usually find myself cramming the night before a big test. Using a planner or calendar will help you keep track of your upcoming tests, quizzes and assignments, and set aside time to study.

2. Find a quiet place. When you are sitting at home, there often are distractions that can keep you from focusing on your work. You need a place where you can sit down, put your earbuds in and work without distractions. A few places that I enjoy studying are coffee shops and public libraries; both are free to use and provide Wi-Fi access.

3. Study with friends. If you have, or can form, a study group, one of the best ways to test your knowledge on a subject is teaching it. Try explaining your study topic as if your peers never have heard of it before. All parties can benefit from this method; however, it only can work if the group is committed to staying focused.

4. Ask for help. Whether it is talking with your teacher or reaching out to a friend, asking for help is one of the most important things to do when studying. Sometimes, no matter how many times you Google a question or read through your notes, some things just don’t click. It can take someone explaining something in a new way to help you comprehend it, so don’t be afraid or embarrassed to seek help on a subject you don’t understand.

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

Canton’s Recovery From

BY THE WANDERER

If there are any avid gamers reading, they’ll almost certainly recognize this quote from Fallout character Joshua Graham: “I survived because the fire inside me burned brighter than the fires around me.” The same can be said of a city, as well. Most of us are familiar with the rebuilding of Chicago after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, or know that the Phoenix is considered a symbol of Atlanta, referencing its rebirth after the Union Army burned much of it in 1864. These are large metropolitan areas, whose survival really was not surprising. However, when disasters strike smaller communities, their survival might be imperiled. Canton has endured two significant fires in its history, both worthy of mention.

The first is the most famous, the largest and the one that could have spelled the end. In July 1864, Atlanta had fallen to the Union Army. Many people in the North felt that capturing Atlanta would itself end the war. However, the reality was emerging that this was not the case. As such, Gen. William T. Sherman’s March to the Sea began. It ran from Nov. 15 through Dec. 21 of that year, and stands as the most destructive campaign against a civilian population in the Civil War. Its goal was to break the spirit of the South to continue fighting. And, as the war ended scarcely four months later, it can be argued that, while brutal, it accomplished its mission.

Once resolved upon this course, and shortly before leaving, the 5th Ohio Cavalry Regiment, under command of Maj. Thomas Heath, burned Canton to the ground, specifically targeting the home of Gov. Joseph Brown. It was done sometime during the first week of November. The versions I’ve read vary some, but more than half of the city was destroyed, and most reports estimate the destruction at closer to two-thirds of the town. While Canton served as Cherokee’s county seat, the town’s population was only around 200 people at the time. So, its survival was not a sure thing. As an example, in neighboring Cass County (today Bartow County), the county seat of Cassville likewise was burned around the same time (Nov. 5, 1864), and it never was rebuilt. The county seat instead was relocated to Cartersville, where it remains to this day.

Less known, but equally serious, was a fire that broke out in downtown Canton on July 29, 1955. This time, it was not a deliberate act; it was the result of an industrial accident. The Cantex Manufacturing

The Main Street Garage, owned by R. Tyre Jones, burned during the 1955 Cantex fire.

Linemen work on power lines after the Cantex fire.

by Fire

From the Flames of War and Industry

facility, a textile plant making corduroy fabric, was a significant employer at the time.

In textile operations, fine fibers separate from the cloth during processing, — generically referred to as lint — and represent a constant fire hazard. It’s believed that a boiler explosion ignited a fire. With the ready supply of lint as fuel, it spread quickly, consuming not only the entire manufacturing plant, but also damaging or destroying nearby businesses, including a Chevrolet dealership, a grocery store, the Main Street garage and the offices of the local paper (The North Georgia Tribune). Firefighters from Canton and neighboring communities battled the blaze, extinguishing it eventually, but not before it caused significant damage and loss of life.

The obituary of Jonah Chadwick tells the story succinctly and poignantly: “Funeral services for Jonah A. Chadwick, 44, who died in the $1,500,000 Canton fire, were held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Cumming. Officiating were the Rev. Paul Thompson, the Rev. Jay Bottoms and the Rev. Jay Sewell. Burial was in the churchyard. Mr. Chadwick’s body was recovered Friday. He was a jig operator at the Cantex Co., a corduroy manufacturing plant, which was one of five businesses that burned.”

I don’t know where the dollar figure referenced came from, but $1.5 million in 1955, adjusted for inflation, represents the equivalent of just over $16.5 million today. Except for a reference in November 1958 of the settling of a legal dispute between Cantex and the insurance company over what was and was not included in the policy’s coverage, I can find no other mention of Cantex, and I believe it closed its doors forever.

That was not so for the city of Canton; it has carried on from the flames of war and those of industrial calamity — perhaps, in part, because the spirit of its residents always has burned brighter than any fire that thus far has attempted to consume it.

• http://bit.ly/3ImXAXk

• https://bit.ly/3xIyBcg

• http://bit.ly/3IldPV5

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

Around & About

APRIL

Easter Eggstravaganza

April 1, 1-3 p.m., Etowah River Park, Canton

There will be free activities for all ages, including a petting zoo, carnival games, Easter egg hunts, snacks, music and more. www.cantonga.gov/events

Blankets Creek Trail Run

April 1, 8-10 a.m., 2261 Sixes Road, Canton

A portion of the proceeds from the 5- and 9-mile races will benefit SORBA Woodstock, for the continued maintenance of the Blankets Creek and Olde Rope Mill Park trails. http://mountaingoatadventures.com/ blanketsrun

Easter at Revolution

April 6, 8, 9

For gathering times and locations, visit www.revolution.church/easter.

Community Easter Egg Hunt

April 8, 10 a.m., 12455 Highway 92, Woodstock

Little River Methodist Church’s annual egg hunt is a free event for children in pre-K through fifth grade. There will be refreshments and fun for all.

Easter Egg Hunt and Breakfast

April 9, 9:45 a.m., 1208 Rose Creek Drive, Woodstock

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will hold festivities between the Easter worship services at 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Beginning April 2, there also will be special services for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. For service times, visit gslutheran.org.

Easter Sunday Worship

April 9; 6:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m. and 11 am.; 556 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock

Join Timothy Lutheran Church for Easter worship services, with Holy Communion. For information about Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services, visit tlcwoodstock.org

Easter Celebration and Egg Hunt

April 9, 10 a.m., Northside HospitalCherokee Amphitheater, Woodstock Sojourn Woodstock is holding an outdoor Easter service. There will be Easter portraits before the service and an egg hunt after. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. For weather updates, visit www.sojournwoodstock.com.

Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group

April 13, 11 a.m., Little River Methodist Church, Woodstock Wheelchair accessible. 770-926-2495

Imagine Rotary Gala

April 13, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Rootstock

Rotary Club of Woodstock’s fundraising gala is an evening of delicious food, global wine, jazz music and community fellowship. https://bit.ly/3ih3r7G

UERA Membership Meeting

April 20, 6 p.m., Rock Barn, Canton

Tickets to the Upper Etowah River Alliance Annual Membership Meeting are available at etwoahriver.org.

Earth Day Recycling Event

April 21, 1-4 p.m., 3605 Marietta Highway, Canton

For a list of accepted items, visit https://cherokeechamber.com.

Woodstock Farm Fresh Market

April 22, 8:30 a.m.-noon, Saturdays through Dec. 30

Located on Market Street, downtown. www.visitwoodstockga.com

Citywide Yard Sale and Recycling Event

April 22, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Woodstock

Watch for details on this year’s Greenstock Day recycling event and citywide yard sale at https://woodstock.recdesk.com.

Kentucky Derby is History Cherokee’s largest fundraising event each year.

Taste of Canton

April 22, 4:30-8:30 p.m., The Mill on Etowah

Sample appetizers, entrees, coffees and desserts from local chefs and restaurants. Admission is free. Food tickets are $1 per sample. www. cantonga.gov/events

Hear, Here: The Georgia Gold Rush

April 25, 7 p.m., Cherokee County History Center, Canton

Join Jose Santamaria, author and director of the Tellus Science Museum, to learn about the origin and geology of Georgia’s gold deposits, first discoveries, mining methods and more. https://historycherokee.org/events

Peaberry Film Festival

April 28-30, Canton Theatre

A continuation of the Etowah Film Festival, audiences can connect with local and international films on the big screen. https:// peaberryproductions.com/film-festival

Street Dog Dash 5K

April 29, 8 a.m., Etowah River Park, Canton

Bring your dog, and put your paws to the pavement for a great cause. Proceeds from the race benefit Soi Dog Foundation and local shelters. www.streetdogdash5k.org

MAY

Kentucky Derby Day

May 6, 4:30-7:30 p.m., The Mill on Etowah, Canton

Enjoy gourmet food, specialty cocktails, bourbon tastings, a silent auction, pony pull and more.

https://historycherokee.org/events

Community Yard Sale

May 6, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Little River Methodist Church, Woodstock

Food will be available for purchase, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., supporting church missions.

Rock for a Reason

May 6, 6-11:30 p.m., Delta Flight Museum, Atlanta

Benefiting the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, the black-tie event will have live and silent auctions, a five-star buffet, open bar and more. https://rockforareason.org

CMTA Awards Ceremony

May 7, 3 p.m., Falany Performing Arts Center, Waleska

Student scholarship winners will perform at the Cherokee Music Teachers Association event, followed by guest artist Jerico Vasquez of Shorter University. This event is free and open to the public. For details, email linda@lokey.net.

RECREATION

Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency

www.playcherokee.org

Recreation Center: 770-924-7768

Aquatic Center: 678-880-4760

Some Bunny Special

Through April 4, filled Easter baskets can be delivered to the Rec Center during regular business hours. Baskets need to be filled with only Easterrelated items — sealed candy, stuffed animals, toys, coloring books, etc.

Eggs-traordinary Extravaganza

April 8, 2-5 p.m., Cherokee County Aquatic Center, Canton

For children age 3 or younger, the outside egg hunt is 2-2:30 p.m. For ages 4-12, time slots are available for the underwater egg hunt from 2:30-4:45 p.m.

Flashlight Egg Hunt

April 8, 6 p.m., Cherokee Veterans Park, Canton

$10 per child. Event includes food trucks, vendors, music, face painting, crafts, a kids zone and a visit with the Easter Bunny.

Unwind Wednesdays

April 26, 5:30-8 p.m., Cherokee Veterans Park, Canton

The last Wednesday of each month, through October, bring your lawn chairs and blankets for dinner and special activities.

Participants pose at the Street Dog Dash photo booth.

Unwind Wednesday. Photo courtesy of Cherokee Recreation and Parks.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Lantern Series

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

Seffarine - April 15

Huu Bac Quintet - April 29

Ngaiire - May 6

Sons of Serendip - May 20

Woodstock Summer Concert Series

The free concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater. www.woodstockconcertseries.com.

Craig Morgan - May 13

Rick Springfield - June 10

Woodstock Arts

www.woodstockarts.org

“Through the Looking Glass: Art + Science”

Through April 30. The exhibit at the Reeves House brings together the arts and sciences in a way that delights and excites audiences.

The Woodstock Arts

Improv Troupe

April 14. Get ready to roll down the aisles with laughter. Recommended for ages 10-plus (content).

“Sonic the Hedgehog 2”

April 14, 7 p.m. on the Woodstock Arts Event Green. Admission is free.

The Lasting Laugh

April 15. Monthly comedy series that brings in Atlanta-based comedians, with Jessica It’s All Good as the host. Recommended for ages 12-plus (content).

Jazz Night

April 28, 6 p.m. on the back porch at the Reeves House. Tables and chairs are provided.

Cherokee County School District

https://bit.ly/3CeUdPf. Contact the school’s front office for information. Performances are at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

“Radium Girls”

March 31, April 1. Cherokee High School. Tickets: $7

“The Addams Family”

April 13-15. Cherokee High School. There also is a 2 p.m. matinee April 15.

Tickets: $15

“Annie Jr.”

April 14-15. Creekland Middle School students perform at Creekview High School, 7:30 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Saturday. There also is a sensoryfriendly performance at 3 p.m. Saturday. Tickets: $10

“Steel Magnolias”

April 18-21, 24-25. River Ridge High School. Tickets: $10

“Advanced Drama Showcases”

April 28-29. Cherokee High School. Tickets: $7

MadLife Stage & Studios

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

Cougar Town — John Mellencamp Tribute, 7 p.m.

April 8

Undiscovered Artist

Showcase, 7 p.m. April 11

Sabbath — Black Sabbath Tribute, 7 p.m. April 15

The Reflex — Duran Duran Tribute, 9:55 p.m. April 21

A Tribute to the King (Elvis) by Travis LeDoyt, 2 p.m.

May 21

Billy Bob Thornton and The Boxmasters, 7:30 p.m.

June 14

The Lantern Series. Photo Courtesy of Angela Rice.

Rick Springfield

The Arts Are Our Heartbeat

BY CHRISTOPHER BRAZELTON

Art has the power to bring people together. It allows us to celebrate differences and similarities, and share in the human experience. At Woodstock Arts, our mission is to engage the community with relevant art experiences every day. We are excited to announce our 2023-24 season, the Season of Community. With an inspiring lineup of performances and exhibits, from theater to visual arts, the upcoming season is sure to have something for everyone.

The season reveal event, 4 p.m. April 16 in the Woodstock Arts Theatre, is free and open to the public. This event is a great opportunity to learn more about the upcoming season and connect with others in our community who share a love of the arts.

The Lantern Series features a variety of interactive concerts and is designed to bring world-renowned artists to Woodstock. The series consists of music and artists with different genres, backgrounds and ideologies, in hopes of bringing the community together to find a literal and figurative common ground. We believe the Lantern Series sparks important conversations and helps us appreciate the unique perspectives and experiences that make up our community.

The visual arts program is equally inspiring, offering classes and camps for all ages, taught by award-winning artists, as well as a rotating gallery of local, regional and national art. Although our Reeves House exhibits often feature artists from all over the country, we curate a balance of local, regional and national works to foster dialogue and inclusion in the larger national arts scene.

UNDER THE STARS

The Woodstock Arts Theatre hosts collaborative programming with a community-driven experience. The stories that unfold on the stage are selected to enrich the community through efficacy and empathy. Boasting 12 shows next season, the 21st season will bring amazing stories to our audiences. Performances will include classic and contemporary works, offering an opportunity for us to come together and share the power of storytelling, as we explore what it means to be part of a community.

We believe the arts have the power to celebrate and expand community in powerful ways. We are dedicated to bringing high-quality art experiences to our community, to inspire, entertain and educate. We hope you will join us for our season reveal event and explore all that the Season of Community has to offer. We can’t wait to connect with you through stories and art.

Christopher Brazelton, a Florida State University graduate, is the executive director of Woodstock Arts.

Adventures Begin at Your Local Library

BY SARAH CHILDERS

April is an exciting time for the Sequoyah Regional Library System (SRLS), and we are welcoming the community into the new season with spring-themed events and programs. No matter your age or interests, SRLS has something for everyone, as we trade in our sweaters for short sleeves and sneakers for sandals. This month’s programming kicks off April 3 with a Dragonfly Storytime with Cherokee County Water and Sewer Authority at J. B. Owens Park, and a Farm Bureau Storytime about pollinators in your garden at Rose Creek Public Library. Interested in learning about bees and bee-friendly plants? Come to our Bee Jamboree at the Ball Ground Public Library on April 6. For adults interested in learning about seeds’ dormancy, proper storage and germination, look no further than Seeds With a Master Gardener at R.T. Jones Memorial Library on April 12. More programs can be found at www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org. We’re excited to spring into the library with you!

In honor of National Library Week, April 23-29, SRLS will offer a fine forgiveness program. During this week only, visit any of our libraries, and SRLS will forgive your past and present fines up to $15 per library card. To participate, you must contact your local branch during National Library Week. Notify a staff member that you wish to take advantage of fine forgiveness, and they will waive up to $15 from your account.

As the weather becomes warmer and the skies sunnier, we’re all looking forward to beginning our next adventure. Start your next adventure by checking out a ParkPass kit! The kit includes two free admissions or parking to more than 60 state parks and historic locations of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. This includes Amicalola Falls, Cloudland Canyon,

Etowah Indian Mounds and more. The pass may be checked out only once every four months per family and can be used only once per day, per site, per family. Visit our website for more information about the ParkPass kit.

No matter the adventure you choose, SRLS is here to help you on your journey. Whether you’re a longtime card holder, a new card holder or you haven’t thought about the library until now, it is our privilege to serve you. We’re proud to be your dynamic destination for discovery!

Sarah Childers is the marketing manager of the Sequoyah Regional Library System.

Children play with a water sensory toy during Toddler Sensory Hour at the Rose Creek Library.

470-639-6250

770-924-5095

Surgery - Canton: 770-292-3490

404-962-6001

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