Imaging Center locations for Heart Screenings: WellSTAR CARdIAC CT ImAgIng CenTeR AT 55 WHITCHeR STReeT 55 Whitcher Street, Suite 150 Marietta, GA 30060 WellSTAR KenneSTone ImAgIng CenTeR In eAST Cobb 1070 Woodlawn Drive, Suite 100 Marietta, GA 30068 WellSTAR KenneSTone ImAgIng CenTeR AT ToWne lAKe 120 Stone Bridge Parkway, Suite 300 Woodstock, GA 30189 WellSTAR ACWoRTH HeAlTH PARK ImAgIng CenTeR 4550 Cobb Parkway NW Acworth, GA 30101
WellStar
s g n i n e e r c S Heart Heart Screenings are currently available for $99 per individual or $149 per couple.*
SCHEDULE ONE TODAY!
WellSTAR CAnTon ImAgIng CenTeR 720 Transit Avenue, Suite 201 Canton, GA 30114 WellSTAR Cobb HoSPITAl 3950 Austell Road Austell, GA 30106 WellSTAR douglAS ImAgIng CenTeR AT PRofeSSIonAl PARKWAy 6002 Professional Parkway, Suite 120 Douglasville, GA 30134 WellSTAR PAuldIng ImAgIng CenTeR 148 Bill Carruth Parkway, Suite LL20 Hiram, GA 30141
How do I get a Heart Screening? For more information, call 770-956-STAR (7827) to determine if you are a candidate.†
* Prices available for a limited time. Heart screenings are self-pay only and not covered by insurance. † To qualify for a heart screening you must be 40 years old or older, have two or more risk factors, and not had a CT heart screening in the last four years. In order to provide you with the highest quality diagnostic scan there is a heart rate threshold for this exam. Please inquire with our screeners at 770-956-STAR (7827) for details. townelaker | July 2013
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July 2013
Volume 19, Issue 3
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54 Featured Articles
In Every Issue
22
Around Towne. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Tony Mele
A talented neighbor.
54 Graduation
50 & 51 On the Cover Ursula & Associates. Selling Towne Lake.
Local commencement ceremonies.
56 Woodstock Prom Pictorial
Memorable end to the school year.
Birthdays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Everyday Angels. . . . . . . . . . . 28 TLBA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Church Listings. . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Clubs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Elected Officials. . . . . . . . . . . 88 School Information . . . . . . . . 89
58 A digital version of the magazine, along with information on how to contact us, submit a story or photo, or advertise is available at www.townelaker.com.
Community News. . . . . . . . . .10
64
Alyssa Wenger
Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
A young lady with a bright future.
Community Numbers . . . . . . 92
Kari Wells
Advertisers Directory. . . . . . . 94
Bravo Married to Medicine cast member sits down for an interview.
Real Deals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Contributing Writers
Patty Ponder is the Market Director for TowneLaker. For advertising she can be reached at (770) 615-3322 or patty@townelaker.com. 2
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Peter Allen................................................41 Don Akridge..............................................16 Rick Coughlin............................................48 Michael Caldwell......................................17 Chicka Elloy...............................................40 Joni Gommo.............................................34 G. Lora Grooms.........................................78 Dr. Scott Harden.......................................44 Dr. Amy Hardin.........................................47 Kristina Havens.........................................74 David Hecklemoser...................................39 Shelley Herod...........................................38 Robyn Hohensee......................................32 Sheila & Kurt Johnson...............................18
Kara Kiefer..........................................30, 64 Dr. Mike Litrel...........................................25 Dee Locklin...............................................36 Joe Lemmo...............................................66 Marietta Plastic Surgery...........................42 Selvi Palaniappan......................................43 Bill Ratliff..................................................67 Doug Rohan..............................................20 Lynne Saunders........................................21 Lauren Sellers...........................................76 Dr. Doug Thrasher.....................................68 Jodi Tiberio...............................................72 Dr. Van Tran..............................................46
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AROUND TOWNE by Kara Kiefer
People Places and Pleasures that make Towne Lake
The , The The
What’s New?
Kara is the Editor of Townelaker magazine. She lives in Towne Lake with her husband Mike and their two sons Brandon and Garrett. Feel free to send your comments or questions to editor@townelaker. com.
Barrel and Barley Craft Beer Market opened at the end of June. The market offers a large bottle selection as well as 20 options for growlers, available in 32 and 64 ounces. Bottles are sold individually, allowing customers to mix and match. Barrel and Barley is located at 9010 Main Street, in the former location of Brenda’s House of Flowers. Visit www.facebook.com/ BarrelAndBarley or call (404) 2345589 for more information.
Paper.Scissors.Cake, a new children’s art studio, is planned to be open by July 1. The studio is located 6687 Bells Ferry Road, adjacent to BeesKnees Co-Op Shop (across from Hobgood Park). Children and adults can participate in “open art” at the art bar, held most days for an hourly rate. There will be canvas and plaster pieces available for painting, after-school enrichment classes and seasonal workshops for children and adults. For more information, call owner Adria Smith at (404) 8671630, email her at paperscissorscake@yahoo.com or follow the studio on Facebook and Twitter. Woodstock’s first dog park, Woofstock Park, is scheduled to open on Saturday, July 6. The park is located at 150 Dupree Road. For more information, follow the park on Facebook www.facebook.com/ woofstockpark. Hacienda Vieja recently opened at 290 Molly Lane (across the street from Lowe’s). The restaurant offers upscale Mexican cuisine For more information, call (678) 714-7024.
Friday, August 2 from 7 – 9 p.m. to showcase the changes. Visitors can receive complimentary services, consult with the creative team and take a tour of the salon. There will be door prizes along with special discounts on retail items. Salon Venessa is located at 8516 Main Street. (770) 591-2079. www.salonvenessa.com.
School Walk Through Times Bascomb Elementary — August 1 4th & 5th grade, 9 – 10:30 a.m. 2nd & 3rd grade, 10:30 a.m. – noon Kindergarten and 1st grade, 1 – 2:30 p.m. Boston Elementary — August 2 4th & 5th grade, noon - 1 p.m. 2nd & 3rd grade, 1 – 2 p.m. Kindergarten and 1st grade, 2 – 3:30 p.m. Carmel Elementary — July 31 & August 1 July 31, Kindergarten, 2nd & 4th grade, 4 – 6 p.m. August 1, 1st, 3rd & 5th grade, 4 – 6 p.m. Woodstock Elementary — August 1 All grade levels 9 a.m. – noon E.T. Booth Middle — August 2 Grade 6, 8:30 - 10 a.m., Grade 7, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Grade 8, 1:30 – 3 p.m. Woodstock Middle — August 1 All grade levels, 3 – 5 p.m. Etowah High — August 1 9th grade and new students in 10th – 12th grade, 3:30 p.m. Woodstock High — August 1 9th grade, 9 – 11 a.m.
What’s Opening? The Outlet Shoppes of Atlanta is scheduled to open July 18. The mall is located at I-575 and Ridgewalk Parkway (exit 9). A special VIP event will be held July 17. For ticket information on the event, please see page 12.
Who’s Celebrating? Dr. Kevin Spillane, orthodontist, is celebrating his 25th year in practice. Dr. Spillane opened his Woodstock practice in 1988 and is located at 335 Parkway 575, Suite 200. For more information, call (770) 928-4747 or visit www.spillaneortho.com. Congratulations to Salon Venessa, which is celebrating 22 years of business! In honor of this milestone, the salon will be refreshing its interior and will be closed July 1 - 8. An open house will be held on 4
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Summer Photo Contest is On! When you go on a vacation this summer, take TowneLaker with you. Submit a photo of yourself holding the magazine. Two contest winners will be determined by the contestant who travelled the farthest in the U.S. and in the world. Email to editor@townelaker.com. Mail in or drop off at 2449 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, GA 30189 Please identify where you are, city, state or country and people in photo from left to right.
Deadline is August 10.
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Community Board
Townelaker Publisher AroundAbout Local Media, Inc.
The TowneLaker Community Board consists of well-respected community leaders, from different walks of life. Our Board assists us in many ways including contributing to our magazine, judging our annual Trailblazer award and providing valuable feedback. Our Board consists of four members: Dr. Doug Thrasher, Colin Morris, Gay Grooms and Dr. Scott Harden. Dr. Doug Thrasher — Doug is the Senior Pastor at Hillside United Methodist Church. He has lived in the Towne Lake area and served at Hillside for six years. He and his wife, Debbie, live in Eagle Watch, and they have two married children and four precious grandchildren. Doug can be reached at dthrasher@hillsideumc.org.
Colin Morris — Colin is a freelance writer and stay-at-home mom to three children whom she describes as “two ninja sons and one dogloving daughter.” She and her husband have lived in Woodstock for the past 13 years, and she grew up in Marietta.
Market Director Patty Ponder patty@townelaker.com, (770) 615-3322 Executive Editor Kara Kiefer editor@townelaker.com, (770) 615-3309 Art Director Michelle McCulloch art@townelaker.com, (770) 615-3307 Digital Marketing Director James Ball james@trustworkz.com, (770) 615-3310 TowneLaker, a publication of AroundAbout Local Media, Inc., is a monthly community magazine. The magazine’s goal is to build a sense of community and pride in the Towne Lake and surrounding area by providing its residents with positive stories and timely information. It distributes a total of 16,250 free copies. Approximately 14,800 are direct mailed to homes and businesses and an additional 1,450 are placed in racks around the community. It also has 2,000+ digital viewers of the magazine online each month. TowneLaker welcomes your comments, stories, and advertisements. The deadline is the 10th of the previous month.
G. Lora (Gay) Grooms — Gay has been teaching, writing, directing, and performing in the Atlanta area since 1990. She opened the Towne Lake Arts Center — now the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village — in 2002. She credits her four now grown children for teaching her almost everything she knows about working with creative young minds. Gay can be reached at director@elmstreetarts.org
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 2013.
Dr. Scott R. Harden — Scott is a family dentist at Fountain View Family & Cosmetic Dentistry serving Woodstock and Cherokee County for 25 years. During this time, he has lived in the Towne Lake area with his wife, Kathy, and two children.
TowneLaker 2449 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, GA 30189 For Advertising: (770) 615-3322 Website: www.townelaker.com Powered by Trustworkz Inc. Publisher’s Website www.AroundAboutLocalMedia.com Volume 19, Issue 3
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YOUR LOCAL NEWS Bake Sale Benefits Golden Retriever Rescue of Atlanta Aisia Slaton-Laing, a recent graduate of Etowah High School, along with South Cherokee Veterinary Hospital held a bake sale benefiting the Golden Retriever Rescue of Atlanta. The bake sale was Aisia’s senior project, and more than $500 was raised. Golden Retriever Rescue of Atlanta (GRRA) is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to saving Golden Retrievers that are in need of new forever homes. To learn more about the organization and opportunities to volunteer, please visit www. grra.com.
Left to right: Aisia Slaton-Laing, Renee Erale, Lynette Brownlee, Randy Beck DVM, Amanda Garcia, Alexandra Grant and Michael Ivey.
Cherokee County Firefighters Place First in Iron Man Challenge Four firefighters with Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services placed first in the second annual Ironman Challenge. The Ironman Challenge is done in partnership with the Metro Atlanta Fire Officers Association and showcases the expertise and physical abilities of metro Atlanta firefighters in a head-tohead-skills competition. The event was a head to head heat with the two fastest times racing each other in the finals for first place.
Woodstock Native Named to UWG 30 Under 30 The University of West Georgia (UWG) Alumni Association has announced the first top 30 Under 30 list for 2013. Brittney Jorge, a 2005 graduate from Woodstock High School and 2010 graduate from UWG, was named to list. Brittney is the Community Director for the March of Dimes in Atlanta. She sits on the boards for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Pink Ribbons Breast Cancer fundraiser and the Tri Delta Atlanta Alumnae Chapter. She also serves as a liaison for CURE Childhood Cancer and St. Jude to members of the Tri Delta Atlanta Alumnae Chapter members and volunteers as a financial specialist for Tri Delta on a national level. In order to be considered for this list, those who have been nominated must have earned an undergraduate degree from the University of West Georgia and must be 30 years old or younger as of March 15, 2013. The nominees must have made a documentable impact in business, education, leadership, government, research, service or other area while also demonstrating dedication to the University of West Georgia and its mission of teaching, research and service.
CONTEST CORNER Congratulations to Emily Collins (right). She was the first to find our hidden picture on page 44 of the June issue. Congratulations to Missy Hugenberg. (Her daughters Elizabeth and Rachel are pictured.) She was the first to spot the phrase “Also on KSU Campus” on page 27 of the June issue. Both ladies won gift certificates to Canyon Burger Company and Chick-fil-A.
July Finds: If you know the answer to the contest question or find the hidden picture, be the first to e-mail editor@townelaker.com. Please provide your name, contact phone number or email address.
Left to right : Kevin Hamilton, Frank Madonna, Jonathan Gottfried and Alex Adams. 10
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Contest rules: A winner is eligible once every 12 months.
Find the hidden picture: Be the first to find the phrase: “Taster Tuesday”
WE SUPPORT LOCAL SCHOOLS, ORGANIZATIONS AND VENUES. BECAUSE CHEROKEE IS OUR HOME,TOO. Northside Hospital-Cherokee offers more than the latest medical treatments. Since becoming part of Cherokee County in 1997, we’ve been a devoted member of the community. We contribute to Partners in Education in Cherokee County schools and our physicians and staff have donated more than 10,000 hours of volunteer work to local organizations. In all, we’ve invested millions in local community centers, academic institutions and charity organizations in Cherokee County. We will continue to invest and support Cherokee. Because it’s our home.
Cherokee’s community hospital. Northside.com
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YOUR LOCAL NEWS Local Business Owner Becomes Citizen Biagio “Gino” Schiano-Moriello, owner of Taste of Italy on Highway 92, became a citizen of the United Sates on June 7, 2013. Gino lives in Woodstock with his wife Giovanna, who became a U.S. citizen in 2012, and their twins, Giorgio and Francesca. Gino has lived in the United States for the past 25 years and has been a resident of Cherokee County since 2007; he opened the current Highway 92 location of Taste of Italy in 2008 and has been an active part of the local community.
Outlet Mall Opens in July On July 18, the Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta will be open. Construction began on the project in May 2012 and originally was to open in August, 2013. Phase I includes 370,000 square feet of gross leasable area with an expansion potential for another 30,000 square feet. The mall includes a food court, court yard, customer service center and a children’s play area. Retailers include some of the best known brands and retailers including Nike, Loft, Left to right: Breanna, Wendy Coach, Carter’s, Famous Footwear, White Houseand Rachel Boling Black Market and more. On July 17, the mall is holding a special ticket-only VIP event. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds will benefit the Elm Street Cultural Arts Center. The VIP event will allow visitors the opportunity to shop before the general public, and enjoy entertainment and a special coupon book with more than $200 worth of savings. Recently, the TowneLaker held a give away on its Facebook page for two sets of VIP tickets. Wendy Boling and Hollie Queen were the lucky winners! For those who would like to attend the event, the TowneLaker is selling the tickets for Elm Street. The office is located at 2449 Towne Lake Parkway and is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. The Outlet Mall of Atlanta is located off I-575 and Ridgewalk Parkway.
Canton Mills Exhibit on Display The Cherokee County Historical Society will be featuring The Canton Cotton Mills exhibit through September 14, 2013. The Canton Cotton Mills were started in 1900 and operated until 1981, serving as a main industry and employer in Canton for several generations. The exhibit will feature photographs, documents and artifacts from the Society’s collection, including the original steam-powered mill whistle and gauge. The exhibition will be at the Cherokee County History Museum and Visitor’s Center, 100 North Street in Canton and is free. The hours are Wednesdays-Fridays from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
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townelaker | July 2013
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Happy Birthday!
Luke A. Foster Age 5 on July 25 We love you! Mom, Dad, Ryan and Jonathon
Chris McCulloch Age 14 on July 6 Happy Birthday! Love Mom, Dad, Bryan Schatzie & Cleo
Ellis Eilering Age 8 on June 25 Happy Birthday! Love Mommy, Daddy and Graham
Madeline Dodd Age 10 on July 18 Happy Birthday Madeline! We love you and are so proud of you! Mommy, Daddy, Madison, Mena and Lexi-Loo
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John Callahan Age 9 on July 9 Happy Birthday, John You are the best! Mom, Dad, Caitlin and Stephen
Kaaliyah “Kallie” Powell Age 1 on July 12 Daughter of Della and Tony Daddy loves you and loved spending my first Father’s Day with you!
Tanner Townsend Tanner Townsend turned 12 on June 26 Happy Birthday from Mom, Dad and Roman
Kinsie Rice Age 7 Happy Birthday! We love you!
Payton Rhinehart Age 8 on July 5 Happy Birthday! We love you! Mommy, Daddy and Lauren
Austin Herod Age 23 on July 18 Son of Shelley and Kirk Herod Brother of Dylan and Connor
Garrett Kiefer Age 18 on July 24 Son of Kara and Mike Kiefer Brother of Brandon Happy Birthday!
Scott Townsend Celebrating on August 1 Happy Birthday from Dana, Tanner and Roman
William Thornton Brooke Marie Bresnan Celebrated Age 6 in June Age 5 on July 11 We love you, Will the Daughter of Christina and Thrill! Michael Sister of Lindsay Cecile
Jake “The Snake” Brooks Age 7 on July 25”
Laurel O’Brien Age 9 on July 3 Happy Birthday Laurel! Love, Holly Kate O’Brien
Lucia and Gerard Hummel will celebrate their sixth anniversary on July 7 Happy Anniversary! You and Johnny are the best gifts I could ever ask for. Love you. Lucia
Noah Andrew Totten Born May 29, 2013 8 lbs 14 oz Proud parents Danielle and Tim Totten Proudest Grandparents on the planet Tammy and Kurt Totten
Anniversary Anniversary
John and Kimberly Sepe celebrated 19 years of marriage on May 21.
Birth
Birth
Anniversary
Anniversary
Celebrations Scott and Dana Townsend will celebrate 15 years of marriage on July 18
Linda and Michael Crow will celebrate their 25th anniversary on July 5
Maxwell Henderson Born May 10, 2013 6 lbs 14 oz Son of Tammy and Michael
Wedding, Birthday and Anniversary Announcements are Free! E-mail to: editor@townelaker.com. August deadline is July 10.
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SEP IRAs Useful savings plans for the smallest businesses by Don Akridge, MBA, CPA, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ U.S. Marine Corps Veteran – Emory University Alumnus
Don Akridge is President of Citadel CPA, Financial Planning & Investment Services founded in 1994 and located off Chastain Road between I-575 & I-75 in Kennesaw. Phone 770-952-6707.
Do you own a small business with a few employees? Are you self-employed? In either case, the SEP (Simplified Employee Pension) IRA may be the ideal low-cost, easily administered retirement savings plan for you. This is a simple pension plan using a traditional IRA. It lets you put aside money into individual IRAs for you and your employees with lower administrative fees and less paperwork than other types of retirement plans.
Tax-deferred compounding of pre-tax dollars. You contribute pre-tax dollars to a SEP IRA, and that has the effect of lowering your tax bill. The money in the IRA grows tax-deferred, and your business doesn’t pay any taxes on the IRA earnings. The assets can be invested in a myriad of ways. The traditional IRA rules apply. When you take the money out of a SEP IRA for retirement, you pay ordinary income taxes on it. (Should you withdraw SEP IRA assets before age 59½, you’ll likely be assessed a penalty with some exceptions.) Contributions are discretionary. Each year, you can contribute or not contribute to the IRA(s) involved. The amount you put into the IRA(s) can also vary. In 2013, you can contribute up to 25 percent of an eligible employee’s compensation up to a limit of $51,000. No catch-up contributions are permitted for older employees. A three-point employee eligibility test. Generally, employees of a small business are eligible for a SEP IRA if they 1) are older than 21, 2) have worked for the business in at least three of the five years preceding the year in which the IRA contribution is made, and 3) have received $550 or more in compensation from the business in 2013 (this can rise with cost of living adjustments in future years). However, the IRS states that an employer “may use less restrictive requirements to determine an eligible employee.” Employees covered by a union contract may be excluded from a SEP, as well as non-resident aliens who have not earned income from your business. All eligible employees must participate in the SEP, including part-time and seasonal workers and employees who die, quit, get laid off or fired during the year prior to their separation. 16
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“Sole proprietors, partnerships and corporations can all create SEPs. In fact, they may qualify for annual tax credits of up to $500 during the plan’s first three years, which can be applied toward the plan’s start-up costs.”
Starting up a SEP IRA is easy. You can open up one of these plans with the help of almost any financial advisor or financial institution. In fact, you can even have other retirement plans at your business in addition to SEP IRAs, and you can set up a SEP IRA for your small business even if you are already participating in another retirement plan at another company. Sole proprietors, partnerships and corporations can all create SEPs. In fact, they may qualify for annual tax credits of up to $500 during the plan’s first three years, which can be applied toward the plan’s startup costs. So if you have a small business or work on your own and you want a retirement plan that works for your future without a lot of hassles, a SEP IRA may be right for you.
Solving Georgia’s Water Problems by Liberating “Occupied Georgia” by State Representative Michael Caldwell
The Atlanta region has somewhere between 15 and 20 years left before demand for its most precious natural resource exceeds supply. With newspapers covering “The Water Wars,” lawsuits spanning several Southern states, and even a stretch of 68 square miles being referred to as “Occupied Georgia,” the issue has become very complex. However, historical perspective shows that 200 years Michael Caldwell is the ago, Congress and our state’s state representative for District 20, which leaders had already given us an covers Towne Lake and answer to the problem. In 1796, Woodstock. He can Congress ratified Tennessee’s be reached at (678) entry into the Union as the 16th 523-8570 or email State. Upon this admission, him at Michael@ CaldwellForHouse.com. Tennessee’s borders were set with its southern boundary falling on the 35th parallel. This was intentionally set to grant the State of Georgia access to the Tennessee River at Lake Nickajack, thus providing a trade outlet to the Mississippi River and a water source. The issue arises in the year 1818 when a survey misplaced the border roughly one mile south of the congressionally-sanctioned, mutually agreedupon 35th parallel. This misplaced border was ratified by the Tennessee General Assembly, but the State of Georgia has never ratified it. Since 1887, there have been ten attempts from Georgia’s General Assembly to rectify the incorrectly placed border,
including HR-5, which was introduced and passed out of the House of Representatives in 2013. The measure is now being considered in the Senate. While attempts to access more water from Lake Lanier and other sources could extend Atlanta’s water timeline another few decades, access to the Tennessee River could solve the region’s water issues for another two centuries. According to a study conducted by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the Tennessee River has at least one billion gallons of excess water flowing through it each day. This is water that is not used by any downstream stakeholders but contributes to the heavy flooding in both the Tennessee and Mississippi Rivers. Although Atlanta actually has more rainfall per year than Seattle (according to data produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), the natural bedrock on which the city lies causes it to run into the Tennessee River. Roughly 1.6 billion gallons of the river’s flow per day comes from north Georgia. If Georgia was granted access to Lake Nickajack and permitted to run a pipeline carrying about 264 million gallons southward (less than a third of the river’s excess flow), Georgia’s water issues would be solved. HR-5, Georgia’s most recent attempt to come to an agreement with our northern neighbor, is by far the most accommodating attempt thus far. It requests only that the 1.5 square mile strip of land between Georgia and Lake Nickajack be restored to the state. The remaining 65.5 square miles and its more than 30,000 residents would remain in Tennessee (without an income tax, which has been a sticking point in negotiations past). The measure is already meeting opposition from Tennessee’s lawmakers.
continued on page 82
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How Much Better is the Housing Market in Cherokee County? by Sheila & Kurt Johnson
Kurt and Sheila live in Towne Lake and are top producing, Keller Williams Agents. They are short sale experts and CDPE certified. www.KurtandSheila.com
You might have noticed that the media is finally reporting what Sheila and I have been writing about since February of last year. The housing market is in full recovery and, as a result, we are in a seller’s market. The reason is simple. Home affordability, mostly driven by low interest rates, is near the lowest level it has been in recorded history. According to the National Association of Realtors and based on national averages, the payments on a home today represent less than 15 percent of the median household income. This is both a good sign for those looking to purchase a home and for the economy overall, as consumers
“Home affordability, mostly driven by low interest rates, is near the lowest level it has been in recorded history.” are keeping more money in their pockets. If you are a seller, there hasn’t been a better time to sell in more than six years. The data below shows that the average Cherokee County single family home that sold January through May sold for 16.87 percent more money per square foot than a year ago in the same timeframe ($77.86/sq. ft. this year compared to $66.62/sq. ft. last year). The biggest improvement in Cherokee’s housing market is the upward shift in prices overall. The number of homes selling for less than $100,000 is down 49.85 percent compared to last year, while the number of homes selling for over $350,000 is up 48.24 percent. As a result, the average sale price of homes in Cherokee County is up $17,722.90 over last year, at an average of $194,723.80.
If the possibility of getting 16.87 percent more for your home isn’t enough encouragement, homes are also selling 22 days faster compared to a year ago. The average days on the market for a single-family home in Cherokee County so far this year has been 65.87 days. With continuing job creation, the improving housing sector, and signs that the banks are lending more, the near-term future looks good for both those looking to buy or sell a home.
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The Case AGAINST Purchasing Mandatory Minimum Insurance Coverage by Douglas B. Rohan, Esq. ROHAN LAW, PC
The State of Georgia presently requires mandatory minimum coverage of 25/50/25. This means that you must have $25,000 in coverage for bodily injury to one individual with coverage up to $50,000 for multiple parties. The last number refers to property damage coverage; in the above example, that would be $25,000. The rapidly escalating cost of medical treatment means that Doug Rohan is a bi$25,000 will likely cover only lingual attorney and an initial visit to the emergency owner of Rohan Law, PC specializing in auto room. X-rays are cheap, but accidents, workplace CT-scans and MRIs are very injuries and criminal expensive. defense. You can In one recent case, a cyclist email him at doug@ broke his neck after colliding rohanlawpc.com. with a vehicle. Within the first 60 days, the medical bills had already exceeded $100,000. Fortunately, the family accused of being the at-fault party had 100/300/100 coverage. While that seems like a lot, they are still exposed to the real possibility of not being able to resolve the claim for their policy limits, thereby risking their personal fortune and wealth. For those who are counting down the months to retirement, being held liable in a lawsuit for significant damages could place your retirement plans at risk. This risk also holds true for parents of new teen drivers, who are at an increased risk of getting into an accident. Most accidents do not involve any injury. But in those cases where there is a significant injury, mandatory minimums are simply not adequate. This is especially true of the affluent Towne Lake residents. The primary protection that someone has against being sued personally is having negative net worth. Laws protect your home and your business against collection for your personal liabilities, but your liquid assets are always at risk as is your second home, vacation property and potentially the equity you have established in your first home. So after all these dire warnings, what should the average TowneLaker reader do? There are four different aspects to protecting yourself, and you should schedule a sit-down meeting to go over your particular situation with your agent to see what combination of protection is right for you. Here are four things you should address: Policy Limits: My personal feeling is that it is irresponsible to carry less than 100/300/100 coverage. Do not let your
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budget dictate lower coverage because in the end you could end up getting wiped out. Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage: According to recent studies, one in six Georgia drivers are uninsured. This means that if the uninsured driver is at fault, you are likely to see $0 from him or her. If he or she has money, insurance would have been purchased. If he or she can’t afford minimal coverage, he or she darn sure can’t afford your medical bills. By purchasing uninsured and underinsured coverage, you are hedging your bets against a serious injury. Stackable Policies: Once you obtain the UM coverage, make sure that the policy is “stackable.” In some cases, the insurance company tries to save money by designating your UM coverage as “off set” by the at-fault party’s coverage. You should not agree to an “off set policy.” To demonstrate why this is a bad idea, follow this example: You are in an accident that results in $100,000 in medical expenses. The at-fault driver had $50,000 in coverage. You have $50,000 in UM coverage. If your UM coverage is “off set,” then you will get $0 UM coverage, because your $50,000 was offset by the at fault driver’s $50,000. That leaves you in a position where you will have unpaid medical bills and have to negotiate a reduction, with the balance coming out of your pocket. A “stackable” policy will add the $50,000 from your policy on top of the at fault driver’s policy to provide you with $100,000 in coverage. Umbrella Policy: If you have significant assets or you have significant earning power over your career, you should strongly consider obtaining an umbrella policy. In my career with my earning potential, someone would be more than happy to garnish my wages for the next 20 years to pay his or her medical bills. The same goes for doctors, high dollar real estate professionals or other Towne Lake residents who anticipate earning significant wealth. As soon as the injured party finds out I am a business owner and lawyer, I will have a bull’s eye on my 401k and checking accounts. Therefore, I have a $2 million umbrella policy that covers my auto and home policy for any catastrophic damages for which I might be responsible. Umbrella policies are dirt-cheap and provide a significant hedge against any major accidents. While it is unlikely that I will ever need such coverage, the fact that I have the policy in place helps me sleep at night. I have represented several clients whose damages exceeded $1 million. Those types of accidents do happen, rare though they may be. Schedule an insurance tune up with your agent and discuss what would best suit your needs.
Working Your Sphere of Influence by Lynne Saunders
The heat is on! These words are more than just 1980s lyrics from Glenn Frey. If you are looking for a job and having trouble doing so, this is truly your mantra. The heat is on when major bills need to be paid and day-to-day and week-to-week expenses need attention. Summertime offers different job search techniques that should be utilized! Most people are generally stuck sitting behind a computer pumping their one-size-fits-all Lynne is the director of resume to any company advertising Papa’s Pantry and the MastersTrainingCenter. any open position. As I teach in com, and she is an employment workshops, searching author. She can be online for specific industries and reached at (770) 591job descriptions early in the process 4730 or visit www. provides great research and is papaspantry.org. encouraged! This helps the seeker to identify matched qualifications, words and phrases that will appeal to the hiring employer. However, this should never be the only strategy. When the season’s temperatures are at extreme highs or lows, thinking smarter (temperature controlled) vs. harder (pounding the pavement in extreme weather circumstances) is in order. Everyone has a “sphere of influence,” which consists of the people you know. They know you and are able to be a cheerleader for you and network on your behalf. Begin by creating a list of everyone you know. You may choose to start with a list of categories in which to place each
“As I teach in employment workshops, searching online for specific industries and job descriptions early in the process provides great research and is encouraged!” name. Think of past colleagues, neighbors, people in church, civic group members, kids’ teachers, scout troop leaders, friends’ parents, etc. Write these names down! I call this the “List of 100.” If 100 is an easy number to achieve, then increase the list by challenges of 50. The goal is to examine and stretch your mind to include everyone. Next, determine who out of that exhaustive list knows more people and who has his or her own sphere of influence. These are the people to concentrate on first! Resist feeling guilty for of using the relationship. Once you have determined the top few with the biggest sphere, create your marketing campaign. This is the time to invite your “top sphere” to meet, individually. Phone calls and email are for amateurs at this point. Face-to-face encounters sell. Meet for breakfast before the work begins or coffee midday. If a meeting isn’t possible, then schedule a phone call. Enthusiastically explain your qualifications and the job you look forward to tapping into. Ask if he or she knows of available positions within his or her company. Don’t be shy! Ask him or her to forward your qualifications and resume to his or her sphere. Do not appear desperate. You are an expert in your field. Own it and be confident.
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feature
You Never Know What Can Happen The Tony Mele Story
To many who know Towne Lake resident Tony Mele, they see a golf professional and instructor. His wife, Donna, has worked at the front office of Bascomb Elementary School for 11 years. They have two children, son Sam, who will be a freshman at KSU in the fall and daughter Alexa, who will be a junior at Etowah High School. What many may not know about Tony is that he is a singer, and a really good one. But it took a night of singing with a “life changer” in the audience to convince Tony he had true talent. Tony was attending Miami Dade Junior College on a basketball scholarship, and after college, he worked at a local lounge as bartender and manager. On one of his off nights, Tony accepted a dare and went onstage to sing with a live band. After his last song, he was approached by Red Pollack, a major player at the famed William Morris talent agency. Red was interested in Tony’s talent, but Tony didn’t take him seriously. In fact, it took some persistence on Red’s part to convince Tony to pursue a career in singing. Tony’s father gave him the following advice- “What do you have to lose? You never know what can happen!” At Red’s fourth invitation, Tony packed his bags and headed to New York City to study with one of the best vocal coaches at the time, Marty Lawrence. For the next 11 months, Tony trained every day with Marty, and Tony got a manager and started singing at clubs throughout the U.S. His first major break came when he opened for Redd Fox and ended up being the warm up act for singer John Davidson. John was impressed by Tony and invited him to attend his Singer Summer Camp for four months. Out of the 2,500 students at the camp, Tony was chosen to represent the camp school and travel with John for a year as a protégé. Tony was relaxing during a short hiatus from the tour when John called him to 22
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ask if he would be interested in doing the Merv Griffin show from Las Vegas. Without hesitation, Tony boarded a plane and started rehearsals the next day. For Tony, meeting Merv was extremely intimidating, and he recalled the only thing Merv said to him was, “What song are you going to sing?” Merv explained to Tony that he would sing one song and then be interviewed, so the “world could get to know him.” Tony chose to sing the Englebert Humperdink song, “I Can’t Live a Dream.” It turned out that Englebert was working down the street and wanted to hear this newcomer sing his song. “Englebert was the ONE guy I wanted to sound like,” Tony said. Englebert not only came to hear the song, but absolutely loved Tony’s rendition. And as Tony said, “The rest was history.” Tony proceeded to perform throughout the U.S. with some of the best comedians at the time for the next 14 years. But eventually, large productions began to replace headline acts, and Tony found himself with less and less work. Eventually, he gave up the singing life and moved to Georgia, where he met and married Donna. After several years of raising children and teaching golf, Tony got the itch to sing again, and was hired to be the lead vocalist with the group City Beat. Eventually, Tony wanted to be out on his own, and he currently performs at ICE Martini Bar on Wednesday and Friday nights and at Maxwell’s Cigar Bar on Saturday nights. He also has his own entertainment company, One Voice Entertainment (www.onevoiceentertainment. net), where he is available for private events, weddings and restaurant appearances. This month, he also will be performing at ICE in two Ratpack Dinner Shows on July 10 and 24. For reservations, call (770) 672-6334.
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community
july EVENT CALENDAR Ongoing through August
July 19
St. Michael the Archangel Preschool Registration Location: 490 Arnold Mill Road Information: For ages two to five. Visit saintmichaelcc.org or call (678) 213-1517.
Towne Lake Community Church Preschool Open House Time: 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Location: 132 North Medical Parkway Information: For ages 2 through Pre-K. Call (678) 445-8766 ext. 203 or email preschool@tlcchurch.com.
July 8 – July 26 TLC Church Summer Camp Time: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Location: Towne Lake Community Church, 132 North Medical Parkway Information: $85/week. Call (678) 445-8766 ext. 203 or email camp@tlcchurch.com.
July 16 & 25 Lose Weight Without Dieting with Gastric Band Hypnosis Time: 7 – 8:30 p.m. Location: Georgia Hypnotherapy Associates, 6478 Putnam Ford Drive, Suite 125 Information: Advanced registration required. Call (678) 9387274 and leave date, phone and number of attendees. Visit www.VirtualGastricBandGeorgia.com.
July 18 Etowah Touchdown Club Golf Tournament Time: 7:30 a.m. registration, Shotgun start 9 a.m. Location: Towne Lake Hills Golf Club Information: Jim.Arnold@Orasi.com, (404) 218-6121. Sponsors and golfers needed.
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July 19 Youth Night for Community Time: 7 – 9 p.m. Location: Towne Lake Community Church, 132 North Medical Parkway Information: For all middle and high school students. Call (678) 445-8766 ext. 203 or email youth@tlcchurch.com.
July 20
Dive-In Movies at the Aquatic Center Time: 6-8 p.m. Location: Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1200 Gresham Mill Parkway, Holly Springs Information: Movies will be shown at the indoor pool. Bring your own noodles or clear inner tubes or use a float provided by the Aquatic Center. Call (678) 880-4760 or visit www.crpa.net.
July 30
Candidate Forum/Meet and Greet Time: 6:30 p.m. Location: Cagle’s Family Farm, 362 Stringer Road, Canton Information: All local, state and national candidates running for office in 2013 are invited to attend. To RSVP, please call the Cherokee County Farm Bureau at (770) 479-1481 ext. 0.
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lifestyle
Talladega Time by Mike Litrel, MD
One False Move Recently, my son Tyler and I went to Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama to drive a NASCAR race car in celebration of his 19th birthday. Under the watchful eye of a professional driver in the passenger seat, we took turns driving a racecar around the world’s fastest track. Standing 5 stories high and banked at 33 degrees, the Talladega track allowed us to reach speeds Dr. Mike Litrel is a national that topped 170 miles per hour. speaker and author on the faith-health connection Driving that fast felt just like my and a board certified OB/ early experiences in the operating GYN and specialist in pelvic room; I was both exhilarated and reconstructive surgery at frightened. One false move would Cherokee Women’s Health spell disaster. Specialists. Dr. Litrel can be reached via his website When I was a young doctor, the www.mikelitrelmd.com drama of life-and-death situations appealed to me. Adrenaline coursed through my body as I directed the operating room team, scalpel in hand, barking out orders like a sergeant to his troops under enemy fire. I think as a young man I enjoyed feeling important. I’ve never liked braggarts, so I hope I projected some modesty. I was charged up by the drama and my role in it, and in retrospect, I suspect I swaggered around the operating room despite myself. Nowadays, I never swagger, and I don’t feel important either. Mostly I am highly concerned to the point of being terrified. Racing To Save a Life Recently, a call from the delivery room nurse woke me up at 4 a.m. A laboring patient had just arrived at the hospital. She was bleeding, nowhere close to delivering and her baby’s heart rate was faltering. Her baby was dying. I told the nurse to set up the operating room for an emergency C-section. I ran to my car and screeched out of my driveway. It was Talladega time. I am careful when I drive fast. I gathered speed, hazard lights flashing, punching a few red lights along the empty road before finally opening up my engine. My speedometer crawled into some high numbers. Already this week, I had witnessed the unexpected loss of an 18-week-old pregnancy and the pain a mother and family experience when hope is shattered. I didn’t want to see any more. This wasn’t fun like a birthday lap around the racetrack with my son. When I reached the hospital, I ran up the stairs, arriving just as the patient was being placed on the operating
“We live biologically mortal lives, and none of us are promised tomorrow. We are racing around a track, always at that point of losing control, never knowing when our lives will be shattered.” room table. By the time I had washed my hands and caught my breath, the anesthesia team had done their job. I made the incision. In less than a minute, the baby’s head was lifted free. The baby’s arm, when I grasped it, had the muscle tone of a live baby, not the terrifying ragdoll floppiness that signifies unconsciousness or even death. This baby was okay. I breathed a sigh of relief and profound thanks. However, my blood pressure remained elevated the rest of the day. Grief and Joy I became a doctor because I wanted to be in people’s lives in those moments I believe really matter. I was drawn to OB/ GYN because I am awed to witness the miracle of birth and drawn to help in the sudden emergencies that require my utmost concentration and ability. There is so much at stake the moment a baby is ready to leave his or her mother’s body. Will we celebrate the miracle or grieve the tragedy? But as I have matured, I have come to understand this: every moment of our life hangs in the balance. We are just as much at the junction of life and death in this very moment as we are in any surgical emergency. We live biologically mortal lives, and none of us are promised tomorrow. We are racing around a track, always at that point of losing control, never knowing when our lives will be shattered. Life is fragile. The image of the baby’s death earlier in the week and my patient’s grief dogged my thoughts that day like a fragment of a song I couldn’t shake from my mind. How does a family survive the loss of a baby just before the baby shower? As we endeavor to relieve our suffering, we reach out for answers. When we pay attention, God does answer, and the answer is always the same. Our lives are not biological accidents—they are spiritual inevitabilities. We are each a manifestation of God’s love; thus we are each blessed with spiritual immortality. Grief—no matter the pain—is a spiritual gift once we understand. As we heal, we see this simple truth: the tears we shed at funerals are the confetti used in Heaven.
©Copyright 2013 26
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lifestyle
Everyday
If you would like to make a donation, please visit www. townelaker.com/ everydayangels to donate via Paypal or send your donations to: Everyday Angels, 2449 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock GA, 30189. One hundred percent of your funds will go to the family you specify. Also, if you know of a special need within your community that you would like to share, please send an e-mail to aaeverydayangels@ gmail.com for consideration and qualification.
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A month of summer has quickly passed, and for our children, the long awaited summer vacation is halfway behind us! Many readers fill their summer days with pools, camps, water parks, vacations, sports, and avoiding the dreaded words “I’m bored” from their children’s mouths. However, for others, summer presents a different list of demands and added anxiety. The elevated expenses of groceries, daycare, camps, and electric bills can quickly turn to desperation. For those who already find themselves financially compromised, summer months can quickly dig a deeper financial hole. For more than ten years, Everyday Angels has provided relief to qualified families during these difficult summer months, and this summer is no different. In June, with the help of our readers’ support, we were able to assist a single mom and her two young children with rent in their extended stay hotel home. We also helped qualified foster children attend a
camp and kept power from being disconnected for several families within the community. Additionally, we were busy accepting your generous donations in support of last month’s feature, Alex Singleton, as he continues his battle with cancer. Thank you for allowing us to make a positive difference and for providing relief to Alex and other local families. For the month of July and in preparation for school, Everyday Angels will assist a wonderful sister charity, Give-A-Kid-A-Chance (GAKAC). Last year, GAKAC provided haircuts, clothing, medical screenings and backpacks filled with school supplies to more than 3,000 local qualified families. This year’s event will be held on July 20 at Hillside United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church of Canton. To learn more about this event or to volunteer your time, visit www.giveakidachance.org. We are grateful for our community’s many local non-profit organizations that work together to make a difference in the lives of others.
Photos from last year’s Give a Kid a Chance event:
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lifestyle
It’s Not Just the Luggage That’s Different by Kara Kiefer
Recently, I went on a beach trip for a long weekend with one of my friends, her daughter and her daughter’s friend. Most of my vacations include my men-folk and me, so it was inevitable that I would compare traveling with two teenage girls verses two teenage boys. Luggage — When I opened the back of my friend’s car to put my luggage in, the back was filled with beautifully matching Vera Bradley bags. This is markedly different Kara Kiefer is the editor than the back of our car when we of the TowneLaker. She lives in Towne Lake travel, which is filled with duffle with her husband Mike bags that second as gym bags and and sons Brandon and have the smell to prove it! Garrett. Talk — I was prepared for this one. Girls talk more than boys. A lot more. The only noises I will hear from my boys who are in the back seat is the occasional laugh from either a movie they are watching or a YouTube video. I enjoyed listening to the girls talk about everything and anything. Songs — Since each boy has his ear phones in, we don’t all listen to the same music. But if we did and Bruno Mars came on, the boys would insist
we change the song. The girls, however, sang along and knew every word. I loved their taste! Photos — My boys are not fans of having their pictures taken. They don’t want anyone on Facebook or Twitter to even know I have two boys and that they are on vacation with their parents. Girls, on the other hand, love to have their pictures taken, but they are like the boys in that they don’t necessarily want to be photographed with their parents. When I take photos of the boys, one shot and it’s good with them. If they choose to look at it, they will never ask for a retake. Girls, not so much. They will examine every photo and if one’s hair is blowing in a weird direction, it’s a retake. Or if one girl doesn’t love her smile, it’s a retake. I admit, I’ve been guilty of the same behavior. I did see some similarities between the sexes. Both tend to leave their vacation bedrooms quite messy with clothes strewn everywhere. Girls do it because they have brought many more outfits than they will ever need, and my boys do it because they are lazy. As our boys and girls get older, times like this will become less and less, so I treasure every opportunity to create memories. Thanks “girlies” for sharing your trip with me!
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Great for kids. Great for pets. Bad for mosquitoes, fleas and ticks! townelaker | July 2013
TOWNE LAKE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION The Towne Lake Business Association (TLBA) welcomes our new officers for the 2013 — 2014 fiscal year. They all will be introduced to you in next month’s issue. Our 13th Annual TLBA Golf Tournament will be held on Wednesday, September 11, at the Towne Lake Hills Golf Club. The proceeds from this annual tournament fund our annual Entrepreneurial Scholarships. To sign up to play, sponsor or volunteer, please contact Jon LaMonte (Tournament Chairperson) at JonL@theNRGguy.com, Tammy Jensen for sponsorships at tammykaytammy@bellsouth.net or Jean Staughton for player registration at jstaughton@renasant.com. You can also visit tlba. org/golf.php for more information. The topic of our June Workshop was “Information Retention for Clients, Staff, & Leadership.” We want to thank Jarrod Grant for the presentation.
Lunch ‘N’ Learn Workshop
Tuesday, July 16, 12:15 — 2 p.m. Please check our website at tlba.org for more information. All Workshops are held at Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills. Please RSVP to all events at (770) 615-3350. We welcome our newest members, Legendary Renovations and Georgia Commerce Bank. As always, thank you for supporting our community by “Keeping Towne Lake Dollars in Cherokee.” Visit us at tlba.org.
TLBA SPOTLIGHT Legendary Renovations (678) 592-6961 www.legendaryrenovationsinc.com Phil@legendaryrenovationsinc.com
Wouldn’t it be nice to have one company that could handle all your home renovation needs and protect you by carrying proper licensing and insurance? Legendary Renovations, Inc. is a onestop shop for all your home improvement needs. As licensed residential builders, they can build the custom home of your dreams from the ground up or transform your current home from the roof down. Owner, Phil VanFossen started the company ten years ago building homes in Canton. Since then, Phil has grown the company into a successful remodeling company as well, serving clients all over Atlanta. As the company grew, Legendary Renovations, Inc. added other people with a broad variety of backgrounds in the building industry, giving its customers more than 20 years of experience. Legendary Renovations sets themselves apart from competitors by offering its customers the “Legendary Difference.” This is the philosophy of placing trust in the customer by not taking any money up front and a job is not done until all agree the job is done. So if you’re looking for top quality work at a reasonable price, look no further than Legendary Renovations. The three principle figures in the company are all long time Towne Lake residents. They are very involved in the local community including being board members of the TLBA and chairing the Annual TLBA Scholarship Golf Tournament.
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lifestyle
Musings from Towne: The Herd by Robyn Hohensee
When you think of a herd, usually a group of sheep or cows come to mind, and that is how it should be. Unfortunately, there is another type of herd I have encountered and perhaps you have too. The herds of which I speak are, by my definition, a group of eight to ten clueless people who block a sidewalk, aisle or any such pathway which others are trying to make their way through. In order to do so, the person has to walk Robyn Hohensee has around the herd or politely ask resided in Towne Lake with her husband Todd the herd to please let them pass for 17 years. She is by. Sometimes the herd will ignore currently working on a the person and other times they children’s book and an will half-heartedly move out of the adult fiction novel. way, acting as if they are being put Feel free to contact her at Robyn561@yahoo.com. out. You see, the herd believes they are entitled to take over the space they inhabit and tend to not notice others around them. I personally have encountered herds in grocery stores and on stairways and recently encountered such a group at the Hobgood Park walking track, making my walk that morning pretty interesting to say the least. I came upon them on one of my morning walks. There they were, all ten of them spread out on the track, talking, laughing and completely unconcerned that there were other people trying to run, walk their dog or push a stroller on the same
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track. “I hope they disperse a bit so I can get by,” I thought to myself as I approached them. When they did not, I had to step off of the track onto the grass, nearly twisting my ankle as my foot hit the uneven ground. One woman had to do the same, only she was pushing her child in a stroller. “Can’t they see what is happening?” I wondered. Maybe they were having such a great time that they just did not notice how inconsiderate they were being, or they did not care. Either way, I almost had to laugh at the outlandishness of it. I wanted to say something to them, but did not. They looked like such nice happy people just out enjoying the park like it was meant to be enjoyed. Why cause problems? Maybe I could accidently put out my foot and trip one of them. Nah. That would be mean.
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lifestyle
Mixing Feminine and Firearms By Joni Gommo
Joni Gommo recently started a Holly Springs chapter of The Well Armed Woman which filled up immediately. The demand led to the opening of new chapters in Marietta, Roswell and Powder Springs. This month, she shares her initial reactions when coming face-to-face with a gun. The subject of guns is a hot topic, but not for the reasons you might think. The shooting range Joni Gommo, a mother of has become the new place to four and chapter leader for visit to have fun with friends and The Well Armed Woman, has gone from fearful to socialize. And it’s not just for the being NRA-certified as a guys anymore! basic pistol and first steps Women constitute the fastest instructor. Visit www. growing group of gun owners and thewellarmedwoman.com. competitive shooters nationwide. I know this because I’m one of those women, and I’m proud to be counted among those who enjoy a Girl’s Night Out at the range. But I didn’t start out that way… “I’m buying a gun,” my New York-native husband said one day. I stopped in my tracks and looked at him as if he had a third eyeball in his forehead. “Oh no, you are not!” I said. (I’ll spare you the details, but he won this one.) My reaction started a serious internal dialogue about why I was so against it. I wasn’t raised to be afraid of guns. I grew up in a small Texas town surrounded by gun owners, including my dad and older
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townelaker | July 2013
“Women constitute the fastest growing group of gun owners and competitive shooters nationwide.” brothers. I no longer had young children at home, so I couldn’t make that argument. Why was I so fearful? I decided that maybe I would just accompany him to the range one day and watch. I didn’t care for it at all; it was loud and guns were scary. My law-abiding husband didn’t have a license to carry at first, so he left his firearm at home when he went to work each day. There I was, alone with this object that I feared. And every time I saw it, I got a little bit angrier at myself for allowing a mere object to scare me. In fact, I got so angry at myself that I decided to conquer that fear. Every day for about a week, when he would leave for work, I would very carefully pick it up (in much the same way you would pick up a teenager’s dirty underwear from the floor), put it in the car and drive to the range. I got someone to show me what to do and how to be safe with it. And I never told my husband. Occasionally, he asked if I wanted to go with him to the range, but I declined until after that week. Then one day, I agreed to go. When I saw his face, it was clear that now I was one with the third eyeball in the middle of my forehead! You can see where this is going now, can’t you? Of course, I shot much better than him that day. After all, I had been practicing all week! I finally caved in and told him my secret. Next month Joni describes how she leads other women through the same fears that she faced.
The Landscape Conundrum Spring is one of the most spectacular seasons in Georgia. The to the decline of a landscape, and the natural design of the earth’s renewal and spring rains tend to make our residential yard can be compromised. Plants will begin to compete for landscape look lush and green. Year after year, many of us head nutrients, moisture and light, and root zones are for the survival to the local nursery or home improvement store to load up on of the fittest. soil, annuals and other supplies to make our outdoor property Michael’s talents range from finding solutions to the above aesthetically pleasing. But now that it’s summer and the rain problems and more as well as partnering with homeowners has diminished, the chronic issues in our landscape become to enhance or upgrade their outdoor living space. Schedule more pronounced, and frustration can set in. As a homeowner, an appointment with him today for creative and cost effective you have a choice: you can continue to mask these issues over solutions. and over or you can partner with a qualified professional to Installation by Miller Landscape achieve permanent resolution and permanent satisfaction. Michael McDonald with MMcDesign, Landscape Consultants LLC is such a professional. Michael is a Registered Landscape Architect, and while many can draw a landscape plan, Michael’s education and expert training allows him to manage your total landscape. He is an independent landscape designer and is not tied to any nursery or contractor. “I can assist the homeowner in soliciting competitive bids for construction and then monitor the construction for quality control,” said Michael. His expertise ranges from planting to drainage issues, grading, walks and pathways. He also can assist with specialty landscape elements such as water features, fireplaces and pits, outdoor kitchens and more. Below are some of the most commonly seen issues, especially in and around Towne Lake, that Michael can help permanently resolve. Non-Conforming Plantings — A common practice in the early development of subdivisions is to place plants, usually shrubs, near the front façade of a home with no consideration to the ultimate growth habit of these plants. This results in a lot of maintenance to keep these shrubs from LANDSCAPE CONSULTANTS, LLC achieving their rightful size and form. 2295 Towne Lake Parkway Woodstock, Georgia 30189 Dated or Damaged Materials/Plants — 770.652.6463 michaela.mcdonald@comcast.net As a neighborhood matures, it’s common to see sidewalks or yards damaged or compromised by tree roots, front stoops or garage aprons separated due to settling, fencing that may have buckled and timber walls that are failing. Because of their quick LANDSCAPE CONSULTANTS, LLC and explosive growth, many local homes include the precarious 2295 Towne Lake Parkway Woodstock, Georgia 30189 Bradford Pears, Privets and Leyland Cypress trees. 770.652.6463 michaela.mcdonald@comcast.net Water Issues — These issues are the most detrimental to any landscape; they are chronic and never self-correcting. If left unresolved, erosion and poor drainage can render a landscape LANDSCAPE CONSULTANTS, LLC completely undesirable and unusable. 2295 Towne Lake Parkway Woodstock, Georgia 30189 Not to mention, too much moisture 770.652.6463 michaela.mcdonald@comcast.net can destroy the foundation of homes. Micro-Climate Changes — Landscapes can decline over the years. One cause is the maturity of the landscape, which can LANDSCAPE CONSULTANTS, result in reduced sunlight on parts of the yard. Wind and water can also contribute
MMcDesign MMcDesign MMcDesign
MMcDesig
2295 Towne Lake Parkway Woodstock, Georgia 35 770.652.6463 michaela.mcdonald@com townelaker | July 2013
lifestyle
Insomnia by Dee Locklin
It is 3:28 a.m., and I am in bed wide awake. I have been for hours. There is no doubt in my mind that I will watch the sunrise from my bedroom window. After all, I’ve seen most sunrises for about the past six weeks. Don’t ask me what brought on this season of insomnia. I checked the Internet for causes and found that sleeplessness can occur due to a number of reasons, including the onset of Dee Locklin is retired stress, medications and eating from Georgia State too late at night. But none of University. She lives in Towne Lake with these explanations seem to fit my husband Lewis and current situation. son Taylor in a So now I find myself in this cluttered home filled upside down world in which I am with love and lots awake until about 7 a.m., then of dust bunnies. Contact Dee at asleep until late in the afternoon. dlocklin89@gmail.com My insomnia has morphed me into a woman living her life in the night shift. Actually, nighttime is rather interesting. Different sounds emerge from our wooded backyard. Cars come and go along our street, and I wonder what compels others to be out driving in the middle of the night. Our refrigerator hums, and I can hear the sound of clicking clocks and ceiling fan blades. Our dogs snore softly at my feet. It is a peaceful time in which nothing demands my attention. And I can hear the slow, steady breathing of my husband
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as he sleeps soundly at my side. It is my assurance that his inoperable tumors are stable for now. He is still here, and I am not alone. We have been granted another day together despite the sobering survival rates provided us 18 months ago when this cancer journey began. My sweet husband will come to me when I wake tomorrow— hot coffee in hand. He will tell me about his day spent filling bird feeders, chasing the pillaging squirrels and playing with his beloved American Eskimo dog, Lea. And together we will eventually get through this unusual season of insomnia and night shifting just as we have made our way through so many unexpected occurrences in the past 24 years. Together we can get through just about anything.
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lifestyle
Make Your Holiday a Bang by Shelley Herod
Most people spend hours decorating for the winter holidays; however, the Fourth of July is one of the most celebrated events of the summer. More family and friends gather for this holiday than any other, which provides you with a fabulous reason to introduce patriotic dĂŠcor into your home. Whether you are entertaining or just displaying your Fourth of July spirit, create a big bang! Curb appeal is the first thing your Shelley lives in Towne guests and passersby will notice. Lake and owns her own interior design company. The most obvious is to proudly She can be reached at fly the stars and stripes where (770) 235-5640. everyone can see your patriotism. Many garden retailers will sell planters filled with red, white and blue arrangements. These look amazing flanking the front door. You can add an extra touch with a simple American ribbon tied around the container or a few small flags on dowel rods waving
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in each. Blue hydrangeas are one of my personal favorites. They not only will add that touch of blue to the landscape but several can be clipped and used in a vase or mason jar over a red and white table cloth on your table. There is no need to go overboard decorating for this season like we do for the winter holidays; this holiday dÊcor is simple and causal. Several touches of red, white and blue throughout the house such as throw pillows, picture frames, candles, hand towels or a piece of art will show your American pride. American scented candles will entice your sense of smell. Apple pie, blueberry muffin and watermelon scented candles are just a few seasonal aromas that fit into the July motif. If you’re having a cookout, your table will be the main focal point at your celebration. The table setting can be very simple, but make a statement. Alternate red and blue placemats and top them with white plates. If you desire a buffet style, stack red, white and blue dinnerware and accent with stars and stripes in the tablecloth and napkins. Another option is to use red and blue bandanas as napkins or tie them around containers holding the cutlery. Of course, the centerpiece cannot be ignored. It will bring your entire table together. Use continued on page 82
How to Tell if Wine is Bad by David Heckelmoser
There is a chance that if you buy enough wine, you may purchase a bad bottle at one time or another. The percentage of bad wine to reach the marketplace has dropped in the last five to ten years. However, some tainted wine still makes its way to stores and restaurants. How can you tell the difference between a bad or faulty wine and ones that you simply don’t like? Here are some of the more David Heckelmoser is a common faults: Towne Lake resident wine enthusiast, member of Cork Taint – If a cork becomes the Guild of Sommeliers, infected with the chemical Certified Specialist of compound 2, 4, 6-trichloroanisole Wine (CSW) and is Wine (TCA), it is referred to as being Spirits Education Trust “corked.” TCA forms through the certified (WSET). Contact David at heck4773@ interaction of plant phenols and bellsouth.net. chlorine and frequently occurs in natural cork tree bark or when the wine has contact with certain chlorides found in bleaches and other winery sanitation/sterilization products. If a winery uses infected corks, the wine becomes tainted or “corked.” The wine will smell musty (think old wet newspaper or cardboard). Cork taint dulls the fruit in a wine; it produces a very lack luster finish. Sulfur – Corks are not the only closures that can generate flaws. Wines bottled by screw cap more frequently exhibit sulfur problems. The sulfur added to stabilize and preserve the
wine is not properly broken down. Reduction can give a wine the odor of rotten eggs or garlic that has gone bad. Excessive sulfur can contribute a mineral or bitter taste to the wine. Sulfur components can also add astringency to a wine. Oxidation – Occasionally, wine is not sealed properly and is exposed to oxygen. Most oxidized wines will taste like vinegar. Both red and white wines will appear brown once oxidized. The fruit aromas are dull or muted. Maderized – Heat-damaged wines are often casually referred to as cooked, which suggests how heat can affect a wine. Maderization is when a wine is heated and oxidized. Not all wine that is shipped is done so in temperature-controlled containers. Imagine what happens inside a shipping container sitting in 100-degree heat. Maderized wine tastes bad—often like overly baked plums soaked in vinegar. Wines exposed to extreme temperatures will thermally expand and may push the wine up between the cork and bottle and leak from the top. When opening a bottle of wine, if a trace of wine is visible along the length of the cork; the cork is partially pushed out of the bottle; or wine is visible on the top of the cork while it is still in the bottle, it has most likely been heat-damaged. Heat damage is the most widespread and common problem found in wines. It often goes unnoticed because of the prevalence of the problem, consumers often don’t know it’s possible, and most often will just chalk the problem up to poor quality. Good wine is always a pleasure! But if you happen to get a bad bottle, be sure to return the bottle to the retailer where you purchased the wine. Until next time, cheers! To visit my website, scan this code
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lifestyle
Yes? No? Wait? When Should a Parent Step In? by Chicka Elloy
Chicka Elloy lives in Woodstock with his wife and two sweet caramel daughters. He writes for USA Today Education and was voted #1 Daddy Blogger by Parents.com Contact him through www. thefrequentflyerfather.com.
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All parents have a desire for their children to be properly nurtured, engaged and successful, but does this desire ever have a breaking point? When do adults go into ludicrous overdrive, no matter how well intentioned? In my experience in working with both students and parents, three areas stand out where adults might want to take a step back and reflect before taking action. 1. We bubble-wrap them. Hovering over, over-protecting and insulating children from exposure risk or independence can have an adverse effect on kids. “Children of risk-averse parents have lower test scores and are slightly less likely to attend college than offspring of parents with more tolerant
attitudes toward risk,” said Sarah Brown, Economics Professor at the University of Sheffield. Obviously, negative risk-taking (alcohol, drugs, etc.) should be avoided at all cost. 2. We are often the negative hero. By negative hero, I mean we save them when they could save themselves. I read a true story about a girl who earned a C- on a history paper and immediately called her mom in the middle of class. Her mom insisted on speaking with the teacher right then so the grade could be negotiated! Students who do not learn to take responsibility and solve their own problems using conflict resolution skills today will struggle to work hard for it later. Parents starve a student’s social, emotional and intellectual skills when they are consistently rescuing or saving them “life pain,” and this can lead to a breeding of victim mentality or “poor me” thinking. Better to think “short term pain, long term gain” instead of “short term gain, long term pain.” 3. We boast too easily. I am supportive of self-esteem, but it has to be genuine and not fluff to “be positive.” Stanford continued on page 82
It’s Time to Reassess by Peter Allen
Peter Allen has a degree in Business Management and holds several certificates from coaching institutes for life, business relationships and retirement. He can be reached at (770) 977-2232. peteaca@ bellsouth.net
Here we are, half way through the year. I don’t know about you, but it seems like just yesterday we were popping the cork to celebrate this New Year. We are so busy keeping our lives and businesses up to par in this fast-paced world, but it’s important at this “half time” for us to pause to reassess our lives and our businesses. It’s time to think about what we can do better in the second half. We should look at our systems, our strategies, and our beliefs to see what has been serving us well. It’s also time to shed those that are not working and create new ones. Commit to writing the new and adjusted systems, strategies and beliefs. Get complete buy-in from your group and put some enthusiastic emotion around it. Now you’re ready to create a great second half.
Make a list of all the categories you want to check for your family and do the same for your business. Here are some examples of what you may want to review: Family • Finances — Income, expenses, personal savings, retirement savings, etc. • Relationships — With a higher self, yourself, significant other, family members and friends. • Health — Physical and mental. • Fun and recreation — Social, hobbies, vacation, etc. • Personal growth — Education, etc. • Physical environment — Your home, car, etc. Business/career • Business plan — How are you doing? • Finances — The profit and loss, budget, new purchases, etc. • Staff — Assessment, new hires, etc. • Products and services — How can we improve? • Marketing — How can we do it better? • Sales — Training, support, etc. All of us can get information on how to create a better continued on page 82
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Health & Wellness
Are You a Good Candidate for Plastic Surgery? by Marietta Plastic Surgery
Drs. West, McNeel, Fabian, Hanna and Symbas are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
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There comes a time when many people wonder if plastic surgery is right for them. The field of plastic surgery is vast and varied. It includes more common and familiar surgical procedures like face lifts, rhinoplasty (nose jobs), breast enhancements or lifts, tummy tucks and liposuction. Non-invasive procedures are increasing in popularity such as facial fillers and injectables that treat lines, wrinkles and folds. These procedures should be performed by board-certified plastic surgeons. Laser treatments and microdermabrasion are also effective at softening fine lines and improving skin appearance.
It’s important to understand if you’re a good candidate for all the options available, so consulting with a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery is the right first step. Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind. Are you in good health? General, overall good health is important so if you have any chronic illnesses, like diabetes or high blood pressure or if you’re a smoker, you’ll want to share all of your health information with your plastic surgeon. Smoking decreases blood flow to the skin and can impact healing and scarring, so you may need to quit smoking for an amount of time that is agreed upon with your surgeon. Do you have reasonable expectations? Plastic surgery is not magic, so keeping realistic expectations in mind is important. If you’re trying to enhance the “inner” you, then you will probably be satisfied with your choice. In fact, according to a Dallas Morning New article, Mommy Makeover patients are among the happiest patients because continued on page 81
Assessing Your Risk for Hereditary Breast or Ovarian Cancer By Selvi Palaniappan, MS, CGC Coordinator, NSH Hereditary Cancer
Angelina Jolie drew major attention to hereditary cancer awareness in mid-May when she revealed that she underwent a preventative double mastectomy. Jolie decided to have surgery after she tested positive for having a mutation in the BRCA-1 gene, a genetic mutation that sharply increases the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Though risk varies between women who have mutations in the BRCA gene, Jolie, whose doctors said had an 87 percent chance of developing breast cancer and a 50 percent chance of developing ovarian cancer, decided her risk was significant enough to take action. BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 are genes thought to be involved in DNA repair during cell division and regeneration; everybody has two copies of each of these genes (one from their mother and one from their father). Mutations in these genes strongly increase the risk for developing cancer and account for roughly five to ten percent of all breast cancers and one in Selvi has a Master of Science, is a Certified Genetic Counselor and with the Northside Hospital Hereditary Cancer Program. (404) 851-6284
seven ovarian cancer cases. Men with a genetic mutation also have an increased risk of prostate and male breast cancer. Though not all people with a BRCA mutation will develop cancer, they have a much higher risk for cancer. In fact, someone with a mutation is five times more likely to develop breast cancer than someone who doesn’t have one. Thanks to genetic testing, women (and men) who have a strong family history of cancer are able to assess their risk for cancer, and opt to take preventative measures just like Jolie. However, it is important to note that a genetic test does not test for cancer, only changes in genes that increase the risk of developing cancer. Genetic testing can also be done for a variety of other cancers including endometrial, melanoma, pancreatic, kidney, stomach and thyroid cancer. Testing is not for everyone, and typically only those with a strong family history or recent personal history of cancer should consider testing. Genetic counseling is recommended before and after genetic testing and involves risk assessment based on the individual’s personal and family medical history. Genetic continued on page 81
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Health & Wellness
Canker Sores By Dr. Scott R. Harden and Spencer Harden
Canker sores are very common problems experienced by many people and can cause discomfort and embarrassment. Canker sores should not be mistaken for cold sores, which are caused by the herpes virus. Canker sores occur in 20 percent of the population, usually between ages of 10 and 40, more often in women than men, last 1-2 weeks and tend to reduce in frequency with age. Canker sores are not Dr. Scott Harden is a cancerous or pre-cancerous and dentist at Fountain View Family Dentistry are not contagious. and has served the Canker sores are ulcers that Towne Lake area for form inside your mouth or on more than 21 years. your lips because of an immune He is a dental advisor system reaction initiated by some for two national dental research type of trauma. Forms of trauma companies. Spencer include physical trauma (sharp Harden is the son tortilla chips, biting your lip, or of Dr. Scott Harden braces), chemical trauma (spicy or and assisted with the acidic foods) and miscellaneous research of this article. He recently graduated trauma (stress, some medications from high school at The or sunburn). Walker School and is Canker sores might stem from interested in pursuing a allergic reactions to oral bacteria future career in dentistry. or from sensitivity to sulfate You can reach Dr. Harden at (770) 926-0000 or visit in some brands of toothpaste. FountainViewSmiles.com. Vitamin B12 deficiencies may contribute to triggering canker sores, as well as gastrointestinal issues like Crohn’s and Celiac disease. Stress can compromise your immune system and cause canker sores. An oral ulcer that persists more than two weeks should be seen by a doctor to rule out oral cancer. Be aware that certain foods or drinks could possibly trigger canker sores and should be avoided. Once a canker sore appears, avoid spicy, hot or acidic food that irritate it further and hurt. Rinse with warm salt water to help reduce tissue swelling and promote healing. Use overthe-counter topical numbing agents to ease the pain. Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, are subdivided into minor aphthous ulcers, which occur 80 percent of the time, and major aphthous ulcers, which occur about 10 percent of the time. Minor aphthous ulcers are small and round, typically less than 10 mm across, and look pale yellow in the center with a flat red border around them. One to five ulcers may appear at the same time. Each ulcer lasts 7-10 days, and then heals without 44
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“Treatments for aphthous ulcers are designed to reduce pain, and help them heal as quickly as possible. There is no treatment that prevents aphthous mouth ulcers from recurring and no treatment may be required.” leaving a scar and produces little to no pain. Major aphthous ulcers tend to be 10 mm or larger and look pale yellow with a red swollen border around them. One or two ulcers appear at a time and last between two weeks to two months and typically leave a scar. They can be very painful and interfere with eating. Treatments for aphthous ulcers are designed to reduce pain, and help them heal as quickly as possible. There is no treatment that prevents aphthous mouth ulcers from recurring and no treatment may be required. The pain is often mild, particularly with the common minor type of aphthous ulcer. Here are several categories of over-the-counter medicines that offer pain relief from canker sores: A. Chlorhexidine mouthwash helps to prevent ulcers from becoming infected and is usually used twice a day. It may stain teeth brown; however, the stain is not usually permanent. Brush your teeth before use and avoid drinking tea, coffee or red wine. B. Steroid lozenges (brand name Corlan® pellets or Betnesol® tablets) may also reduce the pain and help ulcers heal more quickly. Use your tongue to keep a lozenge in contact with an ulcer until the lozenge dissolves. A steroid lozenge works better the sooner it is applied after noticing an ulcer, and if used early enough, it may prevent an ulcer from fully erupting. The usual dose is one lozenge four times a day until the ulcer disappears. Children should not use this treatment for more than five consecutive days. C. A barrier paste or powder such as carmellose sodium (brand name Orabase® and Orahesive®) can be applied to the ulcer to reduce pain. D. A pain-killing oral rinse, gel or mouth spray may help to ease pain. Examples include benzydamine spray (brand name Difflam®) or choline salicylate gel (brand name Bonjela®). Bonjela® should not be used in children under the age of 16 due to the potential risk of Reye’s syndrome if it is overused.
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Health & Wellness
Chiropractic Care for Injuries by Van Tran
Dr. Van Tran is a board certified chiropractor with Discover Chiropractic. He can be reached at (770) 516-9900.
Exercising is good for you, but sometimes injuries can happen when you play sports or exercise. Accidents, poor training practices or improper gear are often the cause of injuries. Some people get hurt because they are not in shape. Not warming up or stretching enough can also lead to injuries. The most common sports injuries are sprains and strains. A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament, which are tissues that connect bones at a joint. Falling, twisting or getting hit can all cause a sprain. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising and being unable to move your joint. You might feel a pop or
tear when the injury happens. A strain is a stretched or torn muscle or tendon. Tendons are tissues that connect muscle to bone, and twisting or pulling
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“The most common sports injuries are sprains and strains.� these tissues can cause a strain. Strains can happen suddenly or develop over time. Back and hamstring muscle strains are common. Many people get strains playing sports, and symptoms include pain, muscle spasms, swelling and trouble moving the muscle. While most people think that chiropractors are for back and neck injuries, it is also possible to treat sprains and strains using a chiropractor. The body tends to compensate for any injury or weakness, causing additional problems in areas that were previously healthy. For example, a person may sprain his or her ankle and end up developing back pain because the body has slightly adjusted the walking stride. It can be a good idea to treat sprains and strains using a chiropractor because he or she can help restore the body’s overall balance. Staying balanced helps to prevent re-injuring the sprained ligament and also protects against future injuries to other parts of the body. Chiropractic adjustments are designed to maintain the proper range of motion and strength in all joints so that there are no areas of significant weakness.
Preparation: Don’t Let Disasters Affect Your Family! by Dr. Amy Hardin
Horrible tornados, raging wildfires, hurricanes that destroy towns….what is a family to do? Planning ahead is the best defense against these acts of nature that are beyond our control. Here are a few tips to make sure your family is prepared. Fires can happen in any home at any time. The first step is to make sure that your fire alarms have active batteries. Did you change your batteries when the Amy Hardin is a time changed this spring? That’s a pediatrician in Towne Lake at Northside great time to remember to check/ Pediatrics. Check out change fire alarm batteries. Also, Northside Pediatrics’ everyone in the family needs to new website at www. know the meeting place (having northsidepediatrics. two is actually a good idea too as com and follow them on Facebook at Northside you never know if area number Pediatrics! one will be destroyed by the fire/ disaster) and how to get out of the house if there is a fire. Make sure even little kids know to stay low and touch doors to make sure they are not hot before opening them. Do you have a fire extinguisher in your house? You should! Does everyone know where it is and how to use it and when not to use it? Safety with matches and lighters is VERY important to teach younger and older kids. Recently, a five year-old in our area started a
“Do you have a fire extinguisher in your house? You should! Does everyone know where it is and how to use it?” fire in a closet with a lighter. The school system sponsors Safety Town every year, which goes over a lot of this. Sign your kids up! (www.cherokeecountysafetytown.org) Tornados pop up quickly, but luckily, thanks to great weather technology, we are able to receive enough warning to seek shelter. Go to the basement or lowest floor in an interior room, and stay away from windows. Get underneath heavy objects or put mattresses on top of you. Having bike helmets on yourself and your kids is the newest safety idea if tornados are imminent. Slightly opening windows is also helpful to stabilize pressure. Don’t ignore a severe weather siren; I know we live in a large county, and your neighborhood might not have bad storms, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Remind your teens that if they continued on page 81 townelaker | July 2013
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Health & Wellness
Mosquito Myths by rick coughlin
Do you have plans to attend a Fourth of July party this summer? If so, make sure you protect yourself from mosquitoes. The mosquito pressure in Georgia really increases from July through September. Don’t be fooled by the most common mosquito misconceptions. Here are the one I hear most frequently. A dry winter means fewer mosquitoes problems in the summer It is true that mosquitoes breed in water, but there is actually more disease during droughts. This is because the concentrated water, which is dirtier and more richly organic, is more appealing to some disease-carrying mosquitoes. Also, the lack of water sources means that birds and mosquitoes, which carry many Rick Coughlin is the owner of The Mosquito Authority. Email him at rick@bugsbite.com
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of the mosquito-borne illnesses, are crowded together, which creates an environment rich for disease spread. All mosquitoes are the same Most people assume that the differences in mosquitoes are minimal. Different species of mosquitoes have very different behaviors. They have very different preferences on what they eat and where they live. The Asian Tiger is the most common species found in Cherokee County. They tend to rest during the day and come out at dusk. All mosquitoes carry disease There are more than 3,000 mosquito species, but only a couple hundred are medically significant. Most species of mosquitoes don’t even bite humans. They prefer other animals. The mosquitoes that do carry disease are concentrated in specific species. Garlic will ward off mosquitoes There is no scientific proof to this and simply is not true. Choose a proven method to fight off mosquitoes. Use a barrier continued on page 81
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Cover feature
Selling Towne Lake
Seventeen years ago, Towne Lake was in the early stages of becoming the great community it is today. There was one grocery store, one elementary, middle and high school and one real estate office; Ursula Dahle worked in that office. In fact, she was one of the first to advertise in the newly launched TowneLaker magazine, which debuted in June 1996. In 2003, Ursula joined Keller Williams because she wanted to run a team, a team that would be dedicated primarily to selling Towne Lake. “Keller Williams provides the best training in the industry on how to run and build a business,” said Ursula. Today, seven professionals work alongside Ursula, providing clients with professional real estate services for a variety of needs: Ursula, Lead Agent; Renee Pruitt, Listing Specialist; Barb Buckalew, Buyer Specialist; Tanya Gottschalk, Buyer Specialist; Denise Case, Buyer Specialist; Stacey Johnson, Listing Manager; Audra Miller, Leads Coordinator; and Shiona Butler, Client Care Specialist. Chances are you know many of these team members as they live in and around the Towne Lake area. Ursula & Associates pride themselves on being Towne Lake specialists. “Because many of us have lived and worked in Towne Lake for many years, our market knowledge is extensive. We aren’t just selling a home; we are selling an area and a lifestyle,” said Ursula. She noted that Keller Williams is the largest real estate franchise company in the United States, based on agent count, and based on broker metrics using FMLS (First Multiple Listing Services), Ursula’s team has the highest market share in the 30189 zip code. In fact, the team has sold more than one third of all homes in Wyngate — some two and three times. When working with Ursula & Associates, you get eight professionals for the price of one. Each team member has a specific role and is very educated in her area of expertise. “Our team concept provides the client with a better experience than working with just one individual trying to juggle it all,” said Ursula.
Now is the Time to Sell!
If you’ve been watching the news or watching the market, you know that now is an excellent time to sell. “The interest rates are great, and homes are selling higher than they have in years,” said Ursula. “It’s a seller’s market right now. This is truly good news to many Towne Lake residents who have wanted to move but the market didn’t support a good return on their investment.” But as anyone who has ever moved knows, it’s not without stress and can be emotional. That’s where Ursula & Associates
Ursula & Associates 220 Heritage Walk Woodstock, GA 30188 (678) 569-4044 www.CallUrsula.com Ursula@callursula.com
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use their connections and expertise to help ease the stress and make the experience as seamless as possible. “We pride ourselves on being honest and upfront with our clients,” said Ursula. “We will let you know, truthfully, what needs to be done with your home in order for you to get the highest price possible. Sometimes it’s a coat of paint and other times it’s the recommendation of adding granite countertops.” The good news is that Ursula & Associates has a lot of connections that can ease the burden of getting your house “market ready,” including general contractors, staging experts, handymen, painters, plumbers and more. Ursula and her team will even work with clients who may not want to move now but in a few years. “We will prepare a homeowner for a move that needs to take place next month or in the future,” she said. Once the decision has been made to put a client’s home on the market, an individualized marketing plan will be established using all the latest available tools and technology. Because great photos generate great interest, Ursula and her team only use a professional photographer for every listing. The agent will immediately begin working for the client, prospecting potential buyers via other agents and connections. “We are highly connected in the area, which benefits our clients tremendously. These relationships allow us to prospect from many angles and get that ideal buyer,” said Ursula. Her connections also enable her to know of homes before they even hit the market, and because of this, she is often able to get her clients amazing deals. Sellers can also receive the same agent feedback their own agent receives. “This feedback allows our sellers to receive a realistic view of how their home is showing as well as pricing feedback.”
“ ‘Our team concept provides the client with a better experience than working with just one individual trying to juggle it all,’ said Ursula.”
Left to right: Renee Pruitt, Denise Case, Ursula Dahle, Barbara Buckalew, Shiona Butler, Tanya Gottschalk, Stacey Johnson and Audra Miller.
this means buyers will see this site as one of the first when searching for Towne Lake homes, and for buyers, the site provides valuable information on the area and the schools as well as a lot of great general information. Another site, www. CherokeeCountyGaHomesForSale.com, allows buyers to search by school district, neighborhood, amenities and other search options. Soon Ursula & Associates will be launching a new free mobile app, Towne Lake Homes for Sale, allowing potential buyers to search within specific parameters and from the convenience of their devices. The team can also be found on Facebook at facebook.com/TeamUrsulaRealEstate.
Community Involvement Buyers also can rely on the team to help them get the house of their dreams. “We listen to our buyers and their needs. With the Internet, today’s buyers are more educated than ever regarding what they want in a home. For us, its not about selling ‘X’ number of homes; it’s about finding the perfect house for our client,” said Renee Pruitt. For buyers, Ursula & Associates works with another long-term Towne Lake resident Chris Coulter with Supreme Lending. Ursula noted that Chris is always on standby to pre-qualify candidates, which makes it much easier on clients and keeps the process moving. Ursula & Associates has harnessed the power of the Internet and today’s technology to benefit sellers and buyers. The website, www.CallUrsula.com, is top in a Google Search and has very high Search Engine Optimization (SEO). For sellers,
When Ursula moved to Towne Lake, her boys were in elementary school, and in the summers, they swam for the Wyngate Waves. For the years the boys swam, Ursula was not only a proud parent but a proud sponsor of the team. And when the boys graduated high school, Ursula’s support didn’t stop. She still sponsors the Waves and works the concession stand. She also is a sponsor for the Towne Lake Tidal Waves swim team and Etowah High School swim team. It’s important for Ursula and her team to be involved in the community where she lives and works. Whether you are buying or selling in the Towne Lake area, trust the experience, the expertise and the longevity of Ursula & Associates. Call today to see how they can make it happen for you!
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Graduation 2013 Cherokee County School District held commencement exercises the weekend of May 23-25. Etowah and Woodstock high schools both graduated their seniors on Friday, May 24. Valedictorian for Etowah was Madison Miracle and Salutatorian was Ahila Manivannan. For Woodstock, Sara Graf was Valedictorian and Joshua Chang was Salutatorian. Congratulations to the class of 2013!
etowah high school
Left to right: Adam Cross, Jason Hammaker and Jake Forbes
Alex Hankins
Left to right: Kyle and Ty Gunter
Left to right: Taylor, Tory and Landon Carver
Left to right: Jack Singer, Sam Rubin, Eric Brasher, Nicholas Clift and Joey Hume
Left to right: Ken Birke, Cali Shay Nix and Melissa Birke 54
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Left to right: Yuh-Jong Liu, Clara Romero, Madison Miracle, Ahila Manivannan, Sam Bennett, Anna Claire Smith, Hannah Keith and Duncan Morgan.
Hannah Alexander
Left to right: Liss Sims and Lisa Prescott
Griffin Sinclair
Ben Peters visiting his Grandma, who unfortunately was in the hospital and couldn’t make Left to right: Matt Taylor, Etowah Lacrosse his graduation. Coach Jon Bristow and Sam Rubin
Alyssa Baker
Anna Claire Smith, Senior Class President
Etowah Valedictorian Madison Miracle
woodstock high school
Left to right: Shelby O’Sullivan, Anna Timm, Savannah Barlitt, Clara Young and Sierra Jameson.
Left to right: Taylor King with fiancĂŠe Arlee Maxwell and newborn baby Landon.
Charlie and Kelly Campbell
Megan Petrovich
Hannah Starnes and Alex Hanzlick
Matthew Johnson
Kaitlin and John Forbes
Kailah Gordon and Matthew Johnson giving the senior tribute
other schools
Left to right: Elizabeth, James (KSU graduate) and Wende Greeson
Hayden Tyler Gottschall, part of the first graduating class at River Ridge High School.
Left to right: Grandma Anne Jones, Left to right: Colleen, Melissa (Baylor School in Chattanooga graduate), Tyler Kiahna Jones and Grandma Maryann and Steve Manuel.
Maggie Dixon graduated with a Bachelors degree for Music Performance at the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University. townelaker | July 2013
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School & Sports Woodstock High School celebrated Prom on May 18 at the Fox Theater. Caitlin Thomson was crowned Prom Queen and Evan Bethards was King.
Left to right: Nicole Harris, Hannah Wasko, Bryce Hren, Caitlyn Thomson, Lauren Corrao, Anna Timm, Katie Cody, Katie Brown, Summer Johnson and Katie Gable.
Prom Woodstock High School
Prom Queen Caitlin Thomson and Prom King Evan Bethards
Breona Jordan and Donald Ray Rice
Bridgette Roloff and Grayson Montgomery
Chloe Heidt and Zack Pippin
Jordan Warshaw and Nate Brown
Olivia Kelly and Matt Meuse
Left to right: Katie Brown, Caitlyn Thomson, Bryce Hren and Lauren Corrao.
Left to right: Hannah Wasko, Katie Brown, Kaitlin Forbes, Bryce Hren and Caitlyn Thomson.
Left to right: Rani Tilva, Coury Frush, Annika Kraft, Ken Chong, Bridgette Hudak Tanner Thomson and Madison and Jourdan Ramirez-Pharr. McCabe 56 townelaker | July 2013
Matt Frantz and Marissa Helling
Left to right: Alana Ashley, Hunter Hayes, Madison Deese, Aaron McDonald, Rachel Monahan, Matthew Johnson, Grace Townsend, Michael Burnette, Sarah Monahan and Jack Finley. Leah Miller and Adam Shepherd
Rachel Sprouse
Members of the WHS Marching Band. Photo by Nina Maxwell of The Photo Factory and Studio of Woodstock.
Madison Deese and Aaron McDonald
Left to right: Matt ,Olivia, Adam, Leah, Matthew and Haley
Left to right: Kaitlin Forbes, Lauren Corrao, Summer Johnson and Azizah Barrett.
King’s Academy students Sami Sepe and Matthew Buxton
Ben Peters and Shannon Stevenson from Etowah High School
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School & Sports
Local Teen Receives Diploma and College Degree
This past May, many Towne Lake students, most of whom are 17 or 18, graduated from high school. But imagine being 15 and not only graduating from high school but college as well. Alyssa Wenger did just that. This accomplishment seems near impossible, but according to Alyssa’s mom, Cynthia, Alyssa has always been extremely driven. “She always did everything in a systematic, thorough and wellthought out way. She learned to read very early, by age two and a half, and was always very curious and an avid learner.” Alyssa describes herself as highly motivated. “I put a lot of pressure on myself to earn good grades, do more than what was required and work ahead. There was rarely a time I wasn’t focused on accomplishing some goal.” Alyssa was homeschooled, and through a program through CollegePlus, she was able to combine her high school and college classes. This enabled her to complete her sophomore, junior and senior year high school classes as well as four years of college in one year. In order to complete her education in a quick manner, she took a lot of creditby-exam tests, which cover the same material covered in a regular college class and grant a credit on a pass/fail basis. She also took several distance-learning college classes and maintained a 4.0. She would take breaks but never more than a week per year in order to accomplish her goal of early high school and college graduation. This past May, she received her high school diploma and her college degree in Communications.
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Alyssa’s other passion is ballet dancing, which complements Alyssa’s disciplined school habits. “Ballet has taught me to persevere when something is difficult, follow instructions and try to do things that seem too difficult in the beginning.” Alyssa has been dancing since the age of two, and currently trains four to five hours per day under an internationally renowned instructor from Europe. Alyssa would like to pursue dancing professionally, and now that her secondary education is complete, she will dedicate more of her time to this goal. “Right now, my plan is to go professional and dance with a ballet company in two or three years, but we will see where God leads me. It will be a lot of work, but dance is my passion.” Regarding her degree, Alyssa would eventually like to work as a broadcast journalist but is keeping her options open. “I would love to be a news anchor, but I also have interests in radio, public relations, marketing or journalism.” Alyssa’s parents, Cynthia and Brent, always encouraged their daughter to, “grow in wisdom, knowledge and understanding. We encouraged her to make the wisest choices, not the easiest or the most popular or quickest,” said Cynthia. Both parents are academically successful as well. Brent graduated with an undergraduate and Master’s in Finance and Cynthia has her undergraduate degree in Chemistry and Master’s in Association (Non-Profit) Management. Alyssa has one sister, Hannah, who also is homeschooled and is a ballet dancer. Whatever path Alyssa chooses, there is little doubt she will be successful in her future!
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School & Sports
Carmel Named National School of Character
Left to right: Amelia Johnson, Assistant Principal Dr. Pam Green and Ariana Maniatis.
Carmel Elementary School has been recognized as a National School of Character for its commitment to character education and for fostering a positive environment for social and academic
learning. The honor, bestowed by the Character Education Partnership, was awarded to only 29 schools and school districts nationwide. Schools are selected for using character education to increase academic achievement, reduce student disciplinary action and create an atmosphere viewed as caring and supportive by students, parents and the community. Recipients will be recognized at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. this fall. Carmel Elementary was praised by the Partnership for its innovative practices to promote character education even in times of budget shortfalls, especially through its relationships with community organizations to provide programs for students and parents at no cost. “It doesn’t matter what you throw at us; we are not going to lower our standards,” Assistant Principal Dr. Pam Green said of Carmel’s commitment to character education.
Bascomb PTA Raises Funds for Playground The Bascomb Elementary School PTA presented Principal Ruth Flowers with a check for $20,000 to complete Phase two of a new playground. The money was raised through a variety of PTA activities.
Left to right: Cindy Fletcher, Lara Hughes, Dawn Statsny, Principal Ruth Flowers, Kim Crosby, Tina Grant and Amanda Weber. 60
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Boston Recognizes Perfect Attendance
Front row (left to right): Fisher Gibson, Lana Fischer and Chaz Mikes. Back row: Jed Heuton, Eli Farrar and Caleb Tapp.
Boston Elementary School recognized students who achieved perfect attendance for the 2012-13 school year. The Perfect Attendance Award is for students who had no absences, no tardies and no early check-outs all year long. These students were able to choose a plush award for their dedication.
Local Students Named as Georgia Scholars Ten Cherokee County School Districts were named 2013 Georgia Scholars by the Georgia Department of Education. To be selected as a Georgia Scholar, a student must be a graduating high school senior and exhibit excellence in all phases of school life, community activities and at home. The student must present evidence of having carried an exemplary course load in their four years of high school; performed excellently in all courses; successfully participated in interscholastic events of the school or community; and assumed an active role in extracurricular activities sponsored by the school. The criteria are extremely strict, such that only 115 seniors in the entire state have qualified for this honor. Each Georgia Scholar received a seal for his or her diploma. Students include Allison Guebert, Hannah Keith and Madison Miracle from Etowah High School and Luke Sellers from Woodstock High School. Congratulations!
Sign up to Participate in Cherokee Christian Fundraiser Calling all artists and craftsmen! The Patrons of the Arts at Cherokee Christian Schools (CCS) will be hosting an Evening in Venice on Saturday, October 5, 2013. This is an annual fundraiser to support the Fine Arts program at CCS. Artists and craftsmen are invited to sell their wares in the recreated Venetian street market. For information and application forms, please contact Sue Wahle, Vendor Coordinator, at Sue.wahle@cherokeechristian.org.
Students Support HOPE Center Woodstock High School juniors and seniors in the Human Anatomy classes of Laura Cox and Dianne Rice ended their year-long study of human development with a community service project benefitting The HOPE Center. As part of the class, every student—even the young men—played the role of a woman who learns she is pregnant. Once a month, they attended a “doctor’s appointment” and learned about the development of the fetus and how it affects the mother. The students learned about labor and delivery as they prepared for the “birth” of their child. The students threw a “baby shower” in which they donated more than 400 baby care items to the HOPE Center, a local pregnancy resource center.
Copperheads Win Championship
Local Student Receives Duke TIP Recognition
Joshua “Ryan” Colby recently was recognized by the Duke TIP (Talent Identification Program) in a ceremony held at Polytechnic University. Awards were presented to seventh-grade students who took the ACT/SAT and achieved high scores. Ryan’s scores were among the top five percent in the country. Ryan is a rising eighth-grade student and is the son of Robin and John Foster.
The Cherokee Copperheads lacrosse team won the North Georgia Lacrosse League championship and finished the season undefeated. The team consists of players from Woodstock, Etowah, Creekview, Sequoyah, The Kings Academy and Pope high schools. Coach Bill Scheible formed the team in January 2013, and the Cherokee Youth Lacrosse Association (CYLA) agreed to support the high school club for its inaugural season. The team was coached by Bill, Brett Hintze and Keith Getz.
The Eagle Watch 10U spring team recently won City Championship. The team was captained by Beth Berwald. Front row (left to right): Brandon Geary, Ryan Berwald, Ben Onufrock and Aaron Wood. Back row: Eric Brown, Michael Cordak and Eric Scotto. townelaker | July 2013
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School & Sports
E.T. Booth Team Completes Inaugural Season
Etowah Golf Finishes Year on High Note
The E.T. Booth Middle School tennis team completed its inaugural season this past spring. The team is part of the new middle school league, started by USTA. The team competed against other middle schools from around the metro Atlanta area.
The Etowah Boys Golf team finished the season by qualifying for the State tournament, where they came in 8th out of 16 teams. Along the way, the team came in second at regional competition and third at sectionals.
Front row (left to right): Drew Johnston, Grant Willford, Alonna Wood, Jackson Wood, Emily Ayers and Karlee DeVargas. Back row: Lily Hosford, Jessica Pienta, Zach Mnich, Jake Tiberio and Grace Hosford.
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Left to right: Jake Forbes, Adam Cross, Nick Budd, Coach Phil Dutko, Cole Kirkpatrick, Jake Haggerty and Jason Hammaker.
Bus Road-E-O Puts Drivers to the Test Cherokee County School District Transportation Department recently held its annual School Bus RoadE-O where drivers put their bus maneuvering skills and safety knowledge to the test. Contestants had to complete a bus safety check and then proceed through an obstacle course, accumulating points for accuracy and clean driving. The winners this year were Christine Minter, first place; Mary Stout, second place; and Jim Genet, third place.
Left to right: Jim Genet, Mary Stout and Christine Minter.
Georgia Edge Wins State Championship Georgia Edge is a Cherokee County-based competitive girls’ basketball program, which offers teams for girls in third, fourth and fifth grades. The third grade team won the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) and YBOA (Youth Basketball of America) state championships. In each of these tournaments, the Edge had to defeat other third grade teams from around the state of Georgia to earn the tournament titles and qualify for Nationals. “I’m extremely proud of what the girls accomplished,” said Coach Jon Rogers. “The girls worked extremely hard in practice and played as a team during the games.”
Front row (left to right): Susanna Rogers, Lindsay Wayland, Mia Geveke and Ava Shipley. Middle row: Anna Powell, Libby Reese, Charlese Porter, Zeni Purge and Bella Eden. Back row: Coaches Frank Porter, Jon Rogers, Brian Shipley and Trey Powell. Not pictured: Christian Atwater and Ava DeFrances.
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feature
The “Reality” Behind the Reality Show by Kara Kiefer
I’m not ashamed to admit that I watch some of those Bravo reality shows; it’s a great escape! I was particularly interested to watch “Married to Medicine” because it featured local orthopedic surgeon Dr. Duncan Wells and his wife Kari. Duncan owns Atlas Orthopedics, located on Woodstock Parkway. In fact, I was filmed in October 2012 by Bravo when I conducted an interview for the TowneLaker with Dr. Wells and Kari. Unfortunately, my reality show career was very short lived as my taping ended up on the cutting room floor. When I first met Kari and subsequently saw her on the show, she seemed like two different people, which made me wonder what is the “reality” behind a reality show? Kari agreed to sit down with me and answer my questions, no holds barred. I found her extremely articulate, very open and smart with a very positive outlook on life, no matter what is thrown her way.
Q: A:
How and why did you become involved in “Married to Medicine?”
“The show was written by fellow cast member, Mariah, and the premise was to document the lives of Atlanta area doctors and their wives. I was invited to participate because Mariah’s husband knew Duncan, and Mariah and I became fast friends. I became involved as a way to help bring awareness to two charities I am a board member on, Doctors Without Borders and Thriving Children of Atlanta. I also thought our stories were interesting.”
Q: A:
What was the most surprising aspect of the show?
“When cameras started rolling, that’s when the real drama began. Several factors play into what is shown on TV, none of which is staged. In our case, there were six strong-willed women with very different personalities put together; the pressure of being on camera and knowing that what was just said could very well be broadcast to millions of viewers added to the drama.”
Q: 64
Were you satisfied in how you were portrayed and the editing?
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A:
“I think I was portrayed to be a snob, and I really am not. I’m from a different country and some things got misconstrued, and it was definitely difficult for me. It seemed like no one was willing to accept my differences, and I felt as if I had to constantly explain myself.”
Q: A:
Did the show take a toll on you?
“Yes. My philosophy is to try and be inspiring and positive. I educate women on how to live within their means and get out of debt. For me to be portrayed as someone who is very financially cavalier is not accurate. Also, the bickering is not who I am. I’m a loyal friend, and I’m not someone who backstabs or has ulterior motives.”
Q:
You mention that the drama surprised you. Many of the reality shows on Bravo are drama driven, so why did you think yours would be different?
A:
“Not all Bravo’s shows are like that. The show’s premise was about a medical community, not just a bunch of women together. The bickering that transpired on the show is not what any grown woman should be doing. There are other things that are so much more important.”
Q:
How did the show affect your relationship with Duncan; were your children affected?
bring additional awareness to the issue and help toward a movement of what can be said online, especially anonymously.”
A:
Q: A:
“If anything, it brought Duncan and I closer. He always had my back and was always supportive of me. I didn’t want my children involved, and they only had two scenes. Most of the filming was done while my children were at school.”
Q:
What are some of the more positive things that came out as a result of the
show?
A:
“I was given a voice to help raise awareness to the charities I am involved in. And it made me value my friendships and not sweat the small stuff. Having my life on display for all to see and comment on made me acutely aware of the issue of cyber bullying and what some of our teens go through. I took a stand on some of the cyber bullying I had experienced, and as a result, it helped a young high school student who was experiencing much of the same. If there’s a positive to any negativity I received via social media, it’s that I can
Season one wrapped up last December, and Bravo has stated that there will be a season two. If there’s one thing I took away from my time with Kari, it’s that being part of a reality show can be glamorous and exciting, but it can take a toll on you if you let it. Kari is a confident and accomplished
How did the show affect Duncan’s practice?
“A lot of patients got to see that we are a boutique practice and that they receive a lot of one-on-one attention from our one-physician practice. We definitely received new patients as a result of the show.”
Q:
For those who missed it, one of the most controversial scenes occurred at a party you hosted at your home. Two cast members became embroiled in a physical altercation, which was devastating to you and your other guests. Do you have any other regrets from the season?
A:
“My biggest regret is having that party in my home. I had some of my closest friends there, and it was shocking to everyone there what occurred. The first season of any show is difficult, and I learned a lot.”
woman. She is the CFO of Duncan’s practice, heavily involved in charitable causes and a mom to two beautiful children. You can follow Kari on Facebook (www.facebook.com/kari.wells2), Twitter (www.twitter.com/KariWells_) and on the web (www.kariwells.com).
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School & Sports
Dream Big By Joseph Lemmo
I’m a language arts teacher at E.T. Booth Middle School. Normally my seventh grade students have their journals published on this page, but in the summer months of July and August, I have the distinct pleasure of sharing my own thoughts and words. Speaking of words, if you follow my students’ writings, you will have noticed the theme each month usually has something to do with how their Joe Lemmo is language words have power and how their arts teacher at E.T. Booth voices matter. I have confidence Middle School; he’s been in that we all have opportunities a teacher for 12 years. He also performs Improv to influence others with our at the Elm Street Cultural words…even teens! Hopefully my Arts Center. Joe can be students have learned reached at mrlemmo@ through their writings gmail.com. that their words have power, and therefore they should never miss out on opportunities to think big and believe in their voices. Naturally, if I’m going to stress the importance of dreaming big and using one’s voice, I most certainly should be doing the same in my own life. As a teacher, I don’t want to be a hypocrite; I want to be an inspiration. That’s why when I was planning my proposal to my fiancée back in November, I knew I wanted to dream big and use my voice. Let me share my story, and you can determine if I was successful or not. My fiancée, Justine, surprised me with tickets to go see Beauty and the Beast at the Fox Theatre. Yes, you heard me correctly – the tickets were a gift to me. I’m not ashamed to admit that either! As I began to think about the show, the idea of proposing at the Fox began to mosey around inside my head. I could have thought to myself, “This just isn’t possible! There’s no way I can pull this off!” and I would have missed out on an amazing opportunity. Instead, I remembered what I had been preaching to my students, and I made the call to the Fox. I spoke to a very nice and helpful employee and I told her my idea. My plan was big; after all, I taught my students to think big. And after a little tweaking, we decided upon a plan. Justine and I would go on a “fake” private tour right before the show. While we were on the tour in the balcony, the usher would tell us to move towards the edge of the balcony for a picture, and that’s where the most powerful words I’ve ever said would be spoken. But since I wanted to dream even bigger, I asked if it would be possible to have one of Justine’s favorite 66
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songs play over the sound system when we got to the balcony. The Fox employee was skeptical due to the fact that this would be right before the show was getting ready to start. She said she would ask, but it wasn’t likely. We were both surprised when we found out the music could be played. Once again, the bravery to dream big was rewarded. Well, to make a long and beautiful story… short, let’s just say that it all worked out perfectly. At the edge of the balcony as Come What May was playing on the sound system, I got down on one knee, said those powerful words you say to the woman with whom you want to spend the rest of your life, and she said YES! It was an incredible moment that both of us will treasure forever. Later, as we sat in our seats to watch the show, I glanced over at her gazing at her new ring and was reminded of two things: words truly are powerful, and it’s good to dream big…because you never know which dreams you can really make come true!
Marriage Moments by Bill Ratliff
Lately I’ve been thinking and praying for the families in Oklahoma who have suffered tragic losses from the recent tornadoes. Their experiences reminded me of my great grandparents who resided in Oklahoma near the turn of the century. Prior to moving to Oklahoma, my great grandfather was a professional photographer who owned his own studio. In that day, photography involved a Bill Ratliff is the Senior chemical explosion to produce a Pastor at Towne Lake picture. His constant work with Community Church. these chemicals over the years He can be reached at (678) eventually caused him to go blind. 445-8766 or bratliff@ As a result, he lost his profession tlcchurch.com and his home. He and my great grandmother left Kansas to become “Oklahoma Sooners,” staking out a property in this territory. This was a risky decision, as many couples did not get an actual land deed in this process. They were fortunate to be able to
stake their claim of 33.5 acres in this unclaimed territory. I am honored to possess their original land deed signed by President Theodore Roosevelt. I learned more about their life in Oklahoma when I found newspaper clippings about them from 1907. As a couple, they were committed to their church. She was the pianist and he was a soloist and choir member. They often performed at weddings and opened their home for church functions on a regular basis. My great grandfather took up a new profession, a piano tuner, at the encouragement of his wife. He tuned pianos all around the area, including Fort Sill, the Army base. While there, a man watched him from the sidelines. This man’s name was Geronimo, who was imprisoned at Fort Sill. He admired my great grandfather’s ability to tune pianos even though he was blind. As a result, Geronimo carved a cane for him to use to get around. While it seemed things were going well, the piano tuning business did not provide enough income for my great grandparents to keep their land, and once again, they lost their home. They decided to make another fresh start and subsequently moved to Oklahoma City where they lived out the rest of their lives. Life handed them tragic setbacks over and over again, just
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faith
Grand Dog by Dr. Doug Thrasher
Dr. Doug Thrasher is the Senior Pastor at Hillside United Methodist Church. He is also a member of the TowneLaker’s Community Board. You may contact him at dthrasher@ hillsideumc.org.
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Riley, our grand dog, is a really, really sweet dog. Two of our granddaughters learned to walk by “pulling up” on Riley, and he didn’t seem to mind at all. Riley, my son’s Golden Retriever, loves to be with his family. And when you are family, you are granted a whole array of special privileges. For example, when you’re part of Riley’s family, you know you will be kept safe from the mailman. Whenever the mailman comes to the house, Riley barks at him with enough enthusiasm to scare him away. It has always worked! When you’re part of Riley’s family, you will be greeted with joyous tail wagging every time you come home. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been away for a few minutes, a few hours or for
some extended period of time. When you walk through the door, Riley will be there with his goofy grin and wagging tail saying, “I am so glad to see you!” When you’re part of Riley’s family, you will be given the privilege of scratching him behind the ears, on his throat and on his back. He insists upon being scratched every time you sit in a chair near him. And while that might seem like a nuisance, you get to see him experience pure pleasure as he rolls his eyes back and wags his tail. How many times in a normal day do you usually get to bring that much joy to someone or something? It makes you feel good just watching him. When you’re part of Riley’s family, you know that he will always be with you. Riley loves to spend time with his family, so whatever room you are in, he will be there with you. It doesn’t matter if it’s the living room, the den, the dining room, the kitchen or the bedroom. Wherever you are, Riley will be there, too. So I’ve learned to close the door to the bathroom. There is a limit to togetherness. I could go on about our grand dog. With Riley, no ball will be left unfetched, no stick unchewed, no food dropped from the table uneaten. But the most important thing to know about being part of Riley’s family is that he will always love you continued on page 81
Cherokee Photography Club Stained Glass by Eillene Kirk
Resting in Peace by Cory Mitchell
Angel Baby by Jay Minor
Established in 2004, the Cherokee Photography Club is for all levels of photographers. The club holds two meetings per month. A regular meeting is held on the fourth Monday of the month, and a meeting for those interested in participating in a monthly photography competition is held on the second Monday of the month. Both meetings are from 7 – 9 p.m. and are held at the Cherokee County Arts Center, 94 North Street in Canton. Each month, we will feature the winners from the previous month’s competition. The theme for this month’s feature is “Religious Icons.” For more information on the club, please email Kim Bates at kbphotoart@comcast. net or call him at (770) 617-7595, www. cherokeepc.org
According to Mark by Eillene Kirk
Remember by Eddie Myers
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DOWNTOWN WOODSTOCK
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downtown woodstock
Shopping 101 by Jodi Tiberio
Monica Roberson does not like shopping! Her husband has given her the green light to go shopping many Jodi Tiberio owns times over, but not only does she not Branch Boutique for like to shop, she does not know how. women in Towne Lake For some of us, this may be hard to and THREADS boutique for men and women in understand. But for many women, Downtown Woodstock. this is a common frustration. Monica Contact Jodi at info@ can get overwhelmed and did not shopthreads.net. feel it was important to buy a new pair of jeans when her 10-year-old jeans felt perfectly fine to her. I don’t know about you, but if my husband said, “Why don’t you go buy yourself some new things?” I would not think twice. I would go do it ASAP! Monica has never experienced boutique shopping, where she would have one-on-one attention from someone who knows the merchandise and the latest trends. The attention and knowledge proved to make shopping much easier for Monica. My manager Mari was able to select several great pieces for Monica that would work as complete outfits. Mari selected the newest style of jean from Miss Me. The fit was perfect, and Monica will enjoy wearing these jeans no matter where she is going or what she is doing. The jeans served as a foundation piece, which made it easy to choose several cute tops for multiple occasions. The red halter top she is wearing in the photo looks great on her, and the crochet embellishment is so pretty that little accessorizing is needed. Monica is a fitness instructor, so we also had a discussion about translating what she learned about clothing into her workout attire, as it is important for her to look and feel her best at work, too. I gave her some general tips about how to make shopping at large stores easy for her, such as to avoid the clearance rack and go for the newest merchandise. The clearance rack is great for people who like to shop and have no problem mixing and matching. For someone who hates shopping, it can look like a mish-mash where finding complete outfits is difficult. With her new clothes in hand, I sent Monica to Salon Gloss to complete her transformation with hair and makeup. After talking with Monica, Tim Timmons learned that Monica likes easy-to-wear hair that is low maintenance and that she can pull back to suit her lifestyle. Tim updated her flat, dull hair with a chocolate base color accented by a caramel ombre technique. Tim chose this technique because it would allow Monica to have highlighting throughout her hair with no monthly maintenance. He then cut her hair in multiple layers to pump up the volume. Monica’s hair now matched her lifestyle and her playful personality, and she couldn’t have felt more fabulous! Monica looked amazing in her new outfit, hair and make-up. After her transformation, she went out with some friends to celebrate. She deserved it!
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An International Incident by kristina havens
A couple of years ago I visited the Portrait Society of America (PSoA) Conference in Atlanta. Kristina Laurendi Havens is the owner of Part of the conference that Studio 81, portrait and is open to the public is the Fine Art, which shares display of the top 12 portraits a beautiful studio from the annual international space in downtown portrait painting, sculpting, Woodstock with Ann Litrel Art. Kristina and drawing competition. This offers painting classes display represents the top for all levels and holds portrait talent in the world. The an open weekly Figure PSoA is dedicated to traditional Drawing studio. For portraiture, so much of the more information, please contact her at content was very formal – heads 81artist@comcast.net. of state, leaders of the church and ladies of society. There was one portrait, however, that really stood out from the rest. It was a self-portrait capturing the artist in the foggy mirror of his bathroom. There was a towel wrapped around his waist, accenting the paunch of his belly; his hair was a little wild, and you could only see bits and pieces of him through the streaked mirror where he had wiped away the fog. As I stood admiring this painting – the energetic brushwork, the directness of his stare, the reflection of the light on the underside of his stomach – I glanced to my right, noticing that there was a gentleman watching me. Glancing back at the painting, I realized he was the artist. “I should have done a few more sit-ups, eh?” he asked in his Australian accent. I laughed and assured him that his honesty was refreshing, and that this painting was indeed my favorite of the show. This talented artist, Evert Ploeg, ended up winning Best of Show for his self-portrait. After he returned to Australia, we kept in touch via Facebook, learning more about each other’s work and family, promising that if and when the conference returned to Atlanta, he would take some time to visit my studio in Woodstock while he was here. When the PSoA 74
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Conference returned to Atlanta this past April, Evert did just that. I was thrilled to have Evert not only visit Studio 81 but actually perform a live painting demonstration at the Elm Street Theater as well. Partnered with the incredibly talented Mr. Kurt Sutton, a well-known Mark Twain impersonator, Evert and Kurt put on a once-in-a-lifetime event on the Elm Street stage. The scene started in the living room of Mr. Mark Twain. An artist has come to paint his portrait. Knowing Mr. Twain, the artist assures him that he can share stories and sing songs to his guests (our audience!), as long as he promises to come back and sit still every once in a while. Mr. Twain was the consummate host, telling tales and getting the entire audience to sing along with him as he strummed familiar tunes on his guitar and banjo. All the while, The Australian (as Mr. Twain referred to Mr. Ploeg) continued to capture the likeness of Mr. Twain on a large canvas. Mr. Ploeg’s dynamic brushwork and bold approach to painting could be seen all through the auditorium, and as we watched, the portrait came to life. It’s hard to describe the energy that was created on the stage that evening. It was not just theater, not just art, but something more. The two performers, having never met each other before this performance, got to know each other in those three hours, and in the audience you could sense their mutual respect for each other’s work. Both of the men expressed afterwards that it was one of their favorite creative moments, ever. This performance is a shining example of what our community has to look forward to as the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village continues to grow and flourish: an award-winning, internationally-known artist like Mr. Ploeg, on stage with one of our area’s most prolific performers who travels the country personifying an American hero. Follow Elm Street Visual Artists and the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village on Facebook to keep up with all of the events coming to Woodstock. Learn more about Evert Ploeg’s work at evertploegartist.com and Kurt Sutton’s performances as Mark Twain at kurtsutton.home. mindspring.com.
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Ways to Beat the Heat in Downtown Woodstock by Lauren Sellers
By this point in the summer, it is easy to want to run indoors to a climate below 75. But there is a way to survive the hours of noon to 4 p.m., and it doesn’t involve staying cooped up inside. Venture out to downtown Woodstock. There are a wide range of restaurants, retailers and attractions that can pry you away from Netflix or your airconditioning fixation. Lauren Sellers is an Here are a few suggestions intern with Woodstock’s Office of Economic for a cool exploration of the Development, and a downtown area. third-year public relations To start, why not enjoy a and Spanish major at the cup of iced coffee at Copper University of Georgia. Coin or in one of downtown’s many restaurants. The chilled refreshment offers a pick-me-up from long days of sun exposure. Sit indoors if you wish, or enjoy
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the afternoon at an outdoor table on Chambers Street. Cold drinks can work wonders in the heat, but once that cup is empty and you are making embarrassing slurping noises, it’s time to retreat into one of downtown’s many retailers and treat yourself. Get your hair done at one of downtown’s salons. We all need an update once in a while, because nothing says summer like a fresh haircut and pedicure! Or shop for a breezy new outfit. Shopping can be refreshing in itself, and downtown has plenty of retailers that will keep you looking and feeling cool this summer. If your home needs a summer pick-me-up, grab a summerscented candle or fresh flowers from Pineapple Park, House and Garden Boutique or Brenda’s House of Flowers. If you have children at home this summer, the downtown area has just the thing for the younger crowd, too. See an afternoon performance at Elm Street Cultural Arts Village and grab a sweet treat like frozen yogurt from Yoguri or a mini cupcake from Cupcakelicious. The kids will be re-energized for those long pool days and outdoor afternoons after a restorative trip downtown. For more information on downtown Woodstock, visit whatsupwoodstock.com for event information or download our new free app, Visit Woodstock.
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What Shall We Do This Year? by G. Lora Grooms
One of the most challenging aspects of running a non-profit theatre group is deciding what programming to provide our community. It’s very important to us that we choose plays, musicals and other events that are of interest to our patrons. We are always thinking about our audiences and our students, too. Because of our good fortune to be housed in a wonderful G. Lora Grooms is the facility in the heart of downtown director for the Elm Street Woodstock (thank you Mayor Cultural Arts Village. She has been teaching, Henriques and the City Council), writing, directing and we have more options when it performing in the Atlanta comes to event planning. With area since 1990. You can great acoustics and a large reach her at director@ number of seats, the City Center elmstreetarts.org Auditorium is an ideal location for concerts. We have hosted everything from gospel to alternative rock to jazz to local CD releases. (Remember, Joe Gransden’s Big Band is returning on July 19, featuring Woodstock’s Taryn Chidebelu-Eze.) Our stage is great for recitals, pageants and large meetings, too. But our favorite events to stage are plays and musicals that everyone can enjoy. And with art studios and classrooms downstairs, we can carry a full schedule of classes and workshops. So... What shall we do this year? After we close this July’s production of Beauty and the Beast, we will begin the season with an encore performance of Dan Goggin’s hilarious musical Nunsense. This has turned out to be a real crowd pleaser, so if you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to attend in August. One of the best compliments we’ve received was, “I used to live in New York City and saw Broadway shows all the time. As I was watching Nunsense, I thought I was back in New York again!” September will see new programming featuring the iThink Improv Troupe in a play called All in the Timing by David Ives. There will be a new stage play based on a bit of fun Woodstock history that will be produced by some of our talented senior citizens. It’s called Mizz Edna Drives on Main and will tell the story of the first woman driver in Woodstock! This new work is part of an Arts Education in American Communities grant, awarded to Elm Street by the National Endowment for the Arts. And the season continues with Ghost Tales and Trails, our annual spooky storytelling event; Little Women, The Little continued on page 82 78
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CITY CENTER • WOODSTOCK
JULY
10,13,14,17,20,21,24 Wednesday 10:00am Saturday/Sunday 2:00pm
Call or visit us on the web to learn about our
SUMMER CAMPS ELMSTREETARTS.ORG 678.494.4251
July CALENDAR of events Through October 26
Main Street Woodstock Farmers Market Time: Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Location: Woodstock City Center parking lot, corner of Main Street and Towne Lake Parkway Information: For more about the market or to become a vendor, email Kyle Bennett at kbennett@woodstockga.gov.
July 13
Summer Concert Series — Ed Roland and the Sweet Tea Project Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Park at City Center Information: Bring a picnic or enjoy one of the many restaurants and vendors. Chairs and blankets welcome. Alcohol not permitted. Visit www.woodstockconcertseries.com.
July 15 July 4
Woodstock Freedom 5K Run Time: 7:30 a.m. Location: Starts at Main Street and Arnold Mill Road, down and back to Highway 92 to Rope Mill Road, finishing at the caboose on Main Street. Information: www.WoodstockFreedomRun.com Fourth of July Parade Time: 10 a.m. Location: Starts at Highway 92 (in old Walmart parking lot), north on Main Street to Woodstock Elementary School on Rope Mill Road. Information: After parade, bring the family for food, Adam the Juggler, Tim the Magician, live music, children’s games, vendors and more.
Susan Crandall—Whistling Past The Graveyard Book Signing And Discussion Time: 7 p.m. Location: FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 East Main Street Information: Free. Book purchase optional. Special guest New York Times bestselling author Karen White.
July 16
Mary Alice Monroe—The Summer Girls Book Signing And Discussion Time: 7 p.m. Location: FoxTale Book Shoppe, 105 East Main Street Information: Free. Book purchase optional
Fireworks Time: Dusk Location: Behind Target shopping center on Highway 92 Information: http://www.woodstockga.gov
July 5
Friday Night Live — AmericaFest Time: 6 – 9 p.m. Location: Downtown Woodstock Information: Celebrate the spirit of America in downtown Woodstock. AmericaFest will feature a bicycle parade.
July 10, 13, 14, 17, 20, 21 & 24
Beauty and the Beast Days/Times: Wednesdays, 10 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays, 2 p.m. Location: City Center Auditorium, 8535 Main Street Tickets: All seats $10 if purchased online in advance; or $12 at the door
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We are currently conducting our annual membership drive. Please check out mainstreet.org for more information.
Next meeting: Friday, July 26 Sponsored by Northside Hospital Cherokee New Members: Silverton Mortgage Douglas Watts Best Possible Mortgage J. Miller’s Smokehouse A Cherokee Welcome Renee Gable
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Preparation: Don’t Let Disasters Affect Your Family! continued from page 47
see a tornado close by while driving, getting into a ditch or low lying area outside of the car is the safest thing to do. Communication is paramount during disasters. Make sure that your kids know at least one parent’s cell phone number. If there is another close family member or friend you trust, put that name and number in your child’s backpack, purse or wallet just in case you aren’t available. Have a “safe word” known by a close friend and your child in case your child needs to be picked up from a pool, practices or the park and you are not available. Emergency supplies are important. In a storage area or your basement, have a case of drinking water, an emergency radio, flashlights, batteries, ready to eat foods and blankets. You can find more details about disaster preparedness on the CDC website at http://www.bt.cdc.gov/. Practicing for disasters is really important, so get your plan together and then get the family together and practice. We hope it’s something you never need to do for real, but if you do, everyone will be ready!
Mosquito Myths continued from page 48
spray treatment on your yard to protect yourself and everyone in it, or use a product containing Deet that is applied directly to your body. Mosquitoes prefer people with “sweet” blood Mosquitoes do prefer to feast on some people over others, but it has nothing to do with blood sugar, floral scents, or any other commonly perceived attractions. They are attracted to CO2. Some people give off a higher amount then others, making them more susceptible to mosquito bites. Anyone can make themselves more attractive to mosquitoes following heavy exercise due to the combination of sweat, carbon dioxide and lactic acid.
Marriage Moments continued from page 67
as it has to many families affected by the recent tornadoes. Throughout loss and hardship, my great grandparents stuck together in their marriage and clung to hope for the future. The Bible states in Isaiah 40:31, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” DATE YOUR MATE: Enjoy a hike and then picnic on the lake at Red Top Mountain State Park. Relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the wildlife. If you go on a Saturday or Sunday, you might even get to enjoy the sounds of a bluegrass band.
Grand Dog
continued from page 68
unconditionally. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if people treated each other the way Riley treats his family? I once heard that all dogs go to heaven. Now I know why.
Are You a Good Candidate for Plastic Surgery? continued from page 42
they are so pleased to get their pre-baby figures back*. Do you have a strong support system? Some procedures require time to heal, taking from a few days to a few weeks. It’s important to plan for help with childcare, household duties or driving carpool so you can heal properly and get the results you deserve. Can you maintain your weight for six months to a year prior to your procedure? If you are planning to have a body contouring procedure like liposuction, tummy tuck or even CoolSculpting, your surgeon may want you to maintain a steady body weight for a period of time. That way, you’ll be able to gauge the actual results better. CoolSculpting is a non-invasive, fat freezing technique that leads to about a 20 percent reduction in fat. It’s highly effective on individuals who have a little extra “inch to pinch, ”but for patients with more pounds to lose, other procedures may be warranted. If you’re realistic about the results you’re seeking and align yourself with a highly skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon who can guide you toward the best and safest procedures for you, then you’re more likely to be satisfied. There is probably a procedure that is just right for you, but it is not one size fits all. *Dallas Morning News, 12/17/2012
Assessing Your Risk for Hereditary Breast or Ovarian Cancer continued from page 43
counseling is also helpful in discussing the technical accuracy of testing, the medical implications of a positive or a negative test result, the psychological risks and benefits of genetic test results and the risk of passing a mutation to children. If it is recommended that you undergo genetic testing, your genetic counselor will take a saliva or blood sample to analyze your risk. If you have been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer before or have had more than two family members with an early onset of any type of hereditary cancer, you may want to talk to your doctor about genetic testing. Knowledge is power, and genetic testing can be the first step to taking action against your hereditary cancer. townelaker | July 2013
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Solving Georgia’s Water Problems by Liberating “Occupied Georgia” continued from page 17
Why the pushback from Tennessee? If there won’t be any effect on their communities, reservoirs, or natural resources, why would Tennessee’s legislature be so opposed to granting Georgia access? The simple answer is economic development. When companies explore setting up in the southeast, competing states have a great edge as long as they can report to company leadership that “Georgia is running out of water.” According to attorney Brad Carver, “Because Georgia never ceded its right to the disputed land and both parties acknowledge the 35th parallel is the true border, Tennessee is in violation of Article IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution by claiming a portion of another state.” There have been five similar border disputes heard by the Supreme Court in just the past 15 years, and precedent would suggest a favorable outcome for the Peach State. In resolutions passed by Tennessee’s own legislature in 1889 and 1905, it expressed “grave doubts” about its current southern border. They used these resolutions to support a settlement with Mississippi that reset the border between those two states at the 35th parallel. Memphis International Airport now sits in this plot of land which was once a part of Mississippi. As we continue to search for ways to support our infrastructure and Georgia’s growing population, claiming our constitutional, rightful access to the Tennessee River seems the simplest remedy. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at Michael@CaldwellForHouse.com or on my cell phone at (678) 523-8570. Thank you for the opportunity to represent you in our General Assembly.
What Shall We Do This Year? continued from page 78
Drummer Boy, A Christmas Carol, Tom Sawyer, Into the Woods, Treasure Island: Or Who’s Got the Map?, Godspell, Whose Line Is It, Woodstock, The Princess and the Pea and Seussical, Jr. Yes, it seems like a lot, especially when you know there are many other events going on around that season. But when you have a space this great and versatile, you want to keep it busy 24/7 if you can! And there really is something for everyone.
It’s Time to Reassess continued from page 41
system/model, and we can put our team together and create a winning strategy to reach our goals. The difficult thing is how to change our beliefs. As we evolve, some of our beliefs that no longer serve us can keep us stuck and deprive us of a better and more joyful life. Spend some time examining your beliefs. It will pay off in a happier life and better business. 82
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Yes? No? Wait? When Should a Parent Step In? continued from page 40
University professor Carol Dweck did brain research monitoring the reward center of the brain. She learned our brains have to learn that frustrating spells can be worked through. The reward center of our brains learns to say, “Don’t give up. Don’t stop trying.” This research also found that a person who grows up receiving frequent rewards will not gain persistence because he or she will quit when the rewards disappear. Obviously, there is no secret sauce to parenting, and the discernment needed is crucial. As adults, our self-burden to “look good” by parenting effectively can cause us to rush choices in parenting, which ends up putting us in another predicament—inconsistency. Take your time, wait it out overnight (let your children sweat it out), talk with your spouse and read the “Love and Logic” book series. It is so important to learn from one’s mistakes rather than to be shielded from making them. Fragile children become fragile adults, and the children of the next generation need to possess an ability to be resilient, not fragile. This month, step aside when life provides a healthy learning opportunity that comes with failure; we all might learn something. When a dad is in, everyone wins.
Make Your Holiday a Bang continued from page 38
flowers clipped from your yard if they are color appropriate. Or fill a container with baby’s breath and red carnations; tie a blue ribbon around it and have unlit sparklers accenting it. These can be used later on as the evening grows darker. Simple white candles in clear glass votives scattered around the table are not only inexpensive, but they look even better as the night goes on. Your food is also another source for a centerpiece. Fruit kabobs made into an arrangement is very striking and serves two purposes: décor and dinner. A hurricane container layered with red and blue berries also looks fresh and festive. Since the Fourth of July is all about celebrating America’s freedom, remember those men and women who have served or are serving our country. A display of family members’ photos that are part of the military and any tokens or heirlooms that you might have is a wonderful way to show respect and celebrate. It also will create a conversation piece. Vibrant patriotic colors, family memorabilia, Americana accents and of course fireworks will make your celebration a day to remember.
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reference
TOWNE LAKE AREA Community of Faith Baptist
Jewish
Crossroads Community Church 2317 Bascomb-Carmel Road, (770) 592-7007 Sunday Services: 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. Sunday Morning Bible Study: 9:30 a.m. Pastor: Bob Goodner
Chabad Jewish Center 14255 Wade Green Rd NW, Ste 120 Kennesaw, GA 30144, (678) 460-7702 Introductory Service: 1st Shabbat monthly at 11 a.m. Traditional Service: 3rd Shabbat monthly at 10:30 a.m. Rabbi: Zalman Charytan www.JewishWoodstock.com, www.Facebook.com/ JewishCenter
Crossroads Primitive Baptist Church 3100 Trickum Road, Woodstock, (770) 710-1068 Pastor: Elder Larry White www.crossroadspbc.org First Baptist Church of Woodstock 11905 Highway 92, (770) 926-4428 Sunday Services: 9:30 & 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. Pastor: Dr. Johnny M. Hunt www.fbcw.org Hillcrest Baptist Church 6069 Woodstock Road, Acworth, (770) 917-9100 Sunday Alive Groups & Worship Service: 9:30 & 11 a.m. Sunday Evening Worship Service: 6 p.m. Wednesday Services: Youth 6:30 p.m., Adults 7 p.m. Pastor: Mike Maxwell
Congregation Ner Tamid A Reform Jewish Temple (770) 345-8687, Marci, call for information Serving the Northwest Suburbs Temple Kehillat Chaim 1145 Green Street Roswell, GA 30075 (770) 641-8630 www.kehillatchaim.org Temple Kol Emeth 1415 Old Canton Road, Marietta, (770) 973-3533 www.Kolemeth.net
New Victoria Baptist Church 6659 Bells Ferry Road, (770) 926-8448 Sunday Services: 11 a.m Sunday Bible Study: 9:45 a.m. Wednesday Awana/Youth: 6:30 – 8 p.m. Pastor: John Harris www.newvicbaptist.org
Messianic Jewish
South Cherokee Baptist Church 7504 Highway 92, (770) 926-0422 Sunday Services: 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7 p.m. Pastor: Steven Lambert
Lutheran
Episcopal Christ Episcopal Church 1210 Wooten Lake Road, Kennesaw, (770) 422-9114 Sunday Services: 8 & 10:30 a.m. Sunday School: 9:15 a.m. Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. praise music, 7 p.m. Eucharist Rector: Doris Graf Smith Christ the Redeemer Charismatic Episcopal Church 411 Scott Mill Road, Canton, (770) 479-1778 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Morning Prayer: Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Rector: Kurt Wheeler Christ the Redeemer Charismatic Episcopal Church 6488 Hickory Flat Highway, Canton, (404) 395-5003 Saturday Service: 5:30 p.m. Priest: Stephen Hunter Saint Clement’s Episcopal Church 2795 Ridge Road, Canton, (770) 345-6722 Sunday Eucharist Services: 8, 9 & 11 a.m. Christian Education: 10 a.m. Wednesday Eucharist Service: 6:30 p.m. Rector: James B. Stutler
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Tikvah l’ Chaim “Hope for Life Ministries” 4206 North Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock, (678) 936-4125 Saturday Hebrew Literacy & Bible Study: 10 a.m. Saturday Shabbat Service: 11 a.m. Rabbi: Gary Maxted
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 1208 Rose Creek Drive (770) 924-7286, sheeptalk-gslc@comcast.net Sunday Services: 8, 9:30 & 11 a.m. Sunday School: 9:30 & 11 a.m. Thursday Youth Activities: 6:30 p.m. Pastors: Paul Baumgartner & Justin Ask www.gslutheran.org Timothy Lutheran Church (LC-MS) 556 Arnold Mill Road, (770) 928-2812 Sunday Services: 8:30 & 11 a.m. Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. Pastor: Stephen Constien
Orthodox St. Elizabeth Orthodox Church 2263 E. Cherokee Drive, Woodstock, (770) 485-0504 Sunday Divine Liturgy: 10 a.m. Priest Frederick Watson www.stelizabethga.org
Presbyterian Christ Covenant Presbyterian of Woodstock (PCA) Meets in the Rec Center of Cherokee County’s South Annex, 7545 Main Street; Bldg. 200, Woodstock Pastor: Ted Lester www.cc-pca.org
Geneva Orthodox Presbyterian Church Meets in Kings Academy Church Building 471 Arnold Mill Rd., Woodstock, (770) 833-3797 Sunday Services: 10 a.m. & 5:30 p.m., Sunday School: 11:30 a.m. Pastor: Matthew Holst www.genevaopc.org Heritage Presbyterian Church 5323 Bells Ferry Road, (770) 926-3558 Sunday Services: 9 & 11:10 a.m. Sunday School: 10 a.m. Pastor: Dr. Sid Gunter www.heritagepres.com Sixes Presbyterian Church Meeting at our Fellowship Hall at 2335 Sixes Road, Canton, (770) 485-1975 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Dr. Lucas Pina www.sixeschurch.org Woodstock Presbyterian Church 345 Arnold Mill Road, (770) 926-0074 Adult Sunday School: 10 a.m. Traditional Worship Service: 11 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Cynthia Parr
Roman Catholic St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church 490 Arnold Mill Road, (770) 516-0009 Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:30 p.m. Sunday Masses: 7:30, 9 & 11 a.m. & 12:45 & 5:30 p.m. Sunday Spanish Mass: 2:30 p.m. Pastor: Rev. Larry Niese www.saintmichaelcc.org Transfiguration Catholic Church 1815 Blackwell Rd. NE., Marietta, (770) 977-1442 Saturday Vigil Mass: 5 p.m. Sunday Masses: 8 & 10 a.m. & 12 noon Sunday Spanish Mass: 2 p.m. Pastor: Monsignor Patrick Bishop www.transfiguration.com
United Methodist Bascomb United Methodist Church 2295 Bascomb-Carmel Road, (770) 926-9755 Contemporary Service: 9 a.m. Traditional Service: 11 a.m. Sunday School: 10 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Millie Kim www.bascombumc.org CITY ON A HILL United Methodist Church 7745 Main Street, (678) 445-3480 Sunday Service: 9:30 & 11:15 a.m. Pastor: Chris Bryant www.coahumc.org First United Methodist Church of Woodstock 109 Towne Lake Parkway, (770) 926-6440 Sunday School: 10 a.m.
Sunday Worship: 11 a.m. Over 50s meet 1st Saturday each month at 11:30 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Claude Herbert Hillside United Methodist Church 4474 Towne Lake Parkway, (770) 924-4777 Traditional Services: 8:25 & 11 a.m. Contemporary Services: 9:25 & 11 a.m. Sunday School: 9:30 & 11 a.m Pastor: Dr. Doug Thrasher www.hillsideumc.org Liberty Hill Church at the Mill 141 Railroad Street, (678) 493-8920 Sunday Service: 11 a.m. Nursery available Pastor: Jamey Prickett www.libertyhillumc.org Little River United Methodist Church 12455 Highway 92, (770) 926-2495 Sunday Service: 11 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Bill Coady www.littleriverumc.info Sixes United Methodist Church 8385 Bells Ferry Road, Canton, (770) 345-7644 Sunday Services: 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday School: 10 a.m. Pastor: Dr. Joe McKechnie www.sixesumc.org Woodstock United Methodist Church 109 Towne Lake Parkway, (770) 516-0371 Sunday School: 10 a.m. Worship Service: 11 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Clalude T. Herbert
Other Churches Allen Temple, AME Church 232 N. Arnold Mill Road, (770) 926-6348 Prayer Time: Friday, 7:14 p.m. Sunday Services: 8 & 11 a.m. Sunday Church School: 9:45 a.m. Pastor: Carl A. Moore, Sr. www.allentempleame.org Awakening Church 180 Parkway 575, Suite 140 next to Folks Resturant, (770) 924-4150 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. www.awakeningwoodstock.com Lead Pastor: Jeff Whitmire Bells Ferry Church of God 6718 Bells Ferry Road, (770) 592-2956 Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday Service: 11 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7 p.m. Pastor: Ted Wooldridge www.bellsferry.com Branches of Christ 5946 Jacobs Road, Acworth, (770) 917-4964 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7 p.m. Pastor: Steve Pettit www.branchesofchrist.com BridgePointe Church 233 Arnold Mill Road, Suite 400, (770) 517-2977 Sunday Service: 9:30 & 11 a.m. Pastor: Mat Garcia www.bridgepointechurch.org
Cherokee Seventh Day Adventist 101 Rope Mill Road, (770) 591-7304 Saturday Worship: 11 a.m. Sabbath School: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7:30 p.m. Pastor: Jonathan Williamson Christ the King Church of Greater Atlanta 6464 Highway 92, (770) 924-9161 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Larry Tomczak www.ctkatlanta.com Christian Praise Center 1358 Sixes Road, (770) 924-7532 www.christianpraisecenter.com Church at North Gate 9876 Main Street, Suite 250 (behind NAPA) (678) 494-2193 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Program: 7:30 p.m. Pastor: Marc Lawson www.ngca.org Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Allatoona Ward, 2205 Bascomb-Carmel Road Sacrament Meeting: 9 a.m. Auxiliary Meeting: 10:20 a.m. Bishop Phil Karski Woodstock Ward Sacrament Meeting: 11 a.m. Bishop Jonathan Ensign Church of the Messiah (Non-denominational) 415 Charles Cox Drive, Canton, (770) 479-5280 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Pastor: Fred L. Goodwin Cornerstone Community Church 503 Hickory Ridge Trail, Suite 160 (678) 439-5108, dlkight@comcast.net Sunday Service: 11 a.m. Pastor David Kight www.ccchurchonline.org Dayspring Church 6835 Victory Drive, Acworth, (770) 516-5733 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Tony Crawford www.dayspring-online.com Empowerment Tabernacle Church 507 Industrial Drive, Woodstock, (770) 928-7478 Sunday Worship: 10 a.m. Pastor: A.D. Hinton www.EmpowermentTabernacle.com Faith Family Church 5744 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth, (770) 926-4560 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Wednesday Service: 7 p.m. Pastor: Tommy White His Hands Church 550 Molly Lane, Woodstock, (770) 405-2500 Party on Sunday: 10 a.m. www.hishandschurch.com Living Hope Lutheran Church 3450 Stilesboro Road NW, Kennesaw (770) 425-6726, office@livinghopega.com Sunday Services: 9 & 11:15 AM Wednesday: 1st & 3rd, Saturday: Youth 7:00 PM Pastor: John Schubert
Love Community Church 5598 Bells Ferry Rd., Acworth, (404) 663-1828 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Donna T. Lucas Momentum Church 110 Londonderry Court, Suite 130, Woodstock, on Hwy 92 — ½ mile east of Hwy 5 (678) 384-4919 Sunday Service Times: 9:30 & 11:15 a.m. Pastor: Ross Wiseman www.MomentumChurch.tv Northern Hills Church of Christ 4563 Hickory Flat Highway, Canton, (404) 579-0885 Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Pastor: Ronny West www.northernhillsfamily.org Prayer & Praise Christian Fellowship Church 6409 Bells Ferry Road, (770) 928-2795 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Christian Living Class: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Youth Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Pastor: Larry H. Baker www.prayerandpraise.org Resurrection Anglican Church 231 Arnold Mill Road, (770) 591-0040 Holy Communion: Sunday 10 a.m. Christian Education (all ages): Sunday 9 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Gene Prince www.rezwoodstock.org Towne Lake Community Church (TLC Church) 132 North Medical Parkway, (678) 445-8766 Contemporary Family Style Worship: Sunday 10:30 a.m. The Walk — Adult Singles Worship: Saturday 6 p.m. Celebrate Recovery: Friday 6:30 p.m. Sr. Pastor: William S. Ratliff www.tlcchurch.com Woodstock Christian Church 7700 Highway 92, (770) 926-8238 Sunday School: 9 a.m. Sunday Worship Service: 10:30 a.m. Sunday Small Groups: 6 p.m. Wednesday Meal: 6 p.m.; Worship: 6:40 p.m.; Program: 7 p.m. Pastor: Lynn Eynon www.woodstockchristian.org Woodstock Church of Christ 219 Rope Mill Road, (770) 926-8838 Sunday Services: 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. Servico En Espanol Domingo: 10:30 a.m. Aprenda Ingles Gratis (Free ESL): Lunes 7 — 9 p.m. Ministro: Rafael Uzcategui, (770) 926-8271 Pastor: Matt Amos www.woodstockchurchofchrist.org Woodstock Church of the Nazarene 874 Arnold Mill Road, (770) 924-4499 Sunday Services: 10:45 a.m. & 6 p.m. Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Program: 7 p.m. Pastor: Lewis Stark www.wcnga.com Woodstock Community Church 237 Rope Mill Road, (770) 926-8990 Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Greg Michael
www.LivingHopeGA.com, www.OpenArmsWestCobb.com townelaker | July 2013
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TOWNE LAKE AREA CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS Business Organizations American Business Women’s Association, Cherokee Eagles Charter Chapter Meeting: Third Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Contact: Jacqueline Miller Van Hook, (678) 493-3618 Cherokee Area Business Connection Meeting: Every Wednesday at 7:15 a.m. Contact: Marci Zied, (770) 345-8687 Cherokee Financial Women International Contact: Mitzi Saxon, (770) 479-3400 Cherokee Toastmasters Meeting: Every Wednesday from 12 noon Location: 7745 Main Street, Woodstock Contact: Laury Beesley, (678) 642-3110 www.CherokeeToastmasters.com Empowered Women Through Synergy Meeting: 3rd Thursday at 8.30 a.m. Location: J Christopher’s in Downtown Woodstock Contact: Shahida Baig 678-445-3900 Facebook: Empowered Women Through Synergy No Fee Referral Network Woodstock Meeting: Every Monday morning at 7:30 am Location: IHOP 8979 Hwy 92 www.meetup.com/No-Fee-Referral-NetworkWoodstock North Georgia Referral Network Meeting: Every Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. Location: J. Christophers, 315 Chambers Street Contact: (770) 592-5990
Woodstock Community Business Association Meeting: Second Monday at 12 noon Location: Tuscany, 250 Cinema Way Contact: WCBusinessAssoc@aol.com
Charitable Organizations Ahimsa House help for victims of domestic violence who need help getting their pets to safety. Contact: 24-hr, (404) 452-6248, Info (404) 496-4038 www.ahimsahouse.org Chance Afrika Contact: Eric Mwangi, Exec. Dir., ericm@chanceafrika.org, (770) 256 2280, www.chanceafrika.org Cherokee Child Advocacy Council, Inc. Anna Crawford Children’s Center and Parents HELP Location: 319 Lamar Haley Pkwy., Canton Contact: Amy Economopolous, (770) 592-9779 www.cherokeechildadvocates.org Cherokee County Humane Society (CCHS) Contact: (770) 928-5115 admin@cchumanesociety.org www.cchumanesociety.org CCHS Thrift Store located at 5900 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth, (770) 592-8072, accepts donations and sells used household items to raise money for CCHS. Companion Animal Connection Contact: (678) 493-9847 www.cacadopt.petfinder.com
The Joy of Connecting Networking for Women Meeting: Third Thursday at 6:45 p.m. Contact: Edeline Dryden (678) 789-6158 www.thejoyofconnecting.com
Feed My Lambs, Inc. Contact: office@feedmylambs.net www.feedmylambs.net
Together We Rise Meeting: Second & Fourth Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. Location: Featherstone’s at Towne Lake Hills Contact: Pat Snipes, (404) 569-5280
Funds 4 Furry Friends helps those in need with food, spay/neuter and medical attention for their pets. Contact: Gina Jeter, (770) 842-8893 www.funds4furryfriends.com
Towne Lake Business Association Meeting: Third Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. Location: Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: (770) 615-3350 www.tlba.org Towne Lake PowerCore Team Meeting: Every Friday at 7:15 — 8:45 a.m. Location: Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: Marc Replogle, (770) 952-5000, X20 (404) 816-3377 www.powercore.net Women of Woodstock Meeting: First & Third Wednesday. Location: Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: info@womenofwoodstock.com www.womenofwoodstock.com
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Habitat for Humanity North Central Georgia Contact: (770) 345-1024 Website: www.habitat-ncg.org Hope Center offers support for unplanned pregnancy. Contact: (770) 924-0864, info@TheHopeCtr.com www.hopectr.com
Hospice Advantage needs volunteers. Contact: (770) 218-1997 www.hospiceadvantage.com iCOR helping orphans, seeks volunteers. Contact: Lily Colgate, (404) 992-8155 www.iCORorphans.com MUST Ministries Contact: Kendall Jones, (770) 479-5397
Papa’s Pantry is a year-round local food ministry. Contact: Lynne Saunders, (770) 591-4730 www.papaspantry.org Pet Buddies Food Pantry has pet food collection bin at TowneLaker offices. www.petbuddiesfoodpantry.org Safe Kids Cherokee County — Call for an appointment for free child safety seat inspections. Contact: (770) 721-7808 www.cherokeesafekids.org
Civic Organizations AARP Woodstock Chapter is for anyone 50+ Meeting: Second Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. Location: Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: Rich, (770) 926-1944 American Legion Post 316 Meeting: Third Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Location: William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road Contact: Irma Martin, (678) 662-2366 Junior Service League of Woodstock Meeting: 3rd Tuesday at 7pm. Location: Collective Co-Cop, 105 E. Main Street, Ste. 126 in Downtown Woodstock Contact: 24 hour info line: (770) 592-3535 http://jslwoodstock.org Pilot Club of Cherokee County Contact: Lynda Goodwin, (770) 393-1766, Lynda @edgoodwinassociates.com Rotary Club of Towne Lake Meeting: Every Thursday at 12 noon (lunch) Location: Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: Ivan Garcia (770) 926-0105 Rotary Club of Woodstock Meeting: Every Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. Location: IHOP on Highway 92 Contact: Gary Floyd, (404) 506-6878, glfloyd@southernco.com Sewrifics of Cherokee Meeting: Third Tuesday at 7 p.m. Location: Sixes United Methodist Church, Canton Contact: Sheri Torch, (770) 591-8335 South Cherokee Optimist Club Meeting: Every Friday at 7:30 a.m. Location: Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills Contact: (770) 926-3522 Towne Lake Optimist Club Meeting: Every Wednesday at 12 noon Location: Eagle Watch Golf Club Contact: Matt Halloran, (404) 307-8001,
matthalloran@windstream.net
Woodstock Jaycees Meeting: First Tuesday & Third Thursday at 7 p.m. Location: 216 Rope Mill Road Contact: (404) 690-4452 Woodstock Lions Club Meeting: Second & Fourth Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Location: New Victoria Baptist Church Contact: (770) 906-2958 Woodstock Masons Lodge #246 F. & A.M., Inc. Meeting: Second & Fourth Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. Location: Corner of Air Acres Way & Arnold Mill Rd. Contact: lodge.info@woodstocklodge246.org Woodstock Midday Optimist Club Meeting: Every Wednesday at 12 noon Location: Folks Contact: Johnny Young, (770) 345-6158 Woodstock VFW Post 10683 Meeting: Second Tuesday at 7 p.m. Location: Woodstock Senior Center Contact: Andrew Yrabedra, (404) 663-4663
Political Organizations Cherokee County Democrat Party Meeting: Second Thursday at 7 p.m. Location: Holly Springs Train Depot www.cherokeedems.com Cherokee County Republican Party Meeting: Second Saturday at 8:30 a.m. Location: Winchesters Woodfire Grill Contact: (678) 905-1522 Cherokee Tea Party Patriots Contact: Conrad Quagliaroli (770)592-6545 Republican Women of Cherokee County Meeting: www.rwccga.com Contact: (678) 520-2236
Recreation & Hobbies Arts Alliance of Georgia, Inc. Meeting: Second Saturday at 10 a.m. Location: Studio 101, 101 Emma Lane, www.artsalliancega.org Blue Skies Laughter Club Meeting: Every Wednesday 7 — 8 p.m. Location: Northside-Cherokee Medical Offices 100 Stoneforest Dr., 1st floor conf. room Contact: Craig Whitley (404) 520-0221 www.addlaughter.com Cherokee Amateur Radio Society Meeting Second Saturday at 10 a.m. Location: William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road www.cherokeehams.com
Cherokee County Arts Center Location: 94 North Street, Canton Contact: (770) 704-6244 www.CherokeeArts.org Cherokee County Saddle Club www.cherokeesaddleclub.com Cherokee Co. Social Adventures Group www.TCCSAG.org Cherokee Hockey In Line League (CHILL) roller hockey Website: www.cherokeehockey.org Cherokee Music Teachers Association Contact: Linda Lokey (770) 720-1701 www.cherokeemta.org Cherokee Youth Lacrosse Association Website: www.cherokeelacrosse.com Crossfit WOD Club Meeting: Daily for the “Work Out of the Day” Contact: www.crossfitgarage.com Les Marmitons is for men interested in culinary arts. Meeting: Third Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Location: Chattahoochee Tech Contact: Larry Lodisio, (770) 516-5197 Neighbors & Newcomers of Towne Lake Contact: Ellen Kayton, (678) 494-6005 www.nntl.org Wildlife Action, Inc. is a conservation organization. Location: Wildlife Action, 2075 Kellogg Creek Contact: WLA Office, (770) 924-7464 www.wildlifeactiongeorgia.com
Support Organizations Adoption/Infertility Support Group Meeting: First Wednesday at 7 p.m. Location: First Baptist Church of Woodstock Contact: Cindy Braddock, (678) 445-3131 Autism Parent Support Group Meeting: Second Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Location: Cherokee County Community Service Center, BridgeMill Fire Station, Canton Contact: Sharon Jones, (770) 345-6551 Breast Cancer Support Group Meeting: First Thursday of each month Time: 10 a.m. — 12 noon Location: Northside Hospital — Cherokee, Diabetes Classroom, Educational Center Contact: (404) 843-1880 Canadian Women’s Club Contact: Lesley Frappier, cwcatlanta@yahoo.com CASA for Children Inc. provides child advocacy to abused and neglected children through trained community volunteers. Contact: Deidre Hollands, (770) 345-3274 www.casaforchildren.org
Cherokee County Family Child Care Association Contact: Brenda Bowen, (770) 926-8055 Cherokee County Foster & Adoptive Parents Assoc. Contact: Marie Blackwell, (770) 378-0759, mblackwell@fosteroradopt.org www.fosteroradopt.org Cherokee County Lupus Support Group Meeting: 2nd Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Location: New Light Church Hall Contact: Pam Bennett, (404) 975-7580 C.H.O.O.S.E. of Woodstock Meeting: First Monday at 7 p.m. Contact: mailbox@chooseofwoodstockga.org Georgia Canines for Independence www.gcidogs.org Contact: (404) 824-4637 Grandparents Raising GRANDchildren Meeting: Second & Fourth Tuesday at 7 p.m. (nursery available) Location: Transfiguration Catholic Church, Marietta Contact: Jeannie, (770) 919-9275 Jewish Havurah Contact: Marcia, (770) 345-8687 La Leche League of South Cherokee Meeting: First Tuesday at 10 a.m. & Third Wed. 7p.m. Location: Bascomb United Methodist Church Contacts: Marguerite, (678) 315-7686 Megan, (770) 517-0191 MOMS Club Towne Lake — 30188-30189 https://sites.google.com/site/ momscluboftownelakewoodstock/ Email: momscluboftownelake@gmail.com MOPS — Mothers of Preschoolers (birth — K) Meeting: Second & Fourth Mondays at 9:30 a.m. Location: Hillside UMC, 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy Contact: (770) 924-4777 Spirit of Success Career Clothing Connection Provides professional business attire at no cost. Contact: (770) 956-0711. Tender Hearts Caregivers Support Group Meeting: Second & Fourth Wednesday at 10 a.m. Location: Hillside United Methodist Church Contact: Robin Galloway, (770) 517-5899 Towne Lake Area Moms Group www.TowneLakeArea.com Unlimited Possibilities, support group for stroke and brain injury survivors Meeting: First Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. Kennestone Outpatient Rehab Center Contact: Kelly (678) 677-2589
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ELECTED & APPOINTED OFFICIALS United States Government President Barack Obama (D)
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20500 www.whitehouse.gov
Senator Saxby Chambliss (R)
100 Galleria Parkway, Suite 1340, Atlanta, GA 30339 http://chambliss.senate.gov
Senator Johnny Isakson (R)
1 Overton Park, Suite 970 3625 Cumberland Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30339 http://isakson.senate.gov
Rep. Tom Price (R) District 6
85-C Mill St., Suite 300 Roswell, GA 30075 http://tom.house.gov
Rep. Rob Woodall (R) District 7
75 Langley Dr., Lawrenceville, GA 30046 http://woodall.house.gov
Rep. Phil Gingrey, M.D. (R) District 11
100 North Street Suite 150, Canton, GA 30114 http://gingrey.house.gov
(202) 456-1414 fax: (202) 456-2461 (202) 224-3521 GA: (770) 763-9090 (202) 224-3643 GA: (770) 661-0999
(202) 225-4501 GA: (770) 565-4990
Sen. Brandon Beach (R) District 21 brandon.beach@senate.ga.gov Sen. Jack Murphy (R) District 27
e-mail: jack.murphy@senate.ga.gov
(404) 656-0034 (404) 463-1378 (770) 887-1960 fax: (770) 205-0602 (678) 523-8570
Rep. Scot Turner (R) District 21
(678) 576-2644
scot@turnerforhouse.com
Rep. Calvin Hill (R) District 22 calvin.hill@house.ga.gov
State Court: Chief Judge Clyde J. Gober, Jr.
Judge W. Alan Jordan Judge A. Dee Morris
(404) 463-7778
(678) 493-6270 (678) 493-6260 (678) 493-6240 (678) 493-6480 (678) 493-6490 (678) 493-6480 (678) 493-6431 (678) 493-6431
(678) 493-6160
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lbahrens@cherokeega.com
Harry Johnston (R) District 1 Ray Gunnin (R) District 2 rgunnin@cherokeega.com bpoole@cherokeega.com
Jason Nelms (R) District 4 Cherokee County Coroner Earl W. Darby Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Roger Garrison (R)
(770) 735-8055 www.cherokeega-sheriff.org (678) 493-4100 fax: (678) 493-4228
498 Chattin Drive Canton, GA 30115 rdgarrison@cherokeega.com
Cherokee County Tax Commissioner Sonya Little
(678) 493-6400 fax: (678) 493-6420
2780 Marietta Highway, Canton, GA 30114 slittle@cherokeega.com Woodstock Annex 155 Towne Lake Pkwy, Woodstock, GA 30188
Cherokee County School Board Superintendent, Dr. Frank Petruzielo
(770) 924-4099 www.cherokee.k12.ga.us
221 West Main St., Canton, GA 30114 drp@cherokee.k12.ga.us
Kelly Marlow (R) District 1 Patsy Jordan (R) District 2 Michael Geist (R) District 3
Probate Court:
Chief Judge John B. Sumner Judge Anthony Baker
(770) 479-1871 fax: (770) 479-1236 (770) 721-6298 x4369 (770) 893-2970 (404) 462-4950
michael.geist@cherokee.k12.ga.us
Judge Keith Wood (R)
Commissioners: L.R. “Buzz” Ahrens (R) Chairman
patsy.jordan@cherokee.k12.ga.us
Magistrate Court: Chief Judge James E. Drane III (R) Judge Gregory Douds
(678) 493-6000 fax: (678) 493-6001
kelly.marlow@cherokee.k12.ga.us
Cherokee County Courts Superior Court: Chief Judge David Cannon Jr. Judge Jackson Harris Judge Ellen McElyea
www.cherokeega.com
jnelms@cherokeega.com (202) 225-2931 GA: (770) 345-2931
Rep. Michael Caldwell (R) District 20
michael@CaldwellforHouse.com
Cherokee County Board of Commissioners 1130 Bluffs Pkwy., Canton, GA 30114
Brian Poole (R) District 3 (202) 225-4272 GA: (770) 232-3005
(404) 652-7003 203 State Capitol, 206 Washington St. Atlanta, GA 30334 www.gov.georgia.gov barry@barryloudermilk.com
(770) 479-1488 (678) 493-6511
hjohnston@cherokeega.com
State Government Governor Nathan Deal (R)
Sen. Barry Loudermilk (R) District 14
District Attorney Shannon Wallace Clerk of Courts Patty Baker
(678) 493-6250 (678) 493-6280
Janet Read (R) Chair
(770) 516-1444
janet.read@cherokee.k12.ga.us
Rick Steiner (R) District 4
(770) 721-4398, x4370
rick.steiner@cherokee.k12.ga.us
Rob Usher (R) District 5
(770) 928-0341
rob.usher@cherokee.k12.ga.us
Robert Wofford (R) District 6 (Vice-Chair) robert.wofford@cherokee.k12.ga.us City of Woodstock Mayor Donnie Henriques
e-mail: dhenriques@progressiveaudiology.com
(770) 345-6256
(770) 592-6017
Towne Lake Residential and Commercial Owners’ Association
(Covenant enforcement issues — all Towne Lake common areas) Douglas Properties (770) 926-3086 117 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, GA 30188
SCHOOL INFORMATION Public Schools Ace 3921 Holly Springs Parkway, Holly Springs (770) 345-2005 Principal: Mr. Richard Landolt www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ aceacademy Bascomb Elementary School 1335 Wyngate Parkway, Woodstock (770) 592-1091 Principal: Ruth Flowers www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ bascomb-es
Woodstock High School 2010 Towne Lake Hills South Drive Woodstock, (770) 592-3500 Principal: Dr. Paul Weir www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/woodstock-hs
Lyndon Academy 485 Toonigh Rd., Woodstock (770) 926-0166 Headmaster: Linda Murdock www.lyndonacademy.org
Woodstock Middle School 2000 Towne Lake Hills South Drive Woodstock (770) 592-3516 Principal: Mark Smith www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/woodstock-ms
North Cobb Christian School 4500 Lakeview Drive, Kennesaw (770) 975-0252 Headmaster: Todd Clingman www.ncchristian.org
Private Schools
Carmel Elementary School 2275 Bascomb-Carmel Road, Woodstock (770) 926-1237 Principal: Keith Bryant www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ carmel-es
Cherokee Christian Academy and Cherokee Christian High School 3075 Trickum Road, Woodstock (678) 494-5464, www.cherokeechristian.org High School Principal: Rod Kirby Middle School Principal: Hal Scripka Elementary School: Robert Lester
Cherokee Charter Academy 2126 Sixes Road, Canton (678) 385-7322 Principal: Dr. Scott O’Prey cherokeecharter.org
Furtah Preparatory School 5496 Highway 92, Acworth (678) 574-6488, www.furtahprep.org Headmaster: Fred Furtah
E. T. Booth Middle School 6550 Putnam Ford Road, Woodstock (770) 926-5707 Principal: Dawn Weinbaum www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ etbooth-ms
Harvest Baptist School 3460 Kellogg Creek Road, Acworth Principal: Jamie Smithey (770) 974-9091 www.harvestbaptist.org
Etowah High School 6565 Putnam Ford Road, Woodstock (770) 926-4411 Principal: Keith Ball www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/ etowah-hs Kleven Boston Elementary School 105 Othello Drive, Woodstock (770) 924-6260 Principal: Ms. Joey Moss www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/boston-es Oak Grove Elementary School 6118 Woodstock Road, Acworth (770) 974-6682 Principal: Les Conley www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/oakgrove-es Polaris Evening School 2010 Towne Lake Hills South Drive, Woodstock (770) 926-1662 Administrator: Bob Hahn www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/polaris
Holdheide Education K-3 5234 Old Highway 5, Woodstock Principal: Tammy Dorsten (770) 516-2292 www.MyGiftedKids.org
Omega Academy (770) 792-7431 www.omegalearningcenter.com Shiloh Hills Christian School 260 Hawkins Store Road, Kennesaw (770) 926-7729 Administrator: John D. Ward www.shilohhills.com St. Joseph Catholic School 81 Lacy Street, Marietta (770) 428-3328 Principal: Patricia Allen www.stjosephschool.org
Home School Homeschool Community Classical Conversations Woodstock Director: Cari Lingerfelt carinwoody@bellsouth.net
Cherokee County School District 2013-2014 Calendar at a Glance
August 5 First day of School September 2 School Holiday September 16-20 Fall Break November 5 School Holiday November 25-29 Thanksgiving Break December 23 - January 6 Holiday Break Cafeteria account information: www.mealpayplus.com Aspen: https://sis.cherokee.k12.ga.us/aspen/home.do School District Website: www.cherokee.k12.ga.us townelaker | July 2013
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Towne Lake Area Homes Sold in May
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classifieds Cleaning Services
instruction
Penny Clean “One Woman Show” moving and deep cleaning available on weekends. Over 25 years experience, reasonable rates. Licensed, bonded and insured. Free estimates. (678) 4943602.
Learn to Whitewater Kayak. Call Roger Huff at (678)314-1514. More details at www. whitewatergeorgia.com.
The Dynamic Clean Team. You will have 2 cleaning specialists take care of your specific needs. We specialize in maintenance and deep cleaning. 15 years experience, references available. Call TODAY Melissa Jones, (404) 4147743.
CHILD CARE Quality Childcare in Towne Lake Full, Part and Hourly available. Drop-ins welcome only pay when you come. Mon.-Fri. 7:00 am - 6:00 pm Openings available August 5. Call 678-860-5487. In Home Child Care Openings 0-3 yrs in Brookshire. M-F 6:30am - 6:00pm. Please Call Bernice 678-540-3979. Bernice.lynn89@gmail. com; Care.com
For Sale 2 person hot tub for sale. 190 gallons, 120 volt, 15 amp, 8 jets, used 2 years. $1000.00 call 678-230-3674
We are now mobile! You can view the TowneLaker magazine on your mobile device
Music DJ Service , Any Occasion “Starting at $150.00 15 years experience. 770-485-0441.
Repair Services Affordable Appliance Repair. 25 years experience kitchen/laundry, free service call. Mike 770-8812828
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Join the TowneLaker Facebook fan page www.facebook.com/townelaker
Yard Services Does your lawn need mowing? I can help. Call or text Nick at 678-276-9469. Local high school student available for lawn care. Dependable and reasonable. Call Austin Biggers 404-323-4530. Tackett’s Tree Service. 18 years serving Cherokee County. Free Estimates. Call 678-887-0286.
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City, State, Zip: Daytime Phone: TowneLaker Classifieds is a monthly feature. All ads are accepted and placed under categories at the discretion of the publisher. Rates are only $1 per word, per month, with a 10-word minimum. “Pet Lost and Found,” “Ride Share” and “Free to Good Home” pet placement ads are FREE.
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reference
COMMUNITY INFORMATION Emergency — 911 • TowneLaker • (770) 516-7105 Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce (770) 345-0400 Cherokee County Government:
Animal Shelter (770) 345-7270 Business Licenses (770) 721-7810 Clean & Beautiful Commission (770) 517-7650 Commissioners (678) 493-6000 Courthouse (770) 479-1953 Engineering Office (Traffic Signals) (678) 493-6077 Extension Office (770) 479-0418 Jury Phone (770) 479-9011 Justice Center (Courts, Judges, etc.) (770) 479-1953 Planning & Zoning (678) 493-6101 Senior Services (770) 345-5312 Tax Assessors/Evaluation (678) 493-6120
Taxes:
License Plates/Tags, Property Tax (678) 493-6400 Woodstock Office (770) 924-4099 Voter Registration (770) 479-0407
Children/Family:
Anna Crawford Children’s Center (770) 345-8100 Cherokee County Boys & Girls Club (770) 720-7712 Cherokee Family Violence Center (770) 479-1804 Cherokee Focus (770) 345-5483 Child Support Enforcement (770) 720-3581 Department of Family & Children Services (770) 720-3610 The Hope Center (770) 924-0864 MUST Cherokee Ministries (770) 479-5397 Papa’s Pantry (770) 591-4730
Driver’s Licenses (Tues — Sat) (678) 413-8400 Fire Department (District 1, Station 20) (770) 926-7155 Georgia State Patrol (770) 205-5400 Health Department (770) 345-7371 Hospitals:
Kennestone Hospital (770) 793-5000 North Fulton Hospital (770) 751-2500 Northside Hospital — Cherokee (770) 720-5100
Hotlines — 24 Hour Help Lines:
Battered Women Hotline (770) 479-1703 Drug Tip Line (Cherokee Co. Sheriff) (770) 345-7920 Poison Control Center — Atlanta (404) 616-9000 Outside Metro Atlanta (800) 222-1222 Probate Court Information Line (770) 704-2610 Rite-Call (Child Medical Problems) (404) 250-KIDS Sexual Assault & Family Violence Center (770) 428-2666
Libraries: www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org Rose Creek (770) 591-1491 R.T. Jones (770) 479-3090 Woodstock (770) 926-5859 Non-Emergency 911 (770) 479-3117 92
townelaker | July 2013
Parks and Recreation:
BridgeMill Athletic Club (770) 345-5500 Cherokee County Outdoor YMCA (770) 591-5820 Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency (770) 924-7768 www.crpa.net Cherokee Soccer Association (770) 704-0187 www.cherokeesoccer.com Eagle Watch Golf Club (770) 591-1000 Hobgood Park (770) 924-7865 North Atlanta Soccer Assoc. (770) 926-4175 www.nasa-ga.org SCRA Park (770) 926-5672 Towne Lake Hills Golf Club (770) 592-9969 Wildlife Action, Inc. (800) 753-2264
Pets:
Animal Control (678) 493-6200 CatSnip (low cost spay & neuter) www.atlantaanimalalliance.com Cherokee County Animal Shelter — Adoptions (770) 345-7270 Cherokee County Humane Society (770) 928-5115 www.cchumanesociety.org Emergency Veterinary Clinic (770) 924-3720 Funds4Furry Friends (770) 842-8893 Lost Pets Go to www.townelaker.com. click on lost and found pet button to report missing pet Pet Buddies Food Pantry www. petbuddiesfoodpantry.org SPARE (Sterilizing Pets And Reducing Euthanasia) (770) 928-5120 Second Chance Dog Rescue www.secondchancedogs.org
Post Office (Woodstock)
www.usps.com (800) 275-8777
Recycling Center (770) 516-4195 Sheriff’s Department (678) 493-4100 www.cherokeega-sheriff.org Georgia Sex Offender Registry www.cherokeega-sheriff.org/offender/offender.htm
Utilities:
Atlanta Gas Light Co. (770) 907-4231 www.aglc.com AT&T (404) 780-2355 www.bellsouth.com Cherokee Water & Sewerage Authority (770) 479-1813 Comcast (770) 926-0334 Cobb EMC (770) 429-2100 www.cobbemc.com Georgia Power www.georgiapower.com
Urgent Care Facility
Wellstar Urgent Care (678) 494-2500
Woodstock, City of:
(in Towne Lake, only applies to Avonlea, Deer Run,
ParkView, Paces and certain annexed commercial parcels) . www.woodstockga.gov City Hall (770) 592-6000 Fire Department (770) 926-2302 Police Information (770) 592-6030
Townelaker Distribution MAp Our purpose:
At AroundAbout Local Media, we believe the world functions at the community level: diverse groups of people living in close proximity; sharing commonality of culture, values and local pride; developing safety nets for those in need; and helping each other to live richer lives. It is our heartfelt desire to contribute to the fabric that helps make a community happen. Through our magazines, we aim to provide everyone in the communities we serve with uplifting, interesting information about the community they are proud to call home. We encourage you to send us your photos, ideas, stories or anything else you think the community would like to know about. It’s your community. It’s your magazine.
Sincerely, Your Friends at TowneLaker TowneLaker Distribution Map Circulation: 16,250
townelaker | July 2013
93
Advertisers Directory ATTorneys/Legal Services Burns & Speights, PC 181 E. Main Street, Canton (770) 956-1400, www.bsgalaw.com
Computers 41
Debranski & Associates, LLC (770) 926-1957, ext 306 321 Creekstone Ridge
5
Hartman Imbriale Attorneys 77 (678) 445-7423, www.hartman-imbriale.com 145 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 200 Merino & Associates (770) 874-4600
Back Cover
Rohan Law, PC (404) 923-0446, www.rohhanlawpc.com
63
Automotive Aspen Falls Auto Spa 6390 Bells Ferry Road (770) 591-3630
Support Local Business Owners and this Magazine Tell Them You Saw Their Ad in the TowneLaker
48
C&T Auto Service 80 (770) 926-476, 9336 Main Street (770) 928-5940, 2348-B Bascomb-Carmel Road
Cherokee Computer Guys (678) 749-7200 www.ccrguys.com
Health & Beauty 3
Dentists/Orthodontists BridgeMill Dentistry 40 (770) 704-1812, www.bridgemilldentistry.com 3682 Sixes Road, Canton 30114 Fountain View Dentistry 45 (770) 926-0000, www.fountainviewsmiles.com 1816 Eagle Drive, Bldg. 200, Suite A Park Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock (770) 926-9260 www.PediatricWoodstockDentist.com 1816 Eagle Drive Suite 200-C
27
S. Bruce O’Neal, DDS 33 (770) 924-8848 2230 Towne Lake Parkway, Bldg. 100, Ste. 100 Spillane Orthodontics (770) 928-4747, www.SpillaneOrtho.com 335 Parkway 575, Suite 200, Woodstock
24
Chevron at Hobgood Park (770) 928-6225 5195 Towne Lake Parkway
29
Thad Baird & Tyler Baird, DMD 53 (770) 517-0444, www.BairdFamilyDentistry.com 4595 Towne Lake Parkway
Christian Brothers Automotive (770) 926-4500 1930 Eagle Drive, Woodstock
36
Towne Lake Family Dentist Inside Back Cover (770) 591-7929, www.RayMorganDMD.com 120 N. Medical Pkwy, Building 200, Suite 100
The Midas Touch Mobile Detailing (404) 625-0117
23
Towne Lake’s Carwash & Detail (770) 592-8102 www.townelakescarwashanddetail.com 1490 Towne Lake Parkway
47
Banking/Financial Services Best Possible Mortgage (404) 456-2317
Back Cover
Citadel Professional Services, LLC 53 (770) 952-6707 225 Town Park Drive, Suite 440, Kennesaw Renasant Bank (678) 388-5709, renasantbank.com
23
Chiropractors Discover Chiropractic & Rehabilitation (770) 516-9900, www.discoverrehab.com 2295 Towne Lake Parkway
37
Optimum Health 13 (770) 516-7477, www.optimumhealthrehab.com 2360 Towne Lake Parkway Towne Lake Family Chiropractic 32 (770) 592-1877, www.townelakechiro.com
Churches New Victoria Baptist Church (770) 926-8448, www.newvicbaptist.org 6659 Bells Ferry Road
94
townelaker | July 2013
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Werner Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock 46 (678) 224-5722 www.ChildrensDentistWoodstock.com 250 Parkbrooke Place Suite 250, Woodstock Williams Orthodontics (770) 592-5554 www.DrWilliamsOrthodontics.com 145 Towne Lake Parkway, Ste. 201
75
Education / Instruction / Coaching
Azure Salon & Spa 29 (770) 345-8280 1359 Riverstone Parkway, Ste. 110, Canton Jyl Craven Hair Design (770) 345-9411, www.jylcraven.com 7970 Knox Bridge Hwy., Canton Perfect Touch Nail & Spa (678) 445-0011 2045 Towne Lake Parkway
49
5
Salon & Spa Venéssa (770) 591-2079, salonvenessa.com 8516 Main Street
75
Salon Gloss (678) 483-8900, www.SalonGloss.biz 220 Chamber Street
73
Skin Essentials by Marilyn (770) 928-1314
42
The Sanctuary on Main (770) 365-5106 8744 Main Street
75
The Sundance Massage Center (678) 591-5066 www.SundanceMassageCenter.com
31
Home Improvement/Repair & Service A-1 Concrete Leveling (770) 591-6500, www.A1Atlanta.net Bryan Plumbing Services (770) 826-5277 Carpet Dry-Tech (678) 368-5991 Coleman Home Services (770) 294-9667 www.ColemanHomeServices.com Dr. Fixit, Ph.D. (770) 974-2390
49 3 37 3
19
Bascomb UMC Preeschool (770) 926-0397 2295 Bascomb Carmel Road
62
Eastridge Plumbing (770) 516-2977 www.eastridgeplumbing.com
Bits, Bytes & Bots (770) 826-0449
70
Exact Comfort Air Cond. & Heating, Inc. (770) 912-0552 www.exactcomfort.com
Holdheide Academy & Prep (770) 516-2292, www.MyGiftedKids.org 5234 Hwy. 5, Woodstock 30188
29
Georgia Floors 17 (770) 516-3227 1105 Parkside Lane Suite 1338, Woodstock
Park View Montessori School (770) 926-0044 6689 Bells Ferry Road
31
Hammocks Heating & Air (770) 794-0428
38
Handy Handyman, The (404) 316-1490
52
Flooring Zone (855) 344-ZONE www.FlooringZoneOnline.com
19
Mr. Junk (678) MR-Junk1
19
Nelson Exteriors (678) 283-8171
42
Pike’s Professional Painting (770) 516-0045
70
The Goddard School 27 (770) 516-0880, www.GoddardSchool.com 3115 Parkbrooke Circle Towne Lake Community Church Preschool (678) 445-8766 ext.203 preschool@tlcchurch.com Towne Lake Driving School (678) 494-2200 www.TowneLakeDrivingSchool.com 1105 Parkside Lane, Suite 1328
7
37
9
43
Plumbing Doctor, The (770) 516-9000
52
Precision Painting (678) 234-9668
77
Roswell Woodstock Plumbing (770) 663-0600
77
Whitty Siding & Exteriors (678) 414-1947, tomwhitty@ymail.com whittysidingandexteriors.com
9
Landscaping & Lawn Maintenance D&D Landscape 678-502-0549
23
Evergreen Grounds (770) 262-2190
29
Landscape Matters 52 (770) 403-5813, www.landscapemattersinc.com McLellan Excavation & Landscaping (404) 520-0710 www.excavationandlandscaping.com
77
MMc Designs Landscape Consultants, LLC 35 (770) 652-6463, michaela.mcdonald@comcast.net 2295 Towne Lake Parkway Mountain Scapes (678) 446-6637
19
Overstreet Lawn Care (770) 861-7272
33
RPM Landscape & Pavers (770) 597-5175 www.rpmlandscapeandpavers.com
27
TruGreen Lawn Service (770) 974-6267
49
68
Papa’s Pantry www.papaspantry.org
7
Towne Lake Business Association
31
Woodstock Morning Buzz
80
Pest Control Any Pest Inside Front (678) 888-0035, www.anypest.com Mosquito Authority (678) 294-7597, BugsBite.com
Cherokee Internal Medicine (678) 238-0301, www.cherokeeim.com 1192 Buckhead Crossing, Ste. C
30
Pet/Veterinarian Services & Supplies
52
Cobb Wellness & Aesthetics (770) 649-0094, www.cwaesthetics.com 1905 Woodstock Road, Roswell
7
Georgia Urology, Dr. Shaya Taghechian (678) 494-9201, www.gaurology.com
8
Graham Pediatrics, Fitzroy Graham, MD, FAAP 59 (770) 485-9670, www.grahampediatrics.com 105 Mirramont Lake Drive Innovative Health & Wellness (770) 926-4646 www.innovativehealthandwellness.net 295 Molly Lane, Ste. 150
9
Northside Hospital – Cherokee www.northside.com
11
Plastic Surgery Center of the South (770) 421-1242 www.plasticsurgerycenterofthesouth.net 120 Vann Street, Ste. 150, Marietta
34
Progressive Audiology Center Inc. 25 (770) 592-4744, (706) 253-7244 2230 Towne Lake Pkwy., Bldg. 800, Ste. 100 www.ProgressiveAudiology.com Psychologist John R. Lutz, PhD (770) 592-9065, www.johnromanlutz.com Rausch Family Practice (678) 384-7305
52 5 39
Shefa Urgent Care & Wellness 47 (678) 245-6244 2000 Village Professional Dr. Suite 200, Canton Towne Lake Family Pharmacy (770) 635-7697 2045 Towne Lake Parkway, Ste. 110
53
Wellstar Heart Screening (770)420-2535, wellstar.org
1
Woodstock Physical Therapy (770) 516-9191, www.woodstockpt.com 1816 Eagle Drie, Bldg. 100 Ste.C
12
Animal Atlanta (770) 591-0007, www.AnimalAtlanta.com 6449 Bells Ferry Road
29
Animal Hospital of Towne Lake (770) 591-9500, www.townelakevets.com 3105 Parkbrooke Circle
21
Keller Williams, Kurt & Sheila Johnson (404) 954-2486 www.kurtandsheila.com
Cherokee County Animal Shelter (770) 345-7270 1015 Univeter Road, Canton
83
Prudential Georgia Realty Sarah Bratz (770) 510-3610 www.SarahBratz.PrudentialGA.com
27
Skyline Properties Group 25 (678) 978-1858, www.skylinepropetiesga.com Ursula & Associates Cover, 50,51 220 Heritage Walk, Woodstock, GA 30188 (678) 569-4044, Ursula@callursula.com www.CallUrsula.com
Recreation and Fitness Bowen’s Tiger Rock Academy (770) 516-4883 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Ste. 540
Inside Front
78
Escalade Indoor Rock Climbing Gym (770) 794-1575, www.escaladegym.com 3694 Kennesaw S. Industrial Dr, Kennesaw
8
Etowah Eagles Football
70
Etowah Tip-Off Club
62
The Max (678) 324-6245 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Ste. 540
Inside Front
Woodstock Wolverines
80
Restaurants/Food & Drink BeesKnees Co-op Shop 46 6687 Bells Ferry Road (770) 591-4000, www.beeskneesshop.com Butchers Block (770) 517-2225 1025 Rose Creek Drive
23
Featherstone’s Grille at Towne Lake Hills (770) 926-6097 1003 Towne Lake Hills East
43
ICE Sushi & Tapas Bar 380 Chambers Street (770) 672-6334, www.icemartinibar.com
7
Papa P’s 2295 Towne Lake Pkwy. (770) 592-3100, papa-ps.com
8
Small Cakes — A Cupcakery 2035 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 110 (678) 324-1910
9
Retailers
Photographers Kim Bates Photography www.KimBatesPhotoArt.com
Prudential Georgia Realty The Tomlinson Team (770) 365-6193, (678) 494-2953
Elm Street Cultural Arts Village (678) 494-4251
Marietta Plastic Surgery 25 (678) 494-2380 149 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 104, Woodstock
Rebound Physical Therapy (678) 445-9799
Miscellaneous Give A Kid A Chance
Physicians and Medical Services
33
Real estate & related services Back Cover
42
Branch Boutique (770) 517-1505 2295 Towne Lake Parkway DISMERO 470 Chambers Street, Woodstock (678) 398-4008
5
76
Gifted Ferret, The 70 (770) 693-5889, www.TheGiftedFerret.com 1910 Eagle Dr. Ste. 400 Threads 75 (770) 485-0744, www.shopthreads.net 500 Chamber Street
townelaker | July 2013
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COUPONS & Special Offers! These local businesses have special offers just for you!
Animal Atlanta
29
Landscape Matters
52
Aspen Falls Auto Spa
48
Mr. Junk
19
Azure Salon & Spa
29
Nelson Exteriors
42
Bees Knees Co-op Shop
46
Overstreet Lawn Care
33
Optimum Health
13
Bowen’s Tiger Rock Academy Butchers Block
23
Papa P’s
8
C&T Auto
80
Perfect Touch Nail and Spa
5
Chevron at Hobgood
29
Plastic Surgery Center of the South
34
Carpet Dry Tech
37
Sundance Massage Center
31
Christian Brothers Automotive
36
Roswell Woodstock Plumbing
77
Discover Chiropractic & Rehabilitation
37
The Gifted Ferret
70
Eastridge Plumbing
96
Inside Front
9
The Max
Inside Front
Exact Comfort Air Conditioning & Heating
43
The Plumbing Doctor
52
Evergreen Grounds
29
Towne Lake’s Carwash and Detail
47
Flooring Zone
19
Towne Lake Driving School
37
Georgia Floors
17
Towne Lake Family Dentistry
Hammock’s Heating & Air
38
Werner Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock
townelaker | July 2013
Inside Back 46