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On the Cover

LIVING WISER IN RETIREMENT

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

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

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

Advertise With Us

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

Why choose us?

• Publishing in Cherokee County since 1996.

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

• Marketing experts with national, international account experience.

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

Get Started Today!

Around Towne

Readers’ Choice 2023!

The voting round is May 15-June 30 at www.townelaker.com.

A Chance to Win!

You have a chance to win $5,000 to go toward home improvement projects and a $350 Home Depot gift card. Entries are accepted through May 23 at https://townelaker.com/contests. Special thanks to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties Woodstock office for sponsoring this contest. https://woodstock.bhhsgeorgia.com.

What’s Coming

Deep Roots Wine Market and Tasting Room in Roswell has announced plans to open a Woodstock location in the right side of the space (where the register was) formerly occupied by Copper Coin. The goal is to be open by the end of the summer. Monitor the progress on Instagram at @deeprootswoodstock.

Restore Hyper Wellness will occupy the other half of the former Copper Coin space, and Bizarre Coffee will open a Woodstock location in the near future. No opening dates were available at press time.

What’s New

The Woodstock Beer Market has added a coffee shop to its space. Coffee is available 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The market is at 240 Chambers St. www.thestoutbrothers.com/woodstock-ga-beer-market.

What’s Closed

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

Get Social With Us

www.townelaker.com

After 11 years in downtown Woodstock, Freight Kitchen & Tap has closed. The owners announced the closing on Facebook. No plans for the building are known yet. The property will be renovated before it’s leased.

What’s Open

School of Rock Woodstock has opened at 5947 Holly Springs Parkway, Woodstock. The music school offers lessons in guitar, drums, bass, keyboards and singing. One-on-one lessons are combined with group band practices. 470-795-6995. www.schoolofrock.com/locations/woodstock

The Cherokee Humane Society Thrift Store has reopened in a new location: 12156 Highway 92, at the intersection with Trickum Road. Hours for donations and limited pickups are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. MondaysSaturdays. The original store has been a Cherokee County fixture, operating on Bells Ferry Road for the past 17 years.

Kudos

Visit Woodstock GA accepted an award on behalf of The Reeves House at Woodstock Arts at the Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus’ 2023 Conference recently. Georgia Trend selected five projects for the 2023 class of Travelblazers. The Reeves House was selected because of Woodstock Arts’ partnership with the city of Woodstock, Woodstock Downtown Development Authority and John Wieland’s JW Collection.

Letter From the Editor

Ithink it’s time for Bertie and Ellie to make a reappearance!

If you remember, they are the precocious 2-year-old pups who wear out Glenn and me as only a blue heeler/Australian shepherd mix can. I’m hoping by the time this issue arrives in your mailboxes, we’ll have the girls enrolled in a training camp.

At the heart of our decision to adopt them is our desire to be more active: take walks, travel with the girls, explore fun places around us. As it turns out, walking dogs that pull has accelerated the need for a knee replacement and caused me to have a dozen or so physical therapy visits to straighten out my shoulder. I didn’t anticipate that.

Oh, did I tell you Bertie gets car sick? So much for travel plans. But, that’s OK. We will make sure their rambunctious rumps are whipped into shape, and we’ll start all over again. BTW, Dramamine works pretty well for dogs, in case it helps someone to know that.

I’m eager to try a few recipes that Jessica, our content editor, included in her pet treats feature. After all, Woodstock IS a dog town, so we hope you and your fur babies enjoy them. See Pages 30-31. If you find a few that you like, let us know. We love photos, too! If I’m successful at making treats for the girls, Glenn

will catch on to the fact that our oven works. So far, it’s been a great storage area. I might need to rethink that.

The Speed for Need feature on Pages 34-35 brought tears to my eyes. I love reading how impactful this nonprofit is for those with mental and physical challenges. My first cousin, Suzanne, had Down syndrome; she was so special to our family. Suzanne’s mom, dad, brothers and sister doted on her and treated her like a queen. I have no doubt my cousins would have signed her up for a 5K or taken her to a Night to Shine prom, if these events existed when she was with us! In her 50 years on earth, she was well loved.

I’m particularly grateful to Rebecca Johnston for honoring Shirley Pahl (Pages 26-27), who was the face of the Cherokee County Farm Bureau for the past 30 years. No doubt, many students — as well as our legislators — learned much from her about the importance of farming. She has impacted most of us, whether or not we realize it. Thank you, Shirley! I pray you have a relaxing and fun retirement. You deserve it!

Closing the computer now. It’s time for another session of pulling, barking and barking. I mean, walking the dogs! If you have tips for taming these two, I’d love to hear from you!

America’s Community Magazine

Volume 27, Issue 7

PUBLISHER

Aroundabout Local Media, Inc. www.aroundaboutlocalmedia.com

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES

Jennifer Coleman | 470-263-8414 jen@aroundaboutmagazines.com

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

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

MANAGING EDITOR

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

CONTENT EDITOR

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

PRODUCTION MANAGER

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

CONTROLLER

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

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Laura Latchford laura@aroundaboutmagazines.com

Savannah Winn savannah@aroundaboutmagazines.com

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Kathryn Holt kat@aroundaboutmagazines.com

MARKET & ADVERTISING

SPECIALIST | Michelle Smith michelle.smith@aroundaboutmagazines.com

COPY EDITORS

Bill King, Eliza Somers

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

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

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

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher.

All rights reserved. Copyright 2023.

Candi Hannigan stays busy as executive editor of Aroundabout Local Media when Bertie,left, and Ellie aren’t keeping her on the go. She’s lived in Cherokee County since 1987. Email her at candi@aroundaboutmagazines.com.

Etowah Grad Tackles Legislative Internship

BY MARGARET MILLER

Remember the name Brooklin Cooper Cox. One day, this Kennesaw State University (KSU) junior may be the attorney general of Georgia, of the United States, or a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Our readers can then say: “We aren’t surprised. We knew her when ...”

Determined, industrious and committed are characteristics used to describe this political science major. Brooklin recently completed a Georgia legislation internship at the state Capitol, which she described as very exciting. Among the offices in the building are those of the governor and lieutenant governor, plus the chambers for the General Assembly.

The Acworth resident said her responsibilities as an intern in the Georgia Senate involved researching bills and writing resolutions. She enjoyed the glamorous aspects, which allowed her to attend events with Gov. Brian Kemp, senators and other state dignitaries.

So, how did this Etowah High School graduate get this prestigious internship? “I was required to compete against hundreds of students from across our state,” Brooklin said. “I had to submit a lengthy essay and undergo

three interviews, two of them at the Georgia State Capitol, before I became an intern.”

Approximately 35 students selected from Georgia’s public and private universities and colleges get firsthand experience during each legislative session. (Learn more at www.legis. ga.gov/intern-program.)

The application process was worthwhile, according to Brooklin. About her internship, she said: “This has been a life-changing experience. I have learned so much about how our state government works. Plus, I have always wanted to be involved in politics. My internship has confirmed that this is the career path for me, once I get my law degree.”

While completing her internship, the HOPE Scholar continued her regular studies in political science at KSU, an educational institution that she loves.

“I chose KSU after visiting several other colleges, including Penn State, (the University of) Alabama and Georgia State. I am pleased with my selection. KSU is a great school that has allowed me to grow as a student, to experience diversity, as well as to understand different aspects of governments.”

On weekends, Brooklin works as a server in a local eatery, where she is learning to be patient and is becoming knowledgeable about good customer service.

The importance of family support is something the rising senior is aware of, thanks to her parents, Lou Cox and Geri Cooper. “I have a very supportive family that pushes me to do my best. Before my maternal grandmother, Bertha Cooper, passed, she always told me I could be anything I wanted to be, and she supported my vision. I feel her presence today as I continue on my journey,” Brooklin said.

She credits local attorney Charles McGhee with mentoring her. He, too, encouraged her and offered her advice on how she can achieve her goal. She plans to complete her undergraduate degree in 2024 and then enter law school. Once she completes this part of her journey, watch out world, here she comes!

Brooklin Cooper Cox (pink blazer) and Georgia Legislative Intern Program participants surround Gov. Brian and Marty Kemp.

Margaret Miller has been a resident of Cherokee County for the past decade. Her writing hobby led her to become a columnist for community and daily newspapers.

Brooklin Cooper Cox is a political science major.

A Message From the

One of the largest drivers of Woodstock’s success, in an economic sense — and in creating a higher quality of life — has been our city’s focus on parks and recreation. This year, my three main goals for the city revolve around making home ownership more widely available to our residents, attracting more high-paying jobs and employers to our city, and expanding the generational assets that are our parks and trails. These investments are gifts to ourselves, to our children and to their children. They will stand the test of time as assets for our community for years to come.

At the start of the year, we were proud to welcome our new Woodstock Parks and Recreation director, Brian Borden, who comes with a wealth of experience from across the southeastern United States. Most recently, he served as the parks and recreation director for the city of Brookhaven, where he oversaw 19 parks and more than 300 acres of green spaces and trails. He shares our vision and passion for the impact that parks and recreation can have in building a more vibrant, active city, and he is an outstanding addition to the team.

We are so fortunate to be known for our world-class parks and trails, and that focus on balance between a vibrant, walkable downtown and the outdoor, recreational opportunities in our city has made us one of the most desirable places to live in the nation.

Current offerings range from the 50-plus acre Dupree Park, just a short distance from the center of town, offering playgrounds, walking trails and sports fields, to Woofstock Dog Park, along our amazing trail system. The mountain biking trails within our city at Olde Rope Mill Park, and just outside the city at Blankets Creek, rank among the most utilized in the nation.

Our multiuse trail system is expanding throughout the city, with the most frequented portion being the Noonday Creek Trail, starting next to Reformation Brewery and winding down to Highway 92, then west into Towne Lake. We already have

acquired the right of way and funding to extend the southern portion of this segment into Cobb County, to connect with its extensive trail system, which will tie Woodstock’s trails all the way to the Silver Comet Trail, into Atlanta and beyond.

Among the most exciting opportunities ahead of us is Little River Park. The City Council has designated three tracts of land along Little River to comprise a 106-acre park site. This will be our largest park, comprising nearly half of the city-owned green space in our 13-square-mile city. Extending from Trickum Road down to the Woodlands, the park is proposed to offer paddle launches, boardwalks, treehouses and viewing platforms, disc golf, dog park space, picnic areas and an incredible nature experience. Of course, the trail system will extend the length of the park, creating significant east-west connectivity for this important recreational asset, and alternative transportation option.

City Council has tasked staff with making real progress on Little River Park this year. In the coming few years, we expect to deliver this new investment in our city and continue to expand the recreational opportunities that are at the core of what makes our city so great. I can’t overstate the importance that these public assets play in maintaining the incredible quality of life, attractiveness and economic competitiveness our community has come to expect.

I am proud of our City Council and staff for seeing the value in these investments, and I am so grateful for the hard work and dedication of our parks and recreation staff. We will continue to focus on expanding these offerings and establishing Woodstock as a regional trail hub. The new green space, and the connection of our trail system to the communities around us, will create a better, higher quality of life for our residents and visitors.

— Mayor Michael Caldwell

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

Celebrations!

ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE FREE!

Email: edit@aroundaboutmagazines.com

June deadline is May 5.

Please specify TowneLaker. Word limit: 25.

Anthony M. Class of 2023

I am so proud of you!

Love you to the moon and back, kiddo! Love, Mom

Asher Knight

Age 7 on May 5

Happy birthday to our baseball star!

All your family and your greatgrandma love you!

Taylor & Kolton

Four years have flown by, and now we have Reinhardt University and Etowah High School graduates! Proud beyond words!

Love you bunches, Mommy and Dad Gary

She will attend the University of Georgia. Congratulations!

Happy 78th birthday, Mom! Love you so, so much, and wishing you many more birthdays!

Xoxox, Karen

Ashley Case

Woodstock High School

Class of 2023

Pub Crawl 6 Tips for the Seis de Mayo

BY JESSICA FORRESTER

Downtown Woodstock always is buzzing with activity, and holidays are no exception. If you already have plans for Cinco de Mayo and the Fourth of July, don’t worry. You still can hang out downtown for the Seis de Mayo Pub Crawl on May 6 and the Star Spangled Pub Crawl on July 1. Mark your calendars for the WDSTKtoberfest Pub Crawl on Sept. 30, as well.

At each event, running 2-6 p.m., crawlgoers can visit participating bars and restaurants, to enjoy themed food and beverage specials. For more information, visit https://visitwoodstockga.com/event-group/pub-crawls. Keep an eye on the Downtown Woodstock and Visit Woodstock GA Facebook pages for maps of participating restaurants, to help you plan your route.

If you’ve never been to a pub crawl, keep an open mind! The events are a great opportunity to try new things and meet new people. Invite a group of friends to go with you, and enjoy the atmosphere. If you take photos at the events, share them with edit@aroundaboutmagazines.com, for a chance to be featured in an upcoming issue. Here are six tips to help you prepare for the pub crawls. Drink responsibly, stay safe and have fun!

1. Dress appropriately. Make sure you dress comfortably — check the weather before you go — and wear shoes that are suitable for walking. Ladies, four-inch heels might look cute before you leave the house, but they’re not practical for walking across downtown after you’ve had a few drinks. And, make sure to wear clothes with lots of pockets, so you don’t have to keep up with a purse.

2. Eat beforehand. Woodstock has great options to grab a bite to eat. Consider enjoying a meal high in protein and carbs before you start your pub crawl — or at least order food to accompany your first drink! According to the University of Notre Dame, having food in your stomach will help slow the processing of alcohol, helping prevent its effects from sneaking up on you too quickly. Carbs and protein will help keep you full and give you the energy needed to enjoy the afternoon out.

3. Stay hydrated. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, which can dehydrate you. And have you met the Georgia heat? Make sure you drink plenty of water or other nonalcoholic beverages before you go, and throughout the afternoon, to keep hydrated.

4. Pace yourself. It’s important to avoid drinking too much too quickly. Take breaks between drinks, and listen to your body, so you can hit as many stops as you’d like. A pub crawl is a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t push yourself to keep up with the number of drinks others in your group are having.

5. Stick with your group. The military’s commitment of “no man left behind” should apply at pub crawls, too. Stay with your friends, and make sure everyone knows where the group is going next.

6. Make a transportation plan. This last tip is one of the most important! If you plan on drinking, make sure you have a designated driver, or plan transportation in advance. If all of your friends will be partaking, meet at someone’s house, and use a ride-sharing service to get to and from downtown safely.

Crawlgoers enjoy beer at the Shamrock Pub Crawl on March 18. Photo courtesy of Visit Woodstock GA.

Hello Summer

7 Fun Activity Ideas for Adults and Kids

BY JESSICA FORRESTER

Summer is just around the corner, and it should be a time of relaxing, enjoying family and friends, and trying new activities. Here are seven ideas to consider, whether you’ll be home all summer or have a couple of days to fill here and there.

1. Join an adult athletic league.

Cherokee Recreation & Parks (CRPA) offers a variety of activities each month, and not just for kids! Summer leagues for ages 16-plus begin in June and July. Be sure to register this month if you’re interested in kickball, as registration ends May 21. For more information, email Lakia Langston at ldlangston@cherokeega.com.

• The Summer Kickball League begins June 5 at Twin Creeks Softball Complex in Woodstock. The schedule consists of a sixgame season, Monday and Wednesday nights, with all teams making the playoffs.

• One-Pitch Softball begins June 19 at Hobgood Park in Woodstock. The schedule consists of a six-game season, with the men’s league on Mondays and the coed league on Tuesdays. All teams will make the playoffs.

• Summer Men’s Basketball begins July 10 at 7545 Main St. in Woodstock. The schedule consists of an eight-game season, with A League on Mondays and B League on Tuesdays. All teams will make the playoffs.

• CRPA also will hold Parents Night Out/ Parents Afternoon Out — May 12 and 16, June 16 and 30, and July 14 and 28 — at the Aquatic Center in Canton. For more details on summer camps, classes, workshops, therapeutic recreation programs, outdoor recreation opportunities and more, visit playcherokee.org.

2. Volunteer at a local nonprofit.

If you’re looking for ways to give back this summer, look no further than the MUST Ministries Summer Lunch program. MUST will continue the time-honored tradition of partnering with churches, schools, corporations and volunteers to feed thousands of kids in the Atlanta metro area, June 1-July 29. The goal is to provide breakfast and lunch to at least 6,000 children for nine weeks. To sign up to volunteer or donate supplies, visit www.mustministries.org/summer-lunch. For more volunteer opportunities in our area, check out www.justserve.org.

3. Have a backyard camping adventure.

If you’re in the mood to go camping, but all the best spots are fully booked, pitch your tent in your backyard. You can take glamping to another level by setting up a projector to watch movies, stringing lights overhead and ordering food from your favorite restaurant for delivery (or raiding your fridge at midnight). Plus, who doesn’t love having their own bathroom just a few steps away … and their bed. I won’t rat you out if you sneak in to sleep in the air conditioning!

The MUST Ministries Summer Lunch program began in 1995 and serves thousands of kids each season.

4. Spend quality time in our parks.

Cherokee Recreation & Parks offers an activity book to help kids get outside and into nature. The Exploring Through the Parks adventure journal includes pages to complete at seven parks and facilities in our county, with information, activities, scavenger hunts, drawing prompts and more. The 23-page journal gives kids guided activities, sending them around parks on missions. Through the activities, they’ll gain a greater appreciation for the parks in our county and the natural world around us. Print the book at https://bit.ly/41bo2ef, pack a picnic basket and spend the afternoon exploring a local park.

5. Try a new restaurant.

Cherokee County has no shortage of great places to eat. Make a list of restaurants you’ve never tried in Woodstock and Canton, and visit a new one each week. Share some love with our advertisers! Neighborhood favorites include:

• Gyro Aegean Grill, Woodstock

• Dive Southern Coastal Kitchen, Canton

• Susto’s Taco Bar, Woodstock

• Eggs Up Grill, Canton

• MadLife Grill, Woodstock

• 7 Tequilas, Canton and Woodstock

6. Register for a golf tournament.

If running a 5K isn’t your speed, take it slower on a greener course, while still supporting great causes. Riding in a golf cart, or even walking a hilly course, makes it easier to socialize than running on flat ground — at least for me! Round up some friends and register for the Every Link Matters Charity Golf Tournament, May 12, or The Service League’s Golfing Fore the Children Tournament, June 16, both to be held at Fairways of Canton. https://birdease.com/ everylinkmatters; https://serviceleague.net/fundraisers/ golfing-fore-the-children.

7. Explore The Mill on Etowah.

Boasting a variety of retailers and restaurants, the development in downtown Canton has something for everyone. Make sure to browse the booths at Cotton Mill Exchange, which feature a collection of antiques, furniture, jewelry and gifts. Then, head outside for Screen on the Green — a free movie will be playing 7-9 p.m. every Wednesday, June 7-July 26. For more details, visit www.etowahmill.com/events, or keep an eye on our calendars for a list of what’s playing.

Executive Editor Candi Hannigan tries the fajita nachos at Susto’s Taco Bar.

Booths at Cotton Mill Exchange are filled with antiques and handcrafted gifts.

Photo courtesy of Fairways of Canton.

Around & About

Cherokee Chase 5K

May 6, 8 a.m., Etowah River Park

Community Blood Drive

May 1, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m., 625 Molly Lane, Suite 140, Woodstock

Kentucky Derby Day

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

Enjoy gourmet food, specialty cocktails, bourbon tastings, a silent auction, pony pull and more. https://historycherokee.org/events

Registration begins at 7 a.m., followed by the 5K at 8 a.m. and a 1-mile fun run at 9 a.m. http://bit.ly/3Tdh6e7

Community Yard Sale

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

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

Makers Market and Family Fun Day

May 6, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 208 Moose Loop Road, Canton

Shop more than 30 local vendors. There will be treats, talented artists, a kids zone and more. www.popinshopcrafts.com

Seis de Mayo Pub Crawl

May 6, 2-6 p.m., downtown Woodstock

Visit participating bars and restaurants to enjoy themed food and beverage specials. www.visitwoodstockga.com

Rock for a Reason

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

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

https://rockforareason.org

CMTA Awards Ceremony

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

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

Charity Golf Tournament

May 12, 7 a.m., Fairways of Canton

The third annual Every Link Matters tournament begins with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Registration opens at 7 a.m. https://birdease.com/ everylinkmatters

Reinhardt Bluegrass Festival

May 12-13, 5:30-9 p.m. Friday and noon-9 p.m. Saturday, Waleska Visit Reinhardt University’s Funk Heritage Village for music, food trucks, craft vendors, kids activities and more. https://bit.ly/3ZPJCow

Running His Race 5K

May 13, 8 a.m., First Baptist Woodstock

Proceeds from the 5K, 1-mile and tot trot benefit Cherokee Fellowship of Christian Athletes. https://bit.ly/43cuB25

Upriver Fest

May 13, 4-10 p.m., The Mill on Etowah

Benefiting Goshen Valley, the event kicks off with a 5K at 4 p.m. At 5 p.m., a set of Cherokee County artists will perform. There will be food, drinks, vendors, a kids corner and more. http://bit.ly/3mTNbeC

Kids make superhero masks at Visit Woodstock GA’s June 2022 Family Fun Night. Photo courtesy of Sequoyah Regional Library System.

History Cherokee’s 2021 Kentucky Derby Day.

Plant Sale and Festival

May 13, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., 215 Valley St., Ball Ground

Ball Ground Garden Club’s sixth annual community celebration will feature native and heirloom plants, more than 30 local vendors, raffle prizes, live music and more. www.ballgroundgardenclub.com/ plantsale

Mother’s Day Powwow and Festival

May 13-14, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Boling Park, Canton

The 32nd annual festival features a Native American dance competition, hoop and Aztec dancers, a living Native American village, Cree and Creek encampments, vendors and more. https://rthunder.com

Family Fun Night

May 18, 5-8 p.m., downtown Woodstock

Stop by downtown for themed, family-focused activities on the third Thursday in May, June and July. www.visitwoodstockga.com

Rope Mill Trail Run

May 27, 8-10:30 a.m., 690 Old Rope Mill Park Road, Woodstock https://mountaingoatadventures. com/ropemillrun

Spring Plant Sale

May 27, 9 a.m.-noon, 1001 Univeter Road, Canton

The Master Gardeners’ spring sale features a variety of plants, shrubs, trees, garden accessories and art, and expert advice.

https://cherokeemastergardeners.com

Memorial Day Ceremony

May 29, 10 a.m., downtown Woodstock

https://woodstock.recdesk.com

JUNE RECREATION

Georgia Flames Golf Tournament

June 12, 9 a.m., Towne Lake Hills Golf Club

To register, visit www.golf2grow.com, or email william@golf2grow.com.

Safe Sitter Classes

June 15, 27, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 2001 Professional Parkway, Woodstock

Registration is open for Northside’s babysitting classes for tweens and teens. Contact Lana Mayfield at lana.mayfield@northside.com or 678-388-6401.

Woodstock Parks and Recreation Programs

www.woodstockparksandrec.com

770-592-6000, ext. 1955

Registration is required for all programs. Fees are $5, unless otherwise noted.

55-Plus Trail Walkers

Tuesdays and Thursdays in May, 9 a.m., Woodstock Trails

Participants will rotate walking on Noonday Creek, Rubes Creek, Towne Lake Pass and Trestle Rock trails. This event is free.

SKILLS: First Aid

May 4, 6:30 p.m., 223 Arnold Mill Road Join the Woodstock Fire Department to learn practical steps you can implement during an emergency.

Discovering Yoga

May 6, 10 a.m., Northside HospitalCherokee Amphitheater

All fitness levels are encouraged to register for this family-friendly class.

Discovering Pickleball

May 17, 6:30 p.m., Dupree Park Get ready to play pickleball — you will, by the end of the session. Equipment is provided.

AMPED in the Park

May 20, 9 a.m., Northside HospitalCherokee Amphitheater

Golfing Fore the Children

June 16, 9 a.m., Fairways of Canton

The annual golf tournament benefits

The Service League of Cherokee County. https://bit.ly/43e30xD

“A Bad Year for Tomatoes”

June 16-18, 23-25, Canton Theatre

A comedy directed by Nancy Jensen. Performances will be 8 p.m. Fridays, 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. Sundays.

www.cherokeetheatre.org

The free workout is fitness-friendly, meaning you don’t have to be super fit to participate.

Storytime: Princess Leia

May 20, 11 a.m., the Park at City Center Gazebo Stop by for a free story, photos and more.

Discovering Disc Golf

May 21, 2 p.m., at Dupree Park

Participants will learn a basic level of the sport at the park’s disc golf course. Equipment is provided.

The Service League’s 2022 Golfing Fore the Children tournament. Photo by Holcomb Creative Co.

Cherokee County School District

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

“Clue”

May 5, 6. Etowah High School. Tickets: to be determined

“The Drowsy Chaperone”

June 1-3. Academy Street Theatre Group performs at Cherokee High School. Tickets: $5

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Brown Bag Concert Series

Thursdays at noon, local musicians will play an hourlong, free concert at the Gazebo in the Park at City Center in Woodstock. woodstockparksandrec.com

Danielle McLean - May 4

Mark Miller - May 11

Trevor Startt - May 18

Serpent & Dove - May 25

Woodstock Arts

www.woodstockarts.org

“Off the Wall”

May 4-June 25. An exhibit at the Reeves House that features art hung on the wall, which exists in the space between the second and third dimensions.

Art on the Green

May 13-14. Gather on the Event Green to browse paintings, mixed media, photography, handcrafted jewelry, eccentric gifts and more.

“Big Hero 6”

May 21, 3 p.m. on the Woodstock Arts Event Green. Admission is free.

Lantern Series

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

Ngaiire - May 6

Sons of Serendip - May 20

Laila Biali - June 17

Ian Sherwood - July 22

Woodstock Summer Concert Series

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

www.woodstockconcertseries.com.

Craig Morgan - May 13

Rick Springfield - June 10

Uptown Funk: Bruno Mars

Tribute - July 8

Completely Unchained:

Van Halen Tribute - Aug. 12

Drivin N Cryin - Sept. 9

MadLife Stage & Studios

Events listed are held monthly at 8722 Main St., Woodstock.

http://madlifestageandstudios.com

Homegrown: The Zac Brown Band Experience

7 p.m. May 6

A Tribute to the King (Elvis) by Travis LeDoyt

2 p.m. May 21

The Dave Matthews

Tribute Band, 7 p.m. May 27

Vegas McGraw: Tim McGraw Tribute, 7 p.m. June 10

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

June 14

Art on the Green connects local artists with the community.

September 2020 Brown Bag Concert.

Photo by Michelle McCulloch.

Artist Spotlight

Sterling Barrett

SUBMITTED BY GREG SHADDIX

Over the past few years, and through hundreds of live performances, Sterling Barrett has been rising steadily in the north Georgia music scene.

Whether performing as front man of his party band, Chess, or delivering heartfelt original songs with country band Georgia Standard, Sterling has become known and loved for his soulful vocals and rock/blues guitar prowess.

Sterling also is the band leader of the Checkers, the house band that performs at MadLife Stage and Studio’s Live Band Karaoke nights (third Tuesdays).

I recently caught up with Sterling to discuss his journey, and to discover what inspires him to pursue a life and career in music.

Keep an eye on Sterling’s social media platforms to find out where and when you can catch one of his upcoming shows (Instagram: @sterlingbarrettacoustic and Facebook: @thebandchess).

What started your musical journey?

My father began teaching me to play the guitar when I was 10. I took some lessons, as well, but not for long. The rest, I picked up by ear or from other musicians. I never actually wanted to sing. But, when I was in high school, I couldn’t find anyone to sing the songs I wanted to play. I started singing them myself and realized quickly that I had my own unique voice.

How has performing in Woodstock influenced your evolution as a musician?

MadLife has been incredibly important to my career! Most of the friends and connections I have made in the business were connected to (the venue) somehow. It feels more like a community than simply a venue.

Which artists are your musical influences?

I am a massive Bruce Springsteen fan. I pull a lot of influence from him when writing songs. Lately, my biggest influences include Turnpike Troubadours, Blaze Foley, Tyler Childers and a ton of classic country singers. All of these groups have a way of relating to normal people that I don’t really see in many other genres.

What songs represent your most influential music?

“Roll on Sun” is a song I wrote when I was working 16-plus-hour days at a company that was less than fair to its employees. I feel like it clearly expresses the feelings that someone in that situation experiences, especially when they feel like they will never escape the cycle.

“Just the Type of Person That I Am” is a song I wrote about my daily life, after I began playing for a living. It touches on the simplicity of the lifestyle, while still acknowledging some of the uncertainties in the industry.

Both songs are on my acoustic EP (extended play), “Songs for Outlaws and Day Drinkers.” Though I have not seen much impact from the releases, I am optimistic about the future and continue to write and record.

What is the most valuable lesson you have learned?

Stay humble! Most musicians have something to teach you, even if they don’t play the same genre as you do. You will find the most success if you look at (the industry) as a community, as opposed to a competition. Though there undoubtedly is a need for a competitive mindset, it is far more valuable to be teachable and collaborative.

What advice would you give younger artists?

Start now! I began taking music seriously at age 27, which makes me older than a lot of my contemporaries. While it is never too late to start, you will find that you have to catch up with other artists the later you start. If I could do it over, I would have started right out of school. It takes a lot of time and hard work to succeed, and you will be thankful for the extra years!

What is next on your musical journey?

I (recently began) playing with a country band, Georgia Standard, which I co-front with local favorite Shane Byous. This is a new direction given my work with Chess, which is more rock- and blues-focused. Be on the lookout for upcoming music from Georgia Standard!

Greg Shaddix is responsible for local artist development and relations at MadLife Stage & Studios, a premier concert venue and restaurant in downtown Woodstock.

PHOTO BY JUST A FAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Coffee Bars Can Add Value to Your Home

BY DONNA BROADUS

About 10 years ago, I started encouraging and helping others to set up coffee/drink bars in their homes. Not only does it add something of interest, but it also provides extra storage and use. Plus, buyers love them!

I have helped install lots of different types of coffee bars. Some reimagined the “desk areas” of kitchens, which were popular in the 1990s; some were made by adding an antique chest, bookcase or sideboard to the kitchen. Others, like my own, were created by remodeling a closet and turning it into a coffee/drink station.

I recently remodeled two built-in coffee bars in what previously were pantry closets, for a house-flipping project completed last year, as well as in my own kitchen.

When we remodeled my kitchen more than a year ago, we expanded the cabinets and added an island into what once was a breakfast nook. When adding the extra cabinets, we installed a new, more usable pantry, alongside a new refrigerator. The old pantry was a closet on the other side of the refrigerator, which we left “as is” at the time of the remodeling, for extra storage.

However, I always wanted a separate area for my coffee machines and nugget ice maker. In March, I finally took the plunge. My contractor removed the old pantry door and frame, opened the sides of the closet to make it wider, and added a curved area at the top. Before adding a basic, white base cabinet with a drawer and bottom doors (from Home Depot) to fit into the new open area where the closet was, two electrical outlets were installed for the small appliances. An inexpensive butcher block was cut to make the counter for the cabinet base, as well as three matching floating shelves. We then installed leftover brick backsplash to match the kitchen backsplash. The project only took a day and a half to complete, and the total cost was around $1,200 for supplies and labor.

Last year, I did essentially the same thing in the flip house, by opening up a pantry closet that went under the stairs. However, we also removed the side wall to open the coffee bar to the kitchen and make the kitchen look much bigger.

For those “old desk areas” in many of the kitchens in the Towne Lake area, you can remove the upper cabinets and install floating shelves to make the area look separate from the rest of your kitchen. Most people I’ve worked with have added a wine fridge or an ice maker in the space below the desk space. This is less expensive than adding new cabinetry. Happy coffee drinking!

Donna Broadus is a 28-year resident of Woodstock and the owner of Broadus Realty Group. She posts designing/staging tips on Instagram and Facebook. broadusrealtygroup.com.

Donna’s coffee bar transformed the space her pantry used to occupy.

This coffee bar replaced closet space under a stairway.

Creativity, Collaboration & Community

SHOP. Find unique, handmade goods from local and global artisans.

CREATE. Get artsy at workshops, opentable afternoons, classes and more.

HOST. Book a private crafting event. Perfect for groups, clubs or a ladies’ night out!

678-701-3139

Planting Seeds

Shirley Pahl’s Dedication to Volunteering Continues in Retirement

BY REBECCA JOHNSTON

Shirley Pahl was the face of the Cherokee County Farm Bureau for the past 30 years, making sure residents understood the importance of agriculture to our community and economy.

Pahl recently retired from the Farm Bureau, where, as program coordinator, she helped schoolchildren see that there is a bright future in the agricultural industry — through the fun and rewarding Agriculture in the Classroom initiative.

“It has been an absolute blessing to work at the Farm Bureau for 30 years. I have made so many friendships and relationships. It was fun to go to work every day,” Pahl said. “I have loved working with the children in the garden and in the classroom, and with seniors, as well. Being able to work with so many people has been amazing. I couldn’t have asked for 30 better years.”

She also helped elected officials grasp the importance of farming to Cherokee County — as well as to act in their roles as leaders and policy setters to promote agriculture — by holding legislative breakfasts and candidate forums, and by providing legislative updates.

On Feb. 23, the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners honored her with a proclamation for her work. She also was honored at a reception in January, with a resolution from the Georgia General Assembly and a proclamation from the city of Canton.

“We are pleased to honor Shirley Pahl for her work in our community, educating us about the importance of agriculture to our economy and helping make Cherokee County a great place to live, work and play,” Commission Chairman Harry Johnston said.

Prior to joining the Farm Bureau, Pahl worked for 22 years at the Cherokee Training Center, providing services to those in Cherokee County who are developmentally disabled or have special needs. While there, Pahl, along with Director Mary Hall and Beverly Pitts, started the Special Olympics in Cherokee County, with just five athletes. Now, the Special Olympics has around 1,000 participants in Cherokee County each year.

Horace and Shirley Pahl, with their daughter, Paula; son, Bill; daughter-in-law, Nancy; and grandchildren, Kathleen and William.

Shirley Pahl reads “Cows Can Moo! Can You?” by Dr. Seuss to students on Read Across America Day in 2020.

Seeds for the Future

Pahl was a member of the Service League of Cherokee County for 10 years, as well as the League’s president in 1985, its 50th anniversary year. During her year as president, the League began work on the cookbook “League Legacy” and on the Riverfest Arts and Crafts Festival, the organization’s biggest annual fundraiser.

In her spare time over the years, Pahl served as president of the Canton Jaycettes, was in the Rotary Club of Canton and was on the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce board of directors. She also volunteered with the American Cancer Society and with A Day for Reinhardt.

Pahl has been a member of Canton First Baptist Church since moving to Cherokee County in 1969, taught the children’s Sunday school class in the 1970s, and was the teacher for adults with disabilities for many years. “I will continue to attend First Baptist Church and thank Jesus for all the blessings for my 79 years,” she said.

In retirement, Pahl continues serving others and looks forward to traveling with her husband, Horace. She volunteers by helping raise funds for InCommunity, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Atlanta that provides community-based services and support to people with developmental disabilities and their families. Currently, she is working on the nonprofit’s 34th annual gala, to be held at the Georgia Aquarium May 20. Pahl also has joined the Hickory Flat Optimist Club and is planning to volunteer with the Farm Bureau.

Rebecca Johnston is a Cherokee County native, with more than 35 years of experience as a community journalist. She served 10 years in the Service League of Cherokee County, 1982-92, and now is an honorary member.

Shirley Pahl and teacher Paige Chandler celebrate Farm City Week with students Elizabeth Isaacs and Maddie Ragsdale in 2019.

PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT

DON’T LET PESKY PESTS EAT YOU OUT OF HOUSE AND HOME

Three decades — that’s how long Canton Termite and Pest Control owner Tim McWhirter has been in the termite and pest control industry. During that time, he has gained valuable experience, completed ongoing education on the newest and best industry innovations, and built a familyowned company with excellent team members.

Tim has seen many economic shifts in his career, and has crucial advice for homeowners navigating today's housing market.

“In this time of rising interest rates and historically high home values, we are seeing many homeowners choosing to stay in their current homes longer, making home maintenance critical in preserving the value of their investment,” he said.

MORE THAN CHANGING BATTERIES

Most of the time, home maintenance makes us think of simply replacing furnace filters and smoke alarm batteries. What often is overlooked is the damage that can be caused by the lowly termite. Termite damage often is severe. Homeowners in the U.S. spend around $5 billion each year on repairs, with more than 600,000 homes suffering damage annually. Termites literally can eat you out of house and home.

“When you consider the cost of potential termite damage, repairs can be very expensive,” Tim said. “It’s easy to underestimate termites, which often are an unseen, destructive force as they work their way into your home from underground, hiding in your walls and floors as they feed on any wood-based materials, including framing, wallpaper, furniture, siding and even paintings.”

Termites can be an obstacle if you want to sell your home. Real estate transactions require a termite inspection letter for closing, which is obtained after a thorough inspection of your home by a licensed pest expert, to determine whether there are any signs of active termite infestation. If issues are discovered, the sale of your home can be jeopardized.

“It is better to take care of any problem now, than to wait until you have a buyer looking over your shoulder,” Tim said.

“We are in the middle of termite swarm season right now, so termites are more active than normal,” Tim said. “I highly recommend homeowners consider scheduling a free estimate to ensure their home isn’t at risk.”

The termite team: William Botts, Brent Pickens and TIm McWhirter.

From left, front row: Dwayne Epps A.C.E., Linda Palmer, Tim and Robin and Jacob Baka. Back row: Jonathan Gay, Nicholas Alday, Ed Sullivan,

PREVENTION IS THE KEY

The name of the game with termites is prevention. Just as you get regular maintenance on your vehicle, your home needs ongoing inspections and preventive treatment to protect it from infestation. Start by having a licensed, reputable pest control company provide a reliable treatment and an ongoing maintenance warranty to give you peace of mind.

A service agreement for treatment is called a termite bond, which provides three key protections:

1. Initial comprehensive home termite inspection.

2. Treatment solutions to protect your home from a termite infestation.

3. Ongoing inspections and monitoring services.

Homeowners who acquire a termite bond can ensure that signs of infestation are detected and addressed quickly and effectively.

CANTONTERMITE.COM

A REVOLUTIONARY TREATMENT

A variety of treatment options is available, from liquid products that kill and repel termites to solid bait products that attract termites to poisoned food sources. According to Tim, however, nothing on the market beats the Termidor HP Injection treatment.

“We have used a variety of treatment methods over the years. All are effective, but they have drawbacks that might make them less desirable for homeowners. Traditional liquid treatment requires less ongoing monitoring, much like the injection treatment, but the technicians must dig a trench around the home and possibly disrupt landscaping,” he said.

“Bait systems are less intrusive, but they must be planted in the soil around the house, which can disturb landscaping and must be monitored more often, which increases the annual cost.”

The Termidor Injection treatment bypasses these issues by using a precision injection tool to deposit liquid termiticide products deep into the soil, with essentially no disruption of the surrounding area. The onboard calibrated system calculates treatment volumes, making sure the perfect amount of product is used to protect your home, for up to 10 years.

PHOTOS BY LARUCHE PHOTO

Jacob Baka performs a termite inspection.

Robin McWhirter, Jennifer Baggett Sullivan, Brent Pickens and William Botts.

Round of A-Paws Recipes That Get a 7

BY JESSICA FORRESTER

When my husband and I started dating in 2017, we shared six family pets — two cats and one dog in each household. Our parents have only three pets total now, but we still love visiting them — and our families, of course! One of my favorite things to do as content editor is trying new dishes for our recipe spreads. I love experimenting in the kitchen and making themed fare, and that’s not exclusive to food for humans.

May is National Pet Month, and what better way to celebrate than with homemade treats? Owners know their pets best, and making their treats ensures control over what ingredients dogs and cats ingest. When making treats for dogs, make sure to never use products (like some peanut butters and yogurts) that contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is toxic to dogs. The best practice is to research ingredients before you try any recipes; there are great articles on the American Kennel Club and Purina websites about what human foods are and are not safe for dogs and cats. And, if you don’t have pets but love baking, file some of these recipes away as a gift idea for someone who does.

Howl You Doin’ Biscuits

Ingredients

• 2 cups quick oats

• ¾ cup peanut butter (no sweeteners or preservatives)

• ¾ cup chicken or beef bone broth, no salt added

• 1 egg

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine ingredients in a large bowl until dough forms. Press into a shallow silicone baking mold. Bake for 25 minutes. Store for up to two weeks in a resealable container.

An Apple a Day Keeps the Dog-tor Away Pupsicles

Ingredients

• 2 small apples

• 1 cup plain, nonfat Greek yogurt (no sweeteners or preservatives)

• Water

Directions

Cut up apples, removing seeds and cores. Combine with yogurt and a splash of water in a blender. Process until smooth. Add to molds. Freeze until set. Keep frozen, up to two months.

Paws-itively Produce Packed Treats

Ingredients

• 1 cup sweet potatoes, mashed

• ½ cup blueberries

• ½ cup green peas, frozen

• ¼ cup beef or chicken bone broth, no salt added

Directions

Add ingredients to a blender and mix until smooth. Add more broth to thin, as needed. Pour into molds and freeze until set. Keep frozen, up to eight months.

Paws-itively Produce-Packed Treats fully set after 24 hours in the freezer.

Buddy can’t wait to try the Howl You Doin’ Biscuit.

Bone Appetit Balls

Ingredients

• 1 cup quick oats (or plain white rice, cooked)

• ½ cup mashed sweet potatoes

• ¼ cup peanut butter (no sweeteners or preservatives)

Directions

Mix ingredients and form into balls. If the dough is too wet, add more quick oats. Refrigerate up to one week or freeze for up to three months.

Pawsome Pet Treats

Ingredients

• 1 chicken breast

• 1 cup quick oats

• ¼ cup chicken bone broth, no salt added

• 1 egg

Directions

Boil the chicken breast and shred into small pieces. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine ingredients to form dough. Press into a silicone baking mold. Bake for 20 minutes. Refrigerate treats for up to one week or freeze for up to two months.

Friends Fur-Ever Pupsicles

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons peanut butter (100% peanuts, no sweeteners or preservatives)

• 1 banana (not overripe)

• 2 cups plain, nonfat Greek yogurt (no sweeteners or preservatives)

Directions

Peel and cut up the banana. Add to a blender or food processor with the yogurt and peanut butter. Blend until creamy. If the mixture looks too thick, add water to dilute. Spread into molds or ice cube trays. Freeze until set. Pop out of molds and keep frozen in a resealable bag or storage container, up to two months.

Note: Bone and paw print silicone baking molds are available on Amazon for less than $10.

Tickled Pink Pet Treats

Ingredients

• 6 strawberries

• 4 ounces pure pumpkin (not pie filling)

• 4 ounces chicken bone broth, no salt added

• ½ teaspoon ground ginger (optional)

Directions

Cut off the strawberry stems and add ingredients to a blender. Pour mixture into molds. Freeze until set. Keep frozen, up to six months.

Buddy patiently waits to taste-test the

Tickled Pink Treat.

Above, Friends Fur-Ever and An Apple a Day Pupsicles set quickly, taking only about 2 hours to freeze. Left, Bone Appetit Balls.

Going Green With the DanceSport Team

On March 17, Fitfully Forward sponsored a St. Patrick’s Day Dine and Dance for more than 50 teens and adults with varying special needs. It was held at Bascomb United Methodist Church, and participants dined, danced and socialized. In addition, Cherokee County Special Olympics DanceSport unified partners (individuals without disabilities) provided peers to integrate and dance alongside partners.

“I enjoyed getting to meet and mix with other disabled individuals from Cherokee County. Everyone has their own special-needs group of friends that they hang out with, but tonight, we all came together and celebrated as one big family,” DanceSport team member Erica Revalski said.

Laura Mikszan, founder of Fitfully Forward, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, taught and led dances at the event. Mikszan also is a DanceSport coach, a dance instructor for Everybody Dance (a Cherokee Recreation and Parks therapeutic recreation class) and the creator of Warriors of Wonder, a group that focuses on overall fitness for individuals with disabilities.

To learn more about Fitfully Forward, visit fitfullyforward.org. Information for special-needs individuals and caregivers interested in attending the next Dine and Dance event can be obtained by emailing letsdanceff2023@gmail.com.

More than 50 individuals with special needs attended the St.

Patrick’s Day Dine and Dance event.

The 2015 reunion was the fourth opportunity for former students and staff to reminisce.

The inaugural Oak Grove Reunion in 2009.

Former students chat at the 2011 reunion.

The original Oak Grove School at the old Oak Grove Church.

Oak Grove Reunion Connects Students From 1930s-90s

High school reunions are common, yet you rarely hear of elementary school reunions. The Oak Grove Reunion, however, was started in 2009 and typically has a couple hundred attendees. This year marks the sixth reunion, to be held 2-5 p.m. May 7 at the Oak Grove Elementary School gym.

The event is free to attend and is open to anyone who attended Oak Grove Elementary School from the 1930s through the 1990s, as well as teachers, staff, parents or neighbors of the Oak Grove community.

In 2008, Linda Bennett Futral and Linda McPherson Stanton, who attended the school in the ’50s, came up with the idea to reunite friends who hadn’t seen each other in decades. They also created a website, which houses more than 1,400 photos of previous reunions, the school through the years, classmates, staff and more. (If you have photos to share, you can post them at https://oakgrovereunion.myevent. com.) A list of who’s coming to this month’s reunion, a page where you can RSVP, interesting facts, memories and alumni comments also can be found on the website.

On the Memories page, Herschel Reaid posted: “I went to school in the ’30s. When I was about 8 years old, I got paid (5 cents per fire) to go to school early in the mornings to start the fire in the heaters before the other kids got there.”

The first Oak Grove School was a one-room schoolhouse located across the road from Oak Grove Baptist Church. In 1933, Orlando Morgan donated the land on which the school was built. Georgia Power Co. gave the timber, and the patrons of Oak Grove cut the trees and hauled them to the sawmill, according to Martha Chapman. Jones Mercantile Co. also offered bricks. In 1935, the school opened with approximately 100 students. It originally consisted of grades one through nine. To learn more, visit http://bit.ly/3Kry6dX.

The Riders’ Perspectives

“For the last two years, the amazing Speed for Need team has pushed our daughter in the Next Step Ministries 5K. (She) has developmental disabilities, so her ability to participate in events like this is limited. The guys that push her are incredibly patient and make sure all those they push are engaged and having a great experience. It means the world to Christina (aka Tink) and brings joy to us, her parents. Can’t say enough good things about the organization and what it stands for.”

— Angela and Bubba Cooper

“Appreciated the way the Speed for Need volunteers made it possible for Erin to participate in the Next Step Ministries Run, Walk or Roll 5K. Speed for Need made it possible for Erin to be present and experience the satisfaction and accomplishment of completing the 5K event.”

— Tom and Stacy Peters, parents of Erin Peters

“As a track commander, Nick beams with enjoyment while spending time with others and riding with the team.”

— Jennifer Heitert, mom of Nicolas “Nick” Medina (an F3 Cherokee member)

Who Pushes

Speed for Need Raises Awareness, Fosters Inclusion

SUBMITTED BY SPEED FOR NEED

The Cherokee County chapter of Speed for Need, a nonprofit that supplies customized racing wheelchairs and a team of trained “pushers,” allows people with special needs to participate in fitness events — experiences they would not be able to have on their own.

Who Can Be a Rider (Track Commander)?

Participation in a Speed for Need event, such as 5Ks, 10Ks or marathons, is available to all those unable to complete a race on their own, regardless of their special need. It could be a 96-year-old who lost his or her mobility or a 7-year-old who was born with a condition. Regardless of the reason, we want to make it happen for them.

Why Does Speed for Need Exist?

The mission of Speed for Need is to raise awareness and foster inclusion of those with a special need through participation in local fitness events, supported by the men of F3 Nation (Fitness, Fellowship and Faith — a free men’s workout-fellowship group — https://f3cherokee.com).

In July 2017, Will Farr, a father in North Carolina, along with the men from his local F3 group, raised funds to purchase a specially designed racing wheelchair, so he and his son, Owen, could run a 5K road race together. Everyone involved benefited from the experience and wanted to share their joy with as many others as possible. Today, those involved with Speed for Need have been privileged to run with nearly 300 Track Commanders in 83 races. They also have led or attended more than 30 community events. None of this would be possible without the help of hundreds of volunteers that run, push and cheer on Track Commanders.

Dennis Jones, John Roark and Chris Chapman push Track Commander “Tink.”

Pushes Who? The Drivers’ Perspectives

How Can You Help?

We need Track Commanders. We want to include as many riders that we can find, so they can experience the joy and excitement of participating in events they might have thought were closed to them. We also need volunteers to be trained as “pushers,” to help make up the team for each rider. Finally, we need funds to continue our mission and expand our reach. Your generous donations have allowed our local Speed For Need chapter to purchase six specialized racing wheelchairs, a custom trailer and other equipment. Help us spread our message and reach those in our community who can benefit and experience the joy of participating, as riders or as volunteers.

What Does It Cost?

Nothing. Zilch. Nada. All costs are covered for the Track Commanders through donations of time and money from awesome servant leaders in our community.

Upcoming Events

• Max’s Moon Run 5K, 7:10 p.m. May 5, Suwanee

• Bub’s Run 5K and Fun Run, 7:30 a.m. May 6, Marietta

• Mother’s Day 5K, 8 a.m. May 13, Kennesaw

• Summer Sun Run 5K, 8 a.m. June 10, Kennesaw

• Harvest Hustle 5K, 8 a.m. Sept. 9, Kennesaw

• Run, Walk or Roll 5K, 8 a.m. Oct. 7, Woodstock

• Nightmare on Main Street 5K, 8 a.m. Oct. 28, Kennesaw

• Dream Big 5K, 8 a.m. Nov. 11, Ball Ground

• Holiday Lights of Hope 5K, 6 p.m. Nov. 19, Canton

“Seeing the joy on the Track Commander’s face as they get cheered on by everyone is the best part.”

— Bryan Reynolds

“Serving others actually helps us to work on ourselves. The smiles we receive from the Track Commanders nourish my heart!”

— Troy Ellenburg

“I have had the privilege to push my friend, Eve Mabry, at several 5Ks, thanks to these running wheelchairs. The joy she gets from crossing the finish line is so contagious. I will participate in anything that brings Eve joy, especially where others are cheering her on!”

— Valeria Lobo, ministry director of Thrive Special Needs Ministry at First Baptist Woodstock

“I love being a part of Speed for Need because I can take my joy for running and participating in races and share that with someone who may not be able to on their own. It’s a great feeling to provide a way for them to participate in races.”

— Kevin Pellum

F3 members Zach Taylor and Brandon Nunnaly push Track Commander David.

Other Local-Option Sales Taxes: Yes or No?

BY HARRY JOHNSTON

Cherokee County is one of just three counties in Georgia without a local-option sales tax (LOST), or a similar additional 1% sales tax used to drive down property tax rates directly. Yet, property taxes set and controlled by the Cherokee Board of Commissioners (BOC) are the lowest in the metro Atlanta region, and the 28th lowest of all 159 counties in Georgia.

Like all other Georgia counties, we do have a specialpurpose local-option sales tax (SPLOST), used for roads, parks, buildings, equipment and other capital items. And, the Cherokee County School District has an education SPLOST.

However, the county does not have a transportation SPLOST (TSPLOST). I’m not pressing for either a LOST or a TSPLOST. I’m just asking — would you want to implement either one?

Georgia sales tax is 4% statewide. A LOST would push our total sales tax rate up to 7%, like most other counties. If this was implemented, our BOC-controlled property taxes would drop to the fourth lowest in Georgia.

Some people have advocated for us to implement a LOST. It would require voter approval in a referendum. The 2024 election cycle is a once-in-10-years opportunity for such a referendum, because neither the education SPLOST nor the county SPLOST need to be renewed.

An advantage of a LOST is that it causes everyone who spends money in our county to contribute to county operations, not just our residents. Remember that renters pay property taxes indirectly, through their landlords. So, a LOST would save most residents some money. However, I’m afraid they might be disappointed in the amount.

A LOST would cut our county Maintenance & Operation (M&O) tax rate from the current 4.995 mills to about 1.888 mills. The owner of a $400,000 home in unincorporated

Cherokee County, with the minimum $5,000 homestead exemption, would see their county M&O tax drop from $774 to $293. That’s an impressive 62% cut. (City residents also would see some additional savings on their city taxes.) However, the LOST wouldn’t cut the other parts of our tax bills. That same homeowner’s total tax bill, including fire and school tax, currently would be $4,144. The $481 savings off the total bill is a much less impressive 12% cut.

In some ways, a TSPLOST might be more beneficial than a LOST. It could be up to the same 1% additional sales tax, but instead of lowering property taxes, all the money would go to road improvements. If we really want to catch up and keep up on roads, a TSPLOST would do it. Cherokee’s annual road improvement budget is about $30 million. The county’s annual share of a 1% TSPLOST would be about $43 million, allowing us to more than double the road-work budget.

We’ve just completed an update to the county’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan. It shows that we probably have enough road funding to meet basic local road needs over the next 30 years. But, we won’t be able to build some helpful projects, and some we need now won’t be funded for 20 years. That’s especially true of needed state highway projects, for which state funding is expected to lag. A TSPLOST would accelerate planned local road projects, add others, and allow us to contribute to state highway projects, in order to get more of those moving.

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

How Can We Cope With Increased Stress?

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Regardless of what month it is, it always is a good time to check in with your mental health.

It is normal to feel stressed, frustrated, nervous or angry, especially following the pandemic. Over time, stress manifests as increased tension in our minds and bodies, and can disrupt our daily emotions, physical well-being and behaviors. However, healthy habits can minimize the impact of stress.

Physical Activity and Exercise

Multiple studies have shown a mix of aerobic and resistance activity is best for stress relief. When time is limited, any activity will do. Be creative and make the most of opportunities that arise throughout the day.

• Take the dog for a walk around the block.

• Use the stairs instead of the elevator at work.

• Do 30 minutes of parking-lot yoga, while waiting for a family member.

• Enjoy a stroll with your Saturday morning coffee.

These simple, exercise-based activities can have a large impact on stress reduction and your overall health. Another tip: embrace technology as part of your stress relief. Fitness podcasts, meditation apps or exercisecoaching software are great ways to help facilitate activity. Fitness trackers also are helpful for those who like to follow step counts and calories burned, and for encouraging reminders throughout the day.

Consistent Sleep

Sleep is an integral part of stress reduction. Getting an average of eight hours of consistent, meaningful sleep each night can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, and improve quality of life. It allows the body to relax, recharge and rebuild, improving your energy and hormonal balance. It also has been shown to impact cholesterol levels and reduce your risk for heart disease.

To help make your sleep schedule consistent, determine if you are an early riser or a night owl. Find what works for you, then set your alarm to wake up and go to bed at the same time every day — including weekends.

Dr. Matthew Simmons is a fellowship-trained sports medicine physician with Northside Hospital Orthopedic Institute Sports Medicine.

Abdominal Breathing

Practicing deep, slow breathing, even for just 1520 seconds once or twice daily, has been shown to reduce stress, increase oxygen to the brain and promote relaxation. The technique continues to be recommended throughout the medical community.

Try setting a time each day and work your way up to 20 minutes of deep breathing as a regular habit.

Dr. Spencer Lee is a fellowshiptrained pulmonary disease and critical care specialist with Cherokee Lung and Sleep Specialists.

With the demands of life ever-growing, a few minor changes in your daily activities may make an indelible impact on the repercussions that stress contributes to our everyday lives.

However, when lifestyle changes are not enough, don’t hesitate to look for help from a licensed mental health professional. Call or text 988 to access trained crisis counselors 24/7, or visit 988lifeline.org.

Dr. Matthew Simmons

SUBMITTED BY NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL

Dr. Spencer Lee

Olivia McKinley, a third-grade student at Boston Elementary, and the oldest daughter of Mark and Pat, always has been drawn to Formula One racing. She watches every race, as well as the post-race interviews, and is a big fan of British driver Lewis Hamilton. She dreams of becoming a Formula One driver one day and spends her spare time karting (go-kart racing) with her younger brother, in preparation. However, Olivia’s dreams have been temporarily sidelined by a rare diagnosis.

Last spring, Olivia began complaining of pain in her right hip area. “When the pain did not subside, I took her to the pediatrician, who took an X-ray and referred us to an orthopedic doctor. We were referred to physical therapy, but despite her constant pain, we were not getting answers,” Pat said. “Her pain was sometimes so severe that it would wake her from her sleep. She began falling behind in school and losing weight. I felt like no one was taking us seriously.”

Pat understands the importance of advocating for your health. “Due to the fact that I suffered for decades with a misdiagnosis — anxiety and panic disorder that resulted in POTS — I have learned firsthand that I must advocate for myself as well as my loved ones. I knew I must seek a second opinion for my daughter.”

“When school was out (last) summer, we had planned a trip to San Diego to visit family. During the trip, Olivia’s pain continued, so I drove her to Rady Children’s Hospital of San Diego, with her medical records in hand. They took another X-ray, which now revealed a large round area in her femur bone, exactly where she had indicated all of these months,” Pat said.

Olivia immediately was admitted to the hospital, and surgery was performed the next day to remove the area in her leg for pathology. “My husband, who was home working, booked the first flight to California. It took several days for the pathology reports to come back. When the results came in, we were led into a room, but they didn’t have to say anything. The look in their eyes terrified me. They explained that her pathology reports revealed Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). We finally had our answer, but there were so many questions,” Pat said.

LCH is a rare, cancer-like disorder that occurs in approximately 1 in 200,000 children. It happens when too many immature Langerhans cells are produced, causing tumors, damage to tissues, bone and organs.

“The next step was a full body scan, to make sure no other tumors were present. Her body scan revealed a second tumor on her spine. There was no more time to waste. We flew home on July 12, and continued our journey at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where we met our

new oncology team. Olivia immediately needed a port inserted to prepare for six months of chemotherapy and medications,” Pat said.

“Olivia has had to endure chemo for seven weeks, as well as steroids. After that, chemo is necessary every three weeks, with five days of steroids afterwards, as well as antibiotics on the weekend, to prevent illness. This has become our new normal.”

Mark and Pat have three children. Mark works two jobs as a firefighter for two counties, and Pat’s health issues prevent her from working outside the home. When we asked what their family needs, Pat humbly responded: “We have never been a family of means — we are happily modest. My husband works hard to provide, but something like this has been financially devastating for us. Considering the 20% of our insurance along with the spending increases in our daily life (gas, parking, food, wheelchair, child care, medication, etc.), we are struggling. But when your child is sick and suffering, these things never matter.”

Everyday Angels would love to encourage this sweet family as Olivia’s treatment continues. Let us rally behind them, and help them get through these health challenges and the financial consequences. We also ask for prayers for Olivia as she continues treatments.

We cannot wait to one day watch Olivia on Sundays in that Formula One race car.

Olivia with her younger brother, Mark Jr.

15 Postpartum Depression Causes

BY CHEROKEE WOMEN’S HEALTH SPECIALISTS, PC

The birth of a child is a time of joy and excitement. For many new moms, it also can be a time of anxiety, stress and inexplicable sadness. Approximately 70% to 80% of new moms may feel depressed, anxious or even angry a few days after giving birth. However, these feelings usually go away within a week or so without treatment. Having anxiety or depression after giving birth certainly does not make you a “bad mom.”

Postpartum depression (PPD), however, is a serious condition that can develop in the weeks after birth, or even as late as six months or more post-labor. PPD usually requires medical care.

Signs of PPD include:

• Difficulty bonding with your newborn.

• Feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities of motherhood.

• Withdrawing from your spouse, family members and friends.

• Guilt about your shortcomings as a mother, or feelings of shame and worthlessness.

• Loss of appetite or increased eating habits.

• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much.

• Fatigue and loss of energy.

• Feeling numb or disconnected from the world around you.

• Inability to enjoy activities you used to love.

• Cloudy thoughts and an inability to concentrate.

• Anxiety and/or panic attacks.

• Mood swings.

• Feelings of depression or suicidal thoughts.

• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.

• Fear that if you reach out for help, your baby will be taken away.

PPD does not occur because of something a mother does or does not do. While the cause is unknown, it likely results from a combination of physical and emotional factors. After childbirth, the levels of hormones (estrogen and progesterone) in a woman’s body quickly drop, which leads to chemical changes in the brain that may trigger mood swings. Sleep deprivation or lack of rest also can lead to body pain and exhaustion, which can trigger PPD.

It’s important to know that PPD is temporary and treatable. There is no shame in PPD, so don’t be embarrassed to reach out for help, for the sake of you and your baby. Contact your OBGYN if your symptoms last longer than two weeks, or become a barrier to living life normally. If you have thoughts of suicide or of harming yourself or your baby, seek immediate assistance or call 911.

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

Educational Empowerment Nonprofit Helps Families Learn at Home Without Limitations

BY SUSAN BROWNING SCHULZ

Nobel Prize in Literature recipient

W. B. Yeats said: “Education is not the filling of a bucket but the lighting of a fire.” Numerous flames are aglow, thanks to the nonprofit Unite Homeschool. Its mission is to connect, equip and support homeschool families in north Georgia and beyond. The network accomplishes this by helping home-school parents spark a love of learning in their children — through field trips, parties, outdoor events, transcript help, mentor support and more —

via an online community of caring families.

“Our services are designed to enrich and support the efforts of all types of home educators, regardless of style or learning methods,” founder Angela Pilcher said. “As a home-school mom of two boys, I started to build the Unite community to support home-schooling families more than two years ago. After exponential growth in our community, I knew that I had to make a way for this

incredible group of people to stay connected, even after I was done home schooling. The best way to do that was to become a nonprofit organization. Unite Homeschool became an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit in March 2023.”

Unite Homeschool offers a private, resource-rich, online community that has the feeling of social media without any of the drama found there. Its network is focused on creating intentional encouragement and connection for the busy homeschool educator.

“I love to encourage parents who desire to home-school, and believe, with help, anyone can do it,” said Jennifer Henn, local author and mentor for Unite Homeschool. To help her mentees, Henn wrote a book called “Take the Mystery Out of Homeschooling.”

“Now that my children are grown, I want to help the next generation of home-schooling families,” Henn said. Her roles at Unite Homeschool include answering parents’ questions, developing and writing how-to content, holding teaching seminars and sharing helpful posts.

When asked what makes this new online community any different from what exists on Facebook, Pilcher answered with seven reasons:

1. Big Tech is not watching or censoring our interactions.

2. We are a large network with local groups — all home-school focused.

3. We connect people with new friends — lots of them

4. No trolls allowed.

5. We have special-interest clubs, such as Outdoor Hiking and Cherokee County Weekly P.E.

6. A topic index and search.

7. A full calendar of events and field trips.

For full-access members, yearly plans are available online, along with

From left, Addison Mitchell, Adel Sampson and Abby Davis enjoy a landfill tour bus ride.

mentoring, a high school coaching club and more.

Unite Homeschool members are excited to be a part of the network. “I feel like I have stumbled upon a treasure trove of friendships and resources,” Becca Carson said. “I like that the Unite Homeschool network isn’t on a mainstream social media platform,” Michelle Paul said. Katie Warner shared: “It’s such a great resource for connecting with the local homeschool community.”

Unite Homeschool recently held its first high school prom, Once Upon a Dream, which took place at Pleasant Union Farm in Canton. The community is welcome to attend future events:

• North Georgia Homeschool Resource Fair, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. May 20 at the Cherokee County Recreation Center in Woodstock.

• Homeschool Sports Camp, May 15-19 at Cherokee Veterans Park in Canton. Register at unitehomeschool.com/camp.

• Homeschool Field Day, June 7 at Swift-Cantrell Park in Kennesaw.

• Teens in the Driver’s Seat safe driving program, 5:30-7:30 p.m. June 9 at Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge of Woodstock.

For more events, scan the QR code.

To learn more, visit unitehomeschool.com, or email info@unitehomeschool.com.

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

Hayden Hobby, proud winner of a

Unite Homeschool science fair event.

Students meet to complete assignments together, from left: Ben Flores, Benjamin Pilcher, Christopher Pilcher, Jo Jo Soverns and Christian Russell.

Smallest Birds on Earth

Visiting Your Backyard

BY SUE ALLEN

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are the tiniest of birds — measuring 3 to 3.5 inches long — with iridescent feathers. Males have a black throat patch, which reflects bright ruby red in the sun and during aerobatic movements. Ruby-throated hummingbirds began migrating to our area in early spring.

If your feeder is not already out, now is a great time to place it in your yard.

You don’t have to limit yourself to one feeder — you can put out multiple. Just be certain to keep the feeders filled with fresh nectar. When placing feeder stations, keep them close to plants and away from other bird feeders. Hummingbirds are very territorial.

In conjunction with the hummingbird feeders, there are an array of plants that can provide a habitat, giving hummingbirds shelter, food, shade and security. Plant flowers, shrubs, vines, perennials, biennials and annuals. You want something blooming all season long, to provide the nectar and insects hummingbirds need to maintain energy levels.

Great options include:

• Perennials — bee balm, salvia, columbine, butterfly bush, coral bell, daylilies, hibiscus, cardinal flower, Turks cap hibiscus, red-hot poker, verbena and weigela.

• Biennials — foxgloves and hollyhocks.

• Annuals — four o’clocks, cleomes, impatiens, lantanas and petunias.

• Vines — native honeysuckle, crossvine, scarlet runner-bean, canary creeper and purple passion flower.

Bright, tubular flowers hold the most nectar, as well as attract soft-shelled insects — a bonus feast for our tiny, feathered friends. If you plant in tiers, with plenty of room, the birds can hover from one plant to another. Before you start planting, contact the Cherokee County Extension Office, 770-721-7803, to get the acidity of your soil tested.

A hummingbird’s vision is excellent. Bright colors, such as red, orange and yellow, can be seen from long distances. Once they discover your garden, they will partake in flowers of other colors, as well. To attract hummingbirds to a newly planted garden, hang red ribbons in different locations. Or, just wear red when working in your garden — but, beware, you may get hummed!

If you want to treat your children, grandchildren or yourself, mark your calendar to visit a local garden, such as Smith-Gilbert in Kennesaw, to attend a hummingbird banding event. (Check smithgilbertgardens.com to see when the garden’s banding event will be held.) Local bird supply stores may have information on other banding events and locations.

Hummingbird Nectar Recipe

When first attracting hummingbirds, use one part sugar (by volume) to two parts water. Once you have attracted the hummingbirds, switch to a weaker solution — one part sugar to four parts water. Boil the water, add sugar, stir, cool and fill your feeders. Refrigerate the remaining nectar.

Did You Know?

Hummingbirds must eat at least half of their body weight each day to replace the approximate 12,000 calories they burn. This means they need to eat from sunrise to sunset, visiting at least 1,000 flowers every day. As such, it is important to provide hummingbird feeding stations when there are not enough flowers to supplement their daily calorie intake.

Sue Allen inherited her passion for gardening from her grandmother, who taught her to designate areas of her yard for nature, providing shelter, food and water.

Female ruby-throated hummingbird shown with fruit fly feeder and nectar feeder. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Ruscilli.

Hummingbird banders work quickly to record weight, measurements and more. Photo by Sue Allen.

Recap of the 2023 Legislative Session

BY CHARLICE BYRD

The 2023 Georgia General Assembly legislative session came to an end March 29, on day 40. Before we adjourned, the legislature approved House Bill (HB) 19, or the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY 2024) budget.

Effective July 1, the FY 2024 budget is set at a revenue estimate of $32.4 billion, which is $2.2 billion, or 7.4%, more than the FY 2023 budget. More than 50% of this state budget is dedicated toward funding our K-12 and higher education systems. The budget includes 100% tuition coverage for HOPE Scholarship recipients, a $2,000 salary boost for certified teachers and school employees, a $6,000 raise for state troopers and a $4,000 raise for corrections officers.

Notable bills that passed and failed include:

• Senate Bill (SB) 140, barring transgender procedures on minors, passed.

• SB 1, permanently banning state and local governments from discriminating based on COVID-19 vaccination status, passed.

• SB 204, barring school accreditation agencies from considering things other than the quality of the school, passed.

• HB 189, increasing the legal truck weights for agriculture and timber products, passed.

• HB 520, to serve as Part 2 of last year’s HB 1013 — which sought to expand the government and use the resources thereof, along with reforming existing law to address mental illness and substance abuse — failed.

• SB 222, barring private funding of elections, passed.

• HB 48, to make district attorney and county solicitor races nonpartisan, failed.

• HB 200, a bill to enact ranked choice voting, failed.

• SB 133, to establish a uniform process when the Division of Family & Children Services assumes custody of a child in delinquency hearings, passed.

• HB 162, to grant state income tax refunds of $250 per person, $375 per head of household or $500 per married couple filing jointly, passed.

• SB 92, to create an oversight commission for district attorneys and solicitors-general, passed.

Over the next 40 days, Gov. Brian Kemp will sign or veto measures that received final passage during this session. Any bill the governor signs will become law, and any legislation not signed or vetoed within this period also will become law automatically. House bills that did not receive final passage have been sent back to their respective committees, to be eligible for consideration next year.

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

The Complicated Legacy of Georgia Gov. Joseph E. Brown

From Secession to Reconstruction WANDERER

BY THE WANDERER

Growing up in Missouri, I had to memorize the state motto — Cicero’s famous “Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto.” Translated: “The good of the people should be the supreme law.” The term populist is used to apply to a politician who strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel their concerns are being ignored by established elitist groups. The presumption therein is politicians in positions of power are corrupt and selfserving, whereas the general public, taken as a whole, is much less so.

In the United States, politics are dominated by a two-party system. Populists find it hard to survive over any extended period of time as they do not receive strong support from the established powers in their own party. Instead, they rely on the support of the common man. Cherokee County’s most famous politician, Joseph Emerson Brown, was such a man, with a successful political career spanning nearly 50 years, to the consternation of most of the politicians of his day.

Populists often are self-made, and Brown was no exception. Originally from South Carolina, he moved to Georgia with his parents in 1829, at the age of 8. At 19, he left the family farm and went back to South Carolina for an education, paying his own way and borrowing when he couldn’t. In January 1844, he moved back to Georgia and quickly repaid his debt to the academy by teaching in Canton. Once his debts were paid, he tutored Dr. John Lewis’ children (also in Canton) while studying law in 1844-45. By August 1845, he was admitted to the bar. He briefly attended Yale Law School on a loan from Lewis, but soon left to begin his practice. He joined the Democratic Party, and by 1849, he was in the state Senate representing Cherokee and Cobb counties.

He had little experience, but he was outspoken and emphatic. By the end of the first session, he was becoming the Democratic leader in the Senate. At that time, Georgia politics were under the

firm grip of the “Georgia Triumvirate,” composed of Robert Toombs, Alexander Stephens and Howell Cobb, who were serving in Washington, D.C. In 1857, when Brown was nominated as a darkhorse candidate for governor, perhaps the most famous quote about him was uttered. Toombs, upon hearing of the nomination, said, “Who the devil is Joe Brown?” The statement says everything you need to know about just how quickly Brown rose from obscurity to prominence within the party and the state, and without the assistance of any political machinery. Brown would win that election, become governor, and remain so throughout the course of the Civil War, until he resigned in 1865.

Brown believed fervently in the rights of the states to run themselves as their people saw fit. He believed that bringing prosperity to his state was his first responsibility as governor, and would have strongly agreed with fellow Georgian James Carville’s 1992 catchphrase: “It’s the economy, stupid.” As slavery was important to the economy of Georgia, Brown supported it, further charging that if slavery had proved profitable in New England, it would’ve become firmly rooted there also. He was a secessionist, but proved vexing for the Confederacy. Brown believed in secession from federal authority on the basis of states’ rights. Yet, he was equally wary of the Confederate authority in Richmond, Virginia.

Brown’s popularity in Georgia was such that he could raise large numbers of volunteers for the militia in defense of his state. As the Confederacy continued to request (and later demand) his militia for Confederate service, Brown grew concerned he would not be able to defend Georgia from assault. He asked for some of these Georgia-supplied men to be returned; Jefferson Davis diplomatically declined. In response, Brown raised a large additional army of militiamen. When it came time for Davis

Joseph E. Brown, Elizabeth Grisham Brown and family. Photo courtesy of History Cherokee.

to ask for them, Brown declined, and far less diplomatically. He had come to view Davis as a “dictator,” and Brown reasoned that without the defense of Georgia’s industry and transportation infrastructure, the South had no hope of success. So, its defense was paramount. The Union Army felt similarly about the critical role of Georgia in support of the Confederate cause, and Gen. William T. Sherman’s March to the Sea was prompted by this

belief. History has proven them right, and the war ended shortly thereafter. Ultimately, Stephens of the Georgia Triumvirate would come to respect and support Brown; Toombs and Cobb never would come around. In early May 1865, as the Civil War ended, and at the urging of Cobb, Union Gen. James Wilson forced Brown to sign a surrender and parole agreement. Prior to signing, Brown had called for a special session of the Georgia Legislature to convene on the 22nd of the month. Such an act was in violation of that agreement, and despite the timing and Brown’s lack of awareness about it representing a violation, it would get him arrested and sent to Carroll Prison in Washington. What followed next must have rankled Cobb immensely. Brown managed to arrange for an audience with President Andrew Johnson, saying it would be better to discuss in person the state of affairs in Georgia and the actions he had therefore taken. When they met, President Johnson saw in Brown a fellow “common man of the

people.” Johnson himself had risen through the ranks despite the efforts of what he considered the political aristocracy. Brown was quick to admit he had erred in 1861, and he fully accepted the results and outcome of the war. The two parted as friends, and by the end of that month, Johnson pardoned Brown. Brown’s entire incarceration lasted less than a month; he even returned home to his pregnant wife using transportation furnished by the federal government. (Watch for Part 2 in our June issues.)

• www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=21891

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

• “Joseph E. Brown of Georgia.” Louisiana State University Press. 1977.

Joseph Emerson Brown. Photo courtesy of the Etowah Valley Historical Society.

Always Wear Your Life Jacket on Allatoona Stay Safe on the Lake!

BY CHRISTOPHER PURVIS

It’s late spring and the lake and recreation programs are beginning to heat up. May also is National Boating and Water Safety Month, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers takes water safety very seriously. There were 178 water-related fatalities at Corps projects nationwide in fiscal year 2022. The Life Jackets Worn … Nobody Mourns campaign was created by the Corps to target adults — primarily adult males — and educate the public on the importance of wearing personal floatation devices (PFD).

The Corps’ public recreation fatality statistics between 1998 and 2022 show that 88% of fatalities at its lakes were male. The worst part is that in 89% of the fatalities, the victims were not wearing a life jacket. Additionally, 47% were swimming in undesignated swimming areas. In fiscal year 2022, there were seven water-related fatalities on Allatoona Lake. This included six adults — four males and two females — and one child. Not one was wearing a life jacket.

Allatoona Rangers and volunteers made more than 33,000 water safety contacts with the public last year and expect much the same this year. There are many steps the public can take to stay safe on the lake, including:

• Take a boating safety course.

• Learn to swim.

• Swim with a buddy.

• Swim only in designated areas.

• Wear a life jacket.

The Corps offers several water-safety programs at the lake that are geared toward adults and stress the wearing of life jackets. For the past two years, the Corps has promoted an “I got caught” program, sponsored by the Corps Foundation, which awards beach towels and dry bags to adults who were caught wearing their PFD when not required. Some paddle sports visitors also received a waterproof phone pouch, with a whistle and other safety information, when wearing their life jacket while paddling on the lake. The pouches are provided by the Corps’ National Water Program, as part of a partnership program on Allatoona Lake created by Cherokee County Safe Kids, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Corps.

The Corps also offers 21 Life Jacket Loaner Stations on the lake, and there are numerous other stations provided by partnering agencies and organizations.

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

Alan Fowler from Louis Lloyd Golf reached out to me to donate pet food to Rob’s Rescues. He was invited to give a motivational talk to the Woodstock High School boys golf team, and the whole team did a community outreach project — collecting pet food for those in need in our community. The collected food will go to the Cherokee County Animal Shelter for its pet food pantry, and it will be used to help Meals on Wheels seniors in the shelter’s PAWS program, for those who struggle to afford to feed themselves and their pets. If any other teams or companies want to collect pet food for people in need, email robsrescues@gmail.com.

Rob’s Rescues

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

This dog’s name is Mimi. She is a 9-monthold, medium-sized, white/brown dog. For how young this dog is, she behaved very well on a leash and was very happy. She knows how to sit, and she must have already been trained by a previous owner. She would be a nice dog to have in your family.

This cat’s name is Tico. He is a 4-year-old who was found as a stray. He is a mediumsized cat who is very friendly. He would love for people to spend time with him, and he is looking forward to a loving home.

From left, front row: Eli Southerland, Joshua Tomberg, Brennan Butcher and Dan Comeau. Back row: Dalton Triplett, Alan Fowler (Louis Lloyd Golf), Keeton Nelson, Rob Macmillan, Landon Broaded, Mason Addington, Rackly Ade (team support volunteer), Walker Ade, Mike McGinn and T.H. Marovich.

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

Welcome Summer at Your Local Library

BY SARAH CHILDERS

The Sequoyah Regional Library System (SRLS) has exciting programs for all ages as staff prepares for the summer. Whether you’re looking for after-school activities or a fun way to escape the heat, SRLS has something for everyone.

Start your month by celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, with a special performance of Chinese classical and folk dancing by the Atlanta Chinese Dance Company, May 2 at R. T. Jones Memorial Library. Next, get to know authors in our community at the Local Author Market, May 6 at Woodstock Public Library.

Are you looking for a fun way to express your creativity? Visit Rose Creek Public Library for a Lego Lab on May 13. If you’re interested in discovering more about your ancestors and family history, visit Ball Ground Public Library on May 15 to learn about the genealogy tools available. For more programs this month, view the calendar at www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org.

If you’re looking for a space to hold your next meeting or event, look no further than your local library! You can book a variety of spaces at each of our SRLS libraries. Rooms can be booked as empty spaces, with chairs, or with chairs and tables. To reserve a room, visit

the website and select Community Rooms. Rooms may be requested up to 60 days in advance from the desired use date. Up to three room requests can be submitted at the same time.

Summer is on the horizon, and library staff members are excited to make the most of the warm weather with you. Through SRLS, you can enjoy a storytime at the Woodstock Arts Event Green on May 9, relax with a certified yoga instructor at Yoga at Woodstock Public Library on May 13, and celebrate the end of the school year at the School’s Out Summer Bash at Ball Ground Library on May 26.

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

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

Three children check out Pokemon cards on the first day of Sequoyah-Con at R.T. Jones Memorial Library.

Making a Festive Impact With Art

BY LIBBY WILLIAMS

Our biannual event, Art on the Green, is a day when north Georgia artists gather to display their creations — from paintings to clothes and beyond. What started off as a small gathering has blossomed into a twoday event, this year spanning the Event Green and the backyard of the Reeves House, May 13-14. After noting this growth last year, we asked, “What’s next?”

In December 2022, we branched out and held the Christkindl Market. If you missed out, there was hot chocolate, cookie decorating, holiday movies and local small businesses selling perfect gifts for the season. Seeing the community come together and support entrepreneurs while shopping locally was really moving. Again, we found ourselves asking a question, “How can we make this bigger and grow the impact?”

Shopping locally is something we wanted to continue to celebrate. When you shop locally, you are investing in your own community and helping it grow. You also are creating an environment where businesses can thrive and new businesses can start. This helps create a more vibrant and diverse economy, which benefits everyone in the area. So, what is the next step? How can we grow the concept of shopping locally and celebrating artists?

At Woodstock Arts, we are extremely excited to announce a Festival Series on the Event Green. The series, inspired by the success of Art on the Green, will offer a platform to celebrate different parts of our community. This season, our Festival Series will feature a Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Festival, the return of our Christkindl Market, as well as Holi and Juneteenth next year. As the planning begins, we are establishing committees of local community members, who will raise their voices and help us celebrate. Impacting the community with art experiences every day is our goal. As we continue to grow and explore new ways to engage with all of our community, we hope you will add these events to your calendar. Your first chance to join us will be for Art on the Green this month. (Watch for more festival dates.) Come by, support local artists and explore what your neighbors are up to.

UNDER THE STARS

Libby Williams is the marketing manager for Woodstock Arts. Look for @woodstockgaarts on social media.

Reel Community Connection

The Cherokee Film Summit was established by The Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED), to provide practical instruction, inspiration and community connection for business owners, film professionals and creatives. In March, more than 350 people gathered to connect, celebrate and be inspired by presentations, panels and more at the YANMAR Evo Center in Acworth.

COED is the leading organization for business and film recruitment as well as industry retention and expansion in Cherokee County. To learn more, visit cherokeega.org/film-media.

Cheryl and Chris Price of Stone Impact Media, second and third from left, tell the panel and audience about “These Stones,” a faith-based streaming TV series, filmed across Cherokee County.

Molly Mercer with Jimmie Bullis, left, who was assistant location manager on “Ozark,” and Sheriff Frank Reynolds.

Cherokee Office of Economic Development Project Manager Molly Mercer presents at the fourth annual Cherokee Film Summit.

PHOTOS BY KANNON STUDIOS.

4 Ways to Share Love With Seniors Year-Round

BY SUSANNAH MACKAY

We often talk about caring for seniors around Grandparents Day (the first Sunday after Labor Day) or during the holidays. But, this special group of people needs love year-round.

One in five Americans is aged 60 or older. By 2030, the number of adults needing nursing home care is expected to double! However, the hardest and most personal aspect of life for this growing age group is that more than 40% of seniors feel lonely, according to ConsumerAffairs.

Fortunately, we can do something to help. Here are four options on justserve.org to get you started serving seniors:

1. Deliver meals with MUST Ministries. This morning commitment in Kennesaw/Acworth only takes an hour or two on the last Friday of the month. Open to ages 12-plus, it’s a great service opportunity for older homeschoolers, too (http:// bit.ly/3G2RYRI).

2. Share your talents. Play music or bring other performances to seniors in Agape Hospice Care (https://bit.ly/3KOzVly).

3. Play bingo. Thursdays at 2 p.m., visit Legacy Ridge in Kennesaw and enjoy playing bingo with seniors. Residents love the extra company, and it helps promote activity and social

interaction for those needing it most (http://bit.ly/3G5CYCJ).

4. Help prevent fraud. By volunteering with the Senior Medicare Patrol, you can educate and support senior. (https://bit.ly/3ZsPi6K).

Be sure to check out these great opportunities — and more! — on the JustServe website. Or, for additional ideas, join the JustServe Georgia Volunteers public Facebook group. You can show some much-needed love to our local senior citizens with simple acts of service.

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

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

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