TowneLaker - May 2014 by Aroundabout Local Media, Inc.

R TE N CE ay C I R arkw T A P I ED rrett ! P R Ba 2014 A T o t S LL ing ly 7, E W om Ju C

We’re for childhood. Childhood can be tough, especially on parents. That’s why you need WellStar. Our pediatricians are experts in keeping your kids healthy and your mind at ease. WellStar’s Pediatric Network can be found close to home in Cobb, Cherokee, Douglas and Paulding counties. When it’s more than aches and scrapes, count on WellStar’s three pediatric emergency departments, at WellStar Kennestone, Cobb and Paulding hospitals. Our pediatric specialists and equipment specifically designed for children and teens will get your child back to childhood as soon as possible. Coming July 7, 2014, our new WellStar Pediatric Center at 1180 Barrett Parkway, Kennesaw will offer comprehensive imaging, pediatric office and afterhours care, physical therapy and more – all provided by pediatric experts. To learn more, call 770-956-STAR or visit wellstar.org/forchildren.

We believe in life well-lived. The vision of WellStar Health System is to deliver world-class healthcare through our hospitals, physicians and services. Our not-for-profit health system includes WellStar Kennestone Regional Medical Center (anchored by WellStar Kennestone Hospital), WellStar Cobb, Douglas, Paulding and Windy Hill hospitals; WellStar Medical Group; Health Parks; Urgent Care Centers, Health Place; Homecare; Hospice; Atherton Place; Paulding Nursing and Rehabilitation Center; and WellStar Foundation.

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

May 2014

Volume 20, Issue 1

10 Relay for Life

Join the Fight Against Cancer

22 Celebrating Moms

Celebrating Towne Lake Moms

40 Meet a Local Entrepreneur

Pat Snipes Gets to the Heart of a Local Entrepreneur

56 Etowah Prom

Photos from Etowahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Junior/Senior Prom

61 Masters Debut

Etowah graduate Chris Kirk plays his first tournament at the Masters.

70 TrailFest

Annual Festival Benefitting Greenprints Alliance

Contributing Writers Don Akridge Tessa Basford Kyle Bennett Michael Caldwell

16 76 80 15

Caron & Alberto CatalĂĄn 28 Rick Coughlin 54 G. Lora Grooms 79 Dr. Scott Harden 48 Dr. Amy Hardin 52 David Hecklemoser 39 Kristina Laurendi Havens 72 Robyn Hohensee 38 Sheila & Kurt Johnson 18

In Every Issue Sean Kaufman

Kara Kiefer

Ann Litrel

Dee Locklin

Northside Hospital

Bill Ratliff

Lynne Saunders

Pat Snipes

Dr. Doug Thrasher

Jodi Tiberio

Dr. Van Tran

Casey Zack

Around Towne 4 Community News 8 Birthdays 14 Calendar 20 Everyday Angels 26 Church Listings 84 Clubs 86 Elected Officials 88 School Information 89 Classifieds 91 Community Information 92 Advertisers Directory 94 Real Deals 96

Join the TowneLaker magazine fan page www.facebook.com/TowneLaker

50 & 51 On the Cover Michael & Katie Caldwell Republican State House Representative for District 20. 2

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

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Patty Ponder, AALM President and Marketing & Advertising Sales. Contact her at (770) 615-3322 or Patty@townelaker.com.

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Community

AROUND TOWNE BY KARA KIEFER

The

People, The Places and The Pleasures that make Towne Lake

What’s Coming? A third Salt Factory Pub will open in downtown Woodstock by midsummer. The Woodstock location will feature an oyster bar, al fresco dining and a bocce ball court. Salt Factory Pub will be located at 8690 Main St. For more information, visit fhfoodtradinggroup.com or follow the restaurant on Facebook. A new community stage will be located on the Elm Street event green, adjacent to Market Street and the Town to Creek trail. The stage will host a variety of events, including Elm Street programs, and will be available for rental by private groups. For more information, contact Brian Stockton of the Downtown Development Authority at (770) 592-6056 or Christopher Brazelton with Elm Street Cultural Arts Village at operations@elmstreetarts.org, Kara is the Editor of TowneLaker magazine. She lives in Towne Lake with her husband Mike and their two sons Brandon and Garrett. Feel free to send your comments or questions to editor@townelaker.com.

Urban Renewal Woodstock, an upscale ladies consignment store, is coming to 1085 Buckhead Crossing. For more information, call (678) 398-7691 or follow the store on Facebook.

What’s Open?

Autumn Leaves of Towne Lake, a memory care community located at 1962 Eagle Drive, is holding a grand opening event on May 1. The event will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. The community will provide specialized care for as many as 46 residents living with Alzheimer’s, dementia and memory impairment. The grand opening is free and open to the public. For more information, call (770) 928-2440 or visit www.autumnleaves. com. The Tiara Hardin Agency (Farmer’s Insurance) is now open at 8720 Main St. Her hours are 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.–noon Saturday. For more information, call (678) 903-4769. Dive Woodstock, a full-service scuba and snorkeling store, opened at 8720 Main St. Classes are available by experienced instructors and dive masters. Hours are 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon–6 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (404) 285-8600 or visit www.divegeorgia.com. Pogrelis Chiropractic is now open. Dr. Debbie Pogrelis, formerly of Towne Lake Family Chiropractic, is now seeing patients at 2453 Towne Lake Parkway, inside Ribley Chiropractic. Please call (770) 592-2505 to schedule an appointment. 4

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Marco’s Pizza is open at 2068 Eagle Drive. The restaurant offers dine in, carry out and delivery options. For more information, call (678) 213-2100 or visit www.marcos.com. Cold Stone Creamery opened at 1430 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 140. For more information, call (770) 667-2027 or visit www.coldstonecreamery.com. As of press time, Reel Seafood was scheduled to open at the end of April. The seafood restaurant is located at 8670 Main St. Hours are 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Sunday–Thursday and 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The bar is open late. Owner David Silverman said the hours will be flexible to accommodate late business. Call (770) 627-3006 or follow Reel on Facebook.

What’s New? After more than 35 years of practicing dentistry, Dr. Lavont Steele is retiring and has welcomed Dr. Christine Lee to head the practice. The name of the practice has changed from Steele Family Dentistry to Simple Smiles. The office is located at 114 Mirramont Lake Drive. For more information or to make an appointment, call (770) 592-7000. Nesnick Family and Sport Chiropractic recently welcomed Dr. Kelly McCormick, formerly of North Georgia Spinal. The office is located at 2230 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 110. For more information, call (770) 516-2323. As of May 1, Dr. Jan Henriques is the lead provider at the new North Georgia Audiology & Hearing Aid Center, located at 203 Woodpark Place, Suite B-100, in Woodstock. She can be reached at (770) 560-4775. Edward Jones Investments has opened a new branch in downtown Woodstock, 102 Arnold Mill Road, in the historic home behind Ace Hardware. Jason Wulfers is the financial advisor of the branch. You can contact Jason or his assistant, Darla Blake, at (770) 591-8021. Dr. Noreen Mercando, D.O., recently joined Towne Lake Primary Care, 900 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 140. For more information or to make an appointment, call (678) 445-0819.

Celebrating Dads in our June issue! Send us a photo of your special Towne Lake area dad with his children and a message via email to editor@townelaker.com. Please identify everyone in the photo. The deadline for submissions is May 10.

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

COMMUNITY BOARD

Townelaker Publisher AroundAbout Local Media, Inc.

The TowneLaker Community Board consists of well-respected community leaders, from different walks of life. Our Board assists us in many ways including contributing to our magazine, judging our annual Trailblazer award and providing valuable feedback.

Ann Litrel — Ann is an artist and writer whose nationally published work includes decorative art, paintings for private and corporate collections, and writing and illustration for a range of publications. Ann lives with her husband and co-author Dr. Mike Litrel and their two sons in Towne Lake. Ann can be reached at Ann@annlitrel.com Dr. Doug Thrasher — Doug is the Senior Pastor at Hillside United Methodist Church. He has lived in the Towne Lake area and served at Hillside for six years. He and his wife, Debbie, live in Eagle Watch, and they have two married children and five precious grandchildren. Doug can be reached at dthrasher@ hillsideumc.org. Colin Morris — Colin is a freelance writer and stay-at-home mom to three children whom she describes as “two ninja sons and one dog-loving daughter.” She and her husband have lived in Woodstock for the past 13 years, and she grew up in Marietta.

G. Lora (Gay) Grooms — Gay has been teaching, writing, directing, and performing in the Atlanta area since 1990. She opened the Towne Lake Arts Center — now the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village — in 2002. She credits her four now grown children for teaching her almost everything she knows about working with creative young minds. Gay can be reached at director@elmstreetarts.org Dr. Scott R. Harden — Scott is a family dentist at Fountain View Family & Cosmetic Dentistry serving Woodstock and Cherokee County for 25 years. During this time, he has lived in the Towne Lake area with his wife, Kathy, and two children.

AALM President Marketing & Advertising Sales Patty Ponder AroundAboutPatty@gmail.com, (770) 615-3322 Executive Editor Kara Kiefer editor@townelaker.com, (770) 615-3309 Art Director Michelle McCulloch art@townelaker.com (770) 615-3307

TowneLaker, a publication of AroundAbout Local Media, Inc., is a monthly community magazine. The magazine’s goal is to build a sense of community and pride in the Towne Lake and surrounding area by providing its residents with positive stories and timely information. It distributes a total of 16,000 free copies. Approximately 14,700 are direct mailed to homes and businesses and an additional 1,300 are placed in racks around the community. It also has 2,000+ digital viewers of the magazine online each month. TowneLaker welcomes your comments, stories, and advertisements. The deadline is the 10th of the previous month. Subscriptions are available for $24 per year. Send check or money order to the address below. The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the Editor/Publisher and the Publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. TowneLaker is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the Publisher. All rights reserved. © Copyright 2014. TowneLaker 2449 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, GA 30189 For Advertising: (770) 615-3322 Website: www.townelaker.com Powered by Trustworkz Inc. Publisher’s Website www.AroundAboutLocalMedia.com Volume 20, Issue 1

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

For 18+ years, we have brought relevant, uplifting and readerdriven content to the residents of Towne Lake, Canton and Woodstock. We look forward to serving you, our readers and advertisers every month. Thank you for your continued support and participation in making this truly your community magazine.

Candi Hannigan Title Editor Sixes Living

Kara Kiefer Executive Editor TowneLaker & Around Woodstock

Patty Ponder AALM President Marketing & Advertising Sales

Cara Keener Market Manager

Denise Griffin Controller

Michelle McCulloch Art Director

Karen & Jon Flaig Owner/Publisher TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Community

Annual Indian Festival Scheduled for Mother’s Day The 25th annual Cherokee County Indian Festival will be held on May 10-11. The hours will be 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sunday. The festival will be held at Boling Park in Canton. A few of the features of the festival will include Native American dance exhibitions with dance-offs for money, primitive skill demonstrations, environmental and wildlife displays, birds of prey show and more. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for children (6-12) and free for 5 and under. For complete information, visit www.rthunder.com.

Reform Jewish Congregation Ner Tamid to Hold Open House Congregation Ner Tamid, which serves west and south Cobb, Bartow, Cherokee and surrounding counties will host an open house from 10 a.m. – noon on Sunday, May 4 at Mountain View Prep, 2320 Baker Road in Acworth. Residents can learn about the congregation and religious school, weekly religious classes, confirmation, B’nai Mitzvah, and High Holy Day services. For more information or if you are unable to attend the open house, email info@mynertamid.org or leave a message at (678) 264-8575 for an individual appointment.

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Local Student Chosen for Academy Summer Program Robert Mallinak, a dual-enrolled student at Kolbe Academy and Kennesaw State University was selected to attend the 2014 U.S. Air Force Academy Summer Seminar program. For 2014, the U.S. Air Force Academy selected 600 young men and women from a pool of more than 3,000 students from around the nation and abroad to attend the 2014 U.S. Air Force Academy Summer Seminar program. Summer Seminar gives attendees a solid understanding of the challenges and rewards of life as a cadet, as well as insights into what it means to serve as an officer in the United States Air Force. Robert is the son of Diana and Bob Mallinak of Woodstock.

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Community

YOUR LOCAL NEWS Relay for Life Set for May 9 The Annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life will be held on May 9 at Woodstock High School. The event will begin at 6 p.m., with a luminary ceremony at 10 p.m. and closing ceremonies on Saturday at 6 a.m. The overnight event raises

funds for the American Cancer Society’s early detection and prevention programs. The community is invited to come and cheer on the teams and enjoy the fellowship. For more information on the relay, please visit www.cherokeerelay.org.

2013 Relay for Life

Marine Corps Golf Tournament to Benefit Local Students The fifth annual Marine Corps Semper Fidelis golf tournament will be held on May 17 at Towne Lake Hills Golf Club. Registration will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. The tournament is sponsored by the Major General Warren R. Johnson Detachment No. 1311 Marine Corps League of Woodstock. Proceeds will go toward scholarship awards to Cherokee County high school seniors who are JROTC, Eagle Scouts and/ or children of veterans. For more information or to sign up, contact Karen Lawrence at (770) 720-1799 or email jeepnkaren@ yahoo.com. 10

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Local Resident Receives Prestigious Mary Kay Award Katie McMahan, a Towne Lake resident and Mary Kay independent sales director, recently received the prestigious “Go Give” award. This award is presented, monthly, to one of 3 million consultants. The award is to honor independent sales directors who have demonstrated and extraordinary willingness to help any independent beauty consultant or sister sales director climb her ladder to success. During Mary Kay’s July seminar, one award recipient will be crowned at the Ms. Go Give of the Year. Congratulations and good luck!

NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL-CHEROKEE IS WORKING TO KEEP CHEROKEE GREAT. BECAUSE, IT’S OUR HOME,TOO. Northside Hospital-Cherokee has served the residents of this county for many years. And our commitment to bring you the very best possible care goes well beyond our walls.

BEING NEIGHBORS Most of the people who work at Northside Hospital-Cherokee live in Cherokee. They’re not just your doctors or nurses, they’re your neighbors.

INVESTING

VOLUNTEERING

We’ve invested more than $100 million to bring the best the medical world has to offer right here to Cherokee.

Our employees and physicians have volunteered more than 10,000 hours to Cherokee County schools and organizations.

CONTRIBUTING We contribute to Cherokee County schools and support local venues and community activity centers.

Cherokee’s community hospital. Northside.com TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Community

YOUR LOCAL NEWS Local A Capella Group Performs at Six Flags Peace Love & Music, an all girl a capella group was formed in 2013 by Victoria (Tori) Johnson. The group, which consists of high school girls, performs at local events and recently was invited to perform at Six Flags of Georgia. Tori developed the a capella arrangements and choreography. The girls rehearsed, weekly, at the Elm Street Cultural Arts Center. The group will be performing in Woodstock throughout the summer months for community events. They can be reached at peacelovemusicnow@ gmail.com.

Left to right: Ariel Nelson, Kelly Tansey, Emily Schuvart, Tori Johnson and Amy Washington.

Artisans Gearing up for Festival of Arts The 11th annual Canton Festival of Arts will be held May 17-18 in downtown Canton. The event will include an artists’ market, serenity gardens and a children’s art experience. There will be plenty of food, drink and entertainment. The hours will be 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on both days. For more information, visit ww.cherokeearts.org. 12

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Towne Lake Optimists Install New Officers

CONTEST CORNER Sponsored by Papa P’s Mexican/Irish restaurant Congratulations to Corky and Sonia Diaz-Batson, (left). They were the first to spot the hidden picture and the phrase “good things happen in Woodstock” in the April issue. They shared a gift certificate to Papa P’s Mexican/Irish restaurant.

May Finds:

The Towne Lake Optimist Club installed its new officers: Charlice Byrd, president (center) ; Mark McCarthy, vice President (left); and Scott Adams, treasurer/secretary (right).

If you know the answer to the contest question or find the hidden picture, be the first to e-mail editor@townelaker.com. Please provide your name, contact phone number or email address.

Find the hidden picture: Be the first to find the phrase: “We’ve Got Magic to Do”

Contest rules: A winner is eligible once every 12 months. One prize per household

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Community

Happy Birthday!

Carter Russell Age 18 on April 27 We are SO lucky to have you in our lives. We love you! Mom, Dad, Lillie and Dixie

Norah Kuykendall Age 2 on March 30 Happy Birthday to our sweet girl Norah! We are so blessed! Love your Mommy, Daddy and big sister Mallory!

Caylee Fain Age 5 on May 6 Happy birthday princess boo! We love you and are so proud of you! Love always, Daddy, Mommy. Papal, Nanny, Nonna and Papal

Celebrations

Engagement

Anniversary

Karen and Sid Wistrick of Woodstock announce the engagement of their daughter, Ashley Newsome, to Brian Knapp, son of Robin and Marion Snyder of St. Simons Island.

Graduation

Christina and Ron Fain will celebrate their fourth anniversary on May 17.

Anniversary Layla Marie Nixon will graduate from Woodstock High School. We are all proud of you. Congratulations!! Love Grandma and Papa and Family

Nancy and Jeff Ingram will celebrate their 10th anniversary on May 22

Wedding, Birthday and Anniversary Announcements are Free! E-mail to: editor@townelaker.com. June deadline is May 10.

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Wrap-up of the 2014 Legislative Session BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL CALDWELL

As I write this article, the Georgia General Assembly is freshly out of the Capitol following the close of Georgia’s 2014 legislative session. Every year, your House of Representatives and Senate meet in joint General Assembly for 40 legislative days. These days are staggered in order to make time for committee meetings and for the 236 citizen legislators that converge on Michael Caldwell is the Atlanta to have some time state representative to keep their businesses and for District 20, which covers Towne Lake and families balanced as they do Woodstock. He can the peoples’ work. Due to this be reached at (678) staggering, the 40-day session 523-8570 or email typically lasts from the second him at Michael@ Monday in January until late CaldwellForHouse.com. March or early April. This legislative session marked some fantastic accomplishments on behalf of the citizens of Georgia. Balanced Budget for 2015 The Constitution of Georgia has only one annual requirement of the General Assembly: to pass a balanced budget for the following fiscal year. Fiscal Year 2015 will begin July 1, 2015 and end June 30, 2015. My article for July will go into further detail on the budget as it begins to take effect. The total FY15 budget comes out to just over $40 billion, with nearly $20.8 billion in state funds. Our budget, in contrast to the federal government’s, is constitutionally required to be balanced. We also devoted nearly $1 billion in additional funding to K-12 education between the amended FY14 and FY15 budgets. Constitutional Limiting of the Income Tax The legislature passed SR 415, a constitutional amendment that would cap the state income tax at its current rate of six percent. This will go to the ballot in November. If approved by Georgia’s voters, the measure would make it significantly more difficult to increase the income tax on our citizens in the future, because it would require the General Assembly to amend the state constitution. Elimination of the “Death Tax” The General Assembly eliminated the final traces of Georgia’s estate tax. Taxing someone’s possessions after his or her passing is a horrendous example of double taxation. You work your entire life to pass something on to those of

“You work your entire life to pass something on to those of your choosing, and our General Assembly took a strong stand to protect those possessions from an all too often greedy government.” your choosing, and our General Assembly took a strong stand to protect those possessions from an all too often greedy government. Restoring the Second Amendment This year’s legislative session, with the passage of HB 60, marked one of the largest single restorations of Georgians’ ability to carry firearms in our state’s history. Under this new legislation, licensed Georgians would be permitted to carry firearms in churches and bars whose owners deem it appropriate. It also would permit citizens to carry firearms in additional government buildings. The license renewal process is significantly improved, and the governor’s current legal ability to confiscate firearms during a state of emergency (when you need them the most) would be removed. End of State-Mandated “Zero Tolerance” Under state law, school systems have absolutely no flexibility in determining how to handle a student deemed to be carrying a “weapon” on school property. Because of this, several students in Cobb County (and around the rest of the state) were charged with felonies for having fishing knives in tackle boxes in the trunks of their cars at school. This type of policy hinders school systems from utilizing common sense and determining what is best for their community and students. The General Assembly passed a bill this year that would remove this blanket “zero tolerance” and return control over these policies back to the local school boards where it belongs. These were just a few of the highlights from the 2014 legislative session. If you have any questions for me about any specific initiatives from this session or anything you’d like to see enacted in Georgia in the future, I would love to hear from you. You can also meet me at one of my Weekly Coffees with District 20 nearly every Saturday at Copper Coin Coffee in downtown Woodstock. Thank you again for allowing me the honor of representing your family in Georgia’s General Assembly!

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Community

Guarding Against Identity Theft Take steps so criminals won’t take vital information from you. DON AKRIDGE, MBA, CPA/PFS, CFP® U.S. MARINE CORPS VETERAN – EMORY UNIVERSITY ALUMNUS

America is enduring a data breach epidemic. As 2013 ended, the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics released its 2012 Victims of Identity Theft report. Its statistics were sobering. About one in 14 Americans aged 16 or older had been defrauded or preyed upon in the past 12 months, more than 16.6 million people. Just 8 percent of those taken advantage of had detected Don Akridge is President of Citadel CPA, Financial identity theft through their own Planning & Investment vigilance. More commonly, Services founded in victims were notified by financial 1994 and conveniently institutions (45 percent), alerts located off Chastain from non-financial companies or Road between I-575 & I-75 in Kennesaw. agencies (21 percent), or notices Phone 770-952-6707. of unpaid bills (13 percent). While 86 percent of victims cleared up the resulting credit and financial problems in a day or less, 10 percent of victims had to struggle with them for a month or more. Consumers took significant financial hits from all this. The median direct loss from cyber thieves exploiting personal information in 2012 was $1,900, and the median direct loss from a case of credit card fraud was $200. While much of the monetary damage is wiped away for the typical victim, that isn’t always the case.

Tax time is prime time for identity thieves. They would love to get their hands on your return, and they would also love to claim a phony refund using your personal information. In 2013, the IRS investigated 1,492 identity theft-linked crimes – a 66 percent increase from 2012 and a 441 percent increase from 2011. E-filing of tax returns is becoming increasingly popular (just make sure you use a secure Internet connection). When you e-file, you aren’t putting your Social Security number, address and income information through the mail. You aren’t leaving Form 1040 on your desk at home (or work) while you get up and get some coffee or go out for a walk. If you just can’t bring yourself to e-file, then think about sending your returns via certified mail. Those rough drafts of your returns where you ran the numbers and checked your work? Shred them. Use a crosscut shredder, not just a simple straight-line shredder (if you saw “Argo”, you know why). The IRS doesn’t use unsolicited emails to request information from taxpayers. If you get an email claiming to be from the IRS asking for your personal or financial information, report it to your email provider as spam. Use secure Wi-Fi. Avoid “coffee housing” your personal information away – never risk disclosing financial information over a public Wi-Fi network. (Broadband is susceptible, too.) Sure, a public Wi-Fi network at an airport or coffee house is password-protected, but if the password is posted on a wall or readily disclosed, how protected is it? A favorite hacker trick is to sit idly at a coffee house, library or airport and set up a Wi-Fi continued on page 82

I TO U Q S MO R IT Y O H T AU

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Community

Cherokee Prices Up 34 Percent, Selling 27 Percent Faster BY SHEILA & KURT JOHNSON

This is a pretty stunning statistic for a 24-month comparison, but it may take a 12-month comparison to give us a better glimpse of what is ahead for Cherokee County’s real estate market. In recent months, we have started to see a reversal of the trend of year-over-year increases in units sold and declining active inventory. This quarter’s analysis is the first we have done in years that may be indicating a more balanced market is coming (away from an aggressive seller’s market). This quarter’s analysis also highlights the significance of newly constructed homes coming onto the market. continued on page 82

Kurt and Sheila Johnson are Licensed Realtors with Keller Williams Realty Partners and have served Cherokee County for more than 10 years. Visit them online at www. KurtandSheila.com or call (404) 954-2486.

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Community

MAY EVENTS CALENDAR Through June

Timothy Lutheran Preschool Registration Time: Mon. – Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Location: 556 Arnold Mill Road Information: For children ages 18 months – 5 years. Call Barbara Bowler at (770) 924-7995.

May 2 – 3

Eagle Watch Garage Sale Times: Fri. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Towne Lake Hills South Garage Sale Time: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

May 3

Red Cross Blood Drive Time: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Location: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1208 Rose Creek Drive Information: (770) 924-7286

May 7

Free Stroke Screening Time: 9 a.m. – noon Location: Northside Hospital Cherokee County Conference Center, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton Information: Screenings to determine risk for stroke, heart disease and diabetes. Appointments are required. Call (404) 845-5555 and press “0.” Register early; spaces will fill quickly.

May 10

Battle of the Bands for Pancreatic Cancer Time: 6 – 10 p.m. Location: Hopewell Baptist Church, 78 Ridge Road, Canton Information: All donations directly benefit Lustgarten Foundation for pancreatic cancer research. www.lustgarten.org.

May 13

Free Skin Cancer Screening Time: 6 – 8 p.m. Location: Northside Hospital-Cherokee Outpatient Rehab Services Building 211 Hospital Road, Canton Information: Medical professionals will provide skin assessments in a private setting. Recommended screening attire: shorts and t-shirt. Appointments are required. Call (404) 845-5555 and press “0.” Register early; spaces will fill quickly.

May 17

Bikes, Blues and BBQ Festival Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Location: Holly Springs Depot, Holly Springs Information: Live music, food and a poker run. All proceeds 20

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benefit Harvesting Hope Ministries, which benefits children with liver and kidney disease. www.harvestinghopeministries.org.

May 17

Yard Sale 4kids Time: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Location: Faith Family Church, 5744 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth Information: Proceeds will fund transportation for children’s Bible clubs. (770) 596-3858.

May 24

Memorial Day at Georgia National Cemetery Time: 10 a.m. Location: 1080 Veterans Cemetery Road, Canton Information: Keynote speaker will be Major General Larry Taylor, USMC, Ret

May 31 – June 1

Cherokee Chorale Pops Concert “We’ve Got Magic to Do” Times: Sat. 7:30 p.m.; Sun. 3 p.m. Location: Falany Performing Arts Center, Reinhardt University Information: Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Call (678) 439-8625 or visit www.cherokeechorale.org.

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Celebrating Towne Lake Moms “Making the decision to have a child - it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ” ― Elizabeth Stone

Left to right: Mom Danielle Brunow, Grandma Vita Terry, Great Grandma Vita D’Ambrosio, Michael Brunow and Alexander Brunow (front)

Cindy Messerly with children (left to right) Molly, Kate, Maggie and Anna, with Cindy in the middle.

Donna Ratliff with grandchildren (left to right): Camryn Ratliff, Ellie Ratliff, Ava Lawley, Abigail Lawley and Zoey Ratliff.

Jill Keene with sons Matt Martin and Andrew Keene

Left to right: Janie Schmitz, daughter Christie Deese and granddaugthers, Ashlyn and Madison Deese

Tonya Wood, her husband Jeff and her children (left to right) Grant, Savannah, Gabrielle, Jackson, Alonna, Lorelai and Aaron.

Ann Litrel with sons Tyler (left) and Joseph in younger days

Casey Zack (right) with sister Shelby (left) and mom Carole

Haley O’Brien with daughters Holly Kate (left) and Laurel

Jill Keene with daughter Lia

Alta Tumlin with son Trey

Julie Truan with twin daughters Grace and Maddie

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Stacy Delacruz with daughter Alexandra Delacruz Bedoy

Christy Raab with son Josh

Tamatha Porter with sons Jake and Zach

Beth Sadowski and daughter Gabrielle

Jason Fleeman with parents

Lisa Onufrock and husband Steve with sons Jake, Tyler and Ben.

Betty Schlag (front row, middle) with daughters Debbie Ley and Denice Hurt and granddaughters Missy Hurt and Meredith and Kristen Ley.

Ashley Velez with husband Oscar, infant son Alex and older son Grayson

Front row (left to right) Fiona Catalan, Patricia Hegarty and Conor Catalan. Back row: Ciara Catalan, Caron Catalan and Derek Catalan

Lori Burns with son Barrett

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Celebrating Towne Lake Moms

Susan Miller with children (left to right) Ben, Brook, Blane and Brittney (front)

Kristina Laurendi Havens with son Jack and daughter Arianna (photo credit Christi Simpson)

Phyllis Lippers with children (left to right) Elaine, Evelyn, Erin and Will (front)

Dr. Amy Hardin with daughters Ellen and Margaret

Carolyn Shillcutt with sons Ryan, Payton and Nathan

Lei Ellis with son Cole and daughter Angelei

Karen Flaig with sons (from left) Kyle, Chase, Colby and Jonathan

Tammy Stine (right) with her mom Pat Miller (center) and sister Tara (left).

Candace Boudreau and her son James

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Lifestyle

EVERYDAY Identifying people in need in our community

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, please visit www.everydayangels. info to donate via Paypal or send your donations to: Everyday Angels, 2449 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock GA, 30189. One hundred percent of your funds will go to the family you specify. Also, if you know of a special need within your community that you would like to share, please send an e-mail to aaeverydayangels@gmail. com for consideration and qualification.

In 2010, Everyday Angels shared the story of Etowah High School freshman Taylor Flanagan. Her flu-like symptoms revealed she had Acute Myeloid Leukemia, a common form of childhood leukemia. Four years later, we’d like to bring our community up to date and share this message from her mother Michelle:

Taylor is doing amazingly well! She has been in remission for almost three years now and not one day goes by that I don’t feel so completely blessed to have the joy of looking at her sweet face and being able to hug her. So many of the other families we met at Egleston Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta weren’t so fortunate. She graduated from Etowah last year and is starting school at Kennesaw State this fall. She has decided that she wants to be a pediatric oncology nurse to work with children with cancer so she can help them and show them that even though it’s hard and it’s a long road, they can survive! No parent should ever have to hear a doctor say that your child has a 50/50 chance of living. At that moment, the whole world stops and stands completely still. All the air is sucked out of your lungs and your heart starts to break in a way that can’t be described with words. The first 24 hours after diagnosis is just a complete blur, and all the normal things like work and bills don’t seem to matter in the least. All you can and want to think about is your beautiful child and the thought of how you can keep her alive. As her chemotherapy began, the reality of how I was going to be able to stay with her every moment to care for her 26

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

and still be able to keep things going at home for my other daughter became overwhelming. The Towne Lake community opened its loving arms and pulled us inside to take away so much of that burden. The generosity and kindness of so many people was an amazing gift. With the racetrack pace of our lives these days, it would have been just as easy for people to read the story or hear of Taylor’s cancer and feel bad but do nothing. But our community did the opposite of that! Everyone treated us like we were a part of each of their families and that kind of compassion and love is something that never leaves you. I always felt lucky to live in Towne Lake because the houses and scenery were so beautiful. Now I feel proud to live here because I know that the PEOPLE are just as beautiful. Thank you, Everyday Angels, for sharing Taylor’s story and to the anonymous family that donated money to us through Everyday Angels the entire six months that Taylor was hospitalized. We must also thank Jersey’s Bar and Grill for hosting a fundraiser for us, Paige Rinker for placing donation jars all over the community, Etowah’s PTA for Pajama Day, Taylor’s teachers who came to our house when she was between treatments to help her get caught up and graduate with her class, Hillcrest Baptist Church for Taylor’s laptop, and to all our friends who brought food, groceries and cleaned our home. We will be forever grateful for your love and support. Michelle

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Lifestyle

Recipe Corner BY CARON AND ALBERTO CATALÁN

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Soup is one of my favorite foods. You can pretty much make a soup out of anything; throw together leftovers, and you have a hearty meal that fills you up. At Papa P’s, we have several soups on our menu and one or two different soups each week. Below is a recipe for chicken tortilla soup. Enjoy —Caron and Alberto

Caron and Alberto Catalán are the owners and managers of Papa P’s – Mexican with an Irish side, located in the Towne Lake Kroger shopping center. They have lived in Towne Lake since 2008. They have four children, Conor, Ciara, Derek and Fiona. Visit them online at www.papa-ps.com or call (770) 592-3100.

ingredients

preparation ingredients

preparation

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

for cooking chicken and making broth 2-3 chicken breasts with bone and skin 6 cups water 1 sprig rosemary 2 bay leaves

1 carrot, chopped 1 celery stalk, chopped 1 medium onion, chopped Salt and pepper

Place all ingredients in a large pot and bring to the boil, simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes, until chicken is cooked. Remove chicken from pot, remove bone and skin, allow to cool a bit, then shred. Set aside. Strain the broth and set aside, remove excess fat from top of broth. 2 T vegetable oil 1 medium onion, diced 2 gloves garlic, chopped finely 1-2 jalapeños, chopped finely Broth from above

Corn from 2 ears, kernels cut from cob 2 medium carrots, chopped 2 stalks of celery, chopped 3 Roma tomatoes, chopped ¾ cup chopped cilantro

2 limes 1 cup shredded Oaxaca cheese (or Monterey Jack) 4-6 corn tortillas, toasted in a pan and sliced

Heat oil in pan, add onion and cook until softened. Add garlic and jalapeño and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes. Add broth, corn, carrot, celery and tomatoes. Cook until veggies are nearly cooked (5 minutes). Add shredded chicken and cilantro, cook for 2-3 more minutes. Add more salt and pepper if needed. Add several strips of tortilla to a bowl, pour in soup and top with shredded cheese and a wedge of lime on the side.

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

TOWNE LAKE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION Scholarship awards in the amount of $1,000 each will be presented to the two winners of the 12th Annual TLBA (“Towne Lake Business Association”) Entrepreneurial Spirit Scholarship Awards during Etowah and Woodstock High Schools’ Honors Programs. Please read next month’s column in The TowneLaker for more information about each of our winners. To continue or tradition of providing our Entrepreneurial Spirit Scholarship Awards, the TLBA will be hosting the first annual Bowl-A-Thon, on a date to be determined in September. This will be a family-friendly event for all levels of bowlers, including kids. Please look for more information in future issues and our website. The topic of our April Workshop was “SEO on a Small Business Budget: Do This, Not That for Sustainable Success.” We want to thank Jenny Munn for the presentation.

Lunch ‘N’ Learn Workshop

Tuesday, May 20, 12:30 — 2 p.m. The Courage to be Profitable, presented by Ruth King, Profitability Master at TheCouragetobeProfitable.com.

All Workshops are held at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills. Please RSVP to all events by email to jstaughton@renasant.com. Visit us at tlba.org.

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

TLBA SPOTLIGHT Legendary Renovations, Inc. Legendary Renovations, Inc. is a one stop shop for all your home improvement needs. As licensed residential builders, they can build the custom home of your dreams from the ground up or transform your current home from the roof down. Legendary Renovations, Inc. offers the following services: painting, siding, roof and window replacement, kitchen and bathroom remodels, additions and decks. The owner, Phil VanFossen started the company 11 years ago building homes in Woodstock and Canton. Since then, Phil has grown the company into a successful remodeling company as well, serving clients all over Atlanta. As the company has grown, Legendary Renovations has added other people with a broad variety of backgrounds in the building industry, giving its customers over 22 years of experience. Legendary Renovations also sets itself apart from competitors by offering its customers the “Legendary Difference”. This is the philosophy of placing trust in the customer by not taking any money up front, and a job is not done until all agree the job is done. So if you’re looking for top quality work at a reasonable price, look no further than Legendary Renovations. The principle figures in the company are both long time Towne Lake residents and are very involved in the local community. This includes being board members of local associations and chairing numerous local charity events.

Towne Lake Area Dining Guide

BKFST LUNCH DINNER SUNDAYS SPIRITS

RESERV.

American

open

Chili’s Bar & Grill, 1460 Towne Lake Pkwy. (770) 592-7676, chilis.com

American

$-$$

open

full bar

call ahead seating

Chinese

$-$$

open

Soup/Salad Sandwiches

closed

American Irish

open

full bar

Mexican

$-$$

open

full bar

Homestyle Cooking

closed

American Casual

$-$$

open

full bar

special events

American/Burgers

open

full bar

yes

Mexican

4-11 pm

full bar

yes

Thai/Sushi/Chinese

open

full bar

yes

BBQ

$-$$

open

American

open

full bar

yes

Pizza/Pasta/Salad

$-$$

open

full bar

Country Scratch Cooking

Sun. brunch

$-$$

open

full bar

yes

Japanese Steak/Sushi

$-$$

$$-$$$

open

full bar

yes

Mexican

open

full bar

American Casual

open

full bar

Steakhouse

open

full bar

call ahead seating

Pizza/Pasta/Salad

$-$$

open

beer/wine

Bakery/Soups/ Sandwiches

$-$$

open

Mexian/Irish

Sat.&Sun. brunch

open

full bar

Chinese/Japanese

$-$$

open

beer/wine

Pizza

$-$$

open

beer

Song’s Garden, 4451 Towne Lake Pkwy. #320 (770) 928-8387, songsgarden.com

Chinese

$-$$

open

The Place, 1105 Parkside Ln. (770) 928-8901, theplacebargrill.com

Bar/Grill

$-$$

open

full bar

Town Lake Diner, 2290 Eagle Dr. (770) 675-3390

American

$-$$

open ‘til 3

Italian

$-$$

$$-$$$

open

full bar

10+

China Fun, 1075 Buckhead Crossing (770) 926-2671, chinafun88.com Corner Bistro, 2360 Towne Lake Pkwy. (770) 924-1202, cornerbistrotl.com Donovan’s Irish Cobbler, 1025 Rose Creek Dr. (770) 693-8763, donovansirishcobbler.com El Ranchero, 1025 Rose Creek Dr. (770) 516-6616 Family Tradition, 4379 Towne Lake Pkwy. (770) 852-2885, familytradition.net Featherstone’s Grill, 1003 Towne Lake Hills Golf Club (770) 592-9969 GAMEDAY Fresh Grill, 2990 Eagle Dr. (770) 693-6754, gamedayfresh.com *Hacienda Vieja, 290 Molly Lane see ad (770) 517-7958, lahaciendavieja.com Inside front cover Izumi Asian Bistro, 2035 Townelake Pkwy. (678) 238-1899, iloveizumi.com JD’s Barbeque, 6557 Bells Ferry Road (678) 445-7730, jdsbbq.net Jersey’s Sports Bar, 6426 Bells Ferry Rd. (770) 790-5740, jerseysgrille.com Johnny’s Pizza, 1105 Parkside Lane (770) 928-9494, johnnyspizza.com *Jump Kitchen Saloon, 1085 Buckhead Crossing (678) 388-7717, jumpkitchensaloon.com see ad pg.37 Kani House, 2455 Towne Lake Pkwy. (770) 592-5264, kanihouse.com LaParilla, 1065 Buckhead Crossing (770) 928-3606, laparilla.com Locals Bar & Grill, 6380 Bells Ferry Road see ad pg. 17 (770) 627-5121, LocalsBarAndGrill.net LongHorn, 1420 Towne Lake Pkwy. (770) 924-5494, longhornsteakhouse.com Mellow Mushroom, 2370 Towne Lake Pkwy. (770) 591-3331, mellowmushroom.com Panera Bread, 2625 Towne Lake Pkwy. (678) 813-4809, panerabread.com *Papa P’s, 2295 Towne Lake Pkwy. (770) 592-3100, papa-ps.com

see ad pg. 8

Peking & Tokyo, 200 Parkbrooke Dr. (770) 591-8858, pekingandtokyo.com Pizza 3.14, 6424 Bells Ferry Rd. (678) 401-7250, pizza314.com

Tuscany, 250 Cinema View Dr. (678) 453-0888, mytuscanyrestaurant.com

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

* Denotes Advertiser

Cheeseburger Bobby’s, 2295 Towne Lake Pkwy. (678) 494-3200, cheeseburgerbobbys.com

$ = most entrees under $10 • $$ = most entrees $10 - $15 • $$$ = most entrees $15 - $20 • $$$$ = most entrees over $20

CUISINE

RESTAURANT

Casual and Upscale Dine-In Restaurants

Lifestyle

A Natalie Portman Shopping Adventure BY DEE LOCKLIN

I love to shop. Walking every aisle of a store, finding unusual items, generating decorating ideas… pure joy. Not to mention the satisfaction of scoring huge on unexpected clearance merchandise. Retail therapy is real, my friends. I do not, however, like shopping with my sweet husband. Like many others, Lewis shops for one or two items at a time. No variation Dee Locklin is retired from Georgia State from his goal, no getting University. She lives in sidetracked by interesting Woodstock with husband products viewed peripherally as Lewis and son Taylor in a he makes his way to the back of cluttered home filled the store for man stuff like light with love and lots of dust bunnies. Contact Dee at bulbs and air filters. dlocklin89@gmail.com Nevertheless, when spring finally arrived last month, my true love and I decided it was time to come out of hibernation and run several errands together. Those errands included trips to stores for a variety of items needed to maintain our home. It was a sunny Thursday afternoon. Lewis and I hit the local Walmart and grabbed our cart, shopping list in hand. We did a good job of navigating aisles pertinent to The List, refraining from the meandering I enjoy so well. I focused straight ahead, determined not to let the sale items and bright spring products distract me from The List. And we did fine until the stationery aisle. The List included an accordion file to organize our medical expenses (yes, we are that boring). We searched the related shelves, but did not find the product we sought. I turned to the right to exit the aisle, then looked behind me for Lewis. Friends, I kid you not. In a nanosecond, he was gone. Efficient couples would simply connect via cell phone: “Honey, I’m in women’s lingerie. Meet me here after you find your windshield wiper fluid.” Us? Not so much. Lewis had left his cell phone at home and mine was stashed in my purse, nestled in the shopping cart that my beloved husband now pushed 32

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

around somewhere in Walmart. Thinking strategically, I stayed in the stationery aisle because it was the last place we browsed together. Surely Lewis would discover that I was no longer at his side and would return to the point of our departure. So I waited 20 minutes. I fought back irrational thoughts that my husband had been abducted by aliens. After all, he is not an enthusiastic shopper, and he disappeared in—I swear on my favorite bargain—an instant. Something was eerily wrong. Or maybe he simply abandoned me like the redneck dude who left a pregnant Natalie Portman in broad daylight at an Oklahoma Walmart in the movie Where the Heart Is. It happens, right? After all, I’ve been quite the nagging wife ever since Lewis was diagnosed with cancer. Eat your veggies. Don’t eat sweet foods. Drink gallons of water. Be perfect and fight that cancer monster. After about 30 minutes of standing by the manila folders, my feet began to ache, and I was hungry as heck, so I walked to the adjacent fabric department. Thankfully, a very nice salesperson offered to page my husband. I was a tad embarrassed about publicly broadcasting our separated status, so I asked her to use first names only and to not make the announcement sound like we were completely incompetent adults. Within a minute or two, the loudspeaker declared: “Lewis, please meet your wife in the stationery aisle.” Humiliating, but effective. Lewis and our shopping cart soon arrived at the manila folders and he eyed me like some kind of alien ant. He asked me where I had been. I will spare you the subsequent debate. Just know that Lewis denied stranding me. He explained that he left the stationery department to proceed to the aisle where Drano resides, that being the last item on The List. And he was baffled that I didn’t think to meet him there. Next month, we will celebrate our 25th anniversary. We are thinking about renewing our vows, though we are undecided about the details. We agree, however, that our renewed commitment will surely include some comments about never again abandoning each other at Walmart. After all, we have a cancer monster to fight. And that is something that will never separate us.

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Mclellan Excavation & Landscaping, Inc. Complete Sinkhole Repair

Water accumulated in sinkhole

or even the inability to sell a home. If your yard is giving you that “sinking” feeling, there’s a solution—Mclellan Excavation & Landscaping, Inc. According to owner Bill Mclellan, many homes—starting at approximately 10 years old—may have a slight indentation starting in the yard. This may be the first sign of a sinkhole. A sinkhole started with a builder. In

some cases, the builder needed to clear the site where the home was going to be built and dug a very large hole to be used as a trash pit. The first thing the builder did was to clear the lot of all the trees, stumps, branches and debris, placing all this material deep in the hole. Once the lot was cleared of all Stump removed from sinkhole this vegetation, the hole was left open and used as a several in Towne Lake,” said Bill. trash dump for construction material. Bill and his crew will excavate the This hole was covered by a thin layer sinkhole, and thoroughly clean out all of soil and grass. Over the years, the the debris until virgin soil is reached to material in the hole decomposes, which the bottom and all four side walls of the causes the thin layer of soil and grass to hole. From there, the hole will be filled start collapsing into the hole. The only with clean dirt, fully compacted and permanent option for a homeowner graded. This method is the only way to is to have it completely excavated and completely repair a sinkhole, giving the repaired. homeowner a safe yard and peace of If you suspect a sinkhole, the time to mind. act is now in order to prevent the hole A sinkhole is the last thing any opening up which may cause personal homeowner wants to have happen injury, interruption of undeground to him or her, but if it does, call the utilities or a large accumulation of experts at Mclellan Excavation & water underneath the surface. When Landscaping, Inc. choosing a qualified excavation company, you want one that is highly experienced in sinkhole repairs, with SERVICES the proper equipment and a solid reputation. Sinkhole Repair Mclellan Excavation & Landscaping, Pool Demolition Inc. has more than 30 years of Site Grading experience in the construction industry and has concentrated for the last Site Clearing ten years in sinkhole repairs. Other Concrete Removal services provided are swimming pool Drainage demolition, retaining walls, grading and water control. Retaining Walls Bill and his wife Patricia live in Excavation the Arbors in Towne Lake and have Bob Cat Work witnessed many sinkholes in our community first hand. “We have New Lawn Installation repaired hundreds of sinkholes in and around the Atlanta area, including

(404) 520-0710 • Bill@mclellanexcavationandlandscaping.com www.excavationandlandscaping.com 34

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Photos by Kim Bates

It’s hard to believe, but this year will mark 26 years that Towne Lake has been part of Cherokee County. Starting with the Arbors, several neighborhoods have been built over the years, and now, many of those homes are approaching or exceeding the 15- to 20-year mark. While home maintenance is nothing new for a homeowner, many of these older homes are experiencing a devastating issue in their yards— sinkholes. Sinkholes can be several feet in depth and diameter and if not corrected, they can result in injury, home depreciation

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Lifestyle

“Your Job Search Career Plan: The Clock is Ticking!” BY LYNNE SAUNDERS

For many, a job is just that… a job. It is a means for a paycheck to take care of necessary living expenses. At the end of the day, it is quitting time. At the end of each work week, that sense of needed and deserved relaxation takes over. Days off are meant for recovering from the workweek, enjoying family and friends, taking care of a myriad of errands, and preparation for the following week…there is barely enough time to get it all done. Lynne is the director of Generally, this monthly article Papa’s Pantry and the MastersTrainingCenter. speaks to the unemployed. This com, and she is an time I’d like to focus on career author. She can be advancement. All of sudden, you reached at (770) 591approach a birthday with a zero 4730 or visit www. and involuntary reflection sets in. papaspantry.org. Weeks turn into years. Years turn into decades. Do you feel as if you are simply making a living without making a life? If you are stuck and beginning to realize that life is passing by, it is time to stop and truly take stock of your personal and professional life. Many times, additional income is needed to obtain that next level of desired success, whether it is saving for a real vacation, getting a new car, or focusing on college savings for the kids to have a better start. FEAR stops most of us from stepping out to explore new possibilities. Are you still working the same job after many years? Have you

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

“If you are stuck and beginning to realize that life is passing by, it is time to stop and truly take stock of your personal and professional life.” hit the top of the pay grade with little chance of earning a higher wage? Do the required tasks challenge and excite you? If not, it may be time to grow, but it will take courage, dedication, and a belief that you can conquer whatever may be required. I sometimes hear people say that they cannot accept less than what they are currently making to move forward with a new employer, even though the new employer offers growth opportunities. Change is hard. Being financially strapped in the day-to-day may be keeping you from achieving your true potential. As you take a look at your immediate circumstances, identify what expenses can be eliminated or reduced to make your dream a possibility. Be open to furthering your education. Crunch the numbers to realistically see the minimum you need to earn to be able to make the switch. If the next position offers bonuses, paid overtime, college tuition assistance, or 401K retirement savings, you may realize that the shortfall is shortterm. Career growth is much easier in your younger years. There can come a day that it will be too late. Even though age discrimination is illegal, there is much consideration of one’s ability to adjust to new and ever changing markets and technology. What’s stopping you? Keep making progress!

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Lifestyle

Musings from Town: I Want A Dog BY ROBYN HOHENSEE

Every day, I see countless people out walking their dogs. Currently I don’t own a dog, just a sweet fluffy cat named Clementine. She’s great, and I adore her, but she hates riding in the car. I’ve noticed that dogs dive right in the back seat when their owners open the car door. I would love it if Robyn Hohensee has resided Clementine would do that, in Towne Lake with her plus I want a change. Cats husband Todd for 17 years. are my favorite animals, She is currently working on a but a dog would be a nice children’s book and an adult addition to help me through fiction novel. Feel free to contact her at the empty nest adjustment. Robyn561@yahoo.com. One thing I have noticed as I see people out with their canine friends is that the dogs resemble their masters or vice versa. A white dog has a white-haired owner. A long lean dog has a long lean master, or a short stout dog has a master with a similar body type. Why is that? Hard to say, but I think there is something psychological going on there. Maybe I’ll do some research on that. I know that a dog is in my near future, but where do I obtain one? A breeder? The Humane Society? A pet store? There are millions of dog lovers everywhere who have strong and absolute opinions on the right way to go about it. My

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

feeling is that I’ll know her when I see her. No matter where a dog comes from, he or she is equally deserving of a good and loving home. So I will keep an open mind about that. I do know that my dog will be a she (as referenced above) and on the smaller side. Nothing against males, but with two sons, one grandson and a husband, I could use another girl in the family. Now that I think about it, a beagle comes to mind. Yes that is it. A sassy, smart and gorgeous beagle! I had a beagle when I was a kid and I adored her. Now 40 some years down the road, I am ready to love another one. Beagles are smallish, smart and lovable. Besides I am a huge Snoopy fan. That settles it. A beagle it is. Now I have to convince my husband and Clementine that this is a great idea. Now how will I do that? Let me think about that.

Is White Wine Better for My Teeth Than Red Wine? BY DAVID HECKELMOSER

I had this question asked of me and assumed that white wine would be better on your teeth. It made me do some research. Though white wines contain far less pigment than reds, both wines contain acid, which is the component that damages your teeth. Red wine can cause tooth discoloration, but if you are substituting white wine to prevent tooth stains, you might reconsider your choices. White David Heckelmoser is a Towne Lake resident wine wine is extremely acidic. The acid enthusiast, member of eats away at your tooth enamel, the Guild of Sommeliers, creating rough spots and grooves Certified Specialist of that leave your teeth open to Wine (CSW) and is Wine stains from other foods or drinks. Spirits Education Trust certified (WSET). Contact Even though you might not see David at heck4773@ stains after drinking a glass of bellsouth.net. white wine, it can still stain just as badly as red wine provided it’s consumed along with foods and beverages containing a great deal of pigment. This is according to a study done by the New York University College of Dentistry, in which cow teeth (which are very similar to human teeth) were soaked in black tea alone, and also in white wine followed by black tea. The teeth soaked in wine first picked up a great deal of brownish-red pigment, while the teeth soaked only in black tea were unstained. The findings were that the wine helped to erode some of the enamel, and left the teeth exposed to the staining pigments in the tea. Also, the college studied the effects on tooth whiteness, and found that although red

“...although red wine discolors, white wine actually dissolves a micro layer of tooth, making it rougher and more vulnerable to staining.” wine discolors, white wine actually dissolves a micro layer of tooth, making it rougher and more vulnerable to staining. A group from Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany, confirmed these findings and also discovered that the longer the time you spend drinking white wine, and the more frequently you drink it, the worse the damage will be to your teeth. Ouch! If you love your wine, here are some tips on how you can protect your teeth: 1. Eat smart. Pair your wine with foods that have low acid content. Nuts, non-acidic fruits and vegetables and cheese are excellent options, not to mention that they go well with wine! 2. Wait to brush your teeth. Brushing too soon after white wine will cause more damage to your teeth, which are already in a weakened state. Wait 30 minutes or longer before brushing your teeth after drinking the wine. 3. Rinse with water after drinking. This will help neutralize acid throughout the mouth and will help cleanse your palate between tastings! Red or white? That’s for you to decide! If you have further questions, check in with your dentist. Until next time, cheers!

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Lifestyle

Your Neighbor’s Business BY PAT SNIPES

What makes a successful entrepreneur? Several characteristics make a first-rate business leader. Our community is bustling with enterprising people who offer the products neglect the person you come home to. I took that to heart. and services that the So, I work to live – not live to work.” rest of us need. I’ve Successful business owners use their natural instinct for always been interested in understanding their customers and what they want. They what motivates business satisfy that need by prepping the staff to keep clients happy. people, so I went into the Pat Snipes is a book They adjust as needed, but as Adam says, it’s also important community to search them publisher in Towne Lake and to remember your loved ones. He ended our conversation by out and discover some founder of the “Together We saying, “Never burn a bridge. Life is like a brotherhood. Help answers. Rise” business networking organization for women fellow landscapers out, and don’t try to undercut the other The first gentleman entrepreneurs. She has guy – we’re all in this together.” I spoke with is Adam spent decades helping small Mitchell, business owners become owner of The established and expand their Lawn Squad enterprises. Pat is a mother of three and a minister. landscaping company. For Adam, the desire to start a business was ignited by unfair treatment at work. In his view, it was a lesson in building a better mouse trap. By observing that many businesses overlook their employees, Adam learned that concentrating on courting clients is like putting the cart before the horse. Satisfied employees are the force that propels business. Happy employees make clients happy! Mitchell says, “When you do good by people, they will do good by you.” When I asked Adam why he chose landscaping, he said: “When I was about to graduate from high school, my dad made me put $500 down on my first car. I distributed flyers and pulled a lawn mower around the neighborhood. I was in business for myself!” Everyone knows owning a business involves hard work. Adam also exercises other principles for achievement. Another is the ability to recognize when changes are necessary. Mitchell says that a sign of needing to expand is when you can’t answer the phone in two rings. “When a client calls, they don’t want voicemail – they want a live person.” But he cautions, “Getting too big too fast can make you lose focus on why you started. Long ago, a millionaire in the lawn business told me to take Adam, wife Windy and son Preston it slow, because family comes first. You can’t

“Satisfied employees are the force that propels business. Happy employees make clients happy!”

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Lifestyle

The Chance to Parent BY SEAN KAUFMAN

“It is not what you do when I am here, it’s what you do when I am not that matters the most.” It’s a statement I make to my children to help solidify important parental lessons and the application of those lessons during my absence. I, in turn, have learned as a parent that it’s not what I do when my children behave, it’s what I do when they misbehave that matters most. Sean Kaufman lives in Woodstock with his wife, Punishment is the process two sons and daughter. used to stop or extinguish He specializes in intrinsic behavior. The results seem coaching/motivation, to be immediate, but don’t owns a behavioral-based be fooled. Punishment consulting business and is an internationally recognized hides true behavior and trainer. He can be contacted builds resentment toward at sean@seankaufman.com. the punisher. Additionally, punishment teaches no alternative behavior. Reinforcement is the opposite of punishment and is the process used to start behavior. I personally don’t believe in a “kum ba yah” approach, where we begin paying and praising people for doing the right thing. Instead, I prefer and promote the concept of making a situation difficult until the behavior you are looking for begins. This is negative reinforcement and is different from punishment because the process aims to start a behavior rather than stop it. Consider the consequences of using punishment while not

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

understanding the effects of it. Most individuals typically go with the flow of traffic. A police officer pulls on the freeway and people slow down. The police officer pulls off the freeway and people speed up again. When the police officer is around everyone behaves, and when the officer is not around everyone seems to misbehave. What could this mean if we are talking about a parent and his or her child? I myself have said and I’ve heard many parents say, “My child has never done this at home!” You’re right, because the child knew he or she would be punished. Parents must see the true behavior of their children so they have the chance to parent! For example, if a parent tells his or her children to stop playing in the street, the children may immediately comply. However, when the parent leaves, the children have not identified a new place to play and begin playing in the street again. As a parent, if you ask your children to stop something, replace that old behavior with a new one by asking them to start something as well, such as start playing in the backyard. Make whatever you have started easier and whatever you want stopped harder for them to do. This will lead to new habits and better outcomes—not with just children, but adults as well. So the next time you find yourself saying “stop” to someone, consider replacing that word with “start.” Remember, all behavior begins for a reason. Find the reason for the behavior and you will then be able to discover a variety of alternative behaviors that both you and your child can live with. Form the habit of reinforcing (starting) rather than punishing (stopping) behavior. I promise you, the differences will amaze you!

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Lifestyle

Saying Goodbye BY KARA KIEFER

Kara Kiefer is the editor of TowneLaker. She lives in Towne Lake with her husband Mike and sons Brandon and Garrett.

In 2001, we drove all the way to Griffin, Ga., for you. You were 7 months old, a doggy “tween.” You were there with two of your siblings, but you were the only one who engaged with us. It’s said that animals pick you, not the other way around, and that certainly was the case with you. On the hour ride home, you got sick in the car, and I’m sure you were nervous for this new adventure. When we got home, you apparently had never seen stairs because you had a hard time navigating them at first. We carried you up and down those stairs for a few days until you got the hang of

things in your new home. You weren’t exactly the valedictorian of obedience school. We would tease you that you were a “faux” lab because you didn’t care for swimming or retrieving, two things typically associated with labrador retrievers. But you were everything

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x labs are known for: loyal, patient and protective. In fact, else you took it upon yourself to guard our home by growling or barking at everyone who dared to walk in front of our house. We taught you to chase away squirrels from the bird feeder. Simply saying the word “squirrel” brought you bounding out of the house to the back porch. The mere sound of someone picking up an empty, plastic grocery sack sent you into a frenzy because you knew it was time for a walk. You never met an enemy, and if dogs could talk, your constant dialogue would have been, “pet me, pet me, pet me.” You incessantly pawed at us or anyone else willing to accept your blatant begging for attention. Pet sitters loved you and always used the same adjective to describe you: sweet. You left your paw prints on many hearts. When we adopted you, we knew you had hip dysplasia, which can be crippling for large dogs as they age. This was the case as you got older. Your body betrayed you. Our journey with you ended the same way it began, carrying you up and down those stairs. Saying goodbye wasn’t easy, but when we realized it had been months since we saw you wag your tail, we knew we had to let you go. We gave you the best last day, complete with forbidden treats and a field trip to the lake, where you actually dabbled your paws in the water. I hope wherever you are, your hips don’t hurt, your tail wags non-stop, and when someone yells the word, “squirrel,” you run to chase it away. Rest in peace, our sweet Tucker.

Waking Up With Nightmares BY ANN LITREL

A History in Delta’s Customer Service Drives the Founder of Riverfest In Organizing Two Art Festivals in Cherokee Pat Gold had 15 years in customer service with Delta before she chaired Cherokee County’s first Riverfest, held in 1985. Pat is pictured in front of the Cherokee Arts Center, where from 2011-2012, she was also Chair of Canton Festival of the Arts, held annually the third weekend in May. In the past decade, she has served in numerous community endeavors, including the Tourism and Main Street programs in Canton, as well as the Canton Planning Commission. This story is part of a series featuring local leaders, volunteers and visionaries, some behind the scenes, who have had an impact on the community. For more on Gold’s story and the accompanying portrait, visit www.annlitrel.com

“If I have any creativity, this is it. You know, I don’t create art - but I can organize it.” Pat Gold offers this snippet about her part in Cherokee County’s first Riverfest, now approaching its 30th anniversary. The arts and crafts festival was conceived by her as a fundraiser for the county’s Junior Service League, a group whose mission is to help needy children and their families with direct aid and scholarships. Riverfest takes place every September in Canton’s Boling Park on the Etowah River, drawing attendees from across metro Atlanta and north Georgia. Exuding brisk cheer and an air of capability, Pat escorts me into an empty classroom at the Cherokee Arts Center for our interview, offering more than once to help carry my bags, microphone and lights. She explains that her “current baby” is the Canton Festival of the Arts, a juried spring artist fair at the Arts Center, fast approaching the weekend of May 17 and 18.

Bishop, Rebecca Johnston, Debra Goodwin, Lila Stevens and Ann Rupel. “Recruiting artists was a critical element,” she continues. “If you’re starting from scratch, you have to convince them that you are going to be successful.” She names local potter Ron Cooper as being “instrumental” in recruiting artists and getting the word out in the arts community.

Tell me about your role in Riverfest. “Riverfest was started in the early 80s,” she says. “Back then, craft fairs were fairly new but gaining in popularity. One horrible rainy morning, I got the idea of launching a crafts fair in the county as the Service League’s fundraiser. Judy Bishop and I took the idea to the board, and they gave us the green light.”

How did Riverfest measure up to your vision? “It was even better than we had hoped. Boling Park was a perfect setting. The Riverfest name was my husband’s suggestion - and it stuck.” She smiles. “The first year, we had 107 artists, 10,000 people came through the gates, and we earned a profit of almost $10,000. Of course, it’s grown since then.” [In 2013, the 28th annual Riverfest included 151 exhibitors, and earned more than $70,000.] Pat adds a personal remembrance. “As the opening day got close,” this organizer admits,” I was waking up with nightmares, imagining a festival that no one came to. I really didn’t relax until that first morning.” She shakes her head. “When the first wave of people came down that hill, it was like a dream come true.”

What were some of the challenges? “It was a huge undertaking. We worked for two years to develop the first Riverfest.” She names the divisions of labor: the artist’s market, the children’s area, concessions, entertainment, advertising and PR. Each was organized by one of the core committee members, whom Pat lists as herself, Judy

Did you have any organizing experience before this? “I had been working at Delta almost 15 years as an in-flight service coordinator. I grew up with Delta, and they taught me everything I know about customer service. Making a successful arts festival is all about customer service - helping the artists unpack, getting their things to their space, babysitting their booth when they want to take a break…everything to make it a good experience so they’ll come back next year. Without them, we don’t have a festival.”

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Health & Wellness

What’s The Best Water For Your Health? BY CASEY ZACK

Casey Zack is a local of Woodstock and fitness fanatic and loves nothing more than living a healthy lifestyle. She is a recent graduate of Valdosta State University. Reach Casey at cpzack@yahoo.com.

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With so many choices of bottled water and filtered water, it’s hard to figure out which one is really the best for our bodies. There is a new type of water that has come into play. Ever heard of alkaline water? Studies have shown that alkaline water may improve our overall health as well as fight off the aging process. Alkaline water has a pH level greater than 7, which gives it a basic pH value. PH measures how acidic water is. If the pH is less than 7, the more acidic the water is. The less acidity water has, the better it is for you and less toxic. Alkaline water can help flush out acid waste and help get rid of those unwanted toxins in the body.

“Alkaline water can help flush out acid waste and help get rid of those unwanted toxins in the body.” Speaking of the body, I did mention how alkaline water can prevent aging, right? As I stated before, toxins in the body can be flushed out with alkaline water. When toxins are left in the body, they can start to cause cell damage that may lead to premature aging. This makes alkaline water even better to drink as it is filled with antioxidants to prevent aging, and we all know water is great for our skin in general! While water is essential to our overall wellness, it’s no wonder alkaline water should be the water we ingest the most. You can find alkaline water through distributors or by single bottles at larger super stores such as Walmart. With several positive benefits, it would be hard to go back to those drinking-out-of- the-tap days! Be good to your health with alkaline water. After all, your body is the most valuable possession you own!

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carterslakeguideservice.com/allatoona TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Health & Wellness

How Does Smoking Affect Your Oral Health? BY DR. SCOTT R. HARDEN

You’ve probably seen the warning label on cigarette packages: “Quitting smoking now greatly reduces serious risks to your health.” There is no doubt that smoking is harmful. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, smoking is associated with nearly a half million deaths each year, increases coronary heart disease and stroke by 2-4 times, increases lung cancer in men and Dr. Scott Harden is a women by 25 times, can cause dentist at Fountain cancer almost anywhere in your View Family Dentistry. body and is responsible for causing You can reach Dr. Harden type 2 diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid at (770) 926-0000 or visit FountainViewSmiles.com. arthritis and cataracts. Smoking also leads to numerous oral health problems that include increased buildup of plaque and tartar, greater risk of developing gum disease (a leading cause of tooth loss), bad breath, tooth discoloration, increased risk of tooth decay, loss of jaw bone supporting the teeth, delayed healing after oral surgery, decreased dental implant success rate and increased risk of oral cancer. “Studies have found that tobacco use may be one of the

biggest risk factors in the development of periodontal disease,” says David A. Albert, D.D.S., M.P.H., an associate professor at the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. Smokers have a seven times greater chance of developing periodontal disease than a nonsmoker, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Periodontal (gum) disease is a bacterial infection, which destroys soft tissue and bone that anchor your teeth to your jawbones. In early stages, you may notice that your gums bleed when you brush or floss. Gum recession is another early indicator. As the infection worsens, your gums pull away from your teeth and form pockets. The pockets between your teeth and gums deepen until ultimately your teeth may become loose, painful, and may fall out. Studies have shown that smokers have more calculus (tartar) than nonsmokers, possibly of a decreased flow of saliva. Calculus is the hardened form of plaque. Smoking tobacco products can make gum disease worsen faster. Smokers have more severe bone loss and more deep pockets between their teeth and gums than nonsmokers. In studies, smokers were three to six times more likely to have gum destruction than nonsmokers. Severe bone loss was five times greater among current or former heavy smokers than among people who never smoked. Chronic smokers often do not exhibit bleeding or red gum tissue, which is deceptive because their mouths are not healthy. continued on page 82

Seasonal Allergies are Here! BY VAN TRAN

Now that it’s spring, sunny skies and warmer weather are here, but so are allergies. Due to this year’s polar vortex once the temperatures do warm up, pollinating trees will be busy catching up, spewing higher than average amounts of pollen. So why do we get the itchy eyes, sneezing, sore throat, runny nose and stuffy nose? An allergy symptom is the result of the immune system Dr. Van Tran is a board certified chiropractor with overreacting. It mistakes the Discover Chiropractic. He pollen for a foreign invader can be reached at (770) and attacks it, which leads to 516-9900. the release of chemicals called histamines into the blood and latches onto histamine receptors on the other cells, causing them to swell. This inflammation causes many familiar allergy symptoms. What can we do to help ease some of these annoying 48

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symptoms? To reduce allergy symptoms, proper nutrition is very important. Eat a diet that’s moderately low-fat and high in complex carbohydrates. Examples of complex carbohydrates are whole grains, starchy vegetables and beans. Onions, garlic, ginger, cayenne and horseradish also help reduce allergy symptoms. Stay away from chocolate, peanuts, red meat, sugar and wheat. These items more than likely will enhance allergy symptoms. Make sure to incorporate into your diet bioflavonoid, probiotics, vitamin E, zinc and—the most important of them all—vitamin C. Although proper nutrition and diet help with allergy symptoms, a healthy immune system is vital to good health. Your first line of defense is to choose a healthy lifestyle. Following general good health guidelines is the single best step you can take toward keeping your immune system strong and healthy. Your immune system functions well when it is protected from environmental stresses. Don’t smoke, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, get adequate sleep and get regular screening tests. Following these simple guidelines will enable you to live a healthier life with less sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and sore throat during this spring.

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Feature

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Health & Wellness

The Importance of Vaccinating Your Child BY DR. AMY HARDIN

Imagine it’s a busy Saturday and, as usual, you’ve got a ton of errands to run with your kids. About a week later, your child’s daycare calls because your 7-month-old has a horrible cold, bad fever, pink eye and a weird rash all over her body. When you take your baby to your pediatrician, she gives you the bad news. Your baby has the measles! And she was contagious for the past 10 days! Dr. Amy Hardin is a This scenario is happening pediatrician in Towne Lake across the U.S. every day! at Northside Pediatrics. Measles outbreaks are in Los Check out Northside Pediatrics’ new website at Angeles, San Francisco and New www.northsidepediatrics. York City. Usually, there are about com and follow them on 20 cases of measles in California Facebook at Northside by this time of year, and this Pediatrics! year there have been more than 120. More than 100 people have caught the mumps in two months due to an initial outbreak in a

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fraternity at Ohio State University. The common denominator in all these outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases is lax vaccination status. If a community or school is able to keep at least 95 percent of its members fully vaccinated, there is less likelihood of outbreaks. Vaccines are not perfect in uptake. About 5 percent of people who get both measles-mumps-rubella vaccines (or MMRs) can still catch these diseases. If you’ve had only one round of the MMR vaccination, it triples your chance of catching mumps, measles or rubella. Schools in California and New York (interestingly enough, school is in well-to-do neighborhoods with educated parents) have levels of unvaccinated or partially vaccinated kids in the 15 to 40 percent range! With these diseases still in large numbers in Asia and Europe, all it takes is one family taking a vacation and returning to one of these schools. Some may say these are normal childhood diseases and wonder why we should worry. Sadly for college aged boys, mumps can infect testicles and cause sterility, or deafness or encephalitis. Measles also can cause encephalitis and pneumonia. As both of these are viral diseases, there’s no medicine to stop them once contracted. And there is nothing more tragic than hearing an infant with pertussis or whooping continued on page 82

Protect Yourself from Skin Cancer PROVIDED BY NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL CANCER INSTITUTE

According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer for those living in the United States, and more than two million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year. Protect yourself this sunny season so you can enjoy being outside— cancer free. • Plan ahead. If possible, avoid being outdoors between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun’s rays are the most harmful. If you are outside during peak hours, seek shade or covered areas. • Wear and reapply sunscreen. Choose an SPF of at least 30 and apply at least 20 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours, especially if you are sweating or swimming, because sunscreen particles break apart after exposure to the sun. And don’t forget to apply sunscreen on overcast days too. Clouds do not block UV rays, they filter them—and sometimes only slightly. • Accessorize. Wear tightly woven, bright-colored clothing that covers most of the body. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and choose wrap-around sunglasses that absorb 100 percent of UV rays to help protect your eyes and the surrounding skin. • Check medications. Some medicines, including acne treatment and birth control, can make your skin extra

sensitive to sun exposure. • Protect yourself indoors. Many adults think that they need to wear sunscreen only if they are going to be outside. Wrong. Driving and working in a building with many windows also puts your skin at risk for sun damage. UV rays easily penetrate through glass. Wear sunscreen every day to protect yourself year round. Single-use packs can be easily stored in the glove compartment of your car or at your desk. • Ditch the tanning bed. In the U.S. alone, 419,000 new skin cancer cases are attributed to indoor tanning each year. In fact, a recent study reveals that the number of skin cancer cases due to tanning beds is higher than the number of lung cancer cases due to smoking worldwide. Continued exposure also brings wrinkles, brown spots, blotchiness and leathery looking skin—not exactly the look you’re trying to achieve when fake baking. Beginning this month, Northside Hospital will be hosting free skin cancer screenings to help you understand your risk for developing skin cancer. For dates, locations and registration information go to www.northside.com/ skincancerscreenings.

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Health & Wellness

Eliminating Mosquitoes Helps Prevent Heartworm BY RICK COUGHLIN

According to Rosemarie Kelly of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every dog in Georgia will develop heartworm within five years if not properly treated.

Rick Coughlin is the owner of The Mosquito Authority. Email him at rick@bugsbite.com

What is heartworm? It’s exactly what it sounds like – long, thin worms that live in the blood vessels and heart of infected animals. While the disease is most often associated with dogs, cats can be infected as well.

How do pets contract heartworm? One word: mosquitoes. When a mosquito carrying heartworm larvae bites a dog and transmits the infection, the larvae grow, develop and migrate in the body over a period of several months. These reside in the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels. Once the larvae mature into adults, the worms mate and the females release their offspring. Offspring can be detected in the blood about six to seven months after the infective larvae from the mosquito enter the animal. The

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male heartworms (four to six inches in length) and the females (10-12 inches) become fully grown about one year after infection, and their life span in dogs appears to average up to five to seven years. What should you look for? The visible symptoms of heartworm disease may not be detectable until long after your pet is infected. Your pet may tire easily, cough and just look a little rough. The pet may cough up blood and worms from ruptured vessels. In extreme cases, blockage of major blood vessels can cause the pet to collapse and suddenly die. How can you prevent heartworm? Heartworm is preventable. To protect your pet, you should be sure to administer heartworm medication and get your pet tested for the disease annually. You can also reduce your pet’s risk of contracting the disease by reducing its exposure to mosquitoes. Consider hiring a professional service to free your property of mosquitoes. These professionals can eliminate mosquitoes from your yard and keep them away. When considering providers, be sure to select a provider who utilizes integrated pest management that will break the mosquito lifecycle. Reputable mosquito control companies will complete a four-step process including mosquito identification, habitat removal, larval control and adult control. A mosquito-free yard does not just protect your family and friends; it also protects your pets.

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Etowah Prom

Anna Sleeman and Rossen Parks

Cadi Martin and Andrew Peace

Brooke Miller and Coury Fresh

Connor Payne and Erin Hammond

Left to right: Daniel Ponder, Conner Herod and Jesse Tuggle

Adam Hogue and Stephanie Newman

Caroline Grace and Irving Correa Franco

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Couples, front to back Chris Yoo and Katherine Morawa Corey Hire and Elyse Anderson Benson Klingler and Katy Swendsen Alex Johnson and Kelsey Keith

Couples, left to right: Taylor Ryals and Connor Herod, Megan McClain and Jesse Tuggle and Olivia Plourde and Daniel Ponder

Left to right: Adam Hogue, Nolan Rinderknect, Destin Porche and Ty Cohen

Left to right: Alex M. Johnson, Katie Hildbrandt, Megan Young and Bryan Choppa

Bryan Choppa and Megan Young

Destin Porche and Schyler Folsom

Greg Murphy and Holly Immerman

Noah Karst and Lindsey Wilson

Olivia Plourde and Daniel Ponder

Paige Horton and Ty Cohen

Claire Strickland and Tyler First

Left to right: Sarah Kirksey, Mandy Loisito, Brielle Underwood, Amelia Bryson, Brooke Miller, Ashley Brooks, Madison Deese

Left to right: Taylor Kimber, Lauren Schwartz, Kelsey Myers, Reagan Armstead, Anna Sherry and Anna Messerly. TOWNELAKER | May 2014

School & Sports

Woodstock Senior Wins Speech and Essay Contest Woodstock High School senior Madison Tank recently won the 2013-2014 Voice of Democracy speech and essay scholarship contest. The annual competition is conducted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Madison represents VFW Post 5262 in Canton. Approximately 50,000 high school students from across the nation entered the contest. Each contestant was required to record a speech between three and ﬁve minutes long about this year’s theme, “Why I’m Optimistic About Our Nation’s Future.” Madison has received more than $1,500 in scholarships for her success at the VFW Post, district and state levels.

Clark Creek STEM Academy Student Wins Grant Northside Hospital sponsors a grant program that enables students at their Partners in Education schools to make a positive difference in their community by providing funding for service projects. Clark Creek Elementary School Left to right: Principal Dr. STEM Academy fifth-grader Taylor Boysen won a $300 grant Jennifer Scrivner, Taylor Boysen and Northside Hospital grant for her project entitled “Bottle coordinator Shelia Perkins. Cap Art.” For her project, students will create artwork using recycled plastic bottle caps and lids to be displayed on the school grounds. Taylor said the project encourages recycling and allows the school’s graduating fifthgraders to leave a “legacy” of recycling and learning behind for other students to see and follow. Next year’s fifth-graders will have the opportunity to continue the project.

Woodstock Senior National Merit Winner Woodstock High School senior Briana Francois is a National Merit Achievement Scholarship winner. She is among the 800 outstanding seniors from across the country who each have won a $2,500 achievement scholarship. The National Merit Achievement Scholarship Program is a privately financed academic competition established in 1964 specifically to honor scholastically talented African-American youth. The awards are financed by grants from 31 corporate organizations and professional associations and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Briana, who is considering psychology as a major, is Woodstock High School’s 2013-14 delegate to the Cherokee County School Board. She is president of the Student Government Association Executive Board and a member of the Beta Club, DECA marketing association and International Club. She volunteers with her church and Cherokee County Safety Town.

Oak Grove Jump Ropes for a Cause For the 20th consecutive year, Oak Grove Elementary School Fine Arts Academy participated in the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope For Heart event to raise funds and awareness. Through the annual event, third- through fifth-graders learned about healthy lifestyle choices while raising money for the Association and winning rewards. PE teacher Chris O’Cleary coordinates the school’s event. Third-grader Nour Barghouthi, left, helps P.E. teacher Chris O’Cleary hold the jump rope during the event. 58

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TOWNELAKER | May 2014

School & Sports

Carmel Students Participate in Technology Fair Twelve Carmel Elementary students traveled to Macon to compete in the Georgia Technology Fair. These students qualified for the state competition by placing first in their categories at the Piedmont Regional Technology Fair in January. Carmel’s Computer Club coaches said, “It was a great day for the Carmel Colts! The entire school is proud of their achievements!” The Carmel Computer Club is coached by Carmel teachers Merry Willis and Ashley Roth.

• 3rd grade student Katy Wheeler became the state champion in Case Modification. • 3rd grade students Matthew Shea and Garrett Smith finished 2nd for Game Design. • 3rd grade student Lily Norrell finished in 2nd place for Non Animated Graphic Design. • 4th grade students Slade Rebeles and Peyton Schroeder placed 3rd in Project Programming.

Front row (left to right): Ryker Puent, Garrett Smith, Slade Rebeles, Katy Wheeler and Lily Norrell. Back row: De’Ajah Saddler, Maya Thomas, Taylor Collins, Peyton Schroeder, Robert Went, Matthew Shea and Alida LeBron.

CCSD Holds Special Olympics Awareness Games The Cherokee County School District (CCSD) held its annual Special Olympics Awareness Games at River Ridge High School. More than 750 athletes and volunteers from 32 schools participated in the day’s activities, which included a variety of track and field events such as 50-yard dash, long jump, softball throw, wheelchair events and bean bag throw.

Etowah High School athlete Amanda Julian (right) chooses a ribbon after completing an event, with her Friends helper Schyler Folsom. 60

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Woodstock JROTC Seniors Win Full Scholarships Woodstock High School’s Navy Junior ROTC Cadet Commanding Officer and Cadet Executive Officer both have received full four-year scholarships. Cadet Lieutenant Commander Liam Welch recently received the Frederick C. Branch scholarship to Savannah State University worth $54,000. He plans to study engineering and will commission as a Marine 2nd Lieutenant upon graduation. Cadet Lieutenant Craig Yaeger has received a Navy ROTC scholarship to Auburn University worth $134,000. He plans to study industrial engineering and will commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy upon graduation. Craig also received an additional $60,000 per year from an academic scholarship from Auburn and plans to become a Naval Aviator.

Liam Welch

Craig Yaeger

Etowah Sophomore Wins Competition Etowah High School sophomore Wesley Summers won the Engineering, Drafting and Design competition at the 2014 SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference. He will represent the State of Georgia and Etowah High School at the National Leadership and Skills Conference this summer.

Cherokee Christian Students Visit Washington On a recent trip to Washington D. C., Cherokee Christian School 8th grader Vicente Manzo (left) was privileged to lay a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. The 8th grade class toured Washington D. C. and Williamsburg.

Etowah Grad Competes in Masters Chris Kirk, a graduate of Etowah High School, made his first appearance at this year’s Masters golf tournament in Augusta, GA. This was Chris’ 101st PGA Tour event, and he earned a spot to play at the Masters by winning the McGladrey Classic at Sea Island last fall. That was his second PGA Tour victory. At the Masters, Chris finished tied at 20, which according to dad, Gary, was a great position for Chris’ first Masters. Chris’ family including Gary, mom Kim, wife Tahnee and their children Sawyer and Foster and Tahnee’s dad and stepmom were all in attendance.. “Chris handled it with a lot of composure, poise and maturity. I am incredibly proud of him!” said Gary. Of his experience, Chris said, “My first Masters week was a truly amazing experience. Augusta National was incredible. Can’t wait to see what I can do there in the future! Towne Lake also is excited to follow one of our own as he progresses in his golf career. Chris with wife Tahnee, older son Sawyer and Congratulations, Chris! younger son Foster. TOWNELAKER | May 2014

School & Sports

INSIDE THE MIND OF A MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT How have you changed this year?

Abby Cartwright

A lot of people change over a year; some get taller, nicer, or even get longer hair, but I think society changes just as much as people do. Our generation has changed more than we have individually. I think our age group is focused so much on either drama or school that they don’t have time to actually carry on lives. It has changed my point of view on next year, and I believe a lot more people than

just me feel the same way. If society changes at the same rate next year, it would not be good. I picture school as stressful and mentally hard, and if I have to stay up till one in the morning working and studying, and then get up at six, I don’t think that is healthy for me or for anyone else at this age. Also, kids can be cruel and mean by starting drama and rumors. When we have that much stress and anxiety, it’s not good for our mental and physical state. What I learned from this year is to have a hope that our society’s growth rate changes for next year.

As years go on, people change in many different ways. This school year has affected me more than ever. I learned that I am in middle school now so I am a little more responsible than I was in previous years. Another big thing that has changed in my life is sports. I was on the middle school basketball team this year, and it was a lot different than 5th and 6th grade. The kids were a whole lot bigger Brandan Harry and their talent definitely has grown a lot. I also feel like I am a little more mature, and my parents seem to trust me more. I may have more responsibilities, but I try not to complain. School might not be fun, but it sure does affect who you are in a good way. When you think of responsibilities you normally think of boring tasks like chores. And though they may not be fun, they are what change you as a person and they are beneficial for the long run. I am very happy about how much I have changed this year. I can tell the adult years are right around the corner!

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

I think I have changed dramatically over this school year. I am definitely taller and more mature than I was in sixth grade. I have become a better soccer player by far. I have also made many new friends throughout this year. Furthermore, I have had many big experiences that have changed my life. Some changes have been for the better and some for the worse. I like to think mostly about the ones for the better! And one of Tanner Schonberger those happened on my birthday. This year on my 13th birthday, my cousin had a baby. So now I have a second cousin. I didn’t know about him until two days after my birthday. His name is Ian, and he was born on March 17 2014. I was also born on March 17, but in 2001. I find that very interesting! When I was born, my mom got a shamrock blanket for me since it was St. Patrick’s Day, and now I don’t use it anymore, so we sent it to Ian so he can have it. I guess you can say we passed it down. I find it very cool knowing it will be put to good use again. It’s amazing how experiences can have an effect on you. In the end, I have indeed changed a lot this year and I am very happy about that. As I grow up, I’m sure I will continue to change even more.

Change is a part of life, especially at our age. We are changing from kids to young adults much to our parents’ dismay. It’s quite strange to look back to see how you’ve changed. However, when we do it, it helps us keep track of who we really are. This year, I have changed a lot. I have become a teenager, which I still find strange when telling people my age. I’ve also Gavin Collier discovered that I have very little free-time this year compared to years before. Between my hectic sports schedule and my ever evolving academic agenda, I’ve found very little time to do the things that I love to do such as hanging out with my friends. I also notice that this tight schedule has made me more stressed which leaves me not wanting to do all my school work and practices. However, even though many things have changed in my life, I believe I am still the same person inside that I was before.

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Cherokee Photography Club - Machines/Tools Digital Projection:

David Ferguson — “Color Coded”

Brenda Rehrig — “Artist’s Tools”

Jason Heib — “Green With Envy”

HM Edward Myers — “Two Old-Timers”

Monochromatic:

Naomi Shively — “Workshop Tools” 64

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Jim Kirk — “Harley”

Jay Minor — “Gear Up”

David Ferguson — “Waiting in the Shadows”

Martin Longstaff — “See-Saw”

Color Prints:

Edward Myers — “Kinetic Japan”

Jim Kirk — “Tied Down”

Club info: The Cherokee Photography Club meets on the fourth Monday of the month, and for those participating in the monthly contest, that meeting is held on the second Monday of the month. Both meetings are from 7-9 p.m. and held at the Cherokee County Arts Center, 94 North Street, Canton. For more information, please contact Kim Bates at (770) 617-7595 or email him at kbphotoart@comcast.net. David Ferguson — “Rusting Power Plant” TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Faith

Marriage Moments BY BILL RATLIFF

Have you ever revisited the place where you and your spouse first met? Recently, my wife and I were seeing family in Maryland and decided to check out our all- time favorite pizza place near the College Park campus where we first met. We drove down the road where it should have been. To our dismay it was not there, and the GPS did not give us another location. As Bill Ratliff is the Senior we drove, we ended up at the Pastor at Towne Lake entrance to our alma mater, Community Church. University of Maryland. We He can be reached at (678) 445-8766 or bratliff@ were disappointed with not tlcchurch.com finding our old pizza hangout, but excited to tour our campus. We drove all over the campus viewing the football stadium, the dairy, the basketball arena, the library, and the dormitories that we had lived in. We then headed to the other side of campus to see our fraternity and sorority houses. Amazingly, they both looked to be in good shape. I recalled becoming a follower of Christ on the front steps of my frat house and also meeting my wife for the first time at a dance marathon for cancer event hosted there. As we reminisced, we took a random turn down one street. Directly in front of us was a sign for Ledo’s Restaurant. At that moment, we had the confirmation of God thinking about us, because Ledo’s was that favorite pizza place we had set

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

“All too often, couples dwell on the negative. We all need to find ways to focus more on the positive things of our marriages.” out to find in the first place. We had an awesome lunch there and realized how much God had blessed us in the past continues to bless us in the present. Finally, we ended up a few miles down the road at the first church we attended together. We parked in the spot where I first prayed with my pastor about a call to full-time ministry. We were baptized at that church together as well. It was special to be able to reminisce and celebrate the beginning of our relationship. All too often, couples dwell on the negative. We all need to find ways to focus more on the positive things of our marriages. In Philippians 4:8, the Bible provides good advice regarding what our mental focus should be about. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.” Date Your Mate: Take your mate on a trip to the place where your relationship started. Enjoy a “back to the future” experience and share as best you can your memories of that place and time with one another.

Living the Bible by Honoring Parents BY DR. DOUG THRASHER

Dr. Doug Thrasher is the Senior Pastor at Hillside United Methodist Church. He is also a member of the TowneLaker’s Community Board. You may contact him at dthrasher@ hillsideumc.org.

“Honor your father and your mother so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12) This month, we celebrate Mother’s Day as well as the Festival of the Christian Home. So, it seems fitting to think about the Bible’s teaching to honor our parents. To honor someone is to give them respect. There are many ways that we show respect to our parents through the seasons of life. When we are children, we show respect by loving our parents and being obedient to them. I believe that parents should be in charge of their children when they are young. “Because I said so” is a perfectly good response to a child when he or she asks why, and they

always ask why. When we are obedient as children, we learn to trust and respect authority. When we are teenagers, we show respect by loving and being obedient to our parents. True, teenagers are given more freedom to make decisions for themselves, but they ultimately honor their parents by listening to them and following their lead. Once we leave home and are out on our own, we still show respect and honor for our parents as we stay involved with their lives. This happens in many ways: visiting, enjoying holidays, sharing the grandchildren, etc. While we no longer live with our parents, we still share life together. And then, when our parents age and approach death, we honor them by participating in their care. My dad died over 30 years ago. My mom is 93 and all of my brothers and sisters share helping her out. My wife’s dad has also passed away. Her mom is a dementia patient. She visits her mom regularly even though her mom no longer knows her. It’s all about love. Living the Bible really boils down to love. Jesus said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:12) My prayer for you is that you would know Christ’s love in your heart and that you would live His love.

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

D O W N T O W N W O O D S T O C K

Spotlight Local Artist Kristina Laurendi Havens has spent more than 18 months creating a series of paintings depicting everyday scenes around Main Street in Woodstock. The paintings consist of more than 30 pieces in total. The paintings will be auctioned with proceeds benefitting the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village to help fund the next phase of development for the theater and arts center in downtown Woodstock. To participate in the auction, follow Kristina on Facebook (facebook. com/Krystyna81) or email her to join her mailing list at 81artist@ comcast.net.

PAINTINGS BY KRISTINA LAURENDI HAVENS TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Downtown Woodstock

TrailFest 2014 On Saturday, May 3, Greenprints Alliance will hold the fifth annual Trailfest. The event will be held in downtown Woodstock on the Market Street and the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village event green. This date also marks the grand opening of the Towne to Creek and Noonday Creek Trail segments, which total approximately 1.5 miles of multi-use concrete trail. The dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s events will begin with a 5K sponsored by Natural Strides, 1-mile fun run, ribboncutting ceremony, live music, food, beer and community fun. To register for the run, please visit http://natural-strides. myshopify.com/products/greenprints-grand-opening-5k-1 or email info@naturalstrides.com. Live music will be from 2 to 8 p.m. on the event green, and there will be several food and beer vendors and outdoor recreational activities for participants. TrailFest is the single largest fund-raiser for Greenprints Alliance, a non-profit organization based in Woodstock, which has an annual public and private contribution goal of $100,000 to advocate for and fund green infrastructure projects as part of the Award-winning Greenprints Master Plan of trails, pathways and inter-connectivity around Woodstock. Admission is free, but donations to the organization are encouraged. For more information, please visit www.woodstocktrails.com.

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Downtown Woodstock

It Takes Practice BY KRISTINA LAURENDI HAVENS

Yoga is relatively new to me. I just started Kristina Laurendi Havens shares taking classes about an art studio with Ann Litrel Art in eight months ago in downtown Woodstock. Her current downtown Woodstock. series of paintings, depicting scenes At first, I could hardly from downtown Woodstock, will be on display at Dean’s Store during make it through class— Friday Night Live on May 2 from 6 to dripping with sweat in 9 p.m. The series will be auctioned the 100-degree room, off in September to benefit the Elm barely able to breathe, Street Cultural Arts Village. Please let alone hold my contact Kristina at 81artist@comcast. net for more information. forehead to my knee for an excruciatingly long time. For my personality, this was frustrating. I did Zumba, I did step aerobics, I kept up with two young busy children. Why couldn’t I hold a series of 26 poses on a cushy mat? Who do I talk to about this?! Where’s the manager?!? After a few weeks, I learned to let my expectations go. “It’s a PRACTICE” each instructor would say during class. It takes time. Listen to your body; what does it need today? Go there. Once I stopped being frustrated and started to enjoy the process—the practice—of doing yoga, I found the rewards far outweighed getting it perfect right away. There are many parallels in the practice of yoga and the practice of painting. For several, if not all, of the yoga poses, there is a big importance placed on the foundation of the pose. Your feet are rooted to the floor, giving you the strength to reach up even higher. Without a strong foundation, you cannot grow. This is a vital lesson in the art studio as well. Way too often, I have students racing ahead, trying to accomplish larger, more complex challenges in a painting before they have given themselves a strong foundation— understanding light and form, knowing how to mix colors, even how to use their brush. As a teacher, I need to help them slow

down, PRACTICE, and then they can attain higher achievements in their work because the foundations are there. One aspect of yoga that I really enjoy is the instructors and fellow students of the practice. This morning in class, while holding a particularly difficult pose, I was wishing and hoping that the instructor would free us and let us move on to the next step. At that moment, she said, “We are not human DO-ings, we are human BE-ings.” I loved that quote. So often, we are caught up in doing things—running errands, cleaning the house, playing chauffer to and from our kids’ schools and events—that we forget to BE. Be happy. Be content. Be angry. Be grateful. Be. I recently had the opportunity to paint portraits of two fellow yoga devotees. During both painting sessions, I found that both of these wonderful men had a sense of calm, a generosity of spirit, and a joy of life that emanated from their eyes. There was no rush; there was no fidgeting. I was so grateful for this time together, a brush in my hand, a gentle spirit sharing their lives with me for a few hours. The practice of yoga does not begin and end at the door of the yoga studio. Every day, I am reminding myself to breathe through the difficult moments. I try to appreciate each moment as perfect, and remember that nothing is permanent. And sometimes, I need to stop acting like a human doing, and become a human being.

PAINTINGS BY KRISTINA LAURENDI HAVENS

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

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Downtown Woodstock

Fresh Look for a Fresh Start BY JODI TIBERIO

Vikki Frost is a mother of two who is re-entering the workforce after a long stint as a stay-atJodi Tiberio owns Branches Boutique for home mom. Going back to work women in Towne Lake can be exciting, but it can also be and brooklynn’s boutique overwhelming and intimidating. for men and women in There is nothing like a makeover Downtown Woodstock. to empower and add confidence. Contact Jodi at info@ shopthreads.net. I have known Vikki for many years; she is a strong and wonderful person who has been a great friend. She has always been supportive of my businesses, so I was happy to help her get off to a strong start at her new job. I enlisted the help of Assistant Manager Jona Allen, who is a customer favorite at all of our stores. She really listens to people, and her familiarity with our merchandise makes it easy for her to make selections. We wanted to create a look that would be great for work or fun, so we started with spring’s best staple: linen pants. At only $29.99, the linen pants are an excellent value, and they come in lots of colors. The mushroom color is neutral and goes with everything. Finding tops to pair with them was easy and fun. Jona and Vikki decided on a top from Sylc Camisa that is colorful with a lot of interesting trim. This boutique line is known for creating unique and affordable pieces that leave people asking, “Where did you get that?” They finished the outfit with tan sandals with a heel to dress things up. Vikki left with her new ensemble and a couple more tops for mixing and matching. Her next stop led her to Tim Timmons and our friends at Salon Gloss to get her hair and makeup done. During the consultation, it became apparent that Vikki was up for just about anything. There were very few cuts or colors that she seemed uncomfortable with. With that in mind, Tim decided to give her a bold new look. Her hair was cut into a short angled bob with carved out bangs and face framed, revealing her beautiful bone structure. The cut was finished with a powerful copper red color that emphasized her skin tone and eye color. Her daring new image looked amazing and is on point with the latest trends for spring and summer. When she was done, Vikki texted to tell me that she felt like a super model. It was great to see my friend looking so happy and confident. I am glad Vikki was able to take time to spoil herself. She looks gorgeous, and said she felt amazing. She could not stop beaming, and she must have thanked me 100 times. I am the one who is thankful. I love that I can do things like this, making people happy and feeling good about themselves is one of the best parts of the job. As usual, Jona was a huge help. I am proud of my team and their genuine desire to help others. 74

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Downtown Woodstock

Inside the City of Woodstock â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Part Two Services and Revenue BY TESSA BASFORD

Revenue and services are complicated matters in any city. In Woodstock, there are many revenue sources and a myriad of services funded by those revenue sources. For most who live, work in or visit Woodstock, little thought is given to those services as they happen around us on a daily basis. We just have to look around to see that we get a big bang for our buck in Woodstock. Very broadly, the services provided and overseen by the City of Woodstock include but are not limited Tessa Basford is a member of the to; public safety services (police and Woodstock City Council, fire), public works (infrastructure, Ward 6. She can be roads, traffic engineering, buildings, contacted at tbasford@ grounds), community development woodstockga.gov. services (planning, zoning, permitting), economic development, parks and recreation (senior services, parks, recreational and cultural activities), storm water management, water and sewer services, administrative services (tax collection, human resources, information technology, finance) and city court. These services and the activities that go on in our city are funded by taxes on property, franchises, insurance premiums, alcohol beverages, sales including SPLOST, hotels/motels and other miscellaneous taxes, as well as development impact fees, corporate contributions, grants, a confiscated assets fund and a bit of interest

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

earned on what we have in the bank. In Woodstock, taxes are the majority revenue source in our budget each year. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, tax income was responsible for 59 percent of the total revenue for the city. Property taxes made up a large portion of this at 31 percent. Capital grants and contributions comprised 22 percent of the revenue and charges for services comprised 17 percent. An additional two percent was collected from other sources. Each funding source increases the services that we receive, but also comes with its own set of rules and regulations. In addition to fiscal resources and the council and staff that was covered last month, the city has many other groups and organizations that work diligently to make Woodstock great. The city has a planning commission and a parks and recreation advisory board that function as advisory bodies. There are numerous partnerships with other organizations that directly impact the city as well. These include, but are not limited to the Downtown Development Authority, Main Street, Elm Street, Green Reaps Opportunity for Woodstock (GROW), the Public Safety Foundation and the Greenprints Alliance. I think between last month and this, we have now covered the dry foundation so that the rest of our tax and service journey together should be a bit more exciting. Next month, we will tackle public safety. In addition, we will touch on a question I received from a reader this month. When is safe safe enough? If you have any comments or thoughts about this that you wish to share, please send them to me at tbasford@woodstockga.gov. Have a great month!

Downtown Woodstock Dining Guide RESTAURANT Canyons 335 Chambers St. 678-494-8868 canyonsburgercompany.com

CUISINE

BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

SUNDAY

SPIRITS

RESERV.

American

open

Beer/Wine

Century House Tavern 125 E Main St. 770-693-4552 centuryhousetavern.com

Modern American

$$$

open

Full bar

8 persons +

Fire Stone 120 Chambers St. 770-926-6778 firestonerestaurants.com

Wood-fired Pizza & Grill

$$$

open

Full bar

yes

Southern

Sat./Sun. Brunch

$$$

open

Full bar

American

open

Tapas/Sushi

Fri./Sat. only

open

Full bar

yes

Ipps Pastaria & Bar 8496 Main St. 770-517-7305 ippspastaria.com

Italian

open

Full bar

J Christophers 315 Chambers St. 770-592-5990 jchristophers.com

Diner

$-$$

$ - $$

open

J Miller’s Smokehouse 150 Towne Lake Pkwy. 770-592-8295 jmillerssmokehouse.com

BBQ

$ - $$

open

Beer

Magnolia Thomas 108 Arnold Mill Rd. 678-445-5789 magnoliathomas.com

Southern

Sunday Brunch

$$$$

open

Beer/Wine

yes

Pure Taqueria 441 Chambers St. 770-952-7873 puretaqueria.com/woodstock

Mexican

Sat./Sun. Brunch

open

Full bar

6 persons +

Seafood

$$-$$$

open

Full bar

n/a

English Tea room

closed

yes

Italian

$$$

closed

Full bar

yes

Freight Kitchen & Tap 251 E Main St. 770-924-0144 freightkitchen.com Hot Dog Heaven 8588 Main St. 770-591-5605 Ice Martini & Sushi Bar 380 Chambers St. 770-672-6334 icemartinibar.com

Reel Seafood 8670 Main St. 770-627-3006 Tea Leaves & Thyme 8990 Main St. 770-516-2609 tealeavesandthyme.com Vingenzo’s 105 E Main St. 770-924-9133 vingenzos.com

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

$ = most entrees under $10 • $$ = most entrees $10 - $15 • $$$ = most entrees $15 - $20 • $$$$ = most entrees over $20

Casual and Upscale Dine-In Restaurants

Downtown Woodstock

May

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Through Oct. 28

Woodstock Farmer’s Market Day/Time Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. – noon, Locations: Market Street between Mill and Maple streets. (parallel to Main Street) and Tuesdays 4:30 – 8 p.m., Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta Information: (770) 924-0406

May 2

Friday Night Live — Dos de Mayo Time: 6-9 p.m. Location: Downtown Woodstock Information: Be sure to bring your sombrero! For every $10 you spend at a downtown business during Friday Night Live, receive an entry into a drawing for $100 in Downtown Dollars. Bring receipts to Woodstock Visitors center to enter drawing.

May 3

TrailFest Time: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Location: Market Street and Elm Street Cultural Arts Village green Information: See page 70 for complete event details. www.woodstocktrails.com

May 3

May 16-17, 23-24

“Whose Line Is It Woodstock?” Times: 7:30 p.m. Location: City Center Auditorium, 8534 Main St. Information: Tickets $10 in advance. $12 at the door. (678) 4944251 or www.elmstreetarts.org.

May 17

Woodstock Spring Festival Time: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Location: Park at City Center Information: (770) 592-6000 ext. 1147 or www.woodstockga.gov/index.aspx?nid=484

May 26

Memorial Day Event Time: 10 a.m. Location: Park at City Center Information: Special service of remembrance. (770) 517-6788

May 31-June 1

Wing & Rock Fest Time: Saturday, noon-10 p.m., Sunday, noon-6 p.m. Location: Park at City Center Information: WingandRockFest.com

Mini Meatloaf Throwdown Time: 7 – 9 p.m. Location: Leaning Ladder Premium Olive Oils and Vinegars, 105 E. Main St. Information: Participants will make their own mini meatloaf and mashed potatoes. $30. www.leaningladderoliveoil.com.

May 7

Book Signing with Greg Iles, “Natchez Burning” Time: 6:30 p.m. Location: FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main St. Information: Free. Book purchase optional

May 10

Summer Concert Series — Joe Diffie Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Park at City Center, downtown Woodstock Information: Country music with opener “The Thomas Fountain Band.” Free. Food available from onsite vendors or bring a picnic. Alcohol not permitted. www.woodstockconcertseries.com.

May 13

Book Signing, Beth Hoffman, “Looking for Me” Time: 6:30 p.m. Location: FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 E. Main St. Information: Free. Book purchase optional. Event benefits Green Pet Rescue.

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

The May Downtown Buzz meeting will be held on Friday May 30 at 8 a.m. at the Chambers at City Center. The program will focus on Community Development. WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Two Men and a Truck Sips N Strokes Dive Georgia, LLC Reel Seafood Gold Swim Park Green Homes and Neighborhoods Eagle Business Credit, LLC Ground Floor Video

Experience Elm Street It’s All in the Details - or Not BY G. LORA GROOMS

I was trying to explain to someone recently what it takes to put on a full-scale stage production. I realized that it was just about impossible to list everything that must be done to make it all work well. (At least in a hallway conversation.) It makes me tired just thinking about it! Why can’t it be less complicated? Because it can’t. At least if you want to produce something fabulous. G. Lora Grooms is the Much like life. There is a long director for the Elm Street list of everything we must do to Cultural Arts Village. make it fabulous. She has been teaching, Or … maybe not ... writing, directing and Lots of us talk these days performing in the Atlanta area since 1990. You can about simplifying our lives, reach her at director@ eliminating the many activities elmstreetarts.org and even stuff we seem to crave more of all the time. Someone creates a new Xbox - gotta have it. Someone asks us to join a committee and, flattered, we do so. After all, if you want something done, ask a busy person, right? Even many children seem to be extremely busy with multiple activities that take up every minute after school till dinner, then bedtime. When do they ever get to just play? When I was a young ballerina and had frequent classes and rehearsals, I still had time to play with my friends and siblings —aybe because dance was my only after-school activity. (One of the good things about being from a large family - we were allowed only ONE thing to do after school.) Children need free time - big picture time - as much as adults do. I was walking on the Elm Street Event Green a few days ago, giving someone a tour, and there was a young father with his three-year-old daughter and a soccer ball. They weren’t playing with the ball. They were just sitting, talking and watching a bug crawl across the sidewalk. What a lovely moment. We need more of these lovely moments in our lives, and the only way to get them sometimes is to plan them. Set aside time to do ... well ... nothing. Because that’s just as important as the many exhausting “somethings” we face every day. So maybe, once in a while, let the details have a rest and enjoy the big picture. At least that’s what I’m going to try to do this spring!

CITY CENTER • WOODSTOCK

MAY

16, 17, 23, 24 Fri/Sat @ 7:30pm

Call or visit us on the web to learn about our

SUMMER CAMPS ELMSTREETARTS.ORG 678.494.4251 TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Downtown Woodstock

The Woodstock Farmers Market BY KYLE BENNETT

The Woodstock Farmers Market, presented by Hamilton State Bank, will return for its 6th season in May and run through the end of October with a new location and a second day. The Saturday market will be held downtown starting May 3 on Market Street between Mill and Maple Streets, adjacent to the Elm Street Arts Village lawn area. The hours will be 8:30 a.m. to noon. Kyle Bennett is the The 2014 season will feature director of tourism a Tuesday night market at the for the Woodstock Downtown Development Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta Authority. He can be beginning May 6. Market hours reached at kbennett@ will be 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. woodstockga.gov. The markets will include cooking demonstrations by chefs from downtownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s restaurants, and farm-related events presented by the Cherokee County Farm Bureau for children and adults. Look for a pie baking and eating contest, canning demonstrations, urban garden classes, and much more! The cooking demonstrations will offer a unique opportunity to learn from local chefs how to prepare dishes that feature the best locally grown produce. Farmers markets give residents the chance to purchase fresh, locally grown produce straight from the farm. Shopping at farmers markets also is a great way to show support for local farms and businesses. Customers can discover a variety

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

of produce and products that are often not seen at local grocery stores. Heirloom produce and specialty products found at the market can help you expand your food horizons. Vendors offer great advice on the best ways to prepare and serve what you purchase. We hope if you have not visited the Woodstock Farmers Market, you will make plans to join us this season. Once you visit, you will become a diehard fan! For more information, visit www.mainstreetwoodstock. org/Programs/FarmersMarket, call (770) 924-0406 or email kbennett@woodstockga.gov

Saturday & Sunday MAY 17  18, 2014 10 AM  5 PM IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN CANTON, GA EXIT 19 OFF I575

Artist Market Serenity Gardens Voted “Best Festival” in Cherokee Life Magazine (Jan/Feb 2014)

Children’s Experience Entertainment Wine & Beer Garden Free Parking Concessions

SPONSORS

SCHEDULES & INFORMATION

Canton Tourism, Inc. Grant Design Collaborative Cherokee Tribune Bank of North Georgia City of Canton, Georgia Waste Management Family Life Publications Canton Magazine Around About Local Media

770 704 6244 festival@cherokeearts.org “canton festival of the arts” on facebook www.cherokeearts.org

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4/14/14 4:17 PM

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

The Importance of Vaccinating Your Child continued from page 52

cough. Many babies died a couple of years ago in an outbreak of whooping cough in California; many of the babies caught the disease from unvaccinated parents, grandparents or caretakers. So what should we do? Vaccinate your children, yourselves and any caretakers! If you aren’t sure if you’ve had a second MMR vaccine, get another. The TdaP vaccine—which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis—is available at most adult offices; vaccinated adults can help cocoon your infants before they are old enough to be vaccinated. Vaccines have been proven again and again to not cause autism nor overwhelm a child’s immune system if given on the very effective and protective regular American Academy of Pediatrics schedule and should not be delayed or spaced out. Make sure your daycare requires vaccinations. The best defense is prevention. Help us keep these diseases away from your family and our community.

Guarding Against Identity Theft continued from page 16

hotspot with a name similar to the legitimate one. Inevitably, people will fall for the ruse, log on and get hacked. Look for the https and the padlock icon when you visit a website. Not just http, but https. When you see that added “s” at the start of the website address, you are looking at a website with active SSL encryption, and you want that. A padlock icon in the address bar confirms an active SSL connection. For really solid security when you browse, you could opt for a VPN (virtual private network) service which encrypts 100 percent of your browsing traffic; it may cost you $10 a month or even less. Make those passwords obscure. Choose passwords that are really esoteric, preferably with numbers as well as letters. Passwords that have a person, place and time (PatrickRussia1956) can be tougher to hack. Check your credit report. Remember, you are entitled to one free credit report per year from each of the big three agencies (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax). You could also monitor your credit score – Credit.com has a feature called Credit Report Card, which updates you on your credit score and the factors influencing it, such as payments and other behaviors. Don’t talk to strangers. Broadly speaking, that is very good advice in this era of identity theft. If you get a call or email from someone you don’t recognize – it could tell you that you’ve won a prize, it could claim to be someone from the county clerk’s office, a pension fund or a public utility – be skeptical. Financially, you could be doing yourself a great favor. Securities offered through 1st Global Capital Corp. Member FINRA, SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through 1st Global Advisors, Inc. Created by 1st Global or Peter Montoya, Inc. for use by our financial advisors.

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Cherokee Prices Up 34 Percent, Selling 27 Percent Faster continued from page 18

You’ll notice in the above chart that the number of homes that sold in the first quarter of this year is down 4.25 percent from the same period last year and the active inventory of homes on the market in Cherokee County is up almost 9 percent from the same period as well. We attribute much of this dip in sales to the unseasonably cold and wet weather we’ve had which in turn is contributing to the rise in active inventory at the end of March. This increase in active inventory can also be credited to the surge of newly constructed homes. The chart shows us that the number of newly constructed homes sold is up 22 percent while the number of resales sold is down 7.94 percent from a year ago. Newly constructed homes accounted for 15 percent of the total homes sold in the first quarter of this year. We expect this percentage to return to pre-crash levels of 20 to 25 percent of total sales. New home builders have been constrained by labor shortages and the time necessary to develop and permit new projects. With these constraints out of the way, newly constructed homes will be increasingly competitive with resales. With increased competition of new construction and signs that the market is moving away from a seller’s market, it doesn’t make sense to wait for a better time to sell.

How Does Smoking Affect Your Oral Health? continued from page 48

This can lead to the false impression that the gums are healthy, making it especially important to have regular dental exams. Smoking makes treatment of gum disease much more difficult, and less likely to succeed because smoking hinders your mouth’s ability to heal. The chemicals contained in tobacco are believed to reduce the oral tissue’s ability to fight disease and promote healing, possibly related to restricting the flow of blood to the gums. The American Cancer Society reports that about 90 percent of people with mouth cancer or throat cancer have used tobacco. Smokers are six times more likely than nonsmokers to develop these cancers. In recent years, American Academy of Periodontology researchers have begun to see a correlation between oral health and whole body health. There is likely a connection between poor oral health and infections and unfavorable medical conditions elsewhere in the body. Not only does smoking itself increase risk of cancer elsewhere in the body, but the periodontal disease resulting from smoking increases the risk of cancer elsewhere in the body as well. If you’d like to stop smoking consult your dentist or doctor, who may be able to prescribe medications to relieve the cravings. Support groups also can be found in area hospitals.

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Reference

TOWNE LAKE AREA COMMUNITY OF FAITH Baptist

Jewish

Crossroads Community Church 2317 Bascomb-Carmel Road, (770) 592-7007 Sunday Services: 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. Sunday Morning Bible Study: 9:30 a.m. Pastor: Bob Goodner

Chabad Jewish Center 14255 Wade Green Rd NW, Ste 120 Kennesaw, GA 30144, (678) 460-7702 Introductory Service: 1st Shabbat monthly at 11 a.m. Traditional Service: 3rd Shabbat monthly at 10:30 a.m. Rabbi: Zalman Charytan www.JewishWoodstock.com, www.Facebook.com/ JewishCenter

Crossroads Primitive Baptist Church 3100 Trickum Road, Woodstock, (770) 710-1068 Pastor: Elder Larry White www.crossroadspbc.org First Baptist Church of Woodstock 11905 Highway 92, (770) 926-4428 Sunday Services: 9:30 & 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. Pastor: Dr. Johnny M. Hunt www.fbcw.org Hillcrest Baptist Church 6069 Woodstock Road, Acworth, (770) 917-9100 Sunday Alive Groups & Worship Service: 9:30 & 11 a.m. Sunday Evening Worship Service: 6 p.m. Wednesday Services: Youth 6:30 p.m., Adults 7 p.m. Pastor: Mike Maxwell

Congregation Ner Tamid A Reform Jewish Temple (770) 345-8687, Marci, call for information Serving the Northwest Suburbs Temple Kehillat Chaim 1145 Green Street Roswell, GA 30075 (770) 641-8630 www.kehillatchaim.org Temple Kol Emeth 1415 Old Canton Road, Marietta, (770) 973-3533 www.Kolemeth.net

New Victoria Baptist Church 6659 Bells Ferry Road, (770) 926-8448 Sunday Services: 11 a.m Sunday Bible Study: 9:45 a.m. Wednesday Awana/Youth: 6:30 – 8 p.m. Pastor: John Harris www.newvicbaptist.org

Messianic Jewish

South Cherokee Baptist Church 7504 Highway 92, (770) 926-0422 Sunday Services: 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7 p.m. Pastor: Steven Lambert

Lutheran

Episcopal Christ Episcopal Church 1210 Wooten Lake Road, Kennesaw, (770) 422-9114 Sunday Services: 8 & 9 a.m. (family service) & 11 a.m. Sunday School: 9:15 a.m. Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. praise music, 7 p.m. Eucharist Rector: Doris Graf Smith Christ the Redeemer Charismatic Episcopal Church 411 Scott Mill Road, Canton, (770) 479-1778 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Morning Prayer: Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Rector: Kurt Wheeler Christ the Redeemer Charismatic Episcopal Church 6488 Hickory Flat Highway, Canton, (404) 395-5003 Saturday Service: 5:30 p.m. Priest: Stephen Hunter Saint Clement’s Episcopal Church 2795 Ridge Road, Canton, (770) 345-6722 Sunday Eucharist Services: 8, 9 & 11 a.m. Christian Education: 10 a.m. Wednesday Eucharist Service: 6:30 p.m. Rector: James B. Stutler

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Tikvah l’ Chaim “Hope for Life Ministries” 4206 North Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock, (678) 936-4125 Saturday Hebrew Literacy & Bible Study: 10 a.m. Saturday Shabbat Service: 11 a.m. Rabbi: Gary Maxted

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 1208 Rose Creek Drive (770) 924-7286, sheeptalk-gslc@comcast.net Sunday Services: 8, 9:30 & 11 a.m. Sunday School: 9:30 & 11 a.m. Thursday Youth Activities: 6:30 p.m. Pastors: Paul Baumgartner & Justin Ask www.gslutheran.org Timothy Lutheran Church (LC-MS) 556 Arnold Mill Road, (770) 928-2812 Sunday Services: 8:30 & 11 a.m. Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. Pastor: Stephen Constien

Orthodox St. Elizabeth Orthodox Church 2263 E. Cherokee Drive, Woodstock, (770) 485-0504 Sunday Divine Liturgy: 10 a.m. Priest Frederick Watson www.stelizabethga.org

Presbyterian Christ Covenant Presbyterian of Woodstock (PCA) Meets in the Rec Center of Cherokee County’s South Annex, 7545 Main Street; Bldg. 200, Woodstock Pastor: Ted Lester www.cc-pca.org

Geneva Orthodox Presbyterian Church

Meets at Hope Presbyterian Church 4101 Sandy Plains Rd., Marietta Sunday Services: 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Pastor: Matthew Holst www.genevaopc.org

Heritage Presbyterian Church 5323 Bells Ferry Road, (770) 926-3558 Sunday Services: 9 & 11:10 a.m. Sunday School: 10 a.m. Pastor: Dr. Sid Gunter www.heritagepres.com Sixes Presbyterian Church Meeting at our Fellowship Hall at 2335 Sixes Road, Canton, (770) 485-1975 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Dr. Lucas Pina www.sixeschurch.org Woodstock Presbyterian Church 345 Arnold Mill Road, (770) 926-0074 Adult Sunday School: 10 a.m. Traditional Worship Service: 9 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Don Esa

Roman Catholic St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church 490 Arnold Mill Road, (770) 516-0009 Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:30 p.m. Sunday Masses: 7:30, 9 & 11 a.m. & 12:45 & 5:30 p.m. Sunday Spanish Mass: 2:30 p.m. Pastor: Rev. Larry Niese www.saintmichaelcc.org Transfiguration Catholic Church 1815 Blackwell Rd. NE., Marietta, (770) 977-1442 Saturday Vigil Mass: 5 p.m. Sunday Masses: 8 & 10 a.m. & 12 noon Sunday Spanish Mass: 2 p.m. Pastor: Monsignor Patrick Bishop www.transfiguration.com

United Methodist Bascomb United Methodist Church 2295 Bascomb-Carmel Road, (770) 926-9755 Contemporary Service: 9 a.m. Traditional Service: 11 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Harden Hopper www.bascombchurch.org CITY ON A HILL United Methodist Church 7745 Main Street, (678) 445-3480 Sunday Service: 9:30 & 11:15 a.m. Pastor: Chris Bryant www.coahumc.org Hillside United Methodist Church 4474 Towne Lake Parkway, (770) 924-4777 Traditional Services: 8:25 & 11 a.m. Contemporary Services: 9:25 & 11 a.m. Sunday School: 9:30 & 11 a.m Pastor: Dr. Doug Thrasher www.hillsideumc.org

Liberty Hill Church at the Mill 141 Railroad Street, (678) 493-8920 Sunday Service: 11 a.m. Nursery available Pastor: Jamey Prickett www.libertyhillumc.org

Cherokee Seventh Day Adventist 101 Rope Mill Road, (770) 591-7304 Saturday Worship: 11 a.m. Sabbath School: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7:30 p.m. Pastor: Jonathan Williamson

Northern Hills Church of Christ 4563 Hickory Flat Highway, Canton (404) 579-0885 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Pastor: Ronny West www.northernhillsfamily.org

Little River United Methodist Church 12455 Highway 92, (770) 926-2495 Sunday Service: 11 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Bill Coady www.littleriverumc.info

Christian Praise Center 1358 Sixes Road, (770) 924-7532 www.christianpraisecenter.com

Prayer & Praise Christian Fellowship Church 6409 Bells Ferry Road, (770) 928-2795 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Christian Living Class: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Youth Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Pastor: Larry H. Baker www.prayerandpraise.org

Sixes United Methodist Church 8385 Bells Ferry Road, Canton, (770) 345-7644 Sunday Services: 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday School: 10 a.m. Pastor: Dr. Joe McKechnie www.sixesumc.org Woodstock United Methodist Church 109 Towne Lake Parkway, (770) 516-0371 Sunday School: 10 a.m. Worship Service: 11 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Claude T. Herbert

Unitarian Universalist Emerson U U Congregation 2799 Holly Springs Road, Marietta, Georgia 30062 (770) 578-1533 Services: 9 & 11:30 a.m. August – May www.emersonuu.org Rev. Jeff Jones

Other Churches Allen Temple, AME Church 232 N. Arnold Mill Road, (770) 926-6348 Prayer Time: Friday, 7:14 p.m. Sunday Services: 8 & 11 a.m. Sunday Church School: 9:45 a.m. Pastor: Carl A. Moore, Sr. www.allentempleame.org Awakening Church 180 Parkway 575, Suite 140 next to Folks Restaurant, (770) 924-4150 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. www.awakeningwoodstock.com Lead Pastor: Jeff Whitmire Bells Ferry Church of God 6718 Bells Ferry Road, (770) 592-2956 Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Service: 11 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7 p.m. Pastor: Ted Wooldridge www.bellsferry.com Branches of Christ 5946 Jacobs Road, Acworth, (770) 917-4964 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7 p.m. Pastor: Steve Pettit www.branchesofchrist.com BridgePointe Church 230 Arnold Mill Road, Suite 400, (770) 517-2977 Sunday Service: 9 & 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Mat Garcia www.bridgepointechurch.org Catalyst Church 9872 Main Street, Woodstock (678) 463-6330, catalystonline.tv Sunday Services: 11 a.m.

Church at North Gate 9876 Main Street, Suite 250 (behind NAPA) (678) 494-2193 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Program: 7:30 p.m. Pastor: Marc Lawson www.ngca.org Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Allatoona Ward, 2205 Bascomb-Carmel Road Sacrament Meeting: 9 a.m. Auxiliary Meeting: 10:20 a.m. Bishop Phil Karski

Woodstock Ward Spanish service: 9 a.m., English service: 1 pm. Bishop Phillip Hailstone Church of the Messiah (Non-denominational) 415 Charles Cox Drive, Canton, (770) 479-5280 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Pastor: Fred L. Goodwin Cornerstone Community Church 503 Hickory Ridge Trail, Suite 160 (678) 439-5108, dlkight@comcast.net Sunday Service: 11 a.m. Pastor David Kight www.ccchurchonline.org Dayspring Church 6835 Victory Drive, Acworth, (770) 516-5733 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Tony Crawford www.dayspring-online.com Empowerment Tabernacle Church 507 Industrial Drive, Woodstock, (770) 928-7478 Sunday Worship: 10 a.m. Pastor: A.D. Hinton www.EmpowermentTabernacle.com Faith Family Church 5744 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth, (770) 926-4560 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7 p.m. Pastor: Tommy White His Hands Church 550 Molly Lane, Woodstock, (770) 405-2500 Party on Sunday: 10 a.m. www.hishandschurch.com Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church 3431 Trickum Rd., Marietta, (770) 924-8080 Sunday Orthros: 8:30a.m., Divine Liturgy: 10 a.m. Rev. Fr. Panayiotis Papageorgiou, PhD Love Community Church 5598 Bells Ferry Rd., Acworth, (404) 663-1828 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Donna T. Lucas Momentum Church 110 Londonderry Court, Suite 130, Woodstock, on Hwy 92 — ½ mile east of Hwy 5 (678) 384-4919 Sunday Service Times: 9:30 & 11:15 a.m. Pastor: Ross Wiseman www.MomentumChurch.tv

Resurrection Anglican Church 231 Arnold Mill Road, (770) 591-0040 Holy Communion: Sunday 10 a.m. Christian Education (all ages): Sunday 9 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Gene Prince www.rezwoodstock.org Sovereign Grace 471 Arnold Mill Road, (678) 494-2100 Sunday Service: 9:30 a.m. www.sgcatlanta.org Sunnyside Church of God 2510 East Cherokee Drive, (770)-693-1018 Sunday service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Lance Turner www.sunnysidecog.com The Church at Acworth 6464 Highway 92, (770) 924-9161 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Jason Tomczak www.ctkatlanta.com Towne Lake Community Church (TLC Church) 132 North Medical Parkway, (678) 445-8766 Contemporary Family Style Worship: Sunday 10:30 a.m. The Walk — Adult Singles Worship: Saturday 6 p.m. Sr. Pastor: William S. Ratliff www.tlcchurch.com Watermarke Church Meeting at Cherokee Charter Academy 2126 Sixes Road, Canton, (678) 880-9092 Sunday Services: 9 & 11 a.m., 5 p.m. www.watermarkechurch.com Woodstock Christian Church 7700 Highway 92, (770) 926-8238 Sunday School: 9 a.m. Sunday Worship Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Lynn Eynon www.woodstockchristian.org Woodstock Church of Christ 219 Rope Mill Road, (770) 926-8838 Sunday Services: 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. Servico En Espanol Domingo: 10:30 a.m. Ministro: Rafael Uzcategui, (770) 926-8271 Pastor: Matt Amos www.woodstockchurchofchrist.org Woodstock Church of the Nazarene 874 Arnold Mill Road, (770) 924-4499 Sunday Services: 10:45 a.m. & 6 p.m. Pastor: Lewis Stark www.wcnga.com Woodstock Community Church 237 Rope Mill Road, (770) 926-8990 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Greg Michael TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Reference

TOWNE LAKE AREA CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS Business Organizations American Business Women’s Association, Cherokee Eagles Charter Chapter Meets Third Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Contact: Jacqueline Miller Van Hook, (678) 493-3618 Cherokee Area Business Connection Meets Every Wednesday at 7:15 a.m. Contact: Marci Zied, (770) 345-8687 Cherokee Financial Women International Contact: Mitzi Saxon, (770) 479-3400 Cherokee Toastmasters Meets Every Wednesday from 12 noon at 7745 Main Street, Woodstock Contact: Laury Beesley, (678) 642-3110 www.CherokeeToastmasters.com Empowered Women Through Synergy Meets 3rd Thursday at 8.30 a.m. at J Christopher’s in Downtown Woodstock Contact: Shahida Baig 678-445-3900 Facebook: Empowered Women Through Synergy No Fee Referral Network Woodstock Meets Every Monday morning at 7:30 am at IHOP 8979 Hwy 92, www.meetup.com/No-FeeReferral-Network-Woodstock North Georgia Referral Network Meets Every Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. at J. Christophers, 315 Chambers Street Contact: (770) 592-5990 The Joy of Connecting Networking for Women Meets Third Thursday at 6:45 p.m. Contact: Edeline Dryden (678) 789-6158 www.thejoyofconnecting.com Together We Rise Meets Second & Fourth Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. at Featherstone’s at Towne Lake Hills Contact: Pat Snipes, (404) 569-5280 Towne Lake Business Association Meets Third Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: (770) 615-3350, www.tlba.org Towne Lake PowerCore Team Meets Every Friday at 7:15 — 8:45 a.m. At Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: Marc Replogle, (770) 952-5000, X20 (404) 816-3377, www.powercore.net Women of Woodstock Meets First & Third Wednesday at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: info@womenofwoodstock.com www.womenofwoodstock.com Woodstock Community Business Association Meets Second Monday at 12 noon at Tuscany,

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

250 Cinema Way Contact: WCBusinessAssoc@aol.com

Charitable Organizations Ahimsa House help for victims of domestic violence who need help getting their pets to safety. Contact: 24-hr, (404) 452-6248, Info (404) 496-4038 www.ahimsahouse.org CASA for Children Inc. provides child advocacy to abused and neglected children through trained community volunteers. Contact: Deidre Hollands, (770) 345-3274 www.casaforchildren.org Chance Afrika Contact: Eric Mwangi, Exec. Dir., ericm@chanceafrika.org, (770) 256 2280, www.chanceafrika.org Cherokee Child Advocacy Council, Inc. Anna Crawford Children’s Center and Parents HELP 319 Lamar Haley Pkwy., Canton Contact: Amy Economopolous, (770) 592-9779 www.cherokeechildadvocates.org Cherokee County Animal League Contact: Steve Monahan at CherokeeAnimalLeague@gmail.org or (770) 712-4077 Cherokee County Humane Society (CCHS) Contact: (770) 928-5115 admin@cchumanesociety.org www.cchumanesociety.org CCHS Thrift Store 5900 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth, (770) 592-8072, accepts donations and sells used household items to raise money for CCHS. Companion Animal Connection Contact: (678) 493-9847 www.cacadopt.petfinder.com Everyday Angels offers financial assistance for local families in need. Email aaeverydayangels@ gmail.com Feed My Lambs, Inc. Contact: office@feedmylambs.net www.feedmylambs.net Funds 4 Furry Friends helps those in need with food, spay/neuter and medical for their pets. Contact: Gina Jeter, (770) 842-8893 www.funds4furryfriends.com Green Pets America Rescue animal rescue group (770) 712-4077, SteveMonahan777@gmail.com www.GPACharities.US Habitat for Humanity North Central Georgia

Contact: (770) 345-1024, www.habitat-ncg.org Hope Center offers support for unplanned pregnancy. Contact: (770) 924-0864, info@TheHopeCtr.com www.hopectr.com

Hospice Advantage needs volunteers. Contact: (770) 218-1997 www.hospiceadvantage.com iCOR helping orphans, seeks volunteers. Contact: Lily Colgate, (404) 992-8155 www.iCORorphans.com MUST Ministries Contact: Kendall Jones, (770) 479-5397

Next Step Ministries provides day programs Monday through Saturday for special needs kids, teens, and young adults. Contact: (770) 592-1227 www.nextstepministries.net Papa’s Pantry is a year-round local food ministry. Contact: Lynne Saunders, (770) 591-4730 www.papaspantry.org Pet Buddies Food Pantry has pet food collection bin at TowneLaker offices. www.petbuddiesfoodpantry.org Safe Kids Cherokee County — Call for an appointment for free child safety seat inspections. Contact: (770) 721-7808 www.cherokeesafekids.org Volunteer Aging Council, a non-profit that helps to raise funds for our seniors of Cherokee County. www.vac-cherokeega.org

Civic Organizations AARP Woodstock Chapter is for anyone 50+ Meets Second Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: Rich, (770) 926-1944 American Legion Post 316 Meets Third Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road Contact: Irma Martin, (678) 662-2366 Junior Service League of Woodstock Meets 3rd Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Tuscany Contact: 24 hour info line: (770) 592-3535 http://jslwoodstock.org Pilot Club of Cherokee County Contact: Lynda Goodwin, (770) 393-1766, Lynda@edgoodwinassociates.com Rotary Club of Towne Lake Meets Every Thursday at 12 noon (lunch)at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: Ivan Garcia (770) 926-0105

Rotary Club of Woodstock Meets Every Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. at IHOP on Highway 92 Contact: Gary Floyd, (404) 506-6878, glfloyd@southernco.com Sewrifics of Cherokee Meets Third Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Sixes United Methodist Church, Canton Contact: Sheri Torch, (770) 591-8335 South Cherokee Optimist Club Meets Every Friday at 7:30 a.m. at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: (770) 926-3522 Towne Lake Optimist Club Meets Every Friday at 7:30 a.m. at Eagle Watch Golf Club Contact: Charlice Byrd, (404) 557-2218

www.artsalliancega.org Blue Skies Laughter Club Meets Every Wednesday 7 — 8 p.m. at Northside-Cherokee Medical Offices 100 Stoneforest Dr., 1st floor conf. room Contact: Craig Whitley (404) 520-0221 www.addlaughter.com Cherokee Amateur Radio Society Meets Second Saturday at 10 a.m. at William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road www.cherokeehams.com Cherokee County Arts Center At 94 North Street, Canton Contact: (770) 704-6244 www.CherokeeArts.org Cherokee County Saddle Club www.cherokeesaddleclub.com

Woodstock Jaycees Meets First Tuesday & Third Thursday at 7 p.m. at 216 Rope Mill Road Contact: (404) 690-4452

Cherokee Co. Social Adventures Group www.TCCSAG.org

Woodstock Lions Club Meets Second & Fourth Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Contact: (770) 906-2958

Cherokee Music Teachers Association Contact: Linda Lokey (770) 720-1701 www.cherokeemta.org

Woodstock Masons Lodge #246 F. & A.M., Inc. Meets Second & Fourth Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. at Corner of Air Acres Way & Arnold Mill Rd. Contact: lodge.info@woodstocklodge246.org Woodstock Midday Optimist Club Meets Every Wednesday at 12 noon at Folks Contact: Johnny Young, (770) 345-6158 Woodstock VFW Post 10683 Meets Second Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Woodstock Senior Center Contact: Andrew Yrabedra, (404) 663-4663

Political Organizations Cherokee County Democrat Party Meets Second Thursday at 7 p.m. at Holly Springs Train Depot www.cherokeedems.com Cherokee County Republican Party Meets Second Saturday at 9 a.m. at Winchesters Woodfire Grill Contact: (678) 809-1411 Cherokee Tea Party Patriots Contact: Conrad Quagliaroli (770)592-6545 Republican Women of Cherokee County www.rwccga.com Contact: (678) 520-2236

Recreation & Hobbies Arts Alliance of Georgia, Inc. Meets Second Saturday at 10 a.m. at Studio 101, 101 Emma Lane,

Cherokee Hockey In Line League (CHILL) roller hockey, www.cherokeehockey.org

Cherokee Youth Lacrosse Association www.cherokeelacrosse.com Crossfit WOD Club Meets Daily for the “Work Out of the Day” Contact: www.crossfitgarage.com Les Marmitons is for men interested in culinary arts. Meets Third Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Chattahoochee Tech Contact: Larry Lodisio, (770) 516-5197 Neighbors & Newcomers of Towne Lake Contact: Ellen Kayton, (678) 494-6005 www.nntl.org Wildlife Action, Inc. is a conservation organization, 2075 Kellogg Creek Contact: WLA Office, (770) 924-7464 www.wildlifeactiongeorgia.com

Support Organizations Adoption/Infertility Support Group Meets First Wednesday at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Woodstock Contact: Cindy Braddock, (678) 445-3131 Autism Parent Support Group Meets Second Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Cherokee County Community Service Center, BridgeMill Fire Station, Canton Contact: Sharon Jones, (770) 345-6551 Breast Cancer Support Group Meets First Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. — 12 noon at Northside Hospital — Cherokee, Diabetes Classroom, Educational Center, Contact: (404) 843-1880

Canadian Women’s Club Contact: Lesley Frappier, cwcatlanta@yahoo.com Canton-Cherokee TRIAD/S.A.L.T. (Seniors & Law Enforcement Together) Meets Second Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at G.Cecil Pruitt YMCA in Canton (Hall of Fame Room) Dale Walz (404) 375-8193 Cherokee County Family Child Care Association Contact: Brenda Bowen, (770) 926-8055 Cherokee Co. Foster & Adoptive Parents Assoc. Contact: Marie Blackwell, (770) 378-0759, mblackwell@fosteroradopt.org www.fosteroradopt.org Cherokee County Lupus Support Group Meets 2nd Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at New Light Church Hall Contact: Pam Bennett, (404) 975-7580 C.H.O.O.S.E. of Woodstock Meets First Monday at 7 p.m. Contact: mailbox@chooseofwoodstockga.org Diabetes Support Group Meets 3rd Tuesday at 9:30 & 11 a.m. at Emeritus Assisted Living, 756 Neese Rd., Woodstock Linda Watson, (770) 793-7818. Georgia Canines for Independence www.gcidogs.org, Contact: (404) 824-4637 GRANDparents Raising GRANDchildren Meets Second & Fourth Tuesday at 7 p.m. (nursery available)at Transfiguration Catholic Church, Marietta Contact: Jeannie, (770) 919-9275 Jewish Havurah Contact: Marcia, (770) 345-8687 La Leche League of South Cherokee Meets First Tuesday at 10 a.m. & Third Wed. 7 p.m. at Bascomb UMC Contacts: Marguerite, (678) 315-7686 Megan, (770) 517-0191 MOMS Club Towne Lake — 30188-30189 https://sites.google.com/site/ momscluboftownelakewoodstock/ Email: momscluboftownelake@gmail.com MOPS — Mothers of Preschoolers (birth — K) Meets Second & Fourth Mondays at 9:30 a.m. at Hillside UMC, 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy Contact: (770) 924-4777 Spirit of Success Career Clothing Connection Provides professional business attire at no cost. Contact: (770) 956-0711. Tender Hearts Caregivers Support Group Meets Second & Fourth Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Hillside United Methodist Church Contact: Robin Galloway, (770) 517-5899 Towne Lake Area Moms Group www.TowneLakeArea.com Unlimited Possibilities, support group for stroke and brain injury survivors Meets First Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. at Kennestone Outpatient Rehab Center Contact: Kelly (678) 677-2589 TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Reference

ELECTED & APPOINTED OFFICIALS United States Government President Barack Obama (D)

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20500 www.whitehouse.gov

Senator Saxby Chambliss (R)

100 Galleria Parkway, Suite 1340, Atlanta, GA 30339 http://chambliss.senate.gov

Senator Johnny Isakson (R)

1 Overton Park, Suite 970 3625 Cumberland Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30339 http://isakson.senate.gov

(202) 456-1414 fax: (202) 456-2461 (202) 224-3521 GA: (770) 763-9090 (202) 224-3643 GA: (770) 661-0999

(202) 225-4501 GA: (770) 565-4990

Rep. Rob Woodall (R) District 7

(202) 225-4272 GA: (770) 232-3005

75 Langley Dr., Lawrenceville, GA 30046 http://woodall.house.gov

Rep. Phil Gingrey, M.D. (R) District 11

100 North Street Suite 150, Canton, GA 30114 http://gingrey.house.gov

Sen. Bruce Thompson (R) District 14

(770) 546-7565

Sen. Brandon Beach (R) District 21 brandon.beach@senate.ga.gov

(404) 463-1378

jack.murphy@senate.ga.gov

Rep. Michael Caldwell (R) District 20

michael@CaldwellforHouse.com

Rep. Scot Turner (R) District 21

scot@turnerforhouse.com

Rep. Sam Moore (R) District 22

(770) 887-1960 fax: (770) 205-0602 (678) 523-8570 (678) 576-2644 (404) 656-0220

State Court: Chief Judge Clyde J. Gober, Jr.

Judge W. Alan Jordan Judge A. Dee Morris

(678) 493-6270 (678) 493-6260 (678) 493-6240 (678) 493-6480 (678) 493-6490 (678) 493-6480 (678) 493-6431 (678) 493-6431

Probate Court: (678) 493-6160

Juvenile Court: Chief Judge John B. Sumner Judge Anthony Baker

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

(678) 493-6000 fax: (678) 493-6001

Commissioners: L.R. “Buzz” Ahrens (R) Chairman

lbahrens@cherokeega.com

Harry Johnston (R) District 1 Ray Gunnin (R) District 2 rgunnin@cherokeega.com bpoole@cherokeega.com

Jason Nelms (R) District 4 Cherokee County Coroner Earl W. Darby Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Roger Garrison (R)

(770) 735-8055 www.cherokeega-sheriff.org (678) 493-4100 fax: (678) 493-4228

498 Chattin Drive Canton, GA 30115 rdgarrison@cherokeega.com

Cherokee County Tax Commissioner Sonya Little

(678) 493-6400 fax: (678) 493-6420

2780 Marietta Highway, Canton, GA 30114 slittle@cherokeega.com Woodstock Annex 155 Towne Lake Pkwy, Woodstock, GA 30188

Cherokee County School Board Superintendent, Dr. Frank Petruzielo

(770) 924-4099 www.cherokee.k12.ga.us

221 West Main St., Canton, GA 30114 drp@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Kelly Marlow (R) District 1

(770) 479-1871 fax: (770) 479-1236 (770) 721-6298 x4369

kelly.marlow@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Patsy Jordan (R) District 2

(770) 893-2970

(678) 493-6250 (678) 493-6280

(404) 462-4950

michael.geist@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Janet Read (R) Chair

(770) 516-1444

janet.read@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Rick Steiner (R) District 4

Judge Keith Wood (R)

1130 Bluffs Pkwy., Canton, GA 30114

Michael Geist (R) District 3

Magistrate Court: Chief Judge James E. Drane III (R) Judge Gregory Douds

www.cherokeega.com

patsy.jordan@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Cherokee County Courts Superior Court: Chief Judge David Cannon Jr. Judge Jackson Harris Judge Ellen McElyea

Cherokee County Board of Commissioners

jnelms@cherokeega.com (202) 225-2931 GA: (770) 345-2931

(404) 652-7003 203 State Capitol, 206 Washington St. Atlanta, GA 30334 www.gov.georgia.gov

Sen. Jack Murphy (R) District 27

(678) 493-6511

Brian Poole (R) District 3

State Government Governor Nathan Deal (R)

(770) 479-1488

hjohnston@cherokeega.com

Rep. Tom Price (R) District 6

85-C Mill St., Suite 300 Roswell, GA 30075 http://tom.house.gov

District Attorney Shannon Wallace Clerk of Courts Patty Baker

(770) 721-4398, x4370

rick.steiner@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Rob Usher (R) District 5

(770) 928-0341

rob.usher@cherokee.k12.ga.us

Robert Wofford (R) District 6 (Vice-Chair) robert.wofford@cherokee.k12.ga.us City of Woodstock Mayor Donnie Henriques

dhenriques@progressiveaudiology.com

(770) 345-6256

(770) 592-6017

Towne Lake Residential and Commercial Owners’ Association

(Covenant enforcement issues — all Towne Lake common areas) Douglas Properties (770) 926-3086 117 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, GA 30188

SCHOOL INFORMATION Public Schools Ace 3921 Holly Springs Parkway, Holly Springs (770) 345-2005 Principal: Mr. Richard Landolt www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ aceacademy Bascomb Elementary School 1335 Wyngate Parkway, Woodstock (770) 592-1091 Principal: Ruth Flowers www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ bascomb-es Carmel Elementary School 2275 Bascomb-Carmel Road, Woodstock (770) 926-1237 Principal: Keith Bryant www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ carmel-es Cherokee Charter Academy 2126 Sixes Road, Canton (678) 385-7322 Principal: Dr. Scott Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Prey cherokeecharter.org E. T. Booth Middle School 6550 Putnam Ford Road, Woodstock (770) 926-5707 Principal: Dawn Weinbaum www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ etbooth-ms Etowah High School 6565 Putnam Ford Road, Woodstock (770) 926-4411 Principal: Keith Ball www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ etowah-hs Kleven Boston Elementary School 105 Othello Drive, Woodstock (770) 924-6260 Principal: Ms. Joey Moss www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/boston-es Oak Grove Elementary School 6118 Woodstock Road, Acworth (770) 974-6682 Principal: Les Conley www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/oakgrove-es Polaris Evening School 2010 Towne Lake Hills South Drive, Woodstock (770) 926-1662 Administrator: Dr. Curt Ashley www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/polaris Woodstock Elementary School 230 Rope Mil Road, Woodstock

(770) 926-6969 Principal: Kim Montalbano www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/woodstock-es Woodstock High School 2010 Towne Lake Hills South Drive Woodstock, (770) 592-3500 Principal: Dr. Paul Weir www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/woodstock-hs Woodstock Middle School 2000 Towne Lake Hills South Drive Woodstock (770) 592-3516 Principal: Mark Smith www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/woodstock-ms

Private Schools Cherokee Christian Academy and Cherokee Christian High School 3075 Trickum Road, Woodstock (678) 494-5464, www.cherokeechristian.org Middle & High School Principal: Richard Goff Elementary School: Robert Lester Cornerstone Preparatory Academy 4310 Moon Station Lane, Acworth (770) 529-7077 Administrator: Jeanne Borders www.cornerstoneprep.org

Furtah Preparatory School 5496 Highway 92, Acworth (678) 574-6488, www.furtahprep.org Headmaster: Fred Furtah Harvest Baptist School 3460 Kellogg Creek Road, Acworth Principal: Jamie Smithey (770) 974-9091 www.harvestbaptist.org Holdheide Education K-3 5234 Old Highway 5, Woodstock Principal: Tammy Dorsten (770) 516-2292, www.MyGiftedKids.org

Northside Christian Academy 303 Hickory Ridge Trail, Suite 180 Woodstock, GA 30102 (770) 334-0648 Principal: Jill Trout http://nca4hope.com

Omega Academy (770) 792-7431 www.omegalearningcenter.com Shiloh Hills Christian School 260 Hawkins Store Road, Kennesaw (770) 926-7729 Administrator: John D. Ward www.shilohhills.com St. Joseph Catholic School 81 Lacy Street, Marietta, (770) 428-3328 Principal: Patricia Allen www.stjosephschool.org

Home School Compass Prep Academy Director: Laura George www.compassprep.org info@compassprep.org (404) 643-9424 Homeschool Community Classical Conversations Woodstock Director: Cari Lingerfelt carinwoody@bellsouth.net

Cherokee County School District Calendar at a Glance May 26 No School May 29 Last Day of School August 4 First Day of School

Lyndon Academy 485 Toonigh Rd., Woodstock (770) 926-0166 Headmaster: Linda Murdock www.lyndonacademy.org

Cafeteria account information: www.mypaymentsplus.com

North Cobb Christian School 4500 Lakeview Drive, Kennesaw (770) 975-0252 Headmaster: Todd Clingman www.ncchristian.org

School District Website: www.cherokee.k12.ga.us

Aspen: https://sis.cherokee.k12. ga.us/aspen/home.do

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Reference

TOWNE LAKE AREA HOMES SOLD IN MARCH

Towne Lake Sales for March 2014 List Price $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

100,000 186,980 155,000 175,000 190,000 249,900 285,000 354,900 189,900 170,000 205,000 219,900 235,000 245,000 249,900 159,900 139,900 175,900 129,900 194,900 185,000 169,900

$ 172,500 $ 220,445 $ 139,900 $ 139,840 $ 119,900 $ 299,500 $ 142,000 $ 234,900 $ 250,000 $ 250,165 $ 176,900 $ 1,590,000 $ 421,464 $ 320,000 $ 440,000 $ 209,900 $ 121,500 $ 175,000 $ 250,000 $ 269,900 $ 569,900 $ 173,405 $ 270,000 $

251,644

Days on Market 1124 Britley Park LN Britley Park 2 2.5 1995 34 201 Whirlaway CV Brookshire 3 2 2002 110 201 Julia Lynn LN Cameron Creek 3 2 2004 149 3042 Lexington AVE Centennial Place 4 3 1997 74 175 W Putnam Ferry RD Cherokee Hills 4 3 1979 23 8006 Ridge VLY Deer Run 4 2.5 1996 67 4154 DREAM CATCHER DR Deer Run 4 3.5 1997 17 211 Wolf Dancer CT Deer Run 4 3.5 1999 44 701 RISING WAY Eagle Glen 4 3 1996 3 1634 Eagle DR Eagle View 4 2.5 1998 16 4000 Bent Willow LN Eagle Watch 4 3.5 1989 81 3309 ROUGH CREEK DR Eagle Watch 4 2.5 1989 210 428 Woodruff XING Eagle Watch 4 2.5 1989 63 1029 FAIRWAY VALLEY DR Eagle Watch 5 3 1993 131 429 Woodruff XING Eagle Watch 5 4 1989 125 5767 E EMERALD OAKS LN East Emerald Oaks 4 2 1992 51 2114 Etowah Valley DR Etowah Valley Estates 4 3 1994 24 323 Etowah Valley TRCE Etowah Valley Estates 4 3 1993 2 115 Golden Hills DR Golden Hills 4 3 1976 2 119 Williamsburg LN Independence Walk 4 3 1985 111 341 Mirramont CT Mirramont 4 3 2001 18 117 Linton ST None 4 3 1973 2 See all the photos and details of these sold listings at http://TLMAR2014.HomeSalesData.info 439 Christina WAY Owl Creek Landing 4 3 1997 77 332 Parc XING Parc at Kellogg Creek 4 2.5 2013 93 184 Stoneforest Parkview At Townelake 2 2 1998 2 152 Stoneforest DR Parkview At Townelake 3 2 1997 52 507 Windward WAY Port Victoria 3 2.5 1987 127 302 Providence PT Providence Place 4 3.5 2013 154 308 Rose Creek WAY Rose Creek 3 2 1990 3 428 Windsong WAY Serenade 5 2.5 2002 3 306 Windsong WAY Serenade 5 3 2001 142 616 Stone Hill DR Stoney Creek 4 2.5 2013 55 1042 Atherton LN Sturbridge 3 2.5 1987 118 1081 Olde Towne LN The Estates At Towne Lake 9 9 2000 152 531 Rocking Porch WAY The Village at Towne Lake 3 2.5 2014 0 3024 Ironhill WAY Towne Lake Hills 4 3.5 1995 16 1057 Towne Lake HLS E Towne Lake Hills East 4 4.5 1994 208 410 Township LN Township Place 3 2 1997 4 1929 Brittania CIR Village At Cobblestone 2 2 1990 5 106 Sable Valley DR Waterford Oaks 3 2 2009 16 1575 Pine Creek WAY Willow Creek 5 2.5 1986 17 215 Abernathy WAY Woodland Trace 4 3 2013 243 179 Hubbard RD Woodstock Downtown 5 4.5 2013 137 453 Village View Woodstock Village 3 2.5 2013 24 302 Blue Ridge TRCE Wyngate 4 2.5.5 1994 12 Address

AVERAGES IN MARCH 2014

Subdivision

Beds

Baths

Yr Built

We are still in a seller's market but the number of homes sold in March is down 36% compared to 2013. Get your home on the market now while the supply is still low!

67.04

Sales Price

$$/sq ft

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

88,000 181,500 154,000 163,000 170,000 235,000 280,000 313,000 186,400 166,000 194,000 205,000 229,382 233,500 245,000 170,000 140,000 175,900 133,500 185,000 183,000 160,000

$ 79 $ 106 No data $ 69 $ 64 $ 87 $ 75 $ 89 No data $ 101 $ 69 $ 70 $ 79 $ 85 No data $ 113 $ 44 $ 76 $ 68 $ 85 $ 74 $ 93

$ 170,000 $ 210,000 $ 135,000 $ 138,540 $ 112,000 $ 303,278 $ 142,000 $ 234,900 $ 249,000 $ 246,925 $ 173,500 $ 1,475,000 $ 421,464 $ 312,000 $ 412,000 $ 205,900 $ 121,500 $ 171,500 $ 253,000 $ 267,500 $ 586,823 $ 173,405 $ 268,000

$ 96 $ 75 $ 108 $ 159 $ 62 No data $ 102 $ 85 $ 93 $ 87 $ 92 $ 117 No data No data $ 77 $ 123 $ 133 $ 96 No data $ 95 $ 183 $ 99 $ 89

243,876

Data compiled by the Kurt & Sheila Team / Keller Williams Realty Partners / www.KurtandSheilaTeam.com Sales Data derived from the FMLS (Area covered by Townelaker)

Happy Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day! 90

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

CLASSIFIEDS CLEANING SERVICES

GARAGE SALE

PET SITTING

Southlands Neighborhood Garage Sale. May 17, 2014, 8 a.m. -2 p.m. (off Wiley Bridge Road)

Pet Sitting & Dog Walking by Carter, 8 years experience, references. Call or text: 770-8765419

The Cleaning Dame Weekly or biweekly housecleaning, 25 years experience. Excellent references. Karen 770-366-8399 http://www. thecleaningdame.com.

Towne Lake Hills South Community Garage Sale May 2 & 3, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Dynamic Clean Team. Let us put a *SPARKLE* in your home! Weekly or Bi-weekly cleaning. Also move-in and move-outs! 10% off 1st service. Pet friendly, references available. CALL TODAY Melissa Jones, 404-414-7743.

Nick’s Lawn Care. 3 years experience, residential and small commercial. Free estimates. NO CONTRACT. Pay at the end of each completed month. Licensed, references, Towne Lake resident, Nick Mueller, 770-364-9921.

Penny Clean “One Woman Show” moving and deep cleaning available on weekends. Over 25 years experience, reasonable rates. Licensed, bonded and insured. Free estimates. 678-4943602.

Quality lawn care and maintenance program for residential and commercial accounts licensed and insured. Call for your free estimate. Satisfaction guaranteed. Bob Dagosta 770-3305511.

FOR RENT

Local college student available for lawn care. Dependable and reasonable. Call Austin Biggers at (404) 323-4530.

Small Basement Apartment, utilities included, walking distance to Lake. $500. 770-516-6633.

GARAGE SALE Hearthstone Community Yard Sale. Located off Bascomb Carmel Rd. May 2-3, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

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Speech Language Therapy, PreschoolElementary. 30+ years, references available. Nena McSween, 770-712-8647.

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Reference

COMMUNITY INFORMATION Emergency — 911 • TowneLaker • (770) 516-7105 Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce (770) 345-0400 Cherokee County Government:

Animal Shelter (770) 345-7270 Business Licenses (770) 721-7810 Clean & Beautiful Commission (770) 517-7650 Commissioners (678) 493-6000 Courthouse (770) 479-1953 Engineering Office (Traffic Signals) (678) 493-6077 Extension Office (770) 479-0418 Jury Phone (770) 479-9011 Justice Center (Courts, Judges, etc.) (770) 479-1953 Planning & Zoning (678) 493-6101 Senior Services (770) 345-5312 Tax Assessors/Evaluation (678) 493-6120

Taxes:

License Plates/Tags, Property Tax (678) 493-6400 Woodstock Office (770) 924-4099 Voter Registration (770) 479-0407

Children/Family:

Anna Crawford Children’s Center (770) 345-8100 Bethesda Community Clinic (678) 880-9654 Cherokee County Boys & Girls Club (770) 720-7712 Cherokee Family Violence Center (770) 479-1804 Cherokee Focus (770) 345-5483 Child Support Enforcement (770) 720-3581 Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) www.casacherokee.org (770) 345-3274 Department of Family & Children Services (770) 720-3610 The Hope Center (770) 924-0864 MUST Cherokee Ministries (770) 479-5397 Papa’s Pantry (770) 591-4730

Driver’s Licenses (Tues — Sat) (678) 413-8400 Fire Department (District 1, Station 20) (770) 926-7155 Georgia State Patrol (770) 205-5400 Health Department (770) 345-7371 Hospitals:

Kennestone Hospital (770) 793-5000 North Fulton Hospital (770) 751-2500 Northside Hospital — Cherokee (770) 720-5100

Hotlines — 24 Hour Help Lines:

Battered Women Hotline (770) 479-1703 Drug Tip Line (Cherokee Co. Sheriff) (770) 345-7920 Poison Control Center — Atlanta (404) 616-9000 Outside Metro Atlanta (800) 222-1222 Probate Court Information Line (770) 704-2610 Sexual Assault & Family Violence Center (770) 428-2666

Libraries:

www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org Rose Creek (770) 591-1491 R.T. Jones (770) 479-3090 Woodstock (770) 926-5859

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Non-Emergency 911 (770) 479-3117 Parks and Recreation:

BridgeMill Athletic Club (770) 345-5500 Cherokee County Outdoor YMCA (770) 591-5820 Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency (770) 924-7768 www.crpa.net Cherokee Soccer Association (770) 704-0187 www.cherokeesoccer.com Eagle Watch Golf Club (770) 591-1000 Hobgood Park (770) 924-7865 North Atlanta Soccer Assoc. (770) 926-4175 www.nasa-ga.org SCRA Park (770) 926-5672 Towne Lake Hills Golf Club (770) 592-9969 Wildlife Action, Inc. (800) 753-2264

Pets:

Animal Control (678) 493-6200 CatSnip (low cost spay & neuter) www.atlantaanimalalliance.com Cherokee County Animal Shelter — Adoptions (770) 345-7270 www.cherokeega-animals.org Cherokee County Humane Society (770) 928-5115 www.cchumanesociety.org Emergency Veterinary Clinic (770) 924-3720 Funds4Furry Friends (770) 842-8893 Lost Pets Go to www.townelaker.com. click on lost and found pet button to report missing pet Pet Buddies Food Pantry www. petbuddiesfoodpantry.org SPARE (Sterilizing Pets And Reducing Euthanasia) (770) 928-5120 Second Chance Dog Rescue www.secondchancedogs.org

Post Office (Woodstock)

www.usps.com (800) 275-8777

Recycling Center (770) 516-4195 Sheriff’s Department (678) 493-4100 www.cherokeega-sheriff.org Georgia Sex Offender Registry www.cherokeega-sheriff.org/offender/offender.htm

Utilities:

Atlanta Gas Light Co. (770) 907-4231 www.aglc.com AT&T (404) 780-2355 www.bellsouth.com Cherokee Water & Sewerage Authority (770) 479-1813 Comcast (770) 926-0334 Cobb EMC (770) 429-2100 www.cobbemc.com Georgia Power www.georgiapower.com

Urgent Care Facility

American Family Care, 6440 Bells Ferry Rd., Woodstock (770) 200-1220 Northside Cherokee Urgent Care, 900 Towne Lake Pkwy (404) 851-6577 SHEFA Urgent Care 2000 Village Professional Dr. #110, Canton (678) 661-3166 Wellstar Urgent Care (678) 494-2500

Woodstock, City of:

(in Towne Lake, only applies to Avonlea, Deer Run,

ParkView, Paces and certain annexed commercial parcels) . www.woodstockga.gov City Hall (770) 592-6000 Fire Department (770) 926-2302 Police Information (770) 592-6030

TOWNELAKER DISTRIBUTION MAP Our purpose: At AroundAbout Local Media, we believe the world functions at the community level: diverse groups of people living in close proximity; sharing commonality of culture, values and local pride; developing safety nets for those in need; and helping each other to live richer lives. It is our heartfelt desire to contribute to the fabric that helps make a community happen. Through our magazines, we aim to provide everyone in the communities we serve with uplifting, interesting information about the community they are proud to call home. We encourage you to send us your photos, ideas, stories or anything else you think the community would like to know about. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your community. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your magazine.

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TOWNELAKER | May 2014

ADVERTISERS DIRECTORY

For advertising rates and information please contact Patty Ponder, 770.615.3322 • patty@townelaker.com ATTORNEYS/LEGAL SERVICES Debranski & Associates, LLC (770) 926-1957, ext 306 321 Creekstone Ridge

The Sundance Massage Center (678) 591-5066 www.SundanceMassageCenter.com

BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS

Hartman Imbriale Attorneys 73 (678) 445-7423, www.hartman-imbriale.com 145 Towne Lake Pkwy., Suite 200 Kathleen J. McGillick, Family Law Attorney 43 (770) 591-5956, www.kathleenmcgillick.com

AUTOMOTIVE

78 30

Towne Lake Family Dentist Inside Back Cover (770) 591-7929, www.RayMorganDMD.com 120 N. Medical Pkwy, Building 200, Suite 100

CASA www.casacherokee.org

Papa’s Pantry www.papaspantry.org

Werner Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock 35 (678) 224-5722 www.ChildrensDentistWoodstock.com 250 Parkbrooke Place Suite 250, Woodstock

Williams Orthodontics (770) 592-5554 www.DrWilliamsOrthodontics.com 145 Towne Lake Pkwy., Ste. 201

CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS

Christian Brothers Automotive (770) 926-4500 1930 Eagle Dr., Woodstock

Discover Chiropractic & Rehabilitation (770) 516-9900, www.discoverrehab.com 2295 Towne Lake Pkwy.

Joe’s Auto Service (770) 517-2695 6957 Hwy. 92, Woodstock

Nesnick Family & Sports Chiropractic 19 (770) 516-2323, www.NesFamChiro.com 2230 Towne Lake Pkwy, Bldg. 200, Ste. 110

BANKING/FINANCIAL SERVICES Citadel Professional Services, LLC (770) 952-6707 225 Town Park Dr., Suite 440, Kennesaw

Currie Wealth Advisors, LLC 3 (770) 635-8631, charles@curriewealthadvisors.com 233 River Park North Dr., Woodstock Network Funding, Tracy Hoopingarner 25 (678) 768-4428, Tracy.Hoopingarner@NFLP.com Renasant Bank (678) 388-5709, renasantbank.com

Azure Salon & Spa (770) 345-8280 1359 Riverstone Pkwy., Ste. 110, Canton Bon Vivant Salon (770) 516-9100

CHIROPRACTIC

Optimum Health 13 (770) 516-7477, www.optimumhealthrehab.com 2360 Towne Lake Pkwy.

CLEANING SERVICES Carpet Dry-Tech (678) 368-5991

Cinderella Maids Service (678) 386-1249, sintija@ cinderellamaidsservice.com www.CinderellaMaidsService.com

Rejoice Maids (678) 905-3476, www.rejoicemaids.com

Advanced Dental Restorations, LLC 43 (678) 810-0881, www.BringBackSmiles.com 1505 Stone Bridge Pkwy., Ste. 220

Fountain View Dentistry 49 (770) 926-0000, www.fountainviewsmiles.com 1816 Eagle Dr., Bldg. 200, Suite A 33

Massage Envy (770) 928-0800 134 Woodstock Square Ave., Woodstock

Salon & Spa Venéssa (770) 591-2079, salonvenessa.com 8516 Main St.

S. Bruce O’Neal, DDS 29 (770) 924-8848 2230 Towne Lake Pkwy., Bldg. 100, Ste. 100

Salon Gloss (678) 483-8900, www.SalonGloss.biz 220 Chambers St.

Simple Smiles Dentistry, Dr. Christine Lee 18 (770) 592-7000, SimpleSmilesDentistry.com 114 Mirramont Lake Dr.

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Brooks Personal Training 8 (678) 665-6021, BrooksPersonalTraining.com 1432 Towne Lake Pkwy., Ste. 120 Music Together 27 (678) 613-2048, www.MusicTogether.com Park View Montessori School (770) 926-0044 6689 Bells Ferry Rd. Towne Lake Community Church Preschool (678) 445-8766 ext.203 preschool@tlcchurch.com

Kelly’s Creations (678) 503-8843, KellysCreations.net

HOME IMPROVEMENT/REPAIR & SERVICE

DENTAL

Park Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock (770) 926-9260 www.PediatricWoodstockDentist.com 1816 Eagle Dr. Suite 200-C

Bascomb UMC Preschool (770) 926-0397 2295 Bascomb Carmel Rd.

EVENT PLANNING

COMPUTERS Cherokee Computer Guys (678) 889-5900, www.ccrguys.com 10511 Bells Ferry Rd., Canton

EDUCATION / INSTRUCTION / COACHING

(Cosmetic, Family, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics & Pediatric)

BEAUTY, MASSAGE & SPA

Thad Baird & Tyler Baird, DMD 59 (770) 517-0444, www.BairdFamilyDentistry.com 4595 Towne Lake Pkwy.

Towne Lake Business Association

Towne Lake’s Carwash & Detail www.townelakescarwashanddetail.com (770) 592-8102, 1490 Towne Lake Pkwy.

Downtown Buzz

Aspen Falls Auto Spa 6390 Bells Ferry Rd. (770) 591-3630

Frankfurt Foreign Automotive 54 (678) 505-8907, 9817 Main St., Woodstock FrankfurtForeignAutomotive.com

Spillane Orthodontics (770) 928-4747, www.SpillaneOrtho.com 335 Pkwy. 575, Suite 200, Woodstock

A-1 Concrete leveling (770) 591-6500, www.A1Atlanta.net

Bryan Plumbing Services (770) 826-5277

Coleman Home Services (770) 294-9667 www.colemanhomeservices.com

Dr. Fixit, Ph.D. (770) 974-2390

Drainage First John Brodbeck, (678) 525-8589

Exact Comfort Air Cond. & Heating, Inc. (770) 912-0552 www.exactcomfort.com

Hammocks Heating & Air (770) 794-0428

Handy Handyman, The (404) 316-1490

Mosquito Authority, The (678) 294-7597, BugsBITE.com

Mr. Junk (678) Mr-Junk1

Nelson Exteriors (678) 283-8171

Pike’s Professional Painting (770) 516-0045

Plumbing Doctor, The (770) 516-9000

Precision Painting (678) 234-9668

Reliable Heating & Air (770) 594-9969, ReliableAir.com

Uptronix (770) 928-0260, www.uptronix.com

Graham Pediatrics, Fitzroy Graham, MD, FAAP 47 (770) 485-9670, www.grahampediatrics.com 105 Mirramont Lake Dr.

HomeVestors (404) 644-5877 www.webuyuglyhouses.com

Marietta Plastic Surgery 55 Towne Lake: (678) 494-2380 149 Towne Lake Pkwy., Ste. 104, Woodstock Marietta: (770) 425-0118 823 Campbell Hill St. NW, Marietta MariettaPlasticSurgery.com

Kurt & Sheila Team, Keller Williams (404) 954-2486, (678) 494-0644 www.kurtandsheila.com

North Georgia Audiology & Hearing Aid Center 53 Dr. Jan Henriques (770) 560-4775, NorthGeorgiaHearing.com 203 Woodpark Place, Ste. B-100, Woodstock Northside Hospital – Cherokee www.northside.com

HOME INTERIORS

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Skyline Properties Group 17 (678) 978-1858, www.skylinepropetiesga.com Ursula & Associates, Keller Williams Inside Front (678) 569-4044, TowneLakeExperts.com

RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT Canton Festival of the Arts Historic downtown Canton

Fun Finds & Designs 71 (770) 704-0448, www.FunFindsandDesigns.com 2765 Marietta Hwy., Canton

Northside Cherokee Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Stephanie Hsu, md, Travis Jones, dpm 47 684 Sixes Rd., Suite 130, Holly Springs (770) 517-6636, northsidecherokeeortho.com

Georgia Floors 76 (770) 516-3227 1105 Parkside Lane Suite 1338, Woodstock

Northside Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine (770) 928-0016

Elm St. Cultural Arts Village (678) 494-4251

Interiors at Fun Finds 71 (678) 880-9146, www.InteriorsatFunFinds.com 2751 Marietta Hwy., Canton

Plastic Surgery Center of the South (770) 421-1242 www.plasticsurgerycenterofthesouth.net 120 Vann St., Ste. 150, Marietta

Hillside UMC Golf Tournament www.menofhillside.org

Wing & Rock Fest www.WingandRockFest.com

INSURANCE The Clarke Agency (Farmers Insurance) 43 2360 Towne Lake Pkwy., Suite 105 (678) 400-6725, mclarke@farmersagent.com

LANDSCAPING & LAWN MAINTENANCE

Psychologist John R. Lutz, PhD 19 (770) 592-9065, www.johnromanlutz.com Rausch Family Practice (678) 384-7305, judithrauschmd.com 1000 Wyngate Pkwy., Ste. 210

Calvary Landscaping & Irrigation (770) 720-1727, (770) 827-0346 www.calavarylandscaping.com

Shefa Urgent Care & Wellness 59 (678) 245-6244 2000 Village Professional Dr. Suite 200, Canton

Landscape Matters (770) 403-5813 www.landscapemattersinc.com

Towne Lake Family Pharmacy (770) 635-7697 2045 Towne Lake Pkwy., Ste. 110

Mclellan Excavation & Landscaping (404) 520-0710

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Overstreet Lawn Care (770) 861-7272

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

PET/VETERINARIAN SERVICES & SUPPLIES Animal Atlanta (770) 591-0007, www.AnimalAtlanta.com 6449 Bells Ferry Rd.

PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL SERVICES Cherokee Internal Medicine (678) 238-0301, www.cherokeeim.com 1192 Buckhead Crossing, Ste. C

Butchers Block (770) 517-2225 1025 Rose Creek Dr. Hacienda Vieja 290 Molly Lane, Woodstock (770) 517-7958

Inside Front

Jump Kitchen & Saloon 37 1085 Buckhead Crossing, Woodstock (678) 388-7717, www.jumpkitchensaloon.com www.facebook.com/JumpRestaurants Locals Bar & Grill 6380 Bells Ferry Rd., (770) 627-5121 www.localsbarandgrill.net

Woodstock Physical Therapy (770) 516-9191, www.woodstockpt.com 1816 Eagle Dr., Bldg. 100 Ste.C

Papa P’s 2295 Towne Lake Pkwy. (770) 592-3100, papa-ps.com

Small Cakes — A Cupcakery 2035 Towne Lake Pkwy., Suite 110 (678) 324-1910

PHOTOGRAPHERS Kim Bates Photography www.KimBatesPhotoArt.com

POLITICAL

Rep. Michael Caldwell, District 20 (678) 523-8570

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REAL ESTATE & RELATED SERVICES Berkshire Hathaway The Tomlinson Team (770) 365-6193, (678) 494-2953

RETAILERS

Bob Barr

RESTAURANTS/FOOD & DRINK

Wellstar 1 (770) 956-STAR, wellstar.org

Animal Hospital of Towne Lake 38 (770) 591-9500, www.townelakevets.com 3105 Parkbrooke Circle South Cherokee Veterinary Hospital (770) 924-6746, www.southcherokee.net 513 Sharp St.

Carters Lake Guide Service 47 (770) 883-5673 www.carterslakeguideservice.com/allatoona

Charmon Young, ReMax Town & Country 25 (404) 538-5734, CharmonYoung@remax.net

Branches Boutique 5 2295 Towne Lake Pkwy. #140, (770) 517-1505 370 Chambers St., (678) 540 5483 Diamonds R Forever 19 4200 Wade Green Rd., Ste. 212, Kennesaw (770) 422-0845, www.diamondsrforever.net Gifted Ferret, The 59 (770) 693-5889, www.TheGiftedFerret.com 1910 Eagle Dr. Ste. 400 Rudi Fine Jewelry 46 (678) 445-2626, rudifinejewelry@yahoo.com 6790 Hwy. 92, Acworth TOWNELAKER | May 2014

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Animal Atlanta

Mr. Junk

Aspen Falls Auto Spa

Nelson Exteriors

Nesnick Family & Sports Chiropractic

Optimum Health

Bon Vivant Salon Butchers Block

Carpet Dry Tech

Christian Brothers Automotive

Cinderella Maids Service

Exact Comfort Air Conditioning & Heating

Hacienda Vieja

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Papa P’s Mexican Irish Restaurant

Plastic Surgery Center of the South

Rejoice Maids

Rudi Fine Jewelry

Salon and Spa Venéssa

Hammock’s Heating & Air

Joe’s Auto Service

Landscape Matters

The Plumbing Doctor

Locals Bar & Grill

Towne Lake Family Dentistry

Marietta plastic Surgery

Towne Lake’s Carwash and Detail

Massage Envy

Werner Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock

TOWNELAKER | May 2014

Small Cakes

9 57 Inside Back

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