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AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
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10 24
Contents On the Cover
32 August 2022
Features
10 Meet Brittany Page!
Get to know Woodstock Police Department’s public information officer and crime analyst.
24 Girl Scouts Strike Gold
Six Cherokee County Girl Scouts work toward their Gold Awards.
32 College Essentials 101
Recent graduates and current students offer advice for college freshmen.
In Every Issue Peter Laczko Insurance, Inc.
Peter and Lisa Laczko are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their business, which insures boats, RVs, motorcycles and all sorts of toys.
Pages 28 & 29
Cover photo by Red Baryl Portraits 2
AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
4 14 30 36 40 41 44 46 52 54 56
Around Woodstock Celebrations
Downtown Events Everyday Angels Rob’s Rescues Local News
Community Calendar Library Events
Shop Local Map
Directory of Advertisers Recent Home Sales
Contributors 8 Michael Caldwell
43 Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists 18 City of Woodstock 30 Ann Garvin 50 Barbara Jacoby 49 Harry Johnston 22 Susannah MacKay 40 Rob Macmillan 30 Dr. Tamerah Marable 46 John Rodgers 48 Jennifer Ruscilli 20 Susan Schulz 12 Christopher Thornton 42 The Wanderer 51 Libby Williams
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Around Woodstock Letter From the Editor
As we limp through this humid season, the dog days of summer have taken on a new meaning for this owner of canines: Walks with the puppies at this time of year end with the need for a shower and a huge glass of water! Or, I just send Glenn and stay cool in the air conditioning. Here’s a fun fact: The phrase dog days of summer refers to the time when Sirius, the dog star, appears to rise alongside the sun, creating twice as much heat with the two stars in alignment. I learned that in a Google search, which took me to the National Geographic website. What did we do without Google? Actually, I can answer my own question. We would consult our encyclopedias, either the alphabetized volumes or those special annual editions that you knew you had to have to stay up to date with the world. Here’s another fun fact: Encyclopedia Britannica and World Book (my personal favorite) have gone digital. No surprise, really, but for someone who loves to hold the print product in her hand, it’s just not the same. In addition to thumbing through encyclopedias, so much about this issue has sent me on a long journey down memory lane. Before sending three kiddos to college, I wish I had been able to hear from current and past college students, who share the essentials that made the transition easier for them. (See Pages 32-35.) My crockpot certainly got a workout when our kids were home and busy with school and church activities. We have a selection of easy recipes we hope will get you through your busy days. (Pages 38-39). As a Girl Scout leader for seven years, I can appreciate the hard work the young ladies that we feature on Pages 24-26 have done to earn their Gold Awards. I’m feeling older by the minute, thinking of how my children are now in their late 20s and early 30s. This issue has brought back bittersweet memories; while I miss those very busy days, I’m certainly thankful and proud of the adults my babies have become. Because I remember encyclopedias, which the internet has labeled vintage, does that make me vintage as well? Never mind! Don’t answer that.
Candi Hannigan is the executive editor of Aroundabout Local Media. She has lived in Cherokee County since 1987. Send your comments or questions to candi@aroundaboutmagazines.com
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AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
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www.aroundwoodstockmagazine.com AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
Around Woodstock, a publication of Aroundabout Local Media, Inc., is a community magazine with 17,000 free copies distributed monthly. Approximately 16,600 are direct mailed to homes and businesses and an additional 400 are placed in racks in the community. TowneLaker welcomes your comments, stories, and advertisements. Editorial deadline is the first and advertising deadline is the fifth of the previous month. Subscriptions are available for $24 per year. Send check or money order to: Around Woodstock, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, PMB 380, Suite 620, Woodstock GA 30189. The viewpoints of the advertisers, writers and other submissions do not necessarily reflect those of the editor/publisher. And the publisher makes no claims to the validity of any opinions expressed by charitable, business or civic organizations mentioned, or statements made within the editorial content. The cover and inside related article, and other editorial-type submissions labeled SPONSORED CONTENT, are paid content. The publisher neither guarantees nor supports any product or service mentioned in this magazine, nor does it guarantee any assertions made by the manufacturers or providers of such products or services, or claims regarding the status of such businesses. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. Copyright 2022.
Volume 9, Issue 10
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T
A Message From the
he most important duty of our City Council is the adoption of a fiscally responsible, balanced budget each year. On June 13, council passed, and I was proud to sign, the ordinance to provide for our Fiscal Year 2023 Budget — its execution took effect July 1 and will end June 30, 2023. I am very proud to report that our city continues to assess some of the lowest municipal taxes in the metro Atlanta region, all while providing some of the highest quality services to our residents and investing in critical public priorities. If you ever want to discover a person’s priorities, you only need to take a look at their checkbook. This same principle applies to governments. This column will cover a high-level breakdown of Woodstock’s FY 2023 ( July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023) budget, and we’ll examine where our city focuses its attention. The total budget this year allocates $72,110,126 spread over five funds, with a total general fund expenditure coming in at $24,879,561 of that amount. 01 General Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38.5% 02 Water-Sewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.1% 03 Storm Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.5% 04 SPLOST V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7% 05 Special Revenue/Internal Service . . . . 4.5%
$24.8 million $13.7 million $1.5 million $16.2 million $15.7 million
01 Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27.81% 02 Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21.60% 03 Public Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.99% 04 Parks and Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.35% 05 Municipal Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.57% 06 All Remaining City Government . . . 30.68%
$6.9 million $5.3 million $2.2 million $1.5 million $1.1 million $7.6 million
Most of these funds are dedicated toward specific purposes, i.e., Water-Sewer as a separate fund intended to sustain our clean water and sewer treatment services. The General Fund comprises the lion’s share of our budgeting and serves as the best place to identify priorities. It is divided as follows:
The first two departments, our police and fire departments, comprise nearly 50% of our city’s budget. If you were to determine our city’s No. 1 priority based on budget allocation, there is no contest. We put public safety first.
The next 20% of our budget is allocated across Public Works (infrastructure), Parks and Recreation, and our city’s judicial branch. These five departments together comprise roughly 70% of our total budget, leaving all remaining portions of our government spread across the final 30%. Now, we’ve seen the check stubs. What do they tell us about our city’s priorities? As I look over Woodstock’s five largest expenses, I see three major themes. • We spend 54% of our general fund on public safety and justice, coming in at about $13.4 million. Our city is a thriving city, but only so long as it remains a safe city. Over the past decade, we grew by 50% in population and saw a 44% reduction in crime at the same time. We take public safety seriously here, and our checkbook shows it. • After public safety, our city will dedicate roughly 9% of our general fund to infrastructure maintenance and investment. When including other funds, like our SPLOST V and Water-Sewer funds, we’ll be investing tens of millions of dollars into Woodstock’s transportation and support infrastructure over the next year. • Finally, we’ll be investing another 6.35% into our Parks and Recreation Department, to ensure our residents and visitors have a vibrant, best-in-class experience in our city. The remainder of the government, ranging across economic development, community development, administration, human resources, geographic information systems, information technology and more, is funded by the remaining 30% of our budget. All the while, our city’s debt balance is at its lowest in a decade and our tax rates remain intentionally low. We are prioritizing a fiscally conservative approach to our city’s budget, while also ensuring we invest in the people and systems that make Woodstock one of the best places to live in America. We have built an incredible place that people want to be, and by ensuring we use the resources each of us as taxpayers have invested wisely, we’ll build a city that our children are proud to inherit. — Mayor Michael Caldwell
Michael Caldwell is the 31st mayor of Woodstock, a retired state legislator, member of the Georgia Technology Authority, partner at Black Airplane, husband to Katie, and father to Oliver, Elizabeth and Charlotte.
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AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
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Describe a typical day on the job.
My job varies from day to day. If an incident occurs where the media, residents or businesses may reach out for information, I assist in facilitating the dissemination of that information via established outlets. Most days, I am in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and other software platforms tracking trends, patterns and statistical data.
What is your background?
I was hired in 2007 after graduating from Berry College with a major in government and a minor in legal studies. I obtained my paralegal certification at Kennesaw State University in 2010 and completed Reinhardt University’s Police Academy to become a sworn peace officer in Georgia in 2011.
What events are you excited about?
Get to K now
Brittany Page
Woodstock Police Department Public Information Officer and Crime Analyst
What is your background?
As public information officer, I serve as a centralized source of information for the media, community, businesses and organizations. I work to plan media releases, special events, engage citizen participation, advertising and community outreach. I also administer the department’s social media outlets to further provide information to our citizens. As the crime analyst, I am responsible for maintaining, analyzing and distributing information, which includes incident reports, accident reports, crime data and traffic data. I strive to identify patterns and trends in order to help the department maximize the use of all departmental resources. 10
AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
While it is not a part of my job duties, I am proud to volunteer my time serving as the secretary of the Woodstock Public Safety Foundation. Our mission is to essentially serve those who serve our community. We will have our annual golf tournament in the fall, and all proceeds will directly benefit the programs of the foundation. We also will have our third annual car show for Team Ezra at the end of October. Ezra, currently battling a brain tumor, is the 6-year-old son of a Woodstock police officer. Please look for information on both events at www.woodstockga.gov/psfoundation, and join us if you’re able!
What do you like most about your job?
The people. I love Woodstock, and I love the Woodstock Police Department because of the people.
What are your goals?
My goal, generally, is to make each day count. I strive to make a positive impact on my community, my workplace and my personal life. I believe God has called me to be a servant. With his guidance, I’ll continue to serve to the very best of my ability wherever God leads me.
Describe one of your favorite trips.
I’ve traveled on a mission trip to Kenya with Be Free Revolution, a nonprofit organization based out of Memphis. I actually got engaged in Kenya when my husband surprised me! We currently sponsor a BFR scholar going to college there.
How do you spend free time?
My spare time is spent with family and friends. I am the proudest wife to my husband, Justin. I’m also the proudest mother to my son, William, who is 4 years old. Justin is a pastor of a church in Canton and also owns a local moving company. My son keeps us busy with super heroes, transformers and Hot Wheels. I enjoy anything outdoors and going on new adventures with people I love.
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PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER THORNTON
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AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
On June 17, William G. Long Senior Center staff hosted a Father’s Day luncheon, catered by J.D.'s Bar-B-Que, with a car show and live music for senior center members to enjoy. One member, Richard Olson, right, is a part of the American Jammers, a group of musicians who entertained the crowd.
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE CITY OF WOODSTOCK
Woodstock’s Fourth of July celebrations can be summed up in three words: freedom, fireworks and fun. Festivities began bright and early with the 25th annual Freedom Run, followed by the parade, festival and fireworks at dusk. Check out these photos from the parade to see if you recognize any of your neighbors.
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The 104-acre rescue and rehabilitation farm is in Canton.
A Place of Hope and Healing BY SUSAN BROWNING SCHULZ
Casey Montana has a calling on her life: to save as many horses and donkeys from the slaughter pipeline as possible. “We can’t save them all,” Casey said, “but we can change the lives of the few we do.” The mission at WarAngel Farms Rescue and Rehabilitation is to be good stewards of God’s animals here on earth by rescuing, rehabilitating
Mr. Bojangles, the inspiration for WarAngel Farms.
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AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
and finding forever homes for the ones that come into its care. The organization brings hope to animals that have no hope and helps those that have gone through unimaginable circumstances. Even though the main focus is on rescuing horses and donkeys, animals of all kinds, including goats, reptiles, alpacas and cows, are welcome on WarAngel’s 104-acre farm and are available for sponsorship. WarAngel’s founder, Casey Montana, grew up on this family farm at 199 WarAngel Farms Way in Canton. To understand how WarAngel began, it helps to learn a bit about the slaughter industry. Horse (and donkey) slaughter is illegal in the United States, so horses are shipped to Mexico and Canada, where there are very few regulations. Horses of every age and type are brought to auctions. Killbuyers purchase any horse that goes for below meat price then take their purchases to a holding pen. This is where the WarAngel staff members step in and try to buy (save) as many animals as they can before the ship dates to Mexico or Canada.
Life for animals in these lots is inhumane. They are thrown into a pen with hundreds of horses, fighting for their food and their life. They get beat up and sick. It’s especially hard on the old ones that never should have been taken to the auctions in the first place. They run on so much adrenaline trying to survive, and when they finally arrive at WarAngel Farms and feel safe, their body often can’t hold on any longer. “We try to save every horse/donkey we bail from the pens, but we also believe in dignity in death and the last act of kindness, if needed,” Casey said. Knowing these slaughter pens exist inspired Casey to rescue her first horse, Mr. Bojangles, in 2016. He was exhausted and extremely sick from his time in the pens, and three months to the day, his battle to survive ended. Casey was heartbroken, and with her mom Sandy’s blessing, she opened up the family farm to serve others by starting a petting zoo. “After working hard for a few years to grow and improve the farm to receive more rescued animals, WarAngel Farms Rescue and Rehabilitation was officially launched as a nonprofit in 2020,” Casey said. “My mom and I work together to run the rescue, along with the help of many wonderful volunteers.” Bethany Thomas has been visiting WarAngel Farms for eight years. “I can’t imagine my life without this family and their animals in my life,” she said. “The minute I drive onto the property, a quiet sense of peace comes over me, and worries of the day disappear. During these eight years of friendship, their family farm has turned into a nonprofit rescue. They have given me the opportunity to participate in saving abused or neglected horses and donkeys from slaughter. There is no way to explain the joy that comes in knowing you are helping save lives.” If you would like to find out more about WarAngel Farms, schedule a themed photo shoot or ladies’ night out, attend artsy animal camp, take a private tour or sign up for the Run Your Bundts Off ! 5K on Oct. 22 at Etowah River Park (runsignup.com/bundtscanton). To donate and learn more, visit warangelfarms. com, call 770-317-8476 or email rescue@ warangelfarms.com. The organization is 100% volunteer-run, meaning all donations go directly to saving animals.
Willie and Curtis, above left, are at home on the WarAngel farm. Casey Montana, bottom right, with her mom Sandy and Jubilee and Lulu.
Susan Schulz is a Bible teacher and mentor who lives and plays on the Etowah River in Canton. Connect with her on social media or at susanbrowningschulz.com.
AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
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3 Ways to
The good news is, every effort made to support a child’s education makes a direct impact in their future. Read on for some wonderful ways to get involved, and be sure to check out justserve.org; new opportunities are added weekly.
1.
SimpleNeeds GA (https://bit.ly/3xPfwoo) works hard to fill in the cracks and provide specific goods families might not receive elsewhere. It has two fabulous programs for students: Uniforms for Excellence and Shoe Them Love. General school supplies are welcome as well. Family Kickstart Georgia (https://bit.ly/3NpC2d2) supports the family of each student by providing resources and mentoring for youth wellness, job readiness and English as a second language instruction for parents. You can become a mentor or tutor and be an important part of students’ lives. Georgia HOPE (https://bit.ly/3a2vyDk) is a communitybased provider of mental health, substance abuse and family preservation services. Supplies are needed for foster teens, housed temporarily in hotels until more permanent arrangements can be made. Donate items to help keep them in school and keep their lives as stable as possible.
2. This
Back-to-School Season BY SUSANNAH O. MACKAY
It’s an exciting time of year for students. School is back in session, and that means new classes, new challenges and new opportunities. I still remember the look of pristine, unopened notebooks — and the smell of new crayons. It just felt like exciting new things were right around the corner. Unfortunately, for many youth in our community, the return to school is not exciting or positive. It can be nearly impossible to focus on learning when you are worried about where your next meal will come from or how you will get the school supplies you need.
3.
Be sure to check out these great projects and more on the JustServe website. Or, for additional ideas, join the JustServe North Georgia public Facebook group. You truly can make an impact with simple acts of service!
Justserve.org is a free, nationwide website and app that works to match volunteers with nonprof it organizations and service opportunities. If you run a nonprof it or are looking for ways to make service a regular part of your life, check out justserve.org. You can sign up for regular updates and learn more about organizations nearby, too. JustServe makes it easy to just go out and serve! Susannah MacKay is a local JustServe specialist. She grew up in Marietta and loves helping strengthen her community through service! Follow her on Facebook @JustServeGeorgia.
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Celebrations! ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE FREE!
Email: edit@aroundaboutmagazines.com September deadline is Aug. 5.
Please specify Around Woodstock.
Gram Schroeder
Age 5 on Aug. 2 Our sweet boy is turning 5 and heading to kindergarten. We know he will thrive. Grateful parents, Pete and Corinne, and big sister, Alice
Alice Schroeder
Age 7 on June 1 Alice has blossomed this year, excelling at school, dance and gymnastics. We are excited about the year ahead. Grateful parents, Pete and Corinne, and little brother, Gram
Russell Vaudrey
Amber and Ron Brickner
Happy first anniversary to Amber and Ron Brickner (with daughter Annahlise)! Married July 16, 2021 at Ashton Gardens.
On July 10, longtime Woodstock resident Russell Vaudrey celebrated his 100th birthday! Vaudrey’s grandchildren — Brian Volk, Stephanie Miller and Matt Volk — hosted a celebration at Woodstock City Church. Mayor Michael Caldwell announced that July 10, 2022 had been proclaimed Russell Carl Vaudrey Day.
Camden James
Happy first birthday, Camden. We love you so much! Daddy, Mommy and Hudson AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
23
MADELYN ALLEN
From left, Madison Smith, Jordan Schilling, Julia Sick and Madelyn Allen.
The Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouts, has been a part of the program since 1916. Since then, more than 1 million young women have earned the award. The Gold Award recognizes girls who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through community service projects that have a sustainable impact on our community and beyond. In executing a Gold Award project, a girl first must identify a local issue that she is passionate about. She must identify the root cause of the issue and create a plan to address it. While working on her project, she also must educate people about the issue, and inspire them to get involved. Finally, her project must be sustainable, continuing once her efforts are completed. Just like the Boy Scouts’ Eagle Award, the Gold Award often plays a critical role in college acceptance and scholarship processes. As a recipient of the award, girls can enter the armed forces one rank higher than other recruits, and recipients usually have higher success rates when looking for a job. This summer, six Cherokee County Girl Scouts — Julia Sick, Katie Collier, Kyra Gosselin, Madison Smith, Jordan Schilling and Madelyn Allen — are working toward their Gold Awards. Here are some of the girls’ descriptions of their projects, and details of how you can get involved. 24
AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
I’ve been a Girl Scout for 10 years, and I’ve always enjoyed being outside, in nature. With Scouts, I’ve gotten to go camping, hiking and canoeing, as well as learn about the importance of taking care of our environment. When I was a student at Holly Springs Elementary, I learned a lot about STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). There are lots of opportunities in STEM, especially for women, but it seems like most of the careers involve being inside all day. For my Gold Award project, Fresh Air Careers, I researched and found many careers in the STEM field that enable you to spend time outside. Throughout this summer, I have been educating elementary students, especially girls, about these opportunities. In June, I had the pleasure to lead the science unit at our local Girl Scout summer day camp, Camp Camellia Rose. It was wonderful to work with more than 115 campers and explain to them all the options open to them in the STEM world. I also created a PowerPoint presentation that will be shown to elementary school students in our community about outdoor-based STEM careers. I would love to spread the word to anyone interested in STEM. If you would like additional information about the project, or the presentation, please email freshaircareers2022@gmail.com.
Madelyn at Camp Camellia Rose.
MADISON SMITH
Katie educates others about the importance of proper horse care.
KATIE COLLIER
I am a rising senior at Creekview High School and a Girl Scout for 12 years. I am glad to say that I have made so many amazing friendships along the way. Growing up, I always loved being around animals and hated seeing one that was not getting treated the way it should be. I got this from my grandmother, who also loved animals, especially horses. My grandmother always had at least one horse, and every time I went to her house, I would beg to go riding. Riding with my grandmother inspired me to focus my Gold Award project on enriching the horse-care community. The main goal for my project is to educate others about the importance of proper horse care, and what that care looks like. I want to be able to get this message out to as many people as I can, and help local horses in any way possible. I reached out to Bearfoot Ranch, a nonprofit equestrian center in Canton that dedicates its services to helping others learn to ride, while also helping rescue horses. After meeting with a team member at the ranch, I learned that they need help with a project — building hitching posts (the poles you tie horses to that keeps the horse and others safe). Along with building hitching posts at Bearfoot Ranch this summer, I created an informational video for their website about proper, appropriate horse care. If you are a part of the horse-care community, or are hoping that one day you will be, please watch my YouTube video at https://bearfootranch.org or my YouTube channel, Katie Collier – Gold Award Project. By watching it, you potentially can help or save a horse!
I’m a senior at Cherokee High School and a Girl Scout for almost 11 years. That time has been filled with lots of mosquito bites and s'mores, but I truly have learned to appreciate the outdoors, especially the water. Growing up with a pool in my backyard, spending my summers lifeguarding, and volunteering as the canoeing counselor at two Girl Scout camps, I understand why people love spending their time in the water. Although water activities are enjoyed by many, I recognize that water is dangerous when the proper precautions are not taken. Lakefront activities, such as canoeing, kayaking and boating, can be fatal, and that is why I decided to focus my Gold Award project, Safe Splashes, on preventing incidents in natural water. When I decided on my project, I partnered with Wildlife Action, a nonprofit whose resource center and campground is in Acworth; Safe Kids Cherokee, an organization dedicated to protecting children in our community; and local EMTs. I am creating a water safety video, with the help of these partners, to educate our community on floatation devices, the buddy system, how to assess your child’s swimming ability and how to handle water emergencies if they occur. Water safety begins with education. You can help with my project by following my Instagram page, @safesplashescherokee, and watching my video, which is linked on my profile. If you would like additional information, you also may directmessage that account.
Madison demonstrates how to safely operate a kayak. AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
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JULIA SICK
Jordan at The Phoenix at Union Hill’s new greenhouse.
JORDAN SCHILLING
I am a senior at Creekview High School, and my Gold Award project is focused on educating people, especially the elderly, about the mental and physical health benefits of gardening. I am working with the residents of The Phoenix at Union Hill, a retirement community in Canton. I am providing residents with information and resources to help them benefit from being outdoors and gardening. I selected this issue because I am very close with my grandpa. He has always been there to toss the ball for batting practice or help me get faster running the bases. Now, as I get ready to graduate from high school, I’ve seen how much he is slowing down, and it makes me sad. I want to help people like my grandpa and show them that they can be active and improve their mental and physical health, by doing something as simple and enjoyable as gardening. Gardening is known to improve the moods of seniors, as well as keep the muscles moving, which can ease arthritis and prevent stiffness. Many studies also show that gardening may lower the risk for dementia and mental decline. This could be because gardening requires the use of many critical functions, including dexterity and sensory awareness. Through my Gold Award project, I am working with the residents to create a garden and greenhouse. I also will be sharing my project with other senior facilities in our community, so their clients can enjoy a healthier and happier life as well.
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AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
I have been a Girl Scout for 12 years. Growing up, my family and I always looked for ways to help the community, whether it be providing donations to charities or volunteering at various soup kitchens. I have recognized how severe poverty can impact the well-being and health of others, especially when related to hardships such as food insecurity. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty has dramatically increased across the nation, leaving thousands of families without the proper income to provide a stable supply of meals for their families. Seeing how our county, much like thousands of counties across the nation, has been impacted by the pandemic, I wanted to figure out something I could do to help combat food insecurity in my community — something that could help provide a steady source of food to those in need. With that in mind, I partnered with House of Hope, a nonprofit organization that collects food donations and redistributes those donations to families challenged by food insecurity. My Gold Award is centered around bolstering House of Hope’s Blue Bag Program, by encouraging adults in Cherokee County to sign up and continually fill up blue bags. The Blue Bag program is a sustainable, consistent food donation system, where people provide donations every other month. Participants are given blue bags and fill them with requested canned and boxed food items. Bags are left on the participant’s front porch on an assigned pickup date. House of Hope helpers pick up the bags and leave an empty bag for the next pickup. Please help me make a difference by visiting my table near the Chamber House in downtown Canton at the First Friday celebration on Aug. 5. I will provide a sign-up sheet for those interested in the program. If you wish to help, but do not feel you are able to commit on an ongoing basis, I will be collecting food donations. If you would like to sign up for the program now, or if you would like additional information, email wendy@ houseofhopefreehome.com.
Julia in House of Hope’s food pantry.
Dental Sealants Help Kids, Adults BY DR. TAMERAH MARABLE
Have you ever taken your child to the dentist and had them tell you your child has groovy teeth? When permanent adult molars come in, they often have deep pits and grooves, thus making them "groovy" and more prone to cavities. That's where sealants come in. Sealants are a simple, safe, inexpensive and a very effective way to help protect teeth against cavities. A sealant is a thin, clear protective coating that is painted on the chewing surface of the back molars. The sealant fills in all the pits and grooves, so food will not get caught in them. It often is recommended for patients when their permanent, 6-year-old molars are completely erupted, and again when the 12-year-old molars are fully erupted. You might wonder, if sealants are so good, why wait to recommend them until around the age of 6? The reason dentists often hold off on recommending them is because baby teeth don't usually have deep pits and grooves like adult teeth. Also, while applying sealants, it is important to keep the tooth dry, which can be
hard for younger children. Sealants don't last forever, but they serve an important purpose. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dental sealants prevent 80% of cavities for two years in the back teeth, where nine in 10 cavities occur. While sealants normally are recommended only for kids, they are just as helpful for adults. Oftentimes, they are not discussed with adults because most insurance companies stop covering sealants as you age, which makes it an out-of-pocket expense for the patient. Adults should talk to their dentist about sealants, as they are much cheaper than a filling and are noninvasive. Dr. Marable completed her pediatric residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is a board-certified pediatric dentist practicing at Woodstock Dental Town. 678-224-5722.
AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
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PROTECT Your ‘To Agency Offers Coverage for Homes, Vehicles and Other ‘Toys’
I
n 1995, Peter Laczko was working for a South Florida jet ski/motorcycle dealership. He quickly realized customers needed a specialized insurance agent who could offer proper coverage for their motorized “toys.” Instead of referring business to other agents, Peter decided to meet that need himself.
Peter and Lisa Laczko at the Victoria Harbor Marina. 28
PHOTOS BY RED BARYL PORTRAITS
The entrepreneur rented space at the dealership, and worked with customers to make sure they got the insurance coverage they needed. On his days off, Peter drove around the state of Florida, marketing his insurance products to other dealerships. After four years, he decided to focus 100% on his insurance business and opened Peter Laczko Insurance. Fast-forward to 2022, and we find Peter celebrating his company’s 25th anniversary. He and his wife Lisa are happy to be marking that milestone in Woodstock, their chosen hometown since 2006. They were drawn here by what Lisa called “the wholesome way of life Cherokee County offered.” “Before we were married, Lisa and I visited the Woodstock area several times. We knew this was where we wanted to raise a family and serve the community,” Peter said. When he isn’t busy helping customers, Peter and Lisa are involved in community service. They are members of Woodstock City Church, sponsor Circle of Friends (an organization that supports adults with disabilities in Cherokee County) and support sports
SPONSORED AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
oys’
teams at Sequoyah High School, where their daughter Abbi, 17, attends school. They also have two adult sons: Matthew and Nicky. Lisa volunteers and teaches exercise classes to Parkinson’s patients. At the height of the COVID-19 lockdown, Peter and Lisa coordinated donations for MUST Ministries, and raised money to deliver lunches to the nurses at Northside Hospital Cherokee. Peter’s desire to help others is the foundation of his agency. Peter Laczko Insurance offers coverage for homes and vehicles at competitive rates. He specializes in coverage for motorcycles, boats, recreational watercraft (jet skis, etc.), RVs, travel trailers, ATVs, UTVs, golf carts and more. Commercial policies also are available. “For us, transparency is key. We make sure that our customers get a fair deal every step of the way,” Peter said. “Whether you are new to RVs, or have owned your watercraft for years, our experts will find the right coverage for you at the right price, efficiently and effectively. ” Why Call Peter Laczko? Customers get direct access to Peter when they call the office. He is licensed in 50 states, has citizenship in the United States, Canada and Hungary, and speaks multiple languages, including English, French and Hungarian. Peter was named Safeco Producer of the Year (2019 and 2020) and his firm was Safeco’s top Georgia New Business Agency (2018). The agency has more than 1,000 Google reviews and a 4.8star rating. Peter Laczko Insurance was runner up in the insurance category for the 2022 Around Woodstock Readers’ Choice poll.
While Peter can help bundle auto and home insurance policies to save customers money, he also focuses on the high-end toys that many insurance companies don’t cover. “People often don’t realize that motorcycles, boats, RVs and golf carts require coverage that is different from car insurance,” he said. Through Peter Laczko Insurance, customers can purchase total loss replacement coverage for the first five years after purchasing their toy. If the unit is stolen, or unable to be repaired due to damage, the policy covers a full replacement. After five years, the policy will cover the price you originally paid. With the ability to shop insurance policies through different companies, including Progressive, Travelers, Safeco, Dairyland and National General, Peter is able to find the best rates and save his clients considerable amounts of money. Peter helped Donna Lee save money on home, auto and RV insurance. “I have been in the health insurance business since 2006,” she said, “and have struggled to find a home and auto agent that was customer-oriented, responsive, professional, efficient, and competitive. … The process was smooth, quick and easy. I had been trying to pull quotes out of other agencies for almost two weeks with no results. … The art of answering and returning calls in this industry has been lost, but not in his office.”
PETER LACZKO INSURANCE 225 Creekstone Ridge Woodstock, GA 30188
678-833-2860
www.insureyourtoy.com
EQDq
Customers Say It Best “I had insurance on my trailer faster than I could get a Big Mac. Their personnel were respectful, got me what I needed and didn’t try to sell me a policy I didn’t need. I will follow my insurance for my trailer any day with these folks. 5 stars!” — Curtis B. “Great, pain-free purchase … he even asked if I was a first responder or military vet for the discount. I would recommend any first responder or military vet use this dealership. Even though I am four hours away, I will definitely purchase from them again.” — J. Locha “I just bought a new car and was overwhelmed when I saw my insurance went up a lot. I called Peter Laczko Insurance and they were so helpful and quick to provide me a quote and get me into a new insurance plan. Will definitely use them for all my future insurance needs.” — Alexa V.
D CONTENT AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
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IN town
Woodstock
MUSIC
Woodstock Summer Concert Series The free concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater. www.woodstockconcertseries.com.
Aug. 13: Sept. 10:
Black Jacket Symphony — Hotel California Scotty McCreery
Lantern Series At the Woodstock Arts Event Green; shows begin at 7:30 p.m. www.woodstockarts.org.
Photo courtesy of the city of Woodstock.
AUGUST
6
Lemonade Day, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., is a free event at the Cherokee
Recreation and Parks building, 7545 Main St., in Woodstock. Rising third- through fifth-graders will learn how to start, own and operate their own business with a lemonade stand. Register at https://lemonadeday. org/cherokee-county.
Woodstock Farm Fresh Market, 8:30 a.m.-noon, Saturdays through
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Dec. 17. Located downtown, on Market Street and in Reformation Brewery’s backyard. Details available at www.visitwoodstockga.com. Join the inaugural Butterfly Run 5K, 8 a.m., at the Woodstock Arts Event Green. Proceeds will benefit the Amber Brown Family Support Fund at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. https:// butterflyrunatl.com. Shop locally made goods at Maker’s Mash, a pop-up shop featuring local artisans, the second Sunday of the month, 1-6 p.m., at Reformation Brewery in Woodstock. https://visitwoodstockga.com/events.
SEPTEMBER
15 24 30
The 11th annual Taste of Woodstock, benefiting the Woodstock High School Band Program, is back at the Woodstock Arts Event Green. Local restaurants will serve tastes of their best dishes and compete in a variety of categories. Admission is free. Tickets cost $0.50 each and packages start at $5. http://tastewoodstock.com.
The third annual Allen Temple Church Yard Sale is 8 a.m.-2 pm. at 232 Arnold Mill Road, in Woodstock. www.facebook.com/ AllenTempleWoodstock.
AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
Aug. 27: Sept. 24: Oct. 8: Oct. 29:
Croce Plays Croce The RT’s Gina Chavez Mountain Heart
THEATER Woodstock Arts www.woodstockarts.org
Through Aug. 21
“Home Grown: Artists From the Peach State” is a juried exhibit in the Reeves House, highlighting Georgia artists and their work.
Aug. 19
Beginning at 6 p.m. at the Reeves House, local artists will create a piece of art on the spot that will be raffled off at the end of the night.
Aug. 19-Sept. 4
“Cry It Out” follows two moms cooped up on maternity leave and starved for conversation. This comedy with dark edges takes a look at the absurdities of being home with a baby. Recommended for ages 13-plus (content).
Aug. 26
On the last Friday of each month, sit under the stars and enjoy live music at Jazz Night. Tables and chairs are provided; the outdoor bar will be stocked, and music will be playing, 6-9 p.m., on the back porch at the Reeves House.
How to Respond to New Beginnings BY THE REV. ANN GARVIN
New beginnings — we all face them from time to time. Sometimes, they are of our own choosing. For instance, we might choose to take up a new hobby and learn new skills. Or, we might choose to move to a new and different place for a new job or opportunities. In these cases, we usually are filled with excitement and anticipation. However, other times, new beginnings come to us unexpectedly. These new beginnings may come as a result of the choices of other people — a job loss that results in an unplanned move, a divorce or the death of a loved one. Oftentimes, new beginnings are accompanied by a feeling of loss. Because we aren’t in control of the situation, we aren’t excited. We actually may experience a sense of grief, anxiety or even anger. So, what are we to do when faced with unexpected new beginnings? First and foremost, be real ... acknowledge and express these feelings to God, and to a good friend. It is not easy to be in circumstances beyond our control. But, don’t allow yourself to fall into a victim mentality. Even though you might not have chosen a new beginning, you can choose how to respond to it. Every
new beginning provides opportunities for growth. Allow yourself to be comforted by the words of God: “But now, this is what the Lord says — he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” — Isaiah 43:1-2 (NIV ) With Jesus, you are never alone, even in new beginnings you didn’t choose. Claim the promises of God: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." — Isaiah 43:19 (NIV )
Ann Garvin is co-pastor at The Way Woodstock. She is a mother, grandmother and wife, but foremost a disciple of Jesus Christ. revagarvin@bellsouth.net.
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College
ESSENTIALS
101
Recent Graduates Offer Advice for New College Students
High school graduates walked across the stage in May and, soon, many will be packing up and heading off to college. It’s common to get butterflies on the first day of school, but moving away from home for the first time can be even more daunting. To put the minds of first-time college students at ease, recent graduates from Cherokee and Cobb counties shared expert advice.
RACHEL MURPHY Rachel, a 2015 graduate of Etowah High School, graduated from Mercer University School of Law in May with her Juris Doctor degree. Rachel recently completed the Georgia Bar Exam and will be working for the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office in Canton.
What were your dorm essentials?
Other than the obvious things like chargers, extension cords, power strips ... stackable storage containers with drawers were a good space saver, especially when having to share a bathroom with little or no drawer space. Also, my first year of college, I had to do all of my laundry in the dorm laundry facility, so having lots of quarters on hand is a must. I did not get an air fryer until I got to law school, and it changed my world! Definitely wish I had one in college. My rice cooker and Crock-Pot were huge lifesavers. I would meal-prep and freeze a lot of meals. I could easily grab one out of the freezer, stick it in the Crock-Pot for a few hours, and have lunch or dinner with little prep work/cleanup.
What are your packing tips?
One thing I tried to do to save space was to consolidate small things within large things. For example, if you have a lot of tennis shoes, you can store socks inside the shoes to save space. Also, if you run out of bags for your clothes, keep the clothes on hangers and place them inside a trash bag. Tie the bag shut by wrapping the garbage ties around the hangers; that way, your clothes are more likely to stay flat. When you get there, you can hang up the hangers and cut away the trash bag. This saves a lot of time when unpacking as well; plus, the hangers provide a good handle when transporting the bags. When packing a car, I recommend using towels or blankets to line your seats and trunk to make sure you aren't scraping your car or damaging the interior.
How can you meet new friends?
Get involved as much as you can! Making friends when you first get to college can be hard, especially if you are going to a school where you don’t know anyone. Getting involved in clubs, organizations, campus jobs, school events, etc. helps you meet new people easily. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. A lot of other people may be feeling apprehensive about going to these events alone, so you might meet others in your same position and quickly bond over that small thing. Rachel with her parents, Randy and Jodi Murphy. 32
AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
Directed by Ed Palombo August 12, 13, 14 | 19, 20, 21 BIOGRAPHIES
CHECK OUR WEBSITE SHOWS/SHOW DATES (TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
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2022-2023 season!!
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ALL REGULAR SHOWS
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Adults – $18 | Member Discount – $15 Groups 10 or more - $13 | Senior/Student/Active Military – $15 P l ay i n g at Canton Theatre • 171 E. Main St., Canton, GA
Box Office 770-591-0282 | info@cherokeetheatre.org Cherokee Theatre Company PO Box 5885 • Canton, GA 30114 AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
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ANSLEY CARTWRIGHT Ansley graduated from the University of Georgia in May with her master’s degree in public relations. She recently accepted a position as the marketing coordinator at Brown & Brown. In 2019, as a rising college sophomore, she wrote a packing list article for Aroundabout magazines (https://bit.ly/3nowTHQ). Here is her perspective as a graduate: Despite all of the courses you took in high school and the conversations you had with your guidance counselor, it’s hard to feel fully prepared for college. Getting ready to go off to school can be overwhelming, from trying to fit your life into a shoebox-sized dorm room to fitting half of it back in your car to take home when you realize you don’t need everything after all. The last-minute items you shoved in your suitcase will be the ones you use daily and the decorative pillows you splurged on probably will spend the semester on the floor. Through the challenging first weeks, you will learn and grow more than you ever thought possible in such a short period of time.
Don’t forget the necessities.
While picking out the perfect decor may be more fun, you might regret not prioritizing the essentials when you’re stuck in Target with every other freshman, fighting for the last pack of Command strips or off-brand paper towels. Bring an extension cord that can reach from the floor to your lofted bed. Pack more hangers, buy a box of trash bags, and toss in some medicine, because — without a doubt — you will need it. Unless you stay on top of your health, you might just spend your entire first year with the freshman flu. Pack disinfectant wipes, take your vitamins and at least try to get some sleep.
There always will be something you forget.
You won’t realize you forgot to pack an umbrella until it's already raining. Even if you aren’t a STEM student, there will be at least one time you will need a calculator for class, and it will be the day the bookstore is sold out. You won’t think about extra storage until you’re out of room. You might think you will eat in the dining hall for every meal until you see your roommate come home with Easy Mac and a side of microwave popcorn. Bring your favorite snacks. Pack Tupperware to bring dining hall food back to the dorms. Bring a Keurig, enough K-Cups to last you through your first week of exams and to-go cups.
Think out of the box.
With the luxury of Amazon and online shopping, it’s easy to pack your deliveries the way they arrive. But, take items out of their shipping boxes to consolidate space. Pack clothes and bedding in soft bags that can easily squeeze into the extra space boxes can’t. Try to unpack larger items first, and take the elevator up to your dorm and the stairs down. Get there early. The lobby of your dorm will soon look like a line for a ride at Six Flags, but where everyone is carrying furniture. Set up your side of the room before or after your roommate. With tiny dorm rooms, the fewer people trying to unpack at the same time, the better.
Come with an open mind.
The greatest advice is to come to college completely willing to try new things and meet new people. Introduce yourself more often than you might be comfortable with. Start conversations with something other than “Where are you from?” I like to ask people their zodiac sign, because, even if they don’t know it, they probably have an opinion on it they’re going to want to talk about. Visit a club even if it's just for the free food. If someone asks you to go to the dining hall or hang out in their dorm or study together, go. Try to get to know your teaching assistants and professors. Enjoy this time in your life when you are constantly growing. You’re never going to be fully prepared for when your parents leave and you are finally on your own, but you’re going to be able to handle whatever comes next.
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AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
BROOKE VON SEEGER Brooke, a 2018 Etowah High graduate, recently graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in human development and family science and a minor in business. She has accepted a position with PepsiCo Frito-Lay as a sales management associate. Her tips for collegebound students:
• Don’t leave home without a good laptop (definitely do your research). Also, buy lots of vitamin C, specifically Airborne vitamins! • Make sure to bring your pillow. I forgot to pack my pillow, and I was so sad. • Do not overpack! I am guilty of bringing too much stuff no matter the occasion. Only pack what you need, and then add one more outfit. As far as packing a car, utilize every space, i.e., your laundry hamper as a holder for smaller items. Use blankets and bathroom towels as padding between breakable items. • Packing a car is like a puzzle. Take your time, step back and look at what you are working with before beginning. Good luck; you will become a pro by your third year! • Get involved. Whether that means joining organizations, going Greek or joining a club/intramural team on campus, it’s a great way to meet new people. It helps make a large campus feel smaller, and it makes the adjustment to college life easier.
CHELSEY KELLY Chelsey graduated from Georgia State University in 2020 with her bachelor’s degree in film and media. She’s pursuing a master’s in Christian ministry at Mercer University Atlanta and is set to graduate in May 2023. Her advice:
• Bring a planner. It’s the only way you’ll be able to remember all of your assignments, appointments, meetings, etc. Whether it’s a calendar on your phone or a paper planner, carry it with you everywhere! • I wish I would've brought my own Wi-Fi router. Unfortunately, campus and/or dorm Wi-Fi can be finicky. • For packing a suitcase, section your loose items like toiletries into plastic bags and roll your clothes so you can fit more. For loading a car, pack loose items into flexible bags and label them all to make unpacking easier. • Remember to explore the resources on your campus, such as your advisers, career counselors, professors and even alumni. Half of the college experience is about the connections you make and the onthe-job experience/internships you’re able to put on your resume.
GRANT GILBERT Grant recently graduated from the University of North Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a concentration in digital marketing. His advice for first-time college students:
• Always keep an extra pair of comfortable clothes to carry around with you (in your backpack, etc.), in case you get rained on on your way to class or you get asked to hangout with friends after class. • One thing I didn't bring was pots or pans, yikes! • When packing your car, moving the passenger seat all the way up gives you a little more space after you fold down your seats. • Don't worry about if you will make friends in college. I promise, you will make some great friends that make college much easier. AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
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EVERYDAY
On April 12, 2-year-old Caspian Moore was at his day care in Canton, celebrating Easter, when he fell and hit his head. “I immediately brought him home where he slept most the day,” said his mom, Helen. “When he woke up, he began vomiting, so my fiance, Ethan, quickly took him to urgent care, suspecting he could have a concussion. I was working, so I met them there. Looking back, Caspian had been randomly falling frequently; standing one moment and on the ground the next. He also didn’t have much of an appetite lately, and would frequently vomit for no reason. When I shared this information with the urgent care doctor, he directed us to WellStar Kennestone Hospital for a CT scan.” While at Kennestone, Caspian’s CT scan revealed a tumor in the back of his brain. “Everything happened so fast. We were immediately transported to Children’s Scottish Rite Hospital Healthcare of Atlanta, where we waited for more information. The following day, an MRI revealed a tumor and fluid on his skull, requiring immediate
Aggressive chemo followed Caspian's surgery. 36
AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
Helen and her fiance, Ethan, with Caspian.
surgery to insert a drain to remove the fluid from his brain. It was so hard keeping him completely still during this time. Once the fluid was removed, they performed surgery to remove his tumor on Friday, April 15. Surgeons felt confident that they removed 100% of his tumor, but aggressive chemo must follow,” Helen said. Caspian was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a cancerous type of brain tumor that develops in the cerebellum, a part of the brain near the bottom of the skull that involves muscle coordination, balance and movement. Medulloblastoma is the most common type of cancerous brain tumor in children. Doctors usually treat kids who have this with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Treatment has improved in recent years, and more kids are making a full recovery. Helen works full time as a server at Taco Mac in Canton. Her work friends have become her family, and have set up a GoFundMe account to help Helen focus on Caspian’s treatment. “Any time Helen spends away from work is time without pay. We want to make sure that paying the bills is the furthest thing from her mind while she and fiance Ethan Melton give all of their focus to helping Caspian
recover and get better,” said Skylar, a co-worker. Today, Caspian remains at Scottish Rite, as he begins his third chemo treatment. “His doctors assure us that his survival rate is high,” Helen said. “Treatments must continue after we leave Scottish Rite, as well as frequent MRIs to ensure his tumor doesn’t return. Since Caspian’s diagnosis, I have not been able to work, and expenses are overwhelming. I would like to thank my family for their love and support, all the wonderful nurses at the pediatric intensive care unit and Aflac at Scottish Rite, my Taco Mac work family, and, most importantly, God for his grace and mercy,” Helen said. Everyday Angels will accept donations for the Moores, or you may donate through GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/6f6b9ee2. Please keep Caspian in your prayers. Everyday Angels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Cherokee County since 2000. To make a tax deductible donation, 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. If you know of a special need in our community, email aaeverydayangels@gmail.com.
SOAK UP THE LAST DAYS OF
summer
Summer means happy times and warm sunshine, carefree days, and memories. Give the season a sendoff to remember and book a boat rental from the largest fleet on Lake Allatoona.
Delay the restart of reality just a little longer and enjoy some fun on the water!
Book your boat rental today!
(678) 831-8339 | BestinBoating.com/Boat-Rentals 651 Park Marina Road, Acworth, GA 30102
AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
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5
Must-Try
Simple School Night Recipes
After working all day, picking up your kids from school and taking them to sports practice, you probably aren’t itching to come home and cook a four-course meal. But, even on the busiest nights, you don’t have to make stopping at McDonald’s on the way home a part of your routine — and, if you do, we won’t judge! Here are some recipes submitted by your neighbors, to help make dinners at home fast and easy, when they need to be (aka most of the time).
Garlic Butter Baked Flounder Sydney Galantiz, Woodstock
A low-carb side for this meal is asparagus, and you can cook it in the oven at the same time. Place the asparagus on a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stick it in the oven when you put in the flounder. Check after 15 minutes.
Ingredients • • • • • • • •
1 pound flounder filets salt and pepper paprika cayenne pepper garlic powder 2 lemons 4 tablespoons butter, divided 3 teaspoons garlic, minced
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Pat the flounder dry with paper towels. Season both sides liberally with salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper and garlic powder. Cut one lemon in thin slices and the other in wedges, for serving. Make a tin foil packet on a sheet pan. Place half of the butter in the packet, and add the seasoned fish filets. Top with minced garlic, lemon slices and remaining butter. Seal the foil packet, and place the pan in the oven. Bake for 20 minutes.
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AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
4-Ingredient Lazy Lasagna Katie Phillips, Woodstock
This is a great recipe to make with kids. There’s no chopping involved, and they can help you layer the “lasagna.” Another plus is the prep time is short, and it’s on the table in less than an hour. When you’re shopping for ingredients to make this, pick up a salad kit as an easy side.
Ingredients • • • •
1 jar (24-ounce) pasta sauce 1 bag frozen ravioli 16 ounces shredded mozzarella ½ cup shredded parmesan
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish, and spread a thin layer of pasta sauce (less than 1 cup) in the bottom of the dish. Arrange about half of the frozen ravioli in a single layer over the sauce. Top with half of the remaining sauce and half of the mozzarella. Repeat with remaining ravioli, sauce and mozzarella. Sprinkle with parmesan. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese starts to brown. Note: If you like meatier recipes, add ground beef or mushrooms to the dish, or serve with meatballs. I like to use chunky pasta sauce to incorporate more vegetables.
Cuban-Style Mojo Pulled Pork Cristina Markley, Canton
For a quick and easy meal, serve with buns for barbeque sandwiches. For a full meal, serve with mashed potatoes, gravy and corn.
Ingredients
• 2 pounds pork tenderloin, frozen • ½ bottle of Goya Mojo Criollo Marinade
Directions
Place pork in a Crock-Pot, and pour the marinade over the pork. Cook on low heat for 8 hours. Shred the pork in the Crock-Pot so it soaks the juice back up.
Easy Chicken Pot Pie Janis Forrester, Canton
Ingredients
• 1 (12.5-ounce) can cooked chicken breast, drained • salt and pepper • 1 can mixed vegetables, drained • 1 can cream of chicken soup • 1 can cream of potato soup • 1 can crescent rolls
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Combine chicken, salt and pepper (to taste), vegetables and soups into a bowl. Mix well. Pour mixture into a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish. Unroll crescent rolls and place on top of the filling. Bake for 15-20 minutes.
Skillet Flat Iron Fajitas Jeffrey Lee, Woodstock
Skip the marinade! You can make tasty fajitas without marinating your steak for hours. Serve with flour tortillas, guacamole, queso or sour cream.
Ingredients • • • • •
1 pound flat iron steak 2 bell peppers (color of choice) 1 small white onion 1 ½ tablespoons fajita seasoning, separated 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Directions
Slice the steak, bell peppers and onion into strips. In a bowl, add the sliced steak and 1 tablespoon of fajita seasoning. Toss to coat. In a separate bowl, add vegetables and ½ tablespoon of fajita seasoning. Toss to coat. Set aside. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil and vegetables to the hot skillet. Cook for 4 minutes, or just until vegetables begin to soften. Add the steak to the pan (Leave the vegetables in!), and stir frequently. Cook for 6 minutes, or until desired doneness is reached. AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
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Rob’s Rescues These animals are waiting for homes at Cobb County Animal Services.
There are a lot of small dogs like this one at the shelter. This dog’s name is Molly. She is a 7-year-old terrier. She came to the shelter as a stray, and has a lot of love and positive energy in her. Molly would be a perfect family dog who would love everyone and just have a fun time with them.
I interviewed Global Conservation Corps (GCC) founder and Executive Director Matt Lindenberg about what he does and his new movie, “Rhino Man.” This interview is the last of three parts that have been published over the summer. GCC (www. globalconservationcorps. org) is a nonprofit organization based in Atlanta that bridges the gap between community and wildlife.
Rob with Matt Lindenberg of Global Conservation Corps.
What do you want people to know about GCC?
It is about investing in people to save wildlife. If we can’t secure the future of the local communities living around wildlife, there will be no wildlife. We must create a mutually beneficial relationship between wildlife and the people.
How can someone work for GCC? This cat’s name is Idgie. She is 15 years old and was an owner surrender. She has been in the shelter a very long time, and she just needs a home to be loved and live out her life.
Our approach is to bring skilled people into the classrooms in our communities to educate and provide skill development and opportunity creation for people living alongside wildlife. Families can come to South Africa and be educated in all we do.
How can the community help?
It starts with educational awareness. Become educated on the problems involved in protecting wildlife. Share our posts on Instagram and social media. We do events in Atlanta, so join us there and help with events. If you have any connections that do corporate matching or want to pay the salary of a South African ranger guarding rhinos against poachers, let me know.
Is there still a possibility that rhinos will become extinct?
Yes, unfortunately. At this rate of poaching, rhinos will be extinct within 10 years. Everyone needs to come together to solve the problem. A rhino horn is worth about $100,000.
What animal is in the most danger?
Rhinos are super endangered. Also, there are only about 7,000 cheetahs and 10,000 lions in the wild.
What is the most important way to protect wildlife?
Rob Macmillan is on a mission to help shelter dogs and cats. On Facebook @robsrescues. www.robsrescues.com.
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Everyone has a part to play. It doesn’t need to be rhinos in Africa. It could be several species of darters (very small fish) or sea turtles in Georgia. Just do something. “Rhino Man” will be premiering at one of the big film festivals later this year. Watching the film will provide a lot of answers and inspiration.
How can people get in touch with you?
Follow us on Instagram and look at our website. We also have a very cool newsletter, with stories from the field.
Local News
Be Pro Be Proud Promotes the Importance of Skilled Trades
Be Pro Be Proud Georgia, an initiative that promotes 15 of Georgia’s most in-demand skilled professions through a hands-on mobile workshop and interactive website, visited 43 cities across Georgia during the 2021-22 school year. The initiative’s Be Pro Be Proud Georgia Tour Manager gamified stations allow Reggie Lagrone and Tour Driver middle and high school Matthew “Hutch” Hutcheson. students to see what it’s like to get behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler, assemble a PVC pipe, analyze human anatomy through augmented reality, bind metal through a virtual welding experience, explore a career in linework behind the lens of an Oculus VR headset, discover robotics and automation, and test hand-eye coordination through an engaging skills challenge. Four new partners joined Be Pro Be Proud Georgia in 2022, including American Home Shield, Georgia Northwestern Technical College, Select Cobb and Wellstar Health System. In April, Wellstar Health System joined Be Pro Be Proud as its first health care partner, a field that is projected to grow more than 10% over the next decade. Since 2020, Be Pro Be Proud has hosted nearly 24,000 visitors on the mobile workshop, across 43 counties and 238 tour stops. To view upcoming tour dates, visit www.beprobeproudga.org.
A business networking party! SCHMOOZE \’shmüz\ (verb): to converse casually, especially for social and business connections PALOOZA \’pa•lü•zah\ (noun): a large scale party!
Located at:
Woodstock City Church 150 Ridgewalk Pkwy., Woodstock (Exit 9, I-575)
Thursday, Aug. 11 4 - 7 p.m.
Free Admission! Networking
Exhibitors
A Taste of Cherokee Giveaways & Door Prizes
Open to the Public! Presented by:
Creekview High School students, from left: Emily Gudermuth, Carson Cater and Will Nichelson. Seated: Ryan Burch
www.CherokeeChamber.com 770-345-0400 Meagan@CherokeeChamber.com AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
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Exploring Olde Rope Mill Park BY THE WANDERER
The Little River originates along the western border of Cherokee County and winds its way through the southern half of the county. Along the way, Mills Creek and Rubes Creek empty into it. In the early 1840s, a small settlement that included a cotton mill and a grist mill was erected along the river’s banks, because early American settlers recognized the sheer volume and power of the water coursing through it. By the time of the 1900 U.S. Census, the mill almost certainly was the largest employer in Woodstock, having 15 of the 276 residents on its rolls. Along the hillside, next to the river, was a large warehouse where bales of cotton were stored before being dropped into a chute that began the process of turning the cotton into rope. While the official name of the enterprise was the Cherokee Cotton Mill, it quickly came to be known to the locals as Rope Mill. Farther up the hillside was housing for some of the employees, and at the bottom, alongside the river, was the main building, said to be nearly 200 feet long. If you take Exit 9 off I-575 and forgo the outlet mall by heading in the opposite direction, you’ll find Olde Rope Mill Park. Trust me, it’s worth it. Water power here didn’t quickly become obsolete by the advent of electric power, thanks in part to improvements made over the years, most significantly a dam built in 1925 to increase water 42
AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
A scene from Olde Rope Mill Park. Photo by Ariosta Widner.
power through the mill raceway to the turbine in the powerhouse. In fact, when fuel was scarce during World War II, low-cost water power gave the Cherokee Cotton Mill a competitive advantage, and it landed large contracts for making tent rope for the military. But, the mill was situated in the floodplain of the new Allatoona Lake that was being built immediately after the war, so the land was bought up by the government, and the buildings were dismantled. On Sept. 30, 1949, the mill closed. However, Rope Mill’s story doesn’t end there. Grab your hiking boots or your mountain bike, and go to Olde Rope Mill Park. It isn’t just historic; it’s beautiful. The trails are cherished by mountain bikers, as the paths are stacked loops that allow bikers to vary their route to achieve the desired mileage and level of difficulty they are seeking. By rule, bikers have the right of way
here, but hikers like me are entirely welcome, provided they walk in the opposite direction of the cyclists and yield to them on the trails. It’s all well-marked and easy to do. If you have little ones who may be up for only a mile or so, the paths by Little River are wide and paved on one side, and a little exploring allows you to see the mill raceway and several sluice gates, the remains of the dam and the foundations of various buildings. • https://bit.ly/39sR4AW • https://bit.ly/3b61yGN • https://bit.ly/3xV2BTc • https://bit.ly/3aZ1IzL • https://bit.ly/3xZeQhE The Wanderer has been a resident of Cherokee County for nearly 20 years, and constantly is learning about his community on daily walks, which totaled a little more than 1,800 miles in 2021. Send questions or comments to wanderingga@gmail.com.
Don't Ignore These Health Symptoms BY CHEROKEE WOMEN’S HEALTH SPECIALISTS, PC
Women often accept minor gynecological or urinary symptoms as a normal part of being a woman, but those minor symptoms may be indicative of a more serious condition. It is important to take charge of one’s health, stay up to date on annual visits, and make sure to speak with a doctor about any concerns, no matter how minor they may be. By recognizing and disclosing these symptoms early, doctors may be able to diagnose and treat underlying pelvic or urinary conditions. Symptoms to discuss with your doctor include:
FENDER BENDER?
Urinary incontinence. Leaking urine is commonly seen in women who have had multiple pregnancies, or who are advancing in the aging process. However, urinary incontinence is not something a woman should take lightly. Leaking any amount of urine while laughing, sneezing, coughing or exercising can be a sign of several urinary conditions, including bladder prolapse. Don’t wait until an annual exam to bring this to your doctor’s attention. There are treatments and lifestyle changes you can make to minimize the symptoms of incontinence.
Unexplained bleeding. Bleeding that is not associated with a monthly cycle should immediately be brought to a doctor’s attention. While one shouldn’t stress about the worst-case scenario, possible conditions that could cause bleeding range from fibroids and cysts to ectopic pregnancies, anemia or cancer.
R E D N E F ? R E D N BE We can fix it!
Call for a FREE estimate! All Work Guaranteed - Bumper Replacement - Paintless Dent Repair - We work with all insurance carriers. We offer military & senior discounts.
Pelvic pain. Any pelvic pain, whether it is during intercourse or any other time, should be mentioned to a doctor. There could be underlying causes that may need to be examined further and/or treated, such as a sexually transmitted disease, endometriosis or uterine fibroids.
Any changes that seem out of the ordinary. A change in discharge, itching, visible bumps or bulges, or burning while urinating are reasons to call your gynecologist immediately. These unpleasant symptoms may be signs of vaginal infections, sexually transmitted diseases, urinary tract infections or other vaginal conditions that require a doctor’s diagnosis and treatment. In addition to the symptoms mentioned, be sure to also share with your doctor any symptoms that are not typical for you. Be in tune with your body. And while these issues sometimes can be hard to discuss, remember, your doctor has probably heard it all. The sooner you have a diagnosis, the sooner treatment can begin.
Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists, PC has six OB-GYNs and five midlevel providers, with offices in Canton and Woodstock.
AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
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Around & About 20
The Gallop and Go 5K is set for 8 a.m. at First Baptist Church Woodstock. Check for more details at www.beats-inc.org.
PoBoys Car Club’s Cruise In is the third Saturday of each month through October, 3-7 p.m., at 1447 Riverstone Parkway in Canton. www.facebook.com/poboyscarclub.
26 tribute concert
Join the Georgia Players Guild for an Eagles , 8-10 p.m. at the Canton Theatre. https://gpg.ticketleap.com/cantoneagles/details.
River Rock Summer Concert 27 Canton’s Series
wraps up the 2022 season with Electric Avenue. Bring your family, friends, lawn chair and coolers to Etowah River Park amphitheater, 6-10 p.m., for the free concert. www.cantonga.gov.
AUGUST
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The Lake Allatoona Association Poker Run, benefiting Folds of Honor, will begin at 11 a.m. For more information on poker run stops and silent auction bidding, visit https://lake-allatoona-association.square. site/registration. An Alzheimer's Caregivers Support Group meets the second Thursday of each month, 11 a.m. at Little River Methodist Church in Woodstock. Wheelchair accessible. 770-926-2495.
The ninth annual Chick-fil-A Moo’ve It 5K, benefiting the Cherokee County Educational Foundation and the Cherokee County Special Olympics, is back at Etowah River Park in Canton. The race begins at 8 a.m. and is an official qualifying event for the Peachtree Road Race. To register, visit cfamooveit.com. Stop by Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Woodstock for electronics recycling and a Red Cross Blood Drive. Sign up for the blood drive, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., at redcrossblood.org. Drop off electronics between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. gslutheran.org.
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The Caffeine and Gasoline Cruise In is the second Saturday of each month, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. in the Riverstone Walmart parking lot. https://bit.ly/3uuYZVR. The Great Georgia Pollinator Census is a citizen science project that allows everyone to participate in counting insects in Georgia. The Cherokee Master Gardeners are hosting two pollinator census locations in Canton, Aug. 19-20 from 10 a.m.-noon. To participate, stop by the Cherokee County Senior Center on Friday and Saturday or the Cherokee Veterans Park Backyard Education Station on Saturday only.
AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
SEPTEMBER
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Canton’s Multicultural Festival returns to Etowah River Park, 11 a.m.- 3p.m. www.cantonga.gov. Stop by the Cherokee County Senior Center, 9 a.m.-noon, for the Cherokee Master Gardeners’ Fall Plant Sale, featuring a variety of plants, shrubs, trees, garden accessories, expert advice and more. https:// cherokeemastergardeners.com. On Facebook.
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The 38th annual Riverfest Arts and Crafts will return to Etowah River Park in Canton, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5. Ages 10 and younger are free. https://serviceleague.net/ fundraisers/riverfest. The Cherokee Career Expo will be at the Northside Hospital Cherokee Conference Center in Canton, 2-6 p.m. Resume review begins at 1 p.m. www.cherokeega.org/career-expo.
MUSIC
Canton First Friday
The monthly block party, sponsored by the Canton Main Street Program, runs 6-9 p.m. in downtown Canton. www.cantonga.gov. On Facebook.
Aug. 5: Sept. 2:
Bumpin’ the Mango Kinchafoonee Cowboys
NETWORKING
Fresh Start Cherokee @ The Circuit 1 Innovation Way, Woodstock 770-345-0600 // www.circuitwoodstock.com/events.
1 Million Cups Cherokee (1MC) Cherokee
Held in person and on Facebook Live, the free, biweekly coffee gathering helps build start-up communities on a grassroots level. For upcoming events, visit the Fresh Start Cherokee Facebook page.
IN WDSTK
www.inwdstk.org.
Morning INfluence
Breakfast is served at the Morning INfluence the last Friday of every month, 8-9 a.m. Morning INfluence is a networking event, which includes a brief presentation focusing on updates given by Greater Woodstock on important issues or services offered that affect the community. RSVP is required; seating is limited.
RECREATION Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency www.playcherokee.org Recreation Center: 770-924-7768, Aquatic Center: 678-880-4760.
Aug. 3
Unwind Wednesday is the first Wednesday of every month through October, 5:30-8 p.m., at Cherokee Veterans Park in Canton. Featuring a variety of food trucks, live music and more, the event will be fun for the whole family.
Sept. 17
Touch-a-Truck is back, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., at Cherokee
Veterans Park in Canton. Kids can get in their favorite vehicles — a firetruck, helicopter, police car and more — and meet hometown heroes. The event is free, and there will be food vendors and games. Quiet time for those with sensitive ears is 9:30-10 a.m.
YPOW AM
Wellness Wednesdays
Cherokee Chamber of Commerce
Aug. 10: Aug. 17:
Dr. Karen Buhariwalla, Georgia Breast Care
Aug. 25: Aug. 31:
Lauren Cicinelli, Northside Hospital
Join Young Professionals of Woodstock, 7-8:30 a.m., Thursdays at The Circuit, for coffee and networking that features an informal chat with a local leader. RSVP is required; seating is limited. www.cherokeechamber.com.
Good Morning Cherokee
breakfasts are held 6:30-9 a.m. monthly at the Cherokee County Conference Center, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton.
Power Hour Networking
Join Northside Hospital experts for a virtual health presentation every Wednesday at noon. Visit www.northside. com/community-wellness/classes-events for registration. Dr. Emily Zachowski, Northside Family Medicine Dr. Steve Lammert, Northside Primary Care Associates
is held monthly at the chamber office, 3605 Marietta Highway, Canton, 10-11 a.m.
Business After Hours
4:30-6 p.m., meets in rotating chamber member businesses, monthly (except July and August).
Woodstock Business Club Meets weekly, 8:30-9:30 a.m. Thursdays at Reformation Brewery, 105 Elm St., Woodstock. Follow on Facebook.
THEATER Cherokee Theatre Company www.cherokeetheatre.org
Aug. 12-14, 19-21
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare. Performances will be at the Canton Theatre.
Oct. 21-23, 28-30
“A Party to Murder” by Marcia Kash and Douglas E. Hughes. Directed by Jeannie and Wally Hinds. Performances will be at the Canton Theatre.
FARMERS MARKETS Farmers Market at River Church
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays through October at 2335 Sixes Road, Canton. On Facebook.
Canton Farmers Market
Opens for the season June 4 in Brown Park and continues weekly, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays, through Oct. 15. https://bit.ly/3w3RTco.
Ball Ground Farmers & Makers Market
Every other Saturday through Aug. 20, 9 a.m.-noon at City Park in Ball Ground. On Facebook. AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
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What’s Happening at Your Library?
BY JOHN RODGERS
Summer learning has ended and students are headed back to school. You might not think the public library belongs on the list of places to continue visiting yearround, but all of the fun things people enjoyed at the library this summer, including free all-ages events, also are available in fall, winter and spring. From computer access and state park passes to sewing machines and 3D printing, Sequoyah Regional Library System (SRLS) is here even after summer has passed. What was your favorite program at the library in June and July? The game nights? The special storytimes? All of these events return to the library’s programming calendar for August. Enjoy music and movies, adult art night, a paper airplane tournament, bingo for books, toddler sensory programs, or help your child build confidence speaking by reading to Zoey the Reading Dog. For students who anticipate doing a bunch of homework this school year, printing documents at the library has never been easier. Anyone with a library card can print from anywhere by visiting sequoyahregionallibrary.org (on a personal computer or mobile device), logging in with a library card number and uploading documents to the mobile printing webpage. Next, simply visit any SRLS library to print them out. No logging into a library computer required! Speaking of technology, most people are aware the library has e-books and audiobooks that can be checked out to their e-reader or mobile device, and the list of SRLS e-library services expand far beyond that. Library cardholders can use Ancestry to piece together their family tree, take free and easy courses to learn more than 70 languages with Mango, or prepare for a geography project with the comprehensive country-by-country database: AtoZ World Culture. Teenagers can even find practice driving tests, and those looking to save money on magazine subscriptions can use Flipster to read the latest issues of more than 20 magazines — including Southern Living, National Geographic and Us Weekly — from the comfort of their own device. Don’t forget, Chromebooks and Wi-Fi hot spots can be checked out from the library as well. From July 2021 through June 2022, our awesome community checked out more than 1 million items from SRLS libraries in Cherokee, Pickens and Gilmer counties. Sounds like this whole public library idea is really catching on. Here’s to 1 million more this year!
Visitors make superhero masks at the pop-up library in downtown Woodstock in June.
UPCOMING EVENTS Aug. 8
The Adult Eclectics Book Club is meeting to discuss “The Last Child” by John Hart, 6-7:30 p.m., in the community room at R.T. Jones Memorial Library in Canton. Register online.
Aug. 10, 17, 24
Help your child build confidence by scheduling a 15-minute appointment to read to Zoey the Reading Dog, 4:30-5:30p.m., at Rose Creek Public Library. Register online.
Aug. 11
Stop by this month’s Lego Lab, 4:30-6 p.m., at Woodstock Public Library. Legos are provided. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Registration is not required.
Aug. 17
Stop by R.T. Jones Memorial Library for Toddler Sensory Snack and Play, 10:30-11:30 a.m., to engage in a bug-themed adventure. Registration is not required. Children must be accompanied at all times.
Aug. 23
All ages are welcome to participate in the Paper Airplane Folding Tournament from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Hickory Flat Public Library. Registration is not required.
Aug. 25
Join Storytime in the Park, 10:30-11:30 p.m. at J.B. Owens Park in Canton. For ages 0-4, storytime will include rhymes and dancing. Bring a blanket to sit on. Registration is not required.
Aug. 27
John Rodgers is the community engagement manager for the Sequoyah Regional Library System.
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Break out of the book club box and join the Themed Adult Book Club to discuss your book at Woodstock Public Library,
10:30 a.m.-noon. For a copy of discussion questions, call 770926-5859. Ages 17 and older are encouraged. Register online.
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Adverse effects can vary from severe to mild, with even common plants causing great distress. Does this mean you can’t have a potentially toxic plant? On the contrary, just familiarize yourself with the plants mentioned below to recognize symptoms if a hazardous situation occurs, and keep these plants out of your pet’s reach.
Indoor Plants
• Caladium (Caladium bicolor). All parts – toxic class 3 and 4. • Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia seguine). Leaves – toxic class 3. • Elephant ear (Colocasia). All parts – toxic class 3 and 4. • Peace lily (Spathiphyllum). Leaves can cause excessive drooling, vomiting – toxic class 3. • Philodendron (Monstera deliciosa). All parts – toxic class 3. • Pothos (Epipremnum aureum). All parts – toxic class 3. • Schefflera (Schefflera actinophylla). All parts – toxic class 3.
Hazardous Houseplants: Are Your Pets at Risk? BY JENNIFER RUSCILLI
When we bring home new houseplants, we don’t typically think of them as hazardous plants. Our interests are more centered around the plant’s leaves, blooms or berries. We wouldn’t think of eating any of these plants, but our pets might. They like to chew, gnaw, nibble, smell, dig and taste. Therefore, it’s important that we are familiar with hazardous plants. There are too many plants that possess toxins — and may have an adverse effect on our pets if ingested — to mention in this article, but I am focusing on a few plants you may have around the house, along with their toxic classes. Toxicity depends on the amount of 48
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a plant that’s been eaten. According to the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, the Department of Urban Plant Pathology and Center for Urban Agriculture, plant toxicities can be categorized in four classes:
1. Major toxicity. May result in serious illness or death if ingested. 2. Minor toxicity. May result in vomiting or diarrhea if ingested. 3. Oxalates. Contains juice or sap with oxalate crystals that can irritate the skin, mouth or throat, and cause swelling, difficulty breathing, pain or an upset stomach. 4. Dermatitis. Contact with thorns or sap may result in a skin rash.
This article isn’t intended to be a replacement for any medical advice; its purpose is to bring more awareness about the plants in your home and the ones you are considering the next time you visit your favorite nursery or plant store. Most important, if you ever suspect your pet isn’t acting normal or their behavior is odd, contact your veterinary doctor immediately. (It’s a good idea to add their phone number to your favorites.) In future articles, we will look at other types of plants — holiday, landscape and ornamental — along with lawn practices that may be hazardous to your pets.
Dig Deeper:
• https://extension.uga.edu/countyoffices/cherokee/contact-us.html • https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/find_a_plant • www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poisoncontrol/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants Jennifer Ruscilli is a Cherokee County Master Gardener who loves gardening, wildlife and pets. She also has previous experience as a veterinary associate.
Managing Growth, Maintaining Infrastructure BY HARRY JOHNSTON
With the end of this election cycle in sight, it’s a great time to look ahead and consider how to keep Cherokee County great! The goals don’t change, but we’re always looking for better ways to achieve them. GOAL 1: Manage and control growth to protect quality of life. Cherokee is an exceptionally desirable place to live. People want to move here. That’s good, but too much growth will destroy that desirability. Through conservative planning and zoning, we’ve brought the countywide population growth down to about 2% per year. And, we’re working better with our cities to coordinate growth management. An update to the county’s Comprehensive Plan, done every five years, begins this year. It’s an opportunity to refine ways to keep our growth moderate. It may be our last good chance to bring planned densities down in some of our densest areas across south Cherokee, and to hold the line elsewhere. We have the opportunity to improve commercial development standards to give unincorporated commercial centers a higher-quality look and feel. We can finalize a growth boundary agreement with Holly Springs, and more fully coordinate our development planning with all the cities. GOAL 2: Keep infrastructure and services up with the growth. Roads are always top of the list here. The state has stepped up with big help on Highway 20, and is coming soon on Bells Ferry Road. We need to lock down their eventual help on Highway 140, and complete county-sponsored interim improvements there. We need some new roads, and existing county roads need ongoing expansion. The Justice Center is bursting at the seams; we’ve got to expand it. Also, we’ve got to keep expanding our public safety facilities and staffing. Our fire department has made amazing
progress since the all-volunteer days just 22 years ago, but some of the old stations need modernization or replacement with professional, quality facilities. Our sheriff ’s office is one of the nation’s finest, but the patrol staffing hasn’t kept up with population growth. To catch up, we have to make their salaries very competitive. It’s not easy, with other jurisdictions working to do the same. We just took a big step and brought our police salaries near the top in the region. That included accelerating next year’s cost-of-living raise to this year, so we won’t stay at the top for long. But, it should help fill persistent vacancies. Then we’ll need to add new positions. GOAL 3: Keep taxes lowest in the region and in Georgia. Recent inflation in salaries and materials has hit the county budget hard. And, with lower growth, we can’t divert growth revenues to cover inflation. But, I believe we will get through the current tax-rate-setting cycle with our low-tax position intact versus other counties. Almost every county in Georgia has a SPLOST. It’s critical that we get the current county SPLOST renewed this fall for another six years. It pays for substantially all local road work, new and refurbished county buildings, parks, and even fire trucks and police vehicles. Without it, our property taxes would have to be significantly higher. As always, I’m interested in your thoughts. Please email me at hjohnston@cherokeega.com.
Harry Johnston is chairman of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners. He's a retired CPA and accounting manager, and a former district commissioner.
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Advice From Top Teachers BY BARBARA P. JACOBY
As we begin the new school year, we’re offering you some expert advice — from our outstanding teachers — to make it the best year ever for your children. Every Monday, on our Cherokee County School District social media pages, we post a Q&A with top CCSD teachers, asking questions including, “What can parents do to prepare their child for learning?” Here are a few of their responses.
Barbara P. Jacoby serves as chief communications officer for the Cherokee County School District, and is a CCSD parent with four children.
“Parents can prepare their children for learning by reading to them every day, especially when they are young. Reading with your child sets a strong foundation for better communication skills and exposure to a variety of experiences. Most importantly, it instills positive relationships.” — Allison Hawkins, Hasty Elementary Fine Arts Academy
“Parents actively participating in their child’s education is a key element in a child’s success. When students see their parents investing time into their schoolwork and activities, students internalize the importance of making the most of their learning opportunities. Frequently reading with their child and practicing basic math facts to build fluency are both solid foundational steps that help prepare all children for learning.”
— Amanda Powell Sixes Elementary School
— Justin Brown, Woodstock Middle School
— John Murnan, Etowah High School AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
— Shari Tolan Teasley Middle School
“In order to ensure successful learning experiences for their children, the single most important thing parents can do is to demonstrate the value that they place on education. Being involved, then, is the most effective way to demonstrate that value. That doesn’t necessarily mean focusing simply on grades and achievement, though. Showing genuine interest in what their children are doing at school through a daily conversation about the specifics of their day is a great way for parents to be involved.”
“Learn how to study. In order to learn, people need to be exposed to the same material, repeatedly, over time. I didn’t really learn biology until I taught it. Students sometimes tell me I know a lot, but the reality is, I was just like them, and the only difference between us is experience. Parents should reduce the focus on test scores as a measure of learning, and instead have conversations with their children about what they are learning. Having the student be the teacher is one of the best ways to learn something.”
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“To prepare children for learning at school, parents must expose their children to the world. This can be through reading, music, foods, travel, museums and nature, to name just a few. Respect for others, problem solving, coping mechanisms and responsibility should be modeled at home, to help students have basic tools for learning new things and meeting new people. Curiosity, hard work and empathy cannot be beat when it comes to being a great student.”
Picking Up the Paintbrush Again BY LIBBY WILLIAMS
Do you remember the first day of band class or your first soccer practice? Seeing all of the shiny instruments beckoning you to try them, or throwing on cleats and shin guards for the first time? Kids constantly are being pushed in every direction, to try something new and pursue their passions. But, after graduating from high school and facing the “real world,” a lot of those passions melt away. A resume full of extracurriculars turns into a list of what we used to do. Why does that curious spirit get squashed as we get older? When was the last time you picked up a hobby from your childhood, or — better yet — tried something new? That sense of excitement is out there waiting for you to find it! Woodstock Arts is proud to offer classes for kids and adults in all of our departments. If the last time you picked up a paintbrush was in a high school art class, this is your sign to dive back in. Our curriculum is aimed to meet students where they are, regardless of prior experience or skill level. If you walked past the high school auditorium and felt your heart pull toward the laughter echoing through the air but never had the time to try it, this is your sign to take an improv class. Find the piece of yourself you left behind. We get it; that’s easier said than done. A class doesn’t fit into everyone's schedule. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities throughout the year with a much smaller time commitment. Our painting team comes in on an occasional Lantern Series morning to paint sets for a few hours. Our costume team spends a couple of evenings looking through our stock and pulling pieces to bring stories to life. Our front of house team comes in an hour before curtain, helps us get everyone in their seats and then gets to join us for a free show that evening. That's just the tip of the iceberg at Woodstock Arts. There always is a show, concert or an exhibit, and we always welcome help from our community to make it happen. To try something new, let your creativity flow and be a part of something, visit www.woodstockarts.org for a list of classes and volunteer opportunities.
UNDER THE STARS
PLUS...
Libby Williams is the marketing manager for Woodstock Arts. Connect with us on social media, @woodstockgaarts, to always be the first to know about upcoming events!
NEVER MISS A BEAT!
THEATRE |august 9- September 4
19
lantern series |August 27
Croce plays croce UPCOMING:
Home Grown:
Artists From the Peach State
June 23- August 21
Visual Arts Classes Ceramics | Painting Mixed Media
The RT’s September 24 | Eclectic Rock
Acting Classes
Act | Sing | Improv For all ages!
WOODSTOCKARTS.ORG | 678.494.4251 AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
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Share the Love.
Shop
Local. Our mission statement is the measure by which we determine our editorial content each month: sharing hyperlocal, positive content with you. So, it made perfect sense to take that a step further and build on what we began during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons: encouraging you to shop locally by giving you a map to follow. After so many challenges in recent years, now is a perfect time to take advantage of this beautiful weather and visit our local retailers. They’ll be happy to see you, and you can leave with the satisfaction that you’ve been a part of contributing to the economic development of our amazing community. Special thanks to Brian Stockton, director of economic development for the city, and other Woodstock officials, for sharing this map with us. We’ll do our best to keep it updated — not an easy task, with the way our city is growing! If you see something missing, or have any ideas for supporting our city, please let us know by emailing edit@aroundaboutmagazines.com. We’d love to hear from you.
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AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
J B E N I N M
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DOWNTOWN PLAYGROUND @ WOODSTOCK ARTS MADLIFE STAGE & STUDIOS THE BLUE GHOST ARCADE & BAR D DOWNTOWN PLAYGROUND WOODSTOCK ARTS THEATER @ WOODSTOCK ARTS WOODSTOCK ARTS EVENT GREEN G MADLIFE STAGE & STUDIOS & REEVES HOUSE C THE BLUE GHOST ARCADE & BAR WOODSTOCK VISITORS CENTER B WOODSTOCK ARTS THEATER & BRAND STORE ARTS EVENT GREEN D WOODSTOCK
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NOR TH (NO)
RIDGEWALK PKWY OLDE ROPE MILL PARK 2 MILES
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R O PE M IL L R O A D EAST MAIN ST
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AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
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Advertisers
This wonderful publication is brought to you by these local businesses. When using our advertisers’ services, please let them know you found out about them from the Around Woodstock magazine!
August 2022
ACCOUNTING AND TAX SERVICES
Readers' Choice
Denson Pepper, CPA 678-797-5241 www.densonpeppercpa.com
CHOICE Award 2022
Dr. Fahrenheit HVAC 770-926-6773 www.drfahrenheitvac.com
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Gondolier Italian Restaurant & Pizza 770-516-6292 www.gondolierwoodstock.com
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Holbrook Woodstock 404-445-7777 www.holbrooklife.com
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Holly Springs Jewelers www.hollyspringsjewelers.com
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Long View Lighting 770-790-3511 www.longviewlightingga.com
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Moments by Monica Photography www.mariettaphotographer.com
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Next Step Ministries 770-592-1227 www.nextstepministries.net
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Woodstock Funeral Home and Cremations 770-926-3107 www.woodstockfuneralhome.com
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AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
Cherokee County Animal Shelter www.cherokeega-animals.org
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Express Vets 678-397-7377 www.expressvets.com
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ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT Cherokee Theatre Company 770-591-0282 www.cherokeetheatre.org
33
Woodstock Arts 678-494-4251 www.woodstockarts.org
51
Woodstock Quality Paint & Body 770-926-3898
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15
17
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EVENTS/ENTERTAINMENT 41
FINANCIAL SERVICES Gary Alpert Financial Strategies 770-353-6357 www.garyalpert.com
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jéa Salon + Spa 470-461-5661 www..jeasalonandspa.com
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Big Oak Enterprises, LLC 37
Innovation Spot, The 770-262-3668 www.theinnovationspot.com
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IN WDSTK www.inwdstk.org
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CREDIT UNIONS 13
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678-721-4959 Bryan Plumbing Services 770-826-5277
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Budget Blinds 678-540-1615 www.budgetblinds.com
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DM Interiors and Design 770-424-3025 www.dminteriorsanddesign.com
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RPM Landscape and Pavers
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770-597-5175 www.rpmlandscapeandpavers.com INSURANCE
DENTAL/ORTHODONTICS Dental Town 678-224-5722 www.dentaltownsmiles.com
St. Joseph School 770-428-3328 www.stjosephschool.org
HOME AND GARDEN
BUSINESS SUPPORT
LGE Credit Union www.lgeccu.org
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HAIR SALON/BARBER SHOP
BOAT RENTALS Paradise Rental Boats 678-831-8339 www.bestinboating.com/boat-rentals
Cherokee Impact Soccer Association 770-704-0187 www.csaimpact.com
Schmooza Palooza 770-345-0400 www.cherokeechamber.org
AUTOMOTIVE
Paragon Accounting & Tax Solutions, LLC 16 770-928-7229 www.paragonaccountingandtax.com Waites Law Firm 404-717-4622 www.waites-law.com
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ANIMALS/PETS
READERS’
A&P Painting & Flooring 470-300-9060 www.appaintingandflooring.com
EDUCATION/TRAINING/LESSONS
9
Gentle Dental Care/Georgia Dental Implant Center Inside Back 770-926-2784 www.georgiadic.com
Balanced Healthcare Solutions 678-842-0335 www.balancedhs.com Peter Laczko Insurance 678-833-2860 www.insureyourtoy.com
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Cover, 28-29
OPTOMETRY Georgia Eye Partners 404-531-9988 www.gaeyepartners.com
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REAL ESTATE & RELATED SERVICES Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices 47 Woodstock/South Cherokee Office 770-517-2150 www.woodstock.bhhsgeorgia.com Cherokee Association of Realtors www.cherokeerealtors.org
Back Cover
RESTAURANTS/ SPECIALTY FOOD
PHOTOGRAPHERS Red Baryl Portraits 815-540-0936
Kris McKeeth, Keller Williams The Premier Group 678-494-0102 www.tpgsells.com
9
Chris Coulter, Southeast Mortgage Back Cover 404-735-3111
7 Tequilas Mexican Restaurant Woodstock: 678-217-7770 www.7tequilasmexicanrestaurant.com Susto's Taco Bar Restaurant: 678-400-8131 Catering: 678-400-8160 www.sustostacobar.com
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RETAILERS Art Jewelers 770-924-3133 www.artjewelers.com
3
Cotton Mill Exchange 770-992-9294 www.cottonmillexchange.net
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Cultured Brilliance 855-522-3663 www.culturedbrilliance.com
1
Mattress Clearance of Woodstock 470-534-7284 www.mattressstorewoodstock.com
11
Southern Sky Home 404-909-2526 www.southernskyoutlet.com
7
Southern Sky Home Outlet 404-842-8411 www.southernskyoutlet.com
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SENIOR LIVING St. George Village 678-987-0410 www.stgeorgevillage.org
Inside Cover
VEHICLE SALES Golf Cars of Canton 678-880-1156 www.golfcarsofcanton.com
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We have a place in the homes of our community.
AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
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List Price Address 799,000 1,075,000 525,000 378,000 460,000 525,000 599,000 389,000 335,000 334,900 795,000 649,900 349,000 675,000 495,000 365,000 319,000 589,957 325,000 375,000 800,000 374,900 300,000 750,000 525,000 329,900 375,000 400,000 749,900 587,640 559,000 365,000 535,000 549,900 350,000 389,000 750,000 399,900 519,900 399,000 650,000 325,000 679,900 410,000 575,000 390,000 635,000 565,000 450,000 699,000 445,000 315,000 594,500 320,000 376,000 775,000 365,000 400,000 575,000 275,000 650,000
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Home Sales in June
441 Hathaway Avenue 222 Briar Hollow Lane 152 Highlands Drive 2009 Crestview Way 325 Shade Tree Circle 439 Timberleaf Road 361 Windsong Way 504 Hanover Court 404 Harvest Place 523 Rivercrest Drive 221 Mcaffee Street 568 Lost Creek Drive 412 Creekside Lane 376 Heritage Overlook 230 Walnut Ridge Road 2317 River Station Terrace 154 Little Brook Drive 1766 Grand Oaks Drive 503 Tomahawk Trail 113 Creekview Drive 124 Rocky Creek Trail 405 Doris Drive 212 Colony Springs Drive 352 Heritage Overlook 2930 Trickum Drive 306 West Lane 279 Sabrina Court 527 Quinn Drive 623 Oakbourne Way 224 Floral Valley Drive 159 Towey Trail 1397 Chatley Way 517 Augusta Drive 305 Pebblestone Lane 1304 Timuquana Trail 136 Bramble Oak Drive 4013 Hickory Fairway Drive 526 Watercress Drive 810 Lazarus Drive 7012 Woodfield Way 310 Mallard Crossing 1107 Ashlin Drive 109 Heron Crossing 573 Rivercrest Drive 505 Augusta Drive 504 Drifton Way 303 Southpark Lane 109 Copper Ridge Drive 300 Hickory Court 111 Glenmill Way 158 Riverside Lane 4003 River Rock Way 2939 Trickum Road 108 Creekview Drive 1351 Chatley Way 1034 Meadow Brook Drive 1312 Timuquana Trail 382 Westchester Way 1313 Willow Tree Drive 605 Tugaloo Court 109 Mill Park Chase
AROUND WOODSTOCK | August 2022
Subdivision
Haney Walk Overlook At Woodstock Knoll Arbor View Westridge Orchards Of East Cherokee Oakhaven Serenade Farmington Carrington Farms Little River South Woodstock Downtown Stoney Creek Creek View Olde Heritage Oak Haven River Oaks Little Brook Estates Oakhurst Indian Wells Creekview Estates Of Fernwood Creek Driftwood Forest Colony Springs Olde Heritage None East Cherokee Village Driftwood Forest Whitfield at Ridgewalk *Overlook at Woodstock Knoll* Glenhaven At Ridgewalk Woodlands Wellington Manor Bradshaw Estates Oakhaven Kingsgate Bramble Oak Bradshaw Farm The Woodlands Woodlands River Oaks Heron Pond Valley Brook Heron Pond Driftwood Forest Bradshaw Estates Park at Kingsgate Highland Park Copper Ridge Hickory Mill Bradshaw Glen Woodview Court River Oaks None Creek View Wellington Manor Meadow Brook Regency at Kingsgate III Waverly Hills Willow Tree Little River Crossing Mill Park
Beds Baths Year Built Close Price Days on Market 5 6 5 3 3 4 5 3 3 3 3 6 4 5 4 3 3 3 3 4 5 3 3 5 4 4 3 4 5 2 4 3 4 5 3 3 4 3 4 3 3 3 3 4 4 3 4 4 3 4 3 3 4 3 4 4 3 4 4 3 3
4 5 4 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 5 3 4 3 2 2 3 2 2 4 2 2 4 3 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 3 2 2 2 3 2 2 3 4 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 3 2 3 2 2 3
2016 2017 2002 1995 2013 2019 2001 1979 1999 1975 2012 2016 1983 2017 2016 1992 1981 2014 1977 1976 2016 1978 1986 2017 1982 1984 1979 2004 2012 2022 2004 1990 2003 2017 2000 1981 2001 2005 2005 1992 2015 1988 2014 1977 2001 2000 2019 1996 2017 2013 2015 1988 2006 1977 1991 2003 2000 2003 1989 1980 2017
825,000 1,050,000 540,000 390,000 460,000 535,000 623,500 400,000 350,000 350,000 775,000 638,000 391,000 675,000 520,000 365,000 260,000 592,200 290,000 405,000 825,000 390,000 340,000 730,000 555,000 350,000 401,500 410,000 750,000 593,137 575,000 405,000 550,800 581,000 370,000 392,000 777,000 417,000 525,000 395,000 725,000 350,000 662,000 452,000 611,000 401,500 575,000 516,000 435,000 700,000 501,000 315,000 607,000 345,000 415,000 775,000 388,000 410,000 608,000 310,000 725,000
15 9 5 4 16 11 5 4 3 3 25 8 4 28 6 5 29 2 23 3 3 4 4 8 2 7 3 52 3 64 2 4 16 5 4 8 6 7 9 12 1 5 40 5 6 4 51 17 14 7 2 5 8 4 5 3 2 3 4 1 3
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Chris Coulter
Executive Mortgage Loan Originator NMLS #441233 GA MLO #32007 404-735-3111
