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CARDIAC SPECIALISTS FOR COMPLETE HEART CARE.

Since 1970, Northside Hospital has provided confident, compassionate heart care to patients throughout Georgia. Today, the legacy of Northside Heart – the hospital’s first cardiology practice – has evolved into a powerhouse system. With 30 locations from Braselton and Canton to Sandy Springs and Midtown Atlanta, our network of more than 60 providers brings the leading heart experts to your community. Specialties include vascular surgery, maternal heart care, interventional cardiology, open heart surgery and more–the complete heart care you expect and deserve. Get to know Northside Cardiology at northside.com/excellence.


TOWNELAKER | June 2021

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Contributors

Contents

30 Don Akridge 19 Thad Baird

June 2021

58 Stacy Brown

36 Charlice Byrd

The Lindsey Haas Real EstateTeam

47 Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists

22, 48 Jessica Forrester 26 Stephanie Howard 67 Barbara Jacoby 56 Randy Knibb 18 Dr. Michael Litrel 54 Rob Macmillan 25 Michelle McCulloch

On the Cover

Stager and designer Kyndra Hunter and Realtor Lindsey Haas enjoy a fun moment during the photo shoot at the warehouse.

Pages 40 & 41

Cover photo and right by Brian Nejedly.

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24 Cindy Messerly

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Aroundabout Local Media celebrates 25 years of serving and growing with the community.

22

Wedding Wisdom

Tips from the pros for anyone planning a wedding, plus a few pointers from local moms in-the-know.

20 Margaret Miller

52 Dr. Haiden Nunn 50 Deidre Parker

19 66 60 71 38 46

Kirk Pusey

John Rodgers Susan Schulz

Justin Spainhour-Roth Ashley Velez

Jason Wilson

In Every Issue

4 Around Towne 8 Local News

14 Celebrations

28 Everyday Angels 32 Noteworthy

54 Rob’s Rescues

42 Towne Lake Dining Guide 62 Downtown Woodstock Dining Guide 64 Community Calendar 66 Library Events 68 School News

72 Recent Home Sales

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60

Heaven’s Gait

Where the path to hope and healing is paved with hoofprints.

TOWNELAKER | June 2021

74 Clubs & Orgs

76 Cherokee Photography Club 78 Directory of Advertisers


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Around Towne Letter From the Editor

I moved to Cherokee County in 1987, after Glenn and I married that October. The area seemed so similar to my hometown in South Carolina; I settled in easily. We lived in the home he bought when he moved here in 1981, until we built a larger house in Eagle Watch a few years later. We raised our three children there, spending countless hours on the playground and at the pool when we weren’t at the ballpark, or school events, or Boy or Girl Scout meetings. We were part of Hillside United Methodist, long before the congregation, formerly Oak Grove UMC, moved to Towne Lake. Our family truly was a part of the community in every way imaginable. Gathering content for this 25th anniversary issue, starting with the second issue of the TowneLaker, published in July 1996, has been a stroll down memory lane. I found several photos of my children on the pages of the TowneLaker. Becca, now 27, appeared in the scouting issue in 2001, selling cookies and enjoying a Christmas event with fellow scouts. Years later, her college graduation picture ran in a 2016 issue. My son, now 32, smiles proudly, with a bat over his shoulder, in a photo I sent in to celebrate his 7th birthday. And I know Julie, my 32-year-old, is somewhere in the group photo of Bascomb Elementary’s first student body, that ran in the July 1996 issue. Our art director, Michelle McCulloch, has been an employee since 2004. As a Becca Hannigan and Becca Carpentier new resident, she picked up a copy of are serious about cookie sales. the TowneLaker at Publix to find out what was happening around Towne. She instantly loved what the magazine was about, sharing the good news in the community, and called the owners that day asking for a design job. “The timing was perfect; I was hired to help launch the new titles in Woodstock, Canton and Acworth,” Michelle said. I hope you enjoy the special features we created to commemorate our 25th anniversary! And how fitting is it that our kindness challenge this month is donating to the animal shelter? Since 1996, we’ve consistently featured pets available for adoption at the humane society, and we were thrilled to add Rob’s Rescues to our lineup of features in 2014.

June

Take Supplies to the Animal Shelter. Let’s not forget to share some love with our furry friends. Bring goodies, such as food, treats, blankets, paper towels. etc., for the cats and dogs waiting to be adopted. Visit www.cherokeega-animals.org/donate.html for more information.

Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting

Furniture Fashions and Sleep Solutions

1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 380, Woodstock 770-779-9486 www.furniturefashionsandsleep.com

What’s New

Sandy’s Nails & Spa has opened at 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 260, specializing in SNS, solar, acrylic, gel, manicures and pedicures, waxing, eyelashes and facials. Two percent of gift card sales is donated to local nonprofits. 470-308-4105. The Fat Shack has opened at 6199 Highway 92, Unit 200, in the Cherokee Commons Shopping Center. The menu is filled with indulgent sandwiches, burgers and wings, as well as deep-fried desserts, including fried Oreos and cheesecake bites. 470-308-4950. www.fatshack.com. At press time, Boss Hugo Boss had planned to open in early June at The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta. The apparel shop specializes in casual, business, evening and athleisure clothing. On Facebook. Dr. Vanessa Womack, a board-certified internal medicine physician, has joined Northside Family Practice. She specializes in preventive care, diabetes management and hypertension. www.northsidefamilypractice.com.

Who’s Moved

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

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Nelson Elder Care has moved to 2230 Towne Lake Parkway, Building 1200, Suite 120, in a larger space across the parking lot from the previous location. www.nelsoneldercarelaw.com.


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Publisher Aroundabout Local Media, Inc. www.aroundaboutlocalmedia.com

Around Acworth | Around Canton Around Woodstock | TowneLaker

Our Mission

Helping local businesses grow and prosper by offering affordable advertising opportunities in a quality publication that provides positive, relevant information to our readers.

Results With Us “Working with the TowneLaker magazine has been an excellent experience for our business. Their staff is extremely professional, and the quality of their work is top-tier. We received a substantial amount of new business as a result of being on the front cover of the magazine. I wholeheartedly recommend the TowneLaker's platform as an opportunity for businesses small and large to build your local reputation and to get the attention of new and existing customers!” — Tim McWhirter, Canton Termite & Pest Control, Inc.

ALM President Patty Ponder 770-615-3322 Patty@AroundaboutMagazines.com Executive Editor Candi Hannigan 770-615-3309 Candi@AroundaboutMagazines.com

Managing Editor Katie Beall 770-852-8481 Katie@AroundaboutMagazines.com

Assistant Editor Jessica Forrester 770-615-3318 Jessica@AroundaboutMagazines.com

Art Director Michelle McCulloch 770-615-3307 Michelle@AroundaboutMagazines.com Page Designer Laura Latchford Laura@AroundaboutMagazines.com

Controller Denise Griffin 770-615-3315 Denise@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

Advertise With Us

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

Get Social With Us!

TowneLakerMagazine @Townelaker townelakermagazine

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www.townelaker.com TOWNELAKER | June 2021

TowneLaker, a publication of Aroundabout Local Media, Inc., is a monthly community magazine. The magazine’s goal is to help local businesses grow and prosper by offering affordable advertising opportunities in a quality publication that provides positive, relevant information to our readers. It distributes a total of 16,400 free copies. Approximately 15,620 are direct mailed to homes and businesses and an additional 780 are placed in racks in the community. TowneLaker welcomes your comments, stories, and advertisements. Editorial deadline is the 1st and advertising deadline is the 5th of the previous month. Subscriptions are available for $24 per year. Send check or money order to the address below. The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the Editor/Publisher and the Publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. TowneLaker is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the Publisher. All rights reserved. Copyright 2021. TowneLaker 1025 Rose Creek Drive, PMB 380, Suite 620 Woodstock, GA 30189 Volume 26, Issue 1

America’s Community Magazine


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Local News Parks Closer to Reality for Southwest Cherokee At a recent meeting, Cherokee County commissioners amended the 2019-2028 Recreation, Parks, Green Space and Trails Master Plan by adopting the Southwest Cherokee Parks and Trails Plan. At the earlier work session meeting, the commissioners heard a brief recap of the background of the project, which began at a planning retreat in January, 2020. Commission staff had expressed interest in adding parkland to the southwest portion of Cherokee County. County officials then moved forward with the request and selected TSW to develop a parks and trails area plan for southwest Cherokee. “While updating the 2018 Recreation and Parks Master Plan, it was discovered that this area was underserved in terms of parks and recreation,” Cherokee County District 4 Commissioner Corey Ragsdale said. “I am pleased with the plans they brought forth for the southwest area of the county.” The plan identified four county-owned parcels as potential parks. The first two parcels make up roughly 52 acres between Highway 92 and Clark Creek Elementary School. The third 14-acre parcel is located at the intersection of Hunt Road and Priest Road. The fourth

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Parcels 1 and 2.

parcel is 43 acres at the corner of Old Alabama and Kellogg Creek roads. TSW conducted a series of public engagement activities, seeking input from nearby residents. “Online participants completed over 300 surveys,” TSW Project Manager Sarah McColley said. “The top park features prioritized by participants were trails, followed by activities for families, which include playgrounds and picnic areas.” Of the parcels included in the plan, participants selected Parcels 1 and 2 (combined) as the best option for an active park, and all four parcels ranked high for undeveloped passive parks.

Participants prioritized Parcels 1 and 2 as the first park to be built, followed by the trail network. The next steps include developing rough cost estimates for the proposed parks on each parcel and the trail network. Estimates will include several phasing options, to allow for future planning and budgeting. “Parks aren’t just a nice place to play. They’re essential infrastructure for healthy, resilient communities,” said Jay Worley, Cherokee County Recreation and Parks Agency director. “We are so happy to bring these amenities to the residents of southwest Cherokee.”


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Local News

From left: Shawn Schumacher, Georgia Academy Baseball chairman; Kimberly Gomillion, co-owner of Learning Express Toys; Marcie Smith, Children’s Haven director; Eric Gomillion, co-owner of Learning Express Toys; Jose Tunon, Georgia Academy Club president, and Eric Forbes, Georgia Academy Softball chairman.

Sports Program, Local Business Team Up to Support Foster Children

Youth athletic teams in the Georgia Academy Baseball and Softball organization showed up big for the Swing Into Spring Shopping Spree Raffle. Teams from the organization raised $6,100 for The Children’s Haven, directly affecting children experiencing foster care in Cherokee County. The youth athletic association created the fundraiser as a community service effort, leading to the financial donation that will assist with the playground at The Children’s Haven and an experience giving two foster children a 2-minute shopping spree at Learning Express Toys of Woodstock. On May 2, Scott Gunter won the drawing, and asked his niece, Lilly Snow, to do the shopping spree for him. Lilly paid it forward, by donating her shopping spree items to the Sequoyah High School Special Education Department and Friendship Baptist Church. The two foster children (whose names are remaining confidential) also enjoyed the excitement at Learning Express Toys and took home their haul with smiles galore. “The shopping spree at Learning Express Toys of Woodstock was such an exciting and special gift for two sisters in our program,” Smith said. “Their CASA volunteer came to help them shop, and I think she had just as much fun as they did. What a dream come true for two sweet and deserving girls. The generosity from the store’s owners truly touched our hearts.”

A New Way to Explore Woodstock The Woodstock Visitors Center offers free guided walking tours of the downtown area. On the last Thursday of each month, through September, themed guided tours will touch on the history of the area, uncover the town’s plentiful public art, share weird and unusual downtown facts, and explore the planning that has gone into making Woodstock one of the top downtowns in Georgia. Two weeks before each tour date, monthly tour topics will be announced on Downtown Woodstock’s Facebook and Instagram pages, where residents can register. There’s no charge, but an RSVP is required, because space is limited. Tours will be offered at 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and last 30 to 45 minutes. 770-924-0406. www.visitwoodstockga.com. 10

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Charities Receive Credit Union Donation The Credit Union of Georgia recently hosted a raffle to raise money for Mostly Mutts Animal Rescue, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the Salvation Army, MUST Ministries and The Children’s Haven. Nearly $5,000 was raised from selling 500 tickets. “We understand our community needs us more than ever. We are proud to rally not only our members, but our employees, to fund-raise for those in need. Together we can make our community strong,” said Amanda Arnold, vice president of marketing and business development. Fundraising continues with T-shirt sales; 100% of proceeds from the $15 shirts will benefit local charities. www.CUofGA.org/Promo.

New Tool Makes Appeal Process Easier

Cherokee County residents wanting to appeal assessment notices distributed by the tax assessor’s office have access to a convenient new tool. An online program called Appeals, developed by Spatialist, allows residents to file assessment appeals online. The program includes the Comper tool, which gives property owners easy access to comparable sales in neighborhoods. The tool is only good for filing initial appeals. Mailings were scheduled to begin May 17. Homeowners who disagree with their property values have a 45-day window to appeal, ending July 1. The tax office anticipates mailing more than 113,000 notices, which include the assessed value assigned to a property, used to measure applicable taxes, as well as qualified exemptions, such as homestead and senior tax exemptions. Cherokee County Chief Appraiser Steve Swindell said property owners should expect to see an average of 7-8% increase in their assessment for an existing home, based on the average residential property value of $325,000. Homeowners wishing to file an appeal can find instructions on their assessment notice, as well as a link to the appeal tool at appeals.spatialest. com/ga-cherokee. “If a change is made and an adjusted notice of assessment is sent, the taxpayer would be required to mail us their intent to continue their appeal within 30 days of the date of the notice,” Swindell said. For more information, call 678-493-6120, or visit www.cherokeega.com/tax-assessors-office.


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770-928-6525

RealEstateAgent.net SarahTerrellRemax

Customer Service You Can Count On!

TOWNELAKER | June 2021

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5

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Purchase of $25 or more

Excludes alcohol & taxes.

Greek and Mediterranean inspired cuisine

One per table.

entire order

Excludes alcohol & taxes. Not valid with any other of fer or special.

Not valid with any other of fer or special. Expires: 7/31/21

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% off

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Sun–Thurs 11:30am–8:00pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am–9:00pm

1 8 0 Tow ne L a ke P a r k w ay · Wo o d s t o c k , G A 3 01 8 8 · 7 70 -4 8 5- 5 23 6 · G y r o A e g e a nG r i l l .c om 12

TOWNELAKER | June 2021


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Celebrations! ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE FREE!

Email to: Edit@AroundaboutMagazines.com July deadline is June 10. Please specify TowneLaker.

Dustin Balde

Ethan Lasenyik

Age 5 on June 30 Happy fifth birthday, Dustin! We are so proud of you and love you so much! Love, Mommy, Daddy, Dylan and Danny

Age 18 on June 24 Happy graduation and 18th birthday, Ethan! We are so very proud of you and cannot wait to see what the future holds for you. Love, Mom, Dad and Zachary

Jessica F.

Zachary “Z” Lasenyik

Alice Schroeder

Age 6 on June 1 She excelled in virtual kindergarten, and we are excited to see what excitement awaits her in first grade. Grateful parents Pete and Corinne, and brother Gram

Olivia Kirkland

Age 15 on June 28 Happy 15th birthday, Olivia! Mom and Dad love you.

Juniper Kirk

Happy fifth birthday, Juniper!

Happy 10th birthday! You complete our world. We love you bunches! Daddy, Mommy and Kathryn

Lauren Giesler

Happy 17th birthday! Love, Mommy, Daddy and Ansley

Corbin

Happy birthday, Makenzie!

Age 8 on June 30 I love you so much, and I am so happy we have been friends our whole life. Love, Madison 14

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Happy seventh birthday, Corbin! We are so proud of the young man you are becoming. We love you so much! Love, Momma and Matty

Age 14 on June 2 Happy 14th birthday. We love you and hope you have a great day! Love, Mom, Dad and Ethan

Noah C. Bauer

Class of 2021, Etowah High “Work hard, win easy.” We love you, Mom and Dad

Juniper

Happy fourth birthday, Juniper! You’re one of a kind, and God has big plans for you. You’re the BEST sister in the world! Love, Mom, Dad, Grantman and Jocelyn Birdie


Strong!

Celebrating a Quarter Century Of Serving Cherokee County With this month’s issue, we at Aroundabout Local Media (ALM) are celebrating the company’s 25th birthday! We know, we don’t look a day over 20! In fact, we think we are getting better looking each year, inside and out, with our vibrant pages filled with dazzling ads, and uplifting articles and features from cover to cover. It’s a joyous occasion, as we celebrate being the longestrunning community magazine publisher in Cherokee County. It began in June, 1996, when the TowneLaker’s first issue coincided with Atlanta hosting the Summer Olympics. Over the years, we’ve grown to our current lineup of four magazines. Each month, close to 75,000 copies of Around Acworth, Around Canton, Around Woodstock and the TowneLaker magazines are distributed to 71,520 homes, with the rest placed in racks around town. On the following pages, we have assembled a scrapbook, of sorts, that chronicles the history of ALM, with a timeline highlighting covers and a list of some milestones reported in those issues. Next, you’ll find a collection of then-and-now photos, and comments from longtime advertisers; some have been with us since 1996.

ALM’s owners, Jon and Karen Flaig, have been Woodstock residents for more than 25 years. Our newest staff member is a Cherokee County native, and the rest of us have lived here long enough to feel we can claim that status. Our 10-person team works tirelessly each month to unite and inform the members of our community through positive articles and affordable advertising to help local businesses prosper. It’s always nice when hard work is recognized, especially by the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. In 2016, ALM was given the Small Business of the Year award, followed by the Excellence in Customer Service award in 2019. We consistently hear from our faithful advertisers how their ads in our publications have supported the success of their businesses. We won’t end our celebration this month; we plan to include a little something in every issue moving into our 26th year. If you have special memories to share, please email candi@ aroundaboutmagazines.com. We look forward to celebrating our 50th with you, and each year in between! — Your ALM team TOWNELAKER | June 2021

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Celebrating

20

YEARS AGO March 2001

On the cover: Boy Scout Corey

of PUBLICATION

business briefs: State Farm • Inagent Steve Cannon announced

the grand opening of his business, in the parking lot next to Publix, where it still stands. The Bank of Canton opened in Towne Lake. Rumors were circulating that Pike’s would open a 10-acre super store next to Kroger, and a Ford dealership would open in the area.

school news, 900 seniors • Ingraduated on June 1, with

25 YEARS AGO July 1996

On the cover: Bill Tomlinson, who

was chosen as the TowneLaker’s Father of the Year.

Home sales: 4,000 homes closed in Towne Lake in June, 1996, pushing developers closer to the estimated 8,000 homes to be built.

Tomlinson was named Father • Bill of the Year, nominated by his

10-year-old daughter, Melissa. See then and now photos on Page 17.

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TOWNELAKER | June 2021

the following breakdown: Cherokee, 210; Etowah, 280; Sequoyah, 330, and the Open Campus Evening School, 72. For comparison, in 2020, 2,954 seniors graduated: Cherokee, 561; Creekview, 479; Etowah, 550; River Ridge, 409; Sequoyah, 429, and Woodstock, 526.

Middle and High • Woodstock schools were set to open in August, 1996.

McKeeth was given the • Kris Pathfinder award, and 17-yearold Jacob Thomas, an Etowah student, was Student of the Month.

the celebrations page, Emily • On Robertson, Alyson Pfrimmer and Michel Punch were celebrating 5th birthdays.

Groom and Venture Scout Brian Hess. Back row, Girl Scout Alysa LaRicca, Tiger Cub Jordan Possway and Cub Scout Ryan Mead.

of the Best (now called • Best Readers’ Choice) winners sound

familiar. Dr. Thad Baird won best dentist in 2001, and Baird Family Dentistry won in 2021. MIK Cleaners also won in both years.

in Towne Lake were to • Sidewalks be completed in summer, 2001; a traffic light at Eagle Watch and Towne Lake Parkway also was to be added.

Square had a grand • Woodstock opening March 9-11 (the plaza on Highway 92 with Target).

at Buckhead Crossing • Publix opened. feature was done on the Paint n • APlaster Fun Factory, which was owned by Lauren and Danielle Nagle, 15- and 16-year-old sisters and students at Etowah.

Birds Unlimited opened, and • Wild Manhattan Bagel closed.


10 YEARS AGO June 2011

On the cover: Park Pediatric

Dentistry, which still advertises with ALM.

Acru, a retail concept of First • Cherokee State Bank, opened

in downtown Woodstock, and included the 2021 Readers’ Choice favorite, Copper Coin coffee shop.

Aspen Falls Auto Spa opened, • along with Cherokee Computer

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Guys and Studio Tim Timmons (current owner of Salon Gloss).

YEARS AGO November 2006

On the cover: Young models

show off selections from children’s clothing store Sweet Peas.

Meridian at Ridgewalk • subdivision started construction.

Parkside Grill opened on • Bells Ferry across from Hobgood Park

Beef O’Brady’s, beside the • Rose Creek Publix, closed. Tuscany Italian Restaurant • opened in June, 2006. Towne Lake Business • The Association (TLBA)

announced updates, upcoming events. ALM still shares news from the TLBA.

Readers learned about Taylor • Dakake, who was adopted by

a Woodstock couple and had just graduated high school. ALM ran a follow-up on him in January, 2021, after he contacted us to see if we’d like to share an update.

Cherokee Women’s Health • Specialists opened a Towne Lake location.

The number of single-family • homes sold in Towne Lake

was 386 for March, 2011. The average sales price (with an average list price) for JanuaryMarch, 2011, was $158,049 of $209,569.

Chip Rogers was the state • senator for District 11, and a regular contributor.

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YEARS AGO June 2016

On the cover: David Waters, a candidate for Cherokee County Sheriff.

Presbyterian Church • Heritage announced it has a new pastor,

the Rev. Elizabeth Milford, who now is a contributing writer to the TowneLaker.

advertorial announced the • Anopening of Camellia Place. on Towne Lake to open • Eyes in July. and Kitty opened on Bells • K9 Ferry Road, near Goodwill. Boot Camp on Parkside • Burn Lane was gearing up for the first summer camps.

Law Office of Jay G. Wall • The opened at Buckhead Crossing. Office of Economic • Cherokee Development President Misti

Martin was named one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers.

Caldwell was the state • Michael representative for District 20, and a regular contributor.

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Your Community. Your Magazine.

Strong!

As the county’s longest standing community publication, we’ve had a chance to build strong relationships over the past 25 years, celebrating our residents and supporting local businesses. Our motto is more than just a saying: Your Community. Your Magazine. Over the years, we’ve opened our pages to the community in ways too numerous to count. Here are a few examples of how we’ve shared life with you, and been here to help your businesses grow.

Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists Advertiser since July, 1997

It was 1997 when I moved to Cherokee County with my wife, Ann, and our two small sons. I was fresh off the wards of Grady Hospital in downtown Atlanta, having just finished my OB/GYN residency with Emory University. I chose to take a position with Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists, the sole OB practice delivering babies in Cherokee County. The obstetrical care we gave our patients was superb, but the problem was this: Pregnant women in Towne Lake and Woodstock were choosing to deliver their babies in Cobb County. It was a problem of perception. Canton’s hospital at that time, R. T. Jones (the hospital’s name prior to Northside’s acquisition), did not have an illustrious reputation for obstetrics services.

The Litrel family in 2000. 18

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The staff of Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists from a 2019 Around Woodstock cover. Photo by J. King Images.

How could I let women know they could receive great obstetrical care right here in Cherokee County? Ann had noticed a local publication called the TowneLaker. She enthusiastically showed me the magazine, which had lists of churches, elected leaders, community groups … and, most of all, stories about local people and businesses that helped you get to know the people in the community Ann suggested we advertise, and that I use the story space to let the community get to know me. And that was the beginning of a long relationship. Month after month, I shared stories about patients, the lessons I learned from being a doctor at Grady Hospital, of how faith is essential to healing, and, later, stories about the lessons of marriage and raising kids.

And, it worked. The magazine connected me with the community. I can’t tell you the number of patients who have come into my office over the past 20 years with a bright look, saying, “I feel like I know you from the magazine!” And I can look back at the photos of our physicians on the Aroundabout covers and trace the history of our group, as it has grown from a local to a national practice over the past 20 years, now drawing patients from across the country, New York to California. It has been a long partnership between the Aroundabout magazines and Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists, and I truly can say they are a part of our practice story, as much as we are a part of theirs. — Michael Litrel, MD, FACOG, FPRMS


Left, the Tomlinson family at a recent gathering, from left: Lucille McEver, son-in-law Mason Kirk, son Brice Tomlinson, daughter Melissa Kirk, Bill’s wife Cathy Tomlinson, and grandchildren Juniper and Baker Kirk with Bill. Below, the photo of Bill and Cathy, with Brice and Maria, that ran in the July, 1996 issue.

TowneLaker’s Father of the Year July, 1996

Bill Tomlinson won the TowneLaker’s Father of the Year contest, thanks to an essay written by his 10-year-old daughter Melissa, and was featured on the July, 1996, cover. She wrote: “I think my daddy is the best dad in the world because he is sweet and I love him. He is trying very hard to stop smoking and he is doing it just for me. It is hard for him but he is toughing it out. That shows how much he loves me. So that is why I think he should win.” We asked for an updated family photo; it’s clear, his family has grown quite a bit!

Baird & Baird Family Dentistry Advertiser since 1997

I am very grateful for the TowneLaker and Aroundabout Local Media (ALM) for many reasons. As a new resident and new business owner in 1996, the TowneLaker (ALM) was very beneficial in creating an awareness of community and helping me grow a new business. The TowneLaker (ALM) enabled me to meet many new residents and business owners. We began advertising in the TowneLaker in 1997. We have continued to support the TowneLaker (ALM) and they have continued to support and serve us. To this day, I am thankful for the service and commitment to community that the TowneLaker (ALM) has held firm to. — Thad Baird, DMD

Towne Lake Family Chiropractic Advertiser since June, 1996

As the founder of Towne Lake Family Chiropractic in 1995, and as the first chiropractor in Towne Lake, I was eager to let the community know what services were offered at our clinic, my background, and, of course, our basic contact information. The internet was still in its infancy, and the smart phone wasn’t invented yet. Print advertising was the only way to “get the word out.” I was excited to be one of the TowneLaker’s inaugural advertisers, which helped our clinic enjoy explosive growth in the early years of existence, and maintain a healthy presence in the years since. We were honored to be the first local business featured on the cover in 2002, which resulted in an incredible amount of positive recognition. We have continued to advertise in the Aroundabout publications for the

past 25 years, because they are able to reach our target audience in a specific geographic area, unlike the larger, more expensive news publications. We’ve really enjoyed our long-standing relationship with the TowneLaker. On a final note, I’m proud to announce

that Dr. Amber York will be the new owner of Towne Lake Family Chiropractic within the next month. She, along with Dr. Rob Holewinski, will continue to provide chiropractic care to this wonderful community. — Kirk Pusey, DC TOWNELAKER | June 2021

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June 18-20

Juneteenth Atlanta Parade and Music Festival Centennial ​Olympic Park 1-10 p.m. Friday 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday www.juneteenthatl.com

Popularity of African American Holiday is Growing Across U.S. BY MARGARET MILLER

Juneteenth is becoming more popular in America as an important African American holiday. For many years, it primarily was a Texas celebration. After all, it was in Galveston, Texas, that this holiday originated. U.S. President Abraham Lincoln had abolished slavery in the United States when he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, effective Jan. 1, 1863. But it wasn’t until June 19, 1865, that word circulated in Texas that slavery had been abolished. Upon hearing this news, the former slaves celebrated with church services, picnics, social gettogethers, rodeos, etc. This was the beginning of various traditions of Juneteenth (a merger of the words June and nineteen). In 1980, Texas proclaimed Juneteenth as a state holiday. People in other parts of the country also observe this historic Independence Day for African Americans. Milwaukee,

Minnesota, has one of the longest established celebrations of Juneteenth, beginning in 1971. On June 19, 2020, the city flew the Juneteenth flag over a city building for the first time. This was only one of many activities celebrating this freedom day. In 2011, Georgia became the 37th state to recognize Juneteenth at its state Capitol with the passage of S.R. 164. The Juneteenth Atlanta Parade and Music Festival has been a popular event for several years. The 2021 celebration is scheduled for Centennial Olympic Park, June 18-20. Some of the planned activities include a Black history parade, march and rally, family reunions, a United Nations Human Rights Forum, vendors and an artist market. Since the 2021 festival coincides with Father’s Day, there will be special activities honoring fathers during this historic and fun weekend. www.juneteenthatl.com.

Margaret Miller is a native of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and moved to Woodstock 14 years ago. Her writing hobby led her to become a columnist for community and daily newspapers.

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Photo courtesy of Juneteenth website.

June 19

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Preparing for Forever and The Big Day BY JESSICA FORRESTER

It’s June and many couples are making plans to celebrate their wedding. June has traditionally been the most popular month for weddings, but a shift to fall has occurred in the past three years. October and September have taken over the first and second top month spots, which means there is still time to finish planning and booking the venue of your dreams. Your wedding is about celebrating your love for each other, which is why so much time and thought go into planning the day that highlights your love story. But where to begin? We’ve got you covered. Just remember to have fun, don’t get hung up on the tiny details, and make sure your significant other is involved. Let us do our part in helping plan for your big day by offering tips and money-saving ideas from the pros that will keep your wedding organized and make sure you get hitched without a hitch!

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5 Spending Tips

Your wedding should be one of the happiest days of your life, but it also can be one of the most expensive. Determining a budget in the beginning and sticking to it can help couples save thousands on their big day. With inspiration from wedding experts at The Wheeler House and from other online resources, we wanted to help you reduce the costs and stress that come with planning a wedding.

1.

Choose a Different Day/Time/Season. The most expensive time to get married is in the evening on a Saturday in June, September or October. Consider Friday or Sunday weddings to cut costs by 20% to 30% during in-season dates, research a venue’s off season pricing, or think about having a brunch wedding instead.

2.

Simplify Your Drink Options. If you are

serving alcohol, consider serving only beer and wine. No cocktails means major savings on a variety of garnishes, mixers and liquor. A self-serve drink station is another possibility, depending on your venue, which can eliminate the cost of a bartender. Non-alcoholic beverages such as tea and lemonade are low-cost options as well.

3.

Throw a Bachelorette Slumber Party. Hosting the bachelorette party at home instead of in the city or another destination can offer substantial savings to the bridal party. A movie night, game night or a good old-fashioned slumber party are fun and nostalgic ways to spend time with your closest friends before tying the knot. The groom and groomsmen can take advantage of these savings by planning a similar event.

4.

Skip the Wedding Favors. You could opt for

edible favors as part of a dessert bar with goodie bags or save time and money and skip them altogether. After enjoying a lovely event, your guests will not miss the favors. Let’s be honest; how many wedding favors have you thrown away over the years?

5.

Make Your Guest List the A-List. Build your

guest list based on your budget and stick to it. A good rule of thumb is to invite only the people you both have talked to in the past two years. You can limit plus-ones to only friends and family who are engaged or married to help keep numbers low. Feel free to let everyone know that unexpected guests may not get a seat or anything to eat.

Beautiful wedding bouquets can enhance the reception tables.

3 Success Secrets

Although the time leading up to your wedding can be hectic, proper planning will ensure your big day runs smoothly. Our friends at The Wheeler House shared their top three wedding tips, ideas you may not have thought about but are guaranteed to make a difference on your special day. For more wedding tips, visit www.thewheelerhouse. net or follow @thewheelerhouse on Instagram.

1.

Take Bridal Portraits in Advance.

2.

Open a Dedicated Wedding Email. Create

3.

Repurpose Bouquets. Repurpose your

Coordinate your hair and makeup trial-run on the same day and have your bridal portraits taken in advance. The Wheeler House allows brides to come on property during the week with their wedding photographer to get an early start on photos and save time on their big day. a dedicated email account to keep all of your wedding-related correspondence organized. You can also sign up for free stuff without bombarding your personal email!

bridesmaid bouquets by asking your coordinator to grab them after photos are taken to be used as decor. They can then be placed in open vases left on the head table, guest tables or the bar.

TOWNELAKER | June 2021

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What was your biggest challenge, and how did you resolve it?

Cindy Messerly, whose daughters, Anna and Kate, were married in 2018 and 2020, respectively.

The guest list is a challenge because the more you invite, the more expensive the wedding will be. It’s also tough because you want to invite anyone who has invested time, love and effort into your child’s life. As a parent you have to not think of your own friends, but the people who are important to the bride and the groom. It’s hard when you don’t want to hurt feelings or leave anyone out, but you have to realize you can’t invite everyone to everything.

What advice would you give someone who is planning to get married?

Once the wedding day gets there, just enjoy. You’ve done all you can do - the planning is over. Now is the time to be there for your daughter or your son, and focus on them. Another suggestion is to repurpose flowers from the wedding ceremony to use at the reception. Make the flowers a keepsake instead of throwing them away. And have the photographer make a detailed list of who should be in each picture grouping and call out names so everyone knows when they are needed.

If you could, is there anything you would do differently?

Yes! When the bride and groom leave the reception, make sure they have a to-go box of food and cake, in a place where they can get to it easily. Make sure that silverware and napkins are packed with the meals.

Cindy’s daughter, Anna, married Jack Singer on May 19, 2018. 24

TOWNELAKER | June 2021

Kate Messerly wed Alex Bruner last year.


Michelle McCulloch, whose son, Bryan, married in 2020. What advice would you give someone planning a rehearsal dinner? The wedding was in Decatur, and most attendees were at a hotel near the venue, so we carefully chose the rehearsal dinner location to be a short ride from the hotel. For the table decorations, I used Pinterest for inspiration. I proposed a budget to the florist initially, instead of leaving it open ended, and she described what she could do for that budget. On the night of the party, I let the event host watch the clock and prompt me at certain times to invite guests to sit, do the toast, etc. You lose track of time when you are socializing. Michelle dances with her son, Bryan, who married Cloe Drury on Dec. 19, 2020.

A tip for wedding planning.

My advice to brides would be to invite the parents of the groom when making selections, if possible. It meant the world to us to be included in the wedding planning, especially since we don’t have daughters.

What was your biggest challenge, and how did you resolve it?

Cutting the guest list in half after the Save the Dates had already gone out, because of safety requirements during the pandemic. Guests who were removed from the list received a mini bottle of champagne and a heartfelt note from the bride and groom, so they could raise a glass on the wedding night to toast the newlyweds and feel included in the celebration.

Pinterest helped inspire the table decorations for the rehearsal dinner. TOWNELAKER | June 2021

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Cool-Season Lawns

Cool-season grass includes tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, creeping red fescue and chewing fescue. These grasses do not actively grow during the summer months, and maintenance usually is limited to irrigation, weed management and mowing.

Tips for a

Healthy Summer Lawn BY STEPHANIE HOWARD, CHEROKEE COUNTY MASTER GARDENER

With so many different types of grass, it can be confusing to know how best to care for your yard during the summer. Keep your lawn healthy and free of disease and infections with these care and monitoring tips.

Lawn Disease and Insect Control

All lawns are subject to disease and insect infestations, especially during the summer. However, there are warning signs to help catch potential problems. Check for dead or dark patches with clearly defined edges. These patches may indicate fungal disease. Follow proper irrigation methods, to avoid any major fungal issues during the hot, summer months. Look for webworm, armyworm or cutworm infestations. Webworms leave a veil-like webbing on the turf surface that is seen easily in the morning, before the dew burns off. Armyworms leave significant damage by chewing patches of blades to the ground. Circular, sunken patches of cut leaf blades might indicate the presence of cutworms. St. Augustine and centipede turf especially are susceptible to chinch bugs. Patches of wilted, yellow grass might indicate their presence. Treat the soil with an approved product for the specific type of infestation. Control strategies differ, so follow instructions on the product label.

Mowing Height Recommendations GRASS TYPE

Bermuda grass Centipede grass St. Augustine grass

1 – 1.5 to 2.0 1-2 2-3

Tall Fescue grass Kentucky bluegrass

2.5 or more 2.5 or more

Zoysia grass

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MOWING HEIGHT (IN)

TOWNELAKER | June 2021

• Rather than mechanically dethatching, manually rake your lawn. • If needed, apply a post-emergent for grassy weeds, like crabgrass, or spot-spray broadleaf weeds, like dandelion. Do not treat drought-stressed turf. • July is a great time to conduct a soil test, before turf enters the fall growing season. • Apply lime at any time. However, do not apply other fertilizers during June or July. • A healthy lawn needs around 1 inch of water per week. Consider the amount of rainfall when determining irrigation needs. • Fall is the best time to seed or install cool-season sod.

Warm-Season Lawns

Warm-season grass includes Bermuda, centipede, zoysia and St. Augustine. These types of turf typically are stressed during the summer months. Mow at the proper height and follow irrigation recommendations.

For Established Lawns • It is not too late to apply a pre-emergent for significant weed control. Use a weed and feed product or spot-spray for minor weed control. • If needed, aerate or dethatch. These activities are not necessarily required every year. Consider the timing of the pre-emergent application, so as not to disturb the chemical barrier. • Fertilize Bermuda, zoysia, and St. Augustine grasses at the beginning of July. The healthy zoysia lawn may not need to be fertilized. This application should be effective through September. • When fertilizing centipede lawns, use a slow-release, low-phosphorus fertilizer in early July. • Follow water-wise irrigation methods, to insure a healthy lawn and promote a strong root system. Consider rainfall amounts when planning irrigation needs. Apply 1 inch of water per week. Do not overwater. For Newly-Installed Lawns • Irrigate daily for the first two to three weeks, until well-established. • Fertilize according to soil test recommendations. To promote good coverage, apply a complete fertilizer monthly. • Once established, mow often, to discourage weeds.

1-2

Stephanie Howard is a resident of Towne Lake and an avid gardener.


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EVERYDAY Identifying people in need in our community. Over the years, Everyday man I love, lying on the ground covered in blood is Angels has relied upon something I will never forget. I could not stay with our trusted relationship him. I had to give permission for him to have multiple with school counselors and surgeries before he was stable enough to stay with administration to help with him. At the time, saving his life was all that mattered, discernment of needs within and I am so thankful that he is here today.” our community. They are close to the Eight people died, and Elcias was the only survivor families in the schools, and have of the shooting rampage that knowledge of their situations took place at three Asian-owned and personal needs, as well as massage parlors. “I kneeled on the programs they may utilize the floor and begged for him currently. When they reach out not to shoot me. There was no to us on behalf of a student and compassion. As I looked up at family, we are eager to help in any him, he shot me in the forehead. way we can. Today I cannot speak well, eat or Elcias Hernandez-Ortiz, 31, walk. With more surgeries and came to the United States from therapy needed, I am so worried Guatemala as a child. He works about how we can survive all of hard as a mechanic and owns an this,” Elcias said. auto repair shop, and his wife, “Our life is very different, Flora, works at Kennesaw State but we thank God that we are University on the janitorial staff. together, and we are trying “We work hard every day to make harder than ever. We are grateful a good life for our family,” Flora for all the people that have been said. Their precious daughter, here for us. We are thankful for Yoseline, is in fourth grade at our daughter’s school family at Clark Creek Elementary School. Clark Creek who have embraced Flora remembers Elcias us and loved us through all leaving home for his massage that we have been through,” appointment on March 16, Flora said. 2021. “Shortly after he left, he Everyday Angels shares this called in a panic, ‘I’ve been shot! tragic story to rally around this I need you!’ My daughter and I family as they struggle to pay Elcias with wife Flora and daughter Yoseline. jumped in our car and tried to medical bills and remain in their meet him there. There was a lot rental home. We all share our of commotion, police cars and ambulances all over,” heartfelt sadness and disappointment of this tragic Flora said. “We left our car and ran in the middle of event. We are so sorry for those who lost their loved the street and could see my husband in the distance. ones that day and for this sweet family who struggles He was lying on the ground, but the police did not through its aftermath. let us get close. It was an active crime scene and even family members could not be present. Everyday Angels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Cherokee “We stood outside for hours in the rain and cold County since 2000. To make a tax deductible donation, visit until the police told us where he was transported. It www.everydayangels.info to donate via Paypal or send seemed like forever until we were able to see him. your donations to: Everyday Angels, PMB 380, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 620, Woodstock GA, 30189. One hundred Doctors told us he was in critical condition and he percent of your funds will go to the family you specify. may not make it, but, inside of me, I had the faith If you know of a special need in your community, e-mail that he was going to survive. I knew that God was aaeverydayangels@gmail.com. going to work a miracle,” she said. “Seeing the lifeless 28

TOWNELAKER | June 2021


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What Forces Are Driving the Market? BY DON AKRIDGE, MBA, CFP®, CPA/PFS U.S. MARINE CORPS VETERAN – EMORY UNIVERSITY ALUMNUS

Recently, you may have seen reports that a record low number of homes are available for sale — roughly 1.03 million nationwide. If you compare that with the average number of homes for sale during the past 10 years, it’s no surprise that many hopeful homebuyers are having issues securing a home.1

Lack of inventory.

There are a few major differences between 2007 and now, however. The biggest difference? What we’re seeing now isn’t a bubble; it’s simply a lack of inventory.

It’s a seller’s market.

In many ways, this may be the most friendly market we’ve seen in quite a while for home sellers. Right now, nearly half of homes are selling in one week or less. At the same time, median prices are rising at a phenomenal rate, and national prices, in general, have increased 17.2% over last year.2

Why now?

Listings are skyrocketing for a number of reasons. Experts believe the continued low mortgage rates, a pandemic-era construction slowdown, and an increase in money available for a down payment are all factors.3 In this hyper-competitive market, many people are thinking of taking advantage of the situation by listing a property or home. If this sounds like you, get in touch with a housing professional who can offer guidance and support.

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Securities offered through registered representatives of Cambridge Investment Research Inc., a broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc., a registered investment adviser. Cambridge is not aff iliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of Peter Montoya Inc. or MarketingPro Inc. This material was prepared by MarketingPro Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. This information has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. Please note: Investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalty. This is neither a solicitation nor a recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insurance product or service, and should not be relied upon as such. All indices are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular investment. Citations 1. NAR.realtor.com, March 22, 2021 2. Axios.com, April 11, 2021 3. Axios.com, April 11, 2021

Don Akridge is president of Citadel Professional Services, LLC, an independent firm, founded in 1994 and conveniently located off Chastain Road between I-575 & I-75 in Kennesaw. 770-952-6707.


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Etowah Grad Recognized for Prison System Reform Project Jacob Rybak, a member of the Etowah High Class of 2012, is wrapping up his senior year at Kennesaw State University by presenting to prestigious research conferences around the United States and was a featured speaker for one of them. Rybak and his professor, Susan Hardy, have worked several months on research on reforming the prison system in the United States, and reducing the number of former inmates who relapse and return to jail. He has given presentations online for seven conferences, including Harvard, Virginia Tech and Stanford, where he was a plenary speaker. His research project involved analyzing statistics from the Iowa Department of Corrections that showed the number of former inmates who returned to prison and why. Rybak’s proposal includes emphasizing rehabilitation within the prison system by offering more educational opportunities and addressing hostile environments and psychological needs of inmates. Rybak is earning a double major in economics and finance with a minor in applied statistics and analytics. After graduation, he wants to work in a field that engages economics, finance and data analytics. He also hopes to continue the community activism and awareness that began with his research, and possibly start a nonprofit to offer education, scholarships and workforce training as inmates transition back into society.

Woodstock Author Pens First Novel Delia Halverson, a Woodstock resident and former contributing writer for Aroundabout Local Media, recently published her first novel, “A Token of Love.” The story follows Amanda, an educator who leaves a job as an elementary school principal in Atlanta to teach in a 92-resident North Dakota town. Halverson was inspired by her experiences of living in a small town, and wanted to share information about the Dakotas, as well as “give people permission to do their own thinking about their beliefs,” through Miss Emma, a character in the book. 32

TOWNELAKER | June 2021

Jacob Rybak, his wife, Andi, and their son, Kelso.

Carter Graduates, Earns Marine Rank Jaidyn Carter, a member of the Woodstock High School Class of 2020, recently graduated from Parris Island and is a U.S. Marine. She was promoted to the rank of Private First Class and earned expert riflery honors.


TOWNELAKER | June 2021

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High School Filmmakers Take Top Honors

The Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED), in partnership with the Cherokee County School District’s (CCSD) Audio/Video Technology and Film (AVTF) educators, announced the winners of the third annual Cherokee Student Film Festival during a recent live event at Creekview High. Creekview seniors Jadon Deaton and Brighton St. Vrain, who have entered and won in at least one category in the last three years, swept this year’s competition. This creative duo tied or won across every category, including Best of Show and the coveted Audience Choice Award. “Being a part of the film festival over these past three years has not only pushed my love for film but made me realize this is my passion. Writing, directing and watching your film come to life is such a satisfying feeling,” St. Vrain said. Deaton added: “The film festival has had such a big impact on my life and has pushed us both to pursue film.” Both seniors plan to attend Middle Tennessee State University in the fall, and major in film and video production. Student films were screened on the school’s jumbotron, bringing new meaning to being under the Friday Night Lights as audience members cheered on student filmmakers from across the county. To adhere to social distancing measures, guests were invited to spread out on the football field and stands to view the qualifying student entries and awards ceremony. The Cherokee Student Film Festival represents COED’s second collaboration with CCSD AVTF students this year. While COVID-19 measures prohibited students from participating in-person for the annual Cherokee Student Film Summit, COED hosted an online Student Film Webinar Series featuring expert guidance from local and regional industry professionals. Through this virtual experience, students were able to ask questions and connect with producers, directors, screenwriters, and explore careers in film. “Connecting local students with Georgia’s film industry remains a key goal of our collaboration with the CCSD,” COED President Misti Martin said. “Challenging students through opportunities like the film festival prepares them for successful careers.”

Jadon Deaton, left, and Brighton St. Vrain.

2021 WINNERS Best of Show

“Alternate Deception” (Creekview High) Created by Jadon Deaton and Brighton St. Vrain, who also won: Audience Choice, Best Use of Prop; Best Sound Quality; tied for Best Cinematography with “A Caged Rat” (Etowah High School), tied for Best Use of Line with “A Caged Rat.”

Runner-up Best of Show “A Caged Rat” (Etowah High) Created by Connor Fisher and Jack Scott

Third Place *Tie* for Best of Show

“The Delivery” (Woodstock High) Created by Matthew Court, Bryce Jones, Rory Strickland “The Hegira Virtual Warp” (Etowah High) Created by Charlie Mohar, Ben Gilbert, Colby Pelfrey, Autumn Greenman A screening was held on Creekview High School’s jumbotron. 34

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Remembering and Honoring Our Veterans BY CHARLICE BYRD

As we embark on summer and make plans for normal festivities again, I am looking forward to spending more time with family and friends. I always enjoy Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and celebrating what makes our country great. Memorial Day is the day we honor and remember Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our country. I was reminded recently, while reading an article about Arlington National Cemetery, about how important it is for us to honor the lives of veterans and make sure no one is forgotten. I was struck by the sacrifices so many made to make our country great, and I was overwhelmed by an immense sense of patriotism and love for our nation. There is more we can do to honor veterans and their families in Cherokee County. The Georgia National Cemetery was established in 2006 in Canton. The 775-acre cemetery was donated by a private citizen in 2001, and will serve veterans for many years to come. The site lies in between Cartersville and Canton, near the Etowah River, and offers beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Lake Allatoona. The cemetery is owned and operated by the National Cemetery Administration under the U.S. Department

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TOWNELAKER | June 2021

of Veterans Affairs, but a nonprofit volunteer advisory council maintains the cemetery. Other than visiting, there are ways we can support those volunteers and the veterans they honor. Consider participating in the Wreaths Across America program and the Memorial Day Observance and National Vietnam War Veterans Day events. This program, and these events, are dedicated to making Georgia National Cemetery a proper final resting place for military veterans, spouses and children. However, it’s not only about supporting our troops and their families through the dignity of a proper burial and resting place; it’s important also to educate future generations about the lives of our fallen heroes. Consider visiting the Georgia National Cemetery this summer, during this season of celebrating freedom. I am so thankful to the brave soldiers who served our country, and to those and their families who serve now. God bless America!

Rep. Charlice Byrd represents District 20 in the Georgia House of Representatives. charlice.byrd@house.ga.gov


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Mindfulness Aids Post-Pandemic Mental Health BY ASHLEY VELEZ

Anyone else ready to get back to some semblance of normal after the past 16 months? Yeah, me, too. As COVID-19 restrictions are lifted in the state of Georgia and elsewhere, changing your routine to reintroduce daily activities that involve face-to-face contact requires cognitive effort, i.e., a large mental push from our brains. This can prove difficult when a large portion of the population may be facing a post-pandemic phenomenon called languishing, a term made popular earlier this year in a New York Times article penned by organizational psychologist Adam Grant. Grant describes languishing as a “sense of stagnation and emptiness.” This feeling materializes as muddling through your days, looking at life through a foggy windshield. He predicts it could be the dominant emotion of 2021, even as the pandemic has started to turn around in the United States. Languishing isn’t burnout; people who feel it still have energy. It’s not depression, either, because they don’t feel hopeless. It’s described more as feelings of joylessness or aimlessness. On the heels of Mental Health Awareness Month, a lot of people still might be struggling with the mental after effects of the past year. Burnout, depression and, yes, languishing, are all emotions exacerbated by the pandemic. What’s the key to battling the languishing blahs? Overall, scientists and researchers agree that practicing mindfulness, or even simply putting words to feelings, can help shift our brains from a languishing state to a flourishing one. Mindfulness is a type of meditation that involves intense focus on what you’re sensing and feeling in the moment, without giving in to the need to judge or interpret those feelings. The great thing about practicing mindfulness is, it’s simple to start and uses a combination of breathing methods and guided imagery designed to relax your body and mind, and reduce stress. These exercises can be done anytime and almost anywhere, whether you’re remaining remote or going back to an office. Managers can help employees as they tap into being more mindful about their work and lives by setting clear goals, giving employees time and resources they need, and verbally acknowledging their work and progress. Remaining flexible with work-life balance and leading by example also will foster trust among employees as they move back into their work routines. Ashley Velez is a digital marketing strategist, freelance writer and company culture advocate. She's a proud resident of Woodstock, where she lives with her family.

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before after

Setting the Stage for Success

PHOTO BY BRIAN NEJEDLY

Woodstock real estate professionals go the extra mile to get multiple offers and top dollar for clients in a competitive market.

Stager and designer Kyndra Hunter and Realtor Lindsey Haas at the warehouse. 40

TOWNELAKER | June 2021

In 2017, Jeremy and Lindsey Haas decided to take their successful real estate business to the next level. They acquired a warehouse, a moving truck, invested tens of thousands in decor and furniture, and brought in a fulltime stager. The experience and strategic shift immediately began to pay off for their sellers. Lindsey and Jeremy began transforming ordinary homes into a canvas for buyers to visualize their dream spaces. The home is the seller’s biggest asset; a successful sale requires more work than just hiring a photographer. “After years of working with buyers and sellers, we saw an opportunity to elevate the experience, and maximize profits for our sellers,” she said. “Buyers watch transformations on HGTV; that wow factor is what they’re looking for when they shop for a new home. We decided it was time to leverage our expertise and help our sellers deliver that experience to buyers. With our team, it doesn’t cost anything; it’s a complimentary, vital service we provide, and it always delivers a higher sales price.”

Staging is Vital

With each client, Lindsey walks room to room and creates an extensive plan of action that could involve anything from necessary updates and fixing inspection deal-killers, to staging the home. No detail is overlooked in the staging process, which can require just a few pieces of art or bringing in larger pieces of furniture, all of which stays through showings, professional photography and the appraisal process. The team stages occupied and vacant homes. Kyndra Hunter is The Haas Team’s full-time stager and interior designer. Lindsey describes her as, “the magic pixie dust that makes our listings sell for more money.” Kyndra visits each client to determine what’s needed to make their home a showstopper for the current market of buyers. Once Kyndra makes her list, she visits The Haas Team’s 3,000-square-foot warehouse in Woodstock, loads up the moving truck, and puts everything in place for a successful sale. Because presentation is vital to quick sales and stronger offers, Lindsey and Jeremy open

Sponsore


their deep network of qualified and affordable home improvement professionals to their clients, allowing them to see results without breaking the bank. “It’s heartwarming to know that the clients who have gone through this process know how important it is,” Lindsey said. “They tell me they would never think of using anyone else in the future because of the efforts we put into getting them top dollar. We truly create clients for life.”

The Haas Team

Jeremy and Lindsey have grown their business to selling between 75-100 homes per year themselves. More than 95% of their business is repeat or referrals. Some clients have become members of The Haas Team. “We have truly mastered the fine art of real estate and, without our amazing back office, we would not be able to smoothly close all the homes that we do with precision and happy clients for life,” she said. As a former college athlete and member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, Lindsey’s competitive spirit has served her and her clients well. She has received the Phoenix Award from the Board of Realtors for 10+ years of high production, and was named Community Hero by the Atlanta Braves for creating a nonprofit that provided prom dresses to disadvantaged teens. She partnered with the Braves in this effort, sending 39 homeless girls to a prom.

Experience Matters

One of Lindsey’s biggest challenges is keeping up with and adapting to market changes. She stays ahead of the curve with out-of-the-box thinking, which has resulted in her clients winning in multiple offer situations and getting the home of their dreams. Lindsey leverages her experience as a master negotiator at a time when sellers are getting multiple offers. “Now more than ever, it’s critical that sellers understand how to choose the right offer,” she said. She credits her consultative approach for giving her clients an advantage in this market, which is to recognize the right resources for buying and selling. Lindsey had a bit of a head start when she entered the industry. Her mother was a Realtor for almost 40 years. Lindsey describes her as a hard worker who knew how to get the job done. “I am thankful to have had guidance and

ed Content

before

after

support from my mother and mother-in-law, who were Realtors, and my husband, who also grew up in this business,” she said. “They empowered me to take the leap of faith and start this company 15 years ago.”

Dedicated to Community

Community is especially important to Lindsey and her team because they live in the Woodstock area. Their desire is to treat each client like a family member, and take every measure to assure their success, “because I know that my success depends on theirs.” “The most rewarding part of my business is the lifelong friendships I have made with my clients, the friendships I’ve made with my vendors and the satisfaction in hearing my clients are happy with my service and results,” Lindsey said. “My favorite aspect of being a Realtor is helping people and empowering them to achieve their goals.”

The Lindsey Haas Team 678-933-1962 thelindseyhaasteam.com

TOWNELAKER | June 2021

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Towne Lake Dining Cancun Mexican Grill

Johnny’s Pizza

Cheeseburger Bobby’s

Kani House

Mexican 4451 Towne Lake Parkway, #200 770-693-4680 www.cancunmexicangrill.net American 2295 Towne Lake Parkway 678-494-3200 www.cheeseburgerbobbys.com

China Fun

Chinese 1075 Buckhead Crossing 770-926-2671 www.chinafunwoodstock.com

Donovan’s Irish Cobbler American Irish 1025 Rose Creek Drive 770-693-8763 www.donovansirishcobbler.com

El Ranchero

Mexican 1025 Rose Creek Drive 770-516-6616 www.elranchero8.com

Family Tradition

Homestyle Cooking 4379 Towne Lake Parkway 770-852-2885 www.familytradition.net

GAMEDAY Fresh Grill American/Burgers 2990 Eagle Drive 770-693-6754 www.gamedayfresh.com

Izumi Asian Bistro

Thai/Sushi/Chinese 2035 Towne Lake Parkway 678-238-1899 www.iloveizumi.com

J.D.’s Bar-B-Que

Barbeque 6426 Bells Ferry Road, Suite 160 678-445-7730 www.jdsbbq.com

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Pizza/Pasta/ Salad 1105 Parkside Lane 770-928-9494 www.johnnyspizza.com Japanese Steak/Sushi 2455 Towne Lake Parkway, #110 770-592-5264 www.kanihouse.com

Keegan's Irish Pub

Irish/Pub 1085 Buckhead Crossing, #140 770-627-4393 www.keegansirishpub.net

KPOP BBQ and Bar Korean BBQ 1105 Parkside Lane 770-485-3055

La Parrilla

Mexican 1065 Buckhead Crossing 770-928-3606 www.laparrilla.com

LongHorn

Steakhouse 1420 Towne Lake Parkway 770-924-5494 www.longhornsteakhouse.com

Maple Street Biscuit Co. Southern 2295 Towne Lake Parkway, #160 678-903-2161 www.maplestreetbiscuits.com

Mellow Mushroom

Pizza/Pasta 2370 Towne Lake Parkway 770-591-3331 www.mellowmushroom.com

NaNa Thai Eatery

Thai 2360 Towne Lake Pkwy. Suite 110 770 -485-6008

NY Style Deli & Pizza Pizza/Subs/ Bakery 2340 Towne Lake Parkway 678-426-7004 www.pizzabymansi.com

Panera Bread

Bakery/Soups/Sandwiches 2625 Towne Lake Parkway 678-813-4809 www.panerabread.com

Peking & Tokyo

Chinese/Japanese 200 Parkbrooke Drive, #160 770-591-8858 www.pekingandtokyoga.com

Song’s Garden

Chinese 4451 Towne Lake Parkway, #320 770-928-8387 www.songsgarden.com

Tavern at Towne Lake

American 1003 Towne Lake Hills East 770-592-9969 www.tavernattownelake.com

The Place

Bar/Grill 1105 Parkside Lane 770-928-8901 www.theplacebargrill.com

Tuscany

Italian 250 Cinema View Drive 678-453-0888 www.mytuscanyrestaurant.com

Volcano Steak & Sushi Asian 2990 Eagle Drive, #100, 101 678-498-7888 www.volcanowoodstock.com

WOW Pho & Grill

Vietnamese 6242 Bells Ferry Road, #118 678-383-6099 On Facebook at: Wow Pho & Grill


TOWNELAKER | June 2021

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Thank you for voting! READERS’

CHOICE Award 2021

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Congratulations to our advertising partners who won! MEDICAL SERVICES

Chiropractor: Ribley Family Chiropractic Dentist: Baird & Baird Family Dentistry

Dermatologist: Atlanta North Dermatology & Skin Care

Lung and Sleep Specialists: Cherokee Lung & Sleep Specialists Obstetrician/Gynecologist: Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists Orthopedic: Pinnacle Orthopaedic Associates

Pediatric Dentist: Park Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock Pediatrician: Northside Pediatrics

Physical Therapist: Pinnacle Orthopaedic Associates, Stone Bridge Parkway Surgeon: Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists Veterinarian: Animal Hospital of Towne Lake

OTHER SERVICES Accountant: Kinsey CPA

Automotive: Alpha & Omega Automotive, Inc. Bank/Credit Union: Credit Union of Georgia

Business Support: Towne Lake Business Association Day Spa: Jian Kang Spa & Massage

Funeral Home: Poole Funeral Home & Cremation Services at Woodstock Landscaping: Po Boys Landscape Group

Mortgage Lending: Credit Union of Georgia Painter: Pike’s Professional Painting

Pet Grooming: Animal Hospital of Towne Lake

Photographer: Heather Stevens, Joyful Day Photography Plumber: Towne Plumber

Realtor: Ursula & Associates, Keller Williams Realty Partners Speech Therapy: Towne Lake Pediatric Speech Therapy

Travel Agency: Free Bird Cruises & All-Inclusive Resorts

RESTAURANTS

Barbecue: J.D.’s Bar-B-Que

RETAIL

Jeweler: Art Jewelers TOWNELAKER | June 2021

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10 Home Organization and Cleaning Tips BY JASON WILSON

One of the best feelings you can associate with your home is the stability that comes with knowing that everything has a place. Many people don’t realize how much stuff can accumulate over the years, and, when it comes time to move, it may feel overwhelming. Small, simple changes will help your home stay clean and organized.

1.

Get rid of paper clutter. Go paperless by signing up for online statements or electronic billing, and do away with mailed paper statements.

2.

Only keep clothes you love. Donate any articles of clothing that don’t bring you joy, or that you don’t wear.

3.

One in; one out. Donate one item for every new item that comes into your home for you or your children. This helps you purge continually, so that your home doesn’t get too cluttered.

4.

Eliminate sink stink. Run a couple of lemon rinds through the garbage disposal for an all-natural freshening solution.

5. 6.

Press the oven’s self-clean button. Let the oven work its magic, wipe it clean and, ta-da!

Use the dryer’s air-only cycle. Toss in your drapes and pillows and let the dryer refresh the fabric and refluff the pillows.

7.

Clean hard-to-reach places. Grab an extendable duster and wipe your moldings, light fixtures and ceiling fan blades.

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8.

Tackle plastic toys. Have your child’s plastic toys seen better days? Throw them in the dishwasher on a quick cycle with heated dry. They will come out much cleaner than they went in.

9.

Disinfect highly-touched surfaces. Have you thought about how long you hold your phone each day? Use a disinfectant wipe to scrub down your phone and make sure to remove and clean the case, as well. While you’re at it, wipe down your other electronics, remotes, light switches and doorknobs. These everyday items are the most touched, but, sometimes, the least cleaned!

10.

Empty your junk drawer. Over the years, an assortment of items collects in junk drawers in our kitchens and bedrooms. Take everything out and throw away what hasn’t been used or isn’t practical to keep.

These 10 tips and tricks will make an impact on your home’s organization. Consider getting your family involved, by starting a competition with a prize at the end. Implementing dreaded tasks, such as cleaning and organizing, creatively can turn these activities into fun, relationship-building time together.

Ursula and Associates (Jason Wilson and Ursula Butler) is a real estate team, associated with Keller Williams Realty Partners, that has specialized in Woodstock and surrounding areas since 1996.


Diagnosing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Early BY CHEROKEE WOMEN’S HEALTH SPECIALISTS, PC

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects 1 in 10 women of childbearing age. PCOS can happen at any age after puberty, but most women don’t discover they have it until their 20s and 30s. Elizabeth was diagnosed with PCOS at 23, even though she’d had symptoms since she was 11. Initially, Elizabeth’s periods were highly irregular and infrequent. In high school, her symptoms grew worse and included weight gain and painful periods. “My self-esteem plummeted. Although I was physically active and watched my diet, I was classified as overweight by my pediatrician, and I was noticeably larger than my friends,” she said. Elizabeth learned to deal with her symptoms, and hoped they would get better as she got older. They didn’t. Heavy bleeding and severe pain plagued Elizabeth during her menstrual cycle, which came only every three to four months. In fact, it was so severe that she couldn’t go anywhere, or even move during the first day of her menstrual cycle. She heard birth control could help ease the pain and bleeding of periods, so in college, she scheduled an appointment with the school’s gynecologist. The gynecologist performed an annual exam, including blood work. The results shocked Elizabeth – the blood work revealed that she had high testosterone levels. “You’d think this is when I would be diagnosed with PCOS, right? Unfortunately, my doctor at the time told me it would be useless to do further testing since, as she put it, ‘I didn’t want to have kids yet, and I was going on birth control anyway’,” Elizabeth said. After graduation, Elizabeth sought help from a new gynecologist and received a diagnosis. “Even though I had long suspected I had PCOS, it was a major relief to get a formal diagnosis. I was excited to finally stop suffering from my symptoms.” Her doctor discussed the different treatment options, and together they chose the best option for her. PCOS is not a health condition that can go away, so make an appointment with your gynecologist if you are experiencing symptoms. Discussing treatment plans with your physician is the best way to rule out other causes and manage and control PCOS.

New 󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍󰈍 Let U󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷󰇷 Applying for a mortgage or refinancing your existing mortgage has never been easier or more affordable with rates at historic lows. We specialize in personalized service, closings at your convenience, complete product offerings with flexible terms and low rates and fees.

Get 󰉍󰉍󰉍󰉍󰉍󰉍󰉍󰉍󰉍󰉍󰉍󰉍󰉍󰉍󰉍󰉍󰉍󰉍󰉍󰉍󰉍󰉍󰉍󰉍󰉍󰉍 Mor󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹 Cherokee Women's Health Specialists PC has seven physicians with offices in Canton and Woodstock. 770-720-7733. www.cherokeewomenshealth.com.

www.CUofGA.org

TOWNELAKER | June 2021

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6 How to Be a Tourist In Your Destinations

BY JESSICA FORRESTER

Planning a vacation can be overwhelming! Even so, it is important to take a break from work to spend quality time with your family. If you want to avoid traveling due to COVID-19 or if you are simply looking for a unique experience close to home, here are six staycation ideas in the Cherokee County area that will help make this a summer to remember!

1

Splendor Oaks Tiny-Living Glamping

Splendor Oaks Eco-Farm Homestead, located on Bells Ferry Road, is home to three unique glamping getaways, all less than 250 square feet. Guests can reserve the Stay Bird Bus, La Bella Bell Tent or Eden Treehouse through Airbnb. The owners, Kurtis and Dayana Cagle, have created an environment where everyone will feel at home. The lower level of the main house has a guest lounge with various amenities, and a “lake life” fun truck outfitted with kayaks, floats, fishing poles, a cooler and lake pass for nearby Allatoona Lake, which can be reserved at an additional charge. Visit www.splendoroaks.com/airbnbs to see photos of the property along with the links to the Airbnb listings.

Splendor Oaks Owners, Kurtis and Dayana Cagle, stand on the steps to Eden Treehouse with their two boys. 48

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2

Vintage Flights Aviation Experiences

3

Canton and Woodstock Walking Tours

Operating out of the Cherokee County Airport between Canton and Ball Ground, Vintage Flights offers unique aviation and sightseeing experiences in authentic World War II era aircraft. The aircraft are dual-flight control equipped, so you can take the controls if you are feeling daring. Vintage Flights provides unforgettable experiences and will definitely give you a new view of Cherokee County! Visit https:// vintageflights.com for more information on rides and rates to book a flight.

Historic Haunts: Take a trip back in time through downtown Canton, and learn about its history and haunts on a 2-hour guided walking tour that begins and ends at the gazebo. The family-friendly tours run from June-November, and are sure to captivate and surprise you. Visit www.facebook.com/ cantonhistorichaunts for more info. Downtown Tour Series: Learn more about downtown Woodstock by taking advantage of the free, themed walking tours exploring various aspects of the area. The guided tours are offered on the last Thursday of the month from March-September, and each month’s tour covers a different topic. RSVP online for a tour, two weeks before the tour date, on the Downtown Woodstock Facebook or Instagram pages. For more information, call the Woodstock Visitors Center at 770-924-0406.


Own Backyard Jim Lawrence, left, a Vintage Flights pilot with Randy Dotson after flying in one of Vintage Flights’ World War II training planes, the AT-6 Texan, 2018.

4

Geocaching in Boling Park

5

Polo Matches and Concerts at Chukkar Farm

6

Horseback Riding with Georgia Frontiers

Geocaching is essentially an outdoor treasure hunt, in which participants use a GPS or mobile device to navigate to geocache containers. The geocache containers, or “caches,” typically have a small notebook to log your visit and little souvenirs for you to take with you and replace with a small item you brought from home. There are geocaches hidden all over Cherokee County, but Boling Park happens to have three in close proximity, GC Codes: GC1H79N, GC5DC0 and GC6A26, hidden along the Etowah Trail System. Go to www.geocaching.com/play to download the free app, search by location or GC Code, and start finding! Chukkar Farm and Polo Club hosts polo matches at 2 p.m. on Sundays, May through October. These matches are open to the public, and are often held as fundraising events. The event facility in Alpharetta also hosts concerts on the first Friday and Saturday of each month, May through October. Check out https://chukkarfarmpoloclub.com for the calendar and more information.

Georgia Frontiers is a horse stable offering western-style trail rides from 1-2 hours. First-time or experienced horseback riders will encounter a change in scenery as they follow the guides across 150 acres of wooded trails on the property. Visit www.georgiahorsebackriding.org for more information or to call and make a reservation. TOWNELAKER | June 2021

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Allscans are Important to Maintenance BY DEIDRE PARKER

Everyone knows you need to change your vehicle’s oil at regular intervals, but many people don’t know their vehicle’s computer has a built-in diagnostic test that can alert them of future problems. These diagnostics are accessed through an Allscan. When performing an Allscan, automotive technicians connect to a vehicle’s computer with a special scan tool. This tool allows them to look at the general health of systems in vehicles that have sensors. Allscan data is invaluable in determining what type of diagnostics are needed to locate the problem. This information tells the technician what internal systems are experiencing issues. After interpreting the data, a technician can do proper testing of a system to isolate the failed part(s) on a vehicle. An Allscan should not be confused with performing actual testing or diagnostics; it will provide data on the system, starting point, or inform the technician what type of testing needs to be done, if any. Allscans report three different types of codes: history codes, present codes and pending codes. History codes are stored in the system from previous events; they are critical in determining the source of a failure, or the conditions that led to

a failure. Reading this type of code is one of the best ways to find a serious failure before it occurs. Present codes currently show up in the system; they trigger the check engine light on a vehicle and show that it is experiencing a failure that requires attention. Pending codes still are being tested by the vehicle’s computer. In this case, something is amiss, but the computer has not finished running diagnostics yet. The most expensive thing that you can do, regarding auto repair, is waiting until a small issue becomes large enough to cause damage to other parts or related systems. Having your vehicle regularly serviced is the best way to reduce your overall cost of ownership. Now that you know how the technology works, do yourself a favor and ask your repair shop if they perform an Allscan each time they service your vehicle. Not all shops offer this service free of charge, but many do.

"

Having your vehicle regularly serviced is the best way to reduce your overall cost of ownership.

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"

Deidre Parker, owner-operator of Chloe's Auto Repair, holds an ASE certification and has extensive experience in the area of automotive repair.


TOWNELAKER | June 2021

51


Selective Hearing or Hearing Loss? BY DR. HAIDEN NUNN

A common complaint I hear in my clinic is a spouse complaining his or her loved one has “selective” hearing. This term is used to describe a person who can hear fine most of the time, but tends to tune out their loved one speaking. It can be difficult to determine if it’s simply a matter of tuning out, or if it could be something else. Listening and hearing are not the same thing. For adults, especially spouses, it is interpreted as rude when no response is given to a question or statement. Sometimes your loved one simply is not paying attention, but in most cases, there is truly an underlying problem. The subtle, and not so subtle, signs of hearing difficulty tend to be more obvious to significant communication partners than to the person with the hearing loss. Some common signs your significant other may be experiencing hearing loss include turning the television volume louder, not hearing well on the telephone, answering questions with an inappropriate answer and asking for repetition or clarity. On average, people with a hearing impairment usually wait seven years before seeking help or acknowledging the issue. The reasons for this are usually due to financial concerns, self-image or difficulty with acceptance. If you find yourself in this situation with your loved one, suggest a hearing screening first. Hearing screenings

are less formal, and you can let the audiologist handle the recommendations from there. Going with your significant other to the appointment can make it less stressful, and “four ears are better than two!” Untreated hearing loss has been linked to other health ailments such as dementia, depression, social isolation, reduced quality of life and strain on relationships. The longer a person waits to manage and treat a hearing impairment, the harder the adjustment process. The auditory system needs exercise, and if it’s not getting the appropriate amount of volume and clarity it needs, it will decline. This causes a decrease in speech understanding, especially when there is background noise. Managing and treating hearing loss is the first step to effective communication, a healthy brain and getting rid of that pesky selective hearing. Reach out to your audiologist today for more information regarding your significant other’s “selective” hearing loss. You just might change their life!

"

Untreated hearing loss has been linked to other health ailments ...

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"

Dr. Haiden Nunn joined North Georgia Audiology in 2018. She earned her doctorate from the University of Louisville and her bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia.


TOWNELAKER | June 2021

53


Rob’s Rescues Help Sea Turtles This Summer

I was lucky enough to patrol the beach one night with an AmeriCorp team. During the nesting season, the beaches on Jekyll Island are patrolled every night. I saw a turtle nesting, which was an amazing sight. We need to make sure we are helping sea turtles if we can.

What sea turtles nest on Georgia beaches?

There are lots of kinds of turtles that are found in the sea off Georgia, but the Loggerhead is the only one that nests on the Georgia Barrier Islands’ beaches, like Jekyll Island, Sea Island, etc. Sea turtle season is May to October, so we need to be careful on the beaches at this time.

How do Loggerheads nest?

When a female is around 30 years old, she makes the journey back to the beach where she was born and waits for night time to lay her eggs in a hole she digs in the sand, then she covers it.

What are some threats to nests?

Predators such as foxes, armadillos, coyotes, birds, minks, pet dogs, feral cats and hogs are all a threat to nests. But lights are a major problem to hatchlings. Sea turtle hatchlings usually emerge at night, so they can make their way to the ocean under the cover of dark. On naturally lit beaches, hatchlings crawl to the sea by finding the brightest light in the sky. Due to artificial lighting, land is sometimes brighter at night than the ocean and hatchlings can crawl away from the ocean. Using red light on the beach at night is better than other light, but if possible avoid using any forms of artificial light.

Here are some tips to help nesting sea turtles.

• Walk without light or use turtle-friendly lights when walking on the beach at night during sea turtle season. • Avoid walking in the dunes. • Remove your belongings from the beach as they could be obstacles to sea turtles. • Knock down sand castles, and fill any holes you dig. • Don’t walk in front of a turtle, touch it or take photos of it.

Rob at a Loggerhead Sea Turtle nest on Jekyll Island. 54

TOWNELAKER | June 2021

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

Ashley and Emily Kalata and their friends recently collected pet food for Rob’s Rescues to celebrate their eighth birthdays. Celebrate an upcoming birthday with a Rob’s Rescues bin and help shelter animals in the community.

This dog is at Cobb County Animal Services, and his tag number is 628972. He is a sweet, 5-month-old, medium sized terrier. He is a stray, of course, because nobody would want to give up this dog. He also likes to wrap his arms around yours. He is very sweet and will always want to be with you.

This cat’s name is Whiskers. He is 2-year-old with no bad qualities. He was a stray and loves to cuddle. He will cause no harm in your life and bring only love.


TOWNELAKER | June 2021

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Discover the Coves on “Anybody know how to get to the falls?” “Where is Flamingo Cove?” “Anyone know where Blockhouse is?” These are all common questions seen on Allatoona Lake Life, a private Facebook group dedicated to the lake we all love. With 30,000-plus members, location questions are common within the group. Many of the coves have unofficial names and cannot be found with a simple Google search. This map was created to help provide a better resource for all who enjoy the lake. Coves, marinas and lake restaurants are all labeled. The frequently-requested location of the mysterious waterfall is also shown (although please be careful, the

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water is very shallow back in that area and is generally only recommended for kayaks and jet skis). Keep this map handy so you can always find the most popular, and most secluded, spots on the lake. The map was created by RCam Laser & Design, a small laser engraving, custom apparel, and personalized gifts company in Woodstock. Digital files and laser engraved versions of the map also are available. For more Lake Allatoona related items, please visit www.allatoonagear.com. — Randy Knibb


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Ideas to Please

DAD BY STACY BROWN

PHOT BY MICHELLE MCCULLOCH

Father’s Day is here, and with it the opportunity to show our love for our dads. There are lots of different types of dads, and there are countless ways to make them feel special. We’ve put together some ideas to celebrate a few different types of fathers in Woodstock.

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The Downtowner

The downtown dad always has the golf cart ready for a ride along Main Street. He loves dinner on a downtown patio, listening to live music and enjoying a little people-watching. A great gift for this dad would be new camp chairs for the upcoming Woodstock Summer Concert Series, or a Downtown Dollars gift certificate, available in the Woodstock Visitors Center and redeemable at dozens of downtown merchants.

The Mariner

This dad loves being on the water, whether it’s bustling Allatoona Lake or meandering Little River. He loves the sight of the sun’s rays shimmering on the water, or the spectacular sunsets at the end of the day. Make his day with a boat rental — you can treat him to an excursion on a ski boat, a pontoon boat, wave runners, or even kayaks and paddleboards. Go to www.visitwoodstockga.com/explore to find companies offering rentals at various locations in the area.

The Thrill-Seeker

While thrill-seekers may not be so common in other towns, Woodstock is full of them. That’s in no small part because of the mountain bike trails at Olde Rope Mill Park. Our trails are beloved by dads who love to challenge themselves, and get those endorphins speeding through the bloodstream as they speed down single-track trails. Consider a gift in dad’s honor to SORBA Woodstock, the group that tirelessly builds and maintains Woodstock’s trails. Go to www.sorbawoodstock.org/ donate for more information.

The Sport

Does your dad love a little friendly competition? Spend a day with him at Dupree Park. You can play a full round of disc golf, challenge dad to a tennis match, shoot some hoops, or score points on him in a game of pickleball. There’s even a stocked pond, if you want to see who can catch the biggest fish. Learn more about this great park at woodstockparksandrec.com. For more information on the many shops, restaurants and attractions in the Woodstock area, go to www.visitwoodstockga.com. An outing on Allatoona Lake or disc golf at Dupree Park are several options for Father’s Day activities.

Stacy Brown is the marketing and communications manager for the city of Woodstock. She can be reached at 770-592-6056 or sbrown@woodstockga.gov.

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When the Pat BY SUSAN BROWNING SCHULZ

Umbr Yvette Pegues and her hoofed friend Freddie. 60

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Do you ever wonder about those chance meetings you experience? For Yvette Pegues, such serendipity has been life-changing. “I fell in love with horses as a child when my best friend introduced me to her horse, Foxy,” said Pegues, a rider at Heaven’s Gait Therapeutic Riding (HGTR). “While I didn’t ride much as an adult, horses remained special to me. Decades later, after suffering a traumatic brain/spinal cord injury, which caused paralysis from the waist down, I was warned never to ride a horse again.” “Fast forward to when my husband met Kelly Rickard, director of HGTR, at our local DIY store,” Pegues said. “My husband’s curiosity spurred him to spark up a conversation with Kelly. He shared my love of horses with her. I’ve been learning to ride with the team at HGTR on my hoofed friend, Freddie, ever since. I’ve experienced physical, cognitive and emotional improvement both inside and outside of the arena. This experience has truly been heavenly and healing. I thank God for leading us here.” Divine appointments like this have been happening repeatedly since HGTR’s founding, in 2016. The organization’s mission is to provide emotional, physical and social benefits to children and adults with special needs through the use of horses and equine-assisted activities. Equineassisted activities include the use of therapeutic horseback riding and ground work in order to achieve goals that enhance healing of the mind, body and spirit. There is also a focus on development of the relationship between horse and rider. HGTR offers instruction through the use of PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) certified instructors. Rickard and her team love to help adults and children on the path to renewed health and vitality.


th to Healing is Paved with Hoofprints And thanks to a generous grant of a Hoyer lift from Andy’s Army Medical Equipment, riders are safely lifted on and off horseback. “Discovering Heaven’s Gait has truly been an answer to my prayers,” said Jenny Bruce, mom of rider, Emsley. “Emsley has been fighting cancer for two years now. When she started therapy two months ago, she was wheelchair-bound. Emsley has already advanced to a walker and shares a new enthusiasm for life. Although we spend many hours in medical settings treating her physical body, an hour on a horse every week has proven to meet her needs, both emotionally and mentally. She’s the girl I remember before the diagnosis of a brain tumor when she’s on horseback.” Perhaps you know someone who would benefit from the healing power of horses, like Yvette, Emsley or Skylar, another HGTR rider who said, “I wish every day was riding day.” HGTR offers summer day camps, where riders are led by trained, oneon-one instructors. While attending camp, riders will participate in the following activities: • • • • • •

Emsley Bruce with Cruiser.

Daily riding instruction Sensory trail stations Proper grooming techniques Barn chores Care of tack Games and crafts

Camp Dates

For more information or to make a donation, visit hgtrinc.com, or contact Kelly Rickard at krickard@ hgtrinc.com. HGTR is located at Alpha Equestrian Center, 2471 E. Cherokee Drive, Woodstock.

Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon June 7-11 June 14-18 June 21-25 June 28-July 2

July 5-9 July 12-16 July 19-23

Download camp applications under the summer camp tab at hgtrinc.com. The camp is $325 per camper.

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.

Miracle Brown’s first time holding reins. TOWNELAKER | June 2021

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Downtown Woodstock Dining Canyons

J Christopher’s

Salt Factory Pub

Century House Tavern

J Miller’s Smokehouse

Semper Fi Bar and Grille

American 335 Chambers St. 678-494-8868 www.canyonsfresh.com Modern American 125 E Main St. 770-693-4552 www.centuryhousetavern.com

Copper Coin Coffee

BBQ & Southern Sandwiches 150 Towne Lake Parkway 770-592-8295 www.jmillerssmokehouse.com

American 400 Chambers St. 470-308-6914 www.coppercoinwoodstock.com

MadLife Studios

Freight Kitchen & Tap

Partners II Pizza

Southern 251 E. Main St. 770-924-0144 www.freightkitchen.com

Gyro Aegean Grill

Greek/Mediterranean 180 Towne Lake Parkway 770-485-5236 https://gyroageangrill.com/

Habanero’s Taqueria

Mexican 9550 Main St. 678-498-8243 www.habanerostaqueria.com

Ice Martini & Sushi Bar Tapas/Sushi 380 Chambers St. 770-672-6334 www.icemartinibar.com

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

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Diner 315 Chambers St. 770-592-5990 www.jchristophers.com

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Southern 8722 Main St. www.madlifestageandstudios.com

Pizza 8600 Main St. 678-224-6907 www.partnerspizza.com/woodstock-ga

Pure Taqueria

Mexican 405 Chambers St. 770-952-7873 www.puretaqueria.com/woodstock

Prime 120

Steakhouse 120 Chambers St. 770-800-8049 www.prime120steakhouse.com

Reel Seafood

Seafood 8670 Main St. 770-627-3006 www.reel-seafood.com

Rootstock

Wine bar & Tapas 8558 Main St. 770 -544-9009 www.rootstocknow.com

Gastropub 8690 Main St. 678-903-6225 www.saltfactorypub.com/woodstock American 9770 Main St. 770-672-0026 www.semperfibarandgrille.com

Tea Leaves & Thyme

English Tea room 8990 Main St. 770-516-2609 www.tealeavesandthyme.com

The Daily Draft Tap Room and Bar American 8594 Main St. 770-783-2799 thedailydraft.net

Truck & Tap

Variety of Food trucks 8640 Main St. 770-702-1670 www.truckandtap.com

Vingenzo’s

Italian 105 E. Main St. 770-924-9133 www.vingenzos.com


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Around & About JUNE

1

Trailstory is a project created by Sequoyah

Regional Library System and Woodstock Parks and Recreation that provides families an opportunity to read a book and enjoy trails at the same time. Visit the Noonday Creek Trail from the Woofstock Park connection towards Highway 92 during June to read “Dragons Love Tacos” by Adam Rubin.

The Market at The Mill on Etowah is every Tuesday night on the green from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Support the best local makers, creators, bakers and artists. Details available on Facebook at The Mill on Etowah page.

2

Unwind Wednesdays features food trucks and

market night at Veterans Park, the first Wednesday of every month through October from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Follow the Revival Events Group page on Facebook for details.

4

A Kickball Extravaganza with Circle of Friends

fundraiser is set for 6-10 p.m. at Patriot’s Park, 1485 Kellogg Creek Road. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Circle of Friends. Register at www.acratl.com/kickball. For more information, email robert@acratl.com.

Downtown Canton First Friday is at 6 p.m.

May-October. It’s a historic Downtown Canton loop block party offering a car show, live music, food and good times. Find more details on the Downtown Canton Ga First Friday Facebook page.

5

Sacrifices Made is a Memorial Day tribute

sponsored by the Cherokee Veterans Community. Doors open at 1 p.m., the program begins at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Building A at First Baptist Church Woodstock, 11905 Highway 92. For information, email veteransministry@fbcw.org or call 678-570-5828. www.CherokeeVeteransCommunity.org.

Ground Festival and Plant Sale 10 a.m.12 4Ball p.m. Come celebrate the club’s 70th anniversary.

Large plant selection and supply. Gardening presentations and raffles. Guided tours of the Botanical Garden. Bake sale, vendors, nonprofit groups. 215 Valley St., Ball Ground (next to City Hall). For more information, www.ballgroundgardenclub/upcoming-events.

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Northside Hospital-Cherokee is holding a prostate cancer screening, 5:30-8 p.m. Pre-registration is required; call 404-531-4444 to make an appointment or get information on future screenings. www.northside.com. 64

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in the Park at 9 a.m. with Twisted 19 AMPED Cycle at the Northside Hospital Cherokee

Amphitheater. Part of a free monthly fitness series presented by Woodstock Parks and Recreation. All workouts are fitness friendly (meaning you don’t have to be super fit to participate). Participants will adhere to social distancing guidelines and restrictions from the office of the governor and the CDC.

Storytime Live! With Belle at 11 a.m. at the Park

at City Center Gazebo. Belle will read a story and pose for photos. Presented by FoxTale Book Shoppe and Woodstock Parks and Recreation. Free admission and socially distanced.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOLS June 7-11

Sutallee Baptist Church: Rocky Railway 895 Knox Bridge Highway, White 30184 6:30-9 p.m. Ages 4-18. 770-479-0101.

June 14-16

Canton First Baptist: Backyard VBS Join a team or host a VBS in your neighborhood! 1 Mission Point, Canton 30114 770-479-5538

June 21-24

First Baptist Church of Woodstock: Mystery Island 11905 Highway 92, Woodstock 30188 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Ages 4-Completed Fifth Grade Text “VBS” to 678-831-6489 to register.

JULY

6

A Built to Quit smoking and tobacco cessation course will take place at Northside Hospital-

Cherokee. Register online at www.northside.com, call 404-780-7653 or email smokingcessation@northside.com.

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The Inaugural First Responders Golf Classic will be held at Woodmont Golf and Country Club. Registration begins at 8 a.m. All proceeds support the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and Kennesaw State University’s Wellstar School of Nursing. Please visit www.cherokeechamber.com/first-responders-golf-classic for the full schedule of events.


FARMERS MARKETS Woodstock’s Farm. Fresh. Market.

Now open for the season on Market Street. Hours are 8:30 a.m.-noon. Saturdays through Dec. 18. Details available at www.visitwoodstockga.com.

Farmers Market at River Church

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays at 2335 Sixes Road, Canton. On Facebook.

Canton Farmers Market

Opens June 6 in Brown Park. Continues weekly, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 16. Details available at www.cantonga.gov.

JULY 4 CELEBRATIONS July 3

Independence Day Pub Crawl in Woodstock

The themed Saturday events will feature food and drink specials at downtown food establishments. Participants are encouraged to visit all of the participating restaurants.

July 4

Canton Fireworks

Fireworks begin at dusk at Riverstone Shopping Plaza (I-575, exit 20).

July 5

Woodstock July 4th Spectacular Parade, Festival and Fireworks

• Freedom Run 7:15 a.m. The 25th annual Freedom Run 5K, 1 Mile, and Tot Trot! • 10-11 a.m. parade starts at Woodstock Elementary School on Rope Mill Road, travels south on Main Street and ends at Sam’s Club near Highway 92. Rain or shine unless inclement weather. • Festival 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Great fun, food, arts, crafts, music, kids activities and more at the Park at City Center! • Fireworks 9-10 p.m. Lowe’s Shopping Center Area (Highway 92 near 575).

Rockin S. Farms. Photos by Abigail Peyton.

ELM STREET CULTURAL ARTS www.elmstreetarts.org

Through July 1

[Re]constructing Home is the first exhibition in the

Reeves House Gallery. This show will feature local and national artists with works centered around the theme of home and how we have rebuilt what home means to each of us during the past year.

June 9-23

How I Became a Pirate is a fantastic musical excursion

with a band of comical pirates: Braid Beard and his mates. Recommended for all ages.

June11

iThink Improv Troupe is back and ready to get its audiences rolling down the aisle with laughter, fully spaced out in the theater. Recommended for ages 10+ (content).

June 19-July 3

The Lasting Laugh is a new comedy series that brings in two Atlanta-based comedians monthly with Jessica It’s All Good as the host. Recommended for ages 12+ (content).

WOODSTOCK SUMMER CONCERT SERIES The free concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater. More details at www.woodstockconcertseries.com.

June 12:

Black Jacket Symphony will perform Tom Petty’s “Damn the Torpedoes” July 9: The Ultimate Queen Celebration with Marc Martel Aug. 14: Steep Canyon Rangers Sept. 18: Christopher Cross Sept. 25: Rumours, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band

LANTERN SERIES At the Elm Street Event Green in Woodstock; shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Check for updates at www.elmstreetarts.org.

June 5: Swedish Jam Factory June 26: The Foxies July 17: Scott Mulvahill July/Aug.: JigJam, date TBA Sept. 25: The Black Market Trust Oct. 16: We Banjo 3

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Don’t miss any of the library events this month. Last month, Woodstock Library hosted a Jedi training event.

What’s Happening at Your Library?

BY JOHN RODGERS

Have you started summer reading at your library yet? Animal lovers and book lovers — or, in other words, everyone — will want to swing by their local library in June and July for the 2021 summer reading program, “Tails & Tales.” Take part in a jungle-size celebration of free programming, featuring a visit from Zoo Atlanta and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park representatives, special storytimes and a chance to meet exotic animals and birds up close. Explore calendarwiz. com/sequoyahreglib for the full schedule, or pick up a summer reading program guide at the library. “While we continue to add new service hours at all locations during the phased reopening of our libraries, we’re excited to welcome the return of safe, and socially distant, in-person library programming, including storytimes and outdoor crafting events,” said Anita Summers, executive director of Sequoyah Regional Library System. “As you start donning your sunglasses and preparing for summer, mark your calendars to enjoy some classic library fun.” So, how can you register for our summer reading program? Visit Beanstack, the library’s online portal, where you can log the books or minutes you’ve read, post reviews, set reading goals and complete summer challenges. Get rewarded for your reading by tracking 66

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your activity on Beanstack for the chance to win concert tickets, gift cards, food coupons and more. All ages can participate in summer reading challenges through the end of July. Sign up individually, or as a family, by downloading the free Beanstack app or visiting sequoyahregionallibrary.beanstack.org. Speaking of free, have you delayed visiting your library because of fines? Our libraries are going fine-free to celebrate the 2021 summer reading program. Starting in June and running through the end of July, items returned to the library will not have overdue fines! Even if you can’t find your library card, bring your ID to your local library, and a staff member will be happy to update your account. New reading challenges and programming will be added regularly, so gallop over to sequoyahregionallibrary.org/srp for the latest on summer happenings and partnerships. Unleash the reading animal inside you with “Tails & Tales,” and we’ll see you this summer!

John Rodgers is the community engagement manager for the Sequoyah Regional Library System.


Add Reading to Summer Break Plans BY BARBARA P. JACOBY

My childhood memories of summer break tend to run together like melted popsicles. Hearing the warping ring as my dad assembled the heavily chlorinated, aluminum pool every May. Riding my blue coaster bike to friends’ backyards or to the corner store for the aforementioned popsicles. Cooling off indoors, often under my bed, and always with a book. We’d usually spend a week at my grandparents’ farm and a week at the YMCA testing our swimming and lanyard-making skills, but most of the summer was spent at home. That didn’t mean my mind stayed home, though. It wandered the world and through time thanks to books, some of which I was grateful to own, but most were borrowed from the library. I attribute my career and my continued reading “travels” to books and the teachers and librarians who fostered my love of words. Our outstanding school library media specialists foster that joy in students throughout the school year, but during the summer break, we’re thankful for our partners that bridge the gap. The Sequoyah Regional Library System and our media specialists developed the EZ Access Program this school year that allows Cherokee County School District students to use their student ID number as a public library card to check out books and materials. The existing process wasn’t difficult, but this program makes it even easier for a child to check out books.

The public library collections have a wide selection of everything from picture books to chapter books, teen novels to nonfiction. As my avid reader Charlie, who’s 9, recently was delighted to learn, the public library has the “cool” books his school has, like the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” and “Captain Underpants” series, and even DVDs to borrow! So far, we’ve watched “Flushed Away” and “Haunted Mansion,” much to his delight, with many more this summer, I’m sure. The Sequoyah Regional Library System’s summer reading program makes the experience even more fun with reading challenges and special activities. Details about this program and more are posted on the library system’s website at sequoyahregionallibrary.org. Another outstanding summer reading option is Get Georgia

Reading’s partnership with Renaissance myON. Through this program, students can read digital books and age-appropriate news articles online at no cost at renaissance. com/getgeorgiareading through July 31. Unsure about what books your children should be reading based on their grade level? The Scholastic Book Wizard at bookwizard. scholastic.com is an awesome tool, but nothing can beat the knowledge of children’s librarians, who encourage reading during the summer, or at any time of year. Barbara P. Jacoby serves as chief communications officer for the Cherokee County School District, and is a CCSD parent with four children.

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School News Students Graduate from Leadership Program Ila Prabhuram of Etowah High and Fawzan Khan of Woodstock High were among 29 high school students who graduated recently from the Model Atlanta Regional Ila Prabhuram Commission (MARC) youth leadership program. The six-month program offers students the opportunity to learn about issues affecting their region, including housing affordability, Fawzan Khan water usage and transportation options. The students had the opportunity to speak with local leaders and to offer their ideas to improve life for metro Atlanta residents. “I commend the work and collaboration these young leaders put into the MARC program,” Kerry Armstrong, MARC board chair, said. “The insights they bring to the challenges facing our region is refreshing, and make me feel optimistic about our future.”

Etowah Principal Robert Horn congratulates future educators. From left: Olivia Tafoya, Tori Cofield, John “Duke” Jenkins, Kayla Hix, Paige Alvarez.

High Schools Celebrate Future Educators

High schools are celebrating future educators by holding “signing day” events as part of Teacher Appreciation Month to honor graduating seniors who plan to pursue careers in education. Etowah, Cherokee and Sequoyah hosted the first round of special events, with more schools to follow. “Learning one of your students plans to be a teacher is an incredibly proud moment for an educator,” Superintendent of Schools Brian V. Hightower said. “I’m so proud of each of these students for making the decision to influence eternity by teaching the next generation. We hope to see you back in our classrooms in a few years to rejoin the Cherokee County family as a teacher. Congratulations, and thank you!” Etowah future educators include Paige Alvarez, Valdosta State University; Tori Cofield, Kennesaw State University; Kayla Hix, University of West Georgia; John “Duke” Jenkins, Kennesaw State University; and Olivia Tafoya, Georgia Southern University. Cherokee High future educators are Alyssa Baumaister; Caroline Burke, University of North Georgia; Adrianna Chavez; Reese Holcomb, University of North Georgia; Haley Kelley; Melanie Ramirez; Jessica Tzun and Payton Waters. Sequoyah future educators include Fairleigh Glen, Kennesaw State University; Erin Kudla, Georgia College and State University; Valerie Martinez, Chattahoochee Technical College; and Lillyan Novak, Reinhardt University.

Mercer Places in National Photography Contest Mill Creek Middle School eighth-grader Annie Mercer earned third place in the middle school division of the 2021 Jostens Photo Contest. Annie’s photo, titled “2020 Be Like,” is a still life of her “quarantine survival kit” from when all schools were closed in spring 2020. Annie is a member of the school’s journalism program led by teacher Laurie Taylor. Her award-winning photo will be featured in the Jostens Look Book 2022 and on the company’s issuu flipbook and social media. Annie Mercer’s “2020 Be Like” award-winning photo. 68

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Students Place at State Science Fair Eight students placed first at the Fourth Annual Georgia College K-5 State Science Fair. Clark Creek Elementary STEM Academy second-grader Rishabh Pandya earned the top award of Best in Show in addition to her category’s highest honor, Best of Physical & Computational Science. Clark Creek first-grader Ananya Das earned Best of First Grade, as well as the top honor for her category, Best of Biological & Environmental Sciences. “Congratulations to all of our state winners for their dedication to learning, research and exploring the world of science,” Superintendent of Schools Brian V. Hightower. “We’re so proud of you for your hard work and this impressive accomplishment.” The first-place state winners are Nolan Cason, fifth grade, Hasty; Cherno Cham, third grade, Oak Grove; Ananya Das, first grade, Clark Creek; Rishabh Pandya, second grade, Clark Creek; Zavier Reinhart, fourth grade, Hasty; Evie Sickbert and Andrew Sickbert, fifth and third grade, Clark Creek; and Naomi White, fifth grade, Clark Creek.

11 Seniors Named Georgia Scholars

Margaret Bradley

Emma Lambert

Holly O’Brien

Eleven Cherokee County seniors have been selected out of the 323 seniors statewide for the prestigious Georgia Scholar recognition, including Margaret Bradley, Emma Lambert and Holly O’Brien of Etowah High, and Noah Fornuto of River Ridge High. Through the Georgia Scholar program, the Georgia Department of Education identifies and honors high school seniors who exhibit excellence in all phases of school life, community activities and in the home. The scholars from our county are: Codey Borrelli, Creekview; Margaret Bradley, Etowah; Gabriella Christian, Creekview; Mackenzie Czerner, Creekview; Brinn Dameron, Creekview; Noah Fornuto, River Ridge; William Jones, Creekview; Emma Lambert, Etowah; Randall Miller, Sequoyah; Holly O’Brien, Etowah; and Kayla Pimpleton, Cherokee. “Congratulations to each of our Georgia Scholars! We’re so proud of each of you for your dedication to your studies, support of your school and care for your community,” Superintendent of Schools Brian V. Hightower said. “This is a milestone not only for these exceptional students, but also a testament to the excellence of our teachers and leaders and the support of our School Board.”

Oak Grove’s Polito Named Hometown Hero Oak Grove Elementary School Assistant Principal Ashley Polito has been named a Hometown Hero award winner. The Hometown Hero program recognizes individuals that make a significant, positive impact on a local community. “Mrs. Polito goes above and beyond every day to serve the students, families, faculty and staff at Oak Grove Elementary,” Principal Penny Valle said. “She truly loves and cares about our Oak Grove community as demonstrated by her passion for student learning and her compassion for families in need. She is a ray of sunshine to everyone in her presence.”

Assistant Principal Ashley Polito holds her Hometown Hero Award.

County High Schools Make National Ranking

Oak Grove’s first-place winner Cherno Cham with his project.

All six district high schools made the U.S. News & World Report’s “Best High Schools” list for 2021. Creekview led the county in the rankings at number 2,342 out of 24,000 high schools in the country and number 55 in the state. Etowah, River Ridge, Sequoyah and Woodstock also ranked in the Top 100 in Georgia of the more than 400 state high schools and fell within the top 15% nationwide. The magazine’s prestigious list is based on factors including academic performance, college readiness, graduation rates and success of disadvantaged students. The rankings include data on nearly 24,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. In addition to traditional high schools, the rankings encompass charter; magnet; and science, technology, engineering and math-focused schools. TOWNELAKER | June 2021

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School News

Student Wins Essay Contest

Bascomb Elementary School fifth-grader Willow Ivester is the winner of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) American History Essay Contest for Cherokee County. Her essay was selected as the best of the more than 100 entered by fifth-graders. She and the other grade-level winners were honored by the DAR Hightower Trail Chapter at a recent ceremony. Etowah administrators, board of directors and CCSD officials attend new baseball facilities ribboncutting ceremony.

Etowah Celebrates New Baseball Facilities A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for Etowah High’s new baseball concession stand, bathrooms and pressbox. Cherokee County School District (CCSD) officials, Etowah administrators, Etowah baseball’s board of directors, past and present, attended the celebration. “I want to thank our county and school administration for their vision and tireless efforts in upgrading Eagle Peak. Our players and fans love our new facility. It was great to have so many former board members, parents and players present to celebrate this special event,” Coach Greg Robinson said.

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Willow Ivester


You’re Invited to Art at Elm Street! BY JUSTIN SPAINHOUR-ROTH

We know you’re passionate about this fantastic community we’re all part of and the ways we can support, as well as uplift, each other! There are a lot of exciting things planned that we’ve announced (and some stuff we will be announcing later because we can’t give everything away). Trust us, it can get overwhelming trying to decide how to support our community. Here are some ideas to get you started.

UPCOMING AT ELM STREET Theatre

ON STAGE

1. See a show, concert or event.

Whether comedy is your thing, you’re mad about musicals, or you just want an evening under the stars, we promise there’s something for you to connect with and enjoy!

2.

Take a class.

It’s never too late or early to learn something new or brush up on an old hobby. Classes for ages 5 and up (yes, that means grownups, too) in improvisation, pottery and more allow you to meet new people, express yourself creatively, and have some fun at the same time.

How I Became a Pirate

Junie B. Jones

Musical | All ages

Musical | All ages

JUN 9-23, 2021

JUL 7-21, 2021

Lantern Series

UNDER THE STARS

3. Volunteer.

Have you been racking your brain for ways to give back to the community? Volunteer with us at Elm Street and join our community of “visionaries,” which is what we call our rock star volunteers because of their vitality to our vision and mission as an organization. They are the heart and soul of who we are and what we do. It takes a village, and we want you to be a part of said village.

4.

Audition for a show.

Got a case of the acting bug? Another great way to get involved is to join the cast, or crew, of a show. Be on the other side of the stage with a mix of comedies, drama, plays and musicals.

The Foxies

Scott Mulvahill

Alternative Electronic Rock

JUN 26, 2021

Pop Roots

JUL 17, 2021

Visual Arts

IN THE GALLERY

5. Be present.

No matter what you’re interested in, being at Elm Street is a huge way to support us, the arts, and the downtown Woodstock community. As you plan your summer activities, we hope you won’t be a stranger.

PLUS...

Justin Spainhour-Roth, marketing manager for Elm Street Cultural Arts Village, has a bachelor of arts in communication in musical theater from Bowling Green State University.

ELM STREET CULTURAL ARTS VILLAGE WILL BECOME

WOODSTOCK ARTS AUGUST 1ST

ELMSTREETARTS.ORG | 678.494.4251 TOWNELAKER | June 2021

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Towne Lake Area Clubs & Organizations

CHARITABLE

Ahimsa House helps domestic violence victims 24-hours a day get their pets to safety. 404-452-6248. www.ahimsahouse.org.

Anna Crawford Children’s Center, dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect through prevention and intervention services. 678-504-6388. www.cherokeechildadvocates.org. Bend Your Knees, Inc. raises awareness, helps children with pediatric brain tumors. Bob Dixon, 678-922-1560. CASA for Children has programs to increase safety and improve educational, social and emotional functioning of children impacted by abuse. 770-345-3274. www.casacherokee.org. CCHS Thrift Store accepts donations, sells used household items to raise money for Cherokee County Humane Society. 5900 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth. 770-592-8072. Cherokee Family Violence Center offers emergency shelter and crisis intervention, affordable housing, education, support services. 770-479-1703. Spanish 770-720-7050 or 800-334-2836 option 2. www.cfvc.org. Cherokee County Humane Society (CCHS) 770-928-5115. admin@cchumanesociety.org. www.cchumanesociety.org. Cherokee FOCUS works to improve lives of children and families through collaborative programs and initiatives. 770-345-5483. www.cherokeefocus.org. Cherokee County Senior Services offers educational, social, leisure and recreational activities for senior citizens. 770-345-5312. 770-345-5320. www.cherokeega.com/senior-services. Cherokee Young Life for high school students, meets Monday nights at Bradshaw Farm clubhouse, 7853 Hickory Flat Highway, Suite 104, Woodstock 30188. 678 653-5707. www.cherokeecounty.younglife.org. Community Veterinary Care provides professional veterinary care for pets whose owners have limited financial means. 678-640-3512. www.communityveterinarycare.com. Companion Animal Connection 678-493-9847. www.adoptapet.com. Everyday Angels offers financial assistance for local families in need. aaeverydayangels@gmail.com.

Green Shelters America animal rescue group. 770-712-4077. GreenSheltersAmerica@gmail.com. www.GreenSheltersAmerica.com. Habitat for Humanity North Central Georgia, 770-587-9697. www.habitat-ncg.org.

HopeQuest Ministry Group helps people with life dominating issues related to alcohol abuse, substance abuse and/or sexual brokenness. 678-391-5950. www.hqmg.org. HOPE Center offers support for unplanned pregnancy. 770-924-0864. info@hopectr.com. www.hopectr.com. HOPE Center — Seeds Thrift Store offers men, women & children’s clothing, furniture & other home goods. 770-517-4450. www.seedsthriftstore.com. Life Connection Ministries provides humanitarian relief in the form of wells and greenhouses to impoverished communities. Mission trips offered. 678-234-1798. www.lcm-ga.com. Matthew E. Russell Foundation establishes literacy and libraries in rural areas worldwide. 678-234-1798. www.mattrussell.org. MUST Ministries provides groceries, hot meals, emergency shelter, supportive housing, clothing, employment services, summer lunch and more from five locations in eight counties, including the Canton office at 111 Brown Industrial Pkwy. www.mustministries.org. National Alliance for Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots organization in America working to build better lives for the millions affected by mental illness. www.nami.org. Never Alone provides food and clothing assistance to Cherokee families in need. www.neveralone.org. Next Step Ministries offers a therapeutic day program, Saturday respite, camps and special events for people with special needs. 770-592-1227. www.nextstepministries.net. The North Georgia Angel House Girls Home, residential facility to help girls ages 12-18 learn selfsufficiency. 770-479-9555. www.angelhousega.com. North Georgia Pregnancy Center offers help and care to young girls and women with an unplanned pregnancy or who need counseling. 706-253-6303. www.ngapregnancy.org.

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

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

Fellowship of Christian Athletes challenges coaches, college, high school, junior high and youth level athletes to use athletics to impact the world for Christ. Steve Hyland. 770-789-7150. shyland@fca.org.

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

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

Safe Kids Cherokee County offers free child safety seat inspections by appointment. 770-721-7808. www.cherokeesafekidscherokeecounty.org.

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

SmileUp! Charitable Foundation works to get children involved in volunteering with local charities that help children. www.smileupfoundation.org.

Georgia Animal Project, based in Ball Ground, offers high quality, low cost spay/neuter services for dogs and cats. 770-704-PAWS (7297). www.theanimalproject.org. Give a Kid a Chance – Cherokee sponsors a yearly back-to-school bash, giving children in need filled backpacks to free haircuts. www.giveakidachance.org. Goshen Valley Boys Ranch offers a home, care and counsel to young men in the DFCS system. 770-796-4618. www.goshenvalley.org

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The Blue Ribbon Foundation fosters a national dialog toward finding the cause, cure and prevention of ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis), CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome), fibromyalgia and Lyme disease. 478-397-5542. www.theblueribbonfoundation.org. Volunteer Aging Council helps raise funds for seniors in Cherokee County. A list of current needs is available. 770-310-3474. www.vac-cherokeega.org.

SUPPORT

AA Meetings Canton: 9:30 a.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 7 p.m. Mondays at Canton First United Methodist, 930 Lower Scott Mill Road. Woodstock: 7 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at Hillside United Methodist, 4474 Towne Lake Parkway. 11 a.m. Saturdays at Woodstock Community Church 237 Rope Mill Road.Woodstock. www.aageorgia.org/14c-meetings.html. Abortion Recovery Helping those who have been impacted by abortion. 678-223-3519. Al-Anon and Al-A-Teen Canton: 8 p.m. Tuesdays at St. Clements Episcopal Church, 2795 Ridge Road. Woodstock: 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays Al-Anon at Hillside United Methodist Church, Room 2208, 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy. American Heart Assoc. - Cherokee Div. 678-385-2013. American Red Cross metro chapter 770-428-2695. A-Typical Parkinson’s Education and Support Group Meets 6:00 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month at Ball Ground UMC, 3045 Canton Hwy. in Ball Ground. Contact Norma Schmidt at 770-366-9585. Caregivers Alzheimers Spousal Support Group Meets: 12:30 p.m. first Tuesday of every month for lunch at Benton House of Woodstock, 3385 Trickum Road. 678-494-4500. woodstockinfo@bentonhouse.com. Celebrate Recovery, Christ-centered recovery program for all types of habits, hurts and hangups. Meets: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at Woodstock Church of the Nazarene. 770-366-7515. Meets: 6:30 p.m. Mondays at Sixes United Methodist. 770-345-7644. www.sixesumc.org. Meets: 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Ministry House, 678-459-2347. www.MinistryHouse.org. Meets: 6:15 p.m. Thursdays at 411 Scott Mill Road, Canton. 678-764-8660. www.celebraterecovery.com. Cherokee County Support Group for people with autoimmune conditions. Meets: 6:30 - 8 pm second Thursday at New Light Baptist Church, 1716 New Light Road, Holly Springs. 404-402-0571, 770-337-0294, jhmom88@comcast.net or christystephenson@msn.com.

SERV International operates the House of Hope orphanage in Africa, sponsors a clean water program in Dominican Republic and meal distributions worldwide. Offers mission trips. 770-516-1108. www.servone.org.

Cherokee County Special Olympics provides yearround sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. www.cherokeecountyspecialolympics.org. Cherokee Christian Ministerial Association for pastors and ministry leaders. Meets: 11:30 a.m. last Wednesday at New Life Church in Canton. 154 Lakeside Drive, Canton, GA 30102. www.cherokeeministers.org. Diabetes Support Group Meets: 9:30 and 11 a.m. third Tuesday at Emeritus Assisted Living, 756 Neese Road, Woodstock. 770-793-7818.

Timothy’s Cupboard, a food pantry associated with Timothy Lutheran Church at 556 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. Open Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment only. 770-591-5515 www.timothylutheran.360unite.com/timothyscupboard-home.

Grace Valley Ministries connects pastors through small group meetings, free counseling and a place to retreat. 727-251-7690. info@gracevalleyministries.org. www.gracevalleyministries.org.

Georgia Canines for Independence. 404-824-4637. gcidogs@aol.com. www.gcidogs.org.


Grandparents Raising GRANDchildren Meets: 7:15 p.m. second Tuesdays Transfiguration Catholic Church, Marietta (nursery available). 770-919-9275. Hearing Loss Association of America NW Metro Atlanta chapter for people with hearing loss looking for support and resources, holds free and informative quarterly meetings at the Senior Center on Arnold Mill Road. nwmetroatlantahlaa@gmail.com. La Leche League of South Cherokee Meets: 10 a.m. first Tuesday and 7 p.m. third Tuesday at Bascomb United Methodist Church. 678-315-7686. 770-517-0191.

Male Veteran Support Group

Meets 6:30-8 p.m. Thursdays at First Baptist Church Woodstock in Building "A" Room 260. Snacks provided. MOMS Club of Woodstock-Towne Lake momsclubofwoodstocktl@gmail.com. www.sites.google.com/site/ momscluboftownelakewoodstock. MOPS — Mothers of Preschoolers (birth — K) Meets: 9:30 a.m. second and fourth Mondays at Hillside UMC, 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy. 770-924-4777. Unlimited Possibilities, support group for stroke and brain injury survivors. Meets: 7 p.m. first Tuesday of each month at Kennestone Outpatient Rehab Center. 678-677-2589.

BUSINESS

American Business Women’s Association, Cherokee Eagles Charter Chapter. Meets: 6:30 p.m. on the third Tuesdays at Dynastic Buffet at the intersection of Canton Highway and Piedmont. 678-493-3618. Cherokee Business Network Meets: 7:45 a.m. Wednesdays at Chick-fil-A, 9728 Highway 92, Woodstock. 770-345-8687. Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Meets: Various times during the year. Schedule at www.cherokeechamber.com. 770-345-0400. Gini@CherokeeChamber.com. Cherokee Toastmasters Club Meets: virtually noon-1:15 p.m. every Wednesday. Meeting details are on their website. www.cherokeetoastmasters.com. Downtown Woodstock PowerCore Team Meets: 7-8:30 a.m. Fridays at Freight Kitchen & Tap Phone: 770-241-0373 www.powercore.net The Joy of Connecting Networking for Women Meets: Various times and locations. 678-789-6158. www.xperienceconnections.com/spotlight/ woodstock/. Towne Lake Business Association Meets: 12:30 p.m. third Tuesdays at Tavern at Towne Lake. 678-389-3887. www.tlba.org. Women of Woodstock Meets: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. first Wednesday of the month at Tavern at Towne Lake. info@womenofwoodstock.com. www.womenofwoodstock.com.

VETERANS SERVICE

American Legion Post 316 Meets: 7 p.m. third Thursdays at William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road. 678-662-2366. Cherokee County Homeless Veteran Program Contact Jim Lindenmayer at Jlindenmayer80@gmail. com or 678-983-7590, or Mike Satterly at 404-680-2412. Cherokee Veterans Community Support Groups for males and females meet on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Thursdays of the month at First Baptist Church Woodstock. www.cherokeeveteranscommunity.org. 678-494-2680. veteransministry@fbcw.net.

Woodstock VFW Post 10683 Meets: 7 p.m. second Tuesday at Woodstock Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road. 404-663-4663.

CIVIC & COUNTY

AARP Woodstock Chapter is for anyone age 50 and older. Meets: 11:30 a.m. second Tuesdays at Tuscany. Lunch is $15. 770-926-1944. Canton-Cherokee TRIAD/S.A.L.T. (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together) Meets: 8:30 a.m. first Tuesday at Canton Police Department 151 Elizabeth St., third floor training room. www.saltcherokee.com. Cherokee County Historical Society 770-345-3288. www.rockbarn.org. Citizen Oversight and Education 678-520-2236. citizenoversighteducation@yahoo.com. Firestorm Robotics FIRST Robotics Competition Team for High School Students in Etowah, Woodstock and River Ridge. Meets: 4-6 p.m. on Wednesdays at Cherokee Makerspace, 6436 Hwy 92 Ste 100 Acworth. 678-247-1972. www.firestormrobotics.org. Jewish Havurah (Friends) A group of Jewish people who meet for Jewish holidays, special Jewish events and Shabbat dinners. 770-345-8687. Kiwanis Club of Greater Cherokee Meets: 8 a.m. first Monday, at Hillside United Methodist Church, Room 2107, 4474 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock. 678-468-9900. www.greatercherokeekiwanis.org. Pilot Club of Cherokee County Meets: 6:30 p.m. second Mondays at IHOP on Hwy. 20. 770-393-1766. Lynda@edgoodwinassociates.com. www.pilotinternational.com. Rotary Club of Cherokee County Meets: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at IHOP on Highway 92. 770-480-4179. Rotary Club of Towne Lake Meets: Noon Thursdays at Tavern at Towne Lake, 1003 Towne Lake Hills E., Woodstock. www.townelakerotary.com. Rotary Club of Woodstock Meets: 7:30 a.m. Tuesdays at IHOP on Highway 92. 678-428-6514. Service League of Cherokee County 770-704-5991. www.serviceleague.net. South Cherokee Optimist Club Meets: 7:30 a.m. every Friday at Tavern at Towne Lake. 770-926-3522. Towne Lake Optimist Club Meets: 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays at Tavern at Towne Lake. 770-715-3375. www.townelakeoptimists.com. Woodstock Jaycees Meets: 7 p.m. first Tuesday and third Thursday at 216 Rope Mill Road. 770-926-8336. Woodstock Junior Woman’s Club www.woodstockjwc.org. Woodstock Lions Club Meets: 7 p.m. the fourth Monday of the month at The Arbor at Bridgemill, 700 Freedom Blvd, Canton. 770-906-2958. Woodstock Preservation Group 770-924-0406. http://preservationwoodstock.com/.

POLITICAL

Cherokee County Democratic Party Monthly Social: 1 p.m. first Saturday at Canton IHOP. Monthly Business Meeting: 7-9 p.m. second Thursday at Holly Springs Train Depot. Monthly Dinner Social: 6:30 p.m. second Thursday at Las Palmas, Holly Springs. 470-240-1529. www.cherokeedemocrats.com. Charles Ravenscraft, chairman@cherokeedemocrats.com.

Cherokee County Libertarians Meets: 7:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday at the Cherokee County Board of Realtors Training Center 1600 River Park Blvd., Suite 104, Woodstock. www.cherokeelp.org. Cherokee County Republican Party P.O. Box 1267, Woodstock 678-721-1969. www.cherokeecountygop.com. Contact us to verify meetings, time and locations. Follow us on Facebook and twitter. Cherokee County Republican Women affiliated with The Georgia Federation of Republican Women. Meets: Monthly in Woodstock/Canton. 770-592-7811. jkconkey@gmail.com. Grassroots Conservatives of Cherokee Meets: 7- 9 a.m. Fridays at Chick-fil-A, 951 Ridgewalk Parkway, Woodstock by the Outlet Mall. 770-294-0922. Republican Women of Cherokee County 678-520-2236. www.rwccga.com.

RECREATION & HOBBIES

Allatoona Gold Panners. Periodic events, outings. rrkelly@bellsouth.net. Cherokee Amateur Radio Society Meets: 10 a.m. on the second Saturday at William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road. www.cherokeehams.com. Cherokee Community Chorale 678-439-8625. www.cherokeechorale.org. Cherokee County Arts Center 94 North St., Canton. 770-704-6244. www.CherokeeArts.org. Cherokee County Master Gardeners 770-721-7803. www.caes.uga.edu/extension/ cherokee/mastergardeners. Cherokee Photography Club www.cherokeepc.org. Cherokee County Saddle Club hosts monthly meetings and group rides. www.cherokeesaddleclub.com. Cherokee Hockey In Line League (CHILL) roller hockey. www.cherokeehockey.org. Cherokee Music Teachers Association 770-720-1701. www.cherokeemta.org. Cherokee Soccer Association 770-704-0187. www.csaimpact.com. Cherokee Youth Lacrosse Association www.cherokeelacrosse.com. Firestorm Robotics Meets Wednesdays and Saturdays at Cherokee Makerspace, 6436 Highway 92, Suite 100, Acworth. 678-247-1972. firestormrobotics.org. Girl Scouts Atlanta Sherry Saunders, ssaunders@gsgatl.org 404-293-3511. www.girlscoutsatl.org. Kingdom Riders, a chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association in Canton. Meets: 8 a.m. fourth Saturdays at Family Tradition restaurant in Hickory Flat. Les Marmitons, for men interested in culinary arts. www.lesmarmitons.org. Neighbors and Newcomers of Towne Lake (NNTL) is a social club for residents of 30189 area code. 770-855-9623. www.nntlclub.com. Sons of the American Revolution - Cherokee Meets: 7 p.m. second Tuesdays at the Rock Barn, 638 Marietta Hwy., Canton. www.cherokeechapter.com. William G. Long Senior Center offers activities for seniors at 223 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 678-445-6518. TOWNELAKER | June 2021

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Cherokee Photography Club Congratulations to the winners of the April Competition “Different or Interesting Perspective!”

Color Print

1st Dean Kelley “Train Station”

2nd Eillene Kirk “Super Shooter” 76

TOWNELAKER | June 2021

3rd Daylon Thomas “Waterfall”


Monochromatic

1st Dayle Geroski “Soles Rising”

2nd Howard McNeely “Roof Lines”

The Cherokee Photography Club meets on the fourth Monday of the month, and for those participating in the monthly contest, that meeting is held on the second Monday of the month. Both meetings are 7-9 p.m. and held at the Cherokee County Arts Center, 94 North St., Canton. Please contact Kim Bates at 770-6177595 or email him at kbphotoart@comcast.net for more information.

TOWNELAKER | June 2021

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Advertisers

For advertising rates and information Patty Ponder 770-615-3322 Patty@AroundaboutMagazines.com

June 2021

ACCOUNTING & TAXES Accounting Connections, LLC O: 770-516-5987 C: 770-846-7799 www.accountingconnections.org

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Kinsey CPA 770-932-8989 www.kinseycpa.com

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Treasure Tax 678-888-4829 www.treasuretax.com

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

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Cherokee County Animal Shelter www.cherokeega-animals.org

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ATTORNEYS/LEGAL SERVICES

Imbriale Injury Law 678-445-7423 www.imbrialeinjury.com

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AUTOMOTIVE Alpha & Omega Automotive 678-483-5995 www.alpha-omega-auto.com

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Chloe's Auto Repair 770-575-8800 www.chloesautorepair.com

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Christian Brothers Automotive 678-904-9670 www.cbac.com/townelake

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Glass Magic, LLC 404-272-5109, 770-516-6414

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Polished Peach Car Wash 770-592-8102 www.polishedpeachcarwash.com

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BUSINESS SUPPORT INWDSTK 63 www.inwdstk.org

ANIMAL/PET SERVICES

Debranski & Associates, LLC 770-926-1957, ext 306 www.debranski.com

Woodstock Quality Paint & Body 770-926-3898

Towne Lake Business Association www.tlba.org

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FITNESS/RECREATION R2 Total Fitness 678-809-7833 www.r2totalfitness.com

Credit Union of Georgia 678-486-1111 www.cuofga.org

45, 47

(Cosmetic, Family, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics & Pediatric) Baird & Baird Family Dentistry 770-517-0444 www.bairdfamilydentistry.com

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FUNERAL SERVICES Poole Funeral Home 678-932-2097 www.poolefuneralhome.net

DENTAL

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FINANCIAL SERVICES Citadel Professional Services, LLC 770-952-6707 www.citadelwealthcare.com

CREDIT UNION

Woodstock Funeral Home and Cremations 770-926-3107 www.woodstockfuneralhome.com

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Dentistry for Woodstock 770-926-0000 www.dentistryforwoodstock.com Gentle Dental Care and Georgia Dental Implant Center 770-926-2784 www.georgiadic.com

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

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

ENTERTAINMENT

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JianKang Spa and Massage 770-779-9158 www.jiankangmassage.com

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HOME IMPROVEMENT & REPAIR Inside back

Park Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock 12, 45 770-926-9260 www.pediatricwoodstockdentist.com

Bryan Plumbing Services 770-826-5277 CFM Electrical Services 678-614-9661

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EDUCATION & RELATED SERVICE

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

Chattahoochee Technical College 21 770-528-4545 www.chattahoocheetech.edu/deadmissions

Dayco Systems Heating & Cooling 770-336-7888 www.daycosystems.com

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Childs Play Early Learning Center www.cpelcenter.com

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

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Mr. Junk 678-Mr-Junk1 [675-8651] www.mrjunk1.com

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KennedyMathews Educational Consultants 39 765-721-1212 www.kennedymathewsconsulting.com


Myst Power Washing 770-546-6028 www.mystpowerwashing.com

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PebbleStone 5 678-708-7894 www.pebblestonepros.com Pike’s Professional Painting 770-516-0045

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Scrappy’s Junk Removal 678-330-9282 www.scrappysjunkremoval.com

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That’s My Patio/That’s My Pergola www.thatmypatio.com www.thatsmypergola.com

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Towne Plumber 770-257-7503 www.towneplumber.com

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INSURANCE Allstate, Joe Parks 3 770-516-4011 https://agents.allstate.com/joe-parks woodstock-ga.html INTERIOR DESIGN Budget Blinds 678-540-1615 www.budgetblinds.com/woodstock

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Robinson Interiors 770-617-0683 www.robinsoninteriors1.com

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LANDSCAPING

Gyro Aegean Grill 770-485-5236 www.gyroaegeangrill.com

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Pinnacle Orthopaedics 770-926-9112 www.pinnacle-ortho.com

J.D.'s on the Lake 770-213-4127 www.jdsbbq.com

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Your Pie 770-627-2072 yourpie.com/locations/woodstock/

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REAL ESTATE & RELATED SERVICES Atlanta Communities, Shonna Sherrill C: 678-634-5581 O: 770-240-2005 www.shonnasherrill.com

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RETAILERS

Atlanta Communities, The Lindsey Haas Team Cover, 40, 41 678-933-1962 www.thelindseyhaasteam.com Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Tomlinson Team, The 770-365-6193 www.thetomlinsonteam.com

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Felber Home Furnishings and Decor 770-693-6985

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Capital Mortgage Solutions 770-450-9717 www.cmshomeloans.com

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Wild Birds Unlimited 770-928-3014 www.mywbu.com/woodstock

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Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists, PC 31 770-720-7733 www.cherokeewomenshealth.com

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Southern Sky Outlet 678-842-8411 www.southernskyoutlet.com

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PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL SERVICES

Cotton Mill Exchange 770-992-9294 www.cottonmillexchange.net

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EXP Realty, Jason Fleeman C: 404-643-7417 O: 888-959-9461 www.atlantatennisrealtor.com www.jasonfleeman.exprealty.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

Art Jewelers 770-924-3133 www.artjewelers.com

Broadus Realty Group 404-583-8856 www.broadusrealtygroup.com

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OPTOMETRY

11

Optimal Performance Medicine 9 678-250-0700 www.optimalperformancemedicine.com

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RE/MAX Town & Country Sarah Terrell 770-928-6525 www.realestateagent.net RESTAURANTS/CATERING

Coldwell Banker, Debbie Kiser C:470-225-5332 O:770-993-9200 470calldeb.cbintouch.com

Po Boys Landscape Group 404-610-7004

Governors MedSpa and Concierge Medicine 678-888-5181 www.governorsmedicine.com

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Brian Nejedly Photography 470-437-9339 www.briannejedlyphoto.com

Northside Pediatrics 770-928-0016 www.nortsidepediatrics.com

Clear Summit Realty Ken Jones, 770-842-4531 www.clearsummitrealty.com

Calvary Landscaping & Irrigation 770-720-1727 or 770-827-0346

Pearle Vision 770-790-0000 www.pearlevision.com

Northside Hospital Inside front www.northside.com/excellence

Life Balance Personal Care Home 11 C: 706-224-2125 O: 678-426-8187 www.lifebalancepersonalcarehome.com SPECIALTY FOOD The Butcher and A Baker 770-517-2225 www.thebutcherandabaker.com

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SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS

Homeowners Financial Group The Dean Team 51 470-863-7070 www.homeownersfg.com/location/canton Keller Williams, Ursula and Assoc. 45, Back Cover Direct: 678-569-4044 Broker: 678-494-0644 www.townelakeexperts.com Prosperity Home Mortgage 404-895-0641 www.lisaeifert.phmloans.com

SENIOR SERVICES

Goshen Homes 770-345-9535 www.goshenvalley.org/homes

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MUST Ministries www.mustministries.org

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Next Step Ministries 770-592-1227 www.nextstepministries.net

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Since 1996, we have brought relevant, uplifting and reader-driven content to readers. We publish Around Acworth, Around Canton, Around Woodstock and TowneLaker. We look forward to serving you, our readers and advertisers, every month. Thank you for your continued support and participation in making this truly your community magazine. At Aroundabout Local Media, we believe the world functions at the community level: diverse groups of people living in close proximity, sharing commonality of culture, values and local pride, developing safety nets for those in need, and helping each other to live richer lives. It is our heartfelt desire to contribute to the fabric that helps make a community happen. Through our magazines,

we aim to provide everyone in the communities we serve with uplifting, interesting information about the community they are proud to call home. We encourage you to send us your photos, ideas, stories or anything else you think the community would like to know about. It’s your community. It’s your magazine. Look on page 6 for our contact information.

OUR PHOTOGRAPHY PARTNERS We work with some of the best professional photographers in the business.

Jerry King J. King Images 404-384-2794 www.jkingimages.com

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Beth Fornuto Beth Fornuto Photography 770-846-3848 www.bethfornuto.com

Heather Stevens Joyful Day Photography 678-947-1200 www.joyfuldayphoto.com

Abigail Peyton www.apeytonphotography.com



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