TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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July 2016 Volume 22, Issue 3
16 Fighting Hunger
Church volunteers packed 2,500 lunches for MUST.
17 Spelunking in Towne Lake Photos from the Cave Quest adventures at Hillside UMC.
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52
20 Back to School
Locals share memories, traditions as we plan for Aug. 1 start date.
22 A Life-Changer
Trading in a two-hour commute for a four-minute drive to work.
30 Everyday Angels
Toddler and his family cope with hundreds of seizures each day.
36 Silver Roamers
80
A full slate of trips and classes designed for Cherokee’s senior citizens.
Contributing Writers Don Akridge
58
Ann Litrel
56
Around Towne
4
52 Wake for Warriors
Siobhan Brumbelow
83
Dr. Michael Litrel
44
Community News
8
Stacy Brown
82
Rob Macmillan
24
Birthdays
Michael Caldwell
26
Amy Mohrmann
74
Amanda Carver
74
Matt Neal
33
Ribbob Cuttings
18
Cindy Nelson
57
Everyday Angels
30
Library Events
34
62
The worries of the day disappear for vets treated to time at the lake.
80 Picture Perfect
Hustle for Heroes, Spring Fest raise funds for foundation.
Cherokee Office of Economic Development 22
In Every Issue
14
Delia Halverson
38
Northside Hospital Cancer Institute
Dr. Scott Harden
64
Christopher Purvis
32
Dr. Amy Hardin
63
Julius Quarcoo
62
Dr. Jan Henriques
66
Lisa Randall
85
Kurt & Sheila Johnson
18
Bill Ratliff
68
School News
72
Sean Kaufman
69
Lynne Saunders
55
Parking Map
79
Josh Keenum
60
Susan Schulz
52
Recent Home Sales
86
46
Tim Timmons
42
Greenprints Trail Map
87
72
Dr. Amber York
66
Directory of Advertisers 94
VenĂŠssa Lanier Joe Lemmo
Community Calendar
35
TLBA Restaurant Guide
38 54
Faith
68
Contact us and view the magazine online at
www.townelaker.com
48 & 49 On the Cover Towne Lake Academy photo by Darleen Prem 2
TOWNELAKER | July 2016
ADVERTISING Patty Ponder, ALM President 770-615-3322 Patty@AroundAboutMagazines.com
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TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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Community
AROUND TOWNE
The
People, The Places and The Pleasures that make Towne Lake
From the Editor
What’s Open
Our family is growing! But it doesn’t involve baby bottles or the need to run to Sam’s Club for bulk diaper buying. AroundAbout Local Media is pleased to announce that we’ve acquired Acworth Community Magazine. We’re changing the name to Around Acworth beginning with the August 2016 edition. We’ll give the same attention to excellence and hyper-local coverage to our new publication as we do to our current titles. I’m sure there are many similarities to that city and our own — I’m looking forward to exploring our new territory! One great resource we share is Lake Allatoona. In fact, Acworth is known as the Lake City. We look forward to sharing the wisdom of our resident park ranger Chris Purvis with our Cobb neighbors. On page 32 of this issue, Chris reminds everyone — and a great reminder it is! — about the essentials of being safe on the lake. Especially during this busy and active month of July. The water is a place of solace and smiles for the wounded warriors who spend time with our neighbor Dave Deep and his nonprofit Wake 4 Warriors. Susan Schulz introduces us to Dave on page 52, where you also can see some pretty stunning photos of the blessings his nonprofit provides. Much of the time I’ve spent in Acworth has been in a car. Our oldest daughter asked if she could attend North Cobb Christian School — at the time, there were no private Christian school options in Cherokee County. While she was in grades 4 through 12, we took part in a multifamily carpool from Towne Lake to Acworth each day. It was a great experience in many ways: a perfect educational setting for her and fun times during our time on the road. I can still hear the kids singing along to the songs blasting on the radio and, in some cases, making up their own lyrics. Much like our own, Acworth is a fast growing community. If you have friends, relatives or business partners who live or work in Acworth, give them a heads-up. Let them know to look out for our new magazine and tell us what they think.
Brazilian Wax by Andreia has opened at 2295 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 112, in the Kroger shopping center. Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. Offering $10 off a Brazilian wax for first-time clients. 678-540-7478. www.brazilianwax.com. At press time, Studio 55 Dance had plans to open at 6719 Bells Ferry Road. The studio offers tap, ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, musical theater, tumbling and a class called Raising the Barre for differently abled individuals. 678-641-7741. www.studiofiftyfivedance.com. Starbucks has opened at The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta, with a small store curbside not far from the Ridgewalk Parkway entrance. An Express store also has opened in Suite 390. For more updates, visit www.theoutletshoppesatatlanta.com. YUMSA International Market has opened at 106 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. Featuring homemade meat pies, a variety of Cajun dips, spices and hot sauces, cheese selections from France and a fully stocked grocery selection from South Africa, England, Ireland and Australia. 770-757-6835. www.yumsa.com. Petit Artist has opened at 6242 Old Highway 5, Suite A1 in Woodstock, next to the Publix at the East Cherokee Road intersection. The drop-in studio offers painting and crafting for children ages 1-10. A weekly themed activity keeps children challenged artistically. Themed parties also are offered. Open 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and noon-4:30 p.m. Sunday. 678-373-8811. www.petitartist.com.
What’s Closed
The Wells Fargo branch at the Rose Creek Shopping Center will be closing as of 2 p.m. Aug. 17. Village Market & Cafe in downtown Woodstock has closed; the owners will continue to provide soups, salads, sandwiches and flatbreads at ICE Martini Bar, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. daily except Mondays. ICE is at 380 Chambers St. www.icemartinibar.com. Willow Tree Cottage at 6745 Bells Ferry Road near Victoria Road has closed. The owner of Natural Strides at 8636 Main St. in Woodstock has closed the retail store. Greg and Erin Scott plan to continue an online store, attend events with mobile inventory and gait analysis, and remain available for training and coaching. Greg can be reached at gregscott18@gmail.com or 678-862-4356.
What’s Coming
Candi Hannigan is the executive editor of TowneLaker. She has lived in Cherokee County since 1987. Send your comments or questions to Candi@AroundAboutMagazines.com.
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TOWNELAKER | July 2016
Woodstock City Council has approved plans for a Costco Wholesale and a mixed-use development to be constructed on a 69-acre tract near The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta and Woodstock City Church on Ridgewalk Parkway. The next step is to acquire a land disturbance permit and submit building plans.
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COMMUNITY BOARD The TowneLaker Community Board consists of well-respected community leaders from different walks of life. Our board members assist us in many ways, including contributing to our magazine and providing valuable feedback. Kurt Johnson, co-founder of the Kurt and Sheila real estate team, has been involved in real estate most of his adult life. He and his wife have lived in Cherokee County for more than 13 years, their three children have attended county schools since the oldest started first grade at Bascomb Elementary. Kurt and Sheila work hard to promote Cherokee County and all it has to offer. Ann Litrel is an artist and writer whose nationally published work includes decorative art, paintings for private and corporate collections, and writing and illustration for a range of publications. Ann lives in Towne Lake with her husband and co-author Dr. Mike Litrel and their two sons. Ann can be reached at Ann@annlitrel.com. Dee Locklin is a Georgia State University retiree who moved to Towne Lake in 1998. She and husband Lewis are the proud parents of KSU student Taylor. Dee joined the TowneLaker as a contributing writer in 2011 and now is focusing her energy on caring for her beloved husband as he battles late-stage cancer. Joe Lemmo is an English teacher and comedian who has taught in Cherokee County for the last 15 years. He performs improv comedy with the iThink Improv Troupe out of the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village Theatre in downtown Woodstock. He lives in Woodstock with his wife Justine, and his cat, Wasabi. Lynne Saunders is the founder and executive director of Papa’s Pantry and The Master’s Training Center. Her employment classes are based on a book she wrote, “21st Century Keys to Employment.” Lynne has been married to Bill for 33 years and has three grown daughters and five grandchildren. Dr. Scott R. Harden is a family dentist at Fountain View Family & Cosmetic Dentistry serving Woodstock and Cherokee County for more than 25 years. During this time, he has lived in the Towne Lake area with his wife, Kathy, and two children. 6
TOWNELAKER | July 2016
Townelaker Publisher AroundAbout Local Media, Inc. ALM President Patty Ponder Patty@AroundAboutMagazines.com 770-615-3322 Controller Denise Griffin Denise@AroundAboutMagazines.com 770-615-3315 Market Manager Christie Deese Christie@AroundAboutMagazines.com 770-615-3324 Executive Editor Candi Hannigan Candi@AroundAboutMagazines.com 770-615-3309 Managing Editor Jackie Loudin Jackie@AroundAboutMagazines.com 770-615-3318 Art Director Michelle McCulloch Michelle@AroundAboutMagazines.com 770-615-3307 Page Designer Laura Latchford Laura@AroundAboutMagazines.com Market Support Assistant Katherine Amick Katherine@AroundAboutMagazines.com TowneLaker, a publication of AroundAbout Local Media, Inc., is a monthly community magazine. The magazine’s goal is to build a sense of community and pride in the Towne Lake and surrounding area by providing its residents with positive stories and timely information. It distributes a total of 16,000 free copies. Approximately 15,200 are direct mailed to homes and businesses and an additional 800 are placed in racks around the community. It also has 2,000+ digital viewers of the magazine online each month. TowneLaker welcomes your comments, stories, and advertisements. The deadline is the 10th of the previous month. Subscriptions are available for $24 per year. Send check or money order to the address below. The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the Editor/Publisher and the Publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. TowneLaker is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the Publisher. All rights reserved. © Copyright 2016. TowneLaker PMB 380 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 620, Woodstock, GA 30189 For Advertising: Patty Ponder, 770-615-3322 Website: www.townelaker.com Powered by:
Volume 22, Issue 3
TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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Community
YOUR LOCAL NEWS Cherokee’s Top 10 in 10 Honored The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce recently recognized the 2016 Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals. “The Top 10 in 10 initiative is designed to cultivate and showcase exceptional Cherokee County young professionals,” said Pam Carnes, Chamber president and CEO. Coordinated by the Chamber, in partnership with “Enjoy! Cherokee” magazine, this recognition program focuses on Cherokee residents under age 40 who are considered to be up and coming leaders over the next 10 years. Judging criteria included past professional achievements and awards, five to 10-year professional goals as well as volunteer and community activities. The honorees who will be under the age of 40 on Oct. 1 have been nominated for the “Georgia Trend” magazine 40 Under 40 recognition. Top 10 in 10 are, front row, from left: Todd Hayes, chief assistant solicitor general, office of the Cherokee County Solicitor-General; Angela Weaver Reece, manager, Mauldin Body Shop & Towing; Brittany Duncan, administrative coordinator/public information
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TOWNELAKER | July 2016
officer, city of Woodstock; Ashley Carlile, attorney/partner, Thompson, Meier & King, PC; Rachel Ashe, assistant solicitor, office of the Cherokee County Solicitor-General. Back row, from left: Cory Wilson, vice president and regional retail manager, Bank of North Georgia; Melissa Forrester, accounting services manager, city of Canton; Amy Graham, principal, Johnston Elementary School, Cherokee County School District; Will Carlan, attorney, Hasty Pope, LLP and part-time judge, Cherokee County Magistrate Court. Not pictured: Dr. Rory Hekking, medical director, Etowah Veterinary Clinic.
TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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Community
YOUR LOCAL NEWS Cherokee YMCA Benefits from Eagle Scout Project Hunter Torbush, a rising freshman at Woodstock High School, has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Hunter is a founding member of Troop 6410 in Woodstock and the first Eagle Scout of the troop. His Eagle Scout project was installed in May 2015 at the Cherokee Outdoor YMCA, which is where his ceremony was held in May of this year. Hunter has attended summer camp there since he was 5 years old and wanted to give back to the place where many memories were made for him. For his project he designed, organized and coordinated the build and installation of shelving units at the pool pavilion so campers would have a place to put their towels and other belongings.
Performing Arts students perform “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” during the convocation of artists and scholars in spring semester.
Musical Theater Camp Offered at Reinhardt Reinhardt University’s School of Performing Arts faculty is hosting a musical theater summer camp July 25-30 for rising high school freshmen through recent high school graduates. The camp will offer collegiate level training to students interested in the performing arts. Music instructor Brian Osborne will lead the camp, which also will include training in vocals and acting, with a final cabaret performance at the Falany Performing Arts Center. The camp will include instruction by the university’s voice and theater faculty: David Nisbet, acting and musical theater; Stewart Hawley, acting; Morgan Brooks, technical theater; Tiffany Tindall, dance; Dr. Rebecca Salter, voice; Dr. Cory Schantz, voice; Dr. Anne Schantz, voice, and Osborne, vocal coach and music director. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuition is $395 per student; proceeds from the camp will help fund a new theater for the School of Performing Arts on Reinhardt’s campus. Students are encouraged to bring a lunch or they can choose to dine at the University’s Gordy Dining Hall. For more information or to register, contact Osborne at BSO@Reinhardt.edu or 405-795-4107.
Hunter built shelving units for the YMCA.
The Difference a Step Can Make
The new step will make life easier for Lorane Brooks of Woodstock. 10
TOWNELAKER | July 2016
Members of the Cherokee County Volunteer Aging Council (VAC) recently completed a home repair that made a life-changing difference for a local senior citizen. The front door step height from porch to threshold was 9 inches, a distance that made it difficult for the woman, who is an amputee and uses a cane to navigate. She always needed help going in and out of her front door. Judy Davila, project manager for the VAC and helper Charlie Barnes built a platform with a wide step and a handrail, allowing the resident to enter her front door without help. Judy said, “She was so grateful she hugged us twice, with tears in her eyes. We do whatever it takes to help seniors and veterans, to keep them safe and help them live a more independent life.” For more information about the council, visit www.vac-cherokeega.org. Barnes and other VAC members also worked on this larger project, a ramp for a local veteran.
WE VOLUNTEER AND DONATE TO CHEROKEE SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZATIONS. BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT NEIGHBORS DO. Northside Hospital-Cherokee has given more than 10,000 volunteer hours and donated millions to Cherokee schools and charitable organizations. Because Cherokee County is not only the location of our hospital, it is our home. Most of our physicians and staff live right here. Our children go to school with yours and we shop at the local grocery stores with you. Since becoming part of the community in 1997, Northside Hospital-Cherokee is committed to keeping this county great. Because, after all, it’s our home, too.
Cherokee’s community hospital. Northside.com TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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Community
YOUR LOCAL NEWS Feeding Program Continues until School Starts
The summer club is popular with Hidden Falls students.
Reading Club Seeks Volunteers, Donations June has been busy at the Hidden Falls neighborhood, where volunteers and students have gathered on Wednesdays for the Summer Reading Club. The goal of the club is to provide books for Oak Grove Elementary School students who live in the neighborhood. One more meeting is set for July 13 and a back-to-school bash will be held July 20. Reading club volunteer Lisa Reidy said volunteers are needed for both dates, and donations of prizes (for example, balls, arts and craft supplies, gift cards) for the bash would be appreciated. Students use points earned for attendance to “buy” prizes. The July 13 meeting begins at 11 a.m. at Hidden Falls clubhouse, 6359 Bells Ferry Road. For more information, contact Lisa at lisamreidy@yahoo.com.
Give a Kid a Chance Prepares for July 16 Event Organizers are ready to welcome more than 3,000 children and their families to the July 16 backpack giveaway - but still can use volunteers to help for that day. This summer is the 10th anniversary of the nonprofit, established to help children prepare for that all-important first day of school. Organizers are planning a back-to-school bash at two locations: Hillside United Methodist in Woodstock and First Baptist Church in Canton. Children pre-register to attend at one of the locations where they receive a new backpack filled with supplies, books and stuffed animals, along with medical screenings, haircuts and a hot lunch. It takes more than 400 volunteers to assist the children and their families. 12
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The Cherokee County School District is taking part in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Seamless Summer Option. The initiative offers free meals during the summer for children age 18 and younger, and runs weekdays through July 22. All meals must be consumed at each location. Two sites also serve breakfast, and children can participate in either or both meals at no cost. Nearly one-third of district students qualify for free or reducedprice meals during the school year, and this program ensures that children continue to have access to nutritious meals throughout the summer break. For more information, call 770-721-8419.
Cherokee County locations: YMCA Canton
G. Cecil Pruett Community Center Family YMCA 151 Waleska St., Canton Breakfast: 8:30-9 a.m. Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to noon
YMCA Woodstock
Cherokee Outdoor Family YMCA 201 E. Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock Breakfast: 8:15-8:30 a.m. Lunch: noon to 12:30 p.m.
East Gate Mobile Home Park 6310 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth Lunch: 11:30-11:45 a.m.
Hidden Falls Mobile Home Park
6359 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth Lunch at the clubhouse: 10:45-11 a.m.
Siblings sport their new backpacks in Canton last year. Photo courtesy of Darleen Prem.
Lunch at the playground (by the lake): 11:05-11:20 a.m.
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Community
Celebrations!
Hadley Minor
Age 12 on July 6 Happy birthday to our sweet, sassy, smarty girl! Love you mucho, Mama, Daddy and Ansley
Jyllian Sexton
Age 13 on July 16 Happy Birthday! We love you always, our beautiful 13 year old!
Congratulations to
Brooke Marie Bresnan
on the celebration of her first Holy Communion on May 9, 2016.
Cadence Marilyn Palm
Born Feb. 23, 2016 7 pounds, 15 ounces Daughter of Brian and Allison Palm Granddaughter of Bill and Linda Nystrom
Ansley Minor
Age 14 on July 25 Happy birthday doll! Love you always, Mama, Daddy and Hads
Brooke Marie Bresnan
Age 8 on July 11 Daughter of Mike and Christina Sister of Lindsay We love you Brookie Cookie!
Madeline Dodd
Happy 13th birthday to our sweet Madeline! We love that you light up this world! Love, Mom, Dad and Madison
Joe Borden
Age 62 on July 5 Happy Birthday Joe! We love you so much. You’re the best husband, Daddy, and Pop around!
Sierra Bray
Congratulations on graduating from Etowah High School and your acceptance to attend SCAD in the fall.
In remembrance of
Joe Frank Borden,
who would have been 92 on July 19. Papa Joe went to heaven to be with his beloved wife on June 8, 2016. He was a true American hero having served in the 82nd airborne and the 101st airborne in WWII and the Korean war. We miss you and love you.
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TOWNELAKER | July 2016
Simmie Bray
Congratulations on graduating from University of South Carolina Upstate with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a minor in Pre-Law.
ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE FREE! Jacob Norton
Age 1 on July 3 Happy first birthday!!
E-mail to: Candi@AroundAboutMagazines.com August deadline is July 10. Please specify TowneLaker.
Alanis “Laney” Broussard
Age 14 on July 1 Happy Birthday! Keep shining! We love you and we are so very proud of you. Mom and Lauren.
Etowah sweethearts
Thor Chumley and Shelby Wolfe engaged to be married on June 25
Kinsie Rice
Age 10 on July 20 Happy Birthday! We love you, Daddy and Amanda
William, age 9 on June 18 Kolton, age 11 on June 23 Happy Birthday!!
TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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Community
Packing Lunches at Good Shepherd In one week last month, volunteers at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church prepared 2,500 lunches for the Cherokee County MUST summer lunch program, which serves food-insecure children in the county. For more than 10 years, volunteers from Good Shepherd have donated the items and assembled the lunches that are distributed to children on free and reduced-lunch programs.
Brooke Myers, Olivia Myers and Mike McCoy.
Anna Crittenden, Rachel Crittenden, Will Brenneman and Kate Letsinger.
Mike McCoy and Katie Brenneman.
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TOWNELAKER | July 2016
bringing us together! Spelunking at Hillside
PHOTOS COURTESY OF LINDA SCOTT, CLEAR CREEK IMAGES
For a week last month, the halls and classrooms at Hillside United Methodist Church were transformed into a land of adventure. Children (350 participants and 150 helpers) enrolled in the Cave Quest vacation bible school took part in hands-on, interactive stations, heard bible stories amidst a background of jewel-like tones, unique rock formations and colorful grottos.
TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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Community
Ribbon Cuttings Main Street Woodstock 1. PLAE HARD
8594 Main St., Woodstock 678-408-2241 www.plaehard.com
Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce 2. Final Touch Flooring Group
1
5455 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth 770-709-1092 www.finaltouchflooringgroup.com
2 An Option to Renovating a Home Before the Sale BY KURT & SHEILA JOHNSON
While we always recommend updating a home before it’s sold to maximize its sales price in the shortest time, there is an alternative. The best way to sell a home in need of repairs is to head off the objections with contractor-prepared estimates for the required repairs. When marketing a home in need of repairs, we recommend that estimates for these repairs be readily available to buyers viewing the property. Ideally, it is best to provide quotes prepared by a lender-approved contractor in conjunction with the contact information for a preferred FHA 203(k) lender. Taking this added step before marketing the home will reduce the buyer’s anxiety about the “unknown” costs of repairs and ensure that the transaction goes smoothly for all involved. We have been sounding the alarm for months about the lack of inventory of homes for sale in metro Atlanta and especially in Cherokee County. The supply of homes has become so diminished that we have been helping our buying clients through a process that allows them to purchase properties in need of repair. This can eliminate buying competition because most buyers are intimidated by the cost of repairs and the difficulty to get traditional lending for these types of homes. An FHA 203(k) streamlined renovation loan is an excellent loan for homes that need repairs because it allows the buyer to include up to $35,000 for repairs in the loan amount. 18
TOWNELAKER | July 2016
Here are the facts about FHA 203(k) loans:
1.
Once the sale is completed, the repairs must be completed by a lender-approved, licensed contractor. When all the repairs/improvements are completed satisfactorily, these contractors are paid by the lender from the buyer’s loan proceeds.
2. 3. 4.
These loans are offered by most traditional lenders and have competitive rates. These loans require only a 3.5 percent down payment but are available only to owner-occupant borrowers.
These loans permit borrowers to include lender-required repairs as well as optional improvements like granite countertops, stainless appliances and minor bathroom and kitchen remodels.
Kurt and Sheila Johnson are Keller Williams Top Producing Agents and have served Cherokee County for more than 10 years. www.KurtandSheilaTeam.com.
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TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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Community
Sharing Memories I had many first days in new schools – in fact nine times by the time I graduated from high school. Having a Methodist pastor as a father made that happen. My parents must have brainwashed me into being excited about moving to a new place. I remember excitement over new pencils and notebooks as well as new friends. I only remember one time when I was afraid, and that was because most kids in my new school spoke Spanish and I had just moved from South Georgia with a real southern accent. The other times it was exciting to think of the new friends I’d meet. My first grade was 75 years ago in a two-room schoolhouse in Albany, Ga. Ironically, our son also began his first year of school in a two-room schoolhouse with one other child in the first grade. Only this was in a town of 92 people in northwestern South Dakota.
Delia Halverson Bascomb Elementary students send postcards to me at the school address and throughout the first couple of months of school they are read live on the morning news broadcast. Postcards are displayed for all students to see where our Bascomb Bobcats traveled during summer vacation. The students love hearing them read and seeing each other’s cards.
Kathleen Chandler
Principal, Bascomb Elementary School
A few years ago I got some food stained on my shirt on the first day. Technically, it was fruit juice that I squirted on my face that fell on my shirt. It was a bit embarrassing to wear a shirt like that and I didn’t have any juice left to drink, but I guess it could have been a worse back-to-school story.
Rob Macmillan Rising fifth-grader, Sixes Elementary School
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Caitlin Crews
Being a teacher during all the years my own children were in school, our first day of school traditions were always hurried and exciting. Not just for my two girls, but for me as well. The excitement of a new group of students always made it hard to sleep the night before. That tradition has not changed since I’ve become a principal. Sleep still escapes me the night before I greet all our new and returning Sixes Stars. This photo has always touched me. It is my older daughter, Caitlin, on her first day of kindergarten. It represents all first days of school for both of my girls. Moms and dads walking their children to my classroom while I watched her walk away. It’s just one sacrifice teachers make every year on the first day of school.
Cindy Crews Principal, Sixes Elementary School
and Traditions Back to school is an exciting time, but it also can be tearful for parents sending their little one off for the first time. Our oldest son J. Henry started full-time special education preschool on his third birthday, which was just a couple months before the end of the school year. He loved it, and we were so grateful for the miracles his teachers worked in those few weeks. After the school year ended, he would wake up each morning and want to go back. The back-to-school open house was like Christmas morning for him. After several hours there, it was time to go, but he was not leaving without more than a few tears. This photo is from the first day of school that year. There have been a couple more “first days” since, and our other younger children will have plenty of their own, but I don’t know that there will be another “first day” that touches my heart as much as this one.
Barbara Jacoby Director, Public Information, Communications and Partnerships Cherokee County School District Joe Lemmo
On the first day of each new school year, I like to wear the tie that I wore on my very first day of teaching back in August of 2000. The tie was a gift from my mother, and has recently been converted into a more modern skinny version by my mother-in-law. To me, the tie represents the enthusiasm I had on that first day, and encourages me to have the same enthusiasm with the start of each new year. So far, it hasn’t let me down. I’m getting ready to start year 17!
Joseph W. Lemmo J. Henry Jacoby
Teacher, E.T. Booth Middle School
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Community
The Right Job Can Change Your Life SUBMITTED BY CHEROKEE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
It was a game-changer for Matt Ringer. Not the sort of thing that usually comes from an off-the-cuff remark, but that’s exactly how he landed a new job just minutes from his home. A while back, Ringer was having a light-hearted conversation with a group of friends; among them were a couple of recruiters. As he got up to leave, he half-jokingly said to let him know if they hear of an IT opportunity in Cherokee County. The funny thing is, he wasn’t really looking; Ringer loved where he was working. But the two-hour commute in rush-hour traffic was taking its toll on the father of three. So when one of the recruiters mentioned global aerospace leader Universal Alloy Corp. (UAC) was in the market for an IT director, Ringer fired off an application. The next day, UAC called for an interview. “It takes about four minutes now to drive from my house to the front door of the office,” Ringer laughed. “I’m able to go home for lunch, make it to my children’s events at school and volunteer as a youth pastor at my church. If I work late, I’m still able to make it home in time for dinner. I leave every morning in a good mood. I come home in a good mood. There’s a lot less stress.” Like so many, Ringer thought he had to commute to Atlanta to find “serious” work. But Atlanta’s growing business community is looking for options, as are commuters. Cherokee County is already seeing the benefits of its new strategic plan, “Opportunity Cherokee,” as industry after industry locates in the county.
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“Listen, I get it,” said Misti Martin, president of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED). “You start talking about economic development and a lot of people’s eyes just glaze over; it can be a complex process. The fact is, we’ve been working for years to attract corporations here with good paying jobs, and by doing that, we’re creating opportunities for Cherokee residents to live and work in the same community. “But what it really means is that people like Matt Ringer now have the chance to spend quality time away from work, while still having a career they love. That’s the kind of success we’re working for every day, even when some of our projects take years. We’re committed to making a difference, because finding the right job can change someone’s life.” The growth Cherokee County is experiencing has been years in the making. And without question, economic development is a team sport. But putting the pieces into motion is the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, carrying out a vision, partnership and a plan. It’s a game changer. Just ask Matt Ringer.
The Cherokee Office of Economic Development is the leading organization for business and film recruitment and industry retention & expansion. For more information, visit www.cherokeega.org.
Matt is able to spend more time with his family.
TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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Community
Rob’s Rescues
Training Time with the Cherokee Sheriff’s K-9 Unit BY ROB MACMILLIAN
I visited the Cherokee Sheriff’s K-9 unit and met them all and the dogs and asked them a lot of questions and watched their training. I also handled a dog called Yoda while he did training to search for drugs. It was awesome. These were my questions. I spoke with Sgt. Matthew Azaroff. Are the dogs sometimes scared of doing their jobs? No. The dogs have no fear. They are trained from birth to have no fear by being exposed to lots of people, noise, sounds of gunfire, things flying through the air, etc. Does the policeman or the dog do more work? The dogs do most of the work depending on the situation. How many dogs work in the K-9 unit? Five. Their names are Dyno, Max, Yoda, Dixon and Amp.
What were some of the recent crimes the dogs helped with? They do a lot of bomb threats and narcotics investigations. Recently, they have been involved in an armed robbery and a burglary. What type of dogs do you use in the K-9 unit? We have one Dutch Shepherd and four Belgian Malinois. Where do the dogs sleep? They sleep at their handler’s house in a nonliving area of the house. What is the oldest and youngest dog here? Yoda is 7 1/2 and Dixon is 4.
From left: Deputy Jack Fulenwider, Deputy Matt Verber, Deputy Chris Bryant, Sgt. Matthew Azaroff, Deputy Bryan Stark, Deputy Mark Patterson, K-9 Amp and Rob.
This cat is Zoe. She is 5 years old and is a short haired mixed breed. She likes to sleep a lot. She was an owner surrender because her owners moved and they could not afford to take her.
This dog’s name is Lucas. He is a Chihuahua spaniel mixed breed. He is quiet and does not jump up much. He has a cone around his neck at the moment because he was neutered. He was brought in as a stray. He is sweet and gentle and does not need a lot of attention.
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TOWNELAKER | July 2016
Is there anything that the dogs need that the community can get for them? The sheriff’s dogs do pretty well and are well taken care of. Rob and K-9 Yoda. If people would like to donate anything, please donate to the Cherokee County Animal Shelter, as there are a lot of dogs out there that aren’t as well taken care of as our dogs.
now has a Facebook page!
I’m Rob Macmillan and I’m on a mission to help shelter dogs and cats. These animals are at the Cherokee County Animal Shelter at 1015 Univeter Road, Canton. Contact me at robsrescues@gmail.com.
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TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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Community
Where is Georgia’s Money Going? BY STATE REP. MICHAEL CALDWELL
The General Assembly of Georgia completed its legislative session on March 24. There is only one constitutional requirement that we legislators complete before we finish our annual legislative session: the passage of the upcoming fiscal year’s state budget. With tens of billions of dollars on the line, you can imagine I receive fairly regular constituent inquiries about spending. Too much, not enough, or just right? Attempting to invest wisely in the functions that each of us sees as a true priority for government while also ensuring that our tax burden remains among the lowest in the nation and bureaucracies small can be a delicate balance. I’m a firm believer that you can see where someone’s priorities lie by examining his or her checkbook. The same principle applies to our state. So for this article, I’d like to open up the checkbook for you. This will cover a high level breakdown on Georgia’s FY 2017 (July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017) budget. These first five line items comprise 72% of the state budget at a total of $17.1 billion. 01 Department of Education
38% $8.9 billion
02 Department of Community Health
13% $3.2 billion
03 Board of Regents, University System
9% $2.1 billion
04 Department of Transportation
7% $1.7 billion
05 Bond Payments
5% $1.2 billion
These next seven allocations comprise an additional 20 percent of the state budget at $2.1 billion and totaling with the first five to encompass 92 percent of Georgia’s budget. These 12 line items constitute $21.7 billion in state spending. 06 Department of Corrections
5% $1.1 billion
07 Department of Behavioral Health 08 Student Finance Commission
4% $ 1.0 billion 3% $808 million
09 Department of Human Services
You read that correctly. Our state’s budget is generally spread over 50 allocations: five of which consume 72 percent of total spending, 12 of which comprise 92 percent of total spending with the remaining 38 agencies utilizing only 8 percent of Georgia’s expenses. Remaining 38 Agencies
8% $ 2.0 billion
These numbers give us some very interesting insight into Georgia’s priorities. As I look over our state’s 12 largest expenses, I see four major categories.
1.
We spend more than $12.1 billion on education when including higher education and the technical college system. This constitutionally stated “primary obligation” makes up 51 percent of our budget.
2.
After education, the state spends more than $4.8 billion on health care related obligations at 20 percent of total spending.
3.
Third in line for spending priorities from the state is transportation. This totals 7 percent of the budget at more than $1.7 billion.
4.
Finally, the fourth priority in the lion’s share of Georgia’s budget finishes with spending on public safety. This priority takes up nearly $1.5 billion or 6 percent of the total budget. This budget goes into effect this month and presents an interesting perspective into the priorities of Georgia’s General Assembly and her people at large. If you have any concerns about Georgia’s budget or any other issue feel free to reach out to me at Michael@ CaldwellForHouse.com or on my cell phone at 678-5238570. You can also join us at 9 a.m. on Saturday mornings for our Weekly Coffee with District 20 at Copper Coin Coffee in downtown Woodstock. Thank you for the opportunity to represent you in our General Assembly.
3% $634 million
10 Department of Early Care and Learning 2% $ 413 million 11 Technical College System 12 Department of Juvenile Justice
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TOWNELAKER | July 2016
1.5% $351 million
1.5% $327 million
Michael Caldwell is the state representative for District 20, which includes Towne Lake and Woodstock. He can be reached at 678-523-8570 or email him at Michael. Caldwell@house.ga.gov
TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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1105 Parkside Lane, Suite 1100, Woodstock 706-289-9762 www.Woodstock.burnbootcamp.com Burn Boot Camp-Woodstock, GA @BBCWoodstock There’s a classic country music song that opens with the lyric, “Sometimes it’s hard to be a woman.” Truer words have never been spoken or sung — sometimes it is hard. It’s hard to fit everything into the day: work, spouses, children, volunteering, etc. Most women want to be healthier, stronger and generally more fit. However, many struggle to find the time in their busy schedules, lack the know-how to transform their health or don’t have a support system to keep them motivated and accountable. Burn Boot Camp (BBC) is a place where women can find the support and encouragement to focus on their health with a HOURS OF OPERATION community of like-minded women. Monday – Friday BBC is an elite training program 5:00 AM designed for women and mothers, 5:30 AM with services for all ages and fitness 6:30 AM levels, including free child care and 8:00 AM (Childcare) unlimited nutritional consultations 9:00 AM (Childcare) with trainers. 4:30 PM (Childcare) The boot camp is an indoor 5:30 PM (Childcare) program that focuses on creating 6:30 PM (Childcare)* a positive and motivating Saturday environment that is a breeding 8:00 AM (Childcare) ground for success and confidence. 9:00 AM (Childcare)* Workouts at BBC are designed * CoEd to never be the same and can be
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TOWNELAKER | July 2016
in
14 DAfor a Y FREE Test D rive! modified to accommodate everyone. The specially designed floating floor helps avoid unnecessary impact on the body. “I know what it’s like to not feel like yourself, to struggle through loss of energy, weight gain and overall loss of confidence,” head trainer Jodie McGuff said. As a former track and field student athlete at Mississippi State University, McGuff said she knows that nothing comes easy but, with commitment and determination, women have no boundaries. She earned a bachelor of science in clinical exercise physiology, as well as certification as a NCSA-SAC (National Strength and Conditioning Association-Strength and Conditioning) coach and ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) certification as a personal trainer. The Burn Boot Camp programs don’t end after a few months; McGuff said it is a way of living for the community of women who attend. BBC is personal training that takes place in a group environment, with more than 40 camps each week to choose from. “From the woman who hasn’t worked out in 20 years, to the woman at the top of her game who needs a new challenge, there is an opportunity for each one to transform into a better, healthier version of themselves within a few months at BBC,” McGuff said. “The daily workouts at BBC are designed to make sure everyone stays challenged and engaged.” The trainers at Burn Boot Camp make it their priority to push and challenge members to meet their fitness and nutritional goals, but in the end it’s not just about weight loss or a change in size. It’s about women finding their strength, energy and confidence, and at BBC that won’t be hard to do.
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TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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Community
EVERYDAY
On Feb. 1, 2014, Brian and Courtney Froy were blessed by the birth of their son, Tanner Ashton. While Tanner appeared healthy and normal, he could not be soothed. The crying was constant despite everything they tried to calm him. “I knew something wasn’t right,” said Courtney. When Tanner was three months old, he began to experience seizures and was admitted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where he was diagnosed with epilepsy. “At the time, this seemed like the worst news of our lives. It wasn’t.“ Although his medications halted his seizures, Tanner was not progressing. He hardly smiled and wasn’t rolling over, sitting or making eye contact. Three months later, the seizures returned but in a different form, Courtney said. The neurologist suggested additional testing. In October 2014, Tanner was diagnosed with CDKL5, cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5. “There are only about 1,200 people, mostly children, in the entire world who have been diagnosed with CDKL5, and the first diagnosis wasn’t until 2004. Even more rare for boys with 40-50 boys in the whole world. Tanner will most likely never talk, walk, sit up, use his hands, and is visually impaired. Most experience major GI and eating issues as well,” Courtney said. Tanner is two years old now and experiences 250 to 550 seizures a day. “Life is difficult, but we cherish every day we have with our sweet boy. Tanner is normal and perfect to us and we have learned not only to accept his disability but to embrace it. He is a real-life hero, far stronger than I. We never imagined that a devastating diagnosis could bring such a powerful change in our lives. Each day is met with one simple goal: how can I make Tanner happy today? I share Tanner’s story not only in hopes of raising awareness of CDKL5, but also to show our community that special needs children should be included, seen and accepted by everyone and admired for the heroes they are. There is so much you can learn from them,” Courtney said. Tanner’s family members have made it their mission to help fund research for a cure and they continue to pray for a cure so all children living with this devastating disease can live happier 30
TOWNELAKER | July 2016
Identifying people in need in our community.
Brian and Courtney Froy with sons Carson and Tanner.
and longer lives. Research on CDKL5 is in its infancy, in terms of the quantity of research projects and the amount of money available for such research. Tanner’s family has organized two fundraisers and set a goal of raising $30,000 donation for the International Foundation for CDKL5 Research. The inaugural Balloon Lift-off fundraiser was held on June 17 as part of CDKL5 Awareness Day, which honored Tanner, his CDKL5 family and all other special needs angels. Courtney said they have sold 200 Team Tanner “Sweet T” shirts and will host another fundraiser on Aug. 27 “Toasting Tanner,” which will be an evening of dinner, dancing and a silent auction. To follow Tanner’s journey and to learn more about upcoming fundraising events or to make a donation, visit www.tannersjourney.com/ events. “We must thank our supportive family, friends and neighbors who have loved and supported us through some very challenging times,” Courtney said. “We couldn’t have done it without you.” Everyday Angels is a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving Cherokee County since 2000. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, please visit www.everydayangels.info to donate via Paypal or send your donations to: Everyday Angels, PMB 380, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 620, Woodstock GA, 30189. One hundred percent of your funds will go to the family you specify. Also, if you know of a special need within your community that you would like to share, please send an e-mail to aaeverydayangels@gmail.com for consideration and qualification.
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Community
Fireworks, Summer Safety on Lake Allatoona BY CHRISTOPHER PURVIS
Water recreation is one of America’s most popular pastimes, but it’s also one that can be the most dangerous. July is a very busy recreation and boating month on Allatoona Lake. This summer season, make it a priority to be safe.
u Know the Laws
There are no “driving lanes” on the water, so boaters need to be aware of the “rules of the road,” such as knowing who has the right-of-way, understanding waterway markers and being knowledgeable about safe boating speeds based on traffic, weather and maneuverability.
u Be Aware of Lightning In the United States, an average of 67 people are killed each year by lightning. Few people really understand the dangers of lightning. Education is the first step in increasing public awareness about the risks of lightning strikes and how to reduce that risk. • If outdoors, go to a safe shelter, such as inside a bathhouse, restroom or other sturdy building, IMMEDIATELY! • If you are boating or swimming, get out of the water immediately and move to a safe shelter away from the water. • Avoid isolated trees or other tall objects, bodies of water, sheds, fences, convertible automobiles, tractors and motorcycles. • If you feel your hair stand on end, squat with your head between your knees. Do not lie flat.
u Fourth of July Fireworks
u Get a Vessel Safety Inspection
When you are out on the water you want to have fun. Before you go out on the water, put your mind at ease by getting a vessel safety check to assure that you have the proper safety equipment and are familiar with safe boating guidelines. Vessel safety inspections are voluntary, free and can be done by a certified inspector with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Two vessel safety check events are scheduled for July 2 and Sept. 3 at Blockhouse Ramp on Allatoona Lake. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offers these inspections as part of its boating safety awareness campaign.
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TOWNELAKER | July 2016
The Fourth of July fireworks on the lake is an extremely popular event to attend. Operation Get Home Safe will again be in effect across the lake. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers boats will be out in full force during and after the show and rangers will be patrolling all ramps. Please keep your speed under 20 mph and remember boating and alcohol do not mix. Also, don’t just pack it. Wear your jacket!
Christopher Purvis is the lead ranger at Lake Allatoona over Partnerships, Volunteers and Project Security. He has been a ranger on Allatoona Lake since 2005.
A Note to Recent Graduates BY MATT NEAL
To recent graduates. Look to your right. Now look to your left. See those friends you’ve been hanging around with the last few years? You are about to do something silly, something you will one day regret. You are about to leave those friendships behind to move into a whole new world. We are never as open to friendship as when we are young. In high school and in college, without a doubt those are the times in your life when you are the most open to being yourself, and open to accepting friendships. It’s been a few decades since my school days. But I can look back on them as some of the happiest times of my life. After I left college, I moved to Atlanta to look for work. It was years of hard times before I found a job that could turn into a career. And it was many more years of hard times trying to establish myself in the world. I eventually got married, started a family, and moved to the suburbs. In all that time, I’ve met many people and had some good friendships. But with each passing year, friendships are harder to establish. As people get older they get more set in their ways, it’s harder to make new friends. For most adults my age, your friends come in three categories: co-workers, neighbors and parents of your kids’ friends. For recent graduates, social media such as Facebook is something you grew up with. But you were probably a bit frustrated when you found it taken over by your parents when we found it was a great way to connect with family and old friends. When I very recently started using Facebook, I got a surprise to find friend requests from some of those kids I used to hang around with in school – only they’re not kids anymore. But what surprised me the most is how many of them have not only kept in touch with each other through the years, but still hang out and are good friends. That was hard to believe. I think of all the changes I’ve been through, all the stages of my life since school, and yet during all that time I could have stayed friends with them, but I didn’t. I could have had really good friends during my hard times, but I didn’t. I don’t know why I would leave friends behind whenever I moved on. But I didn’t have to. You don’t either. Friendship sometimes takes an effort. Keeping friends when you’re far away can take a bigger effort. I encourage you to make that effort.
We are never as open to friendship as when we are young.
Matt Neal is a freelance writer who has lived in Woodstock with his wife since 1999. He can be reached at mattnealwriter@outlook.com. TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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@ the Library
Community
w w w. S e q u o y a h Re g i o n a l L i b r a r y. o r g
On Your Mark, Get Set … Read
Join us for Summer Reading Fun, a program through July 29 for kids, teens and adults. Stop by your nearest library for your packet. Earn rewards for reaching reading goals. Remember: a library card is FREE, as are the following activities!
Rose Creek • 770-591-1491 4476 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock
Woodstock • 770-926-5859 7735 Main Street, Woodstock
Tuesdays
Mondays
Coloring for Adults, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. for ages 16 and older. Find out why coloring books are so popular again. Have fun and make new friends. All materials provided.
Knitting & Crocheting Group meets 1-3 p.m. with Mrs. Darlene. Bring needles and yarn. No registration or prior knowledge required.
Thursdays
Wednesdays
Sit & Stitch Social 10 a.m.-noon. Enjoy the company of other creative people while taking time to finish a work in progress. Get inspired to try something new.
Scribbles & Scrabbles fun from 2 to 4 p.m. Drop by and de-stress by playing a game of Scrabble or coloring a picture. All materials will be provided.
July 5
July 5 Macey Williams and her grandmother, Shirley, bond over knitting.
Family Storytime at 10:30 a.m. is designed for families with children of all ages. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult.
July 9
LEGO Club meets 3-4 p.m. with a different theme each month. Children can work alone or in teams to make their special creation, which will be displayed in the library until next month’s meeting. All ages are invited; ages 9 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
July 12
Field Day Finale! The fun begins at 10:30 a.m. with cool, active games for kids of all ages to play and enjoy. Children 9 and younger must be accompanied by a participating adult.
July 14
Library BINGO Book Club lets participants decide what to read and when while you are filling up a bingo board. Meets 10:3011:30 a.m. on the second Thursday of every month for discussion; attending meetings is not mandatory to be a member. Sailing is a sport the whole family can enjoy. At 3 p.m., participants can learn about the different kinds of sailboats and equipment needed to sail. Stay until the end of the program to see who can build a boat that can hold the most pennies without sinking.
July 19
Music & Moves at 10:30 a.m. With help from our friends at Go Noodle, everyone is invited to enjoy this time of music and movement with streamers, bubbles and maracas.
July 7
WellStar Discussion on Diabetes at 10:30 a.m. Learn how to take control and prevent the disease and its complications by making simple but important lifestyle changes. Family Storytime at 3 p.m. is designed for families with children of all ages. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult.
July 13
Let the Zoo come to YOU! A Zoo Atlanta animal encounter begins at 10:30 a.m. For the safety of the animals, this program is limited to 60 guests and requires registration. For ages 5 and older. Call 770-479-3090 ext. 233 to register.
July 14
Field Day Finale! Join us at 3 p.m. for cool, active games for kids of all ages to play and enjoy. Children 9 and younger must be accompanied by a participating adult.
July 17
LEGO Club meets 3-4:30 p.m. with a different theme each month. Children can work alone or in teams to make their special creation, which will be displayed in the library until next month’s meeting. All ages are invited; ages 9 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
LEGO Robotics at 3:30 p.m. for ages 9-14. Registration is required. This program is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to Georgia Public Library Service under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.
July 19
July 21
LEGO Robotics at 2 p.m. for ages 9-14. Registration is required. This program is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to Georgia Public Library Service under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.
Tai-Chi for all fitness levels at 5:30 p.m. Reduce stress, relax and find some balance in your life. Instructor Karen Inchak will teach basic principles of Tai-Chi along with a little background on the ancient art. Loose fitting clothing and flat shoes are suggested. 34
TOWNELAKER | July 2016
Book Club meets at noon. Read “All the Light We Cannot See” and join the discussion. New members are welcome.
July 27
O u t & Ab o u t Saturdays through Oct. 29
Farm Fresh Market, 8:30 a.m.-noon on Market Street in Woodstock.
July 1
Friday Night Live 6-9 p.m. in downtown Woodstock. The theme is Dog Days of Summer. Guests are invited to bring their dogs to participate in contests. www.visitwoodstockga.com
July 4 Festivities Woodstock
10 a.m. parade with a new route: starts at Woodstock Elementary School on Rope Mill Road, travels down Main Street and ends at Sam’s Club near Highway 92. Trophies for parade float competition include: best holiday, most original and people’s choice. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. festival at The Park at City Center, with live music, food, arts and crafts, activities for children. Dusk, a fireworks show at the Target shopping center on Highway 92 near I-575. For parking and traffic info, visit www.woodstockga.gov.
Canton
A fireworks show, presented by Canton Tourism, Inc., can be viewed from the parking lot at Riverstone Plaza. Ray DeLuca will DJ before and after the fireworks, which will be shown at dusk. Families are welcome to bring chairs, coolers and grills to the family event.
Marietta
10 a.m. Freedom Parade kicks off the City of Marietta 2016 Fourth in the Park celebration on July 4. After the parade there will be free live concerts and entertainment, museum tours, food, arts and crafts, carnival games and fireworks. For more information, call the Marietta Parks and Recreation department at 770-794-5601.
Acworth
4 p.m. July 4, sponsored by the city of Acworth and the Acworth Business Association, with a free live music concert at Cauble Park (2293 Beach St., Acworth) followed by a fireworks show at dark over Lake Acworth. Food and drinks will be available from vendors. www. acworthparksandrecreation.org.
Six Flags Over Georgia
July 2-4. Guests arriving at the park with a Coca-Cola® can will be admitted an hour early. Fireworks show will take place each night at 9:30 p.m. The best view is in the Cotton States Exposition district near the American Scream Machine and Sky Coaster.
Lenox Square
July 9, Aug. 13
Latimer Hall Arts & Crafts Show features vendors indoors at outdoors at 103 Towne Lake Parkway. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. www.mainstreetcraftshow.com
July 13, Aug. 18
CPR/AED Training Classes will be held 8:30 a.m.-noon, sponsored by the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce Community Outreach Programs. A representative from the Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services will teach the class. Must be at least 14 years old to be certified. Cost is $41. A CPR/AED and First Aid Training Class will be held 8:30 a.m.-2p.m. July 27. Cost is $66. For details, call 770-345-0040. www.cherokechamber.com
July 14
Wilson Banjo Co. will perform 7-9 p.m. as part of the Bluegrass Concert series at the Resurgens Orthopaedics Community Stage in Woodstock. www.visitwoodstockga.com
July 16
2016 Six Hour Race to Sunset at Blankets Creek Mountain Bike Trails will start with race-day registration at 7 a.m. Race starts at 10 a.m., ends at 4 p.m. Blankets Creek is at 2261 Sixes Road, Canton. Online registration available at www.mountaingoatadventures.com.
Aug. 2
Police Department National Night Out, 6-9 p.m. at The Park at City Center. Neighborhoods throughout Woodstock are invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the 33rd annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event. The goal is to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime efforts and strengthen the partnership between communities and police. For more details, call Officer Ryan Bleisath at 678-614-9104.
Aug. 13
The inaugural Tracks on Main Music Festival, a free, familyfriendly event, will feature 14 original bands and artists including Humming House, Dead 27s, Swear and Shake, The High Divers, and Alvin Youngblood Hart. Performances will be held on three stages throughout downtown Woodstock. For more details, visit www.tracksonmain.rocks.
Aug. 26
Active Shooter Training with seminars 10 a.m.-noon or 3-5 p.m. at the Chattahoochee Technical College, 8371 Main St., Woodstock. Sponsored by the college’s campus police department. Another session is planned for July 30 at the North Metro Campus on 5198 Ross Road in Acworth. By providing strategies and guidance, the free sessions are intended to educate civilians on what they should do if faced with an active shooter event. www.chattahoocheetech.edu
On July 4, the Jimmy Buffet tribute band Sons of Sailors opens the show at 6 p.m., followed by headliners Party on the Moon at 7:45 p.m. The fireworks show, with more than 10,000 fireworks, will begin around 9:40 p.m.
TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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Community
K eeping Track Cherokee’s Silver Roamers
The Cherokee Recreation and Parks Department offers an active group for senior citizens called the Silver Roamers. For a $24 yearly fee, members can attend monthly gatherings and discuss upcoming events. Members get discounts on trips and events and win prizes through the Roamers Mileage Club. Nonmembers can take part in day and overnight excursions, but the cost is a little more. Most trips are handicap accessible. For more details, call Frankie Sanders at 770-924-7768, www.crpa.net.
Trips
Activities & Classes
Aug. 11
Aug. 8, Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Nov. 14
Trip to Tunnel Hill includes a guided tour of Heritage Park Museum, historic Western & Atlantic Railroad Tunnel and the Clisby Austin House, with a meal at the Oakwood Cafe. $30 members/$40 nonmembers.
Aug. 29-30
Mystery Overnight. The only info available about this trip is a nugget of wisdom: Where there is a mystery, there must be joy! $199 double/$299 single.
Sept. 15
The Biblical History Center/Biblical Meal in LaGrange. The center helps people encounter the ancient biblical world through its history and culture. $50 members/$60 nonmembers.
Sept. 27
Mercier Orchards/The Deli at Mercier. Visit to the 70-year-old orchard, which includes U-PICK events, bakery and deli, market store and farm winery. $10 members/$25 nonmembers.
Oct. 1
Mystery day trip happens only once a year. Lunch on your own. $30 members/$40 nonmembers.
Oct. 10-14
New Orleans overnight trip requires $150 nonrefundable deposit due with July 1 registration. Final payment due in September. $950 double/$1,450 single. For trip details, visit www.crpa.net.
Nov. 3
Waffle House Museum/Waffle House in Decatur. Visit the restaurant that has been restored to as it was in 1955. Museum features memorabilia from the past 60 years. $25 members/$35 nonmembers.
Nov. 15
Chick-fil-A Backstage Tour/The Original Dwarf House in Hapeville. Learn the history of founder Truett Cathy and the core values with a trip to his office and history museum, with lunch at the original restaurant. $40 members/$50 nonmembers. 36
TOWNELAKER | July 2016
Adult Coloring sessions begin at noon at the recreation center community room. $5 members/$15 nonmembers. Cost includes coloring books, colored pencils and lunch.
Nov. 29
Cooking Class Bee’s Knees. $30 members/$40 nonmembers. Gentle Joints 8:30-9:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Low impact aerobics and strength training class designed specifically for mature adults and individuals with joint challenges. The class is geared toward issues relevant to this age group such as balance, flexibility, strength, posture and cardiopulmonary fitness, and includes exercises to target bone density, mobility and joint issues. $30 per month. Small Group Personal Training Monthly sessions are available at various times on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in the aerobics room at the rec center. Gina Baumgartner works with participants, takes medical conditions into consideration, discusses goals and evaluates fitness levels. Sessions incorporate flexibility, core, balance, stabilization, fall prevention, strength and power. Tai Chi Nov. 7-Dec. 12 (Beginner Mondays), Oct. 28-Dec. 16 (Intermediate Fridays) $60 for six-week sessions 9:45-10:45 a.m. Tai Chi for Health is designed to improve the quality of life of people with arthritis and other chronic conditions, improve balance and mobility and prevent falls. May be done seated or standing. Zumba Gold Sessions 9-10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Zumba Gold is a Latin inspired, dance-fitness class that incorporates Latin and International music and dance movements, creating a dynamic, exciting exhilarating, and effective fitness system for senior adults. $30 per month.
Services Include: • Haircuts and Bang Cuts • First Haircut Package • Fashionable Braids & Up-dos • Mom and Dad Cuts • Themed Parties
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday: 10-6 Saturday: 10-5 Sunday: 12-5
Kids Only Shop • Ribbons, Bows & Headbands • Hair Care Products • Toys 881 Ridgewalk Parkway, Suite 104 • Woodstock, GA 30188 678.842.8299 • pigtailsandcrewcuts.com/woodstock
TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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Lifestyle
Senior Sense: Thoughts of Patriotism BY DELIA HALVERSON
In July we celebrate the founding of this country. As a senior adult, I’ve been through many occasions where patriotism was at a high. I remember how everyone mounted flags on their houses after 9/11. I even remember the parades, streamers and confetti after World War II. I was excited during our bicentennial year when I rode with a national park ranger as he herded buffalo in North Dakota for a TV special. (One buffalo even jumped over the truck!) But now I see patriotism in a different view. I’ve often said that the older I get the more liberal I’ve become, but that doesn’t mean embracing every liberal thought or idea. Actually I mean that I take time to think through things and not just accept something because a particular person said it’s so. I’m entitled to my own ideas about a subject. My husband and I have moved many times, and each time we’ve sought out a new church home. One of the objects of our search has been a Sunday school class that not only discusses ideas that the teacher puts forth, but also allows students to think for themselves and doesn’t put them down if their ideas differ. According to the dictionary, being patriotic has to do with one’s fatherland. In fact, the word comes from a Greek word patris. I’ve lived in many communities where the people can trace their heritage back to a specific country other than the
Towne Lake Business Association
Welcome to summer! If you are you thinking about joining a group to help get exposure of your Towne Lake Business, and meet other Towne Lake business owners, we would like to invite you to be our guest at our next lunch-n-learn. Welcome new members. We are thrilled to have you be a part of what we are doing in our community. Are you looking for a way to give back to Towne Lake? Consider participating in the fundraising events we host to raise money for our 2017 Entrepreneurial Scholarship, awarded to a senior at Etowah and Woodstock high schools. Visit our new and improved website for more details, and feel free to contact any of the board members for information. www.tlba.org. TLBA’s July Lunch-N-Learn Workshop Speaker: Sandy Weaver Carmen: Author, Speaker & Happiness Expert Topic: “Achieve more success by turning the table on conventional wisdom!” Where to Be: The Grille at Towne Lake Hills When: 12:15-2 p.m. Tues. July 19 Cost: $12 (lunch included) Workshops are presented by leading business speakers discussing topics geared toward our local business owners and supporters. Visitors are welcomed.
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www.Facebook.com/TowneLakeBusinessAssociation Thank you for supporting our community by “Keeping Towne Lake Dollars in Cherokee!” TOWNELAKER | July 2016
United States. Growing up I always regretted that my heritage was so mixed that I didn’t feel a connection with a fatherland. But as I’ve reflected on this over the years, I realize that the Native Americans are the only ones who can call this land of ours their fatherland. The rest of us (or our ancestors) came here for different reasons, and since 1776, the most popular reason has been freedom. I believe that freedom only comes when we allow others to seek it for themselves. Freedom is not something to be hoarded but rather to be shared, and if something that I do, or a law that I vote for, does not allow others to seek freedom, then it is not true freedom for me. I will display the American flag on the Fourth of July (and on other patriotic holidays), but I will not leave it out all the time so that it becomes just a part of my landscape. I will remember that this American flag stands for something that many people seek when they come to our country – freedom in a manner that allows others to be free, even those in other countries.
Delia writes books and leads workshops internationally. She and her husband settled in Woodstock after living in eight states. Their children and grandchildren live nearby.
TLBA SPOTLIGHT The Joint Chiropractic of Woodstock The Joint® Chiropractic is now open in Woodstock at 1428 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 28102. The Joint offers convenient hours of operation: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturdays, and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sundays. The Woodstock clinic is a franchise of The Joint Corp., one of the fastest-growing franchisors in health care. The company is transforming chiropractic care through a consumer-friendly model that removes many of the traditional obstacles to health care. For example, appointments are not necessary and consumers receive quality care without insurance hassles. Patients can choose from several affordable plans and packages, with a significantly lower per-visit cost than the average insurance co-pay. Dr. David Williams The Joint of Woodstock is headed by a strong team of doctors: David Williams and Tony Brooks, who have a combination of more than 38 years of experience. They are board certified Doctors of Chiropractic from Life University. For more information about The Joint Chiropractic, call 678-214-4449 or visit http://chiropractoratlanta-thejoint.com/ woodstock/
TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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Lifestyle
The New Four-Letter Word BY TIM TIMMONS
The beginning of a new school year can be an exciting time, but it’s also peak season for head lice (aka every parent’s nightmare). If that’s not enough to give you the heebie-jeebies, there’s a new form of the pesky parasites on the rise called “super lice,” which are said to be resistant to most over-the-counter treatments. If your child comes home from school with more than just homework, try not to panic. You have many options that range from the conventional pesticide to a few safer solutions to prevent and combat an outbreak. First, you should thoroughly inspect your child’s head for eggs, also known as nits. The best way to check is combing through the child’s hair, section by section, using a metal nitpicking comb, like you get in your home lice prevention kit. Once you’re sure your child is infected, you may want to skip the harsh pesticides because there are reports that they are no longer proven effective against the latest strain of super lice. Instead, try shampoos that contain organic herbs like rosemary, tea tree and peppermint to naturally repel the bugs. A chemical-free treatment, such as Fairy Tales
Lice Good-Bye Survival Kit or Quit Nits Complete Head Lice Kit also should do the trick. The enzymatic solution slows down the lice and dissolves the sticky nit glue that attaches the eggs stubbornly to the hair shaft. Parents should be sure to comb carefully in the hot-spots: behind the ears, along back of the neck and at part lines. Another option is having the treatment come to you. A service like Lice Happens makes house calls to treat and remove the lice from your child’s hair in just one visit. To prevent lice from wreaking havoc in the first place, perform a weekly head check and encourage your children not to share things like hats, combs, brushes, hair ties, pillows and sleeping bags. You might want to consider making lice prevention products a part of your daily routine. Parents should apply lice preventive styling product or conditioning sprays every morning before camp, school or daycare. A conditioning spray can also be used behind the ears, back of the neck and shoulders and on backpacks, inside hats and hoodies as an extra precaution. Precaution does not always lead to full prevention. If your child or family has become the latest host to these pests, don’t be embarrassed to tell your school nurse or parents of children that your children have been in contact with. Communication is the best way to keep outbreaks to a minimum.
To prevent lice from wreaking havoc in the first place, perform a weekly head check and encourage your children not to share things...
Tim Timmons is the owner of Salon Gloss Woodstock. Tim’s industry experience includes positions as trainer/educator, celebrity stylist and beauty consultant for the Grammys and MTV video music awards.
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TOWNELAKER | July 2016
TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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Lifestyle
A Midlife Crisis BY MICHAEL LITREL, MD, FACOG, FPMRS
Both Ann and I are early risers. Since the first days of our marriage, we have sat most mornings in the darkness before dawn, talking together and enjoying our morning coffee. It’s my favorite part of the day. Communication is the foundation of any healthy relationship, and I have been blessed with a spouse whose conversation I (usually) find interesting. But last month, that suddenly changed. No longer was Ann the scintillating woman to whom I had been married for nearly 30 years. Almost overnight, she had become … boring. As a rule, our morning “coffee talks” have held my interest. The topics of conversation range from thought-provoking spiritual insights to friendly verbal fencing that leaves us both laughing. I was worried. Why did my wife suddenly seem so dull? Secretly I pondered possible causes. Maybe I had fallen victim to a low-grade, sub-symptomatic virus. Could being bored by your loved ones be a symptom of the swine flu? Indeed, a virus would explain the fatigue and irritability I was experiencing throughout my work day, tempering even my usual enthusiasm for practicing medicine. But on the other hand, a virus didn’t seem to fit, because overall I remained fairly healthy. Besides, I had already received my vaccinations. Then the headaches began. Each time a patient of mine suffers from a new pain, my underlying concern is cancer. Likewise, I worried about myself. Was this the first symptom of a brain tumor? But just as I was entertaining the idea of getting a CAT scan, an even more disturbing diagnosis occurred to me.
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TOWNELAKER | July 2016
Maybe I was having a Midlife Crisis. A midlife crisis is no laughing matter. I have watched friends and patients suffer through these things, and I’ve read about celebrities’ lives ruined as tabloids expose every last detail of their midlife indiscretions. A midlife crisis seemed an even worse possibility than a brain tumor. When you are confused about yourself, about the meaning of your life, when you have no connection with the higher purpose for your existence, you can make bad decisions that cause a great deal of pain down the road. I was reasonably certain I was not having an extramarital affair. But Tiger Woods took me by surprise, too, so I guess you never know. I was thinking about checking my cellphone records just to make sure. But before I did, one last diagnosis occurred to me – a diagnosis that could explain every one of the symptoms I was experiencing. But I just couldn’t imagine Ann would betray me in this way. Sadly, when I confronted her, she had to confess. Clandestinely, Ann had changed my morning coffee to decaf. It was an outrage! A tumult of conflicting emotions washed over me: anger, relief, disbelief – and then concern. Is it possible my marital relationship is not based upon love, respect and admiration – but rather on caffeine? Was my wife the source of my morning happiness - or was it Starbucks? As a physician, I endeavor to be a role model for my patients. I can say with certainty that couples who make time for each other – even if it comes with coffee - grow healthier marriages than those that don’t. continued on page 88 Michael Litrel, MD, FACOG, FPMRS is board certified in the subspecialty female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. He is a board certified urogynecologist and obstetrician/ gynecologist at Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists. www.cherokeewomenshealth.com.
TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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Lifestyle
Beat the Heat of Summer BY VENÉSSA LANIER
Our faces take heat in the summer months as we relax in the glow of the sun’s rays. Too much fun in the sun can make skin red and feel on fire. Extreme heat from the sun also damages delicate facial skin by driving out moisture that preserves and plumps skin cells, dehydrating our skin. Even in Georgia’s humid climate, dehydrated skin retains oil and dirt, ultimately clogging facial pores. Dehydrated skin can also cause skin cells to rapidly die, which increases cellular turnover. Many skin specialists believe that cellular turnover is the cause of fine lines that lead to (the dreaded) premature skin aging. Even if your skin is not “of a certain age,” you can see the results of hyper-pigmentation on your face from sun over-exposure. However, there are many ways to lessen the negative effects of sun and heat on facial skin. One of the best ways is with a cooling facial treatment. A facial improves overall skin radiance and produces a more youthful appearance. Our model Missy enjoys the sunshine and being outdoors. She takes care of her skin all year by receiving facial treatments. Missy wears sunscreen daily and avoids the sun’s direct rays by wearing hats when possible. She is committed to a home regimen of high-quality products that provide cleansing, exfoliation and hydration. She uses products that are plant based, contain vitamins and antioxidants. The special attention she gives her face in the summer is proven by the overall radiance of her skin. Amy, our lead esthetics specialist, customized an anti-aging facial treatment for Missy. This treatment provides deep pore cleansing, skin exfoliation and a cooling, hydrating masque to calm heat and infuse moisture. Relaxing
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TOWNELAKER | July 2016
facial massage stimulates circulation and redirects lymphatic fluids, which lift and tone the skin. Missy said her face felt great: “I drifted away to a calm, quiet place while Amy worked her magic.” Amy also shaped Missy’s eyebrows to enhance her natural arch, which opened up her eyes and resulted in a more lifted-eye appearance. After these services, Missy was glowing and looked refreshed. By taking protective steps in caring for our face, we can enjoy summer and receive minimal sun and heat damage. Why not consider treating your summer skin to a facial treatment? Increasing facial moisture and wearing sunscreen will help your skin stay cool and appear refreshed and illuminated during the extreme heat of the summer months.
Venéssa Lanier is the 24-year owner of Salon and Spa Venéssa, which is committed to providing personalized services to guests in a luxurious setting located in downtown Woodstock. www.salonvenessa.com
we are rooted in gratitude. thank you for allowing us to nurture you with wellness and beauty for 25 years. during the months of july and august, we will be honoring you with special offerings of joy. come celebrate with us!! salon • spa hours mon & fri 9-6 tues, wed, thurs 9-9 sat 8:30-5
stay connected. specials & promotions.
THANK YOU WOODSTOCK. join us for off peak spa days july - TUESDAY & THURSDAY august - MONDAY & WEDNESDAY september - MONDAY & WEDNESDAY
8516 main street • downtown woodstock www.salonvenessa.com • 770.591.2079
BEST DAY SPA TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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Feature
A Family Focus: Educating and Caring for Towne Lake Children
The Brays: Latresse & Sammie, back row from left: Sierra, Sydney, Savannah and Simmie.
North Campus:
1390 Buckhead Crossing near the Deer Run subdivision
770-928-6162
South Campus:
1010 Towne Lake Hills South Drive 770-928-9134
Open 6:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday January-December except holidays www.townelakeacademy.org Find Us on social media:
Management staff, front row from left: Executive Director Lynn Bova and Assistant Director Jill Croft. Second row: Director Sheryl Sullivan, Assistant Director Sara McKenzie, owner Sammie Bray and Administrative Assistant Elaine Collins. Not pictured: owner Latresse Bray. 48
TOWNELAKER | July 2016
W
hen Sammie and Latresse Bray enrolled their oldest daughter Simmie in Towne Lake Academy more than 20 years ago, they trusted the owners and staff members to provide excellent care and education for their firstborn. They weren’t disappointed, and enrolled their other three girls when they were old enough to attend. Even though their youngest, Sydney, is entering middle school this fall, Sammie and Latresse are still spending a lot of time at Towne Lake Academy. Now it’s for a very different reason. The Brays bought the two Towne Lake Academy campuses in October 2015. “Several years ago, we decided that if we had the opportunity, we would explore owning a childcare center and model it after Towne Lake Academy,” Latresse said. “We knew they had an excellent curriculum and teachers who had been there many years. That says a lot in this industry. A few years ago after Sammie experienced corporate downsizing, we decided the time was right.” Latresse has 25 years of experience in training, development and management, including a successful track record in developing education and training media for a variety of industries. She has overall operational responsibility of the academy. Sammie has more than 20 years of managing employees, projects, and budgets over millions of dollars, along with extensive property management. He has overall fiscal responsibility, ensuring that the business is financially sound and goals are attained. Among the changes that the Brays are working on: • A redesigned website and social media sources to make it simple for parents to learn about the academy. • New computers for management, and tablets for teachers to be used in all classrooms in the Fall. A local technician is working with the Brays to upgrade office computers. • Tablets in the classroom will be used for photo sharing, school newsletters and emergency messaging that will allow teachers to connect with parents and eliminate additional paperwork. • Integrating a sports camp into the summer program. • Partnerships with local businesses, banks, schools, pediatric offices and realtors. As eager as the Brays were to make a difference, they were intentional not to make changes in management, staffing or normal daily operations and policies when they bought the academy. With a low turnover rate among teachers and solid enrollment numbers, they realized the
Sponsored Content
Photography by Darleen Prem
importance of maintaining consistency. “You normally hear of a high teacher turnover but not at Towne Lake Academy, where you have teachers who have been there for many years,” Sammie said. “Teachers have their grandchildren attend and former students who are now married have enrolled their children.” The 37 staff members bring decades of valuable experience in childcare to the school’s two campuses. Executive Director Lynn Bova’s first job at Towne Lake Academy was classroom teacher; she was Simmie’s first teacher 20 years ago. Lynn remained on staff as Simmie’s sisters, each four years apart in age, enrolled. Through the years, Lynn has mastered every position in the school and is a very experienced executive director. The previous owners, Jack Aronson and Janice Cuevas, have been great mentors for the Brays, and their relationship has continued after the purchase. A few other measures of the academy’s success: • More than 12 former students returned to teach at the academy. • Seventeen former employees, who were early education majors and worked for TLA while in college, have successful teaching careers in public and private sectors. • Enrollment is growing, along with friendships and community support. “Our goals are to build a trusting relationship with current and new families, focus on maintaining the highest standards of quality, and add new programs, like sports, the arts and technology,” Latresse said. “Towne Lake Academy has a longstanding reputation of excellence in our community, which we plan to enhance with our hands-on involvement and volunteering using the connections we have made over the 20-plus years of living and raising our four girls in the Towne Lake community.“ The South campus is licensed for 147 children, and the North campus can accommodate 156 children. The good news is that, even after enrolling many new families, registration is open for new students. In fact, a 10 percent discount will be given to anyone who registers in July. With a few weeks left for summer camp, there is still time to end your summer with Towne Lake Academy!
Family Owned, Community Focused, Award Winning 1. Family owned. Because the school is not part of a franchise, the Brays are free to develop curriculum, programming, technology and their staff to achieve the vision and high standards they have set for the school. 2. Community based. Students, staff and owners give back by supporting churches and MUST Ministries, adopting a family to help at Christmas, partnering with colleges so students can gain education experience, and offering family activities that include parents night out, movies on the lawn, picnics and fall festivals. 3. Wide range of ages. The academy offers care for children from six weeks old to after-school care through age 12. Programs include infant and toddler care, preschool, private pre-K4, Georgia Lottery Pre-K4 and before and after care for school-aged children during the school year and camps in the summer. 4. Quality Rated. Quality Rated is Georgia’s system to determine, improve and communicate the quality of programs that provide childcare. By participating in this voluntary system, programs make a commitment to work continuously to improve the quality of care they provide to children and families. 5. Good standing with Bright From the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL). The department is responsible for meeting the childcare and early education needs of Georgia’s children and families through licensing and administration of state and federal programming.
TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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Helping Hands
Declaring Independence to Have a Blast! BY SUSAN SCHULZ
“It’s so easy to feel like people forget or don’t care about the things you have done in service to this country,” Army veteran Neil Boekel said. “Then a dude like Dave Deep from Wake for Warriors (W4W) comes along and lets you know there are people out there who have not forgotten the sacrifices made by you and yours. Then he takes you out to shred some wakes and helps us remember how to smile!” This testimony is from one of many wounded warriors who have been pulled by the W4W boat. From its humble beginnings on Lake Arrowhead in Cherokee County to tours across the United States, Wake for Warriors has a blast on a regular basis—and for an awesome cause. W4W exists to share a passion for wake and water sports in order to heal
the emotional and psychological wounds of military veterans and their families. Founder Dave Deep, a 28-year Marine veteran who was deployed twice to Afghanistan, understands intimately that the scars of war are both visible and invisible. “Being behind the boat almost immediately makes the worries of the day disappear,” Deep said. “When I’m wakesurfing or wakeboarding, I can only think about riding, and at that moment when you have a great run and your friends and family are cheering you on, there’s nothing better. I began W4W in 2011 to share this experience with other veterans. I believe these activities are not only therapeutic for their injuries, but also their state of mind. And we purposefully do not use modified gear. Our warriors
W4W
The Rest of the Year’s Schedule July 13-16
Minnesota Wakesurf Championship, Lake Minnetonka, Minn.
July 26-28
Skaneateles Lake, N.Y.
Aug. 11-14
Lake Lanier, Ga., in partnership with the EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) Warrior Foundation
Sept. 16-18
Tige Owners Group, Lake Mead, Nev. Professional surfer Austin Keen gives U.S. Army paratrooper Stefan LeRoy a few tips on riding the wave.
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TOWNELAKER | July 2016
November
Gatorbait Wake School, Miami
adapt to regular gear. The challenge makes our weekends together all the more fun and rewarding.” This project is so much more than wakesurfing and wakeboarding. Skills are built, limits are pushed, and forever friendships are forged. And what better way to do that than on the water having the time of your life behind a powerful and fierce Tige RZX boat decorated like an airplane with shark teeth similar to those seen on combat aircraft since World War 2? Austin Keen, a wakeboard pro who volunteered to coach riders at one of W4W’s events in Miami, witnessed the healing powers. “I saw the physical disabilities of these veterans disappear,” Keen said. “I saw a smile on a face that has seen and gone through more than I can imagine. I learned how amazing these people are beyond their veteran title, and got to see firsthand the amazing differences organizations like W4W are making in people who have sacrificed so much.” If you know a warrior who would love to have a blast on the water or if you would like to donate funds for housing, food, travel and equipment for these events, visit www.wakeforwarriors.org. W4W is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, all-volunteer organization with no administrative fees. Donations help with the costs of food, lodging and gear; all donations are tax deductible. W4W also works in partnership with the Semper Fi Fund and Pull Water Sports in Cumming.
Susan Schulz is a Bible teacher, author, wife, and mom of three grown children. She lives and plays along the Etowah River and loves serving at Woodstock City Church.
Tony Mullis (U.S. Marines) straps on his custom wakeboard as he prepares to ride on Lake Arrowhead.
Dave Deep assists Mark Roseberry (U.S. Army) as he attaches his prosthetic leg to the wakeboard.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF WAKE FOR WARRIORS
Neil Boekel (U.S. Army) adds wakesurfing in Miami to the list of his accomplishments.
John Donnelly, son of Bobby Donnelly (U.S. Navy) gets up for the first time at Lake Arrowhead.
TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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Lifestyle Casual and Upscale Dine-In Restaurants
Towne Lake Area Dining Guide RESTAURANT
CUISINE
BKFST LUNCH DINNER SUNDAYS SPIRITS
RESERV.
*Cancun Mexican Grill, 4430 Towne Lake Parkway
Mexican
no
$
$
open
full bar
no
Cheeseburger Bobby’s, 2295 Towne Lake Parkway 678-494-3200, cheeseburgerbobbys.com
American
no
$
$
open
no
no
see ad pg. 29
China Fun, 1075 Buckhead Crossing 770-926-2671, chinafun88.com
call ahead seating
Chinese
no
$
$-$$
open
no
no
Soup/Salad/ Sandwiches
$
$
$
open
no
no
American Irish
no
$
$$
open
full bar
6+
Mexican
$
$
$-$$
open
full bar
no
Family Tradition, 4379 Towne Lake Parkway 770-852-2885, familytradition.net
Homestyle Cooking
$$
$$
$$
closed
no
no
GameDay Fresh Grill, 2990 Eagle Drive 770-693-6754, gamedayfresh.com
American/Burgers
no
$
$$
open
full bar
yes
Thai/Sushi/ Chinese
no
$
$$
open
full bar
yes
JD’s Barbeque, 6557 Bells Ferry Road 678-445-7730, jdsbbq.com
Barbeque
no
$
$-$$
open
no
no
Jersey’s Sports Bar, 6426 Bells Ferry Road 770-790-5740
American
no
$
$$
open
full bar
yes
Johnny’s Pizza, 1105 Parkside Lane 770-928-9494, johnnyspizza.com
Pizza/Pasta/ Salad
no
$
$-$$
open
full bar
no
Kani House, 2455 Towne Lake Parkway 770-592-5264, kanihouse.com
Japanese Steak/Sushi
no
$-$$
$$-$$$
open
full bar
yes
Mexican
no
$
$$
open
full bar
no
Corner Bistro, 2360 Towne Lake Parkway 770-924-1202, cornerbistrotl.com Donovan’s Irish Cobbler, 1025 Rose Creek Drive 770-693-8763, donovansirishcobbler.com El Ranchero, 1025 Rose Creek Drive 770-516-6616
Izumi Asian Bistro, 2035 Townelake Parkway 678-238-1899, iloveizumi.com
La Parrilla, 1065 Buckhead Crossing 770-928-3606, laparrilla.com
LongHorn, 1420 Towne Lake Parkway Steakhouse no $ $$ open full bar 770-924-5494, longhornsteakhouse.com
call ahead seating
Marco’s Pizza, 2068 Eagle Drive 678-213-2100, marcos.com
Pizza/Pasta/ Salad
no
$
$-$$
open
beer/wine
no
Mellow Mushroom, 2370 Towne Lake Parkway 770-591-3331, mellowmushroom.com
Pizza/Pasta/ Salad
no
$-$$
$-$$
open
beer/wine
no
NY Style Deli & Pizza, 2340 Towne Lake Parkway, 678-426-7004
Pizza/Subs/ Bakery
no
$-$$
$-$$
open
no
no
Bakery/Soups/ Sandwiches
$
$
$-$$
open
no
no
Panera Bread, 2625 Towne Lake Parkway 678-813-4809, panerabread.com
Papa P’s, 2295 Towne Lake Parkway Mexican/Irish 770-592-3100, papa-ps.com Peking & Tokyo, 200 Parkbrooke Drive 770-591-8858, pekingandtokyo.com Song’s Garden, 4451 Towne Lake Parkway 770-928-8387, songsgarden.com
Sat.&Sun. $ $ open full bar brunch
large groups call ahead
Chinese/Japanese
no
$
$-$$
open
beer/wine
no
Chinese
no
$
$-$$
open
no
no
The Grille at Towne Lake, 1003 Towne Lake Hills Golf Club 770-592-9969
American $ $ $-$$ open full bar Casual
The Place, 1105 Parkside Lane 770-928-8901, theplacebargrill.com
Bar/Grill
no
$-$$
$$
open
full bar
no
Italian
no
$-$$
$$-$$$
open
full bar
10+
Tuscany, 250 Cinema View Drive 678-453-0888, mytuscanyrestaurant.com
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TOWNELAKER | July 2016
* Denotes Advertiser
Chili’s Bar & Grill, 1460 Towne Lake Parkway American no $ $-$$ open full bar 770-592-7676, chilis.com
$ = most entrees under $10 • $$ = most entrees $10 - $15 • $$$ = most entrees $15 - $20 • $$$$ = most entrees over $20
770-693-4680
special events
Water is Common Theme in Summer Memories BY LYNNE SAUNDERS
Funny how summer seems to start all of a sudden. Once the last day of school arrives for the kids, the temperatures seem to respond by consistently reaching the 90s. Officially the long hot days of summer begin. My imagination sees blue skies and hears the splashing of the pool’s cool water as kids jump, laugh and play. Summer comes right on cue, breaking the cold winter doldrums, giving us time to get outside and take a break from all that tries to keep us indoors. As a child growing up in South Florida, I remember swimming in our screened-in backyard pool. We didn’t have air conditioning back then, so it was either playing in the sprinkler or making a cannonball splash to keep cool. Birthday parties always seemed to be poolside. It was that place where we would always hang out. Every summer, my kids were part of the swim team. Early morning practices and weekly swim meets. Then the weekends would come and play would begin. Each family would religiously meet Sunday afternoons at the pool with covereddish casseroles, chips and drinks in hand. We would congregate immediately after church and leave well after dark. The water has always seemed like an emotional sedative, not just for me, but for my children as well. The best vacation
destinations are the beach. Every year my family continues to make its annual trek to Hilton Head. This will be our 28th year. There is just something about listening to slapping waves and smelling the salty air. Food just tastes better. A few years ago, after kayaking in Hilton Head, one of my daughters and I each bought a kayak and discovered Lake Allatoona. How did we not know the beauty and serenity so close by? We realized that all we needed was good weather and a couple hours. We’ve enjoyed trying new places to launch our vessels. We have learned to avoid busy boat ramps and are continually on the search for quiet beach access locations. Discovery is half the fun. The other half is the total disconnection from land. I am happy that my kids, and now grandkids, share my love of the water. Perhaps this summer, we will see you poolside or lakeside, making memories together!
Lynne Saunders is director of Papa’s Pantry (www.papaspantry.org) and the Master’s Training Center. She can be reached at 770-591-4730.
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Lifestyle Art by Ann Litrel, annlitrel.com
The Dumb
Gardener BY ANN LITREL
Blueberries are clever. They hide. When I pick them, I have to push aside every clump of leaves to find the ripe ones. They grow in bunches, but only one ripens at a time. They make it impossible for anyone to eat them all at once. Seven blueberry bushes grow in my front yard. Pink flowers in the spring, blueberries in the summer, bright red leaves every fall. Through June and July, every weekend, I gather the berries – it probably takes an hour to pick them all. When I’m out of town, little Vera next door, or our friend Yasmin across the street, come to harvest so they don’t go to waste. I set the colander on the ground and work my way around the bushes. Horus, our very sociable tabby cat, often keeps me company. He lazily rests in the shade of the bushes when it gets hot. Like every proud gardener, I can’t resist posting my harvest on Facebook. I always get a flood of questions: “How do you keep the birds off?” “What do you do about the birds??!! We NEVER have any left for us!!” I’ve often answered, “I planted the bushes under a pine tree so the birds can’t see them.” I didn’t read that anywhere: it just made sense. I’m smart that way. When it comes to my yard, I choose natural materials – native
plants, no pesticides, and natural fertilizers, so all the creatures can enjoy. But not eat the fruit, of course. A natural stinky spray to keep the deer away, cayenne pepper to protect the strawberries – and I made sure to plant the blueberries under a pine tree to hide them from the birds. But this summer, as I began the first week’s harvest, I noticed Horus perched alertly on the garden wall. Watching for chipmunks, no doubt. He’s looking trim. Over the years, he’d grown fat, dining on two types of cat food – Fancy Feast, his favorite, and Kibble, a staple. Recently the vet diagnosed him as obese and put him on a diet. Newly sleek, Horus is hunting like he did when he was young. For a nature lover like myself, it’s been torture to see him wreak havoc with the little residents of the yard, proudly laying his trophies at our feet - small lizards, bumblebees, and many, many unfortunate chipmunks. I listen to the catbirds high above us in the trees, squalling their alarm. Catbirds love blueberries. And I look down at Horus, lounging in the shade. Suddenly, it clicks. All these years, I’ve been cursing Horus under my breath for his non-stop hunts. Sometimes I think wistfully of how sorry I’ll be when he’s gone - yet a part of me will be happy for all the little creatures I’ve endeavored to bring into the yard with my native plants. Maybe I am not so smart. Now I look at Horus with new eyes: relaxing under those bushes, probably just looking for shade or an easy hunt - but perhaps, just maybe – standing guard over the blueberries.
My favorite Blueberry Bush Vaccinium corymbosum “Sunshine Blue” Dwarf, 3-4 feet, pink flowers, red fall foliage WaysideGardens.com 56
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Ann is an artist who lives in Towne Lake with her husband Dr. Michael Litrel and their two sons. Ann can be reached at Ann@annlitrel.com.
If Loved Ones Aren’t Around to Help You Age BY CINDY NELSON
As we age, it is likely that many of us will need some help with bathing, dressing, eating, using the bathroom and performing other daily activities. And while we may not want to think about being in that position someday, it would be a good idea to start thinking now about who will take care of us in our old age. According to a 2011 study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about half of all informal caregiving is provided by adult children, with spouses providing another 20 percent. In addition to helping with daily activities, these informal caregivers navigate health care options and insurance benefits, manage medications, provide transportation to doctor appointments and manage finances. Even when people go into nursing homes or assisted living facilities, their children or spouse still provide a lot of hands-on care. But what if you don’t have a spouse or child who will be able to take care of you? Your children may live too far away, have health issues of their own, or have family and/or work
It is never too late to start thinking about who will care for you in your old age...
obligations. Maybe your child or spouse predeceases you. Maybe you don’t have children. You may find you need to rely on a sibling, niece or nephew, distant relative, friends or paid helpers. Assisted living facilities are an option for many people. Nursing homes are often regarded as the place of last resort, but people without caregivers are more likely to enter them. Most of these options can be expensive, depending on the type of care you will need and how long you will need it. For example, the average cost for a home health aide in Georgia is $46,332 per year; for assisted living, the national average is $43,200 per year; and for a semi-private room in a Georgia nursing home, it’s $82,125 per year. So, in addition to determining who will provide your care, you also need to consider how you will pay for it. Medicare does not pay for assisted living and pays for only a limited number of days in a nursing home. Aid & Attendance benefits from the Veterans Administration will continued on page 88
Cindy Nelson is an Elder Care Law Attorney with Nelson Elder Care Law, LLC, 2230 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 900-200, Woodstock, GA 30189, www.NelsonElderCareLaw.com
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Lifestyle
How Millennials Can Get Off to a Good Financial Start Doing the right things at the right time may leave you wealthier later. DON AKRIDGE, MBA, CFP®, CPA/PFS U.S. MARINE CORPS VETERAN – EMORY UNIVERSITY ALUMNUS
What can you do to start building wealth before age 35? You know time is your friend and that the earlier you begin saving and investing for the future, the better your financial prospects may become. So what steps should you take? Reduce your debt. You probably have some student loan debt to pay off. According to the Institute for College Access and Success, which tracks college costs, the average education debt owed by a college graduate is now $28,950. Hopefully, yours is not that high and you are paying off whatever education debt remains via an automatic monthly deduction from your checking account. If you are struggling to pay off your student loan, take a look at some of the income-driven repayment plans offered to federal student loan borrowers, and options for refinancing your loan into a lower-rate one (which could potentially save you thousands).1 You cannot build wealth simply by wiping out debt. Freeing yourself of major consumer debts frees you to build wealth like nothing else. The good news is that saving, investing and reducing your debt are not mutually exclusive. As financially arduous as it may sound, you should strive to do all three at once. If you do, you may be surprised five or 10 years from now at the transformation of your personal finances. Save for retirement. If you are working full-time for a decently sized employer, chances are a retirement plan is available to you. If you are not automatically enrolled in the plan, go ahead and sign up for it. You can contribute a little of each paycheck. Even if you start by contributing only $50 or $100 per pay period, you will start far ahead of many of your peers.1 Away from the workplace, traditional IRAs offer you the same perks. Roth IRAs and Roth workplace retirement plans are the
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exceptions. When you “go Roth,” your contributions are not tax-deductible, but you can eventually withdraw the earnings tax-free after age 59½ as long as you abide by IRS rules.1,2 Workplace retirement plans are not panaceas; they can charge administrative fees exceeding 1 percent and their investment choices can sometimes seem limited. Consumer pressure is driving down these administrative fees. However, in 2015, they were lower than they had been in a decade and they are expected to lessen further.3 Keep an eye on your credit score. Paying off your student loans and getting started saving for retirement are a great start, but what about your immediate future? You’re entitled to three free credit reports per year from TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. Take advantage of them and watch for unfamiliar charges and other suspicious entries. Be sure to get in touch with the company that issued your credit report if you find anything that shouldn’t be there. Maintaining good credit can mean a great deal to your long-term financial goals, so monitoring your credit reports is a good habit to get into.1 Do not fear Wall Street. We all remember the Great Recession and the wild ride that investments took. The stock market plunged, but then it recovered. In fact, the S&P 500 index—the benchmark that is synonymous in investing shorthand for “the market” —gained back all the loss from that plunge in a little over four years. Two years later, it continued on page 88 Don Akridge is president of Citadel Professional Services, LLC, an independent firm, founded in 1994 and conveniently located off Chastain Road between I-575 & I-75 in Kennesaw. 770-952-6707.
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Lifestyle
Meet Me At The Barre BY JOSH KEENUM
No, not at the bar. Although a cold one in this summer heat would be fantastic. I’m talking about one of the fastest growing exercise trends out there. BARRE: where ballet meets fitness. Barre is designed to develop lean, toned muscles through high repetitions using small pulses of movement. Instead of traditional exercises that shorten and lengthen the muscle, these isometric contractions keep the muscle engaged with minimal strain on tendons and ligaments. It increases muscular endurance while keeping long, lean muscles. Basically, small movements help you become fitter! We all have busy schedules as we balance family, work and social life. Barre allows you to maximize your time as it engages multiple muscle groups at the same time. For instance, “Standing Skydiver” has you standing on one leg, back leg bent and elevated, and your chest upright. This engages your glute (butt) from the standing leg, glute and hamstring from the elevated back leg, core (stomach and back) from the upright chest. Now begin to pulse the back leg and BAM! Instant burn. This move will rock your world while toning your backside. Let’s face it … who doesn’t want a tight, lifted seat? Did I mention the shakes? Again NO, not ones you drink. But the shakes that arrive after the high reps of pulses. This usually occurs in the legs, quads and calves, after a set
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of work. This is a good thing. Your body is telling you that your muscles are engaged and working. Here’s an equation for you think about: SHAKES = TONING + TIGHTENING. So if this happens to you, celebrate the shakes. It’s a good thing. Although I could go on about the benefits of Barre, I need to mention two huge wins this program provides: balance and stability. At any age, balance and stability are key factors that help us avoid injuries or allow for the athletes’ fast reaction. Barre connects the mind and body by understanding what muscles to engage and how to individually engage them. Watch a male or female ballet dancer perform. The precision and control dancers have to start and stop, or the power they show with their jumps, is impressive. Readers, how many of you can turn on the ball of your foot five times in a row and land without a bobble? Or after jumping to extreme heights, land with minimal noise? Not many athletes understand their bodies nearly the same nor can they execute propulsive moves with control and purpose. Seriously … Google it. You’ll see what I mean.
PLAE HARD director Josh Keenum, Reebok Athlete, CPT. info@plaehard.com. 678-408-2241.
Do You Know Your Heart? Know Your Heart is a screening program designed to determine risk of heart disease, stroke and other serious conditions. Each Know Your Heart participant receives a personalized report with test results, reviewed with a WellStar Medical Group, Cardiovascular Medicine provider. The consultation also includes risk factor education, diet, weight and exercise recommendations.
Basic Risk Assessment – $49 • Age 18+ • BMI • Wellness survey • EKG (Afib screen) • Blood pressure • Blood work (HDL, LDL, Triglycerides, Glucose, CRP, liver function)
• Risk Screen Questionnaire (sleep apnea, PAD, AAA, CHF)
Advanced Risk Assessment – $139 • Age 40+ • BMI • Wellness survey • EKG (Afib screen) • Blood pressure • Blood work (HDL, LDL, Triglycerides, Glucose, CRP, liver function)
Offered in Acworth, East Cobb, Marietta and Woodstock. Call 770-956-STAR (7827) to determine eligibility and to schedule an appointment.
• Risk Screen Questionnaire (sleep apnea, PAD, AAA, CHF)
• CT heart screen (coronary calcium)* • 10 year cardiovascular disease risk score Heart Screen – $99 or $149 per couple • CT heart screen (coronary calcium)*
* Coronary calcium scores read by a WellStar radiologist. TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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Health & Wellness
Keeping Cortisol in Check for Optimum Health BY O. JULIUS QUARCOO
Stress is an inherent part of life; no matter how hard we try to control stress, it seems to linger. However, experts tell us we must learn to control our stress levels or else it would eventually deteriorate our health. While cortisol, often called the stress hormone, has a bad rap, it is needed to keep the body in a lifesustaining state of balance. In actual or perceived life-threatening situations, a surge of cortisol is released (flight or fight mode), causing a rush of glucose to our muscles to prepare us to fight or run. Blood pressure also is increased to maintain a good supply of oxygen to the brain to help us think more clearly. Other bodily functions like digestion, sexual arousal and immune functions take a temporary backseat to enable energy and resources to flow to vital organs of the body. Cortisol levels normally fluctuate throughout the day and night. People who are stressed all the time constantly produce a high amount of circulating cortisol, which does not return to normal levels. Because of the constant stressors in our lives, our cortisol levels can stay surged, causing fatigue, heart disease, weight gain, indigestion/slow bowel movements, depression, memory impairment and unhealthy skin. Adrenal fatigue sets in because the adrenal glands can no longer keep up with demand. Left untreated, the thyroid and sex hormones also become unbalanced. Nutritional support, meditation and a regular fitness regimen are essential in balancing cortisol, and helping us cope with life’s
stressors. Unless you live the life of a monk who meditates all day, chances are you may be deficient in the calming mineral magnesium. That’s because our cells dump a lot of magnesium during times of stress. Also we actively push the mineral out of our bodies as a way to rev up our nervous system to cope with stress. Magnesium supplements are my favorite stress-busters. However if you don’t take the right kind, it will just sit in your gut and cause diarrhea and not be absorbed into your cells where it is needed. I recommend magnesium glycinate or malate. Most adults need approximately 800 mg per day. Magnesium prevents excessive cortisol, lowers blood pressure and lowers blood sugars through insulin control. Better insulin control means fewer sugar cravings. Other supplements that help lower cortisol include quality fish oil that is rich in omega 3 fatty acids and high doses of Vitamins B and C. A group of supplements called adaptogens enables people to cope with stress better. These include ashwagandha, holy basil, valerian, L-theanine, phosphatidylserine, rhodiola and passion flower.
O. Julius Quarcoo, a pharmacist for 22 years, is owner of Towne Lake Family Pharmacy, which offers compounding and regular prescriptions. 770-635-7697. townelakepharmacy@yahoo.com.
Reducing Your Chances of Lung Cancer PROVIDED BY NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL CANCER INSTITUTE
Although lung cancer can occur in people who have never smoked tobacco — about 13 percent — most people diagnosed with lung cancer have a history of smoking. There are many other factors that can contribute to lung cancer, including exposure to radon gas, secondhand smoke or air pollution and gene mutations. But if you’re a current or former smoker, you’re generally at highest risk for developing lung cancer. Tobacco use is responsible for nearly one in five deaths while lung cancer accounts for 27 percent of all cancer deaths in the United States. That’s why it is so important to never smoke or, if you currently smoke, stop right away to reduce your risk of a lung cancer prognosis. Immediate Benefits Within minutes of your last cigarette, you begin to experience the health benefits of quitting almost immediately. Quitting while you are younger will reduce your health risks more, but quitting at any age can give back years of your life. It’s also important to maintain annual checkups to stay healthy. Discuss any symptoms or health changes with your doctor and follow up on your doctor’s recommendations for screening and treatments to ensure you stay cancer free. Studies show that one year after quitting, an ex-smoker’s risk of developing heart disease is half that of a smoker’s. Within 62
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five years, the risks of dying from lung cancer or developing cancer of the mouth, throat, or esophagus are half that of a smoker’s. After 10 years of stopping, an ex-smoker’s risks for developing lung cancer or heart disease drop to that of a lifelong nonsmoker. Some evidence suggests that a diet high in fruits and vegetables may help protect against lung cancer in smokers and nonsmokers. But remember, any positive effect of fruits and vegetables on lung cancer risk would be much less than the increased risk from smoking. To Your Health Another key development in the fight against lung cancer is the advent of an effective screening program. If you have smoked the equivalent of one pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years or more, have quit smoking within the past 15 years, and are between the ages of 54-79, you should benefit from a lung cancer screening program.
For information on Northside Cancer Institute’s Lung Cancer Screening Program, call 404-531-4444. Smoking cessation classes also are available. Email smokingcessation@northside.com, call 404-780-7653, or visit northside.com/lung.
It’s the Last Month of Summer: Finish Strong! BY DR. AMY HARDIN
By the time you read this article, we will have a month left of summer break. There’s still time to start some new or continue some old healthy summer habits! Here are a few suggestions to keep your body and brain active during the doldrums of summer. Physical activity is probably something you’ve already been up to. Whether you’ve been swimming at a pool, riding bikes on the great Woodstock bike trail, taking walks in the neighborhood or playing manhunt with friends, keep it up! Sixty minutes of physical activity a day is good for your kids and good for you. Water balloon fights, jumping rope and learning how to throw a Frisbee are all things to add to the family fun. All those cute little speakers we get for our phones can help us create an outdoor dance party. Housework also counts for activity; make a kaper chart to show jobs and chores that need to be done and who’s responsible for them. Open your children’s minds to neat new topics; use a tablet, a library book (our libraries also have some great summer programs) or one of your own old books that Grandma saved. I have found that kids who aren’t the most enthusiastic readers will find nonfiction topics or graphic novels fun to read. Starting a series can get kids hooked. Get some books for yourself and have family reading nights. Our girls began a mom/daughter book club for a couple years in middle school. Snacks are a big part of summertime. Lots of activities are outside the house, so portable snacks that sustain energy levels are helpful. Take the kids shopping to pick out snacks. Younger kids can help find snacks in all the colors of the rainbow. Cut up those fruits and veggies and have them available for easy access in the refrigerator. Pretzels, air-pop popcorn and whole grain crackers are also nice, healthy options and have the crunch kids love. Put them in small containers to model serving sizes. Check out recipes online for healthy popsicles; mixing yogurt and fresh fruit into a popsicle is fun for kids to do and awesome to eat later.
A quick note to thank EVERYONE for their prayers and kind words since my recent diagnosis of cancer. I’ll be still writing articles but am unable to work while on chemo; thank you everyone, especially my awesome partners, for keeping up with the excellent care you’ve come to expect from us. I’m working on being back later this fall once my treatments and surgery are done. Keep the prayers coming please, as I truly feel their presence and help and appreciate each and every one! “See” you next month in the TowneLaker and hope you all have a great last month of summer!
Dr. Amy Hardin has been a pediatrician at Northside Pediatrics in Woodstock for more than 20 years. www.northsidepediatrics.com. TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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Health & Wellness
Modern Dentistr y,
M od e rn D i a g n o s i s BY DR. SCOTT R. HARDEN
Dentistry has provided some wonderful technological breakthroughs in the diagnosis of dental conditions that include tooth decay. The traditional diagnosis for tooth decay using a pointed instrument has been overshadowed by the use of laser technology. The small handheld device called a Diagnodent, which received the Seal of Acceptance by the American Dental Association, can detect decay that is not visible clinically and would otherwise be undiagnosed by conventional methods. The process creates the highest level of diagnostic accuracy for dental decay. This new science permits a more concise understanding of whether teeth are healthy and can benefit from preventative dental sealants, or have active decay that should be treated with fillings. Early detection of decay allows cavities to be treated while they are small.
Objective Diagnosis The ultimate goal of health sciences is to create a scientific diagnosis that can be concluded by multiple doctors. In any branch of health care, patients often receive differing diagnostic opinions from multiple doctors. As technology advances, science is providing much more accurate and quantifiable diagnostic results that yield less variance for the patient. In dentistry, the Diagnodent laser provides this consistent diagnostic result so multiple dentists who use this instrument achieve a similar diagnosis for their patients. Patients receive an objective scientific diagnosis rather than a more personal subjective diagnosis, as in the past.
Dr. Scott Harden, a dentist at Fountain View Family Dentistry, has served Woodstock for more than 25 years. 770-926-0000. www.FountainViewSmiles.com.
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How It Works The Diagnodent is a non-invasive technology that allows a dentist to scan the grooves in your teeth. Laser cavity detection is based on the fact that healthy tooth structure reflects light, or fluoresces, differently than does decayed tooth structure. Teeth are scanned and the fluorescence readings are converted into a digital number ranging from 0 – 99. The instrument also creates an audible sound when decay is present and the pitch increases with increasing amounts of decay.
The Benefits Today, it may be more difficult to detect tooth decay because of improved oral hygiene, fluoridated toothpaste, and fluoridated water. While fluoride provides the benefit of increasing the hardness of tooth enamel, it can also mask the damaging effects of aggressive bacteria deep in the grooves of the tooth. A tooth groove is often smaller than a single toothbrush bristle and the bacteria and related acid are not removed by normal brushing. This can result in a subsurface cavity forming in the deeper dentin of the tooth while the enamel tooth surface is still hard and can look normal. A dentist using conventional methods does not typically diagnose this type of cavity. Similarly, a tooth groove may have slight dark discoloration and can have active decay spreading deeper below the surface of the tooth and be discounted as stain. Using the modern laser technology, dentists are now able to achieve an extremely high accuracy rate for identifying tooth decay.
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Health & Wellness
Miss Out on Summer Fun? We Won’t Hear of It! BY JAN HENRIQUES AU. D.
The combination of hearing aids and moisture can be troublesome. Perspiration, humidity, exposure to the rain or shower can lead to malfunction. It’s best to keep hearing aids dry, but that can be a challenge. Normal everyday wear and tear involves moisture issues. Now that it’s summer and the pool is beckoning, what is a hearing-aid wearer to do? Hearingimpaired children and adults want to be able to splash in a pool or float on a raft like everyone else. Recently a mom asked me about waterproof hearing aids for her son, who was going to camp. She wanted him to be able to participate in all the water activities, without any problems. If hearing loss isn’t too severe, it may not be a problem to swim without hearing aids. But for those who have more severe impairments, this can pose a problem. A few hearing aid manufacturers tout a rating of IP68 from the International Electrotechnical Institution (IEC). This is the highest rating for dust and water protection. The first number can range from 0-6, with 6 being the best; water resistance is ranked 0-8, and 8 is best. This means the aids can be submerged in 3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes and still be OK. One manufacturer may say their hearing aids are waterproof while another says water-resistant. While they have
the same rating, it isn’t that simple. Other factors to consider include the earmolds used, or whether or not the aids run on zinc-air batteries, which require air to power. If they get wet, they have to be aired out. It is possible, however, and an option I’d suggest is worth trying if you have a child eager to play in the water. Whether it’s water or perspiration, the best practice with hearing aids is drying them regularly. I recommend having your hearing aids professionally dried twice a year. If moisture is a problem due to your lifestyle, your chemical makeup or the climate you live in, then extra precautions are necessary. You can purchase a dryer to store your hearing aids in overnight. I recommend the Dry and Store, which comes in many sizes and is the best at protecting your hearing aid investment. With certain precautions and the proper types of hearing aids, you won’t have to miss out on summer fun.
Jan Henriques, Au.D. a board certified audiologist and lead provider at North Georgia Audiology in Woodstock, has been practicing since 1985. www.YourHearingLink.com.
Don’t Let Summer Aches Get You Down BY AMBER YORK, DC
Tank tops, flip-flops, cookouts, and days on the lake; is there any better way to spend a Georgia summer? If you are among the one in three Americans living with chronic pain, summer activities may not be as thrilling as they sound. But did you know there are great summer activities that can help strengthen achy joints and relieve some of your pain? Imagine being able to enjoy these beautiful summer months interacting with the family instead of watching from the sideline. Getting out and being active doesn’t have to be the source of additional pain. Here are just a few activities known to decrease joint pain and promote overall wellness. Go for a Swim Take advantage of your neighborhood pool, the aquatic center, or one of our great beaches on the lake. Swimming is a low impact activity that provides excellent resistance for your muscles while working multiple muscle groups at a time. Swimming also aids in active stretching, allowing many of your joints to go through a full range of motion. Perhaps most important, the weightlessness you feel swimming takes pressure off of the joints and offers significant benefits to many with injuries or chronic arthritis pain. 66
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Ride a Bike Dust off that helmet and take the family for a bike ride. Cycling is also considered a low impact activity and has a variety of health benefits. Increased muscle strength, flexibility, joint mobility and improved posture lead to healthier joints and stability. Bikes are easily customizable to prevent posture issues and for overall comfort. Consider using a wider gel or air-filled seat, or handlebars that help keep you upright. Take a Walk With more than 34 miles of walking trails in Cherokee County, walking is free and can accommodate almost any fitness level. Health experts recommend a minimum of 30 to 60 minutes of daily walking to increase bone strength and to maintain proper weight, lessen joint stress and improve arthritis symptoms. As always, it is best to consult with your health-care provider before starting a new exercise routine or increasing your physical activity. Begin slow and steady, increasing your speed and distance over time. When biking and walking, consider starting on a flat surface. It may take 4-6 weeks to notice changes in your activity levels but staying active can lead to that long-term pain relief.
Dr. Amber York is a Life University graduate specializing in low force adjusting at Towne Lake Family Chiropractic.
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Faith
Marriage Moments
Set Boundaries When Having a Disagreement BY BILL RATLIFF
Now that summer has arrived, your schedule has probably changed a bit. This change in schedule may mean kids are home more, relatives are visiting and perhaps long car rides for vacation are on the agenda. This can be a challenge to your communication with your spouse. My wife and I disagree with each other regularly. We agree on the most important things in life like our relationship with Christ, our loyalty to each other, our love for our children and grandchildren, and our commitment to our church. Everyday issues sometimes take us on a journey of differing opinions. Disagreements are normal and can be healthy as long as you set some boundaries to protect your relationship from too much emotional injury. Some boundaries can include: • Don’t attack the person. Stick with the issue at hand. • Avoid cursing. It inflames the disagreement and doesn’t add value to your point of view. • Take a moment to think it through to diffuse anger. • Allow the other person to have his or her opinion and speak about it even if you disagree. You might learn something. • Consider whether this issue really matters in the grand scheme of things or if it is a major issue where you need more help.
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• Make an appointment to discuss the issue at a mutual time when things are calm. (Not during the family car ride.) • Agree to disagree in love if there is no resolution to be made. Proverbs 29:11 states, “Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.” Even though summer may bring a change in your pace of life, make a conscious effort to create calmness in your family by choosing how you handle your conflicts.
Date Your Mate: Take advantage of a free event in downtown Woodstock. Go to the farmers’ market. Cheer at the Fourth of July parade or take a picnic to one of the concerts in the park.
Bill Ratliff is the senior pastor at Towne Lake Community Church. He can be reached at 678-445-8766 or bratliff@tlcchurch.com.
That’s What Scares Me BY SEAN KAUFMAN
“Are you scared?” A strange question coming from my father. A man I viewed my whole life as invincible and yet, as I packed my bags and prepared for my trip to Pakistan, he was curious if I was scared. God Bless America. God Bless You. Merry Christmas. Happy Easter. Yes, indeed these are greetings typically associated with Christianity but in the United States of America they are under attack and considered politically incorrect. That makes me very sad and I would like to share why. The gift of the Holy Spirit comes in many forms. God has truly blessed me with the ability to teach, so I travel around the world doing so. When I go to Pakistan, God is in everything I teach. I start the morning with all my course participants, praising God for the day and the ability to teach and learn. I talk about kindness when people make mistakes, loving those we disagree with, and remembering that we are serving God over ourselves, managing God’s assets here on earth and not owning them. In everything I teach, God is mentioned, discussed and accepted. God is the greatest motivator in safety training far away in Pakistan, but right here in the United States the mentioning of God not only brings discomfort, it simply rarely happens. This is why I am greatly saddened. I don’t believe we should have to go to church to praise God in everything we do. I don’t think we should have to keep our faith a secret and certainly believe God belongs more in the workplace today than anywhere else. I am offended more at the absence of God than the presence of him in public places. In the beginning, the United States was a place that protected people from religious persecution. Free speech meant that even though I may not agree with what you are saying, I would give my life to protect the right for you to say it. Somehow, we have started to care more about the offense of others than the praising of our Father. Why must I go to Pakistan to incorporate God into my training and feel good about publicly declaring my glorification of God? It makes absolutely no sense. I want to do it here, right at home, in the greatest country of the world. I’m tired of not saying Merry Christmas, or publicly thanking God for all that is, because it makes others uncomfortable. If someone has the right to flip me off on the road, I have the right to say God Bless You. If someone has the right to say thank you, I have the right to say Thank God. If someone has the right to say I hope the best for you, I have the right to say I will pray for you.
Somehow, we have started to care more about the offense of others than the praising of our Father.
Sean Kaufman, an expert in behaviour change, specializes in life coaching and workforce motivation and owns The Texting Coach and Behavior-Based Improvement Solutions. sean@seankaufman.com TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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Cherokee Chamber
The 2016 Cherokee Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic was a success with 71 golfers and a beautiful day. This year’s sponsors were: Northside Hospital - Cherokee, presenting sponsor; Cobb EMC and Gas South, LLC, double eagle sponsors, and Georgia Power Company an eagle sponsor. The event is one of the Chamber’s largest fundraisers; money raised allows for the enhancement of the Chamber’s programs and services. Left, manning the registration table are Chamber intern Sam Bowker and Nichole Parks, Chamber membership manager.
Jodie Huiet of Atlanta Gas Light and Corey Needham of Windstream Communications, Inc. head to the course.
Jerry Cooper, Donnie Henriques and Rod Drake of Georgia Power chat before the tourney begins. 70
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Matt Hames won longest drive and Donnie Henriques took the closest to the pin award.
1st place: Northside Hospital-Cherokee #1 team, Greg Underwood, Wes Latimer, Mark Hayes and Billy Hayes.
2nd place: Cobb EMC team, Tim Sosebee, Mark Goddard, Jamey Hulsey and Kevan Espy.
3rd place: Northside Hospital-Cherokee #3 team, Tom Holman, Thomas Ballard, Jerry Cooper and Buddy Hodges.
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School & Sports
Hot Off the Presses … Almost! BY JOSEPH LEMMO
It’s almost here! The day for which you’ve been anxiously waiting. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, let me fill you in. Early in the school year I challenged each of my seventhgrade students to write a novel. I had no idea how much they would write,
or how good the writing would be. In the end, some students never really developed their stories, but four specific students battled through to create wonderful manuscripts. The top four short stories were selected to be published in an anthology. And
to go with the incredible writing, two additional students partnered up with the young authors to create illustrations meant to enhance the reading experience. On this page you can see the cover for our book. It was designed using some of the student-made illustrations. The title is actually a combination of words from each of the four individual titles – “The Missing,” written by Korbin Roberson and illustrated by Claire Wright. “Military School Journal,” written by Kiana Walker and illustrated by Alexandra Feldam. “The Thwarsh,” written by Jordan Fansler and illustrated by Claire Wright. “Lost Wishes and a Locked Door,” written by Jedidiah Davis and illustrated by Alexandra Feldam. The book will be published by Yawn’s Publishing in Canton, and will be available for purchase sometime at the end of August. If you’d like to preorder a book, please contact me at mrlemmo@gmail.com. The cost of the book will be somewhere between $8.99 and $11.99. Fifty percent of the proceeds will go to a local children’s charity. There will be a limited number of books, so be sure to get your request in early!
The top four short stories were selected to be published in an anthology.
Joe Lemmo is an English teacher and comedian who has taught in Cherokee County for the last 15 years.
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AVTF Program Earns Certification
Friends Club Promotes Acceptance The members of the E.T. Booth Middle School Friends Club attended the 15th annual Cherokee County Friends Formal event. Members of the club work with special needs students in their Connections and PE classes. They also lend support at events such as the Cherokee County Special Olympics Awareness Day and the Friends Formal. One of the most important functions of a member of the Friends Club is to promote acceptance and inclusion of all students into the E.T. Booth community. Club members act as role models, not only for the students they mentor, but for the entire student body.
Etowah High School’s AudioVideo Technology and Film (AVTF) program has earned industry certification. According to the State Department of Education, when a program becomes industry certified, “it receives a ‘stamp of excellence,’ which represents the apex of program quality. Only those programs that have successfully undergone rigorous reviews by leaders from business and industry are recognized with this distinction.” Linda Yunker, the AVTF From left, Arayna Goodman, Kami instructor at Etowah, teaches Westgate, Sofia Weckerle and teacher four levels of the class, which Linda Yunker watch the action as Sarah prepares students for a career Podstata films. in AVTF or for post-secondary study in the field. Students learn about video production from initial writing to final editing, as well as camera operations, commonly used software, industry ethics and career opportunities. They produce segments for Etowah’s weekly news show and also have the opportunity to film sporting events and assist in operating the Jumbotron in the Etowah football stadium.
Superintendent Named to “Who’s Who” From left, Shirley Pahl program coordinator for Cherokee County Farm Bureau, Josee Adamson and Principal Keith Ball.
Farm Bureau Scholarship Awarded Etowah High School senior Josee Adamson received a $1,075 Cheyenne Heard Memorial College Scholarship from the Cherokee County Farm Bureau. She plans to attend Kennesaw State University and study pre-veterinary medicine. She was a member of Etowah’s Future Farmers of America and National Technical Honor Society. Her parents are Richard and Angie Adamson.
Cherokee County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower was named to the Who’s Who in Education in the “Atlanta Business Chronicle.” The Chronicle’s list featured the 100 most influential education leaders in metro Atlanta from all levels of the field, including universities, as well as elected and appointed officials. Hightower was appointed superintendent in February after 30 years as an educator, rising from a classroom teacher to a school administrator and Dr. Brian V. then a district administrator. Hightower
Outstanding Senior Athletes Recognized The Cherokee County Sports Hall of Fame recognized a male and a female Outstanding High School Senior Athlete from each high school at its annual banquet. The honorees are (front row from left) Ana Albertson of Etowah, Bailee Gilbreath of Cherokee, Ashton Sutton of Woodstock, Samantha Ann Rolka of Creekview, Brooke DeSantis of River Ridge and Kelley Hartman of Sequoyah. Back row: Bronson Rechsteiner of Etowah, Michael E. Gustafson of Woodstock, Ryan Camp of Creekview, Luke Berryhill of River Ridge, Derrion Rakestraw of Sequoyah and Brittain Brown of Cherokee. TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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School & Sports
Mark Your Calendars for Open House Dates
Ideas to Help Prepare Your Child for Preschool
Class schedules and teacher assignments for the 2016-17 school year will be available at each school’s scheduled open house/walk-through event, set for the week of July 25. The first day of school will be Aug. 1. Each school’s front office will be open daily beginning July 19. Parents may register new students at their respective school anytime between 8 a.m. and noon beginning July 19.
BY AMANDA CARVER AND AMY MOHRMANN
Open Houses and Walk-Throughs: Bascomb Elementary - July 29
Kindergarten and first grade, 12:30‐1:30 p.m. Second and third grades, 1:30‐2:30 p.m. Fourth and fifth grades, 2:30‐3:30 p.m.
Boston Elementary - July 29
Kindergarten and first grade, 12:30‐1:30 p.m. Second and third grades, 1:30‐2:30 p.m. Fourth and fifth grades, 2:30‐3:30 p.m.
Carmel Elementary - July 28 All grade levels 1‐2:30 p.m. All grade levels 5‐6:30 p.m.
Clark Creek Elementary - July 29
Kindergarten, first and second grades, 2‐3 p.m. Third, fourth and fifth grades, 3‐4 p.m.
Oak Grove Elementary - July 29
Kindergarten, first and second grades, 1‐2:30 p.m. Third, fourth and fifth grades, 2:30‐4 p.m. Woodstock Elementary July 28 All grade levels 8:30‐11:30 a.m.
E.T. Booth Middle School - July 28 Sixth grade, 8:30‐10 a.m. Seventh grade, 11 a.m.‐12:30 p.m. Eighth grade, 1:30‐3 p.m.
Woodstock Middle School - July 28 All grade levels 2:30‐4:30 p.m.
Etowah High School - July 28
Ninth and all new students in 10th, 11th and 12th grades, 3:30‐5 p.m.
Woodstock High School - July 28
Ninth and all new students in 10th, 11th and 12th grades, 9‐11 a.m.
Sending your child to preschool for the first time can be emotionally challenging for you and your child. Many children are anxious or nervous as they begin a new school year, even if it is not their first school experience. It is important to know that these feelings are normal and that you are not alone. Doing everything you can to prepare your child’s heart and mind for this transition will make it easier on both of you. Your child will grow so much this year in the areas of self-confidence, cooperating with their teachers and peers, and making friends. Preschool will build upon a foundation that you already began at home and will instill in your child a desire to be a lifelong learner. Begin by building up an excitement about school. Talk to your child about what to expect. During the weeks leading up to the start of school, talk to your child about the different activities that will be part of his or her school day. If your child will be attending a school that offers summer camps or classes, you may want to register him or her for these activities. This will help your child become acquainted with the new environment, giving him or her one less thing that is “new” when school begins. Just like any of us, your child wants to know what to expect. Talk to your child about the school routine, including how he or she will get to and from school. Keep your goodbyes consistent. You may want to come up with a goodbye routine. Create a fun handshake, hug, kiss or “see you later alligator.” Whatever it is, be sure to say goodbye. If you walk your child to the classroom, help him or her to get engaged, say your goodbyes, and then walk away. Try not to linger; it makes the situation harder on both of you. If your child has a hard time with goodbyes, try to remember that your child’s teacher is trained to help you and your child with the separation process. Your child’s preschool will provide a supportive environment. Your child will adjust. Creating and keeping a routine will help your child build trust and confidence in both you and the teacher, and will set you all up for a great year.
Doing everything you can to prepare your child’s heart and mind for this transition will make it easier on both of you.
Amanda Carver is director of Hillside Preschool and Academy, N.B.C.T. and Amy Mohrmann is Assistant Director of Hillside Preschool and Academy, M.Ed. in school counseling.
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Cherokee Photography Club
Congratulations to all the participants in the “Patterns / Lines” competition!
If you placed in either the color or monochromatic print category, please send a digital file of your image to: deankelley@windstream.net
Monochromatic:
1st John Clemmer “Nice Swing”
3rd Peter Kilpo “The Patterns”
2nd Russ Miller “Train Car”
HM Rick Sapp “Barely Scratched the Surface”
Color Prints:
1st Linda Bryan “Blue Light of the Universe” 76
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2nd David Ferguson “LED’s at ABG”
The Cherokee Photography Club meets on the fourth Monday of the month, and for those participating in the monthly contest, that meeting is held on the second Monday of the month. Both meetings are from 7-9 p.m. and held at the Cherokee County Arts Center, 94 North Street, Canton. For more information, please contact Kim Bates at 770-617-7595 or email him at kbphotoart@ comcast.net. 3rd Russ Miller “Atlantic Beach Sunrise”
Digital Projection:
1st Kim Bates “Rail Down”
3rd Edward Myers “Just Hanging Around”
2nd Becky Sapp “Under the Sea”
HM Brian Roberts “Fall Patterns”
HM Joey Thompson “Misdirection” TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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Consignment Sale Guide It’s strategic planning time for moms, dads and grandparents looking for bargains for their little ones. Here’s a list of sales in Cherokee and neighboring counties that should help as you map your plan of action.
July 22-23
Wildwood Kidz-Sense Times: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday Location: Wildwood Baptist Church, 4801 Wade Green Road, Acworth Info: www.kidzsense.org
July 24-30
Aug. 25-27
Due West Treasure Chest Times: 9:30 a.m.-7.p.m. Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-noon Saturday Location: 3965 Due West Road, Marietta Info: www.duewest.org
Rhea Lana’s of North Atlanta Times: noon-7 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday Location: 1181 Hammond Drive NE, Atlanta Info: www.northatlanta.rhealana.com
All 4 Kids Roswell Times: 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday Location: Roswell Town Center, 5000 Commerce Parkway, Roswell Info: www.all4kids.com
July 28-30
Aug. 26-27
All 4 Kids Woodstock Times: 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday Location: His Hands Church, 550 Molly Lane, Woodstock Info: http://all4kids.com
Aug. 11-13
All 4 Kids Cobb County Fairgrounds Times: 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday Location: Cobb County Fairgrounds, Jim Miller Park Info: http://all4kids.com
Clothing Kids for the Kingdom Times: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-noon Saturday Location: Summit Baptist Church, 4310 Moon Station Lane, Acworth Info: www.summitchurch.org
Aug. 27
Tots to Tweens Time: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Location: Sandy Plains Baptist Church, 2825 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta Info: www.nowamom.org
Aug. 12-13
Sept. 8-10
Born Again Blessings Times: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-noon Saturday Location: Riverstone Church, 2005 Stilesboro Road NW, Marietta Info: www.bornagainblessings.com
Sept. 15-17
Canton First Baptist Kids Sale Times: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday Location: Canton First Baptist Church, 1 Mission Point Info: www.fbckidssale.com
Aug. 19-20
All 4 Kids East Cobb/Marietta Times: 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday Location: Mount Paran North Church of God, 1700 Allgood Road, Marietta Info: http://all4kids.com 78
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Angel’s Attic Times: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday Location: John’s Creek UMC, 11180 Medlock Bridge Road Info: www.johnscreekumc.org Cumming First UMC Times: 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 5-8 p.m. Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday Location: Cumming First UMC, 770 Canton Highway Info: http://cfumcga.com/kids-consignment-sale/
Sept. 16-17
Roswell UMC Times: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-noon Saturday Location: Roswell UMC, 814 Mimosa Blvd. Info: www.roswellumc.org/rumck
Welcome to
photo by Darleen Prem
DOWNTOWN WOODSTOCK
Ridgewalk Pkwy
To I-575 Exit 9
Woodstock Community Church
Trolley Routes outlined in red
T Dobbs Rd
Rope Mill Rd
- park in marked spaces only - parking in Woodstock UMC lot is M-Sa only
On-Street Parking - park in marked spaces only
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Hicko
Reformation Brewery Fri 6:00-close Sat 2:00-close Sun 2:00-close
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Route and schedule subject to change Check downtownwoodstock.org/trolley for more info
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Mark et S t
Fridays 6-10 PM Saturdays 4-10 PM Sundays 2-6 PM
Chattahoochee Technical College
Kyle St
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Woodstock
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Downtown Woodstock
Hustle for Heroes and Spring Fest
PHOTOS COURTESY OF DARLEEN PREM
The Woodstock Public Safety Foundation held the fourth annual Hustle For Heroes 5K Run/Walk & 1 mile run recently, an event that honors law enforcement officers who have given their lives in the line of duty. This year, $4,500 was raised; all proceeds will benefit the charitable programs sponsored by the foundation, including Shop with a Hero, Law Enforcement Explorer Unit, Police/Firefighter Assistance and others.
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TOWNELAKER | July 2016
PHOTOS COURTESY OF DARLEEN PREM
After Hustle for Heroes wrapped up, the Woodstock Public Safety Foundation kicked off Spring Fest at The Park at City Center. Children and their families enjoyed moonwalks, games, food vendors, crafts and live music at the all-day event. For more information about the foundation, visit www.wpsfoundation.org.
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Downtown Woodstock
A New Face in the Visitors Center BY STACY BROWN
The next time you stop in at the Woodstock Visitors Center at Dean’s Store, you may notice a new face. Stacy Brown recently joined the city of Woodstock as the marketing and tourism coordinator.
provided marketing services to small businesses like Woodstock Market. Now I operate another small business in my off hours, Dixie Avenue, an online and mobile retailer of Southern-made goods.
My role with the city of Woodstock As marketing and tourism coordinator, I help the other members of the economic development team spread the word about the activities of Main Street Woodstock, the Woodstock Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Downtown Development Authority. I specialize in web and graphic design and manage email campaigns. I’ll be sharing information with tourists who stop in on the weekends and I’m helping to bring more Georgia-made products to the gift shop in the visitors center.
I’m looking forward to … I’ve lived in Woodstock since 2009. I am so excited to meet the people, both in our government and in local businesses, who work every day to make Woodstock such a great place to live. I’m thrilled and thankful to be working in my hometown.
Preparation for this role Until April, I was the welcome center manager for the Marietta Visitors Bureau. As a native of Marietta and a former director in the effort to build a museum on the Lockheed Martin/Dobbins Air Reserve Base property, I knew a lot about Marietta’s history and attractions but I learned so much about economic development and tourism in that position. Before that, I owned a company that
In my free time … I’m a mom of two grade school boys; their sports and activities don’t leave me a lot of free time. We love grabbing a bite downtown after a game, though. My Weimaraner mix is always up for a run at Noonday Creek Trail and I’m a huge fan of the classes at Ember Yoga. What I like most about Woodstock The old mixed with new, the walkability and the amenities like trails and concerts all come to mind, but when I think about it what I like most is the warmth and positivity. People are happy to be here whether they’re working or out having fun. That is translating into a very happy work life for me!
The Downtown Buzz is held at the Chambers at City Center (8534 Main Street) on the last Friday of the month and begins at 8 a.m. unless otherwise noted.
Date & Topic : TBD For more information on the Downtown Buzz program or to suggest a topic for consideration, please contact Mitzi at 770-592-6056 downtownwoodstock.org/downtown-buzz Business, individual and non-profit memberships are available
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Elm Street:
Making the Audience Believe You BY SIOBHAN BRUMBELOW
I lie. I did a lot when I was a child and I admit I still do now. Admit it, you probably do, too. People have different intentions for lying in general. Lying to their families about something embarrassing, lying to their friends so they can stay in for the night, or even lying to themselves. People even lie for a living: undercover cops, magicians and artists. Artist Pablo Picasso once said, “We all know that art is not truth. Art is a lie that makes us realize truth, at least the truth that is given us to understand. The artist must know the manner whereby to convince others of the truthfulness of his lies.” As actors, we do this on a daily basis. We take on familiar and sometimes difficult personas that we portray for an audience in hopes that they see us transformed upon the stage. This transformation is not an easy task for an actor. Sure, it helps when you add physical elements such as makeup, costumes and wigs; but an actor must exude and relate to an audience, making them believe that who they look like is who they are in the show. How do we do that? We lie to ourselves. We tell ourselves that the choices we make, the things that we say, the actions we do, are not our own. An actor’s hope is that the audience makes that connection with them. This is our goal when we entertain. It can be a struggle for an audience member to relate to the character when the play is unfamiliar. Not only do you have to convince them from the beginning, but you have to keep their imagination throughout the show’s journey. It can be just as difficult when an actor has to fill the shoes of a familiar role. To quote “Snoopy!!! The Musical” playing July 13-27 at Elm Street Cultural Arts Village: “If just one person believes in you, deep enough and strong enough believes in you… someone else would think, if he can do it, I can do it. Making it two.” And that’s our goal as actors: to engage and make a connection with each and every audience member in a distinct way, to make them understand and believe in our truth on the stage.
Not only do you have to convince them from the beginning, but you have to keep their imagination throughout the show’s journey.
CITY CENTER • DOWNTOWN WOODSTOCK
JULY 13-27 Sat/Sun @ 2:00pm; Wed @ 10:00am
PRESENTING PARTNER
Call or visit us on the web to learn about our
FALL CLASSES
Write, Produce, and Perform your show in one week!
Siobhan Brumbelow is on staff at Elm Street. She currently holds a BA in Theatre from Brenau University and toured with Missoula Children’s Theatre.
ELMSTREETARTS.ORG 678.494.4251 TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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Downtown Woodstock
DOWNTOWN WOODSTOCK DINING GUIDE RESTAURANT CUISINE BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER SUNDAY SPIRITS RESERV. Canyons American no $ $ open Beer/Wine no 335 Chambers St. 678-494-8868 canyonsburgercompany.com Century House Tavern Modern no $$ $$$ open Full bar 8 persons + 125 E Main St. 770-693-4552 American centuryhousetavern.com Fire Stone Wood-fired no $$ $$$ open Full bar yes 120 Chambers St. Pizza & Grill 770-926-6778 firestonerestaurants.com Freight Kitchen & Tap Southern Sat./Sun. $$ $$$ open Full bar no 251 E Main St. 770-924-0144 Brunch freightkitchen.com Habanero’s Taqueria Mexican no $ $-$$ open Full bar yes 9550 Main St. 678-498-8243 Hot Dog Heaven American no $ no open no no 8588 Main St. 770-591-5605 Ice Martini & Sushi Bar Tapas/Sushi no Fri./Sat. $$ open Full bar yes 380 Chambers St. only 770-672-6334 icemartinibar.com Ipps Pastaria & Bar Italian no $$ $$ open Full bar no 8496 Main St. 770-517-7305 ippspastaria.com J Christopher’s Diner $-$$ $-$$ no open no Weekends 315 Chambers St. only 770-592-5990 jchristophers.com J Miller’s Smokehouse BBQ & no $-$$ $-$$ open Beer no 150 Towne Lake Pkwy. Southern 770-592-8295 Sandwiches jmillerssmokehouse.com Magnolia Thomas Southern Sunday no $$$$ open Beer/Wine yes 108 Arnold Mill Rd. Brunch 678-445-5789 magnoliathomas.com Omo Fish House 12900 Hwy 92, 770-575-9920 omofishhouse.com
Scandinavian Smokehouse & Café
Pure Taqueria Mexican 405 Chambers St. 770-952-7873 puretaqueria.com/woodstock Reel Seafood Seafood 8670 Main St. 770-627-3006 Salt Factory Pub Gastropub 8690 Main St. 678-903-6225 Tea Leaves & Thyme English 8990 Main St. 770-516-2609 Tea room tealeavesandthyme.com Truck & Tap 8640 Main St. 770-702-1670 truckandtap.com
Variety of Food trucks
Vingenzo’s Italian 105 E Main St. 770-924-9133 vingenzos.com 84
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$-$$
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open
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$ = most entrees under $10 • $$ = most entrees $10 - $15 • $$$ = most entrees $15 - $20 • $$$$ = most entrees over $20
Casual and Upscale Dine-In Restaurants
Runners Compete at Woodstock Trail Run BY LISA RANDALL
Lead runners in the 13.1 that would go on to take the top three podium spots. Left, Dwayne MacInnis of Woodstock in the 13.1.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF DASHING IMAGES, LLC.
On June 11, Olde Rope Mill Park in Woodstock hosted top athletes and a large local crowd at the Rope Mill Half Marathon and 10K trail run. The race was chosen to represent the Southeast in the La Sportiva Mountain Cup Series, and it was also the series finale for the local Mountain Goat Adventures Trail Run Series. Half marathon runners competed for a top prize of $1,000, which was provided by the event title sponsor, La Sportiva. The event was unique in that the prize purse drew top talent from across the nation and had record-setting attendance from the local trail running community. While the sponsorship from La Sportiva upped the ante of the event, we wanted to retain the family feel of the race for our loyal supporters, who have competed in many of our running events this year and in years past. In addition to awarding the top finishers in the race, the event was also a win for local mountain bike group SORBA Woodstock, as the event raised $3,000 for the chapter. The money will be used for trail maintenance and construction in the park. Many SORBA Woodstock volunteers assisted at the race, including members of the IMBA National Mountain Bike Patrol. This year’s talent pool was deep and the winning half marathon time was set by Patrick Cheptoek of Bowling Green, Ky: 1:17:38, a pace of roughly 5:40 per mile. Many local runners also set personal records and claimed top honors in their age groups.
Local Cherokee High School Runner Taylor Scarborough of Canton was one of the top local finishers in the 13.1.
Jared Campanella of Woodstock on his way to second overall in the 10K. TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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TOWNE LAKE AREA HOMES SOLD IN MAY
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GREENPRINTS TRAIL SYSTEM WOODSTOCK, GA
Sources: City of Woodstock, Esri, HERE, DeLorme, TomTom, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), swisstopo, MapmyIndia, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community
Noonday Creek Trail - This 1.43 mile paved trail begins at Market Street in Downtown Woodstock one block west of Main Street.
It continues downhill toward Noonday Creek where it intersects with Towne Lake Pass Trail and the bridge to Woofstock Park. The trail continues along Noonday Creek to its current end at Highway 92.
Trestle Rock Trail - This 0.40 mile paved trail is located in Olde Rope Mill Park and is an easy flat trail on the banks of Little River. Towne Lake Pass (2017) - This approximately 1.2 mile trail will connect the Towne Lake community to Downtown along the banks of Noonday Creek. It will begin at the intersection of Towne Lake Parkway and Towne Lake Hills South. Rubes Creek Trail (2016) - This .5 mile trail runs along Rubes Creek and will ultimately connect into a larger run of trails. TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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If Loved Ones Aren’t Around to Help
Off to a Good Financial Start
help pay these costs for wartime veterans and their spouses who qualify. Medicaid will pay for nursing home care, but you have to spend down your assets in order to qualify. Long-term care insurance is an option, but if you wait too long it may not be affordable and you may not qualify. It is never too late to start thinking about who will care for you in your old age, where you want to receive that care, and how you will pay for it. Don’t assume your first choice is willing to provide hands-on care for you. Have that conversation with your prospective caregivers to make sure they are on board with your wishes. Without a plan, you could end up having no say in your end-of-life care.
reached new record peaks, and it is only a short distance from those peaks today.4 Equity investments—the kind Wall Street is built on—offer you the potential for double-digit returns in a good year. As interest rates are still near historic lows, many fixed-income investments are yielding very little right now, and cash just sits there. If you want to make your money grow faster than inflation—and you certainly do—then equity investing is the way to go. To avoid it is to risk falling behind and coming up short of retirement money, unless you accumulate it through other means. Some workplace retirement plans even feature investments that will direct a sizable portion of your periodic contribution into equities, then adjust it so that you are investing more conservatively as you age. Invest regularly; stay invested. When you keep putting money toward your retirement effort and that money is invested, there can often be a snowball effect. In fact, if you invest $5,000 at age 25 and just watch it sit there for 35 years as it grows 6 percent a year, the math says you will have $38,430 with annual compounding at age 60. In contrast, if you invest $5,000 each year under the same conditions, with annual compounding you are looking at $596,050 at age 60. That is a great argument for saving and investing consistently through the years.5
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A Midlife Crisis
continued from page 44
Certainly decaffeinated coffee is healthier for you than the hi-octane I prefer. But the way I see it, divorce is not healthy either - particularly from a loving, supportive - albeit surreptitious - spouse such as mine. So Ann and I have since compromised on the coffee, now brewing half-caffeinated, half-decaf in the mornings. And even with this diluted morning mix, my marriage has never been better. I just make sure I drink two cups.
continued from page 58
Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker-dealer, member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory services through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser. Cambridge is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of Peter Montoya, Inc. or MarketingPro, Inc. This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. This information has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. Please note - investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty. This is neither a solicitation nor recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insurance product or service, and should not be relied upon as such. All indices are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular investment. Citations. 1 - gobankingrates.com/personal-finance/money-steps-needafter-graduating/ [5/20/16] 2 - usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2015/07/03/ money-tips-gen-y-adviceiq/29624039/ [7/3/15] 3 - tinyurl.com/hgzgsw4 [12/2/15] 4 - marketwatch.com/story/bear-markets-can-be-shorter-thanyou-think-2016-03-21 [3/21/16]
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5 - investor.gov/tools/calculators/compound-interest-calculator [5/26/16] TOWNELAKER | July 2016
TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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Reference
COMMUNITY OF FAITH ADVENTIST
Cherokee 101 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock 770-591-7304 http://cherokee.netadvent.org/ Canton 411 Scott Mill Road, Canton 678-880-0106 www.cantonadventist.org
AME
Allen Temple AME 232 N. Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-926-6348 www.allentempleame.org St. Paul 390 Crisler St., Canton 770-479-9691 www.stpaulame-canton.org
BAPTIST
Carmel 2001 Bascomb Carmel Road Cherokee 7770 Hickory Flat Highway, Woodstock 770-720-3399 www.cherokeebaptistchurch.org Cornerstone Community 4206 North Arnold Mill Rd, Woodstock 678-439-5108 www.ccchurchonline.org Crossroads Community Church 2317 Bascomb-Carmel Road, Woodstock 770-592-7007 Crossroads Primitive Baptist Church 3100 Trickum Road, Woodstock 770-710-1068 Faith Community Office: 110 Village Trail, Suite 110, Woodstock Sunday Services: 230 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock 770-516-1996 www.faithcommunitychurch.org First Baptist of Woodstock 11905 Highway 92, Woodstock 770-926-4428 www.fbcw.org First Baptist Canton One Mission Point 770-479-5538 www.fbccanton.org First Baptist Holly Springs 2632 Holly Springs Parkway 770-345-5349 www.fbchollysprings.com Heritage Fellowship 3615 Reinhardt College Parkway, Canton 770-479-9415 www.heritagebaptistfellowship.com Hillcrest 6069 Woodstock Road, Acworth 770-917-9100 www.hbcacworth.org Hopewell 78 Ridge Road, Canton 770-345-5723 www.hopewellbaptist.com
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Mt. Zion 4096 East Cherokee Drive, Canton 770-479-3324 www.mtzb.org New Victoria 6659 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock 770-926-8448 www.newvicbaptist.org River Church 2335 Sixes Road, Canton 770-485-1975 www.riveratlanta.org Shallowford Free Will Baptist Church 1686 Shallowford Road, Marietta 770-926-1163 www.shallowfordchurch.com South Cherokee 7504 Highway 92, Woodstock 770-926-0422 Sutallee 895 Knox Bridge Highway, White 770-479-0101 www.sutalleebaptistchurch.com Toonigh 4999 Old Highway 5, Lebanon www.toonightbaptistchurch.com
CHURCH OF GOD
Bells Ferry 6718 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock 770-592-2956 www.bellsferry.com New Life Church 154 Lakeside Drive, Canton 770-345-2660 www.newlifecanton.com Sunnyside 2510 East Cherokee Drive, Woodstock 770-693-1018 www.sunnysidecog.org Toonigh 4775 Holly Springs Parkway, Canton 770-926-3096 www.toonighcog.org
EPISCOPAL
Christ the Redeemer Charismatic 6488 Hickory Flat Highway, Canton 404-395-5003 www.ctrcec.com Episcopal Church-Annunciation 1673 Jamerson Road, Marietta 770-928-7916 www.ecamarietta.org Saint Clement’s 2795 Ridge Road, Canton 770-345-6722 www.stclementscanton.org
JEWISH
Chabad Jewish Center 1480 Shiloh Road, NW, Kennesaw 770-400-9255 www.jewishwestcobb.com Congregation Ner Tamid Reform Jewish Congregation 1349 Old 41 Highway NW, Suite 220, Marietta 678-264-8575 www.mynertamid.org
Congregation Etz Chaim 1190 Indian Hills, Marietta 770-973-0137 www.etzchaim.net Temple Kehillat Chaim 1145 Green St., Roswell 770-641-8630 www.kehillatchaim.org Temple Kol Emeth 1415 Old Canton Road, Marietta 770-973-3533 www.kolemeth.net
MESSIANIC JEWISH CONGREGATIONS Congregation Beth Hallel 950 Pine Grove Road, Roswell 770-641-3000 www.bethhallel.org
LUTHERAN
Celebration of Grace 411 Scott Mill Road, Canton 770-503-5050 www.celebrationofgrace.org Good Shepherd 1208 Rose Creek Drive, Woodstock 770-924-7286 www.gslutheran.org Timothy 556 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-928-2812 www.tlcwoodstock.org
ORTHODOX
St. Elizabeth 2263 East Cherokee Drive, Woodstock 770-485-0504 www.stelizabethga.org
PRESBYTERIAN
Cherokee 1498 Johnson Brady Road, Canton 770-704-9564 www.cherokee-pca.org. Covenant South Annex Rec Center 7545 Main St., Bldg. 200, Woodstock www.cc-pca.org Faith 3655 Reinhardt College Parkway, Canton www.faithpc.us Grace Church 1160 Butterworth Road, Canton 678-493-9869 www.gracecanton.org Heritage 5323 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock 770-926-3558 www.heritagepres.com Woodstock 345 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-926-0074 www.woodstockpcusa.com
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Our Lady of LaSalette 12941 Sam Nelson Road, Canton 770-479-8923 www.lasalettecanton.com St. Michael the Archangel 490 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-516-0009 www.saintmichaelcc.org
Transfiguration Catholic Church 1815 Blackwell Road NE., Marietta 770-977-1442 www.transfiguration.com
Awakening 180 Parkway 575, Suite 140, Woodstock 770-924-4150 www.awakeningwoodstock.com
UNITED METHODIST
Branches of Christ 5946 Jacobs Road, Acworth 770-917-4964 www.branchesofchrist.com
Bascomb 2295 Bascomb-Carmel Road, Woodstock 770-926-9755 www.bascombchurch.org Canton First 930 Lower Scott Mill Road 770-479-2502 www.cantonfirstumc.org CITY ON A HILL 7745 Main St., Woodstock 678-445-3480 www.coahumc.org
BridgePointe 233 Arnold Mill Road, Suite 400, Woodstock 770-517-2977 www.bridgepointechurch.org Christian Praise Center 1358 Sixes Road, Canton 770-924-7532 www.christianpraisecenter.com
Fields Chapel 1331 Fields Chapel Road, Canton 770-479-6030 www.fieldschapel.org
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 2205 Bascomb-Carmel Road, Woodstock 770-529-9572 www.mormon.org
Hickory Flat 4056 East Cherokee Drive, Canton 770-345.5969 www.hickoryflat.org
Church of the Messiah 4115 Charles Cox Drive, Canton 770-479-5280 www.churchofthemessiah.net
Hillside 4474 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock 770-924-4777 www.hillsideumc.org
Dayspring 6835 Victory Drive, Acworth 770-516-5733 www.dayspring-online.com
Holly Springs 2464 Holly Springs Parkway 770-345-2883 www.hollyspringsumc.com
Dwelling Place Church 110 Londonderry Court #130, Woodstock www.dwellingplacemovement.org
Liberty Hill 141 Railroad St., Canton 678-493-8920 www.libertyhillumc.org Little River 12455 Highway 92, Woodstock 770-926-2495 www.littleriverumc.info Mt. Gilead 889 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-591- 0837 www.mtgilead-umc.org
Empowerment Tabernacle 507 Industrial Drive, Woodstock 770-928-7478 www.EmpowermentTabernacle.com The Factory 9872 Main St., Woodstock, 770-517-7265 www.thefactoryministries.org Faith Family 5744 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth 770-926-4560 www.ffcacworth.com
Sixes 8385 Bells Ferry Road, Canton 770-345-7644 www.sixesumc.org
Fivestones Church 155 P Rickman Industrial Drive, Canton 770-720-2227 www.fivestoneschurch.info
Woodstock 109 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock 770-516-0371
Fresh Springs Worship Center 1910 Eagle Drive, Suite 100, Woodstock 770 575-3656 www.freshspringsworship.org
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST Emerson 4010 Canton Road, Marietta 770-578-1533 www.emersonuu.org
Fuente de Vida (Fountain of Life) 205 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 678-880-3135 www.fdvida.org
Unity North Atlanta 4255 Sandy Plains Rd. Marietta, GA 30066 678-819-9100 www.unitynorth.org
God’s Rolling Thunder Latimer Hall, 103 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock www.godsrollingthunder.org
OTHERS
Action Church 271 Marietta Road, Canton 770-345-3030 www.actionchurch.tv Antioch Church 9876 Main St., Suite 250, Woodstock 678-494-2193 www.antiochchurch.live
His Hands 550 Molly Lane, Woodstock 770-405-2500 www.hishandschurch.com Life Church 300 Adam Jenkins Memorial Drive, Suite 108, Canton 770-847-0170 www.lifechurchcanton.com Love Community Church 5598 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth
Ministry House 347 Holly St., Canton 678-459-2347 http://MinistryHouse.org Momentum 659 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 678-384-4919 www.MomentumChurch.tv New Covenant Bible 1095 Scott Road, Canton 770-479-6412 www.newcovenantcanton.org North Atlanta Church 6233 Old Alabama Road, Acworth 770-975-3001 www.northatlantachurch.org Oak Leaf 151 East Marietta St., Canton 678-653-4652 www.oakleafcanton.com Prayer & Praise Christian Fellowship 6409 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock 770-928-2795 www.prayerandpraise.org Resurrection Anglican 231 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-591-0040 www.rezwoodstock.org Revolution 125 Union Trail Hill, Canton 770-345-2737 www.therevolution.tv Sojourn Community Church 231 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-769-7495 www.sojournwoodstock.com Sovereign Grace 471 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 678-494-2100 www.sgcatlanta.org Thrive Chapel 400 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-835-5795 www.thrivechapel.com Towne Lake Community 132 North Medical Parkway, Woodstock 678-445-8766 www.tlcchurch.com Victory 4625 Highway 92, Acworth 770-794-7366 www.victoryga.com Woodstock City Church 150 Ridgewalk Parkway, Woodstock www.woodstockcity.org 678-880-9092 Woodstock Christian 7700 Highway 92, Woodstock 770-926-8238 www.woodstockchristian.org Woodstock Church of Christ 219 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock 770-926-8838 www.woodstockchurchofchrist.org Woodstock Church of the Nazarene 874 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-366-7515 www.wcnga.com Woodstock Community Church 237 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock 770-926-8990 www.wcchurch.org TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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TOWNE LAKE AREA CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS Charitable Organizations Ahimsa House helps victims of domestic violence 24-hours a day who need help getting their pets to safety. 404-452-6248 www.ahimsahouse.org
Georgia Animal Project, based in Ball Ground, offers high quality, low cost spay and neuter services for dogs and cats throughout North Georgia. 770-704-PAWS (7297) www.theanimalproject.org
Angel House Girls Home is a residential facility to help girls ages 12-18 learn self-sufficiency. 770-479-9555 www.angelhousega.com
Give a Kid a Chance – Cherokee sponsors a yearly backto-school bash, giving children in need filled backpacks to free haircuts. www.giveakidachance.org
Anna Crawford Children’s Center is dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect, and protecting and serving children and families through prevention and intervention services. 678-504-6388 www.cherokeechildadvocates.org
Goshen Valley Boys Ranch offers a home, care and counsel to young men in the DFCS system. 770-796-4618 www.goshenvalley.org
Collins Dixon Foundation: Bend Your Knees, Inc. raises awareness and helps children with pediatric brain tumors. Contact: Bob Dixon, 678-922-1560. Bethany Place is a transitional home for single women, unwed mothers. 770-479-9462 www.bethanyplacehome.org CASA for Children promotes the health and happiness of children impacted by abuse through programs that increase their safety and improve their educational, social and emotional functioning. 770-345-3274 www.casacherokee.org CCHS Thrift Store accepts donations and sells used household items to raise money for Cherokee County Humane Society. 5900 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth. 770-592-8072 Cherokee Family Violence Center offers emergency shelter and crisis intervention, affordable housing, education, support services. 770-479-1703, Spanish 770-720-7050 or 800-334-2836 option 2. www.cfvc.org Cherokee Fellowship of Christian Athletes challenges professional, college, high school, junior high and youth level coaches and athletes to use athletics to impact the world for Christ. Bill Queen 404-441-3508 www.cherokeefca.org Cherokee County Humane Society (CCHS) 770-928-5115 or admin@cchumanesociety.org www.cchumanesociety.org Cherokee FOCUS works to improve the lives of children and families through collaborative programs and initiatives. Sonia Carruthers 770-345-5483 www.cherokeefocus.org Cherokee County Senior Services offers educational, social, leisure and recreational activities for senior citizens. 770-345-5312 or 770-345-5320 www.cherokeega.com/senior-services Community Veterinary Care provides professional veterinary care for pets whose owners have limited financial means. 678-640-3512 www.communityveterinarycare.com Companion Animal Connection 678-493-9847 www.adoptapet.com Everyday Angels offers financial assistance for local families in need. aaeverydayangels@gmail.com
Green Shelters America animal rescue group. 770-712-4077 or GreenSheltersAmerica@gmail.com www.GreenSheltersAmeric.com Habitat for Humanity North Central Georgia 770-587-9697 www.habitat-ncg.org Healing Hands Youth Ranch offers safe, peaceful environment where abused and at-risk children are paired with rescue horses for hope and healing. Jennifer Simonis 770-633-4451 www.hhyr.org HopeQuest Ministry Group helps people who struggle intensely with life dominating issues related to alcohol abuse, substance abuse and/or sexual brokenness. 678-391-5950 www.hqmg.org HOPE Center offers support for unplanned pregnancy. 770-924-0864 or info@TheHopeCtr.com www.hopectr.com HOPE Center — Baby & More Thrift Store offers adult and children’s clothing. 770-517-4450 www.babyandmorethriftstore.com Life Connection Ministries helps empower and provide humanitarian relief in the form of wells and greenhouses to impoverished communities. Mission trips offered. Florine Russell 678-234-1798. www.lcm-ga.com Matthew E. Russell Foundation works to establish literacy and libraries in rural areas worldwide. Florine Russell 678-234-1798. www.mattrussell.org MUST Ministries offers groceries, hot meals, emergency shelter, supportive housing, clothing, employment services, summer lunch and more from five locations in eight counties, including the Canton office at 111 Brown Industrial Pkwy. www.mustministries.org National Alliance for Mental Illness is the nation’s largest grassroots organization in America working to build better lives for the millions affected by mental illness. www.nami.org Never Alone Outreach provides food and clothing assistance to Cherokee families in need. www.neveralone.org. Next Step Ministries offers a therapeutic day program, Saturday respite, camps and special events for people with special needs. 770-592-1227 www.nextstepministries.net
Feed My Lambs, Inc. provides free Christian preschools in the U.S. and around the world. 770-795-9348 office@feedmylambs.net www.feedmylambs.net
North Georgia Pregnancy Center offers help and care to young girls and women with an unplanned pregnancy or who need counseling. 706-253-6303 www.ngapregnancy.org
Forever Fed is a mobile food ministry that addresses physical hunger and hopelessness in North Georgia by providing meals and sharing the gospel. www.foreverfed.org
Papa’s Pantry is a year-round local food ministry, which also includes the Masters Training Center to help individuals and families in crisis get back on their feet. Lynne Saunders 770-591-4730 www.papaspantry.org
Funds 4 Furry Friends helps those in need with food, spay/neuter and medical attention for their pets. Gina Jeter 770-842-8893 www.funds4furryfriends.com
Pet Buddies Food Pantry helps families in need by providing pet food, supplies, spaying and neutering, and education through community outreach programs. 678-310-9858 www.petbuddiesfoodpantry.org
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Safe Kids Cherokee County provides free child safety seat inspections by appointment. 770-721-7808 www.cherokeesafekidscherokeecounty.org SERV International operates the House of Hope orphanage in Africa, sponsors a clean water program in Dominican Republic and meal distributions worldwide. Also offers mission trips. 770-516-1108 www.servone.org The Blue Ribbon Foundation fosters a national dialog toward finding the cause, cure and prevention of ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis), CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome), fibromyalgia and Lyme disease. Tom Prior 478-397-5542 www.theblueribbonfoundation.org Volunteer Aging Council is a nonprofit that helps raise funds for the seniors of Cherokee County. A list of current needs is available. 770-310-3474 www.vac-cherokeega.org SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS AA Meetings Canton Meets: 9:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday, 7 p.m. Monday at Canton First United Methodist, 930 Lower Scott Mill Road. Woodstock Meets: 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at Hillside United Methodist, 4474 Towne Lake Parkway. www.aageorgia.org/14c-meetings.html Al-Anon and Al-A-Teen Canton Meets: 8 pm Thursday at St Clements Episcopal Church, 2795 Ridge Road. Woodstock Meets: Tuesday Al-anon and Alateen 8 pm Thursday Al-anon at Hillside United Methodist Church, 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy. Reba 770-516-3502 www.ga-al-anon.org/district-number.hp?district=17 American Heart Association - Cherokee Division 678-385-2013 American Red Cross metro chapter 770-428-2695 Caregivers Alzheimers Support Group Meets: 6:30 p.m. first Tuesday of Every Other Month at Benton House of Woodstock, 3385 Trickum Rd. 678-494-4500 woodstockinfo@bentonhouse.com Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered recovery program for all types of habits, hurts and hangups. Meets: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at Woodstock Church of the Nazarene. 770-366-7515 Meets: 6:30 p.m. Mondays at Sixes United Methodist. 770-345-7644 www.sixesumc.org Meets: 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Ministry House 678-459-2347 www.MinistryHouse.org Meets: 6:15 p.m. Thursdays at 411 Scott Mill Road, Canton. 678-764-8660 www.celebraterecovery.com Cherokee County Support Group provides support for people with autoimmune conditions. Meets: 6:30 - 8 pm second Thursday at New Light Baptist Church, 1716 New Light Rd, Holly Springs. Stacie Collett 404-402-0571, jhmom88@comcast. net and Christy Stephenson 770-337-0294 christystephenson@msn.com Cherokee County Special Olympics provides yearround sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. www.cherokeecountyspecialolympics.org Cherokee Christian Ministerial Association for pastors and ministry leaders of all Christian denominations. Meets: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. last Wednesday at Dayspring Church, 6835 Victory Drive, Woodstock. www.cherokeeministers.org Diabetes Support Group Meets: 9:30 and 11 a.m. third Tuesday at Emeritus Assisted Living, 756 Neese Road, Woodstock. Linda Watson 770-793-7818 Georgia Canines for Independence. 404-824-4637 gcidogs@aol.com www.gcidogs.org
Grace Valley Ministries connects pastors by offering small group meetings, free counseling and a place to retreat. 727-251-7690, info@gracevalleyministries.org www.gracevalleyministries.org Grandparents Raising GRANDchildren Meets: 7:15 p.m. second Tuesdays Transfiguration Catholic Church, Marietta (nursery available). Jeannie 770-919-9275 Hearing Loss Association of America NW Metro Atlanta Chapter for people with hearing loss looking for support and resources, holds free and informative quarterly meetings at the Senior Center on Arnold Mill Road. nwmetroatlantahlaa@gmail.com La Leche League of South Cherokee Meets: 10 a.m. first Tuesday and 7 p.m. third Tuesday at Bascomb United Methodist Church. Marguerite 678-315-7686 or Megan 770-517-0191 MOMS Club of Woodstock-TowneLake momsclubofwoodstocktl@gmail.com www.sites.google.com/site/ momscluboftownelakewoodstock MOPS — Mothers of Preschoolers (birth — K) Meets: 9:30 a.m. second and fourth Mondays at Hillside UMC, 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy. 770-924-4777 Unlimited Possibilities, support group for stroke and brain injury survivors. Meets: 7 p.m. first Tuesday of each month at Kennestone Outpatient Rehab Center. Kelly 678-677-2589 BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS American Business Women’s Association, Cherokee Eagles Charter Chapter. Meets: 6:30 p.m. on the third Tuesdays at Dynastic Buffet at the intersection of Canton Highway and Piedmont. Jacqueline Miller Van Hook, 678-493-3618 Cherokee Business Network Meets: 7:45 a.m. every Wednesday at Chick-fil-A, 9728 Highway 92, Woodstock. Marci Zied 770-345-8687 Cherokee Toastmasters Club Meets: Noon-1:15 p.m. Wednesdays at the Bank of North Georgia, 200 Parkway 575, Woodstock. www.cherokeetoastmasters.com Empowered Women Through Synergy Meets: 8:30 a.m. third Thursday at J Christopher’s, 315 Chambers Street, Woodstock. Shahida Baig 678-445-3900 The Joy of Connecting Networking for Women Meets: Various times and locations. Edeline Dryden 678-789-6158 www.xperienceconnections.com/ spotlight/woodstock/ Towne Lake Business Association Meets: 12:30 p.m. third Tuesday at Featherstone’s at Towne Lake Hills. 770-615-3350 www.tlba.org Towne Lake PowerCore Team Meets: 7-8:30 a.m. every Friday at Freight Kitchen & Tap, 251 E. Main St., Woodstock. Marc Replogle 770-952-5000, ext. 20 or Wendy 404-816-3377 www.powercore.net Women of Woodstock Meets: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. first and third Wednesday at Featherstone’s at Towne Lake Hills. info@womenofwoodstock.com www.womenofwoodstock.com VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS American Legion Post 316 Meets: 7 p.m. third Thursdays at William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road. Irma Martin 678-662-2366
Woodstock VFW Post 10683 Meets: 7 p.m. second Tuesday at Woodstock Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road. Andrew Yrabedra 404-663-4663 CIVIC, COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS AARP Woodstock Chapter is for anyone age 50 and older. Meets: 11:30 a.m. second Tuesdays at Tuscany. Lunch is $15. Rich 770-926-1944 Canton-Cherokee TRIAD/S.A.L.T. (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together) Meets: 8:30 a.m. first Tuesday at G.Cecil Pruitt YMCA in Canton (Hall of Fame Room). www.saltcherokee.com Cherokee County Historical Society 770-345-3288 www.rockbarn.org Citizen Oversight and Education 678-520-2236 citizenoversighteducation@yahoo.com Jewish Havurah (Friends) A group of Jewish people who meet for Jewish holidays, special Jewish events and Shabbat dinners. Marcie Zied 770-345-8687 Junior Service League of Woodstock 770-592-3535 www.jslwoodstock.org Pilot Club of Cherokee County Meet: 6: 30 p.m. second Mondays at IHOP on Hwy 20 Lynda Goodwin, 770-393-1766 or Lynda@ edgoodwinassociates.com www.pilotinternational.com Rotary Club of Cherokee County Meets: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at IHOP on Highway 92 770-480-4179 Rotary Club of Towne Lake Meets: Noon Thursdays at Featherstone’s Grille at 1003 Towne Lake Hills E., Woodstock www.townelakerotary.com Rotary Club of Woodstock Meets: 7:30 a.m. Tuesdays at IHOP on Highway 92 678-428-6514 Service League of Cherokee County 770-704-5991 www.serviceleague.net South Cherokee Optimist Club Meets: 7:30 a.m. every Friday at Featherstone’s at Towne Lake Hills. 770-926-3522 Towne Lake Optimist Club Meets: 7:30 a.m. Fridays at Eagle Watch Golf Club. 404-557-2218 www.townelakeoptimists.com Woodstock Jaycees Meets: 7 p.m. first Tuesday and third Thursday at 216 Rope Mill Road. 770-926-8336 Woodstock Lions Club Meets: 7 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Contact: 770-906-2958 POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS Cherokee County Democratic Party Meets: 7 p.m. second Thursday at Holly Springs Train Depot, 164 Hickory Road, Holly Springs 770-345-3489 www.cherokeedemocrats.com Cherokee County Libertarians Meets: 7:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday at the Cherokee County Board of Realtors Training Center, 1600 River Park Blvd., Suite 104, Woodstock. www. cherokeelp.org Cherokee County Republican Party Meets: 9 a.m. third Saturday at Jump Kitchen & Saloon, 1085 Buckhead Crossing, Woodstock 678-8820915 www.cherokeecounty.gop
Cherokee Tea Party Patriots Meets: 4 p.m. third Sunday at Latimer Hall, 103 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock. Conrad Quagliaroli 770-378-8232, conradquag@gmail.com www.teapartypatriots.org/groups/cherokee-tea-partypatriots/ Cherokee County Republican Women affiliated with The Georgia Federation of Republican Women Meets: Monthly in Woodstock/Canton. 770-592-7811 or jkconkey@gmail.com Grassroots Conservatives of Cherokee Meets: 7- 9 a.m. Fridays at the Chick-fil-a on 951 Ridgewalk Parkway, Woodstock by the Outlet Mall. Bill Dewrell 770-294-0922 Republican Women of Cherokee County 678-520-2236 www.rwccga.com Recreation & Hobbies Allatoona Gold Panners. Periodic events , outings Rob Kelly rrkelly@bellsouth.net Cherokee Amateur Radio Society Meets: 10 a.m. on the second Saturday at William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road. www.cherokeehams.com Cherokee Community Chorale 678-439-8625 www.cherokeechorale.org Cherokee County Arts Center 94 North St., Canton. 770-704-6244 www.CherokeeArts.org Cherokee County Master Gardeners 770-721-7803 www.caes.uga.edu/extension/ cherokee/mastergardeners Cherokee Photography Club www.cherokeepc.org Cherokee County Saddle Club hosts monthly meetings and group rides. www.cherokeesaddleclub.com Cherokee Hockey In Line League (CHILL) roller hockey. www.cherokeehockey.org Cherokee Music Teachers Association Linda Lokey 770-720-1701 www.cherokeemta.org Cherokee Soccer Association 770-704-0187 www.csaimpact.com Cherokee Youth Lacrosse Association www.cherokeelacrosse.com Christian Authors Guild Meets: 7-9 p.m. first and third Monday at Prayer and Praise Christian Fellowship, 6409 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock. www.christianauthorsguild.org Kingdom Riders is a forming chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association in Canton. Meets: 8 a.m. fourth Saturdays at Family Tradition restaurant in Hickory Flat. All makes of motorcycles welcome. Les Marmitons, for men interested in culinary arts. www.lesmarmitons.org Wildlife Action, Inc. is a conservation organization on Allatoona Lake at 2075 Kellogg Creek Road, Acworth. 770-924-7464 www.wildlifeactiongeorgia.com Sons of the American Revolution - Cherokee Meets: 7 p.m. second Tuesdays at the Rock Barn, 638 Marietta Hwy., Canton. www.cherokeechapter.com William G. Long Senior Center offers activities for seniors at 223 Arnold Mill Road in Woodstock. 678-445-6518 TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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TOWNELAKER DIRECTORY OF ADVERTISERS ACCOUNTING/FINANCIAL SERVICES Business Accounting Services, Inc. 55 404-382-8268 www.BusinessAccountingServicesInc.com Citadel Professional Services, LLC 770-952-6707 Frontline Capital Mortgage 770-288-9402 J RAY, CPA, PC 404-994-5102 www.JRAYCPA.com
31 9 15
ATTORNEYS/LEGAL SERVICES Debranski & Associates, LLC 770-926-1957, ext 306 www.Debranski.com
9
Hartman Imbriale Attorneys 678-445-7423 www.hartman-imbriale.com
47
Law office of Jay G. Wall 678-362-3176 www.JayGWallLaw.com
37
Limbocker Law 678-401-6836 www.limbockerlawfirm.com
5
Nelson Elder Care Law, LLC Inside front 678-250-9355 www.NelsonElderCareLaw.com AUTOMOTIVE
Salon Gloss 678-483-8900 www.salongloss.biz Salon Spa Venéssa 770-591-2079 www.salonvenessa.com
47
ShapeMed by Lifetime Fitness 404-303-2323 www.shapemed.com
29
BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS Downtown Buzz 770-592-6056 www.downtownwoodstock.org/ downtownbuzz
82
Towne Lake Business Association www.TLBA.org
38
CHIROPRACTIC Joint Chiropractic, The 678-214-4449 www.thejoint.com
47
Ribley Chiropractic 770-592-2505 www.ribleychiro.com
58
Fresh Springs Worship Church 770-575-3656
59
Hillside United Methodist Church 770-924-4777 www.hillsideumc.org
67
67
Bavarian Repair 770-310-2381 www.bavarianrepair.com
19
Christian Brothers Automotive 770-926-4500 www.cbac.com
31
Woodstock Quality Paint & Body 770-926-3898
27
Cherokee Computer Guys 678-889-5900 www.ccrguys.com
37
DENTAL (Cosmetic, Family, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics & Pediatric)
BEAUTY, MASSAGE & SPA Pigtails & Crewcuts 37 678-842-8299 www.pigtailsandcrewcuts,com/woodstock
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Advanced Dental Restorations, LLC 678-810-0881 www.BringBackSmiles.com Baird & Baird Family Dentistry 770-517-0444 www.BairdFamilyDentistry.com
Goddard School, The 770-516-0880 www.GoddardSchool.com
19
Grant Academy, The 770-926-7827 www.thegrantacademy.net
1
Hillside UMC Preschool & Academy 770-924-4776
33
Master’s Training Center, The 770-591-9588 www.TheMasterTrainingCenter.com
82
Music Together 678-613-2048 www.musictogether.com
43
Towne Lake Academy Cover, 48, 49 North Campus: 770-928-6162 South Campus: 770-928-9134
COMPUTERS
BANKING
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CLEANING SERVICES Rejoice Maids 678-905-3476 www.rejoicemaids.com
Fountain View Family Dentistry 65 770-926-0000 www.fountainviewsmiles.com Gentle Dental Care and Georgia Dental Implant Center 13 770-926-2784 www.georgiadic.com Park Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock 75 770-926-9260 www.PediatricWoodstockDentist.com Spillane Orthodontics 60 770-928-4747 www.SpillaneOrtho.com Towne Lake Family Dentistry Dr. Ray Morgan Inside Back 770-591-7929 www.RayMorganDMD.com Williams Orthodontics 44 770-592-5554 www.DrWilliamsOrthodontics.com EDUCATION / INSTRUCTION
CHURCHES
Aspen Falls Auto Spa 770-591-3630
Renasant Bank Towne Lake: 678-388-5709 East Woodstock: 678-388-5328 www.renasantbank.com
40, 41
3
Towne Lake Driving School 678-494-2200 www.TowneLakeDrivingSchool.com
27
FUNERAL SERVICES
8 59
Woodstock Funeral Home and Cremations Inside front 770-926-3107 www.woodstockfuneralhome.com HEALTH & FITNESS Burn Boot Camp of Woodstock 28 706-289-9762 www.Woodstock.burnbootcamp.com
Fury Performance Academy 770-823-9831 www.FuryPerformance.org
46
Landscape Matters 770-403-5813 www.LandscapeMattersInc.com
LightVision Wellness, LLC 770-927-7511 www.melissamintz.com
23
Mclellan Excavation & Landscaping 404-520-0710 www.excavationandlandscaping.com
Plae Hard www.plaehard.com
43
75
PHIIT Club at R2 Total Fitness 678-809-7833 www.r2totalfitness.com
25
Overstreet Lawn Care 770-861-7272 www.overstreetlawncare.com RPM Landscape & Pavers 770-597-5175 www.rpmlandscapeandpavers.com
33
HOME IMPROVEMENT & REPAIR AquaDoc Plumbing 770-516-9000, www.plumdr.com
19
Bryan Plumbing Services 770-826-5277
5
Coleman Home Services 770-294-9667 www.colemanhomeservices.com
7
Eyes on Towne Lake 770-702-5996 www.eyesontownelake.com
REAL ESTATE & RELATED SERVICES Atlanta Communities, Tara Daigle 404-925-6351
63
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Tomlinson Team, The Cathy Tomlinson: 770-365-6193 or 678-494-2953, 770-517-2150 www.thetomlinsonteam.com
75
89
Cherokee County Animal Shelter www.cherokeega-animals.org
88
Magnolia Cottages by the Sea Linda B. Lee, 850-319-8050 www.magnolisdreamcottage.com Reflection Lake Nantahala Kristine Flaig, 828-321-3101 www.reflectionlakenantahala.com
89
Southeast Mortgage 770-279-0222, ext. 719 Todd Littlejohn: 678-662-3451
75
68
Handy Handyman, The 404-316-1490 www.thhmga.com
59
Mr. Junk 678-Mr-Junk1 www.MrJunk1.com
23
Pike’s Professional Painting 770-516-0045
39
Precision Painting & Remodeling 678-234-9668 www.precisionpaintingatlanta.com
25
Premier Coatings 678-689-7194
23
Reliable Heating & Air 770-594-9969 www.ReliableAir.com
71
North Georgia Foot and Ankle Reconstruction, Dr. Bret Hintze 770-999-0804 www.NGFAR.com
SOTO Remodeling 404-376-5443
29
Northside Hospital -Cherokee www.northside.com
Ivyscapes 23 678-858-0782 www.ivyscapes.net
61
Kurt & Sheila Team, Keller Williams Back Cvr 404-954-2486, 678-494-0644 www.kurtandsheilateam.com
Hammocks Heating & Air 770-794-0428 www.HammocksHVAC.com
59
Wellstar Cardiac Network 1-877-366-6032 wellstar.org
63
45
LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE
25
Donna Charitat: 770-309-0253, 770-517-2150, www.MyAgentDonna.com
PET/VETERINARIAN SERVICES & SUPPLIES
Enhance Floors & More 770-565-3808 www.enhancefloors.com
Calvary Landscaping & Irrigation 770-720-1727 or 770-827-0346
9
Towne Lake Family Pharmacy 770-635-7697 www.TowneLakePharmacy.com
Animal Atlanta 770-591-0007 www.AnimalAtlanta.com
55
1
5
OPTOMETRIST
Dr. Fixit, Ph.D. 770-974-2390 www.DrFixitPHD.com
Vinyl Window Solutions 770-635-8421 www.vinylwindowsolutions.com
55
PHOTOGRAPHY Darleen Prem Photography 770-354-0675
27
Kim Bates Photography 770-617-7595
57
PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL SERVICES Cherokee Internal Medicine 678-238-0301 www.cherokeeim.com
69
Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists 770-720-7733 www.cherokeewomenshealth.com
39
North Georgia Audiology & Hearing Aid Center 770-726-8948 www.NorthGeorgiaHearing.com
Rausch Family Practice 678-384-7305 www.judithrauschmd.com
7
RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT
3
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Plastic Surgery Center of the South 32 770-421-1242 www.plasticsurgerycenterofthesouth.net Psychologist John R. Lutz, PhD 770-592-9065 www.johnromanlutz.com
Terrell Team, The D: 770-928-6525, O: 770-345-8211 www.RealEstateAgent.net
39 5
Elm St. Cultural Arts Village 678-494-4251 www.elmstreetarts.org
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Marietta Theatre Company www.mariettatheatre.com
43
Park Marina www.bestinboating.com
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RESTAURANTS/FOOD/DELIVERY Butchers Block 770-517-2225 Cancun Mexican Grill 770-693-4680 www.cancunmexicangrill.net Smallcakes — A Cupcakery 678-324-1910
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RETAILERS/ SHOPPING LuLaRoe by Krista Kirk 23 www.simplycomfortableclothes.com Spirited 19 678-214-5304 www.spritlala.com
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photo by J King Images
Since 1996, we have brought relevant, uplifting and reader-driven content to the residents of Towne Lake, Canton and Woodstock. We look forward to serving you, our readers and advertisers, every month. Thank you for your continued support and participation in making this truly your community magazine.
At AroundAbout Local Media, we believe the world functions at the community level: diverse groups of people living in close proximity, sharing commonality of culture, values and local pride, developing safety nets for those in need, and helping each other to live richer lives. It is our heartfelt desire to contribute to the fabric that helps make a community happen. Through our magazines, we aim to provide everyone in the communities we serve with uplifting, interesting information about the community they are proud to call home.
From left Michelle McCulloch, Patty Ponder, Jon and Karen Flaig, Candi Hannigan, Denise Griffin, Laura Latchford, Jackie Loudin and Christie Deese. (Not pictured Katherine Amick)
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TOWNELAKER | July 2016
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