5 16 townelaker webfinal by Aroundabout Local Media, Inc.

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

May 2016 Volume 22, Issue 1

14 And the winners are…

The results have been tallied from our Readers’ Choice voting.

16 Election Guide

This rundown of candidates will prepare voters for the May 24 primary.

18 In the Details

A few finishing touches to polish off your special graduation celebration.

22 An Outward Focus

Teacher of the Year Jeremy Law stresses the importance of serving others.

24 Update on the Trails

Work continues on the five-year plan to expand the Greenprints system.

32 Lake Safety Make safe boating a priority: brush up Contributing Writers

on the do’s and don’ts

47 Who Rescues Whom?

The benefits are bountiful when a homeless pet is adopted.

72 A Working Spring Break

Hillside UMC youth chose missions over sandy beaches or restful week.

72 In Every Issue

Don Akridge

Joe Lemmo

Around Towne

Kyle Bennett

Dr. Michael Litrel

Celebrations

Siobhan Brumbelow

Rob Macmillan

Cherokee Office of Economic Development 19

Community News

Gary Moore

24 58

Greenprints Trail Map

Georgia Department of Public Health

Matt Neal

Cindy Nelson

Delia Halverson

Christopher Purvis

Dr. Scott Harden

Julius Quarcoo

Dr. Amy Hardin

Donna Ratliff

Dr. Jan Henriques

Jim Ray

Rev. Harden Hopper

Lynne Saunders

Kurt & Sheila Johnson

Susan Schulz

Josh Keenum

Mark Kissel

TowneLake Dining Guide 36 Community Calendar

TLBA 45 Everyday Angels

Faith

School News

Library Events

Dr. Matthew T. Simmons 64

Parking Map

Tim Timmons

Woodstock Dining Guide 85

Venéssa Lanier

Ross Wiseman

Recent Home Sales

Jeremy Law

Dr. Amber York

Directory of Advertisers

www.townelaker.com

48 & 49 On the Cover Elect Frank Reynolds Sheriff photo by Kim Bates 2

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

ADVERTISING Patty Ponder, ALM President 770-615-3322 Patty@AroundAboutMagazines.com

Join the TowneLaker magazine fan page

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TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Community

AROUND TOWNE

The

People, The Places and The Pleasures that make Towne Lake

From the Editor

What’s Coming

One thing is evident from the results of our Readers’ Choice poll: we are passionate about our favorites. And loyal to them, as well. Having just moved from Towne Lake, where we lived for 23 years, to a home in Canton, I’ve found it tough to adjust. I miss MY grocery store, MY nail salon, MY cleaners, MY favorite eateries. Glenn and I are having to find our new go-to businesses for all the services we need. We’re very excited to be in a central location - between Canton and Woodstock - and are enjoying the search. After trying what seems like a dozen new Mexican restaurants, we’ve narrowed it down to a couple favorites. The jury is still out on the grocery and the cleaners, etc. These things do take time! We have lots of options; easy access to I-575 makes it simple to travel north a few exits toward Canton or south to our old stomping grounds. Just as we’re discovering new destinations, I hope each of you will look over the winners in each category of our Readers’ Choice poll (pages 14-15) and maybe find a few new favorites. New businesses are opening rapidly in our growing county we list them here on the Around Towne page and in our ribbon cutting feature. Let’s support the businesses that work so hard to make life easier for us. Maybe you’ll find a new favorite, share your find with your friends, and the results of next year’s Readers’ Choice may look entirely different. One of the benefits of an economically strong county is the appeal it has for our graduates. As parents, don’t we often wish our children wouldn’t have to go so far away to find a good job? The Cherokee Office of Economic Development makes a strong case on page 19 that they don’t. Plenty of career opportunities are right in our back yard. There’s certainly no shortage of recreational activities nearby - see the Greenprints Alliance director’s update on page 24, and our Allatoona Lake pictorial and safety reminders on pages 32-33. You’ll want to dash off to the nearest marina and enjoy our warming weather. Our dining guides, page 36 for the Towne Lake area and 85 for downtown Woodstock, make it easy to find fuel for your activities. Have fun exploring!

Sugar Belles Bakery will open at 2990 Eagle Drive, Suite 107, in Woodstock, at the corner of Eagle Drive and Putnam Ford Road. At press time, bakery owner Pam Davis anticipated the shop would be open by the end of April. Sugar Belles will offer cakes (wedding, sculpted and regular), cupcakes, cookies, brownies and chocolates, as well as milkshakes and ice cream. The bakery will be open daily, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. FridaySaturday, and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. 678-594-3213. Look for SugarBellesBakery on Facebook. www.Sugar-Belles.com

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

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

A Holiday Inn Express with 81 guest rooms will be built on Woodstock Parkway, just south of the traffic circle below The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta. No groundbreaking or building completion date has been announced at press time. Letters to the Troops: Operation Gratitude Drop off your letters or cards at any Cherokee County public library May 16-31. Bring pre-made notes or create cards and letters at the library for the men and women in the military. All materials provided.

What’s Changed The owners of Cherokee Ford have changed the dealership name to, Krause Family Ford. Here’s an explanation that’s posted on a sign in the lobby. “On February 17 of 2015, my wife and I lost our beautiful, loving and caring daughter, Angela, after a brief, but courageous, battle with cancer. Angie was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer (ALK) three days after giving birth to her second child, a handsome son, Mason. Angie also left behind a beautiful three-year-old daughter Ava and her loving husband Blake. Angie is our youngest daughter, and was a wonderful sister to our oldest daughter Jennifer and our two sons, Matt and Zack. In addition to being a most wonderful daughter, Angela was the General Manager of Cherokee Ford-Lincoln of Alpharetta after starting her career at Cherokee Ford in Woodstock. Our family, who has been in business in Atlanta since 1991, wants to honor the memory of Angela by renaming our dealerships. Cherokee Ford-Lincoln in Alpharetta will be renamed Angela Krause Ford-Lincoln, and Cherokee Ford in Woodstock will be renamed Krause Family Ford. Vernon and Marie Krause”

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

COMMUNITY BOARD The TowneLaker Community Board consists of well-respected community leaders from different walks of life. Our board members assist us in many ways, including contributing to our magazine and providing valuable feedback. Kurt Johnson, co-founder of the Kurt and Sheila real estate team, has been involved in real estate most of his adult life. He and his wife have lived in Cherokee County for more than 13 years, their three children have attended county schools since the oldest started first grade at Bascomb Elementary. Kurt and Sheila work hard to promote Cherokee County and all it has to offer. Ann Litrel 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 in Towne Lake with her husband and co-author Dr. Mike Litrel and their two sons. Ann can be reached at Ann@annlitrel.com. Dee Locklin is a Georgia State University retiree who moved to Towne Lake in 1998. She and husband Lewis are the proud parents of KSU student Taylor. Dee joined the TowneLaker as a contributing writer in 2011 and now is focusing her energy on caring for her beloved husband as he battles late-stage cancer. Joe Lemmo is an English teacher and comedian who has taught in Cherokee County for the last 15 years. He performs improv comedy with the iThink Improv Troupe out of the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village Theatre in downtown Woodstock. He lives in Woodstock with his wife Justine, and his cat, Wasabi. Lynne Saunders is the founder and executive director of Papa’s Pantry and The Master’s Training Center. Her employment classes are based on a book she wrote, “21st Century Keys to Employment.” Lynne has been married to Bill for 33 years and has three grown daughters and five grandchildren. Dr. Scott R. Harden is a family dentist at Fountain View Family & Cosmetic Dentistry serving Woodstock and Cherokee County for more than 25 years. During this time, he has lived in the Towne Lake area with his wife, Kathy, and two children. 6

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Townelaker Publisher AroundAbout Local Media, Inc. ALM President Patty Ponder Patty@AroundAboutMagazines.com 770-615-3322 Controller Denise Griffin Denise@AroundAboutMagazines.com 770-615-3315 Market Manager Christie Deese Christie@AroundAboutMagazines.com 770-615-3324 Executive Editor Candi Hannigan Candi@AroundAboutMagazines.com 770-615-3309 Managing Editor Jackie Loudin Jackie@AroundAboutMagazines.com 770-615-3318 Art Director Michelle McCulloch Michelle@AroundAboutMagazines.com 770-615-3307 Page Designer Laura Latchford Laura@AroundAboutMagazines.com Market Support Assistant Katherine Amick Katherine@AroundAboutMagazines.com 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 15,100 are direct mailed to homes and businesses and an additional 900 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 2016. TowneLaker PMB 380 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 620, Woodstock, GA 30189 For Advertising: Patty Ponder, 770-615-3322 Website: www.townelaker.com Powered by:

Volume 22, Issue 1

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Community

Celebrations!

Ava McCrink

Age 10 on April 7 Happy Birthday Lou Bug! We love you to the moon and back! Mom, Daddy, Anniston and Haley

Dylan Martin Herod

Graduating Armstrong State University with a bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in political science and double minor in international and legal studies.

Emily Mueller and Drew Cooper were married before God, family and friends on March 26, 2016.

ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE FREE! E-mail to: Candi@ AroundAboutMagazines.com

Chan and Sheryl Allen

Celebrating 50th wedding anniversary on April 2. Wishing many more years of wedding bliss to come! Thanks for being great parents and grandparents! Love, from your biggest accomplishments: Malissa Lee and Blair Forsythe

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Shelley Herod

Age 50 on May 12 Happy 50th Birthday! We love you! Kirk, Austin, Dylan and Connor

Ansley Ponder

Graduating from Georgia College & State University with a degree in mass communications.

June deadline is May 10. Please specify TowneLaker.

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Community

YOUR LOCAL NEWS Memorial Day Commemorated with Special Services

Assembling meals for the Goshen residents.

Cooking for a Cause

Since fall 2015, the owners of Reel Seafood (David and Karen Silverman) have opened the restaurant’s kitchen for a group of middle schoolers to prepare meals for the Goshen Valley Boys Ranch. Eleven seventh-graders from E.T. Booth Middle School meet every other month to make casseroles and side dishes from scratch to deliver to the Waleska nonprofit. During March, they provided six Easter meals along with other perishables. The group plans to meet again this month. Karen Silverman works with the youth in the industrial kitchen, teaching safety and food preparation. The young chefs are: Ava Azzarello, Jack Deese, Cole Ellis, Colby Flaig, Caroline Kapcsos, Brittany Miller, Holly Kate O’Brien, Brock Rechsteiner, Nolan Silverman, John Weathers and Erin Whalen. These volunteers want to encourage other Woodstock restaurant owners to open their kitchens for similar endeavors. For more information, contact Haley O’Brien at haleyobrien@comcast.net

Memorial Day will be observed at the Georgia National Cemetery, 1080 Scott Hudgens Drive, Canton, at 10 a.m. May 28, with keynote speaker Col. Carol Mellom, USAF, Ret., who was deployed in Desert Shield and Iraqi Freedom. The commemoration of the Vietnam war will be continued with Lt. Col. Rick Lester, who flew attack helicopters in Vietnam. Attendees are asked to carpool and arrive early due to parking constraints. Folding chairs, blankets and weather-related items (umbrellas, hats, hand fans and water) are recommended items to bring to enjoy the ceremony. A ceremony begins at 10 a.m. May 30 at The Park at City Center, 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. Sponsored by the City of Woodstock, the American Legion, Marine Corps League and other local veterans groups. Featuring the East Cobb New Horizons Band. If you know a Woodstock veteran who died in combat or from an injury as a result of combat, please call 770-517-6788 to have the name added to the Woodstock Memorial.

Chamber Graduates Teen Leadership Class The 19 students in this year’s teen leadership class have graduated from the program, sponsored by the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. The students were chosen from 53 applicants, all high school sophomores. Applicants submitted a formal application and participated in a personal interview with local business leaders. The mission of Teen Leadership Cherokee is to develop the knowledge and leadership skills of young people in Cherokee County so they may confidently become our leaders of tomorrow. During the past three months, class members attended an orientation with their parents, an all-day retreat, and several sessions planned by local business leaders, each of which are graduates from the chamber’s adult Leadership Cherokee program. The classes addressed topics such as community involvement, economic and educational responsibility, personal development and team building. Students integrated the skills and information they learned into a final class Class of 2016 graduates are, front row from left: Sasha Stogniy, Woodstock; Katherine Relick, Woodstock; Rebekah Carnes and Katie Pitner, Sequoyah. Middle row, from left: TLC Vice-Chair project, which was a business concept, Hanna Pintozzi, American Book Company; Emily Nelson, Etowah; Tori Turk, Sequoyah; Leah individualized business plan and commercial Garrison, Cherokee; Zack Forrester, Sequoyah; Kennedy Looper, The King’s Academy; Christian to promote their company or organization. Adams, Woodstock; Chase Harris, Cherokee; Back row, from left: Julia Litrel, Woodstock; Businesses could provide a product or service Abigale Montgomery, Etowah; Bri Randall, Cherokee; Emma Taylor, River Ridge; Chandler and function as either a for-profit or nonprofit McCloud, Patrick Ballance, Griffin Pizzano and Noah Shever, Sequoyah; TLC Chair Will Goodwin, Oak Leaf Church. business or organization. 10

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

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 2016

Community

YOUR LOCAL NEWS One-Stop-Shop for Health Screenings The Cherokee County Health Department is planning a back-to-school health clinic 2-6 p.m. May 3 at the public health department locations in Canton (1219 Univeter Road, 770-345-7371) and Woodstock (7545 North Main St., 770-928-0133.) The required hearing, dental, vision and BMI/ nutrition screenings will be available. Cost is $50. Immunizations will be provided for uninsured or underinsured school-age children for $21.90. Medicaid (including Amerigroup, Peach State and WellCare), PeachCare for Kids, Humana, AetnaETNA, UnitedHealthCare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield (immunizations, only), CignaIGNA and Coventry are accepted.

Testing the machines are seniors who participate in the body recall class that meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30 a.m. at the Malon D. Mimms Boys and Girls Club.

Outdoor Exercise Area Open for Seniors Cherokee County senior citizens have a new place to work out, thanks to a donation by Northside Hospital-Cherokee. A new “pocket park” with nine exercise machines, purchased and installed with the $40,000 donation, is open at the Cherokee County Senior Services Center at 1001 Univeter Road. Funding for the park was secured by Patricia Kenny, the activities coordinator for senior services. The machines include exercises for strength, flexibility and balance using only the participants’ weight as resistance. The equipment is accessible seven days a week from dawn to dusk and has instructions posted on each piece of equipment. The park is part of a continued emphasis on health and wellness for the seniors of Cherokee County. For more information, call 770-345-2675.

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Volunteers Needed for Equestrian Therapy Center Horse Talk Therapeutic Riding Center is looking for adult volunteers to lead the therapeutic horses or walk alongside special needs children and adults who are participating in the program. Experience with horses is preferred, but training is available. Flexible weekday shifts are available. The center is in Woodstock at 345 Bluebird Acres Road. For more information email greenacresonline@bellsouth.net or call 770-517-5154. Visit the Facebook page at Green Acres Equestrian Center, LLC.

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Readers’ Choice Awards Rea wards Readers’ Choice Awards Readers ds Readers’ Choice Awards Readers’ C Feature

And the winners are… Congratulations to our 2016 Readers’ Choice winners! We were excited to see 14,767 votes from the community this year! You contribute so much to our community — it wouldn’t be the same without you. We know you’re proud and ready to tell the world (okay, the community) about your success. We are offering a few ways to help you celebrate your win:

1. A sticker to display in the window. 2. A Certificate to print out and hang in your business. 3. A digital image of the trophy to post on your website, Facebook page or other social media outlets. 4. Purchase a Thank You ad to run in our June issue. If you’d like to receive a sticker, certificate and digital image of the award, email Michelle@aroundaboutmagazines.com with the following information: • Business name and mailing address • Contact person’s email address and phone number. If we don’t hear from you, we won’t be able to contact you. If you would like more information about a Thank You ad, email Katherine@aroundaboutmagazines.com.

Retailers

Restaurants American Canyon’s Burger Company Asian Izumi Bakery SmallCakes Cupcakery & Creamery Barbecue JD’s Barbecue Breakfast J. Christopher’s Coffee Shop Starbucks

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Dessert Pie Bar Fine Dining Century House Tavern Italian/Pizzeria Ipp’s Pastaria & Bar Kid Friendly Canyon’s Burger Company Mexican La Parrilla Seafood Reel Seafood

Music Ken Stanton

Animal/Pet Supplies/ Grooming Animal Hospital of Towne Lake

Package Store Bullock’s Wine and Spirits

Boutique Brooklynn’s

Pharmacy Publix Pharmacy at Rose Creek

Florist Brenda’s House of Flowers Garden Center/Nursery Pike Nurseries Gifts/Home Décor Pineapple Park

Specialty Foods The Butchers Block Tires Discount Tire

Jeweler Art Jewelers

Readers’ Ch

aders’ Choice Awards Readers’ Choice s’ Choice Awards Readers’ Choice Awa Choice Awards Readers’ Choice Award Services Attorney Thomas & Brown Audiologist/ENT North Georgia Audiology & Hearing Aid Center Automotive Christian Brothers Business support Cherokee Computer Guys Chiropractor Ribley Chiropractic Wellness Center Counseling Hillside Counseling Center Day Care/Preschool Hillside Preschool and Academy Day Spa Beverly’s Day Spa Dentist Baird & Baird Family Dentistry

Education Hillside Preschool and Academy Financial Summit Financial Solutions Funeral Home Woodstock Funeral Home

Landscaping/Lawn Care Mike’s Lawn Care Music Lessons Dance and Music Academy of Woodstock Nail Salon Big Apple Nail & Spa

Hair Salon Salon Gloss

Optometrist/ Opthalmologist Towne Lake Eye Associates

Home Cleaning Molly Maids

Orthodontist Williams Orthodontics

Home Improvement/ Repair - TIED Bulldog Roofing & Contracting and Reliable Heating & Air

Pediatric Dentist Park Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock

Insurance Steve Cannon at State Farm Interior Design Pineapple Park

Pest Control Arrow Exterminators Pet/Animal Animal Hospital of Towne Lake Photographer One Love Photography

Physical Therapist Rebound Physical Therapy Physician – General Northside Family Practice Physician – Specialist Northside Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine Realtor Ursula & Associates Keller Williams Realty Partners Senior Living Facility Insignia of Towne Lake Travel Agent Cruise Planners - Kathy Faisal Tutoring Mathnasium Veterinarian Animal Hospital of Towne Lake

Recreation & Entertainment Dance Studio Dancenter South

Gymnastics Center World of Gymnastics

Fitness/Health Club R2 Total Fitness

Theater Elm Street Cultural Arts Village

hoice Awards

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

ELECTION GUIDE for May 24 Cherokee County may not be on the national stage this election season, but we certainly have our share of candidates vying for a variety of offices. To help prepare you for the May 24 primary/general nonpartisan election, we’ve assembled this voting guide using information gathered from www.voter.CherokeeGa.com available at press time. For more information, contact the Cherokee County Elections & Voter Registration at 770-479-0407. Check www.voter.CherokeeGa.com for details on early voting that begins May 2.

COUNTY OFFICES County Commissioner, District 2 Ray Gunnin - Incumbent Jim Hubbard

www.electraygunnin.com www.jimhubbard.us

County Commissioner, District 3 Benny Carter Bob Kovacs Jack Staver Presley White

www.carterforcommissioner.com www.electbobkovacs.com jstaver28@gmail.com www.presleywhite.com

Clerk of Superior Court Patty Baker - Incumbent Derek Poarch

www.re-electpattybaker.com derek04@bellsouth.net

Coroner

Earl Walter Darby - Incumbent

www.earldarby.com

Judge of Probate Court Keith Wood - Incumbent

Sheriff

Chip McCarthy David Waters Frank Reynolds Jeff Donley

bkwood68@yahoo.com www.chipmccarthyforsheriff.com www.davidwatersforsheriff.com www.frankreynoldsforsheriff.com www.donley4sheriff.com

Surveyor

Ron Wikle Jr. - Incumbent

Ron@WikleLandSurveying.com

Tax Commissioner

Sonya Little - Incumbent Burt Fronebarger

Board of Education Chairperson Kyla Cromer - Incumbent Susan Tlacil

Board of Education District 1 Kelly Poole - Incumbent

Board of Education District 2 Patsy Jordan - Incumbent

Chief Magistrate

James Drane III - Incumbent

slittle035@gmail.com www.voteburt.com cromer1@windstream.net www.votesusiet.com kelly.poole40@gmail.com patjor0803@tds.net www.judgejamesdrane.com

STATE OFFICES State Court Judge (to succeed Michelle Holbrook Homier)

Michelle Holbrook Homier - Incumbent (N) www.judgehomier.com J. Bart Glasgow (N) www.bartforjudge.com 16

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

State Court Judge (to succeed Allen “Dee” Morris) Allen Dee Morris - Incumbent (N) judgeadmorris@gmail.com Judge of Superior Court, Blue Ridge

Judge David Cannon Jr. - Incumbent (N) www.judgecannon.com Channing Ruskell ruskelllaw@yahoo.com

Judge of Superior Court, Blue Ridge Judge Ellen McElyea - Incumbent

State Senator, District 21

Sen. Brandon Beach - Incumbent (R) www.beachforsenate.com Aaron Barlow www.barlowforsenate.com

State Representative, District 20

Rep. Michael Caldwell - Incumbent (R) www.caldwellforhouse.com

State Representative, District 21

Rep. Scot Turner - Incumbent (R) www.turnerforhouse.com Kevin Moore www.mooreautocarecenter.com

State Representative, District 22 Rep. Wes Cantrell - Incumbent (R) Oscar “Asghar” Hajloo (D)

www.cantrellforhouse.com www.oscar4unity.com

State Representative, District 23

Rep. Mandi Ballenger - Incumbent (R) www.mandiforhouse.com

State Representative, District 46 Rep. John Carson - Incumbent (R)

District Attorney, Blue Ridge

Shannon Wallace - Incumbent (R)

www.votejohncarson.com www.wallaceforda.com

FEDERAL OFFICES U.S. Representative, District 11

Barry Loudermilk - Incumbent (R) www.loudermilkforcongress.com Billy Davis (R) www.billydavis.com Daniel Cowan (R) www.cowanforcongress.com Hayden Collins (R) www.collinsforcongress.org William Llop (R) www.williamllopcpaforcongress.com Don Wilson (D) don.e.wilson@gmail.com

U.S. Senate

Johnny Isakson - Incumbent (R) www.johnnyisakson.com Derrick Grayson (R) www.grayson2016.com Mary Kay Bacallao (R) www.marykaybacallao.com Cheryl Copeland (D) www.copeland4senate.com Jim Barksdale (D) jimb4senate@gmail.com John F. Coyne III (D) www.johncoyneforussenate.com

Welcoming new patients!

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owne Lake Primary Care provides compassionate, comprehensive medical care for the entire family. Our board-certified physicians, Dr. Loe, Dr. Mercando and Dr. Hewling offer exceptional knowledge while serving with the empathetic touch and attention to detail you and your family deserve. Towne Lake Primary Care offers same-day appointments for sick visits and accepts most insurance plans.

OUR BOARD-CERTIFIED PHYSICIANS OFFER:

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• Chronic disease management • Acute illness care • Comprehensive physical exams for sports participation & college students • Comprehensive women’s health services • Pediatric care for school-aged children • Immunizations for children and adults

CALL TODAY FOR AN APPOINTMENT (678) 445-0819

Noreen A. Mercando, DO

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Community

Graduation PARTY IDEAS

LAST MINUTE

The announcements and invitations have been mailed, the menu is mostly planned and you’ve started thinking about decorations. Graduation parties are a fun way to celebrate the accomplishments of your student, but they can also take on a life of their own. Here are a few last minute ideas to help put the finishing touches on your graduate’s party.

Collect memories/advice in a jar. During the party, have friends and family write down their favorite memory with the graduate, or bits of advice for the future, on pieces of paper and collect them for your student to read later. It will be a fun way for your graduate to take a trip down memory lane or to learn from the sage counsel of their elders. An empty jar or vase will work, along with small cards and colorful pens. If you are the more creative type, make a collection box that looks like a graduation cap, and add your student’s tassel to complete the look.

Create a picture display. You’ve had 12 years (13 if you count kindergarten) to work on that school memories scrapbook that you always said you would have completed in time for the graduation party. But that didn’t happen. No worries; just grab (or print) some of your favorite photos and create a simple but fun photo display using an old picture frame, some wire or string, and clothespins. Look for frames at yard sales or thrift stores and spray paint them in school colors. Add a few pieces of school memorabilia and you have a memory-inspiring display to show off your graduate’s achievements.

Tag those photos. Encourage your guests to take photos with the graduate and use the hashtag you’ve created to tag the photos on favorite social media sites. Get creative and involve your student in the creation of a unique hashtag. Once the party is over, you can look up the photos using the hashtag and enjoy the memories. If this is a completely foreign idea to you, ask a teenager for help.

GRADUATION SCHEDULES:

All Cherokee County graduation ceremonies take place at First Baptist Church of Woodstock, 11905 Highway 92, Woodstock, GA 30188.

May 26

May 27

May 28

4 p.m. - Woodstock High School 8 p.m. - Creekview High School

4 p.m. - Cherokee High School 8 p.m. - Sequoyah High School

9 a.m. - River Ridge High School 1 p.m. - Etowah High School

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Millennials Have a Place in Cherokee County SUBMITTED BY CHEROKEE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

It’s likely you have heard the term “millennial” a thousand times. What does it mean? Who are these millennials and why are they important to Cherokee County? Let’s look at some quick facts about the millennial generation. By definition, millennials are between the ages of 18 and 33. In fact, millennials make up 26 percent of Cherokee’s population. Did you know that they constitute the majority of the current workforce, and by 2025, it is projected that they will make up 75 percent of the workforce? In the past year, Cherokee County has been recognized by several publications as being the Best Place for Millennials (niche.com), for having the Top Millennial Cities (North Atlanta Business Post), and for being one of the Best Suburbs for Millennials (AJC.com). What is it that makes Cherokee appealing to this notable generation? Millennials view things differently than past generations. They value people over profit and are driven by strong values that guide them professionally. A healthy work-life balance is also a top priority, and they have a sense of responsibility to their community. Cherokee has all of the attributes that this subset of the population is seeking. Cherokee’s unique downtowns offer millennials a variety of cultural experiences, history and a sense of belonging, not to mention a wide variety of dining options and entertainment. The county boasts more than 30 parks, acres of greenspace and miles of trails, including Blankets Creek mountain bike trail that was ranked the third Best Trail in the World and No. 1 Trail in Georgia (Source: www.singletracks.com). The community’s desire to

embrace and cultivate sustainability is evident. The corporate growth success in the community is something the millennial finds attractive. As more companies locate to Cherokee, career opportunities increase. The entrepreneurial spirit is also something that draws them. The community supports new ideas and helps nurture them. This can be seen all around the county from the Burger Bus in Ball Ground and Audio Intersection in Canton, to Reformation Brewery in Woodstock, to name a few. Since 35 percent of millennials wish to open their own business, the Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED) is committed to establishing an entrepreneurial ecosystem to support the development of businesses in target sectors, such as technology. “We encourage the millennial workforce to come explore the opportunities in Cherokee and enjoy the dynamic quality of place our community provides, especially in our downtowns,” said Misti Martin, COED president. “This generation is entering key phases in their lives; they are connected and take pride in where they live. As they put down roots, they contribute not only to stimulating the economy but also the betterment of the community.”

The Cherokee Office of Economic Development is Cherokee’s leading organization for business and film recruitment and industry retention and expansion. www.cherokeega.org

Chiropractic As a Career Choice BY AMBER YORK, DC

With high school graduations near and one of the leading chiropractic schools in our back yard, I am often asked about the chiropractic profession and the process of becoming a chiropractor. First, let me say that becoming a chiropractor was the best decision I ever made. Every day I am given the opportunity to treat many people in our community, from pregnant moms, newborn babies, high school and college athletes to grandmas and grandpas. Chiropractic is for everybody and the career opportunities are endless, with specialties in areas such as pregnancy and pediatrics, neurology, athletics, auto accidents, or general health and wellness - in private or group practices. A chiropractor is a healthcare professional that uses a hands-on, drug-free approach to health and specializes in musculoskeletal and nervous system disorders. By detecting, correcting and preventing subluxations, or misalignments, of the spine or other joints such as the wrist and ankles, a chiropractor helps restore structural alignment and proper function. A chiropractor will examine, diagnose and treat patients based on their individual complaints and needs. Treatment includes adjustments made by the chiropractor’s hands or an instrument to provide a controlled and precise thrust directed at a specific joint resulting in decreased pain and increased range of motion. In addition to correcting subluxations, many chiropractors also focus on lifestyle factors

that include nutrition and exercise, and offer suggestions to help improve the patient’s overall health naturally. When it comes to education, there are a variety of schools to choose from coast to coast. But why leave home when one of the best options is Life University right here in Marietta? In general, chiropractic programs will require a minimum of 90 semester hours at the bachelor degree level along with a minimum GPA and a handful of required classes for eligibility. Once accepted into the program students can anticipate an additional four years of instruction before earning their Doctor of Chiropractic degree. These courses have a heavy emphasis on anatomy and physiology, orthopedics, neurology, diagnosis, spinal manipulation and clinical training. With the need for complementary and alternative medicine on the rise, there has never been a better time to become a chiropractor. Talk to your local doctors, visit and tour campuses, and get ready to help achieve health naturally.

Dr. Amber York is a Life University graduate specializing in low force adjusting at Towne Lake Family Chiropractic. TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Photo by J.King Images

Lisa Alexander,RN

A Nurse’s Passion: Looking & Living Well Lisa Alexander is a registered nurse with more than 21 years of experience in plastic surgery and has been a certified nurse injector since 2008. Lisa provides patients with safe and effective, nonsurgical, anti-aging treatments including: Botox for aesthetics in the face (and underarms for hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating), Juvéderm, Voluma and Kybella (the non-surgical, permanent solution for a double chin). She has recently joined ShapeMed by Life Time Fitness as a valuable member of the medical team serving the Woodstock location. It was through Lisa’s experience in the operating room with plastic surgeons that she discovered her passion for the aesthetic industry. “During my career, I quickly discovered that my passion was helping people look and feel their best. This led me to pursue and complete a comprehensive program that allowed

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

me to obtain the title of Certified Nurse Injector,” Lisa said. Since then, she has consistently achieved excellence by continuing her education in the aesthetic industry through attending seminars and educational events and researching the latest injection techniques for the face and neck. Lisa puts a strong emphasis on the patient’s desires and expectations. “I first and foremost am called to be a nurse, and as such the patient’s desires, expectations and health always come first. Together we will communicate and coordinate a plan that ensures their optimum satisfaction and health.” To provide her patients with the best possible outcomes, Lisa continually studies new science-based practices and trends in the anti-aging industry. While anti-aging therapies are readily available, you should carefully consider

where you go for treatments. Knowing this, Lisa is on a mission to provide clients with high quality, affordable and healthy, long-term aesthetic solutions. “New treatments for the aging face, neck and hands continue to emerge everyday and each person requires a unique and individual plan,” she said. Aging is a natural process and many people are afraid that if they have something done they will look plastic or fake. Lisa said, “Our faces ‘remodel’ over time, meaning, perhaps we once had a round face and now we have an oval face. This is due to our bones changing with age and collagen fibers breaking down and becoming looser.” Lisa strives to restore a more rested, youthful appearance without changing the essence of who the patient is. “If I do my job correctly, no one should know that the patient has been injected,” she said. Lisa and ShapeMed share the same philosophy of care and the focus is placed squarely where it should be – on the patient. Philosophy of Patient Care • Dedication to the health of our patients • Unequivocal excellence in all aspects of the company • Science-based innovation • Honesty and integrity • Customer service above all else • Adherence to the highest ethical/ moral standards Quality services, affordable pricing and a customer service-based philosophy are waiting for you when you visit Lisa Alexander at ShapeMed by Life Time Fitness. Call today to schedule your free consultation or appointment and start your journey to looking and feeling your best.

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Investment Advisory Services offered through Brookstone Capital Management, LLC (BCM), an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Securities offered through Center Street Securities, Inc. (CSS), a registered Broker-Dealer and member of FINRA, SIPC. Hill & Hill Financial, LLC and BCM are independent of CSS. TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Community

Making Your Life about Others BY JEREMY LAW

We asked Jeremy Law, Cherokee County School District’s 20152016 Teacher of the Year, to share the inspiring message he gave to a recent Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce breakfast gathering. Here’s a condensed version of that morning’s presentation. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” Up until a year or so ago, I could name a few things I was doing for others, but it wasn’t a daily activity in my life. In 2015, I was challenged to develop a personal declaration that would serve as the foundation for how I lived each and every day of my life. These 20 simple, yet profound words have forever changed who I am: “Relentlessly pursue opportunities to humbly serve others, while working collaboratively to enhance their lives as a result, for His glory.” I desire to spend the rest of my life helping my students and athletes discover the unparalleled gratification I have found in serving others. Below, I’ve listed a few ways that we can serve:

Listen more than we speak. Quite often, I am much more inclined to quickly offer solutions, rather than just listening to what they are saying. Focus more on listening to others, and we might be surprised at just how many needs there are all around us. Listen to those in your community. You may not have to go very far to find ways to serve.

Serving others benefits all. The receiver is the most obvious beneficiary of an act of service, but there are several others who are blessed as well. Writer Joshua Becker says that both a stranger and the giver are blessed by random acts of service. I would even argue that the “giver” is just as blessed, if not more blessed than the receiver. Without fail, in 100 percent of the opportunities I’ve had to serve others, I always walk away feeling more “blessed” than the person I

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

actually sought to serve. Serving others is reciprocal. Your serving others will bless you in ways you could never imagine.

Serving only yourself ensures a life of misery. We will never find long-lasting satisfaction in only serving ourselves. How many of us know someone who seems to “have it all,” according to the world’s standards, yet they seem miserable? A life of selfish ambition only leaves us unfulfilled and wanting something that will never satisfy. Conversely, writer William Arthur Ward says, “When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.”

Caring leads to success. Author Jon Gordon says, “When you care about the work you do and show people you care about them, you’ll stand out in a world where many don’t care.” No matter what line of work one may be in, a caring disposition will ensure success. Joshua Becker says, “Our greatest successes in life are often found in helping others succeed.”

Encourage your children to serve others. Lead by example and encourage your children to join you in serving others. Inspire them to look for ways to serve others at their school. Occasionally, one of my daughters will come home from school and say, “Daddy! How did you serve others today?” Be the example your kids need to see. “Everyone has the power for greatness, not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

continued on page 88

Jeremy Law, an 1995 Etowah High School Graduate and former resident of the Arbors, is Cherokee County School District’s 2015-2016 Teacher of the Year. He is a special education teacher at Teasley Middle School and assistant football coach at Cherokee High School.

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

TRAILS

Add to Our Community’s Quality of Life BY GARY MOORE

It’s an exciting time in Woodstock. Recently named to Money magazine’s Top 50 livable cities in the United States, the word is getting out about our little town nestled between metro Atlanta and the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. The downtown revitalization project that started it all continues to thrive and bring interesting new businesses to town. Woodstock is fast becoming known for great food, craft beers and live music. Our outdoor recreational opportunities were highlighted by Money magazine as one of the primary reasons people come to Woodstock to live, work and play. The city has updated and improved our parks, added a dog park and backed creating 14 miles of top-notch mountain bike trails—all in the last halfdozen years. The Greenprints Master Plan was adopted in 2009 and has been the guiding document for Woodstock’s outdoor amenity development. The cornerstone of this plan is the 10-foot-wide concrete multi-use trails planned to connect residential, commercial, educational and recreational areas throughout the city. The over four miles of trails built in the central areas of Woodstock have given us a taste of what’s to come. Last summer, more than 2,500 people enjoyed the Noonday Creek Trail each week and more than 200,000 trips on the trails are expected annually. The nonprofit Greenprints Alliance was founded in 2009 to support Woodstock’s efforts in developing these trails. Our mission is to provide the focus and resources needed to move these projects forward through advocacy, fundraising and collaboration. We are working hard every day to foster the necessary public-private partnerships that will ensure success and help realize the vision. A well-designed and developed trail system like the Greenprints trails can have a big impact on a city like Woodstock. Businesses near trails thrive, and home prices can rise by as much as 20 percent. Providing safe and enjoyable alternatives to driving encourages people to strike out on foot or bike for local trips and can significantly impact one’s health and quality of life. We’ve put together a plan to complete critical segments of trail in Woodstock 24

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

over the next five years. The Downtown North Trail would connect segments already in place to provide a continuous trail from downtown Woodstock up Main Street, along Ridgewalk Parkway and into Olde Rope Mill Park. The Towne Lake Pass would extend the network out to the heart of Towne Lake and the Noonday Creek Trail is being connected to Cobb County’s trail system. All told, this is an additional four miles of trail and is expected to cost close to $5.5 million. To reach this goal, Greenprints and Woodstock are going to need help from every direction. We need volunteers to work on our committees. We need connections to influential people in business. We need grants from government organizations and charitable foundations. We need you. Come out to support our efforts at this year’s Trailfest 2016 on May 7. It’s an all-day event starting with the Northside Hospital Cherokee 5K Run by PLAE HARD and continuing with live bands, Reformation Brewery craft beers, kids’ activities and lots of food. It all takes place on the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village Event Lawn on Market Street in downtown Woodstock from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For information about attending or sponsoring Trailfest 2016, see trailfest.org. For more information, please feel free to contact me directly: Gary Moore, executive director, 770-289-9854 or gary@greenprintsalliance.org. You can go online to donate or volunteer by visiting the Take Action page on our website: greenprintsalliance.org/takeaction.

GREENPRINTS TRAIL SYSTEM WOODSTOCK, GA

Sources: City of Woodstock, Esri, HERE, DeLorme, TomTom, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), swisstopo, MapmyIndia, ÂŠ OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community

Noonday Creek Trail - This 1.43 mile paved trail begins at Market Street in Downtown Woodstock one block west of Main Street.

It continues downhill toward Noonday Creek where it intersects with Towne Lake Pass Trail and the bridge to Woofstock Park. The trail continues along Noonday Creek to its current end at Highway 92.

Trestle Rock Trail - This 0.40 mile paved trail is located in Olde Rope Mill Park and is an easy flat trail on the banks of Little River. Towne Lake Pass (2017) - This approximately 1.2 mile trail will connect the Towne Lake community to Downtown along the banks of Noonday Creek. It will begin at the intersection of Towne Lake Parkway and Towne Lake Hills South. Rubes Creek Trail (2016) - This .5 mile trail runs along Rubes Creek and will ultimately connect into a larger run of trails. TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Community

A Mother’s Day

Makeover BY VENÉSSA LANIER

Mothers are truly special. Without mothers, we would not be who we are today. When the team at Salon and Spa Venéssa was looking for a special mother who deserved a Mother’s Day makeover, we received several nominees. We read many heartwarming stories about mothers who go above and beyond for their families. It was extremely hard to only select one mother; however, we found one who truly stood out. Kim is the mother of two very busy sons, ages 11 and 14. Kim has also been a foster mom to 45 children during the past six years. Kim was nominated by her husband Mark. He said, “Anyone that knows Kim, knows her drive, passion and love for keeping the family and our home running. She is constantly running kids to doctor appointments, therapy appointments, school events and sporting events. She also works and home schools our own two children, along with keeping up with all of their extracurricular activities. She is amazing. Kim cannot say no when there is not a home available for a child to go to and we often have multiple siblings at the same time. Whether the children stay for a week or a year, Kim’s mission is to make them a part of the family and give them the attention they deserve.” Our team was excited to give Kim some much needed attention. Her day at Salon and Spa Venéssa began in the spa with a cup of herbal comfort tea. Massage therapist Haley Corderey provided a therapeutic one-hour massage to help relieve Kim’s stress. Next, our rising star, Kara Wood, provided Kim with a Stress-Fix™ pedicure. Kara massaged Kim’s tired feet with lavender essential oil combined with dead-sea salts. Kim’s pedicure was finished with a touch of color called Gelato on My Mind, a minty blue color from OPI’s new Venice collection. Kim met with senior stylist Dawn Futch to discuss a new hairstyle. Kim’s fine hair has a medium density, along with a bit of natural body and movement. Dawn suggested shortening

the length to create a slimming effect on Kim’s neck and jaw line. Dawn also added layers, which allowed Kim’s natural wave to create movement and softness. Dawn detailed out a sideswept bang to frame Kim’s eyes. Dawn finished Kim’s style by showing her how to use a volumizing tonic and a moisturizing volume boosting mousse to create a tousled wavy style. Next, I met with Kim to talk about hair color. Kim wanted a maintenance-free color. We decided on a tone-on-tone color that would provide shine and enhance her natural ginger undertones. I added lightness around her face by painting one shade lighter to highlight the layers around her face. Makeup artist and esthetician Amy Chandler showed Kim some quick makeup tips. Amy chose colors from Aveda’s spring/summer Indian Sunset collection. She used bronze tones to enhance Kim’s warm chestnut hair and blue eyes. Amy placed a Copper Haze trio on Kim’s eyelids and added a natural sun-kissed tone in Kim’s cheeks with Brazilian Sun bronzer. Amy finished Kim’s makeup with a sheer clover lip color and a touch of bronze lip glaze for a fresh, relaxed look. Kim had said that spending a day with the salon and spa team gave her a refreshed and transformed energy to take care of her family. For the Salon and Spa Venéssa team, the real reward was seeing Kim rejuvenated so she can continue being an amazing mother to her two boys and so many others.

Venéssa Lanier is the 24-year owner of Salon and Spa Venéssa, which is committed to providing personalized services to guests in a luxurious setting located in downtown Woodstock. www.salonvenessa.com

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

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Community

An Unexpected Way to Get More Money For Your Home BY KURT & SHEILA JOHNSON

It is a common misconception that every home buyer expects to pay less than the list price when buying a home. “Won’t the buyer try and knock money off our price on principal alone?” Our experience shows us that when a home is priced at market value in a competitive market, buyers will often pay above market value. When a home is priced to market when it’s initially listed, there is more potential for creating a sense of urgency with buyers. The correct pricing in combination with a diverse marketing blitz brings the most buyers with the highest offers. We have demonstrated this for our listing clients time and time again. When your listing is priced at fair market value, a well represented buyer knows it and should act accordingly. The buyer’s agent should be reviewing recently sold listings and informing the client that your listing is priced to market and won’t last long. As you can see in the graph we provided, homes are now selling for more than 98 percent of their list price. This graph illustrates the average ratio of list price to sold price of all single family homes sold in Towne Lake for the last nine years. This average also includes homes that were overpriced and sold for considerably less than their list price. When your listing is priced to market, you are in the position of strength when negotiating with the buyers. You have the home the buyer wants and you’ll usually have more than one buyer

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

interested. This strategic advantage puts the burden on the buyer to make an offer that is competitive with their perception of other offers, much like an auction. This is what makes the continued on page 88

Kurt and Sheila Johnson are Keller Williams Top Producing Agents and have served Cherokee County for more than 10 years. www.KurtandSheilaTeam.com.

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Call (770) 852-7720 for an appointment

N�� Loca�i��!

Northside Cherokee Pediatrics is proud to announce the addition of a new office in the Northside Towne Lake Medical Building to better serve the Woodstock community. Currently offering back to school check-ups and physicals, our board-certified physicians offer the quality one-on-one care you demand to keep your child happy and healthy including short wait times, same day appointments, and personalized care at a location convenient for your busy lifestyle.

Dr. Shalini Shah Welcoming new patients!

Norths I

Northside Pediatrics offers:

• Continuous Care. Patients are able to see the same provider at each visit to ensure continuous and seamless care for your child.

new office

HOLLY SPRINGS WOODSTOCK

l Rd .

• Timely Access. We offer same-day appointments whenever possible for sick patients.

Exit 11 (Sixes Road)

oh ns Second Location: on

Ros wel

• Board-certified in Pediatrics. Northside Cherokee Pediatrics provides excellent care to children in every stage of development, from infancy to adolescence.

900 Towne Lake Parkway, erry R d. Suite 306 Woodstock, GA 30189 northsidecherokeepediatrics.com

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Community

Tips

For Staying Safe on the Lake

BY CHRISTOPHER PURVIS

It’s that time of the year again, when people are headed to the lake for another great recreational year. Since National Safe Boating Week takes place May 16 − 22, we wanted to offer a few suggestions to make your visit to Allatoona Lake a pleasurable one.

Wear a Life Jacket

Wearing a life jacket is critical to surviving a boating accident. Nine out of 10 drowning victims were not wearing life jackets. This single action may make the difference between life and death. Put it on before leaving the dock and keep it on. Be sure it is properly fitted, in good condition and securely fastened. Children younger than age 13 are required by law to wear a life jacket while on board a moving vessel. Forgot your life jacket? No problem. There are life jacket loaner trees or check-out stations located at every U.S. Army Corps of Engineers managed area on the lake.

Take a Boating Safety Course

The best way to be safe on the lake is to know the Georgia laws. Boat operators can take courses in a classroom or on the Internet. Visit the Georgia Department of Natural Resources at www.gadnr.org to find a list of classes that will meet the requirement. For a limited time you can get a free U.S. Army Corps of Engineers annual pass for passing a course. Call 678-721-6700 for details on this program.

Don’t Drink and Operate a Boat

Half of all boating fatalities involve alcohol. Research has shown that four hours in a boat on the water being exposed to noise, vibration, sun, glare, wind and other motion on the water produces a boater’s “hypnosis” or fatigue. It slows reaction time as much as if you were legally drunk. Adding alcohol to boating stress factors intensifies the effects. Think before you take that drink.

Participate in Water Safety Programs

The Park Ranger Trading Card Program is in full swing and we are excited to be working with Safe Kids Cherokee County and other partners. We also will be issuing Flotation Citations to kids that are “caught” wearing their life jacket, earning those kids a free kid’s-size ice cream at Chick-fil-A.

Christopher Purvis is the lead ranger at Lake Allatoona over Partnerships, Volunteers and Project Security. He has been a ranger on Allatoona Lake since 2005.

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Make safety a priority

Stay safe on the lake all summer. Photo by Dwight Philpott, Safe Kids Cherokee County.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Forget! May 14 Kids to the Park day is at the Victoria day use area from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. in conjunction with National Kids to the Park day. Featuring presentations on safety, including a Chalk on the Walk Water Safety Art contest. Fourthgraders will be issued Kids to the Park passes good for admittance on most federal lands and national parks.

May 20 National Wear your Lifejacket to Work Day.

this summer: Safe Boating is No Accident! TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Community

ABLE Accounts for Loved Ones with Disabilities

Families should know about these new tax-advantaged savings vehicles. DON AKRIDGE, MBA, CFP®, CPA/PFS U.S. MARINE CORPS VETERAN – EMORY UNIVERSITY ALUMNUS

Families with special needs children have a new taxadvantaged savings option. The ABLE account, also called a 529A savings account, is patterned after the popular 529 savings plan created to help parents save for a child’s higher education. Like 529 plans, they are run by the states rather than the federal government. ABLE accounts address an underpublicized financial need. While some families open college savings accounts, very few start discrete savings accounts or trusts for children with disabilities. That difference may be partly due to the presumption that “the money will be there” when a disabled child becomes an adult. The money may not be there, at least not as much as many families hope. Increasingly, state agencies and nonprofit groups helping the disabled face funding challenges and pressure to limit the “entitlements” they distribute. Social Security, which provides Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to millions of disabled adults, faces its own set of pressures. Financially and legally, what changes when a special needs child turns 18? As an adult, a disabled person becomes eligible for Medicaid and monthly SSI payments, provided that he or she meets the financial requirements, typically only available to those with $2,000 or less in assets. Some special needs adults have more than $2,000 in assets in their name by age 18. Savings accumulate, family gifts and investments are made on behalf of the child, and suddenly that young man or woman is ineligible for fundamental health care and income benefits. ABLE accounts nicely address this dilemma. Money accumulated in a tax-advantaged ABLE account does not count toward that $2,000 total.

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

How much can you save annually through an ABLE account? Currently, an individual can contribute as much as $14,000 a year to one of these accounts; yearly contributions are capped at the current federal gift tax limit. The account can contain as much as $100,000 in some states, as much as $300,000 in others; the total limit corresponds to a state’s dollar limit on 529 college savings plans. Past that limit, the ABLE accountholder loses eligibility for SSI payments (though eligibility for Medicaid is retained). More than 30 states have enacted ABLE accounts. At press time, a bill to enact a Georgia plan was waiting for Gov. Nathan Deal’s signature. If your state is not among them, you can open an ABLE account through another state’s program. ABLE accounts are becoming an important component of special needs planning. An account with a ceiling of $100,000 (or $300,000) probably won’t hold enough to cover lifetime care expenses for most disabled adults, even if replenished. So the ABLE account should not be seen as a standalone financial “answer” for families with mentally or physically challenged children, but as part of a greater financial strategy. An ABLE account can be used in tandem with a supplemental needs trust, as well as other savings efforts. These accounts do have their shortcomings. The biggest drawback of ABLE accounts is that they do nothing for people continued on page 88 Don Akridge is president of Citadel Professional Services, LLC, an independent firm, founded in 1994 and conveniently located off Chastain Road between I-575 & I-75 in Kennesaw. 770-952-6707.

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678-234-9668 Serving Towne Lake Since 1999 Phil Rowe, Towne Lake Resident TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Community Casual and Upscale Dine-In Restaurants

Towne Lake Area Dining Guide RESTAURANT

CUISINE

BKFST LUNCH DINNER SUNDAYS SPIRITS

RESERV.

*Cancun Mexican Grill, 4430 Towne Lake Parkway

Mexican

open

full bar

Cheeseburger Bobby’s, 2295 Towne Lake Parkway 678-494-3200, cheeseburgerbobbys.com

American

open

see ad pg. 41

China Fun, 1075 Buckhead Crossing 770-926-2671, chinafun88.com

call ahead seating

Chinese

$-$$

open

Soup/Salad/ Sandwiches

open

American Irish

open

full bar

Mexican

$-$$

open

full bar

Family Tradition, 4379 Towne Lake Parkway 770-852-2885, familytradition.net

Homestyle Cooking

closed

GameDay Fresh Grill, 2990 Eagle Drive 770-693-6754, gamedayfresh.com

American/Burgers

open

full bar

yes

Thai/Sushi/ Chinese

open

full bar

yes

JD’s Barbeque, 6557 Bells Ferry Road 678-445-7730, jdsbbq.com

Barbeque

$-$$

open

Jersey’s Sports Bar, 6426 Bells Ferry Road 770-790-5740

American

open

full bar

yes

Johnny’s Pizza, 1105 Parkside Lane 770-928-9494, johnnyspizza.com

Pizza/Pasta/ Salad

$-$$

open

full bar

Kani House, 2455 Towne Lake Parkway 770-592-5264, kanihouse.com

Japanese Steak/Sushi

$-$$

$$-$$$

open

full bar

yes

Mexican

open

full bar

Corner Bistro, 2360 Towne Lake Parkway 770-924-1202, cornerbistrotl.com Donovan’s Irish Cobbler, 1025 Rose Creek Drive 770-693-8763, donovansirishcobbler.com El Ranchero, 1025 Rose Creek Drive 770-516-6616

Izumi Asian Bistro, 2035 Townelake Parkway 678-238-1899, iloveizumi.com

La Parrilla, 1065 Buckhead Crossing 770-928-3606, laparrilla.com

LongHorn, 1420 Towne Lake Parkway Steakhouse no $ $$ open full bar 770-924-5494, longhornsteakhouse.com

call ahead seating

Marco’s Pizza, 2068 Eagle Drive 678-213-2100, marcos.com

Pizza/Pasta/ Salad

$-$$

open

beer/wine

Mellow Mushroom, 2370 Towne Lake Parkway 770-591-3331, mellowmushroom.com

Pizza/Pasta/ Salad

$-$$

open

beer/wine

NY Style Deli & Pizza, 2340 Towne Lake Parkway, 678-426-7004

Pizza/Subs/ Bakery

$-$$

open

Bakery/Soups/ Sandwiches

$-$$

open

Panera Bread, 2625 Towne Lake Parkway 678-813-4809, panerabread.com

*Papa P’s, 2295 Towne Lake Parkway

Mexican/Irish see ad pg. 8 770-592-3100, papa-ps.com Peking & Tokyo, 200 Parkbrooke Drive 770-591-8858, pekingandtokyo.com Song’s Garden, 4451 Towne Lake Parkway 770-928-8387, songsgarden.com

Sat.&Sun. $ $ open full bar brunch

large groups call ahead

Chinese/Japanese

$-$$

open

beer/wine

Chinese

$-$$

open

The Grille at Towne Lake, 1003 Towne Lake Hills Golf Club 770-592-9969

American $ $ $-$$ open full bar Casual

The Place, 1105 Parkside Lane 770-928-8901, theplacebargrill.com

Bar/Grill

$-$$

open

full bar

Italian

$-$$

$$-$$$

open

full bar

10+

Tuscany, 250 Cinema View Drive 678-453-0888, mytuscanyrestaurant.com

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

* Denotes Advertiser

Chili’s Bar & Grill, 1460 Towne Lake Parkway American no $ $-$$ open full bar 770-592-7676, chilis.com

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

770-693-4680

special events

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Salon Gloss Expanding to a Second Location In the short time since Salon Gloss opened its doors in downtown Woodstock in May 2012, owner Tim Timmons has seen the salon grow rapidly. Each year business has improved 40 to 50 percent. He has almost doubled the salon’s space, and has boosted the staff to 20 stylists. Timmons’ next step may leave some scratching their heads. But it’s a perfectly rational decision to the entrepreneur. Timmons is opening a second Salon Gloss location in downtown Woodstock. “We’re going to open a Salon Gloss protégé location, which will be the site of a new talent program. We’ll bring in licensed stylists who’ve graduated beauty school and we will mentor them. They can offer their services at a lower price point, which opens up our brand to a new demographic of people who may find our salon too expensive,” said Timmons. The protégé site, which will open at the site of the former Bon Vivant Salon at 164 Towne Lake Parkway, will employ 10-12 new graduates who will offer a full range of salon services. The 4,000-square-foot space also will feature a full service spa, offering clients access to 38

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

aestheticians and massage therapists offering facials, dermabrasion, body wraps and other services. New stylists will be able to get hands-on experience with clients and benefit from a theater-style training center. That experience will qualify them to move to the Chambers Street salon or to other locations when Timmons expands into Alpharetta and Midtown. He’s also considering opening beauty schools and duplicating the protégé model by directing students to his salons. “I’m always asking, ‘What can I do next?’ I want to continue to expand and keep taking new talent under our wings, modeling and guiding them, and sending them off on their journey,” Timmons said. Serving as the foundation of

all future growth is the success of Salon Gloss, which is being recognized for excellence throughout the industry. Timmons credits the success of Salon Gloss to retention of stylists, a good location, beautiful space and attracting the best talent in the area. In 2015, Salon Gloss was given several honors by Salon Today, the industry’s premier publication, including: Ranked among the top 20 salons in the country for design. Named one of the top 200 salons overall for growth and philanthropy, after an extensive review of the salon’s accounting and business practices, philosophy and overall growth. Each Christmas, Salon Gloss partners with the Cherokee County Division of Family and Children’s Services to make sure each foster child has presents

under the tree. Two branding awards: one for best website in the industry, and the other for a commercial venture with nationally known celebrity hair stylist Nick Arrojo. In October 2015, Salon Gloss was accepted into a prestigious organization called Intercoiffure. “Only 1 percent of all salons are accepted,” said Timmons. “There’s a rigorous process to be accepted, and salons are chosen based on the philosophy of the salon owner, business practices, growth, training and development of staff. Only about 2,000 salons worldwide are part of Intercoiffure.” As Timmons continues to plan for the future, he is bringing in industry experts like Arrojo, Christopher Dove and John Simpson to offer regular training sessions at Salon Gloss. “We are working to bridge the gap between salons, breaking down competitive walls. We’re much better off if we are united and can learn from each other’s strengths.”

Salon Gloss 220 Chambers St, Woodstock, GA 30188 678-483-8900 • www.salongloss.biz 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday, Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Lifestyle

it Time ?

Image Intervention BY TIM TIMMONS

We’ve all had hair moments for the history books. You know, times when you look in the mirror and you’re greeted by a round of applause, whistling, and air snaps in a three-point formation followed by, “Hey there, heeeeey!” Those are the moments we live for, as we flip our hair and head out into the day, confident that yeah, we’ve got this. However, there are other times when our hair isn’t worthy of any kind of ovation. We can almost hear the womp-womp as the reflection in the mirror backs away with a touch of, “Oooh, you might want to rethink that.” Whether it’s bird’snest texture, lackluster color, or unruliness that forces you to pull it back from your face and hope for the best, one thing’s for certain: You need a hair overhaul. But, exactly what are the signs that you need to rethink your look? More important, what do you do about the situation other than keeping your hairdresser on speed dial? Here’s how to identify the warning signs that you and your hair might need to rethink your relationship.

SIGN #1

Your hair has no volume.

The top is flat, the sides are bulky, and it no longer frames your features. If your hair just sits there, even after you’ve blown it dry, set it, or curled it, at the very least get a trim.

SIGN #2

Your high school friends assure you that “you haven’t changed a bit!” Guess what? It’s probably time to do just that! Start getting inspired by collecting images of cuts you’d consider. Revisit them weekly until you can picture living with one of them. Next, schedule an appointment.

SIGN #3

Your highlights are more noticeable than your base color. This is an indication that your highlights have become too heavy. The fix? Consider a single process to cover the highlights and lay off new highlights for at least a few months. (Don’t worry. Some of the lighter bits will naturally show through, giving you a multi-tonal, sun-kissed effect.)

SIGN #6

Your clothes have evolved; your hair hasn’t.

Altering your clothing style is the perfect excuse to update your ‘do. This way, your new look will work from head to toe — literally. For example, if you’ve recently lost weight and are finally sporting all those curve-hugging clothes previously relegated to the back of your closet, you might want to get a sleeker, more face-flattering hairstyle.

SIGN #7

Two words: Dry hair.

Depending on how severe the dryness of your hair, cutting off significant length may be the only way to eliminate dryness. Of course that is a conversation to first have with your stylist, but in the meantime, switch to a cream-based styler to add moisture to your hair, which will render it more supple and less apt to break.

SIGN #8 You pull your hair into a ponytail all the time. Don’t strive for basic. Add bangs, facial framing or layers, to give your locks some shape — that way, you’ll be more apt to wear it down. If you still insist on pulling it back in a pony, these options will at least update your look.

SIGN #9 You spend more than 20 minutes styling your hair. If it takes this long, your cut is clearly not making the most of your texture. A fast fix: Get your stylist to create a hairstyle that will work with your curls (like long layers) or that boost your lank locks (like a blunt bob).

SIGN #10 Your stylist could cut your hair with her eyes closed. Sounds like someone’s in a rut (not just you). Seek out fresh eyes/scissors. The easiest way to keep current? Start with a versatile cut, then alter your texture and color as often as you like!

SIGN #4

You’re not receiving compliments on your hair anymore. One simple tweak sure to garner attention is to set your strands in hot rollers. Of all the heat-styling tools, they produce the softest, sexiest waves.

SIGN #5

Your hair and skin tones match.

If your hair and skin tones have become too close, you could benefit from lowlights. Adding deeper, warmer pieces will give your look loads of dimension and drama. 40

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Tim Timmons is the owner of Salon Gloss Woodstock. Tim’s industry experience includes positions as trainer/educator, celebrity stylist and beauty consultant for the Grammys and MTV video music awards.

Expert Surgical Care for the Cherokee Community

Northside Cherokee Surgical Associates is a full-service practice specializing in general surgery. Our board-certified physician, Dr. Grant Wolfe, uses the latest minimally invasive robotic and laparoscopic techniques to treat the full spectrum of abdominal, thyroid, and soft tissue disorders. Grant Wolfe, M.D.

Treatments offered for: • Hernias

• Skin and soft tissue lesions

• Gallstones and gallbladder problems

• Thyroid and parathyroid disease

• Breast masses and cancer

• Diverticulitis and colon cancer

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease and hiatal hernias

• Stomach, adrenal gland, pancreas and spleen disorders

(770) 924-9656 • ncsurgicalassociates.com 900 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 412, Woodstock, GA 30189 TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Lifestyle

Out & About May 4

May 7

May 5

The Cherokee Master Gardeners will present a 10 a.m. seminar on native plants. Learn which native plants can be dependable additions to your landscape. Location is the Cherokee County Senior Center, 1001 Univeter Road, Canton. To register, call 770-721-7803 or email uge1057@uga.edu.

City of Holly Springs Job Fair is 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the train depot community center, 164 Hickory Road. Local business owners and recruiters will meet with job seekers. www.hollyspringsga.us. National Day of Prayer will be commemorated at the Cannon Park gazebo in downtown Canton, with the Rev. Lemora Dobbs facilitating, and at the fire station in Waleska, with Shirley Horner facilitating. Both events start at noon and are sponsored by the Cherokee Christian Ministerial Association and will include worship and prayer led by community leaders. The programs will last approximately 50 minutes.

May 7

Sixth annual fashion show benefitting Goshen Valley Boys Ranch will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the Roswell Country Club. Purchase tickets at www.goshenvalley.org. Walk for Life is a fundraiser for the HOPE Center in Woodstock. For more information, call 770-924-7990 or visit www.hopectr.com. The Cherokee County Historical Society will host the 13th annual Kentucky Derby Day at 3:30-7 p.m. at the Rock Barn, a fundraiser supporting educational programs and the Cherokee County History Museum. The event features gourmet food, open bar, silent auction, pony pull betting, bourbon tasting, and a competitive hat parade and contest. Tickets are $60 and may be purchased online at www.rockbarn.org or by calling 770-345-3288. The Jungle Run 5k and 1 Mile-Prowl, sponsored by Johnston Elementary School, begins at 8 a.m. at River Ridge High School. Funds raised will be used to finish the Shade Project and ongoing enhancements for the school’s quarter-mile walking track and PE department. To register, visit www.junglerun.info. Trailfest and 5K run in downtown Woodstock. The 5K, sponsored by PLAE HARD, begins at 8 a.m.; registration is $30. Trailfest activities continue all day at the Resurgens Orthopaedics Community Stage at Elm Street Cultural Arts Village. For details, visit www.trailfest.org.

Free community BBQ from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Fields Chapel United Methodist Church, 1331 Fields Chapel Road in Canton. www.fieldschapel.org.

May 7-8

The 27th annual Cherokee County Indian Festival and Mother’s Day Pow Wow is 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday at Boling Park, 1098 Marietta Highway, Canton. Tickets can be purchased at the gate for $15 for ages 13 and up. Free for ages 12 and younger. For more information, call 770-735-6275 or email rollingthunder34@ymail.com.

May 9

Men of Hillside charity golf tournament at Towne Lake Hills golf course. Shotgun start at 9:30 a.m. scramble format. Putting contest at 8 a.m. Includes silent auction and 19th Hole Luncheon. Player costs $125 individual, $500 foursome. Register at www.hillsideumc.org/men-of-hillside.

May 12-15, 19-22

“MANOPAUSE” is a musical comedy by Broadway Bound Productions about men as they age and the women who put up with them, at the Canton Theatre with 7:30 p.m. performances on Thursday-Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday matinees. Tickets are $22 for adults, $18 for students/ seniors. Call 770-720-2698 for group pricing.

May 12

Liberty Hill Church’s ninth annual Carpenter’s Cup golf tournament begins with registration at 8 a.m. at Callahan Golf Links. Cost is $400 per foursome ($100 individual) and includes breakfast and lunch. Proceeds from the golf tournament will benefit the Nehemiah Project, a community outreach whose mission is to foster a passion for godly service in the hearts of local youth who complete service projects for families in need. Go to www.nehemiah2016.com/golf for more information or to register. continued on page 44

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Lifestyle May 13

Relay for Life of Cherokee County “Paint the Town Purple” will be held 6 p.m.-midnight at River Ridge High School, 400 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life movement is a fundraiser that symbolizes hope and a shared goal to end a disease that threatens the lives of so many people we love. For more details visit http://bit.ly/1LNtAA5. Public meeting, from 6-8 p.m. at the Recreation Center in Woodstock, gives residents a chance to offer input on the comprehensive recreation, parks, green space and trails master plan for Cherokee County. www.crpa.net.

May 14

Woodstock Spring Festival is sponsored by the Woodstock Public Safety Foundation as a fundraiser for the many different projects of the foundation and Woodstock police and fire departments. A Hustle for Heroes 5K race is planned at First Baptist Church Woodstock; register at www.Active.com. After the race, activities will be held 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at The Park at City Center, including moonwalks, games, police K-9 demonstrations, food vendors, arts and craft vendors, and music in the gazebo. Explore police cars and firetrucks on display. For more information, call 770-592-6000 ext. 1147, or visit www.WPSFoundation.org.

May 14

The third annual National Guard Family Support Half Marathon begins with registration at 6 a.m. at Etowah River Park, 600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton. Proceeds benefit the Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation, Inc. Sign up at www.active.com.

May 21

The Cherokee Master Gardeners will present a 10 a.m. seminar on container gardens, covering containers, soil preparation, plant selection and tips to make containers look great all season. Location is the Cherokee County Senior Center, 1001 Univeter Road, Canton To register call 770721-7803 or email uge1057@uga.edu

May 21-22

Canton Festival of the Arts, a juried show for fine arts and crafts, will include an artist’s market with more than 75 exhibitors from nine states, serenity gardens, an interactive children’s experience and live entertainment. Free parking. For more details, visit www.cherokeearts. org/festival.

May 28

The Cherokee Master Gardeners will present a 10 a.m. seminar on succulents, learning how easy these plants are to propagate and grow. Location is the Cherokee County Senior Center, 1001 Univeter Road, Canton. To register call 770-721-7803 or email uge1057@uga.edu.

Volunteer Aging Council fourth annual Poker Run registration begins at 11 a.m.; the first group leaves at noon. Supports needy seniors and veterans. Entry fee $25 per poker hand, $5 passenger, includes T-shirt. Starts and stops at Semper Fi, 9970 Main St., Woodstock. For more information, call 770-432-9075 or email vacjudy.davila@gmail.com.

City of Holly Springs Memorial Day 5K and Fun Run begins at 8 a.m., with registration and race starting at Holly Springs Elementary School and ending at Barrett Park. Proceeds will benefit Holly Springs Elementary School STEM Academy. Pre-registration is $25, or day-of-race $30. Registration begins at 7 a.m. Register at active.com.

The Cherokee Master Gardeners will present a 10 a.m. seminar on garden hardware, with instruction on space-saving methods and tools that will help save your time and your back. Location is the Ag Agent Research Garden, 137 Ellenwood Drive, Canton. To register, call 770-721-7803 or email uge1057@uga.edu.

Master Gardener Plant Sale, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Cherokee County Senior Center, 1001 Univeter Road, Canton. Sales also are scheduled for 9 a.m.noon June 25 and 9 a.m.-noon Sept. 17. Demo gardens will be open for free tours during the plant sales, weather permitting.

Ale to the Alliance, a paddle, protect and partake fundraising event to benefit the Upper Etowah River Alliance, begins with a short, familyfriendly paddle to Toonigh Falls from Olde Rope Mill Park departing at 9 a.m. Participants are asked to pick up trash along the way. A 1-4 p.m. meetup is planned at Reformation Brewery, 500 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock, for barbecue provided by Angelfire7. The $25 cost includes drink tickets and a tour. RSVP to dminick@etowahriver.org.

Timothy Lutheran Church presents Cave Quest Following Jesus, The Light of the World Vacation Bible School for children ages 3 through rising sixth-graders. $10 per child. Register at www. tlcwoodstock.org. Timothy Lutheran Church and School are located at 556 Arnold Mill Road at the corner of Barnes Road in Woodstock.

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

June 13-17

Towne Lake Business Association Welcome to Spring! Are you thinking about joining a group to help your Towne Lake business get exposure and meet other Towne Lake business owners? If so, it is our pleasure to host you as our guest at our next lunch-n-learn. TLBA’s May Lunch-N-Learn Workshop Speaker: GaiLynn McCarthy, attorney Topic: Tax laws and avoiding business bankruptcy Where to Be: The Grille at Towne Lake Hills When: 12:15-2 p.m. Tues. April 19 Cost: $12 (lunch included) Workshops are presented by leading business speakers discussing topics geared toward our local business owners and supporters. Visitors are welcomed.

The students have been interviewed by the TLBA’s Entrepreneurial scholarship committee and the selections have been made. Two checks for $1,000 each will be handed out at Woodstock and Etowah high school’s honors nights in May. The winners will be published here in the June issue. Good luck to all those who participated!

www.Facebook.com/TowneLakeBusinessAssociation Thank you for supporting our community by “Keeping Towne Lake Dollars in Cherokee!”

TLBA SPOTLIGHT TCA Business Solutions

TCA Business Solutions has provided merchant services to small and mid-sized companies since 2007. The merchant services industry is constantly changing due to privacy issues, industry regulations, credit card types, equipment and technology. Most recent has been the introduction of EMV (Europay, Mastercard and Visa), which Jennifer Autian involves the new security chip credit cards and terminal readers enabled to read the encrypted chip. TCA Business Solutions stays up to date so clients are informed of the current changes, understand how the changes will affect their business, and what steps should be taken and when. TCA Business Solutions works with multiple processors and gateways to provide the right solution for the business. We work with the merchant to determine how the business interacts with the customer to take payments. The solution may require multiple options, including a physical terminal, mobile processing, electronic invoices, recurring payments or web payments. Jennifer Autian is the founder of TCA Business Solutions, located in Cherokee County, and an independent representative of merchant services. To learn more about EMV technology or explore other payment processing options, connect with her at 678-523-8760 or Jennifer@tcabiz.com.

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Lifestyle

Rob’s Rescues BY ROB MACMILLIAN

This cat’s name is Bristle. She is free to adopt and is 10 years old. She is a domestic mixed breed. She has no tail. She likes to have her ears scratched. I took a selfie with her and she does not like pictures. From left, standing: Braden Garrett, Dillon Watson, Connor Macmillan, Davis Watson, Jake Garrett, Kyle Alexa and Cole Alexa. Sitting: Rob Macmillan, Anna-Grace Watson and Cade Alexa.

These friends brought cat and dog food for homeless pets. We have made blessing bags that will be taken to Atlanta. The blessing bags will be for homeless people living on the street that have dogs living with them.

Rob’s Rescues

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

now has a Facebook page!

This dog’s name is Rowena. She is black and she is 10 years old. This dog has a thin body and a thin tail, and she is good with other dogs. She was fine with a big dog that was in the area next to us when we took her to the outside cage area. She is friendly with people, too. She is a mixed terrier and was a stray. There are lots of dogs in the shelter at the moment. I’m Rob Macmillan and I’m on a mission to help shelter dogs and cats. These animals are at the Cherokee County Animal Shelter at 1015 Univeter Road, Canton. Contact me at robsrescues@gmail.com.

Helping Hands

Who Rescues Whom?

The relationship between pet and owner can be life changing. BY SUSAN SCHULZ

Recently I viewed a touching YouTube Cherokee County Humane Society video about a sick, overweight, diabetic, (CCHS), which also operates a thrift middle-aged man named Eric who store, offers adoptions, low cost rescued an overweight middle-aged vaccinations and opportunities to foster. dog named Peety. The impact of this All animals at CCHS are in foster care. story has stayed with me. Eric got to The biggest needs are donations for such a low point in his life that he knew the thrift store and pet food for owners something had to change. He made an who are hurting financially. For more appointment with a nutritionist, and information and adoption locations, visit the first thing she advised him to do www.cchumanesociety.org. The store was to adopt a dog. His choice to do and offices are located at 5900 Bells so changed him forever. Eric and Peety Ferry Road, Acworth, GA 30102. Thrift started exercising together. Both of store: 770-592-8072. CCHS programs them dropped weight, and Eric’s health info: 770-928-5115. improved so much he later started Companion Animal Connection running marathons. He no longer finds loving homes for abused and Community Veterinary Care volunteer with a needed the outrageously expensive abandoned animals. Representatives patient. prescription drugs. (The video is worth bring dogs available for adoption to the watching. Google Mutual Rescue – Eric and Peety.) Roswell PetSmart 11 a.m.-2 p.m. every Saturday. For more But, do pets really improve human health? The Centers for information, call 678-493-9847 or visit www.adoptapet.com. Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says, “Yes.” According Georgia Animal Project, based in Ball Ground, offers high to the CDC, pets help decrease blood pressure, cholesterol, quality spay and neuter services at cost for dogs and cats triglycerides and feelings of loneliness, while increasing throughout North Georgia. I can vouch for the excellence opportunities for exercise and socializing with other humans. of their care. I used them for spaying a dog that showed up Evidence is increasing that interaction with pets also helps at our property. To find out more about pricing and clinic people cope with challenges including post-traumatic stress scheduling, visit www.theanimalproject.org or call 770-704disorder, Alzheimer’s and the end of life. That said, for PAWS (7297). National Pet Month we want Pet Buddies Food Pantry helps families in need by providing to celebrate our furry friends pet food, supplies, spaying and neutering, and education and their bounty of benefits. through community outreach programs. If you or someone See the list below for details you know is at risk of losing their pet because of difficult times, about what our county has visit www.petbuddiesfoodpantry.org or call 678-310-9858. to offer our precious animals Community Veterinary Care provides professional - and their prospective veterinary care in a mobile unit for pets whose owners have owners. limited financial means. The veterinarian, Dr. Wolf, desires to make visible, in a small way, the love and light of Jesus Christ through his free care of your pet. Dr. Wolf’s wish list For more info on Killian the is for a mobile X-ray machine and a blood pressure machine. cat visit: www.petfinder.com/ For more information and mobile clinic locations, visit www. petdetail/34806281 communityvetinarycare.org or call 678-640-3512. Celebrate National Pet Month and get involved in a rescue. You never know what good will come from it. All listed organizations are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, making donations tax deductible, except the Companion Animal Connection site, which allows nonprofits to register animals on its site.

For more info on Brian the dog visit: www.petfinder.com/ petdetail/34476914

Susan Schulz is a Bible teacher, author, wife, and mom of three grown children. She lives and plays along the Etowah River and loves serving at Woodstock City Church. TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Feature

Honesty, Integrity

The only way to serve Cherokee

Reynolds accepting his diploma from the FBI National Academy

Professional Qualifications:

• More than 22 years of law enforcement experience, including commander of patrol, investigations, narcotics, school police, traffic unit, K9 and training • Department of State’s High-Threat Program, Iraq • Master’s degree in public administration • FBI National Academy 224th session • Georgia Law Enforcement Command College • Conservative Policy Leadership Institute • Adjunct Police Academy Instructor • Tactical Commander, Iraq • Operational Security Specialist, Iraq

Community Involvement: • First Baptist Church of Waleska • Rotary Club of Canton • Optimist Club of Canton • Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce • Cherokee County Historical Society, Board Member

Frank Reynolds for Sheriff PO Box 5691 Canton, GA 30114 678-983-3292 www.FrankReynoldsforsheriff.com Facebook: Frank Reynolds for Sheriff 48

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Frank Reynolds is running for Cherokee County sheriff and he wants citizens to know he has a plan and a vision. He wants to build strong relationships between the sheriff’s office and the residents of the county while fostering partnerships with local businesses. Reynolds intends to do these things through modern law enforcement services, applied even-handedly with compassion and understanding by highly trained and educated men and women who are dedicated to serving. “I believe it is a calling to want to serve others and this is a manner in which I feel led to serve my community. I have prepared myself through senior law enforcement management, higher education and continued community involvement,” Reynolds said. Reynolds currently serves as a member of the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office senior command staff, where he has managed all personnel, annual division budgets and equipment for multiple divisions: uniform patrol, criminal investigations, school resource officer program, as well as the canine and traffic units. He has more than 22 years of law enforcement experience and began his career in 1994 with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, serving under the leadership of Sheriff Roger Garrison for more than a decade. His last Cherokee assignment was at the Bells

Ferry precinct as the evening watch commander; he also spent eight years on the Cherokee County SWAT team. Prior to working for the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, Reynolds worked in Iraq with the Department of State’s diplomatic security as an independent contractor. His mission was to provide close personal protection for U.S. diplomats and high-ranking U.S. military leaders including the Deputy Chief of Mission, the Department of Homeland Security Attaché and the Senior Advisor for the Minister of Interior. Reynolds is a graduate of Reinhardt University and has a Masters of Public Administration degree from Columbus State University. He completed command training at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College, and earned a Criminal Justice Certification from the University of Virginia. His wife Dr. Jennifer Reynolds, is a special education teacher in Cherokee County, and they have three children Frank, Emelia and Sophia. Jennifer is a life-long resident of Cherokee County and a member of the Cherokee County Service League. Proud of his own roots in the area, Reynolds said, “I grew up in Cherokee County, I went to school here, and I worked for the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office for over a decade. My children go to school here and my wife is a special education teacher in Cherokee County. I have

Paid for by the Committee to Elect

& Transparency

e County

FRANK’S PLAN Constitutional Rights

Reynolds believes in preserving individual constitutional rights. As Cherokee’s next sheriff, he would exercise all of the authority entrusted to him to defend the rights, liberties and freedoms of county residents. He strongly supports the Second Amendment and citizens’ rights to keep and bear arms.

School Safety

Cherokee County school safety is not only very important to Reynolds personally, but he feels that it is the foundation of the county’s future. His children attend public school in the county, and his wife and sister are dedicated Cherokee County educators. His goal is to strengthen the partnership between the sheriff’s office and the superintendent of schools, the school board and school police officers.

Residential and Business Safety The Reynolds family: from left, Jennifer, Sophia, Frank, Nora the dog, Emelia and Frank II.

a vested interest in assuring our quality of life is protected for years to come. Cherokee County needs stability in leadership and vision. I have the proven leadership and experience managing a sheriff’s office budget, personnel and equipment.” An important point in his strategic plan for the county is to address the growing heroin addiction crisis in the community. “Currently, heroin is a major concern, and one death is too many. We must treat the addiction and the person; we cannot arrest ourselves out of this problem,” Reynolds said. “We must continue our efforts with accountability courts and addiction recovery programs and not compartmentalize the process.” While he takes a tough stance on crime and drug dealers, Reynolds sees the need to understand the addiction and the root cause.

He says he has seen firsthand the effects of preventable and tragic loss within our community. Reynolds has a clearly defined plan for Cherokee County that includes constitutional rights, school safety, residential and business safety, budget and community outreach. Reynolds said he understands the delicate balance of protecting a community while maintaining a fair and compassionate application of the law. He believes most people are honest, hardworking and lawabiding citizens who should be treated with dignity and respect. As the next sheriff, Reynolds promises to serve the citizens of Cherokee County with honesty, integrity and transparency. The Cherokee County primary election is Tuesday, May 24.

As a Cherokee County resident, Reynolds feels strongly about the importance of fostering partnerships and creating long-lasting, positive relationships between business owners, residents and the sheriff’s office. He plans to do that through enhancements to existing programs like Business Watch and Neighborhood Watch to strengthen bonds within the community. He pledges to remain available to personally attend meetings of neighborhood homeowners’ associations and other community groups. He is also prepared, where necessary, to implement new strategies and tactics to reduce vulnerabilities and crime within our residential and commercial areas.

Budget

As the next sheriff, Reynolds intends to maintain strict oversight over the sheriff’s office annual budget and look to reduce or eliminate unnecessary spending. He plans to diligently look for innovative ways to incorporate and leverage available technology to ensure public safety, and work with the board of commissioners to attract quality candidates and support the needs of sheriff’s office employees.

Community Outreach

Reynolds plans to implement the first Sheriff’s Academy for Cherokee County residents. Residents would be able to experience a six-week curriculum to learn about and become more informed in all aspects of the sheriff’s office. The program is intended to help citizens acquire a deeper appreciation for what it means to be a dedicated deputy sheriff in Cherokee County.

t Frank Reynolds Sheriff TOWNELAKER | May 2016

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Lifestyle

The Boogeyman Cometh BY MICHAEL LITREL, MD, FACOG, FPMRS

Bridget was a patient of mine who, like in on the secret and bought us each a cone. I broached the Boogeyman story the me, was born in July. She came to my office other day to ascertain my mother’s last week, and we started comparing notes. rationale. How could a mother lie to her We agreed on the obvious advantage to helpless children? The memory made my a July birthday, that it’s midway between mom giggle all over again. Christmas. “What can I say?” she said, when she had Bridget told me that when she was a little finished laughing. “I was a smart mother. girl, her mother used to say all the beautiful No annoying kids begging for money for the fireworks in the sky were to celebrate her ice cream man!” birthday. Bridget was crushed when she From left, Chris, Mary and Dr. Michael Litrel. My mother doesn’t like conflict. Mary finally realized it was a family myth. She was born in China during World War II, and her earliest memories asked me if my mother had told me something similar. are of bombing and death. She came to America when her father Her question made me laugh. The stories my twin brother became a translator for the fledgling United Nations in New York Chris and I heard from our mother were a different sort. For after the war. After this stormy childhood, what she craved most example, the summer we were 5 years old, Mom told us that was peace and quiet. the ice cream truck, with its tinkling song and bell, was the Instead, she was blessed with twin sons and an Italian husband Boogeyman coming to get us. who agreed with the adage, boys will be boys. Whenever Chris We couldn’t understand why the other neighborhood kids ran outside every time the Boogeyman rang his bell. But Chris and I weren’t waiting to find out. We ran into the house and hid in the closet. Our aunt came to visit one day and wondered aloud to my mother why Chris and I were so frightened. Mary explained in a fit of giggles. My aunt was appalled. Taking pity on us, she let us

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

continued on page 88

Michael Litrel, MD, FACOG, FPMRS is board certified in the subspecialty female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. He is a board certified urogynecologist and obstetrician/ gynecologist at Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists. www.cherokeewomenshealth.com.

Welcoming New Patients

Northside Cherokee Orthopedics and Sports Medicine is a full-service practice that specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of muscoloskeletal disorders, arthritis and sports injuries. Our physicians, Dr. Stephanie Hsu, Dr. Travis Jones, Dr. Brian Seng and Dr. Matthew Simmons, offer a wide range of services for patients, including the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the upper and lower extremities, management of concussions, fracture care and treatment for sports-related injuries.

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Services Offered: • Treatment of pediatric, adolescent and adult patients • Prevention, evaluation and treatment of athletic injuries • Diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the upper and lower extremities • Total joint replacements (hip, knee, ankle & shoulder)

Exit 11 (Sixes Road)

HOLLY SPRINGS WOODSTOCK

• Diagnosis, evaluation and management of concussions

Services Include: • Haircuts and Bang Cuts • First Haircut Package • Fashionable Braids & Up-dos • Mom and Dad Cuts • Themed Parties

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900 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 320, Woodstock, GA 30189 684 Sixes Road, Suite 130, Holly Springs, GA 30115 (770) 517-6636 • northsidecherokeeortho.com

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• Fracture care

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Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday: 10-6 Saturday: 10-5 Sunday: 12-5

Kids Only Shop • Ribbons, Bows & Headbands • Hair Care Products • Toys 881 Ridgewalk Parkway, Suite 104 • Woodstock, GA 30188 678.842.8299 • pigtailsandcrewcuts.com/woodstock TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Lifestyle

EVERYDAY

“Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be, 100 percent and then some.” -An excerpt from the U.S. Army Ranger creed. In February, local husband and father Ryan Bacon, age 44, began experiencing indigestion and morning nausea. It wasn’t until a sharp pain radiated up his shoulder that he realized something was wrong. “He thought he was having a heart attack,” says Kimberly, Ryan’s wife of 22 years. Doctor’s tests revealed a 10-cm tumor located inside his liver and a dangerous blood clot in his portal vein. Ryan was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare bile duct cancer affecting only 2,000 to 3,000 people in the U.S. each year. Ryan’s only hope is to have the tumor removed, but it is too large. He is undergoing aggressive chemotherapy in hopes to control the growth of the tumor as he awaits approval necessary to participate in the FDAapproved Y90 clinical trial program. The trial is a radioembolization that targets cancer with liver-dominant metastasis. Longtime residents of Cherokee County, Ryan and Kimberly have devoted their lives to serving others. They have three children: Jonathan, 18, Justin, 15, and Katie, 10. Ryan

Ryan and Kimberly with Jonathan, 18, Justin, 15, and Katie, 10. 54

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is a Gulf War veteran who faithfully served his country as a U.S. Army Ranger for many years and now works as a construction manager. He has coached several sports in the community at our local parks, and volunteers in his children’s schools. Ryan is the head coach of the Georgia Edge fifth grade girls’ basketball team, made up of 12 girls who think he is a super hero. Every week he helps these girls develop not only their basketball skills but life skills. Kimberly left her job in advertising sales three years ago to provide full-time care for her mother, who was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. Since Ryan’s diagnosis, she has had to place her mom into temporary hospice care until a nursing home can accept her. Kimberly will continue her tireless devotion as she helps Ryan through this battle. “We would like to thank our dear friends, the Blackwells, who have gone above and beyond since Ryan’s diagnosis and have been lifesavers,” said Kimberly. “Also, the Georgia Edge basketball girls who have prayed for their coach and created and sold bracelets to benefit Ryan. The love and support of everyone has been amazing and we are genuinely grateful.” Everyday Angels would like to help relieve the financial burdens, which could open up doors to options for Ryan’s care. If you would like to help the Bacon family, please send your taxdeductible donations to the address in the box below. Please keep the Bacon family in your constant prayers for healing and peace. Everyday Angels is a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving Cherokee County since 2000. 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, PMB 380, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 620, 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.

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Lifestyle

How to Find a Summer Internship BY JIM RAY

This is a message targeted at students (parents will want to read this and pass it on). One important way to make sure you are on target for your career is to find an internship while you’re in high school. Why would you want to get up early, dress for a job and put yourself through the stress of working when you can sleep in, hang with friends or just plain goof off in the summer? We have found that one of the best ways to see if your passion is suitable for a particular job track is to immerse yourself in that career before you go to school to prepare for the job. The month of May is not too late to find some student-friendly internship opportunities. Here are a few tips for landing a great position. • Investigate. Start your search in an industry that interests you. A lot of industries have niche job boards, so you might have to put in some effort to uncover these. Use the many career sites available online. Websites like www. linkedin.com or www.monstertrak.com or www.wetfeet.com offer highly specialized searches for internship databases and great advice. If you get stuck, give our office a call since we service quite a few small businesses that might be in the market for some help. And if an organization doesn’t have an established position, find out if they could use any help. Create your own internship! Sound too time-consuming? Just consider the years you could spend working a job only to

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

realize it’s not for you. You don’t often get to see what a job really entails before accepting a position. An internship allows you to get your hands dirty; you will get a real understanding for the industry you hope to join! • Interview. Go on a few internship interviews. Treat the interviews as you would a potential job and make sure your résumé is in tip-top shape. You may want to talk to your counselor, who will have advice on résumé formatting and the accomplishments you should include. Be prepared with a list of things you would like to contribute, and what you hope to learn from the experience. • Income. Don’t be put off if the internship is unpaid. Remember, internships are about getting experience. You will network with people who can share industry knowledge and serve as valuable contacts afterwards. These contacts are priceless compared to what you would make per hour. After your internship is out of the way, you’ll have one new bullet point for your résumé.

Jim Ray, president of J Ray CPA, PC, a full-service CPA firm, has an office in Woodstock as well as virtual offices. 404-994-5102. www.jraycpa.com.

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Lifestyle

Be Proud of your Localized Weirdness BY MATT NEAL

“Pollen season is here, so we have to wash our car every few days.” My out-of-state friend gave me a puzzled look. “What do you mean?” “Because of the yellow pollen,” I told her. “It covers the car.” Her puzzled look turned skeptical. She took on a professorial air and began the lecture. “Pollen is too fine for you to actually see.” I smiled and said, “Not only can we see it, we can write our name on the hood of our car.” People who are not from this area are often astounded by the amount of pollen generated by our beloved pine trees. It’s almost something to brag about. When I see those yellow clusters on the ends of the branches, I know they are ready to pop. I know that stuff will seep its way into my house no matter how much I seal the windows. But I also know that just as quickly as it comes, it will soon be gone. Only the memory will remain, and the proof to my skeptical, out-of-state friends will have washed away with the spring showers. I grew up in Florida, and we had our own share of localized weirdness. When I try to explain how love bugs swarm so thick in the springtime you have to scrape them off your car, it’s hard for people to believe. They crawl on any and everything. They land on your arms and clothes and show no modesty with their

“Not only can we see it, we can write our name on the hood of our car.”

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mating. I often wondered where in the world they went to the rest of the year. I’ve also lived in south Georgia, and when I tell someone I lived south of the gnat line, he or she thinks I hit my head falling off the turnip truck. Gnats swarm in your face and crawl in your ears. You’re constantly waving them away, but it can’t be done. But drive a few miles north of Macon and they disappear. There really is some invisible line that they won’t cross, as if they are observing some peace treaty with the north Georgia bugs. I lived in Savannah as well. We’d go to the beach and the no-see-ums would crawl through our hair and keep you scratching your head the whole time you were there. But once you leave the beach, they don’t follow. But the worst localized oddness is this darn Georgia red clay. If your kids want to play outside, you might as well buy them orange play clothes. Once a pair of white socks gets covered in that stuff, there is no going back. When I read authors who write about Georgia, I can always tell if they are legit. If they mention banjos, I know they’re a hack. But if they mention boiled peanuts, yellow pollen and red clay, they are one of us.

Matt Neal is a freelance writer who has lived in Woodstock with his wife since 1999. He can be reached at mattnealwriter@outlook.com.

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Lifestyle

Take Care to Avoid Drought in Your Soul BY LYNNE SAUNDERS

I get nostalgic when I hear rain falling. Not destructive storms, but rain that falls with life-giving intention. Its purpose is to water the world. To nourish trees, flowers and growing food. To keep the rivers and lakes full enough to sustain fish. To give us water to survive. A television commercial comes to mind, cued to a grandmother who intends to bike ride with her grandchildren. She opens the garage door only to discover a sudden downpour. What do they do? They change into rain jackets and go outside to play in the puddles. Who does that? It looks like great fun, but what would my kids say if I did that? Would they be concerned that I exposed their kids to potential colds and flu? Would they think that an onset of dementia might be a problem? Many years ago in Charlotte, N.C., when our kids were young, we would love to sit on our front porch. We would wave and say hello to friends and neighbors who went by. Sometimes they would join our welcoming party. But the best times on that porch were during rainstorms. We would watch for lightning and count the seconds before hearing thunder to determine how far away it was. We would cover ourselves with blankets if the wind was cold. Sometimes we got very wet. Have you ever been in a hot tub in a rainstorm? Again, while in Charlotte, we sat many times under umbrellas in our backyard retreat. We found great refreshment in those rainstorms. Rain has the power to restore. From a human perspective, our souls can become withered and dry. We can lose our focus and faith. Sluggishness and hopelessness are our enemies. It is called “burnout.” It affects our moods, our health, our relationships, and kills optimism. What to do when spiritual dryness begins to creep in? Admit that your soul may be in trouble if you have not felt like yourself for a while. Do what you can to correct the obvious problems. Drink in what gives you joy. Feel love. Spend quiet, reflective time with God. Be intentional about scheduling time with that special person. See a funny movie. Get out of town. Go out in the rain. These are not errands or tasks; they are intentional life-giving breaks from the day to day grind. Keep Making Progress!

What to do when spiritual dryness begins to creep in?

Lynne Saunders is director of Papa’s Pantry (www.papaspantry.org) and the Master’s Training Center. She can be reached at 770-591-4730.

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Channel your child’s energy into things that will benefit them in mind, body and soul - wrapped in a fun and caring community. Help them learn about God and His amazing love for them. Because the company they keep matters.

good

INFLUENCES

#hillsidestrong

LAST A LIFETIME VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

PreK 4’s through rising 3rd graders | June 6-10, 9:30-12:00 4th through rising 6th graders | June 26-29, 6:30-8:45

BIBLE CAMPS Infants through 3rd graders | Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday’s June 21-23, June 28-30, July 12-14 and July 19-21

Registration is now open online at HillsideUMC.org. Take advantage of early bird registration - before June 5! For further information email Pat Walker at pwalker@HillsideUMC.org.

770.924.4777 HillsideUMC.org 4474 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock GA 30189

CURRENT SERMON SERIES

FROMHERE TOTHERE

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Lifestyle

Items to Consider Even if ‘It’s All Taken Care of’ BY CINDY NELSON

Throughout your life your parents have been there for you, during your ups and downs, and you want to be there for them, too. Sometimes this means having difficult conversations with aging parents. These discussions are always hard to start and are often quickly ended by the statement “it’s all taken care of.” When parents say this to their children, what does it really mean? Assuming they’ve worked with an attorney that specializes in elder law, of course they’ll have a will, and advance medical directives in place, with health care and financial power of attorney designees and back-up designees. They may also have a trust or certain transfer on death designations that can help them avoid having to go through a difficult probate process when they pass. These elements, while vital, still fall short of taking care of everything. Consider these important often-overlooked aspects: A Master File of Documents Having a great plan in place is important, but you also need to make sure loved ones can find it when they need it. To be truly organized and “taken care of,” a master file of documents is vital. Some people will set up a folder in a file cabinet, a designated drawer or box of information, or a binder with multiple sections. Many new estate planning documents allow

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for copies to be accepted the same as originals. This can help with making sure loved ones have authority to act under power of attorney or health care directives when they need to, but check to make sure yours do before relying on copies. In addition to estate planning documents, this master file should include information about bank accounts, brokerage accounts, investment accounts, life insurance policies, beneficiary designations, deeds for real estate properties, automobiles and boats, stock and bond certificates and monthly bills. Funeral Plans and Costs Parents may have put their funeral wishes on file with a funeral home, and even pre-funded their own funerals in an irrevocable funeral trust or burial account to protect the funds in case they need to access Medicaid. Some costs, not under the funeral home’s control, include obituaries, motorcycle escorts for processions and out-of-pocket costs for a reception. Access to additional funds will help ensure “it’s all taken care of.”

Cindy Nelson is an Elder Care Law Attorney with Nelson Elder Care Law, LLC, 2230 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 900-200, Woodstock, GA 30189, www.NelsonElderCareLaw.com

Senior Sense Life Goes On BY DELIA HALVERSON

How often have you heard the words, “life goes on…”? We use it in so many situations. We use it when we’re tired of something and looking for a change; when we suddenly have a change and don’t like the change; when someone (often a child) tells us about something that bothered him or hurt his feelings … You can fill in the blank. In March, my husband had his fifth back surgery and was in the hospital for six days. Then he was home for six days, but had to return to the hospital because his low sodium level was causing trouble. That took another six days. Most of those days I left home before sunrise and returned after sundown. We missed having our usual Easter dinner in our home, but our children and grandchildren brought Easter dinner to us at the hospital! It was a joyful (though crowded) time together in the hospital room. We even had a tablecloth for the bedside table and bunny salt and pepper shakers, as well as ham and our usual family dinner items. That was so thoughtful of them! We knew we were loved. After all those weeks, we felt we’d missed the month of March, and when my husband returned home, the trees were blooming and fresh green leaves were emerging. We actually felt that life had gone on without us, leaving us behind. There are certainly times when we feel we’ve missed out on life while we were busy taking care of necessary things at the time, but we can’t expect life to stand still for us. We must simply pick up where life is and carry on from there, being thankful that we are there to enjoy it. It never ceases to amaze me that spring comes around every year. The first time I saw spring here, I fell in love with it. We’d lived in northern Idaho and the Dakotas for 16 years, and the worst blizzard we experienced came the last day of April and the first day of May in South Dakota with 6-foot drifts and roads blocked with snow for three days. During each Atlanta spring I marvel over daffodils in late February, and April bursting with such glory! I don’t believe you can beat the changes of this area. Even if at times life seems to go on without you, remember that it’s a thrill to get back into it. Live it and enjoy it!

We must simply pick up where life is and carry on from there, being thankful that we are there to enjoy it.

Delia writes books and leads workshops internationally. She and her husband settled in Woodstock after living in eight states. Their children and grandchildren live nearby. TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Health & Wellness

Five Tips for Better Dental Health BY DR. SCOTT R. HARDEN

Over three decades in dentistry, I’ve seen the results when people decide to use their teeth in ways they aren’t meant to be used. Here’s a guideline to help you recognize destructive behaviors.

Your Teeth are Not Tools. People in a hurry will often use their teeth to bite fishing line, open packages or bite their fingernails rather than grab a pair of scissors, knife or nail clippers. The crystalline cellular structure of tooth enamel can develop stress fractures when teeth are used inappropriately. These fractures can run the length of a tooth and penetrate the nerve, creating the need for root canal therapy or—in more serious fractures—extraction of the tooth.

The Dangers of Grinding. Bruxism, or tooth grinding, occurs at night during sleep and cannot be helped. Grinding can range from mild to severe, and can cause a person to lose 25 to 50 percent of their tooth structure over the years. Your dentist can give you an appliance to wear at night to keep damage at bay.

Teenagers who drink a lot of soda come into the office with teeth that look 90 years old. The best advice is don’t drink sodas.

Caution: Citric Acid Ahead. There are many people that like to suck on lemons or drink a lot of lemonade or water with lemons, which can produce the same problem as sodas. A high acid environment from lemon or other citrus products promotes bacteria and chemical erosion of your enamel. The result is damaged teeth that can wear and decay more easily. Avoid consuming highly acidic products on a regular basis.

Prevention is Key. The No. 1 dental wish I have for people is to keep their regular dental checkups. Dentistry has always been a leader in prevention through the use of fluoride, sealants and braces. Regular checkups ensure early diagnosis of problems that could lead to advanced procedures, such as root canal therapy, extractions, gum surgery and restorative work. Make sure you visit the dentist two times per year and make it a good habit you maintain.

Beware of Sugary Sodas. The key words involving sodas are sugar, acid and bacteria. Drinking sodas on a regular basis is the perfect storm for your teeth. Bacteria that normally reside in your mouth (despite how much you brush and floss) love an acidic environment and love sugar—both created by sodas.

Dr. Scott Harden, a dentist at Fountain View Family Dentistry, has served Woodstock for more than 25 years. 770-926-0000. www.FountainViewSmiles.com.

Stay Injury-Free While Working in the Yard BY DR. MATTHEW T. SIMMONS

It’s a wonderful time of year to be outside working on projects, improving the yard and cultivating the garden. But if you’re a “yard warrior,” or someone who occasionally tries to get a lot done at least once a week, aches and pain can sprout and sometimes even cause injury if you’re not being safe. Here are tips to avoid hurting yourself in the long run. Warm up and stretch The debate is whether there’s value in warming up or stretching before starting any physical activity. A proper warmup and stretching pre-activity and cool down post-activity or workout is the best way to avoid a pesky muscle pull. Stretching after an activity can be beneficial because it increases flexibility and reduces soreness. Try to warm up by walking the yard a few times and stretch. After you’re done, cool down and stretch again to avoid injuries. With warmer weather, the body can break down or experience different types of strains and sprains. In the spring and summer, the shoulders and back endure more stress than almost any other time of the year. Muscles that have been hibernating and are used for pushing, lifting or pulling can become fatigued quickly. The fatigue leaves room for injury to discs and tendons. Limber up before you tackle the yard. When you reach above your head with your hands locked, you can help stretch your arms and shoulders. Trunk rotations are good for stretching your back and knee-to-chest pulls are great for working the legs. 64

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Pace Yourself Whether digging, raking or picking up grass clippings, setting goals is what keeps us motivated. Don’t push to reach those goals before your body is ready; take a step back and slow down if necessary. Take frequent breaks in the shade, drink plenty of water and wear proper clothing for sun protection and sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Signs that you’re pushing too hard can include reduced concentration, sleep disturbance, increased fatigue, pain at rest and with daily activities and delayed recovery. It’s also wise to perform outdoor activities during the early morning, until about 11 a.m. − and stay out of the sun until after 6 p.m. to avoid heat exhaustion. Use Proper Tools To protect yourself from injury, look for ergonomic tools with large, padded handles or curved handles that are less strenuous to use for longer periods of time. Some tools are also springloaded and reduce wrist and hand fatigue. Gloves are a must to prevent blisters and protect from sticks, thorns and other materials or chemicals.

Dr. Matthew T. Simmons is a board-certified physician with Northside Cherokee Orthopedics & Sports Medicine who specializes in diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of sports injuries. 770-517-6636. northsidecherokeeortho.com.

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Health & Wellness

Telephone Diagnosis: Not As Simple as it Seems BY DR. AMY HARDIN

Many insurance plans are rolling out what seems to be a super easy way to get treated without having to take off work or school: call a phone doctor and get a prescription! How easy! How convenient! And we are here to say, how irresponsible. We know you remember 80 percent of what kids have (and therefore many of their parents) are viral illnesses. Antibiotics do not treat viral illnesses. The overuse of antibiotics has lead to bacterial resistance worldwide. Serious diseases now are due to these resistant germs. The way the doctor-by-phone systems work is a doctor or nurse practitioner listens to symptoms and makes a diagnosis without an exam. No ears are looked into, no lungs are listened to, no strep tests are done. All doctors know that sometimes the history doesn’t tell the whole story. Kids who have the exact strep throat symptoms can actually have illnesses like mononucleosis. Mono plus amoxicillin equals a horrible rash! Irritable kids with high temperatures, cold symptoms and ear pain often have completely normal ears. Teens with ear pain often have no infection. Bladder infections need to be cultured to see what antibiotic is the correct one to choose. Here in Atlanta, up to 50 percent of E. coli infections, the most common cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) are resistant to several antibiotics. If UTIs

are treated with the incorrect antibiotic, patients can then develop kidney infections. Did you know that about 90 percent of bronchitis infections are actually due to viruses? Did you know that sinus infections almost always happen about two weeks after cold symptoms begin, and not before. These are all the kind of illnesses for which these phone docs called in antibiotics. Also, most of these illnesses can wait a day or two for YOUR doctor. We keep records of what antibiotics you’ve recently been on, what works, what you’re allergic to, and we can discuss things like waiting to see if it’s better to wait versus treating right away. So buyer beware … just because it’s easy, doesn’t mean it’s right. Pediatricians would rather take 10 minutes and explain why you don’t need an antibiotic rather than writing a quick prescription in order to see twice as many patients. You and your doctor are a team to keep you healthy. Don’t let others give you bad care, for the sake of convenience.

Dr. Amy Hardin has been a pediatrician at Northside Pediatrics in Woodstock for more than 20 years. www.northsidepediatrics.com.

The Helpful Benefits of Low-dose Naltrexone BY O. JULIUS QUARCOO

Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) may hold promise in helping a lot of people with chronic pain and autoimmune diseases. It has been shown to be particularly effective as an antiinflammatory treatment option for conditions such as fibromyalgia, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, lupus, Parkinson’s disease and a host of other conditions. LDN is used in high doses (50 mg) to combat alcoholism and drug withdrawal, but most dosages range between 1 mg and 4.5 mg, reducing the drug’s side effects. It is relatively cheap, compared to other pharmaceutical drugs used to treat autoimmune diseases. There are no commercial versions of LDN in the United States, so it is produced in various dosage forms by compounding pharmacies. Typically, LDN is taken at bedtime. It is believed to up-regulate vital elements of the immune system for a few hours while you sleep, by increasing the body’s production of natural opioids and improving immune function. LDN use with cancer patients has produced impressive

LDN use with cancer patients has produced impressive results.

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results particularly in bladder, breast, liver, lung, colon and rectum cancers. Its combination with certain chemotherapy drugs alleviates the toxicity of the cancer drugs. Most doctors do not yet know about low-dose naltrexone, so there are a few things to consider if you plan to use it. Dosages of LDN are titrated upward, usually starting at 1.5 mg and gradually working up to 4.5 mg at approximately biweekly to monthly intervals. Most people find 1.5 mg inadequate and dosages above 4.5 mg to be too much. Side effects reported are very mild and include priapism, sleep dysfunction (at the beginning of therapy) and weight loss. Make sure the compounding pharmacy does not produce and dispense a slow release or timed-release version of LDN because it may not provide full therapeutic benefits. Also, avoid LDN capsules that contain calcium carbonate as a filler, because this affects the absorption of the medicine.

O. Julius Quarcoo, a pharmacist for 22 years, is owner of Towne Lake Family Pharmacy, which offers compounding and regular prescriptions. 770-635-7697. townelakepharmacy@yahoo.com.

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Health & Wellness

Treating Single-Sided Deafness BY JAN HENRIQUES AU. D.

Hearing loss is defined as damage or defect in the cochlea—the part of the ear that contains the sensory organ of hearing, While the most common type of hearing loss affects both ears, some people experience hearing loss in only one ear. Advances in hearing technology are available to help those with this condition, also known as single-sided deafness. Patients with single-sided deafness will often position themselves with their “good ear” facing the person they are speaking with. This is often exhausting; improved hearing enables patients to communicate more clearly and with less effort. According to the National Institute on Deafness, sudden hearing loss occurs as an unexplained rapid loss of hearing, usually in one ear. It is said to strike about 5,000 people in the United States each year. It can be caused by a specific illness, but most commonly, it is sudden and with no known cause. In 10 to 15 percent of these cases, hearing loss can

The goal in treating singlesided deafness is to bring sounds from both ears to the brain.

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

be traced to side-effects to medications, illness, trauma, auto immune diseases and tumors. In cases like this, patients should seek immediate medical help. A delay in treatment can limit the ability to recover your hearing. The goal in treating single-sided deafness is to bring sounds from both ears to the brain. If one ear is completely deaf or so distorted that a traditional hearing aid cannot help, we use a Contralateral Routing of Signals (CROS) system. This is where the patient wears devices on both ears and sound is picked up from the deafened side and wirelessly sent to the usable ear. The brain then receives the signal again in stereo. Another option is a bone anchored hearing aid. This requires the surgical placement of a post behind the ear and a device programed to pick up sound from the affected side. Some ear, nose and throat surgeons perform this procedure, however I recommend trying non-surgical options first.

Jan Henriques, Au.D. a board certified audiologist and lead provider at North Georgia Audiology in Woodstock, has been practicing since 1985. www.YourHearingLink.com.

From Hearing Loss to High-Tech Fix BY ROSS WISEMAN

We asked Woodstock pastor Ross Wiseman to share his story of healing for his singlesided deafness. Nine years ago, on a Friday night, I was out to dinner with friends. I was 34 years old and felt perfectly fine. After dinner, my left ear seemed to be stuffed up. It didn’t feel full or painful. All of a sudden, I just couldn’t hear. I pinched my nose and blew trying to clear whatever may have been causing this sensation, but it did not alleviate the problem. Within an hour or so, I could hear fine and thought nothing of it. The next morning I woke Ross, wife Amie and their five children. up and everything seemed perfect. The incident with my ear was the last thing on my mind. That afternoon I coached a soccer game and the sensation happened again. All of a sudden I couldn’t hear anything. I thought maybe I was getting a cold or an ear infection, although I had no pain or other signs of getting sick. After the game that evening, my hearing returned just as it had left. It was like throwing a switch and I was fine. I am a pastor and the next day I preached, went out to eat and took a nap. When I woke up I couldn’t hear again. That day my hearing didn’t return. I thought surely I had a cold or an infection, but after a couple of days I still didn’t feel sick. I made an appointment and went in to see an ear nose and throat (ENT) physician. After an examination and a series of tests, I was expecting my ENT doctor at the time to prescribe an antibiotic to deal with some infection that was playing tricks with my inner ear. The doctor said I showed no signs of infection or inflammation in the middle ear. Instead he said what I had was a case of sudden sensorineural hearing loss and that I would have single-sided deafness (SSD) for the rest of my life. I didn’t see that coming at

The first step was to insert a 14mm implanted titanium abutment. Next, an Oticon hearing aid was attached to the abutment.

all. He explained to me that there are times that this just happens. That was nine years ago and some discoveries have been made regarding SSD. At that time the doctor said he didn’t know what had caused the hearing loss. He also couldn’t assure me that my good ear would remain healthy. Needless to say I lived in fear of that prognosis for nine years. My current ENT has explained that it was most likely a virus within the cochlea that the immune system attacked and in doing so, killed the hair cells that send sound to the auditory nerve. The chance of this is one in 10,000 and that there is little chance my good ear will ever go deaf. After years of fear and frustration, fast forward to this past Christmas season. My insurance wouldn’t cover a titanium abutment implant so that I could use a bone attached hearing aid. The cost for the procedure and device is about $30,000. This device transmits vibrations to the implant, sending sound across my skull to my working cochlea on the opposite side. Unbeknownst to me a group of ladies from my church, working with Dr. Jennifer Smullen Tirino of Northside ENT in Roswell, came up with a cash upfront plan that would greatly reduce the price. These ladies began raising funds in an eightmonth period and with hundreds of people giving, were able to raise about half of what it would take to allow me to hear sounds from the left side. The staff at 104.7 The Fish radio station heard about my need and made me a recipient of their Christmas Wish experience, surprising me with the news on air. The Fish gave $7,500, which was the balance of what was needed for the procedure. Tears streamed down my face because of the generosity of so many. I now have the implant and have greatly enjoyed the use of the device. My anxiety in crowds and certain environments would get so bad at times, that I would often become nauseous because of stress headaches - a result of trying to hear conversations. I have not experienced one stress headache since having the device. I can hear my children playing, while listening to music as I work in the garage. So many things I had taken for granted for years. It’s a new day and I am thankful for my high-tech fix.

Ross Wiseman is the founding and current pastor of Momentum Church since 2005. He can be reached at ross@momentumchurch.tv. TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Health & Wellness

The Plight of the Seasonally Fit BY JOSH KEENUM

Something happens in the winter. A shift in activity. People get very cold. They buy slouchy sweaters, start watching a lot of Netflix and coincidentally eating a lot of comfort food. The active days of summer are forgotten. Until about four weeks out. The season of bikinis, beach vacations and weddings gets people frantic for the gym. It’s fascinating. Pale, sedentary souls who’ve been binge watching and binge napping WK. 1 all winter long attempt to cram a month of workouts in to hide the effects of their MON. 10 min hibernation. WED. 12 min This is a message for the crammers. FRI. 14 min The hibernators. The seasonally fit. Don’t do it for the bikini. Or the wedding. Or the beach. Do it for you. Make a decision to be consistent. Do it because it’s good for your health. Because it makes you feel strong. Don’t chase a season. Create a lifestyle. The bikini will follow. But that cannot be your motivation. Stop being a slave to a shallow, plastic culture and to your own insecurities. Instead of cramming for this summer, start smart by starting slow. Build your way up to a sustainable goal. Do something active for short periods of time and increase those intervals over the summer. First, pick a few activities that get you excited to get moving.

1. Walking on community trails 2. Swimming (in Barbados) 3. Hiking (Hawaiian volcanoes) 4. Participating in a workout Second, make a plan of action. Instead of diving in, dip a toe in the water first. Here’s an eight-week challenge that will help mold you into a more active person. WK. 2

WK. 3

WK. 4

WK. 5

WK. 6

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WK. 8

14 min

18 min 22 min

26 min

30 min

34 min 38 min

16 min

20 min 24 min

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36 min 40 min

18 min

22 min 26 min

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34 min

38 min 42 min

By starting at 10 minutes and increasing activity by only two minutes each workout, you’ll finish your last activity at 42 minutes. Try this eight-week challenge and let it work for you. Progression leads to sustainability, which leads to more workouts a week, healthier decisions, a more active life. Cramming just leads you back to the couch.

PLAE HARD director Josh Keenum, Reebok Athlete, CPT. info@plaehard.com. 678-408-2241.

Protect Against Mosquito Bites During and After Travel PROVIDED BY THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), in collaboration with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), is urging travelers to protect themselves from mosquito bites and help prevent the spread of Zika virus. At press time, no locally transmitted Zika cases have been reported in Georgia or anywhere in the United States, but cases have been reported in returning travelers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued travel warnings for 41 countries and some U.S. territories where there is ongoing Zika virus transmission, and that list continues to grow. There are many Georgia companies with worldwide business interests that necessitate frequent travel to these areas. In addition, many of these places are popular tourist destinations, including the upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. “As the region’s global gateway, we believe it is our responsibility to work with our health partners to educate the public about Zika virus,” said Miguel Southwell, general manager, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. “The safety and security of our guests and employees at Hartsfield-Jackson is a top priority. “ Signs have been placed throughout the airport, at the U.S. Customs area, and at baggage claim alerting travelers about Zika virus and offering protection and prevention measures when traveling to Zika-affected areas. At the request of ATL and DPH, 70

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

airport concessionaires have stocked and made available for purchase EPA-registered insect repellents. Travelers should be aware that insect repellents with at least 20 percent to 30 percent DEET are recommended and not all products containing DEET meet that standard, particularly those sold outside of the United States. There are urgent concerns about Zika virus infection being passed from mother to fetus during pregnancy and a link to birth defects. Pregnant women should not travel to areas where there is Zika virus transmission. Studies also are ongoing to determine if there is a link between Zika virus infection and Guillain-Barré syndrome and other neurological disorders. Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat Zika. Zika virus is transmitted primarily through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Both species are found in Georgia. Individuals should continue to use EPAregistered insect repellents for three weeks after returning home from travel to Zika affected countries. Even if they do not feel sick, travelers returning to Georgia from an area with Zika should take steps to prevent mosquito bites for three weeks so they do not spread Zika to local, uninfected mosquitoes. To learn more about Zika protection and prevention, visit dph. ga.gov/zika or cdc.gov/zika. or a list of EPA-registered insect repellents, go to epa.gov/insect-repellents.

Introducing the new Cancer Center at WellStar Kennestone Hospital. Redesigned inside and out to ensure our vision of world-class cancer care is experienced by both patients and families. By changing patient flow, adding new services and enhancing the overall care experienced, a new focus on Mind/Body/Spirit has arrived. With recognition by Becker’s Hospital Review’s “100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Oncology Programs,” our redeveloped cancer program offers: •

Cyberknife® and Tomotherapy®: the only health system in Georgia offering both forms of radiation therapy.

•

Pancreatic Hepatobiliary Program structured to reduce the time of diagnosis to treatment.

•

Center for Genetics, the largest in Georgia

•

Nationally recognized STAT clinics for lung and prostate cancer.

•

Nurse Navigators for patients and families

•

Clinical psychologist for emotional needs

•

Integrative treatment including acupuncture

•

Patient and Family Advisory Board

For more information, call 1-877-366-6032.

w e l l s t a r. o r g TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Faith

A Working Spring Break for

Hillside Youth

During the April spring break, 20 youth and adults from the senior high ministry of Hillside United Methodist Church went to Andrews and Franklin N.C., to help renovate a Christian residential recovery ministry called Teen Challenge of the Smokies, designed to help men who are recovering from addictions. In partnership with Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters, the Woodstock group worked for four days on the building that will be the dining hall, residence and offices. The workers added a metal roof, stained the deck, painted

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

part of the interior and exterior, and cleaned up the grounds. The crew from Woodstock included Cheyenne Boan, Cameron Brown, Jeremiah Caspersen, Faith Dokken, Sam Donley, Jared Grisham, Davis Henderson, Daphne LeFevers, Austin Mongold, Braedon Mongold, Kyani Norris, Austin Stark, Emily Stuchlik, Amy Vickrey, Spencer Walker and Meagan Williams, with youth leaders Steve Brooks, Linda Wilson, Ashley Brooks and Coury Frush. For more info on the ministry, visit www.teenchallengeofthesmokies.com.

Saturday & Sunday MAY 21  22, 2016 10 AM  5 PM Brown Park

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TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Faith

Marriage Moments: Sharing Your Feelings BY DONNA RATLIFF

Recently I heard the old 1970s song “Feelings” by Morris Albert. It’s the one that goes like this: “Feelings, wo-o-o feelings, wo-o-o feelings, again in my heart…” As a counselor, the subject of feelings comes up for me on a daily basis. Sharing feelings from your heart can be a challenge, while expressing thoughts from your brain seems to be easier. It is important in a healthy marriage that you are actually able to share feelings not just thoughts - with your spouse. It can be helpful to have an understanding of the role that feelings play and how they affect our behavior. When something happens, we first have a thought about it. Next, our thought is followed by a feeling. That feeling generates a reaction or behavior. Sometimes those are good, sometimes not. Taking the opportunity to think through what happened and why that feeling may have arisen may alter the reaction or behavior and provide greater empathy for your spouse. Some tips for sharing feelings might include:

• Don’t try to tell your spouse how they should feel about something. Let it be their feeling. • Acknowledge your spouse’s feelings. Don’t try to fix things - just let them share. Even when you don’t understand what your spouse is feeling, take an opportunity to connect. Hold their hand, give them a hug or kiss. You can create loving feelings toward each other that will be enjoyed by both of you for the rest of the day. Proverbs 15:13 says, “A glad heart makes a cheerful face: but an aching heart breaks the spirit.”

Date Your Mate: Since May is National Barbecue Month, take turns picking a different restaurant each week. Take advantage of an opportunity to really “PIG OUT!”

• Feelings are not right or wrong, they just ARE. • Make a list of feeling words - not just mad, sad, glad and scared, but hurt, disappointed, ecstatic or surprised.

Donna Ratliff is the wife of Pastor Bill Ratliff from Towne Lake Community Church. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor working in Cherokee County.

• Realize that feelings come and go, often quickly.

A Deeper Look at God’s Will BY REV. HARDEN HOPPER

In this column last year, I addressed the big question, “Why?” with regard to evil and suffering in the world. I have sensed a nudging to revisit the issue, from the perspective of understanding God’s will. As noted before, this is a big topic for a small article and deserves more thought. But, here is a start. In the midst of an unfortunate circumstance, folks trying to make sense of it will often utter, “God has a reason for everything,” or “It is all part of God’s plan – or God’s will.” As faithful as such sentiment seeks to be, it does not help explain how God works, or God’s nature and intention. A foundation is to grasp that God’s intention is harmony and wholeness in life and relationships, not that which is evil, sad or horrible (Jeremiah 29:11, 1 John 4:8). But, we have a powerful gift from God called free will, which allows us to make decisions, respond to and return love to God and others. Yet, free will can be misused, which affirms the reality of evil and suffering, whether by explicit perpetration or passive neglect. However, if we were not free to love, we would find ourselves coerced by God in a relationship, defeating the selfgiving nature of love.

A foundation is to grasp that God’s intention is harmony and wholeness in life.

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

It can seem that the will of God has been defeated when bad things happen, due directly to specific actions [or inaction] of ourselves or others, or our general group effort that causes chaos in the world. Perhaps in a moment, but in the midst of despair and destruction, God remains able to act in creative ways, drawing from a “lost cause” something positive for the future, such as lessons learned, skill, reconciliation or justice. This is the good news of Jesus Christ. It would have been easier if humanity had followed God’s intention for life from the beginning. Still, even through the terrible circumstances of the cross perpetrated by humans, God did not let it end there, but reacted and offered new possibilities in resurrected life, continuing to lead to the culmination of God’s will. In spite of all humans do, and even utilizing the evil perpetrated by humans, God’s will is not stopped so that ultimately God’s original intent for well-being is made whole. Do you want peace in your life? Do we want peace in our communities, nation, and the world? It is found in God’s will, not ours.

Rev. Harden Hopper is senior pastor at Bascomb United Methodist Church and a retired Lt. Colonel in the Army Reserve. He can be reached at harden.hopper@ngumc.net.

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

School & Sports

Meet the Final Writer & the Illustrators BY JOSEPH LEMMO

Students from Joseph Lemmo’s seventh grade E.T. Booth Middle School language arts class have been working on writing and illustrating novels. Several were chosen to be part of an anthology that will be published and sold this summer. Here are interviews with one of the authors and the two illustrators. (See the March issue, found in Archives at www.townelaker.com, for the interview.)

If you could travel anywhere Do you plan on pursuing a in the world, where would career in art? you go and why? Alexandra: I would like Alexandra: I would go to, but for now, I am to Denmark to visit my seeing where the future family and maybe stop by takes me. some art galleries. Claire: Most likely. Kiana: I would go to Do you plan on pursuing a Berlin, Germany. My mom writing career in the future? is from Munich, Germany which is somewhat Kiana: I love writing. It near Berlin. It has many gives me a calm mindset. historical sites, and However, when I start Germany in general is just my career I want to be very cool to me! a surgeon. Of course, a From left, Alexandra Feldam (illustrator), Kiana Walker (writer) and writing career would be Claire: I would go to Claire Wright (illustrator) great to have as well. Tokyo, Japan, because it is the world of anime, which is my favorite thing to watch. If you could meet a famous artist, who would it be and what would you say to him or her? Which fictional character from a book or movie inspires you? Alexandra: Vincent van Gogh, definitely. I would tell him Alexandra: Casey Newton from “Tomorrowland.” I admire that I admire the work he did before he died. I admire how how much she dreams and wishes to solve problems. he painted and drew what he saw and felt, rather than what Kiana: This one seems to be surprising to a lot of people, but his mind told him. Cady from “Mean Girls.” She has to move from a place she Claire: If I could meet a famous artist, I would probably loved, only to be pushed into a scene that is hectic. choose van Gogh and ask him what inspired his “Starry Claire: I am inspired by Jonas from “The Giver.” Night” painting. Describe what happens in your mind the moment you first If you could meet a famous author, who would it be and what receive a task that requires you to draw something. would you say to him or her? Alexandra: I visualize the end result, the way I want it to look Kiana: I would want to meet John Green, the author of when I finish. “The Fault in Our Stars.” He seems to have done so much in Claire: I get all excited because I enjoy sketching things, and it’s the past years. I would tell him that he is an inspiration, and what I’m good at. he should keep up with the good work. Describe what If you could meet a famous author, who would it be and what happens in your would you say to him or her? mind the moment Alexandra: “Alexandra Feldam: The Untold Story” you first receive a Kiana: I believe it would be called “The Long Road Ahead,” writing prompt. because my life seems to be on a continuous journey. Kiana: I first Claire: “All about Trash-cans!” read over the directions about four times because I want to make sure I’m grasping the prompt entirely. Then I think if I have any connection at all with the writing to give me ideas. Most of the time I will Joe Lemmo is an English teacher and comedian who has connect something with a book or movie, sometimes a personal taught in Cherokee County for the last 15 years. experience. Then I just let my ideas transfer onto the paper. 76

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Stand Up for Children BY MARK KISSEL

Each year children across the United States are victims of violence, abuse and exploitation. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that in 2013, state and local agencies received more than 3.5 million referrals of child maltreatment—physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect. The “Child Maltreatment 2013: Summary of Key Findings” report shows that 79.5 percent of the victims suffered from neglect, 18 percent suffered physical abuse and 9 percent suffered sexual abuse. The research also indicates that 73 percent of the sexual abuse victims did not tell anyone about their abuse for at least one year; almost half of the victims never tell anyone. The great majority of perpetrators were parents, followed by relatives and other adults known by the victims. Sixty percent of all reports filed were made by mandated reporters, such as school personnel, law enforcement, medical staff or those in social services. Relatives, friends and neighbors made up 19 percent of the reports, with the remainder being anonymous. The Cherokee County School District (CCSD) works closely with the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services/ Child Protective Services Intake Center in the reporting of child maltreatment. Protocols are in place to ensure the CCSD

School Police Department’s child abuse investigators are made aware of all reported incidents. This allows the investigators to facilitate the exchange of information between other law enforcement agencies assigned to investigate the reports and ensure that no reported incident “falls through the cracks.” As a neighbor, friend or relative, you may be the voice for a child victim. That said, here are some things to think about: • Be a willing listener when a child wants to tell you something. You may be his or her one opportunity to “tell someone.” • Reassure the child he or she deserves to be safe and that the abuse is not his or her fault. • Do not ask probing questions! Leave this to the trained professionals. Listen, document and report to law enforcement. • Do not confront the alleged family member, neighbor or other person. And more importantly, do not conduct your own investigation.

Chief of Police Mark Kissel has served the Cherokee County School District since 1999 and has more than 35 years of law enforcement experience.

CHEROKEE YOUTH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (CYFA) YOUTH FOOTBALL COMPETITION & SIDELINE CHEERLEADING for GRADES K-5

WE PLAY & CHEER Online Registration Now Open

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TOWNELAKER | May 2016

School & Sports

Record Number of Key Scholars Recognized The Cherokee County School District annually recognizes outstanding high school juniors as Superintendent’s Key Scholars, and a record number of 327 students earned the distinction this year by scoring at the 90th percentile or above on the Grade 11 PSAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Students received a letter jacket patch that reads “Superintendent’s Key Scholar” and will also be honored at their school’s yearend awards ceremony as a Superintendent’s Key Scholar. These students also will have a special embossment on their high school diplomas. Woodstock High School 2016 Superintendent’s Key Scholars and Principal Mark Smith.

Etowah High School 2016 Superintendent’s Key Scholars and Principal Keith Ball.

Schools Approved for International Skills Diploma Seal Etowah and Woodstock high schools have been approved for Georgia’s International Skills diploma seal and received authorization to issue the seal to eligible graduating seniors beginning this school year. The Georgia Department of Education’s Global Skills committee members stated they were impressed with the schools’ applications, and the schools will be recognized by State Superintendent of Schools Richard Woods. To earn the designation, students must complete at least three credits in the same world language and/or English for speakers of other languages; at least four credits in courses determined to have an international focus (e.g., international economics, world/non-U.S. history, world geography, etc.); at least four extracurricular activities and experiences with global themes and/or in global contexts (e.g., exchange programs, international and language clubs, travel abroad); 20 hours of community service involving a global/cross-cultural public service project; and a capstone presentation on the knowledge gained in the courses and activities listed above.

Carmel Teacher Wins Fulbright Award Carmel Elementary School STEM enrichment specialist Merry Willis has been selected by the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board for a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching Merry Willis grant to study in New Zealand. Willis is one of only 45 U.S. citizens receiving the prestigious award for 2016-17. She will visit Wellington, New Zealand, from February to June of 2017 and observe how technology impacts student learning throughout the country. Willis will focus on developing classroom resources, collaborative relationships and cross-cultural professional development for teachers in New Zealand and the U.S. 78

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Revised Start and End Times For Three Innovation Zones Three school innovation zones, Woodstock, River Ridge and Sequoyah high schools, will have new start and end times for classes in August when the 2016-17 school year begins. Middle and high school students in these zones will ride separate buses; elementary students will continue to ride their own buses districtwide. As a result of this change, Dean Rusk, Freedom, Mill Creek and Woodstock middle schools will start classes at 9 a.m. (instead of 8:30 a.m.) and end at 4 p.m. (instead of 3:30 p.m.). River Ridge, Sequoyah and Woodstock high schools will start classes at 8:15 a.m. (instead of 8:30 a.m.) and end at 3:15 p.m. (instead of 3:30 p.m.). Start times for elementary schools in these zones will not be affected. The current start and end times for the Etowah, Cherokee and Creekview high schools innovation zones will not change for next school year.

Students Working for the Greater Good Etowah and Woodstock high schools joined forces through the “Bald, Bold and Beautiful” fundraiser to collect more than $8,000 for local families battling cancer. Etowah High student Cameron Shockey coordinated the fundraiser for her senior project. The money was raised through a head-shaving contest between the administration and faculty of both schools, more than 400 T-shirt sales, corporate sponsorships and From left, Woodstock High School Principal Mark generous donations. Smith, Etowah senior Cameron Shockey and Half of the funds were donated Etowah Principal Keith Ball. to provide assistance to a designated Towne Lake family that is battling cancer; the remainder was split between Etowah and Woodstock high schools to offer future financial assistance to families with the same need.

Etowah High School senior Kadir Kutsal organized a volleyball tournament for his senior project to raise awareness and funds for the Lupus Foundation of America. He raised more than $700. In 2004, Kadir’s mom, Wendy, was diagnosed with lupus when she lost part of her left lung. Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can affect the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs. Kadir’s personal experience with the disease has given him a passion to help find a cure.

Bascomb Elementary School students recently raised $1,179.69 for the school’s Relay for Life team through a fundraiser called “Dinner and a Movie Night.” Relay for Life raises funds and awareness to help save lives from cancer. Fourth-graders, from left, Fiona Catalan, Diamond Jordan and McKenzie Orozco.

Kadir Kutsal and his mom, Wendy.

High School Choral Students Perform at NYC Cathedral Students from all six Cherokee County school district’s high school choruses performed in New York City during spring break. Choral directors Allison Baccala, Brad Ellis, William Hall, Josh Markham, Scott Martin and Ryan McKendrick coordinated the trip, which required months of planning and practice leading up to the performance at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. More than 340 students participated in the performance. Students also participated in other special activities, such as a workshop with Broadway musical theater performers, and students from Etowah and Woodstock high schools sang during a Sunday morning service at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.

Students representing all six county high schools sang in New York. TOWNELAKER | May 2016

@ the Library w w w. S e q u o y a h R e g i o n a l L i b r a r y. o r g

Woodstock • 770-926-5859 7735 Main Street, Woodstock

Rose Creek • 770-591-1491

4476 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock Tuesdays

May 2, 9, 16 & 23 Coloring Group meets 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Find out why coloring books are so popular again. Have fun and make new friends. All materials provided. For ages 16 and up.

May 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31

Knitting/crocheting group meets 1-3 p.m. with Mrs. Darlene. Bring your needles and yarn and be prepared to have fun! No registration or prior knowledge required.

Wednesdays

Brain Games. 10 a.m.-noon features puzzles, cards, games, coloring, word puzzles and stimulating conversations every Tuesday morning along with a cup of green tea.

Scribble & Scrabble fun from 2-4 p.m. Get your creative juices flowing by playing a game of Scrabble or coloring a picture. All materials will be provided. All skill levels are welcome!

May 5, 12, 19 & 26

May 4, 11, 18 & 25

Sit & Stitch Social, 10 a.m.-noon. Enjoy the company of other creative people while you stitch on your current project.

May 5 Learn the Language of Nutrition, presented by WellStar at 10:30 a.m. Proper nutrition is an essential tool for healthy aging. Learn to make the right food choices to boost your energy, aid in weight management, prevent disease and promote overall health.

May 6 Celebrate the 4th annual Georgia STEM Day 4-5 p.m. Build marshmallow towers using mini marshmallows and toothpicks. Sketch it out then go to work. All ages are welcome.

May 11, 18, & 25 Reading Dogs are ready to listen as children 6 years of age and older read. The dogs are nonjudgmental, furry listeners who won’t laugh if mistakes are made or the reader stumbles. Parents can register their child for a 10-15 minute program two weeks in advance for one session by calling the library.

May 15 LEGO Club meets 3-4:30 p.m. with a different theme each month. Children can work alone or in teams to make their special creation, which will be displayed in the library until next month’s meeting. All ages are invited; ages 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Reading Dogs are ready to listen as children 6 years of age and older read. The dogs are nonjudgmental, furry listeners who won’t laugh if mistakes are made or the reader stumbles. Parents can register their child for a 10-15 minute program two weeks in advanced for one session by calling the library.

May 6

Celebrate the 4th annual Georgia STEM Day 4-5 p.m. Build marshmallow towers using mini marshmallows and toothpicks. Sketch it out then go to work. All ages are welcome.

May 12

Library BINGO Book Club is a new kind of Book Club that lets you decide what to read and when. The library provides the criteria, you choose what to read while filling up your bingo board. Meetings are the second Thursday of every month from 10:30-11:30 a.m. or 4:30-5:30 p.m. Come ready to discuss the book you read for the month.

All libraries will be

closed May 30 for Memorial Day.

Sequoyah Regional Library Locations: R.T. Jones: 116 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton. Rose Creek: 4476 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock. Hickory Flat: 2740 East Cherokee Drive, Canton. Woodstock: 7735 Main St., Woodstock. Ball Ground: 435 Old Canton Road, Ball Ground. 80

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Welcome to

photo by Darleen Prem

DOWNTOWN WOODSTOCK

Ridgewalk Pkwy

To I-575 Exit 9

Woodstock Community Church

Trolley Routes outlined in red

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Rope Mill Rd

- park in marked spaces only - parking in Woodstock UMC lot is M-Sa only

On-Street Parking - park in marked spaces only

City Center

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CSB Bank (after 5PM)

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Fowler St

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Reformation Brewery Fri 6:00-close Sat 2:00-close Sun 2:00-close

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Route and schedule subject to change Check downtownwoodstock.org/trolley for more info

Cham bers

Town e

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To I-575 Exit 8

Mark et S t

Fridays 6-10 PM Saturdays 4-10 PM Sundays 2-6 PM

Chattahoochee Technical College

Kyle St

TROLLEY SCHEDULE:

Main

Trolley Stop

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Public Parking Lots

Woodstock

T Public Library

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The Outlet Shoppes

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TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Downtown Woodstock

The Grass Turns Blue in Downtown Woodstock BY KYLE BENNETT

Downtown Woodstock and live music have always been a wonderful combination. This summer, Main Street Woodstock, Inc. is proud to present a series of bluegrass concerts, featuring some of the best bluegrass acts in the region. The free concerts will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month, May through August, on the Resurgens Orthopaedics Community Stage at the Elm Street Arts Event Green by Market Street. It is important to note that this concert series will not feature food vendors. Instead, we encourage you to have an early dinner at one of the restaurants in downtown Woodstock before you head to the concert, or grab a to-go order, bring it with you and enjoy a picnic along with the music.

Wilson Banjo Co.

Concert schedule:

May 12: The Tyler Williams Band June 9: Sweet Auburn String Band

Sweet Auburn String Band.

July 14: Wilson Banjo Co. Aug. 11: Jody Hughes Trio For more information on the bands, check out the event calendar at VisitWoodstockGa.com or call the Main Street Office at 770-592-6056.

Kyle Bennett is the director of tourism for the Woodstock Downtown Development Authority. He can be reached at kbennett@woodstockga.gov.

The Downtown Buzz is held at the Chambers at City Center (8534 Main Street) on the last Friday of the month and begins at 8 a.m. unless otherwise noted.

Date: May 27 Topic: Main Street Gives Back For more information on the Downtown Buzz program or to suggest a topic for consideration, please contact Mitzi at 770-592-6056 downtownwoodstock.org/downtown-buzz Business, individual and non-profit memberships are available

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Theater as a Sport BY SIOBHAN BRUMBELOW

Growing up, I played soccer for almost 12 years. I was committed to multiple practices after school, games on the weekends, and I was doing homework in between scrimmages. I learned what it takes to be part of a team: to communicate, to cooperate, to fight for a common goal. I definitely benefited from the long hours, skinned knees and bruised egos. Little did I know that being a part of a team would help me in my future career. When I was younger, I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wanted to be wearing pink and either riding horses or dolphins. But when I consider the extracurricular activities I was a part of, I am grateful for the unintentional life and work skills I obtained from participating in them and how I have applied them to my job today. It’s interesting to me when people say that “theater isn’t a sport” or “theater is JUST a hobby.” One actor commits to at least 80-100 rehearsal and performance hours, which include blocking, choreography, memorization, vocal training and presentation. Not to mention, actors must also work together as a team by cooperating, communicating and trusting other cast members who all have the same goal: performing for an audience. I don’t believe that some people are aware of how extensive the performing arts can be and that it should be considered a sport. For almost 14 years, we have been providing a creative outlet for all ages and raising leaders, presenters and teachers. Many of our students have expressed that the skills they have discovered while part of a production have helped them become more proficient in the “real world.” Elm Street provides drama camps and classes for ages 5-14. We are currently taking summer camp registrations and encourage anyone who is willing to try, from those with experience to those with none, to sign up. The registration link is on our website: www. elmstreetarts.org. There’s an old African proverb that says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” I wholeheartedly believe that Elm Street Cultural Arts Village is an example of this saying with our classes, camps, productions and events. In this ever-growing Woodstock community, we are working together with families, businesses and individuals to create vibrant experiences for all ages. We are striving to engage and to work together with our community as a team.

Little did I know that being a part of a team would help me in my future career.

CITY CENTER • DOWNTOWN WOODSTOCK

APR 29 - MAY 15 Fri/Sat @ 7:30pm Sun @ 2:00pm

Call or visit us on the web to learn about our

SUMMER CAMPS

Write, Produce, and Perform your show in one week!

Siobhan Brumbelow is on staff at Elm Street. She currently holds a BA in Theatre from Brenau University and toured with Missoula Children’s Theatre.

ELMSTREETARTS.ORG 678.494.4251 TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Downtown Woodstock

Friday Night Live - Roaring 20s Friday Night Live Series 6-9 p.m. Presented by Reformation Brewery

May 6:

Super Hero Night, celebrating Superman, Batman or your favorite superhero.

June 3:

Havana Night, filling the streets with Samba music, dancing, cigars and the spirit of Havana.

The cast of Elm Street’s “Anything Goes” took part in the Friday Night Live festivities on April 1.

July 1:

Dog Days of Summer, welcoming furry four-legged friends who enjoy taking part in contests.

Aug. 5:

Downtown Carnival with clowns, street performers, games and live music.

Input from the younger generation for the Woodstock Community Mural.

Sept. 2:

50s Night, a throwback to slickedback hair and poodle skirts.

Oct. 7:

Oktoberfest offers a chance to grab a brew with friends.

Nov. 4:

Hollywood Night with star-studded activities.

Dec. 2:

Christmas in Downtown, perfect for shopping and visiting Santa.

The Jugtime Ragband provided music for the Roaring 20s theme.

Beautiful weather plus an outdoor stage equals Yoga Classes on the Green in downtown Woodstock. Photographer Darleen Prem caught the action during a recent session. 84

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

DOWNTOWN WOODSTOCK DINING GUIDE RESTAURANT CUISINE BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER SUNDAY SPIRITS RESERV. Canyons American no $ $ open Beer/Wine no 335 Chambers St. 678-494-8868 canyonsburgercompany.com Century House Tavern Modern no $$ $$$ open Full bar 8 persons + 125 E Main St. 770-693-4552 American centuryhousetavern.com Fire Stone Wood-fired no $$ $$$ open Full bar yes 120 Chambers St. Pizza & Grill 770-926-6778 firestonerestaurants.com Freight Kitchen & Tap Southern Sat./Sun. $$ $$$ open Full bar no 251 E Main St. 770-924-0144 Brunch freightkitchen.com Habanero’s Taqueria Mexican no $ $-$$ open Full bar yes 9550 Main St. 678-498-8243 Hot Dog Heaven American no $ no open no no 8588 Main St. 770-591-5605 Ice Martini & Sushi Bar Tapas/Sushi no Fri./Sat. $$ open Full bar yes 380 Chambers St. only 770-672-6334 icemartinibar.com Ipps Pastaria & Bar Italian no $$ $$ open Full bar no 8496 Main St. 770-517-7305 ippspastaria.com J Christopher’s Diner $-$$ $-$$ no open no Weekends 315 Chambers St. only 770-592-5990 jchristophers.com J Miller’s Smokehouse BBQ & no $-$$ $-$$ open Beer no 150 Towne Lake Pkwy. Southern 770-592-8295 Sandwiches jmillerssmokehouse.com Magnolia Thomas Southern Sunday no $$$$ open Beer/Wine yes 108 Arnold Mill Rd. Brunch 678-445-5789 magnoliathomas.com Pure Taqueria Mexican Sat./Sun. $$ $$ open Full bar 6 persons+ 405 Chambers St. Brunch 770-952-7873 puretaqueria.com/woodstock Reel Seafood Seafood Sunday $$ $$-$$$ open Full bar yes 8670 Main St. Brunch 770-627-3006 Salt Factory Pub Gastropub no $$ $$-$$$ open Full bar no 8690 Main St. 678-903-6225 Tea Leaves & Thyme English no $$ no closed no yes 8990 Main St. 770-516-2609 Tea room tealeavesandthyme.com Truck & Tap 8640 Main St. 770-702-1670 truckandtap.com

Variety of Food trucks

$-$$

open

Craft Beer

Village Market & Cafe American 490 Chambers St. European 678-831-2707 Vingenzo’s Italian 105 E Main St. 770-924-9133 vingenzos.com

$-$$

open

Beer/Wine

limited

Sunday Brunch

$$$

open

Full bar

yes

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

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

Casual and Upscale Dine-In Restaurants

Reference

TOWNE LAKE AREA HOMES SOLD IN MARCH

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

The Boogeyman Cometh

ABLE Accounts for Loved Ones

and I came to physical blows - not an uncommon event - my father would simply glance over and tell us to “take it outside.” Black eyes, bloody noses, BB gun injuries, even a few incidents involving knives and arrows, are part of my brother’s and my repertoire of “growing up” stories. Perhaps conflict is inevitable when a future doctor grows up with a future attorney. I suspect that, deep down, Mary had been hoping for a baby girl and was bummed out she had twin boys instead. My suspicions are based on a conversation I had with her when I was in medical school studying multiple gestation. “Were you happy when you found out you were having twin boys, Mom?” I asked her. “No,” Mary said matter-of-factly. “I was hoping for a baby girl, and I was bummed out I got twin boys instead.” Because I have cared for so many women and witnessed their struggles, I can’t blame my mother for her Boogeyman strategy, or for expressing resentment about not having a daughter. Growing a human being inside your body is physically demanding, and getting that human being out is even harder. But the most difficult task of all is everyday motherhood - nurturing that human being as he or she grows into independence. So this year I want to properly express my gratitude. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. In honor of your many sacrifices, you may redeem this story for one Good Humor Ice Cream Bar.

who become disabled after age 26. By law, they cannot be opened for a disabled person older than 26 unless proof is shown that the individual became disabled prior to that age. Another little-known demerit: states sponsoring ABLE accounts can seek repayment from those accounts for the cost of care covered by Medicaid if the beneficiary dies. A properly written and implemented trust should not face that request. ABLE account contributions are not tax-deductible (though they are excluded from federal gift tax). That trade off is made in exchange for tax-free earnings and tax-free withdrawals. Withdrawals go untaxed so long as the money is spent on “qualified disability expenses,” which can range from education, housing, and transportation costs to financial management and legal fees. Non-qualified withdrawals are subject to ordinary income tax and a 10 percent IRS penalty. Only one 529A account is allowed per disabled individual, while multiple 529 plan accounts can be opened to fund a child’s college education. The bottom line? ABLE accounts give families with special needs children a new way to save and invest for future needs and expenses.

continued from page 52

An Unexpected Way to Get More Money continued from page 28

initial listing period so important. To create a true auction type atmosphere, the home should be found everywhere (postcards, magazine covers, Facebook, top positioning on online real estate search engines, etc.) to attract the maximum amount of offers. This being said, this auction atmosphere has to be cultivated and care has to be taken to encourage all interested buyers to make an offer. We frequently stop our sellers from accepting the first offer that meets their net price needs or expectations. What you need or expect has no bearing on what the market determines your home to be worth. The true value of a good listing agent is the ability to finesse the most money for their client’s listing through the right mix of marketing, pricing and negotiation skills.

Making Your Life about Others continued from page 22

Mark 10:45 – “For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.” I encourage us all to find ways to serve others. If we make serving others the focal point in all we do, we will stand out like a shining beacon of light for all to see. I promise to do my part, and ask that you join me in making your lives about others, as well! 88

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

continued from page 34

Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker-dealer, member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory services through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser. Cambridge is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of Peter Montoya, Inc. or MarketingPro, Inc.

photo by J King Images

Since 1996, we have brought relevant, uplifting and reader-driven 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.

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.

From left Michelle McCulloch, Patty Ponder, Jon and Karen Flaig, Candi Hannigan, Denise Griffin, Laura Latchford, Jackie Loudin and Christie Deese. Not pictured Katherine Amick.

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. Look on page 6 for our contact information.

TowneLaker Distribution Map Circulation: 16,000

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Reference

COMMUNITY OF FAITH ADVENTIST

Cherokee 101 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock 770-591-7304 http://cherokee.netadvent.org/ Canton 411 Scott Mill Road, Canton 678-880-0106 www.cantonadventist.org

AME

Allen Temple AME 232 N. Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-926-6348 www.allentempleame.org St. Paul 390 Crisler St., Canton 770-479-9691 www.stpaulame-canton.org

BAPTIST

Carmel 2001 Bascomb Carmel Road Cherokee 7770 Hickory Flat Highway, Woodstock 770-720-3399 www.cherokeebaptistchurch.org Cornerstone Community 4206 North Arnold Mill Rd, Woodstock 678-439-5108 www.ccchurchonline.org Crossroads Community Church 2317 Bascomb-Carmel Road, Woodstock 770-592-7007 Crossroads Primitive Baptist Church 3100 Trickum Road, Woodstock 770-710-1068 www.crossroadspbc.org Faith Community Office: 110 Village Trail, Suite 110, Woodstock Sunday Services: 230 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock 770-516-1996 www.faithcommunitychurch.org First Baptist of Woodstock 11905 Highway 92, Woodstock 770-926-4428 www.fbcw.org First Baptist Canton One Mission Point 770-479-5538 www.fbccanton.org First Baptist Holly Springs 2632 Holly Springs Parkway 770-345-5349 www.fbchollysprings.com Heritage Fellowship 3615 Reinhardt College Parkway, Canton 770-479-9415 www.heritagebaptistfellowship.com Hillcrest 6069 Woodstock Road, Acworth 770-917-9100 www.hbcacworth.org Hopewell 78 Ridge Road, Canton 770-345-5723 www.hopewellbaptist.com

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Mt. Zion 4096 East Cherokee Drive, Canton 770-479-3324 www.mtzb.org New Victoria 6659 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock 770-926-8448 www.newvicbaptist.org River Church 2335 Sixes Road, Canton 770-485-1975 www.riveratlanta.org Shallowford Free Will Baptist Church 1686 Shallowford Road, Marietta 770-926-1163 www.shallowfordchurch.com South Cherokee 7504 Highway 92, Woodstock 770-926-0422 www.cherokeebaptistchurch.org Sutallee 895 Knox Bridge Highway, White 770-479-0101 www.sutalleebaptistchurch.com Toonigh 4999 Old Highway 5, Lebanon www.toonightbaptistchurch.lifewaylink.com

CHURCH OF GOD

Bells Ferry 6718 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock 770-592-2956 www.bellsferry.com New Life Church 154 Lakeside Drive, Canton 770-345-2660 www.newlifecanton.com Sunnyside 2510 East Cherokee Drive, Woodstock 770-693-1018 www.sunnysidecog.com Toonigh 4775 Holly Springs Parkway, Canton 770-926-3096 www.toonighcog.org

EPISCOPAL

Christ the Redeemer Charismatic 6488 Hickory Flat Highway, Canton 404-395-5003 www.ctrcec.com Episcopal Church-Annunciation 1673 Jamerson Road, Marietta 770-928-7916 www.annunciationepiscopal.org Saint Clementâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2795 Ridge Road, Canton 770-345-6722 www.stclementscanton.org

JEWISH

Chabad Jewish Center 1480 Shiloh Road, NW, Kennesaw 770-400-9255 www.jewishwestcobb.com Congregation Ner Tamid Reform Jewish Congregation 1349 Old 41 Highway NW, Suite 220, Marietta 678-264-8575 www.mynertamid.org

Congregation Etz Chaim 1190 Indian Hills, Marietta 770-973-0137 www.etzchaim.net Temple Kehillat Chaim 1145 Green St., Roswell 770-641-8630 www.kehillatchaim.org Temple Kol Emeth 1415 Old Canton Road, Marietta 770-973-3533 www.kolemeth.net

MESSIANIC JEWISH CONGREGATIONS Congregation Beth Hallel 950 Pine Grove Road, Roswell 770-641-3000 www.bethhallel.org

LUTHERAN

Celebration of Grace 411 Scott Mill Road, Canton 770-503-5050 www.celebrationofgrace.org Good Shepherd 1208 Rose Creek Drive, Woodstock 770-924-7286 www.gslutheran.org Timothy 556 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-928-2812 www.tlcwoodstock.org

ORTHODOX

St. Elizabeth 2263 East Cherokee Drive, Woodstock 770-485-0504 www.stelizabethga.org

PRESBYTERIAN

Cherokee 1498 Johnson Brady Road, Canton 770-704-9564 www.cherokee-pca.org. Covenant South Annex Rec Center 7545 Main St., Bldg. 200, Woodstock www.cc-pca.org Faith 3655 Reinhardt College Parkway, Canton www.faithpc.us Grace Church 1160 Butterworth Road, Canton 678-493-9869 www.gracecanton.org Heritage 5323 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock 770-926-3558 www.heritagepres.com Woodstock 345 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-926-0074 www.woodstockpcusa.com

ROMAN CATHOLIC

Our Lady of LaSalette 12941 Sam Nelson Road, Canton 770-479-8923 www.lasalettecanton.com St. Michael the Archangel 490 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-516-0009 www.saintmichaelcc.org

Transfiguration Catholic Church 1815 Blackwell Road NE., Marietta 770-977-1442 www.transfiguration.com

Branches of Christ 5946 Jacobs Road, Acworth 770-917-4964 www.branchesofchrist.com

UNITED METHODIST

BridgePointe 233 Arnold Mill Road, Suite 400, Woodstock 770-517-2977 www.bridgepointechurch.org

Bascomb 2295 Bascomb-Carmel Road, Woodstock 770-926-9755 www.bascombchurch.org Canton First 930 Lower Scott Mill Road 770-479-2502 www.cantonfirstumc.org CITY ON A HILL 7745 Main St., Woodstock 678-445-3480 www.coahumc.org Fields Chapel 1331 Fields Chapel Road, Canton 770-479-6030 www.fieldschapel.org Hickory Flat 4056 East Cherokee Drive, Canton 770-345.5969 www.hickoryflat.org Hillside 4474 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock 770-924-4777 www.hillsideumc.org Holly Springs 2464 Holly Springs Parkway 770-345-2883 www.hollyspringsumc.com Liberty Hill 141 Railroad St., Canton 678-493-8920 www.libertyhillumc.org Little River 12455 Highway 92, Woodstock 770-926-2495 www.littleriverumc.info

Christian Praise Center 1358 Sixes Road, Canton 770-924-7532 www.christianpraisecenter.com Church at North Gate 9876 Main St., Suite 250, Woodstock 678-494-2193 www.ngca.org Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 2205 Bascomb-Carmel Road, Woodstock 770-529-9572 www.mormon.org

Action Church 271 Marietta Road, Canton 770-345-3030 www.actionchurch.tv Awakening 180 Parkway 575, Suite 140, Woodstock 770-924-4150 www.awakeningwoodstock.com

Prayer & Praise Christian Fellowship 6409 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock 770-928-2795 www.prayerandpraise.org

Revolution 125 Union Trail Hill, Canton 770-345-2737 www.therevolution.tv

Empowerment Tabernacle 507 Industrial Drive, Woodstock 770-928-7478 www.EmpowermentTabernacle.com

Sojourn Community Church 231 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-769-7495 www.sojournwoodstock.com

The Factory 9872 Main St., Woodstock, 770-517-7265 www.thefactoryministries.org

Soul Medicine 3725 Sixes Road Canton Soulmedicinesunday.org

Faith Family 5744 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth 770-926-4560 www.ffcacworth.com

Sovereign Grace 471 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 678-494-2100 www.sgcatlanta.org

Fivestones Church 155 P Rickman Industrial Drive, Canton 770-720-2227 www.fivestoneschurch.info

Thrive Chapel 400 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-835-5795 www.thrivechapel.com

Fuente de Vida (Fountain of Life) 205 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 678-880-3135 www.fdvida.org

OTHERS

Oak Leaf 151 East Marietta St., Canton 678-653-4652 www.oakleafcanton.com

Dayspring 6835 Victory Drive, Acworth 770-516-5733 www.dayspring-online.com

Sixes 8385 Bells Ferry Road, Canton 770-345-7644 www.sixesumc.org

Emerson 4010 Canton Road, Marietta 770-578-1533 www.emersonuu.org

North Atlanta Church 6233 Old Alabama Road, Acworth 770-975-3001 www.northatlantachurch.org

Resurrection Anglican 231 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-591-0040 www.rezwoodstock.org

Fresh Springs Worship Center 11910 Eagle Drive, Suite 100, Woodstock 770 575-3656 www.freshspringsworship.org

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST

New Covenant Bible 1095 Scott Road, Canton 770-479-6412 www.newcovenantcanton.org

Church of the Messiah 4115 Charles Cox Drive, Canton 770-479-5280 www.churchofthemessiah.net

Mt. Gilead 889 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-591- 0837 www.ngumc.org

Woodstock 109 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock 770-516-0371

678-384-4919 www.MomentumChurch.tv

Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rolling Thunder Latimer Hall, 103 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock www.godsrollingthunder.org His Hands 550 Molly Lane, Woodstock 770-405-2500 www.hishandschurch.com Life Church 300 Adam Jenkins Memorial Drive, Suite 108, Canton 770-847-0170 www.lifechurchcanton.com Love Community Church 5598 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth Ministry House 347 Holly St., Canton 678-459-2347 http://MinistryHouse.org Momentum 110 Londonderry Court, Suite 130, Woodstock

Towne Lake Community 132 North Medical Parkway, Woodstock 678-445-8766 www.tlcchurch.com Victory 4625 Highway 92, Acworth 770-794-7366 www.victoryga.com Woodstock City Church 678-880-9092 Woodstock Christian 7700 Highway 92, Woodstock 770-926-8238 www.woodstockchristian.org Woodstock Church of Christ 219 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock 770-926-8838 www.woodstockchurchofchrist.org Woodstock Church of the Nazarene 874 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-366-7515 www.wcnga.com Woodstock Community Church 237 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock 770-926-8990 www.wcchurch.org TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Reference

TOWNE LAKE AREA CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS Charitable Organizations Ahimsa House helps victims of domestic violence 24-hours a day who need help getting their pets to safety. 404-452-6248 www.ahimsahouse.org

Georgia Animal Project, based in Ball Ground, offers high quality, low cost spay and neuter services for dogs and cats throughout North Georgia. 770-704-PAWS (7297) www.theanimalproject.org

Angel House Girls Home is a residential facility to help girls ages 12-18 learn self-sufficiency. 770-479-9555 www.angelhousega.com

Give a Kid a Chance – Cherokee sponsors a yearly backto-school bash, giving children in need filled backpacks to free haircuts. www.giveakidachance.org

Anna Crawford Children’s Center is dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect, and protecting and serving children and families through prevention and intervention services. 678-504-6388 www.cherokeechildadvocates.org

Goshen Valley Boys Ranch offers a home, care and counsel to young men in the DFCS system. 770-796-4618 www.goshenvalley.org

Collins Dixon Foundation: Bend Your Knees, Inc. raises awareness and helps children with pediatric brain tumors. Contact: Bob Dixon, 678-922-1560. Bethany Place is a transitional home for single women, unwed mothers. 770-479-9462 www.bethanyplacehome.org CASA for Children promotes the health and happiness of children impacted by abuse through programs that increase their safety and improve their educational, social and emotional functioning. 770-345-3274 www.casacherokee.org CCHS Thrift Store accepts donations and sells used household items to raise money for Cherokee County Humane Society. 5900 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth. 770-592-8072 Cherokee Family Violence Center offers emergency shelter and crisis intervention, affordable housing, education, support services. 770-479-1703, Spanish 770-720-7050 or 800-334-2836 option 2. www.cfvc.org Cherokee Fellowship of Christian Athletes challenges professional, college, high school, junior high and youth level coaches and athletes to use athletics to impact the world for Christ. Bill Queen 404-441-3508 www.cherokeefca.org Cherokee County Humane Society (CCHS) 770-928-5115 or admin@cchumanesociety.org www.cchumanesociety.org Cherokee FOCUS works to improve the lives of children and families through collaborative programs and initiatives. Sonia Carruthers 770-345-5483 www.cherokeefocus.org Cherokee County Senior Services offers educational, social, leisure and recreational activities for senior citizens. 770-345-5312 or 770-345-5320 www.cherokeega.com/senior-services Community Veterinary Care provides professional veterinary care for pets whose owners have limited financial means. 678-640-3512 www.communityveterinarycare.com Companion Animal Connection 678-493-9847 www.adoptapet.com Everyday Angels offers financial assistance for local families in need. aaeverydayangels@gmail.com

Green Shelters America animal rescue group. 770-712-4077 or GreenSheltersAmerica@gmail.com www.GreenSheltersAmeric.com Habitat for Humanity North Central Georgia 770-587-9697 www.habitat-ncg.org Healing Hands Youth Ranch offers safe, peaceful environment where abused and at-risk children are paired with rescue horses for hope and healing. Jennifer Simonis 770-633-4451 www.hhyr.org HopeQuest Ministry Group helps people who struggle intensely with life dominating issues related to alcohol abuse, substance abuse and/or sexual brokenness. 678-391-5950 www.hqmg.org HOPE Center offers support for unplanned pregnancy. 770-924-0864 or info@TheHopeCtr.com www.hopectr.com HOPE Center — Baby & More Thrift Store offers adult and children’s clothing. 770-517-4450 www.babyandmorethriftstore.com Life Connection Ministries helps empower and provide humanitarian relief in the form of wells and greenhouses to impoverished communities. Mission trips offered. Florine Russell 678-234-1798. www.lcm-ga.com Matthew E. Russell Foundation works to establish literacy and libraries in rural areas worldwide. Florine Russell 678-234-1798. www.mattrussell.org MUST Ministries offers groceries, hot meals, emergency shelter, supportive housing, clothing, employment services, summer lunch and more from five locations in eight counties, including the Canton office at 111 Brown Industrial Pkwy. www.mustministries.org National Alliance for Mental Illness is the nation’s largest grassroots organization in America working to build better lives for the millions affected by mental illness. www.nami.org Never Alone Outreach provides food and clothing assistance to Cherokee families in need. www.neveralone.org. Next Step Ministries offers a therapeutic day program, Saturday respite, camps and special events for people with special needs. 770-592-1227 www.nextstepministries.net

Feed My Lambs, Inc. provides free Christian preschools in the U.S. and around the world. 770-795-9348 office@feedmylambs.net www.feedmylambs.net

North Georgia Pregnancy Center offers help and care to young girls and women with an unplanned pregnancy or who need counseling. 706-253-6303 www.ngapregnancy.org

Forever Fed is a mobile food ministry that addresses physical hunger and hopelessness in North Georgia by providing meals and sharing the gospel. www.foreverfed.org

Papa’s Pantry is a year-round local food ministry, which also includes the Masters Training Center to help individuals and families in crisis get back on their feet. Lynne Saunders 770-591-4730 www.papaspantry.org

Funds 4 Furry Friends helps those in need with food, spay/neuter and medical attention for their pets. Gina Jeter 770-842-8893 www.funds4furryfriends.com

Pet Buddies Food Pantry helps families in need by providing pet food, supplies, spaying and neutering, and education through community outreach programs. 678-310-9858 www.petbuddiesfoodpantry.org

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Safe Kids Cherokee County provides free child safety seat inspections by appointment. 770-721-7808 www.cherokeesafekidscherokeecounty.org SERV International operates the House of Hope orphanage in Africa, sponsors a clean water program in Dominican Republic and meal distributions worldwide. Also offers mission trips. 770-516-1108 www.servone.org The Blue Ribbon Foundation fosters a national dialog toward finding the cause, cure and prevention of ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis), CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome), fibromyalgia and Lyme disease. Tom Prior 478-397-5542 www.theblueribbonfoundation.org Volunteer Aging Council is a nonprofit that helps raise funds for the seniors of Cherokee County. A list of current needs is available. 770-310-3474 www.vac-cherokeega.org SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS AA Meetings Canton Meets: 9:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday, 7 p.m. Monday at Canton First United Methodist, 930 Lower Scott Mill Road. Woodstock Meets: 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at Hillside United Methodist, 4474 Towne Lake Parkway. www.aageorgia.org/14c-meetings.html Al-Anon and Al-A-Teen Canton Meets: 8 pm Thursday at St Clements Episcopal Church, 2795 Ridge Road. Woodstock Meets: Tuesday Al-anon and Alateen 8 pm Thursday Al-anon at Hillside United Methodist Church, 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy. Reba 770-516-3502 www.ga-al-anon.org/district-number.hp?district=17 American Heart Association - Cherokee Division 678-385-2013 American Red Cross metro chapter 770-428-2695 Caregivers Alzheimers Support Group Meets: 6:30 p.m. first Tuesday of Every Other Month at Benton House of Woodstock, 3385 Trickum Rd. 678-494-4500 woodstockinfo@bentonhouse.com Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered recovery program for all types of habits, hurts and hangups. Meets: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at Woodstock Church of the Nazarene. 770-366-7515 Meets: 6:30 p.m. Mondays at Sixes United Methodist. 770-345-7644 www.sixesumc.org Meets: 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Ministry House 678-459-2347 www.MinistryHouse.org Meets: 6:15 p.m. Thursdays at 411 Scott Mill Road, Canton. 678-764-8660 www.celebraterecovery.com Cherokee County Support Group provides support for people with autoimmune conditions. Meets: 6:30 - 8 pm second Thursday at New Light Baptist Church, 1716 New Light Rd, Holly Springs. Stacie Collett 404-402-0571, jhmom88@comcast. net and Christy Stephenson 770-337-0294 christystephenson@msn.com Cherokee County Special Olympics provides yearround sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. www.cherokeecountyspecialolympics.org Cherokee Christian Ministerial Association for pastors and ministry leaders of all Christian denominations. Meets: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. last Wednesday at Dayspring Church, 6835 Victory Drive, Woodstock. www.cherokeeministers.org Diabetes Support Group Meets: 9:30 and 11 a.m. third Tuesday at Emeritus Assisted Living, 756 Neese Road, Woodstock. Linda Watson 770-793-7818 Georgia Canines for Independence. 404-824-4637 gcidogs@aol.com www.gcidogs.org

Grace Valley Ministries connects pastors by offering small group meetings, free counseling and a place to retreat. 727-251-7690, info@gracevalleyministries.org www.gracevalleyministries.org Grandparents Raising GRANDchildren Meets: 7:15 p.m. second Tuesdays Transfiguration Catholic Church, Marietta (nursery available). Jeannie 770-919-9275 Hearing Loss Association of America NW Metro Atlanta Chapter for people with hearing loss looking for support and resources, holds free and informative quarterly meetings at the Senior Center on Arnold Mill Road. nwmetroatlantahlaa@gmail.com La Leche League of South Cherokee Meets: 10 a.m. first Tuesday and 7 p.m. third Tuesday at Bascomb United Methodist Church. Marguerite 678-315-7686 or Megan 770-517-0191 MOMS Club of Woodstock-TowneLake momsclubofwoodstocktl@gmail.com www.sites.google.com/site/ momscluboftownelakewoodstock MOPS — Mothers of Preschoolers (birth — K) Meets: 9:30 a.m. second and fourth Mondays at Hillside UMC, 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy. 770-924-4777 Unlimited Possibilities, support group for stroke and brain injury survivors. Meets: 7 p.m. first Tuesday of each month at Kennestone Outpatient Rehab Center. Kelly 678-677-2589 BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS American Business Women’s Association, Cherokee Eagles Charter Chapter. Meets: 6:30 p.m. on the third Tuesdays at Dynastic Buffet at the intersection of Canton Highway and Piedmont. Jacqueline Miller Van Hook, 678-493-3618 Cherokee Business Network Meets: 7:45 a.m. every Wednesday at Chick-fil-A, 9728 Highway 92, Woodstock. Marci Zied 770-345-8687 Cherokee Toastmasters Club Meets: Noon-1:15 p.m. Wednesdays at the Bank of North Georgia, 200 Parkway 575, Woodstock. www.cherokeetoastmasters.com Empowered Women Through Synergy Meets: 8:30 a.m. third Thursday at J Christopher’s, 315 Chambers Street, Woodstock. Shahida Baig 678-445-3900 The Joy of Connecting Networking for Women Meets: Various times and locations. Edeline Dryden 678-789-6158 www.xperienceconnections.com/ spotlight/woodstock/ Towne Lake Business Association Meets: 12:30 p.m. third Tuesday at Featherstone’s at Towne Lake Hills. 770-615-3350 www.tlba.org Towne Lake PowerCore Team Meets: 7-8:30 a.m. every Friday at Freight Kitchen & Tap, 251 E. Main St., Woodstock. Marc Replogle 770-952-5000, ext. 20 or Wendy 404-816-3377 www.powercore.net Women of Woodstock Meets: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. first and third Wednesday at Featherstone’s at Towne Lake Hills. info@womenofwoodstock.com www.womenofwoodstock.com VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS American Legion Post 316 Meets: 7 p.m. third Thursdays at William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road. Irma Martin 678-662-2366

Woodstock VFW Post 10683 Meets: 7 p.m. second Tuesday at Woodstock Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road. Andrew Yrabedra 404-663-4663 CIVIC, COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS AARP Woodstock Chapter is for anyone age 50 and older. Meets: 11:30 a.m. second Tuesdays at Tuscany. Lunch is $15. Rich 770-926-1944 Canton-Cherokee TRIAD/S.A.L.T. (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together) Meets: 8:30 a.m. first Tuesday at G.Cecil Pruitt YMCA in Canton (Hall of Fame Room). www.saltcherokee.com Cherokee County Historical Society 770-345-3288 www.rockbarn.org Citizen Oversight and Education 678-520-2236 citizenoversighteducation@yahoo.com Jewish Havurah (Friends) A group of Jewish people who meet for Jewish holidays, special Jewish events and Shabbat dinners. Marcie Zied 770-345-8687 Junior Service League of Woodstock 770-592-3535 www.jslwoodstock.org Pilot Club of Cherokee County Meet: 6: 30 p.m. second Mondays at IHOP on Hwy 20 Lynda Goodwin, 770-393-1766 or Lynda@ edgoodwinassociates.com www.pilotinternational.com Rotary Club of Cherokee County Meets: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at IHOP on Highway 92 770-480-4179 Rotary Club of Towne Lake Meets: Noon Thursdays at Featherstone’s Grille at 1003 Towne Lake Hills E., Woodstock www.townelakerotary.com Rotary Club of Woodstock Meets: 7:30 a.m. Tuesdays at IHOP on Highway 92 678-428-6514 Service League of Cherokee County 770-704-5991 www.serviceleague.net South Cherokee Optimist Club Meets: 7:30 a.m. every Friday at Featherstone’s at Towne Lake Hills. 770-926-3522 Towne Lake Optimist Club Meets: 7:30 a.m. Fridays at Eagle Watch Golf Club. 404-557-2218 www.townelakeoptimists.com Woodstock Jaycees Meets: 7 p.m. first Tuesday and third Thursday at 216 Rope Mill Road. 770-926-8336 Woodstock Lions Club Meets: 7 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Contact: 770-906-2958 POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS Cherokee County Democratic Party Meets: 7 p.m. second Thursday at Holly Springs Train Depot, 164 Hickory Road, Holly Springs 770-345-3489 www.cherokeedemocrats.com Cherokee County Libertarians Meets: 7:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday at the Cherokee County Board of Realtors Training Center, 1600 River Park Blvd., Suite 104, Woodstock. www. cherokeelp.org Cherokee County Republican Party Meets: 9 a.m. third Saturday at Jump Kitchen & Saloon, 1085 Buckhead Crossing, Woodstock 678-8820915 www.cherokeecounty.gop

Cherokee Tea Party Patriots Meets: 4 p.m. third Sunday at Latimer Hall, 103 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock. Conrad Quagliaroli 770-378-8232, conradquag@gmail.com www.teapartypatriots.org/groups/cherokee-tea-partypatriots/ Cherokee County Republican Women affiliated with The Georgia Federation of Republican Women Meets: Monthly in Woodstock/Canton. 770-592-7811 or jkconkey@gmail.com Grassroots Conservatives of Cherokee Meets: 7- 9 a.m. Fridays at the Chick-fil-a on 951 Ridgewalk Parkway, Woodstock by the Outlet Mall. Bill Dewrell 770-294-0922 Republican Women of Cherokee County 678-520-2236 www.rwccga.com Recreation & Hobbies Allatoona Gold Panners. Periodic events , outings Rob Kelly rrkelly@bellsouth.net Cherokee Amateur Radio Society Meets: 10 a.m. on the second Saturday at William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road. www.cherokeehams.com Cherokee Community Chorale 678-439-8625 www.cherokeechorale.org Cherokee County Arts Center 94 North St., Canton. 770-704-6244 www.CherokeeArts.org Cherokee County Master Gardeners 770-721-7803 www.caes.uga.edu/extension/ cherokee/mastergardeners Cherokee Photography Club www.cherokeepc.org Cherokee County Saddle Club hosts monthly meetings and group rides. www.cherokeesaddleclub.com Cherokee Hockey In Line League (CHILL) roller hockey. www.cherokeehockey.org Cherokee Music Teachers Association Linda Lokey 770-720-1701 www.cherokeemta.org Cherokee Soccer Association 770-704-0187 www.csaimpact.com Cherokee Youth Lacrosse Association www.cherokeelacrosse.com Christian Authors Guild Meets: 7-9 p.m. first and third Monday at Prayer and Praise Christian Fellowship, 6409 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock. www.christianauthorsguild.org Kingdom Riders is a forming chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association in Canton. Meets: 8 a.m. fourth Saturdays at Family Tradition restaurant in Hickory Flat. All makes of motorcycles welcome. Les Marmitons, for men interested in culinary arts. www.lesmarmitons.org Wildlife Action, Inc. is a conservation organization on Allatoona Lake at 2075 Kellogg Creek Road, Acworth. 770-924-7464 www.wildlifeactiongeorgia.com Sons of the American Revolution - Cherokee Meets: 7 p.m. second Tuesdays at the Rock Barn, 638 Marietta Hwy., Canton. www.cherokeechapter.com William G. Long Senior Center offers activities for seniors at 223 Arnold Mill Road in Woodstock. 678-445-6518 TOWNELAKER | May 2016

TOWNELAKER DIRECTORY OF ADVERTISERS ACCOUNTING/FINANCIAL SERVICES Citadel Professional Services, LLC 770-952-6707

Hill & Hill Financial 770-672-0402 www.hillandhillfinancial.com

J RAY, CPA, PC 404-994-5102 www.JRAYCPA.com

ATTORNEYS/LEGAL SERVICES Debranski & Associates, LLC 770-926-1957, ext 306 www.Debranski.com

Hartman Imbriale Attorneys 678-445-7423 www.hartman-imbriale.com

Limbocker Law 678-401-6836 www.limbockerlawfirm.com

Nelson Elder Care Law, LLC Inside Front 678-250-9355 www.NelsonElderCareLaw.com AUTOMOTIVE

Towne Lake Business Association www.TLBA.org

CHIROPRACTIC Family Chiropractic 770-517-5610 www.familychiropractic.com

Joint Chiropractic, The 678-214-4449 www.thejoint.com

North Georgia Functional Medicine 678-556-5117 www.northgeorgiafm.com

Optimum Health 770-516-7477 www.optimumhealthrehab.com

Ribley Chiropractic 770-592-2505 www.ribleychiro.com

CHURCHES Fresh Springs Worship Church 770-575-3656

Hillside United Methodist Church 770-924-4777 www.hillsideumc.org

Aspen Falls Auto Spa 770-591-3630

Bavarian Repair 770-310-2381 www.bavarianrepair.com

Christian Brothers Automotive 770-926-4500 www.cbac.com

Carpet Dry-Tech 678-368-5991 www.carpetdrytech.com

Woodstock Quality Paint & Body 770-926-3898

Rejoice Maids 678-905-3476 www.rejoicemaids.com

Massage Envy 770-974-0880 www.MassageEnvy.com

Pigtails & Crewcuts 53 678-842-8299 www.pigtailsandcrewcuts,com/woodstock Salon Gloss 678-483-8900 www.salongloss.biz

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Salon Spa Venéssa 770-591-2079 www.salonvenessa.com

ShapeMed by Lifetime Fitness 404-303-2323 www.shapemed.com

BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS Downtown Buzz 770-592-6056 www.downtownwoodstock.org/ downtownbuzz 94

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

Cherokee Computer Guys 678-889-5900 www.ccrguys.com

DENTAL (Cosmetic, Family, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics & Pediatric) 32 Dental Practice 770-423-1132 www.thirty-twodental.com Advanced Dental Restorations, LLC 678-810-0881 www.BringBackSmiles.com Baird & Baird Family Dentistry 770-517-0444 www.BairdFamilyDentistry.com Fountain View Family Dentistry 770-926-0000 www.fountainviewsmiles.com Park Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock 770-926-9260 www.PediatricWoodstockDentist.com

Inside Back

EDUCATION / INSTRUCTION Goddard School, The 770-516-0880 www.GoddardSchool.com

Grant Academy, The 770-926-7827 www.thegrantacademy.net

Master’s Training Center, The 770-591-9588 www.TheMasterTrainingCenter.com

Park View Child Care and Montessori School 68 770-926-0044 www.parkviewmontessorischool.com Towne Lake Academy North Campus: 770-928-6162 South Campus: 770-928-9134

Towne Lake Driving School 678-494-2200 www.TowneLakeDrivingSchool.com

FUNERAL SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES

COMPUTERS

BEAUTY, MASSAGE & SPA

Spillane Orthodontics 770-928-4747 www.SpillaneOrtho.com Towne Lake Family Dentistry Dr. Ray Morgan 770-591-7929 www.RayMorganDMD.com

29 8 68 65 61

Woodstock Funeral Home and Cremations Inside front 770-926-3107 www.woodstockfuneralhome.com HEALTH & FITNESS Center for Yoga, The 770-517-5212 www.yogafamilytree.com

Fury Performance Academy 770-823-9831 www.FuryPerformance.org

Plae Hard www.plaehard.com

PHIIT Club at R2 Total Fitness 678-809-7833 www.r2totalfitness.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT & REPAIR AquaDoc Plumbing 770-516-9000, www.plumdr.com

Bryan Plumbing Services 770-826-5277

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

Dr. Fixit, Ph.D. 770-974-2390 www.DrFixitPHD.com

Enhance Floors & More 770-565-3808 www.enhancefloors.com

Grout Doctor, The 678-383-1311

Hammocks Heating & Air 770-794-0428 www.HammocksHVAC.com

Kim Bates Photography www.KimBatesPhotoArt.com 770-617-7595

Atlanta Communities, Tara Daigle 404-925-6351

PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL SERVICES 47

Cherokee Internal Medicine 678-238-0301 www.cherokeeim.com

Handy Handyman, The 404-316-1490 www.thhmga.com

Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists 770-720-7733 www.cherokeewomenshealth.com

Mr. Junk 678-Mr-Junk1 www.MrJunk1.com

Children’s Health Care of Atlanta www.choa.org/urgentcare

Pike’s Professional Painting 770-516-0045

Precision Painting & Remodeling 678-234-9668 www.precisionpaintingatlanta.com

Reliable Heating & Air 770-594-9969 www.ReliableAir.com

SOTO Remodeling 404-376-5443

www.groutdoctor.com

Vinyl Window Solutions 770-635-8421 www.vinylwindowsolutions.com

LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE Calvary Landscaping & Irrigation 770-720-1727 or 770-827-0346

North Georgia Audiology & Hearing Aid Center 770-726-8948 www.NorthGeorgiaHearing.com North Georgia Foot and Ankle Reconstruction, Dr. Bret Hintze 770-999-0804 www.NGFAR.com Northside Cherokee Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (770) 517-6636 northsidecherokeeortho.com

Northside Cherokee Pediatrics 678-388-5485 northsidecherokeepediatrics.com

Northside Cherokee Surgical Assoc. 770-924-9656 www.ncsurgicalassociates.com

Northside Hospital -Cherokee www.northside.com

Northside Pediatric & Adoles. Medicine 62 770-928-0016 www.NorthsidePediatrics.com

Landscape Matters 770-403-5813 www.LandscapeMattersInc.com

Plastic Surgery Center of the South 58 770-421-1242 www.plasticsurgerycenterofthesouth.net

Mclellan Excavation & Landscaping 404-520-0710 www.excavationandlandscaping.com Overstreet Lawn Care 770-861-7272 www.overstreetlawncare.com RPM Landscape & Pavers 770-597-5175 www.rpmlandscapeandpavers.com

PET/VETERINARIAN SERVICES & SUPPLIES Animal Atlanta 770-591-0007 www.AnimalAtlanta.com

Animal Hospital of Towne Lake 770-591-9500 www.townelakevets.com

Cherokee County Animal Shelter www.cherokeega-animals.org

PHOTOGRAPHY J. King Images 404-384-2794, 404-200-0881 www.jkingimages.com

Psychologist John R. Lutz, PhD 770-592-9065 www.johnromanlutz.com Rausch Family Practice 678-384-7305 www.judithrauschmd.com Towne Lake Family Pharmacy 770-635-7697 www.TowneLakePharmacy.com

Towne Lake Primary Care Family Medicine 17 678-445-0819 Wellstar Cancer Network 1-877-366-6032 wellstar.org

POLITICAL David Waters for Sheriff 770-655-4626 www.DavidWatersforSheriff.com

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Tomlinson Team, The Cathy Tomlinson: 770-365-6193 or 678-494-2953, 770-517-2150 www.thetomlinsonteam.com

Donna Charitat: 770-309-0253, 770-517-2150, www.MyAgentDonna.com Kurt & Sheila Team, Keller Williams Back Cvr 404-954-2486, 678-494-0644 www.kurtandsheilateam.com Magnolia Cottages by the Sea Linda B. Lee, 850-319-8050 www.magnolisdreamcottage.com

Reflection Lake Nantahala Kristine Flaig, 828-321-3101 www.reflectionlakenantahala.com

Southeast Mortgage 770-279-0222, ext. 719 Todd Littlejohn: 678-662-3451

Terrell Team, The D: 770-928-6525, O: 770-345-8211 www.RealEstateAgent.net

RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT

Ivyscapes 55 678-858-0782 www.ivyscapes.net 35

REAL ESTATE & RELATED SERVICES

Frank Reynolds for Sheriff Cover, 48, 49 www.FrankReynoldsforSheriff.com Michelle Homier for State Court Judge 46 www.judgehomier.com

Canton Festival of the Arts www.cherokeearts.org

Cherokee Youth Football Assoc. www.cyfa.org

Cruise Planners, Kathy Faisal 678-445-5235-Office 770-231-7033-Cell

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

Park Marina www.bestinboating.com

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RESTAURANTS/FOOD/DELIVERY Around Town Take Out www.AroundTownTakeOut.com

Butchers Block 770-517-2225

Cancun Mexican Grill 770-693-4680 www.cancunmexicangrill.net

Papa P’s 770-592-3100 www.papa-ps.com

Smallcakes — A Cupcakery 678-324-1910

RETAILERS/ SHOPPING Blue Frog Imports 770-592-0122 www.BlueFrogImports.biz

Spirited 29 678-214-5304 www.spritlala.com Wild Birds Unlimited TOWNELAKER | May 2016

73 95

WHEN IT’S URGENT CARE,

YOU CAN STILL GET

CHILDREN’S CARE.

Minor illnesses and injuries can happen anytime. When they do, you don’t have to settle for anything less than our doctors and nurses, who are specially trained to care for your child. And with our online scheduling, you can get in line for check-in before you leave home. Learn more at choa.org/urgentcare.

NOW OPEN: CHILDREN’S AT CHEROKEE | 1558 RIVERSTONE PARKWAY, CANTON

TOWNELAKER | May 2016

120 N. Medical Pkwy | Building 200, Suite 100 | Woodstock, GA 30189

770.591.7929

www.TowneLakeFamilyDentistry.com

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